CALLING TO ALLAAH IS THE LEGACY OF THE PROPHETS [Peace Be Upon Them]
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
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emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com
TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2017 CE AND 23 DHUL QADA 1438 AH
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.
Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) is His slave and Messenger.
PREAMBLE
The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion". (Abu Daud). With that Knowledge of faith is better than money and so get your share. Thus, today DAWAH scholars and members of the invitation to Islam or preachers are the ones teaching and guiding to the truth. This brief article give foresight to those understanding. Equally, the prons and cons of “Jamaa’at al-Tableegh” and that of madhhab of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah is included in the discussions.
Contents
Preamble
1.0 Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam): Father Of Faith
His Mission
His Method
His Legacy
2.0 Obligation To Destroy Idols
3.0 Is It Obligatory To Follow A Particular Madhhab - Imam Abu Haneefah, Imam Maalik, Imam Al-Shaafa’i And/Or Imam Ahmad?
4.0 Jamaa’at Al-Tableegh Vs. Madhhab Of Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa’l-Jamaa’ah – Pros And Cons
5.0 Who Are Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa’l-Jamaa’ah?
6.0 Legacy Of The Prophets
No To Jealousy!
Aisha (Ra)’S Comfort
Our Inheritance
Allah Is Sufficient
Prayer From Ibrahim
Be As Them
7.0 Why Does Islam Continue To Be Successful In The Developed World?
8.0 Virtues Of The Prophets
Adam: Still Caring
Dawud: The Best Fast & Prayer
Ibrahim: A Friend
Muhammad: So Charitable.
Isma'il: Of Pure Faith
Sources And References
1.0 PROPHET IBRAHIM (ALAIHI SALAAM): FATHER OF FAITH
HIS MISSION: He grew among a people who were idol-worshipers. He was commanded by Allah to call his people to the worship of the One True God, Allah. So he asked his people: "What do you worship?' They said 'We worship idols and we remain constantly in attendance on them.'" (Holy Quran Chapter 26:70 - 71). He asked more questions (Holy Quran Chapter 26:72-73) to show them their ignorance,
"They, said: 'No, but we found our fathers doing thus (what we do).' "(Holy Quran Chapter 26:74)
The Prophet replied: " '... they (the idols) are enemies to me, but not so the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds; who created me and it is He who guides me; who gives me food and drink and when 1am ill, it is He who cures me; who will cause me to die and live (again); and who I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgement.' “(Holy Quran Chapter 26:77- 82)
HIS METHOD: He wondered why people would worship idols who could neither hear, see, nor profit them in anyway. So, he started the call to Allah with his family. He tried to convince his father with kind words, warning him against the punishment of disbelief. His father threatened and sent him away from his house (Holy Quran Chapter 19:41-46). Despite that he (Alaihi Salaam) prayed for him (Holy Quran Chapter 19:47), and when he knew that such prayers would not be accepted, he stopped (Holy Quran Chapter 9:113-114).
Next he talked to the general public, When they were still not convinced, he decided to show them how stupid the worship of idols is. Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) smashed all the idols except the biggest, on whom he hung the axe. His people were annoyed and asked him, but he referred them to the biggest idol, (Holy Quran Chapter 21:57-63). "so they turned to themselves and said, 'Surely you are the ones in the wrong!'
Then were they confounded with shame: (they said): 'You know fully well that these (idols) do not speak!' (Ibrahim) said: 'Do you then worship, besides Allah, things that call neither be of am) good to you or do you no harm? Fie upon you, and upon the things that you worship besides Allah! Have you no sense?' " (Holy Quran Chapter 21: 64 - 67)
But Shaytan would not make them see, thus they decided to burn him in a furnace, but Allah cooled the fire for him. (Holy Quran Chapter 21:68 - 69).
After this Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) kept calling people to Allah's way. He was able to prove his point by good argument as we are enjoined to in (Holy Quran Chapter 16:125). He used such logic when he had an encounter with a king. Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) said: 'My Lord is He who gives life and death '. The king replied: 'I give life and death.' So he brought two condemned prisoners. He set one free (giving him life) and he killed the other. Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) said: 'Allah brings the sun from the East, now you bring it from the West'. This time the king had no response. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:258)
HIS LEGACY: Some of his legacies still exist till today. He along with his son, Ismail (Alaihi Salaam), built the Ka'abah, the first house of worship appointed for man on earth (Holy Quran Chapter 3:96). While they were building, Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) prayed thus "Our Lord accept this service from us; for You are the All Hearing, the Knowing." (Holy Quran Chapter 2:127)
Thus teaching us to pray while performing acts of ibaadah. Allah described him thus: "Ibrahim is indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in faith, and he joins not gods with Allah. He showed his gratitude for the favours of Allah who chose and guided him to a Straight Way". (Holy Quran Chapter 16:120-121). Also we are enjoined to"follow the ways of Ibrahim, the True in faith." (Holy Quran Chapter 16:123). Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) left much more legacies.
