This is one of the most common statements that is made on many occasions and is normally used to pacify a situation.

There have been many incidents in the past which give an idea of the continuous and never ending attacks on Islam, however, Muslims were always told, ‘no harm meant to Islam’. 

We can take a look at many of the incidents which took place in the past. From among them is the mass destruction of many Islamic cities, Mosques, Islamic Institutes and the thousands of innocent lives lost. We can also look at the caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad (SA), and we can also look at the statements of the Pope, who, until now has not apologized to the Muslims for his wrong and misleading statements.

Although these incidents seem to give a clear message of what is taking place against the Muslims, yet all those who have been connected to these have been very proud to say ‘no harm  meant to the Muslims’.

Before our readers can judge the truth of such statements, we would like them to take a look at the most recent development.

The new eye-opener in the market today is about a film which was recently produced by a Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders. The name of the film is ‘FITNA’ and it portrays the Holy Quran as a book of violence while the Holy Prophet (SA) is shown as a terrorist.

Attacks of this nature are not new to Islam and the Muslims have seen similar mischief done in the past. The question however, is ‘What is the purpose of this film? Is it another mistake? Or does it have a clear intent?’

Unlike others, who have pacified different situations in the past, saying ‘no harm meant to the Muslims’, Geert Wilders has made it very clear that, ‘This film will prove to the world that the Quran is a guide to terrorist attacks’.

The film has already caused havoc in the Netherlands and other parts of the world, and it would continue to create uneasiness and tension among many. It may even bring about much violence.

With this, it is clear that many wicked-minded people are taking the attack on Islam to a higher level and have gained much support for their evil intentions from the international market.

Those who wish to wage a war on Islam, would continue to do so at any cost. Such people are prepared to take the criticisms, condemnations and taunts from others. They are even prepared to face charges for such wrongdoings. However, with all these, they have set their minds firmly upon the destruction of Islam and would go to any extent to accomplish it.

Until now, the film has not really come to the forefront, however when it does, we will see the reactions of many Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

From among the non-Muslims, those who bear hatred against Islam will love this film, while others who are of moderate temperament may dislike it.

From among the Muslims, it is impossible to think that any one would support it, if there are such people, then these are the ones who are void of the true faith.

With the variety of mixed feelings and reactions which have been seen in many parts of the world, it is important for Muslims to learn how to respond to situations of this nature.

In the past, we have seen Muslims turning to extreme cases of violence against innocent people. They have attacked Government offices and have attempted to destroy public places. Some have gone to the extent of burning flags of different countries, while shouting slogans that may convey meanings of violent actions.

All these and many more have been seen in the past, but they have not produced any good results. Instead, because of such behavior, Muslims have been further accused of inciting hate, dislike and attacks on innocent lives.

As such, there is no apparent benefit of these actions, and Muslims should avoid behaving in this manner.

As for the Islamic ruling of such conduct, it is very clear in the teachings of Islam that a Muslim is not allowed to behave in this manner.

The perfect example of the Messenger of Allah (SA) is before us and we are well aware of his struggles and his response to the attacks made on his life and on Islam.

Books of his biography tell us that he was persecuted, taunted, mocked at and made to suffer at the hands of those who disliked him. He was slandered in the worst manner and called by humiliating and degrading nick-names.

Notwithstanding these, he continued to preach the truth in a calm and peaceful manner. Although the people treated him with scorn, he treated them with respect. When they cursed him, he smiled with them. When they spoke to him in a harsh manner, he spoke to them in a soft manner. He never repelled an evil with an evil , instead, he repayed it with kindness and goodness. The people showered their hatred and dislike upon him, however, he granted them his love and compassion.

It is on account of his beautiful conduct and noble traits, Allah made his lifestyle the most perfect  model for us.

Muslims should therefore understand that whatever may come to them, the Prophet (SA) received worse than that, and when confronted with situations of that nature, he responded in a manner that brought good to Islam and the Muslims.

As such, it is upon us as Muslims to react and respond to situations in a manner that will bring about goodness to Islam and the Muslims. It will be the most hated thing in the sight of Allah for any Muslim to do such actions which bring about harm to the Muslims and Islam.

Therefore, in light of what is taking place today, Muslims need to think before acting hastily. Instead of behaving like others, with violence and bad conduct, let us follow the way of the Prophet (SA) by spreading Islam through our beautiful conduct and manners.

It is not sufficient to simply tell the world that Islam is a peaceful religion, but instead, it is more important to show how peaceful Islam is. 

The people at the time of the Prophet (SA) hated him and made every effort to end his life. They never liked what he said, nor did they listen to what he preached. However, notwithstanding such negativity, he was able to win their hearts through his love, benevolence and kindness.

Insha Allah, if we begin to adopt his ways, then most certainly, Islam will rise and the attacks on Islam will be extinguished.

RIGHTS OF PARENTS VS MOTHER’S / FATHER’S DAY

Al hamdu lil-laah, all praise is due to Allah, Who gives respect to whom He pleases and degrades whom He pleases. Allah is indeed the creator of mankind and has established means for the rise and fall of man. One such means is in the relationship to parents.

It is from the wisdom of Allah that He has used our parents as the means for our existence in this world. He has made this system of procreation in which parents would nurture and care for their off spring and  would love and have mercy on them. If Allah had wanted He could have created the entire mankind just as the creation of Hazrat Adam (AS) – with no mother or father; or Hazrat Hawaa (Eve) – from a part of man, with no father or mother; or Hazrat Esa (Jesus) – with no father.

However, by the creation of the cycle of life and procreation, man develops the natural inclination to love, care and relate personally to a benefactor. This benefits man in his greater inclination to his Creator- Allah, by loving and worshipping Him; by showing thankfulness and submitting to His will; by recognizing that He is the real Rabb (Lord and Sustainer) and Benefactor, deserving of obedience above each and every one including even our parents and guardians. Thus Islam has made obedience to parents necessary after obedience to Allah and His Messenger (SA). The Quraan says:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents” (17:23)

It was recorded by Muslim, that  when Hazrat Luqman (AS) advised his son to worship Allah alone, he also told him to honor his parents. (Tafseer ibn Katheer)

A Muslim must believe in Allah and be obedient to Him and he must also be obedient and kind to his parents as has been emphasized in the Quraan and Ahaadith of the Prophet (SA).

Mothers especially, have undergone great pain and sacrifice in the pregnancy, birth, weaning, and upbringing of their children and emphasis has been placed upon treating her with additional kindness. The Quraan says:

“And we have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents, - unto Me is the final destination.” (31:14)

In a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), he said that a man asked; ‘O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of friendly care from me?’ He (SA) replied, “Your mother.” He asked, then who came next? He (SA) replied, “Your mother.” He again asked who came next? He (SA) replied, “Your father.” In another version the Prophet (SA) replied, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest relatives in order.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The forgiveness and duas of parents are necessary for success, as is seen in the incident of Alqamah (RA).

Alqamah (RA) was a very pious companion. He spent his time in Salaah and fasting. At the approach of death he was unable to proclaim the Kalimah Shahaadah (statement of testimony of faith) inspite of repeated talqeen (encouragement / instruction to say the testimony) by those present. His wife sent a messenger to Rasulullah (SA) to inform him of Alqamah’s grave condition.

Rasulullah (SA) enquired whether his parents were alive. He was informed that Alqamah’s mother was alive and he asked the aged mother about Alqamah (RA). She replied: ‘Alqamah is a very pious person. He passes his time in Salaah and fasting. He performs Tahajjud, but he always disobeys me for the sake of his wife. I am, therefore displeased with him.”

The Prophet (SA) said: “It will be best for him if you forgive him.”

However, she refused. Rasulullah (SA) ordered Bilaal (RA) to gather firewood and to burn Alqamah in the fire. On hearing this order, Alqamah’s mother asked in concern: “Will my child be burnt in the fire?”

The Prophet (SA) replied: “Yes! Compared to the punishment of Allah, our punishment is light. I take oath by Allah, that as long as you remain displeased with him, neither his Salaah nor his Sadaqah (charity) is accepted.”

The old lady then said: ‘I make you and all people present witness that I have forgiven Alqamah (RA).’

Rasulullah (SA) addressing the gathering, said: “Go and see if the Kalimah is on the tongue of Alqamah (RA) or not.”

After returning from Alqamah (RA), the people informed that he was reciting the Kalimah. Thus, he left this world with the Kalimah on his lips.

After burying Alqamah (RA), the Prophet (SA) said: “The curse of Allah is on the one who causes difficulty to his mother. The curse of the angels and the curse of mankind be on him. Allah neither accepts his Fard nor his Nafl acts of worship as long as he does not repent and obeys his mother. He has to gain her pleasure as best as he can. Allah’s pleasure depends on the mother’s pleasure and His wrath is concealed in her wrath.” (Ahmad, Tibrani)

The above verses and Ahaadith emphasize that the care to the mother is even greater that that of the father as the mother naturally is more involved in the upbringing and training of the children, especially in their tender ages of childhood and she is usually the weaker and more passionate of the parents. It tells us that children should consider the extent of love and mercy shown by her and must become obedient to her, serve her and seek her duas at all times.

This virtue to mothers in no way removes the respect due to the father. He is the amir (head) of the home, the bread winner of the family, the protector of the honor and dignity of the household and the decision maker. The Prophet (SA) also emphasized his position of esteem and honor in a Hadith related by Abdullah ibn Amr.           

He (SA) said: “The Lord’s good pleasure results from the father’s good pleasure, and the Lord’s displeasure results from the father’s displeasure.” (Tirmizi)

Therefore, being dutiful and obedient to parents (mother and father) is of great virtue and is one of the foremost ways of achieving Jannah (Paradise), while disobedience to parents and reviling them is of the category of major sins and is also from the foremost means of entry into the Jahannam (Hell fire).

Concerning this, Abu Darda related that the Prophet (SA) said: “A parent is the best of the gates of Paradise; so if you wish secure the gate or lose it.” (Tirmizi)

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Prophet (SA) has said: “A person’s reviling his parents is one of the major sins.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Even when our parents have become old and weak, we should not shun our duties to them or disrespect them in the least. The Quraan warns:

“And be dutiful to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them ‘Uff’- a word of disrespect, nor repulse them but address them in terms of honour.” (17:23)

Therefore, it is not permissible to say harsh words to them; raise our voices above theirs in insolence; call them by their names; stare at them out of anger or disgust; ‘stuepse’ or make retorting sounds at them; harbor enmity against them in our hearts; harm, scold or hit them; etc.

On the other hand, we should always endeavor to speak kindly, cheerfully and respectfully to them in their presence or in their absence. We should help and serve them to the best of our ability. We should take care of their needs, give them gifts, and always strive to make them happy in lawful amenities to the extent of our means and ability. 

If we are asked by our parents to do an unlawful act, we must adhere to the laws of Islam and in such case we must disobey them. However, this has to be done in an amicable way. Allah informs us: “But if they strive to make you join partners with Me (in worship) … then obey them not, but behave with them in the world, kindly..” (31:15)

Even if one’s parents are not Muslims he must still fulfill their rights as parents. Asmaa (RA), daughter of Abu Bakr (RA) said: ‘My mother who was an idolatress came to me at the time of the treaty with Quraish, and I said: O Messenger of Allah (SA), my mother who is ill-disposed to Islam has come to me. Shall I show her affection? He replied, “Yes, do so.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

From the above verses and Ahaadith it is clearly seen that these duties to parents are not restricted to a fixed time or occasion, like on their birthdays, or a religious or ceremonial occasion, or on a fixed day of the year – Mother’s Day / Father’s Day, Family week - but such duties and kindness must be adhered to throughout the year and throughout their lives. To show respect to parents on one fixed day by giving of flowers, gifts, cards, or wishing with a good word, etc. and then to utterly disregard them at other times is not proper and may be considered sinful.

Dear Muslims, each and every day should be Mother’s and Father’s day. It would not be permissible to celebrate these days/occasions as a ritual or as a blessed day since it would be amounting to acts of innovations - Bid’ah, and all innovations are rejected and lead to the fire.

In fact, the celebration of these days are based on paganism and goes back to the time of the ancient Greek and Romans. Mother’s Day was celebrated in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods by the Greeks or of Cybele the deitification of Mother Earth. The Roman equivalent was the Magna Mater or The Great Mother. When the Greek and Romans became Christians this pagan reverence was also tagged along with them.  During the 1600’s the Christians then celebrated a day to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus (AS). By a religious order it was named ‘Mothering Sunday' which encompassed the honoring of mothers of England. When Christianity spread throughout Europe this was then further infused into the Church and the celebration changed to honor ‘Mother Church’.

The US was then influenced by this European practice and in 1858 ‘Mothers Friendship Day’ was introduced by Ann Marie Jarvis. Julia Ward Howe continued in the footsteps of Mrs Jarvis in 1872. Ann Marie Jarvis died on May 9^th 1905 and her daughter Anna Jarvis, an activist in her church, organized memorials on behalf of her mother which became a national issue when on May 9^th 1914 the Presidential proclamation declared the 2^nd Sunday of May to be observed as Mother’s Day to honor mothers. This date was then adopted throughout the years in many countries and continents of the world even in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. Many other countries including the Middle East / Arabs were influenced by this commemoration and adopted the holiday but celebrated it at a different time of the year.

Concerning the roots of Father’s Day it has been considered to originate from the Romans who used to honour their dead fathers every February. However, it is known that the present day celebration stemmed from America by Sonora S Dodd in June 19^th 1910, being influenced as an off-shoot from the Mother’s Day celebration. She wanted to have a day dedicated to fathers just like that of Mother’s Day. In 1966, this was then officially declared as a celebration on every 3^rd Sunday of June each year by President Johnson and was declared as an official holiday in 1972 by President Nixon.

Muslims must now reflect on the root of these holidays and its celebrations. We learn that they originated from falsehood or from the fancy of a few.  We are warned of following the ways of the Jews and Christians and adopting the practices and religion of others. The Quraan says:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (3:85)

And the Prophet (SA) told us that groups of his ummah would follow and seek the ways of others in some of their rituals and customs, as it says in the Hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (RA), who narrated that the Prophet (SA) said: “You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.” We said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?!” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Again the Prophet (SA) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood)

We should fear that we fall in the lot of those who would be punished in the Hereafter because of following their lifestyle and practices.

When we adopt or innovate another way of life as ours we are making a subtle statement that Islam is imperfect, (May Allah forbid), since it did not address this particular need of ours, so we need to borrow it from another way of life. This is a claim of ingratitude and discontent with the Wisdom of Allah in His blessings of Islam and His decree of laws.

In fact, Allah has blessed us with a perfect and complete way of life as He  clearly  says in the Quraan: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (5:3)

We are also told in Hadith that the two celebrations allowed for us are Eidul Adhaa and Eidul Fitr. Other nations would have their own celebrations which they would follow – not for us to follow.  The Quraan informs:

‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow.” (22:67)

The Prophet (SA) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: “Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid.” (Bukhaari)

To celebrate any other activity or occasion with this ritualistic ideology would not be permissible and would be a mark of ingratitude. This principle would be considered applicable to all other occasions like Christmas, Divali, Boxing day, Carnival, Easter, Good Friday, etc. including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

In fact, to celebrate one day as Mother’s Day and one day as Father’s Day is to short change the rights of our parents. Their rights must be fulfilled every day of the year. Other nations have white-washed and watered-down their responsibilities to their parents and many Muslims have adopted it as a means of convenience and ease.

This practice of following others in their way of life is hypocritical in words and deeds. Islam has taught us to be sincere. Islam is the only way of life which will be accepted by Allah. Muslims must therefore submit wholeheartedly to the tenets and injunctions of the Shariah and Inshaa Allah they would achieve success in both worlds. We pray that Allah guides and bless us and our parents and give us the ability to fulfill the rights of each other. Aameen.

THE DARUL ULOOM

The Darul Uloom T&T is an Islamic institution disseminating primary to tertiary Islamic Studies and secondary academic education. We are a non-profit organization whose objective is to educate Muslims about the Sacred Deen of Allah.

To achieve this end the Darul Uloom offers many programmes and courses on a full-time and part-time basis for brothers and sisters separately.

In addition to these programmes, services such as Counseling, the issuing of Islamic legal opinions, and collection of Zakaah and Sadaqah are done at the Darul Uloom.

Through the Grace and Mercy of Allah (S.W.T) the Darul Uloom is able to conduct these various programmes and courses only through the kind and generous donations of the Muslim Community.

As a service to Islam you are humbly requested to contribute to these efforts as we strive together to establish the Deen of Allah (S.W.T).