“ Towards becoming Muslims - and its challenges.” Friday night lecture series by: Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail @ Masjid al- Istiqomah (Seranggon, Singapore) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Commandment for Muslims to be grateful: 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 )

Commandment for Muslims to be grateful: 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 )

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 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) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

“ O you who have attained to faith! Be conscious of Allah 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)

Why this topic? وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌ۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ And holdfast 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) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌ۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ

And holdfast 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)

Why this topic? Muslims – due to lack of proper Islamic education - may not realize, let alone appreciate, - what “Ad-deen al-Islam” really is; and who? how? or what? constitute being truly a Muslim. Devoid of strong Islamic foundation, yet living in the context of today’s multi-religious reality & globalization which exposes us to many influences : many Muslims may be facing crisis of value & culture. Unable or ill-equipped with correct Islamic knowledge to respond, it may lead even to loss of their identity as Muslim. ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Muslims – due to lack of proper Islamic education - may not realize, let alone appreciate, - what “Ad-deen al-Islam” really is; and who? how? or what? constitute being truly a Muslim.

Devoid of strong Islamic foundation, yet living in the context of today’s multi-religious reality & globalization which exposes us to many influences : many Muslims may be facing crisis of value & culture. Unable or ill-equipped with correct Islamic knowledge to respond, it may lead even to loss of their identity as Muslim.

Why this topic? This loss of identity can either be: (a) apparent (as in case of ‘murtad’); or (b) hidden (as in the case of blatant hypocrisy – ‘nifaaq’). Even for those who genuinely love Islam, but due to their ignorance of its teachings, they may be tempted to react ‘emotionally’ or ‘apologetically’ (which may be opposed to what Islam actually teaches) – especially towards others – thus adding to the much confusion regarding Islam itself. ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

This loss of identity can either be:

(a) apparent (as in case of ‘murtad’); or

(b) hidden (as in the case of blatant hypocrisy – ‘nifaaq’).

Even for those who genuinely love Islam, but due to their ignorance of its teachings, they may be tempted to react ‘emotionally’ or ‘apologetically’ (which may be opposed to what Islam actually teaches) – especially towards others – thus adding to the much confusion regarding Islam itself.

Why this topic? There is a sense of despair in some Muslims today , due to the barrage of negative image on Islam in the media - the perceived ‘backwardness’ of Muslims (social-economic-political); the immorality, disunity, enmity or hostility amongst sections of Muslims (although these are the exceptional few); the seeming absence of Islamic response to contemporary world problems; etc. – which may tempt some Muslims to compromise our religious principles or discard what is the Islamic Way - and to experiment with other “isms” or methodologies grounded on philosophies opposed to Islam! Na-’uu -dzubillah min dzaalik ! ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

There is a sense of despair in some Muslims today , due to the barrage of negative image on Islam in the media - the perceived ‘backwardness’ of Muslims (social-economic-political); the immorality, disunity, enmity or hostility amongst sections of Muslims (although these are the exceptional few); the seeming absence of Islamic response to contemporary world problems; etc. – which may tempt some Muslims to compromise our religious principles or discard what is the Islamic Way - and to experiment with other “isms” or methodologies grounded on philosophies opposed to Islam! Na-’uu -dzubillah min dzaalik !

Remember ……………. “ 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ 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 )

Remember ……………. “ 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ 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 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves. إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۗ ( Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۗ

( Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves. “ Verily, Allah does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves;” ( Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

“ Verily, Allah does not change men’s condition unless they change their inner selves;”

( Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves. ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيِّرً۬ا نِّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۙ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيِّرً۬ا نِّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۙ

وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves. “ This, because Allah would never change the blessings with which He has graced a people unless they change their inner selves: and [know] that Allah is all-Hearing, all-Seeing.” ( Qur’an: Al- Anfal : 8:53 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

“ This, because Allah would never change the blessings with which He has graced a people unless they change their inner selves: and [know] that Allah is all-Hearing, all-Seeing.”

( Qur’an: Al- Anfal : 8:53 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves. وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ ( Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

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

( Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they strive with their utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves. “ 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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

“ 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 )

Remember ……………. “ 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ 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 )

Remember ……………. “ 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ 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 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they 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 )

Remember ……………. “ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they 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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

“ Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims are not – unless they 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 )

Verily! Allah Spoke the Truth and verily, Allah never fails to fulfill His promise!

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 lag of Muslims in their current EDUCATION. And that the remedy is betterment in this aspect. But what form of EDUCATION are 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. ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 lag of Muslims in their current EDUCATION. And that the remedy is betterment in this aspect.

But what form of EDUCATION are 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.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE OF THE UMMAH ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

What - essentially -is the main problem of the Ummah? Prof. Sayyid Muhammad Naquib al-Attas identifies “Confusion in knowledge amongst Muslims” as the main problem. This confusion leads to the Loss of ADAB : “ Adab is recognition and acknowledgement of the reality that knowledge and being are ordered hierarchically according to their various grades ,degrees and rank, and of one’s proper place in relation to that reality and to one’s physical, intellectual and spiritual capacities and potentials.” [a] [a] as quoted by Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas ” page 137. ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Prof. Sayyid Muhammad Naquib al-Attas identifies “Confusion in knowledge amongst Muslims” as the main problem.

This confusion leads to the Loss of ADAB :

“ Adab is recognition and acknowledgement of the reality that knowledge and being are ordered hierarchically according to their various grades ,degrees and rank, and of one’s proper place in relation to that reality and to one’s physical, intellectual and spiritual capacities and potentials.” [a]

[a] as quoted by Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas ” page 137.

