Morals in the Life and Da‘wah of the Prophets - II

Adhering to Tawheed (Islamic monotheism) does not only apply to deeds
but also to words. Some of the Companions asked the Prophet, , to make
a tree for them that was known as "ThaatAnwaat" so that they could
hang their weapons on it in order toseek its blessings as the
disbelievers used to do. The Prophet, , responded: "By Allaah, you
have said to me the same as the Children of Israel said to Moosa; they
said:{ O Moosa make for us a god just as they havegods { . " [Ahmad
and At-Tirmithi - Hasan Saheeh [
The Prophet, , was asked about soothsayers, and he said: " They know
nothing." [Muslim] Even ifsoothsayers tell the truth once, they add to
it a hundred lies.
The Prophet, , warned us many times about using graves as Masjids
(mosques). Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): } And [He Revealed]
that the masjids are for Allaah, so do not invoke with Allaahanyone. {
[Quran 72:18] Therefore, it is the duty of all people to return in
repentance to Allaah The Almighty, submit themselves to Him, abandon
any form of Shirk , Kufr (disbelief) or devoting any acts of worship
to anything other than Allaah and to believe in Him Alone. People must
also know that Tawheed comes first,as one must give precedence to what
is most important, whether in matters concerning seeking knowledge,
work or Da'wah .
The claims that the disbelievers, polytheists and philosophers have
set the measures and foundations for good morals and that they have
good manners is vain, as what is bred in the bone will come out inthe
flesh. Also, those disbelievers and polytheists will only benefit from
their good deeds in this worldly life, but in the Hereafter they would
embody the verse (what means):
· } And We will regard what they have done of deeds and make them as
dust dispersed. { [Quran 25:23]
· } But those who disbelieved - their deeds are like a mirage in a
lowland which a thirsty one thinks is water until, when he comes to
it, he finds it is nothing but finds Allaah before Him, and He will
pay him in full his due; and Allaah is swift in account. { [Quran
24:39]
2- Adhering to Legislation: All ways are blocked except that of the
Prophet, , and it is not permissible, or indeed possible, to become
firmly established with good morals first, then try to interpret
Islamic texts in a way that would suit these morals. Allaah the
Almighty Says (what means): } O you who havebelieved, do not put
[yourselves] before Allaah and His Messenger,but fear Allaah. { [Quran
49:1] In fact, we are required to derive our methodology, principles,
and morals from the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, , without
permitting ourselves or others to neglect any of the Sharee'ah texts.
In this regard, we have to follow the example of theProphet, , where
we have many proofs. The Prophet, , saw a man walking during
pilgrimage supported by two men, so he asked about him. The people
informed him that he had vowed to go on foot to perform pilgrimage. He
said: "Allaah is not in need of this old man's torturing himself."
Then he told the people: "Order him to ride." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Also, when the Prophet, , saw Abu Israel standing in the sun and not
speaking, he asked the people about him. They said, "He has vowed that
on this day he will keep standing, remain in the sun and keep
silent."' The Prophet, , said: "Let him end his fast, speak, come in
the shade and sit down." [Al-Bukhaari] Sitting in the sun is a burden
that does not bring the person closer to Allaah the Almighty, and
abstaining from speaking is how the previous nations used to fast,
which is not a part of our Sharee'ah . The proof of this is what the
Prophet, , said: "Theone who believes in Allaah and the Day of
Judgment should say something good or remain silent."
Further proof is that when the Prophet, , knew that 'Abdullaah ibn
'Amr was fasting during the daytime and performing voluntary prayers
throughout the night, which made him neglect the rights of his wife,
he said to him: "Fastlike my brother, Daawood, [Prophet David ], who
would fast every other day and never fled from his enemies." [Muslim]
It was also narrated that the Prophet, , said: "Your Lord has a right
over you,and your wife has a rightover you, so give each one his
right." [Al-Bukhaari]
Thus, a person must be just, moderate and careful regarding the
different benefits in life and should maintain a good balance between
them, without excessiveness or negligence. One must also take the
requirements of the bodyand soul into consideration, without aloofness
or committing excess, and should have acomprehensive view of giving
every person his due right.
