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Dawa |
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The requirements of a Dâiya (the preacher) |
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Introduction. The preacher (daiya) is: - The one who notify truthfully the message of the prophet- may peace be upon him. - The one who is charged with conveying Islam to all humanity. - The guide of the perplexed people, and the one who awakens the unaware and the sleepers. - The one who discerns that calling to Allah’s way is a legitimate obligation and a social necessity, and it is an honor for the one selected by God to accomplish this mission. In order to deserve this honor, the preacher should be characterized by some features and criteria. Among them:
I. Faith criterion. 1) Its definition: Faith is to believe by the heart, to confess it (faith) by the tong and to perform it by the organs. - Faith is the first basis that is required in the preacher. Indeed, faith is the word used to mean belief (Aqida). 2) Its pillars. ¨ To have faith in the Almighty Allah, His Most Sublime Names, and to believe that He is the only God with no partner. The Almighty Allah said: «Say: He is God, the One and the Only, the Eternal cause of all beings. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is non comparable to Him». [Surat Al Ikhlâs/sincerity of faith]. « Allah, there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Eternal Power. No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. Who is there that can intercede in His presence except by His permission. He knows their future and past, nor shall they attain any of His knowledge except as He wills. His sovereignty knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in preserving them, and He is the Most High, the Limitless». [Surat Al- Baqara/The Heifer, 255]. «And the Most Sublime Names of Allah are due to Him alone, so call Him by them, and ignore those who distort them in apostasy, they shall be recompensed for what they have done». [Surat Al Arâf/the Heights, 180]. ¨ To have faith in the Angles who praise and obey Allah. The Almighty Allah said: «Say: who would be the enemy of Gabriel, while he is the one who brought the Koran upon your heart (the prophet-may peace be upon him) by Allah’s command, confirming the Scriptures revealed before it, and guidance and glad tidings to the believers! Whoever is the enemy of Allah and His angles, and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael, surely Allah is the enemy of the unbelievers». [Surat Al- Baqara/The Heifer, 97, 98]. «And truly it (Koran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds; the Faithful spirit (Gabriel) has descended with it». [Surat Ashuarâ’/the Poets, 192, 193]. «Those who bear the throne, and those around it, proclaim the praise of their Lords and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who believe: “Our Lord, you embrace everything in your mercy and knowledge. Therefore, forgive those who repent and follow your way, and protect them from the chastisement of Hell». [Surat Ghafir/The forgiver, 7]. « O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is mankind and stones, and over which are Angles stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do as they are commanded». [Surat Atahrîm/the Prohibition, 6]. ¨ To believe in the Scriptures that are sent down by the Almighty Allah to His Messengers, and which convey guidance to all humanity. The Almighty Allah said: «And Mohammad is but a Messenger, Messengers have passed away before him. So, if he died or was killed would you then turn back to disbelief? Whoever turns back to disbelief does no harm to God, but Allah will reward the grateful. And no soul can die except by Allah’s permission. The term is preordained, and if any desire the reward of this world We shall give him of it, and we shall reward the grateful». [Surat Al- Imran/The family of Imran, 144, 145]. « Furthermore We made follow in their tracks, Our messengers, and We followed them with Jesus, son of Mary, and we gave him the Injeel (Gospel) and we set in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy, but monasticism they themselves invented, We did not ordain it for them, only seeking Allah’s pleasure, but they did not observe it as it should be observed. So, We gave those of them who believe their reward, and many of them are astray». [Surat Al- Hadid/The iron, 27]. «And We revealed to you the Book (the Koran) in truth, confirming what has remained intact of the Scripture before it, and the determiner of it. So, judge between them according to what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their vain desires, turning aside from the truth that has come to you. We have prescribed a law and a way of life for each of you, if Allah had pleased He would have made you one nation, but He may test you in what He has given you, so strive to vie with one another in good deeds, to Allah is the return of all of you, and He will tell you about that in which you differ». [Surat Al- Maîda/The Table Spread, 48]. «Surely all this is in the former Scriptures of Abraham and Moses». [Surat Al- A’la/The Most High, 18, 19]. ¨ To believe in all the prophets and messengers- may God be pleased with them. Allah the Great said: « The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what is revealed to him from his Lord and so do the believers, they all believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His