Concealing Somebody's Shortcoming is Justified When The Effect is Confined to The Man Himself

Aqabah ibn Amir (ra) relates that the Prophet (saws) has said that , "The action of one who conceals the shortcomings of another is as if he saved a girl from being buried alive."

[Mustadrik Hakim]

Explanation : Concealing the shortcoming means not mentioning it to others and not broadcasting or announcing it before all. But ceratin points should be borne in mind in this connection. Concealing somebody's shortcoming is justified when the effect of that shortcoming is confined to the man himself , but if it might conceivably cause harm or injury to others, then it is justified to tell the person to be affected about the shortcoming. The latter action is not only justified but also meritorious provided there is no intent of harming anyone or insulting or degrading him.

For instance someone is in the habit of taking money of others by subterfuge and not returning it or someone is habitual borrower and does not redeem his loans. As in both cases, an unaware person may be taken by surprise and lose his money, he should be informed of the habit of the borrower.

Another instance is of a person who proposes to marry a girl, if the girl's parents wish to know about the prospective suitor, it is justified to tell the truth.

However, in all such cases, the intent should not be of harming anyone in any way. Another instance is of a person who has committed a crime which may harm the society or the community , this information should be made available to proper authorities as it is a meritorious act , if the intent is social reform & not persoanl revenge against the culprit.

Win People's Hearts

Miqdaad bin Aswad(ra) says that he used to save the milk of Prophet(saws)'s share, and when he(saws) used to return at night, he used to greet us with Salaam in such a low voice that those who were awake could listen and those who were asleep were not disturbed.

[Muslim]

Explanation : Not to disturb someone when he is asleep irrespective of night or day, is also a part of Islamic etiquette. Talk and move quietely around him lest he is disturbed. One should keep the above mentioned hadith in mind while in the Masjid while remembering Allah (Swt) , or reciting the Holy Qur'an and make sure that any of your actions do not put your brothers in discomfort and distarct him. It is not proper to disturb the concentration of a brother who is praying. When Prophet (saws) used to get up for Tahajjud, his movements and recitation were not a source of disturbance to those who were asleep.

This is one of the etiquettes reflecting the level of purity, character, understanding, civility, and behaviour of a good Muslim. The person who is a source of comfort rather than discomfort or inconvenience is the best person. Win people's hearts by modesty, courtesy, and humility. Be polite in conversation , and give people due respect. Behave with others as you would like others to behave with you.

Charity Does Not Lessen One's Money

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said "The upper hand is better than the lower hand."

[Bukhari]

Explanation : Allah (Swt) has promised to multiply the rewards of good deeds. Therefore, along with prayers we should also help the needy and poor people by our wealth.

The upper hand is the one that gives, and the lower hand is the one that receives. Islam encourages the Muslim to spend from his money for Allah's sake whenver he is capable of doing so , and it stresses on the great virtues of charity.

In this life, the charity enlarges the blessings in one's fortune. Unlike what most people think; money gets practically bigger so long as the person is giving charities. As the Prophet (saws) stated , "The charity does not lessen one's money" . As we know, the amount of money is not what counts , but it is the value of the money and the things you can get with this money is what counts.

When the believer keeps on feeding his money with charity , this enlarges the blessing in his money.

The Use Of Latest and Newer Mthods In Industry and Crafts Is Proved From Prophetic Traditions

Prophet Muhmmad (saws) said " Seek your living in the hidden wealth of the Earth."

[Kanz ul Ummal]

Explanation : Search for "Modernity" by itself is a commendable desire and a natural urge of humankind. If this urge was not there, man would not have reached from stone-age to atomic era , could not have gained access to aero-planes and spacecrafts from camels and bullock carts, nor would have progressed to electric bulbs and search lights from wax candles and earthen lamps. All these material advancements and scientific achievements , which have put nooses on the planets and conducted their buckets to the bottom of sea, are in fact an importunate effect of man's inherent trait that he is a "modernist" and avaricious of "better to best" achievements.

Hence, Islam being a natural religion is not opposed to modernism as far as it implies to being modern in the simple sense of the word. Very often it has been appreciated and given due encouragement as in the above mentioned Hadith to get the benefits of agriculture and minerals Prophet Muhmmad (saws) said " Seek your living in the hidden wealth of the Earth.".

