Ramadan 1429 has come and gone. It was again a time when most Saudis switched their days to night and night to days. It was also a time of great commercialism for businesses, malls, media and more. Each night a series of special Ramadan shows were shown on the majority of Arab channels. A lot of these shows did not have anything to do with Ramadan or Islam but were either comedies or dramas but presented during Ramadan due to the higher viewership. The malls and businesses ran continuous Ramadan specials. For example Mobiliy, which recently acquired the hi-speed wireless internet company, Al Bayanat, offered free installation and a free month of service to anyone who chose to receive WIIMAX services during Ramadan. Orbit satellite television offered special subscription packages for those who signed up during Ramadan. And of course, the malls and souks not wanting to lose out on business opportunities stayed open until the wee hours of the morning. Before I forget to mention, working hours were also shortened during Ramadan to make it easier for those who were fasting. All of these “Ramadan conveniences” further perpetuated and encouraged residents of Saudi Arabia to sleep throughout the day (it was hot and one could not eat) and party away or shop all night while eating what one wished.
That’s just on the topic of Ramadan. Now let’s focus in general on everyday life. Saudi Arabia has 
the highest number of traffic fatalities in the world due to the reckless driving that is normal here. I question whether it is reckless or the drivers simply do not care and observe any kind of courtesy of the road. The same patterns can be seen when in a mall or other business as well. There’s no such thing as an orderly or mannerly line. A lot of Saudi citizens simply believe it is their right to cut ahead and be the next served.
The Saudi youth give an impression of selfish, vain and arrogant (as do some of the adults too). One sees little discipline or ethics in place. I could go on with more negatives but I think what is highlighted has been enough.
On the positive side you still continue to see Saudi generosity and compassion to the elderly. Children are revered. Saudi Arabia continues to be one of the world’s largest donors of humanitarian aid.
But it does make one wonder, if the Prophet (pbuh) were to return to Saudi Arabia for even just one week, what would he think of what he sees today of the people? I think if he were to return during Ramadan he would be pleased in some cases but saddened and appalled in many others. He would possibly shake his head in sadness and shock wondering what happened to the people in that so many were no longer practicing the true spirit and meaning of Ramadan? Why were so many not practicing the true spirit and meaning of Islam with kindness, patience and tolerance?
Would the Prophet (pbuh) even recognize the Saudi Arabia of today?
Filed under: Charity, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Technology, culture, islam, relationships, religion, travel
He would call the Wahabbis mushrik and kaafir.
wow, so early.
I did have bayanat wiMax until mobily bought them; they went down the drain after that.
Well, I had a long talk with my brother once about the cause of saudis not being organized and courteous of law and order. especially in the central region.
central saudi arabia was never modernized, or urbanized until really recently. the culture of order and urbanized facilities (like police stations , modern courts , public facilities ) was none existent a generation or 2 ago.
the eastern region was the same, but the discovery of oil changed things. America tought the easter region some order, some disspline, even urban design. you can really feel the resonance of american culture on that place ( i am not talking about consumerism, or relatively liberal thought )
The western region on the other hand was modernized a long time ago, for example Jeddah was the first port in Islam where the first fleet was stationed. it was also modernized during the Ottoman empire. Jeddah is the port of Makkah, and its nature attracted a lot of immigrants from different uncultured and unorganized places in the world. That’s why i noticed that people in Jeddah ether were courteous in the street as well as organized, or just show extreme selfishness as you put it. where in Riyadh for example, you just expect them to be selfish. This is even more evident around breakfast time in Ramadan, where people think they are the only ones fasting and starting cutting red lights.
as for Ramadan and consumerism, I guess its capitalism’s effect on holidays. As I spent 6 years in Oregon,USA, I noticed that there are a a lot of similarities between Ramadan and what was formally known as Christmas, currently X-mas or the holidays. Mass consumarism, and an excuse to shop, as well as an excuse to sell.
I think that’s part of the hypocrisy of this community. As women can’t drive, but interests is being taken in banks (which is a bigger deal in Islam). I hope Saudis start looking at themselves from a third person’s perspective and quit acting like they are an Utopian society.
