Mobile phones, Media and Welcoming the culture that Globalisation brings

Within the first day or two of arriving in Lahore it became all too apparent that people are facing a sort of trial, some being well aware of it’s threat, most however completely oblivious to what’s going on.

There seems to be a reoccuring question when I meet people, “what phone do you have?”, you’d think there’d be more interesting things to talk about having not met ever or in atleast a decade!  Anyway, much to their surprise I have no idea what model my phone is and to make things even more dissapointing(for them) I pull out a very primitive phone from my pocket.  To emphasise the cell phone infatuation here I stress that it’s not just young people asking these questions, I visited a village where older middle aged people asked me the same question, intrigued what kind of a phone someone who lives in the west keeps, however once again my basic boring phone emerges.

So what’s causing this mobile madness?  Madness might sound extreme, but the effect it’s having on people although not completely apparent(yet) is quite substantial and is only going to get worse.

1)  Network providers are offering incredibly cheap deals.  But how can it be that in the US/UK you might get 300 free text messages and 100 free minutes for say £15/$30, but over here they are giving people over 1000 text messages for a £1/$2, along with free minutes.  May I ask why they are being so generous in this 3rd world country?  I’ve really never known multinationals to be so generous.

2)  TV commercials.  I’ll give one example of a commercial.  There’s a guy talking to his fiance and the girls mother say’s something like you need to be a new bride don’t talk to the guy too much it’s not good.  In the end the commercial says you can now talk absolutely free of charge between 12am and 12pm.  Not exactly a good message.  It’s mostly young wannabe romeo’s that will take advantage of this service most, or should we say be taken advantage of.   But as always things which have up until now been frowned upon or not encouraged are shown to us in commercials, movies and music in jest to start with so they don’t seem so bad; most people become desensitized after a while and unknowingly accept them.  Given we live in increasingly Godless societies where the idiot box(TV) dictates what we see and beleive and what we see comes from the multinational corporations(MNC’s) who don’t care about what happens to society so long as their pockets are getting fatter I think we can agree we’re not going to move anywhere wholesome.

3)  Internet.  Again like satelite TV it’s cheap.  The adverts  here on TV from what I have seen are based mostly around mobile phone network deals and becoming “fair and lovely”, aside from that you have the great GEO tv which is utter crapsense, since i’ve been here they’ve been covering some marriage that is taking place between Shoaib Malik(Pak Cricketer) and some other Indian ‘celebrity’ tennis player women.  Tell me a country that doesn’t have electricity for 8-12 hours a day, has bombs going off and Mr 10% Zardari as their president doesn’t have more important issues to be covering!!?

So the above 3 are easily available and you’ll find people living below the poverty line with them.  Something is definitely wrong here.  Why?  Because the people of this nation need to be focused and realise the severity of their situation, not remain heedless and distracted by useless issues that make no difference to them.  From the perspective of the MNC’s it’s a great strategy.  Bombard people with gadgets and toys, introduce the celebrity culture, keep them busy, whatever makes the Multinational money, keep people thinking about anything but their purpose in life and their situation, control what they know through the idiot box using it as an indoctrination machine to spread their materialistic ideas.  After that their job is simple, just keep releasing new objects  and there you have it, slaves that are unaware of their slavery, drones working to get the latest new things.

We live in the age of technology, we’re taught the more technology we have the more modern we are, technology has become the mark of progress.  I have no problem with technology, it’s a great tool which can help us, however….. we’ve forgetten a word called moderation.

Coming back to the mobile phones; the obsession with the latest phones and deals is just an indication of where the Muslims are going; sadly we’ve moved away from being free thinking human beings that lead mankind to light, a result of being liberated from the slavery of dunya.  Contrary Muslims have become enslaved by whatever the ‘New World Order Globalisation Culture’ brings us, spread by it’s embassadors that sit in every household…  i’m talking about the television of course. The multi national companies are more than happy for us to forever forget and enjoy all the temporary pleasures of materialism, but surely we’re already starting to taste the bitter side of the poisonous fruit as it spreads around the world, yeup, globalisation and the spread of one world culture… MATERIALISM. Fast, shallow and empty… but tempting as hell.

N.B:  Technology is not evil.  It all depends on how it is used.

