Challenges of Being Muslim

“ Towards becoming Muslims - and its challenges.” - preliminary reflections Friday night lecture by: Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail @ Darul Arqam (Muslim Converts’ Association) Singapore 20 th Safar 1430AH 20 th Feb 2009 ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Why this topic?

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ

“ O you who have attained to faith! Be conscious of Allah (TAQWA) with a true consciousness, and do not allow death to overtake you unless you are (in state of submission to Allah) in Islam.”

( Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 102)

AT-TAQWA ( اَلتَّقْوَى ) : the measure for Muslims nobility

إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ۬

“ Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most TAQWA (consciousness of Allah leading to righteousness) amongst you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

( Qur’an: al-Hujurat: 49: 13)

My reflections:

Message, specifically addressed to believers.

What is “ Taqwa ”? So, there are Taqwa that is Real ( Haqqa-tuqaatihi ) as there are those not so real…

Islam – or being a Muslim – is a state ( haal ; condition of our spiritual consciousness, although generally perceived through ones outward act of submission)

What is “ haal ” what is “ maqom ”?

ALLAH & ROSULLULLAH s.a.w. : the final, ultimate reference

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِى ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِنكُمۡ‌ۖ فَإِن تَنَـٰزَعۡتُمۡ فِى شَىۡءٍ۬ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَحۡسَنُ تَأۡوِيلاً

“ O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination.”

( Qur’an: an-Nisa’: 4: 59)

BE UNITED IN HOLDING TO “ROPE FROM ALLAH” & TO REMEMBER WITH GRATITUDE ALLAH’S FAVOURS

ALLAH’S وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌ۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ

“ And hold fast, all together by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and

be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you ...”

( Qur’an: Aali ’Imran: 3: 103)

My reflections:

Muslims are warned against being disunited. BEWARE : Beginning of disunity when key Islamic terms are purposely slanted, distorted, alien standards imposed, innovated into Islamic discourse …

IMPERATIVE QUESTION

There is a single common bond- the rope from Allah. “What is this rope?”

Imperative for Muslims to re-visit: “... how do we learn our Islam”?

“ Whom do we seek to learn Islam from?”

Be warned ….

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تُطِيعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَرُدُّوڪُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡقَـٰبِكُمۡ فَتَنقَلِبُواْ خَـٰسِرِينَ

“ O ye who believe! if ye obey those who disbelieve, they will make you turn back on your heels (from this religion), and ye turn back (to Allah) as losers.”

( Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 149)

Be warned ….

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تُطِيعُواْ فَرِيقً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعۡدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمۡ كَـٰفِرِينَ

وَكَيۡفَ تَكۡفُرُونَ وَأَنتُمۡ تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ وَفِيڪُمۡ رَسُولُهُ ۥ‌ۗ وَمَن يَعۡتَصِم بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ هُدِىَ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

“ O ye who believe! If ye obey a party of those who have received the Scripture they will make you disbelievers after your belief. How can ye disbelieve, when Allah's revelations are recited unto you, and His messenger is in your midst? He who holdeth fast to Allah, he indeed is guided unto a right path.

( Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 100-101)

EXAMPLE OF CONFUSION: PERPETRATED BY OTHERS OR BY SOME MUSLIMS WHO ARE INFLUENCED (KNOWINGLY OR UNKNOWINGLY) BY OTHERS …

BEWARE OF THE OBSESSIONS IN TRYING TO CATEGORIZE “ISLAM” INTO MANY TYPES - example :

“ MODERATE” versus “EXTREME”

“ PROGRESSIVE-LIBERAL ” versus “ORTHODOX-TRADITIONAL”

“ CONSERVATIVE” versus “RADICAL”

“ PACIFIST” versus “JIHAADIST-BELLIGERENT”

“ APOLITICAL” versus “POLITICAL”

“ FLEXIBLE” versus “FUNDAMENTALIST”

“ INCLUSIVE” versus “EXCLUSIVIST”

“ SECULARIST versus “ISLAMIST”

EXAMPLE OF CONFUSION: PERPETRATED BY OTHERS OR BY MUSLIMS WHO ARE INFLUENCED (KNOWINGLY OR UNKNOWINGLY) BY OTHERS …

“ PACIFIST” versus “JIHAADIST-BELLIGERENT”

“ FLEXIBLE” versus “FUNDAMENTALIST”

“ INCLUSIVE” versus “EXCLUSIVIST”

“ SECULARIST versus “ISLAMIST”

AND THEY, ESPECIALLY MEDIA, TRY TO SUGGEST AND IMPLY THAT WHATEVER ACTS MUSLIMS DO, IT MUST BE REGARDED ALSO TO BE REPRESENTING THE VALID TEACHINGS OF ISLAM ......... ! TO THEM, THEY ERRONEOUSLY CONCLUDE THAT THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF ISLAM AS THERE ARE VARIETIES OF MUSLIMS ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ PACIFIST” versus “JIHAADIST”

IT IS INDEED ASTONISHING THAT NON-MUSLIMS ARE, NOW, SO EAGER TRYING TO TEACH MUSLIMS WHAT ISLAM IS, OR HOW ISLAM IS SUPPOSED TO BE !!? ---- BUT NOT SO TOWARDS OTHER RELIGION. INDEED, IT BECOMES EVEN SHAMEFUL WHEN SOME MUSLIMS FOLLOW THEM… WHILE TURNING THEIR BACKS AWAY OR SOME EVEN, USE THESE, TO THEN USURP OR GO AGAINST THE TRUE HEIRS OF THE PROPHETS! اَلْعُلَمَاء ورثَتَ اَلأَنْبِيَاء ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ PACIFIST” versus “JIHAADIST”

REFLECT & PONDER SERIOUSLY : “ WHY SHOULD WE ALLOW OTHERS , UNBELIEVERS, TO DICTATE TO US AS TO WHAT ISLAM IS, OR WHAT IT IS NOT? “ or “ WHO ARE THE TRUE MUSLIMS AND WHO ISN’T ? WHO ARE THE ‘ULAMA?” and “ DOES ISLAM NOT HAVE ITS OWN GUIDELINES, CRITERA ETC. REGARDING THESE MATTERS?” ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

My reflections:

إِنَّ هَذَالْعِلْم دِيْن ِ فَانْظُرُوا عَمَّنْ تَأْ خُذُوْنَ دِينُكُم

Imam Muhammad ibnu Sirin r.a. said:

” Verily this is knowledge (contains the rules) of the DEEN (Religion), so look thoroughly into the person from whom you acquire (the knowledge of) your DEEN Religion.”

NOTE : The difference between ma’lumat ( مَعْلُومَة ) and ‘ilm ( عِلْمٌ )

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَحۡمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡحِمَارِ يَحۡمِلُ أَسۡفَارَۢا‌ۚ بِئۡسَ مَثَلُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

” The likeness of those who are entrusted with the Law of Moses, yet apply it not, is as the likeness of the ass carrying books. Wretched is the likeness of folk who deny the revelations of Allah. And Allah guides not wrongdoing folk.” (Qur’an: Surah Jum’ah: 62: 5)

NOTE : The difference between ma’lumat ( مَعْلُومَة ) and ‘ilm ( عِلْمٌ )

REMEMBER: Ultimately, our Islamic education strives ....

TO CHANGING THE STATE OF OUR SOUL, RATHER THAN MERE STUFFING OF INFORMATION INTO OUR HEADS.

TO BRINGING US CLOSER TO ALLAH, RATHER THAN ENDEARING US TO PEOPLE, POWER OR POSITION.

ENSURING FOR OUR ETERNAL EVERLASTING SUCCESS, NOT MERELY TEMPORARY.

ISLAM ALREADY TEACHES US THAT OUR REAL CHALLENGE, INDIVIDUALLY, IS:

FIRSTLY : FOR US TO STRIVE TO REMAIN AS MUSLIM (IN A STATE OF SUBMISSION TO ALLAH’S WILL) THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE, TILL DEATH.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY - WHAT KIND OF A MUSLIM WILL WE BECOME? – THE PATH UPWARD ARE SHOWN & WE ARE REQUIRED TO STRIVE UPON IT, USING THE SHAR’IE GUIDELINES , AS WELL AS TO BE GUIDED & EDUCATED BY ISLAMIC TEACHERS (ULAMA) …..

