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