Some thoughts on the news, religion and life in general
Shafiur Rahman
The narrative of inaction
Nov 17th
The inconsistency of being a Muslim today and living in America and the West in general reveals the wisdom behind the opinions that call for migration from the West. It is becoming more and more difficult to hold on to Islam in an environment that is becoming more hostile towards Muslims.
This part of Imam Anwar al-Awlaki alleged statement (above), published last week, sums up the underlying mood of his website after his release from a Yemeni prison. I’m not interested in criticising or condemning Imam Anwar as a person or his alleged remarks about Fort Hood per se, as he may or may not be the author. Although a recent report in the Washington Post also claims he says Major Hasan’s actions were acceptable in Islam.
My concern is the narrative along with its conclusion that is being promoted to Muslims in the west. More >
‘Non-Muslims’ instead of ‘Kuffar’
Nov 2nd
An extract from Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi:
In calling (da’wa) others with wisdom and beautiful preaching and arguing with that which is best, which the Muslims are required to do – it is advisable (particularly in the age of globalisation) to not address those whom we differ with, as kuffar, even though we believe that they are so. This is especially in the case of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews).
This is so due to two reasons
Firstly: The word kuffar has a number of meanings some of which we definitely do not intend [when addressing People of the Book]. From amongst these meanings is to deny Allah, his prophets and the abode of the hereafter (Jannah). As is the case with materialists who do not believe in anything beyond that which can be sensed and so do not believe in the existence of a Lord, or prophets, or the hereafter.
When we talk about the ‘People of the Book’ we do not intend to describe them with this meaning of kufr, rather what we mean is that they are kuffar with respect to the prophethood of Muhammad and his deen, and this is a reality just as they believe that we are ‘kuffar’ with respect to what they believe and that is also a reality. More >
Final gem from Ibn Rajab’s treatise on Ramadan
Sep 18th
Gem4: The best of Ramadan still remains
Servants of Allah, indeed the month of Ramadan has decided to depart, and nothing remains of it except a little. So the one who excelled in this month, continue and complete the month. As for the one who was deficient then seal the month with beautiful deeds and benefit from what little remains of its nights and days.
In a Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas; “Allah releases in every night of Ramadan at iftar (breakfast) millions of servants from the hellfire, all of whom were destined for the hellfire. When it is the last night of Ramadan he releases in that night more servants than he did from the beginning of the month until the end of it.” More >
Gem 3 from Ibn Rajab’s treatise on Ramadan
Sep 16th
Gem3: Hoping for forgiveness in Laylatul Qadr
Aishah asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “if I were to come upon Laylatul Qadr what should I say in it?” He said “Say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah indeed You are the Pardoner, You love to Pardon, so Pardon me).”
Al’afuw is one of the names of Allah, subhana wa ta’ala, by which He overlooks the sins of his servants and by which He effaces its traces from them. He loves to forgive and He loves to forgive his servants. He loves that his servants should forgive one another, and when they do so He forgives them. His forgiveness is more beloved to Him than his punishment. More >
Gem 2 from Ibn Rajab’s treatise on Ramadan
Sep 14th
Gem2: Glad tidings O you who believe! For these eight gates of the Garden have been opened on your account. And its fragrant breeze has diffused upon the hearts of the believers.
All the gates of the Fire have been closed on your account. The feet of the devil and of his offspring have been shackled. In this month revenge is taken on Iblis (satan), and the sinful ones free themselves from his captivity, he now has no influence over them.
He used to nourish his hatchlings with desires in his nests. Today they have fled from those nests. They have smashed his fortress with the pickaxes of repentance and seeking forgiveness, fled from his prison to the safety of the citadel of Taqwa and Faith, and protected themselves from the punishment of the Fire. More >
Gems from Ibn Rajab’s treatise on Ramadan
Sep 3rd
Gem1: Why the reward of fasting is excluded from the rewards of other deeds.
Allah most high says (Hadith Qudsi), “For every action there is recompense, and fasting is for Me and I will reward it.” (Al-Bukhari.)
Imam Ahmed also cites [this hadith]. His narration is worded as follows: “Every action of the son of Adam has a recompense for himself except fasting, fasting is for Me and I shall reward it.”
The best of what has been narrated in relation to this is what Sufyan ibn Uyayna (may Allah be pleased with him) has said. “This is one of the finest of hadith and one of its most judicious. On the day of judgement Allah, most high, will judge his servant and pay from his good deeds whatever is due from him to others he had wronged, until nothing of his good deeds remains except fasting. Allah most high will then take responsibility of his remaining debts and enter him into paradise by virtue of his fasting.” More >
