Tag: Islam

  • brad-t:

    The reform needed in Islam is the same reform needed by all other religions — abolition.

    There is no justification for the continued existence of primitive belief systems in a world where we can disprove just about everything mentioned in the holy books of said religions. They are tools of the ignorant, only perpetuated by ignorance and brain-washing. They are the uninformed ramblings of delusional desert-men, grasping for explanations as to why the sun goes down at night.

    The fact that you try to defend the Muslims who committed this fire-bombing makes me embarrassed for you and shows how completely out of touch they are with the realities of the situation. This newspaper made fun of Islam. It doesn’t matter fuck-all why they did it. They did not bomb anyone, kill anyone, or injure anything other than the typically fragile egos of the fanatically religious. You cannot say that this response is not part of a larger pattern of violence among Muslims. Just because we can predict the irrational , disproportionate reactions of fanatical Muslims does not excuse their behaviour.

    I don’t think Muslims were being baited here, but let’s say for the sake of argument that they were. What does that change? These were human beings with the capability of rational thought who firebombed a building because of satirical articles and cartoons. Muslims are people and they should be held to the same standard we expect of any other person. This has happened too many times before.

    If Muslims want to change the perception of Islam, the onus is on them to do so. And as long as this type of behaviour is justifiably expected of them, they will continue to be looked down upon. Fix your own problems before you bitch about perception.

    For the sake of brevity, I’ve omitted the original parts of this post which can be found here.

    In response to brad-t:

    Firstly, if you read my blog, you’ll note that I am totally against radical or irrational responses to the slander that is heaped against Islam and Muslims. So for you to be embarrassed for my part because of my supposed defense of the above action is for one thing pompous (there’s that word again) and for another grossly misinformed. 

    Secondly, actually you cannot “disprove just about everything mentioned in the holy books of said religions” because you’re obviously again misinformed in believing that the Quran contains the same scientifically proven inaccuracies of the bible. If you take the time to read the Quran, you’ll note that there are a number of accuracies  contained therein, so much so that present day scientists cannot explain how such accurate detail could have been contained in a scripture from the desert penned by an illiterate man over 1400 years ago. So in fact the reverse of your statement is actually true. Embryology, big bang theory, orbital paths of the planets, origin of the moon, etc. Look it up. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that the Quran explained these concepts when the church was still burning people at the stake for opposing the flat-earth view. 

    Thirdly, I will never defend a Muslim or anyone else if their actions are blatantly contrary to Islamic beliefs, and obviously extreme. Again, read through some of my posts and you’ll note that I am not in any way supportive of extremism, and in fact, neither is Islam which dictates that we lead a life of moderation. Killing of innocent women and children, suicide bombings, cowardly acts of terror, disproportionate use of force, scorched earth policy, etc. are all hallmarks of warfare of the western powers and other non-Muslim organisations like the Tamil Tigers that Muslims have unfortunately adopted for themselves. Just because it’s carried out by Muslims these days does not in any way imply that it is sanctioned in Islam. It’s not!

    As for your final paragraph, there is actually some truth in there. Again, read my posts and you’ll see that I fully encourage the reformation of Muslims before we complain about the perception of the West on Islam. Muslims have tainted the image of Islam, and not the other way around. If you read my original response to this post again, I suspect you’ll note that I did in fact raise concerns about both sides and not just one, unlike you that appear to be making the publisher a victim in all this. The Muslims were wrong to firebomb the building because it was a cowardly act, and the publisher was wrong to be deliberately insensitive on what is obviously a very volatile subject. Act in the extreme, and you can expect responses in the extreme. Again, that is not a justification, simply stating the facts because it’s obvious that this world is not full of rational people, be they Muslim, non-Muslim or otherwise. 

  • retromantique:

    Well, it’s a touchy subject. You can’t hope to rally the other progressives on your side if you speak with such words. It’s kind of annoying, I know, but at the same time, you have to keep in mind that a lot of those zealous people are first and foremost: victims. Those religions have been carefully created to enslave human minds, it’s brainwashing since the cradle. That’s why it’s a touchy subject: some progressives only see this, while other people associate all Muslims to be terrorist and such. We have to make the distinction very clearly and in a way that our fellow progressives can get behind, so we are not thrown too easily in the second category.

    Of course, you’ll always have idiots (yes, true idiots) who only care about pushing their own subjective agendas. Even the most reasonable, polite and well-thought critic of an act violating universal human rights, if committed by a non-white-heterosexual-christian-male, will go at best to be dismissed, at worst to be rooted in this stupid concept of “Islamophobia”. 

    So basically, our goal should be first and foremost to rally all progressives back in track of defending universal human rights, no exception. Once they stop standing in the way of progress, we can hope to bring changes in the law and society as a whole in order to protect individuals from the brainwashing and mind destruction of religions. Let’s just hope that happens before WE become the minority, thanks to their irresponsible birth rate.

