Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality Topics: Quran Views: 13219
13219
`Ummah-itis` - Affliction or affirmation of faith?
Witnessing the utter devastation of the December 2004 Tsunami takes my breath away each and every time. I have continually stressed that the faith-affiliations of the victims is completely immaterial. White, black, yellow, brown; Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist; it makes absolutely no difference. Fellow human beings have suffered tragic deaths, and it is our obligation to help them.
That being said, it has not escaped my mind's eye that the majority of victims are Muslim. They are my brothers and sisters, as the Quran tells me: "The Believers are but a single brotherhood..." (Quran 49:10). Whenever a Muslim suffers, it is my duty to help them as well. Why? Because the Muslims are one nation, or ummah: ""Verily, this nation (lit., "ummah") of yours is one nation (lit., "ummah") and I am your Lord, therefore serve Me" (Quran 21:92).
The Quran stresses this fact again and again: "Verily this nation of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord, therefore fear Me" (Quran 23:52). Also read: "The Believers, men and women, are protectors of one another..." (Quran 9:71). The sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are full of traditions that detail how the Muslims are supposed to care about one another. In one of these, the Prophet said, "None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself" (Bukhari, Muslim). In another saying, the Prophet said: "A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he neither oppresses him nor does he fail him..." (Muslim). In fact, the Prophet characterized the "ummah" as one body, and when one part is injured, the entire body feels the pain.
This fact explains why I was deeply offended by the comments of a RAND Corporation senior analyst. During a day long program sponsored by the New America Foundation and the NYU Law Center entitled, "Al Qaeda 2.0: Transnational Terrorism After 9/11," he said that one of the problems of today's Muslims is "Ummah-itis," a phenomenon of Muslims caring about what is happening to other Muslims around the world. The ending "itis" is Greek for "inflammation," and the connotation of "Ummah-itis" is that this caring for Muslims on the part of other Muslims is an affliction, a disease. Moreover, I understood his comments to mean that this "Ummah-itis" contributes to transnational "Islamic" terror.
Therefore, according to this analyst, my distress here in America at the murder and rape of Muslims in Bosnia; my disquiet for the oppression of Muslims in Palestine; my deep melancholy at the deaths of Muslims in Darfur; all these things are symptoms of a disease called "Ummah-itis." A complete fallacy. My concern about the suffering of other Muslims is an act of compassion for fellow believers that are denied their human rights. Caring about the welfare of fellow Muslims around the world is not an affliction, but an affirmation of faith and an integral part of the religious requirements of Islam.
This is not to say that Muslims, therefore, are free to care less about the suffering of human beings who are not Muslim. Too many Muslims have taken the verses which speak about the brotherhood of the believers to the extreme and concluded that the suffering of non-Muslims is unimportant. In fact, some even go as far as to say that a hurricane in Florida is "God's revenge" for the injustices America has committed against Muslims. I have said before--and say again--that this is callous and wrong.
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Five times a day Muslims all over the world turn in prayer towards the first house of worship (the Kaba) in Makkah in submission to God. |
On the contrary, Muslims must take their compassion for fellow Muslims to the next level and work to stop injustice and oppression wherever it may rear its ugly head. An injustice committed against anyone anywhere must be an affront to every Muslim everywhere. The Quran says that the Muslims are "the best nation brought forth for humanity" because they enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong and believe in God (Quran 3:110). Notice that the verse says Muslims were brought forth for "humanity" and not just Muslims.
Part of the reason Muslims may have to take up arms in a just war, according to the Quran, is to protect churches, synagogues, and mosques from destruction (Quran 22:40). The Quran is unflinching in its demand for Muslims to stand up for justice for all and not just other Muslims: "Believers! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others for you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all that ye do" (Quran 5:8).
Furthermore, the religiously-mandated concern about the welfare of other Muslims must never become a pretext for committing acts of violence and terrorism. Just because the Muslims of Chechnya have been oppressed by the Russians, this in no wise justifies the wanton murder of innocent schoolchildren, their parents, and their teachers in Beslan. Just because the Muslims of the Occupied Territories have been oppressed by the Israelis, this in no wise justifies the murder of innocent civilians in a pizza parlor or on a commuter bus in Tel Aviv; this in no wise justifies attacks on synagogues and Jewish cemeteries across the globe. Just because innocent Muslim civilians in Iraq have been killed because of the Anglo-American invasion, this in no wise justifies the vicious and brutal beheading of Nicholas Berg and Ken Bigley. This point cannot be under-emphasized.
I truly hope I misunderstood the RAND Corporation analyst when he spoke of "Ummah-itis." Perhaps he meant "Ummah-itis" to be the phenomenon of which I just spoke: justifying acts of murder and terror against all Westerners because of past and present oppression of Muslims by some Westerners. If this is indeed the case, then I wholeheartedly agree that "Ummah-itis" is a problem that needs to be solved.
If, on the other hand, he meant "Ummah-itis" to be the sincere concern and worry on the part of Muslims about the suffering of other Muslims across the globe, then I vehemently disagree. If my shedding of tears of pain at the sight of Muslims being killed in Darfur is "Ummah-itis"; if my deep concern about homeless survivors of the Tsunami is "Ummah-itis"; then, I don't want to be cured.
Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago physician and writer. His forthcoming book, "The Beliefnet Guide to Islam," is due to be published by Doubleday in 2006. His blog can be visited at: www.hassaballa.org
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Older Comments:
NOOR FROM INIDA said:
The topic dicussion of regarding Wasila of prophet:i say yes i can prove from hadith which all sect of sunni believe. When we listen to adhaan afterward we have to make dua. This dua it is crystal clearly mentioned that ALLAH TO ACCEPT THE WASILA OF MOHAMMED PEACE BE UPON HIM.
2007-01-15
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
You cannot worship Allah without having love and closeness, and connection to Rasool-Allah Sal' Allahu 'Alaiyhi wa aalihi wa sallam. That is why yours and all Muslims Kalimah is La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad ar-Rasoolillah, which means there is no other god except Allah, and Muhammad IS the messenger of Allah. It does not say he WAS. He is and always will be. Without seeking his wasilah, you are leaving yourself open in the wind like a weed in the grass.
By the way, Muhammad bin Abd' al-Wahhabi al-Tamimi an-Najdi was not born 150-200 years ago, it was more than that. You are telling me I don't know about the fitnah brought forth from this man, yet you yourself don't even know your information properly. Go and browse through the previous articles before this and go and read what I know about his fitnat al-wahhabiyya. the Uthmaniyya Ottoman rulers of the Islamic world cursed him, his own BROTHER, and his own FATHER wrote books against him saying that he was making his own sect, and further to that, Muhammad bin Abd' al-Wahhabi al-Tamimi an-Najdi stated cursed Imam al-Adham Abu Hanifa, and he further than that went and said that he (ibn Wahhab) was a better Mujtahid than Imam Abu Hanifah. Be careful in what you say, and make sure you know what you're talking about before you say anything. I do not have time to debate in comments sections with internet road ragers. If you want to have further discussion about this, take it to the Islamicity Forums.
By the way, Muhammad bin Abd' al-Wahhabi al-Tamimi an-Najdi was not born 150-200 years ago, it was more than that. You are telling me I don't know about the fitnah brought forth from this man, yet you yourself don't even know your information properly. Go and browse through the previous articles before this and go and read what I know about his fitnat al-wahhabiyya. the Uthmaniyya Ottoman rulers of the Islamic world cursed him, his own BROTHER, and his own FATHER wrote books against him saying that he was making his own sect, and further to that, Muhammad bin Abd' al-Wahhabi al-Tamimi an-Najdi stated cursed Imam al-Adham Abu Hanifa, and he further than that went and said that he (ibn Wahhab) was a better Mujtahid than Imam Abu Hanifah. Be careful in what you say, and make sure you know what you're talking about before you say anything. I do not have time to debate in comments sections with internet road ragers. If you want to have further discussion about this, take it to the Islamicity Forums.
2005-04-15
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Oh ok there AC...when Nabi Muhammad Sal' Allahu 'Alaiyhi wa aalihi wa sallam, split the moon to show people his ability to perform a miracle, Allah subhanahu wa ta 'ala did bestow this capability upon the the prophet Sal' Allahu 'Alaiyhi wa aalihi wa sallam, didn't he? Does it mean that the he was telling people to worship him? I suggest you go and read Aqidah at-Tahawiyya by Imam Tahawi who was one of the Tabi'ee Tabi'een, and learn as to what karamat of the awliya, and miracles of the Anbiya are. Accusing another Muslims of shirk, is very dangerous. In fact "AC", Shirk is the only sin Allah subhanahu wa ta 'ala does not forgive. Now you tell me, if you are wrong, according to the Sunnah of Nabi Mustafa (sawaws), you are leaving yourself prone to a great sin. I suggest you be very careful in accusing fellow Muslims of shirk. La hawla wa la quwwuta illah billah. I will post a whole lot more information just so you can sit there and make sure you apologize for what you have said. I do no tolerate one bit the .. statements of people like you. Learn to LOVE Rasool-Allah (sawaws) first before you reach mujtahid status and start preaching to the world that everyone is doing shirk and only you are not. Wake up and get in touch with reality, go research about Tawassul. I suggest you begin with what ibn Taymiyya says about the intercession of the prophet (sawaws). I do not need to waste my time in showing you hadiths, I have them all ready, but I already know your prideful and stubborn self will not believe it anyways. And just for your information, there are about 6 authentic books on hadith. Bukhari and Muslim are just the most scrutinized. Some others are are Abu Dawud, Nisa'i, Tirmidhi, Imam Malik's Muwatta. Do not make statements about things if you don't have full knowledge. A person with half knowledge is nothing but the same, if not worse than a person with no knowledge. Now speak up Mr. everyone except me does shirk?
2005-04-15
AC FROM UK said:
To Akbar Khan,
Sufism and any other -ism = leads to Shirk against Allah (SWT) = leads to Kufr
Kufr = Hellfire for eternity.
