CHARACTERISTICS OF

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IDEAL ISLAMIC MOVEMENT WORKER

2. A-Some Desirable Characteristics • Iman, Islam, Taqwah, Ihsaan • Rahmah or soft heartedness • Ability to face and solve problems properly • Strong determination and will power • Forgiveness • Hard working • Bravery and courage • Love for the companions • No desire to seek position • Abide by the discipline of the Jama’ah • Adal

3. Quran describes Ideal Muslim • قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ • 023.001 The believers must (eventually) win through,- • الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ • 023.002 Those who humble themselves in their prayers; • وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ • 023.003 Who avoid vain talk; • Surah Al Muminoon 23: 1-11

4. Surah Furqan 25:63-77 • وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الأرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلامًا • 025.063 And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!"; • وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا • 025.064 Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing; • وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا • 025.065 Those who say, "Our Lord! avert from us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous,- • إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا • 025.066 "Evil indeed is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in";

5. Surah Ma’arij 70:19- • 070.019 إِنَّ الإنْسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا • 070.019 Truly man was created very impatient;- • 070.020 إِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا • 070.020 Fretful when evil touches him; • 070.021 وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا • 070.021 And niggardly when good reaches him;- • 070.022 إِلا الْمُصَلِّينَ • 070.022 Not so those devoted to Prayer;-

6. A- Desirable Characteristics • 1-Excellence in Taqwah and following Shari’ah O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other) .Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things) Al-Hujurat, 49:13

7. 4 Levels of Iman • Islam • Iman • Taqwah • Ihsaan

8. 2-Soft-heartedness and Kindness It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee ; so pass over (their faults) and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then when thou hast taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him [Ayah: Al-Imran, 3:159]

9. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to say, • “Allah (s.w.t.) is not kind to him who is not kind to men.” • “Kindness adorns everything, while harshness disgraces everything!” • “A soft heart is near Allah, while a hard one is remote from him.”

10. 3-Ingenuity and Ability to Face and Solve Problems • When Prophet (s.a.w.) appointed Mu’az Ibn Jabal (r.a.a.) as governor of Yemen, he asked him, “How will you make decisions when a matter is presented to you?” He replied, “I shall decide according to guidance in Quran. If I did not find clear direction there, then I shall decide in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet. If I did not find a clear directive in either of these sources, then I shall decide in accordance with my Ijtihad.” Upon listening to this response, the Prophet (s.a.w.) thanked Allah (s.w.t.) who guided Mu’az to the right procedure in making decisions. ( Abu Dawood) • You need 1-Knowledge or Ilm 2- Experience 3- Hikmah

11. Method of the rightly guided Caliphs • Omar Ibn Khattab (r.a.a.) wrote the following as his directive to one of his judges (Qazi Shuraih) explaining how to make decisions: • “When you find a directive in the Book of Allah then make the decision accordingly and do not look anywhere else. If you do not find any clear directive in Quran, then look in the Prophet’s Sunnah. If you do not find any clear directive in Quran or Sunnah, then make decision according to the consensus of the righteous. However, if you do not find such direction in the consensus of the righteous, then you could make decision according to your Ijtihad or you could postpone the decision. It is better to postpone the decision (so you could consult with knowledgeable people).”

12. 4-Strong Determination and will power ..Pass over (their faults) and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs. Then when thou hast taken a decision put thy trust in Allah. Verily! Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). Al-Imran, 3:159

13. 5-Forgiveness • Forgiveness to the Companions: In an Islamic Jama’ah, everyone has the right to criticize or differ with others. It is necessary for worker that when criticized, he ought not to keep any anger in his heart. • Forgiveness to the enemies- The Prophet (p.b.u.h), our role model, always used to invoke blessings on his enemies instead of taking revenge from them for the harm done to him.

14. 6-Hard Working • The Prophet (p.b.u.h) never felt low in doing any kind of work. He used to milk goats, patch his own clothes, sweep his house, mend his shoes, and sometimes cook his own food. • An advisor of Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz (r.a.a.) said,” O’ Ameer of Believers! Your days and nights are consumed in taking care of people’s matter. You should set aside some time to rest.” He responded, “There is no free time now. I shall get free time when I am with Allah (s.w.t.).”

15. 7-Bravery and Courage • Bravery towards the opponents: • When Prophet (SAW) was offered by the pagans to take anything he wanted but leave his mission, he refused to do so. • Bravery within the jamah- An Islamic worker should speak with courage in the worker’s meeting whatever he feels is right or wrong.

16. 8-Love for the companions: Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their lord at morning and evening, seeking his countenance; and let not your eyes overlook them” 18:28

17. Examples of Prophet’s Love for his companions • Prophet had great affection and love for his daughter Fatima. Once she wanted a maid-servant out of spoils of the war. He replied “as yet the companions of Sufa have not been supplied with such provisions. I cannot turn to my family needs before they get their share” • Once his daughter Fatima and two daughters of Zubair (r.a.a) came to the Prophet asking for some booty in order to meet their basic needs. He replied “the orphans of warriors who fell in the battle of Badr will be given first preference.”

