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Category: Humility and Sincerity

A group of ladies walk into a mosque. They are all beautiful physical examples of Muslim women. They are fully covered, some even in face veils with gloves, Jilbaabs (outer-garments) and Khymars (headscarfs). They are the perfect picture of Islam.

They make beautiful salaat, and even more beautiful recitation. As they are about to leave, one of them looks to a sister who is praying in the masjid and thinks, "So and so should not call herself Muslim, for she does not even wear hijab, except when she comes to masjid."

This woman has harmed herself. Islam is certainly the physical - outward appearance. It is a very valid and significant part of t he deen, but it is also the heart and the behaviour and the soul. This woman may not have backbitten the woman who was not a muhajjibah, because she did not actually say anything, but she has done something much more dangerous, much worse. Arrogance and pride have affected her. She has allowed the practices that she does, for Allah's sake, to make her feel she is superior or even safe. No one has a guarantee. We do our best to please Allah, but we all have to rely on Allah's Mercy. Also, we can not judge who is going to be saved from the fire. We do not know what Allah will do, so to look down on one who does not practice as we do is arrogance, and we must avoid it.

The Apostle of Allah (saws) observed, “He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise.” A person (amongst his hearers) said: ‘Verily a person loves that his dress should be fine, and his shoes should be fine.’ He (the Prophet) remarked, “Verily, Allah is Graceful and He loves Grace. Pride is disdaining the truth (out of self-conceit) and contempt for the people.” [Sahih Muslim: Book 1, Number 0164.]

Some of our beloved Prophet's companions used to fear so much that they were not doing enough that they would sometimes faint from fear of Allah, while they were spending the nights praying and the days fasting and devoting their lives to Allah. Who are we to think we have a guarantee?

In the previous Prophetic Narration, the Messenger of Allah is clearly warning us that we have no right to look down on one another. No matter what. Even if the person is a sinner, we have no right. Look to the example of the adulterous man being punished. The man had confessed and been stoned to death.

"...Then the Prophet (saws)) heard one of his companions saying to another: ‘Look at this man whose fault was concealed by Allah but who would not leave the matter alone, so that he was stoned like a dog.’ He said nothing to them but walked on for a time till he came to the corpse of an ass with its legs in the air. He asked: ‘Where are so and so?’ They said: ‘Here we are, Apostle of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam)!’ He said: ‘Go down and eat some of this ass's corpse.’ They replied: ‘Apostle of Allah! Who can eat any of this?’ He said: ‘The dishonour you have just shown to your brother is more serious than eating some of it. By Him in Whose hand my soul is, he is now among the rivers of Paradise and plunging into them.’ [Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 38, Number 4414. ]

Look to this example. The man had committed a major sin. He had confessed to the sin. Yet, his repentance for that sin was sincere. We must not judge others because they sin, for that is for Allah Only. Under a Islamic Government, we can give out the punishments that Allah has mandated, and then leave it to Allah to forgive them or not. We can not decide. We are not privy to what is in the heart. We can talk to the one who is not doing something Islam mandates, like hijaab or beard or avoiding music or whatever, but we can not even try to believe that we are better than they are. For we do not know their circumstances or what is in their hearts or even their fates. That is for Allah.

Look to the example of the prostitute. If we had seen her in the street, what would we have thought of her? Yet she was granted Paradise for a small deed she did.

Allah's Apostle said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 538.]

We can not be happy with her sins, but we must teach her and not abuse her, nor should we be certain that we are so much better than her. Furthermore, we should take the time to teach those who we see committing sins, if we can. The person may simply be ignorant of the correct Islamic practices. We should try to teach them and maybe gain something ourselves from this effort. It may be that this person has something to offer you in the way of goodness.

