By Yasir Qadhi

Bismillah,

The topic of good akhlaaq is a very important topic. Consider that the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:“The only reason I have been sent is to perfect good manners.”Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala starts off Surah Al-Qalam, an early Makkan surah revealed to defend the status and honor of Prophet Muhammad sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam by saying:And indeed, you are upon a noble conduct, an exemplary manner (Al-Qalam 68/4).This exemplary manner is high akhlaaq. Of the things that Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala praised the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam for was that he had good akhlaaq, or good manners. This shows us the importance of good akhlaaq; in defending the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam, one of the first things that Allah mentions is his good akhlaaq.There are numerous Quranic aayaat referring to having good manners. Allah says:Worship Allah, and do not associate partners with him. And be good to your parents, and the relatives, and to the orphans, and to the poor people, and the neighbor that is close to you and the neighbor that is not close to you, and your companion

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How Should Muslims Deal With One Another When They Differ?

By Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)

Question : When two scholars give differing judgments on a personal issue, how do we decide upon which opinion to choose? Do we look at the specialization of the scholar, his age or just the evidence he brings?

Answer : It is well known and important that we know what is correct through the means of evidence. Yet it is upon him (the person seeking the truth) to follow whom he sees is closest to that which is correct. This is according to the scholar’s knowledge and the level of trust in him. As far as knowledge - there are indeed people who speak without knowledge. He may have some aspect of knowledge while having yet missed many aspects. As far as trust - there are some people who have a lot of knowledge yet he looks to what the people desire therefore he becomes negligent and rules according to what suits the questioner. So if scholars disagree, look to who is closest to what is correct. Just as two doctors may differ in diagnosis or treatment of an illness. You will follow the one whose diagnosis you see is deeper and more thorough.

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by Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal

Imâm Ahmad bin Hanbal - rahimahullah - said: You should know - may Allâh have mercy upon you - that when the slave [of Allâh] leaves his house to go to the mosque, that he is going to face Allâh, the Irresistible, the One, the Omnipotent, the Exalted in Might, the Oft-forgiving, in the knowledge that nothing is hidden from Allâh, wherever it might be, and that nothing is hidden from Allâh and that even something as small as a mustard seed is not concealed from Him, nor even something smaller, nor larger - in the seven earths or the seven heavens, in the seven seas or the lofty mountains, fixed and firm. And verily, the mosque to which he comes is one of the Houses of Allâh. He desires only Allâh and he sets out to one of Allâh’s Houses, which:

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By Farhat Amin

The word Islam means submission and therefore being a Muslim is submitting to Allah. The words La Illaha Ill Lal lahu Muhammdar Rasuallah is the first pillar of this beautiful religion. It establishes the fact that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad (S.W.S) is his messenger. Without this we could not perform the other acts of worship.

Metaphorically speaking without foundations a house will collapse, if we constantly remind ourselves of the foundations of Islam we will not be able to partake in the other acts of worship- prayer, fasting, charity and the pilgrimage. We as Muslims have been given a contract by Allah. If we fulfil our parts of the contract inshallah Allah will give us paradise. “Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, - they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with Allah. Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.” (Surah 98. The clear proof, evidence.)

It is sometimes stated that it is the ulama (scholars) that truly fear Allah. As Muslims we should fear the Lord of the heavens and the earths.

May Allah forgive us for our sins and inshallah may we strive to say the shahadat on our deathbeds.

We should strive for perfection and our characteristics should be the best within humanity. As an ummah we should show courtesy, manners, humility and patience. Surely this is how the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) behaved. We should strive to follow the teachings of the messengers and do our very best to imitate them. Surely this is how we should treat our brothers and sisters as well as the non-believers. If the non-believer sees the Muslim in a good light surely this will help them question their own beliefs and values. “Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).” (Surah 21. The Prophets.)

“O Ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger. but fear Allah. for Allah is He Who hears and knows all things.” (Surah 49. The Private Apartments, The Inner Apartments.) Surely one of the characteristics which should define a Muslim is to fear Allah as the prophets did. “He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).” (Surah 21. The Prophets.”) Allah is all knowing and therefore none is worthy of worship except him.

“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the apostle, and make not vain your deeds!” (Surah 47. Muhammad). My dear brothers and sisters let me end with this thought. Let us strive to be the best of humanity, let us strive for perfection and let us strive to become better Muslims. With the guidance of Allah let us follow the straight path and not the path of those who have strayed. “Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.” (Surah 1. the Opening.) The characteristics of a Muslim should include humility, patience, courtesy and manners. With Allah’s guidance and mercy may we gain our places in janna inshallah by acquiring good deeds with the intention of pleasing Allah.

An old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) whenever he passed from her house. Muhammad (SAW) had to pass that house daily on the way to the mosque. Even when the old woman threw rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. This was a regular, daily event.

One day when Prophet was passing by the woman was not there to throw the rubbish. He stopped and asked the neighbor about her well-being. The neighbor informed the prophet that the woman was sick on bed. The prophet politely asked permission to visit the woman. When allowed he entered the house, the woman thought that he had come there to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of sickness. But the prophet assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, as it was the command of Allah that if any one is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed.

The old woman was greatly moved by this kindness and love of Prophet. By the example of greatness of Muhammad (SAW), she understood that he was truly the Prophet of God and Islam was the true religion. She accepted Islam at once.

By Hassan Saroya

Ahhh yes, “Whagwan”, “Was gwaning”, “What you sayin bruv” and the various other greetings considered acceptable by the ever fashionable crop of urban youth are as popular as ever these days. In a time where hip-hop is all the rage, and where you can’t walk down a street without hearing news of Fiddy’s latest “beef”, holding on to Islamic speaking mannerisms can seem a bit of a chore.

Not only does slang sound awful, it really doesn’t make any sense – at all. Using “What u sayin bruv” AS A GREETING is just wrong - on so many levels and “Whagwan”, “big tings gawan” etc is just bare stupid innit.

Thank god then, for me and thank god for City ISoc’s newsletter. Here are some clandestine alternatives to slang. Solid stuff as prescribed by the prophet saw.

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