WHY I HAVE AN EMPTY MIND?

Man finds nothing so intolerable as to be in a state of complete rest, without passions, without occupation, without diversion, without effort. Then he feels his nullity, loneliness, inadequacy, dependence, helplessness, emptiness."
--Blaise Pascal

James 4:7 states, "Submit therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God has a purpose and a plan for each of our lives. God’s Word commands us:

Five ways we give control of our minds to Satan:

1.     By not daily meditating on God's word.

2.     Deliberately considering and living out sin in one's mind.

3.     Through willful ignorance of God's truth's and moral absolutes.

4.     By accepting any suggestion in the mind as if from God without questioning or checking to see if it lines up with God's Word or past light of God.

5.     Deliberately blanking one's mind so as to receive suggestions from Shaytan. 

Why is it so hard for us to tolerate emptiness in our minds? The prevalent belief that action always equals progress may be a contributing factor. We perceive emptiness as an undesired state, something to be feared. We feel uncomfortable with those moments when our minds seem devoid of any creative or productive activity. We rarely, if ever, simply sit with and allow the feeling of emptiness. And come up with… “ahhhhhhhhhhhh, why I have an empty mind!?

Nothing but your action…You submit yourself to God after having pondered and thought and realized that acting on His guidance will benefit you. And you surrender to Him willingly and cheerfully, not out of fear of anyone else, nor trying to please someone. You give up your desires and submit yourself to what God wants you to do. You should feel in your heart that what you are doing is right. How then does Satan gain control of our mind if it has clusters of  taqwa to Allah. But when we are not obeying Allah is nothing but wasting of time. An idle mind is the playground of the Devil plain and simple. The way you gain back control of your mind is by seeking the Rabb’s will in your use of time and then obeying him in that use of time. Remember when Satan provoked the first couple, Adam and his wife, Hawa (Eve) and it is clearly mentioned in the Holy Scriptures:

Allah said: “Then did Satan make them slip from the (garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been.."

This is how Satan works and control the mind to be empty at all times we forget seeking refuge from Allah from the ousted Satan. That is why Allah revealed Sura An Nass: Say, “I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, [1] the King of mankind, [2] the God of mankind, [3] from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws (when Allah's name is pronounced), [4] the one who whispers in the hearts of people, [5] whether from among the Jinn or Mankind.” [6]

According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, it has been reported from Abu Sa'id that: Muhammad used to seek protection from the evil eyes of the jinn and mankind. But when the Muawwidhatayn were revealed, he used them (for protection) and abandoned all else besides them. At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisai and ibn Majah recorded this. In the haddit, also mentioned that:

Narrated ‘Aisha: “Whenever Allah’s Apostle became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhatayn (Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. (Sahih al-Bukhari Vol.6 Bk.6 No.535) 

Narrated ‘Aisha: “Whenever thy Prophet go went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times. (Sahih al-Bukhari Vol.6 Bk.6 No.536). This is one way of protecting our mind from Shaytan.

Our faith is not based on air, it is not built on Jesus or the Holy Spirit or the Gospel as Christians does; our faith is based on believing to the Oneness of God taught by the prophet of Allah and found in the Holy Qur’an and the Haddith.  The Qur’an is the bases for what we believe or do not believe.  If a voice tells you to do something that does not agree with God’s Word, it is not of God and is to be rejected plain and simple. God speaking through Isaiah said,

"And when they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." (Isaiah 8:19-20)

Another way Satan gains control of our minds which really relates to what we have been discussing, is when we deliberately choose to sin.  Our flesh is in bondage to sin.  People struggle with lust and personal desires.  However, when a Muslim deliberately chooses to turn to drugs (snipping shabu) and pornography, they are with their will choosing to sin.  That is a doorway.  As a result Satan will take control of their minds and it will take more than confession of one's sin to get freed from the bondage of snipping shabu or pornography because now unclean spirits are also involved which are keeping the person in bondage.  A verse for the bible states that: "He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks a hedge a serpent will bite him."  You must now also ask Allah to cleanse you from the unclean spirits and free your mind from the bondage of Satan, then bind the unclean spirits and command them to leave in order to get free by saying “autho billahi mina shaytani rajeem”.  Those Muslims engage in selling pornographic  films that I have seen with are the first who have willfully turned to pornographic sights on their television or on web have found afterwards that regaining control of their minds is a real battle and is not possible in most cases without the help of other Muslims.  My advice is occupy yourself with God's will and stay away from pornographic sights.

Another way Satan gains control of our minds is through neglect reading Qur’anic verses and uttering dikr. That is why it is advisable to read the book of law. This book of the law shall not depart from our mouth, but we shall meditate on it day and night, so that we may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then our way would be a prosperous one, and have success in life. 

In one ruwayah the Messenger of Allah sallallau alayhe wa salam has said: “These hearts rust just as iron rusts; and indeed they are polished through the recitation of the Qur’an.”  Irshadul Qulub; Page 78

Reading Qur’anic verses is always doing something with our mind, never surrendering or blanking it to anyone or waiting for something or someone to fill it. It should always be active, it is never passive.  What is the active thing the Qur’an tells us to do in reading it? It tells us to study and magnify upon God’s Word, meaning to think about, muse over:  "What is God's word teaching, telling me to do?, to do good and forbidding bad.  What is it trying to teach me? To be anxious all the time on law He has given us through prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam.  By reading Qur’anic verses we can actively use our mind to study and understand what the word of God is teaching us.

And the best dua : O’ Allah!  Surely You have revealed it (the Qur’an) with Truth and with the truth it descended.  O’ Allah!  Enhance my desire for it; and appoint it as a divine light for my eyes; and a healing for my breast; and make it (the Qur’an) that which removes my grief, sorrow and worries.  O’ Allah!  Through the Qur’an, beautify my tongue (that which I speak), and beautify my face, and strengthen my body, and make my scale of (good) deeds weighty, and grant me the ability to recite it as it should be recited in Your obedience - in the darkness of the night and the ends of the day, and raise me up with the Prophet, Muhammad and his family members - the chosen, glorified, the purified, by Your mercy.  O’ the Most Merciful of those who are able to show mercy”.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Allah, and the peace of Allah, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard our hearts and our minds in Allah’s unlimited bounties of forgiveness. 

Now why we have an empty mind? We have an empty because we are lack of knowledge and our minds were filled with pleasures and material things. Perhaps, wrong way of worshipping Allah or habitual conforms to the norms of bid’a. This way is nothing to do but you are opening the door and that is to blank your mind while waiting for Satan to come and fill it, and fill it he will.

God never takes control of our minds. Because Allah gave us free independent will. God never violates the independent will of anyone.  Even we choose to stay out in Islam He does not take control of our minds.

 You, yourself will tell what you will for your life, but Allah never force you to do His will. We are always in control of ourselves and must choose to obey Him. He never requires us to yield our minds and bodies to Him to control and walk through like demon possession. That is what we mean by Muslim, to submit, surrender with God.

We seek God’s will for our lives while meditating upon His word. He then either directly through the Word reveals His will to us. We then choose with our will whether to obey Him or not. To have a relationship with Allah then means to walk in obedience to His revealed will to us individually. But notice we must make the choice; He never forces us to do anything.

When we choose not to obey God’s revealed will to us, this is disobedience, and this removes His protection over us and our minds become open to Satan’s control. Getting back to our original passage quoted in this article, in James 4:7 it states "Submit therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." We have no power over Satan. The only power we have over Satan is Allah’s power, and His power is only available to us when we are walking in obedience to Him. When we are not choosing to walk in obedience to Allah, we cannot resist the devil and we become open and under His control, and Satan gains control over our minds.

How can ye reject the faith in Allah?- seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return. (Al Baqara:28)

Ya… Rabb…Each time You work in my heart, each time You cut away, I will choose to believe, resist the devil and submit to You. If there be any pride, any wicked way in me, I pray it is revealed and cut away. Your Word in me is a living Word with power and authority. All things in me come into subjection to the Word implanted. I walk by faith and proclaim that my life will manifest the plan of Your heart. I have been made new in You. Amen

Your only alternative is: Close your mind to other train of thoughts, or open your mind and develop other train of thoughts. Always think Allah obey and believe in Him.

FALL OUT OF LOVE (TAGLISH)

"It has been narrated by Amr Ibn Akhwas. He relates that it was commanded by the Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam "Be kind towards your women. Take heed! You have rights over your women and your women also have rights over you. Their rights over you are that you provide food and clothing for them in good faith. Your rights over them are that they do not allow and nor do they give permission, for people to trespass into your house whose presence you dislike."

Kapag ang isang babae ay magsimulang makaramdam na nawala na ang wagas na pag-ibig niya sa kaniyang asawang lalaki, (fallen out of love) - lagas na pag-ibig, ikaw ay nahaharap sa napakalaking suliranin at sitwasyon. Ito ay mas mahirap kung nais mong maisalba ang inyong relasyon na matagal mong iningatan na huwag magkalamat subalit sa isang iglap ay biglang naglaho ang iyong pagmamahal kahit ang lalaki ay naging tapat at mapagmahal sa iyo. Ito ay isang emosyonal na pahirap sa iyong sarili upang manatili ang isang kasal kung saan hindi mo nararamdaman ang isang malalim, matibay na koneksyon sa iyong magasawa. Ang sinumang babae ang dumaranas sa kaniyang sarili ng ganitong damdamin ay hindi niya dapat ipagtagal sa kaniyang puso ang damdaming ito. Huwag mong hayaan na darating ang panahon at tumambad sa iyo na tuluyan nang nawala ang lalaking iyong pinakasalan at minahal ng lubos. In fact, you can reclaim the love you once felt for him and have an even more fulfilling marriage than you ever dreamt.

Kung sakaling naiisip mo sa iyong sarili na ikaw ay nawalan ng pagmamahal sa iyong asawang lalaki (fall out of  love, you need to take stock of the dynamic of the relationship in general. Isa-alang-alang kung paano ang mga bagay ay nagbago simula nang kayo ay ikasal at magsama. O, huwag mong pakaisipin na ikaw ay taken for granted na ng iyong asawa? Hindi ito makakbuti at makakaragdag pa ito ng lubusang pagkawala ng pagmamahal sa kaniya.

Ikaw ba ay nagdaramdam sa mga bagay na kaniyang nakaligtaan? Ito ang isang katanungan na dapat na hanapan ng rasyonal na kasagutan. Kung ikaw ay nakakaranas ng anuman sa mga bagay na ito, how you feel about him. Samakatuwid, ang unang hakbang sa pag-save ng iyong kasal ay dapat na pag-usapan ang isyung ito. Kailangan mong umupo at pag-usapan ng iyong asawa ang hinggil dito at ibahagi kung paano at ano ang iyong nararamdaman. Maging tapat ka at buksan mo ang tungkol sa kung ano ang iyong nararamdaman, kung ikaw ay galit sa kanya sa isang bagay o kung masamain mo sa kanya ito ay dapat na pinag-uusapan. Malamang ay hindi niya alam ang lalim ng damdamin ng pag-ibig sa isat-isa.

Kailangan mo ring simulan sa iyong sarili na ipakita sa iyong asawa ang isang positibong liwanag na makapagpapa-ala-ala sa kaniya ng mga hinahanap mong katangian simula ng inyong pagsasama, maaaring ang mga hinahanap mo ay hindi niya kayang tuguanan, kung kaya dapat mong tanggapin ang kaniyang pagkukulang, kahinaan sa mga bagay na iyong hinahangad na magmumula sa kaniya.

It's so easy to fall into a negativity trap when you are married for some time. Perhaps you've taken to dwelling on the things about your husband you find least appealing. 

Kung ito ang usapin mahirap manatili ang pag-ibig mo sa kaniya. Make a concerted effort to only see him in a positive way. I-pokus mo ang atensiyon sa katangian na inibig mo sa kaniya noong una pa man na kayo ay magkita at maging magsing-irog. Tanggapin mo kung ano mayroon siya at kung sino siya noon at sa kasalukuyan ng inyong pagsasama.

Let him know how much you appreciate those things about him. Kung magagawa mo ito you will notice that you'll start to see the man you married in him again and that will help you feel closer to him emotionally.

There are specific things you can do to fall in love with your husband all over again. If you don't address the issue of how you're feeling about your husband, you'll eventually reach a point where divorce will seem like the only option. Kaya, don’t let it happens. Narito ang ilang mga payo;

1. Maging isang solusyon-seeker, hindi isang hukom. Kung nararamdaman niya na  gusto mo ay akusahan siya na nsa kaniya ang problema at nangangailangan ng pagpapayo magiging masakit para sakaniya ito. Ipabatid s akaniya na kinakailanga mo ang tulong niya sa problemang ito, kaya, kayong dalawa ang lulutas nito at tanungin siya kung willing siyang tulungan ka. Tadaan nais ng mga kalalakihan na sila ang lumutas ng anumang suliranin, ayaw nilang isipin na sila ang problema.

2. Maging tapat tungkol sa mga bagay na kailangan mo upang gumana sa iyong relasyon, at huwag palabasin na nararapat na siya ang nangangailangan na gamutin ito. Ipaalam sa kaniya na nais mong maging mabuting kabiyak sa kaniya at ang pag-usapan ito ay makakatulong sa panunumbalik ng inyong pagmamahalan. Kung kaya mong akuin sa harap niya na mayroon kang pagkukulang, magaan para sa kaniya na akuin na mahalaga ang kontribusyon niya sa problema at bukas ang isip niyang malaman kung papaano ito mababago.

3.Siguraduhin mo sa kaniya. Maraming sa mga tao ang pakiramdam na ang pag-usapan ito ay nangangahulugan  na ito ang simula ng pagtatapos ng kanilang pagsasama. Kung kinakailangan ng counseling na siyang nararapat gawin ito sa lalong madalingpanahon. Let him know that if that were true, you wouldn't want counseling in the first place - it's because you love him and treasure your relationship that you want to learn how to be a better partner for him, and you're willing to make some changes in order to do that. 

At this point, he should feel better about the idea. But if he still refuses to go, go on your own. Remember that his refusal is likely rooted in fear. If he sees you going and feeling better, and handling your issues in a better way (still without blame or judgment towards him), he will likely decide that it's safe to give it a try.

The Paradoxical Contempt

The Paradoxical Contempt was first published by  Eisa Rene Saturno Batallones on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 8:12am through FB.

“O you who believe! Men shall not scoff (mock) at other men. For those whom they scoff at may be better than them. Nor shall women scoff at other women. For those whom they scoff at may be better than them. Nor shall you slander each other. Nor shall you revile each other by way of abhorrent nicknames. Woeful is the ungodly name after attaining faith. Thus whoever does not repent for this, it is these who are wrongdoers [G odless in hearth] (49:11)

.
Alarming! The present generation of Filipino Muslim Ummah glorifying the intense of flamboyant, flashy conversation, never instigated the true essence of communicating with brothers and sisters Muslim with HIKMA but acrimony hails even yell for in it, triggers and awakens my desire of condemning with forceful attack par beyond with the havoc catastrophe of faith by convincing my self and the rest of the readers to contemplate to this short epistle that can eradicate the mayhem of the dying legacy of the entire Filipino Muslim community.

I cried for reform and inculcate within ourselves that this paradoxical contempt in every actions, predominantly shackle our heart and it must be petered out for the sake of Islamic Creed. Thus, in deliberation of thoughts HUMILITY is hard to achieve because arrogance is one of SATAN’S prime weapons against humanity ( it worked from him right?) It takes a tremendous amount of inner strength and self confidence. To be HUMBLE you simple cannot rely on other people or outside forces. It must come from within. It is truly a personal feat. And we do not like doing things on our own. But it becomes easier to conquer our inclinations to ARROGANCE when we internalize reliance on GOD, and we allow ourselves to truly love those around us. For their sakes, for the sake of GOD, we will lower ourselves. To treat people with kindness and respect we need HUMILITY. In this way, each attempt of goodness of character plays into and augments the other.

Hence, we must discover the egalitarianism   (cleanliness, equality, classlessness), social justice and inclusiveness that defined Prophetic community of Muslims (Mu’minin) would alleviate much of the discord that plagues Filipino DU’AT and the entire Filipino Muslim communities today.

Before we look at the wisdom behind Islam’s strong emphasis on human relations, we ought to realize ourselves that we live in a society that is very much of odds, on a popular level, with these exhortations. Our corrupt culture icons virtually fees us intravenously from our youth the message that civility is out of fashion, politeness in unhip, manners are not in. We are trained to admire characters with flippant, devil may care attitudes. SARCASM is conflated with wit. MODESTY is a virtue to be derided with outrage. COURTESY is viewed as social backward. SHYNESS is considered a defect that probably needs drug to remedy it. If you do not believe me and someone say this is PALPAK or SABLAY, just take any of these character descriptions and imagine for a minute in your mind, you will find, no doubt, a whole series of ways the Islamic attitudes have been mocked by our own selves and a legion of style in which Qur’an condemned attitudes have been made glamorous, because we were influenced by the flash of television and movie scenes.

The Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “The believer with the most complete faith is the one with best behavior” (Ahmad and Abu Dawud)

Shinning example for the SEERAH and Muslim history demonstrate Islamic models of pluralism evoking every individual Muslim not to harm his brothers, his sisters by much of unflattering concoctions lexis and we must observed and respect the so called cultural indifferences (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) the different dialects and call into question the contemporary segregationist and negative attitude towards the one who is seeking an INTELLECTUAL PROPETY RIGHTS not to void  but at least to listen in his plea and investigate with the spirit of tolerance  and inclusiveness that defined much in uniting our communities  and contracting the solid vision for the future.

This is what makes every one of us worthy of the goodness and dignity that Allah, subhanahu wa ta’allah, has honored us with, and it was qualifies us to bear the weighty responsibility of freedom and vicegerency   that HE has bestowed and burdened us with.

Allah says: “O humankind! Have a conscious fear of your Lord, the one who is created you from a single sole, and created from it its mate, and from them both spread  abroad a multitude of men and women” (4:1)

Just imagine a community of Muslims in Philippines full of people who support one another, human beings who strive to maintain the dignity of their fellows, creatures with soft hearts, men and women who humble themselves before GOD and men, men and women who care enough to listen, who really care. We can make that country. It begins with you and me. 

LET’S  MIND OUR MANNERS,  SHALL WE?

TULA

Filipinas Kong Mahal
Tula ni: Ka Basyo
January 14, 2011

Aking nakikita at nararamdaman
hapis na buhay ng aking mga kababayan
sa gitnang silangan sila'y nakipagsapalaran
maiahon ang salat at dukhang pamumuhay

mga kababayan ko’y inalilang lubos
ng mga arabo, hapon at amerikano
trato sa kanila’y parang basahang trapo
naging pabigat sa puso at dibdib ko

nais kong pukawin ang sambayanang Filipino
sa munting tulang ito maiparating ko sa inyo
ang aking layunin na magkaisa tayo
upang maitaas ang antas ng ating pagkatao

mga ninuno natin ay buong tapang na nanindigan
iwinagayway ang bandila upang makipaglaban
sa mga dayuhan dala ay pawang karahasan
at gawing alipin ang buong sambyanan

at sa oras ng aking pamamahinga’t pagninilay-nilay
ako’y nababahala sa aking nasasaksihan
mangagawang Filipino sa knilang pakikipagsapalaran
ninakaw ang karapatan dangal ay niyurakan

nasaan na ang nangakong sila'y manunungkulan
sasagot sa karaingan ng mga kapos palad kong kababayan
ang Embahada’t Konsolado ay walang pakialam
sa mga nangyayari sila'y nagbubulag-bulagan

hindi na ako umaayon sa sinabi ni Gat Jose Rizal
na ang mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan
ang bansang itinangi ng puso ko't isipan
binababoy ng mga Pulitiko patuloy na yinuyurakan

Iisa lamang ang sagot sa ganitong kalakaran
Takot sa Diyos ay ipamulat sa mga kabataan
Na kung sakaling sila'y lalaki't manunungkulan
Maiiwasan ang pangungurakot at magkamal ng kayaman

Magkapit bisig tayo O mga kapatid kong Muslim
Halina’t isa puso yaring tunay na adhikain
Ipalaganap ang Islam sa minamahal nating bayan
Upang sa hinaharap ay ating makamtan
Ang kasaganaan, at mayroong ligtas na kapaligiran


At kung sakaling, ako'y manungkulan
sa senado ako ay padparin ng aking kapalaran
imumungkahi ko, ilagay sa kurikulum ang Islam
upang mapag-aralan, gawing batas at batayan
ng lugmok na bansang Filipinas kong minamahal

Tanging ang gabay ni Allah ang sagot sa mga karaingan
Tiwala'y huwag aalisin sapagkat Siya ang Diyos na maalam
Kung ang bawat Filipino sa Kaniya'y sasamba't magpupugay
mapaparam ang lahat ng hilahil dusa't kapighatian.

Gumising ka O Bayang Filipinas, sinabing lupain ng gito at bulaklak
mga talulot nito'y naluray at nalagas, pilitin nating ihasik ang butong
nagkalat, arugain ito na ang pagsibol nito'y maging banayad,
upang ang mga talulot ay magsilbing halimuyak, 
ng sa ganoon ay makabangon ang Filipinas sa dusa at sa hirap.

IKHLAS (SINCERITY OR PURITY OF INTENTION)

In the Name of Allah, 

The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Ikhlas has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, and pure; being distant from show and ostentation in one’s intention and conduct; and being closed to whatever clouds or fouls the heart. Purity of intention, straightforwardness in thought, pursuit of no worldly purposes in one’s relationship with God, and loyalty in servanthood to God are also included here.

Ikhlas requires that one pursue nothing worldly while worshiping and obeying God, that one fulfills the duty of servanthood only because God orders it, and that one remains silent concerning any personal experiences of God’s special treatment and special gifts and seek only His approval and pleasure.

