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Saturday 27 May 2017

A SLEEPING NATION Is Waiting For A Rude Awakening!



If Allah Asked You:
‘What Did You Come To
My House (Bait-Ullah) For?’

How Would You Answer?

(M. Javed Naseem)


“The first House (of worship) appointed for men
was that at Bakka (Makkah), full of blessing and
of guidance for all kinds of beings.”
(al-Quran 3:96)

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O Muslims! Sanctify the House of Allah!
Don’t blaspheme it by committing any acts
of disrespect (like pushing, pulling or hurting
others, sleeping, playing, tossing garbage, etc.)!

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Pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah is a great blessing. A normal human being cannot even appreciate it. Today, many people go for Hajj or Umrah just to show off, to brag about or just to compete with other people – family, neighbors, friends or relatives. I was shocked to see the huge number of people (especially women) from all towns and villages of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, etc. It is a very expensive venture and those who can afford it are really lucky. They should be grateful to Allah Who gave them the opportunity.
Since a lot of people from urban areas are working in the Middle East or other foreign countries, they can financially afford to send their parents and other family members for Hajj and Umrah. But what is more important than money, is the training, the spirit, the attitude and the behavior. Performing the Hajj or Umrah rituals is not a competition or a race where you want to achieve your objective by hook or by crook. You are on a sacred mission to ‘please’ Allah and you should know well how the Merciful Allah is pleased or annoyed. We should respect the House of Allah and also those who come to visit the Baith-Ullah.

O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of
the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month …”
(al-Quran 5:2)

Allah had prescribed Kaabah at Makkah as the ‘Place of Worship’ even during the time of Prophet Abraham (a.s.). And that is it original status. House of Allah means a place where you can worship or offer prayers to Allah.

“Remember We made the house a place of
assembly for men and a place of safety; and take
the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and
We covenanted with Abraham and Ishmail, that
they should sanctify My House for those who
compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow,
or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).”
(al-Quran 2:125)

Prophet Abraham (a.s.) was commanded to guard the sanctity of the House of God. Respect and reverence is prescribed for this place as well as for those who circulate around it and offer prayers there.

“Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the
(Sacred) House, (saying): ‘Associate not anything
(in worship) with Me; and sanctify My House for
those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow,
or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).”
(al-Quran 22:26)

 
Now, we all know from the Quran what the purpose of visiting this holy place is. We are commanded to sanctify the place; glorify the name of our Lord in there, and appreciate with gratefulness the blessing and the bounties that Allah has bestowed upon us. Bait-Ullah is the supreme Place of Worship for believers.

“Let them adore the Lord of this House,
Who provides them with food against hunger,
and with security against fear (of danger).”
(al-Quran 106:3-4)

On this visit, I was very much disappointed with the way many Muslims behaved in the House of Allah. I have prepared this hypothetical dialogue to educate those people who don’t really get anything from Umrah except that “Yes, we did it”. They violate the rights of others and also create problems for others.

A Sleeping Nation
Is Waiting For A
Rude Awakening!


You cannot blaspheme (disrespect)
The symbols & signs of Allah
And hope to flourish!

Millions of people are yearning to visit the House of Allah but they don't get an opportunity because they cannot afford the mission financially. They have no support from the friends and family. So they always pray and look up to the heavens. But then there are those who get the opportunity but hardly appreciate it sincerely.

If Allah asked you:
Out of millions of people in the world, I gave you the opportunity to visit My House (Bait-Ullah) in Makkah!

Out of millions of people in the world, I granted you the financial means and the resources to travel and come to My House in Makkah!

Out of millions of people, I blessed you with sound health and good physique to come to perform rituals of Umrah at My House at Makkah!

Out of millions of people I approved your request to come and worship Me at My House (Bait-Ullah) and glorify My Name!

But what did you do?
Sleep? You have been sleeping all your life and I gave you an opportunity to ‘wake up’ to change your life, and glorify My Name at My House (Bait-Ullah) in Makkah!

And that’s how you appreciate it?
Is that your way of thanking Me?

Were you a destitute at Makkah?
Were you a refugee or victim of war who fled to Makkah?
Were you a homeless person in Makkah?

No! Then what?
Have you no respect or reverence for your Lord’s House (Bait-Ullah), the biggest place of worship on Earth? How do you sanctify it? How can you deny the millions of favors I, as you Lord Creator, bestowed upon you? Don’t you know how to be grateful?

