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[Slideshare] parable-of-aladdin's-lamp
- 1. ““INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OFINTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF
FIQHFIQH ””
Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for AdultsIntermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adults
conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismailconducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.MOST MERCIFUL.
Extracted from:
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- 2. The state of us Muslims today, regarding the loss of many of ourThe state of us Muslims today, regarding the loss of many of our
Islamic heritage, especially in preserving and benefitting fromIslamic heritage, especially in preserving and benefitting from
the legacy of Islamic education, knowledge, science and historythe legacy of Islamic education, knowledge, science and history
etc. is like the story of Aladdin and his magical lamp in theetc. is like the story of Aladdin and his magical lamp in the
collection of fables in “collection of fables in “ALF - WA-LAYLAALF - WA-LAYLA” (“Thousand and One” (“Thousand and One
nights” or better known in the West as “the Arabian Nights”).nights” or better known in the West as “the Arabian Nights”).
This is not just a story, but contain a profound lesson ofThis is not just a story, but contain a profound lesson of
wisdom, highlighting the foolishness and naivety which must bewisdom, highlighting the foolishness and naivety which must be
avoided.avoided.
REFLECT
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- 3. In this story, Aladdin’s maid-servant was duped into exchangingIn this story, Aladdin’s maid-servant was duped into exchanging
his master’s magical (but it looked rather old, odd and seeminglyhis master’s magical (but it looked rather old, odd and seemingly
useless) lamp for a new one, peddled by the evil sorcerer.useless) lamp for a new one, peddled by the evil sorcerer.
He cunningly peddled his ‘new wares’ and making it seemed thatHe cunningly peddled his ‘new wares’ and making it seemed that
those who still cling to old stuff are foolish for not grabbing thisthose who still cling to old stuff are foolish for not grabbing this
fantastic offer of a much superior alternative.fantastic offer of a much superior alternative.
The maid’s ignorance of the true value of his master’s magicalThe maid’s ignorance of the true value of his master’s magical
lamp; and her folly (nay breach of trust and loyalty to her master)lamp; and her folly (nay breach of trust and loyalty to her master)
of not consulting the true owner, led to the tragic dispossession.of not consulting the true owner, led to the tragic dispossession.
REFLECT
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- 4. If only the old lamp was to be polished and rubbed (i.e. if she wasIf only the old lamp was to be polished and rubbed (i.e. if she was
to try to clean it to shine) as what the maid servant should haveto try to clean it to shine) as what the maid servant should have
been doing, she would already know that a wonderful geniebeen doing, she would already know that a wonderful genie
would have emerged and she would know the true value of thewould have emerged and she would know the true value of the
rather old-looking lamp.rather old-looking lamp.
Aladdin too has to be blamed. Being the inheritor of this lamp, heAladdin too has to be blamed. Being the inheritor of this lamp, he
should have imparted such crucial knowledge of the lamp toshould have imparted such crucial knowledge of the lamp to
those in his household and ensure that such precious possessionthose in his household and ensure that such precious possession
be well-guarded and cherished.be well-guarded and cherished.
REFLECT
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- 5. Alas today, the penchant to discard old stuff (without understandingAlas today, the penchant to discard old stuff (without understanding
its true value), just because we think the 'new' is better. It is naive toits true value), just because we think the 'new' is better. It is naive to
believe in whatevver others may say about what we possessbelieve in whatevver others may say about what we possess
(intending to dispossess us) without we being careful as to where(intending to dispossess us) without we being careful as to where
they are leading us to. This surely is foolish, don’t you think so?they are leading us to. This surely is foolish, don’t you think so?
And although we cannot accuse others of stealing from us, butAnd although we cannot accuse others of stealing from us, but
today, such evil trade-off are being done subtly through what theytoday, such evil trade-off are being done subtly through what they
termed as encouraging your right to personal “termed as encouraging your right to personal “freedomfreedom” and” and
consensual “consensual “exchangeexchange” (even if unfair) is not thievery.” (even if unfair) is not thievery.
REFLECT
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- 6. Well, there are some who may label me and my other colleagueWell, there are some who may label me and my other colleague
fellowfellow asaatizahasaatizah as “traditional”. We believe that those who areas “traditional”. We believe that those who are
wont to label us such may not have understood our concern, andwont to label us such may not have understood our concern, and
the seriousness of holding fast to the trust - may Allah give themthe seriousness of holding fast to the trust - may Allah give them
Guidance, and the realization to repent and mend their ways.Guidance, and the realization to repent and mend their ways.
Actually those who ignorantly disregard our traditional ways, areActually those who ignorantly disregard our traditional ways, are
having the naïve mentality like that of Aladdin’s maid-servant.having the naïve mentality like that of Aladdin’s maid-servant.
Let them be reminded that this our tradition belongs to Islam andLet them be reminded that this our tradition belongs to Islam and
the Muslims. We must remain trustworthy (the Muslims. We must remain trustworthy (AMANAHAMANAH).).
REFLECT
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- 7. They who styled themselves as ‘They who styled themselves as ‘liberal & progressiveliberal & progressive’ Muslims’ Muslims
who are anti-traditionalist ought to know that they are merewho are anti-traditionalist ought to know that they are mere
‘servants’ - but they don’t know that they are servants of whom?‘servants’ - but they don’t know that they are servants of whom?
They should doThey should do MUHAASABAHMUHAASABAH - (- (may Allah guide them), andmay Allah guide them), and
they must be told thatthey must be told that they do not have the right to bethey do not have the right to be
exchanging and be replacing our traditionexchanging and be replacing our tradition on behalf of Islam andon behalf of Islam and
the Muslims.the Muslims.
To insist in doing so is treachery (To insist in doing so is treachery (KHIYAANAHKHIYAANAH).).
waAwaAllaahu a’lam.llaahu a’lam.
REFLECT
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