……..If sadness, Oh mother mine, casts a gloom on your face, my eyes are filled with tears………. (Tagore)
This was the month when our people as a nation took charge of their own lives.
Well, some folks just had to spoil it. We got betrayed. This time not by the invaders, but by our own. The people we chose to be our leader turned blind to our necessities. We were left orphans. The power we gave them to use in our favor, were abused against us.
As a young Bangladeshi Muslim I see & hear our leaders have become rulers, term dictators, oppressors and agents of the past invaders. And with my kind of job, which involves sharing views with all ages groups (especially the youths), I see one thing in them, they are aware of everything. And they want Bangladesh to be country they learned in their school days.
I thank Allah(swt) that He has opened the eyes of our brother & sisters. Say :"Can the blind be held equal to the seeing?" Will ye then consider not? (Sura An Anam Verse 50) The young Bangladeshis are willing to take the challenge to reflect on our lives and the forces that shape our values. We can see, hear and speak. The only think we lack is courage, a just leader and a good cause. And then nothing can stop us.
For years we waited, not a patient waiting, but an anticipation with enormous determination, an anticipation characterized by struggle, by martyrdom, by torture, by oppression and yes, also by deep laughter and joy.
In the past we were oppressed, in the present we are under oppression and will always be if we remain this way. Allah(swt) has given us order to fight.
Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths…. (Sura At Tauba Verse13)
And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression (Sura Al Baqara Verse193)
Prophet Muhammad (sm) was also a freedom fighter. He freed whole Arabia from the clutches of ignorance and oppression. And as a devout Muslim it is also our duty to be a freedom fighter. Taking up ammunition is not the only mode of fighting, we have got more superior weapons then that. We have knowledge, unity, and firmness and will to sacrifice.
Our seniors have forgotten to become truthful &to fight for what is fairness and justice. We are taught how to get adjust & learn the corrupt system. Learn to give gush, do chamchami & obey the boss order even it is wrong, don’t protest or get involved on other matters are few common advice. How it is possible to be neutral with regard to any social issue or problems. Washing one’s hand off or ignoring it simply means being a part of it
But isn’t that insane. The sane person is, then, not the person who adjust to these crazy system but the one who resists, who refuses to be molded, because the mould is rotten.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world had not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls
Where words come from depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is lead forward by thee into ever widening thought and actionInto that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake!
(Tagore; Gitanjali)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
1st Anniversary of Cyclone Sidr !
Who decides what is right and what is wrong? Is it the Society? Religion? The Government? I myself?
In a society of infinite multiplicity rather than infinite unity we have become the representative of Mr.Iblis. We have acquire the attributes of Mr. Iblis : so that like him we have become deceivers, liars, cowards, lover of dirty and impurity. No longer is the “man the measure of all things” –I am the measure of all things.
Just a year ago our country Bangladesh was hit by the furious cyclone “Sidr” and till to this date people are still building what they have lost. The relief materials from various countries, NGO are coming. But the irony is that the local officials in charge for distributing relief materials in that area are asking for bribe from the effected people. The poor people had to bribe to get the relief materials. And those who took the courage of protesting got beating.
It is Oppression. The Zalim (oppressor) and doing Zulmn (oppression).
Astagfirullah! (I seek forgiveness from Allah). Where is humanity? We are denying our own humanity. We are selling it for few paper money which can or will never satisfy any human being.
During the Prophet Muhammad(sm) Hijrat to Madina the Ansars in Medina helped our Prophet (Sm) and his companions without any measure. The verse is Sura Al Hashr
But those who before them had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith show their affection to such as came to them for refuge and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter) but give them preference over themselves even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls they are the ones that achieve prosperity (59:9)
The Ansars preferred others above themselves though poverty became their lots. And we prefer others above our self after we have had the whole lot !
What an unqualified compassion they had.
If someone is starving or do not have the basic shelter or lacks necessity “out there” while I have something “in here” then my own humanity is being compromised if I do not act.
A hadith tells us that the Muslim is not he who sleeps well-fed while his neighbor is hungry.
In our country the so called maulana, muftis and all they protest & threatened to burn the whole country if the statues are not pulled down. I ask them question apnara ki bechan? (what are you all selling?)
According to hadith mentioned above I ask them are you muslim?
According to Quran Sura Al Maun : “Seest thou one who denies all the moral laws. Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness). And feels no urge to feed the needy. So woe to the worshippers ……….. (107:1-4)
I ask them will your prayers is accepted by Allah (swt).
Will Allah (swt) going to wait patiently until a particular individual or class feel moral or humane enough to ensure the cyclone victims right to get relief materials- certainly nopt in a society where a few people are dying because of over eating while thousand are dying because of not eating enough or lack of necessity.
We will perish if these disgusting acts continue
Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)?
Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent
tornado (with showers of stones) so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My
warning? (67: 16-17)
We have abandoned the Quran. The Quran says : Then the Apostle will say: "O my Lord! truly my people took this Qur'an for just foolish nonsense." (25:30)
We should call our self to account before we are called to account.
We should make Jihad to help oppressed :
And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who being weak are ill-treated (and oppressed)? (4:75)
In a society of infinite multiplicity rather than infinite unity we have become the representative of Mr.Iblis. We have acquire the attributes of Mr. Iblis : so that like him we have become deceivers, liars, cowards, lover of dirty and impurity. No longer is the “man the measure of all things” –I am the measure of all things.
Just a year ago our country Bangladesh was hit by the furious cyclone “Sidr” and till to this date people are still building what they have lost. The relief materials from various countries, NGO are coming. But the irony is that the local officials in charge for distributing relief materials in that area are asking for bribe from the effected people. The poor people had to bribe to get the relief materials. And those who took the courage of protesting got beating.
It is Oppression. The Zalim (oppressor) and doing Zulmn (oppression).
Astagfirullah! (I seek forgiveness from Allah). Where is humanity? We are denying our own humanity. We are selling it for few paper money which can or will never satisfy any human being.
During the Prophet Muhammad(sm) Hijrat to Madina the Ansars in Medina helped our Prophet (Sm) and his companions without any measure. The verse is Sura Al Hashr
But those who before them had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith show their affection to such as came to them for refuge and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter) but give them preference over themselves even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls they are the ones that achieve prosperity (59:9)
The Ansars preferred others above themselves though poverty became their lots. And we prefer others above our self after we have had the whole lot !
What an unqualified compassion they had.
If someone is starving or do not have the basic shelter or lacks necessity “out there” while I have something “in here” then my own humanity is being compromised if I do not act.
A hadith tells us that the Muslim is not he who sleeps well-fed while his neighbor is hungry.
In our country the so called maulana, muftis and all they protest & threatened to burn the whole country if the statues are not pulled down. I ask them question apnara ki bechan? (what are you all selling?)
According to hadith mentioned above I ask them are you muslim?
According to Quran Sura Al Maun : “Seest thou one who denies all the moral laws. Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness). And feels no urge to feed the needy. So woe to the worshippers ……….. (107:1-4)
I ask them will your prayers is accepted by Allah (swt).
Will Allah (swt) going to wait patiently until a particular individual or class feel moral or humane enough to ensure the cyclone victims right to get relief materials- certainly nopt in a society where a few people are dying because of over eating while thousand are dying because of not eating enough or lack of necessity.
We will perish if these disgusting acts continue
Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)?
Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent
tornado (with showers of stones) so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My
warning? (67: 16-17)
We have abandoned the Quran. The Quran says : Then the Apostle will say: "O my Lord! truly my people took this Qur'an for just foolish nonsense." (25:30)
We should call our self to account before we are called to account.
We should make Jihad to help oppressed :
And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who being weak are ill-treated (and oppressed)? (4:75)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
OBAMA OR Mc CAIN ?
What’s wrong with the Muslims. I don’t understand why the hell are we supporting the kafirs. Have we forgot Mr. Bush. All muslims supported Bush thinking that AlGore is jew and he will support Israel. and in the end muslims supported and voted Bush and we saw the blood feast by September 11th (2001) they were wringing their hands in anguish and grief over the fact that their own government (the Bush Administration), which they had themselves had constituted by their votes, was now waging undisguised war on Islam. . Infact all the muslims who supported Bush during the election at that time became the supporter of a Kafir and the shareholder of sin for killings of muslims committed by the Kafirs (usa, british etc)the followers of Satan.
The Qur’an warns those who help in an evil deed that they will share in its burden:
“Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause shares in its burden: and Allah hath power over all things.” (Qur’an, al-Nisa, 4:85)
We muslims have our own state ruling systems, we have our own rules The Quran and the Shariah. The rules given by The Arsh Al Azim The Malik Al Mulk The Creater. whose else law could be better then His. Why are we supporting the kafir system, the man made rules, the rules which stands oppose to Allah(swt) rules. Just like the Satan opposes Allah(swt) the humans make rules which stands against Allah(swt). One small example Allah has made Riba (interest)haram(illegal) and we have made Riba Halal(legal).
Allah (swt) commands :
“Follow what has been sent down unto you by your Lord-God, and follow no Master other than Him. How seldom do you keep this in mind!” (Qur’an, al-’Araf, 7:3)
‘Verily, We have sent down to you the Book in truth that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you’ (An-Nisa: 105)
There is nothing in the revealed scriptures (Torah, Gospel, Qur’an) or the Sunnah (example or way of life) of the Prophets that can be used to justify Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc., participating in such elections in which they freely vote for such a government as lawful to govern over them. On the contrary, there is very clear prohibition of such conduct!
“… nor does He share His Command (i.e., His Sovereignty, Supreme Authority, Governance, Rule, etc.) with anyone whatsoever.” (Qur’an, al-Kahf, 18:26)
“Praise be to Allah (Who) has no partner in His Sovereignty … ” (Qur’an, Banu Israil, 17:111; al-Furqan, 25:2)
Anyone fail to establish law and authority on the basis of the revealed Divine Law, then the Qur’an unequivocally condemns them and accuses them of Kufr (disbelief), Dhulm (injustice) and Fisq (enormous sin):
“ . . . And whoever fails to govern (judge, etc.) on the basis of that which Allah revealed has committed Kufr (disbelief).”
“ . . . And whoever fails to govern (judge, etc.) on the basis of that which Allah revealed has committed Dhulm (injustice and oppression).”
“. . . And whoever fails to govern (judge, etc.) on the basis of that which Allah has revealed, has committed Fisq (enormous sin).” (Qur’an, al-Maidah, 5:44 - 47)
The Jews and Christians will never be pleased with us.
“Never will the Jews not the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. Say: Verily the Guidance of Allah that is the (only) Guidance. And if you were to follow their desires after what you have received of Knowledge(the Quran), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (Protector or guardian) nor any helper. (Sura Al Baqara 2:120)
They have abolished our Khilafah system and we quietly entered into their system and by putting away Allah’s law and accepting their law. But are they satisfied with us ?
The Khilafah government is the only government which will rule by what Allah (SWT) has revealed; unite the whole Ummah on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah; protect the Ummah from the enemy’s aggression and carry the message of Islam to the world through Daw’ah So respond to the demand of this belief fully which also obliges you to re-establish the KHILAFAH. Allah (SWT) says,
‘But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions and accept (them) with full submission.’ ( An-Nisa: 65)
And if we do not do this, then Allah (SWT) has warned us about the fruits of partially adhering to the deen revealed by Him (SWT),
‘Do you then believe in a part of the Book and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment.’ (Al-Baqarah: 85)
Remember one thing
“Say! Verily my prayer, and my service of sacrifice, and my very living, and my very dying, are all for Allah the Rabb (i.e., Lord, Creator, Sustainer) of all the worlds . . .” (Qur’an, al-An’am, 6:162)
WHY should we support the kafirs?
WHY are Muslims electing men to fight the Muslim Nation overseas?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
DYING BY THE INCHES
In last week we have seen two usual things, which are rather very disappointing.
First the pulling down of the Sculptures of Bauls (www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=58970) and the other is the cutting down of trees in Rokeya Sarani. (www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=59362).This two incident is interlinked with one another.
The Islamist party who protested for the removing of the Sculptures seems to be very strict or have very rigid understanding for Quran and Sunnah. I understand from this particular action of their, is that they think pulling down Sculptures (or Idols/Murti in their terminology) is one of the path to heaven.
What about the cutting down of the trees. If they are very cautious of going to heaven or to show us that they are very Islamic in their way then why haven’t they protested when the trees were being cut down. Prophet Muhammad (sm) has said :
“If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.” (Bukhari)
"There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." (Bukhari)
“If the last hour strikes and finds you carrying a sapling to the grove for planting, go ahead and plant it.”
How much importance have Prophet Muhammad(sm) have given in planting trees and how much our Islamist Party brothers is aware of the Quran and Sunnah’s teachings.
The Sculptures are not being made for worshipping it is for promoting and keeping our culture alive. Referring to Hana Shams Ahmed article on October 21 2008 in Daily Star (http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=59549) it seems that government is allowing this to happen and past governments have also allowed this type of parties to grow. Now since the tooth paste cannot go back to the tube after all; the government have to do something that which is good for both, the culture and Islamist party.
Despite seeing and hearing all these we merely want to tinker around the edges, carry on “normally” and feel good about the normality. We seem to want a bit of prayer or meditation, a lifestyle only slightly flavored with the presence of Allah, its like “adding some mint leaves for an attractive presentation”.
Have we really started shaping our relationship with Allah?
First the pulling down of the Sculptures of Bauls (www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=58970) and the other is the cutting down of trees in Rokeya Sarani. (www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=59362).This two incident is interlinked with one another.
The Islamist party who protested for the removing of the Sculptures seems to be very strict or have very rigid understanding for Quran and Sunnah. I understand from this particular action of their, is that they think pulling down Sculptures (or Idols/Murti in their terminology) is one of the path to heaven.
What about the cutting down of the trees. If they are very cautious of going to heaven or to show us that they are very Islamic in their way then why haven’t they protested when the trees were being cut down. Prophet Muhammad (sm) has said :
“If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.” (Bukhari)
"There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." (Bukhari)
“If the last hour strikes and finds you carrying a sapling to the grove for planting, go ahead and plant it.”
How much importance have Prophet Muhammad(sm) have given in planting trees and how much our Islamist Party brothers is aware of the Quran and Sunnah’s teachings.
The Sculptures are not being made for worshipping it is for promoting and keeping our culture alive. Referring to Hana Shams Ahmed article on October 21 2008 in Daily Star (http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=59549) it seems that government is allowing this to happen and past governments have also allowed this type of parties to grow. Now since the tooth paste cannot go back to the tube after all; the government have to do something that which is good for both, the culture and Islamist party.
Despite seeing and hearing all these we merely want to tinker around the edges, carry on “normally” and feel good about the normality. We seem to want a bit of prayer or meditation, a lifestyle only slightly flavored with the presence of Allah, its like “adding some mint leaves for an attractive presentation”.
Have we really started shaping our relationship with Allah?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
INVITATION FROM ALLAH
It is a common sense to think that when people do bad they get bad results in life and when people do good they get good results in life. And it is very true, this happens. But there is something Allah (swt) tells us by Quran and by this phenomenal world. That is not all bad things happens for bad deeds and not all good things happens for good deeds.
Allah (swt) plan of running this universe is beyond our understanding. We only see and understand what Allah (swt) wants us to see and understand. And for this we need the two eyes (the inner eye and the outer eye). We all have the outer eye ( i.e we are blind by one eye) so to get the other eye(inner eye) we have to read and understand the Quran and live according to the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (sm).
And for this reason Allah (swt) gives us invitation or calls us.
We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things? (41:53)
Allah (swt) also command the believers to invite the people towards the Way of Allah.
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance. (16:125)
After understanding the invitation from Allah and the believers, if we still do not believe in The Oneness Allah (swt), The Truth and do not follow His rules, will Allah (swt) give us permanent punishment and put us to Hell right away? NO, certainly not.
Rather He keeps on inviting us, but in a different way. He will put us to brief hardships and sufferings or gives warning as He states in the Quran:
..........We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity that they might learn humility.(6:42)
And even if we do not learn then He asks :
When the suffering reached them from Us why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them (6:42)
Then Allah (swt) gives us a completely opposite thing.
But when they forget the warning they had received We opened to them the gates of all (good) things until in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts on a sudden We called them to account when lo! they were plunged in despair (6:43)
Allah (swt) tests us in two ways. First we are tested with hardships to see if these would cause us to turn to Allah. But if we rather then turning to Allah and abandoning disobedience get more engrossed in it, then we are subject to a second test, different kind of test.
The doors of all good pleasures, worldly comforts are opened to us so that we can have everything we wish for in this material world so that through this blessing we can recognize our Benefactor and remember Him. If we still do not believe in The Oneness Allah (swt), The Truth and do not follow His rules, will Allah (swt) give us permanent punishment and put us to Hell right away? YES, certainly yes.
Cause we traded our soul with the glitter of fleeting comforts and we will be destroyed till the last man.
So the root of the people who did wrong was cut off. And all the Praise and thanks are to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. (6:45)
Now we get the clear picture that is not all bad things happens for bad deeds and not all good things happens for good deeds
Allah does all these things for us only for one reason :
Their apostles said: "Is there a doubt about Allah the Creator of the heavens and the earth? It is He Who invites you in order that He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a term appointed!" (14:10)
Allah (swt) does not need anything from us instead we need everything from Him, He is the Giver and we are the needy. And for this Allah (swt) constantly reminds us for our safety like mother caring for her child. There are no difficult rules in Quran, which we all feel very hard to follow it is only our outer eyes that makes us things hard for us.
Allah intends for you ease He does not wants to make things difficult for you. (2:185)
A Believer always finds peace in his prayer, service of sacrifice and in his life and in his death because all these are for Allah(swt).
And Allah (swt) is :
Allah is He than whom there is no other god the sovereign the Holy One the Source of Peace (and Perfection). The Guardian of Faith the Preserver of Safety the Exalted in Might the Irresistible the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (high is He) above the partners they attribute to Him (59:23)
Allah (swt) plan of running this universe is beyond our understanding. We only see and understand what Allah (swt) wants us to see and understand. And for this we need the two eyes (the inner eye and the outer eye). We all have the outer eye ( i.e we are blind by one eye) so to get the other eye(inner eye) we have to read and understand the Quran and live according to the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (sm).
And for this reason Allah (swt) gives us invitation or calls us.
We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things? (41:53)
Allah (swt) also command the believers to invite the people towards the Way of Allah.
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance. (16:125)
After understanding the invitation from Allah and the believers, if we still do not believe in The Oneness Allah (swt), The Truth and do not follow His rules, will Allah (swt) give us permanent punishment and put us to Hell right away? NO, certainly not.
Rather He keeps on inviting us, but in a different way. He will put us to brief hardships and sufferings or gives warning as He states in the Quran:
..........We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity that they might learn humility.(6:42)
And even if we do not learn then He asks :
When the suffering reached them from Us why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them (6:42)
Then Allah (swt) gives us a completely opposite thing.
But when they forget the warning they had received We opened to them the gates of all (good) things until in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts on a sudden We called them to account when lo! they were plunged in despair (6:43)
Allah (swt) tests us in two ways. First we are tested with hardships to see if these would cause us to turn to Allah. But if we rather then turning to Allah and abandoning disobedience get more engrossed in it, then we are subject to a second test, different kind of test.
The doors of all good pleasures, worldly comforts are opened to us so that we can have everything we wish for in this material world so that through this blessing we can recognize our Benefactor and remember Him. If we still do not believe in The Oneness Allah (swt), The Truth and do not follow His rules, will Allah (swt) give us permanent punishment and put us to Hell right away? YES, certainly yes.
Cause we traded our soul with the glitter of fleeting comforts and we will be destroyed till the last man.
So the root of the people who did wrong was cut off. And all the Praise and thanks are to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. (6:45)
Now we get the clear picture that is not all bad things happens for bad deeds and not all good things happens for good deeds
Allah does all these things for us only for one reason :
Their apostles said: "Is there a doubt about Allah the Creator of the heavens and the earth? It is He Who invites you in order that He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a term appointed!" (14:10)
Allah (swt) does not need anything from us instead we need everything from Him, He is the Giver and we are the needy. And for this Allah (swt) constantly reminds us for our safety like mother caring for her child. There are no difficult rules in Quran, which we all feel very hard to follow it is only our outer eyes that makes us things hard for us.
Allah intends for you ease He does not wants to make things difficult for you. (2:185)
A Believer always finds peace in his prayer, service of sacrifice and in his life and in his death because all these are for Allah(swt).
And Allah (swt) is :
Allah is He than whom there is no other god the sovereign the Holy One the Source of Peace (and Perfection). The Guardian of Faith the Preserver of Safety the Exalted in Might the Irresistible the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (high is He) above the partners they attribute to Him (59:23)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
WHO IS IN CHARGE ?
Who is in charge and of what? Allah (swt) has mentioned in the Quran that we are His vicegerent on earth and we are to work live and let live others, all according to the rule of Allah (swt) and the ways Prophet Muhammad(sm) has shown us by his Sunnah.
Islam as a religion is also a way of life and the ritual forms of worship are a part of religion; they are important part but still only a part. If our worship is not linked to our lives and to people’s suffering, then it is of no use. We have separated our worship from our daily, social, cultural, political and economic life.
In our country we have seen many indigenous people have suffered lose of property, life in hands of some blind (uneducated, ill-motivated) people. The drug problems among young generations, the increasing number acid burned victims (recently a mother was thrown acid just because she demanded justice for the rape of her 11 year old mentally challanged daughter), increasing suicide rate for dowry, sexual harassment in education institution& etc.
Now recently we are seeing Hindu-Christian clash in India with lose of life and property in minority side. But we as a Muslim have a major role to play in all this (though we have suffered the same fate in many countries as minorities). We are not spectators and we are not neutrals. We have to stop this. But we Muslims don’t bother at all.
In Quran Allah (swt) has strictly warned us for this kind of attitude:
Have you seen the one who denies the Day of Judgment?
He it is who drives away the orphan with harshness
and does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
So woe to those who offer Salah (prayers),
but are neglectful of their Salah (offer Prayers but disregard the very purpose of establishing Salah - to have the fear of Allah and be mindful to the needs of other people);
those who make a show of piety
and refuse to share the necessities of life.(107:1-7)
This Surah gives an interesting perception of Islam. From this it is evident that Islam has much to do other than worshipping One God. It is about making the connection between our worship and the suffering of others.
Prophet Muhammad (sm) said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one." People asked, "O Allah's Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?" The Prophet said, "By preventing him from oppressing others." (Sahi Al Bhukhari)
It is a Jihad for Muslims to help the oppressed as Quran states:
O ye who believe! what is the matter with you then when ye are asked to go forth in the Cause of Allah ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life as compared with the hereafter (9:38)
And Prophet Muhammad (sm) said: "The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah's Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day." (Sahi Al Bhukhari)
The Imams in the mosques, only condemns the youth who have taken drugs, or thrown the acid or demanded dowry but does not see the root cause of this problem. The Imams thinks that giving sermons in Friday prayer that these people will end up in hell would help. But how much and how many sermons will it take to change the course?
Many Muslims will say ‘what can we do other than pray’ or ‘let them fight it out among themselves’ or ‘why should we get involve in kafir matters’. Washing our hands of a social problem or simply ignoring it means that we are also a part of it.
Only praying to Allah (swt) will not work. We forget that Allah (swt) does not intervene in the affairs of people. Though He is All Powerful and capable to do anything by saying "Be"; and it is. (2:117). But Allah links His intervention to the intervention of people.
Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). (13:11)
Islam as a religion is also a way of life and the ritual forms of worship are a part of religion; they are important part but still only a part. If our worship is not linked to our lives and to people’s suffering, then it is of no use. We have separated our worship from our daily, social, cultural, political and economic life.
In our country we have seen many indigenous people have suffered lose of property, life in hands of some blind (uneducated, ill-motivated) people. The drug problems among young generations, the increasing number acid burned victims (recently a mother was thrown acid just because she demanded justice for the rape of her 11 year old mentally challanged daughter), increasing suicide rate for dowry, sexual harassment in education institution& etc.
Now recently we are seeing Hindu-Christian clash in India with lose of life and property in minority side. But we as a Muslim have a major role to play in all this (though we have suffered the same fate in many countries as minorities). We are not spectators and we are not neutrals. We have to stop this. But we Muslims don’t bother at all.
In Quran Allah (swt) has strictly warned us for this kind of attitude:
Have you seen the one who denies the Day of Judgment?
He it is who drives away the orphan with harshness
and does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
So woe to those who offer Salah (prayers),
but are neglectful of their Salah (offer Prayers but disregard the very purpose of establishing Salah - to have the fear of Allah and be mindful to the needs of other people);
those who make a show of piety
and refuse to share the necessities of life.(107:1-7)
This Surah gives an interesting perception of Islam. From this it is evident that Islam has much to do other than worshipping One God. It is about making the connection between our worship and the suffering of others.
Prophet Muhammad (sm) said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one." People asked, "O Allah's Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?" The Prophet said, "By preventing him from oppressing others." (Sahi Al Bhukhari)
It is a Jihad for Muslims to help the oppressed as Quran states:
O ye who believe! what is the matter with you then when ye are asked to go forth in the Cause of Allah ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life as compared with the hereafter (9:38)
And Prophet Muhammad (sm) said: "The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah's Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day." (Sahi Al Bhukhari)
The Imams in the mosques, only condemns the youth who have taken drugs, or thrown the acid or demanded dowry but does not see the root cause of this problem. The Imams thinks that giving sermons in Friday prayer that these people will end up in hell would help. But how much and how many sermons will it take to change the course?
Many Muslims will say ‘what can we do other than pray’ or ‘let them fight it out among themselves’ or ‘why should we get involve in kafir matters’. Washing our hands of a social problem or simply ignoring it means that we are also a part of it.
Only praying to Allah (swt) will not work. We forget that Allah (swt) does not intervene in the affairs of people. Though He is All Powerful and capable to do anything by saying "Be"; and it is. (2:117). But Allah links His intervention to the intervention of people.
Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). (13:11)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Personal Significance of the month of Ramadan
O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint (2:183)
What is so significant about this month? Why can’t we be like this all the time. We humans are unable to hold on the same level of heightened Allah-consciousness throughout the year. If we are then Ramadan would no longer be Ramadan. If there is only one season like summer then it would be known as time only not as summer.
So by not asking why it cannot be summer all the time, we rather think what we need to do in summer and prepare for winter. The month of Ramadan is where we return to our workshop to repair our soul beaten by passion, lust & worldly desire. And prepare for the next lap to behave, deal with our self, with nature and with other human beings.
Ramadan is a month of heightened awareness of Allah. during this month self-restraint from food , drink, sexual activity from dawn to sunset and increased spiritual devotions are an fundamental part of this struggle. However there is more to Ramadan than the burdens of the flesh. Prophet Muhammad (sm) said :
The fasting is the protection or shield from the hell fire. So the person fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently and if somebody fights with him and abuses him he should say twice “I am fasting”. Prophet Muhammad (sm) added: by Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah (swt) than the smell of musk. (Allah swt says about the fasting person), He has left his food, drink and desire for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward the fasting person for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times. (Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith no 118 vol 3)
Whoever does not give up lying speech-false statements, and acting on those (lies) and evil actions etc., then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e Allah will not accept his fasting) (Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith no 127 vol 3)
During this month we learn discipline, patience, forbearance and sacrifice. It is about testing one’s faith in the real world and in the world of personal hurts and hopes, of laughter and tears and between justice and injustice.
Just a few days remaining for the Crescent of the Shawwal month to be sighted and preparation for the Eid ul Fitr is entirely under way. For many people the preparation for Eid started from the first day of Ramadan or from the midway. The strong spirituality of the month seems to fall down under the weight of all the preparations for the day of celebration. So what we have achieved in this month? What’s the point of fasting when we do not pray five times a day and not behave according to the hadiths mentioned above.
We need to make sure that the next Ramadan finds us in a better state, finds us a bit closer to Allah (swt) and somewhat more kind person than this Ramadan did.
Syed Hussein Nasr says: To have completed the fast of Ramadan is to have undergone a rejuvenation and rebirth which prepares each Muslims to face another year with determination to live according to the Divine will.
The end of Ramadan marks the start of our journey again. A journey in which we must be guided not by our compass but also by The Most Merciful, The Guide- Allah (swt).
When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. (2:186)
What is so significant about this month? Why can’t we be like this all the time. We humans are unable to hold on the same level of heightened Allah-consciousness throughout the year. If we are then Ramadan would no longer be Ramadan. If there is only one season like summer then it would be known as time only not as summer.
So by not asking why it cannot be summer all the time, we rather think what we need to do in summer and prepare for winter. The month of Ramadan is where we return to our workshop to repair our soul beaten by passion, lust & worldly desire. And prepare for the next lap to behave, deal with our self, with nature and with other human beings.
