Int the Name of Allah,
All praise is due to Allah, the creator, the sustainer.
"Show us the straight path: The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray." (Quran 1:6-7)
A few days back, we went to Busch Gardens, and we were listening to a wonderful speech from a great learned person of our time, Shiekh Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips. He was speaking on a topic that is very dear to me since I became practicing Muslim a few years ago. I would like to share some of it.
Last ayah of Surah Al-Fatiha speaks of two groups who are on the wrong path. First, the one whom Allah is angry with, and the second who are astrayed. According to ayahs and mutwatir ahadith, it has been proven that Jews had the wrath of Allah upon them, and Christians have gone astray.
So, how did people deviated from Islam since Adam? Why would a Muslim worship an idol? Why would knowledge turn into ignorance. Following explains why.
Now, Jews do not do shirk for the most part, and they are in possession of scripture in its original language, although they have lost some part of it, but their religion is intact for them. So, Allah is angry at them, because they have the holy book in their home wrapped in a cloth and beautiful covering, and some of them read it also, but they do not follow the commands in it.
Thawban, radi Allahu `anhu (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the companions of the Prophet (saws) and a freed slave, narrated a hadith (prophetic saying) of the beloved Prophet (saws). He related that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “The nations are about to call each other and set upon you, just as diners set upon food.”
It was asked, “Will it be because of our small number that day?”
The Prophet (saws) answered, “Rather, on that day you will be many, but you will be like foam, like the foam on the ocean. And Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and will throw wahn (weakness) into your hearts.”
Someone then asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is Wahn?”
He replied, “Love of the world and the hatred for death” (Abu Dawood 4297).
Muslims today are following the path of Jews for the most part. I know many families, where Quran is respected, and preserved like a valuable. They will bring it out, open it, and say "Mashallah, what a wonderful word of God". Then, they will wrap it back and place it in the highest part of the closest. I ask them sometimes. So, you have read Surah Noor verses 30 and 31. They will say "Yes, of course". I would say do you believe this to be a command of Allah. They would say "Yes". Then, I ask them, Why don't you follow it. "Well we are not that religous, you know".
If we have a copy of Quran, and it is wrapped in a cloth, and we do wudu to touch it (which is not necessary, but that is a topic for another day), and we read it, but when it comes time to follow it, we ignore it, we become part of this group upon whom Allah is Angry.
What is the reason for this deviation? It is the love for this world, and hatred of death. We prioritize the important worldly events over Islamic events.
Then, Christians are mentioned in the last word as "one who gone astray". Christians have become ignorant, because of Simon Paul, who cancelled the Sharia of Jesus, and replaced it with a law of Love, and unconditional peace. They have intentionally modified their laws to accomodate the world affairs. Moving their worship to Sunday. Lastly, they start worshipping Jesus. They claim to worship one God, but they don't follow their own laws.
Today, it is very common to find Muslims who beleive the Sharia of Muhammad (PBUH) to be out of date, and they call themselves "Moderate" Muslims. They don't know it, but what they are claiming is that Allah didn't know what will come in the future, when he says that this religion is complete until last day. They think that they know better, and like to make modifications in Sharia law, instead of following it, because it makes them look different, and is inconvenient. Fiqh (implementation) can be modified, but Sharia (basic priniciple) can not change.
The Prophet said, “You will follow the wrong ways, of your predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go into the hole of a mastigure [a sand lizard], you too will go there.” We said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Whom else?” (Meaning, of course, the Jews and the Christians.) (alBukhari 4:662; 9:422)
Lets look at the present day deviations of Muslims. We have both of these types of deviation among us now. We follow Jews in their stubborness and refuse to follow Sharia, and we follow Christians in worshipping dead saints, and their graves, and their love for the world to modify our religion to fit the society.
Muslims have deviated from the basic belief by saying that Allah is everywhere, and we pray in our hearts, and don't have to pray salat regularly. For example, I asked my Christian relative. Why don't you follow the rules in your religion? He replied that as long as you beleive in God, you don't have to follow any rules. Then, I ask one of my muslim relative. Why don't you follow this command of Allah, and come pray salat with me? He replied that as long as you beleive in God, you will be protected from Hell, so I don't have to. I was surprised at the similarity of the answers.
Another time, I asked my Christian relative. Why doesn't your wife covers her head in the Church. "Oh, it is an old law, it is not necessary any more". Then, I ask one of my Muslim female relative, "Why don't you cover your head when coming to Masjid on Eid. She replied, "Oh, nowadays, no one follow this". Again, I was amazed at the answer.
I see muslim men, clean shaved, trying to fit into ranks of Christians and Jews. Changing their first names to avoid standing out, avoid praying salat at work and in public, socializing in a manner that reflect the Non-Muslims.
I see muslim women, uncovered, trying to impersonate indian fashion, or Christian trend. They don't feel shy in staring into a strange men's eyes when conversing. Talk without filtering backbitting, slander, or lies. Mistreating their husbands with compaints, and unreasonable requests.
So, what am I asking from myself and you?
If we read Quran, do not leave until you read the meaning of the part we read. Once we read the meaning, follow it from that moment on. Treat it like a letter from IRS, which I am sure many would follow better then we follow Quran. Beleive me the audit from Allah is delayed, but very severe.
If you hear a hadith of our Prophet (PBUH), follow it to the letter, and never go against it. If hadith has an order, it is fardh upon us. I see many men sitting in our local masjid listening the hadith about "greeting poeple you don't know", and keep passing by people they don't know without greeting, and go after people they know, so they can go on "Allah's path". I wish I can tell them that they just dodged Allah's path. Allah's path is not bringing people to Masjid, it is to follow the commands of Allah in our lives. Enough said.
It doesn't matter if we don't perform all the acts of piety, because we will not be judged on that. We will be judged on how much sin we accumilated. For example, it is better for us to avoid sin then praying Nafil prayers after Maghrib. All we need to do is perform fardh (obligatory) acts, which are a few, and avoid major sins. Thats it.
I end with the following Ayat.
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower." (Quran 2:256)
**If someone is interested in watching the whole video, here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdixLS_YPYY
JazakAllah Khairin
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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