Sheikhy Notes: A cry for help

Showing posts with label A cry for help. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Thursday, June 03, 2010

We are in the season of exams for all those in education. Many are asking for supplications to succeed. Students are either working hard revising or chilling out thinking that they do not need to revise. We were thinking about tests and wondering why we need tests.

Exams are in place to make sure that you have learnt the lessons that you have been taught. So the exam is a reflection of your understanding or lack of. If you fail then you cannot progress with your chosen educational field. You may need to resit the exam or you may need to take another route to a job.

Similarly, the tests of the world are exactly the same. We are given tests to see if we have learnt how to deal with a situation. And if we have learnt to deal with them then we are elevated to a higher grade and this helps us progress. If we fail then we are stuck until we get the message and or get another test.

So when you face a test know this is your chance to reach another level and pass with flying colors. Do not curse the test because you think that its too difficult to bear; if you make it then be aware that that you have reached a new level in this lifetime and in the next.............

See previous post
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-understand-tribulations.html

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Taleef Collective

Do we support our brothers and sisters that come into Islam?

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part four

Relations between each other
(Please see end note.)

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “To insult a Muslim is corruption and to wage war on him is disbelief.” (Bukhari 48, Muslim 64)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Allah has prohibited a believers blood, wealth, honour and to have bad thoughts about him.” (Al-Hakim)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Do not assist satan over your brother.” (Bukhari)

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother, what he loves for himself.” (Muslim and Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The annihilation of the world would be less grave in the sight of God than the unjustifiable killing of a single believer." (Bukhari 6785 and Muslim 65,1218)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Anyone who assists in the killing of a Muslim, even with so much as half a word, will meet God with the phrase 'Despairs of God's mercy' written between his eyes." (Ibn Majah 2761)

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “A servant has not been given, after Islam, better than a righteous brother.” (Abu Talib Al-Makki Qut Al-Qulub vol 2 p.360)

Just reading these narrations would be sufficient for anyone trying to understand his relationship with his fellow Muslim. These include relations with the same and opposite gender.

A Muslim must be careful with all his dealings with people. He has to tread carefully because he has such a great responsibility towards his fellow man.

So a Muslim cannot harm his brother physically, mentally or otherwise nor cause loss of wealth. These are high values that people have to think about before opening their mouths or to be more precise before doing anything!

One of the famous sayings in Morocco is 'treat people well because anyone could be a wali / a person of Allah.' A similar saying is known in Yemen that they treat people well because any one of them could be Khidr (upon him peace).

Muslims need to consider that the person that they are speaking to may be a member of the blessed family of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I have witnessed, several times, a member of this blessed family disagreeing with an opinion of a particular group then he has suffered verbal abuse. There were minor issues which there were more than one answer but because that person disagreed with him, because it went against their group, that person would then respond with insults. From being called a disbeliever, polytheist, innovator and even being struck!

This behaviour was from people who knew his lineage! Is what we shout from our pulpits false? Do we not talk about love The Family of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or is it just lip service? If someone comes to you and says he is from the family then accept it. Do not question him about his family tree in an insulting manner. You can ask him about it but not in an insulting way. Please click here for a discourse on the Ahl Al-Bayt.

If there is a member of this family who is committing sins then advise them in a good way and do not insult them. Maintain respect for the sake of his grandfather. There are many members of this family who need our help and we should be there for them.

When I see gangs fighting and harming each other, it shocks me and I wonder if they know these narrations. I wish that they knew...

Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

Sunday, September 06, 2009

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part three

Everyone is safe from the believer

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Muslim is he whom the people are safe from harm of his hand and tongue.” Al-Bukhari

The hadith is not specific to the way a Muslim treats a believer or a non believer. There is no stipulation about who is mentioned, the good treatment is general to everyone. But people note there are different versions of this hadith. One saying Muslim, one people and one saying believer.

