Father: I told you to clean your room.
Child: But I don't know how to dothat!
Father: I said clean the room! Don't you understand? Does thisneed
any explanation? You are old enough and you can do this by yourself.
If you clean your room, I will buy you whatever you like.
Child: Really, Dad?
Father: Yes, my dear boy. However, if you don't do so, the
consequences will be bad.
After cleaning the room…
Child: Dad! I cleaned my room.
Father: Do you call this cleaning?
Child: I did my best, Dad.
Father: Why didn't you clean under the bed? Remove the dustfrom the
glass? Arrange the clothes?
Child: I forgot to do that, but I will do it now.
After cleaning the room again...
Child: I have cleaned everything!
Father: Good! Well done!
Child: I deserve the prize now, right?
Father: Yes, you deserve it!
Child: You told me that you will buy me whatever I want.
Father: Yes, I did say that. What would you like me to buy you?"
Child: I want you to buy me a motorcycle!
Father: What, a motorcycle?! That is too expensive, and I can't buy it now.
Child: But you said that you would buy me whatever I wanted.
Father: But you should ask for something reasonable.
Child: But I want a motorcycle and nothing else.
Father: I don't likethose whotalkand arguetoo much, you have to ask
for something reasonable or Iwill buy you nothing.
Child )weeping(: But I love motorcycles!
The child then returns to his room that he has just cleaned feeling
remorse for every second he had spent in cleaning it. At thesame time,
he has lost confidence in his father's repeated illusionary promises
that he never fulfills. He closes the door and falls asleep.
Dear educator, be precise, logical and motivating. In the light of the
previous story, let us ask the following questions:
Was the father precise and logicalin his request? Did he succeed in
motivating his child?
Dear parent, let us answer the following three questions:
First:Was the father precise )in his orders and requests(?
Why do parents always think badly of their children if they refuse to
respond to their orders or if they respond wrongly? Why do we
immediately accuse the child of negligence?
In fact, we should accuse ourselves in many cases and inquire,"Were we
precise in our demands from the child?"
Was it sufficient for the father to ask his child to clean his room?
Isthis request sufficient or does it need some clarification?
The reward that the child will receive when he obeys his parents
represents the real incentive that makes him feel confident and
strong. Therefore, the parents who are not specific with their
children when they give them orders unintentionally lead their
children to failure.
For example, the father could have explained his request to his child
from the beginning in the following way:
·Use the broom when cleaning the floor
·Arrange the clothes and put them in their place
·Remove the dust from the glass and furniture
Putting it this way helps the childto know what is exactly required of
him easily. In such a case, if the child does something wrong, then
he, rather than you, would be the negligent party.
Specification and clarity is required in motivation:You should not
tell your child that you would buy him whatever he wants if he does
such-and-such. That is because the child has an intrinsic powerful
imagination and there is no limit to his demands. Therefore, if you
are not specific and do not respond to your child's requests, he will
be disappointed and will lose confidence in his father's promises and
incentives. On the contrary, such motivation will turn in the future
into frustration.
This explains what happened in our story. The child asked for a
motorcycle, and the father could not fulfill this difficult request
and the result was disappointment and frustration.
The father has to be specific even in motivating his child. For
example, he could motivate him by saying,"If you clean your room, I
will allow you to watch a cartoon."
Likewise, the parents should be specific in punishment. Therefore, it
is unfavorable to tellthe child,"If you do not do such-and-such, the
consequenceswill be bad."
The punishment should be specific. For example, one should say to his
child, "If you do not do such-and-such, you will not have any pocket
money, or you will not play video games, watch a cartoon movie, and so
on."
The father should choose the most effective )not severe( punishment,
becauseunspecifiedpunishments encourage the child to be careless as
long as he does not feel its effect on him.
However, the best thing that you can do to be specific in your demands
from your child is to arrange your room in his presence. In other
words, you should be an example to your child just as the Prophet,,
was the best example to his Companions. The Prophet,, was the perfect
example of the educator that people follow. He used to be ahead of his
Companions guiding them in wars, and encouraging them to spend in the
cause of Allaah The Almighty. He was also ahead of them when they were
digging the trench and he endured hardships and treated his wives
well.
My dear educator, you should know that giving a clear messageis
considered one of the key introductions to good education. Parents
should tell their children exactly what they want them to do, and how
they want them to do it. They should also determinewhen their children
act properly or improperly.
Second:Was the father logical in his demands and the expected results?
Many parents ask their children to do things that exceed their ability
or age. Therefore, they are in fact leading them to failure,
especially when they expect excellent results. An example of this is
when a parent asks his three-year-old child to wash the dishes or
clean the room.On the other hand, many parents degrade their
children's abilities and ask them to do what they cannot accept,
because they can actually do more due to their age and mature
mind. For example, when the mother asks her ten-year-old child to
sit so that she can study every single word with him, she is in fact
asking herchild to do something that he cannot bear. That is because
this implies an offence and accusationof ignorance. However, the
mother expects excellent scores at the end of the year, while she has
made her child completely dependent upon her.
The parent should be logical in what he asks his child to do and the
results he expects. This requires taking two things into
consideration:
1-The child's capabilities including his age, strength, intelligence,
vitality and self-confidence
2-The nature of the request itself
Then, the parent should comparethe child's capabilities and the
capabilities that are required for responding to his request after
avoiding and treating the physical and the psychological problems.
