Eloquence and Majesty of a Book

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, Most Merciful

 It is late spring and the weather has been rather cool lately. Today it has been a little warmer. There are approximately 800 people - men, women and children - crammed into a mosque to attend a unique program. So the temperature inside is rising. The program is just about to put a different dimension on the “heat”.  In daily sessions, lasting 3 hours, for the next 13 days the Quran will be translated (into English) to the public word-for-word. Yes, “translations” of the Quran are available in various languages but this program, in the manner of presentation, is unique.

It’s Day 1. Barely an hour into the program, there is a small break. Then there is an announcement. A 19-year old girl, who came as a guest of a friend, declares her shahadah, i.e. she declares her faith and her acceptance of Islam. What did she hear that was so profound? What impact did the atmosphere have? Situations like these are not unique. Situations where people are exposed to Quran and accept Islam is not unique. The part of the Quran this girl would have heard was about Moses (peace be upon him) and the Jews – yet it somehow impacted.

Here was a case recently where someone attended a Islamic exhibition purely out of curiosity. He hears the recitation of Quran (in Arabic) – not understanding a word he is touched by it. He enquires about its meaning and declares his shahadah.

These are but two examples of the effect Quran has on people. There are countless. Those sincere in seeking the truth will no doubt be touched by it. The style and beauty of Quran is without comparison for it is none other than the words of a superior being, the Lord of the worlds, the Creator of us all.

I have recently listened to a lecture where this “pastor” tried to refute Quran, but alas the more he tried the more he confirmed it to be the truth. He questioned the preservation of Quran but he did not count on the fact the Quran is an oral text. He did not consider that Quran was memorised and guarded in the hearts of people from the very first revelation of Quran more than 1400 years ago. How amazing that the majority people (millions of them) who today have memorised Quran are non-Arabs who may not understand Arabic. It’s difficult enough to memorise something in one’s own language let alone 6236 verses in a foreign language. This is the medium the Almighty has chosen to preserve His word. Children from 3-4 years old and older people into their seventies are memorising Quran. No other book has withstood the test of time. No other book has the eloquence that even the pagan Arabs who at the height of their poetic era had to acknowledge that these words are from a superior being. The style and manner in which it was first recited is very much still preserved and taught.

The program continues. Speaker after speaker, people who teach Quran and yet in each one there is still a hint of being mesmerised by this book every time they talk about this Glorious book. The emotions on the faces of the audience is a picture to behold and a reflection of one’s own heart and emotions.

And in the end it, this program, is a reminder of the first five verses revealed by Allaah to Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – via angel Gabriel –peace be upon him in the cave of Hira on  the Mountain of Light on the outskirts of Mecca more than 1400 years ago:

Read [O Muhammad!] in the name of your Lord who created. (96.1) He created man from a clot. (96.2) Read, and your Lord is the Most Honorable (96.3) who taught with the pen, (96.4) taught man what he did not know. (96.5)

Quran – 96: 1-5

We need to do ourselves this favour and read this book

The Wheel of Time is spinning

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Sitting on a ferris wheel how quickly did you complete the circuit and see you are back at the start. You continue circuit after circuit and before long your time is done. Aw man – already?

Just a little ealier I heard the now all too familiar conversation about time and where has the year gone. Indeed where? It’s gone, never to return except for some snippet we hold in our memories, never to be relived or reclaimed. A year has gone like the circuit of the ferris wheel. With each circuit another year has passed. How much have we benefited ourselves? How much of this benefit is short-term and how much is the real long-term benefit?

We are on the threshold of a new year  (the Islamic/Hijri new year is in a day or two while we are only a month away from 2012 CE). As Muslims we celebrate our new year by fasting on the 9^th and 10^th days of the new year (in the month of Muharram). This is an optional fast but a strongly recommended fast. There are no wild celebrations/parties, no music, no street parades, but rather a reconnection with the Creator. With the Mercy of our Lord at every turn, days like these are reminders of that Mercy. And why should we not pick the fruits of that Mercy by concerning ourselves with dialling 255224 – oh by the way that is “ALLAAH”  - and committing your pledge – your pledge of time for doing good, your pledge for giving more charity, your pledge of being mindful of time, your pledge for getting involved with those who do good)

So to my Non-Muslim friends: We do not celebrate your new year since we have our own. We celebrate differently to the way you do. We leave you to do what you do. We do not wait for midnight like you do, we do not pop the corks (no alcohol), we do not party (jiving or whatever you may call it). So you will find us in our homes and/or mosques when you are celebrating your new year. We trust too though that your new years resolutions will give consideration to the real issues at hand while,sadly, in a time of ecstacy that we forget the suffering and oppression.

