then how is it to constantly eat overly extravagant food at restaurants, with music blaring in the background? Even if music is not playing, most restaurants have an unsavoury environment. Sitting in such places does not befit honourable people who strive to act upon the Shari’a. If a need arises and you must buy food from such a place, it is better to take it somewhere else and eat there.

7.   Sayyiduna Abu Zar Ghifari رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “O Abu Zar! There is no greater display of intellect than to plan, there is no greater display of piety than refraining from sin, and there is no greater display of honour than good character.”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! From the blessed Hadith we have just had the honour of hearing, we learn that the highest level of piety is to refrain from sinning. We should try our best to save ourselves from sin, and even save ourselves from anything that leads towards it. If, on account of being human, we happen to sin; we must sincerely repent at once and seek forgiveness, and then make a firm intention to never commit the sin again.

Whosoever lowers himself sincerely in the court of Allah Almighty, acknowledges his sins, and repents, he will be forgiven of his sins. In regards to this, it has been mentioned in a blessed Hadith, “He who repents from a sin is as though he did not commit it.”

With great regret, the Muslims have fallen into severe misdeeds and their state has become such, that they have no concern when committing sins. There is no feeling of regret or lament. Every second of our day passes in sin, and the only time we will repent is when we become aware we are sinning in the first place. If we do not care about sinning, and we freely indulge in them without worrying about the consequences, then how will we ever repent?