Strengthening Faith with Pillars

Here's the thing about Islam in the modern world...it's grossly distorted.  It's tiring to read in the media that authorities are merely "trying to educate about Islam", when the teachings of Islam today revolves around almost trivial matters that sparks from ignorance of the ACTUAL Islam  The recent event in Acheh where punk musicians were taken into custody and have their hair shaven off because "punk is deemed as un-Islamic" is seriously an uneducated move.  It took me into a time warp when a certain minister (god bless his soul and may he rest in peace) took it to live broadcast and snipped off local long-haired rock stars for being...I forgot.  Whatever lesson he wanted us to learn has left me.


Women are usually the common victim since they are commonly viewed as the source of all vice.  I've heard so many times in sermons that the population of hell is vastly female for being the source of all evil.  I've also heard that rape, abuse, and sexual harassment experienced by women are no one's fault but the women's.  As a matter of fact, women invite all unwelcomed sexist and sexual advances made against them due to their own un-Islamic self.  

By virtue of this argument then we can deduce that all men, by all means are victims to seduction and have no power whatsoever to control that thing between his legs and that blob in his skull!  The poor testosterone driven species are so wrapped in innocence that all his actions and conducts could not possibly be his own. 

Hmmm...are you buying this reasoning?

Lessons of Islam

I'm no expert but I read.  So, it's really a simple exercise.  The Quran is everywhere and so is the Hadith in all languages.  Can't understand Arabic?  It's okay, because there is one translated into your mother tongue!  Islam is all inclusive...seriously.  Tak percaya? (You don't believe me?)  Go read.


Once we read, we'll realize that Islam has simple Principles and Practices, based on the 5 pillars of Islam and 6 pillars of Faith.  Get that right la, before you bitch about Islam or pretend you know so much because you spent 1 miserable year studying something-something in University of Al-Azhar! I suggest that the authorities put the pillars as the foundation of their 'educating' program.  

The 2 pillars go like this:

5 Pillars of Islam

1.  To verbalize the kalimah syahadah
2.  To pray
3.  To pay zakat (alms)
4.  To fast in Ramadhan
5.  To undertake the Hajj for those who are able


6 Pillars of Faith


1.  To have faith in Allah s.w.t
2.  To have faith in angels
3.  To have faith in the holy books
4.  To have faith in all Prophets
5.  To have faith in Akhirat (the end of days)
6.  To have faith in Qada' and Qadar


There really isn't anything in the list of pillars that suggest womenfolks must take responsibilities for the entire Muslim race.  There really isn't anything there either that suggests dress codes and hairstyles either.  Just basics to a wholesome and God-fearing Lifestyle; and yet, the media coverage is giving Islam and thinking practicing Muslims a bad name.


Sadly today, Muslims are more afraid of the human-made laws and the authorities implementing it than the Creator.  Some wear the hijab because..."what would the society say?"  Some marry a woman he views as Islamic but seriously wants the other gal.  Some are dressed in the perfect "Islamic" garments and then abandoned a baby in the back lanes wrapped in newspapers to die.  Some men marry four wives but never tells them until the women discovers each other and the list of children at his funeral.  

The case studies are long and would be a good source for great stand ups, if not for its serious religious connotations!


Here's a recommendation...get back to basics.  

1.  Be concerned if a Muslim cannot verbalize the kalimah syahadah, because then his/her dying will be difficult and he/she dies less of a Muslim.
2.  Be concerned when a Muslim does not know Al-Fatihah and the at least 2 other surahs, because that means they don't know how to pray.
3.  Be concerned when a Muslim is able but is a scrooge when it comes to zakat (alms) because although he knows God promises equality to all His creation, he can't understand how his money is involved in any of God's plan.
4.  Be concerned when restaurants open back doors to Muslims to eat during Ramadhan and is largely patronized by errrr...MEN.
5.  Be concerned when Muslims are wealthy and able but do not go to Hajj because they have not received "THE CALL", but spends heftily on overseas trips and gross spending on material goods (and humans) they don't need.
6.  Be concerned when Muslims are surprised when they're told that ALLAH is not His only name and that reciting it regularly is part of the ibadah.
7.  Be concerned when Muslims thinks angels look like them but have wings or are reincarnation of their dead loved ones.
8.  Be concerned when Muslims think that the Quran is the ONLY book sent to them and should be changed to adapt to time.
9.  Be concerned when Muslims think that Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h is the ONLY prophet in Islam and can't recall the other twenty-four.
     *list of prophets is listed below
10. Be concerned when Muslims think that there is an in-between space of nothingness between Heaven and Hell to house those who did not do enough sin for hell but did not do enough deed for heaven.
11. Be concerned when Muslims belief that all good is based on their individual effort and God is seemingly unfair for every ill-fate that befalls them.


I think if the authorities are more focused on getting the ACTUAL demands of Islam on track, then more Muslims will know what next to do.  Education will never happen through fear.  It will instead evoke negativity and resistance towards the faith because the entire "learning" are forced and focused on the superficial or the symptoms (like premarital and extramarital sex, the consumption of intoxicating substances, unsightly dress codes and everything in the media today) instead of the root cause - ACTUAL IGNORANCE.  

I am of the opinion that once the pillars are understood, everything else will fall into place and all these cost ineffective midnight raids in dodgy hotels, (to mention the most popular authorities' stunts and not to mention the unnecessary PR mess) will come to a natural death.


* ISLAM 25 Prophets


1.  Adam
2.  Idris
3.  Nuh
4.  Hud
5.  Saleh
6.  Ibrahim
7.  Ismail
8.  Ishak
9.  Lut
10.Ya'qub
11.Yusuf
12.Syu'ayb
13.Musa
14. Harun
15. Illyas
16. Illyasa'
17. Daud
18. Sulaiman
19. Ayub
20. Dzulkifl
21.Yunus
22. Zakaria
23. Yahya
24. Isa
25. Muhammad


*Note: I may not have spelled the names exactly how it is pronounced in Arabic, but it should be almost correct.


Found this and thought it is relevant to this article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/26/reutersworld/20111226114833&sec=reutersworld

Question: Why isn't Isa Taheri, the man who Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani allegedly had sex with, not punished by stoning or hanging?  Isn't this another proof that Islamic laws are skewed and executed unjustly and biased against women?  Is the man less of a Muslim or is it because the woman is to be blamed 200% and carry the burden of both of their crimes?  What makes men so holy that even his obvious crime is overlooked? This case screams conspiracy!!!