I think the prophet would not be amazed by what we have become. I think he might be impressed. Most of us are truly just sand monkeys covered in oil. We decide to build an insane urban city in the worst location in the desert, no water and no ports. we spend billions to challenge the environment. In one generation we started acting like spoiled brats who never faced hardship. this is how stupid it looks. back to my point, he would be impressed by how far we got by being stupid.
(of course, all of this is my personal opinion at 8:20 am while drinking my morning coffee, opinions might change in an hour or 2)
“I think the prophet would not be amazed by what we have become. I think he might be impressed”
…… you get the idea
i should really think about making a thing that reads comments you just wrote out loud so that one can hear themselves speaking what they just wrote
thank you, Abdullah, for taking the words right out of my mouth..
Another point to add – i think courtesy and manners need to be taught at a very young age among the Saudi children, before they turn into arrogant spoilt brats..
have a good day ahead, everyone!
I love these morning comments from Saudi Arabia! That’s okay Abdullah…you are most welcome to comment both before and after coffee!
I very much look forward to seeing more comments from readers.
For me, this Ramadan was kind of traumatic as it was my first post-cancer Ramadan and therefore I was determined to practice it in the manner the Prophet (PBUH) intended it to be practiced. As such, I guess that is the distinctions of how so many Saudis ROUTINELY practiced Ramadan stood out glaringly and disappointingly to me.
“As such, I guess that is the distinctions of how so many Saudis ROUTINELY practiced Ramadan stood out glaringly and disappointingly to me.”
I saw that when i was studying. there was nobody there to tell me to fast. i could have broke fast all of ramadan and nobody would know. i also saw alot of saudis and muslim arabs in general just disregard it completely. i am not going to lie and say that i faster every ramadan day i was there, the soul does get weak sometimes. the later ramadans i got strict with myself. and i really understood that i should be doing this not as a Routine, but because i want to.
I hope that all your life is filled with devotion, the same way you were devoted to spending last ramadan like it should be.
Education Education Education
We are spending nothing on it…….
its not by high tech devices or fancy schools.
encouragement of thought in the last couple of decades is really showing its affect now.
discouragement of thought ………. i will shit up now. i should to hasty to press that shiny submit button
You’re right Abdullah…the Ramadan’s in the States were indeed a true challenge of resistance and will especially like you say, hours were not shortened, food continued to be served, I had to attend business lunches (without partaking), colleagues would continue to have their coffee and snacks. But you know what, it made me feel good to know that I could pass that test and keep the fast.
Yes; I have written previous posts on Education. If you do a search on the subject you’ll find them. Although I think KSA is indeed spending on education especially if you take KAUST as an example..but KAUST is also an example of inadequate planning in both infrastructure and perhaps more importantly in strategic communications and public relations. And working in the medical education sector myself I can attest that this is a booming and growing field in KSA.
And now I’m the one who has to stop and get back to work!!
Wow…hot topic…how the maintainers of our moral center and upkeepers of our Islamic heritage have dropped the ball so hard ….the darn things gone flat.
This is like the Christians asking…what would Jesus do? We try to assume what would happen if our religious and spiritual founder suddenly made a cameo appearance smack dab in into the middle of our modern day religious lives.
All I can assume based on my readings of the Prophet and his course of actions when faced with such hard work…
He would perform wudu…face Mecca…and pray for our weaknesses and forgiveness…then would turn..sigh…roll up his sleeves…and get back to work…starting from scratch….and this time hes only got 2 weeks to get er done…watch out for some intense “back to basics” action.
On a serious note….I find many Saudis…actually many Arabs, are like the barbarians they spring from…on the one hand they are rough, impatient, temperamental and extremely demanding and self centered…on the other they are generous, kind, forgiving, and very welcoming of others into their lives. This contradiction in personalities is what makes them so facinating and constantly keeps one guessing at to which type of Saudi (arab) stands before them at that moment.
