15 March 2015: Prophet Suleiman and The Hour

15 March 2015: Prophet Suleiman and The Hour

Lives of the Prophets - Prophet Suleiman*

Life of Suleiman*

Suleiman's* Understanding of the Speech of Birds and other animals

Allah says, "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds." (AI Naml: 16) That is to say Suleiman* managed to understand the language of birds and used to express to people whatever they wished to convey. Ibn Kathir states: Suleiman* was able to comprehend not just the language of birds, he could also understand the language of other animals as well as different kinds of creatures. To prove this, he next says, " 'And on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things' " i.e. he was granted everything that a king would need namely, soldiers, equipment, Jinns, people, birds, beasts, science, and expression "And this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah)" which means Allah's Grace on us is evident and obvious.

Suleiman* heard the ant warning his colony about the approaching army of Suleiman* and he understood its speech, and smiled out of joy and happiness for being solely chosen by Allah to be let in on this.

Some other gifts of Suleiman*

InshaAllah, we will detail these more in coming sessions but Suleiman* also had command over the wind (that enabled swift travel) and was blessed with a fountain of molten brass.

Masjid / Temple of Suleiman

A brief mention about the ‘Temple of Suleiman*’. As Muslims we do not recognise this because any Prophet of Allah would not build a ‘Temple’ but would rather be instructed to develop a Mosque / Masjid as a place of prayer and remembrance. We already learned that Dawud* was praying in his Mihrab. Bani Israel was using the ‘Farthest Masjid’ that our beloved Prophet* referred to.

The Kaaba was built by Ibrahim* / Ismail* in Mecca as the first House of worship and the second masjid / mosque was built by Yaqub* (Jacob) 40 years later. It was upon these foundations that Dawud* would pray and later Suleiman* would extend. This is where our Prophet* lead the prayer of all the Prophets during his night journey.

The Wisdom of Suleiman*

Suleiman* was granted wisdom from Allah and would brought up in the special household of Dawud* under his expert guidance. We already did some of the stories of his wisdom during the ‘Courtroom Session’ where Dawud* would pass judgement on a matter and he would be right in that judgement. However, Suleiman* would also make a suggestion to the same case and come to a slightly different conclusion and this would also be a correct interpretation of the Law but would be a better solution which his father would accept.

One of the learning points from this for us today is that not many laws in Islam are monolithic and only interpretable in one fashion, but that there is always a flexibility in how to interpret the Shariah on many issues and this necessarily leads to Muslims being tolerant an able to accept other ways of doing things. The only necessities are that the intention is correct and the method to derive the laws / interpretations are correct and not subject to whim – something Allah mentioned to Dawud*.

There are many examples in Islam and the life of our Prophet* about this – hence we should not obsess about far apart feet are in prayer or the exact position of the hands, etc.

Suleiman* considers the evidence

"And remember Dawud* and Suleiman*, when they give judgment in the matter of the field into which the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment. To Suleiman* We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) we gave Judgment and Knowledge."

It was recounted by many narrators that those people had a vineyard, wherein the sheep of the other people had spread, i.e. trespassed on by night and ate up all its plants.

They raised their case to Dawud* and he awarded the owner of the field the sheep themselves in compensation for his damage.

When they went out and met Suleiman*, he asked them, "what did the Prophet of Allah rule?" They answered, "He ruled so and so."

He said, "Had it been up to me, I would have ordered the sheep to be handed to the owners of the vineyard to benefit from its yield and profit until the owners of the sheep have restored the vineyard of the other people to its previous condition, and then they could have their sheep back."

When Dawud* was informed of this, he approved it.

*Hence – both judged with the facts and made correct decisions but one was closer to justice than the other. It is important not just to have a Just Law (Shariah) but also a Just Judge (with Iman) who applies the Law appropriately. Throughout the many centuries of Islam and the Islamic State Muslims have grown up with the idea of variations in application of the Shariah and this has led to tolerance of different opinions as Islam is not a monolith and Shariah is more than simply the Hudood. There is no territory today that applies Islam even though they may claim to.

The child to be chopped in half

Abu Huraira said, that the Messenger of Allah* said, "Two women had their sons with them, and suddenly a wolf passed by snatching one of the two boys.

Thus they fought over the other.

The elder said, 'The wolf took your son', and the younger said, 'No, it took yours.'

They raised their case to Dawud*, who ruled that he was the elder's.

They went out and met Suleiman*, who said, 'Bring me a knife and I will cut him into two, for each to take a half.

'The younger thereupon said, 'Do not, may Allah have mercy on you, he is her son.

Thus, he ruled that the child was hers. " [Bukhari, Muslim]

*Hence – the element of surprise from Suleiman* allowed him to assess who really loved the child and would rather give him up than have him killed.

The Story of Suleiman* with the Horses

Allah says in Surah Saad: "To Dawud* we gave Suleiman* (for a son)" and he was a Prophet "how excellent in Our service! Ever did he tum when (to Us)!"

"Behold, there were brought before him, at eventide, horses of the highest breeding, and swift offoot; And he said, 'Truly do I love the love of Good, with a view to the glory of my Lord '-until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of Night):" (Saad: 32)

Some scholars say that Suleiman* was so engrossed in the inspection of his fine horses that he completely forgot to perform his Asr prayer before the sunset (not deliberately).

Upon missing the 'Asr prayer, he said, " 'Bring them back to me.' "Then he fell to slashing (their) legs and their necks with his sword. Some scholars say that there is no fault in the horses for Suleiman* to miss his prayer so he may not have killed the horses but merely passed his hand over them and vowed never to be distracted again.

Main Topic: The Hour

The Coming of the Hour Is Sudden

A moment will come when every living thing will cease to exist. All forms of life will end. Allah says, “everything on it will perish.” Everything on the face of the earth will die.

And Allah says: “They await only but a single shout which will seize them while they are disputing.” It will come so suddenly that while people are discussing and disputing, everything will stop. Now there’s no time to advise your family or take care of unfinished business.

Allah says, “Then they will not be able to make bequest, nor will they return to their family.”

It comes so suddenly that The Prophet* says in the hadith, “The Hour will arrive when two men are discussing a deal. One man will be selling a piece of cloth to the other, but the Hour will arrive and they will not even have time to wrap up that piece of cloth or sell it. The Hour will come when a man is going back home with fresh milk from his camel, but he will not be able to taste it. And the Hour will arrive when one will raise the food to his mouth, but he will not be able to put it in his mouth.”

As Soor

How will it happen? It will be blown with as-soor.

It is mentioned in the Qur’an in many places. It is a trumpet or a horn. The Angel Israfeel is holding it.

The Prophet* said, “The eyes of the angel are fixed on the throne of Allah, because he is afraid the command will come and he will not have time to turn his sight. So he has fixed his eyes on the Throne, waiting for the command to come. His eyes are like two bright stars.” When The Prophet* saw this with his own eyes, he lost any appetite for this world. So he said, “How can I enjoy myself? How can I have any entertainment in this world when the angel has put the horn in his mouth and he has leaned his head forwards, and he has opened up his ears, waiting for the moment when the command will come, so he will blow in the horn?”

When will the Horn be Blown?

The Prophet* says, “The greatest and the best day the sun has risen over is the day of jumu’ah (Friday). In that day, Adam was created. In that day, he entered into Jannah. And in that day, he was driven out of Jannah. And on that day the Hour will occur.” The Hour is the day of judgement.

The Prophet* says in another hadith, “All of the days were presented to me. So I saw the day of Friday, it looked like a white mirror – very bright and clean – but in the middle there was a dark spot. So I asked what was the dark spot and I was told that it was the Hour.”

“The best day the sun has risen over is Friday. On that day, Adam was created. On that day, he came down to earth. On that day, Allah accepted his repentance. On that day, he died. On that day the Hour will occur.” What’s new in this hadith? The rest of the hadith tells the response of the animals. The Prophet* says, “Every animal is worried on the day of jumu’ah – from the time of fajr because they know that is when the Hour will occur, except Jinn and humans.”

We are the only creation that is asleep and unaware. We are heedless and continue to do everything on Jum’ah as if this Hour is something that will never occur.

How many Times will the Horn be blown?

Some scholars say that there will be two shouts. One shout that will destroy everything that is living (as sa’aq), and then another shout that will revive everything again (al ba’ath).

Some scholars say that there are three blowings. One is al faza – it will strike fear in all of the hearts. The second is sa’aq and the third is al ba’ath.

The Exceptions – those that will not perish with the trumpet

Allah says, “And the trumpet will be blown, and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except him whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown a second time and behold, they will be standing, looking on.”

The ayah gives an exception. Some scholars say hoor al-ayn; some say the servants in jannah; some say jibra’eel, mika’eel and israfeel; some say the angels who are carrying the throne; some say the shuhadaa`; and on and on. Al-Qurtubi says, “The right opinion is that there is no evidence to support any of this. All of them are possible.” We don’t need to dwell too much on this. What we need to know, we already know – we are not one of those who are excluded. We don’t need to theorize and hypothesize, because we don’t need to know. This is a very, very important principle in Islam – we should always be practical and know the information that will help us.

When a Bedouin came into the masjid and asked the Prophet*, “When is the Hour?” He came in and interrupted the Prophet* when he was giving a speech. The Prophet* kept on going and didn’t give him any attention. The man insisted and asked a second and a third time. By now, the sahabah are upset and want him to calm down. They thought that The Prophet* is not responding because he doesn’t like the question. When The Prophet* was done with his speech, he said, “Where is the one who was asking about the Hour?” He then asked the Bedouin, “What have you prepared for it?” The man then said, “I did not prepare for it a lot of fasting and prayer, but I have prepared for it with love for Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet* said, “You will be with the ones that you love.”

Why do we want to know? We should know the information that will help us. A lot of times, we waste our times on issues that will not benefit us or add to our good deeds. That is knowledge that does not benefit. The Prophet* said, “O Allah, we want from You knowledge that will benefit us and we seek refuge in You from the knowledge that does not benefit us.”

InshaAllah, we make du’a that we also have love for Allah and the Prophet* and are also with the ones we love on the Day of Judgment. Ameen

8 June 2014 Musa (2) birth and Fiqh of Ramadhan (1)

8 June 2014

Prophet Musa (2) - his birth and Fiqh of Ramadhan (1)



Thank you all for coming. Please find today’s Study Circle summary.
Lively discussions and participation from all and some great feedback from the kids on:
- Fairy Tales,
- Puzzles about Allah’s existence and
- Hope in Allah.

Please bear in mind this is just a summary with more detail dealt with during the Circle.

InshaAllah, next week’s Study Circle will again be at our house to continue the story of Musa ending up in the Pharaoh’s Palace.

Prophet Musa (2): Birth

Birth: Musa was born in a time when his people (Bani Israel – children of Yaqub) were enslaved by the tyrant Pharaoh. They had arrived during Yusuf’s time but became slaves over the years. Pharaoh thought he was a god (amongst many other Egyptian gods) and that he owned the River Nile. This was a unipolar world.

Pharaoh had a dream that he would lose his kingdom to someone from the children of Israel so he started killing newborn males as he perceived it as an existential threat to his authority. His spies kept an eye on all the people and he ruled by Divide and Conquer.
Musa’s mother received WAHY (inspiration) from Allah: “Suckle him and then when you fear for him cast him into the sea. Do not fear or grieve; We will return him to you and make him one of the Messengers." (Surat al-Qasas: 7) and her test was to throw him into the river to save him – and this was a dangerous and big river!....



