Be an Active Muslim, Not a Passive Muslim !

Subhanallah..It’s been two weeks already since I last updated my blog. So many things came up lately. The worst one was, I had to get my notebook formatted because of viruses. Thanks to them, I had to redo my assignment especially the one that I’ve completely done!!. Yup..I didn’t have any choice then. Maybe there is hikmah when such thing happened. I guess, a proper planning can avoid the same thing happening next time. InsyaAllah. =)

Anyway, back to real life... Lately, the words of my lecturer keeps echoing deep inside me. Though she didn’t use any flowery language or whatsoever to express it, the thing that she had told us is very significant and momentous as I see it. Seriously! . The words which reminded us :
“Be an active Muslim and not a passive Muslim.”
She then said:
“It is not enough to be a passive Muslim!. If you want to be nice, the monks and the nuns are nice enough!”

You might think she’s a scary lecturer though. However, she made her point that day and honestly she is among the best lecturer I’ve ever had. Subhanallah..a simple reminder yet very deep in meaning. Yes, I totally agree with her. If we want to be good, then everybody can be good at the first place. It does not matter who you are- from a bus driver to a renowned scholar-all of them can be good people. Being a Muslim is not only a matter of to be; rather it is a matter of to do. That is why a Muslim is ought to be ACTIVE and not a Muslim by name only. Now, look at the word ACTIVE and PASSIVE. Active means energetic, lively, busy, hardworking and committed (according to my thesaurus) whereas the word passive means inactive, unreceptive and unassertive. .Doesn’t sound good huh!.A passive kid means he/she is very unreceptive to his/her surrounding. Same like a passive worker. It means that he/she is very inactive to response to the challenges that he/she is facing with in the working environment. What about a passive Muslim then?. I bet you know the answer.

For me, it is a matter of knowing your responsibility at the first place. An active Muslim cannot just sit idly by and do nothing to response to his/her surrounding. Islam is to be shared with all people. Allah is not only for the Muslims, nor does Prophet Muhammad is only for the Muslims. As such, know your responsibility and take your first step to be an active Muslim. You may start by writing, public speaking or whatever ways that you may find convenient to do. Even if you don’t know what to do, try to make friends with people from other religions and at the end of the day people would find Islam beautiful. InsyaAllah =D

p/s: A reminder for you, me and we. =)
Allahu A'lam.(Allah knows Best)

Invite (all) to the way of Thy Lord with wisdom and preaching; and argue with them In ways that are best and Most gracious: for Thy knoweth best, who have strayed from His path, and who receive guidance.

(Al-Qur’an-16:125)

Jihad: Explained

By : M. Amir Ali, Ph.D.
(Adapted from Islamnewsroom)

In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving.
This meaning could apply any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense, a student struggles and strives to get an education and pass course work; an employee strives to fulfill his/her job and maintain good relations with his/her employer; a politician strives to maintain or increase his [1] popularity with his constituents and so on.

The term strive or struggle may be used for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims; for example, Allah, the One and Only True God says in the Quran:
"We have enjoined on people kindness to parents; but if they STRIVE (JAHADAKA) to make you ascribe partners with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not..." (29:8; also see 31:15)
In the above two verses of the Quran, it is non-Muslim parents who “strive to make you” (jahadaka) to convert their Muslim child back to their religion.
In the West, "jihad" is generally translated as "holy war," a usage the media has popularized.

According to Islamic teachings, it is UNHOLY to instigate or start war; however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable. If we translate the words "holy war" back into Arabic, we find "harbun muqaddasatu," or for "the holy war," "al-harbu al-muqaddasatu."

WE CHALLENGE any researcher or scholar to find the meaning of "jihad" as holy war in the Quran or authentic Hadith collections or in early Islamic literature. Unfortunately, some Muslim writers and translators of the Quran, the Hadith and other Islamic literature translate the term "jihad" as "holy war," due to the influence of centuries-old Western propaganda. This could be a reflection of the Christian use of the term "Holy War" to refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago. However, the Arabic words for "war" are "harb" or "qital," which are found in the Quran and Hadith.

For Muslims the term JIHAD is applied to all forms of STRIVING and has developed some special meanings over time. The sources of this development are the Quran (the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S) [(S) denotes Sall-Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, meaning peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. The Quran and the Hadith use the word "jihad" in several different contexts which are given below:

1. RECOGNIZING THE CREATOR AND LOVING HIM MOST:
It is human nature to love what is seen with the eyes and felt with the senses more than the UNSEEN REALITY. The Creator of the Universe and the One God is Allah. He is the Unseen Reality which we tend to ignore and not recognize. The Quran addresses those who claim to be believers:
"O you who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for protectors if they love disbelief over belief; whoever of you takes them for protectors, such are wrong-doers. Say: if your fathers, and your children, and your brethren, and your spouses, and your tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and business for which you fear shrinkage, and houses you are pleased with are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and STRIVING in His way: then wait till Allah brings His command to pass. Allah does not guide disobedient folk." (9:23, 24)
It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our loved ones, our wealth, our worldly ambitions and our own lives. Especially for a non-Muslim who embraces Islam, it may be a tough struggle due to the opposition of his family, peers and society.

2. RESISTING PRESSURE OF PARENTS, PEERS, AND SOCIETY:
Once a person has made up his mind to put the Creator of the Universe above all else, he often comes under intense pressures. It is not easy to resist such pressures and STRIVE to maintain dedication and love of Allah over all else. A person who has turned to Islam from another religion may be subjected to pressures designed to turn him back to the religion of the family. We read in the Quran:
"So obey not the rejecters of faith, but strive (jahidhum) against them by it (the Quran) with a great endeavor." (25:52)

3. STAYING ON THE STRAIGHT PATH STEADFASTLY:
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And STRIVE (JADIHU) for Allah with the endeavor (JIHADIHI) which is His right. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in the DEEN (religion) any hardship..." (22:78)
"And whosoever STRIVES (JAHADA), STRIVES (YUJAHIDU) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent of the universe." (29:6)
As for those who strive and struggle to live as true Muslims whose lives are made difficult due to persecution by their opponents, they are advised to migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land and continue with their struggle in the cause of Allah. Allah says in the Quran:
"Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wronged themselves, (the angels) will ask: 'In what you were engaged?' They will way: 'We were oppressed in the land.' (The angels) will say: 'Was not Allah's earth spacious that you could have migrated therein?'" (4:97)
"Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and STRIVE (JAHADU) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." (2:218)
Allah tests the believers in their faith and their steadfastness:
"Or did you think that you would enter Paradise while yet Allah knows not those of you who really STRIVE (JAHADU), nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast." (3:142)
"And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give tidings to the steadfast." (2:155)
We find that the Prophet Muhammad (S) and his clan were boycotted socially and economically for three years to force him to stop his message and compromise with the pagans but he resisted and realized a moral victory [2].

4. STRIVING FOR RIGHTEOUS DEEDS:
Allah declares in the Quran:
"As for those who STRIVE (JAHADU) in Us (the cause of Allah), We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good doers." (29:69)
When we are faceD with two competing interests, it becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following Hadith exemplify:
"Aisha, wife of the Prophet (S) asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, we see jihad as the best of deeds, so shouldn't we join it?' He replied, 'But the best of jihad is a perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari #2784)
At another occasion, a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (S):
"'Should I join the jihad?' He asked, 'Do you have parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet (S) said, 'Then strive by serving them!'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972)
Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah (S):
"'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" (Sunan Al-Nasa'i #4209)
The Messenger of Allah (S) said: "...the MUJAHID (one who carries out jihad) is he who STRIVES against himself for the sake of Allah, and the MUHAJIR (one who emigrates) is he who abandons evil deeds and sin." (Sahih Ibn Hibban #4862)

