Prophet Lut (as) was sent to a people who were at the heights of a crime that is becoming widespread and common today – homesexuality and sodomy. It is important that people realise that homosexuality and sodomy is haraam and not down to genetics. This is a behaviour that is wrong and goes against the nature of creation. Nowadays you will have all sorts of excuses, pretending that there’s nothing wrong with homosexuality, that its a lifestyle choice. More disturbing is that many youth are now experimenting in homosexuality, whilst at school, college and university. Recently, laws in Europe have opened the way for gay marriages, another step towards making wrong seem right.
This is what happens when you don’t have a moral compass to guide your actions and guide how a country is governed. It is not the place of any government, any human being to change the Laws of Allah. You even find today cases where homosexuals claim to be Muslim – however that is a contradiction – you cannot be a Muslim and homosexual at the same time.
The following are some snippets of the Stories of the Prophets as written by the renowned scholar (masha’Allah), Ibn Kathir and translated by Sheikh Muhammad Mustafa Geme’ah (Office of the Grand Imam, Sheikh Al-Azhar). I hope you will find them beneficial, insha’Allah.
THE MOB AT LUT’S HOUSE
When darkness fell on the town, Lot escorted his guest to his home. No one was aware of their presence. However, as soon as Lot’s wife saw them, she slipped out of the house quietly so that no one noticed her. Quickly, she ran to her people with the news and it spread to all the inhabitants like wildfire. The people rushed towards Lot quickly and excitedly. Lot was surprised by their discovery of his guests. and he wondered who could have informed them. The matter became clear, however, when he could not find his wife, anywhere, thus adding grief to his sorrow.
When Lot saw the mob approaching his house, he shut the door, but they kept on banging on it. He pleaded with them to leave the visitors alone and fear Allah’s punishment. He urged them to seek sexual fulfillment with their wives, for that is what Allah had made lawful. Lot’s people waited until he had finished his short sermon, and then they roared with laughter. Blinded by passion, they broke down the door. Lot became very angry, but he stood powerless before these violent people. He was unable to prevent the abuse of his guests, but he firmly stood his ground and continued to plead with the mob.
If there’s one thing that Muslims will get behind, it’s food and whether it is halaal or haraam. Muslims are very sensitive when it comes to food and the majority want to know and feel secure that the food they are eating is halaal. With all the meat scandal that’s been erupting in the UK and food being cross-contaminated with horse meat or pork, the focus has also spread to halaal foods.
How are halaal foods processed? How clean are the factories and tools used? Is chicken stunned or not? Is there any contamination with haraam meats like pork? Who is regulating the halaal food chain? Which regulator should be trusted? These are all big questions to which we deserve answers.
Below I’ve given some information about the two most prominent halaal food regulatory bodies in the UK – HMC and HFA. Of the two, HMC is the safest for Muslim.
The HMC takes the traditional, and therefore the most Islamic, position of slaughtering animals. That is that it should be done by a Muslim, that the Name of Allah should be pronounced at the time of slaughter and that the slaughter should be done in accordance with Qur’an and Sunnah. HMC do not approve of stunned chickens as the stunning does cause some chickens (not all) to die before slaughter takes place. I would recommend that Muslims are ‘safe’ when eating HMC Approved meat. The following is taken from HMC’s website:
The following describes some of the key criteria for Halal adopted by HMC:
Animal is alive and healthy prior to slaughter (also correct species of animal)
Mandatory recitation of Tasmiyah by a Muslim slaughter man (blessing) on each animal
Swift and humane incision rendering the the animal insensible to pain (hand slaughter)
Compliance check ensuring 3 of the 4 main vessels are cut
In addition, all meat is labeled and sealed (where appropriate) and checks for cross contamination are made. HMC will not operate at plants where pork is handled.
There are many causes which have contributed to Halal products being falsely labelled. Some of these include:
Slaughter men at abattoirs not reciting the Tasmiyah (a mandatory condition for Halal) or using of taped recitation of the Tasmiyah
Controversial use of mechanical slaughter and rotating blades (often severing necks and missing frontal cuts)
Stunning of animals that bring into question whether the animal was alive at the point of slaughter
Mixing of meats including use of pork in Halal products or cross contamination with non-Halal meats
Incorrect incisions and insufficient vessels being cut.to meet Halal criteria.
Halal Food Authority (HFA)
The HFA seems to be the regulator of choice when it comes to non-Muslim food companies looking for approval and allows the stunning of animals and the use of machines to slaughter (even though the HFA accepts that stunning is frowned upon in shariah in its HFA Brief Guidlines for slaughtering). The HFA seems to pander towards these large organisations (eg. KFC, Freemans, Nandos) and so I can only assume that the HFA takes a more lenient approach and there’s most likely a lot of money involved. Islamic rules and laws are not to be twisted to suit the person/organisation and this seems to be HFA’s attitude towards the issue of halaal food. Take for example, the following cases, which have emerged into the media:
The HFA approves of KFC ‘halaal’ meat. KFC uses machines to slaughter animals and also stuns its chickens – the only resemblance to the Islamic method of slaughtering is that a Muslim is present to pronounce the name of Allah. The HFA says this is ok.
Pork traces found in halaal food for prisoners. Yet another one of the HFA’s food producers, McColgans Quality Foods Ltd (of Ireland), is found to have traces of pork in halal meat – the HFA has since de-listed this producer from its certification.
The HFA also approves of many non-Muslim food companies – as a Muslim, are you happy to have your ‘halaal’ food coming from a non-Muslim source? I’m not. These HFA approved companies include the following slaughterhouses – none of which are Muslim!:
There is always doubt by Muslims when it comes to KFC and Nandos (which is not certified by either HMC or HFA) – the ummah is split and there is uncertainty. This in itself is not good and points to ‘doubtful’ methods that are being used. It is also interesting that the doubt always seems to arise with HFA approved companies. This link to Exposing the HFA is also interesting background to the people who run HFA.
The HFA’s starting point has been verifying whether or not the methods used by the large companies are acceptable and this approach makes the HFA open to making allowances for these companies – not a great approach. The HFA should have its starting point as being what is the ruling according to Islamic law and for all food companies to fall within this standard and not to make allowances to companies (unless there are allowances explicitly stated in shariah).
With all the scandal over horsemeat contamination and pork traces being found in halaal meat, can you seriously afford to allow yourself to eat food supplied by non-Muslims, whose standards are clearly not meeting ours?
NOTE: Nandos is supplied by Freemans of Newent, non-Muslim producer. Freemans of Newent uses stunned chicken which is then supplied to Nandos. This article in the Guardian explains Freemans method and also shows that to do slaughter according to the traditional Islamic way would be a financial cost that suppliers like Freemans aren’t willing to bear. Also, HMC inspected Freemans of Newent and declared their meat to be haraam, as disclosed in this article.
Stand Up 4 Islam!
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During Ramadan and fasting, it’s Sunnah to break your fast with dates. However, there is a campaign to boycott certain dates because the manufacturers are either directly or indirectly responsible and supporting the illegal occupation of Palestine the oppression of the Palestinians. By buying their dates, you will be helping to continue the occupation of Muslim lands in Palestine.
This Ramadan, Don’t Break your Fast with an Israeli Date
Ramadan is a time of year when we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It would be an affront if at such a time we helped support oppression
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. These dates are grown in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, on land that has been stolen from Palestinians. By buying these dates, we are in fact helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
For this reason, Friends of Al Aqsa will again be launching the ‘Check the Label’ Campaign.
Volunteer Ambassador
Volunteer to be an ambassador for the Check the Label Campaign in your area. This will mean you will help promote the campaign in your area. This will include distributing leaflets, speaking to shop owners, setting up stalls and much more. become an Ambassador and order your free literature to help spread the word.
Check The Label
Most of the major supermarkets will stock dates produced in Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Dates produced in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley are from Illegal Israeli Settlements and should also be boycotted.
Making Money from the Occupation
Dates were Israel’s leading fruit export, most of which come to Europe
The total income for Israel from dates in a year is approximately €80 million.
You can order your FREE Check The Label literature here
The Palestinian Call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions
Inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid and in the spirit of international solidarity, moral consistency and resistance to injustice and oppression,
We, representatives of Palestinian civil society, call upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. We appeal to you to pressure your respective states to impose embargoes and sanctions against Israel. We also invite conscientious Israelis to support this Call, for the sake of justice and genuine peace.
