Non-muslims

Islam and misogyny

aljamaykee Leave a comment

Islam and misogyny

Misogyny means: “Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women” [http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/misogyny].

Unfortunately, many people claim Islam is a misogynistic religion and that Muslim women are oppressed. However, this claim is false and unjustified. Islam honors women and gives them their status.

Prior to Islam, the polytheists of the Arab disliked girls and were sadden by their birth. Allah says:

وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُمْ بِالْأُنْثَى ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
يَتَوَارَى مِنَ الْقَوْمِ مِنْ سُوءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِ أَيُمْسِكُهُ عَلَى هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُ فِي التُّرَابِ أَلَا سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief! He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision [16:58-59]

Imam al-Alusi rahimahullah said:

“The verse is clear in the dispraise of being sad if given the glad tidings of a girl because it was narrated that it was the action of the disbelievers. As for the real believer, then he is pleased with what Allah has allotted for him and the decree of Allah is better than the judgement of a person himself…verily Allah informed you of their [the polytheist’s] actions to avoid it and prohibit it” [Tafseer al-Alusi (10/206)].

Quite the contrary, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

لاَ يَفْرَكْ مُؤْمِنٌ مُؤْمِنَةً إِنْ كَرِهَ مِنْهَا خُلُقًا رَضِيَ مِنْهَا آخَرَ

A believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another [Muslim no.1468]

Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

“…That is: his wife, his sister, and his mother. However the intent here is his wife…“[Sharh Riyaadhus-Saliheen (6/244)].

So Islam does not believe women are a source of sadness or shame. Islam believes women are the twin-sisters of men.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

نَعَمْ إِنَّمَا النِّسَاءُ شَقَائِقُ الرِّجَالِ

Yes. Woman are counterpart of men.

[Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 236]

Imam al-Khattabi (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

“[In this Hadith is proof] that the audience [of Ahaadith] if reported with the wording men is [also] addressing women. Except in the places that are specified [for women] by the evidences” [‘Awn al-Ma’bood (1/275)].

Imam as-San’aani rahimahullah said commenting on the Hadith:

لعن الله الرجلة من النساء

Allah cursed mannish women

“Mannish women who imitate men in their appearance and in their speech and the likes of that. As for [regarding] knowledge and opinion, then it is praiseworthy [i.e. that women be like men]. I say: it is not resemblance, rather it is acting upon what they have been ordered to do. For verily the women are the counterparts of men. They were ordered with knowledge and action. The manner of teaching and learning is not specific to men“[Tanweer Sharh Jami’ as-Sagheer (9/48)].

Some people may say that Islam favours men over women and they point to the verse in the Quran that states:

الرجال قوامون على النساء بما فضل الله بعضهم على بعض وبما أنفقوا من أموالهم

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means [4:34]

According to Imam Shawkaani (may Allah have mercy upon him), this verse means:

“Verily they [the men] only deserve this virtue due to Allah favoring men over women because of what He has favored them with in terms of being caliphates, sultans, rulers, ameers, soldiers, and other than that of affairs” [Fathul-Qadir (1/694)].

It does not mean all men are better than women, but that men have been favored over women from this angle.

Shaikh Bin Baz (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

“…It does not necessitate from this [verse] that every man is better than every woman. Verily this preference is in general. As for detail, then a woman can be better than a man. This is a real, well-known affair. However, in general the male gender was favored over the female gender and this is known through the legislation, intellect, and natural disposition. Through the knowledge of reality and experience. However, how many women are better than a man due to her knowledge, religion, steadfastness, and insight. By looking at the attributes of the female Companions, Tabi’een, and Scholars of this Ummah of the women, you will know there are good women who are better then many men“[Noor ‘ala Darb (26/106)].

And as mentioned earlier, women are the counterparts of men. However, there are certain positions or fields that men are given preference and this is a virtue given by Allah. It does not mean women are less than men or that they are not as good as men or despised by men.

Some may point then to this verse:

فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيْنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامْرَأَتَانِ مِمَّنْ تَرْضَوْنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَاءِ أَنْ تَضِلَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحْدَاهُمَا الْأُخْرَى

And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her [2:282]

Saying that this means women are less than men and why is the testimony of two men equal to one man? Allah explained in the above verse that if one of them errs the other can remind them.

Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said that his teacher Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

“In this verse is evidence that the testimony of two women in place of the testimony of one man is only for one woman to remind the other if she errs. This is only in [the affairs] that have error in them in customarily. That is forgetfulness and inaccuracy. So in this meaning, the Prophet (ﷺ) said the Hadith:

أما نقصان عقلهن فشهادة امرأتين بشهادة رجل

As for you deficiency in intellect, then it is that the testimony of two women is equal to the testimony to one man [صحيح مسلم]

So he clarified that she has half the testimony because of the deficiency in intellect [i.e. memory and accuracy] not in religion. So it is known by that that the trustworthiness of a women is in the same position as the trustworthiness of a man. And that her intellect can be more deficient than his [i.e. in this angle]. In the matters of testimony in which error is not feared customarily, then her testimony is not half of that of a man’s. Two testimonies [in this situation] is not accepted. The places when a single testimony is accepted is in things which she saw, or touched with her hand, or heard with her ear [which do not] depend [solely] on the intellect. Like regarding birth, or the voice of the child when being born, or in menstruation, or the defects underneath the [woman’s] clothing. For verily the likes of these affairs are not forgotten customarily” [at-Turuq al-Hukumiyyah (1/221-222)].

The Hadith cited by Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) above is also another common contention in the opinion of some people. It is when the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

وَمَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ نَاقِصَاتِ عَقْلٍ وَدِينٍ أَغْلَبَ لِذِي لُبٍّ مِنْكُنَّ

I have never seen anyone lacking in discernment and religion more overwhelming to a man of wisdom than you [Muslim no. 79]

Shaikh Bin Baz (may Allah have mercy upon him) commented on this Hadith saying:

“…It does not necessitate from this Hadith that the deficiency in her intellect is in everything and the deficiency in her religion is in everything. Verily the Prophet (ﷺ) clarified that the deficiency in her intellect is from the angle that inaccuracy occurs in testimony and her deficiency in religion is from the angle that she leaves off the prayer and fasting in the situation of menstruation and post-natal bleeding. It does not necessitate also that she is less than a man in everything and that a man is better than her in everything. Yes, so it is not necessary for a believer to accuse her [the woman] of being deficient in everything and have deficiency in all her religion. Verily it is a specific deficiency in regards to accuracy in testimony and the likes. So it is necessary to have fairness with her [woman] and carry the speech of the Prophet upon the best of possible meanings. And Allah Knows best” [Fatwa Noor ‘ala Darb (29/101-102].

So this clarifies that Islam does not believe women to have inferior minds than men in general. It is only in relation to her memory and accuracy in certain affairs of testimony. Otherwise, there are many instances of women in Islam who were Scholars and teachers, like Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) and Fatimah bint al-Mundhir (may Allah have mercy on her).

So we can conclude from what has been mentioned above that Islam is not a misogynistic religion. Far from that, Islam is a religion of justice and honor.

And Allah Knows Best

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan

Our flawed unstanding of success

aljamaykee Leave a comment

Success

Only a few years ago, I had a flawed perception as to what the purpose of life was. It was merely something which came about with a unconscious connection to “success”. Now, success back then, to me; success was simply a word which I tied with being wealthy. I thought that success was to wake up to a beautiful view, in a beautiful home, with a beautiful career, with a beautiful bank account. How wrong was I? I was a teenager raised in a society where the concept of “success” was fed to us. We were taught, it was to go to school, get a education, get a good career, and then you work until you die.

After converting to Islam, a lot of my questions were answered, with one of the most important questions being: “What is my purpose?”. A pair of some well known verse in the Qur’an reads: “Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all things. Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving (67:1-2). I soonly realized that we are all slaves in terms of what we inclined to chase in this life. Not to say there is anything bad about being blessed with wealth and living according to your means, but the flawed perception that success is limited to living good in this world. How about the needy old man in the middle of the village in India who is living with self-content because he is pleased with the decree of his Creator? How about all those who are free from chasing materialism with a primary focus of pleasing their Lord? Is this not the success which we should be more focused on? If we live a wealthy and ‘comfortable’ life and die while our Lord is displeased with us, then what kind of success in this? Can we buy our Lord’s pleasure? Can we buy the Paradise He has prepared for us?

