Bismillah
fyi
Peace, Curtis Sharif
Houston, Texas
Muslim code of behaviour
_____
Qestion:
According to Islamic teachings, apart from having the right belief how
important is it for a person to do good deeds?
Doing good and having the right belief go hand in hand in Islam. In
fact,
doing good in practice is the proof of having the right belief in the
heart.
This is why the Holy Quran speaks of true Muslims very often as "those
who
believe and do good deeds". Both the Quran and the Holy Prophet have
told
Muslims that the best among them is that person who shows the best
behaviour
towards other people.
_____
List of some of the good qualities a Muslim must try to acquire.
Below we give, in the words of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet
Muhammad,
the chief qualities a Muslim should display:
1. Truthfulness:
"O you who believe! keep your duty to Allah and speak straight, true
words."
(Holy Quran 33:70)
"O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful
people." (9:119)
"Be maintainers of justice and bearers of true witness for Allah, even
if it
(the truth) goes against your own selves or parents or relatives or
someone
who is rich or poor." (4:135)
_____
2. Sincerity:
"Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience." (39:2)
"It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you say things which you
do
not do." (61:3)
"Woe to those who pray but are unmindful of their prayers, who do good
to be
seen." (107:4-6)
_____
3. Unselfishness:
"You cannot attain to righteousness unless you spend (in charity) out
of
those things which you love." (3:91)
"They (the true believers) give food, out of love for Allah, to the
poor,
the orphan and the slave, saying: We feed you only for Allah's pleasure
- we
desire from you neither reward nor thanks." (76:8-9)
"Do no favour seeking gain." (74:6)
_____
4. Humility:
"The servants of the Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth
in
humility." (25:63)
"Do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in
the
land exultingly." (31:18)
"Do not ascribe purity to yourselves. Allah knows best who is
righteous."
(53:32)
_____
5. Patience:
"Allah loves those who are patient." (3:145)
"Give good news to the patient, who, when a misfortune befalls them,
say: We
are Allah's and to Him do we return." (2:155-156)
_____
6. Forgiveness:
"Pardon (people) and overlook (their faults). Don't you love that Allah
should forgive you." (24:22)
"(The dutiful are) . . . those who restrain their anger and pardon
people.
Allah loves those who do good to others." (3:134)
"Whenever they (true believers) are angry they forgive." (42:37)
"The recompense of evil is punishment like it. But whoever forgives (an
evil
committed against himself) and amends (matters), his reward is with
Allah. .
. . Whoever is patient and forgives, that is a matter of great
resolution."
(42:40, 43)
When the Holy Prophet Muhammad defeated his enemies in Makka and
returned to
that city as its conqueror, he forgave them in the following words:
"No reproof be against you this day; Allah may forgive you, and He is
the
most Merciful of those who show mercy." (12:92)
_____
7. Purity and cleanliness:
"He indeed is successful who purifies himself (in mind and body), and
remembers the name of his Lord, then prays." (87:14-15)
"Purify your garments and shun uncleanness." (74:4-5)
_____
8. Honesty:
"Don't go near the property of an orphan, except in a goodly way, till
he
attains maturity. And fulfil the promise (you make) . . .. Give full
measure
when you measure out, and weigh with a true balance." (17:34-35)
"Do not swallow up your property among yourselves by false means, nor
offer
it as a bribe to the officials so that you may swallow up other
people's
property unlawfully while you know." (2:188)
_____
9. Goodness and kindness to others:
"Allah commands you to uphold justice and to do good to others and to
give
to the relatives." (16:90)
Three degrees of doing good are mentioned here: "justice," which means
returning any good that someone has done you with equal good; "do good
to
others," which means taking the initiative in doing good to others; and
"give to the relatives," which means doing good to people instinctively
and
naturally just as one does good to one's close relatives.
"Do good to others, surely Allah loves those who do good to others."
(2:195)
_____
10. Consideration and respect for others:
"O you who believe! do not enter houses other than your own until you
have
asked permission and greeted the inmates . . . and if it is said to
you, 'Go
back', then go back." (24:27-28)
"O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion (against others), for
surely
suspicion in some cases is sin; and do not spy (into other people's
affairs), nor let some of you backbite others." (49:12)
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it,
or
return it (in the same terms at least)." (4:86)
_____
11. Courage:
Speaking of a small number of Muslims facing a big and powerful enemy,
the
Quran relates:
"Those to whom men said: people have gathered against you, so fear
them; but
this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us
and He
is an excellent Guardian." (3:173)
_____
12. Moderation:
"Eat and drink, but do not be immoderate." (7:31)
"Do not chain your hand to your neck (so that you are mean in
spending), nor
stretch it out to the utmost limit (so that you waste everything)."
(17:29)
Regarding the performance of religious duties, the Holy Prophet has
given
the following advice:
"Religion is easy, but any one who exerts himself too much in religious
devotions will get overcome by it; so you should just act rightly, and
keep
to the mean, and be of good cheer, and ask for Allah's help morning,
evening, and a part of the night." (Bukhari.)
_____
13. Cheerfulness:
"Be of good cheer." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
"It is an act of charity to meet your fellow with a cheerful face."
(Holy
Prophet in Mishkat.)
Finally, we give a verse of the Holy Quran mentioning a number of
qualities
a Muslim, man or woman, should try to acquire:
"The truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the
patient
women, the humble men and the humble women, the charitable men and the
charitable women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the men who
guard
their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, the men who
remember
Allah much and the women who remember Allah much - for all these Allah
has
prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (33:35) . How does Islam
require a
Muslim to treat the people around him?
The Holy Quran and the Hadith mention various categories of people that
one
has to deal with, and give a great deal of guidance on how to behave
towards
them.
1. Parents and the elderly:
"Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and do good to
parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say
'Fie' to
them, nor chide them, but speak to them a generous word . . . and say,
My
Lord, have mercy on them as they brought me up when I was little."
(17:23-24).
"The Holy Prophet said, It is one of the greatest sins that a man
should
curse his parents. Someone said, How can a man curse his own parents?
He
said, If a man abuses the father of another, that person will abuse his
parents (in return)." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
2. Other Near Relatives:
"Do good to the near relatives." (4:36)
"Give to the near relative his due, and also to the needy and to the
traveller (in need of help). (17:26).
_____
3. Children:
"Do not kill your children for fear of poverty - We (Allah) provide for
them
and for you." (17:31)
"A man came to the Holy Prophet and said, `You kiss children but we do
not
kiss them'. The Holy Prophet said, `Do I have any control over you if
Allah
has taken away mercy from your heart'." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
4. Orphans and destitute children:
"Maintain the orphans out of their property and clothe them and give
them a
good education. Test them when they reach the age of majority, and if
you
find them to be mature, hand over their property to them." (4:5-6)
"I and the man who brings up an orphan will be in paradise like this,"
said
the Holy Prophet, putting together his forefinger and middle finger.
(Report
in Bukhari.)
_____
5. Poor and needy:
"Righteous is he who . . . gives away wealth out of love for Him to the
near
of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who
ask
and to set slaves free." (2:177)
"What will make you understand what the uphill road (to success) is?
(It is)
to free a slave, or feed at a time of hunger an orphan who is a
relative or
the poor man lying in the dust." (90:11-16)
"Have you seen him who goes against religion? That is the one who is
rough
to the orphan and does not urge the feeding of the needy." (107:1-3)
"(The true believers are those) in whose wealth there is a known right
for
the beggar and the destitute." (70:24-25)
"The person who manages things for the widow and the poor is like the
one
who strives hard in the way of Allah." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
_____
6. Neighbours:
"Be good to . . . the neighbour belonging to your people and the alien
neighbour." (4:36)
"He is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is
hungry."
(Holy Prophet in Hadith.)
"The angel Gabriel continued to enjoin upon me good treatment of the
neighbour, so much so that I thought he would make him heir to one's
property." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
_____
7. Wives/Husbands:
"They (your wives) are a garment for you, and you are a garment for
them."
(2:187)
"Of His (Allah's) signs is that He created spouses for you from
yourselves
so that you might find quiet of mind in them, and He put between you
love
and compassion." (30:21)
"The best of you are those who are kindest to their wives." (Holy
Prophet in
Tirmizi.)
