Dawah and Interfaith
Yahya Ibrahim | Un-Dawah: Obscuring the Truth with a Repulsive Attitude
How Clean is Your Heart?
Recently, a Muslim sister sent me an email about an incident that “traumatised” her. She came to attend one of my talks and was greeted with “smug faces.” She continues that she is not overly devout, does not wear a scarf but prays as much as she can and wishes to improve. As with all of us, at one time or another, she was dealing with a personal tragedy and hardship. After hearing that my talk at the University of Western Australia was titled, “Overcoming a Calamity –An Islamic Self Help Guide to Reformation and Happiness,” she decided that she had to attend. Alhamdulillah, she felt comfortable enough to email me about her experience. Sadly, others simply do not comeback.
All of us, in one way or another, can attest to the fact that ignorance breeds fear. Hatred and intolerance are usually quick to follow. An ordinary day can quickly turn to a distasteful night when one encounters an uninformed, ill-mannered individual. In those situations, anything can happen.
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
A young Muslim, who does not wear hijab, for instance, may be made to feel uncomfortable while attending an Islamic lecture or course. Condescending looks, snide smirks, rolled eyes, bullish “dawa” target her.
A young brother, never taught to pray properly at home, is scolded for “not following the Sunnah.”
A new Muslim is kissed and hugged after declaring his testimony of Faith. Years later, he struggles to find a family to accept his genuine interest in their daughter.
A community member delivers a Jum’ah Khutbah at a local mosque. He, for whatever reason misspoke, as a consequence the whole masjid is deemed a place of heresy and Bidah.
It happens all the time in our community. Not just to our community, but rather, within our domain of action and authority. In our Islamic Societies, MSAs, Musallah prayer halls, Islamic camps, and public lectures, Muslims at times make other Muslims feel insignificant and marginalised. At times, we can, through our insensitivity and bigotry, make other Muslims feel uncomfortable, unwelcome and unloved.
We, individually and collectively, judge people all the time. We do so, at times, as subtly and reflexively as a wave of our hand to shoo away an obnoxious fly.
Simply put, we break the golden rule. We do not treat others the way we want to be treated. We do not love for our brothers and sisters what we love for our self.
That in fact is a spiritual calamity. The Prophet sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam (my prayers of Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon Him) cautioned us implicitly and explicitly about judging others reflexively. Equally, he warned us of taking that huge plunge into the abyss of conceitedness and false pride in oneself.
Allah, The Al-Mighty describes the Prophet Muhammed (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) in Surat at-Taubah 9:128
“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you; for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful. “
In the third Chapter of the Quran Allah illuminates the nature of the Prophet and his natural inclination and disposition, (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam).
“And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harshhearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” Ali Imran 3:159
Upon reflection, these verses are aimed at the Ummah of the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam). The intent is not to simply embellish the fame of the Prophet of Mercy (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam). Simply, the aim is to build in the Ummah a desire to recreate the modality and conduct of the Messenger of Allah within our domain of authority and oversight.
Can you imagine Abu Bakr or ‘Ali, ‘Umar or Khalid, Allah be pleased with them all, breaking away from the Messenger of Allah? Harshness, severity of consequence, dwelling on the past, hindering progress, lack of consultation, harbouring suspicion and exposing faults would have driven the most pious of the Ummah away from the spring of mercy, Muhammed (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam).
One day a man entered into the Prophet Muhammed’s mosque as the sahaba and the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) were assembled after prayer. The man walks into the midst of the companions and in front of the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) he begins to relieve himself.
The companions rose up in anger and were about to beat him for his vulgarity. Immediately the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) called out to his companions to settle down and let the man finish urinating. When he had finished, Muhammad (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) called him over and said:
“These mosques are not suitable places for urine and filth, but are only for worshipping Allah, remembrance of Allah, prayer and recitation of the Quran. Do not do this again.”
Then the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) gave orders to one of his companions to bring a bucket and pour water over it.
Upon witnessing this, the man supplicated the Al Mighty Allah, “O Allah! Have mercy only on me and Muhammad, O Allah! Forgive only me and Muhammad.”
The Prophet Muhammad (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) smiled and corrected the man, “Do not confine the limitless! You have constricted the vastness (of Allah’s Mercy) into narrowness.”
The bedouin entered the mosque with animosity and hatred. Later he would declare that before this incident, he hated none greater than the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam). After the encounter, he loved none more than the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) .
Why?
