General
From Issue: 305 [Read full issue]
Living the Quran |
Al-Naba (The
Tiding) A
Truce for the Human Soul God has willed that sleep should overpower man and make him lose consciousness and activity. When asleep, man is in a state which is unlike life and unlike death. It ensures rest for his body and mind and compensates both for whatever effort they have exerted during wakefulness. All this happens in a way the true nature of which man cannot conceive. His will plays no part in it and it is impossible for him to discover how it happens. It is one of the secrets of man's constitution and of all living creatures, unknown except to the Creator Who has made sleep essential for life. Sleep does not merely satisfy some of man's physical and mental needs. It is, indeed, a truce for the human soul from the fierce struggle of life. Sometimes, when one is low-spirited, mentally exhausted, possessed by fear and alarm, sleep may overpower one, for a few minutes perhaps, and bring about a total change in one's condition. Sleep does not merely renew one's strength, but it may revive one in such a way as to wake up a new person altogether. Cessation of activity and consciousness through sleep is a prerequisite for the continuity of life. Yet it can be given only by God. It is mentioned here by way of inviting man to contemplate his own creation and constitution. God's perfection of creation has provided a correspondence between the movement of the universe and that of living creatures. As man requires sleep after his day's work, so God has provided the night as a covering mantle for man to enjoy his slumber. Day is also provided as a period of activity for man to pursue his livelihood. Thus perfect harmony is established. The world is perfectly suited to the creatures who live in it, and God's creation is endowed with those characteristics which fit in easily and gently with the universe. What perfect planning by a scrupulous Designer! Source: |
Understanding the Prophet's Life |
Love is the foundation of the Muslim society Islam establishes societies on the basis of love and mutual support, as is mentioned in the hadith: "The believers, in their love, mutual kindness, and close ties, are like one body; when any part complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever" (Muslim). Affection, compassion and keeping in touch form the basis of the relationship between the members of the Muslim society, be they old or young, rich or poor, rulers or subjects. The teachings of Islam support the concept of spreading love in the society, as is mentioned in the hadith: "None of you truly believes until he wishes (loves) for his brother what he wishes (loves) for himself" (Bukhari & Muslim). The believers may live in a society free from selfishness and exploitation, where they could help each other to face the problems of life, so that whosoever "helps his brother, God will help him" (Tirmidhi, Ahmad). "Allah will help His servant as long as His servant helps his brother" (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud) The relationship among believers rest on mutual respect. The rich man does not look down on the poor, nor the ruler on the subject, nor the strong on the weak. "It is evil enough for a man to humiliate his Muslim brother," said the noble Prophet, peace be upon him (Muslim). The relationship between a Muslim and his brother could be weakened or broken at the moment of anger, but this should not last for more than three days: "It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother beyond three days" (Bukhari & Muslim). The foundations of love are supported by the giving of presents and charitable gifts. "Give gifts to one another and love one another" (Abu Yala, Ibn Asakir). Source: |
Cool Concepts |
Meaning of the word 'ILAH' Dictionary Meanings
If we reflect upon these original meanings, we can gain the necessary idea of how the verb came to mean the act of worship and the noun to denote the object of worship. There are four considerations to bear in mind in this connection:
We may therefore safely conclude from the above that the connotation of the word ilah includes the capacities to fulfill the needs of others, to give them shelter and protection, to relieve their minds of distress and agitation, superiority, and the requisite authority and power to do all these, to be mysterious in some way or hidden from men's eyes, and the turning of men eagerly to him. Source: |