On a side note I would dearly love to see the faces of all those sanctimonious muttawa and all other self proclaimed “keepers of the faith” when faced with the very one whose practice they were trying to “protect”…the constant stuttering searching for excuses…the downcast eyes…impending feeling of doom…the feelings of dismay and error…oh la la…just too delicious to think about.
Oh darn…just realized you said hes only got one week…when is the poor man gonna sleep…so much to do…so little time. May God give him patience and fortitude to persevere and endure in the face of such obstacles.
love your comment, coolred!
A bit off topic but,those boxes of hair dye,did they run out of black sharpie?
Allah knows best what he would think but rather than us concentrating on them and thier habits Ramadan was abut self purification and gaining taqwa. Thus we should see how much we have purified ourselves and how much taqwa we have gained and how much the practice of deen has improved in our selves and our families.
May Allah forgive us and the Ummah odf Muhammad salallahu alaihi wasalam
Abid
‘He would call the Wahabbis mushrik and kaafir.’
I just wanted to ask you if you truly knew anything about Mohamed Ibn Abdul Wahab? His role in Islam and Islam in Saudi Arabia?
Always, good question- not sure!
maji6 — welcome and thanks for your comment.
Uhm, I think he’d be shocked.
I think he’d get to work, but if nobody knew who he was he’d probably get arrested by the muttawa, and spend his week in prison..
Always: The Black Hand is hit very hard by the current depression, which reflects in the sloppyness of their work, and the unavailability of solid black markers.
I agree with Abid.
Carol, this was already prophecized. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said,
“The nations summon each other upon you as you call guests to eat from a plate of food”, they said “Will we be few in number on that day O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “No rather you will be many on that day, but you will be like the foam on the ocean. And Allaah will remove the fear in the hearts of your enemies and place in your hearts al-wahn.” They said, “What is al-wahn O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “Love of this world and hatred of death.”
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said,
“When you start taking part in illegal transactions that involve a type of interest, and you hold onto the tails of cattle and you become satisfied with cultivation and you abandon jihaad, then the humiliation of Allaah will descend upon you.”
The condition of this ummah, not just in Saudi, would come as no surprise to him. No matter how off the mark the Muslim falls, they can not hurt Allah’s religion in the least.
Not to mention, there were companions of the Prophet who were were less than well-mannered and cultured. Many of these uncouth, ill mannered, and annoying behaviours witnessed in the Saudi society were also done during the life time of the Prophet. So much so that Allah revealed verses in the Quran concerning their thoughtlessness and inconsideration of others.
You who believe! Do not go into the Prophet’s rooms except when you are invited to come and eat. Do not wait there while the food is being cooked. However, when you are called, go in, and when you have eaten, disperse, not remaining there to chat with one another. Doing that causes annoyance to the Prophet though he is too reticent to tell you so. But Allah is not reticent with the truth… (Surat al-Ahzab: 53)
The Prophet Muhammad, described his Noble Companions as the Best Generation (and then the following generation and the one after that), yet he had amongst them peope of varying levels of faith. If he had within his ranks people with undesirable behaviours, what can we expect? We are no better than them and never will be. Nobody before his companions and nobody after his companions will be better than them, because they were THE BEST! They were the best in every thing. In Knowledge, understanding, implimentation, character, behaviour…you name it. And that is why Allah refers to the companions as such in Surah ‘Imran: “You are the best ummah that has ever been sent to mankind. You command what is good, you forbid the evil, and you believe in Allah.” And in another verse, “Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah.”
This is not to say that bad behaviour from Muslims is condoned, it’s merely an acknowledment that there is nothing unusual about it. This ummah is definitely not ideal. Be that as it may, it can never all together be led astray. There will; always be in it a group firmly adhering to the laws and commandments of Allah. Plus Allah will always send revivers of this religion. Furthermore, the believers in general (for the sake of this discussion…Saudis in particular), are distinct in respect of their faith and practice. Of them are those who do themselves and others injustice, those who pursue the middle road in their affairs and those who, by the will of Allah hasten to good deeds. Allah promised all of them a good outcome in the Hereafter, each in accordance with his level of faith.