These non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:
Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
Israelis will claim that Palestinians are allowed to work on the land of these settlers and therefore they are provided with jobs and a boycott will harm them. In actual fact, these Palestinians are employed for paltry wages, and they are required to do the back-breaking work that the Israeli settlers will not do themselves. This means the Israeli settlers reap the rewards for the harvests while doing very little of the work themselves.
Palestinian children are employed by these settlers, and they are forced to work long hours under a hot baking sun for small sums of money. This exploitation means that these children miss out on an education.
Alternatives to Israeli Dates
There are plenty of varieties of dates from various other countries to break your fast. However if you would like Medjoul dates from Palestine and help the Palestinian farmers they are available from YAFFA. YAFFA source there dates from Palestine and FOA are helping YAFFA distribute dates this Ramadhan.
Stage 1 – Contact and inform the wholesalers and shops.
Stage 2 – Contact and inform consumers.
Stage One
FOA have sent letters to over 1000 wholesalers and shops but we need your help to add the personal touch as that is the best method to encourage people to join the campaign.
There are 6 steps to this stage. We would like you to:
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from dates@checkthelabel.org.uk so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission)
Method:
Identify the wholesalers, importers and shops in your area hand deliver the wholesaler/shop letters supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell wholesalers and shop owners about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Let them know that they can buy dates from many other countries, but if they want to buy medjoul dates from Palestine they can contact medjoul@checkthelabel.org.uk, (+44) (0)116 2125 441 or Zaytoun on (+44) (0)207 609 5699
Keep in touch with the shops that you have approached and continue to encourage and support them to join the campaign.
Write down addresses of shops which agree to support the campaign so we can write a letter to them to thank them for their support.
Take pictures of the campaign and keep head office updated on your work in your locality.
Stage Two
Most of the people we have approached during the Check the Label campaign did not know dates are from Israel and also did not know that dates labelled West Bank or the Jordan Valley should also be Boycotted. Once they were told, the overwhelming majority of people were happy to join the boycott.
Boycott is about people power. We need your help to inform people they should ‘Check the Label’ and boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and Jordan Valley.
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from here so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission).
Method:
Identify Mosques and Community Centres in your area and hand deliver the Mosque/organisation letter supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell the mosque/ community centre contact about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Ask them if you can leave leaflets at the entrance and put up a poster
Organise a time with friends and family to distribute outside the mosque after prayers, especially after Friday prayers.
Let FOA know when you are planning to distribute outside mosques so we can try and co-ordinate with other volunteers.
Contact your local newspaper and your local radio Ramadhan to let them know what is happening. Take photos when it is appropriate and send updates to info@checkthelabel.org.uk
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that the Shayateen are locked away in chains, that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed and Laylat-ul-Qadr is to be found:
‘The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between what is right and wrong)’ Surat Al-Baqarah v185
‘Verily! We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than one thousand months..’ Surat Al-Qadr, v1-3
‘When the month of Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed and the devils put under chains.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Benefits of Fasting and Ramadan
Allah Commanded us to fast. It’s the one deed that is purely for Allah alone. And the benefits of fasting are many:
The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said: ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.’ [Bukhari]
Allah declared: ‘O you have believed! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).’ Surat Al-Baqarah v183
‘Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ [Bukhari & Muslim]
Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” [Ahmad]
‘Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: My nation is given 5 privileges in the month of Ramadan that no nation was given before:
The khaloof (odour of the mouth of a fasting person) is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk
The angels keep praying to Allah to forgive the fasting people until they break their fast
Allah decorates Paradise every day saying to it ‘My righteous slaves are about to be comforted of their burdens and sufferings and enter you’
The Shayateen are chained during this month
Sins of the believers are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan. [Muslim]
I’ve come to a point where I am wondering to myself, is all this effort worth it? Is it actually a good idea to try and use social network sites like Twitter to spread Islam, connect with Muslims and encourage unity? I started out online for a variety of reasons but the main things were this: I wanted to express myself and In Sha Allah start to help guide Muslims towards practising Islam that is rooted firmly in Qur’an and authentic sunnah. I wanted to help unite Muslims and somehow bring them together, move them away from non-Islamic practises and help build the ummah.
