Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Score of BnMT

Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


I scored as a vata (wind) body and kapha (water and earth) mind.... I am vata-kapha person...


Body

Vata: 25
Pitta: 16
Kapha: 20

Mind

Vata: 23
Pitta: 23
Kapha: 25

I am not sure whether these would change. Maybe the minority elements would change as according to situation. I have equal substance of fire and wind in mind but the dominant one is the water and earth. 

Balance

The second part of the question that I answered in Deepak Chopra Quiz is actually a snapshot of my current mind and body state. The mind body principle that scores the highest number of points in each section, is the one requiring most attention at this time.

Inner Pharmacy

The first step to regain balance is to recognize that the environment around me has a profound influence on how I feel. I tried to tell people around me these since long but most of all they do not understand what am I talking about. I do not know their non-technical terms because they were in Pali-Sanskrit. Siddha and Buddhism always talk about these and I learned the sciences of meditation from Buddhist teachers. Paying conscious attention to what I hear, touch, see, taste, and smell can help create peace, balance, and vitality in mind and body. A harmonized daily routine that engages with the five senses (pancha-indra) with nourishing impressions is one of the most important steps towards achieving Perfect Health.

Accumulated Wind

When wind is out of balance, change and movement agitate the physiology resulting in a sense of instability. Balancing wind requires introducing more grounding and stabilizing influences. Think routine and consistency. Few tips to encourage balance and well-being:         

Body
  • Perform gentle yoga and connect with our own body.
  • Perform daily abhyanga (anointing) with relaxing herbal oil.
  • Take deep breaths throughout the day.
  • Eat three meals per day and favor sweet, sour and salty tastes.
  • Drink relaxing tea.
  • Enjoy hot bath with relaxing oils.
  • Stay warm. 
Accumulated Water and Earth

Out of balance related to water and earth leads to heaviness, sluggishness and congestion. Stimulation and movement help overcome the resistance of accumulated water and earth. Think activation and invigoration. Tops to maximize balance and well-being:

Mind
  • Meditate at least twice a day to clear the mind and rejuvenate the body.
  • Wear invigorating fragrances.
  • Listen to up-beat sounds to invoke natural energy.
  • Organize the clutter in your environment as outer world reflects inner world.
  • Awaken at sunrise and create an invigorating morning routine.
  • Diffuse invigorating fragrances into your environment.
  • Favor bright, strong, bold colors with vivid shapes and designs.
  • Look for opportunities to be more spontaneous.
  • Embrace uncertainty.
Daily abhyanga would be the anointment of the olive oil. I perform it as according to our prophetic tradition because I am a Muslim. My grandmother used to anoint my head with sesame oil back then. We call sesame oil as lenga and it is packed in the bottle available in Indian department stores because they perform the anointing too as according to their religion and customs.

Invigorating smell could be the sandalwood, myrrh, frankincense. They were also mentioned in the Old Testament. I burn these in my room and my colleagues or roommates thought that I worship the satan which is nonsense! So, how else I could be more spontaneous in front of the public?? The key for a healthy life either psychologically (spiritually) or physically is to know what is our body consists of and how it functions. I tried to tell my parents and my siblings. They did not listen to me. These are actually ancient sciences which had also been acknowledged by the inhabitants in Mesopotamia and Sumeria lands in nowadays Iraq also in the Near East. They are not so much sophisticated in their soundings like today's sciences which are the products of early European Enlightenment. I think I need to tag these for my own reference.

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

Friday, 1 February 2013

Characteristics of Mind


The nature and the gift of mind shows that man-kind are weak and shallow in their knowledge. Scientists since the ancient of the most ancient times could not decipher nor particularly explain on what is the fact of mind. This clearly shows that not everything in this existence could physically be seen nor being proved on its existence. Not to say, if a human desires to think about the concept and the essence of the Creator the Highest which would never be achieved by their limited mind. 

In other context, mind is a character and a nature of man-kind which is in parallel to their creation. Mind is a part of human fact as a creation. Thus, a mindless human although is perfect with body parts would not be counted as a complete human. For e.g, an insane guy would never be sentenced on his acts whether in any term such as in his intention, verbal acts or oral as according to general law.

Nature and the characteristics of human's mind are positive. Mind could lead human-being toward goodness and development physically or spiritually. This positive nature of human-being's mind is in parallel to the origin of human-being creation, pure and clean. Both the characteristics of mind and its nature should be consistent with the nature of faith while the purity should be in accordance with the Divine Path. The positive traits of mind could be benefited as maximum as it can in order to strengthen the faith through scientific methods and logic with the help of Divine Path. 

The positive nature of mind and the pure faith would be tainted if not guided by the Divine Path or when being used in opposite to the goal of Divine Path. The mind would later be polluted and deviating from the truth. Among the factors of a filthy mind are following the longing of evil desires, polluting oneself with sins or the weakness of faith.

On the other hand, though mind as per its nature is pure and positive, but it is not equal to the "nature". It is due to that, mind plays the role to bring a human-being to a certain fact, stage by stage. When it reaches the stage only, it would experience tranquility and achieves its peak as its necessity is fulfilled. 

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

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Science and Religion: Never Take Short Ones as the Measurer

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


If we wanted to reach the fact of the universe, we should not only using our own logical thinking. We have many components in our soul namely the mind, the sentiment or feeling, and the will. Even religious person is not guaranteed to have deep feeling in his religious belief if he only uses logical thinking in everything or in considering something. There are many wicked law-makers and jurists who used their minds and thinking to distort divine law or other kind of laws for their own benefits. If you wanted to escape from the ties of burdening religious practices, there are jurists who are good at finding the way out.

In tasawwuf science and Islamic terminologies, a person who is good at using the logic to reach the facts of truth is known as 'alim or 'ailom. When a person reached the highest stages in "feeling", they are known as an 'arif. The extension of the knowledge and sciences is known as ma'arifat.

Life itself has shown that a human though how strong his thought or thinking trying to achieve knowledge and faith, but it is only with feeling that he could get to reach to the mind. We are urged to maintain pure feeling in our religion. In this matter, prophet Muhammad s.a.w says that: "Sinful act is what you feel in your chest when you commit it". That is why spiritual ulamas had developed spiritual exercises according to their orders and chains in order to train the "feeling" to be closer to Allah. This is known as riyadhat or in English I would translate it as recreational activities to train mind and soul.

There are people with strong thoughts and intellects but weak in his feeling. They are just scholars. There are those with strong will but intellectually weak in thoughts and mind. He commenced the journey and later the journey will be continued by others after him. There are people who are discreet in their feeling and these kind of people usually become artists. They perhaps creating beautiful masterpiece of arts but forgotten to shave beards or even looking at their appearance in the mirror.

So, let the scholars and scientists researching the world as much as they want. Let them analyze it and comparing it. Continue with researches. But never forget that it is not enough to be called as a complete puzzle. The same thing to artists. Let them researching and observing the beauty of nature and absorbing them into their selves before presenting them to others. But never forget that it is not enough. Beside science and art, listen also to the prophets, messengers of Allah and honest sufis. These people are those who would bring us up toward the peak of knowledge and art.

As long as scholars letting off their egoism and arrogance because they are intellectuals. As long as religious people leaving behind their fanaticism and rough narrow faith which had walled themselves in their throne of ignorance. As long as they free their selves from interpretations of previous religious clerics that were thought as part of religion while they are just interpretations of previous people. Then the conflicts between "science" and religion could be avoided. Regarding the interpretations, what has been told in glorious Quran to us actually does not touching other people but it is also intended to us.  

Sometimes, I feel weird when listening to some Muslim brothers and sisters talking about this Yahudi or that Nasara while they are displaying the same attitude like what had been uttered on those Yahudi or Nasara from their mouth. The real problem is not about the Yahudi or Nasara or Sabeans or etc. The real thing that we need to conquer and understand is our selves.  

Knowledge and science would be complete with religion. Religion would be complete with knowledge. Both religion and knowledge are two inseparable components in the universe. Both of them exposed us to the secret of universe in many angles. Both them are inseparable drinks to satisfy the thirst of human soul so human could achieve a balanced life.

The goal of religion is to reach the truth and the fact of life. The goal of the science and knowledge is to get closer to the "ultimate truth". Knowledge to know and religion to feel it because we can't touch it with our hand. Knowledge is for the outer self. Religion is for the inner self.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad. Allah please protect us with Your wisdom and boundless sea of mercy compassionate. 

- finished the last part all praise due to Allah -

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

Science and Religion: If Clergy Men are Wrong, Academicians are also Wrong!

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


Problems in Terminologies and Reference Consistency

I don't know how to translate or interpret those words such as religious studies experts and non-religious studies scholars. The way I understood science is different from the mainstream views. So, basically what I refer to as clergy men are those who are known as priests, monks, ministers, preachers, pastors, imams or mullas. While academicians in this post refer to scientists or scholars in the universities as what we see today. 

Pre-Conditions to be a Believer of Science

For the scholars, they religiously believe in the science, theories and opinions while they had forgotten that the condition for this science is that; theories will always evolve to another one and if it is contested by the more plausible ones, the previous one will be unreliable. Theories are bounded to time period and the changes in the space. Science and knowledge generally is a group of evidence in evaluating the truth of certain things and matters. If the study is not half-cut in the middle of the research, there are many possibilities for the previous theory to be canceled by the new-founded one till it has to be developed again in other forms.

International Theories and Approach to View World Politics and Affairs

In International Relation and Social Studies for example, the notion by this ulama about "reliability of science" in his writing is the same as what had been lectured to us in our classes for first two semesters. We have political theories such as:

1. Realism
2. Liberalism
3. Marxism
4. Constructivism

And the world is viewed as a stage where the beings in world is viewed as actors. Who are these actors? They are basically those who are involved in decision-making and the basic one that I could provide here is the state and its system. There are also classifications of those mentioned theories into classical theories, neo-theories and post-theories or approaches in viewing the action of actors. This is my personal opinion dear brothers and sisters. We as religious studies students in madrasah must be exposed to these studies. We should not only study Quran and Sunnah. Because we live in the more globalized world where there are people of many views and kind which trying to defame us, Muslims with the notion of modernism, backwardness and fanaticism.

I am talking like one of madrasah students though I am an out caste due to that I was a madrasah students myself who were kicked out of the track due to harsh environment revolving around me and rising conflicts within myself. Now I am an International Studies students majoring in European continent institutional studies without any basic in my first degree certificate. I studied different things when I was an undergraduate student. In front of people, I might be looking like a scary all-black attire hermit, poor like a beggar and "stupid" but I am listening to what people are talking around besides mentally commenting their opinions. It also includes those of Mahasiswa Islam and Tabligh Jama'at discussions and I am just avoiding them because there are gaps in discussing things with people around and I do not want any conflict.

So, there are little kids who might come closer to me in the musalla and asking me why you are so silent? Most of the Mahasiswa Islam and Tabligh Jama'at members are not of social studies background but are of diverse part of sciences in the university which actually deals with crude sciences related to job skills for human labor or human capital needs. While most of my fellow religious studies brothers in Middle East are purely studying about Quran, religious sciences and Sunnah. I don't know how many people are experiencing things like me. If you have this experience please share or just paste your blogs in the comment box down here. I am listening, pondering and reading everything. This is my part as per Tabligh notion for "Fikir Ummat" or thinking for the nations. I had already been thinking about this since I was a little kid and it was conflicting within myself besides others are looking negatively at me. I had suffered alone for this and still am suffering. The feeling of suffer is like a metal being burnt in the stove. It begins with the "heart". 

Errors of Secular Scholars

A genuine scholar must have the confidence on not being confident. Ready to accept changes and re-evaluate what has been held as his belief after receiving new explanations. This is how science that we see in modern world evolve and we are tracing its historical tracks. Firmly holding a theory or approach for example this is sour or that is stale is a biggest mistake for scholars and scientists. It is as equally wrong with what has happened to clergy men in understanding the evidence in its literal sense!

The error of scholars, academicians and scientists would be even bigger if they thought that scientific research is the only way to reach the truth and fact. It is true that scientific and fact research is a tool to achieve or to be closer to the truth. However it is only a tool among tools. Not the only tool that exist!

I am having issues with these kind of people. They believe in only one approach and hold firm with it. Thus they are creating dogma without realizing it. What is the difference between them and the bigots in other groups of man-kind if this happen?

Physics for example could investigate and provide facts for things which are moving in the universe. However it is not applicable anymore when it comes to things beyond the universe. A wider way of thinking is not only limited to physics. It is goes beyond physics. The metaphysics.

This is what we call as metaphysical matters. They could check the phenomenon such as light and provide everything related to light what about thing which is beyond the light? Their research and questions would stop when it reaches it limit. Science could not reaching the Creator of the Universe or things beyond physical eyes. That is why we could see in American movies, they are trying to make everything scientific and to show that everything could be researched they begin to create stuffs such as aliens, superman, and other imaginary characters within the universe. They might perhaps talking about myth of deities in Greek mythologies or Hindu god pantheon as totally absurd from primitive people imagination. But what is the difference between them and those ancient people that they claim as primitive? The prophets, sages and philosophers of ancient time were talking about metaphysical stuffs. Of course they have no degree nor going to school or not graduated from universities with today's academic system and curriculum.          

Tools in Search of the Truth

Science is useful to reach what is material. But science has no strength and limited only to materials. Outside of material boundaries they could not reach it. Collections of evidences, results of researches, results of experiments, contemplation and observation, analysis and mental tools are for us man-kind to reach the truth. There are also other tools and ways to reach facts and truth which is not mentioned here.

Try to see how many people could disagree that artists, poets, philosophers, musicians or singers could also provide the way for others to be closer to the truth? Who would disagree that these an artist could send others into the secret of the universe merely with "senses" and not with forced thoughts. Senses and feelings which had rise in their soul were presented into humanity in the form of art works which could touch the discreet sentiment of others deeper than any other scientific research to develop something which took scientists and the so-called scholars in universities or research centers hundred of years conducting researches and experiments. 

The real truth is beautiful and beauty is the truth. This is the fact which is agreed by everyone. It is wrong for us to think that the way to achieve the truth is merely with science. Behold that art is from divine inspiration, pure soul and an open mind. This way is also the right and clear way as clear as science.

If the role of artists as the seekers of truth could be recognized by everyone, why not the role of prophets and sages who received divine inspiration and revelation from the God? Why not the genuine religious philosophers are not recognized for their contributions in musing the secret of universe? We would certainly never forget the contributions of religion and spirituality in developing the realm of humanity. Revelation and divine inspirations are among the main ways for man-kind to reach the truth. If with science, we are climbing up above to find the truth. But with revelation and divine inspirations, the truth is descending upon man-kind. It would be marvelously beautiful if both of these are in reconciliation and the pure happiness would be achieved  by everyone.

Conclusion of the Sub-Topic

People could accuse that there are fake prophets, fake imams, fake sheikhs and there are also fake religious philosophers which is known as sufis who sold spiritual matters for worldly fame. But we could also not disagree that there are fake artists, fake poets and scholars who only looking for material benefits.

Other than that. I personally disagree with some quotes from Harun Yahya, Ahmad Deedat, Zakir Naik or other Sheikhs' books or lectures by the public. Before we read the thoughts of a person, to agree or to disagree with them. We get to know them first what is their background and how they had gone through their life to form their worldview. These figures talk about different things but still the central of their argument is to bring people toward Islam through components of science and countering theories such as Darwinism or other accusations by Christian missionaries to Islam.

