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Reflections |
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In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious,
the Ever
Merciful
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All is Well!
Not always do our plans
materialize; not always do our expectations fetch congruous results;
not always do our efforts bear fruit. And then, at times we are
faced with staggering circumstances: a handicapped child is born, a
person dies in the prime of his youth, a flourishing business
suddenly runs into great losses, a young lady becomes a widow, cruel
relatives deprive their blood relations from even the basic
necessities of life. The list of course is unending. The result of
all this more often than not is quite predictable: depression,
continued sorrow and sometimes severe anger and rage. The unexpected
brings out from within us reactions which cross limits. The Qur’an
says that there may be various reasons for such untoward
circumstances. While explaining one of them it says: And sometimes
you dislike a thing and [in reality] there is great welfare for you
in it and sometimes you like a thing and [in reality] there is great
harm for you in it. Allah knows and you know not. (2:216) It is thus
expected of a Muslim to submit to the Almighty in all circumstances
with the belief that whatever has happened was best for him. We
cannot always grasp the profundity of the Almighty’s wisdom. Time,
however, often tells how the ‘untoward’ happening actually
positively influences the course of our life. So instead of becoming
upset and frustrated we must resign to his will and wait to see how
things.
Not always do our
plans materialize; not always do our expectations fetch congruous
results; not always do our efforts bear fruit. And then, at times
we are faced with staggering circumstances: a handicapped child is
born, a person dies in the prime of his youth, a flourishing
business suddenly runs into great ultimately take shape. In short,
‘all is well even if does not seem to end well’.
Author:
Shehzad Saleem
Topic URL:
http://www.studying-islam.org/articletext.aspx?id=858
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In this
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Reflections
* All is Well
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Read & Reflect
*
Belief in the
Prophet
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Debate & Discuss
* Discussion Forum:
Arrangement of the
Qur'an
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Express & Explain
* General Discussion
Forum: Profile of a
True Muslim
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Pause & Ponder
* Why
are Muslim not
United
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Successful
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Read and Reflect |
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Belief in
the Prophets
Author
Javed Ahmad Ghamidi
(Tr. by Shehzad Saleem)
إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى نُوْحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِن
بَعْدِهِ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيْلَ وَإْسْحَقَ
وَيَعْقُوْبَ وَالأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيْسَى وَأَيُّوْبَ وَيُوْنُسَ وَهَارُوْنَ
وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُوْرًا وَرُسُلاً قَدْ قَصَصْنَاهُمْ
عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلاً لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ وَكَلَّمَ اللّهُ
مُوْسَى تَكْلِيْمًا رُّسُلاً مُّبَشِّرِيْنَ وَمُنْذِرِيْنَ لِئَلاَّ يَكُوْنَ
لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَزِيْزًا
حَكِيْمًا ( ٤:
١٦٣-١٦٥)
We have revealed [Our messages] to you the way We revealed
[them] to Noah and to the prophets who came after him; And We revealed [them] to
Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the progeny of Jacob, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron,
Solomon and We gave the Psalms to David. We have revealed [Our messages] to
Messengers who we have mentioned to you earlier and to some Messengers who We
have not mentioned to you and with Moses God had spoken: these Messengers who
were sent as bearers of glad tidings and of admonishment so that after them
people are left with no excuse which they can present before God and God is
Mighty and Wise. (4:163-165)
People through which the Almighty completed providing His
guidance to mankind are called prophets. They were, in fact, human beings;
however, the Almighty selected them for this purpose on the basis of His all
embracing knowledge and wisdom. As such, prophethood is God-given and cannot be
acquired through self-effort or training.
The Qur’ān has narrated the incident in which Moses (sws) was given prophethood.