And you claim to be a Muslim?
Do you know what a Muslim is? A Muslim is the one who completely submits (once again SUBMITS) himself/herself, or totally surrenders (once again SURRENDERS) himself/herself to the Will of God!
The House of Lord (Bait-Ullah) is the greatest place of worship – and nothing else!
If you are looking for an air-conditioned place to sleep or relax, go to your hotel room which is already paid and is also air-conditioned. When you are in the House of Allah, you need to show some respect. If you don’t, you are committing a sin – a blasphemy. And you can imagine the dire punishment of blasphemy committed in the House of Allah!

People are full of hypocrisy and pretensions. They trash the Holiest Place on earth and don’t regret. There are trash cans/garbage bins every 10-15 yards in the corridors of Haram Sharif but some people are so ignorant (Jaahil) that they hide the garbage here and there. They don’t want to walk 10-yards to keep the House of Allah clean. Saudis provide them with all facilities, like air-conditioning every where, cold Zamzam drinking water every 10-15 yards, plastic cups (unlimited quantity), sun umbrellas, folding chairs/stools for the aged, weak and the sick, push-wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, etc., etc. but the Jaahileen don’t appreciate it. They abuse these facilities and don’t even say ‘Alhamdo-lillah’.

In this pic below, you can see the empty plastic cups (trash) people put just next to the Holy Qurans! They didn’t bother to toss them in the nearby garbage can. For them, the Holy Quran stands are the trash cans.


This picture shows an umbrella stand. The organizers provide sun-umbrellas and ask the pilgrims to return the umbrellas after use. But nobody does. They steal it and take home to show their families and friends. Some people come to the House of Allah to steal.


The folding chairs/stools are provided in thousands of numbers. People abuse them, break them, take them out of the Haram Sharif to their hotels, to the market place, to the shopping malls, etc. Where is the honesty, the respect and the spirit of Umrah?There was one young guy (35-40 years) sitting on this folding chair and rocking back and forth while we were offering Nawafil. All of a sudden the joint broke and he fell flat on the floor with the broken stool. He tossed the scrap in one corner of the balcony as if nothing had happened.

Kissing and touching Hajr al-Aswad is another big thing. Both men and women go for it, fight for it, ignoring all norms of ethics or morals, walking and pushing/pulling people against the flow of Tawaf (in the opposite direction), and physically hurting others.



While performing Tawaf at Hajj or Umrah, have you ever seen the pilgrims fighting, pushing, pulling and jumping on other people’s shoulders just to touch the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad). They pull each other’s Ihram (garb) and some people are left naked; their garb is torn or removed in pushing and pulling. It’s a sacred ritual but looks like a scene from the movie theater where Jaahileen fight for tickets, violating others’ rights. Women try to compete with men and push them around to touch the black-stone (Hajr al-Aswad). They don’t care how many non-Mahram hands touch them, men’s bodies rub against theirs. It’s like a herd of sheep despite the fact that Islam demands discipline in every ritual.
Kissing or touching Hajr al-Aswad is not obligatory. Avoid the crowding and just raise your right hand saying ‘Bismillah, Allaho-Akbar, Subhan-Allah, wa Lahaula wala quwwata illa billa’ in every round when you pass in front of it. It’s simple and safe. Stay with your Mahram preferably in the outer circles!
We need to educate and train our elders, our women and kids about the rituals of Umrah and Hajj. It’s not fun or a joke or a competition. You are submitting to Allah and asking for forgiveness. You should learn how to do it with honor and reverence.
Can we imagine the sanctity of Kaabah? Many people are not even aware of it. They try to compete with others doing any kind of non-sense so that when they return home they could say: ‘Yes, we have done it.’

“But what plea have they that Allah should not
punish them, when they keep out (men) from the
sacred Mosque - and they are not its guardians?
No men can be its guardians except the righteous;
but most of them do not understand.”
(al-Quran 8:34)
“Their prayer at the House (of Allah) is nothing
but whistling and clapping of hands. (It’s only
answer can be:) ‘Taste the penalty because
you blasphemed."
(al-Quran 8:35)

All guidance comes from Allah but it comes to those who seek it and strive for it. It is not automatic! May Allah guide us all.

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Friday 5 May 2017

REMEMBER ME, I'LL REMEMBER YOU! Allah's Promise.



Allah's Promise:
"Remember Me, I’ll
Remember You!"

(M. Javed Naseem)


“But keep in remembrance the name of
your Lord and devote yourself to Him
whole-heartedly.”
(al-Quran 73:8)

Every living thing on this planet Earth and in the heavens, and in between (in the entire universe), glorifies Allah’s name as He is the Supreme Creator, Cherisher and Sustainer of the universe. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

“Whatever is in the heavens and on earth,
let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah,
for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
(al-Quran 59:1)

As a Creator, Allah has rights over us and as Creation, we have also some rights. It’s Allah right that we worship only Him, praise Him, obey Him and be faithfully grateful to Him for all the bounties we enjoy in this world. From His side, Allah gave us the right to seek provision and sustenance from Him and He gracefully and mercifully provides that. Therefore, we should do our part and in return Allah will do His.

As per one Hadith, the Prophet (s.a.w.) declared:
Narrated Muadh bin Jabal: “The Prophet said, O Muadh! Do you know what Allah's right upon His slaves is?"
I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best."
The Prophet said, "To worship Him (Allah) alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah).
Do you know what their (believers’) right upon Him is?"
I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best."
The Prophet said, "Not to punish them (if they worship Him alone)." – (Bukhari, Book 93, No. 470).

In the Holy Quran, Allah, the Most Merciful, has promised us:

“Then you remember Me;
I will remember you! Be grateful
to Me, and reject not Me!”
(al-Quran 2:152)

The equation is very plain and simple: Tit for tat. If we remember God every day, He will remember us every day. But if we ignore Him, then we have no right to complain that we are being ignored and our lives are turning miserable. He is the One Who saves us from all misery, troubles, misfortunes and eventually the Hellfire. We cannot count His favors.

“And call in remembrance the favor of Allah
unto you, and His covenant, which He ratified
with you, when you said: "We hear and we
obey". And fear Allah, for Allah knows
well the secrets of your hearts.”
(al-Quran 5:7)

Therefore, it is only fair and befitting that we remember the Creator the way it pleases Him. We have to discharge our obligations. We need to do our part before expecting God to do His.

“Except those who believe, work righteousness,
engage much in the remembrance of Allah, and
defend themselves only after they are unjustly
attacked. And soon will the unjust assailants know
what vicissitudes their affairs will take!”
(al-Quran 26:227)

It’s easy for God to do His part. The problem lies with us – humans. We have many excuses because we are not honestly and sincerely doing our duty to Allah. God gave us this life and we must keep Him in our lives. Without Him, we cannot function. So remembrance of Allah is essential for our survival on this earth. If you don’t know how to do that, here’s Allah’s command:

“And do you (O reader!) Bring your Lord to
remembrance in your (very) soul, with humility
and in reverence, without loudness in words,
in the mornings and evenings; and be not you
of those who are neglectful!”
(al-Quran 7:205)

“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which
Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided
among yourselves; and remember with gratitude
Allah's favor on you; for you were enemies and
He joined your hearts in love, so that by His
Grace, you became brethren; and you were on the
brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it.
Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you,
that you may be guided.”
(al-Quran 3:103)

That’s the way to remember the Lord. But note that there’s a warning also at the end of the first verse above. Allah commands us not to be ‘neglectful’. By the way, being neglectful is the first step towards obedience to the Devil and disobedience to Allah. When we start neglecting Allah, we end up totally ignoring Him. And that results in disobedience.

“So woe to the worshippers who are
neglectful of their prayers; those who
(want but) to be seen (of men), but
refuse even small kindnesses.”
(al-Quran 107:4-7)

The only creation that strays and falters, is the Humans and the Jinn. The reason is that Allah, the Almighty, has made this glorification and remembrance for us voluntary. We are the two creatures that have been  given a choice, liberty and freedom of action. And that’s why we’ll face the accountability process on the Day of Judgment. We will be questioned about our choices. Allah has given us the choice to facilitate things for us but we abuse this facility by ignoring the commands of the Almighty altogether. We do that under Satan’s influence.

“O you who believe! When you meet a force,
be firm, and call Allah in remembrance much
(and often); that you may prosper!”
(al-Quran 8:45)

“Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil
from Satan assaults them, bring Allah to
remembrance, when lo! They see (aright)!”
(al-Quran 7:21)

Right there Allah gave us the solution to our problem. When facing evil or Satan, remember Allah and you will be protected from harms of evil and assaults of the Devil. Remembrance of Allah works like a shield against all evils, seen or unseen. When you recite His name, the Devil runs away for shelter.

“Say: Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the
heavens and the earth?" Say: "(It is) Allah!
Say: Do you then take (for worship) protectors
other than Him, such as have no power either
for good or for harm to themselves? Say: Are
the blind equal with those who see? Or the
depths of darkness equal with light? Or do
they assign to Allah partners who have
created (anything) as He has created, so that
the creation seemed to them similar? Say:
Allah is the Creator of all things. He is
the One, the Supreme and Irresistible."
(al-Quran 13:16)

It is ironic that all holy books (the Torah, the Gospel, the Quran) are full of verses that remind us about the commandments of God, again and again, but man keeps ignoring them. We pay only lip-service to Him and God knows that. That’s why He reminds us in very clear words as to who is running the show and how are we supposed to appreciate that.

