Tazkiyatun Nafs by Said Hawwa

Bismillah..

Assalamu'alaikum wbt,

I just read this book recently by Said Hawwa. Here's a picture and link for the Indonesian version. I'm sure there's an English version somewhere, so for English-speaking people, try to find it out.

link

I find the book really really good for the purification of the heart. If you want something real and your are really serious about cleaning up your heart, then this is the book for. It provides the necessary ways and step to a serious commitment of purifying your self. There's a philosophical side of it, that tells of the concept and how you should understand purification of the heart, and provides the necessary ways and method that you can immediately implement in your daily activities.

At the moment, I've gotten through the chapter on Solat , and after finishing that chapter, I understand Solat a bit more deeply. More than just movements and recitations. It's a whole experience. Its a strive. Its a conversation. Its a humbling of a servant to his Lord. There's participation of each and every part of a Muslim's body in the performance of a Solat . And more than anything, its a key to peace. To the maintenance of a Muslim in a state of surrender, where he feels nothing more than to give himself up to Allah.

I totally recommend this book to anyone who's serious in being a Muslim.

w'salam wbt

Islam and Secularism in the Middle East

Salam,

My interest in the subject of secularism stems from my opinion that it is the main cause of Muslim decline in our age. And by secularism, I mean the total separation of creed and life and not merely just the separation of state and religion. The biggest mistake, I think, that most people make is in viewing secularism as only just that; a separation of state and religion, when in fact, it encompasses a a much wider field. I do think, that a part has to be attributed to the definition of the word "secularism" itself, engineered and fed to us by the general bulk of academics. The typical rhyme of "secularism is the separation of state and religion" is parroted by any layman when asked "what is the meaning of secularism?"And when this is said by a Muslim, it is even more distressful, because the destructive meaning of that word is not fully comprehended.

The title of this entry : Islam and Secularism in the Middle East, is actually the title of a book edited by John L. Esposito and Dr. Azzam Tamimi. The book, rather than a book, is actually a compilation of papers and articles written by a gamut of excellent writers ranging from Professors of Religion and International Affairs to Professor of Sociology to Politicians, Teachers and Researchers. It's definitely an interesting mix and its been a joy so far going through the book. Each one has his own style and own point of approach. The issue is the same and all the authors reach and argue the same point, but from very interesting and different viewpoints.

I've gotten to the fourth article out of a total of eleven and there's so much I have learned. It has been very very interesting and satisfying, although I would say, it actually has been quite a tough journey. Coming from a science background, studying medicine at that, the terms and linguistics of social science is definitely hard for me to grasp, having to read several paragraphs several times before actually getting what they mean. But it has been fun. And this is definitely my interest, as alien and far off as it is from the medical field.

At first, going through the book, I thought "yes! this is the book! the book that's going to validate my theory that secularism is what's making Muslims not acting like Muslims". But at the end of the fourth article, gratefully, my ego is blunted. Alhamdulillah! =) The points and facts in the book is correct as far as correctness goes. The facts are there. But in reality, one find, that things are not quite like that. Sure, Muslims are not acting the way they are but its not because they are secularists. In Islam, a person is not sinful unless he knows that what he is doing is an act of sin. Applicable in this context is the fact that most Muslims are not even aware that they are acting secular-ly. They don't even know it. Hence, they are not to be blamed for it.

This however does not dismiss the clear obvious fact; that this exact ignorance is the bane of the Muslims. The ignorance of being in a state of secularism, the ignorance of a steel disconnection between aqidah (creed) and life, between belief and sports and hobbies and occupation and everything else as a Muslim. Sure, brainwashing from the west, mind colonization in place of physical geographical colonization is a huge contributor. But, has Muslims lost their mind? Lost their ability to think? Reduced to merely followers of interests, lusts and satisfaction?

Islam is a beautiful and empowering belief/entity/ad-Din! Failure of Muslims to fully practise, engulf and delve themselves into Islam is the exact reason for our deterioration. This, Muslims need to realize! Realization, knowledge, belief, izzah and action! will get us out of our misery. Realization that we are being secular, that we are separating our belief from our actions, actually realizing this situation and therefore being disgusted with it, and figuring out and working our way out of it, fixing and repairing and reprogramming ourselves away from it, will change us! And make us true Muslims.

Final part: The Myth of Muslim Barbarism and its Aims

Salam,

Alright. This is the last and final part of my three-part review (Part 1, Part 2) on this book : The Myth of Muslim Barbarism and its Aims by S.E. Al-Djazairi. For complete details on the book, ISBN number, ratings and so on, please visit here. :D

Finally having reached the end of the book, I would say this is quite an okay book to read. I don't really recommend it per say because I think the subject of the book is almost completely focused on the past. The author reiterates various achievements of the Muslim that have been deleted from history textbooks, diverted attributions of Muslims' accomplishments or making them simply look insignificant, defaming and blatant slander against Muslims throughout the ages and of course depiction of Islam by the 'Crusades' and Pope as the ultimate anti-Christ, devil or satan.

Needless to say, I wasn't aware of a lot of these things. Being raised stagnantly in a scientific educational background, history, philosophy, art and tools of the Abbassid and Renaissance Age never really reached me. Of course, you hear fleetingly about it, but you know, it was something of the past, seemingly insignificant to me now. In that sense, yes, Al-Djazairi's book served its purpose in opening up my blind eyes. And his objective precisely was to show that the pola or pattern of history always repeats itself.

The defaming, he says, is aimed for one purpose only. To justify attacks and occupation. The Red Indians of America were massacred on the justification that they were barbaric cannibals, when evidence of such acts were never produced. Same goes for Algeria, the French colonized the region on the suppossedly honourable objective of civilising them.

Now, in the 21st Century, Iraq and Iran are being attacked by the so-called civilised, democratic people. Let's look at Iraq; first they say they want to get rid of the cruel Saddam, who in fact they gave support to before. Then, they say there was 'weapons of mass destruction' hidden in Iraq. And so they attacked. And now, after the country has been turned upside down, no weapons of mass destruction has been found. And the people are far worst under US military control than they ever were under Saddam. So, basically, the leader of US has lied to us, to the world. And yet, no action is taken against them. Because why? Simply because they have veto power in the United Nations. So, what good now is the United Nations? Now, they are saying Iran is enriching nuclear power for military purposes. Investigators have come and go. And none found illicit actions. The nuclear generator in Iran was well below 5% enrichment, no where near 95% that is required for it to suffice as a weapon. This is clearly another blatant lie. To justify what? War.

This is the utmost precise aim of making Muslims or any people look like barbaric, savage or uncivilised. To justify war.

This is the main premise throughout the book. I think it is a noble effort. I think it is very well-written and professional. But for me personally though, this is quite a heavy reading. I think that the author rightfully gave many examples to prove the main aim of defaming Muslims. Although I think it is necessary, I would prefer more examples to be given pertaining to this and the last decade. Maybe because I am only two decades old :). But honestly, I think too much focus is on the past. Several examples of course should be quoted from beyond two decades ago, but, it would be nice if there are more things I could relate to written.

This is an amazing book though, for fanatics of history and those who love this subject. Personally I think, what's in the past, leave it in the past.

For example, in the 2nd Chapter: The depictions of Muslims Throughout the Ages, it was repeatedly stated that a lot of Muslims' achievements have been discredited or attributed to a false non-Muslim person/entity. I think this is true. The fact that the Islamic Civilisation gave birth to Renaissance is rarely mentioned anywhere. In my course as a medical student, the contributions of Avicenna's Canon was mentioned only once which was is my Essentials of Surgery Lecture. What about his contribution in anatomy? Canon's usage as a medical textbook in Europe for 800 years? And in Biochemistry, its modern origin in the Islamic Civilisation was never mentioned once. Al-Djazairi gave many other examples. And he reiterated the many academic books and articles of the then Europeans that again and again deny Muslim Civilisation's contributions to modern philosophy and science.

I think all this is okay, but more importantly for me personally, names does not really matter. What matters is that the contributions has helped the world today. So what if those Muslim personalities are not mentioned. If people want to deny those names, never mind. Names are just names. Islam has never taught Muslims to be proud of utter names and superficial honour. If our contributions are good ones and has helped the world, then, Alhamdulillah, Praises be to Allah.

Really..., lessons need to be uncovered and excavated from the horrors of the past, and this is what Al-Djazairi is doing, but other than that, just forgive and forget. Learn the lesson, do not repeat it, and move on. Make new history.

