I will start with the name of Allah, The Most Merciful, and The Most Gracious. I used the Hadith reported by Umar ibn Al-Khattab (one of the great companions of the prophet) to base the concepts I will be discussing in my article, ‘The Seeker’s Blueprint’. Let us read the full Hadith first.
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (one of the great companions of the prophet) reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, one day when a man appeared with very white clothes and very black hair. There were no signs of travel on him and we did not recognize him. He sat down in front of the Prophet and rested his knees by his knees and placed his hands on his thighs. The man said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Prophet said, “Islam is to testify there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if possible.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully.” We were surprised that he asked him and then said he was truthful. He said, “Tell me about faith.” The Prophet said, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence both its good and its bad.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully. So tell me about excellence.” The Prophet said, “Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.” The man said, “Tell me about the final hour.” The Prophet said, “The one being asked does not know more than who is asking.” The man said, “Tell me about its signs.” The Prophet said, “The servant girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see barefoot, naked, and destitute shepherds compete in constructing tall buildings.” Then the man returned and I remained. The Prophet said to me, “O Umar, do you know who he was?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “Verily, he was Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.”
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (one of the great companions of the prophet) reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, one day when a man appeared with very white clothes and very black hair. There were no signs of travel on him and we did not recognize him. He sat down in front of the Prophet and rested his knees by his knees and placed his hands on his thighs. The man said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Prophet said, “Islam is to testify there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if possible.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully.” We were surprised that he asked him and then said he was truthful. He said, “Tell me about faith.” The Prophet said, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence both its good and its bad.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully. So tell me about excellence.” The Prophet said, “Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.” The man said, “Tell me about the final hour.” The Prophet said, “The one being asked does not know more than who is asking.” The man said, “Tell me about its signs.” The Prophet said, “The servant girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see barefoot, naked, and destitute shepherds compete in constructing tall buildings.” Then the man returned and I remained. The Prophet said to me, “O Umar, do you know who he was?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “Verily, he was Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.”
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, remained seated for quite a while, then asked [Umar] , " O 'Umar, do you know who the questioner was?" [Umar] said, “Allah and His messenger know best.” He said, "That was Angel Gabriel, he came to teach you your religion." Any educator or student can see, feel, and understand that Angel Gabriel handed us the blueprint of how to build our Islamic knowledge based on the 5 pillars of Islam and the 6 pillars of Faith(Iman). It is a very common educational approach to clarify learning expectations to students by presenting and going through the lesson objectives with them, so that students can remain focussed; and at the end of the course there should be no surprises. It remains the role and the responsibilities of the learner to plan and study for the details of the lesson. These pillars provide a framework for the learner’s approach the Quran and Ahadith. The powerful pattern, I have noticed, is how the whole Quran is not chronological story or sequential to the naked eye. However, If you keep in mind these categories, the pillars of Islam and the pillars of Iman and the subject of Ihsan, it is fascinating how it makes sense. Your daily reading of one chapter can provide you with the cross section of the all pillars and increase your faith efficiently. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim (Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 224, Grade: Sahih). I presented the Pillars in table form, so the seekers of knowledge can have the checklist to guide his or her learning plan. Any institution, individuals, or parents can use this as a framework to base on their Islamic education curriculum.
Lesson Plan Objectives of Islam
(using the Quran, hadith, and scholarly commentaries sources, find teachers, join classes)
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Lesson Plan Objectives of Faith(Iman)
(using the Quran, hadith, and scholarly commentaries sources, find teachers, join classes)
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To testify and say there is no God but Allah and Muhammad(PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah
( learn about Tawhid; The ones of God)
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Believe in Allah
( learn the 99 attributes of Allah)
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Salat (prayers)
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To believe in his Angels
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Charity
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To believe in his books
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To fast Ramadan
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To believe in his Messengers
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To perform pilgrimage
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To believe in the last day
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to believe in providence both its good and its bad
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Ihsan; , “Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.”
I feel that Ihsan is how you excel in achieving knowledge. Go excel!
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So tell me about excellence asked Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, Ihsân “Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.” As Muslims, we have to set our eyes on the efforts of excellence where our lives become the physical tests; our knowledge becomes the guide to pass our test; and our reward is the paradise that Allah (The Exalted) has promised for the believers.
