Islam's Green

A new era in Dawa, inshallah!

The Invitation

The word "dawa" in Arabic literally means invitation, and that is what this is about. Inviting people to Allah, and specifically inviting those who are not Muslim to embrace the religion of Islam and become part of the body of the Muslim ummah.

All Muslim have a duty then to invite others to Allah according to their individual capacity and circumstance, and there is another duty that follows on from that that is often neglected and that is duty of care to those new Muslims to ensure that not only are their religious needs but also in fact their worldly needs are looked after.

It is painfully obvious that this is obligation that has been often neglected and even forgotten altogether, and when it is done it is often done in a haphazard and random manner. Many have been deceived into thinking that giving dawa is not their job and that it is beyond their ability and it is something that should be left to the imams and the experts. The fact is that looking at the time of the Prophet saws and at his noble companions all of them, even the most simple of them looked at inviting others to Islam as a duty and an essential part of their religion.

The Prophet saws described him self as being like the one who invites others to participate in a feast. So those who accepted ate from the feast and those who refused did not. It is very clear though that the Prophet did invite, and encouraged people to enter into Islam and warned them of the dire consequence of failing to accept that call. He did not merely present information about Islam. So this calling and inviting is in fact one of the greatest tasks of all the messengers, and those who follow that example are following in the footsteps of the best of all the human beings.

"Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, works righteousness and says: "I am of those who bow in Islam"? 41:33

Hasan al Basree recited this verse and said: "This person is the beloved to Allah, the walee of Allah and is the most beloved to Him from amongst the people of the earth. He answered the call of Allah and invites the people to the very same call he responded to. He works righteous deeds within his response and declares, 'Indeed I am from the Muslims."

So remember oh Muslim that this life is short and the next eternal, and that is your deeds that Allah will weigh up for you in scales. So whoever's deeds are heavy with good, they will have a happy end. So think about what will maximise you scale of good deeds, and make it heavy!

So bear in mind that when you read what the Prophet said "That whoever encourages someone to do a righteous deed then they will get the reward for that person doing that righteous deed without that persons reward being reduced in the least." So if you are the means for someone entering Islam, then no wonder it is better than all the best of the wealth of this world, since every time that person prays, fasts, reads Quran, gives charity, remembers Allah, then you get a share of the reward for that. So not fail dear reader to part of this call, and do not fail to contribute as much as you can to this blessed invitation, for according to the degree of you contribution so is the extent of your reward!

 

 

Dawa or Destruction

How many calamities have befallen this nation, one after the other in rapid succession, and all of these disasters have causes that are based in being far from our religion and from being immersed in disobedience, sin and neglect of our duties.

Among the matters which our Lord warned us of abandoning is the obligation of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil and calling to Allah. Indeed when we abandon this duty calamities will strike us and although we will beg and plead to Allah, He will not respond to our cries due to our leaving this duty as the Prophet saws said:

"You must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong or else Allah will send up you a calamity and you will make dua and your dua will not be accepted."

So this is duty on every individual according to their own circumstance and ability, as Abu Sa'id Khudri relates that he heard from the Prophet as saying:

"If anyone notices something evil, should change it with his hands and if he cannot he should change it with his tongue and if he cannot he should at least hate it in his heart and that is the weakest form of faith." Muslim

And what greater evil is there in the sight of Allah that people should make shirk with Him and disbelieve in Him and reject the message that He sent for their benefit and guidance?

This is not only a matter for scholars and imams, but for everyone and the blessed Prophet saws said: "Convey from me even if it one ayah." So whatever you know and understand from the deen you should convey that, and indeed Allah mention in His book:

"By Time, Certainly the human beings are in a state of loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds and join together in the teaching of truth and join together in patience."

So, if we leave calling to and teaching the truth we will certainly be of the losers, and may Allah protect us from that! Furthermore the Prophet saws gave the example of people in a boat which has an upper and lower deck. The people on the upper deck have water and the people on the lower deck have none. So those people on the lower deck thirsty but they are shy to disturb those on the upper deck so they start to make a hole in the boat to get water. So if those people on the upper deck do not prevent those people on the lower deck then they will all perish!"

So this is what the Prophet saws warned about, that when the evil is more than the good then even the good will suffer, and we can see that around us today as crime and immorality and the surrender to al hawa, the desires, is everywhere, so evil and hatred and mischief has become wide spread in a manner that envelopes us all! Certainly all the good is obeying Allah and following His deen, and all evil lies in opposing it. What greater evil can fall humanity than their being far from their Lord and His perfect knowledge and guidance that He revealed for their benefit in the Quran and through the example of His noble messenger Mohammed saws?

 

The need to work together

This task, on order to be carried out properly and effectively needs to be done not only on an individual and community level, but infact there must be a group dedicated to this task, who give this matter their full attention until this message reaches the ends of the earth. So as for such an organisation then this is alluded to in the Quran where Allah says:

"Let there arise from amongst you a band that invites to all that is good, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, they are the ones to achieve success." Al Imran 3:104

So if there is no such group them we are all sinful and in disobedience to Allah. And as for this matter reaching the corners of the earth, then that certainly will take place as the Prophet said it would:

"Surely, this religion will reach the boundaries of the day and night and Allah will not spare a rural or an urban dwelling except that he would cause Islam to enter it by elevating some and degrading others. A glory with which Allah elevates Islam and a humiliation with which Allah degrade Kufr (disbelief)."
(Ahmad and Ibn Hibban, saheeh)

And in another narration:

"This matter (Islam) will keep spreading as far as the night and day reach, until Allah will not leave a house made of mud or hair, but will make this religion enter it, while bringing might to a mighty person (a Muslim) and humiliation to a disgraced person (who rejects Islam); might with which Allah elevates Islam (and its people), and disgrace with which Allah humiliates disbelief (and its people)." (Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad)

So this matter will come to pass as the Prophet saws said it would, and perhaps in this day and age with mass communications and ease of travel, so that the world has become a global village, there is an unprecedented opportunity to fulfil this vision, so why not make the intention and take the steps that we can that are within our ability to bring this about so that we can gain the rewards and benefits of that. Indeed all success in any endeavour is in the hands of Allah.

 

How should we invite to Islam

 

From the sad matters that afflicted the Muslims is their being divided into nations and groups and sects and tribes and their being fanatical on that, to extent that they even fight against one another, even though Allah warned us about this in His book and linked such behaviour to rejecting and disbelieving in Him:

"Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you (O Muhammad) have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allah, Who then will tell them what they used to do. "
(  سورة الأنعام  , Al-Anaam, Chapter #6, Verse 159)

 

Tragically many people invite others to join their sect, their group, their Imam, or Sheikh or their own cultural interpretation of Islam, or perhaps they call to one aspect of islam, or some current crisis and think that this is dawa! This is not the invitation that Allah ordered us with at all, in fact it opposes it, because Allah makes it clear that the call is to Allah, to testify that Allah alone is worth of worship and that Mohammed is Messenger of Allah:

"Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me. I declare Allaah free and far removed from all that they associate as partners with Him, and I am free of those who worship anything else along with Him." Surah Yusuf 12:108

So those who are true followers of the Messenger call to Allah, and they call to Allah with knowledge and understanding, with wisdom and good exhortation and reasoned arguments:

"Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching and argue with them in a way that is best" 16:125

So we must call to Allah, and call to His way, and this is what the Prophet advised Mu'adh ibn Jabal when he sent him to Yemen "Oh Mu'adh, you are going to the people of the book so let the first thing that you call the to be the oneness of Allah."

So this is the Prophetic method of calling, to remind the people of Allah and His oneness and the realities of judgement and the fire and the rewards of paradise. It was the way of Mohammed and of all the Prophets to call to the worship of Allah alone and to abandoning of the worship of anything besides Allah:

"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and reject all false deities." Surah an-Nahl(16):36]

 

The best of nations

When the Muslims take up this duty and raise this call, and extend this invitation then and only then will we be the best of all nations, since doing that is a condition of our success as Allah says:

"Ye are the best of peoples raised up for mankind enjoining what is right forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah." Al Imran 3:110

We have embarked on a project to help try and make this a reality. It is called iERA, for a new era in dawa. The launch tour is starting tomorrow. You can find details here www.iera.org.uk.

Calling to good and prohibiting evil is the distinguishing mark of this nation, and instrumental to our success, so when we abandon that the the description of being the best of peoples can no longer apply to us, rather we might become like those whom Allah cursed due to their hiding the truth that they had:

"Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers." [al-Qur'aan, al-Baqara(2):159]

I pray and hope that Allah guides us to be from those who are callers to this noble deen of Islam. Ameen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living in the West

Here is an article publsihed in the Middle East Times by Stephanie Carnes who interivewed me several times:

LONDON -- Practicing Islam in the United Kingdom has become as easy – if not easier – than in many majority-Muslim states, according to a leading British Muslim cleric. But concerns have been raised over rumors that the British government is preparing anti-terror legislation (known as Contest 2) that would classify British Muslims as extremists if they have refused to condemn the killing of British soldiers in conflict or have described homosexuality as a sin.

Supporting jihad in any form, including in the Palestinian territories, or promoting the institution of Sharia law or the establishment of a Caliphate (an Islamic state transcending national borders) would also legally fall within the parameters of extremism.

Even so, many British Muslims believe that leading a truly pious Islamic life is facilitated by the benefits of living in a liberal democratic society such as the United Kingdom.

"In some respects, living in the UK can actually make leading a 'God-centered' life easier than living in some, or even many Muslim countries," said Abdur Raheem Green, an imam at the London Central Mosque. "This is partly due to certain freedoms, civil liberties and adherence to a code of human rights that are essential components of liberal democracies."

A British convert to Islam, Green explained that because of these key features of democratic societies, "one is able to practice all of the essential components of the religion and even many non-essential ones, as well as being able to invite others to accept this truth."

With legislation such as Contest 2 looming on the horizon, the limitation of key liberties in democratic societies such as the UK to members of its Muslim population pose potentially disastrous risks for Muslims themselves, not to mention societal solidarity and inclusion.

Although British Muslims like Green appreciate the freedoms afforded them in the UK, without prejudice toward their religion, they often express concern over the compatibility of Islamic values and the mainstream British way of life.

Green described the process of child-rearing with the Islamic ethos in mind as particularly challenging in the UK. "It is a time consuming and mentally challenging task since at its heart, life here is a materialistic, consumer-based one," said Green.

"Islam teaches us to struggle against our desires and submit to God, whereas UK society teaches to surrender to one's desires and submit to the societal norms," he said.

Ed Husain, a former Islamic extremist and ex-Hizb ut Tahrir member, argued that Britain is still largely failing its population of approximately 2.4 million Muslims. Speaking to the Independent last year, Husain described British society as "ridden with class snobbery, soft racism, patronizing multiculturalism, imperial hangovers, binge drinking, and an inability to rid itself of 'English reserve' – the Rudyard Kipling variety."

Although the United Kingdom is far less "racist" toward its Muslim population than states with similar immigrant populations like Germany and France, greater cohesion between Muslim and non-Muslim segments of the British society is needed, according to Husain.

A poll among British Muslims by the Gallup Organization revealed that only 8 percent consider themselves to be "thriving," a figure which seems to underscore a sense of dissatisfaction. It also supports Husain's call for greater societal cohesion and understanding. As a point of reference 41 percent of Muslim Americans and 49 percent of Muslim Germans – along with 51 percent of Saudi Arabian citizens – rated their lives as thriving.

In Britain, then, is having the personal rights and freedoms to pursue a devout lifestyle overshadowed by the seemingly hedonistic tendencies of a secular society?

Integration and compromising one's piety are not mutually exclusive, says Green. "I certainly don't think it is impossible [to reconcile the two]; it just makes it more challenging for some," said Green. "Those who preserve their faith are quite possibly a lot stronger for it, but many, or perhaps most, don't manage."

"Integration does not necessarily mean that one has to lose that perspective, but in fact that's most often what it comes down to," he added. "One loses the 'God-centered' perspective. And in reality, one begins to think and act like a consumer."

Ultimately, the British government, through its policies, has the power to shape a society in which both pious and secular lifestyles can coexist. Failing to accommodate its increasing number of Muslim citizens could fuel radical Islamic sentiment. More inclusive policies, on the other hand, could minimize the lure of violent extremism.

see the article here:
http://www.metimes.com/International/2009/03/31/uk_is_best_country_for_euro-muslims/6098/

Gaza100

Muslims are getting more and more inventive in bringing our common causes to the masses, mashallah!

“If” is a new charity recently set up which is about.... well this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoKZaBwhBMo&feature=channel

They are doing an event to raise money and awareness for children of Gaza, and it’s called the Gaza100.

http://www.ifcharity.com/gaza100.html

What you have to do is get sponsored to run a 100 meters, turn up and run!

So anyone out there ready to sponsor me? Now, I don’t intend to only run, but I intend to win! Well, I’m not sure it’s a race as such. I suspect my good friend Chambers will be there too, and the last time I raced him in 100 meters he beat me easily. He is FAST! Or was, ‘cause it was few years ago.

Anyway  if you want to see me there you’ll need to collectively raise £1000.

So visit my just giving page and please donate!!!

http://www.justgiving.com/anthonygreen

Remember you never loose from charity!

They’re aiming for a world record, so get sponsored and get down there!

The Black Man and the Muslim

A black man and Muslim are sitting in the back of a police car. The black man says: “A black man can’t get a fair trial nowadays!” The Muslim looks at him incredulously: “You get a trial!?”

Help the people of Gaza

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE OF GAZA ?

'During the last seven years, 14 Israelis have been killed by mostly homemade rockets
fired from the Gaza Strip, while more than 5,000 Palestinians were killed by Israel
with some of the most advanced US-supplied armaments in the world', Seumas Milne,
The Guardian, 30 December 2008.

You will by now have witnessed the horrific scenes of murder of Palestinians at the hands
of Israeli missiles. There has been widespread revulsion about this massacre and a sense
of helplessness from people around the world, unable to do anything about it. Aside from
our prayers to Allah to seek His Mercy, many of us may wonder what we can do to help the
people of Palestine and persuade Governments to condemn the Israeli military machine
and stop giving it diplomatic cover to carry out its task with impunity.

What can YOU do to help the Palestinian people of Gaza ?

1. Read the ENGAGE 10 Point Guide and get working TODAY! Visit: www.iengage.org.uk
This includes writing to your MP, signing petitions and so on.

2. Donate Money - The Palestinian people are in urgent need for your donations for
urgent medical aid and you can donate to the various Muslim charities.

3. Join a Peaceful Protest and let your voice be heard both to the UK Government
and Muslim countries:

i) Major national rally will be held on Saturday 3 January at 12.30 pm in London. Assemble
at Embankment, London SW1 will then move to Trafalgar Square where a rally will be held.
And across the UK. Visit www.palestinecampaign.org / www.stopwar.org.uk

ii) Demo against Muslim Arab States, Sunday 4th January, gather at Paddington Green,
London W2 at 1pm:

And finally, do not forget the power of Dua, our work should always be coupled with
our prayers to Allah to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and
all the Muslims and non Muslims around the world.

The Last Prophet (sa) of Allah (swt) stated: 'He who amongst you sees something
abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough
to do that, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength
enough to do even that, then he should (at least abhor it) from his heart; and
that is the least of faith' [Sahih Muslim]

Women and Dawa

10 ways to do
Da’wah
from the comfort of your home!

By Fatima Barkatulla

 

 SISTERS MAGAZINE 2008

If you’ve always wanted to be a Da’iyah; to invite people to the Truth, but felt you don’t have time, then you better take a fresh look at Da’wah! Check out these 10 ideas and make your home a Da’wah hub.

1. Bake a cake for your neighbours
It’s amazing what effect reaching out to our neighbours can have. A simple gesture such as baking a cake for them can really change their perception of Islam and Muslims. It is those little day-to-day interactions that make people think twice about how Islam is often portrayed in the media.
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “O Muslim Women, do not think that any gift is too insignificant to give to a neighbour, even if it is only a sheep’s foot”. (1)

2. Start a Blog
Even if it’s to write about an aayah of the Qur’an that has affected you, having a web presence is an effective Da’wah tool. Every time someone Googles: ‘Islam’, they are met with a plethora of links many of which misrepresent Islam. So your web presence means that people are more likely to come across correct information about Islam.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Convey (my message) from me, even if it is one aayah”. (2)

3. Phone or write to a friend
Supporting our sisters in Islam is also Da’wah because while you chat you can help renew a sisters Eaman, give her some timely advice regarding something she’s worried about, and remind her to have Sabr, which all come under ‘enjoining the good.’
Remember that Allah says in the Qur’an: “By Time, Indeed Man is in loss, except for those who Believe, and work righteous deeds, and advise one another with Truth and advise one another with Sabr (Patient perseverance).” (Suratul ‘Asr)

4. Send a cheque to a Da’wah organisation
There are plenty of organisations that print booklets or translations of the Qur’an and hold exhibitions to spread the word of Islam. By sending them a donation you will not only be participating in Da’wah, you’ll be rewarded for Sadaqah Jariyyah (ongoing charity) as your donation may cause a ripple effect, touching future generations, or it may mean someone accepting Islam and practising it.
“By Allah, if Allah were to guide just one man through you it would be better for you than red camels.” (3)

5. Call up a Radio Phone-in show
The society we live in has many social problems: poverty due to debt, absent fathers, criminal youth, abortion, sexual depravity of all kinds. By presenting the Islamic solution to society’s problems you could leave a lasting impression on millions! Islam is being discussed regularly nowadays on all major radio stations. Call up and correct a misconception someone has about Islam and be a guardian of our Deen!
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” (4)

6. Invite someone round for tea.
Whether it is the Jehovah’s Witness lady, who knocks on your door, or someone else you have met, you can invite them round for an informal chat. Let them learn a little something about Islam. You could just tell them what we believe about the Prophet ‘Isa (as) and you will have conveyed an important part of our message.

