Good Character

February 27, 2008 on 9:09 pm | In Akhlaaq, Islam
4 Comments | By Ilm Seeker

The following ahadeeth are from Ibn Hajr al-Asqalaanee's Bulooghul-Maram (Attainment of the Objective according to Evidence of the Ordinances--page 480+ in the English translation). They touch on the importance of good Islamic character: being truthful, avoiding lying, the evil of a suspicious mind, heedlessness, not protecting each other's honour, etc.

As a good reminder to the sincere heart, even if you have been blessed with guidance to the Sunnah and hold yourself to be from Ahlul-Haqq, the Shaytaan will not leave you alone. Perhaps he may destroy your deeds by wrecking your character and making you heedless and blinded by the fact that you 'ascribe yourself to the correct way.' We ask Allah to make us people of upright character, firstly with Allah, His Messenger, his companions, the scholars of Islam, our families, and our brothers and sisters in Islam.

1314. Narrated Ibn Mas'ood (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Adhere to truthfulness, indeed truthfulness leads to righteousness (editor's note: birr) and righteousness leads to paradise, and if a man continues to speak the truth and makes truth his object, he will be recorded as truthful before Allah. Avoid falsehood, indeed falsehood leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the hellfire, and if a man continues to speak falsehood and makes falsehood his object, he will be recorded as a liar before Allah." [Bukhari and Muslim]

1315. Narrated Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Avoid suspicion, for indeed suspicion is the worst form of false speech." [Bukhari and Muslim]

1316. Narrated Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Avoid sitting by the roadside, they (the Companions) asked 'O Allah's Messenger, we cannot do without those meeting places in which we converse,' so he said, "Well if you insist (on that), give the road its dues." They asked, 'what are the road's due?' He replied, "Lowering the eyes, abstaining from anything offensive, returning salutations, enjoining good, forbidding the evil." [Bukhari and Muslim]

1317. Narrated Mu'aawiyyah (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Whoever Allah wishes good for, he gives him understanding of the Religion," [Bukhari and Muslim]

1318. Narrated Abu ad-Dardaa (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "There isn't anything, which will be put on the scales (on the day of resurrection), heavier than good character." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmidhi reported it, and the latter graded it saheeh]

1319. Narrated Ibn 'Umar (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Modesty is a part of Faith." [Bukhari and Muslim]

1320. Narrated Abu Mas'ood (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "One of the things people have learned from the earlier prophecies is, 'If you do not feel any shame, do whatever you like.'" [Bukhari]

1322. Narrated Iyaad Ibn Himar (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Allah, the Most High, has revaled to me that you should be humble, so that no one transgresses against another, and no one boasts to another." [Muslim]

Note: we see hear that both transgression and pride are blameworthy characteristics, it is reported in a hadeeth that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) stated that transgression is one of the worst of the criminal acts that are punishable in this world as well as in the hereafter. Surely, a lack of humbleness fosters and breeds both transgression and pride.

1323. Narrated by Abu ad-Dardaa (رضي الله عنه‏), the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Whoever defends his brother's honour in his absence, Allah will protect his face from the hellfire on the day of resurrection." [At-Tirmidhi reported it, and graded it hasan. Ahmad has something similar from the hadeeth of Asmaa', daughter of Yazeed]

Note: If someone backbites a third person before somebody, the listener must stop him on the spot; and if possible one should mention his virtuous deeds and qualities instead.

1326. Narrated Tameem ad-Daree (رضي الله عنه‏) Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said three times: "The religion is naseehah (sincerity)." We asked, 'who is it (directed) to, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied, "To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common-folk." [Shaeeh Muslim]

1327. Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه‏); Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "The Fear of Allah and Good Character are the major things that lead to paradise." [At-Tirmidhee reported it, and al-Haakim graded it saheeh]

Note: Good Character here includes treating people well, refraining from causes them any harm and maintaining a cheerful appearance whilst interacting with them. The Arabic word "taqwa" stands for one's compliance with the divine commands and avoiding the prohibitions.

1330. Narrated Ibn 'Umar (رضي الله عنه‏); Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "The believer who mixes with the people and patiently endures their harms, is better than the one who does not mix with them and does not endure their harm." [Ibn Majah reported it with hasan chain of narrations, and At-Tirmidhee also reported this hadeeth, but did not mention the name of the companion.]

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Fear Allah’s Punishment but Hope for His Mercy

February 23, 2008 on 3:02 am | In Aqeeda, Islam, Tazkiyyah
4 Comments | By Mariam 3.36

Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawzi (in Madarij As-Salikeen) said:

The heart in its journey towards Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is like a bird; its head is love, and its two wings are hope and fear. When the head and the two wings are sound and healthy, then the bird will fly well. If the head of the bird is cut off, it immediately dies, and when either or both wings are deficient, the bird cannot fly properly and it may become the victim of a hunter that passes by.