A man related:
"I asked Aishah (Holy Prophet's wife): What did the Prophet do when in
his
house? She said, `He served his wife', meaning that he did work for his
wife." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
8. Employers/Employees:
"(The true believers) are those who are keepers of their trusts and
covenants." (23:8)
"Trusts" include the duties and the other things with which an employee
is
entrusted by his employer; "covenants" include the contract by which
both
the employer and the employee are bound.
"Allah says: There are three persons whose opponents I shall be on the
Day
of Judgment . . . (the third is) the person who employs a servant and
receives fully the labour due from him, but does not pay his wages."
(Holy
Prophet in Bukhari.)
Ans, a companion of the Holy Prophet, related:
"I served the Holy Prophet for ten years, and he never said to me,
`Fie',
nor did he ever say `Why have you done this', or `Why have you not done
that'." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
9. Animals
"There is no animal in the earth, nor a bird flying on its two wings,
but
they are communities like yourselves (O people)." (6:38)
Someone asked the Holy Prophet, "Is there a reward for us (from Allah)
for
doing good to beasts?" He replied:
"In every animal having a liver fresh with life there is a reward."
(Holy
Prophet in Mishkat.)
"Be careful of your duty to Allah in the matter of dumb animals; ride
them
while they are in a fit condition, and eat them while they are in a fit
condition." (Holy Prophet in Abu Dawud.)
"Whoever tills a field, and birds and beasts eat from it, it is an act
of
charity." (Holy Prophet in Musnad of Ahmad.)
_____
10. Authorities:
Regarding electing and appointing people to positions of authority, the
Quran says:
"Allah commands you to make over trusts (or positions of trust and
authority) to those worthy of them." (4:58)
Some other principles are as follows:
"Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority from among
you;
then if you quarrel about anything (with your authorities) refer it to
Allah
and the Messenger" (4:59), i.e. settle the disagreement by means of the
Holy
Quran and the Holy Prophet's example.
"Obedience (of authority) is due only in good matters", i.e., orders to
do
wrong must not be obeyed. (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
The first head of state of the Muslims after the Holy Prophet, the
famous
Hazrat Abu Bakr, said in a speech after his election:
"Help me if I am in the right. Correct me if I am in the wrong. Obey me
as
long as I obey Allah and His Messenger; in case I disobey Allah and His
Messenger, I have no right to obedience from you."
"The most excellent jihad is to speak the truth in the face of an
unjust
ruler." (Holy Prophet in Mishkat.)
_____
11. Muslims:
"Hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited.
And
remember Allah's favour to you when you were enemies, then He united
your
hearts, so by His favour you became brethren." (3:103)
"The believers are brethren, so make peace between your brethren . . .
Do
not find fault with your own people, nor call one another by (bad)
nick-names." (49:10-12)
"Help one another in good and righteous works, and do not help one
another
in sin and aggression." (5:2)
"Do not hate one another and do not be jealous of one another and do
not
boycott one another, and be servants of Allah, as brothers; and it is
not
lawful for a Muslim to sever his relations with his brother for more
than
three days." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
"You will see the believers in their having mercy for one another, and
in
their love for one another, and in their kindness towards one another,
like
the human body: when one limb is ailing, the whole body feels it, one
part
calling out the other with sleeplessness and fever." (Holy Prophet in
Bukhari.)
"None of you has faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for
himself." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
_____
12. Those who abuse Muslims:
"Bear patiently what they (abusers) say." (20:130)
"Disregard their annoying talk." (33:48)
"When you hear Allah's messages disbelieved in and mocked at, sit not
with
them until they enter into some other talk." (4:140)
"And if you invite them to guidance, they hear not; and you see them
looking
towards you, yet they see not. Take to forgiveness and enjoin good and
turn
away from the ignorant." (7:198-199)
"The Messenger of Allah and his Companions used to forgive the
idolaters and
the followers of the book (Jews and Christians), as Allah had commanded
them, and they used to show patience on hearing hurtful words." (Report
in
Bukhari.)
_____
13. Enemies:
"Repel evil with what is best, when lo! he between whom and you there
is
enmity will be like a warm friend." (41:34)
"Many of the people of the book wish that they could turn you back into
disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from themselves. . ..
But
pardon and forgive." (2:109)
"And you will always find treachery in them, except a few of them. So
pardon
them and forgive. Surely Allah loves those who do good to others."
