An Eid Talk with a Hostel Mate, Brother and Friend : )

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I will always be proud with this friend and will mention his name without any alteration. His name is Alef bin Ahmad. I do not know whether he would reach here but I want you to know Alef. You are my brother in this world and hereafter. I believe that if people love you, it is surely because Allah 'Azza wa Jalla loves you. If people hate me, it is because Allah 'Azza wa Jalla hates me and I deserves it for what evil that I had committed. This friend of mine was not so fortunate because his father passed away due to sudden "heart-attack" while working at their village and he was still in the first year studying in the university. He is from Yan. He is still living with his mother and siblings back there in Yan.  

Yan is a district within our state but by our state standard, it was actually a region with few feudal lords just like other places in our state. Most of feudal lords and chieftains were actually of Arab descent but there were also native feudal lords from the native court. By today we have 12 districts but before 18th century we had few other districts or regions which is now in the lower of Myanmar, separated as a different state with its independent king and in Southern Thailand. One of our district in Southern Thailand is known as Satun which was separated into Thai administration under the governance of a royal member known as Ku Din bin Ku Meh while another which was made a state by its own right is Perlis. The king of Perlis now is of Arab descent of Jamalullayl Sayyid clan who happened to intermarry with Kedah female royal members.       

Alef was one of my hostel mate but not my course mate. We were quite close back then when I was in Aman hostel in the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The hostel has so many memories for me before I went further my postgraduate studies. I have no picture with him nor any other friends at that time so people might think I am a lone-ranger at all the time. Alef is among my friend and he is my compatriot Kedah national. Our religion and faith which is Islam and the state, Kedah Darul Aman where we share the same regional language and cultural traits bonded us together as very close brothers though our state is very diverse in term of ethnicity and cultural traits by its regions. I used to watch TV with him other than with Amir. During Ramadan, we would talked about various issues whether it is about religion, daily life and politics. We became even more closer after I visited him but I just tried to avoid talking anything about whatever I did because I don't want him to feel grateful to me. I did that as a responsibility to comfort him and his family. I do not want any return and anything that I donated is not of myself but from Allah 'Azza wa Jalla. It was his property once he received it and it's not so much because I just donated what I can. If I have that much then that much is donated for unfortunate brothers and sisters. That's all.  

I used to visit him and his family just after his father passed away. I did not have any vehicle back then and I saw that those Kelantanese hostel mates had left for Alef's father burial. Other compatriots had left me alone with Amir without informing us. I just hit Amir with a message and trying to see whether he is interested to visit the poor family and pay respect to the deceased. I guess Amir did not understood me. I felt so sorry that I cannot pay respect and help in burial process of Alef's father. After a week, and we were still in long term holiday. I prepared a rucksack and took buses for Yan from Penang. I immediately reserved some RM300 (USD 98.70) from my personal account for Alef's mother and buying few stuffs for condolence donation under the da'awa banner because of Allah and started to travel for Yan. I understood how Alef felt especially I had just lost my beloved grandmother where I cried like a crazy little kid and losing appetite for weeks. It was very difficult to access the rural area while I was alone. There was only one or two route of buses from Sungai Petani to Alor Setar through Yan. When I arrived in the rural area there was no bus anymore and by the time it was near Maghrib prayer service. I never informed Alef anything about my visit. I know Allah 'Azza wa Jalla was with me. Then I chartered a taxi at the little town and I cannot remember how much it was. When I arrived at the village only I called Alef just to inform him I am visiting his family because I cannot help with burial lest saying condolence. I feel so ashamed of myself because the matter of death is very important for me and it reminds me on how helpless I am before Allah if He does not sustain me with His precious Mercy.

After long, Alef had gave me a text message wishing me for Aidul'adha greetings. I am actually so happy to receive the message from him. I do not make many friends in my entire life and I am always grateful to Allah 'Azza wa Jalla for few friends and acquaintances that I have though we cannot see each other often. They are actually my pride as our beloved imam Ali r.a said: "The most helpless among men is he who cannot find a few brothers during his life time. But still is more helpless is he who find such a (good) brother but loses him". That is why I always feel afraid to be closer to newly-known brothers or friends. If they leave their footprints in our heart, we would feel like dying when the "time" ends. I do not care whether a "brother" is a Muslim or non-Muslim. The definition of a brother or a sister is very broad for me. Once they are considered as my "brother" it means their blood is also my blood. I would have to protect them like protecting my self.  If they are sad, I would have to comfort them like I comfort myself.

I called Alef when he miscalled me. Just talked with him like around 20 minutes and we talked about we missed each other and other friends while we were living in the hostel. All of friends had left us and we had lost contact. I just said to him I am grateful that I do not lost his contact. We talked about job and I could sense that he feels low self-esteem. I just told him the truth. I am a "da'awa cadre" but I never appear like one because I need to be alert with the situation and condition of society. I did postgraduate studies and it seems like I am pursuing it for career advancement but the real meaning is that I am doing this postgraduate studies to reconcile the gaps between traditional Islamic sciences and other fields. Nobody understood me even my younger sisters said that I am a "chowder-head" when they saw that I never grab any opportunity to further anything or getting good jobs for myself. 

I began to understood my destiny and facts of life when I was in Holy Mecca while I sat alone in the desert and pondering myself in al-Haram al-Sharif. And I felt so sinful that when I returned that I tried to return to the "responsibility" again. This is actually a very painful situation I think one would rather stabbed their heart with knife than to feel stuck like this. I told Alef to be patient and take a good care of his family. Do not worry about worldly affairs as we have faith in Allah 'Azza wa Jalla. He had already prescribed our fate in His tablet and our sustenance is within His wisdom. Just do not feel low and to strive hard to perform worship to Allah 'Azza wa Jalla. Learn more about kitabs and try to increase knowledge through religious discourses in his state. He still messaged me after we end our conversation and saying thanks for not forgetting him though he lives in the village. I just dropped few tears after reading that because it is me who should be thankful to him... I wish you happy Aidul'adha and in the Day of Atonement may our sacrifice brings us closer to Allah's Compassionate Mercy and Love. I am not good with words but you can feel it when I am closer to you, dear friends and brothers. I am just a nobody since I honor you as blessings of Allah for me :')  

            

I wish Allah 'Azza wa Jalla to have mercy on me because I am afraid Allah would throw me into the torments in the hereafter if my intention is wrong. I do not intend to tell anything here as something to boast nor getting names. I even mildly scolded Azren, who lived in the same hostel last time when he told his friends about my visit to Alef's house because that is not my intention to boast around instead I did it alone and not inviting others. I am doing that for Allah 'Azza wa Jalla and it is our traditions to comfort brothers and sisters who are in sadness. This is just a memory with Alef. He is one of my pride and I wish him to be among the da'awa cadres propagating His Names and teachings of morality by understanding the spirits which determined me to visit his house last time and why I keep them in my prayers :') 

Dedicated to my beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his progeny and his companions may Allah always be in contact with them, bless them and be merciful to them. I also dedicate this post for brothers and sisters in faith and brothers and sisters in humanity. No matter where you are... Those who had been in contact with me are actually kept safely in parts of my heart. Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad wa sahbihi ajma'in.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Introduction to Our Creed

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Ramadan 1433 H

I am just posting some information about our creed which is known as the Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a and the orthodox standard of our creed as compared to the Mu'tazila and Shi'a Muslim creed. Since I am officially of Hanbali school now because I received the kitabs from Saudi da'awa departments when I went for Mecca to "revert" and also perform pilgrimage with my mother who is a loyal Shafi'ie jurisprudence follower. I would like brothers and sisters to know that there were tasawwuf practitioners amongst the orthodox Hanbali jurisprudence adherents and they were not as hostile to other Muslims of difference jurisprudence schools as the Wahhabi movement followers. I am just pasting the standard one and not of my country's definition yet because the majority of my country men are the Shafi'ie jurisprudence followers while some of Indian descent are of Hanafi jurisprudence.

Our country also has Shari'a court in parallel with Civil court. Maybe brothers and sisters in other parts of the world are interested to see the challenges, prospects or opportunities for Shari'a applications in policy and decision-making because it can be observed in parallel or in co-operation with the Civil ones when Muslims live among the non-Muslims. Just to clear the confusion about Sharia as an uncivilized system. It is a divinely revealed system of life and nature. I am sure those who are involved in the legal field would understand this because my lecturer for European law subject and thesis supervisor who was a civil attorney also mentioned about the divine law. She is not religious anyway but a feminist researcher. When I discussed this with a Jew friend, he also mentioned about the same thing based from Ibnu Maimun (Spanish Jew teacher) exegesis of their scriptures regarding the part of Genesis on the Noach covenant with the God and this is passed orally to his children and descents of human-being.  

The explanation about the creed is given by Dr. Sulayman b. Qaasim al-Eid regarding on the meaning of the Sunnah. Sunnah has many meanings. In my personal understanding, the Sunnah generally refers to traditions of prophets and messengers of Allah. Specifically, it refers to the traditions inherited from our noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. So, this is my personal understanding. I am not a teacher as I always strongly emphasize in some of the posts for brothers and sisters to please avoid spreading anything out of here without consulting your "qualified and certified" teachers as I was also a non-Islamic "philosophical" studies student which is not really a beneficial field of study. However, I could detect the origin of some "weird" practices by others through those experiences, hehe. Let us see what is the standard one by academic level of Shari'a studies about the Sunnah. 

Sunnah

Linguistically, the Sunnah refers to clarification, way or road and a normal custom. In Islamic sciences Sunnah has few terminological or technical meanings too for example: 

1. In Fiqh (Jurisprudence), it refers to something preferred or if performed, the person is rewarded but if left, it is not sinful. I guess in jurisprudence, everyone should acknowledge this and why there are differences in schools of jurisprudence is because they follow different kinds or angles of Sunnah which was practiced by people during the Medina period.

2. For Usul al-Fiqh, Sunnah refers to one of the agreed upon portions of proof used in Islamic jurisprudence. There are also two kinds of Sunnah as for example in salat services of worshiping component.           

3. In Hadith, Sunnah means anything which is connected to the prophet Muhammad s.a.w in terms of his statements, actions, his silence and things he accepted because he is our greatest teacher and prophet.

4. In Aqidah (creed), Sunnah refers to matters which opposed innovation. This is the practice of the Hanbalis or the Salaf followers. Regarding on innovations, there are discussions about this and I am sure there would be polemics about certain things such as the special events among those who follows the neo-Salafi movements and the Wahhabi movements or with those who are not attached with any movements but simply identify their selves with Islam and only as the Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a. Also conflicts with followers of other schools of jurisprudence because the Hanbali muqallidin actually could not exercise his own legal decision-making unless if he knows at least 5000 traditions. 

Al-Jama'a

What does al-Jama'a means? This noun could be divided into four meanings:

1. Al-Ijtimaa' which means the opposite to separation and a collective assembly.

2. Al-Jama' means the name of a group of people.

3. Al-Ijma'a referring to agreement upon a ruling.

4. Al-Jama'a refers to a large number of people.   

What does Islamic meanings for al-Jama'a?

1. The companions of prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

2. The scholars of guidance.

3. A group upon the truth, without separating.

4. The group of Muslims, the Sawaad al-'Azam.

5. The Muslim rulers and those who they place in charge of the affairs.

6. A group from amongst the people who agreed upon something example the congregation of a mosque.

Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a

Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a in this note refers to:

1. The companions of the prophet Muhammad s.a.w and those who follow them in term of guidance.

2. The specialists and practitioners of hadiths.

3. The people of narrations or athari, usually among the Hanbalis who refuse to interpret anything about the God mentions about Himself from Quranic texts nor trying to fit any philosophical meanings to it if there is no evidence in the Sunnah but simply leaving it just like that and this is used in "debate" by others to accuse the Hanbalis as "imagining" the God resembles His creatures with "mass". In this part, I believe that if the God says that He is as that or as this in the Quran, then it is it! No more interpretation no more long-winding "philosophical" talk whether the God is in form of spirit or mass. He is only the God or Allah. I don't know if I am also in the category of mujassim by having such a believe, lol. I asked some people who accused us about the God with the "mass" and they answered me that the God exists as spirit. I just asked myself is this what the God tells about Himself in the Quran and in the Sunnah? I read what the honorable Sheikh Muhammad Metwalli Sha'arawi wrote in the "Miracle of the Quran" that the God is not framed in the time and in the space. Spirit is still framed within time and space and those of "philosophical" studies were developed from theories which is of no base from our scripture, namely the Quran and the Sunnah of prophet Muhammad s.a.w. How dare these people said things which Allah never ascribe to Himself yet accuse others with what others never imagine about Him...  

4. The righteous predecessors.

5. The saved creed and victorious group of people.     

Rules Regarding the Method of the Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a Understanding the Issues of Creed

1. The Quran and Sunnah is the sources in which to turn back to.

2. Neglecting to enter into rhetoric or philosophy, and being sufficed with the Quran and Sunnah.

a. The Salaf were careful as to only gain beneficial knowledge.

b. The Salaf followers forbid every type of innovation.

c. The Salaf followers wrote refutations against the innovators

3. The Sunnah is a proof, including reports with only one route (khabr ahad).

4. Relying on the understanding of the Companions and those who followed after them.

5. Submission for that which comes from the revelations. While believing it is completely acceptable to the mind (al-'Aql).

6. The negation of putting forward the understanding of innovators, or the mind before the texts.

7. In order to understand the texts, we must look at all the texts. Don't single one out without seeing others to explain it.

8. Understanding the Motashabeh verses with the Mohkam verses. It must come from the Quran itself and not from other works. 

I can't stop listening to simple Surat al-Baqara recitation by Sheikh al-Kaadouli until I did not sleep this whole night, hehe.  I also listened to recitations of Mr. Bousenna Abdel Monaim from St. Etienne Mosque in France. I am envious to see them memorizing the Quran and I only could memorize some parts of it which makes me hate myself. Have a nice week end and wishing brothers and sisters beneficial holy days. We can fast optional fast too before the 10th of Dzulhijja and if we had already substituted the past Ramadan fasting that we had left then it is mustahab to fast. Learn as much as possible the meanings of Qurban in the near coming 'Aidul Adha in order to seek closeness to the God. I am praying for the increasing faith in our heart and may Allah protect us from deviation. Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'alaa aali Muhammad. Walking for the musalla salaat al-Fajr at the first point, alhamdulillah : )  

Sealed with prayers of mercy, peace and love, amin!

Skin Disease: Sebaceous Cyst

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Looks ugly but Sebaceous Cyst swells like this

Ever heard of this? Maybe if brothers and sisters are doctors or medical staffs. I had experienced this disease since three or maybe four years ago. I thought that it is a kind of cell mutation under the skin at my left earlobe after it bleed so badly when I poked it with needle and scratched it for few times.

My mother felt scared when she saw the pillow that I used to sleep was stained with my blood so she keep reminding me to see doctor. I went for the public health center at Precinct 9 at 14:00 but we received the call that uncle Harun (Aron) was visiting us with his daughter, cousin sister Sophinee. So, I have to go home for a while just to respect guests. She'll return home with her family in the UK this Friday. Perhaps we would not have the chance to say goodbye. She came to Malaysia for her son's circumcision ceremony. I can't remember her son's name anyway cause I am not so close with cousins or relatives except with few late elders who were old imams or religious teachers as I always talk in few posts in the past. Didn't feel like going to the health center again after that.

