Women site, - Social evils that are destroying Muslim communities - I

The role of the individual in Islam is not limited to fulfilling the
five pillars. The Muslim in an Islamic community has a greater
responsibility than is usually understood. All of a Muslim's
activities in life are included as acts of worship depending upon the
intention underlying them. Nothing is required from a Muslim beyond
service to Allaah The Almighty, and nothing is accepted from him,
which is not a service. Every individual's responsibilities fall into
two parts: his responsibility to adhere to the teachings of Islam and
his responsibility to enjoin good and forbid evil – which is social
reform. There is a reason why enjoining good and forbidding wrong
comes first, even before faith. It emphasizes the Muslim's duty and
implies faith can only be realized by certain actions, which maintains
a relationship between the individual and society.
Neglecting these duties leads to widespread corruption and an increase
in evils that consume the core of the community, such as the
following:
Indifference:Muslims are commanded to play a positive role in their
community and assist in enjoining matters of virtue and preventing
evil by as much as they can. Many Muslims stray away from the right
path because they do not find anyone to assist them and rescue them
from straying in their communities, as those around them act
indifferently. One should not underestimate any input he can give in
such cases and consider the story of the imprisonment of Imaam Ahmad,
may Allaah have mercy upon him, to see how effective a person can be
if he takes the initiative and does not act indifferently. When Imaam
Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy upon him, was imprisoned, a thief was
with him in the same cell. The thief said to him, "O Ahmad! I
persevere and tolerate the punishment I receive while I am upon
falsehood and being punished for a sin. Would someone like you, who is
suffering as a result of being upon the truth, not persevere and
endure?" Thus, this thief played an important role in comforting and
consoling Imaam Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy upon him, in a difficult
situation.
Underestimating the harms of intermixing and neglecting to lower the
gaze:If members of a particular community give free rein to their
sight, do not adhere to the Hijaab )Islamic attire for women( and
women wear perfume before leaving their homes, the most obvious
outcome is the spread of immorality in the community. Immoral films,
TV programs, obscene content on the internet and intermixing between
the two sexes are other causes that have led to people committing sins
and indulging in immorality. People nowadays mix with the opposite sex
in universities, schools and workplaces, while Yoonus bin 'Ubayd, may
Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "Never be in seclusion with a woman,
even if you wish to teach her the Quran, and even if only you would be
the one reciting."
Being ill-mannered:Many people possess three very evil qualities,
namely: lying, cowardice and miserliness, and these are the worst
three qualities a person can possess. There are also many other evil
qualities that we must be mindful of and hold ourselves to account
regarding, such as backbiting, badmouthing others and tale-bearing,
while replacing them with praiseworthy qualities and morals.
The Salaf )righteous predecessors(, may Allaah have mercy upon them,
would rebuke themselves for every word they uttered, words which would
be considered very normal to people nowadays. Maalik bin Dhayghan, may
Allaah have mercy upon him, said,
"Rabaah bin Qays once came asking for my father after the 'Asr prayer,
but he happened to be sleeping, so we informed him of this, to which
he remarked: `Who would sleep at this time of the day?` Then he left.
We sent a man after him to see if he wanted us to wake my father up
for him, but this man did not return until it was time to pray
Maghrib. When we asked him why he returned so late, he said: `I
followed him to ask him, but found that he was headed to the graveyard
while rebuking himself, saying: `What business is it of yours to ask
this kind of question? Why do you ask what does not concern you? What
is it to you when people go to sleep? People are free to sleep any
time they desire, why did you indulge in what does not concern
you?...`'"
Note how lightly such a question would be taken in our time, and how
strongly he rebuked himself for asking it.

