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Sat 18 Ramadan 1444AH 8-4-2023AD at 3:28 pm #89757
We will now review what I originally intended to tackle. As I mentioned in the introduction, the main theme of this book was to present the behavior and manners-which Islam recommended for its believers. When I started doing-so, I discovered that most of these issues entail scientific or medical miracles so I changed the direction of my work to share my findings with the readers. Here the various aspects that show the tolerance of the Islamic character will be briefly reviewed. In general, these aspects are ethical, educational, and humanitarian which will enrich the reader with eminent ethics, principles and refined behavior for the benefit of those who think and ponder. They take the form of instructions written in the Glorious Qur’an and narrated in the Prophetic Sunnah to be a bright light for the hearts of those who ponder, to guide their lives, and make it easier for the righteous to achieve their objectives. This path will enable them in the Next World to enjoy the Paradise which God described:
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And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes (i.e., satisfaction) as reward for what they used to do.
(Qur’an, 32:17)
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“Only those people believe in my verses revealed to My Messenger who, when they are reminded of them prostate to Allah glorifying Him together with praising Him. They are not arrogant from worshipping Him nor prostrating to Him in any condition.”
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They leave their beds to worship Allah, supplicating to Him in their prayers, fearing His punishment and hoping in His mercy. They also spend the wealth Allah has given them in His path.
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So no one knows what things Allah has prepared for it in terms of bringing coolness and joy to the eyes, as a reward for the good deeds it would do in the world. It is a reward that no one except Allah can comprehend, due to its greatness.
(As-Sajdah:15-17)
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Good Treatment of Parents
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Parents have every right to advance and occupy the first position in the divine classification. They are, by God’s will, the cause of our presence, the most generous in giving, the most sincere to advise, and have the most tender hearts. They are the ones who devote their lives to their sons and daughters in a generous offer of love and mercy. That is why God says the following about the good treatment of parents:
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(And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age (while) with you, say not to them (so much as), “uff ” , and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say,” My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up (when I was small.)
(Qur’an, 17:23-24)
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Your Lord – O servant – has instructed and made obligatory that you worship none but Him, and He has instructed that you be good to your parents, especially when they become old. If either of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not become annoyed with them by uttering words that indicate the same, do not scold them and do not be harsh when speaking to them, but say to them kind words that are soft and courteous.
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Humble yourself before them in humility and out of compassion, and say: O My Lord, be merciful to them as they have brought me up in my childhood.
(Al-Isra:23-24)
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“O my Lord! Forgive my sins, forgive my parents, and forgive the one who enters my house as a believer. Also forgive the believing men and women, and do not increase those who wrong themselves by disbelief and sins except in destruction and loss.”
(Nuh:28)
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Say, O Messenger, to the people: Come! I will read to you what Allah has made unlawful. He has made it unlawful that you associate any creation aS partner to Him, that you disobey your parents – for it is your duty to be good to them
(Al-An’am:151).
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We can see why God coupled dutifulness to parents with His due worship and avoidance of polytheism in honor of their high position and esteem for their value. A Muslim is ordered to be kind when treating them, as well as being courteous and obedient. He should select his words carefully when speaking to them and strive to satisfy their needs and desires, particularly when they get old, when they need more attention and care.
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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to one of his companions when he asked him permission to participate in Jihad (war): { Are your parents alive?” He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said: “(you should) consider their service as Jihad }. (Saheeh Muslim, no. 2549).
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In so doing, we show our gratitude for what parents have given us throughout their lives
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Let us now enjoy and think about this short story which an American woman Umm Abd Al-Malik narrates to us.”I used to see and listen to subjects about Islam on TV from time to time without paying attention. One day a married couple came to the hospital where I was working with an old woman. The wife, who looked anxious, sat waiting in a seat in front of the place where I worked. She was wiping tears from her eyes. Out of curiosity I asked her about what was distressing her.
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She told me that she came from a far away country with her husband and his mother, the old woman, in search of medical treatment for her. The old woman was suffering from a chronic disease. She was crying while she was talking to me and was asking God to help her motherin-law.
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I was amazed that this wife came from a remote country to accompany her husband who wanted to treat his mother. I suddenly remembered my mother, and wondered where she was then. I gave her a bottle of perfume four months earlier on Mother’s Day, and since then I never thought of visiting her. That was my mother! What if I had a mother-in-law!
