Peace Talk

12th Rabiul Awal

2012-02-01T10:26:00.001-08:00

The month of Rabiul Awwal is with us and brings with it a great joy for the Muslim Ummah. It was this month in which the blessed Prophet was born. Hafidh Ibn Kathir mentions that it is the opinion held by the majority of scholars that the Prophet ﷺ was born on a Monday, in Rabbi'ul-Awwal, (in the year 571 CE) (Al-Bidayah wa'n Nihaya (2/260)

In an authentic hadith the Prophet ﷺ responded with why he fasted on Mondays by saying, "It was on this day that revelation came down to me" (Muslim).

This Month is often used to remember the great favour Allah (swt) showered us with by making us the Ummati of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. In the Masjids there are beautiful reminders of the birth, life and character of the Prophet which instils an un-comparable tranquillity in the hearts of those who listen and serves as a reminder as to who is the most dearest to us in our lives. Allah says in the Quran in Surah Ahzab

"The Prophet (saws) is closer to the believers than their ownselves" (Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 6)

Discussions around Rabiul Awwal

Many will use this month as a month of seeking knowledge about the Prophets life. Many have raised objections to singling out this month as a special occasion of worship. In this process, heated arguments and debates may surface on the validity of commemorating the day the Prophet was born.

None of these are new issues and in fact have been tackled by scholars of various persuasions who lived under an Islamic System and resolved jurisprudential issues like these based on Daleel (evidence) presented.

The spirit of discussion did not fracture the Unity of Muslims on core issues. Neither did they busy themselves condemning each other. The key focus still remained that Islam be the reference point for all actions, both personal and societal.

Scholarly Approaches

Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book "Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii" allocated a special chapter "The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid" where he said:

"In my view the Milad is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Qu'ran to the extent that is easy. Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction. This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is a Bid'ah Hasanah (good Innovation) and those arranging it will get blessing, since in such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and his birth".

Ibn Tay'miah, a key Historical scholarly figurehead for many said in his book "Necessity of the Right Path", the following:

"As far as what people do during the Milad, either as a rival celebration to that which the Christian do during the time of Christ's birthday or as an expression of their love and admiration and a sign of praise for the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him), Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ijtihad" (p. 266, published by Dar Al-Hadith)

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Milad Shareef. His reply was:

"Milad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts of virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in it (i.e. Sometimes acts of virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of abomination). If in the Milad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts of abomination are abstained from, then the Milad Shareef is a Bid'ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise not."

Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:

"May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person who takes the days of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) was born, as days of feast and celebration for doing so is the best cure for the heart of an ailing person."

The debates will continue on this topic. The Ulama respected each others opinions as any ijtihad (extracted ruling) which has a semblance of daleel is still considered an ijtihad based upon the Knowledge and abilities of the scholar who issued the ruling.

However, the Ulama of the past had bigger issues to worry about related to the implementation of Islam in State and society which were Qat'i (definitive) matters and not Dhann'i (Speculative), open to interpretation.

Forgetting the Key Message?

If the year 2011 was witnessed by the same scholars of the early generations their jaws would drop at the condition of the Ummah. Whilst Muslims continue with a historical debate on the commemoration of the day of Birth of the Prophet, Islamic law is completely suspended in State life!

There is great remembrance in this month about the Prophet and his character, the various miraculous incidents where even the animals came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the love people had for him.

But what was the Prophet sent for? What was his mission? What did he bring for us? These are questions which sometimes are lost in the discussion

Corrupt Un-Islamic Regimes

Right in front of us What the Prophet stood for, practiced and conveyed about Implementing Islam to create that just, balanced and harmonious society for all is being attacked by secular fundamentalists within Muslim Countries whose Qibla has changed from Mecca to Washington and London. How can we remain silent in Rabiul Awaal? The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

"A day under a just leader is better than sixty years of worship, while the hadd (proscribed punishment) established on the earth according to its right is better than forty days of rain"(Bayhaqi/ Tabarani)

Do we have just leaders who rule by Islam exclusively today? Are we following the Prophet s orders on Ruling and politics as prescribed in the hadith above?

Muslims Violated

In front of us, Muslim Countries are allowing belligerent foreign powers to harm Muslims right under the noses of these rulers under the guise of War on Terror yet they remain silent.

Aafia Siddiqui was kidnapped in Karachi and handed over by Pakistani Security services to the US. Thousands of innocents have been killed in Drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan while Uzbekistan boils it political opponents, Egypt and Libya electrocute its people who stand against tyranny and Saudi Arabia gives sanctity to rulers like Ben Ali who fought harshly against Islam and Muslims in Tunisia as President! The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

"The wiping away of the World means less to Allah than a Believer to be killed unjustly" (Ibn Maja)

Aren't those who are being slaughtered the followers of the Prophet?

Islam is Missing

The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

"The knots of Islam will be undone one by one, each time a knot is undone the next one will be grasped, the first to be undone will be the Ruling and the last will be Prayer" (Hakim/ Ahmed)

Right in front of us Islam is suspended, There is NO ruling by Islam in the Muslim countries. Why is there no stand against this violation of of what our Prophet bought to us?

There is great emphasis on following the sunnah (example) of the Prophet but is limited to the discussions on the beard, imama and juba/Shalwar kameez. Yet the Sunnah is also a source of law in Jurisprudence that is referred to extract rulings such that they can be implemented on Society (trade, Marriage, contracts, education, government, social issues).

Where is the Sunnah implemented? Where is the Challenge to these regimes to implement this law exclusively? Didn't the Prophet warn us against Silence on these issues? The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

"If the people witness an oppressor and they do not take him by his hands (to prevent him) then they are close to Allah covering them all with punishment" (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, ibn Maja)

Rabiul Awwal- Our duty

Who is the The Holy Prophet ﷺ for us we must ask? What is our relationship to him today? What is his message? What was the Holy Prophet ﷺ sent for? What is his Sunnah?

We must find the answers for these questions. We need to learn about the Holy Prophet ﷺ's Life, educate ourselves with the rules of Islam the Prophet bought us and we must work for that change which The Holy Prophet ﷺ desired and Struggled for in his life.

There is corruption around us in the Muslim World which is being left un-challenged. There is social decay directed by the government who believe that Western Social values are better than Islam (which they state is old and backward) and have created a society where Free-mixing, sleeping around and consuming alcohol are seen as 'lifestyle choices'

How can we remain silent against these criminal regimes?

The Khilafah is off the world map. This is the mechanism by which Islam is implemented just like an ink pen which requires the ink and the pen to be able to write. Similarly, no Khilafah means that Islam is suspended!

Rabiul Awwal- The month of Change

Rabiul Awwal should not be treated just like a holy month where dhikr is made and durood and Salam is sent to the Prophet in abundance. Rather this needs to be the month where we connect to the revolutionary mission of the Prophet to establish Islam.

The Holy Prophet ﷺ said "By the One who my soul is in His Hand, the Hour will not be established until Allah sends rulers who are liars, and ministers who are immoral, and supporters who are traitors, and knowledgeable people who are oppressors, and readers (of Quran) who are sinful, their appearance is like the appearance of holy people, and their hearts are more rotten than dead meat, their desires are different and so Allah will send upon themfitna which will cover them in darkness and so they will be destroyed therein. By the One who the soul of Mohammad biyadihi, Islam will be taken away part by part, until it is not even said Allah Allah.

You will (must) enjoin the good, and you will (must) forbid the evil, or Allah will make sovereign over you the worst of you, who will afflict you with the worst of punishment, then the best of you will make Du'a and it will not be answered. You will (must) enjoin the good, and you will (must) forbid the evil, or Allah will send against you those who will have no mercy to your young and no respect for your elderly (Ibn Qayyim)

Without a shadow of doubt, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gives us our identity and paves out a path for what we are to do in life. Had it not been for the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , our lives would be empty, meaningless and we would not have understood our role in life or made sense of our existence on this dunya(material world).

This circle (halaqa) will highlight the significant events of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ birth right up to before he ﷺ received revelation from the heavens from the Lord of the Universe and the owner of the Last Day.

The Miraculous Birth Of The Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet ﷺ was born during the year of the Elephant (al-fil), when king Abraha tried to destroy the Ka'bah. Born on a Monday, in Rabbi'ul-Awwal, in the year 571 CE. Ibn Kathir noted that this is the opinion that is held by the majority of scholars (Al-Bidayah wa'n Nihaya (2/260)

In an authentic hadith the Prophet ﷺ responded with why he fasted on Mondays by saying, "It was on this day that revelation came down to me" (Muslim).

Allah (swt) sent the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to earth the day a man tried to destroy the Ka'bah. It would be this very Ka'bah that millions across the world would be prostrating towards daily across the globe as a reference to their prayers to their Lord and it was the last Nabi (prophet), Muhammad ﷺ who would be the saviour of Bait-Ullah, the House of Allah.

These miraculous events continue with the Prophet's ﷺ noble birth. Ibn Sa'd reported that Holy Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ Mother, Amina (ra) said: "When he was born, there was a light that issued out of my pudendum and lit the palaces of Syria." On the authority of 'Arbadh bin Sariya Ahmad reported a similar hadith. (Mukhtasar Seerat-ur-Rasool, p.12; Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd 1/63).

The holy Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ mother felt no delivery pain like other women felt. It was a miraculous birth unlike any other and marked a turning point in history to what the world was going to witness.

Abu Lahab Frees Slave-Girl Thuwayba

The birth of the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ brought joy, even to those who later became the staunch enemies of Islam. Even Abu Lahab, Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ paternal uncle was overjoyed at his nephew's birth, only later to despise his message. 'Ursa Narrates that Thuwayba was the slave girl of Abu Lahab. When the Abu Lahab heard the news of the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ he raised his hand and pointed his finger to Thuwaiba and said 'you are no longer a slave and are now a free girl'.

When Abu Lahab died, one of his relatives, Al-Abbas (ra) – another uncle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – dreamt that Abu Lahab was in a very bad state and asked him, "What have you encountered (after death)?" Abu Lahab replied in the dream, "I have not found any rest since I left you, except that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that is because of my freeing Thuwayba." [Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, (Book of Marriage, kitab Al Nikah, no. 38).

If this is the respite that a vehement disbeliever in Islam gained then what of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who do believe in his message, and try their level best to practice thedeen in this life? What will be their abode in the next life!

The Blessings With Halimah

The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was blessed from birth; he bought fortunes and great news wherever he went. He was the Beloved of Allah and Allah (swt) opened the gates for him wherever he went.

Immediately after the Prophet's ﷺ birth, as per custom, women came from afar on their annual trip to Makkah to nurse the children of the Qurayshi tribe. This was the profession of many women and there was good pay in it.

Traditions relate how after all the women had selected their children of high-earning households, one woman was left - Halimah (ra), and only the baby Muhammad ﷺ, the orphan (yateem) from a poor household, was available. Halima (ra) had no choice but to request nursing Muhammad ﷺ and upon doing so, the whole of her household were favoured by successive strokes of good fortune. She narrated herself:

"It was a year of drought and famine and we had nothing to eat. By Allah we could not get even a drop of milk (from the cattle). We could not have a wink of sleep during the night for (my) child kept crying on account of hunger. There was not enough milk in my breast and even the she-camel had nothing to feed him. We reached Makkah looking for children to suckle. Not even a single woman amongst us accepted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered to her.

When I lifted him in my arms and returned to my place I put him on my breast I found enough milk in (it was overflowing). He drank to his heart's content, and so did his foster brother and then both of them went to sleep. My husband then went to the she-camel to milk it and, to his astonishment, he found plenty of milk in it. He milked it and we drank to our fill, and enjoyed a sound sleep during the night".

Best Of Creation

The lineage of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the 'Best of the Best' as he came from the line of all prophets dating back to Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Adam (as). He was born into the most powerful tribe of Banu-Hashim from the Quraish; his unmatchable heritage and noble character made him the 'Khair-ul-khalqila' - the best of creation. Allah only chooses the best to give His message of humanity's salvation and uses such people of rank to illuminate the way forward for success in this life and the next. Despite having no father – a claim of status and protection in 6^thcentury Makkah – and living as a shepherd boy, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was Divinely chosen to lift people from the jahiliyah (ignorance) lifestyle.

The Prophet ﷺ affirmed this, "Verily Allah chose Kinanah from the children of Ismail, He chose Quraish from Kinanah; from the Quraish he chose the children of Hashim (as the best), and from Hashim he choose me," (Muslim no.2276) .

Important Events In The Life Of The Prophet ﷺ

During childhood, more events unfolded in Allah (swt)'s Glorious plan to prepare his beloved for Prophethood. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was 12 years old he accompanied his uncle Abu-Talib to Ash-Shaam (modern day Syria). During the trip Abu-Talib realised that his nephew had mature qualities, he was a special boy and so began to take extra care in protecting him.

Abu-Musa al-Ashari said, "they (Muhammad ﷺ and Abu-Talib) unpacked near a monastery and made camp. The monastry monk (Bahira) came out, which was strange, since in the past, he would never come out to them whenever they passed him and would never look or pay attention to them. The monk took the Prophet's hand and remarked,

"This is the chief of all created beings; this is the Messenger of the Lord of all that exists. Allah has sent him as a mercy to all created beings." The chiefs of Quraish asked, "And how do you know this?" He replied, "When you overlooked this spot from the mountain road, every tree and stone (in this area) fell down in prostration. And they perform prostration only for a prophet. And verily, I recognise him (i.e. as being the awaited prophet) by the seal of the Prophethood that is like an apple (in shape) and that is situated beneath the soft bone of his shoulder".

Those who hadn't even heard of Islam yet were testifying to the stature, character and signs of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. How can it be that we as believers don't value this?

The Character Of The Prophet

Even before the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was given his prophethood, he was known among his people as 'Al‐Ameen', the Trustworthy. People would entrust him above others with their valuables when they wanted to travel. He was also known as 'As‐Saddiq' - the Truthful, for he never told a lie. He was well mannered, well‐spoken, and loved to assist people in need. He was loved by children, women spoke of his modest personality, and he never cheated people or hurt the weak.

His people therefore loved and revered him for his many beautiful traits and good manners and he commanded respect amongst all. In fact, people would come to him to resolve their disputes such as his well-known resolution for the tribal ownership over the Black Stone (hajar al-aswad); he advised all four Makkan tribes to place the stone on a piece of cloth, take a corner and carry it over to the rightful place at the Ka'bah. Peace was restored once again.

The Prophet ﷺ And Khadijah

It was these sacrosanct qualities that got the attention of his wife-to-be Khadijah (ra). As an employee of Khadijah (ra) the businesswoman, he travelled to Syria as a merchant, aged 25. Ibn Ishaq reported that Khadijah, was a business-woman of great honour and fortune. When Khadijah (ra) was informed of Muhammad's ﷺ truthful nature, great honesty and kind manners, especially his trading skills during the business trip, she asked her friend to send for him [Ibn Hisham 1/187,188]. She was pleased with his conduct and business affairs, and after sending a proposal to him, married him.

Key Points To Ponder

Indeed, without a shadow of doubt, the noble character of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was part of Allah (swt)'s plan for the people He chooses. Such was the preparation that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not given the opportunity to indulge in the social bad actions prior to and during his Prophethood.

Despite living in a society rich with idol worship where people associated partners with Allah (swt), the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never worshipped idols and kept his faith in one Illah (God) – in Allah – pure!

The social scene which was rife with illicit relationships, lewd behaviour and alcohol was something the Prophet ﷺ never went near, to the extent that Allah put him to sleep to avoid the parties and celebrations where this behaviour took place.

Ibn Al-Katheer reported the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "I have never tried to do what my people do except for two times. Every time Allah intervened and checked me from doing so and I never did that again. Once I told my fellow-shepherd to take care of my sheep when we were in the upper part of Makkah. I wanted to go down to Makkah and entertain myself as the young men did. I went down to the first house of Makkah where I heard music. I entered and asked: 'What is this?' Someone answered: 'It is a wedding party.' I sat down and listened but soon went into deep sleep. I was awakened by the heat of the sun. I went back to my fellow-shepherd and told him of what had happened to me. I have never tried it again." (Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, A Rapid Review of Muhammad's Biography before Commissioning of the Prophethood)

The strong atmosphere did not hinder the Prophet ﷺ from his own principled thinking where he would rather seek refuge in the mountains and steep into deep thinking, and reflect upon nature, signs of Allah, and the corrupt society he lived in.

