Mercy and Justice, Commitment to Dawa, The Family as Refuge
Issue 272 » April 30, 2004 - Rabi-al-Awwal 10, 1425
General
| Living the Quran |
Al-Araf
(The Heights)
Imam al-Ghazali said: "The Divine Mercy is perfect, in the sense that it answers every need. It is universal in the sense that it spreads alike over those who merit it and those who do not merit it." To despair of Allah's mercy is one of the major sins, for Mercy is one of Allah's Attributes, praise be to Him, and to doubt whether He will show it implies disbelief in this Divine Attribute. The Mercy of Allah is infinite and His Compassion unlimited. But that should not lead one to complacency and self-satisfaction. A man commits sins and says: "Allah is Merciful" and instead of repenting and reforming his life, he often continues to lead a life of disobedience. Such an attitude is dangerous. A Muslim should lead a life expecting Divine Mercy and at the same time be conscious of Allah's Judgement. According to the Quranic concept of Allah, there is no conflict between His Mercy and His Justice. His Mercy does not abrogate His Justice. On the contrary, His Justice means Mercy. In the sight of Allah, Glory be to Him, good and evil, justice and injustice, morality and immorality are not the same. To accept anything different would devalue righteousness, goodness, and morality and is tantamount to injustice. It is for this reason that Allah's Mercy demands that there should be the Day of Judgement when those who followed the Path of Righteousness will be rewarded and the evil-doers punished. However, as human beings are prone to sin, it is only Allah's Mercy that can lead to their redemption and salvation. Thus, His Mercy covers everything in this Universe. Source: |
| Understanding the Prophet's Life |
Commitment to Dawa "All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care." [Bukhari] For the civilization of Islam to be established it was necessary that a whole generation should be educated according to the spirit and teachings of the true way of life, different men and women in all different walks of life. The building up of such a generation is no small part of the achievement of the Prophet, may peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him. A major foundation in that building up was a commitment to the work of dawa, the carrying of Islam into the lives and hearts and minds of others. This principle, that all Muslims have responsibilities for Islam in all its dimensions, derives from the Quranic injunction, addressed to all Muslims men and women, that they should enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. The work of dawa is laid upon all Muslims and constitutes one of the prime duties of the diligent Muslim to his fellow men. Source: |
| Cool Bits! |
The Family as Refuge Within the fold of family life is a secure refuge against inward and outward troubles. In a time when people mistrust each other, when everybody thinks of himself first and it is considered a crime to be bothered with the worries of others, only those are well off who know that there is for them at least one place of refuge. Here we may get either good advice or a piece of bread, a helping hand or a bed. Here we can be sure to be defended against the outside world, and we know that the other family members are expecting of us the best and not the worst which helps us so much to unfold our best qualities. Thus, the family is a marvellous institution for the needy as well as for those who are able to help. No other social institution has so far shouldered similar responsibilities as successfully as the family. Source: |
