Muslims who demolish the Masjid and preserve idols

Since a picture paints a thousand I present you with two pictures, both have something in common.  Look at them carefully and decide what they have in common before reading further.

[caption id="attachment_267" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Masjid al-Ghamaamah[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_268" align="aligncenter" width="137"] Arabian idol[/caption]

Okay, what both have in common is that different people claim what is depicted as a heritage. The first depicts Masjid al-Ghamāmah, where Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم performed ‘Īd Ṣalāh. His followers claim to love him and have affection for anything which reminds them of him. So what do they do? They planned to demolish this site, just as they demolished almost every possible site connected to him.

The second picture depicts pre-Islāmic idols of Arabia. The followers of  Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم are well aware of Allāh’s command in the Qurān to purify His House of the idols it contained at the time.  They are also aware that Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم physically fulfilled that command on the day he conquered Makkah. Yet what do they do? They declare that these idols are in fact their heritage and spend funds of the Ummah in preserving and promoting what Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم would have smashed.

To summarise, if you love Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم you must erase anything connected to him because his heritage is idolatry, and you must preserve the idols he smashed and declare them instead to be your heritage.

No, I have not taken advantage of Washington state’s legalisation of marijuana. I have not flown there and smoked while writing this. This is the reality and the double standards of the Ḥaramayn authorities.

We have recently discussed attempts to eradicate some of the last sites of the Haramayn heritage. I now quote from a BBC report regarding the same authorities attitude to these idols.

But the Saudi royal family has embraced the discoveries in the Arabian Peninsula and is vigorously promoting further research

.... Prince Sultan is the president of the Saudi commission for tourism and antiquities. He hopes that interest in the past will encourage tourism in the future. He also wants Saudis themselves - especially young people - to better understand their heritage.

"This is a complete revolution in Saudi Arabia when it comes to elevating the culture and the history of the country to the level it deserves," he says.

"Within the next three years, Saudis will wake up to knowledge about their own country that has been missing throughout their lives."

Several new museums are being planned with "big budgets" according to the prince, and international teams of archaeologists are working alongside Saudi scientists and historians. But Prince Sultan says his country wants to maintain control over its own heritage.

Tribal heritage takes preference over Islāmic heritage

One has to ask why is showing affection to the great personalities of Islām, to whom Allāh Himself expresses love, a reprehensible deed while commemorating tribal chiefs is an act of virtue? Note the naming of the gates of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, universities, institutes, foundations etc after tribal chiefs who served the interests of the British and Americans over the interests of Islām.

Note the destruction of Masājid and the preservation of idols.

Note the very name of the kingdom overseeing the Ḥaramayn. It glorifies a desert chief and his clan. Yet the same authorities condemn the heritage of the best generation of Muslims.

The kingdom has two UNESCO heritage sites:

• Al-Ḥijr – a place cursed in the Qurān and which Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم advised against tarrying therein. Yet the authorities. Promote this as part of their heritage and ask tourists to flock there.


• At-Turayf – birthplace of the ruling clan.

The same authorities who turned the house of Khadījah  رضى الله عنها  into a toilet whilst preserving the fort of Ka‘b bin  Ashraf, the Jew who used to abuse Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم.

These are the heritages of the kingdom which demolishes the legacy of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم – idols, tribal glory and Jewish relics. It is no wonder that some promote the theory that the clan is not even Arab, but crypto Jews. I find the evidence rather thin, but their behaviour doesn’t add to their defence.

A Glimmer of hope

The Ḥaramayn authorities have realised their error in their plans to destroy al-Ghamāmah. May Allāh reward all who have been instruments, one way or the other, in bringing about this change. We pray that Allāh guides them further to promote our Islāmic heritage instead of paganism and tribalism.

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Muslims who demolish the Masjid and preserve idols

Please click to read on my new blog. 

سليمان الكندي

Idols are heritage, Masjid is Shirk!

This really takes the cake! Jaahiliyah idols are heritage but Masaajid are Shirk? In the light on our discussion on the endangered Haramayn Heritage this is really nauseating.

Please read this BBC report on "Saudi art" My further comment is not necessary.

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My Muslim name - my identity

By definition, a name declares an identity - be it of a country, an organisation or an individual.

The Qurān and Hadīth also emphasise this point. Consider that Allāh has al-Asmā al-Husnā  - the Best Names. When a name helps define or declare who someone is, surely the Greatest of all would have the Best Names. Another indication in the Qurān of the importance of names is that when Allāh conferred a son unto Zakarīyā 'alayhis salām, He also conferred the name - Yahyā - as an additional mark of honour.

al-Imām Abū Dawūd narrates that when someone embraced Islām, but had an Islamically offensive name, Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم  would immediately change his name. This should be clear evidence of the importance of establishing our Islamic identity through our names.

A Muslim keeps a wholesome name

By adding 'Abd in front of the Best Names, a Muslim proudly declares himself to be a slave of Allah, for example Abdul Khāliq. Whenever someone calls him, it is a reminder of his divine servitude. The Western habit of shortening names is most disturbing when Muslims omit 'abd from these names. To call another person in effect "Creator, All-Knowing, the Absolute Truth" etc  is impudence of the highest order and an insult to Allāh.

By naming our children after Prophets and pious men and women of the past, we hope to establish a role-model and wholesome guiding figure for the boy or girl.

A name with a good meaning is like a du'ā that the child, and eventual adult, acquires the good qualities embedded in that name.

A good Muslim name identifies one’s religion and facilitates easier connection with one’s co-coreligionists, especially when we live in the West.

Contrast this wholesome bounty of Islām with western naming practices. As long as a name sounds nice or a child is named after some family figure the western parent is satisfied. Consider how many Christian figures of the highest order are named "Mark" which means dedicated to Mars, the pagan Roman god of war. I personally know two Jewish Marks. Such apathy to the origin and meaning of a name is unimaginable to a Muslim guided by the Qurān, Hadīth and the ways shown by the pious.

Living in the West & Identity politics

An acquaintance recently reverted to using his pre-Islamic name. It is sad that he no longer wishes to be identified as a slave of the Ever-Victorious Allāh. I wish I knew why, but he is quite prickly over this issue and refuses to discuss why. When I vocalised the thought that he regarded an Arabic name as Arab/Asian imperialism he still gave no solid feedback.

Be that as it may, a Muslim living in the West faces tremendous pressure to assimilate and act western in all spheres. Some may not go to the extreme of changing their names, but identify themselves in such a way that it sounds, "cool and western" while still soothing their conscious that the "name" is somehow a Muslim name.

The argument goes that shortening names creates greater friendliness. Sure - as if your sense of friendliness, neighbourliness and   hospitality exceeds that of the Sahābah ضى الله عنهم. Whatever the merits or demerits of any of our opinions might be, let us ask in all honesty why these nicknames are not only "cool and western" but also so designed that they can pass for being a Christian name?

• Why for example would you insist on being cool, Christian-sounding Joe or Joey? Is it so embarrassing to be identified with Allāh's Nabī, Yūsuf 'alayhis salām?


• Allah has praised in His Book a man called Sulaymān. Why is it that a Jewish sounding Solly appeals more to you?


• I hope, I really hope, that I do not have to explain the beauty of the name Muhammad. Why are you so averse to Muhammad and call yourself Moe - a name which to me evokes the image of a red-neck, pot-bellied, beer-guzzler? Why keep a name you intend to desecrate?

Spelling, Language & History

I would encourage Muslims to start a move towards standardisation of spelling of names for the simple reason that many people who do not know Arabic rely upon the spelling of a word for pronunciation and hence pronounce a name incorrectly. Incorrect pronunciation in a delicate language like Arabic can have disastrous effects. A good starting point would be the elimination of our colonialist-orientalist legacy of the letters e and o. Arabic has three vowels. Stick to a, i and u. Mohamed is so British Raj. Please use Muhammad.

When choosing a name a certain amount of knowledge is required. Consult someone with knowledge of at least Arabic, Ḥadīth, Tafsīr and history before naming your child. Whilst Amānī  might be fashionable in certain circles, such parents should have been informed how the Qurān uses the word exclusively in reference to disbelievers doomed to Hell.

Again, if the Ummah were to take their effort to learn their history, Muslims of the Orient would not have named their daughters after Salmah son of al-Akwa‘رضى الله عنه. Similarly, Mumtāz and Kulthūm (even when mispronounced as Kulsūm) are masculine names.

Sālim (Saalim) was a common name amongst the Ṣaḥābah رضى الله عنهم. Salīm (Saleem) was not used as a name. I do not raise a question of permissibility or impermissibility, simply the point of which is more authentic and which was actually a name amongst the best of Muslims.

This kind of confusion is not exclusive to those of us living in the West. An Omani read a Ḥadīth about “Udayy bin Ḥātim.” I pointed out that whilst Udayy might be contemporarily more known due to Udayy, son of Saddām Husayn, the Ṣaḥābī was Adī, not ‘Udayy. Whilst he did reread the Ḥadīth, I got that patronising look which perhaps other western Muslims may have experienced – “whatever your lineage and studies might be, we know better than you by virtue of living in the Arab lands”.

When I mentioned this incident to an Egyptian, he brushed Adī aside as an extreme anti-Saddām concoction!

A lady questioned another Egyptian, a graduate of al-Azhar, about her name. Mehjabīn. With full confidence, and without even saying it might be, he declared to the lady that her name is a corruption of Muhazzabīn – cultured males (plural). I pointed out that Meh is Persian for moon and jabīn is Arabic for forehead. He was not happy.

Some recommended names

Here follows some names I have recommended in the past, selecting names of Sahābah which I think are not being used and should be revived. Without prejudice to what I have stated above, spelling here is simply for elucidation. As many people might not be familiar with these names I have spelt them in a manner which will I hope will clarify the pronunciation.

Females:

Atheelah -high born/ strong-rooted - Ansaari lady who pledged allegiance to
Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - at least 3 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Arwaa - most pretty - aunt of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - at least 8 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Umaymah - little leader/little mother - verse 10 of Mumtahinah was revealed for her – at least 31 Sahaabiyaat had this name.
Barakah - blessings - only human to be with Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam for full 63 years from birth to death – at least 2 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Bareerah - desert flower - slave-girl of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam – at least 2 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Jaleelah - majestic - 1
Hassaanah - extremely beautiful/good - friend of Khadijah - 1
Khawlah - gift - famous warrior lady - 32
Durrah - pearl - sister-in-law of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
Rufaydah - little helper - first nurse in Islam, had mobile clinic at battles, hospital tent in Masjid Nabawi.

Males:

Rafi - lofty

Rifaa'ah -lofty
Ka'b - prominant
Qays - intelligent
Miqdaad - good physique
Urwah - someone to hold onto
Mugheerah - warrior
Nuaym - pleasure; whilst naeem is an Arabic word it was never used by the early generations as a name. Nuaym was very common. Most famous Nuaym -Nuaym bin Amr al-Ghatfāni رضى الله عنه  - read about  Battle of the Trench.

May Allah grant the day when we shall purify ourselves of all Shiah influence such as the unspoken ban on the name Yazeed (increase). At least 31 Sahaabah had this name.

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My Muslim name - my identity

By definition, a name declares an identity - be it of a country, an organisation or an individual.
The Qurān and Hadīth also emphasise this point. Consider that Allāh has al-Asmā al-Husnā  - the Best Names. When a name helps define or declare who someone is, surely the Greatest of all would have the Best Names. Another indication in the Qurān of the importance of names is that when Allāh conferred a son unto Zakarīyā 'alayhis salām, He also conferred the name - Yahyā - as an additional mark of honour.
al-Imām Abū Dawūd narrates that when someone embraced Islām, but had an Islamically offensive name, Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم  would immediately change his name. This should be clear evidence of the importance of establishing our Islamic identity through our names.

A Muslim keeps a wholesome name
By adding 'Abd in front of the Best Names, a Muslim proudly declares himself to be a slave of Allah, for example Abdul Khāliq. Whenever someone calls him, it is a reminder of his divine servitude. The Western habit of shortening names is most disturbing when Muslims omit 'abd from these names. To call another person in effect "Creator, All-Knowing, the Absolute Truth" etc  is impudence of the highest order and an insult to Allāh.
By naming our children after Prophets and pious men and women of the past, we hope to establish a role-model and wholesome guiding figure for the boy or girl.
A name with a good meaning is like a du'ā that the child, and eventual adult, acquires the good qualities embedded in that name.
A good Muslim name identifies one’s religion and facilitates easier connection with one’s co-coreligionists, especially when we live in the West.
Contrast this wholesome bounty of Islām with western naming practices. As long as a name sounds nice or a child is named after some family figure the western parent is satisfied. Consider how many Christian figures of the highest order are named "Mark" which means dedicated to Mars, the pagan Roman god of war. I personally know two Jewish Marks. Such apathy to the origin and meaning of a name is unimaginable to a Muslim guided by the Qurān, Hadīth and the ways shown by the pious.

