16th Safar 1435 (19th Dec 2013)
Mankind is a Creature of reasoning and is to be guided, for this Mankind, in his quest for knowledge, coined two words together from the Greek Language; Philo and Sophy. Philo means ‘love’ and Sophy means ‘knowledge’; therefore philosophy means lover of knowledge.
Suffice to say that people at certain point in time were Idol worshipper. Images of wood, iron, waters, sun, moon, stars and human personality were adopted as deity. If you are thinking of the Africa people as Idol worshippers, you will be very wrong. The Europeans are more fetish as much as the Africans. Ignorance is not restricted to a particular race so also is enlightenment.
Even though some mind that could reason knows that other things being worshipped cannot or rather are not Supreme, the cult forced the concept on the society. Within these cult figures are some that could reason a bit higher than those they are deceiving and so they were addressed as Philosophers because they are a bit advanced in logic and reasoning.
The Philosopher that were Atheist arrogate the search and love of knowledge to themselves and they are the one that philosophize that “Religion is the opium of the masses”. In Islam, the big man need Religion as much as the poor person and all the rules and regulation of Islam applies to both irrespective of status or gender.
Non Muslim Philosophers were genuinely confused. Thanks to Ibn Kalthum and Ibn Katheer. It is heartening to know that philosophers are born, not made. You might be a student or graduate of Philosophy, it does not make you a Philosopher.
The argument being advanced by the Atheist Philosopher was that the world and it’s content was just happenstance. The ‘big bang’ theory.
Islam hold the view that the World was a creation of design for a justifiable end and so there has to be rule and regulation guiding those occupy the world.
It also held the view that The Designer of the World is a Super Designer and it has absolute control over it and it’s content.
One day, a ‘Talk shop’ took place between a Non Muslim Philosopher, and the Muslim Philosopher and the argument goes like this:
Scene One:
Non Muslim: This world is nothing
Muslim: Why do you say that?
Non Muslim: It is obvious
Muslim: What is obvious?
Non Muslim: Can’t you see that everyone just come into the world, live and die and that is the end?
Muslim: You mean, the world is that meaningless?
Non Muslim: Sure, sure. You know, the Big Bang theory? The world is an accident!
There the discussion ended when PHCN took power and light goes off…
Scene Two:
The Muslim Philosopher and the Non Muslim Philosopher reconvene at the usual place.This time, it was the Muslim Philosopher that opened the discussion:
Muslim:(Addressing his compatriot): you would not believe what I saw.
Non Muslim: What did you see?
Muslim: I saw wonders
Non Muslim (with interest): What did you see?
Muslim: you will not believe, so there is no need to tell you
Non Muslim: oh no, do not jump to conclusion. All you have to do is to empirically prove what you saw for me to believe!
Muslim: That is the problem, because it is only Faith that you need to have to belief.
Non Muslim: anyhow, go ahead, let’s have it. What did you see
Muslim: as I was coming to meet you, on stepping out of my house at the adjacent street, all of a sudden, in my very before, do you know what I saw?
Non Muslim: What did you see
Muslim: I saw a small plant, in my presence it grows into a tree
Non Muslim: Yes a tree, yes no big deal
Muslim: The tree grew to a mighty Iroko or Mahogany tree
Non Muslim: You mean within the twinkling of an eye, a seedling grew into a tree?
Muslim: That is not the gist, in my presence, the Tree start to Log itself into Logs
Non Muslim: Go ahead tell me more
The Muslim: The Log started to saw itself into Planks
The Planks started nailing and tacking itself
It made itself into furniture, you know bedding, chairs, Tables etc
Non Muslim: (in amazement): You mean nobody was involved in all of these activity?
Muslim: Wait! Then the furniture transport itself into my house
Non Muslim: You can tell me anything; in this your amazing story, I can confidently inform you that this your story is unbelievable!
Muslim: Why is the story unbelievable
Non Muslim: Someone must be doing those things, those activity cannot be happening by accident, period. There is a Force behind it, ah aha.
Muslim: You have just come to the real conclusion by yourself. This world is a Creation of a Powerful Force, that force named Himself Allah,
2:21. O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious – see V.2:2).
2:22. Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).
Purpose for Revelation of Al-Qur’an:
28:85. Verily, He Who has given you (O Muhammad SAW) the Quran (i.e. ordered you to act on its laws and to preach it to others) will surely bring you back to the Maad (place of return- to Paradise after your death, etc.). Say (O Muhammad SAW): “My Lord is Aware of him who brings guidance, and he who is in manifest error.”
Qur’an a Gift From Allah to us all:
28:86. And you were not expecting that the Book (this Quran) would be sent down to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord. So never be a supporter of the disbelievers.
Truth should not be resisted:
28:87. And let them not turn you (O Muhammad SAW) away from (preaching) the Ayat (revelations and verses) of Allah after they have been sent down to you, and invite (men) to (believe in) your Lord (i.e: in the Oneness (Tauheed) of Allah (1) Oneness of the Lordship of Allah; (2) Oneness of the worship of Allah; (3) Oneness of the Names and Qualities of Allah), and be not of Al- Mushrikoon (those who associate partners with Allah, e.g. polytheists, pagans, idolaters, those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah and deny the Prophethood of Messenger Muhammad SAW).
Hypocrisy is not welcomed:
28:88. And invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned.
The Reward:
29:19. And those who believe in (the Oneness of) Allah and His Messengers, they are the Siddiqoon, and the martyrs, with their Lord, they shall have their reward and their light. But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) and deny Our Ayat they shall be the dwellers of the blazing Fire.
The Reality Show:
29:20. Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers, good-doers), whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.
When The Angels Visited the Messenger of Allah:
Volume 9, Book 92, Number 385: Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:
Some angels came to the Prophet while he was sleeping.
Some of them said, ‘He is sleeping.’
Others said, ‘His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.’
Then they said, ‘There is an example for this companion of yours.’
One of them said, ‘Then set forth an example for him.’
Some of them said, ‘He is sleeping.’ The others said, ‘His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.’
Then they said:
‘His example is that of a man who has built a house and then offered therein a banquet and sent an inviter (messenger) to invite the people. So whoever accepted the invitation of the inviter, entered the house and ate of the banquet, and whoever did not accept the invitation of the inviter, did not enter the house, nor did he eat of the banquet.’
Then the angels said, ‘Interpret this example to him so that he may understand it.’ Some of them said, ‘He is sleeping.”
The others said, ‘His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.’
And then they said, ‘The houses stands for Paradise and the call maker is Muhammad; and whoever obeys Muhammad, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys Muhammad, disobeys Allah. Muhammad separated the people (i.e., through his message, the good is distinguished from the bad, and the believers from the disbelievers).’
Means of Guidance: Volume 9, Book 92, Number 374: Narrated Anas bin Malik:
That he heard ‘Umar speaking while standing on the pulpit of the Prophet in the morning (following the death of the Prophet), when the people had sworn allegiance to Abu Bakr. He said the Tashah-hud before Abu Bakr, and said, ‘Amma Ba’du (then after) Allah has chosen for his Apostle what is with Him (Paradise) rather than what is with you (the world). This is that Book (Quran) with which Allah guided your Apostle, so stick to it, for then you will be guided on the right path as Allah guided His Apostle with it.’
The Essence of Life is to be aware that you are in this world to believe and to work for your hereafter. How you attain your faith and your relationship with Man and the Supreme Being among others will be part of your CV for or against you on Resurrection Day. Work for your Paradise in this World please!
