HIJAB AS AN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM WOMEN PART (01)

 

HIJAB AS AN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MUSLIM WOMEN

Some people believe that the Islamic faith is oppressive to women. In the west, particularly in France, the Hijab or headscarf that many Muslim women wear has become a symbol of this perceived oppression. This blog explores the experience of wearing the Hijab of Muslim Women of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It will draw attention that why some Muslim women consider it a mark of empowerment, what kind of motivation they have to wear the Hijab, and how the Hijab protects them.

 

SHAZHANA SALEETH

I'm Shazhana Saleeth, from Sri Lanka. I'm a student. I started wearing the hijab during my teenage. Since I'm a Muslim and I was brought up in a religious background my parents explained to me the concept of the hijab and after that, I started to wear the hijab.

In the beginning, I wore a hijab as they taught me. They didn't force me to wear a hijab but I obeyed the religious commandments as my parents taught me. So, I continued to wear a hijab. And when I started to learn about Islam, I started to realize the rationale and logic behind the hijab. Whatever the crime happening now around the globe to women, proved to me the value of wearing a hijab. Our creator knows what's best for us. It is also a scientific and logical belief. Psychology explains to us the fact that whatever we wear has an impact on our thinking and behavior. Wearing hijab changes our behavior in a very positive way, I realized it. So, now I would say Hijab is my choice. Choice of dignity and modesty!

I feel secure and protected when I wear the hijab. Islam gives the proper dignity and status to women. And it is the way of life, which regards the women as a pearl to be well protected. Also, on one hand, it's a sign of 'haya' shyness and modesty for women. On the other hand, it makes us stronger and more courageous to face the challenges in our lives.

 

I would suggest wearing a hijab to all my sisters whoever reads this if you are not wearing it. Also, I would like to remind you, that it should be a choice for the sake of our creator, not a forceful effort. Read and learn more about it you'll get convinced and realize what the real meaning of hijab is and make a life-changing choice to seek the best in this world and Aakhira! May Allah make us all amongst the people who earned the pleasure of Allah, and protect us from the temporary, evil, and obsessive materialistic desires Amen!

 

***********

I'm a girl in her late teens. I started wearing a hijab from my 12th age. When I started wearing I wore it just because it was a culture in my area. But later on, I understood the importance of the hijab which is the reason why I have never taken it off in front of a non-mahram.

Whenever someone asks me why do you cover myself I give them a very simple example, will insects approach a candy that is wrapped properly or the opened, uncovered candy?

Insects will approach the unwrapped one. So, I consider the hijab my wrapper which protects me from all sorts of lusty sights.

When did someone ask me why would I recommend them to cover? For that question also I would approach them with another illustration.

Do you put a gem carelessly on road or will you beautifully protect it, keep it wrapped inside a safety locker? Even when you have to expose the gem, you won't bring it out barely, rather you'll place it engraved on a gold ring wear the areas to be visible would be out and other areas would be covered so that the gem would remain safe and secure.

Don't you consider yourself a gem? Aren't you a precious creation of Al-Musawwir? Didn't he design you so beautifully? Why would you let that beauty be admired by everyone who doesn't deserve it?

Precious ones need protection. If you consider yourself precious, protect yourself with a hijab.

AYESHA NAZIR

I'm Ayesha Nazir, 21 years old, I am a student. I started the hijab at the age of 17 years.

I don't want to go into sins, that thing motivates me the most, I want to be that lady who is confident, topper and a Hijab, The most interesting thing was that I want to challenge myself and I put myself into trouble without the Hub of Allah SWT and the most beautiful part is that He gave me his Love and Rahma. The hijab always protects me from sins of public and private life. I realize all the time that I am wearing the Hub of Allah.

I will suggest all Muslim young girls wear Hijab because it not only makes them different but also helps others to respect them more than anybody.