(5:13)
_____
14. Non-Muslims:
"Allah does not forbid you concerning those people who do not fight you
because of your religion, nor expel you from your homes, that you show
them
kindness and deal with them justly.. . . Allah forbids you only
concerning
those people who fight you for your religion, and drive you from your
homes
and help others to expel you, that you make friends of them." (60: 8,9)
"Whatever good they (people of other religions) do, they will not be
denied
it (by Allah), and Allah knows who the righteous are." (3:115)
"O you who believe, be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with
justice;
and do not let the hatred of a people incite you not to act with
justice. Be
just; that is nearer to observance of duty." (5:8)
"Call (others) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly
exhortation,
and argue with them in the best manner." (16:125)
"Argue not with the people of the Book (Jews, Christians, and other
people
having scriptures) except by the best (means), save those of them who
act
unjustly. But say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and
revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him we
submit."
(29:46)
A companion of the Holy Prophet relates:
"A funeral procession passed by the Holy Prophet, and he stood up for
it.
People said to him: It was the funeral of a Jew. He said: Was it not a
human
life?" (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
15. Mankind generally:
"Mankind is a single nation." (2:213)
"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you
into
races and families so that you may know each other. The most honoured
of you
in Allah's sight are those who best keep their duty." (49:13)
"We (Allah) have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the
nations." (21:107)
"Speak good words to all people." (2:83)
"Allah commands you that . . . when you judge between people (i.e., of
any
race, religion, family, class, etc.), you judge with justice." (4:58)
_____
Signs of hypocrisy:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
The Prophet said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics)
will be
a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four
characteristics
will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it
up.
1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and
insulting
manner."
[Saheeh Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 33]
--
Prophet(PBUH) said,"Whoever goes down a path/road searching for
knowledge,
Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise." [Saheeh Muslim,
Vol.3
Hadith No. 99]
026.083 "O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me,and join me with
the righteous;
026.085 And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of
Delight," (THE HOLY QUR'AN) ameen
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islam4all/> Courtesy: Islam4all
Compiled,edited and adpted by Khalid Latif,e-tabligue
________________________________________________________________________
Muslim code of behaviour
_____
Qestion:
According to Islamic teachings, apart from having the right belief how
important is it for a person to do good deeds?
Doing good and having the right belief go hand in hand in Islam. In
fact,
doing good in practice is the proof of having the right belief in the
heart.
This is why the Holy Quran speaks of true Muslims very often as "those
who
believe and do good deeds". Both the Quran and the Holy Prophet have
told
Muslims that the best among them is that person who shows the best
behaviour
towards other people.
_____
List of some of the good qualities a Muslim must try to acquire.
Below we give, in the words of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet
Muhammad,
the chief qualities a Muslim should display:
1. Truthfulness:
"O you who believe! keep your duty to Allah and speak straight, true
words."
(Holy Quran 33:70)
"O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful
people." (9:119)
"Be maintainers of justice and bearers of true witness for Allah, even
if it
(the truth) goes against your own selves or parents or relatives or
someone
who is rich or poor." (4:135)
_____
2. Sincerity:
"Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience." (39:2)
"It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you say things which you
do
not do." (61:3)
"Woe to those who pray but are unmindful of their prayers, who do good
to be
seen." (107:4-6)
_____
3. Unselfishness:
"You cannot attain to righteousness unless you spend (in charity) out
of
those things which you love." (3:91)
"They (the true believers) give food, out of love for Allah, to the
poor,
the orphan and the slave, saying: We feed you only for Allah's pleasure
- we
desire from you neither reward nor thanks." (76:8-9)
"Do no favour seeking gain." (74:6)
_____
4. Humility:
"The servants of the Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth
in
humility." (25:63)
"Do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in
the
land exultingly." (31:18)
"Do not ascribe purity to yourselves. Allah knows best who is
righteous."
(53:32)
_____
5. Patience:
"Allah loves those who are patient." (3:145)
"Give good news to the patient, who, when a misfortune befalls them,
say: We
are Allah's and to Him do we return." (2:155-156)
_____
6. Forgiveness:
"Pardon (people) and overlook (their faults). Don't you love that Allah
should forgive you." (24:22)
"(The dutiful are) . . . those who restrain their anger and pardon
people.
Allah loves those who do good to others." (3:134)
"Whenever they (true believers) are angry they forgive." (42:37)
"The recompense of evil is punishment like it. But whoever forgives (an
evil
committed against himself) and amends (matters), his reward is with
Allah. .
. . Whoever is patient and forgives, that is a matter of great
resolution."
(42:40, 43)
When the Holy Prophet Muhammad defeated his enemies in Makka and
returned to
that city as its conqueror, he forgave them in the following words:
"No reproof be against you this day; Allah may forgive you, and He is
the
most Merciful of those who show mercy." (12:92)
_____
7. Purity and cleanliness:
"He indeed is successful who purifies himself (in mind and body), and
remembers the name of his Lord, then prays." (87:14-15)
"Purify your garments and shun uncleanness." (74:4-5)
_____
8. Honesty:
"Don't go near the property of an orphan, except in a goodly way, till
he
attains maturity. And fulfil the promise (you make) . . .. Give full
measure
when you measure out, and weigh with a true balance." (17:34-35)
"Do not swallow up your property among yourselves by false means, nor
offer
it as a bribe to the officials so that you may swallow up other
people's
property unlawfully while you know." (2:188)
_____
9. Goodness and kindness to others:
"Allah commands you to uphold justice and to do good to others and to
give
to the relatives." (16:90)
Three degrees of doing good are mentioned here: "justice," which means
returning any good that someone has done you with equal good; "do good
to
others," which means taking the initiative in doing good to others; and
"give to the relatives," which means doing good to people instinctively
and
naturally just as one does good to one's close relatives.
"Do good to others, surely Allah loves those who do good to others."
(2:195)
_____
10. Consideration and respect for others:
"O you who believe! do not enter houses other than your own until you
have
asked permission and greeted the inmates . . . and if it is said to
you, 'Go
back', then go back." (24:27-28)
"O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion (against others), for
surely
suspicion in some cases is sin; and do not spy (into other people's
affairs), nor let some of you backbite others." (49:12)
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it,
or
return it (in the same terms at least)." (4:86)
_____
11. Courage:
Speaking of a small number of Muslims facing a big and powerful enemy,
the
Quran relates:
"Those to whom men said: people have gathered against you, so fear
them; but
this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us
and He
is an excellent Guardian." (3:173)
_____
12. Moderation:
"Eat and drink, but do not be immoderate." (7:31)
"Do not chain your hand to your neck (so that you are mean in
spending), nor
stretch it out to the utmost limit (so that you waste everything)."
(17:29)
Regarding the performance of religious duties, the Holy Prophet has
given
the following advice:
"Religion is easy, but any one who exerts himself too much in religious
devotions will get overcome by it; so you should just act rightly, and
keep
to the mean, and be of good cheer, and ask for Allah's help morning,
evening, and a part of the night." (Bukhari.)
_____
13. Cheerfulness:
"Be of good cheer." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
"It is an act of charity to meet your fellow with a cheerful face."
(Holy
Prophet in Mishkat.)
Finally, we give a verse of the Holy Quran mentioning a number of
qualities
a Muslim, man or woman, should try to acquire:
"The truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the
patient
women, the humble men and the humble women, the charitable men and the
charitable women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the men who
guard
their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, the men who
remember
Allah much and the women who remember Allah much - for all these Allah
has
prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (33:35) . How does Islam
require a
Muslim to treat the people around him?
The Holy Quran and the Hadith mention various categories of people that
one
has to deal with, and give a great deal of guidance on how to behave
towards
them.
1. Parents and the elderly:
"Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and do good to
parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say
'Fie' to
them, nor chide them, but speak to them a generous word . . . and say,
My
Lord, have mercy on them as they brought me up when I was little."
(17:23-24).
"The Holy Prophet said, It is one of the greatest sins that a man
should
curse his parents. Someone said, How can a man curse his own parents?
He
said, If a man abuses the father of another, that person will abuse his
parents (in return)." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
2. Other Near Relatives:
"Do good to the near relatives." (4:36)
"Give to the near relative his due, and also to the needy and to the
traveller (in need of help). (17:26).
_____
3. Children:
"Do not kill your children for fear of poverty - We (Allah) provide for
them
and for you." (17:31)
"A man came to the Holy Prophet and said, `You kiss children but we do
not
kiss them'. The Holy Prophet said, `Do I have any control over you if
Allah
has taken away mercy from your heart'." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
4. Orphans and destitute children:
"Maintain the orphans out of their property and clothe them and give
them a
good education. Test them when they reach the age of majority, and if
you
find them to be mature, hand over their property to them." (4:5-6)
"I and the man who brings up an orphan will be in paradise like this,"
said
the Holy Prophet, putting together his forefinger and middle finger.
(Report
in Bukhari.)
_____
5. Poor and needy:
"Righteous is he who . . . gives away wealth out of love for Him to the
near
of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who
ask
and to set slaves free." (2:177)
"What will make you understand what the uphill road (to success) is?
(It is)
to free a slave, or feed at a time of hunger an orphan who is a
relative or
the poor man lying in the dust." (90:11-16)
"Have you seen him who goes against religion? That is the one who is
rough
to the orphan and does not urge the feeding of the needy." (107:1-3)
"(The true believers are those) in whose wealth there is a known right
for
the beggar and the destitute." (70:24-25)
"The person who manages things for the widow and the poor is like the
one
who strives hard in the way of Allah." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
_____
6. Neighbours:
"Be good to . . . the neighbour belonging to your people and the alien
neighbour." (4:36)
"He is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is
hungry."
(Holy Prophet in Hadith.)
"The angel Gabriel continued to enjoin upon me good treatment of the
neighbour, so much so that I thought he would make him heir to one's
property." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
_____
7. Wives/Husbands:
"They (your wives) are a garment for you, and you are a garment for
them."
(2:187)
"Of His (Allah's) signs is that He created spouses for you from
yourselves
so that you might find quiet of mind in them, and He put between you
love
and compassion." (30:21)
"The best of you are those who are kindest to their wives." (Holy
Prophet in
Tirmizi.)
A man related:
"I asked Aishah (Holy Prophet's wife): What did the Prophet do when in
his
house? She said, `He served his wife', meaning that he did work for his
wife." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
8. Employers/Employees:
"(The true believers) are those who are keepers of their trusts and
covenants." (23:8)
"Trusts" include the duties and the other things with which an employee
is
entrusted by his employer; "covenants" include the contract by which
both
the employer and the employee are bound.
"Allah says: There are three persons whose opponents I shall be on the
Day
of Judgment . . . (the third is) the person who employs a servant and
receives fully the labour due from him, but does not pay his wages."
(Holy
Prophet in Bukhari.)
Ans, a companion of the Holy Prophet, related:
"I served the Holy Prophet for ten years, and he never said to me,
`Fie',
nor did he ever say `Why have you done this', or `Why have you not done
that'." (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
9. Animals
"There is no animal in the earth, nor a bird flying on its two wings,
but
they are communities like yourselves (O people)." (6:38)
Someone asked the Holy Prophet, "Is there a reward for us (from Allah)
for
doing good to beasts?" He replied:
"In every animal having a liver fresh with life there is a reward."
(Holy
Prophet in Mishkat.)
"Be careful of your duty to Allah in the matter of dumb animals; ride
them
while they are in a fit condition, and eat them while they are in a fit
condition." (Holy Prophet in Abu Dawud.)
"Whoever tills a field, and birds and beasts eat from it, it is an act
of
charity." (Holy Prophet in Musnad of Ahmad.)
_____
10. Authorities:
Regarding electing and appointing people to positions of authority, the
Quran says:
"Allah commands you to make over trusts (or positions of trust and
authority) to those worthy of them." (4:58)
Some other principles are as follows:
"Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority from among
you;
then if you quarrel about anything (with your authorities) refer it to
Allah
and the Messenger" (4:59), i.e. settle the disagreement by means of the
Holy
Quran and the Holy Prophet's example.
"Obedience (of authority) is due only in good matters", i.e., orders to
do
wrong must not be obeyed. (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
The first head of state of the Muslims after the Holy Prophet, the
famous
Hazrat Abu Bakr, said in a speech after his election:
"Help me if I am in the right. Correct me if I am in the wrong. Obey me
as
long as I obey Allah and His Messenger; in case I disobey Allah and His
Messenger, I have no right to obedience from you."
