Introduction

In the context of this book, many words will be in the masculine form: "university professor," "persons," "man," "person," "teacher," "official," and "employee". Here, I mean in most cases the story and the incident to be inclusive of and able to be done by both genders, male and female, as stated in the Almighty's saying: -§ And indeed, Allah does not let the reward of the believers be lost §-^[8], and His saying: -§ Indeed, Allah does not let the reward of the righteous be lost §-^[9]. In the two verses, the plural "the believers" and "the righteous" are in the masculine plural form, and the feminine plural form "the believing women" and "the righteous women" is not mentioned, because the concept of the verses and the evidence of the Sharia indicate that the address to males includes females as well, unless a text comes to the contrary, as His Almighty saying: -§ And tell the believing women to lower their gazes and guard their private parts §-[10].

Leaves about the family

In this chapter, I have collected for you what has fallen from the leaves that concern the family. The great importance of the family is not hidden from everyone, as it is the first building block in building society. With its righteousness, society is reformed, and with its corruption, it is corrupted and collapses. It is no wonder that enemies dominate the family and direct all their arrows towards it. I ask Allah to make their cunning in their own necks, and I ask Him to protect all our families and to fill them with harmony, tranquility, and love.

First: “The role model leaf”:

When a child disobeys, sins, or behaves badly, a parent might impulsively pray against them, forgetting to pray for them instead. This goes against the Prophet's warning: "Do not pray against yourselves, your children, your servants, or your wealth. You may say something that coincides with a moment when Allah answers a prayer"[11]. We have heard countless heartbreaking stories of children who left home and then, as a result of a parent's ill-willed prayer, were tragically lost in a car accident. We must always be mindful to pray for our children's guidance and well-being.

Second:

Parents often rightly forbid their children from certain bad behaviors, such as lying, and enforce this rule with punishment. Yet, this teaching becomes hollow when the parents themselves engage in the same forbidden act. A classic example is a father who tells his children not to smoke but then does so himself, right in front of them. Here, I whisper in the ears of parents and educators the words of the poet:

Third: 

A family burdens the maid or the driver with a lot of work, so you find them busy from sunrise to midnight, between preparing breakfast, taking the children to and from school, cooking lunch, preparing coffee and tea around the clock, cleaning the house from the inside and the outside yards, washing cars, watering plants, and so on. Despite that, you find delays in their monthly wages several times. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Your brothers are your servants; Allah has placed them under your hands. So whoever has his brother under his hand, let him feed him from what he eats, and clothe him from what he wears, and do not burden them with what they cannot bear, and if you burden them, then help them"[12].

Fourth: "The Economy Leaf":

A family or a group of friends goes to a restaurant to eat a meal or have some drinks and sweets, but when they leave, you find that the leftover food sometimes exceeds what was eaten. Is this because of the bragging that we have been afflicted with, especially after the appearance of social media?!, or is it because of ignorance and not appreciating the blessings of Allah that many peoples have been deprived of?! The Almighty said: -§ Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like the excessive §-[13].

Fifth: "The Righteousness Leaf"

It's common to see young people being considerate and kind to their peers, posting sweet messages and thoughtful replies on social media. Yet, their attitude can change dramatically at home The moment a parent asks them to do something, they often sigh and complain, completing the task as if they are doing their family a huge favor. They forgot or ignored the saying of the Almighty: -§ So do not say to them 'uff,' and do not repel them, but speak to them a noble word §-[14]. The saying of the poet applies to them:  

Sixth: "The Affection Leaf” 

When a dispute arises between a couple, it often escalates into hostility and disagreement, sometimes even leading to divorce. This, in turn, can destroy the family and scatter the children. They forgot the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "A believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes a character of hers, he will be pleased with another"[15]. And also his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Any woman who asks her husband for a divorce without a valid reason, the scent of Paradise is forbidden for her"[16].

Seventh: "The Kindness Leaf":

Parents pour so much into raising their children, overcoming every obstacle and providing love, care, and financial support. Their ultimate hope is to see their children grow up, find their own way, and start their own families. Yet, when the parents reach old age and are most in need of care, some of these children, sadly, turn their backs on them and may even place them in a nursing home. He forgot his Lord's timeless commandment: -§ 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 §-[17].

Eighth: "The Care Leaf” :

After a long day at work, a husband or father comes home to eat and take a nap. As soon as he wakes up, he gets ready to go out and meet his friends at a cafe or rest house, staying out late into the night. He returns home exhausted, goes to bed, and pays no attention to the needs of his wife and children for food, clothing, care, advice, or guidance. He forgot or ignored the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is enough sin for a person to neglect those whom he is responsible for supporting”[18].

