Deen Essentials … Part 2

Part 2…

FALLEN FIVE PILLARS

The concept of SHAHADAH is the declaration of Oneness of God (tawheed) and messengership of Prophet Muhammad (sas) which people pronounce by tongue without understanding the meaning and its impact on life. The ninety-nine names of Allah are highly regarded and invoked in prayers and duaa (supplications); chanted repeatedly with the belief that such activities will bring blessings and acceptance of duaa without knowing the meaning and impact. Muslims are involved in nifaq (hypocrisy) and shirk (associationism) of all kinds in beliefs and in deeds (or works). The messengership of Prophet Muhammad (sas) means accepting him as a guide and a ROLE MODEL in daily life. Unfortunately, the role model of a large majority of Muslims is the white man of the West. From the rulers of Muslim countries to ordinary people in the street, whether living in a Muslim country or western country, the role model is a white “successful” person, certainly NOT Prophet Muhammad(sas). For a Muslim country or a Muslim society, the role model is America, her political and economic systems, and her value system or lack of it. For a so called religious minded Muslim, the role model is frequently a dead or living saint (wali) or imam or ‘alim (scholar), almost never Prophet Muhammad(sas); if he is the role model, it is in a hearsay manner or by conjecture not through authentic and direct knowledge. Lip service is given to Prophet Muhammad(sas), his birthday (maulood or miladun-Nabi) is celebrated, seeratun-Nabi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare, salath’alan-Nabi or durood is said whenever his name is uttered. Any who do not do any of these celebrations are called WAHABIS. A very large majority of Muslims are not even familiar with the biography of Prophet Muhammad’s’ and the irony is that the “ilama” (scholars) discourage Muslim masses from studying and obtaining guidance directly from QURAN and books of authentic HADITH. This broken pillar of SHAHADAH or declaration of the CREED OF ISLAM is lying on the ground. Only if the meaning of shahadah is understood and lived by, sufficient guidance is there for life in this would and salvation in the life hereafter.

 

Illustration by AA Sumadri

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