MINDING NOTES : On contemporary Dawah challenges

MINDING NOTES On contemporary Dawah challenges Alhamdulillah, its a great blessing from Allah the exalted, that we are bestowed the blessing of the natural religion (Islam) . Allah guides whoever he wills and leads whoever he wills astray . Has wished in his infinite mercy to give us this gift which if the whole world knows or has the knowledge of its divinity the whole world will understand the real God to face in worship. When things are given as gift one may undermine its worth, handle it with levity or take it for granted . These have been cause of major hindrance to the propagation of this deen and made people see Islam as religion that can't take care of their lives . While the least points Islam touches is man's affairs . Majority of Muslim youths fall short of the warning stated clearly by the Prophet(PBUH). which will serve as a reminder in this writeup. 1.Incessant argument : argument of all things has been a good food to quench the hunger of so called Muslim brothers and sisters of 21th century . The prophet (PBUH) warns against incessant argument in this Hadith: "I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannahfor one who has good manners.''[Abu Dawud] Islam is a religion of peace and its propagation is by calmness and dear manner. Allah says: Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in a way that is better. The essence of argument is to establish the truth, a perpetual argument distract from its content and leads to disagreement. It creates enmity and hatred between people involved in argument . Years back, I involved in an argument with the Imam of a Masjid after admonishing the Masjid congression, I'm on the truth and stood to by it . The Imam told me to come with my evidence . I quickly rushed home to meet one of my elders who sat me down and told me "You don't have to go back there , we have many things to correct in them than this, don't use minor issue to truncate our Dawah ". I agreed and stayed . Now , we speak in the Masjid and everybody listen to us without challenging and the preffer us to admonish the Masjid congregation over anybody . A good Dai'ya don't involved in incessant argument which can chase people away from from his Dawah .They may not take one from you but they are thousands of which can be accepted later . The duty bounded is to covey the word of Allah to them , Allah has the acceptance. He says: If they turn away, then your duty is only to clearly convey the message (16:82) Argument is not a method of Dawah, as it brings about dispute, disagreement, hatred and cut ties between Muslims . These may be greater than the truth we want to establish at that time . Quran says: {And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is One; and we are Muslims in submission to Him.(29:46). As human being our heart cling to what we know is the truth and by all means to defend it to maximum . Islam is beyond how human feeling , it's a designed way of life which every motive must submit to . A great man once said : "my assignment on earth is to call to the righteous way of my lord . What will become of me if I become overshadow by my own wills". Appeal to the people in the manner they will understand it better and the one as best step for them . Their guidance is from Allah, who guides who ever he wills. Argument that can lead to verbal dispute have to be averted with patience and taught. 2.Labeling and Libeling : This is one of great problems tampering the unity of Muslims today and cause of chaos and war. One side of Muslims labelling others as non-Muslims base on reason or the other . They dissociate themselves from then and passed severe judgement on them . SubhanaLlah ! This comes so as a result of dispute and incessant arguments . We are one nation by the Quran and teaching of the prophet (PBUH) . Little misconception and misinterpretation cut the Ummah apart and one becomes enemy of the other . Quran says: “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;” (3:103) This is what Allah says . Alleging other Muslim as Kafir (disbeliever), Mubtad' (innovator) and the likes are great label which are sensitive. It causes disperity among Muslim . Tagging anyone must be with clear prove according to Sharia which cannot be denied . Our Dawah (calling to the way of Allah) should not be established on this base, when our aim is to convince them to the righteous way . The prophet says: “O you who have spoken the words of faith but faith has not entered your hearts! Do not backbite about the Muslims or seek out their faults, for whoever seeks out their faults, Allaah will seek out his faults even if he is his house.(Abu Dawood). It is Haram to accused someone of hypocrisy, disbelieving and the likes without establishing a clear proof otherwise the foul label will fallback on such person. Leveling an allegation on someone means dragging such person to deserving the punishment of Allah. The prophet (PBUH) says: "Do not invoke the punishment of Allah upon one another”. Only Allah and his prophet (PBUH) have the authority to put one in place of association and dissociation from the deen. 3.Totalitarian Followership: It is sadden enough that after vivid explanations of the everliving Quran and the explicit content of the prophetic tradition (Hadith) Muslims still fall to the helm of dogma . Knowledge is fast growing and ignorance is hiding beneath the knowledge. We tend to know everything but but we fail to let it be our action and our driver . Mentioning totalitarian followership, our mind we quickly rush to point at some group as their characteristic. However, this exist in almost every group of Muslim regardless of the tag they bear. Muslim brothers and sisters bow to the whims of someone who in one way or the other in charge of any control over them or which they bear an allegiance to as their leader . This occurrence as made many young Muslims innocent even with their vast knowledge of the deen . Following the whims of someone without seeking or confirming it whether in accordance with Islamic Jurisprudence or not so far it is coming from their leader who they have pledged allegiance to. Devotion or loyalty to someone should be in accordance with the pristine of Islam. Anything commanded by anyone against the pristine of Islam is totally rejected in Islam . The Quran says: ..... And help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil). (Q5:2) Following religion leader should be for learning about ones religion and receiving counseling on religion's matter . When the following has deviated from the commandments of Allah and may be towards Allah's forbidden it is compulsory to ignore such from such leader . Allah says: Allah says: “Help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression. Fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment.” Abubakr (RA) said on his first day as the Khalifa of the Ummah: "Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His prophet; if I do not obey them, you owe me no obedience.” I pray, Allah purify us and unite the Ummah on the right way of the Prophet (PBUH). Our Lord! and make us both submissive to You and (raise) from our offspring a nation submitting to You, and show us our ways of devotion and turn to us (mercifully), surely You are the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful (2:128). Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error (2:286). May the blessing of Allah be upon Muhammad (PBUH) His households, companions, those who follow them and generality of the Muslim Ummah . Alabi Yusuf For deensview.blogspot.com

A LETTER TO MY FUTURE WIFE

A LETTER TO MY FUTURE WIFE Met or seen, I don't know. Either I have been with you for once or not, I am unaware. But, I believe one day we shall meet, gaze at each other with a feeling that won't permit legs to take a pace backwards but a pace forwards to hit the nail on the head. I admit, a day will be that we shall be bound together in an irresistable feeling that will be hard to feign and fairly simple to consider. Before we know, consent has been sought and approval has been granted. That will give us a pure certification to own each other and steer our affairs. Believe it, real love is not what can be totally expressed via mouth but what defies every description of art. Her full definition and enslavement are in heart while the reflection of such feeling is manifested through action. To love is an irresistible sickness which sometimes ties memory down and makes body chill for having no one to share it with. No medicine has its relief unless the object of love is accessed. The best antidote is to walk your loved-one down the aisle. The prescribed fasting for the single can not even wipe away the feeling; it only avoids body from been hurried to pluck an unripe fruit which its intake will surely outbreak a heart disease, fornication. If a pious being living an ascetic life doesn't love, my Prophet is a right person to shun love. If it is forbidden, my Creator will be in the best position to abrogate that. Love is an happiness of soul that everybody wishes and in marriage( Nikkah) she finds a sacred camp. It is an enslavement and entanglement which everybody dare not to be freed from. It is a passion and an obsession that tie two different souls together. Falling in love is a natural phenomenon and making pretence is an abnormality and attack. Dear Future Wife, know that you're a natural blessing as far as your are found a righteous wife. You're an half of Deen for the fact you're up to the task. The Prophet(S.A.W.) says: "If Allah has blessed any of you with a good wife, He has helped him with half of his religion..." A righteous wife is not featured with a pretty face, spotless skin,endering voice, seductive dress or dizzying gait. She is always found devoutly obedient and submissive to voice of her husband and his silence. She is a guard to her honour and dignity, and husband property. Understand Prophet's description of a best wife. A best wife is one who pleases her husband when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives command, and does not go against his wishes. Dearie me, you are not a partner in joy and a disaster in sorrow. Nikkah is Sunnah and that is why I think of performing it. It is an obedience to Allah that says: " Marry women of your choice" that is why I want you to be a best choice. Marriage is for better and worst not in better I stay and in worst I take a leave. Dear Future Angel, if obedience to my words is left out of your deeds, I mean it, your paradise is at stake. My pleasure over you is a required signature on your clearance slip for Paradise. "If a woman dies while her husband was pleased with her, she will enter Paradise." The Prophet said(S.A.W.). Love me, love my dog is a saying compelling you to accept me, everyone 'n' everything around me. That mother, father, brothers, sisters and other relatives of mine and part of what you marry. From them I raise and from their Kobo and Naira, I survive. Half of Deen, If you want someone with Camry, forget it! I have not gotten jalopy. If you wish a man with Land Rover, spit it! I have not bought a plot of land let alone Land Rover. If you like to be married into a well furnished flat, have patience, only a room I have an access to in my father's house. To us, a wonderful future beckons. Tomorrow is coming with a better offer. There is no need to flatter. Just try to be a good wife who has no concern with dosh. "Life is a pleasure and the best of its pleasure is a good wife." Take note, if there is ability; physically and financially to perform the tradition of marrying more than one, I will surely do. The equation on ground needs to be balanced. Scare not, equity will be maintained as human being can do. Oh! Have I mentioned polygny now? Sorry, it was just a slip of tongue. Let me just start somewhere. Thanks in anticipation of my lawful proposal. Your Loving Future Husband, Olalekan. ©Abdulwasii Olalekan

