The Collective Aim Of The Ummah - Calling People unto Allah

The Collective Aim Of The Ummah

We Muslims are the member of an Ummah (Islamic community) whose sole purpose of existence and the aim of installation, according to Qur’an, is none other than calling people to Allah. As such,  in this terrestrial existence not only our dignity and honor depends on realizing this collective aim, but our very existence as a religious community  also depends on executing this duty in the right earnest. In the seventeenth section  (ruku) of Surah Al-Baqarah (the Cow), along with the order for the change of Qiblah, the following verse was revealed:

“And thus have We made you an exalted (middle) nation (Ummah), that you may be the bearers of witness against the people and (that) the Messenger of Allah may be the bearer of witness against you.”   (2: 143)

The divine order for the change of Qiblah was in fact a symbol that henceforth the custodian of the mosque of   Jerusalem i.e. the sons of Israel have been deprived of the guardianship of the holy place and of their position as the upholders of the divine guidance. And in their place were installed the sons of Ismael as the custodians of the Holy Kaba at Makkah Al-Mukarramah and as the new recipients and propagators of the Divine Guidance. Quite obviously, the sons of Ismael occupy the pivotal and nuclear position in the Muslim Ummah. As such their language was chosen for the revelation of the last Divine Book, and their customs and practices with amendments, modifications, additions and omissions have become the warp and woof of the last divinely revealed code of life. Other nations - akhereen - which joined them later in Islam became in essence an integral part of them. This indeed was a great blessing of God on them. But it was a privilege of only “Ummiyyeen” (unlettered people of Arabia) that the last Prophet (SAW) was chosen from amongst them.

The objective and aim of the formation of this Ummah has been described very clearly thus in Surah Al-i-Imran:

“You are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) men: you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah.”  (3:110)

This  verse  makes  it  crystal  clear  that,  according  to  the  Qur’an,  there  is  a  radical difference in the ultimate aims and goals of the Muslim Ummah and other nations and communities of the world. By and large the goals which most nations of the world have been aiming  at  are  self-aggrandizement,  political  power  and  military  armaments,  amassing  of wealth, and subjugation of other peoples for their own selfish ends. This subjugation has been both political and/or cultural and economic. On the other hand, the aim and object of the very existence of this Ummah is that Allah (SWT) is recognized as the Lord of the Universe, His commands are exalted and upheld by all, the truth triumphs, virtues and good deeds flourish and vices and wickedness are completely uprooted. In other words, this Ummah is in reality the representative of God on earth: an agency for the propagation of virtue and an institution for the total eradication of evil and falsehood from this world.

Source: Calling People unto Allah (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)

To be continued....

CALLING PEOPLE UNTO ALLAH - Its Need, Importance and Fundamental Principles

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

AND WHO IS BETTER IN SPEECH THAN ONE WHO CALLS (MEN) TO ALLAH, WHILE HE DOES RIGHTEOUS DEEDS AND SAYS, I AM SURELY OF THOSE WHO SURRENDER (UNTO HIM)? (41:33)

After reciting the above verse, the gathering was addressed thus:

In fact I do not deem myself competent enough to address such a magnificent religious gathering. But as you have invited me to speak to you on this occasion, I comply most humbly by submitting a few random thoughts on topic which might be really beneficial to those who, according to a Qur’anic verse, “hear and bear witness.” It is expected only of such listeners that my words may find a place in their heart.

I have based my talk on the above stated verse from the Holy Qur’an i.e.

“And who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, while he does righteous deeds, and says, I am surely of those who surrender (unto Him)”.

The topic of my talk is Islamic Da’wah – or calling and inviting people to Allah (SWT). I have chosen this particular topic for two reasons: 
1. The Collective Aim of the Ummah and 
2. The foremost Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).

Source: Calling People unto Allah (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)

To be Continued....

Calling People unto Allah

CALLING PEOPLE UNTO ALLAH

Its Need, Importance And Fundamental Principles

DR. ISRAR AHMAD

English Translation by

Dr. Absar Ahmad

Shoba Samo Basr

Markazi Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Qur’an

PREFACE

This booklet is an adaptation of a lecture which Dr. Israr Ahmad, Founder President of Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Quran and Ameer, Tanzeem-i-Islami, delivered in  October 1967 at  the annual moot of Jamia  Muhammadia  in  Multan  (Pakistan). Dispelling many popular misconceptions regarding Da’wah, Dr. Israr Ahmad discusses in detail the utmost importance of  the  religious duty  on  each Muslim of calling people to Islam as the cardinal “Sunnah” of the Holy Prophet (SAW). It is due to this duty that this Ummah has been given by Allah (SWT) the title of the best Ummah. If the Muslims forget this bounden duty of theirs, they are but a nation among the nations of the world. They have neither any good in them nor any reason for superiority over others.

It is hoped that the booklet will motivate Muslims in discharging their religious obligations in respect of propagating and disseminating the message of Islam.

ABSAR AHMAD

Director,

English Department Quran Academy,

Lahore.

Source: Calling People unto Allah (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)

To be continued....

Organization - Compulsory for Both Men and Women - Religious Obligations of Muslim Women

Organization - Compulsory for Both Men and Women

Nonetheless, I believe that Jama'ah (organization) is necessary for both men and women. It provides a positive environment in which we take inspiration from others. It is on the account of being a part of this collective existence that we find motivation to do more and more good deeds and the courage to abandon the Nawahi (the forbidden things). Therefore, Allah (SWT) has not deprived women of the blessings and spiritual benefits of belonging to an organization. Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Taubah:

"And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; that enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and that establish worship and they pay, the poor-due and that obey Allah and His messenger (SAW). As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise." [Al-Qur’an 9:71]

It was due to the blessings and benefits of the organizational environment that the Prophet (SAW) took Bai'yah from Muslim women as well. As a result, women felt that they were also part of an organization, that they too had allegiance to a leader that they also had to listen and obey the commands of the Prophet (SAW), that they also had to do good deeds, and that they were under an oath. This gave rise to the spirit of self-criticism, that if they deviated from their oath, then they would be breaching the covenant and held responsible for it.

Consequently, we have a women's wing in Tanzeem-e-Islami and they also take Bai’yah. Our highest priority is to emulate, in all matters and as closely as humanly possible, the example set by our Prophet (SAW). Consequently, in the Tanzeem that we have formed for the purpose of bringing about an Islamic Revolution, we expect both men and women to refrain from evil and to struggle for making Allah's Word supreme and we consider both men and women as being bound by the pledge of allegiance occurring in the 111th verse of Surah Al-Taubah.

"Allah hath purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth through the Torah, the Gospel and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme." [Al-Qur’an 9:111]

‘Fee al-Maroof' refers to obeying someone as long as the orders are within the bounds of Shari'ah. In case of the Prophet (SAW), such condition need not exist, however, for any other leader it is necessary to enforce this condition.

However, the more stricter Bai'yah of "listening and obeying fee al-Ma'roof", which we find in an agreed-upon Hadith, has been exclusively reserved for men only. The oath administered to women is the one found in the 12th verse of Surah Mumtahanah.

"O Prophet! when believing women come to thee to take the oath of allegiance to you that they will not associate in worship any other thing with Allah that they will not steal that they will not commit adultery (or fornication) that they will not kill their children that they will not utter slander intentionally forging falsehood and that they will not disobey you in any just matter, then you should receive their allegiance and pray to Allah for the forgiveness (of their sins): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." [Al-Qur'an 60:12]

In the said verse, instead of positive demand of "listen and obey", women are asked "not to disobey" the messenger of Allah (SWT). It is easy to note that the pledge of allegiance for women is much more lenient as compared to men. This is further supported by the fact that the above Ayah includes the wording of ‘Fee Ma'roof’ even in the obedience to the Prophet (SAW).

In conclusion, women need to belong to a Jama'ah and to pledge allegiance to an Ameer so that they can have constant self-censor and a consciousness of being an active participant in the struggle for the establishment of Deen. However, they are not entrusted with the responsibility of directly taking part in this struggle. They have a comparatively more passive, but equally vital, role to play. Hence, the best course of action for them is to stick to their Divinely-prescribed role. 

May Allah (SWT) prevent us from taking on unnecessary burdens and May He (SWT) help us in performing our duties in the best possible manner. Ameen!

Source: Religious Obligations of Muslim Women (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)

  

Difference between Bai'yah of Men and Women - Religious Obligations of Muslim Women

Difference Between Bai'yah of Men and Women

Bai'yah - A pledge of allegiance

Regarding the differences between men and women, a significant difference exists in the Bai’yah of the two genders. Just before the Hijrah, the Prophet (SAW) took the pledge for Iqamah al-Deen, also known as the Second Pledge of 'Aqabah, only from his male companions. The terms of this oath were very strict and demanded the obedience to the Ameer - leader - under all circumstances, even if one has to force himself against his will. It also required one to obey all the persons in the hierarchy of authority other than the Ameer. Without doubt the terms and conditions of this oath are very strict, but the formation of an organized and dedicated group of people who are ready to make any kind of sacrifice to bring about an Islamic revolution, cannot be achieved without such discipline. In the oath, therefore, the whole emphasis is on discipline and maintenance of this discipline is guaranteed positively by stressing the right attitude of "listen and obey" and negatively by sealing off all doors that might lead to disobedience or disorder in the ranks of the revolutionary group.

As far as the Bai'yah of women is concerned, at the occasion of the Second Pledge of 'Aqabah, there is no mention of either women not taking part in it, nor any mention of a separate Bai'yah for them (even though the presence of at least two women, at this occasion, is confirmed). However, the oath administered to women, as can be proved by the Qur'an and Sunnah, is basically an oath of piety and righteousness: to denounce all gods but Allah, to give up bad deeds - harming, lying, stealing, adultery, fabricating falsehoods and finally not to go against any order of Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (SAW). The words used, in this Bai'yah are same as those of the First Pledge of 'Aqabah, which took place a year before the second pledge, taken 'from twelve men from Yathrib (Madinah). This proves that the strict discipline, required of men, as members of a disciplined organization, is not required of women. This can be naturally explained by the fact that women are not supposed to directly participate in the highest stage of religious responsibilities. Their participation is more of an indirect nature.

It should be pointed out that the Bai'yah taken by the Sufiyaah, known as Bai'yah al-Irshad, is similar to the one taken by the women. This is due to the fact that the concept of Iqamah al-Deen as an obligation is non-existent among them.

Source: Religious Obligations of Muslim Women (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)