Learn more about the challenges of Muslim reverts(Mukallaf) and those who are slowly learning Islam (Muallaf), from Malaysian Muslim, Lee Jooi Soon. Direct Link --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6FiSF3Sim0
It's an eye opener to learn how Chinese are treated in Malaysia before and after they become Muslims. It's an important reminder for us all to break away from ignorance and to understand the problems that lie within our own Islamic community which doesn't portray Islamic values. And to improve the image and bad perceptions others may have towards Islam.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
There Is Good in Every Event
For link on article..Click here!!
By Harun Yahya
Turkish Muslim Thinker
Every event that happens to the Muslim has one sort or another of goodness in it. Allah states that even events that seem to be unfavorable may have a lot of good in them:
[It may well be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a lot of good.] (An-Nisaa' 4:19)
[It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.] (Al-Baqarah 2:216)
Aware of this secret, believers seek goodness and beauty in every event. No seemingly adverse incident, hardship, or mischief ails or worries them. They maintain their composure, whether the experience is insignificant or a serious ordeal. Sincere Muslims even see goodness and divine purpose in the loss of all their hard earned possessions. They express gratitude to Allah for the gift of life. They have faith that Allah may have protected them from committing an evil act or against too much attachment for possessions.
Accordingly, believers give their most inner thanks to Him because no loss in this world equals the loss in the hereafter. Loss in the hereafter means eternal and intolerable punishment (unless Allah wills otherwise). Those who keep themselves occupied with the remembrance of the hereafter view every event as goodness and beauty leading to the hereafter.
Those who overcome such ordeals will recognize their weaknesses before Allah and will reconsider how much they are in need of Him. They will turn to Allah with much humility through prayers and remembrance that will bring them closer to Him. This is surely an enormous benefit to their hereafter. These aside, by putting absolute trust in Allah and showing steadfastness, they will earn His pleasure and will be rewarded with eternal bliss.
People should seek goodness and beauty not only in ordeals, but also in daily routines. For example, burning the food one has painstakingly prepared may lead one to take numerous measures that would, by the will of Allah, prevent a more serious accident in the future. A young person might fail the college admission test on which all hopes for the future had been pinned.
People should, however, know that there is goodness in their failure, too; they should be able to think that Allah might have willed them to avoid some adverse circumstances or people and thereby feel pleased with the result. Alternatively, by thinking that Allah has placed in every event many other blessings that are either obvious or beyond the imagination, believers see the beauty of full submission to the guidance of Allah.
People may not always see the goodness and divine purpose behind every incident. Even if this is the case, they know for certain that there is goodness in all events. They offer prayers for Allah to discover the goodness and divine purpose hidden behind everything that happens.
Those who are aware that everything has a purpose in Allah's creation never use phrases such as "I wish I had not done this" or "I wish I had not said that" and so on. Mistakes, defects, or seemingly unfortunate events essentially include blessings, and each one of them is the trial of destiny. Allah gives important lessons and reminders to humans in the destiny He creates individually for each person.
For those who can evaluate with insight, there are no mistakes or adversities, but rather lessons, warnings, and wisdom from Allah. For example, a Muslim whose shop burns down will search his or her soul, and will become even more sincere and true in his or her faith, deeming it as a warning by Allah against overindulgence in worldly goods and attachments.
Consequently, no matter what one encounters in this life, the ordeals will all eventually end. A person who recalls a hardship will be amazed that it is nothing more than a reminiscence in the mind. This is also how people recall the scenes from a film. Accordingly, one day will come and the most painful experience will become only a memory, more like the image of a scene from a movie. Only one thing will remain — the attitude a person assumed during the time of hardship and whether Allah is pleased with him or her.
People will not be called to account for their experiences, but rather for their attitudes, thoughts, and sincerity they displayed at the time of these experiences. Therefore, endeavoring to see the goodness and the divine purpose Allah creates in the situations encountered and taking a positive attitude will bring bliss to believers both in this world and in the hereafter. No sorrow or fear awaits these believers who are aware of this secret. Similarly, no one, no event can create fear, harm, or distress in this world or in the hereafter. Allah reveals this secret in the Qur'an:
[Those who follow My guidance will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.] (Al-Baqarah 2:38)
[Yes, the closer servants of Allah will feel no fear nor shall they grieve: those who believe and have done their duty, there is good news for them in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the great victory.] (Yunus 10:62-64)
- Harun Yahya was born in Ankara in 1956. He studied fine arts at Istanbul's Mimar Sinan University and philosophy at Istanbul University. Since the 1980s, he has published many books on political, faith-related, and scientific issues.
By Harun Yahya
Turkish Muslim Thinker
Every event that happens to the Muslim has one sort or another of goodness in it. Allah states that even events that seem to be unfavorable may have a lot of good in them:
[It may well be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a lot of good.] (An-Nisaa' 4:19)
[It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.] (Al-Baqarah 2:216)
Aware of this secret, believers seek goodness and beauty in every event. No seemingly adverse incident, hardship, or mischief ails or worries them. They maintain their composure, whether the experience is insignificant or a serious ordeal. Sincere Muslims even see goodness and divine purpose in the loss of all their hard earned possessions. They express gratitude to Allah for the gift of life. They have faith that Allah may have protected them from committing an evil act or against too much attachment for possessions.
Accordingly, believers give their most inner thanks to Him because no loss in this world equals the loss in the hereafter. Loss in the hereafter means eternal and intolerable punishment (unless Allah wills otherwise). Those who keep themselves occupied with the remembrance of the hereafter view every event as goodness and beauty leading to the hereafter.
Those who overcome such ordeals will recognize their weaknesses before Allah and will reconsider how much they are in need of Him. They will turn to Allah with much humility through prayers and remembrance that will bring them closer to Him. This is surely an enormous benefit to their hereafter. These aside, by putting absolute trust in Allah and showing steadfastness, they will earn His pleasure and will be rewarded with eternal bliss.
People should seek goodness and beauty not only in ordeals, but also in daily routines. For example, burning the food one has painstakingly prepared may lead one to take numerous measures that would, by the will of Allah, prevent a more serious accident in the future. A young person might fail the college admission test on which all hopes for the future had been pinned.
People should, however, know that there is goodness in their failure, too; they should be able to think that Allah might have willed them to avoid some adverse circumstances or people and thereby feel pleased with the result. Alternatively, by thinking that Allah has placed in every event many other blessings that are either obvious or beyond the imagination, believers see the beauty of full submission to the guidance of Allah.
People may not always see the goodness and divine purpose behind every incident. Even if this is the case, they know for certain that there is goodness in all events. They offer prayers for Allah to discover the goodness and divine purpose hidden behind everything that happens.
Those who are aware that everything has a purpose in Allah's creation never use phrases such as "I wish I had not done this" or "I wish I had not said that" and so on. Mistakes, defects, or seemingly unfortunate events essentially include blessings, and each one of them is the trial of destiny. Allah gives important lessons and reminders to humans in the destiny He creates individually for each person.
For those who can evaluate with insight, there are no mistakes or adversities, but rather lessons, warnings, and wisdom from Allah. For example, a Muslim whose shop burns down will search his or her soul, and will become even more sincere and true in his or her faith, deeming it as a warning by Allah against overindulgence in worldly goods and attachments.
Consequently, no matter what one encounters in this life, the ordeals will all eventually end. A person who recalls a hardship will be amazed that it is nothing more than a reminiscence in the mind. This is also how people recall the scenes from a film. Accordingly, one day will come and the most painful experience will become only a memory, more like the image of a scene from a movie. Only one thing will remain — the attitude a person assumed during the time of hardship and whether Allah is pleased with him or her.
People will not be called to account for their experiences, but rather for their attitudes, thoughts, and sincerity they displayed at the time of these experiences. Therefore, endeavoring to see the goodness and the divine purpose Allah creates in the situations encountered and taking a positive attitude will bring bliss to believers both in this world and in the hereafter. No sorrow or fear awaits these believers who are aware of this secret. Similarly, no one, no event can create fear, harm, or distress in this world or in the hereafter. Allah reveals this secret in the Qur'an:
[Those who follow My guidance will feel no fear and will know no sorrow.] (Al-Baqarah 2:38)
[Yes, the closer servants of Allah will feel no fear nor shall they grieve: those who believe and have done their duty, there is good news for them in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the great victory.] (Yunus 10:62-64)
- Harun Yahya was born in Ankara in 1956. He studied fine arts at Istanbul's Mimar Sinan University and philosophy at Istanbul University. Since the 1980s, he has published many books on political, faith-related, and scientific issues.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Negative consequences of horror movies.
