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!

Tools for Da'awa Part III

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Another two points before I burn down the notes. Just returned from Cyberjaya after 'Isha service in Sultan Mizan mosque. Long time haven't prayed in the mosque cause helping my mother to take care my paralyzed father. Just after the prayer service, they had salat hajaat (special prayer). So, I just take the opportunity to pray to Allah to help my father, to guide everyone with His mercy and helping me with thesis. I wish to be graduated in March next year. I spend some time in Cyberjaya because the night life there is quite lively as compared to us who is nearby. Just watching people around to make sure that I am still "normal" like other human and I bought olive oil for prayer purpose.

I think that I need to return to the varsity apart of getting permission to endorse my thesis, I wanted to take a book of the Qadiri mission lineage to read it again. I met those teachers too but I do not want them to initiate me to be within the circle. Some kids trying to get some kind of conformation when they talked with me and I detest this. If we wanted to join any mission lineage, make sure we are at least acquired with Shari'a knowledge at the basis of taqlidi (follower). Find qualified teachers who memorized holy Quran in full, well-versed in Shari'a and Sunnah. Also make sure they are certified and recognized by our local states government. Those who had no problem with their life and do not have to shift madzhab then just remain in Shafi'ie school of jurisprudence. Though now, I am a Hanbali kitabs student but I still have huge respect to this imam of salaf.

Regarding tasawwuf sciences and sufi circles, there are two types of people whom being initiated into it. I do not like to talk about this but just telling brothers and sisters that I am not from Wahhabi-Salafi group though I am studying Hanbali traditional books. The first kind of person is those who finding the teachers so they are initiated into chains of circles. They will receive prayer books from teachers, some tenets and trained as da'ies according to steps if the teacher agreed to accept them. This is known as suluk. The second type of person is initiated by Allah through His mahabbah (loving-kindness) without any "visible" teacher because Allah is their Sole True Teacher and Mawla. The second type of person actually suffers a lot in his life and living like a pathetic animal but nobody realize that. I am aware about this once I went for pilgrimage to holy Mecca. Somebody told me that. When I listened about the kids talking about whatever saints among people, I do not really feel happy. Never ask for sainthood as it is nonsense! Nobody would know what would fallen upon them! Anyhow, the knowledge about Allah and his prophets could be acquired from al-Quran and Sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w. Just try to be in the middle path dear brothers and sisters labels mean nothing. You will be o.k and living a happy life with the middle path. So, we continue:

12. Comparative Religion

A da'ie need to know about the religions around him or her. Know the differences of these religion in their regions, the developments of the religion and philosophies within them. For example of world religions and philosophies in the Orient there are Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Bahai and Zoroastrianism. There were sub-sects and sub-philosophies under those religion. For celestial religions, there are Samaritanism, Judaism or Christianity. For Islam, there are three branches of lineages which are the Sunnah, the Shi'a and the Ibadhi. There are schools of jurisprudence. So, when we wanted to talk to the others we won't argue like little kids and bringing all sort of lies just to win the debates for example with Shi'a Muslims we would bring up things that we only learn from pamphlet spread out to public in the mosque or bringing up issues like muta'ah marriage or taqiyya without realizing that there are also usooli branch of Shi'a Muslim lineage who adhere to hadiths and ijtihad. Not only listening to the fatawa of their imams. This is to make sure that we are not thinking that Islam is only a group of people which happens to be our group while we committing the sin of "takfeer" to others. For this, I am talking on the basis of Amman Message spirit which was endorsed in 1425 H (2004) by Abdullah II, the ruler of Jordan after he commissioned meetings among ulamas from Islam's main schools of thought and sufi tariqas. For non-Muslim religion, I am watching and listening how Muslim brothers and sisters are talking about them. I was once among them. Don't tell anything which is not true about other religions even if we want to promote Islam or never talk anything that we do not know or never experience. We should not be speculating on things that we have no knowledge about. We should be displaying the manner and the morality of the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. When we commit those things, we are actually displaying bad quality of moral and at certain point showing our ignorance (of spirituality) and ego selves.                

