Wednesday 31 July 2013



The Holy Month Of Ramadan:


Muslims around the world anticipate the arrival of the holiest month of the year. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from all continents unite in a period of fasting and spiritual reflection.
 

Ramadan Basics

 


Ramadan in Indonesia: Tarawi'



Each year, Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast. The annual fast of Ramadan is considered one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Quran.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.


Benefits of Ramadan


 Ramadan is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around the world. While major holidays of other faiths have largely become commercialized events, Ramadan retains its intense spiritual meaning.
The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice.


Chance to Repent for our sins

  • Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day.
  • Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him.
  • Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "A man's wealth is never diminished by charity."
  • Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits.
  • Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking.
  • Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.
Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may "learn self-restraint" (Qur'an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our "normal" lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan. May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May Allah bless us all during Ramadan, and throughout the year, with His forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other.


Eid ul Fitr

 

Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).


Forget the differences


On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.
-Ashraf Hameed

 



Wednesday 24 April 2013

The Viability of Islamic Law to solve the Current Global Problems
 
 The divine nature of Islam makes it the only religion in the world that offers genuine solutions to such problems as social unrest, political instabilities, poverty and destitution, prostitution, homicide, killing, drug addiction, alcoholism, family break-up, juvenile delinquency, suicides, AIDS and the like. Islam is not only a religion, but also a complete code of life. All facets of life, public and private alike, are covered under the realm of Islamic Law.
Islamic Law is “the epitome of Islamic thought, the most typical manifestation of the Islamic way of life, the core and kernel of Islam itself.. Apart from this, the whole life of the Muslims, Arabic literature and the Arabic and Islamic disciplines of learning are all deeply imbued with the ideals of Islamic law; it is impossible to understand Islam without understanding Islamic law.”  (Joseph Schacht,  quoted by Abdul Ghafur Muslim, The Islamic Quarterly London: 1987, Vol. XXXI, No. 2, p. 80.)


 Absolute Prohibition of Adultery, Prostitution and Other Forms of Sexual Promiscuity

 Islamic Law explicitly prohibits adultery and fornication as clearly mentioned in the following Qur’anic injunctions:
 “Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils.”  (Qur’an 17:32)
“The man and woman guilty of adultery or fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: let no compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of believers witness their punishment.”   (Qur’an 24:2)
Adultery, fornication and other promiscuous sex practices are punishable in Islam, because they are indeed serious crimes which affect the entire society. As discussed earlier, the AIDS problem, which is reaching epidemic proportion, is due largely to sexual permissiveness. Thus, the divine punishment (hudud) for these social ills is certainly for the good of the entire humanly.  Alyough, the AIDS problem is currently affecting largely those indulging in sexual promiscuity, many innocent individuals, including doctors, nurses and children, have been victimized by this social carnage. Even in countries, where AIDS is virtually non-existent, people are wary about the underlying danger. That is why the Chinese doctors likened AIDs to that of a holocaust.
Allah’s justice is equally open to all. In Islam, one can not just be abused by the law. For instance, a charge against a chaste individual needs to be confirmed, beyond any reasonable doubt. Allah  (Subhanahu wa ta’ala, meaning: the Exalted, Most Glorious)   says:
“And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations), flog them with 80 stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors.”  (Qur’an 24:4)
Islam, therefore, discourages unwarranted suspicion as much as possible. Allah  says:
“O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat die flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it... But fear Allah: for Allah s Off-Returning, Most Merciful.”  (Qur’an 49:12)
So, if a wicked person accuses a woman or a man of adultery or fornication, she or he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Allah   warns the believers against the mischief of the wicked as follows:
“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done.”  (Qur’an 49:6)
True Muslims are indeed God-fearing. They avoid all kinds of vices to please Allah   alone. True believers, for instance, are definitely mindful of the warning of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) (Salallahu ‘alayhi wa salam, meaning: May the peace and blessings of Allah   be upon him) regarding adultery and prostitution as narrated in the following authentic Ahâdîth (Prophet’s teachings):
Ubadah ibn as-Samith (r.a.) (Radhiallahu anhu, meaning: May Allah   be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)  said: “Receive (teaching) from me, receive (teaching) from me. Allah has ordained a way for those (women).  When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one youar. And in case of married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death.”   (Muslim, Hadith 4191)
 Aishah (Radhiallahu anha: Meaning: May Allah   be pleased with her) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, "O followers of Muhammad! There is none, who has a greater sense of Ghira (self-respect) than Allah, so He has forbidden that His slave commits illegal sexual intercourse or His slave girl commits illegal sexual intercourse. O followers of Muhammad! If you but knew what I know, you would laugh less and weep more!" (Bukhari, Vol. 7, Hadith 148)
Narrated Ibn Abbas (r.a.) (on the authority of Abu Hurairah t) that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Allah has written for Adam’s son his share of adultery , which he commits inevitably. The adultery of the eyous is the sight (to gaze at a forbidden thing), the adultery of the tongue is the talk, and the inner self wishes and desires and the private parts testify all these or deny it.” (Bukhari Vol. 8, Hadith 260 and 609)
Abdullah ibn Abbas (r.a.)   narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “There is no prostitution in Islam. If anyone practised prostitution in pre-Islamic times, the child will be attributed to the master (of the slave-woman). He who claims his child without a valid marriage or ownership will neither inherit nor be inherited.”  (Abu Dawud, Hadith 2257)


 The Principle of Equality and Justice: The Way to Overcome the Crimes Worldwide

 Islam also provides absolutely effective solution to murder and other related crimes common in the West and elsewhere.  The Islamic laws of equality and justice, tempered with mercy, are seen in the following Qur’anic injunctions:
“O you who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a concession and a mercy from your Rabb (Sustainer). After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.”  (Qur’an 2:178)
“In the Law of Equality there is (saving of life) to you, O you men of understanding that you may restrain yourselves. ”  (Qur’an 2:179)
“In it (i.e. the Torah) We decreed for them a life for a life, an eyou for an eyou, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and a ( similar) retribution for wounds. But for him who foregoes it out of mercy it will atone for some of his sins. Those who do not judge in accordance with what Allah has revealed are indeed wrongdoers. ”  (Qur’an 5:44-47)
“Nor take life ¾ which Allah has made sacred ¾  except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully we have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped by the (Law) .”  (Qur’an 17:33)
“The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong.”  (Qur’an 42:40)
“As to the thief male or female, cut off his hand or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah s exalted in power.”  (Qur’an 5:38)
“But if the thief repent after his crime, and amend his conduct, Allah turns to him in forgiveness; for Allah s  Most forgiving, Most Merciful.”  (Qur’an 5:39)
We know that murder, burglary and other related crimes are taking place, day by day, in both the capitalist and communist worlds, notably in the United States and the Soviet Union. Had the West and elsewhere been under Islamic rule, as is the case of Saudi Arabia, such crimes would have rarely occurred. Saudi Arabia has remained the most peaceful country in the world, because of its adherence to Shari’ah. For instance, when a murderer is finally convicted, after passing through a legal procedure in accordance with the Shari’ah, he will be punished accordingly in the eyes of the public.  Conventional wisdom will tell anyone not to do anything against the law, when he sees that the culprits are duly punished. For the man of faith, however, he looks at this divine punishment for the culprits as Allah’s blessing for the entire humanity. Duly punishing the convict for example, means that the law-abiding people will have peace of mind, because they know for sure that they are being protected by the Law. Thus, this is tantamount to removing the social cancer for the benefit of all.
In contrast, as long as America, Europe and the rest of the world -- including Muslim countries which emulate the West -- stick to their man-made laws, they will always be on the brink of chaos and instability.
Where Islamic Law prevails, as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the constituents are God-fearing and righteous.  They refrain from murdering or killing people without justifiable reasons in Islam.  Subsequently, they enjoy peace and harmony between and among themselves and that with others because they obey the following admonitions of the Prophet r:
Jarir (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said to me during Hajjat-al-Wida: “Let the people keep quiet and listen. Then he said (addressing the people), "Do not (become infidels) revert to disbelief after me by striking the necks (cutting the throats) of one another (killing each other).”  (Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith 122)
Anas (r.a.) narrated from the Messenger (s.a.w.s.) about the major sins. He (the Prophet r) said “Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance.” (Muslim Vol. 1, Hadith  159)
Abdullah ibn  Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said:  “The most merciful of the people in respect of killing are believers (in Allah) .”  (Abu Dawud, Hadith 2660)
Abu Bakrah (r.a.) narrated “I heard Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)  saying, “When two Muslims fight (meet) each other with their swords, both the murderer as well as the murdered  will go to Hell-fire.”  I said, “O Allah’s Messenger!. It is all right for the murderer but what about the murdered one?  Allah’s Messenger replied, “He surely had the intention to kill his companion.”  (Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith 30)
Ibn Umar narrated (r.a.) that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “A faithful believer remains at liberty regarding his religion, unless he kills somebody unlawfully.”  (Bukhari, Vol.9, Hadith 2)
Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet said,  “Whoever carries arms against us, is not from us.”  (Bukhari, Vol. 9, Hadith 13)
Ibn Abbas narrated (r.a.) that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “The most hated persons with Allah are three: 1) a person who deviates from the right conduct (i.e., an evil-doer), in the Haram (sanctuaries of Makkah and Madinah); 2. a person who seeks that the traditions of the period of ignorance should remain in Islam; 3. and a person who seeks to shed somebody’s blood without any right.”  (Bukhari, Vol. 9, Hadith21)
Zayd ibn Thabit (r.a.) narrated that the verse,  "If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein for ever" was revealed six months after the verse ‘And those who invoke not with Allah any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause in Surat al-Furqan.’”  (Abu Dawud, 4259)

 

The Divorce Issue in Islam

Regarding marital frictions, man’s hatred or displeasure against his wife does not mean that he is free to mistreat or abuse her. In case of serious dispute between the wife and husband, Islam has laid down very scientific steps to be followed. The underlying objective is peace and reconciliation for the integration of the family.
In an Islamic state, civil courts also handle legal matters pertaining to marital problems. However, members of the community, particularly the parents and relatives, are duty-bound to  help pacify the couple, before the friction becomes too serious to handle. Allah   says:
“lf you fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation: for Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.”  (Qur’an 4:35)
Allah the Exalted has enjoined on the believing men to treat their wives with kindness, as the following verse shows:
“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them - except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.”  (Qur’an  4:19)
In line with the above Qur’anic injunction, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  teaches all husbands to show kindness to their respective wives.  The following virtuous  teachings with regards to kindness to wives, serve as guidance and admonitions to those who maltreat their wives:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:  “Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well."  (Tirmidhi, Hadith 628, 278 and 3264 and Abu Dawud)
Amr ibn al-Ahwas al-Jushami (r.a.) narrated that he heard the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said in his farewell address on the eve of his Last Pilgrimage, after he had glorified and praised Allah, he cautioned his followers: 'Listen! Treat women kindly; they are like prisoners in your hands. Beyond this you do not owe anything from them. Should they be guilty of flagrant misbehaviour, you may remove them from your beds, and beat them but do not inflict upon them any severe punishment. Then if they obey you, do not have recourse to anything else against them. Listen! You have your rights upon your wives and they have their rights upon you. Your right is that they shall not allow anyone you dislike, to trample your bed and do not permit those whom you dislike to enter your home. Their right is that you should treat them well in the matter of food and clothing. (Tirmidhi, Hadith 276)
Mu’awiyah al-Qushayrit narrated: “I went to the Allah’ s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) and asked him: “What do you say (command) about our wives?” He replied: “Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them.”  (Abu Dawud, Hadith  2137 and 2139)
Mu’awiyah ibn Haydah (r.a.) narrated:  “I said: Allah’ s Messengerr, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: “Approach your tilt when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her.”  (Abu Dawud, Hadith 2189)
Islam recognizes that divorce brings sorrows to many, if not all men and women.  For this reason, it admonishes men to avoid divorcing their wives.  The Prophet’s advice on the issue of divorce should be borne in mind. He says in the following Ahâdîth:
Abu Hurairaht narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said, "Allah has forgiven my followers the evil thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as such thoughts are not put into action or uttered. ”  And Qatada said, "If someone divorces his wife just in his mind, such an unuttered divorce has no effect.”  (Bukhari, Vol. 7, Hadith 194)
Abu Hurairaht narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “There are three things which, whether undertaken seriously or in jest, are treated as serious: Marriage, divorce and taking back a wife (after a divorce which is not final) .”    (Abu Dawud, Hadith 2189)
Mu’adh ibn Jabal (r.a.) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said to him, "Mu'adh, Allah has created nothing on the face of the earth dearer to Him than emancipation, and Allah has created nothing on the face of the earth more hateful to Him than divorce.”  (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3294 and Daraqutni)
Muharib narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said:  “Allah did not make anything lawful more abominable to Him than divorce.”  (Abu Dawud, Hadith 2174)
To further discourage divorce, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) likewise admonishes women not to ask their respective husbands for divorce without justifiable reason.  He warns them of the sin that is associated with divorce without strong reason as narrated in the following Ahâdîth:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, "Women who withdraw themselves from their husbands and women who persuade their husbands to divorce them for a compensation are hypocrites. (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3290 and Nasa’i)
