It’s A Struggle To Be Righteous Towards GOD

04/05/2006

First Part

God commanded human beings to be righteous and virtuous towards Allah and amongst other human beings. But, human beings generally stress on honourable ethics during human interactions while righteousness towards God seen to be of no importance.It is right and proper to give the priority of righteousness towards God. When the righteousness with God is accomplished, automatically the righteousness among fellow mankind will be established.

Establishing and maintaining moral excellence with God is challenging. When the heart has no fear and love for God, this will prevent human beings from being righteous with God.The heart and soul unfamiliar with God preserve all the ill traits (mazmumah). For as long as the heart of human beings still uncleansed from the illness of jealousy, craziness for worldly gains, spitefulness, searching for glamour, self-centredness and self-assurance and various other ill traits of the heart, God will not be familiar to them, God will not be respected, adulated, glorified and honoured.

Evidence of the struggles to be righteous towards God are:

* God is the supreme love and extremely loyal companion protecting, providing our needs and guarding our security.God’s kindness towards us is significant. His Supremacy and Dominance over us boundless.

By right God should be the one we love and  aggrandize most. But only our mind is accepting this fact, while our impure heart polluted with the ill traits encouraging us to love and aggrandize the worldly matters. Indicating we are unrighteous towards God, the Most Kind.

* It is difficult to feel God’s existence and His utmost knowledge about us, to sense His existence and presence, to feel Him overseeing us endlessly, to feel Him listening to us relentlessly, to feel Him dominating us perpetually and various other feelings for God as He has commanded us to possses so that we are able to think of Him continously.

We perform our daily obligatory prayers five times a day.Officially, five times a day we are taken unintentionally to remember Him, but what are our thoughts during our solat?
And yet Allah has decreed in the Al Quran meaning:” Do perform solat to remember Me.”
One who remembers Allah will feel His existence and Allah in the know all about him, both his physical and spiritual aspects.Triggering the feelings of fear and apprehension towards God’s Supremacy. This describes as one who is righteous towards Allah.

If we fail to be righteous towards God during our official meet with Him i.e during our obligatory prayers, then during the other normal times, during our working hours,times we spent with the family, times we spent for entertainment, it is even difficult for us to remember Him.
This shows that our solat has not wither all the ill traits (mazmumah) preventing us to be righteous towards God. Showing off, self assurance, crazy for the world, arrogance, self centered, greed, miser, all the traits nesting inside the heart.

Sacrificing Our Feelings – A Form of JIHAD

08/08/2006

Human beings are creatures with emotions. When we mention emotions, these are feelings that are based in the spiritual heart and are trapped in the physical heart.

These emotions include love, hate, disgust, sympathy, anger, vengefulness, yearning, shame, pride, arrogance, fear, guilt and indecisiveness.

Emotions are part of the natural instinct or habits of human beings, are not easy to guide, discipline or manage because there are the positive and negative. The positive have to let free, while the negative have to be reined in.

Letting go of the positive is a sacrifice, as is the reining in of the negative. Sacrificing emotions is considered a type of struggle or jihad, which is spiritual jihad. In fact it is even greater than the sacrifice of physical things such as energy, wealth and even life.

Sacrifice of the physical will not happen unless one starts with sacrificing the spiritual. It is from the spiritual that the physical can occur. If one cannot even sacrifice the spiritual, then they would definitely not be able to sacrifice the physical. Truth be told, sacrifice the physical is but implementation of spiritual sacrifice. In other words, sacrificing the physical is the result of the spiritual sacrifice, which is sacrificing emotions.

In needs to be remembered that in order to obtain Allah Taala’s acceptance (keredhaan) sacrifices have to be made. Without sacrifice, there is no acceptance. Without sacrifice, it is all but fanciful daydreams and nonsense. Without sacrifice, there would be no success in this world or the next.

Sacrificing emotions is very difficult to do. It hurts a great deal and the burden of its challenge bears heavily. Here I present a few examples:

We love our husband. We love that he would just stay at home taking care of us. Would it be easy for us to sacrifice our love so that he would be able to go out and continue on his responsibility to struggle for God, until he has to leave the home for quite some time.

We love our husband. Would it be easy to sacrifice our love so that it may be shared with others by allowing our husband to marry another. So that our husband can share his love with others.

We are angry with someone. Can we sacrifice our anger until we are able to forgive or ask for forgiveness from that person? Willing to forgive or ask for forgiveness means that we are able to sacrifice our ego or pride.

We love our wealth and property. We can sacrifice our love for what we own by using it for Allah. That feeling would definitely torment us.

Sometimes we yearn to rest. We want to take it easy and just let our body rest a moment. Suddenly a guest or neighbour arrives who needs our help. Would we able to sacrifice our desire to rest by inviting our guest in respectfully or going to help out our neighbour in need?