13. Knowledge about Culture and Art

I get some knowledge when I mingle with some kids. Some of the kids are influenced by popular culture such as pop music. Other kind of kids were influenced by poetry in the form which is delivered by metal music band. Some are listening the hip hop music. We can't expect the audience of da'awa are listening to nasheed, mosque goers, talking about this hadith or that Quranic verse all the time like us and always in accordance to our taste of art or wearing white robe with beard or wearing the attire like our movements' uniform that make us to mingle comfortably with them. This is an example for young people. 

For other nations perhaps the da'ie needs to know what are the socio-cultural traits of certain nations for example how the Japanese or Chinese view their culture? In some revert brothers' experience, they perhaps had talked about the significance of incense sticks in their culture. So, other dai'e who had never experienced this perhaps would need to take note on their explanations. It might be useful in dealing with other friends of different culture and ethnicity thus helping us to promote charity, peace, spreading mercy and propagating chastity. Allah never ask others to be an Arab or a Saracen when a person getting to know Islam because Islam is the nature of human-being and universe. The knowledge about others' culture and art made a person thinking calmly and he would not hastily issuing judgement over certain things. He would not been neglected in his opinion and would not be confused when question regarding these matters risen.

These points perhaps come up to the mind of some brothers who were involved in the organizations such as Mahasiswa Islam but I had to work down here with many type of people. So I am not talking the theories or simply discussing here. As what I always say that I have only thugs and thrash as my friends. No one of decent background or looking would want to be my friend. When I mingled with those "ungodly" kids, those of Mahasiswa Islam groups were just looking at me like an ungodly person with "holier than thou view" because they do not know what is my "real" life and my education before I joined the university as a graduate student. If these "da'ie" group talking about da'awa, they would just forming the group circle known as halaqah among them. Not approaching others of different levels because they are afraid to be looked down by their other friends or perhaps they looked down on those "non-religious" people. 

If we wanted to be serious, then these are some suggestions that a da'ie needs to know or perhaps being taught in all mission orders. This is from my limited observation, my humble experience and also from the highlights of some ulamas way of performing da'awa. Anything to add or to correct, this site is still opened to public. I do not know for how long I would be posting in here but only Allah is the One who decides everything according to His decree.    

Important things for a da'ie to take note. One needs to be free in his thought, free from taqlid. It means that he should know and understand well the jurisprudence so he would not be unrealistic and he could be creative in explaining the words of Allah (messages in Quran) to others and fitting them within society in a flexible yet firm way. Fluency in speech, having his own consideration accompanied with the courage to endure sufferings for the sake of Allah's pleasure. A successful da'awa is when his noble manners and morality never show any falsity.

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'alaa ahlihi wa sahbihi ajma'in..... Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Tools for Da'awa Part II

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Let us continue with the highlights sharing, insha Allah...

7. Psychology to Help Others

Psychology is important for each da'ie. When performing da'awa we need to know the individual that we are targeting to help in order to spread charity and chastity to him or her. In this term, we have to act with mercy and compassionate as what has been recited in the Holy Name of Allah. If we do not know how to deal with people emotion, feeling and psychology then it would be a da'awa in vain. At least when performing da'awa we would leave some effects in the sentiment of the target audience of da'awa. 

As per my experience dear brothers and sisters, I mingled with naughty and problematic youngsters. They became my friends because nobody wanted to be their friends. When I was an undergraduate student in Universiti Sains Malaysia for example, I mingled with Amir. At that time, I was under the period of keeping the Covenant with Allah. I would not mingle with people around if I made promises and renewing it again with Allah. But when a needy person approached me, I would have to be merciful and compassionate to him. Does not matter if he is problematic, scary like a Yakuza member or non-religious watching obscene movies. I never show up my worship to others or even calling the "friend" to mosque nor looking at them strangely like some of Mahasiswa Islam or Tabligh Jama'at members. But I would ask them to wait for me when I wanted to perform salat if I spend my time with them. I would give them all sort of non-religious reasons to leave them for a moment such as excusing myself to the toilet. In the beginning perhaps they thought that I was one of them, but when spending time longer with me they began to realize that I was an orthodox Muslim guy who happened to be unorthodox in approach to deal with them. I never say anything, but they slowly performing salat in their rooms. Other than that, I would stop them from paying in the restaurant counter because I know they would leave the restaurant without paying. I helped them to pay without asking them to pay me back. But in the beginning I usually pretend that I was also not paying and running with them. But I circled the restaurant and going through the kitchen to see the workers paying for all the expense for everyone. Just not to make those "friends" losing their dignity in front of others.

When performing da'awa, we need to see the level of thought in the society. There are many kind of people in the society. We need to set where our level need to be at the range of people we mingle with. If we are mingling with the Yakuza member, we should not act like a preacher. But trying to find the way according to their way of thinking and speaking to them in their language. When talking to village folks, we do not have to show off like a scholar in front of them because it is useless. They would not understand us. That is why I feel quite weird to listen to some of Tabligh Jama'at members using jargon such as hidayat, bayan, takazah, ghasht and others. I asked them again what are those meaning? I understood Urdu and Punjabi language, I spoke in the language fluently when I was a little kid and now I just could understand them. But what I mean by asking them is that why do they use those terms to people who don't understand them? Village folks in Malayan Peninsula were not all ignorant about religion. They have their own mosque, local religious mission orders and local religious teachers. Why are we using foreign terms when talking to them? I would convey what those folks would say when they heard some local jama'at members utter the words here. These people are bunch of show off. What the hell those words mean? Just because they mingle with foreign Hindustani made them forget local norms and way of speech? They might be trying to impose their influence on us? Do they think that we are bunch of ignorant who are about to testify sahadat?

How do I know this? I mingled with all sort of people in the society. From village folk thugs which also include my father, Bangladeshi or Pakistani migrant workers, foreigners, town boys, naughty kids, non-Muslim Chinese students and elders, liberal art lecturers, feminists, gay groups, transvestites and others. The way we deal with these people is actually different and quite diverse. They could be Muslims, they could be non-Muslims. We could not view them as the same in term of emotion, feeling, thought, speech, and daily norms. Some people already has the basis of receptor to accept new knowledge but not all people posses that such as the "orang kampung" or village folks or maybe those random people in the street. Say, if a knowledgeable professor in Petro-Chemical discussing with them about certain concept and using jargon of the field. What would happen to those audience who happens to be village folks? They would just sleep or wandering on what the hell is this crazy guy talking about? We don't even know how to pronounce those words he is saying. So, one needs to know psychology when dealing with others or spending time with them. Try to put our selves in their shoes and not looking in the view of individuality though we claim that we are acting collectively.

8. Morality

This is what is known as ihsan. When we perform da'awa, we would not only talking about this idolatry or that idolatry. We would first need to know what is meant by idolatry? It is not as easy as bombing others or destructing any building. The basis of idolatry is materialism. Just check our heart, if we think that material is more important for us so we had already committing shirk (polytheism). For me how would I look up at people? I would look at them from their "heart". Not from the eloquence of their speech or the way they dress up their selves. There are ways to know this whether if we look it up at their appearance, their speech or their writings but I am not going to explain it here because it is not really easy to be expounded in words. This has nothing to do with mystical stuffs. I am sure certain kids would come to me and ask this and that. I don't like mysticism and I don't get revelation from Allah like a prophet. The only revelation is contained in al-Quran and in the Sunnah of noble prophets of Allah. These two sources are accessible by everyone no matter what rank you are in your society.

There is no need to prolong the ethics taught by Aristotle. One need to know to explain on the right and wrong in acts. I was not exposed to Greek studies but I was exposed to Buddhism studies. What I know was that our deed is influenced by our thought (heart). Quite long explanation too but as to say morality is not only to be recorded in documents. It is to be practiced as lessons for the others as what has been taught to us by Hassan and Hussain r.a. What is better for us is to follow the examples of prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his family members, his companions and all the jurisprudence schools in term of morality and conveying da'awa to others. We learned from them and we practice them right away. No need to talk about this figure or that figure but we are just talking around and still far from practicing. Usually I don't really talk much in front of people. I speak only when it is important I am just using common sense on the basis that I had already know to act and observe the effects more. 

Other than that, I don't really agree with some Tabligh Jama'at members' bayans regarding the previous nations to magnify their da'awa movement. Da'awa is certainly a good thing but we should know that it is not the morality of a Muslim to downgrade the contributions of previous prophets, messengers of Allah and their nations. The nations of prophet Jesus a.s had already performed their part in their era as what has been mentioned in our glorious Quran. Some part of the nations of prophet Moses a.s also had performed their part when they entered the land of Cana'an under the leadership of sage Yushya' bin Nun. We should not compare our selves with them as there are gaps of era, difference in time period, society and region. Problem always risen when we consider that everything should be the same as what we think but the fact is unlikely the same. 

Other simple thing is that Quran is to be practiced and not only to be memorized and recited in prayers or in Quranic recital contest to see whose recitation is the best in its poetry sound style. When we recite Quran, we ponder the verses and we jot down what Allah suggests us to do in order to go through this life. It also includes our daily morality and how we interact with society and nature. Quran is for those who are alive and not for those who were dead. There is no need for a religion to those who had already dead. Death is the time to be laid into rest for another period to come.

9. Contemporary Political System Knowledge

This is according to the time where we live. As what I had already mentioned in International Relation studies and Global Political Economy about theories such as liberalism, realism, marxism and constructivism. This were taught in the West and around the world. How they evaluate the world is through these theories. We can talk about political structure of empires in the past but we need to also know about nowadays because we live in today's life not in the past.

When performing da'awa in Europe, the method would be changing as Europe is not the same as Bangladesh. If we think that Europe or Russia is the same like Pakistan, then it would be a huge gaps and problems. Political system in Europe for example is different than Pakistan or Bangladesh political system. 

When brothers and sisters are living in Europe or Russia, brothers and sisters should be acknowledged on what are the policies in European Union or Russia. Then check back what is the policy of your home countries say Bangladesh or Saudi Arabia. You cannot impose the system of your country in others. To change the system without conforming to local and natives agreements would be a huge disaster as respecting each other is part of the Sunnah in Islam.

10. Local Language

Then brothers and sisters need to know the language where brothers and sisters needed to perform da'awa. It is to make sure that the dai'e could understood the feeling and the emotion of the speakers. No matter how 'aalim is a person, he would be like a mute person if he does not speak in the language spoken around. Many religious scholars in our country who lived in Mecca and Egypt for many years and speak in fluent Arabic but they are not fluent in their own language. I had seen this too. So, they would just stay in their academic circle perhaps in university or certain region without the knowledge that they sought being conveyed to others. That is why I tried to do some translations in Chinese as an ordinary person who were educated in Islamic studies stream. Many people in our country condemn about Chinese communities who are ignorant about Muslim traditions but they did nothing in order to solve the problem rather condemning.

11. Arabic and Global Language 

It is also important to master Arabic language. Sources about Islamic sciences are mostly in Arabic. In Malaysia, those sources are also in Malay because our elders had initiated the writings in Malay. A dai'e must also know English as it is a global language. If we only speak in Malay, then our target audience of da'awa perhaps is only in domestic ranging. If we wanted to spread the mercy of Allah, we need to conform to the multilevel system. That was what had been done by apostles of prophet Jesus a.s in the part of the past nations. They spread their faith across borders as far as China and Japan in the East. Being a translation and interpretation student, I was also exposed to the translation of Bible and translation theories proposed by figures such as E. Nida, Basil Hatim, Cicero and the Language of Law. I do not join any institution because I am just devoting myself for Allah and not for money. Many people do not understand my principles so they think that I am crazy, haha. I do not study anything for myself. I studied them for Allah and yes... They are torturing moments and not fun at all. I have no time to build good lifelong friendship with proper people like what I had seen when I was in the university. I could just be a mere operator in factories. End up my life just like others.

There are another two points in my notes. I'm trying to simplify them and burn the note... hehehe. I don't need them but I can share it with people.

Continue....

The Importance of Da'awa : Part VI

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

What Can We Benefit from the Hadiths?

From the hadiths, we've got to learn few things. In the first hadith, it means that da'awa should never slow down. The weakness in da'awa mission will bring forth great disasters. And if the disasters came by, it would be difficult to halt it down. 

The second hadith explains that people have the responsibility to remind the rulers, those who govern a country and a nation, earthly kings and others who controls the legislation and administration system for them not to misuse their position to oppress or tyrannize others. The people and nations has the responsibility to prevent and stop the cruelty of evil rulers and struggle for justice and for the truth. This applies everywhere in civilized society whether in the West or in the East.

The third hadith mentions about the obligation to reprimand others. This obligation is mentioned in relation to the Faith with its levels as to show its importance:

1. With hand which means verbal acts

2. With tongue which means with words

3. With heart which refers to individual thinking

Nowadays, people could be very creative. They would also use technologies to remind others about their responsibility for example with social network sites, email, organizational websites, text messages, and etc. In performing da'awa, we should not be so rigid but being creative and simple without violating the prophetic traditions. Will continue here inshaAllah.   

The Importance of Da'awa : Part V

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I thought that I had finished the part of the importance of da'awa but then there are few writings behind my notes' commentaries from what I heard and read. There are few hadiths for the importance of da'awa. InshaAllah we will try to put it up here for everyone to share.

The first part of the commentary interpret the meaning of the verse 104 in Surat Aal-Imran : "And they are those who achieve success..." Although in idiomatic sense, the translation of this text seems quite stiff, but we still can sense the content of the message. It means that those who are consistent in performing da'awa are the successful ones. Why? Because through da'awa, vices and crimes could be avoided and charity or chastity will continuously flowing in the universe and the nation will be the promoter of peace and charity around the world.    

Some Hindus View about Evil : Vaalmiki Ramayan

Urm, before we go further I have something to share here only for fun. During our discussion with non-Muslims for example Hindu friends. We also heard a slightly different ideas about evil or vices. They accept evil as a fact and maybe some of them were quite harsh when I talked with them but I am not a Muslim as per Muslim people everywhere talked with. I am not talking here and there to "convert" so I don't feel offended at all. 

I know about this notion since before I talked face to face with them and I didn't tell them my confusing background, hehe. I read adaptations of Ramayan into Thai or Malay and Mahabharat portions through Bhagavadgita. About the monster Ravann in the Ramayan, he was a Brahman and a devout devotee of lord Shiva Shankar. He knows about the evolution of the universe, the secret of spirituality and the path to heaven from earth that made him an emperor of the three worlds. He also performed the sacrifice and penance for lord Brahma until he was granted with the boon of longer life. The roots of his fall-down began when he had kidnapped Sita Devi, the wife of Raam and it is because his mental state was damaged by evil thoughts. So, there must be something wrong with a religious guy or religious-looking guy if we see them committing evil.  It does not mean that a person does not know about religious teaching. It is about at what time a person performs the act of charity and chastity? Is it continuously or at certain times?

For Muslims, Allah taught us to always pray to Him so our Faith would be strengthen and our spirit and soul would be purified through His boundless Mercy and Love.     

