Ibn Al-Qayyim was quite eloquent about this topic, when he stated the following:
“Faith is the heart and core of Islam, and certainty is the heart and core of faith. Any piece of knowledge or deed that does not make faith and certainty stronger is abnormal, and any faith that does not urge one to perform good deeds is abnormal.” (Al_Fawwaid: By Ibn al-Qayyim p.132)
Faith in Allah is the first requirement {tawheed} for a Muslim{ Or 1st of Ten Commandments for those who are Christian}. It should be complemented with good deeds and avoidance of evil. Faith without doing good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith. The Prophet (S) has said about fasting, which is another of the important pillars of Islam:
“If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam (fasting), then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink”. (Related by Abu Huraira, Bukhari, Muslim).
This hadith clearly implies that although we may fast out of our faith but if we don’t follow it up with other commanded good deeds, then that particular action may not have any use. In the example above, one may fast but the inability to follow it up with certain actions (or abstaining from others) defeats the purpose of that particular worship.
“Faith is the heart and core of Islam, and certainty is the heart and core of faith. Any piece of knowledge or deed that does not make faith and certainty stronger is abnormal, and any faith that does not urge one to perform good deeds is abnormal.” (Al_Fawwaid: By Ibn al-Qayyim p.132)
Faith in Allah is the first requirement {tawheed} for a Muslim{ Or 1st of Ten Commandments for those who are Christian}. It should be complemented with good deeds and avoidance of evil. Faith without doing good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith. The Prophet (S) has said about fasting, which is another of the important pillars of Islam:
“If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam (fasting), then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink”. (Related by Abu Huraira, Bukhari, Muslim).
This hadith clearly implies that although we may fast out of our faith but if we don’t follow it up with other commanded good deeds, then that particular action may not have any use. In the example above, one may fast but the inability to follow it up with certain actions (or abstaining from others) defeats the purpose of that particular worship.
The story of Luqman, Words of Wsidom
Knowledge provides us with the capacity to solve real life problems; while wisdom helps to give foresight, predict, anticipate, and understand the consequences of things beyond the use of knowledge. So, acquiring Knowledge becomes a must if we want to live meaningful lives; but Wisdom is a gift from Allah, and something that we should ask Allah to bestow upon us.
The words of the Quran and teachings of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. guide us to a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. In fact, Allah calls Quran the “Book of wisdom” in many places in the Quran. He says: Quran 10:1
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the wise Book
Quran emphasizes the importance of wisdom throughout its text. Allah sent prophets and messengers to propagate that wisdom. He says in one of such verses: Quran 2:151
كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ
Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know.
Quran also teaches wisdom through the words of a person named Luqman. Although not a prophet, Allah had granted him enormous wisdom. He was wise enough to have an entire chapter named after him. He was a pious person and according to the Quran was granted wisdom by Allah. As Allah says in the Quran: 31:12
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا لُقْمَٰنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ
And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
The words of the Quran and teachings of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. guide us to a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. In fact, Allah calls Quran the “Book of wisdom” in many places in the Quran. He says: Quran 10:1
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the wise Book
Quran emphasizes the importance of wisdom throughout its text. Allah sent prophets and messengers to propagate that wisdom. He says in one of such verses: Quran 2:151
كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْلَمُونَ
Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know.
Quran also teaches wisdom through the words of a person named Luqman. Although not a prophet, Allah had granted him enormous wisdom. He was wise enough to have an entire chapter named after him. He was a pious person and according to the Quran was granted wisdom by Allah. As Allah says in the Quran: 31:12
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا لُقْمَٰنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ
And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
In his book “Stories of the Prophet”, Ibn Katheer writes that “Luqman’s real name was known as “Luqman Ibn Anqa Ibn Sadun” who was from among the people of Sudan who lived during the time of Prophet/King Dawud a.s {David} and Sulaiman a.s {Solomon}”. Some accounts describe him as an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter, however because of his wisdom people would come to him to settle their affairs and therefore he was also known to be a great judge.
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Although Quran makes no reference regarding him being as a prophet, it is narrated by some as described by Ibn Katheer in his book “Stories of the Prophet” that he was offered to become prophet. Ibn Katheer mentions, Sa’id said, “I heard Qatadah as saying”; “It was said to Luqman: “How did you prefer wisdom to Prophethood, when you were enabled to choose between them?” He said: “If Allah were to assign me with Prophethood, I would accept it and try hard to win His Pleasure, but He enabled me to choose and I feared of being too weak for Prophethood, so I chose wisdom.”
Regarding not to associate anyone in the worship and oneness of Allah –Holy Quran 31:13 وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice."
Being dutiful to ones parents –Holy Quran 31:14 وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
Being dutiful to ones parents except where they tell you to deviate from the Right path – Holy Quran 31:15
وَإِن جَٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَٱتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
Every person is accountable for everything that he does – Holy Quran 31:16
يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ[And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.
Enjoining Prayers - Holy Quran 31:17
يَٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱنْهَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.
Do not be arrogant and proud-Holy Quran 31:18
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وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.
Be humble and lower your voice-Holy Quran 31:19
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وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
Regarding not to associate anyone in the worship and oneness of Allah –Holy Quran 31:13 وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice."
Being dutiful to ones parents –Holy Quran 31:14 وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
Being dutiful to ones parents except where they tell you to deviate from the Right path – Holy Quran 31:15
وَإِن جَٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَٱتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
Every person is accountable for everything that he does – Holy Quran 31:16
يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ[And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.
Enjoining Prayers - Holy Quran 31:17
يَٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱنْهَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.
