Abdullah Khan – My Bit for Change

When Ibrahim Was Asked to Do The Unthinkable

It was not the first time, but it was probably one of the most difficult times of his life. This time he was asked to do something which was beyond the imagination of a sane person. To prove the loyalty and love had never been so hard and heart wrenching. He was asked to slaughter his son, not by anyone else but with his own bare hands, It was asking to do the Unthinkable. He was thrown in fire by his father and people and after he was miraculously saved by Allah from that inferno, he was sent into exile and remained childless for 86 years of his age. It was, when he was almost hopeless of having a child, Allah blessed him with a humble and obedient son.

His moment of bliss was hardly over, when once again he was asked to abandon/leave his infant son and his mother in the barren land of Makkah. Knowing the possible fate of these two helpless mother and son, he left them believing that the one who asked to do this, is the greatest of protector. After many years, when he came back to Makkah, his heart was filled with the gratitude after seeing his son running around and playing with him. In the age of around 100 years he was having the best of his times around his family. It did not last till long though, he saw a same dream for three continuous nights. In dream he was slaughtering his only son with his own hands. He knew that this not an ordinary dream, he is tested again and this time Allah is asking to prove his love by sacrificing his son in His way. He approached his son and asked his opinion about this dream, the obedient son, with any hesitation or argument with his beloved father, surrendered completely to the will of his creator (Allah). Qur’an describes this amazing and unbelieving event in the following words:

“And when he attained to working with him, he said; “O my son! Surely I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said of father! Do what you are commanded; if Allah pleases you will find me of the patient ones.” (37:102)

This shows the immense beauty of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail’s commitment to Allah (swt), showing us duty, harmony and choice! The beauty of the sacrifice shows the partnership of the father and son. When both of them surrendered to the will of god, willingly, and Ibrahim (AS) made his son lay down, and Ibrahim got ready sacrifice, Allah then called on Ibrahim ;

“So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), We called out to him “O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!” – Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:”Peace and salutation to Abraham!” Thus indeed do We reward those who do right, For he was one of our believing Servants.” (37:103-111)

Ibrahim’s (AS) whole life is filled with the examples of preference of love over reason. Never asked from Allah, “why me?” “You may test me but why my son has to be sacrificed? (What wrong did he do?)” Allama Iqbal depicted his life beautifully in his poetry and he said at one point.

“Love dove into Nimrod’s fire without hesitation- while reason’s on the rooftop, merely considering the scene.”

There is much to learn and reflect on this amazing story of not only Ibrahim and Ismail (AS) but one should not forget the monumental patience shown by Hajira (Hagar) by surrendering to the will of Allah. That prayer are answered, even if they aren’t answered in our lifetime. That God tests us according to our capacity, and those of us who face the most hardship in dignity and fidelity are the most awesome in His sight. That God’s promise is true that the aches and pains in our souls will be healed one day. Perhaps not in this life, though; we must hold on to the rope of God until then.

Responding to Profanity

It was indeed shocking news of what happened as the aftermath of a released preview of a profane film which has left the Muslims in a state of sadness and shock across the world. As horrific and offensive as the video might be, nothing justifies the sort of violent acts we have seen in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Nothing is worth the cost of a human life and as a Muslim, I firmly believe that there is no honour or faith in committing such violence, and we all unequivocally oppose the senseless violence in different parts of Muslim world.

This video also gives a glimpse of the fragile relationship and misunderstandings between the Muslim world and West/United States. It is evident from this film that to create further rifts and misunderstandings between different cultures, it is not necessary to commit an act of violence. Films like these, unfortunately, may have a much more negative effect in bringing any positive change in common understanding and further deepen the gulf.

As a Muslim, I would like to remind Muslims of the character of Prophet Muhammad. He was a man of peace and mercy, and thus engaging in such violence and senseless killing is truly mismatched with his legacy and teachings. It is high time that Muslim should not only remember his teachings, but also follow them in the face of hostility. It is imperative for Muslims to ignore cheap attempts for publicity by hateful bigots. While they have every right to protest this profanity by resorting to violent reactions Muslims are not only harming innocent lives but also falling in the traps set by bigots. It must be crystal clear that in order to defend and promote the personality of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), one should not resort to those means which the Prophet himself never approved of or allowed.

To move in a positive direction and avoid further backlash, it is necessary that the West and U.S should take some concrete steps in terms of introducing certain regulations. There are already laws in place in many western countries, which legally punish Holocaust denial, anti-Semitic expressions, hate speeches, homophobic statements, racial slurs and even blasphemy against Christianity. Looking at the negative potential of such acts, is it not time to come up with such legislation? Beyond legislation or regulations, such unfortunate events really bring forth the need for constructive dialogue between religions, cultures and civilizations.

The movie is very offensive, but Muslims should be offended in a positive way. We should speak up against this evil in a rational way. We should always keep in mind the right way of dealing with evil in all situations:

“Good and evil cannot be equal. Repel evil with what is better and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend, but only those who are steadfast in patience, only those who are blessed with great righteousness, will attain to such goodness.” (Quran 41:34-35)

To Him we shall return

For the past few weeks, I was planning to jump in the world of blogging. There is certainly no dearth of topics when you come to talk about problems being faced by Muslims and my homeland Pakistan. As nobody can predict death, events in Pakistan may unfold in a similar fashion. Despite finding numerous topics around, I was finding myself in a midst of a situation where I have not been able to decide (although procrastination played and continues to play a significant role) the topic for my first ever blog.

It was just 5 days ago, when I was talking to my younger brother on Skype in Pakistan, when he quickly ended the conversation by saying that our father is not feeling well. He was rushed to the hospital where he walked himself into the emergency department but the moment he was shifted to the bed, he took his last breaths and his soul departed forever. My whole world along with my family’s turned upside down. It was mere half hour which had changed the shape of life forever for us.

I believe many of us must have experienced the same at some point of their lives. I may not be able to depict that emotion in writing as nobody can fully words when you lose a loved one. Initially, it was sense of disbelief, denial, many “ifs” and “buts” many question starting with “why” but eventually it was the verse 156 of Surah Baqarah which at that breaking moment strengthened and deepened my Imaan and it says while describing the one of the important traits of a Muslims who say, when afflicted with calamity,

“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return” (Al Qur’an 156:2)

In the increasingly materialistic world, even as a Muslim, it has become difficult to ponder and comprehend the meaning and the whole philosophy of Islam and the concept and purpose of life. Although, we often say that “Death is a reality” but ironically our lives and actions do not depict the faith. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says

“Remember the eliminator of all pleasures i.e, Death”

Umar bin Khattab (RA) used to say “There is no preacher/reminder better than death”.

The reminder in the Qur’an that “every soul shall taste death” is enough to put us on the right track if we have faith in the word of God.

We read newspapers and watch news of many people dying by different reasons but just move on and remain oblivious to the fact as if it will never ever happen to us. I just saw one of the two doors of mercy has been closed on me and before that day I had never envied those who have both of their parents alive around them. It is time that we all should really take care of them and let’s pray for all those who lost their lives by any reason that may Allah rest their souls in peace and grant their families abundance of patience. We must not forget life is very short and our day may be near too. Are we prepared to face the Creator?