A Community of Excellence, should not be bogged by Suspicion
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: |
238 |
| Khutbah Date: |
05/18/07 |
[b]ان الله يحب اذا عَِمل احدَكم عملا ان يُتقِنه[/b][i]Surely, Allah loves that whatever activity you do, do it with excellence. [/i][Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] As students all over our country are preparing for their exams, we reflect on* one obvious theme (excellence);* and the other (suspicion), not so obvious.In fact, the second is misplaced but unfortunately, necessary to discuss; since there is increasing evidence of worshippers and students being spied on.
Best of Creation to Live up to that StandardAs human beings, we have been created with the primary purpose of
‘Ibaadah / worship, which, in Islam is not restricted to purely devotional practices such as prayers, fasting, pilgrimage etc., but extends over the whole of human practical life as well. If the object of our life as a whole is to be the worship of Allah, we necessarily must regard this life in the totality of all its aspects, as one complex moral responsibility. All our actions, even the ones of seemingly little importance, must be performed as acts of worship; it has to be performed consciously for it constitutes a part of God’s universal plan [Q 95:5]
[b]لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ[/b][i]“Surely We created man in the best structure”[/i]In this verse is expressed the doctrine that human is originally good and pure; that although humans have been created in the best of molds and have a nature higher than that of angels, but in order to reach its full potential, must manifest
imaan / submit to Allah’s Guidance and strive towards excellence /
ihsaan. Whether as a student, a professional, boss or worker, parent or child… the pursuit of excellence should be integral to our character. [b]
Ihsaan(Goodness) /Itqaan (Excellence)[/b]Remember that the quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to his/her commitment to excellence. Knowing the potential of the human being [Qur’an 95:5], the Creator [i]commands us to strive for excellence[/i][Qur’an 16:90]. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reminded us that,
[b]كتب الاحسان على كل شيء ان الل[/b][i]Allah has prescribed excellence in everything you do.[/i]The notion of ihsaan implies both doing what is good and right coupled with excellence in performance. This makes us realize that whatever is good is worth doing and whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well. Note that Ihsaan / (goodness) emanates from husn-niyyah / (sincere intention), husn-zann / (positive consideration), husn-al-khuluq / (good character) leading to a’mal-us-salihaat / (righteous deeds).[b]Cultivate a Culture of Excellence[/b][list][*]Excellence is the reward of labor, of toil, of striving for betterment. Let each day be better than your day before and let every endeavor leave a trademark of your excellence. The real contest in striving for excellence is not against others but rather between what you have done and what you are capable of doing … the pursuit of excellence. [/*][/list] A person who is true
mu’min/believer, who has effectively harmonized the positive elements of both the physical and the spiritual dimensions of the self; is expected to harbor good intentions, have a clean heart, a positive attitude, an endearing personality; while always displaying exemplary behavior; … for these Allah promises …
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةًوَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ “Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We shall certainly make him live a good life, and shall certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did.[Q 16:97] Shame of Suspicion Islam seeks to establish its society on a clear conscience and mutual trust, not on doubt, suspicion, accusation, and mistrust. Hence the Qur’an mentions …
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌO you who believe! Avoid(indulging in) suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin. [Qur’an 49:12] Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advised us …
إياكم والظن فإن الظن أكذب الحديثBe careful of suspicion for suspicion could be the worst lie.Among the trademark of a true Believer is …
المُؤمن مَن أمِنَهُ الناس على دِمَاءِهِم و اموالِهم و انفسِهمA Mu’min is one in whom humankind find safety and security regarding their lives, their property and their honor.Allah reminds us in the Qur’an,
إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولـئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً“Surely, every act of hearing, of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). [Q 17:36] Rule of HeartIt is in keeping with this philosophy that we find a strong emphasis Islam on being cautious regarding … [list][*]how we perceive things[/*][*]what we feel/ hear/ and say[/*][*]what we allow ourselves to believe.[/*][/list]Imam ash-Shaf’ie advised;
[b]و اذا أغضبتَهُ قال فيك ما ليس فيك من نمَّ لك نمَّ بك، و من اذا أرضيتَهُ قال فيك ما ليس في[/b][i]Be aware that a person who carries tales to you will carry tales about you. When he is pleased with you will say good things about you that you do not deserve; and when he is displeased/angry with you will say things about you that you do not deserve.[/i][i]There are three good rules which ought to be written on every heart[list][*]do not believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true;[/*][*]never tell anything about anybody unless it is absolutely necessary,[/*][*]always remember that Allah is a witness to what you say and what you hear.[/*][/list]
Sinful Suspicion is defined as ascribing evil motives to others. If there is a legitimate reason (not based on envy or prejudice) to doubt someone then one may exercise operational caution in dealing with someone, but we can not impute evil motives to others without justification and clear evidence.Given the basic assumption that people are innocent, mere suspicion should not be allowed to cause an innocent person to be accused. We should realize that the moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, virtually everything that person does becomes tainted.All seems infected that the infected spy, as everything looks yellow to the jaundiced eye. Wise ones have said, Suspicion is far more to be wrong than right; more often unjust than just. It is no friend to virtue, and always an enemy to happiness.
Do Not SpyAllah instructs us …
Heed not the type of despicable person,وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاء بِنَمِيمٍ مَنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍalways ready with oaths; a slanderer, going about defaming others; hindering good efforts, transgressing beyond bounds, deep in sin.[Q 68: 11 -13]Unwarranted suspicion is one such sin, and the Prophet (pbuh) warned;
إياكم والظن فإن الظن أكذب الحديثBe careful of suspicion for vocalized suspicion could be the worst lie.
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