Death

The smartest Mukminun are those who are most in:
1) remembrance of death
2) preparation for the Hereafter

Since I came back from the Hajj, there has been a few deaths of friends and people close to them. First it was one of our room-mates in Makkah and Madinah, who was sick most of the time in the cities; and most recently it was my colleague's mother, who had a stroke last week.

My colleague's mother passed away last night. With three other colleagues, I went to pay the family a visit today. It took us more than 3 hours to reach their hometown, so we missed the salatul janazah.

The mother seemed to have lost her spirit after the death of her husband about two years ago. I imagine she knew she had completed her work in this world, and there was nothing else to look forward to other than meeting Allah.

When my time nears, would I be able to look back at my life and be contented with how it was spent, and be ready for the next one?

Some Advice to the Muslim Women

Some Advice to the Muslim Women - Shaykh Khalid Yasin
(Recorded in Sydney, 2003)

(When I saw him in a lecture last year, I couldn't help thinking of Malcolm X!)

A Muslim woman is the "Sidratul Tayyiba" (goodly tree) who has the commitment to:
- wear hijab and keep herself pure
- fulfill the obligations to worship Allah, study Quran, follow Sunnah
- stay dignified, serve husband without complaints, raise children Islamically
- engage in remembrance in Allah, purge immorality from home

In other words, bears goodly fruits.

Men cannot do what women do day in day out.

Complaints

Rasul said "These are not the best amongst you" when women complained about things. "These" could mean both ways: the men that were the cause of the complaints, and the women who made the complaints.

Take your complaints to the right people. Don't spread them to others, gossipping etc.

Be careful with whatever you do, as the children watch and learn from you 24hr/day.

Awrah

Clothes should:
- cover the entire body, except hand & face (that's the minimum). It's best to cover the face as well.
- not reveal shape of body, or be transparent and show the skin
- not resemble women of jahiliyyah. For example, designer clothes with cross as head scarf!
- not imitate men's

- Women shall not wear make-up, pluck eyebrows, or wear perfumes
- Voice is also awrah - talk in straightforward manner, and do not "decorate" your speech

Guard yourself.

At Home

Women are in charge inside the house. They do not HAVE to do any work in the house. Men are the qawwamun = maintainer of (i.e responsible for) the women. Men are not the commander, demanding to be served this and that. If men want someone to do household work, then hire a servant. Getting married does not mean getting a slave.

But when women do the household duties to please the husbands, it's a blessing for them from Allah. The husbands should appreciate their contributions in the house and reward them.

And women protect the home. They are the homeline defense.

Guard the home, children, his secrets, and yourself.

Equality

Men & women are created from one single soul (Al-Nisaa'). Equal in the sight of Allah, regarding their piety; but different in rights, responsibilities, anatomy, psychology.

Roles

Remember your roles: chief role of raising children, cultivating home, preparing the next generation. Women can go out to work only when it does not compromise these responsibilities.

Pursue proper knowledge. You are the teacher of the children.

Community

Women are the 1st support for the community. Form a pro-active committee to improve things - in the masjid for example. Don't just complain. Advise each other against badmouthing others. Get training in da'wah so that you can reach to other women, esp new reverts and on-muslimah.

Be aware of deviations, chauvanism, personal interests, rebellion (case in point: against polygamy).

Polygamy

The woman who controls her jealousy will get the same reward as the man who controls his
fear of going for jihad. Women:men ratio in US: 2.5/1. This does not include gays, in jail, playboys, etc! In short, there are not many real MEN around!

If your husband is not so decent, don't complain. Polish him up. Encourage him to pray, read Quran, do good, etc.

Q&A

The idea of decent men capable of polygamy

- There's no hard and fast rule for a man's "entitlement" of polygamy.
- Fair in regards to $ and time. Give according to ratio (eg: # of children). Brothers be careful with those rights and the time. It will be judged by Allah.
- The husband does not have to ask for the wife's permission to take another wife. But he SHOULD.

The meaning of "fully dress but naked"
= covering women who do not behave in accordance to Islam

How to advise non-covering sisters
- It's the responsibility of their guardians (father, husband, brother etc)
- Others may advise them nicely. And be patient

Conditions of marriageable women of ahlul-kitab:
- virgin
- chaste
- not musyrikat (associating others w/ Allah)
Very risky, especially if living in non-Muslim society. 7 of 10 men lose the children due to divorce, and they grow up as non-Muslims.

Parting advice:

• Fear Allah
• Ask Allah for all your needs
• Be careful
• Look to your behavior

Faith is Action

Masjid S.A.Aziz, PJ
Sahih Bukhari

Ustaz Asri is one of my favorite da'i! :-) He is passionate, his argument is founded, his explanation is clear.

Faith is action (good deeds), not just saying we have faith.

Narrated Abu Huraira, Allah's Messenger was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad)." The questioner then asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To participate in Jihad (holy war - religous fighting) in Allah's Cause." The questioner again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied "To perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Makka) Mabrur (which is accepted by Allah and is performed with the intention of seeking Allah's Pleasure only and not to show off and without committing any sin, and in accordance with the legal way of the Prophet)".

So there comes the topic of jihad, an infamous word nowadays. The word "jihad" mentioned in the Quran and ahadith is always with the meaning of going out to fight for Islam. The downplayed version of jihad in the saying "The greatest jihad is against one's nafs (desires)" is NOT a hadith. It's an athar (saying of a Companion), and even so it means that holy war won't be accomplished if the fight against our own desires is not successful yet. So start with fighting our nafs first.

Why does Islam go to war? Not because we want to force people to become Muslims (there is no compulsion in religion), but because we fight those who oppress us and those who are against the spread of The Message of Islam. That's why Muslims fought the musyrikin in Makkah, who oppressed the Prophet and his followers.

Muslims are obligated to be fair, even to non-Muslims. Look around, non-Muslims can live safely in a Muslim majority - for example: the Jews in Egypt (look at them when they tried to live in Europe), Georgia in Eastern Europe, or any Ah Chongs or Muthus in Malay villages! Not otherwise - for example: Bosnia, Muslims minority in Philippines, and other Muslim minorities in some parts of Indonesia.

Let's ask ourselves, how much do we do for the sake of Allah? Companions who are guaranteed Paradise did a lot more for Islam then we do. This is real servitude and love for Allah.

What about us? How much do we spend our wealth, time, and energy for Islam? Don't we have more food than we can eat, more clothes than we can wear? (and sometimes more cars and houses than we can fully utilize?). There's a lot to do to help spread the message of Islam. It is our responsibilities as the khalifah (vicegerent). Rasulullah said there are two things we take for granted the most: our health and our free time. What do we do with that? This is not even to go fighting!

Faith is until we fight for the sake of Allah. Otherwise it's just belief.

Commands to the Believers

Some commands to the believers:

"O you who believe! Eat not Ribâ (usury) doubled and multiplied, but fear Allâh that you may be successful.

And fear the Fire, which is prepared for the disbelievers.

And obey Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that you may obtain mercy.
And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).

Those who spend (in Allâh’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers).

And those who, when they have committed Fâhishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allâh and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allâh - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.

For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allâh’s Orders)."

(Al-'Imran/3:130-133)

Why the West is Coming to Islam

This recording was shown on the ART Channel last night. It was held in Kuala Lumpur. I think the talk was quite some time ago, as the MC looked very familiar.. and as I was struggling to remember... the name displayed "Dr Amir Farid Ishak" (he was then the President of an Islamic propagation organization). Oh no wonder.. I have not done any Qi Gong exercises for quite some time now, no wonder my brain is lacking energy! ;-)

Why the West is Coming to Islam by Dr Zakir Naik

The reason in one sentence: Islam has the solution to the problems of the West, because Islam is for both the body and soul.

Islam means "peace", acquired from "submission to Allah".

And the book of Islam, Al-Quran, is the most positive book.

Factors within the West:

i) The west is open-minded

Our job is to deliver the message, and it is Allah who gives hidayah.

"This is the guidance of Allah: He giveth that guidance to whom He pleaseth, of His worshippers.." (Al-An'am/17:88)

Also, it is easier for converts in the West than those in the East. There's less social and financial consequences to the converts in Germany, compared to those in India, for example.

ii) Advance is science and technology

The West believes in science, and the Quran is far superior than science. That makes Islam attractive to them.

iii) Reason and logic

The West thinks with reason and logic. They don't take things on blind faith. Islam is a religion with reasons and logic.

"Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) 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 the Best Aware of those who are guided." (Al-Nahl/16:125)

"Thus Allâh makes clear His Ayât (Laws) to you, in order that you may understand." (Al-Baqarah/2:242)

"This (Qur’an) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only One Ilâh (God - Allâh) - (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh) - and that men of understanding may take heed." (Ibrahim/14:52)

Falsification Test is a method of scientific proof, and the Quran has this

"Do they not then consider the Qur’ân carefully? Had it been from other than Allâh, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction." (An-Nisa/4:82)


Problems and respective solutions

1. Materialism

"O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the Way of Allâh (i.e. Allâh’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism). And those who hoard up gold and silver [Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakât of which has not been paid] and spend them not in the Way of Allâh, announce unto them a painful torment." (At-Taubah/9:34-35)

... to be continued


Wallahu'alam. Any mistakes are mine.

Friends

The school holiday the last two weeks also meant the holiday of regular classes at Menara Polo and Akademi Al-Nidaa' as well. It's kind of boring but the good thing is that I had some extra time to read books. Alhamdulillah.