Ramadan is a month of heightened awareness of Allah. during this month self-restraint from food , drink, sexual activity from dawn to sunset and increased spiritual devotions are an fundamental part of this struggle. However there is more to Ramadan than the burdens of the flesh. Prophet Muhammad (sm) said :
The fasting is the protection or shield from the hell fire. So the person fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently and if somebody fights with him and abuses him he should say twice “I am fasting”. Prophet Muhammad (sm) added: by Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah (swt) than the smell of musk. (Allah swt says about the fasting person), He has left his food, drink and desire for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward the fasting person for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times. (Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith no 118 vol 3)
Whoever does not give up lying speech-false statements, and acting on those (lies) and evil actions etc., then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e Allah will not accept his fasting) (Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith no 127 vol 3)
During this month we learn discipline, patience, forbearance and sacrifice. It is about testing one’s faith in the real world and in the world of personal hurts and hopes, of laughter and tears and between justice and injustice.
Just a few days remaining for the Crescent of the Shawwal month to be sighted and preparation for the Eid ul Fitr is entirely under way. For many people the preparation for Eid started from the first day of Ramadan or from the midway. The strong spirituality of the month seems to fall down under the weight of all the preparations for the day of celebration. So what we have achieved in this month? What’s the point of fasting when we do not pray five times a day and not behave according to the hadiths mentioned above.
We need to make sure that the next Ramadan finds us in a better state, finds us a bit closer to Allah (swt) and somewhat more kind person than this Ramadan did.
Syed Hussein Nasr says: To have completed the fast of Ramadan is to have undergone a rejuvenation and rebirth which prepares each Muslims to face another year with determination to live according to the Divine will.
The end of Ramadan marks the start of our journey again. A journey in which we must be guided not by our compass but also by The Most Merciful, The Guide- Allah (swt).
When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. (2:186)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
QURAN ON HUMAN NATURE
According to teachings of Quran and many Hadiths we find that man has been constituted with two fundamental natures. First we are is His chosen creature, Vicegerent, Trustee, Slave and on the other hand he is a mischief maker, sheds bloods, ungrateful, unjust, disobedient etc.
“Behold thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth. ........" (2:30)
Man in Islamic perspective is at once the vicegerent, the khalifah of Allah(swt) on earth and His servant. As His servant man must be obedient to His will. As his Vicegerent, he must be active because he is Allah’s (swt) representative in this world. He is the bridge between heaven and earth, the instrument through which the Will of Allah is realized and crystallized in this world.
Humans are conceived in Islam not in his Titanic nature which rebels against the Will of Allah(swt). But we are level down as Servant of Allah (swt). Our dignity, grandness, splendor is not coming from us but from our position as Allah’s(swt) vicegerent. And that we are able to carry the Will of Allah in our live and in this world and act as a creature which reflects Allah’s (swt) Wisdom and Power in this world.
That is why humans are addressed in Quran has the Chosen creature of Allah (swt)
“But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him and gave him guidance. (20.122)”
“We have indeed created man in the best of molds” (95:4)
“Those who have faith and do righteous deeds they are the best of creatures.” (98:7)
“It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you.” (14:32)
“And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon both diligently pursuing their courses: and the Night and the Day hath He (also) made subject to you.” (14:33)
“And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favors of Allah never will ye be able to number them:...........”.(14:34)
It is He who hath created for you all things that are on earth.........(2:29)
We are chosen by Him in a sense that we reflects most directly the Divine Wisdom. We are the only central being in the world and that is why we are His vicegerent. We have the power to dominate all other creatures, but we also bears the responsibilities to care for all of them. As Prophet Muhammad (sm) said: “The world is beautiful and green, and Allah(swt) has made you governors over it to see how you will act.” (Muslim)
Islam sees us a being possessing intelligence and will. Allah(swt) gave us the intelligence to understand that the Allah (swt) is the Lord, He is One and to testify to His Unity. That is why in Quran, Allah(swt) addresses us before the creation of the world and asks us :
"Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?" They said: "Yea! we do testify!" (7:172)
And by this Yea we came into covenant with Allah (swt) and through which we accepts the Lordship of Allah(swt).
Till now have seen one side of coin. What about the second fundamental nature of man. Lets look what the Quran has to say:
..........They said "Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?........ (2:30)
..........verily man is given up to injustice and ingratitude. (14:34)
Most of them We found not true to their covenant: but most of them We found rebellious and disobedient. (7:102
Most ungrateful is man! (17:67)
............he was indeed unjust and foolish(33:72)
Truly man was created very impatient (70:19)
Fretful when evil touches him; (70:20)
And niggardly when good reaches him (70:21)
This is the color we human carry. At one side we see our self as the “.......best of creatures.” (98:7) and on the other side we are “.......lowest of the low” (95:5)
If we rebel against Allah (swt) and follow evil we will be degraded to the lowest possible position. and if we use our intelligence and follow Allah’s (swt) law we will reach the high and noble destiny intended for us.
We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains: but they refused to undertake it being afraid thereof: but man undertook it....... (33:72)
Now with this verse we see that we are the trustee of Allah(swt). The Giver of the trust has given us the trust and expects us to use it according to His (the creator of the trust) wish.
But the question is how could man despite so many inherent weakness, flaws in his nature accepts the Trust. The reason maybe is we are made of clay. ....... I am about to create man from clay (38:71) and clay has the capacity not only to keep intact, hide, sustain but also to grow, enlarge and reproduce. So this origin of man has made him special and gave him strength to bear the Trust. But Iblis (Satan), the Jinns could not do it cause they are not fit for it they are made from fire and fire goes up-wards (like proud ness) and fire burns everything.
Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is a greater (matter) than the creation of men: Yet most men understand not (40:57)
As a human we are all or nothing, we can choose between being all or nothing. We are none the less a creature of flesh and blood and we walk in this world and fall back in to it when we die. We can be higher than the angles, or lower than the animals.
In such a two-face situation Prophet Muhammad (sm) has shown us the most balanced way. To overcome from this situation we have to adopt his lifestyle (sunnah). To remind, we live in a time of ‘lifestyle choices’ but for us, right now, there is only one ‘lifestyle choice’, there is no alternatives and there is no contest at all beside the radiant humanity of Rasulullah (sm).
His lifestyle (sunnah) demanded living in this world, not running away from it. He prayed for long hours at night and fasted in rigorous ways but he did not allow his companions to follow it. He was detached and yet in this world. He was truly the Vicegerent: the one who speaks, acts, rules by and for Allah alone.
Living his lifestyle means imitating his inner and well as his outer perfection. It is an unique efficient vehicle for human improvement which embraces every aspect of man.
I conclude by saying Praise be to Allah Lord of all the worlds
“Behold thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth. ........" (2:30)
Man in Islamic perspective is at once the vicegerent, the khalifah of Allah(swt) on earth and His servant. As His servant man must be obedient to His will. As his Vicegerent, he must be active because he is Allah’s (swt) representative in this world. He is the bridge between heaven and earth, the instrument through which the Will of Allah is realized and crystallized in this world.
Humans are conceived in Islam not in his Titanic nature which rebels against the Will of Allah(swt). But we are level down as Servant of Allah (swt). Our dignity, grandness, splendor is not coming from us but from our position as Allah’s(swt) vicegerent. And that we are able to carry the Will of Allah in our live and in this world and act as a creature which reflects Allah’s (swt) Wisdom and Power in this world.
That is why humans are addressed in Quran has the Chosen creature of Allah (swt)
“But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him and gave him guidance. (20.122)”
“We have indeed created man in the best of molds” (95:4)
“Those who have faith and do righteous deeds they are the best of creatures.” (98:7)
“It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you.” (14:32)
“And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon both diligently pursuing their courses: and the Night and the Day hath He (also) made subject to you.” (14:33)
“And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favors of Allah never will ye be able to number them:...........”.(14:34)
It is He who hath created for you all things that are on earth.........(2:29)
We are chosen by Him in a sense that we reflects most directly the Divine Wisdom. We are the only central being in the world and that is why we are His vicegerent. We have the power to dominate all other creatures, but we also bears the responsibilities to care for all of them. As Prophet Muhammad (sm) said: “The world is beautiful and green, and Allah(swt) has made you governors over it to see how you will act.” (Muslim)
Islam sees us a being possessing intelligence and will. Allah(swt) gave us the intelligence to understand that the Allah (swt) is the Lord, He is One and to testify to His Unity. That is why in Quran, Allah(swt) addresses us before the creation of the world and asks us :
"Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?" They said: "Yea! we do testify!" (7:172)
And by this Yea we came into covenant with Allah (swt) and through which we accepts the Lordship of Allah(swt).
Till now have seen one side of coin. What about the second fundamental nature of man. Lets look what the Quran has to say:
..........They said "Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?........ (2:30)
..........verily man is given up to injustice and ingratitude. (14:34)
Most of them We found not true to their covenant: but most of them We found rebellious and disobedient. (7:102
Most ungrateful is man! (17:67)
............he was indeed unjust and foolish(33:72)
Truly man was created very impatient (70:19)
Fretful when evil touches him; (70:20)
And niggardly when good reaches him (70:21)
This is the color we human carry. At one side we see our self as the “.......best of creatures.” (98:7) and on the other side we are “.......lowest of the low” (95:5)
If we rebel against Allah (swt) and follow evil we will be degraded to the lowest possible position. and if we use our intelligence and follow Allah’s (swt) law we will reach the high and noble destiny intended for us.
We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains: but they refused to undertake it being afraid thereof: but man undertook it....... (33:72)
Now with this verse we see that we are the trustee of Allah(swt). The Giver of the trust has given us the trust and expects us to use it according to His (the creator of the trust) wish.
But the question is how could man despite so many inherent weakness, flaws in his nature accepts the Trust. The reason maybe is we are made of clay. ....... I am about to create man from clay (38:71) and clay has the capacity not only to keep intact, hide, sustain but also to grow, enlarge and reproduce. So this origin of man has made him special and gave him strength to bear the Trust. But Iblis (Satan), the Jinns could not do it cause they are not fit for it they are made from fire and fire goes up-wards (like proud ness) and fire burns everything.
Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is a greater (matter) than the creation of men: Yet most men understand not (40:57)
As a human we are all or nothing, we can choose between being all or nothing. We are none the less a creature of flesh and blood and we walk in this world and fall back in to it when we die. We can be higher than the angles, or lower than the animals.
In such a two-face situation Prophet Muhammad (sm) has shown us the most balanced way. To overcome from this situation we have to adopt his lifestyle (sunnah). To remind, we live in a time of ‘lifestyle choices’ but for us, right now, there is only one ‘lifestyle choice’, there is no alternatives and there is no contest at all beside the radiant humanity of Rasulullah (sm).
His lifestyle (sunnah) demanded living in this world, not running away from it. He prayed for long hours at night and fasted in rigorous ways but he did not allow his companions to follow it. He was detached and yet in this world. He was truly the Vicegerent: the one who speaks, acts, rules by and for Allah alone.
Living his lifestyle means imitating his inner and well as his outer perfection. It is an unique efficient vehicle for human improvement which embraces every aspect of man.
I conclude by saying Praise be to Allah Lord of all the worlds
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A Spiritual Month Begins At Sundown
Ramadan, the spiritual month, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar sets as the new moon is seen at sunset on the western horizon. The month begin when the crescent moon is sighted or when the previous month reaches thirty days. Fasting begins at dawn next morning.
Why Ramadan is called a spiritual month. To understand the reason we need to see the real challenge of the modern age. Man is faced with a bewildering situation today. On one hand he has achieved tremendous material progress created a technological and industrial society, but on the other hand, he has failed to control his own passion and build a human relationship on the foundations of love, sacrifice, trust, piety and service.
There are family problems, social relation problems, economic problem, political problem, international enmity, cultural problem, social injustice and etc.
Man is proud that he has made a new world, but man is ashamed for this new world has failed to make him satisfy or his soul happy. Whatever man has invented he finds his very existence is threatened by the forces of his own creation. He has learned to control his environment but not himself.
Islam has nothing wrong with man’s progress in technology and industrial progress but it shows this material progress cuts off man from his moral progress.
Allah’s (swt) guidance lead to the path of balance, the straight path as in the prayer:
“Rabbana Ataina Fid Dunya Hasana Wa Fil Akirati Hasana”
“Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in hereafter”
And this Ramadan is the month where Allah (swt) give man a chance to rectify his faults (moral faults), a chance to uplift our humanity which is inside us and to grow our love, sacrifice, trust, piety and service for our brothers and sisters for human beings of any religion & culture.
Now what do we understand by “chance” for instance:
Lets take a look at the business world. In summer time we see lots of advertisements of cold drinks, air coolers, freeze, fan, sun block creams, summer collection dresses & etc
In Rainy season we see advertisements of umbrella, rain coats& etc. In winter we see advertisements of room heater, water heater, moisturizing cream & etc.
For what reason they give advertisement 1) a chance to sell the product 2) an opportunity or right time to sell and make profit.
So Ramadan is one kind of chance given by Allah (swt) to us to do something good so that Allah (swt) gives us good in this life and also in hereafter.
But one most important thing, unlike business world where season, time or opportunity changes the business policy; the spirit of Ramadan should not change it should be same through out all the 12 months. What good works we do in Ramadan we should keep on doing it till next Ramadan so that it becomes our habit.
Why Ramadan is called a spiritual month. To understand the reason we need to see the real challenge of the modern age. Man is faced with a bewildering situation today. On one hand he has achieved tremendous material progress created a technological and industrial society, but on the other hand, he has failed to control his own passion and build a human relationship on the foundations of love, sacrifice, trust, piety and service.
There are family problems, social relation problems, economic problem, political problem, international enmity, cultural problem, social injustice and etc.
Man is proud that he has made a new world, but man is ashamed for this new world has failed to make him satisfy or his soul happy. Whatever man has invented he finds his very existence is threatened by the forces of his own creation. He has learned to control his environment but not himself.
Islam has nothing wrong with man’s progress in technology and industrial progress but it shows this material progress cuts off man from his moral progress.
Allah’s (swt) guidance lead to the path of balance, the straight path as in the prayer:
“Rabbana Ataina Fid Dunya Hasana Wa Fil Akirati Hasana”
“Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in hereafter”
And this Ramadan is the month where Allah (swt) give man a chance to rectify his faults (moral faults), a chance to uplift our humanity which is inside us and to grow our love, sacrifice, trust, piety and service for our brothers and sisters for human beings of any religion & culture.
Now what do we understand by “chance” for instance:
Lets take a look at the business world. In summer time we see lots of advertisements of cold drinks, air coolers, freeze, fan, sun block creams, summer collection dresses & etc
In Rainy season we see advertisements of umbrella, rain coats& etc. In winter we see advertisements of room heater, water heater, moisturizing cream & etc.
For what reason they give advertisement 1) a chance to sell the product 2) an opportunity or right time to sell and make profit.
So Ramadan is one kind of chance given by Allah (swt) to us to do something good so that Allah (swt) gives us good in this life and also in hereafter.
But one most important thing, unlike business world where season, time or opportunity changes the business policy; the spirit of Ramadan should not change it should be same through out all the 12 months. What good works we do in Ramadan we should keep on doing it till next Ramadan so that it becomes our habit.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
PREDESTINATION
Say: "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector": and on Allah let the believers put their trust. (9:51)
No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: that is truly easy for Allah: (57:22)
No kind of calamity can occur except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in Allah (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things. (64:11)
The belief in destiny and predestination is deeply attached in the life of Muslims. The belief in a completely laid-back philosophy type of life without any plan of one’s own is sometimes, however, accepted by the general population. Yet this ignorant and passive attitude has its foundation not in Islam but in personal belief.
.......... Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)........ (13:11)
Many saying remind us of the absolute will of Allah (swt). The word we use frequently Insha Allah (If Allah wills) indicate a person’s hope that a wish or a planned purpose corresponds to Allah (swt) will and thus be successful.
Nor say of anything "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow" Without adding "If Allah so wills!".....(18:23-24)
Another saying that reminds us of Allah’s (swt) omnipotence and of predestination is “La haula wa la quwata illa billah” (There is no power, no might but from Allah). We often use this sentence when we suffers a any kind of misfortune. This sentence reminds us of all-encompassing ruling power of Allah(swt). It helps us to become more patient and to put the situation in proper perspective.
Muslims are always conscious of the fact that a situation which appears hopeless is only to be considered miserable in the context of present situation. This hopeless situation can be regarded in the long run as a valuable experience or success :
But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not. (2:216)
Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.
Who say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."(2:155-156)
In Islam there is no theology of suffering. Disease and suffering are either understood as a test by Allah (swt) or as a punishment for sins committed:
He Who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might Oft-Forgiving (67:2)
Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial: to Us must ye return. (21.35)
and when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands have sent forth behold they are in despair(30:36)
Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)(30:41)
But in whatever form the tribulation or punishment takes, the person should not become desperate. Instead, the person should rely on the mercy of Allah (swt) and grow from the situation.
On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns and it suffers every ill that it earns.(2:286)
.....nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful.(4:29)
Therefore one must assume that strokes of fate are what is meant by the notion of predestination. Unexpected unfortunate occurrence over which an individual has no control are part of this concept. However, so are unforeseen good actions or consequences in life. These include lucky coincidence, attaining a highly honored position in society due to fortune or family, special talents. Yet one must realize that these privileges are accompanied by a great deal of responsibility, for even knowledge and just power can be misused.
Thus Prophet Solomon (AS) was conscious of the particular responsibility that his wisdom and power demanded:
So he smiled amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favors which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: and admit me by Thy Grace to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants. (27:19)
No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: that is truly easy for Allah: (57:22)
No kind of calamity can occur except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in Allah (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things. (64:11)
The belief in destiny and predestination is deeply attached in the life of Muslims. The belief in a completely laid-back philosophy type of life without any plan of one’s own is sometimes, however, accepted by the general population. Yet this ignorant and passive attitude has its foundation not in Islam but in personal belief.
.......... Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)........ (13:11)
Many saying remind us of the absolute will of Allah (swt). The word we use frequently Insha Allah (If Allah wills) indicate a person’s hope that a wish or a planned purpose corresponds to Allah (swt) will and thus be successful.
Nor say of anything "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow" Without adding "If Allah so wills!".....(18:23-24)
Another saying that reminds us of Allah’s (swt) omnipotence and of predestination is “La haula wa la quwata illa billah” (There is no power, no might but from Allah). We often use this sentence when we suffers a any kind of misfortune. This sentence reminds us of all-encompassing ruling power of Allah(swt). It helps us to become more patient and to put the situation in proper perspective.
Muslims are always conscious of the fact that a situation which appears hopeless is only to be considered miserable in the context of present situation. This hopeless situation can be regarded in the long run as a valuable experience or success :
But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not. (2:216)
Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.
Who say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."(2:155-156)
In Islam there is no theology of suffering. Disease and suffering are either understood as a test by Allah (swt) or as a punishment for sins committed:
He Who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might Oft-Forgiving (67:2)
Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial: to Us must ye return. (21.35)
and when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands have sent forth behold they are in despair(30:36)
Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)(30:41)
But in whatever form the tribulation or punishment takes, the person should not become desperate. Instead, the person should rely on the mercy of Allah (swt) and grow from the situation.