Ninth: "The Companionship Leaf":

A wife forgets the kindness of her husband to her and always meets him with aversion and a frowning face. Perhaps the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, meant her and her likes in his famous hadith: "O women, give charity and seek forgiveness often, for I have seen that you are the majority of the people of the Hellfire". A witty woman among them said: "And why are we, O Messenger of Allah, the majority of the people of the Hellfire?" He said: "You curse a lot and you are ungrateful to your husbands"[19]. The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, explained the meaning of being ungrateful to one's husband by saying: "If you were to be kind to one of them for a lifetime, and then she sees something from you, she would say: 'I have never seen any good from you”[20].

Tenth: "The Upbringing Leaf":

A wife or mother who is constantly going out and coming in spends the first part of the day sleeping and wakes up when the sun is about to reach the middle of the sky. Then, she quickly makes an appointment with her neighbors or friends and spends a long time with them, and she entrusts the maid with preparing lunch and receiving the children when they return from school. As soon as she returns, she is busy with social media, and when the evening comes, she gets ready to go out again to visit so-and-so, and she returns late at night and knows nothing about the conditions of her children or her husband, and so on for most of the days of the week. Then, she and the society wonder if her children grow up and become addicted to crime, drugs, or bad morals, for they are the product of the servants' upbringing, not the mothers' upbringing!

The Chapter is over, Thank Allah

Leaves about Prayer and Mosques

In this chapter, I have collected for you what has fallen from the leaves that concern prayer and mosques. The importance of prayer is not hidden from anyone, as it is the pillar of religion and its strong foundation, and performing it in mosques in accordance with the Islamic Sharia regulations is the most complete and perfect way.

Eleventh: "The Prayer Leaf":

Some people spend their time watching TV, playing cards, or playing football with friends. When it's time for prayer, they ignore the call and continue with their entertainment, often delaying the prayer or missing it entirely. Here, I warn them with the saying of their Lord, the Almighty: -§ But there came after them a generation who neglected prayer and followed [their] desires; so they will meet with Ghayy §-^[21]. Neglecting it means leaving it completely or delaying it from its time. "Ghayy" is a valley in Hell, Allah forbid.

Twelfth:

A man harms the worshipers with the smell of his mouth, clothes, or socks. By doing this, he not only harms the worshipers but also harms the angels of the Most Merciful. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever eats onions, garlic, or leeks should not approach our mosque, for the angels are harmed by what harms the children of Adam"[22]. So let us be keen on the cleanliness of our bodies and clothes before entering the mosque, especially at the times of congregational prayers like the Friday prayer and the two Eid prayers.

Thirteenth:

Some people reserve a place for others before the Friday prayer, whether it's right behind the Imam or to the side. This is considered an improper usurpation of a spot, as the person who arrives first has the right to the best place.[23]

This behavior also encourages laziness. It makes you wonder how a person who has a place reserved for them could ignore the Prophet's urging to come to the Friday prayer early, where he said: "Whoever bathes on Friday a ritual bath, then comes at the first hour, it is as if he sacrificed a camel, and whoever comes at the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow, and whoever comes at the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a ram, and whoever comes at the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a chicken, and whoever comes at the fifth hour, it is as if he sacrificed an egg"[24].

Fourteenth:

Some men push through the crowd and step over people to reach the front rows on a Friday. This reminds us of a man who did the same while the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was giving a sermon. The Prophet immediately told him, "Sit down, for you have caused harm"[25].

Furthermore, some people cause a disturbance by raising their voices in the mosque, either while reciting the Quran or talking to a neighbor about everyday life. The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, explicitly prohibited this, saying, "O people, each of you is supplicating his Lord, so do not raise your voices over others while reciting, so as not to harm the believers"[26].

Fifteenth:

A man comes late to the Friday prayer and parks his car in the middle of the road. Then, after the prayer is over and the worshipers begin to leave, some of them may not be able to drive their cars because our friend is still inside and has not hurried to move his car, to save everyone from crowding and delay. He did not know that by this act he had harmed and earned a sin from where he intended good.

The Chapter is over, Thank Allah

Leaves about Employees

In this chapter, I have collected for you what has fallen from the leaves that concern employees and the business sector, both government and private, which is the cornerstone and pillar of the economy. With its righteousness, the financial situation of the nation prospers, and its gains and capabilities grow. We do not forget the timeless and honorable role of our early Muslim merchants who spread Islam in East Asia, not with the sword, but with their good manners and honest dealings with others, even if they were not of their religion.

