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| Making Judgements:
A Rational or Emotional Criteria Ibrahim Abu Khalid The Qur'an is called the Criterion, because
it is the benchmark by which we make decisions. Left by ourselves, Humans
end up worshipping the most powerful thing they can see - elephants, the
sun, planets, statues, or their own selves. Humans are also prone to
extreme judgements and behaviour, whether in a religious stance or any
other decisions they make. Indeed, this problem has always existed,
and Islam came to solve this conflict via the Qur'an and the practices of
the Prophet (s.a.w.). However, these problems still persist in the Muslim
community, and we are finding the extremes are becoming more prevalent.
Either the person judges by his emotion, and is too soft in his judgement
and actions, or he is too harsh and hard-hearted. You will find those who
will be rash in matters of divorce, ostracising Muslims for their faults,
and ever-ready to physically "correct" someone deviating from
what he considers to be correct, and others who are hesitant to enforce
Islamic rules and requirements from fear of "hurting" a persons
feelings. This article examines the equilibrium stance Muslims must adopt,
and how to balance between emotion and rationality. A Soft Heart - An Essential Muslim Feeling A Muslim is required to be soft hearted,
and have feelings for others. The Prophet (s.a.w.) himself is a prime
example of such qualities. The Prophet (s.a.w.) wept on the death of his
son, Ibrahim, and said: "The eyes shed tears and the heart feels
pain, but we utter only what pleases our Lord. O Ibrahim! We are aggrieved
at your demise." He also wept when his grand daughter, Umaymah,
daughter of Zainab, died. At this occasion, Sa'ad bin 'Ubadah said:
"O Messenger of Allah! Are you weeping? Did you not forbid Zainab
from weeping?" The Prophet (s.a.w.) replied: "This (weeping) is
the mercy that Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants. And surely
Allah bestows mercy upon those who are merciful among His servants." So we find that the softness of the heart
is a reflection of the mercy a Muslim shows to others. There is nothing
"unmanly" for a man to possess such a quality. A hard heart is
very much an attribute of a man devoid of mercy, and as such, is causing
more harm to others than he realises, and in danger of losing Allah's
Mercy for his own lack of it. The Prophet (s.a.w.) was merciful to all
the Muslims, in obedience to Allah's command: He did not distinguish between races, or poverty, or class. If a Muslim caused him harm, he forgave him. If he needed help, he assisted. His character reflected the Qur'an, and was an integral part of the Da'wah he spread, for Allah said, "And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt
with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would
have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask
(Allah's) Forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affair. Then when
you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves
those who put their trust in Him" [3.159] His kind treatment of others was a cause
for many to turn to Islam, and to consider him a true prophet. He was
charitable, kind towards the women and children, and a caring father. The Caring Family Man The Prophet (s.a.w.) was a kind husband,
and was concerned for the emotional wellbeing of his family. It has been
related that he would race his wife A'ishah. He would make jokes (truthful
ones), and when angry, would not extend his hands against his wives, nor
verbally degrade them. Rather, his method of showing his disapproval or
anger was to keep away from them, even for up to a month. A'ishah (r.a.a.) said "When she [Fatimah
(r.a.a.)] came to visit him (the Prophet), he got up to (welcome) her,
took her by the hand, kissed her and made her sit where he was
sitting..." [Abu Dawud] Once Allah's Apostle kissed Al-Hasan bin
Ali while Al-Aqra' bin Habis At-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra
said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of
them." Allah's Apostle cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is
not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully." [Bukhari] The Prophet (s.a.w.) would clean the noses
and eyes of children, carry children on his back whilst praying, and
shorten the Salaah when hearing the crying of children. The Friend The Prophet (s.a.w.) dealt with his
companions in a loving, attentive way. He held their hands when walking,
and enjoyed seeing them laugh; he wrestled, raced, and joked with them.