BECAUSE WE ARE ALL TESTED , WE ARE WARNED TO SAVE OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILY FROM FALLING INTO WAYS WHICH CAN BRING UPON US THE TORMENTS OF HELL-FIRE ( نَعُوْ ذُباللهِ مِنْ ذَلِك ).

THINK ! SERIOUSLY AND IN ALL HONESTY ...

Do we study Islam as a subject? Or do we subject ourselves to Islam?

Do we simply teach Islamic subjects? Or do we strive to nurture Islamic values to our students? What value?

AS MUSLIMS ...

AS FOR THOSE WHO ASSUME ROLE AS ‘TEACHERS’ ON ISLAM .....

ISLAM ALREADY TEACHES US THAT OUR REAL CHALLENGE IS:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَهۡلِيكُمۡ نَارً۬ا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ عَلَيۡہَا مَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ۬ شِدَادٌ۬ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ

( Qur’an: Surah at-Tahrim: 66: 6 )

“ O you who have attained to faith!

Ward off from yourselves and those who are close to you that fire (of the Hereafter) whose fuel is human beings and stones, [lording] over it are angelic powers awesome [and] severe, who do not disobey Allah in whatever He has commanded them, but [always] do what they are bidden to do.”

( Qur’an: Surah at-Tahrim: 66: 6 )

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱدۡخُلُواْ فِى ٱلسِّلۡمِ ڪَآفَّةً۬ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَٲتِ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ

ۥ لَڪُمۡ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬

(Qur’an: Surah al-Baqorah: 2: 208 )

“ O ye who believe! enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”

(Qur’an: Surah al-Baqorah: 2: 208 )

Remember …………….

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is the only one – perfected in the life of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and the only DEEN acceptable by Allah .

وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ

( Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85 )

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is the only one – perfected in the life of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w/ and the only DEEN acceptable by Allah .

“ For, if one goes in search of a religion other than “ al-Islam ” (self-surrender to Allah), it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the lost.”

( Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85 )

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.

ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَٮِٕسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِ‌ۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬ا

( Qur’an: Al- Ma-idah : 5 : 3 )

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.

“ Today, those who are bent on denying the truth have lost all hope of [your ever forsaking] your religion: do not, then, hold them in awe, but stand in awe of Me!

Today have I perfected your religious law for you, and have bestowed upon you the full measure of My blessings, and willed that Al-Islam (self-surrender unto Me) shall be your religion.”

( Qur’an: Al- Ma-idah : 5 : 3 )

IN ISLAM, THERE ARE ALREADY CATEGORIZATION , TO BE APPLIED FOR MUSLIM: VERIFIABLE FROM THE QUR’AN, AS-SUNNAH AND KNOWLEDGE OF ( اَلْعُلَمَاء ) ISLAMIC SCHOLARS OF OUR PIOUS PREDECESSORS …

(if) POSITIVE

‘ Aa-li-meen عَالِمِين (the learned ones)

(if) NEGATIVE

Juha-laa’ or Ja-hi-leen جَاهِلِين (The ignorant)

EVERYONE BEGINS AS A MUSLIM – “ al-Fitroh ”: كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُو لَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَة - الحديث النّبوى Which we are then expected to strive and develop (These are actually the possible desired outcome from a Muslim’s education or the lack of it): ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

(if) POSITIVE

Mu’mi-neen مُؤمِنِين (the believers)

(if) NEGATIVE

Mu-naa-fiqeen مُنَافِقِين (The Hypocrites)

Kaa-fi-reen كَافِرِين (Rejecters or deniers)

Mush-ri-keen مُشْرِكِين (Those who associate partners to Allah)

(if) POSITIVE

Muwaa-Hi-deen مُوَاحِدِين (the attestor to the Oneness of Allah)

Swid-di-qeen صِدِّقِيْن (The Truthful Ones)

