THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN IS THE PERFECT TIME TO
PROMOTE ISLAM - MUSLIMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OPEN THEIR DOORS TO NON-MUSLIM NEIGHBORS
by Syarif
Hidayat
The holy month of Ramadan is the perfect time of the year to promote Islam.
That is why Muslims
are encouraged to share the Ramadan spirit with the non Muslim friends and
neighbors by taking part in an initiative aimed at breaking down barriers and
fostering a sense of good relationship and good neighborliness between Muslims
and non-Muslims in the communities, especially in the non-Muslim majority
countries like those in the West.
Islam is a
beautiful religion, full of wisdom and harmony. If this wonderful
religion is followed properly then a typical Muslim would only be a great example
to follow. You might believe this or not! But good manners are the best form of
Da’wah. If we ask ourselves, what if a person was walking around calling people
to Islam and to worship the one true God yet he have no manners at all, will
anyone follow him? Or even listen tohim? The answer must be No, for sure.
No one will be willing to
follow the same way of life that such a person (above) follows. Even
if he was so eloquent in his speech and no matter how nicely he described Islam
as the best religion on the face of earth, his actions, speech,and
beliefs are opposing hence no one will listen to him. People tend to
believe the actions more than the speech and that is the nature of human as “actions
speak louder than words.”
We need to remind ourselves
that Islam was spread -during its early stages- in many countries
like India and the far east of Asia through the Arab Muslim merchants who were
showing the best of manners -especially in trade- to people of those countries.
Their honesty and actions were so admired by people of those countries that
they embraced Islam. You can't walk around preaching people to embrace the
religion of honesty when you are not honest! You can't advise people about
morality in Islam when you don’t follow any morals! No one will believe what
you are saying because simply you are not making any sense to them!
Another example of this is the
story of the Jew who was a neighbor of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who used
to dump rubbish on his doorstep. One day, the Prophet found no rubbish. The
next day he found no rubbish, so he asked about the Jew, only to find that he
was sick. He then visited the sick Jew and tried to make him feel better. As a
result, the Jew became Muslim.
Kindness to a Non-Muslim Neighbors
It is clear from the above Prophetic
Hadith that Muslims are encouraged to not only treat our neighbors kindly, but
also to exchange gifts with them. The wording of the Hadith does not indicate
whether the one with whom we exchange gifts is a Muslim or not. It was even
reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a neighbor who
used to harm him and insult him at every encounter. Some days elapsed without
the Prophet getting his share of this man’s abuse.
Thinking that there must be some reason
behind the man’s absence, he (peace and blessings be upon him) paid him a visit
and found him sick. The man wondered how the Prophet could meet his bad
treatment with such great behavior. To him, such noble character as taught by
Islam was completely new. If your neighbors are Muslim and relatives, then they
have three rights on you: the right of the neighbor, the right of kin, and the
right of the co-religionist. If they are non-Muslim and relatives, then two
rights are due to them: that of neighbor and kin. And if they are non-Muslims
outside of the family, you owe them the right of the neighbor only.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent,
the Merciful. Referring
to this, the Allah Almighty Allah says in Al Qur’an: “Worship Allâh and join
none with Him (in worship), and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans,
Al-Masâkin (the poor), the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a
stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those
(slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are
proud and boastful.” (Al Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa, Verse 36).
Enough to say that the Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) stated in one of his Hadiths that Angel Jibreel
(Gabriel) kept exhorting him to treat neighbors kindly to the extent that the
Prophet imagined that a neighbor could inherit from his neighbor. Below are some tips on how to approach your
non-Muslim neighbors in a kind way that exemplifies Islamic manners:
1. Being good to neighbors
is not only restricted to those who share the same building with you. Your
roommate at the dorm is your neighbor; the person sitting behind you or next to
you in a bus or at a bus stop is your neighbor; the one sharing your office at
work is your neighbor; the person enjoying fresh air next to you in a public
garden is also a neighbor. You ought to treat all of those people kindly and
socialize with them within the permitted scope of Shari ‘ah.
2.
Introduce
yourself and your family to your neighbors when you move into a new place or
when new neighbors move in. This will also help to relieve any fears or
tensions they may have about Muslims. Also, don’t forget to say good-bye when
you or they move away.
3.
