improving the self and community

[muslim brother]

SELF IMPROVEMENT(TASAWWUF) AND CONNECTING WITH ALLAH TAALA
Our primary concern should be our internal spiritual state.


There are two big weaknesses in human beings, lack of thought in words and lack of thought in actions.


The Qurans first word "iqra" to read obviously states the importance of the written word, because from the understanding of written words come actions.


We also must understand and appreciate how different cultures use of language, slang, etc, differs. So, our methods and terminology in communication should bear these nuances in mind.


Also, now is not the time to give simple answers or cliché’s to the very complex problems we have, nor is it the time for untrained and inexperienced people to get involved in matters in which they are not capable and competent.


It is also not the time to be defensive, insular or closed. Truly a time of humility, critical thinking and self-reflection is upon us like never before.


Arrogance and pride harm us in both our relationship with Allah and in our relationship with our neighbours.


Our relationship with Allah ta ala takes priority over everything but our relationship with Allah taalas creation also affects our relationship with Allah ta ala, these two ideas cannot be separated. A good Muslim must be a good neighbour, a good father, a good citizen etc.


The overall message of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was of peace and excellence in character.


To add, the Refinement of our character, our worship, our relationship with Allah ta ala and with all fellow creations must be in a constant state of improvement.


We must be in a constant process of improvement and self-reformation both in our spiritual lives and our social lives.


If you are the same person you were five or 10 years ago, you should be concerned as to why there has been no improvement in your social conduct, and your relationship with Allah ta ala.


Perfect your relationship with Allah ta ala on a deep level and learn your Islam on a deeper level too. Practice and propagate an enlightened level of morals and ethics and you will find inshallah all your social matters will become correct.


As the world is changing at a rapid rate, be aware of current social issues and how to deal with them effectively. Be involved in all matters where you can benefit the greater society, this means not just in Muslim issues but in all issues affecting the whole of mankind.


Most of us can only realistically work on a local level. Though our concerns are global we must learn to prioritize and prioritizing is a key word which really needs to be discussed. Unfortunately, over focus on foreign affairs and foreign policy seems to be part of the problem.


Relying on conspiracy theories and a victim mentality leaves us void of any sense of responsibility.


We are also forgetting Allah ta ala with regards to blaming powers and nations etc, when ultimately a Muslims heart must only be filled with the awe and power of Allah ta ala alone.


Take valid criticism as a bitter medicine as the fear of Muslims is not always irrational in some isolated cases and total defensiveness and the denial of some of our issues must be addressed and tackled urgently.
Self-righteousness has to be eradicated and our introspection increased.


The greatest resistance is to resist evil desires. The greatest Hijrah is to travel from sin to good.


Despite the greater situation of the ummah, we must always be in a condition of thanks to Allah taala and constantly thrive to perfect our worship and character, thus tazkiyah ie self-improvement is a constant effort .




Obeying the law of the land must be part of our rhetoric as it is already part of the Quran and under no circumstance must any un-Islamic and illegal act be given even an iota of justification or understanding.


Human rights, as well as the rights of all creation, is already agreed upon when one recites the shahadah, in common with "the rest “of humanity.


The constant need or pressure to condemn or apologise when unfortunate incidents occur is something that needs addressing, as the whole ummah is not responsible for the atrocities of a few,


The belief in the kalimah already includes condemnation of all illegal, immoral, and inhumane beliefs and actions.



When our morals and ethics are constantly questioned and we constantly need to prove our humanity, we must respond politely but also have the courage to address some valid grievances against some very evil Muslims, unfortunately.

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you AHMED PATEL;

Thanks for sharing, when it comes down to the bottom line, we are all created by the same God and many of us live in mixed communities. I love the saying, you will never look into the eyes of anyone who does not matter to God. And I like this story I copied from this forum some time ago, sadly I forgot to copy who posted it first.......


