AVOID SHIRK WITH ALLAAH

Of the things that causes or is an aspect of corruption in existence is shirk with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى as mentioned in some of the soorahs. From the aspects of shirk with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى are:

• Sihr – Magic which is more dangerous than shirk as it is oppression, transgression and shirk and it is destruction for the one performing the magic as well as the one affected by it.
• Belief in fortune tellers and soothsayers – they are those who claim to have knowledge of the unseen.
• Belief that the stars have the ability to affect what happens on this earth, and that whatever occurs is related to the stars. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is the only One who arranges all the affairs of the creation.
• Obedience to Allaah's creation in disobedience to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

Educational Reform-Balancing Values and Skills

Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D.
President
Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc.
7102 W. Shefford Lane
Louisville, KY 40242-6462, USA
E-mail: IRFI@INAME.COM
Website: http://WWW.IRFI.ORG

ABSTRACT

Education---like democracy, free markets, freedom of the press, and "universal human rights"--- is one of those subjects whose virtue is considered self-evident. In Industrially advanced countries, education has become an extension of the capitalist system; in other words, the purpose of education is to provide for the economic prosperity of a country. Similarly on a personal level today the purpose of education is to be able to earn a respectable living. While earning halal living and providing for the economic well being of a country are certainly important Islamic goals as well, the linking of education to financial goals is extremely unfortunate. Now-a-days many internal problems-corruption, injustice, oppression, crippling poverty--are rampant everywhere in the Muslim world. Those who perpetuate these problems are educated people, in some cases "highly" educated people. Why are Muslim communities in the grip of so much materialism today? Why have we effectively relegated Islam to a small inconsequential quarter in our public life? Some advocate that is precisely where our secular education system has put it. Our imported education system is devoid of all moral training. Why our societies are sick? Because our education system is sick. Our schools and colleges have been the main agency for secularization of Islamic societies. They have been effectively teaching that Islam is irrelevant to understanding this world or to solving its problems. But even when they are strong practicing Muslims, they have not been trained and educated to detect and challenge secular dogmas that have been integrated into their curriculums. This is the real crisis of education. Moral training, Tarbiya, was always an inalienable part of it. The teacher (ustad), was not just a teacher or mere professional, but a mentor and moral guide. In Tirmidhi we read " No father has given a greater gift to his children than good moral training." This must be the main criterion of our education, not a ceremonial cover. All plans for improving our education will be totally futile unless they are based on a full understanding of this key reality. This requires revamping our curricula, rewriting our textbooks, retraining our teachers, and realizing that we do all these things ourselves.

Introduction

Belief and righteous conduct are the principles on which the Islamic society is founded. This connection between values and practice lies at the very heart of the Islamic way of life. A Muslim is known by his or her faith that is reflected in one’s practice and daily moral conduct with other people. Muslims are fortunate to have the beautiful teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Prophetic Sunnah. Muslims have institutions such as mosques, Islamic schools and organizations. Inspite such resources many Muslims today do not live in accordance with the principles and values of their faith. What is wrong?¹

Prosperous is he who purifies it, and failed has he who seduces it. (91:7-10)

It is a miraculous quality of Islam and the Quran that in spite of being the ultimate religion it is also ever alive and fresh, capable of not only moving in step with the movement and growth of human societies and the development of culture and civilization, but also infused with the capacity to induce dynamism and movement. It is so resourceful that it can always cater to the needs of changing times and newly arising problems.

The Quran and Islam can best be compared to Nature itself; like nature, the more it is studied, newer dimensions are revealed, and fresher secrets are discovered with new research. Neither this inquiry and investigation come to an end, nor the discoveries and findings are ever exhausted. No matter how much progress and advancement man may make in the field of science he is still confronted with new enigmas posed by nature, which he has to understand and solve.

Knowledge has no limits. The profound book of nature is so rich in content and meaning that if the history of human thought continues forever, this book is not likely to be read to its end. The Quran, too, is like the rich and profound book of nature, with the difference that the Quran is articulate and eloquent while nature is silent. But its content and resources are equally inexhaustible, and will ever remain as fresh and novel. Every day it conveys a new message to the humanity. That Islam had stirred various intellectual legal, educational, and cultural movements in human history, and is ever dynamic and alive and that, we, too, are called upon to actively participate in this movement and play our own role in this mission.

Aim of education is to teach the students the contents of the books and to provide them with a diploma at the conclusion of their academic terms, a document that served as a permit to enter some new lucrative trade. In this way, from the first day all that the parents cared about was what his or her child would become after twelve or sixteen or eighteen years of school and college education, what office he would hold and what sort of income he would secure for himself.

Knowledge was not relevant. The diploma and the certificate served as a bridge to cross over to higher salary. Therefore, all that mattered was the diploma. There were, of course, certain hidden objectives also behind this organization of the educational system. The pagan system of the past wanted it that way that education should be no more than a kind of distraction for the people, ultimately ensuring cultural poverty, bankruptcy, dependence, absurdity and sterility. That system of education was designed to breed generations of indifferent, irresponsible and hollow individuals who cannot rely upon themselves.

Sterility was in built in all sections of life through the system of education, which produced persons without any ideals, indifferent and neutral regarding their aims and goals. The result was that they were totally devoid of the goals of self-sufficiency, specialization, and expertise and consequently dependent upon others regarding their industry and agriculture. The weak level of indigenous specialization and expertise necessitated supervision and domination of a Muslim country by foreign political, military, technical, and even educational advisers and administrators ².

There was hardly any construction company, corporation, ministry, factory, research centre or any other establishment in an oil rich Muslim country that was not run by foreign experts and advisers. In almost every industrial contract that was made, there were scores of various aspects of dependence on foreigners. In one atomic energy project alone, and other such projects, there were approximately two hundred military contracts that made us dependent upon two hundred different international power centres. We were happy in our heart of hearts that we had brought such and such a thing to our country, while in reality, with the establishment of such a project we had made our economy dependent upon the two hundred centres of exploitation and domination servile to the desires of bloodthirsty colonialists, who were responsible for exporting consumerist thinking and culture to our country. If they established some colleges in certain specialized fields which, for example, produced good doctors, we were so weak with regard to our goals and ideals vis-a-vis our own people that our doctors were absorbed by American and European hospitals to treat others, as if they deserved their services more than ourselves! If we established one or two specialized faculties in our country and succeeded in producing some experts, they were of benefit only for others. It was a strange thing that some of the prescribed courses of specialization in the medical colleges were about diseases that occurred in America and were not found in any Muslim country!

It is because our entire system of education was geared to the foreign interests. Dependence does not mean translation of foreign texts of physics and chemistry, for instance, into our language. Learning from others is in no way opposed to the ideals of self-reliance. The Muslims were responsible for developing the sciences of physics and chemistry. It was Muslims who first taught these sciences to others and later on other people made expansions in these fields. We should learn from others, complying with the words of the Prophet (S):

Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.

And:

Seek knowledge even [if it is to be found in a place as distant as] China.

The question of acquisition of knowledge from others is not a matter of dependence. Man should acquire good ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and skills, from all corners of the world. That is a different thing. The real problem with an educational system not geared to the objective of self-sufficiency is that the people are trained in such a way that instead of fulfilling the needs of their nation and establishing a sympathetic relationship with the deprived masses, instead of the service of the people and the care and treatment of the sick of our motherland, instead of making roads for our deprived villages, all efforts are directed in such a way that every effort undertaken is either for the sake of one's pocket, or in the interests of the pagan oppressors, or for launching such projects as multiply our dependence on foreign powers. The real problem is the culture of dependence, adoption of hollow and empty cultural and intellectual ideals, values, aims and principles, which are devoid of meaning and are bankrupt ² .

High school graduates want university education so that they can count upon their chances of getting good employment, after college education and elevation of their place and position in society. If they are told that the high school diploma bears the same value in the employment market, then the majority of them would not care for the university education. If one visits any Eastern or Western country, one will find that only eleven to fourteen per cent of high school graduates find way into the university. The majority, unable to find their way into the university, is absorbed in other jobs and fulfils other needs of the society.

What is the reason that our students while deciding upon the choice of their field of study are always after the subjects which offer better chances of entrance into the university or which are more paying. They do not give their mind as to which of the subjects is more congruous to their taste, their capabilities, or is appropriate to the needs of their society. It does not matter to them as to which of the subjects can be more useful for improving the lot of the deprived and the downtrodden, or which is more effective in assisting their societies in achieving self-sufficiency. The only thing that they consider is the market value of any field, or subject with better chances of admission to the university, regardless of whether the subjects opted by them for study are in conformity with their interests or not, whether they are in accordance with the demands of their society. That is absolutely of no concern to them. All this exhibits deterioration of our values, degeneration of ideals, and absence of any sense of responsibility.

What purpose schools serve?

For the primary education perhaps it may be said that it serves the purpose of teaching the children to read, write and to do arithmetical sums, so that they may learn to sign their names and do not remain illiterate. But what is the purpose of secondary education then? Why do our children have to go through the high school?

Perhaps most of you will say that the purpose is to learn and to make headway in life, to be able to find a good job with good pay, or something of this kind.

Moreover, the aims and purposes should be definite. Is it necessary for the children to study all the lessons prescribed in their texts? Are those lessons useful for the child and the future of his society? If they are not useful, we are obliged to announce that such and such a chapter in such and such a book is useless and unnecessary, or such and such a topic or even a subject is struck off from the syllabus. But if any of them are useful, they should not only be retained, but also studied, and learnt well. Sometimes I contemplate about this problem as to why eighty or ninety per cent of the children put aside their books and completely abandon them as soon as their examinations are over. What does this attitude imply? Does it not show that the book was not read or studied for the sake of its subjects, and there did not exist any bond between the student and the book? In other words, the book was studied merely for the sake of marks on the progress report. Once the report reflected the numbers, the whole affair comes to an end. The book becomes irrelevant for the student. We have to see first whether these lessons are essential for the society or not. If they are essential, what is the explanation for this behaviour? ²

If we really want to march forward in the direction of achieving self-sufficiency, if we do not wish to import any experts and specialists from foreign countries, if we do not wish to rely upon foreign experts and specialists for every small matter, we should firstly make our universities and schools independent of alien elements. We do not lack talent, as our youngsters are full of capacities. By God, Europe and America are not specially favoured regarding their intellectual and natural talents. That intelligence, intellect and potentiality exist in ample amount in every Muslim country. Then why should we need to bring from other lands any experts or managers for setting up and managing our factories or advisers for training our armed forces? Why should we need to import spare parts from foreign countries? Why should we depend upon others for all kinds of ordinary industrial products? ²

Muslim children have initiative, creativity, capacity for working hard and productivity. When they become soldiers they can make certain important parts of tanks and guns, but also they could manufacture certain parts of Phantom planes. They can repair one of the biggest warships, the same ship that if they had wanted to repair three years back, it would have had to be in British waters waiting eleven months for its turn, and which would have cost us an expense of several million dollars also. Our own workers repaired it. Muslim children have immense capabilities, why shouldn't they be utilized? Why shouldn't they be allowed to blossom? Why in lieu of this we should be so much dependent on others?²

Why should a student have to spend precious twelve years of his life and give nine months of every year, and twenty to twenty-five days of each month, working four to five hours a day, in order to obtain a certificate and run after jobs without possessing any skill, any experience or capability whatsoever? Why should all these resources be wasted? Is it inevitable that this waste and this loss should occur?

Student who takes his high school diploma in literature does not have the skills of writing, does not know the art of public speaking, cannot do any kind of artistic work, has no idea of research and cannot even write a simple political analysis.

The one with a technical diploma does not know even very simple technological skills and crafts. The one, who has completed the commerce and management course, knows nothing about clerical work or keeping of accounts. All of them, what they were after was to get a piece of paper. With this piece of paper in their hands, they go from place to place saying, "Give me some job, wherever you can. Don't consider what I have studied, management or literature. I just want some job, no matter what. Give me one, and give me money."

Even now the system of education is static, lifeless, sluggish, despondent, and decadent.

Let us see how one of the so-called advanced countries of the world is doing in education. If one visits Tokyo, Japan there one can enquire about their school vacations. They will tell you that they have just a forty-day summer vacation, and two other vacations of ten days each, which altogether make two months in the whole year.

Incidentally, that day when we went to visit the schools was their last working day after which their forty-day holidays were to commence. Despite the fact that it was their last working day, in whichever class we went we saw that the class was at work. The teacher was busy teaching lessons while pupils attentively listened to him and answered his questions. On the last working day, and even in the last moments the classes were functioning normally. But in a Muslim country, as soon as we smell vacations even from a distance, we give up everything to do with teaching or learning.²

Allah Answers the Prayer of the Suppliant

Assalam-u-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu, Forward this message to as many people you can. [40. Surah Momin: Ayah 60] Call upon Me, I will answer you; surely those who are too proud for My service shall soon enter hell abased. Allah Answers the Prayer of the Suppliant [Sahih Muslim : Book 35, Book Name Kitab Al-Dhikr Number 6593] Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said: "The supplication of every one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and says: I supplicated but it was not granted." [Sahih Muslim : Book 35, Book Name Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6594] Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) as saying: "The supplication of one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say- I supplicated my Lord but it was not granted." [Sahih Muslim : Book 35, Book Name Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6595] Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) as saying: "The supplication of the servant is granted in case he does not supplicate for sin or for severing the ties of blood, or he does not become impatient. It was said: Allah's Messenger, what does:" If he does not grow impatient" imply? He said: That he should say like this: I supplicated and I supplicated but I did not find it being responded. and theu he becomes frustrated and abandons supplication. " Our Lord! and grant us what Thou hast promised us by Thy apostles; and disgrace us not on the day of resurrection; surely Thou dost not fail to perform the promise.

Some common mistakes in Ramadaan

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate "May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You" Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu Some Common Mistakes in Ramadaan Lets Strive Not to Repeat the Same. By Asma bint Shameem 1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all. Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Jibreel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen.. Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen. Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen.'" (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani) 2 : Too much stress on food and drink For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance. "......and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) " [al-Araaf :31] 3 : Spending all day cooking Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan.. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan! 4 : Eating too much Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to make up for the food missed. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani). Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless. It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so. 5 : Sleeping all day Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) sleeping away their fast. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot bear to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part. 6 : Wasting time The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Madoodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him! 7 : Fasting but not giving up evil Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah. "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)"� [al-Baqarah 2:183] The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Bukhaari) 8 : Smoking Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaaith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of smoking material eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes, sheesha, hookah etc. "he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-Araaf :157] It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm.." This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn Uthaymeen) 9 : Skipping Suhoor The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing."(Bukhaari, Muslim). And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim) 10 : Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187] And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "...eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes." This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." (Muslim) 11 : Not fasting if they missed Suhoor Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? Its not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything. 12 : Saying the intention to fast out loud or saying a specific dua to start fasting The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shariah for us to say out loud, "I intend to fast", "I will fast tomorrow" or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever dua you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bidah. read more : Uttering the intention to fast out loud is an innovation (bidah) http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/258 Authentic & UnAuthentic Dua for Iftaar !!! http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/LoveIslam_ LiveIslam/ message/263 13 : Delaying breaking fast Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be on the safe side. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aaishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim) The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast." (Bukhaari, Muslim) Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time. 14 : Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish. 15 : Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler." (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani). Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it....Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas. 16 : Fasting but not praying The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim) In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled. "Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari) 17 : Fasting and not wearing Hijaab Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it. 18 : Not fasting because of exams or work Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do. "Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him." (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3) 19 : Mixing fasting and dieting DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk. 20 : Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh There is no specific number of rakahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (rakaah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah." 21 : Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim). 22 : Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max. Aaishah (RA) said: "When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family."� (Bukhaari and Muslim). 23 : Iftaar parties Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish Iftaar parties with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth     [24. Surah Noor : Ayahs 35 to 40] "Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 36] "In houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them; there glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings" [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 37] "Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate; they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turn about." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 38] "That Allah may give them the best reward of what they have done, and give them more out of His grace; and Allah gives sustenance to whom He pleases without measure." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 39] "And (as for) those who disbelieve, their deeds are like the mirage in a desert, which the thirsty man deems to be water; until when he comes to it he finds it to be naught, and there he finds Allah, so He pays back to him his reckoning in full; and Allah is quick in reckoning." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 40] "Or like utter darkness in the deep sea: there covers it a wave above which is another wave, above which is a cloud, (layers of) utter darkness one above another; when he holds out his hand, he is almost unable to see it; and to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light."   Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