Now Ramadan has come gone

Now Ramadan has come gone Taqwa remain untraveled, five times daily Solawat still remain unchanged , Quran pages are still the same, Sodaqah can still be accepted and all forms of servitudes and righteousness that prevailed the Ramadan are still rewarded in full by our creator whose throne remain unshaken after the month of Ramadan. Rakeeb and Anteed are ready to record your deeds either good or bad. The gate of paradise is still opened for those who are ready to enter while gate of hell too is ready for the would-be inhabitant. Allah is there to accept our supplications, forgiveness, commitment and steadfastness. Remember the mosque gate is not closed after Ramadan; this tells that Ibadaat are for everyday not occasional or for special month. Five daily Solawaat are not only compulsory at appropriate time and congregational in the month of Ramadan but for all days of our existence. Ramadan is a school with a designed curriculum, compulsory for all Muslims to pass through every year to prepare them fit for the rest of the months. As it is known to us: The essence of passing through a curriculum in our various institutions, is to put it to work in the real life. If at the end the day, we got certified and we cannot put the certificate to work, this means the curriculum has not work for its purpose. It is a sign of forgiveness for a sinner to be able to leave the sin after seeking forgiveness, and it is a sign of acceptance of Ibadan {deeds] for it to continue and consistent after drilling. Allah cares for the believers by given Ramadan to drill and restore our faith to increase our commitment and steadfastness. With the aim of gaining Taqwa [piety], this is the essence of Ramadan. Dear brothers and sisters refresh your Ikhlas don’t be a part worshiper, don’t worship the month of Ramadan, worship Allah the one who exist without end. When Abubakr [RA] addressed the congregation of Sohaba after the death of the prophet he said ``anyone of your who is worshipping Muhammad, Muhammad has died, anyone one of you who is worshipping Allah, Allah exist and he will never die ``telling you brothers in deen if you are Ramadan worshipers Ramadan has gone. Dear brothers and sisters all the good deeds you kept strong during the Ramadan still valid and ready to be accepted for the rest of the days too. However, the scholars and our Salaf [pious predecessors] do put more effort during Ramadan than the rest of the months due to its multiple rewards but they never fall-short of any of the Ibadaat after the month. That is the reason they prepared for Ramadan for long months. Ta’ajud, Tilawatul Qur’an, Sadaqa other forms of Ibadaat are still there for us to observe, Sunnatic fasting; six days of fasting in this month of Shawal[shitta shawal], fasting on Monday and Thursday , fasting on 13,14,15 of the Lunar months [ white days] and the likes are to keep us closer to Allah and to refresh the piety we have gained during Ramadan. Solawat in congregation are compulsory all the times. Be among of those whom Ramadan will open the gate of paradise for and never closed, don’t be among of those whom the gate paradise are opened for during Ramadan and closed after it. Remember the shitta shawal for complete year reward. May Allah accept all our deeds during Ramadan and make them steps to attain piety. Taqobalallhu mina wa minkum Alabi Yusuf For deensview.blogspot.com