Care
for them continually, especially at times of need and distress, as “the
neighbor in need is a neighbor indeed.” If a neighbor is elderly or chronically
ill, offer to run errands or shop for him or her.
4.
In
dealing with neighbors, it is safer to deal with those of the same sex as
yourself. This does not mean that you should stop socializing at work or school
with your non-Muslim workmates or classmates of the opposite sex, but be aware
of Satanic snares. After-hours socializing should be with your same sex.
5.
While
socializing with non-Muslims, be cautious of becoming too lenient at the
expense of your creed and principles. For example, don’t go out drinking with
them. They will respect you more for sticking to your principles than for
breaking the rules.
6.
In
addition to sharing ideas, you can share meals with them by inviting them to
dinner on the weekend or accepting their invitation to the same, provided that
you let them know about your dietary restrictions as a Muslim.
7. Conduct mutual visits so
that the families can interact in a constructive way. If the discussion does
turn to religion, focus on areas of common ground. For example, if your
neighbors are Christian, then you should not enter into a futile argument with
them about whether Jesus is God incarnate or not. Rather, tell them to what
extent Islam honors all God’s Prophets and Messengers as a whole, and that
Jesus is granted a special status among God’s Prophets and Messengers.
8. While socializing with
neighbors, present your deen (Islam) in the best way. If you are faced with a
difficult question or a distortion about Islam, do not be ashamed to stop for a
while and tell them that you will try to contact a more knowledgeable person to
seek the guidance regarding the issue raised. Thus, common grounds should be
enhanced, and areas of dissension should never be raised.
9.
If
your neighbors show an interest in Islam, invite them to attend Islamic events,
and even to accompany you to the mosque to see what it is like. It may be that
their hearts become softened to Islam, and if they remain non-Muslim, at least
you have succeeded in breaking the barrier. You can also visit the church where
your neighbors pray if they invite you to do that, but here you should be
cautious not to perform any act that your religion prohibits. In brief, be only
a watchful monitor.
10.
Always
keep in mind the mighty reward that is in store for you in the Hereafter when
you show kindness to a neighbor.
Importance of Good-neighborliness
Islam aims at creating a society which
does not only implement Allah’s laws, but also adopts certain values which
ensure its strength as a coherent, caring society where everyone feels his or
her importance to the community. None is left to waste or suffer on his own. An
Islamic society is one where every individual is important and everyone enjoys
the protection of the community. It is needless to say that every member of
society has a duty and a responsibility towards his community. In return, he
enjoys the care and protection of that community.
In order to create a solid basis for its
closely-knit community, Islam begins by encouraging good-neighborliness. One of
the worst social acts a person can commit is to be unkind to his neighbors. The
reasons for this insistence on good-neighborliness are too obvious to need any
discussion. In a neighborhood where people quarrel and one set of neighbors try
to harm another, there is no chance of harmony prevailing there. Indeed, people
try to move out from such an area, peace being the basic condition for
development. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Prophet should emphasize
on every occasion, the importance of good-neighborly relations.
So vehement was the divine recommendation
of being good to neighbors that Holy Prophet (Pbuh) began to apprehend that the
neighbors would be made inheritors in one’s property. The Prophet (Pbuh) is
quoted by his wife Ayesha, as saying: “Gabriel has continued to strongly
recommend me to be kind to my neighbor until I thought that he would make him
among my heirs.” (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Malik and others). This Hadith
which has been widely reported, in different chains of reporting, is highly
significant.
Moreover, it is phrased in a way which
leaves no doubt where the order to be kind to neighbors comes from. It is
Gabriel, the angel, who is recommending the Prophet to take such an attitude to
his neighbors. Gabriel, as an angel, does not initiate anything from himself.
He simply carries a message from Allah to His Prophet and conveys it in its
entirety. Allah describes angels in the Quran as creatures who do not disobey
Allah whatever He bids them, and they do what they are bid. (Al Qur’an 66:6)
So, when Gabriel makes a recommendation to the Prophet, he simply conveys to
him what Allah wants him to convey. That recommendation is, then, an order
given by Allah.
We also note that the recommendation has
been repeated again and again in order to create a certain impression in the
mind of the Prophet. Again, Gabriel was acting on Allah’s order. It is Allah
who wants him to repeat this recommendation time after time. The Prophet was
the best man to understand what Allah wants of him. A simple order or
recommendation would have been adequate for the Prophet to understand that he
should be kind to his neighbors. This Hadith suggests something more. It
implies a certain duty which should not be neglected for any reason whatsoever.
