Palestine by another name will not smell the same

روى أحمد وأبو ليلى حديثا من سمى المدينة يثرب فليستغفر الله، وهي طابة وفي رواية فليستغفر الله ثلاثا . 

Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “He who calls al-Madīnah Yathrib should seek Allāh’s forgiveness. Indeed she is Ṭābah (the Pure City).” [Aḥmad]

Another narration says, “He should seek Allāh’s forgiveness thrice.”

The colonisation of the lands of Islam is an undeniable fact. What few wish to acknowledge is that colonialism was so thorough that even the religious amongst us need to examine if our minds belong to Allāh or do we automatically fall into the paradigm which the colonial masters have set? For example, let’s discuss the issue of substance versus terminology. A great proportion of Muslims would feel more at ease paraphrasing Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet rather than referring to Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم . They nod as if they are sages of the era and exclaim, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Case closed.

There are two problems with this:

1.      That a Kāfir’s words should be our primary point of reference is indeed horrifying, even if the words be true. Do we not realise that we have displaced Allāh and His Rasūl صلى الله عليه وسلم from our minds? Are we not slaves of Allāh – body, mind and soul?

2.      There is indeed a principle in Islāmic law that substance overweighs terminology, but this is not all-encompassing. The above Ḥadīth is one of several in which Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم  indicates that reality is influenced by terminology. Otherwise why the offence at “Yathrib” versus “al-Madīnah”?

The offence he felt at the term, “Yathrib” is further demonstrated by the narration of al-Ḥākim in his Ta’rīkh, “The recompense for one who calls al-Madīnah Yathrib is that he says, ‘al-Madīnah’ ten times.”

So important is correct terminology that Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم  was not shy to change a term he himself had previously used. He said, “If they knew what is in ‘Atmah and Ṣubḥ they would come to them even if they had to crawl.” [Muslim] Yet we were later prohibited from using that term ‘Atmah as a lowly term of the Bedouins for their time of milking their camels. We are to use the word ‘Ishā’ [Muslim]

The Kuffār understand the importance of correct terminology having an effect on reality. Note the vicious dispute between Greece and Macedonia over the latter’s name. Greece only recognises Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia NOT Macedonia!

By ignoring the teachings of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم  we have allowed our enemies to dictate the terms of dialogue unto us, until we have lost the plot. Listening to Prof ‘Abdul ‘Azīz ‘Amr who had been imprisoned and tortured for 12 years, I noted his avoidance of the term, “Israel.” How can he use the term which Allāh had conferred upon His Nabī Ya‘qūb ‘alayhis salām in reference to those “Zionist criminals” as he called them, who had so viciously tortured him and still keep him from his home and family (in Baytul Muqaddas NOT Jerusalem)? The professor used the term, “Zionist entity” when referring to the illegal occupation of ALL Palestine.

This was the attitude of Muslims for a long period after 1948. Today one even hears a Muslim radio station mention, “Temple Mount,” instead of al-Ḥaram ash-Sharīf. So brainwashed are we that our words give the sacred Masjid away to become a Jewish temple.

 Yes, the treatment of our brethren is of great concern – whether in Palestine or elsewhere. Yes, confiscation of Muslim lands is of concern – whether in Palestine or elsewhere. However, by dropping terms of protest such as, “Zionist entity” we have allowed the enemy to dictate unto us the terms of discussion. We have lost the plot and express outrage at the uprooting of olive trees. How dare they?!!!

O slaves of Allāh! That is not the point! Were they to leave every tree alone, not arrest any Palestinian, not break a single bone of a single child we are still obliged to heed the original issue – Palestine belongs to Islām and the illegitimate terrorist entity has no place there, not even in the eyes of honest Jews and Christians who have always been welcome in the lands of Islām.  They already dominate the media, so they deny these atrocities even exist. By making the atrocities the sole topic of debate, the Muslims have helped end the debate.

Palestine – or a more beautiful term I prefer is Masran Nabī (the land where the Nabī صلى الله عليه وسلم  made his Isrā’) will be liberated, but first the tongues and minds of Muslim need liberation. 

سليمان الكندي

Othello & the Mental Dichotomy of Muslim intelligentsia

The following is in no way a judgement on the personal piety of any Muslim, but is simply a call to attention to the dichotomy Muslims follow, whether pious or not.

Leaving the Masjid after the 29^th Taraweeh, I passed the Imam’s son. He was telling a friend that they would be writing a test on Othello. “The Shakespeare story about the Muslim?” I asked.

I was met with blank stares as if I had asked, “Did they teach you that the moon is really made of cheese?”

Me: Did your teacher never tell you that Othello was a Muslim?

Student: No.

Me: Did you come across the word, “Moor” in the book?

Student: Yes.

Me: So did your teacher never explain how the Europeans used this word for Muslims?

Student: No.

Me: And you never asked what it means either?

Student: No.

Me: That’s amazing. The one book of Shakespeare mentioning a Muslim and that is not explained at the so-called Muslim school!

Student: But my teacher is quite geared up. She did English for 25 years at university.

Me: I don’t care if it’s a million years. They only tell you what they are programmed to do.

Student’s friend: They can only think in the box.

At last! A boy with intelligence! I hugged him and left.

The reader might fairly ask, “What’s the big deal?” The incident and Othello are not big deals, but the problem they reflect is a big deal. Here we have a situation where a “Muslim” school has an opportunity to discuss Muslims and Islam whilst still meeting the state’s syllabus requirements but the word “Muslim” is never even mentioned. What degrees are acquired in 25 years I do not know, but would one with much lesser qualifications not feel the need to explain a word which let alone appears in the book, but is actually part of the title, “Othello, the Moor of Venice.”?

The big deal is the dichotomy of Muslim intelligentsia, the separation of their religion and career into two distinct compartments. Muslims most certainly have to acquire mastery in every permissible field. The problem is that often this mastery is never used in service of Dien, but only for one’s personal career. Were Muslims to win the Nobel Prize in every field, in no way would the glory of Islam be elevated, simply because the winners would not see it as such.

There is no need for the Dichotomy the West has invented and which our Muslim youth slavishly ape. There is no reason why a university graduate cannot implement his knowledge with the outlook of a slave of Allah. Have you ever heard of a Muslim doctor, filled with awe, telling his fellow guests at a wedding how he sees the signs of his Creator in the human body? Have you ever heard of an architect advising a Muslim client on matters of Qiblah; separate entrances for females for when they’d host gatherings; or an Ibaadah room or area? Have you ever heard of a Muslim businessman channelling his investments (not charity) in such a way that the Ummah can benefit at the same time e.g. setting up a Halaal gelatine facility?

If you have, I would love to hear from you. Perhaps it just so happens that I have only heard of Muslim intelligentsia who are victims of this dichotomy, whilst the overwhelming majority whom I do not know are actually epitomes of the mantra of the past few decades, “Islam is a complete way of life,” or have coloured themselves with Islamic vision as Allah says in al-Baqarah: 138, “The colouring of Allah! Who is better in colouring than Allah! And we are His worshippers!”

One of the best examples I know of a professional coloured in Allah-vision is the chemist of Damascus. (Here chemist means an expert in chemistry, not the South African word for pharmacist). The Crusaders advanced with wooden siege towers against Akka. The Muslim defenders shot Greek Fire at the towers, but the Crusaders had devised a coating making the wood resistant to the Greek Fire. A chemist from Damascus who had settled in Akka informed Salaahudien rahimahullah that he had discovered a component which when added to the Greek Fire, would penetrate the Crusader coating. His invention proved effective. Salaahudien rahimahullah summoned him to reward him. He replied, “The only reward I desire is the pleasure of Allah.”

All I witness though, is a dichotomy so strong, that even when a reference is made to Islam in the title of a book, the teacher at a “Muslim” school is pre-programmed to be blind to it.

