Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Muslims-monitors of the world

Allah SWT has honored us {the ummat of MUHAMMAD SAW} by calling us the BEST UMMAT and it is mentioned in Qur'an :,

(Al-Imran:110) Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.

(Al-An'Am:165) It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lordis quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

It never ceases to amaze me how, even though Allah calls Muslims as the "best of peoples", evolved for mankind" (3:110) and has appointed humans as "his agents , inheritors of the earth (6:165), we are often negligent when it comes to caring for this Earth that is our home and that of our children and their children as well.

Allah SWT clearly explains us our duty that we are the monitors of the world. It's a duty given to us by OUR CREATOR for instance , in a school, every pupil knows the rules to abide but still a monitor is appointed to keep a check on them and if the students do any mischief in spite of monitor being there then the monitor is to be blamed. If the monitor done their duty well , then the students will behave well and thus discipline will be maintained in the school. In the same way, if people in this world are going astray and up to mischief , we Muslims are to be blamed as we are not doing our duty and rather following the masses who are on the wrong path.

It is our duty to tell people they are wrong when we know they are wrong and advising them to stop doing it. I have ever heard a saying "The best of you is the one most useful to others. It's the least thing we can do to do good thing, be helpfull. Being Muslim is not just about attending Halaqas and coming to gatherings but social justice, harmony are amongst it. It's not 'volunteer work' for Muslims, it's caring, guardianship for the creation of Allah who Allah made us a Khalifah of. Islam is and has been a socially conscious, useful, and egalitarian way of life, we believe we are only as good as the poorest,weakest amongst us. ALLAH connects Taqwa,Iman, Ihsan and all other "religious concepts" to practical humanitarian work. Pray for others because what you wish for Allah to grant another person is what Allah will grant you " don't rely on your own dua's for yourself, pray for others so that they may pray for you. Make action points from everything we learn, e.g. what can we do put a book we just read into practice. And don't take 'lack of knowledge' as an excuse for not doing something, but instead use it as an opportunity to learn, that is practical useful knowledge that becomes wisdom, instead of just data, facts, and tidbits.

ALLAH SWT doesn't need us to make Islam flourish, rather its an honor that we have been given such a task by which we can be the best ummah.If we don't do our duty with which Allah has sent us. ALLAH says that HE will raise other people in our place and they wont be like us. It's high time that we first correct ourselves then convey the message of our LORD to the world. It's the duty and responsibility of each and every Muslim to fulfill this task, i.e to enjoin good and forbid wrong. We will be questioned about it on the day of Judgment and will be answerable before our Lord. By doing our task we can make this world devoid of all mischief ,thus establish peace on earth.

 

Friday, April 20, 2007

Alhamdulillah

What is the meaning of alhamdulillah? It is usually translated as, 'All praise is due to Allah.' Which has ledmany of us to use the phrase, Alhamdulillah wa shukr Allah.' But this is very incorrect because Alhamdulillah is actually a word of praise that includes within it a greater gratitude or shukr for what Allah has ordained, and as Muslims, we are supposed to use it when we are presented with that which appears good and with that which appears bad.

But, in the reality of our lives, what is alhamdulillah? What does it truly mean? Is just a word on our lips? Or is it a genuine feeling in our hearts? Someone once told me that Alhamdulillah means when you don't have something youneedorwant, you are content with your fate; when you have a limited quantity of that thing, you are content with it, and you try to share it, and when you have a lot, you are content, and you are searching for ways to share it more. In other words, no matter what your condition, you are grateful to Allah for that condition. It is a recognition that all that Allah has given us or taken from us is the best for us.

In practical terms, what does this mean. There is an example that I like to use when I speak of Allah's Knowledge and Power over us that may help illustrate my meaning. When I was living alone faraway from my homeland, I had the most beautiful white cat. I loved this cat very much. It used to wake me up for fajr, and I considered it a great blessing in my life. The problem, however, was that my landlady did not allow pets in my apartment. This meant that the cat's presence had to remain a secret. One day, the landlady called and told me that she was coming that day to do the periodic spraying for roaches. I knew I had to hide the cat, but in such a way that he did not come home again from where I put him, so I decided to take him to a friend's house for the day. So, I grabbed my cat, and took him inside the taxi i was hailing. On the way to her house, the cat went crazy. He was clawing at me and at one point attached himself to the back of my head. I guess he had never been in a car before, and was terrified. He thought this was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to him. Now, I had information that the cat did not. I knew that my actions were actually a salvation for him. If my landlady had found the cat, we would have both been homeless. But, of course, there was no way for the cat to know this. It was beyond his comprehension.