Hijab is my pride. May Allah SWT accept it. Amen

(Video recorded by aforementioned responder to share the experience of Wearing The Hijab)

 

JAVARIA ARIF

I am Javaria Arif and I completed my graduation in Mathematics. Currently, I am serving my country through the profession of teaching. Alhamdulillah

I started to wear a hijab after my matriculation at the age of 15. During the whole journey of my education, I have the experience of wearing the Hijab. When I went to University (co-education), I was one of the few female students who wore the Hijab. No doubt, sometimes I am attracted to showing my beauty to everyone like many other female students but the thing that always stopped me is my family's dignity because I belonged to a religious family. Alhamdulillah. I believe that sometimes other than Islamic teaching, girls need some kind of experienced motivation from their elder women and for this, I have my mother who always teaches me many good things for my successful life in this world and hereafter.

Hijab is the beauty of a Muslim woman and when you wear hijab people respect you a lot especially men. So, these things motivate me to wear a hijab.

The hijab protects me because when I wear a hijab I feel more comfortable than without a hijab. Yes, I suggest other Muslim women wear hijab because in hijab women look more beautiful.

 

SUNDAS NAYYAB

I am Sundas Nayyab, 27 years old, working as a Lecturer at a Government institute. I started wearing a hijab at the age of 14 when I was a matric student. Hijab protect me and made me unique from other religions. A hijab always protects me I feel much easier by wearing a hijab. I consider this thing to motivate myself to wear Hijab and that is "the Hijab is the identification of Muslim Women and I don't want to lose this identification".

Yes, I strongly recommend the hijab to other Muslim women because it's a beautiful sign of Muslim women. It gives you more beauty. I would also like to add this thing, parental teachings are very important for this type of activity, if every mother or father starts teaching their daughters the benefits of the Hijab in this world and hereafter from their childhood, then more daughters will be able to sustain their identification.

 

 

TAHIRA KHALID

This is Tahira Khalid. I'm 21 years old and a student of BS botany Semester 7th in Government College University Lahore. I started the hijab after FSC. On my first day at GCU, I decided to wear a hijab. People usually asked me, "Have you any orders from your family to wear hijab?" And I always replied, "No, it's my personal choice. I don't feel comfortable without wearing a hijab".

In class 12th, I read the famous novel "JANNAT K PATTY" and this was my turning point. I got the most satisfactory answer from this novel and that was " I wear hijab because Allah likes women who wear hijab". Most important, the hijab is protection. It protects us from evil people and shows us as Islamic girls. It also bounds us to not be free with random boys and helps us to have a positive attitude toward others.

I suggest girls do hijabs as It helps women to survive in this society respectfully and to become beautiful women.

 

RIZWANA SARFRAZ

I'm Rizwana Sarfraz. I'm 22 years old. Currently, I have submitted my thesis and I am CSS Aspirant. I belong to a well-educated and religious family. So, Pardah is my family's legacy as well. Till my school level, I used to follow a school uniform that was completed with a dupatta and stroller scarf. From Intermediate I used to wear Abaya and Hijab with Niqab also. Now Hijab has been my identity and with Abaya, I feel comfortable and secure.

Yes, Hijab is a matter of pride for me as well as Abaya. I have a collection of different abayas and strollers.

What I see here is that my class fellows used to wear an abaya and hijab but after 2 to 3 three semesters they were completely different personalities with tight dresses, dyed and straight hair, etc...Even once I was trolled by my class fellow from Lahore that we all are now wearing dresses and look modern only you are wearing Abaya and hijab, don't you have dresses to wear??? I laughed and replied what you wear is your choice, and what would I wear should be my choice. I belong to a well-earning family as well as I am the only sister of three brothers.

I was committed enough that I would not do that from the start wear abaya and in the end, show myself to everyone in the university. Because I believe that Islam considers women very precious like diamonds and diamonds should be wrapped under covers so that no one can have access to open the cover and see the diamond. Secondly, I don't know why but I believe as long as we women will protect our beauty it will be long-lasting and as soon as it would be open to every hungry eye we will be lost our attractiveness.

Yes, I will suggest other Muslim Women wear Hijab as we are going somewhere else that's opposite to our religion. In the end, I would love to say something that my dear Girls! Instead of showing ourselves to others, we should have the confidence that yes! I'm precious enough so that everyone cannot see my beauty. And this confidence is more beneficial both in this world and in the Akhirah.

