Takfir: Rulings

Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Ibn Hajar in his work, "al-I'lām bi Qawati' al-Islam" mentions that accusing other Muslims as infidels is a major sin of the major ones which will lead one who commits it to kufr himself. This is based from the hadiths of the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w who condemns this action.

"When a Muslim labeled the other as kufr, and it will return to him; Whoever says to a Muslim, 'Hey infidel or hey you the enemy of the God while the person accused is not an infidel, thus the label which he uttered to the other will return to his very self; Whoever accuse a believer, then it is equal to he kills him; Whoever says to his brother, 'O infidel, thus it will definitely makes one of them (who utter that) an infidel; Three basis of the Faith are refraining oneself from hurting those who recite the testimony of Faith; refraining from calling him as a disbeliever or an infidel and refrain from judging him as a disbeliever or an infidel with the vices committed..."  

There are many hadiths with the same significance to these compiled hadiths....

According to Ibn Hajar, takfir is an action of equating one self to kufr in any way either by derogatorily saying to him, "You are an infidel or saying O you infidel while he has the belief that the other Muslim accused by him is an infidel". Included within this action is, accusing or labeling other Muslims as the enemies of the God the Highest.

Shafi'i School View

He later quoted the opinions of clerics with regard to the rulings of takfir from the basis of hadiths and traditions. Most of all from the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence, since Ibn Hajar of Ashkelon is an adherent of this school of jurisprudence just like the majority of the people in our country and also in Hadramawt region in Yemen.

Abu al-Qasim Abdul Karim bin Muhammad al-Rafi'i of Qazvīn says, "A Muslim who says about other Muslims, 'o infidel' without any ta'wil thus he becomes an infidel himself. This happens because he is also naming the Path of Islam as a blesphemy. Ta'wil in this sense is referred to the word kufr whether it is an accusation of the Kufr al-Ni'mah or the Kufr al-'Amaly. Not a reference to the Kufr al-Haqīqī which would make a certain Muslim, an apostate".

Al-Nawawi in his book, al-Raudha also has the same opinion with the previous one. This opinion is held by almost all famous clerics within the school of jurisprudence for e.g Ibn al-Rifah, Abu al-'Abbas Najm al-Din Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Makki bin Yasin al-Qamuli, al-Asnawi, al-Asfirmani, Ibn Daqiq al-'Eid and many more. 

Ibn Hajar further explains that this accusation of kufr either with or without the ta'wil is prohibited by the councils of clerics. If the person who commits it legalize this, then he becomes a disbeliever; since "everybody among the Muslims knows that hurting other Muslims especially with this despicable word as something which is ḥaram!" (Ibn Hajar in al-I'lām, pp. 339-342).

Maliki School View

Malik bin Anas was also a teacher of Abu Idris al-Shafi'i so basically they learned from each other on the practices of the people of Medina. The practices of the people of Medina are deemed with great honor and many generations of tabi'in learned from them in the matter of the "Path" and its practices.

Abu al-Walid bin Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Rushd (1126-1198) among the scholars from this school of jurisprudence interpreted those hadiths mentioned above and says:

"Whoever commits that (accusing other Muslims as infidel), then he becomes an infidel if he has the belief that his brother who is a Muslim, really is an infidel (not kufr al-Ni'mah)". 

The gravity of this action is that if the defendant really an apostate, then the charge of the plaintiff is true. However, if the defendant is not an apostate and is still a Muslim by heart and by practices, then the plaintiff automatically becomes an infidel. Having the belief that Faith is a blasphemy is a blasphemous thought.

Enormity of the Issue

The discussion above displays the enormity of this question of takfir within Muslim society as according to Islamic view. It is hazardous for the religion and the creed of the plaintiffs and those involved with them. The implication of this accusation is enormous. It involves several issues as it poses spill-over effects such as on the questions of the blood of the defendants, matrimonial issues, guardianship, slaughtering of the sacrifice for meat consumption and so on. 

While a person who is a Muslim by inheritance and those who testify their faith on the God the Highest through the revelation upon Muhammad s.a.w are Muslims by confidence and through the decisions of the majority of clerics involved in jurisprudence and law; where the basis comes from the traditions...

Says the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w which more or less means, "I was commanded by the God the Highest to defend the "Word of Testimony" that there is no gods but only the God the Highest and they would return to Him with the teachings that I am revealed with.. Their safety is under my safeguard and their possessions are under my guardianship except with the security keeping rights; and the judgement is submitted only to the God the Highest!" 

The majority of our clerics agreed that those whose safety and security being supervised under our administration and guardianship with the Word of Testimony as those who submit themselves to the God the Highest, the Muslims.

The question on the legalization of other Muslims' blood is not a small matter within the framework of Islamic view. It could be reviewed in the literature of Ibn Hajar in his al-Zawajir; 2:88-95) through the hadith:

"If the whole dwellers of the heavens and earth associate themselves to spill the blood of a believer, thus they would certainly be thrown into the Hell! Killing a believer is heavier within the view of the God the Highest as compared to the destruction of the world; Whoever involves himself in the spilling of the blood of a Muslim although it is only with their speech, and in between his two eyes being stamped with "driven out from the mercy of the God the Highest!"

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

Obstacle on the Path

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Interesting insights...

Part 1

Part 2

 

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

Takfir: Experience and Reviews

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

If we analyze this phenomena which exists in Muslim societies since the early period until today, we could see that the main factor for this is due to confusion in the interpretation of Quranic verses and few hadiths. The result brings up the view that those who commits certain vices are considered as infidel. 

Personal Experience

I had encountered this situation at a mosque in our area where suddenly a Saudi man talking to me in Arabic though I replied to him in English. He suddenly complaining to me about there were few people in the mosque as compared to his country. He said that he thought the people here are Muslims but it turns out that they are infidels. Coincidentally, there was a carnival organized like a kilometer from the mosque and there were many people there too. 

I was lazy to argue with that kind of blocked mentality person because he said that he cannot easily find mosque at Sunway City where he stayed with his family. The first thing which comes out from my mind is that although he heard that this country is filled with majority Muslim population but what is wrong with researches before he reaches this country or any other place? There are many prayer rooms in this country and it depends also to the area where he stayed. Or he simply come to other country because he wanted to enjoy the leisure with his family instead making his travel a kind of lesson for him and his family? What gives him right to judge the people here? I was in the mosque and I pray simply like others but why was he complaining to me as if he is a holy creature? I never consider this country where I live as an "Islamic" state. Even the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not and never an "Islamic" state but why flatter our selves as if we are so perfect? Nobody is perfect except the God the Highest. I just walked pass him with my elder sister because we do not want to slap his face with our slippers in a mosque, a holy sanctuary where we should not bring thing which is not peaceful. What an insolent Saudi! Just because our holy lands in Hejaz are contained by the border of the Najd Sultanate does not gives them right to judge us! Only the God is the One who has the right! I do not even care if the Gulf states are rich. I only care to those who speak with manner and humble before the God. Even an ignorant among the ignorant could tell whether a person is a nice person or an ego!    

Other than that, the carnivals organized by our government also consist prayer rooms. We have prayer rooms and musalla besides mosques in almost everywhere, in shopping complexes, in offices, in library, in the varsity, in restaurants or people will outrage to the government and complain for neglecting the majority's right in religious practices. Before you travel to other countries, make sure you do researches and never think that people are the same with you! This world is not only revolves around you. If you feel that you cannot take the challenge of traveling and trying to impose your view on others then you can find the door and get out! Live and travel only in your own country. I am an Arab myself but I never behave like that to people. Because of their barbaric attitude, even we in the overseas who never live in Arabian Peninsula after being driven out by previous "Islamic" empires have to hear stereotypes about Arab nations like other races are free from flaws such as:

• Arabs are fanatics of their nation.
• Cheaters and opportunistic over people's charity.
• Arabs are respected only because of the noble Quran and because of prophet Muhammad s.a.w was born among the Arabs.

