Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … From the context of the narrations, it becomes clear that this Bedouin was unaware of the rulings of Islam. Then the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam taught him the etiquettes of the mosque. There are two methods for purifying the ground: one method has already been mentioned in hadith number (401), and according to the ahadith of this chapter, the second method is that water should be poured over the urine present on the ground. By doing so, some elements of the impurity will be absorbed into the earth, and some will be dispersed and removed along with the water, thus the ground will become pure, whether the ground is hard or soft. The narrations in which digging up the ground is mentioned are weak. In these ahadith, the wisdom, prudence, and good character that are being taught to those who call to Islam and reform others, as a whole, the Muslim Ummah is severely heedless of them. When we witness such an act, the first thing we do is to vent our anger and start foaming at the mouth. Parents, teachers, elder brothers, employers, and other guardians and caretakers have invented this sole method of correction: upon witnessing a subordinate’s wrongdoing, they immediately start speaking, utter insulting words, beat them if possible, and completely destroy the dignity and personality of the offender. Remember, this method may relieve the supervisor’s anger, but it cannot bring about reform. The Shari‘ah has permitted becoming angry and even striking, but to adopt that method, it is necessary to be wise and prudent. Reflect: is urinating in Masjid Nabawi in the presence of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the Companions a minor offense? Yet the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not even tolerate scolding that person; rather, he assigned other Companions the duty of purifying the mosque, and himself began to explain to him in a good manner. Among us, if a child makes noise in the mosque or urinates, both the child and his parents become targets of taunts and reproach, and if the father is present, he starts beating his child right there. If someone cannot turn off his mobile phone and it rings during prayer, then immediately after the salam, the regular worshippers raise the mosque to the roof with their voices. These poor people do not realize that their speaking causes even more harm. Believe me, the lesson that preachers and reformers should learn from the wisdom of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam cannot be fully put into words; it is a mindset and a concern that should become embedded in the conscience, so that it comes alive whenever confronting any evil.