Such people are truly racing towards good things, and they are the first to reach them. (Qur’an, 23:61)
Then We made Our chosen servants inherit the Book. But some of them wrong themselves; some are ambivalent; and some outdo each other in good by Allah’s permission. That is the great favor. (Qur’an, 35:32)
With that said, alhamduillah that Saudi Arabia tries to uphold the banner of Islam and proclaims that Allah is The Only Diety Worthy of Worship.
Oh Aafke…that is a thought…if the muttawa were to make such an arrest not knowing who they had encountered!
I want to clarify the above. My wording was off where I gave the vvesrse from Al Imran. The vesrse is refering to the Ummah being the best, but I was emphasising that the sahaba were the best of the ummah…I’m tired not sure if I’m coming off clear still..
I agree with Umm adam he knew this would happen but it does not take away from it being sad. I must say I enjoyed Ramadan in the states much more. It made you work for it. Nothing was made easier for you and when you finished you felt good, well I know I did , I felt like I really gave up something, I really worked for every blessing I recieved. I stayed up late and woke up early not to hang with friends and family but to worship Allah.
I dont think Ramadan in the GCC is what Ramadan is suppose to be.
oh to finally have internet connection in my apartment here. I have a pic on my cell I took at Jarir.. It’s two DVD’s side by side as they were on the shelf. The Pilates exercise dvd w/a man and 2 women is completely blacked out on the arms and legs. Next to it is a DVD called Pole Play with a woman on the cover straddling and sliding down a stripper pole.. and NO blacked out areas.
So, I feel I now fully understand Saudi Arabia, if not at least the men. They may not be aware of it… but they’re very funny..
Oh Andrea…if you want to email it to me I’d be happy to post it. How funny!
If Jesus or Mohammed came back today, hopefully they’d update their antiquated religions to be relevant in the year 2008 and not during a time when noone knew what an atom was or thought the earth was flat.
well I certainly agree that all the good books coud benefit from an update…
[...] American Bedu asks: “[I]f the Prophet (pbuh) were to return to Saudi Arabia for even just one week, what would he think of what he sees today of the people? I think if he were to return during Ramadan he would be pleased in some cases but saddened and appalled in many others.” Posted by Amira Al Hussaini Print Version Share This [...]
Ramadan these days is so commercialised, I wonder where’s the value in celebrating Ramadan full of piety?
If the Prophet was still alive these days, He would cry out to Allah and ask Him to return where He came from for He wouldn’t want to be involved in any way with the sins and mistakes we’re all witnessing and possibly, being accomplice of.
Carol…such blasphemy could earn u a fatwa against you or something girl…be careful what you wish for..,you never know whose reading.
Firdaus – I certainly noticed an increase in commericalism and all-night partying this year as compared to previous years. )-:
coolred – blasphemy? Moi? no j’ne c’est pas! (LOL)
Carol, I know you are a fairly new Muslim and may not have realised what your statement implies. When you say, “all the good books coud benefit from an update…” you are saying that The Quran needs a revision. As Muslims we must beware of the things that will nullify our Islam.
“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (Soorat Al-Maa’idah 5:3)
When this verse was revealed, Umar cried. The Prophet said, `What makes you cry’ He said, `What made me cry is that our religion is being perfected for us. Now it is perfect, nothing is perfect, but it is bound to deteriorate.’ The Prophet said, You have said the truth.’
and Allah says, “…And We have sent down to you the Qur’an explaining all things…” [ Quran, 16:89]
So do you see how implying that the Quran is not perfect nor complete – is saying that you in fact disbelieve in what Allah has told us? If you believe that, “all The good books” need to be updated than you disbelieve that the Quran is the Final Revelation and The Muhammad (salaa allahu alayhi wa sallam)is the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah. These are the very fundamental beliefs of all Muslims. It’s not open to discussion, debate, or opinion. It just is and whoever disbelieves that the Quran is the last guidance to humans revealed by Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, it is complete, perfect, and able to suffice for all the needs of mankind in this life and the Hereafter – may have invalidated their shahadah. and allah Knows Best
May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala guide us and keep us on the Straight Path and keep us away from all the innovations in the Deen of Islam, Ameen.
umadam
I think she meant more along the lines of updating as in reinterpreting ayats in a more user friendly fashion…and not the extreme interpretation that leads so called Muslims to want to blow shit up…or kill apostates…or kill non muslims that defame Islam or the prophet….reinterpret so that oppressing women is not seen as a religious duty and marriage and divorce laws dont favour just men and leave the women hanging. Reinterpret so that Muslims and non muslims alike can coexist in a friendly peaceful manner and ideas of establishing caliphates and forcing one version of the religion down everyones throat equally isnt the hidden agenda to take over the world. How about updating (reinterpreting) the Good Book so that the more peaceful nature and God sanctioned form of Islam shines through more clearly and the extremist version dies a painful and much anticipated death…
then again…maybe thats what I mean and not Carol.
The fact that you quickly condemned her and indicated her level of belief wasnt up to snuff…just proves once again that the Islam most Muslims present is a “your either with us (100%) or your against us if you differ in your beliefs one iota from the “agreed on consensus”. Gets tired real fast.
@coolred
1. yes that is probably what you meant, as carol said ‘update’ not ‘reinterpret’ which is just`as bad if not worse. if people follow the quran and sunnah then there is no need to reintrepret anything. if you (not you…in general)follow some innovated, deviate, and mislleading ideaology than don’t blame islam or say that islam, quran, or sunnah need updated or reintrepreted. these are statements of disbelief.
2. read comment 25 by ryan. she rallied behind the comment of a kafir who has no respect for islam. this is where the advice stemmed from.
3. i never condemned carol. funny u would say so. i would hate to say what she said and not have anyone explain to me that it was a statement of disbelief.
I forgot to mention, as far as differing in our beliefs, some matters are matters of belief or disbelief. not everything is open to opnions. there is much carol says that i don’t agree with, but i have never told her that those things will negate her islam. however, this statement about the quran needing updated is one that is clearly disbelief and can take a person out of the fold of islam. it has nothing tyo do with being with or against me. it’s about being muslim or kafir.
What or who exactely is kafir? Everybody keeps going on about kafir and I can’t seem to find out what or who exactely is meant. It seems different people mean different things with it.
So is there a commonly acknowledged meaning, or denomination of the word?
aafke, kafir is how you say non muslim or disbeliever in arabic.
a kafir is a disbeliever in God actually or non Muslim but does not extend to Peoples of the Book…Christians and Jews as they are believers in God.
“may have invalidated their shahadah. and allah Knows Best”…well you are speaking to Carol and this sounds fairly accusatory as far as level of belief is concerned. Im not trying to antgonize you sister….Im just saying….Islam is the Middle Path…a path is not made of steel…hard and unbending…it wanders and meanders and takes us where we need to go…but maybe not by the most direct route. Yes…the Quran is written…it cant be changed…but what we knew back in the day as a complete understanding of an ayat etc…may have changed and evolved over time as we humans understand science and basic human nature etc more….so in that regards our interpretation of ayats may change over time…even though the words stay exactly the same.
And yes…I do believe she meant update as in reinterpret…not change the wording all together.
I dislike debates on religion. There are aspects of islam I do not agree with. There are aspects of all religions I do not agree with. There’s a lot with how islam is interpreted in Saudi Arabia I do not agree with. I hope this clears up any lingering doubts on my views.
You do not have to debate this topic, because it is not up to debate. I was merely informing you that there are some aspects of the religion that if you do not agree with than you are not a Muslim. The articles of faith and pillars of Islam are undisputable, and if one does not agree with them that doesn’t change a thing, excepot their status as a`Muslim.
I have a friend who is married to a Saudi man. His mother is American. She supposedly accepted Islam years ago and later apostated. Her son (who loves her and has a great relationship with her) will be the first to say that she was never Muslim in the first place. Why? Because while claiming to be Muslim, she did not believe in the Angels. She thought that to believe in Angels were like believing in fairy tales. They were merely stories to her that she did not accept. Well you know what? If she could not accept that, then she did not accept Islam. Allah tells us in the Quran that the Angels are part of His Creation. By disbelieving in this, she says that Allah did not speak the truth.