Do not be arrogant and proud-Holy Quran 31:18
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وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.
Be humble and lower your voice-Holy Quran 31:19
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وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
character depiction, not of that of Luqman Al-Hakeem
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Luqman on being granted respect and honor Narrated Ibn Wahb: I was told by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Ayyash Al-Fityani after’ Umar, the freed slave of ‘Afrah as saying: “A man came to Luqman, the wise and asked: Are you Luqman? Are you the slave of so and so? He said: “Yes!” The man said: You are the black shepherd! Luqman said: As for my black color, it is obviously apparent, so what makes you so astonished? The man said: You became frequently visited by the people who pleasingly accept your judgments! Luqman said: 0 cousin! If you do what I am telling you, you will be like this. The man said: What is it? Luqman said: 1). Lowering my gaze, 2). watching my tongue, 3). eating what is lawful, 4). keeping my chastity, 5). undertaking my promises, 6). fulfilling my commitments, 7). being hospitable to guests, 8). respecting my neighbors, and 9). discarding what does not concern me. All these made me the one you are looking at.”
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Lowering the Gaze:
Allah the Exalted said:
Holy Quran 24:30
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.”
Holy Quran 24:31
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.”
The eyes are windows into the heart, and what is in the heart leads one towards desire(s); " ... whosoever leaves something for the sake of Allah then Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent, will replace it with something better than it." Reported by Ahmad [5/363], al-Marwazi in Zawa'id az-Zuhd [no. 412], an-Nisa'i in al-Kubra as mentioned in Tuhfah al-Ashraf [11/199] from one of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah said, "indeed you will not leave anything for the sake of Allah except that Allah will replace it with something better than it." The isnad is sahih.
Human-beings love to look at beautiful forms and the eye is the guide of the heart. Therefore, if the eyes are kept in check the heart will commission its guide {the eyes} to go and look to see what is there and when the eye inform it of a beautiful image it shudders out of love and desire for it. The natural attraction between men and women is one of the most powerful force upon humans especially in the time we live now where Promiscuity is promoted while modesty is frowned upon and considered a restricting component upon woman especially. The Irony of this particular cultural phenomenon is, as women have bought into the feminist movements that have so-to-speak liberated them, in essence it has enslaved them. The hyper-sexual, lustful state of society has objectified the women, and by doing so has further corrupted this natural relationship between man & woman.
First, we must recognize the shallowness of anyone that promotes such a public campaign for feminism while coining it with a higher purpose of women’s rights etc. This must be seen in contrast to what Allah has ordered upon mankind from his limitless wisdom and our finite understanding. This contrast very clearly depicts the underlying evil that manifest itself and has shown us the many societal consequences that have been birthed from such Falsehood that is really just philosophical rhetoric that harbours the desires of a group. Secondly, these so-called rights are severed from the deeper understanding or negligence to the differences between our (male/female) nature, and further more our roles and purpose, which further illustrates a severed link between these groups with Allah in not wanting to accept this fundamental principle. Men and women are equal, but we are functionally not equal and we must acknowledge the differences in our own biological creation to further understand and accept that our roles are different. But, if women are further brainwashed by such rhetorical speech, by corruption that seeks to have them naked and promiscuous then society and future generations of children will be further corrupted to far deeper consequences.
Whether we realize it or not, Allah created human beings, and he {Allah} is best in describing the psychological needs and cures for Human-beings. So, whosoever lets his sight roam free will find that he/she will be in a perpetual state of loss and anguish for sight gives birth to love (mahabbah) the starting point of which is the heart being devoted and dependant upon that which it beholds. This then intensifies to become fervent longing (sababah) whereby the heart becomes totally dependant and devoted to the (object of its desire). Then this further intensifies and becomes infatuation (gharamah) which clings to the heart like the one seeking repayment of a debt clings firmly to the one who has to pay the debt. Then this intensifies and becomes passionate love (ishk) and this is a love that transgresses all bounds. Then this further intensifies and becomes crazed passion (shaghafa) and this is a love that encompasses every tiny part of the heart. Then this intensifies and becomes worshipful love (tatayyuma). Tatayyum means worship:
Holy Quran 25:43
أَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ وَكِيلًا
Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?
Ibn Shuja' al-Kirmani said, "Whosoever builds his outward form upon following the Sunnah {way of life of the Prophet s.a.w}, and his internal form upon perpetual contemplation and awareness of Allah {taqwa}, he restrains his soul from following desires, he lowers his gaze from the forbidden things and he always eats the lawful things then his perception and insight shall never be wrong."
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “When Allah created Paradise and Hell, He sent Jibreel a.s. {Gabriel} to Paradise and said, ‘Look at it and at what I have prepared for its people therein.’ So he went and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared for its people therein. Then he {Jibreel a.s} went back to Him {Allah} and said, ‘By Your Glory, no one will hear of it but he will enter it.’ Then He {Allah} commanded that it should be surrounded with difficult things. Then He {Allah} said, ‘Go back and look at what I have prepared for its people therein.’ He {Jibreel a.s} went back and saw that it was surrounded with difficult things. He {Jibreel a.s} came back and said, ‘By Your Glory, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’ Allah said, ‘Go and look at Hell and see what I have prepared for its people therein.’ [He {Jibreel a.s} saw it] with parts of it consuming other parts. He {Jibreel a.s} came back and said, ‘By Your Glory, no one who hears of it will enter it.’ So Allah commanded that it should be surrounded with desires. Then he {Allah} said, ‘Go back to it.’ So he {Jibreel a.s} went back, then he {Jibreel a.s} said, ‘By Your Glory, I am afraid that no one will be saved from it and that all will enter it.’”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi (2560), Al-Tirmidhi said: this is a Hasan Sahih Hadith. Al-Haafiz said in al-Fath: its isnaad (chain) is qawiy (strong). Also classed as Hasan Sahih by al-Albaani]
Allah the Exalted said:
Holy Quran 24:30
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.”
Holy Quran 24:31
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.”
The eyes are windows into the heart, and what is in the heart leads one towards desire(s); " ... whosoever leaves something for the sake of Allah then Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent, will replace it with something better than it." Reported by Ahmad [5/363], al-Marwazi in Zawa'id az-Zuhd [no. 412], an-Nisa'i in al-Kubra as mentioned in Tuhfah al-Ashraf [11/199] from one of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah said, "indeed you will not leave anything for the sake of Allah except that Allah will replace it with something better than it." The isnad is sahih.
Human-beings love to look at beautiful forms and the eye is the guide of the heart. Therefore, if the eyes are kept in check the heart will commission its guide {the eyes} to go and look to see what is there and when the eye inform it of a beautiful image it shudders out of love and desire for it. The natural attraction between men and women is one of the most powerful force upon humans especially in the time we live now where Promiscuity is promoted while modesty is frowned upon and considered a restricting component upon woman especially. The Irony of this particular cultural phenomenon is, as women have bought into the feminist movements that have so-to-speak liberated them, in essence it has enslaved them. The hyper-sexual, lustful state of society has objectified the women, and by doing so has further corrupted this natural relationship between man & woman.
First, we must recognize the shallowness of anyone that promotes such a public campaign for feminism while coining it with a higher purpose of women’s rights etc. This must be seen in contrast to what Allah has ordered upon mankind from his limitless wisdom and our finite understanding. This contrast very clearly depicts the underlying evil that manifest itself and has shown us the many societal consequences that have been birthed from such Falsehood that is really just philosophical rhetoric that harbours the desires of a group. Secondly, these so-called rights are severed from the deeper understanding or negligence to the differences between our (male/female) nature, and further more our roles and purpose, which further illustrates a severed link between these groups with Allah in not wanting to accept this fundamental principle. Men and women are equal, but we are functionally not equal and we must acknowledge the differences in our own biological creation to further understand and accept that our roles are different. But, if women are further brainwashed by such rhetorical speech, by corruption that seeks to have them naked and promiscuous then society and future generations of children will be further corrupted to far deeper consequences.
Whether we realize it or not, Allah created human beings, and he {Allah} is best in describing the psychological needs and cures for Human-beings. So, whosoever lets his sight roam free will find that he/she will be in a perpetual state of loss and anguish for sight gives birth to love (mahabbah) the starting point of which is the heart being devoted and dependant upon that which it beholds. This then intensifies to become fervent longing (sababah) whereby the heart becomes totally dependant and devoted to the (object of its desire). Then this further intensifies and becomes infatuation (gharamah) which clings to the heart like the one seeking repayment of a debt clings firmly to the one who has to pay the debt. Then this intensifies and becomes passionate love (ishk) and this is a love that transgresses all bounds. Then this further intensifies and becomes crazed passion (shaghafa) and this is a love that encompasses every tiny part of the heart. Then this intensifies and becomes worshipful love (tatayyuma). Tatayyum means worship:
Holy Quran 25:43
أَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ وَكِيلًا
Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?
Ibn Shuja' al-Kirmani said, "Whosoever builds his outward form upon following the Sunnah {way of life of the Prophet s.a.w}, and his internal form upon perpetual contemplation and awareness of Allah {taqwa}, he restrains his soul from following desires, he lowers his gaze from the forbidden things and he always eats the lawful things then his perception and insight shall never be wrong."
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “When Allah created Paradise and Hell, He sent Jibreel a.s. {Gabriel} to Paradise and said, ‘Look at it and at what I have prepared for its people therein.’ So he went and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared for its people therein. Then he {Jibreel a.s} went back to Him {Allah} and said, ‘By Your Glory, no one will hear of it but he will enter it.’ Then He {Allah} commanded that it should be surrounded with difficult things. Then He {Allah} said, ‘Go back and look at what I have prepared for its people therein.’ He {Jibreel a.s} went back and saw that it was surrounded with difficult things. He {Jibreel a.s} came back and said, ‘By Your Glory, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’ Allah said, ‘Go and look at Hell and see what I have prepared for its people therein.’ [He {Jibreel a.s} saw it] with parts of it consuming other parts. He {Jibreel a.s} came back and said, ‘By Your Glory, no one who hears of it will enter it.’ So Allah commanded that it should be surrounded with desires. Then he {Allah} said, ‘Go back to it.’ So he {Jibreel a.s} went back, then he {Jibreel a.s} said, ‘By Your Glory, I am afraid that no one will be saved from it and that all will enter it.’”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi (2560), Al-Tirmidhi said: this is a Hasan Sahih Hadith. Al-Haafiz said in al-Fath: its isnaad (chain) is qawiy (strong). Also classed as Hasan Sahih by al-Albaani]
Watching the tongue:
Holy Quran 16:116
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed.
Holy Quran 24:15
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُۥ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ
When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous.
Holy Quran 60:2
إِن يَثْقَفُوكُمْ يَكُونُوا۟ لَكُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَيَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلسُّوٓءِ وَوَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If they gain dominance over you, they would be to you as enemies and extend against you their hands and their tongues with evil, and they wish you would disbelieve.
The tongue is the spokesperson for the heart, and these two organs can be the two best organs in the body or the two worst. For by the tongue you can cause your enemies to love you and make those who love you hate you...
