#FridayReminders 37: From Rageful Refutation to Courteous Conversation? (29:6)
#QuranReflections by Hisham Abu Yusuf

Video: https://youtu.be/HD84fV5lZCI 
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وَمَن جَـٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَـٰهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٦
And whoever strives ˹in Allah’s cause˺, only does so for their own good. Surely Allah is not in need of ˹any of˺ His creation.
(29:6)

The examples of scholars having decorum and etiquette in their disagreements are too many to relate. But one example came up today while I was doing some reading around this verse in Surah Al-Ankabut.

After Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, spends a significant number of pages responding to some Mu'tazilite theological arguments - something he spends a lot of time doing in his exegesis - he then says something quite profound about this whole back-and-forth he's engaging in. He said:

'My brother, know that both of us [i.e. me and my opponents] are all attempting to glorify Allah ﷻ and describe Him in a way that is free of imperfections… if you think about that carefully, you'll realise that we all want to describe Allah ﷻ in a manner that rids Him of any imperfection, magnifies Him, and elevates His status. It happens to be that some of us got it right, and others just got it wrong..'
[Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut, v6]

We can all take a lesson from this statement in how we engage, rectify and correct ideas from other Muslims, while avoiding character assassination and public beef-ing. We can all acknowledge that our opponent or interlocutor has a good intention, even if they got it wrong. And that we're both trying to get to the same place, even if we chose different paths. And then maybe, just maybe, we'll stop treating them like a villain and the cycle of rageful refutations can look a bit more like courteous conversations.

THE STRUGGLE WHILE STRIVING

This ayah is a great reminder if we find ourselves feeling bitter, resentful, upset, annoyed, or underappreciated while doing work in the cause of Allah. Whether it's volunteering, working for an Islamic organization, being active on a masjid committee, helping someone, sharing something, teaching, etc.

Let's take a step back and remember that it's an opportunity that Allah has given us and it is ultimately for our own benefit. 

Do you have reflections on this ayah? Which ayat help you re-focus and get back on track when you struggle while striving?

In Surah Hajj, Allah commands the believers to strive in His path as the word used is وَجَٰهِدُوا۟.
In Surah Al-Ankaboot, He straightens the mindset and tells the rewards for the one who strives in His cause.
✨The reward is that they will be guided-
'لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا - We will surely guide them along Our Way.' 
✨The mindset is straightened by making us aware of the fact that  the struggle we make in His cause is only for our good. It gives the caution that the struggle is never 'for' Allah it is 'in' His path because Allah is لَغَنِىٌّ- free from all needs. 
If we will not do our jobs as Muslims, then He will replace us with ones who are better qualified. He says in Surah Al-Maaida, 
'O believers! Whoever among you abandons their faith, Allah will replace them with others who love Him and are loved by Him.' 
And describing the quality of these people He says, 'يُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ - they will struggling in the Way of Allah'.

Indeed, this realization is also significant that we need guidance to know 'how' to strive.
JAK! 😊

In Surah Hajj, Allah commands the believers to strive in His path as the word used is وَجَٰهِدُوا۟.
In Surah Al-Ankaboot, He straightens the mindset and tells the rewards for the one who strives in His cause.
✨The reward is that they will be guided-
'لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا - We will surely guide them along Our Way.' 
✨The mindset is straightened by making us aware of the fact that  the struggle we make in His cause is only for our good. It gives the caustion that the struggle is never 'for' Allah it is 'in' His path because Allah is لَغَنِىٌّ- free from all needs. 
If we will not do our jobs as Muslims, then He will replace us with ones who are better qualified. He says in Surah Al-Maaida, 
'O believers! Whoever among you abandons their faith, Allah will replace them with others who love Him and are loved by Him.' 
And describing the quality of these people He says, 'يُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ - they will struggling in the Way of Allah'.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

I have never ever spent Ramadan anywhere else apart from the United Kingdom. I longed to be in other places in various stages of my life, but as I turned to the age of ‘maturity’ I started to love the imperfections and the community my world had. 

The ache of Makkah to Madinah is something I feel I can understand better now. Your birthplace is your identity especially if you have lived four decades there.

But, with the countless of blessings as I turn these pages that are a little crumpled with memories of change and growth. I’m actually ‘home’ within them. Wherever I am without the Book of Allah it does not feel home and with it, a place that is strange can feel home. Why? Because through the Qur’an He pushes you along, He soothes you through His promises, He alerts you from getting too attached to this temporary world. Glory be to Allah the Lord of all the worlds. 

The Lord that took care of you back then, takes care of each one of us now.

I smile as I turn the pages that bring something new and something old. If this wasn’t placed within my lap I don’t think I would have the strength I have now.

I think of those who are trialed far greater than me, who in every difficulty hold out to Allah’s promises. Indeed the people of the Qur’an are those who live by the Qur’an. May Allah ease each of their sadness, worry and difficulties. Allahumma Ameen.

In the Name of Allah. the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

Today, I stood outside my primary (elementary) school with two of my small children. I stood outside the gates and saw the same pine trees that I used to love and look up in awe under which there used to be a bench. I remember my mother would stand sometimes at my playtimes watching and smiling at me from that gate.

I have spent just over 40 years of my life in the United Kingdom. The eldest child of immigrant parents who had no relatives. It was just myself, my parents and a young sister for some time. I closed my eyes and it felt as though, I have simply blinked my eyes and everything has gone by ever so quickly. It does so for everyone. A short life. 

Just 6 weeks short of moving to Canada with my husband and children. Some of this time that I was given, I didn’t understand the nature of life. Part of it is spent going through things to make you the person you are today. Everything, which befalls us even in our childhood contains His wisdom. Whatever and whoever you encounter there is a lesson you will learn. 

I remember bringing books from school that were about ‘Islam and Muslims’ to read at home. I learnt more and more throughout the years. I claimed to love Islam. Yet, as knowledge was discovered and revealed, I realised that we cannot escape tests and trials. Much of the time we don’t have much control over what comes our way, but what we do have control over is our response. Over the years, we realise who is in control and that if Allah SWT.

As I reflect back upon my life, there were storms sometimes huge and perplexing ones, but there were breezes of ease and help, all shaping me. Most of all, I am grateful He allowed me to recognise and remember Him to at least an increasing capacity than when I was young and small. That is a beautiful gift from none other than Allah SWT. 

In order to deal with the storms which are within our capacity we must accept His divine decree and we must look to the fact that  He has never left us. This should cause one to develop even more trust as time goes on, as perhaps sometimes the tests become harder and more difficult. Yet, Allah is always with each one of us throughout the journey of life. 

Isn’t that something to remember and to feel surely you are never alone? You can get through whatever you are going through because truly He is a call away. The clouds which carry rain, reveal the sun too which only brings the colourful and delightful rainbow. Trust Allah with whatever you are facing, it’s all part of His care and love for you. You cannot control whatever befalls you, but you can increase your love and trust upon Him.

Jazakallah khair for sharing such a heartfelt, comforting, and a beautiful reflection. May Allah continue to help you in remembering Him and bring ease and tranquility into you through His remembrance. Ameen.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

Again, I’m here. 

When you were in receipt of Allah’s blessings you exclaimed through joy that you love Allah. Perhaps that might have been when you passed your exams, on the birth of your child, when you got the job you wanted, perhaps the house you purchased or the person whom you married. Life is indeed filled with all sorts of blessings.

But, who you really are and what you have understood about Islam is determined through difficult situations.
In difficult situations: 

- Do you become angry?
- Do you run somewhere else other than Allah?
- Do you see everything in a hopeless manner?
- Do you become incredibly anxious that you worry about  every single thing and worry about a disastrous outcome?
- Do you treat people and loved ones harshly?
- Do you give up?

Or 

- Do you put your trust in Allah and understand that things good or bad are not always under your control but they under Allah’s control? 
- Do you accept His decree and go to Him for help?
- Do you increase your supplications?
- Do you leave your affairs in the Hand’s of Allah?
- Do you remember that still you have more blessings than loss?
- Do you practice gratitude that the trial is not in your religion which is the most difficult trial of all?
- Do you thank Allah that it is not much worse?
- Do you endure for His sake and reflect upon His Names and Attributes?
- Are you more on guard that shaytaan loves a depressed believer?
- Do you know that Allah always plans the best for you and that all He wants for you to trust Him and come closer to Him? That eventually you will understand His wisdom?
- Do you run to Him? Like a child runs towards their parents and even more so?
- Do you think there is good in everything which befalls you because He is indeed the Most Just?
- When you fall short do you get back up and ask for His forgiveness?

O soul wrapped in grief and worry, it is temporary. Great everlasting rewards are awaiting for the one true to Allah. There is no help better than Allah’s help, there is no one who loves you more than Allah? There is no one who can plan for you better than Allah? And there is no one who wants for you as much as Allah wants to see you in jannah? There is no one as wise as Allah, there is no one who can answer the supplications other than Allah and there is no one who can protect you other than Allah. So ride the storms of your life with love and greater devotion. 

Glory be to Allah Lord of the worlds!

ماشاءالله. جزاک الله خیر 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

I am here again. Perhaps, because we step from one trial to another trial and this is the nature of this worldly life which is only a place of examination.

The Qur’an and the sunnah allow us to conclude that the Examiner is our Lord who is the Most Merciful. His Mercy is beyond the mercy of even the mother with her child. 

Having good thoughts and understanding the Examiner will help us in exercising patience and trust upon Him.  For those who exercise patience are always victorious.  Part of the victory is that you come even closer to Your Lord and it He who has turned you into a more beautiful slave than before. Resilient and strong as well as sincere.

To achieve victory and success you must exercise patience and you will find Allah with you, helping you defeat every obstacle that you once saw as impossible. 

I would like to mention the following:

Allah Almighty says: I am as My servant expects of Me and I am with him as he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I will remember him in Myself. If he mentions Me in a gathering, I will mention him in a greater gathering. When he draws near Me by the span of his hand, I draw near him by the length of a cubit. When he draws near Me by the length of a cubit, I draw near him by the length of a fathom. When he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7405,

In another narration, the Prophet said:

يَقُولُ اللَّهُ إِنْ ظَنَّ بِي خَيْرًا فَلَهُ وَإِنْ ظَنَّ شَرًّا فَلَهُ

Allah Almighty says: I am as My servants expects of Me. If he thinks good of Me, he will have it. If he thinks evil of Me, he will have it.

Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 639,