Islamic Society/Center of Windermere

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Almighty

Meeting turn out to be a huge success, and all the right people show up. Imam Tariq Rasheed attended the meeting, and provided the background of another effort to build the masjid in this area of Windermere. Agreement was reached to continue both efforts, but delay forming any new Non-profit.

Basically, the effort last year slowed down due to some events, and it was brought back to life right after my first email about the masjid, three weeks ago. I wonder what caused that sudden reaction :-). It seems that there was a closed door meeting held in Dr Asif Mohiuddin's house, where a group of brothers has decided to join the effort to build a masjid. Although, none of the people I know was invited, we all welcome this news, and will work with them on this, InshAllah.

Personally, I am still cynical about the timing and seriousness of the effort, and especially the effort to build a temporary Musallah. However, I will give them the benefit of the doubt, and accept their sincere attempt. We will delay creating a Non-profit for now, and see what plays out in next month or so.

I will be asking for updates from Imam Tariq Rasheed, every second Sunday, unless we are invited to their meetings, which is up to them. Also, we will be continuing the efforts to look for the location for Musallah as normal, except when the time come for signing the contract, we will let this new group do that. If they fail to do that we will create a non-profit and take over at that point.

In essence, we are willing to give anyone lead on this effort, since gaining leadership is not the goal, but will not allow them to slow down. Hopefully, the effort will be successful, and we will have the Musallah or Masjid within months, InshAllah.

One concern that many brought to me was following Quran and Sunnah in the new masjid, and I agree with that concern, but we should not allow this to create disunity in the community for now. There are two conditions that I would like the new masjid to have.

- Imam should have full authority over all matters, and everyone works under him.
- No single Madhab should be followed, and Shura should be open to people from different Fiqh background, but Imam will be the final authority.

So, choosing the correct Imam will be critical, and should be decided by a mixed Shura.

At the end, ultimate goal for this meeting was to find a way forward in building a Masjid for this part of the town, and we have a way forward, so we achieved the first goal. We are looking forward to working with this new group of brothers.

Please participate in the public meetings, and ask a lot of questions. That is the only way to keep ourselves honest, and Allah knows best.

I would like to thanks all of the brother who came or who tried to come, and couldn't. You are from an elite part of our community, who take actions, and May Allah raise you among "AsSabiqoon AsSabiqoon" (The Foremost, The Foremost). I do not want to be among influential, but I want to be among you.

JazakAllah Khairin

AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)

Islamic Society Of Windermere: Reminder

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, The Creator, The Sustainer.

If Allah wills, we will be meeting at 11 AM at 9024 Edenshire Circle, Orlando, FL 32836. I urge you to come, and support us.

If you haven't done, please let me know if you are coming, so arrangements can be made.

One brother brought to my attention, an excellent location that is available, and we would discuss on that as well. There seems to be multiple reason for this effort to move forward. We can discuss those as well.

Please only come, if you believe in Allah, and the last day, and are not looking for worldly benefit.

If you can't come at 11 AM, please drop by anytime after the meeting to provide your feedback.

This effort is for Allah, and to him we surrender.

May Allah makes this effort successful, or make it the reason for other efforts to succeed.

JazakAllah Khairin

AbuArman (Adnan Jumani)

Islamic Society of Windermere: First Meeting

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, The King of Mankind.


"The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance." (Quran 9:18)

Aisha (RA) said that the Prophet (PBUH) ordered that mosques should be built
in neighbourhoods. They should be kept clean and perfumed. (Tirmidhi) [Ahmed 26446, Abu Dawud 455, Ibn e Majah 758]

Is there anything more important for a believer to do then participate in building a Masjid? Would one allow some appointment that could be moved to deny them the reward of contributing to house of Allah? When Prophet (PBUH) entered Medina, one of the first things he ordered was construction of the Masjid, and believers cleared up their schedules and took part in it. Of course, if one has prior arrangement, and rescheduling it can have major impact to their life, no one is asking such. However, if one is able to join, but prefer not to, then may Allah give that soul what it sought after.

First Meeting for Islamic Society of Windermere has been scheduled, InshAllah. Following is the meeting information

Date:               Sunday, December 25, 2011
Time:               11:00 AM
Place:              9024 Edenshire Circle (Arlington Bay), Orlando, FL 32836.
RSVP:             Adnan Jumani
RSVP Phone:  407-873-2187
RSVP Email:   ajumani@hotmail.com.

Food will be served.

Please RSVP if you are coming so arrangements could be made.

Alhuamdulilah! Everyone I spoke to has shown interest in helping in this effort. We have some people pledged funds already, and others eager to jump in. One concern that many has brought to my attention is regarding this Masjid run by a specific ethnicity or school of thought. I share that concern and will be working to make this Masjid attractive to all genders, race, ethnicity, culture, and school of thoughts. It may be difficult, but if we work together it can be achieved, InshAllah.

Two option for Masjid Location.

- Store in Lakeside Village Center. This will be the best option, if happens.
- Rental Trailer on a rental land. This will take many permits, but can be done.

We will be making big decisions in the first meeting, InshAllah. So, please join us. Some of the points of Agenda are as follows.

- Praising Allah
- Open Forum for questions and concerns
- Selecting Board for the new non-profit organization to lead the effort
- Collecting funds for initial setup
- Decide strategy for finding a location

JazakAllah Khairin

AbuArman

Islamic Society Of Windermere

In the Name of Allah, The most Compassionate, The most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, who sustains everything in place


The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever builds a Masjid for the Sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)


Last Night, I met an upstanding member of the community, and he asked me about the status on the Masjid on this side of the town. It seems that the other effort has not succeeded in last year, and we will have to restart the effort to build a Musallah or Masjid ourselves.

Effort will be to build a place to pray 5 times salah on or around County Road 535 (Winter Garden Vineland Rd), and Reams Rd.

We will be meeting on 2 PM Sunday, December 25, 2011. Location will be decided soon. If any of you have suggestions, please let me know. Agenda will be as following.

- Praise Allah
- Open Forum to collect thoughts
- Ratify constitution
- Electing Imam (Ameer) to lead the effort
- Location update
- Fund collection (monthly pledges and/or cash donation)

These are some preliminary proposals for the constitution, based upon the examples of rightly guided Khalifah.

- Quran and Sunnah will be the only source
- Community will not adopt any rule that contradicts Quran and Sunnah.
- There will be one Ameer elected by an appropriate election process, and has to be a qualified person according to Quran and Sunnah to lead in Salah and World matters.
- Election of Ameer will be permanent.
- Ameer will be the final Authority on all matters of the organization, however, he can have advisers to help him make the decisions.
- Any matter of the Fiqh will be resolved by Ameer.
- Community can remove the Ameer with a super majority consensus, and replace with another qualified Ameer.

These are just some proposals, but please send me your ideas, so we can prepare them for discussion during our first meeting. It will be important to ratify these, before moving forward.

I need responses with names, phone numbers, and email addresses of people who are interested. One doesn't have to live in this area to be a member, so please come forward and help us with this effort.

If you know someone that will benefit from this, please forward this email, or get their contact information to me.

Please bring cash, check, ideas, and anything that will help us with this. Even a quarter will add to the support. If you like to come forward before the meeting to help arranging it, please let me know.

There are two ideas for masjid location right now, and please provide your input.

- Renting a land and a portable.
- Renting a store in the new plaza close by.

After all the effort, we leave our affairs to Allah, as nothing can happen without his permission. May Allah make this effort successful. Aameen.