Thawban narrated that the Prophet  said: “If any woman asks her husband for divorce without some strong reason, the odour of Paradise will be forbidden to her.”  (Abu Dawud, Hadith 2218)
In Islam, the wife is equally granted the right to divorce her husband if her demand for divorce is justifiable. That is, if the marriage does not prove to be functional and effective because the husband neglects his responsibilities or no element of love binds them to stay together. By the same token, if the wife is guilty of open lewdness, the husband may resort to divorce.  This means that when things seem worst that peace and reconciliation between wife and husband are next to impossible, divorce maybe inevitable. Allah   says in the following Qur’anic Verses:
For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained; if they then return, Allah s  Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
But if their intention is firm for divorce, Allah hears And knows all things.
Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for tree months period. Nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs, if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them and Allah s exalted in Power, Wise.
A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. There is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained by Allah; so do not transgress them if any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong (themselves as well as others).
So if a husband divorces his wife (irrevocably), he cannot, after that, remarry her until after she has married another husband and he has divorced her. In that case there is no blame on either of them if they reunite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. Such are the limits ordained by Allah, which he makes plain for those to those who understand.
When you divorce women, and they fulfill the term of their I’ddah), either take them back on equitable terms or set them free on equitable terms; but do not take them back to injure them, (or) to take undue advantage; if anyone does that, he wrongs his own soul. Do not treat Allah’s Signs as a jest but solemnly rehearse Allah’s favours on you, and the fact that He sent down to you the Book and Wisdom for your instruction. And fear Allah, and’ know that Allah s well-acquainted with all things.
When you divorce women, and they fulfill he term of their I’ddah), do not prevent them from marrying their (former) husbands, if they mutually agree on equitable terms. This instruction is for all amongst you, who believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is (the course making for) most virtue and purity amongst you. And Allah knows, and you know not.   (Qur’an 2:226, 232)
Again, when the husband and wife cannot avoid divorce, it must be noted that Allah   has commanded men to show kindness to women. The Qur’an has a whole chapter entitled “Divorce” (Al Talaq). Verse One of Chapter 65 (Al-Talaq) clearly states:
“O Prophet! When you divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Rabb (Sustainer): And turn them not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of open lewdness, those are limits set by Allah: and any who transgress the limits of Allah, does verily wrong his (own) soul: you know not if perchance Allah will bring about thereafter some new situation.”  (Qur’an 65:1-7)
All the above quotations from the Qur’an and the Sunnah show that Islam is indeed the most practical solution to all sorts of problems, including domestic problems among husbands and wives or families.  It discourages divorce among couples as it brings sorrows to the couples themselves and corresponding problems to their children. When family problems happen, society as a whole is affected.  For indeed, children of divorced parents oftentimes result to juvenile delinquencies and drug addictions.   At the same time, Islam as the most practical and rational religion and way of life allows divorce for couples who could not mend their differences.  For why should couples be allowed to  stay forever when they keep on fighting because of incompatibilities?  When misunderstanding and hatred instead of harmony and love exist among parents, children develop negative outlook in life, leading them to juvenile delinquencies and other social problems.  Glory be to Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, He has perfected Islam for us.  Indeed, even the law of divorce in Islam is something that the whole humanity must ponder on and thank the Almighty.

