Muslims we need to go back to Islam

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Muslims we need to go back to Islam
jannah
09/18/01 at 11:48:05
In Times of Terror: Voices From Within.

I am moving through pages of history, intricately woven into lines that are threatening to obliterate my very existence. "Terrorists domestically and abroad are going to feel the ?wrath? of America and her allies". The implications are all too clear. All of us that have dwelled in the comfortable, albeit apathetic embrace of the West, feel its all too tightening grip. Despite our outright condemnations, our "pledges of allegiance", blood drives, and press statements, we find ourselves categorically accused. Despite the fact that we have consciously embraced the west with all her faults, falsities, and contradictions; we find ourselves openly disgraced. Despite the fact that we too have come to cherish her rhetoric of democracy, ideals, and freedoms; we find ourselves dangerously cornered. Lady liberty is forcing down our throats the bitter piece of American pie that has been served to the millions of our dying brothers and sisters all around the world for decades, despite the fact that we resolutely turned a blind eye to their plight.

Our helplessness domestically is mirrored globally in the Islamic Ummah at large. Afghanistan is preparing her ravaged, starving population for a meager defense from the imminent western onslaught. Pakistan is squirming under the pressure of being pitted against her neighbor. The rest of the Islamic world is doing what is politically correct and necessary, while holding her breath for the inevitable. More innocent blood will flow down rivers of terror to quench U.S thirst for revenge.

"What are going to do?" Muslims are lamenting.

"We are finished. It is all over!" some sigh resignedly feeling the cold claws of dread clutching their depths. Some have not left their houses since that fateful Tuesday, alternating between prayer and silent agony. Most of us continue living in the shadows of our routine, alert, responsive, and ceaselessly praying for our safety. For all of us though, this is a rude awakening from our lethargic slumber. The spiritual message underlying the frantic surface is all too clear. No land is too safe and secure, and no group of people immune from the dire repercussions of injustice. Relative to the height and glory of the past Islamic Civilizations, the global spirit of Islam is dismal. Our collective powerlessness, however, is a mere reflection of us individually. We are a generation of fragmented, apathetic individuals all too ready to compromise our very souls via Islamic ideals for a far lesser price of assimilation and comfort. Our spiritual reservoirs have been precariously lurking on the verge of emptiness for too long, as we continued to deliver our basic religious obligations (just enough to get us by with minimum guilt). The realization that we lack the ultimate control of our destinies has finally set in.

Before giving into public hysteria and despair, we have to remember that it is through trials and tribulations that we are tested. What we are going through is merely a testimony of Allah?s love and mercy for us. We do have the ultimate source of Power and Might to tap into. This is the time to cease our self deceptions, gather our senses, and truly contemplate the very basis of our existence. There is no short term solution for the "ummah". There is no magic "Duah" that will erase the magnitude of what we are facing. There is an immense amount of building that needs to be done. The foundation starts with each of our souls. It is imperative on each of us to heal the many spiritual maladies and diseases we are suffering from. We need a complete overhaul of our spiritual equipment starting from the basic Salat, to the very way that we think, act, and talk. The remedies are clearly outlined in the Quran, Sunnah, and many scholarly works done on Tawassuf and Tazkiya. Our sincerity in approaching Allah will be rewarded with immense blessings, guidance, and light. Opening our esoteric eyes will gear us communally to movement. At this level we can strategically implement the many ways we can work together and facilitate a self reliant Islamic way of life, that will guarantee the preservation of our spirit. This stage, however, will be doomed (as it has in past efforts) if we do not purify our own selves first. The usual petty bickering, disorganization, and inaction will remain dominant as long as we are not committed to the ultimate goal. Islam challenges us to rise to the very heights of our spiritual selves in light of the absolute Truth. The world is a preparatory ground, and we do have all the resources we need, right at this moment, to begin working. This struggle is a mere continuation of the endless fight for truth, freedom and justice that has been passed on by generations of visionaries throughout time. This struggle transcends race, religion, geography, or borders; this struggle transcends the quest for the material world into the realm of spiritual liberation and ascension.

We seek refuge from Allah from the evil within our souls and bad consequences of our deeds. (Amin)

The very preciousness of each moment is weighing on my soul. Tears of repentance, conviction of faith, and the struggle for self reform are melting into the sacred sweetness of Ibadah. I am walking through my soul?s garden, appalled at the sight of overgrown weeds, poisonous tentacles, and stifled growth. I have been neglectful for too long. My season for earnest uprooting, cultivating, and nurturing has begun. I hear the birds rejoicing in the skies; I feel the sun rays penetrate my being, the grandeur of the universe still remains unperturbed despite this fleeting madness. I am bearing witness to Allah, and to Him I give thanks for indulging me a peek into this spiritual wilderness.

To Allah, I pray for Strength, Mercy, and Guidance for all of humanity.

To Allah, I pray for perseverance to elevate us into the heights of spiritual ecstasy, thrones of dignity, and a firm connection to the certain bliss of His Divine embrace (Amin).

-Maliha Balala.
Re: Muslims we need to go back to Islam
ahmer
09/18/01 at 14:53:55

[slm]

Yes time to have a serious introspection !!! in our cummmunities, MSA , organizations!!
I am working with some other brothers to bring these points in our ICNA NJ & MSA coummunity here. insha'Allah.

1. We shouldn't just heap on hollow islamic activism and work.
2. Focus on the concept of tolerance among ourselves. Quite often we demand tolerance, but there is less tolerance among ourselves than we show towards them!!
3. Understand the concept of Ihsan, There are 33 levels of Ihsan in a Muslim's life
4. Desist the mistakes the Islamic political org made in the Muslim world. They forgot that to expect an Islamic rennaisance, there should be a strong base first of Adab, Ihsan and character in an individual.
5. Evolve a strong tarbiyah system among the brothers and sisters to make them strong before they go out and organize conferences, conventions or programs.
6. Should stick to a shaykh and seek guidance from him continuously to get the focus straight.

I guess that if we don't focus on ourselves and get the house in order, just by gathering people at our conventions we can't expect an Islamic renaissance. The revival of Islam always comes through knowledge and the fruits of this knowledge. Pick up any great event in islamic history and it will be proved.

Now here is a letter from one of the WhyIslam reverts to one of our WhyIslam dawah volunteers. Something to think about!! Rather than claiming victimization we should get up and do anything to defend and spread islam!!

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NJ Unit Discussion Forum
a message from a revert
Posted By: Sarah
----

assalamu alaykum

I recieved this message from a fragile little young msulism revet, and felt ashame of myself.

Friday Sep 14, 7pm, location - Union Square NYC. People of NY are
holding a nightlong vigil to commemorate the victims of World Trade Center attack. The square is full of American people holding candles and American flags.
There are anti-terrorism slogans flying in the air.
I am standing there in my white scarf on my head, with a candle looking  around to spot out some other Muslim women in the crowd. Where are they, did they take of their hijabs, or are they sitting home, watching TV?
Americans are coming to hug me and to say: “Thank you for being here
together with the rest of us, supporting us, showing your solidarity
with the rest of the American nation”. Reporters are taking my pictures, they will be disappointed to know that I don’t have an Arab name. One girl is offering me the light-it's windy, my candle light keeps fading away, but not my faith that more Muslim people will soon come and join me, more sisters just like me grieving about what happened to our faith, to our unity as one Umma.

But instead non-Muslim Americans keep showing their encouragement and
support. One girl just hugged me, another group of people said that
they don't want to lose me out of site, they want to make sure that I will be OK, and no one will try to attack or hurt me.
There is a couple of Jewish instigators behind my back whispering like snakes nasty things quiet enough for me only to be able to hear them.
But I am not going to lose my calm. I am there not to pick a fight with our enemies. I am there to turn more people in our friends.
May be if we stopped hiding behind closed doors and stood up for
ourselves, for our Islam and together with the rest of the American people against terrorism, people would stop treating us like suspects. Being cautious is one thing; being scared is something else. What's meant to be is meant to be, our fate is written. So what are we afraid of? Why can't we get organized and become a strong, united multi-ethnic force for all the good things Islam has to offer to the humanity, and against all the bad, distorted faces of Islam that our enemies are trying to put in peoples’
mind?

Re: Muslims we need to go back to Islam
ahmer
09/18/01 at 18:44:03
[slm]
We keep getting inspiring accounts of reverts. May Allah bless them all!!
[wlm]
ahmer

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Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 16:23:08 -0400
Subject: [NJ Unit Discussion Forum:] AssalamuAalaikum

MESSAGE:  (#1030) AssalamuAalaikum
AUTHOR:   Nisa Khan
DATE:     Tuesday, 18 September 2001, at 4:23 p.m.

AssalamuAalaikum WaRahmatuAllah WaBarakathu
Insha'Allah i hope this email reaches u all in the best of health and
iman...Sr. Liana from California reverted to Islam just this past
summer...She doesnt know any Muslims where she lives and hasnt quite met anyone in a Hijab...and although her husband isnt Muslim she went online and purchased some hijabs for her and her five year old daughter...Masha'Allah she has started hijab now...She started hijab a day before the wtc tragedy...like the rest of the hijabis she also heard that it's ok to take off ur hijab during this situation but Subhan'Allah she kept her hijab on...On her way to the store with her 7 and 5 year old children she was attacked by some truckers and
had managed to call the police...she went straight to her local masjid which was closed everytime she went there...she wrote them a note and slipped it underneath the door...Because of what had happened to her all the Muslims in town got together and held a meeting...Please Insha'Allah make du'a for her and all the other sisters that kept their iman strong and had faith in Allah(swt)and have done their duty with courage despite the odds...Jazakha'Allah Khairun

Fi Amanillah
Nisa Khan


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