Blind Following of Misguidance - Part 4

 

It takes time to ponder, yet time, at least in our lives, are limited and rushed. This is evident in the modern era where the words of man have superceded the word of Allah for few take time to reflect upon Quran, the word of Allah. It is easier for most to listen to the speech of man, devoid of substance, being Quran and Sunnah, as if the last chapter of Quran has meaning in this instance.

Aqeedah/Belief is key to eemaan/faith for incorrect beliefs can nullify eemaan. Eemaan is believing in Allah and rejecting falsehood/false deities - taghut. The focus in the first period of prophethood of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was on strengthening belief. This note is a challenge to you to study the beliefs of Muslims through authentic sources. How did the early Muslims believe. Sometimes so much focus is given to the views and opinions of people that lived long after, that the true meanings are missed. What are the authentic sources that Ahlus-sunnah wa-l-jama’ah follow. If you know this and stick to this, then know that any opinion outside of that, is mere speech and has little, if any value, unless it is in total conformity. Conformity must have yardsticks and benchmarks. Yet today we are overwhelmed by beautiful words and speeches devoid of any proofs from authentic sources and people gobble these up. You have Quranists who reject hadith because they don’t understand Quran yet claiming to follow Quran. On the other hand, to support their deviancy, there are people who use weak and, at times, fabricated hadith to support their misguided viewpoints. The masses are gullible largely because they are ignorant while they may accept things in good faith.  This is the dilemma for most. The one point that cannot be missed is that people largely follow modern-day personalities, those with good voices, orators, charisma. Attaching yourself to these personalities can result in idol worship or cult worship. Simply put, when the words of these men are favoured above the words of Allah and His Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, then your beliefs become questionable. And with that, your eemaan. The test can be simple in terms of who is right and who is wrong: Is what you are doing in conformance with Quran and Sunnah -strictly, or is it subject to interpretation? Is what another is doing, perhaps he is doing less than you, but can he be faulted in terms of Quran and Sunnah? If, in your opinion, he is blameworthy because he is not conforming to your standard, or he is missing out, then what proofs do you have from authentic sources?

The yardstick for following someone cannot be that he has acquired (some) knowledge, but rather, it must be, firstly, that he is strict upon Quran and Sunnah and fears deviating from it such that when a truth comes to him and is a correction on a previous action or understanding, he inclines to the correction. Secondly, see how much a speaker quotes from Quran and hadith versus how much they quote from secondary and other sources.

In conclusion for this topic, for the time being: As part of your beliefs, aqeedah, to affirm your eemaan is to have a solid understanding of taghut for rejecting taghut is necessary for your eemaan.

 

See previous :  part 3: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/01/blind-following-of-misguidance-part-3.html

 See next :  part 5: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/01/blind-following-of-misguidance-part-5.html

Do read, share and comment on these links below:

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/01/ego.html

https://medium.com/@saleem.gamza/early-hours-part-3-068721466908

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/10/where-are-you-running-to.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/things-to-consider.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/they-dont-know-what-we-know.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/09/who-do-you-emulate.html

 

 

 

Cold Soup on your Wedding Day

 

Imagine. Imagine your wedding day is subject to loadshedding. Let’s serve everything cold and maybe it will be too dark for the guests to know what they are eating. Yeah loadshedding. It has been with us for so long already that you can actually say “good ol’ loadshedding”. And they say it is the ANC that messed up the country.

I cannot be defending them, but for the most part, they fell for the joke. A country that miraculously had apartheid outlawed, just when you thought the chips were down. There was no revolution, not even in a political sense and here you are in a new South Africa. Muslims in Cape Town are quite divided in their political leaning, i.e. political party leaning. Racism is as rife as ever and the Muslim community is not free from it. Nevertheless, when you talk about loadshedding, you talk national government and ANC. Truly the ANC must be lambasted because they did not bring any freedom to the people of South Africa. In places, sure there were gains for some of the population, but overall, the ANC’s score is negative. This in no way means that the other political parties are better, right and justified. Each must take part of the blame. Some of the smaller parties will argue that they are handcuffed by the regulations and workings of parliament. This is what they signed up for and therefore they are tainted by the dire state of this country and many of the immoral laws and regulations and they must have their portion of blame. Loadshedding is like being hit with a blunt object but it is not the worst of our woes. The arrows that are causing more than a trickle of blood include such matters as the Marriage Bill and the bills affecting education which threatens our relative freedom. Now there are more matters that will take our freedoms away soon and those discussions are being had but only a few dare to fight for their freedom. People who stubbornly support government or any political party are selling more than they are supposedly getting. Every decision, every regulation that is passed against the laws of Allah, will bear your name, if you are a supporter of, especially, the bigger political parties. Gaining the world as a favour when you transgress one law of Allah is actually a major loss.

