Truthfulness 1
Written by: SK.
Younis Salih
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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We talk today about the status of being truthful. Dear faithful brothers
and sisters, you who have accepted Allah as a God, and accepted Islam as
a religion, and accepted Muhammad (PPBU) as prophet and as a messenger;
be aware that Allah has said in His perfected revelations: {O you who
believe fear Allah and be truthful} 9:119. Truth in this verse is
talking about matching or collation of matters to reality and to the
truth; or the matching one’s intentions with his/her actions, or
matching private or secret matters with those which are publicly
declared. If you open the heart of a truthful human being; and if Allah
gave you the ability to see what is in his or her heart then you would
not find any difference between what he/she publicly declares or
announces and what is privately hidden within it. This is the case of
the truthful people. Our predecessors may Allah be pleased with them,
they used to say: {Allah; let our inner-self be better than our
exteriors, and make our exterior better that it is}.
It is a mercy from Allah that hearts deal with Him; He who knows the
unknown. And what is hidden internally does not remain hidden for long.
They may occasionally differ with the external seen actions. But; they
both eventually sooner or later will match. If ones inner-soul is good,
Allah (may He be exalted) will bring it out. And if one has bad
inner-self Allah will bring it out too. Any one with a hidden ulterior
motive; Allah will bring it out in the form of slips of the tong, or as
reflections or features on the face.
It is impossible for a human to remain deceiving himself for long.
Because it is the nature with which Allah has created people. Allah’s
norm is to equate what’s on the inside with what’s on the outside. If
the two lines, the inside and the outside lines deviate due to hypocrisy
or lying or false pretence or otherwise; that can not continue for long.
Human nature implanted by Allah does not accept false and fake for long.
Human nature does not practice flattery for long. Each heart prefers to
fall back and return to its nature which Allah gave it.
Allah says: {Allah’s tint; and who has a better tint than Allah’s tint
(or colour)} 2:138. He also says: {So set your face towards the
religion sincere. The nature Allah chose to cast upon people. Let there
be no change in Allah’s creation. That is the quality faith but most
people do not know} 30:30
This shows that the true nature Allah painted and created does not
tolerate or put up with lying for a long time. Without truth nothing
will go right for us; and we shall not go forward in a steady paste; and
we will be doomed to destruction.
Again, our predecessors used to care immensely about the truth even if
it was painful sometimes. Despite if it became a heavy burden. They were
very concerned to equate their outer living with their inner souls. Some
would ensure to have some deeds between them and Allah with no other
people knowing about them. And when people find out about their worship
they leave their place to disappear among the general public. The famous
Imam Ahmed when he walked in the streets he used to walk between other
laborers or manual workers (who did delivery work on foot) so he would
be thought of as a laborer and not be pointed at in recognition by
anybody.
One of them used to cover his face when he went into a battle, or if he
scored a great gain for the nation, then they put the cover off
afterwards so people would not know his name, all so the deed would be
purely for Allah.
You all know the story of the excavator when the leader Maslama ebn
Abdul-Malik (ãÓáãÉ ÅÈä ÚÈÏÇáãáß) besieged a castle for a long time. And
one night one of the Muslim soldiers penetrated the castle wall, went
down and dug a tunnel in the wall through which the Muslim army entered
the castle. And the castle fell. The leader Maslama was looking for the
soldier who excavated the tunnel. But no one responded. Maslama kept
appealing and making public announcement for the soldier to present
himself. One evening a knight covering his face went into the leader’s
tent and asked Maslama if he really wanted to know who that soldier was?
He went on saying: “on the condition that you never mention his name to
anyone, and never to give him a job and not to reward him”. Maslama
agreed. And the man said: “I am the excavator. But he did not tell him
what his name was; and he left the tent and disappeared”. Whenever
Maslama made a prayer after that he used to say: “O Allah resurrect me
on the day of resurrection with the excavator”.
Those kind of true souls and those high models and examples that used to
protect and maintain the Islamic society from collapse. When the rulers
and princes used to indulge them selves; it was those type of models
that saved the nation from destruction, and kept the ground from shaking
and kept the people from fragmenting. Those wonderful samples of people
remained right through the life time of Islamic history present in the
society at varying percentages. It represents the surviving columns for
the structure of the Islamic society. These are like enforced concrete
columns that can carry and support tremendous buildings. And whenever
those samples of the true people start disappearing from the society, it
starts dismantling, disintegrating and collapsing and shredding apart.