This we understand from the fact that the recommendation was frequently
repeated by Gabriel who was acting on Allah’s order.
We can also form an impression of what
that recommendation was like. It must have emphasized the fact that a neighbor
has a very strong claim on those who live in the same area with him for the
Prophet to have the sort of impression which he has specified. In other words,
when we treat our neighbors kindly, we are only giving them that to which they
are entitled to by right. The kindness should be mutual since we, as their neighbors,
are entitled to the same right. When people in any neighborhood act on this
recommendation, or to be sure this order, then that neighborhood is bound to be
happy and strong. Everyone will enjoy the feeling of belonging to a good
community which cares for him and for his interests and provides him with
protection.
The Prophet tells us that Gabriel
continued to urge him repeatedly to be kind to his neighbors inasmuch as he
thought that the next thing he would say would be that neighbors were entitled
to a share of the inheritance of their neighbors like their own relatives. That
gives neighbors a degree very close to that of people’s own relations. It makes
them almost of the same family. Had that been ordered, every neighbor would
have had such a share of inheritance, be he a righteous person or a wrongdoer,
a friend or a foe, a local person or a stranger who has moved in recently, a
good member of the locality or a bad one. This is what applies to those
entitled to a share of inheritance, according to the Islamic system.
When a person dies, his heirs receive
their shares of his inheritance without regard to any of the aforementioned
factors. Their entitlement to their shares is derived from their relation to
the deceased, not from their character. The same would have applied to neighbors
had they been made heirs to their neighbors. This Hadith, however, remains highly
significant in the sense that it describes how close a relationship between neighbors
in a Muslim society should be. When people understand this fully, they are
bound to value their ties with their neighbors very highly.
In another Hadith, the Prophet links
certain attitudes to believing in Allah and the day of judgment. Among these is
good-neighborliness. Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza’ie quotes the Prophet as saying:
“Anyone who believes in Allah and the last day let him be kind to his neighbor.
Anyone who believes in Allah and the last day, let him be hospitable to his
guest. Anyone who believes in Allah and the last day, let him say something
good or be silent.” (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad and others).
Again, the mode of expression here is
highly significant. The Prophet repeats with every one of the three habitual
attitudes he recommends to believing in Allah and the day of judgment. He uses
this mode of expression in order to highlight the importance of each of these
three attitudes.
The
Prophet mentions the day of judgment because it is the day for reward or
punishment. A non-believer in the day of judgment is unlikely to give it any
importance in shaping his social behaviour. From this we understand that
kindness to neighbors will be rewarded highly by Allah.
It is needless to say that the person who
acts on the Prophet’s recommendation will have the immediate reward of his
kindness being returned by his neighbors. But he should not make that his
motive. It is not their reward that he hopes for. Reward from Allah is much
more important. It is that reward to which we aspire. It gives us the
appropriate motive. Hence, we will be keen to merit that reward.
Neighbors: Up to Seven Doors Away
IOL Team in an article titled: “Neighbors:
Up to Seven Doors Away” published in www.islamonline.net writes “The Qur’an tells us that all of mankind
is descended from one couple, Adam and Eve. Thus we are all brothers and
sisters, and our differences in languages and colors are but a mercy that we
might know one another. Language and race should never be a reason for
discriminating against people.”
A Muslim should maintain good relations
with his relatives, but he should not unjustly favor them over others. Further,
a Muslim must be good to his neighbors, no matter their religion. But the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that a “neighbor” is not
just the one next door but includes all those up to seven doors away -
effectively a whole neighborhood.
This concern for our neighbors can take
many forms. It means to ensure that our neighbors have the basic necessities,
for a Muslim should not eat if his or her neighbor is going hungry. It means
that Muslims should wish for their neighbors what they wish for themselves. It
means sharing their happiness and sorrow. Further, it means to not spy on them
and respect their privacy, to not gossip about them, to not harm them in any
way, and to keep common use areas — such as apartment building entrances,
streets and sidewalks — clean.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him) was told of a woman who prayed and fasted a lot and gave
alms generously, but whose neighbors complained of her abusive tongue. He said
that she would be in Hellfire. When he was told of another woman who did not do
all those extra acts of worship but whose neighbors were happy with her, he
said that she would be in Paradise . Thus we see the importance of being good
to our neighbors, both in actions and words.
Ramadan a time to promote Islam
Jeff
Coen in
his article titled: “Muslims open doors to their neighbors - Ramadan a time to promote
Islam” published in www.chicagotribune.com wrote a
Washington-based organization has offered local, like-minded groups a kit
replete with talking points on how to promote themselves in the nation's media
and sell themselves to the public.
The
organization is the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the target date
is the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the month on Islam's lunar
calendar set aside for daytime fasting to learn discipline and self-restraint,
as called for in the Koran.
Leaders of
the country's estimated 7 million Muslims are using the traditional month of
prayer and fasting as a signature event to introduce their non-Muslim neighbors
to their Islam--the global religion of peace and mercy. The hope is a month of
open houses at mosques, interfaith dinners and community presentations during
Ramadan might lead to a better understanding of one of the world's great
faiths.
"Every year Ramadan presents an
opportunity to educate others," said Ibrahim Hooper, council spokesman.
"Of course the last two Ramadans it's not been the best of atmospheres,
but that just means it's critical that people learn about Islam. "It's
ignorance that leads to stereotyping and prejudice." The organization has
put together a how-to packet that it now offers online, www.cair-net.org,
instructing Muslim groups on ways to contact the media, schools and libraries.
The trend of opening up Ramadan and using
it as a springboard is readily apparent in the Chicago area, where local
mosques and Muslim groups are planning "Taste of Islam" events,
lectures, food drives and school presentations. The Council of Islamic Organizations
of Greater Chicago is urging a month of outreach, which it plans to cap with a
Nov. 26 interfaith dinner attended by Cardinal Francis George. Amina Saeed, director of community relations
for the Chicago council, said her group is encouraging the breaking of the
fast, or Iftaar, to take place with doors open to local residents who live near
mosques in the city and suburbs. "We realize we can't assume that people
know what Islam is and who Muslims are," Saeed said. "We need to
educate people, and that means talking to them."
America Muslims share Ramadan
Awaiting a season of spiritual renewal
in Ramadan, an American Muslim advocacy group called on Muslim communities
nationwide to open doors to non-Muslims during iftar to share the spirituality
of the holy month and enhance Islam understanding in the country.
“In order to enhance interfaith
relations, it is imperative that American Muslims reach out to their neighbors
of all beliefs to offer balanced and accurate information about Islam and the
Muslim community,” Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the
Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a press
release.
Repeating last year’s successful
experience, CAIR issued its annual campaign for local communities to host iftar
dinner receptions and open houses for our neighbors of other traditions. During
this year’s campaign, CAIR would be helping local Muslim communities organize
“Sharing Ramadan” iftars by providing step-by-step instructions for hosting the
events titled “Sharing Ramadan Resource Guide 2012”.
In this campaign, CAIR would also
present resource guide including instructions on forming a “Sharing Ramadan”
committee, a sample media advisory for an iftar and advice on reaching out to
local media. It also includes an advertisement for the event, text for a
“Welcome to Our Ramadan Fast-Breaking” brochure, frequently-asked questions
about Ramadan, and a sample event program and newspaper advertisement.
A video promoting the campaign also notes
that education and outreach help decrease anti-Muslim prejudice in American
society. Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar. According to
astronomical calculations, the holy fasting month of Ramadan will start on
Friday, July 20. In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking
and sex between dawn and sunset. The sick and those traveling are exempt from
fasting especially if it poses health risks. Fasting is meant to teach Muslims
patience, self-control and spirituality, and time during the holy month is
dedicated for getting closer to Allah though prayers, reading the Noble Qur’an
and good deeds.
Enhance Understanding
The share Ramadan ‘iftar’ campaign was
designed to enhance interfaith understanding in the American community. “CAIR
is calling on American Muslim communities to take time in the month of Ramadan
to reach out to their neighbors of other faiths and traditions in a wonderful
nationwide initiative titled ‘Sharing Ramadan.’” the ‘Sharing Ramadan Resource
Guide 2012’ says.
The idea of the campaign followed a poll
commissioned by CAIR which found that 1-in-4 Americans had a negative
perception about Islam.
However,
the survey also indicated that most of those who held positive views about
Islam had some sort of interaction in the past with Muslims.
Awad also
cited a 2009 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which
stated that those who know a Muslim or are familiar with Islam and Muslims are
“most likely to express favorable views of Muslims and to see similarities
between Islam and their own religion.”
The guide also contains items such as a
sample media advisory for an iftar, an advertisement for the event and a
“Welcome to Our Ramadan Fast-Breaking” brochure designed to be copied and
distributed to iftar participants. Although there are no official figures, the
United States is believed to be home to between 6-8 million Muslims. According
to a report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the University
of California, Berkeley’s Center for Race and Gender said that Islamophobia in
the US is on the rise. A US survey has also revealed that the majority of
Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith. A recent Gallup poll,
however, found 43 percent of Americans Nationwide admitted to feeling at least
“a little” prejudice against Muslims.
Australian Muslims encouraged to open their
homes to non Muslims
Australia’s Muslim community is being
encouraged to share the Ramadan spirit with their non Muslim friends and neighbors
by taking part in an initiative aimed at breaking down barriers and fostering a
sense of unity amongst Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia. The Islamic
Council of New South Wales (ICNSW) is inviting all Muslims to open their homes
to non-Muslim colleagues, neighbors and friends during the Islamic calendar
month of Ramadan in August.
Open Home in Ramadan is an exciting
opportunity for non-Muslims to experience the Iftar, or the breaking of the
fast with a meal after sunset with Muslims and truly share in the experience of
Ramadan. Khaled Sukkarieh, chairman of the ICNSW, described the initiative as a
means to “open doors, hearts and minds of both Muslims and non-Muslims in a
relaxed environment that will lead to long lasting friendships.” “We are
encouraging Muslims to open their hearts and doors and invite non-Muslims for
an Iftar dinner in their homes.”
The month of Ramadan is the 9th Month in
the Islamic lunar calendar. Fasting involves abstaining from food and drinks
from dawn to sunset and is obligatory for every able-bodied Muslim. Fasting
encourages Muslims to both increase their spiritual connection with God and
empathise with those less fortunate. The Hon. Minister for Citizenship and
Communities and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in NSW Victor Dominello said,
“The Islamic Council is to be congratulated for its efforts to promote
tolerance and cultural diversity – things that are so special about our
society. Sharing an Iftar dinner brings people of different backgrounds
together and strengthens all that unites us here in Australia.”
Muslims encouraged to engage more with their
local communities
Zul Othman in his article titled: “Muslims encouraged to engage more with
their local communities” published in Today
Online (Singapore)
writes Muslims need to get involved in their community so as to be part of a
movement that could help counter the various setbacks to the image of Islam
worldwide, said two Islamic theologians. Speaking at a press conference at the
Grand Hyatt, Swiss scholar Professor Tariq Ramadan – who teaches at Oxford
University – said the last thing Muslims should do is isolate themselves
because of bad press. “… Being involved in your community is the best way to
normalise relationships,” he said.
Prof Ramadan, whose Egyptian father was
exiled by the Egyptian government, is one of the speakers at a three-day
conference organised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis),
Oxford University’s Faculty of Oriental Studies, the University of Melbourne’s
National Centre for Excellence in Islamic Studies and NUS’ Malay Studies
Department.
Singapore,
added Prof Ramadan, is the perfect example of a country where Muslims and
non-Muslims co-exist harmoniously.
In other parts of the world, conflicts
may arise due to misunderstandings and cultural differences. But Muslims need
to get away from the “victim mentality”, said Dr Ramadan. He himself was
permitted this year to enter the United States after waiting five years for a
ban imposed on him by the previous Bush administration to be lifted. What is
also needed is a more balanced portrayal of Islam in the press, said the
director of Australia’s National Centre for Excellence in Islamic Studies,
Professor Abdullah Saeed. “Violence will always be there, but I think the media
should play a part in highlighting things that are positive as well,” he said.
Changing perceptions may not be easy,
but Muslims should not be disheartened, said Prof Ramadan. Terrorists and
religious extremists will continue to grab headlines “but we are looking at
things in the long run”. “We will distance ourselves (from acts of extremism)
but we also shouldn’t let a single episode destroy the movement,” he added. What
is also important, said Prof Ramadan, is constant dialogue – not just with
other religions, but among Muslims as well. (HSH)
(The writer Email: alhajsyarif@yahoo.com)
Sources:
1. http://muslimvillage.com
http://www.islamawareness.net 
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