I cannot help but to answer this... What is wrong if we celebrate our root and nationality just like other nations? Everybody is entitled to their ethnicity and identity so people could get to know each other, learn new things from each other and make friends (Surah al-Hujurat 49:13). 

The second one is an over-generalization. You can find people like this in almost everywhere as long as you are known as human. There are many forms of "satan" and one of them is "human". Arabs were never angels and never are angels! The Arabs are human-being with the inclination either to goodness or evil just the same like you, the Malays! Just like everyone else. There is no verses in the Quran which say that Arabs or Jews are angels of the God the Highest. Both nations are of "human" race! The sons of Adam.

The third one is the most irritating statement everrr! If you wanted to question this, why not consider to ask the God the Highest why He gives the Quran to Arabs and why He makes Muhammad s.a.w an Arab? It is a speculative statement. You are having a perception out of this and it is because you have heard this from this guy and that lady and they were taught so and so. It is the same like you are questioning the Wisdom of the God the Highest while we cannot even comprehend His Will and actions. Nobody can decide on what race is he going to be born in. Either to be an Arab, a Malay, an English, a Jew, a Brahmin or a Chinese. It is the decision of the God the Highest, His Will. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w has no power to decide over his birth so why people are talking like godless people?

Muhammad s.a.w was not the only Arab prophet but there were also prophet Ṣāleh a.s. and prophet Hūd a.s. Both of them were ancient Arabs. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w himself is of mixed ancestry from Ismael a.s as prophet Abraham a.s his father, was from the city of Ur of Sumeria while his mother, Hagar was a captive woman who was brought to Egypt after a battle between a Western country with Egyptian empire. She was a servant in the Hyksos king palace before being given as a maid to Abraham a.s. There are many prophets of the God the Highest who are not mentioned in the scripture because they only teach their tribes and nations in their region. Why not looking at everyone as human first? Rather than talking about this race and that race when it is about negative things? Why not checking what prophet Muhammad s.a.w said during the final sermon in 'Arafah? Does that mean all Arabs are "satans" if an Arab is behaving like a "satan"? The same thing should also go to other nations. I regret that I still have to hear this racist remark. The basis of whatever struggle of a person, should be based on his "morality", the content of his character and not his racial background. The Justice of the God prevails over nationality!

Clearing the Issue

In clearing the issue, we found sources from the "Explanation of the Creed of al-Tahawi" which is popular among the four recognized schools of jurisprudence practiced by the majority of Muslim nations and the quote by al-Subki:

"Al-Tahawi while explaining the traditional creed about the takfir issue says that, 'We (the people of tradition) should never accuse others from the member of the quibla (Muslims) because of the vices committed without any confidence that they are legal (according to Quran and prophetic traditions); however we never deny that sins and vices could bring disadvantages to the "faithfuls".

While explaining the quotes from al-Tahawi, al-Subki says, "But there is a question with regard to the speech of al-Tahawi, where the law has also nominated certain sins as not faithful". For example, the saying of the God the Highest recorded in the Glorious Quran in Surah al-Maidah 5:44 which means...

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted (to the God) judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of the God, and they were witnesses thereto. So, do not fear the human-being but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what the God has revealed, then it is those who are the disbelievers.

And the saying of the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w regarding a Muslim with a Muslim, "To curse a believer is evil, and to wage war with him is infidelity" (Bukhari Compilation).

"Do not be disbelievers after I am gone in which some of you are decapitate the head of the other" (killing and waging war among Muslims); When a believer saying to one another, "O infidel! Thus the word cast to the other shall return to him who cast it out".

Four matters which will turn a person into a full hypocrite if he possess them all and he will possess a hypocrite trait if he possess one of these until he entirely leaves them which are...

1. When talking he tells lies.
2. When he made a promise and he breaks it.
3. When he is in a contract, pact and treaty and he breaks these.
4. When he argue, he goes over the board.

These which our Muslim brethren always accuse on our Jewish brethren in general are not really the accusation of the Quran on the whole Jewish nation! But these are the human trait which arise in human "self". It does not matter whether you are a German, an Arab or a Jewish. If you possess all of these traits, then you are a full hypocrite! If you possess one of these traits, then you still are hypocrites. And I am against people who treat my Jewish brethren or anyone with discrimination or racism because I know how does it feels when we live in foreign land while we are aware about our root and ancestry! I view everyone around me as human-being if he is a human-being when he exhibits negative acts according to the sermon of noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w in the Arafat Hill. I never view others with the notion such as Chinese, Indian, or anything related to their "nationality" because it will lead us to racial supremacy which is divisive and abusive. It is egoism. You cannot be a noble person if you never contemplate from within yourself. Never follow the example of the Western imperial period's orientalists if we do not like to be treated so. The ancient Indian philosophies had taught me a lot and that is why many of our people were sent there to see and to learn from around though most Indians today also leaving behind the wisdom of their honorable ancient sages.

"A person who commits adultery only when he is not faithful to the teachings; A thief only steals when he is not faithful to the teachings; A person only drinks alcohol when he is not faithful to the teachings; and leaving the prayer services makes a person an infidel".

This statement refers to certain times when a person is forgetting the teachings of the noble prophets and messengers of the God the Highest. However, in the end it separates the boundary between a believer and a disbeliever with the prayer services. And how we understood the prayer services is through the Sharia (the Divine Path). In this matter, I do not want and never force non-Muslim to come to Islam. It is never my intention but this is an explanation to myself and Muslim brethren only! I do not really care about whatever faith people wanted to have. That is their choice as long as it does not go against the law , trampling humanity and mercy-compassionate principle because this is the doctrine that I believe mentioned in the the Name of the God the Highest.

"Whoever comes to the soothsayer and believing in him or having genital relation through the back of his wife thus he goes against the teachings of the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w.; Whoever swears with the names (earthly creatures considered as divine) other than the God the Highest, thus he is an infidel; Two things which make my nations becoming an infidel are, 'cursing the lineage of a person and wailing the death of a person".

A bit on our culture, Arabs love to wail over the death. And just relate it to the statement up there. Because we live in the non-Arab environment so we do not wail so much on the death but only in sadness. Many Malay friends always saying that Indian (Tamils in our country) wailing at the death of their beloved ones. But actually Arabs are also the same. So, these are actually the statements for non-faithful, infidels, and others pertaining the takfir issues. We would see the majority Sunnah Muslim clerics opinion over the accusation of infidelity issue. 

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

Poyo

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Now I know why I cannot mingle with little kids no more. Because I am an older guy, haha. I discussed things with my colleague, Amir (22 Nov 2013;16:06). The only survival colleague in my contact list. I somehow agree with what he says, haha...

Tak susah nak cari kawan pun. Aku suka kawan dengan orang tua-tua yang humble. Tak macam budak-budak muda baru nak naik ini. Berlagak saja kerja depa. Kat office aku duk baik dengan seorang ini. Dia cuma seorang pembantu am sahaja. Dia tumpang kereta aku pi mari. Best juga. Jenis happy go lucky, sempoi. Macam mana aku duk merungut stress pun dia sama pandangan dengan aku. Jadi, aku tak lah rasa alone in hell sebab dia pun share benda yang sama dengan aku.

Last time, I also had this experience with this young little guy known as Nasrol from Ipoh, Perak. I guess he was born in 1990 which makes him at the level of my younger sister. What I could see from this guy is that he is friendly and he could mingle with others in term of conversation but he is also a "poyo" guy. He only gets an interview letter where he applied for police constable position but he talked as if he had got the job, lol. I do not feel like it is something which is bad or good. But it is normal for little guys who are about to embark this journey of life, haha.

I am not sure when does this word "poyo" come into existence but I guess it was already in usage while I was schooled in Selangor state around 2000. It is an adjective in Southern Malay slang which refers to a person who is not original, a little annoying or silly. Or referring to someone who behaves a little bit out of the norm, who thinks that he is cool and talking out of the fact of life. I guess it is close to "lame-ass" in American English, lol...

While I was in the varsity, there were many of these "lame-asses" talking about things related to their future-plan such as setting up business particularly cyber cafes, food and beverages, and stuffs. The same thing also happened when I was in self-introduction session with brother Muhammad Firdaus during the early phase of my postgraduate time. Suddenly, a guy who was a companion of Muhammad Firdaus interrupted from no where and talking about their future plan after their graduation. I just said my goodbye when I listen to that kind of thing because I had gone through that situation before. I had been in the university as an undergraduate 3 years earlier than them, lol.. And I am going through the same situation in which we call it in technical term as saṃsara for whatever that happens in the cycle.

I mean future plan is good but if you talk about that almost everywhere, then people would be annoyed with it especially we do not know the way people think. Human have different kind of thoughts and inclinations. There are also many types of "poyos" or "lame-asses". Sometimes, you could also be an artist or a popular figure because of your "poyoness". It does not have to be all the time but maybe sometimes, lol. Politicians could also be "poyos", haha. Preachers whether they are Muslims or Christians the same could also be "poyos", bitches and bastards. Atheists, Liberalists, Realists and others too. No one is spared from that at certain time.   

I maybe should be a psychologists but I did not do the course in higher educational institution which would lead me to a career but rather learning from life. Life is a university itself, haha...

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

Takfir: Historical Observation

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

A very good morning and a peaceful Friday which is a great weekend for us.  I still have few references to compile as a post here. I am not sure whether this could be known as an article because I am not clear about the standard myself, haha. I am planning to move to Bangkok but I do not tell anyone about my plan. It is a Buddhist country but I wanted to go to the United Nation office there rather than the one in Kuala Lumpur and getting the access to accession there. It must be done in stages because I cannot just go there out of blue while I know no one. Our ancestors were also like this before some of our branches becoming king or royal associates in the Malay countries. They were alone or together with their family members.

In my case, I am now alone because my beloved fort which is my father is paralyzed. I am stuck with my responsibility to my father and to be my mother's companion since the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentions that a particular person must take care his own family member first before talking about preaching to others. Moreover, we are Hashemites and we must love our fathers and mothers more than we love our selves. I am not studying in political science simply because I did not know what to do after I graduated from the undergraduate studies. I am not studying in the post-graduate to live a luxurious life or to get an executive position like others think.  I am not interested at all because I am aware that this life is just a "dream" while the fact is behind the veil of the "hereafter".

But rather I am doing anything with the basic ground that I wanted to set this beautiful name well-beloved by the creatures of heavens and earth, Muhammad s.a.w in its original connotation and context. As the mercy of the Lord to the universe and the holder of the scepter of tranquility. This was my prayer just after I decided to become a follower of prophet Muhammad s.a.w in its true meaning and dedication. Some people might think that it is crazy but I already had tried it before I faced conflicts with my sisters because they cannot understand my thought. They had long called me a lunatic and my third sister even had told me to take valium that made me quit from talking with them or other people no more. I never blame them. Human are not perfect and we are also the same mortal human like them so we see them as our reflection. 

Historical Obesrvation

Historically speaking, the issue is nothing new to the nations. It happened since the first century of Hegira in the period of Othman al-'Affan r.a where there were extremists who accused him as an infidel and argued with the evidence from surah al-Maidah 5:44 which means...

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted to the God judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that which they were entrusted of the Scripture of the God, and they were witnesses thereto. So, do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what the God has revealed, then it is those who are the disbelievers.

In the period of Ali r.a, the Kharijites had put this accusation on him due to that he accepts the peace treaty. Others such as Mu'awiya r.a and two peace makers, Abu Musa al-Ash'ari and Amr bin al-'As were also accused as infidels. Whoever that accepts the peace treaty were also regarded as infidels.

While in Egypt of 1950s, a great tyranny which was committed by the Gamal Abd el-Nasser regime on the Muslim Brotherhood had sparked extreme view among the members of the Brotherhood and it goes to the stage where those members begin to stamp the regime which operates the government as infidels and those who were not opposing them too were accused as infidels.

This ideology is not in accordance to the leaders of Brotherhood view as they adhered to the moderate creed of Ahl Sunnah just like the majority of Muslims around the world. The view of the Ahl Sunnah is that any Muslim who commits vices or even grave sins are not deemed as infidels. The Brotherhood leaders though were imprisoned but had tried hard to set the view of its members right. Among them was the second General Guide of the Brotherhood, Hassan Ismael el-Hoḍaibi. He completed the manuscript of Naḥnu Du'at la Qudat (We are the Callers, not the Judges) which was published after his death in 1977. Many people who analyzed it argued that it is a refutation to Sayyid Qutb's manifesto known as the Ma'alem fi al-Tareq (Milestone along the Way) and his argument of takfir, or the practice of declaring another Muslim as a non-believer. Barbara Zollner in her "Muslim Brotherhood" suggests that Sayyid Qutb was not a direct target of the text, but rather that el-Hoḍaibi wanted to pose respond to a radical marginal group withing the Brotherhood movement.    

One of the main objectives of the text is to define Muslims and disbelievers. Sayyid Qutb had previously argued that so-called "Muslim" governments were actually non-Islamic ignorant that must be abolished by "physical power and war struggle". However, el-Hoḍaibi responds even though a Muslim may have committed a sin or crime that may require punishment, but that person cannot be taken as an apostate. Judgement over Muslims should be left to the God alone. El-Hodaibi also questions whether the testimonies of faith in Islam is sufficient to be a Muslim, or whether there are requirements to act beyond this profession of faith. He argues that only those who actively engage in Islamic cause can be called Muslim.

The efforts of el-Hoḍaibi with regard to the questions has produced a valuable study on the creed of the Ahl Sunnah creed. The translation of this book in Malay was published by Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) in 1985. The translation was made by Ṣalahuddin 'Abdullah. However, this test of takfir cannot be completely eliminated because there are still a minority of people who are tightly attached to their perception and view.

This kind of attachment has been discussed by ancient sage for example, Siddhartha Gautama of Kapilavastu in the contemplation of Five Components about the origins of conflicts in the world. I was trained with this contemplation in the "Path of Self Purification" when I was a young teenage boy. It says like in the method of concentration discourses that..

"Views and perceptions of the eyes, views and perceptions of the sounds, views and perceptions of the smells, view and perceptions of the tastes and feeling, views and perceptions about tangible things, views and perceptions about intangible things in the thought or mind in this temporal world which are in accordance to our "self" and "pleasing" to ourselves, thus there will be the rising of the volition and basis for desires in "self". This, dear ascetics are known as the Noble Truth of the Suffering in the world. These, dear ascetics, are known as the Noble Truth of the Stress in the world. These, dear ascetics, are known as the Noble Truth of the Anxiety in this world. These, dear ascetics are the Noble Truth of the Unsatisfactoriness in the world. This, dear ascetics are known as the Noble Truth of the Conflicts in the world".

In our country as an example, this issue was traced as happening in the 1960's when certain religious teachers from the Kelantan state were involved in this practice in the context of supporting the political struggle related to Islam. The writer such as Wan Zahid Wan Teh reported that he saw this situation himself and witnessing the events where it took place since one of the involved religious teacher was his school teacher while he studied in Kelantan.

Before this issue is further discussed, there is a question which needs to be solved by everyone especially fellow Muslim brethren. Whether this takfir issue which is prevalent in Muslim societies worldwide with all of its dividing implications is a fact in existence or something which is made up? Even for some people, this question is merely an explanation about the boundaries of faith and the opposite. No more no less.

View on Issue

In agreement with Wan Zahidi (1987), I personally think that this issue and all of the impacts risen from the issue is a fact! It exists and is not made up by any party nor simply an expression of principles about the faith and infidelity.

This conclusion is taken based on the experience and based on the observation on news and historical analysis of those people whom we could depend on because of their firm reputation, trustworthiness, morality and according to Islamic methods. Please refer to technical terms such as 'alim, ṭiqah, and wara'. Also check the method of Malik bin Anas and 'Ali bin al-Madini for reporters of narrations, news and reports.

It would be unreasonable to say that, this inquiry is merely an expression of the principle since the expression about the boundaries of faith and infidelity are there stated in our old religious literature either in Classical Malay or in Arabic itself. They were taught to people by teachers since before the existence of political parties like today; however it never raises any conflicts like in our societies today.

As to say, we should honestly deal with this issue and being responsible without trying to escape instead facing this fact without being influenced by any sentiment which could bend our intellect tendency and consideration to any direction. The same thing also about Muslim civil wars which leads to our schism such as the Battle of Siffin and the Battle of Jamal. We should not run from the facts or passing it to the next phase simply because we are afraid of the consequences which is only in our presumptions.

Everyone especially Islamic scholars should sit at the roundtable discussing matters with "clear mind" instead of talking in the phone in TV programs, recorded programs, or writing in the journal or pamphlets without consulting each other. They should first avoiding egoism in scholarship but rather training themselves to be humble before the God the Highest so the tendency to debate in proving this matter or that matter as wrong or right would cease to happen instead everyone could try to be closer to the Truth or facts. This is the way of our salaf al-saleh (pious predecessors) and the tabi'in (pious followers).        

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

Friday Sermon : The Concept of Fear to the God

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Often, when we talk with Christian preachers about fear to the God, they will contrast us with the term of love to the God is better than fear to the God. As a Muslim, I am always aware about our love or devotion to the God. I always close my postings with prayers for peace, mercy and love and it means also love toward the God. I actually don't really like preachers. No matter of what religion, I just don't like to be persuaded. I love to do everything because of my own sincerity for Him and because of my own awareness. Not because I look at this guy looks awesome or that guy looks great in any church, group or etc. If I am that kind of person, I would be a person who has many friends around me. But I am not...

The imam who delivered the sermon is my favorite imam in Masjid al-Malik Khalid, imam Zayd Zahari from Pulau Pinang. I love his Quranic recitation which is clear, simple, medium and without any exaggeration. He actually gains my respect though I never personally talk to him because I don't think I am fit enough to talk to him and I also care about his memorization which means I will never interrupt him although he does not recite any Quranic verse in front of me because I know the sacred verses is actually circulating within him and could not be interrupted. I think his sermon about fear to the God is more important than political sermon about Palestine or Israel. They are not important as the God is important (He is the Light of the world and heavens). So, why should I exaggerate about these people situation? They become like that simply because of they have no reflection on themselves. No muhasabah and they look at themselves as important. Who is actually important? Allah or His slaves?

My Palestinian classmate never join five times obligatory congregational prayer services although he lives in the hostel close to masjid which is actually a serious offense according to Hanbali madzhab. For me, his room should be burned as according to Abu Hurairah hadith but yet he still talks about how important his country to be enlisted in the world map. If he prays in congregation with his people there it would be nice but I saw it with my own eyes as I always accompanied him since we were classmates. People like us have no country of origin anymore and living as the citizen of others without the sense of belonging but why we never lament our fate like them and going to the media like superstars? We also don't live like normal human-being so I understood how the Jews diaspora feel. If I live like normal human perhaps I would not be writing these postings to talk to the Lord.  

Definition of Fear to the Lord

According to the sermon, the word fear is translated from the Arabic word at-Taqwa which means fear, haha. It is synonymous to English word, integrity which was derived from a Latin word Integer. In the Old Testament, Songs of the Song (Shir Ha Shirim), integrity was mentioned for about 66 times. In Quran there are hundreds of the word which refers to integrity and fear to the God. The concept of taqwa and the confidence that the Lord is monitoring us (He is Monitoring us!).    

The imam says that the serious problem in our society today is because we have no taqwa toward the God. If we wanted to talk about the devotion and love to the God. We must also talk about fear toward the God as all of these are inter-connected. It is like when we talk to a beginner about certain things, they would not get the picture if we only show half of it and mentioning it as a complete picture. If we can't show the whole picture in a space, we should show it step by step. As in Christians' faith for example, to get the knowledge on Salvation, one has to be baptized. What happened if a person is not baptized? He will be doomed forever. For us Muslims, the words of fear to the Lord or kalimah at-Taqwa is there is no gods but only the God. Baptism for me is just a tradition of prophet Jesus a.s and sages of ancient Israel. I perform it everyday according to what has been highlighted by noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. When I repented to our ancestral path, I also performed ghusl (baptism) to clean myself from previous deeds and being a new-person. Certain special days, I also perform massaha (annointing) where I will apply olive oil on my skin and hair. If I translate it into Greek it sounds, Christos but I am not a "Christian" and I don't need any church baptism. I am a Muslim, and my patriarchs are Abraham a.s and Ismael a.s, my imam of jurisprudence school is Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, the seal of prophethood according to my faith and creed is Muhammad s.a.w : )

Three Degree of Fear to the Lord

1. Liberating one self from infidelity and ingrateful attitude

2. Avoiding one self from sinful acts

3. Cleansing one self's heart and soul from things which keeping him far from Allah

Closing

I found that if we have ample knowledge about the pillars of faith and pillars of Islam, we will understand what has been taught by teachers. I always advise myself to revise the hadith compiled by Imam an-Nawawi rahimahullah on the hadith Jibril a.s. If I found kids doing immoral activities, perhaps I will kidnap them and force them to memorize the pillars of faith and pillars of Islam and recite them until their throat sore, hahahhahahahahaa. So the sermon today is about taqwa. Let us ponder more about this topic and get our understanding in a more deep manner. The way Allah look at us is upon at-Taqwa. Not upon superiority of race or nationality or gender or appearance. I also look at people according this standard.

Prayer for mercy, peace, and love, amin!    

Friday Sermon: Manner of Being a Neighbor

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Thankful to Allah, we could complete the service for Friday prayer this afternoon without problem. The sermon delivered by a lecturer of architecture department. I can't remember his name because lately my memory became quite tarnished do to anxiety syndrome. It is not really good for health. I talked with Amir, my ex-colleague about this too realizing how "suck" is our life that leads us to this kind of syndrome. He is with his problem anxious about his younger brother and sisters. While I am also anxious with thesis due date, the next semester classes, and family. I am worried about my dad's health. I love him though I never get enough attention when I was a little kid. I understood him, he needs to work hard and sacrificing for the family.

I try to perform meditation again and it will surely cut me off from other brothers in faith or anyone. It is not easy to maintain positive mind when we are in uncertain period and when we keep asking "what if" although we try not to think much about the future.

Sermon

The preacher said that people today are too busy and too much influenced by material that makes them have no free time to greet neighbors even those beside their houses. It makes the relationship turns insipid. The failure to understand the concept of neighborhood makes people misunderstood each other, quarreling, fighting and to the serious one such as hurting and killing their own neighbors. It ruins the unity of society and raising up the enmity among society while Islam emphasizes the need to be good to the neighbors and respecting everyone. The prosperity of a country and nations depends on the relationship of every individual in the society. 

The quality of a society is reflected through understanding and the closeness of each other. It encompasses the boundary of religions, races, ethnicity, color, and languages. Everyone is encouraged to be good to everyone regardless these aspects. Nations are urged to maintain good ties and relationship. Trying to be friendly as to form a peaceful and harmonious life. When facing problems, trying to solve them through good means.

Says the God through Quran: "Be good to your parents, your relatives, orphans, paupers, close and distanced neighbors, travelers in trouble and servants (if you have ones)." (Surah an-Nisaa verse 36)

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "Archangel Gabriel a.s always reminds me about neighbors until I though that neighbors inherit each other (it means that living like a family)." 

In the reality of life today, human could not run from living with each other and forming a society. Whether in the village or towns. Either they are interested or not interested to face their neighbors, or having different tastes and hobbies, or different characteristics. They are still in a society and forming neighborhood. Islamic manners of neighborhood prohibits a Muslim to reveal the humiliating secrets of a neighbor to others, intruding their residence, and taking their rightful rights (by all means either by law or by force). 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "The most good among humans are those who bring benefits to others."  

Ibnu Qayyim rahimahullah explained the hadith above through an explanation saying that: Those who did charities to others, the God will also be good to him. Those who display the merciful act to others, the God will also be Merciful to him. Those who brings benefits to others, the God will also pours benefit to him and those who protecting the secrets of others, the God will also protecting his secrets and never humiliating him. Those who prevents benefits to others (due to jealousy or enmity) or committing the acts other than prescribed, the God will also do the same to him in both this world and the hereafter. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w also says: "The doomsday would never come unless there are much disgusting acts and words came out from human-being, severing the ties of mercy among each other and disrespecting neighbors." (narrated by Ahmad and Hakim)

Manners of Being a Neighbor

They are summarized as 30 altogether by Imam al-Ghazali rahimahullah:

1. Trying to create friendly condition through self-introducing and respecting each other. Greeting each other with peace prayers which is assalaamu'alaikum when meeting a fellow Muslim and respecting fellow non-Muslim with respectful greetings.

2. Trying to tolerate everyone in term of religious matters, cultural differences, lifestyle, and etc if there are differences.

3. Never physically or mentally hurt neighbors by all means which is through words, acts, or bad thoughts. An evil and immoral neighbor is depicted as a possessed by black ghost (Satan) until they could do evil things and brings fear to others. 

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "By the God, a person is not faithful..." The companions asked him: "Who is that dear prophet?" He says: "A person who makes his neighbor lives in fear because of his evilness." (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

In another hadith, prophet Muhammad s.a.w says: "A person never enter the paradise if his neighbor feels scared and not at peace due to his evil deeds." (narrated by Muslim)

3. Always talking in good speech and respecting neighbors as human.

4. Being humble, gentle and avoiding from bragging about ourselves.

5. Always trying to help neighbors in any form.

6. Loving neighbors like loving ourselves. Trying to be in accordance with neighbors as long as it is not against the religious rites and trying to avoid anything that is  disliked by neighbors.

7. Taking care about neighbors and showing sympathy on the problem faced by them in the matter of religion, family, matrimonial, psychology, health, education, finance, food and drinks, and others. Displaying noble morality to respective neighbors. 

8. Never insulting and looking down on neighbors regardless status. Always respecting neighbors and appreciate them. Being thankful to neighbors on their gifts, services, and assistance.

9. The ones in the top priority to be treated like a family are 40 houses around our houses. At the right, the left, the back and the front of our houses in the measurement of 40 houses are all our family and neighbors regardless if they are relatively connected to us or not.

10. Trying to create peaceful, tranquil, and nice environment at the neighborhood. This is a factor which is mentioned by prophet Muhammad s.a.w in the pillars of happiness, one of it is a good neighbor.

11. Always protecting oneself from offenses such as vandalism, polluting the dignity of one selves and neighbors and it includes the family of neighbors, their properties, their religions, and etc.

12. Avoid from being too nosy about others personal matters or about their family matters unless if they come to us and telling us to get assistance to solve problems.

13. Help those who are afflicted by calamity and disasters may they became peaceful and tranquil.

14. Put ourselves in neighbors' shoes. When they are facing the difficulties, try to imagine that we are also in difficulties like them and when they are in happiness we are also feeling happy for them. Congratulate them when they are getting new houses, new furniture, receiving new babies, marriages, and others. Sending them condolence when there are misfortunes like death and others.

15. Avoid from looking at stuffs brought by neighbors to their home. There is no necessity to be nosy about that.

16. Never be careless in calling them toward charity and chastity. Preventing evil and vices through wisdom.

17. If our neighbors are committing evil acts, be patient and always ready to forgive them their sins. Never strike back evil with evil but giving people only goodness.

18. Never listen to slanders and gossips of others about our neighbors and never be influenced by those evil matters.

19. Visit neighbors when they are sick and not well. Taking care about their health.

20. Help in managing their corpse when there is death in the neighborhood.  

21. Never heralding neighbors errors, humiliating them or telling others about their errors.

22. Helping neighbors in term of finance such as loan or donation if they need it.

23. Merciful and gentle to neighbors' children.

24. Looking after the safety of neighbors' home and children while they are not at home.

25. Congratulate them when there are good events happening to neighbors especially when they receive goodness and blessed by the God with good things.

26. Sending condolence to neighbors when they are in disasters.

27. Never build any high building which could obstruct the flow of the wind to neighbors' houses unless if they permit it and happy with it. Never burden neighbors by placing something which could prevent them from entering their own houses just for our own satisfaction.

28. Never hurt neighbors with the smell of the cooking. If the cooking is nice then give some for them to taste and enjoy it.

29. Giving presents to neighbors some fruit that we bought for their health and clean them first before giving them to neighbors.

30. Always praying for safety and happiness of the neighbors.

Three Kinds of Neighbors with Their Rights

1. Muslim neighbors with relative ties are with three rights as neighbors. They possess the rights of a neighbor, a family, and a brethren in faith.

2. Muslim neighbors who have no relative ties possess two rights where they are to be treated as a neighbor and a respective brethren in faith. 

3. Non-Muslim neighbors possess a right which is the right of a neighbor who is to be respected with 30 manners mentioned above.

Diary

Somehow this sermon is like hitting my nose too, lol. I have no strength to be friendly or talking to people anymore. If I have the choice, I would just run to the mountain, grassland or desert and live their until my end comes. I am afraid of negative thinking might influence my life but we have no choice as human is meant to live together as a society. If we keep our distance with people, people might also think that we are this and that. That is not good for them too because it cause them negative thinking. 

Urmm, now I also feel like living in a cave while having to finish the thesis. This place is perfect for temptations by Satan and also meditation. I feel like wanted to jump down from the tenth floor here but each time I noticed that it is Satan who is tempting me to do this silly and sinful act. It happens few times when I am pressured and I have no one to talk about the problem. When producing or doing something heavy, we needs someone to at least listen or discuss about the topic but I could not find anyone since postgraduate is not like undergraduate. We are on our own. 

Other than that, I am afraid that I might also burden others who are not related and I believe nobody would want to be associated to others problem. It is a common thing in which I understood. I still remember reading the Gospel of Matthew about Prophet Jesus a.s was also tempted by Satan after he was baptized (ghusl) where he was challenged by Satan to jump down from the tower of a temple. It shows that Satan indeed interfering when we are alone. Even the prophet of the God also experienced that. We are just ordinary people as compared to him. When some  friends come to me or my siblings talk to me about their problem I would also try to listen because I understand the feeling. In case like my seniors, auntie Roslin who also telling me about her problems until 2 a.m in the morning on Wednesday. Because of that I had cancelled my weekly fasting for two days Monday and Thursday but never mind. At least she feels better. I feel sorry that I can't help her as I am also stuck here. If not perhaps I might offer myself to perform sacrifice. I don't mind helping brothers and sisters in faith without any payment but just help me with prayers.

This one is a reminder to myself if I engaged in the society and community. For brothers and sisters in Europe and Western countries, try to also respect your non-Muslim neighbors and friends if they do not hurt you. Also everywhere in the world, we are the people who follow the nature of the universe. So we try to live in accordance to the nature.

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'alaa aali Muhammad. Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!

Migration: Current Challenges to Nations

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Now we continue the third and final series of the lecture about migration in conjunction to Hijrah New Year 1433. The previous series could be accessed in Migration: Knowledge is the Light. According to Ustad Roslan Chik Ros, a scholar had once listed down based from the Quran and Sunnah on what are the obstacles which prevent a faithful servant of the God to be an obedient and a good servant?

1. Evil Desires and Lust   

In Arabic, we call desire and lust with the term nafs and it means self as human possess various selves in him. We had talked a lot about many bad things. Human who fails to educate this enemy (desire and lust) will be in turn being educated and lead by this enemy. It will lead human into destruction. 

The book Durat al-Nasihin mentions that the God has created the desire and later asked it. Who are you and Who am I?! It answers Him: I am as I am, and You are You! It means that the desire does not want to admit itself as His creation and servant. It has no gratitude and never feels enough. The God cast it into the hell of torment for 300 years. When he was brought out, the God asked it again. And it still answers the same. The God then cast him again for another 300 years. After that, he was brought out again. The God asked it again. And the desire admitted that it is His a servant of the God.

The goodness which could not penetrate into our selves was caused by this obstacle which is the evil desire. There is no struggle which is as great as the struggle to fight the evil desire as it is the root for various desires and which also brings war in this world. When the desire becomes younger and younger but our physical body becomes older each time we reach the year. If we do not bring the desire into what He is pleased with, thus there will be no changes in the society and nations.

2. The World 

The World or duniya in Arabic refers to anything which we can see in this world with our physical eyes and we can touch them. On the other hand, it also refers to materialism. In Islam, the matters which we sought for our necessity to face the life is considered as tools and in the same time those matters are also considered as the fitna (test). The God mentions that property, children and position that we have in our society are all the tests on us. Those who fail to reckon these matters as the tests from the God will sacrifice "Islam". What is the goal of human life? Is it for the stomach (to eat excessively)? Genitals (having sex for never ending lust)? Entertainment and having fun is our goal of life? 

The character and the appearance of the world is luring. She makes people obsessive of her. In the event of Isra' and Mi'raj where the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w had visited the heavens, he had saw a pretty woman with jewelries all over her. Then he was curious and asked his companion, the noble emissary, archangel Gabriel a.s. Who is that woman? The archangel Gabriel a.s answered, that is the simile of the world. Why the God made the world looks like a pretty woman? What is His message to us? How does a pretty lady looks like at the guys? We are also aware that there is also gay and transvestite communities. But this still applies. The world has her attractions and that is why the male and female must cover the parts which are prescribed in the jurisprudence as should not being exhibited to public. When people wanted to produce advertisement banners for example, they for example might use material and human models. The advertisement for cosmetics might use woman with "sexy" features for example lips, eyes, nose, and etc. The advertisement for obscene magazine perhaps using naked or half-naked male models. The advertisement for alcohol drink might also use woman as the attraction though it is non-related to the beverage, haha. 

This world is indeed fun for those who can't detect her weaknesses and flaws which is harmful for other higher selves. It is not enough until early in the morning that kids hanging around with friends, racing on the motorcycles. Will we be able to face challenges in society today if we had wrongly estimate the world? For example having wives. Human actually feels bored quite in no time. The God had given some loosen up for man to have four wives and practicing polygamous marriage. Because men feels bored with the only wife and preventing them from finding concubines or establishing non-legal relationship with other women. However men are not satisfied and still having boundless desire over the women (world) as an example.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w mentions that human will never be satisfied even when being given a valley of gold. He is still not satisfied with two valleys of gold and so on. He will only be satisfied when the soul leaving his mass. Money is never enough for human. If we never change our attitude toward the world, how would we be able to face obstacles to change the society and bringing it into His Mercy and Love? We are still being deceived by the worldly affairs. The worldly affairs which brings us toward the goodness and the success in the hereafter is when we assume it as the "field for us to work in reaching Him."

3. Satan: Genies and Devil     

In the Glorious Quran, surah Yaasin, the God mentions about human has an obvious enemy which are the Satans. These creatures are invincible at human physical eyes but they co-exist with human-being and that is why they are known as genies which means hidden creatures. The first genie, who's known as Iblis or Devil has made a promise before Him after he was accursed that he will drag human-being and others into the torment and the curse as he is envious. Envious is madzmumah (evil) characteristics for servants of the God. It brings no benefit to society. These creatures who are evil are classified as satans which means demons and those who are stubborn to submit to Him. Satan also applies to other creatures such as human-being and animals who are evil.

A person who is unable to see the tricks and the motions of Devil will be deceived and fail the tests. The Devil promised to deflect human-being and decorate His commands with lame looking while he decorates His prohibitions until they look interesting. For example, in Malaysia, people love to go for night market while nobody wanted to meditate in the masjid though the masjid has facilities and activities. People would walk around the night market and only ended up buying kacang puteh (garden peas). During the early part of Ramadan, people might influx the masjid until the mosque lose its balance and list. That happens because He had seized all of these hidden creatures so human will use their considerations and minds wisely, not being influenced by evil whispers. However, when it is near to the end of Ramadan, the masjid becomes empty and empty as the blessed month is almost over.

Devil decorates what is illegal and makes it look fun for example the time when a non-married couple is chatting to each other until they forgot the time. They could stare at each others' face for eight hours without stop. But when they are married and are legal to stay together, they feel that it is not fun anymore. The Devil made it opposing each other. When it is illegal, couples would be so fond of each other, perhaps calling each other every minutes. I also see this everywhere, it also includes my first year degree roommate Duwe, hahaha. His girlfriend called him even when he is in the toilet... poopin', hahahaha. If we have no knowledge and forget about this, we would be carried away by the current. No changes.

4. Satan: Human-Being   

We would be spoiled because of fellow human-being. Sometimes, our children who we had properly educated with religious classes, being sent to madarasas, and we taught them with scriptures but still could be found for example illegally racing on the road. Why? It's the influence of friends. Sometimes, a friend who is not good will bring a person into the darkness. 