Some do translate it as Muslims but the word used is people. Are not people made of believers and non believers? Now that you agree you can see the far reaching meaning of this one hadith. People, whoever they are, should be safe from any harm from the Muslim. One Muslim cannot harm another Muslim because this of the bond of belief. In terms of the non believer, he has to be good to him, how else will that person come to Islam? Good character is one of the ways that a person enters into Islam. So a Muslim has a huge responsibility towards his fellow man, regardless of their faith.

After the conquest of Mecca, Wahshi came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) accepted Islam then someone recognised that he was the killer of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him). He (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “Let him be.” “For one man’s Islam is dearer to me than the slaying of a thousand disbelievers.” (Martin lings Sira p.323)

Look how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has complete control of his being and anger. Then look how the slayer of his beloved uncle is absolutely safe with him because he has become Muslim.

A Muslim should never lie

Lying is something that anyone who knows anything is bad. We all know how bad lying is, so we do we do it?

Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, can a believer lie?” He said, “No. No believer in Allah and the Final day, lies when he speaks.” (Ibn Abi Dunya Makarim Al-Akhlaq p.144)

In a more famous hadith the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked, “Can a Muslim be cowardly?”
“Yes.”
“Can a Muslim be miserly?”
“Yes.”
“Can a Muslim lie?”
“No.”
(Imam Malik)

Some of us do live in societies where lying is a norm and this has to change. Although we may not be able to change those around us, we must change ourselves. Children must be taught that lying is wrong. If we at least do that and that will be a lot.

Musa ibn Shayba reports that, “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) rejected the testification of a liar.” (Ibn Abi Dunya Makarim Al-Akhalaq p.120)

Do we want our testifications to be rejected? How will people know when a lair is telling the truth? Is that what we want? What will we do on the day of judgement?

When you know you are about to lie, stop yourself and think. Then tell the truth and do not perceive any lie as small or minor. All lies are major wrong actions.

Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Rights that Muslims have over each other

Part one

This is an issue that I have wanted to speak about for some time. Not that I am someone who is giving the rights to his brothers and sisters. No, I have many deficiencies and I hope that from this I can remind myself about their rights and improve my self, myself. There are two aspects that I have identified: the social and religious aspect. (More parts will follow if Allah allows.)

From the social aspect

Recently, in my locality, there has been a spate of gang related violence. This is not limited to one area as other areas suffer from the same type of violence. They include attacks on people in the most brutal and shocking manner. This is something that many people including myself, find hard to understand and comprehend. Especially, when the participants are from the same place. This type of violence needs to driven out of our communities. I am tired of this “gangster” type mentality which breeds arrogance. This arrogance eventually leads to violence which leads to innocent people being harmed.

We do live in times where madness is the rule of thumb and whatever you do to make money is permissible. No matter the manner or the way it is obtained, how foolish.

It does not cease to shock me the lengths that people go to obtain something that will be worthless as soon as it is brought. One of the main problem is that people do not have the tools of education to better themselves nor do they perceive there being any reason to pursue qualifications. What’s the point? I have a job! There is a lot of difference between someone who has no qualifications and has a job and someone with qualifications who has a career.

Muslims must be smarter than this. We must think long term. Our children’s upbringing must be of utmost importance to us. The home is where learning begins. We all know the first language that a child speaks it the language of the mother. Why else is the language called the mother tongue? We need to be interested and focused on our children’s education. We cannot leave the children to the mercy of the education system and pray that they will be alright. We have to be actively involved in giving them the best education and add to it the balance of a religious education.

The problem of violence in our communities is not a new one but it is a brutal one that seems to be getting worse. It could be easy to condemn such people but it would be harder to try to understand their point of view. They have been brought into environments which they reject the English culture and then have an alienation against their own. So they are caught between two worlds, the East and the West, without belonging to either. This causes a tension and this tension can lead to adopting the ways of other “suppressed” peoples.

Muslims are not suppressed in the United Kingdom. Yes, we do face problems because external factors but on the whole we are quite lucky to be here. Chinese Muslims are facing stiff penalties for fasting in the month of Ramadan, All praise is for Allah, we do not have these problems.

