Due to the Royal Wedding which has occured, I felt it ideal to post something in relation to wedlock. Once a person is married, he will have to adapt his ways in order to get along with his partner. It is for this reason that I have translated a few chapters from Tuhfatuz Zawjayn by Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi rahimahullah. He mentions some really nice and beautiful points. The last part is a brief account of Hazrat Maulana Thanwi's own behaviour inside his household.
Speaking to your wife and keeping her happy is also her right
Some people are such that they are referred to as respected elders or obedient followers of a respected elder. They are fully engiaged in prayer, fasting, zikr etc and it is as if they are purchasing their place in Jannah through their worship. However, these people are such that they remain ignorant of the rights of their wife.
Remember! It is also the right of your wife that you fix a time for her in which you can speak to her in order to listen to her problems and her joys. It is also her right that you have heart to heart with her so that she remains happy but it is unfortunate that many religious and less religious people remain ignorant with regards to this and thus do not fulfil this right of the spouse. These people are such that they think the only thing that they have to do is provide food and clothing for their wife!
Buying gifts for your wife without reason and feeding her with your hands
If a person purchases something for his wife without any reason to do so then that will not be considered to be extravagance. This is because making the heart of your wife happy is what is needed. However, there is also the condition that a person doesn’t incur a debt upon himself greater than he can satisfy.
And to feed the wife some food is also good, Allah Ta’ala places reward in this.
Hazrat Thanwi and his beautiful conduct with the women of his house
“It is not something which should be mentioned but out of necessity I will tell you as to how I run my household and how I take assistance from the people of my house.
Alhamdulillah, I am not suppressed and nor do I suppress anyone in my household and still, I live the life of a king. My habit is this that when I go home, I check if there is fresh chapatti; if it hasn’t been made, I eat the stale chapatti. Many a times I see that my wife is busy with something so I take the chapatti with my own hands and I take some water with me also. I then take a plate and poor curry into the plate and sit down to eat. If she is making chapatti, I ask her if she needs anything as sometimes, water is needed. If this is the case, I go to the sink or well and fill a bucket of water for her. Sometimes, if she is free, I ask her to bring me the food and that poor girl brings it for me (i.e. Hazrat Thanwi is showing his compassion for his wife that she assists him without making any complaint). It is important for a person to see whether she is busy or not as a person does not remain in the same state all the time.
I tend to get less sleep at night and so after observing my wife for a while, I get up and make thanks to Allah Ta’ala that at least He gave her sleep. Otherwise two sadness’s would be joined together (i.e. one sadness for me not being able to sleep and one sadness for her not being able to sleep).
Then when I am leaving my house, I ask her if there is anything she would like me to do for her. If she says that there is nothing for me to do, I go about my business and if she tells me that there is some work that needs taking care of, I do it. For example, if she wants me to write a letter, I will finish this job and then leave.
Nowadays, many people in our society say that having a wife means a life of friendship! O naive people! Do you even fulfil any rights of friendship or do you just use this term as a (flowery) word? It is only shown by your actions whether or not you have taken that poor girl to be your friend."
May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to inculcate within ourselves beautiful characteristics which perfume the houses we live in and bring joy to the people we spend time with. May He give us the ability to cherish one another. Ameen, ya Rabbal 'Aalameen.
Saturday 30 April 2011
Wednesday 20 April 2011
Commentary on Hadith: How Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam received revelation - part 2
Following on from the first post which can be viewed here, we continue with the commentary of the third hadith of Bukhari sharif which describes the manner in which Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam received Revelation.
ثم حُبِّبَ إِلَيْهِ الخَلاَءُ ، وَكَانَ يَخْلُو بِغَارِ حِرَاءٍ فَيَتَحَنَّثُ فِيهِ - وَهُوَ التَّعَبُّدُ - اللَّيَالِيَ ذَوَاتِ العَدَدِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْزِعَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ، وَيَتَزَوَّدُ لِذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى خَدِيجَةَ فَيَتَزَوَّدُ لِمِثْلِهَا، حَتَّى جَاءَهُ الحَقُّ وَهُوَ فِي غَارِ حِرَاء
“Then seclusion was made dear to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. He would remain in solitude in the cave of Mount Hiraa where he would worship (Allah Ta’ala) for a number of nights before returning to his family. He would take provision for this stay and then (when it would finish) he would return to Khadija radiallahu anha who would make restock his supplies. This happened until the Truth (revelation) came to him whilst he was in the cave of Mount Hiraa.”
