The Dead Comes to Life

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just before going to sleep, I have some reading from the Al-Azhar Exegesis of Quranic Verses by Mr. Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah. This tafseer was actually the one which I read while I was in the period of deciding to become a Muslim in which I am a Muslim because it is me who wanted to be a Muslim. Not because of my parents nor my ancestral tradition. I still keep some of the volumes in my room while I prevented my mother from sending these valuable lessons outside the house because I am reading and benefiting from it. I believe that it is not translated widely into world languages yet. I have been translating this book with 7000 something pages into English in another form of language part by part. Maybe this site would be the site for me to keep them first and I don't know if I would be alive to see people in the West and other parts of the world benefiting from this. I am just doing this with individual capacity for the sake of Allah. 

Surat al-An'am 6: 122-124

And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom? Thus it has been made pleasing to the disbelievers that which they were doing 122 And thus We have appointed in every town its leading criminals that they may plot therein. Yet they do not plot except against their own selves but they are not aware 123 And when a Sign (from the God) comes to them, they say: "Never will we believe until we are given the like of what was given to messengers of the God. The God knows best where to place His messengers. Soon there shall befall those who are guilty the humiliation from the God and a severe punishment because of the plots they used to devise" 124  

In previous verses, it was explained that the satans in the form of human and genies used to attract those whom they could attract with sweet words full of tricks. Sometimes, they persuaded those who love to follow their footsteps to eat the flesh slaughtered for idols. And if the believers follow this, they would be fallen into polytheism again.

The verses shown that those who were attracted by those sweet tricky words of those satans are those who could not differentiate between the faith and ingratitude through the denial of the faith. Between the true monotheism and polytheism. However, those who were enlightened with the light of faith are not easily influenced by these persuasion as what has been explained through the verse 122 of this surat which sounds like: "And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom?" From this verse, we understood that the faithful and the ingrates are different. The ingrates are similar to the dead, and he is only alive when the God grants light upon him. Thus with the light granted by the God the Most Highest, he walks amidst people. 

Generally, everyone in this world knows that those who are dead would never be alive again. It is impossible for them to be brought into life again. One of the core faith for Muslims is that, the Resurrection is His promise. Every soul will be brought to life again through His decree. Zillion of times, He had shown that this matter is not impossible for Him. We were taught to see how a barren land becomes alive when the rain falls down. The dead plants on the barren land during summer becomes green when the rain falls upon them. 

Through these verses, the God the Most Highest poses to us a simile that those who are dead in this world could be brought again to life by Him. And after being alive, he is given with the "light" where with it; he could stay alive in front of the crowd. The God tells us that this man who was given a life after his death by the God is different to those who are still in the darkness. Those in the darkness could not easily escape their selves from it. He is dead although he appears alive. 

Although it seems like we are alive, breathing in and out. But if our soul has no light in it, it is just no difference to the dead. A human who live without any creed and basis to hold on is the same with a mere animal on the earth. What animals do day and night is that they are eating, drinking, mating and producing child. Later they die. Animals in the jungle have no particular law while those animals in livestock are to be slaughtered for their flesh as the food....         

The Importance of Da'awa : Part II

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Introduction

This is just a sharing with brothers and sisters in faith about the importance of da'awa according to the tafsir written by Mr. Abdul Malik Amrullah from Indonesia. I read his books since before my full repentance and trying to be a "submitting" Muslim again. My dad has a collection of religious books and literatures but he never read any of them. It was me who read them even though I was just a young little kid. One does not have to be labeled as a member of Jama'at Tabligh or Ikhwan al-Muslimun to perform this noble work. It does not need any brand or mission order.

Ancestral Mission Order 

During my research about our ancestors and their heritage, I found that those who landed here were merchant alias da'ie and they also had the hierarchical basis like those of Tabligh Jama'at and the Ikhwan al-Muslimun. Nowadays many were ex-communicated from the tariqa due to that they were scattered everywhere and disconnected from the centers of mission. If brothers and sisters could guess, our paternal community is a minority community which could be founded in Northern Yemen mountainous region, in Najran which is a province in Southern Saudi Arabia, in Saudi Arabian Eastern province, in Gujarat of India and in Sindh of Pakistan. 

