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Presentation by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismailfor Muslim Society of SMU – Singapore
Management University.”Tuesday , 25 August 2015 – @ 7.30 pm
venue: SMU Bras Basah Road, Singapore
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
TADZKIRAHTADZKIRAH
Reflection on a Qur’anic Message Reflection on a Qur’anic Message : As we are about to enter the month of : As we are about to enter the month of
DzulHijjah when the rites of DzulHijjah when the rites of HAJJHAJJ and also the Festival of Sacrifice and also the Festival of Sacrifice EID-UL-EID-UL-
AD-HAAD-HA are celebrated, we must be reminded of exemplary struggle of are celebrated, we must be reminded of exemplary struggle of
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. What can we learn?Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. What can we learn?
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
MUQADDIMAH(AN INTRODUCTION)Firstly, I am aware that the topic given to me to speak to you is Firstly, I am aware that the topic given to me to speak to you is
““TIDING THROUGH UNIVERSITY AS A MUSLIMTIDING THROUGH UNIVERSITY AS A MUSLIM”.”.Initially, I was agreeable to this as I may have previously Initially, I was agreeable to this as I may have previously delivered something generally for undergrads of NUSMS. Yet delivered something generally for undergrads of NUSMS. Yet when I reflected further on hindsight, perhaps this time it would when I reflected further on hindsight, perhaps this time it would be too presumptuous for me to specifically address the topic be too presumptuous for me to specifically address the topic which requires one who has relevant experience , because :which requires one who has relevant experience , because :
[1] For myself, I have never experienced life as a student in any [1] For myself, I have never experienced life as a student in any University. So how then can I be giving advise on ‘tiding through University. So how then can I be giving advise on ‘tiding through it‘?;it‘?;
[2] Also the topic imply as though being a Muslim in our society (not [2] Also the topic imply as though being a Muslim in our society (not just in the school or university) it has to be regarded as just in the school or university) it has to be regarded as problematic or at odds just because we are Muslims, therefore problematic or at odds just because we are Muslims, therefore requiring some ‘tiding over’ on our part.requiring some ‘tiding over’ on our part.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
MUQADDIMAH(AN INTRODUCTION)Firstly, I am aware that the topic given to me to speak to you is Firstly, I am aware that the topic given to me to speak to you is
“TIDING THROUGH UNIVERSITY AS A MUSLIM”.“TIDING THROUGH UNIVERSITY AS A MUSLIM”.
[3] I am one who passionately believe and advocate that to strive to [3] I am one who passionately believe and advocate that to strive to be ‘be ‘a Muslim in our lifea Muslim in our life’ in any context or situation, should be ’ in any context or situation, should be as natural as breathing the air. as natural as breathing the air. When breathingWhen breathing, I do not have to , I do not have to always be too self conscious about it “do I ? ” . So just do the always be too self conscious about it “do I ? ” . So just do the necessary, be natural as you should in breathing - and be necessary, be natural as you should in breathing - and be sincere (as Muslims too), as per required in life;sincere (as Muslims too), as per required in life;
[4] that our society is one that already proclaim “[4] that our society is one that already proclaim “there must be no there must be no discrimination regarding religious rights of its citizensdiscrimination regarding religious rights of its citizens.“.“
Therefore we should not entertain doubts or adopt an attitude of Therefore we should not entertain doubts or adopt an attitude of mistrust towards others, or feel ‘stigmatized’ for being Muslim. mistrust towards others, or feel ‘stigmatized’ for being Muslim. This is unhealthy and can even become a ‘self-fulfilling This is unhealthy and can even become a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’.prophecy’.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
MUQADDIMAH(AN INTRODUCTION)Also, as how I have learnt from my traditional teachers Also, as how I have learnt from my traditional teachers
of Islam, we Muslims should seek to learn beneficial of Islam, we Muslims should seek to learn beneficial knowledge which is ‘needed’, and not necessarily knowledge which is ‘needed’, and not necessarily knowledge that we ‘wanted’. So what do we need?knowledge that we ‘wanted’. So what do we need?
As we are now present in the month of ‘DzulQa’idah’ , As we are now present in the month of ‘DzulQa’idah’ , what came to my mind is what our community should what came to my mind is what our community should be made to be aware of and the important lesson be made to be aware of and the important lesson regarding its significance to us – when Allah SWT bless regarding its significance to us – when Allah SWT bless us to us to insha-Allahinsha-Allah meet the month of DzulHijjah. meet the month of DzulHijjah.
