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From Issue: 418 [Read full issue]

Living the Quran

Al Maida (Table Spread)
Chapter 5: Verse 105

Sins of Others
"O you who believe! take care of your souls; he who errs cannot hurt you when you are on the right way; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will inform you of what you did."

Enjoining right and forbidding wrong being one of the greatest obligations or commendable acts in Islam, it is essential that the benefit therein outweigh its negative consequences. This is the general spirit of the messages of the prophets and the revealed books, and Allah does not like chaos and corruption.

All that which Allah has enjoined is beneficial, and the epitome of benefit. Allah has praised "salah" (the opposite of corruption) and the "musliheen" (reformers, or those who bring about salah). And He has praised those who believe and do good works (saalihaat), while condemning corruption (fasaad) and those who cause it in many places in the Quran. Thus whenever the adverse effects (mafsada) of any act of enjoining or forbidding are greater than its benefit (maslaha), it is no longer part of what Allah has enjoined upon us, even if it be a case of neglecting obligations or committing the forbidden. This is because it is upon the believer to fear Allah in relation to His slaves, and their guidance is not his responsibility. This is part of the meaning of the verse above.

"Sticking to guidance" is only accomplished by fulfilling and carrying out all obligations. Thus, when a Muslim does what is obligatory upon him by way of enjoining right and forbidding wrong, just as he fulfilled all other obligations, the going astray of those who go astray will not do him any harm.

Compiled From:
"Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil" - Ibn Taimiya

Understanding the Prophet's Life
Greetings Guidelines

Imran bin Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: "As-Salamu Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). The Messenger of Allah responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet said, "Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good acts).'' Another man came and said: "As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (may you be safe from evil, and Mercy of Allah be upon you).'' Messenger of Allah responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah said, "Twenty.'' A third man came and said: "As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may you be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you).'' The Messenger of Allah responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (SA) said, "Thirty.''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "A rider should greet a pedestrian; a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting; and a small group should greet a large group (of people).'' The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: The Messenger of Allah (SA) said, "The young should greet the elderly.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "When one of you meets a brother (in Faith) he should greet him. Then if a tree or a wall or a stone intervenes between them and then he meets him again, he should greet him.''
[Abu Dawud]

Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to me, "Dear son, when you enter your house, say As-Salamu Alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family.''
[At-Tirmidhi]

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "When one of you arrives in a gathering, he should offer Salam to those who are already there, and he should also do so when he intends to depart. The first act of greeting is not more meritorious than the last.''
[Abu Dawud]

Al-Bara (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands without having their sins forgiven (by Allah ) before they depart.''
[Abu Dawud]

Compiled From:
"Riyad-us-Saliheen"- Imam Nawawi, Book 5
Blindspot!
Patience in Practicing the Deen

The word 'Sabr' patience or its derivatives has been mentioned in the Quran over 100 times in various locations and on various occasions. In a fast-paced, individualistic, consumer culture of ours, patience or 'Sabr' is essential for the Muslim youth.

A teen needs patience because of the challenges she will face when she tries to stick to certain principles and practices that may be in conflict with the mainstream norms of 'teen culture' in North America. Believers will need fortitude to resist various temptations in this life, such as their desires and whims.

A teen will need patience, for instance, to ask the school administration to give her and the other Muslims in the school a quiet place to perform their prayers. Some school administration may be reluctant to honour such a request easily, and the Muslim teen will need wisdom and perseverance to discuss with them and reach an arrangement.

The Muslim youth will need patience when she chooses to dress in a more modest way than those around her. Her clothes may completely conflict with the norms in her environment. When she abstains from talking about other gender, from free mixing, and occasions where alcohol is being consumed, a great deal of patience would be required.

Compiled From:
"Muslim Teens: Today's Worry, Tomorrow's Hope" - Dr. Ekram & Mohamed Beshir, pp. 132-133

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