Deeds

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I am sure brothers and sisters had come across this word karma in Sanskrit. Most of all, many people in the world understood it in a rather weird way for me, hehe. If you watch this American TV series, "My Name is Earl" starred by Jason Lee then perhaps you will also find the notion about karma. 

I am fan of Earl (Jason Lee) and his retarded brother in the series, lol. The character presented a premise for the movie which sounds like, "You know the kind of guy who does nothing but bad things and then wonders why his life sucks? Well, that was me. Every time something good happened to me, something bad was always waiting round the corner: karma. That's when I realized that I had to change, so I made a list of everything bad I've ever done and one by one I'm gonna make up for all my mistakes. I'm just trying to be a better person. My name is Earl".

In this movie, Earl is trying to erase his evil deeds by trying to correct things which he has done to others while he was a bad person. He makes a long winding list for that and my colleagues were laughing hard watching Earl's stupidity in quest to get a "better" luck, lol. So, people talk about karma as something related to luck whether it is bad or good. 

This concept is actually an ancient Indian theory which prevails in philosophies of ancient Indian religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and others. Hinduism is actually an umbrella term for these bunch of religious thoughts taught by ancient Indian sages and teachers. It also being a shade for folk religions in Indian sub-continent besides of the Vedic ones. 

The word karma frames the notion of the deeds of sentient creatures which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect and this cycle is known as samsara. The Malays had absorbed the word into Malay language but the meaning in Malay is, suffering. In explaining this, there are few interpretations which develop into theories proposed by those religions in order to explain the effect of deeds. People only use the words but they are at lost on how does the word works. I am sure those who study Malay language could distinguish which one is Sanskrit derived and which one is original ones. Which one is Arabic derivation and which one is Persian derivation and so on. 

Retaliation is Based on One's Deed

Well for Muslims, we have the concept of العمل and it is also translated in English as deed or action. Every sane and mentally healthy person actually knows that they would receive the fruits of their deeds. The deeds are like the seed which they thrust on the Earth and they will reap the result of what they had planted. They will achieve success when they work on it.

Why they do not know this matter and why have no confidence on what is there for them? While they also listen to whatever they believe and have confidence in it, whether it is a firm verse of the scripture revealed by the God the Highest or the sayings of the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w? Both of these had brought certainty and confidence to those whom the God the Highest has enlighten their heart with His light.

Quran

Now, open up your eyes and carefully listen with your ears to some of the sentences from the scripture... from the hadiths. May you receive awareness and wake up from your long sleep. Thus with it, you will strive hard with your good deeds in order to save your self during, "the day where no treasure nor son is useful for you, except that you who come to Him with pure and clean heart" (Surah al-Shu'ara 26:88-89).

The God the Highest says which means, "And for the God is whatever in the heavens and whatever in the Earth for Him to retaliate on those who commit evil with their actions and to reward those who perform good deeds with their actions" (Surah al-Najm 53:31).

Some glimpse on ancient Indian philosophical view about the earth and heavens related to deeds. This one is philosophical. It is not religious nor related to the teachings of prophet Muhammad s.a.w! This is my philosophical experience as a young guy who studied Brahmanism with Indian Buddhism framework yet I was also a student in Islamic traditional system which was absorbed into national education stream. There is a cosmological notion about land of actions and land of birth in the previous Brahmins' scriptures. I guess it was the Srimat Bhagavatam as far as I could remember. It explains the planetary systems and I also read those "stimulative" labeled scripture which is more likely some kind of gospel for the Indians. The Earth and its surrounding is known as the physical universe. This physical universe is one of the four regions in the universe. The other three universe are the Earths of Retaliation where souls or beings reaping their deeds. In those regions, they could not commit anything independently as in the physical Earth. Other three regions are the hell, the paradise and the subterranean heavens or Hollow Earth inhabited by weird creatures. So, in physical Earth the creatures or beings in their forms could produce deeds independently either the bad ones or the good ones.

"And that, there is not for man except that for which he strives. And that his efforts is going to be seen. Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense. And that to your Lord is the finality". (Surah al-Najm 53:39-42)

"Paradise is not (obtained) by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensated for it and he will not find besides the God the Highest a protector or a helper. And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, even as much as the speck on a date seed" (Surah al-Nisaa' 4:123-124).

If we look at the notion wishful thinking, I had found many fellow Muslims (bigots) ourselves who condemn others to the hell without contemplating on ourselves. How courageous they are in throwing out those words as if they had gotten the stamp from the God the Highest to stamp others with the stamp of the hell. Who they think they are? Why they shamelessly thinking that they are favored by the God the Highest even if they are practicing? How do they know that the God the Highest favor them? Is it their wishful thinking or the revelation from the God which reaches them? As far as I know, "revelation" by the mean of those which is sent through the heavenly emissary, archangel Gabriel a.s to human-being is already stopped after the revelation which is piled as the Glorious Quran is completed.

So, where did they get this "wishful thinking" that they are the dweller of paradise and violently and harshly saying things to other creatures of the God the Highest? As for people of the scripture, I consider Muslims as people of the scripture too. We could say that most Arab tribes during the period of ignorance were without scripture and 'most' of them worshiped dates, palm trees, stones and other gods introduced from the Levant world as the Levantines were seafarers who sailed to other lands and bringing with them other foreign cultures. However, Muslims were people who are revealed with scripture, namely the Quran. From beginning of his prophethood, prophet Muhammad s.a.w was revealed with scripture which was the Surah al-'Alaq 96. So, how could this notion only being labeled to the Christians and Jews? Why not everyone together contemplate some more, having more insights rather than spewing "holier than thou" speeches and checking the chronicles of the world besides shooting words without we realize that we are burdened with 'responsibility' on our deeds and our speeches is a part of the deeds. Our thought is also a part of deeds and actions. It only come to materialize when we use our articulations, our hands, our eyes and others because we 'choose' to commit those acts!

So, whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's wight of evil will see it! (Surah al-Zalzalah 99:7-8)

"The God does not charge a soul except (with that within) its capacity. It will have the consequence of what good it has gained, and it will bear the consequence of what evil it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over those who disbelieve You" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:286).

Whover perform charity thus it is for himself. Whoever commit evil thus it is for himself. And your Lord never tyrannize His servants (Surah Fussilat 41:46)

The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present (before it) and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that evil was a great distance. And the God warns you of Himself, and the God is the Most Kind to servants (Surah Ali-'Imran 3:30).

And fear a Day when you will be returned to the God the Highest. Then, every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly (Surah al-Baqarah 2:281).

Hadiths

Say the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w, "The holy spirit (Gabriel a.s) whispered to my heart, choose whatever life you wanted to live since you will die, love whatever you wanted to love since you will be separated to it and do whatever you wanted to do since you will be recompensed with it".

He further says, "Goodness never perish, and sin is never forgotten and the Executor of the Retaliation (the God the Highest) never dies. You will be recompensed according to what you had done".

In another sacred hadith that he received while he was sleeping, he says in his own words that the God the Highest says, "O my servants, those are just your deeds. I am reckoning them for you and I will fulfill the retaliation upon you. And for those who receive goodness thus say, 'Praise be to the God, Lord of the universe' and if you get other than that, curse no one but himself!"

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w also mentions that, "Never curse those who were already dead since they indeed receiving whatever they had done".

And in another hadith he says, "Indeed there will be a slave boy who is placed higher than his master in the paradise and the master will be asking the Lord, 'Was not this my slave boy while we were on the Earth?' The God the Highest thus will be saying, "I am just recompensing whatever he had done in the Earth!'"

Quotes

Ali r.a mentions, "The world is the place for deeds and there is no material upcoming for those deeds in the world. The hereafter is the place to reap the deeds and there is no deed there! Thus, perform your deeds in the place where there is no retaliation there since the hereafter is not the place for deeds".  

Hasan of Basra said, "The God the Highest says to the dwellers of paradise, 'Enter into the paradise because of My Grace, be eternal there because of your good intentions and accept everything according to your deeds'".

All of the evidences from the scripture's verses and hadiths and quotes proving that there are retaliations on beings' deeds. And it is just a reminder for everyone including to ourselves. Why not for a reminder? This matter is known by everyone whether scholars or public... Even down to those who are ignorant among them.

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

Istinja'

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

This topic is an extremely important topic and the basis for every da'ie. This is among the basic things that one needs to practice and know how to explain to people before they have the right to tie on whatever turban on his head. Practicing is actually a better way to explain to people because it shows in visual form.

Those who are involved within orthodox circles perhaps would understand what am I talking about. Just avoid looking down on others though he looks like an "ordinary secular public" for not tying on the turban or wearing the long white robe like an Arab Sheikh or not holding the kain sebai or using Urdu or Arabic terms while chatting. This is the first thing that we were taught while in i'dadi level in the madrasah. I think this topic is also taught in our national school curriculum for Islamic education from 15 years old up to 17 years old. It has to do with ritual purity that will validate our worship.

I had also talked about this in several previous posts but never mind, let me put this again until we remember every detail about it. Sadly, many people still are not aware about this although they are interested in mysticism. I don't mind for people to talk about mysticism but many other basic things which we do not know yet. So, what is the point of learning things to impress others or to show off while we are not aware about our self? I am just listing this up here as reminder for myself and others.

Definition of Istinja'

Now, this term refers to the act of cleaning the filth. It is obligatory for those filth which come on either way of the anus and urinary tract. Some reference books would mention the wudhu' or ablution before the istinja'. This means that ablution is something which should be done before the istinja'. The term for this is tahaarat qawiyya which means that the ablution is a priority as there is no filth. However for the tayammum or the wudhu' saaheb al-dharurat, we must therefore perform the istinja' first as it is the taharat al-dhaifa or the filth is the heavy ones. The term wudhu' saaheb al-dharurat means the ablution is the necessity after the calls of nature. 

Actually I don't know how to explain these in simple words, lol. However, most people are talking about istinja' first since it is customary and according to common sense; we would have to perform ablution after the calls of nature to validate our prayer services or before we touch the copy of Glorious Quran and reciting it. When we are in the condition without wudhu' or just after answering for the calls of nature; we are in the condition known as hadath or in worldly occupations. Before we perform the ablution, there would be the greater or lesser incidents depends on what is our condition. It is prescribed in the Divine Path to perform the ablution during the Laylat al-Israa' night. 

Istinja' by using purely clean water was introduced by our patriarch, the noble prophet Abraham a.s. But the istinja' by using certain things like stones are the convenience given by the God the Highest specifically for the nations in the epoch of Muhammad s.a.w. When someone is in the lavatory or toilet, it is not legal to face the direction of quibla or the prayer direction. Also, it is not legal to face the direction of the sun rise or sun goes down. That is why we have to check this aspect when we buy a house or building a house for our selves.

Pillars of Istinja'

There are four matters for a person the istinja' which are:

1. The person who has just pissing or pooping.

2. Ways where those filth come out.

3. Filth which comes out.

4. Stuffs to clean off those filth. 

Method of Istinja'

How to perform istinja' or to clean our selves once a person is pissing or pooping? 

1. Clean off the area in contact with the filth i.e the anus and genital with pure clean water. Just spray it or sprinkle it with water before wiping them clean with toilet paper. Or use the toilet paper to clean it off and spray the area with water. Then wipe again with toilet paper. 

2. Wiping the area contaminated with the filth with rough surfaces for e,g by using three different stones. Or using a handful stone but wipe them with different clean parts. Never use the same part to wipe the filth as it would make matters more complicated. 

3. Much better if one cleans his or her filth with stones and then sprinkle or spraying water. Water would be favorable but my experience when I was in Bangkok or Japan, there were no water hose in the toilet. So, I have to use toilet paper and I almost finished a roll of toilet paper just to stay clean, haha.

Tools for Cleaning

1. Pure water

This refers to clean water which is not the water mixed with other elements for example cordial, chemical stuffs and others. Just clean water.

Types of clean water suggested to us through scholars of jurisprudence studies are such as:

a. rain water

b. river water   

c. sea water

d. water from the well

e. water from the spring

f. gathered morning dew

g. melted snow

This is based from the hadith reported by imam Anas bin Maalik r.a. Imam Anas bin Maalik r.a is a companion of prophet Muhammad s.a.w. He is also the founder of Maliki jurisprudence school and a scholar of followers' period. The hadith was reported by Abu al-Walid Hisham bin Abdul Malik who heard this report from Shu'ba who heard this from 'Atha bin Abu Maimuna who heard the hadith from imam Anas bin Maalik report. It means, "Prophet Muhammad s.a.w went out for the toilet one day. I followed him and saw that another boy which is almost the same age with me following the prophet s.a.w while holding a pot of water to provide him with water to perform istinja'".

There was no water hose like nowadays and people in the desert cities usually using the water pot to perform istinja' or to clean the feces once they answer the calls of nature. I saw this myself while traveling during performing pilgrimage. I went to a friend's house... I just call him Ahmad but I have no idea what is his real name, lolol. He invited me to visit him in a neighborhood known as Odaibiyya in Holy Mecca where I found that people still use water pot in their toilet.    

2. Clean Earth

Clean earth means the soil that we have gotten from the place where no one spoils it with dirty things like feces, urine, and others. Maybe the soil could be taken from the hill. This type of soil is also the type of soil that one use to perform tayammum.

3. Rough Stuffs

They are for example stones, toilet paper, leaves and such things in the case of no clean water available. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w said, "When one of you are off to the toilet, use three stones as it is sufficient for you" - Ahmad and Nasa'ie.

If one is using stones or other rough surfaced stuffs for example, make sure that he use the stones in odd numbers. For e.g three, seven and so on. This is based from the Sunnah as narrated in hadiths for example:

"Narrated by Abu Huraira, prophet Muhammad s.a.w said: "If one is about to perform istinja' with stones, bring with him stones in odd numbers. It is much better of the person to do as such. However, if one is not using stones in odd number, he is not sinful at all" - Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

The same hadith is also reported of our lady 'Aisha r.a regarding the usage of three stones or rough matters in odd numbers. It is just a suggestion for us.  

Conditions for Istinja'

The ways to clean the filth is to achieve the objective of to get rid the filth from both parts where filth come out. It is also to get rid the smell of the feces and urine. 

Besides, one has to clean of the physical form of the filth. If one could not eliminate the smell or the color as the result of the filth, it is not a sin because nowadays people eat complicated stuffs and that is why the stool stains so weirdly. Ancient people just eat simple stuffs like rough empty bread or natural fruits. Maybe once in a while they take meat and just eat to survive, not to taste.

Other than that, make sure that the stuffs for e.g toilet paper, stones or leaves are clean. Never take anything from respected stuffs as cleaning tool for stools or urine such as bread, fruits and all food stuffs! It is a no no to use stuffs such as animal bones to clean poops and piss. 

I guess there is a hadith regarding the bones and dried stools whether of human or animal narrated by Ibnu Mas'ud where prophet Muhammad s.a.w said, "Never perform istinja' by using dry stools and never with bones. Bones are the food for your brethren amongst genie race" - al-Tirmidzie.   

It is also prohibited to use papers or other stuffs which consist sacred writing for e.g from the Glorious Quran or written with the Name of the Lord of Universe. As for this, I also extend this regulation to other non-Muslims religious or sacred stuffs. It is prohibited and manner less to defecate theirs' though we do not share the same faith.

For those who use stones to perform istinja' make sure that stones are clean. The stool or piss is not yet dry. Wipe the filth until it is clean and repeatedly with different stone. Make sure the stool or piss do not touch other body parts or having the contact with cloth. Unless one has to clean his cloth too. Make sure the stool or the piss do not mix with other things as one has to clean everything if this happen.

Manner for Istinja'

While performing istinja' use one's left hand but never right hand.... This is based from a narration of a conversation between Salman the Persian r.a with an anonymous person from imam Muslim report where the guy asked him...

Guy: Your prophet has taught you many things which also include on how to clean dirt and filth?

Salman: Yes... We are prohibited to face quibla direction while pooping or pissing, nor using right hand while cleaning the filth with lots of stones or pebbles and never use filthy things to clean filthy things and not to use bones while cleaning the filth. 

Make sure that the right foot stepping out first when one is going out of the toilet after the process. Mentally, praise the God while moving out for banishing diseases from one self... A hadith reported by Abu Dzar al-Ghifari r.a which means that prophet Muhammad s.a.w said this prayer after moving out from the toilet which means, "All praises due to the God who casts away diseases from myself and restoring my health". - Nasa'ie.

Relevance of Knowing

I had encountered some non-Muslims such as some Buddhists in my state who said that these rules and regulations are nonsense. I know they talked like that since there are some arrogant fellow Muslims who just talk blatantly without thinking with their head. On the behalf of them, I would like to apologize to Buddhist friends. I was a Buddhist myself and never feel ashamed about that. I studied Buddhism as a Buddhist and not as a Muslim. I could even write and read in Pallava sacred script if I wanted too because I picked up Sanskrit language and some Bali Prakrittam which shows that I studied Buddhism and Brahmanism with sincere heart. There are several rules from Praadimoksha hermitage codes which also correspond to the Sunnah but performed only by the monks and hermits. I still remember some of them as bind in the Sutta Vibbhanga such as no peeing while standing for monk, no covering on the head, cover the whole upper body while in the public, no spitting on the crop, no spitting on the water, no sermon for people who disrespect monk and stuffs... up to 227.  I still respect and remember these laws.

Some modern people or Westerner perhaps saying that these are the underdeveloped people customs and religious practices because they see some annoying muzzies in their country who behave differently to the teachings. My questions too, what would people say about European Union nonsense regulations related to environmental policies or the Public Health policies in Britain? As for me, I believe they had done researches to get to the point that they had put the policies nicely in the paper such as Green Paper, White Paper, Yellow whatever paper. 

I read some of the method on how the European Union and Britain framing their particular policies before execution by their governance. Sometimes they seem nonsense too but beneficial for environmental health. I am interested in them especially about public health and environment. The same thing also applies to a Muslim life and our Divine Path. We have the guidelines from the God the Highest and we also have scholars who conduct researches about cleanliness. When we see those people looks dirty or filthy, it is because they are not taught by their teachers about cleanliness or their mentality is below the scholarly mentality. These guidelines has both spiritual and physical significance. Thank you for visiting this humble site. May the God the Highest bless everyone.

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

Reason of Fractions

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

This is the continuation of my previous post about the seventy three divisions. It is crucial for brothers and sisters including myself to know about what is ijtihaad. For shari'a divine law practitioners, this matter is very important to determine their decisions in their rulings and judgements. Also important for them to decide on their religious duty when there is no evidence for certain matters related to the path. Basically, the result of a decision-making is based from opinions with some supportive articles of few basic sources of constitution. Maybe it could be compared to European Union system of decision-making and law... I am trying to make this less technical... But if it is too technical, I am so sorry as I could not avoid it... 

Ijtihad

What does ijtihaad means? Ijtihaad is the decision-making according to our divine law through two ways which are:

1. Personal effort

2. Personally made by one according to any school of jurisprudence. 

This is in opposite to the taqleed. I think that I had posted about taqleed in... I don't know previous pages maybe. Taqleed means that we would follow the decisions or the rulings of a religious expert without necessarily to examine scriptural basis or reasoning of the particular decision. Most Muslim in the world are the muqallideen (click on muqallideen to refer) or the public followers which more or less also include myself though I was once a Shari'a Islamiyya student. In order for the decision to be valid and widely accepted, it must be rooted with the basis support of the Quran and the hadiths. It does not require any established doctrine rules for the case. A mujtahid usually is an Islamic scholar who is competent to interpret the divine law through his own effort. The mujtahideen or the Islamic scholars must meet the requirements before he is competent to make his own decision in relation to the path and the way of life. 

There are differences between qualifications between the Sunnah and Shi'a Muslims as per outlined by scholars of both sides. The Shi'a Muslims as what I know have their students in hawzat 'ilmiyya where they must master the Arabic linguistic studies, jurisprudence, hadith and sunna compiled by their scholars, logic, philosophy and jurisprudence. Although I am an orthodox sunnah Muslim, but my background is more or less almost the same with those hawzat students just after I expelled myself from the Shari'a studies due to problems of faith and pressure of life as for the lack of life experience. Apa orang kata itu, saya cuma budak kanyaq berhingus saja masa itu, lol... There are many types of decision-maker for specific branches of the way of life such as economy or finance as well as there are decision-maker of both genders, males and females.  

Ijtihaad in jurisprudence basically means that the understanding of the way of life was started by companions of Muhammad s.a.w until the period of followers and the following scholars known as the mutaqaddimeen. Those scholars always mentioned that the opinions of their ijtihaad are based on their dzhann or assumption. They were not final and could be followed if they are in accordance to the two basic sources of the way of life which are the Quran and the Sunna. Imam al-Shafi'ie may the God be pleased with him had once said that if the hadith is valid, then it is my school. 

Fractions due to Ijtihaad

Now the question is whether the fractions in our path is because of these opinions by different early scholars? Scholar for e.g Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah through his observation says that fractions does not happen due to these few ijtihaads. It happens when the result of a certain ijtihaad is gripped with so much confidence by followers. Thus, schools rise out of these confidence on certain ijtihaad and everyone claims that their group or faction is the righteous one. Sometimes, it happens that the opinion of a mujtaheed when being thoroughly researches has a different meaning from a valid hadith. But the valid hadith is not followed by people because they still are confident with a particular opinion of their imam or scholars. When this happens, there are also fractions in the divine path...

The four orthodox sunna imams never were in conflict among each other. They actually respect each other and their opinions. They are tolerant toward each other. However, the followers of the next generations had made their opinions as if their opinions are of different path and religion. The same thing also happened to Shia Muslims. It worsen until there are questions such as whether a Hanbali Muslim man could marry a Shafi'ie Muslim lady? Whether a Shafi'ie Muslim man could marry a Hanafi Muslim lady? Or whether a Sunna Orthodox Muslim man could marry a Shi'a Muslim lady? While many people thought that Islam is only Islam. Why it becomes like this???! May the God forgives us. 

In the Holy Mecca itself as what I also heard from my elders, since hundred of years, there were four imams taking turns in conducting the congregations of different schools of jurisprudence for daily prayer services. Only because the followers of the schools did not want to follow imams from different school of jurisprudence. There was also a story told by elders that the followers of Hanafi school of jurisprudence stayed idle when the imam of other schools conducting the prayer and only praying when the imam of their school conducting the prayers who usually would be the last one in the turns. The reason they do not want to follow other imams during the congregational services is due to furu' or differences in branches of practices in a particular ritual. Only in 1925, when the Ben Sa'ud conquered the nowadays Saudi Arabia that daily prayer services are conducted only once for each time. The same thing also happened to the Sunna and Shi'a sides where everyone would try to avoid performing prayer services in each other mosques... 

Comparison with Non-Muslims

When I heard or see all of these matters, I feel quite weird because the Christians are also divided into hundreds of sects. The popular ones that I know are the Roman Catholic and those in communion with the Western Roman papacy, the independent Oriental Orthodox churches, Protestant churches and so on... I guess the same thing also to the Children of Israel where there are Orthodox Rabbinical Authority for Orthodox Jews, Reformed Judaism, Karaite Judaism and etc. Also among the Hindus, where some Vaishnava refuse to perform worship in Saivite temples due to differences... I visited also the Bengal Vaisnava temple in Penang Island just few blocks in opposite of the Bengal Tabligh Mosque when I was studying in Penang Island. Christians would refuse to perform sacrament in different churches and they would have to be baptized again if they are converting to other sect. The same thing too with Judaism where one needs to be baptized by the Rabbinical Authority to be recognized as an Orthodox Jew and to perform worship and rituals according to mainstream Orthodox Judaism. 

Our World Today

Today I could also see the same thing happens among Muslims especially of Sunna and Shi'a sides... Some of the Muslims of these sides keep stamping each other as kafirs or infidels and refusing to pray in each other mosques. If they are praying there, they would be seen with suspicion by the majority congregation members. People of these different sides and groups keep killing each other and bombing each other mosques. Are we now fully reaching the threat of noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w? The clogs' trail would follow the clogs' trail? Where the schools and sects becoming like a different religion? Are we going to deny ourselves or to trying our best to prevent this from happening? How are we going to do and what is the method to avoid this?

The hadith narrated by Abdullah bin 'Amr al-'As is not explaining the destiny that must be followed by people! It warns us to avoid from the situation! To protect ourselves from this situation, we must follow the primary basis of the path which is the glorious Quran, the wisdom of Muhammad s.a.w through his Sunna and through the practices of his companions and early righteous disciples. It also refers to the manner of da'awa... Only those who have the Quran shining through his heart would be the "authentic" practitioners of da'awa...

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

Sunan for Friday

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

  

Just a sharing about my personal practices during Friday in conjunction to Friday. My understanding about sunan or the sunna, it actually refers to our traditions which are inherited from prophets and the messengers of the God the Highest. Besides the sunan, there are also adabs or manners in practicing the sunan as per the positive ones since the sunan could also refer to the negative ones. I don't know what my ex-roommates during my undergraduate time think about me when I practiced those things. Maybe in terms of angle of views, they seem different from the majority Muslim Malay practices. I am glad Habib Muhammad al-Sagof is helping me to explain the things as he is also one of our people, haha...

Practices during Thursday

Usually the evening before the proper Friday, which is on Thursday, I would begin to clean up the room and lit up fragrances such as sandalwood and frankincense. Then we have recitation of Quran after the Maghrib prayer service as the beginning of the new day is counted at the evening of the previous day or at 'Asr time.

Usually people in my country would recite the surat Yaasin and most who recite the Yaasin in group are the Muslim Malays who follows the Shafi'ie school. I still remember that I also used to do the same where I recited the Yaasin at home with my mother and sisters before 2000 as I began to have problems which made me deciding not to practice any Islamic practices but just performing "philosophical" meditation to clear myself from any influences. That was before I begin to learn Hanbali school when I went for pilgrimage in the Holy Mecca. The practice of hadith recitation was originated from the hadith which means: "Whoever recites the Yaasin on the eve of Friday, he will be forgiven by the morning". The status of the hadith according Ibn Jawzi is fabricated as the source chain of the hadith known as Muhammad bin Zakariya was notorious as a hadith fabricator.

By the way, Ibn Jawzi is a Hanbali scholar just to let brothers and sisters know. So, there shouldn't be any accusation or assumption being related to radical movements. I am not saying reciting Yaasin or any other surat from the glorious Quran as innovation. It is a good habit to recite Quran but there is no clear chain for the hadiths on the "benefits" of reciting surat Yaasin at "certain" time. Sometimes I would also join the group recitation at the mosque in my country to respect others and in my view, it is a good practice. I don't like to be tied to any movement or particular cult just to look different or superior than others. Besides, I hate over-reaction and I love being moderate and modest. It is enough to be a Muslim and the follower of Muhammad s.a.w while for the suggestions of sunna angle in worship, I would be referring to a particular school of jurisprudence. It does not make me eligible to harshly criticize other people practices especially when they are good ones or showing off as if my school of jurisprudence or the scholars of the school I am referring are superior above all other salaf and tabi'in scholars.       

Regarding the fragrant smokes, I tell brothers and sisters that if you live in Arabian Peninsula or in Gulf states, those people are also doing the same for certain event, majlis or festival. I am using the sandalwood in the form of sticks because it is difficult to find the pieces of sandalwood chunks here. It is very expensive and could only be founded in Arab fragrant stores. Maybe people think that I am a Muslim Indian or a Barelwi movement follower or even a Shi'a. I am not an Indian, not a second rated Indian, not a Shi'a Muslim not a Muslim Malay nor a particular sufi views adherent. I am an Arab Diaspora by descent, I love all of bani Hashim members of clan and fiercely an Orthodox Muslim. Day by day, I am trying to return to our heritage in order to protect our identity because we are largely "damaged" by the environment.

Practices during Friday          

1. Before Friday Prayer

Common practices during Friday morning before the prayer service, clipping the nails. Then, anointing myself and head with the olive oil or any oil that could be applied at the skin. Sometimes I would do it before the ghusl or sometimes after the ghusl. After the ghusl, I would apply the perfume all over my body. It is the symbolic that I am going to see the God the Highest and leaving behind the worldly affairs. If brothers and sisters see a Muslim corpse being embalmed, the practice is more or less the same.

Before I walk out, I would also lit up sandalwood or frankincense. However, myrrh and frankincense would be dangerous especially no one was checking on it at the room. Usually I do not like to walk in the crowd to the mosque. I prefer to walk rather than driving or using any vehicle. Especially when going to worship event at the mosque, it is favorable for me to walk and get prepared as early as I can in order to arrive at the mosque before the time. I practiced these as our customs since I was a young child but during the period of 1998-2004 I began to have some confusions regarding myself and some problems with life that made me starting to leave behind the salat services and all of these traditions.

2. At the Mosque     

At the mosque, I would stand at the front line if I am early to perform the two units prayer service to respect the Lord of the mosque before sitting down. Then maybe I would recite the Quran while waiting for the Friday sermon to begin. I don't like to chat nor listening to people talking about worldly affairs in the prayer hall as it is not favorable according to the manner. We can talk about worldly affairs or politics for us to survive, but outside of the prayer hall... Get the hell out of the prayer hall and talk or argue. We do not perform the optional prayer service before the first sermon. We usually would perform it at home, but that is in the case where our houses are closer to the mosque. 

When the sermon begins, we would sit still and try to attentively listen to sermon. We should try to avoid from sleeping or losing focus. Even if the sermon is so boring, try to keep some beneficial points in our mind. Last time, I used to keep the words from the sermon in my notebook once I arrived at my room just to practice whatever is beneficial for me and around. I have a special notebook specifically for Quran, Sunna and Arabic. Anything that I heard, I would keep the words in the form of writings including the source and the preachers' detail if available. Usually I can't wait to return home after the prayer service finish because I wanted to keep the words from the sermon in my notebooks, hehe...

When the imam recites the supplications between two sermons, I usually would just zip my mouth and mentally say my supplications. Sometimes by holding my hands like others, sometimes without holding hands. It is also good to recite an abundant of salawat upon noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his family members and righteous companions. Or maybe just reciting the salawat Ibrahimi which also includes prophet Ibrahim a.s and his family members together with prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

3. After Friday Service

Just after the Friday prayer service, it would be followed with two units of optional prayer. Sometimes it would be up to 10 units just like the Hanafi school followers. In the evening, just after the 'Asr prayer service I would recite supplications and there are many kinds of supplications ones could recite. Sometimes I would recite supplications before the Maghrib prayer service and followed by the litanies and other supplications after the service which would take me around 10 minutes up to 15 minutes. The day is now, Saturday... Then after Isha' service, if there was roommate in my room which would make me feel uncomfortable to do some night activities or which I think would disturb him.... I would just stay night at the musalla or any mosque that I could reach just after I had my dinner or supper. I would also bring my kitabs and memorize stuffs that I had already learned and understood. They are just simple and compact stuffs as I tried to make everything easy to be practiced. Not only to be memorized or to preach around like an ustad. I would also recite the Quran or memorize the parts of the Quran.

Basic    

These are basic matters that I practiced during Friday or when celebrating Friday as a holy day. There are also personal supplications but I am not mentioning everything in detail together with the hadiths or stuffs as I am trying not to be too technical just to boast around.

Regarding the sunans, there are also adabs or manners when we talk about them to people. We don't simply jump into crowd and acting furious because it would make people upset. They also possess feelings and human-being just like us. Before we jump down to them, perhaps they are with faith. But after we jump in and harshly condemning them simply because we know more about hadith studies than them or because we want to show that scholars of our school had conducted researches, they begin to stay away from Allah 'Azza wa Jalla. So, what is the point? 

There is a thin line between innovations and improvisations. Improvisation means that we improvise with whatever "we already have" to suit the situation or condition. While innovation means we "introduce something new" in an established form of structure or organization where they were not taught before by early figures. Everything that we said to others would then goes back to the "intention" and our "heart". What is the condition of our heart at that time?

Allahumma salli 'alaa Muhammad wa 'alaa aali Muhammad... May Allah Ta'ala change evil feelings within our soul into the good ones. May Allah Ta'ala makes us humble and lowly in our own eyes but in His sight, we are His beloved servants. May Allah Ta'ala gives us consistency in worshiping Him and grants us the sakina (tranquility) so we may always be on His path...  

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

Study the "Shari'a" and Sunnah for Life

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

My cousin brother in-law, Suffiyan had just arrived at our house with maternal cousin sister, Naysa to attend their daughter's convocation ceremony. I am not sure where it is but I am proud to know that the girl is going to further her undergraduate studies in the United Kingdom (UK). She is a wonderful, diligent and quite a polite girl. They drive all the way from Perlis. I am sure it is a tiring journey. She said that she had a hard time studying technical courses for her diploma and her hairs fallen down which is scary for her. The same thing goes to her mother, Naysa. She studies for an undergraduate certificate in education methodology back there in Perlis at her 40s. She said she was deceived when she listens to her friends and she repents. She hates studying in the university, haha. I understood them. I am still in the torturing period of releasing myself from this post-graduate studies. I get some ideas to finish up the thesis from Azren. He came to see me and handing me his copy of thesis as a guide. We discussed a little. Thanks Azren only Allah blesses You for helping me while you are busy with your job and life.  

Regret for People's View

Brother Suffiyan managed to get to know me a little during the Friday prayer service and during Night prayer sessions in Zainal Abiddin Mosque. He is around his 40s and he just opened a fish farm. He works for himself as a fish dealer in the village. For Maghreb, my mother had suggested us to pray with brother Suffiyan there since he had never been to the metal mosque. Usually I would just pray at musallas closer to our neighborhood. If I have enough time I could walk to all three out of four musallas here which is counted as an act of ziyarat. My "real" life is quite hidden even to my own family members. As for cousins, for sure they too do not really know me well and I usually would never show my face to people around. We just arrived late at the mosque since there are many traffic lights and junctions to go through.

While in the car we just talked about how sorry our life is when we leave behind our "religion". We would rather choosing the "world" and misguided with the notions that it is the goal. Bro. Suffiyan said that last time he also thought that sending his children to madrasah would make them suffer and living like a beggar in the future. But it was in the contrary as he had seen many religious teachers who established humble madrasas could live happily without having to face anxiety. He regret it but it is already fated by Allah so we could just repair ourselves and get prepared to see Him. My mother said that I should also finished my studies in Shari'a stream and perhaps she should not put me in the religious school in Selangor which had caused me troubles but maybe shifting me to another private madrasah under reliable and specific teachers to guide me. She was busy paying attention to all of her children so she could not properly see what is my tendency, ability and the problems that I had to face while I was the only teenage boy at home. I know she loves me and she had tried all she can but this is also fated by Allah. I would never blame her nor anyone. I was also an immature young teenage. Anyone to be blamed is only myself. Not my mother nor anyone. For now I am actually memorizing, doing exercises with all of my Shari'a kitabs and trying to memorize the Quran while understanding it. When I face problems in these "studies" I would get the assistance of the authority of the kitabs and references. So, brothers and sisters. Don't only study in the website but please at least have some effort to see specific teachers. For ladies, please see female teachers so they could teach and assist you with jurisprudence for ladies. Be respectful to Shari'a field and its teachers just like we respect teachers from other fields.

Last few days, I recalled that I watched a program in Astro channel which I barely could remember its name and the channel name because there are currently two channels for Islamic information. The program featured Ustad Abu Hassan Din who talked about contemporary issues in our society. The issue is about Fardh al-Kifaya and Fardh al-'Ayin and how we differentiate them based on their importance.

Definitions of Fardhu al-'Ayin and Fardhu al-Kifaya

There are from what I understood as I had listened about these since I was a young child. Of course we learned about these and not simply appearing in our mind like from "no where". We perhaps forgotten about these and when we clear our mind only it comes out, hehe. 

Fardhu al'Ayin refers to individual tasks or responsibility. They are mostly related to our acts of worship and daily discipline of life. As a Muslim, we must have knowledge about these and we must perform these. It is an obligatory individual responsibility. If one leaves them, he is sinful according to the jurisprudence terms and jurisprudence refers to our structures of path based from the basis of Quran and Sunnah. Examples of these responsibilities are the salat services, tithe for the eight eligible receivers or seeking the knowledge as in general. So, basically it is something which is related to the obligation of every Muslim both male and female. 

Fardhu al-Kifaya refers to the obligation or a responsibility of some part of society in order to protect the interest of society. The whole of society will be sinful if nobody performs it or everyone neglecting it. What are the examples? It is divided into two types of field. Firstly, it is related to the earthly studies and jobs for example those related to living skills such as technology, medicinal knowledge or medical, business, management, administration, politics, financial, engineering and others. Secondly, it is related to heavenly one which is the studies and jobs related to the Quran, the Sunnah and the Shari'a. 

Framing the Issue

It looks like my European policy thesis now, hehe. In the program that I watched. It shows a conversation of three fathers who are discussing about their children future after their children finished their primary school period. One of them had said that one of a friend in their neighborhood is deciding to send his son to a seminary to memorize the Quran in Kedah state. They commented that the boy is pitiful to have such a backward father and they laughed. They said that the boy has no "certificate" and how could he find job to survive in this "modern" world? Then, one of those fathers interfered saying that what is so weird with the father's measure? He mentions about Fardhu al-Kifaya and Fardhu al-'Ayin and mentions that memorizing Quran is also a Fardhu al-Kifayah while most people only talk about having degrees in fields such as technology, nuclear, petro-bomb and etc. He said to those two laughing fathers: "You two who laughed to others if people asked you to be a praying leader in masjid when nobody could hold the position would be sweating hardly and you just recite simple surats". He further said: "What is wrong with memorizing Quran and having no "certificate" as in the form of paper? It is all about the mental image!" 

Jobs related to Shari'a: Quran and Sunnah traditionally was conducted by "poor" people because they are not supposed to ask for "material" gifts and live only according to moderate way of life. The job is not so popular in its name nor glamorous like the earthly ones. It is only known as the da'awa job. 

When I was studying in Shari'a streams, we as the students in the class were looked down upon by people who studied the earthly matters until many of us ran to secular studies, losing our faith in our own religion and not even finishing our Thanawi level and leaving behind our gateways to Higher Religious Council papers while it is our responsibility.  Those "knowledge" is actually still lingering within us though we're tested by Allah but we just never show it up to people other than we feel low-self esteem.

Nowadays, I feel quite funny when I saw some students in Islamic movements whether those recognized by the Islamic Center or those transnational movements' members talking about religious issues. Or perhaps wearing the turban with "tail" as it is "sunnah". I will explain what is the meaning of this statement later. It is not because I am a "secular" type of person but it is because I left the responsibility since the "studies" is looked down after the introduction of government policies in 1990s and we were the victims of political rantings among those politicians. When I asked those students (except brother Zaidi), they answered me they were almost being sent to this "religious school" or that "religious school" but it ends up they are in schools such as Maktab Rendah Sains Mara or Primary Science Institute because it is more promising in their future and it was their dreams, hehe. They still can be the da'ie by studying in circles around but Shari'a and jurisprudence is not like we snap our fingers. 

Say that I studied religion since my kindergarten time until I finished my high school, then I just started to study science or technology studies for example modern medical or engineering and start to learn explanations for complicated formulas when I am quite old because I begin to realize that religious studies is no more relevant in the future and I could only survive with "atomic" formula. Can I speak like a specific teacher in "Science"?  It is not wrong to talk about certain issues in Islam but there are also some high issues which could not be discussed by lay men among lay men because it will raise up debates among ignorants.

I just wanted everyone to know, what is our feeling as Shari'a students and I am also representing those non-recognized students in private madrasas in our state who studied Shari'a Islamiah. We had to sacrifice our "future". When we were "cast" into the Shari'a stream, it means that we are fated to hold the obligation by Allah but what happens to some of us who were punished by politicians and society perceptions around? Actually I still can survive living in the village and grating coconut like what the "leader" said to us in his speech broadcasted in the radio around 2001. I have my "religion" to guide me to a happy, less-stressful and peaceful life. Grating coconut is not a bad idea yet I can open up home stay and promote tourism in the village or selling the coconut milk in market while in I have many times to study kitabs, hehe. Those who live in the "modern" world facing fears for survival, having to pay bills, facing higher goods prices with limited salary, fear to be sacked especially nowadays the economy is flopping and so on. The world is also a temporary place for us and it is not our goal. We will have to die and "religion" is only for those who is living. What can we study after we die? hahaha...

