Al-ʿAllāmah, Shaykh ʿUbayd al-Jābirī (hafiẓahullāh ta’āla) begins by explaining that the discussion today deals with how people should act with deal with one another. He highlights that Allāh sent the Messengers to rectify the conditions of the people. This rectification covers matters of the religion and the worldly affairs, in this life and for the hereafter.
This issue of correction comes through two matters:
- Worship: to single out Allāh with all worship
- Actions and dealings with the people
The first matter is with regard to Tawḥīd, its importance, and that Allāh did not send a Prophet or Messenger except that He sent them with the message of Tawḥīd — to single out Allāh alone with all worship.
The discussion of this lecture addresses the second matter. How people are to interact with each other in order to live in harmony and security in society. Muslims are expected to have good dealings with one another. To have good actions, good morals, manners and behaviour with the people. The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) was the best example of this exemplary high standard of character.
“And verily, you (O Muḥammad ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) are on an exalted standard of character.”
[Sūrah al-Qalam, 68:4]
The things that mostly cause the people to enter Paradise (Jannah) are: fearing Allāh and good manners.
[Recorded in Aḥmad and others. Verified to be ḥasan by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ (al-Ṣaḥīḥah no.977)
This Shaykh (hafiẓahullāh) then guided to the good actions, and ways of dealing with the people. A Muslim should inculcate various qualities within him/herself to facilitate good interactions with people. These qualities include:
- Having good character, morals and manners
- Being truthful in interactions with people
- Keeping promises that have been made
- Preserving trust of the people
- Safeguarding and treating the neighbours well
- Giving the salām (greeting) to Muslims who are not innovators
- Showing mercy and respect to people
- Giving advice to those who need it
- Being gentle in dealings with people
- To love one another for the pleasure of Allāh
The Shaykh (hafiẓahullāh) concluded with an important summary:
- We have to act upon these qualities so we can come together with clean hearts, so our hearts will be clean from hatred and rancour and we will work together in harmony.
- We should open our hearts to the Sunnah and reject bidʿah (innovations).
- We should give the true picture of Islām that is wholesome and that we love for the sake of Allāh for people to be guided.
- That we deal with people justly in three kinds of situations: Firstly, the person of Sunnah who errs is taught and reminded what they have forgotten or is corrected if they made a mistake; Secondly, the person of innovation has the right to be advised sincerely; Thirdly, the Non-Muslims have to be shown the good of Islām, shown that Islām is a religion of justice. Islām is a religion of gentleness. Islām is a religion of love. We do not harm their wealth or honour. The Muslim brings the truth to creation in the best of ways.
He ended the lecture by saying that Shaykh al-Islām, Ibn Taymīyyah explains in al-ʿAqīdāh al-Wāsiṭiyyah that the companion of the Sunnah does not abuse anyone and he is someone who is just and not oppressive and that he wants good for all the people.
وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم
