Sure, we all know that being truthful is important. I’m sure that all of us know it is a part of Islam and that it’s the right thing to do. But perhaps it is time we learn a little bit more about why we must be truthful. Perhaps we should look at some Ahadith and Ayat from the Qur’an that speak about Truth.

The concept of truth in Islam is not something that should be taken lightly at all. But first, here is a study done by the researchers over at UCLA.

“UCLA study, 93 percent of a person’s communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal communication.” (MIT Career Office)

93 percent of communication is non-verbal. So let us begin to reconsider what it means to be truthful.

It might have taken researchers till the 20th century to figure out that communication is much greater than just words. As Muslims, we can take these studies into consideration as a form of possible supporting evidence if it does not contradict any Islamic teaching or principles.

On that note, let us take a look at what the Qur’an and Sunnah have to say about Truth. I will also be referring to an English Translation (Mufti A. H. Usmani) of Imam Al-Ghazali’s book Muslim Character. *Check at the end of this post for a complete citation of this text.

Emaan may be in our hearts but it is reflected in our actions. Similarly, we may verbalize the Truth but it also will be reflected in our actions.

“Truthfulness in words leads to upright actions and reform in behavior…Straightforward action is free from doubts because it is born out of belief.” (Ghazali, 33)

The connection being established here is that if a person were to be Truthful then, consequently, their actions will also reflect this. Here is an Ayat from the Qur’an that may help to give you a better understanding of why this is true:

“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak always the truth. He will direct you to do righteous deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed accomplished a great achievement” (33:70-71)

Subhan’Allah. Perhaps take a moment to read that Ayat once again. Allah (swt) is speaking directly to you, “O you who believe!” He, the All-Mighty, continues on to command us with three things with the last being Allah (swt) commanding us to “speak always the truth”. What will happen if we do this? What happens when our tongues always speak the truth and do not lie?

Allah (swt) tells you immediately after that He, the All-Mighty Himself, will do what? “He will will direct you to do righteous deeds and will forgive you your sins.” Allahu Akbar. Allah (swt) is commanding us to speak the truth; so doing it is not an option. But, even though it is something that is not optional, what will Allah (swt) do for those “who believe”? Allah (swt) guides our actions towards those leading to Jannah and forgives the sins that lead to the Hell-Fire. Do we need any other incentive? Do we need any other incentive? Do we need any other incentive?

But you know, when Allah (swt) is promising such a great reward, we should also be aware that it will not necessarily be very easy. Remember that the Hell-Fire is surrounded by temptation and if lying seems to be the easier way out of some situation–then it takes courage to speak the truth. Imam Ghazali says in Muslim Character on page 33:

“Uprightness to which truth guides is the highest virtue attained only by the people with firm determination and conviction.”

Courage, bravery, virtue, conviction, firm determination, perseverance–these are all some of the characteristics of the believing Muslim. Another part of our Deen are the beautiful and wise words of the Prophet (saw), and so let us take at look at what he (saw) has to say about why we should be truthful:

“Adopt truthfulness, because truth guides to virtue and virtue leads to Paradise. A man speaks the truth and continues to do so until he is called the truthful. Avoid falsehood because it leads to sin and sin leads to Hell. A man lies and continues to do so until he is recorded as a liar in the sight of Allah.” (Bukhari)

Because the concept of lying was mentioned, I would like to share one last Ayat from the Qur’an before closing:

“It is only those who believe not in the Ayat of Allah, who fabricate falsehood, it is they who are the liars.” (16:105)

Look at that carefully, Allah (swt) is saying that only those who do not believe in the Ayat of Allah are those who fabricate and lie.

Being truthful leads to Paradise.

Lying leads to Hell-Fire.

Simple.

• This is not about haram and halal
• Allah Commands us to be good and kind to our parents
• There are 2 Ayat and 1 Hadith
• What do you want to see on the Day of Judgment?

(Photo: James Good)

Subhan’Allah people–it’s amazing the different doors that the Shaytan will come through. Let me make this clear from right here though–I am not here to talk about whether TV is right or wrong, halal or haram, or things of that sort.