Main Topic: Basics about Ramadhan

The Obligation of Fasting: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you…", (2:183)

The Reward for Fasting: The only one who knows about the reward is Allah (swt). "Every act taken by the son of Adam is done for him except fasting, it is for me and I make the reward", (Bukhari)

Fasting stops the Muslim from Sinning: "Fasting is a shield. Thus while fasting you must not use foul language or act like those of ignorance (screaming, attacking others, etc), or speak loudly". (Bukhari)

The smell of the Fasting persons mouth: "By the one who has my soul in his hands, the smell of the mouth of the fasting person is better for Allah than the smell of musk". [Bukhari]

Special Gate in Al-Jannah for those who Fast: " There is a gate in Al-Jannah called Ar-Rayyan which those who fast enter from on the day of judgment. And no one else enters from it. Once they enter from it, it is closed, and nobody else enters from it." (Bukhari)

Due to Fasting Previous Sins Are Forgiven: "Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan purely because of his faith and sincerity all of his/her previous sins will be forgiven." "Whosoever does not saying and acting upon falsehood, Allah is in no need for him/her to abandon his/her food " (Bukhari).

The Intention is A Requirement for Fasting: The person who wants to fast must have the pure intention for doing that action only to please Allah (swt). The intention need not be said by the tongue, for the intention is act of the heart. Moreover, the intention must be settled in the heart before Fajr.

There Is Blessing in suhur: "have Suhur, for in suhur there is blessing. " (Muslim)

The Best Things To Keep Us Busy In Ramadan: The fasting Muslim should not curse, use foul language, harm people , talk nonsense, etc. Thus, the best the fasting person should keep him/herself busy with is the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr), attend sessions of knowledge, read Quran, and spend in the path of Allah, etc.

If Someone Eats Or Drinks, Forgetfully, Then he/she Completes The Day Of Fasting: "If he forgets and eats and drinks, then he should complete his fast. It was Allah who fed him and gave him the drink." (Bukhari).

If deliberately broken the fast, Muslim needs to:
- Free a slave
- fast two months consecutively
- feed sixty poor people

Permission To Break Fast In Travelling and Sickness: Allah (swt) permitted us to break fast in travelling and in sickness on the condition that we make it up later on. "And for those who are sick or travelling, then (the prescribed period should be made up) other days."
It is only the sickness, that fasting will delay its recovery or worsen it, that permits the person to break the fast. But, the one that is not affected by the fast is not a legitimate excuse. Travel depends upon the distance travelled – often taken as 48 miles.

The Elderly and the Incurable sick: do not have to make up the days that they have missed, for they are unable to do so but have to feed one poor person as (Bukhari)

The fasting of Children and Teaching Them Manners: Only those who are above the age of puberty and sane are addressed by Shari’ah. "Order your children to pray when they are seven years of age, beat them for it when they are ten years of age, and separate them in their beds".(Abu Daud). Also Bukhari narrates "We used to make our children fast and make their toys out of wool. If any of them cried because of hunger, we would give them toy till the time to breakfast". There is no sin if the children break the fast for them or the parents.

What is recommended for the Saa’im to break his fast with: Recommended to make Iftar with Rutub (fresh, moist, ripe dates), if not then Tamr (dry dates); else to take mouthfuls of water then eat what they wish.

Time to break fast: Is at Maghrib when the adhaan happens and not to wait until after prayer or to delay.

Salatul-Taraweh: Abu Huraira said, "I heard the messenger of Allah (saw) say, "The one who does qiam in Ramadan with faith and sincerity, all his/her sins will be forgiven".

May Allah azza wajaal accept our Siyaam, Salah, Nawafil, Taraweeh, Adhkar, Sadakat, and all efforts by helping others inshaAllah

3 November 2012

Summary
Seerah:
Lots of leaders and tribes now becoming Muslim and pledging allegiance (bayah) to the Prophet* and to the Islamic State
The people who became Muslim before Conquest of Mecca are higher ranked than those now joining Islam
The story of how the people of Taif wanted to keep their goddess but the Prophet did not allow Islam and Kufr to co-exist even for a day. Only Islam!

Start of Surah Yusuf:
The complexity of Arabic
Children Respecting Parents
Parents talking nicely to children
Yusuf is one of the best Stories
Looking for the best in people and blaming evil of Shaytan

Bank of Akhirah

Seerah of Muhammed*
*: May the peace blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an

The Year of Delegations
People Embrace The Religion Of Allah In Large Crowds:
The invasion and the conquest of Mecca was — as we have already stated — a decisive battle that destroyed paganism utterly. The Arabs as a result of that battle were able to differentiate the truth from the error. Delusion no longer existed in their life. So they raced to embrace Islam. ‘Amr bin Salamah said: “We were at a water (spring) where the passage of people was. So when camel riders passed by us we used to ask them: ‘What is the matter with people? What is this man (i.e. the Prophet*) like?’ They would say, ‘He claims that Allah has revealed so and so.’ I used to memorize those words as if they had been recited within my chest. The Arabs used to ascribe their Islamization to the conquest. They would say: ‘Leave him alone to face his people. If he were a truthful Prophet* he would overcome them.’ So when the conquest took place, peoples hastened to declare their Islam. My father was the quickest of all my people to embrace Islam. Arriving at his people he said: ‘By Allah I have just verily been to the Prophet* . And he said: ‘Perform so a prayer at such a time, and so and so prayers at such and such time. When the prayer time is due let one of you call for the prayer and appoint the most learned of the Qur’an among you to be an Imam (leader) of yours.” This Prophet*ic tradition manifests the great effect of the conquest of Mecca on the phase of events. It certainly shows the influence of the conquest of Mecca upon the consolidation of Islam as well as on the Arabs’ stand and their surrender to Islam. That influence was absolutely confirmed and deeply rooted after the invasion of Tabuk.
A clear and an obvious evidence of that influence could be deduced from the great number of delegations arriving in Medina successively in the ninth and tenth years of Al-Hijra. The immense crowds of people who raced to embrace the religion of Allah and the great army which included ten thousand fighters in the invasion of the conquest of Mecca had grown big enough to include thirty thousand fighters sharing in Tabuk invasion. It was only in less than a year after the conquest of Mecca that this growth in Islamic army had taken place. A hundred thousand or a hundred and forty four thousand Muslim pilgrims shared in Hajjatul -Wada‘ (i.e. Farewell Pilgrimage); it was such an enormous number of Muslims surging — as an ocean of men — round the Prophet* , that the horizon echoed their voices and the expanses of land shook whereby while saying Labbaik (i.e. Lord, here we are worshipping), glorifying and magnifying Allah, and thanking Him.

