Shattering the glass vessels of the Nabi

ميروى عن أنس أنه قال .. كان للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم

  حاد يقال له أنجشة وكان حسن الصوت .

فقال له النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رويدك يا أنجشة لا تكسر القوارير " " 

Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم had a camel driver with a good voice called Anjashah   رضي الله عنه. The Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said to him, "Careful, O Anjashah, do not break the glass vessels." [Muslim]

Anjashah  رضي الله عنه encouraged the camels by means of his voice. As they were going too fast, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم told him to be mindful of the women who were riding the camels, lest they fall and hurt themselves.

A few short words, which reveal volumes of the beautiful personality of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. His concern for others, especially weak ones is well known, but look at his choice of words, "qawaareer - glass vessels." Indeed, a sophisticated and subtle personality who was not only the means of giving women dignity in this world, but even his mode of address is so refined and gentle. Women are the delicate glass vessels of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم who should not be broken. 


Yet the sad reality of today is that the delicate glass vessels of this Ummah are most savagely being shattered without any scruple. Mercy might more probably found in the jungle than in that blood-pumping organ certain two-legged beasts dare call their heart. If one were to mention that thousands of our mothers, sisters and daughters are being violated contrary to any civilised norm, the usual Muslim reaction would be to point fingers at Serbs, Hindus, Jews... the usual perpetrators. The sadder reality is that that gang is not limited to Kuffar, but includes those who are supposed to be Muslim.


"Honour" killings is a reality in Muslim lands and whoever has any sense of decency cannot bury his head in the sand any longer. When faced with articles such as this by Robert Fisk Muslims tend to go into denial, similar to what I mentioned in my article on animal rights, and blame everything on a ubiquitous Jewish conspiracy. That the Jews control a media which is against Islam is a fact besides the point. The point is to fix what we are responsible for - the treatment of our women. Ignoring our responsibilities and only focussing on what cannot be immediately changed (such as Jewish control of the media) is nothing but Satanic deception.


  A basic principle of life is that a problem cannot be fixed unless it is first acknowledged. We are riddled with so many problems which never get resolved simply because we cannot admit it. Again, our "honour" is at stake. Yet does the Quraan not state that all honour belongs to Allah? How can it be that Muslims stoop to shattering the glass vessels of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم upon perceived slights to their honour, when even if an actual crime had taken place, Islam teaches us a proper code of conduct including the Hadith, "Legal penalties are dropped at the slightest doubt."?


What kind of two legged beasts walk amongst the ranks of the Muslims who sentence a glass vessel of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم to be gang raped! Serbs did not perpetrate this incident, nor did Jews or Hindus. I cannot but imagine how  Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم would weep if he knew of  male members of his Ummah are the ones  shattering his glass vessels so bestially. 


To add further disgust to this horror, why is it that Muslim countries, organisations and leaders are so silent? Is funding and popularity of higher precedence than the pleasure of Allah or even basic humanity which Kuffar can also feel?


Hajjaj bin Yusuf was perhaps the greatest tyrant in the history of Islam. Yet he despatched an entire army from Iraq when Indians captured a glass vessel of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He had some decency in him, some redeeming quality which he can present when his Accounting is taken.


On the other end of the Islamic world, the greed and selfish ambition of al-Haajib al-Masur were the seeds which caused the collapse of al-Andalus (Muslim Iberia) and by extension eventually the colonial nightmare Islam has suffered. Yet he too threatened the Christian north with his armies upon hearing of the capture of one glass vessel of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. It is well within the realm of possibility that Allah forgives him based just on this one deed. 


The question is, what is our redeeming quality if questioned that through our silence, we too shattered the glass vessels of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم?


Ride faster if you will, O Anjashah, the glasses have already shattered.

سليمان الكندي

Shattering the glass vessels of the Nabi

ميروى عن أنس أنه قال .. كان للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم

  حاد يقال له أنجشة وكان حسن الصوت .

فقال له النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رويدك يا أنجشة لا تكسر القوارير " " 

Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم had a camel driver with a good voice called Anjashah   رضي الله عنه. The Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said to him, "Careful, O Anjashah, do not break the glass vessels." [Muslim]

Anjashah  رضي الله عنه encouraged the camels by means of his voice. As they were going too fast, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم told him to be mindful of the women who were riding the camels, lest they fall and hurt themselves.