7. Write an article for a magazine or website.
There must be something you feel passionately about or an experience you’ve had, that others could benefit from. Put pen to paper and let your ideas flow. Base what you write upon the Qur’an and Sunnah and have it checked by a person of knowledge. It’ll be a chance for you to do a bit of research, increase your knowledge and it may be a valuable resource for other sisters.

8. Start a study circle
Host a small gathering of sisters for an hour every week. Present a short talk about one aspect of Islam you have looked into, or study the tafsir of a particular surah together. Invite sisters who don’t normally go to a circle. Allah will put so much Barakah in your home insha Allah!
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said in a Hadeeth Qudsi, that Allah says:
“I am as My servant expects Me to be. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it.”

9. Be your husband’s Rock
When we support our husbands’ efforts in Da’wah, we will be rewarded too. Allow him time to spend in this cause and help him in any way you can. Remember the Hadeeth, in which Asmâ bint Yazîd ibn as Sakan (RA) came to the Prophet (sallallâhu alaihi wa sallam) and said: “Oh Messenger of Allâh, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you. I have come to you on behalf of the women. We have believed in you. We do not go out and we remain in your homes. We are your source of physical pleasure. We carry your children. A man goes out to pray jumu’ah and jamâ’ah and follows the janazah. And if you go out fo Hajj, or ‘Umrah, or Jihâd, we look after your wealth. We wash your clothing. We raise your children. Shall we not share in the reward?”
The Prophet (sallallâhu alaihi wa sallam) turned to his companions and said: “Have you ever heard anything a woman has said better than what she has said?”
Then he said to her: “Understand O Woman, and inform the other women. Indeed a woman’s perfection of her relationship with her husband, her seeking his pleasure, and doing that which he approves of is equivalent to all of that.” Asmâ left exclaiming “La ilâha illa Allâh!” (5)

10. Teach your children
Bringing our children up to understand and love the message of Islam is our most important Da’wah project! Remember that everything you do to increase their knowledge and make them strong, righteous people is priceless and will be rewarded.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “All of you are shepherds and are responsible for their flocks. A leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock…” (6)

1. Bukhari & Muslim.
2. Fathul Bari (Explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari), 6/496
3. Fathul Bari (Explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari), 7/476
4. Sahih Muslim 2/22, Kitabul Iman.
5. Adh-Dhahabi related it in Siyar A'lâm An-Nubalâ (it is not 'saheeh' but Sheikh Haitham gave me ijaazah to quote it as its meaning is correct.)
6. Bukhari & Muslim

Sorry About the Comments!

Sorry about the comments section of my blog not being available on the last few posts, and thanks to those of you who have pointed it out. After much searching and fiddling I have discovered the cause. Type pad up graded their interface and I think some of the option settings changed without my realising it. Comments used to be available automatically, but now I have to select it when I compose the post, or perhaps I always had to select it, but haven't recently because I tend to publish my posts straight from MSWord! Either way problem solved and posts should now be available for comment. Your comments are of course very valuable to me, and an essential part of what makes blogging worth while. Most of the really interesting stuff takes place in these comments. If you wanted to comment on one of those posts please do so.
On a general note in the realm of comments I have decided to moderate them, although I publish most comments unedited and am open for free and frank discussion on any issue. There are however, the occasional stupid insulting comments that no one needs to be exposed to. Sadly, lack of time and apathy have combined to cause me to spend a lot less time on this blog than I should, and comments can in hectic moments in my life, go unanswered for even a week or more. I do get there eventually, alhamdulillah.

Al Hidaayah Publications on line at last!

At last one of the great Sunni UK publishing houses / book stores goes on line,
Al Hidaayah.
They have a classic line up of authentic books and lectures for sale and have themselves published some excellent titles.
Fill your library here!
They also seem to have a few of my DVD's under that section for those who keep requesting where they can find such materials from!

Ramadan Karrem is here, alhamdulillah. How to make the most of it.

May Allah bless you all my dear readers in this most blessed month.

If any one of you has had the chance to attend the courses run by Al Kauthar institute you'll know why I recommend those who haven't to do so.
This is an email I received from the director Sheikh Tawfique Chowdhury which Ireally thought we could all benefit from.

Assalamualiakum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

I would like to take this opportunity to greet you, to congratulate you on the advent of blessed Ramadan, to make my sincere dua for you, to express my deepest friendship and love for you and my sincere care and support for you and your families. I make a sincere dua to Allah alone that He makes this month a means to ease your worries, that he replaces it with goodness and transforms your world into a Jannah in this life. May Allah give you what your heart desires and amaze you with His bounty and grace.

I wanted to share with you my answer to something that people ask every Ramadan, namely: How can I make this Ramadan special? The answer quite simply is: By developing good habits in this month.

We all have habits that we may not like or that which may not be liked by Allah. As a result of this, we feel its negative effect in our lives. By its nature, a habit is basically something ingrained and hardwired in our mind. The best way to get over it, is not to try to stop the habit straight away, rather by starting and working on a counter habit. If you want to lose some weight for example – don’t start by stopping to eat, rather start developing a habit of regular exercise and then slowly work on cutting down on the food. This is more effective, more lasting and will probably bring in the result you want. You see, it is difficult to overcome habits that are and have been long standing, but relatively easy to start new ones.

I wanted to share with you a process that I follow to work on starting a new habit that counters a bad habit that I have. It is the following 6 steps. These steps are essentially taken from the simple Islamic process of making repentance – firstly remembering the sin, regretting it by thinking about its implications, making a resolve to not repeat it, doing a good deed that will wipe out the sin, then surrounding yourself with ways of doing good and closing all doors to the bad and lastly being thankful to Allah for having guided you to the good and remembering that if you do the sin again, it is only going to be a new sin and not harm your previous repentance inshaAllah. In the context of habits, the steps are as follows:

1. Firstly, make yourself aware of that negative habit, when, where and how frequently do you happen to do it. How can you effectively make yourself aware of it? By telling others to spot it, by monitoring yourself as closely as possible, by jotting down every time that you remember that you did it. Example: Habit of missing the sunnah prayers.

2. Then, Ask yourself about what impact that habit has on yourself and on yours perception, personality and relationship with Allah. The more you focus on this, the more this becomes the lever of change. Example: Constantly missing the sunnah prayers makes a person a miser with his ibadah, not love the sunnah, legally removes his status as being just, removes the reward of having a new palace built for him/her in paradise daily – the more you focus on the problems of this bad habit, the more it will make you want to change it.

3. Next, focus on how willing and committed you are to making a change and on doing a counter habit. Think over the fence into the future – how it would be to not have the negative habit and to replace it with a positive one.

4. Then write a specific action that you will do to counter the habit and start the good habit. Be very specific and try to make it regular so that it actually becomes a habit. Remember – a habit is something that you do regularly! Example: specifically you will come to prayer 10mins early so you can do the sunnah prayer on time.

5. Next: Support yourself to develop that new good habit. How? Hang around good friends, put up reminders anywhere and everywhere, get your family and friends to support you by remind you about it.

6. Lastly: Reward yourself every time you do a good habit and don’t be too hard on yourself if you end up doing the bad habit here and there. Remember: Habit happens!

Remember that Allah loves those simple deeds that are done regularly rather than the major ones done irregularly. I invite you to use the above to remove a negative habit that you may have and then to develop a new good habit in this month. I am also adding here the link to the Ramadan Checklist that I had made last year to help you develop and stick to that good habit: http://www.alkauthar.org/downloads/Ramadanchecklist.pdf So make this Ramadan special by starting a new habit of making dhikr constantly; reciting surah ikhlas 30 times a day so you get the reward of reciting the whole Quran 10 times a day; helping one poor person with a daily meal; sponsoring an orphan; getting up for qiyamul layl in the last third of the night every night of Ramadan; making dua only for Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa salam etc. Whatever habit you work on, believe me, you will certainly find tremendous barakah and become truly beloved to Allah, if you focus on making it less adhoc and more regular and constant – a true good habit!

Lastly my friends, if there is anything at all that I can do to help you or to make Ramadan more enjoyable for you and more successful for you, then please do not deny me the honour of aiding you in it. Please don’t hesitate to email me if you wish, or use the forums for any non-personal issues and questions that you may have: http://forums.alkauthar.org I hope to see you again sometime soon inshaAllah.

Wassalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Tawfique Chowdhury

Director

Mercy Mission and AlKauthar Institute

The Day my Daughter Died: Iraq, Caliphate, Jihad and Terrorism.

I was her really, the way it happens in dreams sometimes; you jump from body to body. Before I was her I was me and I was trying to get into school, at my age, and my son was there thinking he might get back into education too. If dad can do it so can I, but this was a strange land! They spoke to me in English during the interview, but the signs were in Hindi, or was it Bengali? I wanted to understand what those squiggles meant, and I looked and stared as if looking and staring might make them magically form into something that made sense, like English, but they didn't. I will understand, I thought to myself. And what were those men saying? They were running and talking and I looked and stared. Maybe the rhythm of their run and body language would translate it all for me, but it didn't. It was the beginning of the feeling of loss and confusion. How easy life is when you can understand, how hard when you are in a place where you have to live, by choice or not, where everything is different. How kind a host that provides you with the information you need when you arrive, in a language you can understand.

