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Jenni
Senior Member
Joined: 10 June 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 705
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Topic: Does everyone think they are a scholar? Posted: 13 June 2005 at 5:07pm |
As I read all of the posts I wonder how much time all of you have for
studying every intricate detail of Islam. Isn't our religion supposed
to be simple and easy enough for even a peasant or farmer to follow? I
don't believe that for hundreds of years people knew of all the Hadiths
and rules that people are trying to follow now. In olden times when
people had to work hard they only had time to do the basics. Fast,pray,
sacrifice a lamb for Eid ect. They did not know the hundreds of duas
and all of the rules that four schools of thought disagree on. Doesn't
anyone else think its all a little ridicules? How many people actually
think that some of the minor details in life like covering your glass
of water(found in a book I have of the traditions of the Messenger)will
actually get you into paradise when people can't even be kind to thier
neighbors and be good to thier husbands and wives? I am frankly tired
of it all, and like many many Muslims want to be as good as I can
without everyone with a computer a few books and the internet thinking
they are an expert. If all you do is study Islam, who is caring for
your life?
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You cant be a good muslim if you are not decent and have a cold heart. Be a decent and kind person and care for women and children and the elderly.
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rami
Moderator Group
Male
Joined: 01 March 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 2549
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Posted: 13 June 2005 at 7:44pm |
Bi ismillahir rahmanir raheem
assalamu alaikum
No sister, that is the simple answer.
Islam is simple for those who are dont wish to get closer to Allah or
are not scholars. But Allah himself in the Quran says if you bring all
the oceans and use the trees as pens they will be exauhsted before the
knowledge of Allah is. It is only people who are not educated in Islam
which attack its scholarship claiming its all simple why make it
complicated while not realising that what makes it simple is the work
of scholars in preserving the Quran and sunnah for 1400 years and
condensing it into point form so the average person doesnt have to know
5 different sciences to know his Aqeedah properly or how to pray
properly.
The laws for inheritence and business are among the most complicated
aspect of our deen and no average person can or will ever grasp them
properly with out the aid of an expert. I think what is missing today
is the holistic implementation of islam in our lives for us to truly
see the depth of knowledge and understanding required by the average
person not simply what are the conditions that must be fulfiled in
order for prayer or fasting to be valid.
These in themselves are dificult if a person is atempting to get closer
to his Rabb not simply fulfil an obligation. Islam is as simple and
dificult as a person wants it to be or rather to what degree is he
seeking to get closer to Allah.
"Are those who know equal with those who dont"?
The average person can not even tell you how to achieve taqwa or Khushu or what Ihsan is.
Yes they did know the rules of the madhhabs it was common and general
knwoledge back then like no doubt you know who brad pit is today and
who he is dating at the moment. islam was all around them non of the
distractions that exist today where there.
Islam is for everyone the inteligent and the not so inteligent as well as the average person Allahs knowledge is never ending.
Edited by rami
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Rasul Allah (sallah llahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord" and whoever knows his Lord has been given His gnosis and nearness.
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Jenni
Senior Member
Joined: 10 June 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 705
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Posted: 13 June 2005 at 8:33pm |
I understand what you are saying, yet my mother in law who only went to
school until the age of sixteen and is not a scholar is kind and
generous and prays with all of her heart. She is one of the reasons I
became a Muslim. Her goodness influenced me and seeing her read the
Quran. She was born in and raised in a Muslim country and I'm sure she
does not know what KHUSHU or IHSAN is. She was a widow with 3 kids at
the age of 29 and raised them herself. She was a mother and sister,
daughter and neighbor. Caring for others and now loving her
grandchildren. So do you think because she does not have great
knowledge of scholarship she is not close to AllaH Pak? I think Allah
is the only reason she made it as a widow and her closeness to him is
what made her survive her grief and raise her children without
remarrying. Please don't give me the intelectual argument, is your
mother a scholar?
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You cant be a good muslim if you are not decent and have a cold heart. Be a decent and kind person and care for women and children and the elderly.
