I'm turning 28 this October. I'm a bachelor in Software Engineering and a Masters in Information Technology. I am also a Muslim who has yet to properly study the Quran and Islam. I am not alone in this.
Sure, Ive studied Islamic Studies from year 1 to year 10 like most Muslims have. And yeah, we used to recite the Quran whenever our Kali-Sahab (or Maulwi Sahab) would come to our house as well as in school from year 1 to year 10.
I am lucky that my parents HAVE studied the Quran and sometimes used to teach us when we were growing up. Also, having grown up in Saudi Arabia, a country where people discussed religion amongst themselves quite often, I thank God that my exposure was a little above .....well a little above no exposure.
In fact, when I saw or heard some people who were educated and held degrees talk about religion, what they used to say didn't hold much weight. It was like someone who we never saw practicing Islam, or whom we rarely saw talking about Islam before, suddenly felt the urge to say something about it. I would normally lower my head or nod my head and just let the moment pass.
When I would go to the mosque to pray, once again, it felt like I'm doing something more as a ritual or a series of actions rather than something that was part of my daily life. After saying my prayers, I would just go BACK to doing the daily things one does in their lives (which at that time for me was playing some video games, and studying ).
At the time, this was just a feeling that I couldn't really put a name to or explain. It was just a feeling. Now, I understand what that feeling really was.
You see, I lived a life where religion and the worldly life were kept separate. Throughout the day, most of what I heard was to do with school assignments, the current gossip and happenings at school among friends and class mates, career, cricket, soccer, video games, etc etc. When the Azaan would sound, we would get ready for prayers, say our prayers and then get BACK to the worldly life until the next call to prayer.
The issue was that I was spending more time with this worldly life than I was with my Din. Notice that I used the word "BACK" in capital letters previously. This was to emphasize this point. I will be honest, Islam to me was this...
1- There is no God but Allah (S.A) (more of a belief than actually practicing something at the time)
2- Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (S.A) (more of a belief than actually practicing something at the time)
3- Say my Prayers.
4- Fast in the month of Ramadan
5- I have performed Hajj (Thank God)
So, in a nut shell, Islam meant going about my daily business until its Prayer time, after which I would return to going about my daily business. Of course, add fasting to this during the month of Ramadan.
I was not alone in this kind of life style. Many of us would say our prayers and then wait out side the mosque for our friends and then indulge ourselves in whats happening with each others lives, or entertain ourselves by playing some cricket or soccer or meet up at a friends place.
I have come to realize that such a way of life is not the answer to living an Islamic life. I believe that such a life is giving preference to this world over our religion, over Allah (S.A), and over his Messenger's teachings (S.A.W).
When I was in Saudi Arabia, I was consistent in saying my prayers. The only reason for this was because the society was such a society that they would call each other to Prayers. The shops would close 5 times each day during the time for Prayers. This was a great thing, however, for me, thats as far as it went. Once my prayers were said, it was back to the world for me. Like going to a 10 minute appointment (in other words, a short appointment) and whens its done, "okay, gotta go, will meet again in a couple or few hours".
When I came to Pakistan, I was initially consistent with my Prayers....but not for long. You see in Pakistan, It was much the same as in Saudi Arabia. People were busy with their lives until it was time to pray and once they said their prayers, it would be back to work. The key difference was, that this was a society that did not call others to the Prayers! Here the shops remained open during the time for Prayers!
So you can see how I went from "busy with life when not saying my prayers" to "busy with life and occasionally saying my prayers" (May Allah forgive me!)
But, there was a short period of time in my stay in Pakistan where I did become consistent with my Prayers for a few months. This is when I came into contact with those who are called the "Tableeghi Jamaat" or what they like to call themselves "Tehreek al Imaan". They were a group of people who would visit peoples houses and hostels and invite them to the mosque to hear their talks about Islam and further invite people to come with them and stay in the mosque for a few days, weeks or months.
Initially, I ignored these people. I was of the mind set that I am educated, I can read the translation of the Quran and say my Prayers my self. Besides, most maulwis in Pakistan are just uneducated "Jahil" people anyway right? It was this thinking that made me lend a deaf ear to these people.
But one day, I did decide to go with them. A friend of mine (Nauman Khan) would also invite me occasionally and this one particular day, I was in the mood for it so I said yeah why not?
I went with them to a nearby mosque where we stayed for 3 days I believe (a weekend). There was a speaker there who spoke and said some very moving and beautiful words and, hey!, I said all my 5 prayers for the three days!
Being around a bunch of people who said their prayers had an effect on me. It is true what they say, the society around you does effect you.
However, this was short lived. It was not long afterward that I was informed about the book that this group followed (Fazaile Amaal) had a history of controversy - and I used to ask my self, why don't they recite from a more authentic book? I did some research on this book and what I found was not good. Infact what I found made me feel like I had been duped. Duped by beautiful speech and eloquent use of words. I instinctively believe that to rely soo much on a book that was written not so long ago and a book which is absolutely nothing, when put beside the Quran and sahih Hadith books, was wrong. Plane wrong - No. To this day I see this book being opened and a passage or story being read from this book instead of a passage being recited from the Quran.
I would also like to mention that from what I have seen, what they follow is hardly different from what I felt (and was later able to understand) in Saudi Arabia. They lived their lives like any normal person - engaged and busy with the life of this world - except when saying their prayers or going on a "saroza" (spending a number of days, weeks, or months in a mosque).
I also noticed that many of these people were incapable of making a decision on their own on many matters. They would do what the Maulvi has said or what a more higher member in the group would say. Coming from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, I have never seen more people correcting other people in the most trivial of things (like wearing a cap on your head, or raising your shalwaar or pants above your ankels, or when reading the Quran - be in the front row) - like a pack of hounds, they attack you on these trivial matters until you either tell them to stop or you start doing things exactly like they do.
I would like to mention one more thing before I move on. It is the concept of Sawaab (good deeds). I believe that it is good to obey Allah (S.A) and his Messenger (S.A.W) and help the people around you and around the world - these are good deeds. But when I see people doing good deeds so that their own good deeds may increase - I cannot help but feel a little selfishness in such behavior. One example comes to mind...
A member from this Jamaat came to our house once and started talking about the Din and how we should come to the mosque and listen to their talks here in Sydney. Near the end of the talk, he told one of our brothers to say Subhan-Allah (Praise be to Allah). He said it, then he told the brother sitting next to him to say it, and the brother next to him and so on and so forth. Once we all had said it, he went on and said that each of us has earned a tree in Heaven (and that this tree is a massive tree whose Shade extends for miles) - and then he pointed at him self and said that because I told you all to say it, I have earned my tree and all of your trees as well! after which he laughed a clever laugh (you know the laugh of a person who has devised a clever scheme).