JazakAllah Khairin

AbuArman Jumani

Dead Community

In the Name of Allah,


إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَىٰ يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا


"Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little. "
( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #142) 




(By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, if anyone of them had known that he would get a bone covered with good meat or two (small) pieces of meat between two ribs, he would have turned up for the prayer, and had it not been that the houses have women and children in them, I would burn their homes around them.) (Tafseer ibn Kathir)

Last Night, Imam told us that he sent emails to 1300 people who are registered with Masjid, and 13 show up to listen to a scholar. Now, sometimes one is busy and can't make it to these optional things. I was busy myself with my classes online and couldn't attend this week. However, this has become a trend, and I can't believe that these people are busy every single time.

If it is announced that there will be dinner, you will see people crawl out of every rock. Women and children are brought so they didn't have to cook at home. They get mad if the chicken pieces are not up to their standard. I have seen one brother have a fight over the food during Ramadhan.

There are same 25 people who are regular to masjid and want to learn. Even the Shura Members are not to be found in this group. Persons running the new masjid construction meeting are not seen anywhere either. They only come when there is Shura meeting probably. Why do we have these people running the community?

As the Prophet (PBUH) said, we should throw some food at them every time, or burn their homes so they can visit masjid more often. Of course, he didn't mean that he will do it. It just shows the seriousness of the matter when the most soft person the world has ever seen gets angry at that level. It boils my blood to see 100 people show up for dinner, but 10 people for gaining knowledge.

In reality, the community is about 25 men, then there are some guests who come and use our facilities, but don't consider the knowledge in the masjid as authentic. Then, there are some who come when they feel guilty of committing sins the whole month, so they will come and make extra nafl and long duas. Who are they fooling? Then, there are some who come only for food. Oh, aren't they the interesting bunch. They will meet you like they have been in the masjid all along. Then, there are some who come to chat, and that's what they do. Then, there are some who invite others to masjid (only to tablighi masjid acitivities to be more specific), but are absent from circles of knowledge. Then, there are some who come for cricket, and May Allah give them all the enjoyments they are seeking.

In short, there is no true large community here. I mean Imam invites 1300 people, and even the people involved in the leadership role ignore him. I think I have been wasting my time trying to wake up the large community that is clinically "Dead". Inna lillahi WaInna Ilahi Rajiyon. This is probably the last post about this masjid, and the imaginary community that I had in my mind. I have much better things to do.

I seek forgiveness from 25 community members, for wasting their time. I seek forgiveness from 1275 guests who just looking for a good time whether at home or in the masjid. I hope the masjid can add some more dinners, melas, etc to keep them entertained. I just need to find a place to pray the five times Salah in congregation. For now it is this masjid.

Also, if you are one of the 1275, and get my emails, please let me know, and I will remove you.

Please don't send me emails saying that I am a quitter. I am just smart enough to divert my attention to other set of people who are more responsive.

JazakAllah Khairin

AbuArman Jumani

Islamic method for Jumma Prayers.

In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the King of mankind.

I received the following question from a brother regarding my analysis of Jumma Prayer format followed by my local masjid. Following is his question.

AoA Adnan:

I find your articles very thought provoking. Since this blog was not very clear to me, can you please let me know what the correct way of conducting the Jumma Prayers is? Thank you for your time.

JA

*****

If I understand the question correctly, he is wondering what is the correct method for Jumma Prayers, since the current format is against Quran and Sunnah. Lets try to answer this question.

If anything benefits you is from Allah, and anything annoy you is from me.

Jumma is a Salah, and Prophet (PBUH) asked us to imitate him in the Salah. Following was his method in the later part of his life. He will enter the Masjid, and said Salam, and sat down. Adhan was called to gather people. Then, he will rise and deliver first part of speech (in Arabic as his audience was Arabs), and then he will take a small pause, and then rise again to deliver the last part of the speech. At the conclusion of the speech, he will established Salah, and after the Salah he would mingle with people before praying his nafl rakah. 

If one follows the above structure, they have completed the obligation. Some scholars allow speech to be in another language, but there is a difference of opinion. Best opinion is to allow speech in local language with recitation of Quran mixed so believers are benefited, which was the main purpose of the Khutbah.

However, there are somthings that are prohibited on this day, like following.

- Engage in any world matters after Imam rise for the speech.

-      Praying nafl salah when Khutbah has already started.

- Buying and Selling inside the masjid

- Giving speeches before Jumma

-       ...

Any speech before Jumma is prohibited, and it should be stopped. If one is following an opinion that Khutbah has to be in Arabic, then that is fine. However, you can not go against the Sunnah, because following the weaker opinion causing people not to understand the speech. May be they should reconsider blindly following hanafi school. 

No one should drag believers to the masjid before adhan, as we live in a non-muslim country, and we work on Fridays. Changing the time from 1:45 PM to 1:15 PM to compel them to come causes hardship, which does not make sense. It is cruel and heartless, and may Allah question these leaders who causes hardship on their subjects. Imam should do ijtihad and break from Taqleed (blind following). 

I hope this answers the question. I apologize for making my words complicated. Sometimes it is needed to grab attention. 

JazakAllah Khairin

Abu Arman Jumani

A bucket with many holes. Patch it!

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the one who Forgives.

Update on Masjid: We are still pursuing a location for Musallah, and a land for Masjid. Nothing confirmed yet, but there is hope on both front, Alhamdulilah. 

"Those who avoid the greatest sins and indecencies, except for oversights, (will find that) surely your Lord is ample in forgiveness. (Al-Najm 53:32)"

(Those who avoid great sins and Al-Fawahish (immoral sins) except Al-Lamam), Al-Lamam means, small faults and minor errors. (Ibn Kathir)

I have seen people put a lot of emphasis on good deeds, and most of the effort is toward optional deeds. For example, Taraweeh in Ramadhan is not Fardh, but you will see that people will be fighting over each other to get a spot in the Masjid. Now, there is goodness in that, but what happens when we do these optional good deeds one month, and commit major sins throughout the year. I mean major sins like paying interest, shaving our faces, illegal relations, breaking promises, etc...

I would like to present a visual that may help understand what my point is. See, our life is like a bucket that is empty in the beginning, and gets filled with our good deeds. More we perform Salat, fasting, Hajj, dhikr, and other good acts, more liquid gets added to the bucket. However, if we commit a sin, a hole is punched in the bucket and the liquid starts leaking. Bigger the sin, bigger the hole would be. So, if a person performs a lot of good acts, a continuous stream of liquid will be pouring in, but if they are also performing a major sins continuously, the wholes are being punched in the bucket.

Imaging the bucket that has some holes, and we try to fill it with liquid. After a few minutes, it will be empty. This is the situation of ours, when we commit sins on the regular basis. Moreover, These holes can be repaired with repentance, but that require desisting that sin, promising not to commit it again, and asking forgiveness from Allah. Above verse makes it clear that emphasis should be on avoiding major sins. Goal is to reach our death with a few drops of liquid in our bucket that will carry us through the accounting, InshAllah.

We should make an oath today that we will chose one major sin that we commit regularly, and we will avoid that sin this year, and will not repeat it again. Just pick any. This is better than praying optional Salat in Ramadhan and in the late night. People who think that good deeds will wash up their sins are mistaken, and will be standing on the day of judgement day with a pile of sins that can not be voided, and good deeds that have been leaked out from the holes. In other words, it is better to skip Taraweeh, then driving for Taraweeh in a car financed with interest loan.

A few days back, Imam made an emotional plead for people to stop watching TV programs that  may have some fahash (indecency)  in it. He is correct in saying that, but I doubt that any of them would cancel the cable right after that speech, because it is just not practical. In fact, I spoke to a few of them, and they agreed it was not possible. A leader should bring the follower to the truth, and not beat them with it, because they will consider it so impossible that  they will ignore it.

What I suggest is weening strategy. Don't stop sinning completely, because one can not. Rather find an activity that is less sinful and try to replace with it. For example, if you have cable at home, don't force yourself and your family to stop watching all American channels, because women are not covered in them. Rather, cancel the subscription of movies, and cut down on number of movies watched per month. Slowly but progressively implementing reforms will lead to long lasting avoidance of sins.

This is the Sunnah of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). We do not control our nafs right now, and we should not declare war with it, because it will win, rather compromise with it, and bring it under control with wisdom. And, Allah knows best.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Masa that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) deputed any of his Companions on a mission, he would say: Give tidings (to the people) ; do not create (in their minds) aversion (towards religion) ; show them leniency and do not be hard upon them. (Sahih Muslim #4297)

JazakAllah Khairin

A struggling sinner
AbuArman Jumani

Imam Abu Hanifa, A struggling believer

In the Name of Allah.

I compiled the following paper for my Fiqh class, and would like to share with everyone. After the Prophet (PBUH) and Umar, I follow the example of Imam Abu Hanifa, and owe my ideology to him. may Allah reward him for his struggles. Just like today, he found himself surrounded by Scholars without clear understanding of practical implication of Islam. He fought hard with extreme right, and extreme left, and gave us a model to follow today.

Text book gives a very high level and brief biography of Imam Nu’man bin Thabit aka Imam Abu Haneefah, but it does not provide the background and details that one should have to understand his status and contributions. There is an aspect of his life that is usually not discussed, which is very unique to him in the history.

He was born to an affluent family in Kufa, and his ancestry was from non-Arabic origin, and was brought up as a businessman. He was a master mind in business, and understood the intricacies of trade, and rules of trade, and his mind was very sharp, logical, and full of ambitions. As far as “Sirat-i-Nu’man” is concerned, Nu’man did not have any formal religious education until he was in his adulthood, which is a great contrast to other leading Imams of his era. His objective in life was not to become an Imam, but to become a businessman. This unique background gave him the edge over other scholars in his time over matters of trade and social rulings.

Once, he was passing by the house of Imam Sha’bi, and Imam called him “Where are you going, young man?”  Imam Abu Haneefah explained him that he was going to see a merchant close by. In fact, Imam Sha’bi called him by mistake believing him to be his student. Since they were talking, he offered him to join his classes (Sirat-i-Nu’man pg 9). Imam Abu Haneefah made up his mind to learn about Islam, and studied with many teachers for a long time to become a great teacher. When, he became a teacher, he had a mission that changed the world as we know it. He was, unlike other Imams, a man of trade in heart, and understood the direction the world is heading towards. In his time, there were a lot of foreign business contracts that were being exposed to Muslims, and it was very difficult for lay person to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) with every new case that came up. He made tons of rulings in the field of business and trade, and most of the rulings that Non-Muslims were exposed to in Islamic history, originated with him.

 Of course, with any change, comes the criticism, and he was given different titles, and labels. Some said that he rejected hadith, and others called him “what iffer”, and some even denied his status as faqhi, due to lack of him narrating ahadith. However, the fact remains that he was the first one to compile the fiqh in a way that paved the way for the future. He looked at each issue without the lens of local custom or culture, and allowed his students to debate when other scholars dictated the conversation. His mastery on qiyas, and unique background allowed him to look at fiqh from a different perspective. Muslims in the west can relate to his life story, as he was born, grew up and studied outside the mainstream schools of learning, and came to Islamic knowledge at a later age.

He compiled many books but most of them did not survive to us. Three are well known. Fiqh Akbar, Al-‘Alim Wa’l-Muta’allim, and Musnad. What reached to us mostly are his student’s compilations, which were influenced by his methodology, and provided the foundations for Muslim Ummah for centuries as their official Fiqh. Unfortunately, there are many false extraordinary stories attributed to him, like he prayed Fajr with same wudu from Isha prayer, and he completed seven thousand readings in the jail (Sirat-i-Nu’man pg 43). There is no evidence that they were true, however. What seems to be his great contribution is his unique way of looking at fiqh. While conventional scholars restricted themselves to direct meaning of the Quran and Sunnah, in most occasions, he explored the spirit of the rules of Islam within sources, so answers could be given to the new arising cases. Today, it is a necessity for the scholars to answer whether Quran saved in the phone, makes the phone a mushaf.

Nevertheless, his wisdom and keen mind was well known. His famous encounter with Imam Malik left Imam Malik sweating, and on many occasion, he solved people’s issue with his wit. For example, a man took an oath that he will not speak to his wife unless she speaks first, and the wife also got angry and took the oath that she will not speak unless he does first. Later, they realized their mistake and went to Sufyan Thauri, but he told them that the only way out is atonement of oath. Unsatisfied, they went to Abu Haneefah, and he told them that you can speak to each other all you want, and no atonement is required. When Sufyan Thauri found out, he went to Abu Haneefah to complain about the invalid ruling. Abu Haneefah told him that when she spoke to take her oath, she fulfilled his condition, and his oath completed, so he can speak to her as he likes (Sirat-i-Nu’man pg 71). Imam Abu Haneefah had the gift of having sharp mind that could see through clutter of details, and he could solve problems with the most ingenious solutions in a moment.

In reality, the most important characteristic that he had was that he could explain the difficult matters in simple terms, which was unique to him in his era among scholars of his status. Today, this is the biggest weakness in our Ummah that there is a gap of understanding between the scholars and lay person, and the scholars are not able to prove to people using practical examples their legal opinions. If he was alive today, he would look at the division among Muslims based on fiqh, and will laugh at it, and then cry at it. He will laugh, because the correct ruling is in front of the scholars, but they refuse to accept it. He will cry because, one of the reason people will not accept the correct ruling is because it will mean to admit that a certain fiqh followed the wrong ruling for centuries.

Imam Abu Haneefah continued his trade throughout his life, and presented an example of balancing the religious duties and worldly duties. He was able to understand the issues of common folks, and was able to deduce rulings, and was able to articulate his rulings in a convincing way.  Other scholars of his time could have been more educated, and well versed in hadith, perhaps, but his understanding of deen (fiqh) was second to none.

JazakAllah Khairin

Adnan Jumani (Abu Arman)

References

“Sirat-i-Nu’man”, Written by Allamah Shibli Nu’mani, Translated by M. Hadi Hussain.

Shirk crawls a little further. Can we stop it?

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

All praise is due to Allah, the lord of the worlds

"O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may acquire Taqwa. Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He alone has the right to be worshipped)." (Quran 2:21-22)

The Prophet (PBUH) said: O people, save yourselves from this shirk for it is more inconspicuous than the creeping of ant. (Musnad Ahmad 4:403)

After returning from NYC, I visited the masjid, and I noticed this creeping of ant on the prayer schedule of the masjid. They have moved the time for Jumma from 1:45 PM to 1:15 PM. We know that Jumma starts when the first adhan is called in the Masjid, so why does it says 1:15 PM now. My guess is that my criticism of their UnIslamic format for Jumma caused someone to include the english talk as part of the Jumma services, which it is clearly not. So, why do I bring it in the context of Shirk?

Before all of you gather outside my home with stone and firewood, let me explain what is happening here. Iblis has a very practical plan, and he implements it with complete patience, and understanding of human psychology. He will never outright ask a believer to commit shirk, as no practicing muslim will follow him. Instead, what he does is that he places an acceptable ant that you can't really see while standing up, and then  the ant crawls very slowly towards us. In every movement of this ant, we will find benefit and acceptance, but once this ant reaches its destination, we have left Islam.

