Umar's advice to the judges

Here's a summary of some timeless advice prepared by Umar (God be pleased with him) for his judges. It's taken from Dr Ali Muhammad as-Sallabi's book about the life and times of Umar Ibn al-Khattaab. A small example of the fruit of the faith which the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) planted in his heart!..

Try to understand when cases are presented to you,

for there is no use in a person presenting a case if it is not understood.

Treat people equally when you address them

so that no noble man will hope for your unfair siding with him

and no weak man will despair of your justice.

Be gentle with the weak one

so that he will have the courage to speak.

The burden of proof rests with the plaintiff,

the oath is required of the defendant,

and judgement must be based on evidence and oaths.

Strive to bring about reconciliation,

unless it becomes clear to you who is in the right and who is in the wrong.

If you passed a judgement yesterday

then examined it further and are guided to a different conclusion,

let it not prevent you from returning to the truth.

And returning to the truth is better than persisting with falsehood.

The etiquettes of giving in charity

Here's some lessons on giving charity taken out from verses 261 to 274 of Surah Al-Baqarah:

1. Give to attain God's approval, and as an affirmation of your faith, and not to be seen by people.
2. Do not follow your giving with reminders of benevolence or hurtful words.
3. A kind word and forgiveness is better than a charitable deed followed by hurtful words.
4. Give from the good things you have acquired and not from the bad things which you yourself would not accept.
5. To give openly is good, and to give in secret is even better, and know that God is well aware of all that you do.

The distinguished few

If you love those who love you,
what reward have you?
Do not all men do the same?

And if you salute those who salute you,
what reward have you?
Do not all men do the same?

And if you bless those who curse you,
have heart for those who hate you,
pray for those who persecute you,
few are those who do the same.

Winners consult, losers mope!

مَا خَابَ مَنْ اِسْتَشَارَ
وَ لَا نَدِمَ مَنْ اِسْتَخَارَ

maa khaaba man istashaara
wa laa nadima man istakhaara

He never loses, the one who consults others.
And never does he regret, the one who consulted God.

Paying wife's personal expenses for the year

Was just reading in Mufti Taqi Uthmani's 'Islam in Today's World' how the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would give to his wives, all in one go at the beginning of the year, their due money to cover their expenses for the year, for them to spend as they chose. Amazing maa sha Allah!

Live as brothers, transact as strangers

ta3aasharoo ka-al-ikhwaan
ta3aamaloo ka-al-ajaanib

"Live as brothers of each other (and treat each other like brothers with love),

but when you transact with each other do it as between strangers (let your dealings be transparent and explicit leaving no doubt whatsoever)."

Great teaching of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) which would avoid so many disputes arising, cutting them off before they can take root!

Make things clear and well- defined/explained. Write it down! Leave nothing doubtful and unsaid, that it may become a cause of disunity/disharmony in future.

Good elaboration in 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani.

Better to forgive... and make dhikr :)> (2 of 2)

"... He [Miyanji Noor Muhammad (rahimahullahu)] was ever occupied in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)...

When he went to buy something, he carried a pouch full of money which he handed over to the seller and asked him to take away his due from it.

He never counted the money, for, he spent the time it would take him to count in making Dhikr."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Better to forgive... and make dhikr :)> (1 of 2)

"... It was his [i.e. Miyanji Noor Muhammad's (rahimahullahu)] habit that whenever anyone caused him trouble, he would say, 'O Allah, I have forgiven him'.

Even if a thief took away his property, he would say, 'O Allah, I make what he has taken from me lawful to him. What shall I do by taking revenge from him or calling punishment on him'.

He was ever occupied in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)..."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Husband disliking something in his wife (and vice versa?)

"... no husband must detest his wife continuously - because, if he does not like any thing [i.e. something] in her then surely there is something in her that he likes..."

"... When a wife does something with which the husband is displeased, he must not let his displeasure take firm root in him and criticise her for her faults. Rather, he must look at her good points too. If he does that, his anger will subside."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Nice little book. More comprehensive in its coverage than merely problems/conflicts that may arise between husband and wife.

The Speech of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam (2 of 2)

"Hadith Number 2:
Anas ibn Maalik Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: 'Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (sometimes) repeated a word (as was necessary) thrice, so that his listeners understood well what he was saying'."

"Commentary:
If what he was explaining was difficult or it was something that had to be given thought, or if there were many people, he faced all three sides and repeated it to every side, so that those present understood well what he said. Repeating a thing thrice was maximum. If saying a thing twice only sufficed, he only said it twice."

(Source: Shamaa'il Tirmidhi with commentary)

There is a third Hadith in the chapter. Worth buying the book just for this. Really!! (It's just £4.)

The Speech of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam (1 of 2)

"Hadith Number 1.
'Aayesha Radhiyallahu 'Anha relates that the speech of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was not quick and continuous as that of yours. He spoke clearly, word for word. A person sitting in his company remembered what he said."

"Commentary.
The speech of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was not of an abridged nature nor was it fast, that nothing could be understood. He spoke calmly and clearly, word for word. A person sitting by him remembered what he said."

(Source: Shamaa'il Tirmidhi with commentary)

Seeing defects within one's self

"Hazrat Umar (ra) prayed: 'May God show mercy on the man who points out mydefects to me'."

"... mix with people and know their faults... a believer is a mirror to anotherbeliever. He sees his defects from the defects from others."

(Source: (Translation of) Ihya Ulum-id-Din, Chapter on Good Conduct)

Good Conduct

"There are ten qualities of good conduct: not to break promise, to do justice, not to take revenge, to recognize evil as sin, not to raise excuse, to bear the harm of others, to restrain passion, to know one's own faults from seeing the faults of others, to come to everyone with smiling face and to talk with humility with others."

(Source: Attributed to Usuf bin Asbat in Ihya Ulum-id-Din, the Chapter of Good Conduct)

I score low. Much to rectify.

allahumma kamaa 7assanta khalqee fa 7assin khuluqee wa 7arrim wajhee 3alaa-an-naar.