The Asian youth is stuck because he does not know which way to turn. He can go to any numbers of ways. Religion seems not to be one of them despite the religious education that is received at schools and elsewhere. So the question now is, how come we have these children for many years but we do not affect them? How come we do not infuse them with love of the religion? Something is going wrong here. Most kids are dying to leave the extra education that they receive during the evenings.

The problem is not in the religion but in the manner that we are teaching it. We must seriously look into the teaching methods that are in place. We cannot relax and cannot afford to close our eyes. We have to bring in English speaking teachers who understand the cultures and can reach the children. Having someone who comes from an Asian village, who has never stepped outside his country until he was put on a plane, is not the answer.

We need to invest in teachers. We need to have homework clubs, football activities, sport activities, help centres, marriage guidance and places we can go to solve our problems. It does not have to be religiously centred but there must be support centres. We must have the door open for everyone. We owe our brothers and sisters that much and maybe more.

Part One
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Two
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/08/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_19.html
Part Three
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each.html
Part Four
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/09/rights-that-muslims-have-over-each_08.html

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Life is better...

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Wisdom is the lost property of the believer. So let them take it wherever they find it." At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

The believer has a right to wisdom because it's his lost item and he has a rightful claim to it.

I remember reading a comic, in my childhood, where there was a crime fighter who was pursing some criminals. They lead him to a garbage dump, where he found something that confused him and sent him into deep wonderment. He found a rose, a red rose, bright and clean, amongst all the rubbish; growing in the garbage dump. I still wonder about this now, even in the worst of places, there maybe something good growing. Even amongst all the rubbish, something wonderful is growing; this is almost like a person. Who may have one good trait amid many bad ones but that good trait may overcome the remainder.

I was wandering home the other day, as most of do, tired and dragging my feet. The day was officially over, at least the working day was! When a caption on a billboard caught my eye, this does not normally happen, but it seemed to draw my attention. It was an advert for a credit card, which of course none of us have! I did not notice this at first, as it was the words that make me think. The picture was of a man painting on an imaginary wall, almost. The picture made little sense but the caption make me ponder.

It read, "Life is better, when you know what’s coming." That’s it, I know I built it up a bit but it was a simple, small caption.

Life is better when you know what’s coming. This to me made perfect sense. I began thinking about how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) had spoke, at length, in hundreds of different narrations, about the events that would come after his passing away, events leading us the Day of Judgement, the day itself, Paradise and Hellfire.

This narration springs to mind:

Abu Hurairah said, I heard the Prophet saying to Thawban, "O Thawban, what will you do when the nations call one another to invade you as people call one another to come and eat from one bowl?" Thawban said, "May my father and my mother be sacrificed for you. O Messenger of Allah! Is it because we are few?" The Prophet said, "No, on that day you (Muslims) will be many, but Allah will put weakness (wahn) in your hearts." The people asked, "What is that weakness, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "It is love for this world and dislike of death." Imam Ahmad

It has been all recorded in various books of prophetic narration. We know for instance, that Al-Mahdi will come and we know that the Dajjal then Jesus (upon him peace) will appear. There is even a narration stating that if the Day of Judgement comes and you are planting a tree, finish planting it. It is really extra-ordinary that this information has been given to us and we fail to take full advantage of it.

The main advantage of having this information is that you can prepare for events that will occur because of the knowledge given to us. It's like some who knows the stock market is going to crash and he takes his money out of the market, just before the crash. Why? because when you know what’s coming you are ready and prepare yourself. It is not a shock, it is just confirmation of what you already know.

We know that one day we will all die and we know, from the information given to us, what the questions will be and who will ask them. Life really is better for the believer in Allah because he knows what’s coming. He/she is calm and there no shock or panic, all there is, is calm. This is one of the meanings of Islam, to submit to the will of the creator. Admit that he knows what is better for you than you do. When you enter into this process, rebellion becomes submission. This goes right back to the angels protesting about the Humans placed on Earth as a vice-gerent. What was the answer that Allah (mighty and majestic) gave to the Angels?

"I know that which you do not." Sura Baqarah 2:29

Please do not misunderstand me, Allah (mighty and majestic) possesses knowledge without limit, without bounds, beyond the understanding of anything, ever, this is just an example.

It was knowledge that raised the status of Adam (upon him peace) above the angels, "He was taught all the names." 2: 30

Without knowledge events can make people say what they do not mean and do what they will regret. Knowledge can turn even the least of people into an important person. It can lift people out of the places of sin that they used to be in. Life is better with knowledge because with knowledge you'll see what is coming and it will not surprise you; when you hear the news or read a headline. You know the ways of the world and you know the rewards of the afterlife. Know that in all the nations before, believers in Allah suffered hardship from disbelievers; this is fact. So do not be surprised by what you hear, this has already happened to every nation.

We know what's coming and life is better, when you are a Muslim. You know, so what are you worried about? It is all being taken care of, better than you could ever imagine! So relax and prepare by performing your obligations and any good works. There is no need to worry, it is all going to be alright.

(Please forgive the writer for any mistakes. I hate proofreading!)

Monday, August 11, 2008

How to understand tribulations

Tribulations are not easy to go through, they can be really difficult, unexpected and last a while. We must know that tribulations cannot be seen through the eyes of the people of the world. They see tribulations as punishment full stop, it's unwanted, it interrupts their plans and it gets in the way. Some accept it as part of life and others deny it totally and cannot cope with it.

Tribulations can shake someone's faith to the core when they are unable to find answers. Sometimes we do not know where to look. So, as Muslims what is our first port of call? It has to be the majestic Quran, we must look at that then look further a field.

"We have sent already unto peoples that were before you, and We visited them with tribulation and adversity, in order that they might grow humble." The cattle 6:42

The Muslims are not the first nation be send tribulations but they are the last. Tribulations are not something new, it's something old.

Linguistics

The English word Tribulation goes back to Latin word tribulare which means to press or oppress. The Arabic word Fatana comes from a word to purify gold, to take out the impurities, which can only be done in a fire.

"And that He may purge those who believe and deprive the unbelievers of blessings."

The Family of Imran 3:141

Many of us feel oppressed when tribulations befall us. One of the synonyms, in English, for tribulation is evil; so this brings an idea that something bad or evil is afflicted a person. In Christianity, there is an interesting belief of the great tribulation, something akin to the grief of the people towards the end of time and the Antichrist/Dajjal. We have no problem of evil in Islam; we know that whatever happens is good. If I break my pen, something that I possess, you cannot say anything to me about it. It is my pen and I own it, so I can do what I like to it. Nor do I need a reason to do so. Likewise the whole world belongs to God; so how can he be unjust in anything he does? How can He be unjust to anything he owns? When He owns everything! It can never happen can it? Good, so we agree that now there is no problem, problem solved guys!

I was talking to a non Muslim about my absence due to illness, he said that it was no good, without thinking I agreed. Then I realised that for a believer in God everything is all good and my error became clear.

Does Allah give us tribulation more than we can bear?

"No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear." The Heffer 2:233.

"Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope." The Heffer 2:286

"Allah wishes to lighten (burden) for you." The Women 4:28

"We burden not any person, but that which he can bear." The Cattle 6:152

These verses are clear and do not need explaination. We can bear the burden, we can bear the tribulation; it may not be easy for us but we can do it.

Love what's bad for us?

Sometimes something that you love contains harm. You can desire something and it can be withheld from you or something that you wished for does not happen. Then this becomes like a burden upon you, dragging you down. Beware, satan at this point, because he can beautify the worst thing in your eyes. Like wine/alcohol we know it is prohibited but some of us still consume it because we love it. This is an example of something we love but has harm in it. Likewise, we can hate tribulations even though it is something good for us. This is also due to the heart being so sick that it loves the prohibited.

"If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good." The Women 4:19

“Perhaps that you hate something which is good (better) for you; and perhaps you love something which is evil (worse) for you.”
Quran: The Heffer 2:216.

Imam Al-Qurtabi (may Allah be pleased with him) says perhaps/'saa means definitely/qad.

Its reads like this: "Definitely you will hate something which is good for you and you will definitely love something which is evil for you."

This is something to ponder over.

