al-firaushah

The Value of Taqwa in Our Lives

Khutbah from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)
8 December 2006 / 17 Zulkaedah 1427

Dear Brothers,

Let us try to achieve taqwa towards Allah (swt) in the best way that we can.  Because only with taqwa can we attain happiness in our lives here and in the hereafter.  Allah (swt) mentioned in surah Ali-Imran, verse 102:

“You who believe, be mindful of God, as is His due, and make sure you devote yourselves to Him till your dying moment.”

Let us look at the verse that was just mentioned.  Why did Allah (swt) order us to be righteous and pious towards Him?  What exactly is the importance of taqwa to the point whereby it is mentioned every single time the Friday sermon is being delivered?  The answer is because, with taqwa, you will be able to find all the goodness of life here and in the hereafter.

With being pious to Allah (swt), a person will be able to gain respect, guidance and happiness, as well as Allah Almighty’s blessings.  Moreover, the reminder of being pious and righteous as something vital and important has been the main message by Allah (swt), not only to us but also those before us.  In surah An-Nisaa’, verse 131 Allah (swt) says:

”We have commanded those who were given the Scripture before you, and We command you, to be mindful of God.  Even if you do ignore Him, everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him, and He is self-sufficient, worthy of all praise.”

Therefore, there is no true goodness or success that we may attain in this life and in the hereafter except by first attaining taqwa.  And, conversely, taqwa is the main shield for us to abstain from any badness or evil.

Because taqwa is so important in our lives, we need to know how to attain it and live life with full consciousness of Allah’s presence.

My dear brothers,

So what is taqwa?  Does it mean to be “fearful,” just like most of us have understood it all this while?  If that is the definition of taqwa as we have understood it, then it does not fully comply with the true meaning of taqwa as intended in the Qur’an as if there is more meaning behind it.

A simple definition of taqwa would be:  to perform every act commanded by Allah, and to refrain from all things prohibited by Allah (swt).”

Looking at the meaning of the word taqwa as explained by al-Imam al-Ghazali rahimahu’llah; he has given it three meanings:  they are fear, obedience, and the cleansing of oneself from all sins.  As we combine these three elements into our lives, only then will we be able to leave a deep and meaningful impression.

So the question now is:  how do we develop all three elements in ourselves?

Firstly: we need to know that taqwa is not achievable by simply dreaming of it.  It is something that is very valuable.  To achieve it, we’ll need to find the key to strengthen our taqwa.  Thus, in the end, it all comes down to knowledge.

The status and importance of knowledge is very high.  Only with knowledge can a person know of Allah (swt).  As mentioned in the holy Qur’an:

“We shall show them Our signs in every region of the earth and in themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth.  Is it not enough that your Lord witnesses everything?” [Fussilat, 41:53]

With knowledge a person’s taqwa will increase toward Allah (swt).  By knowing Allah’s greatness, we will feel that we are too small if we were to face Him.  As we learn more about Allah’s blessings and love towards ourselves, our hopes to Him for more blessings will never stop.  And the more we know about His promises, we will be more careful of what we do throughout our entire lives here on earth.

Secondly: It is very important that we strengthen our taqwa.  It will never be achieved if not nourished and strengthened.

The strength of a person’s taqwa is related to the person’s sincerity in obeying Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw).

Let us take a moment to look at our daily actions; are we measuring and carefully considering every act that we do?  Think about what Rasulullah (saw) said in a hadith:

From Abi Hurairah (ra), he said:  I heard Rasulullah (saw) say:  Leave the things that I prohibit you from doing.  For the communities before you were destroyed because they questioned a lot and their many misunderstandings with their Prophets.  So when I prohibit you from doing something, then leave it.  And when I command you to do something, perform it with your utmost ability.  (Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari)

My fellow Muslims,

Look, our beloved Prophet (saw) required us to do what he has ordered us to do within our own limits and abilities.  But as for the things that he forbade us from, he warned us not only to refrain from them, but also not to ask too many questions about them.

If we unfold this matter deeper, we will realize that the act of doing bad deeds will affect a person’s faith negatively.  Subsequently, a person’s taqwa to Allah (swt) will also slowly disappear.

Just look at the problems that our community is facing:  divorces, addictions, theft, fornication, and other things happening amongst the people of our community.

We need to deal with these problems in the best way that we can.  Counselling and rehab sessions are not sufficient.  We need to also include some advice on iman and taqwa.  We need to explain that what Allah (swt) has prohibited us from doing will only lead to the destruction of oneself and the community.

My brothers,

Taqwa, other than knowledge and faith, also needs ihsan or kindness for it to be perfectly complete.

With ihsan we can clear ourselves from all the bad habits and characteristics.  And with ihsan, we will be able to be more prepared to perform every obligation with wisdom and patience.  Allah (swt) said:

“Say, ‘[God Says], believing servants be mindful of your Lord! Those who do good in this world will have a good reward -God’s earth is wide - and those who persevere patiently will be given a full and unstinting reward.” [az-Zumar, 39:10]

A person who is pious to Allah (swt) will become a Muslim who will have a good relationship with Allah Almighty and also to his fellow beings.  The righteousness of a person, which is placed in the heart, can only be seen by the person’s actions.  Every step and every move of a righteous person will be monitored by Allah (swt) and blessed by Him.

Thus, Let us increase our taqwa by having full consciousness and making full use of what we have heard here in today’s sermon.  May all of us be included amongst those who are Muttaqin (pious), insyaAllah.

Glossary:
Ihsan:  Kindness, goodness, virtue, doing the best.
Iman:  Belief, faith and acceptance of Allah (swt) and his messenger.  Belief consists of believing in Allah, his angels, his books, his messengers, the last day, the garden and the fire, and that everything, both good and bad, is by the decree of Allah.
InsyaAllah: The Bahasa Melayu spelling of Insha’Allah, meaning, “If God wills” or “God willing.”
Muttaqin:  Pious, righteous and God-fearing.
Radhiallahu ‘anhu (ra):  This is an expression to be used by Muslims whenever a name of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is mentioned or used in writing. The meaning of this statement is:  “May Allah be pleased with him.”
Rahimahu’llah:  “May Allah have mercy on him.”
Rasulullah:  The Prophet of God, Muhammad (saw).
(saw): These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam,” which means, “may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him.” When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.
(swt): These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.” When the name of Almighty Allah is pronounced, a Muslim is to show his respect to Him by reciting this. The meaning of this statement is that Allah is purified of having partners or a son.
Taqwa:  The condition of piety and God-consciousness that all Muslims aspire to achieve or maintain.  It can be said that one’s taqwa is a measure of one’s faith and commitment to God.  The love and fear that a Muslim feels for Allah (swt).  A person with taqwa desires to be in the good pleasures of Allah (swt) and to stay away from those things that would displease Allah (swt).  He is careful not to go beyond the bounds and limits set by Allah (swt).

Adab

‘Abd al-Hamid ibn Yahya al-Kitab, an Umayyad official credited with the creation of this genre, defined its aims as follows:

“Cultivate the Arabic language so that you may speak correctly; develop a handsome script which will add lustre to your writings; learn the poetry of the Arabs by heart; familiarize yourself with unusual ideas and expressions; read the history of the Arabs and Persians, and remember their great deeds.”
– Paul Lunde, Islam: A Brief History, p. 88

Abayas Turning Trendy

There’s an article from the Associated Press about how abayas in the Gulf states are becoming trendy. (Actually, I suspect that abayas have long been trendy, just that no Western reporter has noticed until now. Anyhoo…) One interesting passage, near the end of the article:

But advocates of fancier versions are convinced they can combine fashion and modesty.

…

Never mind that his elegant consort, sporting an abaya decorated with golden metal and matching head cover, could cause more heads to turn than a less attractive woman in a short skirt.

“Abayas are now both decent and fashionable. Everyone follows the fashion nowadays,” Mohammad said.

This is what Milady and I believed in when we started firaushah, that Muslimahs can wear modest clothing that is beautiful and fashionable.

Strike back at these ignorant non-Muslims who say you are oppressed! Wear beautiful clothing - clothing that’s better looking than theirs - and ask if “oppressed” women wear as fashionable of clothing as your own.

The Dangers of Drugs And Society’s Responsibility

Khutbah from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
5 May 2006 / 7 Rabiul Akhir 1427

Blessed Friday congregation,

I call upon myself and my brothers here to increase our piety and faith in Allah (swt). Piety to fight our desires. Piety to fight against evil. Let us increase our piety. Let us open our hearts to understand this religion – the religion that will bring us towards success in this world and in the hereafter.

In last week’s sermon, we have heard much about the many ways there are to follow the teachings of our Prophet (saw) at this age. This time, we will look at several issues which our society is facing, and how we can view each problem and how we handle it together.

Today, there is a donation going around at all the mosques in Singapore for the Harun Ghani Education funds. Because of this event, today’s sermon would like to remind us all about the dangers of drugs and also our responsibility as part of the society. Although this issue is less critical now, we cannot be complacent and put it aside. We need to be more sensitive and look for ways to ensure that our society remains free from this vice.

My beloved brothers in Islam,

We must provide proper and accurate understanding of the dangers of drugs to our children, family and friends. Although Islam does not state clearly about drugs, Islam has laid down clear guidelines about it by using a similar example to drugs, which is alcohol. Allah says in Surah Al-Maaidah verse 90-91:

“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaitan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salat (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?”

Rasulullah also advised his companion, Abu Musa Al-Asy’ari, who had asked Rasulullah (saw) about the rulings on alcoholic drinks which were fermented from honey, and alcoholic drinks which were fermented from cereal. Rasulullah answered shortly:

“ALL that is intoxicating is forbidden.” (Narrated by Imam Muslim.)

We definitely cannot deny that both drugs and alcohol are intoxicating and damaging to the mind. Therefore, on this basis, alcoholic drinks are forbidden and on this basis, too, drugs are forbidden.

My beloved brothers,

The harm brought about by drugs is great. Do realize that not only the drug addict’s life is affected. Not only his health, his money is wasted; this vice will also wipe out the smiles from his children and his wife, to be traded with tears and much regret, which is useless.

The bad effects of drugs are not limited only to the individual, but will be felt also by his family and those who love him. His parents’ hopes will be destroyed, his relatives’ dreams will be destroyed, and his children and wife who are under his care will also face a destroyed future.

Drug abuse used to be a serious problem among those who were less educated. However, today, this problem has become a trend and a fashion statement, which is widely spreading in the society. With the emergence of synthetic drugs, this abomination has taken a new look. Drugs are now more accessible and easier to be tried, coming in different types of pills in different colours. Such drugs, although they may look harmless, still cause the same effects. Such abuse triggers loss of awareness, deteriorating health, and loss of dignity and values. Drugs can lead a person to destruction.

My beloved brothers,

The question here is, what can we do? What are the steps that we can take to ensure that this issue will not be a serious problem for our society again?

The first thing we can do is to practise “enjoining goodness and forbidding evil,” by always reminding our children, our relatives and our family to abstain from drug abuse and to explain about its dangers to oneself, family and society. Remind them not to be dragged into destruction. Remind them of Allah’s Words in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 195:

“And spend in the Cause of Allah (i.e., Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction, and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).”

Secondly, among the many ways to help those who are involved with drug abuse is to collaborate in helping their families who are being tested by this vice.

In consideration of this, today all the mosques in Singapore will be collecting funds for the Harun Ghani Education Funds. It is an effort to help the children of the abusers to continue their education. A proper education will help these unfortunate families to build their families again and look forward to a bright future. This is our responsibility. Let us not miss this opportunity to help them by making this effort a success. Let us remember a hadith of the Prophet (saw):

“Allah helps His servant, as long as His servant helps his brothers.” (Narrated by Imam Muslim)

Besides that, let us pray to Allah, may our brothers and sisters who are involved with drug abuse recover from their addiction and remain free from drugs. Let us also pray for their children: may this effort help them in excelling in their studies and leaving the vicious cycle, and building better and more successful families.

Hopefully, with this effort, our society will continue to turn into a society that brings goodness and contributions to our religion and our country.

Glossary:
Rasulullah: The Prophet of God; i.e., Muhammad (saw).
(saw): These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam,” which means, “may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him.” When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.
Sunnah: In this context, sunnah means a recommended practice, something that should be done but is not obligatory.
(swt): These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.” When the name of Almighty Allah is pronounced, a Muslim is to show his respect to Him by reciting this. The meaning of this statement is that Allah is purified of having partners or a son.

See What the Booze Can Do

One aspect of Islam that I think is misunderstood is the reason why certain activities (e.g., pre-marital and homosexual sex), foods (e.g., pork) and beverages (e.g., alcohol) are prohibited. All of these things are listed as haram (forbidden) in the Qur’an. I think that the one common denominator for all of these various prohibitions is that Allah (swt), through the Qur’an, encourages us to lead healthy lives and to minimize the chances of us coming down with various diseases and ailments, let alone losing our lives too early. In this post, I’m going to refer to why alcohol is haram.

The Qur’an says:

“They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: “In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: “What is beyond your needs.” Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider-” (2:219)

and

“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?” (5:90-1)

We all know of incidents where the consumption of alcohol has caused harm to peoples’ lives, whether to those who drink the alcohol themselves or to others whom they affect in one way or another. (I myself survived an accident after being hit by a drunk driver.) However, if you don’t believe that drinking alcohol is bad enough, consider the following article, from the Herald Sun (Australia). This woman, Nicky Taylor, in conducting an experiment for BBC3, had literally lost her looks in one month’s time.

You wanna drink? Go ahead and become a fat cow.

NICKY Taylor, 39, is stumbling around a nightclub dance floor in the early hours of the morning, clutching a bottle of Smirnoff Ice.

In five hours, she has drunk equal to four bottles of wine in a potentially fatal mix of cocktails, spirits and beers.

She is drunk. She has vomited once, but Nicky carries on, determined to keep up with her female companions.

This ugly scene is not a typical night for Nicky. In an experiment for a British TV documentary, the single mother spent a month matching the bingers drink-for-drink to see what it did to her body and mind.

Over 30 days, going out five nights a week, Nicky consumed a staggering 516 units of alcohol — 17.2 units a day. Guidelines say women should drink no more than two or three units a day, and a maximum of 14 a week.

One unit is 8g of alcohol, or a small glass (125ml) of wine, half a pint (284ml) of beer or a pub measure of spirits. But stronger beers may contain 2.5 alcohol units per half pint.

Nicky hopes her experiment will open people’s eyes to the gravity of binge-drinking in the same way Morgan Spurlock’s film Super Size Me (in which the American filmmaker ate McDonald’s for 30 days) did to the dangers of junk food.

“What I discovered shocked me to the core,” says Nicky, who was monitored by medical experts during the experiment.

She was chosen because her bosses wanted a responsible woman in her 30s. She went into it with gusto, but emerged depressed and exhausted. Her home and professional lives were suffering and she developed an increased risk of liver problems and alcoholism.

Her body fat increased from 37.4 per cent to 38.9 per cent, she put on more than 3kg, and her skin became so damaged she had the complexion of a 50-year-old.

Over time, with the dehydrating effects of alcohol no longer taking their toll, her skin will return to normal. But doctors said that in another five months she might have seen signs of cirrhosis.

“I lost my jaw line and I developed chipmunk cheeks,” she said.

“I was drinking the equivalent of about 2000 calories a night and developed a big tyre of fat around my stomach. I also became really depressed.”

Nicky describes meeting a generation of women for whom casual sex and alcohol-induced fighting is the norm.

“On average, to match the girls I was drinking with, who were in their 20s and 30s and worked in jobs ranging from city professions to nursing, I had to drink upwards of 30 units of alcohol a night. I never went out without having a big bowl of pasta to line my stomach,” Nicky says.

“They all drink on empty stomachs so that the alcohol is absorbed more rapidly.

“On my first night out with student nurses Ceri, 30, and Lorna, 21, I drank in one night twice what the (British) Government recommends for a week.

“I ended up collapsing on the pavement and passing out in the back of a taxi. I never went anywhere without my film crew. But I dread to think what could have happened had I not had anyone looking after me.”

The next day, with the hangover from hell, she went to a club with the same group of girls.

“I was so drunk I fell asleep in the club, but the girls kept waking me up to give me more. I ended up drinking 11 double vodkas,” she says.

After another binge, her film crew “took great pleasure in reminding me of embarrassing things I’d done, such as dancing on a podium in a gay bar and dancing provocatively with an empty beer bottle.”

Turning Muslim in Texas

A wonderful little video: Turning Muslim in Texas. This is a 24-minute British documentary that looks at the lives of seven white American reverts to Islam and their families. Softy that I am, I actually started to get a little teary-eyed when the one woman (not one of the intervieweees) announced that she wanted to take the shahadah right then and there. This is a MUST SEE!

The Qur’an…A Way of Life

MENJ has a good post with 60 rules of behavior derived from the Qur’an. Please see: The Qur’an…A Way of Life.

Study: Unwed Mothers ‘Tend to Not Marry Well’

In Islam, zina, or sexual intercourse between a man and woman who are not married to each other, is strictly forbidden. Of course, in Western society today, the sin of zina is rampant; however, the following news item may be of interest. Published by livescience.com, a recently published study shows some of the negative consequences for women who conceive children after having committed zina:

Women who have children out of wedlock are about 30 percent less likely to get married than childless single women, according to a new study.

When unwed mothers do marry, they are more likely to land husbands who are significantly older and less educated than those of women who don’t have children.

“It’s more difficult for unwed mothers to get married, and if they do, they tend to not marry well,” said Zhenchao Qian, associate professor of sociology at Ohio State University.

More than a third of female-headed families with children live in poverty compared to only 6 percent of married couples with children, Qian said. Marriage may not help unwed mothers economically, however, because their partners tend to lack education and are less likely to have opportunities for good-paying jobs.

The study drew from data collected in the Current Population Survey between 1980 and 1995. The sample included 102,722 women aged 18 to 34.

Their results are detailed in the current issue of the journal Social Forces.

(Emphasis mine.)

One more reason to follow Islam!