You will be waiting for a very long time, an inordinate long time, if you are wating for a leader or someone else to do something. You need to wake up and take the first step. Perhaps, soon enough people would have taken similar steps to a common ground. I am saying this while we have stage 6 loadshedding or massive rolling blackouts which is an invitation to criminals while also causing many other difficulties. All the while, a disastrous marriage bill is being reviewed and then there is the Bela Bill and so much more.

 

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The language of the people

 

Apartheid had a place because there was a need to oppose a system of discrimination and oppression. If we look back further to when our ancestors came here as slaves and political prisoners, there was the mentality of opposition. Having been brought here by the Dutch, Afrikaans became a language as our forefathers defied the colonialist oppressive Dutch.

As time passed and we reached the mid twentieth century, there was this inclination to adopt the English language, the language of the other coloniser. This happened for a few reasons, one of which is that the ruling class adopted Afrikaans as their language. Secondly, English was seen as the universal language and the queen's language. Forgotten was the fact that Afrikaans was the language of defiance. In fact, those who now are known as Afrikaners understood that having your own language was an important cultural element. Few speak Afrikaans today, especially the younger generation. With that we gave up part of our identity of which part was that of resistance to oppression and injustice. While you can cite many other reasons for our decline and virtual disintegration as a cultural group, language certainly had its role to play. Today, we have integrated into a society to the extent that many of our principles have fallen by the wayside as we adopted concepts foreign even to our beliefs.

Shall I call upon my people to return to their roots and rather be slaves physically chained, than chained to ideologies and cultures that mean us only harm.

 

Ons sal mos lankal opgestaan it tien die goewerment met alles wat aangaan soes crime en die hoë cost of living. Ja, ons mieks somma oek die tale want os is vannie kaap.

 

 

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Koesiestes or koeksusters - That is the Question

 

Koesiestes are not koeksusters. You have to say it like it was meant to be said and how we have come to know it. Cuisine is part of culture. Language is part of culture. Mentality is part of culture?

Strong communities have a strong culture that permeates throughout. That we come from various backgrounds and integrated into our “newfound” environment and land would have impacted culture to some degree. The abolition of apartheid resulted in further integration.  Television, movies and other forms of entertainment certainly have its fair share of eroding culture. Then we have an education system that, while may be taught by members of our community, the system, with its contents, is not ours. You will argue that we have a fair bit of culture left and you will point to titbits  by which few, if any, will define us. We are no longer distinct except, as you say, those titbits. Others will argue that we are South African and that it is right that we are integrated. No major qualms about that except that South Africans do not have a unique culture (more about that another time). And if you believe that diversity is our culture then why use the term “cultural diversity”. And before you get all like “what is your point?”, let me clarify. As Muslims we ought to be at the forefront of all things good. We ought to be standouts and be “the best evolved for mankind”. Yet, here we are, hardly noticeable except if someone needs to add the tag “terrorist” to someone or if there is a Palestinian march. Now the Palestinian, Al-Aqsa, matter is massive, but we cannot be defined by that. We ought to be more than that.

Our language is not unique, and the question is “can it be” with some at least trying to keep in touch with how our forefathers spoke Afrikaans way before anybody else. Our cuisine has integrated and lost its taste as the multinational food franchise products are seemingly more desirable. Our weddings are held at wine farms. If we then go down the list, then there are a few religious rituals “defining” the culture albeit that is holding on by a thread. Dress code does not make the list for culture. Oh, you will be frowning that I don’t mention the klopse and Malay choir as part of culture. I will come back to you on that.

The bottom line is that to make a meaningful impact, there must be a clearly visible culture. A visible culture is part of the fabric of every member of that community. Are we then not just a random group of people and not a community?

 

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Should you boycott?

 

You know when you chat to someone on the phone and the conversation goes something like this:

Person 1: “Where are you?”

Person 2: "I am here, where are you?”

person 1: "I am also here, but I don’t see you”

Person 2: "strange, we are both ‘here’ but not at the same place”

This in reality becomes a mockery and confusion sets in. Now when someone, who is not happy with themselves, tell you to accept them as they are while they themselves don’t accept who they are or if they had some medical intervention, then who they were. Are you confused yet? You have to accept something in place of what they are not accepting. So, what if you accept something that you think they should accept? The world is turned on its head and the perception of reality has been skewed for too many. Marriage has always been between a man and a woman, until fairly recently but by Allah, it is always between a man and a woman. However, only females gave birth to every person currently living and that birth had to have male intervention. Thus, the reproduction of humans happens because of males and females and not males and males, neither females and females. Morals and ethics have been redefined but the nature with which we were created cannot be redefined. The accursed one, satan, is an avowed open enemy to mankind. He has confused some humans to oppose even the very nature with which they were born.

Trade is the financial dealing of goods and services. People are not obliged to patronise a store or a brand and may voluntarily decide how and where to spend their hard-earned money. How can it make sense to spend your money at places which defies even nature and engages in immorality. The sexualisation of innocent children and the messages of confusion from the promoters of LGBT as a means of protecting a minority is unjustified and illogical. Is paedophilia practised by a minority and do they need protection and promotion? Where will this end? It will not end until and unless you follow their way of life. Muslims have rights too and their right is to spend their money at businesses other than the promoters of vice. In fact, Muslims have a duty and moral responsibility to spend their money elsewhere. Muslims have a responsibility to protect their children and to teach them right from wrong.

O Muslim, if you are silent on this matter, then know you will be questioned for your silence on this very matter. O Muslim, supporting the perpetrators and promoters of these immoral people through your economic support will give them a bigger voice and soon it will consume your children. Spread the message and let us be firm on the teachings of Quran and Sunnah.  Know that Allah is the ally of the believers.

 

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Does your tastebuds define your culture

 

A friend of mine separates the different food groups on his plate. After consuming it, these different food groups will end up in the same stomach. I guess for taste, there may be a need but then he does mix it on his fork or hand when he actually eats it. So, it reminds me of a discussion we had in a group last week. No, not about food, but racism.

Racism does not have to be taught consciously but the idea of superiority is something that may be in the culture of a family or a community. Sometimes racism is a subconscious personal choice. Listening to the discussion, you cannot deny that there is racism within the Muslim community. The one that is undeniable, yet some will dispute, is the racism from the apartheid days as we differentiate according to that racial classification. Then there was the deep-rooted racism which has, to a large degree, been overcome but what remains are more than mere remnants. While the colour card is rife, racism is further entrenched in ethnic backgrounds of the Muslim community. The Indian-Malay issue, as example, has made positive progress, but sadly today, there are individuals who scorn the other party and still use derogatory terms.   

In terms of marriage, there may be argument that vastly different cultures can cause issues in marriage. However, there is no need to be prejudiced and act with a level of superiority. With that in mind, address the other party with respect and, in turn, build a culture of love and mutual understanding.  You can easily say that Muslims in Cape Town are not ready for “Bilal” to knock on your door and ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. If you thrive on racism, then certainly you are gripped by much “ignorance”. Racism cannot be wished away but we must educate and change the mindset. When, you generalise and address matters with a racial bias, then you will not realise the best solution to issues that may face you.

Do you think your tastebuds reveals your ethnicity or do you train your tastebuds to adopt other cultures? By the way, like my friend separating his food groups and it still ends up in the same place, so too will we all, irrespective of ethnic background, end up in a hole when we die. Perhaps even in the same cemetery.

 

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The Setting Moon

 

Of the signs of Allah is that He created the moon and the sun as a means to measure time. The importance of these two spheres in your lives cannot be underestimated. Muslims will do well to understand the role of the sun and the moon in their lives and that it is of the favours of Allah unto them.

Those who pray their five daily prayers on time and those who fast regularly will be dependent on the sun and the moon to perform their worship. Then there is the pilgrimage which too is dependent on the sighting of the moon. While man is fallible and prone to error, the course of these two circular bodies are set and controlled by Allah. Whether the moon was visible or not, the moon was not seen as per the official announcement. What is sad is the memes that has since been circulating. If the decree of Allah was that the moon will not be sighted locally, then you accept and leave the matter at that. The only alternative is for you then to accept the sighting from neighbouring countries. But that line was already drawn before the sighting. Did the memes then intend to question those who made the ruling that the moon was not sighted? You have accepted these people, the “maankykers”, for this purpose. Do you now question them or the fiqh? If you do not trust them, then what is the alternative and are you prepared for the alternative? If the memes did not question the “maankykers”, then be reminded that the sun and the moon are of the signs of Allah and are of the favours of Allah unto you.

The moon issue is not going away in a hurry as you have seen for over the last forty years locally. How much importance should you attach to man-made boundaries? What defines the difference in region, is it language and culture? Does this apply to the general Muslim or is it the language (mother tongue) of the ulama. Does the difference in ruler play a role even though both rulers are non-Muslim or is it because two countries are Muslim minorities?

The matter must be discussed with the aim of learning and understanding. It must be discussed with the aim of developing as a community with ideal forums and structures. What impact has this issue had on you and in what are you keen to improve or see improvement?

 

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Suicide at the Cape

 

The ticking clock will one day cease to add that one last tick. And so too will your heartbeat come to an end. But by time, man is lost. Running around, mostly in delusion and confusion. What will make you realise that these are ingredients for disaster? It can possibly be a disaster for you alone or it may have bigger, more intense, consequences.

Suicide is a notable concern in our community, albeit not as pronounced as in society at large. Allow me to digress, for a moment, to glance at the Muslim community from Cape Town. You will get so many varied responses to the question of what people, Muslim people, see when they look at Muslims and Islam in Cape Town. In these answers, you find the level of faith, level of intellect and level of education, both Islamic and otherwise, displayed. In short, it is the determining factor for where we find ourselves collectively and it is our scorecard. Suicide is a double-edged sword. It is a sensitive topic and best not to delve in too deeply on a mere blog. Those unaffected will not really get to understand while those affected have the opportunity to channel those emotions and experiences into positivity. Positivity to help themselves by improving their own lives. Positivity to encourage others to explore and adopt solutions that will benefit them overall.

When addressing the issue, be reminded that the Muslim community should not be judged, by themselves or others, as an exemplary society. The answers to a cursory glance of Muslim at the Cape will confirm that. To be blunt, there is much good at the Cape, but you will struggle with real solutions if you think it as exemplary. You must be prepared to change much of your thoughts, ideas and academic knowledge. You grew up here, and evolved every bit here, as part of this community and as such raised by this community. A community that also imported and inculcated everything, or nearly everything, that it was given. A community that had the opportunity to be exemplary, was really following. Today the topic is suicide, and everyone looks at the physical death of a person. The solution is beyond that view. Now, to start the journey to the real solution, ask too about those who live amongst us but are spiritually dead. Look at those who live mechanically only, but the heart does not beat with “Laa ilaaha illallah” – There is no God to worship but Allah. Then look at a solution from that point of view – the view of Laa ilaaha illallah. Unlearn the concepts from the academia, from society, from the “norm” and adopt solutions based on the kalimah (testimony of faith).

The system under which you live is a constraint and itself a noose around your neck. The system of Allah is the system that is all-encompassing.

And another person is buried and you don't know the unwritten inscription the tombstone.

I'm only telling you

Being aware of your speech

You all heard of the saying “silence is golden”, yet silence is generally perceived as anti-social. Watch how awkward people are in quiet moments. They start babbling for the sake of babbling, saying nothing meaningful. Or maybe it is meaningful if their utterances do impact on others and, you know, it is mostly negative. Good stories are boring and hard to tell. Only stories tellers with the gift of embellishment get to turn a boring story into excitement, but then mainly because there are some lies added in. Well lies have become the slip of the tongue for the majority. “I didn’t mean it like that” is an oft-repeated refrain when badmouthing innocence.

But what if you make a good thing sound like a bad thing: “Did you hear …” and then the ears are piqued for the juicy bit to follow. That opening line piques the interest. What is the purpose of mentioning something, in that tone, when it is neither illegal, nor unlawful? It simple creates a sentiment that what is to follow is so wrong. “His wife just died 3 months ago, and he is married again. How can he?”. “I don’t know what really happened, but they are divorced? Wonder what happened there?” “How can she marry such an old guy? His children are almost as old as her”. This is how divorce gets stigmatised, so too polygyny, so to age differences between spouses and so many other matters. If the matter concerns you, then it just right to engage those involved. But to mention this in a company of people with no direct link to such issues, is to create unnecessary restlessness. This further leads to matters of religion overridden by folklore because some auntie or uncle has an opinion other than that of the religion.

