What Drives People to Embrace Islam??

He is a poor Muslim fruit seller and she is an old Buddhist grandma

Pictures such as this are rarely seen today. Those who gain from division in Sri Lanka often ignore these. We ask every Sri Lankan to love and respect each others differences, build a Sri Lankan identity and shows the world that how we should no longer fall for divisional tactics, used by those who gain from keeping us divided.

Habituated to the local conditions in various ways the Muslims contributed extensively with their talents, wealth, and assisted to the development and progress of the country in a peaceful and comfortable manner, integrating with the society & blending with the local environment.

Inspired by the Islamic teaching of Islam and Prophet Muhammad PBUH to respect the elders, today this Gentleman has showed that in his action. It was due to nurturing such traditions that the Sinhala locals developed an immense trust in Muslim moors.

This gentleman conveys two Great message to the Entire muslim Ummah.

1. The real beauty that is evident to anyone is inner beauty. If the inside is beautiful, it beautifies what is outside. How many of us have met people whose inner light shines through? The Prophet Muhammad SAW describes a “seemingly disheveled, dusty, negligible person, but if he would swear to God, He would respond to him,” (Tirmidhi). These are the people of true beauty to Allah (swt) because of the beauty in their hearts. They are a people who love to spend time with Allah, and if they are with people, they are in their service. let us beautify ourselves inwardly by adorning ourselves with God- consciousness and good manners.

2. Imam Ahmad, Al-Hakim and Al-Tabarani reported that ‘Ubada bin Al-Samit stated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Whoever does not respect our elders is not one of us.’ Another version reported: ‘Whoever does not respect our elders, is not compassionate to our youth, and does not give our scholars due honour, he is not one of us.’

An interesting story in this regard happened among three Muslim scholars. TheY were Ahmad bin Omar bin Suriah, Mohammad bin Dawood Al-Zaheri , and Linguist Naftawih. They were walking along together when they came to a very narrow passageway, and each wanted the other to go ahead. Ibn Suraih said, ‘A narrow street brings ill manners.’ Ibn Dawood responded, ‘Though it points out status.’ Naftawih said, ‘When friendship prevails, formalities disappear.’ The story does not tell who went ahead of the others, but it is likely that it was Ahmad bin Suriah since he was a judge and a prominent Imam at the time and ranked above his two companions. He may have said ‘A narrow street rings ill manners’ apologizing out of politeness for going ahead.

He could not have said it if any of the two moved ahead since that would have been impolite. There is a possibility that Naftawih went ahead since his words could be an apology for doing that since he is the least ranked. It is just wonderful to see such perfect behaviour and nice apologies.

Do not walk in front of elders unless you have to show the way.
Andre Tauladan Mohammed Jehan Khan