Why Did The Quraish Initially Not Feel Challenged?

An interesting point is that people were well aware that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not participate in their practices but revered him for his outstanding and un-tarnished character. They were versed with his moral principles, on his truthfulness, his kindness, his eagerness in helping people and on his un-willingness to take part in the corrupt behaviours of Quraishi society. So why did the Quraish not feel threatened by him then?

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before his prophethood did not approve of the jahil (ignorant) society. Yet why was this not enough to change these practices to pure monotheism?

Other religions also existed. They disapproved of the corruption of Quraishi society too. They were already calling to oneness of God, the oppositeto Quraishi beliefs of idolatry. There were holy people around, priests, hanifs (monotheists) yet why did the Quraish still not feel challenged by them?

Many people were not pleased with the custom of burying daughters alive in preference to boys and found this vile, just like many of the other vices that were around like gambling, cheating, oppressing the poor, slavery, fornication.

But these were merely personal opinions and not political opinions which could affect and challenge the power in Meccan society responsible for this chaos.

Public opinion was strongly directed by the ruling elite which no one addressed and tried to challenge in a political way. Neither were the morals that people practiced and held onto were enough to challenge the status quo!

After Revelation Situations Change – Khadijah Consoles The Prophet

On receiving the first ayaat (verses) of revelation from the Archangel, Jibreel (alayhi salaam) in cave Hira, the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was left confused. He felt feverish, he doubted himself, he rushed home and asked his wife to 'zamilooni! Cover me!' Once he felt better, he narrated what he had seen and been told to his faithful and supportive wife, Khadijah.

She consoled the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that Allah would never leave him because of his good character. She said,

"By Allah, Allah shall never subject you to any indignity… for you always maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you are always generous in giving; you are diligent, and you seek what others regard as unattainable; you cool the eyes of your guest, and you lend your support to those who seek justice and redress. Stay firm , for by Allah I know that He will not deal with you except most beautifully, and I testify that you are the awaited Prophet in this nation, and your time, if Allah wills, has come."

We see in Khadijah's words the comparison of how the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was treated in Makkan society before Islam and how he will be received later by the same people after revelation.

After the demise of Khadija, the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to talk about her quite often, so much so that his youngest wife, `Ayesha, daughter of Abu Bakr, felt extremely jealous and said to him,

"… But she was only an old woman with red eyes, and Allah has compensated you with a better and younger wife (meaning herself)."

This caused the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to be very angry and he said,

"No, indeed; He has not compensated me with someone better than her. She believed in me when all others disbelieved; she held me truthful when others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women."

The heavy message of monotheism from the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was immediately rejected by the Quraish because now something challenged their Political way of life, their Economic dealings, their idol worship and their corrupt practices and traditions. The Makkan society centred on the trade of these idols for which people came to buy and sell from near and far.

From the beautiful, truthful, sincere, kind, gentle and polite man whom all loved, the Holy Prophet of Allah, Muhammad ﷺ was hated and feared by the Quraish. And only his wife Khadijah stood by him.

An Important Lesson

Both these incidents highlight that despite the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established good character and reputation before Prophethood, it was the revolutionary nature of Islam which brought great difficulty when the red and black (everyone) was challenged.

It was the revolutionary nature of Islam now which challenged Quraish on their entire societal set up, their beliefs, their practices and their power! Before Prophethood, the nice, truthful, sincere, kind, gentle and polite man was no threat as his disgusts with Qurayshi society were no threat to the Quraysh but rather personal opinions and choices.

Those working for change today must realise that if it is morals alone that change society then why did this not happen prior to Prophethood where the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ already possessed these?

Shari' Lessons Before Prophethood

We must look at the life of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before the age of 40 as Allah (swt)'s planned to prepare him for the mission which would be the final communication to mankind. We should marvel at the various incidents in which the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was being prepared for Prophethood and this should build and increase our love for his roles as we read about the various events in the seerah (biography).

We must realise that the actions of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ need to be understood after his Prophethood and not just before. Hukm Shari' starts from the time of Bi'tha wahi -revelation – and we are therefore bound to the Shari`ah which came after this period.

Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an,

"Indeed, the deen (religion) with Allah is Islam…" (Al-Imran, 3:19)

Allah (swt) further says in the Qur'an,

"And whosoever seeks a deen other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him…" (Al-Imran, 3:85)

From these two ayaat the Shari' principle is born.

"Shar`a of the people before us, is not a Shar`a for us"

The scholars deduced this principle and applied it to all the previous Prophets as well as the 40 years prior to Prophethood. What counts for us as Muslims today is the time after the revelation began. This should be the source and basis of our thinking when looking at working for change and creating revival amongst the Muslim Ummah today.

The seerah also clearly highlights the reforming nature of Islam which does not co-exist with other systems (on a state and governmental level) but rather offers it own unique package to society. It is this which shocked the Quraish and they began to ridicule the Prophet ﷺ and all his followers.

It is this revolutionary aspect which needs to be once again thrust on the world stage and present its ideas on injustice, social breakdown of society, poverty, the rising divides between rich and poor, political corruption, illegal wars, and aimless pursuit of happiness through acquiring goods.

CONCLUSION

Morals and good character are not enough to change a society on their own. This is amply demonstrated by the Prophet ﷺ before his Prophethood. The corruption needs to be challenged. Poverty, war and lewdness is not resolved through increasing morals alone but through policies on a state level which Islam has clearly addressed.

Without a shadow of doubt Islam encourages the highest morals and best behaviour of Muslims at all times but this is not the way to change society. Allah Almighty says referring to his beloved Messenger ﷺ who is an example for all aspects of our life:

"Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for those who hope in Allah and the latter day and those who often remember Allah". (Qur'an, 33:21)

Allah says that for us to improve society we must take examples from the best of examples, which the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ amply exemplified in his life in Makkah.

Rabiul Al Awal

2012-02-01T09:59:00.001-08:00

In an authentic hadith the Prophet ﷺ responded with why he fasted on Mondays by saying, "It was on this day that revelation came down to me" (Muslim).

"The Prophet (saws) is closer to the believers than their ownselves" (Qur'an Al-Ahzab: 6)

Discussions around Rabiul Awwal

Scholarly Approaches

Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book "Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii" allocated a special chapter "The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid" where he said:

Ibn Tay'miah, a key Historical scholarly figurehead for many said in his book "Necessity of the Right Path", the following:

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Milad Shareef. His reply was:

Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:

Forgetting the Key Message?

There is great remembrance in this month about the Prophet and his character, the various miraculous incidents where even the animals came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the love people had for him.

But what was the Prophet sent for? What was his mission? What did he bring for us? These are questions which sometimes are lost in the discussion

Corrupt Un-Islamic Regimes

Do we have just leaders who rule by Islam exclusively today? Are we following the Prophet s orders on Ruling and politics as prescribed in the hadith above?

Muslims Violated

In front of us, Muslim Countries are allowing belligerent foreign powers to harm Muslims right under the noses of these rulers under the guise of War on Terror yet they remain silent.

"The wiping away of the World means less to Allah than a Believer to be killed unjustly" (Ibn Maja)

Aren't those who are being slaughtered the followers of the Prophet?

Islam is Missing

The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

"The knots of Islam will be undone one by one, each time a knot is undone the next one will be grasped, the first to be undone will be the Ruling and the last will be Prayer" (Hakim/ Ahmed)

Right in front of us Islam is suspended, There is NO ruling by Islam in the Muslim countries. Why is there no stand against this violation of of what our Prophet bought to us?

Where is the Sunnah implemented? Where is the Challenge to these regimes to implement this law exclusively? Didn't the Prophet warn us against Silence on these issues? The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:

"If the people witness an oppressor and they do not take him by his hands (to prevent him) then they are close to Allah covering them all with punishment" (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, ibn Maja)

Rabiul Awwal- Our duty

Who is the The Holy Prophet ﷺ for us we must ask? What is our relationship to him today? What is his message? What was the Holy Prophet ﷺ sent for? What is his Sunnah?

How can we remain silent against these criminal regimes?

Rabiul Awwal- The month of Change

The Miraculous Birth Of The Prophet ﷺ

In an authentic hadith the Prophet ﷺ responded with why he fasted on Mondays by saying, "It was on this day that revelation came down to me" (Muslim).

Abu Lahab Frees Slave-Girl Thuwayba

The Blessings With Halimah

The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was blessed from birth; he bought fortunes and great news wherever he went. He was the Beloved of Allah and Allah (swt) opened the gates for him wherever he went.

Best Of Creation

Important Events In The Life Of The Prophet ﷺ

Those who hadn't even heard of Islam yet were testifying to the stature, character and signs of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. How can it be that we as believers don't value this?

The Character Of The Prophet

The Prophet ﷺ And Khadijah

Key Points To Ponder

Why Did The Quraish Initially Not Feel Challenged?

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before his prophethood did not approve of the jahil (ignorant) society. Yet why was this not enough to change these practices to pure monotheism?

But these were merely personal opinions and not political opinions which could affect and challenge the power in Meccan society responsible for this chaos.

After Revelation Situations Change – Khadijah Consoles The Prophet

She consoled the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that Allah would never leave him because of his good character. She said,

We see in Khadijah's words the comparison of how the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was treated in Makkan society before Islam and how he will be received later by the same people after revelation.

"… But she was only an old woman with red eyes, and Allah has compensated you with a better and younger wife (meaning herself)."

This caused the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to be very angry and he said,

An Important Lesson

Shari' Lessons Before Prophethood

Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an,

"Indeed, the deen (religion) with Allah is Islam…" (Al-Imran, 3:19)

Allah (swt) further says in the Qur'an,

"And whosoever seeks a deen other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him…" (Al-Imran, 3:85)

From these two ayaat the Shari' principle is born.

"Shar`a of the people before us, is not a Shar`a for us"

CONCLUSION

"Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for those who hope in Allah and the latter day and those who often remember Allah". (Qur'an, 33:21)

Allah says that for us to improve society we must take examples from the best of examples, which the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ amply exemplified in his life in Makkah.

Is this reality or imagination?

2011-05-26T22:04:00.001-07:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Is this reality or imagination?

Two young men came to the Khaleef Omar ibn Khitab (RA) while he was in a meeting ,they had brought a man from the desert and they stood in front of Omar (RA) and he said ''What is this?'' They said ''Oh ruler of the faithful, he has killed our father'' Omar (RA) asked '' Did you kill their father?'' He said ''Yes I killed him!'' He (Omar) said ''How did you kill him?'' He said ''he entered my land with his camel, so I restrained him, but he would not be restrained, so I threw a stone at him, and he fell on his head and died.......Omar (RA) said......punishment...execution.....a sentence that does not need writing.......a correct judgment that does not need discussion. Omar (RA) did not ask about this man's family, if he was from an honourable tribe, or if he was from a powerful family or what position he holds in society. No, none of this matters to Omar (RA). Because he does not favour anyone over Allah's religion. And he does not flatter anyone when judging by Allah's law. Even if the killer was his own son. No!

The man said "Oh ruler of the faithful, I ask you by The One who has made the heavens and the earth that you let me go for one night, so that I may go to my wife and children in the desert, so that I could tell them that you will kill me, then I will return to you. By Allah, they have no providers except Allah. Then Omar (RA) said, ''Who will ensure that you will go to the desert then come back to me?''Everyone was then silent, they didn't know his name, or his tent, or his residence, or his tribe or his home, so how can they be guarantor for him. This is not a guarantee over 10 dinars, nor over land or nor over a she camel, it is a guarantee that a neck will be cut by a sword.......and who will object to Omar about applying Allah's law? And who will intercede for this man?

So the companions were silent, and Omar (RA) was affected because he was confused. Should he proceed with the killing of this man and his children die there of hunger, or let him go without a bail and lose the blood of the slain. The people were silent and Omar (RA) bowed his head and he turned to the two men ''Will you forgive him?'' They said ''No, whoever killed our father must be killed oh ruler of the faithful ''.....Omar (RA) said ''Oh people, who will bail him?!! ''So Abu Dhar Al Gharfari stood with his old age, and his soberness, and his honesty and he said ''Oh ruler of the faithful, I will bail him. Omar (RA) said ''He has killed'' Abu Dhar said ''Even if he was a killer!'' Omar (RA) said ''Do you know him?'' He said ''I don't know him'' Omar (RA) said ''How will you bail him?'' He said '' I saw in him features of a believer so I knew that he does not lie, so he will return by the will of Allah.'' Omar (RA) said ''O Abu Dhar, Do you think that if he doesn't return after three days that I will leave you. He said ''Only Allah is the helper oh ruler of the faithful. So the man left and Omar (RA) gave him three nights to prepare himself, and to say farewell to his children and family and to consider their affairs after his death, then he must return for his punishment for he has killed.....

And after three nights Omar (RA) has not forgotten the appointment, he counted every single day. And at 'Asr time he called the people in the city to a collective prayer, and the two young men came and the people gathered and Abu Dhar came and he sat in front of Omar (RA) , Omar (RA) said ''where is the man?'' He said ''I do not know oh ruler of the faithful!'' Abu Dhar turned to the sun and it was as though it was passing quicker than it usually does and the companions were quiet. They were so affected by the whole thing that only Allah knows how much! It is true that Abu Dhar lives in the heart of Omar (RA) and that Omar (RA) would cut off any part of his body for him-if Abu Dhar so wishes, but this is the law, but this is the way, but this is the rules of our Lord. This is not to be played with by players. And it's authenticity is not up for discussion. It is not implemented in some circumstances and not in others, over some people and not over others and in some places and not in other places......Just before sunset, the man arrived. So Omar glorified Allah and the Muslims glorified Allah with him. Then Omar (RA) said ''O man! If you had stayed in your desert we would not have known you (not felt your presence) and we would not have known your place!! He said ''O ruler of the faithful, I am not answerable to you but to the One who knows the hidden secrets. Here I am O ruler of the faithful. I left my children like the baby birds in the desert with no water or shelter, and I came to be executed....and I feared that they would say that people are no longer true to their promise. So Omar (RA) asked Abu Dhar "Why did you guarantee him"??? Abu Dhar replied "I feared that people would say that Khair has gone from the people". So Omar (RA) stood and he asked the two young men "What do you say? "They said while they were crying "We have forgiven him O ruler of the faithful for his honesty"....and they said "We fear that they (people) would say that forgiveness has gone from the people!" Omar (RA) said, whilst his tears ran down his beard....Jazakum Allah Khairun O youth for your forgiveness, and Jazakum Allah Khairun O Abu Dhar for the day you showed relief to a man in hardship and Jazakum Allah Khairun O man for your honesty and your loyalty.....and Jazakum Allah Khairun O ruler of the faithful for your justice and your mercy....

Night of Power. Lailatul-Qadr

2010-09-03T07:43:00.001-07:00

Night of Power. Lailatul-Qadr

This is an extract from the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

"Verily, We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr.

And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is

The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.

Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord's permission with every matter.

There is peace until the appearance of dawn."

The Virtues of the Night of Al-Qadr (the Decree)

Allah سبحانه وتعالى informs that He sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Al-Qadr, and it is a blessed night about which Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

"We sent it down on a blessed night." [TMQ 44:3]

This is the Night of Al-Qadr and it occurs during the month of Ramadan. This is as Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an." [TMQ 2:185]

Ibn `Abbas and others have said, "Allah sent the Qur'an down all at one time from the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-`Izzah), which is in the heaven of this world. Then it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years."

Then Allah سبحانه وتعالى magnified the status of the Night of Al-Qadr, which He chose for the revelation of the Mighty Qur'an, by His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

"And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is. The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months."

Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Hurayrah: "When Ramadan would come, the Messenger of Allah would say: 'Verily, the month of Ramadan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.'"

An-Nasa'i recorded this same Hadith. Aside from the fact that worship during the Night of Al-Qadr is equivalent to worship performed for a period of one thousand months, it is also confirmed in the Two Sahihs from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) during the Night of Al-Qadr with faith and expecting reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven for his previous sins."

The Descent of the Angels and the Decree for Every Good during the Night of Al-Qadr

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

"Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord's permission with every matter."

This means the angels descend in abundance during the Night of Al-Qadr due to its abundant blessings. The angels descend with the descending of blessings and mercy, just as they descend when the Qur'an is recited, they surround the circles of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and they lower their wings with true respect for the student of knowledge.

