7th July

I was born in London. It has a special and important place in my heart as do the people there.
My feelings about that day are the same as anyone else.
How can anyone justify the actions Islamically?
I am at a loss to find an answer to this question.

The Prophet would have reacted differently

This is with reference to the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon Him (PBUH)) in the Danish and other press in the latter part of 2005 and early 2006.

There has already been much discussion on the subject about the pros and cons of the freedom of the press (of which I am no authority). I have taken the liberty of adding a few links at the end for those who may care to get a view on the issues I am not discussing here.

The point I wish to make however, is to do with the way Muslims are meant to react to and in this situation.

Islam is meant to be practiced based on Allah’s (the Monotheistic God of Christians and Jews too) message – in the form of the Qur’an. The second source is the Islamic Traditions (known as Hadith (singular) or (Ahadith (plural)). The traditions are the recorder/written down narrations of the actions of the Prophet (PBUH).

To illustrate how Muslims use the two sources I will give a brief example. In the Qur’an, we are told to worship Allah (God) and pray. We refer to the traditions to ascertain how we pray through the descriptions of the way the Prophet (PBUH) prayed. So the Qur’an relays the main principles, whereas the second source gives us detailed guidance on daily practice.

I have been trying to search for examples of how the Prophet (PBUH) acted when faced with e.g. personal insults. He was spat at, scorned, had stones thrown at him, and was physically attacked by those who despised the message he was conveying from the Almighty. There are no examples of cartoons. There were certainly poems written about him that were mocking in nature.

At no point am I able to find anything that indicates any violence, or vengeance. Rather, there are examples of polite and measured responses.

One example, which has been narrated to me about the Prophet (PBUH), is that he would pass by a particular house. In this house lived a woman who despised the Prophet (PBUH). She would throw rubbish over him from the window whenever he passed by the house. The Prophet (PBUH) ignored this and just removed any filth or dirt that would be on his clothes. One day, whilst the Prophet (PBUH) was passing by the woman’s house, the woman did not throw any rubbish over him. Out of his concern he went to visit the woman to enquire about her health.

In another situation, the Prophet (PBUH) was discussing something with one of his close followers. Whilst they were in discussion, somebody from across the way had been shouting abuse. The Prophets (PBUH) companion eventually got fed up and decided to face the abuser. The Prophet (PBUH) walked away. His companion later asked why he had walked away, at which point the Prophet said that Allah (God) had sent an Angel do deal with the matter on his behalf.

These are very simple example which for me indicates that we (Muslims) need to try harder to help the world understand us better but through acts of wisdom.

The burning of buildings, the death of people through protestations is not from the Traditions of Islam. Based on the traditions, I can only conclude that as followers, we (Muslims) are not acting in accordance to the CORRECT practice of our faith. Certainly burning embassies and consulates or any property is not prescribed.

What is required is a greater study of Islam by Muslims so that they may practice Islam as it really should be. This goes against the general trend nowadays of trying to dumb down the study of Islam. However, “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”.
I am not a moderate (whatever that may mean) or an apologist on behalf of Islam and the Muslims. However, my appeal to reasonable people around the world is not to judge Islam by what is reported, and the actions of a few, but by a genuine attempt at finding out about Islam through personal study.

Related links:

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=77428&d=7&m=2&y=2006&pix=opinion.jpg&category=Opinion

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=77449&d=7&m=2&y=2006&pix=opinion.jpg&category=Opinion

Londoner buried in Madinah

Asalamo alaikum

Ramadan Kareem.

I hope and pray that you are well.

Today, I attended the funeral of somebody who came to Saudi with the intention of performing Umra. However, Allah had other plans, and he died in a car crash on his way to Madinah. He was 31. English (White revert). In London he taught Wing Chun. He was 31. He leaves a large family behind. My recollection of him is that he stood tall and was very strong mashallah.

He was buried in Baqi - a famous burial ground (in fact the only one in Madinah). He was privileged, lets say - to die in Ramadaan, and be buried in Madinah.

I will Inshallah (God willing) turn 40 this year. How many years of life do I have left? Will I reach 50? 60? My father died at 54. And what about the rest of us? The brother from London died at 31. Who's next?

My experience of my fathers death, is that he left everything here. The only belongings he took with him were his deeds. He left his house, his academic certificates and other belongings. We are all going to be judged by these. Our house, money, wife and children will not come with us. Prepare before its too late. Remember, when we trip whilst walking, or when something gets into our eye suddenly - there is no time to avoid those incidences - death comes like that. So how many of us are leading our lives as Allah commanded?

Enjoy Ramadaan, and Inshallah have a good Eid.

Wasalaam

Sohaib
Madinah