MICA Floor last Sunday

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

ETHICS OF DISAGREEMENT

Sulaimon Arigbabu exploring Ethics of Disagreement

The topic, though quite intellectual is rather germane in fundamental development as humans and more especially as Muslims. The World today is in a chaotic state and is as result of simple disagreements that were either handled improperly or managed redundantly. Thus, making it important to analyze this topic without restricting it to the Ummah alone essential; but reconciling it to our roles in the larger society.

To understand it better, we should know that disagreement stems from the creation of our father, Adam (AS) and the relationship between Allah, (swt) and Iblis when he (Iblis) refused to bow down to Adam per decree of Allah (AZW). This is further emphasized between the children of Adam (AS)-Cain and Abel, when one killed the other over a woman, thus relating that disagreements can be fatal-resulted as in this case or eternally destructive as in the case of Iblis.

It should at this point be understood that disagreement in itself is not a negative thing so long as ilm (knowledge)and hukm (wisdom) are applied to engagements.

This can be better appreciated with reference to the time of the companions of Rasulillah (SAW). Among the Companions of the Prophet, their Successors, and the leading scholars after them, there were several differences relating, for example, to the preparation for and the performance of salaah. Some recited the Basmalah at the beginning of Soorat al Faatihah and others did not. Some uttered it aloud and others did not. Some recited the Qunoot supplication as part of the Salaat al Fajr (Dawn Prayer) while others did not. Some renewed their wudoo' (ablution) after nose-bleeding, vomiting, and cupping while others did not. Some considered that any physical contact with women nullified wudoo' while others did not. Some renewed their wudoo' after eating camel meat or food cooked on a direct fire while others saw no need for that.

When faced with a difficult issue, some jurists would consult the literature of another school without any hesitation or embarrassment, even though they might not agree on the type of evidence used. They of course felt free to consult any substantiated text. Having arrived at their verdicts, they would issue them with such concluding phrases as "this is more cautious," "this is preferable," "this is how it should be," "I dislike this, or "this does not appeal to me." They did not feel impeded by any unwarranted restrictions or any fear of unfounded accusations. They were easy-going and open-minded, and their concern was to facilitate matters for people.

This was the way of the pious salafs and thus made a source of great success in leadership in their era; So much unlike these recent times with Muslims being not only victims but agressors and couriers of conflicts within the ummah and in the global community as well.

In Allah’s design of the world, He created each individual differently, making an inclination to disagree with one another a natural inclination.

“And if your Lord had so willed, He would surely, have made mankind one Ummah (nation or community), but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy, and for that did He create them.” (11:118-119)

In His Majesty, however, He elevated man amongst His creatures, created us differently and then blessed us with the FREEDOM OF CHOICE with which He blessed us with intellect to differentiate that which is good from that which is bad.

Appreciating the differences in our point of views, perception and ideas are what makes us unique but expressing such differences in manners that create dissention between parties involved is the basic reason of the world’s conflicts today.

In ancient times, especially in the era of the development of European civilization, history relates that conflicts erupted from simple issues between men vying for the affection of a woman to grave issues as expansion of territory. In recent times however, conflicts and wars arise from religion-entrenched issues; Thus, making it important for us as Muslims to be enlightened on the acceptable ethics of disagreeing with one another such that it does not dissolve the society into chaos.

Wars are being precipitated by religious bias or religious bias itself is entrenched in conflicts in the world - Sulaimon Arigbabu

To effectively manage disagreements we call to mind the words of Allah (AZW),

“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and argue with them in the best way possible.” (Q16:25)

This perhaps is the first and most important skill to acquire in managing disagreements, because as Muslim everything we do is a means of dawah (calling to Allah’s deen) and thus what better way than to use divine principles to achieving the sole goal we are sent, i.e. serving and pleasing Allah.

Taking a cue form one of great Islamic scholars, Ad-Dhahabi who said “ Do not think your own madhhab (school of thougt) is best and one most beloved by Allah, for you have no proof of this. The Imams, may Allah be pleased with them, all follow great goodness, when they are right, they receive two rewards, and when they are wrong, they get one reward.”; we should understand our own perception of viewing things, is just that…our perception and thus to see from the point of view of other, we have to learn to shed ours to take on theirs.

And indeed “righteousness is that which satisfies the soul and comforts the heart, but sin is that which troubles the heart, disturbs the soul, even if people give you a decision in its favour”. “...That which is permitted is clear, and that which is forbidden is clear and in between them are doubts which most people do not know of…” - Rasulullah (SAW)

And these(doubtful areas) are the areas that are often points of disagreements in the ummah but as Muslims should be both careful of and should not allow to be causes of disunity.

We should emulate the strategies of the pious predecessors in our dealings with one another and with the larger society with neither believing themselves infallible and held each other in great respect and reverence.

Legitimate differences of opinions should not be allowed to lead to disunity in the home or the ummah and proffering kindness and goodwill expresses the deen of Allah better to the none believers.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

REACTIVATE YOUR LOVE BANK ACCOUNT…MUSLIM STYLE

The Love Bank Account [LBA] is a key concept in every relationship that determines its success whether we are married or not. The LBA is relevant in building and nurturing relevant relationships with one another and particularly with our Lord, Allah (swt).

Relationships whether spiritual, financial, familial or general are the core of all human interactions and thus need to be managed to enjoy maximum benefits from the rewards of Allah.

Whether we are coordinating a project at work, expressing concern for a loved one or discussing ideas with friends, we will find ourselves influencing the quality of each and every relationship we are in. Our interaction however, is expected to leave a positive influence in the lives of those that matter in our lives.

Call it Emotional bank account (as in Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of highly effective people) or love Bank Account like Stephen Harvey (a clinical psychologist) calls it in his private practise, it refers to how we keep tract of how we treat each other.

Using the principle of any bank account, the LBA applies the measures of deposits, withdrawal, bankruptcy, dormancy, currency e.t.c.

It is applied in our relationship with Allah, as we are aware that the book of good and bad deeds is not opened until one attains puberty; suffice to say our account with Allah is at neutral until puberty is attained. Same is said for our relationships with one another which does not become activated until we meet or becomes dormant if we let it go.

Ever wondered how an EBA goes bankrupt?

It is actually no different from your regular financial account. It occurs when you have no deposits in your accounts. As related in the Quran,

“ye are the best of mankind, we enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil”. Our attaining Allah’s pleasure is not relegated to doing good or just avoiding evil…” (Q3:110)

We have to do both to maintain an important balance. Thus in reviewing our relationship we must be able to identify if we are making enough deposits that will outweigh our withdrawals (which are because of our innate human nature are unavoidable).

Same case with dormancy, some relationship we just let go because of our ineptitude in managing relationships, be they long time friends or kins living far away. Still we must put in mind that our connection or lack of it says something about our accounts.

Reactivating our love bank accounts Muslim style helps us re-evaluate our relationships and revive the connection, strengthen it or actively build new ones.

So how much do you worth?

We know that certain currencies do not worth their salt in the global market, same for some deeds. You can have a bag-load of good deeds so much so you are notorious for it, but in the sight of Allah, they don’t worth a dime. Same applies to our other relationships too, because we keep doing what we think should be deposits in their LBA but do not worth much in the currency of those involved.

With emphasis on our spiritual connection with Allah, our parents and spouses top the list of relationships we have to evaluate and ensure we are giving maximum attention to.

It is important that we maintain a minimum healthy balance that ensures we meet Allah in good standing in the hereafter by preserving good relations in this world.

Simple methods of perking our Love Bank Accounts to a healthy balance include:

v Paying the right currency: this involves us understanding the emotional needs of one another, and giving healthy dose of it.

o The kind of affection you’ll express to your parents is different from that which you will show your spouse or children.

v Don’t sweat the small stuffs: Attending to the little things consistently not only puts you in good standing with Allah but in your relationships as well.

v Keeping commitments, promises and faith.

v Walk the talk: this is about personal integrity which implies we do the right thing, the right way as at when due.

v Don’t hesitate to apologize

v Avoid the Love busters such as selfishness, inconsideration, overreacting, betraying trust and more especially not paying due attention to duties or obligations expected of us a child, spouse, parent, friend or colleague.

May Allah make it easy for us, amin.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

THE COLOUR OF YOUR HEART

Ibrahim Dada

While the topic was chosen as the colour of your heart, it wasn’t meant to be taken in the literal sense as we know that heart has no colour variation regardless race, tribe or even faith. However it refers to the soundness, health, metaphysical strength of it and how it functions in relation to its connection with its Creator, Allah almighty.

We take a cue from the Quran wherein Allah mentions over and over again the importance of the heart with regards to belief/ disbelief; sin/ righteousness.

"The day when wealth and sons avail not (any man). Save him who bringeth unto Allah a whole heart " -the Holy Quran (26: 88-89)

"And the Garden is brought nigh for those who kept from evil, no longer distant. (And it is said): that is that which ye were promised, (it is) for every pertinent and heedful one, who feareth the Beneficent in secret and cometh with a contrite heart."

-the Holy Quran (50: 21-33)

And with the saying of the Noble Prophet, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW), the heart of the believer varies between purity and blemishes, and though no heart is spotless, he explained the colour of the heart thus:

Abu Hurairah (raa) narrated: Allah’s Messenger May peace be upon Him said :

“When a slave (a person) commits a sin (an evil deed) a black dot is dotted on his heart. Then if that person gives up that evil deed (sin), begs Allah to forgive him, and repents, then his heart is cleared (from that heart covering dot); but if he repeats the evil deed (sin), then that covering is increased till his heart is completely covered with it. And this is Ar-Ran that Allah mentioned (in the Quran),

“Nay! but on their hearts is the Ar-Ran (covering of evil deeds and sins) which they used to earn” (83:14)”

We cannot over emphasize the need to continuously engage in purification of the heart as its importance can be understood in repeated mention of it in various ayahs of the Quran on the need to take heed, purify it and maintain its connection to Allah ta’ala.

