\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n| \r\n Living the Quran \r\n |
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTranslation:\r\n\r\n\r\nSurah Az-Zukhruf
\r\n
\r\n Chapter 43: Verse 84\"He \r\n alone is the Sovereign of the Heavens and the Earth ...\"
\r\nCommentary
\r\nThe Goal - Establishment \r\n of God's Sovereignty
\r\nOnce people set themselves free from the influence \r\n of false gods, a huge amount of energy becomes available for constructive \r\n work. Islam then channels this energy towards \r\n accomplishing its goal in society, ie. Establishment of \r\n Allah's Sovereignty in social life and the state. Islam stresses that \r\n Sovereignty, that is the absolute power \r\n to command, to define beliefs, laws, rights and wrongs, belongs only to \r\n Allah.
\r\nSocial and Political \r\n Implications
\r\nThis verse sets parameters for the use of power \r\n in society. It calls for the dethroning of all false gods in society - \r\n strips them of their sovereignty, so that all power is submitted to the \r\n All-Powerful God. Islam emphasises that no \r\n one can be above the law or allowed to abuse power and authority in any \r\n way. However, political sovereignty - a limited, relative \r\n sovereignty (mulk), or the power to enforce the law, can be vested \r\n in an Islamic government, which has to rule in accordance with Divine \r\n guidance.
\r\nOnly way to Justice
\r\nIslam emphasises that the establishment of \r\n God's Sovereignty can alone ensure justice to all people. God and His \r\n guidance is free from human weaknesses. Since His Mercy extends to all \r\n of His creation, He does not tolerate any \r\n form of injustice or oppression. Allah's guidance, thus, \r\n provides a moral, legal and an equitable framework to guide all decisions \r\n and social policies.
\r\n\r\n\r\n[compiled from \"Building a New Society\" by Zahid Parvez,
\r\n
\r\n (Revival Publications, UK), pp. 128-130]
| Understanding \r\n the Prophet's Life |
*Fine \r\n Sensitivity*
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAfter the conquest of Makkah, Umm Hakim bint \r\n al-Harith, wife of Ikremah ibn Abu Jahal, accepted Islam. Ikremah \r\n was the son of Abu Jahal, who was one of the first and worst persecutors \r\n of Muslims in Makkah.
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n Umm Hakim told the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon \r\n him) that her husband fled to Yemen in fear of his life, and she \r\n begged the Prophet (peace be upon him) to grant him refuge and \r\n immunity in Makkah. The Prophet (peace be upon him), being a forgiving \r\n and merciful leader he was, agreed to do so, even though Ikremah \r\n was still waging against him and Muslims.
\r\n
\r\n Umm Hakim set off in search for her husband in Yemen. Fortunately, \r\n Ikremah had just reached the shores of Tahamah and was about to \r\n cross the Red Sea when she caught up with him. She told him that \r\n she had just come across the greatest of all men, the Prophet \r\n Muhammad (peace be upon him).
\r\n
\r\n It was not easy to persuade him to return with her, instead of \r\n risking his life at sea, but when he heard that the Prophet (peace \r\n be upon him) had guaranteed his safety in Makkah, he fell in with \r\n her wishes. When the two were approaching Makkah, the Prophet \r\n (peace be upon him) informed his Companions that Ikremah was coming \r\n to them as an emigrant and a believer. He then advised them in \r\n the following words: "Do not \r\n speak ill of his (deceased) father, for, although speaking ill \r\n of the dead cannot hurt the dead, it hurts (the feelings) of those \r\n who are alive."
\r\n
\r\n Note: What a profound and fine sensitivity our \r\n Prophet (pbuh) possessed, even towards his enemies or those who \r\n had hurt him in the past! What about many of us today, who don't \r\n even spare taunting and hurting the feelings of those who are \r\n close to them, let alone those who do not share our faith.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[Narrated \r\n in Ibn Hisham's "Sirah" of the Prophet (pbuh). Taken \r\n from "An Islamic Treasury of Virtues" by Maulana Wahiduddin \r\n Khan]\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
| Your \r\n Family | Your Community |
\r\n\r\n:: 12 \r\n Tips for Teens ::\r\n
\r\n How to Help the Poor and Needy\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\ncontinued \r\n from issue 178 ...
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5. \r\n Visit a poor part of town
\r\nHow many big cities have "poor \r\n quarters"? Almost every single one. Sometimes, \r\n we need to see the reality \r\n of poverty right in front of us to \r\n really believe it's there, especially if we live in \r\n a financially well-off part of a city.
\r\nGo with your youth group to visit \r\n these areas. You don't have to necessarily bring money \r\n or food for them (although that wouldn't be a bad \r\n idea). Talk to the people, if they are willing to \r\n be approached, about living conditions and how they \r\n ended up there. Prepare \r\n yourself for an eye-opening experience.
\r\n6. Do a class \r\n presentation on poverty
\r\nStumped about what to do for a school \r\n assignment? Why not talk \r\n about the plight of the poor in your \r\n community. Do your research thoroughly. Get \r\n statistics on poverty, real stories from books \r\n and perhaps even video- or audiotaped interviews of \r\n the poor and homeless. Show the human \r\n face of poverty. Follow the presentation \r\n up with a class collection for the poor.
\r\n[a continuing series based on \"12 Tips for Teens on \r\n How to Help the Poor and Needy]
\r\n