BURNING OF THE HOLY QUR’AN IN ZANZIBAR

Almighty Allah says: "They (the disbelievers, the Jews and the Christians) want to extinguish Allah’s Light (with which Muhammad has been sent - Islamic Monotheism) with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the Kafirun (disbelievers) hate (it). [At-Taubah: 32]

I am very sad about the burning of The Holy Qur’an in Zanzibar on the 16th of November at Mombasa Street opposite to SOS village. On the picture also the Man who burnt the Quran in the open space.

His name is Ramadhan Kandar Juma (Christian from KG church of Kariakoo Zanzibar) from Tanzania Mainland from Shinyanga Region Sukuma tribe.

O Muslims: the unbelievers everywhere are sparing no effort or mean in fighting against the Holy Qur’an. the Almighty Allah, his messenger, prophet's companions and all Muslims, they all are accustomed to do that and we expect nothing else of them, but here I’m asking about Muslims' situation in that respect, where are those who claim love for Almighty Allah and His messenger (peace be upon him)? Where are those who claim defending the Holy Qur’an? Where are those who call themselves Maalim in Zanzibar? We know police are not going to do nothing on this case except sending him back to Shinyanga.

O Muslims, I swear by Allah that if we don't express our love and believe to the Holy Qur’an, in our prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there will not be any good in ourselves, the prophet (peace be upon him) said" None of you is a believer till I am dearer to him than his child, his father and the whole of mankind."

The government of SMZ and us Tanzanian Muslims we should take the necessary steps, action and use all possible means to stop this attack against the Holy Qur’an.

Muslims and the University Culture

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

Praise be to God and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of God, Muhammad, his house hold and companions.

When a Muslim goes to the university or college for the first time, he or she comes into contact with a community whose culture and lifestyle are diametrically opposed to the Islamic way of life.

The culture of the most universities can only be described as hedonistic, nihilistic and narcissistic. That is to say, many inhibitions are let loose and individual whims and fancies run wild. The freshman year itself begins with orientation, which while supposedly a process of introduction and transition to the university for the first-year student, is an opportunity for most participants to drown themselves (sometimes literally) in alcohol and pursue sexual opportunities.

This sets the stage for the school year. On any given school day, a student can choose to go to class, sleep in and skip the whole day, drink, party, or study, all depending on how he or she feels at that moment. Individual desires become the first priority and everything else takes a back seat.

The uncontested reign of individualism is also reflected in the values promoted by student councils and governments. All lifestyles, especially those furthest from religion, are promoted. Illicit, unlimited sex is seen as something to be sought and a basis for building a macho reputation (as long you can avoid sexually transmitted diseases - for which purpose condoms and condom machines proliferate around campus). Homosexuality is something to be proud of and promoted as a viable alternative.

Student campaigns and marches are organized against those who dare to speak out and challenge this value structure; these challengers are regarded as reactionary, undemocratic and of course, religious extremists and fundamentalists.

In the university community therefore, the self is god, and everyone loves this god and engages in daily worship, and obeys the laws that this god creates, and everyone adjusts as these laws change on a daily basis.

Into this atmosphere arrives the Muslim, who may or may not be practicing Islam to the best of their ability. The practicing Muslim (and even the not so observant Muslim) knows that Allah is the Creator and that the Qur’an is His Word.

And according to that Word, “He has ‘created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed.” (Al-Mulk 67:2)

Also, He says, “And I created not the jinns and humans except to worship Mes” [Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56].

So the purpose of the Muslim’s existence is clear.

The conscious Muslim makes every attempt to, while pursuing his or her studies, increase their knowledge of Qur’an and Sunnah, so that they may better understand and apply the faith.

The structure of this Muslim’s day is around Salat, and this person juggles and adjusts their daily schedule and makes every effort to ensure that the five daily salat are performed on time. God the Most Sublime promised Paradise to those who keep their prayers and observe them regularly, and warned those who miss or waste prayers of great woe. He commands believers to keep the prescribed prayers and the middle prayer (Al-Baqara: 238)

Similarly, this individual understands the approach of Ramadan and prepares for it, again making the necessary adjustments in order to make sure that they are on top of their studies that assignments are being handed in, that the best marks are being achieved, all while the requirements of the daily fasts are being met.

For the Muslim, Islam is never an excuse for slacking off, whether in academics or with respect to other responsibilities. As well, the observant Muslim may choose to participate in those clubs, activities and aspects of university life that do not contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah and do not place the Muslim in positions where he or she must compromise the faith. Thus, the conscientious Muslim enters the University atmosphere and struggles constantly to maintain a structured set of priorities.

He or she follows Allah’s order: “So strive as in a race in good deeds.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:48)

On the other hand, there is also the borderline Muslim, who knows his or her identity but whose consciousness of Islam, due to upbringing or experience, is not terribly strong. This individual is on the ‘borderline’ because they are pulled one way by their understanding of Islam and in the opposite direction by the powerful pressures of the university culture. Is it at all surprising that many Muslims who are on the borderline succumb to the pressures of the atmosphere around them and become, at best, part-time Muslims?

O my dear brothers and sisters, the Muslim rightfully maintains that Islam is not simply an abstract ideal conceived just for nominal adoration or a stagnant idol to be frequented by admirers every now and then. Islam is a code of life, a living force manifest in every aspect of human life. The Muslims also maintain that the individual is the center of gravity and is the launching instrument which can put Islam or any other system for that matter, into full action on a full scale.