Sixteenth:

Sometimes, a university professor will show clear favoritism or nepotism. He might award high grades to students he favors, even if they're undeserving, and fail others simply because he dislikes them. Although this isn't a widespread practice, many innocent students have been harmed, their grades ruined and their graduations postponed for a year or more because of such unfairness.

Seventeenth:

 There are university professors who can't effectively convey information, but despite this, they insist on writing difficult exams and grading them with a heavy hand. As a result, almost no one gets a perfect score, and the class's average grade is very low. Surely this professor must know that he is harming his students, making many fail or forcing them to drop the course and start over with another teacher.

Eighteenth: "The Transparency Leaf":

A government department with no service guide or clear application process leaves people in the dark. Without knowing which papers are required, a single transaction can take months, with transparency completely absent. This can force an individual to take a leave of absence just to get the job done or to have someone else do it for them.

Nineteenth:

A judge who bases his rulings on generalities or some unusual jurisprudential opinions, thus wasting the rights of those who have rights. He forgets that one of the most important principles of Sharia is to establish justice and return injustices to their owners.

Twentieth: "The Justice Leaf":

Some judges are unjust in their rulings, twisting legal texts to serve their own interests or to benefit one of the parties in a case. They may hand down an unfair verdict because one of the litigants is from their same nationality, town, or tribe, or is a personal acquaintance, and he forgot or ignored the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Judges are three, two in the Fire and one in Paradise. A man who knows the truth and judges by it is in Paradise. A man who judges for people out of ignorance is in the Fire. A man who knows the truth but is unjust in the ruling is in the Fire"[27].

Twenty-First: "The Justice Leaf":

Some companies and businesses deliberately withhold employee salaries for months, while still demanding high productivity and sales. They take what they are owed from their workers but fail to see that this is a fundamental injustice. We call on them to correct this behavior and give their employees the rights that belong to them, otherwise, where are they from the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Injustice will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection"[28].

Twenty-Second: "The Education Leaf":

A teacher who repeats tests after tests for his students, for no reason other than for them to get grades they do not deserve, with the knowledge and blessing of the school administration. Let's go back a little and ask ourselves, what is the purpose of exams? 

The answer is: The purpose and essence of the exam is to measure students' understanding and performance, not for everyone to get near-perfect grades. Not to mention that the exams have been simplified and shortened in a way that has made them lose their importance and credibility. Also, exams in the past used to cover the curriculum directly from the book, but now they cover summaries and handouts that have been marked with an emphasis on what is underlined. What kind of education does society expect from such practices?!.

Twenty-Third:

An official gives only verbal orders and instructions to their team, whether in meetings or over the phone. But as soon as something goes wrong, they quickly pin the blame on their subordinates and disown any responsibility. They fail to see that they are the ones who made the decision and that the negative outcome is a direct result of their flawed guidance, thus committing a grave injustice against those who are not at fault. We warn him and his likes of what our Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, warned against, as he said: "Injustice will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection"[29].

Twenty-Fourth:

An official who hires only based on favoritism and connections and does not pay any attention to the qualifications, experience, and merit required for the job. By this, he wastes the rights of qualified people and deprives the state and society of administrative, scientific, and professional experience and qualifications. This has the greatest harm on the performance of the state and the manipulation of its capabilities. It is also a betrayal of the trust entrusted to him, and Allah will hold him accountable for this on the Day of Reckoning. Not to mention the shame and disgrace that will befall him in this world if his matter is exposed and his foul odor spreads.

Twenty-Fifth:

An employee is late for work but still demands all his financial compensation. He might even get annoyed and accuse his employer of injustice or unfairness if anything is deducted from his salary.

Twenty-Sixth:

Some employees intentionally delay and procrastinate in reviewing transactions, or they repeatedly ask clients for new, unrelated documents. They do this to force the client to give them a tip or a bribe. This behavior is sinful, especially if they are the reason the client felt forced to do it. It is also an act of bribery, which comes with its own punishment from Allah.

Twenty-Seventh:

Some employees consistently show up late for work. Then, as soon as clients arrive, they cleverly leave for the Dhuhr prayer before the designated time, only to return a half hour or more later. They are a burden on their department, accomplishing very little even when a large number of clients are waiting at their door. He forgot or ignored the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "O Allah, whoever is entrusted with any matter of my nation and makes it difficult for them, make it difficult for him"[30]. What is a greater difficulty than procrastinating with clients, delaying their transactions, and forcing them to visit more than once to complete them?.

Twenty-Eighth:

An employee who spends the majority of their time chatting with colleagues or loitering around the office is a common sight. They accomplish very little, and what work they do produce often lacks creativity or perfection. Despite this, they feel entitled to a promotion and other benefits.

The Chapter is over, Thank Allah

General Leaves

In this chapter, I have collected for you the remaining fallen leaves, which concern a wide segment of society, and one of us may one day be exposed to some of these situations, so I wanted to warn against them so that they may disappear or their harm may lessen.

Twenty-Ninth:

Owners of wedding and event feasts often have a lot of leftover food, and it is thrown in garbage bags and waste. If you had cooked according to your need from the beginning, these large quantities would not have been left over. My advice to you is to fear Allah and be economical from the start, and to take food in proportion to the need, and if there is a surplus, you should contact charitable organizations - such as food preservation associations - to deliver this food to the poor and needy in a safe and timely manner while it is in the best condition.

Thirtieth: "The Promise Leaf":

People who promise but do not keep their promises. For example, one of them says to his friend, "We will meet tonight at a certain place," and then he does not go. If his friend blames him, he says: "I forgot," while he knows in his heart that he is lying and did not forget, but he was lazy or preoccupied, so he used the excuse of forgetting. What is more astonishing is that he precedes it with the saying "Insha'Allah" (Allah willing), which unfortunately, for some, has become worthless from being used as a pretext to break a promise. Here, I do not object to the will of Allah, Allah forbid, nor do I call for abandoning its saying at all, but I demand that it be respected and that one tries to adhere to it as much as possible. To explain this, let's go back to our previous example, where our friend, when he said, "Insha'Allah," took the necessary steps, including getting into his car a sufficient time before the appointment, and then Allah ordained something to delay him, such as a traffic accident or something else, and he was late or could not attend at all. No one would blame him then, and at that point, Allah did not will for him to meet his friend. The examples in this matter are many, and there is hardly a segment of society that is free of them, as it has become a widespread phenomenon and a serious problem.

Thirty-First: "The Trust Leaf":

 Some people cheat in various aspects of their lives. Students copy assignments and cheat on tests. Some vendors put their best products at the front and then mix them with lower-quality items. Craftsmen and mechanics might fix a car or another item, only for it to break again a few days later. Some doctors prescribe unnecessary medications and tests just to make money. Some engineers and contractors cut corners on building plans and materials, causing buildings to crack and sag shortly after being built.These and other practices are pure cheating that our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned against when he passed by a pile of food and put his hand in it, and his fingers felt wetness. He said: "What is this, O owner of the food?" He said: "The rain hit it, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Why didn't you put it on top of the food so that people could see it? He who cheats is not one of us"[31].

Thirty-Second:

When people watch a football match or another game, you often find them shouting, making noise, and fighting over a team that won or lost. We should remind them that it's just a game, and it doesn't benefit or harm them personally. If a team wins and receives honors, you get nothing from it, and if they lose, you don't lose anything either. These matches are for fun and entertainment, not for hostility and enmity, no matter how much we differ in our tastes. We should maintain respect and affection, even if we disagree on a particular issue, because, as the saying goes, "disagreement does not spoil affection."

Thirty-Third: "The Cleanliness Leaf":

 Some people litter everywhere they go. From a car window, they might toss out a tissue or a juice can. At home, they leave piles of garbage at their doorstep instead of putting it in the proper container. If they visit a public park or a forest, they leave it a mess of food leftovers, paper cups, and plastic bags. This makes the place unusable until it is cleaned up, which puts a greater burden on cleaning workers. We can help them by simply putting all our garbage in a bag and throwing it in the nearest trash container. All these behaviors violate the principles of Islam, which encourages cleanliness. The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Faith has seventy-odd branches, the best of which is the saying 'There is no Allah but Allah,' and the lowest of which is the removal of harm from the road"[32]. He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: "I saw a man turning over in Paradise for a tree he cut from the middle of the road that was harming people"[33].

This is the reward for someone who removes harm, so imagine the punishment for someone who intentionally causes it. The Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: "Indeed, Allah is pure and loves purity, generous and loves generosity, giving and loves giving, so clean your courtyards, and do not resemble the Jews"[34].

Thirty-Fourth: "The Commitment to Laws Leaf":

Some people's only goal is to break the rules. On the road, for example, you'll see someone speed up and cut in at a red light, inconveniencing those who have been waiting in the correct lane. Other times, a group will block a street to celebrate a national holiday. You'll also find people trying to jump the line at a bank or a government office, or trying to buy more than the allowed limit on a restricted item. These are just a few examples of a complete disregard for laws and for the feelings of others.