Hearts re-connect to Allah the exalted

This sounds strange but hear me out, tribulations draw a person closer to Allah by means of opening a dormant channel between that person and Allah.

This happens quite frequently, we are sent a tribulation and then and only then do we remember Allah because we realise that we have no one else to turn to.

The only problem is when the tribulation ends and we return to our old ways.

We cannot remember Allah in adversity alone, don't we realise the blessings that are showered upon us, in every moment!

Ponder the following

"Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving." The Dominion 67:2

"Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefore fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased the faith of them and they cried: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust!" The Family of Imran 3:173

I remember Sheikh Hamza Yusuf commentating on this verse, the subject of this verse had been told that people would oppose you if you believed and when this occurred they took it as proof that their belief was strong. Which leads me onto another point; as much as your faith is strong, you will be tested in accordance to it.

The more faith you have the more you are tested and likewise the lesser faith you have the least you are tested with. The people who have tribulation all the time are those of strong faith and those who are weak are rarely tested. In any case what our reaction to events that transpire that are against us?

Al-Tirmidhi (2398) narrated that Sa'd ibn Abu Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, I asked, "O Messenger of Allah, which of the people are the most sorely tested?" He said: "The Prophets, then those similar, then those similar. A man will be tested in accordance with his level of faith. If his faith is strong, he will be tested more severely, and if his faith is weak, he will be tested in accordance with his faith. Calamity will keep befalling a person until he walks on the Earth with no sin on him."

If you look into the lives of the Prophets (upon them peace) they were sorely tested, Adam (upon him peace) lived during the time when one of his children murdered the other, Nuh's (upon him peace) son disbelieved at the time of the flood, Ayyub's (upon him peace) sickness, Musa's (upon him peace) people adopting polytheism at Mount Sinai, Ibrahim's (upon him peace) sacrifice of his son, Isa's (upon him peace) nation transgressing the limits by turning into polytheists. Then look at the life story of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), his father died before he was born, his mother died when he was six and his grandfather died when he was eight years old. Think about this, you are eight years old without brother or sister and your parents are dead.

So, now the question is; did Allah love the Prophets? The answer from any responsible person is a resounding yes! Yes, of course, so tribulations are sent to those with great faith, to those who can bear it and those who are strong.

So listen dear friend if you are in a tribulation then be patient and know relief is coming. Do not feel angry or upset, be calm and remain steadfast. Please do not lose hope and direct yourself to Allah (the Exalted).

As we all know tribulations can be one of two:

1. Expiation - for previous wrongs

2. To raise the persons rank closer to Allah Ta'ala

All these states are good because the Muslim is losing his sins which is the least that a person gets from tribulations. If we are patient as well then there is a reward for that as well! So He wants to remove your sins and reward you for it!

There is a wonderful saying that the Moroccans have which is when something of material value breaks or is lost they say that something bad was going to happen to that person and instead that thing broke or was lost. Most of all tribulations remind us not to get too comfortable in the world because we are going to leave it one day. Only when we have closed the door to the past, can we open the door to the future. It is difficult but we can learn and move on. You are stronger than you know and you can make it past this, to see better days. One day you will look back at this time and realise the strength you found to move on was the best thing that you did. Look back one last time and move forward. You can do it, one day at a time. Laughter is the best medicine, it really is and it really helps. Your heart might be busy with pain so make it busy with something else.

Also, I do not claim to be an expert because there have been many times that I have lost my temper during tribulations. I hope that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) allows us all to get "double" points from our tribulations! Hang on in there because it is always darkest before dawn.

Please see this link it is a clip of Sheikh Hamza yusuf talking about the four states of man

http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2007/04/sheikh-hamza-yusuf_29.html

40 hadith on tribulation

http://straighttranslations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/40-prophetic-narrations-of-tribulation.html

The 17 benefits of tribulations.

http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2008/03/sheikh-hamza-yusuf_16.html

For our German readership here is a link to a partial German translation.

http://www.islamische-zeitung.de/?id=12096

Our lecture on seventeen benefits of tribulation
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/sheikh-arfan-shah.html