    This is so pompous and ill-informed, it seriously lacks any humour and barely holds any merit. A bunch of ‘progressives’ patting each other on their backs for taking a stand about everyone else’s belief systems as self-declared protectors of the freedom of religion under the guise of protecting universal human rights for those that were too irresponsible to think before having children. Right?

    Perhaps it would do the author/s good if they actually sought to understand the issues before spewing this drivel. Also, it would also be great if they bothered to look at the deliberate and consistent provocation involved in the incident that they so liberally reference in their posts. One more thing worth noting is that religion has become a cash cow for the cash strapped and creatively challenged media outlets. When sales fall, pick on the Muslims, but ensure you to do it to the point where you’ll provoke an irrational response, cry foul and defend your freedom of speech, and then watch your sales figures go through the roof. The same satirical publication referenced in these posts did exactly that a few years ago, and it seems they’ve realised how profitable it can be.

    Hopefully some day soon the Muslims will realise that they’re being baited, that they’re fighting a losing battle trying to earn dignity for Muslims through secular courts and that in fact their only chance at salvaging their dignity is in true reform, and not assimilation. Reform of their own actions, reform of their inclination to pick and choose what is or is not good to implement in their lives, reform of the practice of Islam independent of the cultural contamination that has served to polarise the Ummah in ways that we have yet to realise. 

  • In the absence of affirmation or constructive criticism, it’s extremely difficult to maintain my bearings on whether I’m heading in the right direction or not. I’m inclined to believe that despite my best efforts, I simply do not fit in with the Muslim community. This despite the fact that I am a regular musallee and those salaah that I miss in congregation I perform in the privacy of my home. I pay my zakaah, but in private of course. I fast during Ramadaan and occasionally on days recommended by the Sunnah throughout the year, but I don’t advertise it to others when I do. I have tried to obtain my visa for Hajj twice now, but both attempts being unsuccessful because of quota restrictions from the Saudi government. And most importantly, I have no doubt that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammed (SAW) is the last and final prophet and messenger of Allah.

    Yet none of this is sufficient to provide me with any level of peace or fulfillment in my engagements with the broader Muslim community. The lack of conviction to principles, the kowtowing to elitist social circles, the embellishment of kufr to make it acceptable, the condescension and rhetoric from the pulpits, the detachment of the scholars from the communities, the excess in lifestyles, not just materialistically, but also ritualistically, the condoning of suicide bombings and attacks on unarmed women and children, and so much more that just doesn’t seem to fit in with the value system that I see Islam teaching us. 

    We’re living the signs of the hour, yet we’re still looking outwardly to judge others for their contribution to these signs? I need to find the middle path in all this…Ya Allah, please guide me to the path of moderation and sincerity in all this. Please save me from myself, and save me from the allures of social acceptance when that acceptance demands insincerity and hypocrisy. 

  • I seem to be reaching out into a void that thrusts hoards of doubt into my heart about what I feel or believe to be important or real about my faith. Naively, I believe that there’s others out there that think it worthwhile to consider principles instead of rituals. Some that may be inclined to question the status quo through the realisation that just because everyone subscribes to a specific version of Islam doesn’t make that authoritative. Especially when the blurring of the lines between cultural practices and the Sunnah is such that the two cannot be clearly distinguished any longer. 

    I’ve always been an outsider. Despite knowing that accepting the mainstream views about most things would bring me the acceptance that I crave, my idealism won’t allow me to. So I’ve chosen a solitary path that forces me to dabble between sanity, and insanity. Sincerity and hypocrisy. Faith and disbelief. And every single time, as if addicted to the pain of isolation, I’ve consciously chosen the more difficult path. The unpopular one. The one that most shy away from because they’re afraid to question self-proclaimed authoritarians and would much rather be safe and go with the flow without questioning. 

    I’ve tried many forums to share my views or express my thoughts, and each time the only commonality in response has been the vacuous silence that offers no comfort nor alternative views. Just a silent restrained complacency that boils my blood in search of the truth. When I see how blindly so many accept the statements of the Ulama, it reminds me of the Christian church that forbids any questions to be asked about their belief system and threatens to excommunicate anyone that dares ask for logic behind the Trinity, or the second coming, or the miraculous birth of Jesus (pbuh). 

    Is this what we have become as Muslims? Ritualists without purpose except that purpose that the learned ones allow us to have? Have we forgotten how to seek the original truth rather than pursue the regurgitated truth of generations of cultural contamination? Or am I a borderline infidel that believes that principles are more important than practices and that context is more important than unquestioned imitation?