I often wonder, why don't they just sit in the mosque for hours and just tell each other to say Subhan-Allah? Maybe there is something else they can do which will give them more sawab in less time? more efficient sawab generation? It becomes an economical way of thinking about Sawaab.
I have nothing against such people. Allah (S.A) knows best and Allah (S.A) rewards those who worship him and obey him - I just believe that one should live his life and do deeds for the sake of Allah (S.A) and not for himself. Living your life for the sake of Allah and doing good deeds for Allahs (S.A) sake will in turn benefit us - note that there is a difference in these two sentences.
In the last year, I have been listening to a number of sheikhs who teach Islam by relying on the Quran and Sunnah and relate it to the world that we live in. They have linked the wordly life with Islam and shown how not following Islam (which is in itself a way of life) can lead to disorder and chaos in our lives and society. I have found no better method that has guided me closer to Allah and I pray to Allah (S.A) that he guides me to the straight path.
Anyway, I plan to undertake a study of the Quran and Islam while I am here in Sydney. Starting on Monday I plan to enroll into a Quran and Islamic course. I have recently once again (Subhan-Allah) become consistent in saying my Prayers - I pray to Allah that he keeps me on the straight path for only Allah and Allah alone (S.A) can guide each and every one of us. Allah (S.A) guides whom he wills and sets astray whom he wills - and those whom Allah (S.A) sets astray can never be guided unless Allah (S.A) guides them.
Picture
About Me
- Haris
- Sydney, NSW, Australia
- lol....i aint gonna say much, i usually dont, but here goes. Im easy going, think alot, i dont say much, but sometimes i say alot when it counts if u know what i mean. I like to do most things on my own and dont like help too much as some of my friends will tell u. I like to draw and have been drawing since i was in class 4. "Technically" i am also color blind (yeah u guessed it i draw most of my pics in black and white lol)...and hard of hearin (a great frustration for my friends).
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Some ignorants have chosen to burn the Quran - In response here is some information on the Quran.
Given that some ignorant Americans have announced Quran burning day - may Allah forgive them their sins in ignorance - I thought it would be appropriate to mention a few words about the holy book of the Muslims.
The Quran is the word of God in written form. A book that has not changed or been altered since the day the first ayat (verse) was revealed.
In this post, I wanted to mention how this Book has touched the lives of so many people who have read it - converting many non believers into believers. In this day and age, the Quran is available all around the world - yet how many people actually take the time to read the translation?
Here are some videos of people and what they have said about the Quran....
How Mr Green was changed by questioning what was around him and one day reading the Quran...
How Yusuf Estes converted to Islam....
The Quran explaining how the human is formed in the womb 1400 years ago...
Yusuf Estes Answering common questions about Islam...
Discussing some of the miracles of the Quran...
These are but a few of the signs in the Quran. I implore those who have not read it to read it. There are around 1.5 billion Muslims in the world - Islam is growing about 2.9% per year. This is faster than the total world population which increases about 2.3% annually.
In this age and time, the whole world seems to be attacking Islam and Muslims - You owe it to yourselves as people of understanding to find out why.
The Quran is the word of God in written form. A book that has not changed or been altered since the day the first ayat (verse) was revealed.
In this post, I wanted to mention how this Book has touched the lives of so many people who have read it - converting many non believers into believers. In this day and age, the Quran is available all around the world - yet how many people actually take the time to read the translation?
Here are some videos of people and what they have said about the Quran....
How Mr Green was changed by questioning what was around him and one day reading the Quran...
How Yusuf Estes converted to Islam....
The Quran explaining how the human is formed in the womb 1400 years ago...
Yusuf Estes Answering common questions about Islam...
Discussing some of the miracles of the Quran...
These are but a few of the signs in the Quran. I implore those who have not read it to read it. There are around 1.5 billion Muslims in the world - Islam is growing about 2.9% per year. This is faster than the total world population which increases about 2.3% annually.
In this age and time, the whole world seems to be attacking Islam and Muslims - You owe it to yourselves as people of understanding to find out why.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
What the Taliban do may be wrong - but let us not forget what they initially stood for - oh and Eid Mubarrak!!
I wanted to write on another topic that ive been meaning to write on - but I feel that I must clarify the topic of the Taliban further.
Let me say again, like I did in my previous post, I do not support the Taliban. I support those who follow Allah (S.A) and his Messengers (May Peace Be Upon Them). Hence, for me its a case by case analysis.
If the Taliban strive to bring about a rule where Allah's laws and the laws of his Messengers are followed - then that is good. If in the course of trying to obtain this goal, they transgress the boundaries and limits set down by Allah - then that is wrong!
The issue that I have is that people are so quick to condemn them but dont even bother to think about what they are trying to achieve. If they are transgressing limits then yes, they should be condemned, but like any true intellectual, you must take the good along with the bad so that you can understand how and why something can go wrong - otherwise we may end up unknowingly repeating the mistakes of history.
Hitler was a terrible person for what he did to the Jews - but there are lessons that can be learned from how he united Germany and commanded them as a leader of an army. Of course people only started talking about this years after the events. Let us not wait for years to pass us by while we sit and do nothing while each and every "non-western" country of the world is slowly colonized by the "West" - and that is a fact that history can easily prove. Let there not come a time when the whole world succumbs to a western culture which puts all importance on material gain and is trying to forget religion. If such a thing eventually happens, then let us not say "Oh, if only we had stood tall and firm in our belief in Allah and his Messengers".
While growing up - in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - I lived in a very religious world. I was taught concepts about Islam and we used to study the Quran and the stories of the Sahaba of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). In those days - a class of Islamic studies or Quran was ignored by 90% of the entire class. My own class used to indulge ourselves in "gup-shup" (small talk) during Islamic Studies and Quran studies were just something that we HAD to do - just get a passing grade - after all, we all knew that the Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc results were the ones that really mattered. Once again - I say most of us followed this life style - there were a select few - may Allah be pleased with them - who did take these seriously. Ofcourse back then we used to think of them as too strict.
Because of this attitude, Islam became something like a dream or ideal situation that was around a long time ago - or for a lack of a better word - ancient history. I mean so much of what we were taught didn't relate at all to what was really happening in our lives at that time. We were taught how humbly the people lived during that time - how the Prophet (S.A.W) used to spend that what he had earned each day on that day. They lived in humble abodes. A simple life.
The world we grew up in is full of big houses, lavish weddings, excess spending on lavish cars, fast food, giant malls, servants to help us around the house - in short - what we were taught couldn't be further away from the reality that we lived in.