Went for Checking

This Maghrib time, we went to Mediviron clinic at the side of Alamanda. The doctor said that the disease under the earlobe skin is known as Sebaceous Cyst. I was like... what... what?? Can you please repeat that? I can't get the sound. He just wrote down on a piece of paper for me to read then. I see... Sebaceous Cyst it is. It sounds nice that maybe some people would consider it as their child's name but it is a kind of disease eh, hehehe. He said that I should never touch the skin with the disease but leaving it to cure itself. I did not know that. Perhaps I didn't realize that I scratched the area with nails. He said usually illegal motor racers or mat rempit have the disease because the usage of dirty helmet. He just gave me some painkillers and antibiotic for RM30 (USD9.90) which also covers the consultation payment. When I returned home I just feel curious so I checked it in the net. I'm going to keep it a record here as I can't find any synonymous reference in Ayurveda complimentary medical studies or refer it to Chinese Traditional Medicine Practitioners. 

Definition

Sebaceous Cyst is a closed sac under the skin filled with a cheese like or oily liquids. It could also be referred as carbuncle, cyst or furuncle.        

Causes

It most often arise from swollen hair follicles. Skin trauma may also induce a cyst to form. A sac of cells is created into which a protein known as keratin is secreted. Usually could be found on neck, trunk and face. In my case, it is at the earlobes. They usually slow-growing, painless, freely movable lumps beneath skin. Occasionally, a cyst will become inflamed and tender.  

Symptoms

Main symptom is usually a small, non-painful lump. The doctor said to me that I should never try to touch it to avoid infection. If the lump becomes infected or inflamed, other symptoms may include skin redness, tender or sore skin and warm skin in the affected area. It is bleeding at my earlobe. Grayish-white, cheesy, foul smelling liquid may drain from the cyst.

Signs and Tests

Most cases, medical officers can diagnose this type of cyst by simply examining our skin. A biopsy may be needed to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

It is not dangerous. Usually can be ignored. Placing a warm moist cloth over the area may help it to drain and heal. If it is a small inflamed cyst, the doctor perhaps may inject it with a steroid medicine that reduces swelling. If it is swollen, tender or becomes large, the doctor may drain it or perform surgery to remove it. For prognosis or expectations, large or painful cysts may interfere with day-to-day life. It may come again after the surgery.

Close

It is important to see our doctor if we encounter this skin disease or notice any new growths on our body. Although this disease is not dangerous but the doctor should at least examine us for signs of skin cancer.  Last few days I also suffered some oral ulcer due to stress and constipation problem cause I had some "ill-prepared" food at restaurants and running for the dateline. Be careful with foods in restaurant too brothers and sisters. My visits in medical centers and hospitals had made me quite cautious with health conditions around. I think everyone should keep blood pressure machine at home just in case because we live in modern stressful world. I love to keep data about diseases and home treatment methods or herbs.   

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!    

Indian Muslim Scholar: Nuruddin Al-Raniri

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

 Introduction

This is a little bit history especially in the South East Asia because my father has a copy of his book and manuscript known as Bustan al-Salatin apart of his rivals poems and works in form of parchments. He is known as Nuruddin Muhammad Jailani bin 'Ali bin Hassan Ji bin Muhammad Hamid al-Qurashi. He is from the al-Rifa'i circle while his school of jurisprudence is of the Shafi'ie. He was born in Ranir port, Gujarat of a Yemeni-Hadrami father while his mother is a native Acheen lady. 

Education

He was believed to begin his early education in Ranir port in Gujarat. In 1030 H (1621), he went for Mecca and Medina to further his studies. In Mecca, he met teachers such as Sheikh Abu Hafs Umar Abdallah Bashayban al-Tarimi al-Hadrami who was also known as Sayyid Umar al-Aydrus. He studied under the supervision of this teacher and hold his loyalty with the Rifa'ie order. Other than that, he also had practiced the practices of the Qadiri order and learned other orders' such as Shadzili, Suhrwardi and Aydrusi. Though he learned many practices of the orders but he was only appointed with the leadership of the Rifa'ie by his teacher, Bashayban.  

Teachers

It is not known on how many teachers he has. He only mentions about his order teacher known as Sheikh Abu Hafs 'Umar who passed away in Gujarat around 1066 H (1656). His also had studied under the supervision of his uncle who had also once lived in Acheh before the arrival of Sheikh Muhammad Jailani bin Hassan bin Hamid who had passed him the usage of the title sheikh. Other than that, he also mentions that he studied under the guidance of Sheikh Muhammad Yamin of Mecca who were the adherents of orthodox teachings of Ahl al-Sunna. He taught the doctrine of wahdat al-shuhud which is the anti-thesis of wahdat al-wujud.   

Arrival in Acheh Sultanate

He arrived in the Acheh Sultanate of northern Sumatera in nowadays Indonesian territory in 6th Muharram 1047 H (31 May 1637) after a year of the reign of Sultan Iskandar Tani. He finished his studies in the holy Mecca and before sailing for the Sultanate of Acheh, he first went to Pahang which is now in the central of Malaysian Peninsula. Pahang at that time was a vassal state of Acheh Dar al-Salam. There were many scholars residing in Acheh such as Shamsuddin the Sumateranese, Abdul Ra'of al-Fansuri of Singkil and Hamza al-Fansur. They were prominent Muslim scholars in Acheh before the arrival of al-Raniri. Besides of academicians, Acheh of 17th century was also a popular center for trade, politics, Muslim culture and Islamic studies. 

Debates with Ismai'li Shi'a Teachers

Those scholars of Islam before the arrival of al-Raniri were the teachers of Ismai'li order of Shi'a Muslim lineage. They propagated the teachings of wahdat al-wujud but the teaching is not suitable and dangerous for mere lay men creed since it is confusing and controversial. The arrival of al-Raniri to Acheh with new opinions and ideas was not easy to be accepted by locals because they were long being taught with the belief which was more to philosophical rather than orthodox standard ones. Since al-Raniri was of a salaf jurisprudence school and a practitioner of the Abdul Qadir Jailani lineage teachings, he feels responsible to reject the doctrine taught by those existed teachers. The Sultan of Acheh agreed to organize an open debate in the court for al-Raniri to contest the teachers who taught the wahdat al-wujud teachings. Those teacher were not so concrete when they face al-Raniri thus they lost the words.

The result of their lost is quite extreme, many of those Isma'ili order teachers were sentenced to death as according to medieval period court rulings and he received the court patronage to propagate teachings. Many of the works by Hamza Fansuri and other teachers were also burn to ashes and it was also recorded in the literature of Nuruddin al-Raniri himself known as Fath al-Mubin.

Students

While in Pahang, he has many students from South East Asian islands but not all of them are known to people around since the system of education at that time has no complete record or proper classes. They just studied and propagated their lessons. One who was widely known, Yusuf Taj al-Khalwati (1629-1699) came from Makassar in Sulawesi island. Some people mentioned that Yusuf studied under al-Raniri in Acheh while other mentioned that he went to India for the teacher.    

The other is the royal member of Acheh court which was the queen herself, Taj al-'Alam Safiat al-Din who assumed the throne after the death of her husband. She assumed the throne from 1641-1679. She studied under al-Raniri supervision since she was seven years old. She is the one who uphold the dignity and the position of women in her kingdom. She urged and ordered her women citizen to acquire knowledge in order for them to succeed in their life and living with dignity. Many women were appointed by her to serve the kingdom in administration, government councils and also involved in military.     

His Return to India and Death

After seven years serving the Acheh court, writing academic literature and propagating the Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a doctrine, he suddenly tried to leave Acheh in 1644 and stayed in India for a while. He wrote two books while in Ranir. In some record, it was mentioned that al-Raniri encountered another Ismaili Shi'a teacher from southwest of Sumatera known as Sayf al-Rijal who had just returned from his studies in India. It was believed that it has something to do with patronage of the court and the Queen sided more to the teachings of previous teachers and the arguments of Sayf al-Rijal. So, Sayf al-Rijal was granted permission to propagate mission according to his lineage. Most of researchers agreed that al-Raniri died in 22nd of Zulhijja 1069 (21 Sept 1658) but many disagreements about where was the location of his death among historians. Some believed that he was kidnapped and murdered in the capital of Acheh which is Banda. Some believed that he passed away in India.      

Works

Many of his works were written in Malay language in Arabic script since it was like English today in the region of South East Asian islands. I found that most of classical literature and books in Malay usually have Arabic title. The reason these people use Malay was for da'awa purpose as it would easily reaching the educated natives who could also understand Malay. He also has references for his books. Some of his books:

1. هداية الحبيب في الترغيب or ترحيب الفوائد البهية في الحديث النبوية about hadiths which consists of 810 hadiths and this is the first hadith book in Malay and in South East Asia.

2. بستان السلاطين which is a book that we keep in our closet about the history of local sultanate in Acheh kingdom and some points of the history of Malayan Peninsula especially the Pahang state and its sultanate lineage. It has seven chapters and each chapter has few topics.  

3. تبيان في المعرفات الأديان which means the Explanation on the Knowledge of Religions. This book is a comparative religion themed book written in Malay. It is the first book written in Malay about comparative religion in South East Asia. It has two chapters. The first talks about the religion of the world since Adam a.s down to Jesus a.s. The second talks about developments of groups and movements in Islam. Generally this book discussed the conflicts or debates between the doctrine which is embraced by al-Raniri and those of Isma'ili Shi'a who propagated the philosophical wahdat al-wujud ideology during the reign of Iskandar II.

4. Jurisprudence

i. السراط المستقيم written in Malay about worship such as salat services, fasting, tithe, pilgrimage, rulings on sacrificial ritual, hunting and rulings for legal and illegal foods and beverages. It was written beginning 1044 H (1634) and finished in 1054 H (1644). This classical work could be found printed at the side of the book known as سبيل المهتدين written by Muhammad Arshad of Banjar.

ii. كيفية الصلاة on the method of performing salat. This book discussed in how to perform the salat according to the manhaj of sunna according to imam al-Shafi'ie with the conditions of complete acts of salat. This book was actually quoted from the السراط المستقيم highlighting the salat rituals.    

iii. تنبيه العوام في تحقيق الكلام والنوافل talks about the optional salats for public and recitations in the services. 

5. Tawheed Creed and Tasawwuf

i. درة الفرائد بشرح العقائد which means Precious Jewel in Expounding the Creed. It was adapted from Arabic book شرح العقائد النسفية known as written by Imam Sa'duddin al-Taftanzani written around 1045 H (1635). 

ii. نبضة في الدعوات الظل مع صاحبه or Short Explanations on The Claimants of Shadow and Its Possessor. This book is written in Arabic in form of question and answers about the errors of the wahdat al-wujud teachings propagated by his rivals according to orthodox standards.  

iii. أسرار ألأنسان في معرفة الروح والرحمان or Secrets of Human in Understanding the Soul and the God. This is translated from Arabic into Malay by al-Raniri. It talks about human especially on the characteristics and the knowledge of the soul. It has two chapters. First chapter is divided into six portions and second is with five portions.

iv. لطائف الأسرار or Discreetness of Secrets.

v. أخبار الأخرة في أحوال القيمة News of the Hereafter about the Situations during the Resurrection.

vi. حل الظل Explaining the Term Shadow.

vii. ماء الحية لأهل الممات which means the Water of Life for the Death.

xiii. جواهر العلوم في كشف المعلوم or the Jewels of Sciences in Exposing Its Targets.

ix. اين العالم قبل أن يخلق Where was the Universe before It was Created.

x. شفاء القلوب Medicine for the Heart.

xi. حجة الصديق لدفع الزنديق Arguments of the Righteous Rejecting the Creed of the Atheists. 

xii. فتح المبين على الملحدين Clear Victory on the Atheists.

xiii. اللمعان في تكفيرمن قال بخلق القرآن Shining Light on Excommunicating People who Claimed that the Quran is a Creature.

xiv. صوارم الصديق لقطع الزنديق Blade for the Righteous to Cut the Atheists.

xv. رحيق محمدية في طريق الصفية The Drinks for Nations of Muhammad in the Way of the Sufis.

xvi. هداية الأيمان في فضل المنان Guidance of the Faith Granted by the God.

xvii. علقة الله بالعالم The Relationship of the God with the Universe.

xviii. عقائد الصفية الموحدين The Creed of Monotheist Sufis.

xix. اين الوجود في بيان وحدة الوجود Where is the Existence in Explanations of Panentheism.

xx. بدء خلق السماوات والأرض Beginning of Creation of Heavens and Earth.

xxi. فتح الودود في بيان وحدة الوجود Victory of Conveying the Virtue in Explanation of the Panentheism.

Almost all of these books were written in Classical Malay of 16th century. If brothers and sisters are reading them perhaps it would be like reading some kind of Indian lingo style of Malay because this ulama is an Indian national. He is ethnically an Arab but he lived in India and later in South East Asia. I refer him as Indian because he was born in India. Regarding the doctrine or the understanding of al-Raniri about the particular philosophy, there are many discussions, criticisms and thesis about this by scholars for example by Syed Naguib al-Attas and I am not going to put it here. What I could say, al-Raniri, Fansuri or Sumatrani are just human-being no matter how knowledgeable they are. They are not angels.

Close

This is just an introduction about a Muslim scholar of Classical South East Asian period. Internet is not the "real" source of knowledge. Bring the kitabs in front of teachers and learn from them step by step from the basis. The reason why I hate kids in Tekun musalla talked about tasawwuf with me because I could smell that they thought it has something to do with magic flying on the wind, exorcism halau setan or mysticism bercakap dengan jin like Tamar Jalis novels. What is the need to talk about those things if they were not educated with basic kitabs? As far as I know they were students of science streams and not of shari'a streams. I don't receive revelation but I am quite sensitive with language style, tone and the way people write things (because writing comes from the head). I am a translation and interpretation student and apart of that I had started doing contemplation since I can't remember so I could basically detect the mood of people around which is retaliated with their "heart and intention". I prefer not to talk so much especially if it is related to religion but I just practice on what I had learned. Kita sembang tinggi-tinggi mawlana sana sini pun tiada guna jika kita tidak ikhlas untuk Allah sesungguh hatinya. Cuma nya mahu tunjuk kita tinggi daripada orang lain sahaja katanya kita merangkumi dunia mau pun akhirat walaupun kita tiada asas untuk yang satu itu. 

I am sorry if people are afraid of me because their feeling might be flawed and I actually never look down on others. I just would never keep my silence if I see or listen things which sounds wrong to what I believe. Most of all, I actually feel low-self esteem to Science stream students because of that Ibnu Sina kind of stuffs, lol. Just start study from the basic and everyone could afford that. No need to be in circles' lineage but being an ordinary guy is much better than we feel that Allah loves us until we forgot that we're falling into the trap of "satan". That feel means what? Perasaan or perasan?        

There are many kind of Shi'a Muslims too. It is not only those that we see in Iran or Syria who were known as the factions of Twelver Imami and Nusayri Alawites groups. Many of the Mu'tazilite groups could be founded in Shi'a Muslim lineage for example Ibnu Sina who is an Ismai'li-Nizari Shi'a Muslim. They were free thinkers among Muslims and their lineage has no established chain of creed like the Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a who accepted the narration of traditions from all righteous prophet companions. That is among the reasons why they relied on philosophies to explain their creed.   

Sealed with prayers of mercy, peace and love, amin!      

Come Join the Qaria

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just helping friends there spreading message and for the convenience of expats and foreigners to be informed about masjid activities. Anyone living close to Putrajaya Federal Territory and Cyberjaya are welcomed to join the qaria (parish) of Masjid Sultan Mizan Zainalabiddin. By the way, Malaysia is a country with majority Muslim population which adheres to the Ahl Sunna wal Jama'a doctrine and following the jurisprudence method of the salaf teacher, Imam Abu Idris al-Shafi'ie so Muslim foreigners or foreign transnational Islamic movements please be informed to respect the local national religious authority if reaching Malaysian territory. It is practically just the same when we arrived in Saudi Arabia where we should not bring our religious ritual kitabs or spreading them in Saudi Arabia territory. So, I guess it is not so difficult to be understood. Each state possess their own religious department and the federal ones is supervised by the federal religious authority known as Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM). The information form is as below:  

Or maybe right away email to the administrator of the masjid at admin@masjidtuankumizan.gov.my or text a message :at PRO MTMZA to the number 00-6-019-6539925 stating the name, address, email and phone number. This is for our own convenience because the masjid could also provide guidelines for matters such as proper funeral ceremony, marriage, religious activities, classes and rituals while we are abroad maybe studying or working so better to stay connected with local religious community right? I think masjid with the assistant of religious department in certain area should also provide Malay language classes for foreigners such as expats, students and migrant workers who are interested because they would have to deal with people around and maybe this is an opening opportunity for our religious department to propagate da'awa widely or conducting researches, muzakarat and mushawarat with foreign religious communities.     

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Al-A'araf 7 v. 33: Spiritual Adornments

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Recently I am seeking some help from fellow Ahlul Bayt members of various branches of Islamic movements to help us to clear the name of our ulamas, family and imams. I hate to see how we Muslims dividing our selves into congregations, organizations or movements just to tyrannize each other and posing judgements based on unwritten laws to satisfy our nationalism or perhaps our position. Many of our people had already sacrificed their selves and keeping their silence under oppressions just to make sure that the nations of Islam do not split out of Allah's course and for the peace of the humanity. I cannot put everything up here in a blow. Maybe I would compile the names of those figures first. Many fitnas nowadays and I am sensing that our prayer times becoming earlier than before. I am not sure about other regions. I do not like to speculate but favoring and incline more to the Quran and the prophethood of Muhammad s.a.w as the basis of our Creed. But I think the time is moving fast as the speed of the Earth circulating the Star is also increasing. 

Anyway, this is not the topic I wanted to talk about in this post. I am here to keep the written notes about surat Al-A'araf verse 33 exegesis. It means in English more or less: "Say: My Lord forbids me indecency; whatever obvious of it, whatever hidden of it and sins and unjust oppression; and that you associate not the God with what He never ascribe in Revelation out of the authority and that you say not anything about Him of which you have no knowledge about".

According to Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah in his al-Azhar, Allah commanded Muhammmad s.a.w as His messenger to tell the universe that adorning one self with ornaments or modest eating or drinking habits are not forbidden. However those are just at the surface. It is actually forbidden to neglect spiritual adornment. Never exceed the limit of spiritual body sanctity with sins when it is well protected, and never feel worried if physical body is granted with adornments.

الفَوَاحشَ or indecency in the verse refers to disgusting acts related to genitals. In modern days, it is also known as promiscuous sex and the verse mentions about it is committed secretly or openly. As what we could see today, ladies wearing sexually attractive attire to attract people's attention, skimpy dress and showing off their physical assets. Some people would say why only ladies? I would say this refers to every sane human-being regardless gender which also include the third gender if there is such a thing. I know several sexual terms from my experience with those kids who watched porn. Whatever disgusting acts exceeding the sanctity limit of spiritual body out of these related to human-physical body attraction portrayed in those terms is forbidden. 

Watching anything related to this such as pornographic materials is also counted as disgusting. I could still recall some of my hostel mates were watching porn videos while I was in their room cause I was chatting with some of them. Suddenly one of them organized some porn watching party and locked the door. I did not say anything to them nor watching it. I pretend that I was reading the newspaper before I force one of them to unlock the door as it used their keys. When I return to my room I just whip myself with belt buckle. Some kids there including my roommate perhaps had mistaken me for whipping myself for 'Ashura or Muharram matam but it was Ramadan's eve, lol. I would fast in those days of 'Ashura rather than whipping myself. Yea that was retarded but I can't help it with the feeling of guilt for disrespecting my soul when I mingled with those kids for da'awa purpose. This is what I am telling brothers and sisters that I am stepping one of my feet in the hell because I love those brothers because they said they are Muslims. It is so tormenting yet we have to be patient with some psychological strategies to bring everyone to Allah without breaking their "heart". So we are not being selfish by only circulating the Mercy of Allah among our selves. 

Please don't misunderstood me as a man who discriminate women on gender basis when I am stating these as apart of what we understood from the verse when it mentions women. Sometimes people love to make controversy out of others' statement when we only mention women. I have five sisters and I am the only male among the siblings. For traditional orthodox Muslim family. If we are discriminating women, my sisters would not be given opportunity to study to the highest level that they can achieve and they could even mingle with any male friend they like as long as they know how to behave. I even had accompanied my sister to Thai for a "cowboy marriage" and lied by her when she wanted to marry a guy of her choice that happened to be someone's husband. English and most Western languages usually mention pronouns with the men ones but in Asian languages such as Chinese or Malay, there is no such thing. Just to make sure we follow the standard of equality in gender treatment that I put both he and she but not in all places as it takes space, hehe.

These verses connecting the physical indecency with spiritual ones. They have to do with adornments at human physical body. The God never forbids the Ornaments of the God. But in our daily life, most people tend to appear in front of others such as looking sexually attractive or others just to show off to others. Some men perhaps would show off their muscular body to others or some women would show off their boobies or thigh or hips and etc just to make people adoring them. Through these verses, the God commanded Muhammad s.a.w to tell the world that there is nothing wrong with dressing nicely and decently. Nothing wrong to wear any pattern of fabrics. He forbids dress which is worn to show off physical body with the mean to raise sexual desire of people around regardless men or women. When a portal evil is opened, others will gradually be opened too. This is also one of the gates to polytheism.

As what has been mentioned in Surat al-An'am vs. 151 which means: "Say: 'Come, let me recite what your Lord has prohibited upon you. He commands that you should not associate anything with Him, and to parents be polite. And do not kill your children due to poverty. We provide them with sustenance and also for you. And never be close to indecency be it openly or secretly. And never take the soul which the God has forbidden except with justice and legal rights. He instructs you with these may you use logical thinking and reasons".

The verse also mentions about ألأِثْمُ which means the sins. Then it mentions ألبَغْيُ بِغَيرِالحَق which is translated as unjust oppression. Al-Suddiy interpret the sins as committing vices. While the word ألبَغْيُ or oppression refers to the act of hurting others unjustly. Al-Mujahid interpret the sins as all of the acts of vices. And oppression refers to the act without legal justification which also hurts the doer's self. 

Ibnu Katir says that: "As per conclusion, the sins refer to all of the crimes which affect the doer's self while oppression refers to the act of crimes which has hurt others". Based from the conclusion made by Ibnu Katir, we could now differentiate the sins into categories and identify on what is the oppression or tyranny. For example, B simply hates this A guy because he perhaps unintentionally became his rival. Then B took out his rifle and shot dead A. This is referred according to our terminology as ألبَغْيُ the unjust oppression or a tyranny.

Then, the verse mentions that it is forbidden to associate the God with others. Seeing others as powerful and as equal as the God in term of the power possession would make a person sinful for the crime of associating the God with others. Other than that, a person who is saying something about the God without any knowledge has the gravity of the sin heavier than associating Him with partners. This refers to people who established pseudo-religious teachings and claiming that it is of the God while the God never reveals as such. Such a person has no knowledge about the fact of religion, law and jurisprudence. He could not even differentiate what is legal and what is illegal but yet acting like he was revealed with the scripture to add in nonsense things which are claimed as part of religion. Around the world and throughout centuries, there are spiritual or pseudo religious movements established by people who claim their selves as teachers while his teachings is followed by ignorant followers. This is also a grave sin.

List of the Crimes and Sins Mentioned in the Verse

From these verses, there are six kind of the crimes forbidden by the God:

1. Sins committed openly       
2. Sins committed secretly
3. Sins out of the "heart"
4. Sins tyrannizing others
5. Associating the God with others
6. Sins of speculations about the God while they are just their mere imagination

Jushammiy Explanations

The sixth of these sins is the greatest after all the consideration given. Al-Jushammiy mentions: "This verse shows that all of the sins are illegal. The sayings of the God in the scripture covering the tiniest of all crime acts and all wrong promises which go against the divine law, evil words and evil belief which is related to crimes and vices".

The words ظَهَرَ and بَطَنَ include all of verbal acts and those emerged from "heart" such as cheating, lying, envious and etc. The word ألبَغْيُ or oppression refer to all of the tyranny to others. It includes for example the rebellion of people that destroys a country or making innocent people suffer, attacking or discriminating other congregations within the larger congregation and also the political leader who defends people who commit crimes.    

And in the scripture says the God: "وأنْ تُشْرِكوا باللهِ مالَم يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ" refers to acts of associating the God with partners and enslaving oneself to others for example to human bosses, earthly kings, earthly stuffs for example gold and silver, other creatures in the earth and heavens for example angels, stars, planets, animals, satan, genies and others.

And it includes in His sayings: "وأنْ تقولواعلى اللهِ مالاتعلمونَ" which refers to innovations and blasphemy. Those who issue out the fatawa without following the guidelines of the righteousness, providing fake testimony and lying about others are also counted as among those who committed this sin.

So this verse has collected all of what has been forbidden by the God to mankind. The verses before this verse has mentioned on numbers of what is not sinful to be done or known as مباح mubaah. The verse also highlighting the importance of politeness and manner related to religion's affair or worldly affair. This also shows that there is a cancellation of تقليد taqleed since the God commands everyone to investigate and researching on the reasons for arguments. Not to just stay blindly following on anything. Because there are also the indications about explanations in the revelation as mentioned in the verse: "مالم ينزل به سلطانا" which shows the importance of researching on arguments in our divine law. The سلطانا word refers to a precise explanation.

What are the Benefits of the Verse?

As what has been concluded for the verse, it is not forbidden for us to wear nice attire suitable with the position of holy sanctuaries such as masjid or when performing the circumambulation around the Ka'aba in holy Mecca. Nobody forbids that. Nobody also forbids us to eat or drink anything which is legal as long as we do it moderately.

The most important thing for us to put into our attention is our manner, politeness and the sanctity of our inner selves. Never adorn our selves with the adornments of satan which will cause us to fall into the trap of the envious creature. Protect our heart from being contaminated with sins or when we tyrannize others. Protect our inner selves from associating the God with partners by worshiping what is not to be worshiped or believing that earthly or heavenly materials and creatures have the power over the God. After that, never be religious without questioning and reasoning as what the God said in the verse through the words of Surat al-'An'am v. 151 about logical thinking and reasons. This is why I am performing da'awa according to suitability and I do not like to be bonded by specific movements. I saw some fellow Tabligh members walking like a penguin. So, I asked them why are you walking like that? They said this is how prophet Muhammad s.a.w walk as we are following the Sunna. I just feel it funny that they could walk properly but choosing to walk like a penguin. How do they know prophet Muhammad s.a.w walk like that? They ever seen it? In some hadiths narration, they mentioned that prophet Muhammad s.a.w walked "like" climbing the hills and his steps are moderate and modest. They never say anything about walking like a penguin. What I would say is that just be our selves. We don't have to show how eager we are until it become so awkward. Some people keeping bushy beard and looking to us who do not really have beard like ungodly people. I saw many people who keep beard as it is a "Sunna" but never bother to brush it nicely and apply oil. Their beard even contains lice, na'udzubillah. Sometimes I keep beard and sometimes not because I will trim it all when I feel "dirty" and grow it again. It is a "Sunna" which people should understand not the only "basis of religious" obligation. If we are a "Chinese" person or a Korean guy, how could we grow beard like Mid Easterners bushy beard? Our genetic developed differently of theirs.

This verse perfectly describe on how should we conduct our life with ethic and noble manner. It is nor wrong for an old guy or old woman to dress nicely with whatever expensive fabric or sprinkling some perfume according to occasion. As long as it does not affect people appreciation or respect on their selves due to "flirtatious gazing" to others then go on.

The Nexus of Jurisprudence and Shari'a and Islam

The verse strongly reminds us to avoid from talking about "religion" when our knowledge is not reaching the suitable level for the questions raised. And never try to debate on anything if our arguments are based on perception or hear says or simply copy-pasting certain ulama's thesis. Following our own thought and labeling others with accusations without referring to the sayings of the God and prophetic traditions is the peak of all sins and crimes. When it comes to jurisprudence on what is legal or what is illegal, we are not allowed to simply issuing any rulings accept with نص or the precise evidence. If we have no basic knowledge then start it with classes in the nearest masjid in our area. It is actually open for both men and women because I had female colleagues in our Shari'a stream class and many of our female elders were also trained as da'awa cadres where they protect the interests of ladies in the jurisprudence body and provide information to others.

For some jurisprudence schools of Islam, اجتهاد the ijtihad which refers to personal decision-making for interpretation of laws could be exercised if one possess the basic knowledge of Shari'a and Jurisprudence sciences. The فروع furu' could analogically be deducted through قياس qiyaas on the أصول usool in the religion. The derivation of the judgement or الإستنباط is based on the Shari'a Spirit where the previous judgements are referred as long as it is in accordance to the basis of law. What everyone should know is that the result of the ijtihad is not definite and not to be accepted by everyone like the sayings of the God! The result of the ijtihad according to the majority of ulamas is based on ظن the suspicion and not definite as implied in our technical term قطع qat'i.

Only the followers of the ulamas who hate others who differ from their teachers opinion and rulings that attack people around and issuing judgement to others on the reasons that only they themselves and the God know. This is the "chief" of all disasters around the world. Nations are judged by the مقلدين muqallideen. Not by the ulamas who are the real jurists. Everyone could be da'awa cadres but not all da'awa cadres around the world are the قاضي jurists and فاقِه faaqih.             
                                 
Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Quran: Juz 'Amma

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Yesterday Evening

Yesterday brother Rosli from the musalla congregation near our neighborhood had invited me to a feast at his house just after 'Isha prayer service. His house is just at the junction at our neighborhood. I actually did not promise him whether I would be there or not. I just went home to see my father cause I am afraid my sisters would forgotten to feed him with his milk and medicine while my mother was at the masjid for her Quran lessons. I am supporting her to study Quran and Islam since she had no time to study since she took care all of us who were little children. After that I feel lazy to go to his house because there was already lots of people. When I saw that many people had gone home only I went to his house just to fulfill his invitation as it is impolite to make the host feel sad. I did not eat much just three sticks of satay (grilled chicken) and few glasses of water before thanking him. He shoved me some chicken but I had politely turned it down saying that I have some problem with meat. There is a limit for poor people to take meat and it is also a no to take few seafood or those living under the water. 

Most of the times I feel safe with vegetarian foods. I sometimes would feel uneasy when I have to explain things to people. So, I would pick the first food that I had seen there just to make the host feel happy and not to make them seeing me as a weird quite guy. Currently, we are in high holy days. Those in Mecca were observing it. So do me here. I am bringing the prohibitions in the respected land outside of the boundary as a sacrifice for Allah. Anyway I am thankful to brother Rosli and his wife for hosting me. He is a nice guy and he prays regularly at the musalla. I just feel shy because I was just a Shari'a stream student who is now still struggling with European Union policy and decision making thesis while those uncles there discussing trillion dollars projects in government lead companies (GLC). It is not good to compare our selves with others but it is just the effect of post-trauma for me, hehehe. 