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I was completely taken aback by this couple, knowing that the old woman’s case was almost desperate. Look at this wife; why was she so concerned about her mother-in-law? Why was this beautiful lady worried and concerned about her?
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This subject completely over took me then. I imagined myself in the place of this mother and what happiness she should be in, a thing which I envied her for. That couple spent the whole time with the sick lady and received phone calls from abroad asking about her condition.
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One day, I entered the waiting room and found the wife sitting there. I found it a good chance to talk to her. She told me a lot about the rights of parents in Islam and how we should treat our parents. I was really amazed about the status of parents in Islam. After a few days the old women died and the couple cried like children.
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Afterwards I kept thinking about this experience and about the rights of parents in Islam. I wrote to an Islamic center asking for a book about the subject. Reading the book, I dreamt of being a mother with sons and daughters who loved me and were concerned about me and remained dutiful to me till l died.
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This led me to Islam, although I did not know much about it. Later, I got married to a Muslim and had children for whom I pray to God to keep them righteous, true in their religion, good and dutiful.(Al-Dawah Magazine)
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Now dear readers, can you think of any positive law or constitution which gives parents a part of the rights Islam has made compulsory for them! This is the comprehensiveness in Islamic legislation and divine justice beyond which there is no justice.
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The Inviolability of Human Blood
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Islam is a religion that calls for peace and conservation of human life and human blood. It is the religion of kindness, brotherhood, and equality. God says in His Divine Book:
(And We have not sent you {O Muhammad}, except as mercy to the worlds). Qur’an, 21:107.
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O Muhammad! I have not sent you as a messenger, except as a merciful one to the whole of creation. This is because you are distinguished with aspiring for the guidance of all people and their safety from the punishment of Allah.
(Al-Anbiya:107)
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In Islam, whoever takes an innocent life is looked upon as if he has killed all of mankind, as Allah (God) Almighty says:
(Whoever slays a person without (being guilty of) manslaughter or corruption in the land, it would be as though he had slain all of mankind). Qur’an, 5:32
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*(Due to Cain’s murder of his brother, I informed the Israelites that any person who kills another person for no valid reason – such as legal retribution or as punishment for causing corruption in the land by treason or waging war – it is as if he has killed all people, since he did not make a distinction between an innocent and a guilty person. Whoever refrains from killing a person whose soul I have made sacred, and regards it to be forbidden to kill such a person, it is as if he has given life to all people, because in such an action lies the safety of all people. My messengers brought to the Israelites clear signs and evidences. Despite this many of them overstepped My limits by committing sins and going against the messengers) (Al Ma’idah 32)*
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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had approved a treaty that was made before his mission which was called”Hilf Al-Fudool” i.e., a treaty in which the wise men of Arab tribes agreed to conserve human blood and set justice for any case of grievances. He said:
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{ If that treaty was provided as a plea after Islam, I would have accepted it }.(Al-Seerah Al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hisham, comment written by A.S.A Tadmuri, Part 1)
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This is how Islam ruled and how it spread among people – through justice, mercy, and security. It stands by and supports the oppressed and punishes the oppressor like the other heavenly messages that came before.
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Unfortunately, Islam has been the subject of various attacks and persistent attempts from those who don’t want goodness for humanity. It withstood many obstacles and plots that strive to limit or even stop its progress, wipe it out altogether, or at least discredit thereputation of its followers. And this has been the case since the dawn of Islam till today.
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Islam is sometimes accused of being a backward religion not suitable for today and at other times, is charged of being rigid and stringent. Finally, it has been stigmatized as a religion for terrorism. Terrorism, however, doesn’t have a religion or homeland, nor does it relate to any specific civilization or culture. Terrorism is a phenomenon and a social system that advocates repression, crime and anti -humanity.
