Hurry sickness and Islam

21^st century, the era when people claim as the best moment of human achievement especially in science and technology. Over the last 100 year, the world has experienced two significant revolutions; the industrial and internet. As a result, people lifestyle has transformed as many of them say there is no better time to be alive than now.

However, the reality is totally different. Although the movements and works become faster and easier, but many people are in a chronic rush. They feel 24 hours is not enough for a day. No time for leisure activities, relaxing even it is becoming increasingly rare for a family to eat together.

All of these are the symptom of the modern epidemic called ‘hurry sickness’

In fact, this problem is escalating in degree and intensity in our society, leading to rudeness, short tempered behavior and even violence. For the sake of pursuing the world’s demand and a better life, many valuable things in human life have been sacrificed.

The main factor for this epidemic is peoples attitude, especially time management. Failing to divide it wisely for working and family necessary will lead to create the rush circumstance. At the same time, the advanced technology, especially the internet and social media have exacerbated this problem as people always ‘busy’ with their gadget, ignoring what happened around them.   

How to tackle with this problem?

According to many scholars, hurry sickness only can be cured by changing human attitude. In other words, they have to be patient in waiting and slow their movement apart from managing their time wisely. At the same time, it is suggested that activities like Yoga, Taichi and religious meditation can reduce the sickness.

How about Islam look this issue?

Ashabul Kahfi : The true lesson to young generation

Some people claim that young people nowadays are less aware about what happen around them. They seem to be unsocial persons and not too interested to involve in current issues like politics issues, human rights, and society's problems. The main reason would be their own attitude as they feel comfortable with their life and no need to jump into the problem. Moreover, the advance of latest technology, especially social media already exacerbated their bad attitude since most of their time is spent with gadget and latest tools.

Nevertheless, others reject that view as it is only a one-sided opinion. They argue one could not deny that many awareness campaigns or society movements are supported by young people. In fact, it happens all over the world as politics awareness, welfare work, fighting poverty and striving for justice are participated by teenagers and university students.

Even though technology is considered to be a bane to people, especially the youth, but looking at the bright side, they are still the main driving force behind many of the latest technological development. As the result, they contribute plenty towards society by sharing the information via the internet. Take the example of Arab Spring, the awareness through sharing information was prominently played by the young generation.

However, even the young people seem much more enthusiastic and are more concerned with human issues compared to previous generation, but their fighting is likely generated without clear goals. Consequently, they seem to be manipulated easily by some group for their personal interest. Thus, not surprisingly, their efforts sometimes are looked down by others claiming that they are still immature.

Actually, as adults, it is necessary for us to share and guide young people instead of halting their spirit and their empowerment.

The lesson from Ashabul Kahfi

A good example for the young people in the Quran is the story of Ashabul Kahfi (the companions of the cave). This tale is mentioned interestingly in chapter Al-Kahfi and its lesson should be learnt by Muslim especially the younger generation.

Briefly, Ashabul Kahfi is a story about seven youngers who believed to worship Allah, the one god. However, it was very challenging to show or promote their faith and practice (based on Jesus teaching) at that time since they lived in an astray society and tyrant government, which disallowed the freedom of conscience. Fearing the threat might force them to return to the traditional belief, these teenagers chose to go out from the city. After finding a small cave, they concealed and slipped inside.

Miraculously, they had been sleeping for 300 years before woke up. At that time, the situation was different as the people believed in one god. After they went out, finally, the truth was revealed.

The cave that claimed as ashabul kahfi cave.

The lesson from Quran

According to the story, Allah describes the characters of Ashabul Kahfi clearly. Therefore, it must be the lesson to the young generation to make sure that they're striving in line to Islamic teaching as follows:-

1. True Faith.

Allah said:

“It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and we increased them in guidance. And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression” (Al-Kahfi 13-14)

Based on this versus, the seven youths has been told as the beloved people. Because of their faith, Allah has increased them in guidance. As the result, the faith and guidance have firmed their heart to consistent in religion.