سليمان الكندي

Othello & the Mental Dichotomy of Muslim intelligentsia

The following is in no way a judgement on the personal piety of any Muslim, but is simply a call to attention to the dichotomy Muslims follow, whether pious or not.

Leaving the Masjid after the 29^th Taraweeh, I passed the Imam’s son. He was telling a friend that they would be writing a test on Othello. “The Shakespeare story about the Muslim?” I asked.

I was met with blank stares as if I had asked, “Did they teach you that the moon is really made of cheese?”

Me: Did your teacher never tell you that Othello was a Muslim?

Student: No.

Me: Did you come across the word, “Moor” in the book?

Student: Yes.

Me: So did your teacher never explain how the Europeans used this word for Muslims?

Student: No.

Me: And you never asked what it means either?

Student: No.

Me: That’s amazing. The one book of Shakespeare mentioning a Muslim and that is not explained at the so-called Muslim school!

Student: But my teacher is quite geared up. She did English for 25 years at university.

Me: I don’t care if it’s a million years. They only tell you what they are programmed to do.

Student’s friend: They can only think in the box.

At last! A boy with intelligence! I hugged him and left.

The reader might fairly ask, “What’s the big deal?” The incident and Othello are not big deals, but the problem they reflect is a big deal. Here we have a situation where a “Muslim” school has an opportunity to discuss Muslims and Islam whilst still meeting the state’s syllabus requirements but the word “Muslim” is never even mentioned. What degrees are acquired in 25 years I do not know, but would one with much lesser qualifications not feel the need to explain a word which let alone appears in the book, but is actually part of the title, “Othello, the Moor of Venice.”?

The big deal is the dichotomy of Muslim intelligentsia, the separation of their religion and career into two distinct compartments. Muslims most certainly have to acquire mastery in every permissible field. The problem is that often this mastery is never used in service of Dien, but only for one’s personal career. Were Muslims to win the Nobel Prize in every field, in no way would the glory of Islam be elevated, simply because the winners would not see it as such.

There is no need for the Dichotomy the West has invented and which our Muslim youth slavishly ape. There is no reason why a university graduate cannot implement his knowledge with the outlook of a slave of Allah. Have you ever heard of a Muslim doctor, filled with awe, telling his fellow guests at a wedding how he sees the signs of his Creator in the human body? Have you ever heard of an architect advising a Muslim client on matters of Qiblah; separate entrances for females for when they’d host gatherings; or an Ibaadah room or area? Have you ever heard of a Muslim businessman channelling his investments (not charity) in such a way that the Ummah can benefit at the same time e.g. setting up a Halaal gelatine facility?

If you have, I would love to hear from you. Perhaps it just so happens that I have only heard of Muslim intelligentsia who are victims of this dichotomy, whilst the overwhelming majority whom I do not know are actually epitomes of the mantra of the past few decades, “Islam is a complete way of life,” or have coloured themselves with Islamic vision as Allah says in al-Baqarah: 138, “The colouring of Allah! Who is better in colouring than Allah! And we are His worshippers!”

One of the best examples I know of a professional coloured in Allah-vision is the chemist of Damascus. (Here chemist means an expert in chemistry, not the South African word for pharmacist). The Crusaders advanced with wooden siege towers against Akka. The Muslim defenders shot Greek Fire at the towers, but the Crusaders had devised a coating making the wood resistant to the Greek Fire. A chemist from Damascus who had settled in Akka informed Salaahudien rahimahullah that he had discovered a component which when added to the Greek Fire, would penetrate the Crusader coating. His invention proved effective. Salaahudien rahimahullah summoned him to reward him. He replied, “The only reward I desire is the pleasure of Allah.”

All I witness though, is a dichotomy so strong, that even when a reference is made to Islam in the title of a book, the teacher at a “Muslim” school is pre-programmed to be blind to it.

سليمان الكندي