I was listening to a lecture last week, delivered by Dr Mamdou Muhamad an Egyptian scholar. He was talking about arrogance in people, and one thing that stick in my mind was his comment about people with high IQ.
He said "people with intelligence are very much vulnerable to arrogance. the concept of ' i know better, what does he knows' is dangerous."
This is a critical comment by Mamdou muhamad, and interestingly i believe this statement. Many a times we see folks trying their best to put-down others just because their views varies. they will do their best to make you look foolish and ignorant, this way they take the perceive glory. there debating or discussion style range from quoting others every statement and making cheap fun of that. They believe this shows their sophistication and high IQ. But what it is, is only arrogance and pride. As people, we all have aspects that we are good at, no one should allow another to put you down. Politeness is a virtue, but being seen to be weak is also not a good thing.
If one has a wide scope of reading and knowledge about many things, this doesn't mean, your understanding is better the next person. It may indicate your ability to express a point more eloquently, that's all. the idea that people must see things through ones looking glass is nothing but arrogance. and this manner doesn't help explaining issues to people, they will always see you and your ideas as just a pompous arrogant fool. even if that idea is worthwhile, it wouldn't make any impact.
humility is the best way to covey great messages and ideas. this is why religious leaders make quick impact, they humble themselves and has a good ability to listen to others.
Your high IQ is not the end in itself, but the mean to an end. let us all be respectful and humble. if we disagree with others, lets do it politely, not with making fun, you never know, your opponent may be right. we shouldn't be assuming other peoples ideas are rubbish base on our bigoted pre-conceive judgement of them.
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
PRAISE SEEKING
Glimpses from the Book: Riyaa : Hidden Shirk
Yasir al-Qathi / Edited ByDr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
Linguistically riyaa comes from the root "ra`aa" which means to see, to behold, to view. The derived word 'riyaa' means "eyeservice, hypocrisy, dissimulation; dissemblance."
From a Sharee`ah point of view, "to perform acts which are pleasing to Allah, with the intention of pleasing other than Allah". Thus riyaa originates in the heart.
....from page. 25...
Mahmood ibn Labeed reported that the Allah's Messenger said, "The thing that I fear most for you is the minor Shirk; Riyaa" (Ahmad in his Musnad)
Aboo Sa`eed reported that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) came to us while we were discussing about Dajjaal and said, "Should I not inform you of that which I fear for you even more than the dangers of Dajjaal? It is the hidden Shirk; A person stands to pray, and he beautifies his prayer because he see as the people looking at him." (Sunan Ibn Majah vol. 2, #3389)
Aboo Moosaa al-Ash`aree reported that Allah's Messenger delivered a sermon to them one day and said, "O People! Fear this Shirk (meaning riyaa), for it is more inconspicuous than the crawling of an ant." (Authenticated in Saheeh al Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, no. 33)
...from page 45...."The causes of Riyaa"
The primary cause of riyaa is a weakness in Eemaan. When a person does not have strong faith in Allaah, he will prefer the admiration of people over the pleasure of Allah.
There are three symptoms that are indicative of riyaa, and it is essential that a believer avoid all of them.
1] The love of Praise---as mentioned in a ahaadeeth of the first three people being thrown into the hellfire; the scholar (who taught for fame), the martyr (who fought for fame), and the person who gave his money in charity (so people would say he is generous). All three of these people desired the pleasure of people over the pleasure of Allah. The person who desires the praise of people must feel some pride in himself, for he feels himself worthy of being praised. There is a danger, therefore, of him becoming arrogant and boastful.
Aboo Hurayrah quoted Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.s) as saying: "Allaah, Most Great and Glorious said: Pride is My cloak, and greatness is My robe, so whoever competes with Me, with respect to either of them, I shall cast him into Hell" (Saheeh Muslim, vol. 4 #6349, Sunan Aboo Dawood, vol. 3 #4079)
Aboo Hurayrah quoted Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.s) warning about a person's adoration of himself: "There are three destruct full things: desires that are followed, greediness that is obeyed, and a person's self-admiration and conceit; and this is the worst of the three"
Allah also warned against falling into the category of those Christians and Jews whom the Qur'ân mentions:
"Do not assume that those who rejoice in what they have done, and love to be praised for what they have not done, think not that they are absolved from punishment, (but rather) for them is a painful torment." (Al-Imran : 188)
2] Fear Of Criticism No one likes to be criticised. The dislike of criticism regarding religious practices may be divided into two categories:
a] The first category is that of a person who neglects a commandment of Allah in order to avoid the criticism of his peers. However, the true believers are described in the Qur'ân as follows: "...They do not fear the criticism of those who criticize. And this is the blessing of Allah; He gives it to whomsoever He wishes. Verily, Allaah is Self-Sufficient, all Knowing. " (Al-Maa`idah : 54) b] The second category is that of a person who obeys certain commandments of Islaam, not for the sake of Allaah, but because he fears people will look down on him and criticise him if he does not do it. For example, a man may make his formal prayers in the mosque because he does not want people to criticize him for praying at home, or to think that he is not praying at all.
3] Greed for people's possessions If a person covets what other people possess, whether it is rank, money or power, then he will wish them to envy him similarly. For example, if he is jealous of a position of a certain person in society, he will try by every possible means to attain the same position. Such desires lead people to spend their lives putting on a show for other people so that they will admire their rank, money, or power.
These three categories are implied in the following statement of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s). Aboo Moosaa related that a person came to the Prophet (s.a.w.s) and asked: "A person fights to defend his honor (i.e. to avoid criticism), another to prove his bravery (i.e. to be praised for it), and a third to show off (i.e. so that his position can be seen); of these three, which one fights in the way of Allah? " He (s.a.w.s) answered: "Whoever fights to make the word of Allaah prevalent [i.e. to bring honor to Islaam, and to establish it in the land], he is the one who fights in the way of Allaah" (Saheeh al-Bukhari vol. 4 #65)
Some scholars advised: "Remove the causes of riyaa` from yourself by considering the opinion of people as important to you as animals and small children. Do not differentiate in your worship between the presence of people or their absence, or between their knowledge of your actions and their ignorance. Rather be conscious of the infinite knowledge of Allaah alone."
....lastly, from page. 77...(summarized)
The Ways to Avoid Riyaaa 1] Increasing knowledge of Islaam 2] Du'aa: The prophet (s.a.w.s) taught the specific Du'aa for riyaa: "Allahumma innaa na`oothu bika an-nushrika bika shay`an na`lamuhu, wa nastagfiruka limaa laa na`lamuh. [O Allaah, we seek refuge in you from committing shirk knowingly, and ask your forgiveness for (the shirk that we may commit unknowingly"] 3] Reflecting upon Heaven and Hell 4] Hiding one's good deeds 5] Reflection upon one self's shortcomings 6] Accompanying the Pious 7] Knowledge of Riyaa`
Yasir al-Qathi / Edited ByDr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
Linguistically riyaa comes from the root "ra`aa" which means to see, to behold, to view. The derived word 'riyaa' means "eyeservice, hypocrisy, dissimulation; dissemblance."
From a Sharee`ah point of view, "to perform acts which are pleasing to Allah, with the intention of pleasing other than Allah". Thus riyaa originates in the heart.
....from page. 25...
Mahmood ibn Labeed reported that the Allah's Messenger said, "The thing that I fear most for you is the minor Shirk; Riyaa" (Ahmad in his Musnad)
Aboo Sa`eed reported that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) came to us while we were discussing about Dajjaal and said, "Should I not inform you of that which I fear for you even more than the dangers of Dajjaal? It is the hidden Shirk; A person stands to pray, and he beautifies his prayer because he see as the people looking at him." (Sunan Ibn Majah vol. 2, #3389)
Aboo Moosaa al-Ash`aree reported that Allah's Messenger delivered a sermon to them one day and said, "O People! Fear this Shirk (meaning riyaa), for it is more inconspicuous than the crawling of an ant." (Authenticated in Saheeh al Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, no. 33)
...from page 45...."The causes of Riyaa"
The primary cause of riyaa is a weakness in Eemaan. When a person does not have strong faith in Allaah, he will prefer the admiration of people over the pleasure of Allah.
There are three symptoms that are indicative of riyaa, and it is essential that a believer avoid all of them.
1] The love of Praise---as mentioned in a ahaadeeth of the first three people being thrown into the hellfire; the scholar (who taught for fame), the martyr (who fought for fame), and the person who gave his money in charity (so people would say he is generous). All three of these people desired the pleasure of people over the pleasure of Allah. The person who desires the praise of people must feel some pride in himself, for he feels himself worthy of being praised. There is a danger, therefore, of him becoming arrogant and boastful.
