Hateful? Rude? Everyone Deserves Guidance

By Sheikh Salman al-Oadah at Islam Today

Someone who wishes to call other people to Islam has to be prepared to deal with those who are stubborn, rude, and downright insulting in their opposition to Islam and its message. This is one of the reasons why patience and tolerance are indispensable qualities for a Muslim preacher.
Persistence is another. No matter how much hostility and rudeness someone might exhibit when hearing about Islam, it is a mistake for a Muslim preacher to consider anyone a “lost cause.”

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.

Al-Bayhaqi: Excellence and Generosity Toward Neighbors

Al-Bayhaqi records in his book Al-Adab, the Chapter on Excellence Toward Neighbors:

باب‏:‏ في الإحسان إلى الجيران

Chapter: On Excellence Toward Neighbors

Allah Almighty says:

وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا

Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the

Ibn Qudamah: The Character, Manners, and Miracles of Prophet Muhammad

Ibn Qudamah writes in his book Minhaj Al-Qasidin [English translation and Arabic text below]:
We should know that outward manners are indicative of inward ones, in the sense that man’s practical deeds are guided by spiritual contemplation and his knowledge. Inward secrets implant deeds and adorn it. We will now highlight some manners of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in order to strengthen our faith by observing his noble manners.

Why Islam? Fasting the month of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with the sighting of the new moon after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to fast for the complete month. Fasting is done as an act of worship and obedience to Allah (God). Between dawn and sunset, Muslims abstain from all food, drink and any kind of sexual contact. In addition to this physical component, the spiritual aspects of the fast include an added emphasis on refraining from gossip, lies, obscenity and in general, any sinful act.