Who controls the Media today from behind the scenes

John Swinton was a well known journalist and economist who was the cheif editorial writer for the New York Times in the 1860’s. He said the following over 100 years ago, so what then can be said about the media today, in our global villiage like world, where it’s become very apparent that the truth is hidden from us, stats are twisted and henious crimes go unreported, while often insiginificant issues are on the front pages.  We are hearing more and more about celebrities and sports, while civilian lives are taken daily, while the Zionist state of Israel goes on committing it’s atrocoties, while over 6,000 former service personnel of the U.S military commit suicide every year and soldiers sent to Iraq and Afghanistan who are becoming more and more disillusioned day by day as they fight an unjust war, realising they aren’t helping liberate people but rather taking and ruining lives.

“There is no such thing, at this date of the world’s history, in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it.

There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone.

The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press?

We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.”

[Source: Labor’s Untold Story, by Richard O. Boyer and Herbert M. Morais, published by United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, NY, 1955/1979.]

Living in a land of Corrupt Government Officials and possible (U.S) Mercenary Forces

Before I left the safe sanatized environment of the western world and came to Pakistan two weeks ago I had some concerns, one of them being the fact that there had been a series of explosions where I was going, Lahore, the day before I left.  None the less I was on my way and for the first few days I was pretty cautious about going to the local markets.  While passing a market my cousin pointed out the place where one of the explosions took place, which I must say made a little uncomfortable as we approached the area.  But as the days passed I noticed people continue to function as  nearly normal, well they have no choice,  life must go on, right?  What surprised me more however was when I saw the likes of BBC news, Sky News, CNN or  any other Pak news network while in England things always looked worse than they really were.

I originally thought most people would be living in fear, there are exceptions, but the majority of people don’t live in fear, they simply accept the situation and live as they were previously remembering that Allah has confirmed that the time of death is fixed and cannot be brought forward or delayed for even a second.  Further, the majority of people beleive that the bombings are being orchestrated not by Muslim terrorists, but by other external forces bent on destabalising the country, as Pakistan is one of the few Muslim countries with Nuclear facilities and also a military force with some power.

Keeping this in mind, eyebrows must be raised when we hear about the U.S based private companies Blackwater now called XE being here having a large number of heavy armoured hummers along with their trained merceneries, a sort of shadow army.  Blackwater forces who had immunity were secretly used in the Iraq war until some events unfolded regarding their killing of innocent civillians.  So now we hear about Blackwater (Xe) working in Pakistan covertly; well it was only after the damage was done that we found out who was behind JFK’s assisination, it was only after thousands died in Iraq that it was confirmed that WMD’s were a sham and it’s sadly evident it’ll only be after more innocent people are killed that the terrorists who are wreaking havoc with these explosions will be exposed and we’ll find what part the U.S government, it’s private army(Xe) and of course Mr 10% Zardari’s government had to play in all of this, if any (yeh right!).

Habib Umar: Part 3: Introduction to Emaan

[A continuation of the Habib Umar retreat.  it's sad that I haven't completed writing these up yet, as everytime I read them I find immense benefit.  The wisdom he imparted was gold.  May Allah give us the capacity to understand them.  Ameen.]

In the previous session the concept of intellect and reason was introduced, stating how this faculty is what differentiates humans from animals.

If our foot is inflicted with some injury, we would travel to have it healed, so the question is, why is it when our hearts are so ill, so corrupt and disease ridden, that we allow them to remain sick or even let them die.   All this despite having the best doctor, Muhammad(SAW), who showed us clearly how to nourish the heart and give it life.  The shaykh stated something very important after this that has remained with me; if someone is sick and seeks earnestly to heal oneself, then they will find help in the form of those who have knowledge at their very doorsteps.  [This really brings to light the reality, that although we may attend prestigious universities or have jobs associated with those who are "intelligent", it does not mean we have true intellect, as "someone with intellect will not let their heart remain corrupt or die, living for empty bestial desires".]

The beleivers and the corrupt are not equal, do we think that we will have the same life and death as those who beleive!?

“Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember” [Az-Zumar, 39:9]

Signs of a pious heart

1) Being happy with guidance and good, while loving the people of piety and righteousness.

2) Disliking sin and misguidance, all those things that Allah(swt) does not like for us.

3) Pleased going to gatherings of Allah and those that mention Him sincerely and abundently.

4) Happy with an hour of dhikr and experience a sense of peace and longing to sit in His rememberence.

And know that among you is Allah’s Prophetic Messenger.  Were he to follow your wishes in many a matter, you would surely fall into trouble, but Allah has endeared the faith to you and has adorned it in your hearts, and he has made hateful to you unbeleif and transgression and disobedience, such are those are rightly guided. [49:7]

One of the companions Zayd al-Kheir one day had a question and set out as quick as possible to go to the Prophet(SAW), he ended up travelling the distance that would have normally taken 3 days in just 1!  He was worried either he would die or the Prophet(SAW) might die and he would never know the answer.  He asked, Who does Allah want and does Allah not want?  The Prophet(SAW) asked “How are you today Zayd?”.  He responed, “I love piety, I love the people of piety and I love doing pious works”.  [And in what he said was a sign of who Allah wants.  So this being the state of mind and soul that we must aim to acheive.]

“How good is the person whose nourishment is good works” [Line from a Poem]

One must take control of life before it expires.  One must do plentiful dhikr untill it overcomes the heart and the secrets of the unseen become seen.  In dhikr there is healing and within every house there MUST be a circle of Qur’an and a circle of Dhikr.

Narrated from Sulman al-Farsi “We were once in a group remembering Allah(Swt), the Prophet(saw) joined us and said “I saw mercy descending and wanted to partake”  [Ahmed bin Hanbal]

When a person becomes attached to dhikr, then the doors to the next stage open, the door of Ihsaan!  Someone who is attached to pious deeds is like the one knocking on the door, eventually it will open.

There was once a famous highway robber called Abu Bakr Ibn al-Huwara, he would steal and do many bad deeds.  However one day he heard a man telling his wife to wake him up extra early so he could set out and avoid Al-Huwara, upon hearing this Al-Huwara became extremely sad and felt grieved for the trouble he is causing to people.  So he told the mans wife to not wake her husband in the morning.  He found a masjid, performed ghusl and joined a gathering of pious people.  He listened for 3 days.  On day 4 Allah(swt) gave him light.  So when they discussed he also joined in and they asked “who is this man?” , “Al-Huwara!  Him?  The highway robber?!”  He said “Allah has accepted my repentance”.  So the one who remains at Allah(swt)’s door will surely see it open for him.

We must have passionate love for dhikr, with broken and humbled hearts and seeing the favours of Allah.

[N.b  Any mistakes in these notes or previous notes are from me and all goodness from Allah]

Mawlid - Celebrating the Birth Day of the Prophet(SAW)

It’s that day of the year when many mosques will be full, so much that it may almost look like the odd nights in Ramadhan.  In some places the Imam’s will share from the life of our beloved Prophet(SAW) from authentic sources, sharing from the light the Prophet(SAW) brought to humanity, while…. in others an excess of ladoo’s, barrfi and baklawa will be handed out, with dancing, singing and some unauthentic stories will be shared by over-zealous ‘religous leaders’ among many acts of bid’a.   It is 12th Rabi Awwal, the date of birth of the Prophet(SAW).  While some won’t even know it’s our Prophet(SAW)’s date of birth, which is sad in itself, there are others who are aware of his(SAW)’s birth, but argue about whether ‘celebrating’ his birthday is an impermissible act or not.

Below is a very balanced and scholarly opinion on the Milad - birthday of the Prophet(SAW) - by the respected scholar Abdullah bin Bayyah, traslated by Suhaib Webb.