 

NUKHLA FIRDOUS

I am 22 years old and a student by profession. I started wearing a hijab when I was in 8th class. My family was my motivation behind wearing a hijab. Hijab is actually for the protection of females.

In Quran in hijab ayah the words:

ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ

"That is near for them to be known and not to be offended."

That shows that the hijab is for protection. Alhamdulillah hijab is my protection.

Allah ordered females to wear hijabs. This is a source of protection for them. Yes, I also suggest Muslim women must wear hijabs. You cannot imagine how the feeling of protection or safety in a hijab without its wearing so must do veil.

 

ANILA FATIMA

I'm Anila Fatima, 22ys old and a graduate student. I started wearing a hijab when I was in 8th class. In the beginning, my mother asked me to wear a hijab as it is obligatory in İslam. But when I have grown up I realized this is an order by Allah SWT to do Pardah. Then from my 1st year, I started wearing a hijab of my choice and I'll say Alhamdulillah that Allah selected me for this deed.

Some reasons made me wear a hijab. 1stly this is Allah's order. 2ndly as every order of Allah is for our betterment I realized that this is also for our betterment. So being a Muslim girl is the largest factor to wear a hijab.

Yes! İn my opinion, it protects us. As we feel relaxed when we are in hijabs, especially in the veil. We don't feel much awkward if someone looks at our face as we knew it's covered. Moreover, people also get the clue that this girl is within her boundaries. And wearing a hijab also limits us in a good way as we knew that if we do a hijab then we must have to follow a few rules being a hijabi Muslim girl.

Yes! For sure. Every girl should do a hijab not for the people but for herself because if Allah has ordered us to wear a hijab then it's beneficial for us of course. Every girl should understand the importance of the hijab as a Muslim girl. Hijab protects us and stops us from many evil deeds.

 

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I am a 23-year-old girl. I am a student. I started wearing the hijab at fourteen. I don't know exactly but even before starting wearing Hijab I wanted to start it as soon as possible because it fascinated me.

It helps me to stay within my limits without even realizing it. I feel more confident, dignified, and protective. Nowadays it's a common and very unethical act that anyone can capture you in any condition on their camera without your realization or permission. Wearing a hijab makes me feel free of all such worries as I know that I am always in an appropriate getup with my face covered. We cannot stop others but we can make ways easy for ourselves.

********

I am a Muslim Girl. I have recently completed my graduation. I started wearing Hijab when I was 7 years old. First of all, the teachings of Islam motivated me to wear a hijab. Secondly, the big motivation was my family, where all women wear Hijab.

Surely, it protects me. I feel confident in my Hijab. Most women comments it is not necessary to cover the face, but It is an order of Allah. At the revelation about Hijab, All Sahabiya

 

HIRA MOBEEN

I am Hira Mobeen and I am a student of Bs (Hons) at Govt. College University Lahore. I am 21 years old. I belong to a very humble background. I started wearing Hijab at the age of 15 when I started college. Initially, I started wearing Hijab because I had to go to the academy and it was quite uncomfortable for me to go outside without Hijab. But over time, I learned that it is a religious obligation to cover ourselves properly.

Now, wherever I go, I feel like the hijab is protecting me and I believe that there is always some benefit in everything Islam asks us to do. I will also suggest other girls wear hijab and I am sure they will also feel a kind of peace in it.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF HIJAB FOR MUSLIM WOMAN

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF HIJAB FOR MUSLIM WOMAN

What kind of motivation we can get to do Hijab? Or how we can start Hijab? How Hijab shows modernization?

These questions are answered in the following lines.

Islam gives the order of the Hijab for both men and women but the Islamic framework of the Hijab for both sexes is quite different. In the Noble Quran, Allah Almighty first mentioned the responsibility of the Hijab for Muslim men, and then in the next verse, Allah Almighty explained the responsibility of the Hijab for Muslim women.

Responsibility of Hijab for Muslim men

 

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.

(Surah An-Nur: 31)

 

Islamic Hijab symbolizes the ideologies of humility, dignity, and modesty in terms of dressings and manners of both Muslim women and men. The aforementioned verse depicts the total responsibility of the Hijab for Muslim women.

