Issue 140 » October 19, 2001 -
General
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QURAN
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Translation:
Surah Bani Israail
(Childrean of Israel)
Chapter 17 : Verses 53
"Tell My Servants (O Muhammad) to always say that which is the Best (Ahsan). Verily, it is Satan who sows discord among people. Satan indeed is an open enemy to human being."
Commentary:
In this verse, Allah is addressing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to convey to the believers the following message: In their discussions with the non-
Muslims and polytheists, in fact with any opponents of their faith, Muslims should refrain from losing their temper.Additionally, they should not resort to exaggerated and extremist statements. Even in the face of provocation from their opponents, Muslims should not utter even a word that is contrary to the truth; nor should they lose their temper at the vulgarities which are flung at them by their opponents.
In fact, believers should follow the Example of the best of examples, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was known for his noble character and patience, who would return the verbal abuses, harassments, and taunts by the unbelievers of Makkah and Madinah, with a beautiful smile and a prayer for their guidance. Therefore, the believers should keep their composure and say only that which is balanced and true, with grace and dignity of faith which they seek top uphold.
The Quran tells the Muslims that whenever, in the course of their discussions on controversial issues with unbelievers, they feel overly provoked and overwhelmed with rage, they should immediately realize that such reactions are instigated by Satan, who is keen to hurt the cause of their faith. Satan will certainly try to prompt the believers to give up, as their opponents had done, all efforts of reform, and to become entangled in futile wrangling and strife. For it's Satan's aim that all mankind remain perpetually involved in such insignificant controversies.
The Muslims around the world, in the light of the current crisis, must appreciate these beautiful and practical teachings of Islam. In the face of all the verbal harassments, abuse, and threats we receive today due to the backlash on our community, if we restrain ourselves and deal with the matter in a civilized and patient manner, Allah will provide us a strength to handle the situation from within, as the Satan would be defeated. Let's learn try to imitate the peaceful and loving character of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who has been described to have "never avenged anyone throughout his life, for personal reasons."
[compiled from "Towards Understanding the Quran"
by Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi, Vol. V, pp. 51]
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HOW
DID ISLAM REVOLUTIONIZE ARABIA?
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What is it that makes Muslims believe that Islam is a tremendous bounty and a gift from God, when the rest of the world views ALL religions as a burden on mankind created by backward cultures? Islam is the faith that defines us, defines who we are, defines our identity. In fact anyone who truly understands Islam will be well aware of it's simplicity, elegance and the power to lead humanity to what Muslims believe is man's true purpose. Why is Islam so revolutionary?
Islam has revolutionized and reformed Arabia in all aspects of life: politically, economically, socially, and above all morally- through its peaceful and yet powerful message, and not through the sword:
To be continued in future issues...
[compiled from "A Revolution without Revolutionaries" by Sherif Mohammed
Also available @ http://www.dawanet.com/nonmuslim/intro/islam/revolut1.html]
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22
SYMPTOMS OF WEAK FAITH
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Series continued from YMFN Issue #139
In previous issues, we discussed the phenomenon of weak faith that has become widespread amongst Muslims, saw that the root cause of this weakness of faith and doubt in the mind is a hardness of the person's heart due to forgetfulness of Allah.
We began to look at signs and symptoms of weak faith that one can use to assess whether he or she suffers from this spiritual disease. They include:
6- Thinking little of good deeds, and having no interest in doing small actions of goodness: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) taught us to pay attention to small acts of goodness. Abu Juray al-Hujaymi reported: "I came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, we are a desert people. Teach us something by which Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, will benefit us.' He said, 'Do not look down on any act of goodness, even if it is just emptying your bucket into the vessel of one who wants to drink, or speaking to your brother with a cheerful expression.'" (Musnad Ahmad).If someone comes wanting to drink from the well, and you lift up your bucket and empty it for him, this is a good deed; even though it appears insignificant, you should not think little of it. The same applies to greeting your brother with a cheerful expression, and cleaning dirt and garbage from the mosque, even if it is as small as a straw.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "A man passed by a branch of a tree lying on the road and said, 'By Allah, I want to remove this out of the way of the Muslims so that it will not hurt them,' and he was admitted to Paradise." (Reported by Muslim)
There is something wrong with a person who thinks little of simple acts of goodness. How unfortunate this person is to be deprived of the advantages described by the Prophet (Peace be upon him): "Whoever removes something harmful from the path of the Muslims, one Hasanah (reward) will be recorded for him, and whoever has a Hasanah accepted, will enter Paradise." (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
...to be continued...
[from "Weakness of Faith: Causes and Cures" by Shaykh M. Salih al-Munajjid]
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QUOTES
TO PONDER UPON
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"America needs to know Islam, because it is the one Religion that removes the Race problem from its society!"- Malcolm X (also known as Malik El-Shabbaz after he reverted to Islam)