Islam is not a fancy!

If I say that Islam is the greatest defender of human rights ever, greater than the Geneva Convention or the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and has been from its inception, I would not be exaggerating my religion’s position. I say this despite the past and current activities of extremist groups and in the full knowledge of the less than perfect human rights records of some Muslim countries. To some this will appear to be a ridiculous claim and there will be many sceptics who will regard it with sheer disbelief. 

Today, once again we hear that, in France, followers of the so called Islamic state entered the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray and brutally murdered the priest Fr Jacques Hamel 84, while he was celebrating Mass. Not only are incidents such as this extremely saddening, but their perpetration is a direct contravention of the Quranic teachings and the guidance of the Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. Indeed, actions such as this are totally prohibited, religiously, even in war time. How would the prophet have regarded this outrage if he were alive? I can only offer my own and the Muslim community’s condolences to all Catholic churches at this random outrageous and barbaric action.

From its beginning, Islam laid down the foundations of justice and equality for all human beings and the Quran and Hadith contain many examples to remind us that no one is allowed to suppress or wrong another and that there will be a final accountability to God for all our actions.

Let us start with this beautiful Quranic verse: ‘It is neither your fancies nor the fancies of the people of the Book which matter. Whoever does evil shall reap its consequence and will find none to protect and help him against Allah. And whoever does good and believes – whether they are male or female- such shall enter the Garden and they shall not be wronged in the slightest. And whose way of life could be better than that of he who submits his whole being to Allah, does good, and follows exclusively the way of Abraham whom Allah took for a friend’ Surah 4 Verses 123-125

We continue to surround ourselves with fantasies when we commit ourselves to evil deeds or wrong beliefs! Better that we question whether our actions would be acceptable to God or not, or that, by our actions, we are putting God down or raising Him up?

Justice must be the basis for all our actions. God’s law is based on the notion of absolute justice and Allah applies this to Himself saying: ‘Whoever does good, does so to his own benefit; and whoever does evil, will suffer its evil consequence. Your Lord does no wrong to His servants’. S41 V46

God is the absolute just being. Pure justice is His essence and the essence of His teachings. Allah guides people towards an absolute notion of justice and fairness. Let us see what he says about it: ‘Believers! Be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to 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 well-being than you are. Do not, then, follow your own desires lest you keep away from (the Truth). know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’. S4 V135

People have, only too often, embraced the wrong banners and false slogans in the name of Islam, but any act of injustice will always remain an injustice and nothing can ever justify it.

We are further reminded that we must avoid injustice even when we are outraged: ‘Do not let your wrath against the people who have barred you from the Holy Mosque move you to commit undue transgressions; rather help one another in acts of righteousness and piety, and do not help another in sin and transgression. Fear Allah, surely Allah is severe in retribution’. S5 V2

In the same Surah, verse 8, comes this guidance: ‘Believers! Be upright bearers of witness for Allah, and do not let the enmity of any people move you to deviate from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to God-fearing. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of what you do’.  

Killing, murder, barbarity and revenge have, for some, become the only way of life.  None of the Islamic teachings recognise or justify such a mindset. 

The whole saga of khilafah and Islamic state has created a nightmare in the minds of ordinary people and these same people now wonder if this is what Islam is all about! The irony is that none of these Islamist slogans and beliefs come from Islamic scholars or well established Islamic institutions. They come from those totally lacking in Islamic education, who have taken up, what only they see, as the task of introducing politics in the name of Islam.

On the other hand the Quran guides us by saying: ‘You shall speak kindly to people’. S2 V83. Further it says in surah 6 Verse 152: ‘And give full measures and weight to justice, We do not burden anyone beyond his capacity; when you speak, be just’.

By failing to implement the justice and fairness contained in Islam we ignore this teaching and warnings of our Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him: ‘Avoid acts of oppression, as the oppression will come on the day of judgement as darkness. Avoid greed as greed destroyed people before you. It made them shed blood and commit forbidden things’. Narrated by Muslim

Our hope is that some sense will finally prevail among those who are responsible for these outrageous and obscene acts of violence. The Muslim community has itself suffered mentally and physically from these barbaric actions. The Islamic notion of human rights can only prevail when we are all fully committed to its boundaries and ethical aspirations.   

Tazkiya: becoming a better human being

Tazkiya (purification of the soul), is an Islamic concept concerning the development of a person into a successful and responsible being, by accepting the purposes for his life and becoming able and willing to serve God and humanity. Scant attention is paid to its importance and it is rarely highlighted, even in education, solely designed to develop the human character. However, the importance of tazkiya is evident from Quranic verses and from examples shown in the life of our Prophet, Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him.

Before we go through some of these Quranic verses, let us remember that the construction of our being embodies three elements: 1-intelligence, 2-body, 3-soul, all three of which are obviously necessary in the making of a perfect human being.

The intelligence of a person is known from his work and his engagement and productive contribution to the affairs of human society.

The body is the embodiment of a person as a whole, housing his intelligence and soul.

The soul of a person is manifested by his life which makes him a living being, a live character in this world. However, there is another aspect to our life, other than just that of life and death and that is the life present in our character and the manner in which we live our life.

If a person loses his soul he loses all meaning and purpose in his life. To highlight this point the Quran says in Surah 8 verse 24: ‘Believers! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. Know well that Allah stands between a person and his heart and it is to Him that all of you shall be mustered’.

Life giving teachings and life creating purposes come from God. Allah is most merciful to His creation and in particular to human beings, for whose benefit he sent down His Guidance so that people can live blissful lives. The Quran highlights this point by saying: ‘We did not reveal the Quran to you to cause you distress. It is only a reminder for him who fears Allah. A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the high heavens’. Surah 20 Verse 2-4

Tazkiya concerns the purification of the human soul. Its purpose is to introduce importance and meaning into the lives of individuals and to further develop their characters. When the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad, there were four verses, in separate places, which highlighted the purpose of the mission of the Prophet to people. In three of them  tazkiyah is mentioned. The Prophet Abraham, after building the structure of Ka`bah, made dua (prayer) to Allah saying: ‘Our Lord! Raise us in the midst of our offspring a messenger from among them who shall recite to them Your verses and instruct them in the Book and in Wisdom and purify their lives (tazkiya). Verily You are the Most Mighty, the Most Wise’. Surah 2 Verse 129

However, when Allah Himself confirmed the purpose of the mission of the prophet, He said: ‘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 the Wisdom. For before that they were in manifest error’. Surah 3 verse 164

A similar verse was also revealed in the Surah Al-Jumuah (S23) saying: ‘He it is Who has sent to the illiterates a Messenger from among themselves, one who recites to them His verses, purifies their lives and imparts to them the Book and the Wisdom although before that they were in utter error’. 

These, and other verses, state clearly the purpose of the mission of the Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him. Purification of the soul is one of the prime reasons that Allah sent out His prophet to the people.

Purification (tazkiya) of the soul embraces two parallel processes that we ought to understand. Unless and until we know what we need to discard and what we need to retain in our souls, the whole process cannot begin. These two processes, in Arabic, are called: Takhliya  and Tahliya.

Takhliya means discarding all that is bad and negative in our characters. These include everything that hampers our progress in becoming a successful and transformed human being, either by becoming spiritually closer to Allah with a purified soul, or in other, more worldly ways. This process entails emptying our minds of the mental junkyard of evil traits and negative thoughts. Unless they are cast aside there will not be enough space available for a good character and the more positive elements of life to take root.

The second process is called Tahliya: the introduction and adaptation of positive traits in one’s character, resulting in a new life and positive development, with a new outlook and renewed capability to explore new horizons. The Quran refers to this successful changeover in life in this verse: ‘He who purified himself shall prosper; remembering his Lord’s Name and praying’. S87 V14-15

The Quran further says in S91 Verses 7-10: ‘And by the soul and by Him who has perfectly proportioned it and imbued it with (the consciousness of) its evils and its piety. He who purifies it will prosper. And he who suppresses it will be ruined’.

What a beautiful guidance towards achieving the balanced development of human beings, and what a warning for those who persist in walking a path towards failure and hardship!

The Quran is a natural guidance to a blessed and peaceful life for all those who take heed of the laws of human development designed by their Creator. Only the most wretched will follow their own way or will not bother to change their life style. God’s law is not suppressive of His blessings and is for all creation. God is loving and merciful to all people, encouraging them  to walk the path of success and blessing, but, in the end, the choice is left to people to choose their own future. Islam encourages a more thoughtful approach to life, as all actions have their consequences, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

Tazkiya helps people to develop good qualities in themselves and develop more positive characters, but not to the extent that they stop being productive.

Tazkiya starts the believer on the journey to al-Ehsan, the highest rank of faith, where people begin to embody goodness and God becomes ever present to them. It is a process which creates spiritual leadership and an understanding of God’s blessings.  Fully embracing it will ensure we become ever more Grateful to Him and attain a higher position in the Sight of Allah, the Most blessed and Most High.

From Orlando to Dhaka to Nice: Heartfelt tragedies

Politics contain brutality and dishonesty at any level,  whether they are the politics of a group, an organisation, a country, or international, all are played out for the sake and protection of some ‘established’ rules and all conform to the same equation. Many of those engaged in politics rarely display any consideration for the consequences of their actions and even more rarely take responsibility for them. Looked at from an Islamic perspective, no sense of their final accountability to Allah is present, but rather that all will be well as long as their ‘purpose’ is ‘noble’.

As a Muslim, it pains me and my heart bleeds to see brutality and suffering inflicted on my fellow human beings, Muslims or non-Muslims. Political Islam has introduced a brutal twist to the interpretation of Islamic rules and is misusing vulnerable people by brainwashing them into becoming suicide bombers, or more recently, driving a lorry over women and children, in the name of ‘Islamic state’.

In my opinion, any credibility that ‘Islamic state’ might have possessed and that people might have held until now, has been totally discredited by their recent actions. Why do 'Islamic state' supporters seek to be brutal murderers, capable only of displaying animosity, and worse, towards everyone else outside their regime? Is that not what the angels feared when they said in the following verse: ‘Just remember when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent on earth, they(the angels) said: ‘Will you place on it one who will spread mischief and shed blood while we celebrate Your glory and extol Your holiness? He said: ‘Surely I know what you do not know’. S2 V30

Confrontation usually only finally ends when one party loses or some sort of settlement is arrived at by compromise. If, as it claims, 'Islamic state' truly seeks to establish itself it must show that it is genuinely and peaceably capable of serving all the people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.  It will achieve this only if it can offer a model of peaceful Islam that is civilised and represents the best example of a relationship between Allah and humanity.

We all look forward to an Islam which is social, economically successful, solves people’s problems and brings them closer to Allah and cooperates in all matters of development, righteousness and good causes. However, we must remember that Islam does not transgress and violate the rights of people whatever situation arises. It is, after all, a religion of accountability and goodness.  

What has happened recently and over many previous months and years is shameful and painful, particularly when the politics behind them bear the name of Islam. Islam is submission to Allah, Islam does not harm people who are not involved in fighting or not on the battlefield. Avoiding such carnage will necessitate a total rethink of the present tactics of those involved.

Suicide bombers have never been Islamic weapons of war, particularly when they are mentally incapacitated or enticed by false promises.  This exploitation of vulnerable people goes against Islamic teachings and can never be justified. 

What happened in Nice was disgusting. What kind of people would use a mentally impaired person as a human bomb against civilians in his own locality? 

He had become a mindless psychopath, who was used for the sake of ‘revenge from the citizens of coalition countries’. He drove a truck at high speed ploughing through crowds of people, who were innocently celebrating Bastille Day in Nice.  But, to call him a soldier is an insult to all those who defend our homes and nations.  He was himself subjected to the brutal mentality of those who subscribe to this group and ended by showing his support in the manner they sought. These groups have only one way of demonstrating its brutality towards those who disagree with their so called principles, its methods, or those it regards as citizens of an enemy country – Death!

Mr Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel is described as a loner, psychologically troubled and prone to violence, non-observant of Islam, drank alcohol, ate pork and never observed Ramadan.

How could such a person ever be seen as a soldier of Islam? Why this title and honour?

Is it just because he succeeded in killing 84 people, men, women and children and injured more than 200 others? What have these people achieved by resorting to this human carnage? They have lost that which they regard as a game and they most certainly have lost their war. There is no longer room for any compromise with them.

What happened in Orlando or Dhaka were also shockingly mindless acts. I sometimes wonder if the purpose behind these acts is to drive the nations of the world against Muslims! Is the purpose behind this is to make every Muslim an object of suspicion in the eyes of other people? Who out there does not want peace in the lives of Muslims?

Muslims must understand, away from any false sentiments or misconceived religious preaching, that Islam has some established rules which can never be changed by anyone. Allah does not love those who perpetrate corruption in the land. Islam does not survive by evil. Islam is a religion of ethics, morality and high excellence. The goodness of Islam surpasses any other goodness.

Muslims must not join splinter extremist groups with false grievances intent on taking what they see as revenge on America or other Western nations. We need to purge our own evils and find a way to offer our services to the needy of the world.

All these politics of extremism are played out in the name of ‘tawheed’, salaf and Islamic reformation. however, they have nothing to do with any of them. The message of ‘tawheed’, is to bring humanity to an understanding of Allah, the Creator of the worlds, who has no partner and no one comparable to Him. Salaf were the people who followed and supported the prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, in his task and mission of conveying the message of Allah to humanity. What kind of brutal example are we using them as? Is that what they did? Of course not.

We need to understand that our reference points in Islam are always the Qur`an and the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, and not the interpretations of those who follow only their own false desires and whims, seeking to foster their evil ambitions and political aims. We have lost too many good people to these false wars. Let us continue to be optimistic about the world and let us cooperate in matters of piety and righteousness, but never, ever, cooperate in sinful acts and transgressions. Let all true believers combine in their efforts to sustain the world as created by Allah where we can fruitfully build our lives for the hereafter.

Eid al-Fitr- festivity marking the end of fasting in Ramadan

Ramadan is about to fold away its days and nights of Allah’s special blessings and mercy and not return for another year. We have enjoyed fasting and by becoming closer to Allah in this month feel spiritually elevated in faith and all aspects of our imaan.

A question could be asked about why we celebrate the end of fasting season with so much festivity?

Celebrations are a very natural way of expressing joy and elation for individual, family, community or national achievements. People celebrate for all sorts of reasons in their private or public life. Many events are for national pride or local landmark events. People also celebrate religious milestones, the births of saints and the founders of religious movements, but many of these religious celebrations can be seen as based on myths or on notions held by secretive and ill informed groups. Indeed some are derived solely from folklore and are celebrations of ancient cultural traditions.

The Eid or Islamic festival celebrates none of the above. It contains a completely different dimension which places great emphasis on the more practical achievements of multi-fold religious, social, spiritual, charitable and moral actions.   

Let us see what the Quran says about celebrating such joy. In Surah 10 verses 57-58, Allah subhanahu wa-t`ala says: ‘Mankind! Now there has come to you an exhortation from your Lord, a healing for the ailments of the hearts, and a guidance and a mercy for those who believe. Tell them (O Prophet): ‘let them rejoice in Allah’s Grace and mercy through which this (Book) has come to you. It is better than all the riches they accumulate.’

This Quranic verse, in a way, lays down some ground rules for the notion of celebration, but first, let us see what the tradition of the Prophet says about the celebration. We have hadith which clearly explain why Eids were instituted for the Muslim community by the prophet himself. A hadith, narrated from Anas ibn Malik may Allah be pleased with him, says: ‘the people of Madinah celebrated on two days every year in the era of Jahiliyah, with playful games. So when the Prophet came (to Madinah), he said: ‘you had two days celebrating them with playful games. Now Allah has replaced them with what is better; the Eid al-Fitr and the Day of Sacrifice’. 

From the above Quranic verses and the hadith the reasons behind Islamic festivities become clearer. The Quranic verse draws our attention towards the following facts:

(a)An exhortation has come from the Lord.

(b)A healing is offered for ailments of the heart

(c)A guidance is shown.

(d)Mercy is offered.

Any celebration is an act of elation in the heart by receiving what was dear and beloved and most desired. Once we fully recognise what a gift has been granted, in the light of the above, the Eid becomes an occasion truly worthy of celebration.

Allah’s exhortations help the spiritual and physical development of mankind, purify the heart and remove the depression and mental stress in our lives and offer guidance and mercy to mankind for their success in this life and in the hereafter. Such munificence is undoubtedly worth celebrating.

Similarly the hadith tells us that people of Madinah had two days in their national life which were celebrated with the display of games, perhaps rowdy ones, no doubt often coupled with effects of alcohol. This manner of celebration, which forms the greater part of modern celebrations across the cultural divides, is not what Islam has in mind for its own festivals.

The Islamic spirit directs that it must be a thanksgiving event to Allah, in which we must recognise the purpose of the gifts offered to us and act accordingly. Islam, after the two Eids were established, has no further national (on the level of Ummah) festivity occasions.

Eid is a blessed day, a day of rewards for those who submitted themselves sincerely to Allah and fasted or respected the fasting provisions in the month of Ramadan but were unable to fast.

Muslims, towards the end of the month of Ramadan, distribute Zakat al-Fitr before they celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Zakat al-Fitr must be taken out and distributed to needy and poor before the Eid prayer starts. 

Narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas, he says that the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, has prescribed Zakat al-Fitr as a means of purification for the fasting person from idleness and indecency (in Ramadan) and food for the poor and needy. Whoever takes it out before the Eid prayer then it is accepted as zakat. If distributed after the Eid prayer then it would be treated as normal charity’.

A Muslim, when going out for Eid prayer, which should be celebrated outdoors or at bigger venues to accommodate the whole community, should recite takbeer, glorifying Allah for the completion of His favours upon them. We should not proceed without the recital of takbeer which is a very important feature of the whole celebration on the day.

A Muslim is expected to greet or offer greetings of Eid to family, friends and the Muslim community. This act introduces good feelings, patches up differences, aids reconciliation between people and ensures we continue to enjoy the true spirit of the month of Ramadan throughout the day of Eid and afterwards.

Both festival days are linked with two important pillars of Islam: Ramadan and Hajj. To demonstrate the importance of these two days, when all Muslims must participate in the Eid prayers, the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, would encourage the whole Muslim community to go outside for prayers, even unmarried women and women in their period. Women in their monthly cycle are not allowed to offer their prayers but are allowed and indeed encouraged to be part of the gathering.

We must ensure that Eid celebration is as close to the spirit of the Quranic teachings and Sunnah guidance as possible. We must not try to emulate other peoples’ festivals and celebrations.  The distinctive manner in which we celebrate our Eid festivals must be maintained and no nonsensical outside elements must be allowed to intrude on them or displace them.

Eid is a day of rejoicing and so it would be beneficial if non Muslim friends and relatives are also invited to any celebration. It would, perhaps, help them towards a clearer understanding of Islam and Islamic traditions and maybe they will find alternatives, in their own world, for celebrations which avoid rowdiness and are drug and alcohol free.