4 Important Topics- Friday Prayer, Unverified News, Respecting Parents & We are all Equal
During the last few nights of Taraweeh salah in Ramadan 2023, the Learn Quran & Arabic Centre arranged a session titled “Reflection from Quran.” Brother Shamim Shaikh discussed several reflections that are especially relevant and essential for those living in the west.
Written by: Br Shamim Shaikh
Friday Prayer
Reflection
I started my job in Melbourne on January 30th, 1995. After the initial introduction to the team, I had a conversation with my manager.
The first question I asked was if there were any Muslims on this floor. The answer was no.
The second question was whether I could have 1 hour and 15 minutes of leave every Friday, depending on the location of the mosque, so I could perform my Friday prayer.
My manager called HR and found out where the nearest mosque was. Within 10 minutes, I had an answer, and my manager explained to me how I could reach there.
He also advised me to block my calendar, so no one would invite me to meetings on Fridays. From that day on, I always tried to attend Friday meetings.
Why Friday prayer is important
Surah jumma verse 9
O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you, if only you knew.
Hadith
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created and on it he was made to enter Paradise.
On Friday, also, Adam was expelled from Paradise.
And the [last] hour (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) will take place on no day other than Friday.” (Muslim)
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Unverified News
Reflection 2.
Personally, I do not forward any news unless I have verified it. One of the latest examples was when I received a message stating that the FATWA council had declared Saturday to be Eid. Before forwarding it, I checked the website, and when I confirmed that it was official, I forwarded it to a few people, including my children.
Surah 49 Al-Hujurat, Ayat quran 49:6-8)
Believers, if a troublemaker brings you news, check it first, in case you wrong others unwittingly and later regret what you have done, and be aware that it is God’s Messenger who is among you: in many matters you would certainly suffer if he were to follow your wishes. God has endeared faith to you and made it beautiful to your hearts; He has made disbelief, mischief, and disobedience hateful to you. It is people like this who are rightly guided through God’s favor and blessing: God is all knowing and all wise.
Event
When the tribe of the Bani al-Mustaliq embraced Islam, the Holy Prophet sent Walid bin `Uqbah to collect the zakat from them, due to some reason without collecting the zakat or contacting Tribe leader he come back and inform prophet they are not paying Zakat.
Hadith
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Shall I not tell you about calumny? It is gossip spreading between people.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2606
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Respect Parents
I believe that all of us respect our parents. However, it is important to reflect on this and acknowledge it collectively.
Surah al-nisa
Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents,” Allah Almighty declares in the Noble Quran [Quran, 4:36].
Allah has further says in Surah Al-Isra, verse 23:
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents. If any one of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to them: uff (a word or expression of anger or contempt) and do not scold them, and address them with respectful words” [17:23].
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We are all equal
Reflection 4
When I was 26 years old and working in a company, a peon who had built a house invited me to dinner. I accepted the invitation immediately. He then informed me that his house was not in a developed area and had no light. He asked if I would still come, and I assured him that I would.
The next day, I gathered some gifts and went to his house. His family treated me with respect, and we had a great time. After dinner, he shared that no one else from work had accepted his invitation, likely because his house was located in an underdeveloped area. I felt glad that I had accepted his invitation and was able to bring some joy to his family.
Surah hujurat ” [Quran 49:13]
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted
Hadith
Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “O mankind, your Lord is One and your father is one. You all descended from Aadam, and Aadam was created from earth. He is most honored among you in the sight of God who is most upright. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, no colored person to a white person, or a white person to a coloured person except by Taqwa (piety).” [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi ]
Author Biography:
My name is Shamim Shaikh, and my email address is sakhtar5695@gmail.com. I have three children, two of whom are married and have given me five grandchildren. My wife passed away on January 1st, 2021, due to brain cancer.
My educational qualifications include a Master’s degree in Statistics and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I retired on March 15th, 2023.
My aim in life is to spend time with my children and grandchildren. I dedicate at least four hours every day to understanding the Quran and try to apply my learning in my life. I also share my reflections with my children so that they can learn from my mistakes and avoid them.
