Sunaa’ al-Hayah

- Life Makers -

Episode 8: Seriousness

Dear brothers in Allah,

Welcome back to our show.  I have a question in mind with which we shall set off this episode.  What is the genuine moment of birth for any human being? Is it the moment he is born, starts crawling, then grows, becomes a toddler, then begins to walk, then matures and receives education, then gets married, has children, and eventually dies or is it when one adds something to himself, his community and nation, i.e. becomes a life maker?

The genuine moment in one’s life is when he leaves a notable mark in his own life; when he contributes to his community, rather than being merely a drone.  Have we been born, or have we not?

This is the aim of our show ‘Life Makers.’

Today, we shall talk about shackle number III, which is called lack of seriousness.  In other words, flirtatiousness.  In other words, shallowness.  In other words, triviality.  All of those are but synonyms to a hard kind of shackle spreading within many aspects of our daily lives.

Nevertheless, we are going to focus our attention on the lack of seriousness found in the media.  It is time to put an end to this.  We’ve become proactive and we’re quickly on the move, with no hurdles in our way, our hands have been freed.  We must act to solve this appalling problem, namely, the flirtatiousness and triviality that is dominating the media.

Before going further to clarify the way the media-be it TV, space channels, radio, press, internet, you name it-is now spreading triviality amongst the youth, and because it is so grave a topic, I would rather review some examples of serious people, such as:

Firstly, Abu-Bakr as-Siddiq (RA); although he was slim and small, he was strong in will and zeal. He used to describe himself in his own words as, “By Allah, I have never fallen asleep to have dreams, neither have I gone absent-minded to go astray, nor have I ever deviated from the path.”  These words express how deep the concept of seriousness is within the soul of Abu-Bakr (RA).  He knew too well that with life too short to live and with the aim so sublime, he had not time for jest.  When there is a will there is a way.

Secondly, on the day of ‘al-Qadisiyah’ battle, people flocked to Saad Ibn-Abu-Waqqas to donate money for the warfare.  However, there was a poor woman who had nothing to give away.  She went to him with tears in her eyes, had her hair braid cut and told him that he could take it for a horse bridle, hopefully she could contribute to the victory of Muslims.  Compare this woman to Muslim women of these days; they’re so shallow to do anything but spend half the day glued to TV’s and phones.

Thirdly, just before the beginning of the battle, a lad came to Saad to ask him to let him fight with the army.  However, Saad refused and said, “This is only for men.”  “It is none of anyone’s business, I had a deal with Allah, and you don’t have the right to intervene between Allah and me,” replied the lad.  Surprised by this bravery, Saad allowed him to join the army.

The night before zero hour, the lad went to talk to Saad.  “I saw a strange vision tonight,” the lad recounted, “I saw myself walking along gardens, unlike those we see in real life, I also saw rivers I’ve never seen before and women who looked different from those we see in this life.”  “Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)! I believe Allah will bestow martyrdom upon you,” Saad joyously replied.  “Is there anything that you want from me, Saad?” asked the lad.  “Yes,” replied Saad, “once you meet with the Prophet, tell him that I wanted to say thank you and may Allah reward you with all that is good, for all that you have done for us. We have found what you’ve promised us.”  “And you Saad, I want you to tell my mother that I have found what Allah has been promising me,” the lad said. “And who is your mother?” asked Saad.  “The one who gave you her braid,” answered the lad.

Fourthly, as war was underway, a blind man approached Saad; that blind man was Abdullah Ibn-Umm-Maktoom, he and Bilal were the muezzins (callers for prayer) of the Prophet (SAWS).  Despite his blindness, which could exempt him from fighting, he insisted on joining the army.  He pleaded to be the one to hold the flag, but Saad rejected the idea and said, “How is that! You can’t see!” Abdullah replied, “Anyone else, who has been endowed with eyesight would run away once he saw the Muslim army defeated, as for me I cannot see what is going on, so I’ll stay put.”  “Good point,” replied Saad and then he handed him the flag.  As the battle ended, Abdullah was found dead with the flag in his hands.

Have you seen what manliness is like? These days manliness stands for smoking, dating and so forth.

Fifthly, the hero of this story is a little lad, who believed in the message of Isa (AS) (Jesus) at a time when all the followers of Isa (AS) were being killed.  The king gave orders to kill the lad.  After numerous attempts-when the king’s courtiers tried to throw him from above the top of a mountain, and tried to drown him in the middle of the ocean-each time he was saved by Allah (SWT), who inspired him to say a prayer, “O Allah save me from them and from what they want to do, O Allah you are capable of all.[1]”  All their trials were in vain and each time he would come back to the king in defiance.  He had a mission; he wanted to sacrifice himself for the sake of having people become believers.  Finally he told the king, “You cannot kill me until you gather people in a plain, then take hold of an arrow from my quiver and say, ‘In the name of Allah, the Lord of the lad’ then shoot the arrow.  If you do that, only then you would be able to kill me.”  The king did as the lad said.  Once his soul left his body, people said, “We believe in Allah, Lord of the lad.”

This lad had a genuine birth, which was the day he was killed; he was the reason the dwellers of that city were guided to the right path.

Sixthly, Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA), he had determination and firmness in terms of doing what’s right to please Allah (SWT).  The reason behind these traits was none other than his own son, Abdullah.  Once Omar (RA) was sworn in for Caliphate, Abdullah told him, “O father, from now you are going to be questioned for the Day of Judgment, and so are we, your family.  Don’t leave the right path even if we were tortured to death, never give up on doing what’s right.”  Omar (RA) said, “Thanks to Allah, I have one member of my family to remind me.”  This son of Omar’s was only 17 years old; despite his young age, he was a serious type of a young man.

When looted money was collected from Bani Ummaiah, some clerics advised Omar (RA) to keep the money for himself, and not give it back to whom it belonged, saying that his predecessors would bear all the sins for such loots.  Nevertheless, Omar (RA) insisted on giving the money back.  Since it was noon and everybody was having a nap, he thought of postponing it until the afternoon.  However, Abdullah asked, “Are you certain you are going to live until the afternoon?” This young man died at the age of 19, after he had injected strength and determination into his father.

Seventhly, Ali Ibn-Abu-Taleb (RA), who held the message of Islam on his back from childhood, when he was seven years of age, until he passed away at the age of 63.

Eighthly, there was Ibrahim Ibn-Adham, who was a shallow young man, whose only concern was to have fun.  One day he bumped into an old man who took hold of his horse’s bridle and said with a reproaching tone, “Ibrahim, is that what you were created for, or is it what you were ordered to do?” The old man’s words found their way to Ibrahim’s heart; from that moment on, he swore to live for the purpose behind his creation, for as Allah says what can be translated as, “And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (TMQ, 51:56)[2].  Ibrahim eventually became known as Ibrahim Ibn-Adham, the master of the followers of Islam.

Ninthly, Abdullah Ibn-az-Zubair Ibnul’awwam.  When he was seven years old, Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA)-Amir (king) of the Believers[3]-passed by all the children who were in the street; they all ran away for he was so much revered and feared.  As for Abdullah, he did not do the same.  Omar (RA) asked him, “Why didn’t you run?” Abdullah replied, “Why would I run? I’ve done nothing wrong to be afraid of, besides the road was wide enough for you to pass.”  Omar (RA) asked, “Why don’t you go play with your friends then?”  “I play a little sometimes,” Abdullah replied, “but I wasn’t created for playing only.”  “What were you created for then?” Omar (RA) admiringly asked.  “To bring glory to Islam,” Abdullah replied.

This was to name but a few examples of seriousness, yet they are all great!

See how these generations were raised in an atmosphere of seriousness.  As for the generations of these days, they are raised in an atmosphere of triviality, because that is the concept, which the media is trying to insert within their souls, namely the concept of how to be flirtatious and shallow.  It goes without saying that the only difference between our generation and that of the companions of the Prophet’s (SAWS[4]) is seriousness.

They used to receive teachings of the Qur’an in order to implement them.  In our case, we read the Qur’an for killing time, for fun, or we don’t read it at all.  When the Prophet’s companions used to hear a Qur’anic ayah (verse) that starts with what can be translated as, “O you who believe…” they would submit to Allah’s order. Therefore, to emphasize the profoundness of seriousness within the laws mentioned in the Qur’an, Allah says what can be translated as, “Verily! This (the Qur'an) is the word that separates (the truth from falsehood, and commands strict legal laws for mankind to cut the roots of evil.” (TMQ 86: 13-14).

Allah says what can be translated as, “Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like.  Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected far away from Allah’s mercy.  And whoever desires the hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e. does righteous deeds of Allah’s obedience) while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allah-Islamic Monotheism) then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated (thanked and rewarded by Allah).” (TMQ 17:18-19).  This ayah shows that whoever seriously wishes for worldly pleasures shall be granted what he wishes for, and whoever wishes for the pleasures of the hereafter, and works hard to get what he wants, will also get it.

As for those who lack seriousness, those who happen to be somewhere in between, they do not even deserve to be named in the ayah.  Take for instance, someone who says, “I will be a committed Muslim in a year’s time,” or another who would say, “I would wear the veil after I get married,” they are all so shallow, and definitely not serious.

This is why the advent of Islam was strong, the revelation was filled with seriousness; when Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) embraced the Prophet (SAWS), he did it with a great deal of strength, then He let go in order to draw the Prophet’s  attention; that he is approaching a serious matter.

To emphasize the seriousness of the matter, Allah says what can be translated as, “So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer).” (TMQ 94:7).  Even the Prophet (SAWS) tells lady Khadija, “Time for sleep has gone, Khadija.”

One day, a man called Bishr came to pledge allegiance to the Prophet (SAWS) and told him, “Extend your hand. I want to pledge allegiance to you, provided I have nothing to do with sadaqa (regular charity) or jihad.  The Prophet (SAWS) withdrew his hand and said gloomily, “No sadaqa and no jihad, what are you pledging for, then?”

A delegation headed towards the Prophet (SAWS) to pledge allegiance.  A young man, who was accompanying the delegation, eyed a girl who was passing by and pulled her from her clothes.  As they met the Prophet (SAWS), he started shaking hands with them one by one.  Having heard about what that young man did, the Prophet (SAWS) refused to shake hands with him and asked him, “Weren’t you the one who pulled that girl’s clothes?”  “Yes, Messenger of Allah,” replied the man.  The Prophet (SAWS) replied, “By Allah, I wouldn’t accept your pledge,” and he turned his face away. The young man shouted, “Oh no, Messenger of Allah, I promise I won’t do it again.”  The Prophet (SAWS) smiled and shook hands with him.

I wonder what the Prophet (SAWS) would say when he sees what happens now amongst the young Muslim men and women!

What would those who work for the media, and those who are behind the triviality dominating the media say to the Prophet (SAWS), for they are the ones who are corrupting our youths.

On the battle of Badr, two little boys, one called Samra Ibn-Jundub, and another called Rafi’e Ibn-Khadij wanted to join the Muslim army.  Due to their young ages, the Prophet (SAWS) refused to let them fight.  Samra told him, “O Messenger of Allah, my arrows never go astray,” and he showed him how good he was, so he gave him the permission.  Whereas Rafi’e would say, “When I have a fight with Samra, I always beat him.”  He too joined the army after showing his abilities to the Prophet (SAWS).

Another two, Mu’adh aged 13, and Muawwadh aged 14, killed Abu-Jahl during the same battle.  They used to tie swords to their hands, which were too small to hold a sword, otherwise they would fall off.

The difference is huge between a guy who lives to date girls, and another one who lives to go to paradise.

Same thing with seriousness in terms of rituals of worship; once the ayah forbidding the drinking of liquor was sent down, the next morning the streets of Madinah were wet with spilt alcohol.  As for now, some people are still questioning whether it is forbidden or not. 

Same thing with the hijab (the veil); the women couldn’t wait until they went home to cover their heads; they cut parts their clothes lining and used them as head covers.  They used to learn the teachings of the Qur’an to implement the orders, not for fun.  Now, some people are still even questioning the hijab.

Ibnul-Nafees:

This Muslim scientist is an example of a serious scientist.  He discovered the pulmonary blood circulation, how the blood gets filtered through the lungs, how the heart valves work and the anatomy of the heart.  His discovery was of great value in the world of medicine and it helped many of those who followed his steps to understand the tasks carried out by the heart and to discover the major blood circulation. 

The reason behind this scientist’s success and excellence was one of the Prophet’s Hadiths, which he heard when he was a little boy, and which says, “Allah never created an illness without creating its medicine as well.”  When he found that some people doubted this saying since there were some diseases that they could not cure, he decided to prove the truthfulness of this Hadith and worked all his life for this purpose.

