Today's Reminder
January 31, 2026 | Sha’ban 12, 1447
Living The Quran
Civility
Surah Al-Taubah (The Repentance) Chapter 9: Verse 112 (partial)
"Those who observe the limits set by God."
Civility is preserving the limit between exaggeration and coolness, while being aware of the damage that may result from aggression.
It consists of three levels:
The first level is preventing fear from extending to despair, keeping expectation from turning into security and containing pleasure so that it does not equal boldness.
The second level is forsaking fear in order to enter the field of constriction, rising from expectation to the field of expansion and progressing from happiness to the field of contemplation.
The third level is being aware of civility, then dispensing with civility by experiencing the civility of the True One, then escaping from witnessing the burdens of civility.
Compiled From:
"Stations of the Wayfarers" - Abdullah Al-Ansari, pp. 128-130
From Issue: 731 [Read original issue]
Understanding The Prophet's Life
Inspiring Khutba
Ammar ibn Yasir reports that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "Prolonging salah and shortening one's khutbah is a sign of one's understanding of the religion. So, prolong the prayer and shorten the khutbah." This is related by Ahmad and Muslim. Shortening the khutbah and prolonging one's salah shows one's understanding of religion, for such a person is able to comprehend and express much in a few words.
Giving his views on the subject, Ibn al-Qayyim says: "The khutbah of the Prophet reinforced the fundamental articles of faith, like belief in Allah, the Exalted, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the meeting with Him. He would mention the paradise and the hellfire and what Allah, the Exalted, has promised to His devoted servants and the people who obey Him and what Allah has promised to His enemies and the miscreant. While listening to his khutbah, the hearts would be filled with belief in Allah, His oneness, and His majesty. His khutbahs were not like speeches of those who speak only of matters of concern of common folk, lamenting earthly life and frightening people of the approaching death. Such speeches cannot inspire faith in Allah or strengthen belief in His oneness or move people by allusion to His mighty works in history, nor can they kindle in hearts intense love for Allah, making the listeners look forward eagerly to the time they will meet Him! The people who hear such speeches gain no benefit at all, except that they will die and that their wealth will be distributed and their bodies will be turned to dust. If we study the khutbahs of the Prophet and his companions, we find them imbued with perspicuous guidance, tawhid, attributes of Allah, explaining the basic articles of the faith, inviting people to Allah, and drawing their attention to His providential care that makes Him so beloved to His slaves. His khutbahs referred to Allah's dealings with others in the past so as to warn his listeners against His wrath and exhort them to remember Him, thank Him and win His pleasure and love. Those who heard these khutbahs were inspired with the love of Allah and they looked forward eagerly to meeting their Lord. As time went by, the example of the Prophet was forgotten and other things prevailed. The main purpose of the khutbah was forgotten. The eloquent and nice words that moved the hearts became rare in speeches. The main thrust of the khutbah was neglected. The hearts were no longer touched and the basic purpose of the khutbah was lost."
Compiled From:
"Fiqh-us-Sunnah" - Al Sayyid Sabiq
From Issue: 814 [Read original issue]
Cool Tips!
Domino Effect
Don't be like a line of falling dominos, where one mistake leads to another and another and another. Sometimes when we slip up we think: "Well, I've already blown it. Who cares what happens now?" Just remember, one mistake isn't as bad as two or three mistakes. If you've done something you regret, stop the dominos from falling by taking control and not making another mistake.
Remember, today is not forever. The desperate situation you may be in now will get better if you go to work on it. Things change, people forgive, hearts can be made whole, and life can be good again.
Compiled From:
"The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make" - Sean Covey, p. 219
From Issue: 807 [Read original issue]