Source: Al-Jamiat
Internet technology has brought about dramatic advances in communication and information accessibility. The blessings and favours of Allah Ta'ala upon His servants are indeed innumerable. Expressing shukr (gratitude) for these favours by word and deed is incumbent. Internet usage is fast becoming a norm in many a Muslim home. Adults, youth and even children are becoming savvy to the exciting ease of information access. However we need to be extremely cautious that this newly found "connection" should not disconnect us from Allah Ta'ala. Rather it should drive us to strengthen our relationship with our Creator. Hence it is important to formulate certain guidelines and parameters when using the internet. Hereunder are a few points we should keep in mind:
Distraction from salaah
Under no circumstances should our engagement with the internet distract us from observing our salaah. Nothing surpasses the firm establishment of salaah in the life of a Muslim. Allah Ta'ala has not commanded us to merely perform salaah; rather the command of the Qur'an is to firmly establish salaah in our lives.
Confine to Shariah
With the presence of 4.2 million pornographic websites serving 372 million pornographic webpages, the internet is very much a double-edged sword with a razor sharp evil edge. Internet usage should be strictly confined to the Shariah. A suggested method of surfing websites where there is a increased possibility of obscene advertisements or graphics being displayed, is to turn off the 'showing images' setting which is a common feature with internet browsers. Using the internet for illicit and haraam purposes is abuse of a ni'mat (blessing) of Allah Ta'ala. There are severe consequences to this. If one is unable to contain himself and his desires he should permanently disconnect from the internet service by unsubscribing. There is great safety in this.
Valuable asset
Time is a most valuable asset. To carelessly waste this valuable asset in trivial activities is contrary to Shariah. The internet should be used as a platform for education and information. Surfing the net aimlessly should be avoided. Time should be utilised constructively. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has said, "Two blessings are such; which many people are in deception with regards to; good health and free time." (Mishkat)
Family duty
Special care should be taken that one does not become so absorbed on the internet that family duties are neglected. Of high importance is the time due to the wife. To spend quality time with the wife, speaking with her light heartedly and keeping her heart happy is imperative. This duty should not be disturbed by excessive internet engagement.
Monitor the children
Parents who allow their children to use the internet for educational purposes should keep a close eye on them. Children seem to be outdoing their seniors in computer literacy. As such there are able to access and explore almost anything from the PC without the parent even knowing. This makes it essential for parents equip themselves with the necessary knowledge of utilising the internet as well as how to monitor what is being accessed on the internet. Another ideal solution would be to situate the computer in such a place which is an "open" area in the house, where a person cannot be in seclusion. This will be a preventative measure for anyone wanting to abuse the facility. It is also incumbent on parents to employ any other monitoring device or strategy to ensure that children are kept on guard with the internet.
Be careful
Visit only authentic sites. It is very easy to be misled by attractive sites conniving to mislead. These sites pose a major threat to one's Imaan. Be careful. Do not visit a site for the sake of curiosity. The more hits a site receives the better its chances of survival. If you visit an undesirable or deviated site don't make it an issue. The more people visit the site the more exposure it gains. Without visitors the site will die a natural death. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the ability to utilise the internet beneficially
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Imam and the Bus Driver
Several years ago an Imam moved to London, United Kingdom. He often took the bus from his home to the downtown area. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the same bus. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a twenty pence ('tuppence') too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the twenty pence back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh,forget it, it's only a tuppence. Who would worry about this little amount?Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from Almighty Allah (swt) and keep quiet." When his stop came, the Imam paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the twenty pence back to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change". The driver with a smile, replied,"Aren't you the new Imam in this area? I have been thinking lately about going to worship at your Mosque. I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change."
When the Imam stepped off the bus, his knees became weak and soft, he had to grab the nearest light pole and held on for support, and looked up to the heavens and cried: "Oh Allah, I almost sold Islam for twenty pence!"
Brothers and Sisters: We may never see the impact our actions have on people. Sometimes we are the only knowledge of Qu'ran someone will read, or the only Islam someone will see. We can't settle for our sins and think that since we have been defiled by our sins, we cannot be a model for Islamic life.Quite the contrary. We are all on the same level in one aspect, as human beings. We are ALL sinners and need forgiveness.
However, the big difference is that one is saved by belief, that belief of the UNSEEN; that belief that Almighty Allah is watching one. This code of conduct which teaches one morals, etiquettes and values so that we as Human Beings may respect and honour one another.
Be careful and be honest everyday, because you never know who is watching. But, Remember Allah Ta'ala is watching.
MAY ALLAH ALMIGHTY HELP US IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE, Ameen.
Source:http://www.theikhlaas.com/resources/articles/advice/the%20imam%20and%20the%20bus%20driver.html
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the twenty pence back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh,forget it, it's only a tuppence. Who would worry about this little amount?Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from Almighty Allah (swt) and keep quiet." When his stop came, the Imam paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the twenty pence back to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change". The driver with a smile, replied,"Aren't you the new Imam in this area? I have been thinking lately about going to worship at your Mosque. I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change."
When the Imam stepped off the bus, his knees became weak and soft, he had to grab the nearest light pole and held on for support, and looked up to the heavens and cried: "Oh Allah, I almost sold Islam for twenty pence!"
Brothers and Sisters: We may never see the impact our actions have on people. Sometimes we are the only knowledge of Qu'ran someone will read, or the only Islam someone will see. We can't settle for our sins and think that since we have been defiled by our sins, we cannot be a model for Islamic life.Quite the contrary. We are all on the same level in one aspect, as human beings. We are ALL sinners and need forgiveness.
However, the big difference is that one is saved by belief, that belief of the UNSEEN; that belief that Almighty Allah is watching one. This code of conduct which teaches one morals, etiquettes and values so that we as Human Beings may respect and honour one another.
Be careful and be honest everyday, because you never know who is watching. But, Remember Allah Ta'ala is watching.
MAY ALLAH ALMIGHTY HELP US IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE, Ameen.
Source:http://www.theikhlaas.com/resources/articles/advice/the%20imam%20and%20the%20bus%20driver.html
Make the Right Effort
This is the story of the giant ship engine that failed. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.
Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, from top to bottom.
Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man searched into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. & instantly, the engine lurched into life & got started.
He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for £10,000.
“What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”
So they wrote the old man a note saying “Please send us an itemised bill.”
The man sent a bill that read:
Tapping with a hammer …..£2.00
Knowing where to hammer..£9,998.00
Total £10,000
Moral of The Story:
Effort itself is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life,
‘Makes all the difference’. So often we see people striving, working and making effort tirelessly, often for years only for them to later on realise that they were all misplaced and how they wish they had spent the time and effort on something more fruitful. This reminds me of a quote I once read a long time ago:
“My worry for you is not that you fail to succeed, but that you succeed in the wrong thing.”
Source:http://www.haqislam.org/make-the-right-effort/
Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, from top to bottom.
Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man searched into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. & instantly, the engine lurched into life & got started.
He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for £10,000.
“What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”
So they wrote the old man a note saying “Please send us an itemised bill.”
The man sent a bill that read:
Tapping with a hammer …..£2.00
Knowing where to hammer..£9,998.00
Total £10,000
Moral of The Story:
Effort itself is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life,
‘Makes all the difference’. So often we see people striving, working and making effort tirelessly, often for years only for them to later on realise that they were all misplaced and how they wish they had spent the time and effort on something more fruitful. This reminds me of a quote I once read a long time ago:
“My worry for you is not that you fail to succeed, but that you succeed in the wrong thing.”
Source:http://www.haqislam.org/make-the-right-effort/
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