[POWERPOINT-SLIDES] : IN-HOUSE TALK AT MASJID KASSIM SINGAPORE (25th JULY 2009)

Al-Hamdulillaahi rob-bil-'aa-la-meen! Wa-solaatu-was-salaa-mu 'alaa ro-suu-lillaah, wa-'alaa- aa-lihi wa-soh-bihii wat-taa-bi-'iina wa-man-na-swo-rahu - wa-waa-la.

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My utmost appreciation to Masjid Kassim and all its staff and management, especially Al-Fadhil Ustaz Muhammad Saiful 'Alam Shah - for their collaboration. And to everyone who helped organize, promoted, attended and supported this program - May Allah s.w.t. reward you all immensely with every goodness.

Attached is the slides-presentation of yesterday's talk.

May it benefit those who seek the Truth and strengthen their iiman and 'azam to holdfast to this Deen of al-Islaam - with the Mercy and Redha of Allaah s.w.t.

was-salaam

zhulkeflee

This World And The Hereafter(2)Slideshare

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"HOW TO DA'WAH TOWARDS OUR OWN FAMILY?" - An Advice

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Question:

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How does one do Da'wah to our close ones (siblings/relatives)? I find this rather to be more difficult than making Da'wah towards a stranger. Yet, we must never neglect them. How do we help them, when we ourselves are struggling? Time may not have the patience for us,

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Yes! Many do find it rather difficult to "Da'wah" (call or invite) own siblings / relatives / spouses, as compared to doing same towards people whom they barely know. Yet, when we merely view our effort at only providing sincere advise - unassuming i.e. by not trying to be talking from a 'higher pedestal' (as if they assume the role of Da'i - as one having authority who is doing Da'wah), it becomes much easier, and we should offer it to our close ones routinely as part of our interaction with them. When this becomes our disposition, things will get easier. If we have never been known to give advise, to make a start (i.e. as new beginning to how we would behave with them), it may be initially not easily recieved unless they see sincerity and earnestness on our part. Also, because of familiarity, advice when given must be seen as 'serious' differentiated from our other casual mood towards them e.g. joking, teasing or the 'manja-manja' moods (Malay term - 'lovingly playful'). Their familiarity and personal knowledge of us may be a baggage, because they will instinctively judge our advice firstly on how much it is being practiced in ourselves. Whereas for strangers, they do not know us that intimately and thus it is comparatively easier.

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To your question:"How do we help them, when we ourselves are struggling?"

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My response is: " We first and foremost make our struggling to be a good servant of Allah as the focus in our life, our main objective - not in our trying to help them!" Helping them is only incidental, by way of our hope that whatever good we want for ourselves, we also wish them to benefit the same. In fact this principle has Qur'anic basis for Allah warns:

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أَتَأۡمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلۡبِرِّ وَتَنسَوۡنَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ

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"Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people and forget (to practise it) yourselves and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?"

(Q:Baqarah: 2:44)

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This is called, Da'wah by example. This is less intimidating towars them, and we will maintain our humilty, inshaAllah. It does not really matter whether we are youngest or oldest. When we direct any criticism and advice towards ourselves - other people will less likely be offended, If you can do this, being patient in giving the advise (by focussing with your own struggling) even if it be small or little but accompanied by our prayers, with our thoughts ever mindful upon how we shall have to meet Allah (Taqwa) - this itself is the kind of help prescribed by Allah s.w.t. that guarantees His Divine intervention. Allah has enjoined upon us this:

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وَٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّہَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَـٰشِعِينَ

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ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّہُم مُّلَـٰقُواْ رَبِّہِمۡ وَأَنَّهُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ رَٲجِعُونَ

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" Nay seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who are humble.Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.

(Q:Baqarah: 2: 45-46).

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Do not worry about whether your approach can or cannot be effective towards making them heed the advice - this is the concern of Allah (Allah Guides, not us). And, yes nobody ever claim themselves to be a good example - that is humility! So sister, you are not alone in this. As to your worry that "Time may not have the patience for us", rest assured of Allah's generosity towards His servants as reported, that when a Believer embarked upon a good (righteous) deed sincerely for Allah, even if he is unable to complete the deed, Allah will reward him as though it has been perfectly completed!

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجۡرَهُم بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ۬"

Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!"

(Q: Az-Zumar: 39:10).

WaAllaahu a'lam

Was-salaam

zhulkeflee

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[Powerpoint]: Introduction to "Tazkiyyatun Nafs" - Purification of Self : An important aspect in Muslim's educational development."

Al-Hamdulillah! Just delivered this in-house lecture to our Filipina / Filipino and other Muslim converts and activists, - "Introduction to Tazkiy-yatun-Nafs".

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My appreciation to Dr. Siti Mariam and members of the "Mabuhay club" of Darul Arqam Singapore, for giving the opportunity for me to contribute.