The parent should understand the Quranic verses in which Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:
·}Allaah does not charge a soul except ]with that within[ its
capacity.{]Quran 2:286[
·}Allaah does not charge a soul except ]according to[ what He has
given it.{]Quran 65:7[
By understanding these verses, parents can successfully compareresults
and judge whether or not they comply with their expectations of the
child.
Third: Was the father motivating?
This point is very important because the human soul likes praise, and
treating disobediencethrough encouragement is one ofthe most important
educational methods. The effects of this encouragement upon the child
include generating consciousnessof success in the work for which he
has been rewarded. Of course, this satisfies the child's motivations
and activates his learning habits in the future. The result would be
strengthening the child's confidence and encouraging him to be more
adventurous, creative and determined.
This method is very important in encouraging children, however, the
following issues should be observed:
·This should not be the only method, namely, the parents should not
use this method in cases when they see that there is a necessity for
punishment. Thereshould be a balance between reward and punishment.
·Motivation should be specific and precise, as we have mentioned.
·Parents should fulfill their motivational promises under all circumstances.
·Parents must implement their warnings if the child did not keephis promise.
·The motivation should not be exaggerated.
·Motivation should be using something loved and desired by the child.
Dear parent, you can also use some words to praise your child when he
obeys you such as"I like the way you handled this","Iknow you well
and I am sure that you will behave properly,"or"I think you can do
it".
Finally, dear father and mother do not forget when you ask your child
to arrange his room, for example, you should be specific and explain
things to him. Do notask your child to do anything thatexceeds his
abilities. Likewise, be specific in motivating your child.
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Islam is a religion of Mercy, Peace and Blessing. Its teachings emphasize kind hear tedness, help, sympathy, forgiveness, sacrifice, love and care.Qur’an, the Shari’ah and the life of our beloved Prophet (SAW) mirrors this attribute, and it should be reflected in the conduct of a Momin.Islam appreciates those who are kind to their fellow being,and dislikes them who are hard hearted, curt, and hypocrite.Recall that historical moment, when Prophet (SAW) entered Makkah as a conqueror. There was before him a multitude of surrendered enemies, former oppressors and persecutors, who had evicted the Muslims from their homes, deprived them of their belongings, humiliated and intimidated Prophet (SAW) hatched schemes for his murder and tortured and killed his companions. But Prophet (SAW) displayed his usual magnanimity, generosity, and kind heartedness by forgiving all of them and declaring general amnesty...Subhanallah. May Allah help us tailor our life according to the teachings of Islam. (Aameen)./-
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Monday, September 2, 2013
Be a Logical and Motivating Parent
The warm welcoming by the “Ansaar”
After an eight-day journey, the Prophetarrived at Quba' on Rabia
al-Awwal 8, the 14thyear of Prophethood )corresponding to September
23, 622 CE( at noon.Quba' lies at a distance of a few miles from
Al-Madeenah and was generally taken as the locality of Al-Madeenah. It
was largely inhabited by Banu Amr bin Auf)an Arabic tribe( who had
already been enlightened by Islam. A few days before the departure of
the Prophetfrom Makkah, the news of his anticipated arrival in
Al-Madeenah was in the air. The "Ansar" )Supporters of the Prophet( of
Al-Madeenah would come out of their dwellings early in the morning and
kept waiting till noon everyday. Thus, when the Prophet "" arrived at
Quba' at noon, they had already gone back after waiting for sometime.
A certain Jew who was watching the crowds of Muslims coming out of
their settlement as if they were waiting for someone knew that
Muhammadwas approaching from Mecca. This Jew was then, by chance,
upstairswhen he witnessed the small caravan moving into Quba';
guessing it to be the caravan of the Prophethe cried at the top of his
voice: "O people of Arabia, O those taking rest at noon, there has
come your objectof love." Having heard this call, the people rushed
out of their dwellings and waves of joy gripped the whole atmosphere
ofQuba'. Hewas emerging froman orchard of dates. Bearing in mind that
the people might fall into confusion regarding the identification of
the ProphetAbu Bakrdrew himself back and shaded the Prophetwith his
mantle, thus making a clear distinction between the Prophet and the
companion.
The Prophetwas now entering Quba' and the young girls of the "Ansar"
were reciting in great fervor and boundless joy:
"On the hillside whence caravans are given a send-off,
The full moon comes up in the day.
All the while Allaah is praised.
We had better return ourthanks
The noble one, O you sentto us,
You have brought binding commands."
Building the Quba' Mosque
The Prophetentered Quba' onMonday and stayed there until Friday.
Hestayed in the houseof Khulthum bin Hadm while Abu Bakrstayed with
Habeeb bin Asaf. He would hold his assemblies in the house of Sa'd bin
Khaithamahand the people visited him at the same place. During this
short stay in Quba', he laid the foundation of amosque, which is the
first mosque ever built after the advent of Islaam. On Friday, the
12thof Rabi al-Awwal, heleftQuba' and made his entry to Al-Madeenah.
He was still in Quba'when Ali bin Abu Talibcame and joined him. Alihad
made this long and arduous journey on foot. While the Prophetwas
staying in Quba', Aliwho had been busy returning the deposits of the
people to their rightful owners )in Mecca( was blessed with the honor
of joining the Prophet. He had left Makkah at about the time the
Prophetwas leaving the cave of Thaur. But since he was traveling by
himself, Alimade his movements during the night and kept himself
hidden in the day. The Prophet "" avoided busy roads and reached Quba'
in eight days, while Ali undertook the journey by the well-known
routes, but was late by three or four days because of being on foot.
