The Last King of Arabia – Prologue – Draft

By latiff | Published: 25th September 2011

These are the first few paragraphs of the first chapter / prologue of my in-progress novel, which I tentatively title “The Last King of Arabia”, which I intend to release on Kindle or self-publish on Amazon. Please do give your comments, my friends, also suggestions on where to take the story to.

The Last King of Arabia.

Copyright © 2011 Mohamad Latiff.

All Rights Reserved.

Prologue.

“IF you tell anyone that His Majesty has died, we will find your family and behead them in front of you before we slowly dismember you limb by limb and bleed you to death.”

As always, these encrypted calls were done via text-to-speech software so there was no way for the voices to be identified, but he had never anticipated over the past few months that these secret conversations would get this serious – or threatening.

His palms were sweaty as he typed his response. “I understand, but why are you telling me this?”  He clicked on the ‘Encrypt & Send’ button.

“We are planning something,” came the reply. “That no one – not even the Americans – had ever thought of – to manage this situation.”

“What are you planning? What has it got to do with the King?”

“Nothing.”

He remembered in all his dealings with these people, he never got the answers he wanted, only what they wanted him to know, when they wanted him to know. So some questions are futile. “What do you want me to do?”

“For now, you need to take charge of the investigations into the incident that we are planning for.”

“When? What will this incident involve?”

“You will know soon enough, Mr. Hamzah Faruq,” said the voice. “And by then, we won’t need to tell you…”

Call ended.

His ears were hot when he took off the headset.

Hasten ye unto prayer!

With the push of a button, the soundproofed shielding was deactivated and the muffled voice of the Muezzin from the minaret of the Grand Mosque reached his ears, piercing through the bulletproof glass windows of his twenty-seventh floor office.

He reached for the Tasbih to do the Istikharah, the Muslim equivalent of flipping a coin, to make crucial decisions based on trust that Allah has the best interests for His servants instead of depending on blind chance.

If his colleagues were to see his Tasbih, a string of beads made of baked clay from the soil of Karbala, not only would his career be in jeopardy, but his life might end abruptly. Despite overtures for inter-sectarian unity by the late King who was seen to be a moderate and reform-minded monarch, the Shiahs were still seen as second class citizens in the Kingdom – or worse.

His fingers, covered in nervous sweat, moistened the little clay beads and some of the dust stuck onto the skin of his fingertips as he counted them. One of the beads split in two and dropped on his shoe. A bad sign…

He needed to make a decision. Fast. I don’t want to deal with these people anymore! O Allah please help me get out of this!

Then he remembered his mentor’s advice that Allah usually answers prayers and bestows help through the intermediary of fellow believers, especially when they are good, righteous people – and there was only one person he could think of.

He picked up his touch phone and dialed the first number on his call log.

“Assalaamu’alaikum,” the cautious and whispering voice of a man slightly older than Hamzah answered.

“Wa’alaikumussalaam, Doctor,” Hamzah’s voice was just as cautious. “It’s me, Hamzah. I would like to ask if there is anything significant that has happened at your workplace in the past few hours.”

Silence.

“Many things happen in the hospital, Hamzah,” the Doctor said. “People die, babies are born, the sick are healed. Is there anything urgent I can do for you, son?”

“I need to speak with you in person… privately.”

Another pause.

“I need to go for my Isha’ prayers now. Maybe we should pray together?”

“Good idea, Doctor.”

“Where are you?”

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A Simple Economic Proposal

By latiff | Published: 14th September 2011

1. Annihilate usury at all levels.

2. National currencies should be for mutual trade of goods, labour, skills and services among the citizens of that nation only. This currency can be quasi-fiat in the sense that it is not backed by any “hard commodities” but it should be backed by a basket of values defined by the composition of human, social, land, physical and knowledge capital existing within that country. Demurrage / Zakat-like tithing regulates and stimulates the flow of the economy (in a multi-religious state, Muslim citizens can be exempt from the national demurrage requirement).

3. Institute a global, universal currency that is to be used only for trade of goods and services (import / export) between nations, states or diplomatic / political / geo-economic groupings. The backing for this global, universal currency can be the same as the national one explained earlier, implemented on a global scale, or it can be based on a mutual credit exchange (like Time Banking or LETS). Demurrage at this level also exists to stimulate the equitable distribution of wealth throughout the world, especially beneficial for nations or geographical regions which may not be rich in physical resources or other forms of capital necessary to develop and sustain itself.

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Unity for HIM Alone!

By latiff | Published: 9th August 2011

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Ya Ayyuhalladzee Na Aamanu Athee’ullaha Wa Athee’urrasula Wa Ulil Amri Minkum. Fa Intanaaza’ tum Fee Shay’in Farudduuhu Ilallaahi Warrasuli Inkuntum Tu’minoona Billahi Wal Yaumil Akhir. Dzalika Khayrun Wahsanu Ta’weela.

Alhamdulillah, we have been given the life, the health, the opportunity and most importantly the guidance to be here tonight among beloved brothers and sisters to break fast together in this blessed month of Ramadhan.

The topic of my short lecture tonight is “Unity For HIM Alone” and the verse which I had just recited to open my speech would colour the topic of my lecture.

It is a very powerful reminder and very relevant for us to ponder upon. The verse is from Surah An-Nisa, the 4th Chapter of the Quran, verse 59 and it reads -

“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. (Surah An-Nisa 4:59)”

So what is Unity? Is Unity equal to Tolerance? Does Unity mean making compromises, setting aside our differences and coming together for a common purpose?

The common definition of Unity is to be a part of a whole. And to be united, harmony and agreement between individuals are necessary.

There also needs to be a common purpose and common goals and everyone needs to set aside their petty differences to strive together in a cooperative manner to seek those common goals.

At times, to be united, we need to have tolerance. At times, to be united, we need to compromise.

In Singapore we have many different races and religions. To have peace in the society we need to have tolerance and understanding of the different cultures and practices of the races and religions here.

Sometimes when you are in a group of friends that you love to be with, and they decide to do an activity which may not be your favourite, you need to compromise on your personal preferences for the sake of unity and friendship.

What is Unity in the context of Islam? Allah SWT has reminded us in His Glorious Quran to hold fast to His Rope, together as one, and be not divided among ourselves and remember with thankfulness His Blessings upon us.

Why must we have Unity? In many verses of the Quran, and in many sayings of Rasulullah (SAWA) and the Imams (AS), it has been stated that the Unity of the Muslim Ummah brings about blessings and favours.

True progress can only come about when the Muslim Ummah are united. And so logically, when the Ummah is not united, the blessings and favours from Allah SWT are cut off or suppressed, and hence calamities and tragedies befall us.

When a people are united, especially with strong conviction in the Promises of Allah, nothing is impossible for them to achieve, with the Help of Allah.

A very good example in our time has been manifested to us in the form of the Islamic Revolution led by Imam Ruhullah Khomeini (Qaddasallahu Sirrahu). The secret of the success of the Revolution was not only dependent on the leadership of Imam Khomeini, but also the unity and strength of the believing people of Iran.

And of course the best example in all History is none other than Rasulullah Muhammad (SAWA) where the convergence of Rasulullah’s leadership and the unity of the Muslims brought about great change.

And we await the Final Fulfilment of the Promise of Allah that this Earth will be inherited by the Syaliheen, the Righteous Ones. And this can only come about through sincere leadership and sincere unity.

And so how should we unite? What should be the correct way of establishing unity, unity of the Islamic Ummah especially, so that we receive the blessings, favours and protection from Allah SWT?

Let’s start from the basics – how do we strengthen bonds among family members? It starts with Love. Love is the basis and foundation of all harmonious human relations.

And as our Imams (AS) said, what is Religion but Love?

If we love our mother, we do not do anything to hurt her, we defend her and help her when she is in need. If we love our children, we would do anything to make sure they are protected and get what they need and deserve.

If we love our brothers, we give them a helping hand and always maintain communications with them. We do not abandon our brothers nor allow anyone to speak ill of them behind their backs.

The next important element in the formula for unity is Amr Bil Ma’aruf Wa Nahi ‘Anil Munkar. It is one of the essential components of our Furu’uddin – the Branches of our Religion – and a Wajib practice.

Amr Bil Ma’aruf means to enjoin, to command, to promote Good, that which is loved by Allah SWT, and Nahi ‘Anil Munkar means to discourage, forbid and dissuade people away from that which displeases Allah SWT.

And of course unity should be on the right basis, unity should be on the foundation of that which is preferred by Allah SWT, and not what we prefer.

This is an important factor in our formula for Unity. As stated in the verse from Surah An-Nisa earlier, we are commanded to obey Allah and obey His Messenger, and those vested with authority among us, and if we have any differences, we resolve them by reverting to Allah and Rasulullah (SAWA) through the Quran and the Sunnah as taught by the ‘Itrah of Rasulullah.

For if we fail to do this, if we unite on false foundations, we risk having calamities befall us because of false unity. And this is at the heart of the topic of my lecture tonight.

What is this false unity? Is there such a thing as false unity?

False unity happens when people are united as a group on the foundations of falsehood. This happens when a group of people who wish to disobey Allah or want to acquire their worldly desires or who believe they are right and that which Allah wants is wrong band together to achieve their evil objectives.

An example of false unity and how it is bound to fail is stated in the Quran -

Say: “If the whole of mankind and Jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support. (Surah Al-Isra’, 88)

Another example of false unity is the Kuffar of Makkah who banded together to wage war against Rasulullah (SAWA) in Madinah in the Battle of Khandaq. And History has shown what happened to such false unities.

And another example is the Khawarij who believed they understood the Quran better than the Imam and warred against him. And History has shown what happened to such false unities.

Usually false unities have certain distinct characteristics but sometimes they are dangerously close to being indistinguishable from true unities.

As mentioned in the previous example of the Khawarij who fought against Imam Ali (AS), one clearly distinct characteristic about them is that they delusionally believe they are on the right path, and only answers which come from themselves are correct, refusing even clear proofs from the Quran or from the clear Imam.

Allah SWT highlighted such behaviour in His Great Book –

But when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed unto them, those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, Say: “Bring us a reading other than this, or change this,” Say: “It is not for me, of my own accord, to change it: I follow naught but what is revealed unto me: if I were to disobey my Lord, I should myself fear the penalty of a Great Day (to come).” (Surah Yunus, 15)

Such people do not even believe in the meeting with Allah in the Hereafter, but have the audacity to ask the Prophet to bring them or concoct for them other verses which are in their favour, which conveniences them.

Sometimes such people conveniently use the Quran itself and the words of our Imams (AS) selectively to fit their own agendas and support their own views.

When a rule in our religion or a command from the Imam is to their benefit, they rejoice; but if it is something that inconveniences them, they make a big fuss about it and use the Quran and sayings of the Prophets and Imams to support their agendas.

False unity also happens when a group which was at first on the path of Truth (Haqq), seek to compromise with a bigger group which is on the path of Falsehood (Bathil) for some short-term, worldly or political purpose.

This is also something that we should be careful about. Sometimes being united with a group of non-Muslims or non-Shiahs is good and commendable but there are times such unity is against the Preferences of Allah SWT.

For example, if participating in an activity with the Sunni brethren would mean compromising on that which we believe to be Shari’ah, such participation should be undesirable!

For example, we have many warnings from our Imams (AS) against joining the Sunnis in the bid’ah known as Solatul Tarawih.

But joining the Sunnis in congregational prayers is commendable, except that we have to observe the prayers according to our Shiah Fiqh.

It is obvious why we should be careful of False Unity.

While we believe we are united under the banner of Truth, and are delusional in our convictions that we are on the Right Path, it may be that the Calamities are about to befall us from the Wrath of Allah.

Eventually our fates will be no different from that of the Kuffar and the Munafiqeen. May Allah SWT protect us from such an outcome!

So how then should we avoid falling into the trap of False Unity?

First of all educate ourselves on the Laws of Allah and the True Sunnah of Rasulullah (SAWA) as taught and explained by the Purified Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Especially pay attention to lessons on the Quran and Fiqh according to the Marja’ that we do Taqlid with. A close relationship with our scholars is also an important key element. We should, “Ask those who know”. And once we learn, be sure to observe them. And educate our brothers and sisters on the Rules of Allah as well.

Among ourselves, never abandon Amr Bil Ma’aruf Wa Nahi ‘Anil Munkar, that is, to advise one another to correct each other’s mistakes and shortcomings, and do so in the proper manner befitting the Akhlaq of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Ud’u ilaa sabeeli rabbika bil hikmati wal mau’izatil hasanah

Insha Allah, we pray to Him with the Haq of this Blessed Month and with the Haq of our love for Muhammad and Aali Muhammad and with the Haq of this blessed Husainiyah Az-Zahra that we stay united on the path of Truth, under the banner of Allah and to be blessed with the Grandest Favour of being in the company of our Awaited Imam, Al Hujjah. Salawat. Wassalaamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

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The Will of Imam Khomeini (RA) – On Economic Independence

By latiff | Published: 3rd June 2011

o)- One, of the issues that require comment is this: Islam does not support oppressive and uncontrolled capitalism which deprives the masses. The Book and the Tradition seriously condemn this type of capitalism and regard it as opposed to social justice. Although some have thought, wrongly, that Islam favors unbridled forms of capitalism that is not true! Such reasoning veils the shining face of Islam and prepares the way for biased attacks by the enemies of Islam, who consider it as a capitalist regime on the order of the U.S.A, England and other Western plunderers. Relying on such baseless accusations and wrong understanding, the enemies, without referring to Islamic sources for clarification of the point, rise to challenge Islam. Nor is Islam a communist or Marxist-Leninist regime which opposes private ownership and advocates, or advocated, communism in all things including sexual relations and homo-sexuality. That would be a destructive dictatorship. Rather, Islam is a balanced and moderate regime that recognizes ownership and respects it in a limited form of (production) and consumption. If this is implemented, a sound economy and social justice will result from it, for social equity is a prerequisite to the health of a regime.

