Allah enjoins us to be kind on earth

Allah enjoins us to be kind on earth

ALLAH, the Almighty, says: “Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition.” (Qur’an, 16:90)

Justice and fairness are commanded and required in all situations, when one is happy and satisfied, and when one is upset and unsatisfied, with Muslims and with non-Muslims alike. Allah, the Almighty, says: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is, next to Piety; and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” (Qur’an, 5:8)

Islam enjoins altruism and urges Muslims to practice it. Philanthropy and benevolence are some of the results of altruism, if practiced by the members of the society. Allah, the Almighty says: “But those who, before them, had homes (in Madinah) and had adopted the faith, show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter); but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls; they are the ones that achieve prosperity.” (Qur’an, 59:9)

Islam urges to maintain righteous company. Muslims are advised to stay aloof from bad company. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, The example of good and evil companions is like that of a person who is carrying musk and the blacksmith who is blowing his blower over the fire to get it going. A musk carrier would either give you a bit of it, or you may buy a little from him or at the least, you would smell good perfume from him. As for the blacksmith who is blowing his blower over the fire you may either burn your clothes (if you sit by him), or else you would be disturbed with the sparkles of his fire, or the least (harm you may get) is to get disturbed with the bad odor coming from him (and his place). (Bukhari and Muslim)

Islam enjoins to assist people in making up better relationships. This is especially so when there is a rift in the relationship between people. Allah, the Almighty says: “In most of their secret talks there is no good; but if one exhorts to a deed of charity or justice or conciliation between men, (secrecy is permissible): To him who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall soon give a reward of the highest (value).” (Qur’an, 4:114)

Islam suggests maintaining a good character and morals. Good morals and virtues are essential for a better society. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, Among the best believers are the persons with the best of morals and characteristics and those who are most kind to their family members. (Tirmidhi)

Islam enjoins on Muslims to offer their help and assistance to others free of charge and for the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, Do favors for those who deserve to be done for them, and also for those who do not deserve to be done for them. If the doer did the favor for those who deserve it (and they are worthy of it) it is fine and good, and if not, the doer (of the favor) himself is one of those who are worthy for favors. (Tirmidhi)

Islam enjoins on Muslims to be generous. Generosity brings people closer to each other and enables the generous to gain the love and affection of others. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, “Allah, the Almighty, loves two traits: To be good to others and to be generous to them.” Similarly, Allah, the Almighty, hates two traits: To be mean to others and to be miser to people. On the other hand, If Allah, the Almighty, favors a person, He would employ him to assist others achieve their goals and fulfill their needs.

There is criterion, however, for generosity in Islam. Allah says: “Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard’s) to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute.” (Qur’an, 17:29)

On being generous toward others, Allah, the Almighty, says: “And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer; but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the evil ones; and the evil one is to his Lord (Himself) ungrateful.” (Qur’an, 17:26-27)

Muslims to be kind and benevolent to others. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “Allah, the Almighty, would be (extremely) kind and merciful to those who are kind and merciful to others. Be kind to those on earth, the One in Heaven would be kind and merciful to you.” (Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood)

Islam commands Muslims to be kind and accommodating to others and encourages people to do so. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, Being kind to others is good in every matter and if kindness is removed (from the hearts of people), the situation becomes worst. (Muslim)

Islam enjoins on Muslims to hide omissions of others, and help each other to achieve their decent and honest goals.

Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, “Whosoever alleviates a believer’s hardship of this world, Allah, the Almighty, would alleviate his hardship and difficulty of the Day of Judgment. Whosoever eases the terms on (a financially) stranded person, Allah, the Almighty, would ease his difficulties in both this world and the Hereafter. Whosoever hides the defects of a Muslim in this world, Allah, the Almighty, would hide the defects of that person both in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah, the Almighty, would continue to assist a slave-servant so long as such person is extending his help and assistance to his Muslim brethren. (Muslim)

Islam enjoins upon patience. People are encouraged to be patient in order to perform their religious duties. People are equally urged and encouraged to practice patience in order to avoid all evils. Allah, the Almighty, says: “Now await in patience the command of thy Lord; for verily thou art in Our eyes; and celebrate the praises of thy Lord the while thou standest forth.” (Qur’an, 52:48)

Islam also urges and encourages Muslims to be patient on what they have been predestined for such as poverty, hunger, lack of resources, terminal illness or else, and fear.

In fact, Allah, the Almighty, illustrates the reward of the patient people as follows: “Say: O ye My servants who believe! Fear your Lord. Good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah’s earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!” (Qur’an, 39:10)

Islam enjoins Muslims to control their temper and forgive others, though one is capable to take revenge. Such attitudes, of course, strengthen the relationships and ties among people and create a better atmosphere within the society. Islam promised a great reward for controlling one’s temper. Allah Almighty says: “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.” (Qur’an, 3:133-134)

Also, Allah Almighty commands to do well, even though they have done unwell and were mistreated with evil acts. All this is done with the hope that people would get closer to each other and mane forge affection toward to each other. Allah, the Almighty, says: “Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better: Then will he, between whom and thee was hatred, become as it were thy friend and intimate!” (Qur’an, 41:34)

Article by: arabnews.com

The blessings of water

The blessings of water

Water is the most important liquid for human survival. Water has been on earth since its beginning. Without water there would be no life on earth. Water makes up about 71% of the Earth’s surface, while the other 29% consists of continents and islands. Did you know that that 96.5 per cent of all the earth’s water is salt water in oceans and seas? The remaining 3.5% is fresh water from rivers and lakes and frozen water in the polar ice tops. And, 69% of the 3.5% fresh water is in the form of ice. If we could melt all that ice, and the earth’s surface was perfectly smooth, the sea levels would rise to an altitude of 2.7 km. The human body consists of 75% water.

Water is one of the key elements responsible for life on earth. Water circulates through the land just as it does through the human body, transporting, dissolving, and replenishing nutrients and organic matter, while carrying away waste material. It also regulates the activities of fluids, tissues, cells, lymph, blood, and glandular secretions.

An average adult body contains 42 liters of water and with just a small loss of 2.7 liters a person can suffer from dehydration, dizziness, weakness, and headaches. The role of water is vital role in our health and essential for cell function.

The 75% of water in our body helps us swallow and digest food. Without water, all chemical reactions in our body would not take place, including carryingaway the substances that we do not need any more. Water regulates our body temperature and without water, we would be unable to live for a few days.

In our every day life we use water in our houses, to grow plants for food, in industries and factories, to produce energy and electricity, in transportation and trade. Whatever we think of to continue living, water is always there.

In the history of humanity, water has been the center of civilizations. Communities were established close to fresh drinking water sources such as wells, or in a region known of rain as a source of fresh water.

Traditional and modern medicine has been making use of the psychological and physiological diverse properties of water. Since early centuries and up until today, numerous healing springs located all around the world have been recognized for their benefits with historical records of how the water springs had curative properties.

Of the scientific marvels in the Holy Qur’an, water was mentioned as the source of all life.
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (21:30)

Fourteen centuries ago, the Holy Qur’an has revealed that water is a part of every living organism. Centuries later after the invention of the microscope, scientists discovered that the cytoplasm and the basic substance of the cell is made up of 80% water.

There are facts that mankind had not been aware of before the twentieth century yet they were mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

Water in the seas and oceans regulates the temperature of the Earth, and it maintains marine life. The combination of hot and cold sea currents, the absorption of a great amount of sunlight and energy from the activities of the various marine life forms are all regulated by water.

When we study facts about water, we can see the amazing creative power that gave water a number of physical and chemical characteristics that are not found in other elements.

The low density of frozen water enables it to float on the surface of seas and oceans, otherwise if it sunk to the bottom of oceans and seas, it would interfere with underwater life. Moreover, the molecular structure of water with its double pole and resistance to dissolution and ionization, its freezing and boiling points and the high specific and latent heat, impressive viscosity and surface tension, its great ability in the processes of oxidation and reduction and to react with many chemical compounds help to crack the soil to facilitate the germination of plants. Water carries out a major role in all plants, animals and people. It is considered to be one of the great miracles of Allah.

Humans have been exploiting and abusing the sources of fresh water such as rivers, lakes, and also oceans and seas by contamination and pollution.
Water is a blessing from Allah, essential to all our bodily functions and life. We must conserve water and preserve it for ourselves and for the generations to come.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed by Saad while he was performing ablution. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “What is this extravagance?” Saad said, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.” Source: Sunan ibn Majah 425

Muslims should avoid wasting water.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa