The Da'ie Nation

Salam alayk warahmatullah,

This post is actually a continuation, or a rewritten part of a post of mine, 3 years ago. Refer:

http://wordsofakhalifah.blogspot.com/2009/12/daie-ummah.html

Let's start with a verse shall we?

وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (١٠٤)

104. Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting (doing da'wa) to all that is good (expanding Islam), enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.

[Ali-Imran: 104]

Allah has set that there will be people doing da'wa or as the translation puts it; "inviting to all that is good , enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong." and this is one of the hidden obligations of every Muslim. 

I believe that when the word "da'wa" is brought up, most of us would have a vivid image of a person giving a sermon, talk, preach or any kind of public speaking in that matter. This is completely utterly true, because that is what we see and believe it to be, but, there is a problem when this is held to the public eye and set in front of their eyes like filters to the eyes. This creates a perception to the public, to the ummah that da'wa can only be done by those who are pious and knowledgeable in religious matters. This is in turn, completely, utterly incorrect.

Da'wa is an obligation to every Muslim because every each of us needs to do it. Today's society, view and status quo has pushed Muslims to be an example of our faith. The double standard and discrimination the world has set on Muslims abolished any further excuses for any Muslim not to do da'wa, that is if we care for the ummah's image.

Before we start off, let's get one thing straight. Da'wa does not, is never, completely about verbal invitation to what is better. It consists of everything. From thoughts to actions that attracts others to do good. It does not need to be intentional. Even the simplest act of kindness that can win over a heart is da'wa. However, the principle of da'wa is;

"I'm not saying I am better than you, I'm just showing what is better."

There is no thy-is-holier-than-thou. There is just equal authority, freedom and choice. What we choose makes the difference. 

So now, what if there is no one doing da'wa in a particular area? 

Would those people in that particular area have Islam as an option of their search for religion and faith?

Course not, they don't even know what Islam is and we ourselves as people who hold on the words wasn't conveying anything. Telling them what Islam; a religion that submits oneself to the One and Only Ilah, Allah and believing that Muhammad SAW is His Messenger, just doesn't cut it. That is not da'wa, that is the most brief summary of what Islam is. 

Da'wa is showing, telling, informing what Islam is, inside and out. From the hijab of the women to the philosophy of the Salaah we do everyday. From how is Islamic jurisdiction upheld to the simplest show of akhlaq that is encouraged in Islam.

And you know what? You don't even have to say a word to tell all those things. 

This is called da'watu-bil-hal or da'wa with actions. A proverb says that actions speak louder than words and it's so, so, so true. Many opt for words to do da'wa but that is just a minor part of da'wa. Words can only explain the theory of what Islam can do. Actions proves them. Throughout the ages of the Islamic empire back then, this form of da'wa has been proven to be the best. With this spirit, empires were built, scholars were born, history was written. The Islamic empire flourished and developed rapidly in terms of material and spiritual. More and more converted to Islam when they saw the truth that clicked in with the human nature. Even the once plagued by the Dark Ages adopted the Muslim style of clothing. 

But that is all long gone. 

There is no worth in reminiscing the past, crying, regretting of what has happened. There is only a way forward or backward. It's a choice each individual of the ummah must make. However, there is no harm learning from mistakes of the past. What caused the downfall of the Turk Ottomans? The Abassiyah? The Umayyah? 

It was because the ruler of the empire lost his image of a Muslim. Each of the empires; be it the Umayyah, the Abassiyah or the Turk Ottomans, exhibited their downfall only when the jurisdiction of Islam was thrown aside and corruption took hold. Their actions no longer portray that they are rulers of an Islamic nation. With that, the people who realised that took action and overthrown their current rulers and reset the clock. That happened to the Umayyah which was replaced by the Abasiyyah then by the Turk Ottomans. The last empire wasn't so lucky. The Caliphate was abolished. The damage was so severe that even the last Khalifah, Sultan Mehmet VI, who had Islam at heart and was as brave as a lion to say no to the Jews couldn't keep the empire together. His predecessors made a mistake too many, those who weren't really Muslims at heart to expand and uphold Islam, but for their own agendas. 

Today, many wished to see the Caliphate back but how many have actually done anything for it? We should stop seeing the big things and focus on the little things that lead us to it. Focus on ourselves. Islamophobia is a psychological barrier that exists today that prevents the world from seeing the beauty of Islam. The West isn't at fault. They believe what they see. We, the Muslims, are at fault. 

What we should do now is to exhibit every essence of Islam in our every being. That doesn't mean to be an extremely pious person who sits in the masjid all day long. 

No. Not that at all

It means to show that Islam is complementary to the human nature and guide humans to become the pinnacle of creation. Islam is not oppressive but freedom with safety nets. Islam isn't terrorism but peace. 

Be a doctor with faith, who prays not because he is afraid but because he knows he is just a tool to heal.

Be a lawyer with faith, who upholds justice not because he feels it's right but because that is the truth. 

Be an architect with faith, who sees the world not through the eyes of construction, but through the eyes of potential. 

The Qur'an is our guide. The Qur'an is who we are.

Individually we can do wonders, InshaAllah, but imagine the whole ummah doing the same thing of being a da'ie of the faith. When the world can recognise us as Muslims just by our very actions. When the world can bath in the light of truth regardless to whether they accept it or not. When every nook and cranny is spick and span of any bad manners and evil. This is not impossible, it has been done. It's just the time for history to repeat itself to build the Da'ie Nation.

What Hijab Does to Guys - the Article

Salam alayk wrh. 
Before some of you ask, yes. I just started vlogging. Feel free to subscribe :)

Now let’s get straight to the point. Perhaps the most intriguing part of any religion or faith in that matter is the identity of the religion itself. In Christianity is the cross and for Islam is maybe the hijab of the women. What more defines a woman that she is a Muslimah other than the cloth called the hijab that she is covering herself with?

I don’t think we need any more introductions to what is hijab really. It’s global. Look around.

Now many free-thinkers, call the hijab; 

“an oppression to the individual identity of a person where a Muslim woman cannot express herself completely with the need to cover every part of her body. If she doesn’t she’ll go to Hell.”

Then the reply would be from every free Muslimah is that to wear this, the hijab is by their own choice and never by oppression. 

I’m a guy and I may not be the best person and or even the best gender to represent the Muslim woman so I’ll do what I can do, represent the guys. First things first, let me tell you that;

“Girls, if you wear the hijab, you have more freedom than any other girl who doesn’t, to walk about this world and be without worries, because guys are protected from you.”

Why? Because Allah mentioned the purpose of the hijab in Al-Ahzab verse 59:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا (٥٩)

59. O Prophet! Tell Thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that They should cast their outer garments over their persons (When abroad): that is Most convenient, that They should be known (as such) and not molested. and Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.

 Why do you think that the only, or the majority of groups that fight for "woman rights" are feminist groups? It's because they fight for what they thought was best for them. They don't consult other parties, second nor third. They forgot to ask the men, and Allah. They wanted equality in the form of identicality not equality in the sense of they have different abilities but in summary on equal ground. So, what I’m gonna do is now is tell the side that is often forgotten in matters concerning the hijab, like I said; the perception of a man.

So Allah stated in the previous the very purpose of the hijab is to guard women from men. That is one of the main reasons to wear it other than following the commandments of Allah SWT. All men know the danger of a woman with tight-fitting and revealing clothing. It’s a sexual harassment to men actually. Okay, I may be exaggerating but tight-fitting-wearing girls you are torturing men mentally and sexually by revealing your figure to him. Girls you are a lean, mean psychology weapon when you abuse the power of seduction. It’s not the man’s fault. It’s just nature. 

So Allah has spruced up an ingenious solution to the nature that He has bestowed inside of us;

Solution #1:

Girls: cover your body and guard your words and tone. That is unless you’re on purposely trying to seduce a guy, but that’s another story.

Solution #2:

Guys: let’s lower our sight, and a free mind is a must have. How on earth should a girl guard herself when a guy keeps assaulting her with attention? It’s annoying – true story from a girl.

So basically what hijab does to guys is that they protect us, guys from thoughts that torture the soul then it moves to actions, then rape happens, then the girls get all beat up because she got raped. So to avoid this chain of sequence, wear the hijab properly. It helps guys from giving girls unwanted attention.

Now girls please understand the hijab doesn’t make you less appealing, in fact it makes you more so to marry. What you hide from guys is your greatest asset and they would only find that out after they are legally married to you. There’s more to share and feel together after marriage, which makes it last longer, most probably till the end of life on Earth, then continue on in Jannah. So it’s a win-win situation. Both genders get each other as companions for life.

So that’s about it. Girls, if you really love a guy, don’t make him suffer. If you don’t have a guy, then do it for your own good and safety. Wear the hijab not only because Allah says so, but also with purpose.

“With great power comes great responsibility.” 

– fictional character of Ben Parker, Spiderman

Girls, you do have power. Be responsible.

The Leadership of a Muslimah

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ 

الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ لِلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ وَاللاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلا إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا (٣٤)

"Men are qawwamun [protectors] to women, according to what God has favoured some over others and according to what they spend from their wealth. Righteous women are qanitat, guarding the unseen according to what God has guarded. Those [women] whose nushuz you fear, admonish them, and abandon them in bed, and strike them. If they obey you, do not pursue a strategy against them. Indeed, God is Exalted, Great."
[Quran Kareem 4:34]

In the verse above, it depicts clearly that man has some form of authority over woman but in a manner that benefits woman. Women when accompanied with a man of the faith have a protector on their side in terms of finance and mental stability. They won't be worried much about what would happen to them; physical, mental or spiritual abuse. Hence, does it prohibit women to take up leadership posts? When Allah has said in general that anyone, man or woman is elected to become a leader of the very least him/herself:

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَ (٣٠)

Behold, Thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."

[Al-Baqarah 2:30]

It is true that the previous verse that I mentioned oversees an authority that man has over woman, but that doesn't mean that women cannot lead among themselves or partly any level below men. Men will always be the alpha male, but that doesn't mean that the women cannot be the deputy, an advisor and companion to the head honcho. The Muslimah can exhibit a form of leadership to other women and men under the supervision of the head Muslim. She'll never make the ultimatum but has a significant contribution in it.

This era of today needs the Muslimah to stand out of the crowd in a manner that she'll be a qudwah hasanah, or role model, to other Muslimah. The global world has become borderless in a way that exudes negative impact to the ummah of today. It's not that the West's fault that they have trends and fashion spreading worldwide but it's ours, the ummah of Islam for not filtering it in accordance of the Quran and the Sunnah, but it also doesn't mean that the Muslimah are constricted entirely to long veils and abayas but they are limited what covers their bodies loosely in a way that is not sexually appealing to men. Hence, they need an example, a model of how they should become in terms of clothing, akhlaq and posture that they need to gain to be the better Muslimah.

A fine example is from the Ummul Mu'minin Aishah RA. She was the youngest wife of the Rasulullah SAW and being the closest to him at such a young age taught her things that no other Muslim or Muslimah had access at the time. She then became the a scholar and was the one whom reported the most Ahadeeth of the Rasul SAW hence becoming a very important point of reference to the ummah of her time. Another is during the Battle of the Camel which was a civil war. She led the charge against Ali KRMW during the battle. These examples show that a Muslimah can be a leader to a Muslim ummah when she is fit and capable during times of need where there no eligible Muslim leaders competent enough for the job.

However today, particularly for ultra-conservertist Muslims, they tend to 'hide' their Muslimah of fear that they should not be in public whereas they deserve to receive an equal of opportunity to find and have an identity of their own after receiving education and opened to rights that they deserve in accordance to Islam. Each Muslimah has a unique identity as each person is unique but with reference to the same source; the akhlaq and words of the Messenger SAW. They will become a qudwah hasanah to the Muslimah that is strikingly individual but in the same spectrum of a proper, down-to-earth, polite and pious woman.

The sad thing is when these kind of role models emerge to become the saviour of the ummah, they, the ultra-conservatists, will come and whisper that they should suppress themselves and is improper for them to voice out and speak up what is right and wrong. If the those ultra-conservatist Muslims have done it and is listened to, then they have full right to say so but if not and it was time for the Muslimah to take the reigns for a short while then they should support the cause and not hinder it as both seek the same end-game; a better ummah.

What we need now is to support any form of leadership or effort that progresses the ummah to become better and more in line to what Allah has decreed. Have an open mind that is contemporary and in-tune to the modern world and its change of face. In history, nothing changes really, as history always repeats itself but in different faces. So what was then faced in the time of Rasulullah SAW is actually the same as in the time of today but with different situations. What was then the best marketing spot are the markets, now it's YouTube. What was then the best orators of Islam are those who are lingually proficient of poetry, now it's people who can knock logic into the heads of atheists.

My final words are to leaders of the Muslimah;
As weak as you are seen, as incapable as you are perceived, do not stop when the words of discouragement befall on you. They are your motivation because they are not strong as you are to be fighting in the front line for the same cause even as they possess greater strength and greater leadership. This is what makes a woman stronger than a man when she gains strength to do things that a man should be doing because the situation calls for it. Remember, it was a woman who gave birth to the leaders of man, and cared for him day and night for him to become the Khalifah of the Ummah. Individually men and women are unique, but both complete one another for the sake of the faith we all have in our hearts.

The Lessons

Salam alayk wrh.
Although it's been a week into Shawwal, Eid Mubarak!

I've been busy for the whole Ramadan which explains my absence of posts during that time period. Alhamdulillah aside from busy doubling ibadah during the blessed month, I was assigned by Allah Azza wa Jalla to help my faculty enjoy the whole Ramadan with all its splendour.

I don't think it'll be detailed of what is it that Allah assigned to me but I do want to share my experience and lessons He taught me through it.

Let's start.

Lesson #1: Leadership is to know your people and bring out their best.

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَ (٣٠)

30. Behold, Thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."
[Al-Baqarah 2:30]

Everyone is a leader and Allah has appointed to each of us as his Servant, Peacekeeper and Ambassador. Even so, not many have the knack of being the leader; to give the right instruction at the right time to the right person.

But then, everyone needs a first time to kick-off. So it can be said that everyone needs to be ready to be a leader and the follower because the situation might just need to change in a split second.  Being the better leader is to know your team’s strength and weaknesses then giving tasks that suit the best person for the job not about just giving orders blindly without pausing to think.

Lesson #2: Be the visionary not the missionary.

When it comes to planning and handling people, the most important thing is to know what you want objectively achieve in the end. How to do is seconded. How are you supposed to find something when you don’t know what is? It’s the same situation. It doesn’t hurt to have a subjective aim but you’ll hurt your head more just to find what really the vision to be achieved is.

Thus the above verse can also be applied.

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأرْضِ خَلِيفَةً 

"Behold, Thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth."
[Al-Baqarah 2:30]
It’s a simple reason but with a mountain of motive and hundreds of paths to choose from.

Be a scholar and learn the sea of knowledge so that it triggers the mind to think of Allah’s greatness.

Be a professional and commit one to be in service for others so that they can continue being a better Servant.

Be a politician and rule the world according to His decrees.

Lesson #3: All for one and one for all.

“A Muslim is akin to another Muslim.”

It’s a famous hadeeth but how many feel it? How many sees his Muslim brother as a real brother?  His name is your name. His pain is your pain. Do not be a burden to others but be an asset.

َوَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ (١٠٣)  

103. And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah.s favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts In love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs Clear to you: that ye may be guided.
[Ali-Imran, 3:103]

Ukhuwwah for Allah is the greatest bond. With it, not only friendship is everlasting but also blessed by the Merciful. Brothers in the Deen feel empathy not sympathy. Note the difference.

That's all for now. I know it's not the usual post but hey, you've got to try something new once in a while.

Salam alayk wrh.

 End

Life is Priceless Until Sold

Salam alayk wrh.

I'm very much aware that Ramadan is very, very near and it's a cause for a celebration of 'ibadah. However, I'm not gonna touch much on the subject since it's a well-known fact that Ramadan it's the month for any 'ibadah and change of akhlaq.

"Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing major sins) in the land!"

[Al-Maidah 5:32]

Yes, about life. Not life as a whole process but a fact that is often overlooked in normal times, that we are living, breathing and simply alive. 

Learning Biology at a higher level has opened my mind of the extremely delicate mechanisms that Allah SWT

has devised to have the ahsaneel taqweem - greatest of creations; a title He blessed upon humans, alive and functioning to the maximum. 

From the verse above, Allah has put a very high price, priceless actually, on the lives of humans such that a life of a single man is equal to the whole mankind. Is it because that humans are very hard to make? Don't think so with the piles of babies born year by year, but because of the value of life itself; it's a gift. Gift of time, energy and opportunity to be better, be of service to others, but what is more of importance is stated in the ayaah below:

"And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans expect they should worship Me (Alone)"

[Ad-Dhariyat 51:56]

Undoubtly it's a very famous ayaah but how many realise of it's raw importance? Our sole purpose is to worship Allah SWT. Is it done only by doing salaah? Definitely no. When we submit ourselves to The All Great, we agree upon His terms that we will do everything that is ordained and reject everything that is prohibited. All this is compiled into a guide called Islam where there is instructions for every moment and detail of a Muslim's life. 

Now, how about to those who disregard the value of life and throw it away like bones of a chicken?

Consider the photo below and imagine if they were alive at that moment and seeing it?

 

*Yes, I did pick that up from 9gag*

Would they reconsider their choice to take their lives? To those who aren't ready to be six-feet under, they will. 

"Do not kill yourselves. Verily, Allah is Most Merciful to you."

[An-Nisa' 4:29]

That is the verse Allah reserved to suicidal thinkers. Didn't we just agreed to do everything He said? If we did, we won't commit suicide. 

Suicide isn't just in the form of taking one's life away immediately, it could be slow with consequences all the way but ultimately it's done by yourself to yourself. 

Okay, that's about suicide, but what about the ones wasting their lives with empty missions and aims?

To have a steady job? 

To date a beautiful girl? 

To be rich exponentially?

Those very aims defeats the purpose of being alive. Living life is not to gain something vague in the way only to depreciate or lose its benefits in the end. Live life so that it's to the fullest, where everyone can benefit from your existence. 

Give sustenance to the needy so that they have the opportunity to live better.

Teach knowledge so that the young can learn and develop the world.

Share experiences so that others don't fall in the same hole.

Isn't that what is ordained by Allah? Apart from doing our salaah but also to yanfa'unnas - be of benefit mankind? Guard relations and strengthen bonds. 

Simply said, you live twice, but the second depends on what you did in the first. (Not karma here)

Your life is not yours to abuse, but is borrowed to gain mardhatilah.