This is where the problem begins and I believe this has been around for a long time now. This vast difference in the way people live their lives now as opposed to the life back then has caused people to jump to conclusions like . . . .
"Oh, we cannot possibly live the way they used to live! It was a different time! With different culture and life styles!"
Its funny to note that most of the educational systems around the world follow very simple and standard principles. We are all taught the same subjects and we all go through grades (or years) and at year 12 we move on to higher studies and from there to Universities and from there we start to work for some private corporation whose goal - as with any private corporation is to make money. I wonder where such a standard system of education managed to spread all over the world?
Of course the west excelled in the advancement of technologies and wealth and soon the muslims were left behind - a forgotten once great empire. I believe this lagging behind resulted in certain Islamic laws passing like the concept of Islamic Banking and interest and the emergence of the "Modern Islamic way of life" - so that we can catch up to the west.
Catch up to the west while we mix their global educational system with our religious way of life. Like mixing oil with water. You have to be kidding me!
And whats with this "catch up to the west"? I hear it so many times - but please tell me, what will that accomplish? Its like this magical goal or dangling carrot placed in front of us and all we can think about is trying to achieve it - not bothering about whether its a goal worth achieving in this life.
In this life. So many times it all comes down to that. By the grace of Allah I am still alive and breathing and healthy as I write this. Had Allah willed, I could have died before this while trying to achieve this "goal" - and had it been so it would have been the ultimate loss - for I must admit that in the persuit of this "goal" my faith and my practicing of Allah's religion had diminished - may Allah forgive me.
Since my childhood - the reality that I described above has only gotten worse. From the year 1982 to the present year there have been wars in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Palestine and Lebanon off the top of my head. 7 Muslim countries. I see soo many Muslims who have forsaken their prayers and hardly read the Quran or study their religion.
Hence, when I heard the presentation given by Yvonne Riddley and her capture by the Taliban ( It may have been a one off exceptional case, I wouldn't be surprised as I believe the minority are righteous while the majority transgress the limits set by Allah.) I heard a story of a people who were trying to spread the rule of Allah and his Messengers (S.A.W) in this modern world.
It is a goal that we must all strive for. As Muslims we should read the Quran (with translation if you cannot understand the Arabic). We should study the life of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Those two sources of knowledge are the foundations of a pious and good hearted believer. Further more we need to open our eyes to the reality of what is happening around the world and link it with the signs (or ayats) of Allah (S.A).
I said before that the mixing of this global educational system with religion has been like mixing oil with water. On the other hand, understanding the world around you to strengthen your faith in Allah (or understanding the Quran and Sunnah to make sense of the world around us) is like mixing honey and lemon (or if you prefer, french fries with Coke, Parat-ha with Omelet etc). The Quran is filled with signs and analogies. They help us understand the creator Allah (S.A) and to find Allah (S.A).
I would love to see an educational system where the Quran and Sunnah come first and the science of this world and life comes afterward.
I end this essay (at least that's what it's become lol!) with this - The topic(s) that I have touched upon is/are vast. There are so many other factors that are involved (e.g Culture etc) so I will gladly write more on it at a later date if Allah (S.A) permits me.
And I wish everyone a happy and joyous Eid ul Fitr!
Let me say again, like I did in my previous post, I do not support the Taliban. I support those who follow Allah (S.A) and his Messengers (May Peace Be Upon Them). Hence, for me its a case by case analysis.
If the Taliban strive to bring about a rule where Allah's laws and the laws of his Messengers are followed - then that is good. If in the course of trying to obtain this goal, they transgress the boundaries and limits set down by Allah - then that is wrong!
The issue that I have is that people are so quick to condemn them but dont even bother to think about what they are trying to achieve. If they are transgressing limits then yes, they should be condemned, but like any true intellectual, you must take the good along with the bad so that you can understand how and why something can go wrong - otherwise we may end up unknowingly repeating the mistakes of history.
Hitler was a terrible person for what he did to the Jews - but there are lessons that can be learned from how he united Germany and commanded them as a leader of an army. Of course people only started talking about this years after the events. Let us not wait for years to pass us by while we sit and do nothing while each and every "non-western" country of the world is slowly colonized by the "West" - and that is a fact that history can easily prove. Let there not come a time when the whole world succumbs to a western culture which puts all importance on material gain and is trying to forget religion. If such a thing eventually happens, then let us not say "Oh, if only we had stood tall and firm in our belief in Allah and his Messengers".
While growing up - in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - I lived in a very religious world. I was taught concepts about Islam and we used to study the Quran and the stories of the Sahaba of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). In those days - a class of Islamic studies or Quran was ignored by 90% of the entire class. My own class used to indulge ourselves in "gup-shup" (small talk) during Islamic Studies and Quran studies were just something that we HAD to do - just get a passing grade - after all, we all knew that the Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc results were the ones that really mattered. Once again - I say most of us followed this life style - there were a select few - may Allah be pleased with them - who did take these seriously. Ofcourse back then we used to think of them as too strict.
Because of this attitude, Islam became something like a dream or ideal situation that was around a long time ago - or for a lack of a better word - ancient history. I mean so much of what we were taught didn't relate at all to what was really happening in our lives at that time. We were taught how humbly the people lived during that time - how the Prophet (S.A.W) used to spend that what he had earned each day on that day. They lived in humble abodes. A simple life.
The world we grew up in is full of big houses, lavish weddings, excess spending on lavish cars, fast food, giant malls, servants to help us around the house - in short - what we were taught couldn't be further away from the reality that we lived in.
This is where the problem begins and I believe this has been around for a long time now. This vast difference in the way people live their lives now as opposed to the life back then has caused people to jump to conclusions like . . . .
"Oh, we cannot possibly live the way they used to live! It was a different time! With different culture and life styles!"
Its funny to note that most of the educational systems around the world follow very simple and standard principles. We are all taught the same subjects and we all go through grades (or years) and at year 12 we move on to higher studies and from there to Universities and from there we start to work for some private corporation whose goal - as with any private corporation is to make money. I wonder where such a standard system of education managed to spread all over the world?
Of course the west excelled in the advancement of technologies and wealth and soon the muslims were left behind - a forgotten once great empire. I believe this lagging behind resulted in certain Islamic laws passing like the concept of Islamic Banking and interest and the emergence of the "Modern Islamic way of life" - so that we can catch up to the west.
Catch up to the west while we mix their global educational system with our religious way of life. Like mixing oil with water. You have to be kidding me!
