tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72569848382433666592024-02-08T02:58:02.644+02:00Kindi's BlogThoughts of Sulayman al-Kindi. An attempt at discussing matters, as a Muslim living in the WestUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-30249692217575069612020-12-05T16:34:00.000+02:002020-12-06T11:33:00.999+02:00The Unhealthy Obsession with End Times (3/3): Armenia & Azerbaijān<!--wp:heading--><br /><h2></h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>The war between these two nations has, for reasons unfathomable to me, spiked the adrenaline of the end times obsessed quarters. Whatever their motivation, their lack of care with Ḥadīth, in terms of interpretation and translation is shocking. Like the scholar of Johannesburg, they are generally Ḥanafī Sunnī, not heretics. Is thus to be hoped that they will desist from this sensationalist agenda driven interpretations, especially those who are linked to the teacher of my teachers, Shaykh ʾAbul Ḥasan ʿAlī ʾan-Nadwī, a paragon of moderation and an unbiased examiner of facts. </p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>There are two Ḥadīth which they quote from <i>ʾal-Mustadrak lil Ḥākim</i>. The translations are theirs, not mine:</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1178,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/armenia.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1178" height="400" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/armenia.jpg?w=1024" width="533" /></a></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:heading--><br /><h2>Dubious Translations</h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>I shall not comment on the state of the English in these translations, but I must dispute some very questionable translations.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Firstly, any decent dictionary can confirm that إِذَا خُيِّرْتُمْ means “when you will choose”. “If you are forced to choose” has insertions that has no justification.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Secondly, الْأَرَضِينَ is a plural word. To change it to the Arabic dual is a disingenuous ploy to make the Ḥadīth seem to fit a war between two nations. Further, where does the word “nation” even come from? الْأَرَضِينَ means “earths” or “lands”</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>We are all human, prone to error, but to change, “When you will choose between the lands” into “If you are forced to choose between two nations…” shows utter carelessness with the words of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) at best, and context points to the possibility of deliberate slanting of the translation to achieve an intended meaning. In either case, these are crimes against Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) which should not be condoned.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>The second Ḥadīth, mentions various places by name. Place names are not literally translated. Italy is not translated as land of the cows. Yemen is not translated as the fortunate land. France is not translated as land of the free. </p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p> ʿal-Jazīrah is a known geographical term used by the Arabs. It is <i>south </i>of Armenia and to specifically translate it literally as “island” so that it can supposedly apply to Azerbaijān, which is <i>east</i> of Armenia, is absolutely shocking. Azerbaijān is NOT ʾal-Jazīrah. I would hope that this was another careless mistake, but the evidence of the continuous distortion of the translations leave open the sad probability of people trying to make Ḥadīth suit their agenda. </p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Taken collectively, these weird translations point to those infected with the end times virus having slanted the words of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) to achieve an agenda. In this case, the agenda is to prove that he specifically referred to the current Armenian-Azeri war. This is a very audacious move. I believe the Ḥadīth simply advices Ṣaḥābah not to settle in Armenia, but I may be wrong. I cannot deny the possibility that others are correct and that it does indeed refer to the current conflict, but can one so brazenly specify a Ḥadīth which is so loosely stated? What special knowledge or association do you have with Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ), other than a desire to interpret everything in the light of end times? How will you face him if you are wrong?</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:heading--><br /><h2>“Torment”</h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>It should also be asked how does the “torment” in Armenia equate to supporting Azerbaijān in a war? Does the Qurʾān not mention cursed lands in Jordan and Arabia? Why this stretching of words and meaning to achieve an end which may or may not have been meant?</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1179,"width":253,"height":193,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/jazira.svg_.png"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1179" height="193" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/jazira.svg_.png?w=785" width="253" /></a><figcaption>al-Jazeerah, a known geographic region since the beginning of Islam, south of Lake Van and Armenia</figcaption></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p></p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1186,"width":302,"height":169,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/azer-1.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1186" height="169" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/azer-1.jpg?w=300" width="302" /></a><figcaption>Azerbaijan - EAST of Armenia</figcaption></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1187,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/van.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1187" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/van.jpg?w=306" /></a><figcaption>Using Lake Van as a comparison point for two very different places</figcaption></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:heading--><br /><h2>What is Armenia in the first place?</h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>The end times obsessed happily apply the term “Armenia” to the modern republic, as if Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) has to abide by our circumstances. What was Armenia when he referred to it?</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Ancient Armenia was massive compared to the current state. In the time of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) it was partitioned as two provinces of the Byzantine and Persian Empires. Examine these maps:</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1189,"width":343,"height":257,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/map_of_byzantine_armenia_387-536.gif"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1189" height="257" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/map_of_byzantine_armenia_387-536.gif?w=671" width="343" /></a><figcaption>Byzantine Armenia</figcaption></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1195,"width":337,"height":220,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/persian_armenia.gif"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1195" height="220" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/persian_armenia.gif?w=698" width="337" /></a><figcaption>Persian Armenia even includes parts of modern Azerbaijan!</figcaption></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>All that is potential Armenia of the Ḥadīth which does not specify where exactly the “torment” is. Those borders do not only encompass modern Armenia, but parts of Turkey and even Azerbaijān as well! Modern Armenia covers such a small part of the ancient borders, it is statistically more likely that the “torment” is NOT in modern Armenia at all, but Allāh knows best. It is not for me to impute words and meaning into the mouth of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) like others do.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>May Allāh guide us to moderation and caution in our religion and protect all from all forms of tribulations.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>سليمان الكندي</p>@KindiSulayman<br /><!--/wp:paragraph-->[Twitter has without explanation suspended my account @sulayman_Kindi]<br /><!--/wp:paragraph-->سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-2723909124913497332020-12-05T16:16:00.000+02:002020-12-06T11:28:39.180+02:00The Unhealthy Obsession with End Times (2/3) : Imran Hosein<!-- wp:image {"id":1174,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --><br/><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/end-times.jpg"><img src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/end-times.jpg?w=299" alt="" class="wp-image-1174" /></a></figure><br/><!-- /wp:image --><br/><br/><!-- wp:heading --><br/><h2>ʿImrān Naẓr Husayn</h2><br/><!-- /wp:heading --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>Literally, ʿImrān who was dedicated in a vow to Ḥusayn, a product of the University of Karāchī, is the ultimate example in our time of the harms which end times hysteria can inflict upon the Muslims, in faith and deed. Allāh knows best if he started off as a sincere specialist in the field, but the practical ramifications are that he now intentionally bends every possible narration and event to match an agenda which is no longer in the interests of Islām in general, let alone the ʿAhlus Sunnah.</p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>His hysteria on end times (or “eschatology” as he loves saying, to apparently show his western academic credentials), has led him to setting up Russia as an idol and to support for those who curse and abuse ʿAbū Bakr and ʿĀʿishah (may Allāh be pleased with them). These two articles of his faith dictate his every view and decision even, or perhaps especially, when it contradicts the entire community of Muslims. Thus he gleefully approved the Srebrenica massacre of the Muslims in Bosnia, simply because the Serbs are allies of his idol, Russia.</p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>His interpretive methodology (or <em>hermeneutics</em><em> to use his western lingo) is akin to the heresies of the Bāṭinīyah or ʾIsmāʿilīyah rather than the ʾAhlus Sunnah. A simple example happens to be from one of my first articles. <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/arrivalswake-up-project-shii-deception/">I had written</a> to alert the Muslims against the deception of some Shīʿah boys who presented him as a “Sunnī scholar” and quoted him in their deceptive “documentary”, “The Arrivals”. He may present himself as Sunnī, but his beliefs are closer to those boys than to ours. I reproduce the relevant part below:</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Brazen distortion of Qurān and Ḥadīth</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Our interpretation of Qurān and Ḥadīth is what Allāh and His Rasūl </em><em>ﷺ</em><em> taught us, via the chain of the Ṣaḥābah, Mufassirūn and Muḥaddithūn. Aḥādīth warning against personal interpretations are well known. Perhaps the most detailed Ḥadīth describing ad-Dajjāl is narrated by an-Nawwās bin Sam‘ān in al-Imām Muslim’s Ṣaḥīḥ, Chapter on the Mention of ad-Dajjāl. It is quite lengthy, but based on the print version where it covers 16 lines; the producers conveniently only quote a half-a-line to suit their purpose. Due to the length I only mention the relevant parts below:</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>عن النواس ابن سمعان </em><em>......</em><em>انه خارج خلة بین الشام و العراق</em><em>....</em><em>قلنا یا رسول اﷲ و لبثه فى الأرض قال أربعون یوما یوم كسنة و یوم كشهر و یوم كجمعة و سائر أیامه كأیامكمقلنا یا رسول اﷲ فذلك الذى كسنة أ تكفینا فیه صلاة یوم قال لا اقدروا له قدره </em><em></em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>An-Nawwās bin Sam‘ān narrated.... [Rasūlullāh </em><em>ﷺ</em><em> said that ad-Dajjāl] will emerge on the road between ‘Irāq and Syria....We asked, “O Rasūlullāh,” How long will he stay on earth?” He replied, “Forty days. A day like a year, and a day like a month, and a day like a week, and the rest of his days will be like your days.”“O Rasūlullāh,” we asked, “That which is like a year, will the Ṣalāh of a day suffice us in it? ’“No,” he replied, “Calculate for it according to its extent.”</em><em></em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>The producers make the following claims:</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>Ad-Dajjāl has already emerged.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>The first day represents his rule in England, starting in 900 of the Christian era.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>The English monarchy started in 900.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>The second day represents his rule in America, starting in 1917.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>The third day represents his rule in Palestine, starting in 2001.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>The unbiased will realise:</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>England and “between Iraq and Syria” cannot be the same.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>The continuous monarchy of England is dated from the reign of Egbert in 829. Is Arrivals deliberately lying to get their date of 900?</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>The question of Ṣalāh, clearly shows that the Ṣaḥābah understood the prophecy to mean that a normal 24 hour day will be extended to a year.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>Ø</em><em>This is in line with the clear, uncomplicated Dīn which Rasūlullāh </em><em>ﷺ</em><em> brought us.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em> </em><em>Ø</em><em>The esoteric UK-US theory seems more in line with Masonic thinking. Let the unbiased ask, “Has there been a single day since 900, when the day had to be shortened to 24 hours and divided into 5 for Ṣalāh purposes?” Obviously this has never happened in the general world, except for the poles, which is a permanent feature.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>If we accept the producers’ theory, we must accept one of two possibilities: Rasūlullāh </em><em>ﷺ</em><em> did not know the real meaning of his prophecy, but the producer did! The stupidity of such a belief is self-evident. Rasūlullāh </em><em>ﷺ</em><em> knew the real “sophisticated” meaning but chose to toy with the Ṣaḥābah when they made their “simple” interpretation. Allāh save us from having either of these filthy thoughts against Rasūlullāh </em><em>ﷺ</em><em>. We must however ask, “The producers omitted the question of Ṣalāh which tears down their argument. Was this an oversight, coincidence or something more sinister?”</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>Mr Hosein made a slight response to me on his website. He initially mentioned me by name, but later edited me to <a href="http://imranhosein.org/n/arrivals-series/">“Br XYZ”.</a></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>سليمان الكندي</p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>@KindiSulayman</p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>[Twitter has without explanation suspended my account @sulayman_Kindi]</p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph -->سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-14296705032144516372020-12-05T16:10:00.000+02:002020-12-06T11:29:38.027+02:00The Unhealthy Obsession with End Times (1/3)<!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p></p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:quote--><br /><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>عن أَنسٍ رضي الله عنه: أَنَّ أَعرابيًّا قَالَ لرسول اللَّه ﷺ: مَتَى السَّاعَةُ؟ قَالَ رسولُ اللَّه ﷺ: مَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا؟ قَالَ: حُبُّ اللّهِ ورسولِهِ، قَالَ: أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ. متفقٌ عَلَيهِ، وهذا لفظ مسلمٍ.</p><p>ʾAnas (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated:</p><cite>A Bedouin asked Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ), “When will the Hour [end of the world] be?” Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) responded, “What have you prepared for it?” He said, “Love for Allāh and His Messenger.” Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) thereupon remarked, “You will be with whom you love.” [Muslim].</cite></blockquote><br /><!--/wp:quote--><br /><br /><!--wp:image {"id":1169,"width":215,"height":143,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"}--><br /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/umayyad-1.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-1169" height="143" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/umayyad-1.jpg?w=275" width="215" /></a></figure><br /><!--/wp:image--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Amongst the miracles of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) is that his concise words are diamonds of wisdom with myriad facets. Thus the above narration may enlighten some on seeking knowledge. Others may be struck on the importance of love and faith. Students of Arabic will see this narration as a perfect example of the rhetorical device <i>ʾuslūb ʾal-ḥakīm</i>. [Here I refer to competent students, unlike those students of mine who read both a <i>tanwīn</i> and <i>lām ʾat-Taʿrīf</i> on the same noun]. </p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Strangely enough, few note the overarching message. The primary purpose of knowledge of the Hour is preparation for meeting Allāh. It is not to obsess over events beyond our control and knowledge, and in the case of most mankind, events which most of us will not even experience.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:heading--><br /><h2>Ḥadīth Scholars</h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Are these narrations then of no consequence? Allāh forbid that such disrespect should ever be thought, let alone expressed to any utterance of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ). Narrations on the end times are valuable. They prove the truth of the station of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) when they do transpire. They alert us to the transitory nature of this ethereal realm and that we are travellers to a permanent abode. They remind us that much a life may be difficult, the people who will experience the end times will undergo the worst tribulations ever. A person who bears some of these facts in mind will lead a more productive life in those fields where it really counts.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>The compilers of the sacred prophetic words certainly paid attention to these narrations and they certainly understood what I wrote above with far greater scholarly ability and spiritual insight. Yet show me which of these scholars made it a focus and obsession as so many do today. Did ʾal-ʾImām Muslim commence his compilation with this topic? Did it take precedence over the basics of faith, prayer, purity etc? How much did ʾAbū Dāwūd devote to the topic as a percentage of his work?</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Are you aware that much of what circulates on this topic amongst the masses are from sources, such as ʾAbū Nuʾaym, whose works, to put it respectfully, is not of the same standard as senior ʾAʾimmah of Ḥadīth? What we authentically know is much less than that which will titillate the cyber generation who are in need of constant entertainment, and perhaps it is not exciting enough for them.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:heading--><br /><h2>Moderation and Extremism</h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>I do not tire of mentioning that Allāh says:</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph {"align":"justify"}--><br /><p class="has-text-align-justify">وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>“And thus have We made you a moderate nation…” [ʾal-Baqarah: 143]</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>For I believe that almost every problem we face as a community stems from diverging from the moderation of the <i>Sunnah</i> and leaning to one extreme (<i>ghulūw)</i> or the other.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Extremism includes obsession over the end times and placing it outside of its proper perspective. Incidentally the tafsīr of <i>ẓulm</i>, which is popularly translated as oppression, is in fact to place something out of its proper place. The end time extremists are thus <i>ẓālimūn</i> infected with a deadly disease.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>I do not cite this extremism as a theoretic problem which irks me. History testifies to the practical insane and bloody consequences of this disease. The least harm of this disease is an obsession to examine every matter in the light of end times, even if it means bending scripture to fit your interpretation. The ultimate harm is that there are those who have actually left Islām because of this.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>One of the lesser harms of this disease is the misunderstanding, even if innocently perpetuated, that anything prophesied in end times narrations is an evil. If this distortion of our religion were the only negative of this phenomenon it would be sufficient to regard it as a problem.</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>Moreover, this disease is such that it infects sincere learned Muslims, as well as people of perhaps every other faith. For example, there was the Turkish Jew, Sabbatai Tzvi, whose extremism on the topic made the rabbis expel him and his followers in 1651. Amongst the reasons King Charles I lost his head (literally) in 1649 was the belief amongst sectors of the English, that it was the end times, and that Jesus should now reign as King Jesus. The examples of end times obsession making people extreme in belief and violent in action are numerous and are to be found amongst Muslims and others. Use Google to find more examples. If I know how to use it, then I am sure that you can too. </p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:heading--><br /><h2>Amongst Muslims</h2><br /><!--/wp:heading--><br /><br /><!--wp:list--><br /><ul><li>The impending arrival of the Islāmic year 1000 spiked unnatural obsession with end times ultimately leading many Muslims into heresy. The Ẓikrī sect of Baluchistān accepted Mullā Muḥammad as a new prophet in 977.</li><li>Bā Yazīd ʾAnṣārī of Afghānistān started the Roshanīyah sect in 971. He proclaimed himself the Mahdī and discarded Islāmic laws on purity and prayer.</li><li>The Mahdawī sect overran south India and Gujerat and famously martyred the great scholar, Muḥammad Ṭāhir of Pattan in 986 (author of <i>Majmaʿ Bihār ʾal-ʾAnwār</i>)</li><li>Ultimately the obsession with the year 1000 was sufficient for deviants to convince the Moghul Emperor that Islām had expired, and he made this official imperial policy. I shall not cede him the courtesy of mentioning his name, you may research it at your leisure. I however feel obligated to highlight that these deviants were not uneducated laymen, but agenda driven scholars of extreme proficiency.</li><li>In terms of the media and languages at my disposal, it appears that four centuries later there remains an above average end times “concern” in these regions. (Allāh knows best if end times hysteria more severely grips the Muslims in a village in Liechtenstein or perhaps South-West Mongolia). This “concern” manifests via perennial statements from regional scholars categorically linking specific narrations to current events. Thus the Ḥadīth on crawling over snow was positively associated to a specific commander of the Ṭālibān. I do not have a problem with offering educated opinions. I too offer opinions. I most certainly have a problem with using the sacred words of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) as a tool for an agenda, instead of us being his willing tools. I have an even greater problem when the translation and interpretation are tweaked to service an agenda. Often, such acts are at the hands of scholars, not laymen, as was the case at the Moghul court. </li><li>The tragic bloodshed which occurred at the Kaʾbah a short four decades ago in 1400 was directly due to end times obsession, although additional factors cannot be denied. It should be noted that the proclaimed Mahdī in this case, Muḥammad ʾal-Qaḥtānī, was a legitimate scholar, not a heretic of the magnitude of the previous examples. Yet end times obsession led such a person, who died as a Muslim as far as we know, to actions leading to bloodshed at the Kaʿbah.</li><li>Two decades later, a scholar from Johannesburg, South Africa, became noted for his end times obsession. Although a Ḥanafī Sunnī, his actions and statements are indictive of the harms this infection can wreck on mind and soul.</li><li>He categorically declared that the Ḥajj of 2003 CE would be a bloodbath. Many were discouraged from performing their sacred duty because of him.</li><li>Similarly the Mahḍī was supposed to appear in 2004 CE. Scholars who adhere to authentic narrations and do not twist scripture to sort their interpretation do not utter such foolish proclamations.</li><li>Amongst his public statements announcing the Mahdī is, “Allāh has secrets? No the Vatican has secrets. If Islām has secrets then I do not want to be a Muslim.”</li><li> If you need further proof of how this disease can turn even the sincere, pious and learned into mentally unhinged blatherers, he said, “Let’s say the Mahdī comes and I invite him home. I offer him custard. The Mahdī like any normal human being will eat the custard with a spoon. There are those who will reject this as against the Sunnah, and I have seen such people insist on eating custard with their fingers. They will thus reject the Mahdī, and thus lose their faith.”</li></ul><br /><!--/wp:list--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph {"align":"right"}--><br /><p class="has-text-align-right"></p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><br /><!--wp:paragraph {"align":"left"}--><br /><p class="has-text-align-left">سليمان الكندي</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph-->@KindiSulayman<br /><!--/wp:paragraph--><br /><!--wp:paragraph--><br /><p>[Twitter has without explanation suspended my account @sulayman_Kindi]</p><br /><!--/wp:paragraph-->سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-10994136025671618002020-07-27T22:45:00.000+02:002020-12-05T19:37:56.760+02:00First Friday Sermon after the Liberation of ʾAqṣā<!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --><br/><h1></h1><br/><!-- /wp:heading --><br/><br/><!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1155,"width":260,"height":346,"sizeSlug":"large"} --><br/><div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/330px-interior_of_al_aqsa_mosque_jerusalem._1900-1910_id.22715311-1.jpg?w=330" alt="" class="wp-image-1155" width="260" height="346" /><figcaption>The Pulpit Ṣalāḥuddīn brought with and installed upon liberating Jerusalem. Destroyed in 1969 fire attack.</figcaption></figure></div><br/><!-- /wp:image --><br/><br/><!-- wp:group --><br/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>When it was announced that Jumuʿah would be held in the Ayasofya for the first time after 86 years, the parallel with ʾal-ʾAqṣā struck me. The Crusaders took Baytul Muqaddas on 15 July 1099 and Ṣalāḥuddīn liberated the city on 2 October 1187. For a similar period of 88 years no Jumuʿah was conducted.</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>I must have been a teenager when I read that someone had recorded the first sermon delivered after the liberation. I could not find it in the English books I searched. I became a student of the Islāmic sciences and could now search Arabic books, but to no avail. It was perhaps after a decade since my quest began, that I finally found my treasure. May Allāh reward ʾIbn Khalliqān! </em> </p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>The parallel with Ayasofya made me think that I should perhaps translate the sermon and share it. Why should others have to repeat my quest? It may seem contradictory, that when I examine what knowledge I do have, I know it to be less than a drop, but when I examine what can be shared, only a tiny pebble from a mountain has been shared. How wonderful if some reader of this translation will also listen to the first sermon in ʾal-ʾAqṣā after its liberation from the Zionists. He remembers what he read and offers a word to Allāh to overlook my shortcomings. That may be enough for my salvation. </em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:heading --><br/><h2><em>Notes:</em></h2><br/><!-- /wp:heading --><br/><br/><!-- wp:list --><br/><ul><li><em>I have never spoken or written in any form about Ayasofya and cannot claim any share of the reward for those who strove to purify the masjid from its Kemalist chains. I salute them but declare my disdain for those who suddenly hype on social media as if this were their lifelong dream which they campaigned for since childhood, and for which every Muslim prayed after every Ṣalāh. Most non-Turkish Muslims were probably not even aware of the existence of this masjid a few weeks ago. Exaggeration and misrepresentation of facts are inappropriate for Muslims. May Allāh grant us sincerity. </em></li><li><em>I have intentionally omitted explanatory notes in my translation in regards obscure references to Islāmic history and geography. A people who know every detail of their favourite sports, movie or music idol can make the time to study their religion and allied sciences.</em></li><li><em>I have intentionally translated Biblical names and not kept them in Arabic. You may read my reason <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/abusing-jesus-no-innocence-of-muslim-leaders/">here</a>.</em></li><li><em>The translated text is that of three people as follows:</em></li></ul><br/><!-- /wp:list --><br/><br/><!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"type":"1"} --><br/><ol type="1"><li><em>The bulk is the actual translated sermon of the Qāḍī, Muḥammad bin Zakī ʾal-ʾUmawī, known as Muḥyī ʾad-Dīn. I have formatted his words with quotation marks to separate it from the rest. Ibn Zakī (550-598 Hijrī) was a direct descendant of ʿUthmān bin ʿAffān (may Allāh be pleased with him), a Shāfiʿī jurist and Qāḍī of Damascus. An accomplished jurist, poet and orator, Ṣalāhuddīn greatly respected him. </em></li><li><em>The historian, ʾIbn Khalliqān (1211-1282) who records the sermon, and offers certain statements, before, during and after the text of the sermon. He was a Shafiʿī jurist, Qāḍī of Damascus, and author of the celebrated Wafayātul ʾAʿyān in which he recorded this sermon.<strong> His words are in Bold. </strong></em></li><li><em>Limited translator’s notes in square brackets.</em></li></ol><br/><!-- /wp:list --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><em>سليمان الكندي</em><br><em>Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi</em></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --></div></div><br/><!-- /wp:group --><br/><br/><!-- wp:heading --><br/><h2>ʿIbn Khalliqān narrates:</h2><br/><!-- /wp:heading --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><strong>When the Sulṭān [Ṣalāḥuddīn] conquered ʾal-Quds ʾash-Sharīf, the learned ones who were present in his service stretched their necks [wished to] deliver the Friday sermon. Each prepared a most eloquent sermon, with the hope that he would be appointed for the task. An edict was sent to ʾal-Qāḍī Muḥyī ʾad-Dīn instructing him to deliver the sermon. The Sulṭān and the prominent personalities of the realm gathered for the first Jumuʿah to be prayed since the conquest.