Islam to suit our ways?

Bismillahirohmanirohim (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate)

As I have mentioned in the previous entry about discussing in depth on the issue of naming and branding 'Islamic banks'.

In this era, we are always looking for Islam to suit our way of life. 'Islamic banking' is one of the perfect and popular example nowadays. Personally I do not have any objection on most of the legality transaction, but I could not see how Islamic banking contributes to Islam in general.

Is 'Islamic banking' contributing to the development of the Muslim society? No doubt that Islamic banking do provide a way to create Halal transactions but do they have any other impact to the Muslim community? In my opinion 'Islamic banking' should be named as 'Shari'ah banking' like in certain places. This will make more sense because shari'ah is a place where a Muslim seeks its legislation ruling. (I.e nikah, divorce, business & etc).

Islam on the other hand is a whole package. When one says 'Islamic banking', it cannot neglect any muslim, be it rich, poor, healthy, disabled and etc. This is not what 'Islamic banking' is at the moment. They only interact with those who are doing business transaction with them. In the Holy Qur'an, it mentions about rich, poor, those in authority, loyal followers, orphans and etc. Therefore 'Islamic banks' should not neglect any of them. However, we often see them contributing or providing to those who are capable and in transaction with them.

"O you who believe! Enter silm (Islam) perfectly and follow not the footsteps of shaytan. Verily he is to you a plain enemy." (Surah al Baqarah verse 208) The highlight of this ayah is "Enter silm(Islam) perfectly". This shows that Islam is not restricted to just one section (I.e business) but are wide open and involves a lot of things.

People may agree that they call themselves Islamic banks because they handle only banking transaction. So, what is a definition of a bank? Does it only restrict to a certain methods of transactions? Even the Financial Services Authority UK could not define a bank. This is because banking are always enhancing and new methods are being innovated so a banking transaction can never be restricted because if it was restricted, many banks will loose their license.

Coming back to 'Islamic banks', should their transaction be restricted to those who are their clients/customers? Again, what have they contribute to Islam as a whole? So the next time you step in those so called 'Islamic bank' ask them what have they contribute to Islam as a whole.

The whole point of my entry is not to go against the 'Islamic banks' but to expose how often we neglect on certain things to create a better Islam. One may say 'Islamic banks' are doing false advertising. Things that are false should have nothing to do with Islam because Islam is the truth. We as a Muslim community should help these Islamic banks to fulfil Islam whole fully and not partly.

Reforming Islam

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

There are a lot of opinions about Islam from the orientalists, non-muslims and even amongst muslims themselves. Especially after 'terrorist attacks', September 11th and so on, a lot of muslims and non-muslims are conscious about Islam. Some non-muslims were really curious towards Islam and therefore did a lot of questioning, embracing Islam as their religion. Where else some non-muslims grew their hatred towards Islam and spreading their hatred to the people. These hatred have caused a lot of speculation about what is true and what is not in Islam. The clip below clarifies about the word Allah(god) and what some non-muslims has to say about HIS name.


Some muslims are proud of the 'claimed' muslim terrorist attacks, some are ashamed and some just do not care about it. Those muslims who are ashamed of these 'claimed' muslim terrorist attacks, they prefer not to be associated with these 'terrorist'. They would say that these 'terrorist' does not represent Islam and its teachings. They would go up to the extent where they want to abolish the shari'ah. Let us understand 'Shari'ah', see if it is important with Islam and should it be abolish to 'Reform Islam'.

Islamic Shari'ah outlines a way of life based on faith and good actions. Living according to the laws of Shari'ah means that one should do good and refrain from whatever is forbidden by Allah and His Prophet. Why would one want to abolish something that is good? "Shari'ah" implies a connection to the divine, a set of unchanging belief and principles that order in life accordance with God's will. Shari'ah is understood as a kind of higher law that includes some specific and wordly commands. It means that the law or rules are not created by the human intellectuals, but it comes from the One and Only God and the scholars interpretes the law from the divine revelation of the Holy Qur'an. No one is above the law, but everyone is subject to it. There are specific methodology used by the scholars to interpret the Qur'an and the hadiths. If the Shari'ah were to be eliminated, these specific methodology will be eliminated as well and it will expose to more untrue stories by the orientalist and others as I have mentioned in my previous entry.