Ibn al-Jawzi reported: Sa’id ibn al-Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “A servant will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and presented with his record. He will not see his prayers, nor his fasting, nor his good deeds. He will say: O Lord, this is the record of someone else, for I had good deeds not in this record. It will be said to him: Verily, your Lord does not overlook or forget. Your deeds have vanished because you were backbiting people. {talking behind the backs of other people}”Source: Baḥr al-Dumū’ 1/133
عن ابن الجوزي قال سعيد بن جبير رضي الله عنه قال يؤتى بالعبد يوم القيامة فيدفع له كتابه فلا يرى فيه صلاته ولا صيامه ويرى أعماله الصالحة فيقول يا رب هذا كتاب غيري كانت لي حسنات ليست في هذا الكتاب فيقال له إن ربك لا يضل ولا ينسى ذهب عملك باغتيابك الناس
1/133 بحر الدموع
Holy Quran 16:116
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed.
Holy Quran 24:15
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُۥ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ
When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous.
Holy Quran 60:2
إِن يَثْقَفُوكُمْ يَكُونُوا۟ لَكُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَيَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلسُّوٓءِ وَوَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ
If they gain dominance over you, they would be to you as enemies and extend against you their hands and their tongues with evil, and they wish you would disbelieve.
The tongue is the spokesperson for the heart, and these two organs can be the two best organs in the body or the two worst. For by the tongue you can cause your enemies to love you and make those who love you hate you...
Ibn al-Jawzi reported: Sa’id ibn al-Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “A servant will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and presented with his record. He will not see his prayers, nor his fasting, nor his good deeds. He will say: O Lord, this is the record of someone else, for I had good deeds not in this record. It will be said to him: Verily, your Lord does not overlook or forget. Your deeds have vanished because you were backbiting people. {talking behind the backs of other people}”Source: Baḥr al-Dumū’ 1/133
عن ابن الجوزي قال سعيد بن جبير رضي الله عنه قال يؤتى بالعبد يوم القيامة فيدفع له كتابه فلا يرى فيه صلاته ولا صيامه ويرى أعماله الصالحة فيقول يا رب هذا كتاب غيري كانت لي حسنات ليست في هذا الكتاب فيقال له إن ربك لا يضل ولا ينسى ذهب عملك باغتيابك الناس
1/133 بحر الدموع
Eating what is lawful:
Holy Quran 2:172
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يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.
Holy Quran 2:168
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يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَٰلًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
As Luqman the wise was mentioning this particualar quality of himself in following the dietary requirements of eating what is halal {permissible} might be taking as a something less significant than other qualities he mentioned. Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that eating what is lawful is of very great significance. When we regard the two verses above we see the significance.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain. Since about 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, or neurons, it makes sense that the inner workings of your digestive system don’t just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions. What’s more, the function of these neurons — and the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin — is highly influenced by the billions of “good” bacteria that make up your intestinal microbiome. These bacteria play an essential role in your health. They protect the lining of your intestines and ensure they provide a strong barrier against toxins and “bad” bacteria; they limit inflammation; they improve how well you absorb nutrients from your food; and they activate neural pathways that travel directly between the gut and the brain.
Studies have shown that when people take probiotics (supplements containing the good bacteria), their anxiety levels, perception of stress, and mental outlook improve, compared with people who did not take probiotics. Other studies have compared “traditional” diets, like the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese diet, to a typical “Western” diet and have shown that the risk of depression is 25% to 35% lower in those who eat a traditional diet. Scientists account for this difference because these traditional diets tend to be high in vegetables, fruits, unprocessed grains, and fish and seafood, and to contain only modest amounts of lean meats and dairy. They are also void of processed and refined foods and sugars, which are staples of the “Western” dietary pattern. nutrition.~https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626~
Refraining from salt, sugar, and heavy meats, special spiritual foods or “super-foods such as: Pomegranate, olives, Onion, Garlic, Lentils, Dates, Honey, Milk, Unleavened breads, etc. Are known for creating a healthy body and open psyche. What each of these examples demonstrates is that food is powerful medicine. Sometimes the remedy to what make us ill lies in what we take in, and sometimes it’s dependent upon what we leave out of our diets. Since the lack of food and or the wrong food within our stomachs has the ability to alter our moods, and thus influence our behaviors perhaps this is what is meant by Allah when he stated in the verse along with eating from the good and lawful and, “Don’t follow the footsteps of Satan.” These footsteps would be eating from other than what is good and lawful, thus subjecting ourselves to altered moods & behavior that my cause us to act in sinful ways. This is the aim of Satan, to lead mankind away from the straight path, and whatever can alter man’s mood {Music, intoxicants (alcohol/drugs), and now we learn about the effects of food}, these tools are from Satan, so mankind has to avoid what is prohibited in order to better protect ourselves as well as live enjoyable healthy lives.
The question is then, “How do we know what to eat or drink and what not to?” The Answer Lies in the Quran and sunnah of prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Holy Quran 2:173
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood {dishes containing blood, meat undercook, or predatory animals who consume blood}, the flesh of swine {pigs}, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity]{ Death}, neither desiring [it] {finding false reasons or excuses to consume such} nor transgressing [its limit] {eating only enough to avoid the circumstances of death}, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful
Miqdam ibn Ma’d reported: Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The son of Adam cannot fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he cannot do it, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath.”Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2380
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Ibn Muflih
عن المقدام بن معد يكرب قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا مَلَأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنٍ بِحَسْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أُكُلَاتٌ يُقِمْنَ صُلْبَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا مَحَالَةَ فَثُلُثٌ لِطَعَامِهِ وَثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِهِ وَثُلُثٌ لِنَفَسِهِ
2380 سنن الترمذي كتاب الزهد باب ما جاء في كراهية كثرة الأكل
3/183 المحدث ابن مفلح خلاصة حكم المحدث صحيح في الآداب الشرعية
Holy Quran 2:172
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يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.
