Archive for October, 2006
10.27.06
Posted in Personal at 9:10 pm by Abbas
Someone from another blog (http://eteraz.wordpress.com), which I occasionally read and usually disagree with, commented on the use of reason and logic. This person is a respectful individual, so I was a bit shocked and suprised. I thought it would be nice to respond to his statements on my blog. I will quote his comment and then my response will follow.
———————————————————————————————————————
Reason does not provide an approach to Allah.
If the Path to understanding Divinty was paved (even half the way) on Reason, the truth of Religion should have been discovered and widely known by now.
Muta’zhilis would rule the world.
As it stands, reason is applied to religion every day: look at the results. Few people are enlightened and religion is a force for terrible things just as much as for good.
Reason’s road is a dead end.
There is a quote from the Holy Prophet that goes something like: “Whatever you discern with your mind and perception is your creation. It is an idol and not worth worshipping.”
But we have to know the limitations.
“Reason does not provide an approach to Allah.”
That is an absurd claim. Reason and intellect was endowed to us by Allah (swt), so that we may distinguish good from evil. Hence, leading towards understanding Him and His perfect system.
It is funny how this person uses the Muta’zallah school to justify his thoughts and views. People are at loss because we are not using our logic! The Mu’tazallites are a different issue altogether because they only used logic. There is a big difference between using solely reason and using it as just one source. We must use other sources that go hand in hand with it such as the Quran and Sunnah.
Logic and intellect is an important component in understanding Islam and the shari’a. Logic and rational must be exerted in order for us to succeed!
Reasoning or logic is called muntaq in Islamic terminology. In fact, it is a seperate branch of science in its own right. For example understanding a hadith or tradition of the Prophet (saw) one needs to understand the logic of hadith and how to deal with conflicting ahadith and contextualizing it properly. The hadith this person mentioned obviously was de-contexualize and plus no reference was given anyway.
The last statement this person makes, I do agree with. We need to rationally understand our limitations, because we have been fashioned, shaped, and placed on this earth by our Protector, Creator and Sustainer.
Permalink
Posted in Current Events at 11:48 am by Abbas
A very interesting read. Support and victory for this man will result in grave consequences for everyone. He has been compared to David Duke (founder of KKK) by the Zionists themselves. May Allah help and protect us from such people!
Lieberman’s views are notoriously racist, and his rhetoric is invariably violent. He called for the execution of Israeli Arab members of the Knesset who met with Hamas or didn’t celebrate Israel’s Independence Day. His party, Yisrael Beytenu (”Israel is our Home”), accuses Israeli Arabs of “dual loyalty” on account of their ethnicity, and advocates the complete separation of the Israeli and Arab populations in Palestine – in effect, forced transfer. Lieberman and his followers vehemently oppose the peace process, support the militant settlement movement, and are proud partisans of ethnic cleansing.
In 2002, Lieberman averred that he wouldn’t flinch at ordering the IDF into the occupied territories on the West Bank for 48 hours, an operation designed to “Destroy the foundation of all the [Palestinian] authority’s military infrastructure … not leave one stone on another. Destroy everything.” Civilian targets included: that same year he also argued the Israeli air force should bomb all Palestinian commercial centers, including banks and even gas stations.
Lieberman’s portfolio as minister in charge of strategic threats allowed the editors of Ha’aretz to quip “Lieberman is a strategic threat!” Here, after all, is a man who has threatened to bomb Tehran, the Aswan Dam, and Beirut. His entry into the government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in coalition with Kadima and Labor, marks an ominous shift in the stance of the Jewish state.
read more about Avigdor Lieberman
Permalink
10.25.06
Posted in Personal, Current Events at 2:06 am by Abbas
I have been following this movement for awhile now, and I know I have discussed and debated some of my good friends about their actions, benefits and harmful effects. When I refer to this “movement,” I am referring to those involved with MuslimWakeUp and PMUNA. Without taking about their flawed philosophy, I will touch upon their double-standards and how they have sold-out.
The PMUNA (Progressive Muslim Union of North America) and this “movement” started a few years ago, and was the big “balance” competing against the neo-Salafi influence. A good number of “moderate” Muslims really backed them, including some Sunni and Shi’a (and sufi-oriented) with the hope that the “movement” would overcome this illness (Salafi) that was spreading like wild-file with the Saudi-petro dollar (Saudi funding). Muslim WakeUp at first was a decent site with decent articles, but it took a hypocritical and dangerous turn. They hired the most liberal of liberal editors and writers. They added pointless, derogatory, and provocative stories and columns on their online newsletter, which ultimately exposed their arrogance and agenda. Only so much could be tolerated at once.