2.0 OBLIGATION TO DESTROY IDOLS
The evidence of sharee’ah indicates that it is obligatory to destroy idols, for example:
1 – Muslim (969) narrated that Abu’l-Hayaaj al-Asadi said: ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib said to me: “Shall I not send you with the same instructions as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent me? ‘Do not leave any image without defacing it or any built-up grave without leveling it.’”
2 – Muslim (832) narrated from ‘Urwah ibn ‘Abasah that he said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “With what were you sent?” He said, “I was sent to uphold the ties of kinship, to break the idols, and so that Allaah would be worshipped alone with no partner or associate.”
The obligation to destroy them is even stronger if they are worshipped instead of Allaah.
3 – al-Bukhaari (3020) and Muslim (2476) narrated that Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah al-Bajali said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “O Jareer, will you not relieve me of Dhu’l-Khalsah?” That was a house (in Yemen) belonging to the (tribe of) Khath’am, which was called Ka’bat al-Yamaaniyyah. I set out with one hundred and fifty horsemen. I used not to sit firm on horses and I mentioned that to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He struck me on my chest with his hand and said, 'O Allaah! Make him firm and make him one who guides others and is guided on the right path.' " So Jareer went and burned it with fire, then Jareer sent a man called Abu Artaat to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He said, “I did not come to you until we had left it like a scabby camel.” Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) blessed the horses of (the tribe of) Ahmas and their men five times.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said: This hadeeth indicates that it is prescribed to remove things that may tempt or confuse the people, whether they are buildings, people, animals or inanimate objects.
4 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent Khaalid ibn al-Waleed (may Allaah be pleased with him) on a campaign to destroy al-‘Uzza.
5 – and he sent Sa’d ibn Zayd al-Ashhali (may Allaah be pleased with him) on a campaign to destroy Manaat.
6 – And he sent ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) on a campaign to destroy Suwaa’. All of that happened after the Conquest of Makkah.
Al-Bidaayah wa’l-Nihaayah, 4/712. 776. 5/83; al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah by Dr. ‘Ali al-Salaabi, 2/1186.
Al-Nawawi said in Sharh Muslim when discussing the issue of image-making:
They were unanimously agreed that whatever casts a shadow is not allowed and must be changed.
Images that cast a shadow are three-dimensional images like these statues.
With regard to the excuse that these statues are part of the legacy of mankind, no attention should be paid to such words. Recall that Al-Laat, al-‘Uzaa, Hubal, Manaat and other idols were also a legacy for those who worshipped them among Quraysh and the Arabs. This is a legacy, but it is a haraam legacy which was uprooted. When the command came from Allaah and His Messenger, then the believer must hasten to obey, and the command of Allaah and His Messenger cannot be rejected on the grounds of this flimsy excuse. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allaah (His Words, the Qur’aan) and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise)” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Noor 24:51]. We ask Allaah to help the Muslims to do that which He loves and which pleased Him.
3.0 IS IT OBLIGATORY TO FOLLOW A PARTICULAR MADHHAB - IMAM ABU HANEEFAH, IMAM MAALIK, IMAM AL-SHAAFA’I AND/OR IMAM AHMAD?
It is not obligatory for a Muslim to follow any particular madhhab among these four. People vary in their level of understanding and ability to derive rulings from the evidence. There are some for whom it is permissible to follow (taqleed), and indeed it may be obligatory in their case. There are others who can only follow the shar’i evidence. In Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah this question was answered in a detailed manner, which is worth quoting here in full.
Question:
What is the ruling on following one of the four madhhabs in all cases and situations?
The Committee replied:
Praise be to Allaah, and blessings and peace be upon His Messenger and his family and companions.
Firstly: the four madhhabs are named after the four imams – Imam Abu Haneefah, Imam Maalik, Imam al-Shaafa’i and Imam Ahmad.