Holy Quran 2:168
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يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَلَٰلًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
As Luqman the wise was mentioning this particualar quality of himself in following the dietary requirements of eating what is halal {permissible} might be taking as a something less significant than other qualities he mentioned. Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that eating what is lawful is of very great significance. When we regard the two verses above we see the significance.
- In verse 172 the highlighted portion is says to eat of that is good and provided to you by Allah and be grateful to him for such provisions. The prophet s.a.w mentioned a man who, having journeyed far was dishevelled and dusty, and who spread out his hands to the sky saying, "O Lord! O Lord!" while his food is haram {prohibited impure}, his drink is haram {prohibited impure}, his clothing is haram {prohibited impure}, and he has been nourished with haram {prohibited impure}, so how can [his supplication] be answered?" The concept of purity and goodness applies to numerous aspects in our lives. As Muslims, we must be careful to enjoy only food and clothing that are halal, use pure speech, and hold pure intentions.
- In the other surah {chapter} mentioned verse 168, Allah makes the relationship with what is lawful and good apportioned from his provisions but then says, “don’t follow the footsteps of Satan”; in reference to Eating which is the substance or context of the verse, it becomes clear that eating that which isn’t lawful is from the means or influence of Satan.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain. Since about 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, or neurons, it makes sense that the inner workings of your digestive system don’t just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions. What’s more, the function of these neurons — and the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin — is highly influenced by the billions of “good” bacteria that make up your intestinal microbiome. These bacteria play an essential role in your health. They protect the lining of your intestines and ensure they provide a strong barrier against toxins and “bad” bacteria; they limit inflammation; they improve how well you absorb nutrients from your food; and they activate neural pathways that travel directly between the gut and the brain.
Studies have shown that when people take probiotics (supplements containing the good bacteria), their anxiety levels, perception of stress, and mental outlook improve, compared with people who did not take probiotics. Other studies have compared “traditional” diets, like the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese diet, to a typical “Western” diet and have shown that the risk of depression is 25% to 35% lower in those who eat a traditional diet. Scientists account for this difference because these traditional diets tend to be high in vegetables, fruits, unprocessed grains, and fish and seafood, and to contain only modest amounts of lean meats and dairy. They are also void of processed and refined foods and sugars, which are staples of the “Western” dietary pattern. nutrition.~https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626~
Refraining from salt, sugar, and heavy meats, special spiritual foods or “super-foods such as: Pomegranate, olives, Onion, Garlic, Lentils, Dates, Honey, Milk, Unleavened breads, etc. Are known for creating a healthy body and open psyche. What each of these examples demonstrates is that food is powerful medicine. Sometimes the remedy to what make us ill lies in what we take in, and sometimes it’s dependent upon what we leave out of our diets. Since the lack of food and or the wrong food within our stomachs has the ability to alter our moods, and thus influence our behaviors perhaps this is what is meant by Allah when he stated in the verse along with eating from the good and lawful and, “Don’t follow the footsteps of Satan.” These footsteps would be eating from other than what is good and lawful, thus subjecting ourselves to altered moods & behavior that my cause us to act in sinful ways. This is the aim of Satan, to lead mankind away from the straight path, and whatever can alter man’s mood {Music, intoxicants (alcohol/drugs), and now we learn about the effects of food}, these tools are from Satan, so mankind has to avoid what is prohibited in order to better protect ourselves as well as live enjoyable healthy lives.
The question is then, “How do we know what to eat or drink and what not to?” The Answer Lies in the Quran and sunnah of prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Holy Quran 2:173
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood {dishes containing blood, meat undercook, or predatory animals who consume blood}, the flesh of swine {pigs}, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity]{ Death}, neither desiring [it] {finding false reasons or excuses to consume such} nor transgressing [its limit] {eating only enough to avoid the circumstances of death}, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful
Miqdam ibn Ma’d reported: Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The son of Adam cannot fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he cannot do it, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath.”Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2380
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Ibn Muflih
عن المقدام بن معد يكرب قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا مَلَأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنٍ بِحَسْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أُكُلَاتٌ يُقِمْنَ صُلْبَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا مَحَالَةَ فَثُلُثٌ لِطَعَامِهِ وَثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِهِ وَثُلُثٌ لِنَفَسِهِ
2380 سنن الترمذي كتاب الزهد باب ما جاء في كراهية كثرة الأكل
3/183 المحدث ابن مفلح خلاصة حكم المحدث صحيح في الآداب الشرعية
Remaining Chaste:
Guard their private parts, Abstain from illicit sexual gratification and from exposing their satire of oneself before others. For males, the satire {awrah} is the part of the body from the navel to the knee, and it is not permissible to expose that part of the body intentionally before anybody except one’s own wife...
Jarhad Aslami states that once he was sitting in the company of the Prophet (s.a.w) with his thigh exposed. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Do you not know that the thigh has to be kept concealed”. (Tirmizi, Abu Daud, Muatta).
AIi ibn abi Tallib r.a reports that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Do not expose your thigh”. (Abu Daud, Ibn Majah). Not only is the satire to be kept concealed before others but even when alone.
The Prophet has warned: “Beware, never remain naked, for with you are those (that is, the angels of goodness and mercy), who never leave you alone except when you ease yourself {bathroom} or you go to your wives. So feel shy of them and give them due respect”. (Tirmizi).
