Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir Shithree [May Allaah Preserve
him] lists:
-Knowledge; how else can you have your religion without knowing what it is?
-The Book and the Sunnah; to follow the evidences and the
understanding within it and not to follow ideas, opinions and the desires of
others. So if one wants to know his level of Emaan, he can measure himself here.
Do you find yourself submitting completely or do you give precedence to other than
the commands of al-Islaam?
-Protect your deeds and Allaah Will Protect you; be
away from disobedience and thus be saved from punishments, tests and harm. Rather,
those who hold to firm practising Islaam are promised the upper hand, a goodly
life and an endless rewards in the Hereafter.
"Whoever works righteousness, whether
male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism)
verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect,
contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in
proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)." [an-Nahl 16:97]
-Not to think that al-Islaam is something weird,
rather strangeness maybe something praiseworthy. The Prophet [Peace and
Blessings of Allaah be upon him] promised a goodly reward for the strangers in
the Hereafter where he said,
“Islaam began as something strange and it will
return as something strange, just how it began, so Toobaa for the strangers.”
[Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh (145)]
Toobaa could be in reference to the reward in the
Aakhirah whilst others said it refers to having acccess to a majestic tree in
Jannah.
-Subr or patience. This is of three types, all of them
result in the slave needing to be patient and long for the reward of Allaah. Everytime
when someone wishes for another harm, the patient ones must respond in a way
that is better. This way, patience
cultivates beneficial fruits.
"The good deed and the evil deed
cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered
the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those
who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity,
(will become) as though he was a close friend." [Fussilat 41:34]
-Be kind and display the best of manners, even if people wish upon you harm. Look at the
example of how the Jews wished death upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of
Allaah be upon him] however did not reply in such a lowly manner.
“But forgive and overlook” [al-Baqarah 2:109]
-To leave the way of the scholars is from the greastest
vices of misguidance. We are not to take our understanding from anyone other
than them. It is prohibited to revile them and this includes those in authority
and rule over the Muslims, turning the common folk against them is not allowed.
This point is extremely important and can be a barrier to for the religion and
all goodness to flourish.
“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him
speak with that which is good or remain silent.” [al-Bukhaaree (6018) and
Muslim (47)]
Therefore, use your body in ways which bring about
goodness, thus being a criterion between good and bad.
“Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds)
which they used to earn”
[al-Muttaffieen 83:14]
-If one falls into a sin, they
quickly hasten to repent and return back to Allaah. The doors of at-Tawbah are open
so the believer must not let the Shaytaan dupe him into thinking that the doors
are closed for him.
“And those who, when they have
committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.)
or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their
sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allah - And do not persist in what
(wrong) they have done, while they know.
136. For such, the reward is Forgiveness
from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein
they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do
righteous deeds according to Allah's Orders).” [aal ‘Imraan 3: 135-136]
Look how the doors of Tawbaah leads
to all the treasures one could ever wish for.
-Having good friends is essential as their influence is
immense.
-Choose good deeds and worship which are relevant to
the situation you find yourself in. With this, one obtains the greater good
(Maslahah), so if a person does a lot of Dhikr during the night, for example,
it may be better if they pray Tahajjud instead, especially if the night is so
short. If one actualises this point, they will have the keys to gaining a lot
of reward for minimal effort, similar to those who use their winter days in
fasting.
“Winter is a time of spring for
the believer, the days are short so he fasts, and the
nights are long so he
stands.”
[Aboo Na’eem in Hilya al-Awliyaa (8/364); Ibn ‘Adee in Lisaan
al-Meezaan (5/118) with an Mashoor Isnaad; Haythamee in Majmaa az-Zawaaid
(3/203) with a Hasan Isnaad]
-To call and supplicate to Allaah, not worship the
creation or to wholeheartedly depend upon others. The same applies to depending
on groups or foundations. When Ya’qoob [Peace be upon him] lost both of his
noble sons, yet he did not let a larger group of his offspring put him off reliance
and supplication to Allaah:
“He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: "Nay,
but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most
fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! only
He is All-Knowing, All-Wise."” [Yoosuf 12:83]
-To remove the sense of alienation that the Muslims
have, showing that al-Islaam is a peaceful religion, a religion of trustworthiness,
justice and an absence of oppression. We conceal the faults of others, fulfill
the rights of others such as close and distant family members, even if they are
not Muslim. We are a responsible, obedient, well-mannered and humble nation,
which does not conflict with the law or abstain from treating others with
proper etiquette. If this is displayed, love for the religion will undoubtedly
spread.
-To give up argumentation:
“I guarentee a house in the middle of Jannah for those
who give up arguing, even if they are right.” [Reported by Aboo Dawood (4800)
classed as authentic by al-Albaanee]
-Not to be proud and think highly of oneself. This is
totally unacceptable in the Sharee’ah. Rather the command is to be a practising
Muslim and not a proud one.
-One of the greatest ways to be firm is to live your
life, every moment of it, in the obedience of Allaah, even if it may be a smile
towards the face of your brother.
-To stick to the laws and organisation of the place
where you live. Do not break the law or anything that will conflict with the
practices of that country, doing this all with the intention to get closer to
Allaah.
“O you
who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations” [al-Maa’idah 5:1]
-To cooperate in what is good and all betterment (Maslahah)
and to expel any harm from another.
“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety);
but do not help one another in sin and transgression” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]
The Prophet used to visit the sick, accept invitations,
repay debts, transact with others, display the best of manners and did anything
that which was good and led to betterment, with the Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“ and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid
evil, and say the truth about Muhammad Peace be upon him ]” [al-Baqarah 2:83]
Before the Hijrah during the Makkan period, did the Prophet
stay alone and segregated in his house, or was it that he mixed with the people
with his lofty characteristics?
-Having full submission and implementation of the Sunnah,
meaning that one gives precedence to the Sunnah above his own opinions.
"Whoever says, 'I am pleased with Allaah as my
lord, Muhammad as my Messenger and Islaam as my religion', will enter Jannah."
[Reported by Aboo Dawood (1529) and classed as Saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan (7/9)]
-Finally, what is the correct manner on dealing with
Islamophobia? Firstly, it is upon the Muslims to expel misconceptions about
al-Islaam and not to attribute to Islam except that which is good and truthful.
Therefore, it is obligatory upon us all to learn the Sunnah (i.e the religion) and exemplify good deeds, just like what the Muslims did in Makkah. Even after they
made a treaty with the Mushriks of Quraysh in the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah,
they were never treacherousness towards their enemies and their only goal was to
display Islaam in their deeds. This can only come about after having knowledge
of the Quraan and the Sunnah.
[Taken from the lecture, 'Ways to Defend
Islaam in the West' وسائل دفع الغربة في الغرب (15-60mins)]
