Abdul Aziz Al-Karani reciting Surat Al-Mu’minun Verses 99-118

Length: 5:28

Good Manners are based on four pillars, it cannot be imagined that the foundation of good manners can be established without them:     

• Patience     
• Virtue     
• Courage     
• Justness  

Patience will enable one to suppress anger, prevent oneself from causing harm, to be tolerant, forbearing and lenient. It also prevents one from being imprudent and hasty. 

Virtue enables one to avoid anything lowly and vile, whether related to speech or actions. It enables one to acquire shyness which is the head of all goodness. It prevents one from practicing evil sins, being miserly, lying, backbiting and tale carrying. 

Courage enables one to have dignity and maintain a high standard of etiquette and character. It enables one to contribute and donate, which stems from the courage of the soul and its strength, as it allows one to give up and depart with what is treasured. It allows one to suppress anger and be forbearing, because it is through ones strength and courage that he suppresses himself from causing problems and reins himself in against engaging in any verbal or physical abuse as it was said;     

“The strong one is not the one who defeats others physically, rather the strong one is one who is able to control himself when angered!” 

And this is the very essence of courage, and it is a characteristic with which one can subdue opponents. 

Justness enables one to be fair in his mannerisms and in taking the middle of the two paths of excessiveness and negligence. It encourages one to be generous and giving - which is the middle path between being subjugated and being miserly. It encourages one to have courage - which is the middle path between being cowardly and having audacity. It enables one to be forbearing – which is the middle path between getting angry and being humiliated or degraded. 

The basis of all virtuous manners are these four.

If a believer falls into sin, it’s punishment would be repelled from him in ten ways: 

1) He repents and therefore Allah would accept his repentance. The one who repents from a sin is as the one who hasn’t sinned. 

2) He asks for forgiveness and he would therefore be forgiven. 

3) He performs acts of righteousness that would erase his sins, for indeed righteous actions erase sins. 

4) His brothers supplicate for him; that his sins be forgiven – while he is alive and after his death. 

5) His brothers gift the reward of their actions to him so that Allah may benefit it him through them [Translator’s note: Not all actions can be gifted as reward, only those that were specified by the Qur-aan and Sunnah]. 

6) That his prophet Muhammad – صلى الله عليه وسلم – intercedes for him. 

7) That Allah puts him through trials in the life of this world that would expiate his sins. 

8) That Allah puts him through trials in the Barzakh and the Sa’iqah that would expiate his sins. 

9) That Allah puts him through the trials of the Day of Resurrection and its horrors, that which would expiate his sins. 

10) Or that the Most Merciful of the merciful has mercy over him. 

Whoever lets these ten pass him by, then let him blame no one but himself, as Allaah the Elevated said in a Hadeeth that was narrated by His Messenger: 

“O My servants, they are only your own deeds, I take them into account for you, and then give (their reward or punishment) back to you. So whoever finds good then let him praise Allah. And whoever finds other than that then let him blame no one but himself.” [Muslim #2577] 

Source: Al ‘Iraqiyyah fil ‘Amaal al Qalbiyyah

Question: What is the verdict on wearing artificial fingernails and eyelashes? Is this act considered among the acts of joining false hair with real hair? 

Answer: Adding synthetic fingernails disagrees with the sunnah and (fitrah) natural disposition. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,” 

خمس من الفطرة 

“There are five things among the Fitrah…” 

Following these words, he (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned clipping the fingernails. Also He (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned when the nails must be clipped; and that they shouldn’t grow unclipped beyond forty days. Intentionally extending the fingernails causes a person to resemble an animal or disbeliever.

This act is disfeaturing for a woman and not beauty. When a woman adds fake nails this shows she has a corrupt fitrah and decreased intellect. 

Similarly, adding synthetic eyelashes resembles the disbelievers and is among the acts of joining false hair with real hair.

I consider both of these actions to be impermissible. And Allah knows best.

Source: Link

A Student of knowledge: He is the one who before doing anything fixes his soul. Then he maintains his soul to upright character. Therefore he becomes an example for others, in his character and manners.

The student of knowledge strives for knowledge and benefit. The seeker of ilm does his utmost to sit with scholarly men, people of piety and in circles of knowledge. The person striving to learn his deen constantly equips himself with beneficial knowledge and information.

He safeguards his time. Hence you don’t see him involved in things which are useless. The student of knowledge turns away from things that don’t concern him, and busies himself with things that affect him. 

Whenever he speaks, he brings benefit to the people, and when he writes it’s beneficial. Furthermore whoever sits with him, learns something. He gives precedence to knowledge, its people, consequently benefiting from them.

As result of this he honours the people of knowledge; he supplicates for them, and asks Allah to have mercy and forgiveness for the deceased scholars. 

The Talibul Ilm hates backbiting, abhors the backbiters and detests anyone’s name mentioned in a bad light. Another thing to notice about the student of knowledge is, he’s humble, he doesn’t raise himself above his level. He doesn’t act like he’s loaded with something he really can’t  offer.

This student isn’t misled by people praises of him, people blowing him up to be a big shot, or their extolment of him. 

The student of knowledge doesn’t want to be famous, so he doesn’t seek fame from the people. Reason being, he knows that it’s Allah who raises the people and gives them rank, not such and such.

This seeker of knowledge is one who calls to Allah and advises the Muslims. He enjoins what’s right and forbids what’s wrong based on the Islamic principles and guidelines. You will notice that the student of knowledge is always trying to unite the Muslims and their hearts. He can’t stand division between the people of the Sunnah. He is well aware that division is connected to innovation, and unity is connected to the Sunnah.

For that reason it is said, “Ahulus Sunnah wal Jama’a and Ahul Bid’ah wal Farqa”. 

Moreover, you will notice that the student of ilm is shy to speak. He doesn’t speak about everything or every affair that happens among the people. He remains silent, because he knows that he will be called to account for his words, the same way for his actions. Hence, he safeguards his  own well being in his speech and actions. He won’t open a door to evil for the general masses. 

The Talibul Ilm doesn’t embark on issues of falsehood and deal with things he’s unaware of. That’s why; he enters into issues with clarity. He is aware of them inside and out. He is prepared for the meeting with Allah.    

These are some of the traits of the student of Knowledge. May Allah give them to us-Ameen     

The student of the Internet: First of all, he doesn’t have any of the traits we mentioned, as this is witnessed. The student of the net is shameless in his character. He displays arrogant behaviour towards people.

The student of the World Wide Web wastes his time in things that are fruitless. He attacks anyone, regardless if they are a minor or senior. He hurls his assault without maintaining the reverence of knowledge, age, or its people. 

The student of the internet learns hatred, he follows the mistakes and slip ups of  others.

These are the fruits of learning from the internet. The student on this path days and years remain empty. He is unable to relax and the people can’t feel at ease from his harm and evil. 

In conclusion, if you want to be a student of knowledge, here you are! Take the path. The milestones have been laid out for you.

On the other hand if you want to be a student of the internet, there you are! There is the way. That path is full with filth and rubbish. So disgrace yourself, if you want to be a student of the net, but beware of lying to the people claiming you’re a STUDENT OF KNOWLEDGE!

Source: Link

Humility and Humbleness are among the foundations of the religion and its core whereas, pride contradicts Islam. 

The origin of humility is found in the verse: (سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا) (We hear and obey) [Al-Baqarah 285]. This means we hear what you have said our Lord in the Quran and what Your Messenger has said. 

Humility and pride are two distinct traits that aren’t hidden from anyone. Let’s look at the differences between the two: 

The humble person submits to the truth no matter who it comes from. He doesn’t care about his old views, speech or position. He aides the truth whenever it becomes clear to him its right. 

The arrogant stubborn one clings inflexibly to his speech, actions and ways. In fact he has a high opinion of his speech and deeds. When the truth is made clear to him, he turns up his nose arrogantly; as he’s amazed with himself. Having this trait lowers a person to a very low status. 

The person with humility spreads the greetings of peace to the young and old, to those of high status and low. He treats everyone the same. 

The conceited person doesn’t give salaams or even look at the needy and poor. He has no concern for their needs and he won’t even intermingle with them. 

The humble individual is loved by Allah and His servants. He is always close to good and distant from evil, sin and transgression. 

The arrogant one is hated by Allah and His servants. He is always distant from piety and righteousness and close to evil, sin and transgression. 

Humbleness is a quality to the Prophets and Messengers. This attribute is for the God fearing and Guided. Arrogance is a characteristic of the tyrants and oppressors. 

Humility increases a person’s nobility and raises his status until he eventually reaches the ranks of those loved and pleased by Allah.

How many humble people attain love and charity! How many times is a person with humility praised! How often do people supplicate to Allah for a modest man! 

On one hand, there isn’t a humble person to Allah, except that the Most Merciful raises his rank. On the other hand, there isn’t an arrogant person except Allah lowers his status.

Source: Majmu’ As-Sa’dee vol 22/ 150-153