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The Two Tickers (Heart/Time)

2011-10-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

Bismillah wa salaatu wa salaamu 'ala Rasulillah
wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma'een

Indeed, all praise naturally and rightfully belongs to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Prophet and Last Messenger to man, Muhammad ibn Abdullah. Indeed, the best of speech is the Book of Allah; al-Qur'an and the best and only acceptable guidance with which to obey Allah's Word is the Sunnah or way of His Messenger, Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wa 'ala 'alihi wa salaam. Amma ba'ad (as to what follows):

Our beloved Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "Indeed in the body is a morsel of flesh that when sound, the whole body becomes sound; and if corrupt, the whole body becomes corrupt. And it is the heart."

Discussed and outlined by our classical scholar Ibn al-Qayyim rahimuhallah are some of the key factors in our behavior and habits, they in which we (unwisely) use our time, that "disease" our hearts compromising our iman and could leave us dangling only by a thread of Islam if something not be done urgently to remedy these flawed aspects of our character.

There are 10 Useless Matters:

1. Knowledge that is not acted on.

2. The Deed that has neither sincerity nor is based on following the righteous examples of others.

3. Money that is hoarded, as the owner neither enjoys it during this life nor obtains any reward for it in the Hereafter.

4. The heart that is void of love and longing for Allah, and of seeking closeness to Him.

5. A body that does not obey and serve Allah.

6. Loving Allah without following His Orders or seeking His Pleasure.

7. Time that is not spent in expiating sins or seizing opportunities to do good.

8. A mind that thinks about Useless Matters.

9. Serving those who do not bring you close to Allah, nor benefit you in your life.

10. Hoping and Fearing whoever is under the Authority of Allah and in His Hand; while he cannot bring any benefit or harm to himself, nor death, nor life; nor can he resurrect himself.

However the greater of these matters are wasting the heart and wasting time. Wasting the heart is done by preferring this worldly life over the Hereafter, and wasting time is done by having incessant hope. Destruction occurs by following one’s desires and having incessant hope, while all goodness is found in following the right path and preparing oneself to meet Allah.

How strange it is that when a Servant of Allah has a [worldly] problem, he seeks help of Allah, but he never asks Allah to cure his Heart before it dies of:

Ignorance,
Neglect,
Fulfilling one’s desire,
And being involved in innovations (in the Deen).

Indeed, when the heart dies, he will never feel the significance or impact of his sins.

[Ref: Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah: Al-Fawa’id /© 2004 Umm Al-Qura]

Lift the Curtains...

2011-10-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

On the authority of Nawwas ibn Sam’an, the Messenger of Allah, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, said:

“Allah has set forth the following as a parable:

'There is a road that leads straight to the destination. On either side of the road there is a wall in which there are open doors with curtains hanging over them. From the remote end of the road, a voice calls: ‘proceed straight and do not turn aside’. Whenever someone intends to lift a curtain from the door another voice calls from above: ‘Beware! Do not lift the curtain; otherwise you will be lured inside.'"

The Prophet, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, explained the parable by saying that:

The Straight Path is Islam.
The walls are the limits imposed by Allah,
The open doors are the things that He has Prohibited,
The voice which calls from the end of the road is The Qur'an and;
The voice which calls from above is Allah’s monitor in the heart of every Believer”.

[at-Tirmidhi #76: It was declared Hasan Gharib by Tirmidhee and Sahih by Hakim #245 with Dhahabi agreeing and Al-Albani ,sahih al-Jami’ #3887]

Why Islam?

2011-09-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

Why Islam? The question "why?" demands a rational answer. However, many people think that it is not possible to give rational answers to ideological commitments (by ideology, we mean a system of thought). They believe that a commitment to any theistic ideology is an irrational act.

One cannot deny the fact that many people do commit themselves illogically to various ideologies and continue to hold onto them only because they find themselves to be raised up in particular communities. They accept such ideologies in just the same way as they would accept a traditional form of dress handed down to them through the generations. For example, a person might be deeply committed to a nationalistic ideology simply because it may be the best way to win the support of the masses and thereby gain personal political power.

Let us analyze two commonly found views regarding ideological commitments:

The first states that a commitment to any ideology which involves some type of deity must neccessarily be irrational.The premise of those who say this is that the fundamental claims of all such ideologies are beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Those who have accepted such a premise have concluded that all types of such 'belief' must be based on irrational and imaginary thoughts rather than on reality.

The opposite view is held by people who seek to justify their 'belief' in certain irrational ideas by claiming that reason is limited. In fact, the followers of this ideology state that people should commit themselves to such ideas by simply having 'faith'. The conclusion of these people is that ultimate reality must be irrational in essence and therefore incomprehensible to the human mind. They go on to say that their ideology must be accepted or 'believed' without reason, in order to attain some type of 'salvation'.

This kind of argument is very difficult to accept because as human beings, we may ask: What do we have other than the usage of our minds for acquiring knowledge? If we are told to 'believe' in something that is irrational (i.e. beyond all reason), such as a type of being which is both mortal and immortal, we cannot possibly digest such an idea. Therefore it does not seem unnatural for us to demand that our way of thinking and living be based solely upon those concepts which can be verified as being true.

Going back to the first view regarding ideological commitments, we see that this view contends that we cannot and should not believe in that which we cannot comprehend. The emphasis lies on the word comprehend, and so it must be defined.

It is true that one cannot have an adequate mental picture of some mathematical and scientific facts. For example, one cannot have an adequate mental or visual picture of the curvature of space, or one of the mathematical concepts of infinity. Nor can we really have an adequate mental picture of the way in which certain animals experience things, such as the way in which bats 'see' by using ultrasonic waves. However, we know these concepts to be true because of solid evidence and not because of some non-rational ideas. Therefore we can say that we do indeed comprehend them.

Now what about the concept of a singular, all-knowing entity which has created the universe? It is impossible to have any mental or visual picture of such an entity, for evidence tells us that this entity must be unlike anything in the universe because this entity must be independent of space and time. The evidence for the existence of this single intelligence lies in the design of nature itself, which we can freely examine; hence, such an ideology is rational. If one realizes this - through confirmation - then one can proceed to answer the question: Why Islam?

One of the main problems with an atheistic ideology is that it cannot explain intelligence in the processes of the universe. Another problem is that it tends to deprive life of meaning. Furthermore, we know that human beings are naturally inclined to be honest; however, in atheism there is a denial of an ultimate originator and of anything beyond death, which creates a contradiction and leads to an inconsistency in behaviour - on the one hand a person would be inclined to be honest, and on the other to be dishonest 'to make the most of this world'.

[If everyone insisted on 'making the most of this world', society as we know it would not exist. As a case in point, let us suppose that all those who wanted to 'make the most of this world' resorted to thievery. If this happened, no one would be producing the goods (growing food for instance) that the rest of us could steal. Hence it seems that 'making the most of this world' as a system of action is doomed to failure. Could it then be a viable system of belief?]

Broadly speaking, with regard to theistic ideologies we have the revealed, the distorted and the man-made. One can easily say that a way of life communicated to humankind by the creator of this universe is preferred to man-made ideologies. If one wants to follow the advice of that which has made the universe and all that it contains - regarding what is beneficial or harmful - then it is better to refer to pristine communication from this originator, than to that communication which has been fabricated or distorted by man.

Those ideologies claiming to be based on revelations can be subjected to a number of tests, the first and most important of which is that of consistency. We must look for two types of consistency: internal and external.

Internal consistency means that a statement made in a book must not contradict another statement in the same book.

External consistency means that a statement made in a book must not contradict facts as we know, be they psychological, physical, chemical, historical, geographical, biological and so on.

Applying these tests, consider the most important truth that all the supposedly revealed ideologies proclaim, that is, the existence and perfect attributes of God. God for all ideologies, that claim to be revealed, is supposed to be all knowing, all merciful, everlasting, etc. However, some books imply that God's knowledge is limited and imperfect by saying that, for example, God was deceived by a human. In contrast, the Qur'an provides the perfect concept of an all-knowing, singular originator of this universe.

This leads us to the next test - that of authenticity. The question that should be asked is whether the scriptures that we have today are indeed a communication from the originator to humankind. A study of the history of Islam would show that the present Qur'an is exactly the same as that which was communicated about one thousand four hundred years ago. During its revelation it was committed to memory by a large number of people and also written down.

Yet another test is that of comprehensiveness. A truly comprehensive ideology, revealed to humankind by the designer of the universe, would describe the most beneficial system in all spheres of life including the political, economical, social, medical and environmental spheres.

Lastly, we might look at the test of universality. Clearly, an ideology which is historically or graphically bound is not as good as that which is applicable to all human beings, irrespective of the time and place of their origin.

In conclusion, if one uses the criteria of universality, comprehensiveness, authenticity and above all, consistency, one would find the Qur'an unique and worthy of investigation. It is interesting to note that the Qur'an itself stresses the above-mentioned approach. For example, in verse 82 of chapter 4, it is said, "Will they not ponder about the Quran? If it had been from other than God, then they would have surely found in it many inconsistencies."

Solidarity?

2011-08-31T18:11:00.001-07:00

It's true tragedies at times have a proclivity to bring families closer. A kind of blessing in disguise recognized only in hindsight.

A beautiful irony.

But what of a tragedy perpetrated at the hands of the family AGAINST the family who then in turn betrays and abandons the victims of the tragedy to shelter the criminals from justice and accountability? Subsequently uniting and strengthening in bond among themselves? Can we classify this as unity in essence or is this more symbolic to the transitory facade of unity dispersed in response to the tragedy that was 9/11?

Retrospectively, the comparison is unfair. Be it so that this sort of disingenuous unity contains a far stronger, more lethal dose of hypocrisy.

Commit to righteousness and justice even if it be against yourself. For the alternative is a blatant display of cowardice and hypocrisy that subjects one to absolute failure. In this life (obvious or not) and the life to come.

Is this the description of a loving kinship? The qualities of an average, decent human being? An example of a Muslim who adores the Sunnah of their Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam? Who is inspired and marvels at the bravery, loyalty and steadfastness marked in the stories of as-Sahabah radiallahu 'anhumma?

Any closeness or pride you feel among yourselves in this event is a farce and a curse by which Shaytan himself joins you in celebration.

"Does man think they will be left alone on saying: "We believe", and that they will not be tested? Indeed We tested those before them and Allah knows those who are true from those who are false. Do those who practice evil imagine they will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgement!" -Surah al-Ankabut ayat 2-4

al-Ibtilaa'

2011-06-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

All praise naturally and rightfully belongs to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. We seek His Help and Forgiveness; we are penitent to Him. We seek refuge with Him from the evil within our selves and from the evil of our actions. Whomever Allah guides , none can misguide and whomever Allah misguides , none can guide. I bare witness and testify none is worthy of worship except Allah and I witness and testify that Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is His last Prophet and Messenger.

Among the severest matters in this life, which a day does not pass except we are confronted with them, are the matters of ibtilaa’. Al-ibtilaa’, a concept appearing in word and in theme numerous places throughout the Book of Allahu ta’ala, is an Arabic term that is moreorless translated into English to mean “tried” or “tested”. Ibtilaa’ is indeed a Sunnah of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala whose purpose serves to remind us of the reality of this life and purpose of our creation, our existence. To worship Him, our Lord, through gratitude, patience and adhereing to that which He has Commanded. “Wama khalaqtu al-jinna wa’l insa illa liya’budun.” (I have not created the spirits and mankind except to worship Me)

This dunya (world) is but testing grounds. It is neither a reward nor a punishment. It does not contain absolute goodness nor does it contain absolute evil. Rather it contains but examples and constant transitions of both by which we all are tested by our Lord. With the good of it, our sukr (gratitude) to Him is tried. With the bad of it, our sabr (i.e. patience, steadfastness) is tested. And in both cases it is our overall sincerity towards Allah that is being tried. Allah says that which means:

“Every soul shall taste death and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial and unto Us will you return.” –Surah an-Anbiya’ ayah 35

Ibn Abbas, radiallahu ‘anhu, said concerning this ayah: “We will test you with hardship and with ease, with good health and with sickness, with wealth and with poverty, with the halal and with the haraam, with obedience and with disobedience and with right guidance and with misguidance - in order that we may establish how you have shown gratitude (for the “profitable” tests) and how you have remained steadfast (in the face of the “bad” tests). ‘And unto us will you return’ - so that Allah will reward each and every soul according to their actions.

It is only with perfect reason, in both timing and nature, that Allah tests us. And we should always be patient with those calamities with which we have no control over; complaining only to Allah, burdening no one else, unnecessarily, with our troubles. (The exception, of course, being of those calamities we can possibly control, such as an injustice afflicted upon us from others, we should do whatever physically or verbally possible to either prevent or combat this evil action to protect ourselves. Silence or passive non-resistance in these cases is in itself sinful.)

Great scholar and Tabi, al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad, rahimahullah, put it simply: "Whoever complains about a calamity which comes his way it is as if he has complained against his Lord.”

And Shuraih al-Qadhi, rahimahullah, explained thoroughly to a close friend he observed complaining to others about his problems: "Beware of taking your troubles to other than Allah. For the one to whom you confide can only be either a friend or an enemy. If he is a friend, then you will make him sad for you and he cannot benefit you anyway. If he is an enemy, he will be pleased and take some advantage over you. Look at this eye of mine. By Allah, I have not seen any person or the way to go with it for fifteen years and I have never told anyone about it until this moment. Have you not heard the statement of the righteous slave, Ya’qub: "I only raise my distress and my grief to Allah"? So, make Allah the one to whom you take your troubles and your grief when anything bad happens to you. He is the most gracious of those who are asked and the closest of those who are called.”

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وآله as the Warrior

2010-12-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Bismillah wa inna alhamdulillahi wahadu wa salallahu wa salaamu 'ala Rasulullah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi wa 'ala man'itiba huda. Amma ba'd...

With sincere compassion do I advise an attentive ear and heart be lent to this profound and emotionally climactic lecture discoursing one of the most noble roles and characteristics of our beloved Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, as a warrior. Learn how from the moment of his conception in the womb he was being prepared for his role as a warrior by the Lord of all worlds. Learn how and why the Salaf as-Salih rahmatullah 'alayhim studied the battles of the Prophet 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam as they would the Qur'an itself. Witness the bravery and determination our Prophet 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam externalized in his battles; maintaining justice and equity throughout his life against his enemies!

Only in the most intense, crucial and trying of moments do the colors of one's character truly take center stage. It is for this reason we marvel at the illustrious character of our beloved Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam at the time of battle and hardship. As al-Fudayl ibn Iyaad rahimahullah said: "As long as people are doing fine, their true nature is concealed, but once calamity strikes, their true natures are revealed. So the believer resorts to his faith and the hypocrite resorts to his hypocrisy."

Compellingly, a non-Muslim and French poet, writer and politician attested to this unparalleled aspect of our Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam quite nobly in his "Historie de al Turquie'":

"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, WHO COULD DARE COMPARE ANY GREAT MAN IN HISTORY WITH MUHAMMAD?

The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples, dynasties, but millions of men in 1/3rd of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls.

Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Conqueror of Ideas, Restorer of Rational beliefs... The founder of 20 terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?"

Finally, the lecture which follows expounding on this tremendous quality of our beloved and illustrious Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa 'ala alihi wa salaam is our dear brother Jalal ibn Sa'eed. May Allah perserve him, reward, increase him in good and grant him and all the du'at Jannat al-Firdows al-'ala. Ameen. Enjoy and benefit...

Dunya: A Rotting Carcass

2010-09-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Bismillah, alhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi wa salaam tasleeman katheerah. Amma ba'd...

What would make us to understand and make severe the issue of allowing the preoccupation of this world, where the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah is not involved, to distract us from our purpose? Is it not clear that it is mainly the love and attachment of this world that has weakened this Ummah and subjugated us to calamities, oppression and all sorts of evil? Ya Muslimeen, this world belongs not in our hearts, but in our hands.

Our beloved and illustrious Prophet 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam told us:

"The whole of this world is cursed and cursed is all it contains except the remembrance of Allah and what is connected to it."

Fulfilling our purpose, observing the rights Allah has upon us and securing ourselves an excellent Akhirah are the only items of any worth and blessing in this world. But how loosely and how soon do the sincerely intended righteous acts creep their way to the bottom of our list of priorities? This path bares a simple formula: lose your deen, lose yourself, lose your Akhirah. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala guide us and grant us istiqamah that we may remain distant from the path of the losers. Ameen.

Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told us if this world were worth a single wing of a mosquito, Allah would not allow even a sip of water to the disbeliever. In so many ways and words, not to mention the countless supportive adillah from Qur'an and Sunnah, could the appropriate manner for the believer to view and handle this world be illustrated. But it is the statement of one of our classical scholars, Sheikh ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah that frames it in one of the finest perspectives. He, Ibn Taymiyyah, said: "Treat this world as you would a lavatory, you only enter to clear your body and you leave it."

Likewise, we find in at-Tirmidhi the famous story related about the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam walking through a marketplace and stumbling upon the carcass of a sheep. Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam asked his Companions: "Who of you would take this for one coin (dinar)?" One of them pointed out that the ears of the carcass were cut off and so it was said: "Even if you offered us this carcass for free we would refuse it." Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa 'ala alihi wa salaam said: "This world is MORE worthless to Allah than this rotting carcass is to you." May Allah increase our taqwa and consciousness to take our Akhirah more serious than our hayyat ad-dunya (life in this world). May this world be removed from our hearts and placed in our hands where it belongs. Allahumma ameen!

And what is there to emphasize the point that it is the love and attachment to this world that thrust us into this poor and humiliating state besides what Muhammad 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam told us about wahn (weakness)? He, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, warned the Ummah through saying to his Companions:

"The nations will one day invite one another and come upon you just like the eating invite others to their dish." He, 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam, was asked: "Ya Rasulullah, will it be because we are little in numbers?" He, 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam, said: "No, the Muslims will be numerous, but they will be like the froth on the sea overtaken by the current. And so Allah will remove from the hearts of your enemies, fear, and place into the hearts of our Ummah, wahn." They asked: "Ya Rasulullah, what is wahn?" And he, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, said: "It is love for this world and the hatred of death."

Verily, the destroyer of pleasures is ever afoot, so may we and please make dua that I too make use of this world only to prepare and secure for ourselves an easy and blissful Akhirah. Ameen ya Rabb ul 'alameen!

"By the Criticizing Self"

2010-08-11T18:24:00.001-07:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaam 'ala Rasulullah

Among the qualities of the believer is a helpless compulsion to criticize themself. The sincerity in their efforts to gain closeness to their Lord through amilu salih (righteous deeds) has them to find little satisfaction in their performance. An unintended tactic to persistently pursue the path of improvement. A sort of consequent motivational drive to achieve and/or sustain the great level of ihsan (i.e. perfection and beauty in doing virtuous deeds).

In any form of ibadah (i.e. worship; actions beloved to Allah commited for His sake), be it prayer, supplicating Allah in the opening and completion of every occassion, benefiting our families, fasting, showing kindness, baring times of ease and trials with patience, etc... more often than not the believer convinces themself that they could have done it better in some regard. Not that they think the intention and effort missed the pleasure of Allah, rather they remind themselves the potential to have pleased Allah even greater. This is because the true believer refuses to be content with what they have in terms of knowledge and deeds; they strive always for more knowledge and in not only doing more deeds, but perfecting them with better manners. Not merely out of the obligation binding upon them as believers, but because of the geniune love they have for Allah tabarakata wa ta'ala and the Sunnah of His beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam.

A classical scholar of the Tabi'een, al-Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah, sharply expressed this point in his commentary on the second ayah of Surah al-Qiyaamah where Allah swears by this quality in saying what means:

"Say, I do swear by the criticizing self..." -Surah al-Qiyamah ayah 2

al-Basri said of this: "A believer will always be critical of himself in his food, his drink and in his speech. A sinner will NOT criticize himself. A believer is a guardian over himself; he accounts himself for Allah. Those who take account of themselves in this world will be audited lightly in the Hereafter. Those who take this issue lightly will find their auditing (in the Hereafter) extremely difficult."

May Allah azza wa jall make us among those who commit with sincerity and special care the deeds He Loves. May He make us among those who especially during this most holy and blessed month of Ramadan strive to perfect the actions we do for His sake, His Mercy, His Pleasure and reward. Ameen thumma ameen!

The Companions of Sin Chase Me

2010-08-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

You may say:

“I would like to repent and change my ways but my former evil companions pursue me wherever I go. No sooner do they know of a change in me than they launch an attack on me. I feel myself weak against them. What should I do?”

The answer is, bear it with patience for this is the way of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. This is how He tries His slaves in order for everyone to know who are true in their claims from those who are false, and in order that He may expose the pervert from the righteous. Allah says what means:

“Do they think they will be left alone on saying: “we believe” and that they will not be tested. Surely, We will test them as we have tested those before them, and Allah will make clear those who are true from those who are false.” –Surah al-‘Ankabut ayat 2-3

Once you have taken the path to goodness, persevere in it. These evil people who are Shayateen (among jinn and men) will conspire with each in order to turn you back from the path of reformation, therefore, listen to them not. They will say about you as you begin on this new line, that this is an infatuation that will not last, that it is a passing crisis and soon you will be out of it. In fact, once it was heard that a man said about his former companion who had begun to change his life, “what an evil he has fallen into!”

It is for such situations that Allah has revealed what means:

“Say, I take refuge with the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind. From the evil of the secret whisperings… of the one who whispers in the breast of mankind… among the jinn and mankind.” –Surah an-Nas ayat 1-6

You should then ask yourself: “Is your Lord then more worthy of obedience or these evil companions?”

You should also know that they will chase you in every place and will employ every means to win you back to their ways. One of the means these evil companions of sin will employ to entice you would be to remind you of the pleasures of sins of the past, through insinuations, contacts, notes, pictures, letters and so on. But do not pay any attention to them, and be reminded of the story of Ka’b bin Malik radiallahu anhu who had stayed back from the Tabuk battle. When, by way of punishment, the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam ordered that he be boycotted by everyone until Allah cleared the way for him, the Ghassanid King wrote to him a letter in which he said: “I am to learn that your man (meaning Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam) has abandoned you. But you are not the kind of man to be placed in the situation in which you can be belittled and wasted. Join us. We will treat you much better.” And so what was the reaction of this Sahabi? Well, Ka’b bin Malik radiallah anhu said: “When I read the letter, I said to myself, this is yet another trial from my Lord. Then I threw it into the oven and burned it.”

This is how, my dear young brother or sister, you should treat those things sent to you to win you back. Burn them to ashes and remember Allah says:

“Be patient. For Allah’s Promise is true. And let not those who do not believe weaken you.” –Surah ar-Rum ayah 60

Types of Hearts

2010-06-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Bismillah, alhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Sa`id, radiallahu 'anhumma, reporting that the Messenger of Allah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said:

"The hearts are of four types: Polished and shiny as a radiating lamp. A sealed heart with a knot tied around it. A heart that is turned upside down and a wrapped heart.

As for the polished heart, it is the heart of the believer and its lamp is the light of faith.
The sealed heart is the heart of the disbeliever.

The heart that is turned upside down is the heart of the pure hypocrite, because he contained knowledge but denied it.

As for the wrapped heart, it is a heart that contains belief and hypocrisy. The example of faith in this heart is the example of the herb that is sustained by pure water. The example of hypocrisy in it is the example of an ulcer that thrives on puss and blood. Whichever of the two substances is most dominant, will have dominance over that heart."

(This hadith has a jayid hasan isnad - classified good chain of narration)

O Allah give and maintain for us polished hearts whose light radiates from our intentions, attitudes and deeds. Grant us the determination and patience, ya Rabb, to gain success and satifaction in this world and al-Akhirah, keeping us safe from the disease of nifaq (hypocrisy) always. Allahumma ameen.

Ya Muqallibal qulubli thabbit qulbi 'ala dinika (O Turner of Hearts, turn my heart that it is firm and steadfast in Your Way)!

Truly Destined

2010-05-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, dear brothers and sisters in iman. Indeed Allah is praised with or without our praising Him. Still humbly, but never to the extent at which He alone is worthy, we praise Him. Seeking His help and forgiveness and seeking refuge with Allah from the evil within ourselves and the consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides none can misguide and whomever Allah misguides none can guide. I bare witness and testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and I bare witness and testify that Muhammad ibn Abdullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam is the Messenger of Allah. Amma b'ad.

The future, as it is well known to this Ummah, belongs to Islam. Islam, by the Might and Grace of Allah, will be given victory over its opposition and ultimately over the Earth entirely. This is a promise from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, and just as His promise of Rome's defeat of the Persian Empire came to pass; and just as He promised their rule would persist nine years in following the event came to pass*; His promise of Islam's victory will also undoubtedly be fulfilled. But we will not gain such an honor by reclining, doing nothing for the cause of this deen, expecting it to happen just like that. Such an honor will not be gained by reinterpreting or redefining this perfect and truly divine Deen. Na'udu billah. Such an honor will not be experienced by simply waiting for al-Mahdi to lead us there or awaiting the Messiah Issa bin Maryam alayhi salaam to return and establish it. To truly take part and entitle ourselves a share in the ajr of this honor and promise of Allah, the qualities and conditions that Allah ta'ala Himself has explained in the Qur'an must be met. The intentions and efforts are ours to make, and the status of the goal is only for Allah to determine and permit based upon them.