Here, too, a number of unaware and illogical persons with no knowledge of Islam and its (ideas for a) healthy economy have risen in opposition to the first group. By resorting to some Quranic verses and citing phrases from the Nahj-ul-Balagha, (they) consider Islam as being in agreement with the deviations in schools of ideologies such as that of Marx and his peers …(99) Such men do not pay attention to the (other) parts of theNahj-ul-Balagha and the Quranic verses and, as a result of their inadequate comprehension, have risen to follow a communistic faith. They ignore the inherent atheism, dictatorship and strangulation of human values-by a minority party treating human masses as animals!!

I counsel the Majles, the Guardianship Council, the Government, the President and the Supreme Judicial Council to be humble before the commands of God and not be influenced by the inane propaganda of the cruel, rapacious pole of capitalism and the atheistic pole of communism and to respect ownership and private capital within Islamic limits. I advise you to reassure the nation so that private and creative initiatives proliferate in order to make the country and government reach self-sufficiency in all areas including light and heavy industries. I advise those who lawfully acquire wealth to invest their justly earned gains for innovative development works in agriculture, rural development and industries. This in itself is commendable worship. I advise all to make every effort for the welfare of the deprived classes. This is good work in this world and in the hereafter as these groups have suffered throughout the long and oppressive feudal and monarchical history. How nice it would be if the wealthy classes could voluntarily provide housing and other relief items for the slum dwellers, as it would be a blessing to them on earth and in the next-world. It is far from fairness that one person own scores of buildings while scores of other people (of his community) lack a single room in which to live.

http://imam-khomeini.com/ShowItem.aspx?id=11504&cat=11487&lang=en

My advice to all is to advance towards self-awareness, self-sufficiency and independence with the remembrance of God. Without any doubt His helping Hand is with you if you be with Him and continue in this spirit of Taavon (co-operation) for advancement of the Islamic country. I pray that all that I see in the noble nation of alertness, intelligence, commitment, devotion, spirit of resistance, and courage being employed in the path of God, shall, by His Grace, be transmitted to the successive future generations with increased momentum. With a peaceful mind, a certain heart, a happy spirit, and a conscience hopeful for Gods mercy, I take my leave of all brothers and sisters to journey to the eternal abode. I need your prayers and I beseech Almighty Gods pardon and forgiveness for my inadequacies and my faults. I hope, the nation, too, will forgive my shortcomings and failings, and move ahead with power and determination. Know that the departure of one servant shall not leave a scratch on the steel shield that is the nation. Worthier servants of greater stature are in service and Allah preserves the nation and the oppressed people of the world.

http://imam-khomeini.com/ShowItem.aspx?id=11504&cat=11487&lang=en

 

 

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The Secret of Life (Speech after a Doa Tawassul Session in October 2010)

By latiff | Published: 19th April 2011

Assalaamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

The verses of the Quran that I quoted were from Surah Al-Hadid (The Iron), Chapter 57, Verses 22 to 23, and in English, they read,

“No evil befalls on the earth nor in your own souls, but it is in a Book before We bring it into existence; surely that is easy to Allah.

So that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you; and Allah does not love any arrogant boaster.”

Life is a journey, a road that we all were born to take in order to reach a destination, that is, Allah SWT. Just as a long road is hardly smooth but full of difficulties, problems and obstacles, so is the road of life full of trials and tribulations. And just as a long road also has some sections which are straight and easy, allowing for our smooth passage, so is the road of life sometimes filled with blessings and ease.

But tonight I would like to tell you a secret. A very important and great secret. A secret that perhaps you might have come across before either directly or intuitively, but Insha Allah, hopefully, you leave this session tonight with this insight that can help you face all of life’s challenges and become a better Slave of Allah.

The secret is this –

Everything – every single thing that happens to you – all of life’s ease and difficulties – happens for a reason, and is for your benefit, and YOU are in control.

I say that again –

Everything that happens to us is for a reason that is for our benefit, and WE are in control.

Let me explain –

We know that we live in a universe operating under the law of Cause and Effect, right? Whatever happens, must have something else that caused it. Nothing comes into being by chance. Nothing. Even the seemingly random falling of leaves from the trees to the ground, has mathematical precision which only Allah knows and has already computed in a Book. So if Allah says in the Quran that even the falling down of leaves from the trees to the ground has already been recorded in a Book, what more can we say of our lives?

You know, back in my Polytechnic days, I studied and trained in 3D computer animation – in some practice sessions I had to create a cartoon animation of leaves falling down from trees and true enough what Allah SWT had said, even the computer needs to calculate how the leaves would flutter and rotate as they fall and in which positions they would land and all these involve very complex Mathematical calculations. But this is just a small computer, what about the Computer that Computes the entire Universe, also known as The Great Book, which Allah SWT knows the content of?

So… we think that our lives consist of a combination of both random events and events which we or other people cause to come into being. But the truth is, there is no such thing as random. Everything has a reason, a purpose, a cause.

And when Allah SWT said that, No evil befalls on the earth nor in your own souls, but it is in a Book before We bring it into existence; surely that is easy to Allah, it must not be interpreted to mean that whatever evil befalls our lives, Allah SWT has alread pre-ordained and intended for that evil to befall us, NO, rather, the systems, the laws, the rules, the mechanisms which Allah SWT had designed based on His Justice, His ‘Adalah, were what had been written in this Book, and it is THROUGH these systems and mechanisms and rules and laws that, because of something which WE OURSELVES had done, or what other people had done, out of their own free will, evil befalls us.

Therefore the evil does not come from Allah SWT, rather from ourselves. Remember what is said in Surah Yunus, Chapter 10, Verse 44 –

“Surely Allah does not do any injustice to Man, but it is Man who wrongs his own self.”

Because Allah is Perfect, He is the Perfect Rabb, the Perfect Sustainer and Educator, it is impossible for Him to do injustice to Man, rather Man, out of his forgetfulness, being distant from Allah SWT and His Purified Awliya’, does that injustice to himself and to others.

All troubles, calamities and tragedies that we face in life are of 2 kinds – either they are Man-made (by our own deeds or the deeds ofothers in the past), or they are actually tests from Allah to strengthen us to be better Lovers of Him. So as you can see, the first is completely under our control, whereas the second is what is granted to us by Allah SWT only because He knows – and Allah knows much, much better than us – that we are able to brave the difficulties He tests us with and become better human beings.

So there is no reason to lose hope! Remember – losing hope is the 2nd greatest sin after Shirik.

Therefore the cure or the solution to problems that befall us is to repent to Allah SWT of our sins and misdeeds and injustices. Sometimes a certain difficulty we face we just have to bear with it patiently and seek the pleasure and forgiveness of Allah SWT, as it may be that bearing a difficulty in life patiently helps to burn away the sins that we had done so that in the hereafter our records for those sins would be erased, Insha Allah.

Remember those incidences in the lives of our Imams (AS) in which various problems and difficulties were solved by people who repented oftheir sins and injustices, did Istighfar, and immediately their problems were alleviated.

Apart from Istighfar, also give charity as much as possible, as frequently as possible and as sincerely as possible. The best charity is that which is not seen by the people, but you are aware that Allah SWT sees what you do, and knows what is in your hearts. Brothers and sisters, we are about to undertake a project to acquire a new building for our activities to spread the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (AS). Help in the Way of Allah, and surely Allah will help you. Allah is the Most Generous of Helpers! Certainly, whatever problems you are facing, Allah will help you, if you help, even if just a bit, but sincerely, in the Way of Allah.

Another aspect to this solution is to safeguard ourselves against sinning and injustices. Remember again that everything we do will have consequences, and the proof is this is what is befalling us in this very moment. Whatever difficulty or problem we are facing now is becauseof our own unjust actions in the past.

Remember what Allah says of those who are steadfast against evil –

“Surely those who are steadfast against evil, when a temptation from Shaythan visits them, they remember Allah, and then behold! They do see.”

Surah Al-A’araf, Chapter 7, Verse 201.

To be steadfast against evil, against sins, against the temptations of Shaythan, we first need to be aware of WHAT is evil, WHAT is sin, WHAT is haram and WHAT might possibly be the work of Shaythan to mislead us towards damnation. Therefore it is first important that we fortify our knowledge of the rules and laws of Islam, of Shari’ah, of Fiqh (Jurisprudence), of Halal and Haram, of what is loved by Allah and what is despised by Him.

Therefore Fiqh classes are important, and sessions in which we remember the lives of our Imams are important so that we know what is the behaviour of our Imams so that we may follow them, and also it is important for us to read or view or listen to the stories of our noble ‘Ulama, how they lived their lives in service to Islam and in the fear of Allah SWT.

“Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge.”

Surah Al-Faathir, Chapter 35, Verse 28.

Alhamdulillah, I have given you one of the important secrets of life, and how we can face all of life’s difficulties and challenges insha Allah, with the help of Allah, and I conclude with the reminder from the Quran to remember Allah whenever Shaythan tries to mislead us, and Insha Allah, this will be the topic for a future discussion.

Wa Syallallahu ‘Ala Rasulillah Wa Ahli Baytihit Thahireen.

Wassalaam Wr. Wb.

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Is it hard to be a ‘Hijabi’ in a Secular Society?

By latiff | Published: 19th April 2011
Lady with Niqab in front of a microphone speaking smashes stereotypes

Lady with Niqab in front of a microphone speaking smashes stereotypes

This post is dedicated first of all to the Paragon of the Feminine of the Created Realms, our Lady of Light, Fathima Az-Zahra (peace be upon her, her father, her husband, her children and her purified progeny who constitute the Ark of Salvation for all humanity), and to mothers, wives and sisters who uphold the Shield of Zainab Al-Kubra (salutations be to her).

I think perhaps it is hard for a Muslim woman to be a ‘Hijabi’ in a secular society. Why? It seems like she is the lone ranger, the last woman standing, facing a whole myriad of enemies, all out to attack her, condemn her and want nothing less than her utter annihilation and objectification.

Sadly, the people who are against her or who are making it difficult for her to be a ‘Hijabi’ or to be a Muslimah, Mu’minah; i.e. a Believing Woman at all, are not just the non-Muslims but also the Muslims as well. Let me explain…

Her Choices.

The Believing Woman has several choices. First of all, of course, is the obvious choice to adopt the Hijab or not – and if she is truly a Believing Woman, then this choice should not be a question for her at all, but it is a choice nonetheless, just like it is always our choice every day to follow our angelic inclinations that leads us towards Allah SWT or to listen to our satanic inclinations to abase ourselves to the level of beasts.

But where this first choice gets difficult is in the context of that choice – she may be coming from a family background that does not regard the Hijab as Wajib, an obligation for the women, or who treat it lightly. She may even be from a non-Muslim background, or she may be a woman who lives alone in a foreign non-Muslim land for purposes of work or study.

The perceptions of others, those with myriad views about the Hijab, some of which are being imposed on others forcefully through relentless propaganda, are also contributing to her challenges and difficulties.

Then this is where it gets complicated -

The Different Types of Hijab.

Among those who put on the Hijab, there are different kinds. I am not just talking about the different fashions of the Hijab, although fashion is one of the sub-factors influenced by the meta-factors I will expose, rather I am talking about the individual philosophies or understandings of the each individual women who choose to don the Hijab.

The colour, style, shape, material, make, etc, of the Hijab may come from her own taste or mood of the day, but ultimately and deeply, it is her own philosophy or understanding of what the Hijab is that determines what style of Hijab she should wear on a certain day.

So here are the different types of Hijab which are making it challenging for the honest, sincere, ordinary Believing Muslim Woman to be a true Hijabi in a Secular Society -

1. The Hijab as a Mere Fashion Accessory.

I will just describe the worst and extreme examples to give you an idea. There are, regrettably, those ladies who cover their heads with cloths of myriad styles and colours and then adorn their faces as if it is their wedding day, or in fact, in some cases, put on so much make up and beautify themselves so that they look even MORE beautiful THAN on their wedding days, such that they appear more beautiful to outsiders, to non-Mahram men, than to their own husbands at home!

I shall not even go into details of how some of these ladies, despite putting that cloth on her head, render the Hijab null and void by putting it on short-sleeved shirts and other pieces of clothing that do not cover herself sufficiently.

Or how, despite putting on the necessary cloth that qualifies as physical Hijab, her actions still left much to be desired.

2. The Hijab as an Attention Magnet.

Then on the other hand, there is the currently rapidly developing Hijabi Fashion Industry. I wouldn’t be surprised if it keeps up, the Hijabi Fashion Industry would be a multi-billion dollar industry, and you might start seeing household fashion brand names buying into these Hijab manufacturing companies, just like how presently the usury-based secular banks are trying to slap the “Islamic” label on banks but still there is nothing ‘Islamic’ about them.

First of all, there is nothing wrong with appearing neat, decent, clean and decorated, pleasant to look at – for both men and women – but in MODERATION.

