Friday, May 22, 2009
The Islaamic Ruling on Celebrating the European Year 2000 and Related Matters
Thursday, 14 June 2007
By the Standing Committee of Major Scholars
After receiving many questions and queries concerning Y2K, the Committee of Major Scholars decided to respond to this issue with detailed points. In addition to establishing the falsehood behind the paranoia that erupted due to the approach of Y2K, they also bring many important benefits from the great work of Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah called Iqtidaa‘us-Siraatil-Mustaqeem.
This occasion and its like is not at all free from the mixing of truth and falsehood nor the invitation to disbelief and misguidance nor licentiousness and apostasy and is a manifestation of evil according to Islaam.
All praise is due to Allaah Alone and may Blessing and Exaltation be upon the one after whom there will be no other prophet.
TO PROCEED:
Many inquiries directed to the Muftee (principle religious authority of Saudi Arabia) have been read by the Permanent Council as well as those addressed to them under the auspices of the Committee of Senior Scholars…(a list of reference numbers and dates given). The questions asked were for rulings concerning the year 2000 and celebrating it and other related matters. It is sufficient that we mention just two of those questions:
One: We see this year many announcements regarding preparations in anticipation of the year 2000 and the start of the third millennium. The disbelievers among the Jew and the Christians, as well as others are delighted and happy and have many hopes put in this occasion. The question to you honourable Shaykh (i.e. the Muftee) is: There are some among the claimants to Islaam who are greatly concerned with this and consider it a joyous occasion and they have even tied their weddings or work to it. They have taken up giving invitations for the occasion at their stores and businesses and likewise in a manner that saddens and aggrieves the Muslim. What is the Islaamic ruling on glorifying this occasion and celebrating it and exchanging congratulations for it either verbally or by exchanging cards and the like? May Allaah reward you and Muslims the best of rewards.
Two: The Jews and Christians are preparing for the arrival of the year 2000 according to their reckoning in an extraordinary manner to propagate their plans and beliefs throughout the world, particularly in Islaamic countries. Some Muslims have been influenced by this propaganda and have begun preparing for it by announcing discounts on products and one fears the matter being raised to the point of affecting Muslim belief and their allegiance and support of the non-Muslims. We hope for a statement of ruling on Muslims participating with disbelievers in their celebrations and making propaganda for it and celebrating it or extending work hours in some establishments and companies for this occasion. Does acting
upon any of these things and their like or accepting them have an affect on the Muslim’s belief?
AFTER RESEARCHING THE QUESTIONS, THE COUNCIL REPLIES AS FOLLOWS:
The greatest of favours, which Allaah has bestowed upon His slaves, is the favour of Islaam and guidance to the Straight Path. It is from His – the Glorified – mercy to have obliged His believing slaves to seek guidance in their prayers and they therefore seek attaining that guidance to the Straight Path and to be made firm thereupon. Allaah has characterized this Path as being the one that is the path of those whom Allaah has blessed from among the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the righteous and not the path of the deviants from it amongst the Jews and the Christians and the remainder of the disbelievers and polytheists. If this is realized, then it is a duty upon the Muslim to recognize the measure of blessing and favour of Allaah upon him and therefore must thank Allaah verbally and by action and by belief. It is upon him to safeguard this favor and look after it and do that which will safeguard it from decline. A look by anyone who has been given insight into the Religion of Allaah at today’s world where truth is mixed with falsehood for many people, he will see the clear efforts of the enemies of Islaam to eradicate its realities and extinguish its light as well as the efforts to distance the Muslims from it and cut their ties to it by every means possible. Not to mention distorting its image and making accusations and insinuations and lies in order to block humanity from the Way of Allaah and belief in what was revealed to his Messenger Muhammad Ibn ’Abdullaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). This is affirmed by the statement of Allaah:
‘‘Many of the People of the Scripture desire that you would revert after having accepted faith to being disbelievers out of envy within themselves after the truth has been made plain to them.’’ [ Soorah Aali-’Imraan 3:100]
Also is His statement:
"A group of the People of Scripture desire that they could lead you astray but they misguide none but themselves although they perceive it not.’’ [Sooratul-Baqarah 2:109]
Also His Words:
"O you who believe if you follow those who disbelieve they will surely cause you to turn upon your heels and then you would become losers.’’ [Soorah Aali-’Imraan 3:139]
And His statement:
"O People of the Scripture why do you block those who believe from the Path of Allaah, seeking crookedness while you are witnesses and Allaah is not unaware of what you do?’’ [Soorah Aali ’Imraan 3:99] and other similar aayaat (verses).
Much praise is due to Allaah. And the Prophet (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) informed that there will always be a party from among his Ummah standing upon the truth who would be victorious and none who would abandon or oppose them would harm them until the Final Hour comes. So much praise is due to Allaah and we ask Him - the Glorified, and He is The Close and The Answerer of prayers, to make us and our Muslim brethren from among them (i.e. the victorious group) for indeed He is the Most Giving and Generous. This, and indeed the Permanent Council For Islaamic Research and Ruling has heard and seen the major preparations and extensive care taken by groups of Jews and Christians and those influenced by them from the claimants to Islaam for the occasion of the completion of the year 2000 and the entrance of the third millennium according to the reckoning of the European Calendar. There is nothing except to strive to advise and explain to the general population of Muslim the true meaning of this occasion and the ruling of the pure sharee’ah (Islaam) regarding it so that the Muslims will be aware and informed about their Religion and on guard against deviation toward the misguidance and errors of those whom Allaah is angry with and those who are astray.
We say:
Firstly:
The Jews and the Christians have attached to this millennium misfortunes, suffering and expectations that they are wrapped up in making sure of or plot because they are resultant of purported research and study. Just as they have tied certain issues of belief to this millennium according to their claims of what is reported in their distorted scriptures. It is obligatory for the Muslim to not even look to them or give them any weight. Indeed he should be satisfied with the Book of his Lord, the Glorified, and the Sunnah of His Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) above all else. Any other theories or speculations and opinions divergent to those two sources should neither be considered of any importance.
Secondly:
This occasion and its like is not at all free from the mixing of truth and falsehood nor the invitation to disbelief and misguidance nor licentiousness and apostasy and is a manifestation of evil according to Islaam. From among them: Calling for the unification of religions and the equalization of Islaam along with belief systems and religions that are false; showing deference to or pleasure in the cross (crucifix); manifesting the signs and symbols of the kufr (disbelief) of the Christians and Jews and any other similar actions or statements which comprise part of the now abrogated and substituted laws of Christianity and Judaism as being attributable to Allaah; or approval of some of what involves opposing the Religion of Islaam or any other matters that amount to disbelief in Allaah and His Messenger or Islaam according to the consensus of the Ummah. This is all in addition to the fact that is among the means of distancing the Muslims from their Religion.
Thirdly:
There is abundant evidence form the Book and the Sunnah as well as authentic traditions (of companions etc.) on the forbiddance of resembling or imitating the disbelievers in what is particular to them. Among that is resembling or imitating them in their holiday festivals and celebrations. Al-’Eed – is a generic noun that includes any recurring day that is repeatedly given significance or glorified by the disbelievers or the places in which they hold their religious gatherings. Everything that they innovate within these places and times is considered among their recurring festivities (a’yaadihim). Therefore the prohibition is not particularized to the festivities but includes every aspect of what they attach importance to at these times and places which have no basis in Islaam. It (the prohibition) applies to what they innovate in deeds and activities including what comes before or after of the days that are sacred as mentioned by Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa). [1] As far as what has come forbidding what is particular similarity in festivities (al-a’yaad) is the statement of Allaah: ‘‘Those who do not witness falsehood (az-zoor).’’ [Sooratul-Furqaan 25:72] in describing the believing slaves of Allaah. This has been explained by a large number of the Salaf (predecessors) such as Ibn Seereen, Mujaahid and Rabee’ Ibn Anas that ‘az-zoor’ means the festivities (a’yaad) of the disbelievers. [2] It is confirmed and verified from Anas Ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu ’anhu) that he said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to al-Madeenah and they had two days that they had fun and played in so he asked, “What are these two days?” They replied, “We used to play in them in the times of Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islaam).” The Messenger of Allaah responded, “Verily Allaah has substituted then for you with what is better than them: the day of ’Adhaa (sacrifice) and the day of Fitr (fast-breaking).”
[3] It is authenticated that Thaabit Ibnud-Dhahhaak (radiyallaahu ’anhu) stated: ‘‘A man in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made an oath to sacrifice a camel in Bawaanah so he came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, ‘I have made an oath to sacrifice a camel at Bawaanah.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded asking, ‘‘Were there any idols from the idols of Jaahiliyyah worshipped there?’ They replied, ‘‘No.’’ He asked: ‘‘Were there any festivities held there from among their festivities (a’yaadihim)?’’ They replied, ‘‘No.’’ The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘‘Fulfill your oath for not do fulfill the oath is disobedience to Allaah and this does not fall in the possession of the children of Aadam (i.e. people have no part of this).’’[4] ’Umar Ibnul-Khattaab (radiyallaahu ’anhu) stated: ‘‘Do not go among the polytheists (mushrikeen) in their churches on their holidays (a’yaadihim) for the anger of Allaah descends upon them." He also said, ‘‘Stay away from the enemies of Allaah on their ’Eed.’’ [5] It is related that ’Abdullaah Ibn ’Amr Ibnul-’Aas (radiyAllaahu ’anhumaa) said: ‘‘Whoever builds in the lands of the foreigners and celebrates their Nayrooz and festivals and imitates them and he dies in that condition, will be raised among them on the Day of Resurrection.’’ [6]
Fourthly:
Festivities with the disbelievers is forbidden for many other considerations such as: Their (Muslims) imitating or resembling them in some of their holidays necessitates that they feel happiness in their hearts and delight within the breasts for the falsehood they are upon. The imitation and resemblance in outer matters necessitates imitation and resemblance in inner matters such as sharing corrupted beliefs albeit upon an Oriental face and subtle gradualness. Among the greatest corruption also is – and it has already happened – imitation of the disbelievers outwardly leads to internal love and admiration and allegiance.
Love and allegiance to them negates eemaan (faith) as Allaah stated:
‘‘O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as your loyal friends and protectors (awliyaa‘)! They are friends and protectors of one another. Whoever takes them as friends and protectors from among you is one of them and Allaah does not guide the wrongdoers.’’ [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:51]
And Allaah said:
You will not find a people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day loving those who turn away from Allaah and His messenger.’’ [Sooratul-Mujaadilah 53:22]
Fifthly:
Based on the above it is not permissible for the Muslim who believes in Allaah as a Lord and in Islaam as a Religion and in Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as a Prophet and Messenger to hold parties for holidays that have no basis in the religion of Islaam. Among them is the so-called millennium. It is also not permissible to be present at them or to share in them nor congratulate for them in any shape or form because it constitutes and sin and going beyond the limits set by Allaah and Allaah says:
‘‘Do not cooperate in sin and enmity and fear Allaah. Verily Allaah is intense in punishment.’’ [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:2]
Sixthly:
It is not permissible for the Muslim to cooperate with the disbelievers in any manner in their holidays (a’yaadihim). For example: Advertising and announcing their holidays the likes of which are the mentioned millennium. Nor is inviting to it by any means allowed whether it is through the media or erecting billboards or posters or countdowns or clothing memorabilia or printing cards or notebooks or making discounts and prizes for it or sports activities or spreading any logo or sign especially for it.
Seventhly:
It is not permissible for the Muslim to consider the holidays or celebrations of the disbelievers, among them the millennium, and the like as happy occasions or blessed times and therefore make vacations or days off work or hold wedding ceremonies or inaugurate businesses or start projects and the like. It is not permissible to believe that these are special days any more than any day because they are indeed like any other day. To believe otherwise is a corruption that does not change the reality in the least. Indeed to hold such beliefs is a sin among those that we ask Allaah for protection and security from.
Eighthly:
It is not permissible for the Muslim to give congratulations for the holidays of the disbelievers because this is a type of acceptance of the falsehood that they are upon and it brings them joy. Ibnul-Qayyim (d.756H) - rahimahullaah - said that giving congratulations for the particular rites of kufr (disbelief) is haraam (impermissible) by consensus. Such would be congratulation them for their ’Eeds and fasting saying ‘A blessed holiday to you’ or ‘Congratulation on this holiday’ and so forth. It is haraam even if said by the one who is free from disbelief in himself. It is on the level congratulating him for his prostration to the cross. Indeed it is a greater sin with Allaah and a worse calumny than congratulating him for drinking alcohol (i.e. ‘cheers’) or killing someone, or having illicit sex and the like. There are so many who do not full appreciate their Religion who fall into this not knowing the ugliness of what they have fallen into for whoever congratulates the slave for his disobedience or his heresy (bid’ah) or disbelief has in effect exposed himself to the hatred of Allaah and His anger.
Ninthly:
It is a distinction and honour for the Muslims to adhere to the Hijree calendar, the calendar marking the migration of their Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) upon which the Companions (radiyallaahu ’anhum) agreed. They did so without any celebration and the Muslims after them inherited it and have followed it for fourteen centuries to this day. For this reason it is not permissible for the Muslim to turn away from the Hijree calendar and taking up other than it among the calendars of the nations of the world such as the Meelaadee (Gregorian) calendar. It is substituting that which is worse for that which is best. Thus we advise all of our Muslim brethren to fear Allaah as He should be feared and to act in obedience to Him and to distance themselves from sinfulness and disobedience as well as to admonish for that and to patience. Let every sincere believer strive to the utmost to protect himself from the anger of Allaah and His curse in this life and the Hereafter by actualization of knowledge and eemaan (faith) by taking Allaah as his Guide, Helper, Ruler and Protector. Indeed He is the best Protector and the best Helper. It is sufficient to have your Lord as a guide and helper and to make the supplication of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): ‘O Allaah! Lord of Jibreel and Meekaa‘eel and Israafeel, Fashioner of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the Unseen and Seen, You are the judge between Your slaves about what they have differed in. Guide me to what has been differed upon to the truth by Your will. Verily You guide whom You will to the Straight Path. All praise is due to Allaah the Lord of all that exists.’ And may Prayers and Peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions.
THE PERMANENT COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND RULINGS:
’Abdul-’Azeez Ibn ’Abdullaah Ibn Muhammad aalush-Shaykh, President
’Abdullaah ’Abdur-Rahmaan al-Ghudayyaan, Member
Bakr Ibn ’Abdullaah Aboo Zayd, Member
Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan, Member
Footnotes:
[1] Refer to al-Iqtidaa‘us-Siraatil-Mustaqeem (1/432) of Ibn Taymiyyah.
[2] Refer to Tafseerul-Qur‘aanil-A’dtheem (3/328-329).
[3] Saheeh: Related by al-Bayhaqee in as-Sunanul-Kubraa (9/234) and in Kanzul-’Amal (no. 1732).
[4] Saheeh: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 1134).
[5] Saheeh: Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in his Musannaf (1/309). It was authenticated by Ibn Taymiyyah in al-Iqtidaa‘ (1/344).
[6] Da’eef: Related by al-Bayhaqee (9/234), it was declared weak by Ibn Taymiyyah in al-Iqtidaa‘us-Siraat.
(no: 21049) Dated: 12/8/1420
Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 June 2007 )
Halloween: Harmless or Haraam?
Thursday, 14 June 2007
An concise article detailing the origins of how Halloween started and outlining its pagan roots. The article continues to expound upon the proper Islaamic ruling concerning its celebration and a warning to the ignorant Muslims who fall into it.
Even if one decides to go along with the outward practises of Hallow'een without acknowledging the deeper significance or historical background of this custom, he or she is still guilty of indulging in this pagan festival.
Every year, on the evening of October 31st, millions of children across North America paint their faces, dress up in costumes, and go door to door collecting treats. The adults often decorate their houses with ghostly figures, carve scary faces on pumpkins, and put candles in them to create "Jack-O-Lanterns." Unfortunately, among the millions of North Americans indulging in this custom, many are also Muslims. This article will shed some light on the significance and origins of Hallow'een, and why Muslims should not participate in it.
Origins of the Hallow'een Festival
The ancient Celtic (Irish/Scottish/Welsh) festival called Samhain is considered by most historians and scholars to be the predecessor of what is now Hallow'een. Samhain was the New Year's day of the pagan Celts. It was also the Day of the Dead, a time when it was believed that the souls of those who had died during the year were allowed access into the "land of the dead". Many traditional beliefs and customs associated with Samhain continue to be practiced today on the 31st of October. Most notable of these customs are the practice of leaving offerings of food and drink (now candy) to masked and costumed revelers, and the lighting of bonfires. Elements of this festival were incorporated into the Christian festival of All Hallow's Eve, or Hallow-Even, the night preceding All Saint's (Hallows') Day. It is the glossing of the name Hallow- Even that has given us the name of Hallow'een. Until recent times in some parts of Europe, it was believed that on this night the dead walked amongst them, and that witches and warlocks flew in their midst. In preparation for this, bonfires were built to ward off these malevolent spirits.
By the 19th century, witches' pranks were replaced by children's tricks. The spirits of Samhain, once believed to be wild and powerful, were now recognized as being evil. Devout Christians began rejecting this festival. They had discovered that the so-called gods, goddesses, and other spiritual beings of the pagan religions, were diabolical deceptions. The spiritual forces that people experienced during this festival were indeed real, but they were manifestations of the devil who misled people toward the worship of false idols. Thus, they rejected the customs associated with Hallow'een, including all representations of ghosts, vampires, and human skeletons - symbols of the dead - and of the devil and other malevolent and evil creatures. It must also be noted that, to this day, many Satan-worshippers consider the evening of October 31st to be their most sacred. And many devout Christians today continue to distance themselves from this pagan festival.
The Islamic Perspective
Iman (faith) is the foundation of Islamic society, and tauheed (the belief in the existence and Oneness of Allaah) is the essence of this faith and the very core of Islam. The safeguarding of this iman, and of this pure tauheed, is the primary objective of all Islamic teachings and legislation. In order to keep the Muslim society purified of all traces of shirk (associating partners with Allaah) and remnants of error, a continuous war must be waged against all customs and practises which originate from societies' ignorance of divine guidance, and in the errors of idol worship.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) issued a stern warning:
"Whoever imitates a nation is one of them!" (Abu Da'oud). Muslims should heed this warning and refrain from copying or imitating the kufar in their celebrations. Islam has strongly forbidden Muslims to follow the religious or social customs of the non-Muslims, and especially of the idol-worshippers or those who worship the devil. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "By Him in Whose hands is my life, you are ordered to enjoin good and forbid evil, or else Allaah will certainly afflict you with torments. Thereafter, even your du'a (supplications) will not be accepted." (Tirmidhi). From an Islamic standpoint, Hallow'een is one of the worst celebrations because of its origins and history. It is HARAM (forbidden), even if there may be some seemingly good or harmless elements in those practises, as evidenced by a statement from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) "Every innovation (in our religion) is misguidance, even if the people regard it as something good" [1]. Although it may be argued that the celebration of Hallow'een today has nothing to do with devil-worship, it is still forbidden for Muslims to participate in it. If Muslims begin to take part in such customs, it is a sure sign of weak iman and that we have either forgotten, or outrightly rejected the mission of our Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who came to cleanse us from jahiliyyah customs, superstitions and false practises.
Muslims are enjoined to neither imitate the behaviour and customs of the non-Muslims, nor to commit their indecencies. Behaviour-imitation will affect the attitude of a Muslim and may create a feeling of sympathy towards the indecent modes of life. Islam seeks to cleanse the Muslim of all immoral conducts and habits, and thus paving the way for the Qur'an and Sunnah to be the correct and pure source for original Islamic thought and behaviour. A Muslim should be a model for others in faith and practice, behaviour and moral character, and not a blind imitator dependant on other nations and cultures.
Even if one decides to go along with the outward practises of Hallow'een without acknowledging the deeper significance or historical background of this custom, he or she is still guilty of indulging in this pagan festival. Undoubtedly, even after hearing the Truth, some Muslims will still participate in Hallow'een, send their kids "trick-or-treating," and they will try to justify it by saying they are doing it merely to make their children happy. But what is the duty of Muslim parents? Is it to follow the wishes of their children without question, or to mould them within the correct Islamic framework as outlined in the Qur'an and Sunnah? Is it not the responsibility of Muslim parents to impart correct Islamic training and instruction to their children? How can this duty be performed if, instead of instructing the children in Islam, parents allow and encourage their children to be taught the way of the unbelievers? Allaah exposes these types of people in the Qur'an: "We have sent them the Truth, but they indeed practise falsehood" (23:10). Muslim parents must teach their children to refrain from practising falsehood, and not to imitate the non-Muslims in their customs and festivals. If the children are taught to be proud of their Islamic heritage, they themselves will, insha Allaah, abstain from Hallow'een and other non-Muslim celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: The Final Hour will not come until my followers copy the deeds of the previous nations and follow them very closely, span by span, and cubit by cubit (inch by inch). (Bukhari).
Islam is a pure religion with no need to accomodate any custom, practise or celebration that is not a part of it. Islam does not distinguish between "secular and sacred;" the shari'ah must rule every aspect of our lives.
"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."[2]
"When the people see a person committing a wrong, but do not seize his hand to restrain him or her from the deed, it is likely that Allaah will punish them both." (Abu Da'oud, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi)
"Whoever imitates a nation is one of them." (Abu Da'oud)
What to do on Halloween
We have established, beyond doubt, that the celebration of Hallow'een is absolutely forbidden in Islam. It is HARAM. The question arises as to what to do on this night. Muslim parents must not send their kids out "trick-or-treating" on Hallow'een night. Our children must be told why we do not celebrate Hallow'een. Most children are very receptive when taught with sincerity, and especially when shown in practice the joy of their own Islamic celebrations and traditions. In this regard, teach them about the two Islamic festivals of Eid. (Eid-ul-Fitr is fast approaching, and this is the perfect time to start preparing them for it.) It must also be mentioned that, even Muslims who stay home and give out treats to those who come to their door are still participating in this festival. In order to avoid this, leave the front lights off and do not open the door. Educate your neighbours about our Islamic teachings. Inform them in advance that Muslims do not participate in Hallow'een, and explain the reasons why. (Give them a copy of this flyer if needed.) They will respect your wishes, and you will gain respect in the process. "A person who calls another to guidance will be rewarded, as will the one who accepts the message." (Tirmidhi)
Finally, we must remember that we are fully accountable to Allaah for all of our actions and deeds. If, after knowing the Truth, we do not cease our un-Islamic practises, we risk the wrath of Allaah as He himself warned us in the Qur'an: "Then let them beware who refuse the Messenger's order lest some trial befall them, or a grevious punishment be afflicted upon them!" (24:63). This is a serious matter and not to be taken lightly. And Allaah knows best. May Allaah guide us, help us to stay on the right path, and save us from all deviations and innovations that will lead us into the fires of Hell.
Footnotes:
[1] The Hadeeth was reported as Marfoo` by Al-Harawee but it was graded Da`eef by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Ahkaam-ul-Janaa'iz.
What is confirmed is that it is a statement of `Abdullaah ibn `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (radiyallaahu `anhumaa). This was reported by Al-Baihaqee in Al-Madkhal ilas-Sunan (#191), Ibn Nasr in As-Sunnah (#70), Ibn Battah in Al-Ibaanah (#205) and Al-Laalikaa'ee in Sharh Usool I`tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah (#126).
It was graded Saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in his checking of Islaah-ul-Masaajid (p.15), in As-Saheehah (2735) and Ahkaam-ul-Janaa’iz (124), by Shaykh `Alee Hasan Al-Halabee in `Ilm Usool-il-Bid` (p.92) and by Shaykh Mash-hoor Salmaan in his checking of As-Suyootee’s Al-Amr bil-Ittibaa` wan-Nahy `anil-Ibtidaa` (p.64). Shaykh Saleem Al-Hilaalee said in Al-Bid`ah wa Atharuha As-Sayyi’ fil-Ummah (p.42): “Its Isnaad is Saheeh like the sun!”
[2] This is reported by Ahmad (4/126), Abu Daawood (4607), Ibn Maajah (43,44), At-Tirmidhee (2676), Al-Haakim (1/95-96), Ibn Hibbaan (5) and others. However, it is not in Saheeh-ul-Bukhaaree.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
An concise article detailing the origins of how Halloween started and outlining its pagan roots. The article continues to expound upon the proper Islaamic ruling concerning its celebration and a warning to the ignorant Muslims who fall into it.
Even if one decides to go along with the outward practises of Hallow'een without acknowledging the deeper significance or historical background of this custom, he or she is still guilty of indulging in this pagan festival.
Every year, on the evening of October 31st, millions of children across North America paint their faces, dress up in costumes, and go door to door collecting treats. The adults often decorate their houses with ghostly figures, carve scary faces on pumpkins, and put candles in them to create "Jack-O-Lanterns." Unfortunately, among the millions of North Americans indulging in this custom, many are also Muslims. This article will shed some light on the significance and origins of Hallow'een, and why Muslims should not participate in it.
Origins of the Hallow'een Festival
The ancient Celtic (Irish/Scottish/Welsh) festival called Samhain is considered by most historians and scholars to be the predecessor of what is now Hallow'een. Samhain was the New Year's day of the pagan Celts. It was also the Day of the Dead, a time when it was believed that the souls of those who had died during the year were allowed access into the "land of the dead". Many traditional beliefs and customs associated with Samhain continue to be practiced today on the 31st of October. Most notable of these customs are the practice of leaving offerings of food and drink (now candy) to masked and costumed revelers, and the lighting of bonfires. Elements of this festival were incorporated into the Christian festival of All Hallow's Eve, or Hallow-Even, the night preceding All Saint's (Hallows') Day. It is the glossing of the name Hallow- Even that has given us the name of Hallow'een. Until recent times in some parts of Europe, it was believed that on this night the dead walked amongst them, and that witches and warlocks flew in their midst. In preparation for this, bonfires were built to ward off these malevolent spirits.
By the 19th century, witches' pranks were replaced by children's tricks. The spirits of Samhain, once believed to be wild and powerful, were now recognized as being evil. Devout Christians began rejecting this festival. They had discovered that the so-called gods, goddesses, and other spiritual beings of the pagan religions, were diabolical deceptions. The spiritual forces that people experienced during this festival were indeed real, but they were manifestations of the devil who misled people toward the worship of false idols. Thus, they rejected the customs associated with Hallow'een, including all representations of ghosts, vampires, and human skeletons - symbols of the dead - and of the devil and other malevolent and evil creatures. It must also be noted that, to this day, many Satan-worshippers consider the evening of October 31st to be their most sacred. And many devout Christians today continue to distance themselves from this pagan festival.
The Islamic Perspective
Iman (faith) is the foundation of Islamic society, and tauheed (the belief in the existence and Oneness of Allaah) is the essence of this faith and the very core of Islam. The safeguarding of this iman, and of this pure tauheed, is the primary objective of all Islamic teachings and legislation. In order to keep the Muslim society purified of all traces of shirk (associating partners with Allaah) and remnants of error, a continuous war must be waged against all customs and practises which originate from societies' ignorance of divine guidance, and in the errors of idol worship.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) issued a stern warning:
"Whoever imitates a nation is one of them!" (Abu Da'oud). Muslims should heed this warning and refrain from copying or imitating the kufar in their celebrations. Islam has strongly forbidden Muslims to follow the religious or social customs of the non-Muslims, and especially of the idol-worshippers or those who worship the devil. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "By Him in Whose hands is my life, you are ordered to enjoin good and forbid evil, or else Allaah will certainly afflict you with torments. Thereafter, even your du'a (supplications) will not be accepted." (Tirmidhi). From an Islamic standpoint, Hallow'een is one of the worst celebrations because of its origins and history. It is HARAM (forbidden), even if there may be some seemingly good or harmless elements in those practises, as evidenced by a statement from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) "Every innovation (in our religion) is misguidance, even if the people regard it as something good" [1]. Although it may be argued that the celebration of Hallow'een today has nothing to do with devil-worship, it is still forbidden for Muslims to participate in it. If Muslims begin to take part in such customs, it is a sure sign of weak iman and that we have either forgotten, or outrightly rejected the mission of our Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who came to cleanse us from jahiliyyah customs, superstitions and false practises.
Muslims are enjoined to neither imitate the behaviour and customs of the non-Muslims, nor to commit their indecencies. Behaviour-imitation will affect the attitude of a Muslim and may create a feeling of sympathy towards the indecent modes of life. Islam seeks to cleanse the Muslim of all immoral conducts and habits, and thus paving the way for the Qur'an and Sunnah to be the correct and pure source for original Islamic thought and behaviour. A Muslim should be a model for others in faith and practice, behaviour and moral character, and not a blind imitator dependant on other nations and cultures.
Even if one decides to go along with the outward practises of Hallow'een without acknowledging the deeper significance or historical background of this custom, he or she is still guilty of indulging in this pagan festival. Undoubtedly, even after hearing the Truth, some Muslims will still participate in Hallow'een, send their kids "trick-or-treating," and they will try to justify it by saying they are doing it merely to make their children happy. But what is the duty of Muslim parents? Is it to follow the wishes of their children without question, or to mould them within the correct Islamic framework as outlined in the Qur'an and Sunnah? Is it not the responsibility of Muslim parents to impart correct Islamic training and instruction to their children? How can this duty be performed if, instead of instructing the children in Islam, parents allow and encourage their children to be taught the way of the unbelievers? Allaah exposes these types of people in the Qur'an: "We have sent them the Truth, but they indeed practise falsehood" (23:10). Muslim parents must teach their children to refrain from practising falsehood, and not to imitate the non-Muslims in their customs and festivals. If the children are taught to be proud of their Islamic heritage, they themselves will, insha Allaah, abstain from Hallow'een and other non-Muslim celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: The Final Hour will not come until my followers copy the deeds of the previous nations and follow them very closely, span by span, and cubit by cubit (inch by inch). (Bukhari).
Islam is a pure religion with no need to accomodate any custom, practise or celebration that is not a part of it. Islam does not distinguish between "secular and sacred;" the shari'ah must rule every aspect of our lives.
"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."[2]
"When the people see a person committing a wrong, but do not seize his hand to restrain him or her from the deed, it is likely that Allaah will punish them both." (Abu Da'oud, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi)
"Whoever imitates a nation is one of them." (Abu Da'oud)
What to do on Halloween
We have established, beyond doubt, that the celebration of Hallow'een is absolutely forbidden in Islam. It is HARAM. The question arises as to what to do on this night. Muslim parents must not send their kids out "trick-or-treating" on Hallow'een night. Our children must be told why we do not celebrate Hallow'een. Most children are very receptive when taught with sincerity, and especially when shown in practice the joy of their own Islamic celebrations and traditions. In this regard, teach them about the two Islamic festivals of Eid. (Eid-ul-Fitr is fast approaching, and this is the perfect time to start preparing them for it.) It must also be mentioned that, even Muslims who stay home and give out treats to those who come to their door are still participating in this festival. In order to avoid this, leave the front lights off and do not open the door. Educate your neighbours about our Islamic teachings. Inform them in advance that Muslims do not participate in Hallow'een, and explain the reasons why. (Give them a copy of this flyer if needed.) They will respect your wishes, and you will gain respect in the process. "A person who calls another to guidance will be rewarded, as will the one who accepts the message." (Tirmidhi)
Finally, we must remember that we are fully accountable to Allaah for all of our actions and deeds. If, after knowing the Truth, we do not cease our un-Islamic practises, we risk the wrath of Allaah as He himself warned us in the Qur'an: "Then let them beware who refuse the Messenger's order lest some trial befall them, or a grevious punishment be afflicted upon them!" (24:63). This is a serious matter and not to be taken lightly. And Allaah knows best. May Allaah guide us, help us to stay on the right path, and save us from all deviations and innovations that will lead us into the fires of Hell.
Footnotes:
[1] The Hadeeth was reported as Marfoo` by Al-Harawee but it was graded Da`eef by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in Ahkaam-ul-Janaa'iz.
What is confirmed is that it is a statement of `Abdullaah ibn `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (radiyallaahu `anhumaa). This was reported by Al-Baihaqee in Al-Madkhal ilas-Sunan (#191), Ibn Nasr in As-Sunnah (#70), Ibn Battah in Al-Ibaanah (#205) and Al-Laalikaa'ee in Sharh Usool I`tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah (#126).
It was graded Saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albaanee in his checking of Islaah-ul-Masaajid (p.15), in As-Saheehah (2735) and Ahkaam-ul-Janaa’iz (124), by Shaykh `Alee Hasan Al-Halabee in `Ilm Usool-il-Bid` (p.92) and by Shaykh Mash-hoor Salmaan in his checking of As-Suyootee’s Al-Amr bil-Ittibaa` wan-Nahy `anil-Ibtidaa` (p.64). Shaykh Saleem Al-Hilaalee said in Al-Bid`ah wa Atharuha As-Sayyi’ fil-Ummah (p.42): “Its Isnaad is Saheeh like the sun!”
[2] This is reported by Ahmad (4/126), Abu Daawood (4607), Ibn Maajah (43,44), At-Tirmidhee (2676), Al-Haakim (1/95-96), Ibn Hibbaan (5) and others. However, it is not in Saheeh-ul-Bukhaaree.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Harmful pesticides found in everyday food products
Mercer Island children tested in yearlong study
By ANDREW SCHNEIDER
P-I SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
Government promises to rid the nation's food supply of brain-damaging pesticides aren't doing the job, according to the results of a yearlong study that carefully monitored the diets of a group of local children
.
The peer-reviewed study found that the urine and saliva of children eating a variety of conventional foods from area groceries contained biological markers of organophosphates, the family of pesticides spawned by the creation of nerve gas agents in World War II.
When the same children ate organic fruits, vegetables and juices, signs of pesticides were not found.
"The transformation is extremely rapid," said Chensheng Lu, the principal author of the study published online in the current issue of Environmental Health Perspectives.
"Once you switch from conventional food to organic, the pesticides (malathion and chlorpyrifos) that we can measure in the urine disappears. The level returns immediately when you go back to the conventional diets," said Lu, a professor at Emory University's School of Public Health and a leading authority on pesticides and children.
Within eight to 36 hours of the children switching to organic food, the pesticides were no longer detected in the testing.
The subjects for his testing were 21 children, ages 3 to 11, from two elementary schools and a Montessori preschool on Mercer Island.
The community has double the median national income, but the wealth of Mercer Island made no difference in the outcome, he said.
"We are confident that if we did the same study in poor communities, we would get the same results," he said. The study is being repeated in Georgia.
The study has not yet linked the pesticide levels to specific foods, but other studies have shown peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, strawberries and cherries are among those that most frequently have detectable levels of pesticides.
Measuring the harm
Lu is quick to point out that there is no certainty that the pesticides measured in this group of children would cause any adverse health outcomes. However, he added that a recent animal study demonstrated that persistent cognitive impairment occurred in rats after chronic dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos.
Death or serious health problems have been documented in thousands of cases in which there were high-level exposures to malathion and chlorpyrifos. But a link between neurological impairments and repeated low-level exposure is far more difficult to determine.
"There's a large underpinning of animal research for organophosphate pesticides, and particularly for chlorpyrifos, that points to bad outcomes in terms of effects on brain development and behavior," Dr. Theodore Slotkin, a professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at Duke University in North Carolina, said in the April 2006 Environmental Health Perspectives.
Lu says more research must be done into the harm these pesticides may do to children, even at the low levels found on food.
"In animal and a few human studies, we know chlorpyrifos inhibits an enzyme that transmits a signal in the brain so the body can function properly. Unfortunately, that's all we know."
Not many chemicals, including pharmaceutical products, were designed specifically to kill mammals, which was genesis of organophosphates.
"It is appropriate to assume that if we -- human beings -- are exposed to (this class of) pesticides, even though it's a low-level exposure on a daily basis, there are going to be some health concerns down the road," said Lu, who is on the Environmental Protection Agency's pesticide advisory panel.
The EPA says it eliminated the use of organophosphates on many crops and imposed numerous restrictions on the remaining organophosphate pesticide uses.
Congressional concern that children were being harmed by excessive exposure to pesticides led to the unanimous passage of the Food Quality Protection Act. At its heart was a requirement that by 2006, the EPA complete a comprehensive reassessment of the 9,721 pesticides permitted for use and determine the safe level of pesticide residues permitted for all food products.
"As a result, the amount of these pesticides used on kids' foods (has undergone) a 57 percent reduction," said Jonathan Shradar, the EPA's spokesman.
But that's not nearly enough to prevent birth defects and neurological problems, said Chuck Benbrook, chief scientist of the Organic Center, a nationwide, nonprofit, food research organization.
"The pesticide limits that EPA permits are far, far too high to say they're safe. And, the reduction that EPA cites in the U.S. has been accompanied by a steady increase in pesticide-contaminated imported foods, which are capturing a growing share of the market," he said.