Allah azza wa jall promises that victory for this Deen and this Ummah will be an honor bestowed only upon those who keep to His commands, follow what He has prescribed, avoid His prohibitions, protect the honor of His Messengers and their followers, uphold His Deen and fight against His enemies. And by this, Allah makes His word uppermost and the word of His objectors debased. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, above having a son or gender, free of defects and deficiencies, says what means:

"Indeed, Allah will help those who help His Cause. Indeed, Allah is all Powerful, Exalted in Might." -Surah al-Hajj ayah 40

Allah, Possessor of all Might and Majesty, says what means:

"Those who, if We establish them on earth, they establish the Salah, give zakaah, enjoin the good and forbid the evil; and with Allah rest the end of affairs." -Surah al-Hajj ayah 41

Allah azza wa jall, says that which means:

"O you who believe. If you help the Cause of Allah, Allah will Help you and establish your feet firmly. But those who disbelieve, for them is destruction and Allah will make vain their deeds." -Surah Muhammad ayat 7-8

"Allah has Promised those amongst you who have iman (certainty of belief) and do righteous deeds, that He will grant you the khilafah (succession, rulership, etc.) over the land." -Surah an-Nur ayah 55

"Allah has Decreed: It is I and My Messenger who will prevail." -Surah al-Mujaadalah ayah 21

"It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the deen of Truth, to cause to it supersede over all other deens (i.e. legislation, rule, religions, systems of life, etc.), though the mushrikeen may detest it." -Surah at-Tawba ayah 33

In this lecture, Sheikh Kamal el-Mekki, explains the role of this Ummah, as individuals, in order that we mold ourselves deserving of this prevailing 'izzah. Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, I tell you, the wrong path is always the path of least resistance. May Allah make us firm and steadfast. May He, azza wa jall, unite us upon tawheed, upon the Sunnah of Sayyidina Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa salaam and upon His Deen and obedience. Allahumma ameen! Enjoy and benefit, in'sha'Allah:

*events foretold in Surah ar-Rum ayat 2-4

Sabr: A Brightness

2010-01-19T17:05:00.000-08:00

Bismillah, walhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa-ashabihi wa-salaam tasleeman katheera

All praise is for Allah. As such we praise Him and could never achieve justice in doing so to the extent at which He alone is worthy. May the peace and blessings of Allah eternally be upon His Messenger, his family, his companions and those who follow his guidance, purely as it was revealed, in truth and in righteousness until the Day of Judgement.

After Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala reminds us, in Surah ali-Imran ayah 146, of the number of nabbiyia (prophets) and rabbiyun (knowledgeable, righteous leaders of Islam) throughout time who've suffered massive loss and were tested with multiple afflictions on the battlefield while fighting for His Cause, yet never once losing hope or weakening in neither heart nor faith, pushing forward without surrender against the rebels of Allah; He, azza wa jall, makes it known: "And Allah loves al-Sabbireen (the patient)."

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also commands His Messenger, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, in the Qur'an:

"Say: O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world there is good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." -Surah az-Zumar ayah 10

And so it is clear, ar-Rahman, our Ever-Merciful Lord, loves and rewards limitlessly al-sabbireen. And what would bring us to understand the meaning of sabr? Our beloved Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told us: "Sabr is a dhiya'." Often is this hadith interpreted to mean: "Patience is a light." However, the Arabic word for light is an-nur and the term that passed from our Messenger's blessed lips is ad-dhiya', salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, whose linguistic meaning is "radiance" or "brightness" and there is a distinction. Ad-dhiya' is more powerful than an-nur, because while nur is but a shinning light, dhiya' is a source that not only shines, but generates heat. It explains why in the Qur'an, Allah, uses the term "dhiya'" to describe sunlight and reserves the term "nur" to describe moonlight.

From this we understand the stronger, more appropriate meaning of this hadith as:

"Patience is a brightness."

So why would our Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam describe sabr as a source emitting both light and heat as opposed to just light? It is because the process of attaining, developing then ultimately practicing patience is extremely difficult and at times painful. It requires effort and involves an inner-struggle (jihad an-nafs). So sabr can be attained, but not without experiencing some degree of strain and discomfort. As-sabr literally implies "to withhold" or to place something under one's control. Patience, self-mastery, self-discipline and self-control altogether project for us the real meaning of "sabr". To control one's nafs and withhold it from a state of panic, recklessness, fury and/or impatience. Also it entails withholding the tongue from complaining, vain argument, passing on or uttering negative things (i.e. insults, backbiting, gossip, etc.).

We observe in society and in our interactions with people that for the most minor and firvolous of reasons do people lose control and become impatient. Clearly, sabr is not implemented so simply. And it is based on this Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said:

"Whoever pretends to be patient, desiring to be patient, Allah will make them patient."

So instead of stubbornly asserting "I can't be patient, that's just how I am." Or as my daughter (whom I love and am so grateful to Allah) would jokingly quote: "Patience is a virtue I've yet to master", expressing no interest in making even the slightest effort at being patient, our Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said pretend to be patient. As if to say patience is a value that is not applied naturally, so force yourself to be patient, no matter how strenuous or painful, and your Lord will make you so.

The highest level of sabr is achieved when the call of Deen overcomes the call of passion. When obedience to Allah overcomes obedience to the nafs. Whether tried in a circumstance of hardship or ease, this is the most rewarding, most fulfilling manifestation of sabr. For the believer must apply sabr in both situations, difficulty and ease, with the latter being the most difficult. In fact, patience in times of ease is not only the most challenging, but it's the only one that none but the believer can perform. When we are met with something we desire that is allowed to us, something we love or excites us, we are to have sabr and gratitude (to Allah) thereby preventing it from distracting us from our purpose and goal (i.e. the worship and obedience to our Lord). Allah warned the believers:

"O you who believe, let not your families and your wealth deter you from the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah; and whosoever does that is indeed a loser." -Surah al-Munafiqun ayah 9

One testimony to the extent of difficulty in showing sabr in times of ease is a statement by the great Sahabi, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf radiallahu 'anhu, who reminisced: "We were tried by hard times and we showed sabr, but when we were tried in ease and excess, we failed."

So the attainment of sabr necessitates consistent training; we must exert, strive and even force ourselves to show sabr in all situations. Classic scholar of Islam, Imam ibn Rajab al-Hanbali divided as-sabr in three categories:

as-Sabru 'ala da'ati allahi: patience in performing acts of worship (ibadat) of Allah.
as-Sabru 'an ma'asi allahi: patience in avoiding sins or disobedience of Allah.
as-Sabru 'ala aqdari allahi: patience with the Qadr of Allah or the decree of Allah that is planned and pre-determined by Him and occurs to us in our lives.

The one act of worship that envelopes all three at once is siyaam (fasting), for in it the believer obeys and performs an act of worship for Allah, avoids sins by abstaining from the actions and speech that invalidates one's fasts and believes and accepts that it is by the Qadr of Allah.

What is especially important to note and keep in mind when discussing sabr is that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala does not test any individual beyond their capacity. Allah ta'ala says what means:

"Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity." -Surah al-Baqarah ayah 286

And when Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas radallahu 'anhu asked our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam: "Ya Rasulullah, who amongst the people are tried the most?" He, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, replied and addressed through him all of us:

"an-Anbiyyah (the prophets of Allah), after them the Saliheen (righteous) and then in accordance to your level of deen (i.e. taqwa, iman, etc.)."

So on these testing grounds, known as dunya, every believer is tested according to their individual level in the deen. No one will be tested to the extent and extreme at which the Prophets 'alayhimus salaatu wa salaam were tested and no one will ever experience a point in this life in which they're not tested at all. And the best time to show sabr, when it is best recognized and compensated, is at the very instant calamity or a desired thing reaches us. As exemplified in the hadith where Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam encountered a woman in cemetery grieving excessively over the burial of her loved one and advised her to show sabr, in her anguish she told the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam: "Leave me alone! You were not afflicted with my affliction!" As Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam moved along to leave her alone, a few of the Sahabah informed her who it was she shouted at and she rushed to him to apologize and Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told her:

"Sabr is to be shown at the beginning of a trial."

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make us among al-Sabbireen, striving always to show sabr for His sake in all situations and conditions in hope for His Mercy and everlasting rewards. Allahumma ameen!

What Is Ihsan?

2010-01-16T00:08:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

What is Ihsan?

That you worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you don't see Him then truly He sees you.

What is Ihsan?" Allah's Apostle salallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must remember that He is seeing you."

The lexical meaning of 'Ihsan' is help, aid, support etc. But, to understand the Qur'an and Hadith, we have to see what the Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam has used to define the same.

In the case of ihsan our beloved Rasulullah salallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam has said, "It is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state then you must remember that He is seeing you".

So, we can say that Ihsan consists of two parts:

1. To worship Allah as if we see Him
2. To worship with the thought and yaqeen (certainty) that He is seeing us

Ihsan is the pinnacle and highest state of Islam. It implies the deep attachment, profound love, genuine faithfulness and sacrifice which make a Muslim identify himself completely with Islam.

It is impossible to find a word in the English language which can express, to any fair degree, the real meaning and import of ihsan. It means to do a thing well, in the best possible manner, to achieve excellence, to aim at beauty and perfection and most importantly, to do it as an inner compulsion and urge and not as a consequence of external prodding and urging. In brief, ihsan is a labor of love, not merely a duty. This can result only from an inner sense of presence before Allah and love for Him.

The essence of Taqwa is fear of Allah which may enable a person to escape Allah's Anger. The essence of Ihsan is love of Allah, which motivates man to try to win Allah’s Pleasure.

The difference between the two may be illustrated by the following example:

Among the employees of a government may be some who scrupulously discharge the functions entrusted to them, doing nothing to which one can take exception, but who are not otherwise committed. Others, however, may be loyal, devoted and totally committed to the government. They do not just carry out the duties that have been assigned to them but are always zealously concerned to promote the interests of the government. They exert themselves beyond the call of duty, being prepared to sacrifice their lives, property and children in defense of their country. Any violation of the law hurts them personally, any sign of rebellion is enough to arouse them. Far from deliberately harming the government they will spare no effort to support it. More than anything, they want to see their own Government paramount in the world and their flag high in all corners of the earth.

The first kind of people are Muttaqeen (possesors of taqwa) of the government and the other its Muhsineen (possesors of ihsan).

Though the Muttaqeen are regarded as good servants, exceptional honor and reward are reserved for Muhsineen. Though Muttaqeen are valued and trustworthy people, Muhsineen make up the real strength of Islam. The task that Islam has to accomplish can only be carried out by this group.

It is therefore impossible to count these people as Muhsineen who stand passively by and see the religion of Allah dominated by the forces of Kufr, the sanctions of Allah (hudud) completely ignored and the Divine laws being at best neglected and at worst overturned; the reign of tyranny and oppression unleashed on Allah’s earth by Allah's rebels. Or who see that the ascendancy of disbelief is not only promoting moral and social ills in human society, but is also causing the Ummah itself to turn from the path of righteousness, and do nothing.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala make us understand in our hearts the essence of ihsan that we may achieve and taste the highest state of Islam. May He, azza wa jall, guide and keep us firm upon His Deen and Obedience and relentless against all forces, external and internal, that aim to hinder us from His Way and His Cause. Allahumma ameen!

The Makings of A Mu'min

2010-01-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

All praise is for Allah. As such we praise Him, seek His Help and Forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our deeds. I bare witness that nothing is worthy of our worship, our repentance, our supplications and complete submission except Allah and I bare witness that the last and final Messenger of Allah sent to receive and relay the method in which to properly acknowledge and submit to Allah is Muhammad ibn Abdullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. We ask that the peace and blessings of Allah eternally be upon Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad and all the prophets of Allah and those who follow them in righteousness until the Last Day. Wa ba'ad (as to what follows)..

And so my big brother (of the same mother) was curious after reading my previous post, "Types of Kufr", what then, and I quote: "does a believer look like in these lands?" I doubt he's aware as to how good the question was, especially in following the aforementioned post, when he raised it. For all I know it may have been rhetorical, none-the-less a very appropriate, relevant and deep question deserving of review. So with the aim to satisfy this question for the benefit of myself and all sincere seekers of knowledge and truth, we'll discuss the fundamental characteristics and distinctions of the mu'min (believer), in'sha'Allah.

Generally speaking the believer has no special appearance with which they differ from others. There is no specific dress the believer is required to wear. The requirement is not so much what is worn, but what is covered. So long as what the believing man wears covers what is required of him to cover and so long as what the mu'minah (believing woman) wears covers what is required of her to cover (refer to Full Hijab). Clothing must as well be loose and not form-fitting (this includes skinny jeans, brothers) or contain any insignia or wording that denotes shirk, kufr or anything that is an affront to the Deen of Allah.

No different than any other human being, it is beyond the realm of the believer to be ma'sum (sinless or protected from error) -after reaching the age of maturity. It is understood that some or most knowledge of the Shari'ah will be unknown to most believers, just as it is possible for the believer to be confused on some issues or aspects in Islam. Shortcomings and mistakes are one of the manifestations of Allah's name, al-Ghaffur (The All Forgiving); they are unavoidable and do not expel one from the fold of Islam. As Allah says what means:

"There is no burden upon you for that in which you were mistaken, rather that which you have done with the full determination of the heart." -Surah al-Ahzab ayah 5

And our beloved Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "“If a mujtahid (judge) exerts himself to give a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct (i.e. complies with the verdict of Allah and His Messenger) he will receive two rewards (for the effort and the sound conclusion), and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong (i.e. against the verdict of Allah and His Messenger), then he will get but one reward .”

Due to the fact all believers are capable of mistakes, it is neither obligatory or expected to believe in everything any one of them says, for that is only the right upon us to the words of al-Anbiya and ar-Rusul (the prophets and messengers of Allah). With Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam being the last of the Messengers, it is obligatory upon the believer to accept and follow everything he, 'alayhi wa-salaatu wa-salaam, has commanded and advised until the Last Day.

Until then it is binding upon the believer to measure all that is taught to them concerning the Deen to the criterion which the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam has brought. So long as it is in agreement therewith the believer must accept, but they must reject anything that falls in disagreement. In the case that the believer is unsure as to whether it's in accordance to the Prophet's message, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, or at variance than they must refrain from believing or applying it until knowledge reaches them. Bottom line is the believers are obligated to hold tight to the criterion, the Qur'an and the Sunnah (methodology, way or example of the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam).

The believer is one who has entered Islam completely and accepts everything Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam was sent with. Those who believe in only part of what he salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam sent, those who believe and practice Islam selectively or accept a part of Islam and reject another are in reality disbelievers (kafir'un). No matter how devoted, ascetic or knowledgable they appear. Allah says about them:

"Those who disbelieve in Allah and His Prophets and seek to differentiate between Allah and His prophets, and they say: 'We believe in some and we reject some' Such are true disbelievers, and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. As for those who believe in Allah and His prophets, and sought not to differentiate between any of them. We shall give them their rewards. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful." -Surah an-Nisa ayat 150-52

So after knowing generally what not to look for in identifying the believer (i.e. type of clothing, outward appearance or flawlessness). We should understand that the elements of the believer are ultimately what is contained in the heart and manifested in their character and actions. One of the goals of the believer is to perfect good manners. As Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "I have not been sent except to perfect good manners."

Allah said of His Messenger what means: "And indeed, you are upon a noble conduct, an exemplary manner." -Surah al-Qalam ayah 4 and He subhanahu wa ta'ala obligated every believer to follow his example (Sunnah):

"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey His Messenger and make not vain your deeds." -Surah Muhammad ayah 33. And He azza wa jall spoke of the Prophet's akhlaq (manners) in this way:

"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day, and who engages much in the remembrance (praise) of Allah." -Surah al-Ahzab ayah 21

When Allah describes ibaadul ar-Rahman (servants of the Most Merciful), the mumin'un (believers), he says they are those who walk with humility and humbleness. They are not arrogant. Allah in hundreds of ayat reveals His hatred for arrogance and kibr (pride) in all its forms and His curse that is upon these characteristics. One of the ways Allah summarizes the expected and proper akhlaq of the believer is:

"Worship Allah and associate no partners with Him; be good to your parents, and to your relatives, to the orphans and to the poor. Neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the traveler you meet and what your right possess. For Allah loves not the proud and arrogant!" -Surah an-Nisa ayah 36

Worship of Allah alone is foremost when it applies to good manners. To acknowledge, serve and obey the One who created you and everything into being and comparing nothing unto Him is the best of good manners. This principle is summed up in one word in Arabic, "tawheed". Tawheed is good manners. And it is with tawheed that all the good manners less than that become consequential.

One of the great scholars of al-Islam, a Tabi (Muslim of the generation that succeeded Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam and his companions) by the name al-Hasan al-Barsi rahimullah, construed one of my favorite quotes with regards to iman (faith) in saying: "Iman is not by wishful thinking or outward trappings, rather it is a conviction in the heart verified by conduct." And Allah says what means:

"O mankind! We have created you from a single pair, a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another (not despise one another). Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah are those who are best in taqwa (piety and conduct)." -Surah al-Hujraat ayah 13

And when Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam was asked: "Which people are the best?" He salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam replied: "Those best in taqwa."

So the first condition of the believer is that they possess taqwa. Taqwa, sometimes interpreted as "piety" or "God-consciousness", can be described as a shield which guards against Allah's anger and punishment. And that shield is obedience to what Allah has commanded and abstinence from what Allah has forbidden. As another Tabi, Talq ibn Habeed, explained of taqwa: "Taqwa is that you act in obedience to Allah, and hope in His Mercy, upon a light from Him; and taqwa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allah out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him."

Moreoever, the believer is commanded by Allah to posses taqwa:

"O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah as you should have of Him and do not die except in a state of Islam (as Muslims)." -Surah Ali-Imran ayah 102

And it is here, in'sha'Allah, we've aggregated the contents or makings of a true mu'min (believer). And nothing to me explains the levels of the different believers and their blessings than Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa salaam in a Hadith Qudsi (meaning it is from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, but in the wording of Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam) found in Sahih Bukhari. Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told us, as reported by Abu Huraira radiallahu anhu:

"Allah, the Exalted said: "Whoever takes a Wali (loyal slave, servant, ally, friend, etc.) of Mine as an enemy, I will wage war on him; and My slave will not perform any act with which he draws closer to Me, more beloved to Me then when he fulfills what I have commanded of him; and My salve will keep drawing closer to Me by performing the nawafil (voluntary acts of worship) until I love him, and when I love him, I will be his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes, and his legs with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him; and if he seeks refuge with Me, I will grant him refuge."

What is to be highlighted here are the different levels of the mu'min. The different levels of taqwa and ahklaq they possess. The least level are those (most of us, myself included) who fulfill what is obligatory upon them as believers; the bare minimum. They do what is ordered of them by Allah and abstain from what is forbidden of them by Allah and do not demand themselves the doing of the nawafil or commendable acts. They avoid also most of the makrooh or unrecommended or disliked but allowed actions. As for the forerunners, those with higher taqwa, the level upon which most of us are striving towards. They are those who seek to come even closer to Allah with extra efforts after the fard (obligatory). They fulfill the obligatory and the commendable; and avoid the forbidden (haram) and unrecommended (makrooh). They seek to come closer to Allah azza wa jall with everything within their ability. And this is the completion of iman (faith). As Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told us:

"The most dependable handhold on iman is love for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah." And in another hadith our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "Whoever loves for Allah, hates for Allah, gives for Allah and withholds for Allah has sought the completion of his faith."

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala count and keep us among al-Mumin'oon, true believers. May He accept our efforts in pleasing Him and remind us to remember Him in our times of vulnerability and weakness. Ameen. May He grant us the sabr (patience) to resist our nafs (lowly desires) at the expense of His Pleasure and to always turn to Him and follow up our bad deeds with a good one when we don't. As His beloved Messenger and most perfect worshipper told us: "Fear Allah wherever you are and follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner." May Allah guide and accept from us and in His everlasting Mercy, pardon us, so that we may be successful in this life and be granted salvation in the Hereafter. Allahumma ameen!

Types of Kufr (Disbelief)

2010-01-06T18:08:00.001-08:00

Types of Kufr (Disbelief)
Imam ibn Kathir (rahimullah – b. 701 AH – d. 774 AH)
Adapted from "Tafsir ibn Kathir"

The Qur’an uses the word "kufr" to denote people who cover up or hide realities. The Qur’an uses this word to identify those who denied Allah’s favors by not accepting His Dominion and Authority. Kufr thus is an antonym for iman or disbelief in Allah and a kafir is a non-believer. This type of kufr is called Kufr al-Akbar (Major Kufr). There are many types of Kufr al-Akbar:

1. Kufr-ul-‘Inad: Disbelief out of stubbornness. This applies to someone who knows the truth and admits to knowing the truth and admits to knowing it with his tongue, but refuses to accept it and refrains from making a declaration. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says what means:

"Throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever" -Surah al-Qaf ayah 24

2. Kufr-ul-Inkar: Disbelief out of denial. This applies to someone who denies with both heart and tongue. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says what means:

"They recognize the favors of Allah, yet they deny them. Most of them are disbelievers." -Surah an-Nahl ayah 83

3. Kufr-ul-Kibr: Disbelief out of arrogance and pride. The disbelief by Shaytan (Iblis) is an example of this type of Kufr. *For it was out of kibr (arrogance and pride) that Iblis refused to fulfill the command of Allah to prostrate to our father Adam alayhi salaam.

4. Kufr-ul-Juhood: Disbelief out of rejection.This applies to someone who acknowledges the truth in his heart, but rejects it with his tongue. This types of kufr is applicable to those who call themselves Muslims but reject any necessary and accepted norms of Islam such as Salat, Zakat, etc. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says what means:

"They denied them (Our Signs) even though their hearts believed in them, out of spite and arrogance." -Surah an-Naml ayah 14

5. Kufr-ul-Nifaq: Disbelief out of hypocrisy.This applies to someone who pretends to be a believer but conceals their disbelief. Such a person is called a Munafiq or hypocrite. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says what means:

"Verily the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hell. You will find no one to help them." -Surah an-Nisa ayah 145

6. Kufr-ul-Istihlal: Disbelief out of making Haram into Halal and vice versa. This applies to someone who accepts as lawful (Halal) that which Allah has made unlawful (Haram) like alcohol, adultery, etc. Only Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has the prerogative to make things Halal and Haram and those who seek to interfere with His right are like rivals to Him and therefore fall outside the boundaries of iman.

7. Kufr-ul-Kurh: Disbelief out of detesting any of Allah’s commands. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says what means:

"Perdition (destruction) has been consigned to those who disbelieve and He will render their actions void. This is because they are averse to that which Allah has revealed so He has made their actions fruitless." -Surah Muhammed ayat 8-9

8. Kufr-ul-Istihzaha: Disbelief due to mockery and derision. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says what means:

"Say: Was it at Allah, His signs and His apostles that you were mocking? Make no excuses. You have disbelieved after you have believed." -Surah at-Tawba ayah 65-66

9. Kufr-ul-I’radh: Disbelief due to avoidance. This applies to those who turn away and avoid the truth. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says what means:

"And who is more unjust than he who is reminded of his Lord’s signs but then turns away from them. Then he forgets what he has sent forward (for the Day of Judgment) -Surah al-Kahf ayah 57

10. Kufr-ul-Istibdal: Disbelief because of substituting Allah’s Laws and ruling by other than He azza wa jall has revealed. This could take the form of:

Rejection of Allah’s law (Shari‘ah) without denying it

Denial of Allah’s Law and therefore rejecting it, or

Substituting Allah’s Laws with man-made laws. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says what means:

"Or have they partners with Allah who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed?" -Surah ash-Shura ayah 8

Allah says that which means:

"Say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely that this is lawful and this is forbidden so as to invent a lie against Allah. Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah will never prosper." -Surah an-Nahl ayah 116

*And it is this last case of kufr-ul-istibdal, substituting or ruling by other than what Allah has revealed, I'm flabbergasted to find a segment of Muslims classifying and propagating this to be but a minor act of kufr and that we cannot oppose such rulership or defend Allah's Cause, our rights and lives against them in any case without an amir. This is not the understanding the true 'ulema of Ahl us-Sunnah have inherited from the Salafus Saliheen. The following article, by Aboo Hafs ash-Shaamee, explains (in summary) the characteristics and distorted ideologies of such groups and individuals, how, why and where they went wrong. Let's inform ourselves and may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect our youth from such groups and the "diseases" they spread that misguide and cripple our Ummah in iman and thought, unity and honor. Ameen.

A Summary of the Deviations of the Madaakhilah

*indicates places where I've inserted details pertaining to the subject but do not appear in "Tafsir ibn Kathir".

ad-Dajjal (The Antichrist)

2010-01-02T18:59:00.000-08:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah, brothers and sisters in Islam. What proceeds is a lecture given by brother Jalal ibn Sa'eed, a condensed overview of the sahih ahadith concerning ad-Dajjal, his charateristics, the signs of his arrival and the abundant, severe fitnan (trials) surrounding him.