What is the point here? Well, Allah places us in many situations that are similar. He provides us with circumstances that in our limited understanding and perception we find to be disastrous. We can react to them as the cat did, with fear and pure animal instincts, or we can recognize Allah's Wisdom and Superior Knowledge, and be content with the situation because we have faith that it is somehow better for us to experience this. To be content with it, would be to live out Alhamdulillah. It would show our acceptance of Allah's Power over us, our recognition of His care for us, and our gratitude for His Mercy.

For Allah says,

"...This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored. (27:40).








Wednesday, April 18, 2007

The nice taxi driver

Assalamualaikum, Yesterday i have experienced the most amazing event, a disaster and at the same time an eye opener. When i was on my way home, i decided to took a taxi since my body condition's not so well. I felt dizzy and giddy, and started sweating heavily, when a taxi come across in front of me, i went straight hailing it, not caring of the taxi's name which is uncommon for me to do, i use to fuss a lot about taxi's name since there's a lot of crime done in taxi, especially in a not so well known taxi but at that time I don't care about that, all I know is I'm feeling bad and I have to get home ASAP. I went inside and lay my head, i was feeling nauseated, woozy, perspiring, and my head was spinning like crazy and then it's a total black out for me. When i woke up i was lying in a white walled room, i looked around, and saw my mother beside me, looking at me worriedly, remnant of tears still visible on both of her cheeks. I felt like cursing myself for bringing those tears into her eyes. Because none of this thing would have ever happened if i didn't neglect my own health. I have recurring fever for more than a week, any sane person would have taken it more seriously, OK grampa u could call me insane for this :p, i deserved it. But i have taken it casually instead, i acted like nothing was wrong, hoping that someday this ailment will go away. OK, enough of this.
My first question to my mom when i recover from my faint was how did i get here?. My mom said she got a call from a man, using my mobile and told her i fainted in his taxi and now in hospital. And then I remember what happen before, I was in a taxi on my way home. So I asked my mom, did she pay the taxi driver and she said no. By the time she got there, the taxi driver was no longer there. I went silent and never stop saying shukr Alhamdulillah for Allah's blessing upon me. I read and heard so many times about crime which has occurring lately in taxi, and the victim were all conscious at that time. I was unconscious , which made me an easy target. Anything bad could have happened to me during the time I was unconscious, but Alhamdulillah Allah has protected me. None of my belonging was lost, and the most important thing is NOTHING has happened to me. It was rare nowadays to found such a nice decent person who's willing to help with the pure thought of helping, expect nothing in return. But those people DO exist no matter how rare. To the taxi driver, thank you for helping me, may Allah reward you for your kindness. And Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allah for HIS guidance and love. I got two valuable lessons for this, first is prevention for illness is better than having to go through medication process, never take things to casually, health is a valuable possession we can never replace with anything in life. Second is to be help full, to whomever, wherever, whenever and expect nothing but reward from Allah.Inshaallah, every good deeds we done will always be rewarded, here in this life or in hereafter. Ameen.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Quranic Perspective on Wife beating and Abuse

Islam and Muslims have long been accused of mistreating women. Whether by by false accusation or a facts with supporting proofs, people are relying on the media barrage of awful stereotypes to formulate this opinion. Muslim men are perceived as violent, cruel and barbaric towards women in general, but especially towards their own wives, daughters and sisters.The fact is that such disgusting behavior does occur in the Muslim world, for many of the same reasons it also occurs in every part of the world. Domestic violence represented by wife beating or abuse is rampant around the world. While the exact numbers on domestic violence incidents differ, because this is such an under-reported crime there are statistics on which most experts agree.
However, what could be said to distinguish women's mistreatment in the Muslim world is the general lack of Islamic education amongst men and women about day-to-day matters, including the roles and rights of women.Mistreatment and abuse of women, and wives in particular is condemned by Islam.
Consider the following Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira in Tirmidhi: the Prophet (SAW) said,"The one most perfect in his faith is he whose conduct is best and the best amongst you is he who behaves best towards his wife." So, this propaganda about Islam treat women as a 2nd citizen is nothing but a misconceptions about Islam. Because this problem does not just occurred in moslem country but happens in other countries just as well.

Let's take a look at these statistics below :

1. Of the 5328 women murdered in 1990, FBI data indicate that about half or more of them by a husband or boyfriend.

2. A woman is beaten every 15 seconds by her partner; it happens at some time in 25-35 % of American homes; 4,000 women die from such abuse each year. (FBI)

3. A study published in Puerto Rico in 1986 revealed that 60% of all the interviewed married women were victims of physical and/or emotional violence by their husbands.