As we receive news of change in weather patterns, the political turmoil in specifically the Arab world, the financial crisis in Europe, and even our own home-grown problems – is this not the time to reflect?

Have you noticed that you are getting older and have you noticed that many people that you knew, some older and some younger, have departed from this world just this past year. Where have they gone? Where will they be going? How much time do you have left on this earth and where will you be going after this? Have you scripted a book that will be a best-seller at the grand opening of the Garden of Bliss?

The ferris wheel is turning and the sands of time is running out.  Soon the doors of 1433 AH (after Hijrah) and 2012AD will open and the doors to their predecessors shut. In a blink you will read this message again and the numbers would have changed (forward). Will you be asking “what happened?” in a sleepy voice.

My Mother

Blessed am I that you have been chosen as my mother

With every action with love you do smother

How is it that even though with the difficulty that you bore me

Not once did you ask of me not the slightest of fee

No doubt strict you were and never short of a rule

But learn I had to as certainly you were to me a school

Today you have reached yet another milestone

And still an opportunity for my disobedience to atone

Now, My Lord knows, how I wish to you I was an ideal son

So I offer to make amends and pray you reach a ton

And judging by your good health I pray it’s really so

Having you is like having a river of blessing that flow

I say these words being fortunate still to have a mother

And not a chance that I could ever swop you for another

As much as you have done for me I have a request

Since by my Lord the prayer of a mother is always blessed

Please, o please forgive me for whatever I did that made you sad

And I urge you pray to our Lord that He erases all my bad

In turn, daily with every opportunity, I continue to pray

That ultimately that you be granted paradise as a place to stay

Before then that He grants you good health and long life

Filled with much happiness and not an iota of strife

Mom, just for being Mom, how can I ever thank you

Mom I love you, I do I do I really really do

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The poet said: “The mother is a school: if you prepare her properly, you will prepare an entire people of good character, The mother is the first teacher, foremost among them, and the best of teachers.”

Diwan Hafiz Ibrahim, 282. Published by Dar al-Kutub al-Misriyyah.

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Success

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.

- Benjamin Franklin

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Success is not something to be taken lightly. And, yes, we all have different perceptions of success. Much has been made of collecting trophies. And the old saying: “nobody remembers the one who comes second” is a damning attitude and certainly impacts most people negatively and very few positively. It is easy to say that someone who does not have a positive attitude is a loser. The reality though is this attitude of winning at all costs is creating losers as they are marginalised. But then there is also the majority who refuses to compete lest they become losers and these are the real losers for they have made no contribution except that perhaps the largest amount of criticism that generally emanates from this group.

I am not bashing trophy-hunting – rather there is certainly a need for excellence and competition – but the damning issue is winning at all costs – and this happens on all fronts – sports, politics, business, education, and even in civil society (the old adage “keeping up with the Joneses”).

But what about caring and sharing – what about striving for excellence unselfishly. What about encouragement – what about the idea of participation rather than exclusion – what about rewarding real effort as opposed to only achievement. What about collective achievement drawing upon the efforts of all.

It for this reason that Allah spells out in Quran what success is and that simply is those who strives, those who put in effort to improve – those are the successful ones.

Quran: 23:1-11

1. Successful indeed are the believers.

2. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness.

3. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden).

4. And those who pay the Zakat.

5. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts).

6. Except from their wives or (slaves) that their right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame;

7. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors;

8. Those who are faithfully true to their Amanat (all the duties which Allah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts) and to their covenants;

9 And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawat (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours).

10. These are indeed the inheritors.

11. Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever.

We are all generally weak and so we get measured on what we achieved as being a success or a failure. But the successful one is one who gets up after he/she has missed the mark and continues in their efforts to improve and to be a benefit to their families and society at large. Yes, we may falter – but the success is in continuing to put at least a 100% effort in everything of good we do and to turn our backs and negativity, to turn our backs on laziness, to turn our backs on complacency, to turn our backs on gossip, evil, and falsehood.

Success is in being positive and putting effort into building up rather than breaking down.