There has not been a single Messenger except that he has warned of ad-Dajjal; as for the final Messenger Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, Khatim an-Nabiy'in, the Seal of the Prophets, it was left to him to recieve and relate wahy (revelation) identifying the specifics of ad-Dajjal being that he was the last Prophet and so the advent of the dajjal is closer and preparation of those during and after his time is far dire. Many believers, even the most knowledgeable among us will succumb to his deception and affirm their faith in him. May we arm ourselves with the taqwa and sabr that we may resist his ways if it shall fall upon us. Ameen.

It is the very reason our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam advised that when we complete tashahhud in our salah that we should seek refuge from four things before offering tasleem:

Allahumma inni a'udu biki min adhabi jahanam
wa min adhabil qabr
wa min sharri fitnatil mahya wa'l mammat
wa min sharri fitnatil masih ad-dajjal

(O Allah! Indeed I seek refuge with You from the punishment of Hellfire
and from the punishment of the grave
and from the trials of living and of dieing
and from the trials of the false Messiah, the Antichrist)

Dajjal Part 1 Jalal ibn Saeed flagoftawheed.com from flagoftawheed on Vimeo.

Dajjal Part 2 Jalal ibn Saeed flagoftawheed.com from Abu Muwahhid on Vimeo.

The Two Essentials

2009-12-23T15:47:00.001-08:00

Bismillah walhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa-ashabihi wa-salaam tasliman kathira

Brothers and sisters in iman:

Allah - the Most Perfect, the Most High responded to the du'a (supplication) of His Prophet Ibrahim 'alayhi salaam when he said:

"Our Lord! Send to them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them Your Signs, teaching them the Book and the Wisdom and purifying them. Indeed You are the Most Powerful, the Most Wise." -Surah al-Baqarah 2:129

So Allah - the Mighty and Majestic - said:

"It is Allah who has sent to the unlettered people a Messenger from amongst themselves, reciting to them His Signs, purifying them and teaching them the Book and the Wisdom, whereas before that, they had been in clear misguidance." -Surah al-Jumu'ah 62:2

So here the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam has been characterized with two tasks: ta'leem (teaching) and tazkiyah (purification). In his request, Ibrahim 'alayhi salaam mentioned ta'leem before tazkiyah. However, Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - answered him, but by giving tazkiyah precedence to ta'leem.

And Allaah blessed the Believers by sending the Messenger who carried out these two tasks, so He - the Mighty and Majestic - said:

"As We sent to you a Messenger from amongst yourselves, reciting to you Our Signs, purifying you, and teaching you the Book and the Wisdom, that which you did not know." -Surah al-Baqarah 2:151

So in this ayah also, Allah - the Mighty and Majestic - mentions purification before teaching. Thus, as is known, purification is one of the fruits of acting upon knowledge; and that knowledge causes harm for its possessor if it is not accompanied by action. Indeed, whosoever increases in knowledge, but does not increase in taqwa (piety, fear and obedience to Allah), then let him be suspicious about his knowledge.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751H) rahimahullah - said: "The Scholar who does not act upon his knowledge, will be punished before the worshippers of idols."

And our Salaf (Pious Predecessors) used to inherit purification from each other, as part of good and fine manners. This was due to their sitting with the Shaykh and accompanying him. So 'Abdullah ibn Maslamah al-Qa'nabi (d.221H) said: "We used to sit with Imam Malik and take from his manners and conduct, just as we would take from his knowledge." [2]

However, in the later generations, Shari'ah knowledge has almost become restricted to just colleges and universities and sitting in front of the doctors and teachers for short periods of time. So the students do not take any benefit from good manners and conduct - even if those teachers have a share of it. And we often see and hear about many shortcomings of both the students and the teachers! Thus, the religion has become weak, yaqeen (certainty of faith) has dwindled, sabr (patient perseverance) - with its wide Islamic understanding - has passed away, as has az-zuhd (praiseworthy abstinence from this world) except for those whom my Lord has mercy upon.

So knowledge alone, without good manners and conduct, will not produce any fruit in a way that the people can be benefited by its possessor - from what is seen and what is spoken. And through seeking knowledge alone, the Muslims will not be saved from hypocrisy. Rather, seeking knowledge must be accompanied by good manners and conduct, so that he remains safe, derives benefit and is saved from sin and its causes, and also from being burdened. This is attested to by what at-Tirmidi relates:

The Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: "There are two qualities which do not come together in a munafiq (hypocrite): Good manners and conduct, and the understanding of the deen (religion)." [3]

So in this hadeeth, good manners and conduct are mentioned before understanding of the religion. Indeed, the greatest and most valuable fruits of purification are sabr (patience) and zuhd (praiseworthy abstinence from this world). Whilst the greatest and most precious fruits of 'ilm (knowledge) is yaqeen (certainty). So he who gains both patience and certainty, in this way, then he is one of the leaders of the religion, and this is testified to by the saying of Allaah - the Most High:

"We made from them leaders, giving guidance by Our Command, because they had sabr (patient perseverance) and had yaqeen (certainty) in Our Signs." -Surah Sajdah 32:24

So patience is the fruit of purification, whilst certainty is the fruit of knowledge and teaching.

And here also patience is mentioned before certainty. Sheikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) used to say: "Through sabr and yaqeen leadership in the religion is attained." [4]

Indeed! That is so because he who gains them both, then he has attained and actualised the two tasks of Allah's Messenger salallahu 'alayhi wa salam, and has thus become an inheritor of the Prophet - and the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam is the leader of all the leaders.

Finally, we must draw attention to the Fact that the Salafus-Saaliheen (Pious Predecessors) - may Allaah be pleased with them all - actualised these two tasks and therefore they acheived rectification of themselves and rectification of others. 'Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak (d.181H) used to say: "The latter part of this Ummah will not be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part: zuhd and yaqeen."

And zuhd cannot be attained except by means of sabr, which cannot be attained except through tazkiyah (purification). And yaqeen cannot be attained except through purified Sharee'ah knowledge.

So would that we had realized that our misfortune lies in the absence of these two matters from our lives, and that he who calls to them, persisting in this and refusing to be pre-occupied from them by anything else, then he is upon the correct manhaj (methodology) and upon The Straight Path.

Footnotes:
1. This article was taken from Al-Asaalah magazine (no.10 / Shawaal 1414H).
2. The likes of this has been related by adh-Dhahabee in Siyaar A'laamun-Nubalaa (3/285).
3. Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmidhee (no.2837), from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu 'anhu. It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah.
4. Related by Ibn al-Qayyim in Madaarijus-Saalikeen (1/132).

References:
Shaykh Mashur ibn Hasan
This article was taken from Al-Asaalah magazine (no.10 / Shawaal 1414H)
Source: Al-Istiqaamah Magazine , Issue No.2 - Safar 1417H / July 1996

The Counterfeit Salafiyya

2009-12-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, brothers and sisters in Islam. What is probably viewed by many of us as needless-to-mention given it's transparency is a topic, broad and controversial, that yet remains detrimental to the consciousness of the sincere and often young Muslim wherever he or she may reside. Particularly those who before practicing Islam were cliquish or directly influenced in either a tribal or gang mentality leaving them especially prone to dragging this sickness into their deen; this cursed trend of splintering into factions and falling into this Shatiani trap of sectarianism in Islam. Let's understand when Allah says what means:

"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. the covenant and allegiance to 'la ilaha ill Allah Muhammad ar-Rasulullah' and al-Qur'an that ever-binds it and everything it entails together), and be not divided among yourselves..." -Surah Al-i-Imran ayah 10

Let us reflect when Allah ta'ala says that which means:

"As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least; their affair is with Allah: He will in the end Tell them the Truth of all that they did." -Surah al-Anaam ayah 159

Alhamdulillah, the bid'ah and deviancy emanating from many of those proclaimed adherents to al-Islam is as obvious as a diarrhea-afflicted African Elephant in the middle of your living room. However, there is a more clever, cunning and devilishly deceptive form that has taken root using such familiar terms as "Ahl us-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah", "as-Salaf as-Salih", "Salafi", etc. masquerading as prestine Islam or as the saved sect. However, a closer look at their estranged stances on concepts such as "jihad", "takfeer", "madhabiyya" and my personal favorite... obeying those in command, ruling by non/anti-Islamic secular laws and involved in the oppression, extermination, expulsion and exploitation of Muslims in their own lands one would clearly see how repugnant and anomalous their views truly are in the light of al-Qur'an was-Sunnah.

Behind this "Salafi mask" we face an ideology so foreign and so off track from the understanding and methodology of the Sahabah radiallahu 'anhum and the true Salaf as-Salih rahimullah. We find how loose at the tongue they are at engaging in slander and gheebah (backbiting) in its many forms when it comes to our fellow Muslims and yet failing to detect any flaws with kufr and the spiritual, psychological and physical harm it brings about upon our Ummah. So just as the terms "tasawwuf" and "sufism" have been tainted by what it's become to be known as and associated with today (i.e. pantheism, grave-worship, supplicating the dead, innovated rituals of 'ibadah, etc.) and is no longer recognized as az-zuhd (wordly abstinence) observed by the likes of Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Qayyim, Imam Nawawi, al-Fudayl ibn Iyy'ad and others whom we ask Allah bestow His Mercy upon. So too can the terms "salafi" and "ahl us-Sunnah" be perverted and associated with the ideas upheld by the proclaimed "salafiyoon" that shall be discussed, in'sha'Allahu ta'ala, in the proceeding article by Dr. Tariq Abdelhaleem if not careful.

In a nutshell the so-called "salafiyoon movement" and the "salafi daw'ah" and its various sub-groups derives from those in power (namely the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia) , hence their ideology and manhaj is mainly adapted to suit their interests. The apparency of their corruption is manifested through their aggressive positions against particular fundamentals (of Islam) that are perceived threats to those in power.

This is a direly needed advisory and naseehah I pray reaches the ears, minds and hearts of all our beloved Muslim youth so that they be aware and avoid or denounce this devious trap of Shaitan. May Allah guide and protect us all from the various forms of misguidance and keep us firm upon His Obedience and Way. Allahumma ameen ya Rabbil'alameen!

(click to view article)
Al-Salafiyoon: Salafis & the Salafi Dawah

Superior Days

2009-11-20T16:18:00.000-08:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

Inna alhamdulillah! Indeed Allah is praised whether we praise Him or not. Yet humbly we praise Him. We seek His aid; we seek His forgiveness and we seek refuge with Him from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whomever Allah misguides, none can guide. I bare witness before all that there is no god, no diety, no object, no personality, no entity worthy of worship except Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And I bare witness before all that the slave and final Messenger of Allah; the best of men, the most pious of men; the best example, influence, model, methodology and pattern for humanity to follow; the one whom Allah sent as a Mercy to the whole of creation (rahmatul lil 'alameen) is none other than Muhammad ibn Abdullah salallahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa salaam. Amma ba'd.

Brothers and sisters in Islam, as Believers, we are most privilaged and honored by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to have upon us the first 10 days of the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah. As we should know, not all days are created equal. Allah has preferred some days over others and He, azza wa jall, has decreed some days be superior over other days. And it is these 10 days that Allah ultimately preferred and declared for them superiority over all other days. Therefore, the good deeds, amilu salih, are of a worth and value far greater in the Sight of Allah than when the same deeds are performed on any other day of the year.

And so it is strongly preferred that we increase in our good deeds during these 10 days; observing the naf'l (voluntary acts), maintaining an ahklaq, -a behavior and conduct, a control over ourselves, our tounges and our anger- that is complimentary, representative or in accordance to the Sunnah of ar-Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam so that we might be purified, forgiven and compensated in a way Allah, ar-Rahman, never so does during any other day outside these first 10.

Ibn Abbas radiallahu 'anhu narrated that our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said of these 10 days: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." It was asked: "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam replied: "No, not even Jihad fisabillah, except for the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause -and returned with nothing."

Allah azza wa jall magnified the hasanat for the acts of simply pronouncing tasbih (subhan'Allah), takbir (Allahu Akbar), tahleel (la ilaha ill Allah) and tahmeed (alhamdulillah). Abdullah ibn Umar radiallahu 'anhu reported that Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "There are no days greater in the Sight of Allah and in which good deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during them recite much of tahleel, takbir and tahmeed."

Additionally, I doubt there is a more suitable time than on these blessed 10 days to observe az-zuhd and/or al-wara'. What could make us to understand these terms? Zuhd can be considered abstinence from worldly pleasures which distract one from Allah and their Akhirah. Wara' is to avoid certain parts of the halal which you fear may lead you to engage in something haram. Nothing to me describes and clarifies so concisely these terms than the explanation given by Sheikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimullah who said: "Az-Zuhd entails abandoning what does not bring about benefit in the Hereafter. Al-Wara', abandoning a part of the permissible for fear of falling into the impermissible, entails abandoning what you fear of its consequences in the Hereafter." So let us, in'sha'Allahu ta'ala, practice az-zuhd on these passing superior days so we might have the dunya removed from our hearts and placed into our hands where it belongs.

Glory to these days Allah has exalted. Let us honor our Lord and ourselves by honoring these days through the prescribed acts in hopes of attaining honor and Mercy from our Rabb. Let's take special care on the 9th day, the anniversary of which Allah completed His revelation, al-Qur'an, on His Messenger salallahu 'alayhi wa alihi wa salaam. Allah sent down what means:

"This day have I perfected for you your deen (i.e. system or way of life, religion, etc.), completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your deen." -Surah al-Ma'idah ayah 5

After which no wahy of the Qur'an proceeded. The 9th day, Yawm-ul-Arafah, if fasted upon will expiate for the sins of two years. Allahu Akbar!

Glad tidings to those who are embarking Hajj and intend to sacrafice bismillah. May Allah accept from you all, bless you all and your families and increase you always in the good and grant you Jannah al-Firdows. Ameen.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
La ilaha ill Allah, wallahu Akbar wa lillahi hamd!

Anatomy of Ikhlas

2009-11-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

Bismillah, alhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa-ashabihi wa salaam tasleman katheera

Sincerity in all we do is a commandment of Allah:

"Say, 'Indeed my prayer, my rites of sacrafice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded and I am the first among you of the Muslims.'" -Surah al-An'aam ayat 162-163

"And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, sincere to Him in religion, inclining towards truth and to establish the prayer and to give zakah. That is the correct Deen." -Surah Bayyinah ayah 5

Abd al-Qahir al-Jurjaani rahimullah defined ikhlas as "not seeking any audience for your deeds other than Allah."

We're warned throughout the Qur'an and Sunnah to have sincerity in tawheed of Allah, sincerity in our intentions, sincerity in our tawakkul (placing of trust and reliance) in Allah, sincerity in our worship (i.e. salah, sujood, du'a, siyaam/fasting, Hajj, zakah, sadaqah, tawba, Jihad, recitation of al-Qur'an, etc.) and sincerity in all our actions and words.

Al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad rahimullah addressed his students on one occasion about Surah al-Mulk ayah 2 that's interpreted to mean: "He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed." Noting that "It is those deeds which are most correct and most sincere. If a deed is done sincerely, yet is not done correctly, it will not be accepted. And if a deed is done correctly, but not sincerely for Allah, it will not be accepted. It must be done sincerely (for Allah alone) and correctly (in accordance to the Sunnah).

BEWARE THE ANTAGONISTS OF IKHLAS! They are three:

Riyaa

Sum'ah

'Ujb.

Riyaa is to perform an act of worship to show off to people; seeking their praise or some other vanity.

Sum'ah is to speak good for the sake of people's compliments or praise.

'Ujb is a sitatuation where one becomes impressed with his/her self for the good deeds they've done.

Ibn al-Mubarak rahimullah said: "Perhaps a great deed is belittled by an intention. And perhaps a small deed, by a sincere intention, is made great."

May Allah, Mighty and Exalted is He above having any partner, equal or opponent, make us all among His mukhliseen (sincere slaves) and keep us aware and resistant of those diseases that corrupt our righteous actions and convert them to arguments against us on the Day of Accounting. Ameen.

Ya'qub al-Makfuf (may Allah have Mercy on him) would say: "The sincere one is he who hides his good deeds in the same way that he would hide his bad."

"The Major" Dilemma

2009-11-10T15:28:00.001-08:00

Bismillah, alhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen.

Brothers and sisters in Islam, as-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah. As the smoke circulating the incident at Fort Hood remains in course of clearing, a multitude of concerns and reactions plague the circumstance. Amidst our Ummah, the Ummah of Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, the majority we're haste in speaking out and even releasing statements condemning the act carried out by Malik Nidal Hassan. Confessedly, I too, basing the motives of our brother on the initial reports from officers who knew him, presumed he targeted people senselessly over some frustrated, petty personal reasons. But the more that unfolds about our brother, the more I'm convinced his gunfire was for the sake of Allah and in honor and defense of our fellow believers and worshipers of Him overseas.

The corporate journalists, columnists, networks and U.S. officials may manufacture whichever conclusions they please. As for us, those whose fear, hope and love is for Allah azza wa jall, we have the obligation to withhold conviction until analysis has been exhausted and ilm-ul-yaqeen, clear and certain knowledge, has been attained. Our dear brother and esteemed shiekh Anwar al-Awlaki, with unmatched bravery and commitment to al-Haqq, insisted publicly that Hassan did the right thing. On the other hand, I say if Hassan's intentions were as brother Awlaki speculates, and I pray they were, then only in such a case has he indeed done the right thing. Until we can confirm his true motives, and Allah Knows best what they were, I can neither praise nor rebuke the actions of our brother.

In Awlaki's claim that Hassan could no longer bear the contradiction of being Muslim and serving in the same forces assigned to fight his brothers and sisters abroad, I was brought to wonder about the rest of the Muslims serving in the U.S. Military as well. With over 10,000 soldiers who declare there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad 'alayhi wa-salaatu wa-salaam is His final Messenger to be followed until the Last Day, this blatant contradiction and nifaq (hypocrisy) hasn't so much as twinkled in their mind? How do they, over 10,000 professed Muslims, justify their position?

O Muslims, seriously we must contemplate and remind ourselves where our loyalty is set and where our disavowal is applied. We must contemplate and honestly assess ourselves as to where our hearts stand in relationship to al-Wala 'wal-Bara. Is our loyalty and allegiance to Allah and His Messenger, or is it instead pledged to those who plot, spend and fight to disrupt, degrade and extinguish the light of Allah and the guidance of ar-Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam? Na'udu billah!

May Allah purify us of such nifaq and guide this Ummah and its mujahideen. May He give us victory over His enemies and ours. Ameen. May He azza wa jall amplify our resistance against forces of every form that oppose our entitlement to His Pleasure and an eternal abode in Jannah. Allahumma ameen!

Let us contemplate and remember the words of Umar ibn al-Khattab radiallahu 'anhu when he advised the mujahideen during the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah: "We do NOT overpower them with our strength!" Their numbers are greater and their weapons are superior, the only way we're victorious is due to our mindfulness and responsiveness to our duties to Allah. It is when we neglect our duties as Muslims and sin as our enemies sin that Allah, our Lord, humiliates us. Umar radiallahu 'an also warned: "Do not say our enemies our worse than us, so they will not overpower us. Perhaps some people who are worse than the others may overpower the others as the polytheists overpowered the Bani Israel as they involved themselves in disobedience to Allah."

And so we may question why in the first place does Allah allow His disbelievers and enemies a position of wealth and arms to invest in fighting against His Cause? Allah Promises everything they spend will wind a source of grief and utter regret for them and Islam will supersede all other ideological and political systems anyway. But in the meantime we may concern ourselves with "why?" Well, this was framed in fine perspective by the classic mufasir Ibn Kathir rahimullah who said about Surah al-Anfal ayah 36 coupled with its succeeding ayah in summary says to us what means: "We tried you with combatant disbelievers whom we made able to spend from their wealth in fighting you to distinguish between those believers who obey Allah and fight His disbelieving enemies and those (among our Ummah) who disobey Him." As Allah said in Surah al-Anfal ayah 179 what means:

"Allah will not leave the believers in the state they are presently in until He seperates the evil from the good (among them). Nor will Allah disclose to you al-ghayb (the unseen)."

And in ayah 142 of the same Surah our Mighty Rabb says what means:

"Do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His Cause and make evident those who are steadfast?"

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make us among the mu'mineen whose prayer, fighting, spending, sacrifice, living and dieing is for Him alone and who fully and unhesitatingly support, defend and join via spiritual or physical means the fight in His Cause, sincerely for His sake, that we may share in the barakah and glad tidings of the truly righteous and faithful. Ameen thumma ameen.

at-Tafakkur (Contemplation)

2009-10-31T13:09:00.001-07:00

Bismillah, alhamdulillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi wa salaam tasleman katheera.

Dear family in faith, as-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. Among the galaxy of themes and lessons we discover in al-Kalaamul Rabbil'alameen -the perfect speech of the Lord of the worlds- the Great Qur'an, is the importance of tafakkur; the signs and blessings of those who do it and the signs and detestable consequences of those who don't.

And so what would bring us to understand this word "tafakkur", the root (F-K-R) of which is used no less than 18 times in the Qur'an? It's defined as investing serious thought, careful consideration or analysis of a thing to obtain a clear or better knowledge of it. To employ one's mind and faculty of reason upon something. Let's take for instance the meaning of what Allah says in Surah Ali-'Imran ayat 190-191:

"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alteration of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding- Who remember Allah while standing, sitting or lying on their sides and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth, saying: 'Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly or for any idle purpose; Exalted are You above such a thing; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'"

Also, in Surah ar-Rum ayah 8, Allah ta'ala describes those who are heedless of these clear signs and who care little or none at all contemplate upon them when He says what means:

"Do they not contemplate upon themselves? Allah has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for an appointed term. And indeed, many of the people, in the matter of the meeting with their Lord (resurrection and day of judgment), are disbelievers."

Later, He uncovers their destination if they persist and die in such a state in ayah 16:

"...as for those who disbelieved and denied Our ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) and the meeting of the Hereafter, those will be brought into the punishment to remain."

It is my sincere intention and hope, in'sha'Allah, from here to explain the benefits of tafakkur. How it suits the believer and draws them closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Contemplation and reflection is required in order that both our hearts and minds be present in our salah. As we sin and disobey our Lord, having no shyness before Him nor contemplation over the consequences of our deeds. We may stand in our salah noticing something feels amiss, and this is likely because without tafakkur, without contemplation over our deeds, we cannot truly attain humbleness and humility in front of Allah and consequently repent. Without tafakkur our hearts abandon us in our salah; and it is observed with very weak kushoo (concentration).

Without consistent contemplation we're paying no mind nor are we investing any real care or concern over our deeds, the good and the bad of them. Our late, classic scholar and second generation 'Tabi, al-Hasan al-Basri rahimahullah, said regarding this matter: "Tafakkur is a mirror that shows you your good and bad deeds." And in conversation with Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah, Imam al-Hasan also stated: "Tafakkur is the key to Mercy. Don't you see how a person contemplates and consequently repents?"

Tafakkur (contemplation) and tawba (repentance) are of the main habits that distinguish the mu'min (true believer) from the fasiq (the one who sins without shame or guilt) and the munafiq (hypocrite). It is through these functions and good deeds besides them that the believer increases in iman, taqwa, ihsan and all the qualities Allah Loves and protects us from the Nar. In a beautiful and very profound hadith our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam explained the inherent qualities of the mu'min in saying:

"There is no believing slave of Allah except that he has a sin that he continually commits, it never leaves him until he leaves this world. Indeed, the believer is created muftannan, tawwaban, nassaa'an -when he is reminded, he remembers."

It is obvious from this statement that no believer among us is pure from disobeying their Lord. But as Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam proceeded to explain, the believer is created muftannan, one who is tried and tested, nassaa'an, forgetful and finally the distinguished qualities of the believer is they are tawwaban -repentent- and when they are reminded, meaning of their purpose, their Akhirah and place with Allah azza wa jall, they remember and refresh their hearts and iman through tawba and devotion. As ar-Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "the one who repents from a sin is like the one who never committed the sin in the first place."

This, my dear brothers and sisters, is why tafakkur is so crucial. If not for contemplation, how then would we recognize, let alone care for our faults, shortcomings and misdeeds? How then could we come to conduct a sincere tawba; begging and crying to Allah for His Mercy and Forgiveness? How then could we have humiliation and humbleness before Him, our Lord, in our salah?

One reminder that should help us to intensify our tafakkur even more, in'sha'Allah, and contemplate heavier and more deeply over our sins comes from Anas ibn Malik radiallahu 'anhu in his comment to one of the Tabi'een :

"I see you committing sins that you consider less weighty than the hair on your head, if we had done the same sins at the time of Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam we would have thought we were destroyed."

Ya Muslimeen! If this was the perception of the sahahbi Anas ibn Malik radallahu 'anhu in the case of the Tabi'een whom Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said would be the best generation of Muslims after his own, imagine then what his perception would be in our case? Let us always be among those who contemplate our purpose and place in this world and in the Sight of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala . Let us always be among those who reflect upon our deeds, repenting when sinful and always being grateful to Allah for everything, known and unknown, and looking forward to our Akhirah. Allahumma ameen!

Our late scholar and Tabi, al-Fudhayl bin 'Iyaad rahimahullah said:

"The speech of the believer is wisdom; his silence is contemplation and his vision is a lesson. If you are like that, then you will never cease being in a state of worship." He followed up in reading the ayah: "wama khalaqtu al-jinna waal-insa illa liya'budun." (I have not created the jinn or mankind except to worship Me.)

The Full Hijab

2009-10-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

Verily, Allah is praised whether we praise Him or not, yet humbly we praise Him and could never do justice in doing so to the extent at which He is worthy. We seek His Help, His Forgiveness and we seek refuge with Him from the evil of our ownselves and the consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide and whomever Allah misguides (allows to leave astray because they refuse His guidance and have it all figured it out on their own), none can guide. I bare witness there is no diety, object, personality or entity worthy of worship, veneration, invocation, repentance, surrender and submission except Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And I bare witness that the last and final Messenger of Allah and perfect example to all of humanity until the Last Day is Muhammad ibn Abdullah. May the peace and blessings of Allah eternally be upon him, his family, his companions and all those who follow them in righteousness and piety until the Last Day. Amma ba'ad:

Brothers and sisters in iman, as-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah. When our Lord subhanahu wa ta'ala described the truly faithful, successful believers in Surah an-Nur, He said they are those who say, when a command of Allah reaches them: "sami'na wa ata'na" meaning "we hear and we obey". Not that we hear and we delay. One of the traps of Shaitan to which many of us fall victim is what I touched on and labeled in my Food For Faith blog as the "in'sha'Allah syndrome". It's those time when we know full well we're wrong and our response to our fellow Muslim's naseehah (i.e. reminder, advice, etc.) is "in'sha'Allah, I'll change", "in'sha'Allah, I'll stop this and start that", "in'sha'Allah... in'sha'Allah... in'sha'Allah". This sheisty trap of Shaitan, if we're not careful or protective of our deen enough, will have us saying "in'sha'Allah" until we visit our graves (which could be at ANY moment, brothers and sisters!).

To digress a moment:

The sin we commit in addition to not obeying Allah in some matter, is by saying in'sha'Allah we will start obeying Him as if we know EXACTLY how much time we have before we die to make tawba and do better. This is 'ilm ul ghayb, knowledge of the unseen, for Allah alone knows the measure of our existence. When we say "in'sha'Allah I'll start doing this or that", we're in turn claiming certainty we'll be around to do it when in fact we have no clue. The time to obey Allah in a matter we know He commanded is right away. Not an undetermined amount of days, months or years from now, but right now.

As I come back:

The subject is the "Full Hijab", however, this issue of immediate and consistent compliance applies to all of us, brother and sister, when it concerns the commands of Allah. When He azzawa jall or Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam orders something it is waajib, fard, non-negotiable, obligatory and mandatory. Such as praying, such as growing the beard, such as fasting Ramadan, such as covering the awrah and so on. They are not suggestions from Allah. They are not recommendations or mere allowances from Allah. They are obligations, meaning, Allah is telling us we have NO CHOICE. And so our response, as believers who fear our Lord, should be: "sami'na wa ata'na". When we hear we obey as instant as physically possible; not that we hear and we obey when we feel like it.

Now that I've picked on all of us, so as not to have the sisters feel singled out, what follows is a filmed lecture discoursing the importance, the beauty, the benefits and fruits of observing hijab. It is delivered by our respected brother and shiekh, Salem al-Amry. Brothers I encourage to watch as well as there is indeed benefit in it for us as much as there is for our sisters. Also, brother al-Amry's female impersonations are timeless! LOL. Enjoy, absorb and apply, in'sha'Allah:

Farewell, Old Friend

2009-09-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

All praise is unquestionably for Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, beyond having any partner, equal or opponent. The One solely worthy of worship and to whom all existing things beside Him are subject and to Whom all of humanity and jinn are penitent. May the peace and blessings of Allah eternally be upon Adam, Abraham, Noah, Jesus, Muhammad and all the prophets and messengers of Allah and those who follow them in righteousness until the Last Day.

As remarkably refreshing and reviving as Ramadan is, it isn't terribly easy bidding our old friend a fond farewell. And so a couple days ago, a couple hours after Fajr, Muslims on every corner of the earth gathered facing the same general direction towards the world's most sacred structure, repeating the takbeerat after our imam to offer Salat-ul-'Eid. Before which the faithful among us chanted: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ill Allah wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahi hamd!" Ya ikhwatun, brothers and sisers in Islam, I congradulate you all in saying: "Eid mubarak taqabal Allahu mina wa minkum!"

Though I, and in'sha'Allah ta'ala all of us had a beautiful, in fact, the most memorable 'Eid yet. Making sure everyone got their fill and making sure everyone, especially the children, experienced nothing short of exceptional happiness. We reflect and hope earnestly our efforts and strife, our sincere remembrance, servitude, siyam, qiyaam, sadaqah and du'as were accepted that we may be purified and elevated in taqwa. Still it concerned me that the days ahead would be similar minus the spirit of Ramadan and added the persuasion of the Shayateen. I ask that Allah preserve and increase for us the taqwa we attained throughout Ramadan and empower our resistance against our very own nafs and the insidious ways of Shaitan who now after 30 days has been unleashed. May we remain the Muslims we were during Ramadan, ever-improving from this point and neither regressing or deviating. Ameen thumma ameen.

I encourage and remind us all that we proceed continuously prusuing the pleasure of Allah jalla jalalahu; seeking and advancing in 'ilm to counter jahiliyah and shubahat (doubts) and raising in taqwa to counter shawawat (desires). Wallahi, we would be nearly as great as the 'ajr and nasr Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala would bestow upon us.

"Surely, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves." -Surah ar-Rad ayah 11

Thanks, Ramadan for the humbleness, gratitude, tears, the soar legs from standing at night in taraweeh and qiyaam listening to the best of speech, al-Qur'an; thanks for the tender heart, the sabr (patience), the naseehah and overall... THANKS FOR THE TAQWA! May Allah azza wa jall accept from us. Ameen. I invite as well do I encourage all serious Muslims to join me, if you haven't already, in fasting these next 6 days of Shawwal. As our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa 'ala alihi wa salaam told us of the one who does so will be considered as though they fasted the whole year to Allah ta'ala, hence will they be rewarded accordingly. It's not quite as easy as fasting in Ramadan (believe our avowed enemy has something to do with that), but it's worth it to make as a witness in Akhirah.

Farewell, ya Ramadan! Ya Muslimeen, ya Mu'mineen, ya Muttaqeen, ya Mukhliseen, ya Muhsineen... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORKS! And please, please and please keep me in your du'as as you all shall remain in mine, in'sha'Allahu ta'ala.

Fi aman'Allah wa-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

Welcoming A Friend

2009-08-07T23:41:00.000-07:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah

Indeed all praise and gratitude is for Allah azza wa jall and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger, Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. Brothers and sisters in Islam, underway is what our beloved Messenger salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam addressed as an "old friend". This dear, special friend is indeed the month of Ramadan. A month very beloved to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. A month which Allah explains in Surah al-Baqarah that He first revealed al-Qur'anul 'Adeem (the Great Qur'an). A month which comes with it immense blessings and leaves with it purity and salvation for our Lord to grant the sincere companion of this beautiful month.

Ramadan is a mirror. A month at which we can truly examine and become acquainted with our true "colors". The unadulterated essence of a human being is exposed during this blessed month. Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Jennah are opened, the gates of al-Jahim (the Fire) are closed and the Shayateen (rebellious devils) are chained." So when the Malaekah (angels) heed Allah's command to restrain the devils and restrict them from interfering with us humans, no whispering or influence from them whatsoever, what excuse do we have to engage in haraam or the slightest disobedience to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala during these holy days? Backbiting, lieing, impoliteness, impatience, aggression, etc. Every deed and every thought will strictly be from our own selves. In preparation of this blessed month, a month that offers salvation like no other, wise would the beleiver be to purify and perfect their manners and behavior to reflect that of the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said:

"Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah azza wa jall has no need that they should abandon food and drink. It may be that a fasting person attains nothing but hunger and thirst from their fast."

All the qualities we beg from Allah: strong iman, strong taqwa, strong sabr, better ihsan and so forth are practically handouts on these days. As good hosts of this beloved visitor, fasting purely for the pleasure of Allah, we excel our taqwa and entitle ourselves to the immense rewards of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Most notably, salvation. Allah says what means:

"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed to you as it has been prescribed to those before you, that you may attain taqwa." -Surah al-Baqarah ayah 183

Additionally, Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven."

The challenge is that once our friend, our special guest, Ramadan, departs that we hold tight to the refined qualities we attained (i.e. taqwa, iman, sabr, ikhlas, etc.) even as the devils are set loose and these qualities become like hot coals.

It is no wonder why the Sahabah radiallahu anhum would embrace this friend upon arrival and cry upon its departure. Spending 6 months preparing their homes, manners and habits for this dear friend and when this friend finally came they would welcome it with the utmost sincerity and warmth. During it's stay they'd treat it with the utmost respect, acknowledging and servicing all its rights upon them. To them, whether winter or summer, the visit of Ramadan was always short. So when it left, they would weep. They would literally cry and concern themselves over whether they did enough for this friend. When we reflect upon this and compare our situations, we should humble ourselves. It should make us feel ashamed.

In'sha'Allah, in the spirit and example of Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam and his sahabah radiallahu anhum, let us prepare ourselves for this blessed month. Allah has not legislated or commanded us to do anything for the sake of its being easy or difficult, rather He azza wa jall has done so for the sake of their being for our good. Our Lord hasn't prescribed us anything and His Messenger salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam has not ordered or advised us anything except that it is best and most beneficial to us. With this in mind, let us strive during this blessed month, observing all those things Allah Loves and rewards and removing ourselves from those things Allah Hates, bi'idnillah.

Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "Ramadan is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the Fire." So let us prepare our intentions, our thoughts, our habits... our entire life and everything in it of which we have control for this very special friend who is well around the corner.

Hold Tight

2009-07-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

"Hold tight to the Rope of Allah (His covenant that is our allegiance to "la ilaha ill Allah Muhammad ar-Rasulullah"), all together and be not disunited among yourselves..." -Surah Ali-Imran ayah 103

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulullah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen

Inna walhamdulillah! Indeed all praise rightfully and naturally goes to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; the Creator, Cherisher, Sustainer and Evolver of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Our Lord who created us on these testing grounds to determine who among us is best in piety and conduct. For even the most presumably righteous in conduct means nothing if not done for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala; for the love of Him, in fear of His punishment and in hope of His Mercy and Reward.

If otherwise enacted only for the sake of attention, reputation or to earn the pleasure of the people is insignificant in the all-encompassing Sight of Allah who is Al-Kabeer. Even if that good is done simply on the basis that it's something good is a wasted deed. Of no value is any good act if not performed in knowing this is something Allah ta'ala tells us is good and knowing it is something He, azza wa jall, is indeed pleased with. The reward from Allah is not by righteous deeds alone, the formula throughout the Qur'an is always 'those who believe and do righteous deeds'. Allah ta'ala says what means:

"And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer -those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged even as much as a speck on a date seed. And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth?" -Surah an-Nisa' ayat 124-125

Allah, our Rabb, Glorified and Exalted is He, Al-Qayyum (the Self-Sufficient), Who is above having a son, partner, comparison, equal or opponent, from His Mercy tries us all according to the strength of our religion. As such there hasn't been any nor will there ever be any who is tested to the degree of the anbiya (Prophets). Taqwa is our key to responding correctly to the trials of this life and gaining success here and salvation in Akhirah. Taqwa, literally a shield protecting one against the displeasure and wrath of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, is aquired not merely through having iman (faith), but in constantly struggling to increase it. It's acquired not merely through seeking and gaining 'ilm, but in striving to properly implement it. And there is no better way... better yet, there is NO OTHER WAY to attain, nuture and guard these qualities than by sticking to the Sunnah of our beloved and noble Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. It's just as he, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, has commanded us:

"Hold tight and cling on to my Sunnah with your molar teeth and keep far away from newly invented matters in the deen..."

With true taqwa one easily abandons and abstains from sins and works diligent to even avoid suspicious matters and matters, like the footsteps of Shaitan, that are most likely to lead the individual to sin or altogether astray. Iman and 'ilm are dependent upon one another, but each must constantly be elevated. Thus faith withers away if the knowledge Allah ta'ala granted you is not implemented. The true religion, ad-Deen ul-Haqq, Deen ul-Islam, is not a hobby, rather it is a full time commitment. Just as the Sahabah were strong in ibadat, strong in seeking knowledge, strong against the enemies of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, strong in their religion, this deen of Islam... we too, as Muslims, must be strong and commited sincerely and wholeheartedly with every limb of our jasad (body) and every portion of our ruh (soul) while Allah grants us, the mature and sane, with such an opportunity. It is impossible and foolish to think we will die in a state of al-Islam if without a full time commitment to al-Islam. How can we assure a death in a state of "la ilaha ill Allah" if we don't even live in a state of "la ilaha ill Allah"? The correct belief is cursed if the actions are not correct. And the correct actions are meaningless if the belief is incorrect. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:

"Ya ayyuha al-ladhina amaanu attaqu Allaha haqqa taqatihi wa la tamootuna illa wa 'antum Muslimoon." (O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam) -Surah Ali-Imran ayah 102

Our aqeedah, our methodology; our iman, our ways; our belief and practice must be in accordance to the same understanding and example of Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, the Sahabah radiallahu 'anhum and as-Salaf us-Salih (the pious predecessors) rahimutuallah. This is the methodology or path of those whom Allah says He favors and is pleased with in Surah al-Fatihah that the mukhallaf (morally responsible) recites, at minimum, 17 times a day. This righteous and victorious path is that of Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah, the path of which we call to Allah that He keep us firmly upon when we say: "sirataal ladhina anamta 'alayhim!"

To learn, stick close and be persistent upon such a path truly is a struggle, but it's a struggle fisabillah (for the Cause of Allah). When living in the core, the belly and epicenter of a dunya-oriented society and the symptoms manifested and overflowing from such a corrupt and deluded orientation, without a solid foundation to support our iman, it can quickly be swept away. Our goal is to return to our Rabb happily. Among the many names Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has given the Last Day is Yawm ul-Hasra, the Day of Regret. So let us be among those who regret having not doing more and not of those who regret having never doing anything at all. O Allah remind us to remember You at times of weakness and vulnerability. May we as Believers love each other and advise each other in righteousness and stand firmly against all forces and matters oppossing our unity, our allegiance to "la ilaha ill Allah" and our path to Jennah al-Firdous. Ameen.

The Worth of Time

2009-05-25T17:34:00.001-07:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaamu 'ala Rasulillah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen. Alhamdulillahi-ladhee wa ja'alana minal Muslimeen.

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam; those of us Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala blessed to have embraced and to strive upon the same guidance sent down to all His prophets and messengers ending with Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. I first say unto you all, as-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu. Second, I challenge us all that we dare ponder just how it is we treat this more-crucial-than-we-know blessing and opportunity Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has granted us. Do we pay any mind to the nature of our intentions and the consequences they accrue? Before diving into any impulse do we think to ourselves: "Will this please Allah? Is this worth the time He's granted me? What am I gaining? What am I sacrificing?" Do we worry whether Alalh is or will be pleased with us for our actions before they are initiated? Are we truthfully and sincerely remembering Allah, our Lord, and are we truthfully and sincerely remembering al-Akhirah with every step Allah ta'ala permits us to take?

Or is it that we are playing games with our time Allah ta'ala has permitted? Playing games with our life Allah ta'ala has decreed? Do we spend more of our time engaged in idle talk, unbeneficial, frivolous activities, nodding our heads and swaying our bodies to music and other tools of the clever, thoroughly-experienced and accursed Shaytan, our avowed enemy, uses to distract man from Allah and Last Day? Ya ikhwatun, brothers and sisters in iman, this is the time to soften our hearts, no harden them. This is the time to strengthen our Deen, not compromise it. Do we spend more time wasting time than we do striving in making the maximum benefit out of every passing minute?

When our beloved Rasulillah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said: "every heart has a passing cloud", he (salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam) was referring to the ever-fluctuating state of iman Allah tries those who say: "we believe." One day the heart of the believer may gleam with iman like the full moon in a clear night's sky and the next day the same heart have its light of iman dulled like the moon veiled behind a passing cloud. The reason our iman reduces; the reason its light is dimmed is due to our own shortcomings, our sins... our turning away from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. The only thing to restore and intensify this poor state of iman is obedience to our Rabb; righteous deeds and dhikrullah (remembrance of Allah). This time Allah has permitted us is not to be wasted. Are our hearts trained to find rest and cure in listening to the mellifluous recitation of the Qur'an and praising Allah or are they trained to find satisfaction and relief in hearing music, singing voices, playing video games or some fruitless other that neither pleases or draws us closer to our Lord? If the latter is true, brothers and sisters, we have work to do.

In Surah al-'Asr, the very Surah it is mustahaab (highly recommended) we recite to one another before departing, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala swears by the time (as only He can rightfully use anything in His creation to be His witness; believers may swear only by Him alone) that every single one of us, all of mankind, believer or not, is at LOSS! And when He azza wa jall says "illa" (except), He azza wa jall mentioned four qualities: "iman, righteous deeds, exhorting one another to truth and exhorting one another to patience." Iman is not sufficient. We must nourish and excel our iman (by seeking out knowledge; ilm 'ul Islam) implement, share it and be patient in the face of not only adversity, but ease. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, Rabbil'alameen, make us among those who strive to perfect these qualities in hopes for His rewards. Ameen.

Let us look again at what Allah chose of al-'alameen to swear by that we're at loss except by the conditions He specifies. Of everything He created He chose to swear by the time. Because with time do we endure fulfillment and hardship. With time do we endure health and illness. With time do we enjoy strength and confidence just before we suffer in weakness and uncertainty. With time do we raise in faith and do we shrink in faith. And what is time besides our life itself? All this life, this transition in dunya, all it is, is merely time Allah has given us to prove our piety and conduct deserving of the eternal bliss He is eager to give us. This life, this time, like all the obligatory acts of the mu'min, the believer (i.e. salah, swam, zakat, etc.), is NOT the goal, it is THE MEANS. May all our brothers and sisters who've been deluded to have made this dunya their goal, those whom Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala calls worse than animals in the Qur'an, awaken and detach themselves from this pathetic state and strive for the pleasure of their Rabb. Life is ephemeral. A blindingly quick transition. For those who make this world their goal, in most cases, time is money. For the Believer, time is life. we waste one, we waste the other. May Allah azza wa jall grant us the tawfeeq to use our time wisely and productively in hope of His Pleasure and fear of His Displeasure. May we not be counted among those who used their time, this life, recklessly. Mindless and heedless of Him. Ameen.

O Muslim, we are the Ummah of Iqarah! None has pondered, dissected, anatomized and expounded upon every science known to man the way our forefathers have. No nation has exhibited the level of passion and ambition for discovering, analyzing and learning matched to that of our Islamic forefathers. Civilizations all around the world flocked and gathered at our circles, institutions and universities to satiate their yearn for knowledge. Where has this spirit gone? Subhan'Allah, it has withered to death among our Ummah and desperately needs to be revived. The scholarly endeavors and achievements of our forefathers, from the Tabi'een to the 8th century and onward, we're manifold and usual. Surely, they recognized the value of time and did not waste it. They were focused heavily on paving the way for their children and the succeeding generation of the Ummah. This should as well be our aim. Not this living for the moment, living for the deceptive, temporal pleasures of this dunya, kuffar lifestyle most of us have adopted. we are still on the clock, brothers and sisters, come... we have serious work at hand. Serious.

"Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the Truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient." -Surah al-Hadeed ayah 16

Who Is Allah?

2009-05-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All praise naturally and rightfully belongs to the One who Created whose most beautiful name is Allah; the Lord, Cherisher, Sustainer and Evolvler of all worlds and existing things. As such we praise Him and attribute every occurrence or condition as coming from Him or allowed by His Leave. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, Jesus Christ the Son of Mary, Moses, Abraham and all the prophets and messengers and the followers of what was revealed to them until the Last Day.

During the second week of February was held the annual Islamic Awareness Week in London. Brother Jalal ibn Sa'eed presented an incredible talk, ma'sha'Allah ta'ala, expounding the topic "Who Is Allah?" For the Muslim, it's a back to basics moment, an always refreshing and iman-boosting experience. For the non-Muslim, it's utterly enlightening.

Some of what is explained in Jalal's talk is how the name "Allah" itself is alone a miracle; one which could not have possibly been conceived by man (and he explains why), the evidence of Allah through His creations, the importance of understanding His Names and Attributes and late in the talk he discourses in very simple and easy-to-grasp terms the science of al-qadr wal qadar (predestination) and al-Lauh al-Mahfuz (the preserved tablet) and the proper means of understanding these articles. Enjoy and benefit, in'sha'Allah:

Can't Lose

2009-04-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

Bismillah wa-salaatu wa-salaam 'ala Rasulillah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen

Alhamdulillahi-ladhee ja'alana minal Muslimeen!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam... as-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Can it be I'm drawing a daft impression in thinking many of us, as Muslims, often forget or lose touch with the substantive fact Islam is a complete system of life designed to make us succeed at the uttermost in every aspect and circumstance with which we're confronted in life wherever in the world we may be? Commitment to this system from Allah, Rabbee wa Rabbukum (my Lord and your Lord), entitles us to His Love and promises us success.

*As we know a promise from Allahu ta'ala is a guarantee*

A life of complete worship and servitude to Allah -remembering Him before initiating any act (i.e. eating, sleeping, studying, leaving home, sitting, etc.) and praising and expressing gratitude to Allah upon completing every act and task. Islam is our shield and fortress against worry, grief, depression, stress and anxiety. We lose touch or haven't attained any real yaqeen (absolute certainty) of this in the first place and become easily agitated; consequently our hearts curdle and iman declines. La samaha'Allah any of us should be paralyzed in this state. Ya Muslim! Know and be persistent in acting upon it that such a life (of complete worship and servitude to our Rabb) ensures us success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.

Islam grants us the perpetual consciousness that, in dunya, the only thing in our hands are our choices, NOT the results. Our response to each result determines whether we earn Allah's Love and Mercy or His Hate and Wrath. Time eventually heals all, but Islam stimulates our fitrah and extends to us the wisdom to be patient and mindful at the very instant calamity strikes. A unique but eminent condition of those with true iman and yaqeen in Allah and the Last Day; those with ikhlas (sincerity) and walaa (loyalty) to His Decree (i.e. Qur'an, Shari'ah, Sunnah). Our prophet and Allah's final messenger to the world, Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said:

"How remarkable is the case of the believer! There is good for them in EVERYTHING, but this is NOT the case for anyone except for the believer! When the believer receives any good, they are thankful to Allah and earn a reward; when some adversity befalls them, they endure it patiently, for which they are also rewarded."

We are tested and met with fitnah in dunya that we might be purified in dunya, as opposed to being so in Jahanam. Na'udu billah! Just as we are tested for any promotion in this life (i.e. career, adulthood, parenthood, etc.), we are tested for promotions or our status to be elevated in Jennah (and both are directly linked). As Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told us: "dunya is a prison for the believer." If we are not imprisoned in dunya, meaning restrict ourselves from evil, it's proponents and gateways, we will instead be imprisoned in Akhirah. Again, na'udu billah! Allah is Al Wadud, The Loving, who rather us (as we should rather ourselves) to be purified in this transitory life that we might enjoy an unfathomably blissful eternity.

So whether met with prosperity or calamity in this world, it's always a win-win situation for those with true iman, yaqeen and walaa in Allah and His Decree (i.e. Word, Shari'ah, Sunnah).

Through proper observance of the law of Love as it concerns the principle of al 'Wala wal 'Bara, we understand that what Allah Loves takes precedence over our personal attachments, lures, likes and desires. Just as we would foolishly do anything for someone we love (or trying to impress) unmindful of what others may think or say, we should unhesitantly do for the sake and love of Allah azza wa jall without care or regard of what others may perceive of us.

What most commonly cost many of us success in this life and salvation in Akhirah is being weak and relaxed in what is obligated upon every Muslim after seeking knowledge... jihad an-nafs or the struggle against one's own ego and selfish desires that would have one transgress against oneself and obedience to Allahu ta'ala. By failing or being inconsistent in this endevour we distance our hearts further from Allah all while Shaitan convinces us the same desires and acts have no such effect. Hence, if we are weak in jihad an-nafs (disciplining our souls), we are weak in jihad ash-Shaitan; subsequently opening the door for much transgression, negligence, hypocrisy and/or vulnerability to misguidance and bid'ah. It is paramount for our success and salvation that we strive for the sake of Allah even and especially when it is against our own nafs.

I'm compelled to as well note that as integral as jihad an-nafs wa jihad ash-Shaitan are with regards to the individual. The highest mode of jihad obligated upon the community and excused of others only after a sufficient number have committed to its cause (and those physically unable) is the pre-emptive and defensive jihad against the enemies of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala who seek and act to oppress and slaughter Muslims, deny the right of self-determination and/or expel them from their lands. Doing so because they'd like nothing more than to see ad-Deen ul-Allah extinguished that their brand of religion/politics may prevail. Allahu ta'ala said what means:

"They desire to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths, and Allah will not consent except to perfect His Light, though the disbelievers (kuffar) are adverse. He it is Who sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of Truth that He may cause it to prevail over all religions and ways of life, though the mushrikeen (those who worship, serve, obey or fear other than Allah) are adverse." -Surah al-Tawba ayat 32-33

The Deen, Promise and Plan of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala cannot be defeated, frustrated or avoided. Add this to the long list of reasons why those with true iman, yaqeen and walaa to Allah and the Last Day can't lose.

Disturbingly enough there is a popular tradition cited by many Muslim apologists active in interfaith circles and by those associated or involved in Sufism about the "lesser jihad" being war against hostile forces among the kaffir'un and the "greater jihad" being purification of the soul (jihad an-nafs). Sadly either they are unaware or dismissive of the fact this hadith is maudu' or fabricated, void of any isnad (unbroken chain of narrators leading from the very lips of the Prophet 'alayhi wa-salaatu wa-salaam). It's used, like the myriad of other contrived and anomalous views, to present Islam as a fashionably kumbaya, naively passive or otherwise wishy-washy and dare I say pansy religion. A degraded, warped version of Islam best favored and promoted by our "pals" at the RAND Coporation and the Muslims who align themselves with them and/or their goals. Just a reminder that in sticking to al-Qur'an was-Sunnah we can't be lead astray and... we can't lose.

The most noble of sciences is ilm-ul-Islam (knowledge of Islam) and the most noble of acts is the application of the knowledge of al-Islam. For every bit of knowledge of Allah's beautiful Deen gone unapplied and unimplemented is but cursed knowledge; -knowledge that will serve as witness against us on yawm'ul Qiyamah. The believer has no option except to win by wala to Allah and the totality of His Deen and bara (disavowal) to all opposing and contradictive elements of Allah and His Decree.

By constantly being engaged in dhikr through learning and reciting the appropriate dua's before and after every action and condition. By turning to the naf'l or voluntary acts as much as possible. By crying out and seeking His Mercy and direction when in distress:

Bismillah al-ladhi la ilaha ghayrahu al-Rahman al-Raheem
Allahumma adhhab 'anni al-hamm wal huzn
(In the Name of Allah whom there is no god beside Him, The Merciful, The Compassionate. O Allah! Remove all worries and anxiety!)

By admitting our mistakes and sins and seeking His Forgiveness for the things we know and those we've forgotten before calling it a night. Wallahi we can't lose no matter what good comes to us and no matter what adversity or challenge should befall us.

Allahumma musarriful qulub sarrif qulubana 'ala Ta'atik
(O Allah! Controller of hearts, direct our hearts to be firm and steadfast to Your Obedience.)

I ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala continually increase us all in taqwa that we will be guided to His Mercy and gaurded from His Wrath. Ameen ya Rabb. Any truth I've produced is good and is from Allah, may we take and benefit from it. Any mistakes are my own, may Allah protect us from them and there potential misguidance. Ameen.

It's About Time

2009-03-14T00:21:00.001-07:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shall we allow ourselves to pause a second (for what that very second is worth) and ponder our witnessing of the astonishing yet worrisome rate at which time elapses these days?

As the axiom goes, time flies when you're having fun and especially establishes lift off and soars when you're busy. As a recovering procastinator, what's become of vital importance in my life are prioritization and sacrafice. Marshalling priorities and putting off activities (or desires), even the useful and benefitting ones, to either tend or manage something of greater importance (the tafsir on Surah at-Takathur comes to mind) is for me much simpler stated than executed. I'm working on it whilst beseeching the guidance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. It's a principle that sort of ties admist Balance and Control somewhere.

Still, what absolutely stupifies me is how in this technological age of literal overnight conventional inventions and developments designed to assist or perform tasks in less time; our computers, microwave ovens, printers, automated factories and cellular phones complete with calenders, organizers, calculators, instant text messaging, Web-access, etc., we lack the time to accomplish even a tenth of what we should or atleast aspire to have done before the day dissovles.

Centuries before any of these nifty tools, vehicles and automated assistants were at the disposal of man, they traveled far and wide and managed to get more done in the same 24-hour frame we've available today. And because the means at which to accomplish tasks- building homes, travel, hunting, commerce, etc. were so manual and raw, there was no need for gyms, aerobics, jogging in the mornings, tredmills, etc. Such a concept would be laughable in those times. And though they had fuller plates, much more irons in the fire and a whole lot more fish to fry compared to today, they got it done. So what is it about us and our era that we feel like there isn't enough time?

It reminded me of one of the sign relayed to us by our Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa salaam, as reported by Anas radiallahu anhu:

"The Day of Judgement will not come until time shrinks; the year will be like a month, the month like a week, a week like a day and day will be like burning a leaf." (Tirmidhi)

One of the most fantastic explanations of this hadith I heard was from Imam Anwar al-Awlaki from his "The Hereafter" series wherein he gave the example of Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimallah) who authored an entire book of Aqeedah (over 200 pages) between Dhuhr time and just before the start of 'Asr (anywhere from 3 up to 3 1/2 hours) and this very book is now taught over a full semester at the Univesity of Medina where students complain that it just isn't enough time to cover this text. Subhan'Allah!

As time hastens, may our blessed Ummah, the Ummah of Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, be more productive in gaining the good in this dunya as well as the Akhirah. May our Rabb, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala be our destination and the Sunnah of our Rasul, Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, be our roadmap. Ameen thumma ameen! We should acknowledge that there isn't nor has there ever been a single nation or individual except that it will, on different levels, experience the delight of success as well as suffer the shame of decline (Allah ta'ala promises this). May we be patient and obedient in both trials. Ameen.

"(I Swear) By Time,

Indeed, man is in loss,
Except those who believe and do righteous deeds
and advise each other to Truth
and advise each other in patience."
-Surah al-'Asr

Shari'ah: Panacea or Barbarism?

2009-03-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

A factor that needs to be noted in all such issues, including questions about the prescribed punishments under Islamic law is that there are very few matters (if any) in our lives that are entirely beneficial and without some harm, or that have complete harm without some benefit.

Everything contains harms and benefits to a greater or lesser degree. Take khamr, or intoxicating substances for example. Even though the Prophet (saws) referred to it as the mother of evils, the Qur’an still recognises that it contains some benefit, but the harm is much greater than the benefit and this is sufficient cause for us to have to leave it completely alone. The fact that something has a small benefit does not justify it, because the harm that results is greater. Similarly something may have some harm, but the benefit is much greater, it cannot be prohibited because of that small degree of harm. If we always followed the rule avoiding that which has greater harm and procuring that which has more benefit, human life and societies would gravitate towards goodness. If we ignore this principle then harm will inevitably dominate our condition and destroy our societies.

It is the goal of the Islamic law (Sharia) that benefit dominates over harm. Of course there is always a possibility of dispute over what actually constitutes harm and benefit. Is it purely material, or does it include psychological and spiritual matters also. In fact we need to take all this into account.

This inevitably brings us back to an essential matter. Who and what determines that which actually constitutes harm and benefit? Human nature is so complex and the interaction and interplay of factors so vast that it is often beyond the capabilities of the limited human mind to factor all this in. This is why we believe we need Allah’s guidance from His perfect and complete knowledge. It is only Allah that has the knowledge and vision to comprehend the complexities of our individual and collective lives and thus to provide us with answers and instruction in how to best order it.

We only need to look at Western society to see examples of how miserably humans have failed to find answers to even relatively simple and essential matters, and how it has so completely left the mark!

One example that comes to mind is the daily function of how one goes about going to the toilet. Muslims are well aware that our religion instructed us 1400 years ago about how to clean ourselves with water after answering the call of nature; the ritual ablutions before the five daily prayers, and that cleanliness is half of faith. This was long before science had discovered about germs. This is why Muslim societies in the middle ages did not suffer from many of the diseases and plagues that decimated the West. In fact despite the understanding that modern science has brought, people in the West have failed by and large to translate this knowledge into daily manners and habits! There is still not water to wash ones privates in public lavatories (although some private houses have bidets). As for the men’s urinal where ones is supposed to urinate against a wall, causing urine to splash back over ones clothes and body, enough said about taking a shower in our own urine! Many people still do not wash their hands afterwards!

If the secular societies have failed to get such simple matters right, can it be expected that they will succeed in the matter of more complex ones that govern society?

We often hear complaints about the brutal punishments in Islam, like the removing of the hand for the thief. No doubt, to those of us living in the west such a punishment does seem harsh, but what is the alternative that so called “humane” and secular societies offer?

A man is caught stealing and is sent to prison. Let’s leave aside exactly how horrific prison itself is, and much it costs the hard working, honest citizen to pay for these prisons that do what exactly? There the thief meets other thieves, also kidnappers, murders, rapists…and they meet and talk about what? I’ve been so bad and won’t do it again? No, they share information. They teach each other how to be better thieves, murders, rapists and paedophiles and when the time comes for their release they are now equipped with knowledge they never had before. They are thinking that they will steal again, do it better next time and not get caught.

Is the criminal prevented from committing more crime? It seems not. 80% re-offend.

Is society protected from these criminals? It seems not. Crime increases.

One may criticize Islam, but what does the alternative offer?

Allah has laid out for us a society the very paradigms of which are radically different to those of the secular “consumer” societies. Whilst these advocate and propagate through constant advertisement that success and happiness is through procuring worldly goods Islam guides us to the path of spiritual happiness and contentment. Of course, it is not that Western society is blind to the need for morals and ethics, nor is an Islamic society blind to the need for material well being and prosperity, but where is the emphasis and what is the goal? Does it make a difference? Of course, it makes a vast difference. In societies where material possessions are seen as the means to happiness people will do what ever they can to acquire those material possessions, even if it requires stealing or killing. Perhaps that is why we feel so uncomfortable with harsh punishments because most of us ourselves in such societies empathise with this “need to acquire”. An Islamic society does not in general empathise with the thief at all. Excellence is in leading a simple life of contentment and obedience to God, so that in this context the crime is almost inexcusable, unless driven by starvation or some desperate need, which in any case can be reasons for the crime to be excuse and the punishment lifted.

These combined are perhaps the reasons why societies that follow the Islamic ethic and implement the Islamic law tend to be largely free and safe from such crimes. There are numerous witnesses, for example, of jewellery shops in Muslim countries being left open and unattended whilst the shop keepers go for prayers and come back to find all still in place.

Islamic law prevents the thief from stealing and protects society from the thief.

All of this, it must be noted, is in the context of the ethic under which the whole society operates and law is just, fair and effective.

The case of adultery.

All this applies also to the matter of stoning the adulterer and adulteress to death.

Islam has placed great emphasis on protecting and safeguarding the family. It is in fact the structure on which the well being of society rests.

There is also great emphasis laid on a public display of morality. It is a normal tendency in human societies to justify our actions in the context of how others behave and consider those actions. Islam goes some way to remove this tendency by insisting that deeds should be done to please God, not others. Still, when evil and sins begin to be practiced openly then people imagine that this act is not really that bad and detrimental, because after all, others are doing it. As a result the crime becomes more widespread and a vicious and rapid vortex of moral decline occurs with the ultimate disintegration of society. Islam forbids spying and seeking out of faults, but when sins are committed openly it contains three wrongs: a crime against the self (for that is what sins are, matters that harm the person who commits them) and affront to the law and thus the Law-Maker, and an affront to the good ordering of society. Such crimes thus need suitable and effective punishments that act as a sever warning to others. A public crime deserves a public punishment.

Adultery is punishable by death, and a slow and painful death by stoning. It is indicative of just how harmful this crime is to society. This is more so because in order for the crime to be proven the adulterers need seen performing the act by four reliable witnesses!

Let us also bear in mind that Muslims societies take every precaution to avoid the means that can lead to adultery. Public nudity is forbidden. In fact a strict dress code is observed. This is part of the wisdom behind the hijab. It is an act of social responsibility that helps towards a harmonious society. Also free mixing between sexes is avoided, men and women should not have physical contact and men and women should not even be alone together (unless they are husband and wife, or from close relatives who are permanently forbidden in marriage). Again in this context adultery is inexcusable, and justly punished with severity.

There is another direction from which the wisdom of such a punishment can be understood, and that is the death of two criminals can prevent the death and agony of many innocents. There is no doubt that adultery has caused many a jilted partner to kill not only the partner but in some instances the children as well. This is the harm that we can measure and see. It is more than likely that the psychological effects on the jilted partner, the children and their families is extensive, and can lead to behavioural problems that ultimately effect the well being of the whole society! The “harm” of the punishment for adultery is offset by the need of the “benefit” and protects the wider society. All of this also goes some way to help understand way acts of homosexuality are simlarily treated so harshly.

Ultimately one should not accept or reject Islam in general or in fact any specific part of it because it happens to agree or disagree with the norms of ones cultural heritage. Ethics and law and punishments are ultimately not things that we can easily take objective measurements of. A punishment that may seem overly harsh in one culture will look unnecessarily tame in another. It makes no sense therefore to make this the criterion for critique. Perhaps the closest we can come in this regard is to see: "Does it work or not?" Islam as a system of governance has an excellent track record in that regard. Not only has it a 1400 years track record, but it has and still is being successfully used by a multitude of peoples and cultures across the globe. Something I think few systems of governance can come close to matching.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj Diagnosed...

2009-03-02T21:51:00.000-08:00

Bismillah, walhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

It disheartens me in coming to know as well as to inform those among us unaware that our respected brother, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, has been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

Siraj Wahhaj was a former NOI (Nation Of "Islam") minister, soon left upon discovering the reality of pure Islam as ordained by Allah and His final messenger to the world, Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. Alhamdulillah! In 1991 he became the first Muslim to offer an invocation or opening prayer for the United States House of Represenatives and is the founder and Imam of Masjid at-Taqwa in Brooklyn, New York. Just some notable points in the life of this wonderful man. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala reward him immensely for his efforts and works in advancing His Cause. Ameen.

Brothers and sisters, let us have our respected brother in our duas, bi'idnillah, asking Allah by all His beautiful Names that Imam Siraj be granted a speedy recovery and ease be given to his dear relatives and those nearest to him. Posted beneath is a letter from Brother Wahhaj himself and a link for donations.

(from Siraj Wahhaj):
As Salamu Alaikum, Dear Brothers and Sisters!

It is well known now that I have been suffering from hypertension. Al Hamdulillah, I have been working with it for a while now, and insha’Allah it’s pretty much under control. As a result of being thoroughly checked by the competent doctors in Atlanta , I have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Al Hamdulillah, inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. (All Praise is for Allah. Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.)

My diagnosis is not as bad as it sounds on the surface. Many men have been cured from prostate cancer. My doctors are very optimistic about my cure, and so am I. Insha’Allah the treatment should last about two months. But you and I know that the cure is in the Hands of Allah. If Allah heals me, I will be very grateful. If Allah doesn’t heal me, then I will be patient and happily accept my fate. This is the way of the Believers. I am looking forward to full recovery and getting back to work in the not-too-distant future, insha’Allah.

Many people will ask the question, what can we do? Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for me. Make du’a. But don’t just make du’a for me. There are a lot of Muslims, men and women, with cancer (and other diseases). Make du’a for them also. There are so many among the elderly, who need our help, make du’a for them. There are so many Muslims who have lost their jobs, lost their homes, make du’a for them! Beyond the prayers, go visit the sick, those in prison, and others in need.

Get involved more with Islamic work. Support organizations like MANA, ISNA, ICNA, MAS, CAIR, SIFCA, the community in association with Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the community of Imam Jamil Al Amin, etc. Support good brothers and sisters, like Mauri’ Saalakhan of the Peace and Justice Foundation. Support Islamic education and schools. If you want to help Imam Siraj, then help support his Masjid, Masjid At-Taqwa, in Brooklyn, New York and all the other struggling Masjids throughout America.

Every challenge we face in life presents us with many opportunities for growth. With a heightened awareness and sensitivity about health-related issues, I will feel better when we, as an ummah, learn more about our health. We have to be very careful about the foods we consume! I urge all of us to cultivate healthy appetites such that we begin to love and crave foods that are good FOR us and eliminate foods that are not. I intend with Allah’s help to share information with you in the coming weeks about our health.

On behalf of MANA, I encourage you to lend your support to our growing Organization. Every MANA project is structured to strengthen American Muslim communities. The SHARE Centers, Healthy Marriage Initiative, Community Reentry Program, and Healing and Reconciliation Project all need input and active service urgently. Please contact the MANA office to find out more and look for regular updates in our newsletters, insha’Allah.

In closing, I am humbled and very thankful for all the prayers, and well wishes of the Muslims, and am very appreciative for all the help extended to me and my family in the past. Alhamdulillah! I am also overwhelmed with gratitude that a number of you want to lend financial support, and have asked how you can do that. Online donations can be made here, or feel free to correspond with me directly at Siraj Wahhaj, P.O. Box 312264, Atlanta, GA 31131.

Thank you kindly. May Allah guide and protect us all.

Your brother in faith,
Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Special Donation For IMAM SIRAJ WAHHAJ

Theological Tangent

2009-03-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

All praise naturally and rigthfully belongs to the One who Created, whose most beautiful name is Allah. The Lord, Cherisher, Sustainer and Evolver of all worlds and existing things. As such we praise Him and attribute every occurrence and condition as coming from Him or allowed by His leave. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, Jesus Christ the son of Mary, Moses, Abraham and all the prophets and messengers and the followers of what was revealed to them until the Last Day.

If you'd care to pardon me while I shoot off on a little tangent, there is a particular argument from believers in God that irks nearly as much as it baffles me. Sure there's an ever-accumulating plethora of arguments I resent, but this one I hear so often makes no sense no matter how much I alter and adjust my perspective to suit the lens of the opposing side.

It's the argument of needlessness of organized religion. Again, not from atheist or agnostics, but those who attest to God's existence, yet see no point in following a system to cultivate, express and establish this belief. It would seem to me, that if one believes in God, Lord and Creator, that there would be responsibilities necessitated by this acceptance. Lest we accuse a foolish or pointless act to an All Knowing and All Wise being. Something we'd never attribute to even our imperfect selves. Allah, Most High, says what means:

"Not for any idle purpose (sport) did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is in-between." -Surah al-Anbiya ayah 16

If we accept then the truth that we, as everything else, has its origin with this Creator and Lord, then how does one get around realizing there must be consequences to accepting this truth? Ironically enough, they acknowledge the need for organization in every other aspect in life, big and small, with the exception of spiritual matters. There is no hesitation from a single sane mind that organization and system-enforcement is the best means through which to achieve anything. How then is an organized system denied when it comes to the spiritual aspect of our lives? We have to arrive, take a break and leave from work at specific times. Duties in the workplace and any collective project are designated to specific persons. To open doors we have to insert a key, turn the knob and either push or pull. There isn't any objective achieved by simply wanting it to be achieved. Something must be done and whoever doesn't follow an organized system to get it done always fails. Funny such an elementary rule applies in every other area in one's life except faith and spirituality when it concerns the ascribers of such thinking.

That is all. I just had to get that off. Thanks for baring with me. I suppose it would only be right to follow up with a certain procedure of elimination to determine which way is the true and right way we should adhere to gain the most out of everything in life. Consequently, I'll attach a link to an article from Dr. Bilal Philips that does precisely that. It's definitely worth the trouble of reading and consideration. May Allah guide us all to the truth and keep us firm and steadfast upon it that we might be truly successful in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.

The True Religion

Pathology of Bid'ah

2009-02-19T00:52:00.000-08:00

Au'du billahi min'ashshaitanir rajeem
Bismillahi ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Inna walhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen

Indeed Allah is praised whether we praise Him or not. Yet humbly we praise Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within our selves (our arrogance, lowly desires, weaknesses, in general, our nafs) and from the evil consequences of our actions. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide. And whomever stubbornly rejects faith, thinks they've figured it out on their own, refusing guidance, Allah leaves to their own path and none can guide.

I bare witness that there is NO DIETY WORTHY OF WORSHIP, of our veneration, our supplication, our sacrifice, our repentence except Allah. And I bare witness that Muhammad 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam is His final Messenger and servant.

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

Brothers and sisters in Islam, in the coming days, especially for those considerably young in iman, I believe it is of vital importance we raise the awareness of bid'ah, that is, newly invented matters or traditions incorporated into the Deen long after it has been established, perfected and completed by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala as underway appears to be a pathological spread of this evil. As Allah stated among the last ayat He revealed to Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam.

"...This day have I perfected for you your religion, completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion." -Surah al-Madi'ah ayah 3

Our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam has warned us in the du'a he taught to be recited before every khutbah that the worst of affairs are bid'ah (innovations in the Deen), for every bid'ah is a misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire! We have now many practices ascribed to Islam radically differing from one another. Every alliance to these different practices claim adherence to al-Qur'an wa as-Sunnah, so how is it we determine which of these groups are truthful in this claim? Is the ibadah performed entirely for the sake of Allah and is it made exclusively and directly to Allah azza wa jall without any intercessor (aside from our own deeds) as according to the Qur'an and Sunnah? Does it acknowledge that all of mankind is flawed, forgetful and heavily mistake-prone as Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam told us: "EVERY descendant of Adam makes mistakes" or do they propose exceptions?

So it is without specifying any labels (which in and of themselves are innovations being that no Muslim during the time of Muhammad 'alayhi salaatu wa salaam or any among the preceding three generations ever used them to describe themselves or the deen of al-Islam) I will, in'sha'Allah, keep the formula by which to distinguish pure, unadulterated Islam from an invented, cursed religion masquerading as Islam quite simple.

It certainly does not take one of any high knowledge or a student of knowledge or a student of a student of knowledge, etc. to administer the 'acid test.' Don't allow yourself to be moved or worse, deceived, by the scholarship of an individual who calls to evil and misguidance in the name of our beautiful Deen. Ya Muslimeen, it is key we bare in mind that ANY tradition, ritual, practice, theology or act that is ascribed to Islam yet is NOT found in the Qur'an or Sunnah is indubitably an innovation, a form of misguidance and as Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam warned... is in the Fire.

Further proof of innovation in one's way are exhibited in its side-effects such as having to either deny, muddle or reject certain ayat or authentic hadith to justify their practice or theology. Despite Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala Promised to guard it from corruption. They may also insist certain ayat contain hidden meanings apparent only to those endowed with great wisdom, though Allah explicitly states what means:

"He is The One Who has revealed to you the Book. Some of its verses are decisive -they are the foundation of the Book -while others are allegorical. Those whose hearts are infected with disbelief follow the allegorical part to mislead others and to give it their own interpretation, seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings except Allah. Those who are well grounded in knowledge say: 'We believe in it; it is all from our Rabb.' None will take heed except the people of understanding." -Surah al-i 'Imran ayah 3

Avoid then newly invented matters and distance and disassociate with those who obscure, mystify and ultimately taint this already perfect, most beautiful, complete and in every human aspect-fulfilling way of life; Islam. Daw'ah, naseeah, a simple and kind invitation to tawheed offered to those we personally know involved or allured to that direction is certainly in order, but do so and leave the rest between them and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala ("no compulsion in religion...") . What should be realized is when we invent or incorporate any act of worship foreign to the Qur'an or Sunnah that indirectly we are superciliously claiming that Allah and His Messenger left out something, hid something and/or that we know better than Allah and His Messenger. Au'du billah!

Bid'ah, no matter how good or sweet Shaitan will have you feel it is, it does not bring you closer to Allah, on the contrary, it takes you further away from your Rabb and nearer Jahanam, away from His Grace and closer to His Anger, except that you redeem yourself. There is no love for Allah in disobedience to Allah. I close with the noteworthy advice of Ubayy ibn K'ab radiallahu anhu and two sayings from our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam:

"A minimal course in the path of Allah and the Sunnah is better than striving hard in a path contrary to the path of Allah and the Sunnah and consenting to innovation. See that your actions - whether they are striving or minimal - are on the path of the anbiya (Prophets) and their Sunnah." -Ubayy ibn K'ab radiallahu anhu

"There is not anything that will bring your closer to Jannah except that I ordered you to do it, and there is nothing that will bring you into Hellfire except that I prohibited that action." -Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam (Muslim and Bukhari)

"My Sunnah is the best Sunnah. Whoever leaves my Sunnah has nothing to do with me." -Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam (Muslim and Bukhari)

May Allah ta'ala protect us from all misguidance that we might turn and submit to Him wholeheartedly and purely as He has decreed and firmly upon the Sunnah as taught in word and action by His final Messenger and mercy to all creation, Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. Any good and truth is solely from Allah and all mistakes are my own. May Allah forgive me for them and protect you and I from them. Ameen.

"Guide us to the straight path. The path of those whom Thou hast favored; not the path of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who went astray." -Surah al-Fatiha ayat 6-7

Related Topics:
Tawheed 101
You Alone Do We Worship

Chasing Marriage (The Yearn)

2009-02-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Alhamdulillahi rabbil 'alameen ja'alana minal Muslimeen. All praise rightfully and naturally belongs to Allah; Lord, Creator, Sustainer and Evolver of all worlds and existing things, Who has blessed us with the greatest blessing of all by making us Muslim. Indeed the best of speech is the speech of Allah: al-Qur'an. And most certainly the best of guidance is the guidance of Rasulullah, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ibn Abdullah salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam: as-Sunnah.