As for myself, I have to think many times when I wanted to make friend too and this is how I survive until today. I am using my consideration despite I also think like sometimes I wanted to just break out of all the rules or norms in the society and just be like others. When I declared the faith into Buddhism, I still perform the norms and performing strict observance of a shraman (hermit who does not live in monastery) though I just undertake upasaka (layman) vow. This shraman life had also made me in conflict with people around because they don't understand me and I became one because I was treated like a thrash by people around. A shraman is a thrash in people's eyes.

Children, wife, and husband all could be the satan who lead human-being into darkness if they make a person forgets Him and His commandments. So, an immigrant should migrate into obedience to the God. Make sure that we are able to face these four obstacles to migrate to Him and for a better future. We must migrate into humility before Him and not being enslaved by these four matters mentioned by the scholar. If we fail to win them over, our civilization and nations will be in doom. We try to avoid our morality from being defecated and also protecting our Creed from being deflected by these four matters. 

Move the migration toward Faith and Fear to Him may everyone be blessed and all the blessings of the heavens and earth being directed to everyone as what had happened to the blessed prophets and messengers of the God.

Conclusion

Ustad Zamry Haji Kassim calling everyone together to reflect on the topic. The challenges that we are facing today is also could be reflected in the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud. Says the prophet Muhammad s.a.w where in a certain period, the nations of Him will be a target group! Companions feel weird and they asked further. Will we be among the minorities at that time? Muhammad s.a.w answered: No! There are many of you, but you are just like bubbles in the sea. You'll explode when you hit the ship, when the ship hit you too will you explode.  

When we look again at the reality of Muslims in Malaysian Peninsula today. We are not so many. We are challenged in three angles where our Creed has no strong foundation. The Shariat (Way) is not completed and performed well. We take some part of Shariat but we reject the other parts. Morality, dear Lord! In this angle of morality, we view nicely on wrong values of adultery. This applies to all groups who are sex-craved and thinking only genitals twenty four seven. 

We afraid that we will be like what is mentioned in Malay idioms. Melukut di tepi gantang, campak ke tengah halaman tidak dipatuk ayam, dibuang ke sungai tak disudu itik. We repeat again that the mind is filled with knowledge to know. The heart is filled with faith to motivate the move to Him. Facing the four challenges with perseverance to educate desires as to make sure that we are able. The most good property is the property which is managed by a good and pious man. If a pious man managed the property, the benefit is also into piety.

We train our desires to face the challenges in the situation and according to environment. Children, when we study, make sure Islam is with us. Others had far in front of us to recognize A as they know their environment. That is why a professor will send his broken engine to a mechanic to repair it though the mechanic gets no As in his examination. Mechanics know what happens to the engine. Remind ourselves that our intention for everything is for Him. He is our Source and our Base. Hopefully that tomorrow Fajr prayer service would be as crowded as today in the masjid, we can right?!  

a. Mind is filled with knowledge to know

b. Heart is filled with faith to move

c. Desires is trained to be able to face challenges  

May we see again in other opportunities. Pray may we meet again in His paradise the Abode of Peace. May everyone knows each other in the name of our Faith, we see each other because of the God, we say farewell also because of Him. Wish that this lecture (and post) injects some spirit to our souls and to other brethren from Portugal to China, from China to the US.  

- Final part of lecture, Masjid Yayasan al-Bukhary and co-Organizer, Kedah Islamic Guidance Department. 

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

Disconnecting

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah!

Hiraa Cave - 'Abdul 'Azim Green Rod

I tried to be patient when people playing sentiments with me last time, especially when it is regarding religious work or what we call as da'awa either to ourselves or to others. I actually always trying to remind myself about the God and praying to Him in my heart for faith. Sometimes situation and environment around really testing my faith to Him. It happened since I was a young kid.

Although I am not a religious science scholar or not even close to them who has the right to report about themselves but this is a personal site so I am just writing what I think as a mortal human-being. Since I have no one to talk with. I better talk to diary or blog. Thanks to google blogger for the blog although I am not a creative person nor am I skilful in computer. At least I know how should I express my feeling as an... I can say an orthodox Muslim guy who is trying to repent to Him. Now, I feel deeply sympathy to the late Anne Frank. I understand how she feels while being a refugee during World War II. She must had to underwent a hard time especially after her sister and mum died until it makes her talking to her diary as the only friend that she had. Though she's not of the same religion with me but she's also a human-being. I am sorry for not being a typical racist Arab or non-Arab Muslim. I can't be like that and nobody supported me too when I am alone like this except Allah and His Words.  

Yesterday evening, I just messaged a guy representing those guys who had not telling me anything about what happened to them while last time they talked in the car after returning from the Bengal mosque bayan session about outing for India, that kerja agama stuff. I talked more to him because he came to talk with me. One of them had loudly said to others that I agreed to go for India and that made me feel tied to the determination. Determination for me means the portal to promise. Promise must be executed, though death touching us. That is my principle. That's why I tried not to engaged with debt nor trying to do anything which lead to promise. If it happened then, I must go with it no matter what happened to me. So, as to say another Tabligh kid out of that group also came and talked about this to me. And they already bought tickets including for me to Kuala Lumpur, so I without any idea on what happened had just followed the other. I posted about this before but it's not a full story as I am thinking on how not to make people assume bad things about the Tabligh-e-Jama'at. So, in my message, I said that they are competing in converting me or other people because I didn't see that those separate group guys talked to each other. One thing that we must remember, quantity is not equal to quality. Try check in surah al-Baqarah about Taalut (Saul) and David a.s during military training before the establishment of Judah kingdom in the Land of Cana'an. There is also a conversation between the Children of Israel and an unknown prophet about how to choose a leader amongst them to encounter the infidel Philistines. The prophet according to Israeliyyat is Samuel bin Alqanah bin Yaruham a.s.  

After the brief session in USM mosque last Friday before the semester break, I just saw the guy but I didn't get the chance to talk about the matter or at least getting to know what actually happened. I afraid that it would jeopardize their auspicious chance when getting job opportunity as it's not easy for graduates today to get job according to their certificate specification. The kid was the first of the group in the musalla who came to persuade me to join them or asking me to be friendly with people, so they should at least come and visit me. I didn't visit nor contact them because of the reason that I saw they looked like facing dilemma. We non-science stream and non-technical students are actually very sensitive to environment and very considerate. We consider everything but nobody channel us to right places instead making us jokers out of our unfortunate situation to entertain them.

Isn't it Tablighi way that they would visit people they wanted to preach or persuade? I still feel upset with that though it happened last semester. It's not like I can't forget that, but to do that is not as easy to say. That is also apart of polite manner and adab for Muslims. I never consider myself as having any significance in front of others so I would just keep my silence but that does not mean that I am not listening or entertaining people if they come to talk with me. I am just keeping my silence and avoiding people because I had experience like this before and it happened again.

I thought that, they are 'real' brothers in faith. I had also silently read some muallaf sisters' and brothers' blogs. I believe they must also experience the same thing. I pray may the God grants them patience though I don't comment all of their blogs to show support. I am supporting all of them and always pray for them either those who are helping others virtually or through daily activities. Till now, I still maintain contact with two ex-colleagues during my degree time. They are not religious anyway. I think only two of them still survive as contacts and friends if not close but by distance. Sometimes, I talked with one of them through messenger or messages. He never replied me. If I contact him by messages I never expect any reply but I know at least he know what happened to me and he actually reads me. I am not asking him to think about my troubles here but just someone to listen. Another one is my acquaintance in Israel and he is also a Hadrami descent. His experience is more or less the same like me before he performed migration to holy land, but he is occupied now with his religious duty and other things so we don't really talk much online. I can also tell the God or talking with His creatures around like angels while walking, but people might think that... I am crazy. Maybe I should just chant asmaa'ul husna while I don't talk with people around. It's better than looking at people face, keep thinking, later being sad.