messengers. We make no distinction between any if His Messengers and they say: “We hear and we obey, we implore your forgiveness our Lord, and to you is the return (destiny) ». [Surat Al Baqara/the Heifer, 285]. ¨ To believe in the Day of Resurrection; the day in which the Almighty Allah judges His creatures (Man) with justice. The day of resurrection has other names, among them: Al-Hâqa/The reality, Al-Wâqia/The Inevitable Truth, Al- Ghâshia/The Over Whelming, Al- Qâriâ/The Striking Hour, Al-Hashr/The Gathering, Al- Wâ’du Al Haq/ The True Promise…etc The Almighty Allah said: «And the Trumpet shall be blown, and then all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth shall swoon, except such as Allah pleases. Then it shall be blown again, and they shall stand looking». [Surat Az-Zumar/The companies, 68]. «And the earth and the mountains shall be lifted up and crushed with one crush. Then on that Day, the Inevitable Event shall come to pass; and the sky shall be rent asunder, for it will that Day be flimsy; and the Angles shall be on the sides thereof, and eight shall carry above them the throne of your Lord. On that Day brought to judgment, nor will one act of yours be concealed». [Surat Al-Hâqa/The Inevitable Truth, from 14 to 18]. «When the sun shall be rolled up; and the stars pall and lose their light; and when the mountains shall be set in motion; and when the she- camels ten month pregnant shall be left untended, and when the wild beasts shall be brought together, and when the seas shall be set ablaze; and when the souls shall be paired; and when the infant girl that was buried alive shall be asked; for what sin was she killed; and when the scrolls shall be opened; and when the sky shall be removed; and when Hell shall be set blazing, and when paradise shall be brought near». [Surat At-Kwîr/the Rolling up, from 1 to 13]. 3) Its fruits. ¨ Sincerity and faithfulness: Allah the Great said: «Say, “Surely my prayer and my devotion, my life and my death, are all for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. No partner has He, and this is what I have been commanded, and I am the first of those who are Muslims». [Surat Al-An’âm/The Cattle, 162, 163]. ¨ Serenity: The Almighty Allah said: «Allah is He who sent down serenity on the hearts of the believers that they may increase in their faith, and to Allah belong the forces of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise». [Surat Al-Fath/The victory /Conquest, 4] ¨ Certainty, confidence and trust in Allah: The Almighty Allah said: «… And whoever puts his trust in Allah, Allah will suffice him. Surely Allah brings his commands to pass. Allah has decreed a destiny for all things». [Surat At-Talaq/The Divorce, 3]. - Omar bnu El-Khatab -may God be pleased with him- said: I heard the prophet-may peace be upon him- saying: «If you trusted truthfully in Allah, He would have endowed you with His subsistence as He did for the birds, which go hungry in the morning and return back satiated in the evening». [Reported by At-Tirmithi. He said it is a good Hadith]. ¨ Power. It is of two kinds: a) An incentive power: it is the one which induce people to do good deeds and obey Allah. The Almighty Allah said: «I swear by the era (time through the ages); most surely man kind is a certain loser, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and enjoin each other to follow the truth, and enjoin each other to be steadfast». [Surat Al-Asr/The Era]. «Most surely, the believers are those hearts tremble with awe when Allah’s name is mentioned and when his revelations are recited to them their faith increase, and they put their trust in their Lord. Those who establish prayer and send out of what We have bestowed on them. Those are the true believers, they have high ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous provisions». [Surat Al-Anfâl/The Spoil of War, from 2 to 4]. «Most surely, the believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messengers, and never have any doubt, and strive with their possession and their souls in Allah’s cause, those they are the truthful ones». [Suart Al-Hujurât/the Chambers, 15]. b) A deterrent power: it is the force that deters Man from doing evil deeds and spreading corruption. El-Boukhari and Muslim reported from Abi Hurayra that the prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «The one who commits adultery can not be a believer at the moment of fornication. The one who steals can not be believer at the moment of stealing…». [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. «The one who believes in Allah and in the Last Day must say well or keep silent». [Reported by Muslim]. «One believes not until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself». [Reported by El-Boukhari and Muslim]. ¨ Steadiness and consistency: The Almighty Allah said: « Allah makes the believers hold firm to the truth, in this life and in the Hereafter; and Allah leaves astray the wrongdoers, and Allah does what He pleases». [Surat Ibrâhim/Abraham, 27]. ¨ Patience to bear the consequences of Dawa: The Daiya should be patient when: - Sacrificing his best times and granting his money. - He is afflicted and harmed. The Almighty Allah said: «Do the people think that they will be let to say we believe, and they shall not be tried? And We have already tried those before them, and Allah will distinguish between those who are true and the liars». [Surat al-Ankabut/The Spider, 2, 3].
