HIJAB WAS COMMON But Burka & Niqab Issue Was Created To Malign Islam And Promote Islamophobia

Burka & Niqab Issue

It Was Created To

Malign Islam And

Promote Islamophobia

Hijab Was Never A Problem

In Europe Or America Till

Saudi/Salafi/Daesh Group Made

It Controversial And

Confused It With Burka/Niqab

(M. Javed Naseem)

“And order the Muslim women to lower down

their gaze a little and guard their chastity and show

not their adornment but as much which is itself

apparent, and remain putting their head-coverings

over their bosoms. And disclose not their adornment

but to their husbands, or to their fathers, or …..”

(al-Quran 24:31)

Recently, the British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson was fired because he was creating problems for Prime Minister Theresa May, on different fronts. One of these fronts was the Muslim front as he has been saying things about Islam and Muslims that constitute prejudice, racism or discrimination. A few days ago, he wrote an article in a British newspaper referring to Muslim women with Burka and Niqab as walking “Letter Boxes”. He further said that those women looked like “bank robbers” (who normally cover their heads and faces to disguise). We always see that in the films or on TV. It was funny but people didn’t enjoy the humor in it.

Many social groups and activists protested against those remarks, including Muslim groups in Britain and other countries. Some have demanded an apology from Johnson because he, as they maintain, being in the high government position, should not have uttered those words.

But now we see the reaction from a British Muslim organization which is quite the opposite what most people would have expected. That organization is MECO – Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford, UK. Their opinion is that the former UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson should not apologize "for telling the truth" in his comments on wearing face-concealing and full-body veils in public.

 

"Although this deliberate identity-concealing contraption is banned at the Kaaba in Mecca it is permitted in Britain, thus precipitating security risks, accelerating vitamin-D deficiency, endorsing gender-inequality and inhibiting community cohesion," Dr. Taj Hargey, the imam at the Oxford Islamic Congregation, added.

Mr. Johnson has faced fierce backlash after he said Muslim head veils were 'oppressive' for women and said it is "absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes."

"The burka and niqab are hideous tribal ninja-like garments that are pre-Islamic, non-Koranic and therefore un-Muslim," Dr. Hargey wrote in a letter to The Times. 

The imam also said the ex-FM Johnson "did not go far enough" in his column, which sparked controversy, and calls for him to apologize for saying veiled women looked like "bank robbers."

Dr. Taj Hargey is the Director of the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (MECO),"a diverse group of forward-looking Muslim academics, entrepreneurs, professionals, retirees, students and other Oxford residents."

In 2015, following the ruling by the French Parliamentary Commission, MECO took the lead in pioneering an anti-Burqa and Niqab Initiative (ABNI).

"British Muslims must distinguish between religion and culture by recognizing that face covering is a tribal cultural habit that is in fact explicitly prohibited during the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj). If it is forbidden at Islam's holiest mosque, then why is it fine elsewhere?" MECO said at the time.

The organization has also argued that many Muslims "have been misled by propaganda from the Wahhabi-Salafi-Deobandi-Tabligh Jamati and Jamati Islami sects that the burqa/niqab is integral to Islam." MECO then called on Britain to follow France and Belgium in upholding a ban on public face-masking.

A Wednesday poll revealed that more than half — 59% of respondents — supported banning the wearing of the burqa in public places, while 48% said that Boris Johnson should not ask pardon for his comments.

(Courtesy: https://sputniknews.com/europe/201808091067067581-british-imam-burqa-johnson/)

MECO is absolutely right about one thing at least and that is Wahhabi-Salafi-Deobandi-Tablighi Jamati and Daesh group’s misleading propaganda on Hijab. They are confusing general public, especially foreigners and non-Muslims, about Hijab. Hijab is neither Burka nor Niqab. Hijab in the modern Arabic connotation is meant simply the Head-scarf or headcovering. In the centuries-old Arabic, Hijab did mean a veil or a partition or separation – but they were NOT the dressing of a woman. Burka and Niqab are the women’s  dressing, and are two different things. But Saudi-Salafi-Daesh group is forcing people to accept it as ‘Hijab’ thus creating confusion.

