Understanding of BAI'AH and LOYALTY PLEDGE in ISLAM

At this time of the year 2012, in the next a couple month time there will be the country General Election whereby in accordance to our Federal Constitution the need to nominate candidates contesting to represent the people's representatives in the House of Parliament and State Assembly. In this aspect, there surfaced a misunderstanding among the political party concern on what criteria to select the so called winnable candidates for the posts. Suggesting from one of the Islamic party is to undertake the proposal of Bai'ah [pledge of allegiance] is to uphold and strictly agreed by the selected contestants. In this column I would try to highlight the meaning of words Bai'ah and Loyalty pledge which to my understanding they denote almost similar pledges but contrary the Bai'ah pledge of allegiance is the sole duty of the Muslims subjects to the sovereignty and faith for the Islamic government of the State while the Royalty pledge is supposed to be the duty of the citizen to obey and loyal to the secular government of the State. To affirm these words, let us refer to surah Al-Qur'an verses 10 and 18 below:

Surah Al-Fath verses 10 and 18: (The Victory)

Verse 10 - "Verily, those who give Bai'ah [pledge] to you (O Muhammad s.a.w) they are giving Bai'ah [pledge] to Allah. The Hand of Allah is over their hands. Then whoever breaks his pledge, breaks if only to his own harm, and whoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah. He will bestow on him a great reward."

Verse 18 - "Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bai'ah [pledge] to you [O Muhammad s.a.w] under the tree. He knew what what was in their hearts, and sent down Al-Sakinah [calmness and tranquillity] upon them, and He rewarded them with a new victory."

The above two verses 10 and 18 from surah Al-Fath cited that any Muslims who swore allegiance to Allah SWT and whoever break his pledge is directly meant that he will suffer greatly and for those who keep his pledge that he has made with Allah will soon be given a great reward by Allah SWT. In the second version of the stipulated verse cited that Allah SWT was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance to our Prophet [s.a.w] even though it was made under the tree, Allah SWT definitely knew what was in their hearts, so He will sent down calmness and tranquility upon them and would consequently rewarded them with a speed victory. Such is the the important pledge of allegiance is made with Allah SWT in human endeavour to seek victory and success in any fields.

Pledge of allegiance [Bai'ah] is understood as in line with Islamic teachings which never at all conflict with the Shariah and Islamic law. Bai'ah is constituted by the Muslims based on the Al-Qur'an and Sunnah Rasulullah [s.a.w] and truly focus on the allegiance and loyalty to the leader who fought for the Islamic cause. This is clearly reflected in numerous verses in Al-Qur'an and Hadith.

Accordingly, Prophet's [s.a.w] Companions have also pledge the allegiance to the Prophet [s.a.w] as prescribed in the Hadith the history Nabeywiyyah where on that occasion Muslims struggle hard in difficulties to strive to uphold the sovereignty of Islam. Some religious Islamic Scholars cited the historic events during the life of Prophet [s.a.w] where the pledge of allegiance made by the Muslims at the Holy war al-Aqakabah and Hudeybiyyah agreements which were enacted with the Mecca enemies. This agreements were solely focus as to prevent the Muslim warriors not to be treacherous to the Prophet [s.a.w] and companions. With the Blessing of Allah SWT, this Holy war were won by the Muslims whereby as a result enable the Muslims to live in the glory of peace and harmony. In spite of the fact, Allah SWT was obviously well pleased with those Muslims who swore and pledge the allegiance to the Prophet [s.a.w] before the treaty of Hudeybiyyah, He rewarded the Muslims for their Jihad in those Holy wars with a speedy victory.

As we go back to the development nation in this modern era, we found that the Loyalty pledge undertaken by the people of the State is not for the sake of Allah's SWT cause but it only a 'Loyalty' performed by the people entirely to the high Authority of the management and administration of the ruling Government.

In this column, I wish to state that we are blessed and fortunate to reside in a country with majority of Muslims ethnic community. Wherever possible in any difficulty situation, Muslims are advisable to perform the pledge of allegiance in any political party of the country which is in contrast with the loyalty pledge they made. People who perform Bai'ah obviously would not stray from the fundamental of the Islamic principle, ways and objectives of the Islamic ruling Government. Whoever any Muslim who goes against the pledge of allegiance will be wretched in the world and in the Hereafter.