“Then seclusion was made dear to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. He would remain in solitude in the cave of Mount Hiraa where he would worship (Allah Ta’ala) for a number of nights before returning to his family. He would take provision for this stay and then (when it would finish) he would return to Khadija radiallahu anha who would make restock his supplies. This happened until the Truth (revelation) came to him whilst he was in the cave of Mount Hiraa.”
“Then seclusion was made dear to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. He would remain in solitude in the cave of Mount Hiraa...” – The people of Makkah were living in an incredibly poor and immoral way; there were many wrongs in the society which led to various people being oppressed. The Arabs of the time held great pride in their male progeny and they would consider their male children to be their heir. If a female was born, they would kill her by burying her alive. Females were considered to be inferior and they had no worth in society. There was much prejudice against other races and society was such that the rich were oppressing the poor. In the midst of all of this, the Ka’bah was surrounded with idol gods; the people had diverted away from the religion of Ibrahim alayhis salam and they opted to worship idols once again. There was no sense of humanity within these people and the situation became increasingly worrying.
Hazrat Miqdad ibnul Aswad radiallahu anhu comments on the situation of the people at the time, “I swear by Allah, that Allah sent the Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wasallam as Prophet during a time that was more difficult than any other time in which Allah had sent Ambiya (prophets). It was a time when the succession of Ambiya had long been paused and when people were steeped in ignorance. People saw no religion better than idol worship. Rasulullah (May Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) arrived with a standard (the Qur’an) that differentiated between truth and falsehood...”
It is important to remember at this juncture that whilst Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was going to the cave of Hiraa he was not a prophet. Prophethood was to come to him soon as we will discuss in coming posts inshallah.
It was due to the poor state of society that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would go to Mount Hiraa. He would spend his time in solitude and Hazrat Maulana Saleemullah Khan sahib (DB) speaks of the virtues of solitude and seclusion. He says;
“There are many benefits of seclusion;
• A persons heart becomes free
• A person finds ease in remembering things
• A person is able to stay away from evils.
• By sitting in seclusion, peace and tranquillity descends into the heart of a person. When a person is alone, he realises his entire reality.
• A person is cut off from those things which he naturally loves and desires.” (Kashful Bari)
Another reason why seclusion was made beloved to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was due to the fact that Revelation (wahi) was soon to be bestowed upon him. His heart and his mind needed to be free in order for the weight of Revelation to be placed upon Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam, he needed to be mentally and physically relaxed and at peace.
A question now arises that why did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam choose Mount Hiraa for seclusion?
In relation to the above question, Ibn Abi Jamrah rahimahullah gives a very nice answer. He says, “Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam chose Mount Hiraa for seclusion because the Ka’bah could be seen from that mountain. As a result, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would be doing three types of worship: 1) seclusion 2) his normal worship 3) visiting the house of Allah Ta’ala (Ka’bah).”
Allama Aynee rahimahullah also gives a very weighty answer. He says, “To adopt seclusion was from the shari’ah (law) of Ibrahim alayhis salam. This means that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was following some of the rulings of Ibrahim alayhis salam which were still unaltered (by the society). And before Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam, his grandfather would also visit this mountain and remain in seclusion therein. Thus when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam came of age, he also went to the same place and adopted solitude. As a result, Rasulullah’s salallahu alayhi wasallam tribesmen and uncles had no objection to him going to this place as they all had respect for him.”
When would Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam go to Mount Hiraa?
Ishaaq rahimahullah mentions that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would go there during the month of Ramadhan. In the narration of Muslim sharif it is mentioned that he would perform jawaar (stay there) there. Jawaar is basically the same as I’tikaf and Hafiz ibn Abdil Barr rahimahullah mentions that the only difference between the two is that I’tikaf is performed in a masjid and Jawaar is done in the same manner but in a place other than a masjid.
Just on a side note, Mount Hiraa is approximately three miles from Makkah on the way to Mina on the right.