So brother Akbar Khan desist form this kufr and worship Allah (SWT) alone by following the Quran and authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as documented in sahih Bukari and Muslim. These are the only two completely authentic books of Adheeth.
You would like to give the impression that you speak from a position of knowledge about Islam. But nothing could be further from the truth. You speak from a position of utter ignorance about Islam. Answer a few questions, AND PROVIDE THE EVIDENCE FROM THE QURAN AND THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET (pbuh): 1)Was Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a Sufi or did he say now become Sufis or after my death become Sufis? 2)Were his companions, who Allah (SWT) called the best of mankind, Sufis? 3)What did Umar bin Khattab say to the people in the Masjid who were doing dhkir using pebbles to count? 4)Sufis celebrate the Prophets (pbuh) birthday. Did the Prophet(pbuh)and his companions do this during the life time of the Prophet (pbuh)? 5)Did the companions do this after the Prophets, (pbuh) death? 6)Did the Prophet (pbuh) say pray to me or any other person for you prayers to be answered by Allah (SWT)instead of directly to Allah (SWT)? 7)Did the Prophet(pbuh))say that when I am dead and in my grave pray to me or other pious dead people to have your prayers answered instead of Allah (SWT)? 8) Did the Prophet (pbuh) give tahwiz or any of his companions give tahwiz? 9)What do you read when you read Surah Fatiha in every rakah of every prayer? Here's a clue since you lack knowledge:- Ayat 4 and 5; You Allah (SWT) ALONE WE WORSHIP AND YOU ALONE WE ASK FOR FORGIVESNESS AND HELP. Not some 'saint' living or dead, nor the Prophet (pbuh) in his grave or any of his companions in their graves, or any other graves no matter how pious the people buried in them were. Nor do we adorn tahwiz, which is shirk.
Sufism and any other -ism = leads to Shirk against Allah (SWT) = leads to Kufr
Kufr = Hellfire for eternity.
So brother Akbar Khan desist form this kufr and worship Allah (SWT) alone by following the Quran and authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as documented in sahih Bukari and Muslim. These are the only two completely authentic books of Adheeth.
You would like to give the impression that you speak from a position of knowledge about Islam. But nothing could be further from the truth. You speak from a position of utter ignorance about Islam. Answer a few questions, AND PROVIDE THE EVIDENCE FROM THE QURAN AND THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET (pbuh): 1)Was Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a Sufi or did he say now become Sufis or after my death become Sufis? 2)Were his companions, who Allah (SWT) called the best of mankind, Sufis? 3)What did Umar bin Khattab say to the people in the Masjid who were doing dhkir using pebbles to count? 4)Sufis celebrate the Prophets (pbuh) birthday. Did the Prophet(pbuh)and his companions do this during the life time of the Prophet (pbuh)? 5)Did the companions do this after the Prophets, (pbuh) death? 6)Did the Prophet (pbuh) say pray to me or any other person for you prayers to be answered by Allah (SWT)instead of directly to Allah (SWT)? 7)Did the Prophet(pbuh))say that when I am dead and in my grave pray to me or other pious dead people to have your prayers answered instead of Allah (SWT)? 8) Did the Prophet (pbuh) give tahwiz or any of his companions give tahwiz? 9)What do you read when you read Surah Fatiha in every rakah of every prayer? Here's a clue since you lack knowledge:- Ayat 4 and 5; You Allah (SWT) ALONE WE WORSHIP AND YOU ALONE WE ASK FOR FORGIVESNESS AND HELP. Not some 'saint' living or dead, nor the Prophet (pbuh) in his grave or any of his companions in their graves, or any other graves no matter how pious the people buried in them were. Nor do we adorn tahwiz, which is shirk.
2005-04-13
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
And neither have I Stober. I have never come across any hadith that has asked me to worship stones, graves, or prophets. What I have come across are the hadiths transmitted as sahih and even some as hasan grade, and then for a period of 1000 years, I have been reading the writings of Sunni Ulema upon seeing these hadiths, saying that to ask for the intercession of the prophet is allowed. To belive in tassawuf, which was clearly practiced by the prophet and mentioned in sahih bukhari in kitab az-zuhd, in which the purification of your lower self which is an integral part of tassawuf is clearly explained. To work on the inner aspects of yourself as well as the outer aspects.
If any of you have a problem with tassawuf, it is because you don't read books. All you keep doing is reading hadiths and qur'an on your own, and acting as if you know exactly what they mean. You know what a Muhaddith is. It is a person who is qualified in telling you the meaning of a hadith. You know what a Mufassir is? It is a person who is qualified in telling you the exegesis or explanation of a Qur'anic ayat. These people attain their levels of undersanding Qur'an and Hadith because they can give you a correct understanding of these hadiths of qur'anic ayats based on what is permissible to conclude from them. If a Qur'anic ayat says "Smite their necks," can I go by myself and without anyone else and tell everyone that the Qur'an allows the beheading of non-Muslims? NO....
I don't know how mnuch more I can stress this...it is mind boggling to me and I am literally shocked out of my mind that not ONE PERSON, NOT ONE PERSON, who is a Muslim on this website, has come out openly and talked about even following a madhab. I am shocked. The only person who has any understanding of having respect for what sunni scholars have said in the past before us, is PETER. No one else is even willing to understand that 80 percent Muslims in the world are HANAFI'S. Salaam.
If any of you have a problem with tassawuf, it is because you don't read books. All you keep doing is reading hadiths and qur'an on your own, and acting as if you know exactly what they mean. You know what a Muhaddith is. It is a person who is qualified in telling you the meaning of a hadith. You know what a Mufassir is? It is a person who is qualified in telling you the exegesis or explanation of a Qur'anic ayat. These people attain their levels of undersanding Qur'an and Hadith because they can give you a correct understanding of these hadiths of qur'anic ayats based on what is permissible to conclude from them. If a Qur'anic ayat says "Smite their necks," can I go by myself and without anyone else and tell everyone that the Qur'an allows the beheading of non-Muslims? NO....
I don't know how mnuch more I can stress this...it is mind boggling to me and I am literally shocked out of my mind that not ONE PERSON, NOT ONE PERSON, who is a Muslim on this website, has come out openly and talked about even following a madhab. I am shocked. The only person who has any understanding of having respect for what sunni scholars have said in the past before us, is PETER. No one else is even willing to understand that 80 percent Muslims in the world are HANAFI'S. Salaam.
2005-03-05
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
(Continued)
3) Third type of knowledge is Fiqh which is of specific details of Islamic practice. Anyone can understand the first two types of knowledge, but not the third. An example is as follows I relate this hadith:
Anas ibn Malik (ra) said:
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "Whoever prays the dawn prayer (fajr) in a group and then sits and does dhikr until the sun rises, then prays two rak'as, shall have the like of the reward of a hajj and an 'umra." Anas said, "The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: 'Completely, completely, completely'" (Tirmidhi, 2.481).
- Now a person could see this hadith, and say, oh well this means that I am not bound by my obligation to go and perform hajj and I have also done umra, so I do not need to go and perform my hajj now. But is that what this really means? In fact the difference here, if you read what a Sunni Islamic jurist has said, is that you may be getting the reward of performing hajj and umra, but there is a difference between getting the reward of something and lifting the obligation of Islam by actually performing the hajj. So dear Stober, if you take just that one single hadith, and try to tell me that is disproves the permissibility of tawassul or tassawuf, well I am sorry but it not only doesn't mention anything about them, so you have self servingly concluded that even though this hadith clearly states that no one is to be worshipped except Allah, it does not in any way disprove of the permissibility of seeking the intercession of the Holy Prophet Sal' Allahu 'Alaiyhi wa salam, or the Awliya Kiraam.
(continued)
3) Third type of knowledge is Fiqh which is of specific details of Islamic practice. Anyone can understand the first two types of knowledge, but not the third. An example is as follows I relate this hadith:
Anas ibn Malik (ra) said:
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "Whoever prays the dawn prayer (fajr) in a group and then sits and does dhikr until the sun rises, then prays two rak'as, shall have the like of the reward of a hajj and an 'umra." Anas said, "The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: 'Completely, completely, completely'" (Tirmidhi, 2.481).
- Now a person could see this hadith, and say, oh well this means that I am not bound by my obligation to go and perform hajj and I have also done umra, so I do not need to go and perform my hajj now. But is that what this really means? In fact the difference here, if you read what a Sunni Islamic jurist has said, is that you may be getting the reward of performing hajj and umra, but there is a difference between getting the reward of something and lifting the obligation of Islam by actually performing the hajj. So dear Stober, if you take just that one single hadith, and try to tell me that is disproves the permissibility of tawassul or tassawuf, well I am sorry but it not only doesn't mention anything about them, so you have self servingly concluded that even though this hadith clearly states that no one is to be worshipped except Allah, it does not in any way disprove of the permissibility of seeking the intercession of the Holy Prophet Sal' Allahu 'Alaiyhi wa salam, or the Awliya Kiraam.
(continued)
2005-03-05
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Stober: Please, if someone's will is so weak that they can arrive to the conclusion of worshipping a creation of Allah, that is their own fault. What you are accusing me of, of trying to get people to worship Allah's creation is completely misleading and a twist on everything I have said. First of all it is not my argument - I have said this already about 10 times. These are the arguments of Many Sahabas and many of the Tabi'een and Taba Tabi'een. If I were to make these things up, why were they transmitted with sound (sahih) transmission? Why would I be posting information that is made up? There are hadiths other than in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that are authentic and with trustworthy narrators to support that they are true.
The hadith you mention is not being disputed, I agree with it. But Amir al-Mu'mineen Hadhrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (radi'Allahu anh') said those words at a certain time and for a certain reason. You have to understand that verses of the Qur'an and Hadiths of the Prophet (saaw) were said in accordance to a specific time and place, and for a specific purpose.
When you mention "whoever worhipped Muhammad, know that he is dead; if you worship Allah, then know that is everlasting and will never die," was said first of all by Amir al-Mu'mineen Khalifa Hadhrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra), and not Amir al-Mu'mineen Khalifa Hadhrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra). Abu Bakr (ra) said this statement to calm down Umar (ra), because upon the death of Rasool-Allah Muhammad (saaw), Umar (ra) was in such a disasterous mental state that he was going around threatening to cut off anyone's head who would utter the words that the holy Prophet (saaw) had left this duniya. It is established from this that Abu Bakr (ra) said those words to bring calm to Umar (ra) and anyone else who would raise Muhammad (saaw) to the status of Allah (swt).
(continued below)
The hadith you mention is not being disputed, I agree with it. But Amir al-Mu'mineen Hadhrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (radi'Allahu anh') said those words at a certain time and for a certain reason. You have to understand that verses of the Qur'an and Hadiths of the Prophet (saaw) were said in accordance to a specific time and place, and for a specific purpose.
When you mention "whoever worhipped Muhammad, know that he is dead; if you worship Allah, then know that is everlasting and will never die," was said first of all by Amir al-Mu'mineen Khalifa Hadhrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra), and not Amir al-Mu'mineen Khalifa Hadhrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra). Abu Bakr (ra) said this statement to calm down Umar (ra), because upon the death of Rasool-Allah Muhammad (saaw), Umar (ra) was in such a disasterous mental state that he was going around threatening to cut off anyone's head who would utter the words that the holy Prophet (saaw) had left this duniya. It is established from this that Abu Bakr (ra) said those words to bring calm to Umar (ra) and anyone else who would raise Muhammad (saaw) to the status of Allah (swt).
(continued below)
2005-03-05
STOBER FROM GERMANY said:
Akbar Khan you might mean well but brother Hudd is right. Your arguments are leading readers to arrive at your conclusions. That is wrong. You can worship stones, or angels or saints or men or piety or the graves that hold them, but then don't equate your freedom to worship anything, or your right to express your belief as any right to misguide new Muslims by issuing your own decrees regarding your interpretations. I have never, in my reading of the right honourable and good Prophet Mohammed, ever come across a passage that relates to what your state about Sufism. NO Tasawaff, no mention of any directive to worship saints OR EVEN Prophet Mohammed. The Prophet's intercession on the behalf of the righteous is mentioned in Bukhari Hadees is only on the Day of Judgment. Umer, the Prophet's close companion even stated after his death in a well documented incident, that "if any of you worshipped Mohammed, know that he is dead, but those who worshipped Allah know that he is alive, forever was and will be". The argument ends there. The worship is to Allah and no one else. To ask, Saint X and Saint Y to intercede on your behalf amounts to kufur and shirk, when you know very well that they themselves spent a lifetime asking for Allah's forgiveness. Allah did not appoint them on the "panel of interceders". It is one thing to ask someone to pray for you, but another to actively pray to saints and ask them to help you. Good lord man they can't even help themselves, let alone you. Also your constant allusion to passages from the prayers as evidence to substantiate your argument is sad and misguided at best. We send darood on the prophet because that is what is his sunnah, would it not be atrocious to take that as a license to send durood or pray to Saints? Don't make something of Allah's words that they are not. Stick to the basics. Worship Allah as much as you want and you will only benefit. But if you are playing with debatable issues and misguiding others - bad
2005-03-03
PETER FROM USA said:
I have a little more to add to the discussion. You know, it is ironic that we are having a sort of debate about the validity and historicity of Sufism considering the topic of the article.
I am a convert to Islam. I was raised Roman Catholic, but grew up in an area of the US that where Protestants were the vast majority of the population. I have to tell you, the divisions between Catholic and Protestant are wide and very often rather bitter. Hundreds of years ago the two sides warred with one another; many have died and the coflict is really a sad and unneccesary thing that has produced much suffering.
I mention this because some of the issues of the division are very similar (the same, really) to what I see going on here now and in the umma in general.
On the one side, we have Sufism, which has an inner, mystical dimension and a wisdom tradition.
On the other, we have those who feel that the Sufis try to place saints and mystical mumbo-jumbo between the Muslim and Allah. I won't discount this concern and we should all be careful that our practise is based on sound Islamic jurisprudence. However, I don't think that any real Sufi would tell you that you must follow them, their way or place saints between oneself and Allah or engage in special practices to aquire super powers (ha-ha). By the same token, I totally understand if some want a simple (I mean that in a good way) and straight-forward style of worship that makes sense readily and is practical for life in this world (taking the easy way, as Mr. Hussein put it).
I really think that it depends on which style works for you. As long as you maintain the 5 pillars, I see nothing wrong with doing extra or not doing extra (so to speak, I hope I am coming across the right way).
The reason why I say this is that I think further divisions within the umma is something we should avoid, and we should be tolerant of each other and work together in a spirit of community.
I am a convert to Islam. I was raised Roman Catholic, but grew up in an area of the US that where Protestants were the vast majority of the population. I have to tell you, the divisions between Catholic and Protestant are wide and very often rather bitter. Hundreds of years ago the two sides warred with one another; many have died and the coflict is really a sad and unneccesary thing that has produced much suffering.
I mention this because some of the issues of the division are very similar (the same, really) to what I see going on here now and in the umma in general.
On the one side, we have Sufism, which has an inner, mystical dimension and a wisdom tradition.
On the other, we have those who feel that the Sufis try to place saints and mystical mumbo-jumbo between the Muslim and Allah. I won't discount this concern and we should all be careful that our practise is based on sound Islamic jurisprudence. However, I don't think that any real Sufi would tell you that you must follow them, their way or place saints between oneself and Allah or engage in special practices to aquire super powers (ha-ha). By the same token, I totally understand if some want a simple (I mean that in a good way) and straight-forward style of worship that makes sense readily and is practical for life in this world (taking the easy way, as Mr. Hussein put it).
I really think that it depends on which style works for you. As long as you maintain the 5 pillars, I see nothing wrong with doing extra or not doing extra (so to speak, I hope I am coming across the right way).
The reason why I say this is that I think further divisions within the umma is something we should avoid, and we should be tolerant of each other and work together in a spirit of community.
2005-03-03
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Of course Bro Hudd, A blind man can be asked from others to make du'a for them, and why not? Who said that he couldn't? That hadith you are quoting is true brother, but you see you are misunderstanding the position and status of awliya. There is not one person who truly follows Tasawwuf who believes that Awliya can forgive you for your sins! Brother I do not believe that at all!! Only Allah azza wa jaal can do that for us when we ask for his forgiveness! But the misundersanding of Ihsaan/Sufism, is that you are not asking that person who is a Wali to forgive your sins! You are asking Allah to forgive you for your sins because you had muhabbah, LOVE, and closeness and nearness to that person who was a pious and God-fearing person. This is what Sufism is. Now as far as people who go to graves, and instead of praying towards the qibla, change their direction of worship towards the graves, La hawla wala quwwuta illah billah! This has nothing to do with Sufism. Sufism is about nothing but LOVE brother. To connect to each other as brothers and as sisters in Islam, to increase our states before Allah because of our love for one another. Do you see what I am saying? Unfortunately, many people try to accuse Muslims of many things which they do not do brother. By saying assalaamu'Alaiyka ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu in your Salaah five times a day to Allah, means taht you are asking Allah to send his peace, blessings nad mercy upon Muhammad. Now you know as well as I do that the reward for sending one durood upon the prophet (saaw), Allah rewards the believers with 10 blessings in return. Please do not get the wrong ideas here. That is why I keep on asking everyone, that if you do not understand or have knowledge about something, why do you go and insult people of shirk and bid'ah when you don't even know what they truly believe?
2005-03-03
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Brother Hudd D'Alhamd - There is nothing wrong with me my dear friend. I respect you very deeply and I do know that we have been posting on this website for a long time. But you see I am not trying to ram what I belive down people's throats at all. This whole thing started with Mr. Akbar Hussain started to personally attack me and accuse me of graveworshipping, and then further went on to accuse me of being some sort of CIA spy, like many others have done on this website. The difference here is that I had no intention of even posting what Classical Sunni 'Ulema have said about Ihsaan. It was only after Akbar Hussein accused me of certain things, that I felt that I have every right to defend myself against such unwarranted and unnecessary attacks. If someone were to do what people like him do to me on this website, and which you have, you would not stand for it for one moment. Brother, I also do not wish to insult you or start in these fights. But the fact remains, that when someone tries to tarnish what I believe in, is the moment that I will not put up with it. And on the other hand, if a person wishes to remain quiet and mind their own comment, instead of name calling and attacking me, that's fine too. Everyone is entitled to say what they wish, as per what the editors deem fit for posting.
Brother Hudd, if you look through these posts, never ever did I want to shove anything down anyone's throats. Go back to the comment of the individual named "Muslim" and see my response. At that point, Mr. Akbar Hussein took it upon himself to openly declare that he wants me to be recruited by the US Military and die in Iraq? Now who is really pushing what down people's throats here? If you really lift the veil from your eyes brother, with no disrespect, then you will find that if someone wishes not to seek the intercession of Rasool-Allah (saaw), and other righteous Awliya, then that is their right. But at least stick to Sunni Aqeedah!
Brother Hudd, if you look through these posts, never ever did I want to shove anything down anyone's throats. Go back to the comment of the individual named "Muslim" and see my response. At that point, Mr. Akbar Hussein took it upon himself to openly declare that he wants me to be recruited by the US Military and die in Iraq? Now who is really pushing what down people's throats here? If you really lift the veil from your eyes brother, with no disrespect, then you will find that if someone wishes not to seek the intercession of Rasool-Allah (saaw), and other righteous Awliya, then that is their right. But at least stick to Sunni Aqeedah!