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rami
Moderator Group
Male
Joined: 01 March 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 2549
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Posted: 13 June 2005 at 8:56pm |
Bi ismillahir rahmanir raheem
So do you think because she does not have great
knowledge of scholarship she is not close to AllaH Pak? I think Allah
is the only reason she made it as a widow and her closeness to him is
what made her survive her grief and raise her children without
remarrying. Please don't give me the intelectual argument, is your
mother a scholar?
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There are 7 levels of heaven sister, those in the lowest level are the
furthest away from allah even though in relation to the people of hell
they would be considered close to him. those in the highest level are
the nearest.
Would you say your mother is destined for the highest level of Jannah? from what you described no, as there degrees of closness.
Not every scholar is destined for the highest level of jannah and you
do not need be a scholar but having understanding in the religion means
you know your path to Allah.
Allah himself made the distinction between those who have knowledge and
those who dont when asked "are those who know equal with those who
dont".
You are judgeing according to your understanding which seems to be
black and white but nothing is either this or that there are degrees to
everything even hell has 7 levels according to which a person deserves.
It is reported on the authority of �Umar b.
al-Khattab that he said:
�One day, while we were sitting with Rasulallah (s),
a man appeared before us. His garments
were sparkling white; his hair the darkest black. No signs of travel appeared on him. None of us recognized him.
He went to the Prophet (s) and sat in front of him, placing his knees
before [the Prophet�s] knees. He also
placed his hands upon the Prophet�s thighs, saying: �Muhammad, What is Islam?�
Rasulallah, (s), replied, saying: �Islam is to
testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of
Allah; to establish regular prayer; to give regular alms; to fast Ramadan; and,
to visit Allah�s House as a pilgrim, if you are able.�
The stranger said, �You speak the truth.�
�Umar said: We were amazed that he would ask him [a
question], then tell him he was truthful!
The stranger said: �Muhammad, what is faith?�
"Rasulallah replied, saying: �Faith is to believe in
Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in
[the Divine] Power, its good and its ill.�
The stranger said: �You speak the truth.� Then, he said: �What is Ihsan?�
Rasulallah replied, saying: �Ihsan is to serve Allah
as though you see Him, but if you see Him not, then [to serve Him knowing] He
sees you.'
The stranger said: �You speak the truth.� Then, he said: �Can you inform me about the
Hour?�
Rasulallah replied, saying: �The questioned knows no
more about it then the questioner.�
The stranger said: �Then tell me of its signs.�
Rasulallah said: �[Among] its signs are that the
slave woman shall give birth to her mistress, and that the poor, naked and
barefoot, the herders of sheep, shall compete in raising tall buildings.�
The stranger tarried but a moment before
departing. The Prophet (s) said to
me: � �Umar, do you know who was the
questioner?� I replied that Allah and
His Messenger knew better.
Rasulallah (s) said: �This is Jibril. He came to
teach you your religion.��
Edited by rami
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Rasul Allah (sallah llahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord" and whoever knows his Lord has been given His gnosis and nearness.
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Abu Hadi
Newbie
Joined: 13 May 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 29
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Posted: 14 June 2005 at 4:21am |
Salams to All
Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Rahim
Noone has the right to say who is closer to Allah(s.w.a) and who is further away because noone knows this except Allah(s.w.a). I am by no means a scholar, I never claimed to be one, nor do I do this full time. I have a full time job and I do this when I have a few minutes. I think like most of us, we belive that we are doing our Islamic duty to increase our own knowledge and Enjoin Good and Forbid evil. Both of these are things that we were commanded to do by our Holy Prophet(a.s.).
Personally, I have received some private emails (and I'm sure others on this forum have also received these) saying that this person benefitted from something I posted and to continue posting. That is why I continue. I also have a family, car payments, a mortgage. I don't receive any money for this. I think we all need to set aside something for the next life by way of good deeds, because our paychecks (however large or small) will not help us then. There are certainly other ways of doing good deeds.
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Ali Zaki
Senior Member
Joined: 10 May 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 217
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Posted: 14 June 2005 at 7:34am |
Salam to Jenni, Rami and Abu Hadi,
Jenny wrote
" As I read all of the posts I wonder how much time all of you have for studying every intricate detail of Islam. "
Well Jenny, since you're in the U.S., you know that the average American adult spends 15-20 hours per week watching television, 5 hrs. per weeks playing video games, etc. In my economics class in college, I learned about something called " Opportunity Cost", which means, every hour of your life has a cost associated with it. I choose to spend some of my "free time" in learning about Islam (from books and others), and sharing my knowledge. And, in case you're wondering, I have alot of other things going on in my life besides this forum (I guess you'll just have to take my word for that).