Ibnul-Nafees was an example of seriousness at his work.  He used to sharpen plenty of pencils before he started writing his books so he would concentrate during the writing process without any interruptions.  This scientist was the author of more than eighty books by the time he was thirty-five, one of which is the medical encyclopedia called “Al-Shamel in Medical Industry.”

When this scientist meets the Prophet (SAWS) on the Day of Judgment, he will tell him, “I proved the truthfulness of one of your sayings.”

I would like to tell you that this Hadith does not apply only to medicine.  It also applies to many issues, such as the problems facing the Muslims and our social problems.

Now, after this long presentation to prove that Islam is a serious religion and after I have presented you with many examples of serious people, we will move on to the condition of our nation at the present time and what we have become.

I will explain to you how we have been dominated by triviality and lack of seriousness. I will concentrate my speech on the media since it is a very serious tool to either build or destroy values and morals.  I am saying it out loud; there will be no success in making life without breaking the shackle of lack of seriousness.

I will present you now with examples of how the lack of seriousness has manifested in the media:

• Video clips, which have been using the woman’s body and excitement in the songs to arouse base instincts.
• Newspapers and magazines which contribute more than 70 % of their news to stories of artists, their personal lives and the rumors surrounding them.
• The destructive programs that attract young men and women to watch other youth competing to show their skills in singing and dancing.
• The spreading of messaging on the space channels between young boys and girls telling one another, “I love you” while many viewers are watching.  The winners at the end are the companies or space channels that collect fortunes through cheap ways which encourages triviality among the youth.
• The wording of the songs, which have been concentrating for tens of years on the same topics: longings in love, separation, anxiety and the inability to stay away from the beloved.
• The programs that encourage spying on others.

To whose advantage is this happening? If we reach this level of triviality and superficiality at this stage, will we be able to have any revitalization? I am not even talking about halal (allowed in Islam) and haram (prohibited in Islam); I am only talking about the revitalization of our nation.  I am talking about countries that are being destroyed and nations that are falling while triviality is spreading among the youth.

• The idol that young men look up to is the person who makes friends with girls and shaves his head this way and dresses up that way; and the same applies to girls as well.
• I will tell you the story of a young man, who went to work in the development department of a publishing institution.  After he had seen the contents of one of the magazines that they publish, he was surprised to learn that the purpose of that publishing institution was ‘triviality.’ He could not believe it until the general manager confirmed that very same purpose to him. “Triviality,” he said.
• One young artist was asked in a program why she revealed her body in video clips.  She simply answered, “So that youth would see me more and more.”
• Another young artist was asked about his new haircut and he answered, “This is just to attract attention.”
• I remembered, while watching all these painful demonstrations on the space channels, one of the Prophet’s sayings, “Verily, the time shall come when the other nations will tear you up and consume you the same way a meal is consumed off the eating bowl."  He was then asked, "Is it because we will be just a few, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet (SAWS) replied, "On the contrary, you will be so many, but mostly like the scum driven by the floods.  Verily, Allah shall, from the hearts of your enemies, uproot all fear from you.  Verily, Allah shall reinstate feebleness in your hearts."  He was then asked, "What do you mean by feebleness, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet (SAWS) replied, "Feebleness is being keen on worldly pleasures and hating death."

What is the key that builds and brings down civilizations? How were the civilizations of the Persians and the Romans built? How was the civilization of Islam built? How was the civilization of Communism built? And how did they all fall?

One answer: the existence of a strong idea that fills the hearts of people, dominates their feelings, and instigates a big internal energy that makes them do wonders and build civilizations.  Everything in this world starts with an idea.  Communism was based on the principle of distributing the wealth among the whole nation.  European civilization is based on the idea of ‘freedom.’

All inventions start with an idea.  Any work of art starts with an idea.

Islam started with a great idea, which is obeying Allah (SWT), succeeding in this life and entering paradise in the hereafter.

The conclusion is that every civilization is based on an idea.  As soon as this idea falls, so does that civilization.  However, what is the relationship between triviality and ideas?

All flirtatious programs that are being broadcasted or published by the media spread triviality and lack of seriousness among the nations and this is the big killer of all ideas.  This killing of ideas is a great threat.

We have the best idea ever and it has been tried and had succeeded.  We are only missing the part where this idea dominates the hearts of people, so success could take place.

The danger in the programs which arouse base instincts and present us with trivial things that destroy the values and morals does not just lie in what is halal and what is haram; it prevents revitalization of the Muslims.  That is because whenever you try to concentrate in starting the revitalization, you find yourself being pulled down by these programs.