In MY opinion, 'Muslims' who wants Shari'ah to be abolished are not any different than the 'Muslim' terrorist. They have not grasp the important teachings of Islam. Islam is not just in spiritual, but also in our daily actions. The 'Muslim' terrorist claims that they are doing the right thing by involving or killing innocent people and the 'reformed muslim' also claims that they are doing the right thing by disassociating themselves with Shari'ah and wanting to abolish them. We have seen in recent times for example in Malaysia in trying to create "Islam hadhari" or "reformed or modern muslims". There are some websites that are suppose to be a place for reformed muslims and to go against the Shari'ah. Are we actually doing any justice to the beloved religion of Islam? The word "Islam" is derived from the word "salam" in arabic which means peace and "Islam" more or less means achieving peace from submitting to the will of Allah.

I'm not a scholar, I am just like anyone else who is concerned about the religion of Islam. So if I have said something that is not right, do pardon me and do advise me.
Let this entry be a reminder to myself and to everyone.
Here's a few verses from the Qur'an and Hadith

"(51) Messengers! Partake of the things that are clean, and act righteously. I know well all that you do. (52)This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord; so hold Me alone in fear. (53) But people later cut up the religion into bits, each group rejoicing in what they have. (54)So leave them immersed in their heedlessness till an appointed time. (55)Do they fancy that Our continuing to give them wealth and children (means) that (56)We are busy lavishing on them all kinds of good? Nay, they do not perceive the reality of the matter. (57) Surely those who stand in awe for fear of their Lord, (58) who have full faith in the Signs of their Lord; (59)who associate none with their Lord in His Divinity, (60)who give, whatever they give in charity, with their hearts trembling at the thought that they are destined to return to their Lord; (61) it is these who hasten to do good works and vie in so doing with one another. "
From surah Al-Mu'minun verse 51-61

"(3) ...... This day I have perfected for you your religion, and have bestowed upon you My Bounty in full measure, and have been pleased to assign for you Islam as your religion. ....."
Part of verse 3 of surah al-Maidah

Hadith: al-Nawawis forty traditions, Hadith 7
"From Abu Ruqayya Tamim bin Aus al-Dari said:" The Prophet salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: "Religion is good advice". We said:"Whose (advice)? and he answered: "That of Allah and His Book, and His Messenger, and the leaders of the Muslims, and the generality of them."  "

Hadith: al-Nawawi's forty traditions, Hadith 19
"From Abul Abbas Abd-Allah bin Abbas-may Allah be pleased with both of them- who said: I was behind the Prophet salallahu Alaihi Wasallam when he said: " O young man, I will teach you words(of wisdom): Keep fast hold on Allah, and you will find him in front of you. Introduce yourself with Allah in days of ease and He will recognise you in the days of distress. And know that what missed you could not have hit you, and what hit you could not have missed you. And know that victory comes with forbearance, and relief comes with anxiety and ease come with hardship."  "

Hadith: Bukhari 2
"Anas reported on the authority of the Prophet salallahu Alaihi wasallam. He said: "None of you has good faith unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself."  "

Having doubts?

credit http://www.islamic-architecture.info/aw-misc/Mecca_skyline.jpg
Bismillahirahmaniraheem.

Lately I've been doing some light reading and there a few books that I have come across which can really test one's imaan(faith). Alhamdulillah, I have managed to acquire some knowledge on Islamic Jurisprudence in my second term but, I am no where near a Shariah scholar. With the knowledge that I have acquired it can be used as a guidance for my daily life. If not, I could definitely be blinded with the points made by the authors of the books I read.

These books have a different approach towards certain things. It does not criticise the Quran, but instead it tries to make the Sunna (traditions or conduct) of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/peace and blessings be upon him) rather doubtful. I would like to include a verse from the Quran which is from the Surah al-Sajdah verse number 42 which says: "Falsehood may not enter it from the front or from the rear(any directions). It is a revelation that has been sent down from the Most Wise, the Immensely Praiseworthy." A muslim would normally believe the Sunna and hadith after the Quran.