Finally, I would conclude that Bai'ah is cited in numerous verses and records in Al-Qur'an and Hadith. On this days there appear some arrogant Muslims have been defaulted with commands of Allah SWT of which they have disputed and surely they will be pulled and dragged to the Hell [Fire] in the Last Judgement Day.

Allah is All-Mighty and ALL-Wise.

Religion of ISLAM is a complete way of life

Adapted from the article of Islamic Ideology by Kurshid Ahmed, I would try to delve and write with a slight opinion why our religion Islam put a priority and constitute as a complete way of life in this temporary world. Let us refer to the two selected verses in surah Al-Qur'an Yusuf and Al-Haj underneath:

Surah Yusuf verse 40: (Prophet) Joseph]

"You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named [forged] - you and your fathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command [or the Judgement] is none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him [i.e Monotheism], that is the [true] straight religion, but men know not."

The above verse cited that there is no other God but Allah SWT. As we profess and uphold steadfastly our religion Islam we are commanded to worship Him alone and never deviate from the righteous path as laid down and revealed in Al-Qur'an. The religion of Islam is absolutely a true and straight religion where most unbelievers are ignorant to profess and abide this Islamic religion [Monotheism] where God has commanded to worship none other but Him. The command is from Allah SWT Who ordained that we must worship none but Him. That is the true faith, most disbelievers do not realize and know completely in our religion Islam.

Surah Al-Hajj verse 41: (The Pilgrimage)

"Those [Muslim rulers] who, if We give them power in the land, [they] enjoin Iqamat-as-Salat [i.e perform the five compulsory congregational Salat [prayers] [the male in the mosque], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma'ruf [i.e Islamic Monotheism and that Islam orders one to do] and forbid Al-Munkar [i.e disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden] [i.e the make the Qur'an as the law of their countary in all their sphere of life]. And with Allah rests the end of [all] matters [of creatures]."

The above verse stipulated and prescribed the Muslims whatever their status as a Ruler or common people are commanded to perform the five congregational Solat [prayer] in the mosque and disburse the Zakat to the needy and also enjoin to do good instead of evil and misdeeds. They should heed and avoid all anythings that our religion Islam forbidden. They are required to comply and establish justice, uphold the Al-Qura'an and Sunnah and the Islamic Jurisprudence as the law of the country in all sphere of life. In other words, they are commanded to develop and establish the Islamic religion as a complete way of life for the Muslims in this temporary land of the State. Thus, Allah SWT created the earth so that people would enable to perform the obligatory prayers and pay Zakat to the poverty and administered all proper justice and forbid evil deeds among the people. The final decision and Judgement is in the hand of Allah SWT in the Hereafter.
By advocating the religion Islam as a complete way of life, we should apprehend that it involved for all field of human existence. In spite of the fact, Islam provide guidance for all work walk of life individual and social, material and moral. Religion Islam occupies the development of economic and political, legal and cultural national and international in the world at large.

Should we were to refer to the Sunnah Rasulullah, the Prophet [pbuh] has once said:

"Every one of you as a keeper or a guidance and will be questioned about the well-being of the people of the State. Every man is a guidance of his family and will be answerable about the member of it. A woman is a guidance to the family of his husband and will be accountable for every member of it. And every servant is a guidance to his master and will be questioned about the property of his master.

From the aforementioned Hadith the saying of our Prophet [pbuh] clearly explain and simply asserted that spouse and family in the household are greatly responsible and answerable in the afterlife should they deviate to guide the family to the righteous path. This includes the engagement of servants, they would be answerable about the property and wealth of their masters. Nevertheless as head of the State, the Ruler as a keeper and guidance will be questioned about the well-being of the people he administered be it in every sphere of economy, political, legal and cultural of the State.

Finally, the religion of Islam encompasses the teachings and propagation of religious in all embracing the Islamic way of life which does not leave any fields of human existence to be the play ground for the Satanic cause. To conclude, the religion of Islam is the only chosen one, is a truly complete way of life for the Muslims on this Earth.