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May Allah s.w.t. increase us all in beneficial knowledge and Wisdom; May He grant us all Iman, Taqwa and Akhlaaq-ul Kareema, with His Mercy, Acceptance and Redha - A-meen! Jazaakumullahi khayral-jaza'

Tazkiyyatun Nafs(Slideshare)B

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[POWERPOINT-SLIDES] IN-HOUSE TALK AT PERGAS, SINGAPORE (10th APRIL 2009)

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Maseehiyah Slideshare(Pergas 2009)

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( An excerpt of relevant article ........ )

4.0 Dispelling some misunderstanding about Da’wah:

4.1 Confrontational?

One of the common complaints against Islamic Da’wah is that it is deemed confrontational. Many already seems to conclude that being confrontational is wrong, it is unacceptable in normal social interaction for it create tension which is bad for harmonious co-existence amongst people and therefore must be disallowed. This is a fallacy. And when even Muslims hold this view, giving discouraging apologetic remarks making excuses such “don’t want to cause offence to others;” or “don’t invite their dislike towards us, etc.,” we are indeed sadden because it reflect their lack of deep thinking upon what Islam stands for. Let us consider:

[A] Islam firstly stands for Truth, it advocate adherence to the truth and enjoins every good, and therefore conversely it opposes falsehood and every evil. By virtue of this reality, its existence is meant to be confrontational, to confront every falsehood and evil. So, we do not deny that the message of Islam is confrontational. Any Muslim who is totally against being confrontational should do more reflection. Even the kalimah of Islam (statement of Islamic creed) itself is confrontational: Laa-ilaaha il-lallaah "There is no god (i.e. no other deserving of worship), but God (Allah)”. From the history of our Prophet s.a.w, we learn how because of his confronting falsehood and evil, it brought about changes and established much better lives for everyone. And every Muslim knows of our social responsibility to enjoining good, commanding the doing of what is right and forbid wrong and evil. In fact even in any other society too, it has to depend upon its citizens to confront and eradicate crimes and deeds opposed to the law and social order. If we yearn for peace, progress and strive for an ideal, we cannot merely hope for it to just happen. How would this be possible without being confrontational? Perhaps the relevant question is not that we cannot be confrontational, but to consider the manner of confrontation is it the right or the wrong approach, based on concept of justice and common good? And remember that by being confrontational, it does not mean forcing people to accept our view. We will respect their right to hold on to their opinion.

[B] Tension is not a bad thing. In fact existence of order and harmony can only be possible because of the existence of tension. The terms “order” and “harmony” implies presence of varieties, perhaps even contrary and opposing elements. What holds them together is the tension created by confrontation of opposing elements and their settling upon the median or equilibrium. Without which, these two terms do not make any sense. Perhaps what we should be concerned with is whether the degree of tension is healthy or otherwise. So, it is naive to expect harmonious co-existence without tension. On the contrary when tension becomes totally absent (e.g. checks and balance are removed) we may even face danger of imminent collapse and destruction of that society.

[C] Is conveying a message to whomsoever it is meant for, wrong? Even though some may feel offended because they may deem it confrontational and insist that therefore it should not be delivered, shouldn’t it still have to be delivered? Is the messenger wrong to carry out a trust? Surely this line of argument, that you shouldn’t deliver disliked or unwelcomed messages, is preposterous. And the Qur’an that is with us contains many such messages to be appropriately conveyed. This is how Muslim views Da’wah effort, because for us, the messages came upon us to be delivered to those whom it is addressed to. It specially mentioned the People of the Book (Ahl-al-Kitaab); it is as though Muslims are holding on to a mail meant for them. Even if the message will be disliked, we have to deliver as it is a duty. We cannot betray the trust, especially to Christians because one of the reasons for Allah s.w.t. revealing the Qur’an is to warn them:

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمۡ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ عِوَجَاۜ قَيِّمً۬ا

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لِّيُنذِرَ بَأۡسً۬ا شَدِيدً۬ا مِّن لَّدُنۡهُ

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وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ إِلَّا أَجۡرًا

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حَسَنً۬ا مَّـٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدً۬ا وَيُنذِرَ

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ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدً۬ا مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ۬ وَلَا لِأَبَآٮِٕهِمۡ‌ۚ كَبُرَتۡ

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ڪَلِمَةً۬ تَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ أَفۡوَٲهِهِمۡ‌ۚ

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إِن يَقُولُونَ كَذِبً۬ا

Praise be to Allah Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness: (He hath made it) Straight (and Clear), in order that He may warn (the godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him, and that He may give Glad Tidings to the Believers who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a goodly Reward. Wherein they shall remain forever: Further that He may warn those (also) who say "Allah hath begotten a son": No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. It is a grievous thing that issues from their mouths as a saying. What they say is nothing but falsehood!

(Qur’an: al-Kahfi: 18:1-5)

From these three (3) reasons, Muslims need not be apologetic when people level accusations upon us doing Da’wah. Do not be faint-hearted as those ignorant ones who even dare to compromise Islamic principles for the sake of looking good in others eyes. May Allah s.w.t. forgive them because perhaps they did not know. We must correct this and persevere undeterred by whatever accusations, as we only meant well and the task is indeed noble. We are merely fulfilling an Amanah (a trust). The message of Islam is all about “An-NaseeHah” - the sincere advice. As in my earlier posting, even if it is unsolicited we still have to convey, as we believe it to contain message of Mercy and Compassion for the well-being of God’s entire creature.

[ TO READ FURTHER THE FULL ARTICLE ,,,,,,,]

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RELEVANT DOCUMENTARIES FROM YOU-TUBE






Part 1 of 12 - "Who Wrote The Bible?"



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(Article): "Why Chua Gim San Chose Islam"

-extracted from "The Muslim Reader" a qurterly publication
of Darul Arqam Singapore, MCAS [Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore.] -

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Why Chua Gim San chose Islam
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"...This day have I Perfected your religion for you, completed my Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."
(The Holy Quran, Al-Maidah:3)

Ihsan Chua Gim Sam, 23, born a Taoist, who when he was 9 years old believed in Christianity because of a threat and later in his young teens followed the teachings of Buddha, shares with Sister Sharifa Muneera Al-'Aydros, his path toward embracing Islam.

According to a hadith, when a child is born, he or she is like a white cloth, it is the parents that will colour the white cloth to be red, blue, green or yellow. My parents are Taoists, therefore I was brought up as a Taoist since my birth. During my childhood years, I believed and accepted Taoism even though I did not know anything about it. It was only during my teens did I find out that Taoism is a religion of ancestral worshipping. My parents like many other Taoists do not even know or bother to find out the history of Taoism. I was not taught the history or principles of Taoism. I accepted and practised Taoism according to what was "handed down" to me by my parents. Like many Taoists, I accepted what was "handed down" to me without any qualms.

When I was about 9 years old, a school teacher told me and some of my school mates that we should all become Christians. We were told if we do not become Christians, we will have to die as a punishment for being a non-Christian. I was very afraid of that threat. Thereupon I became a believer of two religions - Taoism (because of my family) and Christianity (because of the threat). As I grew older, I could not decide which religion I should be practising.

During my third and fourth year in Secondary School, I opted to study Buddhism as a subject in Religious Knowledge because it was known to be the easiest paper to study for. I was influenced by the Buddhism doctrine because it is very logical and practical. The concept of benevolence in Buddhism struck a chord in my heart. I followed the teaching of Buddhism as closely as possible but I did not become Buddhist I found that even though Buddhism is based on good principles and practices, however, it lacks the presence of a supreme being - God. When I joined St. Andrew's Junior College, a missionary aided school, it was compulsory for all students (except Muslim students) to attend the school's weekly chapel service. During the service, we sang songs and listened to sermons. At the end of some of the services, we were asked if any of us would like the become Christians. I was influenced by one particular priest, whom I considered to be "powerful" in his preaching. He used prophecies in the Bible to effectively prove the "Truth" found in the Old Testament in relation with those found in the New Testament. I was especially impressed when he spoke of prophecies in the OT being fulfilled in the NT. My interest was also aroused when he talked about the Last Day. He also related to us various experiences that some Christians have gone through. One example was that of a Christian lady who was certified dead. In her "death", she went through the ordeal of having her legs pulled down to Hell. Somehow she was released and came back to life. On her return from "death" she confirmed that there is God, life after death and Hell as stated in the Bible. That was how I was initially drawn toward Protestant Anglican religion. I was 17 years old then.

However I could not settled down with one one denomination of the Christian faith. I kept changing from one church to another. I was still searching for inner peace and could not make up my mind as to which church I should be attending. When I was in my final year in the army, I met a friend who brought me to his church, St. John St. Margaret. I finally felt "at home" in this church. I became active with the church activities. I was a leader in two ministries, one ministry dealt with children while the other was a sports ministry. I was involved in the children tuition scheme. The ministry provided free tuition to school children at the same time, spreading the message of Christianity slowly and subtly. The children were from Primary One level onwards. I was assigned to take care of two students. Before every tuition, there was a session of worship. We sang songs and had story sessions wherein I told the children stories from the Bible.

I also worked hard with the Church's sports ministry. We did missionary work by asking people to join us in game. I was in charge of the basketball team. Every week, we rented a court and practised the game. We invited "outsiders" and tried to lead them to Christianity by example. We highlighted the spirit of care and concern and tried to express these virtues as much as we could. In between and after practices, we tried to indoctrinate Christianity to these youths, most of whom were teenagers and young adults.

The sports ministry's concept is quite practical, not only in Singapore but also in other countries. My church was the first in Singapore to introduce this concept of care and concern.

While I was still active with the church, I got to know a Muslim whom I tried to talk to about Christianity. She was very sure about the truth of her religion but she did not know how to explain its truth to me. There was no way I could convince her about Christianity. It made me wonder because many Muslims even those who are drug addicts, they are all "dead sure" that Islam is the true religion. I decided to ask my Muslim friend what is so true about her religion that its followers will not renounce it. She did not know how to explain to me but instead told me to get information on Islam from Darul Arqam, the Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore. I agreed to her suggestion even though I regarded Islam as a religion of terrorism and a religion that does not make sense. My reasoning was that if the religion is good, the people will be good. As for Muslims, I knew only a few of them and those that I knew were not "good Muslims." I remember knowing only one good Muslim friend during my junior college days but she did not make any attempt to convey the message of Islam to me. At that time, there were Muslims who had tried to spread the message of Islam to me.

My family has been against Islam because of what always happened in the Middle East as well as the Malay workers that my father hired, all of whom happened to be lazy and always misbehaved.

Since I had agreed to visit Darul Arqam, I went on ahead to the Association. On my first visit I attended the orientation class and was introduced to Brother Remy. I was shocked and impressed over two things that he told me. First, he pointed out that Islam is not based on emotion unlike Christianity. I contemplated these words and was surprised at my reaction to those words. Secondly, he said, "Don't convert first, until you ask questions as much as you want and when you have no more questions to ask, then only convert." In Christianity, you cannot ask questions because the more questions you ask the more confused you become.

After highlighting those two points, Brother Remy recommended to the Orientation class the book, "Islam in Focus". I was shocked at what I found in the book. Some issues which I felt was not logical in Christianity but had no way to resolve them, I found the answers in this book. I was also shocked to find in the book what I believed and like about Buddhism are actually Islamic beliefs. There are many similarities in the principles in the principles of Buddhism with that of Islam.

The following week I went back to Darul Arqam to attend the beginners' class and the class was half way through the Pillars of Islam. I found the class boring and only attended one to two more lessons but gave up the class. Thereafter, I bought two more books on Islam - "The Choice, Islam and Christianity" by Ahmed Deedat and "The Basis of Muslim Belief" by Gary Miller. I was really impressed by both books. I met Brother Remy again and he introduced me to Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail who discussed Islam with me for a few weeks. Whatever questions that were posed to me about Christianity which I could not handle, I would list all those questions and pose it back to my church and the Singapore Bible College. I was put in a very difficult position because I could not accept either my church or the Bible College's answers to the questions. If I had accepted their answers or reasoning it would like dishonouring God. For example, when I tried to discuss the contradictions in the Bible, all they could tell me was that these are minor contradictions or minor mistakes or copying error. I had to do alot of my own research on those questions posed by Darul Arqam. The most devastating part of my research was on the church history. The church history itself highlighted the fact that the concept of Trinity was introduced in 325 A.D. which was 325 years after the "death" of Christ. Before that, there were different doctrines and all the doctrines were different from one another.

Since I got alot more information from Islamic sources on Christianity, I was not satisfied. What I found out about Christianity from the Islamic sources, I checked with various encyclopedias and other different sources. I found that all the information I got from the Islamic sources were genuine facts.

When I took a closer look (closer than I ever did before) at the prophecy, "the spirit of the truth will come and lead people to all truth," I could clearly see that this prophecy was referring to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his message. This prophecy did not point out to Jesus (a.s.) because the early Christians could not decide on the identity of Christ. To this date they are still arguing regarding the identity of Christ.

During my study on Islam, I also tried to learn about Islam from Christian books and I found them to be malicious. With the knowledge I have on Islam, I could refute all the false claims made by Christians. One example is the claim that they made about God in Islam - "that of being seen as so far away and cannot be reconciled with His creations." I know this is not true because in Islam, God is close to His creation, as close as to a person's jugular vein. "It was We who created man, and We know that dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein." (The Holy Quran, [50:16])

The Christians also claimed that Allah lacked lovable qualities. I do not know how the Christians can make such a claim when saying the "Basmallah" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful) is very much part of a Muslim daily routine. In addition, the 99 names of Allah highlight the many loving and caring attributes of God in Islam. I had to reject all the claims that the Christians made against Islam because I had to be fair to myself. They are all from the evangelical point of view and I had to regard them as lies.

I then read "Muhammad in the Bible" and "The Gospel of Thomas". By now, I had had too many shocks. The "Dead Sea Scrolls" made a final impact on my Christian belief. I tried but found no reason to remain a Christian. I saw all the falsehood I did not expect to see about Christianity. I had carefully checked every way I could in case I was wrong but there was nothing left to check.

I continued to learn about Islam from the Quran and other books as well as the various Muslim teachers who strive to guide me towards the true path.

One day, Ustaz Zhulkeflee asked me, "When are you going to convert?" I was speechless. I thought about it over and over again and could not find one single reason not to embrace Islam. Thereafter, I decided to embrace Islam, the true religion.

Initially, my family did not take my conversion seriously, They though I had embraced Islam only in namesake and would still continue to eat pork and lead a non-Muslim lifestyle.

Later on, when my family found out that I was a practising Muslim, there was chaos. It became more chaotic when I observed fasting during the month of Ramadan. I was almost driven out of my house. The situation at home continued to be strained for several months thereafter. I did not eat at home. I was accused of not loving my family anymore. There were constant quarrels between my family and I. I tried to explain Islam to them but they just did not understand.

I grew afraid to go home. I stayed out late at night. One day, my mother approached me and told me not to be out so late at night. She said my father had expressed concern about my late nights. She suggested that I buy my own food and she would cook separately for me. Now, most of the time my family and I eat halal food at home. It is more convenient for my mum to cook dishes where not only my family members can eat but also her Muslim son. Situation at home has improved for the better except for the occasional harmless nagging that I get from my family. Alhamdulillah.

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[POWERPOINT-SLIDES] IN-HOUSE TALK AT MASJID SULTAN, SINGAPORE (28th MARCH 2009)

Masjid Sultan 28 3 09[Slideshare]

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Good Word Like A Good Tree 97 2003

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“Towards becoming Muslims- and its challenges part II” – a lecture by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Ismail

A sharing of brief transcript-notes by Sister Filzah Amalia (may Allah s.w.t. reward her for her effort)

NB: This lecture was conducted on 28th March 2009, Saturday, at Sultan Mosque Auditorium.

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Ustaz first recapped on what he spoke about in his previous lecture. One of these reflections was that Muslims are warned against being disunited. He mentioned that the beginning of disunity is when key Islamic terms are purposely slanted, distorted, alien standards imposed, innovated into Islamic discourse.

An example is the attempt to explain Islam in categories such as:

Moderative VS Extreme

Conservative VS Radical .... etc.

He emphasized that there is only ONE Islam.

In his second lecture, the main topic dwelt upon was Islamic Education. The imperative questions he presented were:

How do we learn Islam?

From whom do we learn Islam?

Firstly, Islamic education is about changing the state of our soul. Not merely stuffing of information into our heads. We cannot study Islam as a subject. Rather we want to subject ourselves to Islam; to let Islam change us and bring us closer to Allah s.w.t.

Ustaz then asked rhetorically: Do we simply teach Islamic subjects? Or do we nurture Islamic values to our students? And what values?- to which he answered that it is not how much you know but how well you develop through Islam. And it is about instilling the right values e.g. what is right and wrong, what is true and false.

The next questions were: What is our concern in life? What are we expected to do in life?

Ustaz explained that Islam, from the beginning, has taught us that this world is temporary. The value of that we come from Allah and we return to Him. And our concern in life is explained in a verse in Surah Al-Qasas: 77:

“But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief."

Ustaz continued to explain that the value of Islam is to teach the reality of life. This world has many distractions however. But Allah encourages us to seek the opportunity to see the way to Him, during our lifetime here.

Next, how best have we entered Islam?

Allah has told us:

“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”

(Al-Baqarah: 208)

Ustaz asked us, how often do you strive to go to Allah? He reminded that there is only ONE Islam. The Islam that Rasulullah s.a.w perfected, not those that people have constructed, especially after the 9-11 incident.

There is indeed ONE Islam, but all kinds of Muslims. Everyone begins as a Muslim (“Al-Fitrah”), and then we are nurtured positively or negatively. To be nurtured positively is to be amongst the learned, Mu’meen, etc. On the other hand to be negatively nurtured is to be ignorant, munafiq, musyrikeen, zalimun, etc.

In sum, the personal challenge for us is the path from being Muslims to the Muttaqeen. To worship Allah because one wants to, not forced to, and a person who truly believes will not want to do anything that will bring him near to the fire in the hereafter. And one has to accept that there would be tests in his way. Allah has explained this:

"Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false. Do those who practise evil think that they will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment! For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah (in the Hereafter, let them strive); for the term (appointed) by Allah is surely coming and He hears and knows (all things). And if any strive (with might and main), they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of all needs from all creation.”

(Al-Ankabut: 2-6)

“The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah,' For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah. Such are the sincere ones.”

(Al-Hujurat: 14-15)

So how are we? While we may be Muslims, have we reached the level of being a muhseen, much less a muttaqee? Thus how have we learnt Islam? What has been our education? Have we learned how to learn?

Ustaz gave an analogy:

What many of us have been learning about Islam is like people picking pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Unfortunately, these people pick up pieces of the jigsaw and merely keep them in their pockets. They do not attempt to fix them together as one whole - into a single bigger picture. They think that by having a lot of these pieces, they are learned. So they have not learned what to make out of these pieces that they’ve picked. They think they know a lot because their pockets are full of these pieces - and others also compete in the same manner i.e. stuffing themselves with informations. What they need are teachers, because it is the role for traditional Islamic teachers who would give students only the pieces that they really needed but which they have not posessed, and more importantly to teach them to fix those pieces together with what they already have into a single coherent picture (i.e. coherent Tauhidic paradigm and meaning). Ustaz reiterate: "Traditional Islamic teachers will rather teach only what is needed for the student, and not necessarily what the student wanted". (Thus his point about not studying Islam merely as a subject, but to subject oneself to Islam - which these traditional Islamic teachers would strive to do i.e. nurturing them with Islam)

Ustaz went on to emphasize the difference between information (maklumat) and knowledge (‘ilm).

“The similitude of those who were charged with the (obligations of the) Mosaic Law, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands them not). Evil is the similitude of people who falsify the Signs of Allah. and Allah guides not people who do wrong.”

(Al-Jum’ah: 5)

The donkey has the books, which are useful, but is not learned.

What then, is ‘ilm, knowledge?

“...knowledge is the arrival (husul) of the meaning (ma’na) of a thing or object of knowledge in the soul of the subject; and simultanerously... knowledge is the soul’s arrival (wusul) at the meaning of that thing or object of knowledge.” (Sorry, couldn’t get the quote source, please refer to powerpoint slide above)

“Meaning” (ma’na) is: “The recognition of the proper place of anything in a system…”

For example, a cat knows a door but not things like door locks, etc. Men on the other hand are capable of knowing more, like what the door lock is and what it’s for, etc.

Thus the perspective of Education of Islam in Islam can be defined as:

“…Recognition and acknowledgement, progressively instilled into man, of the proper places of things in order of creation, such that it leads to the recognition and acknowledgement of the proper place of God, in the order of being andexistence.”

(Muhd Naquib Al-Attas in “The Educational Philosophy and Practice)

Lastly, Ustaz gave the parable of the tree

(please read also notes "PARABLE: 'A good word is like a good tree' " attached above for fuller elaboration of this analogy).

The seed: Contains all the potential of the tree. For the Muslim, it is the kalimah offered to him.

The sprout: Is the seed’s declaration that “I am alive”, not lifeless. It is the person who accepts the kalimah and who grows, and who declares his belief.

The roots: Is the part of the tree which is always not known or seen by people because it is underground, but important for the tree to have or it will topple. For a Muslim, after the Shahadah, he has to believe in the articles of faith, and someone who believes in the unseen.

The trunk: A tree is diiferentiated from a grass because of its trunk. It grows in a class of its own. For a Muslim, the solat is the pillar of the religion. (It differentiates you as a believer from the unbeliever)

The leaves: The tree’s own food and nourishment. For the Muslim, he has to earn his living, to acquire wealth but to give out a portion to others, that is zakat. Zakat is also a form of purification- Allah purifies the heart from the effects of the wealth you acquire.

The Bark: The tree’s protection from harmful elements. The Muslim must develop and renew his shield. That shield is fasting. And the month of Ramadan renews him.

Growth towards sunlight and the power to break rocks: A tree grows unnoticed but it is growing, in a very slow manner. For a Muslims this is the Hajj. The journey, which requires a lot of patience.

Fruits: Something you will be able to share with others. The fruits of a tree contain seeds for others to grow. For a Muslim, this is da’wah.

Quality of a tree is dependent upon quality of how it is nurtured at every stage of its growth - i.e. to strive towards perfection at each stage. Thus for Muslims, we are told of al-Ihsan - "that you worship or serve Allah as thought you see Him, if not, certainly He (Allah) sees you". The emphasis here is striving to do every good deeds sincerely for Allah's sake. For "every action there is intention, and the merit of your action is dependent upon your intention for doing it."

Garderners: These are the ulama’. They are there at every stage to get rid of pests, in order to ensure the good growth of the tree.

So the challenge is…what kind of tree have we become?

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Question & Answer:

[1]On choosing teachers:

The point is not about choosing which teacher, but about what kind of student you are. A good student, is one who has adab. It is the teacher who chooses student, not student who can actually judge and choose teacher.

Also, what kind of student? Mustami' (mere listener of lecture); mureed (a determine seeker - also called 'tolib') - or a saleek (a traveller upon the path) - for which such student comes to a teacher as a seeker of knowledge. More importantly to ask: "Am I worthy or deserving to be regarded a student?"

[2] On whether to learn from one or many teachers:

A student has one mentor, but can learn from many teachers. It is similar to learning from many teachers, but you have only one form teacher. Or a main physician, but you can go to various others as well. The main mentor is the one to whom your problems are channeled to. First, it is the parents who should do that. When they cannot do that anymore, they will send their children to the one who is more competent to do so.

Ustaz emphasized a lot on adab. Education is all about adab. It is not about asking whether that person is a good teacher but am I a good student?

[3] What is Adab?

The knowledge of putting the right thing at the right place. That is, first, to put Allah swt in His proper place, that there is no other God but Allah. Secondly, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w is the seal of the prophets. Thirdly, to obey parents.

The problem today is that: There is confusion.

Confusion leads to the breakdown of adab, then the rise of false teachers & leaders. This then perpetuates more confusion.

The solution is: To restore the adab first.



[4] On structured education of Islam (e.g diplomas, etc):

They are okay, but these are information, not knowledge. There is a lot of information available. But knowledge, is about transforming the soul. Not just about knowing. We need to know our place first – to be humble. Are the meanings arriving at our souls correctly?

[4] On Da’wah to others, e.g. like towards our family who are still not a Muslim:

Be good to them as a witness. Show the beauty of Islam to others through leading your life as a good Muslim. For example, by being a better child to them after becoming Muslim.

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Author’s note & disclaimer:

These are from the notes that I copied. I have tried my best to copy down Ustaz’s exact words, but there may have been few lines that may have been paraphrased or contain mistakes. If there are I sincerely apologise for that.

Wallaahua'lam.

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[Interview] Sharing his "Shahadah" (Witness) as a Muslim" by Dr. Laurence B. Brown.....

اللَهُ أكْبَر

Allaahu Akbar!

An American specialist physician(opthalmologic surgeon) and retired a Major of 18 years in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Brown was born and raised in a Christian family (Quaker) who went to search for the Truth through serious study of the various Christian denominations because of his being troubled by the irreconcilable difference in the tenets taught within Christianity. He was more of an atheist (agnostics) but holding onto his natural pure instinct (fitrah). His earnestness and sincerity in seeking for the True religion led his search - and thus Allah s.w.t. guided him - to "al-Islam."

أَفَمَن شَرَحَ ٱللَّهُ صَدۡرَهُ ۥ لِلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ‌ۚ 

فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلۡقَـٰسِيَةِ قُلُوبُہُم مِّن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ

 أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ 

 ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحۡسَنَ ٱلۡحَدِيثِ كِتَـٰبً۬ا مُّتَشَـٰبِهً۬ا مَّثَانِىَ تَقۡشَعِرُّ مِنۡهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ

 جُلُودُهُمۡ وَقُلُوبُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَہۡدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ وَمَن يُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِنۡ

 هَادٍ

"Is one whose heart Allah has opened to Islam, so that he has received enlightenment from Allah, (no better than one hard-hearted)? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against celebrating the praises of Allah! They are manifestly wandering (in error)! 

 Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (Yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allah's praises. Such is the guidance of Allah: He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray, can have none to guide." 

(Qur'an: : Az-Zumar: 39: 22-23)

"Dr. Laurence B. Brown 

A graduate of Cornell University, Brown Medical School, and George Washington University Hospital residency program, Laurence B. Brown is an ophthalmic surgeon, specialized in cataract and refractive surgery. A retired Air Force officer, he is the medical director of a major eye center in Saudi Arabia. For the past decade, he has divided his time between America, England, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The author of two books of comparative religion, MisGod’ed and God’ed, Dr. Brown's immediate family consists of his wife, three daughters, and an ever changing assortment of hamsters and parrots.

He has websites at: 

www.leveltruth.com

www.eigthscroll.com

Below is the interview on "the DEEN SHOW"

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refer also:

"MASEEHIYAH" -Islam / Muslim perspective of Christianity.

“Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - the Final Messenger of God”

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[Naseehah] Habib 'Umar ibn Hafiz - "What distinguishes us?" ....

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TEXT-TRANSLATION TRANSCRIPT:

It is the right of every believer to realize the greatness of this connection and its importance and merit. We live on this planet and amongst us are disbelievers and amongst us are profligates and amongst us are sinful people, and amongst us are people who reject belief in the Day of Judgement, and amongst us are people who are not concerned about the Hereafter because they have weak faith. But there is nothing essentially different about us from all those types of people except for the fact that our hearts yearn for ranks of nearness with Allah, and except that we have an attachment and a relationship with the Prophet Muhammad the son of Abdullah – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him.

This is our essential characteristic. This is our specialty. This is our merit and culture. This is our goodness. As for everything other than this; it is the same with the disbelievers and it is the same with the worse people on earth but because of this peculiarity the houses become different from other houses and the remnants (heritage) become different from other remnants (heritage), and the food become different from other foods, and even the clothes that a believer wears – someone who has an attachment with Allah and His Messenger – is not like the clothes of the disbeliever, it can never be (the same):

أَمۡ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱجۡتَرَحُواْ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن نَّجۡعَلَهُمۡ

كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَوَآءً۬ مَّحۡيَاهُمۡ وَمَمَاتُہُمۡ‌ۚ

سَآءَ مَا يَحۡكُمُونَ

What! Do those who seek after evil ways think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds – that equal will be their life and their death? Ill is the judgement that they make –“

(Qur’an: Jatsiyah: 45: 21)

أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤۡمِنً۬ا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقً۬ا‌ۚ لَّا يَسۡتَوُ ۥنَ

“Is he then who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not equal"

(Qur’an: Sajda: 32: 18)

As your Lord says – Exalted is He and Sublime.

So for this reason, it is incumbent upon a believer to know the peculiarity of his faith. And when Abu Suffian said in the Days of polytheism before he accepted Islam – in the battle of Uhud ... “Wars have their ups and downs; this day (we are successful) compared to Badr.” He (Prophet) – salutations and peace be upon him – “Answer him! Say: ‘They are not the same: our dead are in paradise and your dead are in hell fire.”

What competition?

One day we won the other day you won?! It’s not like that.

Your dead are in the Fire and our dead are in Paradise, then how are they the same? There is no competition! What’s this competition in war?! Well, if that’s the case then we have lost and failed, (said Abu Sufyan) as then he, the Prophet – prayers and peace be upon him, informed us “they are not the same; our dead are in Paradise and your dead are in the Fire.”

So they are not the same.

The home of a believer is not the same as the homee of a disbeliever.

And neither is a dress of a Muslim like the dress of a disbeliever.

So how is it that (this idea is) promoted amongst Muslims of emulating the disbelievers?!

Have you lost the exemplar in your life?

Have you lost the high rank of your life?

Have you lost the nobility?

And you haven’t found anyone (to follow) except those who are debased in the eyes of the Lord of the Worlds?!

You emulate them in their path, or in their clothing, or in something, of their apparent manifestations!?

You have forgotten the greatness of faith. You have forgotten the greatness of the religion. You have forgotten the connection between you and the one who following him is a means for love of Allah.

And following him (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) is a sign of our love for Allah and following him is a sign of Allah’s Love for us. And the sign of Love of Allah in us is (our) following him. By it (following him) He promised forgiveness and then His love.

قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ‌

“Say, (O Muhammad to mankind): “If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.”-

(Qur'an: Aali ‘Imran: 3:31).

Kindle the light of love for this following (of the Prophet) in the heart of your family. How is it that you live with your wife and she doesn’t have any connection with this Light nor a realization of the importance of following the Moon of moons. You are a believer (not like a disbeliever). You live in the folds of Islam and Faith. Yet how is it that this awareness is not revived inside of you?! Or is it that you are affected by the programs of our enemies that were broadcasted to us?! They (incessantly) influence our minds and the minds of our sons and daughters, and our wives by what they broadcast over the television; in those programs that are (watched) all over the world.

Why are you rather not at all influenced (affected) by the words of your Lord (when he says):

قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ‌ۗ

“Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): “If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.”-

(Quran: Aali ‘Imran: 3:31).

Don’t you ever feel that this statement (verse refers to above) is related to the most gravest and the most important of all your affairs?! (Is this not related to) your matter of utmost importance?! (Is it not related to) the highest of what you can reflect upon concerning both your lives?! This statement (verse) is connected to that.

In contrast to all their verbosity; and their resolutions, and their opinions,..... and most of them are; as your Lord said:

وَإِن تُطِعۡ أَڪۡثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ

إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَإِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

“And if you were to obey most of those on earth, they will lead you astray from Allah’s way; they follow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but lie” –

(Quran: An’am: 6:116).

Those who reject their Lord, their actions are...?

(Don’t you realize) what are their actions? Aren’t the factories they make part of their (actions)?! Aren’t the weapons that they have innovated (a part of their actions)?! Their actions! And their organisations and their economies and their finances and their elections etc... (But all these):

كَسَرَابِۭ بِقِيعَةٍ۬ يَحۡسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمۡـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَجِدۡهُ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا

“are like the mirage in a desert, which the thirsty man deems to be water; until when he comes to it he finds it to be nothing” –

(Quran: an-Nur: 24:39).

Isn’t Allah true or not?!

Allah has spoken the truth!

It is only Satan who says “oh! They have greatness, they have significance! It is only Satan who suggests to you to fear his friends. He scares you to fear from his friends! (But Allah s.w.t. says):

إِنَّمَا ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوۡلِيَآءَهُ ۥ

فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمۡ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ

“It is only the Evil One that suggests to you the fear of his votaries: do not fear them, but fear Me if you are believers.” –

(Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 175)

(their actions, Allah likens):

وَٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ كَسَرَابِۭ بِقِيعَةٍ۬ يَحۡسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمۡـَٔانُ مَآءً

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَجِدۡهُ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُ ۥ فَوَفَّٮٰهُ حِسَابَهُ ۥ‌ۗ

وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ

“But the Unbelievers, their deeds are like the mirage in a desert , which the thirsty man deems to be water; until when he comes to it he finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah (even) with him, and Allah will pay him his account: and Allah is swift in taking account.” –

(Quran: An-Nur: 24:39).

Do you want (to hear) a likeness (similitude) for this turmoil of theirs and their confusion that they have duped everyone on earth into such state that there is no longer any sanctity for blood, nor any sanctity for honour, nor any sanctity for any land, nor is there any sanctity for wealth.

And (do note that) this likeness (similitude) is from whom?

It isn’t from some political organization. Or from some kind of a think tank!

But it is from the (Allah) Lord of Honour and Sublimity!

The Most Gracious the Most Merciful.

أَوۡ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ فِى بَحۡرٍ۬ لُّجِّىٍّ۬ يَغۡشَٮٰهُ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ

سَحَابٌ۬‌ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتُۢ بَعۡضُہَا فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ إِذَآ أَخۡرَجَ يَدَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَكَدۡ يَرَٮٰهَا‌ۗ

وَمَن لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن نُّورٍ

“(the similitude of the Unbelievers’ state) is like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean, overwhelmed with billow topped by billow, topped by (dark) clouds: depths of darkness, one above another: if a man stretches out his hands, he can hardly see it! For any to whom Allah giveth not light, there is no light!”-

(Quran: an-Nur: 24:40)

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also his other lecture/lesson (click below):

"On Humility - discussion from 'Awaarif al-Ma'arif"- part 1

"Beauty of iiman (Faith)"

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"Fitna" Movie Geert Wilders Anti Islamic Quran Film Exposed. (part 1)

A RESPONSE

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Response by Brother Moez Masoed:

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"BEYOND FITNA"

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