Living in the West & Identity politics
An acquaintance recently reverted to using his pre-Islamic name. It is sad that he no longer wishes to be identified as a slave of the Ever-Victorious Allāh. I wish I knew why, but he is quite prickly over this issue and refuses to discuss why. When I vocalised the thought that he regarded an Arabic name as Arab/Asian imperialism he still gave no solid feedback.
Be that as it may, a Muslim living in the West faces tremendous pressure to assimilate and act western in all spheres. Some may not go to the extreme of changing their names, but identify themselves in such a way that it sounds, "cool and western" while still soothing their conscious that the "name" is somehow a Muslim name.
The argument goes that shortening names creates greater friendliness. Sure - as if your sense of friendliness, neighbourliness and   hospitality exceeds that of the Sahābah ضى الله عنهم. Whatever the merits or demerits of any of our opinions might be, let us ask in all honesty why these nicknames are not only "cool and western" but also so designed that they can pass for being a Christian name?

• Why for example would you insist on being cool, Christian-sounding Joe or Joey? Is it so embarrassing to be identified with Allāh's Nabī, Yūsuf 'alayhis salām?
• Allah has praised in His Book a man called Sulaymān. Why is it that a Jewish sounding Solly appeals more to you?
• I hope, I really hope, that I do not have to explain the beauty of the name Muhammad. Why are you so averse to Muhammad and call yourself Moe - a name which to me evokes the image of a red-neck, pot-bellied, beer-guzzler? Why keep a name you intend to desecrate?

Spelling, Language & History
I would encourage Muslims to start a move towards standardisation of spelling of names for the simple reason that many people who do not know Arabic rely upon the spelling of a word for pronunciation and hence pronounce a name incorrectly. Incorrect pronunciation in a delicate language like Arabic can have disastrous effects. A good starting point would be the elimination of our colonialist-orientalist legacy of the letters e and o. Arabic has three vowels. Stick to a, i and u. Mohamed is so British Raj. Please use Muhammad.

When choosing a name a certain amount of knowledge is required. Consult someone with knowledge of at least Arabic, Ḥadīth, Tafsīr and history before naming your child. Whilst Amānī  might be fashionable in certain circles, such parents should have been informed how the Qurān uses the word exclusively in reference to disbelievers doomed to Hell.

Again, if the Ummah were to take their effort to learn their history, Muslims of the Orient would not have named their daughters after Salmah son of al-Akwa‘رضى الله عنه. Similarly, Mumtāz and Kulthūm (even when mispronounced as Kulsūm) are masculine names.

Sālim (Saalim) was a common name amongst the Ṣaḥābah رضى الله عنهم. Salīm (Saleem) was not used as a name. I do not raise a question of permissibility or impermissibility, simply the point of which is more authentic and which was actually a name amongst the best of Muslims.

This kind of confusion is not exclusive to those of us living in the West. An Omani read a Ḥadīth about “Udayy bin Ḥātim.” I pointed out that whilst Udayy might be contemporarily more known due to Udayy, son of Saddām Husayn, the Ṣaḥābī was Adī, not ‘Udayy. Whilst he did reread the Ḥadīth, I got that patronising look which perhaps other western Muslims may have experienced – “whatever your lineage and studies might be, we know better than you by virtue of living in the Arab lands”.
When I mentioned this incident to an Egyptian, he brushed Adī aside as an extreme anti-Saddām concoction!

A lady questioned another Egyptian, a graduate of al-Azhar, about her name. Mehjabīn. With full confidence, and without even saying it might be, he declared to the lady that her name is a corruption of Muhazzabīn – cultured males (plural). I pointed out that Meh is Persian for moon and jabīn is Arabic for forehead. He was not happy.

Some recommended names
Here follows some names I have recommended in the past, selecting names of Sahābah which I think are not being used and should be revived. Without prejudice to what I have stated above, spelling here is simply for elucidation. As many people might not be familiar with these names I have spelt them in a manner which will I hope will clarify the pronunciation.

Females:
Atheelah -high born/ strong-rooted - Ansaari lady who pledged allegiance to
Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - at least 3 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Arwaa - most pretty - aunt of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - at least 8 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Umaymah - little leader/little mother - verse 10 of Mumtahinah was revealed for her – at least 31 Sahaabiyaat had this name.
Barakah - blessings - only human to be with Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam for full 63 years from birth to death – at least 2 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Bareerah - desert flower - slave-girl of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam – at least 2 Sahaabiyaat had
this name.
Jaleelah - majestic - 1
Hassaanah - extremely beautiful/good - friend of Khadijah - 1
Khawlah - gift - famous warrior lady - 32
Durrah - pearl - sister-in-law of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
Rufaydah - little helper - first nurse in Islam, had mobile clinic at battles, hospital tent in Masjid Nabawi.

Males:
Rafi - lofty
Rifaa'ah -lofty
Ka'b - prominant
Qays - intelligent
Miqdaad - good physique
Urwah - someone to hold onto
Mugheerah - warrior
Nuaym - pleasure; whilst naeem is an Arabic word it was never used by the early generations as a name. Nuaym was very common. Most famous Nuaym -Nuaym bin Amr al-Ghatfāni رضى الله عنه  - read about  Battle of the Trench.

May Allah grant the day when we shall purify ourselves of all Shiah influence such as the unspoken ban on the name Yazeed (increase). At least 31 Sahaabah had this name.

Petition Closed

Veterans of the heritage presevation struggle have informed me that although our petition is well intentioned, petitions only serve to provoke the authorites to further eradication of these sites. I am therefore closing the petition.

I do however encourage all Brothers and Sisters to continue creating awareness. Our lack of awareness is part of the problem.

If permission is received, I shall post the correspondence I received.

Save the endangered Haramayn Heritage!

Update 2: Veterans of the heritage presevation struggle have informed me that although our petition is well intentioned, petitions only serve to provoke the authorites to further eradication of these sites. I am therefore closing the petition.

