5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

Indeed, Allah changes not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah wills misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him. He it is Who shows you the lightning, a fear and a hope, and raises the heavy clouds. The thunder hymns His praise and (so do) the angels for awe of Him. He launches the thunderbolts and smites with them whom He will while they dispute (in doubt) concerning Allah, and He is mighty in wrath. Unto Him is the real prayer. Those unto whom they pray beside Allah respond to them not at all, save as (is the response to) one who stretches Who kicked the cat? forth his hands towards water (asking) that it may come unto his mouth, and it will never reach it. The prayer of disbelievers goes (far) astray.” Yes! Do not commit yourself to anything unless you are sure that you are able to deliver, with Allah’s aid. One day the Prophet  was delivering a sermon. During it, he spoke about the Last Day and what will happen therein. He then raised his voice and said, “O Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad! Ask of my wealth whatever you like, for I will be of no help to you when you deal with Allah!” Lastly, having emphasised that one should not commit himself unless he is sure he can deliver, it is also important that we excuse ourselves in an appropriate manner. For instance, if a man comes to you asking your help in finding his brother a job because either you, your father, or your brother happens to be a well-known person, and you feel that you cannot deliver, then excuse yourself in a way in which he can preserve his honour, where he feels that you share his agony. For example, you can say to him, “Dear brother, I feel your suffering. I consider your brother as my own. If I have five brothers, then he surely is the sixth. However, the problem is that I cannot do anything at the moment. So please excuse me, although I do pray to Allah that He helps him.” You should say this with a gentle smile and the right facial expressions, as if by responding to him in this manner, you have already delivered what he needed, isn’t that so? Who kicked the cat? A point of view… Be straightforward with yourself and bold with people. Know your own abilities and keep to your limits. Who kicked the cat? 428 (64) Humbleness I was in a gathering with a few elite people. One of them, who saw himself self-sufficient, began to speak, during which he said, “I passed by a worker and he extended his hand to shake my hand. I hesitated a little, but then shook his hand.” He then said with all pride, “Although, I do not tend to shake hands with anyone and everyone!” MashaaAllah! He said, “I do not shake hands with anyone or everyone!” As for the Messenger of Allah , then a weak slave-girl would meet him on his way and complain of her owners’ oppression and the amount of work she had to do. The Prophet  would set out with her to see her owners’ and to mediate on her behalf. He used to say, “No one with an atom’s weight of arrogance will enter Paradise!” How many times is it that we hear people say, “Dear brother, so-and-so is arrogant and thinks far too much of himself!” They hate and condemn him for his attitude. You may ask a person, “Why don’t you ask your neighbour’s help?” He would say, “He is very arrogant with us. He does not even like to speak to us with a straight face!” How hated these people are – they who are arrogant and talk down to others! How rejected is the one who transgresses because he sees himself as self-sufficient! He is the one who puts on a contemptuous look for the people and walks through the land exultantly. He is the one who looks down on workers, servants and poor people. He is too arrogant to speak to them, shake their hands or sit with them. When the Prophet  entered Makkah as a conqueror, he began to pass by all the passages where he was abused and ridiculed. How often did he hear in those valleys, “O madman! O magician! O soothsayer! O liar!” On that day, he passed through them as a powerful leader. Allah had humiliated those who had insulted him in front of his eyes. How did he feel as he entered Makkah? ‘Abdullah bin Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him and his father – said, “When the Messenger of Allah  reached Dhi Tuwa, he stopped, whilst still mounted on his ride, wearing a red mantle.