Some scientists believe in the following theory.  There are three worlds:

1. The world of things: the watch that you wear, the shirt, the car, etc.
2. The world of people: your father, your mother, your idol, and the people that affect you.
3. The world of ideas; what is the great idea that dominates your mind?

When a child is born, all he cares about is the world of things that surrounds him.  When he grows up, bit by bit, he starts to get interested in the world of people.  That is when he starts to recognize his father and mother.  When he grows up even more, he starts to get affected by the ideas that surround him.

The danger of triviality is that it keeps the Muslims locked up in the world of things. Consequently, they become big children who never mature.

One day, I visited a school where I met a boy and asked him, “What do they give you in school?”  He answered, “Biscuits.”  I said, “No, I mean what do they teach you?”

Based on the way he was brought up, he instinctively expressed his knowledge of the world of things, not ideas.

This is the danger of video clips and destructive media.

I once read a statistical study stating that the Egyptian child is the smartest child in the world until he reaches the age of six.  This is not funny as much as it makes us wonder; what comes into his life after the age of six?

The issue of spreading triviality, lack of seriousness and the killing of ideas is a very dangerous issue that leaves us no hope.

Therefore, I address all the people in charge of the media in the Arab world, all the directors, all the producers, all the authors and all the writers of the wordings of songs, and I tell them; please do not kill the ideas because we want to revive our countries.  If you love our countries and love Islam, please do not lead us astray.  Do not build your fortune based on killing ideas among the youth.  Do not feel happy with the money you are accumulating while spreading triviality among the youth.

The questioning on the Day of Judgment will be harsh.

Allah says, in Surat as-Saffaat, what can be translated as, “And stop them, for they must be questioned.” (TMQ 37:24).  Also, in Surat an-Nahl, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “That they may bear their burdens undiminished on the Day of Judgement, with somewhat of the burdens of those whom they mislead without knowledge.  Ah! Evil is that which they bear!” (TMQ 16:25).

 The Prophet (SAWS) says, “Whoever initiates a bad deed will bear his own sin and the sins of those who followed him in practicing that deed until the Day of Judgment.”

I wonder whether what is happening in the media these days is just mere chance or is it planned.  I do not know, but Allah says in Surat an-Nur what can be translated as, “Lo! Those who love that slander should be spread concerning those who believe, theirs will be a painful punishment in the world and the Hereafter.  Allah knoweth.  Ye know not.” (TMQ 24:19).

One point I would like to stress here is that seriousness does not mean that we sulk and frown all the time.  Oh, no! Go out and enjoy yourself, but keep an important idea in mind which you live for and are determined to achieve.  Balance is always necessary.

One example I would like to give you is a group of Lebanese youth who used to be unserious but they changed and established an association called ‘Hadeer.’  This group consists of twenty young men and women who deal with each other while respecting the moral limits of Islamic manners.  They started a number of constructive commercials to prove that, although they are still young, they are able to succeed.  They carried out the following activities:

·        Children songs that have been broadcast on most of the space channels during the previous Ramadan.

·        A website that was established to bring youth closer to Allah (SWT).

·        A book about mosques in Lebanon that was published to show the bright side of the country.

·        They published a timetable for prayers during Ramadan and distributed it among youth in different universities.

·        They arranged basketball tournaments between teams of different mosques.

In conclusion, I wonder, would the other nations have been revived if their youth were indulged in flirtatiousness? Was the media in Japan, China and Germany presenting these trivial things when their nations were achieving revitalization? Certainly not!

Will we be able to change in this environment?

The project of the week:

The only or the main tool that has been used by the media to spread trivialities is the woman’s body and her femininity to arouse base instincts.  Therefore, our project this week is called ‘Respect for Women.’  We will not accept that women be insulted and their dignity hurt.

If we ever see any shot in any space channel, magazine, ad or product using the woman’s body as a selling tool, we will send hundreds and thousands of polite letters stating to the owners of that product that we will boycott their product.  The women they are using are our mothers, sisters and daughters.  Respecting women is a human value because taking advantage of her body to sell a product is an insult to all women.

The letter has to be polite, explaining your point of view of their tainted ways of using women and how insulting they are.  If thousands of letters are being sent, we will definitely see a big change.

We will continue our talk next week, if Allah permits.

May Allah’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon all of you.

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