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

To begin... I'll comment on the image above. The reasons I used it are two-fold: one, it's relevant to the topic and secondly to see if it's only me who notices these same guys pop up in nearly every Muslim site or Islam-related google search I run. Not limited to this particular image either, but the same "couple" in several different poses, profiles and angles. Am I the only one annoyed by this? Allahumma ighfirli warhamni (O Allah forgive me and have Mercy).

To proceed... what prompted me to touch on such a severe topic was a discussion I had with one of our brothers only moments ago. I give the adjective "severe" because for the many whom are seemingly overanxious to get married, this sort of yearning is done at the expense of what they should ultimately be yearning above all else (i.e. Jannah). Our aspirations and goals, big and small, whether Jannah, higher knowledge, marriage, family, new house, new car, new career, etc., are not successfully and lawfully met without one critical prerequisite... SABR (PATIENCE).

We pray that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us and increase us continually in sabr that we not fall into error. Many of our brothers and sisters befall impatient, and once this impatience and anxiety is exploited by our "friend" Shaytan... "hello, haraam!" It must be ingrained in our minds, O Muslims, that every predicament and circumstance we find ourselves in is by the grace of Allah. Allah told us what means:

"On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bare." -Al Baqara v.286

So no matter the fitnah we have to be thankful and praise Allah, because it is for the best whether we perceive it or not. Allah said what means:

"...it is possible that yet dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth while ye know not." -Al Baqara v.216

And how great our Rabb, ar-Rahman, blesses and rewards His servants for their acts of steadfastness and patience. Alhamdulillah, He is al-Mujeeb (The Responsive, The Answerer of supplication).

Imperative as well we bare in mind that Allah only places us through trials to either absolve or prepare us for something. The very reason new trials always trivialize the previous ones. So in the case of chasing marriage, consider if you're not married yet, and desperately yearn so, that you may not be prepared for the immense responsibility and obligation binding on you as a Muslim man or woman for marriage. Be grateful to Allah for the time He is allowing you to ready yourself for this noble endeavor. Think of the MANY Muslim men and women who get married prematurely; categorically unprepared and they wind up miserable. May Allah help them, grant them ease and eventual success and health in their affairs. This isn't intended to scare you out of marriage, only to encourage you to better ponder and prepare yourself for it. Allah, al-Hakim (The Most Wise), will bless you with your spouse at His Will. Until then, plea to Allah to increase you in sabr and strengthen your control over your nafs. Seek refuge in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala from the evil persuasions of your nafs often.

*NOTE: By being prepared, I don't mean, you haven't got your Master's or Ph.D, yet. That to me is complete and utter nonsense. If the opportunity presents itself, wherever you are in life, hasten the commitment. Don't waste time. Get it done. In fact, this is Sunnah. The more you stall, the more risk you run to opening your arms joyously screaming: "HELL-LOW HARAAM!"*

There is an entire gambit of benefits in marriage discoursed in the framework of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Far more than I'm prepared to list, so I'll instead summarize the basics which outline the broader, minute details:

To beget children
To control sexual urges
To obtain peace of mind
To increase in ibad'at or divine servitude
To gain rewards from fulfilling duties to family

All of the above and everything encompassing each of them are beautiful and no doubt, desirable. But emotionally and psychologically, you must be prepared. Not in the sense that you'll be ready to take on all tasks and respond to every unforeseen circumstance naturally and correctly. How foolish and very unrealistic. Rather, be prepared in the sense you're fully aware of the qualities and duties expected upon yourself to maintain the best relationship possible, in'sha'Allah.

Allah tells us that as spouses we are to be as garments to one another (Al Baqara v.187). Allah azza wa jall also tells us, men, that we are to be the protectors, providers and maintainers of women. This does not imply that so long as your family has a roof, the bills are covered and you purchase all or most the groceries and other necessities that she should be content. A woman requires far more. And I'm not saying this to be all, for lack of a better phrase, "punk smooth" about it. It is all according to the Sunnah of our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. As husbands we have to engage conversation, stop what we're doing almost at once to provide undivided attention to our wife when she walks in, compliment her often- if she doesn't feel like she's the most loved and most beautiful woman in all the world, then you're falling short as a husband. Be dependable. Be affectionate. Spontaneously offer her favors and things (without being asked). Again, I'm not pulling these ideas out thin air or some kufr "10 steps towards improving your marriage" jumpoff. All this advice and more were all discussed and obligated upon us by the hikma of Allah ta'ala 1400 years ago. Allah and His Messenger have established the rights of the woman OVER the men at a time when the now "civilized" democratic West were denying women legal and basic human rights, at a time when spousal abuse was an accepted and common practice. If people knew and Muslims by and large really observed the rights Allah gave women over their husbands, these Islamophobes would've got their propaganda right, that in Islam it's the men who are oppressed, NOT the women!

Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam went as far as to advise the men to not just roll over like some log after being intimate with their wife in bed. Not only are you to see to it she "achieves satisfaction" as well, but you must stroke and caress her until she sleeps. As the saying goes, if the wife is not happy, nobodies happy. A famous hadith we all should know: "the best among you are those best to their wives."

And true enough, I'm happily married so all this is very easy for me to say. Alhamdulillah. But brothers (and sisters) in Islam, take whatever good may have come out of this article and implement it to the fullest. It should help, bi'idnillah. In the meantime, prepare yourself so when Allah fulfills your aspirations for married life, you'll establish the best one possible, in'sha'Allah. Whatever good I stated is from Allah and any mistakes are strictly my own. Allah forgive me for them and may He protect us all from their misguidance.

Ameen.

They Called Him Uncle

2009-01-29T06:54:00.000-08:00

Infused with an ambition to counter and unplug the incessant, ongoing harassment of Christian missionaries- a fed up Muslim retailer in South Africa, knowing very little of his own religion, was propelled to educate himself to close the curtains on the then Christian onslaught against Islam once and for all.

Equipped with his fondness of reading and his knack for story telling, he stumbled on a book, Izharul Haqq (The Truth Revealed), that set him well on his way in developing himself into a master of comparative religion and splendid debater successfully presenting the universal message of Islam vis-a-vis other religions.

For him, as should be the case for all Muslims, it was Allah who set the theme:

"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.Surely, your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Path, and He knows best those who receive guidance." -An-Nahl v.125

From silencing pestering missionaries in his city of Durban to stumping scholars, clerics and evangelists of the Protestant and Catholic world throughout Africa and all over the Western hemisphere. He became extraordinary, inspirational, international, renown and some may say heroic in the field of da'wah. His efforts have earned him the Faisal International Award in 1986 and much reverence, but we pray his reward with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is infinitely greater and among the highest stations in Jennah. As these efforts have led several thousand during his lifetime, and possibly to this day, to Islam.

That man, Shaykh Ahmed Deedat rahimallahu anhu. The lecture I'll post of his entitled "Christianity and Islam" was conducted March 17, 1987 in Geneva, Switzerland. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Islam and historical lesson well-worth contemplating. "What was the actual religion called upon and followed by all the prophets (peace be upon them)?" appears to be the inquisition here. Enjoy and benefit, in'sha'Allah:

Islam and Culture

2009-01-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Inna walhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
Alhamdulillahi rabbil 'alameen 'alana minal Muslimeen

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Indeed, Allah is praised and may His peace and blessings eternally be upon His Messenger. All praise is for Allah; Lord, Creator and Sustainer of all worlds and existing things. Humbly, we praise Allah in all conditions, who has submerged us in His greatest blessing by making us Muslim- al Ummat Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam.

May He preserve us, keeping us firm upon His deen- the way of life of attaining peace through complete submission and obedience to Him (Islam) and may He have us only to remember Him and beseech His Forgiveness when we forget and we get distracted. Ameen. I pray all our brothers and sisters in Islam, young and old, new and emerging, that we all die only in the purest state of Islam. Ameen ya Rabbil 'alameen wa'iyaaka.

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

What is to proceed is a talk from respected brother and British-revert to Islam, Abdur Raheem Green, that outlines the broad and very clear distinctions between what is Islam and what is culture. It serves effectively to rid the confusion about what is actually Islam, or what is in keeping to the Sunnah of our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, and what is often mistaken or sometimes confused for Islam- namely the culture and traditions of a particular society or nation. He also delves a bit into some of the major etiquette of the Sunnah that are seemingly abandoned, their importance and purpose. A critical reminder I thought quite beneficial for the Ummah, in'sha'Allah ta'ala. Fi amani Allah.

A World Without Islam

2009-01-14T18:31:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Peace unto those who heed the righteous guidance and may such guidance reach those who sincerely seek it. I share now a compelling article by Graham E. Fuller published in the Jan-Feb 2008 issue of Foreign Policy Magizine that contemplates acutely the condition of our world had Islam never been.

Formally vice-chairman of the National Intelligence Council at the CIA and presently an adjunct professor of history at Simon Fraser University, Fuller intelligibly concludes the world would be in the same, if not, more disastrous state without Islam. Unraveling the heart of the worlds' struggles and conflicts lie in European imperialism and colonialism rather than religion (although having part) with his well-researched and thoroughly-considered hypothesis of an Islam-less world.

My only faultfinding is its omission to appreciate how Islam ultimately delivered Europe out the Middle Ages and into its Enlightenment, Reformation and Renaissance era(s). If only this fact had been merely glossed over this article would have easily earned from me five stars. Notwithstanding, Fuller manages still to drive this much ignored yet mammoth of a point home.

Of course for the Muslim, without Islam, there would be no world to ponder the idea to begin with. In fact, without submission to the will of God (i.e. Islam), there would be no 'alamin (i.e. everything in creation) altogether. Even so, let's indulge Mr. Fuller in this ruminative endeavor shall we?

A WORLD WITHOUT ISLAM <-click to check article

Portrait of A Prophet, v.2

2009-01-11T18:31:00.000-08:00

Bismillah, Alhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

In the Most Holy name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful to Whom all praise and gratitude ultimately belongs and may the peace and blessings of Allah eternally be upon His Messenger, Muhammad, his family and companions. Indeed, the best speech is the speech of Allah azza wa jall, al-Qur'an. And the best guidance is indeed the guidance of the Messenger of Allah, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, the (authentic) Sunnah. Indeed, the worst of affairs is bid'ah, that is, innovations or newly invented matters in the Deen. The Deen has been completed and perfected by Allah Himself and has been fully explained in words and actions by our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam. Any inclusion or exclusion in terms of principles, rulings or actions in or away from the Deen is a bid'ah; every bid'ah is a misguidance and every misguidance is already in the Fire. I pray that we strive firmly upon the sirataal mustaqeem (the pure and straight path) and that said path be made clear before the sight of all who seek it. Ameen.

In approaching this topic for the second time, and carefully so, I aim to have expounded on the reason we, Muslims, love Muhammad to the extent that he, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, comes second only to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and why all of humanity should admire him above everything else in creation. This hour talk delivered by our respected Brother Jalal ibn Sa'eed beautifully recapitulates the story of our beloved prophet, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, showcasing example after example of Muhammad's unsurpassed merciful, forgiving, charitable, kind, just and trustworthy nature, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam.Concluding the reason he, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, is indeed the greatest man humanity has known, and the greatest man humanity will ever know.

A View From Finkelstein

2009-01-06T06:55:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As the missles continue to glide, mortar shells proceed to errupt, bullets still mist and bombs resume to descend upon Gaza, 531 civilizian deaths have been estimated yesterday, January 5th, and this number of confirmed casualties is of course steadily climbing.

Our beloved Rasul, Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, has advised us:

"Whoever among you witnesses an evil, let them change it by hand, if they are unable to do so, then by the tongue, and if unable to do so, then with their heart; and that is the weakest of faith." [Sahih Muslim]

So in tradition of the spirit behind every righteous cause, in defiance of overwhelming odds and in stubborn refusal to be stagnated by cynicism, the movement against social injustice and the holocaustal strike in Gaza and abroad fuels and carries on. May our efforts; prayers, fasts, voices and actions all be received by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala that our dear brothers and sisters be granted ease and victory over His enemies and ours. Ya Rabb, Ameen!

One man's view I especially respect in regards to what's dubbed the "Israel-Palestine Conflict" and the Middle East crises (as he's made it his life's mission to specialize) is historian, political scientist, lecturer and author, Norman Finkelstein. A man whose bio, work, interviews and debates (most notably the one with Alan Dershowits on DemocracyNow) one should explore if not already familiar.

Finkelstein is one whose presence is much needed in mainstream Western media when such crises in Gaza take off. However, call me delusioned, but I sense that despiste the extreme media bias that much of the American public perspective is coming to terms with the grim reality corporate media spurns to represent.

Mr. Norman Finkelstein, champion exposer of the Zionist agenda, appeared recently on Press TV in Tehran, Iran to offer his take on the brutal situation in Gaza. He also speaks a little on Bush, some of what we can expect from Obama and his Administration and his thoughts on Hassan Nasrallah that even I had to gasp over. The following contains both appearances and will automatically proceed to the next, in'sha'Allah:

State of the Ummah

2008-12-28T21:33:00.000-08:00

Bismillah wa-Saalat wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah,

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu:

The toppling causalities and devastation our dear Muslims in Gaza have been met with during the brutal air strike by the illegitimate state of Israel has wrought upon us much grief, frustration and reflection. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala increase us in our patience and gratitude in these trying and most cruel times. The call for us, as Muslims, to unite under one banner, "la ilaha ill Allah Muhammad-ar Rasulillah" trumpets louder and louder it seems with every passing moment. To speak and act against the injustices committed by the enemies of Islam, not merely as Gazans, Palestinians, Somalis, Kashmiris or any other superficial, nationalistic reason. But because we are Muslim. Period. May there not be a single Muslim upon a single square inch of this planet where this call is not received and properly comprehended. Ameen!

There is nothing more noble, more rewarding, more honorable, more fulfilling than obedience to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And there is nothing more repugnant, more vile, more demoralizing, more destructive, more compromising than disobedience to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. A point that is critical we ponder as Allah will not change the condition of a people until they have changed what's within themselves (Surah al-Rad ayah 11).

What best summarizes my ultimate point is addressed in a letter from the Amir ul Mu'mineen, Umar ibn Al-Khattab radiallahu anhu to to his commander Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas radiallahu anhu who was the commander of the Muslim Army during the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah around the year 636.

In light of these times, the message in this letter from this great sahabi, whom our beloved Rasul salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam said of him:

"Among the nation of Bani Israel who lived before you, there were men sent who used to be inspired through guidance though they were not Prophets, and if there is any of such persons amongst my followers, it is Umar."

I believe it's significance and warning remains applicable to our situation today. We truly need to evaluate ourselves and commit earnestly and entirely to the guidance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. There then would be no doubt Allah will make us victorious. In'sha'Allah!

Umar the Great radiallahu anhu writes:

"…Then after, I order you and all troops that are along with you to be obedient to Allah, in all circumstances, as this is better than the weapons against the enemy and a strong stratagem in the war. I order you and the soldiers who are with you to be more cautious and afraid of your own crimes and sins than your enemy, as the crimes and sins of the soldiers are more dangerous to them than the enemy.

The Muslims are victorious only because their enemies are disobedient to Allah and had it not been so, we have no power over them, because neither our number is equal to their number, nor are our weapons like theirs. If we commit crimes and sins as they do, then they (our enemies) will have superiority over us in power and we will not gain victory over them. WE DO NOT OVERPOWER THEM WITH OUR STRENGTH.

And you should also know that in this marching of yours, there are guards upon you from Allah and they all know what you do. So be shy from them and do not commit Allah's disobedience while you are going in Allah's Cause and do not say: ' Our enemy is worse than us, so they will not overpower us.' Perhaps some people who are worse than the others may overpower the others as the (disbelievers) Magians overpowered the Children of Israel when they (the latter) involved themselves with disobedience to Allah. So they (disbelievers) entered the very innermost parts of their homes and it was a promise fulfilled.

And ask Allah the assistance over your own selves, just as you ask Allah for the victory over your enemies. I ask Allah for that, both for you and for us."

Watch the nasheed here:

May we all take from this its maximum worth. May Allah grant ease to the surviving victims and families of our brothers and sisters in Gaza; aid them and grant them victory. Ameen.

Food For Faith

2008-12-26T06:40:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Indeed Allah is praised whether we praise Him or not. Yet humbly we praise Him seeking His aid, guidance and mercy. We are penitent to Him. We seek protection in Allah from the evil in ourselves and the evil resulting from our deeds. Among us whom Allah guides, none can misguide and whomever Allah allows to tread their own path, no one among us can guide. Outwardly, inwardly, publicly and privately do I declare that there is nothing worthy of our worship, our du'a, our raka'at, our sajdah, our tawbah, our veneration except Allah, independent of all while all are dependent on Him. And inside my heart and outside my mouth do I testify that the final Messenger of Allah and perfect personification of Allah's Message whom which all of mankind should strive to emulate is Muhammad ibn Abdullah, may Allah's peace and blessings eternally be upon him.

May we continually increase in our iman, our taqwa and tawakul. May we become increasingly aware that all knowledge and ability is granted by Allah alone and that we cannot attain in knowledge beyond what Allah has made accessible. May we remind ourselves that we are not the guides of ourselves. That guidance comes only from Allah. As such, we should beseech His Guidance. And for the errors in our ways and ibadah, individually and collectively, may Allah make them apparent to us so we might have the option of turning away from them and sticking to that which is pure and straight. May we strive in adhering to al-Deen ul-Haqq purely as Allah decreed and His Messenger exemplified and not as Shaitan or our desires would influence, sway, mislead and deceive us into thinking it is. And may we act upon it sincerely and solely for the sake of Allah and His Mercy. Ameen!

Have in mind that I am not at all excludible to a single observation I should point out herein. But let's consider just how easily and comfortably we will leave what is clear and engage in that containing much doubt. Sometimes we forget that Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam lived in a time were he was enveloped and confronted by all the vices, festivities, harassment, discrimination, temptations and pleasures we witness and experience in our contemporary societies. Tenfold even. So all matters have been covered, what Muhammad ordered, did and/or would do is clear and readily accessible especially in this internet age for those sincerely seeking guidance. Yet many of us still make lousy excuses for not wearing hijab, not wearing the beard, for listening to music, for neglecting the salat, for not taking the time to advance our knowledge in this beautiful Deen, etc. Is it that we don't see by doing so we are abandoning the Sunnah? What help, forgiveness or guidance are we worthy to receive from Allah when we aren't responding to the very purpose Allah placed us here in the first place?

We say our intentions are good, fooling ourselves to thinking Allah will judge the intention and negate the action. If the act was doubtful or worse, clearly haraam, then just how good are our "good" intentions really? Instead, we should concentrate on placing our good intentions behind good deeds and leave that which is doubtful. Fear Allah and concern ourselves with only looking good in His Sight. And turning to Him in repentance when we forget. For we all forget. We all sin. But may we be among those whom Muhamamd salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam described as the BEST of those who forget and the best of sinners. Ya Rabb, Ameen!

None will attain happiness from any source other than Allah except that they will also experience displeasure and unhappiness from that very source. Even loved ones and family will at times dissatisfy or displease us. Spouses and children will disappoint us and likewise we will disappoint them. It is ONLY through the remembrance of Allah and the steadfast commitment to that which Allah called us to that we will achieve perpetual, unceasing peace and happiness. May Allah azza wa jall improve and purify our living, our affairs and conditions. May He improve us as His servants thereby enhancing in our roles and responsibilities in this life. Ameen.

We can reach but so far, so fast in satisfying the needs and desires of our bodies, but how long before we despair and border ourselves to the brink of complete mindlessness and suicide when we've neglected to satisfy the needs of our souls? Allah says of such people what means:

"Have you seen such a one who takes for his god his own passion and impulse?... They are but as cattle; nay, they are worse astray in path." Surah al-Furqan ayat 43-44

Worse than lesser animals Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala describes them. Worse because they reject and turn away even after knowledge has reached them.

"...but of NO profit to them were their faculties of hearing, sight, heart and intellect when they went on denying the revelations of Allah; and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock!" -Surah al-Ahqaf ayah 26

What else differentiates between the Believer and rejector besides that the Believer rightfully and naturally worships Allah, Lord and Creator, alone without partners, equals or opponent? What separates them except that one loves what Allah loves and despises what He hates? Enjoins what He deems good and avoids what He warned is evil?

We tuck ourselves in bed to meet morning appointments. How many of us are waking in time for Fajr to actually pray salaat ul-Fajr? We disappoint and worry ourselves when we're late on appointments, such as work or some other engagement. How many of us experience this kind of concern when we're late or have missed the time bracket for a particular obligatory salaat? We study and prepare for school tests. How many of us, with mathced intensity, are preparing for Akhira? Have we made dunya our ultimate goal? Have we slipped into valuing dunya beyond its worth?

I think among the main, cursed habits we have to break out of is this whole "in'sha'Allah" syndrome. We keep saying "in'sha'Allah, I'll start praying", "in'sha'Allah, I'll start this", "in'sha'Allah, I'll stop doing this and start doing that." Let's be honest with ourselves, because in reality, with such an attitude, we'll only end up in our graves never having doing what we always promised to do tomorrow.

"O you who believe! Answer the call of Allah and His Messenger when He calls you to that which will give you your life." -Surah al-Anfal ayah 45

Al-Shabab... Salute!!!

2008-12-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

A'udu billahi mina'shaitanir rajeem
Bismillahi ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Inna walhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
amma ba'd

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu ya Muslimeen!

Where to begin on the degree of elation I felt upon learning of the current situation in Kismayu, Somalia as it has been established by our dear struggling ikwan, Al-Shabab! What would make us to understand the sort of delight and enthusiasm that should flow strenuously throughout our bodies as Muslims in light of this blessed news?

In a grimly improvished land overtaken by every kind of corruption you can imagine, armed with resources as few as the Panthers in the 60's and the Pleasure and Grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala have our brothers restored peace and order in the way of Allah. Alhamdulillah. They have denounced the shirk by destroying the graves and tombs once visited and venerated by misguided Muslims, they've denounced and done away with the bid'ah introduced by Sufism in the lands, pouring out and burning all the khamir and intoxicants they can find and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has ammended them by establishing for them, for us, the beginning stages of solidifying a Khalifah. Under our beautiful Shari'ah do they provide the people safety, security and wages equal to their output of work that prosperity be easy for them. Alhamdulillahi rabbil'alameen!

I pray that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala continue to Guide and Bless the efforts of Al-Shabab that the Shari'ah might persevere and expand in those areas and beyond. I pray that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala outshine the propaganda and slander hurled against it by the reality of the situation. I pray that the world at large bare witness the undeniable beauty of Allah's Shari'ah on Earth. Ameen ya Rabb. Surely, what we see here is the manifestation of complete tawakul of Allah at work. Allah quotes prophet Hud alayhis salaam as saying what means:

"So plot against me all together, then do not give me respite. Indeed, I have relied upon Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature except that He holds its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a path that is straight." -Surah Hud ayat 55-56

Allah also tells us what means:

"And whoever relies upon Allah- then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose."-Surat al-Talaq ayah 3

For any Muslim to deny the beauty or superiority of Allah's Shari'ah is undoubtedly a manifestation of kufr. Those who believe on and prefer man-made systems like Democracy, Communism or Socialism over the Shari'ah. Not that by merely living under these governments is kufr, but to actually believe and accept that what they are doing is permissible or approved by Allah is kufr. May we and the rest of the world recognize the excellence of Allah's Shari'ah provided our brothers of al-Shabab pursuit it purely as it is decreed by Allah azza wa jall. May we keep their efforts in our du'as and support them by any means which we possibly can, in'sha'Allah ta'ala. By Allah, Ar-Razzaq, may they be victorious. Ameen!

Muslimah Jailed Over Hijab

2008-12-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Yesterday, December 17th in Douglasville, Georgia, Miedah Valentine, accompanying her nephew to a traffic citation hearing, was read her rights and placed under arrest after refusing to remove her hijab.

Local news outfit, WSBTV, published article here:
Muslim Arrested Over Headscarf In Courtroom

When I consider the multitude of discriminatory occurrences reported in this State and abroad, the story itself isn't all that shocking. I would be taken aback, however, if this State went a single year without legal authorities or establishments bound by strict rules committing such violations. What does amaze me about this story, and others like it, is how the news portrays the story as though she was in fact breaking a law. In this case the prohibition of headgear in Georgia courtrooms. However, they conveniently fail to list the conditions under which said law is to be enforced. Hence you get comments as you see below the article I provided above. Most which accuse Valentine of arrogantly violating these country's laws and getting what she deserved. I'm sorely curious though of these same individuals' reaction had it been someone jailed for wearing a Confederate Flag tie to court. It's not hate, it's heritage, right? As my wife would say: "it's a heritage of hate." I digress?

So yes, while court dress code laws in Georgia prohibit head gear, it is of course not without exception, that being for medical or religious reasons. And according to Georgia's own Court Conduct Handbook officers at the court's security checkout are lawfully obligated to have handled such a matter as described:

"As communities become more diverse, some of the traditional
notions about what is acceptable court attire may be outdated.
For example, court personnel may first wish to inquire
discreetly whether certain headwear has religious and/or cultural
significance (when someone is dressed in non-western traditional
clothing), rather than simply directing that person to
remove such headwear in open court."

It are these little details going unmentioned in the broadcasted and published reports that uproots most of my frustration. They only go so far as to make a violation of religious rights seem like a matter of opinion when in fact it's according to both State and Federal law. I suppose it's sort of like The Constitution or Prophet Jesus alayhis salaam, they admire them to the point of worship, but never seem to actually follow them.

Personally, I think once Valentine is released she should be presented with an Rosa Parks Award. Which would further show just how far the State of Georgia has come along since the Civil Rights Movement.

Ya Muslimeen, may we pray Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant ease to Sister Miedah Valentine and her family. May Allah grant her justice and may our nation's courts, corporations, schools, businesses and so forth either revise their laws as they honestly desire to carry them out or submit to the ones they've created and sworn to submit to. May we admit our sincerest du'as to our Brothers and Sisters in Islam unjustly scandalized and incarcerated, those like Imam Jamil al Amin, Dr. Ali al-Timimi and Tariq Mehanna that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant them refuge from physical and mental harm and a speedy victory.

Ameen Ya Rabb'al-ameen!

Virtues of Arafah

2008-12-06T22:10:00.000-08:00

A'udu billahi mina'shaitanir rajeem
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Alhamdulillah subhana wa ta'ala wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
amma ba'd

It is Sunnah to fast the day before the Eid which is known as Yaum ul Arafah, I encourage all of you to take advantage of it and this is a message.

The messenger of Allah, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, was asked about the fast on the day of Arafah. He said, "It compensates for the sins of the past and the coming year." (narrated by Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari)

VIRTUES OF ARAFAH

It is the day on which the religion, the Deen was perfected and Allah's Favor was completed on the entire humanity. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has sent down what means:

"This day have I perfected your way of life (deen) for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your way of life." (Qur'an 5:3) -this verse was revealed to the Prophet salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam when he was standing at Arafah on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah.

This is the day that pilgrims from all over the world stand at Mount Arafah and ask Allah's Forgiveness.

In Sahih Muslim, it was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah radiallahu anhu that the Prophet 'alayhi wa-salaatu wa-salaam said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’”

Fundamentals of Faith

2008-11-30T12:19:00.000-08:00

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

The following series, Fundamentals of Faith, is one which Sheikh Yasir Qadhi discusses in excellent detail, point by point, the key ingredients and conditions of our Kalima. It is a must watch for all Muslims: born, revert, young and old. It is divided into 6 parts. The contents are as follows:

Importance and Blessings of Knowledge
Belief In Allah: Tawheed
Blessings and Importance of Tawheed
Tawheed of Lordship (Tawheed-ar-Rububiya) NOT Enough
Proofs of Existence of God
Shirk - Its Definition and Dangers

Enjoy, take notes and benefit, in'sha'Allah:

Balance and Control

2008-11-30T01:26:00.000-08:00

Success in this life means nothing if it means failure in the Hereafter.

Would such a statement imply that we should not strive for success in the dunya in terms of money, family, status or property? No. In fact, we should desire the best for ourselves in both the dunya and al-Akhira. We should not place all our attention and energy to one, whether this world or the Hereafter, and neglect the other. As Allah azza wa jall told us in the Qur'an which means:

“But seek, with the wealth which Allah has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this world: but do good, as Allah has been good to you, and seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief." -Al Qasas 28: 77

Our purpose here is to serve or worship Allah. And worship as Allah and His Messenger described in many ayat and hadiths is any act Allah is pleased with that is done for His sake. And with regards to the good that we do and the fruits we hope to receive from such good, it's paramount that we remember "la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah", that there is no progress, might or power except in Allah. Nothing we do, whether applying for a job, trying to have children, taking medicine, going to school, etc; nothing we do will produce the desired result we expect or hope for EXCEPT that Allah permits it. Our complete tawakul (i.e. reliance on Allah) must be in Allah first and foremost. And no matter what happens we should understand it is ultimately for our own good whether we perceive that good or not, since Allah is Al Hakeem, The All Wise, whereas our wisdom is limited.

"And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is Allah for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion." -Al Talaq 65:3

As for those who commit acts which Allah has cursed and seem to have success or to have attained a type of happiness, their benefit is only in this life, this transitory life. Useless will it be in their graves and in the Hereafter. Remember, success in this life means NOTHING if it means failure in the next.

Rely solely on Allah. We are living on testing grounds so remember and praise our Rabb always even when at times we're disappointed or disheartened.

Iman: Protect & Perfect

2008-11-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

Bismillahi ar-Rahman ar-Raheem

Indeed all praise is naturally and rightfully due to Allah and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His final messenger, Muhammad, and all his family and companions. May Allah forgive the sins and reward immensely those steadfastly committed to the guidance He has sent down as it was received, conveyed and exemplified by our beloved prophet, Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam.

Iman, or faith, to the Muslim should not be mistaken for knowledge. The pinnacle of faith, as Muhammad, 'alayhi wa-salaatu wa-salaam, as explained is "la ilaha ill Allah". But simply knowing the meaning of "la ilaha ill Allah" is but the first condition of our Iman, our Kalima, "la ilaha ill Allah". There are those who aren't even Muslim who know and understand the meaning of "la ilaha ill Allah". There are those who aren't even Muslim having more knowledge of our Deen than most Muslims themselves. So does such knowledge by itself make them Muslim? Nay, it is the implementation, sincere devotion and love of "la ilaha ill Allah" that truly makes one Muslim.

It is not sufficient that we but retain the knowledge and meaning of "la ilaaha ill Allah". It must be placed into practice. This is a reminder to myself more than anyone else. It is a reminder to me, most of all, that the preservation and development of our Iman relies heavily on our abstinence and resistance to anything that compromises or conflicts with our Iman. Even if those things are halal. If we find comfort or solace in anything to the extent that we'd rather or tend to turn to it instead of Allah than we should desist from that desire. As Allah told us, it is the Believers whose hearts tremble and find comfort in hearing the recitation of the Qur'an; not that they should prefer anything besides the Qur'an or what it calls to as a source of ease or relaxation.

It is my sincere plea to Allah that we, Muslims, ponder the lesson discussed here and by our sincerity may Allah improve us. May we continually increase and strengthen in iman, hikma, taqwa and knowledge of His Deen and may we identify and resist those things which turn us away from our obligation as Believers. May we persistently carry out His Deen and properly equip ourselves to explain His Deen and even defend it against the manifold lies, insults and misconceptions we may encounter.

Ameen.

The Sunnah, The Better

2008-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

Bismillah, Alhamdulillah, wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

All praise belongs to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, may the peace and blessings of Allah eternally be upon our Messenger, Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them. And may the efforts of those who follow the Sunnah in piety and sincerity until the Last Day be received by Allah, Most High. Ameen.

The second and final part of the Shahadah, after testifying that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, is to testify that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the Messenger of Allah; as such we are commanded to follow his Sunnah. In this series, Abu Usamah ad-Dahahbi explains the Sunnah and clears misconceptions about our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him. Each episode is 25 minutes long. Courtesy of Islam Channel.

Dear, Muslimeen (a heart to heart and audio debate):

2008-11-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

Bismillah, Alhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu ya Muslimeen.

Today, it's more apparent than I've ever realized that our Ummah are notionally divided on the issue of voting and participating in democratic elections. The concern and weight on this issue would seem to have elevated as the activism among Muslims in secular politics and elections has increased.

Surely, I've clarified where I stand as regards to voting. And there is a significant number of Muslims who honorably disagree, others who spitefully contest it and yet even another portion who just don't understand why it's such a big deal to begin with.

We have clear consensus that as a minority in secular lands we are only obligated to live peacefully, dealing justly and kindly with everyone, speaking out against injustice and most importantly fulfilling and calling to tawheed to the best of our individual abilities. We are to obey the secular laws; taking advantage of the ones allowing us the things Allah Loves and detesting/avoiding those allowing that which Allah hates. Being that it is not compulsory to participate in the voting process and being that it is a system founded on the premise that a governing body, human beings, has the right to legislate; correspondingly declaring that Allah does NOT have the right to legislate. Needless to say, a forerunner opponent of Allah's Shari'ah that will do all within its power to prevent its fruition, occupying predominately Muslim lands while misplacing thousands to millions of our brothers and sisters, young and old, therein. How then do we justify consciously engaging to further support such a system in its nationalistic efforts that are openly against (what should be) our interest?

We weigh the pros and cons. We consider who will cause less harm to the Ummah and humanity in general. We consider who wants more peace. But do we consider that either way, harm will afflict humanity and our Ummah under their authority? Do we consider, either way, Muslims (whether one hundred or one million) will be killed as a result of orders they approved? And so the question is, are we accountable for that which Allah will hold them to account by simply having an unforced hand in placing them in office?

The arguments proceed back and forth. Each point as compelling and strong as the next. And the question remains, where should we stand on this issue? We know that we must approach this issue the same way we base our actions, within the framework of the Qur'an and Sunnah. We cannot base it on any emotional or superficial reason such as I've heard from some Muslims in defense of their choice to vote: "I'm not voting because of religion, I'm voting because of race." This, of course, is a shallow, short-sighted... just altogether horrible excuse and a justification unacceptable on all levels. Let's keep it in perspective. The one thing that makes us a family, a global community, an Ummah, is the very fact that our Islam takes precedence over every other aspect of ourselves. We do not make the mistakes of followers of prophets of old. We do not assimilate the ways of the disbelievers. We don't divide or assign status among ourselves according to nationality, race, posession, etc. and certainly we are not Secular Muslims (the phrase itself is oxymoronic).

Remember, Allah will not bless our Ummah with the establishment of a khalifah until we prove ourselves ready. Once we're all operating on the same wavelength, Allah, will reward us greatly in this world. Otherwise, the revival of Islam and the Shari'ah is countered against by our own efforts.

Allah tells us what means:

"So set thou thy face STEADILY AND TRULY to the Faith: establish Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: NO CHANGE let there be in the work wrought by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not." -Surah Al Rum ayah 30

Below, I'll post one of the more respectable, dignified and healthy dialogues revolving about the topic of voting among Muslims that I believe every Muslim should lend their ear. Brother Saad of DawahWorks debates Brother Farhan on this increasingly concerned issue among our Ummah, especially in the West. Thanks to Islam and Friends for organizing and moderating this much needed discussion.

Now That the Elections are Over...

2008-11-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

America is not one man. America is its institutions, which have compromised the very principles they claim to uphold. America has its capitalist system whose weaknesses lie exposed. One man can never change those problems that are systemic in a state, no matter how eloquently he pledges to do so. America is a capitalist state with a capitalist foreign policy and that is to colonize other states. As such she will seek to maintain her domination of the Muslim world and continue that capitalist agenda of exploitation. Presidents come and go, policies may be amended, but there will be no real change.

We should look beyond personality and evaluate declared policies. Barack Obama has declared his willingness to attack Pakistan, intensify the war in Afghanistan and keep promoting disaster capitalism. He has also pledged unstinting support for the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestine. Where is the 'real' change from the policies of George W Bush?

Real change in the Muslim world cannot come from having faith in one man. It will never come from emulating a failed capitalist system. It will only come when the Muslim world transfers its faith in Islam to faith in Islam's political ideas and restore the Islamic Khilafah: an accountable, just system, not open to manipulation, which puts the poor and needy at the centre of its economic programme, and which will defend its lands from occupation and exploitation.

Respected speaker and Imam, Anwar al-Awlaki, had this to say:
_________________________________________________________
One of the characteristics of a humiliated and oppressed community is their submission to their oppressor and their tolerance of oppression. On the other hand they are arrogant and intolerant among themselves. This is how it was with Banu Israel when living under the Pharaoh. I am sorry to state this but unfortunately this attitude is been reflected by many American Muslims who humiliated themselves by voting for candidates who have no serious concern for their issues. I mentioned in my previous post:

"The perception the American Muslims are giving is that by giving them nothing substantial and by giving them just a little bit of recognition you can get their support, vote and loyalty even if you carry on your war against their brothers and sisters. Just like a dog owner abusing his dog but as long as the bone is thrown out the dog will still give his owner all his loyalty."

It is sad but true.

The American Muslims who decided to vote have made a fool out of themselves and the whole world knows it. Under the heading: "America’s outcast Muslims: Once Bush backers, Muslims today are staunch Democrats. But both Obama and McCain shun them." The UK’s The Guardian states:

“American Muslims have been called the “outcasts” of this presidential election. Muslims themselves have told the media that Islam is being treated as “political leprosy”, a “scarlet letter”, or the “kiss of death”".

Why not just call them house Negros?

The Australian newspaper The Age says: “Neither campaign courts America’s Muslim vote.” They go on to state that: “Neither presidential candidate has made a single visit to a mosque.” If they didn’t even bother to visit a mosque, which is no more than a ceremonial thing anyway but does make the house Negros happy, how can one expect from them any support on our issues?

Nevertheless, the proud American Muslims have been running around in service of both candidates. Many American Muslims still insisted on voting. Chasing a mirage that somehow the new president will improve their lot. First it was Bush now Obama. There is a striking similarity between the American Muslim community and the Muslims of al Andalus who chose to stay behind after Muslim Spain fell into the hands of the Catholic monarchs. There are some writings that reveal that after all the oppression they suffered they still had hope that their situation would improve, even after the Catholic monarchs showed them the worst treatment. Since there were no elections back then and no Barak Obama they were clinging their hopes on a Mahdi that would appear and deliver them to safety. A few decades later, no Mahdi appeared and their children and grandchildren slowly but surely were loosing their identity until Islam seized to exist all together in the Iberian peninsula.

I do not believe that America would do the same because they have grown wiser and more sophisticated than their Spanish predecessors. Muslims will be allowed to pray, fast, and practice Islam as long as it is contained within the spiritual compartment. But they will not be allowed to be Muslim in the full sense of the word. The issues of Sharia law, Jihad, wala and bara, hudud, khilafah, the Quranic teachings concerning the Jews and Christians, and support of Muslim resistance fighters around the world will not be tolerated. Now the spiritual aspect will also be under attack, probably not by the government but by the society at large. The American culture will destroy their families. It will deprive their children and grandchildren of their identity. Time will be the witness. Muslims have given their vote for free. Back in the 90s we were told that we should not expect anything back because we are not seen as a voting block (back then the prominent view among the Muslims was against participation in the elections). Well now there is definitely a voting block and it is quite large as some reports say that the Muslim registered voters are around two million!So what are the Muslims getting in exchange for their vote? NOTHING.

Brothers and sisters you can vote, you can run around supporting the campaigns, you can stay silent about the aspects of your religion that do not appeal to your fellow citizens, you can speak out against your Muslim brothers and sisters who support the Muslim causes around the world, you can try your best to fit in and be accepted and the end result will be that you will always be seen as the enemy and you will never be accepted unless you do one thing: give up your religion. As Allah told us what means:

“And never will the Jews and Christians approve of you until you follow their religion” [2:120]

With all of this activism and increased participation the situation of the American Muslims did not improve but in fact it regressed. The Bush campaign of 2000 has outreached to the Muslims more than both candidates of 2008.Giving a fatwa calling on people to vote in democratic elections is not an easy thing. One would expect solid evidence from Quran and Sunnah when inviting people to take such a step. However, what I have seen is the opposite.

I would ask you to read such fatawa and judge them not based on the names or numbers of scholars who are behind them but on the evidence. There was a moment in time when the majority of the scholars of the Muslim world were towing the official line of the Mu’tazila and that didnt make it right. Then look at the fatawa of scholars such as al Albani, the Lanjna da’ima, Abu Muhammad al Maqdisi, al Gabashy and many of the scholars of the salafi orientation around the world who are against participation in democratic election. That is the position of large Islamic movements and individuals such as Sayed Qutb, Dr. Israr Ahmad, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, and the Salafi Jihadi movement. In Yemen prominent scholars from the Muslim Brotherhood have finally come to the conclusion that the democratic process is no more than a game that wastes the efforts of Muslims with very little gain.

In addition to that I found out that many people are asking the ones who are telling the people not to vote to bring their evidence! The burden of proof is on the ones who call others to participate in a disbelieving system, in a disbelieving country not the other way around.

Anyway, the evidence for not voting are all the verses of Quran that refer to governance as a right of Allah in surat al Nisa and al Bakarah, the verses talking about disavowal of the disbelievers in surat al Bakara, al Nisa and al Mumtahina, and the hadiths of Rasulullah, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, that instruct us to be separate from the disbelievers. There are scholars who wrote detailed papers on the subject and you may find the links to them on the comments made by some brothers and sisters on my last two posts. For those who did send me evidence for the position on voting I did respond to some of them and there remains the issue of the Muslims in Abyssinia and Yusuf (as). The response to this is very straightforward: Both the king of Abyssinia and the King of Egypt were not at war with the believers and were both very supportive of the Muslims. In addition to that, there are authentic narrations that al Najashi was Muslim and weaker ones that state that the king in the time of Yusuf became Muslim. But lets assume that this is not the case. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of Fiqh should realize that there are stark differences on how Islam calls us to deal with those who are at war with us and those who are not. Allah says:

"Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous towards them and acting justly towards them. Indeed Allah loves those who act justly. "[60:8]

Now that Obama is in office we will see how these four years will unfold. I personally think that since what Obama stands for is falsehood, the justifications of the Muslims in choosing him were false and the process in which the Muslims chose him were also false we cannot expect any good to come out of falsehood.“Indeed Allah does not amend the work of the corrupters” [10;81]

Assalamu alaykum

Your Brother,
Anwar Al Awlaki

Tawheed 101

2008-11-01T21:51:00.001-07:00

Bismillah, Alhamdulillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

Perhaps among the effective ways of identifying what something is, is identifying what that something is not.

I've become increasingly aware of how easily, it would appear, some Muslims and particular factions within our Ummah fall into committing shirk against Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. By excelling to extremes in their love for the Prophet, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, our late, beloved Imams and pious believers (they blaspheme in calling "saints"), Allah be pleased with them, they slip into the very error(s) committed by Ahl-al-Kitab; calling upon their names for intercession, though none can intercede except with Allah's Permission. It is both a blessing from and a right belonging ONLY to Allah to permit particular believers to intercede for others on the Day of Recompense. It is the essence of shirk to approach any grave and prostrate, make sujood and/or du'a to it. Having more kushuu before these graves than in their obligatory salaat.

To claim that an object or someone, no matter how holy or pious, has the right to intercede is to claim that very thing or individual also has the right to accept worship and the right to accept Repentance. O Muslim, don't decieve yourself into believing these acts are not shirk. They are in fact the essence of shirk. The right to accept worship, grant Jannah and to abase sins are rights belonging to Allah and to Allah alone. What was sent down by Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, to Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, was a restoration and invitation to mankind BACK to Tawheed. Even Surah Al-Ikhlas we're told by our Prophet, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, is worth 1/3 of the entire Qur'an on the basis that it is the greatest summary epitomizing Tawheed. Though the Surah contains but 4 ayat, still it's worth 1/3 the Qur'an! We know the key to Jannah is accepting "la ilaha ill Allah" in our hearts and fulfilling its conditions and the key to His Anger and Wrath is the violation or acts that contradict "la ilaha ill Allah." Shirk is the opposite of Tawheed and ultimately nullifies one's Islam. Allah has warned that if even Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wa salaam, were to commit shirk against Him then all his good deeds would be erased leaving nothing but his bad deeds to be judged by on the Last Day.

Shirk is so greivous, yet so easy to slip into when one goes to extremes in their love for the creation. There is no justification for comparing or equating anything or anyone to Allah. There is no justification for giving rights belonging only to Allah to other than Allah. How does one prostrate before any grave or call upon the name of any Prophet, Saint or Imam and say it's right, then turn to certain Christians praising idols of Maryam, Allah be pleased with her, prostrating before the graves of "saints" or calling upon the name of Jesus, alayhi salaam, and say it's wrong? In reality, between these acts, there is no difference. Islam is a call to tawheed and shirk of such major status is the opposite of tawheed and the finest, fastest and surest way to abandon tawheed.

O Muslim, if you have committed any of these acts, know that it is indeed shirk and that you should, please, renew your Islam and make tawbah to Allah, Al-Gaffar, Ar-Raheem, subhanahu wa ta'ala, and do nothing to compromise the direct link between yourself and Al Rabbil'alamin. In'sha'Allah. The only thing that can intercede on your behalf and the only thing you can rightfully ask Allah to accept on your behalf in this life are your deeds. We seek refuge in Allah from associating partners with Him and pray we remain absolved of this repugnant act. I bare witness the only one worthy of our worship, our sajdah, our du'a, our tawbah, our veneration and our highest extent of love is Allah, azza wa jall.

La ilaha ill Allah wadahu la sharika lahu.

All this talk of shirk and raising awareness thereof was prompted from a reminder I received by my sister-in-Islam, of the Facebook group "Islam 101: What You Really Need to Know". Her message I'll include below. Wa'salaam:
______________________________________________________

Asalaamu Alaykum

All praise is due to allah(Swt) we beleive in him and we seek refuge in him from the evil of our own souls, the one whom Allah(Swt) guides none can misguide and the one whom Allah(Swt) misguides there is none who can guide. May peace and blessings be upon our messenger Muhammad(pbuh)

In Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5705) and Saheeh Muslim (220) it is narrated that
Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The nations were shown to me and I saw a Prophet with a group of men, a Prophet with one or two men, and a Prophet with no one with him. Then a huge crowd was shown to me, and I thought that they were my ummah, but it was said to me, ‘This is Moosa and his people. But look at the horizon.’ I looked, and there was a huge crowd. Then it was said to me: ‘Look at the other horizon,’ and there was (another) huge crowd. It was said to me: ‘This is your ummah, and among them are seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without being called to account or punished.’”

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AMONG THE SEVENTY THOUSAND WHO WILL ENTER PARADISE WITOUT BEING CALLED TO ACCOUNT OR PUNISHED?

Tawheed ,tawheed, tawheed, tawheed... WITHOUT A SOUND TAWHEED IN ALLAH(sWT) ALL OUR DEEDS ARE A WASTE OF TIME.

Many people around the world, who are muslims have no idea what tawheed is, there are many who worship graves, those who worship their Ulama(humans), those who call on to Saints, those who are superstitious and the list goes on.

DID ALLAH(SWT) NOT SAY INVOKE ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS AND LEAVE ALONE THOSE WHO CALL UPON OTHERS BESIDES ALLAH AND MANY MORE EXPLAINS IN THE QU'RAN but why is it so easy for muslims to ignore this and continue associating partners with Allah The Most high? Know dear brothers and sisters that these things we call upon will not benefit us in anyway but instead they will lead us to our destruction and on the day when man will be resurrected they will find no other helper but ALLAH GLORIFIED BE HE.

Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) call to the Onesness of Allah(Swt) and this is the first thing he mentioned to his followers and the first thing He(pbuh)communicated to those who were none believers and THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO GO BACK TO, ALL THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DIIN WILL BE OF NO USE IF OUR BELIEF IN TAWHEED IS NOT CORRECT, ALL THE WORSHIP WE PERFORM WILL BE OF NO US IF OUR BELEIF IN THE ONENESS OF ALLAH (SWT) IS NOT DEEPLY ROTTED IN OUR HEARTS.

HAVING TAWHEED MEANS BELIEVING IN ALLAH(SWT) AS YOUR ONLY PROTECT, ONLY PROVIDER, THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING GOOD AND PREVENT HARM, THE ONLY ONE THAT HEARS AND ANSWERS OUR DUAS, ALLAH(sWT) HE HAS NO PARTNER , HE IS THE KING AND CREATOR OF THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH.

know dear muslims that no Imam can interceed for you to Allah(Swt), know that no dead persons can answer your dua,
Know that no Saint can can bring good or prevent harm
Know that nothing happens in the heavens and the earth without the permission of Allah(Swt),
know that no matter how many times that you call out YA rasullah , Muhammad(pbuh) was only the messenger and ALLAH(sWT) IS THE ONE WHO HAS ALL THE POWER, so invoke allah(Swt), ask allah for help, worship allah, call upon allah, place your trust in allah, seek the guidance of allah and KNOW THAT IT IS ONLY ALLAH WHO DESERVES ALL PRAISES AND GLORY.

