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MUSLIM, THE LIFE OF DUTY
Mohd Erfino Johari
KHUTBAH JUMAAT 85 – 06 JUN 2008 Monday, 9 June 2008 . The complete Taqwa is practicing obligations, avoiding prohibitions and doubts. Doing desirable acts and avoiding undesirable acts is also from Taqwa. Allah Says in the Hadith Qudsi reported by al-Bukhari : "And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him" . My dear muslims In whatever community are we in, or any region do we belong to, or any nation of our origins, the Islamic target is to achieve international cooperation for the purpose of improving humankind’s condition. The individual muslim state must not see itself as existing independently of others, but rather as a part, an active and responsible one, of the world large community. The idea is to promote the sense of responsibility as a member of the world community, the community of humankind. Building the relation is a long process, it is not to be simply efforts to increase one’s power, influence and wealth, regardless of the interests and rights of other nations, but to be in the spirit of brotherhood, for the betterment of humankind. Islam emphasizes the essential unity and equality of all man, regardless of nationality, race or creed. Muslims, entrusted with the task of establishing Allah’s commands on earth, are expected to cooperate as widely as possible with others. Whether fellow muslims in another part of the world, or even with those of other faiths so long as the latter share the same basic aims and principles. Even those who do not share the same aims and principles may not be aggressed against as long as they do not obstruct the muslims’ carrying out or their own task. Any cooperation should be on a friendly basis of mutual respect, and should truly serve the interests of all humankind. Muslims are expected to be a model of excellent and noble character and behaviour throughout the world. Every muslim must also play an active role in shaping the better world and safeguarding the rights and welfare of everyone, whether muslims or non muslims. When the word jihad is uttered, most people immediately think of physical struggle, like war or battle. Every muslim is obliged to play an active role, and functions as the right interpreter of the religion’s expectation of the word. Jihad literally means to strive, and in Islam it has the particular meaning of striving in the path of Allah, for the sake of Allah, and that is, not hoping for any worldly reward. It involves promoting Islam, namely, encouraging its proper understanding and practice amongst muslims and spreading its teachings by persuasion, amongst non muslims. This way of life was intended in this way by Allah to be a universal message. In the early days of Islam, the form of full strive and highest effort was quite often necessary, since the muslims were physically threatened and oppressed. However, looking at the history of Islam overall, it is obvious that the other, peaceful forms of full strive and high effort or jihad, have been far more common. Diplomatic channels have been used as the primary means to solve problems of oppression of, or aggression against, Islam and the muslims. When spreading the word of Islam, people have used person to person contact, delivered lectures, held seminars, written magazines, books, blogs and all sort of media appliances. It is also an important form of jihad to make efforts to strengthen the muslim community, by improving their status socially, financially, educationally and so on. It is worth emphasizing again that such activity is the duty of every muslim, according to his individual talents and means. We should therefore do our best to ensure that we are equipped with a sound knowledge of Islam, which can then, be used for carrying out these various forms of jihad. This is the life of duty. Allah reminds us in surah at Taubah, verse 41, Go you forth, whether equipped lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your possessions and your persons, in the cause of Allah. That is the best for you, if you but knew. Barakallahu li walakum Mohd Erfino Johari erfino@masduke.net Posted by Mohd Erfino Johari at Monday, June 09, 2008
http://erfino.blogspot.com/2008/06/khutbah-jumaat-85-06-jun-2008.html |
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