Particularly, the use of latest and newer methods in industry and craft and war technologies is proved from prophetic traditions. On the occasion of battle of Ahzab when the tribes of Arabia joined together and raided Madinah, a renowned companion Salman Farsi suggested a new technique for its defense which was never practiced in Arabia before. He suggested digging a trench around the city This was hailed by the Prophet (saws) and he himself took part in digging the trench. (Al-bidayah wan-Nih'ayah)

Hadhrat Amr bin Aas(ra) in the year 8 A.H. used the method of "Blackout" during the war of Zat-us-Salasil against Lakhm and Juzam , and ordered his troops that there should be no lights nor any fire kindled for three nights in the battlefield. When the troops reached Madinah and the Prophet (saws) came to know of it, he inquired the reasons for this action. Amar bin Aas replied "O Messenger of Allah, my troops were less in number than the enemy troops, hence I ordered to keep all lights off at night lest the enemy may boost its morale by finding the low count of our troops". The Prophet (saws) was pleased with this tactic and offered his thanks to Almighty Allah (Jam'a-ul-Fawa'id)

Both Male and Female Doctors Are Needed in Every City

The Prophet (saws) said "Allah and His angels and the creatures of Heavens and Earth, even the ant in its dwelling and the fish in the sea, do send Salat to the one who teaches people (good) beneficial knowledge."

[Tirmidhi]

Explanation : The Salat of Allah is the mercy that he bestows on His slaves, the Salat of angels and other creatures is to ask Allah to forgive these servants . Unfortunately, there are many Muslims who hold the most advanced academic or professional positions in their respective institutions, yet do not possess the minimum knowledge of the Islamic sciences. Ironically, while it takes only a few weeks or even a few days to acquire the obligatory Islamic knowledge , it may take at least two years to obtain a basic degree in any worldly field.

Though these brothers and sisters are to be thanked and encouraged for their worldly endeavour, they are undoubtedly guilty due to their shortcomings in learning the required Islamic knowledge. Leaders of every Muslim community should always do their best to procure the necessary number of scholars, proffessionals and qualifies men and women in all fields of optional knowledge needed by the community.

Muslims in any country must train sufficient number of Shariah scholars to answer questions raised by members of the community. They must also prepare enough educators, administrators, teachers and counsellors to fill the growing needs of Islamic schools in that country. Both male and female Muslim doctors are needed in every city to care for male and female Muslim patients, respectively. Any community which does not take the necessary steps to satisfy its own needs in all fields of optional knowledge becomes subject to the punishment of Allah.

Thank You , May Allah Reward You With Something Better

The beloved Prophet (saws) said " He who is not thankful to people is not thankful to Allah."

[ Al Adabul Mufrad]

Explanation : In order to thank people, one must use his mouth and show full gratitude. A person can show his gratefulness to people by giving gifts etc. but for a person to really show his thankfulness and gratefulness, he must show it by the way of speech. It is speech which makes man different from an animal.

If a person gave a monkey a banana, the monkey wouldn't be able to say "Cheers !", this is because Allah hasn't honoured the monkey with speech. However, Allah has honoured mankind with speech so that he can use his tongue to show his gratitude to his Creator. Part of showing this gratitude to Allah is by being thankful to people.

When a person says "Jazakallahu Khayran" (Thank you, May Allah reward you with something better) he is bringing pleasure to the person who helped him. If a person does not have the capability to show his thanks, then what is the difference between him and a monkey ?

The Revolutionary Message Of Human Equality

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "The whole of mankind is the family of Allah, and he amongst His(swt) family is dearest to Him , who does good to others".

[Mishkat]

Explanation: One of the greatest blessings conferred by the Messenger of Allah(saws) on human beings was the concept of equality and brotherhood of mankind. The world before him (saws) was divided by manifold divisions of castes and creeds, tribes and nations , some claiming positions of nobility for themselves and condemning others to the positions of serfs and chattels. It was for the first time that the world heard of the revolutionary message of human equality from the Prophet of Islam.

Today, we find the principle of human equality enshrined in the constitutions of different countries and being proclaimed from the forum of the United Nations Organisation in the shape of the Charter of Human Rights but it was all due to the pioneering efforts of the followers of Muhmmad (saws) , Muslim missionaries and reformers , who made indefatigable efforts to estabalish a truly egalitarian Muslim society. It was this model established through their toils and tears that later on came to be accepted as the standard for human existence in this world.

Muslims Must Help the Oppressed

Hadhrat Anas bin Amlik (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said ; "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed."

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Explanation : Muslims are helpers of each other. However, the scope of such narrations is delimited by other related narrations. There is no room for Muslims or non-Muslims to misinterpret this hadith af if taking the side of another Muslim , whether he is right or wrong. There are broader Islamic principles, contained explicitly in the Qur'an and other Prophetic narrations, which negate such a possibility.

Muslims must assist each other subject to a well-defined set of Islamic parameters. Helping the oppressed to overcome oppression is an unambiguous duty upon Muslims. How about the oppressor ? he needs help too, but a different kind. Helping the oppressor Muslim is not to condone him or become an accomplice, it is rather to dissuade or even prevent him from committing oppression.

As such , virtually every such principle applies equally to non-Muslims. Muslims must help oppressed non-Muslims as well and stand collectively against oppression and tyranny.

Simplicity in Every Aspect Of Life...

Prophet (saws) identified simplicity as a sign of Imaan(faith) and said "Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith."

[Abu Dawood]

Explanation: Prophet (saws) preferred simplicity in every aspect of life , and left simple living as a model to be followed by his Ummah. He (saws) directed his Ummah to look for eternal comforts of the Herafter and not the temporary comforts of this life. Allah (Swt) says in Aayah 17 of Surah Al-Aala :
"...the Hereafter is much better and much more durable."

Prophet (saws) always wore simple dress, though at times he used fine dress too, but that was neither his preference nor it suited his taste and nature.. He (saws) used to say that the son of Adam(as) needs not to have claim over any thing except a place to live, cloth to cover his body, and simple food to fill his stomach. (Tirmidhi) Ummul Momineen Aa'isha (ra) said that he (saws) did not have a spare dress that could be kept folded.

Though at the zenith of his power, which was in fact more power, loyalty and obedience than any king or emperor could ever dream of , he (saws) ruled the hearts and having a vast area under the banner of Islam , he (saws) lead an exemplary humble and simple life. A life, in which Allah (swt)'s word is an ideal model for us to follow.

One should find time to read and familiarize oneself with the Prophet(saw)'s biography.

Once Prophet Muhammad (saws) said that Allah (Swt) gave him the choice between the two life styles :
1. Combination of a king and Prophet
2. The combination of a Prophet and slave.
Prophet (saws) chose the life of a prophet and a slave. Sulaiman and Dawood (as) were both prophets as well as kings. Prophet (saws) did not want to give an impression to his Ummah that comfort and worldly power is necessary to practice Deen.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal(r) quotes from Ummul Momineen Aaisha (ra) that an Ansari lady visited her. When she saw that a rough blanket served as a bed for Prophet (saws), she sent a thick woolen cushioned bed which was not only soft but very beautiful. Prophet (saws) having noticed asked about it. Ummul Momineen (ra) told him the whole story. Prophet (saws) asked her to return it, but she did not want to return it as she liked it very much. Prophet (saws) told her that if he wanted Allah (Swt) could have left mounts of gold and silver at his disposal . Listening to this, Ummul Momineen (ra) returned the bedding . (Ktiab-ul-Zuhd)

Affection Leads to Friendliness...

Ai'isha (ra) said : "The Messenger of Allah (saws) said ; "When Allah (Swt) wills some good towards the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them '

[Sahih al-Jami]

Explanation : When Allah loves the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them. In other words, they start to be kind to one another. This is one of the means of attaining peace and happiness in the home, for kindness is very beneficial between the spouses , and with the children , and it brings results that cannot be achieved through harshness , as the Prophet (saws) said "Allah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way that He does not reward for harshness or anything else." (Muslim)

Many men think that housework is beneath them , and some of them think it will undermine their status and position if they help their wives with this work. Some men demand food instantly from their wives , when the pot is on the stove , and the baby is screaming to be fed , they do not pick up the child or wait a little while for the food . Let the above mentioned hadith be a reminder and a lesson. Showing affection towards one's wife and children is one of the things that leads to creating an atnosphere of happiness and friendliness in the house.

Prophet Muhammad (saws) ofen used to show his affection towards Hasan and Hussain (ra) . This is probably one of the reasons why the children used to rejoice when he (saws) came back from traveling, they would rush to welcome him (saws), as reported in the Sahih hadith : "Whenever he (saws) came back from a journey, his (saws) household would be taken out to meet him". He used to hug them close to him, as Abdullah bin Ja'far said : "Whenever the Prophet (saws) came back from a journey, we would be taken out to meet him.(saws), Hasan , Hussain , and I. He (saws) carried one of us in front of him, and another on his back, until we entered Madinah." (Sahih Muslim)