And whats with this "catch up to the west"? I hear it so many times - but please tell me, what will that accomplish? Its like this magical goal or dangling carrot placed in front of us and all we can think about is trying to achieve it - not bothering about whether its a goal worth achieving in this life.
In this life. So many times it all comes down to that. By the grace of Allah I am still alive and breathing and healthy as I write this. Had Allah willed, I could have died before this while trying to achieve this "goal" - and had it been so it would have been the ultimate loss - for I must admit that in the persuit of this "goal" my faith and my practicing of Allah's religion had diminished - may Allah forgive me.
Since my childhood - the reality that I described above has only gotten worse. From the year 1982 to the present year there have been wars in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Palestine and Lebanon off the top of my head. 7 Muslim countries. I see soo many Muslims who have forsaken their prayers and hardly read the Quran or study their religion.
Hence, when I heard the presentation given by Yvonne Riddley and her capture by the Taliban ( It may have been a one off exceptional case, I wouldn't be surprised as I believe the minority are righteous while the majority transgress the limits set by Allah.) I heard a story of a people who were trying to spread the rule of Allah and his Messengers (S.A.W) in this modern world.
It is a goal that we must all strive for. As Muslims we should read the Quran (with translation if you cannot understand the Arabic). We should study the life of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Those two sources of knowledge are the foundations of a pious and good hearted believer. Further more we need to open our eyes to the reality of what is happening around the world and link it with the signs (or ayats) of Allah (S.A).
I said before that the mixing of this global educational system with religion has been like mixing oil with water. On the other hand, understanding the world around you to strengthen your faith in Allah (or understanding the Quran and Sunnah to make sense of the world around us) is like mixing honey and lemon (or if you prefer, french fries with Coke, Parat-ha with Omelet etc). The Quran is filled with signs and analogies. They help us understand the creator Allah (S.A) and to find Allah (S.A).
I would love to see an educational system where the Quran and Sunnah come first and the science of this world and life comes afterward.
I end this essay (at least that's what it's become lol!) with this - The topic(s) that I have touched upon is/are vast. There are so many other factors that are involved (e.g Culture etc) so I will gladly write more on it at a later date if Allah (S.A) permits me.
And I wish everyone a happy and joyous Eid ul Fitr!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Khorasan, the Taliban and Yvonne Riddley
In my last post I did put the Taliban in a more positive light. I do not want people to misunderstand my intentions.
I do not support the Taliban. I also do not oppose the Taliban. This is ONLY because I have no first hand knowledge about them and what they are really doing. I think this way about them now only because of the mass lying and miss-communication that is propagated around the world by the media of the world.
What I do support is any attempt to bring about a rule where Allah (Subhanahu Wata-allah) , the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) are what is followed. If there are those amongst the Taliban who strive for this, who make sure they do not exceed the limits set by Allah (Subhanahu Wata-allah) and his Messenger (S.A.W) and follow their teachings - then they have my support.
There are a number of Hadiths that mention Khorosan. However, none of the Hadiths are present in Sahih Bukhari. It is mentioned, however, in Tirmidhi among other Hadith books.
Related by Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam said: "(Armies carrying) black flags will come from Khurasan (Afghanistan). No power will be able to stop them and they will finally reach Jerusalem where they will erect their flags." (Tirmidhi)
Quite a few politicians and scholars and students of history have mentioned that the heart of the area that was Khorasan is modern day Afghanistan. A land that was not colonized when the British were colonizing the world. A land that the Soviet Union was not able to get a hold of. It is now a land that America has been fighting a war for close to 10 years and there is no sign of victory.
I personally believe that the struggle currently going on in Afghanistan will bring about a rule of Islam that will follow the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) in that region. At this time, it is too premature for me to say anything apart from that. I watch closely and hope that through the struggles, through the fighting, the bad will be distilled and the core will be purified.
Hardships and trials make us stronger and also separate the weak of faith from those who are strong in their faith. I believe that the struggle currently ongoing in Afghanistan will bring about people with strong faith in Allah and his Messenger (S.A.W) and who will not transgress the limits set down by Allah and his Messenger (S.A.W).
Allah said in the Quran...
Surah 2: 2-4 (The Spider)
(2) Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction?
(3) Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign.
(4) Or do those who do ill-deeds imagine that they can outstrip Us? Evil (for them) is that which they decide.
This entire life is a test. As an avid video game player - I can make a simple analogy.
Every moment in our lives, we are faced with choices or decisions. Something as small as staring at the lovely lady passing by the road to larger decisions like whether one should take a loan on interest to buy a house. Much like an adventure or a role-playing game, different choices have different consequences and we play through each scenario until we get the best result or the one that we want.
Too bad there is no reset button. Allah has said numerous times that we will be judged on the day of judgment about EVERYTHING that you used to do. The two angels on each of our shoulders are the game keepers.
Those who truly fear God more than anything or anyone else in this world will strive to be on guard so that they do not transgress the limits that He has set down. Every scenario in our lives has the possibility to strengthen that faith if we keep our guard up and fear Allah.
In the same way, I believe that those who are in Khorasan right at this moment, there are those who will probably fail the trials of Allah and there will be those few who will pass the trials of Allah - Allah knows best. I believe that those who will pass these harsh trials will be a group of people with mighty faith and fear of Allah and an example for those to come.
Last night, I saw a presentation given by Yvonne Riddley. She was an English journalist who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and later released. She converted to Islam a couple or a few years later.
I rarely show emotion, but her presentation brought tears to my eyes - Subhan-Allah.
Below are the Videos of her presentation for any who have yet to see it.
I do not support the Taliban. I also do not oppose the Taliban. This is ONLY because I have no first hand knowledge about them and what they are really doing. I think this way about them now only because of the mass lying and miss-communication that is propagated around the world by the media of the world.
What I do support is any attempt to bring about a rule where Allah (Subhanahu Wata-allah) , the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) are what is followed. If there are those amongst the Taliban who strive for this, who make sure they do not exceed the limits set by Allah (Subhanahu Wata-allah) and his Messenger (S.A.W) and follow their teachings - then they have my support.
There are a number of Hadiths that mention Khorosan. However, none of the Hadiths are present in Sahih Bukhari. It is mentioned, however, in Tirmidhi among other Hadith books.
Related by Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam said: "(Armies carrying) black flags will come from Khurasan (Afghanistan). No power will be able to stop them and they will finally reach Jerusalem where they will erect their flags." (Tirmidhi)
Quite a few politicians and scholars and students of history have mentioned that the heart of the area that was Khorasan is modern day Afghanistan. A land that was not colonized when the British were colonizing the world. A land that the Soviet Union was not able to get a hold of. It is now a land that America has been fighting a war for close to 10 years and there is no sign of victory.
