Class 9
BEST OF YOU
THE GENEROUS & FORBEARING
The Prophet ﷺ said,
The best of you are those whose shoulders are soft in prayer.
(Abu Dawood, Sahih)
The Hadeeth gives us three importance lessons,
Importance of filling gaps and straightening the row in congregation.
Being generous in sharing space
Being forbearing to accomodate others.
Importance of Straightening Rows
Islam pays a great deal of attention to the rows of worshippers, as it has enjoined straightening the rows and speaks clearly of the virtue and importance of straightening them.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of perfecting prayer.” (Bukhari & Muslim).
“Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of establishing prayer.” (Bukhari)
Warning
It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to touch our shoulders when we were praying and he ﷺ would say: “Make the rows straight and do not differ, lest your hearts differ.” (Sahih Muslim).
It was narrated that al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to straighten our rows, as if he was straightening the shaft of an arrow, until he saw that we had learned it. Then he came out one day and was about to say the takbeer, when he noticed a man whose chest was sticking out from the row. He said: “Slaves of Allah! Make your rows straight or Allah will cause discord among you.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Also the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said:
‘Straighten your rows,’ three times, ‘for by Allaah either you straighten your rows or Allaah will create division among your hearts.’ And al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer said, I saw men standing shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, ankle to ankle.” (Abu Dawood).
“Make your rows straight, stand shoulder to shoulder and close the gaps, and do not resist your brothers’ hands. Do not leave any gaps for the Shaytaan. Whoever complete a row, Allaah will reward him, and whoever breaks a row, Allaah will forsake him. (Narrated by Abu Dawood & al-Nasaa’i)
We learnt in yesterday’s class about the importance of unity, but we not just fail to do what the Prophet ﷺ has recommended us to do (Stand shoulder to shoulder and toe to toe), some have the audacity to actually resist following this Sunnah, so much so that people get irritated when someone tries to guide them to straighten the line. The Prophet advised us to not resist the hand of the Brother who tries to straighten the line.
May Allah give us the Hidayah to stand straight and close in prayer and stand united outside of it!
Being Generous
To have soft shoulders one need to be generous to accommodate others and forbearing to adjust with any inconvenience that it might cause.
Generosity is one of the attributes that people like and it pleases Allaah.
Islam urges its followers to be generous and spend their money in the way of Allaah because this leads to fostering feelings of love and solidarity within the society and eliminating envy from people's hearts. Thus, feelings such as cooperation, love, and forgiveness prevail among Muslims whether they are rich or poor. At the same time, the relations between Muslims are strengthened and they become just like one body or a well-structured building.
Allaah, Glorified be He, likes the generous people and dislikes those who are miserly. Allaah also blesses the money of the generous and increases His Bounties for them whether in this world or in the Hereafter. Allaah says (what means):
"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing." [Quran 2:261]
Ibn al-Qayyim said, "Generosity is one of the attributes of the Lord, for He gives and does not take, He feeds and is not fed, He is the most generous of those who are generous. The most beloved of His creation to Him are those who seek to acquire the characteristics implied by His attributes. For He is Generous and loves those among His slaves who are generous; He is All-Knowing and loves those who have knowledge; He is All-Powerful and loves those who are courageous; He is Beautiful and loves beauty.”
A generous man will share what he has with others, thinking about other people as he thinks of himself. He benefits by helping others and solving their problems. He makes people happy and prevents them from doing wrong, which is often a direct result of poverty. This is a great service to society, and there are some people who spend their life in this service, establishing valuable foundations which remain after them such as hospitals, libraries etc.
Whatever is given for Allaah’s Sake will never decrease one’s wealth in the slightest; rather, it will bless, purify and increase it, as the Prophet, ﷺ, said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” [Muslim]
Since noble characteristics are acquired in different ways, the Muslim works to develop virtuous traits according to Islamic guidelines. Allaah Says (what means): “And spend [in the way of Allaah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.’” [Quran 63: 10]
The Messenger of Allaah, ﷺ, said: "Protect yourself from the Hell-fire even by giving a piece of a date as charity.'' [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The Prophet, ﷺ, said:
"Everyday two angels descend and one of them says, `O Allaah! Compensate (more) to the person who gives (in charity)'; while the other one says, `O Allaah! Destroy the one who withholds (charity, etc).’" [Al-Bukhaari]
"Allaah, the Exalted, Says, `Spend, O son of Aadam, you will also be spent upon.'' [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
According to the narration, one who spends in the way of Allaah, will be duly paid. It means that Allaah will enhance the provision of such a man and grant him the best recompense.
Generosity is not expressed exclusively with wealth and money, but also with our time, good deeds, actions and kindness to all people.
Allaah Says (what means): "Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allaah] from that which you love..."[Quran 3: 92]
The Prophet ﷺ said :
"In the morning, charity is due on every joint bone of the body of everyone of you. Every utterance of Allah's Glorification (i.e., saying Subhan Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Praise (i.e., saying Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity and every utterance of declaration of His Greatness (i.e., saying La ilaha illAllah) is an act of charity; and enjoining M'aruf (good) is an act of charity, and forbidding Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two Rak'ah Duha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward)." (Muslim)
"None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, ﷺ, never said `no' to anyone who asked him for something. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
We can show generosity by:
Spending time.
Helping the ones in need of physical help
Helping by counseling one who is distressed
Being nice and greeting with a smile
Helping with home chores
Praying for others
Educating people
Teaching someone a skill they can earn from
Assisting a coworker
There are many other ways to be generous in life, one should have a positive mindset and a will to be of help to others in this world and more so in the hereafter so help people and pray for the Ummah, the minimum we can do for them is to pray.
Islam teaches the Muslims to be constructive, beneficial members of their societies; always helping those who are deprived and destitute to the best of their abilities. Every good deed is described as an act of charity, as the Prophet, ﷺ, said: “Every Muslim must give charity.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, what if he cannot do that?” He, ﷺ, said, “Then let him help one who is in desperate need.” He, ﷺ, said, “Then let him do good, and refrain from doing evil, and that will be an act of charity on his part.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
May Allah make us amongst those who are generous and bless us with health & wealth along with His hidayah to use it for His sake.
Forbearance
Allah is Forbearing. One of Allah's names is al-Halīm (The Forbearing One). It follows, therefore, that Allah loves the quality of forbearance. He calls upon us to exhibit this trait and blesses us when we do so. Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid to Ashajj b. Qays: “You possess two qualities that Allah loves: forbearance and patience.” [Sahīh Muslim(17-18)]
Today we will not give a second thought when given a chance to have a go at someone who had troubled or oppressed us but the Prophet ﷺ showed time and again this great trait of forbearance by forgiving the people of Taif, Quraysh and many more.
The worst effect of the lack of forbearance is seen in families, where they tend to fight at every little mistake and end up severing ties of kinship. We have to make things easy for people, let go, overlook some of the things. You will be happier in life, people will love you and all this will be part of the Reward for having the Trait of Forbearance that Allah Loves. But the real size of the reward is with Allah.
If we wish for Allah to show us His forbearance, we should be forbearing to others, including our spouses, our children, those who are under our authority at work, and those who are in our employ. We should not be quick to act on anger. We should hold our tongues.
Abū al-Dardā’, the eminent Companion, advised: “Knowledge comes through learning and forbearance comes through practicing forbearance.” This means that we can become more forbearing, regardless of what kind of temper we presently have. Forbearance and self-restraint can be learned and cultivated through practice.
May Allah make us amongst those who are patient and forbearing.
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Note these are not part of the ongoing course, it is an independent course that can be done at your own pace and at your own convenience.
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the virtues & rewards.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
Implement any 3 of the deeds covered from week 2. 5 Marks
Talk about any 3 topics covered in this week’s classes with atleast 3 people. 5 Marks.
Inform a minimum of 15 friends/family about LEARN ISLAM (we have around 30 courses for adults and along with courses for children, all for free and certificates are also given) 3 Marks.
Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. Pray for this applying any three Sunnahs from class 4. - 2 Marks
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