Please note that Muslims women are NOT allowed to wear Burka, Niqab, facial veil or hand-gloves during the performance of Hajj or Umrah. It is prohibited in the Masjid-e-Haram, Makkah. But they are required to cover their heads and chest, and wear a modest clean dress.

In the Arabic Quran, Allah has used the word “Khumur” which is the plural of “Khimar” and ‘Khimar’ means “head-covering” or head-scarf.

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلاَ

يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ

وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ

“And order the Muslim women to lower down

their gaze a little and guard their chastity and show

not their adornment but as much which is itself

apparent, and remain putting their head-coverings

over their bosoms. And disclose not their adornment

but to their husbands, or to their fathers, or …..”

(al-Quran 24:31)

I would like to remind people here of the terrorist Mullah of Pakistan’s Lal Masjid (the Red Mosque) police encounter, who was responsible for killing dozens of innocent Muslims, and was caught fleeing wearing a Burka, disguised as a woman! What a man! And he still has his fans and admirers among the ignorant masses.

European countries had started banning Burka and Niqab because those two versions of Hijab concealed the identity of the person. These days, security is a big issue everywhere and people are stopped and their identity checked even in their own countries. Since Burka and Niqab hide the identity of the person (also what he/she is carrying), it makes sense for the police and security personnel to demand people to remove it. Since some organizations are abusing or misusing the concept of Hijab (Taliban, Daesh, ISIS, Salafi, Wahhabi, etc.) and are not ready to accept the authorities’ logic, the authorities have to pass the law to enforce the ruling.

And so the controversy continues.

I have been living in Europe and America since 1969. There was absolutely no problem with Islam or Muslims or with Hijab. No problems in the 1970s, or the 1980s, or the 1990s. It all started after the bloody drama of 9/11 in 2001, when the Arabs who had worked for the FBI or CIA; or the Arabs who had police records with FBI, were “found” guilty of the terrorist attack of 9/11. Later on, similar people were found in different European countries involved in explosions or terrorist activities. None of them was ever presented in an open court of justice for trial. They were either shot dead on the scene or after, or taken prisoners at a secret location. Nobody knew their fate – or everybody could imagine what would have happened to them. People were given only the government version of the events to believe.

Muslims living in the West, especially in European countries, should realize the seriousness of the problem. Islamophobia is being promoted and encouraged by the biased Zionist media and the ultra-right politicians. Therefore, Muslims should try not to give these elements any excuse to persecute them or violate civil rights of Muslims. What is a genuine demand, should be accepted. Face-covering should not be allowed to anybody. If it is not allowed to Muslims, it should also not be allowed to Ku Klux Klan either. It’s for the robbers and thieves!

On the other hand, head-scarf or head-covering (Hijab) should not be a problem anywhere; and should not be banned. Even the Bible testifies that women are required to cover their heads.

“For if a woman does not cover her head, let her

also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful

for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head

shaved, let her cover her head.”

(1-Corinthians 11:6)

Hopefully, the sanity will prevail.

Here’s the complete text of MECO Imam’s letter to The Times:

The Editor, The Times, London.

Dear Sir,

Under no circumstances should Boris Johnson apologize for telling the truth. While his usage of evocative analogy is unfortunate, the former Foreign Secretary is justified in reminding everyone that the Wahhabi / Salafi-inspired fad of female facial masking has no Qur’anic legitimacy. It is, however, a nefarious component of a trendy gateway theology for religious extremism and militant Islam in the UK.

The burka and niqab are hideous tribal ninja-like garments that are pre-Islamic, non-Qur’anic and therefore un-Muslim. Moreover, although this deliberate identity-concealing contraption is banned at Islam’s holiest mosque in Mecca, it is permitted in Britain to precipitate security risks, accelerate vitamin D deficiencies, while endorsing gender-inequality (men prohibited from masking) and inhibiting effective community cohesion.

The retrogressive Islamic clergy has succeeded in conditioning ill-informed Muslims through suspect secondary sources that God wants women to cover their faces, when in reality it is a toxic patriarchy controlling women. Through this cunning propaganda is it any wonder that many younger women have internalised this poisonous chauvinism by asserting that it is their human right to hide their faces? Of course, everyone has the prerogative to wear what they wish, but no one has inalienable rights to public anonymity. Should burka/niqab-clad females argue that it is their personal whim or ethnic culture to do so, that can be easily refuted. But they invariably claim that Islam mandates female masking, when this is fabricated. Repeating any lie ad infinitum does not make it true, irrespective of what populist Muslim apologists and politicians might say.

It is regrettable that Boris Johnson did not go far enough. If Britain is to become a fully integrated society, then it is incumbent that all cultural practices, personal preferences and communal customs that aggravate social division should be firmly resisted. For this reason alone, Britain must emulate France, Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, etc in banning the burka. This egregious symbol only boosts Muslim segregation and fanaticism while jeopardising social solidarity and common values. So, let’s bite the bullet and proscribe this foreign-imported fashion that is incompatible both with Islam’s sacred scripture and British traditions.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. T. Hargey, Imam, Oxford Islamic Congregation.

*************

TEN COMMANDMENTS: No God But Allah; No Religion But Islam!

There Is No God But Allah,

The Exalted, the Wise!

There Is No Religion

But Islam, i.e., Surrender or

Submission To His Will.

(M. Javed Naseem)

“And your Allah is One Allah!

There is no God but He, Most Gracious,

Most Merciful.”

(al-Quran 2:163)

“Allah forgives not (the sin of) joining other gods

with Him; but He forgives whom He pleases other

sins than this. One who joins other gods with Allah,

has strayed far, far away (from the right).”

(al-Quran 4:116)

Here’s the Divine declaration from Allah, the Almighty God, the Lord of the universe, the Supreme Creator, the Chief Controller, the Sustainer and the Cherisher of the world!

He is the One and Only worthy of worship.

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَٱلْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلْعِلْمِ

قَآئِمَاً بِٱلْقِسْطِ لاَ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
“There is no god but He. That is the witness

of Allah, His angels, and those endued with

knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is

no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.”

(al-Quran 3:18)

That was verse No.18 from Chapter 3 (Surah Aal-e-Imran). In the very next verse, the Almighty clarifies, if there was any doubt about Allah’s religion in anybody’s mind today, that there is only one religion and that is ‘total submission’ or ‘total surrender’ to the Will of God. The only thing the Creator requires from us, the Creation, is obedience and loyalty (fidelity). He has named that religion Islam in Arabic. In other languages during the times of other Prophets, it might have different names. Christianity and Judaism are NOT the names of God’s religion. Those names are coined by man, particularly the Greek. Later, the modern world adopted their translations. In fact, both Prophets Moses and Jesus practiced Islam and they were Muslims; and so was their forefather Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), peace be upon them all.

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلإِسْلاَمُ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلْكِتَابَ

إِلاَّ مِنْ  بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ بَغْياً بَيْنَهُمْ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ

بِآيَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَاب
“The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission

to His Will)! Nor did the People of the Book

dissent therefrom except through envy of each

other, after knowledge had come to them. But

if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift

in calling to account.”

(al-Quran 3:19)

Now, the question arises in the layman’s mind: What is Islam and what do Muslims believe in? Is it different from the teachings of Abraham or Moses or Jesus? Here is the answer from Allah through the Quran:

قُلْ آمَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ

وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ

وَٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ  رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
“Say: ‘We believe in Allah, and in what has been

revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham,

Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the

Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets,

from their Lord. We make no distinction between

one and another among them, and to Allah do we

bow our will in Islam."

(al-Quran 3:84)

“Were ye witnesses when death appeared before

Jacob? Behold, he said to his sons: ‘What will you

worship after me?’ They said: ‘We shall worship

your God and the God of your fathers, of Abraham,

Ishmael and Isaac,- the One (True) Allah!

To Him we bow (in Islam)."

(al-Quran 2:133)

And that is Islam – the religion of the Prophets and Messengers of God throughout the ages, during all eras. Anything else was man-made and not God’s religion. In the very next verse, Allah re-emphasizes this point and declares again that it’s Islam.

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ ٱلإِسْلاَمِ دِيناً فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ

وَهُوَ فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَاسِرِينَ
“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam

(submission to Allah), never will it be accepted

of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the

ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).”