2. Based on knowledge and intellect.

“These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?" (Al-Kahfi: 15)

Even they were young, but it did not mean they were wrong. Before decide to rebel, they had criticized society’s practice at that moment as it is totally against to human intellect.

3. Be cautious

“And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, "How long have you remained [here]?" They said, "We have remained a day or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city, and let him look into which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you” (Al-Kahfi: 19)

Even, they believed their way was true, but it did not mean that they had to be hasty. In contrast, they had planned their way with calculating the risk, went out from city and after waking up, they were still alert to the situation.

In conclusion, the Muslim youth should realize that their period should not to be wasted for entertainment or unbeneficial activities. In contrast, their time is the golden age to be a good servant to Allah and a honorable fighter to society. Protecting them and fighting for the sake of religion with the strong motivation and in-depth knowledge.

 

The Similarities between Jesus and Adam

It is obvious that Islam never against their followers from celebrating non-Muslim religious festival especially if they are invited. Moreover, a good Muslim must keep his relationship with others either with his family or his neighbors or his colleagues regardless their belief. Thus, religion should not be the reasons for breaking family relationship or to create inharmonic society.

Regarding Christmas, a Muslim can do anything for showing their respect to Christians, followers like visiting, giving a present, except to say ‘merry Christmas’. This is because that word against the Muslim faith.

Being a Muslim means he must obey what have been told by his god. At particular issue, A Muslim has to believe the existence of Jesus as one of the main prophets, but, their version of him is quite different than what are believed by Christian follower.

In Islam, Jesus is not considered to be a son of god, but he is a normal human with special creation. He was born without a father. It is not amazing thing if we relate it to Allah power. He can do anything easily include creating a human without a father. In Jesus creation, Allah gives the simple parable in Quran about Jesus as follows:-

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ

Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from the dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was. (Ali-Imran: 59)

Based on this versus, Allah just give the simple analogy, how he creates Jesus like Adam. If Adam was born without father and mother and then it is easier for Allah to create Jesus that still has his mother.

In the Quran, Allah has mentioned words Adam 25 times. Interestingly, the account is same for the number of words, Jesus, showing that the strong relationship between both.

Through the Quran, we can find many similarities between Adam and Jesus as follows:-

Both are mentioned before created

Before Allah creates Adam, he has informed to others as he said:

[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay. ( As-sod : 71)

Like Jesus, Allah also sent the angel to tell Mary (Jesus mother) that she will give birth:

[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah]. (Ali-Imran: 45)

Both are from God’s soul.

After Allah had formed Adam, he was breathed by Allah spirit as been told in the Quran:-

So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."( As-Sod: 72)

And the same thing has been done to Jesus.

And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds. (Al-Anbiya’: 91)

Both are born without a father

The clear similarity between Adam and Jesus is both are created without a father.

And We have certainly created you, [O Mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated. (Al-‘Arof:11)

The argument after created.

When Allah told heaven, creation to create Adam, angles was costing him while after Adam was complete, Iblis refused to respect him.

I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing [the creation of Adam]. (As-Sod: 69)

As for Jesus, people around him also are questioning his mother.

Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. ( Maryam: 27)

Allah has taught both

After created, Adam has been taught by Allah about all the names:-

And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful." (Al-Baqarah: 31)

Like Jesus, he also learned the wisdom from Allah.

And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel (Ali-Imran: 48)

The journey between land and sky

Adam was created in heaven and after making the mistakes, then he was sent to earth. Meanwhile Jesus was born in the earth, but at the end of his life, Allah saved him by raising him to the heaven.

Women in Islam : Testimony ( Part 5 )

“Why Islam considers women's testimony to be half of one man’s testimony?”

This is the main example of the inequality in Islam as claimed by Skeptics. Moreover, they also accuse this religion reject women as the witness in criminal case.

