Peace is the way

[M.H.Mubarak]

786
Peace to one and all,

Our time on this world is short. Allahu ta'ala exists in His Eternal Absolute Reality. The reality of time and space is a Relative Reality,with beginnings and ends. Hadith narrate that on the day of Reckoning, our "world" and the first three heavens shall pass away, become non-existant. "After" the Day of Judgement Allahu ta'ala will create a "new" world. The limitations of our language limit us to the concepts of before and after. There is no vocabluary in our arena that is concrete enough to deal with the Absolute Reality of Eternity. We troubble our minds over questions such as are we the only world in the universe with human life on it, or are there a billion others in the remote distances of the universe. It doesn't matter. When the end of time and space comes, it will all be annihilated, and as already mentioned, re-Created after the time of Judgement.

To assure our place in this continued "world" we ought to seek the highest station that our meager limitations allow. The alternative to becoming Shahid is to be Ghazi, Victorious. When going into battle for the sake of Allah, both options need to be open, as Allahu ta'ala is the one who decides. It is not for us to choose the option.

As we follow the path to success by following the guidelines of our Creator, we must move with Knowledge and caution. We can say that such and such an action is our Destinty. But, in the matters of Destiny, the waves of Qader and Qdem are mountainous. Though the ocean of Qader and Qadem can be alluring, it can also drown you! We need to be careful voyagers. Our Iman is the ship that will keep us afloat! Being at Peace is the best means to weather the course.

The one language we all need to learn, is the language of the heart. To understand the world, to touch it. rejoice in it, and to celebrate the treasures that have been deposited in it’s wealth by Allahu Subhanna wa ta’al, as a means to marvel and acknowlege our esteem and thankfulness to our Creator; this is the real Work which we ought to be doing. This is the door that opens the inner meaning of the saying: There is no way to peace. Peace is the Way.

[AbuMubarak]

Talk! Don't Talk?

The tongue is a piece of meat that looks harmless but on the contrary
it is the most manipulative, "slippery" and carniving. Most of the
time because of the tongue - family ties were broken lovers argued
and relationship between fellow brothers severed.

In Surah Al-Balad (verse 9) ALLAH SWT mentioned:- "wa lisanan wa
shafatain"

- - that ALLAH SWT has given man a tongue and two lips.. ALLAH SWT
has granted us this faculty of speech and the means of expressions.
It is this "equipment" that I shall focus:

1. "Sweet Talking" Mouth

This tongue or rather mouth belongs to the group of people who are
usually in need of your help or favour either for a fee but mostly
for free. Many a time, this sweet talker will succeed in taking
advantage of you without you realising that you have been taken for a
ride. This group is not sincere and will sometime even take advantage
on others misfortunes. Normally, this sweet talkers are guys, so
ladies beware! However not all sweet-talker are harmful some are
harmless but who can tell the difference. Only time will tell their
true colours - hopefully it is not to late.

2. "Cursing" Mouth

They curse and swear like nobody's business and to them cursing make
their days. The greetings be it in the morning or night will be bad
language and swearing. Some to the extend of punctuating their
sentences with a curse:- it's their cup of tea and I really don't
understand this sort of people. na'uzubillah.

3. "Non-Stop/Motorised" Mouth

There are some who cannot stop talking either because they love to
talk or they may "stop breathing" when they stop talking. The only
time you will see this group quiet is either when they are asleep or
eating (because their mouth are full) but again some have acquired
the skill to talk while eating. They always have something to talk
about. Pity the angels who have to jot down all this! Rasulullah
s.A.w. mentioned if you have nothing to talk just keep quiet and
again Rasulullah s.A.w. compared Muslims with the bees - they eat the
best (nectar) and the best also comes from them (honey). As Muslims,
we should take the best be it our foods, friends, behaviour, and
produce the best again in everything and in this context our speech
and "idle/empty-talk" will dull the mind and heart.

4. "Gossiper/Bad" Mouth

Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned when another Muslim start to gossip or
talk bad about another Muslim that Muslim (the gossiper) is actually
eating the dead meat of fellow Muslims. This clearly shows that the
act of gossiping is most despicable. Even if the subject matter is
true we are not encouraged to bad-mouthing fellow Muslim then it will
be even worse if it is a lie! A true Muslim will not lie. ALLAH SWT
will not reveal the "aib" or bad behaviour of someone if he hides
the "aib" of another Muslim. But there are exceptions to this as such
when someone is starting or spreading bad-rumours about ISLAM we are
binded to "gossip" the credibility of that person be it a Muslim more
so to non-Muslim.

5. "Indecent/Lying" Mouth

The characteristics of the munafiqun are when they talked they lied,
when they promised the broke it and when given power or authority
they abused it. A lie will lead to another lie... in the end the liar
gains nothing just like the boy who cried wolf. Some are professional
liars - the conned artist. I believe if they take the lie-detector
test, they will pass with flying colours. Please spare this thought -
you can lie from head to toe everyday or night, all year round but
remember ALLAH SWT will not be conned easily. Yes today you may have
gained some time from your lying but please bear the retribution
during life hereafter.

6. "Boastful/Big" Mouth

This group of people are arrogant and they think they are the elite
of society. With their power and money they look down on the less
fortunate than them. Sometime their high-handedness is not limited to
their actions or bodily gestures but to the extend of chiding and
criticising the poor or the less advantage with hurtful words. They
let loose their wicked vanity which to them is a passport to taunt,
mock and slander others. ALLAH SWT mentioned that ONLY ALLAH SWT is
allowed to be "arrogant" not us. Who are we then to be proud? We are
the same, we eat and sleep unless if you do not require sleep or do
not consume food then you can boast around! Till then we are nothing.
Just remember sooner or later we will die and face the all mighty,
ALLAH SWT.

7. "Snake-Tongue/Twisted" Mouth

No, this is not for those who can recite the tongue-twister within
second. If you notice the tongue of a snake, it is spilt into two at
the end. This group is the hypocrite. In front of you they will
shower praises and will say all the nice thing about you but once you
turned your back they will start to talk bad about you sometime they
even resort to "fitnah". Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned that "to kill is
better than spreading fitnah" no this hadith does not encourage
killing but make you realised the damaging effect of a "fitnah".
Nowadays people tend to believe everything they hear. As Muslim we
are encouraged to investigate first of any news we hear rather to
jump into the wrong conclusion and be in the band-wagon of rumour-
mongers. The mouth especially if it belongs to a powerful person if
not careful used/uttered can be damaging not to a person alone but to
the whole nation. The best if we do not know about anything on any
matter is to keep "quiet" not to add salt to the wound sometime to
convince people we tend to exaggerate and by so doing sometime we
fabricated evidence to support our false claim, na'uzubillah. Worst
if we have committed the crimes and let another Muslim be the "fall-
guy".

In Surah An-Nisa' verse 112 ALLAH SWT clearly vindicated this:-

"AND WHOEVER EARNS A FAULT OR A SIN THEN THROWS IT ON TO SOMEONE
INNOCENT, HE HAS INDEED BURDENED HIMSELF WITH FALSEHOOD AND A
MANIFEST SIN".

8. "Protected and Restricted" Mouth

Rasulullah s.A.w. guaranteed that those who guard what is between
their two jaws and their two thighs with janna. Now this is not easy
however since when to do sometime for ALLAH SWT will be easy? ALLAH
SWT mentioned that we will be tested in order to prove our worthiness
for heaven. By the way our nafs will also be fighting with us to make
the journey most difficult. The ummah before us suffered tremendously
but they persevered and have Janna as their reward. If they can do
it, why can't we! Insya'allah. We must always seek ALLAH SWT help in
whatever we do and ALLAH SWT will guide those who asks for guidance.
This hadith advised us to be practical when using our tongue, to use
it wisely and "locked" it when not necessary.

Muaz Ibn Jabal said:-

"I was with the Prophet on a journey. One day I was walking beside
him when I said, "Messenger of ALLAH! point out to me something I may
do to take me to Paradise and keep me away from hell!" He said "You
have indeed asked about something great yet it is quite attainable by
those for whom ALLAH SWT has made it easy. Worship ALLAH assigning to
ALLAH SWT no partner, offer your prayers regular, pay out what is due
to the poor of your money, fast in the month of Ramadhan and offer
pilgrimage". The Prophet than said.. "Shall I point out to you the
gates of goods?" I said "Yes, Messenger of ALLAH please do". He
said "Fasting is a safeguard and a means of protecting yourself,
charity erases your errors just as water extinguishes a burning fire
and your praying in the late hours of the night is a sign of piety".
He then recited the verse:- "(those) who forsake their beds as they
call on their Lord in fear and in hope and who give in charity of
what WE have bestowed on them. No soul knows what bliss and comfort
is in store for these as rewards for their labours" (Sajdah 16)

