* - FOLLOW HIM - * - 10 Muharram, 1436

* - FOLLOW HIM - * - 10 Muharram, 1436

SHORT LINK: http://bit.ly/1tTxAaQ

-       Some attached images also and note starts after message below:

Fasting on 9th and 10th Muharram OR 10th and 11th Muharram, expiates (removes) the 'sagheera' sins of the previous year, according to sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Jews used to fast on 10th Muharram only, so Muslims have been asked to fast on two days in order to be different from them. But we should also endeavor to lead our lives according to the teachings of Islam on overall basis, that is most important.

* - FOLLOW HIM - * - 10 Muharram, 1436

10^th Muharram arrives again and reminds us about some forgotten lessons. It is a day when we should in fact pledge our allegiance to uphold the sanctity of true Islam and to defend its image by ‘striving’ to be good Muslims and good human beings all through the year. Being a good human is in fact part of being a good Muslim but some religious people are not aware of that thus imparting a negative image to Islam. Pride can creep in also and destroy our faith hence humility is the best choice for us. Some religious activists who work on big scales sometimes pass comments like “I am working literally alone….” which is very disappointing and they are not aware themselves of what they are doing!

Islam is Islam, it is neither Sunni nor Shia. Whether we attach RA or AS with Imam Hussain’s name, both are used as a measure of respect but some people like to raise concerns over that. The real question is, should we mourn over Hussain (ra) or should we follow Hussain (ra)? Holy Qur’an is the same for all so at least Muslims should try to understand and value its teachings. However, some people neglect Qur’anic teachings but are very touchy about Islamic personalities of the bygone era who were themselves very keen about following the message of Allah and His Prophet (Sal-Allahu Alaihi Wa-alaihi Wassallam) compared to sinners like us.

There is a story I want to relate also today. It is about someone I have personally known all my life and he is an year elder to me. The man moved to USA from Pakistan and Allah (swt) granted him success in his chosen field. He proudly exclaimed some years back that he has two BMWs as he rose higher in his career. He got married and Allah blessed him with a beautiful son. His parents also go around telling people that their son is General Manager in a Multinational firm in USA. Everything is going well for him seemingly but wait. In spite of having a fulfilling career and marital life, he is addicted to porn as he shared with me. And he is not ashamed of that. I tried to talk him out of it through our Facebook chat and told him that what he is doing is absolutely wrong but he started abusing me instead. I shared the following Qur’anic verse with him also recently in good intention and told him that the final judge is the Almighty so it is better if we reorient our ways: “Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.” – The Holy Qur’an (2:7).

Allah knows best but hearts are sealed due to constant sinning (and not repenting afterwards), not knowing what is sin and what is not, not making efforts to understand the spirit of Islam, refuting people of faith and submitting to ‘Nafs’.

The above topic is something we don’t discuss openly but considering the challenges of current times, we need to address it as well in an appropriate manner. He is the same man also who defends Israel and USA and lays all blame on Afghan Taliban for the global events after 9/11. Even though we cannot be sure about the different groups currently engaged in armed struggle against NATO forces in Afghanistan, but the fact remains that the group which was there in Afghanistan around 9/11, was righteous. Again, we should not ignore Yvonne Ridley’s story of conversion to Islam due to the benevolence of those Muslims in Afghanistan.

LASTLY A MESSAGE (AND CHECK THE ATTACHED IMAGES ALSO): Though terrorist groups like ISIS and TTP have hijacked the concept of Islamic State, but the Islamic State is not a dream, nor is it a figment of the imagination, for it had dominated and influenced history for more than thirteen hundred years. It is a reality, it has always been and always will be. The vital elements of its existence are far greater than can be ignored or fought against by anything or anyone. The enlightened people have adopted it and it is the wish of the Ummah which is eager for the return of the glory of Islam. The Islamic State is not a desire that one aims to satisfy but an obligation that Allah has decreed for the Muslims and commanded them to fulfill. He warned of the punishment awaiting those who neglect this duty and promised reward to those who pursue this duty.

-       S Roman Ahsan.