Allah says in the Qur’an: “Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). That is the great success. (85:11). As our Creator says, “that is the great success”. The greatest success is to die upon a condition where your Creator is pleased with you. How many of us have actions in accordance to this. Knowing that life is short and we could depart any second, any day, any week, what have we prepared for the real success?
Allah also says in the Qur’an: “Nay, you prefer the life of this world; Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting. Verily! This is in the former Scriptures, The Scriptures of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses). (87:16-19)

Life is more than just working until you die, and success isn’t merely living well in this world, rather it is to enter the gates of Paradise.

May Allah make us of those who He is pleased with and allow us to enter his Paradise!

Pamphlet series on Islam’s perspective on various topics

aljamaykee Leave a comment

Pamphlet series on Islam’s perspective on various topics

– compiled by Faisal Abu Sulayman and edited by Zain Abu Abdulbaree

Introduction to Islam: Introduction to Islam

Who is Allah: Who is Allah

Islam’s say about Jesus: What does Islam say about Jesus

Islam and extremism: Islam and extremism

Islam and depression: Islam and depression

Islam and suicide and self harm: Islam and suicide and self harm

Islam and preventing dementia: Islam and preventing dementia

More of these benefits can be found here: http://darussaafi.com/

The story of ‘Eesa (Jesus)

aljamaykee Leave a comment

The Story of Jesus the son of Mary in the Quran

In the Name of Allah

Allah says:

35. (Remember) when the wife of ‘Imran said: “O my Lord! I have vowed to You what (the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your Place of worship), so accept this, from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing.”

36. Then when she delivered her [child Maryam (Mary)], she said: “O my Lord! I have delivered a female child,” – and Allah knew better what she delivered, – “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast.”

37. So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariya (Zachariya). Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her , he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Maryam (Mary)! From where have you got this?” She said, “This is from Allah.” Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.”

38. At that time Zakariya (Zachariya) invoked his Lord, saying: “O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.”

39. Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room), (saying): “Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), confirming (believing in) the Word from Allah [i.e. the creation of ‘Iesa (Jesus), the Word from Allah), noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous.”

40. He said: “O my Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old, and my wife is barren?” Allah said: “Thus Allah does what He wills.”

41. He said: “O my Lord! Make a sign for me.” Allah said: “Your sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals. And remember your Lord much (by praising Him again and again), and glorify (Him) in the afternoon and in the morning.”

42. And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).”

43. O Mary! “Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irka’i (bow down) along with those who bow down.”

44. This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We inspire you with. You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.

45. (Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [ ‘Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.”

46. “He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.”

47. She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is.

48. And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), and the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).

49. And will make him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel saying: “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe.

50. And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me.

51. Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.

52. Then when ‘Iesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?” Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah).”

53. Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).

54. And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill ‘Iesa (Jesus)], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners.

55. And (remember) when Allah said: “O ‘Iesa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.”

56. “As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.”

57. And as for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and do righteous good deeds, Allah will pay them their reward in full. And Allah does not like the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).

58. This is what We recite to you (O Muhammad ) of the Verses and the Wise Reminder (the Qur’an).

59. Verily, the likeness of ‘Iesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be!” – and he was.

60. (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.

61. Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] after all this knowledge that has come to you, say “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.”

62. Verily! This is the true narrative [about the story of ‘Iesa (Jesus)], and, La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One and the Only True God, Who has neither a wife nor a son). And indeed, Allah is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

63. And if they turn away (and do not accept these true proofs and evidences), then surely, Allah is All-Aware of those who do mischief.

64. Say (O Muhammad ): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.”

(Quran Chapter The Family of Imran 3: 35-64)

and Allah says:

2. (This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave Zakariya (Zachariah).

3. When he called out his Lord (Allah) a call in secret,

4. Saying: “My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!

5. “And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir,

6. “Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya’qub (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not the wealth, etc.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-pleased!”.

