Islam is such a beautiful religion. Alhumdulilah we are blessed with a religion that teaches us etiquette. Shiekh Yaser Birjas reviews a hadeeth that mentions that the Prophet Mohammad saaws said, "A true believer is not involved in taunting, cursing, vulgar language, or verbal abuse." Unfortunately, our society is full of these characteristics. He further elaborates that taunting is used when racism takes over. The reference here is talking and over generalizing people because of their background, race, religion, culture, etc. At times we may think that the virtual world is different than the real world. That the rules don't count there. We are also reminded that even when we abbreviate vulgar language online, it still counts. Also, at times when we see verbal abuse, condescending language may not come to mind.
In the end, we must look at ourselves and try our best to perfect our character, manners, and etiquette before we start pointing fingers at others.
I loved the Q/A section of this video. The first Q/A reminds us that when we hear someone telling lies or doing something wrong, you are not automatically in the right for correcting them. It is how you do it that counts. For example, when you hear someone telling a lie, if you say, "You're a liar", you are attacking the person. When you say, "That is not true", you are focusing on the facts. The second Q/A refers to calling a person a kaafir. The shiekh reminds us that only Allah knows what will happen to a person before they die. A person may change at the last part of their life. They may be a good Muslim their whole life and change their way due to some calamity right before their death. And the opposite holds true. A non-Muslim may be one all their life and become a believer right before their death.
My sideline takeaway: At first, this video seemed like the common sense, "speak kindly" type of video until I really reflected on it. I love how the Sheikh reminds us that Islam teaches us how our manners, how our character should be. Such etiquette is not only essential for our own lives and health as individuals and parents, but also, we are walking dawah billboards. The way we act is dawah to non-Muslims where they can actually see what true Islam teaches, but also dawah to other Muslims around us. When we speak kindly and in a positive fashion it brings optimism to those around us. Children will follow what their parents and friends will do more than what they are actually told. As a parent, if I "model" these negative characters to my children, yet tell them not to do what I do, but be better than me...how many times does that actually work? Bringing this thought full circle, what about our friends around us? When we shun a gossiping conversation or ask others not to speak in such a manner around us respectively, it reminds our fellow Muslims of how they should be acting themselves, without us even saying anything. This further reminds me of the saying, "Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are." It's funny...things always seem to have a domino effect with me.
I have other little takeaways, but I'll just use this one for now. I think this is a very deep video, if we really think about the content.
When one enters an art gallery, not every piece of art is interpreted in the same manner by each individual. Just as each of us may take away something different from the same video. Please watch this short video above and share with us your "take away". What did you get from the video? How does it inspire you? Let us share and learn from each other.
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