Jesus Christ, Christmas and Islam

It is Christmas in the Christian world of faith, a day when the birth of Jesus(Isa) is generally commemorated, although some Christian groups reject the celebration. We Muslims also believe in the birth of Jesus, indeed the Quran describes his birth in beautiful verses.

Jesus occupies very high position within the ranks of the Prophets and Messengers chosen and sent out for the guidance of man, inviting them to their Creator and the Lord of the heavens and the earth. He is indeed one of those five Messengers who are referred to as ‘oolul `Azm’, (Messengers endowed with firmness of resolve): those who were sent for the benefit of the wider ummah of their time to guide people.

That Jesus has no divinity, nor is the son of God, but only a Messenger like other Prophets and Messengers, is a firm teaching of Islam. He was a messenger from Allah, sent out as a Sign for the world. The Quran refutes the claim that Allah had a son in the Christian belief saying: ‘They claim: ‘The Most Compassionate Lord has taken a son to Himself. Surely you have made a monstrous statement. It is such a monstrosity that heavens might well-nigh burst forth at it, the earth might be cleaved, and the mountains fall, at their ascribing a son to the Most Compassionate Lord. It does not befit the Most Compassionate Lord that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and the earth but he shall come to the Most Compassionate Lord as His servant’. S19 V88-93

The Quran describes Allah with these beautiful following verses: ‘Say He is Allah, the One and Unique. Allah, who is in need of none, and of whom all are in need. He neither begot any nor was He begotten. And none is comparable to Him’. S112 V1-4

The story of the birth of Jesus is mentioned in the Quran in these following verses:

‘O Mohammad! Recite in the Book the account of Mary, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east. And drew a curtain, screening herself from people whereupon We sent to her Our spirit and he appeared to her as a well-shaped man. Mary exclaimed: ‘I surely take refuge from you with the Most Compassionate Lord, if you are at all God fearing. He said: ‘I am just a message-bearer of your Lord, I have come to grant you a most pure boy. Mary said: ‘how can a boy born to me when no man has even touched me, nor I have ever been unchaste?’ The angel said: ‘Thus shall it be. Your Lord says: ‘it is easy for Me; and We shall do so in order to make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us. This has been decreed.

Then she conceived him and withdrew with him to a far-off place. When the birth pangs drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree she said: ‘Oh, would that I had died before this and had been all forgotten’. Thereupon, the angel below her cried out: ‘Grieve not, for your Lord has caused a stream of water to flow beneath you. Shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards yourself and fresh and ripe dates shall fall upon you. So eat and drink and cool your eyes; and if you see any person say to him: ‘verily I have vowed a fast to the Most Compassionate Lord, and so I shall not speak to anyone today’. Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. They said: ‘O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing. O sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman’. Thereupon, Mary pointed to the child. They exclaimed: ‘How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?’. The child cried out: ‘verily I am Allah’s servant. He has granted me the Book and has made me a Prophet. And has blessed me wherever I might be and has enjoined upon me Prayer and  zakah as long as I live. And has made me dutiful to my mother. He has not made me oppressive, nor bereft of God’s blessings.’ Peace be upon me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I will raised up alive’. This is Jesus, the son of Mary, and this is the truth about him concerning which they are in doubt’. S19 V16-34

Yes, Christmas is the time when masses of Christians celebrate the birth of their Christ.  But, surely, celebrating the message of the Christ should be of more importance if the wish is to please God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? Would not Christmas become even more important if questions were asked as to whether Christmas plays any truly religious role in guiding its followers in discovering and following the message brought by him?

The coming of Jesus with a Book Gospel, or what is called in the Quran ‘Injeel’, while it did not follow the same pattern as other Prophets and messengers, contained the same eternal divine message. From an Islamic teachings’ perspective, he is seen as one of the bricks that completed the building of a house; the house being the chain of the prophethood. To affirm his message the Christian hierarchy needs to emphasise the Gospel that was brought and taught by Jesus and not the different versions of so called Gospels that were written down by his disciples.

I would like here to remind everyone that despite Islam’s differences with Christianity, the Quran uses the term ‘Ahl ul kitab’ for both Jews and Christians and promotes a very respectable relationship between Christian and Muslim communities. However, the belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ by the Christian Faith and that God, or God’s son, was born on this day, is a belief with which Islam has never accepted. It is regarded, on the contrary, as the worst kind of fallacious belief that makes no sense and goes against the very foundation of ‘monotheism’, that there is only one God.

The Quran asks the Prophet to proclaim to the people: ‘Say: ‘If the Merciful One had a son, I would have been the first one to worship him’. S43 V81

 But the Merciful One has no son and the Prophet preached exactly that: God has no son but sent down Prophets and Messengers for the guidance of humanity. This message is the only logical one. For Muslims, Christmas reminds them that God sent out Jesus(Isa) as one of his Messengers, so that people may be guided by him to the way of God, as the only God worthy of worship, who has no son and no partner and that ‘He neither begot any nor was He begotten. And none is comparable to Him’.