7. Allah said “O Zakariya ! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before him.”

8. He said: “My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age.”

9. He said: “So it will be. Your Lord says; It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!”

10. [Zakariya (Zachariah)] said: “My Lord! Appoint for me a sign.” He said: “Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect.”

11. Then he came out to his people from Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room,), he told them by signs to glorify Allah’s Praises in the morning and in the afternoon.

12. It was said to his son: “O Yahya (John)! Hold fast the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)].” And We gave him wisdom while yet a child.

13. And made him sympathetic to men as a mercy or a grant from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous,

14. And dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient to (Allah or to his parents).

15. And peace be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life again!

16. And mention in the Book (the Qur’an, O Muhammad , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.

17. She placed a screen to screen herself from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.

18. She said: “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.”

19. (The angel) said: “I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.”

20. She said: “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?”

21. He said: “So it will be, your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me (Allah): And We wish to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter already decreed, (by Allah).’ ”

22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).

23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!”

24. Then [baby Jesus or Jibrael (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: “Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you;

25. “And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you.”

26. “So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: ‘Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.'”

27. Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing).

28. “O sister (the like) of Harun (Aaron) [not the brother of Musa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman.”

29. Then she pointed to him. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?”

30. “He [‘Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;”

31. “And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live.”

32. “And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblessed.

33. “And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”

34. Such is ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). it is a statement of truth, about which they doubt or dispute.

35. It befits not the Majesty of Allah that He should beget a son. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him. When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, “Be!” and it is.

36. [‘Iesa (Jesus) said]: “And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path.

37. Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about ‘Iesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah] from the meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire).

38. How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error.

39. And warn them (O Muhammad ) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not.

(Quran Chapter Maryam 19:2-39)

and Allah said:

82. Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikun, and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud.

83. And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad ), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognised. They say: “Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses.

84. “And why should we not believe in Allah and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islamic Monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet Muhammad and his Companions).”

85. So because of what they said, Allah rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of good-doers.

86. But those who disbelieved and belied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they shall be the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire.

(Quran 5:82-86)

Narrated Mu`adh bin Jabal:
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Mu`adh! Do you know what Allah’s Right upon His slaves is?” I said, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” The Prophet said, “To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” The Prophet said, “Not to punish them (if they do so). (Sahih Bukahri)

Ibn Abbas (ra) narrated:

When Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent Muadh (ra) to Yemen, he said, You will come upon the People of the Book (Christians and Jews), Let the first act be to call them to Testify the- There is nothing worthy of Worship in truth but Allah.
(sahih Bukhari)

“Who ever testifies that there is nothing worthy of worship in truth (no God) except Allah Alone, Who is without (peer or) partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that Jesus is the slave of Allah, His Messenger, and His Word which He bestowed in Maryam and a spirit (created) from Him (Allah), and that Paradise and Hell-fire are realities, Allah will admit him into Paradise, whatever his deeds might be.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Running away from thought of death

aljamaykee Leave a comment

Simply an opinion and my personal opinion at that. I strongly believe that people run away from the thought of aging for various reasons, but the most significant of them all is the acknowledgement of death. Maybe it is the concept of venturing into the unknown, maybe it is the idea that ‘I am not living righteous now, but one day I will’, ahh where ever the fear of death derives from we will all face it. It could be during our sleep tonight, it could be tomorrow evening, death doesn’t discriminate at all, nor does it procrastinate in it’s appointments.

It is a reality we all have to come to realize, we hear about death, but do we truly understand it? Do we understand that when we die, khalaas, finito, there is no more repentance? Do we understand that all the play and amusement of this worldly-life is finished and we have our seat belts strapped in travelling even closer to meet our Creator? Do we comprehend the fact that once we die, we are one step closer to being resurrected on the Day of Judgement only to answer for our actions to the Lord of Existence?

Sometimes it takes a wake up call in order to realize the reality death is, sometimes it takes a near death experience, but how would we recognize if we experienced our last wake up call?

Allah says in the Qur’an: “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ”
“O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allah.”

May Allah grant us understanding and guide us all to what pleases Him, اللهم آمين