Yet the EPA continues to insist that "dietary exposures from eating food crops treated with chlorpyrifos are below the level of concern for the entire U.S. population, including infants and children."
That statement is "not supported by science," Benbrook said.
"Given the almost daily reminders that children are suffering from an array of behavioral, learning, neurological problems, doesn't it make sense to eliminate exposures to chemicals known to trigger such outcomes like chlorpyrifos?" he asked.
What to do
While the gut reaction of some parents might be to limit the consumption of fresh produce or switch completely to organic food, Lu cautions not to make the wrong decision.
"It is vital for children to consume significantly more fresh fruits and vegetables than is commonly the case today," he says, citing such problems as juvenile diabetes and obesity.
"Nor is our purpose to promote the consumption of organic food, although our data clearly demonstrate that food grown organically contains far less pesticide residues."
Lu says an all-organic diet is not necessary. He has two sons, 10 and 13, and he estimates that about 60 percent of his family's diet is organic.
"Consumers," he says, "should be encouraged to buy produce direct from the farmers they know. These need not be just organic farmers, but conventional growers who minimize their use of pesticides."
Understanding how fruits and vegetables grow can help guide the consumer, he says.
For example, organic strawberries probably are worth the money because they are a tender-fleshed fruit grown close to the dirt, so more pesticides are needed to fight insects and bugs from the soil. He adds apples and spinach to his list.
"It may also be money-smart to choose conventionally grown broccoli because it has a web of leaves surrounding the florets, resulting in lower levels of pesticide residue," Lu says.
He is greatly concerned about one finding from the study.
"Overall pesticide (marker) levels in urine samples were even higher in the winter months, suggesting children may have consumed fruits and vegetables that are imported. The government needs to ensure that imported food comply with the standards we impose on domestic produce," he said.
Dangerous science
Chlorpyrifos, made by Dow Chemical Co., is one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides in the United States and, many believe, the world.
For years, millions of pounds of the chemical insecticide were used in schools, homes, day care centers and public housing, and studies show that children were often exposed to enormously high doses. Just as the EPA was ready to ban the product, which analysts said would have damaged Dow's overseas sales, the company "voluntarily" removed it from the home market. Yet, with few exceptions, the agricultural uses continued.
The EPA's Web site is a study in contradictions when it comes to chlorpyrifos.
At one section, it "acknowledged the special susceptibility and sensitivity of children to developmental and neurological effects from exposure to chlorpyrifos."
But in another section, the agency reports that infants and children face no risk from eating food crops treated with chlorpyrifos. However, the agency doesn't say how it reached that conclusion. There is no agreement of how much of the neurotoxin is too much.
Benbrook said the EPA has refused orders from Congress to study the cumulative developmental risk to children from low-dose exposures.
"Perhaps we can rest assured that EPA has protected us adults from acute insecticide poisoning risk, but our kids are on their own," Benbrook said.
ABOUT THE STUDY
Chensheng Lu's study was published this month in Environmental Health Perspectives (ehponline.org), a publication of the National Institute of Environmental Health Science. It was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and used federal laboratories to confirm the accuracy of his findings.
Unlike many previous studies, Lu's team focused on children living in an urban/suburban area who were tested for multiple days in each of the four seasons with urine and saliva sampled twice a day.
The organic produce was sent to the Department of Agriculture lab in Yakima to be tested for pesticides. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested the urine samples and the Food and Drug Administration laboratory is completing its quantification of pesticide residues in samples of the conventional food the children consumed.
The team included scientists from Emory University, the CDC and the University of Washington.
P-I senior correspondent Andrew Schneider can be reached at 206-448-8218 or andrewschneider@seattlepi.com.
Mercer Island children tested in yearlong study
By ANDREW SCHNEIDER
P-I SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
Government promises to rid the nation's food supply of brain-damaging pesticides aren't doing the job, according to the results of a yearlong study that carefully monitored the diets of a group of local children
.
The peer-reviewed study found that the urine and saliva of children eating a variety of conventional foods from area groceries contained biological markers of organophosphates, the family of pesticides spawned by the creation of nerve gas agents in World War II.
When the same children ate organic fruits, vegetables and juices, signs of pesticides were not found.
"The transformation is extremely rapid," said Chensheng Lu, the principal author of the study published online in the current issue of Environmental Health Perspectives.
"Once you switch from conventional food to organic, the pesticides (malathion and chlorpyrifos) that we can measure in the urine disappears. The level returns immediately when you go back to the conventional diets," said Lu, a professor at Emory University's School of Public Health and a leading authority on pesticides and children.
Within eight to 36 hours of the children switching to organic food, the pesticides were no longer detected in the testing.
The subjects for his testing were 21 children, ages 3 to 11, from two elementary schools and a Montessori preschool on Mercer Island.
The community has double the median national income, but the wealth of Mercer Island made no difference in the outcome, he said.
"We are confident that if we did the same study in poor communities, we would get the same results," he said. The study is being repeated in Georgia.
The study has not yet linked the pesticide levels to specific foods, but other studies have shown peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, strawberries and cherries are among those that most frequently have detectable levels of pesticides.
Measuring the harm
Lu is quick to point out that there is no certainty that the pesticides measured in this group of children would cause any adverse health outcomes. However, he added that a recent animal study demonstrated that persistent cognitive impairment occurred in rats after chronic dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos.
Death or serious health problems have been documented in thousands of cases in which there were high-level exposures to malathion and chlorpyrifos. But a link between neurological impairments and repeated low-level exposure is far more difficult to determine.
"There's a large underpinning of animal research for organophosphate pesticides, and particularly for chlorpyrifos, that points to bad outcomes in terms of effects on brain development and behavior," Dr. Theodore Slotkin, a professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at Duke University in North Carolina, said in the April 2006 Environmental Health Perspectives.
Lu says more research must be done into the harm these pesticides may do to children, even at the low levels found on food.
"In animal and a few human studies, we know chlorpyrifos inhibits an enzyme that transmits a signal in the brain so the body can function properly. Unfortunately, that's all we know."
Not many chemicals, including pharmaceutical products, were designed specifically to kill mammals, which was genesis of organophosphates.
"It is appropriate to assume that if we -- human beings -- are exposed to (this class of) pesticides, even though it's a low-level exposure on a daily basis, there are going to be some health concerns down the road," said Lu, who is on the Environmental Protection Agency's pesticide advisory panel.
The EPA says it eliminated the use of organophosphates on many crops and imposed numerous restrictions on the remaining organophosphate pesticide uses.
Congressional concern that children were being harmed by excessive exposure to pesticides led to the unanimous passage of the Food Quality Protection Act. At its heart was a requirement that by 2006, the EPA complete a comprehensive reassessment of the 9,721 pesticides permitted for use and determine the safe level of pesticide residues permitted for all food products.
"As a result, the amount of these pesticides used on kids' foods (has undergone) a 57 percent reduction," said Jonathan Shradar, the EPA's spokesman.
But that's not nearly enough to prevent birth defects and neurological problems, said Chuck Benbrook, chief scientist of the Organic Center, a nationwide, nonprofit, food research organization.
"The pesticide limits that EPA permits are far, far too high to say they're safe. And, the reduction that EPA cites in the U.S. has been accompanied by a steady increase in pesticide-contaminated imported foods, which are capturing a growing share of the market," he said.
Yet the EPA continues to insist that "dietary exposures from eating food crops treated with chlorpyrifos are below the level of concern for the entire U.S. population, including infants and children."
That statement is "not supported by science," Benbrook said.
"Given the almost daily reminders that children are suffering from an array of behavioral, learning, neurological problems, doesn't it make sense to eliminate exposures to chemicals known to trigger such outcomes like chlorpyrifos?" he asked.
What to do
While the gut reaction of some parents might be to limit the consumption of fresh produce or switch completely to organic food, Lu cautions not to make the wrong decision.
"It is vital for children to consume significantly more fresh fruits and vegetables than is commonly the case today," he says, citing such problems as juvenile diabetes and obesity.
"Nor is our purpose to promote the consumption of organic food, although our data clearly demonstrate that food grown organically contains far less pesticide residues."
Lu says an all-organic diet is not necessary. He has two sons, 10 and 13, and he estimates that about 60 percent of his family's diet is organic.
"Consumers," he says, "should be encouraged to buy produce direct from the farmers they know. These need not be just organic farmers, but conventional growers who minimize their use of pesticides."
Understanding how fruits and vegetables grow can help guide the consumer, he says.
For example, organic strawberries probably are worth the money because they are a tender-fleshed fruit grown close to the dirt, so more pesticides are needed to fight insects and bugs from the soil. He adds apples and spinach to his list.
"It may also be money-smart to choose conventionally grown broccoli because it has a web of leaves surrounding the florets, resulting in lower levels of pesticide residue," Lu says.
He is greatly concerned about one finding from the study.
"Overall pesticide (marker) levels in urine samples were even higher in the winter months, suggesting children may have consumed fruits and vegetables that are imported. The government needs to ensure that imported food comply with the standards we impose on domestic produce," he said.
Dangerous science
Chlorpyrifos, made by Dow Chemical Co., is one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides in the United States and, many believe, the world.
For years, millions of pounds of the chemical insecticide were used in schools, homes, day care centers and public housing, and studies show that children were often exposed to enormously high doses. Just as the EPA was ready to ban the product, which analysts said would have damaged Dow's overseas sales, the company "voluntarily" removed it from the home market. Yet, with few exceptions, the agricultural uses continued.
The EPA's Web site is a study in contradictions when it comes to chlorpyrifos.
At one section, it "acknowledged the special susceptibility and sensitivity of children to developmental and neurological effects from exposure to chlorpyrifos."
But in another section, the agency reports that infants and children face no risk from eating food crops treated with chlorpyrifos. However, the agency doesn't say how it reached that conclusion. There is no agreement of how much of the neurotoxin is too much.
Benbrook said the EPA has refused orders from Congress to study the cumulative developmental risk to children from low-dose exposures.
"Perhaps we can rest assured that EPA has protected us adults from acute insecticide poisoning risk, but our kids are on their own," Benbrook said.
ABOUT THE STUDY
Chensheng Lu's study was published this month in Environmental Health Perspectives (ehponline.org), a publication of the National Institute of Environmental Health Science. It was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and used federal laboratories to confirm the accuracy of his findings.
Unlike many previous studies, Lu's team focused on children living in an urban/suburban area who were tested for multiple days in each of the four seasons with urine and saliva sampled twice a day.
The organic produce was sent to the Department of Agriculture lab in Yakima to be tested for pesticides. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested the urine samples and the Food and Drug Administration laboratory is completing its quantification of pesticide residues in samples of the conventional food the children consumed.
The team included scientists from Emory University, the CDC and the University of Washington.
P-I senior correspondent Andrew Schneider can be reached at 206-448-8218 or andrewschneider@seattlepi.com.
Al-Qur’an Kalamullah, bukan Makhluk !!
Senin, 13-April-2009, Penulis: Buletin Jum’at Al-Atsariyyah
Jika manusia jauh dari tuntunan Al-Kitab dan Sunnah, maka ia akan terjerumus dalam kubang-kubang kesesatan yang gelap, walaupun ia menyangka dirinya mendapatkan petunjuk. Ambil sebagai contoh, Jahmiyyah (sekte sesat binaan Jahm bin Shofwan) telah terjatuh dalam kesesatan, saat mereka menyangka bahwa kalamullah (ucapan dan firman Allah) –diantaranya, Al-Qur’an- adalah makhluk diantara makhluk-makhluk ciptaan Allah. Padahal jika mereka mau kembali kepada Al-Qur’an, dan Sunnah menurut pemahaman salaf (yakni, para sahabat, tabi’in, dan ulama’-ulama’ yang mengikuti mereka), niscaya tak akan menyatakan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, bahkan Al-Qur’an adalah firman dan ucapan Allah. Sedangkan firman dan ucapan-Nya adalah sifat Allah, bukan makhluk !!
Banyak sekali dalil yang menguatkan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan dan firman Allah), bukan makhluk. Dalil-dalil tersebut, ada baiknya kita bawakan agar menguatkan aqidah, dan iman kita.
Dalil dari Al-Qur’an Al-Karim
Allah -Ta’ala- telah mencela suatu kaum di dalam Al-Qur’an, karena mereka meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an itu adalah ucapan manusia alias makhluk,
"Lalu dia berkata: "(Al Quran) Ini tidak lain hanyalah sihir yang dipelajari (dari orang-orang dahulu), ini tidak lain hanyalah perkataan manusia". Aku akan memasukkannya ke dalam (neraka) Saqar. Tahukah kamu apakah (neraka) Saqar itu?". (QS. Al-Muddatstsir: 24-27).
Ahli Tafsir Negeri Syam, Al-Hafizh Ibnu Katsir Ad-Dimasyqiy-rahimahullah- berkata menafsiri ayat ini, "Allah -Ta’ala- berfirman dalam memberikan ancaman kepada orang keji ini, yang telah Allah berikan nikmat kepadanya, yaitu nikamt-nikmat duniawi. Lalu ia mengingkari nikmat-nikmat Allah, dan menggantinya dengan kekafiran; membalasnya dengan pengingkaran terhadap ayat-ayat Allah, dan mengada-ada atasnya; ia menganggapnya termasuk ucapan manusia". [Lihat Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-Azhim (4/568)]
Jadi, Al-Qur’an adalah firman Allah, bukan makhluk, dan bukan pula ucapan manusia. Segala sesuatu dari Al-Qur’an adalah firman Allah, baik yang tertulis dalam mushaf, diucapkan oleh manusia, direkam dalam kaset, dan lainnya; semua itu adalah firman Allah, bukan makhluk. Walaupun suara manusia, kertas dan tinta yang dipakai menulis, dan kaset yang dipakai merekam; semua itu adalah makhluk. Adapun yang disuarakan, ditulis, direkam, maka itu adalah firman Allah, bukan makhluk.
Allah -Ta’ala- berfirman,
"Allah Pencipta langit dan bumi, dan bila dia berkehendak (untuk menciptakan) sesuatu, Maka (cukuplah) dia hanya mengatakan kepadanya, "Jadilah!", lalu jadilah ia". (QS. Al-Baqoroh: 117).
Allah menjelaskan bahwa jika Dia menghendaki sesuatu, dan telah memutuskan (penciptaan)nya, maka Dia hanya berfirman, "Jadilah", lalu jadilah hal itu. Jadi, Allah menciptakannya dengan firman-Nya. Ayat ini membedakan antara firman-Nya yang merupakan sifat-Nya dan antara makhluk-Nya yang tercipta dengan perintah, dan ucapan-Nya. [Lihat Al-Ushul allati Banaa alaiha Ahlul Hadits Manhajahum fid Da’wah ilallah (hal. 214), cet. Dar Adh-Dhiya’]
Allah -Ta’ala- berfirman,
"Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu mendatangkan kepada orang-orang (Yahudi dan Nasrani) yang diberi Al Kitab (Taurat dan Injil), semua ayat (keterangan), maka mereka tidak akan mengikuti kiblatmu, dan kamu pun tidak akan mengikuti kiblat mereka, dan sebahagian merekapun tidak akan mengikuti kiblat sebahagian yang lain. Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu mengikuti keinginan mereka setelah datang ilmu kepadamu, Sesungguhnya kamu -kalau begitu- termasuk golongan orang-orang yang zhalim". (QS. Al-Baqoroh: 145).
Sesungguhnya Al-Qur’an yang merupakan kalamullah adalah ilmu Allah -Ta’ala-. Barangsiapa yang menyangka bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka sungguh ia telah menyangka bahwa ilmu Allah adalah makhluk. Na’udzu billah min dzalik. [Lihat Al-Ushul allati Banaa alaiha Ahlul Hadits Manhajahum fid Da’wah ilallah (hal. 214), cet. Dar Adh-Dhiya’]
Dalil dari Sunnah Nabawiyyah
Abdullah bin Umar -radhiyallahu ‘anhu- berkata, "Aku pernah mendengar Rasulullah -Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam- bersabda,
أَوَّلُ مَا خَلَقَ اللهٌ تَعَالَى الْقَلَمُ, فَأَخَذَهُ بِيَمِيْنِهِ وَكِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِيْنٌ, قَالَ: فَكَتَبَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا يَكُوْنُ فِيْهَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ مَعْمُوْلٍ: بِرٍ أَوْ فُجُوْرِ, رَطْبٍ أَوْ يَابِسٍ
"Makhluk yang paling pertama Allah -Ta’ala- ciptakan adalah al-qolam (pena). Kemudian Allah mengambilnya dengan tangan kanan-Nya. Sedang kedua tangan-Nya adalah kanan. Lalu Allah menetapkan adanya dunia, dan segala sesuatu yang terdapat di dalamnya berupa amalan baik yang dikerjakan, maupun amalan jelek; yang basah, maupun kering". [HR. Ibnu Abi Ashim dalam As-Sunnah (106), dan Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (hal. 180). Hadits ini di-hasan-kan oleh Syaikh Al-Albaniy dalam Zhilal Al-Jannah (1/42)
Hadits ini menunjukkan bahwa Al-Qolam (pena) adalah makhluk pertama yang Allah ciptakan, sedang kalamullah (ucapan Allah) telah ada sebelum Al-Qolam. Bahkan Al-Qolam tercipta dengan kalamullah. Maka ini menunjukkan bahwa kalamullah adalah sifat Allah, bukan makhluk ciptaan-Nya.
Al-Imam Ahmad-rahimahullah- berkata, "Syaikh ini (Yakni, Abbas An-Narsiy) telah menunjuki kita kepada sesuatu yang belum kita pahami, yaitu sabdanya, "Sesungguhnya sesuatu yang paling pertama Allah ciptakan adalah Al-Qolam", sedang Al-Kalam (firman Allah) ada sebelum Al-Qolam". [HR. Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (no. 178)]
Dalil berupa Ijma’ Para Salaf
Keyakinan seperti ini telah diyakini oleh seluruh orang-orang awam di zaman para sahabat, apalagi para ulama’ mereka, sebab perkara jelas dan gamblang seperti ini telah dikuatkan dan dijelaskan dalil-dalil dalam Al-Kitab dan As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah.