II. Education and moral standards. A) The importance of education: ¨ Education is what guarantees the success of Dawa i.e. the mission of acquainting people with Islam. ¨ A good education and morals are the most effective means of spreading Islam. It was proved that throughout history, the Muslim merchants contributed immensely in the spread of Islam by their good morals. ¨ Education is a means that helps reading mankind for succession on the earth. This mission (succession) is what makes the nursing of human being the longest one. ¨ Education is the best criterion of preference between people. The prophet-may peace be upon him- said: «Nothing is weightier than good morals». [Reported by Et-Termithi]. « The most perfect of the believers in faith are those who have the best morals…». [Reported by Muslim]. «The believer with his good morals reaches the position of the fasting person who prays during the night». [Reported by Ahmed]. The Almighty Allah praised the good morals of His prophet-Muhammad-may peace be upon him. He said: «And surely you are of a great morality». [Surat Al-Qalam/The Pen, 4]. Hicham bnu Hakim asked Aicha- the prophet’s wife- about the morals of the prophet-may peace be upon him, she said: «His morals were the Koran» i.e. his morals are exactly like those stated in the Koran. B) The educational characteristics of the preacher. The Muslim should be characterized by a set of morals and attributes, and the Daiya (preacher) is worthier to be so, because he is the model and he has a mission to accomplish. Among these characteristics, we mention:
1) Truthfulness: Truthfulness is to say the truth at the moment when lie is the only way of salvation. Truthfulness leads to: - Steadiness in sayings and deeds. - Serenity and tranquility of the self. - The power of influence on others. The prophet-may peace be upon him- was known for this characteristic (truthfulness). He was named “the upright truthful”. This fact was also affirmed by his enemies though they disbelieve in what was revealed to him. Heraclius asked Abu Sufiân - before his conversion to Islam- about the prophet- may peace be upon him, he said: did you accuse him of lying before he said what he said? Abu Sufiân answered him: No. Then Heraclius said: "What did the Prophet order you?" I replied, "He orders us to offer prayers, to give alms, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our relatives… then Heraclius said I know that he would not be truthful with people and be a liar with Allah». [Fath Al-Bâri in Explaining Sahih El-Bukhari, vol1 book: the beginning of the Revelation p 43-44].
The Almighty Allah said: «O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful». [Surat At-Tawba/The Repentance, 119]. «…That Allah may reward the faithful ones for their being true, and chastise the hypocrites if He pleases, or accept their repentance. Indeed! Allah is all Forgiving, all Merciful». [Surat Al-Ahzab/The Allies, 24]. «Uprightness is not to turn your faces towards east or west (in prayer), but uprightness is to believe in Allah and the Last Day, the Angles, the Book, and the prophets, and to give away from your cherished wealth, in spite of love to it, to the kinsfolk, the orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, the beggar and to ransom a slave, and to establish prayer and alms giving, and those who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and endure with fortitude, hardship and peril, those are true in their faith, those are the pious». [Surat Al-Baqara/The Heifer, 177]. «And grant me descendants to speak the truth among the later generations». [Surat Ash-Shuarâ’/the Poets, 84]. Many Ahadith were said in this context, among them: «…Indeed, truth is tranquility, and lie is suspicion and mistrust». [Reported by Etermithi, and he said it is a sound Hadith]. Ibnu Massoud reported that the prophet-may peace be upon him- said: «Truth is a virtue and virtue leads to paradise, and a person strive to tell the truth until he is recorded as truthful. And lie leads to obscenity and obscenity leads to Hell, and the person who tells lies and continues telling lies is recorded as a liar with Allah». [Agreed on]. When the prophet-may peace be upon him- was asked: «Can the believer be a coward? He said: Yes. Can the believer be a stingy? He said: Yes. Then they said: Can the believer be a liar? He said: No». [Reported by Malik in his Al-Muatâ’]. So, the preacher must endeavor to be truthful in his sayings and deeds, and to set up his attitudes according to truthful evidences and not according to doubts and rumors. The Almighty Allah said: «O you who believe! If an immoral one comes to you with tidings, assess it carefully, lest you should harm a people without knowledge, and then become regretful for what you have done». [Surat Al-Hujurât/The Chambers, 49]. Lie is a vice, and the addiction to it ruins human being, the idea he adopts and the Dawa he is charged with.
2) Trustworthiness. This attributes is linked to truthfulness and is concomitant to it. Trustworthiness is not restricted to the protection of deposits; it is rather the bearing of full responsibility for all the charges and the consequences. Sheikh El Ghazali said: « Trustworthiness is a virtue that can not be held by the weak». The messengers of Allah were endowed with trustworthiness and honesty. How not since they are the best of all people. The Almighty Allah said: «When their brother Noah said to them "Why do you not fear Allah? I’ am for you a faithful messenger». [Surat Ash-Shuâra’/the Poets, 106, 107]. «One of the maidens said: O my father, hire him, surely the best of those you can hire is the one who is strong and trustworthy». [Surat Al-Qasas/The Narratives, 26]. - The Daiya should be trustworthy to impart to people his message successfully. The Almighty Allah said: «Truly, we did offer trust (free will to chose between the right way and deviation) to the heavens and the earth, and mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it. But Man undertook to bear it. Verily he was unfair (to himself) and ignorant (of its results) ». [Surat Al-Ahzab/The Allies, 72]. The Almighty Allah warned against violating one’s trusts. He said: «O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His messengers; nor violates your trusts willingly». [Surat Al-Anfâl/The Spoils of War, 27]. The prophet-may peace be upon him-said: «…Then there will be after them people who testify but their witness is not considered, they betray then they are not trusted, and they vow to Allah but they break down their vows». [Agreed on]. «No faith for the one who is not trusted and no religion for the one who breaks his covenants». [Reported by Ahmed]. «Pay back the deposits to those who trusted you, and do not betray the one who betrayed you». [Reported by Ahmed and Abu Dawud]. A man came to the prophet-may peace be upon him- and asked him: "When will be the Last Day". The prophet-may peace be upon him- answered him: «When the trust is lost, so wait for the Day of Resurrection». [Reported by El-Boukhari].