Wallahu'alam.
Peace to all! :)

Part 2 : The Myth of Muslim Barbarism and its Aims

Part 1
Part 3

Chapter 5 : Captives, Slaves and Racists

I particularly want to concentrate on the notion that Muslims are obsessed with slavery. The following are some things that I discovered, that's both amazing and made me feel proud to be a Muslim. ;)

Alright...an intro first..:) :

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word 'slave'? Probably something like this, right? ; 'A black man, toiling in the plantation with many others, sweating under the sun, his back scarred with numerous traces of lashes trailing dark red lines deep into the skin...a white man on a horse in his full attire of an officer on duty looking dashingly handsome but his face sadly marred by a frown and a smirk, forever shouting for more work, faster work, a long sharp whip on his side, coiled neatly right now..but everyone knows it only takes a second for it to reach the back of a tired slave.'
Pretty gruesome right.

Anyways...this is the general imagination of a slave. Nowadays you would rarely see such things. Slaves are replaced with a maid or a housekeeper or a gardener that gets paid for the work and can buy and live in his own house. The word 'slave' nowadays have a negative connotation. And people cannot see slavery in a positive light.

Because of this, when slavery is associated with Islam, Islam itself is seen as a bad thing, seen as a negative thing. This is a classic case of misunderstanding and taking out-of-context a word. Slavery in Islam is not the same as slavery in the European or Anglo-Saxons' world. The same with the definition of the word 'slave'. It does not carry the same meaning. Nor the same implications.

I didn't know this myself until I came to chapter 5 of this book. Very very interesting...
(My comments below in italic)

Quotings from the book:

' The slaves (captives of war) lived in huge bagnios or courtyards under the direction of a guardian or a warden Pasha and a guard of janissaries. ' -pg. 195

' We were suffered to work upon any manner of trade or occupation wherein we were any way expert...and what we did or made, we sold to the Turks, and they gave us money for the same, wrote Edward Webbe in 1591 [1].'

' In the bagnos there was usually a chapel and a hospital, where father Dan noted that seven priests celebrated Mass at a improvised altar before dawn to 600 captives [2]. Chapels, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox, served mainly by captured priests or visiting Redemptionist fathers were found in most bagnos, shops and medical facilities were provided and later slave hospitals were built, and there was even the possibility of relaxation [3]. Women and priests captives in the Barbary Coast were exempted from work [4]. ' - pg. 196

- Huh? Slaves living in big courtyards? Shouldn't they be kept in some small cramped dark dungeon? This was a very very interesting point for me. Slaves under Islam cannot be treated poorly. They must be treated respectfully as a human being and therefore deserve basic needs to live : shelter, food and a means to acquire money.

- Wow! Churches and Christian services in Muslim land, while under captivity? Amazing! Even under the situation of war, as a war captive turned into a slave, the slaves in Islam are not prevented from practicing their own religion. They are not forced to enter Islam and they have a right to set up their own Churches. Not only that, women and priests captives did not have to work!

' Many Christian captives did so well under Muslim captivity that they had no desire to leave. A captive who had made a success of business in 'Barbary' might well pay off his ransom and continue as a free Christian merchant [5]. One might mention the examples of the American John Cathcart who, as a captive in Algiers, became relatively wealthy by running taverns and who when freed, asked to be posted to North Africa; he thus became the USA's first consul in Tripoli in 1799 [6]. The American consul named that same year in Algiers, Richard O'Brien, had also been a slave there for ten years, whilst Simon Lucas, British consul in Tripoli, had been a captive in Morocco [7]. ' - pg. 198

- This was how it was. If you made enough money, you can free yourself and go back home. But as is stated, they don't want to go home. 'Cause evidently, it's a better life as a slave of the Muslims! -

- Even those who freed themselves, came back! They weren't traumatized or had nightmares about slavery simply because they weren't treated badly. They were not a free man under slavery, but they were treated with respect, respect that every human being deserves, that it didn't matter much not to be free.

- This amazes me very much. I didn't know such form exist! My whole picture of slavery has been so much of de-humanising and derogating a fellow human being. Just because he is considered the enemy. And this definition is what's been promoted and taught all over the world. And yet, this is never the correct definition for the word in Islam. In my own religion! My God, I didn't know this! Probably because of growing up in a secular education or probably because of what's constantly in mainstream media and probably also because of my own ignorance. MasyaAllah...Proud to be a Muslim! :)

' Thomas Smith recalled his captivity in Algiers as 'the happy time of my slavery', Francis Knight had 'an honest moral man' for a captor, and William Okeley was tempted not to escape to England, where there was civil unrest and poverty, but to stay instead with his captors who had gainfully employed him [8]. Joshua Gee recalled the generosity of one captor who share his food with him; Joseph Pitts was adopted by his last master, who treated him as his son [9]. Nash and Parker, two merchants, were captives in Sallee (Morocco) for four years, during which time they learned the language and the trade of the country, and then 'set up a House in Tetuan in the Year that the English quitted Tangier [1684], which House has continued ever since; and it is said those Gentlemen before they left Barbary got better fortunes in it, than they lost by being taken.[10] ' - pg.197

' More importantly, in Islam, the emancipated slave is actually, as well as potentially, equal to a free-born citizen. Throughout the Turkish empire, for instance, and at all periods in its history, slaves have risen repeatedly to the highest offices and have never been ashamed of their origins[11]. The Frenchman, About, notes how sultans of Constantinople and venerated chiefs of Islam are born to female slaves, and they are very proud [12]. Captain Burton mentions that Pacha of the Syrian caravan with which he travelled to Damascus had been the slave of a slave[13]. Sebuktegin, the father of Mahmud, the founder of the Ghaznavid dynasty, was a slave; so was Qutb-ud-din, the conqueror and the first king of Delhi, and the true founder, therefore of Muslim India[14]. Often, again, a great lord of Egypt raises, teaches and grooms a slave child, whom he marries later to his daughter, and gives him full rights; and we came across in Cairo stories of ministers, generals and magistrates of the highest order who were worth from a thousand to a thousand and a half franc in their youth[15]. '- pg. 213

' Under the Abbasid dynasty, only three Caliphs were born of free mothers, and all these belong to the eighth century.[16]' -pg.214

- Amazing, right! ;)

' Islam, as a faith, fought slavery (slavery in the Anglo-Saxon's definition i.e. dehumanisation of human beings) more than any faith ever did. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: 'The worst of men is the seller of men.'[17] Captives, if they become Muslims, were set free; and if they retained their own faith, they were, as the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) told the followers of Islam, nonetheless their brethren[18]. The master who treated them kindly would be acceptable to God; he who abused his power would be shut out of Paradise[19]. And the Muslim master who chastised his slave without cause was bound to set him free[20]. ' - pg. 211-212

' Today, the pictures of Western captives being decapitated in Iraq are indeed some of the most distressing, and most repelling, images that hurt the eyes and conscience. Whilst the terrible scenes of Muslim prisoners in Western captivity referred to above are equally repelling, the one thing to say is that the image of decapitation of Western prisoners is certainly at odds with Muslim traditions throughout history as seen above. The significant point to make in respect to these decapitations is that it seems odd that they are carried out by shadowy groups or individuals, who at once tell us who they are, and yet hide their faces.

It is equally odd that such gruesome killings by shadowy organizations are exhibited at length on web sites, which survive and thrive when other sites are instantly removed or destroyed for much less than that.

These killings also take place in a country torn by conflict, where most deaths are of decent politicians and leading figures, of imams, and of ordinary people, where the ultimate aim is to drag different religious communities to kill each other.

These beheadings also take place in a country where death squads, including the supposedly 'Muslim' beheaders, operate with total impunity, free to roam, pick up their victims, kill them, dump them, most often in the same spots, day after day, in complete freedom, and with the help of considerable logistics, completely unbothered checkpoints, patrols, etc. ' pg. 200-201

- It is very ironic, all these events. Most television viewers don't really care to think much. Everything shown on the TV is absorbed as is believed. Suicide bombings or kidnapping or hijacking has never been part of Muslim culture. The first suicide bombing in a Muslim land occured in Iraq only after the US invaded the country. If US never went to Iraq, there will never any suicide bombing. It's just not part of Muslim culture. Same with kidnapping. The kidnappers are covered from head to toe, wear masks or hide behind shadows. Logically, you don't know who they are. But, the media easily call them Muslim extremists. Really, these kind of things have never been a part of Islam. And as you can see throughout history, it has never been a part of Muslim history. When the crusaders invade al-Andalus, Spain, and killed thousands of people, no one blamed Christianity for the murders. Muslims have never looked at the values of Christianity as bad. It promotes love. We can differentiate a murderer who is a Christian from the religion itself. And we don't blame the religion. If you want to judge a religion, look at the best of its follower. If you want to judge Christianity, look at Jesus, what he did in life, what values he lived by. If you want to judge Islam, look at our Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), see how he lived his life, and see his characters.