I personally believe that the struggle currently going on in Afghanistan will bring about a rule of Islam that will follow the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) in that region. At this time, it is too premature for me to say anything apart from that. I watch closely and hope that through the struggles, through the fighting, the bad will be distilled and the core will be purified.
Hardships and trials make us stronger and also separate the weak of faith from those who are strong in their faith. I believe that the struggle currently ongoing in Afghanistan will bring about people with strong faith in Allah and his Messenger (S.A.W) and who will not transgress the limits set down by Allah and his Messenger (S.A.W).
Allah said in the Quran...
Surah 2: 2-4 (The Spider)
(2) Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction?
(3) Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign.
(4) Or do those who do ill-deeds imagine that they can outstrip Us? Evil (for them) is that which they decide.
(Pickthall)
This entire life is a test. As an avid video game player - I can make a simple analogy.
Every moment in our lives, we are faced with choices or decisions. Something as small as staring at the lovely lady passing by the road to larger decisions like whether one should take a loan on interest to buy a house. Much like an adventure or a role-playing game, different choices have different consequences and we play through each scenario until we get the best result or the one that we want.
Too bad there is no reset button. Allah has said numerous times that we will be judged on the day of judgment about EVERYTHING that you used to do. The two angels on each of our shoulders are the game keepers.
Those who truly fear God more than anything or anyone else in this world will strive to be on guard so that they do not transgress the limits that He has set down. Every scenario in our lives has the possibility to strengthen that faith if we keep our guard up and fear Allah.
In the same way, I believe that those who are in Khorasan right at this moment, there are those who will probably fail the trials of Allah and there will be those few who will pass the trials of Allah - Allah knows best. I believe that those who will pass these harsh trials will be a group of people with mighty faith and fear of Allah and an example for those to come.
Last night, I saw a presentation given by Yvonne Riddley. She was an English journalist who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and later released. She converted to Islam a couple or a few years later.
I rarely show emotion, but her presentation brought tears to my eyes - Subhan-Allah.
Below are the Videos of her presentation for any who have yet to see it.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Taliban
I must admit, when I was a young student studying in Pakistan from 2000 to 2004, watching the news that was shown around the world at the time about the war in Afghanistan, I was taken aback by the stories that I heard.
Stories of oppression, murder and violence done by the Taliban on innocents. I was younger, foolish and more naive back then. I have since come to understand that things in this world today are rarely what they appear to be. I pray that God forgives me for condemning a people unjustly and without evidence.
What was not made apparent in the media back then has only recently hit the main stream media now - but I am sure there were probably many in Afghanistan at the time who probably new really well what was going on.....I am of course speaking about the mass amount of drugs and drug trafficking that emanates from that region.
I am sure that there is more to the "one sided" Taliban (literally means the Students) are devils on earth story and I implore all thinking persons, people who seek truth so that it may empower them to delve deeper into the situation and history and try to find out what really happened and is happening in Afghanistan.
Especially as Muslims, we owe it to our brothers to understand. I personally have come to believe that in a group of any large gathering or any large population - the minority are righteous and good. It is a personal belief that comes from a few sources. This very belief causes me to also believe that there are probably many in the Taliban who violate and cross the limits set down by Allah (Subhanhu watalah), but this belief of mine also makes me believe that there are a few among them who must be good.
The killing of innocents is forbidden in Islam. At the same time, Islam encourages us to fight against oppression. In a nut shell, I believe it all comes down to knowing the limits set down by Allah.
Allah said in the Quran in Surah Al-Ma'ida (The table spread) Verse 32:
"...that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people..."
Below is another extract from a presentation by Sheikh Khalid Yasin when asked about the Taliban. It is inappropriately titled "The Truth about Taliban". I believe God and those few who were privileged know the truth about the Taliban. Let us research more so that we may be enlightened.
Stories of oppression, murder and violence done by the Taliban on innocents. I was younger, foolish and more naive back then. I have since come to understand that things in this world today are rarely what they appear to be. I pray that God forgives me for condemning a people unjustly and without evidence.
What was not made apparent in the media back then has only recently hit the main stream media now - but I am sure there were probably many in Afghanistan at the time who probably new really well what was going on.....I am of course speaking about the mass amount of drugs and drug trafficking that emanates from that region.
I am sure that there is more to the "one sided" Taliban (literally means the Students) are devils on earth story and I implore all thinking persons, people who seek truth so that it may empower them to delve deeper into the situation and history and try to find out what really happened and is happening in Afghanistan.
Especially as Muslims, we owe it to our brothers to understand. I personally have come to believe that in a group of any large gathering or any large population - the minority are righteous and good. It is a personal belief that comes from a few sources. This very belief causes me to also believe that there are probably many in the Taliban who violate and cross the limits set down by Allah (Subhanhu watalah), but this belief of mine also makes me believe that there are a few among them who must be good.
The killing of innocents is forbidden in Islam. At the same time, Islam encourages us to fight against oppression. In a nut shell, I believe it all comes down to knowing the limits set down by Allah.
Allah said in the Quran in Surah Al-Ma'ida (The table spread) Verse 32:
"...that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people..."
Below is another extract from a presentation by Sheikh Khalid Yasin when asked about the Taliban. It is inappropriately titled "The Truth about Taliban". I believe God and those few who were privileged know the truth about the Taliban. Let us research more so that we may be enlightened.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Journey from the Womb to the Tomb
This is an extract from a very powerful lecture given my Sheikh Khalid Yasin.
The Sheikh has a style of presenting that is harsh and loud. I have seen a number of his videos and though I dont always agree with some of the words that he uses, no man is perfect. What matters is that he studied and strives to teach others.
Quran Surat At-Takāthur 101:1 - 101:2 (Yusuf Ali)
(1) "The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),"
(2) "Until ye visit the graves."
The Sheikh has a style of presenting that is harsh and loud. I have seen a number of his videos and though I dont always agree with some of the words that he uses, no man is perfect. What matters is that he studied and strives to teach others.
Quran
Surat At-Takāthur 101:1 - 101:2 (Yusuf Ali)
(1) "The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),"(2) "Until ye visit the graves."
Back again!!!
Hello everyone!
I have not posted an entry in this blog for over 2 years. A friend of mine (Nauman Khan) popped up on facebook chat and was like..
"Harry, can I delete the link to your blog as you haven't updated it in like 2 years....."
and I was like....... =O ZOMG!!!
I remembered that I had a blog! so Now I am enticed to re-post so much stuff back into it....sooo much has happened.