Jenny wrote
" They did not know the hundreds of duas and all of the rules that four schools of thought disagree on. "
From the Holy Quran, we know that Allah (s.w.a.) does not place on us a burden greater than we can bear, and does not judge us by any standard other than our knowledge and capacities (which he knows well, being our creator.) By your action of "freely choosing" to read these post means that you may have a greater-than-average capacity to understand the issues discussed. If so, then maybe you should continue to read and participate in this forum (as you find the time and energy to do so.)
Jenny wrote
I am frankly tired of it all, and like many many Muslims want to be as good as I can without everyone with a computer a few books and the internet thinking they are an expert.
Being as good as you can, as knowledgable as you can, etc. is all Allah (s.w.a) expects from you (but don't underestimate yourself). I have said many times in my posts (maybe I should add it do my signiature) that I AM NOT A SCHOLAR. I do not even speak or write Arabic fluently, so I cannot be a scholar by definition. This is why I try to always cite my sources, and rely on scholarly references for my statements. I am a student, and I am just trying to learn more about Islam and share my knowledge with others.
I know that the majority of Muslims are not interested in these subjects. If you want to just "do the basics", noone is here to judge you or tell you what you should do. This is why we are Muslims, i.e., we do not depend on the opinions of others, but on the Quran, The prophets (a.s.) and his purified progeny for guidance.
Verily, Verily, deeds are more important than words or argument!
Salam
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"The structure of faith is supported by four pillars endurance, conviction, justice and jihad."
Imam Ali (a.s.)
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Jenni
Senior Member
Joined: 10 June 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 705
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Posted: 14 June 2005 at 7:52am |
So Rami you can say she is not destined for the Highest level of
paradise, Why???? Has she not fulfilled her duty in life as a wife,
mother and member of her community. She has fasted, said her prayers
and payed Zakat. She HAS DONE WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF HER> And has a
kind heart. By the way since I dont claim to be knowledgable isn't
there a verse in the Quran or a Hadith I'm not sure that says most
people in heaven will have been poor. Lets think in most poor countries
like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt most poor people can't read or
write. They probably only learned and memorized thier prayers and know
the basics of being a Muslim, they fast and pray. So you think that if
you have more knowledge you are better than them and destined to a
higher level in paradise than they are? Doesn't it say in the Quran you
are judged by your good and bad deeds? So If I have 20 hours a week to
spare between my Husband,and children and caring for myself and I spend
all of it on scholarly reading or I spend 3 hours reading and 17
voluntering my time and helping the elderly or working with children,
which in your intelectual eyes is more important???
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You cant be a good muslim if you are not decent and have a cold heart. Be a decent and kind person and care for women and children and the elderly.
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Ali Zaki
Senior Member
Joined: 10 May 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 217
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Posted: 14 June 2005 at 8:17am |
Salam to Jenni,
" So If I have 20 hours a week to spare between my Husband,and children and caring for myself and I spend all of it on scholarly reading or I spend 3 hours reading and 17 voluntering my time and helping the elderly or working with children, which in your intelectual eyes is more important??? "
Allah hu Alim (God (alone) is the judge!) As I said before, I am not here to judge you or tell you what to do. You know yourself, your life situation, etc. better than anyone except Allah (s.w.a.), and you are the best person to make that judgement. As for me, I am seeking knowledge because it is highly encouraged in Islam (as is voluntering time and helping the elderly or working with children). Allah (s.w.a) created us as individuals, and given us many ways to "move towards" him.
Noone knows the true value of an individual except Allah (s.w.a.) Anyone who says, "I am better than him/her" is only imitating the Shaytan (Satan) when he refused to obey the command of Allah (s.w.a.) and bow down to Adam. Arrogance is the root of disobedience to Allah (s.w.a.)
Salam.
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"The structure of faith is supported by four pillars endurance, conviction, justice and jihad."
Imam Ali (a.s.)
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