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154

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Being on the straight path

Written by: Sk Omar Ali

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

02 Safar 1432 h.

07 January 2022 ac.

{In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful (1)

Thanks be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, (2) The Beneficent, the Merciful. (3) Owner of the Day of Judgment, (4) You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. (5) Guide us to the straight path, (6) The path of those whom You have favoured. Not (the path) of those who earn Your anger nor of those who go astray. (7)} 1:1-7.

Our beloved, our topic today is about being straight which is going along and staying firmly fixed on the proper doctrine, the straight path, which is the religion of Allah. Allah says: {Say: As for me, my Lord has guided me unto a straight path, a right religion, the faith of Abraham, the straight, who was no idolater.} 6:161. Asking to be put on the straight path is a request made by each and every Muslim more than seventeen times a day when Al-Fatiha Chapter is recited: Aya 6 says: { اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ - Guide us to the straight path}. The order to be straight was repeated numerous times in the Quran. One time when Allah says: {Be on the straight path as you are commanded, and those who repent (to Allah) with you, and do not transgress. He sees what you do} 11:112.

Allah (may He be elevated) commanded His faithful slaves to remain fixed continuously on to the straight path. It is through that, Allah provides success to a slave in his/her faith and his/her life. It is through being straight that Allah brings down His support to his slaves at the individual’s level and at the nation’s level.

Those who are on the straight path are the ones who are favoured by Him. They followed his commands by doing all deeds of obedience in public and private. Also, they are those who kept away from all deeds which Allah had warned against in public and in private. They do that without over or under doing it. Or not being extreme in either. Every faithful individual is required to continuously be straight. If one fails in doing what he/she is commanded to do or fails in avoiding what they are commanded to stay away from then that is deviating from being straight. The Quran guides us back on to the straight path, as Allah says: {be straight to Him and ask for His forgiveness} 41:6. If one fails to remain straight due to a human weakness then this is fixed through asking for forgiveness leading to repentance and returning to the straight path. The messenger ppbu said: {fear Allah where ever you happen to be, and follow a bad deed with a good deed. It will wipe it off}. The messenger ppbu also said: {be truly straight or get as close as you can be to that}. A true believer does not stay away from either of those two states and should always strive to reach the higher status. That is being truly straight. Being truly straight means to be balanced in your obedience in words, and in deeds and in behaviour. This means middle levels of behaviour between being extreme and hard onto one’s self, or being extremely relaxed and adopting an uncaring attitude. Some scholar said: “Everything Allah has commanded; then Satan has two tendencies in it. Either being extreme and over doing it, or being extreme and skipping over it”. In Islamic faith both extremes are considered bad. A true Muslim always sticks to the prophet’s type of style, in all words, deeds and behaviou. That is outside the scope of both ends of extremities, and inside the scope of the middle grounds and the proper balance. The human soul is prone just as faith is prone to the increase and decrease levels. Being on the straight path also changes from time to time. Some times it reaches its peak and some times it drops for any individual. The winner is the one who does not get too extreme when he or she are at the peak of being on the straight, and not to over do it when they are at their lowest level, rather to stick to the guidance of the prophet. The messenger ppbu said: {Every deed has period of getting carried away or a period of eagerness. Then it gets followed by a period of cooling off and deflation and settling down of the level of faith. Whosoever in his or her settling down period comes to my ways (or sunnah) then he or she has been guided}.

Being straight means sticking to the truth. There is a known prayer (duaa) {O Allah we fortify ourselves with You from being brought back or from temptation}. This who treads along the straight path has to be firm with the truth, firm on doing the good deed and continuing to do it. The messenger ppbu said: {the most loved of deeds to Allah is the continuous one even it is small}. This good feature of continuity on obedience and submissiveness to Allah’s commands is one of the bases of Islamic view. The messenger ppbu once said: {The Chapter “Hood” and its sister chapters have made my hair go grey. Because of what Allah says in it: <Be straight as you are commanded>}.

Sofyan ben Abdullah asked: “O messenger of Allah, tell me something in Islam I won’t need to ask anyone else after you”. The messenger ppbu said to him: {Say I have faith into Allah then be straight}. The messenger ppbu said: {be straight, and remember that you may not be able to reach the high levels of being perfectly straight. And you ought to know that your best deeds are doing the prayers}. The messenger ppbu also said: {Successful he is who purified his heart for faith, and made his heart free and healthy, and who made his tongue truthful, and his soul at peace, and made his behaviour and morals straight, . . . .} All these are calls to stay straight for as much as the individual can. But it also indicates that it is a relative matter and only few people would be able to reach the higher levels of being straight. Allah says: {and those who strive in Our way or for Our sake, then We shall guide them Our paths. Allah is with those who are perfectionists or kind} 29:69. Being straight is the right way to be for the individual, and for the members of society, in the mind or physically or in practical effort requiring acts of worship. Those who are straight are Allah’s successors on earth, surrounded by the Godly care, lined up with angels asking for forgiveness on their behalf and bringing them good tidings. In Allah; their hearts do trust, and with Allah they are at peace, they have no fear except from Him.

One example of those who were on the straight path is Abdullah ben Hothafa As-Sahmi (عبدالله بن حُذافة السهمي). He was in the Muslim army fighting the Romans. Abdullah was captured by the Romans and was taken away to their king. The king said to him: become a Christian and I will make you a partner in my status and in my riches. Abudllah said: Not even if you gave me all you own and all the Arabs own. The king said: then I will kill you. And ordered him to be put on to a cross and ordered his archers to aim close just enough to frighten him, while he was making his offers to him to be a Christian in order to spare his life. Then he ordered a large pot of water to be boiled and ordered that Abdullah to be thrown into it. When he was about to be put into the water Abdullah cried. The king was told and he thought that Abdulla was about to give up. He came and offered him to be Christian again but Abdullah still refused. The king asked: Then what is it that made you cry? He said: what made me cry is something I said to my self, I said: I shall be thrown into this water and be gone. I wished if I had as many souls as I have hairs to be thrown in the boiling water for the sake of Allah. The king said to him would you kiss my head and I will let you go free? Abudllah said: I will if you let all the Muslim captives go free too. Abudullah said: I said to my self, kissing the head of Allah’s enemy in return for saving my life and all the lives of the Muslim captives!! I don’t care. He did and all the Muslim prisoners were set free with Abdullah. When they got home Abdullah told the Khalifah Omar Ben Al-Khattab the story. Omar said: every Muslim ought to kiss the head of Abudullah ben Hothafa (عبدالله بن حذافة), and I shall be the first to do so, and he did.

Allah says: {Allah holds firm those who believe by firm words in this first life and in the Hereafter} 14:27. Allah also says: {those who say: Our Lord is Allah, and then they remained straight, the angels descend upon them, saying: Do not Fear and do not grieve, but hear the good tidings of the paradise which you are promised (30) We are your protectors in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. There you will have (all) that your souls desire, and there you will have anything you claim for (31)} 41:30-31. Allah also says: {those who say: Our Lord is Allah, and then they go straight, then no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve (13). Such are rightful owners (of the people) of Paradise, immortal therein, as a reward for what they used to do. (14)} 46:13-14.

A true Muslim who takes the straight path lives for Allah through Allah and with Allah all his or her life, hard work in obedience to Allah. Because he or she knows that the true rest is the rest in the next life, not the rest in this life. Imam Ahmed was asked: When would the slave find the taste of rest? He answered: when he puts his/her first foot into paradise.

Those who are living a straight life, who are obedient to Allah, Allah becomes satisfied with them, and they are promised that on the day of resurrection the angels come to them with the good news, and assures them to have no fear and nor grieve, and makes them happy by the good tiding of paradise which they were promised during the worldly life.

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