I do however encourage all Brothers and Sisters to continue creating awareness. Our lack of awareness is part of the problem.

Update: Brother Ibrahim Musa will be hosting me on Channel Islam International to discuss this topic. Tuesday 30 Oct 2012, 21:15 Central African time.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A poet described his reason for kissing al-Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone at the Ka'bah) as an attempt to kiss "the kiss" of Allah's Beloved Rasūl صلى الله عليه و سلم who had placed his lips on it.

Of course, such poetic fancy has neither juristic basis nor real application. The Stone had split asunder centuries ago. Some people lose their rewards by violently shoving others aside to reach the Stone, all to merely kiss the casing which encloses the remains of the Stone.

That aside, as lovers of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم we can surely understand the emotions of the poet. The love a Muslim feels for Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم cannot be understood by non-Muslims. Such is his miracle, that centuries after his uttering a Hadith, interacting with some object or passing by some place, that Hadith, object or place can reduce his follower to tears; affect his tiniest actions such as the way he eats; or can be the cause of changing his entire life. (On the other hand, I still feel disgust at the phoney relics I saw at the Shaahi Masjid in Lahore. People who sell their religion for a few bucks... urgh!!!)

Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه paused during his journey because that was the place where Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم stopped to relieve himself. A jurist of the level of Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه certainly understood far better than us, that the essence and priority of the Sunnah lies in the beliefs, deeds and character of  Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم  not the place where he performed an action. Yet those who were in the blessed company of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم demonstrated their love to those places associated with Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم even if it was just the place of his toilet!

Allah, the Knower of the unseen, knew full well that there would be major logistic difficulties in fulfilling the Hajj after 14 centuries. In His infinite mercy He could have granted the Ummah license to perform the same rituals of  Hajj in their own homelands, or at least in their own continents. Allah however insists not only on commemorating the deeds of His friend Ibrahim alayhis salaam in the Hajj,  but the place of the deeds of Allah's Khaleel is also beloved unto Allah.

Your deeds are your rulers

The Haramayn (Makkah and al-Madinah) have seen many rulers over the centuries, including Rawaafid (Shi'ah). Yet at no point in history has the Ummah demonstrated such apathy to the heritage of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم as we do at present. The Ummah is more capable of proudly rattling off Manchester scores and which actor is fornicating with which actress, than being able to mention the wives and children of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم . Hence in line with the Hadith, "Your deeds are your rulers," Allah has placed such rulers over the Haramayn since 1923, who have systematically demolished all physical traces of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم.

For example, the house of our Mother, Khadijah رضي الله عنها , is now a toilet! Let me spell it out. The house Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم went to immediately after receiving his first revelation is now a place of urine. The house he would go to after being abused by the idolators and there receive the comfort of our Mother, is now a place of excreta. The house all his children were born in, except one, is now a place of filth, sewage and stench. It is to be hoped that this saddens a Muslim more than if Barcelona lost a match.

Makkah or New York?

The rulers of the Haramayn may have in  mind that they have millions of pilgrims to serve, and they require the space occupied by these heritage sites. Such may be their good intentions but consider the following:

• Millions of Catholics visit Rome. They are catered for without demolishing the Roman heritage sites, which are pagan, not Catholic.


• 95% of centuries old heritage sites in Makkah have been demolished in the past two decades alone. Why cannot the authorities consult with Ulama, architects, engineers, archeologists etc as to the best way to create utility without destroying the last few sites  related to Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم ?


• We have to be pragmatic. Change is a reality and a necessity. However, what is not necessary is to turn Makkah into another NewYork. Are there no Muslim architects who can help new developments blend into an Islamic Makkah instead of New York? As the Saudi architect Sami Angawi said about the Haramayn, " Both are historically almost finished. You do not find anything except skyscrapers."

Masjid al-Ghamaamah

We have recently performed our Eid Salaah. Are we aware that the new expansions in the Haramayn are putting the last sites associated with  Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم at risk, including Masjid al-Ghamaamah where Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم performed his Eid Salaah. once these last vestiges are removed, what trace of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم will remain in  the Haramayn. It is long overdue that the Ummah awakes to its responsibility and save what's left of the Haramayn heritage. If the ongoing New Yorkification of the Haramayn continues, future generations already imbued with Western culture, will find it impossible to identify with an Islamic past.

Call to Action

Ultimately nothing can change except through the command of Allah. Yet if we act, Allah's mercy might be drawn and He will change matters.

• More serious than buildings is our blatant ignorance and apathy in regards the biography of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم. Let us study the Seerah with the importance it deserves.


• Please sign this petition which will be sent to the Ministry of Culture.


• Kindly forward this article to other Muslims.


• Discuss the situation and create awareness amongst the Ummah. Utilise whatever platform you have at your disposal.


• Please leave your comment below. There are surely ideas you can present and your words as an Ummati will be appreciated as well.

May Allah grant us success in our endevours to link ourselves to Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم.

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Save the endangered Haramayn Heritage

 Please click to read on my new blog

Update: Brother Ibrahim Musa will be hosting me on Channel Islam International to discuss this topic. Tuesday 30 Oct 2012, 21:15 Central African time.

سليمان الكندي

Abusing Jesus - NO Innocence of Muslim leaders

Say: We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes; as well as what has been given to Moses and Jesus and what the Prophets received from their Cherishing-Lord. We do not discriminate against any of them. Unto Him do we submit.

[I use "Jesus" in this article instead of the Arabic Isa alayhis salaam. An explanation will be given later.]

Just for a moment imagine that a Muslim is free to allow others to abuse  Jesus (peace be upon him), let alone actually abusing him.  The average Muslim – I hope – cannot conceive of such a notion. He or she is raised to revere not only this sacred personality, but his family as well. The uneducated Muslim might not know of the many verses  and entire chapters of the Quraan devoted to them, but he will never utter their names without adding 'alayhis salaam - peace be upon him. He might not be able to quote extensive commentaries of the Quraan, but he will name his children after those about whom he is thoroughly convinced that Allah loves them. Thus I have a nephew called Isa and a cousin called Imraan (Mary's father) and that is indeed nothing unusual amongst Muslims.

A simple love that the common Muslim demonstrates, yet it is not always followed to its rightful conclusion by those who assume leadership of the masses. The enemies of Allah stoop to the lowest of levels in insulting Jesus, Prophet of Allah, but I have yet to hear a squeak of protest from Muslim leaders worshiping their own trinity of power, fame and wealth. it's as if they are saying, "Who's going to cheer for me and donate funds to me for defending the honour of Jesus peace be upon him? Nah! Not my problem!"