It was some time after then that I became my daughter. My hair is all a-tatters, my face dirty and my dress torn. My mother had gone to her apartment in town. I was missing her and wanted, needed, to see her., and so I decided I would find her. How simple the minds of little children, how naive, how dangerous for them. So I set off down the street. Not a normal street mind you, although it was once, and not a normal place, although it was once. This was a street of devastation, full of rubble from destroyed and collapsed buildings and wreaked cars. I stopped under a large piece of rubble at a cross roads. It was dark. Dark meant curfew. Curfew meant danger. I knew it. Death came with curfew. I looked back, and the refuge from where I had come was just over the roundabout down the street, but down the street had taken me time of climbing and scrambling and I realised also that I had no idea where my mum's apartment was. I had a bright blue plastic "magic wand" in my hand and looked at the round foam ball at the top and if it might signal me how to get there, but it just looked wet and ripped. I didn't even bring the mobile phone. Then I was scared and worried. I sat on the rubble and looked ahead, and there was a boy with a gun. He must have been twelve or thirteen, twice my age. I froze. Maybe if I didn't move at all he might not notice me, but he was staring right at me. I could see him squint, he was only yards away, maybe it was going to work. Then he pointed his gun right at me and moved towards me. His arm shot forward and stiffened as if he was about to shoot, but then a sort of look of relief came across his face, like "it's only a little girl" and he put down the gun. I mean actually put it down on the rubble next to me. I looked at the gun and he picked it up again, but his arm was hanging down by his side.

"Will you take me home?" I asked

And as he took my hand he was as if he was my brother, and he told me about his father, who had left for Jordon. He left in tears. He could not stay here in Iraq, there was no peace, not even to say his prayers. He could not bear to be away from his prayers, and he needed to be in place where he could go to the mosque and pray. Here you could not even do that. He would be back for them. And as we talked like magic we were soon back at the round about, and I began to feel safe. We stepped out onto the road, and then there was a man beside me in a tattered and dirty white jelabiyya.

It was then they came, a whole convey of them, in a whole collection of cars. Some green jeeps and black and white saloons. It was the police, the government, with the occupiers. We ran the three of us. The man held my hand.

I could see the eyes of police and soldiers. Eyes of evil intent. It was curfew, anyone found out after curfew were like rats, or worse. Death was their fate, or worse. We ran and cars accelerated towards us, tipping as they carved round the roundabout. Men with guns, jumping out of cars before they had even stopped.

Now I became the man in the jelabiyya. I was too slow, too tiered. I was pulling the little girl along. We ran between the cars as men jumped out. I wanted to run faster. We were past them, but only just, and then the firing began. I couldn't hear anything, there was just the fear, the desperation to get away. Then I had the girl in my arms, I had picked her up but she became limp and heavy. Before I had not even felt her weight, but now I knew she was dead. Dead in my arms. My daughter, dead in my arms. I loved her although I never knew her before this instant, but we were family still. Our mother was daily fear and our father nightly curfew. I wanted to put her down and check, see how, where she had been shot, to make sure she was dead, but I knew. It was no use. She was too heavy. I dropped her and was running faster. The soldiers were kneeling down, taking aim. I dived to the ground taking the boy with me. I was in the dirt and dust and we'd be safe here for a moment more.

Now there were others firing at the soldiers, police and Americans. They had forgotten about us now. Their attention was on the attackers. We crawled on our belies towards the shelter of the ruins and rubble. I could see a sniper from the resistance. Normally I would hate them. Not today. His face fixed to the scope. He was aiming for the Americans, for their necks. I knew he would hit his target, and I was glad, glad that the bringers of death and misery to my life would die, yes I was glad.

The phone rang and I wake up to "Sue from the surgery."

I tumble out of bed, reeling from sleep and my mind numb from the dream. I sit on the stairs, my head in my hands. I am still the man in the dusty, dirty torn jelabiya, and as I walk down the stairs, tears begin to well up in my eyes.

Right now my daughter is dead, my daughter is dying, my daughter is about to die.

As I sit taking in the banality of my life compared to suffering of the world, my head reels with self reproach as I think about my dream. I reflect on myself conceit and lack of compassion and empathy as I recall the trauma of not understanding. How easy to say about those who have come here to England for whatever reason, "You must learn English!" I've been a Muslim for twenty years and I still don't understand Arabic properly!