We are constantly being tested in all sorts of ways, such as being poor, as well as suffering from accidents and natural disasters. Of course our heart would be trouble, for that would be our feelings at the time. If we cannot control or sacrifice our feelings, then of course we would be overcome with worry and distress. Our thoughts will be in so much of a mess that everything else in our lives will also be duly affected. Other people will also suffer in the process. But the problem itself is not solved, but may in fact lead to the forming of other problems. But if we can sacrifice this feeling of worry, then peace will come upon us. Our thoughts will become stable. Anything else that we need to do will not be affected. Others will not suffer either. In fact, by sacrificing these feelings will gain the sympathy and kindness of others.

If we are rich or knowledgeable or of a high status and powerful, naturally the feelings that we have will flourish. We will start to feel proud and arrogant. If we are unable to sacrifice these feelings, other people will get offended. Many will be suffer. Of course there will be other side effects, such as the inciting of hatred and trouble for the community. Then maybe there are those who hold grudges and cause trouble for the person. In the end both parties are become unsafe and suffer the consequences. But if the previously mentioned rich or powerful person had been able to sacrifice those negative emotions, the side effects would be good. The people would love and respect them, and give them their hearts. So everyone would benefit, gaining love and harmony. This is the advantage of sacrificing emotions.

Due to this, sacrificing feelings is the secret of all good things. It is from sacrificing such emotions that love, patience, sympathy, protectiveness, helpfulness, togetherness, tolerance and acceptance will arise. So, the sacrifice of emotions is a form of jihad, for here the nafs have to be battled against. Fighting nafs is greater than jihad on a battlefield.

Hence, the sacrifice of emotions is vital. If one is not willing to sacrifice their feelings, then they will never gain patience, let alone acceptance. If one is unable to sacrifice their emotions, they will be constantly angry and unwilling to compromise. It is this inability to sacrifice feelings that people are unable to help others, sympathise, unite and be harmonious.  So, the sacrifice of feelings is extremely important in the community lives between people.

So, constantly ask Allah for His hidayah and taufik so that we are able to sacrifice our feelings, so that all that we have will be able to be sacrificed for God.

Secularism

31/07/2005

Secularism today, the popular practice of the world`s population, has also become a polemic and subject of heated debate between the educated, the academicians and especially so among politicians.

In fact,they accuse on another. “They are a secular group”. “They have a secular mind”. “Their belief is still influenced by secularism”

Those accused would counter accuse their accusers of also having secular minds or of being influenced by secularism. They bring forth arguments and reasons complete with lengthy theories, debating using bombastic words and terms beyond comprehension of any layman.
Those with the knowledge and understanding of secularism, especially the intellectuals, when debating the topic of secularism, still fail to explain what secularism means. Their explanations remain hazy and ambiguous even with extensive and lengthy disccussions.

There are instances when people who bring forth lengthy arguments and analysis on the meaning of secularism and who label other people as being secular, are themselves clearly seen to be secular, directly or indirectly, whether they realize it or not.

In order to understand secularism or non-secularism, it is not sufficient to rely solely on the mind or merely to revert to assumptions. To understand the meaning of secularism or non-secularism, we have to accept that it has a lot to do with how much we understand Islam itself. To confirm whether a person or a group is secular or otherwise is decided by the teachings of Islam or the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). Allah Taala Himself makes the decision.The human mind does not have the privilege to define its meaning.

No matter how brilliant one is, one cannot freely on one`s own accord analyze this matter without first referring to what is required by Islam or by the Quran and the Sunnah (Hadith).

I, as a Muslim, when faced with this complex situation, and when faced with discussions, debates and polemics on this issue, also feel responsible and called upon to  discuss this topic. Although I am not an academician nor an ulama` based on the current meaning of the terms, or based on the belief of certain people that knowledge must come with qualifications or degrees, which I do not possess, whether in academic or religious disciplines, it is still not wrong for me to get involved in debating and discussing this topic or issue. Who knows, although I am an inconspicuous man, I may be able to bring forth the truth on this question of secularism.

Even if the intellects or ulamas cannot accept my viewpoint merely because of my standing and I too do not regard myself an expert, but it is also possible that there are people of my standing or of lesser standing than I who can accept it. And owing to the fact that I am not an intellect, surely my analysis will not contain terminologies that are too philosophical and surely the layman can easily understand me.

Hopefully, I am assisted and guided by Allah Taala in writing this analysis and hopefully He simplifies the explanation so that all groups of people within the society can comprehend it.

The Meaning of Secular or Secularism
I do not have to debate or expound on the meaning of the word “secular” from the historical point of view or who was the first personality to utter the word, or in what period and why this term came about as is not important to us.