News report from utusan malaysia..taken from drmaza.com
Ia diakui oleh Mufti Perlis, Dr. Mohd. Asri Zainul Abidin yang turut menganggap ada antara filem hantu tidak menyumbang kepada pembentukan insan. Malah Islam sendiri tidak menerima apa-apa perkara yang boleh memperbodohkan masyarakat termasuk juga sesuatu pekara yang divisualkan dalam filem.
Lebih membahayakan apabila sesebuah filem seram itu ditonton oleh kanak-kanak yang sedang membesar kerana ia boleh mempengaruhi pemikiran mereka.
"Filem-filem seram yang keterlaluan adalah berbahaya kerana ia boleh menyumbang kepada penyelewengan akidah.
"Kepercayaan bukan-bukan seperti ada kuasa ghaib yang divisualkan dan hantu itu boleh mengetahui sesuatu perkara boleh menyebabkan masyarakat terpengaruh dan mempercayainya," kata Dr. Mohd. Asri ketika dihubungi Jumaat lalu.
Filem seperti ini kata beliau boleh merosakkan akal disebabkan unsur serta gambaran yang diperlihatkan mengenai makhluk halus itu adalah tidak benar.
Maka ujarnya, secara tidak langsung akan lahir masyarakat yang penakut apabila mereka terlalu dimomokkan dengan filem seperti itu.
"Kita bimbang filem itu mempengaruhi jiwa masyarakat yang akhirnya menyebabkan mereka akan takut walaupun hendak ke bilik air," katanya.
Bagaimanapun kata beliau, tidak salah untuk menghasilkan filem seram asalkan tidak diselitkan dengan unsur khurafat selain perlu menggambarkan syaitan itu lemah.
Dalam masa yang sama filem hantu yang dihasilkan juga perlu memberi kesan positif agar manusia tidak hilang keyakinan diri.
Mengambil contoh filem Zombie Kampung Pisang arahan Mamat Khalid, kata beliau, tema yang dibawa dalam filem tersebut tidak bercanggah kerana akhir cerita memperlihatkan makhluk halus itu tidak dapat menguasai manusia.
Sumber: Utusan Malaysia
Ia diakui oleh Mufti Perlis, Dr. Mohd. Asri Zainul Abidin yang turut menganggap ada antara filem hantu tidak menyumbang kepada pembentukan insan. Malah Islam sendiri tidak menerima apa-apa perkara yang boleh memperbodohkan masyarakat termasuk juga sesuatu pekara yang divisualkan dalam filem.
Lebih membahayakan apabila sesebuah filem seram itu ditonton oleh kanak-kanak yang sedang membesar kerana ia boleh mempengaruhi pemikiran mereka.
"Filem-filem seram yang keterlaluan adalah berbahaya kerana ia boleh menyumbang kepada penyelewengan akidah.
"Kepercayaan bukan-bukan seperti ada kuasa ghaib yang divisualkan dan hantu itu boleh mengetahui sesuatu perkara boleh menyebabkan masyarakat terpengaruh dan mempercayainya," kata Dr. Mohd. Asri ketika dihubungi Jumaat lalu.
Filem seperti ini kata beliau boleh merosakkan akal disebabkan unsur serta gambaran yang diperlihatkan mengenai makhluk halus itu adalah tidak benar.
Maka ujarnya, secara tidak langsung akan lahir masyarakat yang penakut apabila mereka terlalu dimomokkan dengan filem seperti itu.
"Kita bimbang filem itu mempengaruhi jiwa masyarakat yang akhirnya menyebabkan mereka akan takut walaupun hendak ke bilik air," katanya.
Bagaimanapun kata beliau, tidak salah untuk menghasilkan filem seram asalkan tidak diselitkan dengan unsur khurafat selain perlu menggambarkan syaitan itu lemah.
Dalam masa yang sama filem hantu yang dihasilkan juga perlu memberi kesan positif agar manusia tidak hilang keyakinan diri.
Mengambil contoh filem Zombie Kampung Pisang arahan Mamat Khalid, kata beliau, tema yang dibawa dalam filem tersebut tidak bercanggah kerana akhir cerita memperlihatkan makhluk halus itu tidak dapat menguasai manusia.
Sumber: Utusan Malaysia
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What?! No BGR? (0.0)'
This is written to answer blog_surf's question at the chatbox.
BismilLahirRahmaanirRaheem.
Before that, there was once, when a friend asked me a similar question. She asked me about how she could have a relationship while ensuring that she doesn't go against Islamic principles. And this was my reply to her. .
>>>>
Salam ukhtie,
Its good that you've been aware and making the efforts to make yourself a better Muslim. I understand where you're coming from as I went through such a phase myself. It's been many years now since I made that first step to try to improve and I'm still learning every day and have to be constantly aware and stand firm to ward off temptations by the nafs or shaitan. Its not an easy transition.
Hm, I can't give you a solution.. You have to figure it out yourself through reading more about this, asking Islamic scholars, and to try understand, keeping an open mind and a strong will to learn and possibly change. At the same time, constantly supplicate(doa) and seek help from Allah SWT.
I will give my views on this though, through what I've learnt and understood.. but do not stop here, keep on reading and make your own decision.. I recommend articles and cyber counselor section from islamonline.net..there are many articles there on topics such as relationships based on Islam. Just type in a keyword in their search column. Also this article - islamic-world.net/boy_girl.php
Before this, I think there's a more important question that you have to consider. That question is "What is the purpose of Life?"
Do you know? Do I know the answer? I myself don't know but our purpose of life is already there before we're born.. Just hypothetically.. if we ask this monitor we're facing why is it made, if the monitor is able to speak, it will not know why it is here. Logically, we have to ask the factory which made it..and if we ask the factory, it will give a collection of questions and answers in a book called "Instruction Manual".
Its the same with us humans.. if we want to know the answer, we have to ask the God that creates us i.e. Allah SWT and Allah SWT have given us a complete set of questions and answers in His book called.. the Quran.
So what does the Quran says about our purpose of life?
"I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me." - adh-Dhariat:56
So knowing this.. we have to know that the concept of worship towards Allah SWT in Islam is not just strictly through performing the pillars of Islam like solat, fasting and zakat.
We have to understand that whatever we do and how we perform in our daily life (our actions, deeds, work, character, outlook) that meets the criteria of Islam that have been set in al-Quran and as-Sunnah.. that is the concept of worship! (ref. from an article at saifulislam.com)
So if you can agree to what have been explained here, then even in relationships and interactions with the opposite sex, we have to follow the guidelines that have been set for us. It's totally alien to what we have been used to, growing up in a secular life with all the influences from movies, friends and surroundings.. and it won't be easy to try and follow. But thats the safest and the best way.
Thats all I've to say. As I've said, continue to read and figure out for yourself, ask more from other sisters and Islamic scholars about this.. insya-Allah..He will show you the way.
Wassalaam.
>>>>
It's important firstly to ask ourselves what is our purpose here? As Muslims, what is our true goal in life?
Now back to the question about how are we going to meet the other half..
As you have already read, that Islam recognises feelings and needs between a guy and girl but disciplines it by allowing it to be expressed only after marriage.
Which means that ideally, the only time a Muslim should even think of searching for the other half is when he/she is ready for marriage and have made concrete plans to get married within a short term period.
Some examples upon approaching marriage the Islamic way are as follows; searching and finding a wife (or what Malays call 'merisik') is performed through a third party, meeting to get to know more about each other is allowed but only in the presence of family members and during the engagement period, contact is allowed but the engaged couple should always keep in mind not to overdo it and transgress the limits.
As you'd notice, Islam permits interactions as long as it is done in a respectful manner and doesn't transgress the limits set in Islam.
The Islamic concept of marriage, what happens before and during the engagement is totally different from the horrifying idea of fixed marriages that some may suggest or assume; being forced to marry, not being able to make your own choice, not able to choose your own partner or even not knowing the other half at all!