From this analogy we learn that without love of Allah we cannot successfully "journey towards Him," and without hope in Allah’s mercy or fear from His punishment, we may be easy victims for Shaytaan (أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم).

So the Muslim, then, with resolute love for Allah [1] (سبحانه وتعالى), lives between hope and fear. He "call[s] upon Allah out of fear and hope," [2] and he "forsake[s] [his] bed, to invoke [his] Lord in fear and hope, and [he] spend[s] (charity in Allah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them." [3]

Fear

Imam Ahmad recorded from 'A'ishah (رضي الله عنها‏): I said: "O Messenger of Allah, 'And those who give that which they give with their hearts full of fear, because they are sure to return to their Lord,' [4] are these the ones who steal and commit zina and drink alcohol while fearing Allah?" Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddiq, they are the ones who pray and fast and give in charity, while fearing that it will not be accepted from them," (i.e. it is these who hasten in the good deeds.) At-Tirmidhi recorded something similar.

'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه‏) said: If an angel had come down and announced that everyone would enter paradise except one person, I would fear that I would be that person. This is 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second khalifa, and one of the ten promised paradise! Subhanallah!

And how do we increase our fear of Allah’s punishment?

Ibn Mas'ood (رضي الله عنه‏) said: "If a person has knowledge, he will fear Allah." So we should increase our knowledge. And The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, as narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه‏): "I swear by The One in Whose Hand my soul is, if you saw what I saw you would laugh little, and cry excessively." The people said, "O Prophet of Allah! What did you see?" He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) replied, "I saw Paradise and Hell." [Saheeh Muslim]. So we should reflect on the punishment of "him who 'tagha' (transgressed all bounds, in disbelief, oppression and evil deeds of disobedience to Allah), and preferred the life of this world. Verily, his abode will be Hellfire," [5], the "Fire whose fuel is men and stones." [6]

Hope

Anas reported that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) entered upon a young boy who was dying. The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) asked: "How are you?" The boy replied: "O Messenger of Allah, I am in-between hoping in Allah and fearing for my sins." The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "The like of these two qualities do not unite in the heart of a servant except that Allah gives him what he hopes for and protects him from what he feared." [a hasan hadith - Collected by at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah, and authenticated by Al-Albaanee in Ahkaamul-Janaa'iz (no. 2).]

'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه‏) also said: and if the angel had come down and announced that everyone will enter Hellfire except for one person, I would hope to be that person.

And Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَلاَ تَيْأَسُواْ مِن رَّوْحِ اللّهِ إِنَّهُ لاَ يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللّهِ إِلاَّ الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ

Translation: and never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Certainly, no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve." [Surah Yusuf, verse 87]

And so "to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your intentions and hopes and) your invocations." [7] And ask yourself:

مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًا

Translation: What is the matter with you, [that you don't fear Allah (His punishment), and] you don't hope for reward (from Allah, or you believe not in His Oneness)? [8]

[قُل لاَّ يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ يَا أُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُون [1
Translation: Say (O Muhammad): "Not equal are the filthy things with the wholesome, even though the abundance of evil filth may please you." So fear Allah much [(abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], O men of understanding in order that you may be successful. [Suratul Ma’idah, verse 100]
[2] وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا [Suratul-A’raaf, verse 56]
[3] تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ [Suratus-Sajdah, verse 16]
[4] وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ [Suratul-Mu'minuun, verse 60]
[5] فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَى وَآثَرَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ الْجَحِيمَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَى [Suratun-Nazi'at, verses 37-39]
[6] فَاتَّقُواْ النَّارَ الَّتِي وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ [Suratul-Baqarah, verse 24]
[7] وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ [Surat-Ash-Sharh, verse 8]
[8] مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًا [Suratut-Tawbah, verse 18]

References

Abdul-Bary Yahya. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Purification of the Heart: Love, Fear & Tears. Part 2: The Two Wings of the Believer.

