The Muslim Code

The world is full of codes; letters, figures, signals, symbols and laws. There are telephone codes, computer program codes, military codes, the human genome code - DNA. All in all, every operational system, whether it is mechanic, institutional or biological is composed of a code that regulates it's organizational structure and work.
The Muslim Code is a system of beliefs and ethics that govern (or should govern) our lives. This code was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) by Allah in Paradise, near the Sidrat al Muntaha - the Lote tree.  I am lost for words when it comes to describing Jannah. As brother Ammar al Shukry said, (and I am paraphrasing here), imagine... perched on a throne near a stream, seeing exquisite scenes you have never seen... gardens underneath which rivers flow. No pain, fear, grief or tears. No idle speech no lies, just peace and praise all the time. Imagine... fun and frolic, every wish at your finger tips. All the magnificent bounties, grace, smells and tastes. Imagine... seeing Allah's face... According to ahadith in Ibn Katheer, Sidrat al muntaha has leaves like the ears of elephants and its fruits are like jugs and it is veiled with colours. It's beauty and grandeur is incomprehensible. You just have to see it to fully appreciate it.

The Muslim code is of such paramount value and chief importance that Allah ascended the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) to Jannah, brought him close and communicated this code to him personally. Just think of when your your parents call you in their bedroom, close the door and seat you in front of them. It makes you wonder doesn't? Wassup? Why couldn't they just tell me at the dinner table in front of everyone? What is the big surprise anyway? So the more intimate and private a conversation between two individuals, the more crucial and noteworthy it is. The direct and up close exchange of "the Muslim code" between Allah and Muhammad (s.a.w) in Paradise is a compelling and profound. So don't take this as something small. This is the code that can inshaAllah get us to Jannah.

The code is as follows...

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ  وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ

The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." [Qur'an, 2:285]

The code is to believe in the absolute divinity of the Qur'an as revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). To some Muslims, reading and memorizing the Qur'an may seem like a huge task but the non-Muslims who have spent years studying and translating the Qur'an, say that "Whenever I hear the Qur'an chanted, it is as though I am listening to an incessant flowing melody. It is like the beating of my heart" [A.J Arberr] and "A [Qur'an] is a poem, a code of laws, a book of common prayer all in one and I revere it as a miracle or purity of style, of wisdom and of truth" [Rev. R Bosworth Smith].
When I first read the Qur'an, I didn't know I would fall in love with it. The Qur'an rebuilds a person, anew. It breaks bad attitudes and habits that plague and weigh down upon our existence and fills our entire being with Allah's admonition, healing, guidance and mercy. The Qur'an expunges from its students, fear and grief and replaces it with happiness and contentment. I remember when I was taking the Taleem al Qur'an course, our lecture hall was always blooming with smiling faces. Sure every one had their share of problems at home, at work or with their health but because of Qur'an, we felt so much of Allah's help and love that all struggles of life became sweet, and every obstacle turned into a blessing. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "When a people gather in any of the Houses of Allah [Masajid] and recite the Qur'an and learn and teach it to each other, Allah sends and covers them in His serenity and mercy, angels surround them and Allah remembers them with the angels near Him" [Muslim]. Don't we all need a little composure, peace and repose in our lives? The only means to this bliss is the Qur'an.
Amr ibn Al'Aas (r.a) said, "Every Ayah of the Qur'an is a rank you are raised in paradise, every ayah a lantern of light in your homes." Imagine your house and your family radiant with wisdom, everyone living a goodly life and getting along with each other...this is also only possible with Qur'an. Bishr bin as-Sirri said, "Verily, each verse is like a date: the more you chew it, the more of its sweetness is released." Just think what will be the affect on our character and personality if we read the sweet Qur'an daily. We will become mellow and honeyed. And pleasant it would be to live in a world where everyone was like this. Uthman (r.a) said, "If our hearts were truly pure, we would never get enough of the Words of our Lord, and I hate that one day passes with me not looking in the Mushaf." So any person who has missed out on reading the Qur'an has lost a great treasure. Muslims believe in the Qur'an, we are suppose to live by it, it is part of code so it is binding upon us to learn Qur'an with it's meaning. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "The Best amongst you are those who study the Qur'an and teach it." We compete to be #1 in everything, why not in learning and promoting the Qur'an? What is your life worth if you did everything and traveled everywhere but ignored and left the Qur'an?

It is also the Muslim code to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books and Messengers. Allah is the Originator, Sustainer, Owner and Administrator of the universes. He is the Eternal, Absolute and Supreme, the One and Only Source of guidance, the True God worthy of worship. Belief in Allah gives us an all-inclusive understanding of the reality of life and our purpose in life. It inspires us to live responsibly because everything we owe is Allah's blessing and we are answerable to Him on the Day of Judgment. 
Allah created the angels from light; He gave them wings and abilities to execute His commands. They do not have a gender or free will. They are created to worship Allah and they do not tire from fulfilling His will. By the permission of Allah, angels blow the winds, drive the clouds and cause rain. Also by the permission of Allah, they germinate plants from seeds, fashion the baby in the womb, bring Allah's mercy and record our deeds, take away the soul and question the diseased in their graves. All in all, there is nothing in the universe except that an angel is performing it by the leave of Allah. Belief in the angels give us a glimpse of Allah's Greatness, everything operates by His authority, He has power over all. Moreover, humans are never alone, angels are always around us and with us, so we should be patient, feel protected and confident. Allah has made the angels subservient for our service. The angels perform tasks which benefit humanity. The angels also make duaa for the righteous, especially when we go the Masjid, offer salah in congregation and say aameen behind the Imaam, when we attend a gathering of knowledge or pray for another Muslim in his angels.  The are our friends and helpers on condition that we do good deeds which please Allah. The angel are will also be our hosts and entertainers in Jannah.
Allah revealed Divine Book to guide humankind to His worship. These Books include the Torah, Zabur, Injeel and the Qur'an. Portions of the first three scriptures are effaced and interpolated and so the Qur'an exists as Allah's final, complete, perfected and preserved testament. Read: The Torah, Gospels and Qur'an for more discussion on this code.
Allah sent Prophets to explain His Divine Books, to teach people to worship Him and to set the highest standard of piety and good behaviour for people to emulate. All Prophets were paragons of honesty and sagacity and Muslims respect and accept all of them without bias or prejudice. So Muslims believe in Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all), without exception. These Prophets (a.s) commanded us to be just and invited us to repent; they prayed to Allah and gave charity to the poor. They were brothers in faith, and they confirmed each others' Prophethood and message.  So it is not befitting for their followers to split up into different religious factions and call themselves Jews or Christians. We should all be Muslims because Muslim means "one who submits" to the commands of Allah and conforms to the example of the Prophets. Read more about the Prophets here.

Then there is the Muslim code of obedience. It is not just obedience but سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا hearing and obeying. Which means two things: (1) the hearing alludes to gaining knowledge and (2) obedience is to implement the knowledge one has acquired.
(1) Islam is a religion based upon knowledge. The text of the Qur'an is replete with verses inviting men and women to use their intellect, to observe, think, contemplate and reason. The first verse of the Qur’an beings with the word, Iqra or Read. Hence, Islam promotes education and not blind faith. The hadith of Prophet (s.a.w) are loaded with the importance of education. He (s.a.w) said, "acquiring knowledge is a duty of every Muslim man and woman" [Muslim] and “If anyone proceeds on his way in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the way to Paradise” [Muslim]. So in fact we cannot be Muslim and we cannot enter Paradise unless we have knowledge.
And you know what else is amazing? Allah says, "Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise." [Qur'an, 3:18] So to believe in Allah is a sign of intellectual proficiency and expertness. Atheites and agnostics do not believe in or are not sure about the existence of One God because they are ignorant and dumb. Similarly, from the people who call themselves Muslims but do not practice Islam thinking that they are too advanced and modern, in reality they are foolish and uneducated about Islam. If they knew any better, they would take the religion seriously, but they lack sense. Allah says, "It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.” [Qur'an, 35:28] Even the Muslims who are devout worshipers and they are content with their 5 daily prayers and 30 fasts of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "The superiority of a scholar over a devout worshiper is that of a full moon over a star" [Tirmidhi] and in another hadith, he (s.a.w) said, "The superiority of a scholar over a devout worshiper is like my superiority over the layman amongst you." All in all, knowledge is held in great esteem in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was taught by Allah to supplicate, "O Allah, increase me in knowledge" [Qur'an, 20:114]. So more than material things, a Muslim yearns and strives to attain knowledge. 

I know I might have offended some readers by making such claims, I am sorry. It just frightens me to know that the people who will enter Hellfire are those who did not listen nor reason the message of Islam. Allah says, "When they are thrown into it [Hell fire], they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, Did there not come to you a warner? They will say, Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error. And they will say, If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze. And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze" [Qur'an, 67:7-11]. Do you see what is happening here? Hell is a monster, its a fire breathing, fume sucking beast and it is alive! It is lying in wait as a killer waiting for its prey. The inhabitants of Hell fire are going to be educated folks. They would know all about Allah and the Books Allah sent down for guidance but they would have ignored it. They refuse to listen, which really is the easiest thing to do - you don't have to go anywhere or even lift a finger, just pay attention but they were too arrogant to do even that. So hellfire is the consequence of their indifference and carelessness. Islam can be rationalize, it does not ask it's followers to accept anything unscientific or unreasoned. Islam coincides with human nature and it calls for a pure realization of all human needs and passions. So it is really in our favour that we become Muslim. 
Allah says, "Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?" [Qur'an, 67:22] Say, you see two people crossing the street, one is walking with his head up and looking straight across the intersection whilst the other is walking with his head bent down, his eyes on his shoes. What is your opinion of the two? Who will survive and make it across the street? The difference between people who know Islam versus those who do not is the same. One understand and grasps the truth and wisdom and lives to his optimum potential while the other is lost, into wrongdoing, and will indefinitely get hurt or worse killed. There is no harm in learning about Islam, it is a 100% guaranteed profit. Think of Islam as life insurance, those who have it are better off than those who don't. If you do not have Islam then I am afraid you don't have any security or coverage against life's problems and Hellfire. 


(2) Not that Islam is great in theory, congratulations... live Islam too. Islam is not to "think" you are Muslim or "feel inside your heart" that you are a Muslim, or to have a Muslim name or be born in a Muslim country but to actually live, look, talk, walk, pray and play like a Muslim. In the pre-Islamic era, Muslim was that camel which was submissive and self-relinquishing, it followed it's master wherever he drove it. If the master commanded the camel to sit, the camel with halt and perch. If the master command the camel to run, it would comply. So Muslim as a person is such a sincere and steadfast slave of Allah who obeys all of His commands without dispute or delay. The ingredient of obedience to Allah is crucial for the perfection of one's faith.

Think of a big cooperation or an enterprise. An an employee, every person is required to follow the required protocols and regulations. Anyone found in the slightest defiance of the company's policies is fined with either reduction in salary or outright fired. The employees must arrive on time for work, perform only their designed jobs in the manner prescribed to them, wear the company uniform and break only when it is time. Seems fair doesn't it? If you are going to be paid with benefits, then for sure you will make a point to compliant and pleasant. Because you want to keep your job, don't you? Would any employee say that I "feel like a" Microsoft employee "at heart" or "I was raised at" Ford Motors or Hertz.  Your boss won't care how you think or what you feel and where you are from. If you do not work, you don't get any pay. So when this is the case at almost every big or small business then why is Islam taken for granted? Why do people think that they can be Muslim all they want without having to believe or to obey?
Allah says, "O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? [It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know. He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment. And [you will obtain] another [favor] that you love - victory from Allah and an imminent conquest; and give good tidings to the believers." [Qur'an, 61:10-13]. Therefore the difference is strikingly clear: those who obey Allah will get Allah's forgiveness, Paradise and success in this life. Those who do not obey Allah are the recipient of Allah's anger and punishment, Hell fire and loss in this life.
Think of an national security issue, it is an absolute emergency - what happens? One person assumes total power of the enter state to lead his people. This world is a test, it is a matter of not temporal but eternal danger and damnation. In face of such a severe calamity, what would you do? Trust Allah because He has power over everything, He is the Creator, the Owner, the Planner and Sustainer. So if we'd turn to Allah in bad times, why not be obedient to Allah in good times? He alone can help, guide and console. He is the Source of all Blessings and the Owner of Peace.

Finally, the Muslim code is to ask Allah's forgiveness and prepare for our return to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said that (and I am paraphrasing here) that "No one shall enter Paradise save Allah's mercy. The Companions (r.a) asked him, "not eve you O Prophet of Allah?" The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Not even I." So entrance into Jannah is by Allah's mercy an forgiveness alone so we say غُفْرَانَكَ Your forgiveness O Allah, we implore and beseech You for Your kindness. Please forgive us, we are desperate for Your mercy. Can you count all of Allah's favours upon you. This laptop on which I am type, the fingers which press every key, the eyes that see, the air I breathe, the clothes I wear, the room in which I exist, the carpeted floor, the lock on my door, the food in the fridge, the air conditioning which works without a glitch. My parents, brothers and books. My transit card, keys, football and shoes. Everything I have is His, how can I ever thank Him? The truth is, I cannot worship Allah to His true appraisal. I need Allah's mercy. 

Our final destination is to Allah. Every human that is traversing through life is bond to return to Allah, to Him is our ultimate end.  Again Surah Mulk is fantastic in explaining this subject. Allah says, "It is He who made the earth tame for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection." [Qur'an, 67:15] Allah made all the wonders and treasures on this planet for our use. So go ahead and travel, picnic, eat and enjoy but don't forget that you have to go back to Allah. Yes, life is great there is so much to see, so much to savour but the purpose of life is not to live in this world, it is to use this life to earn the Hereafter. So aim for winning Allah's pleasure in everything that you do, make your work and recreation an act of worship, a means of drawing close to Allah. 

In the same way, Allah says,  Say, "It is He who has produced you and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful." Say, " It is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered." [Qur'an, 67:22-23] Look at all these blessings of Allah, you can see, talk and listen. You have grandparents and inshaAllah one day you will have children. Our parents were immigrants in North America and today we are free to go anywhere we want. All these things, we take for granted but they are huge advantages from Allah. In the midst of safaris, Niagara Falls, Wonderland and Marine land, graduating, getting married, cooking and having children, let's not forget that we are answerable to Allah. Let us be thankful to His blessings and use them in the way it pleases Him the most. What should we with our ears, eyes and heart that would make Allah happy? What is the right way to behave with our family? What is the right of our community and the communities around the world? First of all, let us devout our faculties to learning and living Qur'an. Throw all the garbage out of your life which goes against Qur'an and make yourself like the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) whose total character mirrored the teachings of the Qur'an. Then teach the Qur'an to our family. Now this can be hard if you get into arguments with them all  the time so you have to watch yourself that with your family, you are only as the Qur'an wants you to be. Make a list of how you are with all the family members in your family and then make a list of how you can change your manners with them in the light of Qur'an. Lastly, wherever we go, let us be the torch bearers of Qur'an inshaAllah. Like to the mall, hospital, park, bank - you name it. Ask yourself, if the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was here, how would he conduct himself? Would he dress immodestly? When walking, would he lower his gaze? Would he push and cut in line? Stomp his feet arrogantly and laugh out loud? Would he buy and sell candidly? What he give or take interest? Would eat haram? Of course the answer to all this is a resounding NO! Then we shouldn't either inshaAllah. Let's make it our target in life that on the Day of Judgment we want to be raised amongst the People of Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and his companions and entered into Paradise with Allah's mercy, with them - Allahumma Aamen.

Pakistan in Crisis

If you are like me, you are spending your days and nights fretting silently and pulling your hair. The fairytale "war on terror" has cost Pakistan over 35 000 innocent civilian lives and over $68 billion dollars of debt. Just when we thought that the "terror" was over with Bin Laden's death, it actually has just began. BBC's John Ware reports that CIA wants to attack Pakistan for supposedly hiding Bin Laden for all these years. Presuming that Bin Laden was alive in Pakistan last week and not dead in 2001 as specified by Fox News, CNN, New York Times and Guardian UK that Bin Laden died in 2001 of old age and poor health conditions; also presuming that in six years of having a free hand in all of Pakistan and bombing a quarter of it half to hell, the CIA and NATO, that has the reputation for being the world's best intelligence agency and military par excellence, had no clue about Bin Laden being right under their nose. So why am I worried? US has always smoked up one ostensible reason or another for war. An the naive imbeciles that people are, they believe the US. Why? Well because of US "freedoms" of course. Where else can you find people wearing torn denim jeans, eating super-sized donuts for 7 meals a day, drinking and driving daewoo on credit and living despicable life styles? Only in the US! So the entire world hoots for them and hundreds and thousands of Muslims die as a result. So don't tell me I should take it easy. If the US decides to go to war with Pakistan, the dimwitted world will just change the channel and watch simpsons.

The US has a network of military bases throughout the world and it's strongest hold by far is over the Middle East; 1,114,000 in Kuwait, 250,000 in Iraq, 24,000 in Bahrain, 9,000 in Qatar, 8,500 in Saudi Arabia, 6,700 in Turkey, 3000 in Oman, 1,200 in UAE and a 1000 in Djibouti. Each battle group is armed to the teeth with KC-10 and KC-135 refueling aircraft, B-52 bombers, EA-6 electronic warfare aircraft and E-8C Joint Stars reconnaissance planes, drones and much more. The US is pounding over a dozen Muslim countries with its forces, Afghan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Yemen and Bahrain, possibly even Syria, Sudan and Somalia and still Muslims are happily facebooking, filerting, feasting and falling a sleep. The fate of Islam and Muslim lands deserves at least a little bit of our sympathies. 

Take Pakistan for instances, it was meant to be, shade of Allah's mercy, the aggrandizing of Allah's Oneness and Unity. Pakistan was suppose to be THE trademark of religious freedom and tolerance, a picture of brotherhood, benevolence and benefitting others. Pakistan was the duaa of millions of mothers, a the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs,  aard work and toil of hundreds of trained professionals. All this endeavour for nothing?

Have you ever moved out of your home and into a new place? The home you lived in since you were born, your bed which was your oasis, your walls on which you hung your finger paintings, the stairs you raced down with your brothers, the living room where you did your homework, the kitchen from where you stole cookies. How is leaving this place sound? Pretty depressing, I'll say. Now imagine you are forced out of your home. Someone bombed your house, blew away half of your ceiling. The floor is trembling beneath you. You rush for the stairs by they are on fire. You make it into the living room only to be blinded by the smoke and choke on the carbon monoxide. Your eyes are burning. With a thud, armed break down your door and open fire. You hear screams behind you. Someone is hit.

This may seem like a long-shot but Pakistan is in a similar crisis. US is mongering the worlds nations to crush Pakistan for some demented reason and it is possible that this battle may draw other countries from around the world and explode into another international, if not world war. Are we ready for this? Do we want our sanctuary violated? Will we let some two-faced, liar, nut bomb Pakistan and trample it's tanks over our people?

Alas, what can a girl like I to do? The US bombed Afghanistan when I was 12. I can't forget the day I came home from school and my mom was on the phone with my aunt, telling her how Afghani people do not have bread to drink or clothes to wear, how will they confront US's stupendous army? I cried a lot that day, bawled from Maghrib to Isha. With each sob and each tear, I beseeched Allah for His help and mercy. I didn't want the Muslims to die. I didn't want anyone's house gunned down or children starved and orphaned. That day I promised myself that I will keep the Muslims safe. For as long as I live, I will shield and protect the Muslims. How? I didn't know exactly, my plan wasn't so smart, I was only 12. Then the Iraq war happened when I was in grade 9 or 10. Then Israel devasted Lebanon and Gaza in grade 11. By the time I was in grade 12, I had given up on education. Sign me up to the next regiment and I am gone!

Regrettably, I am still here and many more ferocious wars have plummeted the Middle East. Muslims are locked up in cages at almost every corner of the world. The Niqab is banned, the Qur'an is burned, the Masajid are under tight surveillance. I feel I have failed my people. I was suppose to defend them and protect them but year after year I watch them obliterate and their cries muffled into oblivion. What do I do? Nothing! How do I feel? Like garbage. Many of us have not seen a family member die. Can you imagine how it will be to know that someone you love is painfully spilling away from you every moment. They are in so much agony and constant torture. What would you do to relieve them? Save them and bring them back? Take this seriously, this is very real!

This is why I was pulling my hair (figuratively) all day. Pakistan is dangerously close to a war. But because so much is at stake with this war, it will be death, destruction and chaos on a universal scale. Let's not forget that both US and Pakistan are nuclear states, which could mean, Hiroshima and Nagasaki part 2. I don't mean to scare anyone but it is true.  I mopped a lot all day yesterday. Couldn't mark, eat or sleep. How do I deal with this? Then I read the Qur'an. Sometimes we think well Qur'an is just ... Qur'an, a Book. What does the Book have to do with our real life problems? It actually does. Every verse in the Qur'an is a radiant light and a treasure house to illumine all of life's pathways and enrich every turn in our journey back to Allah.

After over 24 horus of melancholy and dawdling, when I finally opened the Qur'an, Allah the Supreme, the Sublime the Wise and Wonderful, guided me to the following verses,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allāh guides not the wrongdoing people. [Qur'an, 5:51]

Look at the mercy and the love with which Allah is speaking to the Muslims. Allah says, 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا He calls us with our best quality, the quality of ايمان One thing that sticks out about Muslims and makes us shine is our belief in Allah. Why is belief in Allah so incredible and important? Because Allah is One without any partners. There is nothing like Him, He is the Only God. He is Eternal without beginning. Everlasting without an end. He is Living and will never die. He created and originated everything without being in need to do so, and He provides for and sustains  His creation without any trouble. He causes death without fear and He resurrects the death with no effort. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the All-Wise. He is the Best of Planners and He has power over all things. He is the All-Mighty, the Great Subduer, the Invincible. Nothing is hidden from Him. His authority and command prevails over everything. Things occur only with His permission. He guides whoever He wills. He is a Friend and Protector of those who believe. 

People are on the religion of their friends. Whatever interests our friends, interests us. We pursue their beliefs and actions because we trust them, we are inspired by them, we love them and we want them to accept us. So if Muslims are intimately close with the Jews and Christians, it is certain we will espouse their religion and culture at the cost of leaving our own. Muslims who leave Islam to obtain privilege or benefits from other people are grievously mistaken and misguided. They suffer the loss of Allah's support. Without remembering and obeying Allah, life becomes difficult and depressing [Qur'an, 20:124]. Without being close to Allah and connected with Qur'an, the devils succumb you to disgusting and debauched lifestyle [Qur'an, 43:36-37]. What is the logic in lewd dressing, drugs, and STDs? How does incurring debt after debt for things you don't need, until total bankruptcy and suicide make sense? Is it cool to be a selfish, stuck-up brat? I mean, how dense can you be if you only think about yourself or your next party or the next fashion trend. What is the purpose of life if all you are suppose to do is "eat, drink and be merry?" Is this how you want to be remembered in the world? Someone who was abusive, dishonest, greedy an jealous?
How many Muslims, especially Pakistanis have abandoned Allah and all His rights and commands for a few cheap dollars, tight clothes, music, alcohol, a house or a car. Tell me, what is your life worth? What have you achieved except slavery to material things and hypocrisy in the heart. Everywhere you go, you are dying to fit in, to make others happy but where does that get you? You will never have enough money, someone may show up at your school or work and they are prettier than you, more athletic than you, can sing better than you - then what happens? The crowd that you so desperately wanted to impress, dumps you and moves on to another clown starving for attention. Result? You lose your friendship with Allah and the people. You are lonely, unhappy, ill, humiliated and destitute. 


There is no benefit in leaving a close relationship with Allah. Love Him, fear Him, rely on Him and trust in Him. Thank Him, praise Him, pray to Him, make du'aa to Him and follow His orders and you'll be in peace, on the straight path and content, protected and guided. Belief in Allah trains Muslims to be truthful, patient, humble, charitable, self-controlling and modest [Qur'an, 35:35] Because of beleif in Allah, Muslims are able to free themselves from worship of material things. The entire world falls to their feet but they hold aloft to their ideals. They strive with their wealth and lives for a better world and reward in the Hereafter, the world of gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence [Qur'an, 61:12] Imagine springs, adorned couches and beds of silk brocade, pure drinks sealed with perfumes, fruits of every kind and tender meat. Imagine being more beautiful than rubies and pearls ... forever! Strive earnestly with your entire being to please Allah and inshaAllah you will get the best in both worlds; forsake Allah and you will lose both worlds with a heavy penalty. 


Look at the Pakistan situation, Allah explicitly warns in the Qur'an, not to associate with the Jews and Christians. But in 2001, Pakistan made the fatal mistake of siding with the US in the war dubbed against terror but in fact it was the sole perpetrator of the most gruesome and horrifying acts of terror. Pakistan, a partner in US led invasion of Afghanistan and later NWF led to the detainment, torture and death of millions of Muslims. Of course US Gen. Tommy Franks said that "they don't do body counts" so we'll never know the exact loss of lives. 
The US over 47 different fighters, helicopters and bombers in Afghanistan. Of these bombs are GBU-28 Bunker-busters with 5,000lb laser with  with 4,400lb penetrating warheads. It contains a mixture of ammonium nitrate and aluminum which ignites upon  causing a huge explosion that incinerates everything within up to 600 yards. US also dropped hundreds of cluster bombs on Afghanistan. Cluster bombs are 1,000-pound munitions that break into 202 bomblets. Each bomblet breaks into 300 fragments of steel that can blow up areas the size of several football fields. They also use something call Hellfire Missiles, which I don't think needs any explanation. If your city was pancaked day and night with these weapons of mass destruction, how many deaths would you expect? The population of Afghanistan in the 2009 was 33,609,937, in 2011, the population is down to 29,835,392, another source says it is now a little over 11 million. In 3 years, the US butchered up to 4 - 22 million Afghanis? 42% of the Afghani population is under 14 years of age so don't even tell me the US killed 4 million Taliban. The US committed a genocide against 4 million children!
Then there is Iraq, according to the Toronto Star, a non-profit organization in UK did a survey of Iraqi casualties in 2007 and it came up with 1.22 million deaths in the US led invasion and occupation since 2003. Can you imagine? Iraq has a population of 4 million from which the US annihilated 1.22 million in less than 4 years! 

Tell me Pakistan, is this not ظلم? How can you justify befriending and helping an enemy that decimated so many of your Muslim neighbours? You think Allah will guide you and protect you now after you betrayed your brothers and sisters in Islam? 

فَتَرَى الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يُسَارِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَىٰ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَائِرَةٌ فَعَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِالْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍ مِّنْ عِندِهِ فَيُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا أَسَرُّوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ نَادِمِينَ

So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, "We are afraid a misfortune may strike us." But perhaps Allāh will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful. [Qur'an, 5:52]

But the world situation is such that Muslims are at their all time low and everyone else is hugging the sky of success. To escape the misfortune and 'bad luck', Muslims leave Allah, as if belief in and obedience to Allah earns them loss. So they quickly associate with the Jews and Christians in hope that their imitation of them will make them successful. But the opposite is true. We are suffering as a nation not because of Allah but because of our lack of commitment with Allah. In the beginning, the trade off seems really cool, you get fresh new look, everyone likes you, you seem to be going places but it's only a mirage. People accept you because they want to you use and now that their work is done, they want nothing to do with you.  Lonely, you become tired of yourself, extremely drained and bored with putting up with the stress of being what you are not. The things you thought you would give anything to have, suddenly lose their charm and you start to wonder, how you got into this mess in the first place? 
This is the upshot of hypocrisy. Allah says, أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ We can never be really happy without Allah. All the world's friends and blessings are bleak without the pleasure of knowing Allah and being close to Him. Love of Allah is life itself, and to be deprived of it entails a terrible death; it is the light without which one would sail in a sea of darkness; it is the cure without which one's heart will be overwhelmed by a multitude of diseases; it is the joy without which one will remain in permanent grief; it is the essence of faith and deeds, without which they become like a soulless body. Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyaa said, “truly in the heart there is a void that cannot be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that cannot be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him. And if a person were given the entire world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness." Allah created the world and everything therein, subservient to human beings but He created us for His worship. Hence it is expected that we recognize the true purpose and function. Or in the words of Allama Iqbal, “tu raz-e-kun fakaan hain, apni ankhoon mein ayaan ho ja. Khud hi ka razdaan ho ja, Khuda ka tarjuma ho ja”.


Again, look at the Pakistan situation. In 2001 Pervez Musharraf and the majority of the Pakistani population at home and abroad sided with the US in its invasion and holocaust of Afghanistan under the self-help pretext. President Bush at the time had made it clear, "either you are with us or against us" which meant that unless Pakistan pledge it's unconditional assistance to the US against Afghanistan, Pakistan will be considered an enemy and "bombed back into prehistoric, caveman period." So to save itself from liquidation, it seemed that Pakistan had no choice but to collaborate with the US. And collaborate we did, Pakistan help kill at least 4 million Afghanis who were in no way responsible for the 9/11 attacks. As Gen. Hamid Gul said, "had the US captured Bin Laden alive, he would have spilled the beans and told the world he is not responsible for 9/11". 

Tell me Pakistan, what does Allah says about murdering a single innocent person? It is cataclysmic, a holocaust against all humanity [Qur'an, 5:32]. Do you have any idea how much blood is on your hands? I am surprised that we can sleep at night, sit and laugh with our family, eat and watch TV. SubhanAllah! Do you know what happens when a Muslim kills another Muslim intentionally and without a just cause? His recompense is Hell for an eternity, the anger and curse of Allah and a harrowing punishment [Qur'an, 4:93]. Are we in the least bit scared of Allah? In the last 10 years, alongside US, we committed the worst of homicides and executions - unafraid but now when the US no longer needs us and wants to attack and finish us once and for all, we are alarmed? Well this is the fruit of hypocrisy. If you live by the gun, you will die by the gun. The pits you dig for others, will serve as your own grave!
There is an ancient Arab parable of 3 bulls, red, black and white who lived in a dangerous area surrounded by a wolf. Their unity was their only defense against the wolves. Together, they were strong and the wolf dared not to attack them lest it got crushed by their might weight or cut by their sharp horns. Cunning as it was, the wolf made a pact with 2 bulls, it promised them amnesty if they let it eat the white bull. The bulls thought it to be a fair deal, the white bull didn't camouflage so well and it was always giving away their position. But the bulls didn't foresee that without the white bull, they they were defenseless. By giving up the white bull, they made it easy for the wolf to hunt and devour each one of them individually and this is exactly what happened. Regrettable as it may be, but this parable mirrors the situation of Muslims in the world today. We are like the bulls hunted by wolves. Look around you Pakistan, what do you see? The Muslim world is either militarily or politically occupied by the US. Do you think that by helping the US tighten it's grip over the Muslim world, you will be spared to continue a peaceful and sovereign existence? Wrong! The US will come after you the moment it is done ravaging other targets.  

In the light of Allah's command in the Qur'an, Quaid-e-Azam warned Pakistan against the poison of nationalism and provincialism. He told us to forget the differences and unite under one belief and obedience only to Allah. Today I think it is only this one man who is drumming for unity. Forget that we speak different languages in Pakistan or we are from different regions of the country, we are at the end a single nation, with a united belief in Allah and the Qur'an so we should be brothers.