There are a lot of misconceptions in Islam mainly due to ignorance and the only way to break away from it is to sincerely research on it, keeping an open mind. Only then will we know and be sure of the choices we make in life.
Just to add also that if anyone is already involved in a relationship and have realized that there should be no relationships before marriage, try not to go to extremes by immediately breaking it off. Think about the possibility of taking the relationship towards marriage as soon as possible.
I hope that this will help to lead to the answers you're looking for. And Allah Almighty knows best.
BismilLahirRahmaanirRaheem.
Before that, there was once, when a friend asked me a similar question. She asked me about how she could have a relationship while ensuring that she doesn't go against Islamic principles. And this was my reply to her. .
>>>>
Salam ukhtie,
Its good that you've been aware and making the efforts to make yourself a better Muslim. I understand where you're coming from as I went through such a phase myself. It's been many years now since I made that first step to try to improve and I'm still learning every day and have to be constantly aware and stand firm to ward off temptations by the nafs or shaitan. Its not an easy transition.
Hm, I can't give you a solution.. You have to figure it out yourself through reading more about this, asking Islamic scholars, and to try understand, keeping an open mind and a strong will to learn and possibly change. At the same time, constantly supplicate(doa) and seek help from Allah SWT.
I will give my views on this though, through what I've learnt and understood.. but do not stop here, keep on reading and make your own decision.. I recommend articles and cyber counselor section from islamonline.net..there are many articles there on topics such as relationships based on Islam. Just type in a keyword in their search column. Also this article - islamic-world.net/boy_girl.php
Before this, I think there's a more important question that you have to consider. That question is "What is the purpose of Life?"
Do you know? Do I know the answer? I myself don't know but our purpose of life is already there before we're born.. Just hypothetically.. if we ask this monitor we're facing why is it made, if the monitor is able to speak, it will not know why it is here. Logically, we have to ask the factory which made it..and if we ask the factory, it will give a collection of questions and answers in a book called "Instruction Manual".
Its the same with us humans.. if we want to know the answer, we have to ask the God that creates us i.e. Allah SWT and Allah SWT have given us a complete set of questions and answers in His book called.. the Quran.
So what does the Quran says about our purpose of life?
"I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me." - adh-Dhariat:56
So knowing this.. we have to know that the concept of worship towards Allah SWT in Islam is not just strictly through performing the pillars of Islam like solat, fasting and zakat.
We have to understand that whatever we do and how we perform in our daily life (our actions, deeds, work, character, outlook) that meets the criteria of Islam that have been set in al-Quran and as-Sunnah.. that is the concept of worship! (ref. from an article at saifulislam.com)
So if you can agree to what have been explained here, then even in relationships and interactions with the opposite sex, we have to follow the guidelines that have been set for us. It's totally alien to what we have been used to, growing up in a secular life with all the influences from movies, friends and surroundings.. and it won't be easy to try and follow. But thats the safest and the best way.
Thats all I've to say. As I've said, continue to read and figure out for yourself, ask more from other sisters and Islamic scholars about this.. insya-Allah..He will show you the way.
Wassalaam.
>>>>
It's important firstly to ask ourselves what is our purpose here? As Muslims, what is our true goal in life?
Now back to the question about how are we going to meet the other half..
As you have already read, that Islam recognises feelings and needs between a guy and girl but disciplines it by allowing it to be expressed only after marriage.
Which means that ideally, the only time a Muslim should even think of searching for the other half is when he/she is ready for marriage and have made concrete plans to get married within a short term period.
Some examples upon approaching marriage the Islamic way are as follows; searching and finding a wife (or what Malays call 'merisik') is performed through a third party, meeting to get to know more about each other is allowed but only in the presence of family members and during the engagement period, contact is allowed but the engaged couple should always keep in mind not to overdo it and transgress the limits.
As you'd notice, Islam permits interactions as long as it is done in a respectful manner and doesn't transgress the limits set in Islam.
The Islamic concept of marriage, what happens before and during the engagement is totally different from the horrifying idea of fixed marriages that some may suggest or assume; being forced to marry, not being able to make your own choice, not able to choose your own partner or even not knowing the other half at all!
There are a lot of misconceptions in Islam mainly due to ignorance and the only way to break away from it is to sincerely research on it, keeping an open mind. Only then will we know and be sure of the choices we make in life.
Just to add also that if anyone is already involved in a relationship and have realized that there should be no relationships before marriage, try not to go to extremes by immediately breaking it off. Think about the possibility of taking the relationship towards marriage as soon as possible.
I hope that this will help to lead to the answers you're looking for. And Allah Almighty knows best.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wake up!
I have posted this before in the form of a YouTube video but when I reviewed the previous post recently, found out that the video had been removed for terms of violation. Since I like the post so much, I've decided to repost it in the form of a written statement.
Why the removal of the video? Only Allah knows why.. Hm, maybe some Arabs' pride may be hurt due to it but it's a true reflection of reality in the Arab world and for me, it is a wake up call. They should take the criticism seriously and do something about it. And other Muslims could take this as a reminder and as a motivation factor to spur ourselves to be better.
For now, the video can be found on MEMRITV.org:type 645 into search
Anyway just for your info, MEMRI is a pro-Israeli Middle Eastern press monitoring organization. Their work has been attacked on three grounds: that their work is biased; that they choose articles to translate selectively so as to give an unrepresentative view of the media they are reporting on; and that their translations are sometimes inaccurate.
Brian Whitaker, the Middle East editor for the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom, has been one of the most outspoken critics of MEMRI, writing: "My problem with Memri is that it poses as a research institute when it's basically a propaganda operation," and that "the stories selected by Memri for translation follow a familiar pattern: either they reflect badly on the character of Arabs or they in some way further the political agenda of Israel."
Go Wiki it for more information on this. Anyway, here's the said speech..
The following are excerpts from a Friday sermon on Qatar TV by Sheikh Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi :
Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi: We use trains and planes, but they are not our trains or planes. The (Westerners) manufacture them and export them to us. True, we can buy the most magnificent things in the world products for our homes and for ourselves. Our people can buy the most luxurious cars, Rolls-Royce or Mercedes 500 or 700, models S, M, and L with all the luxuries. We own them, but we don’t manufacture them. We don’t even produce a single nail in any of these cars. Others do this for us.
The income of the entire Arab world, including the oil-producing countries, does not reach the that of a European country, such as Spain. Spain!? let alone Germany, France, Britain, or Italy. Just Spain, which is at the bottom of the list of industrial countries… The income of the entire Arab world does not reach it. How come? Because we don’t work, and if we do work, we don’t do it professionally.
They conducted a survey of the average time that a government employee spends working in a certain Arab country. The average was 27 minutes a day. 27 minutes! The rest of the time he drinks coffee, reads newspapers, and goes on errands here and there. Only a small number of people work. The rest do not.
In the mid 1970s I went to Germany. We arrived during in the morning. I asked the guy who took me from the airport to the convention hall. As I was passing through the empty streets, I asked him how come the streets were not busy, like in our countries. He said: “People are at work.” After 7 p.m. he took me back to the hotel, and the streets were empty. I said to him: “What’s going on, the streets are empty again.” He said: people are back home from work, and they are exhausted. All they want is to eat their dinner, watch the news, and then go to bed, because early next morning they have to wake up for hard work. They commute more than an hour to work and back, and spend an hour at lunch. They work non-stop.
We are a nation that doesn’t work. How can we develop if we don’t work? When we do work, we don’t do it professionally. We keep saying “Don’t worry, later, later!” Islam teaches us to do things professionally. Doing things professionally is a religious duty. The Prophet said that Allah ordered to excel in everything. He imposed excellence and professionalism. Professionalism must be followed in everything. “If you kill, do it properly, and if you slaughter, do it properly.” Even when killing, you must do well.
Unfortunately, we do not excel in either military or civil industries. We import everything from needles to missiles. This is our nation. We still haven’t manufactured an engine in our Arab countries. We assemble parts, but have no manufacturing industries. India has manufactured a car, and even a plane, while we still go around in circles like a bull in who turns a grinding mill or a water weal until it reaches exactly where it started.
How come the Zionist gang has managed to be superior to us, despite being so few? It has become superior through knowledge, through technology, and through strength. It has become superior to us through work. We had the desert before our eyes but we didn’t do anything with it. When they took over, they turned it into a green oasis. "How can a nation that does not work progress? How can it grow?
Why the removal of the video? Only Allah knows why.. Hm, maybe some Arabs' pride may be hurt due to it but it's a true reflection of reality in the Arab world and for me, it is a wake up call. They should take the criticism seriously and do something about it. And other Muslims could take this as a reminder and as a motivation factor to spur ourselves to be better.
For now, the video can be found on MEMRITV.org:type 645 into search
Anyway just for your info, MEMRI is a pro-Israeli Middle Eastern press monitoring organization. Their work has been attacked on three grounds: that their work is biased; that they choose articles to translate selectively so as to give an unrepresentative view of the media they are reporting on; and that their translations are sometimes inaccurate.
Brian Whitaker, the Middle East editor for the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom, has been one of the most outspoken critics of MEMRI, writing: "My problem with Memri is that it poses as a research institute when it's basically a propaganda operation," and that "the stories selected by Memri for translation follow a familiar pattern: either they reflect badly on the character of Arabs or they in some way further the political agenda of Israel."
Go Wiki it for more information on this. Anyway, here's the said speech..
The following are excerpts from a Friday sermon on Qatar TV by Sheikh Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi :
Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi: We use trains and planes, but they are not our trains or planes. The (Westerners) manufacture them and export them to us. True, we can buy the most magnificent things in the world products for our homes and for ourselves. Our people can buy the most luxurious cars, Rolls-Royce or Mercedes 500 or 700, models S, M, and L with all the luxuries. We own them, but we don’t manufacture them. We don’t even produce a single nail in any of these cars. Others do this for us.
The income of the entire Arab world, including the oil-producing countries, does not reach the that of a European country, such as Spain. Spain!? let alone Germany, France, Britain, or Italy. Just Spain, which is at the bottom of the list of industrial countries… The income of the entire Arab world does not reach it. How come? Because we don’t work, and if we do work, we don’t do it professionally.
They conducted a survey of the average time that a government employee spends working in a certain Arab country. The average was 27 minutes a day. 27 minutes! The rest of the time he drinks coffee, reads newspapers, and goes on errands here and there. Only a small number of people work. The rest do not.
In the mid 1970s I went to Germany. We arrived during in the morning. I asked the guy who took me from the airport to the convention hall. As I was passing through the empty streets, I asked him how come the streets were not busy, like in our countries. He said: “People are at work.” After 7 p.m. he took me back to the hotel, and the streets were empty. I said to him: “What’s going on, the streets are empty again.” He said: people are back home from work, and they are exhausted. All they want is to eat their dinner, watch the news, and then go to bed, because early next morning they have to wake up for hard work. They commute more than an hour to work and back, and spend an hour at lunch. They work non-stop.
We are a nation that doesn’t work. How can we develop if we don’t work? When we do work, we don’t do it professionally. We keep saying “Don’t worry, later, later!” Islam teaches us to do things professionally. Doing things professionally is a religious duty. The Prophet said that Allah ordered to excel in everything. He imposed excellence and professionalism. Professionalism must be followed in everything. “If you kill, do it properly, and if you slaughter, do it properly.” Even when killing, you must do well.
Unfortunately, we do not excel in either military or civil industries. We import everything from needles to missiles. This is our nation. We still haven’t manufactured an engine in our Arab countries. We assemble parts, but have no manufacturing industries. India has manufactured a car, and even a plane, while we still go around in circles like a bull in who turns a grinding mill or a water weal until it reaches exactly where it started.
How come the Zionist gang has managed to be superior to us, despite being so few? It has become superior through knowledge, through technology, and through strength. It has become superior to us through work. We had the desert before our eyes but we didn’t do anything with it. When they took over, they turned it into a green oasis. "How can a nation that does not work progress? How can it grow?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
In the aftermath of blasphemous cartoons
Article by Dr. Khaled Tawfik
After the republication of the blasphemous cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and after Geert Wilders, the Dutch Member of Parliament, of the far right party, produced a movie ridiculing and attacking Islam and the Holy Qur'an, the people who supported such campaigns under the pretext of the freedom of expression hoping that such vicious campaigns might distort the image of Islam, received the biggest shock of their life.
In Denmark, the people who embraced Islam since the first publication of the sacrilegious cartoons numbered around 5,000, while now each day a Danish national embraces Islam.
The newspapers have published the story of a man from the Philippines who entered the fold of Islam. Asked about the reason that made him embrace Islam, the man said that the reason was that he saw the other people persistently on attacking Islam although Islam respects all the other religions and that Muslims respect all Divine Faiths and believe in all Allah's Prophets and Holy Books.
There is a growing interest in Islam in Europe and translations of the Qur'an in all European languages are the bestsellers nowadays.
Recent studies indicate that European non-Muslim women when marrying Muslim men usually embrace Islam because they discover the greatness of this Faith through their husbands' uprightness, faithfulness, truthfulness and noble morals.
What really shocked people in the West is that prisoners in Europe and the United States are embracing Islam in large numbers. A recent report in France indicates that every week, a prisoner, after embracing Islam, comes to ask for halal meat.
When asked about the reasons that made them embrace Islam, prisoners' answers revolved around many things: finding true peace in that religion, it provides man with a kind of psychological balance that makes him bear the misfortunes of life, it advocates the idea of equality, all people being equal regardless of their color, race, language, wealth, education... etc.
What is more astonishing is that one of the Israeli newspapers expressed its concern as 80% of the French people who have recently embraced Islam are Jews. Jewish organizations feel that such a trend threatens their very existence.
Not only that, all efforts exerted by these organisations to prevent people from embracing Islam are going in vain. It was also discovered that some of those French people embraced Islam in secret till they find the right moment to declare that.
The idea that I would like to stress is that Muslims all over the world have to realise that such anti-Islam campaigns usually yield results in favour of Islam because Allah is always there to defend and protect Islam and His Prophet (peace be upon him).
After the republication of the blasphemous cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and after Geert Wilders, the Dutch Member of Parliament, of the far right party, produced a movie ridiculing and attacking Islam and the Holy Qur'an, the people who supported such campaigns under the pretext of the freedom of expression hoping that such vicious campaigns might distort the image of Islam, received the biggest shock of their life.
In Denmark, the people who embraced Islam since the first publication of the sacrilegious cartoons numbered around 5,000, while now each day a Danish national embraces Islam.
The newspapers have published the story of a man from the Philippines who entered the fold of Islam. Asked about the reason that made him embrace Islam, the man said that the reason was that he saw the other people persistently on attacking Islam although Islam respects all the other religions and that Muslims respect all Divine Faiths and believe in all Allah's Prophets and Holy Books.
There is a growing interest in Islam in Europe and translations of the Qur'an in all European languages are the bestsellers nowadays.
Recent studies indicate that European non-Muslim women when marrying Muslim men usually embrace Islam because they discover the greatness of this Faith through their husbands' uprightness, faithfulness, truthfulness and noble morals.
What really shocked people in the West is that prisoners in Europe and the United States are embracing Islam in large numbers. A recent report in France indicates that every week, a prisoner, after embracing Islam, comes to ask for halal meat.
When asked about the reasons that made them embrace Islam, prisoners' answers revolved around many things: finding true peace in that religion, it provides man with a kind of psychological balance that makes him bear the misfortunes of life, it advocates the idea of equality, all people being equal regardless of their color, race, language, wealth, education... etc.
What is more astonishing is that one of the Israeli newspapers expressed its concern as 80% of the French people who have recently embraced Islam are Jews. Jewish organizations feel that such a trend threatens their very existence.
Not only that, all efforts exerted by these organisations to prevent people from embracing Islam are going in vain. It was also discovered that some of those French people embraced Islam in secret till they find the right moment to declare that.
The idea that I would like to stress is that Muslims all over the world have to realise that such anti-Islam campaigns usually yield results in favour of Islam because Allah is always there to defend and protect Islam and His Prophet (peace be upon him).
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thoughts
As I sat on a sofa during a class-break, I wondered about me being here experiencing the so-called 'Wahabbism' first hand.