So as Muslims – wherever we may be – I hope the topic So as Muslims – wherever we may be – I hope the topic I chose (as substitute) to share would be more relevant, I chose (as substitute) to share would be more relevant, urgent for us to be aware and urgent for us to be aware and insha-Allahinsha-Allah benefit from. benefit from.
TA’ARUFTA’ARUFI am merely a perpetual student of Islam I am merely a perpetual student of Islam
(home-grown) who is struggling to fulfil his (home-grown) who is struggling to fulfil his duty as a Muslim – in following the way of duty as a Muslim – in following the way of our predecessors – to learn and to serve our predecessors – to learn and to serve Allah s.w.t., and in upholding the Allah s.w.t., and in upholding the DeenDeen of of al-Islamal-Islam through through khidmahkhidmah (service) to the (service) to the ummahummah
I admit though, that I am passionate I admit though, that I am passionate about Islam, Islamic about Islam, Islamic Da’wahDa’wah and the and the education of the entire education of the entire ummahummah (human (human race) – as Prophet Muhammad race) – as Prophet Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص is to is to me, the model educator of humanity par me, the model educator of humanity par excellence excellence
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
These are the only qualification that I These are the only qualification that I can offercan offer
And because I myself am still struggling And because I myself am still struggling to learn, so what I can do perhaps, is to learn, so what I can do perhaps, is only to share the little that I know as a only to share the little that I know as a perpetual Muslim student involved in perpetual Muslim student involved in educating the educating the UmmahUmmah, especially from , especially from the experience which Allah s.w.t. has the experience which Allah s.w.t. has favoured me thus far, in my learning favoured me thus far, in my learning journey as a servant, a seeker and a journey as a servant, a seeker and a traveller upon the path of knowledge traveller upon the path of knowledge and wisdom.and wisdom.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.
MUQADDIMAH(AN INTRODUCTION)
These are the only qualification that I These are the only qualification that I can offercan offer
And because I myself am still struggling And because I myself am still struggling to learn, so what I can do perhaps, is to learn, so what I can do perhaps, is only to share the little that I know as a only to share the little that I know as a perpetual Muslim student involved in perpetual Muslim student involved in educating the educating the UmmahUmmah, especially from , especially from the experience which Allah s.w.t. has the experience which Allah s.w.t. has favoured me thus far, in my learning favoured me thus far, in my learning journey as a servant, a seeker and a journey as a servant, a seeker and a traveller upon the path of knowledge traveller upon the path of knowledge and wisdom.and wisdom.
But the Arabs today write their numerals differently , viz. :But the Arabs today write their numerals differently , viz. :
١١ ٩٩ ٨٨ ٧٧ ٦٦ ٥٥ ٤٤ ٣٣ ٢٢ ١١ So, why – 1234567 … is called ‘So, why – 1234567 … is called ‘Arabic numeralsArabic numerals’ ?’ ?
Because it was introduced to the whole world by the ‘Because it was introduced to the whole world by the ‘Islamic civilizationIslamic civilization’ which ’ which
disseminated universal learnings, with Arabic as the disseminated universal learnings, with Arabic as the lingua francalingua franca..
Amongst their discovery was the manner numbers were written using Amongst their discovery was the manner numbers were written using
the number of ‘angles’ as the sign to indicate its given value.the number of ‘angles’ as the sign to indicate its given value.
Thus:Thus:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Actually, these numerals - Actually, these numerals - originally originally
were rediscovered by the Muslim scholars who went to the sub-were rediscovered by the Muslim scholars who went to the sub-
continent which they gave the namecontinent which they gave the name HIND HIND (India). There, in following the (India). There, in following the
teaching of Islam, they sought out and studied their ancient sciences and teaching of Islam, they sought out and studied their ancient sciences and
wisdoms.wisdoms.
TASAWWUR ISLAMTASAWWUR ISLAM
Actually, there are Actually, there are many more Wisdom from ancient past many more Wisdom from ancient past which our Prophet which our Prophet
Muhammad Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص was sent for, to re-assert and share its goodness to all was sent for, to re-assert and share its goodness to all
mankind.mankind.
The most important of them is the The most important of them is the DEENDEEN (total way of life) of (total way of life) of AL-ISLAMAL-ISLAM
(Submission and surrender to Allah) founded upon (Submission and surrender to Allah) founded upon TAUTAUHHEEDEED, the creed of all , the creed of all
prophets especially the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. because this is most prophets especially the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. because this is most
relevant especially to remind the relevant especially to remind the AHLUL-KITAAB (People of the Book – those AHLUL-KITAAB (People of the Book – those
who acknowledge him as the Patriarch of Monotheistic faith)who acknowledge him as the Patriarch of Monotheistic faith)..