Mercy, forbearance, kindness and genuine love for his fellow man are hallmarks of the Messenger of Allah (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam).
That is the mark of the believer.
The Sahaba were not infallible. We forget that living amongst the Prophet (sala Allahu alihi wasSalaam) and amongst his noble companions, there were those who were sinners, adulterers, alcoholics and hypocrites.
A man approaches the Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam), as Abu Dawoud collects in his Sunnan, and tries to confess an indiscretion as the prayers are about to begin. The Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) tells him to wait until the prayers are over. As the Messenger of Allah is leaving the masjid the man approaches again. The Prophet (sala Allahu ‘alihi wasSalaam) does not entertain his request and simply says that the prayer he just performed is expiation along with his sincere repentance to Allah.
Allah the Almighty says, “Make allowances for people, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (7:199)
The Sunnah is love and forgiveness.
The Sunnah is clemency and sincerity.
The Sunnah is putting others first.
The Sunnah is easy to read about, difficult to implement, except for those whom Allah has granted Mercy.
Islam is a way of life that is not built on ostentation and showiness. The apparent aspects of the different acts of worship are, according to Islam, meaningless unless they are motivated by sincerity and devotion to Allah and the service of others. True worship, when sincerely motivated, produces effects within the individual’s heart which result, amongst other things, in righteous and just conduct with others.
Why do we see in others what we fail to see in ourselves? How is it that we can overlook other person’s feelings so readily and easily? Why does it take us so long to admit to someone that we wronged them? How often do we misrepresent an occurrence or embellish a story? Why can we comment on others, and feel disheartened when we discover the same being done to us?
The answer, simple as it is, is that our heart is not truly attached to Allah. It is veiled behind self-praise, obscured by hate and clouded with jealousy.
The closer you draw to Allah, the more virtuous you become in your conduct with His creation. The more careful and precise you are in your dealings with Allah, the more reliable your character becomes. As a general principle – Tawheed builds character.
Often, we overestimate our nearness to Allah and become subconsciously complacent. Our private worship of Allah weakens. This resulting darkness settles and permeates upon our spiritual heart.
We sin with our heart long before we sin with our actions. The root of all righteous conduct is the heart and the sincerity it contains. It is the pure heart that guides to righteousness and becomes a compass for others to find their way to Allah. It is the soft heart that shelters others and conceals their indiscretions. It is the bright heart that resonates with the Quran and its meaning, and finds solace and comforting tranquillity in the remembrance and daily devotions. It is the heart wherein faith takes root and manifests its reality in our conduct.
Equally, the root of all evil is the heart that is dark and spiritually dead. It is that heart that will contain racism, love of excess, and distain for the needy. It is that dark heart that absorbs rumours and spreads gossip. It is the dim heart that relishes the failure of others and seeks praise and recognition – even if undeserved. It is that hard heart that elates in vulgarity and is slow to repentance. It is this pitiful heart that cannot recognise, see or feel the truth. That is the heart that Allah has sealed.
So, how clean is your heart?
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
International Criminal Court Warrant Galls Genocidaires
Ensuring The Safety Of Our Communities: A Call For Immediate Corrective Action From American Muslim Organizations
[Podcast] How To Free A Jinn & Other Questions | Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
Study Classical Texts The Traditional Way [Session 3] | Sh. Yaser Birjas
Processing Spiritual Abuse In Islam: A Comprehensive Guide For Individuals, Communities, And Organizations
MuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff
Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
Keeping Our Children Safe From Predators: A Guide For Parents
From The Chaplain’s Desk – Reap The Rewards Of Being Mindful Of Allah
Study Classical Texts The Traditional Way [Session 1] | Sh. Yaser Birjas
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
IOK Ramadan: The Importance of Spiritual Purification | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep30]
IOK Ramadan: The Power of Prayer | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep29]
IOK Ramadan: The Weight of the Qur’an | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep28]
-
Announcements3 weeks agoMuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff
-
#Current Affairs1 month ago
Why Mehdi Hasan’s “Lesser Of Two Evils” Election Advice Is Wrong
-
#Society3 weeks ago
Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network
-
#Current Affairs1 month ago
Israel Kills Yahya Sinwar: Hamas’ Iron Man Exits The Stage
Sadaf
March 14, 2011 at 2:31 AM
Beautiful reminder. A great opportunity for me to analyze my heart and sincerely repent.
Jazak Allahu khair, Shaikh.
Jamshed
March 14, 2011 at 2:37 AM
That’s so true. Masha’Allah, jazak’Allah khair for that great article.
