General
From Issue: 285 [Read full issue]
| Living the Quran |
Al-Anfal
(The Spoils of War)
A fundamental belief that forms a cornerstone for the purification of the soul is the belief in the angels. The believer knows that there are angels with him all times, recording every one of his deeds. The believer already knows that Allah is aware of everything that he does. But that belief about Allah may be somewhat abstract or theoretical to have any strong effect on the individual. When he further knows that there are noble creatures that are specifically meant to be in his company alone and recording his deeds alone, this has a further reinforcing effect on him. This also reinforces that fact that there is some weight or ramification to every deed, good or bad, that he performs. However, a believer's belief in the angels goes much beyond that. The believer knows that the angels are noble creatures who support and aid whatever is true and just. Therefore, whenever the believer decides to perform a good deed, stand up for the truth and sacrifice for what is right, he knows that there are creatures in this world who are going to support him and help him in his cause, like the angels supported and helped the believers in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Source: |
| Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| Controlling Desires To deify one's carnal desires means to worship those desires, just as one worships an idol or takes some creature as one's deity. The person who keeps his desires under the control of reason and who decides in its light, what is right and what is wrong can be expected to revert to the Right Way even if he were to slide into polytheism or disbelief. Such a person can also be expected to firmly keep to the Straight Path after consciously opting for it. But the person who is a slave of his carnal desires is like an unfettered animal who moves in whichever direction his desires prompt him. Essentially, he is not interested in distinguishing between truth and falsehood, between right and wrong. So who can persuade him to commit himself to the Truth? Even if he were to accept the Truth, there is no guarantee he would maintain himself by it. Source: |
| Blindspot |
The Leadership of Man Islam requires leadership in every group activity, be it permanent or temporary. For example, whenever two or more persons congregate for worship, they must choose one of them who is best qualified to lead the congregation in prayers. Likewise, when they travel together, they must appoint one of them to assume leadership of the group. Leadership is, therefore, a requisite of any group activity and is to be invested in a person who is best qualified for it. What this seems to suggest is that the family leadership is not created for the husband; the "office" is not founded for the man. Rather, it is allocated to him and he is appointed to it because he is better qualified for the placement. This means that in his assumption of the family leadership the husband is bound by the rules of the office. If he violates the rules or abuses the office he ceases to qualify for it. His authority is not categorical, nor is his leadership unquestionable. They are neither imposed nor claimed, but allocated and subject to checks. Source: |
