Stop Before You Judge!
The life of Malcolm X is an example for us not to judge a person for what he/she is at the present moment.
By Sabith Khan
We are always judging people. Judging them by how they look, how they speak (or don’t), by their degrees, by the amount of money they make, the family they come from, by the clothes they wear and what not ! How fair are we in these judgements and to what extent they hold true in the long run is a question we need to consider before we start this never ending process. For one thing is sure : we are all changing constantly, as persons and our beliefs, social standing, knowledge levels are all under a constant flux.
Consider the life of Malcolm X ( Malik El Shabbaz ), the great American black leader.
His life must be an example for us not to judge a person for what he/ she is at the present moment. If someone had met Malcolm Little ( as he was known until he converted to Islam), he would have seen a potential thief, a brigand and outlaw in him. It was with just one meeting with his brother while he was in jail that his reformation into a socially accepted human being began. Malcolm was everything that we wouldn’t want to be. A drug-peddler, an outlaw, a man with no direction and purpose in life. He was infact the leader of a group of thiefs in New York city. But Allah willed him to do something which even he had not imagined in his wildest dreams.
Allah has strange ways to reform people and use them to take forward his work. It was his destiny, which brought Malcolm to prison, where his blood brother introduced him to Nation of Islam (a deviant sect of Islam). It took just a few years for Malcolm to get back to “civil society”, through learning. He spent most of his time in prison reading and debating about issues, which interested him.
After coming out of prison, he got totally immersed in the activities of the Nation of Islam, drawing thousands of converts to the faith. Many years later , when he separated from the Nation of Islam and went to Makkah, he wrote the famous “Letter from Mecca”, in which his vision was spelled out. “Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practised by people of all colours and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all other prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors”.
He further adds : “Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experiences and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth”. From his birth to his assassination, Malcom X remained a man of conviction and firmness. From being humiliated, beaten up, neglected and ostracised for being a poor black orphan to being the undisputed leader of the black people in the America- the transformation was complete. He died a honourable man, known for his sacrifice to the upliftment of blacks worldwide.
(The writer can be reached at
sabithullakhan@rediffmail.com)
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A Farce called Friendship Day!
By Md Ziyaullah Khan
Experimenting with tattoos and sketches is Gen Next’s way of announcing to the world their commitment for peace and friendship. Along with other days like Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Doctor’s Day, has been added the Friendship Day in August. This is just another excuse to blow money on cards and friendship bands. Do we need one specific day to celebrate friendship?. Why are we falling into this trap?
Human beings need friends and companions. A good part of our lives is spent in interaction with others. For Muslims like us, who are living in a society where we are clearly a minority, the issue of choosing the right friend is essential for preserving our Deen. Be-friending righteous and virtuous Muslims is a necessary means for staying on the Straight Path. Many times, a Muslim is encouraged by his friends to do evil and to forget his duties. The Prophet (Pbuh) said: “A person is on the path of his intimate friend, so let each of you look carefully at whom he takes as an intimate friend.”
What is the real meaning of a friend? I am sure if we ask ourselves this question, not many of us will be able to answer it. Most people view friends as people who keep your secrets, someone to talk to on the phone, someone you trust, someone whom you can have fun and hang out with. But this kind of friendship is not even close to the kind of friendship mentioned in the Quran.
Allah says: “And the believing men and the believing women are protecting friends to one another. They command what is right and forbid what is wrong and they establish Salah and produce Zakah and they obey Allah and His messenger.” (9:71). Now what more of a friend do you want than that? The kind of friendship we had in mind is nothing like the friendship Allah wants. “...They command what is right and forbid what is wrong..” Who from our friends do we find doing this? Any? Rarely if not never, have I seen a friend tell another friend. “Sister/Brother fear Allah for what you are doing is haram.” Just how much do our friends affect us?
So when you are with the good friend you will learn from him, or some of his goodness will rub off on you. leaving you relaxed. While when you are with the bad friend, you will be like him, or you will leave with some of his bad habits.
Now it is your turn to decide, you can either command your friends with the good, and forbid the evil, which may not be very easy, but your friend will thank you for it in Jannah. Be careful when choosing your friends.
(The writer can be reached at
khanziya@rediffmail.com)
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When You Talk… Wear a Smile!
Your etiquette and manners reflect your personality.
By Ruhi Nayeem
How often have we not heard our elders say-look these days youngsters have no etiquettes and manners. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) always advised his companions on discipline and good manners. One should constantly strive to adorn their lives by translating the etiquettes and manners to gain respect and gratitude, They should adopt these as conventional rules of social behavior and professional conduct. The basic manners and etiquettes come from parents who pass it on to their children. A successful person is one who has the best of etiquettes and manners both in the personal as well as the professional life. As Muslims, it becomes all the more important for us to follow the guidelines of the Prophet (Pbuh).
Here are some tips to follow while conversing with a person
Always speak politely. Wear a smile on you face and a sweet tone in your speech.
Always say what is just and fair regardless of any loss to you, friend or relative.
Be soft spoken, reasonable and sympathetic in your conversation.
When a woman talks to a man, she should be straight and clear rather than using a sweet tone lest the listener misunderstands.
Always be brief and to the point in your talk. It is unfair to prolong discussion without reason.
Never indulge in flattery, mind your honour, dignity and respect
Do not interrupt in other people’s conversation without their permission.
When you talk to someone older to you, talk to them with warmth and affection.
With parents- talk to them in a soft way and never be harsh in your speech as it is a sin if you do so.
Speak slowly and patiently so that your words are understood by all.
Most youngsters rush through their answers when they are questioned- so… think before you speak.
It is wise to be a good listener and use your sense of humour in a conversation cautiously as one never knows it could hurt someone unintentionally.
In Surah Hujurat, the believers are ordained not to raise their voices above the Prophet (Pbuh). So gentleness seems to be the core of all conversations we have with each other in our day -to- day life. Relationships remain harmonious when our conversations are gentle, to the point, polite and focussed. So be the best when you converse!
(The writer can be
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