Islamically Speaking Newsletter Vol 1. (re-done)

24th Rajab, 1430 A.H (18th July 2009 C.E)

Islamically Speaking...

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah.....

1. Islam and the Dating Dilemma 2. Muslim Youth: Gang Leaders or World Leaders? 3. The Islamic Aqeedah: A Knot That Binds This Ummah Together 4. Farewell Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters, we at The Shahada Da'wah Team are very happy to present to you the first volume of “Islamically Speaking” a weekly newsletter that is written for Muslim youth, to give them heart softening stories, informative articles and perhaps something special, every now and then. There are many issues, especially within the West, that make being a young Muslim very difficult indeed. This weekly newsletter is an effort to provide guidance with evidence and enlightenment from the Deen of Allah (SWT), Islam. It gives commentary on various issues relating to The Muslim Ummah, not to mention social problems within British society (a part of Western Society), and also gives the Islamic answers and solutions to these various and widespread problems. Inshallah, this will be the first of many volumes to come.

Islam and the Dating Dilemma

Within the western environment in which we live, dating is seen as a social norm. It is not considered uncommon or abnormal for two people from the opposite gender, or even two from the same gender to engage in one, few or even many pre-marital relationships. The idea of responsibility within a partnership has been de-valued to the point where it has been discarded. The phenomenon of dating is a reaction to being constantly surrounded by sexual images, it conjures and grows lust and desire, which can be satisfied in any way one wants. As a result, it is not uncommon to see young boys, not to mention grown “men” (in one way or another) chasing after targeted individuals who they wish to be with. Most often, when they do this, the motivation has nothing to do with: “What I can give you”, but rather: “What I can get from you”. But is this the attitude we should adopt? Is the opposite sex there just to use and abuse? Or is there something better than dating? Something that's more than “one night stands” and fleeting passions? Something that allows us to get the best out of our partner? The answer is yes, there is. But before going into detail about what this mysterious “something” is, it is important to show just how destructive dating can be.

Islam and the Dating Dilemma The western environment in which we live has many problems, a particularly dangerous one being STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Young children are always the first to suffer in this regard. Every month in Britain, over 200 children are diagnosed with some kind of STD, with some as young as 12 needing treatment. In 2006, 2,282 children under the age of 16 were diagnosed with some form of STD, and the numbers rise each year. Doctors at sexual health clinics have blamed the rising rates of STD infection on a lack of “safe, responsible sex”, but this is incorrect. The problem is not the lack of responsibility within pre-marital sex and dating relations, the problem is pre-marital sex and dating relations themselves. Because dating and pre-marital sex is so widespread, it is far easier for lethal diseases such as STDs to circulate within society, as a result, those who date and have sex are far more likely to get infected than those who do not. While there are those who claim that dating is fine as long as it is “responsible”, such as The British Government, the fact remains that this is a fallacy. From the years 1998 – 2007, there has been a 63% increase in newly diagnosed STD infections

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24TH RAJAB, 1430 A.H (18TH JULY 2009 C.E)

“From the years 1998 – 2007, there has been a 63% increase in newly diagnosed STD infections”

Furthermore, Britain is also known to have the highest rates of teen pregnancy in all of Europe. In 2005, 7,464 girls under the age of 16 (the age of consent for sex in Britain) fell pregnant, a few of these babies were even aborted. Sometimes, the boy – fathers of these babies leave the girl- mothers, due to the fact that they were not ready for the responsibility of raising a child, instead, they only wanted to have fun, and leave afterward, this is the kind of message we are being given daily, to have fun and enjoy life, but those who have taken this message are those who suffer at a young age, as already shown. While some of these boys support their partner, the fact remains that they have made life very difficult, not just for them, but for those around them. Despite this, The British Government has only said that (you guessed it) young children need to be taught how to be “responsible.” But this isn't working as the rates of teen pregnancy are so high, and have started rise even more. Dating is seemingly harmless, but in actuality, it creates a great deal of harm for society, the harms included in this short newsletter are only a few. Despite the obvious danger however, the society we live in still chooses to allow dating, and to even teach young children to date.

