Islamic Mannerisms Series
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Creator: Jawad Ahmad
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Identifier: http://www.islamtomorrow.com/everything/islamic_mannerisms.htm
Language: en
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Subject: character
Title: Islamic Mannerisms Series
Created on: Wed Dec 26 13:20:52 -0500 2007
Updated on: Wed Dec 26 13:20:52 -0500 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... " But as for him who feared standing before is Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts." " Verily. paradise will be his abode." The key word here is the apprehension that we are being watched 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. The moment this feeling gets into our minds that ALLAH(swt) is watching every second, no matter where we are, the solution to all the problems will be found. It may be that we are succeful in hiding from the world, of what we do individually, but can we hide from ALLAH(swt), who is going to recompense us for every second of our time in this world. This constant watch will lead to a state of purity and controlling one's desires to what is allowed and decent. Otherwise a human being will become wild, only looking for his own pleasure with no regard to decency or moral value. As ALLAH (swt) says in the quran, [Surah An-Nisaa(4), Verse 1] " O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord,.............Surely, ALLAH is Ever an All-Watcher over you." [Surah Ghaafir(40), Verse 19] " Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal." It is very easy to concieve safeguarding ourselves and avoiding sins, if we start thinking that there is a 24 hr camera behind our backs and it is recording our every second activity, and thus we have no chances to avail. Then at night before going to sleep, on the bed if we take two minutes to reconcile our deeds and actions of the day to see far out or how far in line we are with our ALLAH(swt). 6. Love for All, Hatred for none: ================================= When people feelthat we genuinely love them and care for them, a bond of love and affection will develop and they will return our warm feelings and trust in them. Conversely, hating others, not wishing any good for them and feeling envious, will only cause bad feelings and distrust. When we harbor bad feelings we hurt ourselves and others want to stay far away from us. Now in science, we are told that elements and compounds are connected together by chemical bonds, and the strength of the bond determines how strong or weak an element or compound is. Also we learnt that there are thre forms, namely solids, liquids and gases. Of these the most stable are solids, because they have strong bonds holding the atoms and molecules together, compared to the gases which are most unstable due their structure of weak bonds. Similarly a society, or community, or group remains stable, strong and healthy depending on the bondship of its atoms, meaning people. You see when people in a community, love each other, care for each other, this develops a bond just like those chemical bonds, which holds the community together, and prevents it from destruction. Now the stronger and powerful the bond of the community would be, the more stable it will be, and the further away will evil stay away, as if the community is immunised. This is why ALLAH (swt) says in the Quran, [Surah Hujuraat(49), Verse 10] " The believers are nothing else but one brotherhood. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear ALLAH, that you may recieve Mercy." Notice why we have to have this community bondship, because ALLAH says in the above verse that if you want mercy from Me then you have to have a healthy community with solid strong bondship between the people. So we just don't need to love and care for people for our sake, but also to recieve mercy from ALLAH(swt). This noble verse tells us that we have to love our brothers and to remove any misunderstanding or ill-feelings in their hearts. One of the ways to get this feeling of brotherhood is to share with them what ALLAH gives to us. This will let us get us rid of the bad habit of greed and selfishness and will remove any bad feelings in the hearts of those less fortunate than us. Thus in this way peace and harmony will spread between the members of the community, which will bring tranquility in the society we live in. As ALLAH (swt) says in the Quran, [Surah At-Taghabun(64), Verse 16] " So keep your duty to ALLAH (fear Him) as much as you can; listen and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones." You see the only reason greed and selfishness prevail, is because somewhere money is being stored or reserved like water behind a dam, and thus the drought in the community creates greed among the less fortunate, and selfishness among the fortunate ones. This is why ALLAH (swt) in the Quran many, many times has emphasized the concept of charity, the concept of giving money and not just storing like in a resevoir. Because what happens if money starts to get stored in a place is that it produces drought in the community, and then all the consequences start to occur. You see money is like blood in our body. Try blocking off blood in some part of your body and see for yourself what happens? All the other parts start becoming pale because they lose the nourishment of blood to survive. Similarly for a healthy, stable and strong community to prevail, charity has to continue, so that money continues to flow, and thus greed and selfishness will automatically eradicate. There is no concept of extreme richness or extreme poverty in Islam, moderation is the norm, so that a stable healthy society functions. ================================== Part 7: ======= 7. No Insulting: ================= Pride, arrogance, jealousy and all forms of thinking that lead one to believe that he/she is the best, is highly criticized in the Holy Quran. Infact it is a direct order from our Master, Creator to not to have this kind of an attitude at all. Further more, our beloved Prophet(saw) also admonished and warned us of this attitude, and told us to guard ourselves from this and also from those people who have it. So one asks why?? What is the reason?? Well the answer lies in the numerous ahadeeth and Quranic verses that dictate to us of not having this attitude. As we all know that Allah(swt) is Al-Aleem and Al-Hakeem, Most Knowledgeable and Most Wise. He knows us very well since He created us, thus His wisdom in teaching us the correct manners is for our own benefit, but we come to understand His wisdom in any restriction after the damage has been done. If only we could understand earlier and prohibit ourselves from what is forbidden then I guess we all could be better Muslims. When we behave in an arrogant way and look down at others and continue to put them down and ridicule them and do not pay any attention to them, then certainly hatred and enmity will evolve which will lead to the destruction of our brotherhood and community, further more to the destruction of us as individuals, because there would be no self-esteem, etc.... Let us see what Allah(swt) orders us in this regard. [Surah Al-Luqman(31), Verses 18-19] " And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster." " And be moderate or show no insolence in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice of the ass." [Surah Al-Isra'a(17), Verse 37] " And walk not on earth with co nceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like the mountains in height." Pride and arrogance instills two things in human beings, which are, one the voice is raised automatically because of the sense that whatever I am saying is right because I know everything. Also when we look down upon others and constantly ridicule and criticise others, it is so natural that our mode of stride becomes very harsh too, because the constant sentiment of pride *puts* this feeling in our minds and hearts. Thus when we walk, we walk with power and strength in our legs, again because of the feeling that " Oh I'm the best, no one knows anything exceptme....." This is nothing but constant whispering of the Shaa'itan in our minds and hearts to behave this way, and that is why in the above verses Allah(swt) orders us to avoid this. You see it is so **decieving** that it is hard to feel or notice this characteristic. Now obviously, in some cases it may be dliberate but in others it may be because of deception. In other words, what I trying to make you realize is that, for some of us we may not mean that way (ie. being arrogant & proud) but because it so hard to *feel** whether you are arrogant or proud, therefore you may never know that you are harming people. Thus it is incumbent upon us, that as soon as we see the first signs of arrogance and pride in our actions, talks or whatever, that we immediately shun it and repent to Allah(swt). For example, you may be the President of your local Islamic Center or Masjid, and Alham-dou-lillah you may be the humblest person in the community, and have the clearest intentions in your mind and heart. But now, since people of the community respect you so much and have given the level of dignity and pride, that whatever you do there is no resentment in the community, and always contentment. Meaning people start putting you at such a higher level, as if you are their boss, because you are the president or leader of the community, and because of that respect and dignity, people in the community now really don't care much, because they know and feel that whatever you do is okay with them, since they are satisfied. Well, here comes Shaa'itan(Iblees) into play. He sees that this person is so hyped up in the community, that he just puts a few whispers in the mind and heart and .....boom !!.....all the humbleness and humility is shattered. Why ??? Because now that same person is still the same but inadvertantly he/she starts exercising the pride and dignity and respect the community had bestowed upon him/her. He/she starts using the power and strength, without feeling or realising it, because he/she knows that the community is satisfied completly with whatever he/she does. So now this