Entry into Al-Madeenah
Taking the leave of the people of Quba' and Banu Amr bin Auf)Banu
means tribe( on Friday, the Prophetmoved forward to make his stay in
Al-Madeenah. Every household of each locality expressed its strong
desire that the Prophetshould stay with them. He was in the locality
of Banu Saalim bin Auf when the time for Friday )jumu'ah( prayer drew
near. The Prophet "" led the prayer in the locality of Banu Saalim bin
Auf in a field with about a hundred men behind him. This was the first
Friday prayer of the Prophet "" in Al-Madeenah and the first time the
Friday sermon)Khutbah( was ever delivered. Later on, a mosque was
built at that place.
After offering the Friday prayer, the Prophet "" mounted his
she-camel. Banu Saalim bin Auf approached him and took hold ofhis
she-camel's rein requesting that he stay with them. People ofother
tribes and localities also came in groups and made the same request.
This led to a clash of words, which ended when the Prophet "" said to
one and all: "Let her go her way. She is guided by Allaah. I shall
stop where the animal sits down." The"Ansar" and
"Muhajireen")emigrants( followed the she-camel on all sides. He set
the reins loose and the she-camel moved ahead slowly. All eyes were
focused on the animal, and they were eagerly waiting for it to kneel
down.
When the she-camel entered the locality of Banu Biyadah, Ziyad
binLabid and Urwah bin Amrthe chieftains of the tribes wanted totake
hold of the reins but the Prophet "" forbade them saying: "Leave her
for she has already been commanded." Then,the she-camel stepped into
the locality of Banu Sa'idah and Sa'd bin Ubadah and Mundhir bin
Amrthe chieftains of Banu Sa'idahmade the same attempt but received
the same words from the Prophet. After this, she reached the locality
of Banu Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj, and Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi', Kharijah bin
Zaid andAbdullah bin Rawahahstepped forward to stop her but received
the same reply. From there the she-camel made an entry into the
locality of Banu Adibin An-Najjar. Since Abdul Muttalib's mother,
Salma bint Amr, belonged to this clan, they made their claim for the
Prophetto stop there. Thus Salit bin Qais and Asirah bin Abu Kharija,
the chieftains of Banu Adi, took hold of the reins but heaskedthem to
leave it for the animal had prior instructions for herself. At last
the she-camel arrived at the locality of Banu Malik bin An-Najjar and
knelt down in a deserted and bare land for a while and then got up and
advanced a little, only to turn back and be seated on the same spot
again. This time she shook herself and then laid down on her neck
wagging her tail.
Close to this unpopulated land was the house of Abu Ayub Khalid bin
Zaid Ansari. He rushed to the spot with his face beaming with joy and
took the belongings of the Prophetto his house. Thus hestayed with him
in his house. The deserted land was the property of two orphan boys
Sahl and Suhail. It had a few date trees, some graves of polytheists
and a resting spot for herds of cattle."Who is the owner of this
land?" The Prophetenquired. Mu'adhbin Afra responded, "This piece
ofland belongs to two orphan boys related to me, and I take care of
them; I shall make them agree, you may take it for building a mosque."
But the Prophetasserted, "I want to buy it, and will not take it
without paying itsprice." Abu Bakr made the payment at once. With the
order of the Prophetthe date trees were cut, the graves leveled, and
the construction work of the mosque was started then and there. The
Prophetjoined the builders. The walls of the mosquewere constructed
with stone andclay, the roof with wood and leaves of the date palm.
Until his house was built, the Prophetcontinued to live with Abu Ayub
Ansarifor six months and a few days.
The mosque built during the timeof the Prophetsaw no changebefore the
caliphate of Umar. During his caliphate, it underwent an expansion for
the first time. Uthman bin Affanstrengthened it. During the time of
Walid bin Abdul-Malikit saw more expansion with the inclusion of the
dwellings of the noble wives of the Prophet.
The Prophetwas in the houseof Abu Ayub Ansari when he sent Zaid bin
Harithath and Abu Rafi tobring Fatimah, Umm Kulthum, Saudah bint
Zam'ah, Usamah bin Zaid and his mother, as well as Umm Aiman. Talha
bin Ubaidullah, along with Abdullah bin Abu Bakr, and his relatives,
also accompanied them. After the arrival of these people, the
Prophetmoved into his newly built home.
al-Awwal 8, the 14thyear of Prophethood )corresponding to September
23, 622 CE( at noon.Quba' lies at a distance of a few miles from
Al-Madeenah and was generally taken as the locality of Al-Madeenah. It
was largely inhabited by Banu Amr bin Auf)an Arabic tribe( who had
already been enlightened by Islam. A few days before the departure of
the Prophetfrom Makkah, the news of his anticipated arrival in
Al-Madeenah was in the air. The "Ansar" )Supporters of the Prophet( of
Al-Madeenah would come out of their dwellings early in the morning and
kept waiting till noon everyday. Thus, when the Prophet "" arrived at
Quba' at noon, they had already gone back after waiting for sometime.
A certain Jew who was watching the crowds of Muslims coming out of
their settlement as if they were waiting for someone knew that
Muhammadwas approaching from Mecca. This Jew was then, by chance,
upstairswhen he witnessed the small caravan moving into Quba';
guessing it to be the caravan of the Prophethe cried at the top of his
voice: "O people of Arabia, O those taking rest at noon, there has
come your objectof love." Having heard this call, the people rushed
out of their dwellings and waves of joy gripped the whole atmosphere
ofQuba'. Hewas emerging froman orchard of dates. Bearing in mind that
the people might fall into confusion regarding the identification of
the ProphetAbu Bakrdrew himself back and shaded the Prophetwith his
mantle, thus making a clear distinction between the Prophet and the
companion.
The Prophetwas now entering Quba' and the young girls of the "Ansar"
were reciting in great fervor and boundless joy:
"On the hillside whence caravans are given a send-off,
The full moon comes up in the day.
All the while Allaah is praised.
We had better return ourthanks
The noble one, O you sentto us,
You have brought binding commands."
Building the Quba' Mosque
The Prophetentered Quba' onMonday and stayed there until Friday.
Hestayed in the houseof Khulthum bin Hadm while Abu Bakrstayed with
Habeeb bin Asaf. He would hold his assemblies in the house of Sa'd bin
Khaithamahand the people visited him at the same place. During this
short stay in Quba', he laid the foundation of amosque, which is the
first mosque ever built after the advent of Islaam. On Friday, the
12thof Rabi al-Awwal, heleftQuba' and made his entry to Al-Madeenah.
He was still in Quba'when Ali bin Abu Talibcame and joined him. Alihad
made this long and arduous journey on foot. While the Prophetwas
staying in Quba', Aliwho had been busy returning the deposits of the
people to their rightful owners )in Mecca( was blessed with the honor
of joining the Prophet. He had left Makkah at about the time the
Prophetwas leaving the cave of Thaur. But since he was traveling by
himself, Alimade his movements during the night and kept himself
hidden in the day. The Prophet "" avoided busy roads and reached Quba'
in eight days, while Ali undertook the journey by the well-known
routes, but was late by three or four days because of being on foot.
Entry into Al-Madeenah
Taking the leave of the people of Quba' and Banu Amr bin Auf)Banu
means tribe( on Friday, the Prophetmoved forward to make his stay in
Al-Madeenah. Every household of each locality expressed its strong
desire that the Prophetshould stay with them. He was in the locality
of Banu Saalim bin Auf when the time for Friday )jumu'ah( prayer drew
near. The Prophet "" led the prayer in the locality of Banu Saalim bin
Auf in a field with about a hundred men behind him. This was the first
Friday prayer of the Prophet "" in Al-Madeenah and the first time the
Friday sermon)Khutbah( was ever delivered. Later on, a mosque was
built at that place.
After offering the Friday prayer, the Prophet "" mounted his
she-camel. Banu Saalim bin Auf approached him and took hold ofhis
she-camel's rein requesting that he stay with them. People ofother
tribes and localities also came in groups and made the same request.
This led to a clash of words, which ended when the Prophet "" said to
one and all: "Let her go her way. She is guided by Allaah. I shall
stop where the animal sits down." The"Ansar" and
"Muhajireen")emigrants( followed the she-camel on all sides. He set
the reins loose and the she-camel moved ahead slowly. All eyes were
focused on the animal, and they were eagerly waiting for it to kneel
down.
When the she-camel entered the locality of Banu Biyadah, Ziyad
binLabid and Urwah bin Amrthe chieftains of the tribes wanted totake
hold of the reins but the Prophet "" forbade them saying: "Leave her
for she has already been commanded." Then,the she-camel stepped into
the locality of Banu Sa'idah and Sa'd bin Ubadah and Mundhir bin
Amrthe chieftains of Banu Sa'idahmade the same attempt but received
the same words from the Prophet. After this, she reached the locality
of Banu Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj, and Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi', Kharijah bin
Zaid andAbdullah bin Rawahahstepped forward to stop her but received
the same reply. From there the she-camel made an entry into the
locality of Banu Adibin An-Najjar. Since Abdul Muttalib's mother,
Salma bint Amr, belonged to this clan, they made their claim for the
Prophetto stop there. Thus Salit bin Qais and Asirah bin Abu Kharija,
the chieftains of Banu Adi, took hold of the reins but heaskedthem to
leave it for the animal had prior instructions for herself. At last
the she-camel arrived at the locality of Banu Malik bin An-Najjar and
knelt down in a deserted and bare land for a while and then got up and
advanced a little, only to turn back and be seated on the same spot
again. This time she shook herself and then laid down on her neck
wagging her tail.
Close to this unpopulated land was the house of Abu Ayub Khalid bin
Zaid Ansari. He rushed to the spot with his face beaming with joy and
took the belongings of the Prophetto his house. Thus hestayed with him
in his house. The deserted land was the property of two orphan boys
Sahl and Suhail. It had a few date trees, some graves of polytheists
and a resting spot for herds of cattle."Who is the owner of this
land?" The Prophetenquired. Mu'adhbin Afra responded, "This piece
ofland belongs to two orphan boys related to me, and I take care of
them; I shall make them agree, you may take it for building a mosque."
But the Prophetasserted, "I want to buy it, and will not take it
without paying itsprice." Abu Bakr made the payment at once. With the
order of the Prophetthe date trees were cut, the graves leveled, and
the construction work of the mosque was started then and there. The
Prophetjoined the builders. The walls of the mosquewere constructed
with stone andclay, the roof with wood and leaves of the date palm.
Until his house was built, the Prophetcontinued to live with Abu Ayub
Ansarifor six months and a few days.
