Sunday, February 28, 2010

Mawlidur Rasul


The earliest accounts for the observance of Mawlid can be found in eighth-century Mecca, when the house in which Muhammad was born was transformed into a place of prayer by Al-Khayzuran (mother of Harun al-Rashid, the fifth and most famous Abbasid caliph).[5] The early celebrations included elements of Sufic influence, with animal sacrifices and torchlight processions along with public sermons and a feast.[6][7] The celebrations occurred during the day, in contrast to modern day observances, with the ruler playing a key role in the ceremonies.[8] Emphasis was given to the Ahl al-Bayt with presentation of sermons and recitations of the Qur'an. The event also featured the award of gifts to officials in order to bolster support for the ruling caliph.[8]

The first public celebrations by Sunnis took place in twelfth-century Syria, under the rule of Nur ad-Din Zangi Though there is no firm evidence to indicate the reason for the adoption of the Shi'ite festival by the Sunnis, some theorise the celebrations took hold to counter Christian influence in places such as Spain and Morocco.[9] Theologians denounced the celebration of Mawlid as unorthodox,[10] and the practice was briefly halted by the Ayoubides when they came to power, becoming an event confined to family circles.[11] It regained status as an official event again in 1207 when it was re-introduced by Muzaffar ad-din, the brother-in-law of Saladin, in Arbil, a town near Mosul, Iraq.[6][7]

The practice spread throughout the Muslim world, assimilating local customs, to places such as Cairo, where folklore and Sufic practices greatly influenced the celebrations. By 1588 it had spread to the court of Murad III, Sultan of the Ottoman empire.[5][12] In 1910, it was given official status as a national festival throughout the Ottoman empire. Today it is an official holiday in many parts of the world.[5]

Legality of Mawlid

Islamic scholars are divided on whether observing Mawlid is necessary or even permissible in Islam. Some see it as a praiseworthy event and positive development,[13][14] while others say it is an improper innovation and forbid its celebration.

A number of Islamic scholars, such as Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki, Gibril Haddad, and Zaid Shakir, all subscribing to the Sufi movement, and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the primary scholar of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, have given their approval for the observance of Mawlid.[15] They cite hadith where Muhammad recommended fasting on Mondays, as that was the day he was born and also the day prophecy descended on him.[14] They suggest that fasting on Mondays is also a way of commemorating Muhammad's birthday. However, there is division among them on the lawfulness of the methods of the celebrations. Most accept that it is praiseworthy as long as it is not against sharia (i.e. inappropriate mingling of the sexes, consuming forbidden food or drink such as alcohol, playing music etc).[14]

Notable scholars who consider Mawlid to be bid'ah and forbid its celebration include Muhammad Taqi Usmani, a Hanafi scholar from Pakistan who has served as a judge on the Shariah Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and subscribes to the Deobandi movement, and Abd-al-Aziz ibn Abd-Allah ibn Baaz, who was the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia subscribing to the Salafi movement.[16] Although all agree that the birth of Muhammad was the most significant event in Islamic history, they point out that the companions of Muhammad and the next generation of Muslims did not observe this event.[17] Furthermore, they highlight that Muhammad did not observe the birth or death anniversaries of his family and loved ones, including that of his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, nor did he advise his followers to observe his birthday.[17]

Taken from Wikipedia

The Problem

so whats the problem with celebrating mawlidur rasul?

well it's all a mind set issue actually. The mindset of the ummah that the mawlidur rasul is actually just celebrated today. what do I mean by mindset? well lets see what happened in Malaysia. just to make things clear, I hope anyone who reads this could have an open mind about what I say and if there are some of us who differ then please do not hesitate to discuss things peacefully. I just felt the conscience to tell this to everyone (especially Malaysian Politician Leaders).

on the night of the Mawlidur Rasul I've just heard the PM said that we need to follow the ways of the prophet and how he lived build a country and so on.

Well just to point out: YOUR CONTRADICTING YOURSELF!!!

  1. You still allow alcohol in Malaysia (Madinah had lots of Jews and Christ, but I don't see that stopping the prophet from banning alcohol)
  2. The mosques are still not full, not to mention that the prophet once said that the most important ibadah to do is to make sure you do your prayers at the allocated time. i haven't seen yet any Politicians coming to my neighborhood and ask people to go and do pray early (that is if they ever pray themselves).
  3. There are still Social Problems, sexual harassment, Mat Rempit and stuff and I don't see any policy that might actually help curb this. Why some politicians even refute the idea that if a girl/women wore attires that clearly close the aurah they will not be raped. They say that it's the problem of the person doing it. well unlikely for you the chance of somebody wearing a bra or even nude will be raped even more than somebody wearing a jubah (that is if somebody even had the lust to do it to someone wearing a jubah). I'm a little confused when one of the politicians said that it was important to follow the prophet's way, well the prophet pointed out that his wife wore a scarf, covered her whole hair, without showing her neck. Well sorry to point it out, many politicians wives don't wear a head scarf, and if they did, you could still see there hair and neck. Shame of you!!!
I for one feel that it's a bad idea to "just" celebrate Mawlidur Rasul today. There is this mindset that every ummah right now has. And it's a bad one. We all remember the prophet only today. we say we love him only today. and we only pray for him only for today. And maybe, only today we would do what he asked us to do.

It's ALL A MINDSET

That's how it all started. From the Abbasiyyah empire, during the Fathimiah regime, creating this wondrous day. And from that day on we suddenly became infected the same way the Christians celebrated their Christmas. Some Bloody mindset that only today is the best day and only today we should remember the prophet.

Those who read this take out this lunatic mindset!!
Think about it.....................
What if everyday was a Mawlidur Rasul?
What if everyday we did cheers for the prophet?
What if everyday the Prime Minister reminded us to follow the ways of the prophet?

Whether you realize it our not, everyday is your birthday, you grow up everyday, same like the prophet's. So why can't we make every day a Mawlidur Rasul and embrace the ways of the prophet?
why can't we follow his way of life?
Why can't we follow him to heaven?

If we cleared our mindset and think that everyday is a Mawlidur Rasul, then surely I believe the world will be a better place......






Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Syahadatain








Only when you trust Him will He trust you with the world...........


The Significance of the Kalimah Syahadatain:
  • It is the stepping stone to Heaven (Al Hujarat 49:15)
إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَرۡتَابُواْ وَجَـٰهَدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ (١٥

The (true) believers are those only who believe in Allah and His messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere.

  • The introductory to the Islamic teachings (Adz- Dzariyat 51:56)
وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.

  • The instances for change (Al Ahzab 33:23)
مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ۬ صَدَقُواْ مَا عَـٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡهِ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحۡبَهُ ۥ وَمِنۡہُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ‌ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُواْ تَبۡدِيلاً۬

Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least;

  • The Significance to the prophet's da'wah (Al Kahfi 18:110)
قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمۡ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬‌ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلۡيَعۡمَلۡ عَمَلاً۬ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَلَا يُشۡرِكۡ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ أَحَدَۢا

Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your God is one God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.


Yes for most of you, this is what we learn in our Mukhayyam Hayyah Islah, but do we truly understand it? like in really taking the meaning and all. Unfortunately the majority of the islamic people don't quite get it when you show an hour presentation to them discussing about this topic even when we often say it during our prayers.

For someone like me I don't like taking things just from one perspective, because we live in a multi-perspective world where nothing is totally true nor false, just misunderstood or confused.

I've been in two Jamaah's lately (although the ikhwan's call us "jammaah tabligh" we don't call ourselves that, because it's more of a job than an organization) and both take these things in one way or the other.

So maybe if we wanted to learn the Syahadatain from the "ikhwanul Muslimin" side, then from what I just shown you above is enough as a rough synopsis of what you could get. (tell me if I'm wrong)
But on the side if you the "Jammaah Tabligh", it's more than that. We actually take this word to a point where it is the "Holy Word" or "Kalimah Thayyibah". If you've been to the SRI Petaling Mosque and went out to do da'wah for a day or two (or even a year if you we're lucky) than you could see yourself speaking to other people, going house to house, mosque to mosque, about this word and what it could mean.

It means that when we say the Syahadatain, then we need to let go of our slavery to the creations, this means that we can't expect wealth or resources from them, because they are only the treasurer, the distributor, to us Allah is the provider, he is the Almighty, the one who lit up our sky, the One who lets us see, speak and hear, the One who makes us cold and well rested, not the fans or air-conditioners, or the cozy coaches and beds that make us well rested, but Allah and only Allah, these "creations" are only the "middle-men", they are only made so we could think. Allah could as easily as change these things so that they wouldn't give us these benefits in the first place.

So to the second word: Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
To us it would mean that the surest way, the only way to success is what the prophet teaches us, or how the prophet does. The prophet's Sunnah are not "sunnat", they are a method to success, if you do it then you are successful and vice versa. That includes how you sleep, eat, study, socialize, keep a country and everything else.

Maybe there are some of you who disagree with my point, you would say Islam allows any type of attire as long as it closes the aurah during prayer, or It's ok if we sleep in another way. Well then my answer to those people is simple: why in the world are we targeting for a number that is below One. Are we so sure that our method is so perfect that we would just follow our own heads, we have a Jubah, a kopiah, some perfume but are so hot headed to do it as if what we are doing is already enough to bring us to heaven. Well unfortunately just by saying these words are not enough to make sure we go to heaven, because sometimes we forgot and commit "Syirik" or betrayal to God, we hope from something else than Him, something that would surely wouldn't give you anything even if you did a thousand times begging.

