Social Manners with the Elderly part 2

5.4 THE ELDERLY ARE TO BE SERVED FIRSTGive precedence to the elderly or to dignitaries, ahead of anyone else. After that, you may proceed with those on their right if you want to follow the practice of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The evidence supporting this manner in addition to the two Hadiths mentioned above, is illustrated in many Hadiths, some of which are cited below:Imam Muslim reported in his Sahih in the Chapter on the Manners and Rules of Eating and Drinking, that Huzaifa bin Al-Yaman (RA) said: ‘Whenever we were invited to a meal with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), we would not reach the food with our hands before he reached for it.’To emphasize the importance of these manners, Imam Al-Nawawi, in his book Riyad Al-Salihîn, cited a large collection of Hadith and devoted a whole chapter to the subject of ‘Respecting Scholars, the Elderly and the Dignitaries. Giving them Precedence and the Best Seat. Acknowledging their Preeminence.’ In the following paragraphs, I will reiterate some of these.Allah said in the Quran: ‘Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who possess understanding that receive admonition.’Imam Muslim reported that ‘Uqba bin ‘Amr Al-Badri Al-Ansari (RA) stated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Those who are best at reciting the Quran should lead a group’s prayer. If they are equal, thenthose most versed in the Sunna should lead; if they are equal, then a person who migrated first [from Makka to Madina] should lead; if they had migrated at the same time, then an elder should lead.’Imam Muslim reported that Ibn Mas’od said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Let your wise and mature pray immediately behindme, then those who trail behind them,and then those who trail behind them.’Imam Al-Bukhari reported that Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) said: ‘After the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) buried two martyrs in one grave. He asked, ‘which one memorized more of the Quran? ‘Upon being told which it was, he laid him first facing Qibla.’In addition, Muslim reported that Abduallah bin Omar (RA) stated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘I dreamt I was brushing my teeth with Sewak when two men approached me. I handed the Sewak to the younger but was instructed to hand it to the older. Accordingly, I handed it to the older.’Imam Abu Dawood reported as a fairHadith that Abu Müsa Al-Ash’ari (RA)stated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Part of paying homage toAllah is to respect an elder whose hair has turned gray, or a [regular] reader of the Quran, or a just ruler.’This desired behaviour towards elders is so important that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم made it a part of respecting and venerating Allah. To ignore it is a gross misbehaviour. At its forefront comes respect and reverence of the just ruler. A revered poet enumerated a group of rules and stipulated that whoever broke these rules should be slapped on the neck. The eight rules are:Disrespecting a grand rulerEntering a house without being invited to do so.Giving orders/directions at another’shouse.Taking an undeserved seat of honour.Insisting on discussing a topic with others.Interrupting two others.Asking charity from a person of low character.Seeking a favour from an enemy.Abu Dawood and Al-Hakim reported as an authentic Hadith that Maimün bin Abi Shabîb recounted that a beggar stopped the Prophet’s wife Aisha (RA) and she gave him a pieceof dry bread. At another time, a properly-dressed, well-groomed man asked her for food. She let him sit and offered him a meal. When asked about that, she replied that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Treat people according to their status.’Imam Al-Nawawi concluded this chapter by citing a Hadith as reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in which Samura bin Jundub (RA) said: ‘Though I was a young child at the time of the Prophet, I used to listen to what he said and memorize it. Nothing prevents me from narrating my knowledge except the presence of men older than me.’

The Most Clean and Green Tourist Spot in Mexico

Most tourists in Mexico have simple needs for their vacation time: sandy beaches, hot weather, and a party atmosphere. Some tourists look for a more authentic cultural experience or opportunities to connect with nature, which Mexico offers in abundance.Connecting with nature is usually not a priority in the larger tourist centers. Thenatural environment mostly serves as the background for tourist activities - it represents the postcard fantasy that attracts visitors who typically give little or no thought about the cleanliness of the air, water, and soil (or sand). The local environment is not given much thought by foreigners or by Mexicans, so it's no surprise that environmental pollution is a large, but largely ignored, problem.The dumping of untreated sewage and garbage into rivers and coastal waters is among the worst of Mexico's sins against the environment. Generally, I have seen the worst environmental practices in beach towns and resort areas, which makes the resort area of Huatulco an even more impressive achievement. Clear water at every beach, tap water you can drink, recycling programs, and an absence of garbage on the manicured streets and boulevards -- Huatulco is a different reality in a country known for loose regulation and management of many things that are taken for granted in more developed nations.Huatulco is a relatively small and unknown resort area centered near the town of La Crucecita in the state of Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca), on Mexico's southern Pacific coast. Developed years after Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and other popular destinations, Huatulco was designed to be a clean,green destination. The results of such planning and management are clear, especially throughout the area's nine bays and 36 beaches. Every beach Ivisited had crystal-clear water, which made it easy to enjoy the schools of fish swimming around me. Visibility for snorkeling is often deep as thirty feet.Modern water treatment plants enable the clean water and beaches in the Huatulco bay area. Several local beaches have been certified as 'Blue Flag' and 'Clean Beach', which are global standards. Huatulco was also the first tourist community in North America to be certified by EarthCheck, the world's leading scientific benchmarking certification group for the tourism industry.The international recognition is for Huatulco's policies and efforts in energy and water consumption, recycling, waste and sewage treatment, and low carbon emissions. Habitat conservation is also part of the commitment. The government limits commercial and residential development to a mere 28 percent of the coastal area - the rest is designated as nature preserve that is never to be developed. It's surprising and absolutely inspiring to see that the majority of the area's coastline is completely undeveloped, including several bays that are accessible only by boat. UNESCO designated the Municipality of Santa Maria Huatulco and Huatulco National Park as a biosphere reserve.The people of Huatulco know that the area is special and there is an authentic pride behind the tourism promotion and hospitality. The hotel association and tourism office were very responsive to my visit and I experienced a range ofhotels and attractions in the area:Hotel Binneguenda: a beautifully maintained colonial style property that was the first hotel built in Huatulco. Popular with young families, it's centrally-located and employs some of the most cheerful staff I've seen anywhere.Villas Fa-Sol: a small, unique beachfront getaway in a gorgeous garden setting with Mediterranean-style suites. It's a family-owned property that represents Huatulco's unique qualities: tranquil, green, authentic, warm hospitality.Dreams Huatulco: a large, all-inclusive resort hotel on one of the best swimming beaches in the area. Crystal-clear water directly in front of large resorts like Dreams demonstrates the real difference between Huatulco and every other tourist center on Mexico's Pacific coast.Villa Azomalli: a large villa home with ocean and mountain views. Well-suited for small groups, weddings. A wonderful Mexican chef prepared ourmeals, a key feature of the private villa experience.Marina Park Plaza: a newer condo hotel popular with Canadians and Americans. The large condo apartments with kitchens attract guests for longer stays of 2 weeks to 2 months or more. Their staff was bilingual and very professional.Castillo Huatulco: a smaller, all-inclusive hotel with a beach club on Chahue Beach. Castillo is a very friendly place where guests got to know each other quickly. It's an older property that clearly has a loyal guest following.Temazcal Prehispanico: a wonderful place where we enjoyed Temazcal 'sauna' sessions, aromatherapy, music therapy, mud applications for the skin, and massage. A unique experience and very affordable, much like Huatulco in general.Copalita Ecological Park: The earliest remains of this pre-Hispanic archeological site date back 2,500 years. Ancient buildings, a museum with beautiful artifacts, and walking trails that overlook the Copalita river and beach."We want Huatulco to be set apart from other destinations, to be recognized as a sustainable green tourist place," says Esthepania Hernández Sánchez of the Huatulco tourism office. "Huatulco tourists want to visit a peaceful place that is ideal to rest and enjoy nature," she adds. "For us, it is important to offer clean beaches and green areas not only because it gives a better quality of life to the local community but also a better experience to tourists."Tourists in Huatulco certainly benefit from those quality of life advantages, whether or not they appreciate that the water they swim and shower in, is clean. Or that the seafood they eat comes from clean waters.Huatulco is a hidden gem, a bright green spot in Mexico's environmental greyness and tourist center overdevelopment. Fortunately, it's not for everyone. Huatulco attracts people who care about its unique qualities; people who are not looking for just another place with hot weather and cheap beer. The best ambassadors of Huatulco will continue to spread the word to thosewho desire clean, green, authentic tourism.Darren Ballegeer is a marketing strategist and travel writer with a value-based approach to business and consumer issues. He reviews and advises businesses in numerous industries in North America and Europe. Visithttp://www.visionmarcom.comArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Darren_Ballegeer/2227398

Importance of Good Manners

1.It is related by Abdullah Ibne Amr radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle ofAllah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “The best of you are those who possess the best of manners.”Bukhaari and Muslim2.Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu related to us that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Muslims who possess better moralsare the most perfect in Faith”.Abu Dawood and Daarami3.It is related by Abu Dardaa radhiyallahu anhu, that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “On the Day of Reckoning, the most weighty item in the Scales of Deeds will be good manners”.Abu Dawood and TirmiziCommentaryIt would not be correct to assume from the above Traditions that good morals were even superior to faith or the principal tenets like Imaan, Salaat, Sawm(fasting), Zakaat and Hajj. The Holy Companions to whom these sayings were directly addressed had already learnt from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam that among the various branches of Islaam, the most important were Imaan (faith) and the doctrine of Divine Unity, and, then, came the fundamental duties. As for the rest of the departments of religious life, some of them take procedence over others in various ways, and the place of moral virtues, undoubtedly, is very high, and in the attainment of success and salvation in After-life and the gaining of the countenance of the Lord, their significance is beyond question.4.Aaishah radhiyallahu anha relatesthat she heard the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam say: “A Believer with good manners and a good moral disposition gets the same reward as he who fasts (permanently) and spends his nights in prayer”.Abu DawoodCommentaryIt shows that a person who is a true Muslim, both in Belief and Action, and, also, possesses good manners, but does not engage himself much in nafl (supererogatory) fasts and prayers attains the same degree of excellence, through moral goodness, as the one who, generally, stands up in prayer throughout the night and fasts all day long.riyaduljannah.com