The celebration of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is an issue of controversy amongst the scholars. There were some who considered it a disliked innovation, a few even saying it reached the level of prohibition. And there were others who considered it a praiseworthy innovation. This difference is traced back to a divergence concerning the categorization of innovation (bid’ah). Some scholars held that there is such a thing as a praiseworthy innovation and these were, primarily, the Shafi’i scholars, foremost among them Al-’Izz ibn Abdul-Salam (May Allah have mercy upon him) and Imam Al-Qarafi (May Allah have mercy upon him), who was a Maliki. Al-Qarafi was of this opinion but he also delved into great detail in explaining it. In his discussion, Al-Qarafi (ra) stated that innovations may be shown by proof to be recommended, obligatory, disliked, and so on, depending on the ruling of Islamic Law (shari’ah) concerning each particular matter. Thus, he divided innovation into five parts (obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked and forbidden). However, there were some scholars who did not accept this division contending that if the word innovation is used with its technical meaning (which is the norm), then it is a repulsive innovation. They relegated the statement of ‘Umar, regarding the tarawih prayers, “What a good innovation” to its linguistic meaning. This is what Taqi al-Din Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah said, as well as Al-Shatibi in his book Al-’Itisam. Many scholars from the Maliki and Hanbali schools (may Allah have mercy upon all of them) also took this approach. Among the scholars there were those who wrote in support of celebrating the Mawlid, such as Al-Suyuti (May Allah have mercy upon him) and there were those who wrote against it. Thus, in my opinion, there is no need to drag this discussion out, nor to argue about it very much.

The Ruling:

Indeed, whoever wants to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday (peace and blessings be upon him) by reiterating his sira (biography) and the beautiful events of his life while avoiding any action contrary to Islamic Law and being sure to avoid the intention that this celebration is a sunna or an obligatory act may do so. If these conditions that I mentioned are observed, and one is careful not to contradict Islamic Law, and celebrates out of sincere love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then, Allah willing, there is nothing wrong with this action and this person will be rewarded. The Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said regarding this in his book Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim, “Indeed, such a person will be rewarded because of his intention.” As for the one who leaves this celebration, seeking to cling to the sunna and out of fear of falling into innovation, then this person will also be rewarded, Allah willing. It is important to note that this is not a big issue, nor is it necessary to give it more attention then it deserves. There are some Islamic lands in which the people celebrate the Mawlid and do acts of worship on other virtuous days of the year and the scholars differed regarding these things, some of them disapproving of them and some of them saying they are permissible, as was mentioned by al-Zaqqaq in his Manhaj and other Maliki scholars who wrote at great length on this issue, on innovation, and on whether all new matters are innovations or whether they can be categorized like the previously mentioned opinion of al-Qarafi.

The Methodology:

Our view towards uniting the Muslims by curbing these differences is a view of facilitation and ease. This ease is not founded on an empty premise, but is referenced directly back to the Qur’an, traditions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the fundamental objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shari’ah), and the order of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to work towards unity between people. Therefore, if there is a valid difference of opinion pertaining to a certain matter, we exercise great consideration and respect for both sides. This consideration is not simply an act of being overly accommodative, as some contend, nor is it a type of laxity. Rather, this respect and consideration for differences is guided by the fact that both opinions are based on proofs from Islamic Law that are not sufficiently clear to prove conclusively that one side is right and the other side is wrong. These matters are new phenomenon – things that no one was doing and then people began to do them, and some scholars gave proof to support these actions and others disapproved of them. In conclusion, our stance is that both are on goodness, Allah willing, as long as this act is not mixed with evil and the intention is correct.

Allah knows best

Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah (May Allah preserve him) Translated by Suhaib Webb

Islam4UK Protest - Trouble Makers or Misguided

Well well well, look who is in the headlines….once again.   The Islam4UK group a.k.a Al-Muhajiroun, experts in fueling anger and hatred.  They are frequently given the platform to speak, conveniently getting major media attention which they use to incite hatred and whether directly or indirectly, the result of their actions  only damages the image of British Muslims and Islam.  They openly claim they want Shariah and follow the Prophet Muhammad(SAW), while behaving in a manner that is so far off the way of the Prophet(SAW) that it really makes you think; is there more than that which meets the eye?