Prophet (PBUH) said, “I warn you of the newly invented matters (in the religion),and every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire” (an-Nasaa’ee)

In the above hadith, innovation does not mean any new thing, because that would be very limiting. For example, using loud speakers, or websites to help in deen. What it means is that anything that requires belief has been enumerated for us in the Quran and Sunnah, and if we add to it, it will be innovation in deen. Blessings of Jumma service is a belief, and our belief is that it begins at the Adhan, because that is the method of the Prophet (PBUH). Any attempt to mark the start time for Jumma earlier than the first adhan is an innovation.

Also, english talk in Islamic Center of Orlando is prohibited by another hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) , but they continue it, and the ant is moving. Now ant has moved to include this innovation into Jumma time, and it will crawl further, and in a few years, the Jumma services will be a strange affair that will not be recognized. This is how shirk enters our life, and this is the method that doomed the early children of Adam. Let me provide an example.

When Noah came to his people with this message, they rejected it. Allah tells us: “And they said (to each other): ‘Abandon not your gods, abandon neither Wadd nor Suwâ`, neither Yaghûth nor Ya`ûq nor Nasr.” ( Quran Sûrah Nûh : 23)

Al-Bukhari recorded from Ibn `Abbas that he said, "The idols that were among the people of Nuh wound up among the Arabs afterwards.... These idols were all named after righteous men from the people of Nuh. Then when these men died, Shaytan inspired his (Nuh's) people to erect statues in honor of them at their gathering places where they used to come and sit, and to name these statues after these men (with their names). So they did this (as Shaytan suggested), but these statues were not worshipped until after those people (the ones who built them) had died and the knowledge was lost. Then, those statues were later worshipped.'' ... Ibn Jarir recorded from Muhammad bin Qays that he said concerning Yaghuth, Ya`uq and Nasr, "They were righteous people between the time of Adam and Nuh, and they had followers who used to adhere to their guidance. Then, when they died, their companions who used to follow them said, `If we make images of them, it will increase our desire to perform worship when we remember them.' So they made images of them. Then, when those people died and other people came after them, Iblis approached them and said, `They (your predecessors) used to worship these statues and they were granted rain by their worship of them.' Thus, they (the latter people) worshipped them.'' [Ibn Kathir]

When my youngest son Arjan grows up, and if I fail to explain this blog to him, he will look at the hadith of Angels closing the book when Imam stands up, and the timings for Jumma, he will certainly think of the whole thing as the Jumma service. Interestingly, in my email debate with local supporters of this invalid format of Jumma, they gave me assurances that the speech at 1:15 PM is not part of the Jummah, rather a beneficial pre-cursor. I warned them that any prohibition from the Prophet (PBUH) has a purpose, and now we know that this innovation has become part of the Jumma.


Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:
Mujahid reported: I was in the company of Ibn Umar. A person invited the people for the noon or afternoon prayer (after the adhan had been called). He said: Go out with us (from this mosque) because this is an innovation (in religion). (Dawud :: Book 2 : Hadith 538)


The ant is moving faster than I expected, and it is stronger than all of us. I hope you all understand this plan of Iblis, and do not attend the english speech at 1:15 PM. There are many similar addition happening all the time which need to be stopped. The way to stop is to not support the addition, and not support the institution financially. I have withdrawn my financial support from the masjid, until they come back to the Sunnah, and I urge you to do the same. May Allah give us all guidance to follow the path shown by Muhammad ibn Abdullah (PBUH).

JazakAllah Khairin
An ant watcher

AbuArman Jumani

Headless Community

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the King of mankind.

Recently, someone claimed that the community should be run by a "Majlis-e-Shura" (Advisory board). I would like to refute this claim with the help of Quran and Sunnah.

It is the core of the problem today, so I have to respond to it publicly. First, I will present my response, followed by the original email.

Wasalam,

     What you said so far is almost correct, but look further. Cardinal principle does not mean final authority. What it means is that Imam should follow these four principle. Please understand the difference.

      Shura is an Arabic term for advisors. Advisors are the ones who advice, and not the ones who make day to day decision. In almost every instance you quoted, it was the Imam who tasked the Shura with providing an advice.

     It is an obligation on Imam to take advice, but it is not an obligation on Imam to heed Shura on all matters.

    For example, Abu Bakar had a shura which unanimously agreed that Muslims that have stopped paying Zakat should not be attacked. Abu Bakr overruled the shura and got on the horse and said I am going to fight them, who is with me, and he was alone. Can Imam  do that in our community? This alone shatters your whole case.

   Let us look at each example you gave, and see if Shura has authority to make final decision, or is it Imam with whom rests the final authority?

   You referred to the following verse of the Quran.

    “And those who answer the Call of their Lord, and perform the Salah, and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them” (Quran 4:38)

  

 Ibn Kathir says that “means, they do not make a decision without consulting one another on the matter so that they can help one another by sharing their ideas concerning issues such as wars and other matters. The Prophet used to consult with them concerning wars and other matters, so that they would feel confidant.”

   It is clear from the tafsir that there is only one mode of political system. An Imam should not make decision until he has consulted with all, so they feel that they have been heard, but he is the one makes the final decision. Please do not misuse words of Quran, and understand the context and background.

  Then, you mentioned Ali appointing a governor, and advising him to be just and listen to people before making the decision, so this case supports what I already mentioned. A governor had full authority of an Imam over the area, unless you think these governor were weak and could be over ruled by people. You are mixing Justice with Shura having final authority.

  Then, you mentioned the incidence of Abu Bakar being selected khalifah, and it happened due to mutual consultation of people. This is an exception to the rule, because if there is no Imam, one has to be selected, and the shura have to come together to unanimously agree on one person to be an Imam. I agree with this, and Imam should be selected by the vote of people. However, once Imam is selected, shura has no authority to overrule the Imam, as Abu Bakar showed in the event of war for Zakat.

   Then, you mentioned the incidence of Umar forming a committee to select the next Khalifah. First, it was his decision to let them decide, so it is he who ultimately decided. This is the correct way, as it is the Sunnah. Khalifa should not be appointed, but selected by believers. Once again, selection of Imam is one thing that need to be done by the community. So, this comes under the exception of the rule but not the rule.

   If you like to run the community leader less like a country without a President, then go right ahead, but it is un Islamic as I have proven to you. Copying and pasting from a blog written on internet does not mean it contains the truth. Only the evidence it provides can make it true.

   Once again, Shura has no authority in making decisions for the community, after they have selected the Imam. Otherwise, it is absurd to have a puppet Imam who only lead in Salah, and does not have a final say in every decision Shura suggests. Even USA does not follow that. Can you imagine US Congress running the administration? Not a single bridge will be constructed. It is exactly what is happening here.

   In your form of government, lay person get together and make a decision, but 100 lay men can not equal one scholar. You need a scholar to make decisions. It is like running a home where children get together and tell the father the decision they made. No! No! No! Father is the Imam of the house and he should makes the final decision. 

   Would you like to fly in an airplane, where Pilot asks the passengers for every button he presses? Well, it will crash for sure. Even in the animals and insects, we know that, there is a leader. Every aspect of our life has a leader. I am sure, your business is run by a single person, who either is the president or Chairman of the board of directors. It is un natural to run a community with Shura alone. Imam has to take charge, or we are doomed.

   All your evidences are weak so far and have been refuted. Do you have any other?

  I will not rest until this deviant form of government is abolished and replaced by Islamic political system of a single leader.

And Allah Knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin

AbuArman

Following is the email I received.

From: ***** ********
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2011 7:34 AM
To: Adnan Jumani
Cc:
Subject: Re: *************

Brothers:

AOA

We are missing here...

