This is some of collection information that my colleagues and I had from variety sources such as “The Ideal Society” by Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi and “Hadith 40″. Hence, there are teachings in Islam that may guide us on how to deal with elders [who do not have the basic knowledge of understandings in Islam] . My apologize for any shortcomings from the writing below.
from: Seni Kehidupan
There are many alternatives to face with elders who do not have the basic of Islamic knowledge such as performing salat prayer, paying zakat, fasting during Ramadhan eve and performing Hajj at Mecca once in a life time. Due to secular and liberal teachings cause the Muslims not aware with the understanding and knowledge of Islam by performing Allah, The-Almighty’s commands and avoid from His prohibitions. However, in Islam we understand that hidayah merely send down by Allah, The-Creator to the mankind. Besides, we are the brotherhoods of the Muslims have the obligation to be His chaliph and dai’e by helping our brotherhoods to obey Allah’s command and forbid from His prohibitions. As the results, we have state a few choices to deal with the elders who do not have the basic understanding of Islam;
1) Holy Prophet (SAW) – The Model of Goodness
The behavior and personality of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are the best examples to follow in Life. A companion of his, who spent full ten years with him, has said:
“Throughout my stay with him I never heard an indecent word from his lips and never found him rude to anyone. He spoke very politely. He was kind to everyone.”
Although Muhammad (SAW) was the Prophet of Allah and had been appointed by Allah to guide the people, yet he was not ashamed of doing his work with his own hands. He assisted the members of his family in household work and performed the jobs of other persons with great pleasure. He mended his clothes and shoes. He also took part in the construction of Masjid al-Nabi in Medina along with his companions.
His dress was always clean, though simple. He was very mindful of cleanliness. He washed his hands and mouth before and after taking his meals. He was so kind and generous that he never refused a reasonable request of any person. He often distributed edibles among others and went without meals himself. He always helped the needy and the poor and went to the houses of the sick to enquire after their health.
Whenever he met anyone he said, ‘Salamun Alaikum’. He always spoke with a smiling face. The Holy Prophet (SAW) was a model of all the virtues and qualities of a believer described in the Holy Qur’an. None can describe him better than Allah who has said he possessed the noblest character.
Kindness and Forgiveness
More than 1400 years ago in Arabia the people were living very much in fear. They feared their neighbors. They feared other tribes. They even feared their idols. For this was the time before Islam. The Arabs were worshipping idols. In their ignorance they would burry their newly born daughters alive. As Islam began to spread among Arabs such cruel practices stopped. For Islam taught love and peace. It taught kindness and respect.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself was a very kind and loving person. He treated every one, young and old, with kindness and respect. Because of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was spreading the word of God. And he was changing, for better, the lives of many Arabs and because some Arabs felt that by the teaching of Muhammad (SAW) their old idols were losing power they disliked Muhammad (SAW) and planned to kill him. Every time they tried to kill him, they failed. This angered the enemies of Islam even more. So they began to harass him in every way they knew.
One old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) whenever he passed from her house. Muhammad (SAW) had to pass that house daily on the way to the mosque. Even when the old woman threw rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. This was a regular, daily event.
One day when Prophet was passing by the woman was not there to throw the rubbish. He stopped and asked the neighbor about her well-being. The neighbor informed the prophet that the woman was sick on bed. The prophet politely asked permission to visit the woman. When allowed he entered the house, the woman thought that he had come there to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of sickness. But the prophet assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, as it was the command of Allah that if any one is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed.
The old woman was greatly moved by this kindness and love of Prophet. By the example of greatness of Muhammad (SAW), she understood that he was truly the Prophet of God and Islam was the true religion. She accepted Islam at once.
These are the some examples we, as Muslims should follow as our role model in daily life enhance we may able to face and deal anyone including the elderly who have different backgrounds of life.
2) Spreading the greeting of salam
It is a sincere expression and true manifestation of the brotherhood of faith and love that the believer has in his heart towards his brother. Hence the Messenger enjoined it when he said:
“By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will nor enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not teach you something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salam amongst yourselves.”
