Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Sweet and Salty
Al-Rahman (The Beneficent) - Chapter 55: Verses 19-20

"He has allowed the two great bodies of water to meet together. [Yet] between them there is a barrier which they do not overpass."

Two huge bodies of waters exist in the world: one of sweet water as in rivers, lakes, springs or underground water resources, and another of salty water as in seas and oceans. The latter bodies of salty water can themselves supply sweet water through the process of evaporation and condensation which may end in rain or snow. Although these two types of bodies may meet, as when a river ends in a sea where we see the sweet water poured through the mouth of the river into the sea, an isthmus or an invisible barrier keeps each body of water distinct in its original character, in spite of such meeting points. Therefore, despite the perfectly coordinated interrelations between the two bodies of water, and the meeting and mingling of their waters at certain points, they remain distinct, each benefiting human beings with its specific characteristic in providing drinking water or salt or in facilitating navigation.

Beyond such an obvious understanding of the verse based on scientific or concrete facts, there has been a mystic "sufi" understanding - as rightfully pointed out by Muhammad Asad in his note about it - that sees in the verse a symbolization of the sweet human spirituality and the salty environment of the world, between which a natural and healthy correlation ought not go beyond certain bounds.

Compiled From:
"Concepts of the Quran" - Fathi Osman, p. 40

From Issue: 827 [Read original issue]

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Duties at Home

When we think of a young religious person too often we think of someone who spends all his time with other Muslims, going to the Islamic center, or attending religious classes. When he is not engaged in these outside activities, we think of him devoting all his time to personal devotions like reading Islamic books, reciting the Quran, or listening to recorded lectures. Sadly, we do not think of this young person having anything whatsoever to do with the rest of the household. 

This is, in fact, a grave mistake that many religious young people make. The worldly needs of the household must be met. 

Who, then, is going to purchase the household’s needs? Who will take members of the family to the places where they have to go? Who will entertain the guests? Who will pick up so-and-so from the airport? Should the “pious” member of the family be the one to say: “Sorry. I have no time. I am busy!” ? 

Some of our young, religious people flee from their homes in one way or another after becoming religious. They feel that they cannot bear staying at home surrounded by what they regard as sinful behaviour or as their family’s casual religious attitudes. 

Some seek to escape the temptations at home by going overseas to study or by simply moving away from home. There are often clear signs in their behaviour that they are merely running away. Some of them even leave home without their parents’ permission. 

They forget that when a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) if he could go to war, the Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately asked him if his parents were alive. When he said that they were, the Prophet said: "Your jihad is to take care of your parents!" [Bukhari, Muslim] 

They also forget that when another young man approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) to go and fight, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked him if his mother was alive. When he found out that she was, he told the man: "Woe unto you! Attend to her at her feet and you will attain Paradise." [Ibn Majah] 

So, if we want Paradise, the quickest way to get there is by honouring our mothers. 

Sometimes a person is unable to cope with his duties as a Muslim at home. Such a person is definitely not going to be able to engage in this effort of disseminating Islam to others. How can a person who cannot even cope with his duties in his own home think he can take on broader responsibilities? 

The first duty of our young people is to establish themselves at home by fulfilling their responsibilities to their families.

Compiled From:
"Taking Care of Things at Home" - Salman al-Oadah

From Issue: 835 [Read original issue]

Cool Tips!

Lonely Ramadan

For most Muslims, Ramadan is family time. You get up together, eat Iftar together, pray together, etc. But what if you don't have your family near you?

Waking up in a lonely apartment and eating food you've sometimes burnt in an effort to catch Suhur in time are some of the realities of being a single Muslim in Ramadan. But there are ways to make Ramadan special when you're on your own. Here are few ideas.

1. Establish a Suhur telephone tree
Get a couple of friends together and establish a telephone tree to wake each other up for Suhur. Establish a time to call and a schedule of who will call whom. Make it a little exciting by adding some funny phrases every week that will really wake everyone.

2. Invite people over for Iftar
Even if even you couldn't eat the food the last time you cooked, invite people over for Iftar. Make it a potluck, order pizza or if you can afford it, get it catered. The food isn't the thing. The blessing is in the company, and you'll be rewarded for feeding everyone. Make sure to especially invite those who are away from their families.

3. Attend prayers at the local mosque/MSA
Even if the Imam's recitation isn't the best and the behavior of other Muslims can be more than annoying, try to attend Tarawih prayers organized by your local mosque or your Muslim Students' Association (MSA). While praying alone in peace and quiet is great, praying shoulder-to-shoulder with other Muslims with whom you have nothing in common except your faith is a unique and uplifting experience.

4. Keep the Quran playing when you are alone
It's often tempting to keep the TV or radio on when we're alone to avoid the silence. This Ramadan, find a Quran reciter you like and play their recitations during those moments when you want to fill your place with some sound. Choose selections you'd like to memorize, like the 30th part of the Quran.

5. Take care of others
Know a new person at the school/office? Is a friend who lives nearby having problems with their spouse? Or is someone you know having money problems? This Ramadan, reach out with an attentive ear, a generous hand, and most importantly, an open heart to others. Don't let these small opportunities for gaining blessings slip you by.

6. Pick and pursue Ramadan goals
Choose at least three goals to pursue this Ramadan. Whether it's curbing a bad habit or starting a good one, doing this will help you focus and work harder this month to change for the better. It takes 21 days to establish a good habit. With Ramadan, we've got 30. Why not make the best of it by picking up the good? 

Compiled From:
"A single Muslim's guide to Ramadan" - SoundVision.com

From Issue: 694 [Read original issue]