Iethar

What is ithâr? It is to take on oneself such takleef (trouble! inconvenience), which is not beyond one’s tolerance, in consideration of bringing râhat (ease and comfort) to others.

This is the ta’leem (teaching) in Islam.

Despite being Muslim, we Muslims have not understood Islam. What an amazing phenomenon!

Putting it differently: Despite being members of a household, we have not understood our home! Being members of a household, we have not recognised our home!

Islam is a house, a basic fort, belonging to the Muslims. Yet we have not recognised this.

Yes... We are Muslims. Well... Yes... Admittedly, we are Muslims...

Like wealth: A person possesses a mere hundred rupees. Yes, admittedly, it may be said that he possesses wealth. But, is he really wealthy, especially in present times?

I have heard with my own ears people, in spite of having one lâkh rupees (100,000 rupees) saying, “I consider myself to be poor!” So what is a mere 100 rupees?

It was different in the past. We have passed through such an era, and seen an age, where people used to say of anyone in possession of a hundred rupees, in a tone of awe, “That is a very rich person!.”

If somebody were to pick a quarrel with this person, others would quickly draw him to one side and reprimand him in subdued tones, “Are you picking a quarrel with him? Don’t you know that he is a very rich man? He has a hundred rupees!.”

Today, if anybody has one lâkh rupees, it is considered insignificant.

Similarly with Muslims: Yes... Well... It may be said that they are Muslims. Even though most aspects of Islamic teachings are not to be found in them, and more un-Islamic features are found, even so, one concedes that they are Muslims. What type of Muslims...? Anyhow, they are still Muslims. Kindly note the tone of my voice in my making these remarks. Do you understand what I am trying to convey?

Another example: If a person owns five or ten acres of land, technically he will be said to be owning land - he has land, whereas the next person may have nothing. But can he be called a landowner in the real sense of the word? Of course not! If he were to boast to be a landowner, he would merely be making a laughing stock of himself.

Similarly, Muslims are themselves making a laughing stock of Islam. It is not others who are making a laughing stock of the Muslims. The Muslims themselves are making Islam an object of mockery.

Should we tread firmly, and completely, along the path of Islam, with an even temperament (mustaqil mizâj), then nobody will have any occasion to mock or sneer.

We are the ones inviting others to mock and sneer.

DO NOT INCLINE TOWARDS THOSE WHO HAVE MADE ZULM

Be as it may, we consider ourselves to be Muslims. Well and good. This is also of use. We will be forgiven on that basis. However, it is to be seen whether this forgiveness comes after being censured, or after being slapped, or after being given a whacking. Or - Allah Ta’âlâ forbid! - being punished by the fire of Jahannam touching us, even though the full force of the fire does not envelop us.

As is stated in the Qur’ân shareef, where the Mu’mins are being addressed:

There are huffâz sitting here to bear me out as to the correctness of this âyat. Amongst you sitting here are also scholars, teachers and students - molvisâhebân, mudarraseen and tulabâ.

“(O Muslims!) Do not incline towards those who have committed zuim (injustice/ oppression)” - committed zulm to themselves by adopting shirk and kufr. Do not adopt their ways! Do not imitate them in matters of mu’âmulât (transactions) and mu’âsharat (social etiquettes and lifestyle).

As far as ibâdat (worship) is concerned, Muslims do not imitate them: When a Muslim makes Salaat, does he not make sajdah to Allah Ta’âlâ? Obviously, a Muslim neither makes ruku’ nor sajdah to idols, or to pictures placed in front of him, or to hand-fashioned statuettes, etc.

“So, O Muslims! Make sure that you neither incline towards nor adopt the habits, the mu’âmulât and mu’âsharat of the mushrikeen and kuffâr. Be aware! It should not happen that the fire of Jahannam touches you, caresses you!” The touch of that fire is very severe!

From 'For Friends ... 8', Ml. Maseehullah Khan Saheb