Islam on Protection of the Environment

Cleanliness is not a secondary issue. Islam has placed much importance on cleanliness as it is considered an integral part of our faith. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Purification is half of faith.” (Muslim).

It is also said in the Quran: “Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you; He only wants to purify you and complete His favour upon you, that you may be grateful.” (Al-Maida, 5: 7).

And it also mentions that “Allah loves those who repent and who purify themselves.” (Al-Baqara 2: 223).

However, cleanliness applies not only to the body but it also relates to our environment. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) challenges us: “Keep clean the area in front of your house so as not to offend passersby.”

Then we understand how important it is to properly maintain one’s interior, not only that, but also to respect the environment in which we live, that is to say, our neighbourhood, our city and above all, nature. This is an order of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). Therefore, as Muslims, we must comply to this instruction if we do not want to incur the wrath of Allah (swt) upon us. 

Also, do not forget that our behaviour is a reflection of Islam. Others judge our religion through our behaviour. Some believe that a well-kept house is a waste of time and is quite unimportant in the eyes of Allah (swt). Now we have just pointed out that it is not.

'Make the Most of Your Time'

Certainly, time is the most valuable factor of our global temporal life, as it represents to each of us a treasure bestowed by Allah (swt). Indeed, there is no day that starts without it saying: “Oh son of Adam, I am a new creation, I am a witness to your actions, use me because I will never come back until the Day of Resurrection.”

In other words, time, in a clearer term is the days that we live everyday in this world. Allah (swt) has given it to us so that we can discharge the heavy burdens/ duties and responsibilities that He has imposed upon us. We must accomplish the tasks which are meant for us so as to be victorious in this world as well as in the hereafter.

To make the most of our time, we must know that there are five types of days: The day which is lost, the witnessing day, the promised day, the forthcoming day/ Hour, and the extended day. The first is a day which passes without (the person deriving) any benefit. The second is the most grievous of all. It is a day when the servant has wronged him and reaped that which is bad accordingly. The third day is the final day, the day of account which he shall meet at his death. The fourth is the Day of Resurrection. And the time lapse between past days is called the extended day. A further consideration of these days will help the believer to understand in any depth the value of time.

'Respect the Privacy, Dignity and Rights of People'

Allah (swt) says: 

وَ  اِذَا  الۡمَوۡءٗدَۃُ  سُئِلَتۡ ۪ۙ۝ ۝بِاَیِّ ذَنۡۢبٍ قُتِلَتۡ ۚ  ۝

Wa ‘izal - maw - ‘uudatu su’ilat; Bi - ‘ayyi zambin - qutilat?

“Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know.” (An-Noor, 24: 20)

In a Hadith Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has said:

“He who sees something which should be kept hidden and conceals it will be like one who has brought to life a girl buried alive.” (Abu Dawud, Kanz al-’Ummal, Tabarani)

This Sahih Hadith teaches us that he who finds a defect/ weakness, whether physical or moral in a Muslim and who conceals it, that is to say, he does not spread it among the people, but rather keeps the matter a secret, then he shall have a reward comparable to the one who saves a girl buried alive from her grave, for this practice was widespread among the Arabs at the time of the Jahiliyya (ignorance, before the advent of Islam), as well as among the pagans and the ignorant ones before the advent of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). We need to advise people to improve their conduct (to atone for their wrongdoings) but it is illegal for us to reveal their flaws to those who are not concerned (with that matter).

Eid: Celebration of 'Taqwah'

The first thing I would like to highlight is that all the efforts which we, Muslims have made in the right way during the month of Ramadan had only one objective: Taqwa (fear of Allah, piety). If this fear is now part of us, it means that the month of fasting was a total success and that we can now reap all year round the fruits of this valuable win. 

