With the increasing food and petrol prices, spiralling inflation and the high crime rate, people are looking for ways to ride out the storm.
Here are some of Islam’s prescriptions to face these problems:
SELF-ANALYSIS
The Qur’aan gives the parable of a city which enjoyed security and abundant food supplies. They were ungrateful for these blessings which Allah Ta’ala had given and, as result, the situation was reversed. They experienced fear and hunger.
We need to ask ourselves if we are truly appreciative and grateful for the blessings Allah has given us. True thanks means that we use these blessings in a way that is pleasing to Allah. Mee lip service is not sufficient.
A father gives his son a brand new car and tells him to use it properly. The son abuses the vehicle by riding it roughly, damaging it and knocking into things. He then tells his father, "Dad, I’m truly grateful to you for this gift." Do you think the father will be happy? He will say that his son is actually ungrateful.
MEDICINE
Various remedies to righting our worldly woes have been outlined in the Qur’aan and Hadith. These include: 1. Seeking Allah’s forgiveness for the sins we’ve perpetrated, 2. Joining family ties, 3. Giving charity, 4. Adopting Taqwa.
Likewise, Islam prescribes ways to draw Allah’s assistance, which will obviously help us overcome adverse conditions: 1. To help Allah’s religion (Islam), 2. To help people, 3. To practice patience, 4. Making Zikr.
SUPER TABLET
Many of these remedies are incorporated in one super tablet: Salaah. Allah inspired the suffering Israelites to make their homes like the Musjids. This entails increasing the reading of Salaah in our homes. We can also bring the activities of the Musjid within our homes: reading Qur’aan, Zikr, learning and teaching Islam, making Dua, etc.
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to resort to Salaah when adverse situations confronted him, be it wars or inclement weather conditions.
Salaah shall draw us closer to the lifestyle that Allah is pleased with. As a consequence, we will get more of His help. What more can a Muslim ask for than that Allah is helping him?
Perfect Prescription
Islam, the Great Liberator
ISLAM IS A perfect religion taking into account every nuance of human nature.
On the one extreme is total oppression of women as was prevalent in the world before Islam. On the other end is a total absence of laws like current thinking would have us adopt.
ISLAM IS THE ideal medium: laying down laws for the good of its adherents; avoiding the pitfalls of man-made ideologies like women's’ lib.
This article wishes, in brief, to show the oppression that women suffered before Islam, and after, under Judaism and Christianity. Then one can truly appreciate the liberating effect of Islam 1400 years ago.
TO THIS DAY, orthodox Jewish men recite in their daily prayers: "Blessed be God King of the universe that Thou has not made me a woman."
Augustine, a saint to Christians, wrote: I fail to see what use woman can be to man. Martin Luther added: If (women) become tired or even die, that does not matter (as long as they bring as many children as possible into the world). (The Gospel According to Woman, K Amstrong, P 52-62)
THE NOBLE QUR’AAN SAYS: "And their Lord answered them: Truly I will never cause to be lost the work of any of you, Be you male or female, you are members one of another." (3:195)
In Islam the woman’s role on earth, like man’s, is to do as many good deeds as she can. The Qur’aan instructs all believers, male and female, to follow the ideal women like Maryam (alaihas salaam) and Pharaoh's wife. (66:11-13)
THE BIBLE SAYS: "The birth of a daughter is a loss" (Ecclesiasticus 22:3)
The Qur’aan, though, mentions the birth of a female first: "He (Allah) bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills" (42:49)
Bringing up daughters kindly is a means of tremendous reward as promised in the Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim.
UNCLEAN?
The Old Testament regards a menstruating women to be so impure that she infects others as well: "...anyone who touches her will be unclean till morning." Anything she touches is impure for a day. (Lev. 15:19-23)
Contrast this with the fact that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is reported to have drank from the same part of a utensil used by his menstruating wife, setting an excellent example.
BEARING WITNESS
Islam instructs that either two male witnesses or one male and two female bear witness to certain transactions.
On the other hand, women were not allowed to bear witness in early Jewish society. In Israel, women are not allowed to give evidence in Rabbinical courts.
In Christian West, both religious and civil law barred women from giving testimony until the late 19th century (while, for centuries, Muslim women had this privilege).