Some Muslims look down on others because of factors like race and national origin or because they are poor or even because they are rich. I have seen some Arab women looking down on the convert Americans because, perhaps, they were not virgins before accepting Islam. Yet, many of these same women are stronger in their faith after accepting Islam than the women who look down upon them. I have seen some Pakistani's look down to a Muslim because he is black. Yet this black man is more Allah-fearing than those looking down on him. I have seen American Muslims looking to the rich Arabs and Pakistani's and reviling them because they do not SEE them giving money to those in need, yet none of us knows what is secretly done by them. We have to stop being so self-righteous. We, as Muslims, are consistently seeking ways to alienate each other, when we should be seeking to help one another Allah says, {... help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil).} (5:2)

When we are harsh with one another, when we look down on one another, we may be pushing the weaker of us to commit more sin. Think about it. Would you accept advice from one that looks down on you or insults you? Of course not. We must respect and like someone to take advice from him or her. No matter how bad the actions of the Muslim seem to us, we must never think we are so much better that we have the right to insult or even look down upon anyone. Look to the example of our merciful Prophet: Narrated Anas bin Malik,

“A Bedouin came and passed urine in one corner of the mosque. The people shouted at him but the Prophet stopped them till he finished urinating. The Prophet ordered them to spill a bucket of water over that place and they did so.” [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 4, Number 221.]

The Muslims shouted at him, they were abusive, but the Prophet in his great mercy and wisdom, knew that this is not the way to teach. My old teacher, Ghassan Al Baraqawi, once told me,

"Teach, do not preach, for the people like explanation, not confrontation."

These are wise words. We need to think about what we think and say so that we can actually help each other, not tear each other down. There is none amongst us who can claim to be perfect. There is none amongst us who can guarantee that he/she will enter Jannah with no trial or punishment. We must not try to usurp the role of Allah by passing judgement on one another.

Pride is dangerous. Look at the example of Rasool Allah. We have to avoid feeling proud, even of our Islaam.

Allah's Apostle said, "Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment at him who drags his robe (behind him) out of pride." Abu Bakr said "One side of my robe slacks down unless I get very cautious about it." Allah's Apostle said, "But you do not do that with a pride." [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 5, Book 57, Number 17.] Pride and arrogance are the tools of Shaytan. When he was told to prostrate to Adam, and he refused, it became his own doing. Allah says,

{And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.} (2:34)

Also, if you see this in you, beware of trying to justify yourself. Look to the example of Shaytan and his justifications when Allah questioned him about his refusal to prostrate, He (Allah) said,

{What hindered you so that you did not prostrate when I commanded you? He said: ‘I am better than he: You have created me of fire, while him You create of dust.’ He said: ‘Then get forth from this (state), for it does not befit you to behave proudly therein. Go forth, therefore, surely you are of those degraded.’} (7:12/13)

We can not allow ourselves to fall into this horrible trap from Shaytan. We can not allow ourselves to think we are better, for the sin of pride is great. Allah says,

{And when it is said to him, guard against (the punishment of) Allah; pride carries him off to sin, therefore hell is sufficient for him; and certainly it is an evil resting place.} (2:206)

So, brothers and sisters: Next time you see someone who is doing wrong, either in appearance or action, think twice before you think you are better.

Go to the person, if you can, with friendship and gentleness. Advise. Do not assume the worst. Give him or her seventy excuses for the sin, and try to help him/her to understand the evil involved. Do not expect a change - Just advise. Leave any changes to Allah. The person may get angry or try to dispute with you. Do not fall into this trick of Shaytan. Just leave him/her with the evidences from Allah's book and the authentic sunnah (Prophetic Guidance), and let it be. It is for them to accept or reject, and your job will be done. But do not leave them thinking yourself superior.

Also, next time you see someone from another culture or background, do not judge them based on your preconceived notions about that group. See the individual... Talk to him/her. It may be that they will have some advice that will benefit you. It may be that while you may dress more Islamicly, they have better Islamic manners than you do. Do not assume that because you look more like a Muslim that you are the better Muslim. Fear Allah, brothers and sisters. Fear Allah, and give each Muslim his due. In truth, the most evil and wretched amongst us is better than the best of the non-Muslims, and it is our job to advise each other to bring each other up from the darkness and filth of sin to the light and cleanliness of obeying Allah.

Yaa Allah, make us love one another.