Corpus Christi

A play which abuses as a homosexual that sacred personality whom the Quraan calls Allah's Word and Spirit.  His Disciples are depicted in the same manner. When this American filth made its appearance in Athens in October 2012, some Greeks had the decency to be upset. Google this story and see the focus on lambasting the protestors as Nazis and Fascists. So what if they are Nazis? See how twisted man's mentality has become. Attack the protestors and act as if accusing Allah's friends of sodomy is a non-issue!

From an Islamic perspective we believe that we are the true inheritors of Jesus's legacy - peace be upon him. It should be us defending his honour. Corpus Christi is not new. A few years back I mentioned this play to a man with great political clout and who acts as a leader of Muslims. His reply? We can't look at every small little thing. In other words, "Who's going to cheer for me and donate funds to me for defending the honour of Jesus peace be upon him? Nah! Not my problem!"

"Small," the Muslim leadership says. Were the accusation of sodomy made against their fathers, would it be a "small, little thing"?

Piss Christ

Supposedly a work of art. A miscreant sub-human fills a glass with his urine. He places an image of Jesus peace be upon him in the urine. He takes a picture of this and what does the anti-Christ regime of America do? It contributes to his US$ 15,000 prize! Naturally some Christians are upset, but where's the protest from the servants of Islam?

Nah! Not my problem!We can't look at every small little thing.

Some even try to console themselves that this is only in regards "Jesus" NOT "Isa alayhis salaam", so it's not an Islamic issue. I'm not going down the path of even bothering to address such convoluted logic. I therefore acknowledge responsibility by using "Jesus".

Yet even if a Muslim deludes himself into thinking that  this does not concern us, surely those who are more political minded and not so sentimental can at least comprehend that if we support the Christians in their righteous grievance, they in turn will be more sympathetic to our grievance in regards the next Innocence of Muslims? Unfortunately when the heart is clouded the mind becomes clouded as well.

Jewish Comedians

The Jews simply cannot wait for the second coming of Jesus peace be upon him. They have already fired the opening salvos for the Battle of Lud. Jewish "comedy" is one of their weapons of choice. The following is supposed to be a "joke" of Sarah Silverman:

“I hope the Jews did kill Christ! I’d do it again! I’d f…’n do it again in a second!”

Haha???

The "comedian" Seinfeld has Larry David splash urine on the eye of a painting of Jesus peace be upon him. It's then supposed to be  joke that the Christian lady in the comedy thinks it's a miracle and the drop of urine is a tear-drop!

Do you find this funny or does your Islamic feelings call you to revolt against such a Satanic world obsessed with dumping Allah's beloveds in their toilets?

Nah! Not my problem!We can't look at every small little thing.

Once you allow these dark forces to mock the Prophets, they are free to mock Allah. How can a Muslim remain silent?

The same Silverman has sex with a man portrayed as being ALLAH in her 2011 feature, "The Morning After." "Allah" declares what a wonderful time he had with her and begs her to come with him!!!! I am fully aware that there will be those who will condemn me for even mentioning this and will sanctimoniously pronounce, "Quoting disbelief is also disbelief." Well, what are these pious folk doing when Allah and His Messengers are so filthily reviled? I'll tell you what, they are saying .......Nah! Not my problem!We can't look at every small little thing.

The above filths are but common examples of how demonic the media and western culture are. Those who wish to conduct further research will not be at loss for further examples. For me, even one of the above is enough.

Concluding remarks

• The fact that only a tiny percent of Christians express horror at the reviling of Prophets is proof in itself that Islam has inherited the legacy of Allah's Messengers. Christians have abdicated their role as slaves of Allah.


• At the same time, let us take lesson from the dignified approach of the sincere Christians, for that is supposed to be our way. Did the Christians kill an innocent ambassador for any of the above the way we did?


• The average Muslim loves the Prophets and would be furious if he knew of their ill-treatment. He is just not informed enough of what is happening.


• Our leaders have not fulfilled their duty, be it Muslim countries, political parties, community forums or scholars. Groups such as Hamas and the Taliban should remember that if they truly espouse an Islamic state, an Islamic state is responsible for treating its Christian inhabitants with dignity. Blasphemy is not limited to insulting Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.  If opposing abuse of Jesus peace be upon him is intolerance, then I'm proudly intolerant.


• If any of the above Muslims have actually defended the Prophets then do inform me, a retraction is in order, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.


• I thank two Christian gentlemen for having the guts to defend the dignity of one of Islam's Prophets, Jesus peace be upon him. It is my sincere hope that Nathanael Kapner and Commander Joseph Cortina be blessed with belief in the Final Messenger, Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, as well.

                                                                                                                    [polldaddy poll=6619509]

Abusing Jesus – NO Innocence of Muslim leaders

as salaamu alaykum

This article is posted in my new blog, please click  to read. I am giving wordpress a shot. With more than 12,000 hits, somebody is definitely reading this blog, but only TEN comments (which includes my replies)? Feel like I'm speaking to myself.

Well, wordpress is supposed to be more interactive for the reader, so here goes.....




سليمان الكندي

-------------------------------------------------

update 18 March 2013:

Seems wordpress is not reader friendly....

Say: We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes; as well as what has been given to Moses and Jesus and what the Prophets received from their Cherishing-Lord. We do not discriminate against any of them. Unto Him do we submit.

[I use "Jesus" in this article instead of the Arabic Isa alayhis salaam. An explanation will be given later.]

Just for a moment imagine that a Muslim is free to allow others to abuse  Jesus (peace be upon him), let alone actually abusing him.  The average Muslim – I hope – cannot conceive of such a notion. He or she is raised to revere not only this sacred personality, but his family as well. The uneducated Muslim might not know of the many verses  and entire chapters of the Quraan devoted to them, but he will never utter their names without adding 'alayhis salaam - peace be upon him. He might not be able to quote extensive commentaries of the Quraan, but he will name his children after those about whom he is thoroughly convinced that Allah loves them. Thus I have a nephew called Isa and a cousin called Imraan (Mary's father) and that is indeed nothing unusual amongst Muslims.