Secondly: These imams learned fiqh (jurisprudence) from the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and they are mujtahideen in this regard. The mujtahid either gets it right, in which case he will have two rewards, the reward for his ijtihaad and the reward for getting it right, or he will get it wrong, in which case he will be rewarded for his ijtihaad and will be forgiven for his mistake.
Thirdly: the one who is able to derive rulings from the Qur’aan and Sunnah should take from them like those who came before him; it is not right for him to follow blindly (taqleed) when he is believes that the truth lies elsewhere. Rather he should follow that which he believes is the truth. It is permissible for him to follow in matters in which he is unable to come to a conclusion based on the Qur’aan and Sunnah and he needs guidelines concerning a particular issue.
Fourthly: Whoever does not have the ability to derive rulings himself is permitted to follow one whom he feels comfortable following. If he is not comfortable following him then he should ask until he finds someone with whom he is comfortable.
Fifthly: From the above it is clear that we should not follow their opinions in all situations and at all times, because they may make mistakes, but we may follow their views that are sound and are based on the evidence. Fataawa al-Lajnah, 5/28
It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah, no. 3323: Whoever is qualified to derive rulings from the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and has strong knowledge in that regard, even if that is with the help of the legacy of fiqh that we have inherited from earlier scholars of Islam, has the right to do that, so he can act upon it himself and explain it in disputes and issue fatwas to those who consult him. Whoever is not qualified to do that has to ask trustworthy people who so that he may learn the rulings from their books and act upon that, without limiting his asking or his reading to one of the scholars of the four madhhabs. Rather people refer to the four imams because they are so well known and their books are well written and widely available. Whoever says that it is obligatory for the learned people to follow the scholars blindly in all cases is making a mistake and being inflexible, and is thinking that these learned people are inadequate, and he is restricting something that is broad in scope. Whoever says that we should limit following to the four madhhabs is also mistaken, because he is restricting something that is broad in scope with no evidence for doing so. With regard to the common (i.e., uneducated) man there is no difference between the four imams and others such as al-Layth ibn Sa’d, al-Awzaa’i and other fuqaha’. Fataawa al-Lajnah, 5/41
It says in Fatwa no. 1591: None of them called people to follow his madhhab, or was partisan in following it, or obliged anyone else to act in accordance with it or with a specific madhhab. Rather they used to call people to follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and they would comment on the texts of Islam, and explain its basic principles and discuss minor issues according to general guidelines, and issue fatwas concerning what people asked about, without obliging any of their students or anyone else to follow their views. Rather they criticized those who did that and said that their opinions should be cast aside if they went against a saheeh hadeeth. One of them said: “If the hadeeth is saheeh then that is my madhhab.” May Allaah have mercy on them all.
It is not obligatory for anyone to follow a particular madhhab, rather we should strive to learn the truth if possible, or to seek the help of Allaah in doing so, then to rely on the legacy that the earlier Muslim scholars left behind for those who came after them, thus making it easier for them to understand and apply the texts. Whoever cannot derive rulings from the texts etc for some reason that prevents him from doing so should ask trustworthy scholars for whatever rulings of sharee’ah he needs, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So ask the people of the Reminder [Scriptures — the Tawraat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know”[al-Anbiya’ 21:7]
So he has to strive to ask one whom he trusts among those who are well known for their knowledge, virtue, piety and righteousness. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/56
The madhhab of Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him) is the most widespread madhhab among the Muslims, and perhaps one of the reasons for that is that the Ottoman caliphs followed this madhhab and they ruled the Muslim lands for more than six centuries. That does not mean that the madhhab of Abu Haneefah is the most sound madhhab or that every ijtihaad in it is correct, rather like other madhhabs it contains some things that are correct and some that are incorrect. What the believer must do is to follow the truth and what is correct, regardless of who says it.
4.0 JAMAA’AT AL-TABLEEGH VS. MADHHAB OF AHL AL-SUNNAH WA’L-JAMAA’AH – PROS AND CONS
“Jamaa’at al-Tableegh” is one of the groups that are working for Islam. Their efforts in calling people to Allaah (da’wah) cannot be denied. But like many other groups they make some mistakes, and some points should be noted concerning them. These points may be summed up as follows, noting that these mistakes may vary within this group, depending on the environment and society in which they find themselves. In societies in which knowledge and scholars are prevalent and the madhhab of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah is widespread, the mistakes are much less; in other societies these mistakes may be greater. Some of their mistakes are:
1 – Not adopting the ‘aqeedah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah. This is clearly seen from the variations in the ‘aqeedah of some of their members and even of some of their leaders.
