A few weeks ago I was at a youth meeting at the mosque and the person who was meant to give a talk was unable to attend. Thus, literally at the last minute, I was asked to say a few words on defending the honour of the Holy Qur’an. With about 5 minutes of preparation, here is what I had to say:
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, ever Merciful.
It was not too long ago that an unknown pastor of a small Church in the US gained worldwide fame overnight after organising Qur’an burning day. It makes little sense to judge a people by the amount of freedom they have as that is usually out of their control. But instead it is more logical to base the judgements on how people use that freedom once reigns are cut. The actions of Pastor Jones were an example of abusing of that freedom by disturbing the peace of society and intentionally causing hurt to many people. Freedom and responsibility are directly proportional to one another and as one increases then so does the other. Freedom and responsibility is a topic of its own and I shall delve into it no more.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in the Holy Qur’an:
Verily, we have sent down this Exhortation, and most surely we will be its Guardian [15:9]
Previous verses contain the mocking demands of the disbelievers that if the Qur’an is really a divine book sent down by God, then it should have descended under the protection of angels. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala emphatically answers their ridicule that He Himself will protect it from any corruption and or change. When the Qur’an was being revealed, it was committed to writing as soon as possible. At the same time, it was committed to memory by countless individuals and this practice has increased to such an extent that today there are many hundreds of thousands of Muslims who have memorised it from beginning to end and are able to recite it when so ever required. The recitation of the Holy Qur’an during the Salah was made an obligation and thus helped in the memorisation of the sacred verses.
There are many miracles of the Qur’an. One being the sea of knowledge and wisdom it contains. The immeasurable depth is full of riches, solid facts heavy in philosophy. In an age where there are some people or groups of people who wish to spread the fire of hatred, and cause division among communities by spreading adultered truths about others. There are many ways of combating this, but as believers, the first and foremost should be that we try to extinguish these fires with the tears of our prayers. If fires are to be lit, then they shouldn’t be those of anger; burning flags, and tyres and embassies. For these fires are temporary and last no longer than a few minutes. What good is that when the fires of the mischief makers continues to burn? Instead we should light the fire of the love of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in our hearts, and the love of His prophets, and the love of truth, and the love of justice. True love can move mountains. I’d like to finish this short talk by telling you the story of someone I recently met, who converted to Islam. He told me that for most of his life he didn’t really care much for religion and believed it to be the root cause of many of the problems of the world. God he believed was a figment of man’s own creation. Karl Marx’s famous quote "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes" summed up his attitudes to religion. I asked him then, what was it that changed your mind? “My neighbour. I hurled abuse at him in my drunken state, and he would give me the greetings of peace. I would keep his family awake at night and he would be awake praying for me.” This went on for a few years and something caused him to ask his neighbour why he put up with the problems and didn’t just phone the police. “I believe in Allah and the last day,” the neighbour replied. “The rights of the neighbour are given such importance in Islam that I didn’t want to barter my faith for a little peace.” The man was so impressed, he began to study about Islam and today Islam has become his opium. The conviction of his faith is astounding masha’Allah.
There’s a simple message to this story. Practice what you preach. The Qur’an says:
“O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you raiment to cover your shame, and to be an elegant dress; but the raiment of righteousness — that is the best. That is one of the Signs of Allah, that they may remember.” [7:26].
Let us cover ourselves in the teachings of the Qur’an for that is the best we can do. Just like the neighbour, if we too wear the perfume of the Qur’an, then it will not go unnoticed. After all, we don’t have to shout if we’re wearing an expensive perfume. Its scent travels far and wide, and people themselves will ask you about it.
Posts
3 August 2011 at 14:40
Love makes the world go round and round and round :D
Its true, many Muslims concentrate on the aspects of fighting and blood-shed in Islam instead of the verses about peace, kindness to others, etc.
It was wrong to draw a picture of Muhammad (SAW) in the same way that it was wrong to burn the Holy Quran. But while we need to express how we feel in terms of protests, words, etc. An eye for an eye would leave the world blind, as Ghandhihi rightly once said.
Hate will create more hate. I read / saw that some Muslim communities went around massacring Churches, Christians and the Gospel. Have we forgotten than the Injeel was also sent down from Allah?
We can't have the ignorant view of the disbelievers. We have the knowledge in the Quran, we need to be better.
There is no compulsion in religion, and love is more likely to bring people together than hate, or fear ever will :)
As for the people who do wrong, Allah will judge them. We need to concentrate on spreading the beauty and fragrance of the Quran and Islam than causing blood-shed.
PS - (because I won't be me if I didn't) I always wear Britney Spear's Fantasy .. or Versace's Crystal Noir when I'm going to special occasions :P that is like my fave perfume :D
3 August 2011 at 17:16
3 August 2011 at 18:01
MashAllah you came up with such an excellent talk in with such little preparation. Well said.
3 August 2011 at 18:15
MashaaAllah. :) Just the advice I needed for what has been bugging me for days.
3 August 2011 at 22:25
The talk was great Manshallah! You only had five minutes to prepare yourself? Manshallah x3!! :p
4 August 2011 at 04:24
You. Are. Amazing.
No words. Can describe.
I wish you lived in America. Preferably New York City, because then I could bring you to speak at my mosque.
=)
4 August 2011 at 06:32
MashAllah very nice speech!
:)
4 August 2011 at 11:36
WOW! That was absolutely brilliant! MashaAllah, may Allah increase you in your knowledge, Ameen! - so, soon you'd be the one giving the lectures instead of just standing in for someone :D!! MashaAllah again, it was really good.
4 August 2011 at 15:37
Well said, and with only 5 minutes of preparation? Truly amazing.
4 August 2011 at 19:47
Mashallah :0)
5 August 2011 at 08:30
Very very well said, Nas! And to think that you came up with this in 5 minutes! A very beautiful speech! People refuse to see the Quran for what it contains. It is, subhanAllah, magical! It really is like a drug. Once you start reading it with understanding, you want more and more. Allah has blessed us with such a powerful book, every verse of which has a meaning so deep that it touches the human heart and appeals to the human mind.
The problem is that many Muslims too refuse to see what wonders the Quran holds, and what Allah is trying to say to us through His book. May Allah grant us all the hidayah to ponder over His words and accept them whole-heartedly and bring the Quran into practice, like it is meant to be. Aameen.
SubhanAllah, Nas! Allah has blessed you with the power to use words in a very convincing manner! I hope and pray to Allah that He keeps this favour upon you and may you use this gift in His way, inshaAllah!
Hope you're having a great Ramadan, inshaAllah! :)
5 August 2011 at 17:32
I'm happy that you posted again ^^
Nas, What's MashaAllah?
Honestly, I can't relate that much because of some technical terms. I even used google translate, but it can barely figure out the exact context of the words. Too bad! =(
Anyways, I have 2 good friends way back in college who are muslims. Though, they're a bit aloof and shy most of the time, I really admire how they handled and have lived up their religion. (Considering that they're studying in a catholic school). From fasting, to the way they treat other people; no pretensions and what you see is what you get. I also love the way they showed respect for our religion. ^^ If that's what your Holy Quran has taught and transformed them, I'd really love to find out more about your Holy book. ^^
By the way, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" is one of the teachings in the Holy Bible. I think the pastor somewhat failed to realize that the essence of Christianity is to spread love and not hate.
Religion should not be confined and read in the pillars of Church/Mosque, but should be carried out to respect, educate , and take care of one another, for the betterment of mankind.
Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power comes great responsibility." -Peter Parker (Gelovskyman ---- I mean Spiderman ^^)
Have a great weekend NAS!
5 August 2011 at 23:29
hey
impressive speech in just 5 mins preparation!
masha'Allah
:)
x
6 August 2011 at 09:17
So this was the speech huh?
Beautiful! Very well said! :) x
6 August 2011 at 14:15
@ lil-bee: Wow! Thanks for your awesomely long and good comment. Yes you are right, it was wrong for the cartoons to be drawn and it was wrong for the pastor to do what he did. Forget Injeel, and Toraat, Muslims were only given permission to fight so that they could defend mosques and churches and synagogues and other places where the name of God is remembered. Look at it today, and you wouldn't believe that to be true.
lol, I may have to pop into Debenhams to take a sniff of them ;)
6 August 2011 at 14:16
@ ME: What happened to your comment? :S
6 August 2011 at 14:16
@ Foz: Jazakallah! :)
6 August 2011 at 14:17
@ Aasiyah: I'm glad it was of use to you. :)
6 August 2011 at 14:18
@ normal.is.overrated: Thanks Dr! Yeah there was only about 5 minutes before my time to give the talk came.
6 August 2011 at 14:19
@ Eeshie: Awh, you're too kind. Thank you! Maybe one day insha'Allah.
6 August 2011 at 14:19
@ Smokey_Cat: Thank you ever so much!
6 August 2011 at 14:20
@ Sa'dia: Jazakallah Khair al-Jazaa' for your lovely words and prayers! Ameen :)
6 August 2011 at 14:21
@ Celita: Thank you very much Celita.
6 August 2011 at 14:21
@ Jasmine: :)
6 August 2011 at 14:24
@ reverieriver: I agree with what you have said about understanding the Qur'an. Thank you so so much for your kind words and prayers! Ameen to them.
I hope and pray that your Ramadhan is going well too R. :)
6 August 2011 at 14:27
@ Gelovsky: Hey dude! I've posted twice ;).
You're right, religions at their core all teach the same values. It is only when people try to twist the beliefs to fit their personal agendas that trouble arises.
Excellent quote!
Hope you have an excellent weekend too :)
6 August 2011 at 14:27
@ Yours Truly : Yeah this is the one I told you about :P. Thanks :)
x
6 August 2011 at 14:28
@ P x: Jazakallah P.
:)
x
6 August 2011 at 17:06
Wowsers, mashaAllah for preparing that in just 5 minutes! :) great speech, wish I'd been there to hear you say it. I love hearing stories about Muslim neighbours who act as good examples :) As is said "Actions speak louder than words", and actions are the best reflection of character.
Keep up the great posts!
7 August 2011 at 07:52
The only thing that came into my mind was... you said all of this without prior practice? Amazing, really.
7 August 2011 at 11:10
@ Gelovsky : Masha'Allah means "Allah has willed it" and is said on happy occasions, when hearing good news or when complimenting someone.
I'm really sorry! Next time, I'll give meanings of the words :)
7 August 2011 at 11:11
@ hijabi hippie hypo: Jazkallah! You're right, we can speak till we're blue in the face, but until we act on what we say it wont make a difference.
7 August 2011 at 11:11
@ Tazeen: Thank you T! :)
8 August 2011 at 01:07
I think a lot of people in my country (the United States) could benefit from reading this. There is a lot of truth in here. And I know plenty of Christians who could stand to do more practicing what they preach as well.
+followed
8 August 2011 at 01:24
MashAllah!
You are such a blessed person! Wow.
8 August 2011 at 02:53
I didn't read this yet Nas; but I will because you're phenomenal writer. Just stopping by to say thanks for your input on my Q&A post. I didn't write back before out of being busy.
In short I believe in free will with Islam, thus the Qur'an be able to be interpreted. And it constantly says only the true meaning will be for the believers. I also feel many parts are pretty obvious people just like to tweak them or justify them for modern times.
xx Ramadan Kareem sis!