One of the most important questions often asked by Muslim women is, what kind of motivation we can get to do Hijab? Or how we can start Hijab? The answer reclines in understanding the quintessence of one's existence as mentioned in Islam.

Muslim believe that the basic purpose of their lives is to worship Allah Almighty according to His commandments, as mentioned in the Glorious Quran and through the teachings of the final Prophet Muhammad PBUH. In Islam worship is a comprehensive concept that motivates Allah Almighty's consciousness in every aspect of daily life, from the act of charity and neighborliness to honest dealings and prayer. When the verse related to Hijab was revealed to Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), the Muslim women around the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), directly adopted these instructions. In the same way, through the obedience of spirit, Muslim women have continued modest dressing (Hijab) ever since.

Therefore, the primary motivation for Hijab is to comply with the instructions of Allah Almighty.

 

The hijab expresses modest behaviors, manners, and speech. So, it is a constant reminder for Muslim women that they cannot adorn their beauty for men. They wear hijab to achieve the pleasure of Allah Almighty and to sustain Islam's code of dignity and modesty.

There is another problem in our society that people consider that if a woman is wearing a hijab, she is not modern and has no sense of modern dressing or dressing style. The answer for them is;

Islam is the religion of modernization and balance and it is the most modern religion but people who speak against it, don't have an idea that the true meaning of being modern. Modernization means “Upgrade yourself as sensible in the way you do things". The women, who do not wear hijabs, know what kind of problems of harassment they can face because of showing their Bodies to non-mahram men. It is estimated that approximately 35% of women worldwide have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. Nonmuslim countries are facing this issue more than Muslim countries and it is because of dressing styles. In Muslim communities, when Muslim women wear hijabs and save their bodies from the eyes of non-mahram men being sensible in the way they do this, they are the most modern women in the world.

Hence, the motivations to wear the Hijab are,

1. The pleasure of Allah Almighty
2. A constant reminder for Muslim women to obey Allah's commandments
3. The most modern dressing style

Honor of Women in Islam 

 

HOW TO BECOME MORE GRATEFUL TO ALLAH ALMIGHTY?

 

HOW TO BECOME MORE GRATEFUL TO ALLAH ALMIGHTY?

What are the benefits of showing gratitude to Allah Almighty?

Nowadays Muslims are busy with various worldly matters and they sometimes because of difficult times say such words that show ungratefulness to Allah Almighty and sometimes they forget the splendid blessings that they have. However, it is obligatory upon all Believers to feel and show their gratitude to the most Beneficent and the most Merciful Allah Almighty throughout every day of our lives and ultimately it will strengthen our faith and helps to gain the goal of "Total submission to Allah Almighty's will. No doubt, Allah Almighty had designed us as an intelligent specie and blessed us with numerous things. Everything, we achieve related to professional, personal, or spiritual life - is eventually from Allah Almighty. In the Glorious Quran He mentioned;

 

وَءَاتَىٰكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلۡتُمُوهُۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآۗ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَظَلُومٞ كَفَّارٞ

And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful. (Surah Ibrahim: 34)

 

The above-mentioned verse of the Noble Quran depicts the need to regularly show gratitude to Allah Almighty. However, there is some confusion among people like what types of acts can show our gratitude? Some very simple acts, attitudes, or practices that you can adopt to express gratitude to Allah Almighty are mentioned below.

 

1. Make the Habit of saying "Alhamdullilah" whenever you feel something grateful to you. If a person is continuously facing a tough time in his life, he also has so many blessings of Allah Almighty including, Allah creating him and sustaining him, making him Muslim, giving him faith, and keeping the devil(Shaitaan) away.
2.  Make the Habit of spending a few minutes after each prayer thanking Allah Almighty- Everyone has some little or some big blessings in his life. Acknowledge that Allah Almighty always deserves our gratitude and feels unhappy when we are ungrateful to Him. It is not because He needs our gratitude, but simply because He knows that our gratitude to Him is good for us.