Amad
March 14, 2011 at 3:12 AM
I have to say… even if I am Sh YQ’s mureed according to the popular myth…. your writings are the most inspirational ones that I have come across around the blogosphere.
now, u can throw some dust at me :)
Yahya Ibrahim
March 14, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Sounds like Hizbiyyah to me akhi – smile.
I pray for the blessings of these words I have written to arrive from Allah upon my wife, children and I.
All good is from Allah Alone. Any shortcomings are mine and Allah and His Messenger are free of them.
Yahya Ibrahim
http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim
Ahmad
March 14, 2011 at 3:15 AM
“Our heart is not truly attached to Allah. It is veiled behind self-praise, obscured by hate and clouded with jealousy.” – Yahya Ibrahim
M.M.
March 14, 2011 at 3:16 AM
SubhanAllah, a much needed reminder for all of us especially those that are actively seeking knowledge.
Your incident about the non-hijabi sister entering the Islamic gathering and the brother newly praying reminded me of what I heard in a lecture the other day. The speaker said that these days the more we gain knowledge, the more we become arrogant, argumentative, judgemental when in reality that knowledge should humble us more…
Allahu Musta’an, We all need to remind ourselves that we were once in that position until Allah showed mercy on us and lead us to the right direction.
A big museebah in our community indeed, May Allah forgive us all. Ameen
Khadeejah Islam
March 14, 2011 at 4:22 AM
Assalamu alaykum,
Alhamdulillah! I just love this article. All I can say is that I’m sharing this and I’m carrying a lesson with me from this.
JazakAllah khayr Br. Yahya for writing this and MM for publishing it.
Ismail Kamdar
March 14, 2011 at 5:06 AM
Subhanallah! Barakallah Feek, Shaykh, for this beautiful reminder!
I would like to share a story of the positive impact of being caring and non-judgemental.
Once a new student joined our Arabic classes and she did not wear Hijab at all. Yet nobody said anything about it and we welcomed her and treated her like any of the other students. She soon made friends with the other female students who wear very welcoming and friendly, and she started wearing a cloak and scarf.
Soon thereafter she started showing more interest in the Deen, she attended a Youth Program of mine and asked more questions to me than any other students, then she attended the Knowledge Hive as well.
One day, a new student joined our class and this new student was in full niqab. When enquiring who this new student was, I was surprised to learn that it was not a new student but this very same sister. She is now one of our most active students, attending all our classes and programs and completely committed to the Deen, Alhamdulillah!
Cartoon M
March 15, 2011 at 11:54 AM
MashAllah, that’s a really nice story. A little kindness goes a long way!
Slave of AllahSWT
March 14, 2011 at 5:28 AM
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
BarakAllahu Feekum ya sheikh! This is a great reminder for my soul!
I try to remind myself that Allah Azzawajjal can make the worst of sinner when he’s about to approach death the best of the believers and vice verse. And we should remember how iblees is cursed because of his arrogance even though he was knowledgeable!
may Allah, Almighty, All Hearer help us to judge our own selves and help us to have good thoughts and hope for others’ improvement!
Yahya Ibrahim
March 14, 2011 at 7:19 AM
Bismillah,
The Prophet (s) tells us as is found in the Saheeh, “A prostitute was absolved of her sins because she quenched the thirst of a dog.”
A DOG?!!!
Allah knows His creation and what they do – and WHY they do what they do.
As such, on the Day of Judgment, you will find a sinner forgiven and a Scholar and Hafiz of the Quran held to higher scruitiny and punishment!
O ALlah grant us safety.
Yahya Ibrahim
http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim
forever a student of Islam
March 14, 2011 at 5:53 AM
BEAUTIFUL!! mashaAllah, every bit of it is true. the root of it all is the heart. if you can cleanse the heart, everything else will follow easily and naturally.
May Allah grant all Muslims a clean heart inshaAllah. Please allow me to copy paste this on another website. I shall include your name as the author and the link to the original article. I just want more Muslims to read this. I hope you don’t mind? I will wait for your response inshaAllah
Kashif Dilkusha
March 14, 2011 at 5:58 AM
Assalamoalaikum
A truly touching article which has given me a lot to ponder. Jazak ALLAH Khairan .
abu Rumay-s.a.