A Prophet for all humanity

In all the pages of human history the Prophet Muhammad, peace and the mercy of Allah be upon him, is one of the very few figures whose personality, teachings and the book he brought to the people from God the Almighty, have survived intact. Most other such prophetic personalities, philosophers or sages lived only in the shadows of human history and their teachings and history of their work have failed to survive with such clarity. The closest to Prophet Muhammad’s time was the Prophet Jesus, Isa, may Allah shower him with peace and mercy and even his life is disputed by many historians. We Muslims, in addition to the Christians, do believe he existed, but only as a previous Prophet sent by Allah.  

Unfortunately, hysterical attacks on the character and person of this most dignified and moral prophet, Muhammad, continue to be perpetrated by extremely prejudiced, blindly biased and supposedly arbitrarily opinionated people who express their criticisms for no sane reason. The internet is awash with vile comments that can only emanate from people of lewd character.

At the height of the hostility and even animosity from the opponents of the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, during his time in Makkah, no such similar comments were ever issued by anyone.  Their accusations and grievances were largely regarding two different subjects, and not directed at his personal character. The first described the message of the Quran as a work of Magic and the second, that it was destroying their old belief system and the legacy of their culture.

Indeed, the Prophet was well known among them by the title of ‘As-Sadiq Al-Ameen’ the most truthful and the most trustworthy. He even retained the people’s trusts at the time of migration to Madinah.

When the prophet married with young Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, none of his opponents took issue with it, nor used it to trash his character. The prophet married at different times and in different situations, with more than one wife, and no one from among his opponents objected or used these occasions to attack him.

Islam took exceptional steps to acknowledge the Jews and Christians as people of the Book and adopted a kinder and a softer approach towards them. The Prophet Mohammad helped to write a ‘Memorandum of peaceful co-existence’, that came to be known as the ‘Convention of Madinah’, whereby all parties became one community defending each other.

He never sought the destruction of Jews or any other community, but when some of the Jewish community betrayed the convention, inevitably, they were dealt with as had been agreed upon in the ‘Convention’.

The Prophet is described in the Quran in these following words: ‘There has come to you a Messenger of Allah from among yourselves, who is distressed by the suffering you sustain, who is ardently desirous of your welfare and is tender and merciful to those that believe’. S9 V128

Further, the Quran describes his mission saying: ‘We have sent you forth as nothing but mercy to the whole world’. S21 V107

The actions of such a Prophet cannot be other than merciful, tender and ‘ardently desirous of everyone’s welfare’. Many of the critics who repeatedly twist and misquote, out of context, the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet, or attack his character, are not only being completely unfair but display a viciousness present in their own characters that appears to teeter on the edge of insanity at times.

The Quran has not changed one iota since it was first revealed to our Prophet and was committed into the memories of people. Its message is universal and for the welfare of all humanity; believers or non-believers. The Prophet Muhammad was sent for the benefit of all people of all times and he is a prophet for all, whether they believe in the message or not. The Quran says: ‘and proclaim: the truth is from your Lord. Now let him who will, believe, or let him who will, disbelieve’. S18 V29

Everyone has the right to believe in his message or reject it in a dignified way, but civilised persons will do so without attempting to assassinate his character or malign his person.

The Prophet Muhammad is the bearer of a truthful message which needs to be analysed with all honesty from a neutral perspective. People indeed have the right to be different and believe what they think is right. Prophet Muhammad is a person of high morals and led people by the examples of his good character. With his leadership qualities and his concern for people’s welfare and deliverance he deserves all our respect and at the very least, to be studied in all objectivity.

There is no unfinished business with the mission of the Prophet Muhammad. He is one of the most clearly defined and featured persons in history. Perhaps he is the only prophet and  man of his calibre in history, whose biography was written so shortly after his death. Vivid descriptions of his physical and moral character were registered in his lifetime. His high morals and humane qualities were acknowledged even by his opponents.

Guidance is a divine gift from God and He guides to Him whom He wants to. Such guidance encompasses the acknowledgment of the existence of the Creator and His role in people’s life and being among those whom God has chosen to bless with His mercy. 

The Quran says: ‘Say to them, ( O Prophet! ‘I give you but one counsel: stand up singly and in pairs, and then think: what is it in your companion that could be deemed as madness? He is nothing but a warner, warning you before the coming of a grievous chastisement’. S34 V46

The birth of the last Prophet to lead humanity

Now we are in the third month of the Islamic calendar, Rabi al-Awwal, the First Spring. This month has seen many important events in Islamic history, of which the birth of the Prophet Mohammed sits at the very top. Every year its arrival reminds the Muslim community of a great favour that Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, bestowed in this month upon the whole of humanity.

Allah says in the Quran: ‘Surely Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He raised from among them a Messenger to recite to them His Signs, and to purify them, and to teach them the Book and Wisdom. For before that they were in manifest error.’ S3 V164

To understand this ‘great favour’ that Allah bestowed upon the believers, one has to understand the whole framework of Islamic teachings and guidance and their purpose and overall impact on the destinies of people.

In this time, in a world where animosity flourishes and we are continually bombarded with misinformation, which spews forth without any investigation as to its accuracy, a belittling of the greatness of this Prophet in the eyes of non-believers has become inevitable.  History, however, is witness to the fact that every time someone has taken on the task of studying this Prophet, with no prejudice or preconceived biased views, they have acknowledged his greatness and radically altered their views and even entered the fold of his followers.

When Michael Hart started ranking the 100 most influential people in the history of mankind, he felt he had no choice but to rank Prophet Mohammad at number 1. He indicated that ‘from a secular historian’s perspective, this was the correct choice’.

Karen Armstrong has written the famous biography of the Prophet with the title: ‘Muhammad: A Prophet for our time’. The title says it all about his place in modern times.

There are many other incidences where scholars studied the Prophet’s life from an unbiased perspective: they all ended up acknowledging his relevance and radically changed their positions and views about this great Prophet.

When the Prophet Muhammad was chosen by Allah to receive His revelation, the unblemished quality of his character was recognised in this Quranic verse: ‘and you are certainly on the most exalted standard of moral excellence’. S68 V4

That character was intended to lead humanity, in the light of Allah’s guiding revelations, to the best accomplishments in both this world and the next. The Quran expressed this by saying: ‘Surely there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much’. S33 V21

The Prophet Muhammad’s life sets an exemplary example for all those who seek to understand his prophetic mission and duties. Critics fail to understand him and his teachings when they set themselves up as roll-models and standard-bearers and argue against his life and teachings only from their own narrow perspectives. He was a prophet for all humanity, bringing solutions to human problems from his wider ranging perspectives.

The Prophet was regarded as a role-model and he emphasised the importance of good morals in the spiritual lives of people and the position of those who finally attained good moral characters. Islam creates a good understanding of oneself in people and never demands a blind belief. Indeed, in its first revelation, the Quran said: ‘O Muhammad! Read in the Name of your Lord Who created, created man from a clot of congealed blood, Read and your Lord is Most Generous, Who taught by pen, taught man what he did not know’. S96 V1-5

The Prophet was the first example of all these and led believers by his example.

There are many in this world who continue to try to mock this prophet by attempting to ridicule his teachings. Now would probably be a good time for them to adopt a fairer stance towards his teachings and it is most certainly high-time that they start to study and begin to educate themselves, as many of them will undoubtably not live to see old age. They may even, possibly, refer to Muslim scholars and ask them why they revere him so much.  Failing to understand something is never a reason for destroying it. Understanding, freedom from prejudiced views and false propaganda, can only be arrived at if we take advantage of his good wisdom.

The Quran speaks of his teachings and guidance as follows: ‘By the stars when it sets. Your companion has neither strayed nor is he deluded, nor does he speak out of his desire. This is nothing but a revelation that is conveyed to him, something that a very powerful one has imparted to him, one endowed with immense wisdom’. S53 V1-6

The Prophet Muhammad is also described in the Quran as a Messenger who brings people out of darkness into light, with the permission of his Lord. Prophet Muhammad was the greatest leader, even acknowledged by Michael Hart and placed by him at the very top of mankind’s historical leadership list. Such a person deserves our attention, if not as a prophet and Messenger of God, then at least to be studied as being the greatest of the most successful leaders. Humanity needs all the wisdom of the wisest people if it is to find a path to human survival and continue to exist in this most troubled world.

We all hope that the fairest minds among people will always take the fairest stands against that which tries to destroy us. This month in the Islamic calendar reminds us of the birth of one who leads humanity to God and who created the most spiritual mindset ever in the history of mankind, in shaping the private and public lives of people. Let us take this opportunity to derive something from the blessings bestowed upon us by the Prophet Mohammed’s birth and his mission, follow his teachings without criticism and look forward to a brighter future.

Bankruptcy

The Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, once asked his companions saying: ‘do you know what is a bankrupt? They all replied: ‘a bankrupt among us is a person who has no money and no belongings’. The Prophet replied saying: ‘A bankrupt in my ummah is a person who would come on the day of Judgement with Prayers, fasting and zakah, but he would have mistreated another person, slandered and accused another, eaten the wealth of another, and shed the blood of another and beaten yet another. Such a person and others would be recompensed from his good deeds and if his good deeds were used up before everyone was recompensed from them, the wrongdoings of other people would be taken out and added to his deeds and he would be thrown away in to the hellfire’.  Narrated by Muslim

This is a revealing hadith about the consequence of our deeds, large or small. It tells us that accomplishing only our religious obligations is not going to be very rewarding if our moral obligations towards people and our dealings with them are not of an equally high standard. This is a matter of an absolute justice in the Sight of Allah.