Aboo Hurayrah quoted Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.s) as saying: "Allaah, Most Great and Glorious said: Pride is My cloak, and greatness is My robe, so whoever competes with Me, with respect to either of them, I shall cast him into Hell" (Saheeh Muslim, vol. 4 #6349, Sunan Aboo Dawood, vol. 3 #4079)
Aboo Hurayrah quoted Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.s) warning about a person's adoration of himself: "There are three destruct full things: desires that are followed, greediness that is obeyed, and a person's self-admiration and conceit; and this is the worst of the three"
Allah also warned against falling into the category of those Christians and Jews whom the Qur'ân mentions:
"Do not assume that those who rejoice in what they have done, and love to be praised for what they have not done, think not that they are absolved from punishment, (but rather) for them is a painful torment." (Al-Imran : 188)
2] Fear Of Criticism No one likes to be criticised. The dislike of criticism regarding religious practices may be divided into two categories:
a] The first category is that of a person who neglects a commandment of Allah in order to avoid the criticism of his peers. However, the true believers are described in the Qur'ân as follows: "...They do not fear the criticism of those who criticize. And this is the blessing of Allah; He gives it to whomsoever He wishes. Verily, Allaah is Self-Sufficient, all Knowing. " (Al-Maa`idah : 54) b] The second category is that of a person who obeys certain commandments of Islaam, not for the sake of Allaah, but because he fears people will look down on him and criticise him if he does not do it. For example, a man may make his formal prayers in the mosque because he does not want people to criticize him for praying at home, or to think that he is not praying at all.
3] Greed for people's possessions If a person covets what other people possess, whether it is rank, money or power, then he will wish them to envy him similarly. For example, if he is jealous of a position of a certain person in society, he will try by every possible means to attain the same position. Such desires lead people to spend their lives putting on a show for other people so that they will admire their rank, money, or power.
These three categories are implied in the following statement of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s). Aboo Moosaa related that a person came to the Prophet (s.a.w.s) and asked: "A person fights to defend his honor (i.e. to avoid criticism), another to prove his bravery (i.e. to be praised for it), and a third to show off (i.e. so that his position can be seen); of these three, which one fights in the way of Allah? " He (s.a.w.s) answered: "Whoever fights to make the word of Allaah prevalent [i.e. to bring honor to Islaam, and to establish it in the land], he is the one who fights in the way of Allaah" (Saheeh al-Bukhari vol. 4 #65)
Some scholars advised: "Remove the causes of riyaa` from yourself by considering the opinion of people as important to you as animals and small children. Do not differentiate in your worship between the presence of people or their absence, or between their knowledge of your actions and their ignorance. Rather be conscious of the infinite knowledge of Allaah alone."
....lastly, from page. 77...(summarized)
The Ways to Avoid Riyaaa 1] Increasing knowledge of Islaam 2] Du'aa: The prophet (s.a.w.s) taught the specific Du'aa for riyaa: "Allahumma innaa na`oothu bika an-nushrika bika shay`an na`lamuhu, wa nastagfiruka limaa laa na`lamuh. [O Allaah, we seek refuge in you from committing shirk knowingly, and ask your forgiveness for (the shirk that we may commit unknowingly"] 3] Reflecting upon Heaven and Hell 4] Hiding one's good deeds 5] Reflection upon one self's shortcomings 6] Accompanying the Pious 7] Knowledge of Riyaa`
Sunday, 7 September 2008
BLACK SEED OIL. A CURE FOR MANY AILMENTS
Black seed oil is said to have been use by generations of people to cure many ailments. In the Islamic traditions it is said to be a favourite medicine of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many know it is a good supplement as well but the after taste is discomforting. But now, that is a thing of the past, the Habba Sawda black seed capsule has transform the methods of drinking black seed. the capsule is in a halal gelatin. this makes it easier for Muslims and non-muslims alike to take it as treatment for illness. www.whytt.co.uk. or check out the benefits of black seed in any search engine. this one shown above is sold for £5 and contains 100 capsules. i take it before the fast commence and after breaking the fast, thus completing the two capsules a day recommended. Traditionally, black seed liquid is mixed with honey and consume after meals, honey is also a powerful medicine. look after your body.Thursday, 4 September 2008
Car worry
Goodness i was having a problem with my small French car. I was driving a ford car before my brother with a French taste gave me his Renault. now Renault's are good and reliable cars but the key is a nightmare. I dread going into the petrol stations. some times after filling up the car wouldn't start. impatient folks will usually start making uncomfortable noises. the problem with the key is a turn-off for Renault megane. i never have any problem with the car, but i am deeply unhappy with the key. i know other Renault owner have the same complaint, i met them in garages and so on. all one complain, the key. i don't know what is the solution for this? reprogramming the key cost a cool £250. and two days ago, after finishing work, the car wouldn't move. my break shoes got stocked inside the drums. it took me two days and a whole days wasted to get a mechanic to fix it in the most annoying of all places, Warwick. i wish some one can tell me a better way to deal the Renault starter problem. i will never go back to driving a ford car. my feistier was a big waste of money. any french man out there, please help!
