Lower the Gaze

Generally women are of the misconception that the command to lower the gaze is restricted to the man only, and they are free to look at men, whereas the command is for women to lower their gazes as well. At times curiosity gets the better of us. Especially on the occasion of a marriage, we are all too eager to get a glance at who the bridegroom really is. What we fail to realise is that in breaking the command of Allah Ta‘ala of lowering the gaze, we deprive ourselves of the sweetness of imaan. Just one glance and our hearts are captured, our minds are thrown off balance and we lose all concentration in our acts of worship. We need to ask ourselves whether it is worth the glance; that for a moment of false pleasure we lose that clear communication we once enjoyed with our creator Allah Ta‘ala? Really, we do not know that behind the lowering of our gaze on which specific occasion lies our entry into paradise. Let us strive to lower our gaze and raise our stage.

A Clean Heart

Imagine having a white bed sheet that is soiled with oil, blotted with ink and stained with paint ... will we ever think of sleeping on such a sheet? The answer is a definite “NO!” Then, how is it ever possible to sleep with a heart smudged with hatred, burning in anger, drowned in jealousy? It is as simple as forgiving, overlooking and cleaning our hearts of all evil at all times. We cannot afford to leave this world with a heart that is filled with dirt. Having a clean heart invites peace, happiness and contentment in our lives. It is only a clean heart that will allow the mercy, love and bond with Allah Ta‘ala to be established and strengthened. Death may come to us at any time. Let us strive to leave this world and meet our Allah Ta‘ala with a heart that is clean and pure.

My Jewellery and Zakaat

Many of us have gold and silver jewellery upon which zakaat is payable, but unfortunately we are not discharging our zakaat. Some have the incorrect notion that they are not earning themselves and do not have cash, hence they are not liable for zakaat on jewellery. This is incorrect. In such a case either the husband may pay the zakaat of the wife with her prior permission or she may sell a piece of her jewellery and pay her zakaat.

The same ruling applies to qurbaani (the sacrificing of an animal at ‘Eidul Adhaa). Although the wife does not have cash at hand, she does have jewellery to the value of nisaab. Here too the husband may perform the qurbaani on his wife’s behalf with her prior permission or she may sell some of her jewellery and offer her qurbaani. Let not our jewellery become a barrier and an obstacle in us reaching the pleasure of our Allah Ta‘ala. Discharging our zakaat and qurbaani will be clear signs of our bond with Allah Ta‘ala.

Have a Good Thought

We all understand that backbiting is forbidden. Likewise we must remember well that to even have an ill-thought of someone is also forbidden. We may be sitting all alone in the protection of our homes, but if our mind has to deliberately think that such and such a friend is a very sulky person, then that thought is forbidden. It is a sin to deliberately even think evil of someone.

What we fail to realize is that ill-thoughts give rise to ill-feelings and hatred; which in turn disunites our hearts. With the disunity of hearts there will always be fears, doubts, suspicion, fights and arguments. On the other hand, if we start thinking good of others, it will generate love and unity. Our hearts will be at ease enjoying great peace and harmony. Our thoughts become our words and actions which in turn develop into habits, which ultimately becomes our character and life. Let us strive to think good of others and in-turn enjoy a happy life.

TV is Worse than TB

TB may seem to be a deadly disease, yet the TV is much more deadly. TB may bring an end to our earthly life alone, whereas the TV definitely destroys our life of the Hereafter as well. We have understood the danger of TB, thus we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves. However, we have turned a blind eye to the harms of the TV and thus we have embraced it into our lives. The TV is a combination of the sins of photography, music, immorality and a host of other evils. We cannot allow the TV to take over our family time and free time. Let us encourage our family and friends and strive to free ourselves from the shackles of the TV, thus securing for ourselves the mercy and love of Allah Ta‘ala.