Narrated Anas: Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one.” People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.
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| — | Bukhari |
One of the wives of Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer the Fajr and the ‘Isha’ prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, “What prevents him from stopping me from this act?” The other replied, “The statement of Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) : ‘Do not stop Allah’s women-slave from going to Allah s Mosques’ prevents him.
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| — | Bukhari |
Oh Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please, You ease sorrow.
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| — | Invocation for when you find something becoming difficult for you - Fortress of the Muslim |
I served the Prophet for ten years, and he never said to me, “Uf” (a minor harsh word denoting impatience) and never blamed me by saying, “Why did you do so or why didn’t you do so?
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| — | Bukhari |
Avoid Using The Word “Hate”
Utterances such as “I hate”, even in what seems like the smallest of matters could be considered a nullifier of Islam. In Nawaqidul Islaam it says:
“Whoever Hates Anything of What the Prophet (N) came with Has Committed Kufr (Disbelief), even if he practices it [i.e. that thing which the Prophet (N) has come with].
The ‘ulamaa (scholars) agree on this nullifier as reported in the book Al-Iqna’a. This includes disliking or rejecting anything the Prophet (N) brought to this ummah (nations, followers, etc) including any verbal or practical action, whether an obligation or a forbiddance. For example, if a wife dislikes or rejects the ruling that gives her husband the right to marry another woman, she will fall under this nullifier. However, if she accepts the ruling but dislikes for him to do that because she does not want to share her husband with another woman, it is permissible.”
So even to utter such words as, “Ugh, I really hate milk” could be a nullifier as the Qur’an and Sunnah both reiterate the benefits of milk.
We throw around the word “hate” so often it’s as though we don’t understand the meaning.
Hate: intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury
Do you truly hate the thing you claim to? When you think of this thing, does it really bring up feelings of intense hostility? Does the taste of milk really fill you with rage?
Words are an incredibly beautiful, powerful thing and should be used mindfully. Let us remember to think before we speak, and insha’Allah avoid falling into sin.
And as always, this comes as a reminder to myself first and foremost. May Allah forgive me and my shortcomings.