The prophet then went on:- "Shall I tell you what the heart of the
matter is, its the backbone and its highest grade?" I said "Yes
Messenger of ALLAH please do". He said:- "the heart is Islam that is
submission to ALLAH SWT, its backbone is prayers and the highest
grade is Jihad that is struggle for the cause of Islam". He then
said "Shall I tell you what commands all these? I said "Yes,
Messenger of ALLAH, please do". He said "Control this!" and he
pointed to his TONGUE. I said "Are we, Prophet of ALLAH really
accountable for what we say". He said "May your mother lose you
(Arabic

expression:- which in this case may mean watch what you are saying).
For what else are people dragged on their faces in Hell apart from
what the tongue yield." (related by Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn
Majah). Now from this hadith need I say more....I rest my tongue..(I
mean case!)

9. "Truthful" Mouth

This group will tell the truth even if it hurts you... mind you
actually this is for your own good... (medicine tastes bitter). These
are actually your friends. They guide you with constructive
criticisms and advises. Sometime their truthfulness make them public
enemy but somebody has to stand for the right and truth! In Surah
Nisa',verse 114 ALLAH SWT praises this group of people who seek ALLAH
SWT blessing by advising people to do ma'ruf and sadaqah or by
conciliation (make peace) between mankind.

10. "Blessed/Blissful" Mouth

There was once when Rasulullah s.A.w. passed by a gathering of Sahaba
reciting and remembering ALLAH SWT. Rasulullah s.A.w. asked what are
they doing... they mentioned that they doing "zikrullah" and nothing
else...then Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned that ALLAH SWT through arch
angel JIBRIL has mentioned that ALLAH SWT is proud of them. Even if a
sinner happened to sit in that gathering ALLAH SWT will forgive him,
subhanallah. Now from this hadith we know that the best use of the
tongue is to remember ALLAH SWT. This tongue will always be "wet" due
to remembering ALLAH SWT. They sit, stand, and sleep by reciting the
greatness of ALLAH SWT not only from their heart but they manifest it
in their action too.

Even our Rasulullah s.A.w. said the "istighfar" seventy time some
related as one hundred times a day. Now if Rasulullah, who's sin has
been forgiven by ALLAH SWT still felt the need to say the istighfar
what about us? The commonest among common. Please make it a habit to
think and recite the zikrullah form now on and the most afdal of all
zikri is "LAA ILLAHA ILL'ALLAH" and in Surah Al-Anfal verse 45 -
those who mentioned ALLAH SWT in abundance is most successful,
insya'allah.

Dear brothers and sisters, alhamdulillah ALLAH SWT has bestowed us
with great tidings not only in this world but the next, insya'allah.
Before we could truly claim what is ours (insya'allah Janna) we first
must prove that we are worthy of that place. It is not enough just by
saying "yes/no or I will or will not do this/that... we have to
practice what we preach and during judgement day we will be "tongue-
tied" as our tongue will not be giving any evidence of what we have
said (other parts of the body will do that)... so TALK! DON'T TALK?
it is up to you and please bear in mind sometime what we say will
mean nothing to us but will be "poisonous" to our listeners. Words
cannot be swallowed and our words will be a start to a long lasting
friendship or animosity. In conclusion I like to share a passage from
In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb:

"these are the favours (sight and speech) bestowed on man in his
actual make-up to help him to follow the right guidance:- his eyes
with which he recognises the evidence of ALLAH's might and the signs
indicated all over this universe which should prompt him to adopt the
faith and his tongue and lips which are his means of speech and
expression. One word sometime does the job of a sword or a shotgun
and can be even more effective that either. It may on other hand
plunge a man in the fire of Hell."

Firdaus

[M.H.Mubarak]

ASA AbuMubarak,

Your response is a bit quixotic.

Perhaps you could clarify the intention of your remarks and site an example of whatever provoked this special response?

Masalaama
M.H.Mubarak

[AbuMubarak]

though it may appear a bit quixotic, its a level of living we should all attain, similar to your post

ideals that mankind should focus upon

[M.H.Mubarak]

ASA,

I will agree with you on that.

