One Video a Week

Assalamualaikum,

I visited the IIUM Research, Invention and Inovation Exhibition (IRIEE) 2012 this past few days. Of course my area of interest was healthcare and science and technology, but I wondered around the exhibition hall looking at research posters from other areas as well. One particular poster caught my attention. I forgot which Kulliyyah it belonged to, but it was a study to see if watching Islamic videos on YouTube would positively influence people who watch it. 

Students were asked to watch one Islamic video a week for 10 weeks, and at the end they were asked if they felt like they were better Muslims because of the videos. Interestingly about 80% of participants said yes. 

So here's my challenge/advice to everyone including myself. Try watching at least one Islamic video a week. And when you feel like you have more time, or you are willing to give a little extra effort, try a few videos a week, eventually one a day. Or even more than one a day. Then evaluate yourself after about a month or two. See if you feel like you are a better Muslim.

Challenge accepted?  

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Bending the Rules

Assalamualaikum,

We've all heard Islam being called "rigid", or "not flexible". Some people say that the rules in Islam are so strict, they don't allow any room for leniency or compromise. What most people don't realise is that ALL rules are "rigid". Federal laws, club/society rules, school/university rules. Have you ever come across a law that said its illegal to commit murder, unless the person you kill is a paedophile? Or is there a law that states that robbing a bank is a crime, unless you do it to feed your family? There isn't. All laws are strict and rigid in nature, meaning they are clear, straightforward and unambiguous. 

What is acceptable however, is leniency in implementation of the laws. A person who murdered a serial killer out of revenge might be shown leniency with a lighter jail sentence. Being pulled over for speeding might not result in a ticket if you are speeding to get a person to the hospital. In any case, leniency and "bending of the rules" is offered not by the person who is governed by the laws, but by the people who uphold and enforce them. Politicians, judges, policeman, administrative officers, those who create, uphold, and enforce the laws are the ones with the power to bend them, to compromise, or to offer leniency when they see fit.

But why is it then when it comes to Islam, many Muslims see themselves fit to bend the laws according to their own understanding? The laws in Islam come from Allah, and only He has the power to grant leniency. No man can compromise with the laws Allah created. 

In fact, He has already granted compromise in several aspects of the religion, like prayer. If you are sick, you can perform the prayers while sitting down, or lying down. If you are travelling, you can combine 2 prayers together and perform jamak. Even one of the pillars of Islam, hajj is only wajib to those who can afford it, not to every single person. We are even allowed to eat pork if there is no other food around to sustain us. If we are sick during Ramadhan and can't fast, we can replace it later when we are healthier. Zakat is not a fixed price which is the same for everyone, it is dependant on our income. Allah has given us so much leniency in Islam, so whoever said Islam is "rigid" obviously doesn't know Islam very well.

Having said that, there are a lot of instances where people "bend" the rules to their own liking. Wearing a tudung but also a tight shirt or tight pants? Eating in restaurants which don't serve pork but serve alcohol? Only covering your aurat during Hari Raya but not the rest of the year? Or how about covering your aurat in public, but posting pictures where you don't on Facebook? This may seem like bending the laws to some people, to me it seems a little disrespectful, like people mock Allah's laws.

When it comes to federal law, the politicians vote to pass new laws or amend old ones. But in Islam, Allah is the sole authority, and He said in the Quran that He has perfected Islam, so who are we to bend His laws?

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What I learned from Twins of Faith

Assalamualaikum,

I was asked to write a review of the Twins of Faith programme. I don't think I will do the programme justice by writing a "review", since I can't recall everything that was shared. I will however try to write a brief summary of things I did learn. Hopefully it will help quench the thirst that some people have, even if its just a little.

1. The concept behind the name "Twins of Faith"

The "twins" of faith that are meant here are action and knowledge, or amal and ilm in Arabic. It means that in order to be a good Muslim, we must act with knowledge (right knowledge). Action without knowledge is pointless and misguiding, and knowledge without action is a waste.

