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Friday Talks |
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Rights of Roads and streets
Written by: Sk. Omar Kadrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
27 Safar 1431
12 February 2010
All praise and thanks be to Allah, the creator of man and who made available to him all that is on earth. People, do fear Allah, glorify Him, and give thanks to Him for all His mercies. And the greatest of those mercies is the mercy of being guided to this faith. Allah says: {Count not you’re becoming Muslims as a favour to me. Nay, but Allah has conferred a favour upon you, that He has guided you to the Faith, if you indeed are true.} 18:17.
Dear brothers in the sight of Allah, Islamic regulations has included all aspects of the individual’s life, and organised all that he may come cross from cradle to grave. It is one of Allah’s mercies that He made this a comprehensive religion which takes care of each and every aspect of life. It is a faith which builds a nation with a message which remains as a leader and provides guidance, valid for every time and place. A faith of this level does not leave out a general or personal behaviour uncovered. A’eshah (Allah be pleased with her) said: {The messenger ppbu left nothing which may get us closer to Allah which he didn’t commanded us with, and left nothing that can bring us away from Allah that he didn’t warn us against}. It is unsurprising then that Islamic guidance and regulations go into the organizing of society. It gets involved into each small and great matter, and into aspects of individuals or groups and into all matters. Books written by Islamic scholars into aspects of ethics and morals is charged with wisdom, rulings in a genuine intellect, and deep and thorough look and an outward vision into the understanding of life and human affairs, and the politics of the society with live examples and great implementations right through the fantastic history of the Islamic nation.
One of the topics which show the comprehensiveness of this faith and the clarity of its wisdom and rulings is the etiquette of using roads and streets, and the rights of other road users and the ethics of society. In Islam the road has a personal sanctity. Despite that a road is a public property for every individual to use as they like, yet the individual must care about the feelings and comfort and safety of others. Roads are therefore the common interest and are not for the self interest. Islam denies for a Muslim to cause harm on roads and streets to other users through harassing or annoying them, or causing obstructions, or parking in the wrong place. It is not part of the character of a good slave of Allah to cause harm or discomfort to other people and those whom they interact or deal with. Allah says: {The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace} 25:63. They do not respond to rage with rage. They do not inflict harm or abuse verbally or physically. They do not block the way on others or cause harm on roads. The messenger ppbu said: {be warned against sitting along the roads}. They said: “we can not avoid that; we need to sit and chat”. The messenger ppbu said: {if you have to then give the road its deserved right}. They said: “What are the rights of the road?” He said: {curtail your looks, and size to harm, and respond to greeting of peace, and command the good, and deter against evil}. The messenger ppbu outlining some of the doors leading to good deeds said: {smiling into the face of your brother has reward for you, and so when you command the good and deter against evil you get rewarded. And when you guide a man in the land of misguidance your get rewarded, and your eye sight to a man with a bad sight will get you rewarded, and clearing the road off a rock, or a thorn or a bone will get you reward. And taking away some water from your bucket into your brother’s bucket has reward for you}. See how far we are from all that. Instead of clearing the harm off the road; some intentionally block the road for other pedestrians and road users, as if he or she owns the road or the street. Our faith came with a culture and a civilization to improve the life of all people, despite their colour, race or creed. We as Muslims need to elevate our selves up to the level of the faith, and we must not do our faith injustice through harming people and blocking their roads. And notice that in Islam one of the rights of the roads is not harming people on roads and streets. The word harm is a general and inclusive meaning any form of harm verbal or physical or otherwise. And the word “people” is also inclusive to Muslims and non Muslims.
The messenger ppbu said: {I saw a man rolling over in paradise for doing nothing deserving except that he removed a tree off the road it used to cause harm to people}. A man asked the messenger ppbu once to teach him something which will benefit him. The messenger ppbu said: {eliminate the harm out of the Muslims way}. And he was also reported saying: {while a man was walking along on a road, he found a thorny branch on the road. He pushed it a side, and he thanked Allah for that, and Allah gave him forgiveness}.