Who they are and what they do - some basics

(1)  They’re a group called al-Muhajiroun re-invented under a new name.  (2)  They’re a minority, they exist mainly in one town and they aren’t gaining support or a following.  (3)  They were pushed off the streets and told to leave by their (Muslim) townsfolk.  (4)  Many of them don’t work and believe it’s okay to leech from the government.  (5) They organise protests at all the wrong times, shout inflammatory remarks and the media is conveniently always there to get some juicy footage of “Extreme British Muslims”.  They seem to have a suspiciously “special” relationship with the tabloids.  (6)  I don’t like the word “extremist” nor do I like labels, but these guys have views that are far from Islamic, so it’s safe to say they are extremely off the mark when it comes to Islam. (7)  Overall they don’t embody the way of the Prophet(SAW), watch a few videos on YouTube, it becomes apparent very quickly. (8)  You’ll find them donning the appearance of the stereotypical “extremist”; thobe, big beard, a kiffayah wrapped around the face or alternatively the old serious look.  (9)  Overall, most Muslims will agree that they are a waste of space and are creating friction in a time when we need cohesion and understanding.

Their chosen methods/styles of interaction

When trying to understand these people, you’ll find it difficult to comprehend why they act as they do.  Firstly, from a universal perspective of humanity, or even common sense, most sane people know what will hurt, upset and simply tick other people off.  Likewise we know which areas are sensitive and require a little wisdom in the way they are approached.  While there is nothing wrong with protesting against the War for example, basic knowledge, understanding of human psychology and care about fellow humans should  prompt any responsible person to voice their opinions in a way that won’t unnecessarily incite hatred or cause people to become averse to ones message.  Why don’t these guys understand that?  I mean really, it doesn’t take a genius.

Secondly, lets take the Islamic perspective.  Anybody who has read the biography of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) will see that he(SAW) was a hard working, active and useful member of society, a highly respected person due to his wisdom and his undeniably impressive manners[among Muslims and Non-Muslims].  Most importantly He(SAW) was responsible and rational.  Then why do we see these guys shouting about Shariah while they are behaving contrary to the Prophet(SAW)’s way? You’ll see them on the news shouting and acting aggressive, holding up banners with questionable comments on them when they know it’s only going to stir up negative emotions, which cause offence to some and make life UNNECESSARILY difficult for others, all the while presenting Islam in a negative light.  They show no responsibility or concern for the consequences of their actions.  Again I ask, why do these guys not understand this?

Whats the deal with ‘Islam4UK’: Is there more than meets the eye?

Apart from finding their mannerisms repulsive and their intellect lacking, there are a few possibilities that present themselves.  Speculation among Muslims may vary, but the objective mind points to two possibilities:

1)  They really believe what they are doing is correct and Islamic.  If this is the case, then we’re dealing with some really thick headed and ignorant people.  [In my opinion I don't believe their leaders are that stupid, I think they are well aware of the consequences of their actions]

2)  They know what they are doing and are doing it on purpose, completely aware of the damage they cause, by increasing anti-Islam/Muslim feelings and pushing people towards hatred, and away from peace.  Maybe there are *ahem* ‘incentives’ involved? A fellow blogger recently mentioned a group of people in the U.S who seem to be doing similar things and alluded to the agent provocateur concept.  Are Islam4UK’s antics not ideal given that the governments are continuously trying to justify this “War on terror” while instilling fear in the world populous?  The Muslim and British population in general are not benefiting from the actions of this group.  Is Islam4UK’s leader, Anjem Choudry the self proclaimed Sharia Judge, really that dimwitted?  If not, then whose cause is he helping?  All I’ll say is “hmmmmm” with a raised eyebrow.

How they get away with misrepresenting Islam

The sad thing is the media has often proven to be a bias and unreliable source, yet the majority of people believe what they hear and see on TV.  While the media has a part to play, it’s time we as Muslims look inside ourselves and realise we have a larger part of the blame.  Muslims in the US/UK tend to be disconnected from society, they remain in their Pakistani, Arab, Bengali communities, however this is not the way of the Prophet(SAW) as we have a duty to spread the uncorrupted message of peace to our neighbours, colleagues and friends - this is best done through action, behaving like Muslims, not just holding the title of Islam.  For obvious reasons people like Islam4UK will continue to have disproportionate media attention, making it all the more essential that Muslims and Non-Muslims educate themselves about the truth.  We must free our minds and realise there is an initiative to inject fear into our hearts of a religion which is far from barbaric and oppressive, but revolves completely around morality, justice and peace for all of mankind, regardless of race, religion or culture.