A simple love that the common Muslim demonstrates, yet it is not always followed to its rightful conclusion by those who assume leadership of the masses. The enemies of Allah stoop to the lowest of levels in insulting Jesus, Prophet of Allah, but I have yet to hear a squeak of protest from Muslim leaders worshiping their own trinity of power, fame and wealth. it's as if they are saying, "Who's going to cheer for me and donate funds to me for defending the honour of Jesus peace be upon him? Nah! Not my problem!"

Corpus Christi

A play which abuses as a homosexual that sacred personality whom the Quraan calls Allah's Word and Spirit.  His Disciples are depicted in the same manner. When this American filth made its appearance in Athens in October 2012, some Greeks had the decency to be upset. Google this story and see the focus on lambasting the protestors as Nazis and Fascists. So what if they are Nazis? See how twisted man's mentality has become. Attack the protestors and act as if accusing Allah's friends of sodomy is a non-issue!

From an Islamic perspective we believe that we are the true inheritors of Jesus's legacy - peace be upon him. It should be us defending his honour. Corpus Christi is not new. A few years back I mentioned this play to a man with great political clout and who acts as a leader of Muslims. His reply? We can't look at every small little thing. In other words, "Who's going to cheer for me and donate funds to me for defending the honour of Jesus peace be upon him? Nah! Not my problem!"

"Small," the Muslim leadership says. Were the accusation of sodomy made against their fathers, would it be a "small, little thing"?

Piss Christ

Supposedly a work of art. A miscreant sub-human fills a glass with his urine. He places an image of Jesus peace be upon him in the urine. He takes a picture of this and what does the anti-Christ regime of America do? It contributes to his US$ 15,000 prize! Naturally some Christians are upset, but where's the protest from the servants of Islam?

Nah! Not my problem!We can't look at every small little thing.

Some even try to console themselves that this is only in regards "Jesus" NOT "Isa alayhis salaam", so it's not an Islamic issue. I'm not going down the path of even bothering to address such convoluted logic. I therefore acknowledge responsibility by using "Jesus".

Yet even if a Muslim deludes himself into thinking that  this does not concern us, surely those who are more political minded and not so sentimental can at least comprehend that if we support the Christians in their righteous grievance, they in turn will be more sympathetic to our grievance in regards the next Innocence of Muslims? Unfortunately when the heart is clouded the mind becomes clouded as well.

Jewish Comedians

The Jews simply cannot wait for the second coming of Jesus peace be upon him. They have already fired the opening salvos for the Battle of Lud. Jewish "comedy" is one of their weapons of choice. The following is supposed to be a "joke" of Sarah Silverman:

“I hope the Jews did kill Christ! I’d do it again! I’d f…’n do it again in a second!”

Haha???

The "comedian" Seinfeld has Larry David splash urine on the eye of a painting of Jesus peace be upon him. It's then supposed to be  joke that the Christian lady in the comedy thinks it's a miracle and the drop of urine is a tear-drop!

Do you find this funny or does your Islamic feelings call you to revolt against such a Satanic world obsessed with dumping Allah's beloveds in their toilets?

Nah! Not my problem!We can't look at every small little thing.

Once you allow these dark forces to mock the Prophets, they are free to mock Allah. How can a Muslim remain silent?

The same Silverman has sex with a man portrayed as being ALLAH in her 2011 feature, "The Morning After." "Allah" declares what a wonderful time he had with her and begs her to come with him!!!! I am fully aware that there will be those who will condemn me for even mentioning this and will sanctimoniously pronounce, "Quoting disbelief is also disbelief." Well, what are these pious folk doing when Allah and His Messengers are so filthily reviled? I'll tell you what, they are saying .......Nah! Not my problem!We can't look at every small little thing.

The above filths are but common examples of how demonic the media and western culture are. Those who wish to conduct further research will not be at loss for further examples. For me, even one of the above is enough.

Concluding remarks

• The fact that only a tiny percent of Christians express horror at the reviling of Prophets is proof in itself that Islam has inherited the legacy of Allah's Messengers. Christians have abdicated their role as slaves of Allah.
• At the same time, let us take lesson from the dignified approach of the sincere Christians, for that is supposed to be our way. Did the Christians kill an innocent ambassador for any of the above the way we did?
• The average Muslim loves the Prophets and would be furious if he knew of their ill-treatment. He is just not informed enough of what is happening.
• Our leaders have not fulfilled their duty, be it Muslim countries, political parties, community forums or scholars. Groups such as Hamas and the Taliban should remember that if they truly espouse an Islamic state, an Islamic state is responsible for treating its Christian inhabitants with dignity. Blasphemy is not limited to insulting Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.  If opposing abuse of Jesus peace be upon him is intolerance, then I'm proudly intolerant.
• If any of the above Muslims have actually defended the Prophets then do inform me, a retraction is in order, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
• I thank two Christian gentlemen for having the guts to defend the dignity of one of Islam's Prophets, Jesus peace be upon him. It is my sincere hope that Nathanael Kapner and Commander Joseph Cortina be blessed with belief in the Final Messenger, Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, as well.

                                                                                                              

  

Innocence of Muslims - how would Rasūlullāh react?

That any true Muslim feels hurt at this latest assault on the honour of the Beloved Nabī صلى الله عليه و سلم needs no elucidation. The same would hold true for any honest person that the West has double standards when it comes to freedom of speech. Attack Islām, that’s fine, but question “the holocaust,” Darwinism or the claim that human civilisation is only 6000 years old, you could face a range of punishments from imprisonment, academic character assassination or loss of a job.

Now let us stop imitating the Jews as we do with so many other things. Stop moaning, “Oh! The world is against us and we are so helpless and innocent!” Let us ask what does the faith we profess to follow ask us to do in these trying situations.

1       Respond to slander with facts, not emotion

When we are attacked, we always respond emotionally and forget the actual argument. This is contrary to the principles of the Qurān. For example, when the Quraysh accused Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم of acquiring the Qurān from a monk, not Allāh, the response was not, “How dare you accuse me, when you know I am truthful!” Instead, the reply was a clear logical statement that the monk was a foreigner who could not possibly compose the fluent Arabic of the Qurān.

