Some Lecture Recaps

We were fortunate alhamdulillah to attend an islamic lecture organised by the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Two learned academics Dr Safiya, and the well-known Dr Jamal Badawi.

 

The first session was about building character as a muslim. Dr. Safiya gave some examples which I would like to share with my closest.

 

1. There was an example from Hadith where a man who had given a loan to the prophet PBUH, and came two days before the due date and grabbed the shirt prophet PBUH such that the collar caused pressure on the prohpet's PBUH neck. Umar RAH, then scolded this man for doing this to the prophet. The prophet then said to Umar (and this may not be the exact words but what I am writing based on what I heard) " Why are you scolding this man, Umar, when you should instead tell me to pay the loan on time...". The humbleness of this great prophet, who did not sit on a throne and expect everyone to respect to him. But who showed how to live by example. Alhamdulillah!

 

2. There was a case where a total stranger had was being owed to by Abu-Huraira (I am assuming it was Abu Huraira. What was told during the session was that this person was a leader amongst the Khuraish and the prophet had tried many times to change him, and also the prophet faced a lot of trouble from this man) and where Abu-Huraira was avoiding. This man then went to the council of elders to ask for justice. The council, thinking that this was a good opportunity to mock the prophet PBUH, told this man to get help from "that man who is sitting near the Ka'ba"... So this man, no knowing who the prophet was, went to the prophet and asked for help. The prophet then, went with this total stranger to Abu-Huraira's house and asked Abu-Huraira to pay this man. Abu-Huraira, then went into his house and brought the money to pay this man. What this shows is how the prophet even helped a total stranger, knowing that he would face problems in attempting to help this man. Also what was discussed was as to why Abu-Huraria paid, without refusing. The speaker said that Abu-Huraira had narrated to the elders' council that he had seen a big camel next to the prophet and he was scared that this camel would help him. The speaker said that this maybe a miracle, or it could be a lie by Abu-huraira to save face. Allahu alam.

 

3. There was a case where a bedouin tribe member had come to the masjid and then had gone to a corner of the masjid to relieve himself. The Sahabi were angry and went over to show their anger, when the prophet stopped them. The prophet then called the bedouin tribe member and had explained to him that what he did was not something that you should do in a Masjid. This shows how you should approach people when they do something unknowingly, but which annoys or angers you. In modern times we call it emotional intelligence.

 

A few things which Dr. Jamal Badawi spoke about which is worth mentioning: His focus was on how to live as an american muslim, and how to deal with questions from the non-muslims.

 

About war and to counter arguments that islam promotes war. There is a verse in Surah Bakara where it mentions about war and how there should not be "excesses" in war. This controls what can be done under the "rules" of engagement. Also, it is celebrated in the quran when victories were made without wars. Example the battle of the trenches, and the first haj, and how the muslims were able to go for pilgrimage. All of these were celebrated. These points can be used to rebut anyone who claims that the quran promotes war.

 

Dr. Badawi also mentioned that some muslims believe that loving a non muslim is not permissible. Dr. badawi said that this is not the case. He gave examples of the prophets uncle Abu-thalib, If it is not permissible to "love" non-muslims there would have been a revelation in the holy quran for the prophet not to do so. There were other numerous examples. This is not only for "people of the book" but also for others, since the most of the arabs who were non muslims worshipped idols.

 

Also the word Kufar has many meanings. Kufar is also used for the "farmer". The reason to bring this up is because the people who question islam often asks questions as to why islam wants muslims to kill non muslims. Dr. Badawi says that this is not true...

 

Wassalaam...

 

Bru