Here's an interesting point from The Ideal Muslimah (by Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi):

It's important to keep company with good people. True friends, give good advice, nudge us when we need it, help us be in the Straight Path. Friends can be very influential to us. Allah-fearing friends will not betray us in word or deed.

The Companions always reminded each other to increase their faith and to remember Allah.

"And keep yourself (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, and who follows his own lusts, and whose affair (deeds) has been lost." (Al-Kahf/18:28)

Be in an environment which will help increase our faith and piety. Attend gatherings wherein the hearts are softened, the souls are purified, and the whole beings are filled with the joy of faith.

That's what we can do, the rest is in the Hands of Allah.

May Allah bless my wonderful friends!

Al-'Ubudiyyah

"Al-'Ubudiyyah: Being a True Slave of Allah" by Ibn Taymiyyah
(The English translation by Nasiruddin al-Khattab)

(I just realized I was infringing on the publisher's rights by putting some content of the book in this blog the past week. So I'll write a summary to replace those postings)

WORSHIP

"O mankind! Worship your Lord .." (Al-Baqarah/2:21)
- What is worship?
- What is the real essence of 'ubudiyyah (enslavement to Allah)?

'Ibadah is a kind of worship that combines the utmost humility and the utmost love for Allah.

LOVE

What is the utmost love? The highest degree of love is total enthralment, the lowest is attachment. Infatuation, passion, and ardent love are somewhere in between. Enthralment is like enslavement to the beloved, whatever the beloved may be (person, material). If we are enslaved by created beings, our hearts will be dominated by Syaitan.

Allah is our Lord and we are His slaves. "He has tasted the sweetness of faith, who accepts Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad as his Prophet" (Muslim)

Manifestation of Love

Allah must be dearer than anything else to us. "Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline; or the dwellings in which you delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause - then wait until Allah brings about His Decision .." (At-Tawbah/9:24)

"There are three things, whoever has them has discovered the sweetness of faith: when Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than anyone else, when he loves another only for the sake of Allah, and when he would hate to return to kufr after Allah has saved him from it just as he would hate to be thrown into fire." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Loyalty

True love can only be perfected by loyalty to the beloved, by loving what he loves and hating what he hates. Allah loves iman (faith) and taqwa (piety), and He hates kufr, immorality and sin.

Love and hate for the sake of Allah. "Whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah, and withholds for the sake of Allah, has perfected his faith." (Abu Dawud)

Enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil as much as we can. Strive in jihad against the enemies of Islam, support the friends of Allah and oppose His enemies. Love and fight and hate for the sake of Allah, as Allah says in Al-Mumtahinah/60:1-4.

SINCERITY

".. that He may try which of you is best in deed" (Al-Mulk/67:2). "Best in deed" means: most sincere - only for Allah; and most correct - in accordance with the Sunnah. So in essence, our ibadah must adhere to two aspects:

1) Sincerely for Allah alone.
Allah says: ".. whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner." (Al-Kahf/18:110)

2) Following the way He Himself has prescribed

Sincerity increases the 'ubudiyyah and makes perfect the servitude towards Allah. To love Allah is to gain Allah's pleasure and love for us. Allah says in a hadith qudsi: ".. If he draws near Me a hand's span, I draw near to him an arm's length; and if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Seek only from Allah

Understand the true meaning of "You do we worship, and Your help we seek" (Al-Fatihah/1:5). He is our only ilah, and our only Rabb.

Seek sustenance only from Allah. ".. Then seek sustenance with Allah, worship Him, and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return." (Al-Ankabut/29 : 17).

Look at created being with the light of Allah. Everything that we see in His creations should increase the sincerity and submission of our hearts, and reinforce our faith and our worship of Him alone.

Place our hope in Allah with regard to His creation,
but do not place our hope in created beings with regard to our duties towards Allah.


SUMMARY

The more we love Allah, the more we increase our servitude, until Allah is the priority over all else. The heart can only be sound, happy, pleased, at peace, and tranquil, by worshipping its Lord, loving Him, and returning to Him.

Allah loves the pious who fear Him, do good, are patient, and turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves. "Who feared (Allah) Most Gracious unseen, and brought a heart turned in devotion (to Him)." (Qaf/50:33)

The good heart strives for the delights of the sweetness of faith which includes
1) servitude to, 2) love for, and 3) sincerity towards, Allah.

The aim is a level of perfection of love for Allah, whereby the desire is to worship Him alone.

Worship, fear, and piety are only for Allah,
but obedience and love are for Allah and His Messenger.

"It is such as obey Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah and do right, that will win (in the end)." (Al-Nur/24:52)

Charity

"and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good" (Al-Munafiqun/63 : 10)

Whenever we get some money, remember we would be asked how we spent it.

When we die, it's always too late.

"And who doth more wrong than one who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, but turns away from them, .." (Al-Kahf/18 : 57)