A PRELUDE TO A SHORT ARTICLE I AM WRITING
A Poem.
The leaderless
I weep for Africa
I weep for me
Crying is not the solution
But it makes the pain burn out
All turning gives little hope
Hope is what makes men grow
But false hope only polishes draw backs
The lead and the leader
They can’t see eye to eye
When their eyes met
Hate is the overpowering sure signs
The killers and the jail men
The sycophants and the praise singers
The bribe takers and the foot soldiers
The ignorant masses and the sweet talkers
Are all in a deep hell-hole
Never ending deepening hole
No one to hang unto
The leaderless people
Your problems are out in the open
Cos the whole world knows about your woes
Woes of death
Of hardship
Of disease
Of HIV
Hunger and thirst
The never ending woes
No leader to respite the whole
I weep and cry, cos I do it for me and you
We are leaderless.
The leaderless
I weep for Africa
I weep for me
Crying is not the solution
But it makes the pain burn out
All turning gives little hope
Hope is what makes men grow
But false hope only polishes draw backs
The lead and the leader
They can’t see eye to eye
When their eyes met
Hate is the overpowering sure signs
The killers and the jail men
The sycophants and the praise singers
The bribe takers and the foot soldiers
The ignorant masses and the sweet talkers
Are all in a deep hell-hole
Never ending deepening hole
No one to hang unto
The leaderless people
Your problems are out in the open
Cos the whole world knows about your woes
Woes of death
Of hardship
Of disease
Of HIV
Hunger and thirst
The never ending woes
No leader to respite the whole
I weep and cry, cos I do it for me and you
We are leaderless.
Monday, 1 September 2008
TRADITIONAL FOODS
A VIDEO CLIP OF KENYA'S STREET FOOD INDUSTRY.
http://africa.smallshop.com/2008/07/street-food-nairobi-part-1.html
traditional food may be the solution for must our small illnesses if prepared with good hygiene standards.
http://africa.smallshop.com/2008/07/street-food-nairobi-part-1.html
traditional food may be the solution for must our small illnesses if prepared with good hygiene standards.
BLACK BEAUTY?
BLACK BEAUTY
As a proud black man, I view our feature with deep admiration and love. Yes, black is said to be beautiful. But do we really mean that statement? For black men, beauty is very simple and ordinary. I mean for the majority, there are a minority of black men who are worried about their features.
Few days ago, I embark on a fact finding mission, a probe more like. I wanted to know whether our sisters can look beautiful without the hair extension. The main reason that triggers the soul search was to do with a TV program on BBC Three about the origins of the hair that many black women wear.
The main question is, can modern black women go out without the artificial hair?
The artificial hair is divided into two categories:
The synthetic hair and the Human hair. The synthetic hair is manufactured from synthetic sources. According to the many cosmetic shop keepers I spoke to, the prices of the two categories of artificial hair don’t defer much. But whenever you see a black sister with either a wig or plaited artificial hair, know that she has spend a lot of money on that product. Plaiting or weaving this artificial hair is so expensive; one wonders whether it is worth spending hard earned money on it.
In the TV program, the human hair industry is very vast. What is of worry is the ways the hairs are collected and process in factories across Asia. In India for instance, the human hair industry is worth million. Over two hundred tones of human hair is gain from Hindu temples. The Main religion in India is Hinduism, a form of multiple God worship. The temples are an integral part of the Hindu society and Indian women pride their hair as the significant determinant of their beauty.
With the culture of hair being a beauty symbol, to the extent that women with shorter hair struggle to find a mate. With hair as a sacred symbol, some women are pushed to shave-off their hair out of poverty and family problem. If a woman is unable to afford accommodation or food, she shave-off her hair in the temple as a form of sacrifice to the Gods. The woman would be blessed by the custodian of the Gods in the temple. Beauty is sacrifice for blessing and also people hand out gift to shaven headed females, it’s an unspoken communication about once poverty.
But these hairs sacrificed to the Hindu Gods don’t go to waste. They are sold to multinational factories that specialise in processing these hairs into the wigs and weaves we see in our sisters’ head. (BBC Three with Jamilia)
Where is the pride that the advocates of black beauty would like reminding us? The beautification of oneself with the hair of others is self-defeating. How do the Indian women who grow their hair and then sells it see the many black ladies parading themselves with such hairs?