March 14, 2011 at 6:30 AM
barak Allahu feek ahibatina Ustadh, oohibooka fillah…keep the beautiful reminders flowing…
I think you’ve mentioned one of the most important and most difficult litmus tests for a believer and that is:
Someone recently gave me a very nice book related to exactly what you’ve discussed and it has numerous examples of different practical scenarios in how the Prophet (saws) dealt with people…
http://www.iiphonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=40_43&products_id=105
The Prophet’s Methods Of Correcting People’s Mistakes
Durshawar
March 14, 2011 at 6:54 AM
JazakAllah Khayr for the article,it was very inspiring.it helped me to do self reflection.
Haleh
March 14, 2011 at 8:44 AM
Jazakallah khair sheikh! Excellent article masha’Allah. Like you said it all has to do with our hearts. If we are sincere we will never be harsh.
It is so critical not to be judgemental. Unfortunately it plagues our ummah and it is the reason for division and hostility. I have found that usually as people become more religious they become more judgemental and this is so wrong. Instead of criticizing the short comings of others, our hearts should be filled with compassion seeing each individual as a bundle of potential. It should also make our heart filled with gratitude for being guided or having the strenght or iman for doing good. We should hold ourselves up to the highest standards and constantly check our hearts and our actions. If each one of us becomes serious about this, we would improve our ummah immensely.
Haleh
Sabeen Mansoori
March 14, 2011 at 8:47 AM
“The Sunnah is easy to read about, difficult to implement, except for those whom Allah has granted Mercy.”
So true, subhanallah! May Allah grant us His mercy and give us the ability to implement the Sunnah in our lives. The Sunnah that relate to character and not just the sunnah that relates to ritual. Jazakallah Khair for a beautiful reminder.
SA
March 14, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Assalamualaikum,
MashAllah amazing article! JazakAllahu Khayr, and may Allah SWT shower you and your family with His Blessings.
Hena Zuberi
March 14, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Asalamalaykum wrwb,
JazakAllahkair for this – this issue arises in MSA across the US too- people get put off by the daiee’s attitudes and in turn walk away from Islam to other venues to find solidarity and friendship.
We must remember for all the sunnah we follow, the most important sunnah of RasulAllah was his sunnah of dawa, of calling people to Islam. We study and dissect all parts of our deen but neglect to study how to become the best of callers to Islam.
I did a workshop for our Masjid teachers on Prophet Muhammad being the greatest teachers and was amazed at how his (SAW) every action was dawah. How he turned his body to look at the person he was talking to. How he complimented them on something before he recommended them to do extra or add to their ibadah.
We fail to realize if that one person who walked away from Islam because we did not do our best to make them feel welcome, Allah may hold us accountable for that. That is such a scary thought. Not covering is not as big a sin as turning away from the deen. We have to have fikr for them, make dua for them and ourselves, that Allah accept us working for his deen. As in Brother Ismail’s example, they may become better then us.
Even in our personal lives there are people who you associate with who make you heart feel like it is opening up and letting light in and others who cast darkness upon darkness on our hearts. The hard part is to tear your self away from such company, many a times they are our closest friends and family members.
Obid
March 14, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Many thanks for this article, I am a recently avid reader of this site, it is now my homepage too, Al-Hamd…
May our indiscretions indeed be forgiven and may Allah, our God and Lord, overlook our past, present and future misconducts (and protect us from losing our way in this world) in line with the level of our sincerity to the faith. I accept the consequences of my faults and hope that Almighty Allah will absolve me of my errors and omit my sins and misdeeds from my account, through the absolute dependency in the clemency and mercy of God, and I ask that my prayers are answered on behalf of myself and for all… in the name of the God Allah Ta’ala, may our prayers not go unanswered…
(amen)
Yahya Ibrahim
March 14, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Ameen to all your invocations.
Allah is our Protector and the Only Aid when we are in need.
yahya
http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim
Abdullah
March 14, 2011 at 11:08 PM
As-Salaamu Alaykum,
Jazak Allah Khayr for the beautiful article, brother Yahya. May Allah Almighty give you tawfeeq.
Safiyyah
March 14, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Salaams Brotther: Important reminder. Jazaka Allahu Khayrn for it!
Ali
March 15, 2011 at 2:23 AM
Masha’Allah. BarakAllahu feek Sheikh Yahya wa razaqaka Al-Ikhlasa fil qawli wal ‘amal, wa nafa’a bika Al-Ummah. Ameen.
Yahya Ibrahim
March 15, 2011 at 2:29 AM
Bismillah,
I pray Allah accepts the little we do and grant us from His Generosity more than we expect and hope for in this dunya and akhira.
yahya
http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim
Yahya Ibrahim
March 17, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Allahumma laakal hamd!
