Weekly Classroom Themes – Secondary

Character

Bismillah. InshaAllah today a reminder to engage in good deeds and be of noble character, not only are these traits taught and inculcated by Islam, in fact they are requirements of a Muslim. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"He did not believe. He did not believe, the Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said, he did not believe, he who slept with a full stomach knowing his neighbor is hungry.” (al Hakim)

Furthermore, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I was sent to accomplish excellent behavior" (Al Adab Al Mufrad, Imam Bukhari). And, he also said (peace and blessings be upon him): "The nearest of you to me on the Day of Judgment will be the one who is the best in character" (Al Adab Al Mufrad, Imam Bukhari)

The Messenger of Allah makes clear for us the importance of good behavior and noble character as well as being considerate and concerned for others sake, as he said (peace and blessings be upon him):

“None among you will believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (Bukhari)

Let us not be caught up in our desires and yearning for possessions in this life. Let us strive to be content with what Allah has bestowed upon us; "Wealth does not mean having a lot of possessions. Wealth means self-contentment." (Al Adab Al Mufrad, Imam Bukhari). Changing the situation of our Ummah, our Community and our family begins with ourself – so let us inshaAllah take heed of these vital reminders of acting with the best of character, in doing the honourable deeds and supporting those who are in need.

Questions:

How does the way we treat our neighbours reflect on our character?

What are some characteristics of a person who has ‘good character’?

Why is it important for us to love for our brothers what we love for ourselves? How does everyone benefit from this?

What does self-contentment mean to you?

Reflect on the following verse, “Truly, God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Qur’an 13:11)

Week 26

The Last Day

Bismillah.

Allah, All-Knowing and Most-Just, tells us that:

“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to Paradise he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.” (3: 175)

As a result of this inevitable death, following which is undoubtedly (as Allah has made this clear our death is not the end) the Last Day, a Muslim's entire life and being is affected through knowledge of, and belief in, the Last Day. This is the Day when all will be held to account for everything that they have done within their life. Allah says:

“So by your Lord, We will surely question them all. About what they used to do.” (15: 92-93)

Reflection upon this alters the entire understanding of a believer. There does not exist a meaningless moment, rather every moment is meaningful and carries ever-lasting consequences. May Allah make us among those who are granted His Mercy upon that Day. For surely our deeds alone will not equate the reward of Paradise. May Allah forgive us our short-comings and mistakes and guide us. May He protect us from the results of those who are heedless. About those who are not successful on that Last Day Allah says they will say:

"My Lord! Send me back,... "So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected." (Surah Mu'minun 99-100)

And, further Allah tells us:

"But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, "Oh, I wish I had not been given my record. And had not known what is my account." (69:25-26)

Thus a Muslim's belief in the Last Day affects his or her entire being. It drives the Muslim away from evil and pushes a believer toward the good. It is not only the reward we seek and the punishment we want to avoid, but the One who Created everything, the One who we worship, Allah alone, we wish to draw near to.

And, Allah knows best.

A reminder for myself from the Words of Allah: "So hasten towards all that is good". (2:148)

Questions:

Reflect on the following verses, “That Day, the people will depart separated into categories to be shown the result of their deeds. So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (Qur’an 99:6-8)

How is the life of this world only the enjoyment of deception?

Why is death described as the ‘destroyer of pleasures’?

How does reflecting on the Last Day help push us toward performing more good deeds?

Research/find a hadith that emphasizes Allah’s (swt) Mercy.

Week 27

Earning Halal

Bismillah. For a moment consider how important the earnings and income you have is: You feed, clothe and house your family with it. You pay for education and transportation with it. You use it to give in charity and zakat. How often do we reflect on the importance of pure earnings and clean income? InshaAllah a reminder for myself today regarding it. Allah says: 

"And do not exchange bad things for good ones; and devor not their substance (by adding it) to your substance. Surely, this is a great sin.” (An-Nisaa 4:2).

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon  him, gave us a strong warning: “There are some men who take Allaah’s money unlawfully. Theirs will be Hell on the Day of Resurrection” (Bukhari). Further, he (peace be upon him) said very clearly for us that: “No prayer without purification will be accepted nor a charity from an ill-gotten wealth.” (Muslim) 

Finally, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A time will come upon people that a man will no longer care about whether he gets his money by halaal or haraam means.” (Bukhari).

In a Prophetic narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed ten people: the one who consumes ribaa (interest), the one who pays ribaa, the one who writes it down, the two who witness it, the one who makes it lawful, the one for whom it is made lawful, the one who withholds sadaqah (charity)……(Narrated by Muslim)

“Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Ribaa” (Qur’an 2:275)

Questions:

What is interest (Ribaa)?

Explain how prominent interest is in society today.

What are some interest-free options available?

Say you work 8 hours/day with a 30 minute paid lunch, but you take 35 minutes for lunch each day instead, without making up the extra 5 minutes. Is this stealing from your employer? Is this an example of earning halaal?

Do you think we are living in times where a man no longer cares about whether he gets his money by halaal or haraam means?

What are some occupations/jobs that a person could have which may not be considered halaal work? Do you think that the earnings are halaal with this type of work?

Week 28