Three Concepts Related to Dealing with Others

[1] Discretion (MUDAARAA)
[2] Giving In (MUDAHANA)
[3] Disregard (LA-MUBAALAA)

Discretion is upholding what is right while being considerate and sensitive to people and circumstances.

Giving in is to leave what is right because of people or circumstances.

Disregard is acting without concern for people and circumstances.

From Live Session on Living Islam [Hanafi] taught by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani.

The Quranic Principles on Dealings

Course:Living Islam [Hanafi]

Teacher:Sheikh Faraz Rabbani

Lesson 7b: Work, Money and Earning a Living



The Quranic Principle on Dealings:

“Do not consume each others` wealth in wrongful ways. Rather , let it be through transactions based on mutual agreement..”[Qur`an, 4.29]

Mutual agreement is the key.

Means are important. Wrongful means must be avoided.

Remember that , “Law is only needed in the absence of love. But in the absence of love , law is a sure means to return love.”

The longest verse in the Qur`an towards the end of Surah Bakarah was revealed about writing down contracts.

Key Principles:

1.Fulfill all contracts and undertakings.

2.Have contacts , especially with friends and family.

“Be friends, but transact [with excellence] as if strangers.”

3.Make clear, sound contracts.

Define:

What is being sold/provided
Relevant details
Price
When payment is due
Other pending considerations

4.Write things down.

Recommended ,especially when financially consequential or when pending considerations[eg.payments, instalments etc].

5.Don`t make assumptions.

Clarify , define, and write down.

6.State the obvious when it may not be so obvious.

Legal consequences [damages , lost in shipping , refunds, bindingness, cancellation..] when disagreement could arise.

7.Define how dispute or disagreement will be resolved.

[Look at where could we end up disagreeing and define those things.]

Means of mutual resolution, committing to qualifies arbitration, court ,limits..

[Decide which school or madhab you will follow in case of a disagreement.]

8.Don`t make a sale or begin a service until there is a contract [even if only a clear verbal one] with definition and clarity related to the main detail.

[If you don`t agree on the key terms the contract is corrupt and is sinful.]

9.Avoid unusual contractual conditions.

[Keep the contract clear and simple.]

10 i)Ask when unsure- don`t just assume.

The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said,"Whoever avoids unclear matters safeguards their religion and their honour; and whoever falls into the unclear falls into the unlawful..."

When you act without knowledge that whether it`s allowable or not, then it`s a given that you will invariably , sometimes at least, fall into the haram.

ii)Avoid everything prohibited.

The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said , “Whatever I have prohibited you avoid completely and whatever I have commanded you to do, do of it as much as you are able .”

Learn about them [riba, anything that could reasonably lead to dispute].

11.Act with excellence.

Follow the Sunna:

• Be easy-going
• Do more than required; demand less
• Seek rights, in the right way
• Say the good , do the good.

A key of conduct:

If you summarise what Islam is about on the worldly plain , it`s good character and conduct.

The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said, “I was only sent to perfect noble character and conduct.”

Recommended Reading : Be close, but transact as strangers.

Link :http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?id=14432&hd=7&cate=0&t=rss

Living Islam [Hanafi]

Lesson 7a: Work,Money and Earning a Living

Teacher :Sheikh Faraz Rabbani

The Messenger of Allah [peace and blessings be upon him] said, “Be in this life as though a stranger or one journeying.” [Bukhari on the authority of Umar (Allah be well pleased with him)].

Quran: “And , verily the Next Life is better for you than this life.” [Qur`an :93.4]


The Prophet [Allah bless him and give him peace] said, “Allah is Pure and accepts only the pure.”


And , verily , in the body is a morsel of flesh which if sound means that the entire body is sound , and if corrupt them the entire body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart...”

Whoever avoids unclear matters safeguards their religion and their honour; and whoever falls into the unclear falls into the unlawful-like a shepherd grazing around a sanctuary such that it is feared that his flock will end up within. Verily every king has a sanctuary, and Allah`s sanctuary is His prohibitions..

Imam Suyuti [May Allah be well pleased with him]: Whoever accepts to act without knowledge accepts to disobey Allah.

"The soundness of the heart rests not just upon spiritual things. It`s not just doing the good , like you pray a lot and fast a lot and do a lot of zikr ; these are important things but this is not the key to the soundness of the heart ; nor is activism and doing a lot of social and community things the key to a sound heart nor is it worship , nor is it having the right understanding ; nor is it knowledge alone ; rather the key to a sound heart is being a person who makes good their submission to Allah swt in all things. To be a servant of Allah in everything .Where ever you find yourself you should find yourself submitting to Allah swt. You should always be within the limits of Allah. And how beloved a servant of Allah are you - to the extent that you submit with excellence, in all things."

Words of Wisdom by Shaykh Hamza Karamali

"To get the most out of our online learning experience at SunniPath, remember that we are not here to learn how to argue and refute. The purpose of SunniPath courses is to think, ask, reflect, and to then come to our own conclusions, which may or may not correspond with the conclusions of others in the class, or even the instructor's conclusions. Contrary to what most people think, argumentation and debate are not conducive to thought; rather, they put up emotional barriers that prevent unbiased thought and reflection ."

Be Good to Yourself-Enrol at SunniPath

The Introduction to Menstruation and Related Topics [Hanafi] Course Code LAH125-3
Teacher: Ustadha Umm al Khayr.


Do you know that knowledge of the rulings of menstruation is obligatory for women, men and guaridans of girls?

Do you know what personally obligatory knowledge is?

Do you know when you should or shouldn`t pray; should or shouldn`t read the Quran ; should or shouldn`t have a relationship with your husband ;should or shouldn`t fast?

What constitutes halal and haram in regards to one`s state of menstruation or lochia?

SubhanAllah this course is a tremendous blessing.I was quite upset that for so many years I was uncertain about my state and that this had effected my worship. I can`t get all those years of heedlessness back but alhamdulilah I certainly can and should replace it with knowledge , taught by a teacher who is "one of the most knowledgeable person in this subject"and has spent years learning and teaching it.

To me and some of my friends , "information" on this subject , as it is passed on to us from moms and sisters is so confusing.A lot of people deem it embarrassing and usually prefer not to even talk about it.The mosques that some of us go to , have mostly male teachers and it`s difficult to ask them personal questions on this topic.At SunniPath you won`t face this dilemma.The teacher welcomes questions, engages pleasantly with students and even has office hours during which one can privately raise issues with her.

If you are a woman, a mother, a guardian of a female child or a husband [or to-be husband] please do take this course. Ignorance of this subject has a direct impact on one`s worship and relationship with Allah swt.

Early registration for the Spring semester ends on 7/2/08 , so please register as soon as possible.
On a side note, has anyone noticed the changes in the updated SunniPath website?
I thought the design, layout and new format was awesome, especially the "Submit a ticket section"?



[PS, picture taken from the SunniPath website]