I am scared to be closer to rich people. I think brother Idris is right when he said I am scared to mingle with people. I spend most of my time with low-class labors, poor students and I don't know how to discuss about business or investment. If I know I am with a rich guy I would immediately leave him. The same thing for example when I chat with karkun Firdaws at the hostel in RST and suddenly few of his colleagues joined in and talked about setting up cyber cafe business. I just stood up of my sit and went off. I just don't know why people can't talk about common things like TV programs, musics, movies, cats, plain hobbies like gardening, cooking, sports, health and so on to start the friendship. I know prophet Muhammad s.a.w had managed to help his wife, Khadija in her business in Syria but did he do it for a life? There were stages in his life. That is what all of the people should be acknowledged. Nothing is so specific in his life except Allah is the One who is specific in his life. Well, I am not talking about religion 24/7 too. I know how to switch my speech into "secular" ones when it is necessary. 

Those are just what happened yesterday. I just did not sleep for few days writing up thesis so kind of high, haha. I am just posting for the Quran as I had draw a new schedule for Quran recitation plan for myself. To those who are so fond with conspiracy theories around the world. I would suggest you people to make up thesis out of your "confidential" information and data, hehe. Submit it to any recognized university and try to get the feedback from International Relations and World Politics professors. I am sure you will get the doctorate out of your theories about what ever topics be it about a certain race supremacy, history or about anthropology to be linked with regional nationalism or religion just to make you feel secure about your selves. I am sure you will enjoy the process of writing a "thesis" and get to know how theories or speculations work within time and space. Life is not only about theories of war, dominion, racial supremacy and life it self is not of any importance because it is a test before another test coming at the gate of the hereafter. Theories are just a bunch of speculations. They are used to frame the events and what ever happening in the world. Just don't let theories controlling our life. To act and to feel like a scholar or academician is easy but the torture to achieve it is like being tortured in the hell. Only Allah knows. Just recite the Quran like what our elders recite it and immediately try to implement them in our daily life. It is better than speculations or dreaming.

Juz 'Amma     

Juz 'Amma actually referring to the last juzu' of Quran or the 30th part. Other terms referring to juzu' that I would use is perhaps parah or parashat. This part is usually the part that we always listen in the imam's recitation in prayer services. During our childhood, we were taught with this part and memorized few surats from this part. This part is quite easy to be memorized because those surats are simple.

This part contains many surats as compared to others. Most of the surats here were revealed in our holy Mecca. I think they are about 34 surats and they are known as the Surat al-Makkiya which means they were revealed during Mecca period before the hijra event. The balance three surats which are al-Bayyinat, al-Zalzalat and al-Nashr were revealed in Medina period. Altogether, there are 37 surats out of the juzu'.           

Special Characteristics of Makkiya Surats

They are simple sentences, words are eloquently structured, high in aesthetic and literature. Their arguments are strong. They were characterized with reminders to human that Allah is omnipotent, life in the hereafter, meeting with Allah and His promise on the result of the deeds. Basically, they are in poetical Arabic so if we speak in English we should not comment it through the translation. The same thing as Shakespeare's masterpieces could not be commented in other languages as it could be appreciated in its English form. Translation only serves to bring the messages to audience of different languages and world view. Currently I am studying Yemenite Arabic poetry just to appreciate our ancestral art and heritage. 

Coming to this issue of language and cultural appreciation, I don't understand why some people in our country love to classify Arabs who are married to Malay women as a Malay? Or the peranakan Arab is also claimed as a Malay? I know that both Malay and Arabs are of same religion but is it wrong for us to be recognized as Arabs or non-Malay natives just like the Thai in regional northern Malaysia or identified according to our paternal side? I think the nation-state nationality which was practiced by British in identity certification is complicated and it has caused us who were the Arabs of the past facing identity crisis especially those of the flows in 15th century down to 19th century. I found that our community did not really marry or pairing their children with non-Arab except in special cases. Elders just married among relatives until the situation changed in 19th century where many had broken traditions. There are also conflicts in the time period for our flows which also confused us and the registration officers because we speak in regional Malay. Some local nationalists perhaps would say to us, you can return to your homeland if you refuse to identify with us but our elders had been here since before independence, involved in regional history for example in the battle to protect local sultanate and its citizens, serving the state court and we're denied with our identity and culture. I am currently doing a thesis about European nationality and how Muslims of diverse ethnicity as those among various types of minority in Europe needs to be framed for social integration policy without losing their religious and cultural identity of their first generation's country when they were promoted to European nationality. Personally for me, denying our selves is to deny our religion and our past. Those who identify their selves for purposes other than da'awa but for worldly affairs should be boycotted.  

Moqadaam

In our country, these surats were separated into a book which is known as Moqaddam. It means the introduction which could be immediately recited and memorized. I usually would buy few Moqaddams and prayer books as presents to few friends or brothers that I know or closer to me. I am actually hoping that they would recite it with me though they are far away. They could also recite them for my soul to hear because we do not know when we are going to die. I am praying to Allah to listen to their recitations when the light is filled wit the darkness if they live longer than me. Wishing to help me to accumulate meritorious deed because I am poor. They can help me in that way and also gaining benefit for their selves and their family, hehe.  

Surats List

al-Nabaa', al-Naazi'at, 'Abasa, al-Takweer, al-Infithaar, al-Mutaffifeen, al-Inshiqaaq, al-Buruuj, al-Taariq, al-A'alaa, al-Ghaashiyaat, al-Fajr, al-Balaad, al-Shams, al-Layl, al-Dhuhaa, al-Nashrah, al-Teen, al-'Alaq, al-Qadr al-Bayyinat, al-Zalzalat, al-'Adiyaat al-Qaari'at, al-Takatur, al-'Asr, al-Feel, Quraish, al-Maa'un, al-Kautar, al-Kaafirun, al-Nasr, al-Lahab, al-Ikhlaas, al-Falaq and al-Naas.     

Non-Arabic speaker Muslims perhaps would need to find the meaning and contents of the surats in the Quran. Nowadays we have many kind of Quranic translations. There are Quran with parallel translations in various languages for Muslims of different mother tongue. Important for us is to collect as much as possible lessons from the surats and to execute it beginning with our own selves. Try it, we will feel the difference : )  

Sawmana gaadin eemanan wahtesaaaban, allahomma taqabbal minna siyaam. Allah help us with the yearning, inshaAllah...

          

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Credential for "Jurists"

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Recently, one of my older friend had talked with me about some "debates" related to the Shi'a Muslims and he said some of those people he encountered had labelled the Shi'a Muslims as infidels. I am a Hanbali student myself in which it is is extremely strict and it leaves no room for ijtihad. That is why it is not suitable for all people. But I never see anyone who profess Muhammad s.a.w as the seal of prophethood as infidel or disbelievers and prefer not to say anything before I check their faith and creed from their side and comparing to our side. Basically I am also reading Islamic journals be they from Muslim or non-Muslim writers from medieval to contemporary era. I keep the reference books of Shi'a Muslims as well.

He said that just because he tries to stop them from such an act he was also labelled as a "Shi'a". Again I am stating my disappointment about Muslim nations. This is our quality and we look down upon Shari'a studies. But yet we still have the gut to take the position of authority in labeling people and issuing rulings. We had forgotten that we are in the position of muqallidun and not even in the position of the 'ulamas. Our knowledge about terms is ambiguous. That is what I could comment after listening to the brother. I just advised him to leave those people behind and never interfere. They will know what is the consequence of "evil tongue" when Allah reveals His veils.

Basically what am I going to do here is just to share what we had to study as Shari'a students whether in state's monitored Islamic schools in our country or those managed under twin institutions with the al-Azhar in Egypt. I am not sure whether it is still the same with the last 10 years'. These is how the da'awa cadres that everybody see in masjids around being trained in our parallel system and people do not understand it so it is left without being explained. In my school at that time, we were mixed with secular academic students which actually did not pose any advantages for us but only for them. Basically we would study for about six years and for me I had stopped at the fourth year. 

