6 Ways to Think Good of Others

The following is a translation of this Facebook note: bersangka baik itu kan bagos :)

1. When you meet someone, be sure that he is better than you. Say it in your heart, “Maybe his status with Allah is higher than mine.”

2. When you meet a young boy, say it in your heart, “This child hasn’t done a single sin yet, where as I’ve done a lot. Surely this boy is better than me.”

3. When you meet an old man, say it in your heart, “He has worshipped Allah longer than I have, surely he is better than me.”

4. When you meet someone knowledgeable, say it in your heart, “This person possesses a blessing that is lacking in me, obtained a status that I couldn’t achieve, knows what I don’t know, and he acts upon his knowledge. Surely he is better than me.”

5. When you meet someone ignorant, say it in your heart, “He does Allah wrong out of his ignorance, while I do Him wrong when I’ve already known better not to do so. And I do not know how I will be at the end of my life and at the end of his.”

6. When you meet a kafir, say it in your heart, “I do not know of his fate in the future. Maybe in the end of his life he will become a Muslim and practice the Deen well. And maybe it’s possible that in the end of my life I will become a kafir and commit wrongdoings.”

There is no harm in thinking good of others as oppose to having ill thoughts about them that can cause you to sin. Things that are not clear do not need to be thought of as evil and negative because that might just be the shaytaan talking in your head.

Allah knows best.

Posted by Aiman Azlan (Toronto)
Photo by Sodanie Chea

Moderation in Reminding People

A Lesson from Sheikh Abdallah Adhami

The Companions taught their students: "Remind people, if you must, not more than 'once' a week; and never more than twice a week — if 'they' beg you to."

Even Ibn Mas'ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) was so considerate in his reminders to us so as not to bore or overwhelm us." (Agreed-upon).

Amazing! The one whom people would listen to forever, even he was cautious to not burden his Companions, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

They did actually elaborate further: "Never interrupt the worldly conversation of a people and tell them: ‘Let me share a verse from the Quran with you’."

Ibn Ḥibbān even narrated in his ṣaḥīḥ, from 'Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) an explicit exhortation to "not interrupt 'any' conversation of people" (in order to remind them).

Subhanallah, indeed the Prophet was gentle with people.

"So by mercy from Allah , [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you." (Surah Ali Imran: 159)

Posted by Aiman Azlan (Toronto)
Photo by Johan Larsson

The Intention for Seeking Knowledge

The following was taken from Qurba's course entitled "Marriage: In Partnership Towards Allah".

Introduction

This noble intention was penned by the illustrious scholar of Tarim, Hadramawt, Imam Abdallah bin Alawi al-Haddad, may Allah enshroud him in His mercy. He was blind from a very young age but grew in knowledge and stature to become the foremost educator in the Islamic sciences and spirituality of his time. His books are published until this day and he continues to be a source of benefit for many around the world.

May Allah benefit us by him. Ameen.

Imam al-Dhahabi (Allah have mercy on him) points out to the signs of having a sincere intention or otherwise. He mentions that the one who seeks knowledge for the sake of Allah Most High, then that knowledge creates in him humility, humbleness, and the fear of Allah.

And the one who seeks knowledge for worldly gains, he becomes proud with his knowledge, thus argues and quarrels with other Muslims. (See: al-Muqizah, p. 65. Thanks to Dar al-Iftaa Leicester for this note).

The Intention for Seeking Knowledge

In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Compassionate. All praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And salutations and greetings upon our master Muhammad and upon his family and companions.

I intend to study and teach, to take and give a reminder, to take and give benefit, to take and give advantage, to encourage the holding fast to the book of Allah and the way of his messenger, upon him be peace. And calling to guidance and directing towards good, hoping for the countenance of Allah and His pleasure, proximity and reward, Transcendent is He.

The scholars have said that intention should be in the heard, but there is no harm in saying it on the tongue. There is no prohibition in it. In fact, saying it on the tongue i.e. talking to yourself is a good way of putting your intention to the heart. If you don't have the intention, then you don't understand what you are getting yourself into.

Posted by Aiman Azlan (Toronto)
Photo by epSos.de