instills pride and arrogance in him/her. When he/she talks, talks in a manner as if he/she knows the best. When he/she walks, walks with head up and chest uptight and legs pounding, because now Shaa'itan has instilled in this person that pride and arrogance. But it is not that person's fault because all this may be going on un-intentionally until he/she feels it or someone points to him/her that look you have pride now in you. This is why it is very very important to all muslims in general, that whebever we recieve any compliments or congratulations or commendment regarding anything we may have achieved, we take all of this with humility and always thank Allah(swt) and ask for his help in keeping the humbleness and hunility, because remember....... [Surah Al-Imraan,(3), Verse 26] " Say: " O Allah! Possesor of the Kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom you will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things." So whenever we see the first signs of pride and arrogance in us, either pointed to us by someone or we feel it ourselves, we should immediately ask Allah's forgiveness and remember the above verse. One point worth mentioning in the above verse, regarding our voices is that when we talk we should try as hard as we can to lower our voices, and do not make funny voices or make fun of other peoples way of talking or voices because the Prophet(saw) said...... Narrated Ibn Abi Mulaika: The two righteous persons were about to be ruined. They were Abu Bakr and Umar who raised their voices in the presence of the Prophet(saw) when a mission from Bani Tamim came to him. One of the two recommended Al-Aqra bin Habis, the brother of Bani Mujashi (to be their governor) while the other recommended somebody else. Abu Bakr said to Umar, "You wanted nothing but to oppose me!" Umar said," I did not intend to oppose you!" Their voices grew loud in that argument, so Allah revealed: [Suarah Al-Hujuraat(49), Verse 2] "O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet(saw) nor speak aloud to him in talk as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless while you percieve not." Ibn Az-Zubair said, " Since the revelation of this verse, Umar used to speak in such a low tone that the Prophet(saw) had to ask him to repeat his statements. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol6, Hadith No.368) Allah(swt) also orders in the Quran.... [Surah Al-Hujuraat(49), Verse 11] " O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith (ie. to call your Muslim brother as: "O sinner, or O wicked, etc..). And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed "Zalimun" (wrong-doers)." This verse clearly dictates the many forms of wrong acts we may be doing in our daily to daily lives. For example, in school and college age kids it is very eminent to see making fun of other peoples names, or twisting or turning peoples names to make jokes or fun out of it. This is clearly shunned from the above verse. Many times we indulge ourselves, when we are having a gathering with are good old friends, in jokes and laughs that are humialating others and making fun of others. Such as if someone has some sort of weakness than we use that as an excuse of making jokes on him/her. For example, if someone is fat or crooked or if his/her nose isn't staright or if they talk in a bad accent, or if someone is not great in his/her studies, then we start making fun of these facts of those people in these gatherings, and yet don't realize what Allah(swt) is ordering us in this above verse. Again the reasoning of making such foolish jokes out of fun, is that sense of pride and status, that, " Oh I am the great, I am a 4.0 student so I can make fun of others, or " People respect me for my status so I can ridicule others, etc.....There many many feelings which I can post on and on but what's the use, we still continue to be oblivious of these minute and miniscule details in our daily to daily lives. Until and unless we grow up to learn and understand how clearly and vividly Allah(swt) dictates us the true human manners and atticates, and how our beloved Prophet(saw) implemented in his life to exemplify to us that yes it is possible to exercise these manners, then we will never wake up from the dichotomy of ?????? (I leave that for you to fill in) Almost all of us openly declare that our beloved Prophet(saw) is the role model and etc.... but how many of those very samepeople practice at least one aspect of the life of the Prophet(saw) let alone practicing the whole life, and yet when it comes to worldly role models then oh boy oh boy.......the air Jordan shoes are wanted, the caricature hair styles are practiced and their different aspects are found out to mimick, so much so that we are almost ready to implement that star's whole lifestyle.....and yet forget about our Prophet(saw). This is no generalization, nor is it a direct hit on any set people. In fact this is the norm and plight of Muslims today all over the world. From America to Japan, and from Ireland to Australia. Where ever muslims exist, they are hung up in the local area status and