I am checking my kitabs again to see how silly I was for listening to people around and for letting them to decide my future and not Allah. If beloved Tabligh karkuns from other streams stopping by and would like to know why I didn't really mix up nor associate myself with any group or Islamic movement whether those of Middle East such as the Wahhabi, those of Salafi such as Ikhwan al-Muslim or those of Tabligh movements. These are subjects that humble Abdullah who listened to sermons in these churches and those temples in Penang, Perlis, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur studied and studying. These are what "we" as the da'awa cadres studied and have to study while being laughed and looked down by mainstream politicians, teachers and students in other "classes" because we will be tukang kukur nyior or coconut graters, hehe:

Religious Year I'dadi Level

First Year (Form 1: 13 Years Old)

Quranic Memorization Juzu': 1st - 10th

Islamic Studies: Quran and Matan Tajweed (Scripture and Basic of Philology), Matan Taweheed (Basic Monotheism), Matan Fiqh (Basic Jurisprudence basically according to Shafi'ie school), Safinat al-Najat (the Sail of Success), Matan Nahwu al-Ajurumiyya wa al-Saraf (Basic Arabic Grammar and Lexicography), Manzoumat al-'Aqidat al-'Awami (System of Public Creed), Seerah (Biographies), Matan Tafseer (Basic Quranic Exegesis), Matan Hadith (Basic Hadiths), Mutala'a wa al-Nasus (References and the Evidences).

Academic: Malay (National Language), English (International Language), Islamic Education, Living Skill, Communicative Arabic, Maths, Basic Geography, History and Science.  

Second Year (Form 2: 14 Years Old)

Quranic Memorization Juzu': 10th - 20th

Islamic Studies: Syarh al-Quran wa Tajweed (Explanation of Scripture and Philology), Tuhfat al-Atfal (Gift for Children), Syarh Tawheed (Monotheism explanation), Syarh Arkaan al-Imaan li-Ummat al-Islam min Manzoumat al-'Aqidat al-'Awami (Explanation of the Pillars of Faith for Muslim Nations from the System of Public Creed), Syarh al-Fiqh (Explanation of Jurisprudence), Nayl al-Raja' bi al-Syarhi Safinat al-Najah, Syarh Nahwu, Tuhfat al-Taaniyat Fi Syarh Matan al-Ajurumiyya (Second Gift in Explanation of Ajrumiyya Arabic Grammar), Matan Hadith, Al-Arba'ieen al-Nawawi (Forty Hadith of Nawawi Compilation). 

Academic: Malay, English, Communicative Arabic, World Geography, History, Maths and Science.

Third Year (Form 3: 15 Years Old)

Quranic Memorization Juzu': 20th-30th

Islamic Studies:Hadith Explanations, Forty Nawawi Hadiths, Basic Saraf of the Structure, Exegesis Dur al-Mansun, Sciences of Quran known as Zubdat al-Itqaan, Sciences of Hadith known as Baiquniyya System.  

Academic: Malay, English, Communicative Arabic, World Geography, European and World History, Maths and Science.

By the third year, we actually should finish up with Quranic memorization but the state religious school that I was  registered had neglected students who were incapable in academic studies. I was not good in modern mathematics but what I can tell brothers and sisters from what I had been told. Ancient philosophers are also not good in Mathematics such as Aristotle or Plato but their philosophy had been formulated as maths formula by others. Other than that, did our prophet Muhammad s.a.w learned or taught trigonometry, algebra and etc when he spread the Revelation to nations? I think it is enough to know how to do additional, subtraction, multiplication and etc or to generally count, hehe. I think that I was supposed to be advised by our elders rather than my father because he was not good in persuading a rebellious little boy when he sent me to Perlis to study in the al-'Alawiya. I would say that their system was among the nicest ones. Perhaps I could properly exercise my responsibility if I just stay patiently there but thankful to Allah I do not forget everything. Just need to refresh my memory. 

Religious Year of Tanawi Levels

First Year (Form 4: 16 Years Old)

Islamic Studies: Explanation of Arabic Lexicography, Basic of Sentence Structure, Explanation of Quranic Sciences: Zubdat al-Itqaan, Explanation of Hadith Sciences: Baiquniyyat System (Revision), Jurisprudence, Anwaar Massalik Shaar, 'Omdat al-Saalik: Dur al-Mansun and Riyaadh al-Saalihin.

Academic: Malay, English, Communicative Arabic, History, Quran and Sunnah, Shari'a, Tasawwur Islamiyya (Islamic Worldview), Maths and Science.

Second Year (Form 5: 17 Years Old)

Islamic Studies: Dur al-Mansun, Riyadh al-Saalihin, Tibyan fi Hamlaat al-Quran (Testimonial), Manhaj al-Latif fi Mustalaah al-Hadith (Testimonial), Moqaddima al-Jazariyya, and Mukhtasar Ibn Abi Jamrah. 

Academic: Malay, English, Communicative Arabic, History, Quran and Sunnah, Shari'a, Tasawwur Islamiyya (Islamic Worldview), Maths and Science.

Third Year (Form 6: 18 Years) 

Islamic Studies: Mafahim Yajib an Tusaahih, the Ahkaam verses and the Ahkam hadiths. 

Academic: Malay, English, Higher Classical Arabic, History, Quran and Sunnah, Shari'a, Tasawwur Islamiyya (Islamic Worldview).

Close 

I had dropped everything at the first year of Tanawi level around 2002 beside losing my "religion" by seriously practicing other faith that I had learned while I was wandering out of my loathe to society around. Some people who don't know about my life perhaps saying out things because they are full with perceptions. They judge everything based on their perception and not from their life experience including the process of learning to issue the rulings according to Quranic and Sunnah basis. I am telling readers. If people blame me or other guy who became like me turning away from our religious studies, then people are actually blaming their selves. They are not respecting us who were down-graded by their great politician and leader. They should also question their very own faith rather than busy looking around to find faults and forget to contemplate their selves. When we ask them, what is your qualification to issue "rulings and judgement" or issuing fatawa? Where did you get it? Is it yours? They just flee away and keep repeating their "rulings and judgement" without fear to the consequence that is waiting them. Why there is no "fear"? They should ask back their "heart" on whether the promise of Allah: Yawm al-Din exists or not? Or they just professing it at their mouth just like donkeys who bring scriptures on its back (Surat al-Juma'at verse 5th). Allah will never guide them if so. These is not "really" referring to Jews or others, but referring to Muslims! Jews are not reciting the Quran. It is Muslims who recite it in their salat services!

Any lay men who talk about any specific serious subjects related to creed and faith should be acknowledged that creed and faith is a component of Shari'a. By simply throwing words without we know the "process" and the "result" we are not doing any good to ourselves. We are tyrannizing ourselves as Allah will put the weight of responsibility burden on our shoulder when we see Him in the Hereafter. I would suggest to the brother to ask for the credentials of those who teach faith. It is not a sign of disrespect like what Mr. Webb Suhaib said in his site. We can ask them again but we do it with manner and as an obligation. Faith is the key to the hereafter. If it is taken from a poisoned well, it may very well lead a person to Hell. Please be very careful dear brothers and sisters from where we get the "fatawa". I am mentioning this in general. 

Shari'a should receive some respect as the way we respect prophet Muhammad s.a.w, the Quran, the companions, the followers of the followers, Salaf ulamas and others. Politicians should stay away from talking about us if they don't like us and they can talk about people of other streams all they like because they deal with them. Who cares about them and their political career. All they care is just about "position, money, power, and worldly matters" so victimizing other innocent people would be a satisfaction for them to boast in this temporary world. This is the morality of the nations in the era of Muhammad s.a.w. Allah knows everything well than us who are bunch of His lowly creatures. 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!