I wondered why people back home or outside Saudi are worried about it. Is it true, that it is the source of extremism, cause for terrorism, backwardness in modernity and cause for disunity among the Muslim Ummah, as what have been pointed out by Liberal Islam and some conservative groups?
The fact is that there is nothing of that sort and only Allah knows what their motives are behind such thwarted facts.
What is mainly taught here is about the importance of Monotheism and to be aware about anything that may jeopardise it, to stay away from innovation in religion and to embrace innovation that is allowed according to Islam i.e. Modernity, progress and advancement in science and technolgy etc.. and to live with the guidance of the Qur'an the Sunnah and the values and way of life shown by the Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after.
Islam is simple and should not be made harder than it is or interpreted excessively and should be left as it is understood by the 'salafussoleh' as they have the best understanding of it. This is also the way that our Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended and the understanding of many other scholars even the four main Muslim scholars.
This way, Muslims will then have more time and energy to focus on other important issues in life on earth and to practice Islam moderately as recommended; to be able to strike a good balance between life for here and the hereafter.
If this way of understanding is practiced, the Ummah will be stronger and possibly, insya Allah, will lead a successful life.
Now the question is, why then, aren't many of those who are practicing this form of understanding, which can be termed as 'salafism'(following the ways of Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after), especially here in Saudi, do not portray excellence or a progressive way of life?
There are many factors to this and they all point to the same reason of not applying what they are representing as a whole i.e. Salafis who portray values that don't reflect the sunnah or in other words, not practicing what they have learnt, in all aspects of life..They may excel at some good attributes but sorely lack in others.
For instance, a lack of success or progress in science and technology, poor work ethics, being backward in most industries and business is not due to Salafism and what it teaches, but due to humans and their imperfections..
A country with citizens having a negative mindset, poor work ethics and habits will never improve even with a correct understanding of Islam without applying it. If the people themselves won't change and the government generally neglects their part in trying harder to act on it and improve, then they will never change.
We can't blame Salafism and what it teaches if people go around accusing others of apostasy, show bad manners, live backwardly, hold an extreme view towards anything that is against or towards it and decided to terrorize others!
These are all negative values that are disliked and condemned in Islam.
Here, condemnation against terrorism and poor, unhealthy values, to always live up to the sunnah and to practice moderation at all times, is always propagated in schools, newspapers etc.
Now where is the consistency in the reports and views that 'Liberal Islam' groups or some conservatives claimed which are totally opposite?
They even made use of the misgivings of some 'black sheeps' in Salafism and propagated as if that is truly what it stands for.
It is a fact that even Saudis themselves are puzzled as to how the term 'Wahabbism' have been plastered on them!? The term is somewhat negative and history shows that it was formerly a term used for a group of 'Khawaarij' muslims (a devient sect which holds extreme views and have a dark history) which have no links whatsoever to thier stand and creed.
It is also important to note that many who accuse Salafism as negative are plainly ignorant about it. We may have found out a little about it through people or sources that hold similar views as us, but if we only find out from a one-sided point of view, how much of it is actually true? What do we know of the history behind all of this? What was the situation then, that started it in Saudi? What does it stand for? How and when did the term Wahabbism came up? Does all the negative points that are said to happen in Saudi or propagated by Salafis true?
If all these are taken into context and extent research is done on views from both sides, only then, a fair judgement can be made and whether you agree with any sides or not after that, then that will be your own choice and not a blind one, following others' perceptions.
So, I'm inviting all to keep an open mind and research if whatever that i've stated here have some truth in it. It's not about sparking off a debate or to say 'hey, i'm right!' but for all, to seek a clear view and truth for ourselves towards gaining a better understanding of Islam, to be sure in our choices and hopefully, to eventually practice Islam the way Allah would like us to..insya Allah.
May we all be guided to the right path, Ameen, insya Allah.
And Allah Almighty knows best.
I wondered why people back home or outside Saudi are worried about it. Is it true, that it is the source of extremism, cause for terrorism, backwardness in modernity and cause for disunity among the Muslim Ummah, as what have been pointed out by Liberal Islam and some conservative groups?
The fact is that there is nothing of that sort and only Allah knows what their motives are behind such thwarted facts.
What is mainly taught here is about the importance of Monotheism and to be aware about anything that may jeopardise it, to stay away from innovation in religion and to embrace innovation that is allowed according to Islam i.e. Modernity, progress and advancement in science and technolgy etc.. and to live with the guidance of the Qur'an the Sunnah and the values and way of life shown by the Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after.
Islam is simple and should not be made harder than it is or interpreted excessively and should be left as it is understood by the 'salafussoleh' as they have the best understanding of it. This is also the way that our Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended and the understanding of many other scholars even the four main Muslim scholars.
This way, Muslims will then have more time and energy to focus on other important issues in life on earth and to practice Islam moderately as recommended; to be able to strike a good balance between life for here and the hereafter.
If this way of understanding is practiced, the Ummah will be stronger and possibly, insya Allah, will lead a successful life.
Now the question is, why then, aren't many of those who are practicing this form of understanding, which can be termed as 'salafism'(following the ways of Prophet's companions and scholars who lived shortly after), especially here in Saudi, do not portray excellence or a progressive way of life?
There are many factors to this and they all point to the same reason of not applying what they are representing as a whole i.e. Salafis who portray values that don't reflect the sunnah or in other words, not practicing what they have learnt, in all aspects of life..They may excel at some good attributes but sorely lack in others.
For instance, a lack of success or progress in science and technology, poor work ethics, being backward in most industries and business is not due to Salafism and what it teaches, but due to humans and their imperfections..
A country with citizens having a negative mindset, poor work ethics and habits will never improve even with a correct understanding of Islam without applying it. If the people themselves won't change and the government generally neglects their part in trying harder to act on it and improve, then they will never change.
We can't blame Salafism and what it teaches if people go around accusing others of apostasy, show bad manners, live backwardly, hold an extreme view towards anything that is against or towards it and decided to terrorize others!
These are all negative values that are disliked and condemned in Islam.
Here, condemnation against terrorism and poor, unhealthy values, to always live up to the sunnah and to practice moderation at all times, is always propagated in schools, newspapers etc.
Now where is the consistency in the reports and views that 'Liberal Islam' groups or some conservatives claimed which are totally opposite?
They even made use of the misgivings of some 'black sheeps' in Salafism and propagated as if that is truly what it stands for.
It is a fact that even Saudis themselves are puzzled as to how the term 'Wahabbism' have been plastered on them!? The term is somewhat negative and history shows that it was formerly a term used for a group of 'Khawaarij' muslims (a devient sect which holds extreme views and have a dark history) which have no links whatsoever to thier stand and creed.
It is also important to note that many who accuse Salafism as negative are plainly ignorant about it. We may have found out a little about it through people or sources that hold similar views as us, but if we only find out from a one-sided point of view, how much of it is actually true? What do we know of the history behind all of this? What was the situation then, that started it in Saudi? What does it stand for? How and when did the term Wahabbism came up? Does all the negative points that are said to happen in Saudi or propagated by Salafis true?
If all these are taken into context and extent research is done on views from both sides, only then, a fair judgement can be made and whether you agree with any sides or not after that, then that will be your own choice and not a blind one, following others' perceptions.
So, I'm inviting all to keep an open mind and research if whatever that i've stated here have some truth in it. It's not about sparking off a debate or to say 'hey, i'm right!' but for all, to seek a clear view and truth for ourselves towards gaining a better understanding of Islam, to be sure in our choices and hopefully, to eventually practice Islam the way Allah would like us to..insya Allah.
May we all be guided to the right path, Ameen, insya Allah.
And Allah Almighty knows best.
Misinformation about Islam in the West
Article by Dr. Khalid Tawfik
The repeated anti-Islam campaigns in the West makes one pause and reflect on the reasons for such campaigns. After a careful reading on many sources about Islam, I discovered a lot of misinformation about Islam, some of this information is really shocking and totally unbelievable. In this article, I shall discuss some of this misinformation trying to draw Muslims' attention to correct such distorted facts about Islam or about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
¤ Muhammedanism: Until recently, a lot of people in the West believed that Muslims, God forbid, worship Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and this is why they used to refer to Islam as Muhammedanism.
