Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Ta-Ha (Ta-Ha)
Chapter 20: Verse 121 (Partial)

Natural and Acquired Hayaa
"They they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise for their covering."

Hayaa (modesty and shame) is something that every human being naturally possesses. One of the aspects of hayaa that is naturally found in mankind is the feeling to cover one's private parts. This characteristic can be seen clearly in the above example of Adam and Eve.

Like all natural characteristics, this quality may be nurtured and allowed to grow or it may be stunted to the point that the person completely loses this quality.

Beyond the natural feeling of hayaa, there can be an acquired aspect that is directly related to the strength of one's faith. This is the hayaa that comes about by realizing that Allah is always present and He sees everything that one does. There is no escape from Allah. When a person realizes this, he will be ashamed to perform any act that is displeasing to Allah.

Another helpful factor is for the person to think about all of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon him. For example, if he really thinks about how great a blessing his eyesight is, he will be ashamed to use this blessing from Allah in ways that are displeasing to Him.

Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 808, 809

From Issue: 523 [Read original issue]

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Abnormalities

Those upholding the Shariah and those in a position to explain its legislative rules ought to take a firm stand to prevent deviations and discrepancies by teaching and guidance that will eradicate them and expose superficial ideas and corruption. It is reported in a Tradition that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Abd Allah ibn Amr ibn al-As: "I have been informed that you pray all night and fast during the day!" Abd Allah said, "I answered: '(Yes) I do.'" The Prophet then said: "If you do so, your eyesight will become weak and you will become weak. There is no doubt that your body has a right over you, and your family has a right over you. So fast (for some days) and do not fast (for some days), and pray for some time and then sleep." [Bukhari]

When abnormalities are confined to the person committing them, moral exhortation and proper education are the means to dealing with them. If, on the contrary, they infringe upon others and cause harm to them either by word or action, such as calling people to follow these fancies, punishment is the remedy. Accordingly, it is the duty of the ruler (wali al-amr) to compel those abandoning work to work in order to provide for their families and to deport those inviting others to their innovations and fancies, as Umar did when he deported Subaygh from Basra. Umar also compelled traders hoarding food to sell what people needed of the various provisions, as narrated in the Muwatta, although selling and buying is in principle permissible, since its permissibility is rooted in people's natural impulse for acquisition and the pursuit of profit. Thus, it is the difference of purpose that is taken into consideration in the course of action.

Compiled From:
"Treatise on Maqasid Al-Shariah" - Ibn Ashur, pp. 111, 112

From Issue: 1007 [Read original issue]

Cool Tips!

Fight Islamophobia

1. Name the problem: Islamophobia.

If you cannot name it, you cannot fight it. That is why anti-Muslim groups are making serious efforts to persuade others not to use the term Islamophobia. The Associated Press dropped the use of the term under that pressure a couple of years ago. Make sure the term Islamophobia is used by you and others to describe all sorts of hate speech and hate crimes against Islam and Muslims.

2. Always equate Islamophobia with racism and anti-Semitism.

They all are fruits of the same tree of hate.

3. Connect with the media personally.

Letters to the Editor is often the most read section in a newspaper. Even if it is not published, your letter is read and counted. Our friends in media tell us that they receive hundreds of negative letters and calls when they have a positive story about Islam or Muslims, while hardly any Muslim calls to appreciate or respond to good articles. Note that not all media or all non-Muslims support Islamophobia. Many have actively condemned torture, bombing, and occupation.

4. Online forums: Hate is thriving on online forums.

Whenever, you see a positive article, make sure that you spend some time posting positive comments and engaging in conversations.

5. Request your local library to purchase good books about Islam and Muslims.

Does your library contain books which share your perspectives, or does it only have the hatemongers’ books only.

6. Report, report, report.

Report each incident of Islamophobia you, your family, or friends encounter. Even small ones. While Muslims are the number one victims of hate in America, we rarely report it. The result is that the FBI’s national statistics report anti-Semitism, which is equally wrong, to be a bigger problem than Islamophobia.

7. Thank those who speak out or act against Islamophobia.

A quick call, even leaving a message and/or a two-line email message are sufficient.

8. Make Dua for the enemy.

May Allah guide the hatemongers. The Prophet made Dua for the enemy, pleading with Allah to have mercy on them because they do not know, therefore, they need to be guided.

Compiled From:
"8 Ways an Individual can fight Islamophobia" - Abdul Malik Mujahid

From Issue: 836 [Read original issue]