Conduct during Fasting

Conduct during Fasting: 

Hadhrat Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah رضي الله عنه summarised beautifully the fasting person's conduct and said, “When you fast, then let your hearing, your sight and tongue also fast from speaking lies and carrying out forbidden deeds, and do not cause harm to your servant. When you're fasting, you should be dignified and calm. Do not make the day you are not fasting and the day of your fasting the same.”

(Kitabuz Zuhd: 1308, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 8973)

10 Things That Shouldn’t Happen Once You Become a More Practising Muslim

We have seen it time and time again. We may have even experienced it.

For so long, you were a Muslim only by name. You did not know much about Islam and its teachings, and you were content with your ignorance.

But something changed. Like the shifting of the earth before a quake, something happened in your life that suddenly opened your eyes to the beauty of your religion. You realized that you needed God and in that instance, you turned back to Him.

Or, you were never a Muslim, but the story that was your life fell upon a new chapter: Islam. You left whatever you were (or were not) practicing for His sake.

In both these instances, you have tried to claim or reclaim the Muslim identity that you finally realized and accepted as being yours. Yet, it was during the birth of your new spiritual self that things began to go downhill. You may not have seen it, but everyone around you certainly did…

Here are a list of 10 things that shouldn’t happen as a result of you turning a new leaf and becoming a more practicing (or new) Muslim:

1. You Become Narrow Minded

This is probably one of the worst – and ironic – things that can result from you becoming a more practicing Muslim. Islam has richness and diversity embedded within its history; from its revelation to the interpretations and rulings, from great scholars and intellectuals (think: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Ash-Shafi’i & Imam Ahmad), Islam is not something that can be limited to what you have learned from one person within your community, or after watching a few videos on YouTube. Contrary to what you might think, becoming closer to Allah, subhanahu wa ta ‘ala (exalted is He), and the teachings of Islam should make you far more OPEN minded. That is, the more educated you become, the more you realize that differences of opinions within Islam are not a curse, but a blessing. They make the religion easy & practical – a stark juxtaposition to the Islam you may be viewing through your narrow lenses.

Most of the time, it’s narrow mindedness that leads individuals to do the following:

2. You Rebel Against Your Family

Now that you have seen the light, you begin to notice the sins that your family may be immersed in. How dare they not pray? Why do they not attend these lectures? Why don’t they support me – I’m following the same religion as them after all!? Why wasn’t I born into a more practicing family? Why didn’t my parents teach my Qur’an from a younger age!? Why, why, why…?

These, and many more, are thoughts that might cross your mind. But you have to remember a couple of things: a) You will probably never be able to completely change your family – especially your parents b) Humble yourself. It was only a short while ago that you were immersed in the same sins and was it not by the mercy of the Most Merciful, your plight may have never changed.

Coming closer to Allah (swt) should indeed bring you closer to your family (despite their flaws) as now you realize the great importance of kinship in Islam, and the enormous rights of your parents upon you.

3. You Rebel Against Society

You have not only become hyper aware to the ills within your home, but those outside of it too.

You take extremes and ban yourself from things like all social activities, malls, gyms or sports activities, family gatherings etc.

Becoming more practicing in the deen (religion) shouldn’t mean that you revile the very society that may have raised you and to which you owe your cultural traditions, norms and values. Instead, it should make you more involved. Being a Muslim means to be balanced – appreciate and enjoy the good your society has to offer while avoiding the bad.

4. You Declare Everything as Haram/Halal

This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Just because you have learned a bit about Islam, you still have no right to be declaring fatwahs (Islamic legal rulings). This is something left to the most learned of Muslims; those who have dedicated their lives to the study and teachings of Islam.

Further, if you are quick to declare things haram/halal, remember this: you are putting your word against that of Allah (swt) and those who have studied His deen. Pretty scary, huh?

But inevitably, becoming more practicing may make you more quick to declare things as haram/halal. A word of advice: don’t. Just because someone holds a different opinion on a matter than yours, doesn’t make their opinion less valid. There were differences of opinions during the time of the Prophet ﷺ and after his death! But these differences did not divide Muslims as they do today – instead, they highlighted the beauty of Islam and how it is truly a religion that has transcended time, history, and culture.

5. You Isolate Yourself

Just because you have become more practicing, doesn’t mean that you should only limit yourself to your home or Islamic events, activities, conferences, etc.

Allah (swt) has set boundaries that cannot be transgressed. If you remove your head from the sand for 5 seconds, you will realize that there is a LOT of leeway as to what we can do as Muslims.

As long as they do not transgress the bounds of Allah (swt), feel free to engage in the things that bring joy and happiness to you and your family within the limits of moderation.

Do not totally ditch your long-time friends just because you have become more practicing than them unless they are likely to influence you negatively. Do not quit your job or schooling (unless, of course they are, or lead to, haram). Do not limit your days to locking yourself in your room and only studying Islam. You will go nuts, trust me.

Becoming more practicing should open you to a more positive and productive world and new possibilities. Also, it should make you more engaged within your community, whether it be through non-profit organizations, sports, etc.

6. You Lose Your Identity

This is a big one. We are all unique, creative and different human beings. You should never feel that you now have to dress or look or behave like a particular group or jamaat. Avoid cultish behaviour.

Getting closer to Allah (swt) should bring you closer to your truer self. 

7. You start discriminating against the sinful Muslims and non-Muslims 

This speaks for itself. Again, humble yourself because as they say:

Every righteous person has a past, and every sinner has a future.

Also, cut out the discrimination against non-Muslims. They may not be your sisters/brothers in faith, but they are certainly still your sisters/brothers in humanity and deserve your respect and kindness.

8. You Instantly Become a “Scholar”

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and any social media site or piece of technology does NOT make you an expert in the field of Islam. Think of the work it takes to become a doctor – would you ever accept the claims of someone who simply Googles their information without any valid form of education?

Do not make fatwahs, do not rebuke others and do not think that you know everything. Simply assume the position of a student. Recognize, too, that being on the receiving end of knowledge is a life-long thing.

9. You Race to Catch Up

Please go easy on yourself. Yes, you may have less Qur’an memorized than your friends. Yes, you may have less Islamic knowledge. Yes, you may not be as steadfast on Islamic acts of worship. Yes, you may constantly stumble, fall, and falter.

But remember, this is your personal journey to Allah (swt), it is not a race. It makes no sense to compare the beginning of your story to another person’s middle. Start from whatever level you may be at and keep going. Do not give up and purify your intentions. It is not about quantity, it is about quality. Remember that.

10. You start considering your self as a better Muslim than others

This is a dangerous spiritual disease of pride and takabbur and is a potent weapon of shaytan to destroy you spiritually. Always be on alert and check your heart for such thoughts. Whenever you feel takabbur in your self, remember that it is only Allah who guided you and immediately bring to mind those who are more pious and religious than you. Attending regularly the gatherings of the pious elders will help instill the required sense of humility and prevent this disease of takabbur.

Many of the points taken from: http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/islam-101/misconceptions/10-things-that-shouldnt-happen- once-you-become-a-more-practicing -muslim/

To get the rewards of ikhlas in all our actions: Mufti Taqi

To get the rewards of ikhlas in all our actions:

At Fajr time recite the ayah:

إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
"Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds." 6:162

Insha'Allah The whole day will pass with intention of iklaas/sincerity even though one may forget to make individual intention before any action/amal during the day.

-Mufti Taqi Usmani sb's advice

WAYS TO GET REWARD OF FASTING EVEN WHEN NOT FASTING:

HOW TO GET REWARD OF FASTING EVEN WHEN NOT FASTING:

*1) BEING THANKFUL TO ALLAH*

*► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:*
The one who eats and is grateful is like the status of the patient fasting person.

(SUNAN TIRMIDHI Vol #4, Hadith #2486)
(SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #3, Hadith #1765)
(MUSNAD AHMAD Hadith #7793)
(MUSNAD AHMAD Hadith #19036)
(SAHIH AL JAAMI Hadith #3942-3943)
(SAHIH IBN HIBBAN Hadith #315)
(SUNAN AD DARMEE Hadith #2067)
(AS SILSILAH AS SAHIHAH Hadith #655)

*2) HAVING GOOD MANNERS*

*► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:*
By his good character a believer will attain the degree of one who
1) Prays during the night and
2) Fasts during the day.