¤ Turkish Religion; Also people in the West used to refer to Islam as Turkish Religion (you will find examples in William Shakespeare's Othello and in the introduction to the first English translation of the Qur'an produced by Alexander Ross in 1649). Some of the people who belonged to the Ottoman Empire ill-treated the Europeans who associated the religion of those people with violence and ill-treatment and this is why they referred to Islam as the Turkish Religion.
¤ During my visits to the USA and European countries, I came to discover that many people living there believed that the Holy Qur'an was written by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially that they read and gain such information or misinformation from some of the books written by some biased orientalists.
¤ Many of the people in the West believe that all Muslims should marry four women, that is, it is a religious obligation that they should do that!
¤ Most of the people in the West misunderstand the real meaning of Jihad: they think that Jihad means that all Muslims should wage war against whoever does not embrace Islam.
¤ The most shocking piece of information that I read is that Abu Lahab, the Prophet's polytheist uncle, who remained a disbeliever till his death and was a staunch enemy of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) is the one who lead the Prophet (peace be upon him) to monotheism and the Prophet (peace be upon him) was ungrateful to his uncle who guided him!!
¤ A lot of people in the West believed that Islam was spread by the sword, i.e. through fighting and war. They ignore the fact that most of the Muslims live in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia (countries located far away from the Arabian Peninsula where most of the wars between Muslims and disbelievers took place).
After this brief survey of some of this prevalent misinformation, I feel it is our duty as Muslims to work vigorously to correct this distorted information.
The repeated anti-Islam campaigns in the West makes one pause and reflect on the reasons for such campaigns. After a careful reading on many sources about Islam, I discovered a lot of misinformation about Islam, some of this information is really shocking and totally unbelievable. In this article, I shall discuss some of this misinformation trying to draw Muslims' attention to correct such distorted facts about Islam or about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
¤ Muhammedanism: Until recently, a lot of people in the West believed that Muslims, God forbid, worship Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and this is why they used to refer to Islam as Muhammedanism.
¤ Turkish Religion; Also people in the West used to refer to Islam as Turkish Religion (you will find examples in William Shakespeare's Othello and in the introduction to the first English translation of the Qur'an produced by Alexander Ross in 1649). Some of the people who belonged to the Ottoman Empire ill-treated the Europeans who associated the religion of those people with violence and ill-treatment and this is why they referred to Islam as the Turkish Religion.
¤ During my visits to the USA and European countries, I came to discover that many people living there believed that the Holy Qur'an was written by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially that they read and gain such information or misinformation from some of the books written by some biased orientalists.
¤ Many of the people in the West believe that all Muslims should marry four women, that is, it is a religious obligation that they should do that!
¤ Most of the people in the West misunderstand the real meaning of Jihad: they think that Jihad means that all Muslims should wage war against whoever does not embrace Islam.
¤ The most shocking piece of information that I read is that Abu Lahab, the Prophet's polytheist uncle, who remained a disbeliever till his death and was a staunch enemy of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) is the one who lead the Prophet (peace be upon him) to monotheism and the Prophet (peace be upon him) was ungrateful to his uncle who guided him!!
¤ A lot of people in the West believed that Islam was spread by the sword, i.e. through fighting and war. They ignore the fact that most of the Muslims live in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia (countries located far away from the Arabian Peninsula where most of the wars between Muslims and disbelievers took place).
After this brief survey of some of this prevalent misinformation, I feel it is our duty as Muslims to work vigorously to correct this distorted information.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I Love Both Jesus and Muhammad
Article from Saifulislam.com.. Link Here!
Assalamualaikum.
I recently received an email from my friend asking opinion about a comparative list between Jesus and Muhammad. The email concluded that there is no comparison between Jesus and Muhammad. Muhammad falls so far short, that he cannot be held on any level remotely close to Jesus. Muhammad is clearly inferior to Christ.
The whole thing could not be responded in a simple manner because the list can endlessly continue. But let the sender ask himself, what is the purpose of highlighting the list?
When we discuss about Jesus - peace be upon him - and Muhammad - peace be upon him -, the intention is the first and foremost.
Me myself, I learn about Muhammad and his religion for me to clarify my own purpose of life, why God created me, why I am here, where am I heading to after this worldly transit? I found my answer best through the teaching of Muhammad. I learn about religion to answer my own Questions, and not to question others!
As a historian, I believe that Muhammad was the only prophet that was born under the light of history. Every single thing about him, I can identify the source and even the source can be evaluated scientifically for the authentication. But the case was not with all other Prophets including Jesus Christ.
Can the existence of Jesus Christ be proven historically and scientifically? Maybe yes, but it would not be an easy task. As far as the history concern, this was the major issue why the scholars of the Enlightenment rejected Christianity because empirical studies could not find solution in proving the existence of Jesus himself. In 325CE the Bishops gathered in Constantinople to decide if Jesus was a son of God or a man. It was that crucial if history involves.
But as a Muslim, the Quran was the source for me to know and believe in Jesus. Al-Quran helped me to believe in him. It was even a part of my faith. I cannot be a Muslim without believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus was better explained in the Quran, at least for my own level of understanding.
So, if the sender believe that his idea about Christianity gave him satisfaction in finding the absolute truth, then let him be with his Christianity. Islam stands with its own strength and Christianity should be confident with what it has. There is no need to prove who is better than who, if the intention is to find what is good for us in this temporary life.
All the claims made by the list can be answered by reading more about Muhammad. Keep aside the pre-conceived idea he had about him, and be open to read properly. I would not suggesting him to read any book written by Muslims, but why not spend sometime reading books about Muhammad written by someone like Karen Armstrong in her book “Muhammad: A Biography of The Prophet“.
I found peace and had full of tranquility by believing and loving both Jesus and Muhammad and I cannot do anything to help someone who find peace in hating any of these great men.
God knows the best.
ABU SAIF
Assalamualaikum.
I recently received an email from my friend asking opinion about a comparative list between Jesus and Muhammad. The email concluded that there is no comparison between Jesus and Muhammad. Muhammad falls so far short, that he cannot be held on any level remotely close to Jesus. Muhammad is clearly inferior to Christ.
The whole thing could not be responded in a simple manner because the list can endlessly continue. But let the sender ask himself, what is the purpose of highlighting the list?
When we discuss about Jesus - peace be upon him - and Muhammad - peace be upon him -, the intention is the first and foremost.
Me myself, I learn about Muhammad and his religion for me to clarify my own purpose of life, why God created me, why I am here, where am I heading to after this worldly transit? I found my answer best through the teaching of Muhammad. I learn about religion to answer my own Questions, and not to question others!
As a historian, I believe that Muhammad was the only prophet that was born under the light of history. Every single thing about him, I can identify the source and even the source can be evaluated scientifically for the authentication. But the case was not with all other Prophets including Jesus Christ.
Can the existence of Jesus Christ be proven historically and scientifically? Maybe yes, but it would not be an easy task. As far as the history concern, this was the major issue why the scholars of the Enlightenment rejected Christianity because empirical studies could not find solution in proving the existence of Jesus himself. In 325CE the Bishops gathered in Constantinople to decide if Jesus was a son of God or a man. It was that crucial if history involves.
But as a Muslim, the Quran was the source for me to know and believe in Jesus. Al-Quran helped me to believe in him. It was even a part of my faith. I cannot be a Muslim without believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus was better explained in the Quran, at least for my own level of understanding.
So, if the sender believe that his idea about Christianity gave him satisfaction in finding the absolute truth, then let him be with his Christianity. Islam stands with its own strength and Christianity should be confident with what it has. There is no need to prove who is better than who, if the intention is to find what is good for us in this temporary life.
All the claims made by the list can be answered by reading more about Muhammad. Keep aside the pre-conceived idea he had about him, and be open to read properly. I would not suggesting him to read any book written by Muslims, but why not spend sometime reading books about Muhammad written by someone like Karen Armstrong in her book “Muhammad: A Biography of The Prophet“.
I found peace and had full of tranquility by believing and loving both Jesus and Muhammad and I cannot do anything to help someone who find peace in hating any of these great men.
God knows the best.
ABU SAIF
How to get close to Allah?
Article taken from 'Saudi Gazette', Islam section..
By Laila Sultan
- Start off each day with the waking up supplications, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.
- Put Allah first in your life.
