No God waited till 3761 Hebrew year to creat a real religion, all of prophets were following the real religion till then.
Every Prophet came with a message from Allah. However, only a select few of them had a religion or Shariah (Hazrat Ibrahim :as:, Hazrat Musa :as:, Hazrat Isa :as:, Hazrat Muhammad :saw: – I might be forgetting a few names). The rest were sent only to guide a certain group. e.g. Hazrat Shuaib :as: was sent for the people of Madian, Hazrat Loot :as: was sent specifically for the people of Loot etc.
Muslims are definitely facing many challenges - both internal and external. It will be foolish to think its not happening. However, depending on your viewpoint, the villains may change.
Lajawab bhai blames the 'mod muslims' and 'culturist'. I think I understand what a 'culturist' is, and for lack of a better word, I'll take it to mean our desi brethern from India-Pakistan who have merged many customs of the area with Islam. While I may agree that many of the things they do is not or may not be part of Islam, I would hardly consider them a source of weakness in Islam. Infact, it was these same kinda people who were at the forefront of Islamic unity (khilafa movement in early 20th century and many other).
There has always been differences of opinions in Islam, right after the time of Prophet (peace be upon him), and we somehow, let the differences drag us down, rather then be a source of strength. The diversity can really work wonders to develop and progress. One-track nations with conformist views don't ever rise up. History tells us that again and again.
I have seen many kinds of muslims over the years. The real puritans, the real modern and every thing in between. If they are good people and have their hearts in the right place, they are a source of strength to Islam. It doesn't matter if we disagree on one thing or one hundred things. Instead of pushing people away, we should look for commonalities and find strength in unity. May be a time will come when we'd understnad this simple action plan.
I think it wasn't referring to the desi people in general, but specifically to those who excercise the feudal mentality in that part of the world. They included from wadeiras to landlords, jaageerdars, chaudhries, sardaars, nawaabs, and the subordinates of each one of them. All these people not only disrepute Islam, but also are a key part of the ruling establishment in the 3rd world countries (atleast in Pakistan they are).
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
Lajawab bhai blames the 'mod muslims' and 'culturist'. I think I understand what a 'culturist' is, and for lack of a better word, I'll take it to mean our desi brethern from India-Pakistan who have merged many customs of the area with Islam.
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Lajawab, I am now witnessing the two towers already.
Re: The Two Towers against Islam...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Lajawab: *
......These two forces, in their fight to retain control of Islam and impose and subdue those who do not adhere to their views by subjugating them in their own ways, out of mainstream civilization has now spread globally and seeks to subdue Muslims until Muslims change what is within themselves and spread the true message of Islam first amongst itself and then onwards...
......
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Good examples. The two towers are the Mullahs of Iran verses the Mullahs of Saudi.
Both of them are creating $hit off$hoots like Qaida vs. Bay-Qaida,
Jaish-Muhammad vs. Jaish Khomeni, Cut-beard vs. foot-long dinner napkin, Sipah-sahaba vs. Sipah-Ali, and you name it.
These followers of Saitan have bombed Pakistani-Shias mosques, incarcerated Pakistani-Ahmadis, and sprayed bullets on Pakistani-Church goers.
Allah's punishment for these terrorists is such that they explode in this world, and they will continue exploding in the next world. Their life after death will be like living in an ammo dump at the bottom of hell.
Still they have no shame in blaming few moderates whose only crime is to speak up against injustices done in the name of Islam. Yeah!
Damn shameless killers and suiciders, and all these Jamatias.
In the book Lord of the Rings, Tokien describes two towers which were working to suppress the mankind of Middle Earth...The towers of Sauron and Saruman created legions of misformed and misshapen trolls, ogres and demons...These forces' ultimate aim was Middle Earth and to destroy its inhabitants, mankind, for it was one thing which stood against the darkness of Sauron and Saruman enveloping their entire world......
Today, Muslims face the same predicament as the inhabitants of Middle Earth, at least as far their faith is concerned...The forces that Muslims have to contend with today are the towers of the NARROW_MINDED mentality and the **EXTREMIST **mentality...
These two forces, in their fight to retain control of Islam and impose and subdue those who do not adhere to their views by subjugating them in their own ways, out of mainstream civilization has now spread globally and seeks to subdue Muslims until Muslims change what is within themselves and spread the true message of Islam first amongst itself and then onwards...
