These same experts denied the atrocities of sexual misconduct, beating, electrocution and humiliation of innocent detainees in Abu Ghraib in Iraq, the rape and torture of Afia Siddiqui in Baghram Airbase in Afghanistan, stories of religious insults against Islam and the Holy Book of Muslims, Quran, by US soldiers detailed in memoirs of detainees at the notorious ‘Guantanamo Bay’ Prison.

The War on Terror was going to win the hearts and minds of millions to show the world what real civilised societies are all about by exporting democracy by the barrel of a gun.

And what about the ‘cultural’ liberation when US Soldiers on landing in Iraq were giving out free Playboy Magazines to Iraqi’s

So is this what we mark as civilisation delivered by World leading ‘liberating’ forces?

Is it any wonder that no matter which countries western forces interfere in there is utter resentment and no support for their imperial adventures?

Majed Iqbal

Rochdale- (UK)

www.majedsblog.com

I was invited onto the “Debate Night” show on Ummah Channel, a popular UK-based Islamic Satellite station to discuss the recent events in Syria. There have been reports of Syrian Ruler, Bashr Al-Assad attempting to portray the uprising as the work of ‘outside forces’ and ‘foreign Islamic Extremists’. The heavy-handedness of the regime has had no bounds with many killed, including children who have  been tortured to death.

The panelists for the Show were

Haytham (Syrian International student)

Basil (Member of Syrian Opposition Group)

Iqbal Bhana (Thinker)

Majed Iqbal (Blogger and Freelance Journalist)

My key points on the show focused around how the Syrian protests must move forward from here

• The genuine desire for change from tyranny is what is being expressed in these protests. People were tired of the regime and the examples of Tunisia and Egypt have played an inspirational role in sparking off these events
• Despite the courageous efforts by the Tunisians and Egyptians, the ‘revolutions’ have still not materialised with Egyptian Army still playing a major role in the Politics of the country and in Tunisia, Hillary Clinton’s visit with the Transitional government only confirmed the ‘wait and see’ policy of the West before re-engaging in securing its interests
• Islam has played a role in these revolutions with calls for Khilafah (Islamic System) echoing from various corners
• The revolution in Syria requires direction and not a repeat result in surrounding countries
• Syria’s make up is mixed with people from different religions, backgrounds and races living together. An Islamic System has the ability to gel all these factions together as what has been demonstrated from the Sunnah of the Holy prophet (saw) in the very first Islamic State’s Constitution in Medina where Jews, Muslims, Christians and Idol worshippers lived under the central authority of Islam
• Immediate support is required for thousands of Syrian families and we should help financially
• The Muslim Ummah is One Ummah and see’s her problems as one. This feeling needs to translate into the Political idea that Islam promotes, which is working to build a State which merges the Arab States together
• Remember, these Arab States including Syria were carved out on the Ashes of the Khilafah as documented in the Sykes- Picot agreement. The West realised then as well as now that a divided Islamic World is better than a united one.
• Support the Syrians in championing Khilafah to aid the revolution there which has been promised in many Hadith

By Majed Iqbal- A committee of MP’s have urged and recommended in a New Report that drinkers should have  at least two alcohol-free days a week. The report has raised concerns on drinking habits and believes that Binge Drinking could be tackled with the new proposals by limiting the amount of units consumed daily.

The group of MP’s have argued that there is simply not much information out there to allow people to make responsible decisions about alcohol.

The Science and Technology Committee ruled out any health benefits of consuming alcohol for a better heart.

Whilst some people will welcome the debate on tackling the rising tide of alcohol consumption which keeps the 999 service of the police and Hospital emergency Services busy on Friday and Saturday nights, there are some issues which simply do not add up.

The committee of MP’s are simply arguing that the public should be more readily informed about unit consumption but are not proposing enforcement of such rules. The Alcohol industry is worth billions  in the UK, bringing in big revenue for government. So a  slap on the hand isnt exactly bringing any harm to anyone.

In this same spirit of viewing Society through Pounds and sterling and not through resolving issues affecting people and society at large, the government is more worried about the pressing burden of alcohol abuse on the NHS.

