Islamic Thought of the Day - Living God You Say?

For anyone even mildly serious about that Almighty Being, that Supreme Designer and Orchestrator of this Universe, what an interesting scenario we have today in this world !

Even taking just Islam, there are a plethora of sects and many have diametrically opposed views on some fundamental points (Abrogation of verses of the Qur'an, Punishment of Apostasy, Reliability of Ahadith, etc. etc.) and each is happily following their respective dogmas but for a seeker of God, this is an extremely uncomfortable situation ! Which way to go, which path to choose, that will lead one to the Beloved? One might argue that any path can be chosen and it will lead to the Beloved but alas, to me it seems there are some serious flaws with this reasoning
- If they were so compatible with each other, then why do we have so much inter-Muslim conflict.
- How can unity of the Muslim Ummah possibly be established with differences of any sort - will any denomination's leader really be unanimously accepted by all?
- It is stated in exegeses of the verse of the opening chapter of the Holy Qur'an "Guide us along the right path..."  that the 'path' is the path that is not only the path of righteousness but the one that is straight and direct and which reaches the objective without deviation. In my humble opinion, having multiple paths that lead to the end goal may waste a seeker's precious time in this short life.

I genuinely feel that it would be difficult for anyone to have real conviction of his faith with just philosophical/logical argument. If someone very skilled and logic were to come tomorrow and deconstruct the arguments that you have in your mind for following what you follow, you would be left scrambling for days or weeks trying to reconstruct your entire belief system to work around those. Anyhow, we already know that this type of knowledge is very deficient and earlier people who came into Islam and sacrificed their everything did not do so based on reasoning. No, not at all. God Almighty is 'Al-Hayy', 'The Living' and He has graciously opened the door to personal experience and guidance from On High. To state one of many sayings about this :-
"When the slave comes towards Me a hand-span, I go an arm-length towards him. When he comes towards Me an arm-length, I go a fathom towards him. When he comes towards Me walking, I go towards him running." [al-Bukhari]

So how is it that there are still so many denominations? Why has unity in the Muslim Ummah not been achieved? Do the elders of each denomination, who are on the whole followed by their respective congregations as they would have presumably practiced righteousness their entire life, have differing beliefs about such fundamental aspects as mentioned earlier? Some points that come to my mind are :-
- It is well known that many Muslim leaders are funded by external parties, often in other countries, with a personal agenda and so do exactly as they are told - like puppets (muppets even).
- Some would not be striving for that aim as there are denominations who believe that any sort of divine communion is not possible after the Prophet Muhammad(saw) - and then they've had to fabricate and conjecture a multitude of ideas concerning the purpose of prayers, motivation of living as a Muslim, etc.
- Some may appear righteous by all means and indeed consider that they are striving but, quite understandably, they are not able or not willing to rid themselves of the more subtle chains of this world such as (ironically) the pride their position has given them, or a lack of genuine humility or loving  money/luxury/children as they should love God.

What this would imply, and I hope I'm wrong, is that rather than the elders striving to create a connection with God and hence being guided by the Grace of Almighty God by virtue of their striving, they would continue in their current state (for fear of losing power, friends or families if they are not treading the right path). This is bigotry. And this is a very sad state indeed - so many muslims, so little connection with God.

Please comment - and hopefully tell me I've missed something.

Then we can apply the same rule to theism in general and say that people of all religion should be able to ask guidance from their respective God(s)/Deceased Saint(s)/etc.

Islamic Thought Of The Day - 'Fake it till you become it'

I saw a TED talk today titled 'Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are' by Amy Cuddy, Social Psychologist.

"Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident -- can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success."

She finishes with the conclusion that we can 'fake it till you become it' - i.e. consciously pretend and act with your body what you want to be - and doing so will changes your mind and you become that which you are pretending to be. This is in contrast to the commonly held view that 'faking' it and achieving success leaves one with a bad after-taste of dishonesty. If one has 'become' that which is deserving of success, there is no bad after-taste.

One user's comment :
"I'm quite alarmed to find that I'm perpetually in a non-power pose. It's how I walk, how I sit, how I sleep... And it definitely reflects in my personality. Thanks so much for this talk. I had no idea it was so important."

So why raise this?
Because in Islam, our prophet Muhammad (saw) who was gifted with knowledge from the Creator, Maker and Fashioner of the human mind may well have been gifted with this insight 1,400 years ago and hence laid down the many injunctions that govern each and every aspect of our life.
The injunction of prayer is most eye-opening in this respect. Doing ablution 5+ times a day before each prayer time would have a mental effect of being in a state of purity. Prostrating several times during each raka'a (constituent of prayer) would induce humility in the mind.
The prophet's injunction for prayer extends into every aspect of life - from saying a prayer immediately on awakening and when going to sleep, on starting a meal and on finishing it, on leaving the house and entering it, on starting a journey, on meeting anyone, on sighting the moon, on wearing new clothes, in times of happiness, in times of sadness, etc. These would all have an effect of remembering Almighty God constantly - and how compassionate, charitable and selfless would someone be if he's constantly remembering Almighty God and constantly in a state of gratitude. [Indeed we know from that most powerful prayer for seeking forgiveness from Almighty God that it was because we forgot God momentarily that we committed a sin - "I beg pardon from Allah for all my sins, and turn to Him"]

Finally, with that background, I wrote this post to really share how the Promised Messiah(as) had commented on this aspect over a 100 years ago that Ms. Cuddy is talking about only just now :-

"... according to the Holy Quran the natural state of man has a very strong relationship with his moral and spiritual states, so much so that  even a person’s manner of eating and drinking affects  his moral and spiritual states. If the natural state of a  person is subjected to the control of the directions of divine law it becomes his moral state and deeply  affects his spirituality, as is said that whatever falls  into a salt mine is converted into salt. That is why the  Holy Quran has laid stress on physical cleanliness and  postures, and their regulation in relation to all  worship and inner purity and spiritual humility. 

Reflection confirms that physical conditions deeply affect the soul. For instance, when our eyes are filled  with tears, even if the tears are artificially induced, the heart is immediately affected and becomes sorrowful. 
In the same way, when we begin to laugh, even if the  laughter is artificially induced, the heart begins to feel  cheerful. It has also been observed that physical  prostration in prayer induces humility in the soul. As  a contrast when we draw ourselves up physically and strut about with our neck raised and our breast  pushed forward, this attitude induces a mood of  arrogance and vain glory. These instances establish clearly that physical conditions certainly affect  spiritual conditions


Experience also shows that different types of food  affect the intellect and the mind in different ways. 
For instance, careful observation would disclose  that people who refrain altogether from eating  meat gradually suffer a decline of the faculty of  bravery; they lose courage and thus suffer the loss of a divinely bestowed praiseworthy faculty. This  is reinforced by the evidence of the divine law of  nature that the herbivorous animals do not possess  the same degree of courage as do carnivorous  ones. The same applies to birds.  Thus there is no  doubt that morals are affected by food. Conversely  those who are given to a diet consisting mainly of  meat and eat very little of greens suffer a decline of meekness and humility. Those who adopt the middle course develop both types of moral qualities."

Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

The Real Imam Abu Hanifah - Personal Summary

Personal summary of video - The Real Imam Abu Hanifah 


Grandfather was a clothes merchant.

[Speaker: Our ancestors/imams never used to like taking from others so mastered a trade to earn their daily bread. But later paid positions made them potentially open to blackmail - and they were.]

Inherited 200k dirhamss from father - substantial (=8.5k gold dinars. =70k sheep.) Kept only 4k (because Ali(ra) said that was enough for someone to live on). Would only spend 2 dirhams/month. But, being clothes trader, wore good clothes/perfume.

