Many people asking why do we need to do zikr or attending zikr majlis? They dont find the sighnificant of doing and attending such blessed majlis. They forgot that after solat and reading Quran, to zikr (remember Allah) is the most beautiful things to do. To cultivate, to mold our hearts into remembering only Allah cause Allah is our hope and everything. A reflection of someone who always in the state of remembering Allah (zikr) is the one who has noble refine character because the zikr soften the hearts and melt it into ocean of mercy.
Syaidina Ali used to say “The word of God is the medicine of the heart”
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Event Review of Knowing God through the lens of Imam Ashaari and Imam Ghazali Organized by Sout Ilaahi
Event Review of Knowing God through the lens of Imam Ashaari and Imam Ghazali
Organized by Sout Ilaahi
Review done by Muzlimbuzz
Contrary to what the title of the seminar might suggest, Knowing God through the Lens of Imam Ashari &; Imam Ghazali by Shaykh Ninowy did not focus specifically on the aforementioned scholars or their works. It was instead a crash course on Aqidah Tahawiyah, the oldest authentic text of aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Shaykh Ninowy explained that though short, such an important book would normally take a year to cover, but he asked everybody to fasten their seatbelts as he would try to cover as much as possible in his 1 ½ day lecture, part of Sout Ilaahi’s Sacred Text Series.
The speaker, Shaykh Muhammad bin Yahya An-Ninowy, a Syrian born scholar based in Atlanta, Georgia, began by giving a brief introduction to Imam Abu Jaafar Ahmad bin Muhammad At-Tahawi, the author of Aqidah Tahawiyah, and some of the concepts he would be discussing, including the Ashari, Maturidi and Athari schools of aqidah and the notion of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
During his reading and explanation of Aqidah Tahawiyah, Shaykh Ninowy stopped at several points to challenge popular but unfounded notions of God, including the depiction in cartoons and popular culture as a bearded old man in a robe seated above the clouds, surrounded by angels. He asked that everybody in the audience watch what their children watch and what they watch so as not to be susceptible to such erroneous conceptions of Allah.
Laisa ka mith lihii shai’
The Shaykh explained that Tauhid was the ‘Oneness’ of Allah, which he described as referring not to the mathematical concept of ‘one’ but to the absolute uniqueness of the Creator. Tauhid rewires the brain, the Shaykh stated, although many people worship Allah without knowing Him, and the technical fulfillment of deeds does not necessarily entail their eligibility for acceptance by Allah.What Shaykh Ninowy stressed over and over again was verse 11 from Surah Ash-Shura in the Qur’an “Laisa ka mith lihii shai”, translated as “There is nothing like Him”. When encountering Qur’anic verses or hadith which seem to suggest anthropomorphic depictions of Allah, we should always keep that verse in mind. Anything we can imagine is not Allah, and is in fact from the creations of Allah.
Shaykh Ninowy also emphasised and got the audience to
repeat with him to drill in the following points: that Allah is Eternal
with no beginning, Everlasting with no end, not created, not similar to
the creation and not subject to change.
What Shaykh Ninowy stressed over and over again was verse 11 from Surah Ash-Shura in the Qur’an “Laisa ka mith lihii shai”, translated as “There
is nothing like Him”. When encountering Qur’anic verses or hadith which
seem to suggest anthropomorphic depictions of Allah, we should always
keep that verse in mind. Anything we can imagine is not Allah, and is in fact from the creations of Allah.
Shaykh Ninowy also emphasised and got the audience to repeat with him to
drill in the following points: that Allah is Eternal with no beginning,
Everlasting with no end, not created, not similar to the creation and
not subject to change.
The Shaykh stated that the Qur’an had both muhkamat and mutashabihat verses, a fact stated in the Qur’an itself. While muhkamat verses had only one definition, he explained that mutashabihat verses are open to several definitions linguistically and gave the sometimes contentious example of verse 5 from Surah Taha, “Ar-Rahman ala arshi istiwah”, commonly translated as “The Merciful established Himself above the Throne”.
While taken at face value, it seems to be attributing direction, space and posture to Allah, the Shaykh gave examples of alternative interpretations. The word “Arsh”, for example, could be translated not only as throne, but as dominion or kingdom. Similarly, “Istiwah” while translated literally as “above”, can also be taken to refer to reaching puberty, sailing comfortably or plants ripening. Istiwah also means to subjugate or govern. In the context of the verse, it could be taken to mean that Allah subjugated the throne.
While stating that he did not want to criticise any individuals or
groups, Shaykh Ninowy critiqued what he referred to as a “Superman”
aqidah, that is, believing that Allah has limbs and senses, but that
they were not like those of humans. He stated that it was likening the
Creator to His creation, and was akin to believing that Allah was simply
a being with superpowers.
Could God create another God?
At several points during his lecture Shaykh Ninowy addressed the questions that are sometimes asked of Allah, such as whether He could create another god, or whether it were possible for God to create a stone that He could not lift. The Shaykh explained that such questions were self-contradictory and denied the omnipotence of Allah.
In the first situation, if one ‘god’ were able to hide information from the other, or if he were able to manage the universe without the other, it would make the other redundant and thus not God. If each were dependent on the other, that would mean that neither was omnipotent as God is not in need of anything. The second situation seemed to perceive Allah anthropomorphically, as a man with muscles whereas God is not like His creation and not dependent on physical strength.
At several points during his lecture Shaykh Ninowy addressed the questions that are sometimes asked of Allah, such as whether He could create another god, or whether it were possible for God to create a stone that He could not lift. The Shaykh explained that such questions were self-contradictory and denied the omnipotence of Allah.
In the first situation, if one ‘god’ were able to hide information from the other, or if he were able to manage the universe without the other, it would make the other redundant and thus not God. If each were dependent on the other, that would mean that neither was omnipotent as God is not in need of anything. The second situation seemed to perceive Allah anthropomorphically, as a man with muscles whereas God is not like His creation and not dependent on physical strength.
Choice & Free will
On the topic of choice and free will, Shaykh Ninowy stated that Allah created creation and created their power to choose between right and wrong and between belief and disbelief. This, he said, was the opinion held by Imam Al Ghazali and Imam Haramain, and was closer to the Maturidi opinion rather than that of the Ashari school. In His Eternal Knowledge, Allah knows what we will do with the capacity given to us.
This provoked many questions on the concept of choice and how it relates to the decree of Allah.
Quoting the opinion of the scholars of tazkiyah, Shaykh Ninowy stated that Allah shows humanity His Mercy by facilitating our good deeds, giving us the strength, capacity and will to do our prayers for example, and then attributes them to us and rewards us accordingly.
At the end of the course, those who attended were issued with an ijazah of sanad for Aqidah Tahawiyah from Shaykh Ninowy and Madina Institute, and a general ijazah from the Shaykh. The ijazah would count towards credit for a degree from Madina Institute, and attendees would be able to take an online test on the text to qualify for the credit.
Knowing God represented a unique experience to study from a classical religious work from a world-renowned scholar of Prophetic descent, and one hopes for Sout Ilaahi and others to continue to provide Muslims in Singapore with such opportunities to expand their knowledge.
While taken at face value, it seems to be attributing direction, space and posture to Allah, the Shaykh gave examples of alternative interpretations. The word “Arsh”, for example, could be translated not only as throne, but as dominion or kingdom. Similarly, “Istiwah” while translated literally as “above”, can also be taken to refer to reaching puberty, sailing comfortably or plants ripening. Istiwah also means to subjugate or govern. In the context of the verse, it could be taken to mean that Allah subjugated the throne.
It was essential, Shaykh Ninowy said, to either interpret such mutashabihat
verses in a way that was suitable to Allah or to leave the truth of
their meanings to Allah, that is, to simply say that we do not know.
Could God create another God?
At several points during his lecture Shaykh Ninowy addressed the questions that are sometimes asked of Allah, such as whether He could create another god, or whether it were possible for God to create a stone that He could not lift. The Shaykh explained that such questions were self-contradictory and denied the omnipotence of Allah.
In the first situation, if one ‘god’ were able to hide information from the other, or if he were able to manage the universe without the other, it would make the other redundant and thus not God. If each were dependent on the other, that would mean that neither was omnipotent as God is not in need of anything. The second situation seemed to perceive Allah anthropomorphically, as a man with muscles whereas God is not like His creation and not dependent on physical strength.