Our ancestors were from the second branch of the tariqa which was known in general by those who claim themselves as the Sunnis as deviating tariqa because of their confusion which leads to generalization with the first branch group's practices or maybe its doctrine. The tariqa generally traced its genealogy from the Fatimid Empire of Egypt around 10^th century. However, many people in our ancestral branch of tariqa were also specialized in any of four “Salafi Imams” jurisprudence apart of the belief that they have with them and those originated from Yemen practicing the jurisprudence almost identical to the Shafi’ie madzhab practices except with little differences as I could still remember how I was taught to pray at home by elders when I was a five years old little boy where we have the takbeer during the sitting between two sujoods. I recalled this act when I saw an Iranian praying in our hostel’s musalla before he gets his student visa and later disappear because he already get what he wants. One of our ancestral faiths is that da’awa is an obligation on every Muslim and it is a part of the faith articles.

Da’awa as a Way to Preserve the Grace of Allah   

It is mentioned by the Lord in Glorious Quran in Surah Aali 'Imran verse 104. Says Allah : "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. And they are those among who will achieve success".

For us, our Path is not only a way of life but also a grace from the Lord. To preserve His grace upon everyone, there must be a group of Muslim congregation as what has been mentioned by the Lord with the word “nation” who prepare themselves for the mission to call people to Him. These people are calling others to perform charity and chastity. They behave politely and propagating love besides prohibiting vices and anything which opposes the norms of society and human-being as a whole.

In the verse, there are two important words which is ma’aruf or charity which was rooted from the word ‘uroof. It means something which is accepted and being perceived by society as a healthy norm performed by every sane human-being. The second word is munkar or vice which means something unpleasant, detested and rejected by society because it is inappropriate. Vice is not something which is accepted by sane human-being. 

The path or religion here is a mean to help human-being to differentiate which one is ma’aruf and which one is munkar. Because of this, the munkar and ma’aruf are never separated from general opinion. If a person is performing charity and chastity, most of people in society will generally accept his acts, accepting the acts and praising the acts. If the acts are those categorized as munkar or vices, society generally will reject them, detest them and dislike them. That is why, when a person is highly immersed in his religion or path, he will get to know more what the ma’aruf are and what are the munkar acts or behavior? Before we go further, can anyone sense the basis of law-making here? Is it so hard to understand this law of nature? This is not only about Islam, this is not only about Muhammad s.a.w if some people are so anti to these without any basis. This is about the nature…

As such, it is an obligation on every Muslim man and woman in a congregation to work hard in order to lead people toward the ma’aruf and to help people from committing munkar so the society will be a valuable society. Not a low-life society. Calling people toward goodness, charity and chastity and helping people to avoid vices, crimes, and evil acts is known as da’awa or mission. Da’awa is the spirit of religion and without it, the religion is dead.

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad, wa 'alaa aali Muhammad wa sahbihi ajma'iin! Dear the God, please be in contact with Muhammad s.a.w and with his family and with his companions all, amin!

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

Israeliyyat : Stories from Israelites

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I feel very sad today. Actually I am always sad in this life. I don't know when I was so happy though I sometimes laugh or smile in front of people. I actually never realize that I am in existence. I just want to talk about Israeliyyat. 

Why am I Talking about This?

We are of Hadrami descents. Hadrami kings or the Taba'i nobilities are Southern Arabs who were converted into Judaism by Aronic cohens from Yathrib (old Medina) before prophet Muhammad s.a.w was born. Judaism was actually the tribal religion of the Hebrews and it is only restricted to others after the massacre which was committed by an Arab Jew king in Southern Arabia.

Sometimes when I saw some Sayyids calling themselves as Taba'i, I was confused. Were their ancestors Yemenite Jews but why they're claiming themselves the descents of Muhammad s.a.w? I am aware about those who call themselves Sayyids. Our people are also connected to them through few clans such as the Jamalullail, Shahabuddin and the al-Yahya clans. They are all Yemeni clans. However I never consider them as my relatives because most of them are rich people. Some that I know actually I never shake hand with them when I meet them not even introducing myself. I am afraid my hand is filthy to touch their "holy" hands and we are nobody to them or anyone.

