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The best product on the market!

May 14, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

The best product on the market!

Monday 14th May 2012 – Discourse Notes:

In this world we live in, and the people we interact with are trying to sell us something. – marketing something, parents for example want to seek you a have better worldly life, a better future.
(a very few also help secure your hereafter, but mostly your worldly life). Some friends that are bad are trying to sell you worldly assets, cars, house etc. where as other friends want to sell you drugs so that they can fill their pockets with money to buy a flashy car, house etc. Shaitan is also trying to sell you his package/product (buy giving you all the pleasures of the world) and buy the hereafter in return from you. – A business transaction.
The wife/husband is also trying to sell you their comforts. If they do not receive comforts from you then the wife/husband is unhappy! All of them -(categories of people) are trying to in essence suck the blood out of you. The worst are those who try and sell you drugs. The people who do this are the worst, as they are destroying families and friends. A father is lost to drugs, a friend is lost. In that the children no longer have a father figure to look to as their father is now a drug addict. He is not a father! They are like orphans, even worse off. As the children who are orphans, they sometimes have good a mother who can cover for the loss. At times thaws orphans also look up-to the work left by their fathers. Whereas the drug addict is completely lost, in this world and the next. His children no longer have any role model or anything to look forward to.
- Similarly those fathers/Mothers who have lost their children to drugs. It is as if their children have died! Due to the fact that they are no longer receiving any benefit from them. – the love, care and kindness.

It was the promise of the devil who said he will buy the hereafter of the people. In return for offering all the pleasures of the dunya to them. – A sacrifice, one for the other! it will be a means to leading people astray.
Allah (swt) and the prophet (saw) are also trying to sell you something. But, this is without any ulterior motives or needs. This is the better life of this world and the hereafter.
- Remember everyone has a death sentence looming above their heads! We hear news of people being sent to the gallows, the newspapers and media are always reporting it. A judgement given by the judges. Allah (swt) who is the best of judges, has given a judgement to all of us! This death sentence can be turned around and made into a gift. Issued by the judge, how? By having firm conviction on the shahadah. The prophet (saw) said; death is a gift to the believers. (paraphrased)
- the irony of democracy is it says ‘do what you like. We have freedom’. However, when someone kills, rapes or hurts others they are reprimanded. This is why religion has not given unrestrained freedom to people. It has to be in a controlled environment. Then only freedom can co-exist with others, without harming, or killings others. In reality the person who says ‘I am free’ is in actual fact become a slave to his egos.
“the heart of every problems, is the heart itself”. – A parable, to explain that the human heart is the cause of every problem on earth. – The main cause (heart) of the problems in the world.
- Human desires are unlimited in an limited world. So, how can we fulfill them here? A king who rules the world will still have desires which are not fulfilled. A glass which is filled to the top cannot be filled continuously in one go. As it has reached its limits. Likewise for unlimited desires you need a unlimited place to fulfill them.
- all the activities of the servants can become worship with the right intention.
- the reasons why there were gaps in the coming of prophets on earth was because Allah did not send prophets at times when the vast majority of people were on the right path. Simply because there was no need for prophets to remind people of the hereafter. As they already were focused on that. Once they slowly began to move away from this and become rebellious. Thats when the prophets came. – At the time when people were getting lost and forgetting the right beliefs.
So, if anyone has gone down the wrong way, drawn a wrong picture. Turn to Allah and he can wipe your slate clean.
- There are four witnesses to a persons sins:
1) angels
2) earth
3) own organs
4) books – the books of deeds.
When someone repents, these four categories are made to forget by Allah. So, these do not stand against you on the day of judgement. Just look at the mercy of Allah!

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Yaya Toure: ‘I am Muslim’

May 9, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

Currently this video: (below) is trending on YouTube. Causing a stir across the virtual universe to occur.
Why i chose to write a post about it is for two reasons.
1) With the barrage of media attacks on the religion of Islam. – Its attempt at corrupting the image of Islam and its followers, it seems that the whole religion of Islam has been turned into a ‘boogeyman’ or rather, ‘boogeymen’ character. A villan in the movie of moral liberties and civilisation. Who is hellbent on taking away the moral rights, liberties and freedoms of people. ‘Taking over the world’. It also goes without saying that ‘Islam’ has become the scapegoat for blaming all the world’s problems, situations and misfortunes. Anything wrong with th world is somehow connected with Islam, or is the fault of ‘islamic people, “Them damn muzlims!”.
Yaya Toure, a multi million pound player for Manchester city football club recently blurted out (whether purposefully or otherwise) that he is a muslim. (Watch video) Now, this has caused a storm to erupt in the social media outlets around the world. He said the dreaded and much feared few words. ‘I am muslim’, instantly this got the virtual world (the internet) talking and speculating. Many expressing their disgust at new revelation of knowledge that he is a ‘muzlim’. There are wide-spread comments, views and opinions expressed in which people, who once held him as a great football player on longer seem to see him in the same light. In turn have demoted him from being held in their view, as one of the best player for Manchester city football club. Most of the shock and horror people are expressing is due the widely held myth that ‘how can someone choose to be part of that backward, cave dwelling religion, the turbanators‘.

One comment on YouTube read;

You don’t read the news do you? There’s currently 9 Muslim males who cavorted a ring on 47 different other Muslim males and started trafficking Caucasian girls as young as 13. That’s happening right now,

Clearly, this shows how people are linking one instance of bad news committed of a group of men, with him. In turn, painting all the muslims with the same paint brush. A group of pedophiles, white skin loving, rapists! It is also worthy to note how in every situation muslim men are involved in something, the religion of Islam bares the brunt of their actions. It’s funny how i don’t see that happening with the countless crimes being committed by, other faith groups; the white english, christian, jewish, or other faith groups.

Anyway, anyone now who has the courage to say he is a muslim in public is seen as if he has just declared he is a Nazi! This is how much people are disgusted and horrified by the news. Any celebrities or famous people who dare to show any inclination to either being muslim, or favouring muslims will undoubtedly now have their entire career brought into question by the general public. Some even go as far as questioning their sanity!

2) On a brighter and more happier note, as muslims we can learn that despite, being famous, having money, all the world at his feet. Yaya Toure has not lot his traditions and principles. Many muslims lose themselves in the forest of temptation and desires, once they get into the crucible being a ‘celebrity’. Once a person reaches the highest point in the world, and all the doors to pleasure, glory and material gains are open to him or her, it is very difficult to live a disciplined life. Even on our mediocre level of life that we lead, we do not spare any moment in not committing a sin. Unfortunately, any opportunity we get, to sin we avail the chance. For example glaring at women, fantasising etc. Any chance to do any particular sin, we will extinguish it without fail. So what to say when or if we have the whole world at our feet? Do you think we will be as disciplined as him? Many of us will jump headlong into the world of unlimited pleasure and desires.
So in this respect, for the die-hard muslim fans of football, Yaya Toure should be a good role-model to follow and take lessons from. In that despite all the gleam and glamour that is at his feet, he still maintains his islamic code of living and is proud to be a muslim and to say it out loud!

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Stairs to the pleasure of Allah.

May 7, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

Stairs to the pleasure of Allah.

Monday – discourse notes 07/05/12

Amongst the Muslims there are two kinds of people. One category is they do not know the reality of life. They are only following the majority of the crowd. As the saying goes they get lost in the crowd and can’t find their ways out.
Secondly, there are those who do know and try themselves to rectify their situations. These people know how to change but cant because they don’t have a way to change. They want Allah to change them.