But  what  important to us as a principle, (so that we can be guided and are not trapped by secular ideology or secularism,) is the meaning of secularism itself from the Islamic viewpoint. As such, philosophical debates and references to history and personalities are not necessary to be addressed here, for fear that this article will become too lengthy. So we take only what is necessary for us to use as a guide. Hopefully, in our lives, no matter in what field we work and strive, we will not be trapped or be involved in the path of secularism.

Now, let us analyze secularism from the Islamic viewpoint. Secularism, in Islam, is to carry out the activities of life in this world whether in the fields of economy, politics, education, administration, culture, communications and so on in complete separation from religion or without any connection whatsoever with the Hereafter; in other words, secularism is a concept that touches purely on worldly matters. It does not have any connection with the Hereafter.

Secularism means life on earth will end on earth. If there is profit made, it will only be in this world. If there is loss suffered, it will also be only in this world. If a person is poor, it will only be in this world and if a person is rich, it will also only be in this world. It will not be questioned in the Hereafter. Rewards for good and bad deeds are irrelevant for life exists only in this world and it does not go beyond that.

In secularism, the shariah (rule of Allah) is not taken into account. In fact, the shariah has no place in life. In secularism, God does not involve Himself in the lives of man. As such, man can do anything he likes. What is important is profit. What is required is development and progress. The important thing is to gain victory and success no matter how, even if the prohibited (haram) have to be made permissible (halal). Time should not be wasted on deciding between the permissible and the prohibited. The dos and don`ts too are not considered.

In secularism, the world is not a bridge to the Hereafter or a farm for the Hereafter. Whatever happens in this world will end in this world. In secularism, there is no reward for good or bad deeds. There is no life in the Hereafter or there is no concern for life in the Hereafter. If there is at all any belief in the Hereafter, it is not taken seriously as though it is not there or it needs to be forgotten. In fact, some secularists dislike the Hereafter. When we mention the “Hereafter”, they make a wry face to show disgust. Whoever mentions the Hereafter is considered old-fashioned, backward and non-progressive.

Secular Groups
After analyzing and debating the meaning of secularism, we now know that those who are secular belong to many groups. They can be divided into many categories. Among them are as follows:

1. The Pure Secularists
The group who do not believe in the existence of God or the Hereafter and who believe that religion is man-made and is opiate to the masses. They believe the universe came to exist naturally and on its own accord. Those who are of this belief are communists, atheists or “free thinkers”. These are the pure secularists.

2. The Secularists Who Have Been Led Astray
This group comprises of infidels who believe in God, the Hereafter and religion but who do not know God. Their belief of the Hereafter is not accurate. They have been led astray in religion. God is not involved in their worldly lives and their lives are totally separated from religion. These are secularists who have been led astray.

3. Muslim Secularists who Believe in the Existence of God.
These are Muslims who believe in the existence and unity of God and their knowledge of God is accurate. They also accurately believe in the Hereafter. Only, their religion is restricted merely to acts of devotions. Due to ignorance, all matters of life like economy, politics, education, the struggle and so on are separated from Islam. The Islamic shariah has no place in their lives except only in acts of devotions. Other than in devotions, they can accept any ideology or ism or whatever is formulated by the human mind. These are secularists because they are unbecoming (fasik).

4. Secularists Due to Being Tyranous (Zalim)
These are Muslims who believe as above but are also committed to the fact that Islam is a complete way of life. They believe that Islam is a religion for all aspects of life. Islam is a religion of devotion, a religion of politics, a religion of administration, a religion of economy, and a religion of education. But perhaps out of fear of a certain group of people or because they are not prepared to face any serious consequences or due to some personal interests or out of fear or shame that they will be branded as old-fashioned, they forgo the shariah except in acts of devotion. In other aspects of life, the shariah does not become the rule and discipline. These people become secularists because they are tyrants (zalim) for not placing the truth in its proper place or for misplacing the truth.

5. Secularists Who Inadvertently Change Their Intention
Muslims who carry out acts of devotion, the struggle, economy, politics, communications and so on according to the shariah, but not because of Allah Taala as it formally was. Instead, they do it now out of pride and self-conceit and to gain fame, glamour, rank, or money, whether they realize it or not. Because of this, the reward for their good deeds do not reach the Hereafter. These people become secularists because they inadvertently change their intentions.

6. Secularists Due to Secular Elements or Who Attach Too Much Importance to the World
This group is more refined than the groups above. These people do everything according to the shariah. But because they attach too much importance to life in the world compared to life in the Hereafter to the extent that they are not prepared to pay the tithes and they become miserly. They do not like to do good and they do not like to help other people. They do not like to give alms. They prefer only to accumulate their wealth and they become greedy. These people become secularists because they do things that contain secular elements or things that are secular in nature or they attach too much importance to the world.