PROPERTY
Jewish law in the Talmud does not allow a married woman to own property or wealth. Everything belongs to her husband. (San. 71a, Git. 62a)
English law of 1632 lists: "That which the husband hath is his own. That which the wife hath is the husband’s." (Women in Stuart England and America, R Thompson, p162)
A Muslim woman’s earnings and property are under her full control. No matter how rich the wife may be, she is under no obligation to be a co-provider for the family.
INHERITANCE
Rabbi Epstein states the Jewish position that women do not inherit from the family estate. (The Jewish Marriage Contract, L Epstein, p175)
According to the Bible, the wife inherits nothing from her husband and daughters inherit nothing if there are male heirs. These laws existed in Europe until the late 1800s.
Muslim females received inheritance rights thirteen hundred years before Europe even deigned to recognize them.
THE VEIL
Rabbi Brayer writes in The Jewish Woman in Rabbinic Literature p239, that it was the custom of Jewish women to go out in public with a head covering which sometimes covered the whole face.
Paul of Christianity considers it a dishonour for women to pray with heads uncovered. (I Corinthians, 11:3-10)
Islam endorses the head cover and veil.
ISLAM LIBERATED women and still offers the only avenue of dignity, respect and protection in all aspects and at all stages of her life. The rate of female converts in America and Europe far outnumbers the male. What have they seen in Islam?
Aids: A Leaf from our Book
UGANDA HAS dramatically reduced Aids. How? An answer that Islam always had.
SOCIAL VACCINE
By abstaining from sex before marriage and remaining faithful to one’s spouse, Ugandans have cut the Aids rate to 5%. South Africa’s stands at 20%.
This system of abstention strikes at the heart of Aids: the disease is spread mainly through unprotected sex and sleeping with many partners.
MESSAGE
The message is spreading that illicit sex is not worth dying for.
And people are listening. They are changing their approach to relationships.
Praise has been pouring in. The system has been called more potent than vaccines. A research scientist at Harvard said, "The genius of the system is that it doesn’t focus just on Western drugs and condoms and it costs very little."
CONDOMS
The Western notion of allowing a problem and then addressing the results rather than the root has led to illicit sex being promoted on TV, movies, in magazines and on computer games.
Then condoms are touted as the solution. Figures speak otherwise. African countries where condoms have been most available - such as Botswana (38%) and Zimbabwe (33%) - are the ones with the highest Aids rates.
BEING OPEN
AIDS IS A sex problem that many are shy to confront. Being frank now is better than being dead and others suffering reduced production, overloaded hospitals and millions of orphans.
Islam outlined this solution centuries ago. Uganda has, unwittingly, adopted it and is reaping the fruit. Let’s not be left behind in realising Islam’s benefits ourselves.
Hatred Unveiled in France (2004)
FRANCE AND Germany have voted to ban Muslim scarves in schools. It is amazing how a simple cloth can be so intimidating.
Why are politicians, who have more pressing issues, fretting over a seemingly minor one?
PROTESTS
Tens of thousands of people marched to French embassies around the world on January 17, 2004, in protest.
There have been protests in Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Canada, Lebanon, America, Britain and 28 other countries.
GROWING MALICE
While Muslims may view the scarf as a simple part of our lives, others view it as a threat to secularism. Islam, which is opposed to secularism, is an obstacle. Thus, anything Islamic becomes a threat to the godless people who control world affairs.
PROTECTION
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested" (Quran 33:59).The veil is a protection from molestation. If civilization is enough protection, then why do women in America not walk alone in the dark? If education is the solution, then why do universities have a 'walk home service' for females? If self restraint is the answer, then why is there sexual harassment daily in the workplace?
Modesty, and by extension the veil, is prescribed to protect women.
A sample of those accused of sexual harassment in the US, includes: Navy officers, Managers, professors, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and the President of the United States!
How ironical that the scarf revered as a sign of 'holiness' when worn by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of 'oppression' when worn by Muslim women.
OBLIGATION
The veil and scarf are not a matter of personal choice but an Islamic obligation. (Holy Qur’aan, 24:30,31).
Who to Vote For
ELECTION FEVER is gripping the country. We have another sickness plaguing us: the gambling fever.
What does Islam say in this regard?