Religion Islam is the Guidance for Mankind

The Important of Submissiveness (Khusu') in Prayer

This time in this fine morning of the day, I would humbly try to write about the important of submissiveness[Khusu'] in Prayer in our religion Islam. As Prayer is the obligation for every Muslims to perform and to abide obediently because the prayers are essentially vital in the case of first pillar of religion Islam. I would like to elaborate as to my understanding as a religious layman why we are required to observe strictly to these obligatory prayer whether the are the optional or non-optional prayers to observe and perform in the life as a Muslim.

The first responsibility one's to attain the important part of the submissive
[khusu'] of prayer, a Muslim is required after pronouncing the 'shahadah' is to solah [prey] which is a primary as stated earlier the pillar of Islam. Abandonment of prayers will negate a person's religion Islam. In other words , neglecting and without observing solah [prayer] one's becomes 'kafir' [non-Muslim].

Prayer[Solah] is a comprehensiveness of Islamic worship. It encompasses the Muslim worship Allah SWT not only by his tongue, body, mind or senses, each one separately, but he uses these elements all together at one time. The tongue is for reciting the prayers, the body for fasting and fighting in the cause of Allah SWT [Jihad], the mind for contemplation and the senses are all used for obeying and pleasing Allah SWT.

To go further, there are numerous verses in the Al-Qur'an and reports in Hadith regarding the obligatory prayer. As a reference, underneath are two selected verses and a Report of the Sunnah Rasulullah:

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 238: (The Cow)

"Guard strictly [five obligatory] As-Salawat [the prayers] especially the middle salat [i.e the prayer - Asr]. And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Solat [prayer]."

Surah Al-Baqarah verses 3-5: (The Cow)

Verse 3: "Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Solat and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e give Zakat spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also and also in Allah's Cause - Jihad]."

Verse 4: "And who believe in [the Qur'an and the Sunnah] which has been sent down [reveal] to you [Muhammad s.a.w] and in which we sent down before you [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc] And they believe with certainty in the Hereafter [Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell]."

Verse 5: "They are on [true] guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful."

Hadith narrated by Jabir - (Book 8 Number 394):

"Allah's Apostle used to pray (optional, non-obligatory prayer) while riding on his mount [Rohila] wherever it burned, and wherever he wanted to prey the compulsory prayer he dismounted and prayed facing the Qibla.

The above verses in Al-Qur'an and a Hadith narrated and recorded by Jabir have placed great important upon the performance of prayers not only observe the prayer sincerely but mentally and spiritual acts as well. In other context, Muslims should uphold steadfastly to show devotion and obedience to Allah SWT alone because it is one of the greatest of worship that Allah SWT please and like his servants to offer. What is important of prayer in the life and Afterlife of the Muslims.

Solat [Prayer] is a compulsory form of worship which is like the exercise toward which men are attracted with interested and willingness to follow. Should he understand as a divine obligatory prayer, he would offer and observe continuously so that his life might be free from all diseases and body might be healthy and strong. The Holy Al-Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet, showed the true proof of this realities of the prayers. When Allah SWT commanded the compulsory prayers to be established, stated its wisdom in the way 'Prayer prohibit obscurity and evils'.

As a Muslim who observes the obligatory prayer should be reminded and forbid to do notorious crime and vice. As a hindrance to commit the negative vice, a person's prayer should be sincere to Allah SWT as well as not to show of, agnostic and pride in his prayer. Such prayer is considered could not give any effect on the social and character building that could not avoid and save themselves from doing the evil deeds.

Worship to Allah SWT alone in a true sense is the prayer with sincere and humble heart and do appreciate everything that is worthiness in such obligatory prayer as ordained by Allah SWT. As a consequence prayer is able to educate the development of the faithfully Muslim character with the cleanliness of spiritual soul and mind of a human being. Generally the constant practice of healthy cleanliness of body and clothing, prayer is able to dispose off the dirt of sins whoever mistakenly committed unconsciously in their every day life. In this respect the prayer would give the opportunity for everyone Muslims seeking forgiveness and repentance from Allah SWT for any evil deeds committed. In other words, He will expiate his sins without his knowledge in the Hereafter. The Al-Qur'an in surah Al-Ankabut verses 4-5 - "Surely Prayer would ward off abomination and evil."

Finally, I conclude that the vital part of submissiveness in prayer would enable a pious Muslim to lead the congregation prayer would ultimately give a guideline the important of Muslims unity in any State. In spite of the fact, prayer should be performed in a correct way which would attain the physical, ethical and spiritual gain such as cleanliness, health and punctual time as stipulated to observe and perform the five daily prayer diligently. Congregation prayer on every week end would create and strengthen the Muslims unity and consolidate the Ummah in the Muslim's Community.

Allah the All-Mighty, Compassionate an Most Merciful.

Anticipation of Spouse to seek Heaven instead of Hell (Fire) in Afterlife

In my recent writing, I wrote to advocate the Muslims family to do good deeds as well as to strictly abide by our religious tenets with the sole intention to receive the Heavenly rewards instead of Hell [Fire] in the Afterlife. In other words the love of Muslim spouses to one another in the family circles and we could not escape that Allah SWT , we are accountable on the act of good or evil deeds we transgressed. in this world. We hope to avoid not to be included as fuel in the Hell in our Last Day. Let us then refer surah Al-Qur'an Al-Tahrim verse 6 underneath:

Surah Al-Tahrim verse 6: (Prohibition)

"O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire [Hell] whose fuel from men and stones, over which are [appointed] angels stern [and] severe, who disobey not, [from executing]] the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded."

The above verse cited as to avoid the consequent of whether Muslim families circle are to be thrown in Hell [Fire] because they have a slim faith to abide and obedience to the commands of Allah SWT. As men and stones are dragged in the Fire[Hell] seemingly like remarkable fuel, we must urge our families to avoid the harsh punishment which we could not escape in the Hereafter. The spouses consist of family, husband and wife,. sons and daughters play a vital and fundamental role to be faithfully and obedience as well as not to deviate the commands as ordained by Allah SWT.

The father as a potential leader in the family should closely pay heed to his family and provide the necessary meeds of teaching of Islamic religious way of life. The utmost important duty is to advise to hold steadfast the obligatory daily optional prayers and obedience to all the stipulated Islamic religious tenets as revealed and ordained by Allah SWT. Nevertheless the father should be wary not to give them the freedom to lead their life themselves as well as to provide them with the world's luxury which will unconsciously abandon the Islamic way of life. Neglecting of proper Islamic religious guidance and teachings to his children, he will be pulled to the Hell [Fire] by his sons.

Those family spouse especially the wife when the husband does not heed to his wife's Islamic religious life as her husband faithful servant, she would sometimes mix in the office and social gathering without his husband's permission. As a husband is a personal protection of his wife who is strictly forbid to mix and view non-Mahram men even though he is a religious scholar, praying and fasting, he will be dragged by his sinful wife to Hell[Fire] in the Hereafter.

In the event of one's father demise, as a brother to his sister it is his responsibility to uphold the dignity of a women especially to his sister not to deviate the teachings and guidance of religion Islam otherwise the said brother would be unfortunately punish and pulled to the the Hell in the Hereafter.

Whatsoever as a children, her son enable to give proper advise and guidance to his mother to abide by Allah SWT's and contradict to the Islamic religion way of life, the son would be questioned and held responsible in the Judgement Day, the mother would be also dragged to the Hell in the Hereafter.

Finally, from the aforementioned misdeeds we do in this temporarily world we should then realize that life in this world will end with death. So we have with limited available duration we have to lead the good deeds especially to urge and persuade our family to ward off Hell[Fire] in the Hereafter. We should be aware before death overtook us there is no more hope seeking forgiveness and repentance from Allah SWT.

Asking for forgiveness and repentance, we must never forget to supplicate [Doa'] anticipating His Blessing and Mercy as mentioned underneath:

" O Lord, Give us good in this world and Give us good in the Hereafter and prevent us from the Hell[Fire]."
-Ameen.

Allah is Off-Forgiving and Most Merciful.