Prohibition of Drugs, Intoxicants and Gambling

Islam is also the practical solution to the problem on intoxicants and gambling. At first, the Muslims in Medina were not prohibited to drink intoxicating wine or liquor, and to gamble. When Muslims began to ask about drinking and gambling, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) received the following revelation:
“They ask  you concerning wine and gambling. Say: “In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” (Qur’an 2:226, 232)
While this revelation helped in minimizing alcoholism among Muslims those days, they still continued to drink. Many were even under the influence of liquor when they were in prayers. So, another Qur’anic injunction from Allah   was revealed to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  as follows:
“O you who believe! Approach not pray ours with a mind befogged, until you can understand all1hat you say.” (Qur’an 4:43)
The final revelation on the prohibition of drinking wine and gambling says:
“O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication) of stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork: Eschew such abomination, that you may prosper.  Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred among you, with intoxicants and gambling, and to turn you away from tile remembrance of Allah and from Prayer: Will you not then abstain?”   (Qur’an 5:90-91)
With regards to drug addictions, Islam recognizes that they are not only waste of resources but are harmful to health and hence to the safety of the society as a whole.  Islam prohibits anything that causes harm to individuals and the society.  Therefore, drug addictions (even smoking) which medical experts confirm harmful to health are prohibited in Islam. The following Qur’anic injunctions tell us:
“And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction.”  (Qur'an, 2:195)
“O you who believe!  Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: but let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah has been to you Most Merciful!  If any do that in rancor and injustice, soon We shall cast him into the Fire: and easy it is for Allah.  If you (but) eschew the most heinous of the things which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit your evil deeds, and admit you to a Gate of great honour.”  (Qur'an, 4:29-31)
Observations tell us that drugs, drinking wine and gambling indeed bring problems to the society as a whole.  Allah   indeed says that truth when He tells us that they bring more harm than good to us.  Indeed, they lead people to evil deeds instead of  good deeds and righteousness, making them followers of Satan, the accursed.    Those who drink wine and/or engaged in drug addictions are not in their real states of mind, they can do anything harmful or abominable to the society as whole.  How many people died and commit dangers to others because of driving while in a state of alcohol?  How many committed rapes, murders and other crimes just because of alcohol  and drug addiction problems?  On the issue of gambling,  how many are those who indulge themselves in robbery, graft and corruption, forgery  and other problems just because of gambling?  Just how many families are broken because of drug addictions, drinking wine and gambling?   
Had the West and elsewhere been under Islamic rule, the problems of alcoholism in the United States, Soviet Union and elsewhere in the world would have been minimized, if not eradicated. The problems of alcoholism,  drug-addiction  and gambling prevalent among the people in the developed countries of the world point to the fact that they are unhappy.  Glory be to Allah , the Muslims  who follow the divine guidance from Allah  and the following Ahâdîth (teachings) from His Messenger (s.a.w.s.) are free from said problems and  social ills:
Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, "When an adulterer commits illegal sexual intercourse, then he is not a believer at the time he is doing it, and when a drinker of an alcoholic liquor drinks it, then he is not a believer at the time of drinking it, and when a thief steals, then he is not a believer at the time of stealing, and when a robber robs, and the people look at him, then he is not a believer at the time of doing robbery.” (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Hadith 655)
Jabir ibn Abdullah (r.a.) narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) saying in the year of the Conquest (of Mecca) while he was in Mecca, "Allah and His Messenger have made the selling of wine (i.e. alcoholic drinks) unlawful.” (Bukhari, Vol.5, Hadith 590)
 The Prohibition of Suicide
In the non-Muslim parts of the world, when problems go uncontrolled, many simply do not know what to do and where to go. So, they kill themselves, as already discussed earlier. In contrast, a non-Muslim historian Philip Hitti in his book History of the Arabs, objectively emphasizes that suicide is rare in Muslim Lands. He says:
 “In this uncompromising monotheism, with its simple, enthusiastic faith in the supreme rule of a transcendent being, lies the chief strength of  Islam. its adherents enjoy a consciousness of contentment and resignation unknown among followers of most creeds.”
Islam considers life as a trust (amanah) from Allah .  Many good things that one possesses are, in fact, amanah ¾ his own mind, body and soul, his life-partner, his own children, his wealth and the like. All of these belong to Allah alone. Thus, what right has one got to take his life away. Allah   says:
“O you who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful! lf any do that in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast them into the Fire: and easy it Is for Allah.” (Qur’an 4:29-30)
The Muslims know well that suicide is absolutely prohibited by Allah  . No Muslim commits suicide, because if he does, he will have the Hell-fire as his eternal abode.  He takes admonition from the following Ahâdîth of the Prophet r:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet said: “He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell-fire (forever) and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself shall keep on stabbing himself in the Hell-fire (forever).”  (Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith 446)
Jundab narrated (r.a.) that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said, “A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said:  `My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.’”   (Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith 445)


CONCLUDING REMARKS:

Indeed, the teachings of Islam cater to humanity-at-large.  All problems affecting man and his environment can be solved through proper implementation of Islamic Law. But, how can the current global problems be solved through Islam, when Muslims themselves do not implement it? How can we prove to others that we can solve their problems when we ourselves have more problems to solve?
Now that the Muslim society is, in general, at variance with real Islam, it is our duty to help rectify the conditions we are in.  Knowing that Islamic Law was effectively implemented before, there is no reason why it cannot be viably carried out now and in the future. By the Grace of Allah , Islamic revival is already in the offing, and Muslim men and women should have strong commitment and conviction to cooperate along this path.  Muslims need to think “global” as members of the Ummah.  They should be able to break all barriers against their unity and brotherhood. Muslims worldwide should continuously promote cooperation, brotherhood and unity among themselves. Allah   says:
“Help one another in righteousness and piety, but help not one another in sin and rancor:  fear Allah: for Allah s strict in punishment.”  (Qur’an 5:2)
“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah that you may receive Mercy.”  (Qur’an 49:10)
All of us Muslims, both as is individuals and as groups, should help carry out the task of Da’wah.  We should persistently let the world knew that Islam is for all mankind.  As a universal religion, it is the best way of life for all.  Alhamdullillah (Praise be to Allah  ), the Almighty has guided us to Islam.   We should cherish that mercy from Allah  by behaving according to the teachings of Islam.   We must strictly adhere to the Qur’an and Sunnah, so that non-Muslims will  learn and appreciate the beauty of Islam. In other words, reviving the golden age of the Ummah should start at home. We should imbibe in our families the real teachings of Islam, so that we can reassert our identity as Muslims. We should see to it that the immediate members of our families, our daughters, sons and wives, are models of what Muslims should be. At the same time, we should also ask our family members to help convey the message of Islam to others for indeed,  Islam  is the solution to the world’s perplexing problems.