DEVIL’S WORK
The lure of winning big has caught us as never before with the widespread and easily accessible Lotto.
This is a clear-cut arm of gambling which is outlawed in the Holy Qur’aan.
The Holy Qur’aan terms gambling an abomination from the handiwork of the Devil through which he wishes to create hatred and enmity between men. (5:90-91)
Hard-earned cash, meant to be used on basic essentials, are thrown away in gambling. The rich play for higher stakes.
ADDICTION
There can never be such a thing as "sensible" gambling. That is why there are groups like Gamblers Anonymous trying to break people away from the net.
On the one hand government allows gambling but on the other bans under-age children from it. This is an acid test of whether anything is right: will we allow our children to involve themselves in it?
If not, then why do we ourselves do it?
BENEFITS
The idea that some people only gamble for relaxation is in direct contravention of Allah Ta’ala’s Law.
Gambling is prohibited in all circumstances and in all cases.
Some argue that the Lotto, etc. earn money for charity. This argument has been addressed in the Holy Qur’aan:
They ask you concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than the benefit." (2:219)
Allah Ta’ala knows all the pros and cons in anything He prohibited. We can never put forward any argument to justify a prohibited act because, together with Knowing all this, Allah Ta’ala still banned it.
WHICH PARTY?
We come to the big question: which party do we vote for?
The Holy Qur’aan speaks about Hizb ush Shaytaan, the Party of the Devil, and Hizb ullaah, the Party of Allah Ta’ala.
A vote for gambling is a vote for the Devil whose Party is destined to lose. (Al Qur’aan 58:19)
Unique and Noble Manners
ISLAM TEACHES the best character even under extreme circumstances. This beauty of Islam is hidden due to Muslims’ ignorance and the false image portrayed in the media.
REVENGE
Muslims suffered 13 years of torture, torment and boycott at the hands of the Quraish in Makkah Mukarramah. They had every reason to take revenge.
Yet, at the conquest of Makkah, a general pardon was extended to the very same torturers and tormentors.
PRISONERS
After leaving Makkah for refuge in Madinah, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) sent a spy mission of 13 towards Makkah. They were spotted by a Quraishi trading caravan. The Muslim leader ordered an attack on the caravan. One person was killed, two taken prisoner and all goods were captured.
Back in Madinah, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) released the prisoners and returned all goods as he had not ordered an attack.
BETTER FOOD
The Quraishi army came to Badr in 2 AH to finish off the Muslims. After the battle, the Muslims captured 70 Quraish. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) decided that they be released on payment of ransom.
The prisoners were in the care of various Sahaaba who gave them better food than they themselves ate and clothed them.
Bear in mind that these were the same people who had tormented the Muslims for over a decade in Makkah!
TOTAL JUSTICE
Muslims are duty-bound to dispense justice to all, under any circumstance.
Under the most trying situations, the Sahaaba and the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) kept their emotions under check and administered justice.
No matter how difficult it may be, the beautiful teachings of Islam must come to the fore. Killing of innocent civilians, practicing torture and giving in to our emotions and acting contrary to Islam does not behove a Muslim.
Prisoner treatment, politics, war and all its attendant by products must be conducted within the framework of Islam. Then will victory come.
Old Time’s Sake
By Madrasah In’aamiyyah
To keep up old ties is a concept that is deep rooted in Islam.
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, "To maintain relationships is certainly a part of Iman (Islamic faith).
WIFE
It was the noble habit of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam that when he used to slaughter a sheep for his household, he would send portions of it to the friends of his first and most cherished wife Khadijah radhiallahu anha after she ahd passed away.
When he received any gift, he would say that it should be taken to so and so, who was a friend of and used to love Khadijah radhiallahu anha.
VEHICLE
Abdullah Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu was once on his way to Makkah for Umrah. On the way he met a shabbily dressed Bedouin whom he asked if he was the son of so and so. The Bedouin replied in the affirmative. Hearing this Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu greeted him with full zeal, took off his turban and gave it to the Bedouin.
He then gave him his conveyance. At this, Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu’s companion said that the Bedouin would have been pleased with whatever little he had given him. Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu replied, "This person’s father is a friend of my father and I have heard our beloved Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say, ‘Verily from the greatest forms of loyalty to ones parents after their death is for one to keep up ties with their friends.’" Here Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu extended his kindness to the son of his father’s friend and not just the friend.