- The question is how does Allah want people to change?
This is done by the means and situations Allah creates in which he wants people to change – a catalyst.
For example; A person may attend a pious gathering – this may be the opportunity for a person to change. As it is not by coincidence a person attends or does good. This is one of the way Allah wants us, me and you to change. – A pull from Allah to turn to him.
There are other ways in which Allah (swt) pulls a person to him. – a catalyst he uses to take a person to him. This is through diseases/illnesses/marital problems etc. These are indications and pulls from Allah to help us to change and turn to him. – a person may be having marital problems, be in a business crises, these are god sent signs to turn to him. We are not prophets, so this means we will not recieve revelations.
- How does Allag (swt) then communicate with you? – this is through the crises and blessings we get. When we see or are in a marriage problem, Allah is in fact saying ‘look you did all this for your wife/children and now they left you. You have no one to turn to. Understand that and realise the nature of this temporal world!’. Or, it may be we had a best friend and now he has turned against you.
[These are clear signs Allah shows us of the temporal nature of this world. All relations and friendships can change for the worser if they are not for Allah and only him!]
The second way he (swt) wants us to change is he shows us a clear and apparent way to change. It may be he (swt) presents different schools of purification to us to choose from and to change. – those that are on the truth and sunnah.
The question is now how to change?
Remember Boone can force you to change. That is upto you. All the mashaykhs and Awliyah do is only give you the power to change.
- Allah says that he sends small signs for a person to change before he sends the big signs (punishments) to change. All the illnesses and diseases of this world are small signs compared to the bigger signs in the hereafter. If we don’t see the hidden messages in these smaller signs then Allah will send a big/ final ultimatum to change, that being the death and punishments in hell!
- there is no eastern or western life styles. Only the shaitanic or prophetic life styles.

The steps to change:
1) The first step is to correct ones the beliefs – what do you believe? Do you believe only this life exists? Correcting ones belief.
2) The knowledge – knowing how to do the injunctions of Islam. The dos and donts.
3) Having the will and resilience to repent – learning how to repent and turn to Allah.
4) Then it is to strive, striving in abstaining from sins/ disobedience of Allah.
This then will allow you to enter the door to change. And lead you though the doors of purification of the organs of the body, mind, heart & soul.

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Contradictory Muslim Scholars

May 1, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

It would be fair to say and something which is on the minds of muslims at large, is that Islam is under attack. Now, I don’t mean to sound alarming or cause an uproar. All i am doing is penning down what people are thinking, secretly harbouring and quietly discussing. The assumption is however, Islam is being attacked from the outside in. That, non-muslims especially the islamaphobic lunatics are hellbent on destroying the image of Islam. If not, completely, demolishing the ‘cult’ of Islam as it were, in their eyes. Frankly, this is nothing surprising or new to me. They are doing their job whether openly, discreetly, or indirectly. They are playing their part in doing the ‘dawah’ for Islam. It is a different matter whether it is a positive one or otherwise.

I believe there is a far greater demon at play. A far greater, more subtle and dangerous catalyst working behind the scenes at destroying image Islam. This harm is more detrimental than the attacks (as we may call it), from the outside. It is not the outside externalities which i have a concern of, it is the harm from inside out that is a matter of concern for me. The disease which is slowly infecting the internal organs of Islam. The internal bleeding, which on the outside seems to be causing no harm or discomfort. Only in reality, to be eating away the vital organs which allow the body of Islam to function properly.
This harm which i am referring to is, the contradictory messages being spewed out by the so-called islamic scholars, the intellectuals and the ‘benefactors’ of Islam as they are known as these days.

For example; When we have ulema who are delivering speeches in front of a whole hall filled with women, and there is no sense of barrier in front of the speaker or the scholar is not maintaining his gazes, then this attitude is more harmful than anything else at curbing the message of Islam. As the contradictory nature of the situation only serves to bring out the evil of the gathering and the benefit of such a gathering is lost on people. People who attend or watch such gatherings will go away thinking ‘why didnt the shaykh/pir maintain the lowering of his gazes. Or, address the crowed properly with the high codes of ethics Islam has laid down? why does he have a free permit to willfully gaze at all the women in the gatherings, addressing them directly by looking them into the eye? Almost ‘wolfing’ at them, savagely devouring them with their gazes. Yet, these molvi’s (scholars) tell us to lower our gazes when we happen to come across a person of the opposite gender?’. People see the contradictions more than the messages being delivered.