2005-03-03
HUDD D'ALHAMD FROM CANADA said:
What's wrong with you brother Akbar Khan? I know you here on this site for quite a long time together with Zinedine, but allow me to notice that you passed through some inexplicable transformation. Are you holding up the unislamic practice of saints and intercessors? I mention you a hadith in which the prophet talked to Fatimah and some of his wives telling them:"watch on your deeds, because nobody is their to intercede for you, not even I would be allowed to advocate for any of my followers(sahabah). Your good deeds(salayhat) and piety(taqwah) are your only intercessors." Now, a blind man can pray like any other. His mind or heart is not impaired, why would he be consider an impotent in his faith? I knew an old blind Muslim brother that had more piety than the seeing! Rather people would ask from him to make duah(prayer) for them. One of the great things about Islam is that the devotees of Allah(God) do not need any intercessor, saint(wali) or priest(maulah), the quran is the obvious/clear book(kitabul mubin), read it and pray to God to make you clairvoyant. If God veiled your mind, you can quote all the hadiths in the world and you will make no sense. Islam is simple and easy. Mankind, though likes to complicate things, it happened with all religions. My familly has this motto in Arabic:"Wa ilahukum ilahun wahid." and in Pharsi, "Ve khodaya shuma khodaya yektas.", which in English is, "Thus your god is one god."(Quran:Baqarah) This is what I know and this is what I follow. I would not trade this for the world, let alone for any self proclaimed saint or monk, be that Sufi or Dervish. I believe in free will and independent spirit. If any wants to follow the Sufis, so to speak, let him follw, but please do not try to ram down our throats your interpretation of the religion. We are all grownups and can read for ourselves and judge for ourselves as God(Allah) allows. No need for you to start this kind of personal jihads directed against those that disagree with you.
2005-03-02
PETER FROM USA said:
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with incorporating meditation into our Islamic praxis. You know, I think you could say that prayer is a form of meditation; that in devotion we are meditating upon Allah and placing all our attention upon our Lord. I think that one could say that when we do this, we are, in fact, engaging in a form of shahada (for do we not repeat the words of shahada in our salahs?), witnessing Allah and acknowledging that He is our Lord.
In the Sufi texts and practices that I have read, they have all focused upon placing the attention of the Muslim upon Allah; and by this I mean going above and beyond the obligatory duites of our 5 salahs with extra dua'as and meditations upon Allah. Surely, there is nothing wrong with meditating in prayer upon Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala. Bismallahir Rahmanir Rahim.
I wish you peace :) Salaam
In the Sufi texts and practices that I have read, they have all focused upon placing the attention of the Muslim upon Allah; and by this I mean going above and beyond the obligatory duites of our 5 salahs with extra dua'as and meditations upon Allah. Surely, there is nothing wrong with meditating in prayer upon Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala. Bismallahir Rahmanir Rahim.
I wish you peace :) Salaam
2005-03-02
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
(CONTINUED FROM LAST POST)
He (Muhammad saaws) replied:
'Allah has defended the earth from consuming the flesh of Prophets,'
and if his body was not in his grave he would not have given this answer."
By Ibn Hajar al-Haythami in al-jawhar al-munazzam.
5)Rasul (saaws) said:
Man zara qabri wajabat lahu shafa`ati.
"Whoever visits my grave, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him."
Narrated by al-Daraqutni, al-Dulabi, al-Bayhaqi, Khatib al-Baghdadi, al-`Uqayli, Ibn `Adiy, Tabarani, and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Sahih, all through various chains going back to Musa ibn Hilal al-`Abdiyy from Ubayd Allah Ibn Umar, both from Nafi`, from Ibn `Umar.
Dhahabi declared this chain hasan (fair) as narrated, in "Mizan al- i`tidal," vol. 4, p. 226: "Huwa salih al-hadith" which means:"He -- Musa ibn Hilal -- is good in his narrations." Al-Sakhawi confirmed him in the "Maqasid al-hasana", while al-Subki declared it sahih according to Samhudi in Sa`adat al-drayn 1:77. Ibn `Adiyy said: "He [Musa ibn Hilal] is most likely acceptable; other people have called him 'unknown' and this is not true... He is one of the shuyukhs of Imam Ahmad and most of them are trustworthy." al-Kamil fi al-Du`afa (6:2350). Albani declared him "thabit al-riwaya" (of established reliability) in his Irwa' 4:338. About `Ubayd Allah ibn `Umar al-`Umari: - Dhahabi calls him "saduq hasan al-hadith" [truthful, of fair narrations] al-Mughni 1:348; - Sakhawi says of him "salih al-hadith" [of sound narrations] al-tuhfat al-latifat 3:366; - Ibn Mu`in said to Darimi about him: "salih thiqat" [sound and reliable] al-kamil 4:1459.
This is one of the proof-texts adduced by the ulama of Islam to derive the obligation or recommendation of visiting the Prophet's grave and seeking him as "wasilat" (intermediary/means). See the chapter on visiting the Prophet's grave in Imam Nawawi's bk "al-Adhkar"
He (Muhammad saaws) replied:
'Allah has defended the earth from consuming the flesh of Prophets,'
and if his body was not in his grave he would not have given this answer."
By Ibn Hajar al-Haythami in al-jawhar al-munazzam.
5)Rasul (saaws) said:
Man zara qabri wajabat lahu shafa`ati.
"Whoever visits my grave, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him."
Narrated by al-Daraqutni, al-Dulabi, al-Bayhaqi, Khatib al-Baghdadi, al-`Uqayli, Ibn `Adiy, Tabarani, and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Sahih, all through various chains going back to Musa ibn Hilal al-`Abdiyy from Ubayd Allah Ibn Umar, both from Nafi`, from Ibn `Umar.
Dhahabi declared this chain hasan (fair) as narrated, in "Mizan al- i`tidal," vol. 4, p. 226: "Huwa salih al-hadith" which means:"He -- Musa ibn Hilal -- is good in his narrations." Al-Sakhawi confirmed him in the "Maqasid al-hasana", while al-Subki declared it sahih according to Samhudi in Sa`adat al-drayn 1:77. Ibn `Adiyy said: "He [Musa ibn Hilal] is most likely acceptable; other people have called him 'unknown' and this is not true... He is one of the shuyukhs of Imam Ahmad and most of them are trustworthy." al-Kamil fi al-Du`afa (6:2350). Albani declared him "thabit al-riwaya" (of established reliability) in his Irwa' 4:338. About `Ubayd Allah ibn `Umar al-`Umari: - Dhahabi calls him "saduq hasan al-hadith" [truthful, of fair narrations] al-Mughni 1:348; - Sakhawi says of him "salih al-hadith" [of sound narrations] al-tuhfat al-latifat 3:366; - Ibn Mu`in said to Darimi about him: "salih thiqat" [sound and reliable] al-kamil 4:1459.
This is one of the proof-texts adduced by the ulama of Islam to derive the obligation or recommendation of visiting the Prophet's grave and seeking him as "wasilat" (intermediary/means). See the chapter on visiting the Prophet's grave in Imam Nawawi's bk "al-Adhkar"
2005-03-02
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
1)The Holy Prophet Habibi Muhammad (Sal' Allahu 'Alaiyhi Wa Salam) said in hadith:
inn-Allaha qad Harrama `ala al-arDi an ta'kula ajsd al-anbiy'.
"Allah has defended the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets".
A sound (sahih) tradition related on the authority of Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi by: Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Ibn Abi Shaybah in the Musannaf, Abu Dawud in the Sunan, Nisa'i in his Sunan, Ibn Majah in his Sunan, Darimi in his Musnad, Ibn Khuzaymah in his Sahih, ibn Hibban in his Sahih, Hakim in the Mustadrak, Tabarani in his Kabir, Bayhaqi in Hayat al-anbiya', Suyuti in Anba' al-adkhiya, Dhahabi who confirmed Hkim's grading, and Imam Nawawi in the Adhkar.
Another version in Ibn Maja has this addition:
fa nabiyyallahi Hayyun yurzaq
"And the Prophet of Allah is alive and provided for."
Bayhaqi mentions it also in the Sunan al-kubra.
2)Rasul (saaw) said:
al-anbiy'u aHy'un fi qubrihim yuSalln
"The Prophets are alive in their graves, praying to their Lord".
A sound (sahih) tradition related on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (r) by: al-Bazzar in his Musnad, Abu Ya`la in his Musnad, Ibn `Adi in al-Kamil fi al-du`afa', Tammam al-Razi in al-Fawa'id, al-Bayhaqi in Hayat al-anbiya' fi quburihim, Abu Nu`aym in Akhbar Asbahan, Ibn `Asakir in Treekh Dimashq, al-Haythami in Majma` al-zawa'id (8:211), al-Suyuti in Anb' al-adhkiya' bi-hayat al-anbiya' (#5), and al-Albani, in Silsilat al-ahadith al-sahihah (#621).
3) Rasul (saaw) Said:
(laylata usra bi) marartu `ala Msa wa huwa q'imun yuSalli fi qabrihi
"(The night I was enraptured to my Lord) I saw Msa standing in prayer in his grave".
A sound (sahih) tradition related on the authority of Anas and others by Muslim, Nasa'i, and Bayhaqi in the dala'il al-nubuwwa and the Hayt. Some mention the beginning (in parentheses), while others omit it. Nawawi said in his explanation of this hadith: "The work of the next world is all dhikr and du`a" (sharH Sa
inn-Allaha qad Harrama `ala al-arDi an ta'kula ajsd al-anbiy'.
"Allah has defended the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets".
A sound (sahih) tradition related on the authority of Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi by: Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Ibn Abi Shaybah in the Musannaf, Abu Dawud in the Sunan, Nisa'i in his Sunan, Ibn Majah in his Sunan, Darimi in his Musnad, Ibn Khuzaymah in his Sahih, ibn Hibban in his Sahih, Hakim in the Mustadrak, Tabarani in his Kabir, Bayhaqi in Hayat al-anbiya', Suyuti in Anba' al-adkhiya, Dhahabi who confirmed Hkim's grading, and Imam Nawawi in the Adhkar.