Even Islamaphobes and deniers of the Last Prophet Muhammad Even Islamaphobes and deniers of the Last Prophet Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص - among
them, must be invited to look at Abraham a.s. and consider the very close must be invited to look at Abraham a.s. and consider the very close
Indeed, Abraham was Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader * (UMMATAN)a [comprehensive] leader * (UMMATAN), ,
devoutly obedient to Allah (devoutly obedient to Allah (QAA-NITAN – LILLAAH) QAA-NITAN – LILLAAH) , inclining , inclining
toward truth (toward truth (HANEEFANHANEEFAN), and ), and he was never he was never one of those who one of those who
associated others with Allah in His Divinity (associated others with Allah in His Divinity (MUSH-RIKEENMUSH-RIKEEN).“).“
((Qur’an : An-Nahlu: 16: 120Qur’an : An-Nahlu: 16: 120))** a whole community by himself; a a whole community by himself; a universal leader to all nations;universal leader to all nations;
Just so that the People of the Book do not misconstrue, Allah SWT Just so that the People of the Book do not misconstrue, Allah SWT
reiterate that there is similarity of our Prophet Muhammad’s reiterate that there is similarity of our Prophet Muhammad’s ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص mission and teachings to that of Ibrahim a.s.mission and teachings to that of Ibrahim a.s.
This is unique only to Muhammad This is unique only to Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص as as the Final the Final and the and the SealSeal of of
Prophethood, the Prophethood, the AwaitedAwaited Prophet of the people of the Book; the Prophet of the people of the Book; the
answered prayer of the Prophet Ibrahim for the answered prayer of the Prophet Ibrahim for the Imam for all mankind Imam for all mankind
like himself; the Most Praised and Praiseworthy like himself; the Most Praised and Praiseworthy BelovedBeloved of Allah, etc. of Allah, etc.
And the most outstanding character and traits of the teaching of And the most outstanding character and traits of the teaching of
Ibrahim a.s., which we Muslim’s too are to be upholding, here Ibrahim a.s., which we Muslim’s too are to be upholding, here
highlighted is indeed: “ highlighted is indeed: “ HANEE-FANHANEE-FAN and and nevernever of the of the MUSH-RIKEENMUSH-RIKEEN “ “
Some people may bring in the contention about the difference of Some people may bring in the contention about the difference of
SHARI’AHSHARI’AH (religious laws) brought by our Prophet Muhammad (religious laws) brought by our Prophet Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص with that of the previous like the with that of the previous like the TORAHTORAH – as though this refutes – as though this refutes
Islam’s claim to be following similar revealed religion.Islam’s claim to be following similar revealed religion.
In this verse, the difference in the law is to be understood from the In this verse, the difference in the law is to be understood from the
difference in context of their time and of Allah’s guidance upon difference in context of their time and of Allah’s guidance upon
mankind. Those, just like here mentioned, the Sabbath, has now been mankind. Those, just like here mentioned, the Sabbath, has now been
repealed by the final code – repealed by the final code – SHARI’AHSHARI’AH (way; or law; etc.) (way; or law; etc.)
Such differences does not constitute contradiction – and Allah judges Such differences does not constitute contradiction – and Allah judges
fairly regarding these laws, accordingly, for “fairly regarding these laws, accordingly, for “Allah does not burden Allah does not burden
anyone except with what they can bearanyone except with what they can bear.”.”
This is one of the most important aspect of our Prophet Muhammad’s This is one of the most important aspect of our Prophet Muhammad’s ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص mission – mission – DA’WAHDA’WAH (calling or inviting) to all mankind to the Lord (One (calling or inviting) to all mankind to the Lord (One
God-Allah)’s way. Just like Prophet Ibrahim a.s. sent to all nation.God-Allah)’s way. Just like Prophet Ibrahim a.s. sent to all nation.
The way, the principle of this Prophetic methodology and sacred legacy The way, the principle of this Prophetic methodology and sacred legacy
here has been succinctly and concisely enumerated in this verse.here has been succinctly and concisely enumerated in this verse.
The relevant and pertinent question which Muslims today must honestly The relevant and pertinent question which Muslims today must honestly
ask is : ask is :
“ “ What are we Muslims doing about it? What are we Muslims doing about it? ““NoteNote the terms: the terms: BIL-HIKMAH BIL-HIKMAH (wisdom)(wisdom)