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The Ummat's Responsibility to the Poor and Indigenous Communities

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 22:58 — admin

As far as human rights are concerned, the Qur'an and Hadith have more than adequately enough highlighted the Islamic viewpoint. To add impetus to that, the life of our noble master, Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam], serves as an excellent and unparalleled example and role model. The Qur'an speaks of Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] being 'rahmatul-lil-alimin' which means a mercy unto the entire universe. Not only did Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] show compassion, mercy and kindness to man but even to the animal kingdom. He also taught us our responsibility regarding the environment around us.

In Islam, we afford humans those rights which Allah Ta'ala has enshrined in the Qur'an and Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has highlighted in the Ahadith. Allah Ta'ala has not left it to our understanding and puny intellects to decide the rights that are due to humans. Furthermore, one must also understand the balanced nature of Islam. Islam does not only stress upon human rights but Islam teaches us to first understand the rights that we as the creation owe to our creator, Allah Ta'ala. When a person will understand those rights, he will naturally realise that a component of those rights, is to fulfil the rights of the creation of Allah Ta'ala as well.

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Da'wah to Non-Muslims - A neglected Duty of Muslim Minorities

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 22:54 — admin

An obvious but disturbing truth about Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim countries is their general neglect of da'wah (propagation) among non-Muslims. Why is this so? This is a question that requires deep analysis to arrive at a correct answer. As an Ummah of one billion Muslims, da'wah to our non-Muslim neighbours and fellow countrymen hardly has any place among our goal and priorities. Very little of our resources are spent on this pivotal duty of Islaam. As Muslim minority communities living within non-Muslim countries, we live totally indifferent to this primary duty to our neighbours. Neither do we make an Islaamic impact on them, though we are more than a million strong in some western countries. In India, Muslims are officially more than 130 million!

Da'wah among non-Muslims should not be treated as an isolated branch of Islaam. Unless we are prepared to recognise and acknowledge the central place da'wah occupies in the life of every Muslim. We will not give it the importance it deserves. We will then not devote our energies to it as we ought to. Unless we understand the importance of da'wah to non-Muslims, it will not form an integral part of our total endeavours and struggles in the path of Allah Ta'ala.

Da'wah among non-Muslims must not be merely an appendage or an after thought in the life of a Muslim. It cannot be pursued as a contingent activity. It should not be incidental to any special circumstances. Da'wah, for example, should not be taken up as a response or reaction to missionary activities by other faiths. If da'wah is approached in this fashion, it will suffer the fate that it is suffering now. In other words, da'wah should not be a reactive measure for Muslims, but it should in fact be a proactive endeavour.

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Ikhlaas (Good Intention)

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 22:15 — admin

 

Intention is a magical prescription that can turn sand into gold. The Hadith says "Verily actions depend upon their intentions."

It is sometimes interpreted to mean that good intentions justify bad deeds and makes sins meritorious. This is completely wrong. Sin is always a sin no matter how noble the intention may be. For instance if someone breaks into a house to steal with the intention of giving charity then whatever he would steal will make him a thief deserving of the prescribed punishment. His good intentions would not earn him any merit nor would his sin be pardoned.

What this Hadith means is as follows:

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Ten Sunnats for us to Bring Alive this Year

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 21:58 — admin

The rewards of practicing sunnah of Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] is so abundant, one just cannot imagine the rewards Allah Ta’ala has kept in store for the one who adheres strictly to the sunnah.

The greatest reward one will receive for adopting the sunnah practices of Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] is that we will acquire the love of Allah Ta’ala and He will forgive our sins.

Listed hereunder are 10 easy sunnats with the rewards mentioned in the Hadith for us to bring alive this year. 

May Allah Ta’ala allow us all to live in accordance with the sunnah of our beloved Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam].

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Valentines Day

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 19:04 — admin

 

“The one who imitates a nation is from among them” (Hadith)

The “celebration of love”, which is celebrated on February 14 each year, was invented by the Romans more than 1700 years ago. The Romans, at that time, were idol-worshipers. They killed one of their own people, Saint Valentine, because he became a Christian. Later on, when they became Christians, they made the day of his execution an occasion to celebrate those who were killed for the sake of love. Today people still celebrate this festival to show their love for each other.

Participating in this festival is totally un-Islamic. Unfortunately Muslims also participate in these un-Islamic celebrations. These customs have passed on to us Muslims because of our mixing freely with the non-Muslims.

Allah Ta’ala has given Muslims the days of Eid to celebrate. We should confine ourselves to these days of celebration and not celebrate with the Non-Muslims.

