Blind Followers of Misguidance

The blooming seed can become a most beneficial plant, it may be beautiful or indeed may be something much less. That determination is the decree of Allah. Guidance too is the decree of Allah for He is the One who guides.

The best of creation was Prophet Muhammad pbuh and the best of generations were the early generations. Today, there are people (in our lifetime) who are venerated more than the illustrious companions of Prophet Muhammad pbuh and the early generations. They are eloquent and give a sense that they are knowledgeable. Through this, gullible people follow them. Sadly, it is ignorance but Allah will surely guide those who are sincere. And Allah knows best who are sincere. Certainly, if you denounce truth with any amount of pride or arrogance, then are you sincere? If you are not open to be rectified, are you sincere? Thus, it starts off with understanding faith (eemaan) and then your beliefs. Importance must be given to that which nullifies faith (eemaan) because of incorrect beliefs that can nullify your eemaan. A believer and a non-believer are not equal. What makes you a disbeliever? There are clear signs and evidences that some of these acclaimed people have either committed an act/s of kufr (disbelief) or have disbelieved already. The latter is for those in authority to pass judgement. In instances, these have been done, but the followers of the misguided individuals pay no heed and therefore place themselves in harms way.

I write this note, because people ask on the matter (from what scholars have already mentioned). Some carry on in their original path and others, stop, acquiesce and take the safer option to protect their faith. To steer away from misguidance is the right thing even though much of what the speaker says is good. A believer and non-believer is not the equal.

see part 2: The Cape Muslim Dialogue: Blind following of Misguidance – Part 2

The Soft Underbelly

 

Can you imagine what paradise is like? Do you take time out to imagine you being in paradise? To reach paradise you must die a worldly death to attain the everlasting pleasure of paradise. And what better death than being a martyr.

We are present in this holy month which witnessed the Battle of Badr but who of us would have been in the company of the Muslims during that battle, had we lived then? Of course, Allah designed and decreed that we live in this era, the here and now. We are armchair spectators to one of the worst, if not the worst, atrocity in the history of mankind. It is the life of today to be spectators. Everything around us creates the atmosphere for “viewing” and little about taking action. Islam has never been a religion of inaction and passiveness. Rather, Islam is built on faith and action. The bare minimum is to carry out the five pillars of Islam, viz. To bear testimony in the worship of Allah alone and that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His final messenger. But your faith will never be complete unless you love for your Muslim brother what you love for yourself. Your faith will never be complete when his pain is not also your pain. So, when you see a wrong, you change it with your hands, and if you are unable, then with your speech and if you are unable, then with your heart (in prayer) but the latter is the weakest form of faith (as per the hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)¹. Of course, justice is not reserved for Muslims and Muslims are obligated to ensure justice for all.  There is always a group that are downright sell-outs and then there is the majority that believe battles are won with slogans, petitions and court-cases. Yes, we must speak out. Yes, we must make dua. But more than that we must act. The weakness in our words and prayers strongly suggest we must reform. Perhaps in our reformation to the pristine Islam taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and practised by the first three generations, we will be favoured with being part of the solution and victory. Victory is inevitable, it is just whether we are part of it.

Everybody is good at so many things, but not so good at proclaiming the religion of Allah, Islam. And not so good at making meaningful changes in their lives and to implement the changes which will augment the fight for justice and rid the world of evil and oppression.

1.      Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 49]

 

You need to also read:

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/03/your-honour.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/03/iftar-at-third-haram.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/02/wars-and-scores.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/02/red-heifer.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2024/01/why-its-trump.html

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2023/03/suicide-at-cape.html

 

Picture courtesy of https://www.powerthesaurus.org