Shura  constitutes one of the four cardinal principles in the Islamic perspective on socio-political organization. The other three are justice, equality, and human dignity.

Present Shura or any other Shura are the volunteers who are working on our behalf when we are enjoying in our worldly affairs. They are all sincere people. Don't blame anyone unless you have a solid proof or three wintnesses. We, muslims, are losing only for the reason we overbelieve ourselves and tend to find faults in our effort to prove we are supreme! We are not true believers!!

Please let this Shura work and when election time come offer your services - Let us admit their efforts, their time and sacrifice!

In the Quran, two modes of political consultation are mentioned. In the one, the Prophet Muhammad is asked to consult with his companions, but, ultimately, to decide on his own. In the other, the community of the faithful is described as the one that (among its other attributes) administers its affairs by mutual consultation. In the one, consultation is mandated but is not binding; in the other, it is depicted as constituting the very process by which binding decisions on public matters are reached. In the one, the Prophet is personally involved, in the other, it is the community deliberating on public matters collectively.

This all-inclusive notion of the ummah comes through clearly in the directive that the fourth Khalifa, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb gave to Malik Ibn Al Ashtar Al Nakha'i, upon dispatching him as governor to Egypt at a time when Egypt was more Christian than Muslim. Ali wrote:

Know, O Malik, that I am sending you to a country which has been subjected before you to both just and unjust rulers, and so the people will judge you in the same way that you now stand in judgment of your predecessors. Therefore, let good works be your true assets. Discipline yourself, and
covet not that which is not rightfully yours. Train your heart to feel compassion for the people, to love them and be kind to them. Do not behave like a ferocious beast toward them, snatching away their sustenance, for the people are of two categories: they are your brothers in religion and/or your fellow human beings".
This right was expressly affirmed by the first Khalifa, Abu Bakr Al Siddique, upon being confirmed by consensus as successor to the Prophet. Said he addressing the community present in the Medina Mosque: "I have been given authority over you, but I am not the best among you. Obey me so long as I obey God in the administration of your affairs. Where I disobey God, you owe me no obedience."
Upholding this very principle, the second Khalifa Omar said: Where I do right, assist me; where I do wrong correct me.
There is agreement that Shura in Islam has to do with a group of Muslims called the people of Shura (people of power and decision). Scholars said those people should have some qualities, such as justice, knowledge, opinion and wisdom. So, it can be said that they are “the scholars, leaders and dignitaries who can meet easily. When Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was stabbed and was about to die, the companions asked him to name his successor, but he refused. However, he named six of the Prophet’s companions who the nation was unanimous over their goodness. Thus, Umar wanted to awaken the principle of Shura among Muslims. He said:“Choose from among those people who the Prophet said the people of Paradise; Sa’id ibn Zayd ibn Amr ibn Nufayl is one of them, but I will not include him. The six men are: Uthman and Ali the children of Abd Manaf, Abd-al-Rahman and Sa’d the Prophet’s maternal uncles, Al-Zubayr ibn Al-Awwam the Prophet’s cousin, and Talhah ibn Ubaydullah. So, choose a man from among them. If they choose one, support.

Caliphate: Flawless Democracy

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent The Most Merciful

All Praise is due to Allah, the King of mankind.

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Umar that the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: It is obligatory upon a Muslim that he should listen (to the ruler appointed over him) and obey him whether he likes it or not, except that he is ordered to do a sinful thing. If he is ordered to do a sinful act, a Muslim should neither, listen to him nor should he obey his orders. (Sahih Muslim  Book 20 #4533)

Someone forwarded me an article from Orlando Sentinel, which described the complaints against Imam Musri that he has not held elections since 1993, when he became the leader of Islamic Society of Central Florida. In fact, the article says that before 1993 the organization was in chaos, and factions were fighting to represent threir fiqh in the community. Now, this organization is stable and growing. ISCF has registered members, and most of the complaints are from unregistered members.

I have always admired ISCF, and their unity. However, I would like to discuss the form of government that Allah chose for us. If we look at Quran and Sunnah for evidences, we find a unique form of government that is the most efficient. Let me try to present the Islamic form of government.

As we know that Islam is not a religion, but a way of life, so governing a human society is part of that scope. Islam has provided the best form of government I have ever seen or heard. If implemented, it brings the human society to peace and harmony, and provide a just and balanced environment. Many humans do not understand the basic concepts of Islamic government, and thus do not appreciate the weight of its benefits.

An Islamic government (organizaiton) is headed by Allah, and a human is selected as a leader to enforce the commands of Allah.  For this man to represent Allah as an authority, he has to have the knowledge of deen, and qualities of the world affairs. This authority includes both administrative and religous, and it is absurd to have an Imam in the masjid, and another man incharge of administration. Any masjid that runs under these unIslamic conditions, and Imam does not have full authority over all matters, is bound to fail.


Narrated Abu Bakra: During the battle of Al-Jamal, Allah benefited me with a Word (I heard from the Prophet). When the Prophet heard the news that the people of the Persia had made the daughter of Khosrau their Queen (ruler), he said, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler."  (Sahih Bukhari 9:88:219)


As a mercy, women are exempt from this charge and Prophet (PBUH) established that in the hadith above. Some have challenged the authenticity of this hadith, but I have verified and there is no weakness in it, using all mainstream Usool-Al-Hadith.

It has been reported on the authority of 'Abd al-Rahman b. Samura who said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me: 'Abd al-Rahman, do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking for it, you will be left alone (without God's help to discharge the responsibilities attendant thereon), and it you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (by God in the discharge of your duties). (Sahih Muslim  Book 20 #4487)

There are other several qualities that an Imam should have to be selected as the leader of the community like Ijtihad, lack of interest in leadership, and sincerity towards Allah to name some. So, how do we select this person? And, how long this person should lead the community? To answer this question, we have to go back to Quran and Sunnah.

After Prophet's (PBUH) death, a need arose to chose a leader for believers. Abu Bakr was chosen as the leader, due to the status he held, and Ansar also gave up their right on his behalf. Abu Bakr chose Umar as the leader. However, Umar Ibn Khattab refused to hand pick the next leader, when he was dying. He setup a committee of the best of the best believers and task them to chose a leader immediately. They selected Uthman ibn Affan, and he became the leader. So, we understand that if a person is running for the office, they should be disqualified automatically, since they have a desire to be a leader, which usually lead to corruption. Also, the leader is selected for life and not for a specific term. And, the required qualification is the piety and deep understanding of Islam.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: It is obligatory for you to listen to the ruler and obey him in adversity and prosperity, in pleasure and displeasure, and even when another person is given (rather undue) preference over you. (Sahih Muslim #4524)

Once selected, a leader of the believers is to be followed in all good things, even when we don't agree with him. He is to take charge of the community in all matters, and will  be a paid servant of the community. If this leader commands the community to act on a major sin or deviates from the path, community can depose him. He should keep a shura of men and women from different spectrum of the community to advise him.

In the representative democracy system, which is also called western democratic system, people run for election, asking for leadership position. They will take money from anyone, and do anything to get elected. This is a major flaw, and brings forth the cunning and deceptive people to the top.

In addition, the leaders are elected for a period of time, and asked to go home after the term. So, a qualified person who saves the country and brings peoperity has to sit down on the side line and watch incompitent leader ruin the success. For example, Bill Clinton could have serve USA for 30 more years. It is an extreme of human intelect trying to find best government system, and has become a major flaw.

Islamic government system is based on life long appointment of an able person, who will shape the community towards the goals set for humanity by Allah. He has enough time to establish good programs and see them to success. He has knowledge and advisors to guide him, who are not about to run for election. Of course, the level of piety of the community has to be at a minimum level for this to succeed.