-Ashraf Hameed

Thursday 21 March 2013

Surrender to our Creator



ACCEPTANCE OF SURRENDER
THE WAY OF THE TRUE MUSLIM




Allah


The word ‘Islam’ means nothing less than "The True and Complete Surrender to the Manifest Will of the Divine Creator of us all". You can receive the fullest soul-cleansing and exalting benefit of Tasawwuf (which means Soul purification - the root of all healing) only from the acceptance and practice of a pure Islam.
Acceptance of Islam as a belief means having a clear recognition that the faith and practices of Islam are in fact, the revealed truth and way of humility and approach after Surrender. You may take your time to investigate this claim or simply accept it on my testimony. And that this faith and practice is in point of fact the latest and most complete of the prophetic revelations. And it is my testimony that the religion of Islam does in fact and truth support and confirm all that is right and true in the ways that have come before it,  and it sets right, to the benefit of all, the fallacies, misconceptions and distortions in any and all of the truly spiritual ways of life. It is the positive and assertive way of true Unity, not merely "non-duality". This is the way of the true Muslim. 
Testimony of your belief (in God) is the first of the healing pillars in the way of Surrender. 
And that testimony is an affirmation. Firstly, that you do know to Whom it is that you are surrendering (to the Divine), and why (for the benefit -Arabic: Falah). Allah puts His Truth in His words and we inherit that Truth by saying them. Secondly, that you recognize that this same Surrender is the way acted upon and taught by all of the Prophets, through whom the enduring religions and revelations were revealed. And that in doing so yourself, you are manifesting your drop of and contribution to the prophetic light, fulfilling your mission as a helper and emissary here on earth.
On remembering the Name.
It is not required that you refer to the Divine to Whom you are Surrendered as Allah, but you cannot reject that the Divine is referred to and refers to Himself by that Name in His revealed book (Holy Qur`an), and likes that that Name be used (read "The Switch"). Just try using it. This (that His Pleasure is upon and inherent in this Name) is the reason for the great enthusiasm that people have for the practice of "Dhikr" - Remembrance of the Divine Name. The same principle applies wherever the praises of the Divine are sung, in whatever language. In fact, it is said that all the heavens and earth vibrate in praise of the One who Creates, Sustains and Destroys - in Praise of the One is the Love of the Sufis and the Beloved of all lovers. Have you noticed?
It is understood that the Divine is of course without gender but there are no qualms about referring to Him as He because in this case, He (Arabic: HU) is considered to be one of the Names of God, and such is the nature of the languages we use.
Try this. Accept the religion of Islam as a fact. Know that it asks nothing from you more than you are willing to give. Look at it any way you want, but look at it - simply for the reason that rejection (of anything) causes conflict. Accepting belief systems releases their intensity, as well as their benefit. If you are accepting of belief systems, their power over you is neutralized and their benefit becomes available. God, who has you already, wants nothing more from you than what you truly want to offer. And the finest offering you have is your attention. Nothing, yet everything, changes. And you will learn!
Look at some of the things promised to one (by the Divine) upon Surrender (and acceptance).
Complete and utter forgiveness of all sins, both large and small. No one in Islam is ever interested in knowing anything about anything of your past. No embarrassing questions are ever asked. The past is forgotten, be it good or bad. Muslims see only the good in you (that your are a believer), and always greater than the degree that they see it in themselves. This forgiveness is palpable. You can feel it and feel safe in it. You are welcomed by Allah into the community of true lovers to partake in the celebration of the life in God's love free of charge. To "come clean" and to benefit yourself and others with your admitted and confessed presence (and confusion) in the garden of Allah, before the throne of Allah, in the grace of the Almighty, and in the company of His people.
You are given your Divine Name, which God has always known. It always reflects the manifestation of a Divine Quality in you. You are encourage to use it, thereby inviting others use it and feel its quality, which surrounds you (and them) with the light of its reality, and dispels illusion (at least for a moment).
You are taught (at your choosing and leisure) the esoteric prayers and practices that serve to develop your awareness, your understanding, your certainty and your self-confidence. I say esoteric because they are taught only to those who have surrendered, and they are known (or cared about) little in the world outside of the Sufis and Muslims. The Prophets all said that the world was divided into two camps, the world of conflict and the world of Peace and Surrender. And so it is with ourselves.
You are introduced to the secrets of creation, as revealed by the Author of Creation Himself. Nothing in the way of work or knowledge is expected or demanded of you except your own willingness to deepen your Surrender, for it leads to an open heart, utterly fulfilled and in unity with your true being. At that point Allah Himself reveals to you your very special robe of sanctity and honor, which will preserve the peace and security of your soul forever. And He gives to you the keys to wisdom, the knowledge and the insight that will enable you to manifest His Light in an irresistible way, that others will come to see, and to drink from the wine of love that comes forth from your heart. 
