Feb 2, 2012
When Allah makes something prohibited He does so with our well-being in mind and not because He wants to inflict on us undue hardship. Allah has neither permitted anything except what is pure nor has He prohibited anything except what is impure. That which Allah has prohibited is both unnecessary and dispensable. In addition, when something is prohibited Allah provides alternatives which are better and which give greater ease and comfort to human beings.
This point has been explained by the Islamic scholar Ibn al-Qayyim:
Allah has prohibited seeking omens by drawing lots but has provided the alternative of istikhara (Islam teaches that if the Muslim faces a problem he should consult with others and seek guidance fAllah. The meaning ofistikhara is to ask guidance from Allah in making a choice between two conflicting decisions. For this there is a salat and a du’a (supplication) which is a supplication for seeking Allah’s guidance.
He has prohibited usury but has encouraged profitable trade. He has prohibited gambling but has permitted betting on forms of competition which are useful for their (the Muslims) religious striving, such as horse or camel racing and competing in marksmanship.
He has prohibited (to men) the wearing of silk but has given them the choice of other materials such as wool, linen, and cotton.
He has prohibited adultery and fornication but has encouraged lawful marriage. He has prohibited intoxicating drinks in order that they may enjoy other delicious drinks which are wholesome for the body and mind. And He has prohibited unclean food but provides alternative wholesome food.
(Rawdah al-Muhibbeen, p. 10, and A’alam al-Muwaqq’in, vol. 2, p.111.)
Thus we can say with confidence that when Allah prohibits a few things, there is a much wider range of more wholesome alternatives which are good for us. With this in mind we should seek to avoid that which inflicts harm on us and be satisfied with what Allah has made permissible.
Which brings us to the topic of drugs. The Arabic word khamr signifies any alcoholic drink which causes intoxication. The prohbition of consuming any alcoholic drink is clearly stated in the Quran and there is no controversy regarding this opinion. The Quran clearly says, “O you who believe! Truly, intoxicants and gambling and divination by arrows are an abomination of Satan’s doing: avoid it in order that you may be successful. Assuredly Satan desires to sow enmity and hatred among you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from salat. Will you not then desist?” (5:93-94)
As you can see from the wording of these verses the reason for this prohbibtion is due to the destructive nature of alcoholic drink. But many people make the mistaken assumption that drugs are not specifically mentioned in the Quran and since Allah is silent on this issue therefore drugs are permissible.
But one may ask the question, why was alcoholic drink prohibited in the first place and what affect does it have on one’s mind?
The answer to this question is found in the above Quranic verses. Under the influence of alcoholic drink people lose the ability to think correctly and commit all kinds of actions for which they are later sorry.
In addition, the Prophet has stated that “Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram.” (Reported by Muslim) Which means that anything which intoxicates the mind is forbidden and since drugs fall into that category they are also forbidden. Umar bin Khattab, the second Khalifah, declared from the pulpit of the Prophet, “Khamr is that which befogs the mind.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim) There should be no ambiguity or doubts regarding this question. Any substance which has the effect of befogging or clouding the mind, impairing its faculties of thought, perception, and discernment is prohibited in Islam.
But if we were to stop there it would be ending on a negative note. As stated at the beginning, when Allah prohibits something He does so for our own good and provides us something even better as a replacement. Allah says in the Quran, “And do not kill yourselves; indeed, Allah is ever Merciful to you” (4:29), and “And do not be cast into ruin by your own hands….” (2:195). Furthermore, the Prophet said, “Do not harm yourself or others” (Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Majah), which is what one does when they consume illicit drugs.
But can you see, dear Muslim, that in all of these statements of prohibition Allah only wants what us best for us and to protect us from harm? The Quran states that, “Allah wants ease for you and not hardship” (Al-Baqarah 2:185) so it is an act of mercy when He warns us to stay away from that which will do us harm.
May Allah help us to be satisfied with what He has made permissible and avoid that which He has forbidden.
Part 2 of this article will discuss “Temptation and Drugs.”