PARENTS
A man once enquired as to what rights his parents have on him after their demise. Among the things he was told by the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was to maintain ties with those relatives who are linked to you via them and to pay respect to their surviving friends.
By doing this, one would also be pleasing his deceased parents as the Hadith tells us that parents are made aware of whatever the child does on their behalf.
Family Feeling
The Noble Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) taught us practically that we should express our love for family members.
This should not be merely bottled up for loved ones to assume it’s there. Let us look at a few examples.
SISTER
After the Conquest of Makkak, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s foster sister Shai’ma, daughter of his foster mother Bibi Halima, accepted Islam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) showered her with an abundance of gifts.
COUSIN
When the Muslims returned victorious from the fierce battle of Khaibar, the Muslims who had emigrated to Abyssinia also returned. Among them was the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s cousin Ja’far (radhiallahu anhu).
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was so pleased to be reunited with his cousin that he said he could not tell which was greater: Victory over Khaibar or reunion with Ja’far (radhiallahu anhu).
THE NECKLACE
Among the prisoners captured by the Muslims in the battle of Badr was the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s son-in-law Abul ‘As, not as yet a Muslim.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s daughter Zainab (radhiallahu anha) sent a necklace to ransom her husband. When the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw that it was the necklace which his beloved, departed wife Khadijah (radhiallahu anha) had given Zainab (radhiallahu anha) on her marriage, he was so grieved that he requested the Sahaaba to release him without ransom. They agreed and Abul ‘As (radhiallahu anhu) later became Muslim.
PRIORITY
The well-being of one’s family has been given special status in Islam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) left Ali (radhiallahu anhu) in charge of his family when he went for the Battle of Tabook. Love for them needs to be given practical form in the giving of gifts, verbal declarations and acts of kindness. As taught to us by the best of teachers in the best of manners.
Dealing with Life
The Qur’aan offers complete guidance on every aspect of life.
Humans face many challenging situations encompassing loss of welath, loved ones, sickness, to name but a few. The Qur’aanic advice is to adopte a positive outlook.
LOSING HOPE
We are told never to lose hope in the Mercy of Allah. The defeatist attitude of despair is a trait of non-Muslims.
No matter how much you have destroyed your life, there is always a chance to make right and be accepted by Allah Ta’ala.
LIGHT
At the end of every tunnel is light. The Qur’aan emphatically declares that with hardship there must come ease. This is repeated.
Faced with the tests which Allah Ta’ala tells us must come in the form of loss of loved ones, property, or fear, hunger, etc. a Muslim adopts patience, deals with the problem as best he can and knows that no difficulty is everlasting except dying without Islam.
CAPABILITY
Sometimes we give in to the thought that how can I ever weather this storm? According to the Qur’aan, no soul is burdened except to the amount he/she can bear.
No matter how big the trial might seem, the one involved has the potential within to overcome it.
SILVER LINING
Gifts come in different guises and are not always packaged as we want. A calamity approached in the correct manner can be turned to one’s advantage.
Islam came to SA with exiles taken far from home. They did not give in to despair but turned the situation to the better and spread the light of Islam in this land.
BEST CONTACT
To pass the trials of this world, Muslims need to have Allah on their side. This is achieved by: 1) Patience, and 2) Following Allah’s commands to the best of one’s ability (Taqwa). For Allah is with those who have patience and Taqwa according to the Qur’aan.
Finally, our Lord informs us that He deals with us in accordance with our expectations of Him. Positive expectations beget favourable circumstances.
Tremendous Taqwa
The Holy Qur’aan provides a source of ever-applicable guidance. Among the recurring topics is Taqwa.
This simply means to do what Allah Ta’ala Commands and abstain from that which He Prohibits. Taqwa in the Qur’aan is mentioned in conjunction with various things:
CLOTHES
The Qur’aan states that clothes were sent down to cover us and as adornment. Then our attention is turned to Taqwa when the Qur’aan says that the clothes of Taqwa are best.
In another place we are taught a Dua (invocation):
Our Lord, Let our spouses and children be the coolness of our eyes and make us Imams (leaders) of those who have Taqwa.
Not only do we ask for Taqwa but to be the leaders, the best of those who have this quality.