Another version in Ibn Maja has this addition:
fa nabiyyallahi Hayyun yurzaq
"And the Prophet of Allah is alive and provided for."
Bayhaqi mentions it also in the Sunan al-kubra.
2)Rasul (saaw) said:
al-anbiy'u aHy'un fi qubrihim yuSalln
"The Prophets are alive in their graves, praying to their Lord".
A sound (sahih) tradition related on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (r) by: al-Bazzar in his Musnad, Abu Ya`la in his Musnad, Ibn `Adi in al-Kamil fi al-du`afa', Tammam al-Razi in al-Fawa'id, al-Bayhaqi in Hayat al-anbiya' fi quburihim, Abu Nu`aym in Akhbar Asbahan, Ibn `Asakir in Treekh Dimashq, al-Haythami in Majma` al-zawa'id (8:211), al-Suyuti in Anb' al-adhkiya' bi-hayat al-anbiya' (#5), and al-Albani, in Silsilat al-ahadith al-sahihah (#621).
3) Rasul (saaw) Said:
(laylata usra bi) marartu `ala Msa wa huwa q'imun yuSalli fi qabrihi
"(The night I was enraptured to my Lord) I saw Msa standing in prayer in his grave".
A sound (sahih) tradition related on the authority of Anas and others by Muslim, Nasa'i, and Bayhaqi in the dala'il al-nubuwwa and the Hayt. Some mention the beginning (in parentheses), while others omit it. Nawawi said in his explanation of this hadith: "The work of the next world is all dhikr and du`a" (sharH Sa
2005-03-02
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Ibn al-Jawzi, an orthodox Sunni scholar, in his book Talbis Iblis (The Devil's Deception) under the chapter heading "A Mention of the Devil's Delusion upon the Kharijites," says that Dhu'l-Khuwaysira al-Tamimi was the first Kharijite in Islam and that:
"[h]is fault was to be satisfied with his own view; had he paused he would have realized that there is no view superior to that of Allah's Messenger..."
Imagine...what is wrong with Muslims that we have started being satisfied with just our own reading of things, that we all of a sudden know Qur'an, ahadith all by ourselves? Refer to numerous hadith's of the prophet (saaw) concerning his actions, and how not only did ALL of his companions pledge bay'at (allegiance) to him, but furthermore they imitated him in every aspect of his actions. Further, the Sahaba's would always ask the prophet (saaw) to make du'a for them to Allah (swa). This is what was done during the life of the prophet (saaw). How can you worship Allah without recognizing the entire Kalimah as-Shahadat?? It is not just La ilaha il Allah!
If you wish to stop asking Allah's forgiveness because you cannot recognize LOVE for Allah's beloved (Muhammad (s)), then you might as well change your shahadat to just La ilaha il Allah.
I say NEVER, it is La Ilaha Il Allah, Muhammad ar-Rasool Allah, forever.
When you pray Salaah FIVE times a day, do you know what you're saying?
Assalaamu'Alaiyka, Ayyuha nabiyyu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
-Oh Prophet! May the peace and blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you.
This is INTERCESSION.
Further u say in Salaat:
Allahumma salee Ala Muhammad (s) wa Ala Alee Muhammaden Kama salayta, ala Ibrahim (as) wa ala Alee Ibrahima Innakka Hamidum Majeed.
=O Allah, shower mercy upon Muhammad (s) and his family, the way you showered mercy upon Ibrahim (as) and his family. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
(Continued)
"[h]is fault was to be satisfied with his own view; had he paused he would have realized that there is no view superior to that of Allah's Messenger..."
Imagine...what is wrong with Muslims that we have started being satisfied with just our own reading of things, that we all of a sudden know Qur'an, ahadith all by ourselves? Refer to numerous hadith's of the prophet (saaw) concerning his actions, and how not only did ALL of his companions pledge bay'at (allegiance) to him, but furthermore they imitated him in every aspect of his actions. Further, the Sahaba's would always ask the prophet (saaw) to make du'a for them to Allah (swa). This is what was done during the life of the prophet (saaw). How can you worship Allah without recognizing the entire Kalimah as-Shahadat?? It is not just La ilaha il Allah!
If you wish to stop asking Allah's forgiveness because you cannot recognize LOVE for Allah's beloved (Muhammad (s)), then you might as well change your shahadat to just La ilaha il Allah.
I say NEVER, it is La Ilaha Il Allah, Muhammad ar-Rasool Allah, forever.
When you pray Salaah FIVE times a day, do you know what you're saying?
Assalaamu'Alaiyka, Ayyuha nabiyyu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
-Oh Prophet! May the peace and blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you.
This is INTERCESSION.
Further u say in Salaat:
Allahumma salee Ala Muhammad (s) wa Ala Alee Muhammaden Kama salayta, ala Ibrahim (as) wa ala Alee Ibrahima Innakka Hamidum Majeed.
=O Allah, shower mercy upon Muhammad (s) and his family, the way you showered mercy upon Ibrahim (as) and his family. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
(Continued)
2005-03-02
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Akbar Hussain more vitrol and self righteousness from you? Again, never have I assumed or wanted to be "holier than thou" here at Islamicity. Allah forgive me if you have gotten that impression. I do not wish to be looked upon in such ways, ever.
May Allah also forgive "Akbar Hussain" in having such unfounded suspicions about any Muslim.
What concerns me "Akbar Hussain" is that you have a weird preconceived notion that just because I believe in Ihsaan as an integral part of my deen, that you assume that I am not hard working. You've never met me, why do you throw insults, did I do something to you personally? I've never met you? Does is click yet?
Actually I've worked many jobs. A waiter in a restaurant from 11 am - 11 pm 5,6 days a week for almost 10yrs and started when I was 14. I've worked as a salesperson, I've even cleaned up dog feces. My question to you "Akbar Hussain" is who are you to judge anyone? What makes you think that what you say will magically become true, just because you said it? LOL I honestly get a good laugh when I see a person such as yourself talking the way you do. It is very sad that you have so much anger and hatred inside of yourself, that you are not decent and civilized enough to prove yourself with fair and clean langauge, and further, you cannot even back up yourself when you say things. But the reality is "Akbar Hussain," that what you do and what you SAY are what make you who you are. That is why I prefer not to bark back at you the way you have been at me for a week! I rather let you take a deeeeep breath, and think over the kind of things you have posted. If you were so sure of yourself and your self prescribed belief system, you wouldn't be getting violent and defensive whenever I talk about Ihsan, would you? Remove your veils of hatred.
You're welcome to continue your personal attacks, but don't think that you are going to get your desired reaction. Be wise, not otherwise.
May Allah also forgive "Akbar Hussain" in having such unfounded suspicions about any Muslim.
What concerns me "Akbar Hussain" is that you have a weird preconceived notion that just because I believe in Ihsaan as an integral part of my deen, that you assume that I am not hard working. You've never met me, why do you throw insults, did I do something to you personally? I've never met you? Does is click yet?
Actually I've worked many jobs. A waiter in a restaurant from 11 am - 11 pm 5,6 days a week for almost 10yrs and started when I was 14. I've worked as a salesperson, I've even cleaned up dog feces. My question to you "Akbar Hussain" is who are you to judge anyone? What makes you think that what you say will magically become true, just because you said it? LOL I honestly get a good laugh when I see a person such as yourself talking the way you do. It is very sad that you have so much anger and hatred inside of yourself, that you are not decent and civilized enough to prove yourself with fair and clean langauge, and further, you cannot even back up yourself when you say things. But the reality is "Akbar Hussain," that what you do and what you SAY are what make you who you are. That is why I prefer not to bark back at you the way you have been at me for a week! I rather let you take a deeeeep breath, and think over the kind of things you have posted. If you were so sure of yourself and your self prescribed belief system, you wouldn't be getting violent and defensive whenever I talk about Ihsan, would you? Remove your veils of hatred.
You're welcome to continue your personal attacks, but don't think that you are going to get your desired reaction. Be wise, not otherwise.
2005-03-02
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Assalaamu'Alaiykum Nichols,
All respect to you, it is not me interpreting this hadith in my own way. This hadith was interpreted by the four fuqaha (Jurists of Islamic Jurisprudence), or otherwise known as the four jurors of the four schools of thought among Sunni Islam. I never claimed nor do I claim to be interpteting any hadiths on my own. Far from your claim, this is the last thing that I would want to do. Like I mentioned, if you read the writings of these four Sunni Jurists, you will find the same thing that I have. I too used to be skeptical of Sufism, Tasawwuf, Zuhd, Ihsaan. But when you begin to read about the practices of the Tabi'een and Tabi' Tabi'een (those who lived close to the time of Prophet Muhammad (saaw), and further look back even to the practices of the holy prophet's (saaw) companions, you will find that the concept of intercession has always been a part of Islam. No one says that you worship any graves. What you have to remember is that the status of a person in their grave is known as Barzakh. They are at a level where they are closer to the realm which Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala has concealed from the living people on Earth. This is the main reason why people ask for the intercession of pious Muslims who have passed on, because for one thing, they are closer to Allah than we are right now, and the second point is that when you visit a grave, you are reminding yourself of death, and to remind yourself to eventually prepare for the inevitable - that all of us will be facing death from this world sooner or later. This is not grave worship, please do not get the wrong ideas from what I am conveying about what Muslim scholars have said throughout Islamic history. You can read any books by classical sunni scholar. Let me begin with Qur'an:
"O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek a means (wasila) to him" (Sura al-Maida, 5:35)
(continued)
All respect to you, it is not me interpreting this hadith in my own way. This hadith was interpreted by the four fuqaha (Jurists of Islamic Jurisprudence), or otherwise known as the four jurors of the four schools of thought among Sunni Islam. I never claimed nor do I claim to be interpteting any hadiths on my own. Far from your claim, this is the last thing that I would want to do. Like I mentioned, if you read the writings of these four Sunni Jurists, you will find the same thing that I have. I too used to be skeptical of Sufism, Tasawwuf, Zuhd, Ihsaan. But when you begin to read about the practices of the Tabi'een and Tabi' Tabi'een (those who lived close to the time of Prophet Muhammad (saaw), and further look back even to the practices of the holy prophet's (saaw) companions, you will find that the concept of intercession has always been a part of Islam. No one says that you worship any graves. What you have to remember is that the status of a person in their grave is known as Barzakh. They are at a level where they are closer to the realm which Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala has concealed from the living people on Earth. This is the main reason why people ask for the intercession of pious Muslims who have passed on, because for one thing, they are closer to Allah than we are right now, and the second point is that when you visit a grave, you are reminding yourself of death, and to remind yourself to eventually prepare for the inevitable - that all of us will be facing death from this world sooner or later. This is not grave worship, please do not get the wrong ideas from what I am conveying about what Muslim scholars have said throughout Islamic history. You can read any books by classical sunni scholar. Let me begin with Qur'an:
"O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek a means (wasila) to him" (Sura al-Maida, 5:35)
(continued)
2005-03-02
NICHOLS FROM USA said:
Khan, you are totally confusing the issue. I have read the hadees and as a new convert it does not allude to anything that you state or claim. It was Islam's simplicity that attracted me far from the rhetoric of the Church or the hate mongering of the Synagogue. As acerbic as Hussein sounds, he does have a sound point there. Your mistake is dictating to us how the hadees must be interpreted. Remember for a lot of converts we left the issues of confession, superstition, and saint worship etc. far behind in converting to Islam.
