Patience is Light, Chained Devils, Asserting Otherness
Issue 348 » October 14, 2005 - Ramadan 10, 1426
General
| Living the Quran |
Muhammad
In the intricate paths of life when difficulties and hardships confront a man, and the darkness of difficulty and suffering becomes long, it is patience only that acts like a light for a Muslim, that keeps him safe from wandering here and there, and saves him from the muddy marsh of disappointment, desperation and frustration. Patience is such a basic quality that a Muslim needs it to shape his life in this world and in the next. On this basis only he should attend to all his work. He should make it a torchlight for guiding his way, else he will be defeated in the field of life. He should prepare his self to tolerate the hardships and difficulties, and should not holler or raise hell. He should not run away from responsibilities, whatever they may be. No doubts and misgivings, no hardship of trouble should prompt his intellect to indulge in violence. He should have plenty of self-confidence. He should not be frightened by the dark clouds appearing on the horizon of life, even if they may be appearing continually, nay, he should be fully sure that these clouds of difficulties and hardships will disappear, and the clear and bright atmosphere of success and glory will appear again. Therefore, the demand of wisdom and far-sightedness is that its coming should be awaited with patience, peace and conviction. The Almighty God has stressed this point sufficiently that no man can escape tests and trials, so that man may be alert and ready at the time when these hardship and difficulties descend on him, and he should not be frightened by these heavenly and earthly tribulations, and need not be disappointed and disheartened. The poet has expressed the same idea in these words: "We had anticipated the hardships of the night before their coming. So when they descended, there was no addition to our knowledge." Undoubtedly if accidents and disasters are faced with a clear sight and full preparations, it will prove advantageous for man and this will help in stabilizing and consolidating his circumstances. Source: |
| Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| The Chained Devils Abu Hurairah, (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Reported by al-Bukhari) The commentators of the aforementioned Hadith of Abu Hurairah state that ‘the devils that are put in chains during Ramadan’ are those who can’t approach those who sincerely fast for Allah’s Sake and who commit themselves to the high morals of fasting such as lowering the gaze and refraining from doing any harm to others. Ibn Khuzaymah also states that ‘putting the devils in chains’ means that their activity during the blessed month is (only) reduced and that is why some people sin during the month of Ramadan. Another possible interpretation of the Hadith states that sins that are committed through satanic whispers are halted, as the devils are chained and they no longer tempt people to sin during Ramadan. As to the sins that are committed by some people during the blessed month, some commentators state that they are due to the evil souls that tempt some to sin and transgress Allah’s limits. Some also state that the devils that are meant are those from among the Jinn, whereas human devils are not chained. Source: |
| Blindspot! |
Muslims : To thine own selves be true There is an African proverb that says: When people start throwing stones at a tree, it means that the tree is bearing fruit. This is exactly what’s happening now to Muslims. A major Islamic reform movement is under way in the West. People here have looked at Muslims and said, "We thought they were going to put aside their religion and become totally assimilated." But young Canadian and European Muslims are replying, "We are not ready to forget who we are in order to become who you want us to be." Instead, they assert: "We are not the other, we are not against the other, we are ourselves and we want to be equal citizens." Third-generation Muslims — torn between Canadian society’s liberties and discriminations and their own parents’ traditionalist and spiritual stances — have sensed that to become genuine Canadian citizens, they seem to be expected to renounce their faith. The reality is that in the eyes of many of our fellow citizens, we are still the "other" — faithful to a foreign religion. In this situation, one has two options : either to victimize and isolate oneself or to assert one’s otherness. What prevents us from becoming totally involved in our societies today is not legal frameworks. It is, far more, a matter of perception. Western society’s grim perception of Muslims today determines the way that people read the law and react to the presence of Muslims in their midst. Muslim youth bears a great responsibility to change this reality. By knowing who they are, understanding where they are, and interacting with their fellow students, friends and citizens, they can change such negative perceptions. In fact, perceptions are already changing. It’s going to be a long, slow process, but there’s no other way. Human history shows us that it takes time to change mentalities. Past immigrants have undergone the same experience: Each individual must take action at his or her local level, behaving with confidence, patience and perseverance. But evolution will also take education, a deep faith and critical, creative thinking. These are the conditions for people to remain true to themselves and be truly free. There is no freedom without education ; there is no dignity without freedom. This is what the Creator asks us to be: educated, dignified and free. Source: |