So after a year of being on twitter, I’m looking at myself and wondering, am I putting in effort in a good way, or am I actually wasting effort on twitter? Have I gotten anywhere with uniting Muslims and helping to spread knowledge and bring Muslims into practising authentically, rather than culturally or following blindly? Am I actually carrying out deeds and actions that would please Allah, or am I displeasing him because I am wasting my time and energy? This might sound silly but I can give you an example.
Some Muslims are of the opinion that democracy (in the Western sense) is good and that they should take part in the political system, in a non-Muslim country, to try and influence it towards Islam. They go into this with the best of intentions – to promote Islam and try and do something good. However, history and experience tells us that this will not work and is an unrealistic goal. There have been many cases where Muslims have won elections but then that power was taken from them or the rules have been changed to prevent Muslims from taking office (eg. Algeria, Turkey). There have been Muslim MPs in UK for decades but the system doesn’t allow them to change anything unless it’s a majority vote and they have achieved little in those decades – should these Muslims have spent their efforts to promote Islam in other ways?
So here I am wondering whether my efforts are being channelled correctly.
Add to that the issue of the fitna on twitter, and the fitna I’m talking about is from Muslims only, because I try to keep my following to Muslims. There is a lot of free-mixing between Muslim brothers and sisters and it’s all too easy to get drawn into that. There are a lot of comments that are unbecoming of a Muslim’s character. And when I try to explain things in Islam in a simple way and according to Qur’an and authentic sunnah, I get challenged, I get drawn into arguments and I face people who seem to have opinions on Islam as though they are scholars! I don’t want to get angry and cause upset and I don’t want my Eemaan to be wrongly affected by twitter or that I should be the cause of affecting other Muslims’ Eemaan in a bad way.
On the positive side, I do run a Qur’an Quiz and that has been masha’Allah great! Muslims seem to benefit from it, Alhamdulillah, and I wouldn’t want to lose any Blessings here for myself and for others. But is this enough? Or does the bad side of twitter outweigh the good side of twitter?
So here I am, asking for advice. What do you, the reader, think?
I’m not looking for compliments and I don’t want to feel ‘bigged up’ and that I’m special in any way whatsoever – this is not what I’m looking for. I’m not seeking attention from others. I’m just trying to assess whether it’s worthwhile spending time on twitter for Islam and Muslims, or whether there is a better way to achieve unity, brotherhood and a return to authentic Islam.
I really would appreciate your comments.
Jazak’Allah khayr.
Stand Up 4 Islam!
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If you’re in the UK, you’ll know that we are heading towards the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. I’ve posted a few blogs before about Muslims celebrating and getting involved in non-Muslim occasions. But in case you haven’t read them, it essentially boils down to this – Muslims have been given Eid for celebration by Allah; there is no need for other celebrations and certainly it is haraam to imitate the non-Muslims.
So what’s the problem with the Queen’s Jubilee? To answer this, I suggest looking at the issue in another way – why celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee?
There is no system of monarchy in Islam, no kings or queens, no royal family. True, there have been many occasions in history where Prophets (may peace be upon them all) have had to deal with rulers but in Islam, good people are defined by good actions, not by lineage. Why should one particular family be held up on such a high status for generation after generation? The same family that has done little to help Muslims, the same family that has been the figurehead for a country that has destroyed Muslim countries and left a trail of disunity, fighting, civil unrest and fitna in its wake. The same family that has done nothing to help those suffering in Syria and in Palestine. The same family that actually is in a position and has the power to help, but has not done so. Why celebrate then, the Queen’s Jubilee? What’s the justification for this?
Next, what is it actually that is being celebrated by the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? Sixty years of the reign of the monarch of Great Britain. Now can you point out the benefit that this monarch has brought to Muslims? Can you point out how the Queen, who has travelled across the whole world and seen amazing sights and met with people from all backgrounds and in all kinds of situations, has submitted to Allah? What do we owe to this Queen, that warrants us to celebrate her reign?
Is it fair that while we are in one of the worst recessions for decades, that one family in particular is still living a life of luxury that many of us cannot even dream of? The Royal Family is being kept in luxury by the taxes of those working so hard in the country but receiving little in return. The Royal Family sees itself as being of a higher class than the normal person who lives on benefits, or is unemployed, or studying hard to make a career for themselves. The Royal Family receives millions of pounds each year, to keep them in this rich lifestyle, whilst others struggle. Many organisations and companies are scrutinised to ensure that they do not allow inequality, yet what of the inequality displayed by the Royal Family and the Queen herself? Is there a coloured face in this Royal Family? Are there Muslims in this Royal Family? Is this really something worth celebrating?