I will however, ammend my post by adding that "The Peace", The Balance in the celebration of life: "the Dance of Life" is attaining to the state of being, which is being "in" the world, but not "of" it.

Where the words of the pragmatist ends, the poets' images begin.

[Tahiyah]

M.H. Mubarak...

Asalaamu Alaikum. I just wanted to say, i appreciate the way you think. Alhamdulillah.

http://members.tripod.com/~LadySNO/NativeAmerican.html

please visit this site. i hope you will enjoy these peaceful proverbs as much as i do.

[M.H.Mubarak]

ASA Sister Tahiya,

Thank you for the link of Native American Proverbs. My wife and I appreciated it very much.

Here is something I would like to share with you.

From Volume IV of Sahih Muslim

" "Chapter MCXCIV
THIS UMMAH WOULD BE DESTROYED BY KILLING ONE ANOTHER

(6904) Thauban reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: "Allah drew the ends of the world near one another for my sake. And I have seen its eastern and western ends. And the dominion of my Ummah would reach those ends which have been drawn near me and I have been granted the red and white treasures, and I begged my Lord for my Ummah that it should not be destroyed because of famine, nor be dominated by an enemy who is not amongst them to take their lives and destroy them root and branch, and my Lord said: "Muhammad, whenever I make a decision, there is none to change it. Well, I grant you for your Ummah that it would not be destroyed by famine and it would not be dominated by an enemy who would not be amongst it and would take their lives and destroy them root and branch even if all the people from the different parts of the world join hands together (for this purpose), but it would be from amongst them, viz, your Ummah, that some people would kill others or imprison others.' "
(6905) Thauban reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: "Verily, Allah drew the ends of the world near me until I saw its east and west and He bestowed upon me two treasures, the red and the white...." The rest of the Hadith is the same." "

Perhaps in the Comparative Religion Forum we could present the parallels os the Red Path and Islam.

Ma Salaama

[Tahiyah]

ok, so what are the red and white treasures Rasool (saw) is speaking of? i could take guesses, but i would rather hear it from you. :-)

[Ammarah]

Originally posted by Tahiyah
M.H. Mubarak...

Asalaamu Alaikum. I just wanted to say, i appreciate the way you think. Alhamdulillah.

http://members.tripod.com/~LadySNO/NativeAmerican.html

please visit this site. i hope you will enjoy these peaceful proverbs as much as i do.

as salaamu alaikum

are you "longingformadina" at an nisaa?

[Tahiyah]

:scratch:

[Ammarah]

Lol. Sorry.

She has a similar signature. An Indian blessing or saying or something.

[M.H.Mubarak]

As-Salamu Alaikum,

In the footnotes to this hadith The red and white treasures are said to mean the red and white races.

[Tahiyah]

MashaAllah.. now that is very interesting. so the red and white races are considered treasures to the prophet (saw)? or perhaps the land of the red and white races? the muslims of these races? whats your thoughts brother M.H. Mubarak?

[M.H.Mubarak]

ASA,

In as much as the "Red Path" has many similarities to the "Islamic Path" is evidence that among the Ancient Elders, Allahu ta'ala raised up prophets amongst them. ie. The day begins with a cleansing with water and the dhiker of the "Great Spirit" in mind in all that they say and do. Women in their "moon time" set themselves apart from the family lodge. Everything in creation is a sign of the Creators' Mystery, and has a lesson for those who have the ears to hear and the eyes to see. The Vision Quest and the seeking balance on the path of becoming a Complete Human Being... The Medicine wheel representing a model of the whole universe...are just a few.

However, mankind has the tendency to innovate and make additons where there ought not to be innovatons, and down through the ages things change, and obscure the original.

Allahu ta'ala has a way of opening a way back to the primal source via Islam. It is no mere coincidence that 1400 lunar years ago the blessed Prophet Muhammad, Sallalahu alaihi wa sallam, mentions the Red and White treasures. The Red race and the White race still need to work out the injustictes that the latter preformed upon the former, but that is part of the process.

The Native American being already closer to the Path of Muhammad, will have an easier time reverting their lives to Allahu ta ala's original plan. I feel that they will be instrumental in leading their conquerors back to the straight path.

Allah knows best.

Ma Salaama