Good Muslim, Good Human Being

By Khaled Baig at OnIslam

Ihsan is a special Islamic term, defined by the famous hadith known as the Hadith of Jibreel.
Once Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) visited the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the guise of a man and in the presence of the Companions. This happened toward the end of the Prophetic mission and its purpose was to summarize some fundamental teachings of Islam for the education of all of us.

Above All, See Others as Human Beings

By Sheikh Salman al-Oadah at Islam Today

Once, while sitting in a public venue, a young man was seated next to me who behaved quite strangely. He looked unbearably sad and distraught. He recoiled from everyone around him, as if he thought that everyone was out to cause him injury. It then occurred to me that this young man was closed off to any possibility of positive engagement with others. In order to reach out to this person, you would first have to know how to get through the barriers that he has erected around himself.
There may be a person who you want to do business with, or who you need to cooperate with in some scientific project or cultural event. Or you may want to call that person to righteousness, or protect that person from harm. Or maybe that person may be able to help you in some way and you wish to ask for help. Or maybe you know there is some way you can help that person.

An-Nawawi: The Condemnation of Arrogance, Pride, and Self-Conceit

By Imam An-Nawawi in Riyad us Saliheen
Allah Almighty said:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the best outcome is for the righteous.
[Surah Al-Qasas 28:83]

وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا

Do not walk upon the earth exultantly…
[Surah Al-Isra 17:37]

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

Do not turn your cheek in contempt toward

Al-Bayhaqi: Love for people what you love for yourself

Al-Bayhaqi recorded in his book Al-Adab, Chapter on Love for one’s Brother:

باب‏:‏ لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه

Chapter: None of you have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ‏

None of you have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 15]

Imam Ahmad: People of Paradise have hearts free of Envy and Malice

Recorded in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad:

Anas ibn Malik رضى الله عنه said that when he was sitting with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم , he said: “Coming upon you now is a man from the people of Paradise.” So a man came from the Ansar whose beard looked disarrayed by the water from Wudu (ablution), and he was carrying both of his shoes with his left hand. The next day the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم repeated the same words, and the Ansar came in the same condition. The third day the Prophet repeated the same again, and the Ansar man showed up in the same condition.

How Should I Deal with my Non-Muslim Neighbors?

Answered by Idris Tawfiq at OnIslam

Question:


I’m new to Islam, and I was told that being good neighbors is very important in Islam. How should I deal with my non Muslim neighbors? How friendly should I be with them? Could you kindly elaborate on the importance of neighborhood in Islam? Thank you.