Live as brothers, transact as strangers

ta3aasharoo ka-al-ikhwaan
ta3aamaloo ka-al-ajaanib

"Live as brothers of each other (and treat each other like brothers with love),

but when you transact with each other do it as between strangers (let your dealings be transparent and explicit leaving no doubt whatsoever)."

Great teaching of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) which would avoid so many disputes arising, cutting them off before they can take root!

Make things clear and well- defined/explained. Write it down! Leave nothing doubtful and unsaid, that it may become a cause of disunity/disharmony in future.

Good elaboration in 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani.

Better to forgive... and make dhikr :)> (2 of 2)

"... He [Miyanji Noor Muhammad (rahimahullahu)] was ever occupied in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)...

When he went to buy something, he carried a pouch full of money which he handed over to the seller and asked him to take away his due from it.

He never counted the money, for, he spent the time it would take him to count in making Dhikr."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Better to forgive... and make dhikr :)> (1 of 2)

"... It was his [i.e. Miyanji Noor Muhammad's (rahimahullahu)] habit that whenever anyone caused him trouble, he would say, 'O Allah, I have forgiven him'.

Even if a thief took away his property, he would say, 'O Allah, I make what he has taken from me lawful to him. What shall I do by taking revenge from him or calling punishment on him'.

He was ever occupied in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)..."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Husband disliking something in his wife (and vice versa?)

"... no husband must detest his wife continuously - because, if he does not like any thing [i.e. something] in her then surely there is something in her that he likes..."

"... When a wife does something with which the husband is displeased, he must not let his displeasure take firm root in him and criticise her for her faults. Rather, he must look at her good points too. If he does that, his anger will subside."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Nice little book. More comprehensive in its coverage than merely problems/conflicts that may arise between husband and wife.

Selfless Mentor / Friend

"... someone who genuinely wants you to be better than them, that's the type of mentor that you really want.

There are very few people who will want you to be better than them. Very few.

This is why your parents really are your best friends..."

(Source: Shaykh Tawfique Chowdhury, 46th minute of an interview about super productive Muslim-ness, link below)

http://www.productivemuslim.com/journal/2010/2/1/interview-with-a-super-productivemuslim-sheikh-tawfique-chow.html

Personal Calling

I saw this term (Personal Calling) in the introduction to Paolo Coelho's book 'The Alchemist' and remembered this verse...

wa li kullin wij-hatun huwa muwalleehaa...

"To each is a goal to which Allah turns him..." (2:148)

... which I read in Shaykh Yusuf al-Qardhaawi's book 'Islamic Awakening Between Rejection and Extremism' a couple days earlier.

ps. There is an alternative understanding of this verse - alternative not conflicting.

pps. Recommended Listening...
http://www.productivemuslim.com/journal/2010/2/1/interview-with-a-super-productivemuslim-sheikh-tawfique-chow.html

The Speech of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam (2 of 2)

"Hadith Number 2:
Anas ibn Maalik Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: 'Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (sometimes) repeated a word (as was necessary) thrice, so that his listeners understood well what he was saying'."

"Commentary:
If what he was explaining was difficult or it was something that had to be given thought, or if there were many people, he faced all three sides and repeated it to every side, so that those present understood well what he said. Repeating a thing thrice was maximum. If saying a thing twice only sufficed, he only said it twice."

(Source: Shamaa'il Tirmidhi with commentary)

There is a third Hadith in the chapter. Worth buying the book just for this. Really!! (It's just £4.)

The Speech of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam (1 of 2)

"Hadith Number 1.
'Aayesha Radhiyallahu 'Anha relates that the speech of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was not quick and continuous as that of yours. He spoke clearly, word for word. A person sitting in his company remembered what he said."

"Commentary.
The speech of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was not of an abridged nature nor was it fast, that nothing could be understood. He spoke calmly and clearly, word for word. A person sitting by him remembered what he said."

(Source: Shamaa'il Tirmidhi with commentary)

Progression of the human race / Standards

"... Rasoolullah (ﷺ) says this ummah will not end until a time will come when a man would approach a woman and would sleep with her in the middle of the road... the middle of the street in front of everyone... Rasoolullah (ﷺ) says the best of them in that time... the most righteous of people in that time... will come and tell them, 'if you could please go behind that wall'..."

(Source: 'The Hereafter' audio series)