Lessons from Seerah

The emptiness inside didn't vanish with my plight
'till I gave it all away

to You my Lord,
I gave this heart away



Here's the latest khutba on Sirah & Patience (((audio))).

interfaith NBTS event

Last Sunday I attended an interfaith event at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. I joined Brother David Fricke and others to give Muslim perspective on Prayer.

As a Muslim chaplain at Rutgers, I was asked to lead the Muslim prayer before breaking bread and explain the prayer's significance. The President of NBTS, Gregg Mast, Associate Director for Jewish Campus Life, Rabbi Esther Reed, and Director of Muslim Chaplaincy Rutgers Un., David Fricke played a critical role in developing a mutual understanding with leaders from other faith communities.

The people were very friendly and welcoming. The discussion revolved around prayer - personal experiences and sacred text. It was a very interesting evening for me. I kept thinking to myself, we (people) can work it all out. We have so many people rooting for peace and harmony. We have so many people doing charitable work. We all endorse family values and morality. We are all those who worship ONE God and serve Him by serving humanity.

Yet, how do we explain a world in crisis - a world drowning in war, poverty, illiteracy, drought, famine, and diseases?

Let us not continue the blame game. Let us not repeat the mistakes of those before us. Rather, let us come together and plant the seed of peace, compassion, love, mutual respect and understanding.

Why fight in the name of God when He ordered us to live in peace?


The group decided to close the event with a single lit candle and time for silent prayer.

http://www.nbts.edu

Mission Statement

Long time ago and once upon a time, there lived these strange people who showed humanity how to live like human beings. Their goal in life was not to eat, sleep, and die wealthy. Rather, they lived to serve others. They worked hard to comfort others. Although they didn't sleep much, and resources they lacked, but they lived and died on Islam. Such were the students of the Prophet (s). Such were the companions of Muhammad (s) who pleased their Lord.

The Prophet's mission was to connect humanity to God. His life was all about guiding people to the Way of God.

No doubt, each individual has a direct relationship with God - there is no clergy in Islam. One cannot understand or practice or become a beloved of God, unless this person is on His path.

For this reason, it is imperative that we read, understand, and study, the life of the Prophet (s).

S E E R A H - The Story of Jabir bin Abdullah (((audio - 14 minutes))) by Faraz Khan March 23, 2007 - Princeton University.
This talk is based on the hadith of Jabir bin Abdullah (R) (the narrator) who lived a very difficult life. He narrates how the Prophet (s) helped him in the most dignified manner(reported by Bukhari, Muslim, and others).

What People are thinking...

I always find the most popular/frequently searched keywords very helpful. It is very telling of people and their behavior. Here's an indication of what people are thinking.

Keywords most frequently searched by NYTimes.com readers.

sex
immigration
global warming
iraq
china
pet food recall
india
education
iran
health

Visitors Comments on Cadavers

Bismillah,
Overwhemingly positive response on Body The Exhibition. Perhaps, BTE is bias in recording these comments but they are worth reading.

(read more on http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/bodies.html) Visitor Comments:

“One of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Both simple and intricate and, most of all, beautiful.”

“This exhibit has shown me more anatomy than in two years of studying book after book.”

“My husband smokes and when he saw the lungs the first thing he said to me was ‘I'm going to quit.’”

”As a teacher, I was wishing my students were here with me so we could be amazed together.”
“This exhibit makes me want to never eat fast food, drink, smoke or do anything else to damage my body.”

“What an amazing view of how much we really are all the same.”

“As an EMT, I believe I will now perform my job better.”

“I now want to take care of my body from the inside out!”

“As a medical student, I thought I knew anatomy but this exhibit fascinated me and reinvigorated my passion for the human anatomy but this exhibit fascinated me and reinvigorated my passion for the human body and for life.”

“I think the respect and dignity given to these bodies is wonderful.”

"Never take your body for granted."

"Everyone needs to experience this exhibition."

"Never before have I witnessed an exhibition so educational, so inspiring and so humbling." ...

Why Are they Angry?

I do not know, but I appreciate your comments on this article. Anything that will give us a better understanding of the situation in our schools.


On Hit Lists, Anger Finds an Outlet
By SUSAN SAULNY
Published: March 22, 2007
CHICAGO
www.times.com



TWO teenagers in Jonesboro, Ark., were overheard at a party last month bragging about a “hit list” and their plans to take a gun to school and use it on their enemies.

The plans circulated through the high school and made their way to the sheriff. The boys, 16 and 17, were arrested two weeks ago and charged with making “terroristic threats” and possessing a stolen pistol.

No hit list was found, but in other cases at schools across the country, hit lists have fallen out of lockers, been scrawled on bathroom walls and have made the rounds like hot gossip among teenagers in Web videos and on blogs...

Koran on Knowledge

"wat taqullah wa yu'alimukumullah"

Have taqwa and God will teach you

My response to Cadavers (Body Exhib.)

This cadaver issue might be too long for some folks but it is an interesting issue that was part of a discussion. You could either start with the conclusion by reading the three response from Sheikh Faraz Rabbani, Sheikh Abdullah Adhami, and Sheikh Jihad Brown, OR listen to the audio below.

I tried to put all the response to cadaver discussion in the audio file - Shari'ah perspective. First, I was only going to mention it to few brothers but I thought about the entire issue and realized that others can benefit from the conclusion below.

Bodies The Exhibition
http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/intro.html

Faraz Khan's Response (((audio)))
http://speakers.liberalartsforum.com/cadavers fatwa.mp3


------------- Q U E S T I O N ---------------------
Salam.

Hey Faraz, X said he asked you about this - they've got this exhibition going on in New York where they take bodies of people, remove the skin, and then put them in interesting poses for people to look at. Here's a picture: http://www.idealog.us/w3.jpg

We were discussing the answer below from Sunnipath and I was wondering what your opinion was of it.

Sh. Abdullah Adhami on Cadavers

email from Sheikh Abdullah al-Adhami

wa 'alaikum assalam
dear faraz:
may His grace bless you all and increase you in vigilence.

this is, technically, not a fiqh question; it's what one 'knows' they can stomach seeing,
even if just for educational purposes. the show would probably 'not be suitable' for young
children, for example. naturally, 'suitability' and 'prohibition' are distinctly different.

the eminent physician ibn al-nafis wrote a lucid commentary on the anatomy section of
ibn sina's al-qanun fi-l-tibb, renowned as liber canonis in its latin translation. i'm almost
certain that if any of our jurist imams were among us today, they would have henry grey's
anatomy in their library. it's an indispensible complement to enrich the juridical lexicon.

notwithstanding what he proclaims in his introduction (to sharH tashreeH al-qanun), the
descriptions of ibn al-nafis are remarkably detailed, and actually serve to correct numerous
assumptions that galen's treatise on the functions of body parts made.

if your friend is not a medical student, the first sentence herein is sufficient.
the rest? well, ..., along with its timeless, universal ethics, the spirit of excellence
are the landmark signature of our tradition; teachers need 'live' examples to help
pass along this magnificent trust ever onwards.

thank you for your thoughtful du'a`, and more power to you!
wassalam.

abdullah adhami

Sh. Jihad Brown on Cadavers

email from Sheikh Jihad Hashim Brown


Peace and blessings,

I will arrange for an official response in its due time. However, as a starter, what I have noticed on the BBC of this exhibit is that it has a entertainment dimension - this is called hatk hurmat al mayyit (rending the dignity of the deceased); which emanates from laqad karramna bani adam (which is understood in the all encompasing sense, i.e. Muslim or otherwise).

What can we divine to be the primary (1-3) motivators for the project? Is it something that medical students absolutely must have access to in order to better save lives?

The reduction of the human being to "matter" alone will ultimately defeat the humanist (read enlightenment) project of human rights; this is a case for the validity of natural law theory - Islam, offering the correct version of a natural law theory.

People who view such things - whether Muslim or non - always walk away feel unsure as to whether what they've just done was ethical or not. This alone is very telling.

Peace, jhb

Sh. F. Rabbani on Cadavers

---------- Forwarded message ----------

A Trip to Body World? (Exhibiting Unclothed Cadavers)

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=49&CATE=30
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani


My biology teacher told us that he has organised a trip to Body World, but that this trip is optional. I have said no because it displays dead people and they are naked. I was wondering what does Islam say about a place like Body World?




Assalamu alaikum,

It would be impermissible and sinful to go to such an exhibit, because it is impermissible to use dead bodies in such a way, and it entails abasement of the human body.

As for the educational benefits in such an exhibit, these benefits may be achieved through other means.

Allah Most High said,

"Verily, we have honored the children of Adam ."(Qur'an, 17.70)

Imam Sarakhsi said in Sharh al-Siyar al-Kabir , explained that, "A human is deserved to be honored after their death, as they do while alive," [1.228] which is why it is not permitted to use any part of a human, except in the ways the Sacred Law has permitted.

Imam Kasani said in his Bada'i` al-Sana'i` that, "The entirety of a human being has been honored. Using any detached part of it entails disrespect." [5.125] The same, a fortiori applies to displaying the entire human body, especially its nakedness.

And Allah alone gives success.

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

guldasta -e- aqidat

With joy count the days to the final hour
the meeting is with my Lord and Muhammad is the guest of honor

* * * *

O Poet don't mention 'beloved'
Lest, we forget the salutations on the Prophet.

* * * *

on hearing your name my heart complained
ah! love, how can I describe this longing pain

salah alan Nabi...
by Faraz

too busy... huh!?!

Where are the Seerah Conferences?

Lets get our priorities straight folks. Few more days and Rabi-ul-Awwal will start. The third month on the Islamic calendar. Rabi' means spring. The Prophet (s) was born in the month of Rabi' (spring). Traditionally, Muslims paid full attention to the Koran in Ramadan and Rabi' ul Awwal was reserved for studying life of the Prophet (s).

When he came, spring came with him (s). He brought with him happiness, compassion, unity, and true love of God. He filled the world with colors of love and compassion. He raised humanity from sleep to the worship of God. He came and with him he brought mercy of God "We have not sent you except as a mercy to all worlds" (Koran).

If there was no Muhammad,
there would be neither prayer, nor charity.

If there was no Muhammad,
there would be neither Quran, nor any clarity.


Call your mosque today and ask about a Sirah Seminar. Ask the Imams to remind us of the days of our Beloved and fill our hearts with his love.



The One I see

I see in darkness
The heart that is made of light

I see in this light
The truth that shine so bright

I see in a stormy night
The boat that is on the path alright

I see in your smile
The pain that is sealed inside

I see in the falling tears
The love that is on my side

I see in your love
Muhammad, God will make it Right

I see in you beloved
Muhammad, God is on my side

I see in you my heart
Muhammad, God will not keep us apart

I see in you at last
Muhammad, God's mercy so vast


sala 'alan Nabi...by Faraz Khan

Intellectual leadership

This post may seem like a blatant attempt to describe intellectual leadership of Muslims in the East and West with massive overdose of generalization. Nevertheless, I would like to draw your attention to a leadership dichotomy of the East and the West.

First of all, there are a million definitions describing intellectuals. To make it simple, I think of intellectuals as individuals who are directing or affecting the thinking of other people. Their contribution to the society or a specific group is their message (ideas). (I hope my definition isn't like putting together vertebrate of a dinosaurs’ :)

When I look at the "Eastern Muslims" i.e. the Muslim world, I find most of the intellectuals to be irreligious, secularists, who are highly influenced by the "West". They compromise the leadership of the Muslim world. They are scientists, politicians, military leaders, news editors, writers, etc. Yes, there are religious leaders who also have an impact on the masses but they do not 'lead' the Muslim world. They lead the prayer in mosques. They lead the maulid (birthday of the Prophet) in the city. They lead the jinaza (funeral procession) of a deceased person. It's not a derogatory statement, but they don't lead the Muslim world in public sphere.

On the other side of the same planet, the Western Muslim intellectuals. One of the blessings of being a minority in the West is that most American (Western) Muslims would identify their leaders as religious imams and academics. Few names that come to my mind: Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, Dr. Tariq Ramadan, Imam Zaid Shakir, Dr. AbdulHakim Jackson, etc. Obviously, this list does not include other dissenters but aforementioned leaders are having an impact. They are leaders in public and intellectual spheres.

I know this might be saying too much in few words.

…1..2..3.. start your criticism :)

Koran, a guidance for all times.

"And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the donkey." Koran(31:19).

While listening to Qari Abdul Basit reciting the Qur'an and trying to fly in my car on NJTP, I was brought to my senses with a sudden hit of reality. No, it wasn't the red and blue colors flashing behind me. And it certainly wasn't the fear of crashing into another flying object i.e. an airplane. Rather, the Qari recited the following verse, "waqsud fee mashyika..." meaning, "be moderate in your pace". I said to myself 'subhanAllah' as this verse was revealed just for me at this place and at this time. I have read and listened to this verse many times - thousands of times to be accurate. But never before I realized the significance of this aya as it hit me that God was speaking directly to me. Allahu Akbar, this book is amazing.

May Allah enable us to live Islam and become people of the Koran.

brush it aside

What's more to life? Get the music right in your head!

That Tune in Your Head Could Be Your Toothbrush
By WARREN BUCKLEITNER
NY Times
Published: March 1, 2007

Put a rock band in your mouth, along with a dab of toothpaste, with Tooth Tunes, a $10 musical toothbrush from Tiger Electronics, a division of Hasbro. The theory is that two minutes of brushing is needed to give teeth a proper cleaning. So the brush is really a kind of timer.

The feeling is a bit eerie. The sound is transferred through the brush tip, into the teeth, and right into the inner ear, so you feel the music. Because volume is related to pressure, you can turn up the volume by applying steady pressure to your teeth. Unfortunately, you can also hear better when not brushing, which children can soon learn.

The brushes, first released last fall, are being sold nationwide this month in stores or at www.toothtunes.com. They feature 17 artists, including the Black Eyed Peas, Hilary Duff, Kiss and others. There is even one that plays “Y.M.C.A.,” so theoretically you can have the Village People in your head.