Though many people including those in the Middle East are impressed to that 'old leader" but I would have to say sorry and having to disagree! I studied Political Science and International Relation though I was a Shari'a student. I had also experience being a Buddhist in certain points of my life in terms that I practiced Buddhism. The notion of Shari'a students are not at par with students in "Universities" is not practical anymore. I am a Shari'a student and I will continue my studies that I had stopped after I am finished with this thesis, Insha Allah. I had tried to study it again when I was 19 years old by taking the related papers for Shari'a in A-Level. Just after I returned from pilgrimage in Holy Mecca, I drew out from proper school and registered for A-Level with Shari'a papers at the Education Office in Jalan Semarak. But Allah had arranged me until this stage. I don't know how many fellow Shari'a stream students who turned to be like me but I believe many of us are in "secular" streams as the result of what happened in 1990s. One of my maternal nephew who studied with me in the early madrasah that I was sent is a plumber. If you people stumbled here please share your experience. I could also learn from your experiences besides with those who remained in the stream. Everything is in His boundless wisdom.     

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters who are blessed by Allah Azza wa Jalla. I am calling myself and also you who accidentally coming by as a fellow Muslim. If you love your children, start educate them with Quran and train them to memorize the glorious Quran. Then teach them with Nawawi Hadiths compilation as a basis for them because each hadith of the compilation is gravely useful for them to survive and enough for them to practice. No need for traditional memorization but only teach them in point forms including with the sources of narration. Important thing is on how it is being "nurtured" in their "heart" because it would shine out in their daily acts.     

Regarding young ustad like Ustad Don Danial Biyajid, I am proud to know that there are young educators like him as an example for others and he speaks English well. I had discussed with Azren and he loves the way on how the ustad taught people because we also talked about approaches of da'awa and its presentation to people around. I just used other term when talking with Azren but it is still referring da'awa. Those students from da'awa groups in my university are not really speaking in English. Maybe they thought that I am pretending not to speak Malay with them but I speak and think in "few languages" in real life. Some of those kids who speak in Kedah Malay, I still talked with them in "Hybrid Kedah Malay" because I am fluent in it as compared to "normal" Malay spoken in our capital. What is wrong speaking in English as a medium of da'awa? I am also starting to speak in Arabic again after I completed my fathers' lineage from 17th century down to now and tracing our clan name. Last time Arabic was only my written language and I love the language. 

I end up this post with a short Quranic verse meaning on what Allah says related to the da'awa works:

"And the people who works hard in Our courses, indeed We will lead them into Our ways and indeed God is with the good doers" (Surat al-'Ankabut verse 69). 

Allah will surely grant these people with happiness, His pleasure and assistance when they try to perform acts of charity. About the turban with tail, it actually refers to a faqih. I saw member in movement for example in Tabligh Jama'at lay men karkuns who wear the turban. Yea, it is a "Sunnah" but based from our understanding as "Shari'a" people and those of mission circle lineages. If you wear the "turban with tail" it shows that people can consult anything related to "jurisprudence" and "religion-life" from you or in the other word you are a faqih, hehe. It is not only Sunnah but it is also with significance. We can wear that and practicing the specific "Sunnah" but only until we reach certain level. That is why I am only wearing the skull cap and not turban. I am not trying to put people down. I believe that it is a good thing to practice Sunnah but we should also know their significance. It is not only about appearance and how we look like. People are taking religion easily and taking it at the "surface" because it is not respected by our own people : )

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

Contemplation or Fanaticism

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Preface

I had discussed this matter with my friends in Malaysia and in Iran. All of these friends were and are of Shari'a Islamiah background and only their denominations were separated because of historical development of Muslim nations.

What I am so disappointed is that public were misguided by choppy risalat (fliers) spread off to them in masjid. I had also received these pamphlets and booklets which actually separates the Muslim ummat and hinders our unification. I also listened to one of an Arab guy I am not sure from which country he was because he talks in English to a random jama'at member in the masjid about Shi'a Ali before Juma'at prayer long time ago. I was sitting beside them silently chanting the dzikr at that time with my eyes slightly opened without looking around. The guy was not telling what is wrong or what is right but promoting hatred to the other and it is in a holy sanctuary, a masjid before holy time, the Juma'at! What is the difference between them and the ghullat Shi'as who magnify the figures that they support and over-placing allegiance to the figures more than Allah Azza wa Jalla be they ulamas or the imams?

Our Links with All Faithful Ahl Bayt Members Regardless Schools of Thought

I was from Shari'a background myself and it was actually my responsibility before I turned away after being deceived by the dunia (wordly affairs). But still Allah actually displays His mercy to lowly me as I was just a little kid back then. He leads me back to what I am now and my father. Though he is not religious but he actually brought me to see religious teachers in federal territory when he did interviews with them for religious column in newspaper where he worked as a bread winner for our poor family. I was furious last time when my maternal cousin brother looked down on my father just because my father was not properly educated like him. My father does not know his Ahl Bayt lineages origin but it was me who investigated it by calling museum departments in India (Gujarat) to confirm the information that I get from ex-Arab villages in Kedah state beside checking with our state's royal resources. I feel to check them again after pilgrimage to holy Mecca and asking for the lineages from elders. Not many are willing to help and many also had passed away.

Because of the awareness to our origin, I began to love my father (I hated him and everyone around last time and covert myself to Buddhism without family consent) and even willing not to find proper job just to take care of him who is affected by stroke with my mother because I feel pitiful to him as he didn't know his family identity and being an orphan thus hindering him from studying Quran and Sunnah when he was young. I am thankful and wanted to express gratitude to the writers of the Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah, the Kedah Sultanate Royal House for giving our ancestors shelters in 17th century, the villagers representative of Kampung Pulau Timbul, Titi Gajah, Pantai Johore, Perlis those in Singapore for information and showing me the ancestors' graveyard and also to the academic researchers of Arabs in Kedah state.

We know where is our stance when we are aware about our origin and not simply being mere-followers of hear says. I don't care if people demand me to be a "Malay" just because I speak in Malay language. If I can't speak in Malay just because speaking in the language makes me a "Malay" and people can insult us who were humble and lowered our selves to the extent people could insult our brothers and sisters of other denominations then I don't care if I have to give up my status as a legal state-bumiputera (per-independent native) and transforming myself to be an Arab diaspora in all aspects of life including in spoken-language without any native homeland like others around the world. I don't care and we did not gain any benefit from that too because we never join any specific government services whether in state or federal or dealing with high profit business which requires us to be involved in politics like other Arabs for example Mr. Syed Mukhtar al-Bukhary. I recently had checked the sources about the figure I mentioned and the Arab ethnicity in his information has been changed to Malay but he still is using the Arabic title. If he is really a Malay, then he should also lose the Arabic title Syed as Malay nobility use different type of titles and Malay folks have no titles at their name, lol.