(SUNAN ABU DAWUD Vol #5, Hadith #4798)
(MUWATTA IMAM MAALIK Hadith #1641)
(AL ADAB AL MUFRAD Hadith #284)
(SAHIH IBN HIBBAN Hadith #480)
(SAHIH AL JAAMI Hadith #1621)
(SAHIH AL JAAMI Hadith #1932)
(SAHIH AT TARGHEEB Hadith #2643-2644)
(AL MUAJAM AL AWSAT LIL TABRANI 6/236)

*3) TAKING CARE OF WIDOW/POOR*

*► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:*
The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is
1) Like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah's Cause, or
2) Like him who performs prayers all the night and
3) Fasts all the day.

(SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #7, Hadith #5353)
(SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #8, Hadith #6006-6007)
(SAHIH MUSLIM Vol #7, Hadith #7468)
(SUNAN TIRMIDHI Vol #4, Hadith #1969)
(SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #3, Hadith #2140)
(SUNAN NASAI Vol #3, Hadith #2578)
(SAHIH IBN HIBBAN Hadith #4245)
(SAHIH AL JAAMI Hadith #3680)
(SAHIH AT TARGHEEB Hadith #2546)
(AS SUNAN AL KUBRA LIL BAIHAQI 6/283)
(AL MUAJAM AL AWSAT LIL TABRANI 2/50)

The root of all sins: Imam Muhasibi

“I have found the origin of what is inimical to the spiritual life to come, the most
far-reaching of the stratagems of Satan in corrupting the faithful and destroying the
sanctions of religion, to be the love of this world and exaltation and glory therein.

 It is the root of evil and the chief of sins, and because of it God’s creatures are remiss in what is due to Him, and go astray from His law, and neglect prayer and fasting and the rest of the ordinances and, through love of wealth and reputation, they are enticed by the seductions of what is unlawful and sinful, and despise much of what is in accordance with the Divine command and purpose.

For the sake of this world, they disobey God and fall into mortal sin, and bring themselves to perdition unawares.

The Prophet of God ﷺ warned them of the seductions of this world, for he said: “After my time worldliness shall come upon you, and it shall consume your faith, as fire consumes the fuel.” He  ﷺ also had said: “There is nothing more abhorrent to God, after polytheism, than the love of this world.”

“He who loves this world and its pleasures casts out the fear of the next from his
heart. While you rejoice in what you gain from this world, you have lost the fear of God
Most High. Yes, and perhaps you are so satisfied with your life of worldliness that your
care for spiritual things has grown weak, and it may be that the burden of your sins is
lighter upon you than your affliction from worldly loss. Yes, and your fear of the
diminution of your wealth is twice as great as your fear of committing sin. It may be that
you give away to others what you have amassed by unlawful means, in order to obtain
exaltation and reputation in this world, and perhaps you are satisfied with the creatures,
when God is dissatisfied with them, in order that you may be reckoned good and gain
position and advantage.” 

“Know, O my brother that sins produce heedlessness (ghafla)- that is, the sinner is
forgetful of God and his law- and heedlessness produces hardness of heart, and hardness
of hearts leads to alienation from God, and alienation from God leads to Hell.”

“There is hardly a day in a man’s life, he feels, in which he is not guilty of some sin of commission, of the ‘members’ or the heart, and outward piety is no proof of freedom from sin. Most of the devout men of our time are heedless, self-deluded. We reckon ourselves among those who lead an austere and pious life, and it may be that in the sight of God we are among the wicked and sinners. 

How can we believe that we are righteous, when not a day comes upon us but we purpose fresh sins, which we have not committed before, and we add them to our past sins, sins of the members and sins of the heart, pride and envy and malevolence and evil supposition and other sins beside? 

Every day of our lives we add new sins to the sins of yesterday, and increase our liability to
judgment. The very first sin which we commit, consciously and deliberately, renders us
guilty in the sight of God, and every sin committed thereafter increases our guilt. 

Then, O my brother, let godliness (taqwa) be your chief concern, for it is your capital stock, and works of supererogation (nafil) beyond that represent your profit. There is no merchant so heedless, nor any man wise and sound in judgment, who reckons that he has made a profit, without having secured his capital.”

“You will not attain (to the conquest of sin) except by a sound purpose and a firm Intention to combat desire, and by controlling your inward self, for if the servant controls his inward self, he dominates his members and has knowledge of his own heart, and self examination and other means of opposing the self in what she desires become easy to him, by the leave of God Most High; but if you lose control of your inward self, God’s command will seem hard to you, and your members will go astray and your heart will be lost, and you will not be aware of it, and will find yourself unfit for self-examination.

Then keep to what is lawful, control your tongue except in what will aid you in
approaching God Most High, guard also your hearing and your sight and consider in what you sin and for what you sin.

Fear the sins of the heart, and search out its hidden faults and the basic principles
of its sins, and the evil of its inmost parts and subtilties of its sensual desires and the
secrets of its lusts, then strive to expel what is opposed to the good pleasure of God Most
High from your hearts, for when you delivered from the sins of the heart, then you are
saved from the punishment of God Most High.

The 4 Pillars of Noble Manners -

The 4 Pillars of Noble Manners -

Imam Abi Zayd al-Qayrawaanee (May Allah have mercy on him) says:
"The Hadiths of morals and manners have been combined into four narrations. They are:

1. The Prophet ﷺ  said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the last day then let him say (a word that is) good or be silent."

2. The Prophet ﷺ said: "From the goodness of a person's Islam is that he leaves off that which does not concern him."

3. The Prophet  ﷺ  said to the one who sought advice from him: "Do not become angry!"

4. The Prophet ﷺ said: "None of you (truly) believes until he loves for his brother, what he loves for himself."

Hence, these four narrations- are all from forty hadeeth of the narrations collected by Imam Nawawee (May Allah be pleased with him).

All of the Hadiths related pertaining to conduct, return back to these four narrations.
This benefits us (knowing) that whoever is given success toward the understanding of these narrations, as well as the application of them then verily the pillars of conduct will be gathered with him and that which they stand upon.

 Explaining The 4 Pillars of Noble Manners -

 The  first  pillar:  Safeguarding  the  tongue  and  its  evidence is  the  statement  of  the  prophet ﷺ :   “Whoever  believes  in  Allah  and  the  last  day,  then  let  him say  (a  word  that  is)  good  or  be  silent.”   This  is  the  first  pillar,  and  whoever  does  not  safeguard  his tongue  will  not  be  from  the  people  of  morals  and  manners.

Hence,  from  the  tremendous  foundations  and  strong supports  which  morals  and  manners  are  established upon…is  safeguarding  the  tongue. Meaning:  taking  it  into account  and  holding  it  back  from  speech,  except  for  what  is beneficial  in  it.

 So, the  prophet  ﷺ  said: “…then  let  him  speak  good  or  be  silent.” In  it  is  a  call  to  pondering  over  one’s  speech  prior  to speaking;  because  speech,  before  it  exits,  you  own  it…and when  it  has  exited  it  owns  you!  For  this  reason,  from  the beauty  of  an  individual  is  that  he  reflects  upon  his  statement before  he  speaks.

 The  second  pillar  from  the  pillars  of  morals  and  manners:
Distancing  oneself  far  away  from  meddling  and  being involved  in  what  does  not  concern  him;  and  that  the individual  does  not  delve  himself  into  what  does  not concern  him.
 
Thus,  the  meddling  person  will  not  be  one  of morals  and  good  manners,  because  his  meddling  and delving  himself  into  what  does  not  concern  him  removes him  from  good  manners  and  takes  him  outside  of  its boundary. 

However,  when  he  is  far  away  from meddling…he  is  far  away  from  entering  into  what  does  not concern  him.  Hence,  this  is  from  the  characteristics  of  good manners.  Rather  it  is  from  the  pillars  of  good  manners.  The proof  of  this  is  the  statement  of  the  prophet   ﷺ :   “From  the  goodness  of  the  person’s  Islam  is  that  he  leaves off  what  does  not  concern  him.”

 The  third  pillar  from  the  pillars  of  morals  and  good character:  the  avoidance  of  being  driven  by  human emotions,  in  particularly  anger. 

