Burden not too heavy, Spring of Mercy, 'Tis the Season
Issue 356 » December 9, 2005 - Zul-Qada 7, 1426
General
| Living the Quran |
Al-Muminun
(The Believers)
There is nothing superhuman about the character and conduct required of man. All human beings are made of the same flesh and blood, and are capable of establishing very high standards of conduct. Hence, it does not hold water for some people to claim that the kind of character required of them is beyond their capacity. Man is in fact capable of following both patterns of behaviour: the one being followed by the generality of people in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as well as the one being followed by the true men of faith from amongst their own people. A person's conduct results from his own choice. If someone makes the wrong choice and, thereafter, devotes his efforts to accumulating evil and distancing himself from good, no amount of false pretension will save him. His plea that good deeds were simply beyond his power will be of no avail and he will be made to suffer the consequences of his wrong choice. If such people do in fact prefer this pretext, saying that the way enjoined by God was beyond their capacity, they are bound to face the question: if that is so, how was it that many people, like them, were able to follow that way? Source: |
| Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| A spring of Mercy The Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, is like a spring of pure water in the heart of a desert, or like a source of light in the darkness enveloping the universe. Whoever appeals to this spring can take as much water as to quench his thirst and is purified of all his dirt or pollution, spiritual, or intellectual, and illuminated with the light of belief. Mercy was like a magical key in the hands of Prophet Muhammad, who is the last Messenger of God, upon him be peace and blessings. He opened with this key the doors of the hearts so hardened and rusty as one thought it was impossible to open them, and lighted a torch of belief in them. God's Messenger, preached Islam, the religion of universal mercy. Despite this, some so-called 'champions of humanism' accuse Islam of being 'a religion of sword'. However, this is a sheer deception. They seem to wail over an animal killed in some part of the world or raise their voices whenever one of them is harmed, but they do not bat an eyelid when others are massacred. Their world is built on personal interest. It should be pointed out that the abuse of the feeling of compassion is as harmful and sometimes more harmful than being devoid of compassion altogether. The compassion of our Prophet Muhammad was based on justice, not on whims or prejudice. Source: |
| Blindspot! |
'Tis The Season: The Muslim Perspective On Christmas Christmas is an annual Christian religious holiday commemorating the birth of Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him. For many Muslims who even do not celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, it becomes an issue of what stand they should take. Christmas and its Origins Unfortunately, many Westerners feel that the Muslims should
celebrate Christmas. They cite the example of many other non-Christians
doing so, including many Jews, Hindus, etc. who join the merrymaking.
They find it frustrating that many of the Muslims will not comply.
It is regretful that they do not apply the same standard to
themselves. They don't expect Muslims to pressure them to celebrate
our holidays nor do the Muslims put such pressure on them. Thus, we as Muslims cannot condone nor should we participate
in those practices. It is not out of disrespect to Christian
colleagues that this is done; rather, it is out of respect and
love for Jesus (peace be upon him) and Mary (peace be upon her)
and God Himself that we must refuse! Take the opportunity Christmas is a great time to relate to our neighbors. This may not be an occasion to emphasis the differences as much as the commonality of our beliefs, unless someone is really asking you about them. A starting point for a discussion about Christmas could be the Islamic belief in all Books revealed by Allah and all Prophets sent by Him. In this discussion, special emphasis could be made on Prophet Jesus. Non-Muslims are often surprised to discover that Muslims also believe in this noble Prophet and his great mother Mary (peace be upon her). No Compromise Remember that respect does not mean compromise. You have freedom of religion given by God to believe in what you believe in. But in a world where conflict is increasing, a Muslim should be a bridge- builder and a peacemaker. It was due to the Muslim practice of Islamic ideals of respect and tolerance that the key of the holiest Christian Shrine in Jerusalem, the church of the Holy Sepulcher, remains entrusted with a Muslim family, as it has been for over 1400 years. These are the lessons which need to be learned by those extremists who attack Christians during their worship in Pakistan and those extremists who burn Masjids in the USA. Source: |