4. Statistics from 2000 showed that on average a woman is raped every hour in India

5. The 1995 fourth periodic report for the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) showed that from December 1992 to November 1995, "cases of rape and other incidences of violence against women in Philippines have been increasing but only a small number of offenders are apprehended and convicted."

Statistics as these should awaken all those in denial of the fact that wife beating and abuse is an endemic disease in all different cultures, religions and communities. It is as common in Western as it is in Eastern societies.

Men in Western and Eastern societies do not abuse their wives because of scriptural teachings, but because of a natural instinct of domination and aggression. God, knowing this, has therefore decreed a perfect law to help men control their temper and to solve any problems before resorting to physical aggression.

These statistics reflect the failure of modern societies in treating this perilous condition in men. Despite advances in modern psychology and improved understanding of behavioral patterns of men, civilized and uncivilized, a successful solution to this aggressive behavior has not been found by man.

A solution has however been presented to the world in the Quran, our divine book, in surah An-Nisa :34.

[4:34] The men are made responsible for the women, and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners. The righteous women will cheerfully accept this arrangement, since it is GOD's commandment, and honor their husbands during their absence. If you experience rebellion from the women, you shall first talk to them, then (you may use negative incentives like) deserting them in bed, then you may (as a last alternative) beat them. If they obey you, you are not permitted to transgress against them. GOD is Most High, Supreme.

At first glance this verse may appear as if promoting physical abuse of women. But when reading 4:34 carefully one realizes that it actually prohibits abuse and beating of women by using the best psychological approach.

The advise to first talk and then avoid sexual contact, provides the necessary time and space for both parties to cool off, reason, examine the problem and reach a favorable agreement for both of them.

Abuse of a wife will NOT happen if the man learns to follow the clear commandments of God in this verse and in the order decreed. Abuse will only happen when a man does NOT follow these commandments, and thus fails to cool off and reason with himself or with his wife.

Surah An-Nisa, where we read 4:34, entitled "The Women," is one of the longest chapters in the Quran. It deals with many of the rights and responsibilities of women, rights that were first available to western women only a few decades ago, and some that still aren't. The theme of this Sura is to defend women's rights, and countering injustice and oppression of women. Thus, any interpretation of verses in Sura 4 must be in favor of the women, not the other way around.

Unfortunately 4:34 is extremely abused by many of the so-called "Muslim" men in the world. While disregarding their own obligations and their own righteousness, these men only focus on the third step of handling this difficult condition as described in 4:34, skip the first two necessary steps and give themselves the excuse to beat their wives. They find support for their misguided and biased views, and for treating their spouses unjustly, in the fabrications of the so called Hadith and Sunna. They thus misrepresent the true Islam (Submission), and divert people from this perfect and just religion for all.

We have to remember that the right given to the man in 4:34, can only be claimed when you have a situation with a righteous man on one hand dealing with a situation in which his wife repeatedly commits "Nusyooz" which is an unrighteous, wicked and rebellious act. Abusing this law and the attempt to apply it to regular daily marital disagreements is not warranted by the strong and selective wording of the verse. Furthermore, for a man to demand or claim this right, he must first give that woman all the rights God has given her and follow all aspects of the commandment without skipping any part of it. God clearly says in the Quran that He has decreed for the men and the women rights and obligations equitably (Al-Baqarah:228).

In reality, a believing husband would most probably NEVER come to the stage where he would actually lay a hand on his wife. He would be much too careful to examine his own motives first, as a God fearing man, before exercising this right. As we see in the verse immediately following 4:34, when the marriage reaches this stage it's on it's way to end, as the very next words in the Quran reads; "If a couple fears separation…"

Most women in the world today do not enjoy the protection verse 4:34 grants them. Instead they are unjustly abused, verbally and physically, by unrighteous men in unrighteous ways, and get beaten up for the most trivial of reasons, or for no reason at all. According to 4:34 even if the husband has a good reason, he is not allowed to lay a hand on his wife until he has passed all the previous steps.

The woman's responsibility in a marriage starts the day she chooses a husband. If she wants to enjoy her God given rights, she must obey her God given commands, and choose a believing husband. Thus, she can expect from him to treat her in accordance with God's decree, and not transgress against her. She can expect from a believing husband that he will heed any reminder she gives him, if he forgets. If she chooses to disregard God's commands, she has to know that there will be consequences.

If women expect the men's deeds to have consequences, they should expect the same for themselves. These consequences are however well controlled to protect the women from the outrage of the angry husbands as we can find in God's law for the believers in 4:34.