Sincerity is one of the most significant qualities of those most faithful or loyal to God; loyalty is regarded as a source, and sincerity as a sweet water originating from it. The most eloquent of humanity, upon him be peace and blessings, declared that one who drinks uninterruptedly from this water for forty days will find channels of wisdom opened from his or her heart to his or her tongue, and that such a person will always speak wisdom.

Loyalty or faithfulness is the primary attribute of Prophet-hood, and sincerity is its most lustrous dimension. Sincerity is innate in the Prophets; all other people try to obtain it during their lifetime. Among them, for example, the Qur’an describes the Prophet Moses as one made sincere (19:51).

Faithfulness and sincerity were as intrinsic and essential to the Prophets as air and water are to the lives of those who communicate the Prophets’ message to others in every age. In addition, they were the Prophets’ most important sources of power. The Prophets were convinced that they could not take one step forward without sincerity, and the representatives of the cause of Prophethood must believe that they will be able to achieve nothing without it. Faithfulness and sincerity are two wings or two deep oceans extending from Divine Favor and Grace to an individual’s heart. One who can sail in these oceans or fly with these wings will reach the destination, for they are under God’s protection. God values that which is done to please Him, regard-less of its apparent size or importance, not the quantity of deeds. Therefore, He values a small deed done with sincerity over many deeds done without sincerity.

Sincerity is an attitude of the heart, and God views an individual according to his or her heart’s inclination. The Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, declares: Assuredly, God does not consider your bodies, nor your appearances. Rather, He considers your hearts. Sincerity is a mysterious Divine credit granted to those who are pure-hearten in order to increase what is little and to deepen what is shallow, and to give finite (limited) worship infinite reward. One can use it to purchase the most valuable things in the markets of this world and the next, for it is esteemed, welcomed, and respected where others suffer great misery. This mysterious power of sincerity caused God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, to declare: Be sincere in your religion; little work (with sincerity) is enough for you, and: Be sincere in your deeds, for God only accepts what is done with sincerity.

If we consider a deed to be a body, sincerity is its soul. If a deed represents one wing of pair of wings, sincerity is the other. A body without soul is of no worth, and nothing can fly with only one wing. How fine are Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi’s words:

You should be sincere in all your deeds,

So that the Majestic Lord may accept them.

Sincerity is the wing of the bird of the acts of obedience.

Without a wing, how can you fly to the abode of prosperity?

The following words of Bayazid al-Bistami are also very apt:

I worshiped my Lord for thirty years with all my strength. Then I heard a voice saying: O Bayazid! The treasures of God Almighty are full of acts of worship. If you intend to reach Him, see yourself as small at the door of God and be sincere in your deeds.

For some, sincerity involves hiding from others when per-forming supererogatory deeds and avoiding all show and ostentation. For others, it means that whether one is or is not seen while performing religious deeds is not important. Still for others, it means being so involved in worship or religious deeds in consideration of God’s pleasure that one does not even remember whether one should be sincere or not.

Self-supervision is an essential dimension of sincerity, and a truly sincere person does not consider any possible spiritual pleasure that may be derived, or speculate upon whether it will ensure entrance to Paradise. Sincerity is a mystery between God and a servant, and God puts it in the hearts of those He loves. One whose heart is awakened to sincerity does not worry about being praised or accused, exalted or debased, aware or unaware of deeds, or being rewarded. Such a person does not change, and behaves in the same way in public and in private.

May this small effort intrigues the heart of every individuals to be more persistent in doing 'ibada with ikhlas  so that Allah sanctify us and bless us in all our endeavor to have a fruitful life. May Allah guides us in straight path ...amen. salam.

 

Greeting Cards for Hajj 2011

The Kaaba (Arabic: الكعبة‎ al-Kaʿbah IPA: [ʔælˈkæʕbɐ], English: The Cube)^[ is a cuboid-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam.^[2] The Qur'an states that the Kaaba was constructed by Abraham and his son Ishmael, after Ishmael had settled in Arabia.^[3] The building has a mosque built around it, the Masjid al-Haram. All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are.

Throwing pebbles  or stoning of the jamarat (Arabic: رمي الجمرات ‎) is part of the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Muslim pilgrims fling pebbles at three walls called jamarat in the city of Mina just east of Mecca. It is one of a series of ritual acts that must be performed in the Hajj.

Medina (English pronunciation: /mɛˈdiːnə/; Arabic: المدينة المنورة‎, al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, “the radiant city” (officially), or المدينة al-Madīnah; also transliterated as Madinah, or madinat al-nabi "the city of the prophet") is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, and serves as the capital of the Al Madinah Province. It is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and it is historically significant for being his home after the Hijrah. 

The ritual re-enacts Abraham's (Ibrāhīm) pilgrimage to Mecca as explained by the Muslim historian al-Azraqi:

When he [Abraham] left Mina and was brought down to (the defile called) al-Aqaba, the Devil appeared to him at Stone-Heap of the Defile. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so Abraham threw seven stones at him so that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him at the Middle Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones so that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him at the Little Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones like the little stones for throwing with a sling. So the Devil withdrew from him.

The Abraj Al-Bait Towers also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower is a complex topped out in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The building holds and will break several world records in the construction world, including: the tallest hotel in the world, constructed with the tallest clock tower in the world and displaying the world's largest clock face,^[2] the world's largest building floor area, and will become the second tallest building in the world upon completion, surpassed only by Dubai's Burj Khalifa upon its opening in 2012. The building complex is meters away from the world's largest mosque and Islam's most sacred site, the Masjid al Haram. The developer and contractor of the complex is the Saudi Binladin Group, the Kingdom's largest construction company.

One of the doors entrance of Masjid Al haram situated in front of the main gate south. This entrance will lead the pilgrims till the roof top of Masjid Al Haram, 

The tallest tower in the complex stands as the tallest building in Saudi Arabia, and the tallest and largest hotel in the world, with a height of 601 meters (1,972 feet). It is the fourth tallest building under construction. Upon its official opening the structure would have the largest floor area of any structure in the world with 1,500,000 m² (16,150,000 sq ft) of floorspace. This is the same as Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, in the United Arab Emirates which is also under construction. It will also surpass the Emirates Park Towers in Dubai as the world's tallest hotel. The site of the complex is located across the street to the south from an entrance to the Masjid al Haram mosque, which houses the Kaaba. In order to start construction, the historic Ottoman Ajyad Fortress had to be first completely demolished. 

A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end. A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers. 

In Makka, they bore every Mountain to be the passage in order to go places easily for the benefits of the millions of pilgrims during Hajj.

POST CARDS .

Who is Eisa Rene Batallones

Rene Eisa Saturno-Batallones was born in Cabuyao, Laguna. Philippines, 44 kilometers away from South of Manila on 12th November 1962 into a religious family.

He finished College with the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting in a well known and prestigious schools in the Philippines run by the Dominican Priest – Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

He embraced Islam at the age of 30 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He received his first religious education from Shk. Omar Hassan of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E, a well known Filipino scholar who graduated from Madina University (the main University in Islamic Studies).

He acquired more knowledge in reading the works of the prominent scholars in Islam such as; Shiek Abdulazeez ibn Baz; Shiek Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaimin; Shiek Abdullah bin Abdurrahman not to mention the works of different scholars that enhanced his abilities in doing projects pertaining to Islamic works and studies.