Women site, - Social evils that are destroying Muslim communities - II

Severing ties with kinfolk: The most important of kinfolk are one's
parents, and yet we find many people dealing with them in an
inappropriate manner or even severing ties with them altogether. As
for those who do try to fulfil the needs of their parents, many of
them do it begrudgingly, while expressing discontent or complaining
that it is a burden upon them. This is in spite of the fact that
Allaah The Almighty commands us to not say even the least expression
of discontent in this regard, saying )what means(:}"…Say not to them
]so much as[ 'Uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble
word."{]Quran, 17': 23[
The mother of Huthayl bin Hafsah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said,
"He would collect wood during the summer and peel off the outer layer
of bark himself. Then, when winter would come, he would come to me
whilst I was praying, light a brazier )in my room( and place the
peeled wood in it, as this does not give harmful smoke. He would do so
just so that I would be warm during prayer. He would do so even though
we had a servant who could do the job. Whenever I thought of stopping
him and commanding him to return to his family, I would remember why
he was doing it, and thus I would allow him to continue."
Why was he doing this himself despite him having a servant who could
have done it for him? It was nothing but a reflection of his full
dutifulness towards his mother.
This type of nobility is not limited to ones parents; rather, one
should be kind to all his relatives and even his fellow Muslims.
Wasting time: The issue of wasting time is a very important one
indeed. We must be careful about it and hold ourselves to account
regarding it because we spend much of our time uselessly instead of
spending it in acts of obedience to Allaah, as it should be utilised.
Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}"And it is He who has made the
night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or
desires gratitude."{]Quran, 25: 62[
Therefore, time was created so that we would fill it with acts of
obedience to Allaah, The Almighty but many people do the exact
opposite of this. The Salaf )righteous predecessors(, may Allaah have
mercy upon them, were very keen to make use of every second of their
time. Al-Hasan, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, "I have met some
people who were stingier with their time than they were with their
wealth."
People nowadays waste their times in games, late nights, socializing,
watching television and in vain talk. They may even go as far as doing
so at the expense of their religious obligations, such as their daily
prayers, and so on.
Wasting wealth:Many men cave in under pressure from their wives and
children and therefore spend extravagantly, but when they are asked to
spend in charity, one would find that they are so stingy that if they
were to pull out two bills to give in charity, one would invariably
return to his pocket. However, if this same person were to go to a
restaurant, he would have no problem in spending multiples of this
amount.
Allaah The Almighty will ask us about our wealth because we were
informed as such by the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Abu
Barzah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported, "The Messenger of
Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:"Man's feet will not move on
the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life and how he
consumed it, his knowledge and what did he do with it, his wealth and
how he earned it and how he disposed of it, and about his body and how
he wore it out.""]At-Tirmithi[
This does not imply that people do not spend generously or that there
are no people who do any of the abovementioned matters correctly. The
purpose of highlighting these points is to serve as a reminder for
Muslims – at both the individual and community level – so that we
realize the importance of these matters and hold ourselves to account
with respect to them, as there are many of us who are failing to do
so.

Women site, - Quran is the source of glory and happiness for the Ummah - I

Praise be to Allaah Who Revealed His Noble Book in the best style and
Impressed hearts with its good wording and eloquent compositions. He
Revealed it in the form of clear verses, Segmented it into Surahs and
verses, Arranged it in the best way with His Extensive Wisdom and
Composed it in the greatest way with the most eloquent words and
sublime structure. Blessings and peace be upon the Prophet,
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, to whom the Quran was revealed to warn
and remind. Allaah Revealed the Quran to his noble heart and this
alleviated his hardship and expanded his breast. Also, blessings and
peace be on the Prophet's, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, family and
Companions from among the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar.
Despite technical advancement, the prosperity of industries and
inventions and the new world order, the world today is failing with
all its organizations, institutions and innovations to bring happiness
to humankind or provide it with security and comfort. Here are the
ratios of the disease of the age; anxiety and depression, increasing
day after day. Here are also the ratios of poverty, ignorance, hunger,
killing, suicide as well as the collapse of values, principles and
morals multiplying year after year.
Villa Spaza, a Spanish scientist, said, "All the amazing discoveries
of the West are neither able to prevent even one tear nor to make even
one human smile..."
Alexis Carrel said, "Modern civilization does not suit us …. Although
it was established through our contributions, it does not suit us. We
are indeed unhappy people because we have morally and mentally
deteriorated."
The same applies to some of those who are called Muslims. They have
their wealth, positions and dreams, though they live in worries,
anxiety and pain. What is the solution? What is the refuge? It is the
Quran!
