Friday, September 19, 2008

Islam, Nationalism, & Heritage

Being a Muslim abroad ,it is a common scene to see intercultural marriages taking place between Muslims. You know what else is common? Seeing reluctant parents when it comes to their child marrying someone who is not of the same ethnicity. I mean what is it with people who are against their children marrying someone of a different ethnicity or even someone who is from a different city of origin?

One may claim to be a devout Muslim, but how can one claim to be a devout Muslim if they are so quick to prejudge those who are different. It is contradictory to hold such a stance because marriage between different tribes and nations is seen as a way of strenghtening our Ummah. If an individual is a pious Muslim why should one reject them for marriage to your child? Shouldn't the top priority be the Deen of a man/woman when it comes to building up a criteria for prospective spouses?

This is a question we must ask ourselves. I've personally seen too many people not marry eachother because their parents will not allow marriage outside of a certain ethnicity. It doesn't even stop there, I've seen it go as far as a woman not being able to marry a man who is not from the same city as her parents. Another example seen too often is the 'Syed/Syeda' complex in which one may only marry the other.( I'll speak about this absurd nonsense in a future blog). If you're wondering what a Syed is , a Syed is someone who supposedly is a direct descendant of our Prophet PBUH or one of the Imams. The funny thing is that everyone claims to be 'Syed', but why can't we all just claim to be Muslims instead of some fabricated title?

Although blogs are suppose to be just statements and opinions I like to ask my readers questions also. And I want to know, whatever happened to one's faith being more important than anything else?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Problem With Islamic Hip Hop & Pop

Okay so is it just me or has 'Islamic' Hip hop really made its way into the youth of our Ummah?

'Islamic Hip Hop' is an absolute oxymoron. I personally am a music fanatic. I play instruments, am part of a Bhangra team (Folk Dance), and listen to music all the time. I am not claiming to be a saint who adheres to my religion verbatim and I can care less with what other people do on their spare time. But to directly mix our religion with haram elements is an absolute abomination on our faith.

If most forms of music are considered haraam in Islam, how is it okay to create 'Islamic Hip Hop'. Keep in mind that the daff (hand drum) is considered halal by many. But lets be real, most Islamic Hip Hop/ Pop does not strictly use the Daff.

For anyone who disagrees on the fact that most forms of music are haraam in Islam, I will lay down some facts for you;

The Narration of Ibn Maajah :
The Messenger of Allaah said : "A people of my Ummah will drink wine, calling it by other than its real name. Merriment will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and the singing of female singers. Allaah will cleave the earth under them and turn others into apes and swine."
This hadeeth has also been narrated by al-Bayhaaqi and ibn Asaakir, and has been authenticated by the renowned scholar of hadeeth Ibn al-Qayyim.

Narrations of Ahmed bin Hanbal :
The Messenger of Allaah said : "Verily Allaah prohibited wine, gambling and al-koobah; and every intoxicant is prohibited." Sufyan said : " I asked the narrator, Ali bin Badheemah, ' What is al-Koobah?' He answered, 'It is the drum'."

The Messenger of Allaah said : "Verily Allaah has prohibited for my Ummah wine, gambling, a drink distilled from corn, the drum and the lute; while He supplemented me with another Prayer, the witr"



These are only a few facts amongst many others that advocate the negativity of music.
So as I mentioned before, what is it with Islam,Pop Music, and Hip Hop?

Don't be so naive into thinking that these forms of 'Islamic' music are 'Halal' and all other forms of Music are 'haraam'. My friends, music is music regardless of its content. Inserting Islam into something that is already haraam, does not make it halal.


Until then,

Enjoy your Ninth Day of Ramadan :)


Salaam

Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Confusion With Halal Meat

Halal Meat, literally meaning meat that is permissible to eat.
There are several requirements that make meat halal and one of those includes being able to eat the meat of the people of the scripture.



This day are (all) things Good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them... (Al-Ma-idah: 5)


Growing up my family has always had to buy very EXPENSIVE halal meat from the halal store. One of the things that frustrated me was not only were these products Expensive, but many times they were Freezer burnt, old, or Stale. Than I started to even notice that you can even buy halal cheese pizzas and halal falafels that were just as expensive. Does anyone else feel like maybe us Muslims are being overcharged by these Halal Food companies?



With that said our family began to just slaughter our own meat and slowly have began to switch to Kosher Meat. I mean what is wrong with kosher meat? Its cut by the people of the book in their religious fashion thus it is lawful for us to consume. Did I mention that kosher meat tends to be of better cuts and lower prices

It tastes great, its permissible, and it doesn't hurt the wallet. I don't think Allah would want us to struggle financially just to attain meat that 100-200% than kosher meat.

Next time you begin to break the bank for 'Halal' meat , do some reading about Kosher meat :).


Until than,

Salaam

Monday, September 1, 2008

First Day Of Ramadan

Salaam everyone-

So today was the first day of Ramadan. It was sort of interesting because this is my first Ramadan alone. Instead of having someone wake me up and make me a nice breakfast I just stay up all night and have a weird combo of foods for suhur.

Its a bit different, and this year I break my fast at work for the most part, so that whole Ramadanish feeling isn't so Ramadanish at all.

Not to mention Ramadan is slowly creeping its way into Summer. I remember when I was a kid iftar was at 4:30. And during those times I would hope I wasn't around for Summer Ramadans. But you know what, these Summer Ramadans aren't so bad if you keep yourself busy.

I guess this is all part of growing up.

Anyways, I hope everyone's Ramadan is going well insha'Allah.


Check back here soon.


Salaaam.