The comments have hit press headlines over her 140 characters comment as she suddenly finds herself plunging into a possible career crisis. Responding back she tried to explain that she was talking about colonialism and not any domestic issues.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 31,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 11 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

By Poet 786 

The one who has gone, will he ever return

He shall never return, forever he has gone

A permanent abode, life was never meant to be

Only if he realised he was on a journey

It was temporary, but he was never to understand

For he was fooled by the shade of the tree

“For this life compared to the Akhirah is like the traveller under the shade of the tree for moments of rest”

He was to proceed towards his destiny

But his efforts were spent in acquiring luxury

Today he faces the wrath of Allah

Wishing he had tread the path of Allah

Pleading to be granted a few breaths in the Duniya

Knowing how he had closed every gate of Jannah

Realising his abode to be the fire of Jahannam

Knowing we are for Allah & to Him is our return

I was invited onto the Debate Night Show on the British TV satellite Station “Ummah Channel” to discuss recent cases of convictions of Pakistani men in Child grooming cases. I was joined by Panel Guests

• Iqbal Banna
• Najam Sheikh

Both guests had participated in a recent report by CEOP on the issue which looked into the whole discussion on Street Grooming. Based upon my recent blogging on the issue, including national articles and my contribution on a BBC 3 Documentary on the issue, i featured on the show.

My key points on the show were

• We need to move beyond the discussion where we internalise the debate to race, and religion. Whist the criminal actions are bad and the people involve have been sentenced, the wider context is how is it that young girls are falling into the arms of such people?
• The groomers do not live in a bubble but the same society where all of us are growing. We are all susceptible to the growing sexual influences through Media, Celebrity culture, what we see on adverts and billboards and movies, all of which hugely affect our ideas on how men view women and vice versa. Society is already hugely sexualised and some people take it to the extreme to fulfil ‘Fantasies’ or ego issues

• The statistics on the issue are still incomplete as not all cases are reported. Hence the Media witch hunt on the issue is un-justified in labelling Pakistani men in having a monopoly on this particular criminal activity
• There is a clash of values in terms of what Islam promotes as Social values for men and women and what the host society pushes forward. Young Muslims growing up feel the full force of this culture even in places like schools where in PHSE lessons pupils are offered the option of contraception. Hence sex is promoted at a young age. This is a lifestyle choice unacceptable in Islam. Instead muslims are encouraged to get married and lead a healthy Family life.

As a muslim community we need to begin to shift the debate on this issue which has been polarised heavily to make us internalise the discussion and feel guilty entirely for the issue. Instead, the Debate should be widened and explored further onto the underlying discussions which create sexual Predators.

The report highlighted that more and more students were turning to work in the sex industry to pay their way through university in the face of rising tuition fees and living costs. One statistic stated that

“One in every five lapdancers was a student”

A few months back i came across a ARY News Feature which highlighted that international Female Pakistani students were moving in with Pakistani boys to save on living costs. Like the report on prostitution, this story was also a concerning one.

Whilst anyone can empathise with both scenarios here, what we can stand back and learn is how certain cultural norms and values define how we make our choices. Prostitution is readily available up and down the country. In Fact there are even many voices calling to legalise the ‘trade’ and to have it ‘regulated’ with Prostitutes declaring their earnings!

There is also measure of supply and demand at work here too where both parties consider the act viable for exchange of services for money. Back this up with an Adult Industry which churns out fantasies through magazines, DVD’s and internet sites and a popular culture which promotes sex like eating a McDonald fillet-o-fish meal. And Friday Night isn’t exactly about going to a club to listen to music is it!?

At my University Freshers week, i vividly remember a poster plastered across the campus and student Halls of residence stating boldly “Imagine waking up in bed with a total stranger?”. So these are the dwellings we live in today which are labelled as progressive and ‘free’ ideals.

Allah (swt) has afforded both men and women opportunities to excel in life but without falling into dangerous zones

This applies to both men and women.We cannot compromise our ideals for that promotion, change our dress to impress  to become people’s eye candy and we definitely dont drop out guard for our sexuality no matter what is  presented in front of us. Islam honours us this way and Allah (swt) opens up other doors that we could not have imagined about for our sustenance.

Pakistani girls coming from a background and an up-bringing where chastity and Honour are protected to Western Capitals will be subject to the same norms that girls are growing up here with where women are made to compete in any way possible to gain ‘equality’ with men.

Only the Islamic way of thinking can aid humanity from the self-destructive ideas that permeate society today, where success in life is not merely merited on your qualifications gained by any means necessary.

The aired documentary covered many parts of the UK and was packed with many interviews for the hour-long show. Inevitably that meant that when it came to edit time, only selected clips would be used due to time restrictions. BBC filmed myself and 3 other Friends from Rochdale for over an hour. Many of which would not make it to the final edit.

I therefore wish to shed some light on the discussions which didn’t get airtime that took place on the day of filming. My Key points were

• Jack Straw, a seasoned Politician with a track record of high positions in Government raised the issue now (january 2011) rather than before when odd cases were being reported. Why?
• There have been European Gangs operating for years on end with a sophisticated Network, trafficking women from Europe for Prostitution. Why no reference to ‘European Culture’ being responsible for this sort of treatment of women?

• Britain has a legal Adult industry where men can ‘take their pick’ to choose from a wide range of resources for Sexual Gratification which pushes the boundaries all the time on how they feel about women
• Many people could come under the bracket of viewing women as “Easy Meat”. This breeds reckless and irresponsible attitudes and behaviours towards women.
• When Pakistani Culture is attacked, it essentially is talking about Islamic Values which opens the door to unjustified  Religious hatred and intolerance based on a handful of cases of men convicted for Grooming
• There is a mentality that “We will commit crime if we can get away with it”. This mindset was seen with the rioters in Summer, MP Expenses, Bankers and even Celebrities who earn millions but yet were found stealing from Shops! This view is born from ‘looking after Number 1′ where a person feels unaccountable to any Govt, Police, person or deity

WATCH the Documentary here on BBC iPlayer. Watch me and friends speak at 22:28 minutes into the show

The discussions surrounding Asian gangs and grooming of white girls for sex had been lingering in the background with a few cases reported over the years.

In January 2011, Jack straw decided to draw attention to it, citing that Pakistani Men viewed White Women as ‘Easy Meat’ and culturally there was something there which re-enforced this view.

Majed and other people from Rochdale have participated in a BBC 3 Documentary titled “Groomed for Sex” which has been presented by Adil Ray, a presenter of Pakistani origin, currently working for the BBC on Radio and Television.

The Documentary will be aired tonight- Monday 5th December 2011 on BBC 3 (UK only) at 9PM

The documentary will be available on BBC iPlayer

RELATED LINKS

* UMMAH CHANNEL Appearance on the “Debate Night” Show- Jack Straw comments on Grooming- CLICK HERE

*ASIAN EXPRESS ARTICLE- White girls are “Easy Meat” for Pakistani men says Jack Straw- CLICK HERE

*ASIAN IMAGE ARTICLE- Rochdale Forum Questions Straw’s comments on Grooming- CLICK HERE

*Wives, Girlfriends or BOTH?- CLICK HERE

  By Majed Iqbal-

And continue to send durood and salaam upon the Holy Prophet ﷺ every day inshallah

Introduction

Each year we are faced with the scenario of sitting exams. Whether were at School, College or Uni, the outcomes of these decide whether we have progressed into the next year/semester or that we have failed and will need to re-sit our exams in order to continue our course.

Indeed, it is very important for us to succeed, because the purpose of attending  School, College or Uni is to gain expertise in specific areas to be able to gain employment and find work related to those areas.

Hence we have a purpose for coming to university. We seek to achieve certain results, which require effort and hard work, in order for us to attain the degree.

Crunch time

During examinations this becomes very clear, because it is crunch time. Either you make it or you break it. So at this stage we are even more conscious about seeking those results and fulfilling the objective of attending university.

For the preparation of these exams we see people change their entire timetable of activity. So people stop watching their favourite soaps on television (not that they should be watching it anyway). Some revise in the library till midnight and then return home and continue till 3 or 4 am in the early hours of the morning. Others have to let go of that x-box and shut off their online gamer friends or limit going onto Facebook twice day as opposed to every hour!

We will see people during this time whose health is very bad, because they haven’t been eating properly or at the right times. People who normally take pride in their appearances, all of a sudden are dressed shabby, because they have no time for this because of exams coming up. Some guys even keep ‘Exam beards’ (What beardo’s!!)

Thinking affects our views/Attitudes

So we can see very clear patterns of thinking here and how it manages to transform a person’s behaviour radically. Everyone clearly realises, that they have to pass. They also realise that if they don’t pass then they still have the option to re-sit during summer time.

However, there is one examination, one test which we all are a part of. The results of this exam are unknown to us presently. Each day that passes, we are monitored and are examined. This is the main focus of my bayaan today

Reality of Death

Brothers and sisters, this is the test which Allah has put us in. It is the subject matter of death and what we will face after death. The day when mankind will stand before Allah (swt) on the day of reckoning definitely, and Allah will question us about our actions we performed in our life. The very life which Allah gave us without our choice and the one which he will take from us without our choice.

This is the exam that every single human who has existed in this dunya, from the time of Adam (as) and Bibi Hawa, to the last person to live in this dunya will face. And on that day we will not have the ability to go back to this world to make our selves better. There will be no re-sits and the decision on that day made by Allah the supreme will be decisive and final, and nobody will be able to change it. Either it will be the Bliss of Jannah or the darkness of jahannam.

Our Attitude to Death

Islam answers the questions about our purpose in life, and gives us a direction in life. So we think about death and remind ourselves and question our actions. Those actions which Allah has given us a shariah for, to guide us to sirat-ul-mustaqim. So let us look at what attitude we should have towards the issue of death.

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said to Abdullah b.Umar (ra), “If you awoke in the morning, do not speak to yourself of the evening, and if you reach the evening, do not speak to yourself of the morning. Take from your life for your death, and from your health for your illness, as you, oh Abdullah, do not know what your name will be tomorrow” [Bukhari].

Uthman bin ‘Affan (ra), in the last Khutba he gave in his life, said:

“Allah (swt) gave you this world to request the Akhirah, and did not give it to you for you to rely upon, for this world ends and Akhirah is everlasting. So let not that which ends make you disregardful, nor keep you busy from that which lasts. Choose to seek that which lasts over that which ends, for this world will be cut off and our return is to Allah.”

Remembrance of death continually keeps us in check in this dunya. It makes it realise that we have a contract with our creator. A contract with no expiry date specified. It is like a bomb, which is ticking and has no timer but just a question mark. You do not know when it will explode.  Allah says

“To every person is a term appointed. When their term is reached, not an hour can they delay it, nor by an hour can they advance it” [Surah Araf 7:34]

Hence Life is limited, and time is short and there are many actions which we need to perform. Allah describes this in the following ayah

“It will seem to them that their life on Earth had spanned only one evening, or one morning” [Surah Naziat 79; 46]

On the Authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ud (ra) who said: Once the Messenger of Allah (saw), slept on a mat made of date palm leaves and when he awoke the impressions of the mat were visible on his body. We (the Sahabah) said: “O messenger of Allah (saw) may we prepare a soft bedding for you?” Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said “I have nothing to do with this world, I am in this world like a rider who halts in the shade of a tree for a short period of time and after taking some rest, resumes his journey leaving the tree behind.” [Tirmidhi]

So what do we do?

Many of us are confused about the subject of preparing for the akhira. Remembrance of death is not crying and wailing and blaming one’s self when one is on the brink of death, or attending a funeral or visiting graves alone. Rather, remembrance of death is when a believer imagines that he will meet his Lord at any moment, and his actions will be cut off, as will his ability for repentance. So he will be aware of himself, careful to obey Allah (swt), wary of his Lord every second of his life.

Anas (ra) said: I overheard ‘Umar b. Al-Khattab (ra) as he entered upset, and there was a barrier between us, and he was saying:

“Oh, ‘Umar b. Al-Khattab, Amir of the Believers, bravo! By Allah, Oh, son of Al-Khattab, you better fear Allah, or he will punish you.”

With the preparations for exams we realise if we fail we have the opportunity to re-sit. But brothers and sisters. Life is limited and there will be no second chances. Allah reminds us

“But when death comes to one of them he says: ‘My Lord return me, so that I shall perform what you ordered of that I neglected’. No indeed! It is only a word he says, and there behind them is a barrier until the Day they shall be raised up” [Surah Al Mu'minoon 23;99]

What is the Bargain?

In this life Allah has given us Islam and the shariah rules to guide us. Allah has struck a bargain with us. What is this bargain? Those of us who obey Allah and his messenger and remain steadfast in the deen of Islam, observe all their actions according to Islam, Allah will reward them with the jannah, and those who failed they will be thrown into the hellfire.

It was reported by Anas (ra) who said that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said “Whoever likes the appointment with Allah, Allah will like his appointment, and whoever dislikes the appointment with Allah, Allah will dislike his appointment”.

So what is jannah like that we strive for, and what is jahannam like that none of us want

Jannah

Allah describes the scenes of entering Paradise

“Those whom the angels cause to die while they are pure, say: ‘As Salamu ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you’ and the angels will say to them ‘enter into Paradise because of what you used to do” [Surah Nahl verse 16:32]

and Allah (swt) describes the bliss of Paradise as

“Verily, for the Muttaqûn, there will be a success (Paradise)” [Surah Naba 78:31]

The ayah continues highlighting the wonders of Paradise that we will be granted for our good deeds and successful Islamic Life

“Gardens and grapeyards; And young full-breasted maidens of equal age And a full cup (of wine). No Laghw (dirty, false, evil talk) shall they hear therein, nor lying; A reward from your Lord, an ample calculated gift (according to the best of their good deeds)”

Sahl bin Sa’d narrated that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said “A place in Paradise equal to the size of a lash is better than the whole world and whatever is in it.” [Bukhaari]

Hell

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said “When the disbeliever and the sinful servant is leaving the life of this world and going onto the next, powerful and severe angels with black faces descend upon him carrying with them coarse sack cloths from Hell, and they sit from him at a distance as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death arrives and sits by his head and says: ‘Oh foul soul come out to Allah’s wrath and anger.’ The soul spreads throughout his body, so he violently drags it out like multi-pronged skewers being pulled out from wet wool, tearing with them the arteries and the nerves”.

Furthermore Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said informed us that: “If just one drop of Zaqqum (the fruit of Hell) where to touch this Earth, it would destroy it” (Ahmed).

This is the outlook which Islam gives to us prepare for the most important examination.

Exams in Capitalist Societies

In Capitalism i.e. Western societies we see a great emphasis placed on Exams. Hence in High School we are told that your GCSE’s are the most important exams of your life because based upon these you will choose your future career path. We go to college and pursue further education and we have career advisors to help us decide which courses to opt for at university.

When we get to university we do not get the help from teachers like the way we did in college and School. Rather it is up to us to attend lectures and tutorials. This breeds the mentality of individualism within us where you look out only for yourself.

Give me Your course work

People will make and break friendships based upon how beneficial this person is to me in my studies. Social relationships will be built to ease the stress of studying. Some relationships are built simply to get help for work, like going to the class geek or brain box who obviously is lacking Social skills to make friends! Youre their best pal now. I Wonder why?

So the whole outlook, which Capitalism builds around preparations for exams, is one of individualism.

Affecting your deen

A student therefore gears his entire activity at university based upon such ideals and neglects all others. So a muslim will make up many excuses of studies so that he doesn’t attend circles of ilm. He or she may even compromise Jum’ah because it clashes with Exams.

Such a mentality, which Capitalism breeds, makes the person live in a cocoon and from the Islamic perspective distances that person away from practicing the deen. So all that person is continually worrying about is assignments, module assessments and practicals

Most importantly, they miss out dealing the most important exam of life- i.e. our purpose and what happens after life ceases to exist. This question has no value in life for people in Capitalist societies. NOT even in their education system.

Exams show us we can change our lives

The reality of death is a subject matter which none of us can avert and shy away from. Death stares in our faces every second of our lives. We have only two types of breath. One, which we inhale and one which we exhale and we do not know which one will take our lives.

The preparation for the akhirah by all means is no simple task but every one of us is capable of achieving jannah, because that is why it was created and indeed every one of us is capable of entering the hell fire because that was also created for a certain purpose.

However, lets look at our attitudes towards preparing for our examinations. Our behaviour radically changes and exams become the life and death issue for us. Our sleeping, eating, relaxing, entertainment, and even family commitments change guided by the thought that we need to pass these exams.

Indeed it is this very thought which needs to be applied to the most important exam of our life, and that is the akhirah. Allah says

“No indeed! When the Earth is systematically levelled down, and your Lord comes, with angels rank on rank, and Jannah is brought near, then man will remember, but how will that remembrance profit him? He shall say, ‘Oh would that I had prepared for my life!”  [Surah Al Fajr verse 89:23-27]

Book Check

We should all ask ourselves the same question. What do we do to keep our ideas in check? Do we value the books of human beings over the book of Allah? When it comes to preparing for exams do we give it our best shot and divert all our energies to studying but when it comes to understanding Islam, making Da’wah, reading books, speaking about Islam and creating avenues in which the correct Islamic ideas can prevail.. Shouldn’t we excel more than we do for our studies?

Conclusion

Exam time clearly shows us that those people who say they can’t change and their iman is weak are lying and fooling themselves. Exam time clearly shows us that Capitalism makes people think individually and makes them avoid the real issues of life.

Islam on the other hand builds a clear vision and a goal in life, part of which is that we seek education and we sit exams, and deem this as something which our deen has permitted.

Let us question ourselves on our attitudes for the preparation of exams compared to our preparation for the life to come which is everlasting and has no end

Let us take today, this time, and this place where we renew our allegiance to Allah (swt) and promise that now will be the change to which the world will stand witness to. And Allah says

“And whoever believes in Allah and carries out His commands, Allah will forgive him his sins, and admit him into the Gardens of Paradise beneath which rivers flow, to live in forever, and this is the supreme success” [Surah Taghabun 64:9]

A surprising move for a person of such a position in the government who was representing Pakistan on the international arena. However, the turning point for Qureshi was over the Raymond Davis case where he felt he was being cornered and cooerced by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan to make a move which was of a compromising nature. He declined and resigned from his position and then wen ton to leave the Govt and his comrades from PPP.

In his own words he would describe this as his principled stance. His wikipedia page about his History in Politics really does highlight that Principles, primality based on Political alliances and mutual benefit is more apt to describe his motivations for hopping around from one movement to the next.

Democracy breeds a culture of selfish pursuit in the name of Working for the interests of the people. This lie has been unveiled in the heart of the mother of Democracies, whether this was the case of MP expenses in Britain, the Murdoch Empire links to Politics in Europe or the ruling dynasties of American Politics who all seem to be on one board or another of giant conglomaorates in the Oil and Gas industries.

Despite Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s drive to break the backbone of Feudal Politics that is dragging the nation down, episodes like Qureshi’s arrival as a ‘Senior’ member of PTI days after joining simply re-enforces that personality Politcs are well and truly alive at the expense of principles. So rather than breaking any status quo, it is simply a case of sustaining what already exists. There is no real departure or change.

What will break the backbone of the cycle of Politics in Pakistan is a goodbye to the colonial mind set which can only view Politics from  Western Paradigms. Real change for Pakistan is already being visioned in Washington and London for the future. It is not secular Politicians they visualise, but ideological Islam whose History they are fully versed with and which is making its mark in the hearts and minds of millions.

Now this would be breaking the status Quo.

Whats Muharram all about?