All that remains on the minds of people are these mainframes of thinking, and the message of Islam or what was said is completely lost on them. They slowly but surely begin to see the ‘lawfulness’ as it were, of openly looking at women/men. The proof being ‘well, that pir/shaykh/scholar allows us to look at anyone we wish. He even does it himself when we are there in his gatherings!’ You see, this then severely beats down the true beauty of the message of Islam. People begin to see the teachings of Islam as ‘mere instructions from an ancient’, and backward book. That is out of touch with modern times. “Since the molvi’s are doing it then why can’t we” becomes the mantra, the attitudes of people. With that, the moral teachings of Islam is lost on the masses. People then no longer begin to see the applicable nature of the teachings of Islam in a ’21st century world’.
This is why we, on a daily basis are seeing the call for a reformed and re-invented version of Islam become the widespread discussions in the media, events and talks! (nauzibillah!). Several years back i once heard sidi Hamza Yusuf mention a anecdote which brilliantly illustrates my points.
Once during a discussion man was asked ‘why dont you grow a beard like the prophet (saw) had?, You claim to love the prophet (saw) so much that you write poems after poems praising him (saw)’ The man replied ‘well, i have a teacher, and he is a real lover of the prophet (saw). He always praises and loves the prophet (saw) so much, that i have not seen anyone like him!. Yet, despite that, he does not have a beard. So, seeing this i am following him, and taking that to mean, i can also be a lover of the prophet (Saw) without having the need to follow the sunnah’. Although it may seem bizarre to me and you, unfortunately, this is the reality. People see the contradictory messages gushing out of the people who are supposed to be a role model and are accepting their shortcomings as legal and justified actions. In any situation where you have a mixture of the truth and evil being allowed to flourish the evil will always has a greater effect on the people more than the good. The good is lost and evil dominates the arena. Similarly, when you have proponents of Islam, showing a contradictory message people lose the valuable teachings being mentioned and only go away with the evils they have seen emanating side by side the ‘good’.
For several years, and even up to today, i highly would recommend Harun Yahya books to people and hold him in high regard. They are brilliantly simple to follow yet eloquently delivered. The realities of life in this world and the other topics he (Adnan okhtar known as Harun Yahya) delivers in his books are profound and tremendous.

However, in the video interviews he does, the teachings and lessons he gives is lost on people due to the contradictory nature in which he chooses to deliver his messages. There are no boundaries set in the discussions he has, where an attitude to willfully to ‘do all and be all’ is clear. No moral codes of adab is observed. Where scantily dressed women are used to pin-up his ideas and deliver his thoughts. This really hammers his messages from having a positively lasting impressions on people.
See for yourself.

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Dr. Akram Nadwi’s disastrous mistake!

April 26, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

In a recent interview between the BBC and Dr. Akram Nadwi, a scholar and an influential reasearch fellow of Oxford University. Some startling and somewhat shocking statements were made. Millions of people, both muslims and non muslims alike, would be taken-a-back by the new boundaries set on the discussion of segregation in Islam. Dr. Akran Nadwi claims that the early sources of Islam do not advocate or specify any notion of a ‘segregation of the sexes’. The BBC programme ‘Divine women’ aired a number of days ago, dealt a new blow to those seeking formulated assurances of segration in muslim communities. Bettany Hughes – the author, historian and presenter of ‘Divine women’, reveals the hidden history of women in religion. Primarily the programme, focused on the roles of women in religious circles who in many areas shaped, formed and in some cases were instrumental in the spread of its message. Secondly, the programme sought to highlight the defining female figures who helped make a ‘world religion’ become a ‘world religion’. It is in part 3 of the programme where the new claim made by Dr Akram Nadwi, is unleashed on the millions of people both muslims and non-muslims. For the non muslim, he/she would see Islam as no alien to the idea of it being surrounded in controversies and headlines. But, the startling revelation is bound to make many within the islamic religious communities reel with disgust and anger.
In the Wikipedia page dedicated to the Dr, the following is attributed:

Nadwi says he does not advocate unrestricted mixing between the sexes, but acknowledges that Muslim societies and families often limit the potential of their girls and women. He compares this limitation to the “live burial” (i.e. female infanticide) practised in pre-Islamic Arabia. He attributes to the “decline of every aspect of Islam” an insecurity and weakness which leads to these restrictions on girls’ education and women’s rights

Although the quote is self-explanatory, in and of itself it is evident the very liberal and open attitude Dr. Akram Nadwi harbours. The idea of having a physical barrier erected to segregate the genders is non-existent in the scriptures of Islam, according to the scholar, who is apparently an authority on the subject of female scholars in Islam. As absurd and barbaric the claims may seem, these ideas are finding root in the up-coming ‘practicing’ muslims, not to mention in the islamic events organised within university campuses. Where the notion of a physical barrier to segregate the genders is fast becoming a thing of the past!.
I am in no way seeking to tarnish his pious name. Or, seeking to slander the reputable man. But, when it comes to the truth being highlighted and mentioned, i will not hold back in calling a spade a spade!
From the endless ulema and scholars of traditional leaning i have dealt with, learnt from, and had the good fortune of sitting with. They are all clear that despite the mother of the believers, Aisha (ra) being one the fundamental figures of spreading the islamic teachings. She taught behind a veil and the students (whom were male) would sit on the other side of the vial. This is a physical barrier which was in existent long before we had pseudo-scholars in the ummah trying to advocate the eradication of physical barriers! We have a set of standards set by the sharia, which is eternal and does not need to be ‘fine-tuned’ as it were, or changed to suit an era. It is the era and time in question which has to mould into the standards set by the sharia. It is suffice to say, the post 9/11 era has had a dramatic effect on the english speaking scholars of the western world. Those that think our way out of this turbulent times will only be viable if we forsake or even leave behind some of the principles by which we stand!
It is also appropriate to note, Dr. Akram Nadwi is also the person who famously said it is not a sunnah to wear a hat to cover the head whilst in prayers. That, it was an innovation imported from other cultures in which muslims once again threaded this idea into an act of piety. He is a man who seems to be the epitome of the word controversy. When a person seeks to undermine the sunnah by demeaning the practices of Islam. Wether that it is the subject of segregation of the sexes or the practices of the sunnah. One thing is for sure, the end of that individual would not be a very blissful one. As he or she may want it to be. When the doors to sin and evil are left open or in fact removed entirely, we will have situations like this arising: (Astagfirullah!)

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“Your going Hell!”

April 21, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

At work yesterday, during my lunch break I came across a powerful and moving Hadith and thought it is imperative that I dedicate a post to it.
Essentially the Hadith in al Bukhari covers the aspect of consciousness and a person’s final end. A person must always be vigilant of his actions and not become content of thinking to himself as being a practicing muslim, who will as a result die in a blissfully pious life. God forbid, but situations can change at any moment and things can start to go down hill in a person’s life. This particular hadith was powerful on a number of levels. But, what struck me most was the fact how the hadith highlighted a deep message for the so-called ‘righteous’ people. Sometimes when we as muslims prefer to see ourselves as the-one deserving-of-paradise, it stops us from being our usual self. In that, we begin to look condescendingly towards others. ‘He is so evil…’ ‘she should be cursed to hell for not praying…’, etc. We become content thinking ‘my end will be good’. ‘I will certainly die on iman & enter paradise, for all the good i am doing.’
What this particular hadith brought home was the fact how our destinies and situations can change, which can as a result causes us to become from the people of hell. Despite being a practicing muslim all our lives. When the final moment comes we might end up doing something very alien to our norm, causing us to enter the eternal condemnation!

In the Hadith, the story goes as follows:

Narrated Sahl bin Sad As Saidi:

“Allah’s Apostle (and his army) encountered the pagans and the two armies fought and then Allah’s Apostle returned to his army camps and the others (i.e. the enemy) returned to their army camps. Amongst the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) there was a man who could not help pursuing any single isolated pagan to strike him with his sword. Somebody said, “None has benefited the Muslims today more than so-and-so.” On that Allah’s Apostle said, “He is from the people of the Hell-Fire certainly.” A man amongst the people (i.e. Muslims) said, “I will accompany him (to know the fact).” So he went along with him, and whenever he stopped he stopped with him, and whenever he hastened, he hastened with him. The (brave) man then got wounded severely, and seeking to die at once, he planted his sword into the ground and put its point against his chest in between his breasts, and then threw himself on it and committed suicide. On that the person (who was accompanying the deceased all the time) came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “I testify that you are the Apostle of Allah.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Why is that (what makes you say so)?” He said “It is concerning the man whom you have already mentioned as one of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire. The people were surprised by your Statement, and I said to them, “I will try to find out the truth about him for you.” So I went out after him and he was then inflicted with a severe wound and because of that, he hurried to bring death upon himself by planting the handle of his sword into the ground and directing its tip towards his chest between his breasts, and then he threw himself over it and committed suicide.” Allah’s Apostle then said, “A man may do what seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise but he is from the dwellers of the Hell-Fire and another may do what seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire, but he is from the dwellers of Paradise.”
- Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 59 Hadith 514

What is so profound about this hadith is despite sacrificing a person’s whole life in the way of Allah. – (An act of the highest degree of righteousness). A person still cannot be too sure of where he/she will be. It’s the final moments of a persons life life that determines his eternal life.

In summary, never gloat or become haughty towards others. Or, even harbour a thought ‘i will certainly have a good end and enter paradise. Since i pray, fast and constantly do good”. We should be hopeful of entering paradise, yes, that is correct. But, this should not make a person evolve into a self-conceited and a deceived individual. Who thinks he is going towards paradise when in actual fact is heading towards hell. At the moment a person may not be praying, fasting, or even doing any good. However, this should not make us become frustrated or even big-headed thinking evil thoughts about him/her. We are only instructed to invite and advise others in doing good. If they are not responding, then it is up to them what they choose to do. Always be aware that no one knows our final end. Remember:
“…A man may do what seems to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise but he is from the dwellers of the Hell-Fire and another may do what seems to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire, but he is from the dwellers of Paradise.”

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Channeling our abilities to work for the hereafter.

April 17, 2012 by MyBeliefs.co.uk

Channeling our abilities to work for the hereafter.

Discourse Notes: Monday 16th April 2012

Allah (swt) has mentioned in the Quran. ‘He does not test a person beyond his means’. It is the humans who have put the burden on themselves. Look at the earth and how much trouble there is. All the troubles are a result of the evil doings of the human beings. Whereas in the heavens we find no such trouble/chaos. Despite thousands of Allah’s creation living there.
- we find in the injunctions of shari’ah that those who can not pray standing they are told to pray sitting, etc. From this we learn that, whatever commands we have been given. It is proof in itself that we CAN perform them. Since, Allah will not issue a command which a person cannot carry out.
Similarly, the efforts we need to do for dawah and tableegh are in our capabilities. – When people are willing to leave behind their homeland, family, lifestyles and friends for attaining the dunya. Can we not do the exact same thing for the hereafter? People are willing to leave behind their families and friends for many years, at times even for forever, simply to attain dunya. Yet, when it comes to spreading the message of dheen. We come up with thousands of excuses!
- The bottom line is we have the capabilities to do dawah, to act on the dheen. The same willpower and efforts we are using to earn the world. We can use the exact same skills to work for our hereafter.

This is how one of the students of Syyiduna Abdul Qadir Jilani (ra) went over to Malaysia and after years of tirelessly doing dawah and tableegh. The country is now a Muslim country. He sacrificed for Allah, the same way we are willing to sacrifice for dunya. By, leaving behind his family, friends, and localities.
Shaitan, nafs and the worldly people are using your body, your mind, heart and soul. The truth is, they will not give it back to you. It will become a waste. However, if you lend these to Allah and for Allah. You will get them back, even better than what you sent.
*Whatever work you do, if you do it for Allah and only him. It becomes worship! Whatever work you do and if it’s for other than Allah. Then it ceases to be worship. Even praying and fasting itself*.

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