Black beauty doesn’t seem to anchor well without synthetic and other non-black race hair. It is very depressing seeing young and old beautiful black women, displaying the different brands of artificial hairs, without which, many can’t venture out. What can we do to instil the pride of black beauty back into our consciousness?
There is some other hair that is not imported from India or Russia. This artificial hair is the closest to natural black hair; it is best referred to as AFRO-KINKY. This is the hair of choice for Jamaican sisters. But wigs are mostly human hair. This is because it is easy to manage and fit better than synthetic hair
I am no male chauvinist; the concern is the BLACK IMAGE. If our image is of low self-esteem and low confidence, then its better we accept being mediocre and give-up the struggle for equality and advancement. This is no self-image psychology, but a little reminder to all the black sisters. Be proud of your natural beauty and maintain and nourish it in a dignified and respectable manner.
Brothers out there, when next you smile because of your missus’s wig or artificial hair, remember the hair could have come from a dump site in India or Russia. You too are guilty for promoting the use of other’s hair in beautifying our sisters. We can do without all the crappie synthetic artificial hairs. It is a difficult subject, just like bleaching, once one is deep into it, turning back is near impossible. May God guide our actions.
As a proud black man, I view our feature with deep admiration and love. Yes, black is said to be beautiful. But do we really mean that statement? For black men, beauty is very simple and ordinary. I mean for the majority, there are a minority of black men who are worried about their features.
Few days ago, I embark on a fact finding mission, a probe more like. I wanted to know whether our sisters can look beautiful without the hair extension. The main reason that triggers the soul search was to do with a TV program on BBC Three about the origins of the hair that many black women wear.
The main question is, can modern black women go out without the artificial hair?
The artificial hair is divided into two categories:
The synthetic hair and the Human hair. The synthetic hair is manufactured from synthetic sources. According to the many cosmetic shop keepers I spoke to, the prices of the two categories of artificial hair don’t defer much. But whenever you see a black sister with either a wig or plaited artificial hair, know that she has spend a lot of money on that product. Plaiting or weaving this artificial hair is so expensive; one wonders whether it is worth spending hard earned money on it.
In the TV program, the human hair industry is very vast. What is of worry is the ways the hairs are collected and process in factories across Asia. In India for instance, the human hair industry is worth million. Over two hundred tones of human hair is gain from Hindu temples. The Main religion in India is Hinduism, a form of multiple God worship. The temples are an integral part of the Hindu society and Indian women pride their hair as the significant determinant of their beauty.
With the culture of hair being a beauty symbol, to the extent that women with shorter hair struggle to find a mate. With hair as a sacred symbol, some women are pushed to shave-off their hair out of poverty and family problem. If a woman is unable to afford accommodation or food, she shave-off her hair in the temple as a form of sacrifice to the Gods. The woman would be blessed by the custodian of the Gods in the temple. Beauty is sacrifice for blessing and also people hand out gift to shaven headed females, it’s an unspoken communication about once poverty.
But these hairs sacrificed to the Hindu Gods don’t go to waste. They are sold to multinational factories that specialise in processing these hairs into the wigs and weaves we see in our sisters’ head. (BBC Three with Jamilia)
Where is the pride that the advocates of black beauty would like reminding us? The beautification of oneself with the hair of others is self-defeating. How do the Indian women who grow their hair and then sells it see the many black ladies parading themselves with such hairs?
Black beauty doesn’t seem to anchor well without synthetic and other non-black race hair. It is very depressing seeing young and old beautiful black women, displaying the different brands of artificial hairs, without which, many can’t venture out. What can we do to instil the pride of black beauty back into our consciousness?
There is some other hair that is not imported from India or Russia. This artificial hair is the closest to natural black hair; it is best referred to as AFRO-KINKY. This is the hair of choice for Jamaican sisters. But wigs are mostly human hair. This is because it is easy to manage and fit better than synthetic hair
I am no male chauvinist; the concern is the BLACK IMAGE. If our image is of low self-esteem and low confidence, then its better we accept being mediocre and give-up the struggle for equality and advancement. This is no self-image psychology, but a little reminder to all the black sisters. Be proud of your natural beauty and maintain and nourish it in a dignified and respectable manner.
Brothers out there, when next you smile because of your missus’s wig or artificial hair, remember the hair could have come from a dump site in India or Russia. You too are guilty for promoting the use of other’s hair in beautifying our sisters. We can do without all the crappie synthetic artificial hairs. It is a difficult subject, just like bleaching, once one is deep into it, turning back is near impossible. May God guide our actions.
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