"The most excellent jihad is to speak the truth in the face of an
unjust
ruler." (Holy Prophet in Mishkat.)
_____
11. Muslims:
"Hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited.
And
remember Allah's favour to you when you were enemies, then He united
your
hearts, so by His favour you became brethren." (3:103)
"The believers are brethren, so make peace between your brethren . . .
Do
not find fault with your own people, nor call one another by (bad)
nick-names." (49:10-12)
"Help one another in good and righteous works, and do not help one
another
in sin and aggression." (5:2)
"Do not hate one another and do not be jealous of one another and do
not
boycott one another, and be servants of Allah, as brothers; and it is
not
lawful for a Muslim to sever his relations with his brother for more
than
three days." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
"You will see the believers in their having mercy for one another, and
in
their love for one another, and in their kindness towards one another,
like
the human body: when one limb is ailing, the whole body feels it, one
part
calling out the other with sleeplessness and fever." (Holy Prophet in
Bukhari.)
"None of you has faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for
himself." (Holy Prophet in Bukhari.)
_____
12. Those who abuse Muslims:
"Bear patiently what they (abusers) say." (20:130)
"Disregard their annoying talk." (33:48)
"When you hear Allah's messages disbelieved in and mocked at, sit not
with
them until they enter into some other talk." (4:140)
"And if you invite them to guidance, they hear not; and you see them
looking
towards you, yet they see not. Take to forgiveness and enjoin good and
turn
away from the ignorant." (7:198-199)
"The Messenger of Allah and his Companions used to forgive the
idolaters and
the followers of the book (Jews and Christians), as Allah had commanded
them, and they used to show patience on hearing hurtful words." (Report
in
Bukhari.)
_____
13. Enemies:
"Repel evil with what is best, when lo! he between whom and you there
is
enmity will be like a warm friend." (41:34)
"Many of the people of the book wish that they could turn you back into
disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from themselves. . ..
But
pardon and forgive." (2:109)
"And you will always find treachery in them, except a few of them. So
pardon
them and forgive. Surely Allah loves those who do good to others."
(5:13)
_____
14. Non-Muslims:
"Allah does not forbid you concerning those people who do not fight you
because of your religion, nor expel you from your homes, that you show
them
kindness and deal with them justly.. . . Allah forbids you only
concerning
those people who fight you for your religion, and drive you from your
homes
and help others to expel you, that you make friends of them." (60: 8,9)
"Whatever good they (people of other religions) do, they will not be
denied
it (by Allah), and Allah knows who the righteous are." (3:115)
"O you who believe, be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with
justice;
and do not let the hatred of a people incite you not to act with
justice. Be
just; that is nearer to observance of duty." (5:8)
"Call (others) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly
exhortation,
and argue with them in the best manner." (16:125)
"Argue not with the people of the Book (Jews, Christians, and other
people
having scriptures) except by the best (means), save those of them who
act
unjustly. But say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and
revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him we
submit."
(29:46)
A companion of the Holy Prophet relates:
"A funeral procession passed by the Holy Prophet, and he stood up for
it.
People said to him: It was the funeral of a Jew. He said: Was it not a
human
life?" (Report in Bukhari.)
_____
15. Mankind generally:
"Mankind is a single nation." (2:213)
"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you
into
races and families so that you may know each other. The most honoured
of you
in Allah's sight are those who best keep their duty." (49:13)
"We (Allah) have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the
nations." (21:107)
"Speak good words to all people." (2:83)
"Allah commands you that . . . when you judge between people (i.e., of
any
race, religion, family, class, etc.), you judge with justice." (4:58)
_____
Signs of hypocrisy:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
The Prophet said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics)
will be
a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four
characteristics
will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it
up.
1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and
insulting
manner."
[Saheeh Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 33]
--
Prophet(PBUH) said,"Whoever goes down a path/road searching for
knowledge,
Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise." [Saheeh Muslim,
Vol.3
Hadith No. 99]
026.083 "O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me,and join me with
the righteous;
026.085 And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of
Delight," (THE HOLY QUR'AN) ameen
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islam4all/> Courtesy: Islam4all
Compiled,edited and adpted by Khalid Latif,e-tabligue
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
***************************************************************************
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise.
If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest".
Yahoo! Groups Links
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
