Linkages

By Umar Abdullah

Often times when we look at things around us, an association of sorts is made in our mind, linking that particular thing, object or person to a thought, an idea, a concept or a common trend in society. This type of association forms an inherent part of our culture as human beings. From this; one can derive and conclude in very specific terms the state of that particular thing, object or person, take for example a business establishment; depending on its location, its structural design, its goods and services offered, and where it is situated in relations to other establishments, one can deduce the type of cliental that would be attracted to such a business and weather they ll be upper-class or lower-class; similarly with everything else. Lets now take a look at one of the more compelling truths of our society; our religious institutions, in particular the Masjid or the Mosque as it is commonly called. If it s one thing that would be reflective of the state of our Jamaats and the Muslims in this twin Island state of ours would be our Masjids. Our Masjids which ought to represent a source of spirituality, strength and unity; it is where our stewardship takes root; a place where the fusion of culture and race gives birth to brotherhood; a power house of intellectual minds; a house of refuge; a beacon of light. Do our Masjids represent that? If not, what then is the state of our Jamaats and Muslims? To answer this, let s take a close look at one particular Masjid in South Trinidad. Located along one of our more busy roads and nested in a very small rural village stands a Masjid; a Majestic structure with high walls in front. At first glance one gets the impression whatever is inside does not want anything to do with the outside and whatever is outside, does not want anything to do with the inside. Now to add insult to injury this Masjid is situated just mere meters away from three Rum Shops. O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are abominations of Shaitan's (Satan's) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abominations) in order that you may be successful. (005:090), also Shaitan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salat (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain? (005:091)

Now, the sale and consumption of alcohol has negatively impacted on our society for many years. This fallout has resulted in a gateway into the use of illicit drugs and as a consequence grown to addiction and health issues, caused the break-up of families and homes, decreased productivity in the work place, have contributed to an increased occurrence of crime assault, rape, robbery and murders. Alcohol related activities have placed an added burden on health care and health care reform and worst of all have plunged the youths into a state of adolescence intolerance reaping havoc in the home and in school. Having three venues where alcohol can be brought will just make alcohol more easily available and accessible to the public and in particular the youths. The inability of this Jamaat to prevent this is in itself counteractive to all the initiatives and programs being facilitated by this Jamaat in promoting Islam in its community. The purpose of every Muslim male and female is to worship Allah, forbid the wrong and to enjoin what is right. Allah the Most High said: Let their arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful, (3:104) and: You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad [sal-Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] and his Sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid AlMunkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah, (3:110) and: (The believers whose lives Allah has purchased are) those who turn to Allah in repentance (from polytheism and hypocrisy), who worship (Him), who praise (Him), who fast (or go out in Allah's Cause), who bow down (in prayer), who prostrate themselves (in prayer), who enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all what Islam has ordained) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), (9:112) and: They used not to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do. (5:79) The Qur'an is full of passages which treat of this subject. Muslim relates on the authority of Abu Sa`id (radhiallahu `anhu) that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, "Whoever sees something evil should change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot do even that, then in his heart. That is the weakest degree of faith." He also relates on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "There was not a single Prophet among those who were sent before me who did not have apostles and companions and followed his Sunna and obeyed his commands. But afterwards other generations came whose words belied their deeds, and whose deeds were not in accordance with what they

commanded others to do. Whoever struggles against them with his hand is a believer. Whoever struggles against them with his tongue is a believer. And whoever struggles against them with his heart is a believer. But when none of these things are done, then not a single mustard's seed weight of faith is present." Bukhari and Muslim relate that Zaynab (radhiallahu `anha), the wife of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) once awoke, and his face was dark, as he said three times, 'There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah! Woe betides the Arabs, because of an evil which will soon come! Today, the barrier of Juj and Ma`juj has been breached by so much,' and he made a circle with his thumb and forefinger." And Zaynab remarked, "I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! Even when the righteous still dwell amongst us? And he said, 'Yes, when khubth (moral degradation) becomes widespread.'" Malik ibn Dinar once recited the verse: And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform. (27:48) and said, "Nowadays, there are people in every clan and district who cause corruption in the earth, and do not cause reform." He also said, "We have become accustomed to loving the world, so that we do not enjoin good or forbid evil to one another. Allah the Most High will certainly not permit us to continue doing this, but would that I knew what kind of punishment shall befall us!" `Umar ibn `Abdul `Aziz said, "It used to be that Allah the Most High does not punish the common people for the sins of the elite; but when the evil is done openly, and they do not repudiate it, they all become deserving of His punishment." Ibn Masood was once asked: "Who are the living dead?" to which the Prophet replied: "He who does not acknowledge the right as such, and does not reject the wrong." So it is clear from this very observation the state of this Masjid and by extension its members. It would appear as though the Imam is oblivious as to his role and function and worst yet his followers. They have become accustomed to loving the world, so that they do not enjoin good or forbid evil. They have all grown accustomed to the warmth of their wives and husbands, They have attached themselves to their children and cling heavily to the comfort of their homes; they have dumped Islam and turned on their heels on a pathway to certain destruction. Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger (sal-Allhu 'alayhi wa sallam), and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision

(torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah). (009:024). This Jamaat failed before it has even started. The same can be said for most of the Masjids and Jamaats in this Twin Island State of ours; how can it be fixed? Lay in the hearts and minds of the individuals who attend these places of worship . May Allah make it easy for us Aameen Umar Abdullah Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) Email: waajihatulislaamiyyah@gmail.com Phone: 1 (868) 787-0765/365-6253