Al-Imam Abu Muhammad Ibnu Qutaibah Ad-Dainuriy-rahimahullah- (wft 276 H) berkata, "Andai mereka (yang berpendapat Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk) mau menajamkan pandangannya, dan diberikan sekeping taufiq, niscaya mereka akan mengetahui bahwa tidak mungkin Al-Qur’an itu adalah makhluk. Karena Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah). Sedang kalamullah dari Allah. Tak ada sesuatu yang berasal dari diri Allah yang merupakan makhluk". [Lihat Ta’wil Mukhtalaf Al-Hadits (hal. 259)]
Inilah aqidah (keyakinan) yang bercokol di hati kaum muslimin dari zaman kenabian sampai hari ini; Ahlus Sunnah terus meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan Allah), bukan makhluk ciptaan Allah.
Abu Bakr bin Ayyasy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Barangsiapa yang menyangka bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka ia menurut kami adalah kafir lagi zindiq, dan musuh Allah; kami tak akan menemaninya duduk, dan tak akan mengajaknya berbicara". [HR. Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (no. 163), Abu Dawud dalam Al-Masa’il (hal. 267), dan Al-Bukhoriy dalam Kholq Af’al Al-Ibad (hal. 119)]
Ulama’ tabi’in, Amr bin Dinar-rahimahullah- (wft 126 H) berkata menghikayatkan ijma’ para salaf dalam perkara ini,
سَمِعْتُ مَشِيْخَنَا مُنْذُ سَبْعِيْنَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ :الْقُرْآنُ كَلاَمُ اللهِ, لَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوْقٍ
"Aku telah mendengarkan para guru-guru kami berkata sejak 70 tahun, "Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah, bukan makhluk". [HR. Al-Baihaqiy dalam Syu’abul Iman (1/190)]
Seorang ulama’ Syafi’iyyah, Al-Imam Abu Bakr Al-Baihaqiy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Guru-gurunya Amr bin Dinar adalah sekelompok sahabat, dianataranya Abdullah bin Abbas, Abdullah bin Umar, Jabir bin Abdillah, Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, dan para pembesar tabi’in". [Lihat Syu’abul Iman (1/190), cet. Dar Al-Jiil]
Inilah aqidah para sahabat yang menetapkan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah ucapan Allah, bukan makhluk. Keyakinan ini terus diyakini oleh generasi setelahnya. Sekarang kita dengarkan Al-Imam Ash-Shobuniy-rahimahullah- (wft 449 H) dalam Aqidah As-Salaf (hal. 40) berkata, "Ashabul Hadits (yakni, Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah) mempersaksikan, dan meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan Allah), Kitab-Nya, wahyu-Nya, dan sesuatu yang Allah turunkan, bukan makhluk!! Barangsiapa yang meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka ia kafir di sisi Ahlus Sunnah".
Keyakinan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah, bukan makhluk, bukan cuman diyakini oleh para tabi’in, bahkan para imam ahli fiqih pun yang datang setelahnya juga meyakininya.
Al-Imam Al-Barbahariy-rahimahullah- berkata dalam kitabnya Syarhus Sunnah (hal. 71), "Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah), sesuatu yang turunkan, dan cahaya-Nya, bukan makhluk, karena Al-Qur’an dari diri Allah. Apa saja yang berasal dari diri Allah, maka bukan makhluk. Demikianlah yang dinyatakan oleh Malik bin Anas, Ahmad bin Hambal, para ahli fiqih, sebelum dan setelah keduanya; berdebat tentangnya adalah kekafiran".
Silakan dengar Imam Ahlis Sunnah, Ahmad bin Hambal Asy-Syaibaniy-rahimahullah- berkata,
وَالْقُرْآنُ كَلاَمُ اللهِ, وَلَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوْقٍ, وَلاَ تَضْعُفْ أَنْ تَقُوْلَ: لَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوْقٍ, فَإِنَّ كَلاَمَ اللهِ مِنْهُ, وَلَيْسَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ مَخْلُوْقٌ
"Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah), bukan makhluk. Jangan kau canggung untuk berkata, "Dia bukan makhluk", karena firman Allah dari Allah. Sedang tak ada dari diri-Nya sesuatu berupa makhluk". [Lihat Syarh Ushul I’tiqod Ahlis Sunnah wal Jama’ah (1/157)]
Seorang ulama’ Malikiyyah, Al-Imam Ibnu Abi Zaid Al-Qoirowaniy-rahimahullah- berkata dalam Risalah-nya, "Allah telah berbicara dengan Musa dengan kalam-Nya (firman-Nya) yang merupakan sifat dzatiyyah-Nya, bukan makhluk diantara makhluk-makhluk-Nya". [Lihat Qothful Janaa Ad-Dani (hal. 45) karya Syaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad]
Inilah keyakinan dan aqidah yang harus dianut oleh setiap muslim, karena itu adalah kebenaran yang dilandasi oleh dalil-dalil dari Al-Qur’an dan Sunnah Nabawiyyah, bahkan ijma’ para As-Salafush Sholeh.
Al-Imam Abu Ja’far Ath-Thohawiy-rahimahullah- (wft 321 H) berkata saat menyebutkan aqidah Ahlus Sunnah, "Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah). Dari-Nya Al-Qur’an muncul -tanpa kaifiyyah-, dalam bentuk ucapan; Allah menurunkannya kepada Rasul-Nya dalam bentuk wahyu. Al-Qur’an telah dibenarkan oleh orang-orang beriman dengan benar; mereka meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah secara hakiki, bukan makhluk sebagaimana halnya ucapan manusia. Barangsiapa yang mendengarnya, dan menyangkanya sebagai ucapan manusia , maka ia kafir". [Lihat Al-Aqidah Ath-Thohawiyyah (hal. 41)]
Al-ImamIbnu Abil Izz Al-Hanafiy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Apa yang dihikayatkan oleh Ath-Thohawiy -rahimahullah-, itulah yang benar, telah ditunjukkan oleh dalil-dalil dari Al-Kitab dan Sunnah bagi yang mentadabburinya. Itu juga dikuatkan oleh fithrah selamat yang belum berubah dengan (pengaruh) syubhat, keraguan, dan pemikiran-pemikiran batil". [Lihat Syarh Al-Aqidah Ath-Thohawiyyah (hal. 168), cet. 1391 H]
Inilah beberapa nukilan dan pernyataan Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah dari zaman ke zaman bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan, dan firman Allah), bukan makhluk. Barangsiapa yang menyangka –seperti halnya orang Jahmiyyah- bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka ia kafir.
Al-Imam Asy-Syafi’iy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Al-Qur’an adalah ucapan Allah -Azza wa Jalla-, bukan makhluk. Barangsiapa yang berkata, "Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk", maka ia kafir". [HR. Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (1/224)]
Sumber : Buletin Jum’at Al-Atsariyyah edisi 78 Tahun II. Penerbit : Pustaka Ibnu Abbas.
Alamat : Pesantren Tanwirus Sunnah, Jl. Bonto Te’ne No. 58, Kel. Borong Loe, Kec. Bonto Marannu, Gowa-Sulsel. HP : 08124173512 (a/n Ust. Abu Fa’izah).
Pimpinan Redaksi/Penanggung Jawab : Ust. Abu Fa’izah Abdul Qadir Al Atsary, Lc. Dewan Redaksi : Santri Ma’had Tanwirus Sunnah – Gowa. Editor/Pengasuh : Ust. Abu Fa’izah Abdul Qadir Al Atsary, Lc. Layout : Abu Dzikro. Untuk berlangganan/pemesanan hubungi : Ilham Al-Atsary (085255974201). (infaq Rp. 200,-/exp)
http://almakassari.com/?p=319
Senin, 13-April-2009, Penulis: Buletin Jum’at Al-Atsariyyah
Jika manusia jauh dari tuntunan Al-Kitab dan Sunnah, maka ia akan terjerumus dalam kubang-kubang kesesatan yang gelap, walaupun ia menyangka dirinya mendapatkan petunjuk. Ambil sebagai contoh, Jahmiyyah (sekte sesat binaan Jahm bin Shofwan) telah terjatuh dalam kesesatan, saat mereka menyangka bahwa kalamullah (ucapan dan firman Allah) –diantaranya, Al-Qur’an- adalah makhluk diantara makhluk-makhluk ciptaan Allah. Padahal jika mereka mau kembali kepada Al-Qur’an, dan Sunnah menurut pemahaman salaf (yakni, para sahabat, tabi’in, dan ulama’-ulama’ yang mengikuti mereka), niscaya tak akan menyatakan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, bahkan Al-Qur’an adalah firman dan ucapan Allah. Sedangkan firman dan ucapan-Nya adalah sifat Allah, bukan makhluk !!
Banyak sekali dalil yang menguatkan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan dan firman Allah), bukan makhluk. Dalil-dalil tersebut, ada baiknya kita bawakan agar menguatkan aqidah, dan iman kita.
Dalil dari Al-Qur’an Al-Karim
Allah -Ta’ala- telah mencela suatu kaum di dalam Al-Qur’an, karena mereka meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an itu adalah ucapan manusia alias makhluk,
"Lalu dia berkata: "(Al Quran) Ini tidak lain hanyalah sihir yang dipelajari (dari orang-orang dahulu), ini tidak lain hanyalah perkataan manusia". Aku akan memasukkannya ke dalam (neraka) Saqar. Tahukah kamu apakah (neraka) Saqar itu?". (QS. Al-Muddatstsir: 24-27).
Ahli Tafsir Negeri Syam, Al-Hafizh Ibnu Katsir Ad-Dimasyqiy-rahimahullah- berkata menafsiri ayat ini, "Allah -Ta’ala- berfirman dalam memberikan ancaman kepada orang keji ini, yang telah Allah berikan nikmat kepadanya, yaitu nikamt-nikmat duniawi. Lalu ia mengingkari nikmat-nikmat Allah, dan menggantinya dengan kekafiran; membalasnya dengan pengingkaran terhadap ayat-ayat Allah, dan mengada-ada atasnya; ia menganggapnya termasuk ucapan manusia". [Lihat Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-Azhim (4/568)]
Jadi, Al-Qur’an adalah firman Allah, bukan makhluk, dan bukan pula ucapan manusia. Segala sesuatu dari Al-Qur’an adalah firman Allah, baik yang tertulis dalam mushaf, diucapkan oleh manusia, direkam dalam kaset, dan lainnya; semua itu adalah firman Allah, bukan makhluk. Walaupun suara manusia, kertas dan tinta yang dipakai menulis, dan kaset yang dipakai merekam; semua itu adalah makhluk. Adapun yang disuarakan, ditulis, direkam, maka itu adalah firman Allah, bukan makhluk.
Allah -Ta’ala- berfirman,
"Allah Pencipta langit dan bumi, dan bila dia berkehendak (untuk menciptakan) sesuatu, Maka (cukuplah) dia hanya mengatakan kepadanya, "Jadilah!", lalu jadilah ia". (QS. Al-Baqoroh: 117).
Allah menjelaskan bahwa jika Dia menghendaki sesuatu, dan telah memutuskan (penciptaan)nya, maka Dia hanya berfirman, "Jadilah", lalu jadilah hal itu. Jadi, Allah menciptakannya dengan firman-Nya. Ayat ini membedakan antara firman-Nya yang merupakan sifat-Nya dan antara makhluk-Nya yang tercipta dengan perintah, dan ucapan-Nya. [Lihat Al-Ushul allati Banaa alaiha Ahlul Hadits Manhajahum fid Da’wah ilallah (hal. 214), cet. Dar Adh-Dhiya’]
Allah -Ta’ala- berfirman,
"Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu mendatangkan kepada orang-orang (Yahudi dan Nasrani) yang diberi Al Kitab (Taurat dan Injil), semua ayat (keterangan), maka mereka tidak akan mengikuti kiblatmu, dan kamu pun tidak akan mengikuti kiblat mereka, dan sebahagian merekapun tidak akan mengikuti kiblat sebahagian yang lain. Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu mengikuti keinginan mereka setelah datang ilmu kepadamu, Sesungguhnya kamu -kalau begitu- termasuk golongan orang-orang yang zhalim". (QS. Al-Baqoroh: 145).
Sesungguhnya Al-Qur’an yang merupakan kalamullah adalah ilmu Allah -Ta’ala-. Barangsiapa yang menyangka bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka sungguh ia telah menyangka bahwa ilmu Allah adalah makhluk. Na’udzu billah min dzalik. [Lihat Al-Ushul allati Banaa alaiha Ahlul Hadits Manhajahum fid Da’wah ilallah (hal. 214), cet. Dar Adh-Dhiya’]
Dalil dari Sunnah Nabawiyyah
Abdullah bin Umar -radhiyallahu ‘anhu- berkata, "Aku pernah mendengar Rasulullah -Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam- bersabda,
أَوَّلُ مَا خَلَقَ اللهٌ تَعَالَى الْقَلَمُ, فَأَخَذَهُ بِيَمِيْنِهِ وَكِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِيْنٌ, قَالَ: فَكَتَبَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا يَكُوْنُ فِيْهَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ مَعْمُوْلٍ: بِرٍ أَوْ فُجُوْرِ, رَطْبٍ أَوْ يَابِسٍ
"Makhluk yang paling pertama Allah -Ta’ala- ciptakan adalah al-qolam (pena). Kemudian Allah mengambilnya dengan tangan kanan-Nya. Sedang kedua tangan-Nya adalah kanan. Lalu Allah menetapkan adanya dunia, dan segala sesuatu yang terdapat di dalamnya berupa amalan baik yang dikerjakan, maupun amalan jelek; yang basah, maupun kering". [HR. Ibnu Abi Ashim dalam As-Sunnah (106), dan Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (hal. 180). Hadits ini di-hasan-kan oleh Syaikh Al-Albaniy dalam Zhilal Al-Jannah (1/42)
Hadits ini menunjukkan bahwa Al-Qolam (pena) adalah makhluk pertama yang Allah ciptakan, sedang kalamullah (ucapan Allah) telah ada sebelum Al-Qolam. Bahkan Al-Qolam tercipta dengan kalamullah. Maka ini menunjukkan bahwa kalamullah adalah sifat Allah, bukan makhluk ciptaan-Nya.
Al-Imam Ahmad-rahimahullah- berkata, "Syaikh ini (Yakni, Abbas An-Narsiy) telah menunjuki kita kepada sesuatu yang belum kita pahami, yaitu sabdanya, "Sesungguhnya sesuatu yang paling pertama Allah ciptakan adalah Al-Qolam", sedang Al-Kalam (firman Allah) ada sebelum Al-Qolam". [HR. Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (no. 178)]
Dalil berupa Ijma’ Para Salaf
Keyakinan seperti ini telah diyakini oleh seluruh orang-orang awam di zaman para sahabat, apalagi para ulama’ mereka, sebab perkara jelas dan gamblang seperti ini telah dikuatkan dan dijelaskan dalil-dalil dalam Al-Kitab dan As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah.
Al-Imam Abu Muhammad Ibnu Qutaibah Ad-Dainuriy-rahimahullah- (wft 276 H) berkata, "Andai mereka (yang berpendapat Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk) mau menajamkan pandangannya, dan diberikan sekeping taufiq, niscaya mereka akan mengetahui bahwa tidak mungkin Al-Qur’an itu adalah makhluk. Karena Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah). Sedang kalamullah dari Allah. Tak ada sesuatu yang berasal dari diri Allah yang merupakan makhluk". [Lihat Ta’wil Mukhtalaf Al-Hadits (hal. 259)]
Inilah aqidah (keyakinan) yang bercokol di hati kaum muslimin dari zaman kenabian sampai hari ini; Ahlus Sunnah terus meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan Allah), bukan makhluk ciptaan Allah.
Abu Bakr bin Ayyasy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Barangsiapa yang menyangka bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka ia menurut kami adalah kafir lagi zindiq, dan musuh Allah; kami tak akan menemaninya duduk, dan tak akan mengajaknya berbicara". [HR. Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (no. 163), Abu Dawud dalam Al-Masa’il (hal. 267), dan Al-Bukhoriy dalam Kholq Af’al Al-Ibad (hal. 119)]
Ulama’ tabi’in, Amr bin Dinar-rahimahullah- (wft 126 H) berkata menghikayatkan ijma’ para salaf dalam perkara ini,
سَمِعْتُ مَشِيْخَنَا مُنْذُ سَبْعِيْنَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ :الْقُرْآنُ كَلاَمُ اللهِ, لَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوْقٍ
"Aku telah mendengarkan para guru-guru kami berkata sejak 70 tahun, "Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah, bukan makhluk". [HR. Al-Baihaqiy dalam Syu’abul Iman (1/190)]
Seorang ulama’ Syafi’iyyah, Al-Imam Abu Bakr Al-Baihaqiy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Guru-gurunya Amr bin Dinar adalah sekelompok sahabat, dianataranya Abdullah bin Abbas, Abdullah bin Umar, Jabir bin Abdillah, Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, dan para pembesar tabi’in". [Lihat Syu’abul Iman (1/190), cet. Dar Al-Jiil]
Inilah aqidah para sahabat yang menetapkan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah ucapan Allah, bukan makhluk. Keyakinan ini terus diyakini oleh generasi setelahnya. Sekarang kita dengarkan Al-Imam Ash-Shobuniy-rahimahullah- (wft 449 H) dalam Aqidah As-Salaf (hal. 40) berkata, "Ashabul Hadits (yakni, Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah) mempersaksikan, dan meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan Allah), Kitab-Nya, wahyu-Nya, dan sesuatu yang Allah turunkan, bukan makhluk!! Barangsiapa yang meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka ia kafir di sisi Ahlus Sunnah".
Keyakinan bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah, bukan makhluk, bukan cuman diyakini oleh para tabi’in, bahkan para imam ahli fiqih pun yang datang setelahnya juga meyakininya.
Al-Imam Al-Barbahariy-rahimahullah- berkata dalam kitabnya Syarhus Sunnah (hal. 71), "Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah), sesuatu yang turunkan, dan cahaya-Nya, bukan makhluk, karena Al-Qur’an dari diri Allah. Apa saja yang berasal dari diri Allah, maka bukan makhluk. Demikianlah yang dinyatakan oleh Malik bin Anas, Ahmad bin Hambal, para ahli fiqih, sebelum dan setelah keduanya; berdebat tentangnya adalah kekafiran".