Soon afterwards, the PMUNA was established and had a “super-star” line up. Now, lets examine where this line-up is. The founder, Ahmed Nassef loves to enjoin the Zionists and forbid the Palestinian cause. He recently spoke at a pro-zionist conference with no mention of the rights and justice of the Palestinians, while he praised the Zionist state. Ziad Asali, an advisor, believes the Palestinians should “give up” and abandon their legitimate rights.
(ref: http://pmunadebate.blogspot.com/2005/03/palestinians-worldwide-condemn-ziad.html)
Ziad and his buddy Hussein Ibish are also had a dinner with Condi Rice and Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi ambassador (I thought they were “progressive”). And this man, al-Faisal had ties with bin Laden, Taleban, and Al Qaida, yet now he is a “moderate!”
Then, we have Mona Eltahawy, yet another PMUNA advisor, who occasionally writes well, with Irshad Manji at a “moderate Muslim” conference. When did lesbian Muslims, who call on “reforming” Islam with unlimited ijteehad become “moderate” (referring to Isrhad Manji).
(ref: http://pmunadebate.blogspot.com/2006/10/progressive-neo-cons.html)
So, the advisors of this so-called movement have met with the Zionists, the Saudi Wahabis, and the “Reformists.” Are they confused? Of course not, but they are smart. They have become an opportunistic organization under the guise of labeling themselves “progressive.” They are anything but “progressive.” They are extreme, just as extreme as our neo-Salafi friends.
Permalink
10.22.06
Posted in Personal at 4:28 pm by Abbas
Eid will be arriving soon. For some it would be monday, for others it would be tuesday and for others it would be on wednesday. However, it is a time to rejoice and celebrate the blessings endowed to us by God. It is a time for reflection and introspection. It is a time to forgive those who wronged us and to make peace with our perceived enemies. It is a time, where all people should band together for Allah’s sake.
I hope we all have a joyous, peaceful, and blessed Eid. Eid Mubarak!
Permalink
10.20.06
Posted in Current Events, Poetry/Quote at 11:45 am by Abbas
Your Excellency Pope Benedict XVI
With greeting,
Considering your utterances in Germany rebuking and reproaching Islam and the rule of Islamic warfare, hurting the feelings of all Moslems, I, as one of the Moslems’ religious authorities, having many followers all around the world, and writer of more than 130 books in various Islamic sciences, including more than 40 books about commentary of Holy Quran, invite you to participate in a scientific and logical debate with live broadcast with me to discuss about two issues:
1-Does Islam advocate violence or it invites to peace, amity and kindness?
2-Did Islam spread throughout the world through the force of sword or the extreme logic, reasoning and attraction of Islamic culture?
I will be glad to declare that I leave its time and location to you, and do not have any condition for it. I hope you would declare your agreement with this.
Wishing your ever success.
(source: http://www.makarems hirazi.org/ english/modules. php?name= News&file=print&sid=294)
Permalink
10.19.06
Posted in Current Events at 3:57 pm by Abbas
(source: BBC)
Taken off northeast Greenland, the picture of a walrus feeding on clams wins Goran Ehlme of Sweden the prize of Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2006.
Permalink
10.18.06
Posted in Current Events, Essay at 11:57 pm by Abbas
Bismillahirrahmanirraheem. Alhamdulillahi rabbil ‘alameen. Wa salaatu wa salaam ‘ala sayedina wa mowlana habibi quloobina abal qaasimi mohammad. wa ‘ala ahlul bayti tayabeena tahireen.
All praise belongs to Allah, the creator and sustainer of the universe. Allah has fashioned you, and I through his Infinite mercy and blessing. He is the eternal Being that has put life into us and has given us the opportunity and ability to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, and truth from false. No eyes, ears, or hands are able to fathom His greatness because He is the indescribable Being that has blessed us in order for us to serve Him.
DhalikumuAllahu rabbukum la ilaha illa huwa khaaliqu kulli shai faa’budoohu wa huwa kulli shai-in wakeel. (6:102).
That is Allah, your Lord, there is no god but He; the Creator of all things, therefore serve Him, and He has charge of all things.
We have been put on this earth, so that we may be able to recognize Him.
My Respected Brothers and Sisters,
Salaamun ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakahtu
He has made the absolute perfect system for us and any perceived imperfection in this system is relative to our perceptions. This is the problem with atheists. Imam Ali (a) has said,
“One of the four pillars of an atheist is that he or she is filled with hatred and anger because he or she is dissatisfied with the perfect system.”
Allah has not only just put us on this earth, but has put us on this earth as humans.
Laqad Khalaqnal Insana Fi Ahsani Taqweem. [95:4]
Certainly We created man in the best make.
He has endowed and granted us countless gifts and bounties. He is so merciful that if we’d like, not only can we use these resources provided to us, but we can also enhance them to better our lives. Other creations such as the animals were also created for the same primary purpose of servitude and worship. Allah has placed them in this universe, so we may be able to acknowledge our sophistication. For example, a lion goes and attacks its prey. And then simply wipes off the blood with dirt and dust. However, we have our feasts on a table, with table coverings and candles. We sometimes like to romanticize our eating and we love to decorate and add extra ingredients to our foods. We are given such sophistication, that we can manipulate creation, including ourselves, and at the same time are able to survive and possibly live longer and healthier. We have the capability of finding cures and discovering new scientific methods and materials that would be used to resist certain diseases and illnesses. Using our intellect, we have stopped and cured some of the most dangerous illnesses known to mankind. Allah (swt) has given us the best of instruments in this universe, so that we can reach Him.
With that being said, man is at loss ’till this day. We are at loss because we have failed to admit that God has put forth these numerous gifts and tools for us as a mercy to mankind. In fact, we have forgotten that Allah has created us through His infinite mercy.
Islam, is the best instrument we were given. I remember my co-worker complaining how there such much fictitious stories in the bible. How its filled with fairy tales of how Prophets used to wrestle God, and so forth. Islam dissects each and every of these fairy tales and breaks them apart. Non-muslims have praised our great religion. Harold Bloom has written in his book, Genius, that the Quran is the only book, where God is the sole authoritative author. Michael Hart, a Christian, has written and rated the Prophet (saw) as the number one most influential person in history. After his publication, right wing evangelical groups condemned him and asked him to take Muhammad’s name off the list. However, Hart in his second publication insisted and rated Muhammad as the most influential person known to mankind.
It is not only a religion, but it is a way of life in order for us to be victorious in this world and the hereafter. This great religion of Allah has been revealed to us by the Prophets, whom endured great pain and suffering and has been protected for us by the holy Imams, whom sacrificed everything they had for Islam’s sake. Most of our Imams were so oppressed that they were not even allowed to see sun-light, because they were imprisoned and tortured for so long, yet they resisted and persisted and never loss their faith in God. Imamate is central to our belief system. Imamate completes the circle in our deen or religion. Any school lacking this article of faith is at loss. And this is an obvious observation. With all due respect, our brothers and sisters in Ahlus Sunnah have yet to agree upon where the Prophet (saw) placed his hands during prayer. Prayer was the most conspicuous act that the Prophet performed; yet the majority of Muslims have yet to come to a consensus on where the Prophet placed his hands.
Nowadays, we like to complain about the smallest of matters. We want the world in our hands, by showing no effort. We want to live life without trials and tribulations. However, we need to know that without these trials and tests, we will never be able to really enjoy the pleasures and treasures of life.
Innallahi ma’as saabireen.
Allah is with those that are patient. All of these tests are nothing but a gift for us. At the end, they will give us strength and patience. We must not despair because Allah will never put us in a situation, where we will not be able to handle.
It is similar to the schooling system. You do your homework, go to class, study your material, and take your exams. And after four years or so depending on how much effort you put in you get a degree or a diploma. That degree is the reward we receive from our hard work and effort.
Now that we have al-Islam, we need to use it to our own advantage. We have been given the tools to survive and succeed, and now it is a matter of using them. We have been blessed with the greatest of examples, the Prophet and the pious Ahlul Bayt. We need to follow them and mimic how they lived their lives. We need to study them and their lives, so we can implement their traditions in our lives. There is not a single situation or circumstance where we cannot relate back to the Prophet or the Imams. We must become pro-active in our schools, communities and societies. We cannot limit ourselves based on our gender or age. Alhamdullah, in the plains of Kerbala with Imam Hussain(a), there were both man and woman, and both young, and old, so this excuse holds absolutely no weight. If we are able to use our intellect we are certainly in a position to make change. In fact, we have no choice, but to devote ourselves for the cause, especially being amongst the followers of Ahlul Bayt.
And the best way to effect change is to first change within by reflection and introspection. We need to understand our purpose and why we were put on this earth. And we must understand the instruments and the tools that we have been given. And most importantly, we must understand ourselves.
Imam Ali said,
“In order to know Allah, we must know ourselves.”