The mosque built during the timeof the Prophetsaw no changebefore the
caliphate of Umar. During his caliphate, it underwent an expansion for
the first time. Uthman bin Affanstrengthened it. During the time of
Walid bin Abdul-Malikit saw more expansion with the inclusion of the
dwellings of the noble wives of the Prophet.
The Prophetwas in the houseof Abu Ayub Ansari when he sent Zaid bin
Harithath and Abu Rafi tobring Fatimah, Umm Kulthum, Saudah bint
Zam'ah, Usamah bin Zaid and his mother, as well as Umm Aiman. Talha
bin Ubaidullah, along with Abdullah bin Abu Bakr, and his relatives,
also accompanied them. After the arrival of these people, the
Prophetmoved into his newly built home.
Islam teaches the love of animals
On a recent shopping trip, I happened to pass by a pet shop, where a
big monkey in a small cage outside the entrance broke my heart.I
gathered up the guts to enter the shop, only toleave in tears, deeply
saddened by what I had seen. Poor, helpless animals imprisoned in tiny
cages withouteven enough space to turn around; their sad, pleading
eyes haunted me as I fought the urge to set them free, assured that
none would be able to explain for what crimethey had been incarcerated
in such inhumane and unnatural'habitats'. I wondered if the pet shop
owner ever thought about what it would be like to be paralyzed; in the
same way as he had kidnappedbirds and put them in little cages. Maybe
only a fellow animal lover would really understand what I felt that
day, yet the importance of kindness to animals is something every
Muslim should understand as a part of his way of life.It is such a
serious matterthat one could gain Heaven or Hell due to his treatment
of animals. Mistreating animals is considered a major sin inIslam, as
explained in the famous Book of Major Sins by Imaam Muhammad
bin'AbdulWahhaab.Certainly, aMuslim is responsible for the treatment
of animals,because an ill-treated animal will testify againstthe one
who abused it onthe Day of Judgment. Islam forbids branding animals
and killing them in vain, such as for sport. The Prophet, forbade
people from capturing birds, burning anthills and whipping animals.
Even when slaughtering animals for food, Islam requires that the
slaughtering be done accordingto approved Islamic procedures,which are
humane and reduce suffering. As Allaah's representatives on earth,
human beings have a responsibility towards every living creature.
As I left the pet shop that day, I felt like a traitor knowing that
these animals have feelings justas real as those of humans. I walked
away leaving my fellow creatures in their state ofoppression. Outside
the shop I stepped off the curb to head across the street, when just
at my feet lay a tiny newborn kitten, perfectly positioned for a
parking car to run over it. I stood there blocking the space from
desperate drivers demanding the parking spot, while I motioned for the
pet shop worker; Ithought he would certainly be someone who cared for
and sympathized with animals. He came out, glanced down at the animal,
replied: "It's not ours" and walked back inside. I stood there for
fifteen minutes before I was able to get one of the many passers-by to
get something with which to pick up the baby kitten to move it to a
safe place. Tears streamed down my face as I wondered: "Where are the
people of theSunnah?)traditions of the Prophet Muhammad( Has Allaah
plucked the mercy from the hearts of people to make them so cold that
they lack an ounce of sympathy for oneof Allaah's beautiful creatures,
although they see it so helpless and pitiful? I remembered
AbuHurayrah,a close companion of the Noble Messenger of Allaah, who
narrated moreHadeeth s (tradition ...Rahmaan, he was knownas Abu
Hurayrah)meaning father of the kitten( because of a smallcat thathe
used to feed and care for and carry with him everywhere he went.
Cats in Islam
The Messenger of Allaah, taught Muslims to have mercy for all of
Allaah's creation. There are many reports of his love for cats,
resulting in their historical acceptance among Muslims. Cats were very
common amongst the people during the time of the Prophet, and he said:
"They )cats( are not impure and they intermingle with you." The cat is
such a clean animal that according to authentic narrations one may
make ablution for prayer with the same water that a cat drank from.
Yet, it is knownthat some people nowadays have opposed the traditions
of the Prophet, by taking up the evil practices of torturing and
poisoning cats. Do they think that Allaah will not punish them for
this? Certainly Allaah's punishment for such acts is severe, if we
bear in mind the Hadeethof Allaah's Messenger, as reported
byAl-Bukhaariand Muslim regarding a woman who locked up a cat, refused
to feed it and did not release it so that it could feed itself.
Allaah's Messenger, said of herpunishment that she wastorturedand put
inHellfire.
Dogs in Islam
There is hardly a domestic animal more ill-treated these days than
dogs. The Messenger of Allaah, said:"Purifying a container that a dog
has licked )in order for humans to use it( is done by washing it seven
times, the first washing being with dirt."]Muslim[. A Muslim shouldnot
keep a dog inside his home since the Prophet, has informed us that
angels do not enter into a house where there is a dog ]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[. Does this mean that dogs are to be despised or mistreated?
Certainly not. Just because one does not keep a dog inside his home
and doesn't drink after it, doesn't give him the right to neglect it,
mistreat it or kill it. The usefulness of this creature of Allaah is
indisputable. No other animal can compete withit in its loyalty to its
caregiver, its abilities as aguard and its talent for hunting.
In fact, in the chapter "The Cave", the Quran reveals the story of
some youths who had faith and trust in Allaah, who took refuge in a
cave from the persecution andviolence of the unbelievers of their day.
That these righteous people had a dog with them, and the fact that
Allaah mentions the dog and counts the dog among them, indicates that
dogs are permitted to live among people.