The commandments of restraining the gaze for women are the same as for men. They should not glance intentionally at the other men, and if they happen to cast a chance look, they should turn their eyes away; and they should abstain from looking at the satire of others.
Holy Quran 24:33
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وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبْتَغُونَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِمَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ فَكَاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا۟ فَتَيَٰتِكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْبِغَآءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَمَن يُكْرِههُّنَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِكْرَٰهِهِنَّ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty {marriage requires a man to be able to provide for his wife}. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.”
While it is forbidden for women to sit face to face with men, it is not unlawful if they cast a look at men while passing on the way or see a harmless performance by them from a distance. There is also no harm for women to see the other men in case of real need if they are living in the same house. Imam Ghazzali and lbn Hajar Asqalani have also reached almost the same conclusion. Shaukani in his Nail al-Autar (Vol. Vl, p. 101) has quoted Ibn Hajar as saying: “Such a permission in respect of women is also supported by the fact that they have always enjoyed this type of freedom in outdoor duties while they came out veiled when visiting the mosques, or moving in the streets, or during the journey, so that men may not gaze at them, the men were never commanded to use the veil so that women may not gaze at them”. This shows that the commandments in respect of the two sexes are different.. However, it is not at all permissible that women should gaze leisurely at men and draw pleasure of the eye in doing so, something that would require re-conditioning for society as we have become conditioned peoples to the satire of others through marketing, integrated work places and modern-fashion. The female satire with respect to men is the entire body {because of their beauty}, excluding only the hand and the face, which should not be exposed before any other man, not even the brother and father {after Marriage}, except the husband. The woman is not allowed to wear a thin or a tight fitting dress which might reveal the skin or the outlines of the body. According to a tradition from Aishah, once her sister Asma came before the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a thin dress. The Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately turned his face away and said: “O Asma, when a woman has attained her maturity, it is not permissible that any part of her body should be exposed except the face and the hand. (Abu Daud). Ibn Jarir has related a similar incident from Aishah saying that once the daughter of Abdullah bin Tufail, who was her mother’s son from her former husband, came to her house on a visit. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered the house, he saw her but turned his face to the other side. Aishah said: “O Messenger of Allah, she is my niece”. Thereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “When a woman reaches the age of puberty, it is not lawful for her to display her body except the hand and the face”.
It should be carefully noted that the demands that divine law make from women are not only those it has made for men in restraining of looks and guarding of the private parts, but it makes some other demands from them also, which it has not made for men. This shows that men and women are not identical in this respect; we are functionally different and have different societal roles. For many of you, including myself, who may read this, muslim and non-muslim, male and female; you might see such things as being very restricting, but that is only because you and I have been conditioned to the current circumstances {primarily western culture}. So, in contrast, I ask you to look at or consider the statistics of rape, female trafficking, pornography, kidnap, and murder just in terms of females...Then ask yourself what you would do or how would you feel if any thing ever happened to your mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or daughter??? Yes, me to! Thus, Islam is a divine system that sets its sights on the eradication of crime(s) rather than seeking punishments after the crime(s) are committed. Yes, Sharia has a criminal code of justice, by which it punishes unlawful acts committed, but this makes up only a small portion of the overall divine laws set it place to govern all-creation. After all, once a person becomes a victim, they for ever remain a victim, and this victimization of a woman is something very hard to overcome for them and or brings with it a lot mental uncleanliness or unworthiness, which will effect the rest of their lives. So, ask yourself again which is more restrictive? Following what Allah has ordained for us or allowing continued crimes against our women who are literally walking targets?
Protecting our Women, protects society...It can’t otherwise be done if cultures allow for the exploitation of women. We can’t ask society to keep our love ones safe, until everyone is also safe from ourselves.
Holy Quran 4:1
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul {Adam} and created from it its mate {eve} and dispersed from both of them many men and women {humanity}. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another mercy { our rights upon each other in relationship & marriage}, and the wombs {our mothers, who bore us and those girls who will live to become mothers} . Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.
Guard their private parts, Abstain from illicit sexual gratification and from exposing their satire of oneself before others. For males, the satire {awrah} is the part of the body from the navel to the knee, and it is not permissible to expose that part of the body intentionally before anybody except one’s own wife...
Jarhad Aslami states that once he was sitting in the company of the Prophet (s.a.w) with his thigh exposed. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Do you not know that the thigh has to be kept concealed”. (Tirmizi, Abu Daud, Muatta).
AIi ibn abi Tallib r.a reports that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Do not expose your thigh”. (Abu Daud, Ibn Majah). Not only is the satire to be kept concealed before others but even when alone.
The Prophet has warned: “Beware, never remain naked, for with you are those (that is, the angels of goodness and mercy), who never leave you alone except when you ease yourself {bathroom} or you go to your wives. So feel shy of them and give them due respect”. (Tirmizi).
The commandments of restraining the gaze for women are the same as for men. They should not glance intentionally at the other men, and if they happen to cast a chance look, they should turn their eyes away; and they should abstain from looking at the satire of others.
Holy Quran 24:33
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وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبْتَغُونَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِمَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ فَكَاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا۟ فَتَيَٰتِكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْبِغَآءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَمَن يُكْرِههُّنَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِكْرَٰهِهِنَّ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty {marriage requires a man to be able to provide for his wife}. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.”
