Faith Friday: On Why We Should Forgive Miss Badu & Be Kind to Non-Muslims
I read a hadith a while ago which came to my mind when people were criticising Erykah Badu for her "tattoos". There is a difference between condoning something that is haraam (forbidden) and forgiving someone for their lack of knowledge regarding that which is haraam. As Muslims, I think we can all agree that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to us as a mercy and to teach us to be merciful with others. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself said, "I was only sent to perfect noble character." (Ahmad)
But today, Muslims are harsh with one another and worst of all, they are harsh towards people of other religions. Where is our compassion? How did we become so hard-hearted and arrogant? If you study the seerah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) you will realise how humble he was. This is Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) I'm talking about. Allah's Chosen One. Amongst all His Prophets, he is the one whom we have been commanded to say salawat upon. Yet he still carried himself with humility and treated others with kindness and compassion.
But today, Muslims are harsh with one another and worst of all, they are harsh towards people of other religions. Where is our compassion? How did we become so hard-hearted and arrogant? If you study the seerah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) you will realise how humble he was. This is Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) I'm talking about. Allah's Chosen One. Amongst all His Prophets, he is the one whom we have been commanded to say salawat upon. Yet he still carried himself with humility and treated others with kindness and compassion.
Ibn Abbas reported, "A man gave Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a small water-skin of wine. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him, 'Don't you know that Allah has made it haraam?' He said, 'No.' Then a man at his side whispered to him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), asked what he had whispered, and the man replied, 'I told him to sell it.' The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), said, 'The One who made drinking it haraam has made selling it haraam.' The man then opened the water-skins and poured out what was in them ."
It was also reported that the Prophet's (peace be upon him) companions had asked him, "Are you not angry with him for bringing you wine as a gift?" [did you not find it rude and disrespectful of that man?] He then replied, "No, because he didn't know that it is haraam."
Do you see the difference between us and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? When someone makes a mistake out of ignorance we yell at them with anger, accuse them of disrespect and call them names but not our Prophet (peace be upon him). SubhanaAllah. He didn't want to offend his guest so he informed the man that it is prohibited because Allah swt has made it prohibited. And what about the time a Bedouin urinated in the mosque? How did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) treat him?
This is why Islam is beautiful and this is how we should protect our deen. By attracting people to Islam with adab (good manners), akhlaq (good character), compassion and understanding. Most of all, by following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), inshaAllah.
This is why Islam is beautiful and this is how we should protect our deen. By attracting people to Islam with adab (good manners), akhlaq (good character), compassion and understanding. Most of all, by following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), inshaAllah.
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Comments
This,makes me miss our prophet (saw) more. He is so kind to people. Reminds me of the incident he (saw) went through in Taif. He was stoned by the people, he bleed, and yet he forgives them...
Why are there so many people so quick to point the finger at those who do wrong. Rather then blame them, can't we tell them nicely like the civilized people that we are (or should be)?
PS - I'm glad I found your blog, given me much more faith in people. I like that I can see your other people who comment on your post sharing your view on things.
Syaz, I once lost faith in Muslims too. Then I decided to be the change I wanted to see in others. Well, I'm trying at least =0) Hope you're well buddy! Haven't seen you since our Sri Cempakan days.
I loved this post. I can't agree with you more. I have to admit that when I first started getting religious and I was over zealous...I am afraid I may have been guilty of this. Alhamdulillah, over the years I have learned how hurtful it is. Check out my series on good character on my blog.
My most recent post: http://sippingchai.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/good-character-part-3/.
Don't you think that is wrong? Then she started saying that we should put religion aside and unite for love. As you know, we should never put religion aside because we have to always think about Allah!
I do forgive her but I think she shouldn't be ignorant in the future.
Having said that, her intentions are between her and God. His test for us is to see how we deal with the situation. Will we treat her with mercy and compassion or will we continue to indict her even though she has apologised?