Saturday, 6 September 2008

The Importance of Knowlegde in Islam


Allah created man and provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge, namely hearing, sight and wisdom. Allah says:
“And Allâh has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allâh)[al-Nahl 16:78]
Islam is the religion of knowledge. The first verse of the Qur’aan to be revealed enjoined reading which is the key to knowledge. Allah says :
“Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). [al-‘Alaq 96:1-5]
In Islam, knowledge comes before action; there can be no action without knowledge, as Allah says :
“So know (O Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women”[Muhammad 47:19]
Allah warns every Muslim against speaking without knowledge, as He says :
“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allâh)”[al-Israa’ 17:36]
Islam calls us to seek knowledge. The Messenger (peace be upon him) made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body. He said that the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets and that the Prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams (i.e., money), rather their inheritance was knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share. And he (peace be upon him) said that seeking knowledge is a way to Paradise.
He (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise easy for him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-‘Ilm, 10)
Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of knowledge vary in status, the highest of which is knowledge of sharee’ah, then knowledge of medicine, then the other fields of knowledge.
*Summarized from source Islam Q&A.com (http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/10471)

Friday, 5 September 2008

ISLAM for all

There are many misconceptions about Islam. Many people assume that Islam is simply a religion, and can only be practiced by Malays(for the situation in Malaysia) and arabs. So I think these misconceptions should be cleared up so that people would have a clear description about Islam. Islam is not only a religion but also a way of life. The evidence that we could see is there are many things have been said in the Holy Qur’an where Islam is not only focus on how to be a good servant in giving full submission to Allah(God), but also how to manage problems in life whether in politics, economics, social, rights of woman, the important of education and many others. Islam is so complete and nobody could deny it, and in the Qur’an itself has mentioned many verses challenging man to make even one verse similar as Qur’an said. So it shows that this Holy Qur’an is truly comes from Allah(God) for all of His creations including all mankind regardless their races, religions, nations or colours. This point has been mentioned many times in the Holy Qur’an :

and we have sent You (O Muhammad ) not but as a Mercy for the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and All that exists)”. (Al-Anbiya’:107)

The following verse highlights to all mankind again regardless races and colours, as man was created by one God (Allah), and He created us with different backgrounds to get know and respect each other.

“O mankind! be dutiful to Your Lord, who created You from a single person (Adam), and from Him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allâh through whom You demand Your mutual (rights), and (Do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship) . surely, Allâh is ever an All­Watcher over you.” (An-Nisa’ : 1)

Even in Islam there is no compulsion to become a Muslim. As it is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:

“let there be no compulsion In religion” (Al-Baqarah:256)

It shows that Islam produces the best product of Muslim. Islam is no produce of blind believer. Knowledge is very important in Islam, as it is mentioned also in Holy Qu’ran :

“Read! In the Name of Your Lord, who has created (all that exists), has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! and Your Lord is the Most Generous, who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)], has taught man that which He knew not.” (Al-A’laq :1-5)

Thus, a Muslim does not merely who just converts into Islam by saying the ‘syahadah’, but also has a full true knowledge about Islam completely wherein he searches it by himself, finally a pure and truth faith will then grow slowly in his heart in believing Allah and His prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Wise saying by Sir Winston Churchill :
Truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but, in the end, there it is.

Thursday, 4 September 2008

It’s time for change

The recent issues of politics in Malaysia really make me proud to be a Malaysian. Before this, as before the 12th election recently, I was just keep myself isolated from knowing updated news in papers or TV, because I was so boring with the ‘nice story’ created by some unauthorities to make that all the people in Malaysia are so satisfied with all actions taken by government .. But now, it’s like giving a new spirit and new air for Malaysian citizens whether Malays, Chinese or Indians, including Bumiputeras from Sabah n Sarawak, to express whatever they can’t express it from the deep in their hearts before, about the spoil of the government.. Since the ‘tsunami’ had attacked in the last election, and the great supporters of Anwar in Permatang Pauh, have given a clear picture that all Malaysians need CHANGES!!! This is really what we call a democratic country.

I LOVE MALAYSIA..
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY & RAMADHAN KAREEM!