CONSPIRACY
We despair at times when the plots of the enemies against the Muslims surface. The Qur’aan provides solace and links it with Taqwa:
If you adopt patience and have Taqwa, their (the enemies’) plots will not harm you in the least.
Providing us strength in these trying times is the fact that Allah Ta’ala is with those who have Taqwa. How can one lose when Allah Ta’ala is with him?
GET IT NOW
Taqwa is mentioned with Haj, fasting, the Qur’aan, Qurbaani (sacrificing of animals) and in many other contexts in the Qur’aan.
It’s a quality Muslims cannot do without. So how do we get it? The Qur’aan says:
O Believers! Have Taqwa of Allah and be with the pious.
Get Taqwa from the ones who have it: Allah Ta’ala’s friends and see if you go wrong.
Friends
HUMANS ARE sociable creatures. We need friends. And they largely make us who we are. A narration says that a person is recognised by the friends he keeps. What does Islam say about friendship?
FIRST THINGS
THE QUR’AAN prohibits Muslims from taking non Muslims as close friends. Being courteous, working with them, being kind and just to them, assisting them yes, but not bosom friends with whom we become intimate.
The reasons? The Qur’aan emphatically states that Jews and Christians will never be pleased with Muslims unless they forsake Islam. So their friendship is conditional.
Secondly, the Qur’aan makes the observation that taking close friends from non Muslims is fraught with danger as they will not fail to lead one astray from the road of Islam in some way or the other, thus destroying one's success in the everlasting life after death.
Umar (radhiallahu anhu) used to instruct Muslim armies conquering non Muslim lands to set up separate living quarters for Muslims. We witness the wisdom with our own eyes when, having lived with non Muslims, our way of life has drifted far from Islam.
WHO TO BEFRIEND
THE QUR’AAN says that the Believers are friends of one another. And among them, those who perform Salaah, give Zakaah, are true friends.
Friends will be enemies on the day of Reckoning except those who had Taqwa i.e.. Did what Allah Ta’ala wanted and stayed away from what He prohibited. Our friends must be pious Muslims as the Qur’aan directs. [9:119]
BEST FRIENDS
WE NEED to be friends of our spouses and children. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) set the standard by treating his wives in a loving manner. The kindness he extended to his children, grandchildren and other youngsters impressed them so much that they were ready to emulate him in every aspect.
Make our families our friends and they will respond with extraordinary loyalty and love. We will be good company and in good company.
Wonderful Words
WORDS OF encouragement can be the cause of lifting a person and helping him through a difficult patch. This quality of giving verbal support is seen in the lives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions.
REVELATION
WHEN THE first revelation came, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) experienced a strange happening for the first time. He went home in fear and asked his wife Khadijah (radhiallahu anha) to cover him up.
At this juncture, she provided much needed verbal encouragement by expounding the good that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had done up to then and concluded by saying that, as a result, Allah Ta’ala would not disgrace him.
BATTLE
IN ONE OF the battles, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used high words of encouragement for one of the archers. He said, "Shoot, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you."
One can well imagine the pleasure that Sahaabi must have felt and how much more he must have exerted himself.
In the Battle of the Trench, the Muslims only base, Madinah, came under attack by a coalition force of the enemy. The Muslims had to dig a deep and wide trench to defend Madinah and they toiled hard with the pangs of hunger gnawing at them. Some tied stones on their bellies to stave off the pain.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) shored up the morale of the Sahaaba by reciting couplets praying for good for them. They in turn recited couplets reaffirming their commitment to the Prophet (sallallahu alihi wa sallam) and the cause of Islam.
SICKNESS
A PRAYER that we are taught to recite when visiting the sick is a source of hope for them in their agony: "There is no problem, this sickness will be a purification, if Allah wills."
The Qur’an, Allah’s Word, provides words of encouragement for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and for the Muslims in general. Let us bring this Islamic quality alive and be sources of inspiration and pillars of strength for one another in our trying times. A good word is sometimes all it takes.
Climate Control
THE WORLD’S MOST advanced nations are now speaking about climate control - trying to control nature so as to get favourable and ideal weather.
Muslims have long ago held the key to climate control in their hands. When we utilized the key, everything: nature, politics, medicine, all fell at our feet. We were masters of the world.
So how do we control the weather? Prophet Noah (alaihis salaam) told his people:
Seek the forgiveness of your Lord…He will send rain to you in abundance, And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and rivers. [Holy Quraan71:10-12]
The obedience of Allah Ta’ala, turning to him in repentance, all these things bring about favorable conditions weather-wise as well.
On the other hand, sin and disobedience bring about destructive weather conditions. We are told in a Hadith that earthquakes, scorching wind, etc are our lot if we engage in immorality and the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala.
Muslim countries like Indonesia actively aid the sins of prostitution, alcohol, immorality in the name of tourism. Is it any wonder that they bore the brunt of the waves of destruction unleashed by the awesome Tsunami?
Black and White
There is no place for racism in Islam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) practically demonstrated this:
COMPANION
BILAL (RADHIALLAHU ANHU) was a close companion of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). He was a black African, yet Muslims salute him as the first Muslim to call the Azaan every time Azaan is called around the world.
He was effectively the treasurer of the Islamic state in Madinah, in charge of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)’s finances.
MOTHER
UMME AYMAN (radhiallahu anha) looked after the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) when his mother passed away when he was six years of age.
On one occasion, after Prohethood, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) spread out his sheet for her to sit on, honouring her. Her likened her to his mother.
She was a black woman. How do we treat the maids who bring up our children? Do we teach our children to respect them?
SON
ZAID BIN HAARITH (radhiallahu anhu) was a young black boy. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) adopted this black boy as a son.
This is the only Sahaabi whose name is mentioned in the Holy Qur’aan. Imagine! We get 30 rewards for reading the name of this pious black man! Zaid was shown such affection by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that he chose to stay with him rather than go to his father.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) married this black boy to his cousin, Zainab (radhiallahu anha), an Arab lady of high lineage.
YOUNG LION
ZAID’S SON was Usamah. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) appointed him commander of the last army that he organised at the tender age of 17 or 18. Under his command were senior Sahaaba like Abu Bakr and Umar (radhiallahu anhuma).
The Noble Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not make skin colour a criterion for status in Islam. He practically banished race to the dirt heap. The only thing that matters is the level of Islam one has.
Real Rights
Rights in Islam have certain features:
- Every individual and creature’s rights are secured from children, women, animals to even non Muslims;
- All rights are God-given and thus not open to negotiation or change;
- There are checks and balances to prevent abuse of rights as well as ensure the smooth running of the world;
- There is a greater emphasis on fulfilling other people’s rights than on demanding the acquisition of one’s rights.
WIFE’S RIGHTS
"THE BELIVERS who show the most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition and the best of you are those who are best to their wives." (Tirmidhi)
The Holy Qur’aan orders men to live with their wives in a beautiful manner. This is one right secured by Islam centuries before any other nation.
ANIMALS
THE CORRECT treatment of animals; that they be used for the purposes they were created and not overburdened, was clearly mentioned in the Hadith 1400 years ago when no one gave a thought to animal rights.
Even disbelievers, the arch-enemies of Allah Ta’ala, enjoy rights in and out of an Islamic state: the Sahaaba dealt kindly with even Jewish neighbours who displayed inimical hatred for Islam.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., a non Muslim citizen of a Muslim land) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."
Non combatant civilians of a state at war with Muslims cannot be made targets of military action.
DIFFERENCE
THE FUNDAMENTAL difference in approach towards rights by Muslims and non Muslims is the Islamic emphasis on fulfilling other’s rights while overlooking the shortcomings of others in fulfilling one’s rights.
A study of the two approaches adequately illustrates which system is more successful: The one where everyone is conscientised towards fulfilment of other’s rights sees less fragmentation of society and more genuine happiness.
Muslims have a more than adequate answer in Islam to any system or ideology.
Hardly a Handicap
There is a great surge towards securing the rights of disabled people in the modern world.
Islam ensured 1400 years ago that disabled people were given equal opportunities and were accepted as full members of society:
MUAZZIN
ABDULLAH BIN Umme Maktoom (radhiallahu anhu) was a blind Sahaabi. This was no impediment in him being one of the official Muazzins of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). There was no prejudice in the early Muslim community against his appointment to such a noble post, as it was regarded in those days.
