Islam And Kafir Life; No Similarity or Compatibility Whatsoever

Sincere Believers in the Quran, and those of us returning to Islam, must be aware of the fact that Islam and Kufr (Disbelief) are two totally opposite systems of life. These lifestyles are travelling in totally opposite directions and are not designed to be compatible or comfortable with each other.  Islam will always appear to be a threat to the eyes of the Disbelievers and their leaders, no matter how many assurances Muslims may give them. So all the assurances that today’s Muslim “appeasers” are scurrying to present to Western politicians are wasted efforts and will only continue to create confusion in the lives and minds of sincere Believers around the world.  In the Quran, Allah says plainly:

                “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with you

                Unless you follow their form of “religion”…(Quran 2:120)

In this same piece of advice, He confirms what is going to happen if we pursue these “social” strategies;

                “…Were you to follow their desires after the knowledge which has reached you,

                Then will you find neither Protector nor Helper against Allah.”

Heedless of this advice, “Muslim leaders” today are trying to make a liar out of Allah. They continue to cosy up to unbelievers and misinterpret the teachings of Allah and His Messenger in the hope that the unbelievers will somehow begin to like us.

The problems of current Kafir societies are products of Disbelief in Allah and disobedience to His instructions. The leaders and maintainers of these societies are knowingly competing with Allah to create their own version of lifestyles for humans. They know what Allah commands but are knowingly defiant. They do not respect or follow their own scriptures; what makes today’s “Muslim leaders” think that they will respect and follow ours?

The signature characteristic of Disbelief (Kufr) is Ignorance; the deep-seated arrogance that makes the unbeliever deaf, dumb and blind! If today’s Muslims would pay attention to the information given to us by Allah in the Quran, we would see the true obstacle that we are really up against. As early as Surah 2, Allah explains to us clearly that the Message is meant only for “those who fear Allah.” (Quran 2: 2). In this same advice, Allah explains to those who will listen:

            “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

             As to those who Disbelieve, it is the same to them

Whether you warn them or do not warn them;

They will not believe.

Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing

And on their eyes is a veil;

And for them is a great punishment. “

(Quran 2; 6-7)

If Muslims will contemplate the results, we will see that Allah speaks The Truth! Muslim “leaders” and the Muslim population alike should be more concerned with consolidating the Muslim community worldwide and less worried with resolving the problems created by the willful arrogance of Disbelief. Unfortunately, we have absorbed so many ignorant concepts about “religion” that we are currently mirror-images of the disbelievers in our own communities.  Allah and His Messenger have clearly defined for Believers the definition of a Believer. Allah and His Messenger have also warned us that hypocrites will infiltrate the community if we become careless. In Surah 2: 8-10, Allah says:

                “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                Among the people there are some who say: ‘We believe

                In Allah and the Last Day’; but they are not Believers.

                They are trying to deceive Allah and the Believers

                But they are deceiving only themselves and do not understand.

In their hearts is a disease and Allah has increased their disease

And for them is a great punishment because they are liars.” 

Muslim communities today are riddled with these characters, many of them in positions of influence and authority. We know them by their actions, but are tolerating their hypocrisy because they call themselves “Muslim”.  Sincere Believers need to rethink our current relationship with the Quran and the Hadith (training by the Prophet). We need to reestablish in our lives the proper educational hierarchy of Islam: 1) The instructions of Allah (the Quran), 2) the Hadith (training by the Prophet), 3)other Islamic instructions.  Islam is a system of life based on the practical Guidance and Instructions of Allah; it is not a bundle of ephemeral, esoteric “beliefs”. Muslims do not “hope” that our actions are correct. Allah Himself assures us as early as Surah 2: 5  

“In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                They (followers of Quran’s instructions) are on TRUE GUIDANCE from their Lord,

                And they are the Successful.”

We must understand that and have no doubt about what we are doing when we become Muslim.  We do not need the approval or instruction of Unbelievers to follow the teachings of the Quran. Allah has already told us that they will never approve of anyone of us becoming Muslim. Again, very early in the Quran (2: 109), Allah tells us:

                “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                Quite a number of the People of the Book wish they could turn you

                Back to Disbelief after you have believed…”

The truth of that statement has never changed! We can see it today in the actions of Christian “charitable” organizations working in Muslim lands. They do not give “charity” to those who do not convert to Christianity. 