At the end, the challenge is great. All Muslims in the university community have to struggle in order to maintain their Islam. Those who are practicing, committed and understand the objective of their existence have further duties. They must invite the border liners with hikmah (wisdom) and understanding but with firmness as well. And they must inform the university community at large about Islam in the different ways that are available. Yes, of course the challenge is great. But insha’ Allah, the reward is much greater.

May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his Family and Companions.

The merits of the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious the Most Merciful.

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, Allah has presented to us a new year that contains more than fifty Fridays, in each one of them, there is an hour in which He answers invocations. And we have the month of Ramadan in which there is Lailatul-Qadr which is better than one thousand month. Also, there is ‘Ashura and the ten days of Dhul-Hijja in addition to many other days you could fill them with remembering Allah.

Praise be to Allah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, pre-pare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgment.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allah, and some kind of blessing though which Allah bestows His favour and mercy upon whom-soever He will. The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. (Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa’if, p.8).

The Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of Allah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death. Allah says: “And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty.” [al-Hijr 15:99].

Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allah has preferred over all the other days of the year. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with noth-ing.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

In this worldly life, when we love a person, we do our best to please him and we do what makes us near to him. In fact, loving Allah Almighty must be the greatest love in every Muslim’s heart. Why not? Actually, Allah Almighty is the one Who bestows upon us all the boons that we have. Therefore, we should seek nearness with Him by doing whatever He likes and abstain from whatever He does not like to gain His love.

The acts which are desirable to be done in these days:

Fasting:

It is Sunnah to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (p.b.u.h) urged us to do good deeds during this time, and fasting is one of the best of deeds. Allah has chosen fasting for Himself, as is stated in the Hadeeth Qudsi:

“Allah says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting, which is for Me and I am the One Who will reward him for it.’ ” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1805) .

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Hu-naydah ibn Khaalid reported from his wife that some of the wives of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said:

“The Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, on the day of ‘Aashooraa´, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.” (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawud; classified by al-Albaani as saheeh in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 2/462)

Moreover, the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to observe fasting in these days, because fasting for a day for the sake of Allah makes the Muslim farther from the Hellfire to the extent of seventy years> distance. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said to us: “Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day for the sake of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from Hellfire seventy years> distance” [Agreed upon].

Takbeer:

It is Sunnah to say Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”), Tah-meed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”), Tahleel (“La ilaha ill-Allaah”) and Tasbeeh (“Subhaan Allaah”) during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and to say it loudly in the mosque, the home, the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah and mention His name out loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness of Allaah, may He be exalted. Men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should re-cite them quietly.

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allaah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh)

The Takbeer may include the words:

“Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allaah; wa Al-laahu akbar wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)…”

Takbeer at this time is an aspect of the Sunnah that has been for-gotten, especially during the early part of this period, so much so that one hardly ever hears Takbeer, except from a few people. This Takbeer should be pronounced loudly, in order to revive the Sunnah and as a reminder to the negligent. There is sound evi-dence that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with them) used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would re-cite Takbeer when they heard them. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee‘ah for doing this.

Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten is a deed that will bring an immense reward, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (p.b.u.h):

“Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgot-ten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a hasan hadeeth because of cor-roborating asaaneed)

Doing much of the good deeds in general:

This is because the good deeds are desirable to Allah Almighty. The good deeds are like observing prayer, reciting the Qur’an, remembering Allah, invoking Allah, giving charity, being dutiful to the parents, uniting the ties of kinship and enjoining the good and forbidding the evil and all other forms of doing good and observing obedience. Actually, all these things make you ideal Muslim and increase your faith and your loving to Allah Almighty; thereupon, Allah will love you more making you stand firm in the path of the truth and give you sense of happiness in the heart every person who does not love Allah misses it. Allah Almighty says: {But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’ân nor acts on its teachings.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection} [Surat Taha 20:124].

Providing sacrifice:

The good deeds in these ten days includes seeking nearness with Allah Almighty by sacrificing animals and donating third of them to the poor and needy people as a kind of relieving to their pains and granting them happiness. Actually, the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said that charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord. Sacrificing the animals should be done on the Day of Sacrifice (10th of Dhul-Hijja) and on the days of Tashriq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijja). It is the Sunnah of our father, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when Allah ransomed his son with a great sacrifice. And it has been narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “The Prophet sacrificed with his own hands two horned rams which were white with black markings reciting the name of Allah and glorifying Him (saying Allahu Akbar). He placed his foot on their sides (while sacrificing)” [Agreed Upon].

The one who intends to sacrifice should not get his hair cut or nails trimmed. Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who has a sacrificial animal with him whom (he intends) to offer as sacrifice, and the month of Dhul-Hijja approaches, he should not take from his hair or trim his nails until he has sacrificed the animal” [Reported by Muslim].

Repentance to Allah:

Among the things that must be done in these ten days is repentance to Allah Almighty and abstaining from committing sins. Repentance has three phases: to abstain from committing the sin, to regret and to intend not to return to committing this sin again.

“And He Almighty says: {Say: «O ‘Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh: verily, Allâh forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful} [Surat Az-Zuma 39: 53]”.

Fasting the day of ‘Arafa:

Abu Qatada Al-Ansary (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) was asked about fasting the day of ‘Arafa (9th of Dhul-Hijja), whereupon he said: “It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year” [Reported by Muslim].

O you whose hard heart is as dark as the night, is it not time that your heart was filled with light and became soft? Expose yourself to the gentle breeze of your Lord’s mercy during these ten days, for Allah will cause this breeze to touch whomever He wills, and whoever is touched by it will be happy on the Day of Judgment.

May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his Family and Companions.