Silakan dengar Imam Ahlis Sunnah, Ahmad bin Hambal Asy-Syaibaniy-rahimahullah- berkata,
وَالْقُرْآنُ كَلاَمُ اللهِ, وَلَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوْقٍ, وَلاَ تَضْعُفْ أَنْ تَقُوْلَ: لَيْسَ بِمَخْلُوْقٍ, فَإِنَّ كَلاَمَ اللهِ مِنْهُ, وَلَيْسَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ مَخْلُوْقٌ
"Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah), bukan makhluk. Jangan kau canggung untuk berkata, "Dia bukan makhluk", karena firman Allah dari Allah. Sedang tak ada dari diri-Nya sesuatu berupa makhluk". [Lihat Syarh Ushul I’tiqod Ahlis Sunnah wal Jama’ah (1/157)]
Seorang ulama’ Malikiyyah, Al-Imam Ibnu Abi Zaid Al-Qoirowaniy-rahimahullah- berkata dalam Risalah-nya, "Allah telah berbicara dengan Musa dengan kalam-Nya (firman-Nya) yang merupakan sifat dzatiyyah-Nya, bukan makhluk diantara makhluk-makhluk-Nya". [Lihat Qothful Janaa Ad-Dani (hal. 45) karya Syaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad]
Inilah keyakinan dan aqidah yang harus dianut oleh setiap muslim, karena itu adalah kebenaran yang dilandasi oleh dalil-dalil dari Al-Qur’an dan Sunnah Nabawiyyah, bahkan ijma’ para As-Salafush Sholeh.
Al-Imam Abu Ja’far Ath-Thohawiy-rahimahullah- (wft 321 H) berkata saat menyebutkan aqidah Ahlus Sunnah, "Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (firman Allah). Dari-Nya Al-Qur’an muncul -tanpa kaifiyyah-, dalam bentuk ucapan; Allah menurunkannya kepada Rasul-Nya dalam bentuk wahyu. Al-Qur’an telah dibenarkan oleh orang-orang beriman dengan benar; mereka meyakini bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah secara hakiki, bukan makhluk sebagaimana halnya ucapan manusia. Barangsiapa yang mendengarnya, dan menyangkanya sebagai ucapan manusia , maka ia kafir". [Lihat Al-Aqidah Ath-Thohawiyyah (hal. 41)]
Al-ImamIbnu Abil Izz Al-Hanafiy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Apa yang dihikayatkan oleh Ath-Thohawiy -rahimahullah-, itulah yang benar, telah ditunjukkan oleh dalil-dalil dari Al-Kitab dan Sunnah bagi yang mentadabburinya. Itu juga dikuatkan oleh fithrah selamat yang belum berubah dengan (pengaruh) syubhat, keraguan, dan pemikiran-pemikiran batil". [Lihat Syarh Al-Aqidah Ath-Thohawiyyah (hal. 168), cet. 1391 H]
Inilah beberapa nukilan dan pernyataan Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah dari zaman ke zaman bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah kalamullah (ucapan, dan firman Allah), bukan makhluk. Barangsiapa yang menyangka –seperti halnya orang Jahmiyyah- bahwa Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk, maka ia kafir.
Al-Imam Asy-Syafi’iy-rahimahullah- berkata, "Al-Qur’an adalah ucapan Allah -Azza wa Jalla-, bukan makhluk. Barangsiapa yang berkata, "Al-Qur’an adalah makhluk", maka ia kafir". [HR. Al-Ajurriy dalam Asy-Syari’ah (1/224)]
Sumber : Buletin Jum’at Al-Atsariyyah edisi 78 Tahun II. Penerbit : Pustaka Ibnu Abbas.
Alamat : Pesantren Tanwirus Sunnah, Jl. Bonto Te’ne No. 58, Kel. Borong Loe, Kec. Bonto Marannu, Gowa-Sulsel. HP : 08124173512 (a/n Ust. Abu Fa’izah).
Pimpinan Redaksi/Penanggung Jawab : Ust. Abu Fa’izah Abdul Qadir Al Atsary, Lc. Dewan Redaksi : Santri Ma’had Tanwirus Sunnah – Gowa. Editor/Pengasuh : Ust. Abu Fa’izah Abdul Qadir Al Atsary, Lc. Layout : Abu Dzikro. Untuk berlangganan/pemesanan hubungi : Ilham Al-Atsary (085255974201). (infaq Rp. 200,-/exp)
http://almakassari.com/?p=319
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Cooking tips
Tips and Tehniques
1. Softening cream cheese
When you need to soften cream cheese to room temperatur in hurry, try this quick trick. Simply submerge the cheese, wrapper and all, in hot tap water. After sitting for 5 minutes, the cream cheese is soft and ready for use.
2. Fantastic eggs
For extra-fluffy and flavorful scrambled eggs and omelets, try using mayonaise in eggs instead of milk. Add 1 tbsp, mayonaise to 2 beaten eggs, and whisk thoroughly.
1. Softening cream cheese
When you need to soften cream cheese to room temperatur in hurry, try this quick trick. Simply submerge the cheese, wrapper and all, in hot tap water. After sitting for 5 minutes, the cream cheese is soft and ready for use.
2. Fantastic eggs
For extra-fluffy and flavorful scrambled eggs and omelets, try using mayonaise in eggs instead of milk. Add 1 tbsp, mayonaise to 2 beaten eggs, and whisk thoroughly.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Shirk (Polytheism): The Ultimate Crime
Thursday, 24 April 2008 14:22
Explaining the severity of the worst crime a person can commit, attributing partners in worship with our Creator.
Source: Invitation to Islam Newsletter [islaam.ca] Published: July 1997
But when a person commits shirk (poltheism), they attempt to, willingly or unwillingly, direct an injustice towards the one who has provided them with all these necessary things - and often a whole lot more. This One who provides us with all our needs and wants is of course Allah, the Lord of this universe. So is it right for us to commit this offence against the one who has provided us with all that we could possibly need? - Invitation to Islam
Murder, rape, child molesting and genocide. These are all some of the appalling crimes which occur in our world today. Many would think that these are the worst possible offences which could be committed. But there is something which outweighs all of these crimes put together: It is the crime of shirk (associating partners with the sole Lord and Creator). Some people may question this notion. But when viewed in a proper context, the fact that there is no crime worse then shirk, will become evident to every sincere person. There is no doubt that the above crimes are indeed terrible, but their comparison with shirk shows that they do not hold much significance in relation to this travesty. When a man murders, rapes or steals, the injustice which is done is directed primarily at other humans. But when a man commits shirk, the injustice is directed towards the Creator of the heavens and the earth; Allah. When a person is murdered, all sorts of reasons and explanations are given. But one thing that the murderer cannot claim, is that the murdered was someone who provided him with food, shelter, clothing and all the other things which keep humans aloft in this life. But when a person commits shirk, they attempt to, willingly or unwillingly, direct an injustice towards the One who has provided them with all these necessary things - and often a whole lot more. This Being who provides us with all our needs and wants is of course Allah, the Lord of this universe. So is it right for us to commit this offence against the one who has provided us with all that we could possibly need? This is the ultimate form of ingratitude which humans display, and will eventually cause many people eternal pain. The severity of this crime has been established, but until now you may have been wondering 'what exactly is shirk?' The Reality of Shirk In the previous issue we talked about Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah). Shirk is its exact opposite. Linguistically, shirk means a partnership or to share or associate. However, Islamically it is to give to other than Allah, that which belongs solely to Allah. This means that parts of Allah's creation are given powers and attributes which belong to Allah, thus, ultimately sending worship to other then Allah alone. These parts of the creation therefore become partners with Allah.
The purpose of our creation is outlined in the Qu'ran when Allah says:"I did not create the Jinn[1] and mankind except to worship Me" (Adh-Dhariyaat, The Winds that Scatter 51:56)
Our very existence on this earth is to worship Allah alone. By committing shirk, a person ends up denying this very purpose of our creation. To Allah, this is the gravest of sins and thus unforgivable.
Allah says:"Surely Allaah will not forgive the association of partners (shirk) with Him, but He forgives (sins) less then that to whomever He wishes" (An-Nisaa', The Women 4:48)
This means that everything can be forgiven except shirk. However we should not misunderstand this into thinking that those who commit shirk are totally doomed. Allah calls himself by al-Gaffoor (The Most Forgiving), and truly he is the Most Forgiving. If a person commits shirk and then wishes to make repentance, Allah accepts his repentance and wipes the slate clean. But if the person does not make repentance during his lifetime, then Allah will not forgive this person on the day of judgement. Hellfire will be made eternal and he/she will never come out. It must also be remembered that Allah through his justice, has not discriminated in the punishment of this crime. If a Muslim commits shirk during his lifetime, and does not make repentance, he too will face the eternal fury of the Hellfire. It is this thought which helps Muslims from becoming too complacent and arrogant like some of the previous nations.[2]
Some people say that eternal Hellfire is unjust. But indeed Allah is the Most Just. While some will go to Hell forever for committing shirk, there will be others who will go to Paradise forever for upholding Tawheed. Those who say that Allah is unjust for sending some to Hell forever, should therefore also say that Allah is unjust for sending others to Paradise forever! But we know that those who claim this, would never themselves refuse an everlasting reward such as Paradise, thus showing the weak human understanding of this argument. By committing shirk we should not fool ourselves into thinking that we harm Allah in anyway. Rather we harm ourselves with the threat of Allah's punishment. It is as if humans stick two fingers up at Allah after He has favoured them with so much. Thus a crime is committed against Allah, yet it does not harm Him - Such is the magnitude and greatness of our Creator. In order to understand how shirk manifests itself in our world, we need to look at how it relates to the categories of Tawheed (mentioned in the last issue).
Shirk in Allaah's Lordship (Ruboobiyyah)
This category of shirk has two aspects:
(i) Shirk by Association
As Muslims we believe that it is Allah alone who Controls and Sustains the universe. Those who commit shirk by association believe that Allah is the Creator, but other parts of the creation also play a role in the running of the world. A classic example of this is the Christian concept of Trinity. Christians believe that God (Allah) alone does not regulate the affairs of mankind. They believe that the other two parts of the Trinity, Jesus (peace be upon him) and the holy spirit, also play a part in worldly affairs e.g Jesus pronounces judgement on the world and the holy spirit helps Christians through their daily lives. Qualities such as these should only belong to Allah. Hindus also commit this kind of shirk, with them having hundreds of different Gods for different aspects of their lives. Unfortunately some Muslims have also fallen prey to this shirk. There are many from the Indian subcontinent who often call out for help upon saints and holy men who have passed away. One of the main saints whom they invoke is 'Abdul-Qadir al-Jeelanee'[3] whom they call 'AI-Ghawth-e-Azam' (the greatest source of help).
(ii) Shirk by Negation
Over the centuries many philosophies and ways of life have denied the existence of God. Buddhism and Jainism are amongst the major world religions which assert this belief. During the 18th and 19th centuries the advancement of scientific knowledge led many philosophers and scientists to claim that God was a figment of mans imagination. By cancelling the role of a supreme legislator, those who claim that God does not exist, ultimately attempt to make themselves masters of their own destinies. Some atheists also give Allah's attributes to his creation. By denying Allah, they say the world is eternal with no beginning and no end. And we know that this is only for Allah.
Shirk in Allaah's Names and Attributes (Asma wa Sifaat)
This category of shirk has two aspects:
(i) Shirk by Humanisation
The Tawheed of Allah's names and attributes demands that we believe Allaah to be free from any human likeness. Those who commit shirk by humanisation give attributes to God which are more appropriate for human beings than an all-powerful Creator. Modern-day Christianity is again guilty of this shirk. In the Bible we find countless examples of God being given human attributes. In the book of Genesis, God is said to have created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh!! In other places God is said to have repented for his bad thoughts and felt sorry because of his actions! This form of shirk has even taken some people beyond the limits of sanity. In India there are many Hindus who worship the Shiva Lingam Deity. This is an idol which is shaped and sized to represent the male genitals. For the Hindus it represents the reproductive powers of God, and they display their affection by massaging the deity with milk, water and butter! These examples of humanisation are indeed an injustice to the almighty, who responds clearly by saying in the Qur`an:"There is nothing like Him and He sees and hears all things" (Ash-Shoora, The Consultation 42:11)
(ii) Shirk by Deification
This form of shirk occurs when created beings are given the names or attributes of Allah and thus become deities. This form of shirk is especially popular with humans, with many people being given a God-like status by ignorant followers. Jesus, Buddha, Rama, Zoroaster and many other famous religious figures of the past have been held to be incarnations of the all mighty. The twentieth Century has also seen many cults emerge, from which many leaders have claimed divinity. Sai Baba [4], David Koresh [5], Guru Rajnishi [6] and many more have all claimed this attribute which only belongs to Allaah.
Shirk in the Worship of Allaah (Ibaadah)This category of shirk has two aspects:
(i) Major Shirk (Shirk al-Akbar)- As Muslims we believe that alI forms of worship should be for Allah alone. Those people who physically direct their worship at other then Allah, commit this major shirk. By doing this action, mankind commits the greatest act of rebellion and places himself at the doors of eternal hellfire. Worship in Christianity is usually devoid of God's name, and Christians often bow down in front of statues of Christ, Mary and many other saints of Christendom. Many of them even ask the dead saints to grant them children and to forgive them of their sins! All this contradicts the statement of Allaah when he commands us to:"Say; Truly my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allaah, Lord of the worlds" (Al-An'aam, The Cattle 6:162)
Major shirk is rampant amongst the worlds population and is ultimately the obstacle to our salvation.
(ii) Minor Shirk (Shirk al-Asghar) - "Mahmood bin Lubayd reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: 'The thing that I fear for you the most is minor shirk'. The companions asked: 'O' Messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?' He replied: 'Showing off (ar-riyaa), for verily Allah will say on the day of resurrection when people are receiving their rewards, 'Go to those whom you were showing off too in the world and see if you can find any reward from them'" [7]. When doing righteous deeds our intentions should be to please the one who sustains and keeps us alive. It should not be to please those who have done nothing in comparison to what the Creator has done. Showing off has become a disease amongst humans, and tears away at any sincerity which may be present inside a person. Thus Islam is probably the only way of life which regulates this minor action, and places its danger in a proper context. To know of the dangers of shirk should be of primary importance. Whether we are Muslim or not, we should realise that it is the crime of shirk which has led to the destruction of our world. By taking man away from the worship of Allah, it has led him to the worship of other men, leading to oppression and tyranny. By confining man to the narrowness of this world, it will deny him the vastness of the hereafter, which leads to justice and success. Therefore surely . . . . shirk is the ultimate crime.
Footnotes:
1 Jinn's are another part of Allah's creation. They were created from smokeless fire and are (like man) required to worship Allah, the live on this earth along with us, yet we are not able to see them.
2 The Jewish people were granted many favours by Allah. But this favouritism resulted in them becoming arrogant, and the favours of Allaah were taken away from them.
3 Abdul-Qadir AI-Jeelanee was born in Jeelan (Iran) in the year 1077 CE. He was a jurist of the Hanbalite school of Islamic law. Many miracles have been falsely attributed to him, elevating him up to a God-like status. He himself was very harsh against those who opposed Tawheed. The Qaadiree sufi order is named after him. He died in the year 1166 CE.
4 Sai Baba is an Indian Holy man who claims the loyalty of millions worldwide through his multi-faith cult. He is deified to such an extent that his followers wake up at dawn every day to pray to him.
5 David Koresh was the leader of a branch davidian sect based in Waco, Texas, U.S.A. Koresh reinterpreted the teachings of the Bible to proclaim himself as the son of God. The cult was ended in 1993, when a fire killed most of Koresh's followers after a shootout with FBI officers.6 Guru Rajnishi was the leader of a major American commune during the eighties. The cult lost momentum after it was accused of the attempted murder of an American politician.7 Authentic narration - Narrated by Ahmed, Baihaqee and Tabaranee.
© 2006-2009 islaam.ca
Thursday, 24 April 2008 14:22
Explaining the severity of the worst crime a person can commit, attributing partners in worship with our Creator.
Source: Invitation to Islam Newsletter [islaam.ca] Published: July 1997
But when a person commits shirk (poltheism), they attempt to, willingly or unwillingly, direct an injustice towards the one who has provided them with all these necessary things - and often a whole lot more. This One who provides us with all our needs and wants is of course Allah, the Lord of this universe. So is it right for us to commit this offence against the one who has provided us with all that we could possibly need? - Invitation to Islam
Murder, rape, child molesting and genocide. These are all some of the appalling crimes which occur in our world today. Many would think that these are the worst possible offences which could be committed. But there is something which outweighs all of these crimes put together: It is the crime of shirk (associating partners with the sole Lord and Creator). Some people may question this notion. But when viewed in a proper context, the fact that there is no crime worse then shirk, will become evident to every sincere person. There is no doubt that the above crimes are indeed terrible, but their comparison with shirk shows that they do not hold much significance in relation to this travesty. When a man murders, rapes or steals, the injustice which is done is directed primarily at other humans. But when a man commits shirk, the injustice is directed towards the Creator of the heavens and the earth; Allah. When a person is murdered, all sorts of reasons and explanations are given. But one thing that the murderer cannot claim, is that the murdered was someone who provided him with food, shelter, clothing and all the other things which keep humans aloft in this life. But when a person commits shirk, they attempt to, willingly or unwillingly, direct an injustice towards the One who has provided them with all these necessary things - and often a whole lot more. This Being who provides us with all our needs and wants is of course Allah, the Lord of this universe. So is it right for us to commit this offence against the one who has provided us with all that we could possibly need? This is the ultimate form of ingratitude which humans display, and will eventually cause many people eternal pain. The severity of this crime has been established, but until now you may have been wondering 'what exactly is shirk?' The Reality of Shirk In the previous issue we talked about Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah). Shirk is its exact opposite. Linguistically, shirk means a partnership or to share or associate. However, Islamically it is to give to other than Allah, that which belongs solely to Allah. This means that parts of Allah's creation are given powers and attributes which belong to Allah, thus, ultimately sending worship to other then Allah alone. These parts of the creation therefore become partners with Allah.
The purpose of our creation is outlined in the Qu'ran when Allah says:"I did not create the Jinn[1] and mankind except to worship Me" (Adh-Dhariyaat, The Winds that Scatter 51:56)
Our very existence on this earth is to worship Allah alone. By committing shirk, a person ends up denying this very purpose of our creation. To Allah, this is the gravest of sins and thus unforgivable.