If the reward is so great for this who seizes to inflict harm on to others, then what is the punishment for those who intentionally inflict harm on to people on the roads? All sort of harm like intentionally blocking a road, or obstructing it for example by parking a car in the wrong place. Such a behaviour shows levels of selfishness, and bad ethics towards people when Islam clearly deters us against. If parking your car can obstruct movement and travel of others then that is a tremendous harm and aggression committed against the rights of people on the road. You as a person do not have the sole right to using roads. You have the right to use it but you do not own it. All people have rights to use roads. Obstructing a road is an aggression and is a harm directed towards Muslims and non Muslim in the society. The messenger ppbu said: {A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. The entirety of a Muslim is forbidden to another Muslim: his blood (meaning life), his money and his honor}. Allah has forbidden harming and annoying people in their roads, their homes and in dealings with them and at their place of work. The messenger ppbu said: {faith is classified into just over seventy classifications. The best class of faith is saying: “No God but Allah”, and the least class of faith is taking the harm out of the road. And modesty is one branch of faith}.
Dear brothers, this mosque is established in a commercial area and has a limited number of car parking spaces. There are other parking spaces available free of charge along the sides of the road outside this unit. Each one of us, man or woman should park their cars in a proper place in or out of this commercial location, in such a way that it would not harm anyone else. And do not park in a location assigned to our neighbours who have commercial businesses activities in this area. Islam calls against harming the neighbour, and commands to treat them with kindness and honor. The messenger ppbu said: {Gabriel kept on recommending and telling me about the neighbour to the point that I thought that the neighbour was about to be included in inheritance}. The companions used to listen to the prophet’s guidance and instructions and hurry to put it into practice and practically implement it into their lives with their neighbours both Muslims and non Muslims. Abdullah Ebn Amr when he slaughtered a lamb, and kept on asking the young man working for him repeatedly: “have you given our Jewish neightbour a present off the lamb? For I heard the messenger of Allah ppbu saying about Gabriel’s recommendation..”. Dear brothers, a neighbour must not be interfered with, insulted, or kept off doing his/her work, or infringed upon their rights and privacy. What is more important in our area here; is that no one should under any circumstances block the main gate preventing everyone from leaving. Just like what happened last Friday. That did cause a lot of harm and many problems to many people. It also caused us a lot of embarrassment and we were exposed to complaints by the neighbours. Complaints made to the owner of the premises. Brothers in Islam, fear Allah and do not be a reason for the closing down of this mosque, and do not be the cause of preventing good work to continue, intentionally or unintentionally. This sort of terrible behaviour has caused many prayer rooms and mosques to close down in the past in some areas in Dublin and Cork and other cities. Those closures were a result of complaints made by people and especially neighbours due to blocking of roads by badly parked cars on Fridays during prayers outside the homes and gates of businesses. Dear Muslim brother and sister, let them be careful those who are a reason causing a mosque to be closed, let them be careful in case they would be amongst those about whom Allah says: {And who has done more aggression than this who prevents the name of Allah of being spoken in the Mosques of Allah, and acts towards its destruction. Those should not go into those mosques except with fear filling them, for shame will be upon them in this life and in the life after they shall have great punishment}. And if those people causing all this harm, if they just hear what the people they blocked and affected ask Allah (or make Duaa to Allah) to revenge against those who harmed them, then they would really be shocked and worried. Those prayers made by stressed out people who are coming out of a Friday prayer does not go astray. Did you not know that the duaa or prayer made by a victim is surely answered by Allah?
Dear brothers and sisters, harming others is not part of the faith, or the ill treatment of a Muslim to another Muslim, nor ill treatment to a non Muslim, or the ill treatment of a neighbour. The messenger ppbu on his Hajj while travelling from Arafah to Mozdalafah with that large number of Muslims, kept on saying “Calmness, calmness” and kept on pulling the rein of his camel to slow it down so it would not push its way through people. And so not to make things tougher for the rest of Muslims on the march, and them be pushed out of his way, and would not stress them out on their way. He is the best of all the creations. Take example off him. Allah has commanded us to take the messenger ppbu as our example. Give roads and streets their deserved rights according to Islam, give way to others, refrain from putting harm on to others or into the way of others, and do not commit aggression against people and their sanctity, and businesses and work. Allah says: {And those who harm believing men and believing women undeservedly, they bear the guilt of slander and manifested sin.} 33:58. The messenger ppbu said: {This whosoever harms Muslims in their roads, then their curse will be imposed on to him}.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- 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.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
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.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- 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.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
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.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
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
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