Another example is when three men went to the houses of the Prophet, ,
asking about his acts of worship. When they were informed about it, it
seemed as if they thought it was insufficient. Therefore, they said,
"How can we compare ourselves to the Prophet when his past and future
sins have been forgiven." Thereupon, one of them said, "I will offer
voluntary prayers throughout the night and never sleep." Anothersaid,
"I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast." The
third said, "I will keep away from women and will never marry." When
the Prophet, , was told about them, he mounted the pulpit and gathered
the people, then he said: "Why are some people saying such and such? I
am the most knowledgeable and mostfearful of Allaah among you, yet I
fast and break my fast, I offer voluntary night prayers and I
sleep,and I marry women. Therefore, the one who does not follow my
Sunnah, is not of my Ummah." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The path that leads to Allaah the Almighty and the Gardens of Pleasure
isthe way of the Prophet, , that should not be exceeded. This way
should be followed without innovations as the most perfect human is
the Prophet, , and his Sunnah is the praised way that was followed
byhis Companions . The Sunnah is every thing that the Prophet, ,
did,said or approved of. It also includes any characteristic that was
intended as a means of legislation for the Ummah . The one who turns
away from the Sunnah of the Prophet, , should be told as the Prophet,
, said: "The one who refrains from my Sunnah, is not of my Ummah." The
Prophet, , would say: "If someone innovates something that is not in
harmony with the principles ofour religion, that thing is rejected."
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It was narrated that the Prophet, , said:
"Every innovation is deviation, and everydeviation is in Hell."
According to Ash-Shaatibi an innovation is an invented way in the
religion that is falsely attributed to the Sharee'ah , even though it
is done with the intention of worshippingAllaah The Almighty.
Innovations are more preferable to Iblees (Satan) than sins, and
theone who does them is among those to whom the evil of their deeds
has been madeattractive, so he considers them good. 'Umar would say,
"Every innovation is a deviation, even if people consider it to be
good." Ibn Mas'ood would say, "Follow and do not innovate as you have
what suffices you. A dhere to the way of the early generations [the
Companions of the Prophet]."
The Companions followed this clear methodology and did notallow any
one to ruin Tawheed or Legislation. 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab for instance,
would kiss the Black Stone and say, "By Allaah, I know that you are
just a stone that can neither harm nor benefit, and I would have never
kissed you if I had not seen the Prophet kissing you." 'Ali dismissed
all the people from the mosque who would tell imaginary and unreal
stories under the pretext of reminding the people and softening their
hearts. Also, when Ibn 'Umar heard a man saying after sneezing,
"Praise be to Allaah andpeace and blessing be upon the Prophet " he
told him, "This isnot what the Prophet taught us. The Prophet said:
'When anyone of you sneezes, he shouldpraise Allaah' but he did not
mention that we should ask for blessings upon him."
When Ibn Mas'ood entered the mosque of Al-Koofah, he saw groupsof
people sitting in circlesand in the middle of eachcircle there was a
pile of stone s and a man standing by each group ordering them to
exalt Allaah The Almighty a hundred times, then to praise Him a
hundred times, and then to glorifyHim a hundred times, andthe people
responded. Ibn Mas'ood said to them, "O people! By Allaah you are
either more guided than the Prophet or you are approaching a
deviation!" They said, "O Abu 'Abdur-Rahmaan! Weonly meant to do good
deeds. " He said, "There are many who want to do good deeds but never
do [as they do not follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ]." [Ad-Daarimi]
Any addition or deletion in acts of worship or behavior that is done
with the intention of drawing closer to Allaah The Almighty, is a
rejected innovation even if the intention was goodas long as this act
does not coincide with the Sharee'ah of Allaah The Almighty.

Dawah in history

From an Islamic perspective, there is absolutely no compulsionon
people to embrace it. People have always entered Islam willingly. The
historical presence of non-Muslim minorities living among Muslims is
evidence of tolerance in Islaam.
Islam spread in the most populated Muslim countries: Indonesia,
Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and within Africa through contact
between the natives and Muslim travellers and merchants, who brought
with them not only goods, but also Islamic values such as straight
dealing, honesty and generosity.
The impact of Muslims upon these communities was tremendous. In
Singapore, near the port where the Arab traders used to land, the
residents say that the natives used to prefer to buy from Muslim
merchants because they expected good treatment and fair prices.
As was the case in most of the areas to which Islam spread, peaceful
and voluntary reversion was far more important than conquest and force
in spreading the faith in Southeast Asia. Almost everywhere in the
islands of the region, trading contacts paved the way for reversion.
Muslim merchants and sailors introduced local peoples to the ideas and
rituals of the new faith and impressed on them how much of the known
world had already been reverted. The first areas to be won to Islam in
the last decades of the 13th century were several small port centres
on the northern coast of Sumatra. From these ports, the religion
spread in the following centuries across the Strait of Malacca to
Malaya.
It is unfair to compare the spreadof Islaam in Asia and Africa with
the spread of Islaam in the West, and blame Muslims for not
effectively promoting their religion in the West. Unlike the modern
western world, the Asians' and Africans' history was free from
hostility and enmity against Muslims, and therefore, their reversion
to Islam was natural and easy.
Could Da'wah Fail?
Allaah will guide, through Da'wah(Islamic propagation), those whoare
worthy and qualified for His Mercy; those who have good hearts and are
sincerely searching for the truth. He will turn away from it those who
do not deserve His mercy; those whochose to divert from His way.
Thisis decreed according to His perfect Wisdom and Knowledge.
The success of Da'wah is guaranteed as a fulfilment of Allaah's
promises; He Says (what means): "… And who is more truthful than
Allaah…" [Quran: 4:87]
1. Allaah promised to make the way for Da'wah easy for Prophet
Muhammad salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his followers alike; He Says
(what means): "And We will ease you toward ease." [Quran: 87:8]
2. Allaah also promised to preserve the Quran, His last guidance to
mankind. It is foreverprotected from any sort of distortion, change,
or modification; He Says (what means): "Indeed, it is We who sent down
the message [i.e., the Quran], and indeed, We will be itsguardian."
[Quran: 15:9]
3. Allaah promised to make Da'wah prevail and reach every place on
earth, so that all mankind will be aware that Islaam is the truth from
their Lord; He Says (what means): "We will show them Our signs in the
horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it
is the truth..." [Quran: 41:53]
4.Prophet Muhammad assured us that Islam is the religion of the future
and will spread all over the world when he said: "Indeed, Islam will
reach every place that the day and night reach. There is no house (in
city or desert) on the Earth except that Islam will enter it." [Ahmad]
Due to all of these reasons, Da'wah can never fail; that is whyProphet
Muhammad expectedhis followers to outnumber the followers of other
prophets; He said: "All of the prophets before me were given
(tangible) miracles, due to which, people believed in them. But the
miracle that has been given to me is indeed a revelation that Allaah
revealed to me [i.e., Quran and Sunnah]. So I hope, on the Day
ofJudgement, my followers will outnumber the followers of other
prophets." [Al-Bukhaari]
In order for Da'wah to be effective, the caller must have sincere
intention and, above all, astrong sense of piety. In order toshare
Islam with people, we must develop strong relationships within our
Ummah (Muslim community) to support these efforts with Da'wah
centresand well-written material. Each of us has a gift from Allaah
and we should not ignore our obligation in fear of rejection or
failure, but join together to contribute our talents and resources to
share the gift of Islaam.

The Da'wah of the Prophets

Calling to Allaah is the way of the Messenger Muhammad and his
followers, as Allaah, the Most High, Says (what means): "Say [O
Muhammad]: 'This is my way; I invite to Allaah with insight, I and
those who follow me. And exalted is Allaah; and I am not of those who
associate others with him.'" [Quran: 12:108]
Calling to Allaah was the mission of all the Messengers and their
followers, in order to bring the people out of darkness into light,
from Kufr (unbelief) to true Eemaan (faith), from Shirk (polytheism)
to Tawheed (monotheism), and from the Fire to Paradise. This call to
Allaah rests upon firm pillars, and is established upon foundations
which are absolutely essential. If any of these are missing, the
Da'wah (call to Islam) will not be correct and will not produce the
desired results - no matter how much time or effort is expended - and
this is the reality which we witness with regard to many of the
present-day calls which are not supported by those pillars and built
upon those foundations. These pillars, which support thecorrect
Da'wah, are clearly shown in the Book (the Quran) and theSunnah
(prophetic tradition), and can be summarised as follows:
1. Knowledge of that which one calls to:
Since the ignorant person is not suitable to be a Daa'ee (caller).
Allaah, the Most High, said to His Prophet (what means): : "Say [O
Muhammad]: 'This is my way; I invite to Allaah with insight
(Baseerah), I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allaah; and I am
not of those who associate others with Him...'" [Quran: 12:108]
'Baseerah' is knowledge. So the caller is certain to face those who
are scholars of misguidance, those who will attack him with doubts and
futile arguments in orderto rebut the truth. Allaah,the Most High,
Says (whatmeans): "…And argue with them in a way that is best..."
[Quran: 16:125]
2. Acting in accordance with that which he calls to:
This is so that he will be agood example - his actions attesting to
his words, and leaving no excuse for the opponentsof the truth.
Allaah, the Most High, informs us that His Prophet Shu'ayb said to his
people (what means): : "…I do not intend to differ from you in that
which I have forbidden to you; I only intend to reform as much as I
amable…" [Quran: 11:88]
3. Purity of intention (Al-Ikhlaas):
Da'wah should be made purely and sincerely, seeking Allaah's pleasure
to seek the Face of Allaah (and seeking His Reward)- not for show,
repute, status, leadership, nor desiring worldly goals. If any of
these goals adulterate it, the call is no longer for Allaah; rather it
is for one's own benefit or for the attainment of worldly goals.