(al-Quran 3:85)

Allah, through His Prophets and Messengers, has given mankind many commands. Ten of them were the basic and got a lot of publicity through literature and films because those were given all at one time. Those famous commandments were delivered to Prophet Moses, etched in stone. As a matter of fact those were the same or similar commandments given to other Prophets before Moses and after Moses. The Quran contains hundreds of commands of Allah including those famous Ten Commandments given to Moses (found in the Old Testament, Exodus-20 and Deuteronomy-5).

Ten Commandments

Then God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

1. – “You shall have no other gods before or besides Me!”

2. – “You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them.”

3. – “You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain!”

4. – “[Earnestly] remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (withdrawn from common employment and dedicated to God)!”

5. – “Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you!”

6. – “You shall not commit murder!

7. – “You shall not commit adultery!”

8. – “You shall not steal!”

9. – “You shall not witness falsely against your neighbor!’

10. – “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s!”

The Quran says:

“And your Allah is One Allah! There is no God but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.” (al-Quran 2:163)

“Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and what your right hands possess. For Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious.” (al-Quran 4:36)

“And make not Allah's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for Allah is One Who hears and knows all things.” (al-Quran 2:224)

”Say: ‘Come, I will rehearse what Allah has (really) prohibited you from:

Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want –  We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not nigh to shameful deeds, whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah has made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that you may learn wisdom.” (al-Quran 6:151) 

“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic)! That is best for you if you but knew!” (al-Quran 62:9)

“Nor come near to adultery, for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils)!” (al-Quran 17:32)

“O Prophet! When believing women come to you to take the oath of fealty to you, that they will not associate in worship any other thing whatever with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit adultery (or fornication), that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood, and that they will not disobey you in any just matter, then do you receive their fealty, and pray to Allah for the forgiveness (of their sins); for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!” (al-Quran 60:12) 

“As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands – a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime; and Allah is Exalted in power. But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turns to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (al-Quran 5:38-39)

أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَنْ فِى ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ

وَٱلأَرْضِ طَوْعاً وَكَرْهاً وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
“Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah?

While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have,

willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (accepted

Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.”

(al-Quran 3:83)

*************

FIVE QUESTIONS: You Can't Hide Nor Run Away From Accountability!

The Day Of Judgment:

Five Questions!

You Can’t Hide Nor Run

Away From Accountability!

(M. Javed Naseem)

“Then shall We question those to

whom Our Message was sent and

those by whom We sent it.”

(al-Quran 7:6)

*************************************

Five Questions that will determine your

fate – Heaven or Hell. You have enough

time to prepare answers to those questions

during your lifespan in this world!

You’ll even get the time to correct the

mistakes and change your wrong answers

before it is all over!

*************************************

We are responsible for our actions. Whatever we do here in this world, we would be asked about it in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment, we’ll be questioned about our life on this earth. We are all answerable to our Lord Creator for every small thing we do here (in this world) during our lifetime, especially when we were having good time and thousands of people were suffering and starving at the same time.

“Then, shall you be questioned that Day

about the joy (you indulged in!).”

(al-Quran 102:8)

When you appear in the Divine court, you’ll be all alone. Nobody would help you. The only thing that could help you would be your good deeds and charity. Everybody has to bear his own burden and carry the load of his sins! No exceptions there!

“They will bear their own burdens, and (other)

burdens along with their own, and on the Day

of Judgments they will be called to account

for their falsehoods.”

(al-Quran 29:13)

The Holy Quran is full of commands of Allah that determine our path in this world – what we should DO, and what we should NOT do. We choose the path we want to follow, and that will lead us to Heaven or Hell. We’ll be held accountable for our choices and the actions that follow.

“This (Quran) is indeed a Reminder

for you and your people; and you shall

soon be questioned.”

(al-Quran 43:44)

When we die, the door on the life of this world is closed and we pass on to another world – the Hereafter. We stay in the transit lounge of the graves, in a world called “Aalam-al-Barzakh” – the ‘World of Barzakh’. Barzakh is an Arabic/Persian word and it means ‘barrier’ or ‘obstacle’ or ‘hindrance’ or ‘separation’. Therefore, from Islamic point of view, the World of Barzakh means the barrier between the physical and spiritual worlds.