I agree in term of telling people about Islam, stating our views and spreading the word of Allah across the Universe. But I disagree in attacking other religious faith and belief because that is the way those Christian missionaries in Western European colonial lands did. That is also the way of scholars who religiously believe in their theories or the theories which are in accordance to their inclination. Those who quote these figures I know that they never gone through the torturing path of questioning and getting to know their selves. Go through it, then tell everyone how it feels. Just walk in the moderate middle path and this is an advise for everyone including myself.     

Prayers

May Allah lead us with His guidance and may the ruhul qudus shine upon us. Sanctify our soul ya Allah with Your mercy, forgiveness and eternal love. May we live under Your reign and blessed with Your Great Kingdom.

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

Sunday, 16 September 2012

Science and Religion: Introduction and the Influence of Western Science

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

This is modern, haha
 
Reference Preface

My little room is quite dusty, maybe I need to do some cleaning chores. Was so busy with thesis refining until forgotten to check my room cleanliness. I've been reading to some Islamic books while doing researches for my thesis including of the Sharia. In relation to what had recently happened, I would just post the translation of this message from a humble ulama from Indonesia, Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah. In European continent and some parts of United States, the divinity sciences has been separated with the earthly ones but in Eastern world it is on the other hand different. We're not as extremist as some Europeans or those who think that they would be advanced if they put themselves in certain group or way of thinking because of the inferiority complex that they are facing. 

It's not Muslims or anyone to be blamed for their inferiority complex. It's their own fallacy and failure to know their self. This literature is not of mine, I'm just translating it roughly into English and adapting it so the ulama's message would reach the world. The source is from the magazine known as "Panji Masyarakat" or "Banner of the Society" around 1959-1961 published in Jakarta, Indonesia. I checked the stats and many people are reading the post about the absurd movie so I decided to play the responsibility as an unanimous person among world community to cure the situation around the world by propagating our ulamas' teachings and views from South East Asia. Thanks for spending some time at this humble site. Brothers and sisters around the world may use the source for research and the translator is me. Just put unanimous translator at your literature since this is polluted with my commentary, hehe. However, please don't forget to mention the real writer which is Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah as all credits only belong to the real writer. Hope it is useful to see how Muslim view the Life. I guess there should also be in Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Urdu and Chinese translations for this.

Introduction

In the history of man-kind, there are various waves that influencing his or her life. At certain point of life, he's influenced by the poetry. At some points of life, philosophy is influencing him. In the other point of life, religion and faith influencing him. The development of thought also going through stages as such; poetry, philosophy, religion and sciences. 

Before the era of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the Greeks were influenced by the poetry especially those of Homerus. The Arab society in Arabian Peninsula during the age of spirituality ignorance were also influenced with the wave of poetry as such they also organized annual competitions in term of poetry. For the Malay nations, they were in fact influenced by poetry known as pantun, syair, gurindam and etc. Whatever being seen by a Malay since the wind blows, sea waves swashing about the beaches, mountains scratching the sky and other natural phenomenon were made parts of their poems. 

The Middle Ages were known as the era of religious wave whether in Europe or Western world or in the Eastern world which also includes Muslims, Jews, Oriental Christians, Hindus and other religious groups. Then, there were the era known as the era of science and technology in the 19th century. It is the time where the so-called "framed technology science" in its wave influencing people around the world.    

In the ancient time before the globalization of the world; The wave of the "science" is like the fire burning inside the bushes. There are countries or nations who are still influenced by the poetry, while other neighboring nations for example are influenced by the philosophy. In the same time, there are also those who are influenced by the religion. Since 19th century, the result of the science which researching the physical realm becomes more advanced. The relation of those who stays far away from the other could be closer. The world seems boundless with the development of communication technology such as radio, television, internet, youtube, blogs, websites, and others. So, the wave of "physical science and knowledge" that has influenced Europe since Renaissance period and 19th century is also covering the whole globe where the internet and other means of communication could reach the land.

Influence of Western Style Science

The influence of "physical and materialistic science" has covered the Western world namely Europe. The influence of religion decreases. It is still there just the influence is not as intense as in the Middle Ages. People are searching and desire for something which is "concrete". They do not prefer the "abstract" anymore. This wave is also reaching the Eastern world in Asia and other continents such as in Africa and America. The people who are influenced by this wave in Asia, Africa and America were influenced not due to their advancement in knowledge, but is because they are merely copycats. What kind of persons are these copycats? As what I understood, they are those who takes others style and the reason they do it is just to look good and they wanted to look as good as Europeans. This has to do with the self-confidence as they think they are ugly if they copy others style. These obnoxious individuals are also in academics field today or at least trying to claim academician title for themselves. Ibnu Khaldun who were a famous Muslim sociologist has said: "Loser nations would be addicted to imitate those who wins". This is what happened for e.g in the production of a cheap movie does not matter if the producer is of any faith, belief or ideology.

The weakness of religious influence and the shining of "physical and materialistic science" in the European continent was the reasonable result of the "science" which has risen since it was in 17th century. Researches, analysis, empiricism, continuation between these possibilities to those possibilities, interrelating the reasons and impacts, fallacies in theories and experiments being developed time by time that brings to the preferable or satisfying results were generically made up as "science". These were made structures for scientific opinions, belief and arguments. This is what many of us even in our country understood as "science". Those who rejected this nowadays being cast out of the system and left aside just like what happened to myself or perhaps many other "madrasah" oriented young people : ) 

After this development in Europe, most of them believed that it is not favorable to merely following what has been inherited to them by their ancestors. The quotes inherited from Socrates, Plato or Aristotle could not be accepted before being experimented or tested. This also includes the words of divine scriptures and orders from the Church must undergo the experiment and researches in laboratory.   

Through these ways, they had produced not only hundreds but thousands new opinions to be practiced and enjoyed in their daily life. These opinions and arguments become the structure for "modern" Europe today and it also amazes those loser individuals who can't produced their own or even comparable science of their own. When looking at the concrete results of their inventions, some people takes their hats off the Europeans' science and they become less respective to religion and its sciences become sunken under the Europeans' materialistic sciences. Faith in the God and His messengers and chosen sages only promising the hereafter paradise in form of uncertain prophecies. While Western sciences has produced paradise in the current life. Radio, TV entertainments, phones, cars, planes, electricity, air conditioner and many more has turned the attention of man-kind from the Heaven to the Earth. People are giving their attention to the "science and technology" and not to hermits, monks, religious teachers or ascetics anymore. They believe and paying attention to the life which is now. The hereafter and resurrection are something which never been experienced by them and could not concretely being seen with man-kind physical eyes.

When the time passing, people becoming more excited to drag even metaphysical stuffs into their so-called "science". Although religious knowledge or science is not their specific field and task but they still to make it "scientific" according to their way. The hereafter matters according to them has no "scientific" proves. Paradise and hell-torments are persuasion and threats only for those who still has no knowledge, ignorant, marginalized and no scholar.

More shattering the faith of these people toward religion is after the rise of Nicholas Copernicus study about the solar system. Before this, Europeans have a belief which could not be contested that the Earth is the center of the Universe. While the Sun, the Moon and stars were circulating around the Earth. Stars were created for the benefit of man-kind and Earth is for the human's interest. The whole universe was under the rule of human and man-kind were the most noble beings in the whole system. Copernicus had strongly demolished this belief system through his studies and research questions. He said that the Earth is like a tiny particle of dust among zillions of stars in the universe. The Earth circulating around the Sun and not otherwise. Other than that, there are many other stars which is more huge as compared to the Earth. Man-kind are nothing to be compared to other realms which are wider and huge. My comment about astrology studies in Europe, the primitive Chaldean of Babylon in the early Mesopotamian civilizations and ancient Yemeni Arabs who revered the Sun and stars had already know about this though they were not baptized into Christianity or any other "celestial" religion nor living in Renaissance age of Europe. Even this knowledge were wide spread as far as to Indus civilization as we could see in the Navagraham system of Hindus' astrology. After reviewing the studies of Copernicus, Roman Catholic Christian clerics in the 14th C Europe were so furious. They were furious as the authority of humanity were lowered.

