Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Creativity
Al Rum (The Romans) - Chapter 30: Verse 22

"And of His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colours. In this, behold, there are messages indeed for the learned."

In this verse two signs are mentioned: the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of mankind's tongues and colours. These signs, on the one hand, point towards the possibility and occurrence of the life Hereafter. On the other, the same Signs also underscore that this universe is under One God alone, the Creator, Master and Ruler. Thus the two beliefs, Resurrection (Akhirah) and the Oneness of God (Tawhid) are intertwined.

When one reflects on the origin of the initial energy that assumed the form of matter with its combination of elements to create an awe-inspiring universal system and then further reflects on the functioning of this system for many millions of years with its precise regularity and discipline, one can only conclude that this could not have happened by mere chance, that it is the work of the All-Embracing Will and Command of the All-Knowing, All-Wise Creator.

Attention is drawn here to only two aspects of diversity, namely, speech and colour, but if one looks around, one will find countless different species of man, animal, plant and the like. Even two leaves of a tree are not exactly alike. Anyone who observes this wonderful phenomenon with open eyes can only conclude that the Maker of the universe is ever-engaged in His creative and sustaining activity.

Compiled From:
"Words That Moved the World" - Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad, pp. 68, 69

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Purification

Purification is half of the faith. [Muslim]

There is a great deal of difference of opinion as to what the Prophet, peace be upon him, exactly meant by this statement. Below are some of the explanations that have been offered by the scholars:

"Purification is similar to half of the prayer."

"Purification is half of the faith because it encompasses the outward form of submission."

"Purification from associating partners with Allah and sinful living is half of faith."

"Purification in the sense of avoiding sins is half of the faith."

"Performing ablution is an act of faith."

"Ablution is half of the faith because it removes the external impurities."

"Purification of the heart from its spiritual diseases is one half of faith."

Many of the above meanings are consistent with each other and it is possible that more than one of them is meant. Purification may mean the general sense of purification or it may mean the specific act of ablution.

Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 868, 869

Blindspot!

Women's Activity

Islamic work has been the scene of spreading hardline ideas that now govern the relationship between men and women, adopting the strictest opinions to be found on this issue. The basis in ibadah and religious learning was participation and there never existed in Islam a mosque that had been reserved for women alone or not visited by men. Women attended the sessions in which the Prophet taught Muslims the Deen. They also participated in (or at least attended) the Juma prayers, the two Eid prayers and the congregational prayers together with men. They asked questions about various matters without being prevented from learning the Deen because of their shyness.

The problem of women's Islamic work is that it is men who direct it, not women; and men are careful to maintain their grip on it and thus not giving the chance for female leadership to emerge. Men impose themselves on women's Islamic work, including even women's meetings, as they exploit the shyness of practising Muslim women and never allow them to take command of their own affairs. In this way, no female talents are given a chance to prove themselves in the pursuit of the Islamic Movement or to be seasoned by experience and struggle and learn from the 'school of life' by trial and error.

Compiled From:
"Priorities of The Islamic Movement in The Coming Phase" - Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, pp. 91-94