Many significant events took place in History in this blessed month. Prophet Adam (pbuh) was born and entered the Paradise on 10th of Muharram. Prophet Ayyub (pbuh) was cured from his illness. A way was made in the sea for Bani Israel. Prophet Suleman (pbuh) was ordained King. The oceans and heavens were created.

It was in the month of Muharram that the believed and dear Grand son of the Holy Prophet (saw) Sayyidina Hussain (R.A.) was martyred after standing up for justice and the principles of Islam. We are also informed that Qiyaamah will take place on the 10th of Muharram.

So what are we supposed to do

This is the Question! Muharram is a blessed month in which Allah (swt) has singled it out as one of worship and obedience. We all are bound by the Shariah rules throughout the year and make efforts to remain within the Halal and Haram actions and strive to the best of our abilities to carry out the Mandhoob (recommended) and stay away from the Makrooh (disliked) actions.

But just like we get major kicks in Ramadhan and high levels of Spiritual bliss which is a special month of gaining closeness to our maker, Muharram similarly has major reward to be earned to tip our good scales action for the better.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said ‘The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah’s month of Muharram” (Muslim).

So we can fast! Remember the beautiful days of Ramadhan where the day was beautified with worship and the nights with prayer? Do we want that feeling again? Do you want to feel on top of the world again with your devotional worship? Do you need that push again to motivate you further to practice Islam?

New Year plans

Prepare yourself well for this year. Where do you want your position to be with Allah (swt)? Have you bettered yourself since last year? What are you going to do new this year? Yes we should have resolutions which are based on Islam. These resolutions will help build a consciousness about our relationship with Allah (swt). They will help us measure where we are in this race for life and whether we are winning or losing the battle for Jannah

Get that Special fast in

Prepare yourself mentally now that you will fast for the two days in Muharram. This is either the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th of Muharram.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.’ Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said ‘We have more right to Moosa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day” (Bukhaari).

A version narrated by Imaam Ahmad adds: “This is the day on which the Ark settled on Mount Joodi, so Nooh fasted this day in thanksgiving.” “and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day”

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’, and this month, meaning Ramadaan.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1867).

By Hamid Choudry-  The pilgrimage to Makkah is traditionally viewed as a spiritual journey…exclusively. There is no doubt that the pilgrimage is a spiritual journey. It is the fifth pillar of Islam, and a duty for all those Muslims who have the means to perform it. For those who fulfil it’s commandments, there is the promise of forgiveness of pass sins, such that the haji is as if he is newly born from his mother’s womb. The worshiper visit’s the one ‘house’ which was built on the earth, for the singular worship of Allah (swt). He seeks forgiveness of his sins, and renews his relationship with his Creator.

So, from an individual’s perspective, the hope of forgiveness in this life makes it a spiritual journey, the like of which has no comparison in any other faith or event.

The hajj however can be viewed from different perspectives as well. There is a social and political aspect to this amazing spectacle. We can also take an economic learning from the event. Given the unprecedented challenges facing the world’s economy in current times, it is worth exploring these further, to understand how we can address the global economic crisis through the message of hajj.

Firstly, let us briefly reflect on the social and political aspects.

Is there a better way to remove social inequality than by discarding all the status symbols man wraps himself in? When all worshippers have the same simple attire, all outward signs of prestige, power, status and worldly standing are left behind. This demonstrates the power of the hajj in promoting social equality.

In a similar way, this gathering of peoples from all nations of the globe, east to west, black and white, united in their purpose of worshipping the same One Supreme entity, sends a strong political message about the true nature of unity. National allegiances and political and racial affiliations are discarded as temporary and transient. Is there a stronger message of true and permanent unity?

We will all be quite familiar with these examples of how the hajj is an extremely powerful symbol for social and political change. But what about the economic symbol?

For this, we need to look back to the hajj at the time of the Holy Prophet (saw). Islam is a system for all man for all time. It is down to Muslims to ensure the eternal message is kept relevant, demonstrating the timeless nature of the message, and it’s ability to resolve the problems of the modern world.