By: Yahya Abdul Rahman
Jan 25, 2012
We’re excited to invite you to our monthly social gathering at As-Salam Mosque (Downtown Montreal). Do not hesitate to attend. Two full hours of joy and excitement.
This month, the theme is “Spread the Peace“. Find a new friend, Greet with love and ask Allah to grant you both the paradise.
Date: Saturday January 28th, 2012
Time: 4.45 pm (Please do not miss the congregation prayers)
Address: As-Salam Mosque, 1232 Stanley Street (Metro Peel)
Jan 19, 2012
It is said that actions speak louder than words. What is meant by this statement is that no matter what we say it is what we actually do that people will take notice of. If we say one thing but practice something altogether differently, people will see through that and we will be perceived as being hypocritical and untrustworthy. All of our words, no matter how beautiful and correct they are, will lose their effectiveness because they have been tarnished by our bad actions.
The best way for us to make a positive impression on others is to treat them with respect, keep our promises, be honest in our dealings and be willing to admit mistakes when they are committed.
Muslims are taught that the best example of good conduct is the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In fact, he was nicknamed As-Sadiq al-Amin (the Honest, the trustworthy) by the Makkah Quarysh even before he was commissioned to be a prophet. And Allah says of his excellent character in the Quran, “Verily, you are of the noblest of character” (68:4), and “Verily in the Apostle of Allah you have the best example for those who have the hope of meeting Allah and expect to stand before Him, then remember Allah most often …” (33:21)
In addition, one of the famous companions of the Prophet, Anas bn Malik, stated that, “the Prophet (pbuh) was the best man to live with (best in words and actions).” He further said, “I lived with him for a period of ten years during which he never rebuked me for any mistake nor did he ever said why did you do this nor didn’t do that.” In addition his wife, Aishah, stated that, “the Prophet (pbuh) never raise his hands to beat any child or woman and that he used to be just in dealing with his wives and children.”
The biography of the Prophet (pbuh) is filled with numerous examples of his patience, forgiving nature and nobility of character. In addition, he was respectful to the elders of the community and kind to the youngesters.
Allah says of the Prophet in the Quran, “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them. If you were severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when you have taken a decision put you trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)” (3:159).
The Prophet (pbuh) won many people over to his message not merely by the message he conveyed, but by the excellence of his character. Even his enemies could not find fault in the way he conducted himself.
And so we, contemporary Muslims, have a model before us regarding how to conduct ourselves when dealing with our non-Muslims friends, neighbours and co-workers. If we want them to have a favourable impression of Islam then we must strive to behave in an appropriate manner. Do we have a right to complain if people have a negative impression of Islam and Muslims when we are dishonest in our dealings, rude in our conduct and consistently fail to keep our promises? Will anyone listen to what we have to say if we behave in such a manner?
Intelligent people throughout history have understood this principle. For example, it was Benjamin Franklin who stated that, “Well done is better than well said.” And and old African Proverb states, “When deeds speak, words are nothing.” In addition, Andrew Carnegie stated, “As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”
Regardless of all of our beautiful sermons, nicely written articles, glossy pamphlets, well designed websites, or our abilities to “refute” someone’s point of view with sound evidence, if we are not following the noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and being mindful that our actions are more important than what we say, regardless of the correctness of our words, then all of our efforts to leave a favourable impression of Islam will come to naught.
One need not be a scholar or any kind of orator to practice silent dawah as our good actions will speak for themselves.
By: Yahya Abdul Rahman
Jan 12, 2012
This is the recognition letter we have got from the city for our contribution to the cleaning campaign of 2011. In Sha2 Allah we would participate again this year.
www.operationmontreal.net/
Jan 9, 2012
Settling in a foreign country is very difficult. Muslim Immigrants (or visible minorities in General) in Quebec, or even in the rest of Canada, know this just too well, getting a house, stable employment and above all, a learning facility or a school for their children can all become challenging at first.
Home schooling is done under familiar environment and as such it accelerates the child’s learning experience unlike in the conventional schooling system (whether private or public) where the environment is a bit crowded. New comers’ children may take time to familiarize with their new environment.
Home schooling provides the child with the chance to learn what they can at the time they feel most comfortable. Their parents will know better how to interact with them, and this makes learning a continuous process and less tiring unlike in the standard schooling system where the child is expected to be in class for a certain period of time, this way the child’s concentration level is lowered making them lose interest in learning at such an early age. Private schools are much better for new comers than public schools in general. Yet, there is no statistical proof as to which one is better for visible minorities or for Muslims.
The education level in Canada’s private school might seem quite challenging for immigrants who just got into the country. The challenge is not related to the quality of teaching. A lot of parents come from overseas with higher quality teaching. However, the educational system in Quebec has a pace that is different from other foreign home countries. It’s therefore wise that the child should learn at home for a while so s/he can move smoothly from one environment to the other. This way the child will gain the conviction they need and improve their learning abilities within a short period of time.
For Muslim students who were born and raised here, the challenge is different. Their parents might not like the standard schooling system because it exposes the young students to a different value system that is not quite matching with the preferred value system at home. Hence, home schooling looks more attractive for this category.
Schooling at home goes beyond the preset curriculum that the public school follows (or even the private school). Therefore, students from visible minorities are able to explore other interests like music, arts and other hobbies of interest that may eventually become a good career for them later in life. Home schooling is an all holistic program that ensures that the child’s learning needs are fully met.
Finally, it should be noted that this is not a conclusive call to get on the boat of home schooling. This is just a quick exploration on whether home schooling is another alternative for Muslims in Quebec. There is a need for a rigorous study to check whether this schooling mode will effectively and efficiency offer our children the learning excellence they need.
May you please comment and share your point of view about this schooling mode.
Jan 8, 2012
A. Introduction:
There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; examples of these are Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day.
B. Parents in the Quran:
A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allaah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allaah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allaah Says (what means):”And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] ‘uff’ [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.‘” [Quran 17:23-24]
The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allaah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…” [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]
1. The demand for recognising parents is made more emphatic when Allaah Says (what means): “And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them]: ‘Do not worship except Allaah; and to parents, do good…'” [Quran 2:83]
2. Allaah again emphasises in chapter An-Nisaa’ that children should be kind to their parents. He says what means: “Worship Allaah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good…” [Quran 4:36]
3. In Chapter Al-An’aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means: “Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment…'” [Quran 6:151]
C. Mothers:
Although Islam recognises both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadeeth of the Prophet : It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that a man came to the Prophet and asked him: ‘Who is most deserving of my close companionship?’ He replied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”
Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children, even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, the children should not obey them, but must still maintain goodness towards them. In this regard, Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” [Quran 31:14-15]
D. More Respect:
Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allaah, having respect for one’s parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood narrated the following: “I asked the Prophet : ‘Which deed is the most beloved to Allaah?’ He replied: “Prayers performed on time.” I then asked: ‘Which one is next?’ He replied: “Goodness to parents.” I then asked: ‘Which is next?’ He replied: “Jihaad in the path of Allaah.””
In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents: `Aa’ishah narrated that a man came to the Prophet in order to resolve a dispute that he had with his father regarding a loan he had given him. The Prophet said to the man: “You and your wealth are to (i.e., the property of) your father.”
E. Final Remarks:
We hope and pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and after their death. One can honour his parents after their death through the following methods:
- Performing daily Du’aa’ (supplication) for them.
- Giving charity on their behalf.
- Instituting a perpetual charity on their behalf, such as a mosque, an Islamic Centre, an Islamic library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, etc.
- Performing Hajj on their behalf, or asking someone to do so.
- Distributing Islamic literature on their behalf.
Let us pray to Allaah that we do our best to respect our parents, honour them, be kind to them, assist them, and please them so that we may attain the love of Allaah.
O Allaah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient slaves to You.
O Allaah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Aameen.
By: Dr Ahmad H. Sakr