We must be sincere in all of our actions. We need to purify our hearts and souls for Allah because He is worthy and deserving. We must dig deep into our hearts and remove any dark spots developing, before it is too late. If we wait too long our heart will be covered with darkness and it will be next to impossible to cleanse. We must continue renewing our intentions and reminding ourselves about why we are doing what we are. It is similar to cancer. If we catch the caner early on, its possible to extract the cancer cells and possible survive. However, if we wait too long the cancer cells will spread into our blood stream and bodily organs. And that will be tantamount to our destruction I will conclude with a saying from Imam Ali (a), which I want everyone here to ponder upon. He stated,
My God, I do not worship You in fear of Your Fire, nor in desire for Your Paradise, but I worship You because I find You worthy of worship.
wa salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakahtu.
Permalink
10.16.06
Posted in Personal at 4:30 pm by Abbas
Living in San Diego and attending the masjid has taught me to love sabzi, cottage cheese, walnuts and bread (iran/persian food). I had a hard time eating leaves at first, but now I love it. I love it, and I don’t think I can live without it anymore 
.
Permalink
10.13.06
Posted in Personal, Current Events at 1:22 pm by Abbas
Among the nights of Ramadhan is one special night, which is better than a thousand months (Quran, 97:3). Good deeds performed on that single night are equal to those performed over a thousand months. It is the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), when the Qur’an was revealed. Some commentators believe it was the night when the Qur’an was brought down from Baytul M`amur (Heavenly abode), for Jibrael to reveal in parts to the Prophet (s). Others say it was the night when the Prophet received the entire Qur’an, but was asked to transmit it as and when the occasion demanded.
Laylatul Qadr is a celebration to commemorate the arrival of the final guidance for humans. It is a tribute to the commencement of the message revealed to mankind by their Creator, a message which shows them the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Just as the arrival of a child is celebrated, on its birth and then every year, as a bringer of joy and fulfilment for the family, Laylatul Qadr is celebrated as a bringer of light and guidance for mankind. Unlike the birthday which is celebrated with a feast for the senses, Laylatul Qadr includes a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.
(taken from al-islam.org)
———————————-
In other news, the Sayyid, the local imam here at the masjid, has asked me to speak on Wednesday on any topic I want to. In the process of preparing, but I am accepting ideas! It will be a 15 minute speech. InshaAllah, please pray that I do well!
Permalink
10.08.06
Posted in Poetry/Quote at 5:52 pm by Abbas
The ‘arif (or someone who keeps his/her thought turned perpetually towards the realm of light in order that the light of the Real shine in his heart) desires the Real (God) not for the sake of something else, and he values nothing above his knowledge of the Real, and his worship of Him is because He is worthy of worship and it is a worthy way of relating himself to Him; it is not out of desire (for rewards) or fear (of chastisement).
The meaning of this is that in terms of his aims the ‘arif is a muwahhid. He seeks only God, yet his desire of God is not on account of His gifts in this world or in the Hereafter. Were such to be the case, the real object of his desire would be the gifts, God being only the preliminary means by which the desired gifts are sought. In such a case, in reality, the final object of worship and desire would be one’s own self; for the purpose of seeking those gifts is the pleasure of the self.
However, the ‘arif desires whatever he desires for the sake of God. When he desires the gifts of God he does so because they are from Him, and are His favours. They represent His Grace and Magnanimity. So, while the non-’arif seeks God for the sake of His gifts, the ‘arif seeks the gifts of God for the sake of God.
Here the question may arise, if the ‘arif does not seek God for the sake of anything, then why does he worship Him? Is it not true that every act of worship must have a purpose? Ibn Sina’s passage contains the answer. He states that the goal and motivation of the ‘arif’s worship is one of two things. One is the inherent worthiness of the Worshipped to be worshipped, meaning that one worships God simply because He is worthy of worship. It is rather like someone who upon noticing some admirable qualities in a person or a thing praises that person or thing. If asked what motivated him to utter such praise, or of what benefit was it to him, he will reply that he sought no benefit from his praise, but simply saw that person or thing as being genuinely deserving of praise. This is true of the praise accorded to the heroes or the champions of each and every field.
The other motivation of the ‘arif’s worship is the worthiness of worship itself. It bears an intrinsic nobility and beauty of its own, for it is a connection, a tie, between oneself and God. Thus it has a worthiness of its own, and there is no reason why worship should necessarily entail desire or fear.
Imam ‘Ali (a) has some famous words on this subject:
My God, I do not worship You in fear of Your Fire, nor in desire for Your Paradise, but I find You worthy of worship so I worship You.
Permalink
10.07.06
Posted in Personal at 2:35 pm by Abbas
Why?
Permalink
10.04.06
Posted in Personal at 11:45 am by Abbas
Someone from Camp Pendleton reads my blog.. it is a huge marine base here in San Diego. I wonder what they think of my views and thoughts…
Permalink