Ramadan is not an end in itself; it is the beginning for some and a continuation for others, of the consolidation of this state of fear of the Lord (Rab) so that the harvest is perpetual. To live or to die depends solely on the decree of Allah, but He advises us to ensure that at the time of the departure of our soul that we are in a position of total submission to Him. It means, therefore, that we need to be in this position permanently. The believer must also honour the sacred bond that unites him to the Almighty and should not create circumstances that could cause any dissension within the community of Allah. 

Let us now see some sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ^(pbuh) on the subject by raising some subtle points.

(1) Hazrat Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas ^(ra) narrated that he heard the Holy Prophet ^(pbuh) say that Allah ^(swt) loves those who control their passions, those who have no vile desire, those who do not seek the glory of this world and those who lead a secluded life. (Sahih Muslim).

(2) Hadhrat Aisha ^(ra) said that nothing and no one has more value in the eyes of the Holy Prophet ^(pbuh) that he who has the fear of Allah. (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal).

This Hadith complements the first, that is to say, one who is loved by Allah is also loved by the Holy Prophet ^(pbuh).

Islamophobia: Change Perceptions

If we define Islam correctly like it should be defined, we shall be able to grate Islamophobia from the mindset of people of the different cultures and races around the world. Islamophobia has taken root deep into sections of the world population. To avert this deep fear of Islam itself as a way of life, as a religion, we, Muslims must portray the correct teachings of God Almighty (Allah), of His Holy Book (the Quran) and His Holy Prophet (Our Master Muhammad) – peace be upon him.

Islam is in no way a threat to world peace, but in fact invites to world peace, just like - or even more so than - the rest of the grand religions of the world: Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity etc. Now, we can hardly say that every Christian or every Hindu is a terrorist despite the fact that we know that there are terrorists throughout the world who claim to be Christians, or Hindus while committing heinous acts against humanity. Now, why blame Islam for the heinous actions of some people who claim to be Muslims whilst doing unislamic acts and using Islamic slogans to commit such acts?

The Quest for 'Laila-tul-Qadr'

The Night of Decree

If the Night of Destiny, which is found in the last ten days of Ramadan is different from the other nights of this blessed month or even the other nights of the year, it is due to its preeminence as mentioned in a chapter of the Holy Quran which has been revealed on its very subject, i.e. Chapter 97, Verses 1-6:

“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. 

Surely We revealed it on the Night of Majesty; 

And what will make you understand what the Night of Majesty is? 

The Night of Majesty is better than a thousand months. 

The angels and the Spirit descend therein by the permission of their Lord for every matter. 

Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Al-Qadr, 97: 1-6).

Traditions report that the Holy Prophet Muhammad ^(sa) was on his way to inform Muslims of the date of the Night of Destiny, when because of a quarrel between two people the knowledge thereof was taken from him. He expressed the wish that it was (indeed) good for the Muslims (that the specific date of this Night has been made to be forgotten).

Hazrat Aisha ^(ra), the wife of the Messenger of Allah ^(sa) informed us: “The Messenger of Allah ^(sa) used to retreat in the Mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan, in the odd days of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari & Muslim).

Therefore, the possible nights are the 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th & 29^th.

Ramadan: Enduring Blessings

Ramadan & Obedience to Allah

The Holy Month of Ramadan has once again graced our life with its presence; a whole month has been bestowed by Allah (God Almighty) to the Muslims so that they may acquire His pleasure and accede to His nearness.

The Sacred Month of Ramadan is such a month which gives the Muslim believers the opportunity to live their Islam, i.e. Submission to Allah to the fullest. And as such obedience to Allah is the key to open the door of His Mercy.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: 

And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should (obediently) answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way. (2: 187)

The above-mentioned verse is clear on the fact that God Almighty seeks submission from His servants. He wants that His servants, whom He has lovingly placed on earth, call upon Him and respond to His call also. He is such a Being who extremely cares for His creatures. The whole creation is in awe before Him. Man, compared to the rest of creation, is the most intelligent creature and has received the greatest of divine favours in the ability to work towards earning a higher status in the spiritual realm.