IMPACTS OF MUSLIM ORGANiZATIONS

THE IMPACT OF MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS ON THE MUSLIM STUDENTS; MUSLIM STUDENTS’ SOCIETY OF NIGERIA AS A CASE STUDY.

Islam being the foremost religion to strive and gained ground in Nigeria, brought to the northern part of the country and spread across length and breadth, nooks and crannies of the country with Hausas as the major followers and few Yorubas.

Islamic organization is the association formed by group of people for the propagation of ISLAM. Among the early Islamic organizations are; ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA, founded on the 23rd of December,1923, ANSAR- L-ISLAM by SHEIKH KAMALDEEN AL-ADABIY, JAMATUL NASRU by Late(Sir)Alh AHMADU BELLO, MUSLIM STUDENTS’ SOCIETY OF NIGERIA founded on 18th of April, 1954, NASFAT, FATHI-UL-QOREEB and many others meant to propagate Islam and youth development as their major objectives.

 

All the aforementioned societies have in many ways been source of assistance to the youths as each and every of them has special programmes for the youths which lead to the formation of ‘YOUTH WING’ in the Muslim societies today.

Has this been helpful so far?

Has it gotten its desired merit?

Have youths been transformed through this programme?

 

All these questions are best answered with the introduction of MUSLIM STUDENTS’ SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (MSSN) to Secondary Schools, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, Universities and other Institution of learning. The has gone a long way to unite Muslim Students from different part of Nigeria and in extension to other neighbouring countries.

 

Many muslim students have gone astray due to lack of proper Islamic upbringing at home and miserable life on campus. Religious activities in some schools is nothing to write about.

Praise be to ALLAH and kudos to those people who formed the society that cater for the students’ spiritual well-being. The society has gone a long way in transforming, reforming and bring out the best in some muslim students nationwide with its varieties of programmes, which include; THE DAWAH CAMP, USRAH, FIGH SESSION (deals with interaction based on questions and answers from the HOLY QURAN among members), SISTERS’ CIRCLE, BROTHERS’ FORUM among others.

 

THE DAWAH CAMP, which is an annual programme, organized by the society starting from the branch to National level has been one of those motivating programmes that empower the muslim students morally, mentally and spiritually. This camp also serves an avenue to meet different people, culture, background, lifestyle, education and how ISLAM is being practised in some other part of the country.

This camp being the major one has supporting strikers that play its role during the year. USRAH, FIQH SESSION among other play vital roles in stimulating students before another DAWAH camp.

 

 

Today, is a great development seeing how far this society has intervened, transformed, and reformed some students which earn the society NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL recognition. The role played in EDUCATION, HEALTH, ECONOMY & FINANCE, ENGINEERING & TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT cannot be overruled but appreciated in the history of this country.

 

BEHOLD, how good and pleasant it is for MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS to dwell in PEACE, UNITY, LIFE FREE OF PROMISCUITY, FREE OF INFIDELITY and take the way of ALLAH.

May Allah grant us his will to carry out our obligations. Ameen.

 

ALPHACARES…..

DID YOU THANK ALLAH FOR YOUR SIGHT?

Did You Thank Allah for Your Eyesight?

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. More people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”

What he had written was: “Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.”

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

“It is He, Who has created for you (the sense of) hearing (ears), sight (eyes), and hearts (understanding). Little thanks you give.” [surah Al-Mu’minun; 78]

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THE LIGHT….

WHY ISLAM?

This is an important question, indicating that the questioner is mature and enlightened. In response, I say:

Islam is a religion that includes a number of merits and characteristics that are absent from other religions. These characteristics alone, serve as convincing evidence that Islam is the true religion of Allah (God). You can determine the authenticity of this statement by contemplating them.

Islam’s many merits and characteristics make it impossible to elaborate on all of them. However, some of the most important can be summarized as follows:

Amongst the greatest merits of Islam is that it fulfills the spiritual aspects of the human being and enables those who embrace it to have an ongoing connection with Allah (God). This makes it possible for them to be at ease spiritually. It shields them from chaos, being lost or feeling (spiritually) empty, and protects from mental instability.

Another of Islam’s merits is that it coincides totally with common sense. All of the Islamic legislation and its rulings are acceptable intellectually and are never contradictory. One man who embraced Islam was asked why he did so and replied, “Islam never ordered me to do anything that I later wished wasn’t obligated, and it never forbade me from anything that I later wished wasn’t forbidden.”

Much of what is readily accepted in other religions causes great confusion. This confusion makes it difficult to believe many of the fundamental tenets that these religions are based upon.

On the other hand, we find that Islam respects the intellect, prohibits ignorance, and condemns blind following.

Islam is an all-inclusive way of life attending to both spiritual and physical needs. Practicing Islam does not mean that one has to be secluded or that he is prohibited from the finer things in life. Rather, according to Islam, a person can be religious and still enjoy a normal life; attaining prestigious positions and achieving the highest academic degrees.

Among the merits of Islam is that it is a comprehensive religion. Every aspect of a person’s life is managed by Islam. There is not a problem except that a solution for it lies in Islam, which makes it possible to embrace and practice in every time and place. How can this not be the case in such a well-organized religion that has guidelines and positive instruction for every aspect of life including: conflict resolution, buying and selling, social and marital relations, greetings, public etiquette, and even how a person eats, sleeps and dresses? These practices have not been addressed generally, but rather in precise detail, causing the mind to wonder in amazement. Know that Islam even provides direction on how to wear and remove footwear. It encourages people to use their right hand when eating, drinking, shaking hands, and when giving and receiving items. As for disliked affairs, such as using the bathroom, the left hand is to be used.