Born Kufa, 80AH, Died Baghdad 150AH.
Considered best scholar in both, though was not an arab.
[Hence, they learnt from them regardless of their origins]

Certainly saw Anas ibn Malik (companion) offering prayers. Probably others. Distinguishing feature from other leaders of other jurispudence schools. No other Imams also had students as great as Abu Hanifa's.

Wrote very little himself. Classified fiqh in written format for first time - hajj, fasting, prayers etc. and the problems associated with each.

Imam Malik said Abu Hanifa could convince you a wooden column was made of gold - such was his debating ability.



Not as knowledgeable as other Imams on Traditions. But would only use traditions agreed by other scholars of Saying.


Would use the scholar' agreement if there was one on a point. Then, if differeing, would used his reasoning.

Learnt from Imam Hammad and many other of the best scholars - 93 Followers. For 18 years followed Imam Hammad with great respect and serving.

Taught by 4000 sheikhs.


Ottomons & Abbasids followed his school. Many other sultan who ruled the arabian world.

Abu Yusuf was chief justice and was student of Abu Hanifa.
Provided for him to feed his parents so he could study for 10 years until he gained a good position.


2/3 of Muslims follow Hanafi school.


Fasted for and did morning prayer with previous evening's ablution for 30 years every day. Whole Qur'an recited every 3 days despite business. Summer: Sleep only during noon and afternoon prayer. Winter: Sleep only at beginning of night.

[Knowledge gained by piety, ascetism - not arrogance, evil intentions]


30k dirhams profit but his assistant forgot to mention defect so gave all away to chairyt.


Got out of situation - 'Seeking protection, give them protection to a place of safety'

Refused to be a judge. Whipped/Imprisoned.

Ibn Al Qaiyim praised him greatly in his book.

[Knowledge is hard to attain - a gift from God]

[Don't be 100% extremist in your madhab though]

[Malik: Anyone's sayings can be accepted or rejected except the man in this grave - pointing to HPSAW.]

Medjool Dates - Tesco vs Ecklee

It's well known among date consumers one of the superior types of dates are the Medjool variety - the 'crown jewels'. They are large, dense and absolutely delicious. Tesco have their own variety of a pack of 9 for £2.00 (£11.12/kg). On average, this works out to 22p a date.

This may not seem too bad especially given the lack of competition in the date-selling space as it's a mildly popular product that sells very well with certain ethnic groups and much less so with the general population.

However, going to a much smaller store - on that you'll find perhaps in a small town or village - and the unwarranted price exaggeration becomes quite apparent. One such store is Ecklee in Motspur Park (who don't have a functioning website currently, hence the lack of a link). The same Medjool variety there retails for exactly half that price - 11p a date. The dimensions and taste are, on average, the same. A minor difference - and it should be pointed out if we are to be fair - is the Tesco variety is about 5-10% softer than the small-store variety (note though that the taste is the same) and this adds to the excellence of the date. I'm not sure if I got lucky with that particular harvest for the Tesco variety or if they are consistently softer but I will try to verify this at another time in future.

Shopping around can certainly save a pretty penny !

10 Advices of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani

Personal summary of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR13SnEYUJU

One cannot be a pious person until he considers these compulsory on himself :

- Never backbites
- Never thinks bad about anyone
- Refrain from mocking and joking about others
- Controlling your gaze
- Always truthful
- Always remember favours of Allah
- Spend in wealth in truth, not useless
- Not being haughty, big-headed, proud
- Punctual on 5 daily prayers
- Steadfast on sunnat

Wahabbism & Saudi Arabia

Summary of article : The crisis that gave Wahhabism its ticket to the world.

1979 - 500 wahabbi hardliners took over grand mosque in mecca at start of islamic 15th century declaring (not himself declaring) al-Qahtani Mahdi.
Clerics allowed monarchy to fight in the mosque (this shocked bin Laden) in exchange for stricter Islam in the country (TVs, educated women etc.).
Clerics converted french SAS forces (GIGN) to Islam so they could enter grand mosque to fight off rebels.
Monarchy made wahabbim in foreign policy to fund it with massive petrodollars in other countries to distract hardliners' attention to other countries.
Just few months later, Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan - Saudis helped rebels with this in Afghanistan to distract from their own country.
Also funded Jihadist Pakistani Jamaat Islami, from which taliban emerged.
Now everyone, including Saudis, threatened by Jihadists !

