Follow the Idol Breaker
One of the rituals of Hajj is the throwing of pebbles at the three pillars of temptation that symbolizes Satan, when he tried to dissuade Prophet Ibrahim from carrying out the command of God.
The pile of broken umbrellas, huge rocks, and of course, rubber slip-ons of all hue piled around the pillars of temptation tell more than a story. The minor story of course is that some people come to Hajj unprepared and thus unaware what to hurl at Satan. The major story is that why only small pebbles are needed. The questions, what to hurl and why only small pebbles are closely connected.
The completion of the rites of Hajj, as we know them, was executed by Prophet Muhammad after he removed all idols from the Kabah. The objects that needed major demolition equipment had been done away and what now remain are fresh idols that keep cropping up at all times. The need for heavy demolition equipment does exist, but the heavy-duty stuff that needs to be removed are not big rocks of idols, but the rocks of corruption, greed, power, vanity and self-indulgence. The equipment needed to remove these rocks, are sincere doses of God Consciousness (Taqwa).
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), perhaps, the foremost idol-breaker, launched a mission against idolatry when it was the absolute norm - he stood firm against the tide of idol worship and challenged this deep-rooted social norm. Today, we live amidst a tide of idols, however, these idols, although man-made like their predecessors, enjoy a form that is far more deceptive than the word idol usually conjures up for us. The modern day idols of the love for power or recognition is taking many forms, and most often these idols in the guise of current-day social norm are not only hurtful to the individual but indeed the community.
Prophet Ibrahim was confronted by the same psychological and emotional challenges that confront us: making and worshipping idols was the norm, and in his case the family's livelihood too. This is where his greatness lies that he was able to break from these barriers and demolish the idols. Yes, there was opposition, but none from within him. He felt no fear, no hesitancy in undoing his family's source of income. He was driven by a desire to break the shekels of idolatry and establish the worship of One true God.
The jihad (struggle) of Prophet Ibrahim is as relevant for us today, as it was thousands of years ago. Today, although it seems that no physical idols need be broken, but many idols confront us: there are still billions who are worshipping man-made idols, there are many who, drunk with power, are devastating human rights at will, and above all human beings live with false notions of wealth.
The popular ditty goes: "What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Humanity is held in deception and awaiting Muslims to break psychological and emotional idols and free themselves and the rest from this temporal world.
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I wish u success for the Jihad u're doing by trying to reach muslims' conscience by clarifying the situation of the actuall world.
I am a regular visitor of this site and Its a quite pleasure to me writing this piece of note just to appreciate your efforts towards enlighting muslim ummah,and may ALLAH in his infinite mercy rewards you with all you desire.
Thanks alot may Allah contineu to guide you.
MUNTAKA ...
Jazakum Allah khair.
We Muslims all over the world have submitted to man and his weapons and economic strength instead of submitting to Allah. I bear witness there is NO God but Allah. What does that mean? Does that mean in times of trouble I'll leave my Country and move to the U.S so that I don't have to fight and I can get a good job or start a business, drive a nice car and talk about real Islam? Does that mean that I watch the news as if I am watching a reality show and say oh.,.look at those people, to bad and turn to the football game? What happen to I live and die for Allah.
Muslims are in a sad condition, we appear as beggars and pan handlers asking others (Christians and Jews) for help ( or at least that how I am begging to see it). Who did those Muslim countries call when the hurricane hit, Muslim countries or beg for U.S. aid ? So we can read nice things and have nice thoughts of peace but the idea of peace is only ones dream if you have no way to protect your peace nor have a way to establish it.
So I'll leave it at that before I'm labeled as something I am not. But I ask you all listen to yourselves as you pray. Regardless if you have Mastered your style or technique, if you are able to say it all in Arabic or not. Listen to yourselves and listen to your words and see if you are truthful or not.
Peace be unto you and the mercy of Allah.
Casting pebbles towards symbolic devil is also suppose to signify Muslims casting away their bad habits and renew their leash on life.
Peace.
What we need at present is the environment in which we can learn more about islam and the dawah.
I think the dawah and tabligh jamat that is going around is the best option to be in that kind for environment atleast for 24 hours when you are in the path of allah.
So I encourage all the muslim brothers and sisters to look for these groups and spent as much time you can as possible.
Wassalam
but we, Muslims are falling in love with this worldly things... ignoring the most important command from Allah .. to warn...
I think, we are all coward.. we are afraid to super power more than to Allah, .. we saw people are oppressed, killed, tortured, but we are quitly and enjoying the show... Do you think you are entitled go to to Heaven... after all those ignorances you are committed,and doing nothing... ignoring your brothers, sisters, kids, old people to suffer under the corrupt and cruel super power????... Nay.... Heaven is expensive and hard to get...talking and praising is not enough...
If each of you do small thing to fight against the unjustice and corrupt super power, the voice and the power of Islam will be heard and respected.. just like huge pile of pebbels in Mina..or pile of umbrellas or sandals.. whatever you like it.
There are many fabulous examples the prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) have set for us to follow and we have just come around to remember one. Ibrahim peace be upon showed us pure bravery and faith in Allah. He was going to sacrifice his very own child for the sake of Allah. Now such examples of our prophets, we must ponder upon, reflect, and try to improve our lives in this way. We must try and copy the daring bravery by these prophets so we can change our condition as muslims. We are really in need of that, and it is time to reflect and apply. This is the only advice that I have for muslims. Assalamualaikum
that's a funny image to a new Moslem like me
maybe making jokes and poking fun at the idols described in this article is the best way to see them for what they are - symbolic little pebbles.
the moralistic rhetoric is tiresome and impractical against idolotry, as would be throwing boulders at the pillars at Mecca
not to mention silly
goofy
wacky
nutty
:)