"Being Muslims & Its Challenges" 1 Scribd)

“Towards becoming
Muslims - and its

challenges.”
Friday night lecture series by:

Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
@ Masjid al- Istiqomah
(Seranggon, Singapore)
1
©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail
Commandment for Muslims
to
be grateful:
ّ ِ‫وَإِذۡ تَأَذّنَ رَبّكُمۡ لَٕٮِن شَڪَرۡتُمۡ لَزِيدَنّكُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَٕٮِن ڪَفَرۡتُمۡ إ‬

‫ن‬
ٌ‫عَذَابِى لَشَدِي ۬د‬
“And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared
(publicly): ‘If you are grateful, I will add more
(favours) unto you; but if you show ingratitude,
truly My punishment is terrible indeed.”
(Qur’an: Ibrahim : 14: 7)
2
Commandment for Muslims to
be grateful:
ۡ‫لَقَدۡ مَنّ ٱلُّ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِيہِمۡ رَسُولً۬ مّنۡ أَنفُسِهِم‬
َ‫ي َۡتلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَڪّيہِمۡ وَيُعَلّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰب‬
ۡ
۬ ‫وَٱلۡحِڪمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن ق َۡبلُ لَفِى ضَل َٰـ‬
ٍ‫لٍ مّبِين‬
“Allah did confer a great favour on the Believers when He sent
among them a Messenger from among themselves;
rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them
and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while before
that, they had been in manifest error.”
(Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 164)
3
Why this topic?
ّ ُ‫ي َٰٓـأَيّہَا ٱلّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتّقُواْ ٱلَّ حَقّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَ تَمُوت‬
‫ن‬
ۡ ‫إِلّ وَأَنتُم م‬
َ‫ّسلِمُون‬
“O you who have attained to faith! Be conscious
of Allah with a true consciousness, and do not
allow death to overtake you unless you are (in
state of submission to Allah) in Islam.
4
Why this topic?
‫وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱلِّ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَ تَفَرّقُواْ‌ۚ وَٱذۡكُرُو ْا‬
ۡ ‫نِعۡمَتَ ٱلِّ عَل َۡيك‬
‫ُم‬
And holdfast all together by the Rope which

Allah stretches out for you) and be not divided
among yourselves; and remember with
gratitude Allah’s favour on you;”
5
Why this topic?
 Muslims – due to lack of proper Islamic
education - may not realize, let alone
appreciate, - what “Ad-deen al-Islam” really is;
and who? how? or what? constitute being truly
a Muslim.
 Devoid of strong Islamic foundation, yet living
in the context of today’s multi-religious reality &
globalization which exposes us to many
influences : many Muslims may be facing crisis
of value & culture. Unable or ill-equipped with
correct Islamic knowledge to respond, it may
lead even to loss of their identity as Muslim.
6
Why this topic?
 This loss of identity can either be:
(a) apparent (as in case of ‘murtad’); or
(b) hidden (as in the case of blatant hypocrisy –
‘nifaaq’).
 Even for those who genuinely love Islam, but
due to their ignorance of its teachings, they may
be tempted to react ‘emotionally’ or
‘apologetically’ (which may be opposed to what
Islam actually teaches) – especially towards
others – thus adding to the much confusion
regarding Islam itself.
7
Why this topic?
 There is a sense of despair in some Muslims
today, due to the barrage of negative image on
Islam in the media - the perceived
‘backwardness’ of Muslims (social-economic-
political); the immorality, disunity, enmity or
hostility amongst sections of Muslims (although
these are the exceptional few); the seeming
absence of Islamic response to contemporary
world problems; etc. – which may tempt some
Muslims to compromise our religious principles
or discard what is the Islamic Way - and to
experiment with other “isms” or methodologies
grounded on philosophies opposed to Islam!
Na-’uu -dzubillah min dzaalik!
8
Remember …………
….
 “Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas
the Muslims are not – unless they strive
with their utmost to establish Islam
perfectly in themselves.
َ ‫وَلَ تَهِنُواْ وَلَ تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مّؤۡمِنِي‬

‫ن‬
(Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3:139)
9
….
“Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not:

for you are bound to rise high if you are
[truly] believers.”
(Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3:139)
10
….
ۗ‌ۡ‫إِنّ ٱلَّ لَ يُغَيّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتّىٰ يُغَيّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِم‬
(Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11)
11
….
“Verily, Allah does not change men’s

condition unless they change their inner
selves;”
(Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11)
12
….
ٰ‫ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنّ ٱلَّ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيّرً۬ا نّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتّى‬
ۙ‌ۡ ‫يُغَيّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہ‬
‫ِم‬
ٌ‫وَأَنّ ٱلَّ سَمِيعٌ عَلِي ۬م‬
13
….
“This, because Allah would never change

the blessings with which He has graced a
people unless they change their inner
selves: and [know] that Allah is all-
Hearing, all-Seeing.”
(Qur’an: Al- Anfal : 8:53)
14
….
‫وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَ ِة‬
َ‫مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِين‬
(Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85)
15
….
“For, if one goes in search of a religion

other than “al-Islam” (self-surrender to
Allah), it will never be accepted from him,
and in the life to come he shall be among
the lost.”
(Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85)
16
….
 “Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the
Muslims are not – unless they strive with their
utmost to establish Islam perfectly in themselves.
ۡ ‫َوه‬
‫ُم‬ ۡ ‫َخش‬
ۡ ‫ُم فَلَ ت‬ ۡ ‫ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَٕٮِسَ ٱلّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِك‬
ۡ ‫ُم ن‬
‫ِعمَتِى‬ ۡ ‫َمتُ عَل َۡيك‬
ۡ ‫ُم وَأ َۡتم‬
ۡ ‫ُم دِينَك‬
ۡ ‫وَٱخۡشَوۡنِ‌ۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَك‬
‫وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡل َٰـمَ دِي ۬نًا‬
(Qur’an: Al- Ma-idah : 5 : 3)
17
….
 “Ad-Deen al-Islam” : is perfect, whereas the Muslims
are not – unless they strive with their utmost to
establish Islam perfectly in themselves.
“Today, those who are bent on denying the truth have

lost all hope of [your ever forsaking] your religion: do
not, then, hold them in awe, but stand in awe of Me!
Today have I perfected your religious law for you,
and have bestowed upon you the full measure of My
blessings, and willed that Al-Islam (self-surrender
unto Me) shall be your religion.”
(Qur’an: Al- Ma-idah : 5 : 3)
18
….
‫َوةِ ٱلد ّۡنيَا‬

ٰ ‫إِنّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَٱلّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى ٱلۡحَي‬
ُ‫َشه َٰـد‬
ۡ ‫وَيَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡأ‬
(Qur’an: Al- Mu’min (Ghaafir) : 40:51)
19
….
“Behold, We shall indeed help Our

Messengers and those who have attained
to faith, [both] in this world’s life and on
the Day when all witnesses shall stand
up”
(Qur’an: Al- Mu’min (Ghaafir) : 40:51)
20
Verily!
Allah Spoke the Truth
and
verily, Allah never fails
to fulfill His promise!
21
What - essentially -is
the main problem of
the Ummah?
 Many theses can be offered as to the cause or
causes for the problem and many would concur
that the main essential problem stems from the
lag of Muslims in their current EDUCATION. And
that the remedy is betterment in this aspect.
 But what form of EDUCATION are speaking of?
What is its philosophy and objective?
 Can a dual form of EDUCATION solve the
Muslim problem?
 What about an “integrated” EDUCATION? But
how and what do we mean by integration?
 The first International Islamic Conference on
Education (1977) in Makkah al- Mukarramah.
22
UNDERSTANDING
THE CHALLENGE OF
THE UMMAH
23
the main problem of
the Ummah?
 Prof. Sayyid Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
identifies “Confusion in knowledge
amongst Muslims” as the main problem.
 This confusion leads to the Loss of ADAB :
“Adab is recognition and
acknowledgement of the reality that
knowledge and being are ordered
hierarchically according to their various
grades ,degrees and rank, and of one’s
proper place in relation to that reality and
to one’s physical, intellectual and spiritual
capacities and potentials.” [a]
[a] as quoted by Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of
Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas ” page 137. 24
BREAKDOWN IN ADAB – LEADING TO LEVELLING
Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas’ analysis:
(C)
Rise / election of
False leaders in every
level of society
External
Loss of Adab (B)
Internal
(A)
Confusion and Error in Knowledge

Figure 1
“This state of perpetual confusion at all levels of societal leadership is ingeniously

termed by al-Attas as the loss of adab. This can be described as follows:
28) Confusion and error in knowledge; creating the condition for:
29) The loss of adab within the Community. The condition arising out of (A) and (B) is:
“The rise of leaders who are not qualified for valid leadership of the Muslim
Community, who do not possess the high moral, intellectual and spiritual standards
required for Islamic leadership, who perpetuate the condition in (A) [1] above and
ensure the continued control of the affairs of the Community by leaders like them
who dominate in all fields.” [2]
[1]
[2]
The loss of Adab in the community. Thus restoration of Adab has higher priority for Adab precedes even learning.
Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud’s “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas” (ISTAC publication 1998) p 74
25
the main problem of
the Ummah?
 Although the solution is to remove the confusion
of knowledge through EDUCATION, yet in Islam
education is essentially “TA’DIB” from the term
ADAB, without which, real education cannot take
place.
 Lest we forget, Islamic education seek to produce

the “good human being” modeled after the pattern
of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. the “Insan
Kaamil”, and not merely developing ones’
competence to compete in the global market, as
generally understood and advocated by
contemporary educationists.
26
the main problem of
the Ummah?
 We must remember that Islam’s worldview
emphasize the primacy of the Hereafter, although it
never deny that it is in this world, that work and
righteousness must be established:
‫ُم وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ‬
ۡ ‫ٱعمَلُواْ فَسَيَرَى ٱلُّ عَمَلَك‬ ۡ ِ‫وَقُل‬
ۖ‌ ‫ُؤمِنُو‬
َ‫ن‬ ۡ ‫وَٱلۡم‬
ِ‫ٱلغ َۡيبِ وَٱلشّہ َٰـدَة‬ۡ ِ‫َى ع َٰـلِم‬
ٰ ‫وَسَتُرَدّونَ إِل‬
“Say: ‘Work righteousness! And Allah will behold your deeds,
and [so will] His Messenger, and the believers, and in the end
you will be brought before Him Who know all ....” (Qur’an: at-
Taubah : 9: 105)
27
the main problem of
the Ummah?
 We must remember that Islam’s worldview
emphasize the primacy of the Hereafter, although
it never deny that it is in this world, that work
and righteousness must be established:
‫يُثَبّتُ ٱلُّ ٱلّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ ٱلثّابِتِ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰ ِة‬

ُّ‫ٱلدّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۖ وَيُضِلّ ٱلُّ ٱلظّـٰلِمِينَ‌ۚ وَيَفۡعَلُ ٱل‬
ُ‫مَا يَشَآء‬
“Allah will establish in strength those who attained to faith,
with the Word that stands firm, in this world and in the
Hereafter: but Allah will leave astray those who do wrong:
Allah does what He wills.” (Qur’an: Ibrahim : 14 : 27)
28
(Insya-Allah) Topics we hope to
cover in this weekly discourse…
…….
 What is “Ad-Deen al-Islam”- and what are
the characteristics of being a Muslim…?
 Discovering our roots and tradition so as
to avoid having a truncated view of Islam;
and response to other confusion Muslims
may generally have regarding Islam.
 What is meant to be a Muslim in the
context of a multi-religious society….?
 Challenges in the era of globalization,
secularization, and atheistic materialism.
29
‫‪Our du’a‬‬
‫رَبّنَا لَ تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةً‌ۚ‬
‫إِنّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهّابُ‬
‫)‪(Qur’ an : Aal i ‘ Imran : 3 : 8‬‬
‫‪30‬‬
‫‪©2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail‬‬
Our du’a
“Our Lord ! Let not our hearts
swerve from the truth after You
have guided us; and bestow
upon us the gift of Thy Grace
(Mercy): verily, You are the
(true) giver of Gifts
(bestowals).”
(Qur’ an : Aal i ‘ Imran : 3 : 8)
31
‫َعيُ ۬‬
‫نٍ‬ ‫َزوَٲجِنَا وَذُرّي ّٰـتِنَا قُرّةَ أ ۡ‬ ‫ِن أ ۡ‬ ‫رَبّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا م ۡ‬
‫وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا ل ِۡلمُتّقِينَ إِمَامًا‬
‫‪(Qur ’an : al- Furqan:‬‬ ‫) ‪25: 74‬‬
‫‪32‬‬
Our du’a
“Our Lord ! Grant that our spouses
and our offspring be a joy to our
eyes, and cause us to be
foremost amongst those who are
conscious of Thee! (as ‘al- mut-
taqqin’).”
(Qur ’an : al- Furqan: 25: 74 )

33
‫رَبّنَا لَ تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا‌ۚ رَبّنَا وَلَ تَحۡمِلۡ‬
‫عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا‌ۚ رَبّنَا‬
‫وَلَ تُحَمّلۡنَا مَا لَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ‬
‫لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ‌ۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَٰٮنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ۡ‬
‫ٱلق ۡ‬
‫َومِ‬
‫ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ‬
‫)‪(Qu r’a n : al-B aqarah : 2 86‬‬
‫‪34‬‬
Our du’a
“Our Lord ! Condemn us not if we forget or
fall into error; Our Lord ! Lay not on us a
burden like that which You did lay on those
before us : Our Lord ! Lay not on us a
burden greater than we have strength to
bear. Blot out our sins, And grant us
forgiveness, Have Mercy on us. You are our
protector : Help us against the
unbelievers.”
(Qur’an : al- Baqarah : 286 )
35

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“Towards becoming

Muslims - and its

Friday night lecture series by:

ّ ِ‫وَإِذۡ تَأَذّنَ رَبّكُمۡ لَٕٮِن شَڪَرۡتُمۡ لَزِيدَنّكُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَٕٮِن ڪَفَرۡتُمۡ إ‬

And holdfast all together by the Rope which

َ ‫وَلَ تَهِنُواْ وَلَ تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مّؤۡمِنِي‬

(Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3:139)

“Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not:

ۗ‌ۡ‫إِنّ ٱلَّ لَ يُغَيّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتّىٰ يُغَيّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِم‬

(Qur’an: Ra’ad : 13:11)

“Verily, Allah does not change men’s

“This, because Allah would never change

(Qur’an: Aali- ‘Imran : 3:85)

“For, if one goes in search of a religion

“Today, those who are bent on denying the truth have

‫َوةِ ٱلد ّۡنيَا‬

(Qur’an: Al- Mu’min (Ghaafir) : 40:51)

“Behold, We shall indeed help Our

Confusion and Error in Knowledge

“This state of perpetual confusion at all levels of societal leadership is ingeniously

 Lest we forget, Islamic education seek to produce

‫يُثَبّتُ ٱلُّ ٱلّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ ٱلثّابِتِ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰ ِة‬

‫)‪(Qur’ an : Aal i ‘ Imran : 3 : 8‬‬

‫‪(Qur ’an : al- Furqan:‬‬ ‫) ‪25: 74‬‬

(Qur ’an : al- Furqan: 25: 74 )

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