So again, if you do not agree that the Quran is the Final Revelation (or is this updated text not to be revealed but be made up by man?) and That Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last and final messenger (who is `suppose to convey this updated text?) then your shahadah is worthless.
As a proud kafir, a couple of comments:
Ummadam, I get subtle impressions that you’re the type of person who would simply argue “The Quran is true because it says states as such in the Quran”.
I guess then, Ummadam, the problems in the islamic world lie not in the religion but in the people as I haven’t seen any perfect Islamic country or society yet. Or am I wrong?
Ryan, I don’t argue with proud kufar over the truthfulness of the Quran, “for you your religion, for me my religion”.
My comment was directed to Carol, for awareness and educational purposes – not to offend.
Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Messenger said: “It was the duty of every Prophet Allah sent to guide his nation to the best of what he knew and to warn them of the evils of what he knew.” (Saheeh – narrated by Imaam Muslim)
The Messenger also said: “I have not left anything which Allah ordered you except that I have ordered you with it, nor anything that Allah forbade you except that I forbade you from it.” (Saheeh – narrated by al-Baihaqee (7:76))
Yes, I believe the problem is definitely not with the religion of Islam. We judge a religion by its sources and teachings and not by people who claim to be adherents thereof and yet fail to live up to it.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favour on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” [Qur'an 5:3] – Here Allah speaks about perfecting our religion of Islam. When something is ‘perfect’ it does not need anything else to be added to it or anything taken away from it.
Until we return to our Deen fully and sincerely, the woeful condition of the Muslim world shall remain as such. if you find the whole of the Muslim world doing things that contradict Islam, (opperative word being ‘contradict’) then how can the problem lie in the religion? The problem is in not adhering to the correct understanding and practice of Islam. Once the muslims let go of their cultural baggage and cultivate their knowledge and understanding based on authentic sources of Islam (as understood and practised by the Prophet and his companions), then we can look for victory.
There is no other acceptable religion other than Islam and no solutions other that the solution that Allah has given us in His Book and the Prophet has given us through his Sunnah. It’s a shame that you feel that Islam is antiquated and irrelavent.
Ryan, two more things, insha’Allah:
1. Allah drew attention to the existence of the Atom in the Quran over 1400 years ago. So what are you talking about?
… He is the Knower of the Unseen, Whom not an atom’s weight eludes, either in the heavens or in the earth; nor is there anything smaller or larger than that which is not in a Clear Book. (Qur’an, 34:3)
… Not even an atom’s weight eludes your Lord, either on earth or in heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book. (Qur’an, 10:61)
…Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it! (Qur’an, 99:07)
…And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it. (Qur’an, 99:08)
See how ‘Atom’ is used as a reference to measurement, particularly a tiny or small amount? The Quran is a book of guidance not a science book so of course it did not go into breaking down the atom.
2. There is not one verse in the Quran that states that the earth is flat. This is something that Islamophobes love to though out. The Quran mentions the actual shape of the earth in the following verse:
“And we have made the earth egg shaped”.
[Al-Qur’an 79:30]
Modern science confirms the truth in the Quran. However, Allah’s word is sufficient. We do not look for science to confirm what Allah has revealed. It is what it is…
He to whom the dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs. He does not have a son and He has no partner in His dominion. He created everything and determined it most exactly.(Surat al-Furqan: 2)
Umm Adam – whether I am viewed as a muslim or not or acceptable to a faith is between me and Allah and not for others to speculate and debate over. Thank you but I do not need unsolicited education in this regard.
ummadam, I won’t argue about the imperfections of the muslims as a whole compared with the real teaching of islam. It’s obvious and from what I’ve read most people can see it pretty easily.
I don’t deny the bible, quran and other books are pretty impressive creations.
I’m not an islamaphobe, Im just a “religiophobe”. Never been important to me and probably never will. I feel a lot more comfortable in secular places and don’t ever enter into discussions in person about religion unless it’s with close friends and family – all of whom are pretty secular or non religious anyway.
I don’t deny the existence of something more powerful than us, however the obsession and attitude of many religious people that I am referring to above, which infiltrates every single insignificant aspect of their life turns me right off their religions.
Carol – this is true.It is between you and Allah. However, there a few main reasons why I chose to comment.
1. The Religion is Naseehah (Sincere Advice).
On the authority of Abu Ruqayya Tameem ibn Aus ad-Daaree (radi Allaahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘The Deen (religion) is naseehah (advice/sincerity)’. We said ‘To whom?’ He said ‘To Allah and His Book, and His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.’
[Related by Muslim]
The explanation for this hadeeth in regards to the common folk (us) is:
“And as for the Naseehah to the common folk of the Muslims, and they are those who are other than the rulers, then it involves guiding them towards that which will correct their affairs of both this life and the next, and helping them in that. And it involves protecting them from harm, and helping them in times of need, and acquiring what is beneficial for them, and ordering them with al-Ma’roof (good) and forbidding them from al-Munkar (evil) with kindness and sincerity, and showing mercy towards them. And it involves honouring and respecting their elders, and showing kindness to their youngsters, and supporting them with good advice. And leaving cheating them or having jealousy of them, and that one loves for them what one loves for oneself of goodness, and that one hates for them what one hates for oneself of evil, and protecting their wealth and honour, and other than that from speech and action. And it also involves encouraging them upon all that we have mentioned above of the various types of Naseehah, and Allaah knows best. ”
2.I have an intense and burning jealousy for Islam. it is said that, the mightiest rank of jealousy is the jealousy for Islam which manifests when one hears someone treat Allah’s religion as a jest.
3. Dawah. Dawah in Islam is actually an order from Allah:
You are the best of people raised up, for you call to all that is right and righteous and you forbid the evil, and you believe in Allah.
[Qur'an 3:110]
There are non – Muslims, new Muslims, Ignorant Muslima, and others who read your blog. Something as serious (though you took the ‘blasphemy’ comment lightly) as your open statement of the Quran needing to be updated need to be addressed. If not for your benefit, than for the benefit of others.
You allow all types of evil comments spread on your blog about Islam and Muslims. I assumed that sincere advice and dawah would be welcomed as well.
@Ryan
I understand. Your comment about being most comfortable in secular places and around non-religious people, describes the first 25 years of my life! To be honest I didn’t even know any religious people and had never been involved in any type of religious discussion for that long. Gosh, now that I read your comment I think I was really like you. I mean I never gave much thought to religion. I knew there was a higher power and even called on Him. I guess the difference between us is that I did not know anything about any religion to even be a ‘religiophobe’! I never had anyone around me to ‘turn me off’ of religion and I think Allah for that and praise Him for guiding me to Islam and the Sunnah.
eyes rolling. biting tongue. baffled and irritated..
anyway. I will put my originally intended comment under “debates” page.
[...] 16, 2008 It’s been a few hours since I have read this comment directed to me on another blog, and I still have not been able to get it off of my mind. Well you [...]
As for the increase in the rate of cars accidents, let me tell you this since I am Saudi plus has been living here all my 25 years old. Saudis become blind “males” since driving is not allowed for females when it comes to driving cars. The reason behind driving at carzy speeds is simply because they don’t want to be late when it comes to breaking their fast.
They could simply have “Dates” while driving so that they break their fast instead of killing themselves as well as hundreds of innocent souls.
About the shows, they will be increasing and increasing along with their uselesness!!
Prophet Mohammed is with us, he can see every single thing that happens here I am sure!!
What scares me most is the idea of abandoing the holy places we have here due to the rapid of blind Westernizing changes!!
who’s said anything about abandoning holy places? Or westernizing? Heaven forbid.