To answer this allegation, it is important to stress that the main objectives of Islam are to promote well-being for human and repel harm from them. The clearest example would be on how Islamic laws such as in murdered, adultery, accusation for adultery, robbery and theft that lie in safeguarding people faith, their human self (din), their human self (nafs), their intellect (aql), their posterity (nasl) and their wealth (mal). As the punishment are very harsh Islamic, the way to prove the culprit also strict in order to avoid mistakes in jurist process.

Thus, in testimony, the main condition for a witness is their trustworthy. It is clearly mentioned in chapter Al-Hujurat as follows:-

“O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.” ( Al-Hujurat : 6 )

As for female witness in criminal cases, even the majority of Muslim classical scholars view that their testimony are not accepted, but there are a few of them like Az-zohiri against it as there are no clear supported  versus in Quran and Hadith. It means it still opened for discussion.

On the other hand, when majority of them refuse to accept woman as the witness, it not because of discrimination, but in order to protect women and others. In fact, the nature of women, they are more influenced by their emotion. For example, most of the women are closing her eyes or running away in panic when they are seeing the bloodshed or crimes. Thus, it is difficult for them to give a reliable account of the crime.

In addition, they also not reject women's testimony totally but their statement have to be investigated and strengthened with other evidences. If the testament is strong, then there is no reason for a jurist to acquit the real culprit.

Regarding for financial matters, it is true one of the versus in Al-Baqarah show the status of women witness as follows:-

(O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as Allah Has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord, Allah, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, let his guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her.) (Al-Baqarah 2:282)

However, the reason to make the testimony of a man equal to the testimony of two women due to women nature and their circumstance instead of their integrity. For example, most of the women focus on motherhood or the household. As the result, they are no experience in handling these matters since financial issue are difficult to understand. Thus, Allah commands creditors if they want to verify the value of debt to seek the testimony of two men or one man and two women. The Qur'an puts it unambiguously:

(so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her.) (Al-Baqarah 2:282)

But having said that, the financial cases are not too strict as criminal cases as Islam also accept one witness coupled with oath and also the witness of non-Muslim. Thus, this versus not means women’s testimony is rejected totally. 

Women In Islam : Inheritance ( Part 4 )

Inheritance in Islam is claimed by skeptics as the obvious example of women discrimination. They said it is totally unfair when women only deserve ½ from the amount that given to men, even both are from the same family.

But having said that, according to the Islamic inheritance laws, there are situations which women inherit more than men and also women inherit while the men get nothing. As for the former, it happens when a person dies leaving one full sister and three half-brothers (by the father). In this case, the full sister gets half of the deceased wealth while the other half will be divided equally among the three half-brothers. As for the later, it occurs when a wife dies, leaving a husband, a full sister and a brother of her father. In this situation, the husband gets half and another half will be given to the sister while the half-brother gets nothing at all.

The case that argued by Islamic skeptic as the women discrimination, happen when the inheritance is divided between a sister and a brother or a daughter and a son. In this case, women just deserve to own ½ compared to their partner who get full.

In term of equality, this type of division seems unjust, however in term of put the thing in the right place, absolutely it is the best solution to manage the deceased wealth. Thus, the inheritance should not be looked at how Islam divides the wealth, but the responsibility between gender also needs to be considered.

In Islam, men are solely responsible for everything. For example, the man has to pay the bridal money or dower gift to the bride. After that, all of household expenses and wife necessary are in his responsibility. Failing to fulfill this task, they can be declared as unqualified husband by the court if their wife makes the complaint. If he is single, he also must take care for his sister (if she not married), his mother and his father (if they are unable to work).

The situation completely reverses for women.  Firstly, they are not asked to pay anything for their marriage instead of receive the bridal money. Secondly, if she works, she possesses full of her money and her husband is not permitted to take her money.

In conclusion, Islam provides the best solution for human problem rather than promote the equality.