veryday some people are asked to seek counseling to control anger. Schools, corporations and organizations have peer mediation sessions and seminars with the intent to resolve conflicts. These therapy sessions facilitate people from harming themselves, as well as others. In some people pride, arrogance and stubbornness and denial prevent them from seeking this counseling.

Anger is an emotion, which is in creation. If it is used correctly then the results will be positive. On the other hand if it is used incorrectly, then the outcome would be negative or detrimental.  Anger is an enemy within us, which should be defeated.

Everyday everyone experiences problems that can either strengthen or weaken us. Many things cause one to become angry. It is our responsibility to recognize and properly use anger in positive ways to benefit us.

Detrimental effects of Anger ¹

Causes of anger are stress, economic pressures of life, not meeting emotional needs in a healthy way and  disappointments in life. Causes of anger can be of our own choosing or can be linked to others or circumstances.  Past mistakes should be used as a learning experience to build from and not an experience that restricts, limits and impedes productivity.

For their current state of mind and conditions, people look for scapegoats and blame their parents, teachers, counselors, associates or friends, former sexual partners or spouse(s), etc. Various forms of exploitations, discriminations, injustices and abuses may have victimized them.  These negative experiences result in people acquiring quick tempers and will lash out at anyone in their immediate environment. Many times innocent children, teens and adults are harmed in the process. Regrettably, these unresolved conflicts could lead to emotional and mental damage, physical injuries and homicides.  Now and then these terrible consequences continue via resentment, revenge and retaliation, a vicious cycle of human misery, suffering and self-destruction.

As believers we must seek advice and protection from Allah (SWT) our Creator.

We read in the Qur'an: "If a suggestion from Satan assails thy (mind) seek refuge with the Creator, for He heareth and knoweth  (all things)."

Also:" Those who have regard for the Creator, when a thought of evil from Satan  assaults them, bring The Creator to remembrance, when lo! They see (aright)!" ……The Noble Qur'an 7: 200-201

All sorts of thoughts or suggestions enter the human mind  all the time. Therefore one should shield one's souls with prayer, gratitude and good deeds to the best of one's ability. These are the fundamentals    to receiving The Creator's Grace and Mercy. If one is not conscious of one's negative influences that cause transgression into outburst of rage, one would be surprised and disappointed and regretful of such disrespectful behavior.

One has to constantly struggle to relieve oneself from stressful situations and conditions. When anger is properly understood then its positive use should be directed toward correcting, improving and eliminating undesirable conditions. Individually and collectively, people should channel anger and desires to become active to change, improve and eliminate defects, deficiency, immorality, exploitation, injustice, corruption, incompetence, irresponsibility, dysfunctional and non-productive behaviors, institutions and conditions that cause human misery, confusion and suffering.

With these changes, improvements and eradication of social, economical, political, educational, cultural and spiritual defects and diseases, we should always use human intelligence and moral excellence as our base.

Anger Management According to Qur'an and Sunnah ²

 

 This is the most important rule of behavior for a Muslim. In Surah Al-Imran 3:134, we learn that, “…those who control their anger and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loves those who do good.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is noted by Bukhari in his Sahih as saying: “Don’t be angry.” And he repeated this several times.

There is a harm in anger or being angry. It is a trap from Shaitan. Abu Dawud in his Sunan noted that the Prophet (saws) stated: “Anger comes from the Shaitan. The Shaitan was created from fire and fire is extinguished only with water. So when one of you becomes angry, he should perform wudu.”

We should think first, and not lose control. It is very easy for us to let go of our tempers and blow into a rage. However, we should try to remain as calm as possible. The Prophet (saws) advises us: “When one of you is angry while standing, let him sit down and if his anger goes away that is good; otherwise let him lie down.” (Abu Dawud)

How silly it would be to be lying down whilst screaming at the top of your lungs. It is quite an effective technique. We can also remember the advice of our contemporary advisors in anger management, who tell us, that before speaking when angry, count to ten and you will notice that you are more clear-headed and not speaking off the cuff.

A strong person controls his/her anger. The Prophet (saws) stated: “Who is strong? He who controls himself when angry.” (Muslim)

It is said that he mentioned anger, saying, “Some are swift to anger and swift to cool down, the one characteristic making up for the other; some are slow to anger and slow to cool down, the one characteristic making up for the other; the best of you are those that are slow to anger and swift to cool down and the worst of you are those who are swift to anger and slow to cool down.” He continued, “Beware of anger, for it is a live coal on the heart of the descendant of Adam. Do you not notice the swelling of the veins of his neck and the redness of his eyes? So anyone who experiences anything of that nature, he should lie down and cleave to the earth.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Allah’s messenger (saws) also said: “No one has swallowed back anything more excellent in the sight of Allah, Who is Great and Glorious, than anger he restrains, seeking to please Allah Most High.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Bukhari in his Sahih relates to us that the Prophet was present when a man became angry to the point that his jugular vein was swelled. He told this man, I know a word the saying of which relaxes he who says it, “Seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan.”

 

Anger Management in Hadith ³ 

Don’t get angry-The beginning

 According to Abu Hurayrah a man asked the Prophet (S) for an advice. The Prophet (S) replied: don’t get angry. And he said it three times.

Abdullah Ibn Umar said that he asked the Prophet (S): What protects me from the anger of Allah? The Prophet (S) replied: don’t get angry.

 

Behavior of the Prophet (S) 

1.          His anger was never to defend himself but to ensure the dominance of Allah’s Word: Protection of boundaries. 

2.          His character was the Quran.  

3.          He did not confront people with what he dislikes, but the anger shows on his face.

4.          A man told the prophet: his judgment was not made for the sake of Allah (SWT). The Prophet became angry as shown by the changes on his face. Then the Prophet (S) said: “ Prophet Moses was hurt by his people to a larger degree and he was patient.”

 

Meaning of  “ Don’t get angry” 

1. Learn to prevent anger before it happens by acquiring the righteous characteristics of generosity, shyness, forgiveness and ease of interaction with others. When these qualities are internalized the person will be in a good position to manage / control his anger when it fires. 

2. If angry do jihad to control your self by not hurting others until the force of anger declines. An example was given by Prophet Moses who restrained anger until anger left him quickly as if nothinghappened

 

Impact of anger on Decision-making 

1.          “ When angry don’t judge between two people”

2.           “ When angry don’t divorce” for anger paralyzes thinking.

Degrees of Anger 

Too strong: extremely dangerous because it hampers perception, thinking and actions. (Undesirable). 

2.          Too weak: persons who never get angry cannot fix their own weaknesses. They cannot improve because they don’t have enough anger that makes them counter oppose the force of their desires. (Undesirable)

3.          Moderate: The best position is the moderate position between the two extremes. (Desirable)

 

PREVENTION

Building the personality of a believer 

1.  Ibn Abbas narrates: Oh son of Khattab I swear by Allah that you don’t give us enough and you don’t judge among us justly. Omar became angry to the degree of thinking to hurt him. One of the Sahabah (Al Hur bin Kays) reminded Omar with Quran 7:199.

“ Take what is given freely (be easy in dealing with them and avoid causing them difficulty) enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant” this man is one of the ignorant. Omar responded positively; he managed his anger and did not hurt the man. 