The Importance of Amar Ma'aruf Nahi Munkar

Now back to the topic, the beginning of the verse 104 in Surat Aal-Imran is also appropriate with the hadith from our noble teacher and prophet, Muhammad s.a.w. Reported by Hudzaifa r.a from Muhammad s.a.w the prophet says: "I swear by the Lord in which myself in His grip that we are commanded by Him to diligently perform charity and to diligently prevent vices and crimes. Or else the Lord will raise up calamity upon everyone. And you will pray to Him invoking help but He will never listen to it anymore!" (Narrated by at-Tirmidzie from the report of Hudzaifa)

Sometimes, da'awa has to be a little bit stern when there are people who are stubborn, refuse to leave crime and vices and spreading mental illness to others. It is mentioned through a hadith:

"The most principal above all is the struggle with the word of Justice in front of the evil and cruel administrators, governors or earthly kings." (Narrated by Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidize from the report of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri)

In another hadith reported by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, it says: "Any one of you who sees something evil, crime or vice so he must change it to the good and proper one with his hand. If he has no capability to change it with his hand, then with his tongue. If yet still incapable, then change it with his heart. And with the heart, it is the weakest of the Faith." (Narrated by Muslim)

The last hadith from the report of Abdullah bin Mas'ud mentions that prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "No one of the prophets sent by the God to nations who were not accompanied amongst the nations with companions and supporters who firmly supporting the traditions and executing the command of the Lord through the tongue of noble prophets. Then appear the descents (after them) who did not walk what they talk and performing what has not been commanded by the God. And for those who oppose these with his hand, they are the faithful ones. And those who oppose these with their tongue, they are the faithful ones. And those who oppose these with their heart, they are the faithful ones. After the heart, nothing that could be mentioned as the Faith even with the size of mustard." (Narrated by Muslim)

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

The Importance of Da'awa : Part IV

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Religious Awareness

Some interpreters of the Quranic verses say that, what is mentioned as al-Khayri means the goodness which refers to Islam. Islam is about nurturing the Creed and Faith on the God. It includes the Tawheed (Oneness of the Lord) and Ma’rifat (Knowing Him). These two matters lead to the fact of religious awareness where ones could differentiate between goodness and evil.

Later, the feeling to incline toward goodness in the soul grows and it makes one having the courage to uphold the goodness and opposing the evil. If religious awareness is not yet growing in the soul, then the calling for goodness and opposing evil would be of no use since to differentiate goodness from evil is the teaching of the God.  

To bring da’awa into the effect, religious awareness is very important dear brothers and sisters. A da’awa with the notions of the halal (legal) and haram (illegal) before everyone are aware about the religion or the path would be in vain like a man who divorce another man’s wife.

In the Arabic text of Surah Ali Imraan v. 104, we could also see the word ummatun which means a nation or a group of people. There must be amongst you a nation. Another one is the verb yad’ouna which means calling or launching a call. It refers to the mission or da’awa. The verse could be understood that among millions of people who are known as Muslims, there should be a nation who becomes the inner part with a specific mission to perform da’awa to others. The life, the development and the marginalization of the Path depends on the da’awa.

    

The verse which says: “And there must be some of you a group (or nation) who call toward goodness and telling others to perform charity and to prohibit vices” is explained as the field held by the nation who perform the mission to call others toward the Path are two:

• Mission among the nations who profess Islam as their Path.

• Mission toward those outside of the Muslim circle.

Inward Da’awa

During the period of Muhammad s.a.w and few years after he passed away, Muslims could still receive the da’awa right away from Muhammad s.a.w himself or receiving the da’awa from his companions after he passed away. The law and principles which was not widely known were counseled and explained by Muhammad s.a.w himself. Later when he passed away, his companions took the charge and later the charge were passed to the teachers since the disciples period, the disciples of disciples period, the early period teachers and scholars, and to the recent teachers or scholars who continued the mission among Muslims so that they are aware about their Faith and Path.   

Outward Da’awa

Besides the inward da’awa, there is also the outward da’awa. The verse refers to the da’awa toward non-Muslims and to explain to them on what is Islam. What is the fact of Islam? 

