Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Noble Character
Al-Qalam (The Pen) Sura 68: Verse 4

"Most certainly, yours is a sublime character."

The whole universe echoes this unique praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him). No writer can describe the value of this testimony by the Creator of the universe; no imagination can give it its words. It is a testimony by God, according to His own measure, given to His servant, in His own words. A sublime character has, according to God's measure, its own unique value which no other creature can imagine.

This testimony confirms Muhammad's greatness in several ways. First of all, by the fact that it is God's own testimony, given in His majesty, and appreciated by the whole universe and echoed by everyone on high. Secondly, his greatness is seen by virtue of the fact that Muhammad was able to receive God's testimony, live with it and know who was saying it. It was God Almighty, in His absolute power and knowledge, that stated it. The Prophet knew his own position in relation to such absolutely great power. He could appreciate this position as no one else could. The fact that Muhammad held his position firmly as he received this word, from its sublime source, without being crushed by the pressure it brought on him, and that he remained calm and stable is the best evidence of his own greatness.

There are many reports about the Prophet's greatness given by his Companions. Indeed, his practical conduct is better evidence than anything reported about him. However, this testimony, given by God Almighty, is greater still than any reported evidence. The message of Islam is so perfect, beautiful, comprehensive and truthful that it could only be delivered by a man who deserved such testimony from God, and by one who would receive such divine testimony with confidence. At the same time, however, God remonstrated with the Prophet for some of his actions but all the while imbibing the same confidence and reassurance. He declared both aspects to all people, hiding nothing. In both situations, he was a noble Prophet, an obedient servant and a trusted deliverer of the divine message.

Compiled From:
"In the Shade of the Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol 17, pp. 180-181

Understanding The Prophet's Life

A Way Made Easy

A special, distinguishing quality of the way of the Sunnah is its facility, its convenience and tolerance. Nothing exists in the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him, that hinders the people in their religious life, or oppresses them in their worldly life. Rather he says about himself: "Indeed I am a mercy sent [to you]." [Tirmidhi] He said: "Assuredly, God did not commission me for affliction, nor for bringing affliction to others; on the contrary, He commissioned me as an educator and as a means of ease for others." [Muslim]

He dispatched Abu Musa and Muadh to the Yemen with succinct, comprehensive instruction: "Urge ease, and do not urge hardship; offer good hope [lit. glad tidings], and do not provoke aversion; listen to one another, and do not provoke differences." [Bukhari, Muslim]

About his Messengership, he said: "Assuredly I have been commissioned [to impart] a tolerant true-religion." [Tabarani] He said: "O people! [what is incumbent] upon you is actions that you can bear. For surely God does not tire [cease to persevere] until you tire [cease to persevere]. [Bukhari, Muslim]

Compiled From:
"Approaching the Sunnah" - Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, pp. 8, 9

Blindspot!

Hadith Forgery

Signs of Forgery: Forgery in Text

[continued from previous issue]

f) When a hadith is supposed to have been known to vast numbers of people and yet only one person has reported it. The fact that no one else has confirmed it is taken as a sign of forgery. An example of this is the so-called hadith that "Anyone who touches the sexual organ must take a fresh ablution." It is thus stated that if this were a true hadith, the entire umma would have known it and practised it. Since this is not the case, it is likely to be a forgery.

g) When the hadith in question promises a disproportionate reward or an exceedingly severe punishment for a small act that does not warrant the stipulated consequence. Note for example the report "anyone who says 'there is no God but Allah', Allah will create for him a bird with 70,000 tongues each of which speaks 70,000 languages and all will be praying for him."

These were some of the main, although not all, indicators of forgery in hadith. Those who are particularly learned in hadith may be able to detect signs of forgery in other ways that might be peculiar to their ability and understanding of the subject matter or their investigation. It is sometimes stated with regard to the category of hadith known as al-targhib wal-tarhib, that is, hadith which consists mainly of encouragement and warning - that forging this type of hadith does not deserve condemnation and total disapproval. In response to this it may be said that the ulama of hadith who made efforts to isolate the doubtful and corrupt elements from hadith did not make any exception of this kind. The reason for this is not difficult to see: one who fabricates hadith on one subject can also do that with another, and the effects of both are bound to be subversive by undermining the credibility of hadith generally. All forgery must therefore be denounced regardless of subject matter.

Compiled From:
"A Texbook of Hadith Studies" - Mohammad Hashim Kamali, pp. 78