Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Beneficial Co-operation
Al-Maidah (The Table Spread) Chapter 5: Verse 2 (partial)

"Co-operate with one another in the pursuit of virtue and piety, but co-operate not in fostering offences and hostility."

While both the Quran and the Sunnah validate freedom of expression, interpretation and ijtihad, they also enjoin co-operation (ta'awun) in good and beneficial works as one of the cardinal teachings of Islam. In order to be effective, co-operation requires unity and organization and, on this theme, the Quran explicitly addresses the believers in the verse above.

Co-operation in good work (al-birr) is a broad concept which can apply to all forms of beneficial co-operation, whether in the form of a political party, a professional association, or a workers' union which aims at ensuring fair practices in trade and the equitable treatment of workers.

Compiled From:
"Freedom of Expression in Islam" - Mohammad Hashim Kamali, p. 79

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Tribulations

We have heard many times a person bemoan, "I do not deserve this!" or "Why me?" or similar declarations. Many people live with the rancour in their hearts because of what they have been dealt with in life. This attitude toward trials stems from a denial of God's omnipotence and that God alone decrees all things. We cannot choose what befalls us, but we can choose our responses to the trials of life, which are inevitable.

It is important to look at the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and know that no one faced greater tribulation. The Prophet lived to see all of his children buried, except for Fatima. How many people experience that in their lifetime? His father died before his birth. His mother died when he was just a boy. His guardian grandfather then died. When he received his calling, he saw his people turn against him with vehemence and brutality. People who had once honoured him no slandered him, calling him a madman, liar, and sorcerer. They stalked him and threw stones at him until he bled. They boycotted him and composed stinging invectives against him. He lost his closest friends and relatives, like Hamza, who was killed on the battlefield. His beloved wife Khadija after 25 years of blissful marriage died during the Prophet's most difficult moment. Abu Talib, his protecting uncle, also died. The Prophet was the target of 13 assassination attempts. How many people have face all of that? Not once in a single hadith is there a complaint from him - except when beseeching his Lord.

Compiled From:
"Purification of The Heart" - Hamza Yusuf, pp. 69- 72

Blindspot!

Repentance

Adam, the father of all humanity, was the most discerning of creatures, their superior in wisdom, and the most steadfast. Yet the Foe kept after him until he made him fall into that which he fell. What then of someone with the reason of a moth, whose intelligence compared to that of his father [Adam] is like a spittle in the ocean? Still, the Foe of God obtains nothing from a faithful person except by robbing him in [a moment of] inattention and carelessness. And when he causes him to fall, the servant may think that he can never again face his Lord, that this fall has carried him away and destroyed him. Yet behind it all is God's grace, mercy, clemency and forgiveness.

For if God intends what is good for His servant, He will then open for him the doors of repentance and remorse, abasement and humility, dependence and need; the doors of the request for God's help and protection; the doors of perpetual humility, supplication and the approach towards Him by means of whatever good works he can manage - so that his wrong may become a means to God's mercy. For the Foe says, 'Alas, I left him without causing him to fall!'

Compiled From:
"The Invocation of God" - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, p. 3