O Allah to you belongs all Praise!
Allahuma Taqabal mina! Allahumma ini aj’aluha thukhraan wa barakatan li ahli wa awlaadi.
O Allah accept this from me! O Allah I place this deed with You seeking baraka for my wife and children.
Allahumma taqabal ya samee’ ad-du’aa
Osman
March 15, 2011 at 10:07 PM
assalaamu`alaikum
too true akhee, we judge too fast. we’re harder on others than we are on ourselves . . .
Osman
Sven Östring
March 16, 2011 at 12:38 AM
A great article by a good friend of mine here at Curtin University. Any person, no matter whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim, can learn from the spiritual truths that are conveyed in this article. Thanks for your encouragement to live a compassionate and pure life, Yahya! Sven.
Yahya Ibrahim
March 17, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Sven, thanks for your kind words.I am equally honoured and fortunate to call you friend. I hope that we can continue working together in the service of others.
I’m giving the sermon next week, if you’re free drop in.
Yahya Ibrahim
http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim
Daily Reminders
March 16, 2011 at 6:25 PM
Assalam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah,
Hope you didn’t mind, but we shared this beautiful article on our facebook group pages:
http://www.facebook.com/IneedAllahInMyLife
http://www.facebook.com/DailyReminders
http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Love-Islam/106813689385992
JazakAllahkhair
Amatullah
March 16, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Shaykh Yahya, as this is the only place I can get into contact with you, I have to ask my question here. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
In one of your lectures as far as I remember I heard that a person who stays in a continuous state of Wudu, even the prophets will be envious of them on the day of Judgement. Did I hear it wrong or is there an authentic narration like this?
Jazaakumullaahu khairan.
Yahya Ibrahim
March 16, 2011 at 9:37 PM
Bismillah,
It depends when and where you heard it from me. I may have been speaking about the following hadeeth:
‘Umar ibnul Khataab(ra) reported:
“Among Allah’s servants are people who are neither prophets nor martyrs, but whom the prophets and martyrs will deem fortunate because of their high status with Allah.†The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Inform us of who they are.†The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told them that they are people who loved each other for Allah’s sake, even without being related to one another or being tied to one another by the exchange of wealth. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went on to describe their great reward on the Day of Resurrection: “By Allah, their faces will be luminous and they will be upon light. They will feel no fear when the people will be feeling fear, and they will feel no grief when the people will be grieving.†Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) read the verse: [Behold! Verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve] (Yunus 10:62). (Abu Dawud)
This may have been coupled with the hadeeth on brightness of the limbs and forehead that is a consequence of wudu as being a mark of distinction on the day of Reserruction. Such as in:
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلّم) came to the graveyard and said, ‘Peace be upon you, abode of a believing people. Allah willing, we will join you. I wish that we could see our brothers.’ They said, ‘Are we not your brothers, Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘You are my Companions. My brothers are those who have not yet come.’ They said, ‘How can you know someone of your community who has not yet come, Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Do you not think that if a man had horses with white spots which were among dark black horses, that he would recognise his horses?’ They said, ‘Yes indeed. Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘They will come with white radiance from wudu’ and I will precede them to the Basin.'”
[Muslim 249]
wa allahu a’laam
yahya
http://www.facebook.com/yahya.adel.ibrahim
p.s. you can get a hold of me through the above facebook link as well insha Allah
Ibtisam
December 9, 2013 at 11:04 PM
Jazakallah for sharing this Ya Sheikh.
Safi Al-Aziz
March 16, 2011 at 9:30 PM
SubhanALLAH… good to read such a heart breaking article hope you will publish many more to encourage the youths like us to catch the golden and merciful rope of islam and teaching of ALLAH.
shafi nasir
March 16, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Great article and mashallah………!!!!!!!!!!!
Asad
March 17, 2011 at 1:52 AM
@ Sheikh Yehiya Ibrahim Mashaa-Allah what a beautiful article I loved it and Inshaa-Allah I will try to practice it, but why did you limit the duaa to your wife your children and yourself when infact you could have include us? please include us on your duaas next time!!