The Believing Woman may be dressed in a beautiful Hijab to suit the occasion, say, the birthday of Fathimah Az-Zahra (AS), but her primary motive was to enliven the spirit of celebration in herself and her fellow sisters to celebrate the auspicious occasion which ought to be celebrated. And of course, she doesn’t want to bring the attention of non-Mahram men to herself, that is not her motive, and it is also up to the men to fulfill their responsibility with Hijab by not gazing at them.

One thing we men need to understand about women that is different from men is that women like to beautify themselves for their fellow women also, and not just the men (well, by right, if it’s for the men, it is wrong).

But I am not talking about well-meaning, good, sincere Believing Women who don the Hijab and only beautify themselves at the right occasions for the right reasons.

I am highlighting those ladies who choose the most elaborate styles of “Hijab” decked with all manner of fluttering decorum of vivid, myriad colours, hot pink, semi-transparent (or translucent is the proper word to use), that fits their necks or shows a bit more of what they were supposed NOT to show – just an e.g.

Ironically, some of these designs draw attention to the Hijab-clad woman MORE than if she did not wear it at all (if in the context of a secular society where there are both Hijabis and non-Hijabis) – hence defeating the purpose of wearing the Hijab in the first place!

The Hijab as a Political Wordly Tool for Oppression.

First of all, as a Muslim, one must understand that politics is a part and parcel of Islam and it should not be separated from The Religion. It is how those politics are carried out which is a matter of debate, which I shall not go into in this article.

What I am saying here is that there is another class which uses the Hijab as a political worldly tool.

Let me get it straight – hijab IS hijab. It IS wajib. And honourable. But its honour also depends on HOW it is practiced. Just like the Quran. On its own it is Honourable, Majestic, Beautiful. But when people twist the meanings of the verses of the Quran, then, it can appear to be malevolent to uneducated outsiders, because of a few ignorant groups who use the Quran for political worldly gains.

The Imams (AS) used to severely admonish those Muslims who in their overzealousness in practising Islam, have turned away non-Muslims and the new Muslims from Islam. Their sins, despite their zeal for Islam, have now become just as bad as those Hypocrites who purposely mislead people away from Islam!

I am not saying the Hijab should not be used as a political tool – I am saying ISLAM SHOULD be a political issue – to advance the cause of Islam! But this should be done in a proper manner, dictated by wisdom.

The Taleban impose the Burqa on the women when that much coverage is not necessary and furthermore in a manner that is demeaning and oppressive to the women.

I don’t know the real objectives of the French Muslims who advance the cause of lifting the ban on the Niqab, but I’d advise (with all due respect and ‘Husnuzzon’ – positive thinking for a fellow Muslim) that their movement first and foremost be for the sake of pleasing Allah SWT to defend His Deen on this Earth, and not as a political tool to gain worldly power.

Why is it challenging?

It can be quite challenging especially to sisters who have newly decided to adopt the Hijab or sisters who are newcomers to The Religion. Why?

At one level, they were told to ignore the arguments from the secular, liberal or non-Islamic groups against the Hijab and to look towards pleasing Allah SWT only and don the Hijab (to borrow the Quranic phrase), “even if the non-believers detest it” (walau kareehal mushrikoon).

At another level, once they have made the decision to don the Hijab, they see all these myriad styles and ways of wearing it, as described above.

The overzealous group will market itself as the one and only way to please Allah SWT – they say the Burqa or the Niqab is not only Sunnah, but Wajib – and ladies who do not mask their faces might as well take off their entire Hijab as they will burn in hell for exposing their faces to non-Mahram men.

Then another group comes along and say, it’s perfectly okay to put on Hijab of bright, vivid, attention-getting colours, and to adorn it with accessories and even – gasp! – thick make up! and that anyone who comments against them is just an extremist fundamentalist Taleban-like male chauvinist.

So what is the proper Hijab?

That question is best answered with another question, “What is YOUR intention for putting on the Hijab?” If your answer is none other than to please Allah SWT and gain the intercession of Zahra (AS), then questions of what style, what colour, what fashion are less important, what is important is that you choose to don the Hijab and that your Hijab complies with the basic Islamic standards.

Chador

Chador

Whether you choose to adopt the Chador style, or the Niqab, or just the plain scarf, that is entirely up to you.

Where do we go from here?

1. Parents, husbands, leaders – spread and advocate awareness of what Hijab should be, according to the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet and His Ahlul Bayt (AS).

2. Lead by example and practice Amr Bil Ma’aruf and Nahy ‘Anil Munkar for the sake of pleasing Allah SWT, and disregard the backlash of the uneducated people.

