«إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ»

“Verily Allah affords the oppressor some time, until when He takes hold of him, He does not let him go.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Libya usually conjures up images of oil, the Lockerbie disaster in 1988 and Muammar Gaddafi – more aptly known to the world as the ‘mad man.’ With a population of 6.5 million, Libya is not usually the country that comes to mind when the Muslim world is discussed, Libya is alo one of very few countries that was colonized by Fascist Italy.

Libya was created from Cyrenaica , Tripolitania and Fezzan in 1952 and was ruled under a monarchy through King Idris, until he was overthrown by the ‘mad man’ in 1969. Ever since the ‘mad man has ruled with brutal oppression.

When the revolutions were taking shape in Egypt and Tunisia, many were determined that Libya would be next, I was not so sure. I was from the generation that knew no other ruler than Gaddaffi. I often have discussions with Muslims from the Arab world that would compare their dictator with mine, who was worse? The stories that I heard always seemed worse, maybe because I knew many people who had their lives literally destroyed.

Change seemed like a distant cry.

I awoke on 17th February 2011 and was in shock as I witnessed the images on TV, images I actually believed would never come. As my brothers and sisters took to the streets in Benghazi I immediately feared for their lives, I knew what this ‘mad man’ was capable of. Bin Ali was a killer, and Mubarak was also a murderer, but Gaddafi is something else.

Muammar Gaddafi was the sinister man that killed in order to pass time, for fun – there is no way else to explain it. He is the man who set upon killing the ulema, the people of knowledge and even simple imams of mosques. He did not stop there. He killed thinkers, academics and intellectuals, ensuring there was no intellectual challenge to his rule.

Gaddafi is known as the mad man because of the lengths he would go to remain in power. He once sent his police to my older sister’s secondary private school, where he set about intimidating children for aspiring to be the thinkers of the future. That fateful day is still etched in the mind of my older sister thirty years on. She was fortunate; she managed to escape whilst they began to round up all the children. She and a friend had decided to climb a high wall. My sister was only 12. My sister described to me the screams and crying that took place as she managed to escape. My sister and her friend remained silent throughout the ordeal. My sister and her friend managed to escape – but they were the lucky ones.

My sister was found stranded on the road side. Her torn clothing was just too much for my father to bear. It was at that point that he decided, as he describes it to people today: “to put my family in my car and keep driving”.

My family’s phone has not stopped ringing since people took to the streets in Libya. “He’s killing people, he’s killing us” is how all conversations start. Our fears were being realised. People from Benghazi have reported the cold killing of children as young as 12. They aim at the head, stomach or chest, that is where all the wounds have been found. They place themselves strategically on top of buildings and just shoot. After watching events unravel in Tunisia and Egypt, Gaddafi spotted his potential weakness and set about ensuring the danger was removed: he disarmed his army. He shipped in gangs of youths from Mali and Chad, states that he has historically funded, in order to shoot, maim and kill the popular uprising against him.

The demonstrators are unarmed, tells me a sister from Tripoli. “We have tried taking to the streets here, but they fire and he has thrown missiles into the crowds in Benghazi,” she screams. “We have more shuddah here than Egypt and Tunisia put together, and we are a nation that only numbers five million. He will not stop, he will not cease until we are all dead. We have started putting our corpses in schools; the hospitals are full of the bodies and blood of the shuhadah.”

I have sat glued to the TV as this mad man attempts to wipe out his own very people. His desperate attempts are failing him, the army are beginning to defect, Libyan ambassadors from across the world are resigning and it appears even infighting has started within the Gaddafi family.

The Ummah in Libya like their brothers and sisters in Tunisia and Egypt have realized that their ruler has to be removed. In the face of this massacre our brothers and sisters from all walks of life have been brave and await Allah سبحانه وتعالى victory.

Upon hearing of the fate of people in Tripoli, people from Zawiay and Sabratha and the other surrounding towns have now headed to Tripoli to help their brothers. One of the largest tribes, Warafla, has joined the demonstrations. This in itself has forced the Libyan Representative to the Arab League and the Libyan Diplomat in China to resign. A Sheikh from Yargan has called upon all heads of tribes and the army to take to the streets to remove the tyrant ruler. The people have taken hold of bulldozers from construction sites and driven to army barracks where they know weapons are stored. They have ceased them and returned them to the army to remove the tyrant ruler.

In a telephone conversation to my father in which he said he is now elderly and in turn feels guilt at not being on the streets helping the Ummah. Perhaps we are all feeling like that, wanting for them the security that we have. Their sacrifice, resolve and iman should inspire us to continue in our struggle to call for that which they chant as they risk everything in the streets of Libya.

Muammar Gaddafi has ruled Libya for over 40 years; many tyrant rulers have come and gone as he ruled with an iron fist. He thought he was above revolt. He even denied the Ahadiths and murdered the sincere brothers from the Ummah who went to account him. Like all rulers before him and after him they should take heed from the ahadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

«إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ»

“Verily Allah affords the oppressor some time, until when He takes hold of him, He does not let him go.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

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.

“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.]

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!).

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]

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

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.

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

“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.

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.