After I learned about our Yemenite history. I sometimes call myself a Hebrew because it reflects our ancestors' historical land in Yemen. There were few Medinan and Yemenite Jews who reverted to Islam during the period of Muhammad s.a.w as they witnessed his prophethood. One of them is Abdullah bin Salaam radhiallahu 'anhu.  He is actually a person considered as a saint by our people and he was a Levite Jew priest. Levite is a priestly tribe of Jews, prayer services could only be conducted by them.

Those who said that Islam copy this or copy that from Judeo-Christian traditions for me are simply idiots. Our Lord is just One. It is useless to argue with idiots. It is best to just shut up and observe more rather than talking because when we talk a lot the guidance will be stopped and silly things come out. I don't like also seeing fellow Muslims talking about Bible this and Bible that while they do not even touch the branches knowledge of Islam such as Seerah (History and Chronicles of our Ancestors), Tafseer (Quranic Interpretations), Tajweed (Quranic Recitation Laws), Hadith, Quran and etc. That is why I find it hard for me to mingle with people. Last time I heard few Islam Shumul brothers talking about Bible in musalla. I am lazy to join their halaqah. Not because I am stingy to share my experience or sharing view. I am just afraid they can't accept what I am going to talk to them. It is easy to just talk I can just do it without having to consider anything. But after all whatever I am doing I am taking care about the unity of the nations.

I love to go to see how people manage the corpse if I am free to remind me it is important and I will also die or going to listen about pilgrimage and salat services rather than comparing this and that. It is wasting the time. We just talk but we never experience anything. In case for example we talk about the late Ahmad Deedat researched about this and that. That is his researches and observation. Not ours. His condition and period of time is different so we have to take into consideration about this too. I was a kafir before so basically I know how a kafir thinks. I don't care about any people wanted to attack Muslim's faith. The power of Guidance is within His Will and He is the One who takes care the affairs of the universe. Human have their own choice and is given mind so use the mind wisely with the guide from scripture and His revelation.        

I don't know about Muslims in other region such as in China as you people are a bit isolated from mainstream world. I wanted to talk with you people about this because Yemenite Arab descents were also taught with these. I would like to know your view about this but I think I must also find suitable people and not "kids" and also those who do not simply assume me a "Malay". About South East Asian Muslims, they are exposed to Middle East issues as what you can see, we Middle Easterners descent had also exist here since 300 years ago not to take into account those who had already assimilated into native society or perhaps had also embraced native religion such as those in Thailand and Myanmar. Our ancestors were their teachers.    

Definition

In its simplest term, Israeliyyat is a term to refer to information, narrations and stories which were taken from the Israelites and the Nazarenes (Christians). It covers ancient nations' stories, prophets and messengers' of the God stories and narrations about the creation of the universe. Some scholars had also make this definition broader to cover other tales such as from Zoroastrian (Iranian religion). In seerah that we learned in madrasah, Zoroastrians are known as Shibhu Ahlul Kitaab which means resembles the people of the scriptures.

So, whatever exegesis related to Israeliyyat or Israeliyat interpretation refer to exegesis of the scripture were made based on the narrations and reports from Jews and Nazarenes sources or foreign elements which were absorbed into the exegesis. Israeliyyat is actually exegesis from Jews teachers and rabbis known as Midrash. So brothers and sisters when wanted to talk about these people instead of just reading something in surface or listening in forums from second-hands why not consider getting it from first sources? If we think that we are not capable to have contact with priests or rabbis so we just first study something step by step and avoid talking about what we have no knowledge about.

What is the Role of the People of the Scriptures in This Matter?

Jews and Nazarenes are known as the people of scriptures. This actually specifically refers to their priests and jurists. For me the same thing also goes to Muslim since Muslim posses the scripture (Quran). So, we are the people of scripture. The Jews and Nazarenes were revealed with the Torah and gospels as what has been mentioned by the Lord in surah al-Maaidah verse 15.