Thirty-Fifth: "The Acquaintance Leaf"

Some neighbors barely know the people living right next to them. If they happen to see a neighbor from a distance or in the mosque, they're content with a simple wave. When they meet face-to-face, the interaction is nothing more than a quick greeting. They never extend an invitation for coffee or tea to ask how the other person is doing. Of course, this isn't a universal issue; it might be common in one area but not another, or more frequent among men than women. Everyone should remember the advice given by the Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) about how we should treat our neighbors, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Gabriel kept on advising me about the neighbor until I thought that he would make him an heir"[35].

Thirty-Sixth: "The Neighboring Leaf"

A neighbor who doesn't protect his neighbor from his own harm or the harm of his children. You might find him parking his car right in front of his neighbor's door, or his children playing nearby, possibly breaking the car window or ruining the plants with their ball. This is in addition to the constant noise, day and night. Doesn't such a neighbor realize the great danger he's in? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!". It was said: "Who, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "The one whose neighbor is not safe from his evil"[36]. In a narration by Muslim: "The one whose neighbor is not safe from his evil will not enter Paradise"[37]. Here, the phrase "he does not believe" doesn't mean a person is a disbeliever. Rather, it signifies a lack or a certain shortcoming in their faith.

Thirty-Seventh:

Some people slaughter an animal to prepare a feast every time they have a visitor, even if the guest is from the same city. While I don't condemn generosity, this often leads a person to take on debt and live beyond their means. In contrast, you might find this same person is stingy with their own family under the guise of being generous to others. To people like this, I say: be generous with what you have, but don't go to extreme lengths or be extravagant. A true host is cheerful and welcoming, and serving a modest, reasonable meal is more than enough.

Thirty-Eighth:

Some people are willing to pay a good tip to a waiter or hotel worker, but when they see a poor person, they give them nothing, or only a small amount. Similarly, they might haggle with a street vendor and drive the price down so low that it doesn't even cover the seller's efforts or meet his family's needs.

 Thirty-Ninth: "The Help Leaf"

An elderly man walks alone in the streets of the neighborhood, carrying a set of bags, and the young people of the neighborhood see him, but none of them rushes to lend him a hand. They forgot the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Allah helps the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother"[38].

 Fortieth: "The Loyalty Leaf":

A man once helped a relative start a business, but when circumstances changed and the man needed a favor in return, his relative's promises of support fell short, and the assistance he provided was much less than expected.

Forty-First: "The Giving Leaf"

Some people are blessed by Allah with great wealth and status, but when they see a nearby relative in desperate need of money for housing or education, they don’t help. If they do offer help, it's often a small amount that doesn't meet the needs. He forgot or ignored the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Charity to a poor person is one charity, and to a relative it is two: charity and kinship"[39].

Forty-Second:

Some people, when they go to an all-you-can-eat buffet, will fill one plate with appetizers, a second with main courses, and a third with desserts. Then, they will leave their table without having eaten even a fraction of what they took. It makes you wonder: Do they indulge like this because they haven't paid for the food? They forget that many who are less fortunate would be grateful for even a single bite of these dishes.

Forty-Third: "The Friendship Leaf":

A man who breaks up with his relative or friend over the most trivial dispute, and he forgets the companionship of years and the beautiful days between them. We remind him here of the popular proverb: "The bread and salt are easy for you to break", and I also recommend to him the advice of the poet Bashar bin Burd, who said: 

Forty-Fourth:

There are those who limit their greetings to people they know, whether they are colleagues, neighbors, or just passing acquaintances. Similarly, they will only return a greeting if it comes from someone in their own social circle. He forgot the saying of the Almighty: -§ And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant §-^[40], or he forgot this great hadith: "A man asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: 'Which Islam is the best?' He said: 'To feed people and to greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know"[41].

Forty-Fifth:

When a poor person asks for a loan, some people refuse to help, especially if the person is a relative or acquaintance. Yet, some of the very same people who borrow money from others intentionally delay paying back their debt, even when they can afford to. By doing this, they may discourage kind people from helping others in the future. And where are they from the saying of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him: "The delay of a rich person is an injustice"[42].

Forty-Sixth:

Someone who rushes to park their car next to a grocery store or restaurant, blocking others. Minutes pass and our friend still hasn't appeared, causing traffic congestion and preventing cars from moving. When he finally comes out, usually there's no apology or expression of regret. Wouldn't it have been better for him to park his car properly and avoid bothering and delaying people?

The Chapter is over, Thank Allah

Conclusion

In conclusion, I offer my full thanks to Allah for facilitating this blessed collection. It is my sincere prayer that He allows it to benefit all members of society and that He always inspires us with wisdom, integrity, and virtuous character. He is the Most Generous, the Most Noble. Our final supplication is: All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation. And may peace be upon the Messengers, and upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions, one and all.

Thank Allah it's done