Slavery is probably an old issue and is irrelevant for discussion nowadays. But, the best lessons that I can take from those paragraphs above, is:

Islam is so beautiful! :)

-> Since reading this book, I've discovered so many things that I should be proud of as a Muslims. Sometimes, being a borned-Muslim, you don't realize what you have until someone else point it out to you. I've been so used to the daily rituals of praying (solat), and fasting in Ramadhan, then, wearing the hijab and so on and so on that the joy and beauty of being a Muslim escapes me. Islam has a lot to offer to the world. Some may see it as stringent or full of harams and halals, but once you realized why it is there, it becomes so joyful and beautiful.

As I've said in the first part of this book review, I've never realized the value of community-life that Islam had before reading this book. MasyaAllah, there is a hidden beauty in why God ask for zakat to be given, for zina to be prohibited, for husbands to be the main breadwinner and mothers to be caring to their children.

This is one of the reason I like watching videos of converts/reverts. They speak so exuberantly about Islam. Like a kid who got his most desired toy for his birthday. Shining and beaming and talking non-stop about it.

I remember watching this one guy, Jeffrey Lang (a former atheist). He was talking about his first year as a Muslim. How he enjoyed so much his prayers (solat). How he felt so loved that God want to talk with him 5 times a day. And how he loved going to the mosque. Even though he understood none of Arabic, he just loved listening to the words of the Quran recited. One guy asked him : Dr. Lang, why do you come so often when you don't even understand the language? His answer was beautiful... He answered...: Sir.., why is a baby comforted when he hears his mother's voice? :)

Another guy, Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad was asked : Sir, why did you become a Muslim? His answer was short and sweet :) : Because Allah thought I needed some help... :)

Subhanallah....
Alright...Take care everyone..! ;)

[1] E. Webbe : The Rare and Most Wonderful Things...Edited by E. Arber, (London; Alex Murray and Son; 1868);p.27
[2] C. Lloyd: English Corsairs on the Barbary Coast; op cit; p.115
[3] S. Bono: I Corsari barbaresch: op cit; p.115
[4] M. Morsy: North Africa 1800-1900; op cit; p.66
[5] P. Earle: Corsairs of Malta and Barbary; p.91
[6] M. Morsy: North Africa 1800-1900; op cit; p.66
[7] Ibid.
[8] N. Matar: Introduction; op cit; p.19
[9] Ibid. p.20
[10] Captain Braithwaite: The History of the Revolutions in the Empire of Morocco; London;1729;p.67
[11] R.B. Smith: Mohammed; op cit; p.293
[12] G. Le Bon : La Civilisation des Arabes, op cit; p.293
[13] Burton: Pilgrimage, I.p.89 in R. B. Smith: Mohammed: p.251
[14] Elphinstones's India; p.320; 363; 370; in R. B. Smith: Mohammed: p.251
[15] G. Le Bon : La Civilisation des Arabes, op cit; p.293
[16] G.E. Von Grunebaum: Medieval Islam, op cit; p.202
[17] R.B. Smith: Mohammed; op cit; p.330
[18] Ibid.; p.244
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid; p.245

The Myth of Muslim Barbarism and its Aims

Salam..

Hi. :)

I'm currently reading this book called The Myth of Muslim Barbarism and its Aims written by S.E. Al-Djazairi. Haven't finished it yet...in the 3rd chapter. But its been quite interesting so far. And Al-Djazairi definitely has some flair for writing. I'll quote some of my favourite ones below:

"This hostility (Orientalists' and Western academias' blatant lies about Islam) to Islam has shaped negatively all forms of writing relating to it, at all ages and to our day.[1] Thus suppressed from general knowledge are the law-abiding nature of Muslims, their business enterprise, their neat interiors, their avoidance of alcohol, their sense of community, the central role of the family, their care for others, the tolerance of Muslim societies that have protected Christian ans Jewish minorities in their midst for over ten centuries." (page 26)

> I thought, wow. I've never realized that all this time just by being a Muslim, that I actually enjoyed what most Westerners and non-Muslims don't. I have a mother, a father, an actual family. There's a constant feeling of being part of a bigger family, a community, what a Muslim would call, an ummah. I have also always had a feeling of being accountable and responsible for all my actions, hence the natural law-abideness. And of course, alhamdulillah, avoidance of alcohol, a boon of any Islamic society. Thank God, I am spared encounters with unruly, smelly drunkards. And I never have to worry about any disturbing my neighbourhood. And yes, we Muslims have been tolerant to a bunch of attacks towards us. We don't do the same bad things to people that people have done to us (at least not as a state). And we live for more than material things. We're pretty much principle-centred people. All blessings be for Allah. Of course, all these praises are only worthy of true Muslims, who totally submit themselves to Allah and to Allah's guide in the Qur'an and through Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. At times when I'm following my own whims rather than the scripture, I deserve none of the accolades. Hence, a call to myself and all my brethrens of the ummah, let's strive to be the truest Muslim we can be! (recommended reading : Let Us Be Muslims - Abul A'la al-Maududi)

"Of course, maybe many such Muslims would seek to respond (to the lies), but their ineptness escalates to another level: they do not know how to respond because they lack arguments, historical and other intellectual knowledge. The simple fact is: most Muslims today, including the elites, unlike their medieval predecessors who invented the book and the public library, do not read. Book reading has become anathema to a Muslim world sunk in ignorance, generalized intellectual apathy, and obsession with the material and the shallow. One cannot be an illiterate, never consulting a book and yet be able to answer arguments satisfactorily, or convince others." (page 8)

> I totally agree with these statements. Felt totally flicked, like his words are like arrows bullseyeing straight at me. Ashamed..., but nonetheless agree. Muslims nowadays have really left the first word from Allah revealed to our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, "read". Muslims nowadays don't read. Minimally, Muslims read textbooks, to pass exams. But reading for knowledge? How many per year? How about the first and most important book a Muslim should read, the Qur'an? Many read and yet very few understand. And fewer more actually truly wants to understand. To really delve into and practice its contents. This is a very sad phenomenon. Myself, have only recently commit to understanding the Qur'an, the words I like, before, to just sing along. I don't know much, I am only His servant, but I feel, the more I learn, the more I feel that out there, there's a lot more I don't know. And it keeps me going. There are many times, when my vigour slopes down, when I feel simply lazy. But, it gets easier to overcome those times. When once ago, you feel like you're doing things out of obligation, now, its more out of love for Allah rather than obliged obligations. And, it makes things easier to do. And, I love my Lord. :) So, I urge truly, come on guys...myself, and all muslimeen and muslimat...C'mon! Lets start reading!

"Muslims, their elites in particular, are criminally incompetent at addressing these issues. Those elites, the ruling elites and others (professors, professionals, doctors, teachers, journalists, business men, etc.), especially amongst those based in the West, who have at least the freedom to express views, are to blame more than the rest. Whilst the onslaught on Muslims is ceaseless, such elites rarely counter it, or stand or defend their heritage, their culture or even defend who they are, rather than the barbaric inferiors, fanatic murderers they are presented as. Only a few such Muslim leaders, including imams of mosques, organise events, exchange ideas and views, and refute slanders and lies about themselves and their faith. All the competence that most of the Muslim elites muster is to add more to their earthly possessions and aim for higher positions." (page 7-8)

>True. True... This is what the Prophet s.a.w said as the disease of Wahan. When a servant of Allah loves the world and hates death. As long as we're breathing, we still have a chance in this world. Come on! Its not too late to change! We are the elites of the future! In fact, we are elites right now if people are looking at us. Let's answer! And set it all straight!

"Muslim silence meant that they do not counter the verbal onslaught with truth. By their silence, they also acquiesce to what is said of them, and what is said of them becomes accepted as truth. " (page 8)

> We cannot be silent no more. Its time to speak up and out! And really show the world what is the truth. What Islam really is!

Nay, We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the (false) things ye ascribe (to Us).
(Al-Quran; Surah Al-Anbiya' 21:18)

=) May Allah bless us all! =)

Cau cau. Love you guys! =) Part 2
Part 3

Salam.

[1] A. Thompson: Barbary and Enlightenment: (Brill; Leiden; 1987); pp 37-8

Matter : The Other Name for Illusion by Harun Yahya

Assalamualaikum..

Before we begin, a brief note and warning.

Note: This review requires active participation if you want to truly understand it. So, if I say 'think', think. If I say 'move your hands', move your hands. If I pose a question, answer it.

Warning: Some might think I'm talking about a deviant teaching or something like that. If you do start thinking like this, then stop reading. Understanding the concept of this book is not essential for faith, but if you do understand it, it will let you appreciate or understand your faith more. This is a very very long entry, so, stop now if you don't have the time. Come back and read it later. :)

Okay..let's begin.

Matter: The Other Name for Illusion
By Harun Yahya

Books that influence me usually affects me either through the heart or through the mind. There are academic books and there those books of the heart. This book, particularly, challenged my mind and how I view and perceive things.

For a person to read this book, he has to be completely open and accepting. Of course, no one can guarantee that and no matter how much we convince ourselves that we are completely open, a human being always has a point of view and an own stance. I, personally was interested in the title of the book. And decided to pick it up and read on more.

