Wednesday, January 16, 2013

DON'T JUDGE SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY SIN DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU

Assalamualalikum!

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah that the Prophet Muhammad (Sallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Enjoining all that is good is a Sadaqa." (Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.50)

Did you think I was supporting this idea? No, I don't and I have certain evidences that would also change your mind. If not, even then I have some evidences that might at least change your hearts may you declare it out loud or not.

Majority of the Muslims have a belief in this idea so that they can justify their sins and keep on sinning. By saying this they expect to have a great distance from people who might stop them from doing so. After all who likes to be reminded of their sins constantly? No one does!

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “All human beings without exception are sinful, but the best sinners are those who repent the most.” [Tirmidhi]

No one is perfect. Perfect and Kaamil is Allah alone. 

There are four types of people:
1. one who sins secretly and hides his sins while hoping for the forgiveness of Allah. He is shameful of his sins and is struggling from them.
2. one who sins openly and declares it to everyone trying to justify themselves rather than being shameful of their acts.
3. one who sins secretly and pretends to be righteous in front of people so that they can please people. (hypocrites)
4. one who sins openly and is also shameful of their sins but can't control their nafs and souls. They are struggling too.

Ibn Qayyim said:

"The one who commits sin in secret is doing something less serious than one who commits sin openly and broadcasts it. The one who keeps quiet about it commits a less serious sin than one who tells people about it. Such a one is far removed from the forgiveness of Allaah, as the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “All of my ummah may be forgiven except those who commit sin openly…”

[Ighaathat al-Lahfaan, 2/147]


 Which one these people are we?

Ok, we all sin, yes we do, no one is proud of that. But is the idea of  "DON'T JUDGE SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY SIN DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU" Justified??
Actually, NO.
If we all are sinners and no one is worthy of taking up that position of judging others (stopping bad deeds), then who will actually let us know that we are doing wrong? We can't keep on justifying our sins so much so that we risk Hell in our Destiny.


Allah subhanAllah wa Ta'al says in Surah Al Maida Verse 104:
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful"

It is the duty of every single Muslim to Order others to do what Islam asks us to do and forbid what Islam prohibits us to do. 

Majority of the people say, 
"You don't do hijab, so don't tell me not to listen to music! See your inner evil deeds before you judge others"
"You smoke weed or cigarette, so don't tell me not to drink alcohol"
"Just because you enjoyed your whole life sinning doesn't mean you'll stop me from doing what I want"
Aren't these just the words of shaitaan or to be less harsh, the tricks of shaitaan to make us believe that we can sin too if others are?

I was never a righteous person, neither am I now, But whenever I stopped others from doing mistakes just like I did before or didn't do before, they actually made me feel guilty of the past sins I never did or for the sins I've already repented for!! Can't a muslim advise another muslim of doing what is good and forbiding what is evil?

Allah subhanAllah wa Ta'ala says in Surah Al-Tauba Verse:71
"The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. "

If muslims are having problems in stopping other muslims from sinning, then that is the biggest problem ever! No wonder muslims are in the worst of conditions right now. 

And apart from these are those who support others in sinning and consider it ok to do so and they are considered to be the good guys who never judge others on their wrong deeds. What is the say on them?
 
Allah subhanAllah wa Ta'ala says in Surah Al- Maida:79

"They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evil­doing, sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.) which they committed. Evil indeed was what they used to do."

 These aren't my words, but the truth definitely comes from the Qur'an itself, The Kalaam Of ALLAH.

My only sincere advise is that, stop justifying your sins. 
If you know you sin, either you accept it and hide it from others so that others don't inspire from your sins and follow your footsteps meanwhile repenting at the same time. Or just Let the ones who enjoin good and forbid evil do what they do best rather than claiming them the bad guys and the "judgmental" ones here.

On the authority of Abu Sa`id (radhiallahu `anhu) that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, "Whoever sees something evil should change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot do even that, then in his heart. That is the weakest degree of faith." (Sahih Muslim)

However, those who enjoin good and forbid evil need to be super kind and polite to others while doing so rather than sounding totally arrogant and belittling others. The best way for us to do that is by not sinning and leaving a good example on others. This way we won't be called hypocrites which is a completely different topic.


I hope my point is clear. No one is perfect. All we can do is repent and seek forgiveness from Allah (The Always all Merciful and the Most forgiving) and try our best to leave evil rather justifying our acts. inshaAllah!

May Allah make us real muslims rather than the Modernists. May He make us understand Islam the way it should be understood rather than choosing to do what we will and leaving what doesn't please us. Ameen 

Watch this video to find out where did this idea originated from.



JazakumuAllah hu khairan for reading this. Don't forget to rate, share and leave a comment.


Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me the link of your blogs and comment below if you have similar views. - Invisible Identity

Saturday, January 12, 2013

ARE WE BENEFITING OUR MUSLIM UMMAH OR HUMANITY IN GENERAL?

This topic came to me while I was learning the ayats of Surah Ra'ad. It's an amazing Surah. One must definitely give it a tilawat along with its translation.
Basically, all I want to do here is set up some examples from few people's lives to give us all ideas that could inspire us to help others through experiences.
A person becomes wise by learning through their own experiences but becomes wiser by learning through others' experiences. This is how I always try to do best for myself by learning more about other people's experiences and learn from their mistakes.
Here are some personal testimonies of amazing people who'd like to share how they try to help our Muslim Ummah and humanity in general.
These testimonies are in no way trying to brag or show off their abilities and how they are trying to help people, these are just to help others be a better person. If they can do it, so can we.


Amani, 21 years old says, "First of all Assalamualaikum to all. Well since you asked me this question, I asked myself that, have I really done anything worthwhile for anyone in this world at all? Well I may not have done much, but one thing I know about myself is that I really have a very good listening ear. I listen to anyone and everyone suffering from any kind of problem. I don't know if this really does help anyone out but I know it would really help me out If there was someone always around me to hear out my woes so that I could enlighten my soul and come out of my blue moment. Also, ever since I started studying in my college, I have interacted with different kinds of people, some very nice and some just the opposite. The worst kind of people that I have run into and wish don't exist on the face of this earth are the 'Unjust and Unfair' kinds of people. Justice is utterly and solely a definite right of an individual from the day they are born. Just think for a moment how would it feel if some one did something so mean and selfish that would make you feel indignant and helpless?? So, I reckon that everyone start being more kind and just in making their decisions so that this world becomes a better place for you and me!"
Sumayya, 19 year old says, "I don't think I've done my best in regards to helping the Ummah through my talent/ability - which is writing. I love to write when I get time. But with regard to writing for the benefit of others; mostly I share my thoughts on issues that I feel concern with everyone, giving the situation an Islamic front. I think the last post I wrote was about Friendships in Islam. Some people read my articles, and I hope it helps them. There are a lot of things that we can do. InshaAllah, in the future, I'm planning to write on a weekly basis."
Ambreen, 24 years old says, "In everyday life, Allah blesses us with the opportunity to serve people and earn reward. As a teacher,a tutor, a daughter,a sister and a friend Alhumdulillah I have always looked for such opportunities regardless of it being small or big like when someone shares a problem, I try to connect him/her with Allah Ta'ala and give solution accordingly as indeed in it a heart finds peace. eg: when someone is planning for applying for a job and asks whether she should, I ask her to do istikhara and eventually when she gets or not she is satisfied. Alhumdulillah, being blessed with an ability to study well, I am currently studying Qur'an to serve self and humanity in a better way. My Golden Rule: Whatever good I do to others in duniya, I am actually benefiting myself with it in duniya and Aakhirah.
May Allah accept from us. Aameen."