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Those who follow Islam and practice it, and those who study Islam or read about it, can all doubtlessly certify and testify that there is no place for violence, stiffness, repression, and intimidation of innocent people in Islam. Lives and properties of others, even those from different religions, are conserved and protected in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in this respect:
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Whosoever grants safety for a man then kills him – l am innocent of him, even if the victim is a disbeliever }. (Al-Albani no. 440, narrated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, no. 1682)
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In fact, Islamic Law (Shari’ah) has preceded all nations as the first to guarantee care and mercy for humans as well as other creatures. It is amazing to know that in Islam, the world of animals is just like the world of human beings having its own nature, characteristics, and feelings. Allah ( God ) says in the Qur’an:
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(And there is no creature on (or within) the earth or bird that flies with its wings except (that they are) communities like you) Qur’an, 6:38.
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There is no animal on earth or any bird flying in the sky except that they are species like you, O children of Adam, with respect to their creation and provision. I have not left out anything in the Preserved Tablet. The knowledge of all of them is with Allah. Then they will all be gathered to their Lord on the Day of Rising for the final decision and each will be recompensed according to what they deserve.
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Those who deny our verses are like those who are deaf and cannot hear, and like those who are dumb and cannot speak. Together with this they are in total darkness, in which they cannot see. So how can such a person be guided? Allah misguides whomever He wills from among people and guides whomever He wills by placing such a person on a straight path that has no crookedness.
(Al-An’am:38-39)
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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
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{A woman is in Hell because of a cat that she had tied up. She did not feed it nor did she set it free to eat insects of the-earth, until it eventually died bit by bit} .(Sahih Muslim, no. 2619)
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Could such a religion which tells its followers to care and be merciful to animals treat human beings badly, as some falsely claim and fabricate? This aggressive campaign which some people lead against Islam stems from negligence and ignorance about Islam and its principles.
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They simply do not understand what Islam is. With respect to the destruction which some deviant groups have caused in some parts of the world, it is not part of the true lenient Islam in the least. In most cases those who are behind such acts are a few deceived and misled individuals. They made themselves tools in the hands of others and hence offended their religion and their societies.
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These groups have been discarded by their families and societies. Their-behavior is odd and solitary. It doesn’t have any legitimate base, and they do not believe in true objective dialogue. Violence is completely unacceptable in the true Islamic environment whatever form or color it takes, as it will never avail any religious benefits or secular advancement.
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True Muslims know that differences in religious beliefs were never and will never be an excuse for killing and destruction which is merely seeking power. It has been said that “If you are not with me, you are against me,” which is false and fruitless.
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God says in the Qur’an:
(Indeed, Allah does not amend the work of corrupters). Qur’an, 10:81.
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When they threw down their magical spells, Moses (peace be upon him) said to them: What you have shown is magic. Allah will cause what you have done to be nothing and of no effect. You cause corruption on earth by means of your magic and Allah does not set right the action of a person who causes corruption.
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Allah will establish the truth and give it weight with His words of decree and with the proof and evidence contained in His words of law, even though the sinful disbelievers from the people of Pharaoh dislike it.
(Yunus:81-82)
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Finally, we should not forget that deviant ideologies are germs that have infected many communities over the centuries. For the sake of political greed, the West stigmatized Islamic countries as the homeland of “terrorism,” but no definition has been clearly specified until now that it originates from Islamic lands
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Equality
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One of the main characteristics of Islam is that it highly valued and praised is its ability to join people’s hearts and gather them under the umbrella of equality.
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Many human communities have been and are still suffering from racial discrimination and segregation. Reasons for discrimination such as skin color, tribe, or material wealth were strong until the advent of Islam, which wiped out these destructive principles from their roots. It united people in brotherhood regardless of skin color, ethnic origin, and social status. Prophet Muhammad’s followers included Arabs, Persians, whites,blacks, the poor and the rich.
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To leave a clear message for brotherhood and equality, he addressed them, saying:
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{ O people, verily your Lord is One and your father is one. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, neither does a white person have superiority over a black person, nor a black person have superiority over a white person except in piety and good action…} (Narrated by Ahmed and authenticated by Al-Albani, no. 23885).
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The story of the Abyssinian, Bilal bin Rabah, exemplifies the Islamic stand regarding equality. Bilal was a slave, a saleable commodity to one of the chief opponents of Islam and of Prophet Muhammad’s message, Ummayyah bin Khalaf, who was cruel and treated Bilal with humiliation and indignity. Bilal heard about Islam and immediately embraced the religion. When his master found out, he took him to the burning desert of Makkah at noon, dragging him on his back over the burning sands.