When he reached the valley of Sanai with his family on his way back from Midian,
it was night time. It was difficult to find one’s way in the dark and it appears
that it was quite chilly too. Meanwhile, a darting flame was seen at a distance
and perhaps no one except Moses (sws) observed it. He bade his family to stay
where they were and himself expressed his desire to find out more about what he
had seen and possibly bring back some fire to warm themselves or that if there
were people there he would inquire from them the way to the fire. When he came
near the place he had sighted the flame, he heard a voice say: “Moses! I am Your
Lord, so take off your shoes; you are in the sacred valley of Tuwā; I have
selected you for the responsibility of prophethood and messengerhood; so listen
carefully to whatever is being revealed to you.” The Qur’ān has told us that
after this he was given the same message as was given to other prophets:
إِنَّنِيْ أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِيْ وَأَقِمِ
الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِيْ إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ ءاَتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيْهَا لِتُجْزَى
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا تَسْعَى فَلاَ يَصُدَّنَّكَ عَنْهَا مَنْ لاََّ يُؤْمِنُ بِهَا
وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَتَرْدَى (٢٠:
١٤-١٦)
I am God. Indeed, there is no god but Me. Serve Me, and
for My remembrance, pray with vigilance. The Hour is sure to come – but I will
keep it hidden – [it shall come] so that every soul is rewarded for its labours.
Thus every person who does not believe in it and yields to his desires should
not turn you away from the prayer, lest you perish. (20:14-16)
It is Moses’ (sws) distinction that God spoke to him. The
incident of the first revelation to Muhammad (sws) has been mentioned in the
Qur’ān in Sūrah Najm. It is evident from it that the position of prophethood was
given to him through Gabriel, the exalted angel of God. The Qur’ān says that on
this occasion he appeared in his actual form on the higher horizon and the
Prophet (sws) saw him with his naked eyes. He then came near him to instruct him
and just as an affectionate teacher bends over his dearly loved student, he bent
over him with great love and affection and came so close to him that he was
within two bows’ length or even closer. Then he revealed to the Prophet (sws)
whatever he had been directed to reveal:
عَلَّمَهُ
شَدِيْدُ الْقُوَى ذُوْ مِرَّةٍ فَاسْتَوَى وَهُوَ بِالْأُفُقِ الْأَعْلَى ثُمَّ
دَنَا فَتَدَلَّى فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَى فَأَوْحَى إِلَى عَبْدِهِ
مَا أَوْحَى (٥٣:
٥-١٠)
He was taught by an Angel, mighty in power, towering in
character, endued with wisdom – while he stood poised, being on the higher
horizon. Then he drew near and came down within two bows’ length or even closer.
The Almighty then revealed to His servant that which He revealed. (53:5-10)
These prophets are sent to every community. God had
promised Adam (sws) that He would guide his progeny through guidance revealed by
Him. This guidance was given to mankind through these very prophets. After
receiving revelations from God, they tell what is the truth to people, give glad
tidings to those who believe in Him and warn those who do not believe in Him of
a dreadful fate. Consequently, at one place, while addressing the Prophet (sws),
the Qur’ān says:
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيْرًا وَنَذِيْرًا وَإِنْ مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ
إِلَّا خلَا فِيْهَا نَذِيْرٌ (٢٤:٣٥)
We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of glad
tidings and warnings and there is no community in which a warner never came.
(35:24)
The details regarding these prophets which have been
mentioned in the Qur’ān and which should be kept in consideration by everyone
for professing faith in them are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Topic URL: http://www.monthly-renaissance.com/issue/content.aspx?id=293
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Debate and Discuss: |
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Discussion Forum: Arrangement of the Qur'an
Topic:
What is meant by Nazm?
Tariq Hashmi (Moderator)
The following
question has been forwarded to be. Will somebody help me reply this:
AishaUmmAya
As far as I
can tell, it's meaning is that of an order, coherence, meaningful arrangement.
In reference to the arrangement of the Qur'an we speak of nazm when we
indicate a relationship between words & meaning of the Qur'an & the linear
connection between verses, surahs or verses & surahs.
hkhan
as sr aysha has mentioned its linear correlation b/w surahs as well as
sections in surahs the classical opinion was that Qur'an was a book with no
order whatsoever however contemporary view c has proved that there is a steady
order in the arrangement of Qura'n, not only in the subject of a single surah
coming dowmn from paragraph to paragraph, but also between the surahs
themselves for example in surah baqarah the subject dealt re: people of book
continues into surah a'l e imra'n wud ask br tariq whether this correlation
persists b/w sections (rukus) as well, or they were introduced for memorizing
purpose by huffaz like manzil, ruba' (sorry. mustn't ask this after taking the
quiz. shows lack of understanding innay?)
Tariq Hashmi (Moderator)
(sorry.
mustn't ask this after taking the quiz. shows lack of understanding innay?)
I would say we must keep posting our understanding of the matter and questions
before others on the forum even after the exam. The basic purpose before us
learning and it does not stop at the quizzes. Therefore, i request those of
the participants who have completed their courses to keep visiting the forum
and post their valuable comments and give others an opportunity to benefit
from their knowledge.
As regards your question regarding Ruku' division, please note that Ruku
division also considers the shift in theme and not the quantity or number of
verses for the purpose of Hifz.
AishaUmmAya (1586) wrote in her response:
In reference to the arrangement of the Qur'an we speak of nazm when we
indicate a relationship between words & meaning of the Qur'an & the linear
connection between verses, surahs or verses & surahs.
I think it is not very accurate view. Only some of the scholars apply the word
Nazam (coherence) to linear connection like Imam Raazi and not all. In the
modules the word has been used in its general meaning. The contemporary
scholars believe that the Qur'an contains complete coherence and organization
as discussed in the related modules.
Further may be seen at
the following link:
URL :
http://www.studying-islam.org/forum/topic.aspx?topicid=375&lang=&forumid=12
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Express and Explain: |
General
Discussion Forum:
Profile of a True Muslim
I see the current
discussions on Qur'an Sunnah and hadith and then ask myself, among all these
diversifications where lies the true Islam and the true Muslim. I confess that
my knowledge is very limited, but the desire runs high to learn and to serve.
I ask myself, what does religion mean to me and
what is its importance ? why is it necessary? I think of it as a beacon, energy
and force of guidance to succeed. For me According to religion, the purpose of
our lives is to please God; which leads us to Paradise. To attain this we need
to develop purification. This encompasses positive enhancement and moulding of
the good in our soul, and purification and purging of the bad. The purpose of
religion is to help us attain purification; both in our individual and
collective lives. In the Qur'an, God states, successful is he, who has cleansed
himself (87:14). Simply cut out the bad and enhance the good.
I ask myself how did Islam spread at the time of
prophet pbuh and sahabha? By dialogue, lengthy debates or discussions,
munaazarah, by sword, by force? I look at the personality of prophet pbuh the
Qur'an addresses him as 'We sent you thee not, but as a mercy for all creations"
21:107.As I understand the sahabha were not the biggest scholars of religion but
believed in "sameena wa attanah" listened and obeyed. Whatever they learned the
practically applied and demonstrated in their lives. The Qur'an was completed in
over 20 years and we must remember they did not have e-mails, computers to
spread it. The prophet pbuh was called sadiq and ameen by the non believers.
In Qur'an I have the guidance and in prophet pbuh's
life I have the practical demonstration to succeed. How did the prophet react
with the nasranees in Madinah, allowing them to pray on Sunday in Masjid i Nabwi.
What did the prophet pbuh say to aal i Yasser when they were torchered in Makkah?
did he say he will resort to suicide bombing and avenge them? his response was,"
patience ! Allah has promised Paradise".
For Muslims of today, what has become important is
to say namaz and fast for a month and follow a particular sect and accumulate
knowledge as stipulated by that school of thought and negate all the other
views, sometimes accusing them of being misguided and also warning them of
serious consequences in their eternal future. Why do we forget that we are a
Muslim 24/7. We are a Muslim every time we say or do anything. Accountability is
for everything. Only Allah knows our eternal fate. The Qur'an says
Indeed, those who have believed [in this Prophet]
and those, who became Jews and the Nasaaraa and the Sabians, whoever [truly]
believes in God and the Day of Judgment and does good deeds; they shall have
their reward with their Lord and they shall neither have fear [for the future]
nor any remorse [for the past].
On one side the sunni's and shiat's are fighting on
the other side some negate hadith others make it a source of religion. So where
lies the deen i haq? I ask.
