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Resources » Articles » Beliefs
Teachings and Advices
Written by Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias
1. Moderation: The best way is the well- balanced middle course. This applies to practically every aspect of one's life: sleeping, eating, walking, talking, charity, dressing and building.
2. Contentment: To be satisfied with what you have is itself a boon and favour from Allaah, otherwise life will be a torture and full of un happiness. A Muslim is content with Allaah as his Rabb (Creator, Owner, Sustainer,Provider); Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) as his Rasul (Messenger, Guide in every walk of life) and Islaam as his Deen (a complete code of life). Islaam strongly discourages greed, lust for power, pomp, and passion. Contentment provides inner satisfaction whereas outward facades only lead to envy and other evils.
3. Hard Work: Contentment does not mean that one must become gloomy, dull, lazy, passive or a parasite. Money earned by hard work is lauded while begging is detested. Self-dependence is praised while longing for handouts is not encouraged.
4. Reliance on Allaah: Islaam motivates a harmonious balance between striving for livelihood and simultaneously relying on Allaah for enriching ones earnings with his special blessings. In this way obstacles in the path of earning a livelihood will not breed despondence and helplessness. Instead one finds a Companion in distress and turns to Him in all hours of need.
5. Charity: Islaam leads to a collective way of life as opposed to selfishness and egoism. A believer is part of the community which he has to aid, support and protect, morally, financially and spiritually. The fortunate are exhorted to help the less fortunate. This creates a mutual feeling of brotherhood and protects the welfare of the locality and society as a whole.
6. Accountability: Constant pondering over death and meeting with one's Creator develops a balance between secular desires and heavenly ambitions.
7. Modesty: Superiority depends on piety and righteousness and not on colour, race, sex, or tribe. Modesty is declared half of faith. In every action and thought the believer is directed towards modesty. Modesty leads to humility which nourishes good conduct. Modesty uplifts good character and adds beauty to personality and transactions.
8. Anger: Islaam teaches control of anger to minimise clashes among individuals of the society.
9. Mercy and Forgiveness: Islaam promotes that behaviour should be monitored by the latitude of mercy and forgiveness as opposed to revenge and ruthlessness.This prevents tyranny and exploitation.
10. Duty: Islaam urges Muslims to display anger at evil actions which harm society and set what is wrong, right by using the force of hand, power of speech, strength of the pen, and if one is not able to do even this then to deplore and detest the bad and evil one's heart.
11. Steadfastness as opposed to hypocrisy: Fulfilling promises is one of the salient characteristics of a Muslim's life. Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) clearly stated: "The hypocrite shows one of three traits: (can be recognised by one of these 3), if he talks, he lies; if he promises, he breaks it; and if he is trusted, he betrays." A Muslim who keeps these as his guidelines, will improve his dealings, transactions, behaviour and character.
12. Kindness to all Islaam wants the Muslim to display kindness to all, even animals. Smiling is a mark of character. Handshaking and embracing is encouraged when meeting to create warmth and friendliness. The rule is that if you cannot do good to anyone then do not harm anyone. Everyone is urged to think, move and plan positively for the betterment of all.
13. Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) - The example: Next to the Qur'aan, the total life pattern of Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) is recorded, read, studied and easily available to every Muslim. A Muslim emulates this noble conduct in every aspect of life to gain proximity to Allaah. Although every aspect is not compulsory to act upon, it increases ones rewards both materially and spiritually. A Muslim believes with conviction that these norms are Divinely approved and in following them he earns the pleasure of Allaah. This evades calamities and invokes the mercy of Allaah.
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