“...where he would worship (Allah Ta’ala)...” – A question now arises that what type of worship is this? This was prior to any form of salah so what type of worship was Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam doing?
There are four opinions with regards to this matter; 1) He was feeding the poor who would be passing by. 2) He was staying in seclusion away from the evils. 3) He was contemplating. 4) Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha has kept this general. From among these opinions, the third is the weightiest. However a question does arise that did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam follow the worship of the prophets who came before him?
Did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam follow the worship of the prophets who came before him?
The majority of the scholars are against this notion however but some scholars such as Ibn Hajib rahimahullah etc are of the opinion that he did. If the latter opinion is taken then the question arises that which prophet did he follow? There are several possible answers; 1) Adam alayhis salam as has been mentioned by ibn Burhan rahimahullah. 2) Nuh alayhis salam as has been related by Al Aadimee rahimahulullah. 3) Ibrahim alayhis salam which a whole group of scholars have favoured. 4) Musa alayhis salam. 5) Eesa alayhis salam. 6) Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would do all those things which were practised by the prophets before him. 7) There is no specifying and thus we remain silent.
If we accept that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam followed one of the prophets before him then out of all the opinions mentioned above, the third opinion is the strongest.
“...for a number of nights before returning to his family.” – What is meant by a number of nights? Allamah Teebi rahimahullah mentions that a small number of nights is intended but the likes of Allamah Kirmani and Allamah ibn Abi Jamrah rahimahumullah have said that a number of nights means many nights.
He would return to his wife Khadija radiallahu anha when his heart would yearn for his family and wife Khadija radiallahu anha. The word in the hadith used for return is ‘يَنْزِعَ’ and this means to yearn and be enthusiastic in returning. The point being made here is that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would continue to worship and stay in seclusion in Mount Hiraa until he would begin to miss and desire his family. When this would happen, he would then return. This also proves that there is no such thing as being a monk in Islam. A person is entitled to be in solitude and peace but here we find that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would still come home to his family.
"He would take provision for this stay and then (when it would finish) he would return to Khadija radiallahu anha who would make restock his supplies.” – From this statement we can see that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would make preparation for his stay in the mountain. Some Ulama are of the opinion that this was a porridge type of food. He would make use of the things he had available to him. Many people make no preparation and then say ‘we place our trust in Allah Ta’ala!” but this is not correct. In one hadith in Tirmidhi Sharif, we find a sahabi who came inside the masjid for prayer but failed to tie his camel. When he was asked about his camel, he said that he places his trust in Allah Ta’ala that Allah Ta’ala will keep it secure. Upon this Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Tie it up (secure it) and then place your trust in Allah Ta’ala.”
“This happened until the Truth (revelation) came to him whilst he was in the cave of Mount Hiraa.” – Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam continued to live in this manner until the Truth came to him.
What is meant by ‘the Truth’?
Allamah Teebi rahimahullah mentions that Revelation (wahi) is meant by ‘the Truth’ or “The Messenger of the Truth’. By the ‘Messenger of Truth’ Hazrat Jibraeel alayhis salam is intended.
Inshallah in the next post we will discuss how the first words of the Revelation (Qur’an) were bestowed upon Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam and his reaction to it.
Hazrat Miqdad ibnul Aswad radiallahu anhu comments on the situation of the people at the time, “I swear by Allah, that Allah sent the Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wasallam as Prophet during a time that was more difficult than any other time in which Allah had sent Ambiya (prophets). It was a time when the succession of Ambiya had long been paused and when people were steeped in ignorance. People saw no religion better than idol worship. Rasulullah (May Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) arrived with a standard (the Qur’an) that differentiated between truth and falsehood...”
It is important to remember at this juncture that whilst Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was going to the cave of Hiraa he was not a prophet. Prophethood was to come to him soon as we will discuss in coming posts inshallah.
It was due to the poor state of society that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would go to Mount Hiraa. He would spend his time in solitude and Hazrat Maulana Saleemullah Khan sahib (DB) speaks of the virtues of solitude and seclusion. He says;
“There are many benefits of seclusion;
• A persons heart becomes free
• A person finds ease in remembering things
• A person is able to stay away from evils.
• By sitting in seclusion, peace and tranquillity descends into the heart of a person. When a person is alone, he realises his entire reality.
