The Holy Qur’aan says:
Transliteration:- In nad dee na Inddal-Laahil Islam.
Translation:-“The Religion acceptable to Allaah is Islam”(surrender to God – Allaah). (Ch. 3:V.19 Q).
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, you all are aware that Islam is not the name of a caste or community, so that anyone who is born in Islam, automatically becomes a Muslim without having to do any thing on his own part about it just as a child born to a Sheikh, a Sayyed, a Khan, Ali or Rahaman. As a matter of fact there is no choice in this regard.
Islam on the other hand is the name of that faith (Imaan) and that way of life which was brought in this world from Allaah by His true and devoted apostle, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and is preserved to this day in its pristine (original) form in the Holy Qur’aan and Holy Traditions. Thus, he alone can be called a Muslim who accepts that faith (Imaan) and practices that way of life. Those who are ignorant of the teachings of Islam or do not act upon them, are not genuine Muslims by any means.
We therefore conclude that two things are necessary for anyone to be a true Muslim. “Firstly, to acquire a proper knowledge of the teachings of Islam, or at least of its basic and fundamental doctrines.”
“Secondly, to believe in these teachings as true, and to resolve sincerely to live according to them.” The knowledge of the essential teachings of Islam is binding on all Muslims, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, a male and female, old and young. In our homes today much unIslamic and definitely uneducational literature is found in the form of novels, magazines and journals (papers). Most of these are immoral and harmful to the Muslim mind.
For educated Muslims it is best to develop the habit of reading reliable books on Islam (like Teachings of Islam) etc. regularly.
‘The Teachings of Islam’ is criticized by a certain magazine in Trinidad, but there is nothing controversial in this book (Teachings of Islam) since it contains Hadees on Imaan (faith), Salaat (Namaaz), Sawn (fasting), Zakaat, Hajj etc.
Also the author of ‘The Teachings of Islam’ is a Mohaddis. A Mohaddis is one who knows and teaches the Hadees books e.g. Bukhari, Tirmizi, Muslim, Abu Daud, Tahawi etc. In other words then, a Mohaddis is a Professor of Hadees.
However, uneducated Muslims should have such books read to them by others who can read and understand. If the custom of reading religious books, individually or in groups can become common in Muslims homes, Massaajid (plural to Masjid) and at other gatherings the spread of religious knowledge to all classes and sections of the community will be greatly facilitated (made easy) indeed.
A Muslim home today is never complete without a television, a radiogram, tape recorder, and hundreds of records. These are often played daily and the Muslim youth spend a great deal of time and effort in learning the songs. Music is evil and has been condemned by Shariahi (Islamic law).
It should be a practice with Muslims to sleep with the “KALIMAH LAA-ILAA-HA-IL-LAL-LAA-HU-MUHAMMADUR-RA-SO-LU. (There is no God but Allaah and Muhammad (S.A.W L-LAH.) is the true Messenger of Allaah)”, on their lips. (Nobody can be sure that he or she will wake up alive again). But we act contrary to this, having some “soft music” one at a time. Thus we sleep with the name of Satan instead.
Many of us feel that listening to Qawwaali or Islamic songs is correct because the songs are of an Islamic nature. All instrumental music in condemned by Shariah (Islamic law) with no exemption. Would it not be an insult to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) to sing His praise with instruments He has condemned?
There is considerable amount of interest among Muslims today in sports and vain games. In these there are more disadvantages and one is kept from doing useful things and remembering Allaah. Although Islam does not discourage physical training, it can never tolerate sports as played today, where there exist rivalry (fighting), hostiglity and hatred between the sporting parties, and where Namaaz (Salaat) are missed.
The Holy Qur’aan says:
“The devil’s only desire is to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicant and games of chance and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allaah and from Namaaz (Salaat). Will you then desist (stop)?” (Ch. 5 V: 90-92).
Muslims are also fond (like) to indulge in vain games such as cards, chess, monopoly, darts (to throw), shooting billiards, etc; from which no benefit is derived and which are considered as pastimes. Here again though they are intended to be friendly games, much hatred springs up and a great deal of time is wasted. Most important of course is the fact that many Namaazes (Salaats) are missed in the process.
Ibn Shihab (Rd.A) reported that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was asked about card playing (i.e. friendly game playing) because gambling is of course Haram (forbidden). He said, “It is one of the vain things and Allaah does not love vain things.” (Hadees).
The Islamic greetings of “AssalamuAlaikum”, (peace be upon you), is seldom heard in our homes today. Instead we prefer to use terms such as Good Morning and Good Bye. We use terms like I am fine and it is O.K., in place of “Alhamdu Lillah”, meaning “Praise be to Allaah”, Is it not appropriate for us to praise Him? The Sunnat practice of embracing a brother on meeting him seems old fashioned to us.
The segregation of men and women:
The modesty of dress etc., as taught in Islam: Do you know that no other religion or ideology has given women a position in life as Islam has given them. When in Arabia the men used women as “footballs”, buried girls alive at birth, the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) exalted women to a status that was never known before.
Female dress has been the subject under discussions in many parts of the world. While the West is debating whether the mini skirt is indecent, Islam had 1400 years ago solved this problem.
I am not criticizing the Muslim women (ladies) on their clothing outside Islamic environments, but whenever they attend any Islamic Function (e.g. Quran Quani, Moulood, Weddings etc.), they should dress in an Islamic manner e.g. long skirt, long pants (pajamas), long dress and an Orni covering head etc. to please Allaah and his Rasool (S.A.W.).
The Holy Qur’aan says:
“And say to thee 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) thereof, that they should draw their veil over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands.” (Ch. 24 V. 31 Q)
It is disgraceful to see Muslims girls disregarding modesty altogether by taking on Western apparel. We are indicating (showing) to all and sundry that we have no culture of our own when we wear a mini skirt and a high head style etc. We are doing nothing but attracting evil and earning Allaah’s wrath. How long will this farce (ludicrous show) last? Death is sure to overtake us.
MALE DRESS:
Until recently, the male sex behaved themselves well, but it seems that we are joining the race to nakedness. The Safari-suit (with short pants) is the latest craze and though it’s cool and refreshing, it is definitely indecent when viewed from the moral aspect.
These days the hippy styled hair of modern Muslim youths is being spread and followed everywhere. In Singapore, Malaysia, and some African countries long hippy styled hair is forbidden and maybe cut off by the authorities.
No foreigners with this type of hair are allowed in these countries, and it seems as though Muslims have no culture of their own. Once I read in the Trinidad papers of an interview for male civil servants in the police service where a male youth went with his hair in plaits. The police sergeant on seeing him (the youth) said, “I don’t want any female police here, so go back.”
So brothers and sisters in Islam, these numerous points which I mention are quite common in our lives today. It is important that we effect a change in our conduct and attitude. To Islam it is useless if we try and find faults with or attack this unique religion (Islam). The only solution is to learn, live and preach Islam in the best manner possible. We have in Islam a great political, cultural, spiritual, social, economical and intellectual structure, from which we will benefit only if we apply its principles to our lives.
If we follow any other form of life, we are going to be at a loss. We as Muslims, have no alternative but to follow Islam.
“Why Namaaz” (Salaat):
Namaaz (Salaat) is a subject which has been continually harped (stressed) on by many Aalims (Scholars) and lecturers, yet it never ceases (discontinues) to be important.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “The position of Namaaz (Salaat) in Islam is like the position of a head in a body.” (Hadees).
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
“The first of His action fro which a man shall be taken into account on the judgment-day will be His Namaaz (Salaat). If it is defective He will be disappointed and a loser.” (Hadees).
his tradition fully show the significance of Namaaz (Salaat) and its blessings.
If only we could realise that it is through Namaaz (Salaat), through this constant contract with Allaah that we can progress both materially and spiritually.
In Islam unlike other religions there is no Sabbath (i.e. putting aside a particular day for prayer). Yet Muslims today have transformed Jumaa (Friday) into a Sabbath day by praying on that day only.
Remember, our claim to Islam is meaningless, without the observance of Namaaz (Salaat). Next to Imaan, Namaaz is the bedrock of our Faith.
The trouble with us is that we do not know this and so many other things and neither do we want to learn in order to value them.
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