I call it the ‘Transit Lounge’ of our final journey. We’ll leave that Barzakh world when the Trumpet will be blown and we will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment for accountability.

During the accountability process, we’ll be asked many questions. As a matter of fact, Ahadith and traditions tell us that the questioning will start the moment we die and are buried in the graves. There would be many questions but five questions would be major our lives in this world. Every human being has to answer them before he/she is admitted to Heaven or Hell. I would like to remind you of those very important questions in case you’re living a care-free and ‘I-am-not-responsible’ kind of life on this planet. The questioning starts from the grave. At the very first stage you would be asked three basic questions – about your Lord, your Deen (religion) and your Prophet. The first questions in the grave would be about our Belief (‘Aqeedah’) and Faith. Then there are other sessions of interrogation. Some say there are thirty questions; others say it’s 300 or even more. Allah knows best.

What we know from the sayings (Hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that there would be many questions, out of which the following five are the most important questions about our lives on this planet earth:

1. How did you live your life on earth? (As per commands of Allah?)

2. What did you do with (or how you spent) your youth? (The most powerful, resourceful, beautiful and effective tool to work with in the physical world).

3. How did you earn your livelihood (money)? (By Halal or Haraam means?)

4. How did you spend your earnings/wealth? (In the cause of Allah, helping the needy?) 5. What did you do with your knowledge (education)? (Did you use it to serve Allah, serve mankind and to guide others to the right path?)

Easy questions, difficult answers!

The most slippery question is about your earnings/wealth. How did you make it? Everybody knows what is ‘Halal’ and what are Halal means of earning. But do we abide by the ‘Halal’ rules? All religions, including Islam, promote Halal things. Halal means ‘allowed’ or ‘permitted’, and in all religions only ‘good’ things are permitted. And this covers all aspects of life, not only the earnings.

“That (Allah) may question the (custodians) of

Truth concerning the Truth they (were charged

with). And He has prepared for the Unbelievers

a grievous Penalty.”

(al-Quran 33:6)

All injustice will be punished; all aggression, all evil and all hypocrisy will be punished. At that point, we won’t be able to change anything. The Time to change the outcome is NOW! It’s possible only through repentance; asking Allah for forgiveness; and doing good things for other human beings. When we look into the mirror, we see only “beautiful Me”. But the mirror shows us only the shell – the outer side – of our personality. It is the inner side of our personality that will determine our final destination – Heaven or Hell.

We better reflect upon it seriously and prepare some good answers. The painful and the longest Day of Accountability is fast approaching.

***********

FIGHTING FOR HELL: The best way to serve God is to serve Mankind!

Fighting For The Luxuries

Of This Life Is Like

Fighting For Hell!

The Best Way To Serve God

Is To Serve Mankind!

Life of This World Is

A Test, An Illusion!

(M. Javed Naseem)

“What is the life of this world but play and

amusement? But best is the home in the

Hereafter, for those who are righteous.

Will you not then understand?”

(al-Quran 6:32)

It’s election time in Pakistan and we see a lot of mud-slinging in the political arena. It is not only in Pakistan; we have seen the same shit in every country of the West, even in the so-called First World, Civilized World, Developed countries, etc. We are still watching a great deal of mud-slinging in America (Trump-Obama-Russia-Hillary) as election fallout. It didn’t stop even after two years of Presidential election.

It’s during election time that candidates try to expose other candidates. Corruption is brought to light; secret love affairs or marriages are disclosed; black-money and off-shore accounts are discussed; malpractices are publicized; everybody is propagating his own good points and achievements, while at the same time, condemning the failures and weak points of the opposition. But as a matter of fact, everybody is trying to get the maximum benefits from his public office influence. Every politician is selfish and is working for his/her own benefit. People are just used.

We are trying to accumulate as much of material things (including money) as possible – and as quickly as possible too – by all means (Halal or Haraam). In the process we don’t care about how much misery, pain, trouble and discomfort we bring to others – as long as it is not happening to us. And on top of it, every one of us is complaining about the corruption and injustice in the world, as if only others are responsible for that.