Naveen, 31 years old says, "As salam alaikum. InshAllah I plan to start teaching how to read the Quran in proper tajweed after I'm done with the 1st tajweed book because I see many people reading awfully bad. Besides this, good posts on the net also help a lot of people these days due to the trend of being on the social networking sites. :)"
Leena, 20 years old says,"My contribution towards spreading the message of Islam among the ummah and humanity in general is mostly done by harnessing the power and influence of cyber space. Where I lack in speaking spontaneously on a public platform. I make up by posting and forwarding the Islamic knowledge. I do strive to better myself and inshAllah I hope  I would be successful."
Saadia, 20 years old says, "I haven't done much for my Ummah, but I do plan to.  Insha'Allah I am aiming to empower women around the world (India & Pakistan mainly) by improving their knowledge of Deen. Making them aware of their Islamic rights and duties. I hope to do alot. And if Allah wills, I will.''

 
Dr. Zainab says, "Alhamdulillah wassalaatu wassalaamu alaa rasoolillah. Allah subhaanahu wa ta'ala has given me the opportunity to reach out to the muslims in particular and to people in general by making me a practicing doctor. I must say that having the conscience that everything occurs by the permission of Allah,and He sets us in situations that we can and must avail to give advise and remind others of the one and only God. I started doing dawah at my workplace. I started by giving naseehah to the muslims who come to me as patients. I have also reached out to the non-muslim folks, though I am still a student of knowledge in Deen. I understand that it is the responsibility of every muslim to convey the message of tawheed in a very skillful manner. There's no better time to do it than when one is in need of His Mercy, as a patient, who needs health. So let us all reach out to the masses and familiarize them with our religion of Islam which is such a perfect, peace-loving and complete way of life"
Basma, 22 years old says, "Well, I usually post and share various articles and quotes about Islam on facebook that help people ponder and reflect on the reality of their lives and relate with it each day with their personal experiences. This also helps them extract lessons that in return helps to make resolutions and reform their lives accordingly."
Muzna, 21 years old says, "Well, according to my knowledge I've tried to explain people over issues like how people these days are very much influenced by the western world and are almost adopting every possible thing, for eg:junk food brands (mcd, kfc, starbucks which are a part of Israel's income). Secondly, their way of life like openness and mixing between opposite gender's, dressing, celebrating disbelievers day's and NOT accepting it to be wrong. Also when people think abaya is not important and some say our intensions matter more than covering of body. Ive explained people how important of lowering gaze, guarding modesty, being humble and having a clean heart helps us in becoming better muslims. Some people think Salah and doing Zikr and turning towards Allah is all what old people should do. I've helped young generation understand the importance of Salah and its benefits including the sawab we gain. I helped many of my friends understand the importance of parents more than friends or any other person. And I've spoken to people about the hereafter and the jannah and the journey after death till day of judgement."
 
We need to at least try our best to help others in some way or the other. Here are some tips: 
  • Advice people to become better persons in actions as well as in intentions
  • Do not support others in their evil acts
  • Try to reconcile two people who are fighting or having misunderstandings
  • Try to change yourself to set an example for the youths
  • Try to help the younger generations who lack knowledge and target them to become better persons Islamically and generally.
  • Advice others according to their level of intellect. Do not expect them to do things they don't understand. 
  • Encourage everyone to make better use of their abilities, like brain, limbs and speech. 
  • Give charity every now and then. 
  • Teach someone something new everyday, be it Islamically or not.
  • Help someone even if it was to pick up a stone from the path way. Little things are the most precious ones!
  • Do not wait others to do the better things first. You nee to step up first. If you don't do it, then who will?
I can go on and on, but you know better than me what you are capable of. 
Please try to help the community and the Muslim ummah to be better people in terms of heart and actions. Be kind, polite and merciful to one another. Do not hate each other nor envy or be jealous. Most of all do not be arrogant of your goodness or your accomplishments or abilities.

May Allah help us in our mission and try to make us all helpers and well-wishers of one another.