3) Forbearance. The Ulemas said: forbearance is the basic of morals. It is the state of being in a good heart, and the ability to bear harm. It is a sign of power and not of weakness. The prophet-may peace be upon him- said: «The strong man is not the one who wrestles well, but rather the one who controls himself when he is in a fit of rage. [Reported by Imam Malik]. Forbearance makes people overcome the hardships. The Almighty Allah said: «And good deeds and evil are not equal. Repel evil with what is best, then he with whom you had enmity shall become as a loyal friend ». [Surat Fussilat/The Expounded, 34]. Abdu Allah bnu Omar bnu Al-Ass asked the prophet-may peace be upon him: what can save me from the wrath of Allah? He answered: «Do not be furious». [Reported by Ahmed in his Musnad]. The preacher meets many kinds of people and encounters many hardships and obstacles. Thus, he requires forbearance to overcome them. Though anger is the natural characteristic of human being, one must controls it. The Almighty Allah said: «Those who spend (in charity) whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain anger, and pardon people, and Allah loves the charitable». [Surat Al-Imran/The Family of Imran, 134].
4) Forgiveness. Clemency and repentance are among Allah’s attributes. He named one of the Surats of the Koran “Repentance. Moreover, He affirmed that he accepts people’s repentance and forgives them. He said: «Say: O my servants, who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins, surely He is the All forgiving, the Most Merciful». [Surat Az Zumar/The Companion, 53]. Indeed, the messengers of Allah are the best examples of forgiveness and condonation for they forgave their people in spite of their harm and punishment. - The forbearance of the prophet Hood- may peace be upon him- when he called his people to monotheism. They said- as it is reported in the Noble Koran: «The chiefs of those who disbelieve among his people said: most surely, we regard you as of unsound mind and we think you are a liar. He said: O my people, I am not of unsound mind, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds, I bring you the messages of my Lord, I am your sincere adviser». [Surat Al’Arâf/The Heights, 66, 67 and 68]. The prophet Hood gave preponderance to forbearance over fury and to forgiveness over punishment. - The Forbearance of the Prophet Muhammad- may peace be upon him- when he returned back to Mecca after years of exile. He forgave the people of Mecca and said to them: «What do you think I am doing for you? ». They said: good. You are a good hearted brother and a kind nephew. Then the prophet- may peace be upon him said: «I tell you not but what the prophet Joseph has told to his brothers: “No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgives you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!”. Go! You are free». The Almighty Allah said: «Be forgiving, enjoin what is right and turn away from the ignorant (excuse the ignorant) » [Surat Al’Arâf/the Heights, 199]. He also said: «But for breaking their covenant, we cured them, and made their hearts hard. They are preventing words from their meaning, and they have forgotten a portion of what they were given of the scriptures, and you will always find them treacherous in every way, except a few of them. But forgive them, and overlook their misdeeds. Surely Allah loves the charitable». [Surat Al-Mâ’Ida/ the Table spread, 13]. «Those who spend (in charity) whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain anger, and pardon people, and Allah loves the Charitable ». [Surat Al-Imrân/the Family of Imran, 134]. He also said: «And let not those among you, who are endued with bounty and plenty, swear not to give (any sort of help) to their near of kin and poor and those who have emigrated in the cause of Allah, but let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is All Forgiving, Most Merciful». [Surat An-Nur/ the Light, 22].
