Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla y Centro Cultural Islámico de Sevilla®
I have been on a trip for a few days and in them I have reflected a lot on an aspect that our Deen continually calls us, an aspect that is vital to be able to live in community, an aspect that we Muslims should soak up at all times and in all situations, an aspect that we hear a lot about but practice little.
This aspect is nobility taken to its highest expression, this aspect is the futuwwah.
The best example of futuwwah is the behavior of the Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, in him we have the complete model of what he is and what he means, he is futuwwah and what he teaches us is futuwwah, and the best description is his well-known words when he said, “I have only been sent to perfect the noble qualities of character.” What was the goal of the Messenger of Allah?
What was its main purpose?
Perfecting, contemplating, bringing out, putting into practice the noble qualities of character.
The Messenger did not say to produce, he did not say to create, but he said to perfect, to complete; that is to say that we all possess those noble qualities of character, they are qualities that we all have, and our role in this life is to follow the mission of the Messenger and try to perfect the noble qualities of character that we already possess.
All of us have part of the futuwwah within us, we all possess part of those noble qualities.
And what the Messenger of Allah calls and teaches us is that each of us should seek them, improve them, adopt them, imbue ourselves with them, both in our relationship with Allah and in our relationships with creatures.
What is futuwwah?
It is nobility, it is the highest, it is chivalry, it is good treatment taken to its maximum expression, it is the most exquisite courtesy, the highest values of conduct.
In the words of Sayyiduna ‘Ali it is: “To forgive when one can punish, to maintain affability and to act gently and gently when one is angry, to wish the enemy well and to do so, and to give priority to the well-being and happiness of others, even when one is in need.”
This is what creates true brotherhood, and so were indeed the Companions of the Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam.
I am sure that we all know the verse in which Allah says: “The believers are, in fact, brothers”, but many times we forget what comes next, which is the necessary quality for this brotherhood to be real; and what follows is an order from Allah, it is an imperative; He says: “Reconcile your brothers and fear Allah so that mercy may be given to you.” There is no futuwwah if one lives in isolation from the rest of the people.
There is no brotherhood if we do not reconcile our brothers and sisters, if we do not try to do good to others, if we do not forgive, if we do not overlook the mistakes of others, if we are not able to forget the evil that has been done to us, if we are not able to have mercy on others.
The futuwwah is the key to living in community, it is the secret to any kind of relationship, it is the key to success in marriage, it is what was among the Sahaba, it is what the best of creation, the Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, taught us, mainly with his example. For the futuwwah is to help the oppressed, to protect the weak, to respect the elderly, to treat women well, to establish justice, to help your brother with his burden.
It is loyalty to people of knowledge, it is asking for advice, receiving it and applying it, giving your brother what you want for yourself, preferring the good of others to your own, supporting one another, being as one body, visiting the sick, returning the greeting, accompanying the funeral procession, responding to the invitation.
It is to brighten the lives of our colleagues and always be ready to meet their needs.
It is to forgive the injustices we suffer, but to be inflexible when it comes to demanding the justice due to others.
It is to avoid paying attention to the faults of our colleagues and to forgive the mistakes they make.
It is to be patient with offenses and to make the utmost effort not to cause them.
It’s making sure our friends, neighbors, and close ones have what they need.
It is to be fair and always tell the truth, even if it goes against us.
It is keeping our word and protecting what is put in our custody.
It is enjoying sharing the joy of our colleagues.
It is to seek good company and avoid bad company as if it were the plague.
This is the noble qualities of character and conduct, this is the true message of Islam, this is the implementation of our Deen, this is living in community, this is what we should aspire to; This is futuwwah.
And I can find no better way to end these words than with the beautiful and detailed description of the futuwwah given by the great ‘alim Sufyan al-Zauri, may Allah be pleased with him, when he said: “Futuwwah is intellect and there is (timidity and modesty).
Its principle is to guard against wrongdoing.
Its beauty is hilm (indulgence) and adab (courtesy, good behavior).
His nobility is knowledge and scrupulosity.
Their jewels and adornments are: clinging to salat in their time, being kind to one’s parents, maintaining blood ties, doing good deeds for others, protecting one’s neighbor, renouncing pride, clinging to the jama’at (community), acting gravely, lowering one’s gaze so as not to contemplate what is haram (forbidden), speak with soft and kind words and exchange greetings.
The best among the people of futuwwah are those who have ‘aql
(intellect), those who understand and implement the commands and prohibitions of Allah, tell the truth, avoid meaningless talk, openly show their love and affection, smile a lot, honor those with whom they sit and keep their company, listen attentively when spoken to, keep the secrets entrusted to them, they cover the faults of others, they keep their commitments, they avoid deception, they keep their promises, they keep silent in meetings and not because they cannot speak, they act with humility not because they are forced, they respect their elders, they show mercy to the young and compassion for those in need, they have patience in times of difficulty and they are grateful in times of fullness.”