Allah says in the Quran: ‘Believers! Be persistent upholders of justice and bear witness to the Truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor, for Allah is more concerned with their wellbeing than you are. Do not, then, follow your own desires lest you stray from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the truth), know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’. S4 V135

Bankruptcy begins when one loses or discards fairness in balancing matters of justice towards other people as well as one’s obligations towards Allah. Arrogance plays an important role in the destruction of people’s good deeds. Islamic teachings tell us of the need to be humble and display humility in following and accepting Allah’s guidance.

Rough or indecent manners and rudeness are unacceptable at all times towards anyone. Indeed, in a hadith, the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘deen (Islamic teachings) is all about dealings’. Our best character traits are displayed and our spiritual morality is tested once we start dealing with real life issues and affairs relating to other people. Islam constantly emphasises to its followers the importance of accountability in our life for our deeds and actions. Indeed one of the names accorded to the ‘Day of Judgement’ is the ‘Day of Recompense’ which we regularly invoke every time we read the Surah al-Fatiha in our daily Salaah: ‘the Master of the Day of Recompense’.

The Quran highlights the purpose of our salaah, fasting and Zakah in the following verses.

It says about the Salaah in the Surah 29 and verse 45: ‘and establish Prayer (Salaah). Surely Prayer forbids indecency and evil’. So, a person is expected to match his character to the spiritual obligations we offer in our salaah. If we do not, then in the process of accountability the Prayer loses its weight and its rewards may benefit only those who may have been wronged by that person. Prayer teaches us humility in the Sight of Allah and makes us aware of our accountability to him for any of our actions, large or small, that wrong other people.

Similarly, when talking about fasting, the Quran places considerable emphasis on its spiritual benefits and says: ‘believers! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been upon those who were before so that you become God-fearing (or may learn restraints)’.

The meaning of taqwa, the word used in the verse for God-fearing, carries both meanings. In a hadith the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘fasting is a shield’. This explains the expected outcomes from the act of fasting so that it does not become only the act of experiencing hunger and thirst.

In the same way, when the Quran mentions the purpose of Zakah, it said: ‘O Prophet! Take alms from their riches and thereby cleanse them and bring about their growth (in righteousness).’ S9 V103

It helps in many ways when a person willingly takes charity from his wealth and gives a portion away as Allah has directed. It reduces his degree of greed and miserliness. It brings relief to people who need help and support. It also earns the pleasure of Allah and induces humility and protects from arrogance.

In a moral bankruptcy, people’s ego becomes ever more important and the performance of their religious obligations solely as a ritual can cause false pride and lead to the mistreatment of others.

The Prophet has warned the believers about this possible moral bankruptcy that may result, on the Day of Recompense, with one standing at a total loss. In a hadith, the Prophet said: ‘A clever person is one who accounts for his deeds and works for the benefits of the hereafter’.

Anyone who accounts for his actions and deeds and works towards his benefits on the Day of Recompense will not appear as a bankrupt on that day, inshaAllah.

The Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, drew our attention to this possible bankruptcy and warned us to be on the alert. How many of us take such matters lightly and continue to think it will be all right on that day.  Offering good deeds and avoiding any wrongdoing towards others would seem to be a sensible first step in ensuring that we do not lose out on that Day of Recompense.

Islam is all about living a blessed life in this world and a blessed life in the Hereafter. Islam warns against ‘zulm’, as this would appear as total darkness on the very day when we will all need hope and forgiveness to enter the Paradise. If we have committed a wrong towards anyone it is better that it be put right in this world, before it could be questioned by Allah on the Day of Judgement.

The kindness of Islam

With political turmoil raging within Muslim countries and, indeed, throughout the Muslim diaspora around the world, it seems that we, as Muslims, have become a people that lack any discipline or guidance in our lives. We appear unable to accept religious restraints, or recognise any spiritual and moral high ground, in our dealings with issues of common importance. Islam now presents itself as dedicated to chaos and a religion that upholds no ethics: as a consequence Muslims, in general, are no longer regarded, by many, as trustworthy.

Some will, no doubt, argue that this is not the case. However, without doubt, many of us are guilty of shameful ignorance when it comes to the sublime teachings of Islam and Allah’s revelation. This ignorance drives us to respond to even the most minor criticisms with negativity and revengeful reactions. The moral, ethical and spiritual guidance shown in the Quran and the Hadith is being largely ignored while we continue to live our lives ‘in the name of Islam’.

Islam’s ethical teachings are powerful and unmatched. In the Quran, Allah says: ‘and whatever good you do, Allah knows it. And take your provisions. However the best of provision is righteousness’. S2 V197

Islam encourages its believers to always offer goodness, whatever shape that goodness might take, however large or small. Every act of goodness, even if seen as negligible in the eyes of others, has weight in the Sight of Allah and will never go to waste. The Quran likens our lives to a continuous journey and tells us that we should prepare ourselves for it with our provision of righteousness and piety and, of course, with acts of goodness.

By continually bearing this guidance in mind and acting upon it, we can introduce a positivity into our lives that can provide the right framework for a more positive mindset. Such a mindset is necessary if Muslims are to live their lives in peace and harmony, not only amongst themselves, but also with rest of the world.

