1.0 What is the theme and purpose of postings in this blog .....

al-Muqaddimah - the Introduction

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

عن أبـي رقــيـة تمـيم
بن الـداري رضي الله عنه ، أن النبي صلى الله عـليه وسـلم قـال :

الـديـن النصيحة

قلنا : لمن ؟؟

قال : الله ، ولـكـتـابـه ، ولـرسـولـه ، ولأ ئـمـة
الـمـسـلـمـيـن وعــامـتهم

رواه مسلم

Imam Muslim (also Imam Bukhary) reported a Hadith (saying) by way of Tamim ad-Dariy (a companion) where he narrates that the Prophet s.a.w. said:

“Ad-dee-nun-NaseeHah (The religion is sincere advice)”

We then asked: “For whom, (O Messenger of Allah)?”

The Messenger of Allah then replied: “For Allah, His Book, His Messengers, the a-immah (leaders) of the Muslims and towards all Muslims in general.”

It is from this Hadith that I am inspired and have chosen, as the name for the series of writings (in this media – be it blog or newsletter) which is actually the theme for my reflection of my Deen (way of Life) of al-Islam, hoping to also share it with others as efforts of thanks- giving for the blessings from Allah S.W.T. – one of His greatest favour. My reflection as advice is directed firstly to myself and is not meant to teach anyone, but if others can benefit from it, I praise and Glorify Allah s.w.t for it is only Allah, Who alone is possessor of knowledge. I do not claim to any knowledge whatever save only the little which He perhaps, by His Grace may have favoured me with – Verily, in truth, only Allah is the all-knowing, the truly Wise.

May Allah s.w.t. grant us all al-Taw-fiq (the success) and al-Hidaayah (the Guidance), and increase us in knowledge divine.

- Aa-min.

Clarifications and Reflections

Islam and its fundamental teachings are founded upon revelation and Divine inspiration, especially the Qur’an and the Prophetic Wisdom termed As-Sunnah, which therefore contain much profoundness even in its simplest terms and its usage. Reflection upon them and careful examination will reveal consistency and rich meanings throughout its message. Unfortunately, contemporary Muslim academicians sometimes like to introduce their own terms and usage, without respect for it to be consistent with the whole traditional wisdom of Islamic scholarship. Perhaps they are influenced by their modern training in their respective academic field and its predominant Western paradigm. Even when they claim to have studied Islam, most academicians are not traditionally trained or they view Islamic tradition with disdain since some of their teachers and resources in academia are from non-Muslim professors and Orientalists.

“The learned and wise among Muslims must use constant vigilance in detecting erroneous usage in language which impinges upon semantic change in major key elements and creates general confusion and error in the understanding of Islam and of its worldview.”

Quote: Prof. S M Naquib al-Attas “The Concept of Education in Islam” pp. 37-38

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