The messenger (PPBU) called them: {the invisible, the God fearing and
the innocent}.
Dear brothers and sisters, the problem with Islam today is not the lack
of the truthful people among those doing work in the line of Allah. But
it is the lack of the invisible, God fearing and the truly honest who
lead the nation, and guide the ship. The society needs an honest hand to
lead it to the safety of Islam. Those that the messenger said about
them: {the invisible, the God fearing and the innocent, who when they
attend they are not recognized, and when they are gone they are not
missed}. The images of their faces disappear behind the smoke and dust
of the battle. The sounds of tanks and cannons block them from hearing
evil sounds. They have no time to listen to talk about others,
backbiting, slander, snooping and spying on to others. The situation is
much more serious than to pay attention to frogs’ croaks or crow’s
squawks.
Allah (may He be elevated), part of his blessings and mercy is that He
deals with people by what they keep hidden deep within their
consciousness. And deal with them according to the secrets and
intentions that their chests can save. And may He be praised, He made
punishment is of the same class as the act. That’s what the prophet’s
life taught us and the Koran before it. Allah say: {and do not be like
those who forgot Allah; so He made them forget themselves} 59-19. He
also says: {and they schemed, and Allah schemed, and Allah is the best
for putting a good scheme}3-54.
So, do not ever think that the secrets of your conscience or heart are
really hidden. Even if you do manage to hide them from people, be
fearful of Allah the creator of those hearts and the one who knows of
all the hidden secrets. Do not have a secretly hidden intention that
Allah would not accept. The messenger (PPBU) said: {All acts are based
on their intentions. And each individual will get what he/she intended.
Whoever immigrates to Allah and His messenger then his immigration will
count accordingly, and this who immigrates in order to gain in this
life, or to a woman to marry her, then it will count for what they
immigrated for}.
Dear brothers, the greatest change on society is done by the following
three classes of people: the scientist (or scholar), the generous and
the striver or struggler or fighter. Those three types of people are the
spectrum of all societies. They are round whom societies orbit and they
form the society’s foundation. They carry the entire society. If those
people do their roll truthfully, then the society becomes pure and
coherent. And if their intentions are bad then the entire society is
reduced to a waste. Hearts are like fruits, and like flowers, when they
are pure and mature they produce beautiful smell. And just like fruits
when they go bad, they only produce vulgar smells. Those three types of
people are warned by the messenger (PPBU) when he said that the fire in
Hell when it is let first; it is started with three types of people: a
scientist, a charitable type and the fighter or struggler. What a
strange combination to have as the starting fuel for hell fire. For a
struggler or a fighter who may have spilled his blood for Allah, and a
generous person who may have spent all his money in charity to help and
feed other. Yes, the messenger (PPBU) said: {Hell fire when it is let
first; it is started with three types of people: a scientist or scholar,
a charitable type and a struggler. The scientist is brought before Allah
and is asked: what did you do in your life? And he answers: I learnt for
you, and I published the knowledge seeking to please you. He is told:
you lied, you learnt so it will be said: “a scientist or a scholar”
about you. And it was said; and you received your reward in the first
life. And then the order is given for him to be thrown into fire. Then
the generous is brought and is asked: what did you do in life? And he
answers: I earned money in the righteous ways (halal), and I spent it
into your way. He is told: you lied; you spent the money so it will be
said: “a generous” about you. And it was said; and you received your
reward in the first life. And then the order is given for him to be
thrown into fire. And the third is asked and he replies: I fought for
you until I was killed. He is told: you lied; you fought so it will be
said: “a courageous” about you. And it was said; and you received your
reward in the first life. And then the order is given for him to be
thrown into fire.}
Allah say: {Whosoever desires the life in this world and its glitter, to
them We shall pay in full the rewards of their deeds within that life,
and they will not be short done. They are those for whom there is
nothing in the life after but fire, and vain are the deeds they did
therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do}11:15-16.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