Two beautiful names that we always mention, whenever we invoke the name of Allah, are ‘Al-Rahman’ and ‘Al-Raheem’: the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful’. They remind us that God and everything about Him is of gentle and compassionate nature and that He loves to see His servants humble and subservient in their lives, to Him.

The Muslim world, with its political movements and religious struggles, has become filled with violence and an extreme theology that, sometimes, appears to be directing us towards a negation of God’s merciful attributes. Jihad, whose dominant meaning was to persevere in the path of Allah, by following His guidance and teachings and trying to uphold the principles of Islamic guidance, has had its meaning totally reversed and is now being used as a means to incite unrest for political purposes.

The Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘Allah has prescribed ‘al-Ehsan’ in everything, so when you kill, in retribution, then show al-Ehsan in the act, and when you slaughter an animal, show al-Ehsan in the act. Let a person sharpen the edge of his knife and save the animal from suffering’.

The meaning of ‘Al-Ehsan’ is to display extreme care to avoid any suffering to a person or animal when they may legally have to go through a necessary process of retribution or an animal is being led to the slaughterhouse.

Islam has never allowed any forms of violence in the name of God. Allah is greater and above any need for this. Allah says in the Quran in Surah16  Verses 125-128: ‘O Prophet! Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and reason with them in the best manner possible. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed away from His path, and He also knows well those who are guided to the right way. If you take retribution, then do so in proportion to the wrong done to you. But if you can bear such conduct with patience, indeed that is best for steadfast. And bear with patience, and your patience is only because of the help of Allah, and do not grieve over them, nor feel distressed by their evil plans. For surely Allah is with those who hold Him in fear and do good’.

This beautiful guidance shows the supremacy of Islamic teachings. Islamic teachings do not allow for the vain desires of any one person, be they followers or others. No one holds any right to change the meanings or interpretation of the meanings that are the mainline understandings afforded us by Muslim scholars.

The kindness of Islam is its beauty and it is perhaps the only thing that works to soften the hearts and minds of people. It provides comfort and relief to suffering and tense minds that are in a state of bewilderment as they attempt to find meanings for their lives and existence.

Even in the application of legal retribution, Islam stresses the need to look towards the saving of life and avoid taking it away or destroying it. We all need to uphold this precious principle of Islam, which is also the corner stone of its humane guidance and laws (Shariah). We have all used excuses and blamed bogus enemies for our problems, but we continue to refuse to recognise our own faults and failure in following the true spirit of Islam’s teachings.

Islam is kindest of all kindness and its teachings are the most merciful of all mercies. It was sent for all humanity and for the welfare of all and not to cause suffering or woe to anyone. We have to embody its mercy in our daily thoughts and actions if we are to become the most merciful among all people: its compassion to be most compassionate among all people, and exemplify it in all aspects of our lives so that we can become kind by example. Live it all the time and the world will indeed see the true Islam in practice!  

Solutions to our problems are what we are all looking for.

Solutions are what we are all fervently seeking for our problems. Every nation in the world has, or has had, their own great scholars, prophets, messengers and sages. Their philosophies, combined with ideas garnered from grandiose governmental schemes, public and private institutions, cultures and religions, have all had either a beneficial or detrimental influence on human happiness or misery. They have also, to this day, continually played a role in conflict resolution.

The prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, was one of them, chosen by God, the Almighty, to receive the greatest wisdom to guide humanity towards solving their problems, not only in this world but also in the afterlife and the hereafter.

Prophet Mohammad was also a leader, a world class leader,  not thinking and caring for just the welfare of a narrow group of people, region or just about his followers. Instead, in his teachings, he embraces all humanity, including the peoples of his time and beyond, into the near and far future, until the last day of human existence. When we read his guidance it is always relevant and timely, guiding us towards what is best for humanity.

The Quran is a revelation from Allah and not the words of the Prophet Mohammad. When the Quran addresses people, it addresses both his followers and humanity in general. For example, it says in the Surah 49 V13: ‘Human beings, we created you all from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the Sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.’

This Quranic verse both highlights and reconciles our differences and combines them into a human relationship. No other kind of leadership or human philosophy envisages this as possible. This verse also provides all the reasons why people should not enter into conflict. On the contrary it demonstrates the warmth and closeness necessary if people are to be bound together, equally, into the Creator’s eternal bondage.

That is the leadership given to and shown by Islam at a time when the world was literally tribal and everyone served only their own interests. It addressed and continues to address human beings in general. It contains a global message about global concerns and provides a global solution for human conflict.

Let us now look at a hadith which provides the underlying solution for human suffering. It addresses each and every son of Adam, covers every individual and provides far reaching effects to bring changes to all mankind.

It says: ‘O son of Adam! If you spends the surplus that would be better for you. And if you keep that that is bad for you. You will never be blamed for your necessity. You should start with your immediate dependents. The upper hand is better than the lower hand’.