At several points during his lecture Shaykh Ninowy addressed the questions that are sometimes asked of Allah, such as whether He could create another god, or whether it were possible for God to create a stone that He could not lift. The Shaykh explained that such questions were self-contradictory and denied the omnipotence of Allah.
In the first situation, if one ‘god’ were able to hide information from the other, or if he were able to manage the universe without the other, it would make the other redundant and thus not God. If each were dependent on the other, that would mean that neither was omnipotent as God is not in need of anything. The second situation seemed to perceive Allah anthropomorphically, as a man with muscles whereas God is not like His creation and not dependent on physical strength.
Choice & Free will
On the topic of choice and free will, Shaykh Ninowy stated that Allah created creation and created their power to choose between right and wrong and between belief and disbelief. This, he said, was the opinion held by Imam Al Ghazali and Imam Haramain, and was closer to the Maturidi opinion rather than that of the Ashari school. In His Eternal Knowledge, Allah knows what we will do with the capacity given to us.
This provoked many questions on the concept of choice and how it relates to the decree of Allah.
Quoting the opinion of the scholars of tazkiyah, Shaykh Ninowy stated that Allah shows humanity His Mercy by facilitating our good deeds, giving us the strength, capacity and will to do our prayers for example, and then attributes them to us and rewards us accordingly.
At the end of the course, those who attended were issued with an ijazah of sanad for Aqidah Tahawiyah from Shaykh Ninowy and Madina Institute, and a general ijazah from the Shaykh. The ijazah would count towards credit for a degree from Madina Institute, and attendees would be able to take an online test on the text to qualify for the credit.
Knowing God represented a unique experience to study from a classical religious work from a world-renowned scholar of Prophetic descent, and one hopes for Sout Ilaahi and others to continue to provide Muslims in Singapore with such opportunities to expand their knowledge.
Ahmad Zhaki Abdullah
Ahmad Zhaki holds a degree in English Literature from the University of London. He is a full-time executive at a local training institute and a part-time writer.
Ahmad Zhaki holds a degree in English Literature from the University of London. He is a full-time executive at a local training institute and a part-time writer.
LOVE learning from history
I grew up with soccer cause my late dad was a Die hard soccer fan. He was really a man utd fan. Back in the 80s I used to accompany him to watch the games. We will wake up in the wee hours to watch live games be it world cup, fa cup replay, European cup. The most memorable was the 1984 European Cup which the French won, Platini was back then the important player and in 1986 when the world witness Argentina won the world cup due to one man dominant the field, its Dieogo Amando Maradona. Soccer was more than sports to me . I could say it is a form of religion back then. Despite the games were marred by violence caused by the English hooligans, there was not much of racial abuse or chanting. Everyone remembered the tragedy of Heysel and Hillsborough which cause lots of life's as we realize there is more important things in life than just a soccer game. As the games slowly progressing from a decade to another, we thought finally there will be no such horrendous violence negative issues anymore in the sport.
However, I realize in the past few years, the increase number of racism involving during the games are very alarming especially from the European leagues. Those horror years of world war 2 are completely forgotten now. Teams with 'ultra' supporters having Nazi slogan and salute during games. To make it worst some players are involved in it too. The monkey chanting, the racial slurs becoming louder in the stadium. Suddenly, the beautiful game, is losing its identity that once dubbed uniting people across the border, has more becoming a dangerous ground. Before the Euro 2012, the UEFA president Michel Platini had threatened many times to cancel it due to his fear this negative issue will be blown out of propulsion but the games had to move on and the organizers (host) had promised to clamp down on these negative issues before it became the headline. Alas! Violence already began on the 1st day of the tournament itself. With teams involving had various darkest history and disputes among them like the host Poland and the Russian. Then there was this Czech Republic who was also at the central issue of controversial. All these former communist countries and regimes somehow got entangled between past political history and being nationalistic. It rages on till outside the stadium rather than accepting friendship and fair play on the field. So whats going on here?
I am wondering whats on the mind of our youth today watching the games live and witnessing racial abuse been done openly with monkey chanting and racial slur and violence erupting before and after the games due to the past political history and national issues. And why is it today, the increase number of racism happened in Europe? Does it cause huge concern among them? Did they forgot about the stories of the world war 2 which they wont want to face it again? What bother me the most is that, soccer is one of the most popular games in the world and these negative issues will have huge impact to the soccer fans where ever they could be. When you ponder upon the situation, you gotta take one step back and reflect how things could be getting nastier than ever before. You tend to realize the political climate on some of the European countries had change from time to time due to economic crisis. More and more left wing fascist are coming into power brought by the people as they wanted to make changes and getting tired of the old political system.
Perhaps we didn't learn about the old mistakes and thus such horrendous tragedy repeated it again and again. This is why history play an important role in a society. Its time to reflect on the past to build the future. We need to understand the need to live together as Allah said in the Quran Surah al Hujurat 49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).The only reason for this is because the hearts develop hatred that sparks the outrage in the outlook. People tend to think when they react violently they are strong but in actual facts, they are sign of articulate. The whole missing link is love. Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam came to this world when it was in the age of ignorance (jahiliyah) He sallahu alaihi wa salam came to bring the light as he erase the darkness with his presence of love for humanity. It change the whole society. The selfless thought was gone and was replace with love that bond brotherhood and friendship. There was no animosity, no hatred, revenge, it was forgiveness and etiquette (adab) If only we understand the true meaning of love, such tragedy wont happen but then again man will never learn from their history.
However, I realize in the past few years, the increase number of racism involving during the games are very alarming especially from the European leagues. Those horror years of world war 2 are completely forgotten now. Teams with 'ultra' supporters having Nazi slogan and salute during games. To make it worst some players are involved in it too. The monkey chanting, the racial slurs becoming louder in the stadium. Suddenly, the beautiful game, is losing its identity that once dubbed uniting people across the border, has more becoming a dangerous ground. Before the Euro 2012, the UEFA president Michel Platini had threatened many times to cancel it due to his fear this negative issue will be blown out of propulsion but the games had to move on and the organizers (host) had promised to clamp down on these negative issues before it became the headline. Alas! Violence already began on the 1st day of the tournament itself. With teams involving had various darkest history and disputes among them like the host Poland and the Russian. Then there was this Czech Republic who was also at the central issue of controversial. All these former communist countries and regimes somehow got entangled between past political history and being nationalistic. It rages on till outside the stadium rather than accepting friendship and fair play on the field. So whats going on here?
I am wondering whats on the mind of our youth today watching the games live and witnessing racial abuse been done openly with monkey chanting and racial slur and violence erupting before and after the games due to the past political history and national issues. And why is it today, the increase number of racism happened in Europe? Does it cause huge concern among them? Did they forgot about the stories of the world war 2 which they wont want to face it again? What bother me the most is that, soccer is one of the most popular games in the world and these negative issues will have huge impact to the soccer fans where ever they could be. When you ponder upon the situation, you gotta take one step back and reflect how things could be getting nastier than ever before. You tend to realize the political climate on some of the European countries had change from time to time due to economic crisis. More and more left wing fascist are coming into power brought by the people as they wanted to make changes and getting tired of the old political system.
Perhaps we didn't learn about the old mistakes and thus such horrendous tragedy repeated it again and again. This is why history play an important role in a society. Its time to reflect on the past to build the future. We need to understand the need to live together as Allah said in the Quran Surah al Hujurat 49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).The only reason for this is because the hearts develop hatred that sparks the outrage in the outlook. People tend to think when they react violently they are strong but in actual facts, they are sign of articulate. The whole missing link is love. Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam came to this world when it was in the age of ignorance (jahiliyah) He sallahu alaihi wa salam came to bring the light as he erase the darkness with his presence of love for humanity. It change the whole society. The selfless thought was gone and was replace with love that bond brotherhood and friendship. There was no animosity, no hatred, revenge, it was forgiveness and etiquette (adab) If only we understand the true meaning of love, such tragedy wont happen but then again man will never learn from their history.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Isra miraj
Time flies so fast. Its getting faster each day without us realizing it. It was just last week we were learning from Shaykh Ninowy when he was in Singapore. A week gone by without us realizing it. A split seconds move and this is why Allah said in the Quran By (the Token of) Time (through
the ages),
Verily Man is in loss, (Surah asr)
. Today its a unique blessed day, we had haul of Habib Isa al Haddad and tonight in 1 hours time, we will be commemorating Isra Miraj. Most of us will probably reading mawlid or burdah. Alhamdulilah, we thank Allah for making us being part of the Ummah of Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam. However, I reminded myself, the whole purpose of devotion shouldnt be an act of being exclusiveness. If someone doesnt belong to a group, it doesnt mean he or she is deprive of spirituality. Prophet salahu alaihi wa salam was alone by himself during Isra Miraj. A sacred journey Allah brought him to discover many things in which was stated in the hadith of Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam. Therefore, there are those individual who are alone but was never alone cause in their hearts Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam was alive and they know Allah make them alone for them to focus on their journey to HIM.
The Salaf often reminded us that our Isra Miraj is from our solat since it was in this miraculos sacred journey Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam reveal to us about solat thus it was obligation upon us to pray 5 times a day. We probably heard many sufistic wonderful stories about Isra Miraj and each one of it is unique in is own way. I am not here to argue its authenticity. Nevertheless, the wisdom of Isra Miraj is to remind us how Allah had perfected the Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam in HIS own ways.Hes the best creation and the greatest gift to mankind. To love Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam is not just to attend majlis of mawlid and burdah but to live the life of Prophet sallahu alahi wa salam characteristic in us. So it become part of us. Its how we deal with people each day. Be patience, be humble, be helpful, be generous, be courteous, be tactful in dealing things with people and many more positive things. There was a saying if you love someone, you would imitate the person in each movement. So how about us? Is our love for Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam is sorely base on intellectual or its in our hearts?
What really matter in our hearts, is the drive to have the burning desire to live like Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam which inshaAllah the burning factor will burn our ego, hatred, jealous, envy and all other negative elements in us. May we be like Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam who is the symbol of servanthood. The sacred journey of Isra Miraj make us realize that our life is indeed a journey. We move from time to time on having different aspect understanding to what we understand today. And Allah is showing us to witness his sign and manifestation of Glory so do we deny to be in the art of gratitude?. Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam used to say to his beloved wife Syaidatina Aisha radiaAllahuanha Am I not a thankful servant? Let us think again all this while, have we ever thought about our gratitude to Allah swt. Do you think our daily amal is enough to thank Allah. If not for Allah who give us guidance and help, will it be possible for us to know HIM? Let us do our istigfar to compensate what we missed in the past as a duty of a servant to Allah swt. Our sins are like foams in the oceans and as high as the mountain touching the sky but we know Allah is the forgiver of all sins.
Allah said I am the hidden treasure so I created creations so that they know (worship) me. (Hadith Qudsi) Isra miraj also reminded us about solat (prayer) For most of us who are born into a muslim family, we may find solat as a routine, a part of culture but for those who are sincerely seeking Allah, they find solat as a reality in finding Allah. Allah said And HE (Allah) found you lost and guided you. Quran (Surah Duha) You will find nothingness in you when you performing solat cause you are in the presence of your creator, Allah. This why solat leads to marifahtullah, a knowledge of Allah. Solat should be a forceful shield for you not to commit any sins, refrain you from backbiting and other calamities for the tongue except remembering Allah swt and reading selawat for Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam. The haqiqah Muhammadiyah (reality of Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam) is to make your hearts connect to Allah in solat and at all times. This is why the wirid of istigfar, La Illa ha Il la Allah, selawat upon Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam became the manual for many servants for them to reach the path of Allah. may Allah guide us and forgive us. may Allah increase our love for his beloved Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam so that we can enter his domain as Prophet sallahu alaihi wa salam is our door to Allah swt.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Writing
I always said to myself I should write more often than ever before. This is one of the ways I could improve my writing in English. Yeah my writing is bad. Somehow, i am glue to facebook and i cant remove the stick as I always wanted to divide the time among the social media, be it facebook, blogging, twitter. Well it doesnt work well for me. I guess I need solid disciplinary action on myself so I am being able to do blogging as i am always in facebook. I really dunno when people tend to ask me, why do you write? Though some perception around me probably have this right in your face tendency well we wanna make awareness. But I realize, do I really kidding myself about awareness? What awareness? Argghh...I just write when I seriously felt like writing. It doesnt matter what is it about. However I realize whenever I write, I think too much..Milo ice everyone? Have a pleasent weekend. Jumaah Mubarak to you and your love ones
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