Indeed We know that they say, “A man teaches it to him!” The tongue of him to whom they wickedly refer is foreign, whilst this is a clear Arabic tongue. [an-Naḥl: 103]

2.       Adversity is an opportunity to increase  good deeds

Indeed We know that your chest is constricted because of what they say. But you should instead recite the purity and praise of your Lord and be amongst those who prostrate. [al-Ḥijr: 97-98]

Thus if adversity and grief led Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم to increase in good deeds, how are we exempt? Let us do some soul searching and ask if running around screaming, “Death to America,” benefits the image of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم in any way. Is it not embarrassing that the West can smugly say, “See! We accuse their Prophet of violence and they respond with violence!”


If I truly love Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم should I not act in the light of the above verse and increase my recitation of salutations [Arabic: Ṣalawāt; Persian: Darūd] upon Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم ? The Hadith teaches us that angels convey our greetings to him. Would that prove more profitable to our relationship to him when we meet on the Day of Qiyāmah or would “Death to America"?

Practically, how does my life and appearance conform to the man I claim to be honouring with my protests? Does my lifestyle resemble his, or that of the filmmakers? Condemning others is always easier than trying to reform oneself.

3.       No soul bears the burden of another [az-Zumar: 7]

Did the US ambassador make the film, or even know about its production? Please pray tell how we justify such killings in the name of the religion of peace. Perpetuating disbelief is worse than the shedding of blood. May Allāh save us from such acts which serve no purpose other than to tarnish the image of Islām and repulse people who might otherwise have been inclined to it. 

4.       There are etiquettes to dialogue

Uncouth behaviour from others does not excuse us from obeying the Qurān, especially when we are directing our response at parties innocent of the movie, “Do not debate the People of the Book except in a better way, except for those amongst them who do wrong.” [al-‘Ankabūt:46].


When the Jews, thinking themselves to be smart, greeted  Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم with a blurring between, "as-salaamu alaykum," (peace be upon you) and "as-saamu alaykum" (death unto you) our Mother, Aishah رضى الله عنها became furious. Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم however remained calm and replied, "And on you." Whatever they intended was replied to without resorting to their manners. 

Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم courteously addressed foreign dignitaries including the Byzantine Emperor, Heraclius Caesar, whom he addressed as, “Heraclius, great of Rome.” Make no mistake - Heraclius was a far greater enemy of Allāh than George Bush could ever dream of.  Rasūlullāh  صلى الله عليه و سلم clearly declared that by rejecting Islām, Heraclius was to condemn his Empire to disbelief. The burden of the rest of Europe, the Americas, Australia etc is the eventual result of him rejecting the truth despite knowing it. Yet he was not deprived of due courtesy.

Not only have we shamed Islām in the murder of a foreign dignitary, we have helped erase the accomplishments of our forefathers. There are academics in the West who are honest enough to admit that the entire concept of International Law and certain of its specifics were born from Islāmic jurisprudence. Would those jurists have justified the slaying of an innocent diplomat? The fruits of their labours have been erased.

5.       Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم was practical and looked at the bigger picture

When they were about to sign the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyah, the Quraysh objected to the phrase, “Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh.” They would only consent to, “Muḥammad, son of ‘Abdullāh.” The Muslims were most upset, and refused. Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم  however personally erased the phrase. He knew that there were bigger issues at hand.

Muslim historians record that as a result of his foresight, obstacles to preaching Islām were removed and more people entered Islām in the following two years than in the previous 19 years of Islām. That would not have been achieved had Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم been stubborn over the wording of the Treaty. He had vision and looked at the bigger picture.

The bigger picture for us is that even this filth could have had one positive aspect of creating curiosity amongst disbelievers. We could have seized the opportunity to explain the beautiful character and teachings of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم to our friends, colleagues, neighbours and the media. Instead we reveal our ignorance about the greatest personality who has the most detailed biography ever in human history. How many Muslims can describe this personality to their neighbours for even 5 minutes?


The words,  “Muḥammad, Messenger of Allāh,” holds a special place in the heart of every Muslim, but let emotion not cloud our judgement and make us lose our opportunity of Ḥudaybiyah and the deeper message of Muḥammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

To negate Jihaad is disbelief, but remember that there are various forms of Jihaad. Feel hurt, but follow his example.

سليمان الكندي

Innocence of Muslims - how would Rasūlullāh react?

That any true Muslim feels hurt at this latest assault on the honour of the Beloved Nabī صلى الله عليه و سلم needs no elucidation. The same would hold true for any honest person that the West has double standards when it comes to freedom of speech. Attack Islām, that’s fine, but question “the holocaust,” Darwinism or the claim that human civilisation is only 6000 years old, you could face a range of punishments from imprisonment, academic character assassination or loss of a job.

Now let us stop imitating the Jews as we do with so many other things. Stop moaning, “Oh! The world is against us and we are so helpless and innocent!” Let us ask what does the faith we profess to follow ask us to do in these trying situations.

1       Respond to slander with facts, not emotion

When we are attacked, we always respond emotionally and forget the actual argument. This is contrary to the principles of the Qurān. For example, when the Quraysh accused Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم of acquiring the Qurān from a monk, not Allāh, the response was not, “How dare you accuse me, when you know I am truthful!” Instead, the reply was a clear logical statement that the monk was a foreigner who could not possibly compose the fluent Arabic of the Qurān.

Indeed We know that they say, “A man teaches it to him!” The tongue of him to whom they wickedly refer is foreign, whilst this is a clear Arabic tongue. [an-Naḥl: 103]

2.       Adversity is an opportunity to increase  good deeds

Indeed We know that your chest is constricted because of what they say. But you should instead recite the purity and praise of your Lord and be amongst those who prostrate. [al-Ḥijr: 97-98]

Thus if adversity and grief led Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم to increase in good deeds, how are we exempt? Let us do some soul searching and ask if running around screaming, “Death to America,” benefits the image of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم in any way. Is it not embarrassing that the West can smugly say, “See! We accuse their Prophet of violence and they respond with violence!”


If I truly love Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم should I not act in the light of the above verse and increase my recitation of salutations [Arabic: Ṣalawāt; Persian: Darūd] upon Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم ? The Hadith teaches us that angels convey our greetings to him. Would that prove more profitable to our relationship to him when we meet on the Day of Qiyāmah or would “Death to America"?

Practically, how does my life and appearance conform to the man I claim to be honouring with my protests? Does my lifestyle resemble his, or that of the filmmakers? Condemning others is always easier than trying to reform oneself.

