Hussain to me

In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

What does Hussain mean to me?

He means everything to me. In a few hours of a single afternoon, he taught me everything I need to know and showed me everything I need to be. It is as if the twenty-three years of the prophet`s (s) message; his love, his vision, his struggle... are encapsulated into a single man. Hussain is the perfect student of Muhammad (s).

He is the meaning of sacrifice, the symbol of loyalty, the very essence of mercy and compassion. On the battlefield, he fights with unmatched valour and off the battlefield he gives with unparalleled generosity. The moon envies his heart’s radiance and the sun surrenders before the warmth of his character. Hussain is the embodiment of virtues.

From the ninety-year old sage to the six month old infant, from the black African slave to the renowned Arab warrior, from a fourteen year old nephew to a sister in shackles... Hussain's companions are shining examples for all humanity that when freedom is threatened, when faith is corrupted, and when materialism governs, all have a part to play in the stand for liberty, piety and morality, that in the way of truth, no sacrifice is too great.

Whenever I feel weak, depressed, lonely… I take myself to the land of unending inspiration, to the camp of Hussain, knowing that my thirst for love, strength and light will be quenched there. I drink from the sweet springs of his love and compassion, and recieve the energy, determination and vision that I need to continue.

Indeed, the epic scene we find in the desert sands of Karbala: an armed force of thirty thousand men facing a band of seventy-two; a camp of egotism, hatred and arrogance facing an army of love, compassion and self sacrifice; cowardice against loyalty, pride against humility, vengeance against mercy… is in reality nothing but a reflection of the scene that all of us witness every single day… within our own being.

When I find myself torn between virtue and desire, between love and lust, between freedom and slavery… all I need to do is view my situation through the lens of Hussain’s sacrifice, and everything becomes clear, as if his stand is the very manifestation of the Qur’anic passage: ‘There is no compulsion in religion; truth has become distinct from error…’ (Qur’an 2:256). When I have to choose between swallowing my pride and responding with anger, between the urge to backbite and the struggle to hold my tongue, between silence in the face of injustice and standing for freedom… I remember the words of Hussain when he stated:

“They have left me a choice between death and humiliation. And never to humiliation”

In the way I think, in the way I speak, in the way I worship; in my relationship with God, in my interactions with His servants… in the way I live and, inshaAllah (God-willing) in the way I will die, I try to answer the call of

Hussain when he stood alone on the desert sands and called out:

‘Is there any helper to help me?’

The chapter of history that tells of the sacrifice of Hussain was a chapter that was opened in Karbala… but it did not close there. It remains open until this day. And as long as there is a single human being living under oppression – be it social, physical or spiritual – this chapter shall remain open. As long as there is a single homeless man without shelter, an abused woman without protection, and a thirsty child without water, this chapter shall remain open.

Yesterday it was spears and arrows.

Today it is tanks and missiles.

Yesterday it was town criers of despotic Caliphs.

Today it is a multi-million dollar media machine.

Yesterday it was the companions of Hussain against the army of Yazid. Today it is oppressive regimes that occupy and murder indiscriminately against advocates of justice and liberty.

Yesterday it was the love of position against love of God.

Today it is a culture of lust and consumerism against virtue, ethics and morality.

Today, it is you and me. Every day we are faced with decisions, with choices. Hussain’s eternal stand continues, and so do the endless attempts to silence it. It all begins within our own selves. As such, the question every person must ask his/herself is not 'where would I have stood had I been in Karbala 1300 years ago?', but rather:

‘Where do I stand today?’

The Mystery Of The Fitrah

In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

فاقم وجهك للدين حنيفا 

fa-aqim wajhaka lid-dīni ḥanīfa(n)

So direct your face towards the religion, inclining to truth

فطرت الله التي فطر الناس عليها 

fiṭrataḷ-ḷāhil latī faṭaran nāsa ’alayhā

the nature of Allah upon which humanity has been fashioned

لا تبديل لخلق الله 

lā tabdīla li-khalqillāh(i)

no change in the creation of Allah

ذلك الدين القيم ولاكن اكثر الناس لا يعلمون

dhālikad-dīnul qayyimu walākin aktharan-nāsi lā ya’lamūn

that is the upright religion but most people do not know

Reference: Qur'an, Sūrah Ar-Rūm; Chapter 30, 'The Romans', Āyah (verse) 30 [30:30]

The concept of 'Fiṭrah', man's 'innate nature' or 'disposition' is one that, for me, evokes a feeling of wonder and amazement. Why? Because the implication of the Qur'anic verse is that every human being has been fashioned on a Divine nature by Allah. In other words, every single human being on earth has an innate nature that is Godly. Indeed, it is this very nature that is the cause of altruistic acts of self sacrifice that are often witnessed, irrespective of the belief system to which the person claims to adhere. 

Every human being recognises truth from falsehood, light from darkness and goodness from evil. 

و نفس و ما سواها

wa nafsiw-wa mā sawwāhā

and the soul and He Who perfected it

فالهمها فجورها و تقواها

fa-alhamahā fujūrahā wa taqwāhā

then He inspired it (to understand) what is right for it and what is wrong for it 

Reference: Qur'an, Sūrah Ash-Shams; Chapter 91, 'The Sun', Āyāt (verses) 7-8 [91:7-8]

The religion of Islam is 100% in sync with this innate disposition of the human being. That is why it is the fastest growing religion in the world: people research into Islam and find it compatible with their nature.  Interestingly, the word 'kāfir' that is used in the Qur'an, usually translated to 'disbeliever', actually means  'one who covers'; it was used to refer to farmers because they cover seeds with soil... so a 'kāfir' (male) or 'kāfirah' (female)  is a person who covers this innate, Godly nature that they possess. And that is exactly what makes such a person so wretched, even lower than an animal: the fact that despite possessing such a Divine nature, he/she insists on misguidance, darkness and delusion; despite being beside a pure stream of flowing water, he/she insists on drinking mud.

The word 'Islam' means submission. So a Muslim is a person who accepts and submits to his/her 'Fitrah'. 'Islam' comes from the word 'Salām', meaning 'peace': when one submits to the 'Fitrah', the way of innate nature, he/she receives a sense of peace that nothing can override. Indeed, the default state of every being is the remembrance, invocation and glorification of Allah.

يسبح لله ما في السماوات و ما في الارض الملك القدوس العزيز الحكيم

yusabbiḥu lillāhi mā fīs-samāwāti wa mā fīl-arḍil malikil quddūsil ’azīzil ḥakīm

Glorifies Allah whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, the King, the Holy, the Mighty, the Wise

Reference: Qur'an, Sūrah Al-Jumu’ah; Chapter 62, 'Friday', Āyah (verse) 1 [62:1]

Therefore, when a person submits to his/her 'Fitrah', he/she is one with the universe and joins the particles of existence in their glorification (tasbīḥ) of Allah.

My Karbala

In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful 

My Karbala

Dedicated to a dear friend

Prayer or player?

Riser or stayer?

Love or desire?

Stay low or climb higher?

Supplication or Shisha?

Romance or rosary?

Freedom or slavery?

Pride or humility?

Laziness or action?

Remain static or seek perfection?

Walk humbly or bop?

Lower my gaze or look up?

Argue or tolerate?

Accept others or just hate?

Raise my voice in anger?

Or give silence as my answer?

Resist my ego; swallow my pride?

Or leave the fire to burn inside?

Keep on jamming with my friends?

Or end it all and make amends?

Keep good and bad within me mixed up?

Or decide it's time to really fix up?

Whose side will I choose?

Who will win and who will lose?

Where is darkness, where is light?

Who is wrong and who is right?

Where is truth and where are lies?

Which will live and which will die?

Who will laugh and who will cry?

Who will triumph though he's slain?

Who has strength to take the pain?

Who has strength to bite the bullet?

Who is man enough to take it?

Who is strong enough to make it?

Through the highs and through the lows

Ups and downs, and so life goes

Who keeps striving, who keeps trying?

And who keeps to his own self lying?

Who is dead and who's immortal?

Whose love has made his name eternal?

Yazid... or Hussain?

Our Problem: Covered Faces... Or Covered Hearts?

In the name of Allah. the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Note: this article is about the face veil which is worn by sisters, and as such it may seem that i have not addressed the many problems on the part of brothers. If Allah wills, these too will be addressed in the future!

The Niqab or face veil is something that many Muslim women choose to wear in front of 'non-Mahram' men, in addition to covering their bodies. Whilst i had not, until this Summer, encountered any female relative of my own who wears the Niqab, i have always had great respect for my Muslimah sisters who choose to wear it.

No Niqabi Muslimah living in London will tell you that she wears it due to it being mandatory in Islam, and certainly not because her husband forces her. Rather, the answer is always 'i choose to wear it'. In fact, there are Hijabis who have opposed their own parents for the freedom to wear the Niqab. Why then, i wonder to myself, do so many have a problem with it? And i am not referring to non Muslims. Rather my question is regarding Muslims, and particularly lovers of Ahlulbayt (as), who sometimes condemn their own sisters for wearing the Niqab in a very harsh manner.

