Long absence ... from a lot of things... mainly internet, and computer. So much has been happening in the news that it was overwhelming enough to stay away for a while.
Another final due next week (mine) and then it will be preps, preps, preps for the vacations.
Anyways, regarding the current events, our teacher shared a few points from a series of lectures that she attended. I would like to share these with you also.
BACKGROUND:
Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) is the last of all prophets and the seal of prophet-hood. As a Muslim, we believe that Allah sent a number of prophets over the ages from Prophet Adam (elayhay salam) up to Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam), a number that is approximately 125,000. We respect all these prophets equally, be it Adam, Abraham, Ismael, Issac, Moses, Jesus (elay salam). Islam does not allow anyone to make pictures, sketches or statues or whatever of any of the prophets or companions of the prophets or any religious figures because Shaitan(satan) used this method to promote idol-ism and the like over the ages.
Ever since the becoming a prophet, Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) has been ridiculed, mocked, attacked, poisoned and hurt in words, deeds and actions. Despite all this, he did not give in or give up. In this alone, is an example for us to carry on.
In the recent years, from time to time, someone or the other stands up and makes a figure or cartoon or whatever suits their fancy like writing a book or making a movie, and either publishes, promotes or spreads it around. Understandably, Muslims, even of the weakest of faith are disturbed by it.
This year, it happened again, on one of the famous website frequented by 47% Muslims on a daily basis. Despite protest, when it wasn't removed, various Ulema (scholars) of Islam advised the Muslims to stop using that website, which they did. Some however were confused and were of the opinion that giving up the website is not the right way to go, as then who would stay behind and explain the real situation to those who were doing all this.
The scholars whom I heard or read about, ALL advised to leave that website and to stop using it (which I did) but then there was something that was bothering me about not having done anything, and this is where what my teacher said that helped.
SITUATION OF CURRENT MUSLIMS:
Ask any Muslim and s/he will say that they love our Prophet (salAllahu elayhay wasalam). Loving our Propher (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) is a very important part of faith, as according to the Quran and hadith:
QUR'AN CHAPTER 9: AL-TAWBA (REPENTANCE) Verse 24
Say, "If your fathers, and your sons, and your brothers, and your wives, and your tribe, and your acquired wealth, and the trade in which you fear a loss, and the houses of your liking - if all these are dearer to you than Allah and His Noble Messenger and fighting in His way, then wait until Allah brings about His command; and Allah does not guide the sinful."
Bukhari(Book #78, Hadith #628)
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Hisham: We were with the Prophet and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-khattab. 'Umar said to Him, "O Allah's Apostle! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self."
The Prophet said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self."
Then 'Umar said to him, "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self." The Prophet said, "Now, O 'Umar, (now you are a believer)."
We all SAY that oh yes, we love our Prophet (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) but do we even know him enough? Do we know his full name? Do we know the names of his family members? his Children? his grandchildren? Do we know his favorite food, drink, perfume, dress, color, animal, friends, season, and so one? Our prophet (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) used to name everything, his goat, his camels, his swords, everything, so do we know those names? More than 80% (or more) of us will not know.
If you study the history of Islam, you will see a pattern in the Rise and Fall of Islam over the years, and looking at this pattern, the scholars have declared that we are currently among the lowest of the lows in Islam.
Sad?
Shocked?
( I was!)
One example from history was that of the Commander Salahuddin Ayuobi. He was one of the commanders of Islam at the time of crusades and he conquered Jerusalem and got back the control of Masjid Al Aqsa. His generation did not just happen to be among the best of Muslims, it was raised to be so by the will of Allah and the wisdom of his grandfather, Shadhi ibn Marwan, who was aware of the fact that the generation of his time was among the lowest of lows, and in order for them to achieve glory, they needed to raise a generation that will raise the generation that will lead Islam to glory and victory.
Can you find me a handful of 16 year olds who will be able to lead an army, the likes of Usamah bin Zaid or even Mohammad bin Qasim? You will be able to find bunch upon bunch of teenagers who will be able to plan a party at the drop of a hat. We have no one to blame but ourselves for where we stand right now or where we are headed. Allah does not give Hidayah to those who do not want it, so first of all, we need to amend our ways and seek guidance from Allah wholeheartedly.
PLAN OF ACTION:
Now if you are the lowest of lows, first accept it. Face it. Now strive to better yourself.
A few point to do this are as follows:
1) Learn about your deen (way of life) which is Islam.
2) Get guidance of Allah through the book of Allah (Quran). The sahaba karam (companions) (raziAllah anhum ajmaeen) of our Prophet (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) were so attached to Quran that they used to say, if I loose my camel, I will look in the Quran to know where to find it.
Recite it, memorize it, read the tafseer, and if possible try to learn Arabic, so as to get the maximum benefit to know the words of Allah in the language that Allah chose. A lot is lost in translation, so do not rely solely on translation, unless of course, you are still in the process of learning.
3) Make your foundation firm and strong. Islam is based on five pillars - Shahada, Salah, Saum, Zakah, and Hajj. Some of us are struggling with these five only, while some of us are content with these five only. The point to remember here is that all these are only pillars. Any building needs a foundation, but no one in their right mind, will make a foundation and then sit back and start living in it. The house needs to be constructed on it, and once constructed it needs proper maintenance and care, if it is expected to survive the tests of time.
Again, looking back at the example of the Sahaba Karam (raziAllah anhum ajmaeen), even if the strap of their shoe broke, they used to pray two rakah salah and ask Allah for it, before venturing out to get it fixed BECAUSE again, it is our faith that everything happens by the Will of Allah and we need to seek protection and guidance of Allah at all times.
4) For the third generation from now to be inshaAllah as the likes of the Tabaeen (the generation that came after the Sahaba karam ajmaeen), we need to work for it today.
Focus on your siblings, your spouses and your children, especially your daughters. Our daughters will be the mothers of the generation that is expected to bring about the glory, so they need to be strong in faith, deen and ilm.
* If you are unmarried, teach whatever you know to your parents and your siblings and those in your care.
* If you are married, teach your spouse and help each other learn and follow Islam. Read the Seerat-un-Nabi (the Life of our Prophet salAllahu elayhay wasalam) and also the life of the Ummahat-ul-Momineen.
* If you have children, read to them the stories of the Sahaba karam ajmaeen. There is so much to learn from the Commanders of Islam, and our children will benefit from them inshaAllah. Teach them Quran, Islam, and for recreation, horse-riding and swimming to keep them physically fit.
MEANWHILE:
Continue on with the boycott of all those who continue to make fun, mock Islam and whatever. Some of us have the opinion that these people are ignorant and they do these hurtful things because they dont know about our religion or our Prophet salAllahu elayhay wasalam. To these, please hear this also.
if you think that IF THEY HAD KNOWN HIM, THEY WOULD HAVE LOVED HIM, see what the Quran says in Surah Al-Baqarah (the Cow):
145. Even if thou wert to bring to the people of the Book all the Signs (together), they would not follow Thy Qibla; nor art thou going to follow their Qibla; nor indeed will they follow each other's Qibla. If thou after the knowledge hath reached thee, Wert to follow their (vain) desires,-then wert thou Indeed (clearly) in the wrong.
146. The people of the Book know this as they know their own sons; but some of them conceal the truth which they themselves know.
147. The Truth is from thy Lord; so be not at all in doubt.
At the time of the birth of our Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam), the people of the book KNEW that the last prophet had come. Their books provided ample descriptions of the last prophet, and many among them, who knew, converted to Islam.
If you read the seerah of our Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam), you will find out that while there were those like Hazrat Salman Farsi razi Allahu anhu, who waited for more than a century for the last prophet and then converted to Islam, and like Abdullah ibn Salam the former jewish rabbi, in the times of our
Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam), to name just a few. There were also those who knew, YET CHOSE NOT TO ACCEPT, because of their arrogance and reliance on their own race.
The father and uncle of Hazrat Safiyah raziAllah anha, one of the Ummhat-ul-Momineen, were non-Muslims. Saffiyah says, "I was my father's and my uncle's favorite child. When the Messenger of Allah came to Madinah and stayed at Quba, my parents went to him at night and when they looked disconcerted and worn out. I received them cheerfully but to my surprise no one of them turned to me. They were so grieved that they did not feel my presence. I heard my uncle, Abu Yasir, saying to my father, 'Is it really him?' He said, 'Yes, by Allah'. My uncle said: 'Can you recognize him and confirm this?' He said, 'Yes'. My uncle said, 'How do you feel towards him?' He said, 'By Allah I shall be his enemy as long as I live.'" [ Ibn Hisham, As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah, vol. 2, pp. 257-258]
It is the same sort of people who continue doing all sorts of hurtful things, time and time again, just to anger, hurt or dissuade Muslims from doing what they have being sent for.
So please, if you want to educate all such people, you NEED to know our Prophet Mohammad (salAllahu elayhay wasalam) first and foremost and to LOVE him with all your heart, more than your parents, your family, your tribe, your race, your country, your case, your creed, your ethnicity and anything and everything else that you love more than him.
May Allah guide us all towards the right path and give us Kaamil Emaan and help us remain steadfast of it. Ameen.
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