In reference to Ar-Ruh, it is said that here it means the angel Jibril. Therefore, the wording of the Ayah is a method of adding the name of the distinct object (in this case Jibril) separate from the general group (in this case the angels).

Concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement,

مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

"with every matter."

Mujahid said, "Peace concerning every matter."

Sa`id bin Mansur said, `Isa bin Yunus told us that Al-A`mash narrated to them that Mujahid said concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement:

سَلَامٌ هِيَ

"There is peace."

"It is security in which Shaytan cannot do any evil or any harm."

Qatadah and others have said, "The matters are determined during it, and the times of death and provisions are measured out (i.e., decided) during it."

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
"Therein is decreed every matter of decree." [TMQ 44:4]

Then Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

"There is peace until the appearance of dawn."

Sa`id bin Mansur said: Hushaym narrated to us on the authority of Abu Ishaq, who narrated that Ash-Sha`bi said concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement:

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

"With every matter, there is a peace until the appearance of dawn."

"The angels giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the Masjids until the coming of Fajr (dawn)."

Qatadah and Ibn Zayd both said concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement,

سَلَامٌ هِيَ

"There is peace."

"This means all of it is good and there is no evil in it until the coming of Fajr (dawn)."

Specifying the Night of Decree and its Signs

This is supported by what Imam Ahmad recorded from `Ubadah bin As-Samit that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: "The Night of Al-Qadr occurs during the last ten (nights). Whoever stands for them (in prayer) seeking their reward, then indeed Allah will forgive his previous sins and his latter sins. It is an odd night: the ninth, or the seventh, or the fifth, or the third or the last night (of Ramadan)."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم also said: "Verily, the sign of the Night of Al-Qadr is that it is pure and glowing as if there were a bright, tranquil, calm moon during it. It is not cold, nor is it hot, and no shooting star is permitted until morning. Its sign is that the sun appears on the morning following it smooth having no rays on it, just like the moon on a full moon night. Shaytan is not allowed to come out with it (the sun) on that day." This chain of narration is good. In its text there is some oddities and in some of its wordings there are things that are objectionable.

Abu Dawud mentioned a section in his Sunan that he titled, "Chapter: Clarification that the Night of Al-Qadr occurs during every Ramadan." Then he recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah was asked about the Night of Al-Qadr while I was listening and he said: "It occurs during every Ramadan." The men of this chain of narration are all reliable, but Abu Dawud said that Shu`bah and Sufyan both narrated it from Ishaq and they both considered it to be a statement of the Companion (Ibn `Umar, and thus not the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.

It has been reported that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said, "The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم performed I`tikaf during the first ten nights of Ramadan and we performed I`tikaf with him. Then Jibril came to him and said, 'That which you are seeking is in front of you.' So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم performed I`tikaf during the middle ten days of Ramadan and we also performed I`tikaf with him. Then Jibril came to him and said; 'That which you are seeking is ahead of you.' So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم stood up and gave a sermon on the morning of the twentieth of Ramadan and he said: "Whoever performed I`tikaf with me, let him come back (for I`tikaf again), for verily I saw the Night of Al-Qadr, and I was caused to forget it, and indeed it is during the last ten (nights). It is during an odd night and I saw myself as if I were prostrating in mud and water." The roof of the Masjid was made of dried palm-tree leaves and we did not see anything (i.e., clouds) in the sky. But then a patch of wind-driven clouds came and it rained. So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم lead us in prayer until we saw the traces of mud and water on the forehead of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, which confirmed his dream."

In one narration it adds that this occurred on the morning of the twenty-first night (meaning the next morning). They both (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) recorded it in the Two Sahihs.

Ash-Shafi`i said, "This Hadith is the most authentic of what has been reported."

It has also been said that it is on the twenty-third night due to a Hadith narrated from `Abdullah bin Unays in Sahih Muslim. It has also been said that it is on the twenty-fifth night due to what Al-Bukhari recorded from Ibn `Abbas that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: "Seek it in the last ten (nights) of Ramadan. In the ninth it still remains, in the seventh it still remains, in the fifth it still remains."

Many have explained this Hadith to refer to the odd nights, and this is the most apparent and most popular explanation. It has also been said that it occurs on the twenty-seventh night because of what Muslim recorded in his Sahih from Ubay bin Ka`b that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم mentioned that it was on the twenty-seventh night.

Imam Ahmad recorded from Zirr that he asked Ubayy bin Ka`b, "O Abu Al-Mundhir! Verily, your brother Ibn Mas`ud says whoever stands for prayer (at night) the entire year, will catch the Night of Al-Qadr." He (Ubayy) said, "May Allah have mercy upon him. Indeed he knows that it is during the month of Ramadan and that it is the twenty-seventh night." Then he swore by Allah. Zirr then said, "How do you know that?" Ubayy replied, "By a sign or an indication that he (the Prophet) informed us of. It rises that next day having no rays on it - meaning the sun." Muslim has also recorded it.

It has been said that it is the night of the twenty-ninth. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal recorded from `Ubadah bin As-Samit that he asked the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم about the Night of Decree and he replied: "Seek it in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, the twenty-first, or the twenty-third, or the twenty-fifth, or the twenty-seventh, or the twenty-ninth, or during the last night."

Imam Ahmad also recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said about the Night of Al-Qadr: "Verily, it is during the twenty-seventh or the twenty-ninth night. And verily, the angels who are on the earth during that night are more numerous than the number of pebbles." Ahmad was alone in recording this Hadith and there is nothing wrong with its chain of narration.

At-Tirmidhi recorded from Abu Qilabah that he said, "The Night of Al-Qadr moves around (i.e., from year to year) throughout the last ten nights." This view that At-Tirmidhi mentions from Abu Qilabah has also been recorded by Malik, Ath-Thawri, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ishaq bin Rahuyah, Abu Thawr, Al-Muzani, Abu Bakr bin Khuzaymah and others. It has also been related from Ash-Shafi`i, and Al-Qadi reported it from him, and this is most likely. And Allah knows best.

Supplication during the Night of Decree

It is recommended to supplicate often during all times, especially during the month of Ramadan, in the last ten nights, and during the odd nights of it even more so. It is recommended that one say the following supplication a lot: "O Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me."

This is due to what Imam Ahmad recorded from `A'ishah, that she said, "O Messenger of Allah! If I find the Night of Al-Qadr what should I say?" He replied: "Say: 'O Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me.'" At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah have all recorded this Hadith.

At-Tirmidhi said, "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih." Al-Hakim recorded it in his Mustadrak (with a different chain of narration) and he said that it is authentic according to the criteria of the two Shaykhs (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). An-Nasa'i also recorded it.

This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Laylat Al-Qadr, and all praise and blessings are due to Allah.

Night of Power - Lailatul Qadr

2010-09-03T07:40:00.001-07:00

Night of Power. Lailatul-Qadr

This is an extract from the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

"Verily, We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr.

And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is

The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.

Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord's permission with every matter.

There is peace until the appearance of dawn."

The Virtues of the Night of Al-Qadr (the Decree)

Allah سبحانه وتعالى informs that He sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Al-Qadr, and it is a blessed night about which Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

"We sent it down on a blessed night." [TMQ 44:3]

This is the Night of Al-Qadr and it occurs during the month of Ramadan. This is as Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an." [TMQ 2:185]

Then Allah سبحانه وتعالى magnified the status of the Night of Al-Qadr, which He chose for the revelation of the Mighty Qur'an, by His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

"And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is. The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months."

The Descent of the Angels and the Decree for Every Good during the Night of Al-Qadr

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

"Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord's permission with every matter."

Concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement,

مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

"with every matter."

Mujahid said, "Peace concerning every matter."

Sa`id bin Mansur said, `Isa bin Yunus told us that Al-A`mash narrated to them that Mujahid said concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement:

سَلَامٌ هِيَ

"There is peace."

"It is security in which Shaytan cannot do any evil or any harm."

Qatadah and others have said, "The matters are determined during it, and the times of death and provisions are measured out (i.e., decided) during it."

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
"Therein is decreed every matter of decree." [TMQ 44:4]

Then Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

"There is peace until the appearance of dawn."

Sa`id bin Mansur said: Hushaym narrated to us on the authority of Abu Ishaq, who narrated that Ash-Sha`bi said concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement:

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

"With every matter, there is a peace until the appearance of dawn."

"The angels giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the Masjids until the coming of Fajr (dawn)."

Qatadah and Ibn Zayd both said concerning Allah's سبحانه وتعالى statement,

سَلَامٌ هِيَ

"There is peace."

"This means all of it is good and there is no evil in it until the coming of Fajr (dawn)."

Specifying the Night of Decree and its Signs

In one narration it adds that this occurred on the morning of the twenty-first night (meaning the next morning). They both (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) recorded it in the Two Sahihs.

Ash-Shafi`i said, "This Hadith is the most authentic of what has been reported."

Supplication during the Night of Decree

This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Laylat Al-Qadr, and all praise and blessings are due to Allah.

Ramadan Articles

2010-08-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

From the Slavery of our Desires to the Slavery of Allah

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

"O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may attain taqwa." (Al Baqarah: 183)

Ramadhan is the month where the believer is reminded of why he was created. It is the time when the bond between the Creator and created is at its strongest, where we are reminded of the power, knowledge and love Allah سبحانه وتعالى has for us. Through our hunger in this life we are reminded of our need for Allah سبحانه وتعالى and we are reminded of the hunger and thirst on the Day of Judgment. Our needs stretch even further to all worries and problems in this life and by Allah's سبحانه وتعالى mercy we have been given guidance so we do not wander the earth in conflict and confusion.

Today the western societies have no such guidance and instead we see their societies declining, where their moral compass is being taken over by people who are only concerned with their desires. Islam came to enable man to satisfy his needs whilst protecting the individual and the wider community. Therefore the Muslim can worship Allah سبحانه وتعالى at all times not only on the prayer mat. This guidance presents us with the best way to live whilst at home, work, within politics and any other problem which we may face.

In the west we see society is driven to please only themselves ignoring the consequences of their actions, since the capitalist belief calls for the individual to be free, to seek happiness in any way they sees fit. The reality of this is a society which glamorises adultery, crime and exploitation of women, in the quest of seeking pleasure. The outcome for the wider society means a rise in issues such as knife crime, paedophilia and broken homes in the search for money, status and enjoyment.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى reminds us of this:

أَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ

"Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire?" (Al Furqan:43)

The reality of western society is one which is becoming increasingly animalistic, where survival of the fittest reigns supreme. The search for satisfaction only grows in a person left with no boundaries, and the need to consume continues to grow leading some youths to kill in order to steal a phone to sell for a few pounds. This inevitably leaves the weaker elements of society vulnerable to others who will use their power against any who stand in their way.

The destruction does not end with the local society but is exported abroad through globalisation. Not only are the values of freedom and democracy being pushed on the rest of the world but the greed which accompanies capitalism has resulted in an environmental and economic disaster. Subsequently the west continues to become richer whilst the majority continue to struggle.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

"Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness, He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Evil Ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (for ever)." (Al Baqarah:257)

We have made many things our aim in life, a career, owning ones own house, the perfect family, ease and tranquillity but these things may take us to jahannam if they are placed before Allah سبحانه وتعالى. We must first see our life as belonging to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and follow the objective in life He سبحانه وتعالى defined for us which is to worship Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

"We have not created mankind and jinn except but to worship Me." (Adh Dhariyat:56)

To worship Allah سبحانه وتعالى means to place Allah سبحانه وتعالى before our own desires, therefore in ease and hardship we think only of whether Allah سبحانه وتعالى is pleased with us. This creates an individual and society which is not consumed by its own greed, since the needs are satisfied and regulated by the Qur'an and sunnah.

Whereas this is the ideal life for the believer, the test is in the struggle we face to disregard the daily temptations and fears.

أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَاتِكُمْ فِي حَيَاتِكُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَاسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهَا

"You squandered the good things that you had in the life of this world, and you sought contentment in them." (Al Ahqaf: 20)

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

"Surely We have put what is on the earth as a glittering show so that We may test them, as to which of them have the best actions" (Al Kahf: 7)

Our daily struggle with the haqq (good) and batil (evil) includes our desires since they can take us to either janhah or jahannam. We have been warned in the verses about the nature of this world and that it can lead the best of people to the wrong path. So we must strive to think about our actions whether they are truly for Allah سبحانه وتعالى sake, or ours.

Islam perfectly blends ones own needs and the responsibility to others. Ramadhan is the embodiment of this idea where not only does the Muslim concentrate on their relationship with Allah سبحانه وتعالى emerging more content and more determined to be a better Muslim. Whilst at the same time rushing to help and be with others through giving sadaqah, zakat, giving of food and bonding with the community through tarawih prayers.

The vision of an Islamic life is a beautiful one but the unfortunate reality is that whilst we strive hard to worship Allah سبحانه وتعالى and improve ourselves through Ramadhan, the remembrance of Allah سبحانه وتعالى doesn't go past our throats. In our dhikr we will praise Allah سبحانه وتعالى and call him the great one but our words fall on a society which has no place for our deen.

This should worry and agitate us like it did the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the sahabah (ra). The need was so important they risked wealth, jobs, family and even their lives in order to carry the dawah for Islam to give the deen of Allah سبحانه وتعالى to the rest of society. The dawah agitated the disbelievers such that they called for the Muslims to stop but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said;

"Oh my Uncle, By Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand on condition that I abandon this matter (Islam), until Allah has made victorious or I perish, I will not abandon it."

It is clear from this statement that the deen of Allah سبحانه وتعالى was more important than any luxury the Quraysh were trying to bribe the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم with. There is a strong message from these actions as we cannot afford to forget our responsibility towards our deen for fear of our desires.

Whereas we may strive to have Islam in our personal lives, the system around us will still continue to be Kufr. Therefore we must work to bring back the Islamic system to truly obey Allah سبحانه وتعالى in all matters in life.

أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتَابِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ ۚ فَمَا جَزَاءُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْكُمْ إِلَّا خِزْيٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ أَشَدِّ الْعَذَابِ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

"Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in, and do you reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? and on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do." (Al-Baqarah; 85)

Muslims globally need to build their community to seek the higher values of Islam, and not allow our fear of friends, family or even government to stray from Allah سبحانه وتعالى deen. Instead we must remain as one unified Ummah, which would be an example to the rest of the world.

Whilst at the same time working towards building a Khilafah State upon this philosophy of Islam which will be a beacon for the world; a state that will stand up to the excesses of capitalism and show mankind a system of life where individualism, materialism and consumerism are shunned and the higher values of Islam are conveyed to the world.

Ramadhan - Month of the Quran & its affect upon us

The graceful month of Ramadhan has set in; the month during which the gates of Mercy are wide open, the gates of Hell are shut and the Shayateen are chained up. It is a month chosen by Allah سبحانه وتعالى as a month of fasting; an act of Ibadat that Allah سبحانه وتعالى made special to Him. He سبحانه وتعالى favoured this month over all other months by making it the month of mercy and reverence for all the believers.

Also, in this month were revealed the scriptures of Ibrahim (as) and Musa (as), as well as the Zabuur and the Injeel. Indeed, this month is the most superior of months in which Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed His final revelation, the Qur'an.

So in this month we recite the Qur'an everyday, we pray the Taraweeh salah in which the Qur'an is recited. But do we understand and practice this Qur'an? Aisha (ra) described the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم character as being the walking Qur'an, are we in our characters like the Qur'an. Do we implement in our lives? Do we feel the weight of the Qur'an on our shoulders? Do we feel the burden of the Qur'an? Have we realised the power and might of this Qur'an which revealed by the one almighty in power?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Qur'an in Surah al Hashr:

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and split asunder (crumbling) by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables that We put forward to mankind that they may reflect." [Al-Hashr, 59:21]

Allah سبحانه وتعالى is saying that if He had sent the Qur'an upon a mountain, imagine the size and magnitude of a mountain. From humbling itself it would split asunder by the fear of Allah.

Let us ask ourselves, the Qur'an has been revealed to us, not to the mountain! Do we feel humbled by it?

وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"Such are the parables that We put forward to mankind that they may reflect."

Is this the impact that the Qur'an has on our souls and on the lives of this Ummah. Let us look at the impact that this Qur'an had on the Sahabah and the Muslims in the past, it is known that some of the Sahabah when hearing a verse of the Qur'an would faint.

So what made Abdullah ibn Masud go out and recite this Qur'an in front of the Quraysh and endured a beating, fearing none but Allah.

So what made Abu Huraira (ra), one of the stars of the sky cry on his deathbed and he was asked: "What makes you cry?" He replied: "I do not cry for this world of yours, rather I cry over the long journey ahead of me and how few provisions I have with me. I am rising on a runaway to paradise and Hellfire and I do not know which of them it would lead to."

What made Tariq bin Ziyad, the conqueror of Spain in the month of Ramadhan burn his boats motivating the Muslims that Paradise lay ahead of them and defeat and the sea to the rear, leading to the conquest of Spain in this blessed month.

إِنَّ اللّهَ اشْتَرَى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجَنَّةَ

"Verily Allah hath bought of the believers their lives and their riches for the price that theirs shall be the Garden" [Tawba, 9:111]

Mu'ad ibn Jabal (ra) once called the people of the town and said to them, "Today the reciters of Qur'an are few but the implementers are many, what of the time when the reciters will be many and the implementers will be few."

He was describing our time! Today the reciters may be many but the implementers are few.

Why is it that many Muslims come to the mosque and pray taraweeh - so we see the mosques are full but as soon as Eid comes, many people stop coming to the mosque, stop reading the Qur'an and even stop praying regularly. Today we read the Qur'an but do we implement it?

Allah سبحانه وتعالى said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

"O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah is the Knower, Aware." [Hujraat, 49:13]

Ibn Abi Hatim al-Razi said that the circumstances in which this Ayah was revealed, the Asbab an Nuzul (circumstances of revelation) was when in the opening of Makkah which occurred in Ramadhan, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered Bilal (ra) to say the Adhan and Abu Sufyan said can't you find someone better than this black man to say the Adhan then this verse was revealed. Explaining to us that in Islam no one better on the basis of colour or from what part of the world he has come - rather what distinguishes us in the sight of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is our actions. So the noblest of us is the best of us in our actions.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«إن الله يرفع بهذا الكتاب أقواماً ويضع به آخرين».

"Allah will elevate some nations through this book and degrade others with it" [Muslim]

We know how the Islamic Ummah was elevated in the past through the implementation of the Qur'an, the Khulafaah in the past through implementing the Shari'ah of Allah سبحانه وتعالى made this Ummah elevate and progress and look how we are degraded today when the Qur'an is not implemented.

Today the Qur'an is not implemented in our lands, if we look to the problems in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan or others how do our countries deal with them? What solution do these people bring, do they look to the Qur'an and the Sunnah which tells us to liberate Muslim land and not to take the colonialists as our Allies? No! rather they run to America and the United Nations for solutions.

Ziyad ibn Labid narrated that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke of something and said: It will happen when knowledge will be no more. I said: Allah's Messenger, how will knowledge vanish despite the fact that we will be reciting the Qur'an and teaching its recitation to our children and our children will teach its recitation to their children up to the Day of Resurrection? Thereupon he said: Ziyad, may your mother weep over you. I was of the opinion that you were one of those who have greatest understanding of religion in Medina. Do these Jews and Christians not recite the Torah and the Bible but not act according to what is contained in them? [Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi.]

Today the rulers have become like the aforementioned who may recite the Qur'an but not implement it, they even attack those who work for the re-establishment of the Khilafah. So we may hear of the beautiful recitation of the Qur'an in the Haram in Makkah, yet we see that the Qur'an is not implemented over this land in which the Ka'ba resides. Rather the Americans still have their troops stationed in this land.

Some Muslims have become like those who were chastised by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم because they recite the Qur'an but do not act according to it in their lives, so limit the Qur'an to Ramadhan and not in the rest of their lives.

The leaders of the Muslim lands have made Bush their Mufassir, the Whitehouse their Qibla and hold fast to the rope of Kufr.

We need to take the Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as our Mufassir, restore the Ka'ba as our Qibla and hold fast to the book of Allah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

وَاعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ اللّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلاَ تَفَرَّقُواْ

"And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah and be not divided among yourselves" [Al-Imran, 3:103]

Ibn Masud said that the rope of Allah in this ayah means the Qur'an.

We are in the month of reward in which the Qur'an was revealed, we must hold fast to the rope of Allah, we must recite the Qur'an, increase our understanding of it and implement it in our lives.

Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "He in whose heart there is nothing of the Qur'an is like a house in ruin." [Tirmidhi]

The Qur'an should never be allowed to left on our shelves gathering dust, we must realise that it is the Guidance that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has sent for humanity.

The Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said "Learn the Qur'an and recite it, because the example of one who learns the Qur'an, reads it and recites it in Tahajjud is like an open bag full of musk, the fragrance whereof spreads over the entire place, and a person who has learnt the Qur'an but sleeps while the Qur'an is in his heart, is like a bag of musk but with its mouth closed" [Tirmidhi, Nisaa'i, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban]

Let us not allow our hearts to become rusty devoid of the Qur'an!

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "These hearts become rusty just as iron does when water affects it." On being asked what could clear them he replied, "A great amount of remembrance of death and recitation of the Qur'an." [Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-Iman. Abdullah ibn Umar narrated]

The implementation of the Qur'an is what the world is in need of today, look at the oppression in every place - In Palestine, Afghanistan, in Iraq as well as in the West.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

الَر كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ النَّاسَ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَى صِرَاطِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ

"ALIF-LAAM-RAA'. This is a Book we have revealed unto you, O Muhammad, in order that you may lead mankind out of darkness into the light". [Ibrahim, 14:1]

So let us make this month of Ramadhan, the month of prayer, the month of worship, the month of recitation of Qur'an, the month of giving Zakah, the month of strengthening the relations between our relatives, the month of generosity and goodness to the needy, the month of being aware of our speech and actions, the month of re-invigorating our Iman and purifying our hearts and the month of engaging in the da'wa to re-establish the Khilafah, the implementation of the Qur'an on the earth.

Make Ramadhan the month of victory again

O Muslims! Make Ramadhan the month of victory again by re-establishing the Khilafah

Alhamdulillah, the blessed month of Ramadhan is upon the Muslims again. Ramadhan is the month within which al-Quran al-Kareem was sent down from Lauh al-Mahfooz to Bayt ul-Izza. It is the month within which there is a night, Laylut al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months for those who witness it in worship. And it is the month in which Allah سبحانه وتعالى commands the Muslims to fast, ties up the Shayateen, locks the gates of Hell and opens the gate of Heaven, allowing the Muslims to raise themselves in piety and draw strength from their Lord, Al-Qawwy, Al-Azeem.

Previous generations of Muslims, in the period of ruling by the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, drew from the abundant blessings of Ramadhan to achieve victory over the disbelievers. Under the leadership of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم the Islamic State defeated the leading tribe amongst the Arabs, the Quray'sh, at the battle of Badr. This was despite the fact that the Islamic State's army was small in number, poorly equipped and outnumbered three-fold by a powerful and experienced adversary. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,

وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمْ اللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنْتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

"And Allah already helped you in Badr when you were a weak little force. So fear Allah and be grateful to him." [Al-Imran, 3:123]

Also, during Ramadhan, the Islamic State undertook the Opening of Makkah (Fatah Makkah) that finally brought the Qur'aysh under the Islamic authority, ending their tyranny over others and paved the way for the rapid expansion of the Islamic State throughout the lands. After the opening of Makkah, Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,

إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ
وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا

"When the Help and Victory of Allah comes. And you see the people enter in droves into Islam." [An-Nasr, 110:1-2]

And in the centuries of Islamic rule after the era of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Khulafa'a Rashida رضوان الله عليهم, the Islamic Khilafah State achieved major victories during Ramadhan whilst facing formidable enemies. The Muslims succeeded in expelling the occupying Crusaders from Ash-Sham even though they had settled on some parts of it for well over a century. The Muslims prevailed over the barbaric Tartars at Ein Jaloot, even though they had inflicted terrible destruction upon the Muslims before.

So, whilst the Muslims ruled by Islam, with their affairs governed by all that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has revealed, Ramadhan was the month of victory over the opponents of Islam and Muslims. However, this Ramadhan, without the Islamic Khilafah State, the Ummah faces subjugation by its enemies in almost every sphere of life.

This Ramadhan the Muslims count their dead as the colonialist nations enforce their occupation of Muslims Lands in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir. This Ramadhan, the armies of the Muslims are withheld from helping the Muslims but are sent without hesitation to protect the colonialists from the Muslims. This Ramadhan, the Muslims face an onslaught against their most precious possession, their deen, as the western colonialists spread corrupt ideas through reforming the education syllabuses as well as through the media and advertising. And this Ramadhan, Muslims face mounting hardships as these colonialists exploit the immense resources of the Ummah.

So, despite the fact that the Ummah is a giant in terms of its lands, material resources, population and armies and its greatest asset, the one true deen, Islam, it lies in humiliation before the disbelievers. This matter was inevitable because without the Islamic Khilafah State, politics and ruling are no longer about ordering the Ma'roof (Good) and forbidding the Munkar (Evil). Instead politics and ruling have been reduced to ordering what the colonialists desire and forbidding what the colonialists detest. Politics is no longer about looking after the affairs of the Muslims by seeking the good pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Instead politics has been sullied into to a cheap competition to please the colonialists, between the current rulers and those who seek to succeed them in ruling.

O Muslims!

This Ramadhan, with the Ummah suffering immensely due to the mischief of the disbelievers, you must not be satisfied by turning to Allah سبحانه وتعالى through prayer and fasting alone. Rather you must also work to implement the deen of Allah سبحانه وتعالى on the earth and ensure its dominance over all other ways of life by re-establishing the Islamic Khilafah State, so that Ramadhan witnesses victory after victory again. The work to change the current corrupt rulers and re-establish the Khilafah in their place is not just a matter of life and death, it is an obligation from Allah سبحانه وتعالى. If the Muslims did not perform this duty, it would be an acceptance of the many sins of the rulers. The situation of the Muslims will become worse in the Dunya and they will deserve the punishment in the Aakhira. RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَا يُعَذِّبُ الْعَامَّةَ بِعَمَلِ الْخَاصَّةِ حَتَّى يَرَوْا الْمُنْكَرَ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ وَهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَى أَنْ يُنْكِرُوهُ فَلَا يُنْكِرُوهُ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَذَّبَ اللَّهُ الْخَاصَّةَ وَالْعَامَّةَ

"Allah will not punish the common people due to the work of specific people, until they see the munkar amongst themselves and they were able to forbid it but they did not do that. If they did that Allah will punish the specific people and the common people." (Ahmad)

So, benefit fully from the blessings of Ramadhan. Turn to Allah سبحانه وتعالى by intensifying your struggle against the corrupt rulers and re-establish the Khilafah in their place. Only the Khilafah will re-establish Islam as an authority that would protect the Muslims and their deen and strike fear into the hearts of the enemies. And know that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has promised you victory if you are true to Him alone. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

وَلاَ تَهِنُوا وَلاَ تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنْتُمْ الأَعْلَوْنَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ

"So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers." [Al-Imran, 3:139]

The Best Ummah

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Holy Qur'an:

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ

"You are the best ummah singled out for mankind: you enjoin what is right (ma'roof), forbid what is wrong (munkar), and believe in Allah." ¹

Allah سبحانه وتعال could have created us at any time in history and as part of any nation. Yet He سبحانه وتعال out of his infinite mercy created us as part of the best and most honoured nation ever to inhabit the earth. We are also the last and final ummah until the Day of Judgment.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said, "You are the final of seventy nations, you are the best and most honoured among them to Allah." ²

Our ummah has been given blessings that no other ummah before us has been given.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said, "I was given what no other Prophet before me was given." We said, "O Messenger of Allah! What is it" He said, "I was given victory by fear, I was given the keys of the earth, I was called Ahmad, the earth was made a clean place for me (to pray and perform Tayammum with it) and my Ummah was made the best Ummah." ³

Our beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم gave us the glad tidings that the Muslim ummah would be a large part of the inhabitants of Paradise.

Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "The Messenger of Allah said to us, "Does it please you that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise?" We said, Allahu Akbar!' He added, "Does it please you that you will be one-third of the people of Paradise. We said, Allahu Akbar!' He said, "I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise." ⁴

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: "The people of Paradise are one hundred and twenty rows, this Ummah takes up eighty of them." ⁵

Our ummah was given salams from the Friend of the Most Merciful (Khaleel ur-Rahmaan) and Father of the Prophets, Ibraheem (alaihi salam) on the night of the 'isra. Ibraheem (alaihi salam) gave our ummah some valuable advice on how to increase our share of trees in Paradise as blessing for us.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: "I met Ibraheem on the night that I was taken on the Night Journey, and he said: 'O Muhammad, tell your ummah that Paradise is a land whose soil is good and its water is sweet. It is an empty plain, which will be planted with Subhaan Allah, Al-Hamdu lillah, La ilaha illa-Allah and Allahu akbar.'" ⁶

One of the distinctions between our ummah and previous nations is our strict obedience to Allah سبحانه وتعال and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. During the Battle of Badr when the Muslims were informed that Quraysh were amassing a huge, well equipped army against them, Al-Miqdad bin 'Amr got up and said:

"O Messenger of Allah! Proceed where Allah directs you to, for we are with you. We will not say as the Children of Israel said to Musa (as): 'Go you and your Lord and fight and we will stay here.' Rather we shall say: 'Go you and your Lord and fight and we will fight along with you.' By Allah! If you were to take us to Bark Al-Ghimad, we will still fight resolutely with you against its defenders until you gained it." ⁷

The reason we were made the best ummah is stated in the ayah:

"You are the best ummah singled out for mankind: you enjoin what is right (ma'roof), forbid what is wrong (munkar), and believe in Allah." ⁸

Qatadah said, "We were told that Umar bin Al-Khattab recited this Ayah [3:110] during a Hajj that he performed, when he saw that the people were rushing. He then said, 'Whoever likes to be among this [praised] Ummah, let him fulfil the condition that Allah set in this Ayah.'" ⁹

Enjoining ma'roof and forbidding munkar

Islam consists of ma'roofat (pl. of ma'roof) which Allah سبحانه وتعال has ordered us to establish, and munkaraat which He سبحانه وتعال ordered us to abstain from and remove. The head and the highest ma'roof is the belief in Allah سبحانه وتعال and the rest of the pillars of the Islamic 'Aqeedah.

The head of the munkaraat (pl. of munkar) and its most evil manifestation is kufr in all its forms. Allah سبحانه وتعال ordered that people must avoid the munkar, deter others from it and warn others of falling into its snare.

Today, we witness the implementation of kufr systems and laws in our countries. Munkaraat are widespread in the Muslim world with our lands occupied, the daily spilling of Muslim blood, stealing of our wealth and widespread corruption headed by the puppet regimes ruling our lands. Many of the Islamic obligations are also neglected such as ruling by Islam, jihad, implementation of the penal code (hudud) and carrying da'wah to the world.

In this reality the obligation of enjoining ma'roof and forbidding munkar is a vital issue for the ummah that requires the utmost seriousness and sacrifice. Allah سبحانه وتعال has ordered not just individuals to undertake this obligation but also groups and the Khaleefah of the Muslims. In the absence of the Khaleefah the groups must work to appoint him so that he can practically enjoin the mar'oof and forbid the munkar on society.

This Ramadan we must contemplate on the huge blessing Allah سبحانه وتعال has bestowed upon us by making us part of the best ummah ever created. As Umar bin Al-Khattab said we must fulfil the condition for being the best ummah i.e. that we enjoin the mar'oof and forbid the munkar.

However, knowledge precedes action. So before we can enjoin the mar'oof and forbid the munkar we must gain knowledge on the ma'roofat and munkaraat so we can implement them on ourselves first. We must fulfil all the Islamic obligations and abstain from all the Islamic prohibitions. Once we have this knowledge we can call others to abide by the ma'roof and abstain from the munkar. The most important part of this work today is working to establish the Khilafah that is responsible for implementing all the ma'roofat and preventing all the munkaraat on society.

For this reason we strongly advise all the Muslims to download the book The Da'wah to Islam and The Method to Re-establish the Islamic State by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud and study it during this blessed month of Ramadan. We advise all the Muslims to gain knowledge on this vital issue and major Islamic obligation so we can fulfil our duty to Allah سبحانه وتعال and attain His pleasure and the reward of Paradise that He سبحانه وتعال has promised to the believers. Neglecting this obligation of working to re-establish the Khilafah is a major sin for which Allah سبحانه وتعال can punish severely in Hellfire.

References

1. Translated Meaning of the Qur'an. Surah al-Imran, ayah 110

2. Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Al-Hakim recorded that Hakim bin Mu`awiyah bin Haydah narrated that his father said that the Messenger of Allah said.

3. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ali bin Abi Talib said.

4. Imam Ahmad recorded the same Hadith with another chain of narration, and this Hadith meets the criteria of Muslim in his Sahih. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said.

5. Imam Ahmad recorded from Buraydah from the Prophet (saw)

6. Tirmidhi, hasan isnad on authority of Ibn Masood.

7. Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar), p. 97

8. Translated Meaning of the Qur'an. Surah al-Imran, ayah 110

9. Ibn Jarir recorded this. Tafseer Ibn Kathir.

Ramadan Articles

2010-08-24T16:23:00.001-07:00

From the Slavery of our Desires to the Slavery of Allah

"O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may attain taqwa." (Al Baqarah: 183)

Allah سبحانه وتعالى reminds us of this:

أَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ

"Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire?" (Al Furqan:43)

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

"We have not created mankind and jinn except but to worship Me." (Adh Dhariyat:56)

Whereas this is the ideal life for the believer, the test is in the struggle we face to disregard the daily temptations and fears.

أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَاتِكُمْ فِي حَيَاتِكُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَاسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهَا

"You squandered the good things that you had in the life of this world, and you sought contentment in them." (Al Ahqaf: 20)

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

"Surely We have put what is on the earth as a glittering show so that We may test them, as to which of them have the best actions" (Al Kahf: 7)

Ramadhan - Month of the Quran & its affect upon us

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Qur'an in Surah al Hashr:

Let us ask ourselves, the Qur'an has been revealed to us, not to the mountain! Do we feel humbled by it?

وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"Such are the parables that We put forward to mankind that they may reflect."

So what made Abdullah ibn Masud go out and recite this Qur'an in front of the Quraysh and endured a beating, fearing none but Allah.

إِنَّ اللّهَ اشْتَرَى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجَنَّةَ

"Verily Allah hath bought of the believers their lives and their riches for the price that theirs shall be the Garden" [Tawba, 9:111]

He was describing our time! Today the reciters may be many but the implementers are few.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى said:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«إن الله يرفع بهذا الكتاب أقواماً ويضع به آخرين».

"Allah will elevate some nations through this book and degrade others with it" [Muslim]

The leaders of the Muslim lands have made Bush their Mufassir, the Whitehouse their Qibla and hold fast to the rope of Kufr.

We need to take the Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as our Mufassir, restore the Ka'ba as our Qibla and hold fast to the book of Allah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

وَاعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ اللّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلاَ تَفَرَّقُواْ

"And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah and be not divided among yourselves" [Al-Imran, 3:103]

Ibn Masud said that the rope of Allah in this ayah means the Qur'an.

We are in the month of reward in which the Qur'an was revealed, we must hold fast to the rope of Allah, we must recite the Qur'an, increase our understanding of it and implement it in our lives.

Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "He in whose heart there is nothing of the Qur'an is like a house in ruin." [Tirmidhi]

The Qur'an should never be allowed to left on our shelves gathering dust, we must realise that it is the Guidance that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has sent for humanity.

Let us not allow our hearts to become rusty devoid of the Qur'an!

The implementation of the Qur'an is what the world is in need of today, look at the oppression in every place - In Palestine, Afghanistan, in Iraq as well as in the West.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:

"ALIF-LAAM-RAA'. This is a Book we have revealed unto you, O Muhammad, in order that you may lead mankind out of darkness into the light". [Ibrahim, 14:1]

Make Ramadhan the month of victory again

O Muslims! Make Ramadhan the month of victory again by re-establishing the Khilafah

وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمْ اللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنْتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

"And Allah already helped you in Badr when you were a weak little force. So fear Allah and be grateful to him." [Al-Imran, 3:123]

إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ
وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا

"When the Help and Victory of Allah comes. And you see the people enter in droves into Islam." [An-Nasr, 110:1-2]

O Muslims!

وَلاَ تَهِنُوا وَلاَ تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنْتُمْ الأَعْلَوْنَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ

"So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers." [Al-Imran, 3:139]

The Best Ummah

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Holy Qur'an:

"You are the best ummah singled out for mankind: you enjoin what is right (ma'roof), forbid what is wrong (munkar), and believe in Allah." ¹

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said, "You are the final of seventy nations, you are the best and most honoured among them to Allah." ²

Our ummah has been given blessings that no other ummah before us has been given.

Our beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم gave us the glad tidings that the Muslim ummah would be a large part of the inhabitants of Paradise.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: "The people of Paradise are one hundred and twenty rows, this Ummah takes up eighty of them." ⁵

The reason we were made the best ummah is stated in the ayah:

"You are the best ummah singled out for mankind: you enjoin what is right (ma'roof), forbid what is wrong (munkar), and believe in Allah." ⁸

Enjoining ma'roof and forbidding munkar

References

1. Translated Meaning of the Qur'an. Surah al-Imran, ayah 110

2. Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Al-Hakim recorded that Hakim bin Mu`awiyah bin Haydah narrated that his father said that the Messenger of Allah said.

3. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ali bin Abi Talib said.

4. Imam Ahmad recorded the same Hadith with another chain of narration, and this Hadith meets the criteria of Muslim in his Sahih. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said.

5. Imam Ahmad recorded from Buraydah from the Prophet (saw)

6. Tirmidhi, hasan isnad on authority of Ibn Masood.

7. Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar), p. 97

8. Translated Meaning of the Qur'an. Surah al-Imran, ayah 110

9. Ibn Jarir recorded this. Tafseer Ibn Kathir.

REFLECTIONS: Ramadhan - Month of the Qur'an

2009-08-10T01:51:00.000-07:00

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا
كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed
to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint." [Al-Baqara,
2:183]
Soon inshAllah, the graceful month of Ramadhan will be upon us. It is
the month chosen by Allah سبحانه وتعالى as a month of fasting. He
سبحانه وتعالى favoured this month over all other months by making it
the month of mercy and reverence for all the believers. Indeed,
Ramadhan is the most superior of all months: the one in which Allah
سبحانه وتعالى commenced His final revelation - the Qur'an.
In the month of Ramadhan we read the Qur'an everyday and recite it at
length during the Taraweeh. But do we understand and practice this
Qur'an? Aisha (ra) described the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم
character as being the walking Qur'an. Do our characters reflect the
message of the Qur'an? Do we implement it in our lives? Do we feel its
weight on our shoulders?
Allah سبحانه وتعالى says:
لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا
مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا
لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
"Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you would surely have
seen it humbling itself and split asunder (crumbling) by the fear of
Allah. Such are the parables that We put forward to mankind that they
may reflect." [Al-Hashr, 59:21]
Allah سبحانه وتعالى reveals to mankind that had He sent the Qur'an
upon a mighty mountain many times the size of a man it would crumble
in the fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى! Do we, in our petty and
insignificant stature, then feel humbled by the Qur'an, which was
revealed to us and not the mountains? Do we live by the commands and
prohibitions that Allah سبحانه وتعالى has laid down in the Qur'an, His
final revelation?
If Allah سبحانه وتعالى Wills, we will fast this month, but will we be
alive to see the next Ramadhan? Will this be our last chance to taste
the Mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالى within this blessed month? We should
assess our behaviour and actions and reflect whether the Day we meet
Allah سبحانه وتعالى will be our best Day or will it be a Day of
disaster? Every one of us will meet Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone; with no
parents to protect us and no wealth to save us. Allah سبحانه وتعالى
has revealed:
يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ الْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ
وَأُمِّهِ وَأَبِيهِ
وَصَاحِبَتِهِ وَبَنِيهِ
لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ
"That Day shall a man flee from his own brother, And from his mother
and his father, And from his wife and his children, Each one of them,
that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him
indifferent to the others." ['Abasa, 80:34-37]
We will only have our actions in this life. So let us look back to the
year that has passed and reflect. Let us look at what we did right
according to Islam so we can continue doing them, and look at what we
did wrong so that we can ask Allah سبحانه وتعالى for forgiveness and
strive not to repeat them again. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"If comes Ramadan, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of hell
are locked, and the devils are chained." [Bukhari & Muslim]
Based on this hadith, the scholars say that Heaven literally opens its
doors and Hell closes its doors and the shayateen are chained! So the
only enemy we have to overcome is our Nafs (inner desires).
Let us use this opportunity in which the shayateen are chained to
overcome our Nafs and get accustomed to obeying Allah سبحانه وتعالى in
all actions of life without exceptions, whether we are at the masjid
or in the school, whether we are at home or at work, whether we are
buying a house or selling a car. In short, we must follow Islam in all
aspects of our lives.
Ramadhan is also a great opportunity to seek Islamic knowledge and
increase our awareness of the Islamic culture. The more we are aware
of Islam the better chance we have to run our lives according to it.
Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاء
"Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge."
[Al-Faatir, 35:28]
In the month of Ramadhan, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to study
the Qur'an every night with the Angel Jibreal. Al-Bukhari and Muslim
reported that Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, had said:
"The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was the most generous of people. He
used to be the most generous in Ramadhan when he would meet with angel
Jibreal and study the Qur'an with him. Angel Jibreal would meet with
the Prophet every night in Ramadhan to teach him the Qur'an. The
Prophet was so generous when he met with Jibreal, more generous than
the wind that brings rain." Imam Ah-mad added to this narration: "And
nothing he was asked for but he would give it." Furthermore,
Al-Bayhaqi reported that 'Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, had
said,"When Ramadhan would start, the Prophet would release all
prisoners of war and fulfil the need of every person who would ask him
for something."
Let us seek knowledge in this blessed month by studying the meaning of
the ayat of the Glorious Qur'an. Let us read about the life of the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions (ra): how they lived
their lives, how they sacrificed life and limb to make the Word of
Allah سبحانه وتعالى supreme. Let us remember Musab ibn Umayr (ra): the
sahabi who went from being the richest man to the poorest - so poor
that when died he did not own enough clothes to cover his own body.
Why did he face such a situation? Because he realized the promise of
Allah سبحانه وتعالى is true. Let us read about the rules of
interaction in Islam whether in trade, finance, agriculture or others.
Let us see what Islam says about the relationships between men and
women, family and children. Islam is a complete way of life and in
this blessed month let's make the sincere intention to cover some
parts of Islam that we lack knowledge of.
Let us use this opportunity to extend the bridges of brother-hood and
earn rewards by inviting Muslims for Iftar as the Prophet صلى الله
عليه وسلم has said:
"He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will,
without decreasing from the fasting person's rewards." [Ahmad]
The month of Ramadhan in the time of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
was a time of purification, enjoining the good, forbidding evil and
striving hard with one's life and wealth to make the word of Allah the
highest. After the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, Muslims
carried this Sunnah on and Allah the Majestic used the believers to
affect the course of history.
Ramadhan was a time of intense activity, spending the day on the
saddle and the night in prayer, while calling upon Allah for His Mercy
and Forgiveness. This was the spirit of Ramadhan that enabled our
righteous forefathers to face seemingly impossible challenges.
So let us make this month of Ramadhan the month of prayer, the month
of worship, the month of recitation of Qur'an, the month of giving
Zakah, the month of strengthening the relations between our relatives,
the month of generosity and goodness to the needy, the month of being
aware of our speech and actions, the month of re-invigorating our
relationship with Allah سبحانه وتعالى and purifying our hearts, the
month of increasing our knowledge of Qur'an, Sunnah and Fiqh, and the
month of engaging in the da'wa to implement the Qur'an and the Sunnah
on earth.
May Allah the Most Glorious One make us that generation of Muslims who
lay the proper foundations of the Islamic rule for the coming
generations and make us of those who carry out our Islam during
Ramadhan and beyond.
يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ
ارْجِعِي إِلَى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً
فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي
وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
"To the righteous soul will be said: 'O (thou) soul, in (complete)
rest and satisfaction! Come back thou to thy Lord, - well pleased
(thyself), and well-pleasing unto Him! Enter thou, then, among My
devotees! Yea, enter thou My Heaven.'" [Al-Fajr, 89:27-30]

The Politics of Global Warming

2009-08-10T01:42:00.001-07:00

Global warming is the new global menace where the world must come
together in order to avert a global catastrophe. Issues such as
terrorism, pollution, piracy, aids, poverty and climate change are
considered to not respect borders and are in fact global problems that
require a global response. Due to this the last 10 years has seen
numerous NGO's, pressure groups as well as intense lobbying emerging,
protests by many global citizen groups have also taken place urging
the worlds powers to take action. The calls to recycle, increase use
of energy efficient appliances and reduce consumption have all been a
result of climate change taking centre stage as the world's key
challenge.
So what is Global warming?
Global warming and climate change refer to an increase in average
global temperatures. Natural events and human activities are believed
to be contributing to the increase in average global temperatures.
This is caused primarily by increases in the greenhouse which is the
rise in temperature on Earth as certain gases in the atmosphere trap
energy gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2). There are other views on
the causes of temperature increases and intense research still
continues.
The largest body dealing with climate change is the UN's
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) where its climate
scientists have released a number of reports detailing the progress in
understanding climate change.
From the outset they have recommended that there be emission
reductions. This body is comprised of hundreds of climate scientists
from around the world. The last major report by them in January 2007
summarised that they were even more certain than before of
human-induced climate change because of better scientific
understanding, they believed there was a 90% chance of them being
correct with their conclusions.
Based upon this understanding the emission from the worlds industry
into the atmosphere has led to global temperatures to increase, hence
global emission reductions is seen as the solution to global warming,
how much the worlds industrialised nations should reduce their
emissions is where intense debate continues at G8 summits, Kyoto
protocol meetings and on future treaties.
Global Polluters (2004)
By Carbon dioxide emissions through human activities as a percentage
of total emissions
1. USA 22%
2. China 18%
3. Russia 5%
4. India 4.9%
5. Japan 4.6%
6. Germany 3.1%
7. Canada 2.3%
8. UK 2.2%
9. South Korea 1.7%
10. Italy 1.6%
US Energy Information Administration
How did we get into such a position?
In terms of historical emissions, industrialised countries account for
around 80% of the carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere to date.
Since 1950, the US has emitted a cumulative total of roughly 50.7
billion tons of carbon, while China (4.6 times more populous) and
India (3.5 times more populous) have emitted only 15.7 and 4.2 billion
tons respectively. Annually, more than 60% of global industrial carbon
dioxide emissions originate in industrialised countries, where only
about 20% of the world's population resides.
US has obstructed International deal
Much of the growth in emissions in the developed world stem from rapid
industrialisation from the industrial revolution era. The US with its
$14 trillion economy is the world's largest polluter and has acted as
an obstacle to any agreement on emission reduction targets. This is
because the US is unable to decouple economic growth from its huge
energy use. In other words, economic growth needs to be protected and
any agreement on emission reduction would effect economic growth as
industry would be restricted on the amount it can pollute the air.
Hence the largest polluter of all the US has announced its own
conference in tackling climate change which will protect US industry
and it was the US's insistence on not agreeing reduction targets that
led to the collapse of the Kyoto Protocol - an international treaty.
The US is not prepared to enter any deal which requires it to cut its
consumption levels. This is why instead of calling for a radical
cutback in automobile use the US accepts that the number of motor
vehicles will double. It proposes to expand production and accelerate
development of non-fossil fuel alternatives for future cars such as
synthetic bio fuels and carbon dioxide-free hydrogen.
Capitalism at the centre of the problem
Reducing emissions would mean industry in the West would need to
produce less - this would lead to the economies of the West to shrink
rather then grow. To reduce consumption is considered Shirk in
Capitalism. By the same token, the rate of consumption of fossil fuels
in developed countries is also extremely high relative to the rest of
the world. The depletion of non-renewable resources and environmental
destruction is primarily caused by the consumption patterns of such
nations.
Global warming is the result of rapid industrialisation from the West
with the sole concern of profit making. Although there exists
technologies that allow the development of clean low-emission
industries, their costs are high and as a result have been unable to
break into the mainstream market. China and India have only in the
last 20 years seen rapid development, global warming was already high
prior to that. However, the US continues to blame China and India for
developing too quickly, in other words the US is shifting the blame
away from itself.
The worlds developed nations are trying hard to avoid radical controls
on growth, consumption and profits. They have attempted to stave off a
looming climate catastrophe by voluntary cuts, techno fixes and carbon
trading; all these are desperate efforts to prevent the inevitable.
An Islamic Approach
The planetary system, the earth and its ecosystems, all work within
their own limits and Islam sets limits to human behaviour as a control
against excess. In essence, Islam describes an integrated code of
behaviour which deals with personal hygiene, at one end of the
spectrum, to our relationship with the natural order at the other.
Regarding the environment Islam contains regulations concerning the
conservation and allocation of scarce water resources; it has rules
for the conservation of land with special zones of graded use; it has
special rules for the establishment of rangelands, wetlands, green
belts and also wildlife protection and conservation. Allah سبحانه
وتعالى exhorts mankind to be moderate:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَّعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ
وَالنَّخْلَ وَالزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا أُكُلُهُ وَالزَّيْتُونَ
وَالرُّمَّانَ مُتَشَابِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ كُلُواْ مِن ثَمَرِهِ
إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَآتُواْ حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ وَلاَ تُسْرِفُواْ
إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
"It is He who produces gardens, both cultivated and wild, and palm
trees and crops of diverse kinds and olives and pomegranates both
similar and dissimilar. Eat of their fruits when they bear fruits and
pay their dues on the days of their harvest, and do not be profligate.
He does not love the profligate." [Al-An'aam, 6:142]
Conclusions
Present consumption patterns are leading to the depletion of key
minerals such as water wells, fossil fuels and agricultural land. At
the same time the consumption of such minerals is leading to pollution
to enter the atmosphere and the effect of this is now being felt
across the world. Although most if not all of the models used to track
the temperature in the atmosphere or the cooling effect is debateable
and open to speculation, one thing that is for certain is Capitalism
has no intention of reducing its consumption of the world's limited
minerals.

Islam and Finance

2009-07-23T23:34:00.001-07:00

Global finance today dominates the world economy. Western economies are characterised with financial sectors which generate billions for the economy. Stock Markets, multinationals, companies raising billions, initial public offerings (IPO) and so on, all symbolise the apparent success of Capitalism. Finance is important in any economy for two fundamental reasons:

1. Whatever is produced in any economy can only be bought and sold through the use of money.
2. Society is looking to increase its wealth through investment. The financial sector exists today primarily to bring those with money, and those who need it together.

Finance: Past and present
Capitalism has dominated the financial scene for over 300 hundred years. The initial development of the stock markets took place in Europe to fund expeditions to Latin America, where merchants went to gain riches. Most of the developments in finance have taken place in the post WW2 era.

The purpose of finance is to bring those with money and those that need it together in the market place. The first time the world's largest economies got together to discuss global finance was at the Breton Woods conference in 1944, this was the first attempt at unifying the terms of global finance. There were two important outcomes from the conference:

The pegging of the worlds currencies to the dollar which in turn was pegged to Gold and the blueprint to remove all barriers to finance so financial transactions could take place freely. Financial dealings increased twenty fold and reached astronomical proportions. When the US abandoned the dollar peg to Gold, this brought even more money into the financial markets. The explosion in finance meant more and more money was being invested in the financial markets, the need to keep pace with such a development required ever more money to fund such investments and with the absence of a peg to Gold this period witnessed an astronomical rise in the printing of money.

The deregulation drive during the Thatcher-Reagan era brought even more participants into the financial markets including individual investors looking for riches. This also saw the development of the derivative markets in the 1990's where money was speculated on the movement in the shares of companies, currencies and interest rates. For the first time traders were allowed to speculate in a commodity without actually buying or selling the actual commodity.

Over a period of 300 hundred years the emergence of fiat currencies (i.e. currency without an intrinsic value), the role of compound interest and the development of limited liability company structures have shaped western finance.

Such developments have also been the sole reason why the West has come to be characterised with regular financial crises. The developments in finance since WW2 brought to an end industrial dominance and created duel economies. This is because the financial sector moved away from raising finance to fund business start-ups and projects to speculating on company share prices and the movement of currencies. In this way trading in the financial sector ceased to be about purchasing currency or buying shares in the hope of receiving a dividend to purchasing financial commodities in the hope they could be sold for a higher price.

Due to this it became possible for a company to be in financial difficulties but have a rising share price, or as was seen during the dot.com bubble, new start-up's witnessed astronomical rises in their share prices even though they were forecasted not to make a profit for 20 years.

The financial sector dominated by the financial markets actually does not produce anything real. Speculators trade in shares, bonds, and currencies that move around from trader to trader, in the hope that slight price changes will yield profits. This process has led to speculation reaching levels unheralded in history. It also means the price of commodities could be moving in the complete opposite direction to the supply and demand situation of a commodity. A good example of this was the rise in oil prices in 2008. Oil prices in less than a year reached $150 a barrel. Throughout history Oil prices rarely went above $35 a barrel, this huge surge in price completely contradicted the fundamentals. No new oil fields were discovered, no new technology was invented that could extract or refine oil quicker. Mark Lewis from Energy Market Consultants explained at the time in a BBC interview: "We really don't know what the fundamentals are doing at any point in time; the markets are looking for signals from the fundamentals. Some of them are irrelevant, some of them are wrong, some of them are meaningless, but they affect prices nevertheless." Sean Cronin, editor of Argus Global Markets explained at the time: "When the New York oil price broke through $100 a barrel for the first time at the start of 2008, one of the factors cited as being behind it was the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan on 27 December 2007, that didn't strike us as making any sense at the time."

The financial economy that doesn't produce anything has become so sophisticated that various products have been created which allow an investment in a paper with no real asset represented. This side of the economy is valued more then the real economy, the size of the worldwide bond market is estimated at $45 trillion. The size of the world's stock markets is estimated at $51 trillion. The world derivatives market has been estimated at $1000 trillion, more then 60 times the size of the US economy and 24 times the size of the entire world economy.

Disaster Capitalism
Western theories on finance have dominated the discipline of economics for over a century. Economic textbooks argue the 'time value of money' theory which states that the value of money (the quantity of goods that can be bought) is falling hence a mechanism is needed to fill the difference. Hence £100 will purchase a fixed amount of goods today, however a year later £100 will not get you the same amount of goods, interest rates in theory are equal to the difference. The ability to invest in investment products and financial markets allows one to hedge his/her wealth.

The fundamental problem with such Capitalist theory is that on many issues there is a wide discrepancy between theory and practice. Interest rates in today's global economy in no way represent the change in the value of money. Interest rates in many economies across the world outstrip prices changes enormously. Such views of money have in fact created an economy which is not real. The global financial economy has turned into one big casino where traders bet on what will happen in the real economy.

Islam and the Financial Economy
The Islamic economy is built upon the real economy this is where the process of production of tangible goods and services, Islam has designated a role for finance in the economy - due to Islam's focus on the real economy which is the wealth creating aspect of any economy finance in Islam is not an end in itself as there is no interest (Riba). Wealth in Islam is created through each stage of industry i.e. mining, refining, manufacturing and sales' All of this adds value at each stage and creates wealth for the economy.

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا

"That is because they say: 'Trading is only like Riba,' whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba." [al-Baqarah, 2:275]

Finance in Islam is intrinsically tied to the real economy and is not an industry in itself. Due to this finance takes a shape in an Islamic economy very different to what is seen in Capitalist economies.

1. Money in Islam was designated by Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as representative money. This is where the notes and coins in the economy are representing a commodity. Through the actions of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم in terms of collating tax, penalties and prices in the economy, money represents gold and silver. By restricting the legal tender to such metals inflation is contained as any increase in the supply of money requires additional metal, in this way the Islamic economy has restricted the central government from freely printing currency (paper money must be 100% backed by gold or silver). This brings the much needed stability to money which in turn brings stability to the overall economy.

2. The Bait-ul Mal - the central treasury plays a key role in an Islamic economy. It regulates Money supply by monitoring production and ensuring sufficient currency exists in the economy so that trade and transactions can take place. The role of the state has been clearly defined in the Islamic texts. It has been designated with the responsibility of ensuring the circulation of wealth and supervising the public properties.

3. The removal of interest has a huge impact in the economy. For many it is difficult to envisage economic life outside the capitalist framework which relies so much on interest. The absence of interest actually allows for more wealth creation. To appreciate this we need to understand the role played by interest in investment decisions. This is because the challenge all people face is one of investment. Simply put, people will only invest their money if the rate of return of a business venture measured against the risk of the venture is offset by the interest that can be gained from leaving the money in a bank account to accrue interest. Thus, if the risk of the rate of return on an investment is less than the rate of interest, then one would leave their wealth in a bank account rather than actually invest it. Hence the incentive would be to save the money rather than to use (invest) it. Interest in other words restricts investment and hence is an impediment to the distribution of wealth. By removing interest from the economy it incentivises wealth circulation in the economy through investing in real goods and business ventures. This brings added stability as all participants participate in the same sphere - the real economy.

4. Any individual wanting to begin a business venture needs finance. One could wait for years to accumulate the necessary profits to expand or start a new business or borrow the money today. For this purpose banks were created. Islam has permitted the creation of banks and views them as institutions that aid wealth circulation. This is because banks collect the population's deposits and then invest the money across the economy in new business ventures. In this way banks become like venture capital bodies who invest in real business. With the absence of speculative financial markets banks only have one sphere to invest customer wealth, the real economy. The absence of interest in the Islamic banking industry as well as speculative and dubious financial markets is the discerning line between modern banks and Islamic banking. This means Islamic banks can only make money from investing wealth across the economy in projects and new start ups, the impact on the wider economy is huge as banks will stimulate the economy through such acts. Modern banking wealth finds its way primarily into the financial markets creating a speculative bubble if investments do not materialise.

5. Although Islam is built upon the real economy and the financial sector is based upon providing finance for the real economy, Islam has allowed a few purely financial transactions. Islam has permitted currency exchange as this was a common practice amongst the people of Mecca and Medina and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم did not object to it. Islam permitted some forward contracts - this is where payment is taken before the actual delivery of goods or before the final transfer of ownership of the goods. However the items that can be sold before ownership is undertaken must be of a defined nature where they can be counted, measured or weighed, this is due to what is established in the hadith of ibn Abbas, that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Whoever pays in advance in dates, let him pay in advance for a known price and a known weight for a known period."

And in another narration of ibn Abbas who said:

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Whoever pays in advance in something then (it should be) in a known measure and a known weight for a known period." (narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Islam has categorically prohibited purely financial transactions where one lends money in the hope of receiving more in repayment. All trade and transactions are linked to the real economy as they are built upon construction, manufacture, services, or the production of goods and so on.

6. The Islamic company structure also complements an economy without interest. This is because Islamic law does not allow companies to operate on the basis of limited liability, which allows one to only have a financial stake in a company which is restricted to the amount invested. In the event of bankruptcy a shareholder would only lose the initial capital of the company no matter how large the debts. The key feature in an Islamic company is all shareholders are responsible for company debts in proportion to their investment, rather than just their monetary amount. Islamic company shareholders also partake in the running of the business not merely just remain a shareholder in the hope that share prices rise. Stock markets exist primarily to cater for such investors, who do not directly participate in running or management of the company.

7. Whilst the Capitalist finance industry offers investors an array of products and many opportunities, it also brings much harm to the wider economy. This is because such debt based products are betting on the future and reliant upon a certain outcome, when this doesn't occur the inevitable bust occurs. The Global, credit crunch was built upon future real estate prices continuing to rise, when this was not forthcoming it brought the global economy down, as many had invested in debt based products which themselves were dependent on rising house prices.

8. Western theorists have always argued that an economy without interest removes the incentive to invest. They argue there would be no investment unless there was a guaranteed rate of return. The Islamic economy however is dynamic enough to encourage investment without the need for interest. The prohibition of hoarding wealth has been addressed directly by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Islamic creed has forbidden the hoarding of wealth. Hence spending is seen as an act of worship alongside the fulfilment of one's needs. At the same time the Islamic economy has designated a 2.5% tax (Zakat) on any wealth held for a year above a fixed threshold. Hence holding onto wealth aside from being rebuked by the Islamic texts faces taxation at the of the Islamic tax year - all this gives citizens in the Islamic economy the incentive to spend and invest, stimulating the economy.

Conclusions
The Islamic economy is intrinsically tied to the real economy, this means wealth is created at each stage of the production line, be it mining, refining, manufacturing, marketing or sales. Each of these sectors will need companies and finance to contribute towards the economy and it is here Islamic finance plays a role. Due to finance being tied to the real economy participants engage only in the real economy which creates stability as there is no way for national income to leave the economy - as such a parallel economy does not exist. The aim of the Islamic economy is to remove barriers to wealth circulation, Islam achieved this through the removal of the barriers that act as obstacles such as interest, speculative financial markets, income based taxation and fiat currency. Boom and bust will not exist in an Islamic economy as the Islamic economy is about ensuring wealth continually changes hands so all can profit from it, the aim of the Islamic economy is not perpetual economic growth, which has proven to be mission impossible.

Presenting Muslim women in court by forcefully removing their hijab proves the Bangladesh government's abhorrence towards Islam

2009-07-23T23:30:00.001-07:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Press Release

Media Office in Bangladesh

23 Rajab 1430 AH / 17 July, 2009 CE

Presenting Muslim women in court by forcefully removing their hijab proves the present government's abhorrence towards Islam

"The grand alliance government which believes in the Kufr democratic system and serves the west is undertaking treacherous acts of attempting to wipe out and uproot Islam from the country in the name of fighting 'terrorism'. It has in fact declared a crusade against Islam." The Official Spokeswoman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Bangladesh Fahmida Farhana Khanam said this in a press release issued today in response to the arrests of three women whose hijab was forcefully removed when they were presented in court and taken into remand on 15th July, 2009 with allegation of links with militancy. She said this disgraceful act mirrors the words of Nicolas Sarkozy who said, "There is no place for the burka in France." The government is obeying the command of their imperialist masters to implement the rotten ideology of western secularism. They are treading the path of Bush, Pope Benedict, Geert Wilders and Sarkozy. In a country where 90% of the people believe in Islam, people are taken to remand or sent to face trial for the 'crime' of obeying Allah and wearing hijab or having a beard.

Furthermore, before coming to power Sheikh Hasina promised the people of Bangladesh that her government would do nothing against Islam. However this incident proves her to be an outright liar. She is actually following the path of the traitor and the infidel western agent Mustafa Kemal who, after abolishing the Khilafah on 28th Rajab 1342 hijri (3rd March, 1924), forcefully took off the hijab of Muslim women in order to please his imperialist masters and implement secularism.

Fahmida Farhana Khanam said the Muslims who call for democracy should learn from this. This is the ugly face of democracy. Western democracy believes in nothing but rejection of religion. It is obvious that in such a state Muslims who are obedient to the shari'ah will be attacked. In countries like France, Germany, Denmark, and Britain who are the champions of democracy, they have launched a vicious campaign against the hijab. Furthermore, Muslim women are physically assaulted or even murdered for wearing Hijab. Such incidents prove that there is no place for Islam in a democratic state.

At the end, Fahmida Farhana Khanam said in the past, Khulafah like Mu'tasim Billah declared Jihad against the disbelieving enemies to protect the honour of Muslim women. But today, western agents in the Muslim world like Sheikh Hasina's government are dishonouring them. She called upon the Ummah to reject the Kufr secular democratic system come forward to establish the Khilafah state which will protect the Aqeedah and honour of the Muslims.