5) Patience. Patience is the ability to surmount annoyance or suffering without complaining, and to deal with the ordeal patiently. Patience is half of faith i.e. the patient attains half of faith. - Surmounting affliction and hindrance, and assuming the consequences require a great patience. - The Ever Patient is one of Allah’ Sublime Names. Indeed, Allah does not hasten punishment. - Patience is a sign of manhood. - Dawa can not be held but by patients. The Almighty Allah said: «But they said: Our Lord, make longer the distance for our travel and they wronged themselves, so we made them mere tales, and we scattered them utterly. Surely in this are signs for every patient and grateful one». [Surt Saba/ Sheba, 19]. «If He pleases He can still the wind and they (ships) remain motionless on its (sea) back. Verily in this are signs for every one patient and grateful» [Surat Ashura’/the Consultation, 33]. «You shall be tried and tested in your wealth, properties and yourselves, and you shall certainly hear from those of earlier scriptures and from the idolaters, much that will grieve you, but if you are patient and you fear Allah, surely this is true constancy». [Surat Al-Imran/the Family of Imran, 186]. «And certainly, We shall try you until we know those of you who strive hard (in Allah’s cause) and the steadfast, and show you your true self». [Surat Muhammad, 31]. «Alif -Lâm- Mîm. Do the people think that they will be left to say we believe, and they shall not be tried and We have already tried those before them, and Allah will distinguish between those who are true and the liars». [Surat Al-Ankabűt/the Spider, verses: 1, 2, 3]. «And surely we will try you with some of fear and hunger and diminishment of wealth, lives and gains, but give glade tidings to those who are patient, who say when catastrophe strikes them: to Allah we belong and to Him we return. Those are they on whom are prayers and mercy from their Lord, and those are the rightly guided». [Surat Al’Baqara/the Heifer, verses from 155 to 157]. «And obey Allah and his messenger, and do not engage in disputes with one another, lest you lose courage and become insignificant, and be patient, surely Allah is always with the patient». [Surat Al-Anfâl/the Spoil of War]. «And we made from among them (children of Israel) leaders, guiding by our commands, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our revelation». [Surat As-Sajda/the Prostration, 24]. «Be patient (O Muhammad) as did the messengers of strong constancy, and do not seek to hasten it for them (the disbelievers). On that day when they see that they are promised, it shall be to them as if they had not stayed more than a single hour of a day. A clear message! And shall any be destroyed except the wicked people». [Surat Al-Ahqâf/the and Dunes, 35]. «And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they come to us! Our Lord pour out on us patience and cause us to die as Muslims». [Surat Al-Arâf/ the Heights, 126]. - Suheib- may Allah be pleased with him- reported that the prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «How wonderful is the state of the believer. It is all good, and no one has this privilege but him. If he is gladdened he thanks his Lord, so it is good for him and if he is afflicted he bears patiently and then it is good for him». [Reported by Muslim]. a) The degrees of patience. The Almighty Allah said: «O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard your territory by stationing army units permanently, and fear Allah, so that you may be successful». [Surat Al-Imran/the Family of Imran, 200]. - Patience. - Taking patience: it is the fact of seeking patience. - Multiplying patience. - Encountering the enemy patiently. B) Types of patience. ¨ Regarding the situation in which one should have patience. 1. Patience when performing Allah’s ordainments and worships. Indeed, performing and continuing doing them requires great patience. Prayer -being a recurrent worship- requires a lot of patience. The Almighty Allah said: «And seek help in patience and prayer, it is indeed too much to do except for those of humble spirit». [Surat Al-Baqara/the Heifer, 45]. He also said: «And be patient with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and in the evening, seeking his pleasure, and let not your interest turn aside from them. Do you desire the allurement of the life of this world? And do not obey the one who follows his own lusts and so his heart has become unmindful of Our remembrance and his affair has gone beyond all bounds». [Surat Al-Kahf/the Cave, 28]. 2. Patience to overcome sins and offences. 3. Patience in moments of afflictions descended by Allah or caused by people. ¨ Patience before Allah has four positions: - The position of the inability to be patient in afflictions. In such a situation, the afflicted person feels anxious and complains his pain to Allah. - The position of being patient with Allah i.e. not complaining, or due to his bravery i.e. the person keeps patient because his manliness and bravery require from him to do so]. - The position of satisfaction with what is predestined by the Almighty Allah. - The position of thanking Allah in spite of affliction. It is the highest position. The Almighty Allah said. «…But few of my servants are grateful». [Surat Saba/Sheba, from the verse 13]. ¨ Patience with people has five contexts. - Restraining ones anger. - forgiving people. - Preserving oneself from the feeling of revenge. - Considering all that happens to us as being preordained by Allah. - Being beneficent towards those who afflicted us. The Almighty Allah said: «And Allah gave them the reward of this world and a better reward in the Hereafter and loves those who do good deeds». [Surat Al-Imran/the Family of Imran, 148]. The source of religion is set on three bases: Performing what is ordained, restraining from what is forbidden and have patience on what is fated. These are among the advices that Luqman gave to his son. «O my son! Establish prayer and enjoin good, and forbid evil, and bear with patience whatever befalls you, this is true steadfastness». [Surat Luqman, 17]. ¨ Regarding its nature (the side of human being that bears the hindrance). 1. Physical patience. a. Facultative patience: it is when one chooses freely to do hard works. b. Compulsory patience: to be patient and bear the pains of beating, hotness, illness…. 2. Psychological patience. a. Facultative patience: to expend (money, time, valuable things…) for the sake of Allah, in spite of being in need of them. b. Coercive patience: to be patient when separating from the friends or the beloved due to death or travel. C) Its benefits. Patience in moments of affliction is a sign of magnanimity, as it was the case for the prophet Jacob, the father of the prophet Joseph - may peace be upon them. The Almighty Allah said: «And they brought his shirt stained with fake blood. He said: whoever your evil souls have tempted you to do something. But good patience! Allah is the succour from what you are describing». [Surat Yusef/the prophet Joseph, 18]. He also said: «Jacob said: “No, but your souls tempted you in some way, but patience is better! Maybe Allah will bring them all back to me, Allah is All knowing, All Wise». [Surat Yusef/the prophet Joseph, 83]. - Both the believer and the unbeliever can be patient in moments of difficulties and calamities, but only the truthful believer can be patient in prosperity. Imam Ali said: «The value of patience in faith is tantamount to that of the head in the body». Abdu Erahmân bnu Aouf said: «We have been afflicted with tribulations and we bore them patiently, and we were tested by prosperity and we meet it impatiently». - The Almighty Allah afflicts us with what He wants and not with what we want. - Not to look at the vanished grace but at the remaining ones. - To meet the tribulations with patience so that to gain Allah’s reward. Omar bnu Al-Khatab said: «In case I am stricken by an ordeal, I feel happy due to three things: because of the reward I receive from meeting it patiently, because of not being in my religion and because it has not been more vigorous than it was». Imam Echâfii said: «Patience in moments of calamities is difficult, but losing reward is the most difficult».
6) Mercy. It is the opposite of harshness and aggression. Sheikh Al-Ghazali said in his book “The Morals of the Muslim”: «The harshness that Islam denounced is the one which dulls the soul, the one which is not correlated with logic or justice and the one which is an obscene impulse that is satiated with offense and harm». The Muslim reiterates the word mercy at least seventeen times in prayers when he recites Surat Al-Fa’tiha/The Opening of the Book, and he repeats it continuously whenever he salutes somebody i.e. he says «Salam Aleikum wa rahmatu Allah». Rahma in the Arabic language means mercy. Islam is a religion of mercy. The Almighty Allah said: «And we did not send you but as a mercy to all beings». [Surat Al-Anbiya’/the Prophets, 107]. The Almighty Allah’s mercy comprehends both human beings and animals, He said: «Our Lord, You embrace every thing in Your mercy and Knowledge, therefore forgive those who repent and follow your way, and protect them from the chastisement of Hell». [Surat Ghafir/the Forgiver, 7]. He also said: «And ordain for us good in this world and in the Hereafter. We beseech you for help “Allah said I will afflict with it whom I please, and My mercy encompasses all things, so I will ordain it for those who are pious and pay alms and those who believe in Our revelation». [Surat Al-Araâf/the Heights, 156]. The prophet- may peace be upon him said: « A women will get into Hell because of a cat which she confined until it died; she did neither feed it nor did she free it so that it might eat from the insects of the earth». [Reported by Muslim]. Mercy is one of the attributes of the prophet- may peace be upon him. The Almighty Allah said: «Certainly there has come to you a messenger from amongst you, affliction grieves him deeply, ardently anxious is he over you. He is compassionate and merciful towards the believers». [Surat Tawba/ Repentance, 128]. He also said: «It is by Allah’s mercy that you were kind to them, and if you have been harsh and hard of heart, they would have dispersed from around you, so pardon them, and pray for forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matters and when you reach a decision, place your trust in Allah, surely Allah loves those who put their trust in Him». [Surat Al-Imrân/the Family of Imran, 159]. The Noble Koran is a mercy on the believers. «And We revealed of the Koran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, and it does not increase the unbelievers any thing, but loss». [Surat Al-Isrâa’/the Nocturnal Trip, 82]. With mercy, Allah attracts the hearts of the sinful. He said: «O my servants, who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins, surely He is the All Forgiving, the Most Merciful». [Surat Az Zumar/The Companies, 53]. With mercy, the followers of the prophet- may peace be upon him- were deeply attached to each other. The Almighty Allah said: «Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against the unbelievers and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing, prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and his good pleasure. The signs of his prostration are apparent in their faces. This is their description in the Torah, and their description in the Gospel is like a seed which sends strong and rises straight upon its stem, delighting the sowers, that he may engage the unbelievers by them, Allah promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them, forgiveness and a great reward». [Surat Al-Fath/The Victory, 29]. Mercy ensures the continuity of affection and marital relationship. The Almighty Allah said: «And from His signs is that He created your wives from yourselves that you find serenity with them, and He has set between you affection and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect». [Surat Arum/The Romans, 21]. The Almighty Allah comprehends all the meanings of mercy; He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He said: « And your Lord is the All forgiving, the Lord of Mercy. If he should punish them for what they earn, He would hasten the chastisement for them; but they have their appointed time, from which they will find no escape». [Surat Al-Kahf/The Cave, 59]. He also ordained mercy for Him in the following verse׃ «And when those who believe in our revelation come to you, say peace be upon you, your Lord ordained mercy on Him that whoever of you does an evil out of ignorance and then repents and does righteous deeds after that, He is all Forgiving, All Merciful». [Surat Al-Anâm/The Cattle, 54]. The Almighty Allah taught us to invoke Him to grant us mercy, He said: «Our Lord do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant on us mercy from You, indeed You are the One who grants». [Surat Al-Imran/The Family of Imran, 8]. The prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «The one who have no mercy upon people, Allah will not be merciful with him» [Agreed on]. Abi Hurayra said: the prophet- may peace be upon him kissed Al-Hassan bnu Ali –may Allah be blessed with them- in the presence of Al-Aqrâ’Bnu Habiss who said: “ I have ten children and I have never kissed any of them. The prophet cast a look at him and said: «Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully». [Agreed on]. Abu Hurayra said: “I heard the prophet- may peace be upon him- saying: «Allah divided mercy into one hundred parts. He kept its ninety parts and sent down to the earth one part. Due to this single part, the creatures are merciful to each other, even the mare lifts up its hoofs away from its baby, lest it shall trample on it». [Reported by Al-Boukhari]. The preacher must be merciful to the called persons as to attract their hearts towards Allah’s way.