That, briefly, is the meaning of secularism from the Islamic viewpoint that I understand. So, secularism gives importance to the worldly. Although some secularists believe in the Hereafter, they do not take it seriously or they purposely forget it and they do not take any heed. This is because their hearts cling and are tied to life in this world. It is even worse if they do not believe in the Hereafter at all. Their lives will only be solely for the world. It is also even worse if they are absolutely worldly oriented or they are truly pure secularists.

So we see at this end of time, the majority of the world population are secular, whether they believe that this life will end here on earth and there is no Hereafter or whether they still believe in the Hereafter but at heart and by attitude, they put more importance to life on earth.

It is here that a lot of Muslims have fallen into secularism. Even if they do not believe in pure secularism, at least the spray of secularism has attacked Muslims and this is the secret why Muslims cannot unite. The hearts of Muslims have been destroyed by this spray of secularism.
This is my view and opinion. If there is any truth in it, surely it is from Allah Taala , the All Knowing. If there are mistakes and errors, they are due solely to my own weakness and shortcomings, being one who do not have high education.

Hidden Knowledge

30/07/2005

Among these things are:

1. One of the ways to foster mankind to be good is to endeavor to hurt his nafs (desire).
2. A Muslim who dies in pain due to his physical disease, such pain obliterates his sins or he is awarded a high standing in heaven. But if he dies with the disease of his soul (heart), he goes to hell.
3. A man who suffers physical disease, such disease affects his physical, but a man who suffers disease of the soul (heart) will destroy many things including total destruction on earth.
4. We find it difficult to manage things or matters that we truly like or favor. Normally we often make mistakes in managing them.
5. Most of us can talk about diseases of the soul (heart) but fail to detect such diseases within themselves. Hence, there are people who talk about arrogance, but the same time they are arrogant themselves.
6. To nurture people informally and through our attitude (manners) is more effective than to give them knowledge and its theories.
7. Unbrainy or uneducated people are destroyed by the most stupid of creations. In fact, the cleverest of people including professors as well are also destroyed by them: which is money and wealth.
8. A race of people who have taqwa (fear of Allah) and knowledge, will have control over other races. But majority of races are not able to follow this path. So they control other races with their physical might and strength but this brings about too much destruction.
9. People who own the world always have souls that are not at peace. People who own Allah have souls that are serene and at peace. As such, there are people who own the world but who commit suicide. This does not happen to people who have God.
10. A person who commits suicide has created a bigger sin than a person who kills another person.
11. Actually, problems of human life in this world can be easily solved if we know the secret; which is faith and taqwa (fear of Allah). With faith and taqwa, leaders will protect the people and will uphold justice, the wealthy will be generous, the poor will be patient, the knowledgeable will teach, the theologians will give advice and will foster people, and the youth (males and females) will contribute their energy. Every human will maintain his or her self respect and are by nature shy. Everyone will give priority to other people. Young children are shown love and care, those in school are not to be shown love and care openly and the grown-ups are shown warmth and regarded as friends and are brought into discussions.
12. A person will be loved or will be given sympathy if he knows himself and is able to put himself in his proper place.
13. It is the innate nature of man to love peace, love and care, sympathy, being helped and assisted, being respected and not being disturbed. But man always forget that sometimes and in fact in most cases, the thing that he does not like, occurs as a result of his own fault whether directly or indirectly. As an example, a tyrant will be treated with hate and spite and people will create trouble for him. There will be no peace for him. When there is no peace, the tyrant himself will suffer difficulty and will be threatened. When the rich and wealthy are misers, people will be envious and spiteful. They (the rich) will then have to bear the consequences. When one is arrogant, people hate him. If something happens that put him in difficulty, people will not care for him and they will not sympathize with him. So it is our attitude that sometimes invite calamity and adversity. The same analogy can be drawn from other evil attitudes.

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE

11/01/2006

As Muslims, we are encouraged to seek knowledge whether for the worldly purposes or the Hereafter.
Why Allah Taala promotes us to equip ourselves with both aspects of knowledge?
Some of the reasons being:

1. In order for us to be in the know of God, able to worship Him, fear Him as He has the ultimate authority over us.

2. So that Muslims are not considered as illiterate from the various informative knowledge.

3. As a guidance for Muslims to uphold His syariah principles in their lives and potraying desirable characters.

4. With the knowldege and experience, mankind are able to develop themselves in every aspects of life.

5. So that Muslims are able to love the Hereafter and dedicate themselves more towards the Heraafter than the world.

6. When equipped with knowledge, Muslims are able to attract, influence and also convert the non-Muslims.

7. With knowledge and experience, Muslims are better able to manage their daily lives.

8. In order for Muslims to get themselves qualified to fulfill the duties as His caliph on this earth.

9. In order to lead mankind towards the true path.