Muasharat (Social Conduct)...

MUASHARAT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DEEN

It should now be realized that Muasharat is an inseparable part of the Deen. A perfect Muslim will, therefore, be one who adopts all the branches of the Deen. In all aspects he has to behave like a Muslim. There has to be no resemblance with the kuffaar.

People have generally understood Muamalaat and Muasharat to be beyond the scope of the Deen. It is indeed surprising that a person regards his dealings and his social conduct beyond the confines of Divine Law, but at the same time he acknowledges that his dealings and social conduct are governed by the laws of worldly governments. No one ever ventured to tell the state authorities that the government has no right in our private business enterprises, etc. People readily submit to governmental laws and restrictions applicable to their trade and commerce, etc.

BEAUTIFUL SOCIAL CONDUCT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEAUTIFUL DEALINGS OF COMMERCE

The need for proper observance of Muasharat is of greater importance than Muamalaat. Rectitude in Muamalaat largely ensures the protection of material wealth while Husn-e-Muasharat (Beautiful conduct with others) ensures the protection of the hearts of the Muslims. It is quite obvious that the rank of the heart is greater than that of material wealth. In the rectification of Muasharat is also the protection of the honour and reputation of others. After the protection of lmaan, safeguarding honour and reputation is of the greatest importance. Man is prepared to sacrifice everything in the endeavour to safeguard his honour. On the occasion Hajjatul Wida, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) declared the sanctity of the blood, honour and wealth of the Muslimeen. Until the Day of Qiyaamah the honour and reputation of the Believers heve been declared sacred. This sanctity cannot, therefore, be violated.


[From 'Aadaabul Muaasharat' (Etiquettes of Social Life) by Hakimul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alayh]

The Five Branches of the Shariat

THE FIVE BRANCHES OF THE SHARIAT

The Shariat consists of five branches or parts:

Aqaa-id, Amaal, Muamalaat, Akhlaaq, Husn-e-Muasharat.

AQAA-ID (Beliefs), e.g. beliefs in the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala and the Risaalat (Prophethood) of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

A’MAAL (Righteous deeds) e.g. Salaat, Saum.

MUAMALAAT (Transactions Contracts) e.g. trade and commerce.

AKHLAAQ (Moral character) e.g. humility, generosity, etc.

HUSN-E-MUASHARAT (Beautiful social conduct), i.e. good relationship with people, e.g. abstention from acts which cause others inconvenience such as disturbing a person in his sleep.

The above mentioned five departments are collectively known as the Shariat. It is essential for Muslims to adopt all five departments of the Shariat. But, in the present age people have abbreviated the Shariat. Some have taken only Aqaa-id, believing that only the proclamation of La ilaaha il lallaahu suffices for immediate entry into Jannat. Such persons, while they believe Salaat, Saum, etc. are Fardh, they do not obtain the good fortune of practically executing these acts of worship. Others again, along with Aqaaid observe Salaat, Saum, etc., as well. However, they have discarded Muamalaat. In their transactional dealings they are not concerned with the Deen, whether their acts are lawful or not. They are indifferent to the question of halaal and haraam regarding their earnings and dealings. Then there are those who maintain their Muamalaat on a healthy footing, but are unconcerned with the reformation of their moral character. Those who are concerned about Akhlaaq are exceptionally few. In fact there are even such persons who spend considerable time to reform others while others are inconvenienced and annoyed by their behaviour and attitude. They remain unaware of the difficulty they are causing others by their actions and behaviour. They are completely uncaring about their own detestable condition. There are numerous such persons who will not venture to offer Salaam to a poor Muslim along tne road. On the contrary they wait in expectation of the Salaam to be initiated by the poor.

Some people, along with Aqaaid, Amaal and Muamalaat are concerned about the reformation of Akhlaaq, hence they adopt ways and measures for the treatment of their morals. But, they have discarded Husne-Muasharat. In fact, they have excised it from the Deen. They assert that there is no relationship between the Shariah and social conduct with people.

They therefore behave as they please, thinking that the Shariah has no say in such matters. Many people are pious with good qualities such as humility, but in Muasharat they are lacking. They are not concerned whether they annoy and inconvenience others by their behaviour. In most insignificant things they bring about difficulty and inconvenience to others. Their attention is totally diverted from little things which cause difficulty to others while in the Hadith there are numerous incidents narrated which show that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) cared for the little things just as much as he cared for important matters.

[From 'Aadaabul Muaasharat' (Etiquettes of Social Life) by Hakimul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alayh]

To be continued in next post, Insha-Allah...

Harmful Effects of Sinning

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

I got the following from the book 'Pearls of Wisdom 2', Compiled by Mufti Saiful Islam, Bradford. Take a read:

Harmful Effects of Sinning

Every sin produces the following outcomes:

1. Allah's (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala) anger and displeasure.
2. Shaytaan's triumph and delight.
3. Moving further away from Jannah.
4. Approaching Jahannam.
5. Harming one's own soul and self.
6. Stains appear and cover the heart with black spots.
7. Pain and causing harm to the angels who accompany the individual.
8. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) becomes grieved (because the Ummah's actions presented to him regularly).
9. The ground upon which the sin had been committed will testify against the sinner.
10. It causes great harm to the creation because through sins, Allah's (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala) Mercy is reduced due to which even the lifeless creatures are badly affected.

[From: 'Pearls of Wisdom 2', Compiled by Mufti Saiful Islam. Online Web Address: http://www.al-mumin.org]

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

A Beautiful Dua from 'Desire for the Aa-khirah' by Maulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanvi (Rah.)

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

Some time back, a sister asked for the Arabic to the dua that I have put up on one of the sideboxes on my blog (See 'Beautiful Dua' box). I've finally got around to scanning it from the kitab onto my computer and uploading it. I found this dua in the book "Desire for the Aa-khirah" by Maulana Ashraf 'Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullahi Alayh). See below:




Ameen to the dua!

EDIT: The above file is kind of blurry, so you may have found it difficult to read. Alhamdulillah, http://hassansh.modblog.com/http://islaam.surjo.com made the following files of the dua, which look awesome. (Jazakallahu khair ahsanal jaza!). Check them out:

http://islaam.surjo.com/duaas/dua1.png
http://islaam.surjo.com/duaas/dua1.doc
http://islaam.surjo.com/duaas/dua1.pdf

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Who's The Real Fool?

APRIL FOOL

Question: THE FIRST OF APRIL is regarded as a day to play practical jokes on people. Generally a person is told something which perturbs or even shocks him. However he shortly thereafter realizes that what he was told is not true but it was rather a joke. According to the Shariah is it permissible to play such practical jokes on people?

Answer: This is a very pertinent question. Hence it is appropriate that it be dealt with in some detail. The aspect of playing practical jokes on the first of April is much more serious than what most people generally regard it to be.

Firstly it must be understood well that to deliberately cause any inconvenience to anybody is totally Haraam and a grievous sin, irrespective of how apparently trivial and insignificant it may seem. This is applicable even if the inconvenience was caused merely in jest and in a light-hearted manner.

Secondly, the practical jokes played on people involves lying. Speaking lies is also totally forbidden. Allah Ta’ala declares in the Glorious Qur’an:

“The curse of Allah is upon the liars.”

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said:

“Destruction to the one who speaks lies in order to make people laugh. Woe unto him, woe unto him” (Abu Dawood).

In another narration it is reported that:

“a person is not a complete Believer until he forsakes lying in joking” (Kanzul Ummaal).

DECEPTION

Making people “April fools” also involves one in the serious sin of khiyanah (deception). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said:

“It is a great khiyanah that you say to your brother something regarding which he believes you to be true but you are in fact lying to him” (Mishkaat).

Another Hadith pronounces the declaration of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) thus: “The one who deceives us (Believers) is not from among us” (Mishkaat).

These aspects alone make it apparent that engaging in “April fool” antics involves one in a host of major sins.

IMITATING THE KUFFAAR

Over and above this is the fact that playing tricks is a custom of the Kuffaar. According to the Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, playing tricks on the first of April “is a custom among European peoples” (vol.2; pg.263). The World Book Encyclopedia records that the observance of April Fools’ Day “began in France after the adoption of the reformed calendar by Charles IX in 1564” (vol. 1; pg. 557).

Thus the aspect of tashabbuh (imitating) the kuffaar also becomes applicable. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: “He who imitates a nation, he is from amongst them” (Mishkaat).

Hence when playing April fool tricks involves one in such serious sins, how can a person who claims to love Allah Ta’ala and His beloved Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ever engage in it? If one has played such tricks in the past, one must sincerely repent and seek the pardon of those who were deceived in such a manner.


[Source: Al Haadi (Madrasah Taaleemuddeen, South Africa)]