18. 9-No Desires or Efforts to Seek Leadership تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الأرْضِ وَلا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ • As for the abode of the Hereafter, We assign it unto those who seek not position of authority (or leadership) in earth and nor disruption. The sequel is for those who are fearful of Allah. (Al-Qasas: 83)

19. Rasulullah (p.b.u.h) explained this point : • "Don't seek rule. If you are given (leadership) for asking, you will be entrusted to it. If it is given to you, without, asking, you will be aided therein." (Bukhari) • "Whosoever seeks judgeship, he will be entrusted with this (to carry out the task) himself. Whoever is forced (by the Jama’ah) to be one, Allah will send one angel who will keep him on the right track." (Abu-Dawood) • “I swear by Allah! We do not give this leadership to anyone who seeks it or is greedy for it." (Bukhari) • "The most dishonest among you is one who seeks it (leadership)." (Abu-Dawood)

20. 10- Abide by the discipline of the Jama’ah. • إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَإِذَا كَانُوا مَعَهُ عَلَى أَمْرٍ جَامِعٍ لَمْ يَذْهَبُوا حَتَّى يَسْتَأْذِنُوهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَأْذِنُونَكَ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَإِذَا اسْتَأْذَنُوكَ لِبَعْضِ شَأْنِهِمْ فَأْذَنْ لِمَنْ شِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمُ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ • Only those are believers, who believe in Allah and His Messenger: when they are with him on a matter requiring collective action, they do not depart until they have asked for his leave; those who ask for thy leave are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger; so when they ask for thy leave, for some business of theirs, give leave to those of them whom thou wilt, and ask Allah for their forgiveness: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Al-Qur'an, 024.062 (An-Noor [The Light])

21. 11- Adal or Justice • يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ • O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. 005.008 (Al-Maeda) • قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ • Say: "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the beginning, so shall ye return.“ Araaf, 7:29

22. Ahadith regarding Adal • - Abdullah Ibn Omar (r.a.a.) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Those who do justice shall sit on the thrones of light on the right hand of Allah (s.w.t.). These people used to do justice in the matters of administration, family matters and any responsibility which was assigned to them.” (Muslim Kitabul Amarah)

23. Ahadith regarding Adal • - Abdullah Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “One day of Imam who does justice is better than sixty years of optional Salaat. One penal law of Islam when implemented on the earth brings blessings more than the forty days of rain.” (Targhib, Tibrani) • - Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Dua of three people is not rejected: Fasting person till he breaks the fast, Imam who does justice, oppressed person who is done wrong.” (Tirmizi, Ahmad, Ibn Maja)

24. B- Undesirable Characteristics- 1-Pride and Arrogance 2- Show off and seeking recognition- (Riya) 3- Desire and Intention for Material Benefit 4- Considering oneself perfect and better than others- (Hubb-e- Nafs) 5-Extremism and Imbalance in thoughts and actions 6- Narrow-mindedness-(Shuh-e- Nafs) 7- Weak- Determination and Inactivity:

25. 1-Pride and Arrogance • This is the worst negative trait in a person and is satanic in its origin. • Such person is deprived of Allah (s.w.t.) guidance and support. • Arrogant attitude towards the fellow humans creates disliking against him till he looses all influence and credibility. • Self praise and highlighting individual achievements become a habit for such person.

26. How to prevent this disease? • There must be constant reminder that greatness and real pride belong to Allah (s.w.t.). Everyone must develop humility. • Muhasibah Nafs or accountability at individual and Jama’ah level must continue. • One must look to those who are ahead of him in the path of Allah (s.w.t.). • Jama’ah must remain vigilant about any signs of arrogance in its members or leaders and must take action to remove it.

27. 2- Show off and seeking recognition- (Riya) • Every good deed is to be done with pure intention to seek the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.) or Ikhlaas. • Riya negates the value of good deed in the sight of Allah (s.w.t.). • With Riya one is not able to perform any good deed appropriately since there is concern to get more praise and approval.

28. Prevention of Riya • One must always keep an eye upon his intentions and make sure it is purely to seek the pleasure of Allah • At individual level, one must try to do some good deeds secretly, e.g., Tahajjud, charity etc. • Jama’ah must discourage any trends to show off performance • If there is a trend to Riya in anyone, it must be corrected with Muhasibah.

29. 3- Desire and Intention for Material Benefit- • There must not be any intention to achieve some material benefits like power, money, position or favors. • This struggle must be purely to seek the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). • In order to keep the intentions of the Jama’ah and workers free of personal material gains requires lot of Tazkia and Mujahida (struggle).

