Even though, as a Muslim I don’t celebrate Christmas, I can appreciate how many people can enjoy Christmas, a time of the year where most people can relax. I have to admit I even found myself watching a few classics on TV, like “The snow man”, a cartoon I used to love as a kid. Most things are closed and most people are on holiday, the perfect time for people to spend time with their families. Don’t worry I’m not going to go on about how Christmas is too commercialised. What I find sad however, is that so many people, especially the elderly spend Christmas alone. If their families don’t visit them during Christmas then it’s very unlikely that they visit them at any other time during the year. I really feel sorry for them. I was told by a doctor who treats the elderly that they always speak of their children and any contact from them has a real impact upon them. The chronic individualism that occurs in secular societies is what has fuelled the break up of the family unit and neglect of the elderly. Instead of being respected, the elderly are often on the receiving end of sadistic humour on TV and made to feel like a burden as a result of further neglect by their families and government.
I’m very proud that Islam teaches us to respect and treasure our elders as they deserve all the care we can offer them, they are the ones who sacrificed so much for us and it is our duty to honour them. I think Christmas serves as a good reminder of the importance of looking after our elderly and to put even more effort into calling and visiting them, especially with Eid coming up.
A brother was telling me about an event he went to about the duties of the Islamic state. One of the points that were made was how the state has to ensure that all its citizens have all the necessities to live an ordinary life, namely housing, food and healthcare. An elderly couple stood up after the event and said that they loved the sound of this state and wanted to move there because they couldn’t afford their gas bills during the winter on their meagre pensions. This reminded me of the story I heard last winter about a couple that died of hypothermia because they had their heating cut off by British gas, because they didn’t pay their gas bills. This is the ideology that the west is trying to export to the Muslims, where a gas bill is worth more than a couples life.
December 27th, 2005
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December 27th, 2005 at 12:06 pm
A Sudanese sister I know was shocked when she moved to the UK and learned that the elderly are put into homes by their own children, something unheard of in her home country where to care for your parents is considered an honour unmatched by much else.
Your mention of individualism reminded me of the recent abuse of five children by their parents. The children were left in an excrement-smeared bedroom with no food and live maggots in their nappies while the parents watched DVDs and played Playstation games downstairs. That a parent can neglect and so viciously abuse their own child sickens me.
Sadder still is that these western ideas of freedom and individualism have plagued the minds of the Muslims also. Take the case of Sitab Ullah, a crack addict who ‘bruised, twisted, shook and beat his three-month-old daughter. He stubbed cigarettes out on her body, broke her ribs and swung her round, twisting and tearing her wrists and ankles. Baby Samira died from head injuries after her skull was smashed into a hard surface.’
It is the individualistic personality and the freedoms that are so widely celebrated by Western civilisation that are contributing to its very demise.
December 28th, 2005 at 11:14 pm
Some elderly are problems for young people, this is why they are put in a elderly nursing home or care.
That is also what the elderly may ask to be put in homes if they feel too disoriented for their own children. It is fine to put them in homes but the important matter is their children should pay their expenses for their elderly and visit them often.
The law is the law, we live in the law of the west, if you dont like it, you leave because I know the laws of the Islamic middle east is not so ‘islamically correct’ which is why many Muslims have LEFT the Islamic world. Try living in the middle east and you will be more than surprised about the difficulties and lack of financial support you get. Im a Muslim and I only come to read this website to find out what it is that you seek abundance to or rather what you think is a problem for Muslims in the West and the Middle East.
I suggest we all Count our blessings and if you dont count them, go back home out of all generousity to improve the government/life of your own home. Our people need our help.
Salam 3alaikum.
December 29th, 2005 at 12:52 am
There is a point you make that I have heard from many people. “If you dont like it here than leave”. I was born in Britain and lived here almost all my life, so where do you suggest i go? The Muslim lands are secular just like Britain so theres no point going there either because it is just as bad. The second point I have to make is, if I dont like the way things are here then i should work to change it, rather than walk away, what would that achieve? only selfish people would consider that and as a Muslim it is my duty to want justice for muslims and non-muslims. I do not criticise the laws of the west for no reason, I criticise them and compare them to Islam so that people can realise the power of Islam and appreciate why Muslims want to live by it.
December 30th, 2005 at 4:43 am
be humble said: There is a point you make that I have heard from many people. “If you dont like it here than leave”. I was born in Britain and lived here almost all my life, so where do you suggest i go? The Muslim lands are secular just like Britain so theres no point going there either because it is just as bad. The second point I have to make is, if I dont like the way things are here then i should work to change it, rather than walk away, what would that achieve? only selfish people would consider that and as a Muslim it is my duty to want justice for muslims and non-muslims. I do not criticise the laws of the west for no reason, I criticise them and compare them to Islam so that people can realise the power of Islam and appreciate why Muslims want to live by it.
If I copy what other people say about Muslims having the freedom to go back to their real home, then they have a point because peaceful Muslims by being quiet and denouncing terrorism to their group of Muslims, and other Muslims by attacking innocent people have threatened the safety of the Western nations. Do they have a right to make these wire tapping? It reminds me of the days of Saddam in which I used to live in but if freedom ever existed in the West, this freedom and rights are lost after 911 more than ever before. They have a right to wire tap even though that limits privacy but this is what it takes to track criminals down. Freedom doesnt last and as a Muslim I dont believe in complete freedom during this life.
To be a better Muslim, you make true justice in Muslim nations, please stop racketing about the Islamic nation in the West when Muslims cant achieve actual Islam in their real home. And dont start in Iraq because Iraqis needs to figure out what they like, no compulsion in faith. You can start with Saudi Arabia since its already stated as Muslim 100%
Then come to me and tell me how easy it was to change its ‘Islamic law’ so you can try it too with the Western nations.
Im more than ready to contribute and help the reformation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Because I love Islam but I cannot think to call the current Kingdom of Saudi my home.
Peace.
December 30th, 2005 at 4:45 am
Dont compare Islam to the Western law infront of the Non Muslims.
If you want true Islam in nations, denounce terrorsts like Alqaeda, Hamas, Hizbellah, Ansar al Islam..etc.
When you do, the West will find more patience and more ears to listen to you for. And if you dont, then they will call you a terrorist yourself. Its a vulnerable time for them to feel defensive, as Arabs have been throughout.
January 1st, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Let me address the first point you make about them having the right to tap phones and invade Muslims privacy. They do not have the right to do this from their own values and beliefs. The west believes in civil liberties and freedom of speech which means that it contradicts their own beliefs to tap, monitor and censor individuals and ideas. Thats why Bush and Blair have been so heavily criticised by judges and civil rights activists for their new policies. The only reason why they are doing this is because they want to minimise the political dissent amongst Muslims and instill a fear factor so that Muslims shy away from oppossing the western foreign policy.
January 1st, 2006 at 4:22 pm
The second point you make is about condemning the violence of Muslim groups. We as Muslims condemn the killing of any innocent civilians, but we have to stress to the non-muslims that their governments are killing millions of innocent civilians all over the world. It is essential that we make this point because then the non-muslims will understand why there is this sort of reaction towards them. Tony Blair said that “these terrorists just have a hatred towards the west and our way of life”. These people were not born with hatred, it has built up within them because of the foreign policy of the west and the non-muslims have to realise this so they can bring their own governments to account. As muslims we shouldn’t take out our anger and frustrations by killing people, but rather engage in a political struggle to resolve our problems, but unfortunately the west is making it very difficult for muslims to do that because they are clamping down on genuine Islamic activism, which unfortunately has resulted in these individuals taking desperate actions. We can condemn the actions of muslims all day long but it wont change anything, infact it will make things worse because it will further enforce the western agenda of villifying Islam. What will make a change is if the west ceased colonising our lands and allows the Muslims to genuinely decide their own political destiny. The only way this can happen is if we speak the truth and expose the West’s agenda.
January 2nd, 2006 at 12:44 am
Muslim Arab lands were free for years, Muslim people never did anything. They just sat down with their hot coffee and blabber about pointless subjects. Please dont throw some nonsense when you know it that at all times, the Muslims could have over thrown their government if it was that bad and that supportive of USA. But they didnt. Tell me why? Because they have no intention to!
It is Muslim’s own fault as well. Not just the West’s unfortunately. people are supporting terorrists like Alqaeda because they are misunformed about the whole circumstance of killing infidels in Islam and why it is done. They think it is right but it is wrong because as you said, they are using their anger and frustration. Thats something I agree with.
What Islamic activism is there for Muslims to do? None. They dont know how to protest or even make riots which is bad but still makes a proper point than harming a human life. They just loot, threaten and kill.
If the West stops clamping this activism down, then we Muslims are supposed to immediately go to Muslims and tell them to refrain from using extreme violence. They have no boundaries of restraining themselves anymore, because even if other Muslims like you and me go to them and tell them to be patient, I have my bets on that they would kick us off verbally and physically. It goes down to that level. And you should know Arabs, they have become too superior and ignorant
Rules have to be broken to protect people’s safety in a nation. Of course the wire tapping is something that goes against civil liberties and freedom of speech. This terrorism can spread easily if USA doesnt try to find any suspects involved in terorrism. This is better than just banging houses down to check if people have any weapons that will violate other peoples’ rights. Wire tapping has more proof than breaking into someone’s privacy with no evidence.
January 2nd, 2006 at 1:44 am
There is a lot Muslims can do. We should work to replace the systems we have in our lands with that of Islam. That involves removing the corrupt rulers and having one ruler that unites the Muslims, in other words establishing an Islamic state. All we have to do is follow the sunnah of the Prophet (saw) who did this in his time. He created public opinion in Madinah using key influentials who then made way for him to come and rule and establish Islam.
January 2nd, 2006 at 8:41 am
Wa ‘alaikum assalaam Baghdad:
You said:
“Some elderly are problems for young people, this is why they are put in a elderly nursing home or care.”
I have spent a good deal of time working with and speaking to patients. You are right; some people are in need of constant 24-hour medical supervision. Now it could just be my individual experience and that of the nurses I worked with, but most of the elderly patients I met were in hospital because they were unable to feed and bathe themselves, not because of actual medical need. They would predominantly speak about their children, and would hate it when I left to go home. Practically all they needed was someone to speak to and someone to show them some affection. Some patients would even pretend to need to go to the toilet just so that they could speak to a nurse.
It is my opinion - and that of Islam - that the elderly are not a “problem for young people”, and I pray that we all manage to learn that before our own parents are seen as a “problem”.
Sister, I also find it remarkable that you said:
“Dont compare Islam to the Western law infront of the Non Muslims.”
Why not?!
I’m quite happy to do exactly that. That is precisely what Muhammad (saws) and Allah (swt) did, is it not? They compared Islam to the laws and customs of the non-Muslims. Now correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t Muhammad (saws) meant to be our Best of Examples?
Discuss with everyone and let the strongest idea survive.
Furthermore, it is important to be as open as possible. Where we need to improve we should openly say so (see the first comment on this post) and the same applies when we can draw example from Islam to account non-Muslims.
Alhamdulillah I find nothing to hide. Do you?
You said: “If you want true Islam in nations, denounce terrorsts [...] if you dont, then they will call you a terrorist yourself”
First, please take a peak at a few of the comments left by the contributors to this blog. If you don’t find examples of us stating that murder and terrorism are wrong, let me know…
Also, consider what you have said: “denounce terrorists or you will be called a terrorist”. There is every chance that you are correct; no doubt there are people who would make that claim. However, there is a world of difference between supporting something and not condemning it. How on Earth does one become a terrorist by not condemning terrorism? This entire line of thinking is flawed.
You said: “Please dont throw some nonsense”
I wonder, would you be kind enough to point out the nonsense we’ve been “throwing”? Thanks.
You said: “What Islamic activism is there for Muslims to do? None. They dont know how to protest [...] They just loot, threaten and kill.”
There are some people - Muslim and non-Muslim - who do not know how to properly address their political concerns. However I completely disagree that there is no Islamic activism available to Muslims. be humble has already mentioned a couple of methods that were used by the Prophet (saws) that are still highly effective methods of creating change. There are a multitude of other Islamic methods, a number of brothers and sisters are acting to achieve their legitimate political goals without resorting to “looting and killing”.
I recommend studying a sirah of Muhammad (saws). He (saws) obviously used and defined the Islamic method to create change, and I would argue that all of his method, and much of his style continues to be highly effective for use today. I personally like the book “Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar)” but even a film like “The Message” is a good place to start. I can tell you from my own experience of these two sources that the Islamic method is laid bare for any and all to see. Obviously there are details that are missing from these particular sources, but if you are interested, I can suggest other places to look.
You said: “If the West stops clamping this activism down, then we Muslims are supposed to immediately go to Muslims and tell them to refrain from using extreme violence.”
This is our responsibility whether governments clamp down or not. We have a duty to correct our brothers and sisters in the best and most effective way possible. It will not always be easy (nor will it always be as difficult as you suggest) but it is a fard for us to try.
You said: “And you should know Arabs, they have become too superior [...]“
I’m confused… Aren’t you an Arab?
January 3rd, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Baghadad:
Asalaam wa Alaikum sister
MashAllah, it is clear that your comments have sparked important discussions and I admire you for recognising the issues affecting the Ummah…there are still some Muslims out there who are completely oblivious.
As a sincere Muslim, I am sure you acknowledge the importance of adhering to the Quran and Sunnah in all aspects of your life and this remains the case regardless of place and time. When our mother become frail, ill and unable to care for herself, we do more than the bare minimum of putting her in a nursing home, covering her expenses and visiting her often. Rather we exert ourselves and maybe even inconvenience ourselves for the sake of pleasing her and ultimately, pleasing Allah swt. I appreciate that this task can be difficult for some, and I’m not suggesting that it is wrong to ask for help but its all too easy to neglect the other in favour of the individual desires. knowing that paradise lies at the feet of my mother humbles me and reverence for the ties of kinship is a value I will always try my best to uphold.
So what about when I decide to move to another country (regardless of whether it is labelled ‘Muslim’ or not)? ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do?’ I think not. This would result in me dismissing the Islamic values concerning my duty to my mother and adopting the opinion that its okay to send her away as long as I give her money and visit her.
This is what has happened the world over. When Muslims cross the imaginary lines, they are at risk of taking on values and ideas that contradict Islam. I don’t believe this is because every Muslim is weak and impressionable, rather it is because Islam is not apparent in their lives and if anything, it is repressed by the governments, both in the Muslims lands and elsewhere. The hijab ban in France, the massacre in Andijan, anti terror laws being passed in the UK are just a few examples.
You made a number of points which caught my attention
The law is the law, we live in the law of the west, if you dont like it, you leave”
As Muslims, there is no other law for us other than that of Allah swt.
Dont compare Islam to the Western law infront of the Non Muslims.”
Islam was meant for the whole of mankind, north, east, south and west. You’re right in saying that meaningless acts of violence don’t achieve anything, but nor will silence. Surely the only way forward is civilised discussion?
Please dont throw some nonsense when you know it that at all times, the Muslims could have over thrown their government if it was that bad and that supportive of USA. But they didnt. Tell me why? Because they have no intention to!”
The Pakistan- India divide didn’t happen without reason, nor the attempted coups in Algeria, and the call from Uzbekistan is louder then ever. Muslims have tried time and time again to create change because of their love for Islam. There is of course a prescribed way to go about it as Shaykh Rattle ‘n’ Roll pointed out and the time for revival is upon us.
I think you speak for us all sister when you say:-
Freedom doesnt last and as a Muslim I dont believe in complete freedom during this life.”
This is EXACTLY the issue. The Kuffar’s form of freedom is a farce and for Muslims, there is never freedom from the worship of Allah and this applies to us wherever (Iraq, Britain, America, Saudi) whenever (In times of war, political uncertainty, when under occupation) and in ALL aspects of our life; be it family life, trade, politics, governance, even the food we eat and clothes we wear.
Islam came to dominate the world, not through any egotistical wonting but because it serves as salvation for all of humanity. So why not propagate it to the non Muslims? Why not adhere to it, regardless of the man made laws? And why not challenge the current regimes and offer them the infallible alternative?
May Allah reward you for all your efforts.