IMAM
THE VERY SAME BLIND Sahaabi was appointed as the Imam of Musjidun Nabawi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) when the Muslims went to Badr to fight the first battle of Islam.
No voices of dissent were raised.
BLIND
THE ACCEPTANCE, and aid of, disabled people is clearly outlined in the following narration:
"He who guides a blind person for forty steps, Paradise is certain for him"
[Jaami Sagheer]
What more proof can there be of the equal status accorded the disabled in Muslim society? Paradise is in store for the one who renders the blind a service!
FROWN
THE HOLY QUR’AAN has a chapter wherein rebuke is given for frowning at a blind person who unwittingly came into a meeting that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was holding with high-ranking members of the non–Muslim fraternity.
TRUE HUMANITY
ISLAM BROUGHT true compassion for all creatures. There’s no need for the ‘enlightenment’ that the West needed to slowly and painfully rid itself of the prejudices of race, gender and disability that was a part of their world until very recently.
Muslims need to apply these teachings of Islam that the Sahaaba made a natural part of their everyday lives. Especially with all the bad press that Muslims are getting, we need to be paragons of etiquette and virtue that Muslims ought to be, so that we can correct the erroneous image of Islam.
Big Business
Trade is something everyone is involveAd in. Food, tickets for Hajj, shelter, every thing needed for human survival, all depend on money earned through trade.
SHARIAH COMPLIANT
Prophet Shuayb (alaihis salaam) instituted a Shariah Compliant Business Campaign in trying to rid his people of the business malpractice of cheating in weight and measure.
The Qur’aan and Hadith have guidelines on correct Islamic business practice. The longest verse in the Qur’aan (2:282) deals, significantly, with a business issue.
BANKS
A measure of the heightened awareness among Muslims for Islamic compliant business is the dramatic increase in Islamic banking worldwide.
In SA as well, we see the move by major banks in introducing Shariah compliant investment and financial products and services. Ulama are consulted in the planning process of these products.
There is an initiative (2007) by the United Ulama Council of SA comprising the MJC, Jamiats and others towards forming a national Ulama advisory and certifying body for these and other new products.
SERIOUSNESS
The seriousness of having business in line with Islam is highlighted by the fact that Allah Ta’ala declares war on those who deal in interest and not for other major sins.
The increasing complexity of finance means that Muslims need the guidance of suitably qualified experts in Islamic business law to avoid potential pitfalls.
KNOWLEDGE
Umar (radhiallahu anhu) legislated that no Muslim was allowed to trade in the market until he had learnt the Islamic laws of business.
We need to institute the same approach which helps budding entrepreneurs avoid the extremely damaging sin of illegal business practice from the outset.
Trade is interlinked with all aspects of life and a sin incurred in earning money impacts on all our social activities.
Constantly consult Ulama to keep abreast of the validity of new products and to ensure that existing business practices are Halaal.
The Right Approach
The way a Muslim goes about doing anything, the intention he has, plays an important part in determining whether that action will be of benefit in the Hereafter or not.
Consider this:
TWO QUESTIONS
MOOSA (ALAHIS SALAAM) asked to see Allah Ta’ala:
O my Lord, I wish to see You… (Qur’aan)
Allah Ta’ala did not punish him for the request but rather, explained that none could see Him. Allah Ta’ala revealed a little of His grandeur to a mountain which crumbled to dust and Moosa (alaihis salaam) fell unconscious.
A group of Moosa (alaihis salaam)’s people from the Bani Israaeel asked a similar question:
They asked Moosa ... ‘We want to see Allah clearly’ (Qur’aan)
They were punished for this. What was the difference? Before we give the answer, let us take another example:
BIRDS
EBRAHIM (ALAHIS SALAAM) asked:
My Lord, show me how You will bring the dead to life… (Qur’aan)
Allah Ta’ala showed him how by getting him to cut 4 birds, mixing the pieces and calling them. All the birds came to life in perfect shape.
On the other hand, the idol-worshippers of Makkah also asked questions regarding life after death and were taken to task for them. What was the difference?
LOVE
THE DIFFERENCE was in the approach and motive behind the questions. Moosa (alaihis salaam) believed in Allah but wanted to see Him out of love for Him. The Bani Israaeel wanted to see Allah as proof that He existed.