2. “ And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities and when they are angry they forgive (Quran 42:47)

3. Wing lowering

“ And lower your wing (show kindness) to the   believers (Quran 15:58) 

“   (They are) humble toward the believers”  (Quran 5:54)  

4. Anger is the sign of weakness not a sign of strength. The Prophet (S) said: “ Strong is not the one who wrestles others to the ground, but strong is the one who controls himself when angry”

5.  “ I am warning you of Zun which is thinking badly of others; Zun is the most unreliable form of interaction, don’t follow each others shortcomings; don’t spy on each other; don’t compete with each other; don’t envy each other; don’t hate one another; don’t plan evil to each other. And be true servants of Allah – brothers in faith”

6.  “ And hasten to forgiveness from your lord and a garden (Paradise) as wide as the heavens and the earth prepared for the righteous” (Quran 3:133)

“ Who spend (in the cause of Allah) during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good” (Quran 3:134) 

“  And pardon them and overlook (their misdeeds). Indeed Allah loves the doers of good” (Quran 5:13)

7. Bad neighbors do not pardon / forgive.

Hadith “ Three awakir (evil ones)" 

·         A leader who does not thank you if you do well and who does not forgive you if you make a mistake,

·         And bad neighbors who buries your good deeds and broadcast your bad ones,

·         And a woman who hurts you in your presence and cheats on you in your absence. 

8. Mix with people and tolerate their hurts with patience.

Hadith  

“ The believer who mixes with people and tolerate their hurts is better than the believer who doesn’t mix and does not tolerate”  

9. Al Hassan said, “ If a person is able to control himself against the following four forces, Allah (SWT) will protect him from Shaytan:

 

• Wishes / wants: trying always including haram

• Fear: attempts to self defend in any way including the haram ways

• Desire: examples are Zina (fornication and adultery) and stealing.

• Anger: blood boiling to protect and / or take revenge.

Anger is expressed in aggressive words (hurting others) or aggressive deeds (killing, beating and other types of aggressive overt behavior)  

Treatment 

1.          Seek refuge in Allah (swt) 

“ And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refugee in Allah, He is hearing and knowing (Quran 7: 200)

2.          Do wudu (washing specific parts of your body with water) according to the tradition of the Prophet (S). 

The Prophet (S) said, “ Anger from Shaytan; Shaytan from fire; fire is put out by water; so when angry do wudu” 

3.          Change body positions

“ If one of you gets angry while standing he should sit. If he is still angry he should lie down”  

To say this hadith in other words:

·         Lying down is better than sitting

·         Sitting is better than standing

·         Standing is better than walking

·         Walking is better than Sa’y, which is somewhat between walking and running. 

4.          Cheek to the ground.  

Since anger is a product of pride, the Prophet (S) said, “ whoever gets a little angry should stick his cheek to the ground” 

5.          Psycho-physical approach 

Diverting attention away from the cause of anger and participate in strenuous physical activity aiming at letting steam out and relaxing of muscles. 

The Prophet (S) used this approach to manage the tension of the Sahabah on their way back from the battle of Bani Al Mustalq. Abdullah bin Obay – the head of the hypocrites said, “ If we return to Al Madinah, the more honored (for power) will surely expel there from the more humble” (Quran 63:8) 

The Sahabah became angry and the Prophet (S) ordered them to continue marching for two days. When the Sahabah took rest, they slept and forgot the anger. 

6.  When angry be quiet, don’t speak, be silent. 

“ Teach, simplify, don’t complicate and if you get angry be silent”. 

7.  Positive interpretation of events.  

In the story of a tribe called “ Nose of the She – Camel” Hadrat Omar (RA) changed events by reinterpreting the story from negative to positive.

For further reading please visit: http://anger-management.tip4u2.com/ 
 

REFERENCES:  

1.  Jamal R. Rasheed. Understanding and Managing Anger. Muslim Journal, January 2, 2004, p.23 and p.29)

2.  Samantha Sanchez Negm   News: Latino Muslims  (Reprinted from La Prensa - CA)                     Printed in La Prensa. A Publication of the Press-Enterprise Co. February 2001       http://www.orgsites.com/ny/latinodawah/_pgg5.php3

3.  Dr. Mohamed Saleh. Anger Management Islamic Approaches.

www.bcmavictoria.com/docs/AngerManagement.doc