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In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Islamic Propriety and politeness with Allah

Written by: Sk. Dr. Younish Salih

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

15^th January 2010

28^th Muharram 1431

All thanks be to Allah the Lord of the worlds, and peace, prayers and blessings upon our prophet Muhammad and upon his companions. Thanks be to Allah who created darkness and light, then those who did not believe have adjusted their ways. Thanks be to Allah who brought down this faith on to us. Thanks be to Allah who made propriety and modesty and good manners in the core of this religion, a matter which was not heeded by many people. Propriety is necessary for a Muslim with Allah may He be exulted, and with the messenger and with the creations. Propriety and good manners is necessary for a Muslim even when he or she is alone. It is through propriety and politeness a Muslim ought to know when to eat and drink, and comes and goes, in his socialising and speaking, in his pleasures and amusements, when gives congratulations or pays condolences, when he sneezes or yawns, and when he sets and when stands, and during interaction with friends, and when settles or travels, and when he sleeps or wakes up. Politeness and propriety is necessary for the old and young, man and woman, rich and poor, the scholar and ordinary person in the street in order for the effect of this faith to be visible in reality. It is no doubt that part of the greatness of this faith is in the politeness and propriety which came within this faith that distinguishes Muslims from other, and highlights this faith and integrity, perfection, completeness and greatness. Let us find out what the meaning of politeness and propriety is and what the different types are.

First: Meaning of the term politeness or propriety

Ebn Farris (إبن فارس) defined propriety is inviting people to something. And in Arabic the two words “a banquette” and “propriety” are almost the same (“مؤدب وأدب” and “مأدبة”).

Ebn-Hajur (إبن حجر) defined propriety as being the use of any commended words or acts. Others described it as going by the best of morals and ethics. It was also described as respecting and venerate who is above you, and being gentle with who is less than you.

In fact all matters of faith are forms of propriety and politeness. For example covering up is politeness, pre-salah washing and purifying showering (Wado and ghusle) are propriety. Purifying oneself from all dirt and evil is propriety in order to stand by Allah in a pure form. In fact the early Muslims used to beatify them selves and dress their best and most expensive out fit when entering into a prayer standing by Allah.

Ebn-Al-Qay-yem (إبن ن القيّم) defined propriety as being the collection of all the good characteristics in the individual.

This word was used in books and documents meaning the good characteristics like: Islamic etiquettes when eating and drinking, and at intercourse, and going to the toilets, the etiquettes of walking, sleeping and many more. The scholars have written many workbooks. Some scholars use the word propriety for anything required whether compulsory or recommended, the even made classifications for propriety such as: the going to the toilet, the cleaning afterwards yet some of it is compulsory and some is desirable. Others classified it into prosperity of life or faith.

Second: Propriety and politeness when interacting with Allah

Abdullah Ebn Omar and some friends of his, were someday travelling through the desert, near enough a town and sat to eat. A young shepherd passed by with his sheep. He greeted them, and they invited him to eat. The young man said he was fasting. Ebn Omar was surprised he was fating in such a hot day and wanted to test him. He said to the shepherd: “Would you sell us one of the sheep, we pay you for it and we will also give you some of the meat to eat later”. He said: “It does not belong to me. It belongs to my master”. Ebn Omar said: “you could tell him the wolf ate it”. The young slave shepherd got annoyed and left while pointing his finger towards the sky saying: “and where do you think Allah is?” Ebn Omar kept repeating that: “Where is Allah!” and kept on crying. When he arrived to the town, he sought out the master of that sheep and shepherd, and bought the whole lot from him, sheep and shepherd. He set the young shepherd free. This is the way the faithful should be just like that young shepherd watching Allah all the time. Not committing a sin or a guilt because he knows Allah is always with him and sees him and hears him.

There are a number of forms of proprieties and politeness when dealing with Allah:

1)               Not to take partners with Allah

Allah is the creator who deserves to be worshipped without a partner. Sincerity is a condition for accepting deeds. That is a deed which is not done as a show off to others or for any other purpose of securing any type of worldly gain.

2)               Watching out for Allah

Allah views all His creation. Allah can see us and hear us and knows what we keep within us. A Muslim ought to obey his God in public in private, and keep away off what he is inhibited against. The messenger (ppbu) was asked about perfection. He said: {it is worshiping Allah as if you can see Him. And if you can not see Him then know that He can see you}.

3)               Seeking help from Allah

A Muslim seeks help from Allah alone. A Muslim must be certain that Allah is capable of giving and withholding. Allah says: {And say, Allah, possessor of power, Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power} 2:26.

4)               Love of Allah

A Muslim loves his God and does not disobey Him. Allah says: {Those who have faith are those who love Allah most} 2:165.

5)               Glorifying Allah’s rituals

A Muslim ought to glorify Allah’s rituals and commands by implementing them without delay. Also, looking at forbidden deeds as big and avoiding them.

6)               Becoming annoyed if Allah’s limits are transgressed against

If a Muslim sees someone who commits a sin or insist on doing a sinful act, will get upset and do his or her best to change that. One of the bad sins which causes Allah’s anger is cursing Allah, or cursing Allah’s religion or His book or His messenger (ppbu). A Muslim becomes annoyed to that and deters and warns against it.

7)               Trusting in Allah

A Muslim trusts in Allah in all his matters. Allah says: {and trust in Him the Living who does not die} 25:58. Allah also say: {And if any one puts his trust in God, sufficient is (God) for him. For God will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has God appointed a due proportion}. The messenger (ppbu) said: {if you just trust in Allah true trust then he would gives you just as he gives birds as they go hungry and they return full}

8)               Contentment and acceptance of Allah’s fate

A Muslim accepts what Allah has decided for him or her. That is a sign of faith in Allah and he is patient in the face of what strikes him. Never to say as some people say: Why do you do that to me God? A Muslim does not object to Allah’s will, but ought to say what would satisfy his God. Allah says: {Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To God we belong, and to Him is our return”. They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.} 2:155/157.

9)               Using Allah’s name in their oath

A Muslim only makes an oath or only swears using Allah’s name, and only does that in truthfulness.

10)          Giving thanks to Allah

Allah has bestowed uncountable number of mercies and blessings, and a faithful person should constantly give thanks to Allah with all his heart and all his or her senses. Allah says: {And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): "If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed”}.

11)          Repentance to Allah

Allah says: {O ye who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance: In the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow.} 66:08. Allah also says: {And O ye Believers! Repent you all together to Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.} 24:31. The messenger (ppbu) said: {O’ people, repent to Allah for I repent to Allah a hundred times a day}. It is like that that Muslim’s behaviour and politeness ought to be towards Allah. Gives Him thanks for His mercies, and be shy from Him, and be truthful when repenting to Him, and trust truthfully into Him, and expect and hope for his mercy, and fear His punishment, and accept His fate and be patient with calamities and test, and call no one else other than He, and his tongue should not seize from uttering His name (Allah), and not to make an oath except with the name of Allah, and ask for no help except from Him, and always watch out for Allah, and be sincere to Allah in public and private.

Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

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.

Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com