As a sincere Muslim, wouldn’t you ponder over these things?
Next, why engage in activities that are really for those who aren’t Muslim? Why imitate the kufaar?
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Dawud]
The following hadiths are examples of how Muslims should not imitate the actions of non-Muslims.
Al-Bayhaqi reported in his Sunan that Anas Bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah.” He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “When I came to you, you had two days which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adhaa) and the day of fitr.”
This is not about Muslims being segregated from society but more the opposite. This is about Muslims standing up and being identified as Muslims – not as though they have some confused fusion of identities. Islam is clear and Muslims need to be also. By being identified as Muslims, what Muslims stand for, what Islam stands for, you will gain respect from other Muslims, gain understanding and respect from non-Muslims and start to create societies where Muslims can be seen to have their place.
What should Muslims do?
Muslims need to stop engaging in non-Muslim festivities, parties, the giving of presents, sending cards, giving greetings. This is not Islamic so don’t have one foot in Islam and one foot in something else. Instead, celebrate Islam – you have two Eids and can make the most of this. Be devout and upstanding Muslims that non-Muslims can respect for their Islamic values and morals and beliefs. If you don’t then what do you stand for?
Muslims need to come to terms with an Islamic identity and the fact that we are ordered by Allah not to imitate the kuffaar – the non-Muslims. If anything, the non-Muslims have much to gain by imitating Muslims and learning from Muslims. We should be the role models, not the other way round. How will non-Muslims learn the errors of their ways, if we imitate them? Also, if we imitate the non-Muslims in the things they do, then where do you draw the line? The fairest and most just way is to not engage in festivities that are not Islamic.
Explain to non-Muslims about Islamic values and how we celebrate on Eid. They are not aliens and will understand.
Muslims… you need to act like Muslims and BE Muslims, following Islam and showing everyone the beauty of Islam.
I’m sure I’m not the only one to have noticed but these days the Muslimah seem to have taken on a trend that is more fashion than Islam. There are Islamic principles to follow and this really goes against those principles. I’m talking about the way Muslimahs are wearing their hijaabs, which actually does the opposite of what it is intended for – it attracts attention rather than protect the dignity of a woman. But that’s not the only thing that needs addressing – wearing hijaab with leggings and tight fitting clothes is not what you would imagine the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) to have done. So why are Muslimah of today doing this?
Sadly, our younger sisters are mistakenly thinking that, by wearing hijaab in this fashion, (without thinking about the rest of their attire), they are fulfilling one of their Islamic duties. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to see more and more sisters wearing hijaab. But it’s time we got this right and looked at hijaab in the way the Wives of the Prophet (pbuh) adopted it – they are our role models.
Don’t make Hijaab trendy
The Islamic principles of Hijaab include protecting the dignity of women and saving her beauty for her husband – not for every hot-blooded guy in the vicinity. I think it’s great that more Muslimah are wearing the hijaab but which do you think is better? Wearing hijaab and loose clothing that does not reveal the shape of a woman? Or wearing hijaab and tight clothing, such as leggings, which reveals the shape (and which attracts a man’s attention)?
Above I have drawn two figures – on the right is a drawing of hijaab (with loose clothing), on the left is a drawing of hijaab (with tight clothing). I didn’t want to put an actual picture up of a woman in leggings or tights or jeans, and so this is the best alternative I could come up with. The drawing on the right is the better way to adopt hijaab, not the one on the left. Sisters, reflect on the following:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed.” [Surat Al-Ahzab v59]
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juhubihinna (ie. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers,or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (ie. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. All all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful.” [Surah 24 (An-Nur), verse 31]
Narrated Safiyah bint Shaibah: ‘Aishah used to say: ‘When the Verse: “And to draw their veils all over Juhubihinna (ie. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” (V24:31) was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their heads and faces with those cut pieces of cloth. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 6, Hadith No. 282]
Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen: men with whips like the tails of cattle with which they strike the people, and women who are clothed but naked, walking with an enticing gait, with something like the humps of camels on their heads. They will not enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance, and its fragrance can be smelled from such and such a distance.” [Sahih Muslim]
Sisters, the evidence above is clear (although there are even more evidences that go into this issue in more detail). For those who still may feel like questioning this, then please do look further inot the issue. But once you realise the evidences, I remind you of the verse in the Qur’an:
“It is not fitting for a believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision. If anyone disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong path.” [Surat Al-Ahzaab v36]
Come on sisters, you’ve already taken one step to wearing the hijaab – now go one step more and do away with the leggings and tight clothing, wear full hijaab and be a real role model for the Ummah. And if you think that wearing hijaab with tight clothes is fulfilling your duty and not attracting men, then why not ask (in a halaal manner) brothers themselves? I am sure they will tell you what they find attractive (you might be surprised).
The news about Syria is across the world and has been broadcast since the conflicts started over a year ago (from the date of this post). Many Muslims have been killed. Who by? An invading non-Muslim army (as in the case of Afghanistan and Iraq)? No, Muslims are being killed by the government of Syria, a regime that has oppressed it’s population – these are the Firauns of our time and as Muslims, as an Ummah, we cannot allow this to continue. We should NOT be condemning this from the comfort of our armchairs!
My Muslim brothers and sisters, you can act to stop this. Spread the word about what is happening in Syria, so that it reaches those who will do something about it. Visit the Muslim charities and donate your money to ensure that Muslims are safeguarded and looked after when they flee their country and their home for their lives. But don’t just sit there and do nothing! This is not what the Ummah is about.
It saddens me to think that we are living in times when the Muslims are being misled, not only by the Cristians and Hindus and Buddhists and those from other faiths – they are being misled by other Muslims! Celebrating festivals like Easter is haraam.
Although it may be viewed as harmless fun, having an easter egg, sending easter greeting cards, wishing Christians a Happy easter, you are (as a Muslim) doing more harm than good. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) never adopted the ways of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) to try and bring people to Islam. And even if you’re just trying to be polite and neighbourly, you are actually undermining the principles of Islam and keeping people in misguidance.
Other than that, there is the added problem of imitating the kuffaar. We are Muslims and we distinguish ourselves as being Muslims and following Islam. There is no need to follow the tradition of another religion, especially if we have been Commanded by Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) not to. Allah Has Prescribed for us the festivities we should follow and there is no need to add to this by following something else. If celebrating easter or any other festival was allowed, it would have been stated in hadith or the Qur’an.
“Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Dawud]
“You must keep to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs; cling to it firmly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every new matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misleading.” (Bukhari)
The following hadiths are examples of how Muslims should not imitate the actions of non-Muslims.
Al-Bayhaqi reported in his Sunan that Anas Bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah.” He صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “When I came to you, you had two days which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adhaa) and the day of fitr.”
This is not about Muslims being segregated from society but more the opposite. This is about Muslims standing up and being identified as Muslims – not as though they have some confused fusion of identities. Islam is clear and Muslims need to be also. By being identified as Muslims, what Muslims stand for, what Islam stands for, you will gain respect from other Muslims, gain understanding and respect from non-Muslims and start to create societies where Muslims can be seen to have their place.
What should Muslims do?
Muslims need to stop engaging in non-Muslim festivities, parties, the giving of presents, sending cards, giving greetings. This is not Islamic so don’t have one foot in Islam and one foot in something else. Instead, celebrate Islam – you have two Eids and can make the most of this. Be devout and upstanding Muslims that non-Muslims can respect for their Islamic values and morals and beliefs. If you don’t then what do you stand for?
Muslims need to come to terms with an Islamic identity and the fact that we are ordered by Allah not to imitate the kuffaar – the non-Muslims. If anything, the non-Muslims have much to gain by imitating Muslims and learning from Muslims. We should be the role models, not the other way round. How will non-Muslims learn the errors of their ways, if we imitate them? Also, if we imitate the non-Muslims in the things they do, then where do you draw the line? The fairest and most just way is to not engage in festivities that are not Islamic.
Explain to non-Muslims about Islamic values and how we celebrate on Eid. They are not aliens and will understand.
Muslims… you need to act like Muslims and BE Muslims, following Islam and showing everyone the beauty of Islam.