5. HAVING COURAGE AND STEADFASTNESS TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM:
The Quran narrates the experiences of a large number of Prophets and good people who suffered a great deal trying to convey the message of Allah to mankind. For examples, see the Quran 26:1-190, 36:13-32. In the Quran, Allah specifically praises those who strive to convey His message:
"Who is better in speech than one who calls (other people) to Allah, works righteous, and declares that he is from the Muslims." (41:33)
Under adverse conditions it takes great courage to remain a Muslim, declare oneself to be a Muslim and call others to Islam. We read in the Quran:
"The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and afterward doubt not, but STRIVE with their wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the truthful." (49:15) 6. DEFENDING ISLAM AND THE COMMUNITY:
Allah declares in the Quran:
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to defend themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory - (they are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right - (for no cause) except that they say, 'Our Lord is Allah'..." (22:39-40)
The Quran permits fighting to defend the religion of Islam and the Muslims. This permission includes fighting in self-defense and for the protection of family and property. The early Muslims fought many battles against their enemies under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (S) or his representatives. For example, when the pagans of Quraysh brought armies against Prophet Muhammad (S), the Muslims fought to defend their faith and community [3]. The Quran adds:
"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors. ...And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against transgressors." (2:190-193)
(2:190-193)
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Forgive To Be Forgiven

It’s a bit funny to know how selfish human being can be. Yes, I say ‘funny’ because of the fact that we want something from others, yet we ourselves find it really hard to give others what we are expecting the other parties would give us. A bit confusing isn’t it! Ok. Let’s make in a simpler version =)

Let say that Mr. A is expecting that Mr. B would forgive him for any wrong doing that he has committed before. At the same time, Mr. A knows that even he himself feels very difficult to forgive Mr. C or Mr. D for the past mistakes or wrongdoings that they had done to him long time ago. Now, the question arises. Do you think it is fair for Mr. A to put high hope on Mr. B to forgive him while knowing that he himself shows reluctance or hesitance to forgive Mr. C or Mr. D.? Yes, you might argue that; well, maybe their mistakes are not of the same scale, but does it really make any difference? What do you say then? Is it right if such thing happens?. Hopefully you can understand my point.

For this post, I think I want to say something pertaining to Forgiveness. A simple word yet very vital and essential if relationships are to be kept long lasting Insha’Allah.
That is why; I put those analogies to show how we human beings put the role of forgiveness in our life. It is really unfair as I see it. That is the case if it concerns with the human beings, but then how would you see it if it concerns with those who are more ‘superior’ than you.? I mean what if the third party that you are referring to is your God, the Almighty One? How would you put yourself in such situation then? Ok. Let’s go straight to the point.
How could you expect God to forgive you if you yourself find it difficult to forgive others??. Is it really fair if such thing happens??Subhanallah. if you were to ask me, I won’t put any reservation to say that even me myself had acted the same thing so many times in my life!. Nevertheless,Still, I am hoping that God would forgive me for each and every single mistake that I had done to all people around me because I know that He is Most Forgiving( al Ghafur). At the same I also have to bear in mind that I have to try to forgive others for whatever mistakes that they had done to me no matter how dreadful they are!. Yes, definitely it takes time and you also have to be brave enough to forgive and forget, but at the end of the day you know that such action would benefit both parties.

p/s: Asking forgiveness does not mean that you are on the losing side. In contrast, you are on the winning side. Do you think it’s an easy thing to forgive? No! Extremely difficult thing you know!.That’s why you are considered as a winner. InsyaAllah, we try to forgive and forget so that forbearance would be part and parcel of our life..Amin.
Allahu A’lam (Allah knows best).

Finally..After 2 weeks off !

Assalamu’alaikum..Hello there! TheHumbleWayfarer is back finally! Hola , ohayoou gozaimass , ahn nyeong ha se yo, merhaba selam!
Gosh...It’s been 2 weeks already since my last posting..Subhanallah..Miss you all.InsyaAllah..I hope it would be a fresh start after 2 weeks off =D

p/s:InsyaAllah, together we pray for the victims of the deadly earthquake that struck Indonesia recently..Indeed, as Muslims we believe that there is wisdom behind it. Not to forget, the victims of the typhoon in Philippines..May God give them strength in such difficult situation and give them guidance at this particular moment .Ameen...Allah knows best.