To top that, We need a role model and mentor of our kind to help us, the seekers, to succeed in faith. The Prophets and the Messengers of Allah, from Adam to Muhammad peace and blessings be upon them, represent that for us—the ideal role models that embody the messages of Allah. If we do not choose health role models chosen for us by Allah or those who get us closer to Allah, then as human, we will replace our hunger for role models, consciously or subconsciously, with unhealthy ones. It is like eating junk food as opposed to health food.
A Muslim works best for both worlds; for the world is the means to achieving the hereafter. We cannot neglect our means to get to our goals (paradise) nor can we neglect our goals by not following the proper means. That is why Allah says to the believers ask the best of both worlds. It is not good for us to put most of our endeavours to this world to the exclusion of the endeavours that lead to paradise. Allah Said, “They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.” (Quran 30; 7). Let us not allow Satan to make us oblivious in our attitudes for settling to remain uneducated and uninformed. This can weakens the fabric of the Muslim society. Early had quality as opposed to quantity. Their qualities reflected their knowledge and their application of Islam that led to a greater wisdom. Thanks to Allah, Islamic knowledge was preserved by the scholars. However, for the masses Islamic education was lost to secular education. Therefore, it is upon us to restore it at individual level. Allah said, “... [He] does not change the condition of a nation unless it changes what is in its heart [from within]...” (Quran 13:11)
It is important for seeker take advantage of time and health to pursue knowledge. Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6049, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari). This is the Golden age for knowledge accessibility for Muslims. One day we will be asked about these blessings, “Then, on that day, [we] will be questioned about the bounties (of God).”(Quran 102:7). Let us revive our islamic knowledge and faith.
We need to worship Allah based on the proper knowledge of this complete religion, Islam. Allah said, "… This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Quran 5; 3). Remember Islam bases excellence on efforts and purity of intention and doing deeds for Allah’s sake first. Outcome is considered the reward Allah gives us—and he gives immeasurably to whom He wills. Allah said to us, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” (Quran 16; 125). May Allah increase us wisdom. Ameen
If you noticed pillars of Islam are the overt practices of worship for the Muslims. However, the pillars of Faith are internal in our hearts. Even if somebody prevents you from physically stating the Shahada, praying, fasting, giving Zakat, or going to Hajj, they can never take away the enduring faith and the believe in your hearts. As you know the level of faith fluctuates depending on, you as seeker, how much effort you put in maintaining and enhancing it. Knowledge is so essential to that maintenance.
Al-Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “He has tasted the sweetness of faith who is content with Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad as his prophet.” (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 34 , Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim)
As you noticed, both pillars of Islam and Iman start with Allah, the one and the only true God that deserves our worship he created us for. We are not true believers until we love Him more than we love ourselves; because, Allah's love for us is bigger than the love we have for him as my 6 yrs. old son explained to me one time. He said, " mommy, I love you (he paused), but I love Allah more; but do you know Allah loves us more than we love him". That moment, I experienced emotions that never felt before. I had to look around to see who was around and how he came up with those words. He kept playing with his toys. God is great I whispered. How true that statement is and beautifully put into words. Yes, I said, so true Allah's love is bigger and infinite than any love combined that we give. He is the creator and the sustainer of that beautiful emotion. It is doable to get to that level of faith, it is an innate potential created in us. You cannot attain that without seeking knowledge and getting to know who your Creator is, The Creator of that immense love. Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said “Allah the Exalted says: I am as my servant expects me and I am with him as he remembers me. If he remembers me in himself, then I will remember him in myself. If he mentions me in a gathering, then I will mention him in a greater gathering. When he draws near to me by the span of his hand, I draw near him by the length of a cubit. When he draws near me by the length of a cubit, I draw near him by the length of a fathom. When he comes to me walking, I will come to him running.” (Source: Sahih Bukhari 6970, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi). Allah has the right to that love and it needs to be cultivated; since, it is an urge in us, it can get displaced to the wrong target if not heeded to. Allah says in the Quran “And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah…” (Quran 2:165). That loving God sent his guidance to humanity through his signs in our daily lives, through his messengers, and through his books. The hierarchy of love for a Muslim is to love the loving God first; then all love will fall into place. Read the Quran learn and reflect on his 99 attributes mentioned in the Quran, so we can fall in love with Allah and experience that love in our day lives. We are created to love The Perfect God, so we can love our imperfections.
