Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Seeing Good in All...


... It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. God knows and you do not know.
(Surat al-Baqara: 216)

Believers live in wholehearted submission to God, aware that everything, in its minutest detail, is created by God and predetermined by Him according to a certain plan. Although believers may encounter all sorts of hardships and trials throughout their lives, they never feel regret and say, "I wished this did not happen to me..." They believe that a divine purpose and good is to be found in every event. Therefore, even in the most distressing circumstances, they live with peace of mind. However, disbelievers, who are unaware of this truth, feel great anxiety whenever they are confronted by an event which to them seems evil. Hopelessness and despair pervades their lives. The fact is, however, due to his nature, man is constantly seeking peace and comfort, because of the physical and spiritual pains that difficulty, stress and sorrow cause him. But, the sorrow, stress and despair, which a person who does not put his trust in God or see the good in whatever befalls him is subjected to, encroaches upon him from all around. He can never manage to free himself from fear of future, fear of death, disease, or fear of poverty.
Man's only salvation is found in remembering that God creates every event for a divine purpose and a certain good. A believer is putting his faith in God in the truest sense only if he remains cognisant of this fact. He comports himself in the manner of a true servant only if he does not merely endure these situations, but is patient through them. Keeping always near to God, by praying and putting one's faith in Him, and expecting that everything comes from Him, is a quality particular to believers.
In this world, in which he waits to attain the gates of Paradise, a believer encounters various sorts of circumstances as part of his trial. During this test, he conducts himself responsibly towards his Creator, and endeavours to earn the pleasure of God and His Paradise. He seeks to avoid hell, fears God, and sees the good in all that occurs to him and around him. Though he fails to see this good, he remembers that it is God Who knows all, no matter what the circumstance. A believer is a being who has descended to the world from paradise through timelessness, that is, in God's sight. Here he is to remain, for a brief period of time, until he is permitted to enter that final abode by God's will. God informs us about an event which is sure to happen to His servants who fear Him and do their duty:
And those who have heeded their Lord will be driven to the Garden in companies and when they arrive there, finding its gates open, its custodians will say to them, "Peace be upon you! You have done well so enter it timelessly, for ever." They will say, "Praise be to God Who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want. How excellent is the wage of those who work!" You will see the angels circling round the Throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. It will be decided between them with truth. And it will be said: "Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds."
(Surat az-Zumar: 73-75)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jewels of guidance from the inheritors of the Prophets..


Drawing living objects

Question: Is drawing (all) that which has a soul (from amongst the humans and animals) permissible if it is done on a bedsheet (cloth) or a carpet or that which is similar to this?

Response: The ruling regarding making pictures encompasses (all) that you have mentioned. (So it is haraam to draw or photograph (all) that which has a soul (from amongst the humans and animals)).

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez Ibn Abdullaah Ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Qu'ood
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa., - Volume 1, Page 674, Fatwa No.5807



Ruling concerning hanging and possessing pictures

Question: What is the ruling concerning hanging a picture on a wall? What is the ruling concerning owning pictures of people?

Response: It is not allowed to hang a picture or keep a picture of any being that possesses a soul. It is obligatory to destroy such pictures. This is because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) told 'Alee:

((Do not leave any image, but [instead] efface it)).

It is also confirmed in the hadeeth of Jaabir that:

((The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) prohibited having pictures in houses)).

Therefore, all pictures meant for remembrance should be torn to pieces or burned. However, pictures that are needed out of necessity, such as for official identification purposes and so forth, may be kept.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah



Ruling concerning pictures on childrens clothing

Question: What is the ruling regarding pictures and drawings on children's clothing, since these (children's) clothes are not free from pictures?

Response: It is not permissible to buy clothing upon which pictures and drawings of that which has a soul from amongst the humans, animals or birds. This is because making pictures and using them is haraam, for the many authentic ahaadeeth which forbid this and threaten severe punishment over it. The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) cursed those who made pictures [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, volume 7 hadeeth 67] and informed that they will be the most severely punished on the Day of Jugdement [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, volume 7 hadeeth 64 and 65]. So it is not permissible to wear clothing upon which is a picture and nor is it permissible to dress a young child with it. That which is obligatory is to purchase clothing without pictures and these are many.

And all Praise is for Allaah.

Shaykh Ibn al-Fowzaan
al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Fadheelatush-Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan - Volume 3, Page 339, Fatwa No. 505



Taking photographs

Question: Is taking photographs with a camera haraam or not?

Response: Yes. Taking photgraphs of (all) that which has a soul (from amongst the humans and animals) with a camera and other than it is haraam. And it is upon the one who takes the photograph to repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness and feel sad at that which has come to pass from his actions and not to return to it.

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez Ibn Abdullaah Ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Qu'ood
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa., - Volume 1, Page 670, Question 8 of Fatwa No.3592

sara said...

MAY PEACE BE UPON YOUR SOUL, HEART, MIND, AND BODY...AMEN.

Well, all I can say is may Allah guide us all to what is right and straight, until we meet Him...Amen.

HichamMG said...

Salaam Sister

I've recently visited your blog, and I fond it very nice indeed. Therefore, I'd added it to my links under a section called "Blogs + Friends @ WWW" in the sidebar of my blog.

Keep on good work [*smile*]

sara said...

WALAIKA ALSALAM BROTHER,
WALLAHI IT IS MY HONOR TO BE ADDED THERE...
YOUR BLOG IS VERY DEEP AND FULL OF INSIGHT...
MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT, AND MAKE IT A CONTINOUS SADAQA AFTER YOUR DEATH...AMEN.

Nabeel said...

i've read that line in Surat-ul-Baqraa .. how true !! ..

who's the figure in the picture?