This post is a summary of this page for my own personal use and is backed by no guarantee whatsoever of any kind ! 

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal - Summary of biography

Summary of biography of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Presented by Sh. Kamal el-Mekki on YouTube

• 2 most dangerous situations in Islamic history. i) Abu Bakr (ra) when many turned apostate and ii) AiH (ra) with the fitna of divine origin was questioned Qur'an.
• Born in Baghdad in 164 AH (Abu Hanifa=80AH, Imam Malik = 96AH). 
• Lived himself and dear mother. Father was Mohammad but unknown so ibn Hanbal used instead. Extreme poverty. Gathering grains dropped by traders in city.
• Obedience to mother viz. not jumping with other young men across flowing river
• Threw away letters containing spying info from uncle to Governor and fully confessed in front of both.
• Studied with Yazid ibn Harun, who joked a lot but not in front of AiH(ra). "D'oh!"
• Would not accept help or gifts from anyone whatsoever. Shaafi(ra)&AiH(ra) lived very austere lives. Abu Hanifa(ra) did not take khalifa money because was successfull businessman. Imam Malik(ra) did as considered his own work services to state. Imam Malik(ra) had 500 hats/shoes and eat meat every single day, the former always dressed immaculately.
• In a gathering with Sufyan ibn Iyaina, AiH introduces companion to a young Al-Shaafi, AiH being first to recognize his knowledge.
• AiH was Muhaddith, Al-Shaafi was Faqih. So when AiH met him, he became Faqih too. [Woman asked many Muhaddith in mosque question on menses but couldn't answer - they pointed to Al-Shaafi, who answered instead.]
• Collection of ahadith was very detailed & intricate - including minutes taken at meetings. Abdur-Razzaq, AiH's teacher once, would always read out ahadith from book even though he was expert, just in case. AiH subsequently adopted this.
• Top 5 scholars AiH benefitted from : (for 18 yrs) Hushaim ibnu Bashir (learnt 100 ahadith with narrations in one sitting), Yazid ibnu Harun (commanding presence), Ismael Ibnu Ulaiya (very serious-never laughed), Sufyan ibnu Iyayna (The Muhaddith in Masjid Al-Haram), Abdur-Razzaq (ppl travelled from across the world to visit this storehouse of knowledge).
• Yazid ibnu Harun died 206 and fitna with creation of Qur'an by the khalifa started (and subsequently doused - by the lives of the scholars, Main one is AiH).
• AiH, Al-Shaafi, Malik etc. always had a woman behind them; e.g. mothers, sisters.
• Got married at age 40 so as not to trouble her with moving from place to place for his knowledge seeking etc. Lived with her for 30 yrs. "I never had 1 quarrel with her."
• When life in perilous danger, stayed with trusted friend for 3 days but no more to follow sunnah of Cave of Thaur. "Does it make sense to follow Sunnah when life is easy and ditch it when hard?"
• Fitna started in khalifa of Ma'mum . Loved knowledge. Very close to Mut'azilah, very well spoken. Began to think like them. Aljad ibnu Durham was a Muadhib (home tutors) and starter of fitna. They say 'Allah is the ancient and speech is renewable so he cannot talk and He does not speak like humans because there is none like unto Him, thus the Qur'an is created'. But this gets us further into trouble as humans have knowledge, does that mean God doesnt? 'Speak' means God's speaks in a manner befitting to his majesty. Also, everything but God is perfect so would imply Qur'an is imperfect.
• Ahmad ibn Abi Dawat incited Ma'mun to start fitna of Qur'an creation in 212AH. AiAD was right-hand-man for subsequent 3 khalifas too. Many 2nd-level scholars went along with Qur'an creation as they justified that inside their heart they knew the reality. To avoid direct response, started saying thing like "Qur'an is speech of Allah and all but Allah is created" and fingers trick.
• So few scholars left - including AiH - that were refuting this! AiH responded "It is the speech of Allah, I don't add to that"