O Euro, Woe Euro, So Euro

There once was a man called Berlusconi

Whose plans for his country was somewhat phoney

So with his country in despair he had to step aside

For the Italian economy has problems it seems he denied

In the neighbourhood was a man called Sarkozy

He knew that in the Euro all was not rosy

So in his plan it is the banks  he must bail

A mammoth task but for him the  Euro can’t fail

On the other side we have Greece with Papedemos

As of yesterday he is the new boss

Aware is he that Greece is on a slippery slide

Out of Euro they’ll be if they don’t stop the tide

And not forgetting Chancellor Angela Merkel

The Germans are not to be left out of the circle

Would that they still had the Deutsche Mark

Because this situation is certainly no walk in the park

In all this is for us a lesson to be learnt

Lest we too, God-forbid,  get our fingers burnt

So the message is simply “live not beyond your means”

We all must,  even those with demanding teens

Wonders of the World

By now you may know whether Table Mountain on the southern tip of Africa is a “wonder” of the world. This acknowledgement is sought largely as a boost for tourism. Tourism contributes 7.4% to the GDP of South Africa (see http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/tourism.htm ). We have seen though the impact of the global financial crisis of 2008 impact tourism worldwide. The latest crisis in Europe where countries are on the brink of collapse is certainly casting a nervous and negative spell on the rest of the world. The current situation has only further muted economic recovery in even South Africa. Tourism has no doubt suffered as much has been blamed on the fallout from SWC 2010. But the reality is that SWC2010 was a welcome boost to tourism which artificially improved the situation. In fact, some may argue that SWC 2010 did not reach the levels of tourism/fans that were originally expected.

The one country that has not suffered in all this time is Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is home to the sacred Muslim sites. The consistency of the number of pilgrims has shown the importance attached to this journey. This happens in the face of difficult global financial situations we have and are now experiencing. This happens even when the commercial interests of service providers such as airlines are evident when prices peak at Hajj time. This therefore is an indication that Mecca ( where the Sacred mosque and first place of worship is found) is in itself a wonder of the world. What is indeed a wonder is that this call to attend the pilgrimage was made thousands of years ago by a man called Abraham (Ebrahim - Alayhi assalam).

Table Mountain, as a wonder of the world, is a sign of the acknowledgement of the Majesty of our Creator. We have no choice but to consider it a wonder of the world irrespective of any one person’s or group’s view on the matter. We are already and continue to be grateful to the Almighty for everything and no doubt for the beautiful country we live in and too that we are fortunate to live in the shadow of this beautiful mountain.

We have to know though that the wonders of the world cannot be restricted to seven, but this number pales into insignificance to the reality of the multitude of wonders of the world.

Those who remember Allâh (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.(Quran: 3:191 aal-imran)

see table mountain: http://www.sa-venues.com/table_mountain.htm

Spirit of Tolerance in Islam

Spirit of Tolerance in Islam

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh Council ofNorth America

as-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
(To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow, let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do invite (them) to your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Way. If they do wrangle with you, say, 'God knows best what it is you are doing.' 'God will judge between you on the Day of Judgment concerning the matters in which you differ') (Al-Hajj 21:76-69).
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,  we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty. Islam teaches tolerance on all levels: individual, groups and states. Tolerance is the mechanism that upholds human rights and the rule of law. The Qur'an says very clearly:

Intolerance is on the increase in the world today, causing death, genocide, violence, religious persecution as well as confrontations on different levels. Sometimes it is racial and ethnic, sometimes it is religious and ideological, other times it is political and social. In every situation it is evil and painful. How can we solve the problem of intolerance? How can we assert our own beliefs and positions without being intolerant to others? How can we bring tolerance into the world today?
I would like to discuss some of these issues from an Islamic point of view.

What is tolerance? Literally the word "tolerance" means "to bear." As a concept it means "respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of the world’s cultures, forms of expression and ways of being human." In Arabic it is called "tasamuh". There are also other words that give similar meanings, such as "Hilm" (forbearance) or "'`afu" (pardon, forgiveness) or "safh" (overlooking, disregarding). In the Persian and Urdu languages, we use the word "rawadari" which comes from "rawa" meaning "acceptable or bearable" and "dashtan" meaning "to hold". Thus it means to hold something acceptable or bearable.

Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty. It does not mean "concession, condescension or indulgence." It does not mean lack of principles, or lack of seriousness about one's principles. Sometimes it is said, "people are tolerant of things that they do not care about." But this is not the case in Islam. Tolerance according to Islam does not mean that we believe that all religions are the same. It does not mean that we do not believe in the supremacy of Islam over other faiths and ideologies. It does not mean that we do not convey the message of Islam to others and do not wish them to become Muslims.

The UNESCO principles on tolerance say:

"Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behavior and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one's views are not to be imposed on others."

Tolerance comes from our recognition of:

1. the dignity of the human beings,
2. the basic equality of all human beings,
3. universal human rights, and
4. fundamental freedom of thought, conscience and belief.

The Qur'an speaks about the basic dignity of all human beings. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke about the equality of all human beings, regardless of their race, color, language or ethnic background. Shari`ah recognizes the rights of all people to life, property, family, honor and conscience.

Islam emphasizes the establishment of equality and justice, both of these values cannot be established without some degree of tolerance. Islam recognized from the very beginning the principle of freedom of belief or freedom of religion. It said very clearly that it is not allowed to have any coercion in the matters of faith and belief. The Qur'an says, (There is no compulsion in religion) (Al-Baqarah 2:256).

If in the matters of religion, coercion is not permissible, then by implication one can say that in other matters of cultures and other worldly practices it is also not acceptable. In surat Ash-Shura Allah says to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), (If then they turn away, We have not sent you as a guard over them. Your duty is but to convey (the Message)…) (Ash-Shura 42:48). In another place Allah says, (Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. Your Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance) (An-Nahl 16:125).

Further, Allah says to the Believers, (Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and beware (of evil): if you do turn back, know then that it is Our Messenger's duty to proclaim (the Message) in the clearest manner) (Al-Ma’idah 5:92).

One can also cite Allah's words: (Say: 'Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message)) (An-Nur 24:54).

All these verses give note that Muslims do not coerce people; they must present the message to them in the most cogent and clear way, invite them to the truth and do their best in presenting and conveying the message of God to humanity, but it is up to people to accept or not to accept. Allah says, (And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whosoever wants let him believe and whosoever wants let him deny’) (An-Nahl 16:29).

The question then comes: If Allah gave choice to believe or not to believe, then why did He punish the people of Prophet Nuh, the `Ad, the Thamud, the people of Prophet Lut, the people of Prophet Shu`ayb and Pharaoh and his followers? The answer is in the Qur'an itself. Those people were not punished simply because of their disbelief. They were punished because they had become oppressors. They committed aggression against the righteous, and stopped others to come to the way of Allah. There were many in the world who denied Allah, but Allah did not punish every one. Ibn Taymiyyah, the outstanding Muslim scholar, said, "The states may live long in spite of their people's unbelief (kufr), but they cannot live long when their people become oppressors."

Another question is raised about Jihad. Some people say, "Is it not the duty of Muslims to make Jihad?" But the purpose of Jihad is not to convert people to Islam. Allah says, (No compulsion in religion) (Al-Baqarah 2:256). The real purpose of Jihad is to remove injustice and aggression. Muslims are allowed to keep good relations with non-Muslims. Allah says, (Allah does not forbid you that you show kindness and deal justly with those who did not fight you in your religion and did not drive you out from your homes…) (Al-Mumtahinah 60:8).

Islam teaches that fighting is only against those who fight. Allah says, (Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors) (Al-Baqarah 2:190).

Islam may tolerate anything, but it teaches zero tolerance for injustice, oppression, and violation of the rights of other human beings. Allah says, (And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from Yourside one who will protect; and raise for us from Yourside one who will help!') (An-Nisaa' 4:75).

Islam teaches tolerance on all levels: individual, groups and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the mechanism that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), and the rule of law. The Qur'an says very clearly: (To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow, let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do invite (them) to your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Way. If they do wrangle with you, say, 'God knows best what it is you are doing.' 'God will judge between you on the Day of Judgment concerning the matters in which you differ') (Al-Hajj 21:76-69).There are many levels of tolerance:

a. Between family members, between husband and wife, between parents and children, between siblings etc.

b. Tolerance between the members of the community: tolerance in views and opinions, tolerance between the madhahib (Islamic Juristic Schools).

c. Tolerance between Muslims and the people of other faiths (interfaith relations, dialogue and cooperation).Muslims have been generally very tolerant people. We must emphasize this virtue among us and in the world today. Tolerance is needed among our communities: We must foster tolerance through deliberate policies and efforts. Our centers should be multi-ethnic. We should teach our children respect of each other. We should not generalize about other races and cultures. We should have more exchange visits and meetings with each other. Even marriages should be encouraged among Muslims of different ethnic groups.With non-Muslims we should have dialogue and good relations, but we cannot accept things that are contrary to our religion. We should inform them what is acceptable to us and what is not. With more information, I am sure the respect will develop and more cooperation will develop.

