Our theme was based upon the following segment of verse 2 from sura Jummah (62):
...وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ...
...to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom... (Yusufali)
And we had asked ourselves how the act of purification can take place without having a class or instruction of sorts regarding processes, methods, etc.
We mentioned the example of a child, who has no previous knowledge of methods or procedures and how the child is raised and how the child's environment is instrumental. We also made an analogy to how plants grow and noted how our atmosphere is like the grounds from which we extract our nutrients. Just like how if a plant is in a good location and receives the "good stuff" it does better aesthetically and biologically than one which is in a less desirable atmosphere.
Likewise, within ourselves we have spiritual properties which come about when they are nurtured and strengthened. With an appropriate atmosphere and environment we are able to bring out the best of those properties.
It is important to mention that here, atmosphere does not simply denote location. We are not merely talking about being at a masjid versus a bar. We are talking about a higher and more complete level.
If in our environment we have for example unnecessary and disadvantageous types of encouragement, engagement, boastfulness,... it creates an unhelpful form of growth for us.
For example if we continuously receive advice along the lines of: "if you don't have a lot of money you wont get anywhere... you have to get rich above anything else", we find that our existence shifts in order to heed to that advice. On the flip side, we could be put in an atmosphere that allows us to be balanced through better types of encouragement.
Going back to the example of the child or novices in religion, we find that the best form of support is not the person that wakes them up for prayer by force or develops it into a chore for them, or fills them with constant instruction on how to do things. The best form of support is the person who provides an atmosphere of balance and harmony.
What can look and seem very righteous and helpful but be worse than poison are encouragement and advices which, regardless of what they are about and for, remove the person who is receiving them from an atmosphere of peace and harmony. It is only within the atmosphere of peace and harmony can the individual be made prepared to receive instruction and thus follow the procedure of purification before learning. An atmosphere of peace and harmony is the first step.
Another example of a negative atmosphere is one in which the individual is dependent on the advices they receive. So as apposed to this person striving to reach their harmony, they are constantly trying to fulfil the advices they receive and are always looking for the next advice to move them forward.
Yes, there are those that take advantage of this atmosphere of security and harmony as was mentioned in the previous session. There are the Amr ibn Aas', the Muwaiya ibn Sufyans, etc. However, as the saying goes, "you don't close the doors of the masjid because of 1 person who doesn't pray".
So, in the way people are dealt with and treated, the utmost care must be taken to make sure we don't create an atmosphere of insecurity for that person. The persons mind should not be preoccupied with matters of attention. "Why am I not received warmly" or "Why am I shunned", should not be thoughts which preoccupy individuals. Many times it's those that are most active and apparently religious that are the most destructive. A key move in ensuring a healthy atmosphere is to forgive people with haste. Don't preoccupy people at your door of forgiveness. Our job is to create an atmosphere of harmony. It is for Allah to be the preoccupation of the minds.
Sometimes purification before learning is the act of giving. The we we supply each other and relieve each other of preoccupation is the main point. We have example from Ahlul Bayt in this as well. The way Ahlul Bayt would supply people was in a way such that they would shed their preoccupation. Ahlul Bayt would always be asked why they would give so much to the poor, and the reason would then be so that being poor does not become a preoccupation for persons spiritual growth.
Another method is to honour each other:
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلاً
[Yusufali 17:70] We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation.
So if someone makes a mistake, there shouldn't be an atmosphere where the person needs to worry about how he will now be perceived.
What does this have to do with anything?
If we remove preoccupation for other people and we help facilitate them, we allow them to concentrate on their connection to Allah.
There is also a difference between those who have to create a good atmosphere and those that need to be given one. Those who pray, fast, etc. should let Allah be their shield and atmosphere, AND let them be the shield and atmosphere for those who need some assistance.
Sometimes we see that the one who should be creating the atmosphere allows others to create it for him. At this point, we need to evaluate the situation at the broadest level and conclude that when we are dealing with whatever, we should see Allah. When we make someone laugh or when someone cheers for us, it is Allah that gave the person life and breath for them to be able to do so. For those who are responsible in creating at atmosphere and clearing preoccupation, we need to see the puppet-master and not just the puppets.
وَمَا هَذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
[Yusufali 29:64] What is the life of this world but amusement and play? but verily the Home in the Hereafter,- that is life indeed, if they but knew.
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
[Yusufali 57:20] Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?
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