What Is Namīmah [Gossiping] In Islām?

It is a Major Sin. It involves passing talk from one person to another with the intent to corrupt and harm. It also means revealing secrets and sharing things that are not meant to be exposed. See Ihyā’ Ulūm ad-Dīn [3/156]

Hadith: Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ said, “No gossiper [nammam] will enter the Garden.” Sahīh Muslim [no. 105].

Harms of gossiping on the community:
- Creates animosity between the Muslims.
- It is a clear sign of cowardice, weakness, and deceit.
- It encourages spying and tracking others' affairs.

Action Plan:
- Do not speak about other people rather focus improving yourself.
- Making the gossiper aware of the dangers of gossiping if in his presence.
- Leave the gatherings and individuals when they start gossiping or backbiting. 

Mindset:
- Focus on yourself and dont busy yourself with the affairs of others.
- Remember that the one who gossips to you, gossips about you.

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What is Hasad [Envy] In Islām?

Hasad in Islām means the desire for the blessings of the envied to transition to the envier.

Hadith: The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

“Do not hate each other, do not envy each other, do not turn away from each other, but rather be servants of Allāh as brothers."Sahīh Bukhārī [no. 6065]

- Imām Ibn Qayyim mentions:

To envy is to desire the removal of Allāh’s Blessings from their owner. This is the first level of envy. The second level is to hope misfortune follows the servant [as a shadow would follow its object]. On this level the envious one wishes that the object of their envy remains ignorant, poor, weak, and hopes that their heart is separated from Allāh.

See Hasad: A Condemnation of Envy and Envious People [pg. 16]

Action Plan:

- Say تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ - Tabārak Allāh - May Allāh bless you, when you see a blessing on another Muslim.

Mindset:

- Love for your fellow Muslim what you love for yourself for the sake of Allāh.

Abū Ismā’īl
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Giving Charity on Behalf of the Deceased
Let us remember the deceased members of our families and friends and be a source of benefit for them in their graves, Inshā'Allāh.

‘A’ishah narrates that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ: "My mother died suddenly, and I think that if she could have spoken, she would have given charity. Will she have a reward if I give charity on her behalf?" He ﷺ replied, "Yes." Sahīh Bukhārī [no. 1388]

Projects for charity:
1. Build an Islamic school for children without access to Islamic education.
2. Support an orphanage for homeless Muslim families.
3. Sponsor an orphan.
4. Dig a well for Muslims without access to clean water.

Action Plan:
- Give charity on behalf of the deceased TODAY, intending that a share of the reward goes to them.
- A sign of love is remembering the deceased in our prayers and charity.

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The Station of Murāqabah [Knowing That Allāh Is Watching Over us]
The Meaning of Murāqabah?
Murāqabah means always being aware and being certain that Allāh, may He be glorified and exalted, is constantly watching what is visible of his deeds and what is hidden. See Madārij as-Sālikīn [2/1489] of Imām Ibn Qayyim.

Qur'ān: Allāh says, "And know that Allāh knows what is in your minds, so fear Him." Sūrah Baqarah [2]: 235. There are many other similar verses stating the same concept.

Sunnah: We learn from the famous narration of Jibrīl when he asked the Prophet ﷺ about Ihsān. He ﷺ said: “It is to worship Allāh as if you can see Him, for although you cannot see Him, He can see you.” Sahīh Bukhārī [no. 50].

Explanation: Imām An-Nawawi mentioned about this narration: The purpose behind these words is to encourage the Muslim to be sincere in worship, and to remember that his Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, is always watching him, so that he might develop proper focus and humility, and so on. See Sharh Sahīh Muslim [1/158]

Spiritual development: Imām Ibn Qayyim said: The people of true knowledge have unanimously agreed that having Murāqabah for Allāh in one's hidden thoughts is a means for it to manifest in the deeds and the behavior externally. So, whoever has Murāqabah for Allāh in secret and internally, Allāh will preserve him in his actions and behavior, both internally and externally. See Madārij as-Sālikīn [2/1492].

Action plan to reach the station of Murāqabah:
- Have Murāqabah for Allāh when alone with your thoughts.
- When performing deeds remind yourself that Allāh knows and is watching your inner intentions, thoughts and outer actions.
- Get closer to Allāh by learning and studying His beautiful Names.
- Read the supplications of the morning & evening every day.

Compiled by Ibrāhīm Hussain [Abū Ismā’īl]
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Perform Qunūt Nāzilah For the Oppressed In Gaza & Around The World

Qunūt Nāzilah is a supplication for Allāh’s protection and support from harm that is offered in prayers at times of calamity. We can see what is happening in Gaza and the treatment of Muslim prisoners which make our blood boil.

We must strive to implement this action of the Prophet ﷺ.

We should do those actions that he ﷺ did when the Ummah was in a difficult moment and one of the things was supplication together in Qunūt. 

It is proven that the Prophet ﷺ used to say Qunūt at times of distress, praying against the aggressors among the disbelievers, and praying for the weak and oppressed Muslims to be saved from the plots and captivity of the enemies of Islām. Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī [No. 1006]

This Qunūt can be performed during any of the obligatory prayers. As for if the Qunūt should be before or after the bowing both are allowed before or after.

Action Plan:

- Contact our Imāms, Masjid and Muslim speakers to arrange this to happen in our local Masjids during Ṣalāh.

Among the greatest and most powerful factors of victory is seeking the help of Allāh.

May Allāh aid the oppressed Muslims. Āmīn

Abū Ismā’īl
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What is Shukr [Gratitude] & How To Show Gratitude?
Islamically scholars have mentioned it means to show gratitude for blessings as bestowed by the Bestower; our Rabb, Allāh.

Allāh says,"And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in blessings]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.“ Sūrah Ibrahim [14]: 7.

Imām Ibn al-Qayyim said: "Shukr is to display the effects of the blessings of Allāh upon the tongue by way of praise and acknowledgement; in the heart by way of witnessing and love; and upon the limbs by way of submission and obedience." See Madārij as-Sālikīn (2/246)

Action plan:
- Show gratitude with the Heart: Submit to the rights of Allāh, strive to be tranquil and content with the blessings given by Allāh.

- Show gratitude with the Tongue: Praising Allāh and acknowledging His favours.

- Show gratitude with Actions: Performing acts of worship and showing obedience to Allāh.
Compiled by Abū Ismā’īl
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The Great Companion Anas ibn An-Nadr Who Was True To His **Promise To Allāh

Background:** Anas ibn Nadr was one of the notable companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who exemplified bravery and a deep commitment to Islām. Anas belonged to the Ansār. He was the uncle of Anas ibn Malik, the famous companion of the Prophet ﷺ.

Battle of Badr: Anas missed the Battle of Badr, the first major battle between the Muslims and the polytheists of Quraysh.

Pre-Battle of Uhud: Before the Battle of Uhud, Anas ibn Nadr expressed his regret to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for not fighting at Badr. He pledged if Allāh should let me participate in [a battle] with the Prophet ﷺ, Allāh will see how strongly I will fight.

The Battle of Uhud: During the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims initially gained the upper hand. However, due to a strategic mistake by the Muslim archers, the tide of the battle turned in favour of the polytheists of Quraysh. Amid the chaos and confusion, when many Muslims began to retreat, Anas remained on the front lines.

He went forward with his sword and met Sad bin Mu'ādh, and asked him, "[Where are you going], O Sad bin Mu'ādh! By the Lord of An-Nadr, Paradise! I am smelling its aroma coming from before [the mountain of] Uhud."

Sad narrates after "O Allāh's Messenger! I cannot achieve or do what he [i.e. Anas bin An-Nadr) did. We found more than 80 wounds by swords and arrows on his body. We found him dead and his body was mutilated so badly that none except his sister could recognize him by his fingers."

When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw Anas's body, he said, "Among the people, there are some whose oaths to Allāh are fulfilled. Anas ibn Nadr is one of them." Some scholars are of the opinion that it was for him and others like him the following verse was revealed:

مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رِجَالٞ صَدَقُواْ مَا عَٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡهِۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحۡبَهُۥ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُواْ تَبۡدِيلٗا
"Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allāh. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration." Sūrah Ahzāb [33]: 23.

Reference: Sahīh Bukhārī [no. 4048, 2805-2806] and Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr - Sūrah Ahzāb [33]: 23.

Let us never forget the sacrifices of these great men who gave their lives for Islām. They are the true role models for Muslims today.
Compiled by Ibrāhīm Hussain [Abū Ismā’īl]
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Individualistic Mindset vs Collective Mindset
In today’s world, many of us have adopted an individualistic mindset in Islām, prioritizing and giving full focus to personal goals and individual achievements above collective work for the Ummah. It’s essential to reflect on how the companions of the Prophet ﷺ [Sahābah] lived and how they worked as a Jamā'ah [group] to enjoin good & forbid evil and not just spend majority of their time at home like many of us today.

The Sahābah were far from an individualistic mindset; their lives were marked by a profound sense of collective responsibility and unity, exemplified by their willingness to fight in Jihād for the sake of Allāh and supporting the Ummah.

Collective mindset:
The Qur’ān and Sunnah provides clear guidance on the importance of collective work as a Jamā'ah.
1 - The Ummah: The concept of the Ummah, the global community of Muslims, is central in Islām. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of collective work, unity and brotherhood: “Verily, the believers are like bricks of a building, each part strengthening the other...” Sahīh Bukhārī [no. 481].

2 - Congregational Worship: Certain acts of worship emphasise collective worship. The five daily prayers are encouraged to be performed in congregation, Zakāh [obligatory charity] is designed to redistribute wealth within the Muslim community, ensuring that the needs of the less fortunate are met, fasting of Ramadān is done together and so is the Hajj.

3 - Supporting the Ummah: The Muslims of the past were always supporting either through their wealth or lives for the religion. The way parts of the Ummah are abandoned today was something unheard of in the past. The Sahābah were always from the forerunners [Sābiqūn] in protecting the blood of the Muslims collectively.

The Sahābah's participation collectively in struggling for the sake of Allāh [Jihād] was not for personal gain or glory, but to protect the Muslim community and spread the message of Islām. They understood that their struggles and sacrifices were for the collective good of the Ummah. Their bravery and willingness to risk their lives in battles were driven by a deep sense of duty to Allāh. They implemented the verse: "And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively." Sūrah Tawbah [9]: 36.

Lets get out of our comfort zone and work for the religion. Join local efforts to revive Islām in the hearts of our youth who are leaders of tomorrow.

Abū Ismā’īl
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