In this post, we want to just explore one simple question–can TV interfere with family? Is it possible for TV to become something that gets in the way of familial relationship? Can it come between mother and son, father and daughter, brother and sister? It can. Will it necessarily? No.

To answer these questions we will turn to the same sources we turn to for all other questions–we turn towards the Qur’an and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (saw). And so, let us take a quick look at 2 Ayat from the Qur’an and a Hadith from an authentic source (Bukhari):

• “Worship Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 36]

• “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents.” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 23]

• Al-Aswad ra said : I asked A’isha ra : “What did Rasulullah saw used to do in his house ?”. She said : “He used to work for his family, and when prayer (time) came, he went out for prayer “

The first Ayah in Surah Al-Nisa places your parents immediately following the worship of Allah (swt). Our Creator, Sustainer, and Lord has again repeated that same command, not suggestion, in Surah al-Isra. Subhan’Allah. Look at the importance Allah (swt) gives to parents. Out of anything and everything that He could have coupled with His Worship–He (swt) chose our parents.

One of the problems that come when our families gathers around the TV is that we begin to lose the ability to properly communicate. What do I mean? Well, instead of being able to hold meaningful conversation–we become family who only communicates through comments. Our conversations end up becoming comments on whatever is being watched. The test? The next time you are sitting in the living room with the TV on–turn it off and leave it off for a week. Never mind a week–keep it off for one hour or even 30 minutes.

You will find that there may not really be all that much to be said, and if there is we are forced to come up with things to talk about. The natural flow of communication between family has become interrupted because TVs in our living rooms have become a part of the conversation. If you are unable to turn the TV off for even that long then notice that even when we do talk while the TV is on, we barely look at each other when talking. With laptops, it is likely that someone in the room will also have a laptop on in addition to watching TV.

Brothers and Sisters in Islam, this does not do justice to Allah’s command to be good and kind to our parents. Why not? Well, instead of providing a long, elaborate explanation–let’s paint a picture of your future. I’m not suggesting that I know anyone’s future of course. What I am talking about here is the Day of Judgment.

There will come a Day–100% guaranteed–that you will be standing in front of Allah (swt). As every second and minute detail of your actions is being judged, you need to decide from right now what you want to see. Take one football game–over 2 hours. Multiply that by season after season–and then add the other sports. Add now all the news programs and game shows. Add the dramas and sitcoms. Add the Seinfeld reruns and late night talk-shows.

Is this what we want to stand in front of Allah (swt) with? Is this what you want to be judged on? Wouldn’t you prefer being judged by serving your parents and having conversations that make them happy? If you are a parent, imagine the benefits that comes in increasing the love between yourself and your spouse–yourself and your children.

So can TV interfere with family? Yes it can. But the bigger question is something that is even more specific to us as Muslims. What do you want to see on the Day of Judgment? That answer is up to you.

Beautiful One Liners
1 Give Allah what’s right — not what’s left.
2 Man’s way leads to a hopeless end — Allah’s way leads to an endless hope.
3 Lot of prostrating will keep you in good standing.
4 He who prostrates before Allah can stand before anyone.
5 In the sentence of life, the Shaitan may be a comma–but never let him be the period.
6 Don’t put a question mark where Allah puts a period.
7 Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the Masjid for a face-lift.
8 When praying, don’t give Allah instructions — just report for duty.
9 Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to Masjid.
10 We don’t change Allah’s message — His message changes us.
11 The Masjid is prayer-conditioned.
12 When Allah ordains, He sustains.

13 Plan ahead — It wasn’t raining when Prophet Nuh built the ark.
14 Most people want to serve Allah, but only in an advisory position.
15 Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Quran.
16 Exercise daily — walk with the Lord.
17 Never give Shaitan a ride — he will always want to drive.
18 Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
19 Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
20 He who angers you controls you.
21 Worry is the ‘darkroom’ in which ‘negatives’ can develop.
22 Give Shaitan an inch & he’ll be a ruler.

23 Allah doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

• Keep voices down
  
• Lower your gaze
  
• Don’t write on any surface
• Be patient
  

There are a lot of us college students out there. Since we end up going to the library at some time or another during our college careers…it is important to think about some of the manners and etiquette of the being in a library.

