When it comes to miracles I can't help being a bit of a skeptic. At least once a month there's a new email sent to me about yet another so-called "miracle." It all makes me wonder about the state of the believers nowadays and their attitude towards miracles.
It's not necessarily the authenticity of the "miracles" that worry me, but rather the impression that I get that a lot of people are actively hunting them down. It's almost as though people need miracles in order to confirm their faith- Isn't it enough anymore to have faith instead of feeling that one has to resort to proving such faith to others? Do we honestly think that God is forever revealing Himself through miracles to mankind when He has already sent us the guidance that we need through revelation? Personally I don't think this should be, or even is the case.
The number of miracles people are claiming to witness more recently almost makes a mockery of religion. The value of a miracle is so little, that people like me can only believe in it if we witness it ourselves, and even then we hold a little skepticism towards it. Allah (God) knows best.
At the same time I look at the world around me and think everything's a miracle. The intricate patterning that we all possess: our hands, our feet, everything. Go on and have a look at yourself right now and tell me what you see. I see the sort of design that is so perfectly constructed, that to me is a miracle in itself. I don't need to witness any other miracles in the world- I am one.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Saturday, May 13, 2006
The Weight of the World
While going through some paperwork I came across this article that I had written for an Islamic Society newsletter in September 2005. I was incredibly limited by what I was allowed to say, and the word count etc. so I think it could have been much better than it was. At the time I didn't really get much feedback about it, so now that we have the benefit of hindsight, I'd like to know what you all think:
The Weight of the World
On the seventh day of the seventh month, four explosions erupted in the country’s capital, London. Between 6th and 8th July, the Leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa[1] gathered at Gleneagles for the G8 summit. On 29th August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans causing a huge humanitarian crisis, ironically in the most powerful country in the world. From Niger reports came through that finally brought to our attention the famine that had spread throughout the country. The list goes on. What do all these events have in common? The failure by those in charge in applying the correct knowledge and understanding that could easily have helped avoid the number of casualties in all disasters.
The incident of 7th July 2005 has been exhausted upon by the continuous media coverage it has received. However, what most concerns this writer about 7th July was not necessarily that the alleged culprits were “Muslim,” but rather that there were, and still are, people out there who are willing to take innocent lives, as well as their own. Similarly, the G8 Summit; the reaction of the President to the disaster in New Orleans; and the way in which the leaders of Niger combated the humanitarian crisis, shall, and have, resulted in the loss of innocent lives. There was no room for failure in any of these situations, and yet people have been let down, having to pay with their lives.
It is not my intention to instil a sense of anger in my readers. But rather, recognise how it is imperative now for US, the next generation of Muslims, to take advantage of the fountain of knowledge we are exposed to at university. Insha’Allah, it is our generation of Muslims that must educate ourselves to the highest levels possible, if Muslims are to survive, and successfully embark upon the trials of this world.
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported, “The Prophet (SAW) said that amongst the signs before the Day of Judgement, “Time will pass rapidly, knowledge will decrease, miserliness will become widespread in people’s hearts, affliction will appear, and there will be much Harj (Killing.)”[2]
Indeed many of these signs are recognised by Muslims today. However, I urge you not to resign yourselves to believing that we must accept that the Day of Judgement is approaching and therefore, not even attempt to combat the injustices that surrounded us. For remember, our own personal Judgment day (death) is closer than the world’s Day of Judgement. If knowledge is decreasing in the world, then it is my opinion that we should educate ourselves and apply what we learn in every aspect of our lives.
In Niger aid agencies say that the crisis “was foreseen months ago but nothing was done.”[3] The information was there, and yet the correct knowledge about what to do with it was lacking. Or, maybe the knowledge was there, yet the application was lacking.
Let us take heed from the late Ahmed Deedat, who presented many lectures, of which one my brother was fortunate enough to attend. At the beginning of the lecture Ahmed Deedat picked up a book and showed it to the audience asking if anyone had read it. One man raised his hand. Ahmed Deedat was shocked. “What was the first command given to Muhammad (SAW)?”
“IQRA!” (READ!)
[1] http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1078995902703
[2](Bukhārī) “The Signs Before the Day of Judgement,” Ibn Kathir
[3] “In pictures: Hunger Hits Niger” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4696149.stm
The Weight of the World
On the seventh day of the seventh month, four explosions erupted in the country’s capital, London. Between 6th and 8th July, the Leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa[1] gathered at Gleneagles for the G8 summit. On 29th August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans causing a huge humanitarian crisis, ironically in the most powerful country in the world. From Niger reports came through that finally brought to our attention the famine that had spread throughout the country. The list goes on. What do all these events have in common? The failure by those in charge in applying the correct knowledge and understanding that could easily have helped avoid the number of casualties in all disasters.
The incident of 7th July 2005 has been exhausted upon by the continuous media coverage it has received. However, what most concerns this writer about 7th July was not necessarily that the alleged culprits were “Muslim,” but rather that there were, and still are, people out there who are willing to take innocent lives, as well as their own. Similarly, the G8 Summit; the reaction of the President to the disaster in New Orleans; and the way in which the leaders of Niger combated the humanitarian crisis, shall, and have, resulted in the loss of innocent lives. There was no room for failure in any of these situations, and yet people have been let down, having to pay with their lives.
It is not my intention to instil a sense of anger in my readers. But rather, recognise how it is imperative now for US, the next generation of Muslims, to take advantage of the fountain of knowledge we are exposed to at university. Insha’Allah, it is our generation of Muslims that must educate ourselves to the highest levels possible, if Muslims are to survive, and successfully embark upon the trials of this world.
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported, “The Prophet (SAW) said that amongst the signs before the Day of Judgement, “Time will pass rapidly, knowledge will decrease, miserliness will become widespread in people’s hearts, affliction will appear, and there will be much Harj (Killing.)”[2]
Indeed many of these signs are recognised by Muslims today. However, I urge you not to resign yourselves to believing that we must accept that the Day of Judgement is approaching and therefore, not even attempt to combat the injustices that surrounded us. For remember, our own personal Judgment day (death) is closer than the world’s Day of Judgement. If knowledge is decreasing in the world, then it is my opinion that we should educate ourselves and apply what we learn in every aspect of our lives.
In Niger aid agencies say that the crisis “was foreseen months ago but nothing was done.”[3] The information was there, and yet the correct knowledge about what to do with it was lacking. Or, maybe the knowledge was there, yet the application was lacking.
Let us take heed from the late Ahmed Deedat, who presented many lectures, of which one my brother was fortunate enough to attend. At the beginning of the lecture Ahmed Deedat picked up a book and showed it to the audience asking if anyone had read it. One man raised his hand. Ahmed Deedat was shocked. “What was the first command given to Muhammad (SAW)?”
“IQRA!” (READ!)
[1] http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1078995902703
[2](Bukhārī) “The Signs Before the Day of Judgement,” Ibn Kathir
[3] “In pictures: Hunger Hits Niger” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4696149.stm
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Do it Anyway
A poem that a friend sent me:
DO IT ANYWAY
People are often unreasonable,
Illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
You will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you;
Be honest anyway.
What you spend years building,
Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
People are often unreasonable,
Illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
You will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you;
Be honest anyway.
What you spend years building,
Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
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