السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 10th June 2020. Today I would like to talk about ‘Giving Priority to Others‘.
Although it sounds simple, it is very difficult in practice. We all talk about it and give hundreds of examples, but it is unfortunate that when it comes to our own self, all such teachings go out of the window. I am touching upon this particular topic today, keeping in mind that many Masjids throughout England will be opening their doors to worshippers after a 3 month closure.
The biggest fear Masjid management committees are facing is how to control numbers and behaviour safely. Government guidelines are not out yet; however, numbers attending for private individual worship will definitely need to be limited. There are some dilemmas they are faced with:
- If 30 are allowed at any one time, what if 40 turn up?
- Who will manage the difficult task of managing the queue, potentially having to turn some away?
- How will we decide which 30 go in first?
- How do we do this safely?
I hear someone say ‘first come first served’. Yes that can work, but will the 31st person happily and patiently understand? What if 30 people are inside and just as someone comes out and the 1st in the queue is a 25 year old who waited 15 minutes, when a 64 year old gentleman turns up and wants to go in straight away? I can go on and on.
So, the ‘selfish’ test has arrived. Are we going to be patient and pray at home, letting others have the privilege of attending the Masjid? Or are we going to jeopardise the arrangements put in place by the Masjid management committee?
In June 2019, I was blessed with hosting Shaykh ul-Islām Mufti Muḥammad Taqī Us̱mānī, here in Blackburn, for 2 days, مَا شَآءَ الله. Mufti Ṣāḥib’s schedule was completely chockablock. With a view to maximising the benefit of his visit, I requested Mufti Ṣāḥib for 2 hours of his precious time. Mufti Ṣāḥib very kindly agreed to sacrifice a period during which he usually does his writing, etc.
Mufti Ṣāḥib was staying at the Stanley House Hotel in Samlesbury, between Blackburn and Preston, at which I booked the conference room at the hotel for a couple of hours on Tuesday 11th June.
Within the 2 hours, approximately 70 people from across Lancashire and Yorkshire came to visit Mufti Ṣāḥib, مَا شَآءَ الله.
My desire was to let as many people as possible benefit from such an esteemed scholar.
Coming to the point, when it comes to such situations, remind yourself of the beautiful teachings of Islām and the sacrifices made by the Blessed Saḥābah, رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ, in giving priority to others. Not just in simple matters like going to the Masjid, but even on the battlefield, they were always favouring others over themselves.
Therefore, a humble request to all, to please adhere to all guidelines set out by Masjid management committees, and give priority to others, not just now, but at all times. Almighty Allāh grant us all the correct understanding, Āmeen. Please share far and wide.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for DuꜤās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala