Bismi Alahi arrahman arraheem
Allah says: "Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah." (Al-Ahzaab: 23).
He also says: "... Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the remembrance of Allah." (An-Noor: 37).
Crediting someone with manhood sometimes means that the person possesses the characteristics which exemplify this quality, like bravery, being honest, and standing up for the truth.
Allah says: "And there came a man running from the farthest end of the city. He said, 'O Moosaa! Verily the chiefs are taking council together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice." (Al-Qasas: 20).
Allah also says: "And a believing man of Pharaoh's family, who hid his faith said, 'Would you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allah, and he has come to you with clear signs (proofs) from your Lord?'" (Ghaafir: 28).
Recognising the importance of real manhood in the service of Islam, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to look out for men who could help the cause of his religion and with whom his mission could be enhanced. He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would ask his Rabb: ‘O Allah! Make Islam strong with the one who is more beloved to You of these two men: Aboo Jahl or Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab.’
The narrator of this Hadeeth commented: ‘And the more beloved to Him was ‘Umar.’ (At-Tirmithi). The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam made this Du’aa looking out for those qualities of manhood that would have a positive impact upon the spread of Islam.
As a matter of fact, the acceptance of ‘Umar’s, (radi Allahu anhu), Islam was a great event that manifested his manhood as soon as he embraced Islam. No sooner had he embraced Islam than the Muslims who were up till then not bold enough to show their religion started proclaiming it in public. Ibn Mas’ood, radi Allahu anhu, said, ‘We have remained strong ever since ‘Umar embraced Islam.’ (Bukhaari).
Dear brothers! ‘Umar’s manhood, radi Allahu anhu, was not in his physical strength nor chivalry - for there were those stronger than him among the Quraish – rather it was in his strength of faith and big heart; qualities that won him respect and honour. Other companions of the Prophet migrated to Madeenah secretly, while ‘Umar, radi Allahu anhu,- when he was migrating - armed himself with his sword, went to the Ka'bah, made a Tawaaf, prayed behind Maqaam Ibrahiem, and then announced to the Quraish chiefs that he was migrating. He told them, ‘Whoever wants to make his mother bereaved, his children orphans and his wife a widow should follow me after this valley.’ But nobody followed him.
‘Umar, radi Allahu anhu, laid down programs for instilling manhood when he said, ‘Teach your children the art of spear-throwing, swimming, and horse riding, and relate to them what is good of poetry.’
You see my brothers, Manhood is a quality that is pursued by people of high ambitions and serious thinking men. It is a basic quality that is needed by every man, for when men lose the qualities of manhood they cease to be real men. Manhood is deeply implanted in a person through strong belief, nurtured by sound upbringing and developed by good example.
According to common belief, manhood is only known in its material aspect; for whoever is outwardly handsome, physically strong, and possesses wealth is regarded as a good man. But in the eyes of Islam, a real man is one who has good and virtuous deeds to his credit, and possesses good manners and conduct.
A man passed by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) one day. He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) asked his companions, “What do you think of this man?’ They replied, ‘He deserves to be married to whomsoever he proposes, to have his intercession accepted when he intercedes and to be listened to when he speaks.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) remained silent. Then a poor Muslim man passed by and the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) asked the companions, “What do you think of this man?” They replied, ‘He deserves not to be married when he proposes, nor to have his intercession accepted when he intercedes nor to be listened to when he speaks.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) then said, “This one is as much as the fill of the Earth better than the other” (Bukhaari).
Real men are not judged by the size of their bodies or their outward beauty. ‘Ali, (radi Allahu anhu), narrated, ‘The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) sent Ibn Mas’ood to fetch him something from the top of a tree. When he had climbed the tree, the companions of the Prophet looked at his legs and laughed at their thinness. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Why are you laughing? Verily, Abdullah's leg will be heavier on the scale on the day of resurrection than Mount Uhud” (Ahmad).
Real manhood means being thoughtful, uttering good words, having decency and solidarity. Real manhood entails having a sense of responsibility to defend Tawheed and to give sincere advice for the sake of Allah.
Manhood means resoluteness in opinion, coming out openly with the truth and displaying wisdom in warning against the rejection of truth. Allah says: "And a believing man of Pharaoh's family, who hid his faith said, 'Would you kill a man because he says: My Lord is Allah, and he has come to you with clear signs (proofs) from your Lord.?’ And if he is a liar, upon him will be the sin of his lie; but if he is telling the truth, then some of that calamity wherewith he threatens you will befall you. Verily, Allah guides not one who is a Musrif (a polytheist, or a murderer who sheds blood without right, or those who commit great sins, oppressor, transgressor), a liar.” (Ghaafir: 28).
Manhood means avoiding unsuitable behaviour and being on one’s guard against the Difficult Day (the Day of Resurrection). Allah says: “... Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing as-Salaat, nor for giving the Zakaat. They fear a day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection.” (An-Noor: 37).
A real man is sincere in his words, fulfils his promises and remains firm on the right path. Allah says: “Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant to Allah. Of them, some have fulfilled their obligations and some of them are still waiting but they have never changed in the least.” [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allah]. (Al-Ahzaab: 23).
The men about whom we are talking are not those who have sunk deep into the abyss of worldly pleasures, those who do not aim for high moral standards and turn away from their Rabb.
They are not those of impressive physical stature whose minds are devoid of any sense; for such people are most certainly not real men. The real men whom we are talking about are those whom Allah describes when He says: “And the slave of the Most-Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and thoughtfulness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness. And those who spend the night before their Rabb, prostrate and standing. And those who say Our Rabb! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily it’s torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment. Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and a place of dwelling. And those who when they spend, are neither extravagant nor ungenerous, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” (Al-Furqaan: 67).
The example of a real man is not that of a youth (or older person) who has no strength of character, and simply follows his peers in whatever they do. When they do good, he follows, and when they do evil, he also does evil, so that they will accept him. These ‘men’ are detested to Allah.
But a real man is one who frequents the Masjid, a man who is called to fornication by a woman of position and beauty, and yet he refuses and says, ‘I fear Allah;’ a man who gives charity secretly; a man who loves his fellow Muslim for the sake of Allah; they were brought together by their mutual love for the sake of Allah, and they parted upon the same. These are the men loved by Allah and they will be under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His.
Real Muslim culture enjoins chivalry and righteous deeds. Traditionally, their poetry is inspiring, containing neither unsteadiness nor effeminacies. A stark contrast to what is prevalent nowadays with the gay movement.
What worse calamity can befall mankind than for its men to become effeminate, while its women adopt male mannerisms, revolting against the very nature in which Allah created them? The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) “cursed the men who behave like women and women who behave like men” (Bukhaari). In a similar narration, he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) ordered: “Cast them out of your homes”.
My dear brothers, when the qualities of manhood disappear among men, society falls into crisis; homes are ruined, the nation becomes weak and disgraced, and moral corruption becomes widespread.
May Allah help us to conduct ourselves as real men in our deeds and manners, to love each other for His sake and to make His word supreme.
We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to make Islam strong with men who are as beloved to Him as the sahaaba and help us to reclaim Muslim lands and to expel the invaders from them and to establish security in the Muslim lands.
And we ask Allah to help and assist the Mujahideen, and provide them with strength and to make their aim true so that they hit their targets.
Ameen
Subject: What is the Real Manhood? 
Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:55 am