The Islamic Solution It is obvious that dating is Haraam (not allowed) in Islam. Allah (SWT) has only prohibited that which is foul and harmful towards us, as it is said in The Qur'an that He:”..makes lawful to them the good things and makes unlawful to them impure things, and removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them; so (as for) those who believe in him and honor him and help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him, these it is that are the successful.” (al Qur'an, Surah al A'araaf: Ayat 157) However, just because dating is Haraam, it doesn't mean that there are no alternatives. In Islam, there is something special, which some seem to have forgotten about, and that is marriage. Alhamdilillah, marriage allows you to be with the one you love, yet it also gives you the special bonus, which is the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and his reward. The Prophet (PBUH) made it clear that marriage is what can save society from falling into decay: “When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks for your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so there will be corruption and great evil on the earth.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi.) Once within marriage, the husband and wife are expected to live peacefully together: "And among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." (al Qur'an, Surah ar Rum: Ayat 21) Islam shows it is able to impact society positively, by including the idea of love and mercy between husband and wife. This will enforce a strong family structure that will be beneficial for young people to grow up within. Children would be taught Islamic values, that would deter them from the filth of Western Society. Due to Islam's opposition to pre-marital sex, young people who follow Islam will, inshallah, be spared from the various burdens of dating, such as STDs and teen pregnancy. Were Islam to be properly implemented within society,then these problems would not affect the populace so harshly. The Prophet (PBUH) used to encourage young people to get married as soon as possible:“O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry, and whoever is not able to marry, is recommended to fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.” (Reported by al Bukhari)

Conclusion Alhamdulillah, Islam has given us guidance in times of misguidance. Were it not for the Deen of Allah (SWT), the many Muslims would also start dating, and maybe they would fall victim to the consequences. For those brothers that do decide to date, the question is this, does a Muslim become the victim of his passions and desires? Or does a Muslim follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? It was The Prophet (PBUH) who said: “Marriage is from my way (Sunnah), and whoever does not follow my way, is not from me.” (Reported by al Bukhari) So brothers, let us keep away from dating “girlfriends” and all of the risk and troubles that come with that, there is something much better,and that is dating your wife instead!

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24TH RAJAB, 1430 A.H (18TH JULY 2009 C.E)

Muslim Youth: Gang Leaders or World Leaders? Allah (SWT) tells us in this verse of the Quran that we are the best nation raised from mankind. When many people look at the reality of Muslims and in particular the reality of the Muslim Youth in the west, they ask themselves: “how can these people be the best raised from mankind?” When they see the Muslim youth involved in Drugs, violence and gang culture they can’t see the difference between some Muslim Youths and common day criminals in society. Some of the Muslim youth today have lost touch with their roots. They have lost touch with Islam and the Islamic history. Unfortunately they know more about Western personalities, and take them as role models to follow, they know more about these misguided individuals than they know about the greatest people in history, The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), His Sahabah (RA) and our other great predecessors, may Allah (SWT) have mercy on all of them.

“You are the best of the nation raised up for mankind because you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong.” [Surah 3 Al-Imran 110]

Various groupings exist amongst youth in western society today. There are some who are “wannabe gangsters” walking around with pride, using foul language, thinking its cool to take drugs and be involved in crime. Others are into the clubbing scene and act like wild animals as if they are not going to be accounted on The Day of Judgement for what they are currently doing. Boyfriendgirlfriend relationships have become the norm where it is seen as odd if one is not “going out” with the opposite sex or at least attempting to. Time wasting has become the favourite pursuit where haraam music, computer games, movies and “chilling” have become the normal pastimes. Rebellious attitude towards parents has reached new levels, where children are almost strangers to their own parents and feel more comfortable with their friends than with their own flesh and blood. Some of the Muslim youth living in Western societies learn how to think and act in a way alien to Islam as they are continuously bombarded with Western culture via the television, school and

society at large. If we were to give two lists of people to some of the Muslim youth today and ask them what they know about the people mentioned in the list, think about what the response would be:

List 1: On one hand, we have Tupac, Eminem, Snoop Doggy Dog, Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy, 50 Cent and Mariah Carey. Tupac and Notorious B.I.G were both shot and killed due to their involvement in gang warfare and the dark underbelly of society, yet most youth aspire to the “gangster” image, one that has led to decadence, despair and death for those like Tupac and “Notorious” B.I.G (Notorious for what? Getting shot?) As for Eminem, Snoop Doggy Dog, Puff Daddy, 50 Cent and Mariah Carey, one only has to observe how there is little difference between them and wild beasts, this is true in the light of their lifestyles. List 2: On the other hand, we have Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, ‘Abdullah ibn Masoud, Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr, Zubair ibn al-Awwam, Khalid ibn Walid, Asma bint Abu Bakr, Salahudin, Saifudeen Qutuz and Muhammad al-Fatih, may Allah (SWT) have mercy on all of them. These were the Sahabah and the great leaders in the history of The Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (PHUH). They spilt their blood, sweat and tears for Allah (SWT). They were warriors, scholars, politicians and most importantly, leaders of this Ummah. Many of the Sahabah, may Allah (SWT) have mercy on them, became Muslim when they were young, and it was under the proper Islamic environment that they flourished and became the people who would leave us the rich legacy of Islam to inherit from. Unfortunately many of the youth today, would know much about the people mentioned in the first list and very little about those in the second. The Muslim youth need to look up to the righteous people of our history and must have the correct role models. The youth should be acquainted with the Muslims of the past who used to be the leaders of humanity, take the lessons from the countless stories there are to be experienced, act upon these lessons, and inshallah, they will become someone who can benefit The Muslim Ummah today. There are many examples for young Muslims to look at. In fact most of the early converts to Islam were young - most of them were under 30 years of age. Yet how many of the Muslim Youth today are like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), The Sahabah, may Allah (SWT) have mercy on them, or like the great generals Salahudin, who liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders, or like Muhammad al Fatih, who carried Islam to The Byzantine Empire and fulfilled Prophet Muhammad’s foretelling of Islam entering Constantinople, current day Istanbul? Dear Brothers, let us all strive to become like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and those who struggled to establish and defend The Deen which was brought to us at the command of Allah (SWT). Inshallah,,next week, this newsletter will bring you advice on how to be a better Muslim. Futhermore, in future articles, we will give examples of role models that we as Muslims should defiantly aspire towards trying to become.

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24TH RAJAB, 1430 A.H (18TH JULY 2009 C.E)

“Iman means having faith in Allah, Angels, Allah’s Scriptures, The Messengers, life after death and a good and bad destiny.” (Sahih Muslim)

The Islamic Aqeedah: The Knot That Binds This Ummah Together. What is the Islamic Aqeedah? Aqeedah is translated to mean “belief ” or “faith” in something. The word “Aqeedah”, comes from the Arabic root word “Aqada”, which means “to tie”, or to “hold together”. As Muslims we believe in Islam, and in Islam it is required for us to believe in all the things that Allah (SWT) has ordained in the Quran and that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has given to us via his Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition). In Islam, we have some basic beliefs, which none of us can be considered Muslim without, and this is very important to understand, as these are referred to as the pillars of our faith in the Deen of Islam. They are as follows: Belief in: 1. Allah, 2. Allah’s books (The Qur’an, The Injeel etc), 3. Allah’s Messengers, 4. The Angels, 5. The Day of Judgement, 6.Divine Will and Pre-Ordainment (Al Qada wal Qadar) There is a famous hadith on this issue, which has is known as the Hadith of Jibrael (AS). In This Hadith, Jibrael came to the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) in the form of a man and asked him questions about Islam. The Prophet (SAW) said in reply to this “Iman means having faith in Allah, Angels, Allah’s Scriptures, The Messengers, life after death and a good and bad destiny.” (Sahih Muslim)