Islam is a median way...It is a median way because we neither bend towards the ascetism of monks and yogis and neither do we teeter towards the unscrupulous hunger, misery and greed that arises out of godlessness...Islam has taught and will keep teaching the means and balance to straddle both the spiritual aspect for afterlife and the practicality to survive in this one...
These two towers have overwhelmed the Ummah and stripped it of its dignity, its simplicity and its message of Truth...These two forces have taken Islam and turned it into a system by which to justify their own existence and to bring it up to justify their deeds and misinformed ideologies and beliefs...
The modus operandi between the two is, however, very similar, however the aims are different:
The NARROW-MINDED Muslim seeks to impose his particular interpretation of Islam. Only his interpretation is correct. All others are viewed as Kufar. Fellow muslims who do not subscribe to this view are treated with absolute disdain. This is in fact an innovation in Islam. These innovations or Bida'a are there to justify the actions and deeds of a particular individual so as not to interfere in the everyday lifestyles they have become accustomed to...
The EXTREMIST muslim also seeks to retain and impose old and immoral cultural stigmas, rites and practices and to justify their implementation through Islam so as not to upset the status quo of the lifestyles they have accustomed to...but he goes further and imposes, by force if he has the power to, his particular practices. The Taliban are a good example. Where he is does not get his way, he gets frustrated and often resorts to violence. He will try to convince the general muslim populace by chanting selective verses, without context, from the Quran to justify his actions, and will declare concepts which do him no favours such as democracy as anti-Islamic.
[edit]Both will not heed, hear and hearken to the message of Truth if anyone should approach them with it for it would mean a change in their lifstyles, a proposition, both are unwilling to accept...[/edit]
While on one spectrum the NARROW-MINDED seeks to ban anything remotely related to having fun, such as cinema, theatre, art, music, or even civilised adult behaviour such as inter-gender discussions in the name of Islam, the EXTREMIST on the other spectrum seeks to justify bloody honour killings through Islam, both clear and devious innovations...
One one spectrum, the NARROW MINDED seeks to vilify and torture people that are different such as homosexuals in the name of freedom of speech saying how Islam teaches tolerance, on the other spectrum, the EXTREMIST seeks to justify the gang rape of three women by an entire family...Both practices which Islam abhors and solemnly forbids...
The NARROW MINDED seeks to impose a rift between the Ummah by dividing it up into nations, languages and creeds, thereby killing the whole concept of brotherhood while the EXTREMIST seeks to justify the killing of an entire tribe because its goat drank from its well...Both ideologies, contrary to the teachings of Islam...
The NARROW MINDED, will seek to impose, by force, the Hijab and beard for whatever reasons through Islam while the EXTREMIST will seek to ensnare a woman and marry her to a Quran so she can't see the light of day...Both practices in clear and open violation of the laws of Islam...
The NARROW MINDED just will not accept that others can have a view different to himself. He finds different sects particularly difficult to come to terms with and to manage within his narrow mind. Not satisfied with simply accepting that 'we agree to disagree' he wants the other sect completely destroyed. Ahmedies are a good potshot as they're small and easily victimised. Shiites on the other hand, being bigger, are less easy to push around. hand are a Sects and views himself as the God's judge in erath. Thus he does not realise the great heinous innovation his behaviour is according to Quran and Sunnah, and how necessary it is to uproot its existence...The EXTREMIST on the other hand grows disdainful and resentful if his practices are questioned and labelled as unIslamic and not related to Islam at all...
There can be many more, but these examples should suffice for now...
Although the methodology of implementing the said innovations in the name of Islam may vary between the two, the mentality remains the same...Justification through ignorance...
Between the NARROW MINDED and EXTREMIST muslims, how much time is devoted to actual learning of the Quran and Ahadith, only Allah knows, but much is spent and wasted on reasons to justify self-made laws and rituals through whatever reasoning...The wisdom of Gandalf (A Mullah) has no effect on these two, as the **NARROW MINDED **despises him for being backward and ignorant and the EXTREMIST despises him for meddling in their affairs or vice versa...
All in all, true Muslims are caught between these two forces, and may Alah bring victory to mankind, Ameen...The fate of Middle Earth depends upon it...
Risky has beautifully translated
Mod-Muslim as NARROW MINDED, narrow in thinking to their own satisfaction.
and
Culturalist as EXTREMIST, extremist in culturalism.
weldone Risky.
Lajawab
Narrow minded ppl are not really that acommadating of others hence they turn them away with they’re own behaviour, moderates are generally easy going, who can hold on to thier beliefs, but can tolerate others at the same time. Both can be fundamentalist in thier own beliefs/practices, but how how they accomodate others (of their own faith or not), is what they differ in.
you have to hold on to your beliefs and morals tight, but not so rigid, that they crack. IMO being firm but flexible is the way. :k:
A very good summary !
^ thanks.
btw as a kid I used to hang around the 'Old Forest' and visited the 'The Shire' a couple a times. Perrots folly and the waterworks (twins towers) are a stone throw away from where a live. Middle earth is actually my hood.
Dear Lawajab,
Found your essay unique and interesting.
Truth be told...I am of the rare few avid readers of sci-fi and fantasy fiction unable to grasp the "Tao of Tolkien."
Just never could into the books. Tried and was unsucessful. Perhaps intellect is lacking...I don't know.
I guess I need to watch the cinema version of "The Lord of the Rings a couple more times...then maybe I could progress to "The Two Towers."
The fellowship of the ring fell to age old vice of envy creating a thirst for power so consuming that murder was almost nearly reasonable...
Walaikum-As-Salam brother Bao Bihari and Ibn Sadique…
First of all, I am surprised at the number of non-Muslim responders in this post for whom this matter is of no concern, unless they fear the rising of a new, independent ideology in which they will not be able to play any part? :insha:, that ideology has begun to surface once again, and no power on earth will be able to subdue it, :insha:…
The non-Muslims, being in power, have placed mod-Muslims in power in Muslim lands to do their bidding…Allawi in Iraq and Karzai in Afghanistan…But no matter…Such Muslims have been dealt with in the past before…Mir Jaafar and Mir Saadiq, both traitors to Muslims and their God, they met suitable ends…
As you tap into the Ummah, and try to bring to power those elements against the Muslims, whose aim is to serve your purpose for whatever earthly gain, ten thousand rise to oppose them and you for a higher reward…In return, you aid a cause and pave a path destined for your own destruction…
Speech is gift by which nations have been made and shattered…Revolutions, uprisings, revolts are all started by the word, whether spoken or written, but it is all for one purpose…Change.
Many times on Gupshup you’ll see a post by any brother about Islam defining the role and obligations of women or men, written merely in a style which is meant to convey…Not to change or coerce, but merely to tell the other person what Islam says about a particular issue, and you’d have the responses of the mod-Muslims and the Culturalists…
These mod-Muslims and Culturalists will resort to the foulest language, the lowest remarks, the lamest verbs, all because they don’t agree with it for whatever reasons…
The Holy Prophet :saw: said that of the three traits of a hypocrite, one is that when he argues, he insults…Just look at some of the responses in this thread purported to defend Islam against ‘extremists’…If the ‘extremists’ were to leave them all alone to carry the message of Islam and its sublimity, what kind of a job do you believe would they do? Would you leave the message of Islam to be spread by these open-minded, highly educated, world wise and literate people who can not form a single coherent sentence without resorting to name calling, cussing, abusing and bitching yet still not get their message across? You decide…
Many of the people who have taken the task of conveying the message of Islam, have been labelled by the Two Towers as being extremists, conformists, fundamentalists e.t.c…The gist of it all is very simple: If being a Muslim means following the Quran and Sunnah and dumping every other impurity from Islam means being all of those things, then so be it…Call me what you will, it will have no effect…I will keep pointing out the deviations in other’s beliefs, I will keep supporting Jihad against the enemies of Islam, I will support the Shariah, I will espouse and preach the concept of the Ummah and arguments ad hominem will do you no good…
Allah knows, how many deficiencies as a Muslim I have within myself and how many times the Shaitan wounds me and my Iman, but as long as there is an ounce of Islam within my heart, I will speak about it, :insha:…
May Allah (swt) grant the Muslimeen Strength, Wisdom, Patience, Perseverance, Iman, Faith and Love for one another, Ameen, Summa Ameen…
Just be careful how you point out mistakes in other's believes as they are as dear to them as yours are to you.
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*Originally posted by Ma Mooli: *
Just be careful how you point out mistakes in other's believes as they are as dear to them as yours are to you.
[/QUOTE]
All questions, criticisms and critiques are more than welcome and accepted provided they are respected...
the sanest post was lost in all this. exactly what i think :k:
interesting
If you preach intolerance, then you should expect nothing less in return.
Nobody can claim to be God's viceroy on earth, except for our prophets.
All interpretation is man-made, and will never be consistent.
If people cannot grasp these very simple facts, no amount of elequent prose and articulate justification is going to remove the fact that it is they that have a real problem.
Allah have mercy.