Telling others about Islam is our responsibility. It is not the responsibility of those baseless websites or preachers who call themselves as the most qualified people on the earth to tell the truth about Islam or the God while they could not bear the tests of the God and that made them turning to this and that. 

In Malay language that we use in the northern Malayan Peninsula as our state’s national language, the term referring to these people is lalang. It means a weed. When the wind blows, the lalang will also follow the direction of the wind. It has no stance and no dignity like the weed that makes it easily being blown by the wind. The Arabic specific word for the term lalang is the munafiq. When we translate it into English, it means the hypocrite. People like these should just be abandoned, ignored and neglected.

The Definition of Ma’aruf and Munkar

As what has been mentioned before, ma’aruf refers to goodness, the act of goodness. It is basically something which is widely accepted by a good society. It is the obligation on a member of da’awa mission or the nation of da’awa to form a healthy public opinion on the nations through their acts and attitude.  A mission of everyone in a congregation of a musalla or a masjid.

Now, why some Tabligh Jama’at members thought that I am one of them? Because the basis of the da’awa is all the same dear brothers and sisters no matter from what order we’re from. That is why I translate our turooq in English as mission orders. The tradition that I am following is the same tradition which is practiced by the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w and his predecessors.

Munkar refers to evil symptoms, evil and bad attitude of life. It is rejected by a normal and sane society. Da’awa always in co-existence with healthy society and a healthy society is the goal of human life. 

The normal human nature is to accept the goodness but rejects evil. If there is a society which rejects the noble way of life, then the society is not a healthy or a sane society. Goodness is for everyone's benefit. This is the fact of Islam. Islam is the nature of the universe.

When the amar ma'aruf nahi munkar which leads people toward charity and hinders them from evil stops, it signifies that the society is in danger and facing its disaster. Alhamdulillah, ending this part with salawat for Muhammad s.a.w : Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad, wa 'alaa aali Muhammad wa sahbihi aj'ma'in.

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

The Importance of Da'awa : Part III

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Da’awa Fields

General Da’awa

There are two major fields of da’awa which are the general and the specific ones. The general one has many subs as the society is of different sub-sections. It is the da’awa in Muslim communities itself so that they may properly hold their religion and living it. Muslims are of varied society such as the farmers, merchants, skilled workers, labors and officials. Also the intellectual levels being considered as important such as those in the village, in the city, men, women, young, old, those with high academic achievements and those of lower education background. There is also the effort to explain the purity of religion to others as a general da’awa. It is characterized by the calling for others to understand the wisdom and the virtue of Islam and the teachings of Allah through Muhammad s.a.w. Sometimes it has to deflect nonsensical accusations and attacks by others made on the path.  

Specific Da’awa

It is the da’awa among our family member. Bringing the religious atmosphere into the family, educate everyone to obey the command of the Lord and competing to perform charity. Da’awa never stops even among us. 

I found that this is the most difficult part of da’awa dear brothers and sisters. People in my family are not as religious as our ancestors because time passing many had also disconnected from the teachings and forgetting who they are. They live like nomads moving here and there. They don’t care about religion, manners, traditions and customs nor bother to get help from religious teachers or listening to lectures anymore. Sometimes I feel like giving up because it is so suffocating and just run away yet I still feel pitiful to people around that stops me. 

When I talked with brothers outside of my family for example brother Idris in the hostel, he did listen to me and obeyed the sunans that I mentioned to him though he maybe knew about those things earlier than me. I feel so happy at least I know there are people listening for their own goodness and looking at them also reminding to perform worship for Him but they are not my family member.

Obligations upon Every Muslim to Perform Da'awa

In the verse 104 that we learned just now, we could see three obligations being placed upon us. I’ll put them in the form of points where the first one is the center which brings forth the following two:

• Calling for ma’aruf or calling everyone to perform obedience to the Lord and perform charity.
• Helping others to avoid munkar or vices and crimes through differentiation between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. 
• Calling for ma’aruf and reminding others about the disasters caused by munkar vices and crimes.

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