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He ordered that a huge rock be put on his chest and he told him: You will stay like this until you die or until you disbelieve in Muhammad.” Bilal replied by saying, “One, one… one,” i.e., “God is One,” until-“Allah” relieved him from this-state when Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the best of Prophet Muhammad’s followers, bought him from his master.
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God rewarded Bilal for his true faith and patience by honoring him with the post of caller for the daily prayers. He used to perform the call to prayer five times every day with a loud and melodious voice: “Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah; I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Come to the prayer; come to the prayer. Come to success; come to success. Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah.” Look at how this Abyssinian, who was a slave before Islam, was raised and valued in the Muslim society where his name will be remembered until the Day of Judgment!.
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Blood Relations
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Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:
(Indeed, God orders justice and good conduct and giving [help] to relatives) Qur’an, 16:90.
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Allah instructs His servants to be just, by discharging Allah’s rights and the rights of fellow human beings and by not giving preference in judgement to anyone unless with a right that demands such preference. He instructs them to be good, by doing more than what is mandatory such as spending voluntarily and forgiving the oppressor. He instructs them to see to the needs of their relatives. He forbids everything that is vile, in words, such as obscene speech,or in deeds, such as fornication. He forbids oppression and arrogance over people. Allah advises you with the instructions and prohibitions in this verse in the hope that you will take heed of His advice.
(an-Nahl:90)
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Aisha (may God be pleased with her) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
{ The womb is connected to the Throne. It says,”Whoever keeps relations with me – God keeps relations with him; and whoever severs relations with me, God severs relations with him. } (Saheeh Muslim, no. 2555).
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Maintaining good relations with relatives is an Islamic obligation; it’s a call for unification, spreading love and good feelings between family members.
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While nearly every religion has emphasized good family relations, Islam has taken it to unprecedented heights. Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
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{ Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship }
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It is the duty of every Muslim to inquire about his relatives, share their joys and sadness, treat them with generosity and offer help when needed. Immediate relatives have rights over others and a Muslim is required to be kind even to his non-Muslim relatives. Similarly he is required to be kind to even those relatives who are harsh to him. Is there another society that can even come close to this standard in maintaining family ties?
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Honoring the Orphans
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The International Organization for Human Rights has not mentioned any specific rights for orphans. The international convention-stipulates childcare only. Islam, however, provides special care for orphans and preserves their rights. Islam advises its followers to be kind and loving to orphans, which is a means for obtaining good rewards in the Hereafter.
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Orphans are usually highly sensitive to the behavior of others because of the suffering due to their loss. That is why Islam focuses on their psychological state and directs its followers to be kind to them. The Glorious Qur’an says in this respect:
(So as for the orphan, do not oppress (him)). Qur’an, 93:9.
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Verily, He found you at a time when you were a child whose father had passed away, and so He made a place of refuge for you by causing your grandfather Abdul Muttalib to become fond of you, and then your uncle Abu Talib.
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He found you in a state where you did not know what revelation or faith was, and so He taught you about that which you did not know.
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And He found you poor, so He made you self-sufficient.
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Therefore, do not treat badly the one who has lost his father in childhood, nor look down upon him.
(Adh-Dhuha:6-9)
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There is a common misconception that taking custody of orphans is confined to material aspects only.
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But Islam always rises above the materialism and gives importance to their moral wellbeing. Many orphans are, in fact, well off and in no need of money. However, they lack integration and mutual coexistence in their societies. The impact of their suffering can be substantial and dangerous to their psychological state.
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The custodians of orphans need to be well aware of their situation from which they are suffering – the loss of the ones most dear to them. They need to integrate them into society, which is a measure of success as their custodians.
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The Qur’anic expression is the most profound statement and clear evidence when talking about orphans’ rights within its comprehensive societal and familial value system:
(And if you mix your affairs with theirs –they are your brothers).Qur’an, 2:220.