When you speak and utter statements that conflict with the sharee’ah, then know and understand it is a transgression. When the other party has done no wrong, then to sit in judgement of that decision, while not directly involved, is a serious problem. Is it that you judge something and comment such that you cast aspersion on the religion and open Islam up for unnecessary criticism? If what transpired between people is permissible, then why the tone and connotation when relating the matter? Why relate the matter at all, especially if you are not soliciting a good prayer for these people that you so harshly speak about. There is no private meeting or group where you are free from the All-seeing Allah.

If you say things to cast aspersion on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, or his companions, his wives or the religion in general, then can you look forward to meeting him on the day of reckoning? Really, think before you say things about permissible matters as if you think it is wrong.

We pray for guidance and understanding.

 

 

Call to Faith

The current noise being made around the call for prayer is unfounded in a community that has practiced it for 100 years and more in Cape Town, and 1400 years globally. We respect religious freedom - laws cannot be a stumbling block to practicing our basics - the right to worship. We worship in peace and our call the prayer is one of calling to God's greatness and to success.

A skop and a klap - Turning the page

Life has changed since the days of a "skop en 'n klap" (a kick and a smack) - it just sounds better in Afrikaans. It may be fair to say we have gone 180 degrees - totally opposite.

In a society where "slamse skool" (madressa /madrassah) was the order of the day, children now go perhaps weekly, if at all. At the same time there are people who remain steadfast on the religion while many others have some connection with it, while yet others are hanging in by a thread (Allah protect us all). But what has happened over the years is the development of a culture of "tolerance". The understanding of this "tolerance" is to allow sin to come into our homes. We have adopted a culture inside our homes - our homes where we uphold the five pillars - but where we forsake our religion. We have taken on views foreign to Islam because, quite frankly, we are more exposed to non-Muslim thinking than Islam, the guidance with which our illustrious leader Muhammad peace be upon him, came.

It is always good to have people ask questions, but then there are people who only question the religion but not with an enquiring mind, but with an accusatory tongue. You are deemed an extremist if you refer matters to Quran and Sunnah, while others freely adopt views foreign to Islam. The tongues wag mockingly and scornfully at the action of another while the action is in conformity with Islam. Yet, we now only joke at some sins in a way that we accept these sins and encourage it.

Hardly anyone of us are excluded in our acceptance of this newfound culture. But a culture which is opposition to Islam is a disaster for us.

We pray Allah guides and protects us all.

*******************************
I have omitted specifics in order to not have comments which will cause us harm. I am open to discussion through direct messaging

On a point of Hijab

 

It is a fact that madaris (plural of madrassah - "Islamic" school) are empty. Everyone stops learning at a young age because we really are busy people. We end up learning from titbits and most of our religious education is not actually obtained from people more knowledgeable than ourselves.

The aspect or issue of hijab is quite interesting as certainly everyone has an opinion on it. Opinions range from it is in my heart, to wearing a scarf, to wearing pants to "I don't care". The issue of Niqaab we will bypass that for today. The issue of hijab is ongoing and people feel proud that they wear hijab. There is agreement that it is a requirement but the application may not meet the requirement. The argument is that "she has a view, I have a view and you have a view". Well, honestly, I don't have a view. And therein lies the crux. We believe that we can have a view or opinion on matters of the deen. This is a recipe for dispute (and disaster) at every level and a time when the ignorant find a voice. I have merely used hijab as an example of how we treat matters of the deen.

There are two primary sources - Quran and Sunnah - and that remains our first port of call. We can debate about issues of deen, till the cows come home, but if there is no reference to the primary sources of knowledge then the argument or debate is futile. There are of course matters where we refer to consensus of scholars but for the most part, all our fundamental matters are dealt with in Quran and Sunnah. The point that one can have an opinion on aspects of deen makes you a scholar of Islam. Nonetheless, the opinion of anyone cannot contradict Quran and Sunnah. Few people will read this, or will want to understand this or will share this, yet they will be in disobedience to our Creator by acting on wrong information when they have an opportunity to seek true guidance or they will speak on matters and advise others while they themselves are ignorant.