A few short words, which reveal volumes of the beautiful personality of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. His concern for others, especially weak ones is well known, but look at his choice of words, "qawaareer - glass vessels." Indeed, a sophisticated and subtle personality who was not only the means of giving women dignity in this world, but even his mode of address is so refined and gentle. Women are the delicate glass vessels of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم who should not be broken. 


Yet the sad reality of today is that the delicate glass vessels of this Ummah are most savagely being shattered without any scruple. Mercy might more probably found in the jungle than in that blood-pumping organ certain two-legged beasts dare call their heart. If one were to mention that thousands of our mothers, sisters and daughters are being violated contrary to any civilised norm, the usual Muslim reaction would be to point fingers at Serbs, Hindus, Jews... the usual perpetrators. The sadder reality is that that gang is not limited to Kuffar, but includes those who are supposed to be Muslim.


"Honour" killings is a reality in Muslim lands and whoever has any sense of decency cannot bury his head in the sand any longer. When faced with articles such as this by Robert Fisk Muslims tend to go into denial, similar to what I mentioned in my article on animal rights, and blame everything on a ubiquitous Jewish conspiracy. That the Jews control a media which is against Islam is a fact besides the point. The point is to fix what we are responsible for - the treatment of our women. Ignoring our responsibilities and only focussing on what cannot be immediately changed (such as Jewish control of the media) is nothing but Satanic deception.


  A basic principle of life is that a problem cannot be fixed unless it is first acknowledged. We are riddled with so many problems which never get resolved simply because we cannot admit it. Again, our "honour" is at stake. Yet does the Quraan not state that all honour belongs to Allah? How can it be that Muslims stoop to shattering the glass vessels of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم upon perceived slights to their honour, when even if an actual crime had taken place, Islam teaches us a proper code of conduct including the Hadith, "Legal penalties are dropped at the slightest doubt."?


What kind of two legged beasts walk amongst the ranks of the Muslims who sentence a glass vessel of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم to be gang raped! Serbs did not perpetrate this incident, nor did Jews or Hindus. I cannot but imagine how  Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم would weep if he knew of  male members of his Ummah are the ones  shattering his glass vessels so bestially. 


To add further disgust to this horror, why is it that Muslim countries, organisations and leaders are so silent? Is funding and popularity of higher precedence than the pleasure of Allah or even basic humanity which Kuffar can also feel?


Hajjaj bin Yusuf was perhaps the greatest tyrant in the history of Islam. Yet he despatched an entire army from Iraq when Indians captured a glass vessel of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He had some decency in him, some redeeming quality which he can present when his Accounting is taken.


On the other end of the Islamic world, the greed and selfish ambition of al-Haajib al-Masur were the seeds which caused the collapse of al-Andalus (Muslim Iberia) and by extension eventually the colonial nightmare Islam has suffered. Yet he too threatened the Christian north with his armies upon hearing of the capture of one glass vessel of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. It is well within the realm of possibility that Allah forgives him based just on this one deed. 


The question is, what is our redeeming quality if questioned that through our silence, we too shattered the glass vessels of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم?


Ride faster if you will, O Anjashah, the glasses have already shattered.

سليمان الكندي

Holidays into Holy Days

There has been such an increase in the volume of readers of this blog from the Northern Hemisphere, that they not only constitute the majority of  readers for recent months, but have displaced the South as all-time majority. I therefore apologise if this article reflects a Southern bias, but the points remain universal.

سليمان الكندي

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أنهم ذبحوا شاة ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ما بقي منها ؟ قالت : ما بقي منها إلا كتفها قال : بقي كلها غير كتفها  رواه الترمذي وقال حديث صحيح

Our Mother 'Aishah radiyallahu anha narrated that they slaughtered an ewe [and distributed most of the meat in charity]. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلمthen asked, "What remains of it?" 

She replied, "Nothing remains of it besides the shoulder."

 Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم responded, "All of it remains except for its shoulder." [at-Tirmizi]

In other words a believer's focus is not limited to what is physically apparent, but his gaze stretches to Allah and the next life. The response of 'Aishah  radiyallahu anha was correct in material terms that all that was left in the Nabawi Household was the shoulder. Yet Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم wished to train her in gazing "with the light of Allah." A gaze of faith would show that the meat given in charity was "banked" in the Hereafter which is forever. The meat left for worldly consumption would be consumed and gone. Thus, "All of it remains except for its shoulder." 

The friends of Allah generally have this quality. I especially notice this ability to draw spiritual benefit from the mundane in the writings of Ibnul Jawzi. I view these few penned words to be inspired by that spiritual and mental titan of Iraq.

The following Hadith authenticated by al-Imaam as-Suyuti and al-Imaam ash-Shawkaani is often quoted in the context of "miraculous inspiration," yet in the light of the above lesson of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, there is no reason why the ordinary believer cannot train himself to look at the most mundane experiences "with the light of Allah."

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " اتَّقُوا فِرَاسَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ بِنُورِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ 

Abu Saeed al-Khudri radiyallahu anhu narrated that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Beware the insight of a believer, for indeed he gazes with the light of Allah Most Honorable and Majestic."

The western world is undergoing a holiday season. There is no way we living in the west can expect to be unaffected. Yet there is no reason why we should not gaze at this with "Allah's light" and gain spiritual profit from what otherwise is of no gain to our eternal life.

The beginning of every holiday involves the use of some kind of vehicle or the other. Remember to recite the dua of  Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. More than recitation, reflect on the sublime wisdom of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and the lesson he imparts. 

"Pure is He who brought this [vehicle] into our control when we were not capable." 

Reflect how these words apply not only to man taming giant camels and elephants but any modern vehicle and even spacecraft. Entering a vehicle can be a mundane activity or a means of reflection, appreciating Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلمand drawing closer to him. The choice is yours.

"And indeed we are moving towards our Rabb"

Every dua in one way or the other contains this reminder that we are on a journey towards Allah. Reflect on this and your journey will be free of sin. Holiday is no excuse to disobey Allah.

Many people head towards the sea or other bodies of water. An opportune time to meditate over the words of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم"The comparison of this world to the Hereafter is like a man who dips his finger in the sea and looks at what it returns."

What returns is not even a drop. When I reflected on this Hadith when visiting Mombasa, Kenya, I realised my error is thinking of this Hadith in terms of drops. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم never used the word, "drop." There was a thin film of water on my finger which only by holding my finger upright, coalesced into a drop. This world compared to the next is less than the drop compared to the sea of the Hereafter. Spend a moment reflecting on the wisdom of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and you might come home with something better than just sunburn.

Most people spend more money this time of the year than during other times. Reflect that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم refused to fix market prices as prices are set by Allah. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم explained in the Tafseer of Surah ad-Dukhaan that conditions descend upon us based upon the deeds we send to the heavens. Every purchase we make should not be limited to moaning how prices keep rising, but is a chance to reflect how the rebellious deeds of man being sent to the heavens are causing unfavourable conditions to fall back on him.

Summer heat drives us to air-conditioners, cold beverages etc. What will our condition be on the Day of Resurrection when the sun will be so much closer above our heads? The only "air-conditioner" will be Allah's Throne. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم taught us that seven categories of people will receive the shade of the Throne and there will be no other comforting shade. Let us gaze at the heat with Allah's light and ponder how we can join this exclusive club of seven.

Unbearable thirst? Avert your gaze from Coke and Pepsi and look with Allah's light. Whoever drinks Kawthar water from the blessed hands of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم will never feel thirst ever again. In  which category of Kawthar applicant will I be associated with?

1.      An imitator of the Muhajirun who sacrificed everything for Islam?

2.      The Ansaar who helped Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and those who sacrificed?

3.      The people of Yemen who embodied the qualities of Imaan i.e. hear and obey?

4.      An ordinary Muslim who just makes the mark?

5.      A rejector of the Sunnah whom the angels will block from Kawthar and Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم himself will chase away?   

The end of the year is also the time of announcing examination results, graduations and congratulations. How will I do in the examination of the grave? 

May Allah grant that we all be recipients of the best of congratulations - the angels lining up and congratulating us as we enter Jannah - aameen!!

سلم عليكم طبتم فادخلوها خلدين 

Peace be upon you! You have done well! Enter here forever!!! [az-Zumar: 73]

Holidays into Holy Days

There has been such an increase in the volume of readers of this blog from the Northern Hemisphere, that they not only constitute the majority of  readers for recent months, but have displaced the South as all-time majority. I therefore apologise if this article reflects a Southern bias, but the points remain universal.

سليمان الكندي

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أنهم ذبحوا شاة ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ما بقي منها ؟ قالت : ما بقي منها إلا كتفها قال : بقي كلها غير كتفها  رواه الترمذي وقال حديث صحيح

Our Mother 'Aishah radiyallahu anha narrated that they slaughtered an ewe [and distributed most of the meat in charity]. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم then asked, "What remains of it?" 

She replied, "Nothing remains of it besides the shoulder."

 Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم responded, "All of it remains except for its shoulder." [at-Tirmizi]

In other words a believer's focus is not limited to what is physically apparent, but his gaze stretches to Allah and the next life. The response of 'Aishah  radiyallahu anha was correct in material terms that all that was left in the Nabawi Household was the shoulder. Yet Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم wished to train her in gazing "with the light of Allah." A gaze of faith would show that the meat given in charity was "banked" in the Hereafter which is forever. The meat left for worldly consumption would be consumed and gone. Thus, "All of it remains except for its shoulder." 

The friends of Allah generally have this quality. I especially notice this ability to draw spiritual benefit from the mundane in the writings of Ibnul Jawzi. I view these few penned words to be inspired by that spiritual and mental titan of Iraq.

The following Hadith authenticated by al-Imaam as-Suyuti and al-Imaam ash-Shawkaani is often quoted in the context of "miraculous inspiration," yet in the light of the above lesson of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, there is no reason why the ordinary believer cannot train himself to look at the most mundane experiences "with the light of Allah."

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " اتَّقُوا فِرَاسَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ بِنُورِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ 

Abu Saeed al-Khudri radiyallahu anhu narrated that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Beware the insight of a believer, for indeed he gazes with the light of Allah Most Honorable and Majestic."

The western world is undergoing a holiday season. There is no way we living in the west can expect to be unaffected. Yet there is no reason why we should not gaze at this with "Allah's light" and gain spiritual profit from what otherwise is of no gain to our eternal life.

The beginning of every holiday involves the use of some kind of vehicle or the other. Remember to recite the dua of  Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. More than recitation, reflect on the sublime wisdom of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and the lesson he imparts. 

"Pure is He who brought this [vehicle] into our control when we were not capable." 

Reflect how these words apply not only to man taming giant camels and elephants but any modern vehicle and even spacecraft. Entering a vehicle can be a mundane activity or a means of reflection, appreciating Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and drawing closer to him. The choice is yours.

"And indeed we are moving towards our Rabb"

Every dua in one way or the other contains this reminder that we are on a journey towards Allah. Reflect on this and your journey will be free of sin. Holiday is no excuse to disobey Allah.

Many people head towards the sea or other bodies of water. An opportune time to meditate over the words of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم "The comparison of this world to the Hereafter is like a man who dips his finger in the sea and looks at what it returns."

What returns is not even a drop. When I reflected on this Hadith when visiting Mombasa, Kenya, I realised my error is thinking of this Hadith in terms of drops. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم never used the word, "drop." There was a thin film of water on my finger which only by holding my finger upright, coalesced into a drop. This world compared to the next is less than the drop compared to the sea of the Hereafter. Spend a moment reflecting on the wisdom of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and you might come home with something better than just sunburn.

Most people spend more money this time of the year than during other times. Reflect that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم refused to fix market prices as prices are set by Allah. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم explained in the Tafseer of Surah ad-Dukhaan that conditions descend upon us based upon the deeds we send to the heavens. Every purchase we make should not be limited to moaning how prices keep rising, but is a chance to reflect how the rebellious deeds of man being sent to the heavens are causing unfavourable conditions to fall back on him.

Summer heat drives us to air-conditioners, cold beverages etc. What will our condition be on the Day of Resurrection when the sun will be so much closer above our heads? The only "air-conditioner" will be Allah's Throne. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم taught us that seven categories of people will receive the shade of the Throne and there will be no other comforting shade. Let us gaze at the heat with Allah's light and ponder how we can join this exclusive club of seven.

Unbearable thirst? Avert your gaze from Coke and Pepsi and look with Allah's light. Whoever drinks Kawthar water from the blessed hands of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم will never feel thirst ever again. In  which category of Kawthar applicant will I be associated with?

1.      An imitator of the Muhajirun who sacrificed everything for Islam?

2.      The Ansaar who helped Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and those who sacrificed?

3.      The people of Yemen who embodied the qualities of Imaan i.e. hear and obey?

4.      An ordinary Muslim who just makes the mark?

5.      A rejector of the Sunnah whom the angels will block from Kawthar and Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم himself will chase away?   

The end of the year is also the time of announcing examination results, graduations and congratulations. How will I do in the examination of the grave? 

May Allah grant that we all be recipients of the best of congratulations - the angels lining up and congratulating us as we enter Jannah - aameen!!

سلم عليكم طبتم فادخلوها خلدين 

Peace be upon you! You have done well! Enter here forever!!! [az-Zumar: 73]

Lemons into Lemonade

عجبا لأمر المؤمن إن أمره كله خير ، وليس ذاك لأحد إلا للمؤمن ؛ إن أصابته سرّاء شكر ؛ فكان خيراً له ، وإن أصابته ضرّاء صبر ؛ فكان خيراً له . رواه مسلم 

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "The affair of the believer of most amazing. His affair is good in its entirety, and that is for none but a believer. When happiness comes to him, he is grateful and that is good for him. When harm strikes him he is patient and that is good for him." [Muslim]

It is amongst the miracles of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that his words were concise, yet are a deep ocean from which more and more pearls can be extracted from ever deeper levels. Besides the obvious injunction of inculcating the qualities of gratitude and patience and adopting them as per occasion, the Hadith also implies that situations are not always good or bad for an individual in themselves, but become good or bad depending on our attitude. This theme is found in other Ahadith as well. For example, when Mu'aaz bin Jabal radiyallahu 'anhu bids his final tearful farewell, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam clarifies that however geographically far he may be, he is in fact close to Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as long as he adopts Taqwa. In contradistinction, one who has no Taqwa is far from him however physically close he may be.

Death is the decree of Allah. Those who misbehave and break the laws of Allah, such as inheritance and Hijaab, make the situation into a bad one for their Aakhirah. Those who are patient and uphold Allah's Laws, despite their personal grief, make the same situation into a benefit for their Aakhirah.

At the end of the year many Muslims are going to graduate from various institutions with various qualifications. This is not an accomplishment in itself. Some will use their achievements for personal aggrandisement  and accumulation of wealth. They will become armchair generals in their old age and berate everyone besides themselves for the state of the Ummah. see Othello & the mental dichotomy of muslim intelligentsia. There will be others who will earn a Halaal income and use their every resource in service of Allah. They are successful.

A personal defect I have to work on, is my penchant for focussing on negatives. I should be grateful that Allah has given me Tawfeeq to overcome this in one matter and turn a negative into a positive.

A certain school catering for "special needs" primary school students in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg is said to be possibly the best in the country for this purpose. Wednesdays first period is religion period. Other students would go to their religious teachers, but up until now the Muslim students had not been catered for. An Egyptian mother had her own mini Tahreer Square and arranged for me come in on Wednesdays. 

However, the principal stipulated that she wants a written report of whatever I teach. Besides my laziness for report writing in general, I somehow got the impression that the other religions were exempt from this requirement. (Did I mention that the school administration is Jewish dominated?) I put up a weak defence that I would not formally teach for the first 2 weeks, so would not report in the beginning, but it then occurred to me to use the advantages of what is supposed to be an incumbrance. In effect, Islam can be explained to a Kaafir in the same way I would teach special needs youngsters. These people would never be interested in learning about Islam in an authentic manner, but by me presenting my reports in a certain manner, they would be forced to hear the words of Allah and His Rasul  sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, like it or not! Lemons into lemonade....

Here is a copy of my first report:

_____________ School: Islamic Classes Report

Lesson 1: Islamic Greeting

Date: 12^th October 2011

·         Had intended the first two meetings at least should be informal introductory meetings.

·         Spent 10-15 minutes in informal chat, getting to know and understand the students.

·         Concern that students would be aloof at initial stage unfounded. Students exhibited desire to express themselves.

·         Students insisted on learning something.

·         Commenced lesson on Islamic greeting, a basic emphasised in Islam.

·         Elicit response from students, “How did you greet me when I entered?” Correct group response.

·         Meaning of, “Salaam” not known. Played hangman game where answer, “PEACE” was achieved.

·         Muslim character, well-wishing, peace unto all.

·         Origin of Salaam – creation story of Adam peace be upon him.

·         Muslims manners require mentioning alayhis salaam (peace be upon him) after all prophets.

·         Exercise – recite name of prophet – Adam, Moses, Jesus…..  to elicit Islamic response.

·         Role play – each student to act as Adam (عليه السلام) and greet the “angels” who must reply.

·         Importance of Adam  (عليه السلام) in Quraan as father of ALL humanity. Hence Islam emphasises brotherhood irrespective of race, age, creed etc.

·         In first speeches when Prophet Muhammad  (peace and blessings be upon him) entered city of Madinah he said, “O people! Spread the greeting of peace amongst you.”

·         Every lesson to be permeated with Islamic creed directly or indirectly – monotheism of God and example and pure character of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).   

·         Role play – student to choose example with partner of greeting situation and enact.