(if) NEGATIVE

Mukadz-dzi-been مُكَذِّبِين (The Liars)

Zo-li-meen ظَالِمِين (The Unjust)

(if) POSITIVE

Tau-waa-been تَوَّابِيْن (those who Repent)

‘ Udul عُدوُل (Just)

(if) NEGATIVE

Faa-si-qeen فَاسِقِيْن (The Transgressors)

Zo-li-meen ظَالِمِين (The Unjust)

Muj-ri-meen مُجْرِمِيْن (Evil ones; criminals)

Mus-rifeen مُسْرِفِيْن (immoderate; extremist)

(if) POSITIVE

Mutah-ha-reen مُطَهَّرِيْن (Those who keep themselves pure)

(if) NEGATIVE

Aa-thi-meen آثِمِيْن (The Sinful ones)

Mudz-ni-been مُذْنِبِيْن (The Sinners)

(if) POSITIVE

Muh-ta-deen مُهْتَدِيْن (Those who are upon guidance)

Raa-shi-deen رَاشِدِيْن (The Rightly Guided)

(if) NEGATIVE

Dwal-leen ضآلِيْن (Those who swerve / astray)

‘ Aa-swiy عَاصِي (Disobedient /rebellious)

(if) POSITIVE

Dzaa-ki-reen ذَاكِرِيْن (Those who engage in much remembrance)

(if) NEGATIVE

Gho-fi-leen غَا فِلِيْن (The Heedless ones)

(if) POSITIVE

Mus-liHeen مُصْلِحِيْن (Those who reconcile & promote Righteousness)

Swa-li-Heen صَالِحِيْن (The Righteous ones)

(if) NEGATIVE

Muf-si-deen مُفْسِدِيْن (The Mischief makers; corruptors)

(if) POSITIVE

MuH-si-neen مُحْسِنِيْن (The Doer of Good Deeds)

(if) NEGATIVE

Faa-si-qeen فَاسِقِيْن (The Transgressors)

Zo-li-meen ظَالِمِيْن (The Unjust)

Muj-ri-meen مُجْرِمِيْن (The Evil ones; or criminals)

(if) POSITIVE

Mukh-li-sween مُخْلِصِيْن (The Sincere ones)

Shu-ha-daa’ شُهَدَاء (The True Witnesses)

(if) NEGATIVE

Mukadz-dzi-been مُكَذِّبِين (The Liars)

(if) POSITIVE

Al-Muqar-ro-buun الْمُقَرَّبُوْن (Those Nearest to Allah)

As-haa-bul-mai-manah اَصْحَا بُ الْمَيْمَنة or As-haa-bul-ya-meen اصْحَابُالْيَمِيْن (People of the Right hand)

(if) NEGATIVE

As-haa-bul-mash-amah اصْحَابُالْمَشْأَمة or As-haa-bush-shimaal اصْحَابُ الشِمَال (People of the Left hand)

(if) POSITIVE

Hiz-ballah حِزْبَاللّه (The Party of Allah)

Al-Mufli-Huun الْمُفْلِحُون (Those who attain Success)

(if) NEGATIVE

Hizbush-shaytan- حِزْبَالشَّيْطَان (The Party of Satan)

Al-Haa-si-ruun الْحَاسِرُون (The Losers)

(if) POSITIVE

Al-Mut-ta-qeen الْمُتَّقِيْن (The Most Conscious of Allah)

(if) NEGATIVE

EVERYONE BEGINS AS A MUSLIM: Which then they are expected to develop – (These are actually the possible desired outcome from a Muslim’s eductation or the lack of it): ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail NOTE : ALTHOUGH THIS LISTING MAY SUFFICIENTLY EXPLAIN THE GENERAL CATEGORIZATION, YET, I DO NOT CLAIM IT TO BE EXHAUSTIVE.

ONE OF THE KEY ATTITUDE TO STRIVE FOR IN BEING MUSLIM, SUCH THAT IT WILL BRING GREATER OR INCREASE IN THE BESTOWALS FROM ALLAH ......