 Moreover, many “Muslims”, faced with this situation, accept this illogical philosophy because it is backed by tangible material benefits compared to the material hardships of their native beliefs.  The distasteful truth is that most of today’s “Muslims” are “Muslim” by birthright, not by personal informed consent.  Therefore, they are as ignorant about the foundation and specifics of Islam as are most adherents of other lifestyles (religions). They are taught by Muslim teachers and “educators” about the “religion” of Islam but have no concept of the lifestyle of Islam. When confronted about Islam with the misconceptions of Disbelievers, they either waste valuable energy trying to “defend” corrupted misrepresentations of the Islamic life or submit to ignorance and try to adjust their “practice” of Islam to comply with Kafir recommendations.

Although Islam is the birthright of every human being, the title of “Muslim” must be earned! It is not a family heirloom to be willed to unappreciative descendants.  Allah, in Quran, is quite specific about who is or is not a Believer and to whom the Message is directed:

                “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                This is the Book; there is nothing doubtful in it;

It is a guide to God-fearing people…”

(Quran 2: 2)

Allah clearly defines the characteristics of “God-fearing people” and gives the definite assurance (not hope) that such people are the Successful. (Quran 2: 3-5). Without a doubt, He is speaking about living a successful life, both in this life and beyond.  The Quran, Allah states, is the Guidance to accomplish this task. A Muslim, therefore, is a person who consciously accepts this Guidance.  When a Muslim implements these instructions and becomes educated in the system of life Allah teaches, then he becomes a true Believer (Mu’min); he has practical (not just emotional) conviction that this system of life is truly beneficial.  This is what is sadly lacking in what passes for “Muslim communities” throughout the world today. As long as Muslims continue to teach and embrace the misconception that Islam is a “religion”, not a practical everyday life system, then we will continue to attract unflattering, derogatory criticism and attacks from Kafir systems everywhere. Islam does not fit the preconceived notions of official “religion” and never will. Therein lies the conflict and uneasiness about it.

 Yet, despite all efforts to demonize Islam and Muslims, a steady tide of new people are returning to Islam and abandoning disbelieving systems of life all over the earth. This development is driving Kafir leaders nuts. They cannot understand the lure of Islam and the Quran. Before their very eyes, they see previously unruly, hopeless people transform into openly God-fearing people, demanding to be allowed to faithfully follow the commands of the Creator; refusing to participate in ignorant, useless materialism.

By the Grace of Allah, these people have willingly consented to accept the structured life of Islam under the Guidance of Allah and abandon the empty lifestyle of Ignorance (Kufr).  Unlike Kufr, Islam offers a clear roadmap for mending the human soul and uniting it with its True Lord and the rest of the Creation. Understanding the teachings of Allah in Quran removes the restless doubt that comes from ignorance about the true values of Life. It produces a peace of mind that cannot be found anywhere else.  To every sincere Believer, Allah gives this assurance:

                “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                Allah is the Protector of those who have faith:

                From the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.

                Of those who disbelieve, their Teachers are the Evil Ones:

                From light, they will lead them into the depths of darkness.

                They will be companions of The Fire, to dwell therein forever.”

                (Quran 2: 257)

The task confronting sincere Muslims today is a simple one: educate yourself in the teachings of the Quran! That is the source of our understanding of Life. Read the Quran for understanding. Read the Quran for understanding and knowledge of what it teaches. Follow the instructions of the Quran, regardless of what contemporary Muslim educators teach. We are commanded by Allah and His Messenger to become the best of humanity. You don’t have to be an “official” scholar to understand the words of Allah.  Understand that the written book you know as the Quran contains the transcript of a 23-year long speech by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Ordinary people who heard it were able to understand it then. It has not changed.  Anybody who hears it now and wants to obey Allah has the assurance of Allah that Allah will guide them. 

 The roadmap of the establishment of Islam lies in the historical process followed by the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). We do not have to resort to ignorant, destructive actions to create true Muslim communities nor do we need to become embroiled in the social controversies of the Kafir community.  In Surah 3: 56, Allah forewarns Muslims: “As to those who Disbelieve, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help.” The avalanches of conflicts we see today are the products of their own disbelief and disobedience to the instructions of Allah.  We need not concern ourselves with their problems. Instead, we must follow the instructions given to us and implement the lifestyle that we say we believe in as Muslims. It is time that we heed the call of Allah and His Messenger with intelligence and sincerity:

                “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

                O you who believe: enter into Islam wholeheartedly

 And follow not the footsteps of the Evil One;

For he is to you an avowed enemy.”

(Quran 2: 208)

Read the Quran …with Understanding for Guidance.

It is the goal and desire of every sincere Muslim to read the Quran… in Arabic… not necessarily to understand what it teaches. This statement may shock many of us … even outrage some of us, but it’s very true. Most Muslims who actually read the Quran in Arabic have no idea of what it says! They can recite the actual words of the Quran but have not taken the time to understand what those words mean. In itself, the act of memorizing the words of the Quran is admirable (and encouraged), but empty memorization (which is currently practiced by Muslims) is detrimental and misleading. Muslims are currently being motivated to learn the Quran in the Arabic language because of “blessings” associated with the task, but no emphasis is placed on understanding what is being memorized. As a result of this practice, Quran illiteracy is widespread within Muslim communities, leading to the existence of zealous but ignorant “believers” easily swayed by the whims and misconceptions of “Muslim scholars”.

It is well-known in the Muslim world that the Arabic text which accompanies most translations is the actual record of the words uttered by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The non-Arabic text is supposed to be an explanation of what the Arabic text means. To many Muslims, this explanation is NOT considered as “the Quran” because of the inability of many languages to translate the depth of meaning conveyed by the Arabic word. Because of this, it is believed by the average Muslim that you have to become an “official” scholar (undertake years of formal study) to personally understand the teachings of the Quran. Therefore, the translations are not considered with the same reverence as the Arabic text. Thus the mental abnormality between “reading” and “understanding” the Quran which is so normal to today’s Muslims.  

It is the understanding of the teachings of the Quran which was responsible for the meteoric rise of Islam during and shortly after the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). It is the guidance received from understanding the teachings and prescribed practices from the Quran that resulted in the formation of the incredible historic Muslim civilizations which today’s Muslims so proudly proclaim. Placing the Quranic command to “read” in its proper context should help to clarify the confusion surrounding the current practice of reading without understanding rampant in Muslim communities. 

Historically, the Quran was revealed to an Arab in the language he understood, so that he could warn the Arabs, in a language they understood, about the consequences of their behavior, and show them a better way of living than what they were used to. The Quran was spoken in public for 23 years to people who could understand what they were hearing. It is therefore logical to believe that the personal transformations that took place within the Arabs and their surroundings were due to the understanding of the Quranic instructions that every believer received as they heard it. Islamic history tells us that when any instruction was unclear to individuals, they questioned the Prophet (peace be upon him) as to what he meant. These incidents are contained in the books of hadith (records of what the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his companions taught and did). So the command to “read the Quran (even with difficulty)”, surely implied “read with understanding” to early Muslims.

Today we have a written record of that same speech. Some of our misconceptions may be due to the fact that now we view the Quran as a book, comparable to other books, not as the stirring, compelling speech it actually is, thereby losing much of its desired effect in the transition. It is the general characteristic of books to be the product of the author’s personal mindset and opinions compiled in a private setting, away from the distractions of others. The history of the Quran verifies its revelation in the public arena with no personal claim from the Messenger (Peace be upon him) as to its authorship.Indeed, in many places in the Quran, the Quran itself states: “It is not Muhammad who teaches you; it is Allah”.

In many verses of the Quran, Allah Himself states that the Quran is “guidance for people with understanding”, not for people who just carelessly listen to it. In fact, Allah condemns those who do not pay attention to the Message of the Quran. He even compares such people to donkeys carrying books. There is no blessed effect to be obtained from ignorance in the face of knowledge. Allah Himself condemns unbelievers in the Message because they “are people without knowledge or understanding.” 

Today’s Muslims are encouraged to persevere to read the Quran in Arabic because there is “blessing” attached to every letter of Arabic that a believer reads in the process of reading the Quran. This advice is attributed the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Taken out of context, this justifies the Quran-reading abnormality that currently promotes reading without understanding. To an Arab of the time, this would have been an encouragement to personally find out what the Quran was teaching, even if it required learning to read (which was not prevalent back then). In Surah 2, Allah reminds Believers: “…Do not treat Allah’s signs as a Jest, but solemnly rehearse Allah’s favors on you, and the fact that He sent down to you the Book and Wisdom for your instruction…” (Quran 2:231). Later in that same Surah, He emphasizes: “He (Allah) grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed an overflowing benefit; but none will grasp the Message except men of understanding” (Quran 2:269). This statement is again repeated in Surah 3: 7 and many other places in the Quran. Should we not consider this a directive to readjust our current approach to reading and teaching the Quran to “regular” Believers?

We can prolong this discussion with many more observations and arguments, but that seems unnecessary. The point of this discussion is simply to highlight the need to restructure the current approach to Quran training in the Muslim community. Too many sincere and dedicated believers are not receiving the benefits of their diligent efforts. May we reiterate that the irresistible force that propelled our Muslim ancestors from the chaotic brutishness of ancient Arab society to the pinnacle of human civilization is the fact that they were people who understood and believed in Allah’s commands as told to them by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)? We’ve got the same speech, by the same prophet, so why don’t we have the same results today?

Salaat – One of the Greatest Gifts of Allah to Believers

The Islamic requirement of Salaat – prayer – 5 times a day is one of the greatest gifts of Allah to a Believer. On the surface, Salaat may seem to be an inconvenience for people engaged in the stress of earning a daily living, especially wage-earners. To those of us who view Salaat as a “religious” duty, it may also appear to be a bit much. For new returnees to Islam, it may also seem to be a disruption to their regular living routine because it breaks up the day into 5 prayer zones that must be observed by anyone claiming to be a Muslim. This is so, no matter where in the world we reside. And for those of us living under Kafir systems , the mandatory performance of Salaat 5 times a day is no small matter. But the true blessings of Salaat are precisely related to its 5-times-a-day requirement in the life of every sincere Believer.

To begin to appreciate the significance of Salaat, you have to keep in mind the purpose of the Guidance sent to us by Allah: to develop each sincere Believer into His servant and representative on earth. That relationship requires a personal acceptance of Allah’s guidance and instructions daily and adjusting your behavior to fit them. It also requires a daily accounting of a Believer’s performance of these duties to Allah. Believers live a structured, guided life; conscious of duty to Allah and responsive to this relationship with Him. Salaat is, therefore, an established point of contact with our Lord and True Master.

The structure of Salaat requires that the Believer do several things before and during the prayer. For instance, a Believer must be conscious of what he/she says and does during Salaat.  Each posture during Salaat requires the Believer to make certain affirmations and these affirmations must be sincere to have any value to the Believer. Each performance of Salaat usually ends with personal requests for favors from Allah, the least of which is guidance and forgiveness for wrongs committed during that day. Are you beginning to see the big picture and the true blessings of salaat yet?

This is the opportunity that Allah affords to the sincere Believer 5 times every day of the Believer’s life! In the quest to be righteous, every Believer is given 5 chances to get the job done right every day and to request forgiveness for all shortcomings and any wrongdoing that may be wittingly or unwittingly committed within each fragment of the day! Salaat breaks up each day into 5 time slots, each containing only several hours at a time, making it easier for a Believer to practice righteousness from hour to hour. Each Salaat is an opportunity for the Believer to return to Allah – The Source – and seek a do-over and greater guidance during each period of performance of life. Allah has given the assurance that He hears the prayer of every supplicant and that His is the rule of Mercy. In His Message, the Quran, He assures Believers that He has unlimited resources which He gives to whomever He chooses. Salaat is the doorway to those resources.  How generous is Allah in granting every Believer throughout the world access to those resources 5 times a day?

When viewed from this perspective, can anyone professing to be Muslim still consider Salaat an inconvenience in any way, shape or form? One additional point needs to be highlighted before conclusion of this discussion. Salaat requires approximately 5 minutes to be performed in every due period of time. If the Believer wants to use more time, that is also permitted. Additionally, Salaat  can be performed at any given point during the span of time allotted for its performance, with minor exceptions for Asr prayer. As can be seen, Allah has given Believers every convenience to seek His bounty and forgiveness each day. Therefore, Salaat must be viewed as One of the greatest Gifts and Mercies of Allah to Humanity. And to neglect it should be considered to be one of the worst injustices you can do to yourself.