• A person is cut off from those things which he naturally loves and desires.” (Kashful Bari)
Another reason why seclusion was made beloved to Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was due to the fact that Revelation (wahi) was soon to be bestowed upon him. His heart and his mind needed to be free in order for the weight of Revelation to be placed upon Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam, he needed to be mentally and physically relaxed and at peace.
A question now arises that why did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam choose Mount Hiraa for seclusion?
In relation to the above question, Ibn Abi Jamrah rahimahullah gives a very nice answer. He says, “Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam chose Mount Hiraa for seclusion because the Ka’bah could be seen from that mountain. As a result, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would be doing three types of worship: 1) seclusion 2) his normal worship 3) visiting the house of Allah Ta’ala (Ka’bah).”
Allama Aynee rahimahullah also gives a very weighty answer. He says, “To adopt seclusion was from the shari’ah (law) of Ibrahim alayhis salam. This means that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was following some of the rulings of Ibrahim alayhis salam which were still unaltered (by the society). And before Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam, his grandfather would also visit this mountain and remain in seclusion therein. Thus when Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam came of age, he also went to the same place and adopted solitude. As a result, Rasulullah’s salallahu alayhi wasallam tribesmen and uncles had no objection to him going to this place as they all had respect for him.”
When would Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam go to Mount Hiraa?
Ishaaq rahimahullah mentions that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would go there during the month of Ramadhan. In the narration of Muslim sharif it is mentioned that he would perform jawaar (stay there) there. Jawaar is basically the same as I’tikaf and Hafiz ibn Abdil Barr rahimahullah mentions that the only difference between the two is that I’tikaf is performed in a masjid and Jawaar is done in the same manner but in a place other than a masjid.
Just on a side note, Mount Hiraa is approximately three miles from Makkah on the way to Mina on the right.
“...where he would worship (Allah Ta’ala)...” – A question now arises that what type of worship is this? This was prior to any form of salah so what type of worship was Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam doing?
There are four opinions with regards to this matter; 1) He was feeding the poor who would be passing by. 2) He was staying in seclusion away from the evils. 3) He was contemplating. 4) Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha has kept this general. From among these opinions, the third is the weightiest. However a question does arise that did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam follow the worship of the prophets who came before him?
Did Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam follow the worship of the prophets who came before him?
The majority of the scholars are against this notion however but some scholars such as Ibn Hajib rahimahullah etc are of the opinion that he did. If the latter opinion is taken then the question arises that which prophet did he follow? There are several possible answers; 1) Adam alayhis salam as has been mentioned by ibn Burhan rahimahullah. 2) Nuh alayhis salam as has been related by Al Aadimee rahimahulullah. 3) Ibrahim alayhis salam which a whole group of scholars have favoured. 4) Musa alayhis salam. 5) Eesa alayhis salam. 6) Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would do all those things which were practised by the prophets before him. 7) There is no specifying and thus we remain silent.
If we accept that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam followed one of the prophets before him then out of all the opinions mentioned above, the third opinion is the strongest.
“...for a number of nights before returning to his family.” – What is meant by a number of nights? Allamah Teebi rahimahullah mentions that a small number of nights is intended but the likes of Allamah Kirmani and Allamah ibn Abi Jamrah rahimahumullah have said that a number of nights means many nights.
He would return to his wife Khadija radiallahu anha when his heart would yearn for his family and wife Khadija radiallahu anha. The word in the hadith used for return is ‘يَنْزِعَ’ and this means to yearn and be enthusiastic in returning. The point being made here is that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would continue to worship and stay in seclusion in Mount Hiraa until he would begin to miss and desire his family. When this would happen, he would then return. This also proves that there is no such thing as being a monk in Islam. A person is entitled to be in solitude and peace but here we find that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would still come home to his family.
"He would take provision for this stay and then (when it would finish) he would return to Khadija radiallahu anha who would make restock his supplies.” – From this statement we can see that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would make preparation for his stay in the mountain. Some Ulama are of the opinion that this was a porridge type of food. He would make use of the things he had available to him. Many people make no preparation and then say ‘we place our trust in Allah Ta’ala!” but this is not correct. In one hadith in Tirmidhi Sharif, we find a sahabi who came inside the masjid for prayer but failed to tie his camel. When he was asked about his camel, he said that he places his trust in Allah Ta’ala that Allah Ta’ala will keep it secure. Upon this Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Tie it up (secure it) and then place your trust in Allah Ta’ala.”