• Ma'mum slates them all, even those who accepted Ma'mum, and nails them for being childish, worldly etc. However, gives no insult to AiH and they should be chained and beaten and imprisoned.
• Initially 26 scholars that refused, then 9 remained steadfast. Then 4. Then 2 remained on being called to Ma'mun including AiH. AiH is essentially only imam left with this opinion (the other was just a young man).
• Along the way, a non-scholar arab met AiH and told him 'you represent the people; if you yield, then all punishment will be because of you so keep firm; the only thing between you and Jannah is death; if they don't kill you, you will die anyway. Wassalam.' Whereas all other scholars had told him earlier that it's permissible due to Qur'an to say that.
• Along the way, a servant of Ma'mun tells AiH that Ma'mun will kill him with a sword he's never unsheathed before unless AiH yields. So AiH prays to God and immediately after, news spreads that Ma'mun has died. Soldiers take them to a prison, young man dies. AiH honestly says: "I fear the whip". AiH would take feet out of chains himself to sleep/salaat and put them back on during the day for obedience to Ma'mun's instruction, even though he's dead.
• Mu'tasin was next khalifa; didn't care for knowledge/fiqh; strictly soldier.
• One argument goes Quran says it was "made" (ja'lam), that means created! AiH: Same word used for People of the Elephant when they looked like broken straw, eaten up. Did Allah 'create' them like that too?
• Summoned to Muta'sin to debate with him. Muta'sin: "If i didnt have you in custody, wouldnt have approached you". AiH gave proofs including: "Give protection to disbelievers until they hear the kalaam of Allah" hence Kalaam - spoken - must be Quran. Also, "Everything that is created must die" (dream story). Shot  down Mutazilah audience with their arguments one by one in front of khalifa, and AiH voice got louder and louder. Muta'sin was deeply affected by this and AiH's knowledge and that "I would free you with my own hands if you would agree a little with me". AiH: "Give me something from the Qur'an or Sunnah so that I may say it." - i.e. reject compromise. 
• Shaafi had succumbed and agreed to creation of Quran and was asked to debate with AiH. But on the 3rd day in prison, suspected as it's the 3rd day something new would happen; went to hall - was full of soldiers and whippers. Store owners had closed doors as they knew something big was happening and AiH had a following who didn't want him beaten/killed. AiH gave another new proof from ahadith when Moses was spoken to by Allah directly. Mutazilah had no response so Muta'sin smacked him and he fell unconscious. Some of khalifa's guards left the audience in disapproval given his grandfather's standing.
• On regaining consciousness, Muta'sin told him 'Woe, I had hopes in you' [Note: nothing about whether he was true, his arguments are valid etc.]. Dragged by soldiers and put on whipping frame and both arms dislocated. Soldiers whipped AiH in order, 2 whips at a time so each soldier would not tire and each whip of full power. Muta'sin then got the strongest whipper and told him to kill AiH. Inflicted massively powerful whips until AiH's blood gushed and filled the floor and almost killed until interjection by friend. Temporarily taken to people at khalifa's gate to appease them from violence against khalifa and AiH, bleeding, fasting (as khalifa's food was haram), frail said to them Qur'an is the speech, uncreated. Muta'sin again tied him up and even more severe beating. 
• Imprisoned at a house and then offered salaat (just as Omar(ra) prayed whilst bleeding). Doctor: "I've never seen lashes as bad as this". Had to cut a piece of flesh off off back. Some parts hurt till his very end. Anyhow, the whippers came to apologise with their heads lowered to the house but he said 'I have already pardoned you on day 1 as I want to be among those who are called in Heaven, those who forgive.'
