WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:08.830 A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah. 00:00:08.830 --> 00:00:13.109 The standard of beauty and excellence. 00:00:13.109 --> 00:00:15.109 Beauty is the opposite of ugliness. 00:00:15.109 --> 00:00:17.109 When the term "beauty" is used in an absolute sense, 00:00:17.109 --> 00:00:20.109 it encompasses both outward and inward beauty. 00:00:20.109 --> 00:00:22.109 This includes the beauty of physical forms, 00:00:22.109 --> 00:00:26.339 as well as the beauty of hearts, deeds, and character. 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:29.339 The Shari'ah standard for beauty 00:00:29.339 --> 00:00:32.340 establishes that what is within the hearts, the inner self, and one's character 00:00:32.340 --> 00:00:35.340 is the true criterion for beauty and excellence. 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:38.340 In contrast, the standards of the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah) 00:00:38.340 --> 00:00:41.340 are based solely on outward beauty and physical appearance. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:45.340 For them, the consideration of inward beauty is absent. 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:47.500 Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, said 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:51.500 regarding the Companions of Muhammad, peace be upon him, 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:55.500 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.” (48:29) 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:57.500 and the intended meaning of "the mark on their faces" 00:00:57.500 --> 00:01:00.500 is, as most exegetes have mentioned, 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:03.530 the light and radiance of obedience. 00:01:03.530 --> 00:01:06.530 Thus, when their inner selves were illuminated by prayer, 00:01:06.530 --> 00:01:09.530 their outward appearances were illuminated by majesty. 00:01:09.530 --> 00:01:12.530 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 00:01:12.530 --> 00:01:15.530 "Allah does not look at your forms, 00:01:15.530 --> 00:01:17.530 nor at your wealth, 00:01:17.530 --> 00:01:21.530 but He looks at your hearts and your deeds." 00:01:21.530 --> 00:01:23.530 Narrated by Muslim. 00:01:23.530 --> 00:01:26.530 It should not be understood that the concern of the purified Shari'ah 00:01:26.530 --> 00:01:28.530 for inward beauty 00:01:28.530 --> 00:01:31.530 implies a lack of concern for outward beauty. 00:01:31.530 --> 00:01:34.530 Rather, it has indeed given attention to that as well, 00:01:34.530 --> 00:01:36.530 and the examples of this are numerous, 00:01:36.530 --> 00:01:40.530 such as the command regarding the natural dispositions (fitrah), ablution, and the siwak, 00:01:40.530 --> 00:01:42.530 as well as bathing after major ritual impurity, 00:01:42.530 --> 00:01:46.530 and the beauty of clothing and pleasant fragrance, 00:01:46.530 --> 00:01:49.530 along with other forms of outward beauty. 00:01:49.530 --> 00:01:52.530 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 00:01:52.530 --> 00:01:56.530 "Allah is beautiful and loves beauty." 00:01:56.530 --> 00:01:57.530 Narrated by Muslim. 00:01:57.530 --> 00:02:01.530 Beauty here encompasses both outward and inward beauty. 00:02:01.530 --> 00:02:06.530 Here, the greatness of this comprehensive standard of beauty becomes apparent, 00:02:06.530 --> 00:02:11.530 which stands in contrast to the debased and deviant standards of beauty, 00:02:11.530 --> 00:02:15.560 where they restrict it to outward beauty alone. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:19.560 Outward beauty has no value in the sight of Allah, the Exalted, 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:22.560 if the heart of its possessor is devoid of faith, 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:26.560 and if their creed, deeds, and character are corrupt. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:28.560 Shaykh al-Islam says: 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:30.560 "As for the wicked, 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:33.560 their faces are covered by the darkness of disobedience, 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:36.560 to the point that it eclipses their created beauty." 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:40.560 Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:44.560 "A good deed brings light to the heart, radiance to the face, 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:48.560 abundance in provision, strength in the body, 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:51.560 and love in the hearts of people. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.560 Conversely, a sin brings darkness to the heart, 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.560 gloom to the face, weakness in the body, 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:00.560 a decrease in provision, 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:03.560 and hatred in the hearts of people." 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:06.560 This will be perfected on the Day of Resurrection, 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:09.560 until it becomes manifest to everyone, 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:11.560 just as the Almighty said: 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:15.560 “On the Day when (some) faces will be whitened and (some) faces will be blackened; and as for those whose faces have been blackened, it will be said unto them: Disbelieved ye after your (profession of) belief? Then taste the punishment for that ye disbelieved.” (3:106)