Allaah informs us that His Prophets said to their people (what means):
: "…I ask of you for it [i.e., this message] no payment…" [Quran:
6:90] And (what means): : "…I ask not of you forit any wealth…"
[Quran: 11:29]
Let us take a glimpse at the way in which two of the well-known
Prophets, Nooh (Noah) and Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allaah exalt their
mention, called to Allaah:
Nooh :
The name of Prophet Nooh has been mentioned in the Quran forty-five
times. Let us recall some of these Aayaat (verses) and Soorahs
(chapters). Allaah the Most High and Exalted says what means: "And We
certainly sent Nooh to his people, and he remained among them a
thousand years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers."
[Quran: 29:14] And: "Indeed, We sent Nooh to his people, [saying]:
'Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment. He
said: 'O my people! Indeed I am to you a clear warner.'" [Quran:
71:1-2] And so came to pass a tradition by Allaah,the High and
Exalted, in which the propagation faced trials, ordeals etc. Along
with that, barriers were erected by the enemies of Allaah as a means
of standing in the way of the call to monotheism and towardsits
callers. This is the lengthy history of humankind, from the time of
the Prophet Nooh to our present day; full of dedicated powers standing
in the path of Da'wah to Allaah, the High and Exalted, being publicly
insurgent and intimidating, without shame or discretion. Prophet Nooh
remained among his people for a very long time, but none except a very
few believed his call.So the rest were taken away by the flood, as
they were wrong-doers.
Ibraaheem :
Indeed Prophet Ibraaheem was a trueMuslim, avoiding any creed except
that of Islam(submitting oneself to Allaah only, and following His
commands),and believing that Islam is the first and final message to
the whole of humanity. This was also the belief of those who succeeded
him from among his progeny: Ismaa`eel (Ishmael), Is-haaq (Isaac),
Ya`qoob (Jacob), and Al-Asbaat (the twelve descendants of Jacob who
form the twelve tribes of Israel), may Allaah exalt their mention.
They passed this creed on to Prophet Moosaa (Moses) and `Eesaa
(Jesus), may Allaahexalt their mention, and the matter finally
concluded with the Muslim descendents of Ibraaheem .
The story of Ibraaheem in the Noble Quran shows us that the
orderlyconduct of living, the manner of morals, and principles of
behaviour and ethics cannot be implemented and firmly upheld except if
the `Aqeedah (creed) connects the spirit with the body. Indeed,
Ibraaheem was at the peak of his youth when Allaah, the High and
Exalted, gave him maturity and adulthood, as he denounced the
worshipping of idols by destroying them. He ridiculed and mocked them,
and finally smashed them into pieces. Not only that, but he also
ridiculed the mentality of the people, and opposed them, saying (what
means): "Uff to you and to what you worship instead of Allaah. Then
will you not use reason?" [Quran: 21:67]
Thereafter, his people were overtaken by pride,which lead them to
offence, just as it always does the tyrant oppressors and the
powerless alike, when they have no proof. So, they resorted to
outrageous, tyrannical force, and severe punishment; they said to him
(what means): "…Burn him and support your gods – if you are to act."
[Quran: 21:68]
But, Allaah's mercy and assistance for those who call others to Him
totally voided their sayings and nullified their plan (to throw
Ibraaheem intoa blazing fire); Allaah Says (what means): "We [i.e.,
Allaah] said: 'O Fire! Be coolness and safety upon Ibraaheem." [Quran:
21:69] Take a good look at the 'father of prophets'. He suffered, but
was patient;and was gifted. In return,he was thankful, so the generous
end (of this conflict) was befitting to him because of his graceful
patience. From his progeny, the best of nations were sent out to the
people, guiding with the Command of Allaah, and establishing Allaah's
legislature upon guidance and light. So, similar action must be
displayed by the people of Da'wah: being patient in the face of
rejection, and in suffering in the Path of Allaah.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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''The thunder glorifiesHis praise''

3 billion thunders a year…

A source of energy that moves at a speed of 96.000 km per hour and
releases 30.000 degrees of heat.
Have you ever thought how thunder, one of themost magnificent
atmospheric incidents that Allah creates, is formed and how it is
capable of releasing such a high amount of energy?
