Al Nahl
(The Bees)
Chapter 16: Verse 128
 Obedience & Dependence
"Surely God is with those who refrain from disobeying Him in awe of Him and who do good deeds."
During a war, one soldier is well-trained and conscientious, while another is a recruit and a slave to his own self. The first one attends training exercises and struggle against his enemy. He never worries about his provisions and payment, because he knows that the government will provide him with all the necessary equipment, food & medical requirements. All he has to do is train for war and fight for his country. He helps out by supplying food and working in the kitchen. When asked what he is doing, he responds: "Some of the state's chores." He does not say he is working for his living. The other soldier, on the other hand, does not train, nor does he fight. When asked, he states that "It's none of my business, it's a government matter." He cares only about his livelihood and income, and deserts the battlefield to spend his time in the marketplace.
The first soldier advises him: "Brother, you're supposed to be training for the country. That's why you are here. The king would meet your needs, because that's his role. You can't meet all your meets regardless of the time or place. As we’re in a state of war, you might be accused of desertion or rebellion, and be punished. We have our duty and the king has his.” Imagine the trouble the second soldier would be in, if he ignores his friend’s words.
O My Soul! The battlefield represents the worldly life. The trained soldier is a devout and pious Muslim who understands his role in life, and hence struggles against his self and the enemy. The other soldier is a sinner who ignores his duty, commits many sins, runs after the worldly life and ends up not trusting even his sustainer.
Training represents the daily prayers and other duties required of the believers. The war stands for the process through which the spirit achieves everlasting salvation - fighting our selfish desires. These two duties are easily understood: the First (the creation and maintenance of life) is the Creator’s responsibility, while the second (beseeching from Him and relying on Him only) is ours. Only He who gives life, can sustain life with provision. If you need convincing, reflect on the fact that the weakest and most vulnerable creatures, such as the babies or newborn animals, get the best food.
Compiled
From:
“Humanity, Belief and Islam” – Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, pp 36-38 |
The Living Dead
Enjoining right and forbidding wrong is done sometimes with the heart, sometimes with the tongue, and sometimes with the hand. As for practicing it with the heart, it is obligatory upon everyone in every time and situation, since its practice brings no hardship. whoever fails to do even that is not even a believer as mentioned in the following hadith:
"Whoever of you sees wrong being committed, let him rectify it with his hand, if he is unable, then with his tongue, and if he is unable, then with his heart, and this is the weakest of faith. Beyond this there is not a single mustard seed's weight of faith."
Ibn Masud was once asked: "Who are the living dead?"
to which he replied: "He who does not acknowledge the right as such, and does not reject the wrong."
He is referring to the person described in the following agreed-upon hadith who consistently failed to reject wrong when tested. The Prophet said:
"Tests are shown to the hearts like a straw mat, straw by straw. Whichever heart accepts them, and absorbs them, gets a black spot placed on it, and whichever heart rejects them, gets a white, clear spot on it. This goes on until the hearts are of two types: a heart which is white, smooth, and clear like a polished stone which will not be harmed by further trials or tests for as long as the heavens and the earth last, and another dark and blemished; it is like a hook turned over the wrong way on which nothing can be hung - it neither acknowledges what is right nor rejects what is wrong, except for that which happens to coincide with its lusts and inclinations with which this heart has become fully absorbed."
Compiled
From:
"Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil" - Ibn Taimiya
|
Discussions and Debates
If you have trouble understanding some of what has been said in a meeting, hold your questions until the speaker has finished. Gently, politely, and with proper introduction, ask for clarification. Do not interrupt a person's speech. Never raise your voice with the question, or be blunt to draw attention to yourself. This is contrary to the proper manner of listening, and stirs up contempt. However, this is not the rule if the meeting is for studying and learning. In such a case, asking questions and initiating a discussion is desirable if conducted respectfully and tactfully and only after the speaker finishes. The Khalifah Al-Mamun said: "Discussion entrenches knowledge much more than mere agreement."
Never interrupt a speaker. Never rush to answer if you are not very confident of your answer. Never argue about something you do not know. Never argue for the sake of argument. Never show arrogance with your counterparts especially if they hold a different opinion. Do not switch the argument to belittle your opponent's views. If their misunderstanding becomes evident, do not rebuke or scold them. Be modest and kind. A poet once said:
Who could get me a friend?
Who if I offend will remain calm
Who would listen intently to what I have to say
When he knows it better than I do
Compiled
From:
"Islamic Manners"
- Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda, pp 54-56
|