Well, for the most part, I have been lost in the World of Warcraft, Religious research and delving into so called "conspiricy theories" so I can better understand the strange world and times that we live in. I guess being a Muslim in a foreign country that is not majorly Muslim opened my mind and eyes to soo many things that I took for granted when I was in Pakistan.
Aaaahhhh but I sooo miss my Life in Pakistan now. Especially since my last visit to my country of origin in November to December 2009. I was only there for about a month but this time, a few things were different...
Finally moved into the renovated main portion of our house
We had finally renovated the main portion of our house so that WE can finally live comfortably in our own house. In all my previous visits to Pakistan and to Lahore, I normally stayed in the upper portion of our house while we had rented out the main portion of our house to some family.
In hind sight, living in that upper portion of our house is akin to living in an apartment here in Australia. It was small, self sufficient and I lived a pretty isolated life unless a friend would drop by or I would visit one of my many relatives.
However, moving into the renovated main portion was a breath of fresh air. I had forgotten how big and "lavish" houses in Pakistan normally are. The tall roofs, the giant beds and bed rooms, the long curtains, the marble floor, the "giant" living room with various rugs, portraits, plants, and various other decorative pieces. Even the distant sound of the hustle and bustle coming from Defence Road behind our house brought back fond memories.
People tell me that a special attachment is created between a man and the place he is brought up.
I disagree.
I was brought up in the dry heat of Saudi Arabia where I spent 14 years of my childhood as an "x-patriot" or an "immigrant". In that entire time, we moved around and stayed around people from Pakistan. In a nutt shell, the lack of friendlyness towards imigrants by the locals was the defining factor that prevented any sort of attachment from forming between me and Saudi Arabia. In the entire 14 years of my life there, and to this day, I felt like I was just a visitor, soon to be gone.
I Thank God for the good times I had each year when we would visit Pakistan. Coming to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia was ironically, like coming from a dark place into a bright and sunny place. Though a significant part of my younger life took place in Saudi Arabia, I was born in Lahore Pakistan, and I still have some vague memories of my youngest years. In Pakistan, I have never felt like a visitor, here, my family and their families and our grand fathers and great grand fathers lived and strove. There are a few things in life that we have no control over, like who our blood parents and siblings are, and which land we come from.
Coming into our home after a long and hard year was special for a number of reasons that November of 2009. It was my first visit after completing my studies and having worked full time for nearly a year. In other words, I was knee deep into the life of the west. It is a busy and fast paced life where you do soo much each day - from working office hours to going out to the city with friends or cooking a meal for dinner in the evening - yet each day I felt like I haven't done enough. The peace, quiet, and comfort of our home was like seeing a nice warm water bed after staying out and working in the cold for 2 days straight! Only I'm staying there for a whole month ;)
The stark contrast in life style
Life in Pakistan is very family oriented, something that I don't see too often here in Australia. My Uncles, Aunties, and grand parents are very close to each other and I always make it a point to visit each and every one of them as much as I can when I visit. Family can be a blessing or a curse from God, and I am grateful that mine is a blessing. Towards that end I try to enjoy the time I spend with them. I'm not a man who has a lot to say (verbally at least :p) . Most of the time you will find me sitting quietly contemplating things from the mundane to the strange by my self, but the mere physical presence of loved ones and close friends near by is comforting to me. Alot of my friends complain when I don't say much for sometime - mistakenly thinking that I'm getting bored. Most of the time I'm just enjoying the moment, capturing the sights, smells and sounds.
The pace of life is slower in Pakistan than it is here in Australia. It is a welcome change. In the day - during the blistering heat or extreme cold most people are either in their office or at home. The stores and malls normally open around 10-11am in the morning and stay open till late in the night. Most people I know would really start a "night out" after the Isha prayers or around 6 to 7pm. In contrast, stores normally close in Australia at 5pm sharp - if you need something on a week day, you gotta rush from your office to make it on time - and that's provided you leave a little early lol!
You know, I could talk all day about the many little things that got to me during that visit, but at the end of the day....
Its the people around me - People whom by the will and blessings of God were also destined to belong to this part of the earth. Its the dirty animals and donkeys carrying carts full of hay slowly making their way down a road. Its the smell of mud, dirt, shit, flowers, animals and grass that hits your nostrils when you walk down a busy street. It pleases and warms my heart.
There are those who find a home in lands other than the one where they were born or come from - and they love it just as much. Maybe in the end, it is true what some people say....
"Home is where the heart is"
I long to go back to Pakistan now. I have had this longing grow in me since my last visit.
The path to finding my religion (or the bumpy road to salvation - if Allah chooses to guide me)
Added to this has been my further dive into some religious research and my endeavor (small as it may be now) to further understand my religion and way of life as God prescribed it. As I mentioned before, I took so many things in our religion for granted while growing up in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Countries where one is safe to practice Islam and religious oppression is minuscule when compared to the likes of other fellow Muslims in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Bosnia, etc. Or the minor oppressions in countries like Australia, USA, UK, and Canada where there is no Azaan and the call to prayer is not recognized when working.
It was no mere coincidence that I stumbled onto a series that invoked an inner fire or zeal in me. It was 8pm on a Thursday night and I was talking to my Mother. She was telling me of a new series related to Islam that was sweeping Pakistan like wild fire. I have always had an interest in such theories and opinions so I quickly googled it.
I arrived at the Arrivals - which kept me on my seat till 8am the next day - and yes, I went straight to my office without having slept! The show does well to open the eyes and lingering doubts that have been nipping at me throughout my life; small fleeting thoughts that disappeared as soon as they piked my interest. However, being inherently cynical and normally withholding judgment till the very end, I did some more research and went to the source of many of the beliefs presented by the creators of the show. Creators whom I found were probably Shia's and in one clear episode clearly present their own religious opinion on these events to which I disagree to.
The search for the source lead me to Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein. I have heard many lecturers in my time. I have heard many "Maulanas" come and literally fire up your heart with their sweet talk only to leave one full of doubts and confusion the more he delves deeper. Like they are clinging to some shred of faith, even though they are full of doubts, hoping that it would some how save them - this is so similar to the times of old when men followed what their ancestors followed - only because it would bring them some sort of spiritual comfort even though they were full of doubts!
Or like a beautiful women, who can lure you in like a dog by her looks and then leave you hanging with a giant bill to pay :P.