At human level, we love the messenger first--the most loving, generous, kind human that love us more than we love him. Our love for Allah is conditioned upon following His messenger. Allah Says, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."(Quran 3:31). The purpose the messenger of Allah is sent for is clear; “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”(Quran 21:107). We are missing out on all that mercy if do not seek to know him nor seek knowledge. His life is well documented thoroughly in the Ahadith and the Quran. Allah also spoke of the Messengers kindness, "Only through the Divine Mercy have you(Muhammad) been able to deal with your followers so gently. If you had been stern and hard-hearted, they would all have deserted you a long time ago. Forgive them and ask God to forgive (their sins) and consult with them in certain matters. But ,when you reach a decision, trust God. God loves those who trust Him."(Quran 3:159). Our hopes and well being depends on how well we follow his footsteps. " Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much."(Quran 33:21). Michael Hart, in the 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History 1978, placed Muhammad number one in the list. Hart chose the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, on the bases that Muhammad was "supremely successful" in both the religious and secular realms.
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None will taste the sweetness of faith until he loves a person only for the sake of Allah, until he would rather be thrown in the fire than to return to unbelief, and until Allah and his messenger are more beloved to him than anything else.” (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5694, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 43 Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Abdullah ibn Hisham reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he was holding the hand of Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Umar said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, you are more beloved to me than everything except for myself.” The Prophet said, “No, by the one in whose hand is my soul, until I am more beloved to you than yourself.” Umar said, “Indeed, now I swear by Allah that you are more beloved to me than myself.” The Prophet said, “Now you are right, O Umar. (“Source: Sahih Bukhari 6257, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari)
“We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what we have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.”(Quran: 12:3). By reading and reflecting on the best of stories our love grows for the messengers of Allah, peace be upon them. The stories of the messengers and the prophets reflect all human conditions and struggles
“We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what we have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.”(Quran: 12:3). By reading and reflecting on the best of stories our love grows for the messengers of Allah, peace be upon them. The stories of the messengers and the prophets reflect all human conditions and struggles
We need Allah, Allah does not need us. If we choose to turn away and choose ignorance, remember, we are replaceable. “O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.”(Quran 5:54). Do not take Allah for granted nor the knowledge he has blessed us with; For, Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from people but He takes away knowledge with the death of the scholars, such that when He leaves no scholar left, the people will turn to the ignorant as their leaders. Then they are asked to give religious judgments without knowledge, thus they are led astray and lead others astray.” (Source: Sahih Muslim 2673, Grade: Sahih). The sufferings of muslim nations today, islamic knowledge took back seat.
Allah said in the Quran, “We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be an example for all people and the Prophet an example for you…” (Quran 2:143). If we do not seek knowledge, how can we remain that just, balanced, moderate nation that is exemplary in their manners.
Let us seek to restore that hierarchy of love and prioritize it through solid knowledge, so we do not lead fragile lives and carry broken hearts. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None will taste the sweetness of faith until he loves a person only for the sake of Allah, until he would rather be thrown in the fire than to return to unbelief, and until Allah and his messenger are more beloved to him than anything else.” (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5694, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 43 Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim). That is why Muslims take great pride in saying, I love you for the sake of Allah. That love needs to be nurtured in the Muslim community.
Therefore, It is mandatory for the Muslim to seek knowledge. When Gabriel came to teach us our religion, he wants to teach us love and we cannot love someone you do not know and in turn not love our religion as we should. So please, seek knowledge, seek love, and seek light and seek balance. Do it with grace and patience. Take advantage of your time and health. Have a lifetime of learning goals following the objectives we mentioned. Keep Allah in your working memory. It is a promise from Allah: “And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” (Quran 29; 69). Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” (Source:(Sahih Muslim 2699, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim). May Allah make the path of paradise easy for us, Ameen. Allah knows best.
References:
For Hadith: http://abuaminaelias.com/about-us/
For Quran: http://corpus.quran.com/
I will define the word Hadith for you. Hadith is one of the documented reports of the words, actions, or habits of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, by the companions who witnessed them.
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