لَئِن شَكَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡ

"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]" (Surah Ibrahim: 7)

So after each prayer try to say "Alhamdulillah" 33 times at least.

3.  Make Habit of reciting Du'a for waking up every morning. Express gratitude to Allah Almighty for making night and for giving you a new day to live. Thank Allah Almighty for a specific Du'a and for other limits or laws that He has to establish for us and promise an excellent reward for following them. 

4.  Make habit of making Dhikr while traveling or going somewhere. It would not become an excessive burden but you will feel comfortable and find the courage to face the difficulties of life. Whenever you feel hardships in life, try to remind the blessings that you have and express gratitude. This practice will build confidence in you and you will feel happy or comfortable.

You can use some little phrases to express gratitude e.g. "Astaghfirullah", "Subhanallah-Allahi wa bihamdihi" ( Allah is free from imperfection and all praise is due to Him).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF HIJAB FOR MUSLIM MEN

HIJAB FOR MEN IN ISLAM 

As men attract women and Islam asks women to do the hijab, in the same way, women also attract men, does Islam also asks men to do the hijab? Why do men need to do hijabs?

 

Islam has highlighted the concept of dignity and modesty in the interaction between the members of the opposite sex. Dress code is the portion of all that teaching. Along with the topic of hijab for women, there is also another topic which hardly ever emphasized and that's the hijab for men in Islam.

 

In Islam, the hijab is both for men and women and most of the aspects of the hijab are the same for them but in some aspects, they differ. The extent of clothing is the only difference in hijab for men and women and the reason is that the man gets more attracted by looking at the woman as compared to the woman getting attracted by looking at the men and this is scientifically proven. There are many types of research done on this and today science tells us that when a man looks at a woman, his pupil dilated more and he is sexually more excited as compared to when a woman looks at a man, her pupil dilated less. So, based on human nature, the extent of hijab for women is much more as compared to the extent of hijab for men. In the Glorious Quran, Allah Almighty speaks about the hijab first for men and then for women. It is mentioned in Surah An-Nur:

 

قُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَغُضُّواْ مِنۡ أَبۡصَٰرِهِمۡ وَيَحۡفَظُواْ فُرُوجَهُمۡۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا يَصۡنَعُونَ

Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. (Surah An-Nur: 30)

 

 

So, the hijab for men is to lower their gaze and to dress in loose clothing. So a Muslim man has this duty that he cannot show all his limbs or organs proudly, "I'm a Man". Hijab is not just for women. When Allah Almighty speaks of lowering the gaze and hijab, He speaks about the men first and then women. Nowadays, most men always think that hijab is just for women and they claim that most of the sins happening in society are just because of those women who do not take hijab. Yes, it is the cause of sin but not as a whole. Men who do not take the hijab that Islam teaches them, are also responsible for this.

 

Regarding the criteria of clothing or hijab for men, there are six criteria in Islam.

1. Covering the body from navel to knee
2. The clothes you wear shouldn't be so tight to reveal the figure
3. The clothes you wear shouldn't be transparent or translucent that shows the body
4. The dress you wear shouldn't be glamorous that can attract the opposite sex
5. The dress you wear shouldn't resemble the dress of the opposite sex
6. The dress you wear shouldn't resemble the dress of non-believers

 

The entire above mentioned are the hijab of clothing for Men, and besides this hijab is for the way of person talk, walk, looks, and thinks. It means the hijab is not only following all these rules but has deeper inside meanings that apply to both men and women. In Quran Allah Almighty mentioned the idea of righteousness and piety as more important than the physical covering of a body.

 

يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ قَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسٗا يُوَٰرِي سَوۡءَٰتِكُمۡ وَرِيشٗاۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 

O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. (Surah Al-A'raf: 26)

 

Hence, the concept of the Hijab in its most popular understanding today has lost its true meaning. It has come to narrowly appear as a physical idea for women, whereas it was meant to be more spiritual for all. It has become a political tool utilizing gender politics within Islam, and socio-cultural politics within the world. Very few people are aware of the personal connotations that the Hijab holds. It is not simply a case of misinterpretation, but rather that of selective overlooking of facts and doctrines over time, to make the religion better suited for a patriarchal society.