That guy who persuaded me replied me messages, but the second message that I send telling him about what I feel is the last message. I don't reply to him anymore when he replied. I don't even read his reply message no more and just deleted it as I am so disappointed. I deleted all of Tabligh-e-Jama'at members' numbers in this hostel. I also deleted their contacts from my mail address book and messenger. Though they were nice to me and also teachers to me but I think I should only depend to the Holy God as my Wali. If He never replies to my prayers, but at least He is Holy and He is my King. I believe the God listens to me anyway. I don't have any problem with Tabligh-e-Jama'at. I know their founder syeikh so this is not trying to blacken them. This is just my personal story. And yes, I did listened many negative remarks about Tabligh-e-Jama'at members but not about the founding syeikh. 

My uncle is also a Tabligh member living in the Beseri Markaz in Perlis with his family. My eldest cousin sister which is his daughter live in the UK with her family. When they returned home during Syawwal few years ago, they do not even see our grandma graveyard. They looked at us as we were ungodly but they never stayed with our grandparents when they are sick. We looked after them, and grandparents didn't want to live with them because they are not close to them. My second sister too had encountered such experience when she went to Australia with her friend. They met this Malay Tabligh uncle, who is trying to matchmaking his friend to women introduced by our relatives who know that Tabligh uncle. That uncle talked without any manner to them like they have no basis about their own path and faith. But when looking at the uncle's daughter, she wears tube and dating her boyfriend. My sister just cynically said, why don't you match your daughter with your friend? That's her story to me, hahaha. 

Those kids just go without telling me what happened and only after that I know they had gotten job offer from an established multinational company although they talked to me last time about "duniya" this and "duniya" that. I get to know that news from other kids, but some of them seem like reluctant to tell me the truth about the kid who persuaded me too. I do not know how they understood what they listened from their bayan but I had been exposed to all of these stuffs since I was a little child without having to be persuaded into a particular jama'at. In term of worldly matters, I am not blessed like others since I was a young child. I also learned by observing around and life experience.

They have my contact number or even email if it is difficult to climb up a floor above their rooms or they are so occupied with matters around. Just write one or two words saying we are not going to the camp nor outing. That should be enough for me. That guy can call me last time when they wanted to invite me to join them, perhaps to fulfill their 'quota.' But to call telling me they are not going to the camp for few seconds is difficult. I do not think that it is wrong for them to pursue the job as they deserve that. That is His sustenance to them and they must be thankful to the God. I am happy for them, I am proud with them. But when I think back, I am just a worm which is minor in people's eyes. And that makes people simply play around with my dignity and promise. For some Arabs, though I am just a hybrid Arab, dignity and promise are very important. We may be poor, brethren, but we honor people and guests who come to us. I listened to the kid because he first came to me. I do not consider them as having low or high religious knowledge to preach to me. I just listen to the essence they are talking about without looking at who they are nor how do they look like. 

I mingled too with cleaners, Bangladeshi and Pakistani migrant workers, I eat with them. I befriend and talked to retarded students, thugs and I talked with other groups of people who are considered as sinful like gays, transgenders, and non-Muslims. I listened to Christians' sermons. Once, I was also educated by Buddhist temples and Buddhist gurus. They are all teachers to me. And I know how does it feel when we are alone and we are doing everything by ourselves without any company to even ask opinion or advise from others.

Last time I had also tested few friends and acquaintance who lived with me for two years in my previous hostels. And the result is they had forgotten people easily although we eat together, watching TV's together, and always chatting about many things. Like when I called a friend who's known as Ijo, and he just asked me again. Who's this? It means that my number is also deleted from his phone although we used to exchanged number and calling each other for lunch or dinner. The same thing also happened with Jantr of Pendang, Pidoth of Sungai Petani, and Pak Ku of Alor Setar who were my Kedahan compatriots in our previous hostel. So, I believe I must also do the same. I just disconnect the line and simply deleted those useless numbers. I also deleted few other colleagues' numbers since I don't think their number or contact could be benefited either for Him or for nation. Simpan nombor pun buat semak saja sebab tak ada kegunaan atau tak ada pertalian silaturrahim lagi.

There is of no use to keep numbers if there is no silaturrahim to be prolonged anymore. I am also thinking of changing my number and planning to work in Thailand after I graduated so I would need to polish up Thai for interview and job purpose. I do not want to join the convocation ceremony next year but only grabbing my scroll. No need for celebration I don't need it anymore. I wanted to forget everything. Furthermore, this issue of religious work is so disappointing and I feel that it had been mocked by people who call themselves as the practitioners of sunnah. Maybe sunnah for them only means brushing teeth with miswak, recording names for those who are willing to join their outing (maybe converted into a member) or wearing Bangladeshi style attire. For me, sunnah is more than that. Prophetic traditions teaches us to worship Him, morality, prayers and manners to deal with others. It won't be so much concern for me if His Name and prophetic tradition is not being brought together. But unfortunately...

As to say, people will use us when they need company, sad or when they need help. But when they are in happiness, pleasure or in luxury they tend to forget everything. Perhaps they are not always in solitary. If they always recite Muhammad s.a.w life, they would know how does it feel although they are not in the same situation faced by noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. If I am in this kind of situation, I love to recite about his life chapter in the Hiraa' Cave.  

Now, I am just disconnecting myself from society again. It does not mean I totally isolate myself. I just don't want to talk with people anymore if there is no important thing to say. I must remind myself to quick finish my thesis or else I would just grab my Quran and reciting it without thinking about anything else. I hate this studies and institution but maybe it is my destiny that I am in this situation. May Allah forgive me my sins if my words hurt others. I am trying not to hurt others too, but human is never perfect. While we are never perfect, but try to reach perfection through prayers to Him.

I would also like to put forward my kamchiang (close) ex-colleague quote: "to forgive is to forget, leave everything that had happened behind and don't think too much don't bother with karmma though it might be differently to your concept of karmma." The last part, of this quote actually he means to me. I just can't see people in difficulties and that's why he urges me to leave everything behind. Don't bother with others.

Good friends is not easy to be seen in the society today. I do not believe people today are sincere finding friend simply because they wanted to befriend others but because they have agendas. This is a little bit of conspiracy but I think it is logical because we find friend as we need to ask people to help us if we have problem, if we want to borrow something, and others. I am not an important person anyway, haha. Last time many people who come to me are also with bad intention like that crazy old Jordanian. The Most Good Friend is actually the God. He does not choose anyone to be his friend except for those who fear Him and devote themselves for Him. Unlike human-being.    

We just take everything as test from the God, He loves us that's why He tests us. On the other hand, this world is not our eternal abode. We are like living in a hotel. Some people might have lots of money, so they live in expensive hotel. Some might live in motels or one star hotel. Others perhaps living in the box or under trees since they have no money to rent for a place... To be a faithful believer is to immerse ourselves into torments. Nobody who have faith to the God living good life. Just read Qisaasul Anbiyaa' and stories about disciples of prophets.                   

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad. Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace, and love, amin!