The concept that the author tries to deliver is a simple basic concept of science. Yet, when one truly realise the applications and implications of that concept, acceptance of it is truly difficult. It took me about 2 weeks to finish reading the book (intermittently) and almost a year to fully comprehend what it means and how can I live with it. The book is for Muslims as it requires the acknowledgement of the Qur'an as the absolute truth to validate all but one of its arguments. This one argument can be accepted fully by any science-educated academic without any support from the Qur'an. So, in this perspective, the book can be read by Non-Muslims too.

Throughout the book, the author tries his best use laymans' terms and simple English and many examples to project the meaning of the concept to his readers. Although his effort was relentless, I think the approach was rather too scientific. And I'm quite sure many still misunderstood what was meant. However, I do believe those who are in any science studies, especially those studying medicine, would have a better comprehension of the concept presented.

Here, I'll share about my personal experience with the book.

Okayh, the concept that was presented is related to how a person see, what he sees, how a person hear, what he hears, how a person feel, what does he actually feels, how a person tastes and smell, and what are they exactly. In science we call this "senses". And the sense organs are the eyes, the ears, the skin, tongue/mouth and the nose. A person sees with his eyes, hear with his ears, feel with his skin, taste with his tongue and smell with his nose.

All the informations for a person to see, hear, feel, taste and smell are taken in by these sense organs and delivered to the brain through the nerves. The brain then, interpret all the data and we can therefore perceive the world. This is as far as science has explained.

Now, let's go a step further...

What is the brain?

It is a piece of meat, right? It is flesh. It is made of atoms consisting of tiny particles of electrons, protons and neutrons. This is the brain. Atoms. Can atoms think? How does atoms interpret data? By chemical reactions? After the chemical reactions, you will get interpretations of the data? Where does these interpretations go? Who perceives these datas? Are human beings actually just a brain?

Let's say, you agree that the brain itself is powerless. And you, as a Muslim or a God-believing persons believes that all the reactions in the brain is controlled by God. You also believe in the existence of physical being and spiritual being. So you believe that this body is our physical body, but inside there is a soul. And you believe that the soul is the one that all the datas are eventually presented to, by the brain which in turn is controlled by Allah, God. This is the essence of Islam and of most religion. So, you have already all the answers to the questions above.

The brain is only a bunch of atoms created by Allah.
Allah controls the brain.
Allah controls how the data is changed in the brain.
Allah sends the data from the brain to our soul.
In the end, Allah makes us see, hear, feel, taste and smell.

In science, we are taught that, everything in this world is matter. Made up of tiny particles call atoms. So, basically everything in this world is something. It is solid, it is something we can hold, it is real and it is there or it is here. If you want to see, light is reflected against something and it goes into your eyes. If you want to taste something, chemicals from food goes into your mouth/tongue and you can taste. If you want to hear, sound waves travel into your ear and you can hear.

So, science teaches us that things from the outside, enters our body so that we can perceive what is on the outside.

Okay, now, hold up your hands in front of you. You see your hands. Move them to the right. Now move them to the left. You see them move to the right and you see them move to the left. Who is moving the hands? You? Or God? Remember, who controls the reactions in the brain? Who controls what you see? Who controls all the data?

Okay, so now, let's think...

Are we actually perceiving the world from the outside to the inside? Or, from the inside to the outside?

Let me rephrase..

Is the world sending us informations for us to perceive the world? Or, is Allah sending us information for us to perceive the world?

Do the hand in front of you exist? You see it, therefore it must be there, it must be real. But, who controls what you see? If Allah decides to make you see only one hand, He can, couldn't He? He definitely can. So, can you be sure that your hands are truly there, or is it only there because God let you see them?

So basically, we can never be sure that everything in this world truly exist. We are limited in our knowledge and we perceive the world only through our senses which is not control by us but is controlled by God. So, anything that we perceive are only things that God wants us to perceive. Whether those things are actually there or not, we can never be sure. Things in this world are only therefore only illusions. Matter is the other name for illusion.

Now, when I understood this, the magic trick is revealed! I have known the secret already. That this world is not real. So, now what's the big challenge? I am no more blinded by these illusions, I have discovered the trick, why am I still alive? Why can't I now go to heaven, the actual real world? Why am I still alive? Why didn't God take my life 'cause I know already the big secret..