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Allah has established these rules so that you may think about what benefits you in this world and the Afterlife. Your Companions ask you, O Prophet, about the guardianship of orphans and how they should deal with them: whether they can mix their wealth with that of the orphans for expenses, food and accommodation? Say in reply to them: If you are kind to them by arranging their affairs without taking anything in return and without touching their wealth, it is better in the sight of Allah and carries greater reward. It is also better because you will receive your full wealth. However, there is no harm if you mix their wealth with yours for living expenses, as they are your brothers in faith and it is normal for brothers to help and look after the affairs of one another. Allah knows the guardian who, by mixing the wealth of orphans with his, means harm and the one who means well. If He wished to make it difficult for you with respect to orphans, He would have done so. Instead, He has made it easy for you to deal with them as the sacred law is based on ease. Allah is Mighty and nothing can overpower Him. He is Wise in His planning and legislation.
(al-Baqarah:220)
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Neighbors’ Right
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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: { Gabriel continued to advise me regarding the neighbors (so much so) that I thought he would give him the (right) of inheritance } (Hadith Mutafiq Alaih (agreed upon) M2624, K 96310).
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Islam pays great attention to neighbors and advises its followers to honor them, protect them, and treat them in a good way. Among the most important rights of neighbors that Islam commends people to observe is to keep their neighbors’ property and honor safe in their absence.
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They should also not interfere in their private affairs and be tolerant with them. They should support them in times of hardship and difficulty and not spread their faults among the community, nor envy them for what God has blessed them with. People should also be keen about visiting their neighbors and giving them gifts to strengthen social relations.
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There are many circumstances where people are in need of neighbors, particularly in dangerous situations and emergencies. If we contemplate the objective behind this Islamic legislation, we can clearly see the attention and concern Islam gives to social cohesion, spreading love, cooperation and brotherhood amongst Muslims. Again we can see Islam as a comprehensive and integrated system of life.
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Spreading Gossip and Backbiting
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God (Allah), the Almighty, said in the Qur’an : (… And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? you would detest it …) 49:12
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O those who have faith in Allah and act upon what He has legislated! Stay away from most suspicions which are not based on causes and indications that give them credence, because some suspicions are sinful, like suspecting one who is apparently pious. And do not persue the faults of believers behind their backs, nor mention another in a manner he dislikes, because mentioning him in a manner he dislikes is like eating his flesh whilst he is dead. Do any of you wish to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Therefore, abhor backbiting him because it is like that. And be mindful of Allah by fulfilling His commands and refrain from that which He has prohibited. Indeed, Allah Forgiving of those of His servants who repent; merciful to them.
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O people! Indeed, I have created you from one male: your father Adam, and one female: your mother Eve. Therefore, your lineage is the same, so some of you should not take pride in lineage over others. Then, I made you into many nations and dispersed tribes, so that you may recognise one another; not so that you take pride in them, because pride can only be due to Allah-consciousness; Indeed, the most noble from among you according to Allah is the one who is most mindful of Him. Indeed, Allah is aware of your conditions, knowing of what levels of perfection and deficiency you are on; nothing is hidden from him.
(Al-Hujurat:12-13)
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Backbiting is the act of mentioning somebody in his absence with what he dislikes, while spreading gossip is taking what somebody has said to another with the intention of causing trouble. Islam is very concerned about the protection of people’s honor and dignity. It also commends followers to be faithful and loyal, and not to degrade and dispraise people in their absence in front of others.
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Backbiting is no doubt a destructive tool that reflects cowardice. It is a negative characteristic and symbolic of bad manners. Once it spreads among people, it leads to hatred, suspicion and conflicts.
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More over, gossiping is similar in results to backbiting and is strongly prohibited as it causes trouble, spreading ill-feeling and disturbing normal relations. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him ) said: { The person who spreads gossip will not enter Paradise } (Saheeh Muslim, no. 105).
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The consequences of backbiting and gossiping are against the supreme objectives of Islam, the religion which advocates mercy, love, equality, and the settlement of disputes.
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Islam advocates that no one has the-right to intrude this sacred sanctuary by backbiting or spreading gossip in order to degrade people. Sometimes there may be an urgent need to mention something about people who are absent. Muslims are asked in such cases to use indirect generalized expressions instead of direct straightforward ones.
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We have the perfect educational and moral model in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He-would not mention the name of the person he was criticizing or blaming in front of the people. Instead, he would use general speech such as:
{ What is the matter with a people who say suchand-such } . (Saheeh Muslim, no. 1401)1)
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