The Attempted Devastation of True Surrender (Islam) 
and the Nature and Consequences of Denial
But the preservation of truth is on Allah, and it is promised that the last day will not arrive until the Sun has risen in the West, and is that not what we are beholding in this very time? 
Should the self-proclaimed "Muslims" judge innocence as guilt? How poorly they judge. They judge themselves "righteous" in their "war" against unbelief, when the unbelief that they are fighting against is within themselves. They proclaim themselves 'complete' in, and the protectors of, the true religion, yet they make war on themselves and their own salvation, closing the gates by professing to open them, by belying and desecrating the teachings of the true masters of the religion they profess. They are professors who have not graduated for their own universities, have not received any seals of approval except from and by themselves. No one among the true believing "Sunnis" or the true "Shi`as" or the true "Sufis", or the true people of any religion or path, agrees with or approves of their obvious spiritual immaturity and their fundamentalist, childish and harmful beliefs that they alone are the holders and preservers of the truth. They stand alone, proud and defiant. They are the lost children of Islam, claiming to be the sole owners of it. 
This tragic usurpation and imitation of the soul-quality by the ego is the story of life. It can be understood and corrected, but recognition of the harm of previous ways must be established in order for the need for repentance (rethinking and changing) to become obvious. That is why the earth was sent to us a trial and proving grounds - that we may indeed commit atrocities upon her for a limited time, seeing in her the reflections of our misdeeds and misunderstandings. We might then understand the consequences of our outward folly, and surrender ourselves to the one true God with hope and expectation of mercy and forgiveness, which would be a great reward. 
Being born into Islam does not mean being born into Surrender. The influences of Muslim parents on their children become "good" Muslims are exactly the same as the influences of any parents anywhere to have their children succeed in the skills of their particular society. So there remains in the soul of the child the desire to manifest, and a sense of the rebellion that wants to make the right decisions based upon true experience, and not upon the acquired experience provided by parents, education and society. 
This is not to say that the acquired experiences are inherently or necessarily bad, just to say that they are not the genuine experience of self, or the true 'knowing' of God. They tend to mask it, to deny it, and seek to replace it. And they are, for the most part, based upon a turning away from, or the suppression of, the urge to experience one's genuine-ness and authenticity. This urge will, however, continue to be 'sub-consciously' present, and will manifest itself in sometimes 'embarrassing' or even anti-social ways. This is the problem with child raising in all societies, and it is in observation of this that the quest for true satisfaction arises and distinguishes the seekers from the satisfied. The seekers, understanding themselves or not, become the agitators and dissenters to a complacent and self-content society, and eventually become either teachers or martyrs. They become the 'negative' to a false 'positive'. 
True Surrender must be discovered, realized and accepted by each individual through the process of a quest for true self-understanding. This process was, is and has been preserved by them who seek it. And they are those who have heard and follow true guidance. They are not satisfied with the outward life of picking up a book, reading it, at proclaiming themselves knowledgeable. They realize that there is and must be more to life than simply learning how to compete, succeed and excel in the outward goals of material acquisition.
(Surrendered) Muslims and Sufis point out that Sufism is dedicated to the investigation, fulfillment and preservation of the essential, true and all-important inner obligations of the real Islam. And that that is and should be the goal and objective of all true Muslims, as it is the goal and objective of all true religions and spiritual paths. It is Haram, as in very strictly forbidden and severely and soulfully punishable by Allah and one's true inner self, to make a war of aggression, and particularly upon any people of peace, which includes all true religions and spiritual paths. This is especially true of the war of self-denial and self-rejection that some societies of outwardly observant Muslims are waging in their attempt to keep the religion pure and clean for others. They seek, in the name of their religion, to deny that inward purity and the quest for the inward experience of God have anything to do with Islam. 
It may be true that there are levels of outward understanding and compliance with outward conformity that can and should be observed by common people in their daily lives. But to deny the proven and accepted inward realities of life and religion is simply to deny the self any opportunity to realize and truly know God. And truly knowing and glorifying God is our primary responsibility. If that if not fulfilled, of what use is the fulfillment of all of the outward observations except for the benefits of conformed and to be in the good graces of men and society. And that is truly the association of partners with Allah and a carryover of the basic ignorance of tribalism that has lead to the degeneration of the lofty teachings Divine revelation and which that very revelation was sent to correct. 
