Whoever Wants to Follow a Path

"Whoever wants to follow a path, should follow the path of the ones who have died. These are the companions of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم. They were the best of this Nation, were the purest in heart, the deepest of it in knowledge and the least of it in burdening themselves. Allah chose them to accompany His Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and to establish His religion. So realize their virtue and follow their footsteps, as they were upon the upright guidance."

- Ibn al Qayyim

The History of Islam: A Must-Read Volume Series

This Three-Volume Series, The History of Islam, provides a detailed and nuanced perspective on Islamic history, and its contributions to civilization, and all other aspects in relation to faith, politics, science, arts, society, and spirituality.

At a time, when almost all materials and information which are catered to the general public particularly for education curricula, are centered and provided by non-Islamic sources, there is a great need for people, both Non-Muslims and Muslims alike, to turn to genuine Islamic sources which are well-researched and provided by Muslims themselves. In order to gain a proper and balanced perspective on history, and its implications on current events and the collective mindset of people, the Islamic perspective should be given its foremost importance.

In sha Allah, I will give a little bit of a book review, but the series requires deep reading, so the review might take quite some time.

A Reply to Atheism

 

Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge semen drops). Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open opponent. 

And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: "Who will give life to these bones when they have rotted away and became dust?"  

Say: "He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!" 

He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith. 

Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator. 

Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" and it is! 

So Glorified is He and Exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you shall be returned.

- Qur'an (Surah Ya Seen 77-83)

Surah Al Kahf (The Cave)

(Click the play button to listen to the Noble Qur'an recitation of Surah Al Kahf)

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

- Qur'an (Surah Al Kahf 28)

Life Lately

(Click the play button to listen to the Noble Qur'an recitation of Surah Ya Seen)

For this month, I made two book purchases, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I was reading the novels on my Iphone, but when it totally shut down, I decided to have my own actual copies to add to my collection. I am not really into reading fiction, but I read the novels mainly to refine my ideas and insights, not to absorb them really into myself. There are recurrent themes on fiction which are not advisable to absorb onto oneself, since they are corrupt, toxic and destructive to the soul and mind, added to the fact that they are products of human imagination, and not based on practical reality. I read novels mainly to develop vocabulary and refine ideas. 

Some of the subjects I'm focused on right now, are on Islamic Aqeedah (Creed), Tazkiyat-un-Nafs (Purification of the Self), Islamic psychology, and Qur'an contemplation. Also included on my study list are Islamic history and philosophy. Although I must say that I am a very lazy and procrastinate when it comes to my latest project which is a book translation about Tawheed and Shirk (Monotheism and Polytheism), which is supposed to be rendered from English to Filipino. It's a brief booklet, and I am 98% finished with the rough draft which is hand written on paper. The remaining work is set to be typed on computer. Pray for me, that I get the motivation and energy to focus on the project and finish it before the year ends, In sha Allah. It's a very tedious and difficult task, but if God wills, it will be published in book form.

Say What Is True

Say what is true although it may be bitter and displeasing to people.

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم‎

A Loss For Words!

Have you not looked at him (Nimrod) who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim (Abraham) said (to him): “My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.” He said, “I give life and cause death.” Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers).

- Qur’an (Surah Al Baqarah 258)

Tests

The most harshly tested people are the Prophets, followed in succession by those who are best after them. A man is tested according to his religion. If his religion is strong with him, his test will be more intense. If his religion is weak with him, he will be tested according to the level of his religion. Allah’s slave will continually be tested until he is left to walk on the earth without a mistake (to have to account for).

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم‎

Making Things Easy, Not Difficult

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم appointed Mu'adh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه and Abu Musa al-Ash'ari رضي الله عنه as the leaders of the Muslims going to Yemen to preach Islam. They were each sent to two separate districts of Yemen. As they were about to leave, The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم spoke to them, 

Remember, make things easy for the people there, do not make things difficult. Give people good news, do not provoke them to anger. Always coordinate your efforts and remain united. You will come across people who have a religion of their own. When you meet them, invite them to Tawhid (unity of God) and Risalah (Prophethood). When they accept Tawhid and Risalah, tell them that a Muslim should offer Salaah (Prayer) five times a day. When they accept this, tell them that Allah obligates Muslims to pay Zakaah (Charity) to their less fortunate brothers and sisters. The rich should also pay Sadaqah (Charity) to the poor. Remember, when they agree to give you the Zakaah, do not take the best things from their belongings. Be fearful of the curse of the oppressed. There is not barrier between it and God.

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, "O Prophet of Allah, people in our country make a drink from barley and honey. Is it permissible?"

The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم then replied that all those things which are intoxicants are Haram (not permissible).

[Source: Stories of the Sirah Vol. 2 - Power Belongs to Allah]

Ijtihad (Independent Judgment)

When Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم appointed Mu'adh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه as governor of Yemen, he asked him, "How will you decide the affairs of the people?" 

Mu'adh رضي الله عنه answered, "O Messenger of Allah, I will decide according to the teachings of the Qur'an."

"If you do not find the answer to the Qur'an," The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم asked him, "what will you do then?"

"I will seek advice from your tradition, O Messenger of Allah," replied Mu'adh رضي الله عنه.

The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم asked him again, "If you do not find an answer in my tradition, what will you do then?"

Mu'adh رضي الله عنه replied, "I will then use my best judgement."

The Prophet's face gleamed with joy. He then remarked, "Blessed be Allah Who has given wisdom to a messenger of His messenger."  

[Source: Stories of the Sirah Vol.6 - The Teacher of Mankind]

The Noble Qur'an

وَمَا كَانَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَن يُفْتَرَىٰ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

"And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah (Lord of the heavens and the earth), but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it (i.e. the Taurat [Torah] and the Injeel [Gospel]), and a full explanation of the Book (i.e. laws, decreed for mankind) - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)."

- Qur'an (Surah Yunus 37)

The Guided One

Allah, The Exalted has said,

Whoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My slave (i.e. the believing Muslim) does not draw near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have imposed upon him, and My slave continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. Then when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his hand with which he holds, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.

[Source: Sahih Al Bukari]

Surah Al Baqarah (The Cow)

(Click the play button to listen to the Noble Qur'an Recitation of Surah Al Baqarah)

"Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding."

- Qur'an (Surah Al Baqarah 164)

Fragrance

Be like the flower that gives fragrance even to the hand that crushes it.

- Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه

A Walk Along Sto. Rosario Street

I was supposed to visit my university library last week, but it was past office hours, so I didn't entered it. I ended up visiting the museum and having a brief stroll along the historic and nostalgic Sto. Rosario Street. A place that was a part of my everyday life when I was still a student.

The Foundation of Knowledge

The foundation of knowledge is knowledge of Allah, not empirical knowledge. For Allah is the First, Who created all that exists, and the Last, to Whom all of creation will return. He is the all-encompassing principle; knowledge of Him is the basis of all knowledge, remembrance of Him is the basis of all remembrance, and striving for His sake is the basis of all effort. From the knowledge of Allah stem all other kinds of knowledge. From the worship of Him and seeking Him alone stem all kinds of good objectives. By worshipping Him and seeking His help, the heart is protected, for it has taken refuge in trustworthy support and is clinging to guidance and certain proof. For learning by the help of Allah is the greatest means of learning about Allah and about life and other things, and about the human psyche.

- Dr. Umar S. Al Ashqar

Reform

Sincerity

Man’s Acts Depends on His Intentions

The motivations and the factors which prompt a man to do a better job in a better way, to strive hard and bear all the trials and tribulations and induce him to sacrifice his property and life for a thing, are many and varied. One motivation is such that it manifests itself with the man’s interest and involvement in his work, while there is another motivation which remains hidden in the interior recesses of the heart and cannot be discerned from outside. Many times, the man who performs the act does not recognize it although he is influenced by it and the secret of his acceptance or non-acceptance of a thing is hidden in that.

The normal human nature decides what the general rules of treatment in a certain case are. You can very easily determine what are the motivations of a particular person in acting in a certain manner by looking him at work. He will be seen either involved in self-love or self-preservation, or greed for more wealth would be troubling him, or the feelings of pride and self-importance would be giving him sleepless nights, or hypocrisy and desire for fame would be inciting him to advance forward. Hear what the people talk about. Take a survey of their daily activities. You will not find anything else the axis of their talk and efforts but their feelings of joy and hatred, pride and conceit.

Islam judges the acts and deeds, and decides about their importance on the basis of the intentions, feelings, and sensations behind them. For Islam, the value of an act depends on the nature of the motivation which prompted the act to be performed.

Sometimes, a man gives costly donations and gifts so that through these good acts, people should be attracted towards him and should talk about his generosity, and sometimes, his purpose is to give valuable presents to that person who had treated him in a commendable way and had obliged him. Both these acts are of charity and generosity, which were guided by, as pointed out by psychologists, by the man’s consciousness, directly or indirectly. But Islam does not give importance to charity if it is given in a hypocritical way or for attaining fame, and unless it is given entirely for seeking the pleasure of Allah:

“We feed you seeking Allah’s countenance only. We wish no reward nor thanks from you.”

- Qur'an (Surah Al Insan 9)

“Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, and have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, but only the desire to seek the pleasure of their Lord, Most High, and soon they will attain (complete) satisfaction.”   

- Qur'an (Surah Al Lail 18-21)

Purity of Purpose is of Importance

The rightness of intention and sincerity are the two things which elevate a man’s worldly action and make it a prayer that is answered. But if there is perversion in the intention and corruption in the heart, a man, in spite of offering prayers is degraded. He commits sins. And inspite of his showing interest in and taking pains for performing worship, is doomed to failure and loss.

The fact is that, as long as man keeps himself obedient to Allah, and his intention is pure and sincere, then all his acts and movements, his sleep and his waking are considered to be for seeking the pleasure of Allah. And sometimes, it so happens that a man wants to perform a righteous act, but on account of his poverty he is unable to do so, then Allah, Who knows the secrets of the hearts, gives the man desirous of reform the honor of a reformer, the man desirous of fighting in the cause of Allah the honor of a Mujahid (the fighter in the cause of Allah), because for Allah, high courage and righteous intention is more appreciable than the lack of resources.

During the days of scarcity and poverty, a battle was to be fought. Some people came to Prophet Muhammad with a desire to join his forces and offered themselves to be sacrificed for the cause of Allah. But Allah’s Messenger did not allow them to take part in the Jihad because of their incapability. They returned with heavy and sorrowful hearts. They were very much grieved for not being able to participate in the Jihad. About them, the following verses were revealed:

“Nor is there any blame on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said, “I can find no mounts for you,’ they turned back, while their eyes were overflowing with tears of grief that they could not find anything to spend for Jihad.  

- Qur'an (Surah At Taubah 92)    

Do you think that a firm and strong faith would be wasted? And this burning desire for sacrifice would be just lost? No, never. For this reason, the Prophet appreciated their faith, and said to the soldiers going with him,

“There are some people who we have left behind in Madinah, in whatever place or valley we may camp, they will be with us. For them, their excuse is enough.”  
(Bukhari)

           

As their intentions were honest, they were the recipients of the reward (sawab) of the Mujahideen (fighters), because they had stayed in Madinah against the wishes of their hearts and with great unwillingness. If this is the achievement of the honest intention that the person having it is so favored, then the dishonest intention also earns the punishment reserved for the bad deed, although apparently the act was righteous. Such hypocrisy has been condemned:

“So woe to those performers of Salah (prayers) (hypocrites), those who delay their Salah (prayer from their stated fixed times). Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men).  

- Qur'an (Surah Al-Maun 4-6)

The prayer based on hypocrisy is considered a sin, because after losing the essential sincerity, it has become useless. Similarly is the case of Zakat (charity). If it is paid merely to seek Allah’s pleasure, then it can be acceptable to Allah, otherwise, it will be a waste:

“O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”  

- Qur'an (Surah Al Baqarah 264)

The heart which is bereft of sincerity cannot be acceptable, as the rock with some dust on it cannot grow any grain when rain falls on it. If the kernel is rotten, beautiful outer skin cannot be of any use.

However, if the self is full of sincerity, then its blessing helps to make an ordinary thing as weighty as a mountain. If it is devoid of sincerity, then what reward can mounds of chaff and husks achieve from Allah?  That is why, Allah’s Messenger said,

 “Make your faith pure, a little righteous act will be sufficient to save you from hell.” 

(Al Hakim)

In the Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad), the reward for virtuous acts has been mentioned to be from ten times to hundred times depending on the performer’s intention and sincerity hidden in his heart, which is known only by Allah Who knows about all the manifest and hidden things. Accordingly, the reward increases according to the sincerity and honesty of the intentions.

The external acts of man can neither achieve the pleasure of Allah nor the grandeur of worldly life. Allah gives attention to His faithful and sincere servants and accepts only those acts which bring them nearer to Him. As regards the worldly show and human trappings, they have no importance and no value. Prophet Muhammad said,

“Allah does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances, but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.” 
(Muslim)

The one who would adopt these realities in ones life would experience relief and comfort in this world and would also achieve eternal bliss in the Hereafter. He will not be harmed by the loss of anything nor will he grieve over any act.

“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him). And perform As-Salah (prayer), and give Zakat (charity), and that is the right religion.” 

- Qur'an (Surah Al-Bayyinah 5)

Sincerity is the Desired Thing

In times of scarcity and adversity, the rays of sincerity draw their light in full force. At such times, man separates himself from his vain desires and yearnings. He severs his relations with their defects and errors. He repents before Allah and weeps and wails and prays for His blessings. He shakes from the fear of Allah’s wrath. The Noble Qur’an has drawn a very fine picture of such a man who is surrounded by adversities, who out of fear, has forgotten all of his mischief and is appealing to his Merciful Lord so that He may lift him out of his mire:

“Say, Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea (dangers like storms), (when) you call upon Him in humility and in secret (saying): If He (Allah) only saves us from this (danger). We shall truly be grateful. Say, Allah rescues you from this and from all other distresses, and yet you worship others besides Allah.” 

- Qur'an (Surah Al-An’am 63-64)

This heat of sincerity dies down gradually as passion for wealth, self-love, egotism, hunger for position and office, hypocrisy, and desire to be famous increases. For this reason, Islam has considered hypocrisy in righteous acts as most abominable and has declared it as Shirk, associating someone else with Allah.

The truth is: this hypocrisy destroys all acts as white ants slowly destroy things they come in contact with. When the habit of hypocrisy takes roots in any man’s dealings, as germs of an infectious disease spread in the society, then it becomes a sort of idolatry and throws its practitioner into the fire of Hell.

Allah wants that He should be truly and correctly known and recognized and should be respected and honored in all conditions. People should give their due place to honest and sincere intention and good conduct in their lives. Their attachment to these qualities should be strong and should not break at any time, and they should not make any other thing but selflessness and Allah’s pleasure as an ideal to follow in their life.

The severe criticism and attacks which Islam has unleashed on the evils emanating from hypocrisy and lack of sincerity is because it is a kind of corruption that is not discernible, and keeps the carnal desires and the wicked wishes of the self hidden.

The evils which can be seen give rise to other evils and increase the rate of corruption of the society considerably. Such evils are considered very low and mean, and on account of this consciousness and feeling, it is possible that the man who commits them may give them up sooner or later and may turn a new leaf.

But that act of sinning which puts on the garb of worship has its evils hidden from the sight of the sinner himself and the society is also not able to recognize it. It is so because such a person remains absorbed in the ramifications of his acts. He is under the impression that he is working towards the pleasure of Allah, but how then can he realize that he has committed a sin? And how can he turn away from a thing which he considers righteous?

As regards the general society, it is harmed more by the learned hypocrites than by the poor and needy people. Lack of sincerity of talented people makes their ability a curse, and such a society suffers a set-back instead of making a progress. It is also true that to pollute a virtue with the impurities of the self is to downgrade its value. This is another crime which is committed for lack of sincerity. The man who wants to please other men and is neglecting to seek the pleasure of his Lord; he does not understand, on account of his ignorance, as to what his sin signifies. He is turning away from Allah, Who is Most Powerful, Who is Independent of everything, to those beggars who have neither power, nor riches.

In the fields of learning and culture, deep sincerity is extremely necessary. Knowledge is such a pure and high thing that on its basis Allah has granted superiority to man over all the other creatures. Therefore, it would be a very mean thing if it is utilized in furtherance of self-interest, and if it is reinforced with mischief, corruption, and vain desires. The world experienced a great setback at the hands of those learned men who did not possess good moral character, and were deprived of purity and sincerity.

Islam severely disapproves that a man should attain learning and when he gets proficiency in that line; he should start impressing others with his learning and his greatness, and open a battle-field of debates and controversies.

The magicians of Pharaoh established a perfect example of true belief and high sincerity when they rejected all the threats of Pharaoh, and trampled below their feet the love of wealth and high position, and replied to that tyrant king’s challenge:

“They said, we prefer you not over what have come to us of the clear signs and to Him (Allah) Who created us. So decree whatever you decide to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) this life of the world.”  

- Qur'an (Surah Ta-Ha 72)

What a great difference between these two groups! One group disdainfully kicks at the material world, and the other group, in order to reach up to some big personality or to achieve some small gains, makes fun of its own religion and faith in order to achieve temporary success in this world.

[Excerpted from: Chapter 10 of Muslim’s Character by Mohammed Alghazali]

First Day of September: A Visit to the Sea

Yesterday was a lovely Sunday here, and we unexpectedly traveled to visit the sea, which is located at Subic Bay. Yes, I still feel the uncomfortable nausea accompanied with traveling, but once I get to the very beautiful place, everything just transforms into serene, calm, and happiness.