_xamdiya_ Posted July 14, 2002 Asalmu calykum w.w i hope yall enjoy this as much as i did Mirror Abu Hurayrah, (radiallaahu anhu), narrated that Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wassallam, said: ‹The believer is a mirror for the believer and the believer is the brother of the believer. He safeguards his property for him and defends him from behind.› [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree, in Al Adaabul Mufrad, (no 239), Abu Dawood 3/1370/no 4900 and others. Its chain of narration is hasan.] What a profound and inspiring hadeeth! And how rich and far reaching in meaning! And how great a responsibility upon the one who comes to know of it... So let us look at how we treat our brothers and sisters in Islaam, and how we mistreat them. How we can learn from them and how we can teach them. Each of us is a mirror to the other. When we look at our brothers and sisters, let us suppose that we are looking at a reflection of ourselves. The faults of our brothers and sisters are like our own faults. Their mistakes are like our mistakes. Consider that we must correct in ourselves those shortcomings we see in our brother and sister - our mirrors. For we cannot be sure to recognize our faults by examining ourselves alone. Let us allow our brothers and sisters to benefit from us also. We are their mirror, a reflection for them to study. So help them to correct themselves just as we strive to correct ourselves.... And let us refrain from feeling proud just because we do not have some character flaw that we find in our brother or sister. Understand that we are not any better than they are. Rather it is Allaah's enormous favour upon us that he has not afflicted us with this bad trait. Similarly, they may not have another flaw that we have. So let us remain humble. Cease to look down upon them if they commit a sin. Would we not be ashamed of our bad deeds and seek to hide them from people? Would we not wish for compassion in the face of our shame and disgust with ourselves? Then let us think the same for our brother. If he behaves badly, dispense with the rudeness, and intolerance. Administer patience and concern at their plight, for we too are prone to sin. We know, and oh so well, what it is to stray. So why must we harshly rebuke when we would hate to receive such treatment ourselves? The believer is the brother of the believer, so think that we must also hate for our brother what we hate for ourselves. Advise him privately, just as we would like to be advised. Cover his misdeed just as we would cover our own misdeeds. And pray for his forgiveness just as we would pray for our own..... Let us desist from spreading tales or listening to gossip about our brother and sister. Would we tolerate such talk about our own selves? Our brother deserves no less dignity. Remember besides, that this is a major sin, for which Allaah admonishes us thus: «Do not spy on one another nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it…» >>>[al-Hujuraat 49:12] Let us rush to defend him also from other people's backbiting and slander, just as we would vigorously defend our own self from slanderous speech, as the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, advised: ‹Whoever defends his brother's honour in his absence, will be entitled to Allaah's protection from the Fire.› [Ahmad. Saheeh] If a brother or sister has hurt us, refrain from being quick to admonish them, or hold a grudge. Seek to understand the reason for this apparent wrong. If it is due to a weakness, strengthen them. If it is due to forgetfulness, gently remind them. If it is due to ignorance, enlighten them. And ultimately, forgive them, «Do you not wish that Allaah should forgive you?» [Noor 24:22] Let us continue to think well of our brothers and sisters- our mirrors. Would we not wish them to think well of us? Only Allaah knows how the fire of regret and remorse has set ablaze their hearts. How they might crave our acceptance and friendship once again. Follow the virtuous example of Prophet Yoosuf, alayhis salaam. His brothers plotted to get rid of him, and threw him down a well, not caring what happened to him. Yet he, alayhis salaam, countered his brothers' persecution with gratitude to Allaah and such compassion towards his persecutors, when he said: «He was indeed good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you all here out of the desert after Shaytaan had sown enmity between me and my brothers.» [Yoosuf, 12:100] Look at Prophet Yoosuf (alayhis salaam)'s tender heart! How he refrains from blaming his brothers, even after their evil conduct, and instead assigns their lapses to Shaytaan. He forgives and rejoins the ties of brotherhood and love, even after the pain he endured. The believer protects his brother's property and defends him from behind. Let us look at the care and attention we give to our possessions, the gifts we lavish upon ourselves. So why is it not so with our brothers and sisters? Our outward position displays our comfort and ease, while our brothers and sisters weep from their suffering. Do they not deserve our comfort and protection? Why are we so indifferent to them? Dear reader, ponder much over this hadeeth, the deep wisdom in it, the great importance of it and the benefit to be gained from it. Inshaa Allaah, with it unspoken bitterness can cease, and Muslims can become true brothers and sisters again. It is for us to show the inhabitants of this world what a true Muslim is. So, in you, let the world see a reflection of all that is good and pure. Encourage others to follow your example, but do not be boastful, for it is Allaah alone Who has placed this goodness in you. And do not forget to be grateful for the good you find in your brother and sister and let them be examples for you to follow…. 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Armstrong Posted July 15, 2002 Salaams, Enlightened and good reminder. Baraka Allahu fiih ukhti xamdiya. W/Salaam, Mujahid over and out ------------- "Love for one another what you love for yourself." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibtisaam Posted July 16, 2002 Salaam I loved it...it's really nice article... Jz khyran sis for sharing that with us may Allah reward you. Ameen wa salam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amatullah Posted July 16, 2002 Assalaamu calaykum w.w sister that was really good article my Allah reaward u for that. salaamz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