************************************

You are one step away from the grave

(death)! You have very little time to work

on your Hereafter! Try to please Allah

with your good deeds and maximum

charity before Death knocks you out!

************************************

Today, people run for public office because of its material benefits, clout, power or authority, perks, luxury life and above all chances of making endless money. People fight for that fiercely and put their lives at stake too. This worldly life is so important to them that they would go any length (even killing people) to achieve it. They are misguided souls. They did not learn any lesson from books; nor from their parents’ lives; nor from the society that on the Day of Judgment, they would have to answer questions about every misdeed, every injustice and every transgression.

“These are the people who buy the life

of this world at the price of the Hereafter.

Their penalty shall not be lightened,

nor shall they be helped.”

(al-Quran 2:86)

There is a very beautiful small chapter (Surah) in the Quran and it is called at-Takathur (or al-Takassur), meaning: Rivalry in material increase, or competition, or hoarding. It has only 8 short verses. In those verses Allah wakes you up and shakes you up by saying:

سورة التكاثر

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

أَلْهَاكُمُ ٱلتَّكَّاثُرُ حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ كَلاَّ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

ثُمَّ كَلاَّ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ كَلاَّ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِين

لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ

ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
“The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things

of this world) diverts you (from the more serious

things), until you visit the graves. But nay, you

soon shall know (the reality). Again, you soon

shall know! Nay, were you to know with certainty

of mind, (you would beware!) You shall certainly

see Hellfire! Again, you shall see it with certainty

of sight! Then, shall you be questioned

that Day about the joy (you indulged in!).”

(al-Quran 102:1-8)

Jesus says:

James 4:4

“You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

1 John 2:17)

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Titus 2:11-12

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Mark 8:36

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 Timothy 6:7-8

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Muhammad (s.a.w.) Says:

Hadith No.1 (Simple Living)

(Note: This is an excerpt from a long narration.)

Narrated Ibn Abbas: “For the whole year I had the desire to ask Umar bin Al-Khattab regarding the explanation of a verse (in Surah Al-Tahrim) but I could not ask him because … Allah's Apostle smiled while he was lying on a mat made of palm-tree leaves with nothing between him and the mat. Underneath his head there was a leather pillow stuffed with palm fibers, and leaves of a saut tree were piled at his feet, and above his head hung a few water skins. On seeing the marks of the mat imprinted on his side, I wept. He said.' 'Why are you weeping?' I replied, "O Allah's Apostle! Caesar and Khosrau are leading the life (i.e. luxurious life) while you, being Allah's Apostle, are living as a destitute". The Prophet (s.a.w.) replied. 'Won't you be satisfied that they enjoy this world and we the Hereafter?'” -- (Bukhari, Book 60, No. 435).

Hadith No.2 (Desires & Temptation)

Narrated Abu Huraira: “I heard Allah's Apostle saying, “the heart of an old man remains young in two respects, i.e., his love for the world (its wealth, desires, amusements and luxuries) and his incessant hope." -- (Bukhari, Book 76, No. 429).

Hadith No.3 (Greed & Race For Materialism)

Narrated Sahl bin Saad: “I heard Ibn Zubair who was on the pulpit at Mecca, delivering a sermon, saying: O men! The Prophet used to say, ‘If the son of Adam were given a valley full of gold, he would love to have a second one; and if he were given the second one, he would love to have a third, for nothing fills the belly of Adam's son except dust. And Allah forgives he who repents to Him." Ubai said, "We considered this as a saying from the Quran till the Sura (beginning with) ' the mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you..' (al-Takassur or Takathur) was revealed." -- (Bukhari, Book 76, No. 446).

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WEALTH AND CHILDREN:The Yardstick of Nobility From The Period of Ignorance, is A Test For Muslims.

Wealth & Children:

The Yardstick Of Nobility

From The Period Of

Ignorance (Jaahiliah),

But A Test For Muslims

(M. Javed Naseem)

“O you who believe! Truly, among your wives

and your children are (some that are) enemies to

yourselves; so beware of them! But if you pardon,

forgive and overlook, verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving,

Most Merciful. Your wealth and your children are

only a trial; but in the presence of Allah,

is the highest reward.

(al-Quran 64:14-15)

Centuries ago, man used to claim his status in the society by dint of his wealth and children. The richer and bigger the family, the higher and nobler it would be in status in society. Today, after thousands of years, the yardstick is still the same. The rich and big families have all the influence in the society despite the fact that most of them are corrupt and have no integrity.

God is infinite Truth and He is also the infinite Love – pure and incorruptible! So, He likes His world pure and without corruption. The Almighty sent different Prophets and Messengers during different eras to eradicate the evil of ignorance and spread the enlightenment so that people follow the path of piety and righteousness. With the advent of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) appeared with the same mission like his predecessors to guide people to the right path. In the Quran, Allah commanded the man on many occasions with plain and simple words: “And don’t spread corruption (or mischief) in the earth!” Unfortunately, the man proved, on every occasion, that he is disobedient and ungrateful to God; he is ignorant, unjust, corrupt and dishonest. He loves wealth and his own children and does not mind hurting and killing other people for the purpose of his own material gains.

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In Islam, wealth and children are a test for

Muslims. Allah wants to see how we handle

these blessings and how we use them for the

benefit of mankind! Abusing them means

punishment on the Day of Judgment.

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“And know that your possessions and your

progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah

with Whom lies your highest reward.”

(al-Quran 8:28)

We are wholeheartedly in the race for materialism – accumulation of wealth. Greed is the mother of all evils and it forces us to be dishonest, corrupt, unjust and cruel. People with richer and bigger families use their influence to acquire more wealth and property by all (legal or illegal) means. There are ‘Qabzah Groups’ in Pakistan and India who steal or forcibly buy for peanuts high-value properties from common people who have no means to protect themselves. Those groups don’t hesitate to kill innocent people, if they need to.

That’s blackmailing, terrorism, injustice and transgression. Believers are warned in the Quran about that:

“Of no profit whatever to them, against

Allah, will be their riches nor their sons.

They will be companions of the Fire,

to dwell therein (forever)!

(al-Quran 58:17)

The Western gangster movies and video games are influencing people’s brains and changing their character slowly. They have developed the habit of taking advantage of others’ situations without thinking that they are doing injustice to others. People are becoming more and more selfish. The worst thing is that they don’t really need to do such things to ‘survive’. They are usually better off than their victims. They don’t do it because they are poor and need to survive. No, they are generally rich. It’s their greed.

According to Amr ibn Awf, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said:

“By Allah, it is not poverty I fear for you, but rather

I fear you will be given the wealth of the world just as

it was given to those before you. You will compete

for it just as they competed for it and it will destroy

 you just as it destroyed them.”

(Bukhari, No.2988; Muslim, No.2961)

Wealth and children are the blessings of the Almighty and at the same time a test for us. Most people are failing this test despite all the warnings. It is really hard to understand what part of God’s command people don’t understand! How can we say ‘goodbye’ to our compassion and spirit of good deeds; and adopt evil practices without thinking of the long-term consequences? Allah says very clearly in the Quran:

“Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of

this world; but the things that endure, good deeds,

are best in the sight of your Lord, as rewards,

and best as (the foundation for) hopes.”

(al-Quran 18:46)

Allah, the Almighty, warns all believers in the Quran about the hidden evil in wealth and children, and commands us to be vigilant lest we forget the rights of Allah:

“O you who believe! Let not your riches or

your children divert you from the remembrance

of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.”

(al-Quran 63:9)

On the Day of Judgment, all believers would be judged on the scale of righteousness or piety. There is no other criterion in Islam to determine somebody’s status except by ‘Taqwa’ (meaning righteousness or piety). Wealth and children would be of no use.

“It is not your wealth nor your sons, that will

bring you nearer to Us in degree; but only those

who believe and work righteousness - these are

the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward

for their deeds, while secure they (reside) in

the dwellings on high!”

(al-Quran 34:37)

“Of no profit to you will be your relatives

and your children on the Day of Judgment.

He will judge between you; for Allah sees

well all that you do.”

(al-Quran 60:3)

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GOD'S RULE: Blessings For The Grateful, Punishment For The Ungrateful. It's Your Choice!