And I think about the suffering, my dead daughter. She is my daughter. We are connected, the people of iman, connected in a way that is beyond even the ties of blood. They claim this is a fantasy, some sort of fake kinship. Say what you like. Prattle away in your ignorance! Those who live it and taste it know the truth of it, and your words make no difference.

Then I remember Allah. He, the Mighty, Forgiving and Wise. I ask Him to help the helpless, to relieve the suffering of the sufferers, and tears flow for my daughter again. "Could you not stop all of this Allah? Is it not easy for you?" But I know that He has a noble purpose, a plan, that the life is a test, and test means nothing without all this, and that "all this" is our doing, our choice, the cruelty of humans upon humans, who have left the perfect guidance of our Creator to follow our whims and fancies.

I think about my daughter, lost in my dream, a dream, but still so real. I remember her innocence, her sweetness, and I can understand! Allah wants her back. Of course He does, why should He not! She is hers, we all belong to Him. And I smile, a smile that spreads through my body.

I look up and see a book on the table. The gold letters twinkling in the morning sunlight, as if they are smiling at me, inviting me: "Come, take my hand!" So I walk over and pick up the Quran. I look at the pages and see in the mass of them a small oval opening, like some eye to a greater truth, so carefully I put the edge of my finger to that eye, and I open.

"Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs is the garden of paradise. They fight in His cause and slay and are slain: A promise binding on Him in truth, through the Tawrah and the Gospel and the Quran, and who is more faithful to his promise than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have made. That is the supreme achievement.

Those that turn in repentance, that worship Him and praise Him and travel in His path, that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limits set by Allah. So proclaim the glad tidings to the believers."

At Tawbah 111-112

How can one who sees and feels this suffering be quiet and still? Yet where is the avenue for action? If we have abandoned jihad, if the kings and presidents and armies and nations who are equipped with the material means to fight a legitimate war do not do so, some of those who feel and care and are tormented by this suffering, who live the reality of my dream every day, will use any means, even the illegitimate ones. This is because the nature of the human being cannot tolerate injustice and oppression for long. Often the response to injustice is itself unjust.

The Prophet and his companions suffered oppression, injustice, torture and deprivation in Mecca, and Allah ordered them with patience. They were prohibited from a violent response. Perhaps part of the reason for that is the response in these circumstances cannot by its nature be a measured one. They could have conceivably taken swords, arrows or daggers and randomly started attacking people in the markets or setting themselves alight and running into people's houses, but this never was the way of Islam. Suicide bombing is just that, suicide, and when it is combined with the murder of civilians it is just that, murder. There is simply no precedent and justification for it, but that does not mean that we can or should ever close our eyes to the why. There are reasons why people do such things, and unless we remove the causes we will never cure the disease. One of the differences between the Muslims in Mecca and our situation today is that in Mecca there was no means for a measured, legitimate response. Today there is. The Muslim nations have armies, weapons, and material recourses. We have the means to respond to those occupying Muslim lands, but then they are not really Muslim lands anymore, they are "sovereign nation states". Thus we are divided, and ruled.

The call for the Muslims to be united under one Caliph, and to be governed by the Shariah is not the invention of Islamists. It is and always has been the position of orthodoxy. It is also common sense, and God's guidance is always the sensible way, even if we don't always seem to see it. When we abandon jihad, we are open to destruction, and legitimate, effective jihad, depends on some degree of unity and cohesion in the Muslim nation. Most of us want to live in peace and get on with lives and let others do the same, but the fact is that there are always those who's hatred, greed or perceived need drives them to deprive others of what they have. Every nation has armies, not necessarily out of desire for war, although for some that might well be the case, but rather because the consistent lessons of human history have taught us that even if we do not desire war there are others who do. If you are militarily too weak, you are always open to the potential of attack from those who are stronger. Jihad is thus the strength of the Muslim ummah, when it is abandoned the ummah is open and exposed.

This is exactly what the Prophet stated when he prophesied that: "Soon the nations will gather together to take from you in the same way you invite others to share in a feast."

"Is this because we are few in numbers?"

"No, you will many like the foam on the sea, but you will be like the rubbish that is carried by the flood. And Allah will take the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and into your hearts he cast wahn."

"What is wahan oh Messenger of Allah?"

"Love of life and fear of death."

The noble religion of Islam has prevented the killing of women, children, the old, and from desecrating the churches and synagogues. In Islam you fight the fighters, soldier against soldier, armies against armies. But what happens when the soldiers do not fight? When they stand by and watch tyranny, or even worse they are themselves the vehicle of it? Then who will fight jihad? If those who can fight legitimately refuse, those who can only fight illegitimately will rise.

Jihad is not terrorism, but terrorism is a result of abandoning jihad.