Some Muslims would sometimes just accept what is being said to them, at times I am also guilty of doing such actions. We don't normally question the knowledgeable or religious people on certain things. We would normally say we accept the Sunna because it is one of the highest source in Islam. This argument would not be applicable towards the non-muslims because they would not be able to grasp the idea of WHY Muslims have to agree for no apparent reasons. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if a non-muslim asks something about Islam, would you as a muslim just tell the non-muslim it is like so and so because the religious or pious people say so? I'm not trying to create a doubt towards the religious or pious people, instead I think its better for us to think more and improve our reasoning method. A friend of mine said that there is a saying in Arabic which sounds like, "asking the right and accurate question makes up half of the answer". I'm still learning my arabic so I can't really verify this statement or saying so please pardon me and advise for any mistakes in my entry. When a muslim is influenced with these kind of books and find that the Sunna to be doubtful, a muslim will not be practising most of the Islamic teachings because they have lost their belief in the Sunna of the Prophet (

Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). There are also people who practices what is being said in the Quran but doesn't believe or follow the Sunna.

Some argues that the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) had no role as a legislator, did not intend to create a new system of law and that his authority had nothing to do with legal. These authors sets his theory on the Prophet and the Sunna alone and ignoring the evidence of the Quran itself. These authors want to make his point that the law and the Sunna of the Prophet is outside of the sphere of religion. In short, they are saying that the Sunna was unnecessary conduct or traditions done by the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) and has nothing to do with the religion from the Quran. If we were to compare the Quran and Sunna, we will definitely find that the law or instructions from the Quran will always be complemented by the Sunna wether it be about prayer, clothing and etc.

Before I proceed to the contents of these books I would like to add in what the Quran says about the role of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)in Islamic Law.

"Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger": But if they turn away from this then know that Allah does not love those who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger." (Surah Al-Imran:32)

"And obey Allah and the Messenger, that mercy be shown to you." (Surah Al-Imran:132)

"Believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those invested with authority among you; and then if you were to dispute among yourselves about anything refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you indeed believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and more commendable in the end. (Surah Al-Nisa:59)

"He who obeys the Messenger thereby obeys Allah; as for he who turns away, We have not sent you as a keeper over them!" (Surah Al-Nisa:80)

"Those who follow the ummi(unlettered) Prophet, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel that they have. He enjoins upon them what is good and forbids them what is evil. He makes the clean things lawful to them and prohibits all corrupt things and removes from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them. So those who believe in him and assist him, and succour him and follow the Light which has been sent down with him, it is they who shall prosper." (Surah Al-A'raaf:157)

"We raised the Messengers earlier with Clear Signs and Divine Books, and We have sent down this Reminder upon you that you may elucidate to people the teaching that has been send down for them, and that the people may themselves reflect." (Surah al-Nahl:44) - shows the importance to elucidate the teachings not merely by word of mouth but also requred to do so by his conduct.
"Surely there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much." (Surah Al-Ahzab:21)
"And then We set you, (O Prophet), on a clear high road in religious matters. So follow that and do not follow the desires of those who do not know." (Surah Al-Jaathiyah:18)

If one 'embraces' Islam but does not accept the life of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam/Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) as a model, then they are violating the instructions from the Quran. How can one claim to be a follower of the Quran if not believing in the Sunna of the Prophet? We also should believe in the verses if we are indeed a true believer to the Quran.

Some points have been shown that it is illogical to seperate the Sunna and the Quran. Then, these authors tries to take a tricky road by saying that the Sunna is not authenthic. It carries on till a point of saying that the Sunna actually comes from the early Scholars wanting to make their tradition as part of the religion. There are a lot of flaws in these theories and I would not be able to go into detail because it is really in depth as it takes into account the isnad (chain of narrators) and etc. Alhamdulillah, there are other books out there that have managed to prove those theories as being flawed. One of the books which was written brilliantly by M.Mustafa Al-Azami have managed to prove the theories wrong and we should follow his example or attitude to reason out.

