By Asma bint Shameem
Why is it that the bathroom of the Masjid is the dirtiest place there can be reeking of odor, water all over the floor, tissues strewn everywhere, a commode unflushed, a dirty diaper lying to one side.while our own bathrooms at home are spic and span and smell sooo nice?
Why is it that when we park our cars in the parking lot of the mall, we park it properly, even if we have to walk extra long. We dare not park in the no parking zone, or else we'll get a ticket right?
Yet when it comes to the Masjid, we think it's OK to park in the handicap spot or in the Imam's spot or on the grass or in front of the main walkway or even half way up on a curb!
And why is it that as long as we are in the US, we will obey all the laws, follow orders and wait patiently in line. But as soon as we arrive back home, we forget all the rules, push and shove whoever's in the way and stomp over everyone just to be first?
And why is it that, come the 1st of every month, we expect that paycheck on our table or else!!! Yet when it comes to being on time for work and doing it sincerely, we slack off altogether.
And yet again, why is it that when it comes to our rights, we demand that everyone fulfill them completely…..however, when it comes to us giving the rights of others, we are SOOO stingy?
These are the double standards that we have set for ourselves, although it is something that is against the very teachings of our perfect religion.
In fact, this double standard is called at-Tatfeef, and it is actually a kind of cheating, which Allah has condemned in the Qur'aan.
Woe to the Mutaffifeen (short-changers or cheaters); who, when people measure for them, take full measure. But when they measure or weigh for others, they reduce!(Surah al-Mutaffifeen 1-3)
Here Allaah is cursing those people who adopt a double standard in business dealings. When they buy something, they expect a full and complete measure and yet when they sell, they cheat and don't give what is due of them.
This verse is the very foundation for establishing fair trade and just and honest dealings with one another, not only in business, but as Salmaan al-Farisi said, in all aspects of our day to day dealings with people.
Yet, it is sad to say that this ˜Tatfeef, this double standard has afflicted us in every way, every aspect possible..like a cancer that has infiltrated our very beings and we don't even realize it.
There are double standards everywhere
When we work for a non-Muslim, we do a great job, but when we do the same thing for a Muslim, we try and cut corners or do it sloppy and half-heartedly.
AND, on the flip side of the same coin, when we hire a non-Muslim for something, we will pay him whatever he asks for, but when we hire a Muslim, we haggle with him and pay him bare minimum.
We teach our kids not to lie, but when someone we don't want to talk to, calls us, we say. Tell them Daddy is not here!
When we are paid to do a job, we do it well but when we volunteer, we fall short.
When we need help, or are in some kind of trouble, we yell ˜Community! Community! but when it's our turn, what do we give back to the community in return?? The sisters complain when their husbands spend too much time with their mothers, yet when they become Mother-in-law, they suddenly and conveniently remember the rights of mothers in Islam
WHY???
ENOUGH OF THESE DOBLE STANDARDS!!!!
What has gotten into us??!!
Where is all this double standard and cheating coming from???
Allaah will punish us, if we don't shape up, just like He punished the people of Prophet Shuaib when they did the same thing!
Don't you remember a Muslim is supposed to be sincere to his Muslim brother in everything he does or says, be it work or relationships, or time or advice or business dealings or anything else for that matter?
Remember that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.(Bukhaari)
And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) also said:
He who cheats us is not one of us. (Muslim)
Dear Brothers and Sisters be sincere in everything you do. Do it to the best of your ability and do it for the sake of Allaah. Place yourself in the other person's situation and think Would I like to be treated the way I am treating him?
Fear Allaah in everything you do. And remember the Hadeeth:
Do the best that you can in your work, for Allaah loves when anyone does something for him to do it well.[al-Bayhaqi-- classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaamiâ.
"and have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Surah al-Muminoon:51)
The Ulama tell us that the people are of three types:
-Ahl-ul Fadhl: (The generous ones) These are the people who give MORE than they take or expect. They are the best of people.
-Ahl ul-Adl: (The fair ones) These give to others the same way as they take. They are the second level. And..
-Ahl at-Tatfeef: (The short-changers) They are the worst kind greedy when taking for themselves and stingy when giving to others
The big question is..
WHICH ONE ARE YOU?????
Why is it that the bathroom of the Masjid is the dirtiest place there can be reeking of odor, water all over the floor, tissues strewn everywhere, a commode unflushed, a dirty diaper lying to one side.while our own bathrooms at home are spic and span and smell sooo nice?
Why is it that when we park our cars in the parking lot of the mall, we park it properly, even if we have to walk extra long. We dare not park in the no parking zone, or else we'll get a ticket right?
Yet when it comes to the Masjid, we think it's OK to park in the handicap spot or in the Imam's spot or on the grass or in front of the main walkway or even half way up on a curb!
And why is it that as long as we are in the US, we will obey all the laws, follow orders and wait patiently in line. But as soon as we arrive back home, we forget all the rules, push and shove whoever's in the way and stomp over everyone just to be first?
And why is it that, come the 1st of every month, we expect that paycheck on our table or else!!! Yet when it comes to being on time for work and doing it sincerely, we slack off altogether.
And yet again, why is it that when it comes to our rights, we demand that everyone fulfill them completely…..however, when it comes to us giving the rights of others, we are SOOO stingy?
These are the double standards that we have set for ourselves, although it is something that is against the very teachings of our perfect religion.
In fact, this double standard is called at-Tatfeef, and it is actually a kind of cheating, which Allah has condemned in the Qur'aan.
Woe to the Mutaffifeen (short-changers or cheaters); who, when people measure for them, take full measure. But when they measure or weigh for others, they reduce!(Surah al-Mutaffifeen 1-3)
Here Allaah is cursing those people who adopt a double standard in business dealings. When they buy something, they expect a full and complete measure and yet when they sell, they cheat and don't give what is due of them.
This verse is the very foundation for establishing fair trade and just and honest dealings with one another, not only in business, but as Salmaan al-Farisi said, in all aspects of our day to day dealings with people.
Yet, it is sad to say that this ˜Tatfeef, this double standard has afflicted us in every way, every aspect possible..like a cancer that has infiltrated our very beings and we don't even realize it.
There are double standards everywhere
When we work for a non-Muslim, we do a great job, but when we do the same thing for a Muslim, we try and cut corners or do it sloppy and half-heartedly.
AND, on the flip side of the same coin, when we hire a non-Muslim for something, we will pay him whatever he asks for, but when we hire a Muslim, we haggle with him and pay him bare minimum.
We teach our kids not to lie, but when someone we don't want to talk to, calls us, we say. Tell them Daddy is not here!
When we are paid to do a job, we do it well but when we volunteer, we fall short.
When we need help, or are in some kind of trouble, we yell ˜Community! Community! but when it's our turn, what do we give back to the community in return?? The sisters complain when their husbands spend too much time with their mothers, yet when they become Mother-in-law, they suddenly and conveniently remember the rights of mothers in Islam
WHY???
ENOUGH OF THESE DOBLE STANDARDS!!!!
What has gotten into us??!!
Where is all this double standard and cheating coming from???
Allaah will punish us, if we don't shape up, just like He punished the people of Prophet Shuaib when they did the same thing!
Don't you remember a Muslim is supposed to be sincere to his Muslim brother in everything he does or says, be it work or relationships, or time or advice or business dealings or anything else for that matter?
Remember that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.(Bukhaari)
And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) also said:
He who cheats us is not one of us. (Muslim)
Dear Brothers and Sisters be sincere in everything you do. Do it to the best of your ability and do it for the sake of Allaah. Place yourself in the other person's situation and think Would I like to be treated the way I am treating him?
Fear Allaah in everything you do. And remember the Hadeeth:
Do the best that you can in your work, for Allaah loves when anyone does something for him to do it well.[al-Bayhaqi-- classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaamiâ.
"and have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Surah al-Muminoon:51)
The Ulama tell us that the people are of three types:
-Ahl-ul Fadhl: (The generous ones) These are the people who give MORE than they take or expect. They are the best of people.
-Ahl ul-Adl: (The fair ones) These give to others the same way as they take. They are the second level. And..
-Ahl at-Tatfeef: (The short-changers) They are the worst kind greedy when taking for themselves and stingy when giving to others
The big question is..
WHICH ONE ARE YOU?????
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