Valentine's Day is a Christian Celebration. We, as Muslims should not involve ourselves with the customs of Valentine's Day, like sending cards, presents, roses, etc, because we will be imitating the Christians. This is what Shaytaan wants from us. He wants us to follow the Kuffaar and stay away from following Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

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Sixth Rule: Ta’leem (Learning and Teaching) & Ibaadah (Worship)

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 18:59 — admin


Ta'leem

A Muslim home should never be void of the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala at any time. Learning, teaching and engaging in the Ibaadah (worship) of Allah Ta’ala should be an integral part of every Muslim home. In the days of the Sahaabah it was common among them that they would make their homes into places of learning Deen. Sayyidinah Umar Ibn Khattaab (Radiyallahu Anhu) was inspired to accept Islaam because of the same reason. When he visited the home of his sister Faatima, she and her husband, Saeed bin Zaid (Radiyallahu Anhuma), were learning the Qur'an from Hadhrat Khabbaab (Radiyallahu Anhu).

In Madinah Munawwarah, Hadhrat Umar Farooq (Radiyallahu Anhu) had lived some distance away from the Masjidun Nabawi. On account of the distance, he could not be present in the masjid all the time. He then arranged with one of his neighbours that they both would take turns to go to Masjidun Nabawi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) on alternate days. Hence on the day that he attended the Musjid, he would go to the home of his companion and teach him what he had learnt from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). His companion would also do the same. In this manner they would remain fully informed of the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

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Fifth Rule: (Isti'zaan) Seeking Permission before entering the Home

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 18:56 — admin

 

A home is a place where one finds peace. Allah Ta’ala Himself declares in the Holy Qur’aan that He has created homes for us to acquire peace and comfort. One can only enjoy this peace and comfort if one is safe from unnecessary interferences and disturbances. Islaam has taught us a very important etiquette in this regard which is called Isti’zaan (to seek permission before entering a home). Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’aan:

O! You who Believe Let your slaves and your children first ask your permission (before they come to you in your privacy) on three occasions: before the Fajar Salaah; while you remove your extra clothing for the mid day heat; and after the Esha Salaah.

 

Wisdom of seeking permission

Seeking permission eliminates the possibility of obscenity and immorality. If one enters someone’s home without seeking permission, it is possible that one may see the women of the house which may lead to haraam or forbidden situations. Furthermore, one may be engaged in intimate or personal activities which require privacy. If someone enters unannounced, one will be deprived of privacy.

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Fourth Rule: Tarbiyah of our Families

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 18:49 — admin

 

Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan:

O you who have Imaan! Save yourselves and your families from the fire (of Jahannum).

We understand from this aayah the importance of the proper Islaamic tarbiyah (nuturing) of our families.

The main cause of children being spoilt is our lack of interest in their tarbiyah. It is the incumbent responsibility of both the parents to bring up and nurture their children Islamically. However, a greater responsibility lies upon the mother, since the children grow up mainly in her care.

Parents should try and gain the maximum out of their children by moulding their behaviour in accordance with the Shariah. Besides benefiting the children it will also benefit us. Whatever good accrues from them, we will also have a share in the reward they attain. Every Salaah they perform, every aayah of the Qur’aan they recite and every other good deed that they may perform, a share of the reward will also be reserved for us as well.

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Third Rule: Speaking in a Soft Tone

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 18:46 — admin

 

In the Qur’aan-e-Majeed it is mentioned that Allah Ta’ala has made the home of a believer a place of peace and tranquillity. Thus we understand that among the etiquettes of a Muslim home is that members of the household refrain from doing anything that destroys the peace and tranquillity. This includes thoughtless and loud disturbing speech.

On one occasion Sayyidunah Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) stopped the Sahaabah (Radi Allahu Anhu) from even reciting the Qur’aan in a very loud tone in the event that it may disturb others.

It is mentioned in a Hadith that “A Muslim is he, who other Muslims are safe from the harms of his tongue and his hands”. People living in the same house are more than neighbours and more than just friends. Therefore, it is imperative that they should not hurt one another in any way. Among the most annoying and hurtful behaviour is making noise at home or raising one’s voice so loudly that it distresses others. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Qur’aan about the qualities of His close servants that when they walk, they walk softly and silently so that they do not disturb others with the sound of their feet.

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Second Rule: Neatness and Orderliness

Thu, 09/22/2011 - 18:42 — admin

Al-Hamdulillah in the last issue, the importance of cleanliness in our homes was discussed. Just as important as it is to keep our homes clean, so should we also keep it neat, tidy, orderly and well organized. The Hadith very emphatically teaches us to be neat and organized in whatever we do.

On one occasion Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to the Sahaabah:

 

In this Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) explicitly commands the Sahaabah to straighten their saddles and neaten their clothes so as to look presentable in the sight of people.

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