Allah says:"Surely Allaah will not forgive the association of partners (shirk) with Him, but He forgives (sins) less then that to whomever He wishes" (An-Nisaa', The Women 4:48)
This means that everything can be forgiven except shirk. However we should not misunderstand this into thinking that those who commit shirk are totally doomed. Allah calls himself by al-Gaffoor (The Most Forgiving), and truly he is the Most Forgiving. If a person commits shirk and then wishes to make repentance, Allah accepts his repentance and wipes the slate clean. But if the person does not make repentance during his lifetime, then Allah will not forgive this person on the day of judgement. Hellfire will be made eternal and he/she will never come out. It must also be remembered that Allah through his justice, has not discriminated in the punishment of this crime. If a Muslim commits shirk during his lifetime, and does not make repentance, he too will face the eternal fury of the Hellfire. It is this thought which helps Muslims from becoming too complacent and arrogant like some of the previous nations.[2]
Some people say that eternal Hellfire is unjust. But indeed Allah is the Most Just. While some will go to Hell forever for committing shirk, there will be others who will go to Paradise forever for upholding Tawheed. Those who say that Allah is unjust for sending some to Hell forever, should therefore also say that Allah is unjust for sending others to Paradise forever! But we know that those who claim this, would never themselves refuse an everlasting reward such as Paradise, thus showing the weak human understanding of this argument. By committing shirk we should not fool ourselves into thinking that we harm Allah in anyway. Rather we harm ourselves with the threat of Allah's punishment. It is as if humans stick two fingers up at Allah after He has favoured them with so much. Thus a crime is committed against Allah, yet it does not harm Him - Such is the magnitude and greatness of our Creator. In order to understand how shirk manifests itself in our world, we need to look at how it relates to the categories of Tawheed (mentioned in the last issue).
Shirk in Allaah's Lordship (Ruboobiyyah)
This category of shirk has two aspects:
(i) Shirk by Association
As Muslims we believe that it is Allah alone who Controls and Sustains the universe. Those who commit shirk by association believe that Allah is the Creator, but other parts of the creation also play a role in the running of the world. A classic example of this is the Christian concept of Trinity. Christians believe that God (Allah) alone does not regulate the affairs of mankind. They believe that the other two parts of the Trinity, Jesus (peace be upon him) and the holy spirit, also play a part in worldly affairs e.g Jesus pronounces judgement on the world and the holy spirit helps Christians through their daily lives. Qualities such as these should only belong to Allah. Hindus also commit this kind of shirk, with them having hundreds of different Gods for different aspects of their lives. Unfortunately some Muslims have also fallen prey to this shirk. There are many from the Indian subcontinent who often call out for help upon saints and holy men who have passed away. One of the main saints whom they invoke is 'Abdul-Qadir al-Jeelanee'[3] whom they call 'AI-Ghawth-e-Azam' (the greatest source of help).
(ii) Shirk by Negation
Over the centuries many philosophies and ways of life have denied the existence of God. Buddhism and Jainism are amongst the major world religions which assert this belief. During the 18th and 19th centuries the advancement of scientific knowledge led many philosophers and scientists to claim that God was a figment of mans imagination. By cancelling the role of a supreme legislator, those who claim that God does not exist, ultimately attempt to make themselves masters of their own destinies. Some atheists also give Allah's attributes to his creation. By denying Allah, they say the world is eternal with no beginning and no end. And we know that this is only for Allah.
Shirk in Allaah's Names and Attributes (Asma wa Sifaat)
This category of shirk has two aspects:
(i) Shirk by Humanisation
The Tawheed of Allah's names and attributes demands that we believe Allaah to be free from any human likeness. Those who commit shirk by humanisation give attributes to God which are more appropriate for human beings than an all-powerful Creator. Modern-day Christianity is again guilty of this shirk. In the Bible we find countless examples of God being given human attributes. In the book of Genesis, God is said to have created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh!! In other places God is said to have repented for his bad thoughts and felt sorry because of his actions! This form of shirk has even taken some people beyond the limits of sanity. In India there are many Hindus who worship the Shiva Lingam Deity. This is an idol which is shaped and sized to represent the male genitals. For the Hindus it represents the reproductive powers of God, and they display their affection by massaging the deity with milk, water and butter! These examples of humanisation are indeed an injustice to the almighty, who responds clearly by saying in the Qur`an:"There is nothing like Him and He sees and hears all things" (Ash-Shoora, The Consultation 42:11)
(ii) Shirk by Deification
This form of shirk occurs when created beings are given the names or attributes of Allah and thus become deities. This form of shirk is especially popular with humans, with many people being given a God-like status by ignorant followers. Jesus, Buddha, Rama, Zoroaster and many other famous religious figures of the past have been held to be incarnations of the all mighty. The twentieth Century has also seen many cults emerge, from which many leaders have claimed divinity. Sai Baba [4], David Koresh [5], Guru Rajnishi [6] and many more have all claimed this attribute which only belongs to Allaah.
Shirk in the Worship of Allaah (Ibaadah)This category of shirk has two aspects:
(i) Major Shirk (Shirk al-Akbar)- As Muslims we believe that alI forms of worship should be for Allah alone. Those people who physically direct their worship at other then Allah, commit this major shirk. By doing this action, mankind commits the greatest act of rebellion and places himself at the doors of eternal hellfire. Worship in Christianity is usually devoid of God's name, and Christians often bow down in front of statues of Christ, Mary and many other saints of Christendom. Many of them even ask the dead saints to grant them children and to forgive them of their sins! All this contradicts the statement of Allaah when he commands us to:"Say; Truly my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allaah, Lord of the worlds" (Al-An'aam, The Cattle 6:162)
Major shirk is rampant amongst the worlds population and is ultimately the obstacle to our salvation.
(ii) Minor Shirk (Shirk al-Asghar) - "Mahmood bin Lubayd reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: 'The thing that I fear for you the most is minor shirk'. The companions asked: 'O' Messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?' He replied: 'Showing off (ar-riyaa), for verily Allah will say on the day of resurrection when people are receiving their rewards, 'Go to those whom you were showing off too in the world and see if you can find any reward from them'" [7]. When doing righteous deeds our intentions should be to please the one who sustains and keeps us alive. It should not be to please those who have done nothing in comparison to what the Creator has done. Showing off has become a disease amongst humans, and tears away at any sincerity which may be present inside a person. Thus Islam is probably the only way of life which regulates this minor action, and places its danger in a proper context. To know of the dangers of shirk should be of primary importance. Whether we are Muslim or not, we should realise that it is the crime of shirk which has led to the destruction of our world. By taking man away from the worship of Allah, it has led him to the worship of other men, leading to oppression and tyranny. By confining man to the narrowness of this world, it will deny him the vastness of the hereafter, which leads to justice and success. Therefore surely . . . . shirk is the ultimate crime.
Footnotes:
1 Jinn's are another part of Allah's creation. They were created from smokeless fire and are (like man) required to worship Allah, the live on this earth along with us, yet we are not able to see them.
2 The Jewish people were granted many favours by Allah. But this favouritism resulted in them becoming arrogant, and the favours of Allaah were taken away from them.
3 Abdul-Qadir AI-Jeelanee was born in Jeelan (Iran) in the year 1077 CE. He was a jurist of the Hanbalite school of Islamic law. Many miracles have been falsely attributed to him, elevating him up to a God-like status. He himself was very harsh against those who opposed Tawheed. The Qaadiree sufi order is named after him. He died in the year 1166 CE.
4 Sai Baba is an Indian Holy man who claims the loyalty of millions worldwide through his multi-faith cult. He is deified to such an extent that his followers wake up at dawn every day to pray to him.
5 David Koresh was the leader of a branch davidian sect based in Waco, Texas, U.S.A. Koresh reinterpreted the teachings of the Bible to proclaim himself as the son of God. The cult was ended in 1993, when a fire killed most of Koresh's followers after a shootout with FBI officers.6 Guru Rajnishi was the leader of a major American commune during the eighties. The cult lost momentum after it was accused of the attempted murder of an American politician.7 Authentic narration - Narrated by Ahmed, Baihaqee and Tabaranee.
© 2006-2009 islaam.ca
BERSABARLAH WAHAI SAUDARAKU
Oleh Ustadz Abu Rosyid Ash-Shinkuan
Senang, bahagia, suka cita, sedih, kecewa dan duka adalah sesuatu yang biasa dialami manusia. Ketika mendapatkan sesuatu yang menggembirakan dari kesenangan-kesenangan duniawi maka dia akan senang dan gembira. Sebaliknya ketika tidak mendapatkan apa yang diinginkan maka dia merasa sedih dan kecewa bahkan kadang-kadang sampai putus asa.
Akan tetapi sebenarnya bagi seorang mukmin, semua perkaranya adalah baik.
Hal ini diterangkan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam: "Sungguh menakjubkan perkaranya orang mukmin. Sesungguhnya semua perkaranya adalah baik dan tidaklah hal ini dimiliki oleh seorangpun kecuali oleh orang mukmin. Jika dia diberi kenikmatan/kesenangan, dia bersyukur maka jadilah ini sebagai kebaikan baginya. Sebaliknya jika dia ditimpa musibah (sesuatu yang tidak menyenangkan), dia bersabar, maka ini juga menjadi kebaikan baginya." (HR. Muslim)
Kriteria Orang yang Paling Mulia Sesungguhnya kesenangan duniawi seperti harta dan status sosial bukanlah ukuran bagi kemuliaan seseorang. Karena Allah Ta'ala memberikan dunia kepada orang yang dicintai dan orang yang tidak dicintai-Nya. Akan tetapi Allah akan memberikan agama ini hanya kepada orang yang dicintai-Nya. Sehingga ukuran/patokan akan kemuliaan seseorang adalah derajat ketakwaannya. Semakin bertakwa maka dia semakin mulia di sisi Allah.
Allah berfirman: "Hai manusia, sesungguhnya Kami menciptakan kalian dari seorang laki-laki dan seorang perempuan dan menjadikan kalian berbangsa-bangsa dan bersuku-suku supaya kalian saling kenal mengenal. Sesungguhnya orang yang paling mulia di antara kalian di sisi Allah ialah orang yang paling bertakwa di antara kalian. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Mengetahui lagi Maha Mengenal." (QS.Al-Hujurat: 13)
Jangan Sedih ketika Tidak Dapat Dunia Wahai saudaraku, ingatlah bahwa seluruh manusia telah Allah tentukan rizkinya -termasuk juga jodohnya-, ajalnya, amalannya, bahagia atau pun sengsaranya. Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda: "Sesungguhnya salah seorang dari kalian dikumpulkan penciptaannya dalam perut ibunya selama 40 hari dalam bentuk nuthfah (air mani) kemudian berbentuk segumpal darah dalam waktu yang sama lalu menjadi segumpal daging dalam waktu yang sama pula.
Kemudian diutus seorang malaikat kepadanya lalu ditiupkan ruh padanya dan diperintahkan dengan empat kalimat/perkara: ditentukan rizkinya, ajalnya, amalannya, sengsara atau bahagianya." (HR. Al-Bukhariy dan Muslim) Tidaklah sesuatu menimpa pada kita kecuali telah Allah taqdirkan.
Allah Ta'ala berfirman: "Tiada suatu bencanapun yang menimpa di bumi dan (tidak pula) pada diri kalian sendiri melainkan telah tertulis dalam kitab (Lauh Mahfuzh) sebelum Kami menciptakannya. Sesungguhnya yang demikian itu adalah mudah bagi Allah. (Kami jelaskan yang demikian itu) supaya kalian jangan berduka cita terhadap apa yang luput dari kalian, dan supaya kalian jangan terlalu gembira terhadap apa yang diberikan-Nya kepada kalian. Dan Allah tidak menyukai setiap orang yang sombong lagi membanggakan diri, (yaitu) orang-orang yang kikir dan menyuruh manusia berbuat kikir. Dan barangsiapa yang berpaling (dari perintah-perintah Allah) maka sesungguhnya Allah Dia-lah Yang Maha Kaya lagi Maha Terpuji." (QS.Al-Hadiid: 22-24)
Kalau kita merasa betapa sulitnya mencari penghidupan dan dalam menjalani hidup ini, maka ingatlah sabda Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam: "Tiada suatu amalan pun yang mendekatkan ke surga kecuali aku telah perintahkan kalian dengannya dan tiada suatu amalan pun yang mendekatkan ke neraka kecuali aku telah larang kalian darinya. Sungguh salah seorang di antara kalian tidak akan lambat rizkinya. Sesungguhnya Jibril telah menyampaikan pada hatiku bahwa salah seorang dari kalian tidak akan keluar dari dunia (meninggal dunia) sampai disempurnakan rizkinya. Maka bertakwalah kepada Allah wahai manusia dan perbaguslah dalam mencari rizki.
Maka apabila salah seorang di antara kalian merasa/menganggap bahwa rizkinya lambat maka janganlah mencarinya dengan bermaksiat kepada Allah karena sesungguhnya keutamaan/karunia Allah tidak akan didapat dengan maksiat." (HR. Al-Hakim)
Maka berusahalah beramal/beribadah dengan yang telah dicontohkan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam dan jangan membuat perkara baru dalam agama (baca:bid'ah).
Dan berusahalah mencari rizki dengan cara yang halal serta hindari sejauh-jauhnya hal-hal yang diharamkan. Hendaklah Orang yang Mampu Membantu Hendaklah bagi orang yang mempunyai kelebihan harta ataupun yang punya kedudukan agar membantu saudaranya yang kurang mampu dan yang mengalami kesulitan.
Allah berfirman: "Dan tolong-menolonglah kalian dalam (mengerjakan) kebajikan dan takwa, dan jangan tolong-menolong dalam berbuat dosa dan pelanggaran. Dan bertakwalah kalian kepada Allah, sesungguhnya Allah amat berat siksa-Nya." (QS.Al-Maidah: 2)
Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda: "Barangsiapa menghilangkan satu kesusahan dari kesusahan-kesusahan dunia dari seorang mukmin, maka Allah akan hilangkan darinya satu kesusahan dari kesusahan-kesusahan hari kiamat. Dan barangsiapa yang memudahkan orang yang mengalami kesulitan maka Allah akan mudahkan baginya di dunia dan di akhirat.
Dan barangsiapa yang menutupi aib seorang muslim, maka Allah akan tutupi aibnya di dunia dan akhirat.
Dan Allah akan senantiasa menolong hamba selama hamba tersebut mau menolong saudaranya." (HR. Muslim) Berdo'a ketika Sedih Jika kita merasa sedih karena sesuatu menimpa kita seperti kehilangan harta, sulit mencari pekerjaan, kematian salah seorang keluarga kita, tidak mendapatkan sesuatu yang kita idam-idamkan, jodoh tak kunjung datang ataupun yang lainnya, maka ucapkanlah do'a berikut yang diajarkan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam:
"Tidaklah seseorang ditimpa suatu kegundahan maupun kesedihan lalu dia berdo'a: "Ya Allah, sesungguhnya saya adalah hamba-Mu, putra hamba laki-laki-Mu, putra hamba perempuan-Mu, ubun-ubunku ada di Tangan-Mu, telah berlalu padaku hukum-Mu, adil ketentuan-Mu untukku. Saya meminta kepada-Mu dengan seluruh Nama yang Engkau miliki, yang Engkau menamakannya untuk Diri-Mu atau yang Engkau ajarkan kepada seseorang dari makhluk-Mu atau yang Engkau turunkan dalam kitab-Mu atau yang Engkau simpan dalam ilmu ghaib yang ada di sisi-Mu. Jadikanlah Al-Qur`an sebagai musim semi (penyejuk) hatiku dan cahaya dadaku, pengusir kesedihanku serta penghilang kegundahanku." kecuali akan Allah hilangkan kegundahan dan kesedihannya dan akan diganti dengan diberikan jalan keluar dan kegembiraan.
" Tiba-tiba ada yang bertanya: "Ya Rasulullah, tidakkah kami ajarkan do'a ini (kepada orang lain)? Maka Rasulullah menjawab: "Bahkan selayaknya bagi siapa saja yang mendengarnya agar mengajarkannya (kepada yang lain)." (HR. Ahmad) Juga do'a berikut ini: "Ya Allah, sesungguhnya aku berlindung kepada-Mu dari gundah gulana, sedih, lemah, malas, kikir, penakut, terlilit hutang dan dari tekanan/penindasan orang lain." (HR. Bukhariy) Ilmu adalah Pengganti Segala Kelezatan Di antara hal yang bisa menghibur seseorang ketika mengalami kesepian atau ketika sedang dilanda kesedihan adalah menuntut ilmu dan senantiasa bersama ilmu.
Berkata Al-Imam Al-Mawardiy: "Ilmu adalah pengganti dari segala kelezatan dan mencukupi dari segala kesenangan…. Barangsiapa yang menyendiri dengan ilmu maka kesendiriannya itu tidak menjadikan dia sepi. Dan barangsiapa yang menghibur diri dengan kitab-kitab maka dia akan mendapat kesenangan…. Maka tidak ada teman ngobrol sebaik ilmu dan tidak ada sifat yang akan menolong pemiliknya seperti sifat al-hilm (sabar dan tidak terburu-buru)." (Adabud Dunya wad Diin) Duhai kiranya kita dapat mengambil manfaat dari ilmu yang kita miliki sehingga kita tidak akan merasa kesepian walaupun kita sendirian di malam yang sunyi tetapi ilmu itulah yang setia menemani. Contoh Orang-orang yang Sabar Cobaan yang menimpa kita kadang-kadang menjadikan kita bersedih tetapi hendaklah kesedihan itu dihadapi dengan kesabaran dan menyerahkan semua permasalahan kepada Allah, supaya Dia menghilangkan kesedihan tersebut dan menggantikannya dengan kegembiraan.
Allah berfirman mengisahkan tentang Nabi Ya'qub: "Dan Ya`qub berpaling dari mereka (anak-anaknya) seraya berkata: "Aduhai duka citaku terhadap Yusuf", dan kedua matanya menjadi putih karena kesedihan dan dia adalah seorang yang menahan amarahnya (terhadap anak-anaknya).
Mereka berkata: "Demi Allah, senantiasa kamu mengingati Yusuf, sehingga kamu mengidapkan penyakit yang berat atau termasuk orang-orang yang binasa." Ya`qub menjawab: "Sesungguhnya hanyalah kepada Allah aku mengadukan kesusahan dan kesedihanku, dan aku mengetahui dari Allah apa yang kalian tiada mengetahuinya." (QS.Yusuf: 84-86)
Allah juga berfirman mengisahkan tentang Maryam: "Maka Maryam mengandungnya, lalu ia menyisihkan diri dengan kandungannya itu ke tempat yang jauh. Maka rasa sakit akan melahirkan anak memaksa ia (bersandar) pada pangkal pohon kurma, ia berkata: "Aduhai, alangkah baiknya aku mati sebelum ini, dan aku menjadi sesuatu yang tidak berarti, lagi dilupakan." Maka Jibril menyerunya dari tempat yang rendah: "Janganlah kamu bersedih hati, sesungguhnya Tuhanmu telah menjadikan anak sungai di bawahmu. Dan goyanglah pangkal pohon kurma itu ke arahmu, niscaya pohon itu akan menggugurkan buah kurma yang masak kepadamu." (QS.Maryam: 22-25) Semoga Allah Ta'ala menjadikan kita sebagai orang-orang yang sabar dan istiqamah dalam menjalankan syari'at-Nya, amin. Wallaahu A'lam.