As I mentioned before we should always know more about our own religion and understand it so we would be able to give a better answer rather than saying I do this because I am told by Mr Annonymous that I have to do so! I end this entry with another verse from the Holy Quran.

"Surely We revealed the Torah, wherein there is Guidance and Light. Thereby did Prophets -who had submitted themselves (to Allah) - judge for the Judaized folk; and so did the scholars and jurists. They judged by the Book of Allah for they had been entrusted to keep it and bear witness to it. So, do not fear human beings but fear Me, and do not barter away My signs for a trivial gain. And those who do not make their decisions in accordance with that revealed by Allah are the deniers of the truth" (Surah Al-Maaidah:44).

The importance of the Holy books

Bismillahirahmaniraheem


The Holy books were provided by Allah to His messengers as a guidance for the community at that certain point of time. Originally there was only one religion. As time passes by people got confused and therefore Allah sent His messengers and sent His words for the people to be guided back to the right path.

"And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (Between right and wrong): There was a chance for you to be guided aright." (Quran, Al-Baqarah verse 53)

"Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. Allah by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guided whom He will to a path that is straight." (Al-Baqarah, verse 213)

"Or do they envy mankind for what Allah hath given them of his bounty? but We had already given the people of Abraham the Book and Wisdom, and conferred upon them a great kingdom." (Al-Nisa, verse 54)

Who sets the guidance to mankind or to the community? If a ruler sets the law and the community as a whole agree on something to construct their law, it might be applicable only towards that community because of their tradition or customs. Since they are a community, it would be easier for them to accept the law. For example, it might be modest for a lady to wear a short skirt in Western culture but it might not be offensive for a lady to wear a short skirt in the Arab countries. Why is that so? Is it because of the customs and traditions? Is it because they follow the law from the Holy Quran? An ayah from the Quran mentions about ladies limitation on exposing their body in public. In Islam man also cannot exposed their body too much. It is understood that man are more physically capable to do labour work hence they are allowed to expose slightly more flesh compared to a lady. There is always a wisdom on why the body should not be over exposed. Our creator has warned us to not expose too much of our flesh/body. Certain community has accepeted and tries to adapt it as their custom. Many argues that the words in the Quran is made up by a human being (Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam). If that is so, what benefit does it give to him to set such a law? Obviously it will not benefit him in any way by asking all mankind to do certain things. Since the law in the Quran is NOT 'man made' it is then made by the creator to suit and benefit ALL mankind.

Take for instance the news on French President Nikolas Sarkozy who called for a ban on hijab.
France have the estimated population of 5 million muslims and the interior ministry says JUST 1,900 women in France wear the full veils. The number might just be 1,900 and they are afraid that it might spread to the rest of the 5 million muslims. They are afraid to be labelled as an Islamic country rather than their proudly secularise government. Why not make it compulsory for every women to wear hijab? Hijab does not neccessarily represent Islam. Anyone can wear a hijab (headscarf) without being a muslim. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8480161.stm)

Here are some ayah from the Quran about hijab.

“O you Children of Adam! We have bestowed on you raiment to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition.”(Surah al-A'raf verse 26)

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." (Surah Noor verse 30)
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Surah Noor verse 31).

"Those who harass believing men and believing women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a grievous sin. O Prophet! Enjoin your wives, your daughters, and the wives of true believers that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad). That is most convenient, that they may be distinguished and not be harassed. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." ( Surah al-Azhab verse 58-59)

There's a tradition in Spain where they have a festival for throwing tomatoes everywhere. It might be acceptable in their country to do so. Imagine if that custom or tradition were being applied in a third world country; where food is insufficient. Of course people from the third world country will find it bizarre and would certainly not throw or waste the tomatoes. So who is entitled to guide mankind? A man? or Non other than our Eternal and All Knowing Creator?

These are only a few examples of why Quran is important. Insha'Allah this would be a step to open our mind and heart to accept each and every word sent to us to guide through our life. This is a reminder not just for the readers, but also a reminder to myself and my family.

This is a clip from the "tomato festival" in Spain from ITN

Assumptions..