3. Be the best persons that you can be, as women, and as Muslims (also for the men), so people will judge you by your character, personality, actions, behaviour, kindness and impact on society, and not just by your religion, and when they are drawn to you, then you can “call them to the Way of Islam with wisdom and goodly words”.

Hijab starts from young

Hijab starts from young

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The “Ideal” Islam

By latiff | Published: 18th April 2011
The "Ideal Moderate Muslim"?

The "Ideal Moderate Muslim"?

*Disclaimer: I am a traditional, old-fashioned, peace-loving Muslim, following the Shiah mazhab, the kind who believes good Muslim women should wear the hijab, and not a single letter in the Quran should ever be changed, and it is honorable for a Muslim man to let his beard grow. I write this as a form of satire / humour / catharsis, so I absolutely do not believe 1% in any of the points I am about to elaborate upon below…

After reading so many books on Islam written by Western and Eastern intellectuals who have studied in prestigious English-language universities with Islamic modules or those who have studied in traditional seminaries and then later ‘upgraded’ their certificates with degrees from recognised universities, I have decided to formulate a new manifesto of what the “Ideal Islam” should look like, not according to me, but according to these Enlightened Individuals who truly deserve the title “Successors of the Prophets”.

Here is an inexhaustible list of the characteristics of what the “Ideal Islam” should look like -

1. Democratically Elected Caliphs Of Any Gender, Age Or Background.

In order for our Ummah to achieve that advanced level we have all been dreaming about for centuries, we need leaders, or Caliphs who are democratically elected by the people. These candidates can be either male or female, peasant or merchant, ideally with some basic literacy skills, some semblance of charisma, but advanced and in-depth knowledge of the Quran, Hadeeth, Islamic history, Islamic Shari’ah is not required, preferably not preferable, but perhaps “good to have”, but in-depth knowledge of Capitalism, Secularism, Liberalism is preferred and an added bonus to have.

2. Women Have The Right To Put On Or Not Put On The Hijab.

Hijab is a choice! It is not mentioned very specifically in the Quran, so why bother with it?

3. Muslims Can Become Apostates And Then Become Muslims Again And Then Become Apostates Again And Then Become Muslims Again For As Many Times As They Are Free To Do So.

Changing religions, for e.g., from Islam to Atheism, and from Atheism back to Islam, is like switching between Pepsi and Coca Cola every other week. “To you, your religion, to me, mine!” and “There is no compulsion in religion!” are the only 2 phrases from the Quran that should not be subject to Ijtihad, reform or evolution, because they are SO good!

4. The Quran Is Like A Wiki-Scripture.

You can edit, add to, subtract, change the meaning or rewrite the Quran backwards.

5. Create Your Own Mazhab!

No training in Ijtihad required. Choose from our available modules and packages and construct your own fusion mazhabs or start your own mazhab from scratch.

6. Men Can Marry Men and Women Can Marry Women.

As long as you know the correct Arabic phrases to pronounce the Nikah contract, it is valid!

7. Men Can Only Marry 1 Woman While Women Can Have As Many ‘Platonic’ Boyfriends As She Pleases, Even Though She Is Already Married.

Polygamy is a backward and abhorrent culture! But let the women have the freedom to choose and have as many boyfriends as she likes! So what, they’re all ‘Platonic’.

8. Metrosexual Muslim Men.

Men who naturally cannot grow beards, or have sparse beards, you’re cool.

Men who can grow beards and have a disciplined daily or weekly routine of shaving them clean, you’re doing the right thing.

Men who can grow beards AND CAN shave them off, but are too lazy to, what’s wrong with you guys?

9. Vegetarianism Is Not Just A Mazhab.

It’s an honorable choice to adopt the vegetarian lifestyle! But we realise, having been trained for over 1,400 years to love eating meat, it may take time to get comfortable to it, so we advise perhaps adopting it in phases, maybe start off with being vegetarian on Fridays first.

10. Non-Violent Pacifism Is A Form Of Jihad.

Let Israel be. Let the Americans do what they want on the Muslim lands. They’re liberating us! They’re building our infrastructures, giving free education, developing our natural resources, introducing our countries to free trade. Isn’t all that good?

Okay, maybe Israel and America have accidentally killed or bombed some innocent Muslim civilians, but collateral damage is a natural part and parcel of every military campaign, surely the early Muslims during their early battles too were not innocent of it? So what’s the fuss? Forgive and forget.

Let’s all live happily together in peace, even though they seem like they want to ethnically / religiously / sectarianly cleanse our kind from our lands.

If they kill us, aren’t we martyrs? But if we kill them, God Forbid, wouldn’t we be murderers?

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