The hoarding of wealth, goods, property and chattels is of no use to us whatsoever if they cannot be used for the welfare of humanity, but our greed continually whispers to us that we should have more of everything, because we are afraid of poverty. This demonstrates forcefully our often less than complete belief in the mercy and destined provision from Allah.

The Quran explains this saying: ‘Satan frightens you with poverty and bids you to commit indecency whereas Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounty. Allah is munificent, All Knowing’. Surah 2 Verse 268

How many of the global problems of hunger, poverty and bad infrastructure, could be resolved by the distribution of all those surpluses that are sitting in people’s hoards? But, unfortunately, most people are reluctant to share anything in the cause of humanity, because of their innate greed and fear of poverty.

The Prophet taught us that the upper hand is better than the lower hand and Islamic teachings encourage contributions for people’s welfare. This means that we must desire to serve and to please Allah, our Creator the Almighty. It is better to be a contributing hand than a recipient hand. This also encourages those who have less to contribute to serve in the cause of Allah.

In a hadith the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him says: ‘the best charity is the effort of a less fortunate’.

The Muslim world is obliged to become a contributing hand; the hand that gives and solves people’s sufferings can never become itself a tool of suffering. Islam is a guidance for conflict resolution and for the spreading of peace and harmony in the world.

Islam has become dogmatic and we continually become entangled in a few issues which can have little or no spiritual effect on any of them. We need to radically change our mindset regarding Islam’s priorities towards humanity and remember how the Prophet won people’s hearts and minds by his service and dealings with them.

Unfortunately we lack scholarly leadership as to who could deliver us to the land of tranquillity. A land that is not isolated from the rest of the world or isolates us from the teachings of social justice and service to humanity.

It requires the quality of leadership that we have seen in the person of our Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. This is what the Quran indicated to in these following verses. It says in the Surah68 V4: ‘and you are certainly on the most exalted standard of moral excellence’.

Further it said: ‘Surely there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much’. Surah33 Verse 21

These two verses highlight the importance of high quality leadership in the Muslim community that would reposition us all on the contributing side of humanity. Allah is the Most High and His messages contain guidance of the highest purpose. We Muslims sit on a mountain of extremely high responsibility and if we fail to understand our place in the world and among the people we will inevitably topple. The Quran reminds us of this responsibility by saying: ‘you are (now) the best nation brought forth for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.’ S3 V110

Problem diagnosis and problem solving tools are placed in front of us and are plain to see. We just need to find the will to use them and change our destiny!

Life is a blessing from the Almighty, the Creator: do not waste it

Islam teaches us that life is beautiful and has been given to us for a sublime purpose. It also teaches us that, sometimes, the circumstances in which we find ourselves may make our existence appear ugly and unwanted. Yes, we will be afflicted by problems and suffering occasionally, making it difficult to survive or, indeed, to appreciate any purpose behind our lives. However, if we remain patient and grateful to God these sufferings will become blessings in disguise and life, once again, will become well worth living.

The Quran speaks of the sufferings caused to people in these words: ‘and We shall subject you to ill and good by way of trials’. S21 V35

Trials cause suffering and the only way out of them is to develop a purpose, a good and sublime purpose, in one's life. For a believer this means pleasing Allah the Almighty in all circumstances and provides a focus in life for those who don’t have one.

The Quran further elaborates this point by saying: ‘Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion of the Universe and Who has power over everything. Who created death and life that He might try you as to which of you is better in deed. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving’.

A life lived in goodness and in the pursuit of pleasing Allah with good deeds, makes suffering rewarding and more pleasurable than possessing all the wealth of this world. Islam lays down a path that makes people happier if they become true followers of Allah’s teachings. The Quran highlights this point by saying: ‘Such are the ones who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in Allah’s remembrance do hearts find rest’. S13 V28 

No situation remains permanent in life if people are willing to take the proper steps to change it. The Quran encourages us to seek change and make our lives better. It draws our attention to this fact by saying: ‘Verily Allah does not change a people’s condition unless they change their inner selves’. S13 V11

Indeed the Quran affirms that after any hardship there is always ease: ‘Indeed there is ease with hardship. Most certainly, there is ease with hardship’. S94 V5-6

Islam lays down a path for people that will engage them in goodness. A good deed brings rewards in this world as well as in the hereafter. It is motivating and fulfilling to do good and benefit oneself and others. A good deed is never wasted and is rewarded by Allah multi-fold. It also causes inner happiness in people, heightens satisfaction and removes greed, the cause of much of the trouble that plagues human life.

Let us have a look at a beautiful hadith that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, gave to us. He said: 'There is no deed that brings you closer to Paradise but I have commanded you to do it. Neither is there any deed that may take you closer to Hell but I have forbidden you from it. No one should see his provision slow in coming to him. Because Gabriel has revealed it in my heart that no one would leave this world until he has completed his provision. So Oh people fear God and take the good way to seek your provision. If anyone see his provision slow in coming, he must not then seek it through the acts of disobedience to Allah, as Allah’s Grace cannot be sought out through His disobedience’. 

The following Quranic verse confirms the positive impact of a good deed on a person's life. It says: ‘Whosoever acts righteously – whether a man or a woman – and embraces belief, We will surely grant him a good life; and will surely grant such persons their reward according to the best of their deeds’. S16 V97

‘A good life’, or rather the Quranic term ‘Hayaatan Tayyibatan’,  beautifully describes the life that we all want to live: a pure life, free of trouble, suffering, impurity and want.

To attain this ‘good life’ we are not asked to climb mountains, but rather to give of our very best throughout our lives. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him said: ‘Do not underestimate the worth of a goodness; be that meeting your brother with a welcoming face’.

In another hadith, the Prophet said: ‘Safeguard yourself from the hellfire, be that through a portion of a date. However, if a person is unable to find even that then be it through a ‘good word’.

In other hadiths even refraining from committing wrongdoing and evil deeds are described as acts of goodness. A person who is conscious of offering goodness to others will find multiple channels for doing good.  Life is full of such opportunities for people and it doesn’t take a lot to see that what we can offer will gain a good life for ourselves.

Life can only be valuable if we truly value it and change the focus of our own lives to make it worth living. If we fail to direct our life onto the correct path and accept that we will be tested, then we will have thrown it away and it will have become a wasteful thing that we don’t need.

Allah created life for goodness and for taking full advantage of any opportunity to do good in our lives.  Allah appreciates our goodness and rewards us for it. He sent down His prophet to remind us about the value of a good deed and said in the Quran: ‘Do good, for Allah loves those who do good’, S2 V195

Further it says in the Surah29 verse 69: ‘As far those who strive in Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our ways. Indeed Allah is with those who do good’.

Goodness is rewarded both in this life and in the Hereafter. A person who commits an act of goodness can never be deprived of its benefits. Life provides the opportunity for doing good and earning rewards and laying it to waste is always the wrong decision for anyone. Wisdom dictates that life can only be beautiful if we make it so with beautiful deeds.

A successful hajj: Thanks to the Saudi government

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and the logistics necessary to facilitate it are demanding, requiring enormous resources at every stage of its organisation. In blessed contrast to last year, when an unfortunate disaster caused many hundreds of pilgrims to die, this year's hajj ran very smoothly and safely. The Saudi government deserves the thanks and appreciation of us all for organising such a successful hajj event.

The Saudi Arabian government derives enormous pride from their commitments to serve the Muslim community worldwide and it is to their credit that they have never failed to carry them out. However, organising such an event, on such a colossal scale, requires all the resources and backing that only their government can provide. No local authority, or any consortium of Muslim governments representatives, would be capable of putting the necessary finances or infrastructure in place and any such suggestion that they could presents a recipe for yet another self-created 'mess' in the Islamic world.  We, the Muslim community worldwide, stand shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi government in making the hajj as smooth and peaceful as possible, so that the guests of Al-Rahman can perform their pilgrimage in comfort and with total commitment.

Since the Iranian revolution, continual and ongoing efforts have been made to disrupt the smooth running of the Hajj organisation by politicising certain dogmatic beliefs. Actions such as these can only be seen as attempts to divide the Muslim community, destroy the spiritual purpose of hajj and create protest groups for political gain.

This year the Iranians, after their unreasonable demands regarding the hajj were rejected by the Saudi government, decided to ‘boycott’ the hajj.   All Muslims who come to Makkah to perform their hajj, from whatever country, have equal rights in achieving the spiritual purpose of their journey. During one of my own hajj, some years ago, pilgrims were confronted with blocked roads, the chanting of political slogans by Iranian pilgrims, protests, obstructions and noise, all intended to introduce a complete distraction from what everyone else needed in order to fulfil their religious obligations. The Iranian government and its political pilgrims had and has only one purpose: to create chaos in an attempt to distract the attention of all other pilgrims and to divert them from the sublime purpose of their hajj obligations. 

The Iranians, in yet another display of pique, then decided that their pilgrims would be better off performing hajj in Karbala, a place where history records yet another bloody political carnage took place,  in an attempt to cause further disunity among Muslims. Their decision has made it abundantly clear to all true Muslims how little the hajj means to the Iranian Shiites and how eager they are to ignore and change the meaning of it. In complete contrast, the Saudi Government pays full attention to the true meaning of hajj and provides all the necessary and desirable facilities for its successful completion.

Hajj is not about politics. Yes, it is a religious obligation, where Muslims from all over the world congregate in Makkah and share the best values of the religious purpose of their journey. It is the biggest congregation and international gathering of Muslims and seeks to be as brotherly and friendly as possible. Playing politics and misusing the events of hajj purely for political gain, as the Iranians have and continue to do, is contemptible.

Critics have arisen who continually seek to find some method of discrediting the Saudi Government. Indeed, they are quick to infer that the government makes a huge profit from the organisation of the hajj. No doubt these same critics would like to make the money that they are claiming the government of Saudi Arabia is receiving, but would they be as willing to spend the even greater amounts necessary to ensure a secure hajj? Organising the hajj is a hugely expensive exercise, necessitating the employment of hundreds of thousands of people. Security, safety, comfort, the peaceful environment needed, food, water, accommodation and medical facilities, all demand a considerable enlargement of hajj infrastructures. Nothing is taken for granted or left to chance.

It should be recognised that hajj continues to host ever increasing number of pilgrims in modern times. Demands for larger quotas to cater for the increasing number of pilgrims are coming from more and more countries. More people wishing to perform their hajj requires more facilities on the ground and further raises the need for the maintenance of safety and security of pilgrims. The Saudi government dedicates itself for the service of this spiritual cause to the very best of their abilities. We Muslims, worldwide, should be privileged to support the Saudi government and its people, who continue to give of their best in helping pilgrims, who, in their turn, endeavour to accomplish one of the five pillars of Islam, which can only be completed in Makkah.

The Saudi government spends billions of Riyals to facilitate the hajj. They mobilise a huge number of Saudi citizens to come to Makkah to serve the pilgrims, which they do selflessly. The entire government machinery moves to Makkah to make hajj a complete success. We Muslims need to be grateful for the peace and comfort provided and for experiencing the best outcome from our journey for hajj. Do we need to change the way the hajj is run? Do we need to further disunite the congregation of pilgrims from all around the world? We are fragmented enough, thanks to the failed political ambitions of certain groups who are mindlessly destroying the fabric of Muslim society and violating the sacredness of Islamic places.

The Saudi government deserves all our applause for the blessed outcome of this year’s hajj organisation. Credit must be given where due and thanks must be offered where it is deserved. May Allah save this hajj gathering and the successful organisation of it by the Saudi government and its people from the jealousy and evil eyes of its political and religious opponents. Ameen   

The excellence of the ten days in Dhul-Hijjah

The Muslim community is in preparation to celebrate one of its most important pillars of Islam; the Hajj, in this month of Dhul-hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. The first ten days of this month are of utmost excellence and highly recommended for spiritual activities and righteous deeds by the believers. They are only compared with the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan in importance. One has a night that is better than a thousand nights for spiritual dedication; while the other has a day, the day of Arafah, when Allah grants forgiveness for the past sins.

The Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘there are no other days the righteous deed is so beloved to Allah than these days, (the ten days of Dhul-hijjah). The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah! Not even the jihad in the Path of Allah? The Prophet replied: ‘not even the jihad in the Path of Allah, unless a man went with his soul and wealth and did not come back with either of them.’ Narrated by Imam Bukhari

Islam is a religion of spiritual purification and a path that takes a servant closer to Allah. Islam provides for increased opportunities for devotion to Allah and for earning His rewards and high ranks. A time such as the ten days of the month of dhul-hijjah, just before the happening of one of its five pillars, demonstrates Allah’s mercy and His compassion for people.

As these days are prelude to hajj, one of the greatest displays of tawheed and Allah’s unparalleled sovereignty, it has heightened importance in the Sight of Allah. The importance of these ten days is highlighted as follow:

The Quran says: ‘By the dawn, and the ten nights’. In this verse Allah swears by the importance of the ten nights of these ten days and it only goes to show their significance.

These ten days are also called in the Quran as ‘appointed days’ in the verse 28 of the Surah Al-Hajj. The Quran says: ‘to witness the benefits in store for them, and pronounce the Name of Allah during the appointed days over the cattle that He has provided them. So eat of it and feed the distressed and the needy.’

Further these ten days have within themselves the ‘Day of Arafah’ the Day of hajj, which is the day of forgiveness and the greatest day of hajj and a day of freedom from the Fire.

These ten days also include within their fold the ‘Day of Sacrifice’  Yowm al-Nahr. In a hadith the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘the greatest day with Allah is the Day of sacrifice, then the Day following it’.

We should also remember that the Day of Sacrifice is the Day of Eid, the Day the Muslim community, worldwide, celebrate the occasion.

The great scholar Al-Hafiz ibn Hajar says: the apparent reason for these ten days to be distinct among other days seems to be the convergence of essential Islamic obligation in one period of time when it is not so on other occasions; like prayers, fasting, hajj and charity’. Indeed so many pillars of Islam come together in this period and the opportunities for spiritual gains are multifarious.

The season provides opportunities for a believer to perform his Umrah and hajj, fast during the nine days of these ten days for those who are not performing hajj, and increased acts of devotion.

The occasion is one of the remembrance of Allah and pronouncing His greatness. In a hadith the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘there are no greater days and the deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days. So increase in these days the pronouncement of ‘Tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed’.

Tahleel is to pronounce that there is no God worthy of worship than Allah.

Takbeer is to say Allah is the greatest. And the Tahmeed is to express gratitude to Allah.

Besides, a believer can read the Quran and learn its teachings. He may increase seeking forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance. He may increase acts of charities and avoid wrongdoing and resist evil acts. Performing what is good and keeping away from the ways of error is also commendable activities in this period.