We also learn that one of the traits of the righteous is that they suppress anger.

[Al-Imran:134] "…They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable."

The nature and essence of a healthy relationship between a husband and wife is beautifully expressed in the following verse from the Quran:

[ Ar-Ruum:21] Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think.

[Al-Imran:195 ]"Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you MALE OR FEMALE, YOU ARE EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER........."

When facing difficult times, even if the man dislikes his wife, God has decreed;

[An-Nisa:19] O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit what the women leave behind, against their will. You shall not force them to give up anything you had given them, unless they commit a proven adultery. You shall treat them nicely. If you dislike them, you may dislike something wherein GOD has placed a lot of good.

And when divorce happens, the full respect to the wife is urged,

[Al-Baqarah:229] Divorce may be retracted twice. The divorced woman shall be allowed to live in the same home amicably, or leave it amicably. It is not lawful for the husband to take back anything he had given her. However, the couple may fear that they may transgress GOD's law. If there is fear that they may transgress GOD's law, they commit no error if the wife willingly gives back whatever she chooses. These are GOD's laws; do not transgress them. Those who transgress GOD's laws are the unjust.

In conclusion; A BELIEVING wife and a BELIEVING husband will NEVER get to the point where beating of the wife enters the picture. A BELIEVING couple will consult one another and agree on the best way to solve their differences as verse 4:34 and the whole scripture recommends.

We have to know that we are not in this world to protect unrighteous behavior. We are in this world to be given a last chance to make the right choice and submit to God alone. Making the wrong choices will have consequences for all of us, both in this world and in the eternal Hereafter, for women and men equally.

God is the Most Just, the Most Merciful.


nationalism

These days I came accros a saying that nationalism and patriotism is no longer needed, we’ve already become a free country so what’s the need for it. I felt like shouting, heck offcourse it IS still needed. Here in my post I will not talking about the over fanaticism of the nationalism or even patriotism that tends to brought a separation of the brotherhood amongst Moslems. We have to have an open mind about anything, even regarding nationalism. Before we are a citizen of a specific country, we are the submitter of GOD’s will, and even before that, we are human being who, again has the responsibility to preserve and maintain our submission. That’s the 1st thing we need to hold very dear and should be our basic reference when we are talking about nationalism. I lived in Indonesia, a country which has undergoes series of colonialisation and in the process of liberating ourselves from this colonialisation, bloods has been shed and hundreds, thousands, and even millions of lives have sacrificed themselves in order to achieve the 1 word which is so valuable at that time, FREEDOM. And now a decade later, we are living in a free country thanks to Allah who has blessed and guided those freedom fighters for their neverending efforts. But why is it, everywhere I look now, all I could see is the youngster who’s too busy minding about following fashion and trend which is against cultural and religion boundaries, a western culture that GOD forbids, a very destructive seed for this country’s future. And not to mention some provinces which has tried to liberate themselves from our beloved country, the politicians who’s too busy making themselves rich and don’t give a damn about the people’s suffering, the leader who’s not sensitive in feeling or responsive to what the people demand, and the acts of the leader who’s being super nice and super permissive to other country, the country who have no values of human lives, did they ever think of the million lives and the blood that has been shed in order to achieve the ulimate goal, the Unity of Indonesian Republic. Once again, I won’t talk about an over fanaticism of nationalism, I merely trying to say to my fellow Indonesian, please be united. Pay our respect to our freedom fighters, be afraid of GOD’s wrath, not HUMAN’s. Our time in this world is temporary, but our time in the hereafter is eternally. Think of it and be wise. May Allah forgive us and show us the right path. Ameen.