Is it just coincidence that Muslims everywhere are
being humiliated and are the laughing stock of the entire world. The word Muslim
has become almost synonymous with terror, anger , rage and disruption?
It is not about just knowledge but its practical
application. How we conduct ourselves, how we present our religion to other
Muslims and non Muslims. I find abundunt knowledge and big scholars but alas! I
struggle to find a true Muslim Why?
assalamu alakyum.
Where on the net can I find the meaning of various Dua's used in Salaat.
I really appreciate
for a very thought provoking article trying to hit the root cause of all the
problems without being fooled by the symptoms.
Why do we need religion? Why should we be Muslims?
I guess this is the basic question that all the scholars must be focusing on.
Is religion an external thing being imposed by us
on ourselves? or its the sound of nature from within ourselves, as claimed by
the Muslims (they say that every child is born on his fitrah and hence is
Muslim). If religion is the answer or sound of our inner selves then we first
need to identify the basic questions that rise from within? We should not only
determine those but finding an answer of those questions must also hold a
significant place within our lives. This is described in Quran as Noor upon Noor.
If we don't feel any sound from within ourselves then this religion is just an
external thing and will merely be used for specific occasions, slogans, demands
from government etc etc etc, while the daily life will be empty from it.
Pakistan is a classic example of it.
The only thing religion does, in my humble and
extremely limited knowledge is that it makes the life after death an issue for
humans in a way that this issue not only encompasses his whole life but also
becomes the top most priority. (Quran says that Allah has sent his messengers as
Bashirs and Nazirs).
Secondly it tells us that purification is the only
way you can succeed in life hereafter. Thats what the whole philosophy of
religion revolves around. And while giving his Shariah Allah doesn't give a
comprehensive list of all the things that we need to do it only picks up a
handful of issues and gives his guidance. Why is that? If we had to be purified
then we of course need a long and big list of things we need to do to be
successful. From Quran we know that Allah hasn't created humans without any
guidance. Rather humans have builtin not only concept of good and bad but also
the details of them upon which the collective human history itself is the
biggest evidence.
So keeping above and the issues faced by Muslims in
mind, what we need to do is:
a) Get rid of the fancy and hallucinative glasses
of Islam that we use to betray ourselves and hide from the ground realities.
b) Just start thinking that we are a natural and
normal human beings and what should we do. This will not only help us look at
and accept the ground realities but will also help us understands the laws
governing the success of individuals and the rise/falls of nations. There will
be some question also to which the Islam has the answers.
May Allah show us the right path and give us the
courage to accept and follow it.
enclosed is a
response from another web site which in my opinion is the correct reflection of
Muslims
Just wanted to add an observation. We Muslims wail
for progress, talk about the glorious past of our ancestors. Wish there was a
scholar that would work to that end, salvage our past and lead us in a new
direction. We wait for messiahs, for Imams, for leaders.
But when we get some, we spend no time in ripping
that person to pieces.
It's the same when people were waiting for leaders
in the Age of Prophets, but as soon as a Prophet would reach them, they'd turn
around and persecute them.
It's like we have made up our minds already on what
Islam should be or should not be. We talk of women rights against a back drop of
honor killings, foul hudood laws on rape, and wish they were changed, Yet when
someone does aim at them, we critique those very scholars.
We want to return to pristine Islam, to the older
scholars, but we refuse to believe the allowance of the Prophet on women leading
prayers, we say to hell with Ibn Rushd who emphasized reason. We refuse to even
talk on controversial issues, while at the same time emphasize Islam's tradition
of dialogue.
We are mired with contradictions as a people.
In my humble
opinion, at every step of life when I encounter a scenario, I have two options,
to react like myself, or to think how my religion would expect me to react.
Not surprisingly my way is always different,
emotional, impulsive and reactive to situation. Whenever I have distanced myself
and thought about the Islamic way, it is invariably the correct way. Foe me the
journey of life is to try and make these two ways amalgamate somewhere.
usmani790
CHARACTERISTICS OF A
GOOD MUSLIM
Muslim is one who is willing to give up pleasure
for long-term gains (Aakhirah).
Muslim is one who has the ability to settle
differences without resentment or anger
Muslim is one who perseveres despite setbacks.
Muslim is one who knows life is too short to waste
in idle activities.
Muslim is one who has no prejudice, intolerance,
hatred or revenge.
Muslim is one who has the capacity to face
disappointments and adversity without becoming bitter.
Muslim is one who accepts his mistakes and who does
not complain that the rose bush has thorns but rejoices that it bears roses.
Muslim is one whose needs conform to the Qur'anic
commands and those of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Muslim is one who makes Jihad (struggle) to change
things, which he can and who lives in peace with things that he cannot change.
Muslim is one who gently and constantly questions
himself/herself "AM I A MUSLIM?"
A Muslim meets his brother with a smiling face (he
restrains from anger and is forgiving). The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Do not think
little of any good deed even if it is just greeting your brother with a cheerful
countenance [face] {MUSLIM}. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Your smiling at your
brother is an act of charity {Sadaqah}" {al-TIRMIDHI who said it is Hasan gharib}.
The Muslim should always be pure of heart and
should have a cheerful and friendly face. He should meet his brother with warmth
and smiles. There's no excuse--Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always had a warm smile
on his face even though he went through hardships, torture, and suffering in
this life.
"... [those] who restrain anger and pardon {all}
men- for Allah loves
those who do good." [Translation of the Qur'an-Al-Imran
3:134]
The true Muslim restrains his anger and is
forgiving. He does not see any shame in doing so, rather he sees it as a good
deed which will bring him closer to Allah (SWT).
He has a good attitude towards others and treats
them well. Anas (RA) said: "I served the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) for ten
years, and he never said to me 'UFF!'. If I did something, he never said, "Why
did you do that?" And if I did not do something, he never
said, "Why did you not do such-and-such? [Agreed
Upon]
The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Among the best of you are
those who have the best attitude (towards others)". [Agreed upon]
He (SAWS) also said: "Nothing will weigh more
heavily in the balance of the believing servant on the Day of Resurrection than
a good attitude (towards others). Verily Allah hates those who utter vile words
and obscene speech." [Al-Tirmidhi, Hasan Sahih hadith]
The true Muslim has a good attitude. He is humble
and soft and gentle in his speech. He does not use bad language or insult
others. He is patient, gentle, forgiving, tolerant, cheerful, and sincere
towards others.
A true Muslim
submits to the truth when revealed to him.
See:
http://www.studying-islam.org/forum/topic.aspx?topicid=2812&lang=&forumid=1
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Pause
and Ponder: |
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Why are Muslims
not United?
Question:
Why are Muslims not united?
Why do they submit to non-Muslims? Is it that Muslims are bought?
Answer:
This state of affairs is
nothing but the outcome of our weakness. Power always rules and leads the world,
and you would agree that it has its own psychology. Those in authority seek to
maintain the status quo, by hook or by crook.
Muslims today, you would know very well, obviously lack the required power. Its
attainment demands strenuous efforts and an urge to go ahead. It also demands
sacrifice in the shape of time. We are not ready to pay the requisite cost;
rather, we want the fruits without plowing the field and sowing the seed.
Anyhow, power, I think can be gained through knowledge, science and technology.
In this direction, the first step, which we will have to take, is the
reformation of our concepts – both religious and scientific. Moreover, we have
to tell ourselves that we are a part of the same universe, which has been
planned on the principle of hard work and strife. Being Muslim is no argument
towards claiming special privilege. The rules of this universe are applicable to
us in the same degree as they are to other nations.
The differences among ourselves are also due to a host of factors including lack
of proper knowledge and guidance, ignorance and vested interests. One should
decide what one can do – in what degree – in order to eliminate and curb the
said diseases. Thereafter, one should progress towards the right direction. And
then, trust in God will solve the problems, insha' Alla h. However, even if no
encouraging results befall us, we should be satisfied with the thought that we
did our duty. Man can, and should, only do what is in his control, the rest is
for Allah to decide, for He knows best.
regards
Siddiq Bukhary
Research Assistant, Studying Islam
see: http://www.studying-islam.org/querytext.aspx?id=670
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