pride and dignity to achieve, and yet forget the **manners** the Quran dictates to us, let alone practicing the lifestyle of the Prophet(saw). Then for those people, this is what Allah(swt) has to say: [Surah Al-A'raf(7), Verse 146] " I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Quran) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, in a wrongful manner, and (even) if they see all the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs etc..), they will not believe in them. And if they see the way of righteousness (monotheism, piety, good deeds), they will not adopt it as the way, but if they see the way of error (polytheism, crimes and evil deeds), they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, etc..) and were heedless (to learn a lesson) from them." [Surah An-Nisaa(4), Verse 36] " Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor who beg, the neighbour who a near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the way-farer (you meet), and what your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as proud and boastful." Narrated Aisha (raa): The Prophet(saw) said,"Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbours kindly and politely, so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.8, Hadith No. 43) Narrated Abu Huraira(raa): The Prophet(saw) said," Paradise and Hell(Fire) quarelled in the presence of their Lord. Paradise said, "O Lord! What is wrong with me that only the poor and humble people enter me?" Hell(Fire) said," I have been favoured with the arrogant people. "So Allah said to Paradise," You are My Mercy," and said to Hell(Fire)," You are My Punishment which I inflict upon whom I wish, and I shall fill both of you." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.9, Hadith No. 541) [Surah Ibrahim(14), Verse 21] " And they all shall appear before Allah(on the Day of Resurrection) then the weak will say to those who were arrogant (chiefs):"Verily, we were following you; can you avail us anything from Allah's torment?" They will say:"Had Allah guided us, we would have guided you. It makes no difference to us (now) whether we rage, or bear (these torments) with patience, there is no place of refuge for us." [Surah An-Nahl(16), Verse 29] " So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed, what an evil abode will be for the arrogant." In this world, at this time and age muslims have forgotten these above orders, and are too much obssesed with the fact of life, wich is earning the pride, respect, dignity, status and position in the society they live in. In this process, they forget the fact of reality that all of that is worth nothing but merely an illusion, because when they go all of that pride, status and position stays behind and only their deeds accompany them. This is what the above verses and hadiths are telling us. Scenario of Life: A child is born whether boy or girl. >From day one the parents thinking is what? " Oh my son/daughter is going to be a doctor/engineer/business professional. He/she will be the leader of the society, and will have a status and position in the community." What happens is that dictates the rest of the lifestyle of that poor old child. Now he/she has to study really hard in the best of schools and colleges and earn the best and highest degrees. Then make money as fast and as hard as he/she can so that people can start respecting him/her in the society for what he/she has accomplished:-> A beautiful huge house, at least four cars, plenty of property etc, etc,etc... Now can someone tell me where does Islam and being a **practicing** muslim fall in all of this. Mind you practicing muslim and not just muslim. Once you have reached that certain status and position, wich your parents started out with, it is only so natural that some phase of life you will be having pride and arrogance in your attitude. Once again, there may be many exceptions but my questions is what about our priorities? Now I am not saying that all of the above is wrong, infact Allah(swt) orders us to be the best in the society and attain the highest, but in all of this achievement (sorry to say) Islam gets left behind. Unless and until we change the mentality and mode of thinking of the society, we will not be able to carry our Islam along this path or road to achievements. The Prophet(saw) clearly demonstrated to us as muslims on how to achieve status, position and leadership in the society and community, along with being a humble and practicing muslim. I ask for Allah's forgiveness if anything I said is wrong and may Allah guide for that, and if anything is still unclear for someone then please contact me and I shall discuss it further. I pray to Allah for his countless Mercy and Bounty on us and ask for the guidance of the truth for all the Muslims.....aameen. ========================================== Part 8: ======= 8. No Spying, No Back-biting or Idle talks: and 10. No evil thinking of others: ================================ Let us first see what tool is involved in this play. Obviously you can do both, spying and back-biting by your ______?? ... [Full Article...]