 

 May Allah Almighty protect us and guide us. May He forgive us for what we do and don't do and may He open our eyes and grant us hidayah.

 

  

HONOR AND DIGNITY OF HUMAN IN ISLAM

 

HONOR AND DIGNITY OF HUMAN IN ISLAM

Islam is the religion that derives the source and origin of dignity from Allah Almighty. Absolute honor and dignity belong to Allah Almighty and all other dignities that exist are driven from Him. Islam depicts man as vicegerent of Allah Almighty on earth. Every mundane component has been created to facilitate the accomplishment of man's aristocratic mission of Vicegerency. When Allah Almighty created Man (Adam), angels, the most exalted and impeccable creatures, were asked to witness the divine act of creation and then after completing this creation, Allah Almighty asked them to prostrate themselves before Man (Adam), that was, to prostrate to Allah Almighty, for there is no prostration except to Allah Almighty alone and to admit thereby the merit and wisdom of Allah Almighty's creation, and to give respect to Man and his empirical capabilities as the crown of Allah Almighty's invention.

In the Glorious Quran Allah Almighty mentioned this dramatic occurrence as;

And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know." And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful." They said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise." He said, "O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed." And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers. (Surah Al-Baqarah, 30-34).

 

 

Hence, the main source of dignity is Allah Almighty and is the complete source of honor just as He is the source of light:

 

وَمَن لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورٗا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ

And he to whom Allah has not granted light - for him, there is no light. (Surah An-Nur, 40).

 

And in another verse, Allah Almighty mentioned that dignity only belongs to Him but it does not mean no man can achieve it; rather, it means that all honor (izzaah) belongs to Allah Almighty as the main source, and then He spread it to Man. It is a precious gift to Man from Allah Almighty. Man does not own it but gains from Allah Almighty. Then the verse describes it as;

 

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًاۚ إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّٰلِحُ يَرۡفَعُهُۥۚ

Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allah belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. (Surah Fatir, 10).

 

Islam is the guidance for man; it is meant for him. Man in turn is a follower of Islam. As man's entitlement, Islam through the Glorious Quran invites man to a righteous path by discovering the laws of nature and the universe's existence. Though every living or nonliving things creature from large mountains to the smallest insect or plant is made by Allah Almighty, no one has the book of Guidance, intellectual mindset except Man. We are all distinguished from birth. Allah Almighty has provided us some extent of honor as our capital.

 

وَلَقَدۡ كَرَّمۡنَا بَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَرَزَقۡنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٖ

 مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَا تَفۡضِيلٗا

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (Surah Al-Isra, 70)

 

The need is to make use of our capital and add to it. If we lose it, then this would be a great loss. We are to cherish, safeguard, and put to it. A majestic or dignified person deals others with majestically, and never embarrasses them. Dignified people never use abusive words and a strong believer comes down to dishonor.

THE GREAT AND MATCHLESS LEADER IN HUMAN HISTORY

 

THE GREAT AND MATCHLESS LEADER IN HUMAN HISTORY

 

The one unique, complete, and matchless person in all shades of life is Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). He is the leader who has enhanced this garden of the world with fresh roses of quotes, with a deeply immersed soul of morals, with a strong character of ethics, with the fragrance of kindness, with the glory of respect, with the beauty of patience, with colors of relations and with the noble act of sacrifice. He (Peace be Upon Him) is incomparable in all spheres of life. His (Peace be Upon Him) personality is elegant and matchless in both enormous fields of life, first is practical, social, cultural, and political- second spiritual, moral, and religious.

He (Peace be Upon Him) is supreme in every walk of life either as a husband or a leader of a state or a friend or a human or a preacher or a teacher or a neighbor. He (Peace be Upon Him) truthful example in all aspects of life and his splendid actions and merits are very helpful for a purely natural human lifestyle. He (Peace be Upon Him) is unprecedented and exceptional in the global record of great personalities. There are no fables about his life history and Allah Almighty says in the Glorious Quran;

 

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِي رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٞ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرٗا

There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. (Al-Quran 33:21)

 

Being Muslims we believe that our honorable Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is superior to all Prophets (Ambiya and Rusul) and he has stated:

“I am the chief of all the descendants of Adam (Tirmidhi, vol. 5, Hadith: 3159).”