  • Moon and Star (Part II)

    The following email exchange occurred between me and the Jamiatul Ulama of South Africa (KZN) in July/August 2010. This still leaves a bitter after taste because of the blatant double standards and evasiveness of their response. I’ve omitted real names of both the scholar that responded on their behalf as well as my own in order to avoid any unnecessary personal attacks regarding this post. Any thoughts on this will be most appreciated given how much this issue plagues me right now.

    At the time, there was a massive drive by Ulama across numerous organisations in South Africa to speak out against the wearing of the soccer tops by Muslims because the emblems of some of the countries contained crucifixes. I therefore raised the following concerns with the Jamiat.

    Me: I noticed the raging debates on the mosque boards and now on the CII site about the inappropriateness of the soccer tops, mainly due to the kufr signs that are displayed on them. Whilst I fully agree with the views expressed about the inappropriateness of the symbols emblazoned on these soccer tops, I’m particularly incensed by the statements about how this proves to be an insult to Allah’s majesty…the reason I’m incensed, and this is where I need to hear your views, is that there is such an uproar about these symbols that are entirely voluntarily worn or supported (apart from the irresponsible encouragement by some so-called leaders of the community), yet the symbols that are forced on the Ummah by being placed atop masaajid and numerous publications, garments, adornments, etc. are never challenged…and in fact, when it was challenged, I was told that as long as it doesn’t affect your Imaan, it’s acceptable because it’s simply an adornment! Isn’t this view blatant double standards, if not hypocrisy? (Whilst this may be an unfair generalisation, the adoption of this symbol across the vast majority of masaajid throughout the world, let alone South Africa, attests to the fact that it is widely accepted as appropriate).

    At least the crosses on the soccer tops are not purporting to be something other than symbols derived from the Christian faith, whereas the crescent and star have been ferociously adopted by so many Muslims throughout the world as a symbol of Islam, yet there isn’t a single shred of evidence that suggests it was ever hinted at, let alone used during the time of Rasulullah (SAW) or even many generations thereafter! So why is it that our Ulama and other leaders of the Muslim community are so incensed about this matter of the jerseys that are really an individual choice (albeit a misguided one), when they happily lead the salaah to worship none other than Allah Whose Majesty is now being insulted (according to the precedent set by their statements) by these soccer crosses, yet they’re standing directly below, in front of, behind and even on top of the crescent and star symbols which are steeped in pagan and Christian worship? 

    Please, explain this to me so that I can correct my views if I’m really missing the point here. I’m not for one second suggesting that the soccer tops with the questionable symbols should be condoned. But I’m finding it difficult to reconcile the effort and outrage about these soccer tops when compared to the complacency and open acceptance and support for the use of the kuffaar symbols of the crescent and star as being symbolic of Islam?

    Please view the links below for supporting evidence from various sources on the origins of the crescent and star symbols within the context of Islam:

    http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/crescent1.htm

    “Incidentally, the ‘Golden Age of Islam’ that we all reminisce so passionately about came to a close about the mid-15th century with the fall of Spain and the invasion of the Mongols. This was about the same time that ‘the star and crescent’ started to be hoisted up as the banner or representation of Muslims. We’ve never been able to regain that greatness again. Coincidence? “

    http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm

    “The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_and_crescent

    “The truth is that the crescent was not identified with Islam until after the appearance of the Osmanli Turks, whilst on the other hand there is the clearest evidence that in the time of the Crusades, and long before, the crescent and star were a regular badge of Byzantium and the Byzantine Emperors, some of whom placed it on their coins.”

    http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544398

    The American Muslim scholar, Sheik Yusuf Estes, Director of islamtomorrow.com, and National Chaplain WAMY, adds: 

    “The symbol of Islam IS NOT the crescent moon and the star, but it was used by the last Islamic Dynasty, the Ottoman’s. The Ottoman Empire deemed it appropriate to use the star and crescent as their symbols, but not the symbols of Islam. I repeat, the star and the crescent moon are not a part of the religion of Islam. Because Islam is so strict on the concept of no other gods with Allah; and no images of any kind; it is a mistake to consider that Islam authorized the general use of such things. Additionally, Islam forbids the images (statues) of any kinds of humans, animals or any of Allah’s creations, so how about using a symbol for Islam?” 

    Me: (6 weeks later) May I please get a response to this email of mine. I would appreciate a clear response indicating the position of the Ulama on the use of the crescent and star symbols in Islam relative to the evidence I’ve provided below regarding the origins of these symbols. 

    Jamiat: We apologise for the overdue response. This was due to relocating at our new premises…

    Likewise, we have not found any evidence in the Qur’an and Hadith linking the Crescent and Star symbol to Islam. It is not part of Islam in any way. With regards to speaking out against it, we feel it best that people be gradually educated about it  to avoid contention. 

    Nevertheless, your input is much appreciated.

    Me: Jazakallah for your response. Would you be so kind as to clarify why such a vastly different approach is being adopted by the Jamiat on this matter? The approach on the issue relating to symbolism on the soccer tops was considerably more vociferous and at times blatantly contentious with open public debates on various radio stations, including posters in the Masaajid and discussions from the mimbar. So it’s somewhat confusing to note the comment ‘we feel it best that people be gradually educated about it to avoid contention’ for an issue that is excessively ingrained as a blatant bid’ah in the Ummah across the globe and not just limited to the South African community either. Surely something this serious and this prevalent requires an even firmer and deliberate approach than a gradual educational process?

    Jamiat: We do not consider it to be a Bid’ah for it is not considered as part of Deen itself. If a Muslim does not attach the symbol of the crescent and moon on his house, a Musallah or even a Musjid, it is not frowned upon nor does anyone consider it to be a sin if it is omitted. Thus, we feel that other matters of greater concern should be dealt with on the level of higher priority.

    Me: Jazakallah for taking the time to clarify your position. I appreciate your views on the status of the crescent and star not being a bid’ah, but I would still like clarification on the point I highlighted below. Please note that my original concern raised is about the imbalance in approach between the symbolism on the soccer tops versus this matter. The symbolism is similar, but the impact of the current use of the crescent and star so much more widespread and detrimental than the use of the symbols on the soccer tops especially given the specific origins of the use of the crescent and star in Islam, namely directly linked to paganism and/or Christianity.

    The approach on the issue relating to symbolism on the soccer tops was considerably more vociferous and at times blatantly contentious with open public debates on various radio stations, including posters in the Masaajid and discussions from the mimbar. So it’s somewhat confusing to note the comment ‘we feel it best that people be gradually educated about it to avoid contention‘…

    Apologies if it appears that I am labouring this point, because that is not my intention at all. I’m really just struggling to understand why something with such sinister origins is being treated so lightly after being well entrenched into Islamic culture so much so that it has become the default symbol to represent Islam. To my limited knowledge, Nabi (SAW) at one point prevented the Muslims from wearing specific items of clothing so as not to imitate the non-Muslims at the time, so how much more significant is this symbol that represents more than just a custom of the pagans or Christians?

    *P.S. To date I have received no further responses and numerous masaajid have since been opened in South Africa with many of them being adorned with the moon and star symbols or variations thereof. The Jamiat has yet to issue any public statement on this and have as yet (to my knowledge) not followed through on any educational process to inform the Muslims of South Africa about the harms of this practice. 

    Am I really making a mountain out of a molehill, or is there merit to my concerns?

  • I always admire those that chose Islam later in life more than those that were born with it, not because I’m ungrateful for the blessing that Allah has bestowed on me by raising me in a Muslim home, but because there’s a wisdom and a value in making a conscious choice that I may never realise.

    To me, being born in a Muslim home was like receiving the gift of Islam. And like most gifts that are treasured, they’re seldom questioned, or appreciated for more than just being gifts. So the inherent value of the gift often escapes most of us. Islam is more a blessing than it is a gift. And blessings, to be appreciated, has to be understood and valued based on the realisation of what life would be like without such a blessing.

    Someone that was previously employed and now has no work to earn a living can relate to this. That job when it was available, no matter how tedious or trying, was a blessing. But the realisation of how much a blessing it was only dawns when it is no longer there.

    I think it’s the same with Islam. When we’ve had it with us all of our lives, it’s easy to take it for granted. And given how insular the Muslim community has become, it’s nearly impossible to witness the gravity of this blessing unless we venture outside our communities and engage with those that are godless. Witness the lack of purpose, the hopelessness, the depression and the destitution of a life without meaning, and then realising the true beauty and blessing of the gift of Islam becomes a tangible reality rather than a just a gift that we received but didn’t earn.

  • I pray that Allah protects others from me, and me from myself, InshaAllah.

  • I need to engage with more Muslims that are similarly passionate about resisting the ritualistic observance of Islam, but instead are hungry to understand the purpose and beauty of it. Not just the beauty that we’re told it is by the ‘respected elders’ but the realisation of its beauty that we feel individually. 

    I’m starting to despise the rhetoric, the condescension and the air of superiority from those that think that the madhabs and the Indo-Pak interpretation of Islam is the purist form of its application. I lose respect for those that do without understanding, or at least make no effort to even try to understand. 

    I despise the blind faith that so many place in their leaders, or sheikhs, imams, maulanas, and others. We’ve done this to such an extent that we’ve inadvertently created a hierarchy not dissimilar to the Christian church! We’re imitating in ways we don’t realise, and I need desperately to find and engage with others that are equally appalled by this, so that InshaAllah we can collectively contribute to the reawakening of the Ummah. 

    We keep talking about how Islam was hijacked by Al-Qaeda, Wahhabism, the West, etc. but we fail to see how we’ve surrendered Islam to the social elite!