“This happened until the Truth (revelation) came to him whilst he was in the cave of Mount Hiraa.” – Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam continued to live in this manner until the Truth came to him.
What is meant by ‘the Truth’?
Allamah Teebi rahimahullah mentions that Revelation (wahi) is meant by ‘the Truth’ or “The Messenger of the Truth’. By the ‘Messenger of Truth’ Hazrat Jibraeel alayhis salam is intended.
Inshallah in the next post we will discuss how the first words of the Revelation (Qur’an) were bestowed upon Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam and his reaction to it.
May Allah Ta’ala accept our efforts. Ameen.
Saturday 16 April 2011
Following any old ISOC fruitcake in matters of Deen
Sometimes a person loves another person so strongly that they listen to their every word and follow their every command. If we look into the life of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam, we see that the Sahabah radiallahu anhu would be ready to relieve any duty that was placed on them. Hazrat Mu’adh ibn Jabal radiallahu anhu once accompanied Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam on a journey and during this journey Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam called out “Ya Mu’adh!” three times and every time,Hazrat Mu’adh radiallahu anhu replied with, “Labbayk Ya Rasulullah wa Sad’ayk!” (I am present O Rasulullah and this is a privilege upon me!). So it is established from this that when a person loves another person, he is ready to listen to their every word and follow him in all ways.
Then the second example is of a person who loves someone so strongly that they listen to their word and follow their every command however, that person is not the type of person to follow and by taking his counselling, a person is at risk of becoming misguided. In my humble opinion, this is portrayed very well in Surah Khaf. Allah Ta’ala relates the story of Hazrat Musa and Kazir alayhimasalam in which the latter kills a young boy. Hazrat Musa alayhisalam is stunned by this deed but later, Hazrat Kazir alayhisalam justifies his act by revealing the intention of Allah Ta’ala for this child. He says, “As for the boy, his parents were believers. We were concerned that he would force rebellion and disbelief upon them. We, therefore, wished that their Lord would replace him with someone better than him in piety, and more closer to affection.” When parents love their child so much, they will instantly do anything for them and if the child has become misguided, he possesses the power of misguiding his parents and forcing them into misguidance also by the way of this love. Thus it is established that it is important whom we give our hearts to.
Shah Waliullah Dehlwi rahimahullah narrates a hadith in his Arba’in, “Your love for someone can blind you and deafen you.” So naturally, it is common sense; if we are going to love a person to this extent, we must make sure that person is of a pious nature so that he can blindly help us in to Jannah. Similarly, if we are going to love a person to this extent, we must make sure that the person is not of a foul nature, otherwise he will continue to misguide us and we will blindly follow him into destruction. The above is a mere introduction to what I want to discuss. It seems that many people who are new to practising Islam go to university and instantly become overtaken by the services made available by Islamic societies.
Sometimes, there may be brothers who speak so very eloquently that the heart becomes pierced instantly by their words. As a result, flocks of people instantly take a great liking towards this person and fall in love with him (out of respect) and follow his every suggestion; to the extent that if this speaker beautified a sin, the common folk would commit it thinking it to be correct. A person is in his rights to go to talks, listen to them, engage in them and begin to understand them. However, a person must be most wary of loving a person so strongly that he takes his deen from them without questioning whether it is right or wrong. This type of love should be reserved only for a person who is a kaamil sheikh (complete sheikh) in every sense of the word and is known for his righteousness and knowledge.
It is completely absurd that a person who is weak in faith can go to university and take knowledge without question from a person who is neither an ‘Alim nor a kaamil sheikh without questioning. And questioning does not mean, “Why should I follow this?” “Because it is in the Hadith!” by doing this a person is setting himself up for an answer to which he will not have the ability to reply. Rather, he should take his matters of deen from a person who is an ‘Alim so that he is practising in accordance with the consultation of a scholar. A person will not take medication from a half baked doctor so why should one take medication for his Iman for a person who is not qualified in anyway dispense medicine?
