{O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one’s brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: “O sinner”, or “O wicked”, etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Dhalimun (wrong-doers, etc.).}
[(49):11]
I start by asking Allah’s forgiveness for all of us, and that He pardon our evil ways. Allahuma ameen. We look at this verse that many of us have heard repeatedly, and payed little to no attention to it’s meaning. For those that have paid attention to it, have just somehow ignored it. May Allah rectify all of our affairs. Allahuma ameen.
We know that Imaam at Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that the specific command to abandon this action has actually been differed upon by the people of knowledge. Generally we understand that there are three major opinions that are taken. The first of these being the fact that the rich are commanded not to scoff at the poor because of their poverty. The second statement is that of those that say that the one that Allah has covered his faults and sins should not scoff at the one that Allah has allowed certain things to be uncovered or exposed. The third understanding, which is the one that was chosen by Imam at Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him), is that the prohibition here is actually encompassing of many different matters.
Thus we understand that none of the Muslims are allowed, in accordance with this verse, to belittle, make jest or look down on any other Muslim. So, this holds true for the situation of poverty, the situation of sins and other than these. How often to we find this the exact opposite of what we see and here around us? It has actually become a normal part of our lives. We see people that are less fortunate than us on the streets and they may stop us and ask us for change, we belittle them and their situation. We turn and ask them:
- Why don’t you just get a job?
- Why should I give you anything?
- Don’t I see you out here all the time? You should be rich by now.
That is if we are alone and it is just us and them. It gets worse though when there are other people around. Then we have a tendency to put on the clown shoes and go all out on the person that fell into this unfortunate situation, whatever their reason may be.Some people sit and laugh at them. Others make them do silly and humiliating acts just in order to help them get what they need. Is this really how we are supposed to be to one another? Is it not strange that as people that claim to be on the religion of the truth, and following Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), yet we are in complete contradiction to that which was sent to us as true guidance?
Subhanna Allah. How do we know that the trial or test that this individual is going through is not because Allah loves this individual and is purifying them from some sins so that they will not suffer punishment for them in the hereafter? Does this not happen? How do we know that this individual was not placed in front of us to be a witness of our level of generosity and kindness? How do we know that this person was not placed in front of us in order to be that thing that will tip our scales one way or the other on that day we will need all the good deeds we can obtain?
Are we so distracted by what we have and what others do not, that we feel as though we only have these things because Allah loves us more than them and that He is more pleased with us than them? Do we feel as though we have earned what we have received and believe that it is not simply that Allah was being gracious to us by giving us from His bounty?
Now after discussing the situation of poverty, we need to think about the situation of sins and shortcomings. This is even more prevalent in most of our societies. We find that some of the wrongs of the people have been exposed, it is off to the races. Everyone wants to be the first one in the community to spread the news. It may even been that someone made a mistake, and the news reached us. We find pleasure in defaming one another for sins, shortcomings and mistakes. The question as to why this is must be asked.
Do we not realize that Allah sometimes afflicts people with issues, problems and the like simply so that they are not humiliated and punished in the hereafter? It’s possible that the only punishment that they receive is that feeling of humiliation of people finding out. Have we forgotten that none of us are without sins and mishaps? Why is it that we never seem to think about all of our own shortcomings and wrongdoings? Do we believe that Allah has automatically forgiven us for these things? If we do, than we are fooling ourselves. How do we know that Allah has not hidden our sin, allowing us to be punished in the hereafter, and exposed that persons as a way of his gaining forgiveness?
If we do not know this, than we should not feel as comfortable looking down at one another because of what we know of them. If people knew of half of the skeletons many of the people have in their closets, the people would probably treat them worse, or even turn away from them. So how is it that we feel ok with looking down at another Muslim knowing that Allah may have only put them in a situation as a way of them receiving good from Him and Mercy? How is it that we automatically feel as though we are better than these people? Is it that we are judging according to the Quran and the Sunnah, or just according to that which befits us as individuals?
To conclude this part of the article, we need to understand that we are not better than our brothers and sisters. We are all one. We all have things that if the people knew about, that its possible that we would be the one that others are looking down upon. Allah has commanded us to refrain from doing this to one another, therefore we need to do our best to leave off this evil practice and return to acting in accordance with the Guidance that was sent to us by the Lord of the worlds. Instead of rejoicing when we have the chance to break one another down, we need to begin trying to lift one another up and strengthen one another. After all, the Muslims are all like one body. Look at the two statements of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) and tell me are you happy with the way that we act towards one another and do not think things need to be changed immediately.
The First Hadeeth:
“The Similitude Of The Believers In Their Compassion, Mercy, And Affection Toward Each Other Is Like A Single Body. When One Organ Ails, The Whole Body Suffers And Reacts.”
Reported By Imam Muslim
The Second Hadeeth:
“One of you has not believed until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.”
Reported By Imam al Bukhari
May Allah rectify all of our affairs and forgive us for our disobedience and shortcomings. Allahuma ameen.
To be continued…