When  the  person  gets excited  and  he  becomes  angry,  upon  him  is  that  he  does  not proceed  at  the  time  of  his  anger.  Meaning  that  he  does  not carry  out  a  statement  or  an  action  because  any  statement  he carries  out  at  the  times  of  anger,  and  any  action  he  carries out  at  the  time  of  anger,  in  most  cases  will  be  away  from  the realm  of  morals  and  manners.  Surely,  it  has  been  said regarding  the  dispraise  of  anger  and  its  ugliness: “Anger…the  first  part  of  it  is  insanity  and  the  final  stage  is regret”.

 When  the  person  is  driven  by  his  emotions  and  by  his  anger this  is  conducive  to  falling  into  major  evils  and  many  actions where  its  end  results  are  not  praiseworthy. 

 The  fourth  matter  from  the  pillars  of  morals  and  good manners:  Soundness  of  heart;  that  is  there  will  not  be  in  the heart  of  the  person  any  jealousy,  malice,  grudges, resentment,  or  anything  like  this  from  the  diseases  of  the heart  and  its  illnesses.  

 “None  of  you  will  (truly)  believe  until  he  loves  for  his brother  that  which  he  loves  for  himself.”
 Hence,  this  is  the  narration  (used  as)  a  support  on  the  topic of  good  character.  When  the  person  has  reached  the  extent  of actualizing  this  narration,  and  he  has  gained  mastery  over this  narration,  then  he  will  safeguard  his  heart,  and  cleanse his  soul  from  evil  and  inner  corruption  .  Then  verily  he  –by the  permission  of  Allah-will  actualize  in  himself  good character  at  the  time  of  his  most  splendid  image  (i.e.  when he  is  physically  looking  his  best)  and  in  his  most  beautiful apparel.  He  ﷺ to  said  “None  of  you  truly  believe until  he  loves  for  his  brother  that  which  he  loves  for himself.” 
 
- taken from 'Noble Manners based on four pillars' by Sh Abdur Razzak Al Badr.

Simplicity is a part of Faith

 "Simplicity is part of Faith":

Abu Umamah bin Tha'labah radi Allahu anhu reported: The Companions of Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned the life of the world before him. He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said,

 “Do you not hear? Do you not hear?
Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith, simplicity is part of Faith.”

Imams Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has graded the Hadith authentic (sahih).

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4158, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4161. Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5926)

Explanation:

The Arabic word used in this Hadith is ‘البذاذة’ which refers to simplicity and humility in one’s dressing and food.

(Refer: footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Sunan Abi Dawud and Fathul Bari) from http://hadithanswers.com/simplicity-is-part-of-iman/ 

: قال المنذريّ رحمه الله:" ( البذاذة )_ بفتح الباء الموحّدة وذالين معجمتين _ هي: التّواضع في اللّباس برثاثة الهيئة، وترك الزّينة، والرّضا بالدّون من الثّياب "اهـ.

وقال الخطابي رحمه الله: " البذاذة: سوء الهيئة والتجوّز في الثّياب ونحوها، يقال: رجل باذ الهيئة إذا كان رثّ الهيئة واللّباس".

والمقصود من الحديث ما ذكره ابن الأثير رحمه الله في " النّهاية " فقال:" أراد التواضع في اللّباس وترك الافتخار به " اهـ.

 Humility in dress by having a dowdy (or simple) appearance, avoiding decoration and being content with inferior kinds of clothes​.

Overall​ purpose from what is intended from the hadīth is to have humility in one's dress and to avoid haughtiness.

Fashion vs Simplicity:

Another aspect of simple life style is to not get caught up in the fashion craze prevalent today.

The famous Sahabi ‘Amr Ibnul 'Aas, رضى  الله عنه  said,

«لا أملُّ ثوبي ما وسعني، ولا أملُّ زوجتي ما أحسنت عشرتي، ولا أملُّ دابَّتي ما حَمَلَتْني ؛ إنَّ الملال من سيِّىء الأخلاق».

“I will not get fed up with my clothes so long as they continue to fit me, and I will not get fed up with my wife so long as she is good to me, and I will not get fed up with my ride so long as it continues to carry me. A person who continually becomes bored with things has a deficiency in his character.” 

[From the book "Taareekh Dimashq"]