Caution is needed in all walks of life, especially when we are not learned or firm in our practice of our faith; otherwise a person will begin to blow like ashes in the wind, if the wind sways in one direction, he will sway with it and if it begins to sway in the other direction, he will go with it too. By the end, his thoughts will be so muddled up that he is not following the religion of Nabi e Kareem salallahu alayhi wa salam but he will be following the religion of his own logic and understanding which is equal to zilch. It is for this reason Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam said, “A man will follow the religion of his friend, so be careful whom you make friends with.”
May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to look after our Iman and take from people who are of a sound nature. Ameen.
Here is video I recently came across by Molvi Abdul Majid saab which is brilliant in speaking about this matter to some extent:
Then the second example is of a person who loves someone so strongly that they listen to their word and follow their every command however, that person is not the type of person to follow and by taking his counselling, a person is at risk of becoming misguided. In my humble opinion, this is portrayed very well in Surah Khaf. Allah Ta’ala relates the story of Hazrat Musa and Kazir alayhimasalam in which the latter kills a young boy. Hazrat Musa alayhisalam is stunned by this deed but later, Hazrat Kazir alayhisalam justifies his act by revealing the intention of Allah Ta’ala for this child. He says, “As for the boy, his parents were believers. We were concerned that he would force rebellion and disbelief upon them. We, therefore, wished that their Lord would replace him with someone better than him in piety, and more closer to affection.” When parents love their child so much, they will instantly do anything for them and if the child has become misguided, he possesses the power of misguiding his parents and forcing them into misguidance also by the way of this love. Thus it is established that it is important whom we give our hearts to.
Shah Waliullah Dehlwi rahimahullah narrates a hadith in his Arba’in, “Your love for someone can blind you and deafen you.” So naturally, it is common sense; if we are going to love a person to this extent, we must make sure that person is of a pious nature so that he can blindly help us in to Jannah. Similarly, if we are going to love a person to this extent, we must make sure that the person is not of a foul nature, otherwise he will continue to misguide us and we will blindly follow him into destruction. The above is a mere introduction to what I want to discuss. It seems that many people who are new to practising Islam go to university and instantly become overtaken by the services made available by Islamic societies.
Sometimes, there may be brothers who speak so very eloquently that the heart becomes pierced instantly by their words. As a result, flocks of people instantly take a great liking towards this person and fall in love with him (out of respect) and follow his every suggestion; to the extent that if this speaker beautified a sin, the common folk would commit it thinking it to be correct. A person is in his rights to go to talks, listen to them, engage in them and begin to understand them. However, a person must be most wary of loving a person so strongly that he takes his deen from them without questioning whether it is right or wrong. This type of love should be reserved only for a person who is a kaamil sheikh (complete sheikh) in every sense of the word and is known for his righteousness and knowledge.
It is completely absurd that a person who is weak in faith can go to university and take knowledge without question from a person who is neither an ‘Alim nor a kaamil sheikh without questioning. And questioning does not mean, “Why should I follow this?” “Because it is in the Hadith!” by doing this a person is setting himself up for an answer to which he will not have the ability to reply. Rather, he should take his matters of deen from a person who is an ‘Alim so that he is practising in accordance with the consultation of a scholar. A person will not take medication from a half baked doctor so why should one take medication for his Iman for a person who is not qualified in anyway dispense medicine?
Caution is needed in all walks of life, especially when we are not learned or firm in our practice of our faith; otherwise a person will begin to blow like ashes in the wind, if the wind sways in one direction, he will sway with it and if it begins to sway in the other direction, he will go with it too. By the end, his thoughts will be so muddled up that he is not following the religion of Nabi e Kareem salallahu alayhi wa salam but he will be following the religion of his own logic and understanding which is equal to zilch. It is for this reason Rasul e Paak salallahu alayhi wa salam said, “A man will follow the religion of his friend, so be careful whom you make friends with.”
May Allah Ta'ala give us the ability to look after our Iman and take from people who are of a sound nature. Ameen.
Here is video I recently came across by Molvi Abdul Majid saab which is brilliant in speaking about this matter to some extent:
Friday 15 April 2011
EVENT: Youth Programme 2011
Jamia Siraj ul Uloom Youth Programme 2011
Sunday 1st May 2011(5.30pm)
1) The Fitnah of Social networking websites & the Internet
2) Surviving Relationships in University & College
3) Protect Your Youthful days Qiraat & Nasheeds by Students.
