Categories
Current Affairs articles

Prayer or Protest?

“In Islamic History protests have always made changes. When the Crusaders took over Jerusalem, the Muslims protested in Baghdad.” Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, Texas

When Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal RH was incarcerated by Mu’tasim his students protested outside the palace of the Caliph. If you are a woman reading this, how can you forget the Suffragette movement that gave women a voice? If you are an Indian or Pakistani reading this, how can you forget Gandhi’s Salt March against the British? If you are non-White reading this, remember George Floyd’s protests a few years ago, fighting for all non-whites in America? Lesson: Protests are powerful!

Protests create awareness for Muslims and non-Muslims. Are you telling me a millions people in London last weekend didn’t raise eyebrows? “What’s going on here?” It was all over the news! People will talk and ask questions about Palestine thanks to demonstrations. What about the people in Gaza? When they see protests all over the world they know we are with them, it gives them hope despite dark times.

One of the biggest objections against protests and protestors is they don’t pray Salah, but march in their thousands?! My question to these religious folk is, is Salah a condition to carry out good deeds? We all know Salah is fardh, but if someone doesn’t pray Salah, they can’t give sadaqah? They can’t listen to an Islamic lecture? We need to start somewhere… Many people have started Salah because of the situation in Gaza.

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ ٣٩

“And that each person will only have what they endeavoured towards.” What’s the point of Protests, you guys haven’t conquered alMasjid alAqsa? We can only make an effort, the results are in the hands of Allah SWT. Many people died fighting for things they didn’t see the results of, like the suffragette movement for women, and Malcolm X for black people in America. If we raise our voices for Palestine, our children or grandchildren will see the results, In Sha Allah

Remember the story of the prostitute who fed a dog water, she was forgiven i.e. granted Jannah. Was she regular in Salah? She fed a dog. Imagine the reward for helping humans, Muslims, Palestinians in the most blessed lands. Whether they pray Salah or not, wear a Hijab or not, you don’t have a right to become judge and jury. Many people who attend the masjid for bayans don’t pray regular Salah, most the jumuah congregation doesn’t pray x5. Where are they all week? Please. Ask them.

There are many flaws to your objections and the truth of the matter is most these Ulama and Tablighis objecting can’t be bothered protesting. We never forced you to. It’s always the وحده لا شريك له whole and soul attitude. “Our work is better” holier than thou… Alhumdu Lillah I am a protestor and clearly a loud and proud one, and have been for many years. But I will not say I am better than those whose line of work is different, because that is the work of God Almighty.

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).

Categories
Dhulm/Oppression Poems

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak…

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

I am not Palestinian, I am not Arab, I am Muslim but it is the duty,

Of every Muslim to make me free.

Where are your men, where are the armies?

That is what I need in times of atrocities.

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

Your speeches are empty and your words are weak,

I wish the truth had a tongue and my walls could speak.

To the tyrant rulers I don’t need your false lies,

I don’t worry about the merciless Zionists but I worry for the Muslim hypocrites and spies.

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

I don’t worry about tanks and planes,

I don’t care about the tractors and cranes.

I worry about the Takbeer inside me and the echoes of the Adhan,

I worry about the Tasbeeh in my corners and the melody of the Qur’an.

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

I want to hear the name of Allah, My Master,

He will free me from this calamity and disaster.

I no longer have any patience, the time has come,

Please! I beg you march and roll the drum.

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

To the Muslim rulers, come and liberate me,

Otherwise don’t you dare visit me.

O Muslims! Why don’t you feel my pain?

Don’t see you see the bombs and rockets that daily rain?

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

Where is NooruDeen? Where is SalahuDeen?

Nowhere are they to be found, nowhere are they to be seen?

O Ummah! Rescue me, I am shackled and tied,

You say you are 1 billion, but I feel like you have already died (spiritually).

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

They are weak and known to be cowards (Israelis),

But what has happened to you, you seem to have spiralled downwards?

Even a small army is sufficient, it would certainly conquer and win,

But you fear your enemy more than you fear your sins.

If al-Masjid al-Aqsa could speak… it would say

I know you will not come, I know you are afraid,

I await the Khalifah the one who must be obeyed.

I shall return to the Muslims, I will be free one day,

This has been prophesised and it is not just hearsay… (In Sha Allah).

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)

15th Shawwal 1442

Audio recital of the poem

Categories
Current Affairs articles

Qurbani – ‘Sacrifice’ or comparing the price?

Unfortunately, Qurbani has become rather like car insurance, where one searches for the lowest “quote” and the cheapest price… this should not be the case.
We shouldn’t think of Qurbani or any obligation in Islam as a BURDEN, brothers and sisters. Rather we should fulfil it for solely the pleasure of Allah SWT.
Give to the “needy” countries.
Give to the “poorest” country.
Don’t go for the LOWEST quote!
Did you know, there are many Muslims who don’t eat meat all year round, only on Eid! Remember that, next time you’re licking your chicken legs and eating that Kobeda.
I feel sooner or later, we will have websites or apps (like ‘gocompare’… ‘goqurbani’) that will compare charities and countries then show which are the cheapest. Astaghfirullah…
My gripe is we earn thousands of pounds and when it comes to spending for Allah SWT, we are tight fisted – La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billa!
The saddest part of all of this is, how deep our selfishness goes. The word ‘Udhiyyah’ (Arabic), ‘Qurbani’ (urdu), actually means ‘sacrifice’. It really shows whether we love Allah or just love our pockets, our purses and our bank accounts.
Lastly, many of you reading this will be from Bangladesh/India/Pakistan. Let’s not just focus on these countries, we have many of our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world who are living in extreme poverty. I understand that some of these other countries have extortionate rates for an animal. But, if we all go for a £15 share in a cow from India and just want to absolve ourselves from this obligation, who will feed the Muslims in Iraq and Palestine where a large animal costs almost £2,000 (approx £300 per share). It is advised that family and friends get together and offer a ‘Nafl’ Qurbani in these countries, i.e. split the cost between them, if they can’t afford a full share. A great way of doing this is with the intention of Esale Thawab. This Eid, let’s not deprive anyone In Sha Allah.
Please bear in mind, Qurbani comes once a year and we eat meat on a regular basis in the UK.
ASK YOURSELF: ARE YOU SACRIFICING OR JUST COMPARING THE PRICES?!
(Mawlana) Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).
1st Dhul Qa’dah 1438