first prostration

O GOD, I hereby stand infront of you, fullfilling your summon. I raise both hands and say Allahu Akbar, I was calling out your name, saying you are the greatest and then I went silent, what to do next. A flash of memory came, recite Al-Fatiha, a tiny voice inside the head says, so say it within the limitation of the gibberish language I know nothing about. Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alamin, Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds. Arrahman Arrahim, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Maliki Yaumiddin, Master of the Day of Judgment. Iyyaka na'budu Wa iyyaka nasta'im, You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Ihdinas Sirathal Mustaqim, Show us the straight way. Sirathal Lazina An'amta 'Alaihim Ghairil Maghdubi 'Alaihim Waladhhallin Ameen,The path of those whom YOU favoured, not the path of those who earn YOUR anger nor of those who go astray. Ok GOD, I have done with the key, Al Fatiha, what should i do next, I heard the person next to me uttering her Arabic recitation which is alien to me, I cannot memorize the other surah to recite nor what to do next, a prick of tears started to show. O GOD, I don't know much, all I know is that I stand before you because of your summons, and because I love you, therefore I am standing here, testifying that YOU are the greatest so please guide me, tears rolling down my cheek. I raise both hands again and saying Allahu Akbar. Then I bow down, both palm over my knee, my body started to shook, the tears heavily rolling down. GOD, I really dont know what else should i say, all I know is that I am bowing down my head to YOU because i really believe with my heart and soul that YOU are the ONE and ONLY CREATOR that deserve to be worship. I stand up straight again, my body's shaking like a leaf and my face full of tears. Then I kneel down, what am I doing down here? I wonder, my nose and forehead pressed to the floor as I kneel in prayer. My kneecaps ache, my arm muscles strain as I try to keep the pressure off my forehead. I listen to strange utterings of the person praying next to me. It's Arabic, and they understand what they are saying, even if I don't. So. I make up my own words, hoping GOD will be kind to me. I say O GOD, please forgive me for not knowing nor understanding YOUR words as the rest of your follower who has submitted earlier before me. I am doing this because this makes sense to me and because YOUR words has touch my soul. YOU are the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, with all my humbleness and limitation I am asking for YOUR Grace and YOUR Mercy, guide me, make it easy for me so next time I can do it in a more proper way, the way YOU have shown to the rest of the submitters. Ameen

Saturday, April 14, 2007

status of women

The status of woman in this world have been reduced just to a tool and a commodity,still we can see woman are not being given their due rights and this liberalization's concept have made their lives miserable rather than improving it. In the pre-Islamic period woman were treated like slaves and oppressed and didn't have any rights.On the contrary, Allah has raised the status of woman and haven given them much honor and respect.


Woman have been given rights in all aspects of life,she has been given right to education, inheritance, work in Islamic limits property and the list goes on. My advice to woman is no matter what the world thinks about you or degrades you, keep in mind that your CREATOR, your LORD, the ONE whose the most close to you has given your respect and honour so there's no need to expect it from the world, my sisters in Islam, woman need not worry about her shelter , food or clothing ......the basic requirements of life as Allah has put this responsibility on men.....rather Allah has given woman a position that of Princess that need to be protected, woman is ordained to be in hijab to be recognized as respectable woman

every ruling is for her own benefit.


Allah SWT is OUR CREATOR , and He knows best HIS creation. HIS laws are the best and HE is the most just.Allah SWT has created women and men differently though they complement each other, each one has their own responsibility. Men are superior in the sense they have more responsibility as they are maintainers and protectors of women, and actually there has never been a clear definition of superiority, there are still bias regarding this issue, like when you ask whose more superior in handling and taking care of their children, women has the superior rights, but if u ask whose more superior in taking the decision in the family then it should be man whose taking care of it.


Be it woman or men what matters with Allah is taqwa, one whole chapter of QURAN the divine book is woman, the glorious book is named of women and the world says that ISLAM suppresses women,when in reality men and women can both contribute for betterment of our society and thus can attain pleasure of Allah and hereafter. We are not in need of respect and honor of people when we our LORD, the CREATOR has already given us, Alhamdulillah.


All a woman required to do is to be righteous and make her family whole, thank you so much O Allah for giving us woman such honour and respect, Subhanallah.I being a woman, can say that I AM PROUD TO BE A MOSLEMA. Alhamdulillah

Alhamdulillah Nasyid

ALHAMDULILLAH- Nasheed sung by Dawud Wharnsby

I am just a rock
and everyday I sit and watch the sky.
I sleep here in the sun and rain
and do not question why.
I don’t want to be a bird
’cause us rocks were never meant to fly.
But you can sit and rest on me
When you pass by.

Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, I’m a rock
And that is all Allah asks of me.
Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, I’m a Muslim
And there’s nothing else I’d rather be.

I am just a tree
And this is the only life I’ll ever know.
I bow my boughs in worship
Whenever I feel the wind blow.
And my purpose in life
Is to grow when Allah says grow
And be a home for the birds and shade
For folks below.

Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, I’m a tree
And that is all Allah asks of me.
Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, I’m a Muslim
And there’s nothing else I’d rather be.

I am just a person
And my life is full of opportunity.
I can travel through the world
Over land and over sea.
But will I choose the path of Truth
Or a path to misguide me?
Sometimes I wish I had a simple life
Just like a rock or a tree.

But alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, I’m a person,
and Allah has given me a choice that’s free.
So, alhamdulillah, I choose to be a Muslim
And there’s nothing else I’d rather be.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Hello and Welcome




Welcome to my new blog :)