Fahmida Farhana Khanam
Official Spokeswoman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Bangladesh
Tel: +88 01711 548243
Email: ffkhanam@yahoo.com

PRESS RELEASE: Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia on the International Ulama Conference

2009-07-23T23:29:00.001-07:00

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of the Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia

166/PU/E/07/09

HIZB UT-TAHRIR INDONESIA ON THE INTERNATIONAL ULAMA CONFERENCE 1430 H

إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاء
"Verily, those of His servants who truly fear Allah are those who are knowledgeable (ulama)." (Al Fatir, 35: 28)

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«اَلْعُلَمَاءُ وَرَثَةُ الأَنْبِيَاءِ»

"The ulama are the inheritors of the Prophets"
(Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi, narrated by Abu Darda')

The ulama (scholars) are the inheritors of the Prophets. If the message of Islam is delivered to the human beings by Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم so that the blessings spread to all the world, it would be the main duty of the ulama. The point is that how to re-materialize the blessings of Islam to all the world after Islam has been buried for so long due to the extraordinary decline in all aspects. Therefore, the ulama have an important position in playing the roles, the duties, the functions as well as the responsibilities in an effort to revitalize the ummah which leads to the reestablishment of the pride of Islam and the Muslims.

Realizing the vital roles of the ulama, Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia will hold the International Ulama Conference (NUC) in observing Isra' Mi'raj 1430, as well as commemorating the fall 88th year of Khilafah on July 21, 2009 (28th of Rajab 1430 H) in Istora Senayan, Jakarta, The conference will be participated by 6000 ulama, kyai and ustaads (teachers) from various regions and areas. The main purpose of the conference is to strengthen the commitment of the ulama in the struggle to the application of sharia and Khilafah.

In Bayan Khitami (final declaration) which is issued at the end of the session, the ulama will declare that Khilafah is a magnificent obligation, and the struggle to re-establish it is an obligation of every Muslim as well. The importance of the obligation is so crucial that the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم agreed to prioritize selecting the successor of Messenger of Allah (Khaleefah) than to bury the dead body of Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, even though they understood that burying the body of Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم immediately became their obligation as well. The action of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed the importance of the struggle to uphold the Khilafah as an obligation that must be implemented as soon as possible.

In addition, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also illustrated that the death of someone who does without a bai'ah (oath of allegiance) to a Khaleefah whether he exists or not, or not to struggle to the establishment of Khilafah, is like the death of jahiliyah. In Islamic terms, Bai'ah means a bai'ah to a Khaleefah.

«مَنْ خَلَعَ يَدًا مِنْ طَاعَةٍ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لا حُجَّةَ لَهُ، وَمَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ فِي عُنُقِهِ بَيْعَةٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً» [رواه مسلم عن عبد الله بن عمر]

"Whoever let off his hands from the loyalty, he will meet Allah in the day of Judgement without having an argument. And whoever dies while on his shoulder there is no bai'ah, his death is like the death of a jahiliya." (Narrated by Imam Muslim from Abdullah ibn Umar).

In addition, other important duties in Islam, such as applying the laws of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (hudud), applying sharia to protect the property, life, honour, religion, intellect, offspring and human security, and spread the message of Islam, to free the lands of Islam from colonialism and other things requires the existence of an imam. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

وَإِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَيُتَّقَى بِهِ» [متفق عليه

"Verily, an Imam is like a shield, people battle behind him, and seek protection behind him." (Agreed upon)

And it is also stated by the ulama, who have the knowledge and understanding of the laws of Islam given by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, that it is their duty that they should already be on the forefront guard in this struggle. With that awareness the ulama in Bayan Khitami express their reward to the untiring efforts and hard work of the struggle done by Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia to continue the life in an Islamic way by applying the Islamic sharia and Khilafah. The ulama are determined and will do every effort to support this struggle by proceeding to make the ummah aware and try to approach the owner of the strength (al-quwwah) in Muslim countries to provide support (nusrah) to the supporters of Khilafah.

Besides, through the Bayan Khitami, the ulama convey good news and warnings. The warning is addressed to the unbelievers who have seized and colonized the Muslim countries, as well as to the agents of the dictator rulers, that the Muslims will continue to remember the various crimes they have done against Islam and Muslims. They are reminded that if Khilafah will once be established, they will get strict sanctions as defined by Islamic sharia.

While the good news is addressed to the Muslims, that the dawn of Khilafah will soon be seen. The promise of Allah will soon be materialized:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ
"And Allah has promised to those who believe and pious people among you that He will truly give them power on earth as He made those before them in power." (An-Nur, 24: 55)

On that day, the good news of Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم in a Sahih hadith becomes evident as narrated in Musnad Ahmad:

«ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلافَةً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ»
"Then there will be a Khilafah that follow the method of prophethood." (Narrated by Ahmad)

وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
بِنَصْرِ اللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَاء وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ
"And on the day (victory), shall the Believers rejoice. He helps anyone whom He desires. He is the Al-Mighty, the Merciful." (Ar-Rum, 30: 4-5)

The International Ulama conference will conclude with the signing of a symbolic Mitsaq al-Ulama (scholars statement) by representatives of ulama from various regions and areas. The rest of the participants have previously signed it. The main points of the Mitsaq contain 5 points, namely:

1. Realizing that at this time, the Muslims all over the world in general and in Indonesia in particular share the same issues, both in economic, political, social, cultural and understanding (tsaqafah) that make the Muslims no longer able to show themselves as the best ummah (khayru ummah).

2. All these problems are rooted in the absence of Islam in which the shari'a is applied under the leadership of a Khaleefah who can protect the people from a variety of attacks and harassment.

3. Therefore, the struggle of the application of sharia and Khilafah is absolute because that is the only way to realize the pride of Islam and the Muslims (izzul Islam wal Muslims) in which all problems of the ummah can be overcome in a correct way so that the blessing of Islam for the whole world can be realized significantly.

4. That in this struggle, the ulama are the inheritors of the prophets (waratsatul anbiya) who have a very big responsibility in continuing the message of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, should take an active role in guiding and directing the people so that the ideals of the struggle really can be realized.

5. Be ready to be in the forefront guard in the struggle to uphold sharia and Khilafah and defend those who struggle for it.

Muhammad Ismail Yusanto

Spokeperson of Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia

Jakarta, July 21 2009/28 Rajab 1430 H

Cellphone: 0811119796

Email: Ismaily@telkom.net

Shari'ah in the 21st Century

2009-07-23T23:28:00.001-07:00

Mainly viewed as another synonym for 'brutal oppression' and 'backwardness', the term 'Shari'ah' is one of the most widely used and abused terms in the current western discourse on the Muslim world. This notion of Shari'ah currently prevails across the world mainly due to the intense focus it has been given by the western governments and the media. It is even echoed by the media and the ruling elite in the Muslim lands. This is all happening at a time when the number of Muslims yearning for the implementation of Shari'ah in their lands is on the increase. This desire to live under Shari'ah reflects the Muslim Ummah's growing understanding of the obligation to have every aspect of their lives governed by the laws of their Creator. It is therefore imperative to have a clear understanding of the nature of Shari'ah and how it is to be implemented.

Shari'ah and its Applicability for all Times

Linguistically, the word Shari'ah means a never-ending source of water from which people quench their thirst. This meaning is of great significance to the term Shari'ah in the context of Islam where it refers to the body of rules derived from the legislative sources of Islam (i.e. the Qur'an and the Sunnah) that covers every action performed by an individual or a society. Hence it deals with the relationship between Man and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Man and Himself, and Man and Man. It therefore covers every aspect of human life be it related to morality, cleanliness, ritual worships, economics or politics. Just as water is vital for life, the Shari'ah is essential for guiding humanity.

Unlike man-made systems devised by human beings who are limited in their abilities and are very much influenced by their own needs and the prevailing situations of their time, the Islamic Shari'ah is from the Creator of mankind who is without any such limitations. For this reason, the system of life given by Him addresses human beings in accordance with their natural makeup taking into account their instincts and organic needs. Whatever the time and place, the nature of a human being remains the same in this respect. His innate needs, such as the need for food, clothing, shelter or the instinctual need for survival, justice and security remain constant throughout time. Also, regardless of whether a human being is living in the 7th century, 14th century or the 21st century, the relationships he/she formulates will fall under the three categories previously mentioned (i.e. Man and Creator سبحانه وتعالى, Man and Himself and Man and Man). Since the Shari'ah covers these three aspects of life, it treats the affairs of human beings in their entirety without leaving anything to conjecture. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَى هَـؤُلاء وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
"And (remember) the Day when We shall raise up from every nation a witness against them from amongst themselves. And We shall bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We have sent down to you the Book as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves." (An-Nahl, 16:89)

This is very different to philosophies of life that emanate from minds of human beings. An example is that of John Stuart Mill, the famous nineteenth century champion of freedom, who called for 'experiments of living'. He wrote,

'As it is useful that while mankind are imperfect there should be different opinions, so is it that there should be different experiments of living; that free scope should be given to varieties of character, short of injury to others; and that the worth of different modes of life should be proved practically, when any one thinks fit to try them.' On Liberty (1859).

The idea here, being that people need to experiment with different modes of living in order to find out how to improve human lives. In Islam, there is no such need for a trial and error approach since the mode of living is prescribed by the Creator of Mankind who is All Knowing, All Hearing. His Shari'ah is applicable for all time since, unlike His creation, His knowledge is neither restricted to a set period in time, nor is it influenced by political, social or economic conditions of a certain time.

Moreover, the legislative sources from which Shari'ah rules are derived possess certain characteristics such as the following that give them relevancy for all time.

1. The Qu'ran and Sunnah combined are viewed as a legal text that allows the Mujtahid to derive rules for issues not mentioned directly in the text based upon a valid methodology. For example, Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

فَإِنْ أَرْضَعْنَ لَكُمْ فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ
"Then if they suckle (children) for you, give them their recompense" (at-Talaaq, 65:6)

This ayah states that payment should be made for breastfeeding. However, from the text the following rules or principles can be derived: Payment is extended to any hired employee such as a government employee or a labourer in a factory. Also, the wage had to be defined in the contract and employees should receive their wage without any delay upon fulfilling contractual obligations.

2. The text in many cases provides an illah (legal reason) that make it possible for the Mujtahid to extract rules for other cases that share the same illah. An example is the ayah,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِي لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
"O you who believe, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you if you did but know." (Jumu'a, 62:9)

This ayah is telling the believers that trade is forbidden when the adhan is called for the ju'mah prayer. The illah here is 'distraction from prayer'. In accordance with the illah, any activity that acts as an obstacle to a person praying the ju'mah prayer is forbidden. There exist however, specific guidelines for recognizing the illah mentioned in the text implicitly or explicitly.

3. The text sometimes includes specific phrases which make the text relevant for all times. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says,

وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
"And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride as an adornment. And He creates things of which you have no knowledge." (An-Nahl, 16:8)

The ayah lists some animals as being halal to use as a means for transportation and as objects of adornment. However, the meaning of the ayah includes any means of transportation that could be developed and this understanding is taken from the last part of the ayah.

Shari'ah: A Value Based System

The aim of the Shari'ah rules is to achieve the protection of human life, mind, human dignity, private property, religion, security and state. It does this by establishing a set of values for Muslims to live in accordance with. These values (along with the rules and punishments that protect these values in society) have the ability to deal with all kinds of societal problems such as crime, family breakdown, oppression of women and so on. To highlight this point further, a brief comparison will be made with the current values that are put forward by many as the only way forward for humanity, namely the liberal concept of freedom and the values of individualism that emanate from it.

In the western liberal societies, priority is given to the individual at the expense of the wider society. This has lead to the formation of a culture obsessed with individual freedom where the self-indulging mindset has been the cause of various social ills in society such as family breakdown or 'fatherless families' as termed by some. Rebecca O'Neill (2002) in her study on fatherless families writes,

'In the 1970s and 1980s many people argued that the traditional family - based upon a married biological father and mother and their children - was outdated. Under the guise of 'freedom of choice', 'self-fulfillment', and 'equal respect for all kinds of families', feminists and social rebels led a campaign to experiment with different family structures. Sometimes it was claimed that women and children did not need men, and were, in fact, often better off without them. On occasion it was said that families were not breaking down, they were just changing; that the most important thing for children was their parents' happiness and self-fulfillment; and that children were resilient and would suffer few negative effects of divorce and family disruption.... As the idea that mothers and children did not need fathers took hold, many social and legal supports for marriage weakened. Some mothers and children were simply abandoned. Some fathers were pushed away.'

Justice Coleridge, the judge in charge of family courts across South West England depicted the following dismal picture of family life in the UK in a speech given to family lawyers from the organisation "Resolution",

'A large number of families now consist of children being brought up by mothers who have children by a number of different fathers, none of whom take any part in their lives or support or upbringing...These are not isolated one-off cases. They are part of the stock-in-trade of the family courts...Almost all society's ills can be traced directly to the collapse of family life.' (2008)

The collapse of family life is the product of a culture in which the values of 'freedom of choice' and 'individualism' become the sole values of a society. Marriage becomes a burden laden with responsibility, commitment and loyalty which naturally curb on a person's freedom. Various studies conducted in the UK such as the annual study by management consultants Grant Thornton show that extra-marital affairs topped the list on the main causes for divorce. Instead of finding 'happiness and self-fulfillment,' surveys have shown that when compared to two parent families, lone mothers were poorer, more likely to suffer from stress, depression and other psychological problems, have more health problems and may have more problems interacting with their children. The impact on children has been far from 'a few negative effects'.

As Justice Coleridge said in his speech, "... I am not saying every broken family produces dysfunctional children but I am saying that almost every dysfunctional child is the product of a broken family." Quite understandably, a report by social policy charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation stated that, "People are concerned about the way our society has become more individualistic, greedy and selfish, seemingly at a cost to our sense of community." (2008).

In Islam, individualism is replaced with the mentality of responsibility towards others. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

"Beware! Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible and answerable for his flock. The leader and the ruler is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects (as to how he conducted their affairs); a man is a guardian over his family and shall be questioned about them (as to how he looked after their physical and moral well-being); a woman is the guardian over the household of her husband and his children and shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed the household and brought up the children); a servant is the shepherd of his master's property and shall be questioned about it (as to how he safeguarded his trust). Beware! Every one of you is a guardian and every one of you shall be questioned with regards to his trust." (Bukhari and Muslim).

Hence, once applied at societal level, the Shari'ah promotes the idea of "strong marriages", "motherhood", "fatherhood", "rights and responsibilities of parents" and "rights and responsibilities of children". It does this by building a mindset of accountability towards the Creator from which values such as chastity, loyalty in marriage, and a sense of responsibility towards others and for one's actions arise. These values along with the Shari'ah rules regarding the dress codes for men and women, segregation of the sexes and the prohibition and punishments for fornication, adultery and slander against the reputation of an individual, aim to ensure the formation of a harmonious environment where children and their parents alike are secure in their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities towards each other. This in turn leads to development of trust and respect between them. Unlike a society based on the concept of freedom and individualism where individuals are given preference over the community, the Shari'ah promotes a society in which harmony, safety and respect for the community at large are of utmost importance. It does this by promoting and protecting values that are in sharp contrast to the western liberal values.

Partial Implementation of Shari'ah

The ever increasing call by Muslims for the implementation of Shari'ah baffles those in the non-Muslim world who are constantly fed with images by the media of barbaric acts of torture and cruelty committed in its name. The current situation in Muslim countries where Shari'ah is partially implemented no doubt provides plenty of food for the media. Numerous examples are quoted of how in Nigeria unmarried girls and widows or divorced women who get pregnant even by rape, are flogged or sentenced to death by stoning.

In Pakistan hundreds of women are jailed under adultery and blasphemy laws. Recently, in the Malakand Division and Kohistan District of Pakistan some changes have been made to the judicial system which has publicly been reported as implementation of Shari'ah in the region. The makeshift Shari'ah courts are shown to swiftly order lashes and death sentences for those seen to be violating the law.

Ziba Mir Hosseini, author of Islam and Gender, said in an interview given to WomenagainstShari'ah.com, "We do not have in modern times any state which has introduced Shari'ah and has been able to respect women's rights."

What people like Hosseini fail to understand is that it is the selective implementation of Shari'ah as well as lack of knowledge of how and when to apply a rule that causes oppression not just for women but for the society at large. Contrary to the present situation, the Shari'ah leaves no room for false conviction or unjustified punishment due to the heavy burden of proof that is required for the execution of punishments. This is because the role of the punishments is primarily to act as a deterrent. Therefore, any shred of evidence that is doubtful will prevent the punishment.

It is narrated in the Seerah (life) of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم how he would exert himself to avert the punishment when individuals asked for the punishment to be implemented upon them.

Aiesha narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Avert the punishments from the Muslims as much as you can, so if the accused has any way out let him go free, because it is better for the Imam to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in imposing the punishment."

As a result of partial implementation of Shari'ah, there is a clear discrepancy in the Muslim countries between the values of the society and its rules and punishments. For instance, we see the value of chastity constantly undermined by public display of promiscuous material under the guise of 'entertainment', free-mixing of the sexes in private space, disregard for the Islamic dress code, a lack of understanding and respect for Islamic rules such lowering of the gaze . In such a situation, implementation of the Islamic punishments for adultery/fornication goes against the rules implemented in that society that do not aim to protect the value of chastity. The nature of the Shari'ah is such that the both the rules and the punishments are supposed to protect the values of the society. The purpose of the Shari'ah is to block the avenues that lead to crime; it is not to tempt people to commit the crime only to severely punish them afterwards.

The Islamic system therefore is inter-connected where one part helps the implementation of the other part. It can be seen how the implementation of the Islamic punishment for adultery/fornication necessitates the implementation of for instance the Islamic Social System (that organizes all the relationships and interactions between men and women) and the Islamic Education System (the purpose of which will be to develop Islamic personality in thought and behavior). Similarly, there is a general principle in Islam that a thief's hand should be cut off. However, if the individual steals food while hungry then this general principle is not applied in this particular situation. A misapplication of the Shari'ah is applying this punishment while at the same time implementing an economic system based on capitalism which thrives on exploiting the masses in order to fill the pockets of a handful of capitalists. All the Islamic rules laws must be in place for the Islamic punishments to be executed.

Moreover, Islam has categorically stated that it is haram for the Muslims to accept or implement the Shari'ah partially:

أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتَابِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ فَمَا جَزَاء مَن يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ مِنكُمْ إِلاَّ خِزْيٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَى أَشَدِّ الْعَذَابِ
"Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment." (Baqara, 2:85)

Gradual Implementation of Islam

Similarly, in Islam there is no place for believing that although all the Shari'ah rules must be applied in a society, it can be done gradually. As mentioned previously, the Islamic rules are inter-connected where the application of one part depends on the application of other parts. Gradual implementation naturally involves selecting certain rules to be applied at one time while leaving the others to be applied at a later time.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى tells us in the Qur'an,

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا
"This day I have perfected your Deen for you, I have completed my favour upon you and have chosen Islam for you as your Deen." (Al-Maaida, 5:3)

After the revelation of this ayah, the Muslims became solely obliged to apply and execute all of the Islamic rulings without any exception. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has also states,

وَأَنِ احْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ وَاحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَن بَعْضِ مَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ إِلَيْكَ
"And judge between them with what Allah has revealed and do not follow their desires and beware that they do not divert you from any of what Allah has revealed." (Al-Maaida, 5:49)

This is a decisive order from Allah to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and to the Muslim rulers after him, of the necessity of ruling with all the rules which He سبحانه وتعالى has sent. The expression what (ma) which is mentioned in this verse of the Qur'an implies generality and therefore includes all the revealed rulings.

In another verses, Allah سبحانه وتعالى tells us,

وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
"Those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed, then they are the Kafiroon." (Al-Maaida, 5:47)

We find that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never applied the rules gradually. A rule was applied as soon as it was revealed. There was no concept of people not being ready for it or the situation not being ripe for the implementation of all of the rules. A clear example is that of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم not accepting the request of Banu Thaqeef to leave their idol Al-Lat for three years or accepting their request to be excused from praying salah as a condition for entering Islam. Instead he insisted on destroying the idol immediately and did not allow them to leave salah. Likewise, when the Khulafah ar-Rashideen implemented the rules of Islam on the conquered countries, they implemented the rules all together, without any delay. They never allowed haram actions to take place along with the halal actions as is the case with gradual implementation.

The Shari'ah rules can never be implemented comprehensively by attempting to apply them under the ruling regimes that take a creed other than the creed of Islam as their premise. We can see today that the regimes in the Muslim world are capitalist in their nature and are built upon a secular creed which advocates the separation of religion from life's affairs. Any attempt to apply the Shari'ah comprehensively under such circumstances will inevitably lead to compromise due to fundamental contradiction between the Islamic creed and its values and the secular creed and its values that are currently made to prevail in the Muslim countries. In reality, Shari'ah can only be applied immediately and comprehensively by replacing the current system with a state that will take the Islamic Aqeedah (creed) as its foundation from which will emanate the Islamic values along with the rules related to every aspect of life (be it social, economic, judicial, educational, related to foreign policy, etc). The Islamic state will also be responsible for spreading the message of Islam to the world. This is how the Shari'ah was applied in the past and this is how it must be applied now.

Application of Shari'ah and Progress

The misconception that application of Shari'ah in society will lead to backwardness in terms of material progress and advancement has no base when considering the Islamic history which is an open testament to the vast array of achievements that were made in all spheres of life under the shade of Shari'ah. We can see how as early as the Prophet's time, Muslims utilised the existing technology and advancements made by other nations of that time. For instance, the Muslims acquired the know-how of building a trench from Salman Al-Farsi during the Battle of the Trench. This technology was an invention of the Persians, the second superpower of that time. Also Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم sent some of his companions to Yemen to learn how to make swords. It is narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said with regard to cross pollinating the date palm, "You are more knowledgeable about the matters of your world."

We see how the sciences flourished under Shari'ah. The Muslims became the most advanced in the world in various fields such as mathematics, geometry, medicine, natural sciences, etc. In medicine for instance, Muslims demonstrated circulation of the blood, developed the theory of optics, and published the first clinical account of smallpox. Two medieval Muslim physicians, Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Ibn Rushd (Averroes), were the ultimate authorities on medicine until recent times. The Muslims also excelled in other fields such as agriculture. In the 8th and 9th century, Iraq under Shari'ah had a population of 30 million, 80% of whom were farmers, with modern irrigation systems, from the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. The ration of yield of seed for wheat in the Muslim world was 10:1 compared to 2.5:1 in Europe. In Islam, technology of any kind that leads to material progress is allowed to be taken as long as it does not contradict Islam and as long as there is no specific evidence prohibiting it.

Thus for example, the Muslim learned about making paper and gunpowder which were of Chinese origin and developed them further. It can be seen that the Muslims did not take on the beliefs and values of other nations, but rather made use of the sciences, inventions, etc, and the thoughts related to them that did not stem from a particular creed. Volumes can be written on the scientific achievements made by Muslims and non-Muslims alike under the Shari'ah. This is in sharp contrast to the number of scientific advances made by Muslims today who find themselves living under the Capitalist system where they are forced to utilize all their energies on securing basic necessities for themselves and their families. Therefore, to say that Shari'ah will lead to backwardness goes against reality of the situation and can only be viewed as mere propaganda against the growing call for the application of the Shari'ah and its relevancy in today's day and age.

Conclusion

The rules of Shari'ah are a mercy from Allah سبحانه وتعالى that came to liberate human beings from the oppressive man-made systems such as capitalism that has lead to misery and deprivation of majority of the world population. The application of Shari'ah will bring about justice and security for all who live under its shade. However, the Shari'ah rules must be applied comprehensively as there is no concept of partial or gradual implementation of Shari'ah in Islam. The implementation of Shari'ah therefore necessitates replacing the current regimes in the Muslim world with the Khilafah system that will take the Islamic Aqeedah as its creed and will ensure complete and comprehensive implementation of Shari'ah. Indeed, the return of the Khilafah is something that has been foretold by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Imam Ahmed in his Musnad narrated from al-Nu'man Ibn Bashir (ra) as saying that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had stated, "Prophethood will last with you for as long as Allah wants it to last. Then He will end it if He wishes to end it. Then there will be Khilafah according to the method of Prophethood, and things will be as Allah wishes them to be. Then He will end it if He wishes to end it. Then there will be hereditary rule, and things will be as Allah wishes them to be. Then He will end it if He wishes to end it. Then there will be an oppressive rule, and things will be as Allah wishes them to be. Then He will end it if He wishes to end it. Then there will be a Khilafah according to the method of Prophethood." Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم fell silent."

The increased propaganda and oppression that is spearheaded by the west and fully supported by the rulers of the Muslim countries against those calling for the rule of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is a clear indication of the imminent return of the Khilafah. And for those who believe and strive to make the Shari'ah of Allah سبحانه وتعالى supreme, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has promised victory:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
"Allah has promised those amongst you who believe and work righteous deeds, that he will, indeed, grant them inheritance of power in the earth, as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their Deen which He has chosen for them, and that He will change their state, after the fear in which they lived in, to one of security and peace. They will worship me alone and not associate aught with Me, and those who do reject faith after this, they would be the rebellious and the wicked." (An-Nur, 24:55)

Repercussions of Destroying the Khilafah

2009-07-23T23:27:00.001-07:00

The month of Rajab gives us an opportunity to reflect on the obligation (fardiyah) of the Khilafah. Recent events - such as the Chinese persecution of Uighurs, France's attack on the Islamic dress code, America's assault on Afghanistan/Pakistan, and the siege of Palestine - point to the dire need of the Khilafah Rashida: the Islamic State that will rule by what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has revealed and bring peace, justice, and security to the Ummah and all of humanity.

Next week on the 28th of Rajab, the Ummah will mark the 88th anniversary of the Khilafah's destruction. Since the abolishment of the Khilafah in 1342/1924, the Ummah has been subject to the dictates of the disbelieving colonial powers. These powers continue to rule the Muslim lands through their proxies and agent rulers. Also, many European states have increasingly shown their open hostility to the Muslims who reside there. In this issue, we explore some current news items and remind the Ummah that we are under constant threat. The only solution for the Ummah is to re-establish the Khilafah Rashida based on the political and intellectual method of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Somalia: 3.5 Million Muslims on the Edge
As reported in the Irish Times, "At least 3.5 million Somalians [sic] are now on the edge of a precipice, without access to food, health services or basic security". The author also noted that under the Union of Islamic Courts, the country enjoyed "rule of law and a good level of general security for the ordinary population". However, that changed when America sent in Ethiopia to overthrow the Islamic Courts. Since then, fighting has continued between the current "transitional federal government" led by Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and "Al-Shabab" who are fighting to restore Islamic rule in Somalia. In response, to the continued pressure from the Muslims, the US has sent weapons to the weakening Sharif's regime to thwart a takeover by those Muslims that seek to rule by what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has revealed. An unnamed US official told the Washington Post that "A decision was made at the highest level to ensure the government does not fall and that everything is done to strengthen government security forces to counter the rebels". The official also noted that the shipment of weapons and ammunition arrived this month in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Muslims in France and Germany under Assault
In Europe, the Muslim Ummah saw the move to ban the burqa and witnessed the brutal murder of a pregnant Muslim sister in a German courtroom. In France, President Sarkozy stated that "The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience," he told members of both parliamentary houses gathered for his speech. He went on to say that "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic." His comments followed an appeal last week by 65 French MPs for a parliamentary commission to examine whether Muslim women who cover themselves fully in public undermine women's rights and France's secular tradition. These MPs included representatives from a number of parties, including the Communists and Sarkozy's own UMP. The call won instant support from members of Mr Sarkozy's centre-Right government, but was opposed by the Socialists (the main opposition party). This is not the first time the French government has lamented over the Muslimah's dress code. In 2004, the country passed a controversial law forbidding women from wearing of the hijab (head scarf) in state schools and government offices. It is ironic that France claims to be the "champion" of religious freedom and tolerance, and yet this very notion is forgotten when applied to Muslims living in France.

In Germany, Marwa al-Sherbini was brutally stabbed in a German courtroom 18 times. Instead of the police intervening to protect her, they shot and critically wounded her husband who was trying to defend her! In Germany - as in France and other European countries - the anti-Muslim sentiment has been on the rise in the last decade. Therefore, it is not surprising that such a murder would happen; given that such a climate of hatred exists.

China: Muslim riot in response to June killings
In June, a mob of Han Chinese singled out and killed two Muslim (Uighur) workers in the city of Shaoguan in southern Guangdong province. The incident resulted in clashes between Uighur Muslims and the Han Chinese, including Chinese security forces in Urumqi, the capital of occupied East Turkistan (known by the Chinese as "Xinjiang").

Chinese officials claim 156 people - mostly ethnic Han Chinese - died in Sunday's violence. Uighur groups state many more died and that most of the dead were Uighurs. On Tuesday about 200 Uighur women faced off against riot police to appeal for more than 1,400 people arrested over Sunday's violence to be freed. Later, hundreds of Han Chinese marched through the streets of Urumqi smashing shops and stalls belonging to the Muslims.

Since April 1996, some 57,000 Uighur Muslims had been arrested and about 1,700 of them executed. The Chinese government also stepped up a crackdown on 'unauthorized' religious activity. China's summary execution of 30 Muslims in February 1997 was particularly brutal. Such arrests are only one tool out of many that the Chinese authorities have been using to suppress Muslims and Islam. They have also publicly burned and banned the Quran. They specifically call for the abolition of Islamic practices and prohibit Muslims from learning the Uighur language (which uses the Arabic script). The Chinese authorities continue to pursue a policy of resettlement to dilute the Muslim population in East Turkistan by populating the region with Han Chinese. Back in 1949 the Han Chinese constituted a mere 2-3% of the total population. Now they represent around 50% of the population and control most businesses.

Pakistan & Afghanistan: American Operations Intensify
In Afghanistan, the US occupying forces launched a large ground operation involving attack helicopters, tanks and 4,000 US Marines. The assault was launched in coordination with 2 unmanned drone attacks - that took off from Pakistan - which killed 115 people. Furthermore, the Pakistani government authorized air strikes that killed 24 people in northwest Swat region and South Waziristan. This is in addition to the Pakistani government using its army to do America's dirty work, which has resulted in the displacement of 2 million people. The coordination between America and the Pakistani government is working to squeeze the Muslims resisting the US led occupation. What is clear from the situation in Afghanistan is that America cannot subjugate Muslims without the assistance of the traitor Muslim governments, such as the Zardari regime in Pakistan. The pattern that America has used in Pakistan is of course no different than what she did in Iraq - relying on the neighboring countries (e.g. Iran, Syria, etc) to undermine the resistance.

The Siege of Palestine: A Slow Excruciating Death
Eight months have passed since Israel started its latest round of massacring Muslims in Gaza. Although the bombs have stopped falling - and the media has stopped paying attention - the Massacre in Gaza continues. However, instead of bombs, Israel is using a deadly siege to squeeze the life out of the people of the area. For example, as the people cannot access building materials, they must use tents as makeshift shelters. As filmed in a documentary aired by the UK's Guardian, fathers must stay up all night to protect their family and children from being eaten by wild animals! As any objective observer would clearly see, the true brutality in Palestine lies in the day-to-day reality of being occupied by Israel, which includes waiting hours upon hours at checkpoints, watching helplessly as Israel comes in and bulldozes one's homes, watching in horror as the Israeli army uproots olive trees (which is often the only source of sustenance one has), or being subject to house raids in the middle of the night. As was documented by in the news show "60 Minutes", Israeli troops can arbitrarily take up residence in a Muslim's house and use it as a temporary post of operation.

The situation of Muslims in Palestine is particularly apt in highlighting the absence of the Khilafah. Muslims ruled the land continuously from the time of Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra) until the crusaders occupied it. The call to liberate Al-Quds was received by Salahuddin Ayubbi (rh) who fought bravely and, by Allah's سبحانه وتعالى leave, liberated the land once again. Then Islamic rule continued under the Uthmanis. However, the Uthmani Khilafah declined in power to a point where it was encumbered by debt. The Zionist movement attempted to take advantage of the Khilafah's weak situation by offering to buy the land. But what was the response of our Khaleefah, Sultan Abdul Hamid (rh)? Did he get on the next train to London and engorge himself on the coffers of Europe as the rulers do today? No, he most certainly did not! Instead, he refused to even meet with the head of the Zionist movement and told them that the land was soaked with the blood of the mujahideen and shuhuda and therefore was too precious to be traded for the wealth of this world. Such leadership, unfortunately, cannot be found in any of the 50+ governments that rule the Muslim Ummah today.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى help us resume the Islamic way of life through the re-establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah according to the intellectual and political method of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى allow the future generations to grow under its shade, protected from occupation and oppression.