O Allah we ask You to make us people of Futuwwah and to make us implant it in all our relationships. Amin.
Sheikh Ahmed Bermejo www.ahmedbermejo.com
This aspect is nobility taken to its highest expression, this aspect is the futuwwah.
The best example of futuwwah is the behavior of the Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, in him we have the complete model of what he is and what he means, he is futuwwah and what he teaches us is futuwwah, and the best description is his well-known words when he said, “I have only been sent to perfect the noble qualities of character.” What was the goal of the Messenger of Allah?
What was its main purpose?
Perfecting, contemplating, bringing out, putting into practice the noble qualities of character.
The Messenger did not say to produce, he did not say to create, but he said to perfect, to complete; that is to say that we all possess those noble qualities of character, they are qualities that we all have, and our role in this life is to follow the mission of the Messenger and try to perfect the noble qualities of character that we already possess.
All of us have part of the futuwwah within us, we all possess part of those noble qualities.
And what the Messenger of Allah calls and teaches us is that each of us should seek them, improve them, adopt them, imbue ourselves with them, both in our relationship with Allah and in our relationships with creatures.
What is futuwwah?
It is nobility, it is the highest, it is chivalry, it is good treatment taken to its maximum expression, it is the most exquisite courtesy, the highest values of conduct.
In the words of Sayyiduna ‘Ali it is: “To forgive when one can punish, to maintain affability and to act gently and gently when one is angry, to wish the enemy well and to do so, and to give priority to the well-being and happiness of others, even when one is in need.”
This is what creates true brotherhood, and so were indeed the Companions of the Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam.
I am sure that we all know the verse in which Allah says: “The believers are, in fact, brothers”, but many times we forget what comes next, which is the necessary quality for this brotherhood to be real; and what follows is an order from Allah, it is an imperative; He says: “Reconcile your brothers and fear Allah so that mercy may be given to you.” There is no futuwwah if one lives in isolation from the rest of the people.
There is no brotherhood if we do not reconcile our brothers and sisters, if we do not try to do good to others, if we do not forgive, if we do not overlook the mistakes of others, if we are not able to forget the evil that has been done to us, if we are not able to have mercy on others.
The futuwwah is the key to living in community, it is the secret to any kind of relationship, it is the key to success in marriage, it is what was among the Sahaba, it is what the best of creation, the Messenger Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, taught us, mainly with his example. For the futuwwah is to help the oppressed, to protect the weak, to respect the elderly, to treat women well, to establish justice, to help your brother with his burden.
It is loyalty to people of knowledge, it is asking for advice, receiving it and applying it, giving your brother what you want for yourself, preferring the good of others to your own, supporting one another, being as one body, visiting the sick, returning the greeting, accompanying the funeral procession, responding to the invitation.
It is to brighten the lives of our colleagues and always be ready to meet their needs.
It is to forgive the injustices we suffer, but to be inflexible when it comes to demanding the justice due to others.
It is to avoid paying attention to the faults of our colleagues and to forgive the mistakes they make.
It is to be patient with offenses and to make the utmost effort not to cause them.
It’s making sure our friends, neighbors, and close ones have what they need.
It is to be fair and always tell the truth, even if it goes against us.
It is keeping our word and protecting what is put in our custody.
It is enjoying sharing the joy of our colleagues.
It is to seek good company and avoid bad company as if it were the plague.
This is the noble qualities of character and conduct, this is the true message of Islam, this is the implementation of our Deen, this is living in community, this is what we should aspire to; This is futuwwah.
And I can find no better way to end these words than with the beautiful and detailed description of the futuwwah given by the great ‘alim Sufyan al-Zauri, may Allah be pleased with him, when he said: “Futuwwah is intellect and there is (timidity and modesty).
Its principle is to guard against wrongdoing.
Its beauty is hilm (indulgence) and adab (courtesy, good behavior).
His nobility is knowledge and scrupulosity.
Their jewels and adornments are: clinging to salat in their time, being kind to one’s parents, maintaining blood ties, doing good deeds for others, protecting one’s neighbor, renouncing pride, clinging to the jama’at (community), acting gravely, lowering one’s gaze so as not to contemplate what is haram (forbidden), speak with soft and kind words and exchange greetings.
The best among the people of futuwwah are those who have ‘aql
(intellect), those who understand and implement the commands and prohibitions of Allah, tell the truth, avoid meaningless talk, openly show their love and affection, smile a lot, honor those with whom they sit and keep their company, listen attentively when spoken to, keep the secrets entrusted to them, they cover the faults of others, they keep their commitments, they avoid deception, they keep their promises, they keep silent in meetings and not because they cannot speak, they act with humility not because they are forced, they respect their elders, they show mercy to the young and compassion for those in need, they have patience in times of difficulty and they are grateful in times of fullness.”
O Allah we ask You to make us people of Futuwwah and to make us implant it in all our relationships. Amin.
Sheikh Ahmed Bermejo www.ahmedbermejo.com