However as humans though believers, the tendency to weaken is an innate nature that brings to fore our need to sin and be forgiven.

Thus Allah mentions

"But he who turneth away from remembrance" of Me, his will be a narrow life, and I shall bring him blind to the assembly on the Day of Resurrection. He will say: 'My Lord! wherefore hast thou gathered me (hither) blind, when I was wont to see?' He will say: 'so (it must be) our revelations come unto thee but thou didst forget them. In like manner thou art forgotten this Day."

-the Holy Quran (20:124-126)

Maintaining the purity and clarity of the Heart is a lifelong struggle, the reward of which in this dunya is the ability of the Qalb to see and guide us to traverse the path of Happiness towards Allah SWT.

On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah al-Nu'man bin Bashir, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:"Truly, what is lawful is evident, and what is unlawful is evident, and in between the two are matters which are doubtful which many people do not know. He who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and honour blameless, and he who indulges in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things, just as a shepherd who pastures his flock round a preserve will soon pasture them in it. Beware, every king has a preserve, and the things Allah has declared unlawful are His preserves. Beware, in the body there is a flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, and behold, it is the heart."

Allah SWT has informed us that, Quran, faith, and Divine obligations are all illumination and their obedience makes the heart enlightened; although, in reality this happens in this same world but its final result is declared in the hereafter. Also, He had informed us that blasphemy, hypocrisy, sinning, non-acceptance of truth all are darkness and make the heart dark and contaminated, which would certainly become manifested in the hereafter. The Divine Prophets were dispatched by Allah(AZW) with the mission of leading human beings out of darkness of blasphemy towards the environment of illumination and belief.

Finally, as referred from Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah: “There is no doubt that the heart becomes covered with rust, just as metal dishes - silver, and their like - become rusty. So the rust of the heart is polished with dhikr (remembrance of Allaah), for dhikr polishes the heart until it becomes like a shiny mirror. However, when dhikr is abandoned, the rust returns; and when it commences then the heart again begins to be cleansed. Thus the heart becoming rusty is due to two matters: sins and ahafah ( neglecting remembrance of Allaah ). Likewise, it is cleansed and polished by two things : istighfaar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness) and dhikr.”

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

MUSLIMS AND THE MEDIA

Muslims and the Media being the topic for the floor on Sunday was quite an obvious yet interesting choice as we had guests from the United Kingdom, Turkey and Germany who have made their mark representing Muslims in the media all over the world.

The intention to shine the light on Muslims in the media was not only because of the guests but also because there have been so many unanswered questions, so many doubts and much more self-recriminations about activities of Muslims in the media.

In the century where the focus of terrorism is synonymous to the focus on Muslims and the agenda of the Arab world in leading Muslims, has become an icon of controversy all over the globe; The true representation of News, Ideals and Principles surrounding the Muslims and Islam has become fundamental.

When Islam Channel started, it was a genuine effrontery to the status-quo, to challenge what was hitherto perceived as un-Islamic. In this perception it was unexpected to imagine it surviving as long as it did. But it not only survived, it thrived and such is the story behind its establishment. The passion for representing true Islam without compromising on the genuine and intricate aspects of fundamentals of Islam was as much a challenge to the founders as it was the reason for their success.

Now, that social network is taking the whole world by the storm and of course we as Muslims look for alternatives instead being the answer to the growing culture of connecting virtually; We search for reasons of its existence or altogether ignore it and thus forget that the world is moving at a pace faster than we can prevent its course and as such we should provide the answers to the uprising.

For Salaam World, resolving to Islamize the existing social networks is not the answer to the quest of maintaining our persona as Muslims in the Virtual world….the answer lies in expressing our world for others to see. Creating not just a social network forum but a social hub that provides an opportunity for the global virtual village to experience true Islam, is the first step in the right direction. The purpose not only mitigates the need to ignore, reshuffle or re-instate Islamic opinions with limited resources but to make the vast array of Islamic resource available with just a click.

It was indeed an epitome of excitement, inspiration and education on the Floor on the 25^th of March as Muhammed Ali Harrath (CEO Islam Channel); As’ad Lath (BDM Islam Channel); Abubakre Reiger(Salaam World and Globalia Magazine) and Nedim Kaya (Salaam World) enlightened us with their experience and challenges as much as extending with genuine brotherhood, business opportunities available in their causes respectfully.

We would not only be partnering with them to make this work, but with Allah(AZW) to bring Muslims back to glory of leadership even in the media world.

After all is said and done, our mission in MICA is to return Muslims to the state of excellence and we will partner with such ventures that aids in achieving the goal.

Thursday, March 10, 2011