If ever we suddenly say, "that person's car is so fast, i think if i want ti go to work early i should go with him", or something like that, then we are betraying Allah in someway or the other. We think that it's because of creation that something is possible.

So please as they would say in Markaz Sri Petaling, remind everyone of the Oneness of God and you will remind yourself like a ball being kick at the wall it would bounce back to you.

PS: any comments or feedback or "tak puas hati" I'm sure we could discuss "the prophet's way"

Monday, February 15, 2010

Smile sukmo everyone!!!!!

Relationship break-ups, economy crisis, everything so gloomy. Without our realizing of it, this bombardment of negativity will bring even the most optimistic down.

yet there are some ways we could help ourselves to feel more positive without having to squash our brains to smithereens (Mind you I learn this in therapy).

  • Simple Pleasures : Once something becomes familiar we tend to stop paying attention to it - even if it becomes pleasurable. ever had a piece of chocolate that tasted gorgeous but then you didn't noticed the rest of the bar disappearing down your throat? Start making a note of the simpler things that brings you pleasure as you notice them. this way, you heighten the experience and focus on the positive feelings inspired. With every pleasure coming say Alhamdullillah the least.
  • Random Kindness (my way): Psychologists ( my psychologist to be precise) have found that one of the most effective way to lift people from depression is for them to help others. What more better spirit lifter than the smiles of others?
  • Count Chimneys: It sounds odd, but it's harder to feel angry when you are looking up. there's a reason for the saying "you're looking down" when someone seems unhappy. Try it - and things will really look up (although I don't recommend if there was a sexy lady passing by)
  • Three Gifts (again from my psychologist) : This exercise can have a greater impact on depression than medication. At the end of each day, just before bed, look back at today and bring to mind three good things that happened. It doesn't have to be huge - just simple things like meeting your friends, a praise from a teacher, then write them down.
  • Share a smile (yep , this is my favorite) : Happiness reflects right back at us. The smile might come from a moment of humor or just from your quick instincts. Researchers (including myself) have found that our expressions cause us to feel the way we look - so smiling increases our happiness and sharing our smiles just makes it grow bigger.
Well thats a starter for becoming one of the most happiest person in the world, and it's not even that hard. Good Luck.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

The Turning Point

When We Are Forced to Take the Change......

I remembered it as if it was yesterday.
I was brought to a place in the middle of no where (or that was how I presume), to be trained, to be thought on the meaning of life. What I thought was just to have some fun and fill in the space between now and SPM was actually some kind of life changing experience that would mean a lot to someone in my situation.

The program was called "Madrasatul Hayyah Islah".

And Insyaallah I will recall this experience in detailed so we all could get this experience and together bring back our purpose as a khalifatullah and more importantly as a servant to Allah (Abdullah).

I wished to meet back my family back in MH-i. The happiness, the sorrows, the cooking. We slept together, where I could recall that one of us were sleep talking. Then there was the moment where we were playing Futsal, and incredibly I played even when I had asthma. It was a moment which could not be forgotten.

I remembered the times where Sarjan would shout "Take Cover" and we would all sprawl down on to the ground as if some bomb was going to be detonated.

I Remembered how each and every slot was a building block to our upbringing for the upcoming journey in university. How we were thought the basic principles of Islam and how to contribute to it as a whole.

There were slots, sorrows and surprises in MH-i but what really touched me was the spirit of ukhwah we shared together. There were times in MH-i some bad, some boring, but there were also some moments of excitement and happiness and togetherness. For somebody like myself whom constantly needed help, this was what I was looking for.

I was the second youngest after Muhsin, and so that was how I wanted to be treated: as the youngest. Asthma, low metabolic rate, and some mental problem that was what befell me, but Alhamdullillah, those whom I never knew before this were like brothers and sisters towards me. They would teach me what I wanted to know telling me how to live and survive (there was the case of going to the wet market where I didn't knew some vegetables), then there was the strength from them when hardship hit me, when my dad was brought to ICU and there was some family problem concerning my siblings. But Alhamdullillah I went through it all, with the pain, experience and memories that those were the people who will stand by my side when needed.

If I was given a super power, then I wished I could turn back time so we could go back to our younger days and cherish these short but memorable moments. Surely these six weeks with Abg Khairul, Abg Iqbal, Izal, Abid, Akram, Thalhah, Yasser, Hamzah, Atif, Luqman, Afif, Muadz, Muhsin, Aiman, Awi, Arif, Hadi and everyone else in MH-i was a blessing for me.

Surely after this we shall not be the same like we used to, because this was our turning point
Towards our goal and our destiny, Our purpose.

Towards a better world, a world of conscious, of peace and happiness and prosperity, a world without wars. That is our end, our goal, our destiny............