- Broaden your horizens - learn 5 new verses from the Holy Qur'an every day, try to pray Fajr in the morning in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having supplications and read them.
- Pray Salaat ad-Dhuha after sunrise.
- If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laid-back manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive him.
- When you get angry, remember Allah, and think how short and worthless life is to waste in being angry.
- Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).
- When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray for its continuation.
- When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.
- Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.
- Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love and thus work for it. Then you can win the love of Allah's slaves.
- Spend some time thinking of Allah's amazing creation.
- Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way, you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).
- Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!)
- Every now and then, give yourself a break. Give time to your family and friends, but always remember Allah and watch that he is watching you.
- Pray for blessing to come to those who are lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the true path.
- Hug your parents, kiss their hands and always obey them except when they order to disobey Allah.
- Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.
- Forgive, forget and smile.
- Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.
- When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or not. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.
- Read the Holy Qur'an daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Holy Qur'an daily, read with attention not just passing through the words.
- Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than you gain.
- Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you.
- Convey this to all with the intention of having a healthy society living for Allah, as Allah said: "Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e., Islam) with wisdom (with Divine Revelation and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is Best Aware of those who are guided."(An-Nahl:125)
By Laila Sultan
- Start off each day with the waking up supplications, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.
- Put Allah first in your life.
- Broaden your horizens - learn 5 new verses from the Holy Qur'an every day, try to pray Fajr in the morning in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having supplications and read them.
- Pray Salaat ad-Dhuha after sunrise.
- If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laid-back manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive him.
- When you get angry, remember Allah, and think how short and worthless life is to waste in being angry.
- Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).
- When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray for its continuation.
- When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.
- Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.
- Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love and thus work for it. Then you can win the love of Allah's slaves.
- Spend some time thinking of Allah's amazing creation.
- Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way, you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).
- Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!)
- Every now and then, give yourself a break. Give time to your family and friends, but always remember Allah and watch that he is watching you.
- Pray for blessing to come to those who are lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the true path.
- Hug your parents, kiss their hands and always obey them except when they order to disobey Allah.
- Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.
- Forgive, forget and smile.
- Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.
- When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or not. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah (Allah be pleased with them) were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.
- Read the Holy Qur'an daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Holy Qur'an daily, read with attention not just passing through the words.
- Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than you gain.
- Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you.
- Convey this to all with the intention of having a healthy society living for Allah, as Allah said: "Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e., Islam) with wisdom (with Divine Revelation and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is Best Aware of those who are guided."(An-Nahl:125)
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
RM8.1 Million wasted on Kokka
Excerpt from cyberita.asia1.com.sg.. article below.. Link here!
Just to add - Are there people in Singapore who were influenced by the 'kokka' phenomenon? From what I know, the answer is yes. Regretfully, I was one of those influenced. Back then I was quite ignorant about my own religion and alhamdulillah, not long after, while I was researching and relearning about Islam, I realized that the 'kokka' tasbih(zikr beads) is misleading in a sense that people actually believe that it has traces of 'berkat' or some sort of good charm as it is said to have come from the wood of Prophet Noah's ark. That was one of the main reasons why people would pay a hefty sum for a 100 beads 'tasbih'(zikr beads) of good quality. If it has the ability to bring you closer to Allah or make your supplications granted why not, right? Furthermore, the belief in its use is made greater due to a number of influential religious leaders who were leading the way of its use and even promoting it!
First and foremost, we have to ask ourselves this.. even if the 'tasbih'(zikr beads) are made from wood of Prophet Noah's ark, why would it have some sort of charm? It is plainly just a piece of wood. Its 'ancestors' possibly had a hand in the Ark but what's the link? It is just linked by name and that's the end of it. There's not even a source from the hadith, saying about the benefits of "the wood of the ark"!
Think about Prophet Noah's ark. What made Prophet Noah choose that sort of wood? What made the ark float and withstand the great flood? What saved Prophet Noah and his followers?
Is it the ark? Or the wood that it is made out of? Or Prophet Noah's intelligence?
The answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE.. All of it is due to Allah Almighty. Nothing is possible without Allah's help.
Even if we talk about Prophet Moses's cane, is it the magical cane or Allah that helped Prophet Moses dividing the sea, creating an escape path thus saving them from Pharoah? The cane is just used as a means and Allah is behind all of it.
Whenever we need help from Allah, we don't have to use any form of medium to make our prayers more heard or granted.. we just supplicate directly to Allah s.w.t.. As explained in an article by Dr MAZA entitled,"Allah Tidak Jauh, Doa Sentiasa Mustajab" Link here!
...Allah itu sentiasa hampir dengan kita, mendengar dan memperkenankan doa kita. Sesiapapun boleh sampai kepada-Nya. Tiada pengawal atau orang tengah yang menghalang seorang hamba untuk merintih dan merayu kepada Tuhannya. Siapapun hamba itu..
...Dia menyuruh kita berdoa dan membanyakkan doa. Ini kerana doa adalah lambang kehambaan diri kepada zat yang Maha Agung. Allah berfirman (maksudnya): Dan apabila hamba-hamba-Ku bertanya kepadamu mengenai Aku maka (beritahu kepada mereka): Sesungguhnya Aku (Allah) sentiasa hampir (kepada mereka); Aku perkenankan permohonan orang yang berdoa apabila dia berdoa kepada-Ku. Maka hendaklah mereka menyahut seruan-Ku (dengan mematuhi perintah-Ku), dan hendaklah mereka beriman kepada-Ku supaya mereka mendapat petunjuk (surah al-Baqarah: 186)
...Namun doa tidak sia-sia. Pahala tetap diberikan, kebaikan yang lain pula akan diganti di dunia dan di akhirat. Sabda Nabi: Tiada seorang muslim yang berdoa dengan suatu doa yang tiada dalamnya dosa, atau memutuskan silaturahim melainkan Allah akan memberikan kepadanya salah satu dari tiga perkara: sama ada disegerakan kemakbulan atau disimpan untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat, ataupun dijauhkan keburukan yang sepandan dengannya. (Riwayat Ahmad, al-Bazzar dan Abu Ya'la dengan sanad yang sahih). Maka, ada doa kita kepada Allah diterima olehnya di dunia. Ada yang tidak diberi disebabkan hikmat yang Allah lebih mengetahuinya, lalu disimpan doa itu di sisi-Nya untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat dengan yang lebih baik dan lebih utama untuk kita. Atau doa itu ditukar dengan kebaikan-kebaikan yang lain seperti diselamatkan kita dari pelbagai bahaya yang sebahagian besarnya tidak pernah diduga...to read more, Link here!
Thankfully, alhamdulillah, with Allah's help, I managed to realize my mistake and stopped using the 'kokka zikr beads' about two years before this article came out, as soon as I realized its misleading facts. However, it was quite hard back then to convince others to stop from believing about its 'usefulness'. I hope that now, they will realize and practice a more accurate form of ibadah, Ameen, insya Allah. And since now, we know that Prophet Noah's Ark is probably made from "Pine Cypress" wood, I hope that zikr beads made from "Pine Cypress" wood doesn't surface in the near future.. Hmm..
And Allah(s.w.t) knows best.
RM8.1 JUTA LEBUR DEK KOKKA
KUALA LUMPUR: Sepuluh tahun, RM8.1 juta ($3.5 juta).
Secara purata, begitulah banyaknya wang rakyat Malaysia yang 'lebur' gara-gara memiliki kayu kokka, lapor akhbar Metro Ahad semalam.
Menurut akhbar itu, kayu kokka sepatutnya diubah namanya kepada 'kayu kokak' (tidak berguna) kerana kajian terperinci mendapati kayu kokka sebenarnya tidak wujud dan sengaja diperkenalkan semata-mata untuk tujuan perniagaan.
Seorang peniaga kayu kokka, Encik Abdul Jasman Ahmad, 38 tahun, berkata kayu kokka mula dibawa masuk ke Malaysia menerusi seorang warga Turki pada 1998.
'Ketika itu nilainya sangat mahal. Seutas tasbih kayu kokka yang mempunyai 33 biji boleh dijual dengan harga sehingga RM1,800, manakala tasbih 100 biji boleh dijual sehingga RM2,500,' kata beliau.
Encik Abdul Jasman berkata pada 2003, sambutan terhadap kayu kokka sangat luar biasa sehingga rakannya berhasil menjual sehingga RM1 juta.
Kepalsuan kayu kokka dibongkar seorang Ahli Etnologi, Dr Abdul Manan Embong, yang melakukan kajian selama setahun bersama pakarpakar antarabangsa.
Mereka ialah Pakar Geomologi dan Mineral Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr Hisham Hashim; Pakar Botani dari Mesir, Profesor Dr Mohammad Shakran Shuhatah; Profesor Ali Akbar Zurillah dari Bahagian Kajian Penyelidikan Geologi Turki dan penceramah bebas serta penulis, Ahmad Shukri Ghazali Siraj.
Kajian di negara yang dikatakan mempunyai pokok kokka seperti Mesir, Jordan, Turki dan Iran itu mendapati tidak pernah wujud nama kokka.
Menurut Abdul Manan, kayu kokka sebenarnya diperolehi daripada spesies pokok palma Attalea funifera yang tumbuh di Brazil.
'Tiada bukti kayu kokka ada khasiat tertentu,' kata beliau.
Ia juga tiada kaitan dengan bahtera kerana yang digunakan Nabi Nuh bagi membina bahtera ialah daripada pokok Pine Cypress yang tumbuh di pergunungan Ararat, Turki.
Just to add - Are there people in Singapore who were influenced by the 'kokka' phenomenon? From what I know, the answer is yes. Regretfully, I was one of those influenced. Back then I was quite ignorant about my own religion and alhamdulillah, not long after, while I was researching and relearning about Islam, I realized that the 'kokka' tasbih(zikr beads) is misleading in a sense that people actually believe that it has traces of 'berkat' or some sort of good charm as it is said to have come from the wood of Prophet Noah's ark. That was one of the main reasons why people would pay a hefty sum for a 100 beads 'tasbih'(zikr beads) of good quality. If it has the ability to bring you closer to Allah or make your supplications granted why not, right? Furthermore, the belief in its use is made greater due to a number of influential religious leaders who were leading the way of its use and even promoting it!
First and foremost, we have to ask ourselves this.. even if the 'tasbih'(zikr beads) are made from wood of Prophet Noah's ark, why would it have some sort of charm? It is plainly just a piece of wood. Its 'ancestors' possibly had a hand in the Ark but what's the link? It is just linked by name and that's the end of it. There's not even a source from the hadith, saying about the benefits of "the wood of the ark"!
Think about Prophet Noah's ark. What made Prophet Noah choose that sort of wood? What made the ark float and withstand the great flood? What saved Prophet Noah and his followers?
Is it the ark? Or the wood that it is made out of? Or Prophet Noah's intelligence?
The answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE.. All of it is due to Allah Almighty. Nothing is possible without Allah's help.
Even if we talk about Prophet Moses's cane, is it the magical cane or Allah that helped Prophet Moses dividing the sea, creating an escape path thus saving them from Pharoah? The cane is just used as a means and Allah is behind all of it.
Whenever we need help from Allah, we don't have to use any form of medium to make our prayers more heard or granted.. we just supplicate directly to Allah s.w.t.. As explained in an article by Dr MAZA entitled,"Allah Tidak Jauh, Doa Sentiasa Mustajab" Link here!
...Allah itu sentiasa hampir dengan kita, mendengar dan memperkenankan doa kita. Sesiapapun boleh sampai kepada-Nya. Tiada pengawal atau orang tengah yang menghalang seorang hamba untuk merintih dan merayu kepada Tuhannya. Siapapun hamba itu..
...Dia menyuruh kita berdoa dan membanyakkan doa. Ini kerana doa adalah lambang kehambaan diri kepada zat yang Maha Agung. Allah berfirman (maksudnya): Dan apabila hamba-hamba-Ku bertanya kepadamu mengenai Aku maka (beritahu kepada mereka): Sesungguhnya Aku (Allah) sentiasa hampir (kepada mereka); Aku perkenankan permohonan orang yang berdoa apabila dia berdoa kepada-Ku. Maka hendaklah mereka menyahut seruan-Ku (dengan mematuhi perintah-Ku), dan hendaklah mereka beriman kepada-Ku supaya mereka mendapat petunjuk (surah al-Baqarah: 186)
...Namun doa tidak sia-sia. Pahala tetap diberikan, kebaikan yang lain pula akan diganti di dunia dan di akhirat. Sabda Nabi: Tiada seorang muslim yang berdoa dengan suatu doa yang tiada dalamnya dosa, atau memutuskan silaturahim melainkan Allah akan memberikan kepadanya salah satu dari tiga perkara: sama ada disegerakan kemakbulan atau disimpan untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat, ataupun dijauhkan keburukan yang sepandan dengannya. (Riwayat Ahmad, al-Bazzar dan Abu Ya'la dengan sanad yang sahih). Maka, ada doa kita kepada Allah diterima olehnya di dunia. Ada yang tidak diberi disebabkan hikmat yang Allah lebih mengetahuinya, lalu disimpan doa itu di sisi-Nya untuk diberikan pada hari akhirat dengan yang lebih baik dan lebih utama untuk kita. Atau doa itu ditukar dengan kebaikan-kebaikan yang lain seperti diselamatkan kita dari pelbagai bahaya yang sebahagian besarnya tidak pernah diduga...to read more, Link here!
Thankfully, alhamdulillah, with Allah's help, I managed to realize my mistake and stopped using the 'kokka zikr beads' about two years before this article came out, as soon as I realized its misleading facts. However, it was quite hard back then to convince others to stop from believing about its 'usefulness'. I hope that now, they will realize and practice a more accurate form of ibadah, Ameen, insya Allah. And since now, we know that Prophet Noah's Ark is probably made from "Pine Cypress" wood, I hope that zikr beads made from "Pine Cypress" wood doesn't surface in the near future.. Hmm..
And Allah(s.w.t) knows best.
RM8.1 JUTA LEBUR DEK KOKKA
KUALA LUMPUR: Sepuluh tahun, RM8.1 juta ($3.5 juta).
Secara purata, begitulah banyaknya wang rakyat Malaysia yang 'lebur' gara-gara memiliki kayu kokka, lapor akhbar Metro Ahad semalam.
Menurut akhbar itu, kayu kokka sepatutnya diubah namanya kepada 'kayu kokak' (tidak berguna) kerana kajian terperinci mendapati kayu kokka sebenarnya tidak wujud dan sengaja diperkenalkan semata-mata untuk tujuan perniagaan.
Seorang peniaga kayu kokka, Encik Abdul Jasman Ahmad, 38 tahun, berkata kayu kokka mula dibawa masuk ke Malaysia menerusi seorang warga Turki pada 1998.
'Ketika itu nilainya sangat mahal. Seutas tasbih kayu kokka yang mempunyai 33 biji boleh dijual dengan harga sehingga RM1,800, manakala tasbih 100 biji boleh dijual sehingga RM2,500,' kata beliau.
Encik Abdul Jasman berkata pada 2003, sambutan terhadap kayu kokka sangat luar biasa sehingga rakannya berhasil menjual sehingga RM1 juta.
Kepalsuan kayu kokka dibongkar seorang Ahli Etnologi, Dr Abdul Manan Embong, yang melakukan kajian selama setahun bersama pakarpakar antarabangsa.
Mereka ialah Pakar Geomologi dan Mineral Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr Hisham Hashim; Pakar Botani dari Mesir, Profesor Dr Mohammad Shakran Shuhatah; Profesor Ali Akbar Zurillah dari Bahagian Kajian Penyelidikan Geologi Turki dan penceramah bebas serta penulis, Ahmad Shukri Ghazali Siraj.
Kajian di negara yang dikatakan mempunyai pokok kokka seperti Mesir, Jordan, Turki dan Iran itu mendapati tidak pernah wujud nama kokka.
Menurut Abdul Manan, kayu kokka sebenarnya diperolehi daripada spesies pokok palma Attalea funifera yang tumbuh di Brazil.
'Tiada bukti kayu kokka ada khasiat tertentu,' kata beliau.
Ia juga tiada kaitan dengan bahtera kerana yang digunakan Nabi Nuh bagi membina bahtera ialah daripada pokok Pine Cypress yang tumbuh di pergunungan Ararat, Turki.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)