</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><strong>ʾIbn Zakī mounted the pulpit and commenced with Sūrah ʾal-Fātiḥah in its entirety. He then recited:</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:group --><br/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۚ وَالْحَمْدُ لله رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ</p><p>The wrongdoers have been cut off to the last remnant! All praise be to Allāh, Cherishing-Lord of the worlds [ʾal-ʾAnʿām: 45]</p><p>الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ</p><p>All Praise be to Allāh, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made darknesses and light…. [ʾal-ʾAnʿām: 1]</p><p>وَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَم يَكُن لَّهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ وَلِيٌّ مِّنَ الذُّلَّ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا</p><p>And say: All praise be to Allāh Who never made a son, nor has He a partner in sovereignty, nor a protector due to weakness. So declare His greatness with all glory. [ʾal-ʾIsrāʿ: 111]</p><p>الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجًا ۜ . قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا . مَّاكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًا</p><p>All praise be to Allāh Who revealed the Book upon His Slave and made no crookedness in it. It is straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him, and to bring glad tidings unto the believers who do good deeds that for them will be a good reward. Wherein they will abide forever. [ʾal-Kahf: 1-3]</p><p>قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لله وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَى آلله خَيْرٌ أَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ</p><p>Say: All praise be to Allāh and peace be upon His slaves whom He chose. Is Allāh better or those partners which they attribute? [ʾan-Naml:59]</p><p>الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ</p><p>All praise be to Allāh to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. All praise belongs to Him in the hereafter. He is Most Wise, All-Informed. [Sabaʾ: 1]</p><p>الْحَمْدُ لله فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُولِي أَجْنِحَةٍ مَّثْنَى وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ يَزِيدُ فِي الْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَاء إِنَّ الله عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ</p><p>All praise be to Allāh, the Originator of the heavens and earth, maker of angels as messengers with two, three and four [sets of] wings. He increases in creation what He wills. Verily Allāh has power over everything. </p><p>[ʾal-Fāṭir: 1]</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --><br/><p class="has-medium-font-size"></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --></div></div><br/><!-- /wp:group --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><strong>He thus intended gathering from the Noble Qurʾān the praises of Allāh. He then commenced the sermon as follows.</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>All praise be to Allāh, the Grantor of honour to Islām through His help, the Inflictor of disgrace upon the attribution of partners through His overwhelming power; the Changer of affairs by His command, the Lengthener of bounties when He is thanked, the Lengthener of respite to the ungrateful disbelievers, through His design.</p><p>It is He who measured days in turns for domination by His justice but made the final outcome for those who fear Him through His grace. He showered His booty upon His slaves from His Shade and made His religion triumph over every other religion. He is overpowering over all His slaves and cannot be blocked. He is manifestly apparent over all His creation and His attributes cannot be expunged. He commands as He wills, and none can appeal against that. He decrees as he intends, and none can repel that.</p><p>I praise him for the conquest and victory He has bestowed, for honouring His friends and helping His helpers, for purifying His Holy House from the attribution of partners and its filth and pollution, such a praise which is perceived to the inner mystery and outer manifestation.</p><p>I testify that there is no god but Allāh alone. The One! He who is independent, but all depend on. He Who does not beget nor is begotten, and there is none similar to Him. A testimony of one who purifies his heart with monotheism and is pleased with Him as Cherishing-Lord.</p><p>I testify that Muḥammad is His slave and Messenger, the remover of doubt, he who silenced polytheism, who washed away false accusation, who was taken on the night journey from ʾal-Masjid ʾal-Ḥarām to ʾal-Masjid ʾal-ʾAqṣā. From there he was raised to the highest heavens, to the Furthest Lote Tree, there is the garden of rest, his sight did not swerve nor overstep. Allāh’s salutations be upon him and his successor, ʾAbū Bakr the Truthful who was the foremost in hastening to faith, and upon the Commander of the Believers, ʿUmar son of ʾal-Khaṭṭāb, who was the first to remove the symbols of the Cross from this House, and upon the Commander of the Believers, ʿUthmān son of ʿAffān, the possessor of the two lights, the gatherer of the Qurʾān, and upon the Commander of the Believers, ʿAlī son of ʾAbū Ṭālib, the shaker of polytheism, the smasher of idols, and upon his family, his Companions and those who follow them in good.</p><p>O people! Rejoice at the tidings of Allāh’s pleasure, which is the ultimate goal and most elevated station. For indeed Allāh had eased through your hands the return of this lost she-camel from the clutches of a lost people. He returned her to her proper home in Islām after the polytheists had been abusing her for almost a hundred years. He purified this House which he had commanded be raised and that His Name be remembered therein. He removed polytheism from its pathways when the tent of polytheism had been pitched over it and its rituals entrenched. He had raised its foundation upon His Oneness and built upon that a building for His Glorification. Its foundation is awareness of Allāh, from behind, from in front.</p><p>This is the land of residence of your forefather Abraham and the place from where your Prophet Muḥammad ascended, salutations and peace be upon him. This is the direction you prayed towards during the early days of Islām. It is here that Prophets stayed, and saints headed towards. Here Messengers were buried, and revelation descended. Commands and prohibitions were revealed here. This is the land of the gathering and this is the plain of resurrection. This is the sacred land which Allāh mentions in His Clear Book. This is the Furthest Masjid in which Allāh’s Messenger led the archangels in prayer, Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him. This is the land to which Allāh sent His Slave and Messenger and Word which He cast in Mary – His spirit, Jesus, whom He honoured with His Message and ennobled with Prophethood, but never moved him from his station of Slavery. The Most High says:</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لله وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ</p><p>Never would the Messiah disdain to be a slave of Allāh, nor would the close angels… </p><cite>[ʾan-Nisā: 172]</cite></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:group --><br/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"><!-- wp:group --><br/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"><!-- wp:quote {"className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-default"><p>Those who invented partners with Allāh have lied and gone far off in their misguidance.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --></div></div><br/><!-- /wp:group --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --></div></div><br/><!-- /wp:group --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center"><p>مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَهٍ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ</p><p>Allāh has not taken any son nor is there any god with Him. For then each god would have taken what he created and some of them overcoming others. Pure is Allāh from they describe! [ʾal-Muʾminūn: 91]</p><p>لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَآلُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ</p><p>Indeed those who said, “God is Jesus son of Mary” have disbelieved… </p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p>[<strong>FROM VERSE 17] UNTIL THE END OF SŪRAH ʾAL-MĀʾIDAH!</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>This is the first direction of prayer, the second <em>masjid</em> [built on earth], and the third sacred sanctuary. After the two <em>Masjid</em>, no [set religious] journey is permitted, except to this <em>masjid</em>. After the two lands, no other is honoured above others, except for this land. </p><p>If you were not amongst those slaves of Allāh whom he had selected, and chosen from amongst the inhabitants of His lands, He would not have specified you for this virtue which others cannot approach, and this honour which others cannot divest you from.</p><p>Congratulation to you for being part of that army upon whose hands the miracles of the Prophet was manifested, battles like Badr, resolve like that of ʾAbū Bakr the Truthful, conquests like that of ʿUmar the Distinguisher, legions like that of ʿUthmān, eradication of the enemies like that of ʿAlī. You have renewed for Islām the days of Qādisīyah, the battles of Yarmūk, the sieges of Khaybar, the campaigns of Khālid.</p><p>May Allāh reward you, the best of rewards, on behalf of His Prophet Muḥammad, salutations and peace be upon him. May He appreciate the lifeblood which you sacrificed in battling the enemy. May He accept your efforts to draw closer to Him through the blood that you made flow. May He reward you with Paradise in which is the abode of the fortunate of ones.</p><p> May Allāh have mercy upon you, for you should value this bounty as per its right. Stand up for Allāh, for this bounty has an obligation of gratitude attached to it. In specifying you for this bounty, and nominating you for the office of this service, the Most High also places a debt upon you. For this is a conquest for which the gates of heaven have been flung open , and whose light glared upon the faces of the wrongdoers. The archangels rejoiced at it, and the eyes of the Prophets and Messengers found comfort in it.</p><p>So imagine the obligation upon you, that He has made you the army at whose hands He conquers the Holy House at the end of times, the army which after the period of Prophethood stands with its swords as the banners of the faith. It may be close that Allāh manifests similar conquests at your hands, and that the inhabitants of the heavens offer more congratulations than the inhabitants of the earth.</p><p>Is this not the House which Allāh mentioned in His Book, and explicitly recorded in His Categoric Speech? The Most High says:</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى</p><p>“Pure is He Who took His slave by night on a nocturnal journey from ʾal-Masjid ʾal-Ḥarām to ʾal-Masjid ʾal-ʾAqṣā….” </p><cite>[ʾal-ʾIsrāʾ: 1]</cite></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:group --><br/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Is this not the House which all religious communities respect? Which the Messengers extolled? In which were recited all four books revealed from Allāh, Most Mighty and Majestic? Is this not the House for whose sake Allāh prevented the sun from setting on Joshua, and slowed its progression to ease his approach and conquer it? Is this not the House which Allāh, Most Mighty and Majestic, commanded Moses to command his people to investigate for, yet none liked it except two men? This angered Allāh and He cast them into Tīh as a punishment for their disobedience. So praise Allāh for implementing in you that resolve, for which the Children of Israel were punished, whereas they had been preferred above all nations. In addition, you have been guided to do that which those before you, the nations of the past, forsook.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --></div></div><br/><!-- /wp:group --><br/><br/><!-- wp:group --><br/><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>For its sake He united your word, whereas you were disparate before. And he enriched you with that which before had been used to hurt His House. It should make you happy that Allāh mentioned you to those who are with Him; and whereas you were armies of different personal desires, He transformed you into His one army; and that the angels who descend are grateful to you for gifting the purity of monotheism back to this House and for spreading the words of Allāh’s holiness and magnificence, and grateful for your removing from its pathways the harms of polytheism and the Trinity, and sinful filthy beliefs. Now the angels of the heavens pray for your forgiveness and shower prayers of blessings upon you.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --></div></div><br/><!-- /wp:group --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Allāh have mercy upon you. You are responsible for preserving this gift amongst you. Be on guard in regards this bounty amongst you, through the means of fearing Allāh, for he who does so will be safe. He who holds onto this handle is saved and protected. Beware of following your desire, and falling into destruction, and determined retreat, and refusal to face the enemy. </p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Seize the beautiful opportunity, remove what anger remains, strive in Allāh’s way as it should be strived.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Slaves of Allāh! Sell your lives for His pleasure, for He has already made you amongst His best slaves. However, beware that Satan should not let you slip and enter beyond the bounds. He may make you imagine that this victory was through your sharp swords, and your excellent horses, and your fights on the battlefields. No! By Allāh! Victory is only from Allāh. Allāh is Most Mighty and Wise. </p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Slaves of Allāh! You have been honoured with an august victory, an immense prize, selection for Allāh’s clear help, and your hands have been joined on His strong rope. Beware, should after all this, you get involved in any major prohibition of His and approach a considerable disobedience unto Him. For then you will be like she who unravelled her own thread into thin filaments which had been strong when she had spun it, and like him to whom we gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Jihād! Striving in Allāh’s way is amongst your best forms of worship and noblest of your habits. Help [the religion of] Allāh, He will help you. Protect [the commands of] Allāh, he will protect you. Be grateful unto Allāh. He will increase for you and extend gratitude to you. Exert all out to fight the disease, and utterly eradicate the very roots of the enemy. Purify whatever remains polluted of the earth, such pollution which has angered Allāh and His Messenger! Cut every branch of disbelief and pull out every root. For the very days call out, “O for the vengeance of Islām! O for the followers of Muḥammad!”</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Allāh is the greatest! Allāh has conquered and is victorious! Allāh has overpowered and dominates! Allāh has disgraced those who disbelieve. Know that this is an opportunity, so seize it; a hunted animal, so catch it; a booty, so take it; a task of importance, so bring forth your courage and face it. Despatch your expeditions and prepare for it. Affairs matter according to how they end. Earnings matter in what has been saved. For Allāh has granted you victory over a disgraceful enemy whose number equals yours or perhaps more. Yet it has now become that 20 of you face one [survivor] of them. Whereas Allāh says:</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا<strong> </strong>مِائَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّائَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا أَلْفًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُونَ</p><p><strong>“…</strong>If there are among you twenty [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome a thousand of those who have disbelieved because they are a people who do not understand.” </p><cite>[ʾal-ʾAnfāl: 65]</cite></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>May Allāh assist us and you to obey His commands and restrain from what He restricted. O Muslims, may He grant us that help which is with Him.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ اللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا الَّذِي يَنصُرُكُم مِّن بَعْدِهِ</p><p>If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? </p><cite>[ʾĀl ʿImrān: 160]</cite></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>The noblest of words which can be said in any situation, the most penetrating arrow against the hardest of speech, the most effective quote which opens understanding, is the Speech of the One, the Singular, the Mighty, All-Knowing. Allāh the Most High says:</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ</p><p>So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy. </p><cite>[ʾal-ʾAʿrāf: 204]</cite></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>I seek Allāh’s protection against the accursed Satan. In the Name of Allāh, Whose Being is Merciful and Who grants Mercy to the believers.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><strong>He then recited the beginning portion of Sūrah ʾal-Ḥashr, and then said…</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>I command you and myself with what Allāh commands, beautiful obedience, so obey him. I prohibit you and myself from what He prohibited, ugly disobedience, so not disobey Him. I seek forgiveness of Allāh the great, for myself and for you and for all Muslims, so you too seek His forgiveness.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><strong>He then recited the second sermon, which was concise as per the habit of the orators and prayed for ʾan-Nāṣir, who was the Khalīfah at that time. He then said…</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, preserve the kingdom of Your slave who is humble to You in fear, grateful for Your bounty, acknowledges Your gift, Your cutting sword, Your shining flame, ardent defender of Your religion, unpassable defender of Your sanctuary, the noblest chief, the helper king, the unifier of the strength of the faith, crusher of the Cross-Worshippers, righteous one of the world and religion, the Sulṭān of Islām and the Muslims, the purifier of the Holy House, ʾAbul Muzhaffar Yūsuf bin ʾAyyūb, revivor of the empire of the Commander of the Believers.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, extend his empire far and wide. Let Your angels surround his flags. Grant him his reward on behalf of a religion which turns away from all but You. Extend gratitude to him on behalf of the Muḥammadan people for his resolve and its implementation. </p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, for the sake of Islām, let his soul remain; for the sake of the faith, let his territories be protected. Spread his call throughout the east and west of the earth.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, just as You conquered the Jerusalem through his hands, after doubts afflicted the people and tribulations tested the believers, conquer at his hands the near lands and the distant. Grant him mastery and control over the fortresses of disbelief. Let no squadron of theirs encounter him except that he shreds them apart, and no group except that he splits them. Should they send army after army, let each meet the fate of the previous. </p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, on behalf of Muḥammad, salutations and peace be upon him, extend thanks to him for his efforts. Implement his commands and prohibitions in the east and west. O Allāh, use him to rectify the conditions of the central lands and the peripheries, through the countries and their borders.</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, disgrace the noses of the disbelievers through him, and frustrate the sinners. Spread the ascendancy of his kingdom over the cities. O Allāh, keep the kingship firmly in him and his descendants until the Day of Reckoning. Protect him through his sons and the sons of his father, the fortunate princes, and strengthen him by maintaining them. Grant honour to his allies and their allies. </p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>O Allāh, just as you manifested through his hand this good in Islām, which will last for days and remain as months and years pass, grant him an eternal kingdom which will never end in the Abode of Certainty. Accept his supplication when he says:</p></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:quote {"align":"center","className":"is-style-default"} --><br/><blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default"><p>رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ</p><p>“O my Cherishing-Lord, enable me to be grateful for the bounty which You blessed me and my parents with, and enable me to perform that which is righteous and which You are please with. Enter me through Your mercy amongst Your pious slaves.”</p><cite>[ʾan-Naml: 19]</cite></blockquote><br/><!-- /wp:quote --><br/><br/><!-- wp:paragraph --><br/><p><strong>He then supplicated further as per his habit.</strong></p><br/><!-- /wp:paragraph -->سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-14675987780118706202020-05-20T14:46:00.000+02:002020-12-05T19:37:56.509+02:00The Sunnah of Dubbāʾ - Which Plant is it?Many people eat pumpkin out of love for Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). This is based on the Sunnah established from Ḥadīth, such as the following narrated by ʾal-ʾImāmʾal-Bukhārī:<br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">أنس بن مالك يقول إن خياطا دعا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لطعام صنعه قال أنس فذهبت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فرأيته يتتبع الدباء من حوالي القصعة قال فلم أزل أحب الدباء من يومئذ</p><br/>ʾAnas said, “A tailor invited Allāh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم for a meal which he had cooked. So I went with Allāh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and saw him plucking the <em>dubbāʾ</em> from around the edges of the platter. So I always loved <em>dubbāʾ</em> since that day.” [Chapter of plucking from the edges of a platter if your companion does not dislike it].</blockquote><br/>Reliable contemporary dictionaries, such as <a href="https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%AF%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A1/">Almaany</a>, suggest both “pumpkin” and “gourd” as English translations for <em>dub</em>bāʾ. Both are scientifically fruits (having seeds). They are botanically related, both are under the classification of Cucurbita, yet they are obviously distinct fruits. In seeking to be as close to the Sunnah as possible, which of the two would be the better translation?<br/><br/>In their commentaries on the above narration, giants of the science of Ḥadīth, such as ʾIbn Ḥajar and ʾān-Nawawī (Allāh’s mercy be upon them both), discuss issues of etiquette, Sunnah, the correct pronunciation of <em>dabbāʾ</em> yet contrary to their usual attention to detail, neither ʾImām makes an effort to clarify which fruit is applicable to the Ḥadīth. This is not surprising when one considers that in that time and place only one of the two fruits existed. There was no need to clarify between a known fruit and one which the Arabs heard never seen to that point.<br/><h2>The Tree of Yūnus (peace be upon him)</h2><br/>Before turning to the historical evidence, we do have access to a detailed description in the Islāmic sources, which provide further clarity. In his commentary, ʾIbn Ḥajar narrates from Nasāʿī that Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “It is the tree of my brother, Yūnus.”<br/><br/>The Qurʾān uses the synonym <em>yaqṭīn</em> in ʾāṣ-Ṣāfāt:146, “And We made a <em>Yaqṭīn </em>tree grow over him [Prophet Yūnus peace be upon him].”<br/><br/>ʾIbn Kathīr describes the tree as follows in his commentary:<br/><br/>“It grows quickly. It gives shade due to its large leaves and that it rises. Flies tend to stay away from it. Its fruit is excellent nutrition wise. It is eaten raw and cooked, the flesh and shell is also edible. It is an established fact that Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) loved <em>dubbāʾ</em> and plucked it from the edges of the platter.”<br/><br/>From this description is would be clear that the tree which “rises" and is shady, must be bottle gourd (calabash/ Lagenaria siceraria) which grows as a vine, not pumpkin which grows on the ground and does not give shade.<br/><br/><table><br/><tbody><br/><tr><br/><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="281"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1138" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/pumpkin.jpg" alt="pumpkin" width="267" height="189"></td><br/><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="77"></td><br/><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" width="350"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1139" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/gourd.jpeg" alt="gourd" width="500" height="282"></td><br/></tr><br/></tbody><br/></table><br/>In regards the shell, calabash is not normally edible, but can be eaten when the fruit is still young.<br/><h2>Historical Origins</h2><br/>Calabash originated in Africa and reached <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/102/51/18315">Asia</a> thousands of years ago. It would not have been an alien to the Arabs, as opposed to pumpkin which originated in <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/pumpkin-facts">Central America</a> and was only recorded by the “Old World” in 1584, a millennium after Allāh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. It would therefore seem more likely that he ate bottle gourd and not pumpkin.<br/><br/>May Allāh guide us to the Sunnah, in its love, knowledge and implementation.<br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-70689361930580744932020-04-24T15:20:00.000+02:002020-12-05T19:37:56.352+02:00Quraan Etiquette <br/><br/><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">I love these gems I came across, because so many practices are culture specific. Which are good in themselves, unless imposed upon other cultures. These are however applicable to all Muslims:</span><br/><ol><br/> <li>Sit in a state of Wuḍūʾ, facing the <em>Qiblah</em>. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/37]</li><br/> <li>Place the Qurʾān manuscript (<em>Muṣḥaf)</em> on a pillow or high place. [Fatḥul Karīm ʾal-Mannān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān: 1/4]</li><br/> <li>Recite <em>Taʿawwuẓ</em> before reciting. [ʾan-Naḥl: 98]</li><br/> <li>Recite slowly, with <em>Tajwīd</em>. [ʾal-Muzzammil: 4]</li><br/> <li>If some need arises, close the <em>Muṣḥaf</em> before going to attend to the need. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]</li><br/> <li>Upon returning from that need, recite <em>Taʿawwuẓ </em>again before recitation of the Qurʾān. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]</li><br/> <li>If there are others engaged in their own work who are present, then recite softly. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]</li><br/> <li>If the people turn in attention to your recitation, then recite aloud. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]</li><br/> <li>Ponder over the meaning during your recitation. [Ṣād: 29]</li><br/> <li>Let your heart be aware of the lofty status of the Qurʾān. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/97]</li><br/></ol><br/>In regards point 7.<br/><br/>Imam Nawawi did not live in an age when Quraan was played on CDs, radio etc as something in the background. What would he comment on this common disrespect? Allah says:<br/><p style="text-align:center;">وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ</p><br/>"When the Quraan is recited, then listen with attention to it and be silent that mercy may be shown to you." [al-A'raaf: 204]<br/><br/>Secondly, verses of prostration in particular should be recited softly, as some (the Hanafi school for example) hold that the prostration is compulsory. The one who hears might not be aware of the ruling, or that that particular verse requires a prostration, or might not be a state that he can prostrate and you have inconvenienced him.<br/><br/>May Allah grant us His closeness through His Word.<br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-1234677336300084522020-04-13T23:21:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.373+02:00Erdogan’s Humanitarianism to Zionists Does Not Necessarily Contradict
