Part of Concepts of Ahl as-Sunnah (series completed)
· Lesson 1235 of 1251
Summary of Sunni concepts | Concept (1234) | The balance of beauty and goodness
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Transcript
Machine translation — may contain errors
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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
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The standard of beauty and excellence.
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Beauty is the opposite of ugliness.
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When the term "beauty" is used in an absolute sense,
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it encompasses both outward and inward beauty.
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This includes the beauty of physical forms,
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as well as the beauty of hearts, deeds, and character.
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The Shari'ah standard for beauty
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establishes that what is within the hearts, the inner self, and one's character
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is the true criterion for beauty and excellence.
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In contrast, the standards of the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah)
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are based solely on outward beauty and physical appearance.
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For them, the consideration of inward beauty is absent.
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Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, said
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regarding the Companions of Muhammad, peace be upon him,
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“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)
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and the intended meaning of "the mark on their faces"
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is, as most exegetes have mentioned,
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the light and radiance of obedience.
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Thus, when their inner selves were illuminated by prayer,
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their outward appearances were illuminated by majesty.
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The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
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"Allah does not look at your forms,
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nor at your wealth,
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but He looks at your hearts and your deeds."
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Narrated by Muslim.
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It should not be understood that the concern of the purified Shari'ah
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for inward beauty
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implies a lack of concern for outward beauty.
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Rather, it has indeed given attention to that as well,
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and the examples of this are numerous,
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such as the command regarding the natural dispositions (fitrah), ablution, and the siwak,
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as well as bathing after major ritual impurity,
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and the beauty of clothing and pleasant fragrance,
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along with other forms of outward beauty.
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The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
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"Allah is beautiful and loves beauty."
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Narrated by Muslim.
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Beauty here encompasses both outward and inward beauty.
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Here, the greatness of this comprehensive standard of beauty becomes apparent,
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which stands in contrast to the debased and deviant standards of beauty,
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where they restrict it to outward beauty alone.
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Outward beauty has no value in the sight of Allah, the Exalted,
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if the heart of its possessor is devoid of faith,
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and if their creed, deeds, and character are corrupt.
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Shaykh al-Islam says:
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"As for the wicked,
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their faces are covered by the darkness of disobedience,
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to the point that it eclipses their created beauty."
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Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:
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"A good deed brings light to the heart, radiance to the face,
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abundance in provision, strength in the body,
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and love in the hearts of people.
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Conversely, a sin brings darkness to the heart,
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gloom to the face, weakness in the body,
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a decrease in provision,
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and hatred in the hearts of people."
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This will be perfected on the Day of Resurrection,
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until it becomes manifest to everyone,
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just as the Almighty said:
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“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)