2 – Their not paying attention to shar’i knowledge.
3 – Their misinterpretation of some Qur’aanic verses in a manner that was not intended by Allaah. For example they interpret the verses on jihad as referring to “going out for da’wah”. The verses which mentioned the word khurooj (going out) etc. are interpreted by them as meaning going out for da’wah.
4 – They make their system of going out for da’wah an act of worship. So they started to misquote the Qur’aan to support their system which specifies certain numbers of days and months. This system, which they think is based on evidence from Qur’aan, is widespread among them in all countries and environments.
5 – They do some things that go against sharee’ah, such as appointing one of them to make du’aa’ for them whilst the group goes out for da’wah, and they think that their success or failure depends on whether or not this man was sincere and his du’aa’ accepted.
6 – Da’eef (weak) and mawdoo’ (fabricated) ahaadeeth are widespread among them, and this is not befitting for those who aim to call people to Allaah.
7 – They do not speak of munkaraat (evil things), thinking that enjoining what is good is sufficient. Hence we find that they do not speak about evils that are widespread among the people, even though the slogan of this ummah – which they continually repeat – is:
“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful”[Holy Quran Chapter Aal ‘Imraan 3:104 – interpretation of the meaning]
The successful are those who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, not just those who do only one of the two.
8 – Some of them fall into self-admiration and arrogance, which leads them to look down on others, and even to look down on the scholars and describe them as inactive and sleeping, or to show off. So you find them talking about how they went out and travelled, and they saw such and such, which leads to unfavourable results, as we have mentioned.
9 – They regard going out for da’wah as better than many acts of worship such as jihad and seeking knowledge, even though those things are obligatory duties, or may be obligatory for some people but not others.
10 – Some of them audaciously issue fatwas, and discuss tafseer and hadeeth. That is because they allow each one of them to address the people and explain to them. This leads to them speak audaciously on matters of sharee’ah. So the inevitably speak of the meaning of a ruling, hadeeth or verse when they have not read anything about it, or listened to any of the scholars. And some of them are new Muslims or have only recently come back to Islam.
11- Some of them are negligent with regard to the rights of their children and wives.
Hence the scholars do not allow people to go out with them, except for those who want to help them and correct the mistakes that they have fallen into.
We should not keep the people away from them altogether, rather we must try to correct their mistakes and advise them so that their efforts will continue and they will be correct according to the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
There follow the fatwas of some of the scholars concerning JAMAA’AT AL-TABLEEGH:
1 – Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz said: Jamaa’at al-Tableegh do not have proper understanding of the issues of ‘aqeedah, so it is not permissible to go out with them, except for one who has knowledge and understanding of the correct ‘aqeedah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah, so that he can guide them and advise them, and cooperate with them in doing good, because they are very active, but they need more knowledge and someone who can guide them of those who have knowledge of Tawheed and the Sunnah. May Allaah bless us all with proper understanding of Islam and make us steadfast in adhering to it. Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 8/331
2 – Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: Going out for the sake of Allaah does not refer to the kind of going out that they mean nowadays. Going out for the sake of Allaah means going out to fight. What they call going out nowadays is a bid’ah (innovation) that was not narrated from the salaf.
Going out to call people to Allaah cannot be limited to a certain number of days, rather one should call people to Allaah according to one's abilities, without limiting that to a group or to forty days or more or less than that.
Similarly the daa’iyah must have knowledge. It is not permissible for a person to call people to Allaah when he is ignorant. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Say (O Muhammad): This is my way; I invite unto Allaah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge”[Holy Quran Chapter Yoosuf 12:108] i.e., with knowledge, because the caller must know that to which he calls people, what is obligatory, mustahabb, haraam and makrooh. He has to know what shirk, sin, kufr, immorality and disobedience are; he has to know the degrees of denouncing evil and how to do it.
The kind of going out that distracts people from seeking knowledge is wrong, because seeking knowledge is an obligation, and it can only be achieved by learning, not by inspiration. This is one of the misguided Sufi myths, because action without knowledge is misguidance, and hoping to acquire knowledge without learning is an illusion. From Thalaath Mihaadaraat fi’l-‘Ilm wa’l-Da’wah.
5.0 WHO ARE AHL AL-SUNNAH WA’L-JAMAA’AH?
Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah are those who adhere to the Sunnah and who unite upon it, not turning to anything else, whether that be in matters of belief (‘aqeedah) or matters of actions which are subject to shar’i rulings. Hence they are called Ahl al-Sunnah because they adhere to it (the Sunnah), and they called Ahl al-Jamaa’ah because they are united (mujtami’oon) in following it.
If you examine the followers of bid’ah (innovation), you will find that they differ concerning that which they are following, with regard to beliefs, methodology and practices, which indicates that their being far removed from the Sunnah is commensurate with the extent to which they have introduced innovations. Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il Fadeelat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), vol. 1. p. 37.
6.0 LEGACY OF THE PROPHETS
“Their prophets said to them: "True we are human like yourselves but Allah does grant His grace to such of His servants as He pleases. It is not for us to bring you an authority except as Allah permits. And on Allah let all men of faith put their trust. “(Holy Quran Chapter 14: 11)
As Isa (Alaihi Salaam) said: The Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: "On the Day of Judgment I will say (as the pious slave of Allah i.e. Isa, said):
"And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a witness to all things ...." (Holy Quran Chapter 5:120-1)
Point to Ponder: Allah is the witness of all things. Remember He sees you though you don't see Him.
NO TO JEALOUSY!
Prophet Idris (Alaihi Salaam) said: "Do not feel jealous of the property of others” (The Islamic Scholar)
Point to Ponder: Beware, be content with what Allah has given you.
AISHA (RA)’S COMFORT
Aisha (RA) after being unjustly accused said: 'My example and your example is like that of Yakub (Alaihi Salaam) and his sons (as Yakub said): "... (For me) patience is most fitting: against that which you said, it is Allah (alone) whose help can be sought" (Holy Quran Chapter I2:18) (Bukhari)
Point to Ponder: In difficult situations, be patient and seek Allah's help
OUR INHERITANCE
Allah's Messenger (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: "... The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion". (Abu Daud)
Point to Ponder: Knowledge of faith is better than money. Get your share.
ALLAH IS SUFFICIENT
Before Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) was thrown into the fire he said:
"Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer (of affairs for us)" (Holy Quran Chapter 3:173}". (Bukhari)
Point to Ponder: When you are faced with trials, seek succour in Allah, the All-Sufficient
PRAYER FROM IBRAHIM
The Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) told his grandchildren thus:
"Your forefather (i.e. Ibrahim) used to seek refuge with Allah for Isma'il and Ishaq by reciting the following: "0 Allah! I seek refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every harmful, envious eyes". (Bukhari)
Point to Ponder: Seek refuge in Allah from all evils.
BE AS THEM
The Messenger (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: "The sky has not covered and the earth has not carried anyone who speaks more truthfully or is more faithful in keeping his words than Abu Dharr. He resembles Isa (Alaihi Salaam), son of Mary". (Tirmidhi)
Point to Ponder: Be as Abu Dharr (RA) and Isa (Alaihi Salaam). Be faithful and truthful.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited
7.0 WHY DOES ISLAM CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD?
Islam continues to be successful in the developed world, and elsewhere, because its call is in accordance with the fitrah or natural inclinations of mankind, and it advocates the best of human values, such as tolerance, love, mercy, truthfulness and sincerity.
Islam educates people and lifts them up to righteous conduct, good manners and virtue. Its call is distinguished from others by its realism, balance and moderation. Islam pays due attention to both the soul and the body. It neither suppresses physical desires nor allows extravagance in this regard; it makes a distinction between the natural inclination to enjoy the pleasures of this world and forbidden desires that come under the heading of depravity and perversion.
People embrace Islam because they find security, comfort and peace in it, they see a cure for their problems in it, and through it they are able to get rid of their feelings of confusion, anxiety and loss.