The Quran is the source of glory and happiness for the Ummah, the
basis of knowledge, action and tranquility, and the spring of
steadfastness at the time of conflicting ideas and changing concepts.
It is the fortified dam in facing temptations, allegations and
desires.
At such a time, all of us need the Quran to strengthen our faith and
certainty so that we keep steadfast before such desires and
challenges.
Each Muslim needs the Quran to reassure him when he feels alienated,
soothe him when he is afflicted with a disaster, create hope in him
when he is distressed or suffers from despair of the Mercy of Allaah
and warn and frighten him when he is overcome with fancies and lusts.
O Muslims, nation of the Quran, there is neither steadfastness, nor
affection for the self, nor relief for the soul, nor fulfillment of a
promise nor security from a punishment nor firmness of belief nor
continuity of one's good mention unless one moves with all his
feelings, sentiments, heart and body to the Book of Allaah, the Noble
Quran through recitation, reflection, learning and acting accordingly.
This key actually opens the locks of the heart. The Quran is the key
of the hearts. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Then do they not
reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon ]their[ hearts?{]Quran
47: 24[
O Muslim, you should read the Quran with your heart first before your
tongue to find:
Purity of meanings which quench your thirst from the water of
eloquence, gentleness where you smell the breeze of the garden as well
as words when they are strict, they are like waves of the overflowing
seas and when they are lenient, they are the breaths of the life to
come.
The Quran is the source of lighting the heart as well as life and
remedy for souls. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}O mankind,
there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for
what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say,
"In the Bounty of Allaah and in His Mercy - in that let them rejoice;
it is better than what they accumulate."{
]Quran 10: 57-58[
The Quran achieves happiness for the human, spreads security and
tranquility and provides glory, prosperity and safety. All this is
achieved through the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam, who said:"I have left among you two things you will
never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allaah
and my Sunnah."]Al-Albaani: Hasan[
Brothers and sisters, we do not need to clarify a fact which is known
to friends and confirmed by enemies. We do not need to clarify this
fact which the believers believed in and the opponents admitted. We do
not need to assert that the Noble Quran is a sublime summit and a high
peak in eloquence and fluency. The masters of eloquence failed to
bring anything like the Quran. We do not need to repeat this whenever
we talk about our Quran. It is enough for us in terms of glory and
honor that the Quran is the Words of Allaah.
We hear many of those who try to prove the strength of eloquence and
effectiveness in the Quran for the enemies. Had we been truthful with
ourselves, we would have wondered: What is the effect of the Quran on
our souls? What is the effect of its eloquence on our hearts? Is this
not poof against us that we are away from the Quran and therefore we
are weak? Where are we from the Quran; the light of our hearts, the
constitution of our lives, the Favor of Allaah and His greatest Bounty
over us?
We are often in dire need of those who remind us, admonish us, soften
our hearts and help us to stay always on the straight path, with
neither exaggeration nor negligence.
There are moderate souls which accept, are disciplined and even become
happy and demand this reminder. Contrary to this, there is another
type of Muslim who is far away from the Islamic etiquettes and morals.
They are even away from dedicating worship to Allaah and doing what
befits the Majesty of Allaah of love, exaltation, submission and
surrender. Such people need strong alerts and admonishments which put
an end to their heedlessness and take them out of their deviation.
There are no stronger alerts than the alerts of the Noble Quran which
greatly influenced the Arabs, not only due to its inimitable style but
also due to its alerts, prohibitions as well as the way of narrating
stories in all its Surahs.
Have such people heard the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says
)what means(:}O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or
your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief.
And whoever does so among you - then it is those who are the
wrongdoers.{]Quran 9: 23[
Have such people read in the Quran the verse in which Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:}Say, ]O Muhammad[, "If your fathers, your
sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have
obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which
you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allaah and His Messenger
and Jihaad in His Cause, then wait until Allaah Executes His command.