For starters, let’s go with the obvious—keep your voices down! Yea, we all know about that and can’t stand to hear it but it is part of being in a library. Others may be loud and we may in fact not be disturbing anyone. Regardless of whether it is causing chaos or not, we should still be those who respect the rules and laws of the areas we are in. Is it stupid? Maybe. In the end though we do it for the sake of Allah (swt) and that is the only reason we are obeying the rules in the first place.

Next, lower your gaze as you walk around. Remember that just because we are in the library doesn’t mean we can begin looking around. We humble ourselves indoors and outdoors.

Third. Do not write on the desks, tables, walls, or any other surface. This behavior is unacceptable and is extremely disrespectful. This is not our property and we are visitors in the library. As Muslims, we do not condone this type of action.

One last thing is to be patient. A lot of times, we go to the library to print something up and we need to have it printed fast. All of a sudden there is a line and then someone moves in front of you. Slow down!!! Be patient and be kind. Be patient and be kind. Be patient and be kind.

• Practical steps to lowering gaze
• Link to sister post

We just did a piece about why we should lower our gaze. Now that we’ve covered the theoretical aspect—it is probably a good idea to talk about the practical side. So how do we do it? Here are 5 ways to help you lower start lowering your gaze today.

1. Change the wallpaper of your cell phone. Write a reminder to lower your gaze on a sheet of paper, take a picture of it, and set it as the wallpaper for your phone. Now every time you open your phone you will be reminded
2. Focus on your shoes. You can follow your feet with each step you take, count the steps, or even try to remember the different places those particular pair of shoes have taken you before.
3. Make du’a. This is one of the best times to make du’a. Why? Because you are intentionally, and consciously, lowering your gaze and struggling for the sake of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) is Aware both when you are looking up and when you are looking down.
4. Read Qur’an. One way to look down is by simply looking down into the palm of your hands where you can be holding a pocket Mushaf. You’d be surprised how much reading you can get done like this.
5. Plan your day. Our lives can get pretty messy and chaotic. A lot of us have to cut out time to make our plan and organize our time. This is a great time to plan what we will do once we get to work, home, or school.

Just as with the sister of this post—list any other practical ways you can think of and help others fulfill the order of Allah (swt).

• Allah (swt) ordered us to carry ourselves a certain way
• It is purer for us
• Allah (swt) is Aware of all

Yes, as Muslims, there is a certain way that we should carry ourselves. As a matter of fact, there is a very specific way that we have been ordered by the One who created us. This is His earth and His creation—not ours.

So for example, it’s likely that we can all agree that most of our walking is done outside the comfort of our own homes. Because of that, it’s very important that we are keen in remembering the point of lowering our gaze. So like everything else in our lives, we need to turn back to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammed (saw). Here’s one Ayah in the Qur’an to take a look at.

Surat Al-Nur:30 – “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do.”

First Allah (swt) gave us the command (lower your gaze). Then the reason (purer for you). Then the reminder (Allah is Aware). So Muslims, let us lower our gaze today and be modest in order that Allah (swt) will make us from those who can raise their heads high and proud on the Day of Judgment. This applies to us regardless of what state we are in–laying, sitting, standing, or walking. In other words, it’s at all times.

There are an infinite amount of reasons why we should lower our gaze–I only named one. Can you think of any others?

Be sure to check out 5 ways to help you lower your gaze.

• Borrowing something is a trust
• Be thankful

Think for a second about the last time someone gave you a sincere, honest “Thank You”. It’s a good feeling. Here’s another thing–when we ask to borrow someone it is almost as if we expect a an answer of yes. We would actually be quite shocked if the other person said no–if we thought they would say no, we probably wouldn’t have asked in the first place.

Borrowing = You taking something that belongs to another person. Item ‘x’ is not something that doesn’t have an owner. We are essentially asking a person to trust us with something that belongs to them. If they say yes–not only should we be thankful for them saying yes..but also realize that they are trusting you.

Thank someone for the next thing you borrow–even if it is a pencil for a test.