Qur'an: You are the best of communities

"... you are the best of communities raised for mankind:

you order what is right, forbid what is wrong,

and believe in God..."

(Surah Aal Imran, Verse 110)

If there's anything that singles you out as a community

it is your camaraderie

in establishing what is right and proper

and your assisting each other

in steering clear of the wrong and improper.

And your belief in God.

And there is nothing intrinsic within you

neither your blood line nor your skin colour

that warrants you for merit

except this.

Umar: Spiritual well-being

"Pay a great deal of attention to your heart.

Talk to your troops, exhort them

and remind them of the importance of good intentions

and of checking on themselves.

Patience, patience.

For the help of God comes

in accordance with how much one checks himself.

Ask God to keep you safe and sound,

and frequently repeat the words:

'There is no power and no strength except with God.'

Fear God and put your hope in Him,

and do not take anything for granted..."

(Snippets of Umar ibn al-Khattab's advice to Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas [may God be pleased with them both] when he appointed him commander over the Muslim army in Iraq)

Umar: The visible and hidden signs of faith

"The signs of faith are instilled by God in the heart;

some are hidden and some are visible.

As for that which is visible,

it is when the one who praises a person

and the one who criticises him

on the basis of truth

are the same to him.

As for that which is hidden,

it may be manifested in wisdom

flowing from his heart on his tongue

and people's love for him.

Indeed you can think of your status before God

by checking your status before the people who are with you..."

(Snippets of Umar ibn al-Khattab's advice to Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas [may God be pleased with them both] when he appointed him commander over the army in Iraq)

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.

Love is...

To find small

that which you give,

though it is great.

To find great

that which you receive,

though it is small.

Why I pray

Because God will be increased if I do?
Because God will be diminished if I don't?
For the world around me to be changed?
That's not why I pray!

Because it's my challenge.
Because it's my joy.
For the strength to be that change.
That's why I pray.

Ikhlaas

Some say, it's
sincerity,
good faith
and a pure intention.

Ultimately, it's
that secret
none knows
but God and I.

Abu Bakr's advice

I found a most comprehensive, concise and compelling advice in Shaykh Muhammad Al-Khudari Bak Al-Bajuri's The History of the Four Caliphs (translated by Turath Publishing). No joke: The book is worth buying for this one page alone! It is the counsel of Abu Bakr (God's pleasure be upon him) at the time of appointing one of his men to a position of leadership. I've pulled out only some bits of the advice and, even that, I've re-worded in parts. Buy the book for the complete, original translation of this counselling masterpiece!

Be conscious of God,
for surely your inner self is apparent to Him as is your outer.

Know that the most eminent in God's sight
is he who entrusts his affairs to Him the most.

And the closest to God
is he who desires most to gain proximity to Him.

When you go to your men,
be a good companion to them.

And be good to them from the outset,
promising them that you will be of benefit.

When you lecture, be concise,
for much of a long speech is forgotten.

And set yourself right,
for your people will set themselves right in tow.

When the time for prayer comes,
pray, humbly, with perfection in bowing and prostrating.

And when you seek counsel, speak the truth,
so that you are given an honest response.

Do not conceal anything from your advisor,
saying all that you have to say.

Nor spy on your people,
for you will humiliate them.

Nor examine your men's secrets,
sufficing instead with what is outwardly observable.

Nor sit in the company of the idle,
choosing instead the company of the truthful and loyal.

When you meet the enemy, stand firm,
showing no cowardice, or your people will become cowardly.

And when you deal with the spoils, avoid all deception,
for it will bring on poverty and drive away victory.

The three dimensions of revelation

Recital.
Understanding.
Practice.

(Extraction from Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 129 of the core functions of a Messenger who would be inspired by God. Namely, to recite upon people the revelation, to teach them its meanings by means of instruction & example, and to purify them by means of their realising & practising it.)

Be, like the world around you

Generous, like the river from which you drink.
Bountiful, like the sun by which you see.
Hospitable, like the earth on which you tread.

(Play on words of something I saw in Maulana Muhammad Mian's 'The Prisoners of Malta')

Ma'ariful Qur'an: The Free

On them shall be no fear,

for that which is to come.

nor will they grieve,

over that which has passed.

Ma'ariful Qur'an: Blessings – The tangible and intangible

Food, wealth, health, family, security.

Honour, happiness, intelligence, wisdom, guidance.

The joys of this world

The joys of this world

joys they are indeed

joys no doubt

tainted as they are

tinged as they are

with fear, with worry, with grief,

of decrease, of protection, of loss.

Such, is the life of this world.

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.

Desire

Obeying desire
you'll see
is like watering a plant
or feeding a pet.
It grows!!

No alcoholic,
no gambler,
no banker,
ever had his fill,
ever consumed his want.

Consumed he was.

Yaqeen

Certainty.
Confidence.
Certainty carried in Confidence.

You alone our Lord

To You alone we direct our worship.
Free we are from submission
to any beside You.

From You alone we seek our help.
Free we are from dependence
on any beside You.

In Your hand we are our Lord.

The prayer for guidance

Guide us to the straight path
the Muslim's oft-repeated prayer
leaves no doubt

guidance is not binary
rather
a force to be fuelled

strengthened
in opposing one's self,
in the want to be led.

Ma'ariful Qur'an: Wahy - The divine revelation

Man has his senses,
and reason,
and then there is revelation.
Men inspired by God
to teach what is beyond us,
what is beyond this world.

It's like being out at sea!

He stands there
out at sea...
Hit by a wave

how foolish he would be
out at sea
to think it his first, or his last.

For waves are
out at sea
the rule.