Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Assalamu Alaikum
As a moderator, I want to point out two problems with this thread. First, the rule of staying on topic is not being obeyed. What does our choice of usernames have to do with terrorism? No, I don�t want anyone to answer that question, it is merely a way to point out how off track this topic has gotten. In fact, this is happening a lot lately and it is quite disturbing that so many threads are being reduced to bickering which leads me to the second problem which is the lack of practicing good adab. As a Muslim forum, everyone who comes here is expected to practice appropriate Islamic adab. That does not simply apply to non-Muslims; it especially applies to Muslims because we should know better than to allow ourselves to lash out at others. In Surah 2, Ayat 177, Allah commands that we be patient in all things even in times of chaos; that is the sign of the righteous. No matter what username we choose, or the fact that we are invisible�with the exception of our words�from the rest of the internet community, we are never invisible to Allah. The ones who Allah commanded to watch over us are with us at all times.
I know it is easy to justify/rationalize our actions by telling ourselves, �But I didn�t start it�; however, we must keep in mind two things. First, when it comes to bickering, does it matter who �starts� it? The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
When two persons indulge in hurling (abuses) upon one another, it would be the first one who would be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits. (Muslim, 032.6263)
So, if we are oppressed (offended) by what another says, we are free from the wrong that comes from applying bad adab only as long as we don�t begin to bicker in return.
Second, we need to pay special attention to our actions, including what we say and how we say it, so that we are not harming others. Actually, given that this is an internet forum group, what we say and how we say it is especially important because that is all others see. They don�t know anything else about us but what we allow them to read of our thoughts through the written word. Sure, we may have had no intention of offending another; however, once we become, even slightly, aware that we are offending another; Inshallah, we will take steps to correct or actions. This is what good adab calls for.
Brother Salman, with all due respect, there truly is no reason why a person should not choose another name while using the internet as long as they are not doing so as a means to hide their identity in order to do some harmful act towards some other(s). As I mentioned earlier, even if we don�t use our �real� name, Allah knows all things so if we are saying or doing things believing we are �invisible� we are simply mistaken.
Brother Mohammad, with all due respect, it is best to simply choose another signature. No Muslim should say something which may be offensive (oppressive) to another Muslim. The fact that your signature is offensive to others, including myself, Inshallah, will be an indicator to you that it should be removed and replaced with another signature which does not single out any group in a negative way.
I would like to remind everyone that the Prophet (pbuh) said the following:
Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (008.073.047, Bukhari)
It is highly likely that none of us who come here to IC forum are neighbors in the literal sense, but we are all neighbors in a very important way. We are all a part of a global community because of internet technology which we use to come together to discuss and share knowledge of Islam here on IC forum. Alhamdulillah!!! We should make our adab here the same as if we have invited someone into our own home as a guest. We should be generous and kind by carefully choosing our words even if we don�t agree with what the other person says. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) never allowed himself to act in anger and when asked for advice, he said:
�Do not become angry and furious.� The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, �Do not become angry and furious.� (008.073.137, Bukhari)
The fact that the Prophet (pubh) repeated �Do not become angry and furious� again and again indicates just how important it is for us to keep control of ourselves.
Why is this so important? Because being able to do so is a sign of one who is strong in character. We see this in the following hadith:
Allah�s Apostle said, �The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.� (008.073.135, Bukhari)
Being strong in character is a clear sign that we are blessed with good adab. And one who has good adab will do as the Prophet (pbuh) instructed when he said:
Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them). (008.073.146, Bukhari)
Why should we bother with good abad? Because, the Prophet said:
The best among you are those who have the best manners and character. (008.056.759, Bukhari)
And most importantly Allah said:
5:48 To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah. It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
18:7 That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct.
Inshallah we will all remember that this life is a test in order that we will strive harder to apply good adab for the sake of Allah and in doing so, we, the IC forum Ummah, will enjoy the blessing which come from submitting our will to Allah (i.e., Islam).
Before I conclude, I would like to apologize for having to make this post here because I know that adab is not the topic of this post. However, as a moderator, it is my duty to help create and maintain the decorum of an Islamic cultural society. I truly love everyone in our Islam cultural �cyber� society for the sake of Allah and pray that each and every one who comes here will, Inshallah, be enriched with the knowledge and understanding of Allah. May Allah bless each of us for our good deeds, show mercy on us for our misdeeds and bestow upon us the knowledge and understanding to enjoin with the former and forbid the latter. Ameen!!!
Ashukru-lillahi Rabbil-Alameen Wala- Hawla Wala Quwata Illa Billah
Allah Hafiz
Sister Khadija
Edited by Khadija1021