Islam is the religion of the fitrah, the natural inclination or pattern on which Allaah has created mankind. For this reason, people of sound minds and upright inclinations embrace Islam, as Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘There is no child who is not born in a state of fitrah (i.e., Islam), then his parents make him into a Jew, a Christian or a Magian (Zoroastrian), just as animals produce whole animals (i.e., the animals are born perfect with no part of their bodies missing). Do you find any born with their ears cut off?’” Then Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “ ‘… Allaah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allaah: that is the Standard Religion…’ [al-Room 30:30 – interpretation of the meaning – Yusuf Ali’s translation].” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1359). What is meant is that Allaah has created mankind with the potential to learn the truth, accept Tawheed (pure monotheism) and submit to Allaah. Their natural inclination is to learn Islam and love it, but a bad education, a disbelieving environment, their own whims and desires and the devils among jinn and mankind turn them away from the truth. Mankind is basically inclined towards Tawheed (pure monotheism), as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) reported that his Lord (Allaah) said: “I created all my slaves as ‘hunafa’ (pure monetheists), but the devils turned them away from their religion.” (Reported by Muslim). For this reason the one who becomes a Muslim after having been a disbeliever is described as having “reverted” to Islam, as this is more correct than saying that he “converted.” When Islam enters a country where there is no nationalism or great legacy of jaahiliyah (ignorance), it spreads quickly because of its strength and the small number of obstacles. You may also see that Islam is suitable for all people, educated and uneducated, male and female, old and young; everyone finds in it what he wants and needs. Those who become Muslim in developed countries realize what their country’s civilization and laws, which have been fabricated from men’s whims and desires, have done to them, and they realize the extent of the misery in which people in developed countries are living. They see how prevalent psychological illnesses, nervous breakdowns, insanity and suicides are, despite the technological advances and great number of discoveries and inventions and modern systems of management. This is because all of that is concerned only with the physical and the outward, but it neglects the inward and fails to nourish and nurture the heart and soul. Allaah says of these people (interpretation of the meaning): “They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Room 30:7].
Islam will continue to succeed, with the permission of Allaah, so long as those who work for its sake are sincere and its followers adhere to it and believe in it, and apply its laws.
The fact that there are those who are not committed or who fall short will not prevent Islam from succeeding, with the permission of Allaah, and nothing can distort its beauty. Its light will not falter because some people abandon it or fail to adhere to it. What Islam has given humanity in the way of progress and civilization, and lifting them up from the darkness of oppression and enmity, is pride enough.
8.0 VIRTUES OF THE PROPHETS
“No prophet could (ever) act dishonestly, if any person acts dishonestly, he shall on the Day of Judgement, restore what he has stolen.” (Holy Quran Chapter 3: 161)
ADAM: STILL CARING
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "On the night of my Ascent (Mi 'raj), I met Adam and he said to me: 'Muhammad, convey my salaam to your people and tell them that Paradise is a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water and that its trees cry: Holy is Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is none worthy of worship save Allah, and Allah is Great" (Tirmidhi)
Point to Ponder: Prophet Adam (AS) indeed cares for us and he is a true father, wanting what is good for his offsprings.
DAWUD: THE BEST FAST & PRAYEAR
Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said:
"The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of (the Prophet) Dawud who used to fast on alternate days. And the most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of Dawud who used to sleep for (the first) half of the night and pray for 1/3 of it and (again) sleep for a sixth of it. "
Point to Ponder: Begin to take little steps towards the best in prayer and in fasting
IBRAHIM: A FRIEND
Allah's Messenger (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: " ...you wonder that Ibrahim was Allah’s friend, as indeed he was; that Musa was Allah’s confidant, as indeed he was; ... and that Adam was chosen by Allah, as indeed he was. I am the one whom Allah loves, and this is no boast". (Tirmidhi)
Point to Ponder: Each prophet meant different things to Allah. No contest
MUHAMMAD: SO CHARITABLE.
The Messenger (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: ''If I had gold to the measure of Uhud, I would not like to keep any of it more than three days, except what I put aside to pay a debt". (Bukhari)
Point to Ponder: Uhud is a hill near Madina. Imagine in a matter of three days virtually all that gold would have gone to charity. (This illustrates how charitable the Prophet(Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) was)
ISMA'IL: OF PURE FAITH
Allah's Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said: ''May Allah curse them (i.e. Quraish)! By Allah neither Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) nor Ismail (Alaihi Salaam) practiced divination by arrows" (Bukhari)
Point to Ponder: Divination by arrows means consulting the oracle, for whatever reason. (E.g. to find out who stole something). This is wrong for a Muslim to do.
And Allaah knows best.
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
Islam Q&A, https://islamqa.info/en/20894,
https://islamqa.info/en/21420,
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, https://islamqa.info/en/3143
Islam Q&A, https://islamqa.info/en/8674
Islam Q&A, https://islamqa.info/en/3043
https://islamqa.info/en/10777