As for Mr Obama. He was born in Hawaii’s King Kamehameha
Hospital (excuse possible misspelling). That is where his Americanism starts to end. Named Barack Houssein Obama by his parents, both practicing Muslims, both his first name and his middle name are Muslim. Mr Obama is not a closet Muslim, but in the finest tradition of Omar Khayyam he is ‘hiding in plain sight’! He submerged his names in school in madrassas in Jakarta yet was registered as ‘Barry Soetoro’ and as of the Muslim faith while in primary school in Indonesia. He learned his Qu’Ran in the original Arabic as that is what Madrassas do. Then when his mother’s second marriage, to Mr Soetoro, went sour, he was sent to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. There he went to school as ‘Barry Obama’ and graduated from High School and college. It is after his education that an introspective Barry Obama took a philosophical and geographical journey to the birthplace of his forefathers, Kenya and rediscoved his ethnic Somali heritage. Did I say ethnic Somali? Yes! Ethnic Somali, just like Blackhawk down!. Thatr does not mean that Barry is like Mr Aweys or Mr Mohammed Farah Aidid. It just means that some Somalis found life hard in Somaliland and wanted a better life, so crossed a border into Christian Kenya and became Kenyans just like so many other economic refugees, Mexicans find homes and work in the United States. It is after this that Barry became Barack again. Now that is interesting, as Barack has got to know that Barack is an anglicised form of ‘Buraq’, the direct transliteration from the Arabic of the magical horse that transported the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be on Him) to the ‘far Mosque’ sometimes called the ‘Seventh Heaven’. The first name that he took back is as Muslim as it gets, and any Muslim will instantly know it. It goes without analysis that even the more ignorant will know that the name Houssein is the name of the grandson of the Prophet and
the founding inspiration of all the Shia and some Sufi. Despite his denials, Mr Buraq Houssein Obama must be what he appears and affirms by his actions in life. I myself am tired of the usury visited on the unhappy people of the United States by its monopolistic, bloodthirsty, and ravenously greedy banks and other financial institutions. In my own small town here a shop was going to open up and the remodelers said that it was going to be a ‘check cashing facility’. My stepson, a lifelong ‘never do well’ informed me that ‘check cashing’ places charged up to ten percent of the face amount of checks to cash them, and they also made loans at interest rates up to eight hundred percent annually. That ‘check cashing’ place never opened, that the hole in the wall storefront is now again for rent with no takers. I came to find out that Washington Mutual, a monopoly bank, had owned the parent corporation of the corporation that was going to run that ‘check cashing/loan sharking’ store had it opened. This tells me that American banks prefer to lend money to bums at eight hundred percent interest, with the interest and loans guaranteed by ‘insurance’ ultimately paid for by the American taxpayer. These same banks are only willing to pay their depositors a paltry one quarter of one percent annual interest on the money that they are shoveling out to bums at eight hundred percent. In other words, our American banks are profiteering over seven hundred and ninety nine percent interest on money that is not theirs, and looking down their collective noses at the sources of their ill gotten gains. Maybe some Muslim principles would be good here in the United States. I understand that Muslim banks are only allowed to charge two percent interest. That is the same that the old Catholic Church allowed in the middle ages. Some of that old fashioned morality would be a breath of fresh air here in the United States. Inshallah!!
@yakuv
Non-African American, I presume. well as an AA, let me tell you that is BHO, chose to use his birth name after years of using an Americanized version of it – this `would not be surprising to AAs. It could be more of an Ethnic Identity thing than a Muslim thang. Visit the ‘hood’ and see how many AA children with arabic/Muslim names, that know nothing of Islam. There was a post on another message board I am on that even spoke of AAs with names like ‘Shaytaan’ and ‘Iblis’, thosde are the Devils name! Are these people devil worshippers? No, just ignorant fools who want to give their children unusual names. Go to any random American University and check out the members of the Black Student Union. You may run into a few AA members wearing dasheekees (sp), but have never been to Africa. BHO father is African, he gave him an African/ Arabic/Muslim name. BHO says he is not Muslim – case closed.
Because we all know that your name indicates your religion…sheesh…where do people come up with this crap?
Reuters chose to carry this post:
http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/technology?bbPostId=B6kcqoGH9Pf8Bzn7nRZ5sNNoAOhAxRwUfr5CzCCp0ffV3YZ9
I think the prophet already knew what was going to become of saudi arabia.