But what Sheikh Imran spoke of was a topic that has been on the back of my mind since my late teens. He spoke of the dire situation of the world today and the dire consequences and destination that it seems to be heading in. A topic few imams and scholars discuss. He spoke of Interest in a new light - I have always been told that Interest is Haram (forbidden my God)- but then I was also told that their are types of "Interest" that are allowed and I would see soo many people getting loans, car loans, house loans and what not. It was a jumbled mess. Very few scholars preach the complete annihilation of interest. Very few scholars speak of the history of interest and how it has (as our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) prophesied), spread all over the world and literally enslaved man kind. He talked about Dajjaal (The Anti-Christ) in a way I had not heard of before. He related the word Dajaal to its literal meaning - The Deceivers - and likened it to all the deception that is around us in the media and the news. Before this, while in University as a young student, we would talk excitedly some times about the identity of Dajaal when it is quite possible that his work has been before our very eyes for all this time!
Like I said before, I am inherently cynical (Though I do always say - hope for the best and prepare for the worst! =P ) and this attribute of mine has always made me question simple and "convenient" answers to the problems of Islam. I have read on the system of Islamic Banking and how certain Muslims believe that certain very important parts of our religion had to be changed or "interpreted differently" in order for us to adapt and keep up with "The West". But I asked my self each and every time - But why were we sent here? To get ahead of "The West" or to fear Allah and obey and worship Allah? - Ask yourselves when you take out a loan or condemn the application of Islamic Law - what are you really afraid of? The loss of comfort or the will of Allah?
Though coming to Australia increased my knowledge in Islam - It has also furthered me from the Din of Allah as well. Lost in the struggle to gain promotions, higher wages, compete, making a living, it is soo easy to forget God and what is happening to Islam around you. I will admit that I have become lax in my prayers and this is a great fear of mine. In fact it is my biggest fear. It gnaws on me every chance that it gets - and I am at a point in my life where I must sacrifice some of one in order to maintain the other and it is an easy choice for me to make - In fact I have already made it and am currently striving towards it.
The big questions
So, the big question so often comes down to:
"Why are we here?"
"Why did I just spend 8 hours of my life working for someone?"
"People are dying! Why don't you DO something!?"
The questions above come to my mind like they come to the minds of many people - but like soo many people these thoughts are fleeting. They last for a few minutes or maybe an afternoon discussion with some friends. In my country - when people want to talk about politics, they make it the topic of the afternoon lunch or dinner and discuss the many problems of our country and how we can solve them - only to forget about the discussion and have another one at another lunch or dinner. I noticed that I and others that I have seen have tended to deal with the above questions in much the same manner. We discuss them and then get back to our "daily lives" and then when we don't have much else to do - we may discuss them again. We do it in the exact opposite way that we are supposed to do it. The answers to the above questions are far more important than our daily lives.
But here's the scary bit - even if you do realize the above, even if it dawns on us....do you think it will really change the way you do things? Do you think you'll say "yeah, it is true!" and then forget about it until the next afternoon tea discussion?
Please, don't tell me we should leave it to people who are more "capable" or who are "up there". I don't need to tell you how our politicians have performed in the last 100 years.
God said in the Quran in 7:176 al-A`raf - The Heights:
"If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect."
This blog of mine has been dead for quite a while but I intend to re-post on it. Mostly things that I will post on my facebook account as well.
There will be funny stuff, videos of interest, lectures, etc.
May peace be on you,
Haris
I have not posted an entry in this blog for over 2 years. A friend of mine (Nauman Khan) popped up on facebook chat and was like..
"Harry, can I delete the link to your blog as you haven't updated it in like 2 years....."
and I was like....... =O
I remembered that I had a blog! so Now I am enticed to re-post so much stuff back into it....sooo much has happened.
Well, for the most part, I have been lost in the World of Warcraft, Religious research and delving into so called "conspiricy theories" so I can better understand the strange world and times that we live in. I guess being a Muslim in a foreign country that is not majorly Muslim opened my mind and eyes to soo many things that I took for granted when I was in Pakistan.
Aaaahhhh but I sooo miss my Life in Pakistan now. Especially since my last visit to my country of origin in November to December 2009. I was only there for about a month but this time, a few things were different...
Finally moved into the renovated main portion of our house
We had finally renovated the main portion of our house so that WE can finally live comfortably in our own house. In all my previous visits to Pakistan and to Lahore, I normally stayed in the upper portion of our house while we had rented out the main portion of our house to some family.
In hind sight, living in that upper portion of our house is akin to living in an apartment here in Australia. It was small, self sufficient and I lived a pretty isolated life unless a friend would drop by or I would visit one of my many relatives.
However, moving into the renovated main portion was a breath of fresh air. I had forgotten how big and "lavish" houses in Pakistan normally are. The tall roofs, the giant beds and bed rooms, the long curtains, the marble floor, the "giant" living room with various rugs, portraits, plants, and various other decorative pieces. Even the distant sound of the hustle and bustle coming from Defence Road behind our house brought back fond memories.
People tell me that a special attachment is created between a man and the place he is brought up.
I disagree.
I was brought up in the dry heat of Saudi Arabia where I spent 14 years of my childhood as an "x-patriot" or an "immigrant". In that entire time, we moved around and stayed around people from Pakistan. In a nutt shell, the lack of friendlyness towards imigrants by the locals was the defining factor that prevented any sort of attachment from forming between me and Saudi Arabia. In the entire 14 years of my life there, and to this day, I felt like I was just a visitor, soon to be gone.
I Thank God for the good times I had each year when we would visit Pakistan. Coming to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia was ironically, like coming from a dark place into a bright and sunny place. Though a significant part of my younger life took place in Saudi Arabia, I was born in Lahore Pakistan, and I still have some vague memories of my youngest years. In Pakistan, I have never felt like a visitor, here, my family and their families and our grand fathers and great grand fathers lived and strove. There are a few things in life that we have no control over, like who our blood parents and siblings are, and which land we come from.
Coming into our home after a long and hard year was special for a number of reasons that November of 2009. It was my first visit after completing my studies and having worked full time for nearly a year. In other words, I was knee deep into the life of the west. It is a busy and fast paced life where you do soo much each day - from working office hours to going out to the city with friends or cooking a meal for dinner in the evening - yet each day I felt like I haven't done enough. The peace, quiet, and comfort of our home was like seeing a nice warm water bed after staying out and working in the cold for 2 days straight! Only I'm staying there for a whole month ;)
The stark contrast in life style
Life in Pakistan is very family oriented, something that I don't see too often here in Australia. My Uncles, Aunties, and grand parents are very close to each other and I always make it a point to visit each and every one of them as much as I can when I visit. Family can be a blessing or a curse from God, and I am grateful that mine is a blessing. Towards that end I try to enjoy the time I spend with them. I'm not a man who has a lot to say (verbally at least :p) . Most of the time you will find me sitting quietly contemplating things from the mundane to the strange by my self, but the mere physical presence of loved ones and close friends near by is comforting to me. Alot of my friends complain when I don't say much for sometime - mistakenly thinking that I'm getting bored. Most of the time I'm just enjoying the moment, capturing the sights, smells and sounds.
