You know Ahmad, right? He’s that bro you always saw running around the masjid, coordinating events, making way for sisters, and cleaning up after everyone left. He was a prominent activist in the community, and was loved by everyone he met. The youth, especially, bonded with him, and they often sought his help with their problems—from parental control to dating or even sex and drug addictions.

At work, people knew Ahmad as the only “practicing” Muslim. He prayed openly and tried not to shake hands with women—most of them knew to keep their distance. He was quite the handsome fella though; when he’d arrive to work some of the younger ladies would nudge each other and whisper and giggle almost childishly. A few of them even wore revealing clothes and acted flirtatiously with him just to tease him. But his faith kept him resistant; he’d often explain to them the etiquettes of interaction between men and women in Islam, trying all-the-while to lower his gaze and then mind his own business.

That worked for a while, but before he knew it, Satan had gotten the best of him; he slowly began stealing glances at them secretly every now and then. He’d catch himself and remember Allah’s words: “He sees the betrayal of the eyes, and what the hearts conceal.” He’d force himself to focus on his work again. Bit by bit, though, he started convincing himself that it’s only a glance, and at least he’s not actually doing anything wrong with them. He got comfortable with his glances, which became longer stares and full-blown visual examinations after some time.

We find this name of Allah in the verse: “Allah says: “He is Allah, besides whom there is no God, the King, the Holy One, Peace, the Giver of Security, the Guardian.” [Surah al-Hashr: 23]

The word muhaymin appears as a description of the Qur’an. Allah describes the Qur’an as “confirming the scripture that came before it and a guardian (muhaymin) over it.” [Surah al-Ma’idah: 48]

Ibn `Abbas said: “The Qur’an is a guardian over every scripture that came before it.” It is also said that the the Qur’an encompasses the meaning of what is contained in the previous scriptures.

The Watcher, the Protector

Allah is the Guardian over His creation, watchful of everything that takes place therein. He says: “And you are not engaged in any affair, nor do you recite concerning it any portion of the Quran, nor do you do any work but We are witnesses over you when you enter into it.” [Surah Yunus: 61]

There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; for example, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day.

Parents in the Qur’an:

A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allah Himself. Throughout the Qur’an, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Qur’an, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allah Says (what means): “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] ‘uff’ [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’” [Qur’an 17:23-24]

The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Qur’an 11 times; in every instance, Allah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…” [Qur’an 29:8 & 46:15]

One of the most momentous tasks for which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was sent was the purification of souls, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {It is He Who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom - although they were before in clear error.} [Quran 62:2]

Thus, He has also made success dependant on the cleansing of the self; after swearing eleven times successively, Allaah The Almighty affirms, Saying (what means): {He has succeeded who purifies it,* And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].} [Quran 91:9-10]

Undoubtedly, one of the most crucial ways of achieving this purification is to nurture the soul to fear Allaah The Almighty. Imaam Ibn ul-Qayyim said, "The degree of fear is one of the degrees of [servitude implied in the verse (which means)], "It is You we worship and You we ask for help". In fact, it is of the most magnificent ranks on the way to [worshipping] Allaah, and the most useful for one’s heart. Thus, it is obligatory on everyone."

This is a story of the granddaughter of the great Companion Abu Hurayrah . Abu Hurayrah had married his daughter to the illustrious taabi’ee (the generation after that of the Companions) Sa’eed ibn Al-Mussayyib . From this blessed marriage, Allaah gifted Sa’eed with a pious and knowledgeable daughter.

When time came to get his daughter married, Sa’eed ibn Al-Musayyib chose for her one of his students called Abdullaah; Abdullaah stood out from the rest as his sincerity in seeking knowledge was clearly visible.

Abdullaah's love for knowledge can be seen in the fact that the very next day after his marriage to the daughter of Sa‘eed ibn al Musayyib he was putting on his cloak to go out, when his new bride asked him: ‘Where are you going?’
He said: ‘To the assembly of Sa’eed to attain knowledge.’
She said to him: ‘Sit here, I will teach you the knowledge of Sa’eed.’