The war is really against war, and in the final showdown it is the people of peace against the people of war, and the people of peace are not in attendance. They are instead, attendant upon the Peace and the teachings of peace. This leaves only the people of war to battle it out among themselves, and war is hell.
The affirmation of the Sufis is that the inner work of knowing and loving the Lord thy God with all thy body, heart, mind and soul is the sole point and primary obligation of religion. If it is true, then the people of the "outward" Islam who deny and refute this affirmation are understood by Allah and the psychology mature believers  to be still and simply in denial. This is not necessarily a "bad" thing. Many people live long, fairly happy and productive lives in denial of one thing or another. But it is not the quest, and denial is still a serious psychologically observable state , and in Islamic and Spiritual psychology, the basis for pathological and sociopathic behaviors of all kinds. Does this lend itself to an understanding of what's happening in the world of Islam today? 
It is not required of Muslims that they reach the end of the path of peace, only that they set foot firmly upon it. It is, however, absolutely required of all true Muslims that they actively assist and participate in the efforts of peace. Not war. 
And if Muslims, or any other people, have ideological differences that lead to persecution and slaughter, and act aggressively upon those ideologies, or teach them with the intention of causing someone else to act aggressively upon them, then they are not in the way of Allah, nor in the way of any true religion, nor anywhere near in touch with their true selves, and far from the garden to which they aspire. They will be judged by men according to their deeds and by Allah according to what was in their hearts to cause such deeds. And this judgment is, in their convoluted way, exactly what they are hoping and praying for. So they will surely get what they are asking for, but it will not be what they want, for it is not in the way of true Surrender (Islam). And I'm sure that they will have a lot to atone for in wasting their lives in pursuit of compensatory and ego-gratifying power, some parcels of dirt and some material acquisitions at the cost of human lives. These are truly the unfortunate and the deprived, who abused the religion designed to show them and the rest of the world the way to the true home, and used their energies of their lives to pervert the intentions of Allah's Divine teaching to serve their own petty purposes. 
And believe me, we do not want to be judged by Allah in that way. Not according to our deeds, but rather according to our understanding of religion and our Surrender, our praise and high estimation of Allah in his creation and in our selves. 
It is stated in Qur`an quite clearly that there is none that can lay claim to the inheritance of eternal garden by virtue of his self-righteousness, for Allah looks not unto the deeds of men but to the hearts. And the hidden hypocrisy is that deeds of evil are done with the best of intentions.  And that we have precious few touchstones of true Islam (Surrender) left on the planet. And that the teaching of truth with uncorrected intention is based upon and causing further reaction to the truth, but is not the truth. It is exactly the case with the ego. It is based upon an assumed imitation of truth but is not the genuine article. That's why in the West there is suddenly this important quest for the "Authentic" self. And Islam does and must confirm and support this quest, for it is only as a result of the quest for truth that the true Islam will be discovered. This quest is explained and corroborated by, but not limited to, the book (Qur`an) and the sunnah (prophetic practice). 
We are not to be judges, saying that all will be right when I see it and say it is. This is the way parents treat children but this behavior cannot be transferred on to the world at large. Understanding this the world requires an entirely different education, an education in soul, for it is only the soul that can see the world in proper perspective. Soul is the manifestation of noble character. Development of character is time spent with essence, and first this essence must be identified and confirmed by one who has it. This is the importance and the obligation of the Sufi transmission, which originates from the Prophet Muhammad and is carried in the hearts of those who seek it, cherish it and are confirmed in it. This is the obligation and the debt of gratitude of the Muslims to the Sufis. To deny it is to deny your soul its purpose on earth and to remain trapped in the cage of your own illusions, never setting foot in the real world, the world of the inner reality, the world of Allah and his true believers. To deny it is to deny your own reality and truth. This is the kind real denial that Allah is referring to with the word "Kufr", Kuffar" and "Kafir".
The opposite of denial is acceptance. The elimination of internal denial is manifest in self-acceptance and the way of peace. The opposite of denial is manifest in a complete an undefended comfort. This is a taste of the promised garden of eternity. Denial (Kufr) in all forms can be eliminated when Acceptance is complete of self, love and God. The completion of this acceptance is the point of the Sufi work and all courses in self-realization from whatever tradition. 
-Ashraf Hameed