On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns and it suffers every ill that it earns.(2:286)
.....nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful.(4:29)
Therefore one must assume that strokes of fate are what is meant by the notion of predestination. Unexpected unfortunate occurrence over which an individual has no control are part of this concept. However, so are unforeseen good actions or consequences in life. These include lucky coincidence, attaining a highly honored position in society due to fortune or family, special talents. Yet one must realize that these privileges are accompanied by a great deal of responsibility, for even knowledge and just power can be misused.
Thus Prophet Solomon (AS) was conscious of the particular responsibility that his wisdom and power demanded:
So he smiled amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favors which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: and admit me by Thy Grace to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants. (27:19)
A VERSE TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS
Today, where the Muslim ummah stands. As war on Islam intensifies we are doing nothing but seeing it on our TV channels (BBC , CNN & others who are masters in deceptions) and newspaper owned and controlled by the greedy elite. The war waged by the godless state is making us believe that by doing this they will establish democracy and justice.
Does war, sanctions, killings, target killing, non military activity (by CIA, Mossad, MI-5, RAW) will bring peace, democracy & justice. The more the blood flows in the street of Muslims countries the more things gets out of control.
The Quran has a very good solution to over come this problem. It is not only the establishment of Khilafat but it is something that we have to work in our on personal level. Because the war/problem in the Muslim ummah has not remained only on the State level it has now attacked the personal level, each Muslims are target by the weapon of “Shirk” to try to destroy our faith. They would use this weapon of Shirk with awesome deception in such a way that it would be very difficult for anyone to recognize the attack of Shirk The west by their media is reaching every Muslims and communities presenting a way of life (consists of drugs, sex, violence, illegal relationships etc) and making them look very cool and smart. These things are killing Muslim ummah, family bond, social structure and brotherhood from the root.
So what is the solution :
Allah commands to do Al-Adl and Al-Ihsan and giving (help) to kith and kin and He forbids Al-Fasha and Al-Munkar and Al-Baghy: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition. (16:90)
This is the most comprehensive verse of the Quran where the essence of the entire range of Islamic teachings has been condensed into a few words.
Here Allah (swt) bids three things :
1) Al-Adl (Justice)
2) Al-Ihsan (to make something Good)
3) Giving Help to kith and Kin
And forbids three things :
1) Al Fasha (Shameful acts)
2) Al-Munkar (Evil deeds)
3) Al-Bagby (Oppression)
Al-Adl (Justice) :
We are asked to do justice. The Justice between my self and Lord-God (to give priority to the rights/laws of Allah over the pleasure of my self in running after my own desire.)
To do justice to oneself. That is to protect himself from all challenges (desire for power, wealth, fame, lifestyle publicized by western media, earning money by interests) which brings physical and spiritual destruction. Be content and satisfied observing patience and avoid putting unnecessary burden on oneself without valid excuse.
To do justice between oneself and the rest of the Allah’s creation (unlike the western world waging unjust war on Islam , banning of Muslim head scarf in France drawing carton of Muhammad (sm), joking with Verse of the Quran and also playing the with environment of the earth). One should deal with whole creation in a supportive spirit wishing well, doing good, having sympathy. never betray anyone in any transactions whether minor or major, demand justice for everyone and see to it that no human beings, animals, the earth we live in is hurt by anything said or done by him.
Al-Ihsan (to make something Good) :
The meaning Ihsan given by Muhammad (sm) in the hadith of Jibrail is: Worship Allah as if you are seeing Allah. And if you cannot imagine Divine presence at this level, then each person must have at least this much certainty that Allah is seeing what he/she is doing. The reason is that it is a part of faith in Islam that not any single atom of this world can stay outside the reach of knowledge of Allah.
Ihsan not only covers the better in act of worship but it also covers the betterment of all deeds, morals and habbits seeing that they come out right and to be good to the whole creation of Allah whether Muslim or non-Muslim, human or animal.
Giving Help to kith and Kin
Allah command us to give help with all that Allah has ordered us to give them e.g, helping them financially, visiting them when sick, looking after them when in need, giving verbal support and sympathy or any other kind of help.
But before this we have to understand the degree of kinship: fist of all, our parents, then our offspring, then our bothers and sisters, then our paternal uncles and aunts (from our father’s side), then our maternal uncles and aunts (from our mother’s side) and then other relatives.
Al Fasha (Shameful acts)
This refers to such evil word or deed the evil of which is all too open and clear and which everyone considers bad (illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right).
Al-Munkar (Evil deeds)
This refers to words or deeds the unlawfulness or impermissibility of which is agreed upon by the well-recognized authentic exponents of Islamic Law. All that runs counter to reason.
Al-Bagby (Oppression)
This refers to oppression, transgression that which reaches the outer limits of mutual hostility, even armed confrontation, or it could go still further and cause international disorder (what we are now facing due to unjust war on Iraq and Afghanistan).
These six Commands if followed by any State, Government, Country or if every human beings in the earth despite of his color, race and religion I believe Inshallah there will not be any more problem left in the world.
These commands if pondered upon- an elixir for the perfect prosperity of man’s individual and collective life.
May Allah bless us all with the ability to follow them.
Does war, sanctions, killings, target killing, non military activity (by CIA, Mossad, MI-5, RAW) will bring peace, democracy & justice. The more the blood flows in the street of Muslims countries the more things gets out of control.
The Quran has a very good solution to over come this problem. It is not only the establishment of Khilafat but it is something that we have to work in our on personal level. Because the war/problem in the Muslim ummah has not remained only on the State level it has now attacked the personal level, each Muslims are target by the weapon of “Shirk” to try to destroy our faith. They would use this weapon of Shirk with awesome deception in such a way that it would be very difficult for anyone to recognize the attack of Shirk The west by their media is reaching every Muslims and communities presenting a way of life (consists of drugs, sex, violence, illegal relationships etc) and making them look very cool and smart. These things are killing Muslim ummah, family bond, social structure and brotherhood from the root.
So what is the solution :
Allah commands to do Al-Adl and Al-Ihsan and giving (help) to kith and kin and He forbids Al-Fasha and Al-Munkar and Al-Baghy: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition. (16:90)
This is the most comprehensive verse of the Quran where the essence of the entire range of Islamic teachings has been condensed into a few words.
Here Allah (swt) bids three things :
1) Al-Adl (Justice)
2) Al-Ihsan (to make something Good)
3) Giving Help to kith and Kin
And forbids three things :
1) Al Fasha (Shameful acts)
2) Al-Munkar (Evil deeds)
3) Al-Bagby (Oppression)
Al-Adl (Justice) :
We are asked to do justice. The Justice between my self and Lord-God (to give priority to the rights/laws of Allah over the pleasure of my self in running after my own desire.)
To do justice to oneself. That is to protect himself from all challenges (desire for power, wealth, fame, lifestyle publicized by western media, earning money by interests) which brings physical and spiritual destruction. Be content and satisfied observing patience and avoid putting unnecessary burden on oneself without valid excuse.
To do justice between oneself and the rest of the Allah’s creation (unlike the western world waging unjust war on Islam , banning of Muslim head scarf in France drawing carton of Muhammad (sm), joking with Verse of the Quran and also playing the with environment of the earth). One should deal with whole creation in a supportive spirit wishing well, doing good, having sympathy. never betray anyone in any transactions whether minor or major, demand justice for everyone and see to it that no human beings, animals, the earth we live in is hurt by anything said or done by him.
Al-Ihsan (to make something Good) :
The meaning Ihsan given by Muhammad (sm) in the hadith of Jibrail is: Worship Allah as if you are seeing Allah. And if you cannot imagine Divine presence at this level, then each person must have at least this much certainty that Allah is seeing what he/she is doing. The reason is that it is a part of faith in Islam that not any single atom of this world can stay outside the reach of knowledge of Allah.
Ihsan not only covers the better in act of worship but it also covers the betterment of all deeds, morals and habbits seeing that they come out right and to be good to the whole creation of Allah whether Muslim or non-Muslim, human or animal.
Giving Help to kith and Kin
Allah command us to give help with all that Allah has ordered us to give them e.g, helping them financially, visiting them when sick, looking after them when in need, giving verbal support and sympathy or any other kind of help.
But before this we have to understand the degree of kinship: fist of all, our parents, then our offspring, then our bothers and sisters, then our paternal uncles and aunts (from our father’s side), then our maternal uncles and aunts (from our mother’s side) and then other relatives.
Al Fasha (Shameful acts)
This refers to such evil word or deed the evil of which is all too open and clear and which everyone considers bad (illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right).
Al-Munkar (Evil deeds)
This refers to words or deeds the unlawfulness or impermissibility of which is agreed upon by the well-recognized authentic exponents of Islamic Law. All that runs counter to reason.
Al-Bagby (Oppression)
This refers to oppression, transgression that which reaches the outer limits of mutual hostility, even armed confrontation, or it could go still further and cause international disorder (what we are now facing due to unjust war on Iraq and Afghanistan).
These six Commands if followed by any State, Government, Country or if every human beings in the earth despite of his color, race and religion I believe Inshallah there will not be any more problem left in the world.
These commands if pondered upon- an elixir for the perfect prosperity of man’s individual and collective life.
May Allah bless us all with the ability to follow them.
MA AL HAQ
Allah (swt) is asking us : MA AL HAQ or What is the Truth? Have we ever actually gave a thought to His question.
The Sure Reality!
What is the Sure Reality?
And what will make thee realize what the Sure Reality is? (69:1-3)
The awareness of the ultimate reality is beyond human sense perception no answer is given to this question. Allah (swt) has given us this Quran , His Verses, His Signs to those who thinks, who reflects, who considers.
Thus doth Allah make clear (His) sign to you that you may give thought (2:226)
There are two types of verses or ayats are in the Quran 1) Substantive 2) Allegoric.
Substantive verses are : Commands, Duties, Laws that which we can understand by our sense perception.
Allegoric verse are : That which we cannot understand by our sense perception. e.g Throne of Allah, Akirat, Day of Judgment, Heaven and Hell, Spirits, Angles, the Unseen (2:3), essence of Allah (swt) etc.
Reality is a question that meet us in our search for truth. We, Muslims describe Allah (swt) by 99 Names or Attributes one of which is Al –Haqq : The Truth or The Real.
Allah ask us this question to make us think about our theoretical capacity to understand reality. The last two verse of the same surah states:
But verily it (the Quran) is Truth of assured certainty.
So glorify the name of thy Lord Most High. (69:51-52)
If we compare the last verses with the first of same surah that which raises the very issue of reality- focus our attention on our process of realizing truth and our sense of certainty about it, a reality that would work for us.
How do we humans judge? We judge by evidence and seeing. And it is like seeing is believing. But we do not see God by our eyes and when someone (from any three monotheistic religion) point out to us that this is the truth and this the way to reach the truth we almost certainly turn our back on it. what is meaningful to us is our own individual process of realizing the truth. We are less attracted to God as He knows Himself than to our own individual process of realizing the truth.
This is because each of us carries within himself a picture of reality. The picture or the shell (our own concept of friends, family, lovers spouse, employers, employees etc) when it is removed we are brought into contact with a larger perception of “reality”.
We can neither embrace reality nor see it the way it sees itself.
Some Islamic scholars had said that this reality is the Hereafter the Day of Resurrection and Judgment.
Allah (swt) states :
It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in truth (6.73)
We have to seek to see or know what can of reality through our 5 sense perception, we must strive to see the world as Allah (swt) want us to sees it. And for this He has given us His Signs, He has given us The Truth i.e The Quran through which we can guide our self. The Quran is part of the ultimate Truth which Allah (swt) has given us by which we can take knowledge, wisdom and the guidance to reach closer to the Ultimate Truth.
Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you: that ye may be guided (3:103)
And our Prophet Muhammad (sm) has shown the way (his sunnah) that how to take Guidance from the Quran and Signs of Allah (swt).
He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad (sm)) has indeed obeyed Allah.... (4:80)
They said: "Glory to Thee of knowledge we have none save that Thou hast taught us: in truth it is Thou who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom." (2:32)
Say: "Of your `partners' is there any that can give any guidance towards Truth?" Say: "It is Allah Who gives guidance towards Truth. Is then He Who gives guidance to Truth more worthy to be followed or he who finds not guidance (himself) unless he is guided? What then is the matter with you? How judge ye?" (10:35)
The Sure Reality!
What is the Sure Reality?
And what will make thee realize what the Sure Reality is? (69:1-3)
The awareness of the ultimate reality is beyond human sense perception no answer is given to this question. Allah (swt) has given us this Quran , His Verses, His Signs to those who thinks, who reflects, who considers.
Thus doth Allah make clear (His) sign to you that you may give thought (2:226)
There are two types of verses or ayats are in the Quran 1) Substantive 2) Allegoric.
Substantive verses are : Commands, Duties, Laws that which we can understand by our sense perception.
Allegoric verse are : That which we cannot understand by our sense perception. e.g Throne of Allah, Akirat, Day of Judgment, Heaven and Hell, Spirits, Angles, the Unseen (2:3), essence of Allah (swt) etc.
Reality is a question that meet us in our search for truth. We, Muslims describe Allah (swt) by 99 Names or Attributes one of which is Al –Haqq : The Truth or The Real.
Allah ask us this question to make us think about our theoretical capacity to understand reality. The last two verse of the same surah states:
But verily it (the Quran) is Truth of assured certainty.
So glorify the name of thy Lord Most High. (69:51-52)
If we compare the last verses with the first of same surah that which raises the very issue of reality- focus our attention on our process of realizing truth and our sense of certainty about it, a reality that would work for us.
How do we humans judge? We judge by evidence and seeing. And it is like seeing is believing. But we do not see God by our eyes and when someone (from any three monotheistic religion) point out to us that this is the truth and this the way to reach the truth we almost certainly turn our back on it. what is meaningful to us is our own individual process of realizing the truth. We are less attracted to God as He knows Himself than to our own individual process of realizing the truth.
This is because each of us carries within himself a picture of reality. The picture or the shell (our own concept of friends, family, lovers spouse, employers, employees etc) when it is removed we are brought into contact with a larger perception of “reality”.
We can neither embrace reality nor see it the way it sees itself.
Some Islamic scholars had said that this reality is the Hereafter the Day of Resurrection and Judgment.
Allah (swt) states :
It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in truth (6.73)
We have to seek to see or know what can of reality through our 5 sense perception, we must strive to see the world as Allah (swt) want us to sees it. And for this He has given us His Signs, He has given us The Truth i.e The Quran through which we can guide our self. The Quran is part of the ultimate Truth which Allah (swt) has given us by which we can take knowledge, wisdom and the guidance to reach closer to the Ultimate Truth.
Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you: that ye may be guided (3:103)
And our Prophet Muhammad (sm) has shown the way (his sunnah) that how to take Guidance from the Quran and Signs of Allah (swt).
He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad (sm)) has indeed obeyed Allah.... (4:80)
They said: "Glory to Thee of knowledge we have none save that Thou hast taught us: in truth it is Thou who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom." (2:32)
Say: "Of your `partners' is there any that can give any guidance towards Truth?" Say: "It is Allah Who gives guidance towards Truth. Is then He Who gives guidance to Truth more worthy to be followed or he who finds not guidance (himself) unless he is guided? What then is the matter with you? How judge ye?" (10:35)
WHY WAS QURAN NOT RELEAVED IN ONE PIECE AND WHY IT WAS REAVLED IN ARABIC?
Those who reject Faith say: "Why is not the Qur'an revealed to him all at once?" Thus (it is send down in parts) that We may strengthen your heart thereby and We have revealed it to you in slow well-arranged stages gradually (25:32)
And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the truth and the best explanation (thereof) (25:33)
Allah (swt) mentions us about the question that was faced by Prophet Muhammad (sm) and his companions 1400 years ago and still now we are facing this question.
From the above mentioned ayat we see reason for gradual revelation.
1) To strength your heart : The task Prophet Muhammad (sm) had was very tough, he had to win the Arab nation and through them the whole world to Islam. And this required patience consistency and firmness. As his task progressed different situations & difficulties were raised and the ayats were revealed as solutions to those situation.
2) Questions put answers given : When questions raised surrounding an event the answers came in the form of revelation (not only for that situation but from the general stand point). Through the process of situation & solution based revelations the Quran penetrated the human intelligence and shaped man’s practical conduct.
Allah (swt) sent the book together with a guide. That guide first addressed a particular nation in whose language the book came. Then, according to the prescriptions laid in the book, he educated them, purified them, gave them practical training, and completely reshaped their lives in a full social revolution. Then he charged them with this responsibility that they, on his behalf, would transmit this guidance to other nations, educate them, purify them, train them, and reshape their lives the same way as he had done to them. Thus, once one nation adopts this ideal, it would bear the responsibility of taking it to other nations. This was the natural way for universalizing that teaching and guidance. Every great movement of the world that wanted to universalize it’s teaching had adopted this same method, be that a movement to establish God’s way or any other type of movement.
When these sorts of question are asked we need to understand one basic point and that is: for guiding the humanity, Allah (swt) does not adopt a method that would require an alteration in the natural workings and systems of the universe. The variety of languages, and due to that the emergence of various small and large ethnic groups – all this is but a natural phenomenon which came into existence by the will of Allah (swt). And in this are lot of benefits and goodness that Allah (swt) would not want to destroy. Yes, He is the Almighty, but He is also the Wise. In His universe, things are running under a perfect set of laws and principles. Due to these principles, variance between languages, cultures, and traditions emerges. Even if Allah (swt) had created some separate type of language, that still could not have been the mother tongue of all nationalities, nor could the literature in that language affect and influence the minds of all people on earth. They would not have appreciated the beauty of that language [like one appreciates his mother tongue]. If Allah (swt) – by some supernatural way – eliminated all the mother tongues of all people and then imposed, supernaturally, one language on the entire humanity, then that is a different matter. However, since one action of Allah (swt) does not come to nullify another action of His, He has sent guidance to the humanity while sustaining the natural systems and frameworks of all languages.
And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the truth and the best explanation (thereof) (25:33)
Allah (swt) mentions us about the question that was faced by Prophet Muhammad (sm) and his companions 1400 years ago and still now we are facing this question.
From the above mentioned ayat we see reason for gradual revelation.
1) To strength your heart : The task Prophet Muhammad (sm) had was very tough, he had to win the Arab nation and through them the whole world to Islam. And this required patience consistency and firmness. As his task progressed different situations & difficulties were raised and the ayats were revealed as solutions to those situation.
2) Questions put answers given : When questions raised surrounding an event the answers came in the form of revelation (not only for that situation but from the general stand point). Through the process of situation & solution based revelations the Quran penetrated the human intelligence and shaped man’s practical conduct.
Allah (swt) sent the book together with a guide. That guide first addressed a particular nation in whose language the book came. Then, according to the prescriptions laid in the book, he educated them, purified them, gave them practical training, and completely reshaped their lives in a full social revolution. Then he charged them with this responsibility that they, on his behalf, would transmit this guidance to other nations, educate them, purify them, train them, and reshape their lives the same way as he had done to them. Thus, once one nation adopts this ideal, it would bear the responsibility of taking it to other nations. This was the natural way for universalizing that teaching and guidance. Every great movement of the world that wanted to universalize it’s teaching had adopted this same method, be that a movement to establish God’s way or any other type of movement.
When these sorts of question are asked we need to understand one basic point and that is: for guiding the humanity, Allah (swt) does not adopt a method that would require an alteration in the natural workings and systems of the universe. The variety of languages, and due to that the emergence of various small and large ethnic groups – all this is but a natural phenomenon which came into existence by the will of Allah (swt). And in this are lot of benefits and goodness that Allah (swt) would not want to destroy. Yes, He is the Almighty, but He is also the Wise. In His universe, things are running under a perfect set of laws and principles. Due to these principles, variance between languages, cultures, and traditions emerges. Even if Allah (swt) had created some separate type of language, that still could not have been the mother tongue of all nationalities, nor could the literature in that language affect and influence the minds of all people on earth. They would not have appreciated the beauty of that language [like one appreciates his mother tongue]. If Allah (swt) – by some supernatural way – eliminated all the mother tongues of all people and then imposed, supernaturally, one language on the entire humanity, then that is a different matter. However, since one action of Allah (swt) does not come to nullify another action of His, He has sent guidance to the humanity while sustaining the natural systems and frameworks of all languages.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
QURAN vs MUHAMMAD (SM)
Through out the world especially in non-Muslim circle there has been an constant debate arising from misconception that Quran is Muhammad(SM) sayings. And the Islamic scholars have done an excellent job (from the Muslim point of view) to clarify the misconception. And some agreed ,some did not.
My idea to write this article in a very debating/competing sort of title is to put a picture how non-Muslims try to divide us by creating confusion between the young generations of the Muslim ummah. I am not putting any non-Muslims point of view here. But I will, Inshallah ,try to put some points which will help my brothers & sister to reflect on those points and load themselves with an answer so that they can fire at the questioner instantly.
First lets put three arguments :
1) Muhammad’s (sm) saying is Quran
2) Someone else said to Muhammad (sm)and he said it to us.
3) Quran is the Word of Allah.
For the first argument : Muhammad’s (sm) saying is Quran
Quran itself is claiming that Quran is not Muhammad’s (SM) word, it is from Allah
“This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it (i.e Torah & Gospel) and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds” (10:37)
From the above ayat we see two things: A) the wisdom inherent in the Quran rule out any possibility of its having been composed by any human being. B) The Quranic message in meant to confirm, and give final formulation to, the truths which have been conveyed to man through long succession of prophets: truths which have been wrongly interpreted, deliberately omitted or a partial or even total lose of original text
From a Hadith Narrated by Abu Hurairah(RA): The Prophet (SM) said, “There was no Prophet among the Prophets but was given miracles because of which people had security or had belief, but what I have been given in the Divine Revelation which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will be more than those of any other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection (Sahih Al-bukhari,vol.9 Hadith no.379)
“It is We Who have sent down the Qur'an to thee {Muhammad (sm)} by stages” (76:23)
When We recite Quran we very often find the Word “Qul” (say) before the beginning to any verse.
Say: "I do no more than invoke my Lord and I join not with Him any (false god)." 72:20
Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm or to bring you to right conduct." 72:21
Say: "No one can deliver me from Allah (if I were to disobey Him) nor should I find refuge except in Him. 72:22
"Unless I proclaim what I receive from Allah and His Messages: for any that disobey and His Apostle for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein forever." 72:23
And also the last three Suras of the Quran. Now if Muhammad (SM) is saying then he won’t be adding Qul (say)in the verse. Definitely Someone said this to him and that Someone is Allah (swt).
If we look at the life & wealth of Prophet Muhammad(SM) before the Nabuwat, during the Nabuwat and at the end of the Nabuwat. We can easily see the difference. Before the revelation of the First Ayat he was very much well established in Mecca with good a business and he was very trustworthy and praiseworthy among the Meccans.
When Nabuwat came and Allah commanded him to preach, the Chosen Religion Al-Islam then his life of this world became very bitter, sorrow, suffering and persecution. He lost his business had to leave his homeland. And for 23 years he had to face this. And on the day of his death his only assets were a few coins, a part of which went to satisfy debt and the rest was given to a needy person who came to his house for charity. The clothes in which he breathed his last had many patches. The house from where light had spread to the world was in darkness because there was no oil in the lamp.
From Quran we get the internal evidence that Quran is not Muhammad’s (SM) words. And he himself has said this in the above mentioned hadith and from his life we can also see what materialistic benefits he got by doing this.
For the Second Argument: Someone else said to Muhammad (sm)and he said it to us
If Someone else has said or taught Muhammad (SM) the Quran then Allah (SWT) challenges man in the following verse :
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your (doubts) are true.” 2:23
“Or do they say "He forged it"? Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides Allah if it be ye speak the truth!” ” 10:38
“Or they may say "He forged it." Say "Bring ye then ten Surahs forged like unto it and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can other than Allah! if ye speak the truth!”11:13
“Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an they could not produce the like thereof even if they backed up each other with help and support.” 17:88
From the above mentioned verse we see that the world is challenged to produce a book like it / if not then at least 10 surah / if not then only 1 surah (the smallest surah in Quran contains only 3verse). But the world has not produced one.
In Quran there are ample of scientific indications which was not possible during that period of the time. None of the verse in the Quran are opposing to science and we must remember Quran is not book of science it is the book of SIGNS.
We can now see clearly see that the first two Arguments :
1) Muhammad’s (sm) saying is Quran
2) Someone else said to Muhammad (sm)and he said it to us
Are eliminated the Last Argument Quran is the Word of Allah is established
Muhammad(SM) is Slave of Allah , the unlettered Prophet; a blank page set before the divine pen. On this page there is no mark made by any other pen, no trace of profane or indirect knowledge. A Prophet does not borrow knowledge from the human store, nor is he a man who learns in the slow human way and then transmits his learning.
My idea to write this article in a very debating/competing sort of title is to put a picture how non-Muslims try to divide us by creating confusion between the young generations of the Muslim ummah. I am not putting any non-Muslims point of view here. But I will, Inshallah ,try to put some points which will help my brothers & sister to reflect on those points and load themselves with an answer so that they can fire at the questioner instantly.
First lets put three arguments :
1) Muhammad’s (sm) saying is Quran
2) Someone else said to Muhammad (sm)and he said it to us.
3) Quran is the Word of Allah.
For the first argument : Muhammad’s (sm) saying is Quran
Quran itself is claiming that Quran is not Muhammad’s (SM) word, it is from Allah
“This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it (i.e Torah & Gospel) and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds” (10:37)
From the above ayat we see two things: A) the wisdom inherent in the Quran rule out any possibility of its having been composed by any human being. B) The Quranic message in meant to confirm, and give final formulation to, the truths which have been conveyed to man through long succession of prophets: truths which have been wrongly interpreted, deliberately omitted or a partial or even total lose of original text
From a Hadith Narrated by Abu Hurairah(RA): The Prophet (SM) said, “There was no Prophet among the Prophets but was given miracles because of which people had security or had belief, but what I have been given in the Divine Revelation which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will be more than those of any other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection (Sahih Al-bukhari,vol.9 Hadith no.379)
“It is We Who have sent down the Qur'an to thee {Muhammad (sm)} by stages” (76:23)
When We recite Quran we very often find the Word “Qul” (say) before the beginning to any verse.
Say: "I do no more than invoke my Lord and I join not with Him any (false god)." 72:20
Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm or to bring you to right conduct." 72:21
Say: "No one can deliver me from Allah (if I were to disobey Him) nor should I find refuge except in Him. 72:22
"Unless I proclaim what I receive from Allah and His Messages: for any that disobey and His Apostle for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein forever." 72:23
And also the last three Suras of the Quran. Now if Muhammad (SM) is saying then he won’t be adding Qul (say)in the verse. Definitely Someone said this to him and that Someone is Allah (swt).
If we look at the life & wealth of Prophet Muhammad(SM) before the Nabuwat, during the Nabuwat and at the end of the Nabuwat. We can easily see the difference. Before the revelation of the First Ayat he was very much well established in Mecca with good a business and he was very trustworthy and praiseworthy among the Meccans.
When Nabuwat came and Allah commanded him to preach, the Chosen Religion Al-Islam then his life of this world became very bitter, sorrow, suffering and persecution. He lost his business had to leave his homeland. And for 23 years he had to face this. And on the day of his death his only assets were a few coins, a part of which went to satisfy debt and the rest was given to a needy person who came to his house for charity. The clothes in which he breathed his last had many patches. The house from where light had spread to the world was in darkness because there was no oil in the lamp.
From Quran we get the internal evidence that Quran is not Muhammad’s (SM) words. And he himself has said this in the above mentioned hadith and from his life we can also see what materialistic benefits he got by doing this.
For the Second Argument: Someone else said to Muhammad (sm)and he said it to us
If Someone else has said or taught Muhammad (SM) the Quran then Allah (SWT) challenges man in the following verse :
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your (doubts) are true.” 2:23
“Or do they say "He forged it"? Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides Allah if it be ye speak the truth!” ” 10:38
“Or they may say "He forged it." Say "Bring ye then ten Surahs forged like unto it and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can other than Allah! if ye speak the truth!”11:13
“Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an they could not produce the like thereof even if they backed up each other with help and support.” 17:88
From the above mentioned verse we see that the world is challenged to produce a book like it / if not then at least 10 surah / if not then only 1 surah (the smallest surah in Quran contains only 3verse). But the world has not produced one.
In Quran there are ample of scientific indications which was not possible during that period of the time. None of the verse in the Quran are opposing to science and we must remember Quran is not book of science it is the book of SIGNS.
We can now see clearly see that the first two Arguments :
1) Muhammad’s (sm) saying is Quran
2) Someone else said to Muhammad (sm)and he said it to us
Are eliminated the Last Argument Quran is the Word of Allah is established
Muhammad(SM) is Slave of Allah , the unlettered Prophet; a blank page set before the divine pen. On this page there is no mark made by any other pen, no trace of profane or indirect knowledge. A Prophet does not borrow knowledge from the human store, nor is he a man who learns in the slow human way and then transmits his learning.
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