Since prophet Muhammad s.a.w was still around, people of scriptures were also there. Some companions of prophet Muhammad s.a.w also referred to people of the scriptures when trying to get the explanation and interpretation of the stories mentioned in the glorious Quran for example about the miracles of prophet Jesus a.s, about previous nations such as the dwellers of the cave and others. Their intention is to get the explanation about the stories which has similarities with what has been mentioned in Torah and Gospel. For me, the Lord who reveals Torah and Gospel is the same Lord. It's not even a big deal or nothing to be surprised of. The stories in Quran are more simple as it serves moral purposes and poetic while in Torah and Gospel most of them are detailed in form of figures and others. The connection between stories is a factor for people getting explanation for each other. About poetic or not, only an Arab could understand his culture and language. 

Are We Allowed to Use Israeliyyat Exegesis for Da'awa Purposes?

Everyone should first see the position of the narration from Israeliyyat. In this matter, scholars of Islam have divided this into three parts:

1. Information and narration is of no doubt as it is validated by the glorious Quran and Sunnah. Whatever is categorized into this first part can be narrated again and being used in arguments. This is like what has been mentioned by prophet Muhammad s.a.w : "And narrate this from the Children of Israel, nothing wrong with it..." (Sahih Bukhari no. 3451). 

2. Information and narration is known as lies and it is not in accordance with Quran and Sunnah. All those which are categorized in this part are prohibited from being narrated, using it as an argument or asking about them.

3. Whatever which has been explained are of no comment as it is not categorized in both the first and second parts. We do not agree with it nor we claim it as lies. It is from the hadith of prophet Muhammad s.a.w which says: "Do not agree with the people of scriptures and do not say that they are lying (Sahih Bukhari no. 4485). 

From these explanations, it is obvious that some of the narrations and exegesis from people of the scriptures could be used in performing da'awa and some are prohibited from being narrated because of their doubtful origin. It is because in our society, people will be so happy if they could listen to something which is detailed. This why sometimes Israeliyyat being used as to bring people attention to listen about the God. The intention is good but if it is misused, it could make people deviating. So, scholars should be more careful when narrating stories from the glorious Quran and have to make sure that they are valid and of known origin. It is since the public could not differentiate what is Israeliyyat or what is not. When they read anything being told in magazines or books, they just believe it without questioning or asking about it and making it the basis of their faith.     

Is the Israeliyyat Exegesis  Harmful to the Shariah?

According to Dr. Abdul Rashid Ahmad from Islamic Education Academy, University Malaya says that it depends whether it is in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah or not. If not in accordance, then of course it is harmful to the Shariah. It should be discarded and just a waste of time to be spread around because they are nonsensical. For example the exegesis or explanation about prophet Ayyub (Job) a.s. who was said as bed-ridden for many years until his body was infected with scabies and worm-eaten. His flesh was said as fall off from his bones. This story might be exaggerated.

Another one is like what has been seen in Hashishah Tafseer Jalalayn by as-Sawi where an explanation in the book was about the earth is on the horn of a bull and the bull is on a whale (exegesis of surah Nun by as-Sawi). The exegesis also talks about the story of prophet Solomon a.s. who had build a palace where its floor is made of glass. When Queen Sheba walks on it she thinks that it is a pond so she flicks up her gown so prophet Solomon a.s had saw her calves which was claimed by a genie as fury like camel's. It seems like unfit for a noble prophet to do something wickedly just to see woman's calves (Tafseer Jalalayn Surah an-Naml verse 44).

In other explanation, there is also a mention about prophet Solomon a.s. had missed his 'Asr prayer service due to that he was occupied checking horses for a battle (Tafsir Jalalayn Surah Saad verse 31). These examples are some illogical examples which came from Israeliyyat or Midrash. Others like the earth is located on bull's horn is also nonsensical.     

How to Detect Israeliyyat Exegesis and Explanations of the Quran?

The majority of the explanations connected to Israeliyyat happens when interpreting the verses related to Quranic stories. Any detailed explanation about Quranic verses must be taken into attention whether it is from validated sources or else.

Methods to Detect Its Validity

1. Evaluate the narrations whether it is in accordance to Shariah Islamiah or not.

2. Logical or sensical. Many of the narrations from Israeliyat are also non-sensical.

3. It could be detected through comments made by the writer of explanations when he explains something related to Israeliyyat in his exegesis kitab.

Books to Refer

There are also some scholars like Ibnu Kathir who mentions Israeliyyat in his exegesis kitab. He mentions it as Israeliyyat just to inform society about so people are aware about it. It could also be referred in books such as:

1. Abu Shahbah, Muhammad bin Muhammad. 1408. Al-Israeliyyat wal Mawdu'at fi Kutub at-Tafseer.

2. Al-Dhhabi, Muhammad Husayn. 1987. At-Tafseer wal Mufassirun.

3. Abdul Wahhab Abdul Wahhab Faid. 1978. Ad-Dakhil fil Quranul Karim.

There are also many studies done in Malay but I don't know whether it is abundant in Chinese or Japanese. I just mention this so people could be aware and start doing translation for religious knowledge purposes since today is modern days not like old days where Chinese was an ancient language. Don't be stingy share with brothers and sisters. I am reading the Kitab Han which is the synthesis of Confucianism tradition and Islam and it is tough. Some of new characters are severely being cut off and I can't recognize them as compared to traditional characters. I am sweating when reading it and shy to get help from Muslim brothers from China because I think they must be busy. I am doing this as a service for Him and I will still work for Him with my heart when I am done with this "torture" in the university. 

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love amin!

Vanquishing Arrogance through Faith

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

The God says in Surah Faathir verse 43: "(Due to) arrogance in the earth and plotting of evil; but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way of the God any change, and you will never find in the way of the God any alteration."

The God talks about some of those idolater Quraish Arab noblemen in Meccan period in which a messenger wasn't sent yet to them. They had loudly shouting in front of people, swearing in His Name that if a messenger was sent to them, they would immediately profess their faith to Him through the messenger and becoming the most obedient follower of the teachings transmitted by the messenger more than those earlier nations. 

But when Muhammad s.a.w was raised to them and decreed as a prophet and messenger of the God, with His Revelation descends upon him, they refused to accept him and his teaching. They refused to witness his prophethood and arrogantly rejecting the teachings and the Revelation which are His Mercy upon them. It is not enough with them who rejected the messenger, they plotted many evil things and tricks to prevent others from the faith toward Him and His messengers (in which Muhammad s.a.w is their seal).   

Their evil plot and doings will only return to them as they were waiting for the Sunnatullah or the way of the God  to happen. It was witnessed by previous nations before them where His torments and bad news will descend upon them. Arrogance is also the characteristic of the people who ridiculed others or demonizing them simply because they are Muslims in Europe and elsewhere while most of the people actually never harm them nor doing anything to them. They just read made-up news and listening to things exaggerated by medias and later judging others like they are the God. 

As the conclusion, arrogance, showing off, and excessively being proud of oneself are all disgraceful characteristics of creatures and they are evil. The God has grant everyone with the faculty of mind to think on good things and not on evil deeds and plotting evil things for example demonizing others to gain material comfort and praises from medias. This is to all human-being regardless faith, ideologies and beliefs. I also mean this to fellow brothers and sisters (Muslims).    

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

Closer to Quran

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

The topic about al-Quran is always a fascinating topic for me when I start to learn again about this scripture. I love it and the Words in Arabic is nothing to be compared to any other literary style although it is not a compilation of poems. 

From the lecture delivered by Ustad Hibzi Abdur-Rahim who was a student of Insaniah I get to learn something about Quran today. I had missed the first part of the lecture and I regret it so much. I tried to access records for those lectures but can't find any. I would like to suggest to Kedah FM to help upload them or notify lecture listeners through the radio website. I can't find any there : ( 

Yesterday I went to the library to settle debts for locker key and didn't get to return home early to listen to the radio. Macam orang tua la pulak, hahahahaa. The university is organizing Convocation and Expo beginning yesterday and I hate to stay in crowd since I don't know anyone no more and nobody that I know remains here. So, today after I finished the class earlier since the lecturer of the repeating class which is Dr. Noreha feel sick and has to stop it. I feel a total liberation and right away running my way home to this room and listening for the lecture after Dzuhr prayer service, alhamdulillahi rabbil 'aalamin praise be to the Lord of the universe. The class and this course in general is torturing me and my heart is not in the class anymore. 

I just feel like I wanted to take out my Quran from the bag and just read it without bothering others because... I don't know how to say this. I just hate to see around anymore and letting people seeing sorrow in my face. Feel like wanted to burst out with tears seeing people do not have to stuck like this, that's just a personal feeling we are human. Urmm, maybe others would look to me like a freak but it's ok. Nobody would help me when environment is pressuring me, instead His Word and Miracle is helping me to gain peace and tranquility. I begin to wear skull cap in the midst of people now. It's just as a reminder that His Divine presence is surrounding me at least after I felt that I am not suitable to be tied to any organization such as Tabligh-e-Jama'at nor any other though I respect every brother and sister's organizations. At least I learned something from them. I should have had put skull cap on since I returned home from pilgrimage in the noble city, Mecca last five years but I had postponed it as I thought that I was young but now I am growing old. Death would not have to wait for me to grow old so I better take everything about Him seriously. Besides, I also talked about this with brother Sayyid Eidan last time and he told me about a sage who also wears the skull cap after being advised by his mother. Although we are of different religions but I respect him so much. I feel there is half of me in him, like mirror.

The ustad talked about the interpretation of the word مَهْجُورًا mahjuura something and it must be the word from any surah in the glorious Quran. I try to find the word مَهْجُورًا mahjuura and it happens to be in surah al-Furqan verse 30, the God says:

"And said the messenger (Muhammad): "Dear my Lord, indeed my people had make this Quran as something forsaken."

In the beginning of this part delivered by the ustad, he talked about the eternal life after the Resurrection. There would be no more death in the hereafter. It implies that while we are living in the world, we have to take care our act while living as we will be resurrected by the God and will be seeing Him. The faith to the hereafter and the day of Resurrection is a pillar in the pillars of faith. It notifies us about the importance of morality and conduct of life that would lead us to prosperity in the hereafter. The noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentioned: "And adulterer would have never fallen into adultery if he or she is faithful, and a drunkard would never drink intoxicate drinks if he or she is faithful to the God and His promises." A faithful person has the faith that the God is watching him or her. While doing such vices of adultery and drinking intoxicate drinks a person would feel the pleasure but it is only for a short term, but the longer term pleasure is in the hereafter. Thus, we have to think wisely and deeply before doing anything. It is said that if we follow a path, be a godly person.

Now comes to the word مَهْجُورًا mahjuura from surah al-Furqan. The word is translated to forsaken in English. It also means leave. In this sense it refers to people who never learn the lesson of previous nations for example the tribe of 'Aad and Thamud. The tribe of 'Aad is a tribe of southern Arabian Peninsula while the Thamud is a tribe who inhabited the caves at the way from northern Arabian Peninsula to Syria. They carved caves to be their houses and neighborhood. Both tribes are ancient Arab tribes. They are not Hebrews and they have prophets and messengers of the God sent to them for their infidelity which are mentioned in the glorious Quran as Huud and Saaleh a.h.m.s. The word for lesson in Islamic terminology is i'tibaar or tadabbur. Other example for infidelity due to the power is the Pharaoh as he assumed himself as the God who could take the life of people and spare people's life. If we want to see example of patience in women, we may see Aasiyyah the faithful wife of the Pharaoh or Maryam the mother of Jesus Christ. They are mentioned in the glorious Quran.

Ibnu Qayyim al-Jawjiyyah interpreted that the word مَهْجُورًا mahjuura means leaving from judgement and rule of conduct in society based from the sources of the Quran. When human-being violating the universe, society, civilization and environment, the God is the One who decides for the judgement. For example, the rule and regulation regarding faraai'd or distribution of properties among recipients of legacy or heirs, if being left without any rule regarding this, servants of the God would be killing each other so the God has prepared the basis for the rulings in the Quran. This knowledge about rulings is now expanded to the branches of science known as Shari'ah or the Path. There will be Qadhis or Judges and Solicitors helping people interpreting the verses of the Quran regarding the rulings in certain cases for rights. For this topic, we need a specific post as to elaborate more or getting information from the Shari'ah Court. In Malaysia we have two systems which is Civil Court and Shari'ah Court. Shari'ah Court usually deals with matters such as matrimonial and it is subbed under states.

The God had revealed the rulings and basis for it in order to keep the mind of human-being. It is an obligation for every human-being to guard their mind from damages through clean and blessed food. Human-being must also guard their acts as they are also related to mind and mental. As for example the basis principle ruling for property is to guard the property of human since human have to work for the property. In a Hadith Qudsi, the God says: "O sons of Adam, I had already distributed your sustenance. Every son of Adam in the earth indeed have his portion for the sustenance through the reason of working to get the sustenance..." The God reminds human not to go beyond the limit and never work until we snatch others sustenance where the God had also saved for brethren. Take our rights with the peace of mind, but do not perform the act that hurt brothers and sisters in order to get the rights in property and sustenance. If we really insist on the worldly matters, the God will give it to us. But in the end, we must bear the burden of consequences for our acts before Him. 

According to Ibnu Qayyim in his exegesis, nations left behind the treatment of sickness and problems through the blessings of the holy verses of Quran. In the Quran, there are curing verses and verses of compassionate mercy for the faithful servant. Quran is able to help people who face sickness, diseases, and psychological problems. If we are sick, we may see the doctor first and if we can't find the root of disease, we may use Quranic verses to treat ourselves. Or we may begin the treatment with Quranic verses, there is of no problem. 

The 1-5 verses of surah Ta-Ha for example could help softening the heart of people. There was an incident where prophet Muhammad s.a.w companion before he becomes a Muslim was a fierce heathen. He is Omar al-Khattab, and he is a favorite figure for me too. When he listened to his sister, Fatimah reciting the Quran he asked her to recite it again as it makes him wonders and think. He is an Arabic speaker so supposedly he knows what makes him wonder. Then he went to see prophet Muhammad s.a.w but while he was in his way other companions of prophet Muhammad s.a.w obstructed his way as they afraid Omar would hurt the noble prophet. However the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w asked those companions to leave Omar alone. Omar spontaneously declaring his faith in the God and the prophethood of Muhammad s.a.w as the seal of the era. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had actually made prayers to the God as to help Muslims liberating them from tyranny either through Omar al-Khattab or Abu Jahal but the God has chosen Omar al-Khattab.

The Quranic verse is capable to soften the heart of husbands, wives, children, and sometimes when parents teaching lessons to children, they themselves are not confident with the ability of the Quran to assist their children. They may come to ustads and religious men with the words like "my child is so stubborn" jumped out of their lips. Their words will automatically be a prayer to the God and He listens to parents prayers. Parents could say dear ustad, please pray to the God for my children well-being. Do not use bad terms or words when talking about child or referring them. Say good things about them although sometimes we feel differently about our children.

How could we benefit from Quran? The first condition is we must know how to read letters in Quran. Nowadays many youngsters in Malaysia do not know how to read Quran. Maybe they could read but not many of them could further read other suras apart of those simple suras they memorized. If elderly come to ustad and say, they are old and now they are 70 years old but they can't read the Quran. That could still be forgiven. Because they perhaps had no time to learn, like women from the antiquity could not learn or further studies because of their parents are traditionalists. Perhaps they have no education because of poverty. But nowadays we have the Quranic lessons everywhere, we just need efforts. To prove to the God that we love Him, we must take our Quran and try to read it although it is difficult. 

From the exegesis of Ibnu Qayyim, there is a lamentation of the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w about the five basic constitutions where people tend to miss: 

1. They would ignore the Quran while it is recited     

2. They would not enforce principles of Quran in rulings

3. They would leave the judgement through precedents from Quran and the basic principles of the path

4. They would leave from benefiting the verses for psychological and healings

5. They do not care about what is forbidden or what is legal though they know and claim that they believe

How should we began to come closer to Quran? 

I. Look at Quran

II. Read Quran

III Try understand and take heed on lessons

IV Teach them to others who don't know when we acquire the skill of the contents and others related to the scripture

Use the skill to read the Quran and share it among friends and brethren. Knowledge and Science belong to the God. Thus we should not keep it to ourselves but teaching to others and sharing it. First focus for us to teach is our own family. The reciter and the fan of Quran would be accompanied by the most good amongst angels called the kiramul bararah. Those who practicing the Quran and teaching it to others who don't know are the friend of angels. Hopefully, at least I could have friends whom are the God and angels. I don't think any human wanted to befriend a weird person like me. Now, I begin to think that I am weird too... After many things happened I don't like to open up my mouth anymore nor looking at people's face.

Lessons from the Quran could be boundaries for us. For example the previous nations. What about nations who still exist today like the Israelites as an example? We do not condemn them, but we take them as mirror. We are not as holy as angels of the God too which is the fact that we should not forget forever. Quran is the source of legal precedents, civilization, manner, and moulder of science. Always recite His Words at our lips. Whatever that we read and memorize let them be with ourselves. It is favorable if our sons or daughters memorize the Quran. I believe that we ourselves will eventually have to save ourselves so I prefer to memorize it myself and not depending on others though it's not a sin to send daughters and sons to teachers to memorize the Quran. Everything must begin with ourselves and our own awareness. A person who memorize the Quran and practicing it will also being the salvator for his or her family members in the hereafter. If we can't provide our sons or daughters with Quranic education, we may also try to provide it to our grandchildren. 

The vessel of those who memorize the Quran will never be harmed by the earth, not touched by worms, and their vessel will be in the grave until the resurrection in peace and tranquility. In the end, the benefit of the Quran in a person could also salvate others as well. 

Goodness and evil will be written in a record where it will be displayed and everyone will look and listened to it. As for us in the world, everyone sees us as a good person but it appears that we are not like what we were in the world. We were actually committing vice behind of people while pretending to be a good person. We ask people to do good and performing charity while we never do what we preached to others. The impact to our face in the hereafter would be bad isn't it? In other word the impact is embarrassment before being dragged to the torment, na'udzubillahu min dzaalik may He forbids it!    

Isn't it great if we would be resurrected in the hereafter with the record being handed over to us at our right hand, and being judged and counted without any complication, later seeing our family again with joy? The ustad still remember when they listened to their honorable syeikh, syeikh Nuruddin said to them that everything must be initiated from right side since in the world. When we do everything good, it is suggested to start it from right before taking any action. When we are going in our house, start stepping in with right leg just like we enter the house of worship and holy places. Before we step into our working place, start it with right leg and everything with right side as it symbolizes blessings of the God. The prophet Muhammad s.a.w said: "be at the right side, as being right gives you blessings." When we want to go out of our working places, house, or other good places, start it with left leg stepping out. Teachers before starting the class could begin entering their classes with right step and reciting the Name of the God and praises to the God. As it is the place for teacher to make a living so make it a blessed place. When we undress, start it with left side as for example. All of these simple matters are also recorded by the God.         

May everything that we delivered benefit us all. May everyone receives blessings and let us pray may we be groups of people who receive salvation, let us pray may the Quran being our friend and companion while we are in the world and when we passed away entertaining us who will be alone in the grave. May prayers be granted... In the Name of the God the Most Merciful the Most Beneficent 1 Praise be to the Lord of the universe 2 The Most Merciful the Most Beneficent 3 King of the Day of the Religion 4 You are the One we worship, and You are the One follow 5 Show us the Straight Path 6 The Path which You agreed with 7 Not paths of those who raised Your anger, and not the path of those who went astray 8 Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!