The next time you say "I am dressed appropriately", then ask yourself according which Islamic ruling which you got from which source. This actually applies to anything that you think you are doing right but have not thought about the fact that you may actually have followed another blindly without reference to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

And Allah knows best

We pray for His guidance and protection

CT Muslims - Tradition over everything

There is a right and there is a wrong and then there is a grey area. We have been given a way to discern things but do we do this as our lives evolve in its various aspects.

The many ways of doing things may lead to others not seeing  the benefit of one methodology over another. Many will see this blog only as criticism. The truth is that as Muslims we ought to think and ponder over things. Allah speaks much about the Bani Israeel in Quran and many will read it as mere stories or some may even use these ayaat to point a finger at the Jews. This sort of thinking causes us to fail to remind ourselves when we are drifting away from the laws of Allah because we have failed to realise our shortcomings.

Our community is one filled with tradition and, many-a-time, consumed by it. It is a fact that many times either tradition trumps the Islamic ruling or that at times tradition cannot be separated from the religious practices of the people. We either justify some actions or we avoid the topic in its entirety and we condemn the one for objecting to a certain practice or tradition as a madman. There must be a challenge out there for someone to write a book about the laws of Islam versus the many practices and traditions. Such a book that will shed light on the various matters and that we may all be better informed. Issues relating to birth, to marriage and to death and the very many others traditions and practices in between.

 Of the customs is to comment on religious issues either without knowledge on the subject or without the requisite proofs from Quran and Sunnah. Perhaps as a sign of dwindling respect for parents or perhaps people are better informed, but these days one hears less  "my father did so" or "my father said ..." which of course cannot be used of proof (of validity) in religious matters. The other interesting approach is to say that "my Sheikh/Mowlana/Imaam said ...". It may be that the listener did not fully listen the Imam and thus may have omitted something or the Imam may have passed on something without relating the proof or context. This is something that may cause as issue to be lost in translation or rather transmission. Thus it becomes difficult to present your argument, defense or become a proponent of an issue when you say "my imam said ...". Yet, our community life is driven by this concept. The difficulty is then that when there is disagreement, the argument is raised about "ulama bashing" when in fact it is merely a case of contextualising a ruling or correcting a transmitted statement.

The crux of the matter is whether we profess to be a vibrant Muslims community or whether we can attest to being that type of community. It is a question that we can ask and answer individually and collectively. There must be a benchmark though. Were we to made aware of actions and traditions that do not conform to the laws of Islam, will be discard them. We may at this stage deny that we actually have to come to this sort of analysis. There is an opportunity for us to do introspection and as issues are raised, we may find a way to analyse it and take the appropriate action.

May we of those who uphold the Quran and Sunnah and discard those practices that is not in sync with Islam.

And Allah knows Best

 

 

Interfaith Part 2 : Integration

Ask your Imam, ask your Mowlana, ask your Sheikh! They have studied the religion and should be in a position to guide us. Yet, we understand that they are not infallible and may make mistakes. I will try not to directly quote Hadith and/or Quran because the idea is for us to research aspects of our deen and get authentic guidance from our learned people.

A learned person, a Muslim who goes and partakes in a prayer meeting with people from other faiths, in, let's say a church, will send confusing signals to the layman. Is it permissible to pray with them and the argument will start with "tolerance" and "my sheikh said.." and "we must respect ...". And yet no one spoke any word of ill or malice towards anyone from the other faith.  But the new buzzword is integration and as Muslims we need to integrate and therefore interfaith is a powerful means for doing so.

I scratch my head and look around but few are willing to say anything. Perhaps, they will say something in the privacy of their homes or, when they do speak more "publicly", they don't draw a line in the sand as did our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . Did he not draw a line in the sand? But where did we go wrong? A long story but here are just a few thoughts of how thoughtless we are in the seeds we plant. Easter has everything to do with paganism and there is a fair impact of this on Christianity. Christians largely believe that Jesus died for their sins on the cross. This happening is alleged to have taken place on Good Friday which, coincidently, falls in line with the Easter weekend which is synonymous with paganism. And, aaahhh, the easter eggs which are now made with chocolate. Lovely isn't it.  Except that, while the chocolate is halal (permissible), the now Easter-egg-formed chocolate is nothing but a dedication to a pagan god. We find it delicious while we consume nothing but that which at least taints our bodies and our very souls - do we go to buy meat and ask for halal meat or do we eat any meat. The sheep, while it was alive was halaal for us as potential meat until it was slaughtered and dedicated to other than Allah. Likewise, the chocolate was halaal until it was dedicated to a pagan god. And yet, you disagree, and you are inclined to stop reading and you say "it is only chocolate we eat...".

And as you carry on, you now attend their Christmas services in Church, you attend their Christmas meals, and you give Christmas gifts. All in the name of tolerance and shirk. "Well it is our Prophet too", I hear you say. Of the many questions that arise is "are they celebrating the birth of God or the son of God" - Is this not shirk? "Yes, but we don't do that" is the retort. The crazy thought that we love for others what we love for ourselves and then you tell them that you support them in going on their way to the place where people who commit shirk go. Of course, Muslims do believe in the Hereafter and in Heaven and Hell - right? So, you nudge them along to hell instead of leading them to the straight path. Interesting that people of tolerance and integration can do that. But some are just so confused and allow the non-Muslim to take your hand and drag you along all the while thinking that you still pray and fast then you are all good. And then there are also other religions like Hinduism, African Traditional religions, etc.

We are human and we are prone to error. The good news is that our Creator, Allah, sent to us a messenger who was the last of all prophets and who brought us Quran and his sunnah ﷺ. The best of teachers is none but Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Research, ask questions and be concerned with your standing in front of Allah on the Day of Reckoning. Seek the truth and live as a Muslim, inviting to good and forbidding evil.


To them their religion (to practice) and to us ours.

We pray for leaders who will guide us - seek them out and speak not of your own desire.

And Allah knows best.

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Keeping the Faith at Interfaith - part 1

A way to avoid divorce is to understand what divorce entails, actions that may lead to divorce and seek to find a path, by the Mercy of Allah, to distance oneself from it as far as possible.

A way to avoid the fire is to know how to avoid the fire, i.e. the actions that may lead one to the fire of hell. It is not enough to know and do the actions that will be a means to receive the Marcy of Allah and hence entry to paradise but it is also important to know the one action and/or one statement can change all that.

A way to avoid shirk is to understand what shirk is and what actions are considered shirk. In a diverse community where one is inclined to be in contact with people of other faiths and atheists, it is important to understand the practices of these people. Every action that they do and every utterance (with religious connotation) should be scrutinised, from an Islamic perspective, before we even consider engaging in the same.

The views of inclusivity do not mean "make the circle bigger" but rather to remove those parts that don't fit into the smaller circle, e.g. in our homes we cannot be inclusive by inviting people who will consume alcohol in our homes or perhaps other prohibited foods. Thus, we will invite them, but it will be on the terms of our deen, which is our way of life. And likewise, we can expand the principle to other matters including commonality with other religions. It is true that the closest religion to Islam is in fact Judaism since Jews are considered monotheists unlike Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. Thus, if it is true that we have interfaith dialogue on common issues such as morals, then there are atheists who may share similar morals, perhaps sun-worshippers, etc. In this way the dialogue will be interfaith and beyond.

At these gatherings, we all say a prayer. The Muslim, no doubt, praising Allah and sending salutations on our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Do the others respond with "amen" - but if we were inclusive then the atheist won't respondk and neither will he/she offer a prayer. How we then do we respond when the other faiths pray to their Gods. If everyone says "amen", all well and good, but who gets the "amen" if the Muslim responds to the prayer of say the Bahai. If each one reserves their "amen" only for their own prayer, well then, the trust is already broken and why have a prayer at all.

So, one of the objectives of the Cape Interfaith Initiative is " To promote interfaith activities including prayer and meditation, faith sharing" - Is this communal praying across religions? What would we benefit from doing this? Is this the means to da'wah while it was not Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ example?

There is much to say on this subject - but can a non-Muslim, let's say a Christian, make dua for us when he addresses Jesus (peace be upon him). Is this inclusivity like someone bringing wine to your house and drinking it? - nay it is worse, because it is shirk (to worship and pray to Jesus - peace be upon him) - is it not?

In conclusion (to this part) - are we, through this initiative, exposing ourselves and our community, with little knowledge of our own religion, to other religions. Is this the way of the way of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