• Whilst imprisoned, shackled, beaten, lost consciousness, still never broke fast let alone say Qur'an was created.
• Al Waqab was 3rd khalifa after Muta'sin. Knowledgeable, loved poetry and religion :|. AiH then started to leave house and teach. Ahmad ibn Abi Daud then realized their ideology of the created Qur'an may be under threat and friends of AiH told him fitna may be about to be rekindled so AiH himself stopped teaching. Al Waqab doesn't want to touch AiH and tells him he doesn't want to be where AiH is. 
• Shaikh Ahmad ibn Nasr tried to overthrow Al Waqab but all were caught and Al Waqab asked Ahmad ibn Nasr about the Qur'an. (231AH) AiN (80 years old) says it's the speech of Allah. Was beheaded and khalifa put note on his ear that this was one who 'sees Allah' in hereafter and says Qur'an created and hung for months in east entrance in Baghdad and then moved to west entrance for months. 
• [Al Khatib Al Baghdadi is narrater is] After Al Waqab died, Al Muttawaqil - his brother - took over and was told by adviser that Al Waqab killed a Ahmad ibn Nasr whose tongue recited the Qur'an for 6 years after he killed him. Was rumour but Al Muttawaqil was saddened that righteous man was killed. Asked others including  Ibn Zayat ('burn me if I'm wrong...') and and Harthama ('cut me up if I'm wrong...') and AiAD ('paralyze me if I'm wrong...') that he feels this way - they both say he was a kafir & Al Waqab did the right thing. [Later Al Muttawaqil burnt Ibn Zayat after fitna, Tribe of Huzaya(AiN's tribe) cut up Harthama (without knowing his prayer!) and AiAD died paralyzed]
• Na'eem ibn Haddad - student of Hushain ibn Nasir. Muhaddith. First to kick off categorisation of ahadith. Tirmidhi, Bukhari learnt from him. Refused creation of Qur'an and imprisoned in a hole for 5 years. Requested to die in chains so could complain to Allah. Al Sha'fi met Yahya al Buaiti for first time (when no fitna etc.) and told him 'SubhanAllah you will die in chains.' His argument against Qur'an "creation => God created all by saying 'Qun' (Be) and it was thus He can speak! Also, if 'Qun' is created => something created ('Qun') actually created all of creation, and not Allah !" Every Friday, washed and got ready to go to Juma but guards stopped him. 'Allah, I responded to your call'.
• Abu Abdur-Rahman/Ad Rami. Shaikh of Abu Dawood. Asked AiAD in front of Al Waqab if i) creation of Qur'an part of faith, did HPSAW call to it? AiAD dumbfounded, ii) Allah correct when he said 'I perfect your faith on you' or you? , iii) did HPSAW know about this concept and call people to it?, iv) why did 4 Khalifas not call people to it and if they knew of it, why isn't it sufficient for you too to  be quiet. Al Waqab convinced and released him. Fitna ends 232AH, 20 years later.
• Al Muttawaqil wrote letter saying no one should say Qur'an is created. Summoned to Al Muttawaqil  at 86 years old but turned back as AiH didn't say salaam to one who said Qur'an is created. Al Balkhi - Abbasid - tells khalifa AiH's house has an Ahlul Bait member (Omayyid) and AiH pledged to him. Was attacked by khalifa's people. But AiH refuted he was like that. [Note: Many great scholars have been on different sides of the overthrow-khalifa vs. be-obedient argument] Khalifa knew what was going on and ready to kill Al Balkhi but AiH forgave him ('perhaps he has children and they would be upset by his death'). 
• AiH fell sick in 241AH and entire population queued up to see him and businesses nearby could not operate. Passed away, 700k-200m people attended (including hater-innovaters as they knew he was righteous). Zuhr - Asr, keep cycling of Janaza prayers to get through all people. Largest Jinaza ever up until recently (Abdul Aziz bil Baz).
• Whereas AiAD - only government workers assigned attended his funeral, none else.

---

This post is a summary of this presentation for my own personal use and is backed by no guarantee whatsoever of any kind !