STRIVE TO ALWAYS BE A GRATEFUL SERVAN T OF ALLAH

عَبْدًا شَكُورًا

Commandment for Muslims to be grateful – Allah’s promise as well as grave warning:

وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَٮِٕن شَڪَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَٮِٕن ڪَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ۬

“ And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): ‘If you are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.” ( Qur’an: Ibrahim : 14: 7 )

My reflections:

( الشَكوُر ) BEING GRATEFUL:

The key to achieving increase bestowal from Allah.

yet how does one become grateful? What are the important criteria?

Acknowledge the true giver, Allah Who is the Bestower of those favours.

Learn the value of what is given, do not take any of these favours for granted.

Utilize what is given in accordance to what may please the Giver (i.e. do not abuse the gift), so as not to cause His wrath to befall us.

ONE OF THE GREATEST FAVOUR BESTOWED FOR US IS “AL-ISLAM”- our being guided to become Muslim يَمُنُّونَ عَلَيۡكَ أَنۡ أَسۡلَمُواْ‌ۖ قُل لَّا تَمُنُّواْ عَلَىَّ إِسۡلَـٰمَكُم‌ۖ بَلِ ٱللَّهُ يَمُنُّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَنۡ هَدَٮٰكُمۡ لِلۡإِيمَـٰنِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ ( Qur’an: al-Hujurat: 49:17 ) ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

ONE OF THE GREATEST FAVOUR BESTOWED FOR US IS “AL-ISLAM”- our being guided to become Muslim “ They impress on thee as favour that they have embraced Islam. Say "Count not your Islam as a favour upon me: nay, Allah has conferred a favour upon you that He has guided you to the Faith, if ye be true and sincere.” ( Qur’an: al-Hujurat: 49:17 ) ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Commandment for Muslims to be grateful for the coming of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. – reflect on these:

لَقَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِيہِمۡ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَڪِّيہِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِڪۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ

“ Allah did confer a great favour on the Believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves; rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while before that, they had been in manifest error.”

( Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 164 )

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless, they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.

وَلَا تَهِنُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ

( Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3:139 )

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless, they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.

“ Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not: for you are bound to rise high if you are [truly] believers.”

( Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3:139 )

The promise of Allah s.w.t. for any Muslim who strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.

إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَيَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡأَشۡهَـٰدُ

( Qur’an: Al- Mu’min (Ghaafir) : 40:51 )

The promise of Allah s.w.t. for any Muslim who strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.

“ Behold, We shall indeed help Our Messengers and those who have attained to faith, [both] in this world’s life and on the Day when all witnesses shall stand up”

( Qur’an: Al- Mu’min (Ghaafir) : 40:51 )

What - essentially -is the main problem of the Ummah?

Many theses can be offered as to the cause or causes for the problem and many would concur that the main essential problem stems from the lagging of Muslims in their current EDUCATION. And that the remedy is betterment in this aspect.

But what form of EDUCATION are we speaking of? What is its philosophy and objective?

Can a dual form of EDUCATION solve the Muslim problem?

What about an “integrated” EDUCATION? But how and what do we mean by integration?

The first International Islamic Conference on Education (1977) in Makkah al- Mukarramah.

Our du’a “ Our Lord ! Let not our hearts swerve from the truth after You have guided us; and bestow upon us the gift of Thy Grace (Mercy): verily, You are the (true) giver of Gifts (bestowals).” ( Qur’an : Aali ‘Imran : 3 : 8 ) ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Our du’a “ Our Lord ! Grant that our spouses and our offspring be a joy to our eyes, and cause us to be foremost amongst those who are conscious of Thee! (as ‘al- mut-taqqin’).” ( Qur’an : al-Furqan: 25: 74 ) ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Our du’a رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا‌ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا‌ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ‌ۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ ( Qur’an : al-Baqarah : 286 ) ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Our du’a “ Our Lord ! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; Our Lord ! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us : Our Lord ! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, And grant us forgiveness, Have Mercy on us. You are our protector : Help us against the unbelievers.” ( Qur’an : al-Baqarah : 286 ) ©2009ZhulkefleeHjIsmail