After Copernicus, there was Charles Darwin who had introduced the Theory of Evolution. He theorized that beings were created according to well-arranged stages and it took millions of years for being evolve from the imperfect ones to the more perfect ones. Beings evolved from the lowest to intermediate ones and later reaching human form stage. Beings started to evolve from microorganism, plants, insects to animals. The highest of animals' advancement was when they evolved to be primates or apes. From primates, the beings starting to evolve to be human in its form. My personal comment about this naturalist theory, it is choppy. It is still a "theory" to also be considered as a belief or creed and could be developed or repaired if other better arguments could come up to counter this existing theory. I was once bounded to Buddhism belief and practices before Allah moved my heart to return to my ancestral religion, Islam. I believed in reincarnation of beings in the different physical forms such as insects, animals, human, angels or demon. Gautama Buddha has taught this thousands of years earlier than Copernicus and I think Gautama Buddha was more sophisticated and clear in his view or "theories" about "beings" as compared to Darwin as he's not only talking about the physical beings but also without leaving behind metaphysical stuffs. According to Buddhism and Hinduism theories of acts' law, beings regardless animals, angels, demons or man-kind are subjects to the fruits of their acts and thoughts. However the form which is auspicious to achieve 'peaceful blast' according to Buddhism is in human-form and it is the most difficult form to be achieved since it took thousands of years to be incarnated as human.

The portal which was opened by Copernicus was extended in its opening with Darwin who over lays a further views about the universe. Europeans began to experience changing in their world view and the way they look at human-being becomes different as before. Their pure and innocent views about the universe were transformed to mechanical views as they learned about the theories and findings such as proposed by Darwin and Copernicus. Their view is now about the survival is the fittest. Those who are weak will eventually be eliminated. It further leads them to the belief that the Universe has no Creator. Universe is creating itself and thus it leads to Atheism. The Europeans were not inventing anything new. They were just repeating the same thing which happens thousand years before them in many parts of the Earth. In the age of spiritual ignorance, the polytheist Arabs in the Holy City, Mecca were oppressing those who were weak. Those who were unfortunate were enslaved by those who are more strong. Women were looked down like a toy to be used as what happened in sex-maniac movies in nowadays Western style movies. Women also looked them selves as sex-slaves to men. Nowadays, this kind of view is still in existence be they in secular or religious society. There is no difference at all, just the grouping and classification of their groups is different : )

Church organizations in Europe at that time became more enraged. The view that most of man-kind have now to be classified as modern is opposing to the view that human are noble beings that they hold for so long. After astrology and natural theory studies, there were studies on geology in Europe. They researched the Earth and its contents. The inquired on how the Earth tried to be separated from the Sun. Then they researched the beings known as the biology. They researched the beginning on how the beings started to develop. Then, other researches developed out of the one existed. All of these inquiries had also affected the view of people about religion and affected the influence of religious leaders. These researches in Europe had also influenced how they interpret the meanings of the Bible at least for those who still wanted to have faith in the God.   

Out of the Context

Last night I went out with a friend to Setapak. We talked until 3:00 in the morning and I get some ideas about life-planning after this. I also asked him few questions about LGBT groups which is now a hot stuff in our country and he has few LGBT friends and acquaintance. I just feel not comfortable to judge others and before making up my mind I would make all sorts of inquiries. So, I always ask people who know more about the issue or at least asking them to show me the place where I can get the needed information. It is important for sharia students as contemporary issues are among the problem of ummat. That is why I was late in updating this post though I am excited to check this work.

Thankful to Allah he does not forget me though he is busy with his newly found job. We just went to Japanese restaurant but I can't have seafood. So I just ordered green tea and non-vegetarian Soba noodle. It is also not recommended to take meat but it comes with package so I just accept it. Well, it was his treat so again I'm thankful and not wasting it. As long as he does not say that it is a kind of alms giving I'll accept it. These weeks to come is actually our high holy days so there are limits to everything. We share some points of holy days with the Jews especially those related to Yawm al-Qiyamat (the Resurrection Day). This is not a binding law for other Muslim brothers and sisters but only to us as we have to accept the life of poor ascetics and praying for other brothers and sisters well-being. Insha Allah if He gives me the opportunity I would update the post about this ulama's view on the science and religion. I'm going to make some milk for my father. Poor he is, he still can't swallow anything. Brothers and sisters, please take good care of your health. It's vital for us to perform worship to Allah...

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

Friday, 13 July 2012

History Lesson 1 : Discovering the Past

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


Introduction

Some people might found that history is a boring stuff and it is a good tool to make those who experience insomnia to sleep earlier. Some people love history and some even incorporate it as apart of their so-called conspiracy theories and later being disillusioned because their basis of understanding and knowledge is only half of it. 

So, what is history dear beloved brothers and sisters? In it's broadest sense, it is the story of people. It is the study of our past. Some parts of this side also talking about history and recording some part of history. In religious studies branches of study, we also have seerah or taarikh which deals with our chronicles and the history of our noble prophets.

Some historians might be looking at important events such as wars, revolutions and governments while others are interested in ordinary people's lives. Henry Ford, who is an American car manufacturer said that history is bunk. Most people would also disagree with him. 

Our lives today are shaped by decisions and actions made decades, centuries or even thousands of years ago. Through the understanding of the past, we may even get a more balanced view of the present.  

Goals of History

Basic aims of history are to record and explain our past. Whatever happens to me or to brothers and sisters who happened to pass by here is history. Historians study a wide range of oral and written evidence. Some are combined with archeology where later they may interpret the facts or data to build up a picture of the past. 

Beginning of the Study

The first people according to Westerners who study history seriously were the ancient Greeks. Around 5th BC, Herodotus set out to write a true and systematic record of the wars between the Greeks and Persians. He hoped to preserve the memory of past events and show how two peoples came into conflict with one another. 

The scientific study of archeology only began in the 18th century. Archeologists today investigate even the tiniest fragments left behind by ancient people to create a more complete picture of the past.

Closing

History is not just concerned with the distant past. It is the story of our lives. What is new today will be turning to be history tomorrow. Change can be sudden or dramatic, and long held ideas will be overturned tomorrow.

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

Sunday, 8 July 2012

Science of the Quran: Definition of Science

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


We typically always hear in schools that science should means something like physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics. We were told about Ismai'ili Shi'a Muslim achievements such as of Ibnu Sina without being told that he is a Shi'a Muslim and many people do not really like Shi'a Muslims here though they never befriend one.

It is not that I am an opponent to these sciences but I found that last time it was so intense and we as religious studies students were down-graded to the level that we feel like we were not human and we must be another person which was not us as the result to fit in. I became like I am now because of the situation in society that I have to live in. 

Now, let us see what is meant by science according to Quranic knowledge explanations. Actually this is the introduction of a kitāb that I read titled "The Sciences of Quran" written by Ustad Asmawi Eḥsan. I made notes out of what I had read and listened from teachers so it would not be a stiff translation but from what I understood in those things that I had read. It is actually a habit since I was a young kid...

There are many definitions according to fields of specialization such as philosophy, uṣūl, linguistics and religious studies. I wish beloved brother Idris could access this. I am doing this apart of it for brothers and sisters in China and those in areas with less Muslim population. I feel that I did not function well because I refuse to speak about religious studies in front of people of diverse background but that does not mean that we leave behind da'awa mission. It is in our blood and heritage.

Definitions

Philosophers

Defined science as a picture which exists or sparked from the mind of human-being in their assumption of a particular thing, event, situation or anything which he founds or faced. Some philosophers defined it as something which controls the soul and the mind of man-kind in their quest to explore a particular thing.

Uṣūluddin Specialists

They defined the term science as a nature which a human could achieve the highest position in his life and his affairs if he acquires it. Some defined it with a nature which would possibly determine a person to choose and deciding on something without any doubt though it is only through the usage of common-sense.

Materialists

Science is defined by these people as something that would be believed and detected through the senses such as being witnessed by physical eyes. If it is not through this way such as the belief on supernatural matters and things that we listened or sam'iyyat could not be assumed as a science. Why? Because these things could not be touched, tasted, watched or witnessed and achieved by human senses. This is the view that we had been taught in schools in our country. It is intensely being focused by government policy in education in order to be a developed country though I fail to see what kind of development being brought so far. A body or a mass without soul has no value at all. It is not a holistic one. How about others in other parts of the world?

Linguists

Their opinion is that science means the knowledge which is possessed by someone that with it a person could get to know something in the universe.

Religionist

Define the science as the ability of a person in his quest to know His Creator and in the quest to prove His existence, His deeds to His creations and firming it in their heart.

Summary

Basically, these definitions mean that science is an ability on human-being granted by the God which could be used to make assumptions, to discuss and to argue something which has been faced by human-kind in the Earth. In Arabic, it is known as 'Ulūm which is the plural for 'Ilm. It means branches of knowledge since there are many subjects being discussed in the scientific arguments.

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

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Guidelines for a Muqallid

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


The God the Most Highest ordered: "Ask the knowledgeable people if you don't know." And the people of remembrance or people of knowledge are those who are followed. Whereas the muqallid is not a person of knowledge so he becomes a follower of someone else.

This is what makes me feel not comfortable when people walking behind me or praying behind me and making me an imam though only for a salat service, hehe. I am just a muqallid and my imam also does not like people to walk behind him. I am taking his example on how I behave as a mean to respect my imam as I read everything about all imams and their characters.

Ibnu Abdul Barr (d.463) and others mentioned: "The people are united in the ijma' that the muqallid is not counted as being from the people of knowledge. The knowledge is the realization of guidance along with its proof."   

Ibnu Qayyim mentions: "And it is as Abu Umar bin Abdul Barr said - Indeed the people do not differ about the fact that knowledge is the realization attained from proof but without proof, it only becomes a taqleed."

Sayings on the Permissibility of Issuing the Fatawa Based upon Taqleed

Ibnu Qayyim stated that there are three sayings about this:

I. It isn't permissible to issue a fatawa or guidelines based upon taqleed since it is not in category of knowledge. Issuing a fatawa without a knowledge about particular field, issue, and sciences of divine law is forbidden and haram! So, based from this, people could judge on the level of knowledge possessed by 'clerics' in Pakistan, Bangladesh or India's rural village when they issued ridiculous fatawas or guidelines like poking people's eyes, raping women for crime committed by men and etc which Western medias always put into highlight when talking about Shari'a Islamiah or the Way of Nature. This one is from the saying by most of Hanbali scholars and majority of Shafi'ie scholars.

II. It is permissible for a cleric to issue guidelines with regards to himself, but it is not permissible to issue fatawa to others based upon taqleed.

III. It is permissible to issue fatawa based upon taqleed when there is a need for it and when there is no mujtahid scholar. Mujtahid scholar refers to scholars who do researches based on his knowledge on particular sciences of the path. This is the most correct of the sayings and is what is acted upon. 

Sheikh Albanee says that hadith is a proof in itself after mentioning the statements of the imams on taqleed as found in the introduction of "The Prophet's Prayer Described" where it has a heading "Taqleed for whoever Can't Search for the Evidence for Himself" in page 94.

Some may question: "Not all of the people are able to be the people of knowledge as what has been explained." The answer of Hanbali scholars is yes, indeed. Nobody has any doubt on this fact but Allah has mentioned in Surah an-Nahl verse 63: "So ask the people of knowledge if you don't know!" The same verse also appears in Surah al-Furqan verse 59.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentions: "For those who issued fatawa without knowledge, why don't they ask if they don't know? The cure for those in confusion is to ask!" However, the scholars did not mention all of the above evidence to show who is eligible or not eligible to be a scholar. Their research is with regards to those who are considered to be the people of knowledge in their society. Taqleed is upon the common person and ignorant one. Scholars who can and able to search for the evidence are excluded from being a muqallid. The responsibility of a scholar is not to do taqleed because their responsibility is to perform ijitihad.   

The saying of Ibnu Abdul Barr explains further that: "All the rules are for common folk, they are those who have to perform taqleed on their scholars whenever necessary. They are incapable to understand or comprehend evidence or sciences. Sciences has grades where one cannot attain the top most grade unless if he goes up through the basis. Scholars don't differ in the matter of common folk having to follow their scholars."

Sheikh Muhammad Uthaimeen who wrote the article believes that it is not correct to generalize common folk by saying that all of them must perform taqleed. Taqleed only happens when a person follows a scholar if he has no access to evidence or could not search for the evidence. Many people are smart enough as they could clearly understand evidence if it is presented to them. For example, we can't deny that a common person could also understand evidence contained in the hadith: "Tayammum is one strike (of the hands on the dust) for the face and hands". People who are lacking of intelligence could also understand the hadith.

The conclusion from the article is that, taqleed is allowed for who ever that could not search for or understand the evidence from sciences of the path. Ibnu Qayyim also hold this opinion. In certain times, scholars would also have to depend on taqleed where they could not find any document and text from the sunnah except which came from the knowledgeable scholars.

The God knows more than His creatures...

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

Taqleed Definition

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


Diary

I took Sharia paper after I returned from pilgrimage as one of a subject in my A-Level paper after I feel something that makes me wanted to return to my "real" responsibility. Unfortunately I did not do well in it because the pressure of time and I had left the Sharia classes since I was around 15-16 years old but I still could answer certain questions regarding the law and rulings. If I stayed longer perhaps I could be a jurist because that time we were almost registered to tsanawi papers but how could person become an Islamic scholar if he believes not in the path? LOL.

15 was the age where I embraced Buddhism by heart through rituals and it is actually formal which I did according to prescriptions of monastic rules and beginning to stop Islamic rituals or even listening to advises from people around due to my hatred to environment. Urmm, quite a kenangan (memory). Ironically, now I have a special passion to sciences of jurisprudence and the path which makes me reading and memorize everything about the sciences because I wanted to correct myself, hahahahaha. This is the real science for me as the contrast of what we had been taught in schools.

Introduction

This is from articles that I had read and always keep with me. So, thinking to put it here for myself and if it is useful for others... I would also feel happy for everyone. I'm trying to simplify everything yet making it as easy as possible to be understood by audiences through simple translations of points. When reading articles or anything in the posts of this site please don't rely on it as it is from a scholar and it is wrong to take something without reference and proofs. Make sure to get guidance from teachers, clerics or ulamas, and jurists who are specialists in their fields.  

Definition of Taqleed

According to Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthaimeen in al-Usool min 'Ilmil Usool, taqleed linguistically mean placing something around the neck and it encircles the neck. Technically it means following he whose sayings is not a proof or without hujjat. 

This is the view according to Salafi scholar and the definition according to Salafis. Salafi usually refers to Sunnah Muslim of Hanbali school of jurisprudence in general and not specifically to those of Wahhabi movement so please try not to associate us with them although I read treatises of Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab. We are different and are not in agreement with any violence. On the other hand, we respect local customs that are in accordance to our traditions differently to those from Middle East or even tolerant than Europeans because I just visit chinese temples or churches where I think possible for me to recite blessings and asking mercy and love of the God for everyone. 

The Sheikh further mentions that those who are following any of these in their path are not committing taqleed because these are proofs for their acts of worship:

1. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w
2. Guidelines from the assembly of the ulamas
3. any companion of prophet Muhammad s.a.w by considering any sayings of the companions as a proof for their acts of worship  

However, these type of matters are still categorized as taqleed in a metaphorical and loose sense. I think this make sense because I also read an article written by Ustad Abu Muhammad Idral Harith of Indonesia regarding on those who are fanatic with their imams, school of jurisprudence, teachers, and etc while giving the advise to others who are slightly different from them in term of practices. We would discuss about this in another post if possible just for our general knowledge so in the future we won't be blurred by terms.

In What Cases do Taqleed Happens?

It happens in two cases...

I. When a muqallid (follower) is a common person who does not have the ability to acquire knowledge of the shari'a rulings and principles by himself. Taqleed will become obligatory upon him as what has been mentioned by the God the Most Highest: "ask the people of the knowledge if you do not know." Taqleed will be done by placing the dependency on a person whom he considers as knowledgeable and pious for example like Imam Hanafi, Imam Ja'afar, Imam Shafi'ie or Imam Maliki. In our way of talking about this for example, I would mention that I put my naqal or carriage over the knowledge of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. So, my acts of worship is according to what has been taught by him according to his scholarship. If there are two of such people who are equal in his view in certain jurisprudence, the muqallid chooses any one of them.   

II. A mujtahid (a diligent person in sciences) when he encounters a new situation where an immediate solution is required. However it's not possible for him to do research into this matter. In this case, he is permitted to perform taqleed. Some also bringing questions about the permissibility of taqleed that it is not the fundamental of the path or law of life. Or on the questions about 'aqeedah since matters of 'aqeedah requires certainty, while taqleed only amounts to dzann or the knowledge which is not certain, assumption can we say?  

The correct saying in this matter of following the 'aqeedah is unlikely a condition due to the generality of sayings of the God the Most Highest: "ask the people who are knowledgeable if you don't know". This verse according to the Sheikh is in the context of affirming messenger-hood which is from the basis of the law of the path. A common person could also not acquire knowledge of the law rulings with its proofs by himself since law rulings need specific knowledge on sciences of the path. Due to that he can't arrive to such truth by himself, he has nothing remains in his self except for taqleed.  

The God knows more than His creatures...

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

Monday, 20 February 2012

Science of Pillars of Islam: Obligation to Study the Path

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Tomb of our noble father, prophet Abraham a.s - Hebron

We return to this science because it is very very important yet crucial. It is obligatory for every Muslim to study about their own path. Those who neglect it will be sinful. This is the order of the path as what has been generally mentioned by noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w: "Getting the knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim."

Other than that, it is obligatory for every Muslim to ma'arifatullah. What is this term means? It means knowing Allah or the God. Learning about His characteristics which bring everyone to confidence. It has been explained in the Zubad: "Early obligatory on human-being is to know their Lord as possible as they can."

Another explanation from the sermon of Habeeb Tahir bin Hussain mentions: "Be known to you dear brothers and sisters. Indeed the root and branches of religion is to know whom should we direct our worship to before we perform acts of worship. And that is the fact of the testimony of faith."

It is almost similar to an officer who works with the employer or his boss. The employer gives him his wages for the job. When he do his task, he should also know what is his job about, its rule and regulation and its specification. The Lord is our Boss. He gave us sustenance which is His grace in term of air for us to breath, minerals in the earth for us to stay sustainable (one of my current institution getik's mottos is sustainability, lol), natural resources, and etc for creatures to do a job for Him which is to worship Him and to glorify Him. 

If we know the interpretations of the testimony of faith, we should also know the Lord. And everyone should also aware about the jazam on the rightful with evidence which is rational with evidences and their explanations.

Definition of Jazam

This is the definition according to the science of usool. It means the strong faith or the faith without doubt. According to today's terminology, it means a firm faith, strong with a basis and without any compromise. Jazam also means unanimous and final decision. 

Division of Jazams 

Division of jazams refer to four types of people regarding their attitude toward their knowledge and sciences regarding the path. I am not sure how to clearly explain about these but one needs to ask their teachers and clerics regarding these terms. Find the right ones and not those who are like the 'scriptures on the donkey' although they look like a cleric. In certain creed science books, the terms are quite ambiguous because of the language style used are backward. We have to update those kitabs in term of language style too. Using simple words and checking compatible terms especially in modern languages such as modern English and according to the field such as the law.

1. Ma'arifa 

Ma'arifa refers to a person who knows and realize that he knows about these particular sciences. He is a specialist in his field of knowledge and is not stingy with his knowledge. Instead he shares it with others since he knows the obligation and his responsibility to spread the knowledge or science about the Lord in the society who needs it. This person does not associate his knowledge with money or materialism. He only teaches it for His sake and not to make a living. This is the type of human which refers to past imams that we learned about some of them in our schools or in our fellow brothers' and sisters' sites. The Lord says in glorious Quran surah al-Baqara verse 41 which means: "...never change My verses with lower price, and only to Me should you be dependent!!!" This type of person is represented by minority of people in the earth.    

2. Taqlid Shaheed

A person who knows but he does not realize that he knows about the Lord. Maybe he knows that he is aware about the Lord, but due to few problems he does not know how to use his knowledge and could not spreading it widely. There are few factors or reasons which lead to these such as occupied, financial problem, didn't given the chance by people or environment around. But if given the chance, having sufficient financial support and his worldly occupation being loosen up that he could benefit society with the wisdom and knowledge that he posses.   

3. Jahel Murakkab

I always heard this term, hahaha. In Malay it is used to mean bodoh nak mampos but the definition according to the science is slightly different if without the twice word. This is actually a tasawwuf science term but not many are aware about this and using it even in daily speeches without knowing the definition. It refers to double ignorance. He is ignorant and aware that he is ignorant. He is humble with his ignorance and asking others who are more knowledgeable than him. This kind of person always attend the sciences lecture in masjids. He is easy to accept advises, listening to others and is open toward criticism on his ignorance. This kind of person needs to only learn more and his ignorance will shy away. 

4. Taqlid Bateel

This refers to an ignorant person who is not aware that he is ignorant. If he has an assumption, he would treat it as his faith without checking it with others who are more knowledgeable than him. It also refers to a civilian who is ignorant and refuses to accept his ignorance or stupidity. Noble prophet Jesus a.s mentions this as ahmaq or in rudimentary word means stupid! Many tasawwuf specialists use the word Jahel Murakkab twice to refer to this type of person since he is ignorant in term that he has no knowledge in certain science and he is ignorant because of his attitude. In the easiest way to explain this, he is stupid but he thinks that he is a smarty ass. This type of person is in the majority of society in the world and they could easily being influenced by rumors or fake news like what we always read in comments in youtube or other sites by those who call themselves as anti-Islam or Western civilization ass-wipers. It is not only unique to these people but there are also these kind of people in Muslim society as well as other society in the world. Those fanatics are in this group of person. Sorry for some rude words as it is easier to explain in street way of talking, haha.

Closing

Next time insha Allah we would learn about the definition of daleel or evidence according to our path sciences. There are also definitions for taqlid, fanaticism and taqlid bateel/jahel murakkab twice. When we look around, watching TV programs like forum in Western medias, accusations of political parties on each other, quarrels between Muslim denominations or movements and etc... We could see all of these and compare it what we get from this division of jazams.     


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

Sunday, 6 November 2011

Is Kafir Really Means Infidel?

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah


This morning I had read some questions and statements about Islam and Muslim by people who hate Islam or religion. They are sometimes annoying, like childish little girls or budak jambu perasan macho (boys who thinks that they're smart good looking guys with bunch of friends around) in American schools seeking attention for something which is "temporary," pooorah! They don't hate Muslim (human), but they hate Islam (the God), hehehe. 

The God actually does not need this kind of people. Nobody needs their filthy blood to be spilled on mother earth. So, every time when they talk about "apostates" or "infidels" must be killed, I found that it as annoying because it does not reflect the 'real' situation or perhaps they wanted to die and asking some "terrorists" to kill them? Sick people... I would just recommend them to get a life, do something better with our life. I had been a Buddhist and an Atheist for some times and I hated Islam because of bad experiences with Muslims too. Nobody actually had killed me. I am alive and typing this post. There are many people turning to other faith in this world either from Islam to other faith or being ones without faith or from other faith to Islam. So, what's the big fuss about it? We want to believe anything, just go on. Do we have to let the whole world know what is inside our heart? What if people know? We feel proud because we could be in line with the mainstream and showing off on how advance we are like the "mainstream" when we criticize other faith?

This post is a bit of translation and we don't simply translate words because the words of different languages match to each other. In political science, we have conceptualization. Those people who talk nonsense are just insulting their own intelligence as human-being. People like Cicero the orator, also doing some interpretation while delivering speeches.

In most Eastern traditions of philosophies for example Buddhism, these people are considered as beasts because they do not talk like human. This is according to what had been proposed in Panchasil or the Five Principle Precepts to be human-being. This discourse about Panchasil was given by lord Buddha Gautama to Naga Muchalinda who took human form to be a monk (human) but since he was not a human-being, lord Buddha advised him to stick to Five Principle Precepts for him to be "incarnated" into a human-being in the future and he could perform monasticism "in the real meaning."

What is in Panchasil???

1. Not to take life (killing, murder)    
2. Not to take what is not given (jealousy, hijacking, stealing, robbing)
3. No to false speech and fact distortion (lying, cheating, slandering)
4. Avoid from using senses falsely (norms and morality of sexual conduct according to monastic law, usage of mind)
5. Avoid intoxicants stuffs (liquor, crack, caffeine)

Many "scholars" about Islam as a hideous thing with bias childish criticism, and bashing in the internet had fallen into the stage of beasts though this principle is Buddhism by basis. It has no religious connotation because beasts need 'no religion.' This is what I am trying to tell some Muslim brothers and sisters when we talk about people of other faith or about anything. We try to avoid distorting facts. We just talk about whatever we know but stay silent on whatever that we are not sure. In the West, people love to act scholar though they are not by fact 'wise.' They articulate and talk as if they know everything though their brain is empty of the issue that they are talking about. People also distort facts through the name of "Rules and Regulation." Unfortunately, this is how the world is "dominated" and "shaped" by them while the real Dominion is the One with Mercy and Love : ) 

Now back to the topic, when we translate things, there are actually many principles that we need to adhere. We even possess translation and interpretation theories and science. It mentions that translation could not be a "real" rendition of a text but simply to bring the message from a language to another for the different audience. As to say, there are many misunderstandings about this Quranic word which sounds like كافر kafir (pl. kuffaar). It is often translated into English as infidel. Infidel is a Latin word based from Roman Catholicism terminology. Latin is a liturgy language for Roman Catholics and technically Roman Catholicism is a sect of Christians' religion. It's not Muslims' ritual language because we use Quraiysh Arabic in most of rituals like salat. Even some of us recite supplications after salat in Arabic and not in native tongues. 

As per my understanding for the word kafir in this way to return to Him, it means that a creature is an ingrate toward Him. Ingrate in this context of word means someone who has no gratitude to the Creator, Who gives and generates Life. The Arabic word kafir is a noun which shows the act of the subject from the past tense verb كفر kafar.

What does كفر  kafar means in Arabic? 

It has three basic meanings...
I. غطاه closed, covered from comprehending their selves and the God
II. انكره refusing to respect the God 
III. ضد امن against security (those who spread lies, slander, and harming human-society or creatures)

From this word, another word which is derived from kafir sounds like is كفارة kaffarah. It means the breaking of commandment and covenant. It also refer to sentence or fine for sins and crimes committed by a creature. Deeper meaning, it means the sentence to cancel the act of breaking the commandment and covenant. Commandment and covenant is the contract between a soul and the God. This is how the word being developed in Arabic. It's not simply substituting word for word like a person who does not go to school. This problem happened because many of Islamic texts was translated by Westerners. Translation could also be influenced by the ideology and tendency of a certain translator. 

Terminologically, the word kafir means a person who does not believe, have no confidence and denies the God as the One who Creates the Universe, who Sustains the Universe, and who Gives life to the death. It refers to people who are hidden and covered to the Revelation and the seal of prophethood, Muhammad s.a.w as a messenger of the God to the nations of era near Resurrection. 

Then only this word is generally translated into English as infidel where it has been taken into substitution for the word in eastern part of the world. Another word for this in English used to translate this particular word is disbeliever because translators trying to avoid Roman Catholicism connotations and the method of understanding the word is different. For me, I would use the word ingrate to translate the word into English.

E.g of the usage of this word is such in the term of كُفُرْنِعْمَةْ kufur ni'mah. It means someone who refuse to admit the grace of the God the Most Highest to him or to her. Basically it means ingratitude, ones without politeness and of no manner. These kind of people do not co-exist well with the nature and causing troubles for the universe. This كُفُرْ kufur word is synonymous to kafir but it does not make a Muslim person an infidel from his or her faith to the God the Most Highest and His messenger to the universe, Muhammad s.a.w or leading to what is called as apostasy. This term is used to refer to ingratitude which brings not one from the boundary of the basic six pillars of faith and five pillars Islam.

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

Sunday, 23 October 2011

Jurisprudence : What is Fiqh or Jurisprudence?

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

This is the Chinese or perhaps Sino-Japanese depiction of King Yama. Buddhists always talk about him when it is regarding punishment that a person will get as a way to cleanse up one's karmma. Usually elders will threaten youngers that King Yama will cut our tongue if we tell lies to others as lying will also bring bad karmma. King Yama is a judge and the guardian of hell. Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms in South East Asia also had used Brahminical texts such as Tharmmasastram to derive code of conduct and legislation provisions in the kingdom or anachakra ruled by a king or chakravarttin. One of the law practiced in ancient Buddhist kingdoms such as of ancient Malay kingdoms are like Sulo or impalement to execute a woman who commit adultery or treason against the king.

We have many branches of knowledge and sciences in the studies of religion after the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w who is our seal of prophethood had returned to His Mercy. One of them is called as Fiqh. 

So, straight to the point, what is Fiqh brethren? Roughly it is a science related to the Islamic jurisprudence. It is an expansion of the code of conduct where we call it as Shariah and expounded from the glorious Quran. Shariah usually is supplemented by the tradition of prophets and we call tradition as Sunnah of prophets. Sunnah of prophets were re-introduced again by the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w and some came from him according to the period where he live. Shariah which consists of the conducts of life from the sources of Quran and Sunnah then will be implemented through rulings and interpretations of jurists whom we call as Qadhi. 

Sometimes I would also refer to Jesus Christ as a future Qadhi. I will always wait for his arrival and rulings if I do not die yet. It actually signifies the end of the world : ) We already have our own guidelines and we do not need others to teach us especially in our own countries. The God is teaching us with basic rulings and the observance of morality is considered as apart of the prevention of evil and crimes. We don't need secularism or French concepts of looking at this world. French are just human-being and human-being are imperfect. We also don't need Karl Marx to teach us or whatever ideology proposed by these people. Those ideologies are anathematized and not natural. I would translate the word anathematize for my Malaysian compatriots as dilaknat.  We refuse to accept their ideas as they also refused to accept others' ideas. If they perceive others as barbarians, we also perceive them as barbarians. 

我詛咒歐鬼的思想... 他們多數人不接收啟示然後他們學的事沒有天的指導和聖靈... 別人都可以說出來他們的偏見對我們的道,我們的聖人和穆斯林所以我也想嘗試看感覺是怎樣,哈哈哈... 我感覺很蠢...  

Fiqh deals with the observance of rituals, morals and social legislation in Islam. For Orthodox Sunnah Muslims, we have four schools of Fiqh established by four honorable imams which are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'ie and Hanbali. Our Shi'a Muslim brothers have two major schools of Fiqh inherited from Ja'afar as-Sadiq and Isma'ili Fatimiyya. Those who are trained in this science will be called as Fuqaha' (sing. Faqih). I am following and learning the method of Hanbali and most of brothers in Saudi Arabia are also following Hanbali methods. My brothers in Malaysia, Yemen, Lower Myanmar, Indonesia, and Southern Thailand are following Shafi'ie methods. My brothers in China and India are following Hanafi and those in Northern Africa in general are following Maliki methods. 

Definitions of Jurisprudence

Fiqh literally means the science of something in order to understand something, common sense in it, and the thought for the honor of the science of law as the quote from the glorious Quran where the God mentioned again what the people of Sho'ayb (Jethro) said to Sho'ayb a.s : "They said, o Sho'ayb! We do not understand many of what you had said and we indeed only see you as a weak person in front of us. If not because of your family, we would have thrown you with stones. And you are not respected for us." (Surah Huud verse 91). And the word understand in the verse signifies anything which lead people to think and ponder.

Terminologically, Fiqh means the science on the rulings of the way of leading life, practices, benefits, based from valid and accurate proofs in accordance to the origin of the fiqh or understanding.  

So, basically when newspapers wanted to tell everyone about this, they should also check the books and sources regarding this from the root source and not just from internet googling or by reading something at the surface. Reporters today are just as ignorant and irresponsible as the mat rempits who illegally racing on the road and later banging young bitchy girls if they won the illegal race. Orientalists, they went to study these too but they were also bias. The same thing also happen to some Muslims who just google up this and that about other system of belief or faith or reading certain blog related to some nonsense conspiracy theories which denies the Wisdom of the God the Most Highest. 

My past experience as a "deviant Muslim" boy for few years in my life had also helped me to understand many things and I found that bashing others are just making people mind restless and later it affects the environment around. These kind of people would put some information in their sites or books and they later including their opinions based from their hatred to others, irrationality, unstable emotion or based from their perception game. Nothing is better than whatever they think because the thing which they prefer will eventually come to their favor. They could not propagate anything without telling that others are less better than them. Later others who had never read root sources and sharing the same hatred would also use the points from that and spread it worldwide. Again, these sick people no matter Muslims or non-Muslims need heart and soul purification. They would also easily being affected by diseases and die early I could assure this because not only glorious Quran talked about people who bite their fingers because of baseless anger but also the teachings that I had followed for some times which was Buddhism : )

Regarding science in religion, Ibnu Khaldun in his book Muqaddima (Introduction) had divided science into two branches :

I. Rational ones which have been generated by human intellect. Another one is revelational which is received through revelation and transmitted to others such as what happened to prophets for example the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w who had received knowledge through revelation and not from studying it in school and he then transmitted it orally to his companions, contemporary, people around him, and later generations.

II. Excludes the use of intellect as far as its reception, reporting, and transmission are concerned. It relates to injunctions of secondary report, derived from usool or origin, calls it into play one's intellect and ability to exercise analogical reasoning. Fiqh is included in this second category. It is a product of later generations since companions of prophet Muhammad s.a.w do not need its formulation into a new branch of science as the law-submitter or the prophet and messenger of the God was still around with them. They may straight away ask the prophet s.a.w for clarification or looking at how he acts when they are not clear on something.

Sources for Legislation Reference

Many people can understand about British Common Law on how the decisions were derived. Whether from past cases as examples for rulings of court or from the jurists decision like some raping cases in the United States. I do watched American short series but I can't remember all of them. Some scene, I still could remember. 

I also learned legal language which involved the Common Law and Tort Law during our translation and interpretation class where one of our lecturer is a Sikh lawyer whose name is Harpal Singh. Well, many students especially girls love him and he is a single guy in the middle age. For me, he is a generous guy who donated a lot to students in order to make class more lively and interactive. I gave all of the food that I get from his class to my roommate, brother Zaydi simply because his father name is Hussein and I want him to be my imam in prayer services in our room. I think he must thought that I was crazy, hahaha. I was also fasting to calm down my mind at that time but I could not waste the food so I just offer them to my roommate and sometimes if I have vegetarian meals I would also offer them to some Hindu friends neighboring my room. At least my acquaintance and friends are healthy and they could save their money, I would be very happy : ) I treated brother Zaydi badly in the beginning simply because he is a Kelantanese and I was also influenced by bad talks of people around. It has to do with misconception and generalization too that we become racist, no? We never have any contact with majority of certain people that we don't really like so we created some negative image for something that we had never experienced. Just get a life and do beneficial things like enhancing amity among human, environment, and animals instead of spreading hatred just because of differences and misconception...

From what I had also learned in our masjids and school for final exam for the course of Islamic Rulings and Legislation, our sources for rulings and details must be obviously come from :  

1. The Glorious Quran.
2. Sunnah or the prophetic traditions and Orthodox Sunnah Muslim have four major methods.
3. Ijma' (agreement) between jurists and ulamas.
4. Qiyyas or common sense for matters which had never happened during prophetic era like smoking which kills others because of the smoke is harmful for human health and environment or rulings regarding the selling of harmful drugs or cracks. It needs human intellectual consideration and jurists need to think or using their head. It also needs researches and evidences.
5. Sources of rulings and legislation from the Ahlul Bayt.     

The Root of Fiqh

What is the root of Fiqh? It refers to methods which had been implied within the derivation of the development of legal provisions of the way from detailed and discreet proofs. On the other hand, the root of Fiqh which places the root or basic methods to develop jurisdiction and legal provisions according to clear Divine guidance and guidelines. The relevance of Fiqh is for jurists to derive legal provisions and rulings with clear evidence in order to implement the execution of nature laws from it.

While for the root of Fiqh, its motive is to to find clear evidence from where emerged the object of evidence on the legal provisions. And each that had been stated from the agreement and consideration based on common sense which falls under the name (of legal opinion) which includes :

1. Plaudits : It is reversing the jurisdiction of the way for example on the provisions on what had been perceived to face is stronger and reversing the jurists.

2. Sent Interests : The meanings or the matters which are linked to the jurisdiction and developed upon it and causing damage or harmful to human society however yet it is always being discussed. 

3. Known to people : It means legal opinions which is based on customs and norms. Custom or norms which is known to people, whatever had been in the character of speech, verbal, their way of thinking, and whatever is accepted and not accepted by the norms of society being repeated until it is accepted by the jurists and there are also other sources to derive opinion on jurisdiction between trained jurists in addition to whatever had already existed in agreement of jurists and various of considerations whether the past or through any other methods proposed by jurists. Sometimes those in India or Pakistan also seeking Brahmin priests to derive law and the effect is that, we can see people without nose or ears because those priests are using Tharmmasastram and Puranas in the derivation of customary law. Media then capture the pics and showing it to lazy people or those who has no feet to come to talk with real people asking this and that.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...