Twitter recently announced that they would delete any tweets that showed images of the execution of the American journalist James Foley, and ban the account of the user who posted such images. Facebook as well announced a strict policy in this regard. This was done to respect the memory of the deceased and honor his family's request.
Now, I actually sympathize with this type of censoring, mainly because I don't feel that such gruesome images should become commonplace and be seen by millions of men, women and children (and I mean ALL gruesome images, not just of this journalist).
However, what was interesting was the fact that this news wasn't given that much national attention, nor was there any outcry regarding 'censorship' or 'freedom of speech' or 'infringing on rights'. In fact, quite the opposite: most people who commented were supportive. People in the Western world, by and large, are sympathetic to such a ban, and appreciate the respect that Twitter and FB are showing to the families of the bereaved.
This proves my point that I made in a lecture many years ago, when the controversy over the blasphemous images of the Prophet (SAW) erupted. I claimed back then that the issue of the cartoons had nothing to do with 'freedom of speech', but rather with each society's own views on what is acceptable and unacceptable to show.
Each society has a self-imposed and ever-changing red-line of taboos that it will not cross, in speech or in images. For this society, respect should be shown to the deceased's family; for us Muslims, an infinitely more amount of respect should be shown to our religious symbols and especially to our Prophet (SAW).
Here's the link to the lecture...eight years ago!
The Best of Us
Who are the best amongst us? Read this beautiful hadith, and you will know the answer.
Asmā b. Yazīd said that she heard the Prophet ﷺ say, "Would you like to know who the best of you are?"
They replied: "Yes O Messenger of Allah!"
He said: "The best of you are those who, when they are seen, Allah is remembered" [Aḥmad and Ibn Mājah].
« الَّذِينَ إِذَا رُؤُوا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى »
There are people walking amongst us whose very presence reminds others of their Creator: without even the need to speak, their demeanor and manners, and their reputations and characteristics, and their humility and sincerity, reminds people of piety and God-consciousness.
Such a level can only be achieved when one practices the faith in one's actions, and one's spirituality is demonstrated in one's dealings with others.
When iḥsān is perfected, it is as if the pure soul sends out subtle signals that other souls can intrinsically sense, and so the mere presence of such a pure soul impacts other souls, and by being with them, Allah is remembered.
O Allah! We ask that you make us of such people! Ameen.
Latest Library Chat:
The Revolt of Mukhtār al-Thaqafī (d 67 AH) & Its Theological Impact
This revolt is one of the most bizarre and interesting revolts of early Islamic history. It involves a number of Companions, and sparked out an ideology that was to be adopted by a mainstream movement.
This incident is referenced indirectly in a number of hadiths, most famously in Asmā b. Abī Bakr’s (r) answer to Ḥajjāj b. Yūsuf when he came to mock her, and her sharp tongue and bravery silenced him. Of what she said was, "The Prophet ﷺ warned us of a liar and a mass-murderer from the tribe of Thaqīf. As for the liar, we've already seen him, and as for the mass-murderer, I have no doubt that it is you!!" [Saḥīḥ Muslim].
All commentatories of hadith works mention that the 'liar' referenced in this hadith is none other than Mukhtār al-Thaqafī.
Who was this man? And what is his story? And why was he described as a 'liar' by the Prophet ﷺ? And what impact did he have in the development of early theology amognst some groups?
That's the topic of this Library Chat!
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A Sign of Faith
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever is pleased with his good deeds, and saddened by his sins, is indeed a believer" - Reported in al-Tirmidhī.
من ساءته سيئته، وسرته حسنته فَذَلِك الْمُؤمن
While perfection is never possible, we still strive for it. And if during our private moments, we reflect on our deeds, and are comforted by a good deed we might have done, such as an act kindness or a secret charity; and we feel a sense of shame and sadness when we think of a private sin we indulged in, at the very least, that is a sign that somewhere in our hearts, we do have true faith.
This isn't a green light to maintain such sins - these are words of encouragement from our Prophet ﷺ that as long as we have a conscience, we are on the right path.
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