Islamic Studies

My week with Al-Shahid

by Suhaib Webb
April 23, 2009
2 min read

As-salaamualaykum,

Focusing on one of Allah’s attributes was our assignment this week.  So, first I went looking for a list of His attributes.  As, I went through the list I wanted to pick one that would be a challenge but one also that I had some deep understanding about, I picked Ash-Shaheed.

A challenge truly, most of the days pass, without you thinking of Him, only when you pray.  I was surprised to see how I had to constantly remind myself that Allah was a witness to all my deeds, all my intentions and all of my thoughts….I found myself trying to be more truthful, even little things I usually let go, I stopped myself from proceding.  This is what we are suppose to do and strive for, but curbing your self is one of the hardest things to do, holding your tongue and overlooking others misgivings go right along.

Ya, Shaheed, you are all knowing, all hearing, all seeing, you know what I know not, please forgive me for my sins, accept my repentance, and allow me to accept Your will, Ameen, Ameen wal hamdulillahi rabil alameen.

(This was one of the homework assignments submitted for the class Message for the Seekers of Guidance taught by Imam Suhaib Webb in the Spring of 2009)

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About the author

Suhaib Webb

Suhaib Webb

Suhaib Webb is a contemporary American-Muslim educator, activist, and lecturer. His work bridges classical and contemporary Islamic thought, addressing issues of cultural, social and political relevance to Muslims in the West. After converting to Islam in 1992, Webb left his career in the music industry to pursue his passion in education. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and received intensive private training in the Islamic Sciences under a renowned Muslim Scholar of Senegalese descent. Webb was hired as the Imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, where he gave khutbas (sermons), taught religious classes, and provided counselling to families and young people; he also served as an Imam and resident scholar in communities across the U.S.

From 2004-2010, Suhaib Webb studied at the world’s preeminent Islamic institution of learning, Al-Azhar University, in the College of Shari`ah. During this time, after several years of studying the Arabic Language and the Islamic legal tradition, he also served as the head of the English Translation Department at Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah.

Outside of his studies at Al-Azhar, Suhaib Webb completed the memorization of the Quran in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He has been granted numerous traditional teaching licenses (ijazat), adhering to centuries-old Islamic scholarly practice of ensuring the highest standards of scholarship. Webb was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in 2010.

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  • AA

    Hadith Jibreel speaks about Al Ihsan – living life as though you can see Allah (swt).

    We wouldn't commit a sin in front of our parents. Similarly, if we changed our mindset to acknowledge that Allah (swt) is always present, we wouldn't commit a sin in front of Allah (swt). Which of course means that you would never sin! Pleasing Allah (swt) is the main goal we should be striving for. Inshallah attaining this understanding of Allah's (swt) attribute of Ash-Shaheed will help us achieve spiritual excellence.

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  • Allah swt is also the Forgiver, if humans did not commit sins He would create a creature that would sin, because the Forgiver manifests His Forgiveness by having a creature which requires repentance. Sins can help to bring humility and shame to the human heart. Those religious people who do not sin obviously sometimes have the sin of pride, self-righteousness and arrogance in their hearts. After we have sinned and we ask for repentance should we be more critical of ourselves or other sinners? Of ourselves I think.

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