Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Desired Result
Ta Ha (Ta Ha) - Chapter 20: Verse 10

"When he (Moses) saw a fire, he said to his family: 'Wait here! I perceive a fire. Perhaps I can bring you a lighted torch, or find some guidance at the fire.'"

Here we see Moses (peace be upon him) on the road between Madyan and Egypt, close to Mount Sinai, returning with his wife after he had completed the term he had agreed with the Prophet Shuayb (peace be upon him). He most probably spent ten years before he felt that he could leave with his wife to return to the country where he grew up. There the Children of Israel, Moses’ people, lived in subjugation.

Why is he returning to Egypt having fled there after killing an Egyptian whom he found quarrelling with an Israelite? He had after all found safe refuge with Shuayb, his father-in-law. So why would he leave that place of security and return to Egypt? Here we see human homesickness as the tool used by God to bring Moses to the place where he was to play an important role. Thus is life. We are motivated by feelings, passions, aspirations, hopes and memories, but all these are merely the outward causes of the desired result. They are what we see on the surface, but below them is the will that no sight can see. It is God’s will, and He is the Almighty who accomplishes everything He wants.

Thus we see Moses on his way back to Egypt, losing his way in the desert, accompanied only by his wife, and perhaps a servant. He loses his way in the darkness of the night in the open desert. Moses saw the fire as he was walking through the desert and he was warmed by hope. He moved towards it in order to fetch a firebrand, as night in the desert is normally cold. He also felt he might find some guidance as to which direction to travel in. He went there to bring back a torch, but was in for a great surprise. For he found the fire that warms souls and spirits, and provides guidance for the greatest journey of all.

Compiled From:
"In The Shade of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 11, pp. 401, 402

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Inspiring Khutba

Ammar ibn Yasir reports that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "Prolonging salah and shortening one's khutbah is a sign of one's understanding of the religion. So, prolong the prayer and shorten the khutbah." This is related by Ahmad and Muslim. Shortening the khutbah and prolonging one's salah shows one's understanding of religion, for such a person is able to comprehend and express much in a few words.

Giving his views on the subject, Ibn al-Qayyim says: "The khutbah of the Prophet reinforced the fundamental articles of faith, like belief in Allah, the Exalted, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the meeting with Him. He would mention the paradise and the hellfire and what Allah, the Exalted, has promised to His devoted servants and the people who obey Him and what Allah has promised to His enemies and the miscreant. While listening to his khutbah, the hearts would be filled with belief in Allah, His oneness, and His majesty. His khutbahs were not like speeches of those who speak only of matters of concern of common folk, lamenting earthly life and frightening people of the approaching death. Such speeches cannot inspire faith in Allah or strengthen belief in His oneness or move people by allusion to His mighty works in history, nor can they kindle in hearts intense love for Allah, making the listeners look forward eagerly to the time they will meet Him! The people who hear such speeches gain no benefit at all, except that they will die and that their wealth will be distributed and their bodies will be turned to dust. If we study the khutbahs of the Prophet and his companions, we find them imbued with perspicuous guidance, tawhid, attributes of Allah, explaining the basic articles of the faith, inviting people to Allah, and drawing their attention to His providential care that makes Him so beloved to His slaves. His khutbahs referred to Allah's dealings with others in the past so as to warn his listeners against His wrath and exhort them to remember Him, thank Him and win His pleasure and love. Those who heard these khutbahs were inspired with the love of Allah and they looked forward eagerly to meeting their Lord. As time went by, the example of the Prophet was forgotten and other things prevailed. The main purpose of the khutbah was forgotten. The eloquent and nice words that moved the hearts became rare in speeches. The main thrust of the khutbah was neglected. The hearts were no longer touched and the basic purpose of the khutbah was lost."

Compiled From:
"Fiqh-us-Sunnah" - Al Sayyid Sabiq

Blindspot!

Extremist Influence

Here are some signs parents should look for if they fear that their children are influenced by extremists, especially online:

1. Sudden onset of anti-social behaviour;
2. Spending excessive amount of time online, especially at night when most of the family is asleep;
3. At risk youth may exhibit excessive secrecy regarding what sites they are visiting online, where they are going, who they are meeting;
4. They may also be easily irritated when challenged on their political and religious views;
5. Extremely suspicious and judgmental towards society in general;
6. Uncommunicative towards their parents and siblings;
7. There may be a sudden change in their circle of friends;
8. External and overt expression of hyper-religiosity that is uncharacteristic of family culture;
9. They start speaking about the world in extreme terms of good and evil with no room for compromise;
10. Oversaturated in foreign news;
11. Lack of interest in their regular friends;
12. Disrespect of women and anti-women rhetoric;
13. Disrespect of scholars that teach peace and harmony, and;
14. Advocating isolation from society.

Compiled From:
"United Against Terrorism"