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَهَـٰؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ أَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَعَكُمْ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا خَاسِرِينَ

 And those who believe will say, "Are these the ones who swore by Allāh their strongest oaths that indeed they were with you?" Their deeds have become worthless, and they have become losers.[Qur'an, 5:53]

Ask any kid, Pakistan ka matlab kiya? لا اله الا الله What is the meaning of this kalimah tayyaba? It is to be sincere to Allah, His Messenger (s.a.w) and the Muslims. When the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said لا اله الا الله they "made a covenant to observe Salah, pay Zakat and give counsel to Muslims" [Bukhari and Muslim]. النصح or counsel is goodwill towards all Muslims, like the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, "No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself" [Bukhari and Muslim]. When the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said they, لا اله الا الله   "swore allegiance to hear and obey [the commands of Allah]; in time of difficulty and in prosperity, in hardship and in ease, to endure being discriminated against and not dispute...except in case of evident disobedience to Allah regarding which there is proof....swore allegiance to say right wherever they ewere, and not to fear from anyone's reproach" [Bukhari and Muslim].

Tell me Pakistan, how many of us observe Salah and give Zakah? How many of us obey the commands of Allah in their entirety, wholeheartedly without any reservations and wish well for other Muslims? Very few right? You can count the religious people on your fingers, that's how few the practicing Muslims are in Pakistan. We made Pakistan for Islam, without Islam, what are we but squandering losers! And I say this first about myself and no one else.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ  ذَ‌ٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion – Allāh will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allāh and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allāh; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing. [Qur'an, 5:54]

I love this verse because it holds a warning and a good news. Warning that if we do not mend our heart and devout ourselves to the obedience of Allah and wanting good for other Muslims, Allah will replace us with better people who will make the world better. Good news that some Muslims will ineed face and beat the odds. They will respect and relieve the Muslims, battle and break the power of non-Muslims. They will be the party of Allah, fearless, hard working and victorious! O Allah make me from them aameen. 

MashaAllah Pakistan already has some lion-hearts like this but inshaAllah we need more.  

 

إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ

Your ally is none but Allāh and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed – those who establish prayer and give zakāh, and they bow [in worship]. [Qur'an, 5:55]

More good news inshaAllah. The the party of Allah, which Allah will bring as a replacement, will distance themselves from all non-Islamic thinking and mannerisms. They will team up and join with Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w). Most importantly, they will pray Salah in congregation and give Zakah. Salah is the greatest act of worship, it combines the heart, mind and body. Muslims are connected and closest to Allah in Salah. It gives the joy and consolation of being in the presence of a trustworthy Friend. We get to review Qur'an and mediate over it's lessons, make duaa and ask for forgiveness. Salah reminds us of the Day of Judgment, and purpose in life. Congregational Salah gives a sense of coming together, knowing other Muslims and reinforces bonds of brotherhood. Additionally, Zakah is a wonderful thing, it reduces poverty and proliferates productivity. It replaces feudal and papal economy with equal distribution of wealth, by taxing the rich to provide necessities of life and services for the needy. So alhamulillah there is tremendous benefit in praying Salah and giving Zakah. Peace and change begins with this and it is impossible without it.

وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ

And whoever is an ally of Allāh and His Messenger and those who have believed – indeed, the party of Allāh – they will be the predominant. [Qur'an, 5:56]

Pretty straight forward isn't it? Who wins and who loses is fairly straight forward. Just think of Badr and Khairbar and remember that Allah will give you a decisive and glorious victory, so long as you are upon the Deen.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَالْكُفَّارَ أَوْلِيَاءَ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

O you who have believed, take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allāh, if you should [truly] be believers. [Qur'an, 5:57]

In conclusion, O Pakistan and the Muslims of the world, take the religion of Allah seriously. Don't wither your life in fun and games, you aren't a toy. Allah created us to call others to belief and obedience. We are raised from amongst humanity with the mission of enjoining good and forbidding evil [Qur'an, 3:110]. So learn and live the Qur'an fervently and be conscious of Allah. Dissociate yourself from the enemy as this is important. Imagine taking a shower in a garbage dump, changing into fresh clean clothes and wearing perfume - while still neck deep in garbage. No matter how much you clean yourself, you'll still stink because of the garbage around you. Likewise, no matter how much you try to come close to the Deen and be a good Muslim, you'll be under the influence of anti-Islamic practices and principles as long as you socialize with anti-Islamic people. So pick your side and stick to it. If you are going to choose Allah then be sincere to Allah and do not betray Him by following those who disbelieve in Him and are the enemies of His believers.