سليمان الكندي

Sulayman al-Kindi

Lemons into Lemonade

عجبا لأمر المؤمن إن أمره كله خير ، وليس ذاك لأحد إلا للمؤمن ؛ إن أصابته سرّاء شكر ؛ فكان خيراً له ، وإن أصابته ضرّاء صبر ؛ فكان خيراً له . رواه مسلم 

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "The affair of the believer of most amazing. His affair is good in its entirety, and that is for none but a believer. When happiness comes to him, he is grateful and that is good for him. When harm strikes him he is patient and that is good for him." [Muslim]

It is amongst the miracles of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that his words were concise, yet are a deep ocean from which more and more pearls can be extracted from ever deeper levels. Besides the obvious injunction of inculcating the qualities of gratitude and patience and adopting them as per occasion, the Hadith also implies that situations are not always good or bad for an individual in themselves, but become good or bad depending on our attitude. This theme is found in other Ahadith as well. For example, when Mu'aaz bin Jabal radiyallahu 'anhu bids his final tearful farewell, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam clarifies that however geographically far he may be, he is in fact close to Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as long as he adopts Taqwa. In contradistinction, one who has no Taqwa is far from him however physically close he may be.

Death is the decree of Allah. Those who misbehave and break the laws of Allah, such as inheritance and Hijaab, make the situation into a bad one for their Aakhirah. Those who are patient and uphold Allah's Laws, despite their personal grief, make the same situation into a benefit for their Aakhirah.

At the end of the year many Muslims are going to graduate from various institutions with various qualifications. This is not an accomplishment in itself. Some will use their achievements for personal aggrandisement  and accumulation of wealth. They will become armchair generals in their old age and berate everyone besides themselves for the state of the Ummah. see Othello & the mental dichotomy of muslim intelligentsia. There will be others who will earn a Halaal income and use their every resource in service of Allah. They are successful.

A personal defect I have to work on, is my penchant for focussing on negatives. I should be grateful that Allah has given me Tawfeeq to overcome this in one matter and turn a negative into a positive.

A certain school catering for "special needs" primary school students in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg is said to be possibly the best in the country for this purpose. Wednesdays first period is religion period. Other students would go to their religious teachers, but up until now the Muslim students had not been catered for. An Egyptian mother had her own mini Tahreer Square and arranged for me come in on Wednesdays. 

However, the principal stipulated that she wants a written report of whatever I teach. Besides my laziness for report writing in general, I somehow got the impression that the other religions were exempt from this requirement. (Did I mention that the school administration is Jewish dominated?) I put up a weak defence that I would not formally teach for the first 2 weeks, so would not report in the beginning, but it then occurred to me to use the advantages of what is supposed to be an incumbrance. In effect, Islam can be explained to a Kaafir in the same way I would teach special needs youngsters. These people would never be interested in learning about Islam in an authentic manner, but by me presenting my reports in a certain manner, they would be forced to hear the words of Allah and His Rasul  sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, like it or not! Lemons into lemonade....

Here is a copy of my first report:

_____________ School: Islamic Classes Report

Lesson 1: Islamic Greeting

Date: 12^th October 2011

·         Had intended the first two meetings at least should be informal introductory meetings.

·         Spent 10-15 minutes in informal chat, getting to know and understand the students.

·         Concern that students would be aloof at initial stage unfounded. Students exhibited desire to express themselves.

·         Students insisted on learning something.

·         Commenced lesson on Islamic greeting, a basic emphasised in Islam.

·         Elicit response from students, “How did you greet me when I entered?” Correct group response.

·         Meaning of, “Salaam” not known. Played hangman game where answer, “PEACE” was achieved.

·         Muslim character, well-wishing, peace unto all.

·         Origin of Salaam – creation story of Adam peace be upon him.

·         Muslims manners require mentioning alayhis salaam (peace be upon him) after all prophets.

·         Exercise – recite name of prophet – Adam, Moses, Jesus…..  to elicit Islamic response.

·         Role play – each student to act as Adam (عليه السلام) and greet the “angels” who must reply.

·         Importance of Adam  (عليه السلام) in Quraan as father of ALL humanity. Hence Islam emphasises brotherhood irrespective of race, age, creed etc.

·         In first speeches when Prophet Muhammad  (peace and blessings be upon him) entered city of Madinah he said, “O people! Spread the greeting of peace amongst you.”

·         Every lesson to be permeated with Islamic creed directly or indirectly – monotheism of God and example and pure character of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).   

·         Role play – student to choose example with partner of greeting situation and enact.

سليمان الكندي

Sulayman al-Kindi