umelhelween's posts with tag: manners
 A Nurses Proposal
"There was a companion of ours in Glasgow who became ill and was
hospitalized. He was admitted for three days and on the fourth day the
attendant nurse said, "Marry me". He [the brother in Glasgow] asked,
"Why? I am a Muslim, you and I cannot become companions." She said,
"I'll become Muslim". "What's the reason?" it was asked. She said, "In
all my time that I have served in hospitals, except you, I have never
seen a man lower his gaze in front of a woman." "In my life you are the
first person who lowers his gaze when seeing a woman." "I come, and you
close your eyes. Such great modesty can be taught by none other than a
true religion." The protection of one's gaze entered Islam in her. She
testified to the Oneness of Allah and became a Muslim. They both got
married. By now, the same woman was and is the means of bringing so many
other girls / women into Islam."
By Moulana Tariq Jamil
************ ********* **
It goes without saying that every Muslim should spare no pains in
lowering his/her gaze and preserving his/her modesty. This should occur
in compliance with the Divine command given in Surah An-Nur: "Tell the
believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them.
Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to
lower their gaze and be modest." (An-Nur: 30-31)
In a hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported
as having said: "And the eyes commit zina (adultery). Their zina is
gazing." He (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded Ali(radhiyallahu
anhu) and said: "Ali! Do not look once after another, for the first look
is for you (since it happens accidentally) while the second is against
you."
************ ********* ********* **
How To Lower Our Gaze
"A big curtain is not my intention, but a big iman and befitting Islamic
manners is "
by Sabeel Ahmed
"If I were not a Muslim, I would have contracted AIDS" proclaimed my
friend. "The ayats in Sura Nur about lowering our gazes doesn't affect
me anymore," expressed another youth, talking about the intense
temptations felt by today's young. Difficulty in lowering the gaze by
both the young and old is readily perceived on the street, weddings,
parties and even in the mosques.
What has gone wrong? How can Muslims, called by Allah, our Creator the
model community, the custodians of Truth and the upholders of morality
behave this way? Why are we adopting the attitudes and routes of the
kuffar? How can we rectify ourselves? What follows is a series of
practical, though graphic advises which can work for us and set us free
from Satan's stronghold, Insha`Allah.
Prophet Muhamad (peace and blessings be upon him), by way of warning and
as a reminder said, "There is nothing left after I go more dangerous to
men than the temptations of women." Being optimistic, a ray of hope was
also wisely provided during the prophet's Last Sermon "If the Ummah
holds on to the Qur`an and Sunnah, it will never go astray."
When Allah created humans with all our desires and urges, he also
revealed to us sufficient and complete guidance to properly channel
these desires, both in the midst of Dar-ul-Kufr or Dar-ul-Islam. All we
need to do is seek it, contemplate on it and pursue it. "This day I have
perfected your deen for you, completed my favors upon you and chosen
Islam as your deen." (Maida 4)
We should realize that the fact the great sahabas were human beings
also. Biologically there were no different from us. They had desires and
temptations but yet, they controlled themselves in the best of ways. We
can do the same, Insha`Allah. To possess sensual passions is human, to
control them is Muslim.
When confronted with an alluring situation like passing by a non-mahram
on the street, office or school, Satan is constantly tempting us to
glare at her/him with evil thoughts. Satan is probably excitingly
saying, with a big smile, 'yes, yes, yes,' when we steer into the bait
he is setting. During these situations, immediately and consciously
realize that when we give a second or following glances, we are obeying
Satan. "O you who believe, follow not the footsteps of the devil "
(24:21). By immediately averting our gazes and disobeying Satan, we are
giving him a one-two punch in the face and leaving him frustrated and
accursed.
Satan rebelled and was expelled by Allah, so let's all rebel against
Satan and expel him from our hearts. Satan intends to fight a war
against Muslims, so let's gather our forces behind the Qur`an and the
Sunnah and defeat him. Remember that even if no human eye is watching
us, the Ever-Watchful Allah is constantly monitoring the innermost
regions of our hearts. Our eyes, limbs, tongue and private parts will be
witnesses on the Judgment Day and not an atom's worth of deed will
remain unexamined.
Our minds are conditioned to associate thoughts of stealing clothes from
a store to being in handcuffs and hauled into a police van. Likewise we
should condition our minds to bring the verses of Surah Nur in front of
our eyes during any tempting situations and imagine that Allah is
speaking to us directly "Say to the believing, men that they should
lower their gaze and guard their modesty .O you believers! Turn you all
together towards Allah that you may attain success" (24:30-31) If the
Qur`an contained only these two ayats, it would be enough to convince me
that it is the book of Allah.
With practice, these associations and the remembrance of Allah during
tempting situations will prevent us from getting stuck by devilish
arrows. Successfully controlling our gazes also deadens our avoidance of
sinful situations. An Islamic idiom says, "Anything that leads to haram
is haram in itself." To do a pious deed is a reward; to avoid a sin is a
reward too.
One of the biggest culprits in this class is movies. In the name of
entertainment, to please our peers and children and an excuse to do
something together as a family, we astonishingly allow un-Islamic
pictures and dialogues in front of our eyes and ears. Can we ever
imagine (aozubillah) any sahaba renting the latest hit from Blockbuster
Videos, or listening to music with alluring lyrics at high volume?
Likewise we watch news on TV and stare at the anchor women, adorned in
heavy make-up, scanty clothing and seductive smile. Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blesings be upon him), was once approached by a woman with a
proposal for marriage. He took a single glance at her face and turned
his face away. Jabir bin Abdullah(radhiyalla hu anhu) reported: "I asked
Allah's messenger about the sudden glance on the face of a non-mahram.
He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes." (Muslim) Thus, we are
not supposed to stare at faces of non-mahrams, be they are our fellow
students, our elders, saleswomen or someone on TV.
Pious ladies of the prophet's household were ordered to observe purdah
(separation) in front of a blind sahabah. Asking the curious questions
as to why cover/separate when the blind sahabah could not see them, the
prophet (pbuh) wisely answered, "But you could see him."
In our wedding ceremonies and parties and even in many Islamic
fundraising dinners, there is heavy free-mixing between brothers and
sisters. Often the chairs of males and females are arranged facing each
other, knowing that about 90 percent of our sisters do no wear hijab. It
is often noticeable to see males and females peeking glances at each
other from the opposite ends of the hall. A big curtain is not my
intention, but a big iman and befitting Islamic manners is.
It comes in a hadith ,that: "A woman who applies perfumes and goes to a
gathering is like an adulteress". Compare this with our sisters who clad
themselves with expensive perfume, one kilogram of makeup, and then come
to mixed gatherings. Will this not attract the attention of males? Let's
be real. We have lowered our moral guards so low that a humble word of
truth often seems so awfully strange.
Let us contemplate the above humble advices and constantly make the
supplication, "O Allah help us control our sensual desires until we get
married, and even after we marry, let our desires be only towards our
spouses."
[While writing this article, MR. SABEEL AHMED (E-mail: islam662@cssn. net <mailto:islam662@cssn. net> or Islam_662@hotmail. com <mailto:Islam_662@hotmail. com> ) is at the final stage of his medical
programme in Ross University, New York. He is the Co-chairman of the
Da'wa Committee and Board of Director at the Muslim Community Center
Masjid (the largest masjid in the Illinois state). He is also a member
of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) where he is actively
involved in the 'toll free da'wa hotline' 1-800-662-islam, having first
hand experience in handling calls by non-Muslim. He was a student of
Shaykh Ahmed Deedat and his main field of interest is in comparative
religion.]
Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS
 The importance of saying "Assalaamu 'alaykum" and returning the greeting
{When ye are greeted with a greeting , greet ye with a better than it or return it . Lo! Allah taketh count of all things . }
[Quran, 4:86]
All people have the custom of greeting one another, and every group has its own distinctive greeting that distinguishes them from other people.
The Arabs used to greet one another with the words "An'im sabaahan" or "An'imu sabaahan" [equivalent to "Good morning" â Translator], using words derived from "al-ni'mah", which means good living after the morning. The idea was that because the morning is the first part of the day, if a person encounters something good in the morning, the rest of the day will be good too.
When Islam came, Allaah prescribed that the manner of greeting among Muslims should be "Assalaamu alaykum" [not salam or salams or whatever] and that this greeting should only be used among Muslims and not for other nations. The meaning of salaam (literally, peace) is harmlessness, safety and protection from evil and from faults. The name al-Salaam is a Name of Allaah, may He be exalted, so the meaning of the greeting of salaam which is required among Muslims is, "May the blessing of His Name descend upon you." The usage of the preposition `ala in `alaykum (upon you) indicates that the greeting is inclusive.
Ibn al-Qayyim said in Badaa'i' al-Fawaa'id (144):
"Allaah, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Peace, prescribed that the greeting among the people of Islam should be `al-salaamu `alaykum', which is better than all the greetings of other nations which include impossible ideas or lies, such as saying, `May you live for a thousand years,' or things that are not accurate, such as `An'im sabaahan (Good morning),' or actions that are not right, such as prostrating in greeting. Thus the greeting of salaam is better than all of these, because it has the meaning of safety which is life, without which nothing else can be achieved. So this takes precedence over all other aims or objectives. A person has two main aims in life: to keep himself safe from evil, and to get something good. Keeping safe from evil takes precedence over getting something goodâ¦"
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made spreading salaam a part of faith. Al-Bukhaari (12, 28 and 6236), Muslim (39), Ahmad (2/169), Abu Dawood (5494), al-Nisaa'i, (8/107) and Ibn Hibbaan (505) narrated from `Abd-Allaah ibn `Umar that a man asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "What is the best thing in Islam?" He said, "Feeding others and giving the greeting of salaam to those whom you know and those whom you do not know."
Ibn Hajar said in al-Fath (1/56):
"i.e., do not single out anybody out of arrogance or to impress them, but do it to honour the symbols of Islam and to foster Islamic brotherhood."
Ibn Rajab said in al-Fath (1/43):
"The hadeeth makes the connection between feeding others and spreading salaam because this combines good actions in both word and deed, which is perfect good treatment (ihsaan). Indeed, this is the best thing that you can do in Islam after the obligatory duties."
Al-Sanoosi said in Ikmaal al-Mu'allim (1/244):
"What is meant by salaam is the greeting between people, which sows seeds of love and friendship in their hearts, as does giving food. There may be some weakness in the heart of one of them, which is dispelled when he is greeted, or there may be some hostility, which is turned to friendship by the greeting."
Al-Qaadi said in Ikmaal al-Mu'allim (1:276):
"Here the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was urging the believers to soften their hearts. The best Islamic attitude is to love one another and greet one another, and this is achieved by words and deeds. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) urged the Muslims to foster love between one another by exchanging gifts and food, and by spreading salaam, and he forbade the opposite, namely forsaking one another, turning away from one another, spying on one another, seeking out information about one another, stirring up trouble and being two faced.
Love is one of the duties of Islam and one of the pillars of the Islamic system. One should give salaams to those whom one knows and those whom one does not know, out of sincerity towards Allaah; one should not try to impress other people by giving salaams only to those whom one knows and no-one else. This also entails an attitude of humility and spreading the symbols of this ummah through the word of salaam."
Thus the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained that this salaam spreads love and brotherhood. Muslim (54), Ahmad (2/391), and al-Tirmidhi (2513) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves."
Al-Qaadi `Ayaad said in al-Ikmaal (1/304):
"This is urging us to spread salaam, as mentioned above, among those whom we know and those whom we do not know. Salaam is the first level of righteousness and the first quality of brotherhood, and it is the key to creating love. By spreading salaam the Muslims' love for one another grows stronger and they demonstrate their distinctive symbols and spread a feeling of security amongst themselves. This is the meaning of Islam."
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also explained the reward earned by the one who says salaam, as was reported by al-Nisaa'i in `Aml al-yawm wa'l-laylah (368) and al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (586) and by Ibn Hibban (493). They reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a man passed by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whilst he was sitting with some others, and said "Salaam `alaykum (peace be upon you)." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "[He will have] ten hasanaat (rewards)." Another man passed by and said "Salaam `alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah)." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "[He will have] twenty hasanaat." Another man passed by and said "Salaam `alaykum wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings)." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "[He will have] thirty hasanaat."
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to return salaams, and made it a right and a duty. Ahmad (2/540), al-Bukhaari (1240), Muslim (2792), al-Nisaa'i in al-Yawm wa'l-Laylah (221) and Abu Dawood (5031) all reported that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim: he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him [say "Yarhamuk Allaah"] when he sneezes."
It is clear that it is obligatory to say salaam and return salaams, because by doing so a Muslim is giving you safety and you have to give him safety in return. It is as if he is saying to you, "I am giving you safety and security," so you have to give him the same, so that he does not get suspicious or think that the one to whom he has given salaam is betraying him or ignoring him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that if Muslims are ignoring or forsaking one another, this will be put to an end when one of them gives salaam. Al-Bukhaari (6233) reported that Abu Ayyoob (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `It is not permissible for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three days, each of them turning away from the other if they meet. The better of them is the first one to say salaam.'"
 33 Lessons from Soorah Yoosuf - Shaykh Abdurahmaan Ibn Naasir As-
Sa'dee (Lessons 1-10)
As-Shaykh Abdurahmaan Ibn Naasir As-Sa'dee states in his tafseer
"Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan" (pg. 408 - 412)
Regarding the last ayah of soorah Yoosuf wherein Allaah subhaanahu
wa ta aa'la says,
"Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of
understanding:"
This story is from the best of stories because of what it relates
from the varying phases of life; from trial to tribulation, from
being tested to being blessed, from humiliation to grandeur, from
slavery to kingship, from division to unity, from grief to joy, from
superfluity to famine, from famine to glut, from hardship to ease,
and from denial to affirmation. So blessed be the One who revealed
it in the best manner possible.
From amongst the lessons derived from this surah are:
1. The knowledge of interpreting dreams is a very important branch
of knowledge that Allaah gives to whom he pleases from His servants.
And most of them (dreams) are based on symbols that are ambiguous in
meaning and in description. For indeed the significance of the sun,
the moon and twelve stars bowing to Yusuf, is that these lights are
the beauty of the sky, and from them emanates benefit. Likewise the
prophets and the scholars are the beauty of this earth, and by them
mankind is guided through darkness just as they do by the light of
the stars, the sun and the moon. Moreover, since the source of this
light is his mother and father, hence it is very befitt ing that the
moon and the sun symbolize his parents, for from them emanate the
greatest light from which he and his brothers are off-springs. Thus,
the sun, which is a feminine noun, symbolizes his mother and the
moon, which is a masculine noun, symbolizes his father, and the
stars symbolize his brothers.
2. The significance of the dream of his fellow prison mate who saw
himself pressing wine, is that the one who does such work is usually
the servant of someone else. Thus he interpreted it to mean that
this prison mate would be a servant for the king, and this would
guarantee his freedom from prison. Regarding the significance of the
dream of the one who saw birds eating bread from the top of his
head, Yusuf interpreted this dream as a indication that he will be
crucified because the skull protects the brains and once a person is
crucified and left in the open, the brains will become exposed, thus
the bird will eat it.
3. Therein are evidences of the truthfulness of the prophethood of
Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), for he narrated to
his people this long story and he never read the previous books nor
learned from any one.
4. One should distance oneself as much as possible from situations
that can lead to an evil outcome. Also the permissibility of not
disclosing what one fears might harm them based on the statement of
Yacub to Yusuf, "He (the father) said: "O my son! Relate not your
vision to your brothers, lest they arrange a plot against you."
5. The permissibility of a person mentioning to someone else, as a
means of sincere advice, a matter that is disliked based on the
ayah, "Lest they arrange a plot against you."
6. The blessing that Allaah bestows upon the servant is not simply
restricted to that particular individual, rather it is a blessing
that encompasses him, his family and his friends. And whatever good
is obtained is because of that person based on the statement of
Allaah, "Thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the
interpretation of dreams (and other things) and perfect His Favour
on you and on the offspring of Ya'qûb (Jacob), as He perfected it on
your fathers, Ibrahîm (Abraham) and Ishaaq (Isaac) aforetime!
Verily, your Lord i s All-Knowing, All-Wise."
7. The importance of being cautious of the evil results of sins,
because one sin often leads to many others. For the brothers of
Yusuf tried varying plots when they wanted to separate him from his
father; they lied many times, they falsified the blood on the shirt,
they came at night pretending to cry, and all of this is as a result
of one sin, one thing leading to a next.
8. The matter that really counts in the life of the servant is the
successful ending and not the deficient beginning. For the children
of Yacub did what they did in the beginning which was a very
reprehensible act, then their affair ended in sincere repentance,
complete forgiveness from Yusuf and their father, and du'a was made
for them to be forgiven and have mercy upon.
9. Some evil are lesser then others and committing the least or
lesser evil is always better. For when the brothers of Yusuf agreed
to kill him or throw him in the well, one of them said, "Kill not
Yoosuf (Joseph), but if you must do something, throw him down to the
bottom of a well." Thus his suggestion was better in comparison with
those of his brothers (in spite of it still being an evil one) and
because of this he lessened the greatness of the sin they committed.
10. There is no sin on a person that buys, sells, or uses anything
that is considered as merchandise according to prevailing business
practices. Nor is the one who is not aware how this merchandise was
obtained guilty of any sin. For the brothers of Yusuf sold him,
which was a haraam, impermissible transaction, then he was found by
a caravan of people who took him to Egypt and sold him there as a
slave, and in spite of all this Allah referred to him
as "merchandise."
(to be continued)
|
|