(Sumber: Buletin Al Wala' wa Bara', Edisi ke-4 Tahun ke-3/17 Desember 2004 M/05 Dzul Qo'dah 1425 H. Judul asli ‘Janganlah Bersedih Wahai Saudaraku’ Diterbitkan Yayasan Forum Dakwah Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah Bandung)
Oleh Ustadz Abu Rosyid Ash-Shinkuan
Senang, bahagia, suka cita, sedih, kecewa dan duka adalah sesuatu yang biasa dialami manusia. Ketika mendapatkan sesuatu yang menggembirakan dari kesenangan-kesenangan duniawi maka dia akan senang dan gembira. Sebaliknya ketika tidak mendapatkan apa yang diinginkan maka dia merasa sedih dan kecewa bahkan kadang-kadang sampai putus asa.
Akan tetapi sebenarnya bagi seorang mukmin, semua perkaranya adalah baik.
Hal ini diterangkan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam: "Sungguh menakjubkan perkaranya orang mukmin. Sesungguhnya semua perkaranya adalah baik dan tidaklah hal ini dimiliki oleh seorangpun kecuali oleh orang mukmin. Jika dia diberi kenikmatan/kesenangan, dia bersyukur maka jadilah ini sebagai kebaikan baginya. Sebaliknya jika dia ditimpa musibah (sesuatu yang tidak menyenangkan), dia bersabar, maka ini juga menjadi kebaikan baginya." (HR. Muslim)
Kriteria Orang yang Paling Mulia Sesungguhnya kesenangan duniawi seperti harta dan status sosial bukanlah ukuran bagi kemuliaan seseorang. Karena Allah Ta'ala memberikan dunia kepada orang yang dicintai dan orang yang tidak dicintai-Nya. Akan tetapi Allah akan memberikan agama ini hanya kepada orang yang dicintai-Nya. Sehingga ukuran/patokan akan kemuliaan seseorang adalah derajat ketakwaannya. Semakin bertakwa maka dia semakin mulia di sisi Allah.
Allah berfirman: "Hai manusia, sesungguhnya Kami menciptakan kalian dari seorang laki-laki dan seorang perempuan dan menjadikan kalian berbangsa-bangsa dan bersuku-suku supaya kalian saling kenal mengenal. Sesungguhnya orang yang paling mulia di antara kalian di sisi Allah ialah orang yang paling bertakwa di antara kalian. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Mengetahui lagi Maha Mengenal." (QS.Al-Hujurat: 13)
Jangan Sedih ketika Tidak Dapat Dunia Wahai saudaraku, ingatlah bahwa seluruh manusia telah Allah tentukan rizkinya -termasuk juga jodohnya-, ajalnya, amalannya, bahagia atau pun sengsaranya. Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda: "Sesungguhnya salah seorang dari kalian dikumpulkan penciptaannya dalam perut ibunya selama 40 hari dalam bentuk nuthfah (air mani) kemudian berbentuk segumpal darah dalam waktu yang sama lalu menjadi segumpal daging dalam waktu yang sama pula.
Kemudian diutus seorang malaikat kepadanya lalu ditiupkan ruh padanya dan diperintahkan dengan empat kalimat/perkara: ditentukan rizkinya, ajalnya, amalannya, sengsara atau bahagianya." (HR. Al-Bukhariy dan Muslim) Tidaklah sesuatu menimpa pada kita kecuali telah Allah taqdirkan.
Allah Ta'ala berfirman: "Tiada suatu bencanapun yang menimpa di bumi dan (tidak pula) pada diri kalian sendiri melainkan telah tertulis dalam kitab (Lauh Mahfuzh) sebelum Kami menciptakannya. Sesungguhnya yang demikian itu adalah mudah bagi Allah. (Kami jelaskan yang demikian itu) supaya kalian jangan berduka cita terhadap apa yang luput dari kalian, dan supaya kalian jangan terlalu gembira terhadap apa yang diberikan-Nya kepada kalian. Dan Allah tidak menyukai setiap orang yang sombong lagi membanggakan diri, (yaitu) orang-orang yang kikir dan menyuruh manusia berbuat kikir. Dan barangsiapa yang berpaling (dari perintah-perintah Allah) maka sesungguhnya Allah Dia-lah Yang Maha Kaya lagi Maha Terpuji." (QS.Al-Hadiid: 22-24)
Kalau kita merasa betapa sulitnya mencari penghidupan dan dalam menjalani hidup ini, maka ingatlah sabda Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam: "Tiada suatu amalan pun yang mendekatkan ke surga kecuali aku telah perintahkan kalian dengannya dan tiada suatu amalan pun yang mendekatkan ke neraka kecuali aku telah larang kalian darinya. Sungguh salah seorang di antara kalian tidak akan lambat rizkinya. Sesungguhnya Jibril telah menyampaikan pada hatiku bahwa salah seorang dari kalian tidak akan keluar dari dunia (meninggal dunia) sampai disempurnakan rizkinya. Maka bertakwalah kepada Allah wahai manusia dan perbaguslah dalam mencari rizki.
Maka apabila salah seorang di antara kalian merasa/menganggap bahwa rizkinya lambat maka janganlah mencarinya dengan bermaksiat kepada Allah karena sesungguhnya keutamaan/karunia Allah tidak akan didapat dengan maksiat." (HR. Al-Hakim)
Maka berusahalah beramal/beribadah dengan yang telah dicontohkan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam dan jangan membuat perkara baru dalam agama (baca:bid'ah).
Dan berusahalah mencari rizki dengan cara yang halal serta hindari sejauh-jauhnya hal-hal yang diharamkan. Hendaklah Orang yang Mampu Membantu Hendaklah bagi orang yang mempunyai kelebihan harta ataupun yang punya kedudukan agar membantu saudaranya yang kurang mampu dan yang mengalami kesulitan.
Allah berfirman: "Dan tolong-menolonglah kalian dalam (mengerjakan) kebajikan dan takwa, dan jangan tolong-menolong dalam berbuat dosa dan pelanggaran. Dan bertakwalah kalian kepada Allah, sesungguhnya Allah amat berat siksa-Nya." (QS.Al-Maidah: 2)
Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda: "Barangsiapa menghilangkan satu kesusahan dari kesusahan-kesusahan dunia dari seorang mukmin, maka Allah akan hilangkan darinya satu kesusahan dari kesusahan-kesusahan hari kiamat. Dan barangsiapa yang memudahkan orang yang mengalami kesulitan maka Allah akan mudahkan baginya di dunia dan di akhirat.
Dan barangsiapa yang menutupi aib seorang muslim, maka Allah akan tutupi aibnya di dunia dan akhirat.
Dan Allah akan senantiasa menolong hamba selama hamba tersebut mau menolong saudaranya." (HR. Muslim) Berdo'a ketika Sedih Jika kita merasa sedih karena sesuatu menimpa kita seperti kehilangan harta, sulit mencari pekerjaan, kematian salah seorang keluarga kita, tidak mendapatkan sesuatu yang kita idam-idamkan, jodoh tak kunjung datang ataupun yang lainnya, maka ucapkanlah do'a berikut yang diajarkan oleh Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam:
"Tidaklah seseorang ditimpa suatu kegundahan maupun kesedihan lalu dia berdo'a: "Ya Allah, sesungguhnya saya adalah hamba-Mu, putra hamba laki-laki-Mu, putra hamba perempuan-Mu, ubun-ubunku ada di Tangan-Mu, telah berlalu padaku hukum-Mu, adil ketentuan-Mu untukku. Saya meminta kepada-Mu dengan seluruh Nama yang Engkau miliki, yang Engkau menamakannya untuk Diri-Mu atau yang Engkau ajarkan kepada seseorang dari makhluk-Mu atau yang Engkau turunkan dalam kitab-Mu atau yang Engkau simpan dalam ilmu ghaib yang ada di sisi-Mu. Jadikanlah Al-Qur`an sebagai musim semi (penyejuk) hatiku dan cahaya dadaku, pengusir kesedihanku serta penghilang kegundahanku." kecuali akan Allah hilangkan kegundahan dan kesedihannya dan akan diganti dengan diberikan jalan keluar dan kegembiraan.
" Tiba-tiba ada yang bertanya: "Ya Rasulullah, tidakkah kami ajarkan do'a ini (kepada orang lain)? Maka Rasulullah menjawab: "Bahkan selayaknya bagi siapa saja yang mendengarnya agar mengajarkannya (kepada yang lain)." (HR. Ahmad) Juga do'a berikut ini: "Ya Allah, sesungguhnya aku berlindung kepada-Mu dari gundah gulana, sedih, lemah, malas, kikir, penakut, terlilit hutang dan dari tekanan/penindasan orang lain." (HR. Bukhariy) Ilmu adalah Pengganti Segala Kelezatan Di antara hal yang bisa menghibur seseorang ketika mengalami kesepian atau ketika sedang dilanda kesedihan adalah menuntut ilmu dan senantiasa bersama ilmu.
Berkata Al-Imam Al-Mawardiy: "Ilmu adalah pengganti dari segala kelezatan dan mencukupi dari segala kesenangan…. Barangsiapa yang menyendiri dengan ilmu maka kesendiriannya itu tidak menjadikan dia sepi. Dan barangsiapa yang menghibur diri dengan kitab-kitab maka dia akan mendapat kesenangan…. Maka tidak ada teman ngobrol sebaik ilmu dan tidak ada sifat yang akan menolong pemiliknya seperti sifat al-hilm (sabar dan tidak terburu-buru)." (Adabud Dunya wad Diin) Duhai kiranya kita dapat mengambil manfaat dari ilmu yang kita miliki sehingga kita tidak akan merasa kesepian walaupun kita sendirian di malam yang sunyi tetapi ilmu itulah yang setia menemani. Contoh Orang-orang yang Sabar Cobaan yang menimpa kita kadang-kadang menjadikan kita bersedih tetapi hendaklah kesedihan itu dihadapi dengan kesabaran dan menyerahkan semua permasalahan kepada Allah, supaya Dia menghilangkan kesedihan tersebut dan menggantikannya dengan kegembiraan.
Allah berfirman mengisahkan tentang Nabi Ya'qub: "Dan Ya`qub berpaling dari mereka (anak-anaknya) seraya berkata: "Aduhai duka citaku terhadap Yusuf", dan kedua matanya menjadi putih karena kesedihan dan dia adalah seorang yang menahan amarahnya (terhadap anak-anaknya).
Mereka berkata: "Demi Allah, senantiasa kamu mengingati Yusuf, sehingga kamu mengidapkan penyakit yang berat atau termasuk orang-orang yang binasa." Ya`qub menjawab: "Sesungguhnya hanyalah kepada Allah aku mengadukan kesusahan dan kesedihanku, dan aku mengetahui dari Allah apa yang kalian tiada mengetahuinya." (QS.Yusuf: 84-86)
Allah juga berfirman mengisahkan tentang Maryam: "Maka Maryam mengandungnya, lalu ia menyisihkan diri dengan kandungannya itu ke tempat yang jauh. Maka rasa sakit akan melahirkan anak memaksa ia (bersandar) pada pangkal pohon kurma, ia berkata: "Aduhai, alangkah baiknya aku mati sebelum ini, dan aku menjadi sesuatu yang tidak berarti, lagi dilupakan." Maka Jibril menyerunya dari tempat yang rendah: "Janganlah kamu bersedih hati, sesungguhnya Tuhanmu telah menjadikan anak sungai di bawahmu. Dan goyanglah pangkal pohon kurma itu ke arahmu, niscaya pohon itu akan menggugurkan buah kurma yang masak kepadamu." (QS.Maryam: 22-25) Semoga Allah Ta'ala menjadikan kita sebagai orang-orang yang sabar dan istiqamah dalam menjalankan syari'at-Nya, amin. Wallaahu A'lam.
(Sumber: Buletin Al Wala' wa Bara', Edisi ke-4 Tahun ke-3/17 Desember 2004 M/05 Dzul Qo'dah 1425 H. Judul asli ‘Janganlah Bersedih Wahai Saudaraku’ Diterbitkan Yayasan Forum Dakwah Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah Bandung)
Manuka Honey as a Medicine
Manuka honey comes from the flower of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) that is native to New Zealand and has been found to have amazing antibacterial properties. Whilst all honey has some level of antibacterial action, produced by enzymes in the honey, some honeys are more potent than others.
Honey has long been used for medical purposes both internally for relief from coughs, colds, stomach pain, indigestion, ulcers, etc, and externally to heal wounds and cuts. Ibn al-Qayyim described some of the many benefits of honey in his Prophetic medicine. He said that "nothing of this kind has been created for us which is more excellent, nor even similar or near to it in quality", and mentioned many of the healing, cleansing and preserving benefits of honey for the body, which are detailed in a previous article.
Modern research has investigated the healing properties of manuka honey and numerous studies have found it to be a powerful antimicrobial and antifungal when applied topically and ingested.
Fights Superbugs and Heals Wounds
In separate studies, researchers found that manuka honey is able to combat MRSA, a hospital infection that is resistant to all but the most powerful antibiotics. They found that the honey inhibited the growth of the bacteria even at very low concentrations. Another study found that bandages soaked in manuka honey given to cancer patients a Manchester hospital, reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and lessened wound inflammation following surgery. This honey is now used routinely and is licensed for use in NHS hospitals for dressing wounds and as sterilized manuka honey creams.
The honey not only fights infection and aids tissue healing but has been found in clinical trials to reduce inflammation and scarring. It has also been used successfully, when taken orally, on digestive problems, from diarrhea and indigestion to stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis. Its healing properties appear to be due to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide - an antiseptic - and its high sugar concentration, which inhibits bacterial growth.
A study published in the European Journal of Medical Research in 2003 discovered that manuka honey - when compared with conventional treatments for infected postoperative Caesarean sections and hysterectomy wounds - had an 85 per cent success rate compared with 50 per cent for routine treatments.
Fights Gum Disease
Despite its sweetness, manuka honey has been found to disrupt three types of bacteria in the mouth which cause tooth decay.
In laboratory tests, it sharply reduced the acid levels produced by Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus caseii.
Research by Professor Molan, a biochemist and director of the honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, has shown that reducing the amount of acid stops the bacteria from producing dextran, which sticks dental plaque to the surface of teeth. He recommends rubbing manuka into the gums after brushing or, since it retains its anti-microbial properties even when diluted up to 50 times, it can be used as a mouthwash.
Soothes Sore Throats
Some forms of manuka honey have been linked to fighting infections, such as the bacteria streptoccous pyogones, that causes sore throats. Professor Molan found that taking a teaspoon three times a day, and keeping it in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing, prevented most throat infections from developing or worsening.
Boosts Endurance
Using honey, including manuka honey of varying strengths, during exercise was found to be as successful at improving performance and power among athletes as specialist energy drinks. Researchers found three to five teaspoons of honey reduced the time to complete a 64 km time trial by more than three minutes and improved cycling power by 6 per cent compared to a placebo.
Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)
So strong is its anti-bacterial component, that manuka honey has been given its own classification, the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Strengths range from UMF5, which is believed to be equivalent to a 5 per cent solution of a standard antiseptic, to UMF20, which is equivalent to a 20 per cent solution of antiseptic. Different strengths are recommended for treating different conditions.
Manuka honeys below UMF 10 are recommended for maintaining general health and good digestion. UMF10 to UMF15 are for indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea. They can also be used externally on cuts, grazes, burns, fungal infections and wounds. UMF20 can treat gastroenteritis and stomach ulcers. There are also manuka honey creams for cold sores and skin conditions like eczema and acne.
Some Facts about Honey
The nutritional value of honey varies depending on how it is produced and processed. The price of honey is usually a good indication of its quality. Mass produced, blended, imported honey is cheap, has very little flavor and bears little resemblance to real honey.
Honey contains an amazing substance called propolis; a natural antibacterial produced by the bees to protect the hive from infection. That's why real honey never grows mould or goes off.
Naturally produced, unfiltered honey contains pollen grains, making it an effective treatment for hay fever. Eating honey from your local hives, where the bees feed on the plants that trigger your allergies, can alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
Here is a comprehensive list of research papers and publications about manuka honey
Taken from www.healthymuslim.com
Manuka honey comes from the flower of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) that is native to New Zealand and has been found to have amazing antibacterial properties. Whilst all honey has some level of antibacterial action, produced by enzymes in the honey, some honeys are more potent than others.
Honey has long been used for medical purposes both internally for relief from coughs, colds, stomach pain, indigestion, ulcers, etc, and externally to heal wounds and cuts. Ibn al-Qayyim described some of the many benefits of honey in his Prophetic medicine. He said that "nothing of this kind has been created for us which is more excellent, nor even similar or near to it in quality", and mentioned many of the healing, cleansing and preserving benefits of honey for the body, which are detailed in a previous article.
Modern research has investigated the healing properties of manuka honey and numerous studies have found it to be a powerful antimicrobial and antifungal when applied topically and ingested.
Fights Superbugs and Heals Wounds
In separate studies, researchers found that manuka honey is able to combat MRSA, a hospital infection that is resistant to all but the most powerful antibiotics. They found that the honey inhibited the growth of the bacteria even at very low concentrations. Another study found that bandages soaked in manuka honey given to cancer patients a Manchester hospital, reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and lessened wound inflammation following surgery. This honey is now used routinely and is licensed for use in NHS hospitals for dressing wounds and as sterilized manuka honey creams.
The honey not only fights infection and aids tissue healing but has been found in clinical trials to reduce inflammation and scarring. It has also been used successfully, when taken orally, on digestive problems, from diarrhea and indigestion to stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis. Its healing properties appear to be due to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide - an antiseptic - and its high sugar concentration, which inhibits bacterial growth.
A study published in the European Journal of Medical Research in 2003 discovered that manuka honey - when compared with conventional treatments for infected postoperative Caesarean sections and hysterectomy wounds - had an 85 per cent success rate compared with 50 per cent for routine treatments.
Fights Gum Disease
Despite its sweetness, manuka honey has been found to disrupt three types of bacteria in the mouth which cause tooth decay.
In laboratory tests, it sharply reduced the acid levels produced by Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus caseii.