While it is forbidden for women to sit face to face with men, it is not unlawful if they cast a look at men while passing on the way or see a harmless performance by them from a distance. There is also no harm for women to see the other men in case of real need if they are living in the same house. Imam Ghazzali and lbn Hajar Asqalani have also reached almost the same conclusion. Shaukani in his Nail al-Autar (Vol. Vl, p. 101) has quoted Ibn Hajar as saying: “Such a permission in respect of women is also supported by the fact that they have always enjoyed this type of freedom in outdoor duties while they came out veiled when visiting the mosques, or moving in the streets, or during the journey, so that men may not gaze at them, the men were never commanded to use the veil so that women may not gaze at them”. This shows that the commandments in respect of the two sexes are different.. However, it is not at all permissible that women should gaze leisurely at men and draw pleasure of the eye in doing so, something that would require re-conditioning for society as we have become conditioned peoples to the satire of others through marketing, integrated work places and modern-fashion. The female satire with respect to men is the entire body {because of their beauty}, excluding only the hand and the face, which should not be exposed before any other man, not even the brother and father {after Marriage}, except the husband. The woman is not allowed to wear a thin or a tight fitting dress which might reveal the skin or the outlines of the body. According to a tradition from Aishah, once her sister Asma came before the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a thin dress. The Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately turned his face away and said: “O Asma, when a woman has attained her maturity, it is not permissible that any part of her body should be exposed except the face and the hand. (Abu Daud). Ibn Jarir has related a similar incident from Aishah saying that once the daughter of Abdullah bin Tufail, who was her mother’s son from her former husband, came to her house on a visit. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered the house, he saw her but turned his face to the other side. Aishah said: “O Messenger of Allah, she is my niece”. Thereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “When a woman reaches the age of puberty, it is not lawful for her to display her body except the hand and the face”.
It should be carefully noted that the demands that divine law make from women are not only those it has made for men in restraining of looks and guarding of the private parts, but it makes some other demands from them also, which it has not made for men. This shows that men and women are not identical in this respect; we are functionally different and have different societal roles. For many of you, including myself, who may read this, muslim and non-muslim, male and female; you might see such things as being very restricting, but that is only because you and I have been conditioned to the current circumstances {primarily western culture}. So, in contrast, I ask you to look at or consider the statistics of rape, female trafficking, pornography, kidnap, and murder just in terms of females...Then ask yourself what you would do or how would you feel if any thing ever happened to your mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or daughter??? Yes, me to! Thus, Islam is a divine system that sets its sights on the eradication of crime(s) rather than seeking punishments after the crime(s) are committed. Yes, Sharia has a criminal code of justice, by which it punishes unlawful acts committed, but this makes up only a small portion of the overall divine laws set it place to govern all-creation. After all, once a person becomes a victim, they for ever remain a victim, and this victimization of a woman is something very hard to overcome for them and or brings with it a lot mental uncleanliness or unworthiness, which will effect the rest of their lives. So, ask yourself again which is more restrictive? Following what Allah has ordained for us or allowing continued crimes against our women who are literally walking targets?
Protecting our Women, protects society...It can’t otherwise be done if cultures allow for the exploitation of women. We can’t ask society to keep our love ones safe, until everyone is also safe from ourselves.
Holy Quran 4:1
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul {Adam} and created from it its mate {eve} and dispersed from both of them many men and women {humanity}. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another mercy { our rights upon each other in relationship & marriage}, and the wombs {our mothers, who bore us and those girls who will live to become mothers} . Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.
Promises” imply those promises which man makes with his Allah as well as those which one man makes with another. Keeping and fulfilling both these kinds of trusts and promises is a necessary characteristic of a believer. In a Hadith Anas has reported that whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed his companions, he would always give them the instruction: “Beware of the one who does not keep his trust, has no faith, one who does not fulfill his pledges, and has no religion. (Baihaqi, Ash-Shuab al-Imam).
Public trust rests on the back on individual integrity...
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ
“The signs of a hypocrite are three: 1). whenever he speaks he lies, 2). whenever he promises he breaks his promise, and 3). whenever he is trusted he betrays his trust.
In another narration, the Prophet said:
وَإِنْ صَامَ وَصَلَّى وَزَعَمَ أَنَّهُ مُسْلِمٌ
“Even if he fasts and prays and claims to be a Muslim”.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 33, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Public trust rests on the back on individual integrity...
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ
“The signs of a hypocrite are three: 1). whenever he speaks he lies, 2). whenever he promises he breaks his promise, and 3). whenever he is trusted he betrays his trust.
In another narration, the Prophet said:
وَإِنْ صَامَ وَصَلَّى وَزَعَمَ أَنَّهُ مُسْلِمٌ
“Even if he fasts and prays and claims to be a Muslim”.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 33, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
The remaining three characteristics related to the man who was asking Luqman, are all relevant to the overall cohesion of the societal fabric and promotes through these characteristics brother/sisterhood that bring a community together rather than fracturing it.
Being hospitable to guests :
Abu Shuraih reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest and recompense him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is his recompense?” The Prophet said, “It is for a day and a night, as good hospitality is for three days and after that it is charity.” And the Prophet said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or remain silent.”
In another narration, the Prophet said, “It is not permissible for the guest to overstay his welcome such that he burdens his host.”
Source: Sahih Bukhari 5673, Sahih Muslim 3255
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
عَنْ أَبِي شُرَيْحٍ الْعَدَوِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ جَائِزَتَهُ قَالُوا وَمَا جَائِزَتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ يَوْمُهُ وَلَيْلَتُهُ وَالضِّيَافَةُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ فَمَا كَانَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
وفي رواية أخرى قال وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَثْوِيَ عِنْدَهُ حَتَّى يُحْرِجَهُ
5673 صحيح البخاري كتاب الأدب باب من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فلا يؤذ جاره
3255 صحيح مسلم كتاب اللقطة باب الضيافة ونحوها
Respecting my neighbours:
An-Nawawi records in his book Riyad us-Saliheen:
Allah the Exalted said:
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him. Be good to parents and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away.