the Sunnah<blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">حدثنا عبد الله بن يوسف حدثنا الليث قال حدثني سعيد بن أبي سعيد أنه سمع أبا هريرة رضي الله عنه قال بعث النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم خيلا قبل نجد فجاءت برجل من بني حنيفة يقال له ثمامة بن أثال فربطوه بسارية من سواري المسجد فخرج إليه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال ما عندك يا ثمامة فقال عندي خير يا محمد إن تقتلني تقتل ذا دم وإن تنعم تنعم على شاكر وإن كنت تريد المال فسل منه ما شئت فترك حتى كان الغد ثم قال له ما عندك يا ثمامة قال ما قلت لك إن تنعم تنعم على شاكر فتركه حتى كان بعد الغد <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1125" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/madinah-masjid-nabawi-pillars-photo-lifenatureandme-blogspot.png?w=404" alt="Madinah-Masjid-Nabawi-pillars-Photo-lifenatureandme-blogspot" width="202" height="300" />فقال ما عندك يا ثمامة فقال عندي ما قلت لك فقال أطلقوا ثمامة فانطلق إلى نخل قريب من المسجد فاغتسل ثم دخل المسجد فقال أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا رسول الله يا محمد والله ما كان على الأرض وجه أبغض إلي من وجهك فقد أصبح وجهك أحب الوجوه إلي والله ما كان من دين أبغض إلي من دينك فأصبح دينك أحب الدين إلي والله ما كان من بلد أبغض إلي من بلدك فأصبح بلدك أحب البلاد إلي وإن خيلك أخذتني وأنا أريد العمرة فماذا ترى فبشره رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأمره أن يعتمر فلما قدم مكة قال له قائل صبوت قال لا ولكن أسلمت مع محمد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولا والله لا يأتيكم من اليمامة حبة حنطة حتى يأذن فيها النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم</p><br/></blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">زاد ابن هشام " ثم خرج إلى اليمامة فمنعهم أن يحملوا إلى مكة شيئا ، فكتبوا إلى النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : إنك تأمر بصلة الرحم ، فكتب إلى ثمامة أن يخلي بينهم وبين الحمل إليهم "</p><br/> <br/><br/>Amongst the many indignations Muslim cyber warriors are expressing, is the horror at Erdogan for supplying medical aid to both the Palestinians and the Zionist entity. I have not read any details, and do not care to. I am not required to read every news item on the net. There may even be some detail which justifies the indignation, which I am not aware of. However, the language used makes it clear that the very act of the humanitarian gesture is the cause for upset. This concerns me for once we lose our bearings and guidance from the humane ways of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ, we have already lost a battle in the war, for the enemy has made us less Muslim than what we are supposed to be.<br/><br/>I strongly advise every Muslim to be acquainted with the biography Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ. It will increase your love for him. It will not qualify you to pronounce a decree on every single issue you feel entitled to comment on, but at the very least it will shape your outlook in a manner pleasing to Allāh. There is no excuse in this era for any literate person to know more about Hollywood and sports stars than what they know about Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ .<br/><br/>In the interim I present you with a Ḥadīth, which Imāms Muslim and ʾal-Bukhārī have authenticated. I do not present this as categoric support for Erdogan’s actions, but as a general balance against what I see as the unnecessary and ignorant harshness of sectors of Muslims.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>First a Comment on Turkish Generosity</h2><br/> <br/><br/>After all these years I have still not decided what to think about Erdogan. Is he the greatest Muslim leader of the century with some serious flaws, doing the best he can, or the greatest deceiver we currently face? Allāh knows best.<br/><br/>What I do know is that history testifies to the Turkish people as being generous, hospitable to fellow Muslims and chivalrous to non-Muslims. I do not doubt that some of this must flow in Erdogan’s veins, for such qualities were found in the worst amongst Turks.<br/><br/>Sulṭān ʿAbdul Majīd I destroyed the reality of the Islamic Ottoman system and as much as Ottoman romanticists will howl at me, ʾAbdul Majīd was the seminal seculariser of Turkey almost a century before the Republic. Yet we must admit to his Turkish manners. When the English were starving the Catholic Irish, he went out of his way to show his humanitarianism to people far away who were not Muslims. You can read more about this <a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/history/2020/02/16/ireland-remembers-how-19th-century-aid-from-ottoman-sultan-changed-fate-of-thousands">HERE</a>.<br/><br/>Perhaps the worse being ever to be called a Turk, “Kemal” something-or-the-other, was reported to be chivalrous enough to write a letter of condolence to the mothers of Allied troops who had died at Gallipoli. Historians dispute the attribution, but the fact that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/apr/20/ataturks-johnnies-and-mehmets-words-about-the-anzacs-are-shrouded-in-doubt">the myth</a> was believed for long could only be believed by a world which had experienced examples of such Turkish chivalry in fact.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>Context of the Ḥadīth</h2><br/> <br/><br/>Some facts need to be understood in the context of the Ḥadith:<br/><ul><br/> <li>Thumāmah رضي الله عنه was the chief of Banū Ḥanīfah in Yamāmah and a vicious enemy of Islām.</li><br/> <li>The Quraysh were experiencing severe famine.</li><br/> <li>They were desperately dependent upon wheat imported from Yamāmah, without which they would be destroyed.</li><br/></ul><br/> <br/><h2>The Ḥadīth of Thumāmah bin ʾUthāl رضي الله عنه</h2><br/> <br/><br/>The Prophet ﷺ sent cavalry to Najd. They returned with a man [captured] from Banū Ḥanīfah named ʾThumāmah bin ʾUthāl. They tied him to a pillar amongst the pillars of the Masjid. The Prophet ﷺ came to him and asked, “What do you have, O Thumāmah?”<br/><br/>“I have much wealth, O Muḥammad,” he replied, “If you slay me you slay one whose blood [will be avenged], if you are kind to me, you will be kind to one who is grateful. If you want wealth, then ask of him what you will.”<br/><br/>He was left till the next day. [Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ] then asked, “What do you have, O Thumāmah?”<br/><br/>“Exactly what I told you before,” he replied, “If you are kind to me you will be kind to one who is grateful.”<br/><br/>He was again left for the next day. [Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ] then asked, “What do you have, O Thumāmah?”<br/><br/>“I have what I told you!” he replied.<br/><br/>Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ commanded, “Release Thumāmah.”<br/><br/>He then went to palms near the Masjid, bathed and then re-entered the Masjid, declaring, “I testify that there is no god besides Allāh, and I testify that Muḥammad is Allāh Messenger. O Muḥammad! By Allāh, there used to be no face on earth more despicable to me than your face. Now your face has become the most beloved of all faces unto me. By Allāh, there used to be no religion on earth more despicable to me than your religion. Now your religion has become the most beloved of all religions unto me. By Allāh, there used to be no city on earth more despicable to me than your city. Now your city has become the most beloved of all cities unto me. When your cavalry captured me, I was on my way to perform ʿUmrah, so what is your view on the matter?”<br/><br/>Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ gave him glad tidings and commanded him to proceed with his pilgrimage. When he reached Makkah, someone said, “O you apostate!”<br/><br/>“No,” he replied, “I have submitted with Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh, Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him. By Allāh, never and again I say never will a grain of wheat reach you from Yamāmah, until the Prophet ﷺ permits it.<br/><br/>[End of Ḥadīth]<br/><br/><em>Ibn Ḥajar in his commentary on ʾal-Bukhārī, Fatḥul Bārī, quotes Ibn Hishām that Thumāmah رضي الله عنه cut off all exports to Makkah when he returned to Yamāmah. The Quraysh wrote to complain to Allāh’s Messenger </em><em>ﷺ. He commanded Thumāmah رضي الله عنه to lift the embargo. </em><br/><br/>Situations need to be judged on an individual basis. Leaders may make decisions which are right or wrong, which we agree with or dislike. Whatever the situation, the biography of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ is a guiding light. If the specifics do not fit a particular situation, then at the very least the guiding principles should always be kept in mind. <em> </em><br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-44369146930289316692020-03-18T00:35:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.351+02:00Seeing the Prophet ﷺ in a Dream<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1122" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/616x510.jpg?w=600" alt="616x510" width="300" height="248" /><br/><br/><strong>Question posed to me:</strong><br/><br/>Is it true that there’s really nothing that one can do to see the Prophet ﷺ in a dream ?<br/><h2></h2><br/><h2></h2><br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>My Reply:</h2><br/> <br/><h1>Basic Beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah</h1><br/><h1></h1><br/>The first point to clarify is our belief in the reality of seeing Allāh’s Messenger.<br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">من حديث أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم من رآني في المنام فقد رآني، فإن الشيطان لا يتخيل بي</p><br/>ʾAnas narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “He who sees me in a dream has indeed seen me, for Satan cannot imitate my form.” [ʾal-Bukhārī & Muslim]</blockquote><br/> <br/><br/>The second point is that such dreams are personal matters. The mission of Muḥammad ﷺ and his religion is complete. The ʿUlamā are clear that any claim of a new <em>Sharʿī</em> command from dreams e.g. perennial chain letters or to even present the words of the dream as a new Ḥadīth is not accepted. Whoever claims otherwise is ignorant at best, and likely a charlatan and liar with pretensions. The preface of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim and its commentaries are useful in regards this doctrine.<br/><h1>The Desire to See him is natural but not for all</h1><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن أبي هريرة؛ أن رسول الله قال "من أشد أمتي لي حبا، ناس يكونون بعدي، يود أحدهم لو رآني، بأهله وماله</p><br/>Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated that Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ said, “Amongst the most intense in their love for me amongst my followers will be people who will come after me. Each of them would love to see me, even if he had to sacrifice his family and wealth.” [Muslim]</blockquote><br/>Thus the burning desire to gaze on the blessed face of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ is a sign of true faith and is not an absurd fancy. At the same time the wording of the Ḥadīth indicates that this vision is not for everyone. The Arabic word “<em>law</em>” is an indication of improbability as opposed to the possibility of the word “<em>in</em>”. Then also on the general principles of Islām there is no mechanism for sacrificing your family. Rather the converse is true and known. ʾUways ʾal-Qarnī sacrificed the opportunity to see Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ due to service to his mother, and for that he was praised. In fact those who did see Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ were instructed to seek the supplications of he who did not see Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ . He had understood that obedience to the beloved takes precedence over one’s own wishes, even if it is the sincere wish to glimpse the beloved but once.<br/><h1>Please get to the Point – Is there Nothing I can Do?</h1><br/> <br/><br/>Alright, first accept that we do not command the master. It is unseemly that there should be a specific set of words or acts which would in effect summon him. Even during his earthly life the Qurʾān reprimanded the Bedouins as “lacking in intelligence” for summoning him out of his private chambers [ʾal-Ḥujarāt: 4]<br/><br/>Accept that there is the possibility of a dream but not all receive this.<br/><br/>Certain saintly people may have mentioned deeds which they found beneficial. Their personal experience may not be applicable to all. I shall therefore mention ʾAhādīth which have a general bearing for all Muslims, which have an indication in regards seeing Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ .<br/><h2>Muʿāẓ Departs for Yemen</h2><br/> <br/><br/>The various narrations, when strung together, paint a very emotional scene of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ walking alongside Muʿāẓ bin Jabal (may Allāh be pleased with him) as he leaves ʾal-Madīnah. He advises the young man on how to act in Yemen, but there is more to say, which he knows Muʿāẓ will find difficult to bear. Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ will try to soften the blow, but it remains a blow which will break the young Companion’s heart into pieces.<br/><br/>As a student I noticed the fond way many Companions narrated Ḥadīth, personalising the experience as far as possible, e.g. “I heard with <em>my </em>ears…”. Whereas Muʿāẓ is so devastated, he narrates as if this happened to someone else…<br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن معاذ بن جبل - رضي الله عنه - قال : لما بعثه رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إلى اليمن ، خرج معه رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يوصيه ، ومعاذ راكب ورسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يمشي تحت راحلته ، فلما فرغ قال : " يا معاذ ! إنك عسى أن لا تلقاني بعد عامي هذا ، ولعلك أن تمر بمسجدي هذا وقبري " فبكى معاذ جشعا لفراق رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ثم التفت فأقبل بوجهه نحو المدينة ، فقال : " إن أولى الناس بي المتقون ، من كانوا وحيث كانوا "</p><br/>Muʾāẓ, may Allāh be pleased with him, narrated: When Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ sent <strong>him</strong> to Yemen, Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ went out with him, giving <strong>him</strong> advice. <strong>Muʿāẓ </strong>was riding while Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ walked beneath his camel. When he finished he said, “O Muʿāẓ! It may be that you will not meet me after this year of mine. You may instead pass by this masjid of mine or my grave.” So <strong>Muʿāẓ </strong>wept in grief at separation from Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ . So Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ turned his face away and looked in the direction of ʾal-Madīnah and said, “Verily the closest people unto me are those of <em>Taqwā</em> (awareness of Allāh), whosoever they may be and wheresoever they may be.” [ʾAḥmad]</blockquote><br/><ol><br/> <li>The very first item you would have to inculcate is <em>Taqwā</em>, you would have to clean your heart if you wish to enter the presence of Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ .</li><br/> <li>The Ḥadīth indicates a link between one who visits the Masjid and visiting Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ .</li><br/> <li>The three advices given to Muʿāẓ were to establish the <em>Shahādatayn</em> – so establish this with all its requirements and recite frequently.</li><br/> <li>Then <em>Ṣalāh</em> [prayers]</li><br/> <li>Then charity.</li><br/></ol><br/><h2>There are some whom he wishes to see</h2><br/> <br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَتَى الْمَقْبُرَةَ فَقَالَ " السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ دَارَ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لاَحِقُونَ وَدِدْتُ أَنَّا قَدْ رَأَيْنَا إِخْوَانَنَا " . قَالُوا أَوَلَسْنَا إِخْوَانَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " أَنْتُمْ أَصْحَابِي وَإِخْوَانُنَا الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بَعْدُ " . فَقَالُوا كَيْفَ تَعْرِفُ مَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِ بَعْدُ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ " أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلاً لَهُ خَيْلٌ غُرٌّ مُحَجَّلَةٌ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَىْ خَيْلٍ دُهْمٍ بُهْمٍ أَلاَ يَعْرِفُ خَيْلَهُ " . قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْتُونَ غُرًّا مُحَجَّلِينَ مِنَ الْوُضُوءِ وَأَنَا فَرَطُهُمْ عَلَى الْحَوْضِ أَلاَ لَيُذَادَنَّ رِجَالٌ عَنْ حَوْضِي كَمَا يُذَادُ الْبَعِيرُ الضَّالُّ أُنَادِيهِمْ أَلاَ هَلُمَّ . فَيُقَالُ إِنَّهُمْ قَدْ بَدَّلُوا بَعْدَكَ . فَأَقُولُ سُحْقًا سُحْقًا "</p><br/>The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to the graveyard and said: “Peace be upon you! The abode of the believing people and we, if Allāh so wills, will join you. I would love that we see our brothers.”<br/><br/>They said, “Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allāh?<br/><br/>He replied, “You are my companions, and our brothers are those who have not yet come.”<br/><br/>They said, “O Messenger of Allāh, how would you recognise those persons of your followers who have not yet [been born]?”<br/><br/>He replied, “Imagine a man having horses with white blazes on foreheads and legs among horses which were all black, tell me, would he not recognise his own horses?”<br/><br/>They said, “Definitely, O Messenger of Allāh.”<br/><br/>He continued, “They will come with white faces and arms and legs because of ablution, and I will arrive waiting at the Pond before them. Some people will be driven away from my Pond as the stray camel is driven away. I will call out to them, Come here! Come here!” but it will be said, “They changed after you”, and I will say, “Get out of my sight! Get out of my sight!” [Muslim] <em></em></blockquote><br/>The Ḥadīth gives further hope, that not only are there those desirous of seeing him, there are those whom Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ wishes to see.<br/><ol start="6"><br/> <li>My sixth advice is to remain in a constant state of <em>Wuḍū</em>. I in no way claim this to be a sure way of meeting Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ , but as it is mentioned in the above context, has immense spiritual benefits and is a practice of the pious, it will assuredly benefit one on the spiritual path. It may be noted that when Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ wished to be in this state without any intention of performing a deed requiring <em>Wuḍū</em> he would make a gesture of <em>Tayammum </em>on his wall, i.e. solely for the spiritual benefit, not for prayers etc.</li><br/> <li>The people of innovation will be rejected. Do not compromise on the Sunnah. Sunnah includes belief, character, attitude and practices. The hallmark of the Sunnah is moderation and a balance between emotion and knowledge. The hallmark of every heretical sect is exaggeration and loss of balance. For the example, the Shīʿah exaggerate their love for ʿAlī, may Allāh be pleased with him, and there is a dearth of knowledge and logic in their system. The Muʿtalizah, Khawārij and their contemporary modernist counterparts emphasise knowledge and logic and their dead hearts display a shocking lack of respect towards Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ . You who have written to me and posed the above question show a tendency to blazing emotion and uttering words without sufficient knowledge. You are sincere, but if you do not rectify this imbalance soonest, I fear that there may be regret later in life.</li><br/></ol><br/> <br/><h2>Salutations</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن ابن مسْعُودٍ أنَّ رسُول اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: أَوْلى النَّاسِ بِي يوْمَ الْقِيامةِ أَكْثَرُهُم عَليَّ صَلاَةً رواه الترمذي</p><br/>ʾIbn Masʿūd (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated: Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ said, “The closest of people unto me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who recited the most salutations (<em>Ṣalāh ʾalan Nabī)</em> upon me.” [ʾat-Tirmiẓī]</blockquote><br/> <br/><ol start="8"><br/> <li>Recite <em>Ṣalāh ʾalan Nabī</em> not only during your special time you set for personal devotions, but in free wasted seconds during your daily life, e.g. how much can be recited from the time you walk from your bed to the bathroom. You may be going to perform ablution for compulsory prayers but in just those seconds you will eventually accumulate so much if done daily. Consciously use these precious moments throughout the day and you will have mountains to present on the Day of Resurrection.</li><br/></ol><br/>Much more can be said, but I hope the above gives a sufficient overview without information overload. May Allāh accept you and grant your heart’s desire when the time is appropriate.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-41922397082083839592020-03-17T12:49:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.310+02:00Qabāth Teaches us Etiquette for the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم<img class=" size-full wp-image-1116 alignleft" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/madinah.jpg" alt="madinah" width="278" height="181" /><br/><p style="text-align:left;">Qabāth bin ʾAshyam ʾal-Kinānī (may Allāh be pleased with him) was a Companion of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم). The <em>Mustadrak</em> of ʾal-Ḥākim records the following touching incident that I would like to share which teaches us about care in our choice of words and tone when we address Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).</p><br/>ʿAbdul Malik bin Marwān asked, “O Qabāth, are you older or Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم)?<br/>Qabāth was in fact the older of the two, but he felt sensitive to directly reply in the same wording as ʿAbdul Malik (<em>ʾakbar</em>), for <em>ʾakbar</em> can not only mean “older” but has several other meanings such as “bigger” and “greater”. Context is essential during interpretation, and had he used the same word, nobody would have blinked. It would have been clearly understood if he had said that he was <em>ʾakbar</em> to Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم), that he meant that he was simply older in terms of years. He was the born before him. Yet the Companions would not tolerate the slightest insinuation of a shadow of disrespect towards Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Qabāth’s reply is so touching, if only we have the hearts to perceive.<br/><p style="text-align:left;">Qabāth (may Allāh be pleased with him) replied,</p><br/><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">بل رسول الله صلى الله عليه و على آله و سلم أكبر مني و انا أسن منه<br/>“Rather [I say that] Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) is greater (<em>ʾakbar</em>) than me.</p><br/><p style="text-align:center;">I merely have some years more than him (<em>ʾasann</em>).”</p><br/></blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:left;">Encyclopaedias of knowledge, including Ḥadith, have little value if we do not know how to address Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) with respect. Qabāth teaches us that it is not enough to utter cold clinical facts, however true, but the tone and choice of words we employ are essential for the true lover. It distinguishes us from those with dead hearts.</p><br/><p style="text-align:left;">May Allāh guide us all.</p><br/><p style="text-align:left;">سليمان الكندي<br/>@sulayman_kindi</p>سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-28538588260730843652020-03-13T23:52:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.290+02:00Seeing the Good in Others – The Case of South African Taxi Drivers<h1></h1><br/><img class=" size-full wp-image-1111 alignleft" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/taxi.png" alt="taxi" width="512" height="286" /><br/><br/>Being without my own transport for the past two months I to resort to daily usage of the public taxi service in South Africa – generally a Toyota HiAce certified to carry 15 passengers.<br/><br/>The South African taxi driver is notorious as a wild driver prone to accidents. In fact, just this morning, I was in a taxi that met up in an accident. I had not used this service with frequency since my teen years. However, the older and hopefully wiser version of yours truly now has the opportunity to look at the good in people who otherwise do not enjoy wholesome reputations.<br/><ul><br/> <li><strong>Intelligence </strong>– the taxi driver is under immense pressure stopping to pick up and drop off passengers while demonstrating his wild Grand Prix skills. Yet he is carefully aware of who owes what and how much change he owes to whom. This may seem minor in the greater scheme of things, but if you have ever dealt with the average cashier in South African shops who cannot manage simple calculations without an electronic device, you would surely have to salute the computing skills of the taxi driver.</li><br/> <li><strong>Charity</strong> – I have seen taxi drivers stop and give charity during trips.</li><br/> <li><strong>Consideration </strong>– I have witnessed passengers saying they do not have enough fare and the driver lets them board the taxi.</li><br/> <li><strong>Courtesy </strong>– Most drivers I have observed show great courtesy in dropping passengers at an exact spot most convenient to them.</li><br/> <li><strong>Cleanliness</strong> – although a minority in my observation, there are those who display a fanatical desire to keep their vehicles clean. A truly marvellous feat if you examine what they accomplish and measure it against the hundreds who tread in and out of their vehicles on a daily basis.</li><br/> <li><strong>Humility </strong>– I have witnessed them maintaining calm and silence when irrational rude passengers vent their anger at them. I driver slammed the door closed early as I was disembarking. My hand was trapped where the door shuts and received the full force of the door slamming. My knuckles turned black and my hand swelled. It pained for two weeks. Yet the sincerity and humility with which he apologised made it impossible to be angry with him.</li><br/></ul><br/>I have also had opportunity to observe little Black children (generally not Muslim) walking to school and commuting with <strong>self assured independence</strong>. This is a most refreshing sight when compared to the average Muslim youth who does not seem to be capable of doing much for himself. Mummy will take me to school.<br/><br/>Make no mistake. I do not say that these taxi drivers are angels. I hold to whatever negatives I have alluded to. Furthermore there are other factors I have not mentioned which make the usage of this means of transport a daily inconvenience and hardship. Yet that is exactly the point I wish to drive at.<br/><br/>To see good in saints, scholars, parents, friends, benefactors, spouses etc is easy. To see good despite the negatives requires a concerted effort. But why bother?<br/><br/>On a personal level, if I harp on finding fault in others I am merely blackening my own soul and ruining my character. Actively searching for the good in others is a means of purifying myself.<br/><br/>On a global level, Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was a well-wisher unto every living person, desiring that they accept the truth and ultimately enter Paradise. I would venture that it is truly difficult to be a sincere well wisher if we allow ourselves to only see evil in people. The least good we should acknowledge is the common dignity of descent from Adam (peace be upon him) and that Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) would have strove for his guidance if he could.<br/><br/>One extreme is those who actively collaborate with evil. The Sudaises of the world. The scholars who keep silent when the land of Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) is evermore desecrated.<br/><br/>The other extreme is the arrogance of the religious to condemn to Hell people who are still living and about whose fate we have no idea of. I am grateful to Allāh that I am amongst the few amongst my fraternity who have spoken and written against the Satanists who rule the sacred lands. Yet it would be claiming knowledge of the unseen to act as if their fates are sealed. That they will not repent. That they will burn in Hell while I am guaranteed Paradise. Allāh knows best if the delinquent little boy who massacres Yemen as if he is playing some Play Station game might repent and attain the closest of relations with Allāh.<br/><br/>While I live I am obliged to hate his evil and fight it as best I can. When my life is over I am answerable for my deeds, not his. May Allāh grant us an easy reckoning.<br/><br/>My deeds are defective. My sins are many. I can but hope that Allāh smiles on all who held onto His religion during this time of endless tribulation and allows us to enter Paradise without any reckoning at all.<br/><br/>That is much for a sinner to ask for, but absolutely nothing for the Most Generous to grant.<br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-11785272966070707132020-03-08T23:22:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.254+02:00Advice for the Cyber Muslim<h1 style="text-align:center;"></h1><br/><img class=" size-medium wp-image-1103 alignleft" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/cyber-warrior-1.jpg?w=600" alt="cyber warrior" width="300" height="188" /><br/><br/><em>Muslims are taking to the internet and various social media outlets in increasing numbers. Some burn with zeal to use these tools to elevate the Word of Allāh. May He reward them and guide them. Herewith some words as a reminder which may be of benefit, Allāh Willing.</em><br/><br/> <br/><h2>1. Verification</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن حفص بن عاصم قال : قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : كفى بالمرء كذبا أن يحدث بكل ما سمع</p><br/><em>Allāh’s Messenger (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “It is sufficient lie for a man to narrate whatever he has heard.” [Muslim]</em></blockquote><br/>Perhaps one of the most negative effects social media has had on Muslim character is the elimination of the injunction to verify before passing on information. Our pious predecessors were extremely cautious in what they uttered, especially if it concerned religious matters.<br/><br/>Social media has made it possible to transmit information to many people in seconds. These people then transmit in turn, sometimes not even reading the statement in full. False information can compound and reach multitudes in seconds. Such rapid transmission without pausing for verification will inevitably include a deliberate lie from the dishonest and even errors from the sincere.<br/><br/>Each person who has transmitted false information, is responsible for the lie, a most heinous sin in Islām. Retractions are not as sensational as the original message and often fails to erase the false news. Any false news is a crime. It is even worse if the reputation of an innocent has been sullied. Consider the weight of transmitting a lie against Allāh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) which many do with a click of a button. Ask why we narrate all that we hear and see. Is our ego so fragile that it needs such an ethereal ego boost (“I sent this information out first! I know something that you do not!”) Is our carelessness in transmission without verification and our selfish egotism worth the reckoning we might face in the Divine Court?<br/><h2>2. Silence</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن سماك بن حرب، قال: "قلت لجابر بن سمرة: أكنت تجالس النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قال: نعم كان طويل الصمت، قليل الضحك، وكان أصحابه ربما تناشدوا عنده الشعر والشيء من أمورهم، فيضحكون، وربما يتبسم</p><br/><em>Jābir bin Samurah (</em><em>رضي الله عنه)</em> <em>narrated, “He [the Prophet] (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) would observe lengthy silence and not much laughter. Sometimes his companions would recite poetry amongst each other in his presence and talk about their [worldly] matters and laugh. He would merely smile at times.” [ʾA</em><em>ḥmad]</em></blockquote><br/>We are his followers. Learn to observe silence. Every one of the millions of tweets do not require a response. Engaging in every frivolous and/or false statement is a waste of time, a detriment to one’s spirituality, a disturbance to mental serenity and most importantly – it is not the way of Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم).<br/><br/> <br/><h2>3. If we must act, think first!</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">"إِنَّ فِيكَ خَصْلَتَيْنِ يُحِبُّهُمَا اللَّهُ.. الْحِلْمُ وَالأَنَاةُ"</p><br/><em>ʾIbn ʿAbbās (</em><em>رضي الله عنه) narrated that Allāh’s Messenger (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) said to ʾAshajj, “There are indeed two such qualities within you which Allāh loves – forbearance and pausing before acting.” [Muslim]</em></blockquote><br/>Not only are we <strong>not</strong> obligated to reply to every issue in nano seconds, be it in the real or cyber worlds. The unseemly haste we display in clicking off a response is contrary to the spirit of the Sunnah. Logically we can understand the greater probability of errors and inappropriate words which can stem from haste. Reflection before composing a statement can save one from much regret.<br/><h2>4. Balance between Activism & Spirituality</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه يقول جاء ثلاثة رهط إلى بيوت أزواج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يسألون عن عبادة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فلما أخبروا كأنهم تقالوها فقالوا وأين نحن من النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه وما تأخر قال أحدهم أما أنا فإني أصلي الليل أبدا وقال آخر أنا أصوم الدهر ولا أفطر وقال آخر أنا أعتزل النساء فلا أتزوج أبدا فجاء رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إليهم فقال أنتم الذين قلتم كذا وكذا أما والله إني لأخشاكم لله وأتقاكم له لكني أصوم وأفطر وأصلي وأرقد وأتزوج النساء فمن رغب عن سنتي فليس مني</p><br/> <em>ʾAnas narrated that the Prophet (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “…By Allāh! I am the most fearful amongst you of Allāh, and the most regardful of Him. Yet I fast and do not fast. I pray and I sleep. I marry women. So he who is averse to my way is not of me.” [ʾal-Bukhārī]</em></blockquote><br/>Building on the previous point of silence is to balance one’s activities. The Sunnah is to be balanced. A break is needed to fulfil the rights of others, one’s own body and mind and very importantly, to refresh oneself spiritually. Non-stop cyber combat and surfing is a call for hardening of the heart however good your intention may be. Cyber missionary work is no substitute the food of the soul, such as recitation of the Qurʾān, remembrance of Allāh etc.<br/><h2>5. Intention</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن أمير المؤمنين أبي حفص عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله تعالى عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله تعالى عليه وعلى آله وسلم يقول: «إنما الأعمال بالنيات</p><br/><em>ʿUmar (</em><em>رضي الله عنه) narrated that he heard Allāh’s Messenger </em>(صلى الله عليه و سلم) <em>saying, “Verily actions are according to intentions…” [ʾal-Bukhārī & Muslim]</em></blockquote><br/>Traditionally rectification of intention is often addressed first when giving advice. However, I am not addressing those who already start off with incorrect intentions. Why should such folk heed me? Frankly I do not respect scholars whose profile pictures are carefully crafted poses of themselves. One does need to be able to read hearts to see a “tread with caution” sign highlighted over such faces.<br/><br/>My concern is for the sincere cyber Muslim who becomes so engrossed, he does not realise that his intention has become contaminated. Thus intention is not the primary issue to be addressed, for the change comes about subtly and after a period.<br/><br/>The other party has enraged me during cyber combat. Is it really because he insulted my religion, or is it that he insulted me? Do I use your religion or cause as an excuse to blast him back in what is really a personal issue between two cyber toddlers?<br/><br/>Do I feel elated at the amount of reposts and likes my cyber material receives? Do I anxiously wait for these likes and reposts? Am I devastated when nobody gives me a like? Do I monitor my number of followers and friends like an addict? Do I check my social media first thing upon awakening and last thing before closing my eyes? Do I actually moan in public that I have few followers and make a public appeal for people to become my cyber followers?<br/><br/>If any of these points hits a raw nerve then I need a serious period of disengagement from the internet. How sad it will be that all that time was spent on ostensible good, but one is not rewarded. For the reality is that all that effort was for self-glorification, not worship of Allāh.<br/><h2>6. Truth vs Sensationalism</h2><br/> <br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">من حديث كعب بن مالك الأنصاري رضي الله عنه: عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلـم قال: «مَا ذِئْبَانِ جَائِعَانِ أُرْسِلَا فِي غَنَمٍ، بِأَفْسَدَ لَهَا مِنْ حِرْصِ الْمَرْءِ عَلَى الْمَالِ وَالشَّرَفِ لِدِينِهِ</p><br/><em>Kaʿb bin Māik (</em><em>رضي الله عنه) narrated that Allāh’s Messenger (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Two hungry wolves let loose amongst goats are not as damaging as a man’s greed for wealth and status [damages] his religion.” [ʾAḥmad]</em></blockquote><br/>Presentation is important, but deliberate sensationalism is a conspicuous sign of insincerity and greed for name and fame. This should be obvious under the topic of intention, but the pervasive of sensationalism on social media warrants a separate mention. Ostentation is a disease which takes hold of the heart in subtle ways and destroys our rewards which we would have received in the next world. It infects both laymen and scholars.<br/><br/>An American scholar impressed me with the depths of his knowledge and level of service unto people. However, I started to notice him increasingly give in to promoting sensational unsubstantiated statements which he refused to retract. Ẓul Qarnayn went to Norway! Allāh have mercy. I felt it better to disengage from him.<br/><h2>7. Beware of Your Company</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">قال : سمعت رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقول : الوحدة خير من جليس السوء والجليس الصالح خير من الوحدة</p><br/><em>ʾAbū </em><em>Ẓ</em><em>arr (</em><em>رضي الله عنه) narrated that he heard Allāh’s Messenger (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) saying, “Solitude is better than a companion of evil. A good companion is better than solitude.” [ʾal-Bayhaqī]</em></blockquote><br/>Those whom we interact with in the cyber world will affect us in outlook and spiritual development. It will also affect our other cyber companions who will get linked up to others through us. “Retweets are not an endorsement” is one of the emptiest statements ever coined. Why then did I transmit this statement? What mental condition is this that I broadcast without a stated reason? Why did I give it publicity? Has the Ḥadīth not warned me about narrating all that I hear? Why have I promoted this person amongst my companions? Have I considered that perhaps it is I who have become the companion of evil in this instance?<br/><br/>Then there is the issue of companions of the opposite sex. So many Muslim cyber warriors engage flirtatiously with the opposite sex on these public forums. What you do in your private space is between you and your Creator, but how shameless must you be to entice Muslims with religious content and then flirt on the same platform? If you are really going to engage in both cyber promotion of faith and less wholesome broadcasts, at least have the decency to have different platforms for them and not rub it in our faces.<br/><br/>The Cyber warrior must also assume responsibility for the profile pictures he retweets or replies to. I was so disappointed to be following a discussion on Ḥadīth, history and the like, when suddenly the same person replies to a female with a profile picture of herself in her bikini. How many brain cells does one need to understand the disrespect displayed to the sacred texts just quoted on the same page?<br/><br/>As for the sisters, why do they have to splash their faces for every stranger to ogle at? Do they not aspire to be like ʾUmm Khallād? She came running to Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) when her son was killed. The men were surprised that she was covering her face despite her clear distressed state. She replied, “I may have lost my son. I shall never lose my modesty.” [ʾAbū Dāwūd]<br/><h2>8. Address Issues not Personalities</h2><br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا بلغه عن الرجل شيء لم يقل: ما بالُ فلانٍ يقول؟ ولكن يقول: ما بالُ أقوامٍ يقولون كذا وكذا رواه أبو داود</p><br/><em>Our Mother ʿ</em><em>Āʾishah (</em><em>رضي الله عنها) narrated, that when the Prophet (</em><em>صلى الله عليه و سلم) heard something [untoward] about a person he would not say, “What is the state of that [specific] person that he says that?” Instead he would say, “What is wrong with people that they say such things?” [ʾAbū Dāwūd]</em></blockquote><br/>Personalising issues detracts from the central issue and degenerates the discussion into a mud slinging match. Is there a need to even mention the name of the opponent? Are we promoting truth versus falsehood, or is it an ego contest under the cover of promoting Islām? We all have our deficiencies. It is highly immature to target the personal defects of the other party, rather than the topic of discussion. In so doing, we invite personal attacks on our own reputation which we have intentionally or not tied to the reputation of Islām. Thus Islām becomes sullied due to our childish behaviour.<br/><p style="text-align:center;">وَلَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ</p><br/><em>Do not revile those whom they call upon besides Allāh, for then they will revile Allāh in enmity without knowledge. [ʾal-ʾAnʿām:108]</em><br/><br/>That being said, I have diverted from this principle when I felt that there was a need. This has been the exception, not the rule in my case. For example, I mentioned <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2018/09/24/yasir-qadhi-some-points-on-groups-with-incorrect-belief/">Yasir Qadhi</a> when he saw fit to tour my country to preach his heretical doctrine that the incorrect beliefs of the Shīʿah are no greater wrong than the sin of a Muslim, they remain our brothers. The heresy which he preached is not the belief of a general body of people, but an idiocy of a specific public figure. Hence, I felt that the Sunnah of not naming people does not apply in this case. Previously I had shown the deviant, <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/arrivalswake-up-project-shii-deception/">Imraan Hosein</a>, the courtesy of this Sunnah, but I now believe that that was an error on my side. He too is a specific public figure who campaigns against the sanctity of Muslim blood and the orthodoxy of our sacred beliefs. His crimes are not personal sins which should be concealed.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>9. Choose your Role Model</h2><br/> <br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ</p><br/><em>There is indeed for you in Allāh’s Messenger an excellent paragon [ʾal-ʾAḥzāb:21]</em></blockquote><br/>We do not live in bubbles of isolation. One way or another we consciously or subconsciously accept the influence of others. If we do not consciously model ourselves on Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), others will fill the void and lead the way in the way in which we behave, and more importantly, the way we think.<br/><br/>The wise and beautiful ways of Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), does not seem to have the status it deserves amongst the cyber ʾUmmah. Currently it seems as if the more course, derogatory and narrow minded a cyber Muslim is, the greater his following will be in certain quarters. This group seems to find ecstasy in childish abuse of others and influence others to behave the same. Not only can I not imagine Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) behaving the way they do, but some are shamelessly deceptive and conniving. A certain hard-line Salafī will happily portray himself as a champion of the Ahlus Sunnah and bask in the attention he receives from all schools, yet his writing shows possible greater venom against Sunnīs who adhere to Taqlīd, than against the Shīʿah whom he supposedly combats. They only respond to likes and praises. When one questions their shallow arguments against fellow Sunnīs they react with the only response a person without knowledge is capable of…. Blocking, which leads me to my next point.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>10. Consult the Learned</h2><br/> <br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ</p><br/><em>Above every person of knowledge is one [greater] in knowledge. [Yūsuf: 76]</em></blockquote><br/>As accomplished as one may be, a certain field may not be yours to comment on. Even if one has a certain grasp of a subject, it is dangerous to comment with limited knowledge and insufficient overview of the religious sciences and facts. Instead of offering an unsubstantiated opinion on every matter, rather consult the learned and continuously tread the path of learning.<br/><br/>Some cyber Muslims had a good laugh at a Salafī fatwā on camel urine. While the perspective of the Cyber warriors is certainly backed by strong juristic views, there are also contrary views from great classical giants of Islām, who are not part of the Salafī tradition. By going on a mocking rampage, such enthusiasts with limited knowledge, actually mock ʾAʾimmah of Islām, and indirectly mock the Ḥadīth from which these scholars drew their rulings.<br/><br/>Our ʾAʾimmah were noted for saying, “I do not know.” In particular, <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/whither-scholars-like-imam-malik-who-would-not-impose-his-fatwa-on-unknown-lands/#comments">ʾImam Mālik</a>, was noted for such humility. How fortunate we would be to have but one percent of his humility.<br/><h2>11. The ʾUmmah is Global, Circumstances are Local</h2><br/> <br/><blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ</p><br/><em>And We have not sent a messenger except with the tongue of his own people to clarify for them. [ʾIbrāhīm: 4]</em></blockquote><br/>As universal as Islām is in its message, and as much as the world has become a global village, Islām has never imposed a single megalithic system over all adherents in regards secondary non-categorical rulings. It is most unseemly that we sit at our technological interface of choice and judge Muslims from far off lands based on our culture, mores, school, circumstances and understanding. Pause before judging. If you feel it is any of your business, then find out their rationale. Their actions may in fact be within the ambit of Islām, while our judgemental dogmatism may be at fault.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-41537177038733387062020-01-07T22:57:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.233+02:00Dajjāl The Anti-Christ & Social Media<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1096" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/fathul_bari_bisyarhi_shahih_al-bukhari_imam_khairul_annas.jpg" alt="Fathul_Bari_bisyarhi_Shahih_al-Bukhari_Imam_Khairul_Annas.JPG" width="1280" height="694" /><br/><br/><em>The purpose of this article is not to add to the treasure of knowledge people already possess on Dajjāl (the Anti-Christ), but to add some words of context to recent developments in which Muslims demonstrate a penchant to be easily swayed by media but will not budge from narrow personal positions. </em><br/><br/>Netflix seems to have spurred a flurry of commentary on Dajjāl. I do not condemn this spate of activity in itself, for most seem to simply have a desire to inform and sort out fact from fiction. Nevertheless I do confess that I am not at ease at how easily the media and these platforms lead Muslims in a particular direction.<br/><br/>If the media directs our attention to China for example, one notices a drop in fund raising, sermons, publications and social media commentary etc on other Muslims who might be suffering even more. I do not belittle the plight of the Uighur Muslims in this example, but surely you would agree that something is wrong if we can so easily be manipulated, or allow ourselves to be diverted.<br/><br/>Sometimes it is not even two tragedies which compete for our attention, but I have witnessed how greatly Muslims were concerned during a bombardment of Ghazzah, and the very next day, all that it took to capture the attention of these concerned Muslims was a cricket match.<br/><br/>Similarly I have to ponder over the state of the Muslims if a continuous effort of centuries of books and sermons warning us of the greatest tribulation in the history of mankind have less impact than a Netflix movie (or series, I am not sure which it is). To spell it out, the comments and concern are in their place, and even meritorious, just as collecting for the Uighurs instead of the Rohingya remains a good deed, but consider this… if such ephemeral media so easily gets you going and the words of the pious scholars have had minimal effect of your life, what is going to happen when the actual tribulation of the Anti-Christ manifests? Who do you think will be controlling the media at that stage?<br/><br/>Another concern I have when reading these commentaries, is the sad lack of balance in many commentaries. This is symptomatic of the academic intolerance amongst Muslims and the belief that an opinion becomes absolute fact. It has become beneath the dignity of the contemporary Muslim to offer any sort of disclaimer that he offers an opinion on a matter about which there is discussion and different interpretations. Instead, statements are made as if they are categoric declarations of Allāh and His Messenger (salutations and peace be upon him) without contextualising certain issues. Thus one writer falls into this trap and contradicts himself. Dajjāl has simultaneously been on earth for over 14 centuries, yet will be no more than 30 years of age when he makes his debut.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>Points I wish to Highlight in regards Dajjāl</h2><br/> <br/><br/>There exists sufficient material that respected reader can access to revise or learn about the Anti-Christ. I have nothing of extraordinary value to add. I however wish to point out certain matters which seem to be missing in current commentaries on social media. If someone else has in fact addressed these issues, pardon my arrogant assumptions, I am merely addressing what I see, and am not painting all with the same brush.<br/><ul><br/> <li>The narrations on Dajjāl and end times in general are varied and not always explicit. To arrange these narrations in definite order and meaning which might or might not be what Allāh’s Messenger (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) intended is audacity of the highest order. Scholars of the past offered opinions and guidance and were humble enough to state where they were coming from.</li><br/> <li>There is not only one Dajjāl. The Musnad of Imām ʾAḥmad, amongst others, clearly mention, “There will be in my ʾummah thirty Dajjāls, great liars…” Scholars have interpreted this to possibly mean that there will be many lesser deceivers who will precede the final major Anti-Christ.</li><br/> <li>Some narrations may therefore refer to a minor Dajjāl and some to the major Dajjāl. Giants amongst the scholars of the past have differed in their interpretation as to whether a certain narration refers to a minor deceiver or the major Dajjāl. When we ignore the multiplicity of deceivers; the imprecision in narrations; and the respectful arguments amongst the scholars of the past; we end up with contradictions like a 30 year old 14 centuries old beast.</li><br/> <li>Some people who have more Hollywood between their ears than brains, perennially spew images (probably photoshopped) of babies with one eye in the centre of the forehead, cyclops style. Dajjāl is one-eyed in the sense of having one intact eye. He will have two eyes. The one will be blotted.</li><br/> <li>The narration which ʾIbn Ḥajar ʾal-ʿAsqalānī mentions in <em>Fat</em><em>ḥ ʾal-Bārī</em> in regards the three stages of Dajjāl might not be unanimously accepted, but I feel it is something which Muslims should be alert to in these days of deception. Dajjāl will first present himself as a champion of the Muslims. He will be so persuasive, even the pious will believe him to be good. He will have two normal eyes at this stage. Later he will claim to be a prophet. Finally he will claim divinity, at which stage his one eye will be blotted.</li><br/></ul><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>@sulayman_kindi<br/><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-68809159154094254592019-12-30T00:14:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.196+02:00Israelite Narrations - Approach with Caution<p style="text-align:center;">ورواه البخاري من حديث عبد الله بن عمرو بلفظ: "بلغوا عني ولو آية، وحدثوا عن بني إسرائيل ولا حرج، ومن كذب علي متعمداً، فليتبوأ مقعده من النار".</p><br/><em>“Convey from me, even if it be a single verse. Narrate from the Children of Israel, there is no harm. He who intentionally lies against me should prepare his resting place in the Fire.” [ʾal-Bukhārī]</em><br/><br/> <br/><br/>Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) has clearly allowed us to narrate from the Children of Israel. To deny that would be to contradict him. At the same time, this permission is not a license to spread falsehood, and worse, to believe narrations which contradict the Qurʾān, whether explicitly or in spirit. This should be clear, not only in general principle, but from the very narration which grants permission in the first place. For if it is prohibited to lie against Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم), how much more so to lie against Allāh’s Word?<br/><br/>Muslims are accepting and circulating narrations which they should not, not only through traditional causes of interaction with Christians and Jews, but of increasing concern is the immature use of social media and the effects of movies and television. I would like to say that parents have a special responsibility towards their children in these avenues, but often it is the “adults” who worse criminals in spreading falsehood in religion.<br/><br/>Here are some issues and narrations which are of concern but are by no means a complete list. Some are serious negations of Islamic belief; some are to set the record straight. In either case, truth is a valuable commodity which a believer cannot compromise on.<br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>Lucifer & Angels</h2> <br/><br/>Television increasingly promotes three perceptions.<br/><ol><br/> <li>The Christian belief that Satan was originally an angel.</li><br/> <li>The Christian belief that Satan and other angels rebelled against God.</li><br/> <li>The illuminati agenda that Satan is misunderstood and wishes well for mankind. In fact, he wishes to illuminate us and is the good guy.</li><br/></ol> <br/><br/><strong>The Christian belief that Satan was originally an angel.</strong><br/><br/> <br/><br/>Islām divides the intellectual creation into three categories – angels who are created from light, Jinn who are created from fire and humans who are created from earth. (Note that I used “intellectual” in the loose metaphysical sense, as one wonders in regards the intellectual capacity of some folk one encounters.)<br/><br/>While Satan (then called ʾAzāzīl) did reside amongst the angels, the Qurʾān is quite explicit that he is Jinnī, not an angel.<br/><p style="text-align:center;">وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ ۗ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِي وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا</p><br/><em>And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, but not Iblīs. He was of the Jinn and departed from the command of his Lord. Will you then take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil exchange it is for the wrongdoers! [ʾal-Kahf: 50]</em><br/><br/>This distinction between angel and jinnī will be important when we reach the next point.<br/><br/> <br/><br/><strong>The Christian belief that Satan and other angels rebelled against God. </strong><br/><br/><strong> </strong><br/><br/>Satan did rebel against ʾAllāh, as is clear from the above Verse. The Verse however clarifies that he was not an angel. Not a single angel joined Satan in his rebellion against ʿAllāh, as the Christians believe, and as Hollywood embellishes. An angel cannot disobey, let alone rebel. There are no “fallen angels”.<br/><br/> <br/><p style="text-align:center;">يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ</p><br/><strong><em>O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones. Over it are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. [ʾat-Taḥrīm: 6]</em></strong><br/><br/>If we do accept that Satan’s hosts are fallen angels, then who are in his armies? Satanists are both Jinn descendants of Satan as mentioned in ʾal-Kahf, as well as human supporters as mentioned in the following verse.<br/><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ</strong></p><br/><em>Thus We have made for every prophet an enemy – devils from both humans and jinn… [ʾal-ʾAnʿām: 112]</em><br/><br/><em> </em><br/><br/>Humans and Jinn have the capacity to rebel and disbelief, not angels. Regular readers will know that I make no bones in calling out the Saʿūd regime as Satanist. Satan must be proud of the wars they wage against ʾIslām and the Muslims.<br/><br/>Some may ask, that if angels do not fall, what then of the Qurʾān mentioning the angels Hārūt and Mārūt? The discussion cannot be dealt with in an academic fashion here, but these points should suffice for our purpose:<br/><ul><br/> <li>The additional narrations of the angels becoming human-like in feeling and giving in to temptation are not in the Qurʾān.</li><br/> <li>These narrations are not universally accepted.</li><br/> <li>Even if accepted, firstly the angels were said to be given human feeling. Thus this specific transformed pair cannot be the criteria for judging angels in general their natural state.</li><br/> <li>There is a world of a distinction of a specific angel being given human feelings and falling into error due to weakness, as opposed to intentionally rebelling against ʾAllāh.</li><br/> <li>Furthermore a sin in a single act, does not equate to complete rebellion and denying ʾAllāh.</li><br/></ul><strong>The illuminati agenda that Satan is misunderstood and wishes well for mankind. In fact, he wishes to illuminate us and is the good guy.</strong><br/><br/>This may seem laughable, but it should really worry the believer how this ubiquitously this concept is being promoted especially on television and Hollywood. What one may think is mere entertainment is a subtle erosion of one’s faith. ʾAllāh knows best if such eroded faith can withstand the test of the Anti-Christ who may soon appear in this world. At the very least one should understand that one’s “entertainment” calls the Qurʾān a lie:<br/><p style="text-align:center;">إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ</p><br/><em>Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze. [ʾal-Fāṭir: 6]</em><br/><br/>While the illuminati idea is the one which is overtly projected, the idea of him not being evil has a parallel in Israelite literature which we should know has no basis in ʿIslām:<br/><br/> <br/><blockquote><em>According to Torah, no spiritual force opposes G‑d. This includes Satan, who is a spiritual entity that faithfully carries out its divinely assigned task of trying to seduce people to stumble. Satan is also identified with the Prosecutor above — that's what the word Satan itself means: it's just Hebrew for prosecutor — who levels charges against the guilty party who succumbs to its wily arguments. Look in the beginning chapter of the Book of Job and you'll see that clearly.</em><br/><br/><em>In fact, the Talmud says, all that Satan does, he does for the sake of heaven. Without him, the defense attorney wouldn't bother to dig up all the merits of the defense. And the defense would have to try so hard to give himself more merits.</em><br/><br/><em>So you see that really nothing happens in the entire world without G‑d approving. That's why we Jews have so many complaints to him that we need to talk to him three times a day. The buck really stops at His office.</em><br/><br/><em>Finally, when the Divine Court decides that someone, G‑d forbid, deserves to die, then Satan is dispatched from Above to carry out the sentence</em><br/><br/></blockquote><a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/512017/jewish/Is-there-any-sort-of-Purgatory-or-Satan-in-Jewish-teachings.htm">Rabbi Eliezer Danzinger for Chabad.org</a><br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>Prophets are Sinless in ʿIslām</h2> <br/><br/>Predating Hollywood’s Lucifer-good-guy agenda are reproductions of Biblical stories of the Prophets. The disgraceful depictions of the Prophets perhaps set the stage for the disrespectful way some Muslims talk of religious matters and personalities. However, it must be conceded that many of the accusations Hollywood levelled against the sinless Prophets (peace be upon them all) are extracted from the Bible directly or from other Israelite narrations.<br/><br/>The list of Israelite accusations against the Prophets are too lengthy and downright horrifying to list in toto. I shall list some, but the aim here is to make Muslims aware that they should take care with narrating Israelite narrations. There is no need in this article to address each accusation. We believe the Prophets to be sinless and whoever has concocted these tales is indeed the filthiest wretch imaginable:<br/><ul><br/> <li>Lot had sex with his daughters [Genesis 19:30-38]</li><br/> <li>Noah was sodomised by his son or grandson [Rabbinical interpretation of Genesis 9:22]</li><br/> <li>Solomon worshipped idols [1 Kings 1:5]</li><br/> <li>David committed adultery with a married woman, impregnated her and engineered her husband’s death [2 Samuel 11]</li><br/> <li>Jacob cheated his brother out of his inheritance [Genesis 27]</li><br/> <li>Etc</li><br/></ul> <br/><h2>Adam, Peace be upon Him</h2> <br/><br/>There are three basic points I wish to discuss. Two are in regards Israelite narrations, and the third is a western myth Muslims believe, with no basis in even Israelite narrations.<br/><br/><strong>There was no sin</strong><br/><br/>Our father did not sin but committed an error of forgetfulness. There is thus no concept of “original sin”<br/><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ آدَمَ مِن قَبْلُ فَنَسِيَ وَلَمْ نَجِدْ لَهُ عَزْمًا</strong></p><br/><em>And We had already taken a promise from Adam before, but he forgot; and We found not in him determination. [Ṭāhā: 115]</em><br/><br/><strong>Our noble Parents were not prancing around naked in Paradise</strong><br/><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا الشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا</strong></p><br/><em>…when they tasted of the tree their shameful parts became exposed to them.. [ʾal-ʿArāf: 22]</em><br/><br/>The commentaries are clear that ʾAllāh had granted them garments of Paradise. These were removed when they tasted of the tree. Marriage, sexual propriety and modesty were some of the institutions implemented before humans even set foot on earth.<br/><br/><strong>We do not know what Tree</strong><br/><br/> <br/><br/>The Qurʾān only mentions tree. Even the Bible does not specify “apple”. European artists took a liking to depicting the tree as an apple tree. The apple story is not even a Christian belief, let alone something Muslims should be repeating.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>Birthplace of Jesus, Peace be upon Him</h2><img src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/bethlehem_church_of_the_nativity_main_nave.jpg" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1091" alt="Bethlehem_Church_of_the_Nativity_main_nave" width="640" height="480"><br/><br/>Some well-meaning Muslim publicise pictures of the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus (peace be upon him) was born <strong>below</strong> according to Christian tradition. I do not know how valid this belief is for even Christians, since their texts merely mention "a grotto" and construction of the church over a grotto began in 327.<br/><br/>I regret not having been able to get hold of a scholar who had visited Palestine and the Palestinian scholars had explained why they reject the site as implausible for various reasons. Nevertheless, it should be sufficient for any Muslim to understand that the setting which the Qurʾān describes of the birth of Jesus, is one of an open remote land, with a date tree and stream. This is not the stable in the little underground grotto in a city which the Christians believe in and which Muslims happily spread on social media.<br/><br/>The matter may appear to be minor in the greater scheme of things, and but would a Muslim who fears ʾAllāh call any of this minor?<br/><ul><br/> <li>disseminating information without verification;</li><br/> <li>spreading information because its sensational, not because its authentic;</li><br/> <li>scholars who publish without verification and thus contradict the Qurʾān;</li><br/> <li>scholars who narrate whatever will seem popular, never mind the veracity;</li><br/> <li>dismal lack of scholastic effort amongst Muslims;</li><br/> <li>telling a lie, however small;</li><br/> <li>if you are so susceptible to anything you hear, what will happen when your faith is really put to the test?</li><br/></ul>I shall conclude with what ʾAllāh says in Sūrah Maryam in regards Jesus’s birthplace, not the Israelite narrations and not social media. Let ʾAllāh be our reference point always.<br/><h2></h2><br/><p style="text-align:center;">فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا (22) فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا (23) فَنَادَاهَا مِن تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا (24) وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا (25) فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا (26) فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُ ۖ قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا (27)</p><br/><em>(22) So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.</em><br/><br/><em>(23) And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten."</em><br/><br/><em>(24) But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.</em><br/><br/><em>(25) And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.</em><br/><br/><em>(26) So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' "</em><br/><br/><em>(27) Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.</em><br/><br/> <br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>@sulayman_kindiسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-35754502544224802262019-09-23T23:00:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.162+02:00Syria in Islam is not the Syrian RepublicPost my article <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/allahs-creation-of-%CA%BEa%E1%B9%AD-%E1%B9%ADa%CA%BEif-negates-satanic-sa%CA%BEudi-policy/">Allāh’s Creation of ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif Negates Satanic Saʿūdī Policy</a>, I received the following correspondence:<br/><blockquote><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">JazakAllahu khayr for writing about this! If you would, please help us readers better understand why at times the region is referred to as "Palestine" and at others as "Jordan" and "Syria."</span><br/><br/><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Also, do you know if people warn each other and take extra care to avoid defiling the house by using the "toilet?" Inshaallah people are aware and inshaallah they avoid it.</span></blockquote><br/>The second question refers to the Saʿūdī regime turning the home of our Mother, Khadījah (رضي الله عنها) into a toilet.<br/><h2>Reply</h2><br/><h2>1. Syria in Islām</h2><br/> <br/><br/>It should first be noted that the modern Syrian republic is a relatively recent construct of French colonialism. Historically Syria or ʾash-Shām includes a much vaster area. The historical and Islāmic Syria includes the lands of Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and border areas of Turkey (Antioch) and Arabia (Tabūk). The below map indicates the true area of historical Syria. This is what Islāmic texts have referred to as Syria for centuries, going back to Roman times. Bear in mind however, that exact borders covering every inch of the map is also a relatively new concept of the past two centuries of human history. Historically borders were grey, undefined regions, not exact lines.<br/><br/> <br/><br/><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1073" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/220px-syria-detail-from-ottoman-empire-_by_jaillot.jpg" alt="220px-Syria,-detail-from-Ottoman-Empire-_by_Jaillot" width="220" height="214" /><br/><br/>Thus Palestine and Jordan are regions within Syria. In regards the commentary on the origin of ʾāṭ-Ṭāʾif, it is agreed that it originated from historical Syria. Specifically which area of Syria though? There are differing opinions on that. Some support the view of the Palestine region within Syria, others advocate the Jordan region, east of Palestine, which is also part of Syria.<br/><br/>It may also be noted that Muslims have also used the term Palestine throughout our history, despite it being a region within Syria. This can be seen for example in the Qurʾān commentary cited in the āṭ-Ṭāʾif article. Zionists lie and claim that as we used the term Syria to include Palestine, we never had a concept of Palestine before. This lie is the same as claiming that as Americans use the term USA, they have no concept of Virginia.<br/><br/>It is important for a Muslim to understand the correct definition of Syria on at least four different levels:<br/><ol><br/> <li>When the Qurʾān speaks of the land blessed around ʾal-ʾAqṣā, it covers all of Syria, e.g. ʾal-ʾIsrā: 1.</li><br/> <li>Ḥadīth which refer to the virtues or past events of Syria are not specific to the modern republic, e.g.</li><br/></ol><br/>Zayd bin Ṭhābit (رضي الله عنه) narrates that Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) exclaimed, “Congratulations to Syria!” “Why is that, O Messenger of Allāh?” we asked. He replied, “The angels of the Most Merciful spread their wings over her.” [ʾat-Tirmiẓī]<br/><ol start="3"><br/> <li>Islāmic history refers to the Syria of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم), not the Damascus region only, e.g. ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) appointing Muʿāwiyāh (رضي الله عنه) governor over Syria.</li><br/> <li>Perhaps most importantly, in that there may be practical manifestation during our lifetime, is that the Ḥadīth refers to future events of the utmost significance which will transpire in Syria, e.g. the coming of Dajjāl and the armies of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام). Thus knowing the true definition of Syria as opposed to the colonial construct is vital.</li><br/></ol><br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>2. Using the House of our Mother, Khadījah (رضي الله عنها) as a toilet</h2><br/> <br/><br/>I am not aware of anyone ruling that this is prohibited. After all, the original noble inhabitants of the house must have engaged in mundane human activities themselves. We cannot prohibit people from something when there is no clear ruling on the matter. Prohibition is the sole right of Allāh. Especially in this age of ignorance, some may react inappropriately should we seek to warn them. They may even utter words of disrespect which may harm their faith. This is in terms of the <em>letter of the law</em>.<br/><br/>I raised the incident of the "toilet" as an example of the Satanic Saʿūd regime destroying the <em>spirit of Isl</em><em>ām</em>. I cannot imagine that any Muslim who has love and respect for Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and his beloved wife, would feel at ease defiling a place so associated with such lofty personalities, who should be more beloved to us than our own parents. Such feeling is based on love, irrespective what the law permits or prohibits.<br/><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>ذَٰلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ</strong></p><br/><strong>That [is so]. And whoever honours the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts. [ʾal-</strong><strong>Ḥ</strong><strong>ajj :32]</strong><br/><br/>I would certainly inform people of the truth, especially those who might appreciate such knowledge. What they choose to do with that knowledge is up to them.<br/><br/>That being said, there is no doubt that intentional disrespect to Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم), whether in word or deed, is not a mere prohibition, but a cause for expulsion from Islām. Allāh knows best what lurks in the heart, but the most charitable statement that can be said of the Satanic House of Saʿūd is that history testifies to their continuous and vile assaults upon the memory of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Are they intentionally disrespectful hypocrites and apostates? Allāh knows best. Should their filthy presence be removed from the sacred cities? I pray from the bottom of my heart for that blessed day.<br/><br/><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">سليمان الكندي</span><br/><br/>@sulayman_kindi<br/><br/> <br/><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-65477477501281994322019-09-20T22:53:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.118+02:00Allāh’s Creation of ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif Negates Satanic Saʿūdī Policy<p style="text-align:center;">{وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا بَلَدًا آَمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آَمَنَ مِنْهُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآَخِرِ قَالَ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَى عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ</p><br/><strong>And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people from the fruits - whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day." [Allah] said, "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination." [ʾal-Baqarah: 126]</strong><br/><br/>This verse contains the supplication of ʾIbrāhīm (عليه السلام) for the prosperity of Makkah. It troubled him that the area was utterly barren and unable to sustain his future descendants. The commentators of the Qurʾān describe how Allāh created the area where the town of ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif would be founded, as a response to this supplication. For example, ʾal-ʾAlūsī (رحمه الله) mentions:<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1085" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1085" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/taaif.jpg?w=600" alt="taaif" width="300" height="295" /> Region around ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif[/caption]<br/><br/>“And provide its people from the fruits” i.e. its various types by creating towns near to it through which this can be attained, or by importing to it from various directions. Both interpretations have in fact been achieved. For there gathers in Makkah fruits of spring, summer and autumn at a single time. It is narrated that Allāh Most Pure commanded Jibrīl when ʾIbrāḥīm supplicated. He plucked out a region of Palestine, although some say it is Jordan. He then circled the Kaʿbah with it seven times before placing it so that it could be a means of sustaining the Sacred Precincts. That land is known today as ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif, and it is named for having made that ṭawāf [circling]. In regards the authenticity of this , it is nothing farfetched for the All-Powerful King, Most Majestic! If you refuse to accept that this was a literal event, then the door of interpretation is wide open for you…. “from” [the fruits] indicates only some kind of fruits.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_1086" align="alignleft" width="266"]<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1086" src="https://kindi313.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/makkah.jpg" alt="makkah" width="266" height="190" /> Makkah[/caption]<br/><br/>Scholars have asked why Allāh did not simply create Makkah as a fertile, lush land. Why was the supplication so indirectly answered through the extraction of a far-off land and its placement a distance away from Makkah?<br/><br/>The explanation is offered that Allāh does not wish for any distraction when one worships at His House, to the extent that not even the climate or vegetation of Makkah should provide pleasant relief or distraction. A distant town was created to sustain Makkah. Travellers used to mention that when approaching ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif, the climate suddenly changed as if one was entering a different land. For indeed that is exactly what happened. The town retained the fertile blessings of its Syrian origin. One is actually leaving Arabia and crossing into Syria, the land whose blessing Allāh describes thus:<br/><br/><strong>سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ</strong><strong> إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ</strong><br/><br/><strong>Pure is He who took His Slave by night from ʾal-Masjid ʾal-</strong><strong>Ḥ</strong><strong>ar</strong><strong>ā</strong><strong>m to al-Masjid al-ʾAq</strong><strong>ṣā</strong><strong>, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [ʾal-ʾIsr</strong><strong>ā</strong><strong>: 1]</strong><br/><br/>ʾal-ʾAlūsī (رحمه الله) further highlights this insistence on lack of distraction when he states that ʾIbrāhim (عليه السلام) asked for some kinds of fruits to come to Makkah, not all kinds.<br/><br/>Some mystics go further by pointing out that it is beneficial that Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) rests in a different city. One can focus on one’s love for him whilst visiting ʾal-Madīnah, and focus on Allāh’s House when visiting Makkah.<br/><br/>Whatever the case, let alone the Muslims, even pagans understood that Makkah should by definition be a city of sanctity and simplicity dedicated to worship. The ethos implied in the creation of ʾaṭ-Ṭāʾif incident was maintained for millennia. Every people who ruled Makkah, maintained its sanctity according to their understanding, to the extent that in the beginning, rectangular houses were banned as an afront to the Kaʿbah and houses had to be circular. Every people understood that Makkah should have an ambience of simplicity.<br/><br/>This respect lasted for thousands of years but would not last forever. A people bereft of intellect and religious love seized the sacred cities and violated it beyond recognition, beyond what any pagan would have thought of inflicting on her.<br/><h1>The Satanic Saʿūdī Regime</h1><br/> <br/><br/>I do not know what is worse – to be amongst those who grieve when they see Makkah transformed for the first time in history to resemble the monstrosity of some American city, or to be amongst those who are so dead inside that they could not care in the least that the city of ʾIbrāhīm (عليه السلام), the city of Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), the city of the sacred Companions (رضي الله عنهم) has been systematically bulldozed away by the servants of the Anti-Christ. A thousand examples can be cited in regards the blinkers Muslims happily wear in this regard. We proudly tout our intellectual credentials and advise non-Muslims that the first revelation of the Qurʾān stated, “Read!” Does your brilliant intellect deny you any feelings of <em>ghayrah</em>, religious emotion, at the fact that the house where Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) went to straight to after that revelation is today a toilet? Is your heart so dead? Certainly demolition and transformation happened before in Makkah, of necessity. Yet none but a most vile liar can deny the intentional and systematic erasure of Islām’s history at the hands of this Satanic regime. The toilet could not be built anywhere else? Instead of visiting the home of our Mother, Khadījah (رضي الله عنها), praying for her in partial payment of the immense debt we owe her, and perhaps shedding a tear in memory of how Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) loved her, we defecate and urinate over her home. Would the even the Christians and Jews show such disrespect to their sacred personalities?<br/><br/> <br/><br/>We perform a ritualised version of the pilgrimage, far from the spirit of the Farewell Pilgrimage or the event during which previous generations used to learn, teach and discuss the affairs of the Muslims. How nauseating that even scholars and activists return with nothing to discuss but which hotel did they stay at, how the flight was, their amazing shopping experiences etc. Nobody thinks that there is something wrong with this scene, different to the Makkah and the pilgrimage of every other generation before us? Allāh have mercy! The Satanic Saʿūdī regime has deliberately engineered this sanitised version of the pilgrimage and delight at our ignorance and downright apathy.<br/><br/>Nobody ponders over the amazing incident and system that Allāh created to keep Makkah distraction free; a system which was maintained throughout history. One should cringe at the very least, and weep if you have a heart, and wonder why is it that we are the first generations ever to witness the breakdown of that system. Why?<br/><br/>A friend proudly showed me a picture of the Kaʾbah taken from the monstrous “Makkah Royal Clock Tower”. My poor sincere but not understanding friend. I had to explain how wrong it is. The Kaʾbah is supposed to be the focus of Makkah. Now it is but a speck which Saʿūdī monstrosities dwarf from the sight and hearts of Muslims. His picture encapsulated the least evil of the Satanic Saʿūdī regime – the destruction of the ancient sacred atmosphere of Makkah and its replacement with some alien demonic civilisation’s ideals; and yet I believe that this is amongst the lesser crimes of these Satanists.<br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>@sulayman_kindi<br/><br/><a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/syria-in-islam-is-not-the-syrian-republic/">Addendum: Explantion on terms Syria, Palestine & Jordan</a><br/><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-14723396414179025112019-07-16T10:49:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.055+02:00Ulama finally awake to Durban Masonic CultAlmost six years ago I had written two articles against the Satanism spreading in Durban which a supposedly Islamic publication had advertised for.<br/><br/><a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/alert-zuhur-jewish-masonic-infiltration-of-islam-12/">https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/alert-zuhur-jewish-masonic-infiltration-of-islam-12/</a><br/><br/><a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/alert-zuhur-jewish-masonic-infiltration-of-islam-22/">https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/alert-zuhur-jewish-masonic-infiltration-of-islam-22/</a><br/><br/>I wrote to the various jamiats in South Africa and others. No response.<br/><br/>Five years later a Durban scholar phoned me, he is on his way to a meeting with people leaving Islam for this cult, what should he say! The cult is spreading!<br/><br/>I'm supposed to be clued up to answer in minutes what they had ignored in their backyard for five years. Really!<br/><br/>Now six years later Durban ulama have finally published a warning which I reproduce below. I am not overly impressed with the timing, but may Allah reward them.<br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>@sulayman_kindi<br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;"><br/><div style="border-style:solid none none;border-top-width:1pt;border-top-color:rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0 0;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>From:</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Jamiatul Ulama KZN <</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:newsletter@jamiat.org.za" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(66,133,244);font-size:.91666668653488rem;">newsletter@jamiat.org.za</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><br/></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;">Sent:</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">15 July 2019 05:31 </span></p><br/><br/></div><br/></div><br/><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><br/><p align="center"> </p><br/><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal" align="center"> </p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-size:1.3333333730698rem;line-height:32px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;color:red;"><b>A Satanist Cult disguised as Deen</b></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Based on several cases which some Ulama in Durban and surrounding areas have had to deal with and treat in the recent past, it is necessary to draw the attention of the public to a Satanic Cult preying on Muslims. This cult has elements of Satanism, Kabala (Jewish witchcraft), Free-masonry and Shiasm as its underpinnings.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">The outer façade which this cult uses to draw the unwary into its clutches is the appearance of a Deeni and holy atmosphere. It preys primarily on Muslim women, and manipulates their soft nature. Some of the catch phrases used to get the unguarded individuals interested are:</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;"><br/> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:24px;"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Its time to find your true purpose and meaning in life</span></li><br/> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:24px;"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Your spirit is calling for a revolution and rebirth</span></li><br/> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:24px;"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">You need to link to the Law of the Universe and the secrets of the Taurah</span></li><br/> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;text-align:justify;line-height:24px;"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">You need a Muslim life coach to help you along this journey</span></li><br/></ul><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">On the surface, these appear to be very innocent and well-meaning.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">“Islamic Fashion” is employed as a malevolent promotional tool. As a Trojan horse, the cult uses Durood programs to ensnare the gullible into their circles. Members are initially prescribed some forms of Zikr in order to make them feel that they are progressing in the Islamic pathway.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>(</em></span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><u style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;">Note</u></em></span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>: Salawaat upon Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, referred to as Durood in Urdu, is a highly meritorious act of Ibaadah. There is sufficient guidance from Quráan and Sunnah as to the significance and method of this indispensable aspect of Deen. Muslims are in no need of some “new guidance” in this regard. See Fazail Durood for more details).</em></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Muslim radio stations have, negligently or unwittingly, given this cult promotional airtime. Hence their reach has expanded.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Once individuals show interest, they are invited to “spiritual retreats”, often held at exotic overseas tourist locations. Women mostly travel alone, without a Mahram, where they are easily brainwashed.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Women who become suspicious and start to question the workings of the cult are, as typical with all cult movements, made to feel guilty. They are run down as being judgemental and “influencers” (a term used in social media) make them feel uncomfortable to the point that they start doubting themselves.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">As the members progress in the cult, they are advised to study these books:</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-left:38.5pt;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">· The Kybalion (author unknown)</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-left:38.5pt;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">· A Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-left:38.5pt;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">· The Secret, by Rhonda Bryne</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-left:38.5pt;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">· The Magic, by Rhonda Bryne</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-left:38.5pt;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">· The Power of Kabalah, by Yehuda Berg</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the books prescribe daily mental exercises, which members are required to diligently follow. From the patients treated, it was discovered that the effect of these exercises is psyche-capture and mind-control over the initiates.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Followers are urged to give up being in Purdah, and then to advertise this on social media platforms, where other cult members laud praise on this Rubicon of “emancipation”.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">After being led through many phases and layers within this cult, the ultimate book which is prescribed is “Al Zuhur”, also referred to as “The Book of Enlightenment”. Its author is described as “Nur Muhammdiyah”. It is referred to as a “Book of Allah”, which unravels the secrets of the Taurah.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">The final straw is when members of the cult sell their souls to Shaytaan and begin making sacrifices for him.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">The Deen of Allah Ta’ala is perfect and complete. In a Hadith, Rasulullah</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;">Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam</i></span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">said:</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" dir="RTL"><span lang="AR-SA">قد</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">تركتكم</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">على</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">البيضاء</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">ليلها</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">كنهارها</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">لا</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">يزيغ</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">عنها</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">بعدي</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">إلا</span><span lang="AR-SA"> </span><span lang="AR-SA">هالك</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>I have left you on such a pathway which is clear and bright, its day is like its night (there are no hidden dark corners or mysteries). After I have gone, no one will divert from (this pathway) except that he will be destroyed.</i></b></span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:.66666668653488rem;line-height:16px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">(Sunan Ibn Majah)</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;margin-bottom:10pt;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">All the spiritual enlightenment we need is found in Quráan and Sunnah. There is absolutely no need to resort to other ideologies and newly introduced methods of spiritual progress. As a simple rule of thumb, if the promoters of any ideology cannot trace it back to Quráan and Sunnah, then stay far away from it even at the expense of losing one’s life. A Muslim is willing to lose his/her life, but not his/her Imaan.</span><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span> </p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.83333331346512rem;line-height:33px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">May Allah Ta’ala guide us all and protect us from the clandestine trappings of Shaytaan, Ameen.</span></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:-apple-system, HelveticaNeue;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-indent:0;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:1px;-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;text-decoration:none;"><br/><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><br/><br/></div><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,128,64);"><b>Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)<br/>Council of Muslim Theologians</b></span><br/><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,128,64);"><b><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/223+Alpine+Road,+Overport+Durban,+South+Africa?entry=gmail&source=g" style="color:rgb(66,133,244);font-size:.91666668653488rem;">223 Alpine Road, Overport</a></b></span><br/><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,128,64);"><b><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/223+Alpine+Road,+Overport+Durban,+South+Africa?entry=gmail&source=g" style="color:rgb(66,133,244);font-size:.91666668653488rem;">Durban, South Africa</a></b></span></p><br/><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Tel :</span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="tel:+27%2031%202077099" style="color:rgb(66,133,244);">+27 (0) 31 2077099</a></span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><br/></span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Fax :</span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="tel:+27%2031%202074163" style="color:rgb(66,133,244);">+27(0) 31 2074163</a></span><br/><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;">Website :</span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:.91666668653488rem;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jamiat.org.za" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(66,133,244);">www.jamiat.org.za</a></span></p><br/><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-35516979209936819702019-05-08T19:18:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:11.020+02:00Ramaḍān & Socialisingيَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ<br/><br/><em>O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that you may acquire taqw</em><em>ā. [ʾal-Baqarah: 183]</em><br/><br/> <br/><h2>Tweet and a question</h2><br/> <br/><br/>I had tweeted:<br/><br/>People who have 11 months to socialize but don't, now desperately need to chat and invite to meals during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ramadaan?src=hash"><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">#</span><strong>Ramadaan</strong></a>. So much precious time lost in this delusion<br/><br/><a href="https://twitter.com/HowardFeldman">@<strong>HowardFeldman</strong></a> replied:<br/><br/>Please educate: Is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ramadan?src=hash"><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">#</span><strong>Ramadan</strong></a> not meant to be a time for gathering (in the evening)? Is it only at the end of the holy month?<br/><br/>Mr Feldman is a Jewish journalist of note. Although we hold diametrically opposite views on matters such as Palestine, I do believe that there is mutual respect amongst us, as fellow followers of Abrahamic faiths. I am therefore preparing a concise reply, but also further details for my usual Muslim readers which Mr Feldman is of course welcome to read if he wishes.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>Concise Reply</h2><br/> <br/><br/>Ramaḍān is a month of purification of the self. Every possible moment should be spent in building one’s relationship with God. There are gatherings at night for the special Tarāwīḥ prayer at Masjids (mosques) and then one should meet with friends and family on the day of ʿĪd, after Ramaḍān. Social gatherings during Ramaḍān are a cultural phenomenon, not a command of Islām. They may be permissible, but participants should be aware that every second that passes is precious and lost forever.<br/><h2>What is the purpose of Ramaḍān?</h2><br/> <br/><br/>It has become fashionable in a politically correct era to tell ourselves, and more so, non-Muslim whom we seek to impress, that fasting is a social movement of sympathy for the poor. While that is without any doubt one of the benefits of fasting and part of the teaching and traits of the beloved Messenger of Allāh, Muḥammad (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him), that is not the <em>purpose</em> which Allāh mentions. He says, “<em>O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that you may acquire taqwā.” [ʾal-Baqarah: 183]</em><br/><br/><em>Taqw</em><em>ā</em> is difficult to express in English, but encompasses piety, righteousness, God-awareness and avoidance of God’s displeasure.<br/><br/>Islām teaches us balance [ʾal-Baqarah:143]. We have individual and social obligations. However, Ramaḍān is a time of acquiring <em>taqw</em><em>ā</em>, of focusing on building our relationship with our Creator. This is clearly demonstrable in the noble example of our Master, Muḥammad (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him). For example, our Mother, ʿĀʾishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) narrates:<br/><br/>عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر شد مئزره وأحيا ليله وأيقظ أهله<br/><br/><em>When the last ten days of Rama</em><em>ḍān entered, the Prophet (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him) would fasten his loincloth and spend his night in worship, and awaken his family. [ʾal-Bukh</em><em>ār</em><em>ī]</em><br/><br/>Fasten the loincloth is a metaphor for exertion and avoidance of sexual relations. His focus was on personal devotion. This was not only during the prophetic period, but Allāh’s Messenger (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him) used to spend his Ramaḍān in isolation in the Cave of Ḥirā, even before Prophethood. It was during such a spiritual retreat that the angel came with the first revelation. For centuries Muslims had understood the link between spiritual cleansing and Ramaḍān and thus imitated Allāh’s Messenger (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him) in his practice of <em>ʾ</em><em>Iʿtikāf</em>, spiritual retreat in the <em>masjid</em> during the last third of <em>Ramaḍān</em>.<br/><br/>Of course when communal obligations arose, he fulfilled those duties too. Yet the balance of evidence points to focus on personal spirituality, and fulfilment of community duties only as per necessity.<br/><br/>Yes, the two great Battles of Badr and Makkah occurred during Ramaḍān, but the operative word is <em>occurred. </em>An examination of the facts (the Quraysh violating the truce) would make it far fetched to claim that Allāh’s Messenger (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him), <em>chose</em> to time these events during Ramaḍān. Even during those events, history records his intense spiritual devotions. The night before Badr, was spent on the muddy earth begging Allāh, “O Allāh! If this little group is destroyed, then never again will You be worshipped.” Six years later he entered Makkah as a peaceful conqueror, head lowered, carrying the child of his recently martyred daughter, reciting <em>S</em><em>ūrah ʾal-Fat</em><em>ḥ</em>. Then standing on the steps of the <em>Kaʿbah</em> he addresses his defeated enemy, “There is no god, but God alone, Who has no partner. He fulfilled His promise. He helped His slave. It is He alone Who defeated the alliance [of unbelievers]. O gathering of Quraysh, how do you wish me to treat you?”<br/><br/>There is no moment that he turned his attention away from Allāh in frivolous pursuits. His focus was entirely on Allāh.<br/><h2>No Second of Ramaḍān can be wasted</h2><br/> <br/><br/>There are so many narrations of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) exhorting us to value Ramaḍān. We cannot afford to lose out on this annual bargain, which for some, might be their last. For example:<br/><br/>فقد ورد في صحيح ابن خزيمة وغيره حديث طويل فيه: أيها الناس قد أظلكم شهر عظيم، شهر مبارك، شهر فيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر، جعل الله صيامه فريضة، وقيام ليله تطوعا، من تقرب فيه بخصلة من الخير، كان كمن أدى فريضة فيما سواه، ومن أدى فيه فريضة كان كمن أدى فيه سبعين فريضة فيما سواه.<br/><br/><em>“O people! There has come upon you a great month, a blessed month, a month in which there is a night better than a thousand months. All</em><em>āh has made its fast compulsory, and standing in prayer during its nights an optional virtue. He who draws closer to All</em><em>āh through an optional virtue during it, is like one who has fulfilled a compulsory deed outside of it. He who observes a compulsory deed in it is like one who observes 70 compulsory deeds outside of it…” [ʾIbn Khuzaymah]</em><br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>The Benefits and Rights of the Qurʾān</h2><br/> <br/><br/>The Qurʾān is to be lived by and recited. Its every letter grants the reciter a special reward, and that multiplied by 70 during Ramaḍān. Those of us living in non-Muslim lands generally have full working days during Ramaḍān. Surely intelligence demands that what little free time we have should be spent on the purpose of Ramaḍān and not socialising? The rewards are for our eternal life, why do you want to be a comparative permanent pauper in Paradise? Why do you not multiply your investment by 70? Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:<br/><br/>روى أبو داود والترمذي عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما، وهو حديث صحيح، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (يقال لصاحب القرآن: اقرأ وارتق ورتل كما كنت ترتل في الدنيا(<br/><br/><em>It will be said to the Companion of the Qurʾ</em><em>ān, “Recite and ascend [the stages of Paradise]. Read slowly like you used to read in the world.” </em>[ʾAbū Dāwūd]<br/><br/>So choose the Qurʾān as your Ramaḍān companion. Will your buddies be able to give you the same benefit when you are resurrected?<br/><br/>In the attempt to build our relationship with Allāh, we need to purify our hearts.<br/><br/>عن ابن عمر قال : قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : " إن هذه القلوب تصدأ كما يصدأ الحديد إذا أصابه الماء " قيل : يا رسول الله وما جلاؤها ؟ قال : " كثرة ذكر الموت وتلاوة القرآن " روى البيهقي الأحاديث الأربعة في شعب الإيمان<br/><br/><em>All</em><em>āh’s Messenger (</em><em>صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “</em><em>These hearts rust just as iron rusts when water damages it. “O Messenger of God,” someone asked, “What is its polish?” He replied, “Frequent remembrance of death and recitation of the Qurʾ</em><em>ā</em><em>n.” </em>[ʾal-Bayhaqī]<br/><br/>If we spend our free time in Ramaḍān socialising, then when do we build our personal relationship with Allāh, when do we polish our hearts?<br/><br/> <br/><h2>Touring Negates Completion of the Qurʾān</h2><br/> <br/><br/>In South Africa there exists the phenomena which the participants therein call “touring”. A person will not attend every night of the <em>Tar</em><em>ā</em><em>w</em><em>īḥ</em> prayer at a single <em>masjid</em>, but will tour from <em>masjid</em> to <em>masjid</em> as his heart pleases. Part of the motivation is socialising. Yet even the term “touring” reveals that the tourist’s intention is self-pleasure, not Allāh’s pleasure. What religiously sanctioned reason can there be for this practice? Rather, the right of the Qurʾān is not fulfilled.<br/><br/>It is <em>Sunnah</em> (practice of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that the entire Qurʾān must be recited or listened to during <em>Tar</em><em>āw</em><em>īḥ</em>. This means every letter from the first B of the Qurʾān to the last S. In our weak state it is almost unheard of that no mistake is every made. Those not versed in Arabic and the Qurʾān will not realise that every night the mistakes of the previous night are first rectified before the recitation of that night itself. The tourist misses out on that rectification and his Qurʾān is not complete. He loses out on a precious <em>Sunnah</em> all for the sake of self-pleasure and socialising.<br/><br/>There are others for whom touring is not intended in itself, but is a consequence of accepting invitations in another area. They too will attend another <em>masjid</em> and they too will be deprived of the <em>Sunnah</em>.<br/><h2> Is Socialising a Virtue or a Sin?</h2><br/><h2></h2><br/>Most deeds are not innately good or evil, but depend on the intention and method of implementation. The average Muslim is aware of the famous statement of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), “Actions are according to the intentions.” [ʾal-Bukhārī].<br/><br/>Meeting with friends and family too can be virtuous, but with criteria. Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:<br/><br/>عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: ((سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمْ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فِي ظِلِّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلاَّ ظِلُّهُ إِمَامٌ عَدْلٌ، وَشَابٌّ نَشَأَ فِي عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ، وَرَجُلٌ قَلْبُهُ مُعَلَّقٌ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ، وَرَجُلَانِ تَحَابَّا فِي اللَّهِ اجْتَمَعَا عَلَيْهِ وَتَفَرَّقَا عَلَيْهِ، وَرَجُلٌ دَعَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ ذَاتُ مَنْصِبٍ وَجَمَالٍ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ وَرَجُلٌ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ فَأَخْفَاهَا حَتَّى لَا تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهُ مَا تُنْفِقُ يَمِينُهُ وَرَجُلٌ ذَكَرَ اللَّهَ خَالِيًا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ))<br/><br/><em>There are seven categories whom All</em><em>ā</em><em>h Most High will shade in His shade on that day when there will be no shade except His…. Two men who love each other for All</em><em>ā</em><em>h’s sake. They gather for His sake, and depart for His sake...” [ʾal-Bukh</em><em>ā</em><em>r</em><em>ī</em><em>]</em><br/><br/>It is clear that socialising is not a virtue in itself, but becomes a virtue through God-consciousness. Are our Ramaḍān parties truly God-conscious events or opportunities for gossip, slander etc? Allāh says:<br/><br/>لَّا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا<br/><br/><strong><em>No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the pleasure of Allah - then We are going to give him a great reward. </em></strong><strong>[ʾan-Nis</strong><strong>ā</strong><strong>ʾ: 114]</strong><br/><br/>In his commentary to the above, the famous commentator, ʾIbn Kathīr reproduces the statement of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم):<br/><br/>عن أم حبيبة قالت : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " كلام ابن آدم كله عليه لا له ما خلا أمرا بمعروف أو نهيا عن منكر [ أو ذكر الله عز وجل "<br/><br/><em>The speech of the son of Adam is entirely against him, not for him, except for ordering good, forbidding evil, or remembering All</em><em>ā</em><em>h Most Mighty and Majestic.”</em><br/><br/>Even if one does avoid evil speech, one still loses on the chance to polish one’s heart. A common teaching of the spiritual masters is that <em>qillatul ʾikhtil</em><em>āṭ</em> [lessening of social intermingling] is necessary for spiritual cleansing.<br/><h2>Talbīsul ʾIblīs</h2><br/> <br/><br/>There is no living psychologist greater than Satan. He has had millennia to perfect deceiving us. One type of deception is to take us away from a greater and more urgent virtue to a lesser virtue. For example, ʾal-Ghazzālī condemned the wealthy person who goes for optional pilgrimage while his neighbour is hungry.<br/><br/>ʾIbnul Jawzī has written a veritable encyclopaedia on the topic called <em>Talb</em><em>ī</em><em>sul ʿIbl</em><em>ī</em><em>s</em> (Deception of Satan). Please read it.<br/><br/>Sit and ponder with an honest heart how much of your Ramaḍan’s spirituality is lost through self-deception. I cannot point out every condition. Let us ask for example if we really need to listen to every broadcasted sermon of every scholar on radio during Ramaḍān? Certainly some time set aside in the path of knowledge is commendable, but how often is the amount of time used in that simply an excuse to avoid our own personal spiritual exertions? Can we not abandon frivolities outside of Ramaḍān and then listen to their podcasts? For the record I do not think that you need ʾIbnul Jawzī to explain the deception of the obscene dramas on certain “Islamic” Radio Stations, but you might need ʾas-Sulamī, the great scholar during the Crusades, to explain the evils of these media bootlicking the Satanic Saudi regime.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>Rights of Family & Children</h2><br/> <br/><br/>I think I need to conclude and attend to my own polishing. I hope that I have given you some food for thought and conclude with one final thought. As a parent you work the whole day and do not have much time with your family as you would like to. If you spend the intense spiritual time of Ramaḍān with friends, or even extended family, instead of your own household, what memories will your children have, and when do you expect to find a more blessed time to bond with them? When will the realisation hit you that when your child looks at you, you are a stranger?<br/><br/> <br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi<br/><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-39451138423058549402019-04-08T00:36:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.997+02:00Concerns on the Modern “Education” System - a Historical PerspectiveThere appears to have been an above average interest in a recent tweet I made (I do not know what is the correct verb here, tweet I tweeted? Tweet I posted? Issued?) In response to the outrage on a UK school teaching little children to write same-sex love letters, I responded to this outrage, expressing the following, which I paraphrase as:<br/><ol><br/> <li>Muslim parents have always held western schooling to be sacrosanct and many have been willing to sacrifice their religious principles for a “good education” for their children. Thus I am not impressed at their sudden outrage. Prayer, Islamic diet, Islamic dress, separation of sexes, covering the thighs during sport, keeping a beard, etc. are amongst the many commands of Allāh we were happy to discard for decades. Arrogating to yourself the right to decide which command’s violation is sufficient enough to upset you, is placing yourself on a divine pedestal.</li><br/> <li>Over and above the discarding of outward practice, is the steady erosion of faith which is intrinsic to the western education system. Muslims are incapable of <em>thinking</em> like Muslims. Their mental colouration is not Allāh’s [ʾal-Baqarah: 138] but that of His enemies. There are many Muslims who outwardly pray and indeed exceed me in implementing the religion, may Allāh reward them, but an examination of their faith can leave one in tears. When parents have never bothered before that their children have greater faith in what is preached at schools than what Allāh says, then really, spare me your belated outrage. You may have a child that prays, but you could not have cared less that that child believes Charles Darwin more than Muḥammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. I have touched on this topic <a href="https://kindi313.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/othello-the-mental-dichotomy-of-muslim-intelligentsia/">before</a>. For those who wish for further details, this will not be the topic here, perhaps you may exert yourself to see what is staring at Muslims in the face. For those who find what I say unpalatable, you are welcome to stop reading and tune into your favourite entertainer on certain so-called Islamic TV and Radio stations, whose job is only to make you happy and himself more popular, never speak what is bitter to hear.</li><br/> <li>I must apologise for perhaps being unfair. Since my earliest memories I have always been searching out any fact of history. In the light of the troves Allāh has granted me, I tend to view matters with a different scope and often get frustrated that why do others not see what should be so obvious in the light of historical facts. Were I wiser and humbler, I would pause to reflect that others are more gifted than I in other worthy sciences (or trashy facts of indoctrination like western sports, movies and music). I do not have a right to assume that what is obvious to me should be crystal clear to all. I am therefore devoting this article to a brief overview on the anti-Islamic and indoctrinating lineage of the western education system. People who can only criticise might rightfully point out that even with a common lineage there is great diversity in educational system. True, but people who are willing to reassess and accept the truth, will admit that this system of forced education, does not only take children away from their mothers, but also creates distance between Creator and slave, long before same-sex love letters were ever thought of.</li><br/></ol><br/>I have provided links at certain points. The least further reading you can do on your own is read those links.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>The West</h2><br/> <br/><br/>I would trust that the dear reader agrees that the western mandatory public schooling system is modelled on the English system, i.e. US and UK schools. Should the dear critic find a hut on some Pacific island free of this system, I would think that you should be honest enough to admit that the tentacles of the west will soon spread there as well. The founding fathers of this system were the Englishman <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/education/Development-of-state-education#ref303119">Mathew Arnold (d. 1888)</a> and the American, <a href="https://www.biography.com/people/horace-mann-9397522">Horace Mann (d. 1859)</a>. Arnold argued for state intervention in schools and through his efforts, elementary education became compulsory in 1880. Parents who hold public mandatory schooling to be sacred, above their religion, should reflect how mankind survived for thousands of years before 1880.<br/><br/>Although this article aims to avoid details, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Horace-Mann">six principles of Mann</a>, which now form the foundation of public schools, are worth mentioning. Kindly pause, and reflect what would the eventual outcome of these be and why same-sex love letters should be no surprise to anyone with two brain cells. Please note that point four in contemporary English means “secularism”, i.e. no religion:<br/><ul><br/> <li>that a republic cannot long remain ignorant and free, hence the necessity of universal popular education; (2) that such education must be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that such education is best provided in schools embracing children of all religious, social, and ethnic backgrounds; (4) that such education, while profoundly moral in character, must be free of sectarian religious influence; (5) that such education must be permeated throughout by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society, which preclude harsh pedagogy in the classroom; and (6) that such education can be provided only by well-trained, professional teachers.</li><br/></ul><br/><h2></h2><br/> <br/><h2>Prussia</h2><br/> <br/><br/>Mann and Arnold received their <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/05/how-to-break-free-of-our-19th-century-factory-model-education-system/256881/">inspiration</a> for using the public school, as a tool for the state to control the masses, from Prussia. Now despite going to schools descending from the Mann-Arnold system, many readers might not have heard of Prussia.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Prussia">Prussia</a> was one of the German states which existed before the unification of Germany in 1871. Since the 13<sup>th</sup> century it was ruled as a monastic state by the warrior monks of the Teutonic Order. The last Grandmaster of the Teutonic Order, <a href="http://www.imperialteutonicorder.com/id4.html">Albert</a>, established schools in every town of Prussia. However, as early as <a href="https://www.academia.edu/9545451/Christianization_the_conditions_and_the_cours_of_the_Prussians_in_the_State_of_the_Teutonic_Order_in_Prussia">1427</a> schools were being used as tools as part of the forcible conversion of the local Prussians to Christianity.<br/><br/>The commentator, <a href="https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2012/03/14/our-prussian-model-of-public-schooling-controlling-the-masses/#.XKpU_aSxU2w">Bryan Hyde</a>, aptly states the Prussian school system to be a tool for controlling the masses, with these five aims:<br/><ol><br/> <li>Obedient workers for the mines.</li><br/> <li>Obedient soldiers for the army.</li><br/> <li>Well-subordinated civil servants to government.</li><br/> <li>Well-subordinated clerks to industry.</li><br/> <li>Citizens who thought alike about major issues.</li><br/></ol><br/>Apply this to current events, and pay attention to Mann’s 4<sup>th</sup> point and Hyde’s fifth point.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>The Teutonic Order</h2><br/> <br/><br/>So who were these monks to whom ultimately the brain washing western school system can be traced to? I had erroneously “tweeted” that they originated from the Knights Templar. They were however a separate order. I summarise the following from https://www.ancient.eu/Teutonic_Knight/:<br/><br/><em>The Third Crusade was called by Pope Gregory VIII following the capture of Jerusalem in 1187 CE by Saladin… some German knights pressed on and assisted in the siege of Acre which terminated in July 1191 CE. Despite other successes, the Crusaders only managed to get within sight of Jerusalem and no attempt was made to attack the holy city. Instead, control of a small strip of land around Acre was negotiated and the future safe treatment of Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land.</em><br/><br/><em>… In March 1198 CE Pope Innocent III (r. 1198-1216 CE) granted its members the status of an independent military order under the name Fratres Domus hospitalis sanctae Mariae Teutonicorum (Brethren of the German Hospital of Saint Mary). Thus the organisation was born which would later become much better known as the Teutonic Order and its members as Teutonic knights. Like other military orders of the medieval period (e.g. the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller), it was a combination of two ways of life: knighthood and the monastery.</em><br/><br/> <br/><h2>What’s Your Point?</h2><br/> <br/><br/>My point is that Muslims get excited over isolated issues, which they are blind to its obvious coming, because they do not care about the bigger picture. As outrageous as making little children write love letters (to any sex) may be, it is but a ripple in the sea of drowning out Islām from our youth and future generations. Parents who help their children with homework, but never bothered to help with their children’s spiritual state, have absolutely zero sympathy from me.<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi<br/><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-24518000184987571272019-03-18T00:50:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.973+02:00Three Lessons of Wisdom from Catholic History<p style="text-align:center;">الكلمة الحكمة ضالة المؤمن فحيث وجدها فهو أحق بها</p><br/><em>Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrates that Allāh’s Messenger (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him) said, “The Wise Word is the lost camel of the believer. Wherever he finds he is the most entitled to it.” [ʾat-Tirmiẓī]</em><br/><br/>Amongst the facts of history which clutter my brain, three events stand out from the history of the Catholics, at least to me. It is not to say that these events affirm their beliefs or their personal status, but in the light of the words of Allāh’s Messenger (Allāh’s salutations and peace be upon him), I see these as opportunities to reflect and gain wisdom. I list these three incidents in chronological order:<br/><br/> <br/><h2>1. Remembering the King of Kings during triumph</h2><br/> <br/><br/>Ever since Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church in 1534, England was intensely divided between the two Churches – Anglican and Catholic. Edward VI (1537–1553) was his Anglican son and successor. He attempted to replace his successor, His Catholic sister, Mary I, with his Anglican cousin, Jane I. Upon his death on 6 July 1553, Mary knew her life to be in danger and having no resources of her own, went into hiding. Yet on the 3 August she rode triumphantly into London, reciting, “If God is with us, who can be against us.”<br/><br/> <br/><br/>From zero to conquering England in a few days was truly a miracle. As we believe that not a leave moves except by His permission, this event assuredly has some role in Allāh’s greater cosmic scheme. Yet what it might be, I cannot grasp.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>What I can however learn, is humility and attention to Allāh during triumph. When Muslims forget Allāh when they achieve some aim and arrogate their triumph to themselves, they imitate Allāh enemy, Qārūn:<br/><p style="text-align:center;"><strong> </strong>قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ عِنْدِي أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا وَلَا يُسْأَلُ عَنْ ذُنُوبِهِمُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ</p><br/><em>He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked. [ʿal-Qaṣas: 78]</em><br/><br/>Worse is the ecstatic adulation Muslims show for achievements of beings besides Allāh, achievements which have no substance in even this world, let alone the next. What a triumph it is for Muslims today, when a soccer ball is kicked! Allāhu Akbar, there is nothing more glorious in their eyes. No wonder we in turn are kicked pillar to post.<br/><br/>It is sad, but undeniable, that however incorrect her belief might have been, in remembering Allāh at the moment of her triumph, Queen Mary’s actions were a closer reflection of the Sunnah, than that of some Muslims. For Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) focused on Allāh during his triumphant entry into Makkah, reciting Sūrah ʾal-Fatḥ.<br/><br/>An interesting side note - when man (including Muslims) submit religion to their desires there will be contradictions. The British monarch, as head of the Anglican Church, proudly bears the title, “Defender of the Faith.” This title has been inherited from Henry VIII. The irony is that the Pope awarded him that title for defending the <em>Catholic</em> faith against the Protestants! Henry VIII later made his own Protestant religion for worldly reasons and kept the title for him and his successors.<br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>2. Choosing Faith over a Crown</h2><br/> <br/><br/>The Anglican-Catholic drama continued to play out until parliament feared that Catholics might retake the throne upon the death of the childless Anglican, Queen Anne. Parliament therefore passed the Act of Settlement in 1701, decreeing that the crown should pass to the nearest Protestant relative of the Queen. It specifically stated that the monarch “shall join in communion with the Church of England”.<br/><br/>I recall that during my student days, English students would confidently announce to all who would hear, that Lady Diana had been assassinated because she had secretly become Muslim under the influence of her Egyptian boy-friend and was set to make her son, William, a future Muslim king of England. They would say this as if it was some personal accomplishment of the Muslims of England. When I mentioned that even if true, the Act of Settlement would exclude William from the succession, they were not interested. Who cares about facts when we have a good conspiracy theory going?<br/><br/>To return to the conspiracy of 1701, the problem the English faced, was that Anne’s closest remaining relatives were Catholics. Over 50 Catholics refused to convert in order to accept the crown of England. Eventually her Protestant German relative, George I, became king, the first of the House of Hanover which still reigns in its morphed form of Windsor.<br/><br/>In this I find an interesting question to English racists. What is the reality of your racism and nationalist pride when your monarchs have been foreigners for almost a thousand years? French kings ruled you from 1066 to 1485, then Welsh until 1603, Scots until 1707, and finally a German family to this day.<br/><br/>Enough of the history lesson, what lesson do I learn from all this? Mainly that if over 50 people of incorrect belief could choose that belief over the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland, how do I, as a Muslim, compromise my faith for the pettiest of worldly gains? Sometimes these gains are not even material gains, but perceived gains of the ego, such as fame.<br/><br/> <br/><h2>3. We leave the World with nothing</h2><br/> <br/><br/>Empress Zita was the widow of the last Hapsburg Emperor, Karl, who had been deposed in 1918. The Hapsburgs had been staunch Catholics and had ruled much of Europe for centuries, and by extension, much of both American continents as well.<br/><br/>Zita died in 1989, aged 96. Her body was brought to the Hapsburg crypt in Vienna. The wardens asked who wished to enter. The bearers recited her numerous titles which took a lengthy time, “Queen of Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia. Queen of Jerusalem. Grand Duchess of Tuscany and Cracow…”. Bear in mind the staggering number of territories they had ruled over the centuries. “I do not know this person,” said a priest.<br/><br/>Again the pallbearers knocked. “Who goes there?” they were asked. They gave her royal titles, in a much shorter form, as only, “Zita, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary,” and again they were turned back.<br/><br/>The third time, however, the pallbearers replied, “We come with the sinful mortal, our sister Zita.” The gates opened.<br/><br/>Do I need to point out a lesson here?<br/><br/> <br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-44452965900200097932019-01-08T02:41:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:09.733+02:00Is Islām Dead? A Question Posed To Me<blockquote><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن عمر - رضي الله عنه - ذكر عنده أبو بكر فبكى وقال : وددت أن عملي كله مثل عمله يوما واحدا من أيامه ، وليلة واحدة من لياليه ، أما ليلته فليلة سار مع رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إلى الغار فلما انتهيا إليه قال : والله لا تدخله حتى أدخل قبلك ، فإن كان فيه شيء أصابني دونك ، فدخل فكسحه ، ووجد في جانبه ثقبا ، فشق إزاره ، وسدها له ، وبقي منها اثنان فألقمهما رجليه ، ثم قال لرسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : ادخل ، فدخل رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ووضع رأسه في حجره ونام فلدغ أبو بكر في رجله من الجحر ولم يتحرك مخافة أن يشبه رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فسقطت دموعه على وجه رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فقال : ( مالك يا أبا بكر ؟ ) قال : لدغت ، فداك أبي وأمي ، فتفل رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فذهب ما يجده ، ثم انتقض عليه ، وكان سبب موته وأما يومه ، فلما قبض رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ارتدت العرب وقالوا : لا نؤدي زكاة فقال : لو منعوني عقالا لجاهدتهم عليه فقلت : يا خليفة رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ! تألف الناس وارفق بهم فقال لي : أجبار في الجاهلية وخوار في الإسلام ؟ إنه قد انقطع الوحي وتم الدين أينقص وأنا حي ؟ رواه رزين</p><br/><p style="text-align:left;">Abū Bakr (may Allāh be pleased with him) was mentioned before ʿUmar (may Allāh be pleased with him). He wept and said:<br/>How I wish that all my deeds were equal to but one night of deeds and one day of deeds out of his life. As for the night, it was when he went with Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ to the cave. He said, “By Allāh, you will not enter until I enter before you. Thus, if there be anything in it, it will strike me, not you.” He entered and swept through it. He found a hole in the side, which he plugged with cloth which he tore from his garment. But then there remained two holes which he filled with his legs. He then said to Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , “Enter.” Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ entered and placed his head on his lap to sleep. Abū Bakr was stung on the leg in the hole, but did not move out of fear of disturbing Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . His tears fell on Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ who asked, “What is wrong, Abū Bakr?” He replied, “I have been stung, but may father and mother be sacrificed for you.” Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ spat there, and what he felt then left him. Later that was undone and was the cause of his death. As for his day, it was when Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was taken [from the world]. The Arabs apostatised and said, “We shall not pay Zakāh.” He said, “If they so much as refuse me a camel’s rope, I shall wage jihad on them for it.” “O Successor to Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ,” I said, “Draw people to you and be lenient with them.” He said to me, “Were you a strong tyrant before Islām and now a bellowing cow during Islām? Revelation has terminated and this religion is now complete. Will the religion become imperfect while I am living?” [Ibn Razīn]</p><br/></blockquote><br/>Today (Monday), a brother posed this question to me. (Is Islām dead?). My first thought was that I had advised him previously on his choice of words in matters of faith. Fortunately, his question was followed by more of a comma than a full stop. Fortunately, too, he was addressing the temperamental Sulaymān al-Kindī and not the far more sensitive Miqdād al-Kindī (may Allāh be pleased with him), who had exploded at less.<br/><br/>The brother continued, expressing his anxieties, that as so many facets of Islām are not being practised upon, and in fact cannot be implemented and will never be implemented as can far as we can see, is Islām dead, in that there will never be a whole Islām? He specifically referred to political authority as an example, which is not only a legislated branch of Islām in itself, but a facilitator for several other branches.<br/><br/>Here are some of the thoughts I shared with him. Of course, I must emphasise that these are my interpretations, and in no way do I imply the slightest knowledge of the unseen plans of Allāh.<br/><br/><strong>1. Such Anxiety is the hallmark of faith</strong><br/><br/>Whatever the reality of the situation, and whatever humanly unchangeable predicament we may find ourselves in, it is to be expected of the believers that we mirror the anxiety and zeal for faith which Abū Bakr displayed in the above narration. I say “mirror” because whoever says that he can “emulate” the greatest man after Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , has either deceived himself or is a shameless liar.<br/><br/>There is an Arabic saying, “A judicial decision and no Abul Ḥasan for it,” meaning a hard decision requiring an amazing intelligence and understanding of the law similar that to of Ali (may Allāh be pleased with him). Shaykh Abul Ḥasan ʿAlī Nadwī played on the expression by saying, “Apostacy and no Abū Bakr for it.” In other words, we live in an era in which Islām faces an extinction like that of the apostacy of the Arabs. The difference is that we have no champion like Abū Bakr to crush it. That of course does not absolve us of at least feeling hurt at the decline of Islām.<br/><br/>Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]<br/><br/><strong>2. The decline was foretold</strong><br/><br/>عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ فِي زَمَانٍ مَنْ تَرَكَ مِنْكُمْ عُشْرَ مَا أُمِرَ بِهِ هَلَكَ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي زَمَانٌ مَنْ عَمِلَ مِنْكُمْ بِعُشْرِ مَا أُمِرَ بِهِ نَجَا<br/>Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “You [the Ṣāḥābah] are in such an era that should those amongst you leave a tenth of what you have been commanded with they will be destroyed. Then an era will come. Those amongst you [Muslims] who practice on just a tenth of what they have been commanded with will be saved. [Tirmiẓī]<br/><br/>Several points can be drawn from this Ḥadīth, and they do not contradict the narration of Abū Bakr.<br/><br/>• Islām started with vigour and a full ten out ten was expected from the first Muslims.<br/>• Circumstances will be so changed and difficult that Allāh will have mercy on a latter generation who only manage to get one of ten on their Islām score card.<br/>• As much as the decline of Islām hurts us, we accept Allāh’s will. We are the slaves. Slaves do not command or even think of questioning the King!<br/>• Had Islām never declined, then the various Ḥadīth which predict it would be null. I cannot pen with respect what that would imply on the lofty status of Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . I shall not make a comparison between his status and that of the rest of us combined, for there is no comparing to him. The outward decline of Islām is one of the many testaments to his truth. If we are spending two centuries of utter humiliation to the West solely to prove a single sentence of Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , then so be it and congratulations to us. May we be sacrificed for Allāh’s Belovedصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . Allāh knows the reality of His plan.<br/>• Note that managing to only practice a tenth due to weakness and circumstance is way different from intentionally rebelling against Allāh’s majesty and discarding the nine-tenths. One the one hand, there is narrational evidence for being rewarded for sincere intention. The “one-tenth” Muslim may indeed be a ten-tenths Muslim in the court of Allāh, purely through his intention, and his unique sacrifices may earn him unique rewards. On the other hand, those with Muslim sounding names, even those with the Prophet’s name, but fight for the destruction of Allāh’s religion, should really give up the pretence of being Muslims. The weakest, most sinful, wine-guzzling, fornicating criminal who has never prayed or fasted can still have love for Allāh and His Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . He is still a Muslim.<br/>• The Ḥadīth proves that Allāh does not judge every individual the same. He is the King and has every right to do so. Yet seemingly, there is a logic and reason behind different scales of judgement. The reward and expectation of one who witnessed Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and the revelation of the Qurʾān would be on a different level to one who did not witness these, but instead underwent the tribulations of the Anti-Christ. Similarly, the Ḥadīth singles out the youth engaged in worship. Why should they be rewarded more than their parents for the same deed? It is reasonable. They have greater desires and attractions to curb than their parents, and they do so with less experience and understanding. Still, they turn away from the world, and run towards Allāh. Why should Allāh not reward such youth exponentially more than their parents? Yet the brother who questioned me should note that youth have access to a “limited Islām”. They may perhaps not be giving as much charity as their parents. They do not have the rewards of marriage as their parents. They do not have the rewards of raising children. Each group has their own scale. The parents have the “complete Islām” the brother yearns for, but the children receive the higher reward of what is within their capacity.<br/>• Miqdād bin ʾAswad ʾal-Kindī had exploded at a man who expressed the wish to have seen Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . Miqdād explained that one issue was that he had questioned Allāh’s will. Another was that he had not expressed gratitude for being a Muslim of whatever generation, for he had seen people like Abū Jahl. They had seen Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ hundreds of times but had died as disbelievers.<br/>• ʿAbdul Qādir ʾal-Jīlānī had consoled the poor in the following words, but I would leave it to the reader to deduce how Allāh in His wisdom knows best how to place us in different times and circumstances and judge us accordingly:<br/>• “O Empty-handed beggardly fellows, the world would appear to be at loggerheads with you; you are barefooted, unclothed and unfed, broken hearted and ill-starred, evicted from every place and deprived of your longings and fancies. But do not say that Allah has reduced you to poverty, turned the world against you, abandoned, maligned or persecuted you, did not assign the portion of earthly pleasures due to you, or did not bestow honour and fame upon you. Nor is it proper for you to complain that Allah has granted his favours to others, made them reputed and honoured, although they belong to the same faith as you do and are the progeny of Adam and Eve like you.<br/><br/>“It is really so because you are like a fertile land on which Allah is sending down the rains consisting of endurance and resignation, conviction and faith, knowledge and grace. The tree of your faith is taking roots, sprouting forth its branches, its shade closing over you, pushing out new shoots and fruits, getting higher and bigger without your providing any fertiliser to it. Allah Almighty knows what you really need. He had, therefore, assigned a befitting place for you in the Hereafter. He has made you a lord in the life-to-come where His bounties are countless, inconceivable and unheard of. As Allah has said, nobody knows what delights have been stored for your eyes in the Paradise. This shall be your recompense for the faithful performance of what has been enjoined unto you, and your endurance, resignation and submission to the will of Allah.<br/><br/>“As for those who have been well-afforded in this world, they have been placed in easy circumstances for they are like a barren land, rocky and sandy, which neither stores nor absorbs the rains, and it is difficult to implant the tree of faith in it. It has, therefore, to be provided with fertilisers so that the weak saplings of their faith may get nourishment and push out the shoots of righteous actions. Thus, if the wealth, honour and fame are taken away from them, the tree of their faith shall waste away and its leaves and fruits shall wither although Allah intends to make it strong. Therefore, my poor brethren, you ought to know that the faith of the wealthy does not have deeper roots, it lacks that strength which has been endowed to you, and it needs the riches and earthly prizes for its nourishment. If these gifts were to be taken away from them, their faith will give place to blasphemy and they shall join the ranks of infidels, apostates and hypocrites, unless, of course, Allah bestows on them spiritual light and illumination, endurance and resignation to strengthen their faith.” [end of quote]<br/><br/><strong>3. Do not confuse Allāh & Islām</strong><br/><br/>As great as Islām is, it should not be forgotten that Allāh is greater. Allāh is above all and independent of all, including Islām. Allāh is the object and free of any defect. If there is a decline in our practice of Islām, does that affect the majesty of Allāh? We need practise Islām as best we can but keep our gaze on Allāh.<br/><br/>This concept is so difficult for some to understand that a new secular Islām arises minus any Allāh. Thus I see Palestine activists with every slogan but no Allāh in their mission whatsoever. Palestine has become an idol. I hear orators blaring a plethora of political benefits of pilgrimage and economic benefits of charity, but not once is Allāh mentioned in their religious concert disguised as a sermon. We love everything associated with our King – Palestine, pilgrimage and charity. However, religion divorced of Allāh is nothing but Satanism.<br/><br/><strong>4. Individual Criteria has been there since the beginning</strong><br/><br/>Allāh, the King has always treated different people with a different criterion. Oh, isn’t that unfair? No, unfair is that the humanist and secularist whisperings of Satan have become of equal merit to you as against the decree of Allāh, which His slaves are happy to accept.<br/>عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ، قَالَ : كَانَ الرَّجُلُ أَحْسِبُ عَبْدَ الرَّزَّاقِ ، قَالَ : كَانَ الرَّجُلُ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ أَصْبَحَ عَلَى بَابِهِ مَكْتُوبًا : أَذْنَبَ كَذَا وَكَذَا ، وَكَفَّارَتُهُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ كَذَا ، فَلَعَلَّهُ أَنْ بِتَكَاثُرِهِ يَعْمَلُهُ ، قَالَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَعْطَانَا ذَلِكَ مَكَانَ هَذِهِ الآيَةِ : وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا سورة النساء آية 1<br/>ʾal-Bayhaqī records ʾIbn Masʿūd (may Allāh be pleased with him) as saying that when an Israelite committed a sin then the sin and its required atonement would be found written on his door. Yet Allāh wished that this practice be replaced by giving us the verse, “He who does an evil or wrongs himself, then seeks forgiveness from Allāh, will find Allāh Most Forgiving and Merciful.” [Shuʿb ʾal-ʾĪmān]<br/><br/>This is also indicated in the Ḥadīth of ʾal-Bukhārī wherein the previous nations are compared to labourers who give up their tasks and lose their wages and thus the Muslims receive the wages of labour they had not even done.<br/><br/>عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتَأْجَرَ قَوْمًا يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ عَمَلاً إِلَى اللَّيْلِ، فَعَمِلُوا إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ، فَقَالُوا لاَ حَاجَةَ لَنَا إِلَى أَجْرِكَ، فَاسْتَأْجَرَ آخَرِينَ فَقَالَ أَكْمِلُوا بَقِيَّةَ يَوْمِكُمْ، وَلَكُمُ الَّذِي شَرَطْتُ، فَعَمِلُوا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ حِينَ صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ قَالُوا لَكَ مَا عَمِلْنَا. فَاسْتَأْجَرَ قَوْمًا فَعَمِلُوا بَقِيَّةَ يَوْمِهِمْ حَتَّى غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ، وَاسْتَكْمَلُوا أَجْرَ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ "<br/>"The example of Muslims, Jews and Christians is like the example of a man who employed labourers to work for him from morning till night. They worked till midday and they said, 'We are not in need of your reward.' So the man employed another group and said to them, 'Complete the rest of the day and yours will be the wages I had fixed (for the first group). They worked until the time of the `Asr prayer and said, 'Whatever we have done is for you.' He employed another group. They worked for the rest of the day till sunset, and they received the wages of the two former groups."<br/><br/><strong>5. Differences within the Prophetic era</strong><br/><br/>The Companions were expected to be ten out of ten Muslims. Yet the “ten” parts of Islām was not the same. In the beginning there were not many regulations and tests were on faith. Thus Miʿrāj [Ascension to the heavens] was a test of faith which all did not pass. Some Muslims refused to believe the incident and left Islām. Later tests were on deeds which had not been promulgated at the time of the Miʿrāj, e.g. battles, fasting, etc.<br/><br/><strong>6. Benefits of an inferior position</strong><br/><br/>The loss of Islām’s previous position of domination is not without benefit. We no longer have people pretending to Islām with the aim gaining lucrative government positions. Amongst those positions was that of the paid Islamic scholars, particularly palace scholars and judges. That kind of insincerity is far less. Some still lick the boots of the kings (MBS and Sisi) and some still turn religion in lucrative posts (radio and television), yet your average post-islamic empire scholar, has little financial incentive in his calling and despite personal weaknesses, is a far surer ally in preserving your faith when Mr Anti-Christ reveals himself.<br/><br/><strong>7. There are parallels between the first and later generations</strong><br/><br/>In as much as Allāh can test every people and individual differently, His Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ has indicated a kind of similarity between the tests of the first and later generations.<br/>أن النبي ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قال: بدأ الإسلام غَريبًا وسيعود غريبًا كما بدأ، فطُوبى للغرباء<br/>“Islām began forlorn and rejected. Soon it will be forlorn and rejected as it had started, so congratulations to the forlorn ones.” [Muslim]<br/><br/>A similarity may be in that the first generation and the latter in that the first were tested when Islām was yet incomplete and the time has now come when we are tested when forces have made Islām again incomplete, in a manner of speaking. If it is that you are the generation being referred to, and your tests have given you the honour of being compared with Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān and ʿAlī (may Allāh be pleased with them), then o brother, then o sister, from the lips of Allāh’s Messengerصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , “congratulations” unto you!!!!!!<br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/><br/>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/sulayman_Kindi">@sulayman_Kindi</a>سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-87992169238738087052018-09-24T11:49:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.941+02:00Yasir Qadhi - some points on groups with incorrect beliefMy first encounter with Dr Yasir Qadhi was when a scholar of good character (other than perpetual lack of punctuality) and sound knowledge, suggested that I draw from Dr Qadhi's Seerah programme for my own, which I had two years ago. I regret that I found his work way too "tweaked", bending the facts to suit his narratives. I therefore abandoned further delving into his work.<br/><br/>The still not punctual friend of Allah invited me to attend Dr Yasir Qadhi's seminar, last night (13 Muharram 1440, 23 Sep 2018), in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.<br/><br/>I do acknowledge that the doctor appears to be far superior to myself in knowledge, sincerity and exerting himself for Islam. That does not negate that his talk raises serious questions. I raised some of them at the Q&A, but apparently there was no time to respond to me.<br/><br/>Before going into specifics, it must be pointed out that the Ahlus Sunnah which Dr Qadhi belongs to, is hallmarked by the trait of moderation. I fail to see how his arguing against the extremism of sectarianism is different to his extremism of including any group as Islamic as long as they claim to be Muslim. Both are extremes and miss the desired moderation in our attitude.<br/><br/>I have addressed some concerns to Dr Qadhi on Twitter, which I reproduce below. (The unpunctual scholar had more technical objections). I apologise for not having time for a more fleshed out article:<br/><br/><a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/sulayman_Kindi"><span class="FullNameGroup"> <strong class="fullname show-popup-with-id u-textTruncate ">Sulayman al-Kindi</strong><span class="UserNameBreak"> </span></span><span class="username u-dir u-textTruncate" dir="ltr">@<b>sulayman_Kindi</b></span></a><br/><div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--more js-more-ProfileTweet-actions"><br/><div class="dropdown"></div><br/></div><br/><div class="content clearfix"><br/><div class="permalink-header"><br/><div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--more js-more-ProfileTweet-actions"><br/><div class="dropdown"></div><br/></div><br/></div><br/></div><br/><div class="js-tweet-text-container"><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en"><a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/YasirQadhi"><s>@</s><b>YasirQadhi</b></a> Thank you for your insights at last night's talk, but there are matters which I must address without negating the overall good of your work.</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">1) Your equating deeds and belief and explicitly stating that good deeds negate wrong belief. I cannot belittle you by <small class="time"></small>pointing out where the Quraan distinguishes between the two.</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">2) You specifically mention sajdah and charity. I am sure that there are Catholics who make more sajdah than some Muslims and Jews who give more charity than us. To whom does your doctrine of deeds>belief apply? If you intended a restriction, you might be more explicit in stating thus.</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">3) You spent well over a half-an-hour blasting the Ulama of South Africa. Every point your raised was possibly valid and I do not argue against them. However, was it mature to address those issues to all andsundry instead of a specific Ulama forum? You mentioned an example where you addressed a Sunni Ulama forum in your land, so the concept is not foreign to you. The lack of confidence certain sectors feel towards SA Ulama is their own doing, as you point out, but consider the added damage you have contributed.</p><br/><p lang="en"></p><br/><br/></div><br/><div class="stream-item-footer"><br/><div class="ProfileTweet-actionCountList u-hiddenVisually"><br/><div class="stream-item-header"><br/><div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--more js-more-ProfileTweet-actions"><br/><div class="dropdown"><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">4) As in [the] previous point [3] you came across as extremely patronising. How much time did you spend researching a people or spending time with different sectors before your judgements? Islam exists only 100 years in SA??? Do not equate the history of a few to the overwhelming majority - to paraphrase a statement you made several times last night.</p><br/><p lang="en"></p><br/><br/></div><br/></div><br/></div><br/></div><br/></div><br/><div class="js-tweet-text-container"><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">5) I salute your superior knowledge but do not respect the patronising way you assume we know nothing of the Shiah. After putting us in our place and touting your qualifications you proceed to declare that do we even know of the Alawis being a group of the Itha Ashariyah! Yes, we all err, but you state this after elevating yourself and lowering your audience.</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">6) Your interpretation of inmates of Hell being liberated on the basis of their atomic faith</p><br/><br/></div><br/><div class="js-tweet-text-container"><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">referring to their faith being correct on at least SOMETHING although wrong on most things; rather than a statement of weak but correct belief as per narrow minded people like myself, is problematic. How does your interpretation exclude the Jews who might have more points of coincidence with Islamic belief than certain deviant sects?</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">7) You said NOTHING new. If these are then the interpretations of Ibn Hajar etc whom you mentioned, please provide references.</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">8) Later you contradict yourself. Everything you said is purported from classic scholars</p><br/><br/></div><br/><div class="js-tweet-text-container"><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">on the other hand, it does not matter if you say something new, because whatever you say is from the Quraan.</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">9) I am not convinced that Sunnis were always the majority at every point in our history, but that is a minor point</p><br/><p class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" lang="en">was salaam</p><br/><br/></div>سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-55179703779759027112018-01-01T00:19:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.898+02:00A Muslim’s Thoughts on his Diet<p style="text-align:center;">عَنْ عَوْنِ بْنِ أَبِي جُحَيْفَةَ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ , قَالَ : " آخَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ ، فَزَارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ ، فَرَأَى أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً ، فَقَالَ لَهَا : مَا شَأْنُكِ يَا أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ ؟ قَالَتْ : إِنَّ أَخَاكَ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ يَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَيَصُومُ النَّهَارَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا حَاجَةٌ ، فَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ ، فَرَحَّبَ بِهِ وَقَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِ طَعَامًا ، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ : اطْعَمْ ، فَقَالَ : إِنِّي صَائِمٌ ، قَالَ : أَقْسَمْتُ عَلَيْكَ لَتُفْطِرَنَّهُ ، قَالَ : مَا آكُلُ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ . ثُمَّ بَاتَ عِنْدَهُ ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ أَرَادَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ أَنْ يَقُومَ فَمَنَعَهُ سَلْمَانُ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ : يَا أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ إِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ، وَلِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ، وَصَلِّ وَآتِ أَهْلَكَ ، وَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي الصُّبْحِ ، قَالَ : قُمِ الآنَ إِنْ شِئْتَ ، قَالَ : فَقَامَا فَصَلَّيَا ثُمَّ رَكَعَا ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَا إِلَى الصَّلاةِ ، وَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ لِيُخْبِرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِالَّذِي أَمَرَهُ سَلْمَانُ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " إِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا مِثْلَ الَّذِي قَالَ لَكَ سَلْمَانُ " .</p><br/><em>ʿAwn bin ʿAbī Juḥāyfah narrates from his father that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “Indeed your body has a right over you...” [al-Bukhārī]</em><br/><br/> <br/><br/>The first time that I can recall realising that I need to do something about my physical wellbeing, was years ago when I performed sajdah (prostration in prayer)and my belly bounced to the ground, not just my head. I could not offer a basic act of worship with the dignity it deserved. Sadly I went off course. Some factors are in my control, and some are not. A few years have now gone by wherein about two thirds of the time I was walking with crutches, leading to a vicious cycle of lack of exercise and care, which compounded existing health issues. On the 1<sup>st</sup> September 2017 I decided to grab the bull by the horns and go on a vigorous diet. Here are some thoughts I would like to share.<br/><br/> <br/><h1>Fear Allah as best you are able to</h1><br/><p style="text-align:center;">فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ</p><br/>Sūrah ʾat-Taghābūn (verse 16) instructs us, “Fear Allāh as best you are able to…”. So why do we restrict this only to purely “religious” matters? I had reached a state of zero exercise. There were times when crawling for ablution and prayer made me scream. However, I thought, what is within my capacity? I could not exercise, but I could stop stuffing myself. So I concentrated on what I am able to do and a few months later I am now able to undertake light exercise again.<br/><h1></h1><br/><h1>But what will people say?</h1><br/> <br/><br/>A major stumbling block for many in doing the right thing is, “But what will people say?” What Allāh says is secondary to them. Again I thought, this is not exclusively a religious phenomenon. I do not feel hunger in the early morning and am always hungry at night irrespective whether and what I ate during the day. The people say that you HAVE to stuff something down your throat in the morning even if you do not feel hunger. Further you have to be a slave to food and have SIX small meals throughout the day. Is it Sunnah to eat when not hungry? What happened to keeping a third of the belly empty? Did the first generations of Muslims formally sit down to eat at fixed times and fix these at three? I say no and my body said no. Based on my requirements, I researched a bit andI came across OMAD (One Meal A Day). I have implemented this diet for nearly four months (with maybe 5 cheat days) and thank Allāh for the overall benefits of a diet which is closer to the Sunnah than the lifestyle of gluttony we have become accustomed to. I have lost 7kg so far. I feel much better. For the first time in my life I am having deep sleep. I am praying from a standing position, not sitting on a chair. There is less strain on my poor damaged ankles and knees. All praise belongs to Allāh.<br/><br/> <br/><h1>A Believer can control his expenditure</h1><br/> <br/><br/>The great saint of India, ʾAshraf ʿAlī Thānwī (Allāh’s mercy be upon him) advised that when we are in financial difficulties we tend to seek ways to increase our income, whereas this is fixed and predetermined by Allāh. On the other hand, expenditure is within our hands. It is that end which we should focus on. I once joked that there is not much for me to cut down on except to stop eating. After all, I already “coast” when driving downhill to save on fuel. Now that I have gone through four months of no breakfast and lunch including no snacks, however supposedly healthy, I have seen financial benefits as well. I normally live on my credit card (without incurring interest!). When I receive my salary I immediately pay my monthly bills and there is not much left on the very day of receipt. With a bit of a lower expenditure, this was this first month in years that I had some respectable amount left. In fact I was genuinely confused, since I have become so used to allocating almost everything to third parties and am not used to having an amount left over.<br/><br/> <br/><h1>Our Focus on the material diverts us from Allāh</h1><br/> <br/><br/>This is a topic on its own and requires further elucidation. Certainly Allāh’s Messenger <em>صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ </em>utilised physical means and to deny the world’s reality is not Sunnah. However, we just love to exaggerate what we like until the truth becomes a means of falsehood. So yes, Allāh’s Messenger <em>صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ </em>taught us cleanliness, but using that as an excuse for your glamorous dressing and cosmetics is a most unjust lie when attributed to the simple <em> </em>Messenger <em>صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . </em>Similarly many of the religious like to enumerate the number of Sunnah ways they eat, but never reach the issue of amount. Food has become an obsession (look at the size of the bellies of the religious) and we forget that it is a simple means which Allāh had created for our sustenance and that the actual Sustainer is Allāh. The amount we require according to Sunnah, which we do not mention, is quite minimal. When one attends a meal at a religious gathering (Tablīgh, the spiritual reformatories or the educational institutions etc) in South Africa, then without fail one will hear someone who does not eat much being mocked, “You are a poor batsman, eat more!” How heart-breaking that a religious gathering, Sunnah is regarded as a defect, and contravention of Sunnah is a virtue.<br/><br/>Some people become more obese during Ramaḍān, whereas in this month spiritual energy is so much more apparent. During this blessed month I normally have a cup of green tea, a glass of water and a date in the morning. In the evening I have a date, green tea and 2 litres of water. If I feel real adventurous, I party with a few olives. I do not imply anything special about myself. I write these words in the same vein as I would I say that I inhale and exhale to survive. Food is but a means from our Sustainer, and this is readily apparent to anyone who wishes to see it during Ramaḍān.<br/><h1></h1><br/><h1>Allāh’s Messenger <em>صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ </em>sought out the absent and those in difficulty</h1><br/> <br/><br/>Not so his supposed followers. Illness keeps one away from people and in the home. Meet someone after a lengthy duration and it is, “Hey, I haven’t seen you for ages!” Supposedly for some, Islām suffices with external virtues such as the length of a beard and a cut of a cloth. Sunnahs of the heart are foreign concepts.<br/><br/> <br/><h1>Everything is black and white for this community</h1><br/> <br/><br/>For some reason our minds have become programmed to see everything in very narrow constructs, there is just no grey area or consideration for another opinion. This attitude is not restricted to major religious and political issues of the day, but permeates to petty social interactions of our lives. An example in my life….. my left knee is still very weak. I cannot sit in the prayer posture or between prostrations without stretching out to my right. Sitting normally is extremely painful. On the other hand, I currently have the strength to stand, and do not deem praying while sitting for the entire duration to be permissible for me. As such, I need to be by the right hand side wall, or have nobody to my right, as I am forced to stretch in that direction. Try and explain this to the illustrious intellectual descendants of ʾal-Ghazzālī and ʾIbn Kathīr. No, either you are ill and I’ll get you a chair, or you are fine and can’t ask me to make space for you. The small minds of this community make it difficult to attend the Masjid, even when physically capable. How many other issues we face due to such attitudes I cannot enumerate.<br/><br/> <br/><h1>We have been prohibited from artificial formalities</h1><br/><p style="text-align:center;">عن عمر رضي الله عنه قال: نُهِينَا عَنِ التَّكَلُّفِ. رواه البخاري.</p><br/>ʿUmar (may Allāh be pleased with him) said, “We have been prohibited from <em>takalluf</em> [artificial formalities].” [al-Bukhari]<br/><br/>My teacher, Muḥammad Doodat (may Allāh guard him and accept him), is famous for his tough love. One lesson I always value is when he walked by carrying his books and eager beaver student me rushed forth to shake his hands. He rebuked me that did I expect him to drop his books just because I think I am being respectful? His hands are occupied and in fact what I am doing is not Sunnah, but causing difficulty to another Muslim, who in addition, happens to be my teacher.<br/><br/>Somehow, my peers, who might not have received the same tough love lesson, but definitely learnt the above Ḥadīth, seem to regard my crutches as the latest fashion accessories. Who cares what difficulty and pain they put me through. They expect me drop my crutches and to shake their pious hands. If you cannot assist, then at least desist from harm. I do not regard their hand grabbing as Sunnah. Sunnah is based on thoughtfulness, not artificial social formalities. Again, a petty example of the broader mentality issues that need to be addressed.<br/><br/><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA">سليمان الكندي</span><br/><br/>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/sulayman_Kindi">@sulayman_Kindi</a><br/><br/> <br/><h1></h1><br/> سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-17704851396710108912017-06-28T06:58:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.874+02:00Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with
Podcasts (25-30) <br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043256"></a>25. Ḥunayn (10 Shawwāl 8 Hijrī)</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>After the submission of the Quraysh the Hawāzin led the Polytheists against Islām and were joined in war by Thaqīf (Tāʾif), Saʾd bin Bakr (tribe amongst whom Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ had spent his childhood), etc.</li><br/> <li>They brought everything – cattle, women and children – to stake everything in the ultimate battle, to fight to the last.</li><br/> <li>Muslims were 10,000 from Madīnah. 2,000 from Makkah accompanying them were not yet all Muslim. Muslims felt confident due to their numbers.</li><br/> <li>Upon reaching Ḥunayn the Hawāzin attacked with rain of arrows and then charged. The Muslims seemed defeated and rumour spread that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was martyred.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ held firm on his white mule, surrounded by few Muhājirūn and Anṣā ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه held the mule’s bridle and called out to the Muslims. They rallied and defeated the enemy. The lesson was reliance on Allāh, not numbers or material advantage.</li><br/> <li>A woman of Saʾd bin Bakr makes a commotion claiming to be the sister of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . She is brought before and when he asks for proof she says, “I still have the marks of the bite that you bit me on my back,” i.e. when they were both children.</li><br/> <li>The New Muslims were treated generously from the spoils and youngsters amongst the Anṣār complained. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ scolded them. “Did I not find you astray and through me Allāḥ guided you. You were poor and through me Allāh made you rich. You were divided and through me Allāh united you. ” But amazingly praised them at the time when one does not think to praise subordinates, “But you could have said… you were discredited and we believed you, abandoned and we helped you, expelled and we sheltered you, poor and we gave you resources.”</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/-h8Z8oR0g2g<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043257"></a>26. Tabūk (Rajab 9 Hijrī)</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Major distance, intense heat to attack to attack the Romans. The hypocrites used various excuses to fall back. It was so difficult physically and psychologically that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ openly announced the destination unlike other battles.</li><br/> <li>ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه donated 1000 dīnār, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه over half his wealth, Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه gave everything. ʿAlī رضي الله عنه left behind as deputy.</li><br/> <li>Passed the old lands of Thamūd in haste and forbade the use of its water. Today we make tourist sites of lands of punishment and use Dead Sea products.</li><br/> <li>Various towns surrendered and the Romans retreated, so Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ headed back to Madīnah. Pagans of Arabia were now finally convinced that Islām’s victory was permanent.</li><br/> <li>On the way back Zayd bin ʾArqam رضي الله عنه overheard Ibn Salūl say, “When we return to Madīnah, the noble ones will evict the despicable one from her.” Zayd was a boy so some of the Anṣār were hesitant about taking his word over a chief’s, but Allāh sent revelation, confirming his testimony.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/QD3nYR9Eyaw<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043258"></a>27. Arabia Submits</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Quraysh, Hawāzin and Rome had all been humbled and most were now convinced.</li><br/> <li>The tribes now started flocking into Allāh’s Dīn. And 9 Hijrī is known as the year of Delegations. Some came before Tabūk, most needed convincing with Tabūk.</li><br/> <li>Banū Tamīm first challenged the Muslims to a poetry contest and submitted when defeated in the contest. Lesson – arm yourself with the means of the time.</li><br/> <li>ʿAbdul Qays, were the first of the east tribes to accept Islām in 5 Hijrī. Asajj was told he has two qualities Allāh loves, “Forbearance and deliberation before acting.” Consider how technology has destroyed this in us, we must press the reply and broadcast button immediately. They now sent a second delegation. They were forbidden glazed jars, used for wine. Lesson – what reminds and tempts to Ḥarām is to be avoided.</li><br/> <li>Saʾd bin Bakr sent Damām bin Thaʿlabah رضي الله عنه . He spoke very roughly in the Bedouin manner to Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . He embraced Islām, returned and converted the entire tribe in one day. Lesson – Allāh chooses who He wills. People of different types can all serve Islām.</li><br/> <li>“The people of Yemen have come to you. They have sensitive minds and the softest of hearts. Imān is Yemeni. Wisdom is Yemeni.” Gentle manners is inextricable linked to Imān.</li><br/> <li>Christians of Najrān sent a delegation. They accepted Islāmic rule but not Islām. Tolerance for other religions is part of Sharīʿah.</li><br/> <li>Kindah and Ḥanīfah who had rejected Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ all those years back, now submitted. Although Banū Ḥanīfah turned away under a false prophet. Musaylamah the Liar.</li><br/> <li>Wāʾil bin Ḥujr رضي الله عنه , prince of Yemen. Embraced Islām and in his newness treated the secretary of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , the 18 year old Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه Made him walk bare feet all the way to Yemen. Yet Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه assisted him when he came to power.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/epO4csmGQ4M<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043259"></a>28. Signs of Impending Departure & Farewell</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Sūrah Naṣr. Everyone rejoiced at its revelation. Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه however wept uncontrollably in sorrow. He alone understood that this was in fact the funeral announcement of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ .</li><br/> <li>“O Muʿāẓ, it may be that you will not meet me after this year of mine. Perhaps you will pass by this Masjid of mine and my grave.”</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ did not perform Ḥajj in 8 or 9 Hijrī despite being the ruler of Makkah. He sent Abū Bakr as his deputy as the Imām of Ḥajj. Annual Ḥajj is not Sunnah. He performed one recorded Ḥajj. Certainly only one in last 23 years of his life.</li><br/> <li>Every Ramaḍān Jibrīl used to revise what Qurʾān had been revealed thus far. In the Ramaḍan of 10 Hijrī he made Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ recite twice instead of the usual once. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ understood that his time was near. He would not witness another earthly Ramaḍān or Ḥajj season.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ anounced his intention for Ḥajj and set on Saturday 25<sup>th</sup> Ẓul Qaʿdah 10 Hijrī.</li><br/> <li>Eventually more than 100,000 joined.</li><br/> <li>Reached Makkah 4<sup>th</sup> Ẓil Ḥijjah. Immediately kissed Ḥajar and performed Ṭawā</li><br/> <li>Two Farewell Sermons. Sanctity of property. Blood vengeance of pre-Islām abolished. Usury abolished. “Fear Allāh in regards women…you are responsible for providing for them..” Hold on to the Qurʿān to avoid going astray. “Time has completed the cycle to reach the same point when Allāh created the heavens and earth.”</li><br/> <li>Yet the opening and closing statements were indications of bidding farewell. “O people hear my words, for I do not know if I shall meet you again after this year and in this place again.”</li><br/> <li>“Have I delivered the message? Have I delivered the message?”</li><br/> <li>Whilst pelting Jamarāt, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ stopped and said, “Learn your rites. For I do not know whether I am likely to perform the Ḥajj after this occasion.”</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/hbTu6mxuKOI<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043260"></a>29. To the Companion Most High</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>After returning from Ḥajj, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ went to Uhud. He prayed for the martyrs in the manner of one bidding farewell.</li><br/> <li>Late one night in Ṣafar 11 Hijrī Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ went to pray for the deceased in Baqīʿ. The next morning his ailment began.</li><br/> <li>ʿĀʾishah, “O my head!” “No, O ʿĀʾishah, O my head.”</li><br/> <li>At house of Maymūnah, asked wives permission to be nursed at one house, ʿĀʾishah’s.</li><br/> <li>Faḍl bin ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه and ʿAlī رضي الله عنه had to support him. He walked feet dragging, cloth tied to the head due to the pain.</li><br/> <li>Summoned ʾUsāmah رضي الله عنه commanding him to march to Syria. Army left after his passing.</li><br/> <li>Only money left was 9 Dirham. “How shall I face Allāh with these in my possession?” and gave them away. (ZAR 213.84)</li><br/> <li>Kept falling unconscious, so appointed Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه as Imām, except for few prayers when he felt better.</li><br/> <li>Last prayer he led was Maghrib, recited wal-Mursalā</li><br/> <li>All doors attached to the Majid shut except for that of Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه .</li><br/> <li>Last sermon, “I advise you in regards the Anṣār. They are my friends and as if part of my own liver. They have fulfilled their obligations and nothing remains now for them except reward. Accept their good and overlook their wrong.”</li><br/> <li>Last night Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ spent on earth there was no oil to light his lamp. ʿĀʾishah had to borrow oil from others.</li><br/> <li>Last public appearance. Monday during Fajr Ṣalāh, “Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ lifted the curtain and kept his eyes fixed on us …. He smiled and then laughed…. And that was the day on which he died.”</li><br/> <li>Last command later that day, “[Guard your] Ṣalāh. [Care for] those whom your right hands possess. Expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula.”</li><br/> <li>Saw Miswāk in ʾAbdurraḥmān bin Abī Bakr’s رضي الله عنه ʿĀʾishah softened it and gave it to him. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ cleaned his teeth and dropped it out of weakness.</li><br/> <li>With his head in our Mother’s lap, saying his last words, “Allāhumma ar-Rafīq al-ʾAʿlā” Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ left to the Companion Most High.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/Lcx0hj0PBRA<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043261"></a>30. Description in Tirmiẓi, if Allāh wills 30 nights</h2><br/>عن <a href="http://library.islamweb.net/newlibrary/showalam.php?ids=9">أنس </a>قال خدمت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عشر سنين فما قال لي أف قط وما قال لشيء صنعته لم صنعته ولا لشيء تركته لم تركته وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من أحسن الناس خلقا ولا مسست خزا قط ولا حريرا ولا شيئا كان ألين من كف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولا شممت مسكا قط ولا عطرا كان أطيب من عرق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم<br/><ul><br/> <li>Anas رضي الله عنه narrated, “I served the Prophet صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ for ten years. He never uttered the slightest sound of displeasure and never said for anything I did, ‘Why did you do that,’ Nor for something that I left, ‘Why did you leave that?’ Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was amongst the most beautiful of people in his appearance. I have never touched brocade or even silk or anything for that matter which is softer than the palm of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . I have never smelt musk or any other perfume more fragrant than the perspiration of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ .</li><br/> <li>: كَانَ <a href="http://library.islamweb.net/hadith/RawyDetails.php?RawyID=5722">عَلِيٌّ </a>إِذَا وَصَفَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : ” لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِالطَّوِيلِ الْمُمَّغِطِ ، وَلا بِالْقَصِيرِ الْمُتَرَدِّدِ ، وَكَانَ رَبْعَةً مِنَ الْقَوْمِ ، لَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْجَعْدِ الْقَطَطِ ، وَلا بِالسَّبْطِ ، كَانَ جَعْدًا رَجِلا ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْمُطَهَّمِ , وَلا بِالْمُكَلْثَمِ ، وَكَانَ فِي وَجْهِهِ تَدْوِيرٌ , أَبْيَضُ مُشَرَبٌ ، أَدْعَجُ الْعَيْنَيْنِ ، أَهْدَبُ الأَشْفَارِ ، جَلِيلُ الْمُشَاشِ وَالْكَتَدِ ، أَجْرَدُ , ذُو مَسْرُبَةٍ ، شَثْنُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْقَدَمَيْنِ ، إِذَا مَشَى تَقَلَّعَ كَأَنَّمَا يَنْحَطُّ فِي صَبَبٍ ، وَإِذَا الْتَفَتَ الْتَفَتَ مَعًا ، بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ خَاتَمُ النُّبُوَّةِ ، وَهُوَ خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ ، أَجْوَدُ النَّاسِ صَدْرًا ، وَأَصْدَقُ النَّاسِ لَهْجَةً ، وَأَلْيَنُهُمْ عَرِيكَةً ، وَأَكْرَمُهُمْ عِشْرَةً ، مَنْ رَآهُ بَدِيهَةً هَابَهُ ، وَمَنْ خَالَطَهُ مَعْرِفَةً أَحَبَّهُ ، يَقُولُ نَاعِتُهُ : لَمْ أَرَ قَبْلَهُ , وَلا بَعْدَهُ مِثْلَهُ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ</li><br/> <li>Whenever Ali radiallahu anhu described the nobel features of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam), he used to say: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was neither very tall nor short, but of a medium stature among people. His hair was neither very curly nor very straight, but had a slight wave in it. He did not have a big body nor a round face, but his face was slightly round (meaning he did not have a fully round face nor a fully elongated face, bur in between the two). The complexion of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was white with redness in it. The eyes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were extremely black. His eyelashes were long. The joints of the body (e.g. elbows and knees etc.) were large, likewise the portion between the two shoulders was broad and fully fleshed. There was no hair (more than normal) on his body. He had a thin line of hair running from the chest to the navel. The hands and feet of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) were fully fleshed. When he walked, he lifted his legs with vigour, as if he were descending to a low-lying place. When he addressed a person he turned his whole body towards that person. The seal of Prophethood was situated between his shoulders. He was a last of all prophets. He was the most generous and the most truthful. He was the most kind-hearted and came from a most noble family. Any person who saw him suddenly would become struck with awe. Anyone who came in close contact with him, and knew his excellent character would love him. Anyone who described him can only say: “I have not never seen anyone before or after like him صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . ” [Shamāʿil lit-Tirmiẓi. Translation adapted from Mawlānā Yūsuf Karān]</li><br/></ul><br/> <br/><br/>https://youtu.be/jRxlGN6xklc<br/><br/>و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاقسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-74508039948458429352017-06-28T06:46:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.849+02:00Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with
Podcasts (20-24) <br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043251"></a>20. Uḥud (3 Shawwāl 3 Hijrī)</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>After Badr hypocrites arose under ʿAbdullāh bin Ubayy ibn Salūl.</li><br/> <li>Kaʿb bin Ashraf the Jew incited the Quraysh to avenge Badr.</li><br/> <li>The Quraysh army arrived 3000 strong, accompanied by women such as Hind, wife of Abū Sufyān (may Allāh be pleased with them). She later much regretted her ignorance at Uḥud and distinguished herself in the cause of Islām in such battles like Yarmūk.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and Ibn Ubayy thought to defend Madīnah. Muslims who missed Badr wished to engage the enemy. They prevailed.</li><br/> <li>1000 set out against 3000 Quraysh.</li><br/> <li>Ibn Ubayy removed his 300 followers, causing anxiety amongst the remaining 700.</li><br/> <li>Two clans of the Anṣār thought to abandon the battle – a major sin – but remained. Allāh so loves the Anṣār that He proclaimed himself their friend in Sūrah Āl ʿImrān “wallāhu walīyumā” upon this incident of disobedience, not when they were obedient.</li><br/> <li>Jubayr bin Muṭʿīm and Hind arranged for Waḥshī, an expert javelin thrower and slave to kill Ḥamzah (may Allāḥ be pleased with him), which he did.</li><br/> <li>Flag-bearer, Muṣʿāb bin ʿUmayr martyred.</li><br/> <li>50 Muslim archers stationed on hill left their position when it seemed the Muslims were winning. This allowed the Quraysh cavalry to attack from the other direction and the Muslims were routed especially when rumour spread that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ had been martyred.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ thrown with a stone, and front teeth smashed.</li><br/> <li>Ṭalḥah binʿUbaydillāh shielded him with his own body against the arrows until his hand was paralysed.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was too weak to climb to a rock to sit and offer Zhuhr. Ṭalḥah carried him.</li><br/> <li>Amongst who died defending Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was Abū Dahdah al-Anṣārī who had donated 500 trees in exchange for a tree in Paradise.</li><br/> <li>The Quraysh gave up trying to reach Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . Abū Sufyān called out that Uḥud was in exchange for Badr. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ told ʿUmar to reply, “Our dead are in Paradise. Your dead are in Hell.” Abū Sufyān called out, “We have ʿUzzā and you have none.” Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ told ʿUmar to reply, “Allāh is our Protector and you have none.”</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/qm8jcvyOyH0<br/><h2></h2><br/>https://youtu.be/4OvpI9DhHP0<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043252"></a>21. Khandaq (Shawwāl 5 Hijrī)</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Jews of Banū Naḍīr orchestrated an alliance against the Muslims. They would supply a year’s harvest from Khaybar, the Quraysh 4000 men and the Ghaṭfān 6000 men. The Jews of Qurayzhah inside Madīnah would betray the Muslims.</li><br/> <li>Salmān the Persian رضي الله عنه proposed the Persian tactic of digging a trench at the vulnerable northern front.</li><br/> <li>Muslims worked through extremely harsh winter and hunger. Abū Ṭalḥah رضي الله عنه showed Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ a slab of stone tied to his stomach to placate his hunger. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ showed him two.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ called out, “O Allāh! There is truly no life but that of the Hereafter. Forgive the Anṣār and the Muhājirūn.” They replied, “We are those who have pledged to Muḥammad, to wage Jihād forever as long as we last.”</li><br/> <li>A large rock could not be destroyed. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ himself smashed it in three blows. In each blow he prophesied conquest over Syria, Persia and Yemen in turn – at a time when the Muslims seemed to face utter destruction.</li><br/> <li>Miracle of the increasing barley and mutton at the house of Jābir bin ʿAbdillāh رضي الله عنه .</li><br/> <li>Severe siege for a month. Nuʿaym bin Masʿūd رضي الله عنه secretly embraced Islām and managed to turn the Arabs and Jews against each other. The lack of morale combined with a fierce hurricane made the Arabs withdraw.</li><br/> <li>“None of you shall pray ʿAṣr except at Qurayzhah” – differences of opinion of the command existed even in the lifetime of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ .</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/S-kbhSVjH5c<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043253"></a>22. Hudaybiyah (Ẓul Qaʿdah 6 Hijrī)</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ saw from Allāh that he was performing ʿUmrah. Ṣaḥābah prepared to join him as pilgrims, not armed as an army. They dressed as such and brought animals for sacrifice to make their peaceful intentions clear.</li><br/> <li>The Quraysh intended to stop the 1400 Muslims. They encamped at Ḥudaybīyah, on the border of the Ḥaram, where the Quraysh could not attack.</li><br/> <li>ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه sent as ambassador. The Quraysh respected him offered to let him perform Ṭawā He refused if Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ could not, so they detained him in anger.</li><br/> <li>Muslims heard that ʿUthmānرضي الله عنه had been killed. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ called on the Muslims to pledge to fight to the death under a tree. Even in that serious moment Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ made time to be light hearted with Salmāh bin Akwā رضي الله عنه .</li><br/> <li>Eventually negotiations ensued and a treaty signed. The Ṣahābah were greatly offended by the deletion of Basmallāh and “Muḥammad Rasūlullāh” and the apparently harsh terms, but Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was practical and Allāh intended something great.</li><br/> <li>With peace achieved, the Muslims could interact with other tribes and spread the message. More people embraced Islām in the next two years than in the previous 19 years.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/UaJtxvIfGNw<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043254"></a>23. Khaybar & Muʿtah</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Khaybar, 112 km NE of Madīnah. The Jews there were once again plotting with Ghaṭfān against the Muslims.</li><br/> <li>Shortly after returning to Madīnah, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ marched against Khaybar. Only the participants of Ḥudaybiyah were allowed to join.</li><br/> <li>Forts fell except for that of Marhab. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , “Tomorrow I shall give the flag to a man who loves Allāh and His Rasūl and he will conquer the fort. ”</li><br/> <li>ʿAlī’s رضي الله عنه eyes was afflicted. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ applied his saliva to his eyes and it was cured. He gave him the flag and he was victorious over Marhab.</li><br/> <li>A Slave embraced Islām and was martyred in the battle. Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “I saw two Ḥūr standing by his side, although he never made a Sajdah to Allā”</li><br/> <li>Khaybar was conquered and the Jews allowed to remain and farm on condition that half their crops would go to the Muslims. ʿAbdullāh bin Rawāḥāh رضي الله عنه used to divide the crops and let the Jews choose which half they wanted.</li><br/> <li>3000 Muslims marched to Muʾta when the Roman governor killed the ambassador of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , Ḥārith binʿUmayr al-ʾAzdī رضي الله عنه .</li><br/> <li>The first commander, Zayd bin Ḥārithah رضي الله عنه was killed, followed by Jaʾfar bin Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه . He was 33 and had just returned from a decade in Abyssinia. Then ʿAbdullāh bin Rawāḥāh رضي الله عنه .</li><br/> <li>Khālid bin Wālid assumed command and returned the troops home.</li><br/> <li>The Muslims derided them as runaways, but Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said they were those who retreat to return to battle.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/RDHq31Dldqs<br/><h2><a name="_Toc482043255"></a>24. Conquest of Makkah (19/20? Ramaḍān 8 Hijrī)</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>As allowed by the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyah, Banū Bakr aligned itself with the Quraysh whilst Khuẓāʿah allied with the Muslims, feeling closer to the descendant of ʿAbd Manāf whose mother was from Khazāʿah.</li><br/> <li>Bakr attacked Khuzāʿah with Quraysh assistance, who even encouraged them to massacre Khuzāʿah when they sort refuge in the borders of the Ḥaram.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ sent ultimatum to Quraysh – pay blood money; or break alliance with the offending section of Bakr; or face the consequences. The Quraysh decided on war.</li><br/> <li>Ḥātib bin Abī Baltaʾah رضي الله عنه wrote to inform the Quraysh of the plan of attack. His messenger was caught and he was forgiven. He is one of the 313 of Badr.</li><br/> <li>10,000 Ṣaḥābah set out for Makkah. Even the Bible mentions this event.</li><br/> <li>Abū Sufyān رضي الله عنه met Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ who was encamped outside Makkah. He embraced Islām and received guarantee of safety.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ entered Makkah on his camel. He carried the recently deceased Zaynab’s son with him. His best daughter who suffered much on his behalf. He was reciting Sūrah Fatḥ.</li><br/> <li>Saʿd bin ʿUbādah shouted, “Today is a day of massacre. The Kaʿbah offers no sanctuary…” Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , “Today is a day of mercy, the Kaʿbah will be covered…” origin of Kaʿbah covering</li><br/> <li>After Ṭawāf, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ personally began smashing the idols with his bow.</li><br/> <li>Standing on the steps, “There is no god but Allāh alone Who has no partner! He was true to His promise and helped His slave. It is He alone who defeated the allies… O gathering of Quraysh, what do you say I shall do to you?” “Good! For you are noble brother, son of a noble brother.” “Then I say to you what Yūsuf said to his brothers, ‘There is no blame upon you today.’ Go, you are free.”</li><br/> <li>Makkah embraced Islām, including Hind bint ʿUtbah.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/EFN5Q_AfZWc<br/><br/> <br/><br/>و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاقسليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256984838243366659.post-46523013659446990762017-06-27T23:57:00.000+02:002020-04-23T11:11:10.826+02:00Biography of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in 29 Nights with
Podcasts (15-19)<div class="byline"></div><br/><div class="entry-content"><br/><br/><em>Herewith my notes for the Sīrah discussion I intend giving this year after Tarāwīḥ, Allāh willing. If we had all the time in the world we could not do justice to the greatest personality that ever walked the face of the earth. Yet in view of the lack of knowledge on the basics of his life by the general public I am using this platform for this purpose, on the premise that one can only truly love someone if one knows that person. As long as we are ignorant about the life and character of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ our love for him cannot be as complete as it could be.</em><br/><br/>سليمان الكندي<br/>Twitter: @sulayman_Kindi<br/><h2></h2><br/><h2></h2><br/><h2>15. Hijrah of Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Meeting at Darun Nadwah. Imprisonment and exile rejected. Murder was the only option left but the clan of the murder would be held responsible. Abū Jahl proposed a man of each clan join in the murder so no single clan could be blamed.</li><br/> <li>Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ emerged from Khadījah’s house, cast sand upon them, reciting from Yāsīn, they did not see him.</li><br/> <li>Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ turned to look last time at Makkah, “O Makkah, you are the best of Allāh’s lands and most beloved. If not that your people have expelled me, I would never have left you.”</li><br/> <li>Headed south instead of north, tactics.</li><br/> <li>Status of Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه, Sūrah Tawbah, “Allah is with us,” i.e. him and Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ as they hid in the Cave of Thawr.</li><br/> <li>Surāqah bin Mālik, horse kept sinking as he attempted to attack. Begged for written word of protection. Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ predicted that he would wear the Persian Emperor’s bracelets. Occurred in time of ʿUmar.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/PH4NNgm53yo<br/><h2>16. Description of al-Madīnah, Arrival at Qubāʾ</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Built by two Jewish clans in the time of Mūsā, awaiting the final prophet.</li><br/> <li>They were traders while the later Yemeni Azdīs were farmers.</li><br/> <li>Yathrib was renamed Madīnah, whoever says Yathrib should seek forgiveness.</li><br/> <li>Its south was protected by thick date plantations, the east and west by lava soil. The lava soil caused most of the water to be bitter, hence the drinking of nabīz (soaking dates in the water).</li><br/> <li>Entered 12<sup>th</sup> Rabīʿul ʾAwwal. This year was later renamed as first year of Islāmic calendar.</li><br/> <li>Anṣār waited everyday until the noon heat drove them indoors. A Jew happened to see and called out. The Anṣār came rushing out. Women on the rooftops, men waving swords and children reciting <em>Ṭalʿal badru ʿalayn</em><em>ā</em>.</li><br/> <li>Spent few days at Qubāʾ. Built Masjid and performed his first Jumuʿah there, then continued to centre of Madīnah.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/XIlExvxIS4I<br/><h2>17. Madīnah</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Camel allowed to roam, stopped on the land of orphans, Sahl and Suhayl. Bought for al-Masjid an-Nabawī site. In the interim Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ stayed with his nearest Anṣārī relative Abū Ayyūb was from Najjār as was ʿAbdul Muṭṭalib’s mother. Tribal connections were important amongst Arabs. Allāh sets events in motions long before. Just as Ḥubbā bint Ḥulayl was mother of ʿAbd Manāf, which had repercussions after Ḥudaybiyah.</li><br/> <li>Rasūlullāh صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ personally helped with the construction.</li><br/> <li>Simple non-solid structure with, rain used to come through the roof.</li><br/> <li>Two notable first encounters – ʿAbdullāh bin Salām, Chief Rabbi, who hears:</li><br/> <li><strong>يا أيها الناس</strong><strong>: </strong><strong>أفشوا السلام، وأطعموا الطعام، وصِلُوا الأرحام، وصلّوا بالليل والناس نيام، تدخلوا الجنة بسلام</strong><strong>) </strong><strong>رواه أحمد والترمذي</strong></li><br/> <li>Salmān, the Persian , who finds Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in extremely emotional encounter after years of searching for the truth, and much sacrifice.</li><br/></ul><br/></div><br/>https://youtu.be/p_tSXcx8ICE<br/><br/>https://youtu.be/RxygP891dvs<br/><div class="entry-content"><br/><h2>18. The New Social Structure</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Muʾākhāh – the brotherhood. Each Muhājir was allocated with an Anṣārī brother. The Anṣār willing and most generously assisted their brethren and initially the Muhājirūn were made their heirs before the laws of inheritance were finalised in the Qurʿān.</li><br/> <li>The generosity is unmatched in human history. The Qurʿān says of the Anṣār, “They give preference over their own selves even though they are poverty-stricken”</li><br/> <li>Great praise for the Anṣār in Ḥadīth, “The sign of faith is love for the Anṣār…” “By Allāh! You are the most beloved people unto me.” They accepted when the rest of humanity rejected and thus included themselves amongst the rejected ones.</li><br/> <li>However, people have also exaggerated. Whilst Saʿd bin Rabīʿah رضي الله عنه did offer half his wealth and one of his two wives for his Muhājir bother, ʿAbdur Raḥmān bin ʿAwf رضي الله عنه, ʿAbduraḥmān refused. He accepted assistance only in so far as starting off his own trade and son became independent. It’s incorrect what some say, “The Anṣār gave half their wealth and divorced their wives for the Muhājirūn.”</li><br/> <li>Islāmic character is that those who have must try to assist. Those who don’t have should seek independence and not live on hand-outs.</li><br/> <li>The Jews entered into a pact of mutual defence. The Jews violated the pact. An-Naḍīr tried to kill Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and were expelled. Qurayzhah helped the enemy at Khandaq and were destroyed.</li><br/> <li>After the building of the Masjid, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ chose a spot for a Muslim business area. Trade was previously entirely Jewish. This is an example of the balance Islām teaches.</li><br/></ul><br/></div><br/>https://youtu.be/-QBn3wR3E0w<br/><div class="entry-content"><br/><h2>19. Badr</h2><br/><ul><br/> <li>Abū Sufyān seized the Muslim property in Makkah, sold it in Syria to raise funds to attack Islā He was passing Madīnah returning to Makkah and had to be stopped.</li><br/> <li>At this stage the Anṣār were only bound by Oath of ʿAqabah, i.e. protect Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in Madīnah, there was no duty on them to confront Abū Sufyān, but their numbers were needed.</li><br/> <li>Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ out of shyness asked the Muhājirūn thrice if they would set out. Saʿd bin Muʿāẓ (may Allāh be pleased with him) realised that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was referring to his people. “Perhaps you think, O Messenger of Allāh, that the Anṣār have only undertaken to help you on their own territory. I wish to tell you on behalf of the Anṣār that you may lead us where you like, align us with whom you like, or break relations with whomsoever you see fit. You may take from our wealth what you want and leave for us what you want, but what you take would be more beloved than what you leave us. We shall follow whatever you command. By Allāh, if you go to Bark Ghimdān [symbol for far place] we shall follow you. By Allāh, should you jump into the sea, we would jump with you.”</li><br/> <li>The Muhājir “troops” were the same people who sat behind each other to cover their nakedness, who fainted in Ṣalāh due to lack of food. They were now called to fight and none hesitated.</li><br/> <li>ʿUmayr bin Abī Waqqās, young boy, hid so that Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ would not send him back. He was martyred.</li><br/> <li>Abū Sufyān received intelligence and changed course whilst the Quraysh sent a fully equipped army of 1000 to meet the 313 Muslims.</li><br/> <li>Reaching Badr Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ showed where specific enemies would be killed. It happened exactly.</li><br/> <li>Night before Battle of Badr, Allāh’s Messenger صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ spent weeping, “O Allāh, if this little group is destroyed then never again will You be worshipped.” – Spiritual combined with material the next day of taking up arms. Middle path is Sunnah.</li><br/> <li>17<sup>th</sup> Ramaḍān, first year that fast had been ordained. Some continued fasting some took leeway. Neither party reprimanded the other.</li><br/> <li>Triple duel before the battle, Muslims win.</li><br/> <li>Angels descend. The two boys of Afrāʾ and ʿAbdullāh bin Masʾūd (may Allāh be pleased with them) kill Abū Jahl. 70 Quraysh killed and 70 captured. 6 Muhājirūn and 8 Anṣār martyred.</li><br/> <li>Muslims give their food to the prisoners and remain hungry.</li><br/></ul><br/>https://youtu.be/R_hDebGcuZs<br/><h2></h2><br/></div><br/><div class="entry-content"><br/><br/>و صلى الله على راكب البراق كامل الأخلاق<br/><br/></div>سليمان الكنديhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176858559501230265noreply@blogger.com0