30. 4- Considering oneself perfect and better than others- (Hubb-e- Nafs) • It starts with the feeling in a person that he is free of mistakes. • He ignores his personal weaknesses and provides an explanation for such weaknesses satisfying him. • He finds many people in the Jama’ah who are better than him. This creates jealousy (Hasad) in his heart against such people. Then he engages in undue prying (Tajussus) in other’s matters to find faults in them. This leads him to back biting (Ghiba) and conspiring (Najwah). One may go on to lying (Kizb) and false allegation (Bhutan).

31. Consequences- • If there are many people affected with it, then it can result in disruption of the whole Jama’ah. • This disease can result in grouping within the Jama’ah. Each group may engage in backbiting, tattle tailing, conspiring with vengeance and hatred in their hearts for each other. • Mutual relations are damaged. Tension, hostility and animosity take roots in the hearts expressed by verbal attacks.

32. Remedy • Istighfar or asking Allah’s forgiveness- This helps the individual to keep an eye upon his mistakes and weaknesses which leads to humility. • Enjoining good and forbidding evil. • Hasad-Jealousy and animosity. One must be on guard against this evil feeling. • Tajussus-Evil estimation about others and then engage in prying. • One must avoid Ghiba or backbiting. • Namima or reporting statements from one person to the other • Najwah. This involves secret consultations between two or more people. Tajussus-Evil estimation about others and then engage in prying.

33. 5-Extremism and Imbalance in thoughts and actions- O people of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: NISA 4:171 • Prophet (s.a.w.) instructed us in the following Ahadith on this subject: • 1 • Beware! Do not go to extremism (Ghulu). • People before you were destroyed due to this extremism. • 2- • Ibn Masood reports that the Prophet (s.a.w.) • said three times, “Extremists are destroyed.” • 3- • “Give (permissible) concessions (in Islam) and do not • cause hardship. Give glad tidings and do not provoke disliking. • 4- • “You have been sent (to the mankind) to • provide ease and not to make it (religion) hard.” • 5 • It never happened that the Prophet (s.a.w.) was given choice between two matters • and he did not select the easier one except when it was sinful. ( Bukhari and Muslim)

34. 6- Narrow-mindedness-(Shuh-e- Nafs) • This negative quality means selfishness and miserly attitude to others. • And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls they are the ones that achieve prosperity. Hashar 59:9

35. Symptoms- • Minimizing one’s mistakes but magnifying others and not forgiving them. • Considers his difficulties very important but others difficulties are just excuses for him. • Enforcing one’s likes upon others, but do not give any importance to other’s likings. • Unnecessary criticism upon other’s opinion or stand. • When he is criticized he reacts violently and in rage. • No tolerance to others remarks which may be different from his position. • Bitterness in relations and in mutual arguments resulting in frequent in fights.

36. Consequences- • Mutual disliking and hatred. • Repeated bickering and argumentations. • Grouping and in fights. Remedy- • Generosity in giving time and spending upon others. • Forgiveness to others and overlooking their minor mistakes. • Being flexible and give concessions to others wherever possible in Jama’ah. • Develop tolerance to others criticism. • Be very kind and soft hearted towards others. • Keep an eye upon one’s mistakes and look at others virtues. • Prefer to absorb hurting remarks and never hurt others with theirs. • Support those who are falling back in their endeavors rather than pushing them out.

37. 7- Weak- Determination and Inactivity: • A person responds to a movement’s message but gradually his interest is lost in its work. • He tries to avoid responsibilities. • He does not like to spend time, money or effort for the Jama’ah. • He prefers all other engagement in his life upon Jama’ah work. • He only maintains minimal contact with the Jama’ah. This condition prevails upon him in a gradual way like transition from youth to old age. • If this disease is not stopped, it may affect many others in the Jama’ah like an epidemic. Whoever is affected by this anomaly gives example of the others who are not active. • He presents different excuses to cover his lack of activity. • He may start telling lies to cover his inactivity

38. More symptoms of weak determination and inactivity • When he sees that he is going to be exposed regarding his inactivity, then he starts criticizing the Jama’ah and its leadership. • Initially he does not tell the real reasons for this inactivity, but when asked he starts more criticism upon individuals and Jama’ah. He tries to find faults in the Jama’ah system and presents a list. He ignores the fact that this should have been the exact reason for more activity. • He puts the responsibility of his inactivity upon others ignoring the fact that there is a record with Allah (s.w.t.) which will expose him on the Day of Judgment. He also does not realize that this is a trap of Satan and his Nafs. • By adopting this way, he becomes a bad example for those who have same weakness. • Inactivity and weak determination becomes a movement and those who are suffering with it then engage in providing new arguments and justifications for it. • This trend if not stopped can lead to serious damage to the Jama’ah.

39. Remedy: • Jama’ah should assess whether the reason for inactivity is weak determination or there are some genuine reasons to be addressed. • Whenever such attitude is brought to notice, Jama’ah should try to correct it with advice and reminder. • Such person should be put through Muhasibah so that others may not follow his example. • Jama’ah must not allow such persons to hide this weakness behind lies and deception. These must be exposed and corrective action be taken.