Sabera
March 17, 2011 at 2:41 AM
SubhanAllah. I have struggled with diseases in my character all my life. I’ve only recently tried to fix the problem, may Allah guide us and make it easy for us insha’Allah. Ameen ameen ameen!
shum
March 17, 2011 at 3:23 AM
great but this reality is accepted by all but not applicable this is anice one taht we love nd respect of own nt others
Asad
March 17, 2011 at 4:52 AM
@Sabera Ameen!!Ameen!!Ameen!! and we all have a weakness the difference is some of us we recognise it and try to fix it or not to do it again and some of us we don’t recognise our weaknesses or we are too arrogant to admit it, so I believe you took the first very important step by recognising your weakness!!
mona
March 17, 2011 at 8:15 AM
very informative,jazakallah.
Shabnum
March 17, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Dear Brother,
Jazak’Allah Khair for sharing such a thought provoking article. Indeed us Muslims need to be mindful of the way we speak to one another as well about being judgemental of others. May Allah (S.W.T.) grant us tawfeeq to understand and love all brothers and sisters regardless of what we feel are our differences or their shortcomings are. Its human nature to point out or notice the fault of others, but what we fail to see and realize is our biggest downfall and shortcoming is crticizing and fighting with one another which we have no right to do. Allah (S.W.T.) brought beautiful Prophet Muhammad (Sala la walahu wasalaam) an example and messenger to teach us right, but we have gone astrayed. Lets all repent for our sins and ask Allah (S.W.T.) for forgiveness and for success for ourselves in this duniya and for our Akhira. Ameen.
Ilm Digest
March 17, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Br. Yahya, masha’Allah, what a wonderful article. Perhaps your next one can be about practical methods to deal with shortcomings, both our own and those of others, and how we can give others advice without it coming across as the sister who wrote to you mentioned, especially in the context of brief meetings with people at Islam events, people we do not know, have not met before and most likely will never see again.
Abez
March 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Alhamdulillah, absolutely loved this article! +100!
SalNad
March 17, 2011 at 12:45 PM
JazakAllaah Khair! this article is a really beautiful one,quite imaan reviving.I have a question though; is there any way we can know whether Allaah is pleased or displeased with us? From my little knowledge I have some idea but I would love to have some noble scholar explicitly explain it to me.
Fathima
March 17, 2011 at 2:19 PM
we wont lie/disobey,etc to a person whom we are close to.we are not close Almighty ALLAH,hope that is why we are not proper.
ofz other factors too for being not proper,i think this is one among.
zahid ullah
March 19, 2011 at 10:05 AM
salam brother’s and sister’s…….so tell us the way how to clean our heart
riti
March 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM
its very nice..ya tell us the way how to clean our heart
Shareefah
February 26, 2013 at 1:08 AM
JazakhumLlah Khayran for this.May Allah make us better muslims,grant us loads of sabr and increase us in knowledge.Grant us tolerance to love each other unconditionally.
Sabeen Mansoori
February 26, 2013 at 7:09 AM
More harm is done to the deen by the pretence of piety than by anything else. May Allah protect us from being of those guilty of this dangerous hypocrisy. Jazakallahu khairun for this beautiful reminder.
myislammedia
October 16, 2013 at 9:32 PM
guys, you can watch Series of Overcoming Hardship By Sheikh Ibrahim here. Thanks
Andrew
June 15, 2015 at 5:42 PM
I like that article. Being a white, Australian, male, revert I can readily relate to the way the Muslim sister feels.
Amina Jamal
February 17, 2016 at 5:50 PM
As salaamu Alaikum wa RahmatulLahi wa Barakatuh
barakALLAHU feekum,
so true and yet so sad
may we the muslim ummah reach out and touch all other humans by our character and portraying Islam the way the Prophet SAW taught us
may we become humble as we gain Knowledge of Quran and Sunnah and try to share with kindness and love to all we meet
may all of us become beacons of light for Islam and may we be the fortunate ones as were mentioned in the Hadith
may ALLAH SWT guide us all and our children and their children and theirs and theirs till the day of Judgement
Ameen Thumma Ameen
Feindin
April 26, 2017 at 6:52 PM
Sorry, but the way you make all this clemency seem to be from obedience to allah seems just so fake. Why did the bedouin who showed animosity to muhammad (curses be upon him) at first said that he loved him after Mecca fell to muhammad (cubh) and his sahaba thugs? Because he would lose his life at the hands of megalomaniacs otherwise.
I value my freedom and the freedom of others above all else. Nothing makes me happier than being bound by nothing but my own sense of right and wrong, derived from all that is perceptible and not from anybody’s imagination. The further I am from allah, who only existed in muhammad’s (cubh) fevered imagination, the more liberated, thus happier I am. So I will do all that I can to displease allah until my end comes.