During rainfall, thunder and lightning that are made up of bright
lights forming in the course of atmospheric discharge of electricity
are in fact energy resources producing more electricity than
thousands of power plants; besides being a climatic phenomenon. The
answer to the questions of how these natural energy sources are formed
and how powerful they give out light and heat is a wonder of creation
revealing the Ever-Lasting Might and Glory of Our Lord.
A magnificence forming in a split second: Miracle of Lightning
• The energy released by a single lightning boltis greater than the
energy produced in all power plants across the entire America.
• One lightning can light a 100 watt bulb for more than 3 months.
• At the contact point of a lightning to the ground, weather is
warmed up to 25.000oC. The speed of a lightning bolt is 150.000 km per
second and its average thickness is 2.5-5 cm.
• Lightning produces nitrogen molecules that are essential for the
vegetation covering our Earth to sustain its life.
• An average lightning possesses 20.000 ampereof electric power. A
welder uses only 250-400 ampere to weld steel.
• Lightning moves at a speed of 150.000 km per second, that is
almost at half of the speed of lightand it is 100.000 times faster
than sound.
Light released by one lightning is greater than that of 10 million
100-watt light bulbs. That is to say; if every house in Istanbul had a
light a bulb on, illumination from a single lightning bolt would be
greater. Allah announces this glamorous flash of lightning as: "…The
brightness of His lightning almost blinds the sight.." (Surat An-Nur,
43)
How is lightning formed?
Air, warmed by the sunlight rises carrying along the water evaporating
inside it. When this risen air reaches 2-3 km, it comes into contact
with the layers of cold air.
Ice crystals that are formed inside the cloudsat the time of air
rising, release static electric energy formed due to friction. This
electrical energy is loaded positive(+) on top layers of the clouds
and negative (-) on low layers. When the cloud is loaded enough to
ionize the air; lightning is formed.
Why does it thunder?
Lightning heats the air nearby up to 30.000 degrees Celsius in one
millionth of a second. The air warmed up dilates. And it propagates
sound wavesmuch faster than the speed of sound; with a pressure 100
times greater than the normal atmospheric pressure. Similar to the
airplanes crossing the speed of sound, this causes an explosion sound
in the air. And this is named as thunder.
Why does not the light and sound of thunder reach the earth simultaneously?
This is because the sound of thunder reaches us at the speed of sound
(340 m/secondsin air); whereas the visual aspect of the lightning
reaches us at the speed of light (299.793 km/seconds). This causes a
time difference between the two incidents and thus results in the
bolt reaching the earth before the thunder.
What is the difference between lightning and thunderbolt?
When the difference in electric charge becomes greater between the
earth and the cloud, it becomes easier for air tobe pierced and from
earth to the cloud; electrical discharge starts through the conductor
duct formed by the pierced air. The electrical discharge fromthe
clouds is called lightning and the electrical discharge fromthe earth
back to the cloud is called thunderbolt or return stroke.
The fact of lightning declared in the Holy Quran
Surah Ar-Ra'd is one of the chapters in the Quran and it means "TheThunder".
Allah announces that thethunder formed by the lightening repeats His praises:
"The thunder glorifies His praise, as do the angels, out of fear of
Him. …" (Surah Ar-Ra'd, 13)
Strike of lightning reminds us of death
Experiences of those who survived a strike of lightning that causes
thedeath of hundreds of people every year, remind us of death as well
as revealing the helplessness of man in the Presence of Allah.
The possibility of gettingstruck by lightning is one in 700,000; yet
one should not underestimate this possibility as well as the effects
of the lightning. According to the statements made by those who have
been struck by lightning, the electrical current can explode the
buttons and zippers on the clothes and people can faint andfall down.
Due to brain damage, people who have been treated for 1-2 months at
the intensive care divisions of hospitals are having to re-learning
how to walk, how to swallow, or in other words how to live again.
These people have described how they felt, and say it is as if they
"lived death and then were resurrected."
In the Holy Quran, a very similar incident occurredin a strike of
lightning Allah showed to the people of Prophet Moses(as). With a
disgraceful and false courage, the Israelites demanded thatthe Prophet
Moses (as) enable them to see Allah with their own eyes and while
demanding this, they were shown the similar effect of a lightning. The
following statements in the verse "So the thunder-bolt struck you
dead" and "Then We brought you back to life after your death," may be
a sign forthe fact that they felt resurrected after their heart stop
related to the shock as well as the loss of consciousness and loss of
memory they experienced. (Allah knows the best). Here are the related
verses in the Quran:
And when you said, 'Moses, we will not believe in you until we see
Allah with our own eyes.' So the thunder-bolt struck you dead while
you were looking. Then We brought you back to life after your death,
so that perhaps you would show thanks. (Surat al-Baqara, 55-56)