"Rabia-b-Asem said: Caliph Yezid sent me once to Abu Hanifa and he wanted to appoint him as cashier of the state treasury. On his refusal to accept the post, he was given twenty stripes.
...
It is narrated that he (Imam Abu Hanifa) was once offered the post of chief justice of the state, but he said: 'I am not fit for this post.' When he was asked about the reason, he said: 'If I have told the truth, it is good for the post: and if I have told a lie, I am unfit for that post as I am a liar.'"
(Source: Imam Ghazali's Ihya Ulum-id-Deen)
A great Imam, a great ascetic, a God-fearing man,
good in character, good in conduct, good in deed;
seeking the pleasure of the One Most High,
eternal and absolute, as He is;
fleeing from the prizes of this world,
temporary and unfulfilling, as they are;
preferring a king's punishment
to that of the kingdom's Possessor.
May Allah have Mercy on him and us all.
Monday 25 February 2008
Sunday 17 February 2008
Tips for a better delivery
Some advice for a better sermon, insha-Allah:
(1) Words from the heart reach the hearts. Speak words that hold true for yourself and your own internal state.
(2) Project your voice and speak into the microphone. Get your stomach into it!
(3) Maintain eye contact with your audience; all of them, at the front, at the back, to the right, to the left. Don't look at one particular person for too long.
(4) Don’t hide behind your papers; keep your papers low so that they do not act as a barrier between you and your audience.
(5) Use visual aid whenever possible (hands, facial expressions etc).
(6) Don't speak in a monotone voice; fast to slow, slow to fast, high to low, low to high, keep the audience attentive and on their toes.
(7) Don’t fidget and keep your hands out of your pockets.
(8) Say “we and I” and do not say “you!”. Remember: You are advising yourself first and foremost. Do not forget this.
(9) Relax; speak slowly and clearly. Take deep breaths and pause between points. Allow the audience to absorb your arguments.
(10) Don't prepare too much that you have to rush to get through it all in the short time allocated.
(10) Repeat important points. Three times is a good number.
(11) Check your intention and seek assistance from Allah: "O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness). And ease my task for me; and loose the knot from my tongue. That they understand my speech." (Dua of Prophet Moses (upon whom be peace) from the Qur'an; Surah 20, Verses 25-28)
(1) Words from the heart reach the hearts. Speak words that hold true for yourself and your own internal state.
(2) Project your voice and speak into the microphone. Get your stomach into it!
(3) Maintain eye contact with your audience; all of them, at the front, at the back, to the right, to the left. Don't look at one particular person for too long.
(4) Don’t hide behind your papers; keep your papers low so that they do not act as a barrier between you and your audience.
(5) Use visual aid whenever possible (hands, facial expressions etc).
(6) Don't speak in a monotone voice; fast to slow, slow to fast, high to low, low to high, keep the audience attentive and on their toes.
(7) Don’t fidget and keep your hands out of your pockets.
(8) Say “we and I” and do not say “you!”. Remember: You are advising yourself first and foremost. Do not forget this.
(9) Relax; speak slowly and clearly. Take deep breaths and pause between points. Allow the audience to absorb your arguments.
(10) Don't prepare too much that you have to rush to get through it all in the short time allocated.
(10) Repeat important points. Three times is a good number.
(11) Check your intention and seek assistance from Allah: "O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness). And ease my task for me; and loose the knot from my tongue. That they understand my speech." (Dua of Prophet Moses (upon whom be peace) from the Qur'an; Surah 20, Verses 25-28)
Saturday 16 February 2008
Differences of Opinion
"Differences regarding the science of juridicial laws (ahkaam) is a mercy, whereas difference regarding the science of divine oneness (tawheed) and Islam is a deviance and innovation. Mistakes committed in the science of juridicial laws (ahkaam) are forgiven - in fact the scholar is rewarded - as opposed to mistakes in the kalaam (theology), for such mistakes are unbelief and fabrication, and the one committing them is sinful.
... One of the seven renowned scholars of Madina, Qaasim ibn Muhammad said, 'Differences among the Companions of Muhammad (SAWS) are a mercy for the servants of Allah Most High'... The caliph 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Azeez (may Allah have mercy on him) said, 'It would not have made me happy had the Companions of Muhammad (SAWS) not differed; for had they not differed, there would not have been any concessions'..."
(Source: Imam Abu Hanifa's Al-Fiqh al-Akbar Explained)
Friday 15 February 2008
If you don't like your life...
"If you don't like your life you can change it!"
(Source: 'Art on the Underground' poster by Mark Titchner)
Not sure what exactly was intended by the artist, but if the intended message is as interpreted by my simple self (i.e. the path I choose in life is for none but me to choose), I like it. And indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of all that exists.
(Source: 'Art on the Underground' poster by Mark Titchner)
Not sure what exactly was intended by the artist, but if the intended message is as interpreted by my simple self (i.e. the path I choose in life is for none but me to choose), I like it. And indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of all that exists.
Monday 11 February 2008
Man was created weak
"Ibn Abi Haatim recorded that Taawus said that, '... and man was created weak', 'Concerning women'.
Wakee' said, 'Man's mind leaves when women are involved'."
(Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, explanation of Verse 28, Surah 4 (An-Nisaa'))
Man, as high and mighty as you see yourself,
I have no doubt in my heart of hearts,
you cannot but concede this weakness as truth,
and I, in all my weakness,
am most certainly no exception.
Wakee' said, 'Man's mind leaves when women are involved'."
(Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, explanation of Verse 28, Surah 4 (An-Nisaa'))
Man, as high and mighty as you see yourself,
I have no doubt in my heart of hearts,
you cannot but concede this weakness as truth,
and I, in all my weakness,
am most certainly no exception.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)