So, Imam Musri is running the organization, according to Islam, and he is qualified to lead the community, and has no requirement to held election. Other Masajid should follow this model, and make the Imam in charge of the community completely. In the absence of that, it is not an obligation for a believer to follow Trustees, and Shura members, who are not educated in Islam, and some sin openly.

Today, there was a meeting to evaluate the option to extend the Jama Masjid, and many people were missing in action. First, I salute to the people who opened it up for the public to take part, but the community is MIA. There were some faces that I have never seen before. Most of the folks from the area where I live were missing, and I was the only one stood up to request them to consider building a masjid in our area instead of expending it. Everyone is looking for a lavish masjid which will attract tourist, but a very few from that bunch come to salah regularly in Jama Masjid. There is only one or two rows sometimes in Fajr Salah. Since the support was not there, my idea was overruled by majority and they moved on to discuss the expansion of the masjid. Masjid does not need expansion, but the level of faith among the people need expansion.

I am ready to pray salah in the mud as the Prophet (PBUH) did. If the 1000 people that attend the Jummah  need more space, please put a big donation box on Fridays, so they can help built the expansion. I have to go and join the 65 people in Isha prayer now, which is the true population of the Masjid. MaSalamah.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Malik that Ubaidullah b. Ziyad visited Ma'qil b. Yaser in the latter's illness. Ma'qil said to him: I am narrating to you a tradition. If I were not at death's door, I would not narrate it to you. I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) say: A ruler who, having obtained control over the affairs of the Muslims, does not strive for their betterment and does not serve them sincerely shall not enter Paradise with them.(Sahih Muslim  Book 20  #4502)

JazakAllah Khairin

A struggling believer
AbuArman Adnan Jumani

Crumbling Foundations.

In the Name of Allah,

All praise is due to Allah, the only one who is worthy of worship.

"And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him." (Quran 12;106)

In Tafsir ibn Kathir, the verse is explained as "There is another type of hidden Shirk that most people are unaware of. Hammad bin Salamah narrated that `Asim bin Abi An-Najud said that `Urwah said, "Hudhayfah visited an ill man and saw a rope tied around his arm, so he ripped it off while reciting (this verse)"

My mother asked me the other day, "What does Islam say about Loh - e - Quran?". First, I didn't understand, so she explained me that there is a printout which has all Huruf Muqta'at (letters comes in the begining of some surahs, but don't have any known meaning) in a pattern, and people hang them in their home. Instead of answering her, I gave her the principle of Tawheed.

If we believe in anything that can not be proven with our five senses and logical reasoning, it falls under believe in unseen. In Islam, all beliefs in unseen are forms of shirk, except what taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Moreover, believing pain killer will help with pain is permissible, but wearing a thread believing it will provide comfort is associating partners with Allah.

So, I asked her the purpose of that printout. She said that some believe it to bring increased income and blessings. I told her that if one hangs these letters as a reminder and read them like one would read Quran, there is nothing wrong with it. However, if we believe in it having some super natural power on just being there, then it becomes the form of shirk, because now we have put our trust on  something other then Allah. She seemed satisfied, and she is probably one of the few people I know who surrender to Allah when told his commands. May Allah give her entry into Jannah.

In fact, this disease is very widespread, and is very dangerous for the believers. I have fallen into it many times, by believing that the dua hanging in my car will serve any other purpose beside being a reminder to read that dua. Many of you may relate to that, and some of these beliefs have taken so deep roots in our lives that removing them would crumble our foundation of faith, but remove them we must. Foundations may crumble, but it will save us from the fire of hell.

For example, in my local masjid, there is a part of the Quran printed in micro letters and hanging 20 feet above the ground on the right wall. No one can read it, so the only purpose it can serve is to give people belief in unseen power it could have, which takes us away from the worship of Allah. Of course, no one even think about it because it is so subtle and minor, and some may even disagree with me. Remember that we worship Allah as were taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and we are unable to innovate new ways to worship Allah, and it is prohibited in the strict sense.

If any belief is authenticated to have come from the Prophet (PBUH), then there is no harm in following it. There are many methods like blowing in the hands and rubbing all over body after reading Quran, and reading Surah Fatiha over a sick person etc that comes to us from him (PBUH). Our faith in Allah is the key for our salvation, and we should purify it, and keep it safe from the shirk. These minor invalid beliefs open the door for major beliefs, and as long as a person is willing to accept unseen benefit from an Islamic relic, there is no limit to this slope and slip, slip, slip they go.

Once again, everything that is natural and can be explained is permissible for us to believe, on the merit that Allah revealed us this understanding through our senses. Belief in medicine curing with Allah's will, belief in car starting with Allah's will, and belief in fire harming with Allah's will, are all forms of worship, if we belief that Allah have put means for us in these which we can prove.

And, anything that is not explained by natural means, and their benefits are not tangible by all humans regardless of their faith, then believing in them is a matter of faith. Belief in bad omen, belief in Quranic verses' mere presence providing supernatural benefit, belief in horoscope, and belief in charms, are all forms of shirk, if not found in the Quran and the Sunnah.

What I see among believers today is that their foundations are crumbling, and they die one by one in believing these forms of shirk. Let us examine our beliefs, and challenge every action that is based on belief in unseen to verify if this is authentic or just a tradition. This is the least we can do.

"O' Allah, we seek refuge in You from knowingly committing shirk with You and we ask Your forgiveness for what we do not know about" (Ahmad and At-Tibrani)

If any of you like to understand further please contact me, or if you find anything here contradicting Islam, please let me know with evidences, as I am son of Adam, and mistakes are in my nature.

And Allah knows best.

JazakAllah Khairin

A struggling believer
AbuArman Adnan Jumani

The Litmus Test of Islam.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Specially Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord, the God of Mankind.


"And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him. (Quran 12:106)

Recently, someone passed away, and a gathering has been called in the Masjid to make dua and some other rituals may be. So, someone asked me if this is allowed in Islam. First of all, I pray to Allah that he forgives this person and give him Jannah. Instead of answering this question, I would like to present the foundation of Islam which should answer the question itself. Following is the explanation of above verse from Hafiz Kathir.

Ibn `Abbas commented, "They have a part of faith, for when they are asked, `Who created the heavens Who created the earth Who created the mountains' They say, `Allah did.' Yet, they associate others with Him in worship.'' Similar is said by Mujahid, `Ata, `Ikrimah, Ash-Sha`bi, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. In the Sahih, it is recorded that during the Hajj season, the idolators used to say in their Talbiyah: "Here we rush to Your service. You have no partners with You, except a partner with You whom You own but he owns not!'' Allah said in another Ayah,

So, what it means is that it is easy to say that we accept Allah as the Supreme Lord, and consider him above everything, but it is not enough to say that. We can still commit shirk while we worship Allah as the only God. Without going into technical details of types of Tawheed, we should believe in three things to be clear of Shirk.

1) Allah is the creator of everything (which almost every human and Jin believes, including mushrikeen, and the people of the book)

2) When it comes to unseen belief, we shall only believe in what is explicitly said in the Quran, and taught by Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). We are allowed to believe on anything that our five senses and logic determine to be true unless it contradicts the belief described above. Any other action that is based on faith and not listed above is shirk.

3) We shall not add or remove from the description of Allah as it is explicitly recorded, and don't mix Allah's attribute with human attributes, and vice versa.

Any violation of above is considered shirk. So, if someone says that please take the medicine X because it heals, we are allowed to believe it, and follow it. However, if someone says that please wear a black thread it will protect you from evil spirit, it needs to be checked, because this is a matter of faith. If it turns out that it was taught by the Prophet (PBUH) then we accept it, otherwise we reject it.

