18- SEPERATION ( H I J R )

"Hijr" means to depart from being a friend and become cross, angry with. In one hadith, Rasulullah, said, "It would not be permissible (Halal) for a believer (Mumin) to become cross with another believer (Mumin) for more than three days. After theree days it is necessary (Wajib) for him to go and give greetings (Salam) to him. If he returns his greetings they will share the reward (Thawab), otherwise the sin will be written to him." It is neither proper nor permissible (Jaiz) for a man or woman to become angry or offended with another believer (Mumin) to such a degree to cut the relationship and not to talk because of worldly affairs. Non-Muslims (Zimmis), e.g., Christians and Jews who live as citizens of a Muslim state are to be treated like Muslims with respect to "Muamalat". Activities other than religious worships and marriage are called "Muamalat".

[It is not permissible (Jaiz) to become offended with non-Muslim citizens of an Islamic state for worldly affairs. Treating them nicely with a smiling face and not hurting their feelings or not violating their rights is necessary in order to win their hearts. Whether it be within the borders of an Islamic state or whether it be outside the borders of the Islamic state (Dar-ul-harb) or wherever it may be, and whether it be a Muslim or nonbeliever or whoever it may be, there is never any permission in any way to violate the right, property, safety or honor of any human being. A nonbeliever who lives within the Islamic state or disbeliever tourists who are visiting the Islamic state or disbeliever businessmen who are within the borders of the Islamic state for business purposes enjoy the rights of a Muslim citizen of the Islamic state with respect to the laws which govern every aspect of daily life other than the religious worships that Muslims are obligated to perform. They are free to perform their religious duties or prayers. Islam grants these rights and freedom to these people. A Muslim should obey the orders of Allahu ta'ala and should not commit any sin. He should not disobey the laws that govern the country. He should not commit any crime. He should not cause instigation. He should do goodness to everyone everywhere whether it be Muslims or disbelievers. Furthermore, a Muslim should observe the rights of others and should never oppress anyone. He should demonstrate the beautiful Islamic morals and honor to everyone and everywhere and therefore should cause members of other nations to respect and admire the religion of Islam.]

It is better to go to a person whom one is crossed with before the three-day limit set by the religion ans make up with him. The three-day limit was set in order not to raise any difficulty. Sin starts after the three-day limit and continues to grow as days pass by. Growth of the sin continues until the make up. In one hadith, Rasulullah, peace be upon him, said, "Go to a person who has offended you and make up! Forgive the person who oppressed you. Make goodness to a person who treated you badly!" There will be ten rewards (Thawab) for a person who says "Assalamu alaikum" and twenty rewards for one who says "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" and thirty rewards for one who says "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh". There will also be equal amounts of rewards for those who return the greetings in the same manner, i.e., ten rewards for one who says "Wa alaikum salam", twenty rewards for one who replies "Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah" and thirty rewards for the one who returns the greetings (Salam) by saying "Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh". The person who does not make up within the three-day limit will be punished in hell if he does not receive forgiveness or intercession (Shafa'at). It is permissible (Jaiz, or even mustahab) to perform "Hijr" to a sinning person for the purpose of giving him a lesson, i.e., not speaking to him would be "hijr." This type of application of "Hijr" to the sinner would be considered as isolating him for the sake of Allahu ta'ala or being offended to him for the sake of Allahu ta'ala. In one hadith, Rasulullah, peace be upon him, said, "The best and most valuable of all good deeds or worships is 'Hubb-i fillah' and 'Bugd-i fillah'." "Hubb-i fillah" means loving for the sake of Allahu ta'ala and "Bugd-i fillah" means not loving and staying away for the sake of Allahu ta'ala. Allahu ta'ala asked Moses (Musa), peace be upon him: what did you do for Me? He answered by saying that he performed "salats" and fasted and gave alms and made remembrance (Dhikr), i.e., mentioned His name often. Allahu ta'ala told him: the "salats" you prayed are a proof (Burhan) for you, i.e., they will protect you from doing evil deeds; the fast you performed is a shield for you, i.e., it will protect you from the hell fire; the alms (Zakat) you gave will give you shade during the Judgement day; and the remembrance (Dhikr) you made will give you light during the day of reckoning at the gathering place. Oh! Moses, what did you do for Me? Allahu ta'ala asked again. This time Moses, peace be upon him, begged Allahu ta'ala that He might reveal the nature of the deeds which He considered for Him. Allahu ta'ala said, Oh! Moses did you love my friends and stay away from my enemies? Moses, peace be upon him, understood that the best of all good deeds and worships was loving for the sake of Allahu ta'ala (Hubb-i fillah) and keeping away for the sake of Allahu ta'ala (Bugd-i fillah). It is permissible to apply "Hijr" for an extended period of time to a person who commits sin. It is very well known among the Muslims that the famous Imam Ahmad ibn-i Hanbal, may Allahu ta'ala be pleased with him, stayed away from the sons of his uncle because they accepted a gift while knowing that the gift was coming from forbidden (Haram) means. Also, Rasulullah, peace be upon him, applied "Hijr" to three persons and to their wives because they did not participate at the Tabuk war.