"Verily, I am Allah. There is no god but I.
So serve you Me (only), and establish regular
prayer for celebrating My praise.”
(al-Quran 20:14)

Narrated Abu Huraira: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not go to the extremes, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights." (See Fath-ul-Bari, Page 102, Vol 1).  – (Bukhari, Book 2, No. 38).

It’s really embarrassing that God has to tell us again and again that He is our Lord and we should celebrate His praise. Man is full of hypocrisy. When you ask him about his Creator, he would mention God (or Allah) right away. But when it comes to pay the due, he starts beating about the bush, looking for one excuse or the other. Then there are those shameless who don’t have any excuse. They try to rationalize and justify their sinful disobedience. They know very well that it was disobedience to Allah that got Satan (the Devil) expelled from Paradise. He was cursed and then destined for Hellfire. Allah warns the believers in the Holy Quran in different chapters with similar texts:

“Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single
brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher.
Therefore, serve Me (and no other).”
(al-Quran 21:92 & 23:52)

God, the Almighty, is our Creator and we, as creation, should obey Him and pay thanks to Him for all the favors and blessings He bestows upon us. Remember your Lord and He will remember you! Be grateful to Him and don’t deny Him or reject Him, otherwise you’ll become the fuel of Hellfire!

"Not on earth nor in heaven will you be able
(fleeing) to frustrate (His Plan), nor have you,
besides Allah, any protector or helper.”
(al-Quran 29:22)

“Not so do those who show patience and
constancy, and work righteousness; for them
is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.”
(al-Quran 11:11)

There is a modern group of Unbelievers (or atheists) who deny the Divine Truth but are clever enough to copy the basic principles of equality and social justice of Islam and present them (even to the Muslims) as a “secular’ agenda! They are playing games to their own benefit. They cannot fool people who have the knowledge, they are fooling themselves. Allah is watching them as they are on trial too.

“He Who has created Death and Life, that
He may try which of you is best in deeds; and
He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving”
(al-Quran 67:2)

“For Allah loves those who turn to Him
constantly and He loves those who keep
themselves pure and clean.”
(al-Quran 2:222)

Remembering God does not mean that we should occupy ourselves with singing His praises and hymns day and night. No, that’s not normal. He has sent us in this world and we are supposed to take care of our worldly affairs too. We should give due time and attention to our worldly business and family affairs, then take out some time to glorify the name of Allah (by praying, calling His good names, supplicating Him and doing some charity work for him). There are plenty of such opportunities for us every day, every night. If we sing praises of Allah, both by mouth and deeds, He would be pleased with us and would bless us more. He tells us very clearly what our problem is and how our hearts have turned hard:

“Has not the time arrived for the believers that
their hearts in all humility should engage in the
remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has
been revealed (to them), and that they should not
become like those to whom was given Revelation
aforetime, but long ages passed over them and
their hearts grew hard? For many among them
are rebellious transgressors.”
(al-Quran 57:16)

“Those who are near to your Lord, disdain
not to do Him worship. They celebrate His
praises, and prostrate before Him.”
(al-Quran 7:206)

The best way to remember Allah is through prayer and meditation. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said that when a man prays, he whispers with God. Vow! What a beautiful description!
Prayer requires purity of body and mind. It requires honesty, sincerity, conviction, devotion and concentration. Prophet Jesus Christ says:

“… Yet no less does the man who goes to make
prayer and prepares not himself. He turns his back
to God and his face to Satan, and speaks well of him.
For in his heart is the love of iniquity, whereof he
has not repented. If one, having injured you, should
with his lips say to you, “Forgive me”, and with his
hands should strike you a blow, how would you
forgive him? Even so shall God have mercy on
those who with their lips say: “Lord! Have
mercy on us,” and with their heart love
iniquity and think on fresh sins.”
Jesus Christ
(From the Gospel of Barnabas)

All believers are sinners too but Allah likes those sinners who repent and return to Allah and beg for His forgiveness. Most of us have shaky Faith as we are not steadfast in our belief and good deeds. But there are those who succeed through perseverance and patience. Allah helps them in guarding their prayers and remembrance of Him. They fear God about something else. They are afraid that their good deeds might not be sufficient to get them off the hook and protect them from the Hellfire.

“By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise
can divert from the remembrance of Allah, nor
from regular prayer, nor from the practice of
regular charity. Their (only) fear is for the Day
when hearts and eyes will be transformed
(in a world wholly new).”
(al-Quran 24:37)

(From my new book, "Remember Me, I'll Remember You!", available at Amazon.com)
 
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