Islam also has wonderful instructions regarding going to sleep and waking up. When two Muslims meet, Islam directs them on how they should greet each other: A rider should initiate greeting the pedestrian, the youth should initiate greeting the elderly, and a small group should initiate greeting a larger group. These are but a few of Islam’s many comprehensive guidelines for all aspects of life.

Another of Islam’s merits is that it establishes good for mankind in all of its regulations and safeguards them from evil. It is man, himself, who benefits from these regulations. Islam’s prohibition of alcohol and drugs, for example, is only because of the great harm they cause to a person’s physical and mental health. You can witness the state of a drunken man, no longer human except in appearance. A lot of murders, disputes, traffic accidents, and rapes would not have taken place were it not for consuming these mind-altering products.

Islam’s prohibition of premarital sex relieves societies of destructive diseases (such as AIDS and other STDs), immoral behavior, and the existence of a generation of illegitimate children. This generation is often deprived of a mother’s love and a father’s upbringing which can lead them to become burdensome on society.

Islam prohibits women from displaying themselves publicly. This is because Islam considers women to be valued, preserved pearls; not some cheap merchandise to be displayed for all to see. It does so to protect them from the wolves of mankind—those who are only concerned with satisfying their lusts—even if it is at the cost of a woman’s honor, nobility, status, and purity.

On the other hand, Islam permits all harmless and beneficial drinks. It also permits married couples to enjoy one another within a happy home.

In summary, Islam has not eliminated freedoms and desires. Rather, it regulates them for the benefit of mankind and the society at large.

A radiant aspect of Islam is that it pays a great deal of attention to values, character, and praiseworthy manners, while prohibiting mankind from oppression, transgression and bad character. Islam is a religion of love, unity and mercy. It defines an individual’s relationship with his parents, relatives, neighbors, friends, and all people. Islam embeds the best of manners in those who embrace it and prevents them from living selfishly.

It encourages its followers to help others and take others’ feelings into consideration–especially the poor, orphans, elderly, and widows. They all have rights in Islam that must not be taken lightly by Muslims. Muslims shouldn’t feel like they are bestowing favors upon others when giving them their due rights; rather, these rights are obligations upon Muslims. It is considered to be a great sin in Islam for one to go to sleep with a full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry.

Islam even prohibits two people from whispering to each other in the presence of a third, taking his feelings into consideration. Islam goes even further than that, obligating kind treatment to animals and prohibiting harming them. More specifically, Islam prohibits slaughtering an animal while another watches, or sharpening a knife while it is watching, so that it is not tormented along with being slaughtered.

Truthfulness, trustworthiness, bravery, generosity, humility, abiding by promises, visiting the sick, attending funerals, being dutiful to parents, visiting relatives and neighbors, and striving to help others are all etiquette that are encouraged by Islam.

On the other hand, Islam strictly prohibits oppression, lying, conceitedness, envy, and insulting or betraying others. It is impermissible in Islam to speak ill of a person in his absence, even if what is being said is true.

Islam encourages people to be moderate in spending, being neither excessive nor miserly.

During these times when many of our societies complain about cold-heartedness, materialism, selfishness, and so on, we find that Islam has proven remedies for all of these problems.

This summarized introduction should make it clear that Islam is a logical religion that can be easily understood by all people. The doors to Islam are wide open and do not shut for anyone looking to enter.

Dr. Saleh Sindi

LATE NIGHT PRAYER

            LATE NIGHT PRAYER

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is that during the depths of the night.” [Muslim]

«أفضل الصلاة، بعد الصلاة المكتوبة، الصلاة في جوف الليل» رواه مسلم

There are many aspects that make the late-night prayer special. First and foremost, it is a prayer. The best action or matter is prayer.

Second, al-Haitami points out that, in general, the prayer performed in the late-night is more virtuous than the voluntary prayers during the day because it is further from ostentation and being done for show. In other words, the intention behind the late-night prayers should be a pure one. Furthermore, it is easy to have the fear of Allah and concentrate on the prayer in the late-night prayer as there are fewer disturbances at the time.

Thirdly, it makes the person realize his real purpose and goal in this life. He is getting up in the middle of the night and forsaking his sleep because he realizes that his goal is not the pleasure or relaxation of this world. Instead, he has a much greater purpose and goal in life. For that reason, he is getting up to pray when the rest of mankind are either sleeping or committing sins under the cover of night.

Compiled From:

“Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi” – Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 1100, 1101

THE TRUTH…….

MY HIJAB, MY PRIDE I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a “rebel”. I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of “oppressed female.” The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: “Do your parents make you wear that?” or “Don’t you find that really unfair?”
A while back, a student of Kadara Junior Grammar School Ebute Meta Lagos was flogged by the Principal, Mrs. E.C Ukpaka for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harboring a gun underneath it! Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment.
When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof.
Compare this to life in today’s society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewelry, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this? Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars!
Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today’s society are liberated! What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being “checked out”?
When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can be rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality.
Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this?
Whether the 90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mold. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves.
When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don’t give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females.
My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say “no” comfortably then people ask me if I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality. I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin color. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them.
So next time you see me, don’t look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous Arabic deserts! I’ve been liberated.

ALPHA CARES

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