 

The companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) described him and said:

"We haven't seen anybody like him before him or after him." ( Sahih Bukhari)

 

Words fall less of defining the incomparable and matchless personality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). No one can complete the description of his beauty because if his beauty will reveal in its entirety, we will not be able to bear the radiance of his incomparable personality. The Jibrail, an archangel who acts as an intermediary between Allah Almighty and humans and as a bearer of revelation to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) declared Holy Prophet Muhammed's (Peace be Upon Him) personality:

"I have combed the east and west of the earth, but I have not found anyone as eminent as Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him)." (A Tradition related by Baihaqi, Tibarani, and Asaker).

 

We know that there are many revolutionists in the world and we have seen many great contributors or leaders to the world civilization. For example, when we appraise the qualities of any person we do so by scanning or conforming to the accomplishments and victories of such person. So, to understand the distinctive character of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) one needs to evaluate the significance of his achievements and contributions by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him).  The outstanding characteristics and extraordinary virtues of Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) make him the best role model for all mankind.

 

 

 

THE SEVEN TYPES OF PEOPLE UNDER THE SHADE OF ALLAH ALMIGHTY

 

THE SEVEN TYPES OF PEOPLE UNDER THE SHADE OF ALLAH ALMIGHTY

The Day of Judgment is called Yawm ad-Din in the first surah of the Noble Quran. It is the day when Allah Almighty will decide how people will live their afterlife. When no one has the free will to make their own decisions and when people will be judged by Allah Almighty for their choices. On that day, Allah Almighty the Superior and the Glorious would turn up the Heavens, and then He would set them on His right hand and say; I am the Lord; where are the haughty and where are the proud (today)? He would fold the earth and then place it on his left hand and say; I am the Lord; where are the haughty and where are the proud (today)? (Sahih Muslim 2788 a)

The major heat source of the world is Sun and today it is about 93,000,000 miles away from planet earth yet heat waves that we face from time to time can be quite unbearable while some climates are almost uninhabitable. With that in mind, read over the following lines of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him);

 

"The sun will be brought close to mankind on the Day of Judgment until its distance from them will be one mile". Then the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said "Because of this, people will become submerged in sweat, the severity of which will depend on their deeds. Some will be submerged up to their ankles, others up to their knees, others up to their waists while others will be submerged to their jaws." The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) then pointed to his mouth. (Narrated by Muslim- Al-Miqdad).

These harrowing scenes of discomfort, the enigmatic happenings that successively affect one after another from all around you in unprecedented levels of heat are horrible for Muslims. Only the selected group of blessed Muslims will be escorted to live in the shade which Allah Almighty has provided for them on this hard day. These are seven types of people that will be under the shelter of Allah Almighty from the scorching heat of the day of Judgment. (Riyadh-us-Saliheen, Hadith 376).

These are;

1. A just ruler

2. A young man who passed his youth in the worship and service of Allah Almighty

3. One whose heart is attached to the mosque

4. Two people who love each other for the sake of Allah Almighty

5. A man who is invited to sin but declines, saying 'I fear Allah Almighty"

6. One who spends his charity in secret, without making a show

7. One who remembers Allah Almighty in solitude so that his eyes overflow with tears.

 

After reading the aforementioned lines, if you have a question about the kind of shade as there will be no mountains, trees, buildings, or objects then how people will get shade? For this Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) answered that;

"Allah Almighty will shade them within the shade of His Throne." (Narrated by Sa'eed Ibn Mansoor in his 'Sunan')

 

How many blessings of Allah Almighty we have that such a Hadith has been narrated for us and Islam provided us such opportunities and set very concise categories for our understanding. Allah Almighty first described the hardships of the Day of Resurrection and then provided us detailed deeds to enjoy His blessings on the day of Judgment. No doubt, Allah Almighty is the Exalted and the Glorious.

 

NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAM

 

NATURAL DISASTERS AND ISLAM

What are the causes of Natural Disasters in light of the Glorious Quran? What type of lessons we can learn from Natural disasters?

Natural disasters are natural events caused by natural forces of the earth, including floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, and snowstorms. Natural calamities and disasters have been affecting different portions of the earth throughout the earth's history. Science created different fields of study relevant to natural disasters, including hydrology, seismology, geology, and meteorology. According to science, the first notable disaster on earth was the Lisbon Earthquake of the year 1755, but 1400 years ago in the scriptural foundation of Islam (the Glorious Quran), Allah Almighty mentioned several natural disasters and their reasons. So, the need of the hour is to seek knowledge and guidance from the Glorious Quran and Hadith about every simple or complex matter.

According to the Holy Quran and Hadith, we can say that;

1. Natural disasters are warnings from Allah Almighty to sinners

Allah Almighty does not need the worship of any creature. He commands us to worship Him for our benefit. It is not difficult for Allah Almighty to destroy the whole earth, but He always warns the sinners through natural disasters on different portions of the earth. In the Glorious Quran, Allah Almighty mentioned that;

And if Allah Almighty were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth, but He gives them respite to an appointed term, and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves. (Surah Al-Fatir: 45)

 

    2. Natural disasters are punishment for disbelievers or who cross Allah Almighty's limits

It has been proved from the history of natural disasters in the Holy Quran that immoral acts can cause Allah Almighty's punishment in the temporary life of the earth. For example;

 

وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٖ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٖ

And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (Ash-Shura:30)

 

       3.  Natural disasters are  test for Believers

Allah Almighty mentioned in the Glorious Quran that this life is the test for human beings. This life cannot be a paradise for a reason. It cannot easy always for a reason. Unfortunately, some of us forget the meaning of life and start complaining to Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty made this life temporary and neither of its good things is eternal nor the bad things are forever. These are the part of our test and those who will pass the test will get good life hereafter.

Allah Almighty mentioned in the Holy Quran;

كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۗ وَنَبۡلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلۡخَيۡرِ فِتۡنَةٗۖ وَإِلَيۡنَا تُرۡجَعُونَ

"Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as a trial, and to Us, you will be returned" (Surah Al-Anbiya: 35).

 

Examples from human history

Warning and punishment for Pharaoh

Pharaoh was insubordinate to Allah Almighty and refused the signs brought by Prophet Musa (A.S). He was warned by Allah Almighty from time to time but he did not improve himself. As a result, he was finally grabbed by Allah Almighty and drowned.

 

Punishment for The Tribe of Prophet Noah (A.S)

The Tribe of Prophet Noah (A.S) refused his message and practiced polytheism. As a result, they drowned in the flood.

Allah Almighty mentioned it in Surah Al-Qamar from verse 9 to 16;

9. The people of Noah denied before them, and they denied Our servant and said, "A madman," and he was repelled. 10. So he invoked his Lord, "Indeed, I am overpowered, so help." 11. Then We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down. 12. And caused the earth to burst with springs, and the waters met for a matter already predestined. 13. And We carried him on a [construction of] planks and nails, 14. Sailing under Our observation as reward for he who had been denied  16. And how [severe] were My punishment and warning.

Therefore, Muslims have to be strong and careful about their actions. If people around them are facing any Natural disaster, it can be a kind of test for them. They should help them. Sometimes Allah Almighty gives us answers when we forget Him and start believing on ourselves more than Him.  It can be one of the side effects of our heedlessness to Allah Almighty’s limits that we tell ourselves we are so powerful and can do anything. Although it is correct humanity have been blessed with great abilities to modify the world, Satan (the biggest enemy of man) can use this to mislead and deceive people into thinking they are not in need of anyone or anything, even Allah Almighty. Disasters remind us in an instant that this idea is foolish and only leads people down a dark path. No dear reader, we are not all-powerful, only Allah Almighty is All- Powerful. We are the creation of The All-Powerful and are His slaves. When we live our lives with this understanding, we are humble in our power and use the gifts we are given from Him to make the world a better place, not to destroy it.