Muharram Reflections

Last year I researched the month of Muharram and realised how great of a month it really is.  Why?  Well, it’s called ‘The Month of Allah’, which sounds impressive in itself, but it also has a number of perks that give everybody the opportunity to make a big difference in connecting with Allah.  It’s almost like a life line thrown out to all of us who have messed up after Ramadhan, or maybe didn’t take advantage of it as we should have.  However, it’s here now and it’s worth knowing why it’s a big deal so we can start the Islamic new year on a good note.

There are FOUR things to remember that make it clear why this month can be a saviour and also a stepping stone in getting closer to Allah… if we realise it’s potential.

1) Fasting.  Fasts in this month are the best after Ramadhan.

It is reported from Abu Hurayra (RA), that the Prophet (SAW) said , “The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan are in the Month of Allah, which you call Muharram. And the best of prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

2)  Ashura.  It contains the great day of Ashura, which if fasted atones for the sins of the previous year, a perfect way to lighten the scales with regards to bad deeds.  Which will be the 27th of December 2009, so make a note.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura. He answered: “It atones for the sins of the preceding year.” [Muslim]

3) Charity.  charity given on this day is as if you’ve given charity for a whole year.

It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that “Whoever fasts `Ashura’ it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.” [Imam Ibn Rajab: Kitab: Lata'if al-Ma`arif fi ma li Mawasim al-`Am min al-Wadha'if]

4)  Forgiveness.  It’s a great month for the forgiveness of our mistakes.

It is a day in which Allah forgave an entire people. The Prophet (SAW) said to a man, “If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in.” [Tirmidhi]

That’s a summary of our great month.  For more on the Muharram or the issue of Imam Hussain  see:  Muharram and Ashura

Denying the Signs of the Final Day

The end of time is something discussed by many people from a vast array of beliefs, however in the majority of cases it does not lead to any significant change, which is understandable as they ussually lack a relaible source.  However, for Muslims this shouldn’t be the case as we have the only divine text that can truly claim the miracle of preservation, the uncorrupted Qur’an and authenticated hadith of the Prophet (SAW).

“The Prophet (SAW) said the day of judgement was very close over 1400 years ago, so what makes you think it’s any different now?”.  Heard this?  Or “Day of Judgement?  Oh yeh, scary…. anyway did you watch the game?”. In my opinion this is a naive cop out, a denial of the reality that exists before our very eyes.  You ask why would people not take the signs of the day of judgement seriously?  It could be a number of factors, however mostly people don’t like change and anything that will disturb their plans for worldly pursuits, taking them out of their comfort zones.  So people continue to live heedlessly ignoring blatant realities, strange?  Yes, but if people can ignore and pay no attention to the reality of death, which is a truth no one will deny, then it’s also understandable that they can shut out other realities that require some thought.

Allah said: “Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.” (Al-Anbiya’ 21:1)

Unfortunately for all those that want to ignore the signs of Allah, the truth is that as soon as you give this area some sincere reflection and research, it becomes all too clear what the Prophet (SAW) meant when he (saw) said the day of Judgement is close.  When we hear that the day of judgement was said to be near 1400 years ago, it may cause you to think that if all that time has passed, “i’ll live my life too, it’ll probably be in the time of my great great grand children”, but do not be deceived, think deeper.

The idea that the day of judgement was close during the time of the Prophet (SAW) needs to be thought about in relative terms with the period of time that mankind has existed.  If we think about the great amount of time that has elapsed between Adam (AS), the first man, and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) the final Prophet, it is in relation to this amount of time that it can be concluded that the distance between the Prophet (SAW) and the final day is actually very short.  As always the Prophet(SAW) with his wisdom was able to sum this idea up in a few words:

Towards the end of one of his speeches about the day of judgement when the sun was setting and evening was setting in, he(SAW) said, “‘The sun is about to set, and what remains of this world, compared to what has passed, is like what remains of this day compared to what has passed.”