2005-03-01
AKBAR HUSSEIN FROM CANADA said:
Peter you are a good man, but gullible. Islam appeals to all. It was never meant to be the sole property of intellectuals, poets and philosophers. It's plain and simple for the rich and the poor, the smart and the goofs. Sufism as practiced by ancient well meaning ascetics, lost in their own love for God, never meant for a whole following of the disenfranchised, rich, bourgeoisie to begin worshiping them as a direct link to God. If the followers so idolize their Sufi saints let them live they way they did. Lets see if Akbar Khan will abandon his job (if he has one), abandon all material possessions his family too, leave his hair uncut and matted for months eat whatever he can find, and wander about saying incoherent things in the streets of Quebec or Toronto. If that were the case I strongly suggest Akbar Khan look for his saint in homeless centres. What gets me about .. Akbar Khan is his holier than thou attitude and his outrageous attempts to substantiate his belief by providing his assumptive assertions as facts of the Koran. Prophet Mohammed, used to work. He had a family. He even stated that in opting to achieve something, take the easier way. To communicate with God why not take the easy and simpler way? Tell Sufis to go and say their prayers, TO GOD, not some saint, who can't even save his own skin let alone starry eyed followers. And leave off this cult of spells, amulets and charms, its all hogwash.
2005-03-01
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Peter has a mind of his own. He does not need to listen to me in order to see the truth. Sufism comes from what the Prophet (saaw) practiced and it is called Zuhd - it is what Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal (r) practiced as it was called Tasawwuf, which is found in his Musnad. Sufism is what Imam Malik (r) practiced and called it Tasawwuf. It is what Imam Shafi'e (r) practiced when he made Tawassul (sought intercession) at the tomb of Imam Abu Hanifah (r).
What you fail to understand "Akbar Hussain" is that your concept of Islam is something that did not even exist during the time of hte prophet (saaw). In fact, Rasool-Allah (saaw) DID do the practices of Sufism - the major component of it being known as Ihsaan. Read Hadith Qudsi of Gibraeel (as):
Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2, Number 47:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Apostle replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.
(Continued)
What you fail to understand "Akbar Hussain" is that your concept of Islam is something that did not even exist during the time of hte prophet (saaw). In fact, Rasool-Allah (saaw) DID do the practices of Sufism - the major component of it being known as Ihsaan. Read Hadith Qudsi of Gibraeel (as):
Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2, Number 47:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." Then he further asked, "When will the Hour be established?" Allah's Apostle replied, "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.
(Continued)
2005-02-28
PETER FROM USA said:
Mr. Hussein: I understand your perspective; certainly, you are not the only one I've known that is cynical about US foreign policy. This is completely understandable, considering our history in the region (the Middle East, that is).
However, I must speak in defense of Akbar Khan, he is a good Muslim, and his beliefs are well-grounded in Islam; he can back up what he says and believes. But more than that, he is indeed a good man that I count as friend. Perhaps you don't agree with his philosophy (Sufism), that is fine; but the disagreement needn't be an overarching and personal condemnation (in my opinion). There is enough room in the world for multifarous views and beliefs and while we may not agree on everything, I think it is important to understand (or maybe remember would be a better word) that we have far more in common than different: We believe in One God and that Muhammad was His Prophet. I wish you peace and in no way mean to come across as confrontational or mean-spirited.
However, I must speak in defense of Akbar Khan, he is a good Muslim, and his beliefs are well-grounded in Islam; he can back up what he says and believes. But more than that, he is indeed a good man that I count as friend. Perhaps you don't agree with his philosophy (Sufism), that is fine; but the disagreement needn't be an overarching and personal condemnation (in my opinion). There is enough room in the world for multifarous views and beliefs and while we may not agree on everything, I think it is important to understand (or maybe remember would be a better word) that we have far more in common than different: We believe in One God and that Muhammad was His Prophet. I wish you peace and in no way mean to come across as confrontational or mean-spirited.
2005-02-28
AKBAR HUSSEIN FROM CANADA said:
Peter don't be conned by Akbar Khan. Sufism was never propogated by Phophet Mohammed in fact not even heard of in his time, though Akbar Khan will slyly try and make you believe that the Koran and the prophet encouraged it. Akbar Khan though appearing to be a self deprecating apologist is probably some Indian guy looking for a job with the CIA as he kisses up to the Americans. Sufism is all mumbo jumbo and absolute rot. Its a means to dilute Islam and lead people towards belief in fairy tales and other silly rubbish. These sly creatures like Akbar Khan try and make Muslims believe like the Christians and Hindus do, worship saints and believe in magic and spells and other hocus pocus. We do not need whining ninnys like him. Tell him to go to Iraq and fight jihad at least for his dear Americans and he will tell you that he is waiting for his mesiah. No I'll lay it out. The Taliban were heroes during the Regan years now they are villians? Sadam was your guy. He was the US goon on the block. So what are you people complaining about. I say when your pockets empty and no one wants to fund your deficit - not even drug dealers, then you can jump in the Arabian sea and swim back home because you won't be able to afford the gas or the ticket back home.
2005-02-28
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Akbar Hussain I would like to bring to your attention that since you wish for me to be killed in Iraq or some twisted stuff like that that you just said, I would like to bring to your attention one of the undisputed hadiths, of the forty hadith of Imam Nawawi:
On the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, radiyallahu anhu, who said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:
"The blood of a man who is a Muslim is not lawful (i.e. cannot be lawfully shed), save if he belongs to one of three (classes): a married man who is an adulterer; life for a life (i.e. for murder); one who is a deserter of his religion, abandoning the community."
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
I suggest that you be careful in wishing that death come upon other Muslims, because this is not the teaching among the people of the Sunnah. Do not leave the majority of the Ummah in the world, the Ahl' as-Sunnah, and start wishing that death come upon people who simply wish to live their lives in peace, and affect a change in more meaningful manners than doing something the way you have prescribed, such as going to Iraq and all that other nonesense you are babbling on about. It is not permissible in Islam to shed the blood of another human being, and more importantly it is a great great sin to shed the blood or wish to shed the blood upon another Muslim like yourself. I would suggest to you to please refrain from such statements, and not because you think that I support American policies, but because it is plain and simple, it is against Islam and is forbidden by Allah subhanau wa ta'ala in the Qur'an.
Sahih Muslim:
Book 001, Number 0159:
Anas narrated from the Apostle (may peace be upon him) about the major sins. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance.
On the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, radiyallahu anhu, who said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:
"The blood of a man who is a Muslim is not lawful (i.e. cannot be lawfully shed), save if he belongs to one of three (classes): a married man who is an adulterer; life for a life (i.e. for murder); one who is a deserter of his religion, abandoning the community."
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
I suggest that you be careful in wishing that death come upon other Muslims, because this is not the teaching among the people of the Sunnah. Do not leave the majority of the Ummah in the world, the Ahl' as-Sunnah, and start wishing that death come upon people who simply wish to live their lives in peace, and affect a change in more meaningful manners than doing something the way you have prescribed, such as going to Iraq and all that other nonesense you are babbling on about. It is not permissible in Islam to shed the blood of another human being, and more importantly it is a great great sin to shed the blood or wish to shed the blood upon another Muslim like yourself. I would suggest to you to please refrain from such statements, and not because you think that I support American policies, but because it is plain and simple, it is against Islam and is forbidden by Allah subhanau wa ta'ala in the Qur'an.
Sahih Muslim:
Book 001, Number 0159:
Anas narrated from the Apostle (may peace be upon him) about the major sins. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance.
2005-02-25
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Akbar Hussain, it is sad to see you sit there and rehearse the same old .. I have been hearing from many others on this website. What's worse with you is that you don't even know the story of the prophet (saaw) and Abu Jahl, do you? He was his arch enemy, but did hte prophet (saaw) ever curse him the way you are cursing me? Whether you like it or not Mr. Hussein, the sad thing is that you think that just because I condemn extremism that I love American politics - that is the saddest thing I have ever seen a person ever admit openly to the public, because it just gives everyone a better opportunity to equate Jihad with Terrorism. It is because of individuals such as yourself that the knowledge among Muslims is fading away, because all we hear from the mouths of individuals such as yourself is stuff that resembles the Khawarij who fought Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra), The Ummayads and Yazid who slaughtered Imam Hussain (as), and the Wahhabi's who continue to attempt to constnatly attack the Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jam'aah.
Have fun sitting in yoru halaqa inventing Islamic rules, when you know nothing about what most likely the madhab your ancestors followed, you don't even know what Imam Abu Hanifah says.
I feel pity for you that you say such insane things. May Allah guide you towards the straight path.
Have fun sitting in yoru halaqa inventing Islamic rules, when you know nothing about what most likely the madhab your ancestors followed, you don't even know what Imam Abu Hanifah says.
I feel pity for you that you say such insane things. May Allah guide you towards the straight path.
2005-02-25
PETER FROM USA said:
Akbar Hussein, you don't need to attack other people like Akbar Khan in such a personal way. Akbar found the one calling himself "Muslim"s comments to be offensive (with good reason) and said so. Just because somone speaks out against that sort of nonsense doesn't make them some sort of Islamic Uncle Tom. If you don't agree with what Akbar Khan says, then fine, say so, but do us all a favor and do it without the personal attacks. Of course, re-reading your email and taking out the personal attack I'm afraid that I don't see any other reason for the post. How strange. What was your point? I'm not kidding, I'd really like to know.
What is more, Sufism is a wonderful, erudtite expression of Islam that has absolutely nothing to do with the US. Sufism was here (on earth) long before the US; and Insha Allah, will be here for a long time to come. Shukram.
What is more, Sufism is a wonderful, erudtite expression of Islam that has absolutely nothing to do with the US. Sufism was here (on earth) long before the US; and Insha Allah, will be here for a long time to come. Shukram.
2005-02-25
AUSTIN FROM USA said:
Ummah-itis, as I understand it, is exactly the preference to blame others for oppression of the Ummah, thereby minimizing our responsibility for improving the health and welfare of the Ummah ourselves. Down that road leads the rationalization of killing others in defense of or to avenge past wrongs against the Ummah.
No one would castigate compassion. And no one will castigate the efforts of Muslims throughout the Ummah to improve and make more holy our communities, our families and our selves. But this path of jihad -- not against others but for the improvement of our selves -- is much less certain, much less finite, and much more diffiuclt.
It is our path.
No one would castigate compassion. And no one will castigate the efforts of Muslims throughout the Ummah to improve and make more holy our communities, our families and our selves. But this path of jihad -- not against others but for the improvement of our selves -- is much less certain, much less finite, and much more diffiuclt.
It is our path.
2005-02-24
AKBAR HUSSEIN FROM CANADA said:
Akbar Khan, the guy Muslim may have some extreme ideas but your attitude rings of an American "Super Gluteus Maximus" Kisser. What in the heck are you doing in Canada? You should be living in the US or maybe with your love and passion for the US and Bush policies maybe you can shack up with old George himself. Reading your previous posts, you come across as some Sufi .. trying to sell of his Sufi BS while ingratiating himself to those Americans right wing clowns participating or monitoring this site. Maybe you are trying to get a job with the CIA or FBI and this is your attempt to get the "I need a job" message across. .. Its people like you whom the Americans send to Iraq and Afghanistan to be blown away for them. Good. I hope the Americans employ you soon.
2005-02-23
ABU BAKR FROM UK said:
The article is interesting, but is rather apologetic and re-active in its tone.
The concept of one Ummah is an affirmation of the Islamic obligation for political, social and spiritual unity of the Muslims, especially in the face of adversity and challenges.These have been in great supply over the last few decades with the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Chechnya, Bosnia,Palestine etc which without exception have been aggressive wars by external powers against the body of the Ummah.
So the concept of caring for the issues of the Ummah is not simply a humanitarian issue (which we as Muslims must also extend to non-muslims) but a matter of ensuring the unity and cohesiveness of the Global Islamic society.
We must remember that in origin the Muslim Ummah was united in one state with a single leader for many centuries before the colonialisation of the Islamic world and the advent of nationalism that led to the creation of 50+ divided states, thereby weakening the Ummah as a whole.
Hence the RAND corps. description of this concept as 'Ummah-itis' is simply another attack against the concept of universal Islamic brotherhood and Unity amongst Muslims, when in reality this is an obligation on us.
The concept of one Ummah is an affirmation of the Islamic obligation for political, social and spiritual unity of the Muslims, especially in the face of adversity and challenges.These have been in great supply over the last few decades with the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Chechnya, Bosnia,Palestine etc which without exception have been aggressive wars by external powers against the body of the Ummah.
So the concept of caring for the issues of the Ummah is not simply a humanitarian issue (which we as Muslims must also extend to non-muslims) but a matter of ensuring the unity and cohesiveness of the Global Islamic society.
We must remember that in origin the Muslim Ummah was united in one state with a single leader for many centuries before the colonialisation of the Islamic world and the advent of nationalism that led to the creation of 50+ divided states, thereby weakening the Ummah as a whole.
Hence the RAND corps. description of this concept as 'Ummah-itis' is simply another attack against the concept of universal Islamic brotherhood and Unity amongst Muslims, when in reality this is an obligation on us.
2005-02-22
AISHA MUBARAK FROM MALAYSIA said:
The other recent trend which has a discreet but yet very real connection is the encouragment of Muslims who claim to be "modern" or "progressive". All Muslims are progressive, in the true sense of the religion, if they follow the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Each and every one. Not the ones who choose to only follow that which suits them or is convenient.Islam is a perscribed way of life, there can be no compromise. Please also write on this.
2005-02-22
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
For the one who is names "Muslim," his comment is nothing but the typical response of an extremist. Look at the way you talk, "If muslims didn't take revenge against injustice it will continue until muslims disappear." ??? Are you kidding me man! First of all, your sentence starts off in past tense when u say "didn't take revenge" and ends with "it will continue until muslims disappear", come on buddy, please learn to write at least a single sentence in english before you come on so strong with such wacko concepts. What you just wrote is called an error in sentence structure and actually doesn't make any sense in plain english. I would suggest that you not put yourself in the same situation as Shaykh Muhammad al-Mohaisany, who after salaat al-taraweeh in Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, made a crazy du'a before hundreds of thousands of people calling for the fall of the kafirs, the USA, for them to taste suffering and pain and all this other crazy crap like to destroy the USA "our enemy" and actually called America the centre of "Kufr and Fasaad." I don't know what else to tell you but when you post a message like that my man "Muslim," one word of advice, you better be living in mountain with that Osama guy because that kind of view that you have is exactly what we Muslims DO NOT NEED ANYMORE!!! We are Muslims and regardless of what circumstances Muslims are put under, we do not let others, doesn't matter who they may be, make us feel ashamed or humiliated. This is not the Sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad (saaw) this attitude of yours. May Allah guide you before you cause problems on this website.
2005-02-21
YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
My guess would be that "Ummah-itis" is any solidarity among Muslims that frustrates the ambitions of those with whom the Rand Corporation is affiliated. Perhaps a symptom of "Ummah-itis" might be an opposition to whatever comes between the Muslim and their Lord. If so, any diagnosis of "Ummah-itis" might seem well worth casting a few pebbles at. At the very least, I imagine that the Muslim should seriously consider getting a second opinion.
2005-02-21
DEAN MOHAMED FROM USA said:
Point well made. Either way, I dont want to be cured since both feelings are accurate.
2005-02-21
MUSLIM FROM EARTH said:
If muslims didn't take revenge against injustice it will continue until muslims disappear .. so in order to live you have to fight back and not just surrender until they slaughter you .. this world beleive only in one language .. POWER .. If muslims were the leaders of the world then justice will spread all over the world.
2005-02-21
RACHID FROM USA said:
Alhamdulillah "some"Muslims are waking up! Thank you very much for writing such a beautiful article. Thank you. I am so delighted to see this happening. I mean this type of insight and this fairness is "unusual" to be found in a good number of Muslims. Please, keep doing what you're doing. We need people like you. Wassalam.
2005-02-21
SOFIA SHUMS FROM USA said:
Moral and ethical values must be thought through as universal human concepts and should not be demarcated along one's religion/faith.
Feeling for the suffering of those of one's own faith and ignoring or down-playing the suffering of others is admission of one's lack of the very values we are laying claim to. In other words, our claims are hypothical and bankrupt.
If we believe in Justice, it must be Universal Justice. If we claim that we must fight against injustices done to our person, community or nation and at the same time turn a blind eye to the injustices done to the rest among us then we must step down from our moral pedestals. For such an attitude helps unjust acts to flourish further in our world. Such a stance is neither religious nor ethical.
These errors are being committed not only by Muslims around the world today but also by non-Muslims everywhere who choose to create such false, artificial demarcations.
As Mulims, we need to turn to the Qur'an and our own selves to comprehend the marvellous balance and depth with which concepts such as Justice, Tawheed and Deen have been dealth within it.
And the voices that tell us that we may not use our reason and intellect to comprehend our Faith or the Qur'an must not be allowed to drown the clear and unambiguous Voice of the Word of Allah, Lord Almighty. In these discussions, we need to ask ourselves the question: Who gains, who loses?
Muslims need to learn to trust themselves more and professional, know-all religious leaders less.
Post 9/11 has given Muslims a wonderful opportunity to rethink their Deen and their lives. Let us make the most of it for ourselves and for all others--both Muslims and non-Muslims!
As-Salaam Elekum!
Feeling for the suffering of those of one's own faith and ignoring or down-playing the suffering of others is admission of one's lack of the very values we are laying claim to. In other words, our claims are hypothical and bankrupt.
If we believe in Justice, it must be Universal Justice. If we claim that we must fight against injustices done to our person, community or nation and at the same time turn a blind eye to the injustices done to the rest among us then we must step down from our moral pedestals. For such an attitude helps unjust acts to flourish further in our world. Such a stance is neither religious nor ethical.
These errors are being committed not only by Muslims around the world today but also by non-Muslims everywhere who choose to create such false, artificial demarcations.
As Mulims, we need to turn to the Qur'an and our own selves to comprehend the marvellous balance and depth with which concepts such as Justice, Tawheed and Deen have been dealth within it.
And the voices that tell us that we may not use our reason and intellect to comprehend our Faith or the Qur'an must not be allowed to drown the clear and unambiguous Voice of the Word of Allah, Lord Almighty. In these discussions, we need to ask ourselves the question: Who gains, who loses?
Muslims need to learn to trust themselves more and professional, know-all religious leaders less.
Post 9/11 has given Muslims a wonderful opportunity to rethink their Deen and their lives. Let us make the most of it for ourselves and for all others--both Muslims and non-Muslims!
As-Salaam Elekum!
2005-02-20
NABILAH FROM USA said:
The brother puts forth an excellent agrument which is both Quranic based and Islamically sound. He understands that Islam is a religion of peace and those who practice are required by Allah to maintain and seek the peace. The ultimate issue that Dr. Hassaballa expresses is that Muslims are responsible, loving, and global individuals who are to be the example for the rest of the world to follow. The Prophet, (pbuh) was the example for us to learn from; the article is in line with what our Prophet (pbuh) has left for us as an example of practicing Islam in its highest forms. It is up to Muslims to continue to stand together as one brotherhood to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. For those whom Allah has blessed to be intellectuals amongst us have a greater responsibility to stand out firmly against those atrocities which so called Muslims commit in the name of the religion. May Allah continue to bless Dr. Hassaballa and others like him for taking the straight path.
2005-02-20
MIMI KHAN FROM CANADA said:
We all the common quotation from a hadith-that the Ummah is ONE body-if one part is diseased or hurt, and the rest of the body should feel pain!
While we are on the subject of the tsunami ,I invite our readres to read the various disgusting statements made by christian Missionaries(see -latest Tsusanami news fromC&MA Canada, Christ for the island world etc.) where these Evangelists call Indonesia the land of Satan, resistent to Evangelism for centuries.In other places they say that the Lord has blessed them with a breakthrough in this region!So much for their "humanitarian"effort!
Mimi
While we are on the subject of the tsunami ,I invite our readres to read the various disgusting statements made by christian Missionaries(see -latest Tsusanami news fromC&MA Canada, Christ for the island world etc.) where these Evangelists call Indonesia the land of Satan, resistent to Evangelism for centuries.In other places they say that the Lord has blessed them with a breakthrough in this region!So much for their "humanitarian"effort!
Mimi
2005-02-19
STEVEN FROM USA said:
As Salam Alaikum, Ahkee
Manytimes, I wonder why expressions like these aren't broadcast in today's post 911 era when Islam is coming under attacks from many christian apologetics who often misquote or misapply muslim beliefs. For example: "... Islam just wants to kill ALL Christians and Jews...", " ... Islam is all about works or do's and dont's ..." and the old cliches of women being 2nd class citizens. We are to remind not only them, but muslims that Islam confirms, supports, and guards previous scriptures (Injeel-Gospel and Taurat-Torah) not replace or eradicate them. Suras 2:97, 3:3, 3:199. A true muslims does not call every Christian or Jew an infidel; only those fitting certain categories. Blatant ayats are 2:62, 5:69.
However, I rarely hear defenses such as these when western or christian apologetics hurl these statements at Islam.
I do agree that ones own interpretation and relationship with the Most Mericiful is key, but as muslims we are reminded to seek quidance from Allah SWT when we read the scriptures
Finally, because I live a majority christian society in the Southern USA, I often hear apologetics say that we do not worship the same G_d as they do. For once I would like to hear the follow response in defense of that: a true muslim's claim to his/her faith is not whether we worship the same G_d as you do, but we do claim and defend that we worship the same G_d as Jesus-Isa Son of Mary, David, Moses, Abraham-Ibrahim, Joseph, and all the patriachs mentioned in the Old Testament.
Your article so fittingly dissected the political landscape who try their hand in their hand at religion.
Salam
Manytimes, I wonder why expressions like these aren't broadcast in today's post 911 era when Islam is coming under attacks from many christian apologetics who often misquote or misapply muslim beliefs. For example: "... Islam just wants to kill ALL Christians and Jews...", " ... Islam is all about works or do's and dont's ..." and the old cliches of women being 2nd class citizens. We are to remind not only them, but muslims that Islam confirms, supports, and guards previous scriptures (Injeel-Gospel and Taurat-Torah) not replace or eradicate them. Suras 2:97, 3:3, 3:199. A true muslims does not call every Christian or Jew an infidel; only those fitting certain categories. Blatant ayats are 2:62, 5:69.
However, I rarely hear defenses such as these when western or christian apologetics hurl these statements at Islam.
I do agree that ones own interpretation and relationship with the Most Mericiful is key, but as muslims we are reminded to seek quidance from Allah SWT when we read the scriptures
Finally, because I live a majority christian society in the Southern USA, I often hear apologetics say that we do not worship the same G_d as they do. For once I would like to hear the follow response in defense of that: a true muslim's claim to his/her faith is not whether we worship the same G_d as you do, but we do claim and defend that we worship the same G_d as Jesus-Isa Son of Mary, David, Moses, Abraham-Ibrahim, Joseph, and all the patriachs mentioned in the Old Testament.
Your article so fittingly dissected the political landscape who try their hand in their hand at religion.
Salam
2005-02-19
MIR SALMAN FROM USA said:
The author maybe a medical professional but he has no clue or grasp on the subject of Muslims. He is just promoting the mainstream media, end of story.
2005-02-19
IMTIAZ AHMED FROM KUWAIT said:
ASAK
What bortheres and pains me is that the qualified amongst us are not taking the right steps to either neutralize such sarcastic and deregotary articles re our religion OR pay them back in the same coin!
The doctors diagnosis may be rigth but the treatment will have no affect on "them".
I have advocated and used a technique on the forums which is quite effective.As we the muslims are NOT enjoined to turn the other cheek for punishment, we pay them back in the same coin.
English language is very pliable and could be effectively used to reply to evoke the same feelings that they plan and plot to give us.
For eg , we publish their article and our answer-article should follow AND we must PUBLISH this to
teach OUR UMMAH not to take it lying down !!!
A few egs to illustrate the technique:
1. Use christianists when the use islamists
2. If they allude to terror , we allude to their crusades.
3. If they say we are killing our own people, we tell them the IRA killed their own people for over 40 yrs now.
4.We unaimously KEEP UP the a mass islamic theme:
" If you want to shake our hand in peace THEN YOU disarm your letheal nuclear arsenal first".
5. WMD are unsafe in THEIR HANDS coz they used it in Japan .....that decimation is still UNMATCHED !!!
Our media MUST HAVE A COMMON HIT BACK STRATEGY. What is painful, our media propagate THEIR words/concepts....islamist & now ummah-itis. We are pathetic followers !
I HOPE that your site would AT LEAST work on my suggestion insha'Allah
jazak Allah Khairan
What bortheres and pains me is that the qualified amongst us are not taking the right steps to either neutralize such sarcastic and deregotary articles re our religion OR pay them back in the same coin!
The doctors diagnosis may be rigth but the treatment will have no affect on "them".
I have advocated and used a technique on the forums which is quite effective.As we the muslims are NOT enjoined to turn the other cheek for punishment, we pay them back in the same coin.
English language is very pliable and could be effectively used to reply to evoke the same feelings that they plan and plot to give us.
For eg , we publish their article and our answer-article should follow AND we must PUBLISH this to
teach OUR UMMAH not to take it lying down !!!
A few egs to illustrate the technique:
1. Use christianists when the use islamists
2. If they allude to terror , we allude to their crusades.
3. If they say we are killing our own people, we tell them the IRA killed their own people for over 40 yrs now.
4.We unaimously KEEP UP the a mass islamic theme:
" If you want to shake our hand in peace THEN YOU disarm your letheal nuclear arsenal first".
5. WMD are unsafe in THEIR HANDS coz they used it in Japan .....that decimation is still UNMATCHED !!!
Our media MUST HAVE A COMMON HIT BACK STRATEGY. What is painful, our media propagate THEIR words/concepts....islamist & now ummah-itis. We are pathetic followers !
I HOPE that your site would AT LEAST work on my suggestion insha'Allah
jazak Allah Khairan
2005-02-19
DURESH HAFIZEE FROM INDIA said:
Though I and inshallah the whole ummah agrees that muslims are for humanity, i do not personally agree with the comment on the way violence in Israel has been referred. No governement commits atrocities without the tacit or placid connivance of its own public. Had not the Israeli public been supportive of there govrnements actions, there could have been no Intifada.
Like all, I agree to disagree.
Like all, I agree to disagree.
2005-02-19
K. RIZWAN KADIR FROM USA said:
I happened to be watching the C-SPAN show, and like Hesham's, my blood boiled too when the said analyst mentioned this imbecilic term.
If I were at the meeting, I would have asked the analyst if he came up with the term himself. Then I would I would have told him "You just don't get it, and if I were your boss, I'd fire you for coming up with a superficial analysis." The mere use of such a term bespeaks his lack of understanding of the religion and its followers.
In business and investment circles, we we talk endlessly about the world being global. In the same vein, Muslims are global citizens, and our religion, expects us to care for our communities thoughout the globe.
rizwan
I happened to be watching the C-SPAN show, and like Hesham's, my blood boiled too when the said analyst mentioned this imbecilic term.
If I were at the meeting, I would have asked the analyst if he came up with the term himself. Then I would I would have told him "You just don't get it, and if I were your boss, I'd fire you for coming up with a superficial analysis." The mere use of such a term bespeaks his lack of understanding of the religion and its followers.
In business and investment circles, we we talk endlessly about the world being global. In the same vein, Muslims are global citizens, and our religion, expects us to care for our communities thoughout the globe.
rizwan
2005-02-19
MUSLIHA FROM FRANCE said:
Well said author! I believe muslims all over the world have to work hard to change the wrong image others have of muslims. In my openion writing this type of articles is one way of doing it. So thank you for the nice article. I am sure Allah (swt) would bless anyone working to maintain the good image of Islam.
Salaam to all.
[email protected]
Salaam to all.
[email protected]
2005-02-19