Personal Opinion When Listening Public around Talking?

I found that it is annoying to listen to people around especially public talking about matters like rafidha (oppositors of evil human governance), taqiyyah (religious dissimulation) or muta'ah (marriage with contract term) and its relation with the Shi'a Muslims. They chant this and that without understanding the roots of these terms and without knowing the historical development coined with the terms by miming the words of people around or above them. I wanted to tell the world and the muhibb (lovers) of Ahl Bayt. There is a very very thin line between the "Sunna" and "Shi'a" lineages when it comes to Ahl Bayt and other high sufi lineages. Some of them even started the school of jurisprudence of Islam. It is blasphemous and haram to associate others with infidelity and there are Imams of Shi'a lineages of Ahl Bayt family. Some parts of our people in Northern Yemen, Egypt, Southern of Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan are also of Ahl Bayt lineages, does not matter of what school of thought they are from or whether being known as the "Sunni" or the "Shi'a". All of these ignorance happen when we filled ourselves with choppy information, hear says and build up our perceptions with those incomplete information. Later it turns to be a dogma and we put labels on people calling these people kafir and that people kafir without realizing that those accusations turned back to our very face! This is the quality and the morality of our ummat today.

Questions to Our Selves

Until this part, I would like to pose questions:

1. Why when we who are not studying the "secular" field such as economy or political science were not allowed to talk about economy or politics?

My answer after I took post-graduate classes in Social Science and International Studies is because Political Science is an established field of study. If we do not know the theories in Global Political Economy, so we have no authority to comment on economy development of certain countries though it also affects our daily life.

Now as an ex-Shariah student who had escaped Fourth Thanawi papers for Shariah Islamiah and the Malaysian High Islamic Religion Certificate (STAM) back then when I was 16 years old and being an out-caste in non-specific fields of studies in university and not recognized in job-world today:

2. My question is why public should avoid poking their nose on the Shi'a Muslims status in Islam matters?  

My own answer dear brothers and sisters, if you're only in the groups of reborn Muslims who had just recently involve yourselves in movements like Wahhabi-Salafi, Barelvi, Tabligh-Deobandi or Ikhwan Muslimin movements; you should first acknowledge yourselves that you have no sound knowledge about Shari'a Islamiah!  Unless if you're graduated from specific ulama and receiving chains like the imams of the past or the salafi imams then it would be another story because those scholars actually respect each other. Only rulers and administrators in past governments did not respect "sincere" ulamas who devoted their selves only for Allah 'Azza wa Jalla.

How about Background in Shari'a Studies?

Most people that I encountered talking about this is wrong or that is wrong, this is bida'a (innovation) that is bida'a (innovation) are not of Shari'a and Usuluddin studies background even the basic ones they are not aware. Now do I realize this and why I had problem to join them when they are in their "religious discussion" groups. Though they were educated in Science streams for example medical studies, information technologies, and etc but  they are not "formally" educated in Islamic sciences and studies. Islam for them was just a side-subject matter being discussed at certain times when they feel the need to impress others that they are talented in all traits or to use it to justify their deeds according to their desires. Islam was not part or never being part of their "life". I am sorry for having to be harsh. But people had already being harsh to me when I tried to comment about other worldly fields. And just because they are "Muslim" by identification makes them rightful to also act like they are experts in Islamic and Shari'a science fields without being viewed as "backward" and studying something which is not popular when being put in Shari'a stream in secondary schools in the context of our country?

So for me, they have no right to talk like they are experts in fatwa guidelines to others related to whatever schools of jurisprudence of Islam or practices of historical Muslims. Why am I talking about school of jurisprudence? My Shi'a Muslim brothers and sisters are following the school of jurisprudence established by Imam Ja'afar al-Baqir bin Muhammad bin Ali Zainal Abiddin bin Hussein bin Ali bin Abu Talib! The same applies to those who think that they have the right to judge Islamic Shari'a only based from their studies in newspapers and media-sphere, they have no right to talk about this! We shut our mouth in the public because we know that it is of no use to talk with ignorant and it would be a waste as they would just brought up hear says that they just listened not what they had experienced or learned their selves.
 

Ordinary Non-Affiliated Guy Experience

Most people that I had mingled in various Islamic movement groups apart of they are not "formally and systematically" educated in Islamic studies stream since schooling time are not even proficient in the history and the background of the founders of their movements. Also those who follow their schools of jurisprudence in the popular denomination of "Sunnah" such as of Hanafi, Hanbali or Shafi'ie schools are not even aware about their imams and ulamas background, chains of the hadiths compiled by them and the way they issued rulings. When I choose to learn about Hanbali school of jurisprudence and the Kitab al-Musnad, I actually had read about Wahhabi-Salafi movements beside checking the information from the groups of Ikhwan al-Muslim movement because they are actually bounded to these school though they influenced people of other school of jurisprudence to join them. I learned about the imam, imam Ahmad bin Hanbal rahimahullah and his life story from various sources and teachers until I am well-versed and could write or honestly tell about him again without checking any sources because the sources were absorbed into myself the same I recite the Quranic verses and learned its exegesis. This Hanbali madzhab is prominent in Saudi Arabia and some parts of Iraq and those of Wahhabi-Salafi movements are subjects under this school of jurisprudence methods. Others of Shafi'ie, Maliki and from Hanafi schools please take note! By reading or listening the Usool Talata (the Three Principles), the studies of respectable Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baaz, works of Ibnu Taimiyya only is not enough for a person to simply put labels on others or giving them rights to issue rulings and implementation of their "own" jungle law! I am in no position to put nonsense labels on few of the ulamas of Saudi Arabia even if I do not agree with them but the studies of those ulamas were done by their selves. Not by those who used or quoting their thesis.

One have to begin from the basis and from the scratch and being educated again in Shari'a Islamiah branches of studies if they wanted to meddle with fatawa guidelines in the midst of public! People who simply think that they are eligible to bomb this and bomb that as per the extremists but were not properly educated in higher Shari'a studies are ridiculing Allah Azza wa Jalla, Islam, the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w, the knowledgeable Ahl Bayt imams and all family members of prophet Muhammad s.a.w, the respectable sahabas of prophet Muhammad s.a.w, the honorable salaf imams and khalaf ulamas because they take the studies easily but they insist that they could take the position on judging people around!    

Closing

I have few minutes before 'Isha prayer service. I need to chant few obligatory dzikr and revise my Quranul Karim recitations. I wish brothers and sisters good luck in the quest to know your selves. Please pray for the safety of nations and everyone in the way to reach the resurrection and His eternal Kingdom.

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