The switch is slime-proof, and batteries are included, providing power for up to six months. When they run out, you throw the brush away — and, Hasbro hopes, buy a new tune. Now you can tell your child to “keep brushing until Queen has finished, honey.”

Our Responsibility

There is a tremendous amount of responsibility on our shoulders. The Muslim community is different from its forerunners in searching for the American dream. In this modern materialistic mayhem, we are the only community who can offer a panacea for the spiritually dead hearts.
Similar to any disease, the moral decay in this blessed land of ours has signs and symptoms. The pop culture represented by film, television, radio, video games, book publishing, internet, comics etc. is fast eroding the banks of the river. Unfortunately, the country that was founded on the principle, "In God We Trust" has given way to "Obey Your Thirst". What is our contribution?
This is an open call to swim against the current and to rescue others. The American Muslim community can contribute to a healthy, beautiful, and moral America only when we go beyond our narcissistic impetus and contribute to the spiritual need of America.

In God We Trust.

What We NEED

"I say, seek forgiveness of your Lord, He is Oft-forgiving. He will send down rain from the heavens. He will increase you in wealth, children, gardens, and rivers. What is the matter with you that you do not recognize the status of God. Yet, He is the one who created you in many stages" (Surah Nuh).

WHAT WE NEED
KHUTBA: NBIC March 2, 2007
by Faraz Khan
Time: 23 min.

not so beautiful...

Is Looking Your Age Now Taboo?
By NATASHA SINGER
Published: March 1, 2007

"BACK when she was in her early 40s and her skin was still smooth and unlined, Susan Burke used to joke that she was going to have a face-lift the minute she turned 45. The deadline came and went.
But now that Ms. Burke has turned 50, she is feeling pressure to do something about the changes she sees in the mirror. Wrinkles have started to appear. Grocery store clerks have started calling her “ma’am.” And many of her friends have already made the leap to the range of procedures promoted to make them look younger than their years. “The eyelift, that’s very popular,” said Ms. Burke, a registered nurse from Point Pleasant, N.J. “The Botox, everybody is getting it. And the fillers.”

Her concerns are the wrinkles between her eyebrows and the creases that run from the corners of her nose to her mouth, she said. “It would make me happy to be able to turn those things back a little bit.”

She is not alone. Though the number of Americans who regularly have cosmetic facial injections is estimated to be only about one million, the mere availability of the procedures has heightened the pressure on women over 30 to consider a level of intervention that until recently was embraced only by the famous or the rich.

“Women have always been under pressure to look good, but that has increased recently because we have become so used to seeing perfect, unwrinkled faces,” Ms. Burke said. “Now when you see someone who looks like a raisin or a prune, it seems so unusual that you are almost repulsed"...”

Beauty is only skin deep, that much they know before getting the surgery done. In this materialistic society of ours, the heart is poisoned and the face is given an 'uplift'. People run after ephemeral things: beauty, money, house, cars, etc. They sell their life so cheap. A Muslim scholar once asked, 'What's the price for the most expensive thing you posses - your life?' Some people said, a million dollar, others insisted on few billions, etc. The scholar replied, 'But they buy it much cheaper from you when you sit idle watching TV, surfing internet, shooting emails, movie vigils, etc.'
People worry about few wrinkles over their eyes yet they neglect the stench from within. Flawless skin is not synonymous with flawless character. The difference between the two is like night and day.

Although 'beauty' is sold in the surgery rooms today, unfortunately, character is not for sale.

need light?

Fashion Diary
Folk Wear for the World
LIGHT MAGIC The Paris runway show by Viktor & Rolf.
By GUY TREBAY
Published: March 1, 2007
WHEN it comes to figuring out what drives fashion and what the people who make it may be trying to tell us, sometimes a light bulb goes on, literally. This occurred on Monday at the Viktor & Rolf show, when the Dutch designers staged a runway presentation that had each model entering a darkened space with an elaborate metal armature protruding from her clothing and equipped with speakers playing different strains of music and spotlights that framed her in a solitary nimbus.

The obvious message, that we are fast becoming solipsistic units of consumption, each moving around in an alienated personal theater of the self, barely merits a yawn. And the point could have been made less cumbersomely had each model come out with her iPod ear buds plugged in and illuminated in the eerie blue glow of a P.D.A. or a cellphone..." (NY Times)


Reflection: On that day, believers will find light (nur) due to mercy of God. They will walk in light, on their right side and in front. While hypocrites will search and ask to share the light of believers. They would be told "go back and find your own light". In this moment of anxiety and fear a barrier will be placed between believers and hypocrites. Inside of this barrier will be believers in nur and tranquility. However, on the outside will be disbelievers in painful chastisement (Surah al-Hadid).

"O our Lord make perfect for us our light (nur), forgive us; Surely, You never fail to fulfill your promise" (Surah al-tahrim)