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

Assumption is a sickness in the minds of human beings. People will get confused when there is too much assumption. It is not wrong to assume, but do not take it for granted and making final conclusions out of it. Assumptions will create a lot of chaos if it is not contained. Harsh words will be thrown to each other or even to the public and therefore creating a discussion or arguments that need not to be taken place. Certain assumptions cannot be avoided in creating formulas or equation, but this as well should not be taken as a final conclusion. The link here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8463657.stm) is about a Spanish politician whose picture was used by the FBI to create an older version of Osama bin Laden. Firstly, the FBI assume they can use the picture without seeking permission, as the politician has expressed his dissatisfaction with the FBI. Secondly, they're assuming Osama bin Laden looks like so. Do the FBI take for granted that the picture will not reach back to the politician? This is an assumption, but I do not put it into final conclusion and are not concluding that the FBI is ridiculous.

Why do people assume? From my point of view, this might be because it is a personal satisfaction that follows with the mood of the person at that certain time. That is only one perception, there are many other personal views on why people assume, but I cannot answer this in definite as I have not conducted proper research and it is just assumption on why people assume. So by doing this, the discussion will not go far by giving out personal reasons on why people assume.

Assumption on Islam and Shari'ah is also something that is definitely not right. Usually when the word "Shari'ah" conjures horrors of hands cut off, adulterers stoned and women oppressed. This is the perception of many in the West. The laws of most European countries in the 18th century authorised torture as an official of the criminal-justice system. Till the 18th century, the Common law denied married women any property rights. Islamic law had always granted women the property and this is only one point that shows the equality of the sexes in Islam. Some might disagree me with this but in Islam, the wife doesn't take the name of her husband. In the West, once married, the wife undertakes the name of the husband. From my perception, it shows that the wife is owned by the husband. In Islam clearly there are rights for the husband and the rights for the wife.

In Islam before an adultery conviction can typically be obtained, for example, the accused must confess four times or four adult male witnesses of good or noble character must testify that they directly observed the sex act. In Islamic deriving rulings, judicial sentence, law, assumption is no good and it is not enough for a person to convict another with just an assumption without concrete proof. So let us be free from bad assumptions.

I end this entry with a hadith Narrated by 'Aisha (Radi-Allahu 'anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, "The most hated person in the sight of Allah is the most quarrelsome person." [Bukhari Vol 3 No. 637].

Also a clip from Yusuf Estes.

Law, Shari'ah, Fiqh? The superiority of Islamic Jurisprudence & Law?

Bismillahirahmaniraheem


First of all I'm not a Shari'ah or Law student. So, being a human being I'm bound to make mistakes and if there are mistakes on this entry, please pardon and advise me. Thank you.

The diagram shows our responsibilities as a muslim and how the Shari'ah get its rulings or laws. There are different views regarding the basic concept of law in the West.


These are different definition of law by different Western Scholars.

John Austin - Law is that rule of action which is made by a ruler for his subjects.
Salmond - Law may be defined as the body of principles recognised and applied by state in the administration of Justice(e.g government).
Enger Ehlrich - Law is the collective conscience of a society. Emphasises on customs and traditions.

The problem with John Austin is it may be true about Statuary Law (written law) but it does not cover Personal Law (law that deals with matters of a person with his or her family). Salmond's definition does not cover International Law(law that governs the relationship of independant nations). There are undesirable customs and traditions and it do not express the conscience of the society. The main problem from all of these is that it does not have a complete picture of human life and nature.

Definition of Islamic law:-
1) Unanimously given by Muslim Jurists
2) Islamic Law is not given by any ruler. It has been revealed by God
3) Islamic Law remains valid whether recognised by a state or not.
4) It originates from the Divine Revelation
5) Covers Personal Law,Constitutional Law, International Law, Criminal Law, Mercantile Law, etc.

Jurists have extracted rules of action from the Quran and Sunnah/ Hadith in a systematic manner.This systematic way is called Fiqh Legally it is not final and liable to be reviewed by the jurists and the judges in the light of sound arguments from the Quran and Sunnah/Hadith.

The diagrams were provided to me by my teacher Sheikh Faizal Manjoo, to make me, as a laymen easier to understand the complexity of Islamic Jurisprudence.