And Allah knows Best

Amnesty

AMNESTY

The call has been made. It is my turn to apply for amnesty. I have travelled a long way to attend this conference. The crowd is large and growing. This amnesty of a lifetime is for one day only. Those not called here can apply for minor amnesties.

I am certainly dressed for the occasion. My garb is simple. If you will look carefully, I am the one dressed in two pieces of cloth. Oh my, and so is everyone else. So this is the dress-code of this convention. I do carry another garb and the one which I, with much help, have sewn onto my self.

I have done the registration at a place nearby. I spent the day there yesterday. This was quite important as it allowed me to check myself one last time before that important appearance and application for amnesty.

Now the time has arrived. How long do I have? What am I to say? I step forward. A thin layer of cloud has dimmed the heat of the sun. The moment though does cause me to perspire somewhat. I raise my hands and present myself finally: “Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner.

All Praise be to the Lord of the worlds. Peace and Blessing upon Our Leader, Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his friends and all those who follow him until the appointed time.

O our Lord, we have harmed ourselves and if You, O Allaah, do not forgive us we will certainly be of the lost ones.”

These words seeking forgiveness, first uttered by our father Aadam (peace be upon him) in the very place I am now, brings fear to me as I wondering whether I am deserved, yet there is hope because these words were accepted from Aadam (Peace be upon him)

My words are interspersed with trying to control my tears which by now is streaming down my cheeks. My beard is soaked and my voice even I cannot recognise. How fortunate am I to be Muslim and how more fortunate am I to be given this opportunity. If I pass here, and I continue to wear my garb tightly, the garb of taqwa, the garb of God-consciousness, then perhaps the next time I present myself to my Lord, that ultimate time, that perhaps then my passage on that day will be easy.

How did I commit so much sin, O my Lord, I have been oblivious of you when you have blessed me with much. I cannot thank You enough, but please please dear Lord, do not forsake me. I am but weak, and I humbly present myself to Thee. Cleanse me O Lord, Cleanse me, Forgive me and show mercy to me. O My Lord have mercy on  my parents as they showed mercy on me when I was little. And as they have grown old, make me one that show mercy to them.

O my Lord, our dear children, take care of them, and make them standard-bearers for Islam until the end of time. O Lord, You know we live in difficult times, make us and them the strangers that Your Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke about (when he- peace be upon him- said "Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.")

O My Lord, Thou who are Most Merciful, forgive us, our wives, our brothers, our sisters, our children, our families, our friends and all Muslims.

Let not my actions be in vain, please O Lord accept from me.

As those not here have been involved in the minor amnesty through their fasting and other acts of worship, what a truly amazing day.

The feeling though, the feeling standing there on the plains of ‘Arafah, can never truly be explained, it has to be experienced. If for no other reason, that feeling of that day alone makes me long to repeat my Hajj.

The unity of the Ummah is captured on this day when we stand before the Almighty as equals. Certainly we need to inculcate that into our lives.

The Mercy of our Lord is certainly understood on that day. Certainly, it is something we need to seek out every day and Praise Him who is Most Merciful.

To those currently on Hajj, We pray that Allaah Almighty accepts from them their standing and repenting on ‘Arafah. To those not there we pray that your wuqoof through your fasting is accepted and that you too may be forgiven.

For those who have not been there, may Allaah increase in you that desire to present yourself on this glorious day and may He indeed make it a reality for you.

For those who have been there, no doubt you still have that yearning, may He, the Most High, make it easy that we may yet have another opportunity.

“Here I am, O Allaah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner.

All Praise be to the Lord of the worlds. Peace and Blessing upon Our Leader, Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his friends and all those who follow him until the appointed time.

O our Lord, we have harmed ourselves and if You, O Allaah, do not forgive us we will certainly be of the lost ones.”

Allahumma taqabbal minnaa wa minkum