al_etidaal_gn
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al_etidaal_gn
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were a young relative of his and as such are a young relative of mine as well. I have no<br />
quarrel with you. I am despatching the documents to you. I sh<strong>al</strong>l accept whatever you<br />
decide and propose (regarding the land).”<br />
This is a story of something which took place in this very age wherein we live. It is a<br />
story of people of the world - not saints. Do those who today claim to be religious minded<br />
<strong>al</strong>so do this? Can they not <strong>al</strong>so behave like this? How nice would it be if today our efforts<br />
were directed towards construction and not destruction.<br />
QUESTION 3<br />
What should we do? Should we lay ourselves down and die? Why do you<br />
not join any side?<br />
Answer<br />
To die does not lie in the hands of men. Its time is appointed by Allah and it sh<strong>al</strong>l not<br />
come before or after its pre-ordained moment. The committing of suicide is absolutely<br />
prohibited. If anyone commits suicide he destroys his chances of success in this world as<br />
well as in the Hereafter. For this reason I most strongly advise you not to even <strong>al</strong>low such<br />
foolish words as: “Should we die?” to pass over your lips.<br />
The life of this world is short. During his lifespan man should perform righteous deeni<br />
work for himself. Let it be known that man was especi<strong>al</strong>ly created for deen. If, during his<br />
life, man neglects to perform such useful deeni work, then what is the difference between<br />
himself and four-legged anim<strong>al</strong>s? If it is just a question of eating and drinking, then<br />
surely those anim<strong>al</strong>s far surpass him because they can consume so much more than him.<br />
Returning now to your question; it consists of two parts, one concerning myself and the<br />
other concerning yourself. And this last part can <strong>al</strong>so relate to (a) the scholars and (b) the<br />
gener<strong>al</strong> public.<br />
This brings us to a three-part question demanding a three-part answer.<br />
(a) As far as I am concerned, you are completely correct that as far as possible, I try to<br />
avoid joining any side. Do not think I consider this a virtue on my part. No, I look upon it<br />
as my weakness and incompetence. Hence this is not something which deserves any<br />
speci<strong>al</strong> attention. If because of this anyone rebukes or reproaches me, he is quite justified<br />
in doing so. It is not something to be proud of. Actu<strong>al</strong>ly this is something to do with my<br />
inborn shyness and the way I was brought up. It stands to reason that a person virtu<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
acquires the characteristics of the way in which he was reared in childhood. This is the<br />
chief reason why the Shaikhs have <strong>al</strong>ways insisted that children should become closely<br />
associated with the deen and its teachings so that the deen becomes second nature to<br />
them. And this is <strong>al</strong>so the reason why Sayyidina Rasulullah (S<strong>al</strong>l<strong>al</strong>lahu Alayhi Was<strong>al</strong>lam)<br />
said: “Command your children to perform S<strong>al</strong>aah at the age of seven and punish them for<br />
not performing it at the age of ten.”<br />
Al- Eti’da<strong>al</strong> Fi Maraatibur- Rija<strong>al</strong> 27
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