3.       No soul bears the burden of another [az-Zumar: 7]

Did the US ambassador make the film, or even know about its production? Please pray tell how we justify such killings in the name of the religion of peace. Perpetuating disbelief is worse than the shedding of blood. May Allāh save us from such acts which serve no purpose other than to tarnish the image of Islām and repulse people who might otherwise have been inclined to it. 

4.       There are etiquettes to dialogue

Uncouth behaviour from others does not excuse us from obeying the Qurān, especially when we are directing our response at parties innocent of the movie, “Do not debate the People of the Book except in a better way, except for those amongst them who do wrong.” [al-‘Ankabūt:46].


When the Jews, thinking themselves to be smart, greeted  Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم with a blurring between, "as-salaamu alaykum," (peace be upon you) and "as-saamu alaykum" (death unto you) our Mother, Aishah رضى الله عنها became furious. Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم however remained calm and replied, "And on you." Whatever they intended was replied to without resorting to their manners. 

Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم courteously addressed foreign dignitaries including the Byzantine Emperor, Heraclius Caesar, whom he addressed as, “Heraclius, great of Rome.” Make no mistake - Heraclius was a far greater enemy of Allāh than George Bush could ever dream of.  Rasūlullāh  صلى الله عليه و سلم clearly declared that by rejecting Islām, Heraclius was to condemn his Empire to disbelief. The burden of the rest of Europe, the Americas, Australia etc is the eventual result of him rejecting the truth despite knowing it. Yet he was not deprived of due courtesy.

Not only have we shamed Islām in the murder of a foreign dignitary, we have helped erase the accomplishments of our forefathers. There are academics in the West who are honest enough to admit that the entire concept of International Law and certain of its specifics were born from Islāmic jurisprudence. Would those jurists have justified the slaying of an innocent diplomat? The fruits of their labours have been erased.

5.       Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم was practical and looked at the bigger picture

When they were about to sign the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyah, the Quraysh objected to the phrase, “Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh.” They would only consent to, “Muḥammad, son of ‘Abdullāh.” The Muslims were most upset, and refused. Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم   however personally erased the phrase. He knew that there were bigger issues at hand.

Muslim historians record that as a result of his foresight, obstacles to preaching Islām were removed and more people entered Islām in the following two years than in the previous 19 years of Islām. That would not have been achieved had Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم been stubborn over the wording of the Treaty. He had vision and looked at the bigger picture.

The bigger picture for us is that even this filth could have had one positive aspect of creating curiosity amongst disbelievers. We could have seized the opportunity to explain the beautiful character and teachings of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه و سلم to our friends, colleagues, neighbours and the media. Instead we reveal our ignorance about the greatest personality who has the most detailed biography ever in human history. How many Muslims can describe this personality to their neighbours for even 5 minutes?


The words,  “Muḥammad, Messenger of Allāh,” holds a special place in the heart of every Muslim, but let emotion not cloud our judgement and make us lose our opportunity of Ḥudaybiyah and the deeper message of Muḥammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

To negate Jihaad is disbelief, but remember that there are various forms of Jihaad. Feel hurt, but follow his example.

سليمان الكندي

Surah Saad - Sad state of the separated Ummah

 عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال :

  غزونا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لست عشرة مضت من رمضان ، فمنا من صام ومنا من أفطر ،فلم يعب الصائم على المفطر ، ولا المفطر على الصائم

Abu Saeed al-Khudri (radiyallahu anhu) narrates:

 “We waged battle at the side of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم when 16 days of Ramdaan had passed. Some of us fasted and some did not. Neither did those who fasted find fault with those who did not fast; nor did those who did not fast find fault with those who fasted.” [Muslim]

Another Ramadaan has passed, and inshallah we have all achieved our aims. Major themes of the month are of course Taqwa, empathy for one's fellow human being, patience etc


The above incident of respect for difference of opinions at the Battle of Badr might not be  a primary objective of the month,  yet the fact is that  occurred during Ramadaan as well, in the sacred presence of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. No aspect of his sacred life is insignificant. As such, Ramadaan should also be a time when the Ummah  renews their commitment to respecting each others' opinions, as long as the view expressed is not clearly opposed to the principles of Shari'ah.

Sadly, we all know that this is not the case. Every Muslim country, school of thought, organisation, tribe, family and individual is  an authority unto themselves, in effect ignoring the ultimate sovereignty of Allah. If I declare myself to be correct and perfect in all matters, "my way or the highway" have I not claimed partnership with Allah al-Haqq as-Subbuh? 

An incident this Ramadaan demonstrated to me how incurably petty the Ummah still is. As a practitioner of Shafi'i Fiqh, I do not prostrate at the recitation of Surah Saad. Herewith link to the juristic discussion with a brief translation.

I have practised according the school I observe and never imposed this issue on others. This Ramadaan a Hanafi Imaam of a Masjid discussed the issue with me, mentioning a ruling he had received. He declared that he would announce this ruling in order to educate the Shafi'i members of the community.  

I reflected that if a Hanafi is willing to educate others, my silence in the face of theological chauvinism was not justified.  I mentioned the matter to the Hanafi Imaam at the Masjid I was observing Taraaweeh and asked would he felt about him making a similar announcement. He said that I should make the announcement and I did so.

He later informed me that some Hanafi "Ulama" had approached him. They were upset and insisted that they had never heard of something like this before.

Whether one prostrates or not during Saad is a juristic discussion, which might or might not hold significance to some. What should however concern all of us are the facts this incident brought to light:

•  This Ummah has some  scholars who have such fossilised mentalities that they can paraphrase the idolatrous Egyptian response to Musa 'alayhis salaam as a proof, "We have never heard of this from our forebears of old!" [al-Qasas: 36]
• They regard such an attitude as a virtue!
• They are not content with stifling opinion in their own school, but consider it the greatest act of worship to impose their will and views on other schools as well.
• Scholars are apparently exempt from seeking proof for rulings and can substitute query with gossip. 
• Tolerance was for the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum. Our opinions are apparently so elevated that all must toe the line.
• Ramdaan is all about the individual. Nobody has the foresight to ponder how detrimental the effects of our intolerance are upon the already fragmented Ummah.

There are chauvinists and tolerant folk amongst all groups. If the article creates the impression that I am targeting a specific group, then I seek Allah's forgiveness. The aim is to draw attention to a disease which must be remedied. If we cannot train ourselves to behave as Ummatis of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, even during Ramadaan, what does this pose for our future?











سليمان الكندي