The noble Prophet with his deep insight which was based on the guidance of Allah, understood that nothing could take away feelings of hatred from people’s hearts, or remove the negative feelings that stem from competition and envy, except sincere brotherhood which could prevail over the Muslims’ lives, based on love, friendship, sincerity, harmony and cheerfulness, and the elimination of hatred, rancor, hostility and unfriendliness. Hence he calls for the spread of the greeting of salam amongst brethren, so as to open their hearts to love and cooperation in doing good.
The Prophet repeatedly issued this call to his Companions, seeking to sow the seeds of love in their hearts and to nature those seeds, until they bore the fruit of that love which Islam wants for the Muslims.
Thus, we as Muslims are encourage to spread salam among brotherhood of Muslims in order to strengthen our relationships [ukhwah]. Nevertheless, different gender [female/male] are not encourage to spread salam if there is not necessary because of any male or female of Muslim [muslimin or muslimat] who with non-muhrim [do not have any relation blood of close family], between them may contribute to zina which is one of the prohibitions.
3) Sincere advice (naseehah)
One of the means of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is naseehah (sincerity) which the Prophet described as being the entire religion, as he said:
“Religion is naseehah.” We said, “To whom?” He said “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”
Undoubtedly the offering of sincere advice to rulers and others on the part of individuals among the people, especially the scholars and experts among them, each in his own field of expertise, is something which is very good and ensures that the entire society will be safe and sound and able to flourish. This is what the Muslims did at the times when they were at their peak, and hence a number of hadiths are addressed to rulers, urging them to acquire a circle of honest and righteous advisors who are completely sincere and will not be hypocritical towards the ruler or betray him.
Therefore, if we have attend and are able to give naseehah to anyone because of love of Muslims’ brotherhood, do proceed with the duty as dai’e by invite good and forbid from any evil.
4) Visiting and exchanging kind words
This is one of the means of spreading love among people. Visits may take place on occasions of both joy and sorrow. On happy occasions the visitor comes to offer congratulations accompanied by good dua’, and on sad occasions he expresses his condolences and empathy, also accompanied by good dua’.
Visits include visiting the sick, attending funerals, returning favors and expressing appreciation for them, and for other reasons and on other occasions, all of which have a good effect on the person visited, and promote feelings of friendship and love.
Hence, we may able to straighten our bond and relationships among muslims.
5) Giving gifts
Gifts may be given, especially on happy occasions. Gifts have a good effect on the heart of the recipient, and produce feelings of happiness and love. This is what the Prophet referred to in the hasan hadith: “Give one another gifts, you will love one another.”
6) Devote to knowledge
No society cares about knowledge like the Muslim society that is guided by the teachings of its true religion. Islam regards knowledge as obligatory for every individual in the Muslim society, as the Prophet SAW said : “Seeking knowledge is a duty on every Muslim.” [1]
Islam is the religion of knowledge, and knowledge is one of the greatest values that Islam brought to mankind, on the basis of which mankind is regarded as being superior to other creatures. Allah made Adam a.s the father of mankind superior to the angels by virtue knowledge, when he told them that He was going to place on earth a human trustee, namely Adam, and commanded them to prostrate to him :
Means : “….They said, ‘Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, – while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You?’ He [Allah] said, ‘I know that which you do not know.’ And He taught Adam all the names [of everything], then He showed them to the angels and said, ‘Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.’ They [angels] said, ‘Glory is to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise.’ He said, ‘O’ Adam! Inform them of their names,’ and when he had informed them of their names, He said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know the Ghayb [Unseen] in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing?’ (Qur’an 2: 30-33)
Hence Islam holds knowledge in the highest esteem. The first verse of the Qur’an to be revealed was :
Means : “Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created [all that exists].” (Qur’an 96: 1)
The Qur’an describes knowledge as the basis for differentiating between people, as Allah SWT says :
Means : “Say: Are those who know equal to those who know not? It is only men of understanding who will remember [i.e. get a lesson from Allah’s Signs and Verses].” (Qur’an 39: 9)
The scholars are given a high status and are described as the only ones who really fear Allah. This honor is limited to them, and other people are excluded :
Means : “It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.” (Qur’an 35: 28)
Safwan ibn Assal al-Muradi r.a. came to the Prophet SAW when he was in the mosque, and said to him,
“ ‘O’ Messenger of Allah, I have come to seek knowledge.” He SAW said, “Welcome to the seeker of knowledge. The angels surround the seeker of knowledge with their wings and stand one above another until they reach the lowest heaven, because of their love for that which he is seeking.”[2]
Muslim’ devotion to knowledge
Hence the Muslims devoted themselves to learn in an unparalleled fashion. They could never have their fill of knowledge, no matter how far they advanced. They thought that knowledge flourished so long as one pursued it, and that it would fade and wither if one stopped pursuing it. They had many brilliant sayings concerning that, which are indicative of their respect for knowledge and seek out new sources thereof.
For example, Imam Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr narrated that Ibn Abi Ghassan said : “You are still a scholar so long as you are still learning, but if you think you do not need to learn any more, then you become ignorant.”[3]
Imam Malik r.a. said : “No one who has any knowledge should stop learning.”[4]
It was said to Imam ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak : “Until when will you seek knowledge?” He said, “Until death, for perhaps I have not yet written the words that I will benefit from.”[5]
Abu ‘Amir ibn al-‘Ala’ was asked, “ Until when it it good for a man to learn?” He said, “So long as it is good for him to be alive.”[6]
What a beautiful answer Imam Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah gave when it was said to him, “Which people have the greatest need for knowledge?” He said, “The most knowledgeable of them.” It was asked, “Why?” He said, “Because mistakes on their part are more grievous.”[7]
Hence, with knowledge we, Muslims may able to follow the right path in life by following the Qur’an and Hadith as our guidance of life. In addition, through inviting the old folks to Islamic classes such as tilawah class and taddabbur class that held in the mosque, they may learn about the Islam.
6) Basic of Islam [strong]
What are the ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam ?
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.
· 1) FAITH
There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Llah – ‘there is no god except God’; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God – wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Llah: ‘except God’, the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu’Llah: ‘Muhammad is the messenger of God.’ A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.
The Shahada inscribed over entrance to Ottoman Topkapi Palace (the museum contains a mantle worn by the Prophet, among other treasures), Istanbul, Turkey.
· 2) PRAYER
Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one’s own language.
Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.
A translation of the Call to Prayer is:
God is most great. God is most great.
God is most great. God is most great.
I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success (in this life and the Hereafter)!
Come to success!
God is most great. God is most great.
There is no god except God.
New Mexico, U.S.A. Prayer call from Abiquiu Mosque. Adhan
Courtyard of Great Mosque, Herat, Afghanistan.
· 3) THE ‘ZAKAT’
One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both ‘purification’ and ‘growth’. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one’s capital.
A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as ‘voluntary charity’ it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said ‘even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.’
The Prophet said: ‘Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ‘ He was asked: ‘What if a person has nothing?’ The Prophet replied: ‘He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.’ The Companions asked: ‘What if he is not able to work?’ The Prophet said: ‘He should help poor and needy persons.’ The Companions further asked ‘What if he cannot do even that?’ The Prophet said ‘He should urge others to do good.’ The Companions said ‘What if he lacks that also?’ The Prophet said ‘He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.’
·
4) THE FAST
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.
Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one’s spiritual life.
·
5) PILGRIMAGE (Hajj)
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah – the Hajj – is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
Pilgrims praying at the mosque in Makkah.
The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka’ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God’s forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.
In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.
The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.
In a nut shell, basic of Islam is vital for all Muslims thus, they will able to perform their duty as muslims by following Allah’s commands and forbid from His prohibitions by following the guidance of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith that have been left by our Prophet [SAW]. As the result, we also may able to help our brotherhood through amar ma’ruf wa nahi munkar.
[1] A hasan hadith narrated by Ibn Majah.
[2] Narrated by Ahmad, Tabrani, Ibn Majah and al-Hakim with a saheeh isnad.
[3] Jami’ al-Bayan al-Ilm, by ‘Abdul-Barr, vol. 1, p. 96.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Siyar A’lam an-Nubala’, vol. 8, p. 360.
[6] Jami’ al-Bayan al-‘Ilm, by Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr, vol. 1, p. 96.
[7] Ibid.
