Transformation can only happen in at least three generations (120 yrs). The only exception to that rule is seen in the life the prophet PBUH. And this was in one generation (30 years). The completion of this transformation was announced by Allah SWT in the chapter of Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread), “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [5:3] Another verse states, “Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves…” in the chapter called Al-Baqara (The Cow) [2:143] The beloved messenger of Allah, Muhammad PBUH, is the only one who did it in one generation.
Khalil-u-Allah, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), tried and failed three times. He was able to finally make a change when he got to Makkah, because he was trying to find a group of people who didn’t have ignorance – traces of Jahileyya – mixed in with their concept of Islam. He wanted to build a role model community that would live on carrying the unaltered message.
The Detailed components make one – the blueprint (Seerah)
1. Embodiment of the formation of the creed
2. Change of the course of history
3. Complete overhaul of society
Embodiment – to integrate the variables or the components, to make one new thing.
Overhaul- Functional components and its missing something, you adjust it to make it work as a whole.
PBUH did that with the Arabs, they were like a broken car and they had the good things from the days of Ibrahim PBUH but there was messy stuff in the woodworks.
PBUH said my mission is to complete the reform of good manners – they already existed and they needed to be perfected. We need to understand the blueprint before we try to make changes. Or else we will throw it away, ruin the building or say there’s nothing we can do.
The context is missing, the content is there.
Islam in practice is missing, the theory is there (Qur’an and Sunnah.) In the chapter of Al- Hijr (The Rocky Tract), “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)” [15:9] - content is preserved).
We know a lot of information, but its not internalized, we haven’t made it a part of us. We still don’t have it easy. We struggle to pray and give zakat. It becomes natural of you to do your religious obligations, it should be easy.
“Taha. We have not sent down the Qur’an to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress” Ta-Ha [1-2:20]
Tactical and Strategic goals of Dawah:
In the chapter of Al-Kahf (The Cave) [18:29] Allah SWT orders the Prophet PBUH to, “Say, “The truth is from your Lord”: Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it)” Dawah isn’t conversion, as mentioned in the chapter of Qaf, “We know best what they say; and thou art not one to overawe them by force.” So admonish with the Qur’an such as fear My Warning!” [50:45] All you have to do is pass along the message.
Tactical goal of Dawah ( Makkah)
“Kuffu aydiyakum wa aqimu ul salat” – chain your hands, tie your hands, and pray.
Strategic goals:
“ Permission is granted for Muslims to defend themselves”
Objectives:
1- Aqeedah (Aqd – from contract- or knot a covenant with all these means it resonates with your mind, heart, etc…something firm I take freely and knowingly and I compel myself to adhere to it with no external forces) is the main axis for changing human behavior in order to have the change permanent and comprehensive.
a. List tools for affecting people’s behavior
i. Reward & Punishment.
ii. Example – most effective one
iii. Role Model – see no discrepancy, lack consistency.
iv. Visualization – Like story telling people can see (“Verily for the Righteous there will be a fulfillment of (the heart’s) desires ;Gardens enclosed, and grapevines; Companions of equal age ;And a cup full (to the brim)” An-Naba (The Great News) [78:31-34]
v. Education – tell people something they believe in (persuade them)
vi. Media – like communication, ads, flicks.
vii. Time – a component in any change.
viii. Superstars – The prophet PBUH and the Companions.
2- Most of these are affective and good, but they are temporary. When the change
of behavior is associated with aqeedah then it is permanent.
3- The messenger of Allah is the perfect role model given to humanity by the grace of Allah
4- Understanding comprehensiveness of Islam.
a. The job of a prophet is to move people form darkness to light, they aren’t equipped nor is it part of their job to be our role models in this area.
b. The prophet PBUH was in Makkah there was no farming, but when he went to Madinah they consulted him on dates and agricultural practices and he said if Allah SWT wants it to be it will be. SO they didn’t do their usual pollination and nothing grew then they came back to him and he said that “you are more knowledgeable about the ways of this life”
c. We have a mind, we can discover, we can learn so much, but there are limits.
i. Example of someone knocking on the door and we don’t know who if we leave it up to intellect. Without communication then nothing gets through. Steel door, were limited. If they stick a paper under the door and one person understands the language and we know that person and he was along us.. So without the message and without the messenger then we are doomed.
ii. We can understand the laws of nature, but the laws of humans and God are above us. Who is Allah? Ask anyone and they don’t know but when you ask a Muslim they say, “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him”. Al-Ikhlas (The Purity) [112: 1-4]
iii. “Allah. There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)” Al-Baqara (The Cow) [2:255] – An answer given to us by Allah swt.
iv. Messengers and messages are light, they are a blessing, they’re mercy to the worlds.
v. Who controls what, humans over religion, or the religion is in charge of controlling religion? In Islam the religion is in control, everything has to be consistent – life and religion – congruent, no inconsistency. – where’s the line between inconsistent and contradictory?
d. Qur’an is guidance to mankind
e. Methods of teaching, raising and conveying the message of Allah
f. Successful leaders are those who have firm Aqeedah.
Q&A
- How do you maintain your aqeedah?
o Knowledge is important, but the environment good friends and reminders.
o [51:55] “But teach, (thy Message) for teaching benefits the Believers.” Az-Zariyat (The Winds that Scatter)
o That’s why Prophet Ibrahim PBUH went to Makkah, he built it from scratch.
Filed under: the -ology |
Tags: chapter, koran, kuran, mohamed, mohammad, muhammad, prophet, quran, Seerah, sunnah, verses
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