BLeSsED WisDOm: The IDEAL MUSLIM: The Muslim and His Neighbors

The IDEAL MUSLIM
The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Man
as Defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah

By Dr. Muhammad 'Ali Al-Hashimi

Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur

Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.

The Ideal Muslim is a man of the highest moral character. In his relationship with his Rabb (God), himself, family, parents, relatives, friends and the community at large, he has a most excellent example in the prophet of Islam (pbuh). His idealism is further strengthened by the characters of the first generations of Muslims who excelled in all the various fields of human endeavor. He is reassured by the teachings of Islam that he also can reach these noble heights by working to improve his character daily.

Chapter 7: The Muslim and His Neighbors

The true Muslim is careful to avoid falling into sin where his neighbor is concerned

The true Muslim is especially careful to avoid committing sins against his neighbor, because a sin against a neighbor is worse than other crimes, according to the words of the Holy Prophet. He quizzed his Companions about adultery and they said, "It is haram (forbidden); Allah (The One & Only God) and His Messenger have prohibited it." He told them, "A man who commits adultery with ten women has committed a lesser sin than one who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife." Then he quizzed them about stealing, and they said, "It" is haram (forbidden); Allah (The One God) and His Messenger have prohibited it." He told them, "A man who steals from ten households has committed a lesser sin than the one who steals from his neighbor's house." [11]

The neighbor in Islam enjoys a unique sanctity which is unknown in other manmade laws and systems. Those manmade laws encourage the violation of a neighbor's honor because it is usually easier and there are more opportunities to do so than to violate the honor of others. These promiscuous songs about looking through the neighbor's window and such like did not become widespread in the Muslim world until we had forgotten the manners of chivalry and faith, and been overwhelmed by blind imitation and cultural and intellectual imperialism. Then cheap, dirty young men among us began to compose songs and poems about the female neighbor, when such a thing had never been known during our jahiliyyah (ignorance), let alone after the advent of Islam. One of our noble and decent poets, if he happened to see a female neighbor, would say:

"I lower my gaze when my female neighbor appears before me, until she disappears into her own home." [12]

Islam has encouraged this noble human attitude and behavior in the many texts concerning the good treatment of one's neighbor, protecting his honor, concealing his faults, helping him when he is in need, lowering one's gaze from his womenfolk, and keeping away from everything that may harm him or make him suspicious. It is no surprise, then, that the true Muslim is the best neighbor that any human society has ever known.

The Muslim who is truly sensitive and aware of the teachings of his religion concerning the good treatment of neighbors, will be very cautious indeed concerning any dispute that may arise between himself and his neighbor for any reason, because of the warning of the Holy Prophet against arguing with neighbors:

"The first two antagonists on the Day of Judgement will be two neighbors."[13]

[11] Reported by Imam Ahmad in al-Musnad. Its men are thiqat.

[12] 'Antarah, in his Diwan with footnotes by al-Mawlaw, p. 308.

[13] Reported by Ahmad and al-Tabarani, with a hasan isnad.

Dont Disregard This Beautiful Sunnah
By Asma bint Shameem

I remember when I was a kid, we would go up to the roof of our house on the 29th of Shabaan / Ramadan and try to look for the new moon of Ramadan/ Shawaal.. It brings backs fond memories to the mind and I cant help but smile at the happiness and excitement that I felt as a kid trying to sight the new moon, perching on tiptoes, competing with my brother to spot it before he could!

I also remember the joy, simply at the anticipation of

Ramadhan-..Will we begin the fasting tomorrow ???

Or will it be the day after ???

Whether Eid will be next day or the day after.
And when we did actually see it, the delight-indescribable, the giggles-uncontrollable!

Sighting the moon was such a sweet joyful experience and it was part of the whole spirit of Ramadhaan. It only added to the whole beauty and sanctity of the blessed month, and to our Ibadah and submission to Allah (The One & Only God).

And now, many years later, as another Ramadan approaches us, I look forward to another chance to look for the moon, this time with my kids, teaching them the importance of this Sunnah, sharing with them their innocent joy and excitement-their delight at seeing the bright crescent that brings glad tidings of a blessed month full of mercy and barakah.

And why shouldnt it be so???
After all, to search for the new moon is an ACT OF IBAADAH and a means of EARNING REWARD from Allah (The One God).

And it is the SUNNAH of our beloved Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam)
The Sunnah is seeing and not mere knowledge of moons existence above the horizon.

The month of Ramadan does not begin with the birth of the moon. It does not even begin when it becomes possible to sight the moon. The month of Ramadan, according to the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), begins with the SIGHTING of the moon. This means a human EYE has to see the crescent of Ramadan. And no one should dare to think that the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) did not realize that the new crescent of Ramadan could be behind the clouds.

There are many, many Ahadith encouraging us to look( with our eyes) for the new moon.
The Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Do not fast until you see the new moon, and do not stop fasting until you see it, and if it is concealed by clouds them count out (the thirty days of Shabaan ) for it." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

Aishah (radiy Allahu anha) said, "The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) used to treat Shaaban as he treats no other month. He would then fast for sighting (the moon) of Ramadan. Whenever he could not sight it, he would count thirty days (for Shaaban) and then start the fast."[Abu Dawood].

Sighting the new moon of Ramadan is a Fardh Kifaayah

It is obligatory to witness the new moon for establishing certain acts of worship. If these acts are obligatory, such as fasting Ramadan and Hajj, then witnessing the new moon also becomes obligatory on at least a part of the Muslim Ummah (Fardh Kifaayah). That is because, "what is necessary to fulfill the requirements of an obligation is an obligation itself."

The Sunnah Dua upon seeing the new moon

The Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) even taught us the dua to read when we see the new moon. So make an effort to sight the Ramadan moon with full attention and eagerness and say this prayer on sighting the moon:

Allahu Akbar, Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil amni wal eemaani, wassalaamati wal-Islaami, wattawfeeqi limaa tuhibbu Rabbanaa wa tardhaa, Rabbunaa wa Rabbukallahu .

"Allah is the greatest. O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islaam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah."

A neglected Sunnah??

It is a part of the beauty of Islam anticipating when fasting will start. When will Eid be? This builds up the excitement and love of these blessed times. And there is deepest wisdom in how Allah (The One & Only God) Subhaanahu wa Taala ordained these issues. This was the way of the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), the Sahabah, and the Early generations, including the Four Imams.

Yet, it is sad to see many Muslims getting lost in the fast track world of machines and calculations and neglecting this act of Sunnah, thus losing out on the chance to earn reward from their Rabb for following the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and his guidance.

SO REVIVE THE SUNNAH!

So work hard to revive the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and dont belittle it. Practice it yourself, teach it to your children and others. Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that are being forgotten is one of the most important charitable deeds that a person can do during his lifetime and is a deed that will bring an immense reward

"Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward." (Tirmidhi)

Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) also said: Pay attention to my Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-guided Khaleefahs after me, adhere to it and hold fast to it.(Saheeh Abi Dawud)

For our complete guidance, it is a must for us to learn and follow the Sunnah. If possible, let us invite others to learn and follow the same. We must know that our Creator sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions and that He promises great rewards for those who support the Truth.

"And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it -- such are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with their Rabb. Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they havedone." (Holy Qur'an 39:33-35)