Knowledge International University

Midterm Assignment

Course Name: Aqeedah 1 Course Code: AD 1 Instructor: Shaykh Sajid Umar & Shyakh Ahsan Haneef

Student Details Name: Hassan Basarally Student ID: 1120020 Batch:

Assignment Question: Write an essay about the factors in your community that you have found to affect good character adversely and the solutions that can protect against these effects. The solutions should be discussed using evidences from the Quran and the Sunnah.

Answer: Good character is essential for the Muslim. It a distinguishing feature of Islam as the best of Mankind, Muhammad , was described by Allah in Surah Ahzaab (21) as , the best example. The good character of the Muslim in itself is Dawah and must be encouraged in a community so that it will develop. This is why Adaab is so important; Adaab refers to good and noble characteristics that are encouraged in Islaam. In Trinidad and Tobago there are several factors that adversely affect good character two are little effort in seeking knowledge and little effort in learning the Quran.

Seeking knowledge is necessary for every Muslim as it is through this that one knows the legislation of his Lord and how to approach Him in worship. So therefore, and can be Farad Kifayyah, a communal

knowledge is a blessing from Allah

obligation, for example the rulings of inheritance or Fad Ayn, an individual obligation, for example the conditions of Salaah. In Trinidad and Tobago, many Muslims do not place much importance on knowledge. Few people attend classes and are satisfied with just knowing very little. This affects character in a few ways. Firstly people may speak without knowledge. Allah says in Surah Al Imran (132) And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy. So without knowledge, mistakes are made and when they are made people may become arrogant because they do not like to be corrected. Also when people do not seek knowledge they do not realize how little one actually knows. Hence, humility, patience, wisdom, gentleness, piety and sincerity are hampered. There are many evidences from the Book and Sunnah showing the importance of these qualities, for example in Surah Araf (146) I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Quran) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right. The first step to remedying this condition is that the leaders and learnt people call people to knowledge and explain its virtue and obligation. The Prophet said 1 Whoever Allah wants good for He gives him understanding of the religion. The second step is to refrain from gatherings that are of no benefit, for example, mixed gatherings and those in which innovation is done. Allah say in Surah Tawbah (119) O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds). Only when people understand and respect knowledge and the people of knowledge and use time wisely as opposed to frivolous matters will they start spending time learning Islaam.

1 Bukhari and Muslim

Another factor that affects good character in Trinidad and Tobago is the little emphasis people place on learning the Quran. The Messenger said The best of you 2 is he who learns the Quran and teaches it The Quran is meant to be applied in life and constantly recited. Unfortunately in the community, there is little focus on learning the Quran, especially to the children. People take the Quran as something ritual that is only recited near death on when a calamity strikes. The first step in rectifying this affair is to constantly review the Quran. Too many people do not revise it daily. The Prophet said The example of the companion of the Quran is that of a tied camel: 3 if he is vigilant over it he will hold onto his camel if he releases it, it will go away From this Hadeeth, it is evident that only with revision that one maintains ones knowledge of the Quran and will be able to contemplate on it. The other step is to encourage people to memorise the Quran, the Prophet who memorized the Book to righteous honourable scribes. By far the most important step in creating a love for the Quran is sincerity. One must recite it as an act of worship and not for fame or to show off. Allah says in Surah Bayyinah (5( And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion. Every society has factors that adversely affect good character. In Trinidad and Tobago some examples are the lack of emphasis on knowledge and the Quran. To rectify this affair the community must recognize their importance, encourage it and sincerely seek it. 4 compared the one

2 3 4 Bukhari Bukhari Bukhari