Some months ago, in a programme with Sh. Mohammed Al-Hilli, the respected scholar mentioned the issue of the face veil. There was a comment made in response, essentially urging the Shaikh to reply in a manner that would make it appear that Islam is somehow not in favour of the face veil being worn in Western society.

i do appreciate this view. i understand that in some ways it may, as orientalist opponents of the Niqab often say, 'create more barriers' between Muslims and their non-Muslim neighbours. Indeed, taking this one step further, many Muslim women who choose not to wear the headscarf believe that even covering their heads with a scarf in public 'creates more barriers', while the need for interaction and communication has never been greater. And by the way, my own mother who observes the Islamic covering, is also of the view that the face veil is not appropriate for Western society, as are many other sisters who do observe the Islamic Hijab correctly.

My personal opinion is irrelevant. i would never enforce it on my wife or daughters. However, should they choose to wear it, i would support them in their decision inshaAllah.

My question is this: as Muslims living in Western society, what is our idea about the Islamic Hijab? Is this idea the same as that brought by the prophet Muhammad (s)? What is the purpose of the physical covering? Is it to empower women to enter confidently into society? Is it in order to allow women to mix freely in a mixed gender environment? Is it to protect women the way a gem is protected?

To be honest, i haven't yet found the answers to all these questions. But i do wonder at times whether our idea of Hijab has become very different to the original idea given to us by our Creator. Sure, women are allowed to stroll the streets, go window shopping etc so long as social and physical Hijab is observed. However, it comes down to the individual's understanding of their Creator, themselves and their purpose. This goes for both brothers and sisters, for it is our understanding and beliefs that determine our actions. i have the highest respect for the sisters who, before taking any decision, ask themselves: What would Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra (a) do?

When did Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra (a) leave her home? Is her example limited to 6th century Arabia?

With the popular trend of thought that 'we are all the same - we just cover our heads!' that has become instilled in some of our minds, asking such a question is irrelevant and absurd, as modern society is drastically different to 6th century Arabia. On the other hand, however, by those who have a spiritual understanding, it is maintained that whilst is is true that society has advanced in a material sense (more buildings, better architecture, security etc), human beings essentially remain the same. Our needs to eat, drink, sleep, marry... have these changed over time? The attraction between genders; has it decreased due to society's advancement? While encouraging material as well as spiritual progress, it is these needs that Islam addresses. For example, the need to worship is an essential need, irrespective of time or location, and as such all Muslims bow down in prayer on a daily basis, irrespective of their location or the modernity of their society. The Islamic Hijab has also come to address these essential, human needs, and as such is applicable in every age and to every society, though there may be diversity in the way of wearing the physical Hijab. It is here that Muslims disagree: is the face veil unsuited for Western society?

i posed this question to the office of one of the leading scholars of the school of Ahlulbayt (as), Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. The last part of the response was particularly interesting.

What is the ruling regarding the face-veil being worn by a woman in front of non Mahrams? Is it permissible, recommended, allowed, discouraged or impermissible? Is the ruling different for Muslims living in the West?

In front of non-mahram men, a woman should cover her entire body except for the face (the area which is to be washed in wudu') and hands up to wrists. Unless the face and hands up to wrists are adorned, it is not obligatory to cover them, although covering them goes with caution. Regarding this ruling, there is no difference between the West and other countries.

In conclusion, i would like to say that whilst it is fine if we personally disagree with the face veil being worn in Western society, let us at least appreciate the courage that our Niqab wearing sisters possess to cover their faces, whenever they leave their homes. For sure, it is no walk in the park! Furthermore, i would like to add that Muslims who support the banning of the face veil should not be fooled into thinking that the agenda behind such decisions is national security. It isn't. Today it is the Niqab. Tomorrow it will be the headscarf. At the end of the day, if Allah has allowed something, do we have the right to disallow it? If Muslim women choose to cover their faces, should they not have the freedom to do so? It's hard enough being attacked by your enemies, but being attacked by your own brothers and sisters is something else. Something we will have to answer for on the day our records are opened.

Overemphasising Politics In Islam

In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

i am not against politics. However i disagree with looking at Islam through a political lens. Whilst politics does have its role to play in Islam, it has no intrinsic value; as anything else, its value lies only in serving the interest of Taqwa: God consciousness i.e. assisting human beings to ascend to the heights of perfection in realising the presence of Allah and by thus doing fulfilling the purpose of our existence.

i've become very disheartened recently by some of those who are supposedly the pioneers of advocating Islam in its 'complete', politics-included form. Dismayed by the lack of Akhlaq and spirituality in their lives which is evident from the lack of moral conduct when debating and 'defending the truth'. When we have not brought justice into our own being, how do we think of bringing it to the world around us?

As Mawlana once said, 'Yesterday i was clever: i wanted to change the world. Today i am wise: i want to change myself'

Allah has mentioned in the Qur'an that whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all humanity. Nowhere does it say that this one life can not be your own. Save yourself and you will save all humanity. i am becoming more and more of a believer in the idea that there is a great spiritual link between the world within one's being and the outward world. A pious person once said to me that the human heart is greater and vaster than all that you see in the world around you, from the endless skies full of stars to the deepest oceans filled with wonders...

'Soon shall we show them our signs, on the horizons and in their own souls...'

The whole point of an Islamic government is to provide ideal conditions for human beings to flourish, as fertile soil is the ideal place for seeds to evolve into beautiful flowers. The holy prophet (s) said that he was sent by God to perfect the Akhlaq. Perfecting our Akhlaq is much easier in a society where everything reminds you of Allah and your purpose, as opposed to a society where everything distracts you from righteousness and morality. Thus it is sad that many brothers and sisters who seem to be the greatest advocates of Islamic government & politics have forgotten the whole purpose of these. Its not politics for the sake of politics. Its politics for the sake of Allah.

At the end of the day, even if we want to change people - which shouldn't be our aim - then we should remember that it is not your words that changes people; it is your character. One who loves Allah, He makes people love His lover. When people love you, they yearn to be similar to you. Imam Al-Sadiq (a) said to invite to goodness without using our tongues.

May Allah forgive me for my mistakes, and uncover the light of your hearts to shine onto the rest of creation.

Lessons In Love

In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Something i remember, even though years have passed. On a train journey, a pious brother with a face illuminated with the light of piety, when he said that line that has since then been embedded in my unconscious mind, and resurfaces from time to time.

'This world is like a school and Allah is the teacher'

i think back to the past year of my life, and this line once more resurfaces from the depths of my conscience. Through the experiences of last year, it is as if He has been training me in the school of piety, teaching me that i may enter into the next class. Through the duration of the past year, there has been one lesson that seems to dominate the landscape. It is a lesson in loving, trust and friendship... something that had begun to mean a lot to me last year.

It is as if through the betrayal of trust on the part of those who i considered friends, through the aching of the heart when deserted by those i attempted to please, and abandonment by those towards whom i showed love and affection... He was teaching me to place my trust in Him alone. It was Him Who, whenever i sought out an idol, broke it... and through the aching of the heart, directed me once more toward the Only Beloved, His Own Exulted Essence.

Praise be to Allah Who sought my friendship whilst being needless of me. And praise be to Allah Who forgives what He knows of my wrongdoings, whilst others punish me for what they speculate about me. Praise be to Allah, in Whom i hope and i do not hope in other than Him, and had i hoped in other than Him, they would have disappointed me. Praise be to Allah in Whom i trust and i do not trust in other than Him, and had i trusted in other than Him, they would have betrayed my trust.

'The heart is the shrine of Allah, so do not place other than Allah in the shrine of Allah'
-The leader Ja'far ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)

Tehran Metro

With His name, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

From the hustle and bustle of the bazaar, i enter into another world... a world underground. We descend, escalator upon escalator, into the underground passageways of the deepest station in the middle east. Proceeding towards the glass barriers (no need for a ticket as it is free for all due to it being the international day of Al Quds), i gaze in amazement at the HD quality photos of freedom protests from all over the middle east that align the hallway, one after another, and marvel at the incredible Islamic calligraphy that beautifies the station. The cleanliness is imminent; the radiance of the lights above is somewhat reflected on the immaculate tiles that pave the way towards the metro. Waiting for our train, i glance up at an electronic diagram that displays the route of my train, a virtual symbol showing at which station it is currently present.

The space is what hits you. Not to mention women-only sections in the carriages for sisters who are particular about their Hijab. The screens within the train play supplications as well as cartoons for children, pausing only for the announcement of the approaching station. Intuitively comparing what is before me with that which is more familiar (London underground), i am compelled to admit that had i not 'known better', i would think Britain to be a third world country.