Ebrahim (alaihis salaam) asked the question to strenghten his belief in life after death. The idol-worshippers didn’t believe in it and asked the questions in mockery.
In everything we do, the intention must be to Please Allah. This applies to business, studies and mundane activities like marriage, etc.
The first Hadith out of thousands in Bukhari is: Actions are judged by their intentions. Our motives are crucial factors in determining whether we are rewarded or not.
Wonderful Work
Muslims need to be forerunners in justice and kindness when dealing with those in our employ.
It is We (Allah) Who divide among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We exalt some of them above others in rank, so that some of them may command work from the others. (Qur’aan 43:32) Allah made some people rich, others poor. The poor are dependent on the rich for their bread, and the rich on the poor for labour.
The Employer
Possession of wealth is by Allah’s permission: Allah enlarges livelihood for whom He wills and reduces it for whom He wills. (Qur’aan 13:26) What you possess is a trust. The Qur'aan states: do not consume your property among yourselves wrongfully, but let their be trade by mutual consent, and do not kill yourselves. Believers are warned against exploitation. Do not kill yourselves refers to the outcome of exploitation: it starts a cycle of hatred which rebounds on the oppressors. Exploitation is self-destruction.
Dignity of Employee
(They are) your brethren whom Allah has placed in your custody. Let him who has been made custodian of his brother by Allah feed him from what he himself eats, clothe him out of what he clothes himself, and impose not on him work that will overcome him. (Bukhari) Employees are your human brothers. Pay them enough so they can maintain themselves with dignity. Do not impose on them so much work, or so long working hours that is overbearing.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: One who mistreats those under him will not enter paradise. (Tirmidi) Good treatment of those under you brings fortune, whilst bad treatment brings misfortune. (Abu Dawood)
Wages
Man is entitled to no more than what he works for. (Qur’aan 53:39) The minimum wage in Islam should be sufficient to meet his basic essentials. Anas (radhiallahu anhu) said: the Prophet never paid a low wage to any person. (Bukhari)
Ali (radhiallahu anhu) said: ‘Allah has made it obligatory on the rich to meet the economic needs of the poor up to the extent of their absolute necessities. If they are hungry or naked or involved in other financial difficulties, it will be merely because the rich are not doing their duty.’ (Muhalla)
Load Shedding, Energy Crisis
As SA goes through an energy crisis, let’s take a look at the guidelines Islam has for Muslims in such a situation.
OUTSET
Muslims need to understand that all situations that entail some hardship are from Allah Ta’ala. They are designed to test our response and our acceptance of the plan Allah has for us.
We need to adopt uncomplaining while looking for solutions. Acceptance of Allah’s Plan means less stress and frustration.
To ride out the energy crisis, here are some of Islam’s guidelines which hold true for all challenging times in our lives:
1. Value Resources. The first step towards managing the crisis is to appreciate whatever resources Allah has given us. To help value them, the Hadith asks us to: a) imagine being without that resource, and b) think of those who do not enjoy that resource.
Once we appreciate what Allah has given, we will use it wisely. This leads to:
2. Moderation. Islam encourages moderation in worldly as well as religious matters: the Qur’aan asks us not to be stingy nor to waste wealth. Likewise, we are told to adopt a moderate tone of voice in prayer. Those who waste are abetting the devil and are his brothers, while they lose the love of Allah.
We need to ask ourselves whether we are using or abusing electricity. Do we use it unnecessarily? The fact that electric power is easily available is no excuse for using it willy-nilly. The Hadith tells us that we should not waste water while making Wudhu in the presence of unlimited water such as at the sea-shore.
Once we value electricity and use it wisely, we are in reality, giving thanks to Allah for which He will increase us in that bounty.
3. Helping out. Muslims need to fall in with any energy-saving plans that government puts into place, for the Hadith tells us that the best of people are those who are of the most benefit to mankind at large.
Never think that ours is an insignificant contribution. Problem-solving is not dependent on numbers but on sincerity. The Qur’aan reminds us that many a small, ill-equipped force defeated a larger, superior army. If everyone thinks of doing the right thing, it will have a ripple effect. If Muslims do the right thing it has the added benefit of giving Islam a good image and drawing people closer.