The day of Arafat, being the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, is also known as the day of Hajj. This year it fell on Saturday 5th November. Muslims made the arduous trek from the camp city of Mina to the open plains of Arafat, spending the day in prayer, repenting and seeking forgiveness. This plain is reported to be the location for the resurrection and standing of humankind on the Day of Reckoning.

In the year 632, the Day of Arafah fell on a Friday. It was in this year that the Prophet (saw) performed his (saw) final hajj. It was also the setting for the deliverance of what is now known as his Final Sermon.

The speech was phenomenal in that it covered the whole spectre of subjects that address the human psyche. Today’s orators and leaders are typically single dimensional when delivering speeches to their listeners. The timelessness of the message within the speech is apparent, as we can take the content as solutions to the problems of today, fourteen hundred years after it was originally delivered.

To demonstrate this, let us explore the financial crisis the world is currently facing. Whilst recognising there are many facets to the financial problems we are facing, we can also easily pinpoint some fundamentals that are the root cause of the problem. The reckless action of investment institutions, the endless printing of paper money, the absence of ‘real wealth’ backing paper money, the concept of limited liability, speculation leading to wide stock market fluctuations, the trading –buying and selling – of ‘money’ as if it is a commodity itself. This final point is only possible due to the common acceptance of applying interest as a measure of the cost of money.

Lets take a closer look. It’s a simple concept that the net position of all debtors and creditors should be nil. So the total sum of what is owed must equal the sum of what is owned. However, we are continually being told that the net position is one of debt. One that needs to be repaid…by the taxpayer! So who is it owed to? And what is it owed for?

A basic understanding of the banking system and money supply allows us to begin understanding the roots of the problem. If we take a look at the money supply in the UK, 3% of money is created by the Bank of England. 97% of money is created by commercial banks. Banks ‘create’ this money because they can ‘sell’ this money to borrowers for a profit – interest. Banks have the ability to create money out of nothing. They then lend this money out for profit. Once the money is repaid, the money ceases to exist (as it was created from nothing in the first place). However, the banks have earned a profit (interest), which is essentially profit created from nothing.

The total UK money supply is around £2,200 billion. This has risen from £500bn in 1990, and £800bn in 2000. Money supply has increased by approx £1,500bn in the last ten years – almost a three-fold increase.

Of the £2,200bn money supply, less than £60bn exists in actual notes and coins – actual money. A staggering £100bn is merely inter-bank debt: money that banks owe to each other. So when the government raises taxes or reduces spending, this is in order to facilitate the payment of inter-bank debt. Whenever a bank defaults on a loan, the size of the debt increases further, due to additional or compound interest.

As demonstrated, due to compound interest, the public’s debts are now greater than all the money that exists in the economy. According to Bank of England figures, if the UK public collectively took all the money in our bank accounts and used it to pay down off our debts, we would end up with no money at all and still owe £306billion (plus interest) to the banks.

These simple points demonstrate how paper money, debt and interest are at the heart of the economic malaise.

So what, we need to ask, is the answer to the problem? Government’s responses globally have been to further increase the money supply, in an attempt to pay off the debts, and encourage further lending to create growth. This is, to any rational thinker, a futile exercise.

Coming back to the hajj, and the Final Sermon of the Prophet (saw). After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His praises upon him said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

…..God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd’al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived…”

This message is as relevant today as it was 1400 year ago. It demonstrates the need for divine knowledge in solving the problems of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Economists, politicians, experts and the like need to dismantle current thinking and start afresh. Their attempts to dig us out of the mess will inevitably end in failure. When this happens, there will be alternative but to implement the learning from the Final Sermon. Is it conceivable that the US will ever pay off $14trillion in debt? Each time the US defaults, the debt ceiling is raised, and additional ‘debt’ created to pay off the existing debt.

There is only one solution to the current crisis. To write off the debts, in the same way the Prophet (saw) wrote off all the interest due to Abbas. The second step is to remove the incentive to trade in money, which would curtail the growth of money supply, and put a stop to the vicious cycle of debt creation. This would be achieved by outlawing interest, which is the motive behind creating money and ‘debt’.