Pull back the moths from the flame
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Verily, the parable of myself and the people is that of a man who kindled a fire. When it lighted what was around it, moths and insects started falling into the fire. The man tried to pull them out, but they overcame him and rushed into it. I take hold of your belts to keep you from falling in, yet you rush into it.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
The striking image
This is very famous and authentic hadith with slight variation in the wording between Bukhari and Muslim. The message is clear – the Prophet (peace be on him) is giving a simple yet striking example.
The best marketing is when you have something instantly recognisable, and its message is immediately clear. In this hadith, the image grabs you at once. It is the fire to which moths are recklessly rushing, irresistibly drawn to the deadly fire.
It is obvious that the fire will kill them, yet they stubbornly insist on flying to their doom.
Be genuine
The Prophet (peace be on him) is trying to prevent them from falling into the fire. He is holding on to their belts to prevent this from happening. If you can see others are heading in the same direction, and you have knowledge you can help others in the prophetic way to save themselves.
To have mercy is to save others
If you see someone about to fall off a cliff, your gut reaction should be to save them. When you are genuine you grab someone who is in imminent danger from their belt. Your attempt to save them is wholehearted. If you are not that concerned you only grab their sleeve.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Everyone from my nation will enter Paradise but those who refuse.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, who will refuse?” The Prophet said, “Whoever obeys me enters Paradise, and whoever disobeys me has refused.” (Bukhari)
Let’s take hold of each other’s belts, and try our best to support one another not fall headlong into hell fire by being there for our brothers and sisters, whether financially or in other ways. This is on the small scale. On the big scale we need to support our Ummah.
Pull not push
Saving others is about using methods that will show them the error of their ways. For instance, if someone is dealing in riba, it may be out of their ignorance but it requires compassion from our side to help pull them out o it. By it’s nature the fire is attractive because it is warm, but we need to warn others that the fire can burn them.
Try your best to promote the message of the Prophet (peace be on him) according to your ability.
Shaykh Haytham Tamim – Khutbah 3rd Dec 2021
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- Mulla Ali’s Introduction to his book and the contentious issue of mursal hadith
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Shaykh Haytham Tamim
Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.
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