Although he works full-time as a Propagator, Writer and a Teacher, he still finds time giving lecture at different Islamic Centers throughout the Kingdom and in the Philippines as and when required. He is the former Head of Education for the New Muslim Filipino Section in Jubail Da'awah and Guidance Center, Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He teaches Basic Islamic Studies for Beginners, Tawheed, Morals and Manners in Islam. He is the regular lecturer for Fasting, Umrah and Hajj Course, and currently one of the official book translators for Islamic Society for Information and Propagation (I.S.I.P).

Books published  in Tagalog language and English;

*A glimpse into the life of Jesus.
          (Isang Sulyap sa buhay ni Jesus)
*Did you know that you are Muslim .
          (Alam mo ba na ikaw ay Muslim)
*Follow the Commandments…The Way to an Everlasting Life
          (Sundin mo ang Kautusan ..Ang Daan Tungo sa Buhay na Walang
          Hanggan
*Is it hard to be Muslim?
          (Mahirap ba ang Maging Isang Muslim?)
*Islam is your Birthright
          (Islam ang Iyong Katutubong Karapatan)
*Jesus…who really you are?
          (Jesus… sino ka nga ba?)
*Lessons for the New Muslims – Text Book
          (Ang mga Aralin para sa mga bagong Muslim)
*Living a Good Life
*Seera - Life of the Prophet Muhammad (sas) (Text Book for the Beginners)
*Tawheed - Oneness of GOD (Advance Level)
* The Guide to Hajj and Umra, (Step by Step)
          (Ang Pagsasagawa ng Hajj at Umrah)
*The Idolaters and the Hypocrites.
          (Ang Mga Nagtatambal at ang Mga Mapagkunwari)
*The Light of a Muslim
          (Ang Liwanag ng isang Muslim)
*Who ever makes the right and good?
          (Sino nga ba ang Gumagawa ng Tama at Mabuti?),
*Why I am Muslim and You are Christian?
          (Bakit ako ay Muslim at Ikaw ay Kristiyano?)
*Why Pork is prohibited in Islam?
          (Bakit Ipinagbawal ang baboy sa Islam?)
*Your God and my God is One God.
          (Ang Diyos Mo at Ang Diyos Ko ay iisa?)
* Why not hear the prayers?
          (Bakit hindi dinidinig ang dasal?)
*Then he took off His Divinity
          (At Hinubad Niya ang Kanyang Pagkadiyos)
* In Allah's Name.. We Stand United.

He was a former Theater Art Artists at Teatro Letran, where he was awarded two time Best Actor in 1984 and 1985 competing different Colleges and Universities in Manila. Eisa Rene is fond of writing poems and short stories. Panaginip at May Umaga pa Bang Darating won the best story for Theater during his College days.

Bing as a his close friends use to call him. He is an Alumni of The Knights Elite Fraternity, Knights Corps of Cadet Officers in Letran where he received medal for his Excellence Performance and Consistency Award at the same time, He was a member of The Knight Publication (College Editors Guild of the Philippines) and a former Vice Chairman of League of Filipino Students (LFS) in southern Tagalog.

When he was in Abu Dhabi for 11 years, Eisa Rene was an active Community Leader, he became the Auditor of United Filipino Association in the Emirates.

At present, Eisa Rene Saturno Batallones works a full time Islamic Teacher and Propagator at Al Malha Dawah and Guidance Center, He is the founder of Filipino Islamic Community (FIC), a non profit organization that help destitute Filipino OFW's who in Jizan, and other parts of Saudi Arabia. 

 

Part I of the Book...

In Allah's Name

We Stand

United

In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah

 “And he has united their (i.e the believers) hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly, He is Allah Mighty, All-Wise.” (Al Anfal 8:63)

In the Name of Allah

Most Gracious, Most Merciful

This is for you O Allah

“Verily my Salat (prayer), my service of sacrifice,

my living and my dying, are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the Alamim (mankind, jinn and all that exist.” (6:162)

And Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: 

“He will never be a believer who does not love for his brother what he loves for himself.”

(Al Bukhari, Imam 7, 71, 72)

Written By:

Eisa ‘Rene’ Saturno – Batallones

First Edition

February 17, 2010

Acknowledgments

I thank Allah – SWT (Subhanahu Wata’la [1]), for giving me plenty of time, and make this work possible. Just like, my other published book, fliers, articles and other undertakings is done purely for His pleasure.

 “In Allah’s Name, We Stand United” was an adage that I used way back March 2004 during The First Filipino Congress held at Jubail Da’awah and Guidance Center. Jubail City. K.S.A, for this reason, I would like to thank the staffs, du’at, and most especially to Shaykh Khalid Al Omeiri for the support he had given me.

My heartfelt thank to all my students at Al Malha Da’awah and Guidance Center, Jizan. Saudi Arabia for supporting in all my undertakings especially to Abdulhakim ‘Rodolfo’ Cabuyadao Jr, for sparing his precious time in proofreading my works, he required so much of me as he helped me. I needed him!

Likewise, I am grateful to the following brothers in Islam: Eng’r Saleh ‘Nadel’ Austria, Eng’r. Abdulaziz ‘Noel’ Chiong, Abdurrahim ‘Arsenio’ Digno, Jasser ‘Jerry’ Sanchez, Abdulmu’min ‘Mienrado’ Pago, Yunus ‘Julius
Edward’ Quartero, Ali Hayudini, Abdurrahman Rabuya, the love for the sake of Allah has shared and understand my inadequacy of giving back the love they shown on me.

          In the course of writing this book, am away from home, thanks to Aisha, my wife and love of my life for sending beautiful messages and encouragements. To my daughter Isselah, who inspires me and supported me much, to my son Ishmael for the wealthy conversation through the phone that lingers within me.

          To all Muslims, May the message of this humble work triggers their somber minds of those whom their way shuttered away from the straight path and may stirring them to fulfill their duties to the Only Lord of the World, Allah – SWT.

Truly, this endeavor is purely for the sake of the Holy One (Allah – SWT) and I ask Almighty God not to deny me the reward of this work, and to judge it to be devoted to His Generous Face, and a treasure save for me in the Doomsday. Amen

Foreword

All praises and thanks are due to Allah[2] – SWT, the Most High, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Owner of the Day of Resurrection.  We give praises and thanks to Him, Who created creation so that they worship Him. He made His signs clear and plain to them, so that they know Him, and He made the path to Him easy, so that they reach Him.

I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone without partners. His is the kingdom and He is Worthy of all praise, and He is able to do all things. I testify that Prophet Muhammad is Allah’s slave and Messenger. Allah has sent Muhammad – (SAAW-sallallahu alayhe wa salam[3]), with the guidance and the religion of truth to be a Warner for mankind and the jinn. May Allah’s peace and blessings be on the Prophet, and on his progeny, Companions and those who followed him with excellence and constancy on the right path.

May Allah - SWT give radiance to a slave who may read this book, comprehend it, adopt it, so he may deliver the information as he/she fully understand it and shared the good values that contain in it to whoever did not learn it.

Remember as the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam, said, in his speech: “Three qualities will not cause the Muslim to be cheated on their account: performing deeds in sincerity with Allah, giving sincere advice to Muslim leaders and adhering by their Jama’ah[4].”

Having the Holy Revelation, the Qur’an and the Sunnah[5] of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhe wa sallam) as my guide and source of my legal systematic affluent approach for better understanding by the readers, I seek the guidance of the Holy One (Allah – SWT) to make it easy and beneficial to its author, its readers and its publisher. May He make this effort sincerely for His sake alone, and may He keep it with Him for the Day when I will meet Him, for He is the All Hearing Who Answers Prayers.

 

Introduction

s a prelude to this humble work that Allah – SWT, ordained obligations and reminds the forgetful and alert the heedless for intensifying their awareness in unifying brotherhood, I fully heartedly dedicate this book solely for the pleasure of Allah. 

In writing this book, reference had been made from the two divine Islamic Scripture: The Glorious Qur’an and the Authentic Ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alyhe wa salam, compiled by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Al Bayhaqi,Tabarani abd others

All the quotations of the Qur’an are base on the “Translation of the meaning of the Noble Qur’an in the English Language” by Dr. Muhammad Taqui-ud-Din al Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, published by the King Fahad Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, Madina K.S.A. I preferred to use this because I believe that the translation of this work has the closest meaning of the Qur’anic Ayat (verses), which the readers can understand easily without losing the excellent beauty and elegance of the Words of Allah.

This book discusses the viable encouragements for a Muslim to have a strong “eeman[1]” without pretext to comply with and apply in their daily lives for them to have a jovial Islamic Community. 

I tried to cover different scoop, area of Islamic subject that are essential on strengthening the Islamic Community in particular the importance of Keeping Family Ties that will elevate the status of Family into a healthy flamboyant atmosphere.

I have included stories taken from different sources and from the Haddith[2] to exemplify and to impart with, not only to the Muslim readers but to non-Muslim as well who may have time to glance through that may serve as a tool and reference to their studies. For “seeking knowledge is compulsory to every Muslims[3]” and are essentials to everyone.

          I invoke and pray to Allah – SWT, to bless this book as a source of encouragements and guidance to all Muslims to stick with to the legacy that the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam, taught in his Ummah and adhere to The Qur’an and the Sunah.

Who is Allah?

     Thousands of years ago God presented people with knowledge of Him through the prophets that He sent to humanity, and approximately 1,400 years up to this date prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam, has been sent on the same mission.

     That was the time of wars between people of that region of the Earth. And it was a feat in front of God to fight with weapons and die — for the ideas of that new religious truth. Also that was the time when a new culture of relations between people was forming, and the followers of Muhammad were craving to imitate him in everything…

     But now the time is different. Now mankind is on another step of its development. It has more deep and broad philosophical-religious knowledge. And God wants from us other deeds and feats: the feats of perfecting ourselves, first of all. God wants us to develop our spiritual hearts, to become souls consisting of love, because He is the Perfect Love. Therefore, the true Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. In the Quran, the eternal truths have to be emphasized — the truths about God and about efforts on perfecting ourselves as souls aimed at becoming closer to Him through love for Him. It is these efforts that He wants from us now. And our spiritual lives must be adapted to the modern level of development of human society, what is documented in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

     

     In Arabic, Allah means literally the one God.  It is pretty easy to understand how different languages give the same thing different names.  Is it that unusual to hear Muslims call God another name, like "Allah", while you call him God or Lord?  Some people have no minds; in the last decade, a growing phenomenon was seen on the internet and in published literature.  Allah is said to be the “moon god” that Arabs worshiped, and Kaaba (The Muslims holiest place on Earth) is His temple.  The evidence for this theory is the crescent that appears on the top of many mosques all over the world plus a fabricated picture of the "moon god".

This idea is very dangerous.  If you believe that Muslims are worshiping an idol, then there is no basis even to talk to them.  They are pagan idolaters like Hindus and Buddhists.  It is alleged that although Islam is a monotheistic religion, the Muslims' only God is simply another idol that Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam, chose (or in some versions of the story, he made it up). 

To invalidate this foolish theory, one has to take the story from different angles.

The crescent is not a symbol of Islam, but of the Ottoman Empire.  The Ottomans are those tribes that moved to Turkey from east and middle Asia.  They converted to Islam and built a huge Muslim Empire that ruled the whole Muslim world for centuries.  When they took Islam as a religion they started using the lunar calendar, the calendar that was used by Muslims, Jews and early Christians.  Even today, the flag of Turkey has a crescent on it.  There was no crescent on any mosque built before the Ottomans era. 

Prophet Abraham built the Kaaba for people to worship God. While pagan Arabs admitted this fact and even kept the stone where he used to stand to build the Ka’aba (Abraham's station), they brought idols to the Kaaba and worshiped them to get closer to Abraham's Lord, Allah, God of gods.  Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam, came with the monotheistic message of Islam.  Arabs defended these idols and refused to give up the religion of their fathers and grandfathers.  They offered to Muhammad a deal, that is to worship their gods for one year, and they worship Allah alone for one year.  A chapter of the Quran came with the response from God to this evil invitation:

[Say : O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,  Nor will ye worship that which I worship.  To you be your Way, and to me mine. ]109:1-6

Later on, the Quran started calling Allah by other names.  One of those holy names was Al-Rahman (the Gracious).  Arabs wondered:"is this a new God?" The Quran responded again:

[Say: "Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. ]17:110

It is not a new god; it is a new name for the same God.  Allah has ninety nine names in Islam; all of them are holy and speak about different attributes of the same creator, almighty Allah.  As an example, read these verses of the Quran:

[Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god; Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god; the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

 He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colors). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory; and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.]59:22-24  

When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came back to Makkah, he entered the city peacefully on the top of an army of 10,000 men, exactly as the Bible described him "pre-eminent above ten thousand." (Solomon 5:10).  He did not burn a single home; he did not harm a single person; he just went to the Ka’aba and destroyed all the gods of Arabs had there.  He kept nothing in the Ka’aba.  Where is this picture of the moon god coming from? I don't know.  Did anyone of the pagan Arabs have a digital camera by then?

There is evidence that the word Allah existed before the birth of Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa salam, for thousands of years.  It is probably the oldest name man used to call God.  Most likely, Adam used the word Allah to call the Lord.  On the other hand, the word "GOD" was born with the English language, less than ten centuries ago.  Can we say that all English speaking nations are pagans because they use the word "God"?  What about Chinese monotheists? How should they call God?

Prophet Muhammad's father’s name was Abdullah (The slave of Allah).  This name was common among Arab pagans and Jews.  Abdullah bin Salam was one of the first Jews to convert to Islam in Madina.  When Arabs call Allah in prayer they say: “Ya Allah” or “Allahoma”.  Aren't these words familiar to you?  “Alleluia” and “Elohim” are the words used to call Allah in the Bible.  In Hebrew, the suffix “im” means many.  So Elohim literally means many Allah(s).  This is a known way to express dignity and respect to almighty Allah by calling Him plural. This phenomenon is known in Hebrew, Arabic, English and other languages. In Quran, the same pattern is seen many times.  For example, God says in the holy Quran:

[ We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). ]15:9. 

In the English translation of the Bible, you read, "Let us make man in our image”-Genesis 1:26-KJV. 

The word Allah is used in all Arabic translations of the Bible.  It was used in some English translations of the Bible like the original "Scofield Reference Bible"-reference: what is his name? by Deedat.  In the New Testament, Jesus is believed to cry before his death "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?”  Eloi is the exact Arabic word "Elahi" which comes from the same root as Allah.

I have no doubt that the word "Allah" is the oldest known name man called God with.  For those who choose to ignore this fact and transgress, Muslims have nothing to offer.  Allah says in the holy Quran:

[If any, after this, invent a lie and attribute it to Allah, they are indeed unjust wrong-doers.] 3:94

For Muslims, Allah is perfect.  He has no partners.  We worship Him and Him alone.  Our faith is summarized in the holy Quran:

[Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;  He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;  And there is none like unto Him.]112:1-4

The Builder of the Nation

“Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm belief.” (At-Tur 52:35-36)

This is the evidence which forces rational mind to accept that there is a Creator who is the responsible of the existence of all things in things in this Universe.

The ayyah[1] is worded in such a persuasive and heartbreaking way that anyone who hears it will be moved deeply. Bukhari narrated in his Saheeh that Jubayr ibn Mut’im said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallah, reciting Soorat At-Toor in Maghrib prayer, when he reached this passage “Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm belief” my hearts begun to soar. (Bukhari, 8/603, no. 4854)

Al Bayhaqi said: Abu Sulayman al-Khattabi said: “The reason why he was so touched  when he heard these ayyat was because he understood the ayyat so well and because what he learned from the strong evidence contained therein touched his sensitive native, and with his intelligence he understood it…”

Hence Al Khallaaq (The Creator – Allah) said: “He created you (all) from as single person (Adam); then made from him his wife [Hawwa – Eve]” (Al Imran 3:6) (find the correct)

Undoubtedly, Allah has the purpose of creating men and put it into existence to emancipate all human being in this world for the reason that Al Hakeem (The Wise – Allah), wants to know who will follow the true Religion of Islamic Monotheism but for us not to deny His Oneness the Fitrah has engraved by Allah in everyone’s heart and He said:

“So set you (O Muhammad) your face towards the religion (of pure Islamic Monotheism) Hanneef (worship none but Allah alone). Allah’s Fitrah (i.e. Allah’s Islamic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khallaq-Illaah (i.e. the religion of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight religion but most of them know not.” (Ar-Rum 30:30)

The Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “Each child is born in the state of Fitra, but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a normal offspring. Have you noticed any (young animal) born mutilated before you mutilate them.” (Collected by Muslim) Sahih Muslim (English Translation), vol. 4, p1389, no, 6423)

So this is the real reason why God Created us but, the natural instinct (the fitrah) has surrounded by so many influences which they make themselves divert to worship other Gods. The parents, priests, laymen, teachers, and others who deviated from the fitrah teaches  and instill to the young mind of a child which change and taint this fitrah, placing a veil over a fitrah so that they are not able to turn towards the truth.

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most God-fearing. Behold, God is All Knowing, All-Aware” (Al Hujarat 49:13)

This is the most essential form of community intended by God for man – a single fellowship commanded to come together for the common good on the basis of monotheism. The Qur’an grants the material means may allow man gain in worldly matters.

We need to appreciate that this is the will of Allah -SWT, by building His Nation so He may know who among His slave will rivets His commands with full submission.

And as He – the Most Compassionate, He who created us fortifies us and sent down His sustenance for us to survive and give thanks to Him for He is the Most Bountiful, the Most Generous.

“O mankind! Worship your lord (Allah), who created you and those who before you so that you may become Al Muttaqun[2]. Who has made the earth the resting place for you and the sky as a canopy, and sent down the water from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you.” (Al Baqarah 2:21-22)

What is our role in the Universe and in the society? Islamic tradition states that the fear of God is the crown of all knowledge. Just as a chair knows nothing about the carpenter, we are unable to understand or perceive God through our senses. Before the physical creation of each and every one of us, however, He gathered all the souls of the descendants of Adam (alayhe sallam[3]) and reminded them of their duty to remember Him as their Lord.

“And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam’s loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): Am I not your Lord?” They said: They said: “Yes! We testify,” lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: “Very, we have been unaware of this.” (Al-A’raf 7:173)

To help us remember, He sent His guidance through His messengers.

“And We not send not the Messenger but as givers of glad tidings and as warmers So whoever believes and does righteous good deeds, upon such shall come so fright, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-An’am 6:48).

We know God as He describes Himself. As He is Al Khaliq, the Creator, that His ability encompasses His creation that no one can deny it.

“Thus We have made you a just nation that you be witness over mankind.” (Al Baqarah 2:143)

And through His Magnificent facility, from a single clot of blood - a pair of man and a woman He marvels us and He scattered mankind, sprouted in every land – then people dwell in it.

“Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generation after generation in earth.” (Al Baqarah 2: 30)

On the other hand, Allah is unique; He has no equal and He shares His name with none else. It is mentioned in the Qur’an: “Wa lam Yakullahu Kufuwan Ahad” - And there is none co- equal comparable unto Him. (Al-Ikhlas: 112:4)

Allah is the Just, and we can be just, He is Ar-Raheem – (Merciful), and we can be merciful, He is Ar-raoof – (the one Most Full of Kindness) and we can show kindness to those suffered from applications in life, He is Al Kareem (the Generous,) and we can be generous for giving part of our earnings to the destitute, and He is Al Hafeedh – (Protector, Guardian) for we can be protector of our family against temptation, corruption, and all causes of immorality within our community.

The way Allah - SWT deals with us, His dependent creation, have a bearing on how we ought to treat each other and the rest of His creation. The link Between Creator and created is a direct one that nobody can interfere with.

The Creator knows his creatures, He is constantly aware of them; He attends to their needs and listens to their prayers. There is no need for special intermediaries, because He is approachable by everybody, and this equality in our relationship to Him liberates us from being subservient to anybody else, making humanity in the Islamic point of view a community of free people, irrespective of race, heritage, or status.

For a Muslim, it is an honor to be a devoted slave of Allah - SWT, because his master is the Lord of all the worlds, and none can compete with him. This gives a Muslim his strength and dignity which no-one can take from him. But ironically, people find superficial and having inconsequential outlook towards their lives and live through the norms the way they wanted it to be.

“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life. But Allah has the excellent return (paradise with flowing rivers) with Him. (Al Imran 3:14)

Enough to ponder on how we live a happy life in this world and have a community of peace, in such a way if we really knew Allah – SWT, from the very beginning when we set off our heart and mind in the light of Islam, believing that Allah - SWT is the only “Auliya” suffice to say that the Beautiful Names of Allah – SWT, contains an important truth about life we had, just as Allah – SWT, is the Ultimate Truth (Al Haqq), and from these Names derived the guiding principles of Islamic philosophy, if we may apply it to our daily lives, having contentment in this world our lives will be filled with peaceful and profusion virtue that crowned with success and the reward in this world and in the hereafter will grant on us by (Al - Aliyy)  – The Most High, the Sublime, Allah – SWT.

 

The Obligation of

Believing His Names

Our great predecessors or the so called salaf mentioned that it is obligatory for all Muslims to believe in all the Most Beautiful Names of Allah and its attributes.

The 99 Names and Attributes of Allah (God)

It is not possible to perfectly translate the names and attributes of Allah from their original Arabic into English. However, here are some fairly close explanations.

• 1.               Allah: He who has the Godhood which is the power to create the entities.

2.         Ar-Rahman: The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers and the blasphemers in this world and especially for the believers in the hereafter.

3.         Ar-Rahim: The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers.

4.       Al-Malik: The One with the complete Dominion, the One Whose Dominion is clear from imperfection.

5.                 Al-Quddus: The One who is pure from any imperfection and clear from children and adversaries.

6.                 As-Salam: The One who is free from every imperfection.

7.                 Al-Mu'min: The One who witnessed for Himself that no one is God but Him. And He witnessed for His believers that they are truthful in their belief that no one is God but Him.

8.                 Al-Muhaymin: The One who witnesses the saying and deeds of His creatures.

9.                 Al-'Aziz: The Defeater who is not defeated.

10.            Al-Jabbar: The One that nothing happens in His Dominion except that which He willed.

11.            Al-Mutakabbir: The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them.

12.            Al-Khaliq: The One who brings everything from non-existence to existence.

13.            Al-Bari': The Creator who has the Power to turn the entities.

14.            Al-Musawwir: The One who forms His creatures in different pictures.

15.            Al-Ghaffar: The One who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again.

16.            Al-Qahhar: The Subduer who has the perfect Power and is not unable over anything.

17.            Al-Wahhab: The One who is Generous in giving plenty without any return.

18.            Ar-Razzaq: The One who gives everything that benefits whether Halal or Haram.

19.            Al-Fattah: The One who opens for His slaves the closed worldy and religious matters.

20.            Al-'Alim: The Knowledgeable; The One nothing is absent from His knowledge.

21.            Al-Qabid: The One who constricts the sustenance by His wisdom and expands and widens it with His Generosity and Mercy.

22.            Al-Basit:

23.            Al-Khafid: The One who lowers whoever He willed by His Destruction and raises whoever He willed by His Endowment.

24.            Ar-Rafi':

25.            Al-Mu'iz: He gives esteem to whoever He willed, hence there is no one to degrade Him; And He degradeswhoever He willed, hence there is no one to give Him esteem.

26.            Al-Muthil:

27.            As-Sami': The One who Hears all things that are heard by His Eternal Hearing without an ear, instrument or organ.

28.            Al-Basir: The One who Sees all things that are seen by His Eternal Seeing without a pupil or any otherinstrument.

29.            Al-Hakam: He is the Ruler and His judgment is His Word.

30.            Al-'Adl: The One who is entitled to do what He does.

31.            Al-Latif: The One who is kind to His slaves and endows upon them.

32.            Al-Khabir: The One who knows the truth of things.

33.            Al-Halim: The One who delays the punishment for those who deserve it and then He might forgive them.

34.            Al-'Azim: The One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolement,and Purity from all imperfection.

35.            Al-Ghafur: The One who forgives a lot.

36.            Ash-Shakur: The One who gives a lot of reward for a little obedience.

37.            Al-'Aliyy: The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures.

38.            Al-Kabir: The One who is greater than everything in status.

39.            Al-Hafiz: The One who protects whatever and whoever He willed to protect.

40.            Al-Muqit: The One who has the Power.

41.            Al-Hasib: The One who gives the satisfaction.

42.            Aj-Jalil: The One who is attributed with greatness of Power and Glory of status.

43.            Al-Karim: The One who is clear from abjectness.

44.            Ar-Raqib: The One that nothing is absent from Him. Hence it's meaning is related to the attribute ofKnowledge.

45.            Al-Mujib: The One who answers the one in need if he asks Him and rescues the yearner if he calls upon Him.

46.            Al-Wasi': The Knowledgeable.

47.            Al-Hakim: The One who is correct in His doings.

48.            Al-Wadud: The One who loves His believing slaves and His believing slaves love Him. His love to His slavesis His Will to be merciful to them and praise them: Hence it's meaning is related to the attributes of the Will and Kalam (His attribute with which He orders and forbids and spoke to Muhammad and Mu sa -peace be upon them- . It is not a sound nor a language nor a letter).

49.            Al-Majid: The One who is with perfect Power, High Status, Compassion, Generosity and Kindness.

50.            Al-Ba'ith: The One who resurrects His slaves after death for reward and/or punishment.

51.            Ash-Shahid: The One who nothing is absent from Him.

52.            Al-Haqq: The One who truly exists.

53.            Al-Wakil: The One who gives the satisfaction and is relied upon.

54.            Al-Qawiyy: The One with the complete Power.

55.            Al-Matin: The One with extreme Power which is un-interrupted and He does not get tired.

56.            Al-Waliyy: The Supporter.

57.            Al-Hamid: The praised One who deserves to be praised.

58.            Al-Muhsi: The One who the count of things are known to him.

59.            Al-Mubdi': The One who started the human being. That is, He created him.

60.            Al-Mu'id: The One who brings back the creatures after death.

61.            Al-Muhyi: The One who took out a living human from semen that does not have a soul. He gives life bygiving the souls back to the worn out bodies on the resurrection day and He makes the hearts alive by the light of knowledge.

62.            Al-Mumit: The One who renders the living dead.

63.            Al-Hayy: The One attributed with a life that is unlike our life and is not that of a combination of soul, fleshor blood.

64.            Al-Qayyum: The One who remains and does not end.

65.            Al-Wajid: The Rich who is never poor. Al-Wajd is Richness.

66.            Al-Majid: The One who is Majid

67.            Al-Wahid: The One without a partner.

68.            As-Samad: The Master who is relied upon in matters and reverted to in ones needs.

69.            Al-Qadir: The One attributed with Power.

70.            Al-Muqtadir: The One with the perfect Power that nothing is withheld from Him.

71.            Al-Muqaddim: The One who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead what He wills and delays what He wills.

72.            Al-Mu'akhkhir:

73.            Al-'Awwal: The One whose Existence is without a beginning.

74.            Al-'Akhir: The One whose Existence is without an end.

75.            Az-Zahir: The One that nothing is above Him and nothing is underneath Him, hence He exists without aplace. He, The Exalted, His Existence is obvious by proofs and He is clear from the delusions of attributesof bodies.

76.            Al-Batin:

77.            Al-Wali: The One who owns things and manages them.

78.            Al-Muta'ali: The One who is clear from the attributes of the creation.

79.            Al-Barr: The One who is kind to His creatures, who covered them with His sustenance and specified however He willed among them by His support, protection, and special mercy

80.            At-Tawwab: The One who grants repentance to whoever He willed among His creatures and accepts his repentance.

81.            Al-Muntaqim: The One who victoriously prevails over His enemies and punishes them for their sins. It maymean the One who destroys them.

82.            Al-'Afuww: The One with wide forgiveness.

83.            Ar-Ra'uf: The One with extreme Mercy. The Mercy of Allah is His will to endow upon whoever He willedamong His creatures.

84.            Malik Al Mul: The one who controls the Dominion and gives dominion to wshoever He willed.

85.            Thul-Jalal wal Ikram: The One who deserves to be exalted and not denided.

86.            Al-Muqsit: The One who is just in His judgment.

87.            Al-Jami: The One who garhers the cratures on a day that there is no doubt about, that is the Day og Judgment.

88.            Al Ghaniyy: The One who does not need the creation.

89.            Al Mughni:The one who satisty the necessities of the creatures.

90.            Al Mani’: The supporter who protectsand gives victory to His pious believers.

91.            Al Mu’ty: The Witholder.

92.            Ad-Darr: The One who makes harm reach to  whoever He willed andf benefit to whoever He willed.

93.            An-Nafi:

94.            An-Nur: Thre One who guides

95.            Al –Hadi: The One whom with His Guidance His belivers were guided and with His Guidance the living beings have been guided to what is beneficial for them and protect from what harmful to them.

96.            Al – Badi: The One who created the creation and formed it without any preceding example.

97.            Al- Baqi: The One that the state of non-existence is imposible for Him.

98.            Al- Warith: The One whose Existence remains.

99.            Ar-Rashid: The One who guides.

100.       As-Sabur: The One who does not quickly punish the sinners.