Order in the court!

Social interaction has seen a lot of change and keeping in touch with those whom we easily could have lost contact with, is now simple; with modern day technology, we have a huge array of ways to interact with others. I could discuss all the benefits of the internet and social networking sights and the negatives too but that would just be "same old."

When typing on a screen to others sometimes people behave in a fashion that wouldn't be acceptable if a person was interacting with others face to face. It's easy to forget one's manners or to realise that when words are read by others they can be misinterpreted. Or maybe it's just a lack of tact...I don't know.

For example, recently I've seen an increase (of what I would class as) " hate" messages towards a lady who owns an online Islamic clothing store. Messaging people " The new Jilbab you designed is horrible I would never buy it ", or "This is not a nice jilbab, what were you thinking when you made it?! too many flowers, this is haraam"..(you get the idea..) is just downright rude. If you don't like it, you don't like it-a personal choice and opinion. Would you force that view on the shopkeeper in the high street? No!

If a person feels strongly that they wish to advise someone, or disagree with what someone is doing and want to tell then by all means one should do so. Telling others to do good and stopping one another from doing evil is something we should all do-but remember there is a way of doing so! Think is the right place to be telling someone? is this the right time? The same rules apply on the internet as the real world too! Shouting or accusing people is wrong, you can tell a person nicely -take them to the side and speak kindly to them-or inbox them with a polite message!

Don't get me started on the number of muftis online and Molana Googles, who copy-paste proofs just to argue with each other for nothing! Is there really nothing better for you to do? Once you have made your point that you don't agree with someone, that does not give you the right to openly discuss someone else's wrongdoings online for all to see! Shaytaan has many ways to distract us from the basic things we should be doing- hours of arguing will not gain you rewards!

None of us our in any place where we can judge others- we all are Muslims! All rules apply to everybody. Focus on yourselves- we all have to go into our own graves and will be judged by Allah - the only judge that matters. Many times we may see people and judge them, on outer appearance alone- have we opened their hearts and looked inside?
 Once, a scholar entered into the presence of an ‘Abbaasi caliph and said: “I am going to admonish you in a harsh manner, so listen.” Upon hearing this, the caliph said: “O brother! Be gentle, for I am not worse than Pharaoh, and you are not better than Moosaa whom Allaah addressed along with his brother, Haaroon, Saying (what means): “And speak to him [i.e., Pharaoh] with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allaah].”” [Quran 20: 44]
    Phew!!!!!! got that of my chest- no seriously this may seem like a rant ( and yes with all the !!! it is) but it's a reminder for myself too and is not aimed at anyone. As muslims we shouldn't be upsetting each other and causing further separation between the Ummah. I am in no way saying that you shouldn't tell people when something is wrong-you should- but not in a way that is turning people away from each other.
May Allah guides us all Inshallah.
take care folks
faatima