Then, it hit me. Was discovering that secret my purpose in life? No! Of course not. Isn't it said in the Qur'an (51:56) : Man and jinn were not made other than to worship Me (Allah). We humans are only created to worship or to serve Allah. This is the essence of our existence.

Now, can you accept this?

Okay, if you can, the next question to ask is..:

What is the essence of worship?

Sincerity right... the first condition of any action is intention (niat). And intention is not complete without sincerity (ikhlas).

What is sincerity?

To do something purely for the sake of Allah. To do something completely for Allah. For no one but Allah.

Now, what happens when you know that everything around you is fake,is an illusion, is not real, is not really there? If everything else is an illusion, the only real thing is the one who is controlling all the illusions. Therefore, the only real, existing thing is Allah. Only Allah exists, and everything else He creates for us. For us to perceive only through our senses. Which He controls.

So. What else can you worship to other than Allah? Allah is the only real thing. Everything else is only illusion. Only nothingness. So, logically, you can only worship Allah.

This is ikhlas!

Think. If nothing else is real in this world except Allah...who are you going to listen to? Who else is there to listen to? No one but Allah. Who are you going to obey? Allah. Who will you turn to in happiness and in sadness? Allah.

This is a servant (habibullah or tauhid uluhiyyah and rububiyyah) !

I know this is hard for many to accept even though they've lived with this belief all their life. I did not understand this in a day. It took me a long time. But as the author said, and I agree :

"Unquestionably, even if he is unaware of this subject, a person can still live in complete faith. He can have faith, with all his heart and feeling no doubt, in what God has revealed in the Qur'an."

the comprehension of this concept is not essential for faith. If you can't, then, don't. I do recommend those who are interested to get the book and read it for yourself. My explaination may be too complicated and another approach might help.

Reading this book and understanding it has been a life-changing experience for me. It has definitely rid me of my love towards this world, money or materialism. I hope for others, it will be the same. InshaAllah. :)

Jazakumullah khairan.

Salam.

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

Assalamualaikum..

I'm reading Wintersmith right now written by Terry Pratchett. Its a wonderful wonderful wonderful book. Delightfully funny! Here, I would like to share with you an excerpt from the book:

' Witching was turning out to be mostly hard work and really short of the 'zap! glingle-glingle-glingle' variety. There was no school and nothing that was exactly like a lesson. But, it wasn't wise to try to learn witching all by yourself , especially if you had a natural talent. If you got it wrong you could go from ignorant to cackling in a week...

When you got right down to it, it was all about cackling. No one ever talked about this, though. Witches said things like, "You can never be too old , too skinny or too warty", but they never mentioned the cackling. Not properly. They watched out for it, though, all the time.

It was all too easy to become a cackler. Most witches lived by themselves (cat optional) and might go for weeks without ever seeing another witch. In those times when people hated witches, they were often accused of talking to their cats. Of course they talked to their cats. After three weeks without and intelligent conversation, you'd talk to the wall. And that was an early sign of cackling.

'Cackling', to a witch, didn't just mean nasty laughter. It meant your mind drifting away from its anchor. It meant you losing your grip. It meant loneliness and hard work and responsibility and other people's problems driving you crazy a little bit at a time, each bit so small that you'd hardly notice it, until you thought it was normal to stop washing and wear a kettle on your head. It meant you thinking that the fact that you knew more than anyone else in your village made you better than them. It meant thinking that right and wrong were negotiable. And, in the end, it meant you 'going to the dark', as the witches said. That was a bad road. At the end of that road were poisoned spinning-wheels and gingerbread cottages.

What stopped this was the habit of visiting. Witches visited other witches all the time, sometimes travelling quite a long way for a cup of tea and a bun. Partly, this was for gossip, because witches love gossip, especially if it was more exciting than truthful. But mostly it was to keep an eye on one another. '

I love this excerpt. To me, it can definitely translate into the real world. Of course, we are not witches and we don't cackle, but, we are humans and we do have feelings and act as described by Terry Prattchet somewhat like the witch in the book. We do make mistakes. And sometimes we trod down the wrong path. Also, sometimes we are not aware of it. And just like the witches in the book, although we ourselves are not aware of it, the people around us are. Our friends are. And like it is said of the witches, the remedy is to always watch out over each other. Visit. Hang out. Do things together. Be sensitive to each others' mood, body language, etc. and generally take care of each other.

A Malay proverb said, " One stick is easily broken, But a bundle isn't ".

I agree.

Living here..., overseas and having the freedom to basically do anything (without being reprimanded by family, parents, etc) , I feel this proverb translates strongly more than ever.