7) Modesty. It is the opposite of haughtiness, but it is not submissiveness. Haughtiness is to deny and disclaim Allah’s boons and graces. It is the characteristic of the oppressors like Pharaoh; it is the feeling of superiority and disdaining for others. Might is not inconsistent with modesty. It is to avow Allah’s graces; it arises from being near to Allah and from being strongly related to religion. The Almighty Allah said: «…But all Might belongs to Allah and his messengers, and the believers, but the hypocrites do not know». [Surat Al-Munâfiqun/The Hypocrites, from the verse 8]. - The modest person is accepted and respected by people. Modesty arises out of the feeling that all people have the same origin. The Almighty Allah said: «O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes, that you may know the one another. Surely the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most pious of you. Indeed Allah is all knowing, All Aware». [Surat Al-Hujurât/The Chambers, 13]. The prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «you are all descended from Adam and Adam is created out of earth». [Reported by Muslim and others]. - Modesty is the Moral to which the Noble Koran called. The Almighty Allah said: «… and show compassion to the believers». [Surat Al-Hijr/The Rock, 88]. He also said: «And extend your kindness to those who follow you of the believers». [Surat Ash-shuarâ’/The poets, 215]. - Modesty is a means of success in the Hereafter. The Almighty Allah said: «That is the blesses Abode of the Hereafter, we shall assign it to those who do not desire haughtiness for themselves, nor to be corruptive on the earth, and the Supreme achievement is for the Allah fearing». [Surat Al-Qasas/ The Narratives, 83]. - The Almighty Allah praised the modest, He said: «And the true servant of Allah the Most Gracious, are those who walk modestly on the earth, and who when the ignorant address them, they say: “Peace”». [Surat Al-Furqân/The criterion, 63]. The prophet-may peace be upon him said: «Indeed, Allah revealed to me to be modest, so that no one would behave boastfully with others and no one would oppress the other». [Reported by Muslim and Abu Dâwűd]. - The Almighty Allah interdicted haughtiness because it leads to corruption. He said: «I will turn away from My signs those who behave arrogantly without right on the earth, and even if they see every sign they will never believe in it, and although they see the right way they will not take it for a way, but when they see the way of error they will take it for a way, for they rejected Our revelations and were heedless of them». [Surat Al-A’râf/The Heights, 146]. «And do not hold your head in haughtiness to the people, nor walk in the land conceitedly; Allah does not love any proud and boastful one». [Surat Luqman, 18]. «And do not walk on the earth haughtily, certainly you will not rent the earth open, nor «That is the blessed abode of the Hereafter, we shall assign it to those who do not desire haughtiness for themselves, or to be corruptive on the earth, and supreme achievement is for the Allah fearing». [Surat Al-Qasas/The Narratives, 83]. - The Preacher must be modest in order to keep contact with people. Indeed, this characteristic will raise him to a highest position. Imam Chafii said: Be modest like the moon appearing, Fine on the water surface. And do not be like smoke rising, Vile on the layers of the air.
8) Uprightness This characteristic attracts people’s hearts. It should be in ones′ sayings and deeds. The Almighty Allah said: «Therefore stand steadfast as you have been commanded, and whoever repents with you, and do not transgress, surely He sees well all that you do». [Surat Hood/The prophet Hood, 112]. «So unto this (Islam and Koran) invite (people), and be steadfast as you have been commanded and do not follow their vain desires. And say: I believe in whatever Book Allah has revealed, I have been commanded to do justice between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. To us our deeds and to you your deeds, the matter is not for either of us to argue over, Allah shall gather us all, and to him is the final return». [Surat Ash-Shura/The Consultation, 15]. «Those who have said: "Our Lord is Allah", and then they have been righteous, angles descend upon them and say: fear not, nor grieve, rejoice in the glad tidings of paradise that you were promised». [Surat Fussilat/ the Expounded, 30]. « Surely those who say: “Our Lord is Allah, and remain steadfast, they shall not fear nor shall they grieve». [Surat Al-Ahqaf/The Sand Dunes].
One Sahabi said to the prophet -may peace be upon him- «O prophet! Tell me something in Islam so that I ask no one after that about it. The prophet said: «Say I believe in Allah, then be upright». [Reported by Muslim]. He also said: «The faith of the Muslim shall not be upright unless his heart is upright, and his heart would not be upright unless his tong is so». [Reported by Ahmed]. The good preacher shall follow the right way to be a model for the other preachers.
9) To bear the responsibility and assume its consequences. - Man in Islam is dutiful i.e. responsible. He does his duties before asking for his rights. - Responsibility in Islam is linked to reward and punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. - The one who observes people’s realities notices that they shirk responsibility. A) The legal texts that confirm it. The Almighty Allah said: «The day every soul will find itself in the presence of all the good it has done of evil, it will wish for a great distance between it and the evil it has done. And Allah warns you to fear Him, and Allah is Most compassionate to His servants». [Surat Al-Imran/The Family of Imran, 30]. «On that day the weighing will be just, and he whose scales will be heavy (with good deeds) such are the ones who will succeed. And he whose scales are light (having no good deeds) such are the ones who will have lost their souls for their disbelieve in Our revelations». [Surat Al-Arâf/The Heights, 8 and 9]. «That no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another; and that mankind shall have only what he has striven for; and that his striving shall soon be seen. Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense». [Surat An-Najm/The Star, 38, 39, 40 and 41]. « And whoever has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it. And whoever has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it». [Surat Azalzala/the Shaking, 7and 8]. The prophet -may peace be upon him- said: «You are all custodians, and every custodian is responsible for those he cares for ». [Reported by Muslim]. B) Its Levels. 1. Before the Almighty Allah. 2. Before His Book (the Noble Koran). 3. Before his prophet- may peace be upon him. 4. Before one’s family. 5. Before one’s kinship. 6. Before one’s deeds. 7. Before one’ society by preserving its values and standards, and helping the poor. 8. Before the Muslim nation by bearing its issues, protecting it, and interacting with it.
10) Fidelity. - Fidelity is a lofty characteristic and an exquisite quality. - To be loyal to one’s principles and values. - The obligation to fulfill the pledges and respect the treaties. A) The legal texts that confirm fidelity. The Almighty Allah said: «And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have made a covenant, and do not break the oath after they have been confirmed, you have made your oath in Allah’s Name. Indeed Allah knows all that you do». [Surat An-Nahl/The Bee, 91]. «And do not approach the property of the orphan, except in the fairest way, until he reaches maturity. And fulfill your commitments; surely you shall be questioned about the commitments». [Surat Al-Isra’/The Nocturnal Trip, 34]. «Those who fulfill the covenants of Allah and do not break the covenant». [Surat Ar-R’ad/ The Thunderbolt, 20]. «…And fulfill Allah’s covenant, this is what He has enjoined on you, that you may remember». [SuratAl-Anâm/The Cattle, 152]. «…And fulfill you obligation to me so that I shall fulfill my covenant with you, and fear me alone! ». [SuratAl-Baqara/The Heifer, 40]. «Of the believers are men who have been true to their pledges to Allah, from them some have fulfilled their pledges, and some are still hope of doing so, and they never change at heart». [Surat Al-Ahzâb/The Allies, 23]. «And we made covenant to Adam before, but he forgot and we found in him no constancy». [Surat Taha, 115]. The breaking of covenants is due to: 1. The weak memory. 2. The lack of determination that makes the person surmounts the hardships and accepts sacrifices. B) Its levels. Fidelity towards: - The Almighty Allah by having faith in what he revealed and obeying what he ordained. - His Book (the Noble Koran). - The prophet Muhammad -may peace be upon him- by following his guidance and Sunna. - Towards Dawa overtly and secretly, in moments of hardships and ease. People are of tow kinds: 1. Those that are bore by Dawa and they are the majority. 2. Those who bear the burden of Dawa and they are the minority.
11) Respecting time and investing it. 1. The importance given to time in the Noble Koran and the Sunna. A) The Noble Koran: The Almighty Allah swore by some points of time to show their importance in people’s lives. «I swear by the era (time through the ages). Most surely mankind is a certain loser». [Surat Al-Asr/The Era, 1 and 2]. «By the Night as it veils over. And by the day in full splendour». [Surat Al Leil/The Neight 1and 2]. «For you Allah subjected the sun and the moon, in constancy. And for you He subjected the night and the day». [Surat Ibrâhîm/The prophet Abraham, 33]. B) The Sunna: The prophet- may peace be upon him said: «Many people are cheated out of two graces: health and leisure». [Reported by Al-Bukhari, Etermithi and Ibn Mâja]. He also said: «Man would not be saved from the Hell in the Day of Resurrection until he will be asked about four matters: about his age in what he exhausted it, about his age in which he frayed it, about his money how he gained it and on which he spent it, and about his knowledge what he did with it». [Reported by Attabarâni from Ibn Abâss]. ¨ Time in the Islamic rituals. Many rituals teach the Muslim how to preserve his time in a practical and concrete manner. - Adan (Calling to prayer) which urges people to exploit their time from the first Adan held in the early morning (Fajr). - The Five prayers and the Friday prayer. - Zakat or legal alms which requires the passage of on year concerning money or the other properties. Fasting during specific days (month of Ramadan). Pilgrimage that is performed in a specific time.
¨ The characteristics of time. - Time is a prominent element in building civilizations. - It passes quickly. - It passes without return. - It represents people’s life, as their live consist of sequences of times. |