And Allaah Does not Guide the defiantly disobedient people."{]Quran 9:
24[
When one of the leaders of the Quraysh heard the Messenger of Allaah,
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, reciting the verse in which Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:}But if they turn away, then say, "I have
warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt ]that struck[ 'Aad
and Thamood.{]Quran 41: 13[, he begged him to stop the recitation.
The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, strictly warned against
returning to the morals of the pre-Islamic era saying:"The example of
the one who helps his people with falsehood is like a camel that fell
into a well and it moves its tail but can not get out."]Al-Albaani:
Saheeh[
He also said:"I am seizing your waistbands and trying to pull you away
from the Fire but you are trying to get away from me."]Muslim[
Why are those who are enslaved by traditions and vain pretensions and
their words and deeds have become so far from Islam, not frankly told
that their status is due to weakness of faith and keeping away from
reflecting on the verses of the Quran? Actually, the Quranic stories
and examples as well as the sayings of the Prophet, sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam, have a wonderful effect on reforming and deterring
the soul and putting it on the straight path. O people of the Quran,
when will we realize that civilization and advancement do not
contradict adherence to religion? When will we realize that the Quran
is a light and guidance for the Muslims?
It is really astonishing! Why do we quickly respond to the enemies
when they dictate that advancement can not be attained unless one
abandons Islam? Could we not be civilized while we are praying and
fasting? Could we not be civilized while we are straight and
righteous?
I wonder in astonishment; is the condition of civilization and
advancement to disobey Allaah and contradict His commands? If it is
so, then this is the real backwardness. This is actually backwardness
to the ages of ignorance, Shirk, darkness and worshipping desires and
the idols of fancy! Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Indeed,
this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good
tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a
great reward.{]Quran 17: 9[
Is this the effect of ignorance about the Quran? Or is it shame to
follow the truth of Islam? Or it is the effect of desires and lusts
and surrender? O people of the Quran, the Quran calls to progress in
all fields; all worldly and religiously matters. Nevertheless, it is
the type of progress which is controlled by the noble Quranic
etiquettes and divine teachings. Non-Muslim scientists and wise people
wondered about the Noble Quran which preceded them to reflection and
advancement by hundreds of years. This is happening at a time when
many Muslims have deserted the Quran.
To be continued...

Women site, - Quran is the source of glory and happiness for the Ummah - II

Desertion of the Quran and its types:
First: Desertion of hearing, believing and listening to the Quran. You
find some Muslims today listening to all radio stations and becoming
addicted to songs and vain talk. Nevertheless, when one suddenly hears
the Quran, he turns off the radio. We seek refuge in Allaah from loss.
Second: Desertion of referring judgment to the Quran in all rulings of
religion )major or minor(. Some people refer judgment in disputes and
quarrels to man-made laws or tribal traditions and customs.
Third: Desertion of reflection, understanding and knowing what is
meant by Allaah. There are many who recite the Quran while the Quran
curses them.
Fourth: Desertion of seeking remedy and recovery from all diseases in
the Quran. A person may resort to all means of recovery except the
Quran, out of negligence and desertion.
Fifth: Desertion of applying it and not paying attention to what has
been described as lawful or unlawful by the Quran, even if the person
recites it and believes in it.
Dear readers, with the great Quran we have been taken from darkness to
light and with deserting it, we are taken back to darkness.
With the Quran, we were the best nation brought to mankind and by
deserting it, we return to the life of humility and disgrace.
With the Quran the Ummah reached the peak of virtues and glory and by
deserting it, it falls into the abyss of vices and rejection.
There is no wonder, for the earth had indeed witnessed a great birth
by the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam. The Quran showered the earth with its light and revived it.
The Quran was revealed to the Arabs. Although they were eloquent, they
felt weak before the great perfection of the Quran. They, therefore,
surrendered to its eloquence, their hearts were attached to it and
their souls were attracted to the inimitability of the Quran.
Where is the effect of the Quran on the souls of the contemporary
people? Some Muslims make a barrier between themselves and the Quran
and, therefore, they no longer listen to it. Even, they made a barrier
between them and all types of goodness. They are like those who put
their fingers in their ears in order not to hear the truth. One thinks
that when he hears, he will not be excused and he will no longer enjoy
his lusts and desires. Such a poor person does not know that perhaps
he hears even one verse or Hadeeth and this will be the reason for him
to gain freedom. Such a person has a captured heart and the capture of
hearts is a greater matter than the capture of the physical body.
There are many who are captives of desires and lusts, and therefore
they do not taste the sweetness of faith or the pleasure of reading
the Quran.
Perhaps listening to goodness saves you and grants your soul eternal
happiness. Hence, you have to open your heart. Allaah Has Given you
ears to hear; so, do not block them. He Has also Given you a mind to
think; so, do not make it heedless by following fancy. Here is the
example of At-Tufayl ibn 'Aamir Ad-Dawsi, May Allaah Be Pleased with
him, who came to Makkah at the beginning of Islam. The people of the
Quraysh warned him against meeting the Messenger of Allaah,
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. They said to him: "Muhammad separated
our community and disunited us. His words are like magic. So, you
should avoid him lest he should afflict you as well as your people in
the same way as he did with us." At-Tufayl, May Allaah Be Pleased with
him, said: "They continued warning me until I decided neither to hear
anything from him nor to talk to him. Finally, I decided to put cotton
in my ears in order not to hear him. In the morning, I went to the
Ka'bah and there was the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam, standing for prayer. I stood near him and Allaah Made me hear
some of what he was saying. I heard good words and therefore I blamed
myself and said: "I am a seasoned man and poet and I can distinguish
between good and evil. By Allaah, I will hear from him. If he is
right, I will accept from him; otherwise, I will avoid him." Then he
removed the cotton from his ears and heard the best words from him. He
then said: "I have never heard better or fairer words." The words of
the Quran, therefore, were the reason behind his happiness in the two
worlds when he opened his hearing and mind before them. They greatly
influenced his soul and warm whispers penetrated deeply within his
mind and heart bearing the guidance of the Quran. Allaah The Almighty
Says )what means(:}]This is[ a blessed Book which We Have Revealed to
you, ]O Muhammad[, that they might reflect upon its verses and that
those of understanding would be reminded.{]Quran 38: 29[
Here is also the example of another man who was a tyrant during the
pre-Islamic era and harsh with the weak Muslims at that time. He heard
the verses in which Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Ta, Ha. We
Have not Sent down to you the Quran that you be distressed………Indeed, I
Am Allaah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish
prayer for My remembrance.{]Quran 20: 1-14[
These verses broke the barriers of Shirk in his heart and melted the
rocks of ignorance. Therefore, he said: "It does not befit The One Who
Says that to worship others beside Him." That man became when he
walked in a road, the devil would walk in another road. He is
Al-Faarooq, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, the
second Caliph for Muslims. Allaah The Almighty Exalted the religion of
Islam with 'Umar, May Allaah Be Pleased with him.
The Quran introduced a distinguished generation from the Companions,
May Allaah Be Pleased with them, throughout the history of Islam, even
throughout the history of all humanity. This was not only because the
Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was among them, as
some may think. Had it been only for that, the message of Islam as
well as the Islamic call would have ended with the death of the
Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Rather, there was
another reason that the Companions, May Allaah Be Pleased with them,
drunk from the spring of the Quran, adjusted themselves with it and
absorbed it, although there were different cultures at that time.
Another reason which urged the Companions, May Allaah Be Pleased with
them, to reach such an extent of virtuousness and nobility is that
they used to read the Quran in order to implement it within themselves
as well as within the communities in which they lived. They were like
soldiers who receive orders in the battlefield.
O nation of the Quran, know that the Quran does not grant its
treasures except for those who come to it with that spirit, the spirit
of response and implementation. When the verse of prohibiting wine was
revealed, a man walked in the streets of Al-Madeenah to announce that
wine has been forbidden. What happened thereafter? Each one who had a
cup of wine in his hand threw it away.
Even, each one who had the cup of wine on his lips spilled it out.
Those who had jars of wine spilled them, in response and obedience to
the Command of Allaah.
We ask Allaah to Make us obedient to Him and quickly respond to Him.
We also ask Him to Grant us understanding of the Quran, contemplating
it and acting accordingly!