A Post Ramadan Challenge by Imam Abu Laith Luqman Ahmad
Some aspirations of the global Muslim community are purely optional; participating in the Olympics, seeing who can build the biggest masjid, and holding star studded fundraisers. Others are crucial responsibilities to which we are perpetually obligated. Assuming the Islamic moral imperative is a responsibility from which Muslims cannot escape. In the scheme of the modern global civilization, the Muslims peoples are obligated to be beacons of morality and guidance for the world. Now before some of you chuckle, sigh, or gasp, let me explain. Allah has unequivocally declared;
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.”3:104
This article appeared in my local newspaper in the op/ed section May 2007.
Starting in the 6th century and continuing for approximately 900 years, a society existed like no other. Peoples of varying ethnicities and religious persuasions lived side by side complementing one another and seeking the means to live in harmony.They were masons and landscapers, craftsmen and tailors, financiers and accountants.The coalescence of their skills culminated in a system that produced an agricultural system envied by all of Europe.Architectural marvels exist today as a testimony to the sheer genius of their craft.The beauty of living without fear of ones neighbor was commonplace and has not been reproduced since its demise.This was Andalus and the citizens were Muslim, Jewish and Christian.
An incessant beeping filled her unconscious thoughts and slowly, she was reeled in from the realm of dreams. Her eyes fluttered open groggily as she glanced at the blaring red numbers on her bedside alarm clock. She reached out a hand and hit the sleep button. “5:30am” read the clock. She turned onto her back ready to fall back asleep when the realization hit her. “Fajr!” she whispered and leapt out of bed. She hurried out to the top of the stairs, stopping on her way outside her parents’ room door long enough to say, “Ummi, Baba, fajr time!” and she hurried into the bathroom.
According to the Prophet (saw), there are four reasons to marry a woman: "her wealth, her lineage, her beauty or her religion." When it comes down to decision time, he (saw) has advised, "choose the one who is religious, may your hands be rubbed with dust!"
A girl on the train this morning was applying her makeup. She looked so ridiculous. She was breaking an unspoken code amongst women. She was letting guys in on the secret that some women need makeup to look good. Why on Gods green earth would any woman give herself up like that?
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