Research by Professor Molan, a biochemist and director of the honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, has shown that reducing the amount of acid stops the bacteria from producing dextran, which sticks dental plaque to the surface of teeth. He recommends rubbing manuka into the gums after brushing or, since it retains its anti-microbial properties even when diluted up to 50 times, it can be used as a mouthwash.
Soothes Sore Throats
Some forms of manuka honey have been linked to fighting infections, such as the bacteria streptoccous pyogones, that causes sore throats. Professor Molan found that taking a teaspoon three times a day, and keeping it in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing, prevented most throat infections from developing or worsening.
Boosts Endurance
Using honey, including manuka honey of varying strengths, during exercise was found to be as successful at improving performance and power among athletes as specialist energy drinks. Researchers found three to five teaspoons of honey reduced the time to complete a 64 km time trial by more than three minutes and improved cycling power by 6 per cent compared to a placebo.
Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)
So strong is its anti-bacterial component, that manuka honey has been given its own classification, the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Strengths range from UMF5, which is believed to be equivalent to a 5 per cent solution of a standard antiseptic, to UMF20, which is equivalent to a 20 per cent solution of antiseptic. Different strengths are recommended for treating different conditions.
Manuka honeys below UMF 10 are recommended for maintaining general health and good digestion. UMF10 to UMF15 are for indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea. They can also be used externally on cuts, grazes, burns, fungal infections and wounds. UMF20 can treat gastroenteritis and stomach ulcers. There are also manuka honey creams for cold sores and skin conditions like eczema and acne.
Some Facts about Honey
The nutritional value of honey varies depending on how it is produced and processed. The price of honey is usually a good indication of its quality. Mass produced, blended, imported honey is cheap, has very little flavor and bears little resemblance to real honey.
Honey contains an amazing substance called propolis; a natural antibacterial produced by the bees to protect the hive from infection. That's why real honey never grows mould or goes off.
Naturally produced, unfiltered honey contains pollen grains, making it an effective treatment for hay fever. Eating honey from your local hives, where the bees feed on the plants that trigger your allergies, can alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
Here is a comprehensive list of research papers and publications about manuka honey
Taken from www.healthymuslim.com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Obligatory Conditions for an Islaamic Hijaab
Brief points of benefit outlining what is obligatory with regards to the Hijaab.
"The hijaab itself must not be a display. Allaah ordained it so as to cover the beauty of women and not for showing off."
1. Covering ALL Of The Body
It is an agreed position by many respected scholars that the face and hands of the woman must be covered. Some scholars say it is permissible to uncover the face and the hands of the woman as long as there is no fitna (infatuation) caused by this action. Two things must be taken into consideration
a) if she is beautiful and beautifies her face and hands with external substances, or
b) the society around her is corrupt where men do not lower their gaze, then it is prohibited for her to uncover her face and hands.
On the authority of the wife of the prophet (pbuh), Umm Salama (RA) said:
"When the verse was revealed that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies' was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
2.The hijab must not be a display
The hijab itself must not be a display. Allaah ordained it so as to cover the beauty of women and not for showing off. Allaah (swt) says `And not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent.' (S24:31).
AND
`And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance.' (S33:33).
It is in no way logical that the hijab itself be a source of display.
3. The hijab must not be transparent
The purpose of wearing hijab must be achieved. In order for the hijab to be a cover, it must not be made of transparent material making the woman covered only by name, while in reality she is naked. The prophet (pbuh) is quoted as saying: "In the latest part of my Ummah (nation of Muslims) there shall be women who would be naked in spite of being dressed, they have their hair high like the humps of the Bukht camel, curse them, for they are cursed. They will not enter Al-Jannah and would not even perceive its odor, although it's fragrance can be perceived from a distance of 500 years travelling by camel" This indicates that a woman could cause herself a grave and destructive sin if she puts on a garment that is thin and transparent and which clearly shapes her body's features. The purpose of wearing hijab must be achieved. In order for the hijab to be a cover, it must not be made of transparent material making the woman covered only by name, while in reality she is naked. The prophet (pbuh) is quoted as saying: "In the latest part of my Ummah (nation of Muslims) there shall be women who would be naked in spite of being dressed, they have their hair high like the humps of the Bukht camel, curse them, for they are cursed. They will not enter Al-Jannah and would not even perceive its odor, although it's fragrance can be perceived from a distance of 500 years travelling by camel" This indicates that a woman could cause herself a grave and destructive sin if she puts on a garment that is thin and transparent and which clearly shapes her body's features.
4.Hijab must be roomy, and not tight.
The hijab is a safeguard against fitna. If it is tight, it will be descriptive of the woman's body and this violates and defeats the whole purpose of hijab.
5.The hijab must not be perfumed
On the authority of Ad'Diya Al-Maqdisi, the prophet (pbuh) said:
"Any woman who perfumes herself and passes by some people that they smell her scent, then she is a Zaniyah (adulteress)."
6. The hijab shouldn't resemble the dress of a man
Imam Ahmed, an-Nissa'ee reported the prophet (pbuh) to have said: "Women who assume the manners of men are not from us and also those of men who assume the manners of women." Abu Huraira narrated that: "The Prophet (pbuh) CURSED the man who wears the dress of a woman and the woman who wears the dress of a man."
7.The hijab must not resemble the garments of the kuffar
Abu Dawoud and Ahmed have related the prophet (pbuh) said: "The one who take the similitude (manner) of a certain people, then he/she becomes one of them."
Abdullah bin Ummar (RA) said: "The Prophet (pbuh) saw me wearing two garments dyed in saffron (orange), whereupon he said: these are the clothes (usually worn) by the kuffar, so do not wear them."
8.The hijab should not be for fame
Abu Dawoud and Ibn Majah have related the prophet to saying: "The one who wears a garment designed for a worldly fame, Allaah will make them wear a garment of humility on the Day Of Resurrection then he will be set ablaze." The garment of fame is any garment a person wears to make themselves look famous. This applies whether the garment is highly precious and shows admiration to the life of this world or if it is chosen of a low quality to show lack of interest to this worldly life. The person may put on clothes with distinct colors so as to draw attention, act proudly and/or arrogantly.
9.Concealed ways of display
Examining the various conditions about the hijab one can clearly recognize that many of the young Muslim women are not fulfilling these conditions. Many just take "half-way" measures, which not only mocks the community in which she lives, but also mocks the commands of Allaah (swt). They consider what they put on now wrongly as "hijab" So, O muslimoon, be mindful to Allaah (swt) and His Messenger (pbuh), and do not deceived by those who "bless" this action of yours and conceal their true intentions. Do not be deceived, and there is no excuse to follow the evil.
If you are sincere in achieving Al-Jannah, then be mindful of these things, insha'Allaah
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 May 2007 )
www.troid.org
Brief points of benefit outlining what is obligatory with regards to the Hijaab.
"The hijaab itself must not be a display. Allaah ordained it so as to cover the beauty of women and not for showing off."
1. Covering ALL Of The Body
It is an agreed position by many respected scholars that the face and hands of the woman must be covered. Some scholars say it is permissible to uncover the face and the hands of the woman as long as there is no fitna (infatuation) caused by this action. Two things must be taken into consideration
a) if she is beautiful and beautifies her face and hands with external substances, or
b) the society around her is corrupt where men do not lower their gaze, then it is prohibited for her to uncover her face and hands.
On the authority of the wife of the prophet (pbuh), Umm Salama (RA) said:
"When the verse was revealed that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies' was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
2.The hijab must not be a display
The hijab itself must not be a display. Allaah ordained it so as to cover the beauty of women and not for showing off. Allaah (swt) says `And not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent.' (S24:31).
AND
`And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance.' (S33:33).
It is in no way logical that the hijab itself be a source of display.
3. The hijab must not be transparent
The purpose of wearing hijab must be achieved. In order for the hijab to be a cover, it must not be made of transparent material making the woman covered only by name, while in reality she is naked. The prophet (pbuh) is quoted as saying: "In the latest part of my Ummah (nation of Muslims) there shall be women who would be naked in spite of being dressed, they have their hair high like the humps of the Bukht camel, curse them, for they are cursed. They will not enter Al-Jannah and would not even perceive its odor, although it's fragrance can be perceived from a distance of 500 years travelling by camel" This indicates that a woman could cause herself a grave and destructive sin if she puts on a garment that is thin and transparent and which clearly shapes her body's features. The purpose of wearing hijab must be achieved. In order for the hijab to be a cover, it must not be made of transparent material making the woman covered only by name, while in reality she is naked. The prophet (pbuh) is quoted as saying: "In the latest part of my Ummah (nation of Muslims) there shall be women who would be naked in spite of being dressed, they have their hair high like the humps of the Bukht camel, curse them, for they are cursed. They will not enter Al-Jannah and would not even perceive its odor, although it's fragrance can be perceived from a distance of 500 years travelling by camel" This indicates that a woman could cause herself a grave and destructive sin if she puts on a garment that is thin and transparent and which clearly shapes her body's features.
4.Hijab must be roomy, and not tight.
The hijab is a safeguard against fitna. If it is tight, it will be descriptive of the woman's body and this violates and defeats the whole purpose of hijab.
5.The hijab must not be perfumed
On the authority of Ad'Diya Al-Maqdisi, the prophet (pbuh) said:
"Any woman who perfumes herself and passes by some people that they smell her scent, then she is a Zaniyah (adulteress)."
6. The hijab shouldn't resemble the dress of a man
Imam Ahmed, an-Nissa'ee reported the prophet (pbuh) to have said: "Women who assume the manners of men are not from us and also those of men who assume the manners of women." Abu Huraira narrated that: "The Prophet (pbuh) CURSED the man who wears the dress of a woman and the woman who wears the dress of a man."
7.The hijab must not resemble the garments of the kuffar
Abu Dawoud and Ahmed have related the prophet (pbuh) said: "The one who take the similitude (manner) of a certain people, then he/she becomes one of them."
Abdullah bin Ummar (RA) said: "The Prophet (pbuh) saw me wearing two garments dyed in saffron (orange), whereupon he said: these are the clothes (usually worn) by the kuffar, so do not wear them."
8.The hijab should not be for fame
Abu Dawoud and Ibn Majah have related the prophet to saying: "The one who wears a garment designed for a worldly fame, Allaah will make them wear a garment of humility on the Day Of Resurrection then he will be set ablaze." The garment of fame is any garment a person wears to make themselves look famous. This applies whether the garment is highly precious and shows admiration to the life of this world or if it is chosen of a low quality to show lack of interest to this worldly life. The person may put on clothes with distinct colors so as to draw attention, act proudly and/or arrogantly.
9.Concealed ways of display
Examining the various conditions about the hijab one can clearly recognize that many of the young Muslim women are not fulfilling these conditions. Many just take "half-way" measures, which not only mocks the community in which she lives, but also mocks the commands of Allaah (swt). They consider what they put on now wrongly as "hijab" So, O muslimoon, be mindful to Allaah (swt) and His Messenger (pbuh), and do not deceived by those who "bless" this action of yours and conceal their true intentions. Do not be deceived, and there is no excuse to follow the evil.
If you are sincere in achieving Al-Jannah, then be mindful of these things, insha'Allaah
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 May 2007 )
www.troid.org
Why should I wear the Hijaab?
An oft-asked question by many Muslim woman! See the clear and simple answer!
Dear Muslim sister! Come towards the gates of Paradise with us! Fulfill your duties towards Allaah, put on your adornment - put on your hijaab, and race towards Jannah (Paradise) by doing all good actions.
This is a good question and there is a beautiful answer! Allaah has commanded us with every action that is good for us and prohibited us from performing every action that is bad for us.
Allaah orders the Muslim woman to wear the hijaab when she steps out of the security of her home or when in the presence of strange men. So to wear the hijaab is a source of great good for you – the Muslim woman - for many reasons. Among them:
You please Allaah. You are obeying the commands of your Lord when you wear the hijaab and you can expect great rewards in return.
It is Allaah’s protection of your natural beauty. You are too precious to be "on display" for each man to see.
It is Allaah’s preservation of your chastity.
Allaah purifies your heart and mind through the hijaab.
Allaah beautifies your inner and outer countenance with hijaab. Outwardly your hijaab reflects innocence, purity, modesty, shyness, serenity, contentment and obedience to your Lord. Inwardly you cultivate the same.
Allaah defines your femininity through the hijaab. You are a woman who respects her womanhood. Allaah wants you to be respected by others, and for you to respect yourself.
Allaah raises your dignity through the hijaab. When a strange man looks at you, he respects you because he sees that you respect yourself.
Allaah protects your honour 100% through your hijaab. Men do not gaze at you in a sensual way, they do not approach you in a sensual way, and neither do they speak to you in a sensual way. Rather, a man holds you in high esteem and that is just by one glance at you!
Allaah gives you nobility through the hijaab. You are noble not degraded because you covered not naked.
Allaah demonstrates your equality as a Muslim woman through the hijaab. Your Lord bestows upon you equal worth as your male counterpart, and gives you a host of beautiful rights and liberties. You express your acceptance of these unique rights by putting on the hijaab.
Allaah defines your role as a Muslim woman through the hijaab. You are a someone with important duties. You are a reflection of a woman of action not idle pursuits. You display your sense of direction and purpose through your hijaab. You are someone that people take seriously.
Allaah expresses your independence through the hijaab. You are stating clearly that you are an obedient servant of the Greatest Master. You will obey no one else and follow no other way. You are not a slave to any man, nor a slave to any nation. You are free and independent from all man-made systems.
Allaah gives you the freedom of movement and expression through the hijaab. You are able to move about and communicate without fear of harassment. Your hijaab gives you a unique confidence.
Allaah wants others to treat you – a Muslim woman - with kindness. And the hijaab brings about the best treatment of men towards you.
Allaah wants your beauty to be preserved and saved for just one man to enjoy – your husband.
Allaah helps you to enjoy a successful marriage through wearing hijaab. Because you reserve your beauty for one man alone, your husband’s love for you increases, he cherishes you more, he respects you more and he honours you more. So your hijaab contributes to a successful and lasting marriage relationship.
Allaah brings about peace and stability in the society through the hijaab! Yes this is true! Men do not cause corruption by forming illegal relationships because you - the Muslim woman - calm their passions. When a man looks at you, he feels at ease, not tempted to fornicate…
So a Muslim woman in hijaab is dignified, not dishonoured, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute…
Dear Muslim sister! Come towards the gates of Paradise with us! Fulfill your duties towards Allaah, put on your adornment - put on your hijaab, and race towards Jannah (Paradise) by doing all good actions. You should agree by now that wearing hijaab is extremely beneficial – it must be - because Allaah only commands what is good…
…and believe me dear sister, it is good to obey the commands of your Lord…
"Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow wherein they will dwell for ever; Allaah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him; this is (in store) for whoever fears his Lord." [Sooratul-Bayyinah 98:8]
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 May 2007 )
http://www.troid.org/
An oft-asked question by many Muslim woman! See the clear and simple answer!
Dear Muslim sister! Come towards the gates of Paradise with us! Fulfill your duties towards Allaah, put on your adornment - put on your hijaab, and race towards Jannah (Paradise) by doing all good actions.
This is a good question and there is a beautiful answer! Allaah has commanded us with every action that is good for us and prohibited us from performing every action that is bad for us.
Allaah orders the Muslim woman to wear the hijaab when she steps out of the security of her home or when in the presence of strange men. So to wear the hijaab is a source of great good for you – the Muslim woman - for many reasons. Among them:
You please Allaah. You are obeying the commands of your Lord when you wear the hijaab and you can expect great rewards in return.
It is Allaah’s protection of your natural beauty. You are too precious to be "on display" for each man to see.
It is Allaah’s preservation of your chastity.
Allaah purifies your heart and mind through the hijaab.
Allaah beautifies your inner and outer countenance with hijaab. Outwardly your hijaab reflects innocence, purity, modesty, shyness, serenity, contentment and obedience to your Lord. Inwardly you cultivate the same.
Allaah defines your femininity through the hijaab. You are a woman who respects her womanhood. Allaah wants you to be respected by others, and for you to respect yourself.
Allaah raises your dignity through the hijaab. When a strange man looks at you, he respects you because he sees that you respect yourself.
Allaah protects your honour 100% through your hijaab. Men do not gaze at you in a sensual way, they do not approach you in a sensual way, and neither do they speak to you in a sensual way. Rather, a man holds you in high esteem and that is just by one glance at you!
Allaah gives you nobility through the hijaab. You are noble not degraded because you covered not naked.
Allaah demonstrates your equality as a Muslim woman through the hijaab. Your Lord bestows upon you equal worth as your male counterpart, and gives you a host of beautiful rights and liberties. You express your acceptance of these unique rights by putting on the hijaab.
Allaah defines your role as a Muslim woman through the hijaab. You are a someone with important duties. You are a reflection of a woman of action not idle pursuits. You display your sense of direction and purpose through your hijaab. You are someone that people take seriously.
Allaah expresses your independence through the hijaab. You are stating clearly that you are an obedient servant of the Greatest Master. You will obey no one else and follow no other way. You are not a slave to any man, nor a slave to any nation. You are free and independent from all man-made systems.
Allaah gives you the freedom of movement and expression through the hijaab. You are able to move about and communicate without fear of harassment. Your hijaab gives you a unique confidence.
Allaah wants others to treat you – a Muslim woman - with kindness. And the hijaab brings about the best treatment of men towards you.
Allaah wants your beauty to be preserved and saved for just one man to enjoy – your husband.
Allaah helps you to enjoy a successful marriage through wearing hijaab. Because you reserve your beauty for one man alone, your husband’s love for you increases, he cherishes you more, he respects you more and he honours you more. So your hijaab contributes to a successful and lasting marriage relationship.
Allaah brings about peace and stability in the society through the hijaab! Yes this is true! Men do not cause corruption by forming illegal relationships because you - the Muslim woman - calm their passions. When a man looks at you, he feels at ease, not tempted to fornicate…
So a Muslim woman in hijaab is dignified, not dishonoured, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute…
Dear Muslim sister! Come towards the gates of Paradise with us! Fulfill your duties towards Allaah, put on your adornment - put on your hijaab, and race towards Jannah (Paradise) by doing all good actions. You should agree by now that wearing hijaab is extremely beneficial – it must be - because Allaah only commands what is good…
…and believe me dear sister, it is good to obey the commands of your Lord…
"Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow wherein they will dwell for ever; Allaah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him; this is (in store) for whoever fears his Lord." [Sooratul-Bayyinah 98:8]
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 May 2007 )
http://www.troid.org/
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