Food will be served after the event.
Brothers only. There will be live online streaming for sisters on the Jamia website.
Venue: Jamia Siraj ul Uloom, 30-36 Lindley Road, Leyton, London, E10 6QT.
020 8539 5183 http://www.jamia.co.uk/
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Be A Family Man
It is clear to see from the blessed lifestyle of Rasulullah Salallahu alayhi wasallam that he was family man. He had a deep and profound love for the people of his household and he would regularly enjoy spending time with them. Hazrat Aishah radiallahu anha says, “Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was a human being from amongst the human beings. He would stay in the service of his family, he would mend his slippers, he would patch up his clothes, he would milk the goat and he would do his own work himself. He would work in the house just as a normal person would work however, when it was time for salah, he would get up and rush to the masjid to perform his prayer.”
This type of mentality is slowly being taken away from many youth today. Unfortunately, according to some, the most boring and lifeless place in the entire world is home. As a result, many people prefer to spend time outside and thus away from family members. There are others who have no need to go out however they find satisfaction in loitering around the locality waiting for something to happen. Then there are those who spend their time in cafes, clubs etc; a place where people can sit and socialise. The outcome of all of this is that our life at home becomes damaged. The house becomes a hotel, you meet others in the corridor at random times but never actually sit down to talk. This is not the way of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. He would mention, “The best from amongst you is he who is best to his family.” The only time a person can serve his family is when he is regularly with them; a person recognises their needs and the problems that are going on in their life.
It is sometimes sad that people take more interest into the affairs of their friends when their own brothers and sisters need a shoulder to lean on. We should do our best to serve our family members first before anyone else, it is important to become a ‘family man’ like Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was. Our parent should be our best friends, their company should feel extremely sweet to the heart to the extent that a person cannot wait to go home and see them. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had prohibited nonsensical talk after Isha yet we find many people congregated outside the masajid talking about all sorts of things. After Isha, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would immediately return home and would spend the remainder of the night with his family members.
It is incredibly important that we create strong bonds at home with our family members. Our time should revolve around them because at the end of the day, the only people who will always be there for us (no matter what) are our family. Thus it is important for us to spend time and this need not be strictly inside the house. Try taking your parents out for ice-cream, your child out for a game of football; enjoy rowing a boat with your wife on a pond or taking an afternoon off to bake a cake or paint a picture with her. If a person becomes playful with all the people in his house, he realises that they aren’t boring after all.
This type of mentality is slowly being taken away from many youth today. Unfortunately, according to some, the most boring and lifeless place in the entire world is home. As a result, many people prefer to spend time outside and thus away from family members. There are others who have no need to go out however they find satisfaction in loitering around the locality waiting for something to happen. Then there are those who spend their time in cafes, clubs etc; a place where people can sit and socialise. The outcome of all of this is that our life at home becomes damaged. The house becomes a hotel, you meet others in the corridor at random times but never actually sit down to talk. This is not the way of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. He would mention, “The best from amongst you is he who is best to his family.” The only time a person can serve his family is when he is regularly with them; a person recognises their needs and the problems that are going on in their life.
It is sometimes sad that people take more interest into the affairs of their friends when their own brothers and sisters need a shoulder to lean on. We should do our best to serve our family members first before anyone else, it is important to become a ‘family man’ like Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam was. Our parent should be our best friends, their company should feel extremely sweet to the heart to the extent that a person cannot wait to go home and see them. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam had prohibited nonsensical talk after Isha yet we find many people congregated outside the masajid talking about all sorts of things. After Isha, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam would immediately return home and would spend the remainder of the night with his family members.
It is incredibly important that we create strong bonds at home with our family members. Our time should revolve around them because at the end of the day, the only people who will always be there for us (no matter what) are our family. Thus it is important for us to spend time and this need not be strictly inside the house. Try taking your parents out for ice-cream, your child out for a game of football; enjoy rowing a boat with your wife on a pond or taking an afternoon off to bake a cake or paint a picture with her. If a person becomes playful with all the people in his house, he realises that they aren’t boring after all.
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