The women would seek his help with whatever problem they had, whether it
was a problem with family or a question of Fiqh. Clearly, his manner was such that no one
felt intimidated on approaching him for any matter. Allah mentioned his
quality as thus: And the behaviour of his Companions is but
a reflection of this attitude the Prophet (s.a.w.) possessed. They didn't
think it too much to smile in the face of their Muslim brothers, nor too
derogatory to treat other Muslims with respect and mercy. Even with their
disagreements, they acted in an honourable and respectful manner. Abu Bakr (r.a.a) was so loved that the
children would rush on to the streets and call him "father,
father." Umar bin Khattab (r.a.a) once told a Sahaabah "If the
people knew how merciful I am towards them, I'm afraid they will climb
over me." About Uthman (r.a.a) the Prophet (s.a.w) said "Take
care of him, for he is the closest to me in morals." The well-known four scholars, Imam Abu
Hanifah, Imam Malik, Shafi and Ahmad ibn Hanbal would visit each other,
pray behind one another, and speak highly of each other. But you will find that many of today's
Muslims, whether in giving Da'wah, relating with others, or as head of a
family, they turn towards harshness, thinking this is the way to treat
others, and Allah is pleased with such a behaviour. In imitation of the
society they live in, or in answering the whisperings of Shaytan, this
behaviour of theirs is exacerbating the differences found within the
Muslim Ummah. Minor issues pertaining to religious acts are blown out of
proportion. When someone is found committing a sin, instead of covering
his fault, as the Prophet (s.a.w.) has advised us, so that Allah may cover
ours, he alerts everyone to his fault, embarrassing the person and perhaps
turning him away from guidance. This in turn has led to a disgusting level
of backbiting in our community and hatred of others whose thoughts or
Manhaj (as distinct from Aqueedah) may clash with ours. Either we will
name them as being deviants, or amongst the ignorant, fasiq or even
totally throw them out of religion. Yet, Islam is more lenient towards
Muslims. To inflict the Hadd (Legal Islamic Punishment) upon a Muslim, the
evidence must be total and without doubt, not heresay or circumstantial
evidence. When a woman who had committed adultery was stoned, and her
blood spurted upon one Sahabi, he cursed her, and was heavily rebuked by
the Prophet (s.a.w.). He remarked that she had made a Tawbah which, if
divided on all the inhabitants of al-Madinah, will suffice them. This hardness of the heart must be softened
from the realisation that Muslims are one community, a bond that should
never be jeopardised. We can only begin to appreciate the way we must
treat others when we begin to associate with them more, and look upon our
own faults instead of concentrating upon everyone else's, and when the
fear of Allah ties us back from intentionally putting harm on any Muslim,
even if in jest. The Apostle of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "None of you
should take the property of his brother in amusement (i.e. jest), nor in
earnest". [Abu Dawud] It has also been narrated that a man once hid
the shoe of another as a way of joke. When the other man returned, he
found it missing and began to panic. So the Prophet (s.a.w.) rebuked him
for causing pain to the Muslim, even though he meant it in jest. Nor should a man remind the other of the favour done to him, as this is a cause of hurt for the receiver, and Allah says: "Those who spend their substance in
the cause of Allah and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their
generosity or with injury for them their reward is with their Lord; on
them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve." [2:262] The hard heart is a source of division, but
only when in dealings with Muslims. Of course, we have also seen the other
extreme, that being the excessive softness and leniency, which I consider
to be the culprit for many of today's dilemmas. This Insha' Allah will be
discussed in the next issue. Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) said:
"There is in the Paradise an apartment, the exterior of which can be
seen from its interior, and the interior of which can be seen from its
exterior. Such apartments have been prepared for those who are polite in
talk, provide food (to the needy), fast frequently and observe the
Tahajjud prayer when the people are asleep." [Tirmidhi] [This article was published in the 20th
issue of Nida'ul Islam magazine
(http://www.islam.org.au), September-October 1997] |