Surah An-Nisa 4:36
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَا زَالَ جِبْرِيلُ يُوصِينِي بِالْجَارِ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ لَيُوَرِّثَنَّهُ
Gabriel continued to advise me to treat neighbors well until I thought he would make them my heirs.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2624, Grade: Sahih
Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِذَا طَبَخْتَ مَرَقًا فَأَكْثِرْ مَاءَهُ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنْ جِيرَانِكَ فَأَصِبْهُمْ مِنْهَا بِمَعْرُوفٍ
When you make soup, then add extra water to it and take it to the people of the neighboring house and give them some of it courteously.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2625, Grade: Sahih
Abu Shuraih reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ
By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!
It was said, “Who is it, O Messenger of Allah?” He said:
الَّذِي لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَايِقَهُ
He whose neighbor is not safe from his evil.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 5670, Grade: Sahih
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ
He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his evil.
Source: Sahih Muslim 46, Grade: Sahih
Discarding what does not concern me:
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Part of the perfection of one's Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him." [Tirmidhi]This hadith explains an important but often overlooked aspect of completing and perfecting our practice of Islam. We should not concern ourselves with matters that are none of our business, but should stay focused on the priorities that do concern us. When our practice of Islam becomes more complete and more perfected, our good deeds will spill over into the public affairs of those around us multiplying those deeds through others to higher and higher exponents of received charities. By instilling this quality & focusing on what is of concern to you and disregarding what is not, deeds become more weighty and valuable in the sight of Allah swt.
One of the great scholars of the Maliki school of fiqh, Imam Abu Zaid al-Maliki, said that all attributes of goodness stem from four hadiths[a]:
Being hospitable to guests :
Abu Shuraih reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest and recompense him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is his recompense?” The Prophet said, “It is for a day and a night, as good hospitality is for three days and after that it is charity.” And the Prophet said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or remain silent.”
In another narration, the Prophet said, “It is not permissible for the guest to overstay his welcome such that he burdens his host.”
Source: Sahih Bukhari 5673, Sahih Muslim 3255
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
عَنْ أَبِي شُرَيْحٍ الْعَدَوِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ جَائِزَتَهُ قَالُوا وَمَا جَائِزَتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ يَوْمُهُ وَلَيْلَتُهُ وَالضِّيَافَةُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ فَمَا كَانَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
وفي رواية أخرى قال وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَثْوِيَ عِنْدَهُ حَتَّى يُحْرِجَهُ
5673 صحيح البخاري كتاب الأدب باب من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فلا يؤذ جاره
3255 صحيح مسلم كتاب اللقطة باب الضيافة ونحوها
Respecting my neighbours:
An-Nawawi records in his book Riyad us-Saliheen:
Allah the Exalted said:
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him. Be good to parents and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away.
Surah An-Nisa 4:36
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَا زَالَ جِبْرِيلُ يُوصِينِي بِالْجَارِ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ لَيُوَرِّثَنَّهُ
Gabriel continued to advise me to treat neighbors well until I thought he would make them my heirs.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2624, Grade: Sahih
Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِذَا طَبَخْتَ مَرَقًا فَأَكْثِرْ مَاءَهُ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنْ جِيرَانِكَ فَأَصِبْهُمْ مِنْهَا بِمَعْرُوفٍ
When you make soup, then add extra water to it and take it to the people of the neighboring house and give them some of it courteously.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2625, Grade: Sahih
Abu Shuraih reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ وَاللَّهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ
By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!
It was said, “Who is it, O Messenger of Allah?” He said:
الَّذِي لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَايِقَهُ
He whose neighbor is not safe from his evil.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 5670, Grade: Sahih
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ
He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his evil.
Source: Sahih Muslim 46, Grade: Sahih
Discarding what does not concern me:
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Part of the perfection of one's Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him." [Tirmidhi]This hadith explains an important but often overlooked aspect of completing and perfecting our practice of Islam. We should not concern ourselves with matters that are none of our business, but should stay focused on the priorities that do concern us. When our practice of Islam becomes more complete and more perfected, our good deeds will spill over into the public affairs of those around us multiplying those deeds through others to higher and higher exponents of received charities. By instilling this quality & focusing on what is of concern to you and disregarding what is not, deeds become more weighty and valuable in the sight of Allah swt.
One of the great scholars of the Maliki school of fiqh, Imam Abu Zaid al-Maliki, said that all attributes of goodness stem from four hadiths[a]:
- The hadith in which the Prophet (s.a.w) says, “to speak well or remain silent.”
- The present hadith “Disregard what doesn’t concern me”.
- The hadith in which the Prophet (s.a.w) said to a man asking for advice, “Do not get angry. Do not get angry. Do not get angry. {after receiving the advice}”
- “You will not attain true belief until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.”
- Luqman on the value of Wisdom
- Luqman on propagating wisdom to others and to take it seriously when given by others
- Luqman on the need to have a pleasing tongue and sound heart
- Luqman on “Speech is silver and slince is golden”
- Luqman on the need to have kindness, mercy and love for others
- Luqman on giving
- Luqman on friendships
- Luqman on patience, knowledge, and goodness
- Luqman on the need to keep good company and to consult scholars
Finally, wisdom in matters is one of the blessings that Allah grants to His creation. The Almighty says in the Quran: 2:269
يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.