Once again, if an act is not explained by nature (a worldy matter), and done on the basis of unseen belief that a benefit will come, and it does not have a precedence in the Quran and Sunnah, then it is a form of shirk. For example, when Umar (RA) ordered Taraweeh, he was re-instating something that was already established in the Sunnah. Also, when Utham (RA) added a second adhan, his intention was not to increase the reward, but to give people more time to prepare. Intention for an innovation has to be natural, otherwise it will be rejected.

I hope this has helped clarify the foundation of Islam, and provide a litmus test that can be applied for rejecting bad bid'a. Good bid'a is not only allowed, but it is necessary for us today. However, it can not violate the principals of Tawheed.

P.S. I beg you all to find a venue of learning and increase your knowledge. Islamic Center of Orlando has classes of Tafseer, Arabic, Hadith, Seerah etc. Islamic Online University has free courses that are taught by live persons. Please don't be caught by the angel of death while not intending to increase knowledge, as it affirms ones disbelief in Allah's help.

And Allah knows best

JazakAllah Khairin

A seeker of knowledge
AbuArman Jumani

Islamophobia: The Beginning of the End

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the owner of the Day of Judgement.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:    "Islam began as something strange and will return" (IbnMajah Kitab-AlFitn #3968)(Muslim Kitab-Ul-Iman #145)  

Islamophobia is a term used to describe the undue fear of Islam. Many around the world have the opinion that Islam in its true form is not a system we should follow. When someone tries to practice Islam according the Sunnah of Allah and Sunnah of his Messenger, they would encounter Islamophobia from majority of humans. Above hadith describes this fear that Makkans had in the early days that Islam will destroy their wealth as the idols are removed from Kaba. They were threatened that their culture which was preserved for hundreds of years will alter. It is the same fear that I see in the eyes of people today.

Muslims, including my relatives, fear me and hate me for practicing Islam. They don't want to be told that Eid is our holiday, and we should celebrate it better then we celebrate Birthdays, and Weddings. They don't want to be told that women should wear modest clothes. They don't want to be told that backbiting is a Major sin. They don't want to be told that earning haram wealth will nullify the connection with Allah. They don't want to be told that Women are to be allowed in the Masjid main hall for prayer, and participate in the lectures, so they can ask questions. They don't want to be told that women are not allowed to hold leaderhip position in the community...I can go on for another day or so, but lets leave it at that.

Islamic Sharia has become the dirty word, and even Muslims see it as unnecessary for their survival. I don't see a person being a Muslim, if he or she doesn't commit to Islamic Sharia completely.

I was talking to a young man yesterday, who is a "hafiz of Quran" and our future. I ask him whether he sees the split of Arab and non-Arab in our masjid, and he confirmed, but didn't have any clue how to resolve it. He did repeat the false hope line from Tableeghi Jamat about increasing our iman by coming to Masjid. Hopeless! Hopeless! Hopeless! When I ask these people why can't they sit with scholars from other race, they say you should learn from who you trust. I think that's an excuse to hide the Islamophobia that they keep inside their heart. Everyone is afraid of the other's set of believes.

Even, in the Sunday class, we are told not to judge someone, whereas Allah command us to Forbid Evil in Quran many a times. They are afraid that people will turn away from the class. Well, if we use the wisdom, that should not be the case. We should not fear Islam. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not hold back on his judgement, and told one of the person "Go back and pray again, as you have not prayed properly". I ask, Are you afraid of saying this to someone, then you are an Islamophobic.

I predict that as time progress, Islamophobia will increase among Muslims and Christians, and it will eventually lead to the great wars prophecized in the Bible and Quran. In fact, it has already started. Turkey has sever ties with Israel on a small dispute. Dictators, who were loved by the world as the counteracting agent on Islam are being removed, and being replaced with fresh blood, who ultimately will come to one conclusion that Islam is the only way to run human society. It is the beginning of an End. Wheels are in motion, and only a few see the writing on the wall. The world has slowly started to polarized upon Islam, and it will continue. Islam is peace and will remain peace. Muslims who teach dis-engagement with Christians are wrong. Muslims who teach dis-engagement with radical Islam are wrong. We need to engage. We need to stop this polarization.

I say to Christians, don't be afraid, Islamic Sharia is not what you think. I say to Muslims, don't be afraid to judge each other, as it is our duty, if done with wisdom, don't be afraid from a little bit of Ijtihad to remove corrupt traditions as it is not going against the Fiqh. I say to Vanilla Muslims, you will not lose status among your workplace and schools for practicing Islam. I say to my family, don't be afraid of prioritizing Allah over everything else, and taking the first step towards Allah. I say to fellow practicing Muslims, don't be afraid of staring into the eyes of who defy you, Allah is with you, nothing to be afraid, as the worst that can happen is death, which is the beginning of the eternal life.

Again, Practicing Islam has become strange, and if you are accepted easily by your fellow Muslims, then you must not be practicing as it should be. This is not the time to blend in. This is the time to stand out. As a wise person said recently, "It is time to Represent!"

May Allah make us stranger and provide us strength to remain in the strange ways.

JazakAllah Khairin

A stranger to all, perhaps
AbuArman Jumani

Sunnah O Sunnah, Where art thou?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent.

All praise is due to Allah, the Creator of Moon and Sun.


"They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage..." (Quran 2:185)


Narrated Ibn Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)". (Bukhari Vol 3 Book 31  # 124)


As I was sitting in the masjid with a brother as he grilled me on my blogs and how I made dua for the Masjid to go broke. I love him for the sake of Allah, and would like him to continue to criticize me, but I stand by that dua. During the critical questioning he asked me a question that must be bothering him for a while. He said "Why do you always criticize the Islamic Center of Orlando, but never praise the good that goes on here?" I answered. "I consider myself the press for the community and report what I see".  I hope what I say below satisfy that criticism.

Yesterday, I found something good about Islamic Center of Orlando. They were the only one following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), and drove it to the perfect conclusion with declaring 30th Ramadhan today. I am blessed to be living in a community where desire to give in to the pressure of majority was suppressed and Sunnah was uphold. I am proud of the steadfastness of the people who reminded me of the companion who did not take the easy way out of creating calendars, or the misguided opinion of following Saudi government.

Interestingly, I was invited for an Iftar in Masjid "Al-Sunnah" and about to break the fast, when a brother across the food made the comment about Islamic Center of Orlando, and mocked the effort of waiting for the moon, and said "They will have Eid next week". Immediately, I corrected him, and told him that they are following the Sunnah. I could see the anger that came to his eyes, and he couldn't believe that I told him the truth. I would have never said this if he didn't mock the Sunnah. He said something about the masjid was built wrong or something, so I said that that may be true, but on this matter, they are correct. He said that aren't Saudi our brothers, and I told him that there is no official global community (Ummah) so we don't follow Saudi.

Masjid Al-Sunnah will be stopping the fast without looking for the moon, which goes against the Sunnah. Ironically, that Masjid doesn't draw lines on the carpet in fear of abandoning the Sunnah, but failed to follow the Sunnah where it matters. They should change the name of the Masjid to Masjid Al-Saudi.

Goal is not to unite the Ummah. Goal is to follow the Sunnah. Unity should follow. Another brother told me there that we should follow the majority. I don't think he realizes that Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was in minority when he was tortured, but he didn't do that. It is absurd to follow Saudi in moon sighting.

If Saudi consider us to be part of their Ummah, hence allowing us to report moon sighting from Pakistan and other parts of the world to them, then I have no issue following a central authority. However, they are not an Islamic society, but a theocracy based on their traditional version of Islam, and they are not interested in including us in their community, as can be seen in their policy of no citizenship for born Muslims in Saudi. I don't want to be a subject to their oppressed Kingdom.

Now, Ijtihad can be done, and Khalifah (or Community leader) can rule to follow the calendar with moonset after sunset rule. ISNA and ISCF are doing that, and whoever follow them are following the Sunnah of Ijtihad as Prophet explained to Muad bin Jabal. Islam is not a Kingdom where Muslims have to bow to the King of Saudi with a goti beard for Sunnah if we are lucky enough that he doesn't trim to the skin like some brothers do nowadays.

I am all for unity in the Ummah, but Unity has to based on Sunnah, and not Unity on Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which doesn't even consider us equals to be able to earn citizenship as Prophet allowed for Migrants. I plead to brothers who are trying to please Saudis, please come back to the Sunnah and please Allah. May Allah guide us All.

JazakAllah Khairin.

A member of Masjid "On" Sunnah
AbuArman Jumani

Are we Muslim or Mu'min?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful,

There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Mesenger.

The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah,' For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Apostle, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."  (Quran 49:14)

I was listening to Dr Israr Ahmed give a beautiful explaination on the difference between a Muslim and a Beleiver. He went into such a detail that I had no doubts whatsoever, what needed to be done to become a beleiver. I will post the url at the end of this article so everyone can listen to it.

When it comes to Immigration, and our green card depending upon the definition of the word an immediate relative, or when it comes to taxes, where if the definition fits we could qualify for alot of money back from the government, we will not leave any stone unturned. In the above verse, Allah is differiantiating between a Mu'min and a Muslim. we should understand the definition of these two words.

So many times, you will hear that a non-practicing Muslim will say that they attest to oneness of Allah, so they are beleivers, and it is one in the same thing. It is not true, as you can see above. Most of us are Muslims by accidents, which mean that we were born in the Muslim family so we had no choice but to be a Muslim. Have we truly accepted Allah as our God, because one can not choose which order to follow and which order to delay from a God.

If we read Quran and ahadith, we will see that, most of the time, the word used is Mu'min or the believer, but not Muslim, and it is on purpose to distinguish between someone who says it from the mouth, and the one who shows it from the actions. I have used the term Prcticing Muslim in the past, and it is same as Mu'min.

For example, a person sign up for Military, and also wears the uniform, but will not respond to the order of the General. What do you think will happen to this soldier? I am so glad that Allah is merciful, because he waits for us to turn around, and not strike us down on first sin.

I will not say much, and let all of you listen to this wonderful explaination which definately will increase your faith at the least. He goes through an example that hits your heart, and a Muslim with a listening heart, should say Labbyaik to it.

Personally, I don't blame muslims by birth, because they never knew what is Islam, and how they can become a Mu'min, as their parents never taught them, because they didn't know. It reflects when I have conversation with older muslims who claim that Islam is what is followed from forefathers, and we should submit to it. If one is from Paksitan or India, they have never seen a woman going to masjid, so they starting to get a heart attack, when I mention that woman used to enter the main hall of the masjid, and sit visibly in the masjid behind men, and would even challenge the Khalifah on his ijtihad.

Let us make a pledge that we all will learn about Islam, and seek it with passion, and seek it for ourselves and not to argue with Scholars, and then try to practice anything that we learn, and share with our families after a congregation at home (which I hope everyeone is doing). Stop each other from sinning, and enjoin to follow Allah, and make an effort to Invite non-muslims to Islam, and establish the community that is an Ideal Muslim Society.

Please watch this video, if you are not afraid of being brainwashed into a believer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZc0yUWedus

JazakAllah Khairin

A wanna be Mu'min
AbuArman Jumani

Try Allah's influence also...

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful,

All praise is due to Allah, the Sustainer, and the Provider.

"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. (Quran 65:3)"

 Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that he rode the Prophet's camel while sitting behind the Prophet , and the Messenger of Allah said to him,

"O boy! I will teach you words [so learn them]. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you, be mindful of Allah and He will be on your side. If you ask, ask Allah, and if you seek help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the Ummah gather their strength to bring you benefit, they will never bring you benefit, except that which Allah has decreed for you. Know that if they gather their strength to harm you, they will never harm you, except with that which Allah has decreed against you. The pens have been raised and the pages are dry." At-Tirmidhi called it "Sahih Hassan".

I have been to gatherings, where mulsims are bent over backward to accomodate one or two people who are influential, in hopes to get help from them when they need it. They could be politicians, wealthy, community leaders, Imam of local masjid, or a scholar. This sentiment is very common, and it comes in many shape and sizes. Nothing wrong with it, but it is missing an enitity

Moreover, if we get stuck somewhere, we either depend upon our wisdom or ask others for help. This was the case with me as well until 3 years ago. My brain will only think of solutions and other humans who could help with some problem I am facing. Once, I started to learn more about the way of Islam, I realized that there is a force behind every action of everyone, who has more power than any influencial person on earth.

If we can bring Allah to our side, he will be "that relative who is wealthy and knows people" for us, and anywhere we go, or anything we do we can call him and say "hey dude, I need some help here...." and the funny thing is that he promised to respond, and sometimes we don't even have to move our tongue, and he is there to help, and sometimes you just have a firm beleive that Allah is there for you, and anything you think happens for you.

Of course, no friend comes cheap, and Allah also require us to keep our end of the bargain by obeying his commands, but I see that as a cheap bargain, because he has agents everywhere, and he has no restriction on how much he can help us. Remember his agents will not be able to help you if you have a picture or a dog or someone who has impurity on the body. Jsut remove these and you should be safe, InsaAllah. In my opinion, Allah is the best one to depend upon.

Alhamdulilah, since last 3 years, I have seen the power of Allah's influence in action many times. Impossible things happens when you beleive in him. It only works, if we put 100% beleive in him that he exists, he is watching, and we are on his good side. Now, there are many ways to get ot his good side, but thats the topic for another day.

Last night I was sitting in the masjid, and listening to a "non-scholar" scholar from tablighi jamaat, trying to prove that we can put our trust in Allah, and don't need to work for a few days, and come with him. That is just abusing the trust, because Allah did not create us to have him do everything for us and we become lazy, and hop around from masjid to masjid leaving our families, but "lakam dinulum waliaddin" (to you , your way, and to me, mine).

I am not talking about this foolish idea about leaving the camel untied and hoping that that camel will stick around since we gave him his favourite food. No, tie the camel and leave it to Allah to protect it.
Camel will stroll away beacuse it is natural, and we should the ways of nature and follow it.

Recently, I traveled to different parts of the world, and found that Allah's influence is strong in the heart of darkness of Philippines, and in the blinding brightness of Arab arrogance. I would like all of us to try this influence, and just have tawakal-Allah (trust in Allah) before we have trust in the Imam of the masjid, or in the wealthy cousin who can get you a job, or the computer engineer friend who you may need when your computer is broken. Respect everyone, but don't suck up to everyone except Allah.

Try Allah's influence by saying his name when leaving the house, say his name when returning, say his name when you get hurt, say his name when facing a problem, and don't do anything that he has asked not to do. Have trust in Allah, and try to make him happy, If he is happy, you will see that doors will open as you approach them, literally, no kidding. Just try it....

"O Allah, I submit to you and I believe in you and I have relied on you and I turn to you and I have argued by you. I seek refuge with Your might, there is no god other than You, from Your misguiding me. You are the Living who does not die while jinn and men will all die." (Muhammad ibn Abdullah(PBUH))

JazakAllah Khairin,

A dependent of Allah
AbuArman Jumani