The Quran says )what means(:"And you would think them awake, while
they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left,
while their dog stretched his two forelegs at the entrance )of the
cave as a guard(..."]Quran 18:18[
Thus, dogs may be used for guards as well as for hunting as the Noble
Quran also states )what means(:"They ask you, )O Muhammad(, what has
been made lawful for them. Say: 'Lawful for you are )all( good foods
and )game caught by( whatyou have trained of hunting, animals which
you train as Allaahhas taught you. So eat of what they catch for you,
and mention the name of Allaah upon it, and fear Allaah.' Indeed
Allaah is swiftin account." ]Quran 5:4[
In two separate narrations by Abu Hurayrahthe Prophet, told his
companions of the virtue of saving the life of a dog by giving it
water and quenching its thirst. One story referred to a man who was
blessed by Allaah for giving water toa thirsty dog, the other was a
prostitute who filled her shoe with water and gave it to a dog, who
had its tongue lolling out from thirst. Forthis deed she was granted
the ultimate reward, the eternalParadiseunder which rivers flow, to
live therein forever. ]Muslim[
Let us reflect upon this and beware of our duty towards Allaah's
creatures, which He has put on earth for our use and not for our
abuse. When the Prophet, was asked if Allaah rewarded acts of charity
to the animals, he, replied: "Yes, there is a reward for acts of
charityto every beast alive." Let us fear Allaah with regard to His
creatures, lest we earn His Wrath. Let us go forth in supportand love
for animals, knowing that Allaah, The Most High, considers such a
deed done for His Sake as being worthy of the reward of Paradise.
big monkey in a small cage outside the entrance broke my heart.I
gathered up the guts to enter the shop, only toleave in tears, deeply
saddened by what I had seen. Poor, helpless animals imprisoned in tiny
cages withouteven enough space to turn around; their sad, pleading
eyes haunted me as I fought the urge to set them free, assured that
none would be able to explain for what crimethey had been incarcerated
in such inhumane and unnatural'habitats'. I wondered if the pet shop
owner ever thought about what it would be like to be paralyzed; in the
same way as he had kidnappedbirds and put them in little cages. Maybe
only a fellow animal lover would really understand what I felt that
day, yet the importance of kindness to animals is something every
Muslim should understand as a part of his way of life.It is such a
serious matterthat one could gain Heaven or Hell due to his treatment
of animals. Mistreating animals is considered a major sin inIslam, as
explained in the famous Book of Major Sins by Imaam Muhammad
bin'AbdulWahhaab.Certainly, aMuslim is responsible for the treatment
of animals,because an ill-treated animal will testify againstthe one
who abused it onthe Day of Judgment. Islam forbids branding animals
and killing them in vain, such as for sport. The Prophet, forbade
people from capturing birds, burning anthills and whipping animals.
Even when slaughtering animals for food, Islam requires that the
slaughtering be done accordingto approved Islamic procedures,which are
humane and reduce suffering. As Allaah's representatives on earth,
human beings have a responsibility towards every living creature.
As I left the pet shop that day, I felt like a traitor knowing that
these animals have feelings justas real as those of humans. I walked
away leaving my fellow creatures in their state ofoppression. Outside
the shop I stepped off the curb to head across the street, when just
at my feet lay a tiny newborn kitten, perfectly positioned for a
parking car to run over it. I stood there blocking the space from
desperate drivers demanding the parking spot, while I motioned for the
pet shop worker; Ithought he would certainly be someone who cared for
and sympathized with animals. He came out, glanced down at the animal,
replied: "It's not ours" and walked back inside. I stood there for
fifteen minutes before I was able to get one of the many passers-by to
get something with which to pick up the baby kitten to move it to a
safe place. Tears streamed down my face as I wondered: "Where are the
people of theSunnah?)traditions of the Prophet Muhammad( Has Allaah
plucked the mercy from the hearts of people to make them so cold that
they lack an ounce of sympathy for oneof Allaah's beautiful creatures,
although they see it so helpless and pitiful? I remembered
AbuHurayrah,a close companion of the Noble Messenger of Allaah, who
narrated moreHadeeth s (tradition ...Rahmaan, he was knownas Abu
Hurayrah)meaning father of the kitten( because of a smallcat thathe
used to feed and care for and carry with him everywhere he went.
Cats in Islam
The Messenger of Allaah, taught Muslims to have mercy for all of
Allaah's creation. There are many reports of his love for cats,
resulting in their historical acceptance among Muslims. Cats were very
common amongst the people during the time of the Prophet, and he said:
"They )cats( are not impure and they intermingle with you." The cat is
such a clean animal that according to authentic narrations one may
make ablution for prayer with the same water that a cat drank from.
Yet, it is knownthat some people nowadays have opposed the traditions
of the Prophet, by taking up the evil practices of torturing and
poisoning cats. Do they think that Allaah will not punish them for
this? Certainly Allaah's punishment for such acts is severe, if we
bear in mind the Hadeethof Allaah's Messenger, as reported
byAl-Bukhaariand Muslim regarding a woman who locked up a cat, refused
to feed it and did not release it so that it could feed itself.
Allaah's Messenger, said of herpunishment that she wastorturedand put
inHellfire.