Abu Iyaad As-Salafi. Salafipublications.com. On Eeman, Ibaadah and Tawheed: Their Link and Interrelation. Lesson 3: Love, Hope and Fear.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

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Al-Qantarah

February 18, 2008 on 12:48 pm | In Aqeeda, Islam, Tazkiyyah
No Comments | By AmatulWadood

Bismillah

Abu Sa’eed al Khudree (رضى الله عنه) reports that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “when the believers cross the Hellfire, they will be stopped at a small arched bridge (Qantarah) before entering the paradise and will be given retribution for injustices between them until they become purified. (Then) they will be permitted to enter Jannah. So, by the One in Whose Hands is my soul, they will know their way to their homes in Jannah, better than they know their ways to their homes in dunya." [Saheeh Al-Bukhari] [1]

Al-Qantarah is a small bridge after the Siraat that the believers will have to cross before entering Jannah. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) will ask the believers to settle their issues here.

There is a hadith narrated in Mustadarak al-Haakim with an authentic chain that states that there will be two men from this Ummah that will come before Allah (عز و جل). One man will say, "so and so has transgressed against me and I want from his good deeds." Allah will tell him, "do you see this great palace in paradise?" And the man will look at the palace, and Allah will say to him, "it will belong to you if you forgive your brother today." And the man will forgive him. Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said at the end of this hadith: اتقوا الله وأصلحوا ذات بينكم ، فإن الله يصلح بين المؤمنين meaning "safeguard yourselves from Allah, and reform and reconcile amongst yourselves, indeed Allah will reconcile between the believers (on the Day of Judgment)." [2]

If Allah will reconcile among you on that Day, our role today should be to reconcile between ourselves.

Imagine a person standing at the Qantarah, right before the gates of Jannah. Then they are dragged back to Hell because they lost their good deeds. What would you call this person? Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) called him a "muflis", one who is bankrupt.

He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) asked the Companions, "do you know who the bankrupt is?" His Companions replied, "The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property." The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, "The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with much of prayer, of fasting, and sadaqah, but he will find himself bankrupt on that Day as he will have exhausted the funds of virtues--because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others, and beat others; so his virtues would be credited to the account of those who suffered at his hand. If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the Hellfire. [Saheeh Muslim] [3]

Any sin that is related to someone else is very serious in Islam, so why would anyone with any bit of intellect allow themselves to become a muflis? Remind yourself of the muflis in the hadith. He had mountains of good deeds but because he wronged others, those good deeds did nothing for him. How about the few deeds we have? Why give them up when they are so little?

Imagine the pain of standing before Jannah, being able to see its gates after just having passed the Siraat, and yet being dragged back to the Jahannam because he could not control his tongue or hand. Surely, the Fire will be even more painful after having been so close to Jannah.

Seek forgiveness of those whom you have wronged today, before the Day comes when the currency will be good deeds.

May Allah protect our deeds from being wasted, and may He make us among those whom other Muslims are safe from their tongue and hand. Ameen.

And Allah knows best, and for Him is all praise.

References

Waleed Basyouni. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Rays of Faith. University of Maryland, Maryland. March 2007.

[1] ‏أن ‏ ‏أبا سعيد الخدري ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏ ‏قال ‏ قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يخلص المؤمنون من النار فيحبسون على قنطرة بين الجنة والنار فيقص لبعضهم من بعض مظالم كانت بينهم في الدنيا حتى إذا هذبوا ونقوا أذن لهم في دخول الجنة فوالذي نفس ‏ ‏محمد ‏ ‏بيده لأحدهم أهدى بمنزله في الجنة منه بمنزله كان في الدنيا

[2] فعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال : بينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جالس إذ رأيناه ضحك حتى بدت ثناياه ، فقال له عمر: ما أضحكك يا رسول الله بأبي أنت وأمي ؟ فقال : رجلان من أمتي جثيا بين يدي رب العزة ، فقال أحدهما : يا رب خذ لي مظلمتي من أخي ، فقال الله ـ تبارك وتعالى ـ للطالب : فكيف تصنع بأخيك ولم يبق من حسناته شيء ؟ قال : يا رب فليحمل من أوزاري ، قال : وفاضت عينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالبكاء ثم قال : إن ذاك اليوم يحتاج الناس إلى من يُحمل عنهم من أوزارهم ، فقال الله تعالى للطالب : ارفع بصرك فانظر في الجنان ، فرفع رأسه فقال : يا رب أرى مدائن من ذهب وقصور من ذهب مكللة باللؤلؤ... لأي نبي هذا ؟ أو لأي صديق هذا ؟ أو لأي شهيد هذا ؟ قال : هذا لمن أعطى الثمن ، قال : يا رب ومن يملك ذلك ؟ قال : أنت تملكه ، قال : بماذا ؟ قال : بعفوك عن أخيك، قال : يا رب فإني قد عفوت عنه ، قال الله عز وجل : فخذ بيد أخيك فأدخله الجنة ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عند ذلك " اتقوا الله وأصلحوا ذات بينكم ، فإن الله يصلح بين المؤمنين " رواه الحاكم وقال : صحيح الإسناد

[3] ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ أن رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏أتدرون ما المفلس قالوا المفلس فينا من لا درهم له ولا متاع فقال إن المفلس من أمتي يأتي يوم القيامة بصلاة وصيام وزكاة ويأتي قد شتم هذا ‏ ‏وقذف ‏ ‏هذا وأكل مال هذا وسفك دم هذا وضرب هذا فيعطى هذا من حسناته وهذا من حسناته فإن فنيت حسناته قبل أن ‏ ‏يقضى ما عليه أخذ من خطاياهم فطرحت عليه ثم طرح في النار

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A Complete Duaa

February 11, 2008 on 3:03 pm | In Arabic, Gems, Hajj, Ibadah, Islam, Tafseer
2 Comments | By AmatulWadood

Bismillah

How many times have we heard this duaa in our lives: Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qinaa athaban naar. Have we ever contemplated how complete this duaa is?

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says

فَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلاَقٍ وِمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Translation: And among the people is he who says, "our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share. But among them is he who says, "our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." [Suratul-Baqarah, verses 200-201]

These ayaat are in the part of Surahtul-Baqarah that addresses Hajj and its rites. In the first part of the ayah ("And among the people is he who says, "our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share.") Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says that there are people who remember only the dunya in their duaa, even when making duaa during Hajj. Why even at that time? When a person makes duaa, he focuses on what he wants, what is important to him, and what he thinks about the most. For these people--may Allah not make us from them--the dunya is their priority, and they think most about it wherever they are. This is the case whether they are performing tawaf or standing at 'Arafat--they only think about attaining the dunya.

In the second part of the ayah, Allah explains that such a person will not have a share in the hereafter. Why? Because that is not what he was asking for. In the ayah, the Arabic word "Khalaaq" خَلاَقٍ means a portion or share which is given to someone because of his good character. Therefore, we also learn from this ayah that good character leads and opens doors to doing good deeds.

Then there is the other type of person, the one who says: "our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." What are the blessings he is asking for in this dunya? Rizq, offspring, wealth, a home, family, and good health. We live in this dunya, we have needs, and we are allowed to ask for them--the companions would even ask Allah for help when their shoelaces broke. So these people also ask for "hasanah" (good) in this world.

Then they say, "and good in the hereafter." What is this good? Jannah, and all the steps that lead to Paradise. They ask for protection from the punishment of the grave. They ask that when the trumpet is blown on the Day of Judgment they are not among those who are terrified[1]. They ask that their book will be given to them in their right hand[2]. They ask that when their deeds are weighed, their good deeds will be heavier then their bad deeds[3]. They ask that when they have to cross the Siraat, they cross it with ease and quickness[4]. They ask to pass the Qantarah without any hardship[5]. And finally, they ask to enter Jannah with ease

When we make this duaa, we should have all of these things in mind inshaAllah. And when will a person ask for these things? Only when he or she knows about them, and knows that they are the steps that we will go through in the akhirah. Knowledge of what we are asking for helps our duaas come from the heart; when a person knows what he is asking for, he is no longer merely repeating the words "hasanah" in the akhirah and "hasanah" in the dunya, he sincerely thinks about what the words include.

In the final part of the ayah, Allah says that these people will then ask for salvation from the hellfire. Why? Because they know what a severe torment and punishment it is.

It was reported from Anas ibn Malik (رضالله عنه) that Rasul Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) this du'aa the most [Saheeh Muslim, Book 35, Hadith 6705]. When Anas ibn Malik (رضالله عنه) would make duaa, he would include this duaa. Therefore, we, too should make this duaa as much as we can, and with the meaning in mind.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) make us among those who will have good in this dunya, good in the hereafter and those saved from the torment of Hellfire. ameen

References

Al-Huda Institute Canada. Ta'leem Al-Qur'an Course for Women. Al-Huda Islamic Centre of Canada. Mississauga, Ontario. October 2007. <www.alhudainstitute.ca>

[1] "Whoever brings a good deed, will have better than its worth, and they will be safe from the terror on that Day. " [Surah Naml, verse 89]

[2] "Then, as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand, He surely will receive an easy reckoning, And will return to his family in joy!" [Surah Al-Inshiqaq, verse 7-9]

[3] "And the weighing on that day (Day of Resurrection) will be the true (weighing). So as for those whose scale (of good deeds) will be heavy, they will be the successful" [Surah Al-A'raaf, verse 8]

