Lesson from Hadith #3

اني لم ابعث لعّانا ،و لكن بعث رحمة
“Certainly, I have not been sent to curse anyone but rather, I have been sent as a mercy.”[1]

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was once asked, “Ya Rasulullah! Invoke a curse upon the polytheists.” It was upon this request that he exclaimed, “Certainly, I have not been sent to curse anyone but rather, I have been sent as a mercy.”

The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was sent with the hardest mission in a time which people were delved into the darkness of ignorance. It was important for him to gather support and this was done largely by his beautiful characteristics and merciful nature towards people. Once the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was displeased but rather than hollering and cursing he showed compassion and forgiveness. It is about this Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur’an, “It was a mercy of Allah that you were soft and gentle with them. If you were rude, harsh, hard hearted, then they would have fled away from you.” (3:159)

This hadith indicates that we should not invoke curses on anyone, rather we should be tolerant. In our day and age, we are unfortunately pressurised that we must accommodate people who enjoying calling other Muslims 'kaafir' and 'munafiqs', it is important for these people to take a step back and recognise exactly what type of person Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was.

The tongue tends to move very quickly but we should try our best not to wish bad upon anyone, even in states of deep anger and displeasure. Tolerance is truly a great characteristic; whomsoever has the ability to develop it within himself should do so.

This hadith also indicates that the impression given off from a Muslim should be one of compassion, towards Muslims and non Muslims.

[1] Adabul Mufrad: Hadith #332

Lesson from Hadith #2

ليس المؤمن بالطّعان و لا اللّعّان و لا الفاحش و لا الباذيّ

“A believer is not one who taunts, nor one who curses, nor one who is immoral nor one who indulges in shameless talk ”[1]

By the term believer, a complete Muslim is insinuated. For only a complete Muslim can stay away from the temptations of the mouth. There are many people who have a bad habit of taunting people and causing them hurt. This is not from the characteristics of a believer or from a well mannered human being. To joke and taunt about someone in jest is a great sin and must be abstained from. Further, many have the habit of cursing straight away. If something does not go to plan, they instantly curse the object or the person that was the cause of it. This too is a very habit.

Finally, the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam mentions that a Muslim is not an immoral person. Immorality and rudeness are very bad characteristics as they bring pride into a person. A person who is immoral is at a stage where he feels he can do or say anything as he has ripped the veil of shyness from himself. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam has mentioned taunting first in this hadith. Often, when a person taunts in abundance, he is paving the way towards the next sin mentioned in this hadith which is cursing. It almost feels natural for a person to continue into this new field. Thereafter, when a person’s mouth becomes so foul that he is abusive and full of curses, he loses the fear of being considered immoral as his pride makes him feel that he is superior. Thus this takes him into immorality and when a person reaches this juncture, he delves into shameless speech as has no consciousness of his deeds.

[1] Adabul Mufrad: Hadith #332 pg 262

Lesson from Hadith #1

لا يشكر الله من لا يشكر النّاس

“He who is not thankful to people is not thankful to Allah.” (Al Adabul Mufrad)

In order to thank people, one must use his mouth and show full gratitude. A person can show his gratefulness to people through actions by giving gifts etc but for a person to really show his thankfulness and gratefulness he must show it by the way of speech. It is speech which makes man different to an animal. If a person gave a monkey a banana, the monkey wouldn’t be able to say, “Cheers!” this is because Allah has not honoured the monkey with speech. However, Allah has honoured mankind with speech so that he can use his tongue to show his gratitude to his Creator. Part of showing this gratitude to Allah is by being thankful to people. When a person says “Thank you, May Allah reward you with something better” he is bringing pleasure to the person who helped him. If a person does not have the capability to show this thanks, then what is the difference between him and a monkey?

Poetry: For Gaza

Is it justice when a child cries over the corpse of his mother?
And is forced to see the flesh stricken body of his brother?

So what crime is it then if he walks out with pebbles in his pocket?
Ready to relieve a heart of sorrow but only to be fired at by a rocket.

Where is the justice in having to be put to sleep by the silence of fear?
Knowing full well that any second a bomb may be thrown like a spear.

How can it be that death has replaced life as a source of rest?
As roads have been painted in red while the world continues to jest.

A stone contests a bullet, a boulder contests an airstrike,
What match is there between an armed tank and a bike?

So how can the sky be seen when it is garmented in smoke?
And the leaders of the Arab world take it all to be a joke.

Kings who have exchanged their brothers for wealth,
They sit lavishly on thrones and bargain their brothers health.

What then can be said about those who were thought to be of kin?
When it is they who remain passive and become the enemy from within?

We remember you and pray for you O bearers of sorrow,
We beseech Allah that He eases your tomorrow.

Your blood, honour, dignity and valour will never be forgotten,
We hope that you now have found peace in your garments of cotton.

Long live the people of Gaza, you are indeed the heroes of this nation,
We cannot take what you have taken, but we look at you with admiration.

May Allah Ta'ala grant Jannah to the people of Gaza. Ameen.

EVENT ALERT - FOR WOMEN - Science & The Qur'an

A Programme for Women - Science & The Qur'an

Speaker: Senior Ustadha of Jamea al Kauthar, Lancaster

Date& Time: Sunday 31st January 2010 at 2.00pm

Refreshments will be served

Venue: Lantern of Knowledge/Jamia Siraj ul Uloom, 30-36 Lindley Road, Leyton, London, E10 6QT.

Tel: 020 8539 5183 Web: www.jamia.co.uk

WOMEN ONLY

Please kindly spread the word. Jazakallah