Dogs in Islam
There is hardly a domestic animal more ill-treated these days than
dogs. The Messenger of Allaah, said:"Purifying a container that a dog
has licked )in order for humans to use it( is done by washing it seven
times, the first washing being with dirt."]Muslim[. A Muslim shouldnot
keep a dog inside his home since the Prophet, has informed us that
angels do not enter into a house where there is a dog ]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[. Does this mean that dogs are to be despised or mistreated?
Certainly not. Just because one does not keep a dog inside his home
and doesn't drink after it, doesn't give him the right to neglect it,
mistreat it or kill it. The usefulness of this creature of Allaah is
indisputable. No other animal can compete withit in its loyalty to its
caregiver, its abilities as aguard and its talent for hunting.
In fact, in the chapter "The Cave", the Quran reveals the story of
some youths who had faith and trust in Allaah, who took refuge in a
cave from the persecution andviolence of the unbelievers of their day.
That these righteous people had a dog with them, and the fact that
Allaah mentions the dog and counts the dog among them, indicates that
dogs are permitted to live among people.
The Quran says )what means(:"And you would think them awake, while
they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left,
while their dog stretched his two forelegs at the entrance )of the
cave as a guard(..."]Quran 18:18[
Thus, dogs may be used for guards as well as for hunting as the Noble
Quran also states )what means(:"They ask you, )O Muhammad(, what has
been made lawful for them. Say: 'Lawful for you are )all( good foods
and )game caught by( whatyou have trained of hunting, animals which
you train as Allaahhas taught you. So eat of what they catch for you,
and mention the name of Allaah upon it, and fear Allaah.' Indeed
Allaah is swiftin account." ]Quran 5:4[
In two separate narrations by Abu Hurayrahthe Prophet, told his
companions of the virtue of saving the life of a dog by giving it
water and quenching its thirst. One story referred to a man who was
blessed by Allaah for giving water toa thirsty dog, the other was a
prostitute who filled her shoe with water and gave it to a dog, who
had its tongue lolling out from thirst. Forthis deed she was granted
the ultimate reward, the eternalParadiseunder which rivers flow, to
live therein forever. ]Muslim[
Let us reflect upon this and beware of our duty towards Allaah's
creatures, which He has put on earth for our use and not for our
abuse. When the Prophet, was asked if Allaah rewarded acts of charity
to the animals, he, replied: "Yes, there is a reward for acts of
charityto every beast alive." Let us fear Allaah with regard to His
creatures, lest we earn His Wrath. Let us go forth in supportand love
for animals, knowing that Allaah, The Most High, considers such a
deed done for His Sake as being worthy of the reward of Paradise.
Dought & clear, - Is feeling proud of one’s religion a kind of blameworthy pride?.
Is there anything wrongwith a person feeling proud of his religion or
feeling proud of a person who does something good? Because we know
that pride in the heart is something bad.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
With regard to feeling proud of one's religion and of belonging to it,
this is something that is prescribed in Islam and is a righteous deed.
A story from one of the battles illustrates this point: Abu Sufyaan,
the leader of Quraysh, expressed pride in his religion and the
religionof his people – as he hadnot yet entered Islam. The Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) answered his boast with an
expressionof the Muslim's pride in his religion and his affirmation of
the Oneness of the Lord of the Worlds.
Al-Bukhaari narrated in hisSaheeh(3039) from the hadeeth of al-Bara'
ibn 'Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him) that after the battle Abu
Sufyaan ibn Harb startedcomposing rajz verse and saying: "Rise in
honour, Hubal; rise in honour Hubal."
The Prophet blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Why don't
you answer him?"
They said: "O Messenger of Allah, what should wesay?"
He said: "Say: Allah is Most High and Most Glorious."
Abu Sufyaan said: We have al-'Uzza and you have no 'Uzza."
The Prophet blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Why
don''t you answer him?"
They said: "O Messenger of Allah, what should wesay?"
He said: "Say: Allah is ourSupporter and you have no supporter!"
Allah, may He be exalted,has taught His slaves thattrue pride and
perfect honour can only be achieved by obeying Allah. Allah, may He be
exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allaah belong all
honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only
by obeying and worshipping Allaah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the
goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words
are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good
deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And
the plotting of such will perish"
[Faatir 35:10].
i.e., and whoever would like to be honoured in this world and the
Hereafter, let him adhere to obedience to Allah, then he will attain
what he wants, because Allah is the Sovereign of this world and the
Hereafter, and all honour, power and glory belong to Him, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Those who take disbelievers for Awliyaa' (protectors or helpers or
friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory
with them? Verily, then to Allaah belongs all honour, power and glory"
[al-Nisa' 4:139]
"And let not their speechgrieve you (O Muhammad r), for all power and
honour belong to Allaah"
[Yoonus 10:65]
"But honour, power and glory belong to Allaah, and to His Messenger
(Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم(, and to the believers, but the hypocrites
know not"
[al-Munaafiqoon 63:8].
Mujaahid said: "Whosoever desires honour, power and glory" [al-Faatir
35:10] by worshipping idols, "then to Allaah belong all honour, power
andglory.
Qataadah said:"Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to
Allaah belong all honour, power and glory"i.e., lethim seek honour,
powerand glory by obeying Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 6/536
Secondly:
With regard to a person feeling proud of himself,if it is because he
is religiously committed, righteous and pious, then it is good, but if
it isbecause of anything else, such as lineage, ancestry, wealth,
position or status amongpeople, then this is an act of Jaahiliyyah and
is not permissible.
Muslim (1550) narrated from Abu Maalik al-Ash'ari (may Allah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be
upon him) said: "There are four matters of Jaahiliyyah in my ummah
that they will not give up: pride in one's forefathers, slandering
lineages, seeking rain by the stars and wailing (for the dead)."
Muslim (5109) also narrated from 'Iyaad ibnHimaar al-Mujaasha'i (may
Allah be pleased with that) that the Messenger of Allah (sa) said one
day in his khutbah: "Allah has revealed to me that you should be
humble so that no one will boast to anyone else and no one will
transgress against anyone else."
Al-Majd Ibn Tamiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Allah has
forbidden on the lips of His Prophet two types of mistreatment of
people: pride and transgression against them and scorn.
Fayd al-Qadeer, 2/217
The guideline with regard to this issue is: whatever is a source of
pride and honour because of religion is part of the religion and is
praiseworthy; any source of pride other than that is blameworthy.
But feeling proud because of doing acts of obedience and worship means
feeling happy that one has been enabled to do that and feeling proud
of belonging to people who do that, and praising Allah for saving him
from shirk and its people, and from sin andits path.
As for looking down on the slaves of Allah and feeling that one is
abovethem because of acts of obedience that one has done, this is the
worst type of pride and arrogance, and the one who is like this is on
the brink of disaster and there is a danger that hisdeeds will be
thrown back at him.
And Allah knows best.
feeling proud of a person who does something good? Because we know
that pride in the heart is something bad.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
With regard to feeling proud of one's religion and of belonging to it,
this is something that is prescribed in Islam and is a righteous deed.
A story from one of the battles illustrates this point: Abu Sufyaan,
the leader of Quraysh, expressed pride in his religion and the
religionof his people – as he hadnot yet entered Islam. The Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) answered his boast with an
expressionof the Muslim's pride in his religion and his affirmation of
the Oneness of the Lord of the Worlds.
Al-Bukhaari narrated in hisSaheeh(3039) from the hadeeth of al-Bara'
ibn 'Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him) that after the battle Abu
Sufyaan ibn Harb startedcomposing rajz verse and saying: "Rise in
honour, Hubal; rise in honour Hubal."
The Prophet blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Why don't
you answer him?"
They said: "O Messenger of Allah, what should wesay?"
He said: "Say: Allah is Most High and Most Glorious."
Abu Sufyaan said: We have al-'Uzza and you have no 'Uzza."
The Prophet blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Why
don''t you answer him?"
They said: "O Messenger of Allah, what should wesay?"
He said: "Say: Allah is ourSupporter and you have no supporter!"
Allah, may He be exalted,has taught His slaves thattrue pride and
perfect honour can only be achieved by obeying Allah. Allah, may He be
exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allaah belong all
honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only
by obeying and worshipping Allaah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the
goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words
are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good
deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And
the plotting of such will perish"
[Faatir 35:10].
i.e., and whoever would like to be honoured in this world and the
Hereafter, let him adhere to obedience to Allah, then he will attain
what he wants, because Allah is the Sovereign of this world and the
Hereafter, and all honour, power and glory belong to Him, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Those who take disbelievers for Awliyaa' (protectors or helpers or
friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory
with them? Verily, then to Allaah belongs all honour, power and glory"
[al-Nisa' 4:139]
"And let not their speechgrieve you (O Muhammad r), for all power and
honour belong to Allaah"
[Yoonus 10:65]
"But honour, power and glory belong to Allaah, and to His Messenger
(Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم(, and to the believers, but the hypocrites
know not"
[al-Munaafiqoon 63:8].
Mujaahid said: "Whosoever desires honour, power and glory" [al-Faatir
35:10] by worshipping idols, "then to Allaah belong all honour, power
andglory.
Qataadah said:"Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to
Allaah belong all honour, power and glory"i.e., lethim seek honour,
powerand glory by obeying Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 6/536
Secondly:
With regard to a person feeling proud of himself,if it is because he
is religiously committed, righteous and pious, then it is good, but if
it isbecause of anything else, such as lineage, ancestry, wealth,
position or status amongpeople, then this is an act of Jaahiliyyah and
is not permissible.
Muslim (1550) narrated from Abu Maalik al-Ash'ari (may Allah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be
upon him) said: "There are four matters of Jaahiliyyah in my ummah
that they will not give up: pride in one's forefathers, slandering
lineages, seeking rain by the stars and wailing (for the dead)."
Muslim (5109) also narrated from 'Iyaad ibnHimaar al-Mujaasha'i (may
Allah be pleased with that) that the Messenger of Allah (sa) said one
day in his khutbah: "Allah has revealed to me that you should be
humble so that no one will boast to anyone else and no one will
transgress against anyone else."
Al-Majd Ibn Tamiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Allah has
forbidden on the lips of His Prophet two types of mistreatment of
people: pride and transgression against them and scorn.
Fayd al-Qadeer, 2/217
The guideline with regard to this issue is: whatever is a source of
pride and honour because of religion is part of the religion and is
praiseworthy; any source of pride other than that is blameworthy.
But feeling proud because of doing acts of obedience and worship means
feeling happy that one has been enabled to do that and feeling proud
of belonging to people who do that, and praising Allah for saving him
from shirk and its people, and from sin andits path.
As for looking down on the slaves of Allah and feeling that one is
abovethem because of acts of obedience that one has done, this is the
worst type of pride and arrogance, and the one who is like this is on
the brink of disaster and there is a danger that hisdeeds will be
thrown back at him.
And Allah knows best.
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