2. The importance of spreading the values of Islam

Relating to the theme, once we have acquired knowledge, it is then our responsibility as a khalifah to spread and share the knowledge; dakwah. Dakwah doesn't mean we have to go up to a non-Muslim and tell him Islam is the way. Going to the masjid regularly can be a form of dakwah to our friends who don't. Taking care of our aurat can be dakwah by inspiring others to do the same. Actions are after all louder than words. How many people reverted to Islam after seeing the the actions of our Prophet PBUH?

3. Advice is a two-step procedure

Most people in Malaysia like to complain. About almost everything. And there are many people who are quick to see the faults in others. True as Muslims, it is our responsibility to advise our friends (and strangers) when they do something wrong. But many people just stop there. The first step is identifying a wrong, the second (which many people seem to forget) is to show what is right. Don't just say "You can't do that", instead continue with "You should do this...". 

4. A Muslim should care for humanity

This is kinda obvious. Muslims must not only look after the welfare of other Muslims, but all of humanity. Easy to say I know, but how many of us would actually help a stranger on the side of the road who is changing a flat tyre? 

5. Unity 

Unity is a major issue here in Malaysia. Recently there's a fuss about Muslims wishing the Christians on Christmas day. Muslims are told they can't wish the Christians because it would acknowledge the status of Jesus as God and that he was born on 25th December. Many people (including some Muslims) however believe that there's nothing wrong with wishing the Christians in the spirit of unity. Unity is uniting despite difference in opinion and faith. One need not abandon his principles, his faith in order to establish unity among the society. Should a Hindu eat beef with his non-Hindu friends in the spirit of unity? Should a Muslim drink alcohol with his friends in the spirit of unity? Not wishing our friends of other faiths during their religious holidays (1 or 2 days a year) does not mean we disrespect them, or that we are against unity. What should count more is during the rest of the year (360+ days) we treat them with respect and love as our friends. Doesn't that show unity more than a holiday greeting?

6. Speak only what you know/Allah's will is absolute

This is another major issue in Malaysia. People speaking about Islam and Islamic principles without proper knowledge on the subject. Our Prophet PBUH didn't teach Islam based on what he thought was right. He taught based on what he was told by Allah. Humans are capable of thinking on their own. But when it comes to syariah law, things that Allah has already commanded, there is no need to "think" about it anymore. Nowadays we have people saying that some laws are inappropriate for our time. Some people think that man-made laws are more suitable than the laws that Allah made. That's not right. Nobody knows better than Allah.

7. Learn from the right sources

One downside to the internet is that everyone thinks they can learn anything. Have a question? Google and get an answer. This may be OK for mundane everyday issues. But not religious issues. You can't learn about hudud from Google. You can't be an expert in hadith from reading online. You can learn a few things sure, but its always better to learn from an expert. Similarly, you can't be a cardiologist from reading Wikipedia. You need to go to medical school. You can learn to play football from watching videos, but to be a pro you need proper training from coaches. The same applies to learning about Islam.    

8. Be proud to be a Muslim

Some people are shy to practice Islam in public. They don't cover their aurat out of fear of weird looks from friends. They don't pray regularly because they don't want to be seen as "extremists". They eat anywhere they want regardless of halal status. Its as if they are ashamed of the way Islam should be practised. Its like they admit in their hearts that they believe in Allah, they believe in Islam, but they don't want to show it in public. Why? Some people (like me) proudly wear football jerseys when the team wins a big game. Some sisters proudly display pictures of them with celebrities. Why not show you are proud to be a Muslim by acting like one? 

9. SMILE

On a lighter note, one speaker said he always sees Muslims with frowns on their face. He said we should smile more often. Sure we have problems, who doesn't? We need to remember that Allah does not put a burden on someone unless he can bear it. Besides, despite the problems we have, don't we have much much more to be happy about? I know a lot of people say I don't smile a lot. Its probably because I'm just thinking. I think a lot. So when I'm not smiling, you are seeing my "thinking face", not a sad face =p

I think I may have done more than write a "brief summary" haha. I would like to make an even 10 points, but you can count the entry before this and so we get an even 10. I hope you find this entry informative, and if you don't or if you wanted more I apologise. I have my limitations. 

InsyaAllah if there is a similar event next year, maybe I will bring my laptop and write on the spot. 

^___^

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We are all dying.....

Assalamualaikum,

I want to share a story with you I heard at the Twins of Faith conference this morning. It was told by Bro. Boonaa Mohammed.

There's this woman, a Muslimah, who is sick and so goes to a doctor for a check up. After running some tests, the doctor comes back and says, "I'm sorry, but you are very ill. You only have one month to live". Upon hearing this, the woman then decides to make the most of the month she has left. She starts covering her aurah. She starts praying regularly, even the sunat prayers. She fasts. She donates to charity. She does all sorts of good deeds preparing to die. A month passes, and she goes back to the doctor. After a follow up, the doctor realises he made a mistake, and tells the woman, "I'm sorry, but I made a mistake. You won't die after all!".  

I'm sure you can guess what the moral of the story is; don't wait until death comes knocking before you try to make yourself a better person, because we never know when we are going to die.

If you do not cover your aurah, what are you waiting for?

If you smoke, when will you stop?

If you don't pray subuh on time, when will you start trying harder?

Are you going to wait until you are dying before you start to make a change? I got news for you, you are dying. With every passing second, our "life timer" gets closer to zero (watch 'In Time'). With every day that comes and goes, we get closer to the day we die. In fact, every newborn baby, as soon as he is born, he is already dying. 

There is no guarantee that we will live long enough to make a change. So what are we waiting for?

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Doing good for the wrong reasons

Assalamualaikum,

You know the saying "The end doesn't justify the means"? Or in Malay its "Niat tak menghalalkan cara". Basically they mean that we can't do the wrong things for the right reasons, for example robbing a bank to buy food for your family. Some people forget that the reverse holds true too. We shouldn't do the right thing for the wrong reasons. In this case, many people seem to look the other way. Let me give a few examples.

In Malaysia, the traditional tudung has received a serious fashion makeover. All different kinds of fashions and styles are out now. Not all of them keeping true to the original purpose of the tudung mind you, which is to cover your aurat and guard your modesty. So we are faced with a society which has transformed the concept of the tudung, and turned it into yet another accessory for women to flaunt in public. Don't get me wrong, its perfectly fine for women to want to dress nicely and to want to be fashionable. But when a woman wears a tudung because it is "fashionable", or because she wants to keep up with the latest trend, isn't the niat of wearing the tudung lost? Its supposed to be a symbol of modesty, not a sign of fashion or status. Wearing a tudung is necessary to cover your aurat, but if you put fashion ahead of function, you need to think twice about why you wear it.

Another example is entertainment. I'm all for entertainment. I regularly watch movies and TV shows, I listen to music, I play video games. There are some forms of entertainment which are acceptable and others which aren't. K-Pop for some reason is really hot among the females of our generation. Now I don't have anything against them, but like my friend rightly pointed out a while ago, girls can go crazy over these pretty boys. Its fine if you enjoy their music, but if you go crazy over them because they are so cute and adorable, how is that different from guys who enjoy watching Britney Spears' music videos? Guys are supposed to lower their gaze yes? Aren't girls supposed to do the same?

Fasting is another issue. Everyone of us should fast in Ramadhan no question. As for outside of Ramadhan there are many optional fasts. Now when we fast sincerely there's no problem. But when people fast as a means of losing weight, or to save money, that's a problem. Fasting is a spiritual exercise with added worldly benefits. We fast sincerely, we get both spiritual and worldly benefits. But fast solely for the worldly benefits, and that's probably all we get.

So remember, that saying I mentioned earlier is like a double-edged sword. It cuts both ways. 

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