(C) Rise / election of False leaders in every level of society External Loss of Adab (B) Internal (A) Confusion and Error in Knowledge Figure 1 “ This state of perpetual confusion at all levels of societal leadership is ingeniously termed by al-Attas as the loss of adab . This can be described as follows: Confusion and error in knowledge; creating the condition for: The loss of adab within the Community. The condition arising out of (A) and (B) is: “ The rise of leaders who are not qualified for valid leadership of the Muslim Community, who do not possess the high moral, intellectual and spiritual standards required for Islamic leadership, who perpetuate the condition in (A) [1] above and ensure the continued control of the affairs of the Community by leaders like them who dominate in all fields.” [2] [1] The loss of Adab in the community. Thus restoration of Adab has higher priority for Adab precedes even learning. [2] Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud’s “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas” (ISTAC publication 1998) p 74 BREAKDOWN IN ADAB – LEADING TO LEVELLING Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas’ analysis:

(C)

Rise / election of

False leaders in every

level of society

External

Loss of Adab (B)

Internal

(A)

Confusion and Error in Knowledge

Figure 1

“ This state of perpetual confusion at all levels of societal leadership is ingeniously termed by al-Attas as the loss of adab . This can be described as follows:

Confusion and error in knowledge; creating the condition for:

The loss of adab within the Community. The condition arising out of (A) and (B) is:

“ The rise of leaders who are not qualified for valid leadership of the Muslim Community, who do not possess the high moral, intellectual and spiritual standards required for Islamic leadership, who perpetuate the condition in (A) [1] above and ensure the continued control of the affairs of the Community by leaders like them who dominate in all fields.” [2]

[1] The loss of Adab in the community. Thus restoration of Adab has higher priority for Adab precedes even learning.

[2] Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud’s “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas” (ISTAC publication 1998) p 74

What - essentially -is the main problem of the Ummah? Although the solution is to remove the confusion of knowledge through EDUCATION, yet in Islam education is essentially “TA’DIB” from the term ADAB, without which, real education cannot take place. Lest we forget, Islamic education seek to produce the “good human being” modeled after the pattern of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. the “Insan Kaamil”, and not merely developing ones’ competence to compete in the global market, as generally understood and advocated by contemporary educationists. ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Although the solution is to remove the confusion of knowledge through EDUCATION, yet in Islam education is essentially “TA’DIB” from the term ADAB, without which, real education cannot take place.

Lest we forget, Islamic education seek to produce the “good human being” modeled after the pattern of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. the “Insan Kaamil”, and not merely developing ones’ competence to compete in the global market, as generally understood and advocated by contemporary educationists.

What - essentially -is the main problem of the Ummah? We must remember that Islam’s worldview emphasize the primacy of the Hereafter, although it never deny that it is in this world, that work and righteousness must be established: وَقُلِ ٱعۡمَلُواْ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمۡ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ‌ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّہَـٰدَةِ “ Say: ‘Work righteousness! And Allah will behold your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger, and the believers, and in the end you will be brought before Him Who know all ....” ( Qur’an: at-Taubah : 9: 105 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

We must remember that Islam’s worldview emphasize the primacy of the Hereafter, although it never deny that it is in this world, that work and righteousness must be established:

وَقُلِ ٱعۡمَلُواْ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمۡ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ‌ۖ

وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّہَـٰدَةِ

“ Say: ‘Work righteousness! And Allah will behold your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger, and the believers, and in the end you will be brought before Him Who know all ....” ( Qur’an: at-Taubah : 9: 105 )

What - essentially -is the main problem of the Ummah? We must remember that Islam’s worldview emphasize the primacy of the Hereafter, although it never deny that it is in this world, that work and righteousness must be established: يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۖ وَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ‌ۚ وَيَفۡعَلُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ “ Allah will establish in strength those who attained to faith, with the Word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter: but Allah will leave astray those who do wrong: Allah does what He wills.” ( Qur’an: Ibrahim : 14 : 27 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

We must remember that Islam’s worldview emphasize the primacy of the Hereafter, although it never deny that it is in this world, that work and righteousness must be established:

يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۖ وَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ‌ۚ وَيَفۡعَلُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ

“ Allah will establish in strength those who attained to faith, with the Word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter: but Allah will leave astray those who do wrong: Allah does what He wills.” ( Qur’an: Ibrahim : 14 : 27 )

(Insya-Allah) Topics we hope to cover in this weekly discourse………. What is “Ad-Deen al-Islam”- and what are the characteristics of being a Muslim…? Discovering our roots and tradition so as to avoid having a truncated view of Islam; and response to other confusion Muslims may generally have regarding Islam. What is meant to be a Muslim in the context of a multi-religious society….? Challenges in the era of globalization, secularization, and atheistic materialism. ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

What is “Ad-Deen al-Islam”- and what are the characteristics of being a Muslim…?

Discovering our roots and tradition so as to avoid having a truncated view of Islam; and response to other confusion Muslims may generally have regarding Islam.

What is meant to be a Muslim in the context of a multi-religious society….?

Challenges in the era of globalization, secularization, and atheistic materialism.

Our du’a رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةً‌ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ ( Qur’an : Aali ‘Imran : 3 : 8 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

Our du’a رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٲجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٍ۬ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ( Qur’an : al-Furqan: 25: 74 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail

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 ) ©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail