By Babatunde Jose
Prophet Muhammad said: “You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” (Al-Bukhari)
We want others to put themselves in our shoes and view the world from our perspective. That is empathy – putting oneself in someone else’s shoes. We feel close to the person who is empathetic to us, find it easy to share our thoughts with them, go to him or her when we’re troubled and seek solace. Each of us has a natural sense of empathy through which we connect to others.
There are two aspects of empathy: cognitive and affective. Cognitive empathy is about understanding another person’s point of view, their emotions and needs at the intellectual level. Affective empathy is about actually feeling an emotion that another person is experiencing.
If only our leaders would empathise with the suffering multitude, they would do the needful and set the country on the path of sustained development. But they would not. These are stone-hearted people who are bereft of the milk of human kindness. Recent hardship imposed on us are glaring testimonies of an uncaring leadership: cashless, no fuel, hunger, and insecurity.
The Prophet attested to this when he said: “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.” (Al-Bukhari) A man without empathy will therefore be devoid of faith.
A believer who has achieved excellence of faith will feel special love for other believers. This is affective empathy.
The Quran stresses that righteousness is not in precise observance of the rituals but in acts of compassion and kindness. It says that the litmus test for true belief and genuine worship is that it leads to compassionate living:
Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, . . . These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are aware of God. (Quran 2:178)
This verse talks about a set of beliefs and then a set of good deeds, the intricate relationship between the two escapes many if not most.
Every Friday in the second part of the sermon, Muslims all over the world hear the verse: “Indeed, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and wrongful transgression. He admonished you that you may take heed.” (Quran 16:91)
We are taught to not only fast from food and drink but to try to refrain from conflict, anger, and mean words. Our prophet (peace be upon him) says, “Saying a nice word is like giving to charity.” And he also said, “To smile in the face of your brother is like giving to charity.” We are to be kind and loving to each other. We are to be forgiving, not only in this month but in every month. But for some reason, this month brings out the best in everyone.
During this holy month, we spend a lot of time reading our Quran: We also spend a lot of time praying, trying to help those who are less fortunate and performing good deeds, which in turn cleanses our hearts and souls. For one month, we truly do become less selfish, less self-centred, and more focused on what really matters in the world.
There is a need for urgent action on behalf of millions of forcibly displaced people worldwide. “Through our reflection, we come to recognize that while words may reassure, it is only through action that we can truly see tangible change. We continue to live in extremely complex times where violence is multiplied, conflicts are protracted, and tens of millions of people are forcibly uprooted or on the move. This has created unprecedented levels of human suffering and desperation.”
“Millions of people like you and I are living in a constant state of conflict, insecurity, and persecution: Their loved ones torn from them under inexplicable circumstances. Think of civilians in Syria or Yemen. Think of the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the other countries to which they have fled”. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
I urge you to also think of the castrated and emasculated people of Palestine: Pray for them and remember them. May Allah make it easy for us, Ameen.
Huthba 2
TEST OF FAITH:
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e., who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. (Quran 2:155-157)
It is clear that this life is filled with calamities, tests, and trials and that every believer will be subjected to many of these. Sometimes these trials are within himself, sometimes with his wealth and sometimes with his loved ones.
These preordained trials and calamities, from the One who is All-Wise, will touch the believer in various ways and manners; if the believer does not have the correct view regarding the matter of testing, then he may err seriously, especially since some of the calamities are painful and profound.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No calamity befalls a Muslim, but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were the prick of a thorn.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Tests are not a punishment from Allah. They are a part of His infinite mercy.
Yes, life is a test and a trial; we are tested every day in this life. Our wealth is a test; the spouse is a test; the children are tests; poverty and wealth are tests, and likewise health and illnesses are tests. We are tested in everything we possess and in that which we encounter in this life until we meet Allah, the Most High.
Calamities and disasters are a test, and they are a sign of Allah’s love for a person, because they are like medicine: even though it is bitter, despite its bitterness you give it to the one whom you love.
In the sahih hadith it says: “The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396) and Ibn Majah (4031).
Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your doom.”
Life is filled with ups and downs, and there are times where our trials seem unending. In the Quran, there are several verses in which Allah talks about the varying ways we will be tested, but He also provides a care package to help us navigate those trying moments.
Why are we tested? Tests are the means by which Allah distinguishes between us because they help to expose faith and lack of faith. Allah states in the Quran: ‘Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident those who are false.’ (Quran 29: 2-3)
Allah tests us to purify us and wash away our sins. A test can sometimes replace a worse misfortune.
One of the greatest test of faith is the story of Prophet Job (Ayyub in the Quran). Job, a righteous, God-fearing man, experienced severe trials, and afflictions. Job lost all of his property, his children died, and he suffered great physical agony.
However, Job was rewarded for his faith in the end: God restored all that Job had lost, twice as much as he had before. The Lord blessed him with a long life, and with seven more sons, and three more daughters.
Allah is Compassionate and in Surah Ash-Sharh Ayat Quran 94:5 He said: “Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” For emphasis, He repeated it in verse 6.
Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyyah) said: A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah.
Barka Juma’at and Ramadan Karim
A SEASON OF GIVING: We are in the best season to give in charity; make use of the opportunity. May Allah bless us with what to give and the strong will to give cheerfully. Aameen.