• The previously barefoot Arab Bedouins will compete to build tall buildings
• The slave girls gives birth to her mistress(the mother who is enslaved by her work situation has children who grow up to be uncontrollable and who dominate and tyrannise the family situation.)
• Many women no longer give birth to children
• Everyone is concerned with working so that not only men but women also go out to work
• That family ties are neglected or abandoned
• That time is short
• There are many people who are hard hearted and mean
• That the leader of a people is the worst of them
• That there is much fighting and killing of people
• That the ones who do the killing do not know who they are killing and the ones being killed do not know why they are being killed
• That there are women who wear clothes like a second skin so that they appear naked even though they are clothed, that many people drink alcohol
• That adultery and fornication are common
• That men lie with men and women lie with women
• That female singers and musical instruments are popular
• That usury is so widespread that those who are not directly involved in it are affected by it
• That writing is widespread
• That attempts are made to make the deserts green
• That earthquakes and natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity
• That the Muslims are numerous but powerless, because of their love of this world and fear of death and so are unable to stop the nations of the world invading and plundering them
• That the sun rises from the west – one meaning of which is that the life transaction of Islam is adopted by people living in the western world – this event is also clear however that it is an event that will literally take place.

Which of the above signs that are well documented can we say we have not seen?  And how many of the following have become apparent only recently, i.e. the last few decades.

13 Wise sayings of Ali bin Abi Talib(ra)

Ali bin Abi Talib(ra), cousin of the Prophet(SAW), husband to Fatima(ra) daughter of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and father of Hasan and Hussain(ra) was among those 10 special companions given the glad tidings of paradise in this world.  He was the fourth Caliph of Islam and was known for his intelect and wisdom in all parts of life.

Ali(ra) said, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) sent me to Yemen, so I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, you have sent me, and I a youth, to judge between them (as a qadi), and I don’t know what the nature of judgement is.’  He struck my chest with his hand and said, ‘O Allah, guide his heart and make firm his tongue.’  Ali said, ‘By the One Who split the grain, I have not had any doubt about passing judgement (in a dispute) between two (people).

Below are some wise sayings regarding the “dunya” (the world) and ones innerself.  While Reading them remembering the temporal nature of this world and that it is not the ultimate and final abode, two approaches can be taken:   1)  Have a skim read, which probably won’t help us much.  2) Contemplate each one whilst thinking about our own life and how we are living.

1)  People are asleep as long as they are alive, they are awakened when they die.
2)  Do not run after the world, let the world run after you.
3)  Of all the follies the greatest is to love the world.
4)  He who trusts the world, the world betrays him.
5)  Do not become a slave of your desires.
6)  Desire is one’s most inveterate enemy.
7)  Overpower desires and suspicions by patience and faith.
8)  Greed is perpetual enslavement.
9)  Finding fault in others is one’s greatest fault.
10)  He who is aware of his own faults is oblivious of the faults of others.
11)  The greatest sin is the sin that the sinner considers to be ordinary.
12)  Do not sell the Hereafter for the world.
13)  Do not soil your conscience for anything but heaven.

Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa: The Ultimate Fight

Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa:  Chivilry, Youth and Sahaba

“The highest level of people who control their rage is that they do good to those who do them wrong and we see that example through the entire life of our blessed Prophet(SAW).” [Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa]

Shaykh Ibrahim gives an enlightening talk challenging the youth to return to the chivilrous way of the Sahaaba in a time when our society parallels that of Makkah.  Makkah was a place  where  people of ignorance became the best of mankind under the guidance of our beloved Messenger, Muhammad(SAW).  Among these masters were youth like Umar bin Al-Khattab, Ali bin abi Talib and Abdur-Rahman bin Awf, who went from being killers living in Jahiliyah [ignorance] to becoming soft hearted individuals, who had lines etched in their faces from tears that flowed as they cried from the fear and love of God.

These individuals still fought, but instead of fighting to hurt people for lowly reasons like anger and ego, they fought to uphold justice, protect the oppressed and take a whole society out of the darkness, sincerely for the sake of Allah, but first they fought the battle within themselves to conquer the anger and rage that is within everyone of us. Perfectly illustrated with the example of Ali bin Abi Talib, in which he over powered an enemy on the battlefield and after giving him the opportunity to correct himself, his enemy spat in his face, but Ali simply withdrew, putting his sword down and walking, but when asked by his enemy why he had spared him, Ali replied:

“I was fighting you purely in the way of Allah, but when you spat in my face, your insult made me angry and if I had killed you in anger, it would have taken me to the Hell Fire - so I had no choice but to let you go. To kill someone in anger or out of desire for revenge is not bravery, but the act of a coward.”