I ask Allaah to make it easy for us and for our Muslim brothers and sisters to attain all that is good. To make us from those who follow the sunnah and not from the innovators, i ask allah(Swt) to bless this ummah and guide this ummah to the teachings of Muhamamd(pbuh) ,his campions and those who follow them in good. I ask allah(Swt) to correct our aqeedah, to correct our understanding of Tawheed, to make us from the seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without being called to account or punished.’” AMEEN YA RABB

~~~Everything good mentioned is from ALlah(Swt) and the mistakes and errors are none but mine alone and i ask allah(Swt) for his forgiveness for the mistakes i made.~~~~~

Vision of Muslims In the West

2008-10-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Bismillah, wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasulillah.

Peace unto those who heed the righteous guidance. The Mercy and Forgiveness of the Most High unto those who turn to Him with a sincere and sound heart after having turned away. Our beloved, holy prophet, the greatest worshipper and human example to exist on this planet, and Allah's final messenger to man has taught us that there is not a single descendant of Adam (alayhi salaam) except that he or she is a sinner, but the best of sinners are those who repent. Muhammad ibn Abdullah has told us that everyone will go to Jannah (Paradise) except those who do not want to go. With befuddled ganders from his companions, the Sahabah, he was asked, "Ya Rasulillah" (O Messenger of Allah), who doesn't want to go to Jannah?" To which the response of our beloved prophet was: "those who do not want to obey their Lord."

O Muslim, do not be shy or apologetic about our Deen. We know it is the answer and solution to humanity. The only way to Allah and the only way He has sent down to His prophets and messengers that we should adhere. The only means to achieve true peace, success and happiness in this life and the Hereafter. Not just temporal peace and happiness, but inner and outer, complete and lasting peace and happiness whose side effect is only unfathomably greater peace and happiness. Not hangovers or guilt. May we be grateful and proud of being Muslim in this day as we will, in'sha'Allah, on THAT Day. May Allah continually increase in iman, taqwaa, hikma and knowledge of His Deen whosoever wants it. Ameen.

Indeed Almighty Allah, azza wa jall, is praised whether we praise Him or not, yet humbly we praise Him and are penitent to Him. We seek refuge in Him from the evil of ourselves, our own desires and ego in that we aren't so invested and concerned with the dunya, even the helal, that it distracts us from al-Akhira. Recalling our purpose and responding to our goal. For what good is knowing when we act as though we know nothing at all? We seek refuge in Allah from the evil consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah, who is independent of all while all are dependant on Him, guides none can misguide, yet whoever Allah allows to be lead astray none can guide. And whoever is left to their own path will always be misguided. I bare witness that there is nothing, not a deity, object, entity or organism worthy of worship except Allah. And I testify that Muhammad, alayhi salaatu wa salaam, is the best among His servants and final Messenger.

To proceed...

My intention here is to share a direct challenge to us, Muslims in the West, from respected speaker Sh. Yasir Qadhi as to what our goal should be as a religious minority in secular lands. Establish Hijrah? Establish a Caliphate? I believe in a land where secured the right to follow Deen ul-Haqq (the way of Truth), to practice the religion of Allah through the submission and worship of Allah, then we should do precisely that. The more we practice by not only praying, fasting or giving charity, but by assisting others in need and standing for justice. Even cooperating and protesting alongside non-Muslims in matters of justice and righteousness as Allah urged us in ch.50 v.2 of the Qur'an where He has said what means: "help ye one another in righteousness and piety..." By exhibiting our disproval of injustice and oppression, exhibiting our desideratum for peace, fairness and goodness among humanity and animals as Islam calls us to will only intrigue and draw others to the perfect guidance.

The best dawah and our finest argument is indeed the practice of our beautiful religion. Through the implementation of Islam will others more effectively become receptive to the message of Islam. And what is naturally to occur in a secular dimension where the majority has embraced the perfect guidance of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala? This goal is only theoretical at this point and what's immediately critical is that we simply exercise our right to be Muslims. Not all of us are in consensus on this issue, but it is good to engage in a respectable dialogue as to reach a conclusion. Brother Yasir Qadhi puts it very well in his speech I will include below, enjoy:

I encourage feedback and ideas of all sorts among our Western Ummah with regards to this matter. Jazakum'Allahu khayran.

Exclamation Point?

2008-10-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

Can it be that I've raised an eyebrow or two with my seemingly apathetic and one-may-argue "radical" stand in these coming elections? Perhaps I've disengaged a mandibular joint? Allow me to first be especially clear that I'm not implying voting is haraam or that one is sinful for casting a vote. Unless any evidence from Qur'an or Sunnah I'm not aware of should come to my attention affirming such, this is not my suggestion.

I would encourage all Muslims be politically active within their States and local bounds. As it is practically an article of our faith to value family, education and religious rights, we should investigate and support local candidates of State and Board of Education Offices we feel best serve our interest. However, on a federal level, the voting process is much too shifty for my taste.

Once upon a time voting was the right solely belonging to wealthy, landowners who a century later extended voting rights as a means to pacify a raging working class and disgruntled groups and control the rebellions they were subsequently verging. And to underhandedly ensure the elite sustained the final call as to who gets elected, they employed the Electoral College. We, the people did not vote nor was our opinion even inquired on the matter of the Electoral College. In this case, the popular vote does not elect the President. In this case, not every vote counts, or at least, not every vote counts EQUALLY.

Also, no matter how promising, reforming and well-intended a President may be. They can only change but so much. It should be noted that Congress is vested all legislative power. And overall, we should always be leery of how this government invests its foreign interest. We must consider our Ummah and think universally.

And what kind of staggers the line of relevancy and offhand in light of this topic is the imperativeness of recalling our status as being Muslim first. Our Islam is to take precedence over every other consequential aspect of ourselves. Regardless of our occupation, nationality, ethnicity, ancestral claim, quirks, preferences, etc... it should all facilitate our Islam. "La ilaaha ill Allah" reminds us that our obligation is first to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. And the more we improve and perfect as servants to Allah, the more we improve in our roles as spouses, parents, workers, brothers, sisters, friends and so-forth in turn.

"La ilaaha ill Allah"... what better way to keep things in perspective?

Still A.V.

2008-10-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

"...I ask you: 'are many lords differing among themselves better, or the one Allah, Supreme and Irresistible?'" -Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning) 12:39

All praise and gratitude belong only to Allah. As enticing as it may be to get up, get out there and vote for "a change we can trust", my stance as presented in my "Let's Talk, America" Myspace blog remains. Indeed. Even in the face and height of this economic crisis, corporate hysteria, the madness over who's more qualified, nail-biting poll projections, "maverick", "ticket", "they just don't get it", concern or lack thereof over policies and issues, who's going to do what about whatever, historical election, the most important election in history and McCaine/Palin yard signs in my neighborhood so grandiose they're actually billboards, no problem have I to shamelessly announce that A.V. still stands for Ain't Voting.

Reason number one, as Muslim, as Abdul Vakil --Servant of the Trustee and Dependable-- I bare witness that Allah alone has the right to legislate and I place my complete reliance, tawakul, in Allah, azza wa jall, alone. Number two, both "tickets" have an outspoken, unwavering support for Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine, the Saudi Family's oppressive dictatorship over the Arab people and the many military bases implanted and scattered throughout the Middle East which, ironically, produces more and more terrorists and vehement hatred against our country counterproductive to the very agenda it's government claims to carryout with regards to reducing and ultimately eliminating terrorism altogether.

Granted, as Americans, we're always presented with the choice of casting a vote for the lesser of two evils, but frankly, personally... I'd rather not condone or support evil on ANY level so long as I'm not subject to compulsion. Alhamdulillah, I have the American constitution's support in keeping my hands clear of any of its agendas causing the suffering and deaths of thousands-to-millions here and abroad. We are free to worship Allah for the betterment of ourselves and our condition in the Hereafter. And may the suffering and unjust killing of those faithful to Him be sufficient for His Mercy to grant them Jannah. Ameen.

With the above disclosure aside, I have no doubt that nothing is to stand in the way (even my refusal to vote) of the force that is Sen. Barack Obama from winning the White House, presiding as this country's 44th president. Again, I'm not voting, I'm not endorsing, I'm not placing any bets and I'm not claiming prescience or to have obtained inside information of any kind from any source. I couldn't start to explain why, and as much as I hate and would like to avoid sounding astrological or mystic (au'du billah), but it just "feels" like that's the only conclusion to which this whole barnstorm will arrive.

Although it doesn't matter, either to me or this system who gets in, if it should turn out the way I "feel" then I think on the face of such an event will at least have a healthy, positive effect and impression on America's youth and documentary. Or it may do so for a protracted period before we realize how cruel and deceptive of a joke it was. Our country's conquest and Machavellian strife for global dominance will remain either way.

Yes, even the president has strings.

Islam & Science

2008-10-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

Depicted aside is the 11th century Muslim scientist, preeminent in his field, developer of the scientific method and pioneer of optical physcis, Ibn al-Haytham. He, however, is not the main point of discussion in this blog. I'm merely dishing that in here as a bit of a "did you know..." fun fact kind of thing. An astronomical point in history, needless to say.

No. Quickly, I just wanted to share a short encounter and the particular thought which derived from said encounter.

I'm quite crafty about advancing the slightest excuse to slide in a little da'wah in any conversation I find myself engaged. This way I invite to the truth and so that no one who knows me will not be able to curse me for not informing them about it on that Promised Day.

And so a colleague brings up childbirth, we had just found Celestone ordered for a delivering patient after a frantic search so naturally the subject arose. I then come around to sharing verses in the Qur'an alluding to embryonic development, which swiftly led to glossing over its revelation of the water cycle, the invisible barrier preventing the fresh water from mixing with the salt water in the meeting of oceans, it's allusion to the Great Explosion and Big Crunch theories and it's mention of the universe expanding. Impressive remarks having nothing to do with our life purpose and salvation, I know, but these signs of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, are captivating to those who reason.

After our discourse they asked if I thought science proved my religion. To which I responded: "No. It's absurd to suggest science proves my religion." And with my best impersonation of Denzel Washington impersonating Malcolm X I said: "Science doesn't prove my religion. My religion proves science!"

I share this to remind us to avoid the mistake of claiming that science or scientific fact supports Islam. It is in fact the other way around whereas it's Islam that supports science or scientific fact. Before science as a field of study was even conceived, Islam already was and has since the moment Allah commanded: "kun".

Common Mistakes Made During Ramadan

2008-09-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

Bismillahir Rahman Ar-Raheem

Salaamu 'alaykum and Ramadan kareem, brothers and sisters in Islam. What is to proceed this preface serves as both a valuable reminder and advisory concerning our intentions, focal points, attitudes and practices during this Holy Month of Ramadan. I picked this up from a forum I frequent, however, the source is unknown.

Most Muslims who fast Ramadan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Mistakes that can make us commercialize Ramadan as so many other religions have commercialized their sacred days. Insh’Allah the following serves as a reminder to myself first and to all Muslims. May Allah help us to spend our time wisely this Ramadan and help us to avoid these mistakes.

Ameen

TAKING RAMADAN AS A RITUAL

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil….we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that’s about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
“Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.’” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

TOO MUCH STRESS ON FOOD AND DRINK

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of ‘fasting’ into the month of ‘feasting’. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

“…..and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) ” [al-Araaf :31]

SPENDING ALL DAY COOKING

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

EATING TOO MUCH

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed.’ However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

SLEEPING ALL DAY

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ’sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

WASTING TIME

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month “Ayyamum Ma’doodaat” (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

FASTING BUT NOT GIVING UP EVIL

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” (Bukhaari)

SMOKING

Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaa’ith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of ’smoking material’ eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes,’Sheesha’ , hookah etc.

“he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa’ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-A'raaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “There should be no harming or reciprocating harm.”

This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn ‘Uthaymeen)

SKIPPING SUHOOR

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.”(Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.” (Muslim)

STOPPING SUHOOR AT ‘IMSAAK’

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe ‘Imsaak’.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: "This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: “and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)” [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: “….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes.”

This ‘imsaak’ which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed.” (Muslim)

NOT FASTING IF THEY MISSED SUHOOR

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? It’s not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.

Saying the intention to fast ‘out loud’ or saying a specific dua to start fasting

The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shari’ah for us to say out loud, “I intend to fast”, “I will fast tomorrow” or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever ‘dua’ you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bid’ah.

DELAYING BREAKING FAST

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side’. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aa’ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.

EATING CONTINOUSLY UNTIL THE TIME FOR MAGHRIB IS UP

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

MISSING GOLDEN CHANCE OF HAVING YOUR DUA ACCEPTED

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it….Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.

FASTING BUT NOT PRAYING

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” (Muslim)

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.
“Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.” (Bukhaari)

FASTING AND NOT WEARING HIJAAB

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.

NOT FASTING BECAUSE OF EXAMS OR WORK

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

“Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him.” (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

MIXING FASTING AND DIETING

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

FIGHTING OVER NUMBER OF RAKAAH FOR TARAWEEH

There is no specific number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: “No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (raka’ah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah.”

PRAYING ONLY ON THE NIGHT OF THE 27th

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.” (Bukhaari, Muslim).

WASTING THE LAST PART OF RAMADAN PREPARING FOR EID

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.

Aa’ishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

IFTAAR PARTIES

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

*This was sent to me via email. I tried to google the source but couldn’t find one. May Allah reward whomever wrote this article with the best in this world and the Hereafter.

Ameen.

Ramadan Kareem!!!

2008-09-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

Bismillah wa-Salaatu wa-Salaam 'ala Rasoolullah:

All my beloved brothers and sisters in Islam earnestly do I hope for you all -Ramadan kareem! Alhamdulillah! As Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, would have it, our Ummah has again been blessed the opportunity to enter, observe, honor and engage on what Allah has declared the Most Holy and Most Sacred Month of the year, during which began the revelation of His Message -Al Qur'an- to His Messenger Muhammad, salallahu alayhi wa salaam. It is indeed a 30-day opportunity to have poured upon us the Mercy of Allah. To be submerged in the Forgiveness of Allah. And ultimately, to have absolved and hidden every ounce of sin, molecular and colossal, and to gain the blessings of 1000 months worth of worship (Laylat ul Qadr) by the Grace, Love and Goodness of our Rabb, subhanahu wa ta'ala, should we fulfill what is prescribed on us successfully and sincerely.

May we set aside the dunya as much as within our ability and rightfully make priority Allah's Deen and the continual remembrance of Him (dikhr) through our sawm, ibadah, reading of His Kalaam and the overall learning of the various sciences and lessons of the Qur'an and Sunnah. May Allah, azza wa jall, accept our fast and praises, that is with and from all our heart, so that we might obtain all the blessings of Ramadan. AMEEN.

I leave this du'a with a video of a lecture from a respected brother in Islam, Jalal ibn Saeed, involving the topic of tawbah and it's significance, especially during Ramadan called Oceans of Forgiveness. Absorb and benefit beloved brothers and sisters, in'sha'Allah ta'ala:

Irreligulous

2008-08-29T23:54:00.000-07:00

"And now they reject the truth when it reaches them, but soon shall they learn the reality of what they used to mock at." -Holy Qur'an 6:5

In reaction to the forthcoming documentary starring Bill Maher entitled "Religulous", I've learned about through his interview with Larry King on Larry King Live last week, do I share these thoughts. Should this concocted term, "religulous", imply that religion is ridiculous, my allegation is that not only is it ridiculous, but irregular to be irreligious, hence, the invented portmanteau of my own, "Irreligulous".

Maher's objective is to induce his audience to the idea that religion is, in addition to imaginary, responsible for the violence, wars and atrocities committed in the world. Let's ignore man's desire for wealth, power and control sought after under the banner of "the ends justify the means", and his relentless ego and ambition for global domination throughout history. Never mind the violent, blood-splashing debates over who's political system or form of government should be implemented. Certainly, wars, most notably the Crusades, have been fueled by religion. But let's not turn our backs and walk away from the greater crimes and bloodshed wrought in the name of secular fanaticism when discussing the topic.

As to why I assert that a state of irreligiosity is absurd and abnormal, I use as a point of reference an individual Maher attempts to further convince us through that religion is ridiculous in his new film; neuroscientist, Andrew Newberg. Newberg performs brain scans and analysis on people who engage in religious/spiritual practices such as praying, meditating or by some means or another communicate to an immaterial supreme being. This sort of neurological research is intended to improve our understanding on why people, generation to generation, continue to believe in God. In a nutshell, the conclusion ever-present in all his books recording and interpreting his scientific findings is that "the human brain is wired to God". And because two of the human brain's primary functions, self-maintenance and self-transcendence, are precisely the same primary functions of religion people naturally seek after one in order for the brain to perform these functions. This, of course, is strictly from a neurological standpoint.

A few statements from different lenses on the subject of religion that inadvertently support my case are:

"Belief in God is biologically natural." -Andrew Newberg, MD.

An idea commonly shared among Atheist could be explicated in this single statement: "Being that 'having faith' is ingrained in our brains, it takes quite an effort to liberate ourselves from these beliefs."

And finally, a saying from the last messenger to mankind, our Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa salaam: "Every child is born upon the pure fitrah."

Instantly, the Muslim or anyone familiar with aqeeda (Islamic theology) has made the connection between these statements and how they all, despite being from drastically different mindsets, ironically agree with one another. And how ultimately they prove God is as unseen a reality as air.

Everyone ranging from Western philosophers, Eastern mystics to even scientist of today try to reach God in some way. Mystics teach God resides in His creations (i.e. nature) and can be contacted through spiritual experiences. And while there are one side of philosophers who argue the reality of God can be proven through reason; portraying God as a sort of removed Watch Maker uninterested in His creation, another side of philosophers standing on agnosticism argue that God can neither be proven or disproved and they must have material confirmation in order to have faith.

For the Muslim, Allah's existence is self-evident. The very purpose of His creation, aside from obeying Him and being for the use of mankind, is to serve as a sign of His power and goodness... a blatant testament to His presence. Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, is the only one with the ability to create while we can only manipulate what's already available. Allah (swt) has challenged that nothing else could create even a fly. And if a fly were to take something from them they would not be able to get it back (Holy Qu'ran 22:74). There are many evidences to establish the presence of a Creator, all of them examined in the Qur'an, but the one I'll mainly be dealing with revolves about Newberg's statement that "we are wired to God" and that to believe in Him is all but "biologically natural."

What was meant by our prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, that every child is born upon the pure fitrah is that everyone is born with the awareness of God. And so, in this respect, Newberg is exactly right that it is in our primordial nature, that it is only instinctive for us to accept that our universe, all it's laws and entities, has a Creator. And the Atheist too is right that one cannot remove this idea without extreme difficulty. Which, in reality, no one can never successfully remove or liberate themself from the fitrah. The fitrah will unresistingly express itself in other ways even when one denies God. Exempli gratia the commission of what in Islam is called shirk, or giving rights belonging only to God to something other than God. In this case, they would make chance or coincidence their God or to what they owe the existence and evolution of things. They'll place their faith in "luck"; perhaps reserving for themselves a "lucky" suit they happened to be wearing when they got that great job they've been looking for. Crediting any good or satisfaction to this "luck" deity and any evil or undesired occurance to the "bad one". They may place their heart and trust in something, such as astrology, fortune tickets or a cherished item, to a height that only God is rightfully worthy (lest disaster befalls them will they invoke the one true God). All this, indeed, is the result of containing a distorted concept of God. Which is why He has sent prophets and messengers, all their teachings culminated and finalized through Muhammad (saws), to reveal the proper concept of God and the proper method of acknowledging and serving Him. So by denying God, they deny a vital part of their nature. And just because you deny one of your legs does not make you incapable of walking on both.

The reason for this fitrah or innate awareness of a Creator, is as Allah (swt) revealed in the Qur'an about the covenant He established, spiritually, with all the descendants of Adam including me, you, everyone who existed, exist and everyone who will exist. In this covenant, before we inhabited earth, Allah (swt) asked us all: "am I not your Lord?" and we all confirmed: "Yes, we all bare witness..." (Holy Qur'an 7:127). And what such non-Muslims as Newberg and Eugene D'Aquili of the University of Pennsylvania have inadvertently proven in their neurological research is that echoes of this "yes" are carried by every human being even if deeply in their souls. Should they dismiss it, it is just as Muhammad (saws) explained, that it is due to outside influences over a passage of time that conduce to unbelief or denial of this natural inclination we know as al-fitrah. And when considering the number of Atheist and Agnostics in the world vis-a-vis the believers of God, it only further stresses the abnormality and absurdity of these ideologies.

The remedy? The right concept of God. Recognizing the absolute and unique oneness of God. The remedy? Realizing the purpose God has created us, thereby acknowledging and supplied the opportunity of serving God the right way. The remedy? Islam. Nothing a little deductive reasoning, intellectual research and most importantly, the application of good old-fashioned common sense can't figure out. Responding to the call of your true nature is the greatest favor you can do unto yourself.

Peace be unto those who follow the righteous guidance.

Open Book Exam

2008-08-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Bismillah, wa'salaatu wa'salaam 'ala Rasoolullah.

Indeed, Allah is praised whether we praise Him or not. Yet, humbly we praise Him and seek His aid. We are penitent to Him. We seek refuge in Him from the evil of ourselves, of our egos, our own arrogance and desires and from the evil consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah Guides, NONE can misguide and whoever is left to their own path will always go astray.

Verily, the best of speech is the speech of Allah, The Qur'an.
And the best of guidance is the guidance of Rasoolullah (the Messenger of Allah), salallahu 'alayahi wasalaam.
And the most evil of affairs are innovations in the religion.
And every innovation is a misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire.
May Allah Gaurd us from these newly invented matters in His deen and keep us firm on the sirataal mustaqueem (straight and pure path).

As-salaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

It is revealed to us, by Allah (swt) Himself, that He has created us, mankind, with a physical composition, our body and all its intricate systems which still we haven't unraveled in whole. Anatomically, biologically, biochemically and psychologically we remain mysteries to even ourselves. Our bodies, like the television to the average man, is designed such that we could never replicate or produce one ourselves, yet it is made such that any idiot can use it. And barely so considering we trip over our own feet.

In addition to the body, Allah has instilled in us something of His Spirit -our soul. We can hardly imagine how much about the soul we've discovered, when we haven't even figured the body that is visibly apparent to us.

"They ask thee concerning the soul. Say: 'the soul cometh by the command of my Lord; of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, o men!" -Qur'an 17:85

The soul, like the body, has needs and a hunger that must be satisfied lest from negligence it is starved. It is but spiritual suicide should one go on ignoring its exigencies. The weakness and withering of one's soul is characterized by easy despair, lack of patience and optimism. Strong susceptibility to compromising habits and complete apathy. So what better to tell us, to instruct us how we should use, treat and apply our bodies and souls than the very Creator of these entities? What better source to learn about a product than from the manufacturer itself?

Not so in Islam is the idea that the body and soul are antagonistic. There is no conflict in satisfying the needs and desires of the body while fulfilling the soul. In fact, it is impossible to consummate one of these whilst neglecting, denying or even harming the other. Both are from Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, so that we'd exist. Therefore both should be managed and developed carefully. How we do so is explained in the instruction He has revealed to us, The Qur'an and the guidance He has demonstrated and exemplified based on it through His last Messenger, Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wasalaam.

Should this life be an examination deciding the most responsive to Allah's Signs and instruction; then this life, this exam... is indeed open book.

"That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them -as to which of them is best in conduct." -Qur'an 8:7

Only by truly satisfying and pleasing ourselves in ways circumventing evil or damaging side effects and consequences, with the respective intent, do we satisfy and please our Lord. There is no greater justice one can do themselves. Questions concerning our Lord, our purpose, our salvation, our destiny and our very being are explained in detail in the one book, The Qur'an.

"This is the Book whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off evil." -Qur'an 2:2

For those of us who heed His Signs, desiring His pleasure, the path is made clear to us. Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, guides those who earnestly beseech His guidance. Alternatively, those who deny Him and His signs who wish not to be guided, are not. Those left to follow their own desires. Those who are helplessly bent on turning away from faith and who, out of arrogance, persistently reject faith, ignoring the yearns of their very soul in that they might endure true success on every level will remain misguided. Left to tread a meaningless and staggering path. The further one strays from the path of truth and righteousness, the more difficult and less probable it is they should return to it.

"As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe. Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing; and on their hearts is veil; great is the penalty they incur." -Qur'an 2:6-7

It is not so that Allah controls our lives in the sense that He has preordained our ultimate outcome. Rather, we have options and Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, will only prepare for us what we prepare for ourselves. Consider the example of the teacher who foresees the scholastic failure of the redundantly mischievious student who makes no effort to study and the success of other students based on their performance and upstanding reputation. And as hopeful and optimizing it is for a devout believer to ponder their rewards the truth we must bare in mind, brothers and sisters, is that Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, wants Jannah (i.e. Paradise, Heaven) for us more than we can possibly want it for ourselves.

We were told from Allah's Messenger and final prophet, Muhammad, salallahu 'alayhi wasalaam, that "every child is born upon the pure fitrah." Meaning, we all our born with the awareness of one God as our natural disposition. Innately, we all are aware of Allah, our Lord and Creator who is pure and exalted from having any partners or offspring. The evidence would be the example Allah has revealed to us in the Qur'an about those who even later deny Him, in times of dire need or distress, invoking Him in secret. Further showing us His unfaltering Mercy over us. Not only is His test to us "open book", not only has He sent prophets and messengers to every people and every nation, but He has designed us such that our inclination towards Him is natural. Those whom deny are in actuality denying themselves. If only they but knew.

Peace be unto those who follow the righteous guidance and may Allah continue to guide those who do. May Allah make better perceptible the siraatal mustaqueem to the totality of mankind. And for those of us who once followed His Deen and have gone astray, may they return to the right path, O Allah. In'sha'Allah. Ya An-Nur. Ya Al Hadi. Alhamdulillah! Subhanallahu akbar!

Ameen.