Yaa Allah, make us help one another.

Yaa Allah, prevent us from hurting one another.

Yaa Allah, make us truly brothers and sisters.

Make us one body... one heart.

Aameen.

 

Details

Category: Humility and Sincerity

The story of Uwais Al-Qarni was mentioned in Sahih Muslim as well as in other books. Now even though he was from the Tabi’een and did not see the Messenger [salah Allahu Alaihi wa salam], the Messenger [salah Allahu Alaihi wa salam] had advised ‘Umar ibn Al-Khatab [radiya Allahu ‘Anhu] that if he meets [Uwais] then he, ‘Umar, should ask Uwais to ask Allah to forgive him and to make supplication for him.

Thus ‘Umar [may Allah be pleased with him], during his Caliphate, used to ask all the delegates coming from Yemen: ‘Is Uwais among you?’, until finally during one of the years he met him. He found him a man not among the nobles of his people; nobody cares much for him, even those accompanying him, sidelined. So ‘Umar told him about the advice Prophet Muhammad gave him and asked Uwais to ask Allah the Exalted to forgive him. When ‘Umar discovered that Uwais was headed to Al-Kuffa he offered to write a letter to his assistant over there, so that he treats him with hospitality. However, Uwais refused and requested that ‘Umar doesn’t do that. He explained his request that he would love to live as an unknown among the people.

Now, I do not claim that I met that noble Tabi’ee himself; rather I met a man from his school. A man following in the same footsteps of Uwais, and here is what happened...

During one of the Fridays of Ramadan, I left my house to give the Friday Khutbah in one of the Masjids of Al-Jam’iyah Al-Shar’eyah in Cairo. While riding my car my clear white thawb (dress worn by men in Arab countries) was stained with a black spot. That really upset me. I asked myself, ‘How could I stand in front of the people giving the Khutbah when this spot had stained my elegant dress?’ I left the car and headed towards the Masjid. During my walk I passed by a store that had a big mirror at its entrance. I stood in front of it fixing my clothes and making sure my head covering was placed properly. I then continued to the Masjid.

I reached the Masjid, but the issue of the stain was still bothering me. The entrance of the Masjid had a few beggars standing there. They usually stand there during this blessed month, each of them with a story that he uses to gain the sympathy of the people who come to pray. I didn’t give them much attention and entered the Masjid. I climbed the Minbar quickly, hoping that no one would get a chance to see the black spot that stained my dress in the car.

I delivered the Khutbah, and then we prayed. After prayers, I leaned my back at a pillar that was next to the Qiblah, and I stretched my legs to relax.

Now Egyptians usually go and shake the hands of the Imaam after the prayers making supplications for him. I started shaking their hands while being seated in the same manner, and replied to their supplications by nodding my head up and down. I was really exhausted at this time because of the hot weather and the fasting.

At that point, I noticed a blind man crossing the lines with extreme difficulty, asking for the Shaykh (referring to me). Nobody was paying attention to his request, rather some of them were waving their hands in an annoyed manner as the blind man was unintentionally coming in contact with them while crossing the lines. The caretaker of the Masjid took his hand and brought him to me. I looked at him, and saw that his clothe were worn-out. He had the appearance of a person that if he greets others they would not reply back to him, and if he speaks no one would care about what he said. My first impression was that he was one of the beggars I saw at the entrance of the Masjid.

The man reached where I was seated; he greeted me and I replied to his greeting while still being seated in the same manner I described earlier, relaxed and with my legs stretched.

I waited for him to start by telling me how miserable his life is, like beggars usually do, but he didn’t.

Rather he started by praising the topic of my Khutbah!! I though to myself, ‘A new method of begging! Yo start by showing that you understood what was mentioned in the Khutbah so that my heart would soften?!’.

Then he said:

“Although, I have some remarks about your Khutbah, so I hope you do not mind listening to them.”

I said in amazement, while still sitting in the same manner, “Remarks on my Khutbah!! and you are the one that will point them out?!”

He replied,

“Yes.”

I said, “Regarding what aspects of the Khutbah?”

He said,

“In the Language, Hadith, and Tafseer”.

After that I honestly, stared at his face in astonishment, and said, “And to what extend is your knowledge in these sciences?”

He introduced himself to me, he was a graduate of Dar Al-‘Uloom and specialized in Islamic Sharee’ah. He had completed several papers/studies on Tafseer, and he studied along side several known scholars.

I looked at the people around me in the Masjid and they nodded their heads, affirming what the man was saying.

At that point I sat straight, and crossed my legs, and said to the man, “And what are these remarks you had, my dear respected sir?”

He said,

“As for the language, you have used some words of the ‘Amiyah (slang) and that ruins the nobility and sublimity of the Khutbah” (he then continued speaking to me about the importance of the Khateeb using the proper language, with words that increased my love to our beautiful language).

As for the Hadith, you quoted some traditions and mentioned the sources of some, but didn’t do that for the rest. Also how can you quote a tradition and refer it to Aboo Dawud, while it is in Bukhaari don’t you know that this is something that relegates the status of the speaker?! (He then continued speaking to me about the methods and manners of the scholars of hadith, which increased my love for the Science of Hadith).

As for the Tafseer, you mentioned some statements of those who interpret the Quran by their opinion, so beware when speaking about the Book of Allah and do not be like a night-time woodcutter (lumberjack).” (He then he continued speaking to me about the different methodologies used by the people of Tafseer, which increased my love to the science of Tafseer).

By that time, people had dispersed from around us.

As he was about to stand, I stood quickly and took his hand. I then rushed and got him his shoes, and assisted him in putting it on. He kept asking me not to. I took him by his hand so as to take him to his home, but he swore to me not to.

At that point, I saw that we were behind a wall where no one can see us, so I took out a sum of money from my pocket, and I politely requested that he accepts it from me. Here, he got mad and raised his voice a little scolding me roughly. I apologized to him, and he accepted my apology, and said:

“You might have felt sorry for me, when you saw the way I am dressed.”

I said: “Yes, and I hope you can forgive me for not thinking highly of you the first time I saw you.” so he forgave me.

I told him, “Please, comfort me, how do you live and with whom?”

He said,

“I will answer you briefly. I have a small income, but Allah has blessed it with His Grace, and it suffices me from the disgrace of asking others.”

I asked, “With whom do you live?”

He replied,

“By myself, as my children and wife have already beaten me to the Hereafter.”

He then said,

“I want nothing from this Dunyaa (world), and my relationship with it is not that good. All I need is a dress to cover my body and a meal that would silence my hunger, and apart from that I do not need anything.”

So I fell on his hand to kiss it, and I shook his hand and walked away for a few steps. Then I looked back at where he was heading. I saw that the people were giving him no notice as he held his stick, which he used to feel the road in front of him.

As for me, I walked thinking about myself, and how upset I was when my clean white dress got stained. As I walked, cars would slow down so that I can cross the street, and people passing would come by to shake my hands and ask me for supplications.

They were all deceived by my looks and appearance.

I remembered the statement of Prophet Muhammad [Salah Allah ‘Alaihi wa Salam], when he was between his companions and a man passed by who had the appearance of a wealthy man. So he [Salah Allah ‘Alaihi wa Salam] asked,

“What do you say about that [man]?”

They said: “O Prophet of Allah, he is the kind of person that when he speaks we would listen, and if he asks for our daughter’s hand in marriage we won’t oppose, and if he intercedes for someone we would accept his intercession.” Then a man who appeared poor and needy passed by, so he [Salah Allah ‘Alaihi wa Salam] asked,

“And what do you say about that man?”

They said: “He is the sort of person, that if he speaks we won’t listen to what he has to say, and if he requests our daughter’s hand in marriage we would oppose his request, and if he intercedes for someone we would not accept his intercession.” Then he [Salah Allah ‘Alaihi wa Salam] said: “That [poor] man is better (worth more) than all the earth filled with that other man.”

- Aw Kamaa Qaal Salah Allah ‘Alaihi wa Salam".