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24TH RAJAB, 1430 A.H (18TH JULY 2009 C.E)

Belief in Allah Muslims believe in the concept of Tawheed (the special oneness of Allah SWT), and that he is unique and incomparable. ·We only ask him for help and we worship only him. ·He is the one true God and all others are false ·He has the most magnificent names and the most supreme attributes Only he decides what is right and wrong in all matters Only Allah (SWT) is the Almighty, The Creator and The Sustainer of all that is in the Universe. Allah (SWT) manages all affairs and is in no need of the help of anything. ·Belief in Allah's (SWT) Books As Muslims, we also believe that Allah (SWT) gave His Messengers (AS) books so that they could give them to their people and so that people could live according to those books (i.e The Laws of Allah, SWT). Among these books, is the unchanged, magnificent and uniquely inimitable Quran that was conveyed by Allah (SWT) to his noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW). Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “This is the book without doubt and guidance to those who ward off evil.” (Surah al Baqarah, Verse 2) Belief in Allah’s Messenger’s Allah has sent down to mankind Messengers and we believe in all of them. Moses, Jesus, Ishmael, Abraham, Noah, Salih and John were all Messengers of Allah (SWT). Muhammad (SAW) is the final Messenger of Allah (SWT) and what is very important to understand is that all the Prophets were men and do not share any of the divine qualities of Allah (SWT). Belief in the Angels Furthermore, we also believe in the Angels who are honourable creatures and the servants Allah (SWT). They worship him, obey him and act only by the command of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “Praise be to Allah, the creator of the heavens and the earth, who has appointed the Angels as messengers, having wings two, three and four. He certainly multiplies what he wills. Lo! Allah is able to do all things.” (Surah al Faatir, Verse 1) Belief in the Day of Judgement Our fundamental aim in life is to secure Allah’s (SWT) pleasure and to avoid his anger, by abiding by the Quran and Sunnah and making this, the reference point for all our actions. Another belief that we carry as Muslims is the belief in the Day of Judgement in which we will be resurrected and be asked about what we did in this life. Paradise or Hellfire will await us depending on what we did while we were alive. “The Garden will be brought near to the God-fearing. The blazing fire will be displayed to the misled.” (Surah ash-Shura, Verse- 90-91) Belief in The Divine Decree and Destiny (Al Qada wal Qadar) A Muslim’s belief regarding Divine decree and destiny consists of four things ·Allah (SWT) knows everything · Allah (SWT) knows and has recorded what will happen and what has happened ·Whatever Allah (SWT) wills definitely will happen and anything he desires not to happen will definitely not happen ·Allah (SWT) has created everything. In short, this is the Aqeedah of the Muslim, that we must all believe in and establish action upon. Always remember that as Muslims, we must be united together upon this basic Aqeedah. Never forget that the word “Aqeedah” comes from the root word “Aqada”, which means “to tie”, or to “tie (the Muslims) together”. Allah (SWT) sais in The Qur'an : ” And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided.” ( Surah aali Imran, Verse - 103) May Allah (SWT) give us all the ability to stay steadfast upon this with Iman(faith) and Taqwa (piety). Ameen.

Farewell Message: Jazakallah khayr for reading this newsletter, there are many more to come, so please be ready to collect the new volume each Saturday, inshallah. In the future, there will be a biography of a Sahabah of The Prophet (PBUH) , with stories from their life which will grace each and every issue from that time onwards. The newsletter team will also expand starting from next week, bringing more expertise to this humble effort. Also, please take notice of two other services we have organized, one is a tuition service that we are running, another is a camping trip, please see the other leaflets for more details. Until next time. As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah!

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