\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\n\r\n\r\n \r\nSurah Al-Ahzab
\r\n
\r\n Chapter 33: Verse 45-6Translation
\r\n“O \r\n Prophet, truly We have sent you as a Witness (shahid), a bearer of Glad \r\n Tidings (bashir), and a Warner (nazir). And as one who invites (Daiya) \r\n to Allah by His leave, and as a radiant lamp (Sirajun Munir).”
\r\nCommentary
\r\nThe five aspects of the Prophet’s work mentioned \r\n in this Quranic verse can be considered as the core ingredients of the \r\n Prophetic methodology for social change.
\r\nA Witness (Shahid)
\r\nThe Prophet Muhammad was a witness of Islam; he was an \r\n embodiment of truth and piety, mercy and compassion, and was “the \r\n walking Quran”. It follows that, in accordance with \r\n the Islamic guidance, it is crucial for the agents of change to reflect \r\n Islamic values and teachings in their personal \r\n and collective life.
\r\nA Bearer of Glad Tidings (Bashir)
\r\nThe attitude of the noble Prophet was not that of denunciation. \r\n On the contrary, he tried to inspire his people by giving them a \r\n new hope and a vision of a better and just world which \r\n could be built through Islam. Giving Glad Tidings can greatly assist in \r\n uplifting people and aid \r\n in increasing their understanding \r\n of the kind of social life that will evolve from the Islamic message.
\r\nA Warner (Nazir)
\r\nAwakening people from false consciousness or alerting \r\n them to the consequences of evil \r\n ways was also an important ingredient of the Prophetic methodology. The \r\n warning, like the Glad Tidings, includes both the life here and in the \r\n hereafter. The ‘warning’ assists in awakening a people to \r\n the realities of life and \r\n it, thus, plays an essential role in the process for improving \r\n social lifeferred from this that change agents should \r\n not remain indifferent to social issues..
\r\nOne who Invites to Allah (Daiya)
\r\nThe Prophet also actively worked to invite \r\n his people towards Allah and His revealed guidance; to \r\n accept Allah as the Sovereign, the Law giver, and to follow His guidance \r\n in all affairs of life. This enabled the Prophet’s movement to grow, \r\n expand its influence and, thus, increase its capacity and power for reforming \r\n society.
\r\nA Radiant Lamp (Sirajun Munir)
\r\nThe Prophet’s solutions to social problems were \r\n so appealing, effective and pragmatic, \r\n that all other solutions appeared inadequate and shallow. Issues relating \r\n to marriage and family life, business and commerce, education, health, \r\n employment, administering justice, and so on, were all addressed by the \r\n noble Prophet of Allah, and effective and pragmatic solutions implemented. \r\n It can be in
\r\n\r\n\r\n[compiled from \"Building a New Society\" by Zahid Parvez,
\r\n
\r\n (Revival Publications, UK), pp. 148-151]
| Understanding \r\n the Prophet's Life |
\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\nTreating \r\n Women with Kindness\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\nMany of us have heard stories of men treating \r\n their wives badly as if they were slaves of an oppressive master. \r\n Islam has forbidden such conduct, and the last command of the \r\n Prophet was, " ... Act kindly \r\n towards women." [Bukhari and Muslim]
\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\nWe should be gentle to our wives, treat them nicely \r\n and respect them, particularly in front of the children. The Prophet \r\n said, "The most perfect of \r\n the believers in faith is he who is the most excellent of them \r\n in morals and the best of you are they who are best for their \r\n wives." [Tirmidhi]
\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\nWe should not look for perfection in this universe; \r\n but accept what is best! There is no need to demand perfection \r\n from our wives while we are drowned in our own flaws. The Prophet \r\n said, "A believer must not \r\n hate a believing woman. If he dislikes any of her characteristics, \r\n he will be pleased with another one." [Reported \r\n by Muslim]
\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[Compiled \r\n from "Winning the Heart of Your Wife" by Ibraahim Ibn \r\n Saaleh al-Mahmud. pp. 10,11]\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 179 ...
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n7. \r\n Don't just collect money
\r\nThere are plenty of basic necessities \r\n that people have to meet. Some people can't afford \r\n new shoes. So hold a shoe \r\n drive (some teens have already done \r\n this - read \r\n this link about it). Others cannot afford clothing. \r\n Hold a clothing drive. \r\n Collect the material, arrange for cars, vans or trucks \r\n to transport it to where it's needed, then make sure \r\n the material is properly distributed.
\r\n8. Write about \r\n poverty in your school paper
\r\nHave you got a knack for writing? \r\n Then write about poverty in your school newspaper. \r\n Educate your student body not \r\n just with words, but photos too, if \r\n possible. If you've visited a poor part of the city, \r\n then you have plenty of material and personal material \r\n to write about.
\r\n[a continuing series based on \"12 Tips for Teens on \r\n How to Help the Poor and Needy]
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