The Delegations:
The number of delegations listed in Ahl Al-Maghazi were over seventy. Investigating such a large number is not an accessible thing; besides stating them in detail is not of a great benefit. Therefore, I am going to reveal an expose about what is historically wonderful or highly significant. Anyway a reader should always keep in mind that whilst the majority of tribes arrived in Medina after the conquest, there were also pre-conquest delegations.
1. The delegation of ‘Abdul Qais: This tribe had two arrivals. The first was in the fifth year of Al- Hijra or before that date. Munqidh bin Haiyan, a member of that tribe, used to trade in Medina. So, as soon as he heard of Islam when he had arrived in it for trading — that was after the migration — he embraced Islam and carried a pledge from the Prophet* to his people who eventually became Muslims too. Thirteen or fourteen of them came to the Prophet* in one of the Hurum Months. It was then that they asked the Prophet*’s advice about the Faith and drinks. Their chief was Al-Ashaj Al-Usri, to whom the Prophet* said: “You have two qualities that Allah likes: They are deliberateness and clemency.”
2. Their second arrival was in the Year of Delegations. They were forty men. Al-Jarud bin Al-‘Ala’ Al- ‘Abdi, who was Christian but turned to be a good Muslim, was one of that group.
3. Daws Delegation: The arrival of this tribe was in the early times of the seventh year and that was when the Prophet* was in Khaibar. At-Tufail bin ‘Amr Ad-Dawsi, that we have already talked about and explained how he became a Muslim at the time the Prophet* was in Mecca. He went back home to his people where he kept calling people to Islam but they tarried till he despaired of them and returned to the Prophet* and asked him to invoke Allah against Daws but the Prophet* invoked Allah to guide Daws. Later on, Daws embraced Islam. So At-Tufail arrived in Medina accompanied by seventy or eighty families of his people in the early times of the seventh year of Al-Hijra, at the time that the Prophet* was at Khaibar, so he overtook him there.
4. Farwah Bani ‘Amr Al-Judhami’s messenger: Farwah was an Arab leader in the Byzantine army. He was a Byzantine agent ruler by proxy on the Arabs allied to the Byzantines. His home was at Mu‘an and the surrounding area of Ash-Sham lands. Seeing the stamina and courage of the Muslims he became a Muslim. The battle of Mu’tah — which took place in the eighth year of Al- Hijra — compelled his admiration. He sent a white mule gift with a messenger of his to the Prophet* to inform him of his conversion into Islam. When the Byzantines learnt of his embracing Islam, they sent him to prison. At first they gave him an opportunity to choose one of the two — “either he defects from Islam or death shall be his punishment.” Refusing to defect they crucified him and cut his neck at a water (fountain) called ‘Afra’ in Palestine.
5. Suda’ Delegation: The arrival of this delegation was after the departure of the Prophet* from Al-Ji‘ranah in the eighth year of Al-Hi. It was because the Prophet* had already dispatched a mission that comprised four hundred Muslims and asked them to go to where Suda’ was. Suda’ was (a fresh-water fountain) in Yemen. While the mission was camping there at the starting point of a canal. Ziyad bin Al-Harith As-Suda’i learned of their stay, so he came to the Prophet* and said: “I have come to you as a deputy of my people, so tell your army to go back and I guarantee of my people.” The army were sent away off the canal. In his turn As-Suda’i went back, cherished and urged his people to come and meet the Prophet* . Eventually fifteen of them came and pledged allegiance to him as true Muslims. Returning home, they in their turn, urged the rest to be Muslims. Thus Islam spread among them. Later on, a hundred men joined the Prophet* in Hajjatul-Wada‘ (Farewell Pilgrimage.)
6. The arrival of Ka‘b bin Zuhair bin Abi Sulma: Ka‘b who was a member of a family of poets, was considered one of the most poetic Arab poets. He used to satirize the Prophet* when he wasn’t a Muslim. In the eighth year of Al-Hijra and at the time that the Prophet* had already gone back from At-Ta’if invasion, Bujair bin Zuhair wrote a letter to his brother Ka‘b warning and advising him: “The Prophet* had killed some men in Mecca who used to satirize and harm him, and that the other poets who had survived fled in all directions for their lives. So if you want to save your skin, hasten to the Prophet* . He never kills those who resort to him as repentant. If you refuse to do as I tell, it is up to you to try to save your skin by any means.” The two brothers corresponded with one another for a long time till Ka‘b was awkward and felt as if the earth had constrained on him. Arriving in Medina, he stayed at a man’s house from Juhainah as a guest. They performed the dawn prayer together; but when he was about to leave, the man suggested that he go to the Prophet* . He went there, sat by him, put his hand in his. The Prophet* who had never seen Ka‘b before, did not recognize him. Ka‘b then said: “O, Prophet*! Ka‘b bin Zuhair has come to you as a repentant Muslim; will he be secure and forgiven if I fetch him?” The Prophet* said, “Yes.” “I am Ka‘b bin Zuhair,” said he. Upon hearing that one of the Helpers rose to his feet and asked the Messenger’s allowance to cut his throat. “Leave him alone!” Said the Prophet* , “He has become a repentant Muslim after his disposal of the past.” Ka‘b then recited his well-known poem “Su‘ad appeared...” in which he praised the Prophet* , thanked him and apologized for the wrongs he had done. He acknowledged Muhammad’s mission. Both Emigrants and Helpers were spoken of in this poem but differently. He praised the Emigrants but criticized the Helpers, for one of them demanded a Prophet*’s permission to kill him. Later on Ka‘b tried to compensate for that by praising the Helpers too but that was in another poem.
7. ‘Udharah Delegation: This delegation which consisted of twelve men, had arrived in Medina in Safar, the ninth year of Al-Hijra. They spent three days there. One of them was Hamza bin AnNu‘ man. When they were asked who they were, they said “We are Bani ‘Udharah, the foster brothers of Qusai to his mother. We are the ones who supported Qusai, and removed Khuza’a and Bani Bakr from the bosom of Mecca. We have relatives and kinspeople.” So the Prophet* welcomed them and gave good tidings to them, which was Ash- Sham Conquest; but he, on the other hand, forbade them from consulting a soothsayer and from eating the slain animals they slaughtered. Eventually they became Muslims, stayed there for several days then went back. 8. Bali Delegation: Their arrival was in Rabi‘ Al-Awwal, the ninth year of Al-Hijra. They embraced Islam, stayed in Medina for three days. Their chief Abu Ad-Dabeeb wondered whether hospitality was rewarded by Allah. The Prophet* said: l ¡ “Yes, and so is any charity you offer to poor or rich people that is Sadaqah.” He also inquired about the time allotted to hospitality. “Three days,” said he. “What about the stray ewe?” The Prophet* said: “It is either yours or your brother’s, otherwise it goes to the wolf.” He inquired about the stray camel. “It is not of your business. Leave it alone! Its owner will try to find it.”
8. Thaqif Delegation: Their arrival was in Ramadan, the ninth year of Al-Hijra, after the return of the Prophet* from Tabuk. As to how they became Muslims, this could be deduced from the following:
9. Their chief ‘Urwah bin Mas‘ud Ath-Thaqafi came to see the Prophet* after the latter’s return from At-Ta’if in Dhul-Qa‘dah in the year 8 A.H. ‘Urwah became a Muslim. He thought that when he will tell his people and call them to embrace Islam, they would obey him, because he had always been an obeyed Master. He was even more beloved to them than their own firstborn. But contrary to that, when he called them to Islam they shot arrows at him from everywhere and killed him. They remained as they were for months before they started discussing the situation again among themselves. Upon realizing that they were incapable of fighting the neighbouring Arabs who had paid allegiance to the Prophet* and converted to Islam, they made up their mind to dispatch a man to the Prophet* . They concluded that ‘Abd Yalail bin ‘Amr would be the right messenger. ‘Abd refused to do such a thing lest they should kill him as they had killed ‘Urwah. “I will not do such a thing till you send some other men with me,” said ‘Abd. So they sent two men of their allies and three others from Bani Malik. The six of them including ‘Uthman bin Abi Al-‘As Ath- Thaqafi who was the youngest among them all.
When they entered into the Prophet*’s audience, a tent was pitched up in a corner of the mosque so that they might listen to the Qur’an and see people at prayer. During their stay they came again and again to the Prophet* who kept on calling them to embrace Islam, till their chief asked the Prophet* to enter into a peace treaty between him and Thaqif by means of which he allows them to commit fornication, drink wine and deal with usury. They also asked him not to injure their tyrant idol “Al-Lat” or to oblige them to perform the prayer. Finally they insisted that they would not knock down the idols themselves. But the Prophet* turned down all their requests. They went aside to council. Realizing that there were no other alternatives they yielded and professed Islam. The only condition that they insisted on was that the demolition of Al-Lat should be dealt with and handled by the Prophet* whereas Thaqif should in no way knock it down themselves. The Prophet* agreed and took a pledge with them.
Being the most attentive and the keenest to study jurisprudence and learn Qur’an, ‘Uthman bin Abi Al-‘As was appointed by the Prophet* a prince on his people. His keenness and carefulness to learn the Qur’an and study jurisprudence were clearly discernible through his behaviour during their stay.
Everyday morning, the group of delegates used to go and see the Prophet*. Being the youngest one, ‘Uthman bin Abi Al-‘As was left behind with their camels and things to keep an eye on. At noon when they came back and slept, ‘Uthman used to go to the Prophet* in order to learn the Qur’an and inquire about religious matters. If it happened that the Prophet* was asleep, he would then go to Abu Bakr for the same purpose. With the pof time, he turned out to be a source of blessing to his people. For at the Apostasy Times (Ar-Riddah) when Thaqif were determined to apostatize, he addressed them saying: “O, folkmen of Thaqif! You have been the latest at embracing Islam, so do not be the first to apostatize.” Consequently they gave up apostasy and clung fast to Islam.
The group of delegates returned home but they were determined to conceal the truth for a while. They told their people to expect fight at any moment. They pretended to be grieved and depressed. They claimed that the Prophet* demanded that they should embrace Islam and abandon adultery, drinking wine and dealing with usury and some other things, or else he would fight them. Seized by the arrogance and zeal of Al-Jahiliyah (pre- Islamic traditions), Thaqif remained for days intent on fighting. Then Allah cast terror and dismay in their hearts in such a way that they gave up fighting and thought that the delegation should go back to him and announce their approval. It was until then that the group of delegates told them the truth and revealed the items of their peace-talk with the Prophet*, consequently Thaqif embraced Islam.
The Prophet* sent some men to demolish the idol called “Al-Lat” under the command of Khalid bin Al-Waleed. Al-Mugheerah bin Shu‘bah, stood to his feet, held the hoe and the ax and said: “By Allah, I will make you laugh at Thaqif.” He struck with them, and pretended to fall down while running. The people of Thaqif trembled at that sight and said: “May Allah dismay Al-Mugheerah off. The goddess has killed him.” Hearing that Al-Mugheerah leapt up to his feet and said: “May Allah bring shame on you. Al-Lat is nothing but a mass of dirt and stones.” Then he struck the door and broke it. He mounted its highest wall, and so did the other men. They knocked Al-Lat down till they levelled it with the ground. Then they dug up its foundation and brought out its jewels and garments; to the great astonishment of Thaqif. Khalid bin Al-Waleed and his group came back to the Prophet* carrying Al-Lat’s jewels and garments. The Prophet* distributed them and thanked Allah for helping his Prophet* and solidifying his religion.

Main Topic: Selected verses from the Start of Surah Yusuf
“Alif-Laam-Raa. These are the verses of the clear Book. Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. 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. (Of  these stories mention) when Yusuf said to his father [i.e. Ya'qub]: "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun andthe moon; I saw them prostrating to me." He, (Yaqub) said, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Shaytan, to man, is a manifest enemy" [TMQ: 9, 1-5]
Just talking about a few verses from Surah Yusuf to demonstrate how complex and multi-levelled the meanings are and how important it is to know the Arabic in order to understand these fully. This is just a short taster! Revealed during the ‘Year of Grief’.
In the Arabic, the work ‘tilka’ is used and this demonstrative noun is used to point to something far away from the speaker, emphasising the Qur'an is being revealed from the Protected Tablet (al-I-awh al-Mahfi). Something ‘far away’ rather than ‘haa-thee’ which is near.
The word ‘mobeen’ - Here Allah describes the Qur'an as "clear". A characteristic of the Qur’an
‘Inna’ - This is analogous to what in English is called the "royal we". It does not mean that Allah is more than one. It is a feature of literary style in Arabic that a person may refer to himself by the pronoun ‘nahnu’ (we) for respect or glorification. He may also use the word ‘ana’  indicating one person, or the third person ‘huwa’ (he). All three styles are used in the Qur'an
‘Nazala’ indicates that this has come from high to low, that is a higher place to a lower place, from above to below and from Allah to Muhammed.

Characteristics of the best stories:

• a strong theme
• a fascinating plot conflict and resolution - The plot is most often about a conflict or struggle that the main character goes through. Most often, the characters learn or grow as they try to solve their problems. What the characters learn is the theme of the story.
• a coherent structure: The beginning of the story should jump right into the action. The ending of the story should wind up quickly.
• Unforgettable characters
• a well-chosen setting
• an appealing style
• a good story is one that:
• builds resonances with its audience, i.e. touches people in some way by working on their sympathies;
• creates vivid images;
• is a story that one loves and loves to tell or hear.

Other Lessons from these ayah...
The value of learning history while heeding its numerous lessons. Many ayah in the Qur'an reiterate this concept; Allah says: There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding ...
Many names of surahs in the Qur'an are actually reminders of events of the past that can teach us the importance of historical events and the lessons present in them. There are 30 surahs in the Qur'an with historically related names; it is required of us that we ponder and deliberate upon these stories.
The beginning ayah clearly affirms the nabuwwah (prophethood) of Allah's Messenger.
The ayah illustrates the importance of explaining and translating the Qur'an based on the intended and clear, unambiguous Arabic meanings.
Yusuf’s Lineage
Ibrahim had two sons, Ishaq and Isma’il. All prophets after them were from the descendants of Ishaq, xcept Prophet Muhammad, who was descended from Isma’il:
Yusuf b. Ya’qub b. Ishaq b. Ibrahim (Khalul Allah).
Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrate:  Upon the authority of Abu Hurayrah the Prophet was asked, "'Who is the most honourable of people?" He replied, "the most honourable is the one with the most taqwa." The questioner said, "I am not asking about that," so the Prophet said, "The most honoured is Yusuf, who was a prophet, son of a prophet, son of a prophet, son of Khalil Allah."
In another narration:  Ibn "Umar narrates that the Prophet said of Yusuf:  "[He is] the noble one, son of a noble one, son of a noble one, son of a noble one."
Respect for Parents
Another important lesson from these ayah are respect for parents and how parents and children should interact.
A Muslim child should respect, appreciate and honour his parents at all times. Allah ($6) has mentioned kind treatment of parents alongside the command to worship Him alone, which indicates the importance of honouring one's parents and treating them well. Allah emphasises the status of parents and how they should be treated in many lyEt:
Be good and dutiful: Allah says: And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents... [Surat al-'Ankabut, 29: 8]. The scholars said: "be dutiful and kind to parents" means: treat them kindly in all ways, in word and deed.
Acknowledge the high status of parents: The importance and high status that Islam has granted to parents is evident from the fact that Allah often mentions the command to worship Him and to be dutiful to one's parents together, as in:  'And We have enjoined upon man [care]for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two year. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination]. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” [Surat Luqman,31:14-15]
Obey them, and ask forgiveness for them: Islam teaches a child to obey his parents, to do as they ask and to refrain from what they tell him not to do, on condition that it does not contradict the teachings of Allah. Furthermore Allah commands us to supplicate for our parents and pray for forgiveness for them, especially when they grow old and weak: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff', and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small'.[Surat al-Isra,17:23-4]
The scholars said said: "this means, pray for mercy for them, while they are alive and after they die."
Allah has provided us with examples of his messengers and described how they treated their parents with kindness and compassion.

Children’s Feedback & News Topic:
Nil

Bank of Akhirah:
Parents and Children were asked to think about anything they have done over the past week purely for the sake of Allah, with Ihsaan and sincerity. Thus seeking the pleasure of Allah alone. Then put these on a piece of paper and put it in the cardboard Kaaba at the start of the next Study Circle.
Please write them anonymously.
Homework
Seerah ~ Nil
Belief ~ Qur'an: How was the Qur'an protected after the death of the Prophet* ?

25 October 2009

Seerah of Muhammed*
*: May the peace blessings & Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an
Migration of the Early Muslims to Abyssinia

In total there were two migrations, the first as a group in the 5th year of Prophethood. This consisted of 12 men + 4 women; whereas the second migration totalled 83 men and 19 women over a period of time. The second migration was after a rumour that Mecca (& the Quraish) had become Muslims following their sujjood. The Prophet* had recited Surah an-Najm and ayah of Sujjod caused all Muslims & non-Muslims to prostate.

The Prophet* had asked the Muslims to go to Habasha (Abyssinia) ‘because there is a king that does not oppress anyone’. He knew of his justice.

Even though there were only a few Muslims the Quraish plotted to get them back to Mecca: they selected Amr bin Aas and Abdullah bin Rabiyyah. Amr was well connected and career diplomat and good at scheming & making conspiracies. So Amr went and gave gifts to all the kings courtiers & officials to get them on his side and they would agree with any request from him. He preferred the Muslims to be handed over without them meeting the an-Najashi (Negus). After presenting their gifts to him Amr said: ‘Mighty King, some of our foolish people have abandoned their ancestral religion and have adopted a new faith which is opposed to your religion also. These people have created great disorder in our country, and now some of them have fled from our country and have taken refuge here. We request that you may be pleased to direct that they should be sent back to us.’ Some of the officials supported their request, but Najashi, refused and said: ‘These people have sought my protection. I will not decide anything without hearing them.’

The Muslims were summoned. After a Shura’a (consultation amongst themselves) they appointed Jafar bin Abi Talib as spokesman and decided to only tell the truth. An-Najashi asked them what they had to say and what was the religion they had adopted. (Umm Salamah narrates this Hadith) Jafar bin Abi Talib replied:

‘Gracious King, we were an ignorant people, given to idol-worship, the eating of meat from dead animals, and to all manner of vices such as bloodshed. We had no regard for ties of kinship, we misbehaved towards our neighbours, and the strong among us suppressed the weak and ignored matters of right & wrong. In this situation, God raised among us His Messenger whose noble descent; truth, honesty and integrity were well known to all of us. He called us to the worship of the One True God without associate, forbade idol-worship, He ordered us to be truthful in our speech, honesty and beneficence towards kindred and honour right s of hospitality and to fast for our God. He urged us to behave well towards neighbours, and abandon things forbidden, forbade vice and do anything immoral, to tell lies, to kill or shed blood, and devouring the substance of the orphan, or to make accusations against women of virtue. He ordered us to pray to the One God and turn away from the false stones our forefathers worshipped, give alms and fast. We believed in him and followed him, on account of which our people turned against us, persecuted us, afflicted us and tormented us in diverse ways. They tried to wean us away from our faith by force and turn us back to the worship of idols instead of God and to again consider permissible the abominations we had forsaken. Thus, they treated us with violence& persecution, beseeched us and prevented us from performing our religion we were compelled to leave our home and to seek asylum in your country and chose you above others. We desired your hospitality and hoped that under you we shall be safeguarded against tyranny in your domain.’

Then, An-Najjashi asked Ja'far," Would you tell me something of the revelation that came upon your Prophet?" Ja'far recited segments of Surat Maryam. He went on reciting until An-Najjashi's beard was wet with tears and his officials had wet their bibles. Then An-Najjashi said to Ja'far "Go in peace, for I will never let them harm you".

Amr was in a rage. He decided to try once more after vowing to put an end to the Muslims. He went to An-Najjashi on the second day telling him that the Qur'an insults Isa by calling him a slave. An-Najjashi then called for the Muslims again asking them if that was true – and this was a troubling time. Ja'far said, “Isa is a servant and messenger of Allah. He is a Word that Allah cast forth to Maryam the virgin". An-Najjashi then drew a line on the ground and said, "I swear that Isa has never said anything more than what you have just said. "Nobody would ever harm you in my land, and I swear that I would rather lose a mountain of gold than having you harmed in any way". Then he turned to Amr and said, "Go Amr and take your gifts back. I would never accept such a bribe, while Allah Is He Who Granted me this reign"

Reasons for Migration

These Muslims were leaving the best place (Mecca) for elsewhere, where there would not be the Prophet*. Some of the reasons were:

• Flee from persecution and harm
• Safeguard their Iman (Belief) as not everyone can resist torture
• Embarrass the Quraish - Both the weak Muslims and strong & noble families went, including some who had given protection to the Prophet*, and Abu Sufyan’s daughter (Umm Habibah). There may have been a need to shake the foundations of the beliefs & practices of the noblest Quraishi families with their people escaping for conscientious & religious reasons
• A secondary base outside Mecca – in case of devastating attack on the Muslims in Mecca or later in Medina. The Muslims only returned 7 years after the Prophet* established the Islamic State in Medina.

Why Abyssinia and not other Empires chosen

• For reasons of receiving justice in that kingdom
• Arabs familiar with Habasha (trade routes & customs)
• An-Najashi knew Arabic
• Abyssinians were Christian (not polytheists)

Hadith (Riyadh as-Salihin): On Repentance (seeking Forgiveness)

Abu Sa'id ibn Sa'd ibn Malik ibn Sinan al-Khudri reported that the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Among those before you there was a man who killed ninety-nine people. He asked who was the most knowledgeable man in the world and was directed to a monk. He went to him and said that he had killed ninety-nine people and was repentance possible for him? The monk said, 'No,' so he killed him and made it a hundred. Then he again asked who was the most knowledgeable man on earth and was directed to a man of knowledge. He said that he had killed a hundred people, so was repentance possible for him? The man said, 'Yes, who can come between you and repentance? Go to such-and-such a land, where there are some people worshipping Allah Almighty. Worship Allah with them and do not return to your own country. It is an evil place.' So he went and then, when he was half way there, he died. The angels of mercy and angels of punishment started to argue about him. The angels of mercy said, 'He came in repentance, turning with his heart to Allah Almighty.' The angels of punishment said, 'He has not done a single good action.' An angel came in a human form and they appointed him arbitrator between them. He said, 'Measure the distance between the two countries and whichever one he is nearer to, that is the one he belongs to.' They measured and found he was nearer to the land to which he was going, so the angels of mercy took him." [Bukhari & Muslim]

In the variant in the Sahih, "He was a hand-span nearer to the virtuous land, so he was put among their people." In the variant in the Sahih, "Allah revealed to this country to distance itself and that one to come nearer. He said, 'Measure the distance between them,' and they found that he was nearer to the good one by a hand-span and he forgave him." In one variant, "He was nearer it by a short neck."

Abu Nujayd 'Imran ibn al-Husayn al-Khuza'i reported that a woman from Juhayna came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who was pregnant as a result of fornication. She said, "O Messenger of Allah, I have broken a hadd, so carry out the punishment on me. The Prophet of Allah summoned her guardian and said, "Treat her well. When she gives birth, bring her back to me." He did that and the Prophet of Allah commanded that her garment be tied tightly about her and then he commanded that she be stoned. Then he prayed over her. 'Umar said to him, "Do you pray over her, Messenger of Allah, when she committed fornication? He said, "She repented with such a repentance that if it were to be divided out among seventy of the people of Madina, it would be enough for all of them. Can you think of anything better than her offering herself to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic?" [Muslim]

Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If the son of Adam possessed a valley full of gold he would want to have two valleys, yet his mouth will only be filled by earth. Allah turns towards those who turn in repentance." [Bukhari & Muslim]



Parents in Islam

"Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or more attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say, "my Lord! Bestow on them Thy Mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood." [TMQ 17: 23,24]

When Allah made forbidden the tribalism of Jahiliyah (time before islam) He only forbade that tribalism should be the bond between the people of the Muslim Ummah, and He forbade that it is the main relationships amongst the Muslims. Islam came with a new brotherhood of belief. However, He ordered people to maintain contact with relatives and show kindness to them. It has been reported that a man asked the Prophet*: “who shall I show kindness to?” He said: “Your mother, father, sister and brother.” In another version: “And your (Mawla) relation who is closer to you, as a right and duty and a tie of relationship (Rahm) which you should be kind to.”

All religions and all societies have given parents a high status. From a purely material viewpoint, we find ourselves indebted to our parents, particularly our mother. She not only nourished us in her womb, but went through pain and suffering. She loved us even before we were born. She toiled when we were totally helpless infants. She spent sleepless nights caring for us. Our parents as a team provided for all our needs: physical, educational, psychological, and in many instances, religious, moral, and spiritual. Our indebtedness to our parents is so immense that it is not possible to repay it fully. Hence, it becomes obligatory for us to show the utmost kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents. The position of parents, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities, have been addressed in Islam in great detail. The Qur'anic commandments, as well as the sayings of Prophet Muhammad guide us in this matter. The parent-child code of behaviour in Islam is unique, since rules were laid down by divine command. In addition, Muslims do not stick their elderly parents in an 'old people's home' when they are old but have a duty to look after them. Muslim society respects the elderly and refers to them for wisdom and guidance if they are knowledgeable. This contrasts with the lack of respect that many older people face in Western countries such as the UK.

The mother is the first and most important teacher of every human being in every society. If the mother plays her role and is dutiful to Allah concerning her child in the light of Islamic teachings then the children adopt the way of Jannah (paradise), which is the way towards peace and tranquillity of our life in this world and in the world here after.

"And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In hardship upon hardship did his mother bear him, and in two years was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents; to Me is thy final goal. But if they strive to compel thee to associate with Me that of which thou hast no knowledge, do not obey them; but keep company with them in this life in a kind manner and follow the way of those who turn to Me. Then to Me will be your return and I will inform you (of the meaning of) all that you did." [TMQ 31:14-15]

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." [TMQ 46:15]

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; but if they strive (to force) thee to join with Me anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not." [TMQ 29:8]

“People ask you (O Prophet) how they should spend. Say, ‘whatever you spend should be spent on Allah (in good cause), on parents, near relatives, on orphans, destitutes and travelers” [TMQ]


Some of the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad* are:

"Paradise lies under the feet of the mother."

"God's pleasure is in the pleasure of the father, and God's displeasure is in the displeasure of the father."

"He who wishes to enter Paradise through its best door must please his parents."

"It is a pity that some people may not attain Paradise, on account of not serving their old parents."

"If a person looks with love at his parents, God writes in his favour the reward equal to the performance of one Hajj. Someone asked, "will this promise be good if one looks at his parents one hundred times a day?" The Holy Prophet (pbuh) replied, "even if one does so a hundred thousand times a day, God gives the reward accordingly."

"A man or woman is bound to be good to his or her parents, even though they may have injured him or her."

Once a man came to the Prophet (peace be on him) and asked, 'Who is most deserving of my good companionship?' 'Your mother,' replied the Prophet*. 'Who next?' the man asked. 'Your mother,' replied the Prophet*. 'Who next?' he asked. 'Your mother,' replied the Prophet*. 'Who next?' asked the man. 'Your father,' replied the Prophet. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Asmaa bint Abu Bakr said: “My mother who was a pagan, came to see me during the period of the treaty between the Muslims and Quraish. I went to seek the advice of the Prophet saying: ‘My mother has arrived and she is hoping (for my favour).” The Prophet said: “Yes, be good to your mother”.

'Shall I not inform you about the three major sins?' Those who were present replied, 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah.' He said 'Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents,' and sitting up from the reclining position, he continued, 'and telling lies and false testimony; beware of it.' (Bukhari & Muslim)

"Allah defers (the punishment of) all sins to the Day of Resurrection excepting disobedience to parents, for which Allah punishes the sinner in this life before his death."

'Among the major sins is a man's cursing his parents.' The people who were present wondered how a sane and believing individual could curse his own parents, and enquired, 'How is it possible for a man to curse his own parents?' The Prophet (peace be on him) replied, 'He insults another man's father, and then the other insults his father, and he insults the other's mother, and the other returns the insult to his mother.' (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Umamah reported that a man asked: "O messenger of Allah! What are the rights of parents over their children?" He* replied: "They (mum and dad) are your paradise and your hell" (Ibn Maja)

A man of Banu Salma came to the Prophet* and asked: "Ya RasulAllah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their demise?" He* said: “Yes! by praying for them, to seek forgiveness for them by fulfilling their instructions after their death, by keeping affinity to those who are not connected with you but through them and to honour their friends" (Abu Dawud and Ibn Maja)

“If any one of you is poor let him start with himself and if any one of you has surplus (wealth) let him spend on his family, and if any of you has further surplus let him spend it on his relatives.”

“The one who severes ties with the relations will not enter Paradise”.

“The Al-wasil (the one who keeps good ties with kith and kin) is not the one who recompenses the good done to him by his relatives, but Al-Wasil is the one who keeps good relations with those relatives who had severed the bond of kinship with him.”

The Silat ar-Rahm (keeping good relations) indicates the importance of what Allah has said regarding the keeping of good and friendly relations within one's relatives and the Islamic community., In the maintaining of good relations and co-operation between relatives, and the extent of the Shari’ah concern to organise the meeting of men and women and organise what results from this meeting in terms of the relationships. Hence the Islamic Shar’a, through the rules which it legislated for the social aspect in the society, provides the best social system for mankind protecting the children and parents, thus the famliy and the society.