[4] "There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell): this is with your Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished. Then We shall save those who used to fear Allah and were dutiful to Him, And We shall leave the wrong-doers therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell)." [Surah Maryam, verse 71-72]

[5] Abu Sa'eed al Khudree reports that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, "when the believers cross the Hellfire, they will be stopped at a small arched bridge (Qantarah) before entering the paradise and will be given retribution for injustices between them until they become purified. (Then) they will be permitted to enter Jannah. So, by the One in whose hands is my soul, they will know their way to their homes in Jannah, better than they knews their ways to their homes in Dunya. (Saheeh Bukhari)

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IlmSieve - Islamic Search Engine

February 8, 2008 on 10:25 am | In Islam, Notices
No Comments | By Ilm Seeker

One of the amazing things about the internet, is that alhamdulillah, it's possible to find dozens of different projects that benefit the Muslims.

One such project is Ilm Sieve, an Islamic search engine. Built on top of Google technology, it filters out non-Islamic and un-Islamic sites to give you only the best of Islam on the web. Some of the benefits of Ilm Sieve are:

  • Signal-to-Noise: compared to searching on Google, almost all (if not all) the search-results you find in Ilm Sieve are from Islamic sites--so no more digging to find the Islamic sites in page five and six of the results!
  • Qur'an and Hadith Search: type any snippet of text from the Qur'an or a hadith and you'll likely find the source--the search engine covers the Qur'an (English and Arabic), Bukhari, and Muslim.
  • Sensitive Topics: you can even search for sensitive topics like pornography (or any other topic you're looking up) and you'll find solid Islamic sites that talk about these issues! (If you searched it on Google, you'd find very different results ...
  • Firefox Integration: If you use Firefox, you can click on the little icon on the front page and search directly from Firefox!

Try it out and see for yourself, via this handy widget:

Islamic Search Engine

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The Parable of Spouses and Garments

February 3, 2008 on 5:29 am | In Gems, Islam, Marriage, Tafseer
1 Comment | By AmatulWadood

Bismillah

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) uses amazing parables in the Qur'an that strike fear, awe and amazement in the hearts of the believers. Throughout the Qur'an, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) draws parables for us to convey the importance of certain topics, to extract lessons from them and so that we may ponder and reflect over them. We hear many times of the examples of the hypocrites, the mushrikeen (pagans) and the believers. But there is one parable that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) puts forth that increases the love and mercy between a husband and wife, and this parable is one of the most eloquent and striking in the Qur'an.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) describes the spousal relationship in Surah Al-Baqarah, when He says:

هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ

Translation: They are your garments and you are their garments. [Surah Baqarah, verse 187]

SubhanAllah, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) compares the relationship between a husband and wife as clothing. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says that both the husband and wife are "libaas", garments, for each other. This shows the equality that Allah places between spouses and how each partner has a role in the relationship.

Remember again that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) puts parables in the Qur'an so that we may ponder, so let's ponder on how a spouse compares to clothes:

  1. Clothes are close to you, behind your clothes is your bare skin. A spouse is close to you in that manner, emotionally and physically.
  2. Clothes protect your skin from the outside. A husband is the maintainer of his wife and the wife protects her husband's home and property.
  3. Clothes beautify you. A husband and wife compliment eachother, in this life and the next.
  4. Clothes are comfortable. When one is around their spouse, they feel at ease and their hearts are at rest. One can relax around their spouse and find comfort in them and their words when they are in difficulty.
  5. Clothes hide and screen you. A husband and wife should not discuss each other's faults to the outside or complain to others about their spouse.

SubhanAllah, indeed our Lord is Ar-Ra'oof (the extremely Compassionate) for placing this tranquility between spouses. As Ibn Kathir says in his tafseer of Surah Room: If Allah had made all of Adam's progeny male, and created the females from another kind, such as from Jinn or animals, there would never have been harmony between them and their spouses. There would have been revulsion if the spouses had been from a different kind. Out of Allah's perfect mercy He made their wives from their own kind, and created love and kindness between them. For a man stays with a woman because he loves her, or because he feels compassion towards her if they have a child together, or because she needs him to take care of her, and so on.

Many may feel embarrassed that this verse is mentioned in the Qur'an, but subhanAllah, this is just another beautiful example which shows that our deen is truly complete and that Allah have given us guidance through His Book for every aspect of our lives, and for this we should be thankful alhamdulillah.

This parable between a spouse and a garment is one of the many parables in the Qur'an that we should ponder and reflect over, and this is from the Ultimate Wisdom and Mercy of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) that He explains His verses and signs to us in a manner that is most fitting to our intellect.

Wa lillahil hamd.

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