A man was on his death bed, Someone asked him to give some wise counsel before he departed:

"When I was young I wanted to change the world and solve its problems, As I got older I realized that perhaps I should lower my sights, I thought I would be better served in changing my country as time went on I realized that people of country could not be changed. I decided to change the people of my town , but they also did not wish to change, When I reached my old age I thought I would try changing my Family, here also I found my endeavors go to waste, try as I might my family members would not change.

"Now that I am on my death bed, I have realized that if I had sought to improve myself, and removed my own defects, then perhaps my family members would have been influenced. Then seeing the behavior of my family people of my town would have been influenced. By seeing the spiritual change and improvement of the people of my town, the people of my country would have been influenced. And perhaps through the people of my country the world may have been influenced."

Blessings,

Eric

[muslim brother]

• Every Muslim, male and female, must immediately resolve to at least fulfill the basic requirements of Islam, salāt in particular.

• A massive educational program to be specially launched on an organized basis with emphasis on religious education and education of adults.

• Basing our social life on the sunnah and our economical activities solely on the laws of the Shari’ah.

• Total abstention from mutual conflicts and in-fighting.

• In case of contention, to amicably solve any problems through proper arbitration.

• Encouragement of business, trade, and skills.

• Dissociation from all customs and rituals at the time of birth, marriages, funerals, and other occasions.

• Particular emphasis on cleanliness, tidiness, health education, and physical fitness.

May Allah grant all Muslims the good of both the worlds.

[azc]

If one’s feet slip, it can be extremely dangerous. One could lose one’s balance and fall. This could result in fractured bones, perhaps even a heart attack. Undoubtedly these are serious consequences.

However, these effects of the slip of the feet can never compare to the harm that can ensue from the slip of the tongue. It can result in several people suffering a ‘heart attack’. When the tongue slips, it pierces hearts, breaks marriages, splits families, estranges bosom friends and results in a host of other social evils. The soft and fleshy tongue can cause a wound far worse than the wound of the hard teeth. As a poet says: “The wound of the sword will heal - But the wound of the tongue will not.”

Once Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked: “What is the path of salvation (from the fitnah that is engulfing us from all directions)?” He replied: “Guard your tongue, let your house be sufficient for you and cry over your sins” (Sunan Tirmizi #2406).

The tongue often slips when one gives advice to others. However, even when giving advice, kind words and a gentle approach should be adopted. When Allah Ta‘ala sent Moosa and Haroon (‘alaihimas salaam) to Fir‘aun, He gave them the following command: “And say to him (Fir‘aun) soft words (Surah Taha v44).” There really cannot be any person today worse than Fir‘aun, nor is anyone among us better than Moosa and Haroon (‘alaihimas salaam).

Harsh words often lead the opposite party to obstinacy. As a result, the faint hope of getting the person to understand the truth is also extinguished. When this pertains to the manner of talking to even the kuffaar under general conditions, how much more important it is that a fellow Muslim should be addressed in kind terms. Indeed at times to discipline a child or subordinate, a visible display of sternness has to be adopted. However, the general rule is to always adopt kind words even when reprimanding a person upon some wrong action.

Therefore, before uttering something, think about its consequences. Your words could fly like sharp arrows and cause irreparable harm.
http://alhaadi.org.za/articles-publi...eet-words.html

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[muslim brother]

I think this aayah of the Quran is one that needs to be pondered on the most today.

Severe introspection is need .

Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.

[chrisjohn2211]

It is really wonderful! I learned a lot of things from your post and it is very heartfelt. Thank you for sharing! click here

[Flos]

When it comes to tongue, giving advice can harm sometimes. In my example - I was teenage girl in high school, when Islam teacher at school once said: Everyone that says shahada will enter Jannah. I haven't heard anything else and thought - oh I'm free to do whatever I want now, and I slipped into gaflah. Of course, I didn't have the knowledge and this one sentence led me to years of very sinful life. Later on someone said: one day you will enter Jannah, if shahada is the only thing you have, you may stay in Jahannam for thousands of years...

So, be careful with what you're saying and to whom.