God’s Rule:

Blessings For The Grateful,

Punishment For The Ungrateful.

It’s Your Choice!

(M. Javed Naseem)

“Truly man is, to his Lord, ungrateful; and

to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds);

and violent is he in his love of wealth.”

(al-Quran 100:6-8)

There are many reminders for us in the Holy Quran. In hundreds of verses we are reminded that we should be conscious of Allah; we should be mindful of Allah; or even we should have fear of Allah (meaning that we should fear His punishment, chastisement or wrath because it is very severe). As a matter of fact, all three phrases mean the same thing that we should be obeying God’s commands and should refrain from evil deeds. Our top priority should be pleasing Allah with our righteous deeds.

Allah has given us freedom of choice in this world and these choices of ours will determine our life in the Hereafter. In other words, we are on a test or a trial in this life on this planet Earth. We are told what is right and what is wrong. We are also told that doing good (right) things will please our Lord God and we’ll be rewarded for that while at the same time we are warned that doing evil (bad) things will invoke God’s displeasure and anger, and that merits punishment.

“But those who reject (Allah), for them will be

the Fire of Hell. No term shall be determined

for them, so they should die, nor shall its penalty

be lightened for them. Thus do We reward

every ungrateful one!”

(al-Quran 35:36)

Rejecting or ignoring the Lord Creator is like a rebellion against Him. That’s why Allah does not like those who are arrogant and ungrateful. Allah wants us to become humble and grateful for all the favors He has bestowed upon us. God does not need us, but we need God in our lives every day. A simple gesture of gratitude is sometimes enough to please our merciful Lord.

Man is created weak and most of us can’t even control our own desires. Often we get carried away and tempt to commit sins. But God is so merciful that He forgives our sins every time we repent and revert to him for forgiveness. We should be grateful to God for that special favor but most of us are not. And God knows that too. So, then who are we fooling? The answer is: Ourselves!

“But verily, your Lord is full of grace to

Mankind, yet most of them are ungrateful.”

(al-Quran 27:73)

“It is He Who gave you life, will cause you

to die, and will again give you life! Truly,

man is the most ungrateful creature!”

(al-Quran 22:66)

We take life and its bounties for granted, without giving it a thought. Every day of our lives is a gift from God and we cannot thank Him enough for the endless bounties we enjoy. It’s God’s right that we thank Him for every favor.

“… Verily Allah is full of bounty to mankind,

but most of them are ungrateful.”

(al-Quran 2:243 & 10:60)

We revert to God only in distress or in trouble. In our happy times, we don’t remember Him nor show any gratitude. But He keeps reminding us (with bad times and troubles) that He is still there to help us. We are so selfish and shameless that we never feel embarrassed!

“They recognize the favors of Allah;

then they deny them; and most of them

are (creatures) ungrateful.”

(al-Quran 16:83)

It is not funny at all that sailors are the most faithful and sincere believers of God. In the ocean they are at the mercy of the waves and there’s no help during a storm except that of God’s. How a boat sails through meters-high angry waves, only a sailor knows. People talk about the second chance, but a sailor enjoys many chances during his life in the sea. During every storm, he gets a new life. And if there is any doubt about it in anybody’s mind, here’s what Allah says in the Quran:

“Your Lord is He Who makes the ship go smoothly

for you through the sea, in order that you may seek

of his bounty. For He is unto you most Merciful.

When distress seizes you at sea, those that you call

upon - besides Himself - leave you in the lurch!

But when He brings you back safe to land, you

turn away (from Him). Most ungrateful is man!”

(al-Quran 17:66-67)

“See you not that the ships sail through the

ocean by the Grace of Allah? That He may

show you of His Signs? Verily in this are

Signs for all who constantly persevere

and give thanks.”

(al-Quran 31:31)

If we learn to be grateful for everything we have (not for everything we still want), we will be content with life. We’ll have less material problems and we’ll stay away from evil-doing too. It is the greed, the sentiment of jealousy and competition with the rich that pushes us towards evil and corruption. God has promised us provision for the entire life. We should try to seek that with honest, fair and lawful means. With hardwork and sincerity, we can achieve almost everything – almost. But the first thing we need to learn is to say: Thank you for everything, Allah!

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