The importance of akhlaaq with a main focus on examples of the righteous predecessors. Don’t underestimate that, the price of which will cost you eternity. From the stories of our pious predecessors, we learn the importance they gave to good akhlaaq, whether it was in their private or public lives. Their no compromising attitude in having good akhlaaq reflected from the hadith of Prophet Muhammad salAllahu Alayhee wasSallam, where Abu Umamah Al-Bahili reported him saying,

I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners” [Abu Dawood].

You know, I keep hearing about all these non-muslims converting to islaam, especially after 9/11. It makes me really happy and at the same time, very sad. “Sad? Are you okay brother, you may ask? Why would it make you sad?” I am sad because out of all of those thousands who have converted to Islam, I have not helped with even one. I am sad because I have a beard and I look and try to act like a Muslim around others. I am sad because I know I am supposed to treat my friends and neighbors well and I do. Yet they may have asked me questions on Islam but nothing has led them to conversion.

Many people are very enthusiastic about the noble cause of calling non-Muslims to Islam. Whenever a person accepts Islam in the masjid, everyone rejoices. Everyone is willing to support projects and sponsor literature for dawah. All Muslims are ready to unite for such a cause; however, most of our communities are themselves in need of dawah. Though we are very pleasant and helpful to “Rob” who works with us, we forget to smile at Ibrahim who takes care of the masjid. Our professors find us so pleasant while our parents are victims of our abuse. We also focus much in ibaadah and forget what should follow. Many of our eyes flow with tears behind the imaam but as soon as he says salaam, we turn around and yell at the brother who brought his four years old son to the masjid. This is indeed the paradox that exists or even dominates the Muslims living here in the west.

I keep hearing stories of the men of aqeedah,
The ones with manners, who even give naseehah,
They are found rarely in this world, scholars of high caliber,
They know so much but are humble, we need to heed this parable
Why do people criticize so much those who have the right belief,
They say “look at those high pants, big beards but a sharp mouth with the teeth”

Abu Huraira reported that a person came to Allah’s Messenger (saws) and said,

“Who among the people is most deserving of a fine treatment from my hand?” He said, “Your mother.” The man again asked, “Then who?” He said, “Again it is your mother.” The man asked, “Then who?” Our Prophet (saws) then said, “Again, it is your mother.” The man again asked, “Then who?” Thereupon he replied, “Then it is your father.” [Muslim]

In most masaajid, we hear many speeches and heart to heart talks with uncles and aunties about the rights of parents over their children. We hear about them so much because unfortunately a lot of people do not fulfill their duties to their parents. But we also need to go into the topic of the rights of children. In my dissection of the issue,(figuratively speaking, I believe in Peace for All) I observed that the rights of the parents and children are interdependent, in fact some rights of children maybe needed in order for the rights of parents to be fulfilled. I know at this time your eyebrows might be raised and some of you are about to make judgments but HOLD YOUR HORSES.

The eye of envy, sometimes known as the evil eye, or just simply “the Eye” is a widely distributed element of belief in many different religions, cultures and societies. Although many now would cast it as folklore, with no reason to believe in it in the modern world, Islam strongly confirms the existence of the eye of Envy in it’s two sources of revelation; the Quran and the hadith.

Is it just me, or is there a new edition of an organic chemistry textbook sprouting up every year? Granted, it’s the same basic information, only slightly tweaked as to appease powerhouse publishers and scientific fanatics. It seems change is inevitable in the world we live in. Those who do not follow change are often left behind. Similarly, it’s unsettling to see a new edition of a Holy-Book being printed every so often. One could say it is introduced for precisely the same reasons; to appease greedy and bored people. One may also wonder if a Holy-Book can still be deemed holy, if it is modified. Being Muslims, we are expected to follow religious texts of believers in their original form. Now the question is, how do we discern original form when all these alterations are taking place.

Part of our Iman, as Muslims, is to believe in Allah’s Books. Why is it Books and not just Book.? I thought Muslims only believed in the Qu’ran. Although it is an essential part of our Iman to believe in Prophet Jesus (Alaih Assalaam) and his revelation, the “Bible” that exists today is, unfortunately, not the same Injeel (Bible) that Prophet Jesus (A.S) preached during his lifetime. It has been distorted and changed over the centuries. There is no doubt that physical/visual proof for this controversial claim exists, however the only proof that Muslims need to prove that the existing Bible has been changed, is the word of Allah, which, AlhamdurAllah, can be found in the Qu’ran. Whatever is in the Qu’ran is the absolute truth and if something in the Bible contradicts something in the Qu’ran than the Bible is the one that is flawed.

At the Rays of Faith seminar, Sheikh Waleed Basyouni taught us about the origins of Iblis. Scholars disagree on his status prior to his damnation, some holding the opinion that he was an angel, while the majority believe that he is a jinn. The master of fitnah, a cause of controversy? Could we expect anything else?