Om_Mohammed
16-03-2002, 13:34
Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.
In response to a question I have received by a concerned brother over the email, I have opted to bring this topic to the general attention of others in the forum arena, in the hopes that more ppl could possibly benefit from the example set for us in the parable.
It is a story of a true-life experience, and not only a parable. But the example set is a good example for us all to take a good lesson from.
As muslims, it is important that we do our best in the important work of the field of dawah, spreading the message of Islam, whether that be to the non-muslims or other muslims as well. Even within the muslim community, there are many who do not yet know what is important to know of their own religion. Myself included. We are all on a great learning trip...and this trip will not cease until the moment that we are put in our graves. It is therefore extremely important that we take each opportunity and use it to it's fullest, and extracting all that we can benefit from that experience, and share with others as well, in the hopes of helping to improve their own states also.
I believe that I have raised this topic once before, but cannot recall for sure exactly if I did print it here at these forums. In any case, I cannot recall under what title that I listed it, or which forum that it was posted in.
Dr. Tariq Al-Suweidan is a Kuwaiti national, and is by profession a Dr. and professor of physics. He is also a muslim. He has developed into quite an expert and excellent speaker for spreading dawah on Islam, combining his expertise in both studies...that of the science of physics with Islamic teachings. This includes Quran, Hadith, islamic history and the seerah (biography) of the prophet(SAAW) and his companions(ARA). I do not know that he presents his speeches in English, for I have only heard his speeches in Arabic, and have not been able yet to locate for him anything related to him on the internet. He has, however, produced many of his speeches on cassette tape form, as well as video tape format. It is in fact one of those cassette tapes that I listened to which I intend to relate to you now, inshaAllah. In my references, I will no longer use his full name, but rather either he (meaning the Dr. Suweidan)...or Dr.
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He explained how he was with a group of pilgrims, making out for the pilgrimage for Makkah one year, from Kuwait. He was approached by a small group of those on the bus with him, asking for him to please bring forth some topic of lecture to convince their women folk to wear the full hijab of the face covering. Their complaint was that they (the men themselves) realized the necessity of the women to cover completely, as indicated not only by the Quran, but as well by the many renditions of hadith, but that their women folk (daughters, sisters, wives, etc.) were refusing to accept this. They were insistent that it was enough to merely cover with the traditional head scarf, and that there was no additional need nor requirement to cover their faces. The men disagreed, particularly on the basis that they were in close confinement one with another on this bus for a long trip to Makkah, all in mixed company, and that it would have been better for the women to cover completely, as well as seeming more righteous, seeing as how this trip was one of religious aspect, and not merely sight-seeing and pleasure only.
So, the Dr. agreed to bring something of relevance in his lecture that he would be presenting along the way. When he finally did begin speaking, the audience noticed that it was nothing at all to do with social issues, nor men and/or women, or even anything remotely related to the veil or hijab or anything truly to do with women or their mode of dress. They patiently waited all the while, convinced that he would sooner or later get around to this topic, all the while only speaking about the miracle of nature, the miracle of the planets, the heavens, the earth, the stars and all of creation as a whole, and our relation, human beings to all of that, and how truly insignificant we are in all the sceme of this vastness of creation. And...how truly Great must be He who created all of this.
When the lecture was over, something miraculously strange took place, the women of the group had sometime during the course of the lecture, taken to covering their faces of their own will, with no pressure from anyone at all, least of all...not a word on this from the lecturer himself nor those who originally complained to him about this point.
The men who had originally complained to him, asking him to deliver such a speech and sermon to convince their women to cover as they had eventually done so...came to him later, exclaiming to him their surprise at their resulting covering, as well as their total surprise in it that he (the Dr.) had not spoken a word of such inclination, asking them nor ordering them, nor reminding them to do so.
His response was kindly as gentle and submissive as was his speech in general. He simply reminded those men that these women knew all the signs, the verses of the Quran, as well as the indications from hadith pointing towards the necessity as well as the requirement of completely covering (including their faces with the veil), and so they were not in need of such an obvious reminder. But what they were more in need of was a reminder of the total massiveness of this creation, and their (as well as the human body as a whole) total insignificance in all this, as well as a reminder that even those objects of nature which have no free will (such as the planets, etc.) do actually obey God's commands momentarily...then why should they...mere humans...individuals in this atmosphere...not obey those commands??? Who are we...or who do we assume we are...when we go in disagreement or arrogant disobedience of Allah's commands???
================================================== ====================
The same approach could be used in many instances...for reminding those who are addicted to smoking, those who insist that dating and other intermingling of the sexes (in school, in the work place, etc.), and many other practices which have become common today amongst many muslims...to remind them that what they are doing is haram. Many times the muslims who are doing such haram acts know themselves that what they are doing is haram. They do not need such reminder. It is good to remind ppl when one notices something is being done wrong...but in a good mannerism. We need to reflect upon the seerah of our beloved prophet(SAAW) in this instance as well as in all instances...to remind ourselves of his utmost patience and kindness and total excellent behavior and language in speaking to people, in spreading the message of Islam. He was strong in his message...never wavering nor making excuses for anyone...but yet kind and understanding and gentle as well as extremely polite in all matters.
Sometimes, when we see a friend or a fellow muslim going out to bars or discoteches or visiting and attending mixed parties...someone will attack his activities, accusing him of exceeding his limits of muslim behavior...and then by the very words used, or the intonation of his approach to this wrong-doer...chase him/her even further away from Islam. It is not always necessary to take such an approach in reminding others of that which is best. But rather take another approach, reminding them of the vastness of this creation, and our total insignificance in all of this, and the fact that we will return someday to our Creator, and have to answer for our actions/inactions in this life.
May Allah help us all, and help us to help others as well.
Om Mohammed.
In response to a question I have received by a concerned brother over the email, I have opted to bring this topic to the general attention of others in the forum arena, in the hopes that more ppl could possibly benefit from the example set for us in the parable.
It is a story of a true-life experience, and not only a parable. But the example set is a good example for us all to take a good lesson from.
As muslims, it is important that we do our best in the important work of the field of dawah, spreading the message of Islam, whether that be to the non-muslims or other muslims as well. Even within the muslim community, there are many who do not yet know what is important to know of their own religion. Myself included. We are all on a great learning trip...and this trip will not cease until the moment that we are put in our graves. It is therefore extremely important that we take each opportunity and use it to it's fullest, and extracting all that we can benefit from that experience, and share with others as well, in the hopes of helping to improve their own states also.
I believe that I have raised this topic once before, but cannot recall for sure exactly if I did print it here at these forums. In any case, I cannot recall under what title that I listed it, or which forum that it was posted in.
Dr. Tariq Al-Suweidan is a Kuwaiti national, and is by profession a Dr. and professor of physics. He is also a muslim. He has developed into quite an expert and excellent speaker for spreading dawah on Islam, combining his expertise in both studies...that of the science of physics with Islamic teachings. This includes Quran, Hadith, islamic history and the seerah (biography) of the prophet(SAAW) and his companions(ARA). I do not know that he presents his speeches in English, for I have only heard his speeches in Arabic, and have not been able yet to locate for him anything related to him on the internet. He has, however, produced many of his speeches on cassette tape form, as well as video tape format. It is in fact one of those cassette tapes that I listened to which I intend to relate to you now, inshaAllah. In my references, I will no longer use his full name, but rather either he (meaning the Dr. Suweidan)...or Dr.
================================================== ====================
He explained how he was with a group of pilgrims, making out for the pilgrimage for Makkah one year, from Kuwait. He was approached by a small group of those on the bus with him, asking for him to please bring forth some topic of lecture to convince their women folk to wear the full hijab of the face covering. Their complaint was that they (the men themselves) realized the necessity of the women to cover completely, as indicated not only by the Quran, but as well by the many renditions of hadith, but that their women folk (daughters, sisters, wives, etc.) were refusing to accept this. They were insistent that it was enough to merely cover with the traditional head scarf, and that there was no additional need nor requirement to cover their faces. The men disagreed, particularly on the basis that they were in close confinement one with another on this bus for a long trip to Makkah, all in mixed company, and that it would have been better for the women to cover completely, as well as seeming more righteous, seeing as how this trip was one of religious aspect, and not merely sight-seeing and pleasure only.
So, the Dr. agreed to bring something of relevance in his lecture that he would be presenting along the way. When he finally did begin speaking, the audience noticed that it was nothing at all to do with social issues, nor men and/or women, or even anything remotely related to the veil or hijab or anything truly to do with women or their mode of dress. They patiently waited all the while, convinced that he would sooner or later get around to this topic, all the while only speaking about the miracle of nature, the miracle of the planets, the heavens, the earth, the stars and all of creation as a whole, and our relation, human beings to all of that, and how truly insignificant we are in all the sceme of this vastness of creation. And...how truly Great must be He who created all of this.
When the lecture was over, something miraculously strange took place, the women of the group had sometime during the course of the lecture, taken to covering their faces of their own will, with no pressure from anyone at all, least of all...not a word on this from the lecturer himself nor those who originally complained to him about this point.
The men who had originally complained to him, asking him to deliver such a speech and sermon to convince their women to cover as they had eventually done so...came to him later, exclaiming to him their surprise at their resulting covering, as well as their total surprise in it that he (the Dr.) had not spoken a word of such inclination, asking them nor ordering them, nor reminding them to do so.
His response was kindly as gentle and submissive as was his speech in general. He simply reminded those men that these women knew all the signs, the verses of the Quran, as well as the indications from hadith pointing towards the necessity as well as the requirement of completely covering (including their faces with the veil), and so they were not in need of such an obvious reminder. But what they were more in need of was a reminder of the total massiveness of this creation, and their (as well as the human body as a whole) total insignificance in all this, as well as a reminder that even those objects of nature which have no free will (such as the planets, etc.) do actually obey God's commands momentarily...then why should they...mere humans...individuals in this atmosphere...not obey those commands??? Who are we...or who do we assume we are...when we go in disagreement or arrogant disobedience of Allah's commands???
================================================== ====================
The same approach could be used in many instances...for reminding those who are addicted to smoking, those who insist that dating and other intermingling of the sexes (in school, in the work place, etc.), and many other practices which have become common today amongst many muslims...to remind them that what they are doing is haram. Many times the muslims who are doing such haram acts know themselves that what they are doing is haram. They do not need such reminder. It is good to remind ppl when one notices something is being done wrong...but in a good mannerism. We need to reflect upon the seerah of our beloved prophet(SAAW) in this instance as well as in all instances...to remind ourselves of his utmost patience and kindness and total excellent behavior and language in speaking to people, in spreading the message of Islam. He was strong in his message...never wavering nor making excuses for anyone...but yet kind and understanding and gentle as well as extremely polite in all matters.
Sometimes, when we see a friend or a fellow muslim going out to bars or discoteches or visiting and attending mixed parties...someone will attack his activities, accusing him of exceeding his limits of muslim behavior...and then by the very words used, or the intonation of his approach to this wrong-doer...chase him/her even further away from Islam. It is not always necessary to take such an approach in reminding others of that which is best. But rather take another approach, reminding them of the vastness of this creation, and our total insignificance in all of this, and the fact that we will return someday to our Creator, and have to answer for our actions/inactions in this life.
May Allah help us all, and help us to help others as well.
Om Mohammed.