The pace of life is slower in Pakistan than it is here in Australia. It is a welcome change. In the day - during the blistering heat or extreme cold most people are either in their office or at home. The stores and malls normally open around 10-11am in the morning and stay open till late in the night. Most people I know would really start a "night out" after the Isha prayers or around 6 to 7pm. In contrast, stores normally close in Australia at 5pm sharp - if you need something on a week day, you gotta rush from your office to make it on time - and that's provided you leave a little early lol!
You know, I could talk all day about the many little things that got to me during that visit, but at the end of the day....
Its the people around me - People whom by the will and blessings of God were also destined to belong to this part of the earth. Its the dirty animals and donkeys carrying carts full of hay slowly making their way down a road. Its the smell of mud, dirt, shit, flowers, animals and grass that hits your nostrils when you walk down a busy street. It pleases and warms my heart.
There are those who find a home in lands other than the one where they were born or come from - and they love it just as much. Maybe in the end, it is true what some people say....
"Home is where the heart is"
I long to go back to Pakistan now. I have had this longing grow in me since my last visit.
The path to finding my religion (or the bumpy road to salvation - if Allah chooses to guide me)
Added to this has been my further dive into some religious research and my endeavor (small as it may be now) to further understand my religion and way of life as God prescribed it. As I mentioned before, I took so many things in our religion for granted while growing up in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Countries where one is safe to practice Islam and religious oppression is minuscule when compared to the likes of other fellow Muslims in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Bosnia, etc. Or the minor oppressions in countries like Australia, USA, UK, and Canada where there is no Azaan and the call to prayer is not recognized when working.
It was no mere coincidence that I stumbled onto a series that invoked an inner fire or zeal in me. It was 8pm on a Thursday night and I was talking to my Mother. She was telling me of a new series related to Islam that was sweeping Pakistan like wild fire. I have always had an interest in such theories and opinions so I quickly googled it.
I arrived at the Arrivals - which kept me on my seat till 8am the next day - and yes, I went straight to my office without having slept! The show does well to open the eyes and lingering doubts that have been nipping at me throughout my life; small fleeting thoughts that disappeared as soon as they piked my interest. However, being inherently cynical and normally withholding judgment till the very end, I did some more research and went to the source of many of the beliefs presented by the creators of the show. Creators whom I found were probably Shia's and in one clear episode clearly present their own religious opinion on these events to which I disagree to.
The search for the source lead me to Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein. I have heard many lecturers in my time. I have heard many "Maulanas" come and literally fire up your heart with their sweet talk only to leave one full of doubts and confusion the more he delves deeper. Like they are clinging to some shred of faith, even though they are full of doubts, hoping that it would some how save them - this is so similar to the times of old when men followed what their ancestors followed - only because it would bring them some sort of spiritual comfort even though they were full of doubts!
Or like a beautiful women, who can lure you in like a dog by her looks and then leave you hanging with a giant bill to pay :P.
But what Sheikh Imran spoke of was a topic that has been on the back of my mind since my late teens. He spoke of the dire situation of the world today and the dire consequences and destination that it seems to be heading in. A topic few imams and scholars discuss. He spoke of Interest in a new light - I have always been told that Interest is Haram (forbidden my God)- but then I was also told that their are types of "Interest" that are allowed and I would see soo many people getting loans, car loans, house loans and what not. It was a jumbled mess. Very few scholars preach the complete annihilation of interest. Very few scholars speak of the history of interest and how it has (as our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) prophesied), spread all over the world and literally enslaved man kind. He talked about Dajjaal (The Anti-Christ) in a way I had not heard of before. He related the word Dajaal to its literal meaning - The Deceivers - and likened it to all the deception that is around us in the media and the news. Before this, while in University as a young student, we would talk excitedly some times about the identity of Dajaal when it is quite possible that his work has been before our very eyes for all this time!
Like I said before, I am inherently cynical (Though I do always say - hope for the best and prepare for the worst! =P ) and this attribute of mine has always made me question simple and "convenient" answers to the problems of Islam. I have read on the system of Islamic Banking and how certain Muslims believe that certain very important parts of our religion had to be changed or "interpreted differently" in order for us to adapt and keep up with "The West". But I asked my self each and every time - But why were we sent here? To get ahead of "The West" or to fear Allah and obey and worship Allah? - Ask yourselves when you take out a loan or condemn the application of Islamic Law - what are you really afraid of? The loss of comfort or the will of Allah?
Though coming to Australia increased my knowledge in Islam - It has also furthered me from the Din of Allah as well. Lost in the struggle to gain promotions, higher wages, compete, making a living, it is soo easy to forget God and what is happening to Islam around you. I will admit that I have become lax in my prayers and this is a great fear of mine. In fact it is my biggest fear. It gnaws on me every chance that it gets - and I am at a point in my life where I must sacrifice some of one in order to maintain the other and it is an easy choice for me to make - In fact I have already made it and am currently striving towards it.
The big questions
So, the big question so often comes down to:
"Why are we here?"
"Why did I just spend 8 hours of my life working for someone?"
"People are dying! Why don't you DO something!?"
The questions above come to my mind like they come to the minds of many people - but like soo many people these thoughts are fleeting. They last for a few minutes or maybe an afternoon discussion with some friends. In my country - when people want to talk about politics, they make it the topic of the afternoon lunch or dinner and discuss the many problems of our country and how we can solve them - only to forget about the discussion and have another one at another lunch or dinner. I noticed that I and others that I have seen have tended to deal with the above questions in much the same manner. We discuss them and then get back to our "daily lives" and then when we don't have much else to do - we may discuss them again. We do it in the exact opposite way that we are supposed to do it. The answers to the above questions are far more important than our daily lives.
But here's the scary bit - even if you do realize the above, even if it dawns on us....do you think it will really change the way you do things? Do you think you'll say "yeah, it is true!" and then forget about it until the next afternoon tea discussion?
Please, don't tell me we should leave it to people who are more "capable" or who are "up there". I don't need to tell you how our politicians have performed in the last 100 years.
God said in the Quran in 7:176 al-A`raf - The Heights:
"If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect."
This blog of mine has been dead for quite a while but I intend to re-post on it. Mostly things that I will post on my facebook account as well.
There will be funny stuff, videos of interest, lectures, etc.
May peace be on you,
Haris
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