Discussion Script by: Saheeba Shaikh (age 20 yrs), Kingdom of Bahrain

Introduction

The history  of the Internet starts  in the 1950s and 1960s as a global system of interconnected computer networks. The internet has changed our way of life. It is like a revolution that changed  the map of the world. As we know, Islam is a way of life. There is no topic  that is not related to Islam. Islam is often mistaken as a rigid religion. In  fact Islam is very wide, it is not rigid, and it only purifies the culture,  practices and other things through its principles for the betterment of all humanity. To understand the link between Internet and Islam, let us first understand what the sources of Information in Islam are. There are 2 types of sources
viz. Primary and Secondary. Primary sources are the Glorious Holy Quran and the Blessed Prophetic Hadeeth. The secondary sources are Ijma (Consensus-opinion of majority of Scholars) and Qiyas (Analogy-to apply a known  injunction to a new circumstance and create a new injunction). Now, since the internet has evolved only half a decade ago, any exact verse in the Quran or the Hadeeth has not been provided. Although Islam may not have talked about the Internet specifically, it has talked about the universal principles that govern the use of the internet. Thus we have to apply Qiyas in order to evaluate the internet in the light of Islam.

Internet as a Means of  Communication

What is the internet? It is basically a network connecting different devices for the purpose of communication. Thus, we know the main essence of internet is communication. There are many Hadeeth that provide us the guidelines as to how we should communicate with others. The main guidelines as told by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) are:

Whenever you speak, only speak the truth:

Narrated ’Abdullah radi Allahu anhu:

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, number 116)

Narrated Samura bin Jundub radi Allahu anhu:

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I saw (in a dream), two men came to me.” Then the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) narrated the story (saying), “They said, ‘The person, the one whose cheek you saw being torn away (from the mouth to the ear) was a liar and used to tell lies and the people would report those lies on his authority till they spread all over the world. So he will be punished like that till the Day of Resurrection.”‘ (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 118)

Thus we know that, we must always abstain from telling lies even on the internet, like updating a Facebook status which is a lie, Tweeting a false statement or even e-mailing someone a lie.

Do not Backbite and slander and spy others :

“O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear God, verily, God is the One who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” (Holy Quran Al-Hujurat 49: 12)

 Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “God and His Messenger know best.” He then said, “It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike.” Someone asked him, “But what if what I say is true?” The Messenger of God (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him.” (Muslim)

Thus we must refrain ourselves from any kind of backbiting, slander or even spying on the internet. We must not hack into others’ accounts or publish someone else’s private information without their permission. We must also not access some else’s account if they forget to sign out. We must also refrain from any vain, unnecessary talk like gossiping. If a group is indulged in such talk we must leave the group. Same applies to the internet.

Internet as a Source of Information

The second aspect of internet is that it serves as a source of information. We must first understand the difference between Data, Information and Knowledge.  Data are raw facts. E.g.: The letter “A”. As a single letter it doesn’t tell us much. However when combined with other letters and processed into a word such as “A”pple, it then becomes information, because the world “Apple” gives us the information that it is a fruit, its color may be red etc. Information therefore is processed data. Knowledge on the other hand is Light, it shows you the way, and is beneficial guidance. E.g.: An apple a day, keeps a doctor away. True knowledge will always benefit you. Internet can only be considered as a source of information and not a source of knowledge, i.e. guidance. We can get a world of information from the internet but not all of it may be correct. Therefore, we cannot consider it an authoritative source of knowledge because the internet can also be misguiding. The only true sources of guidance are the teachers and scholars who have the insight to process the information into knowledge which truly benefits. Nothing can replace a teacher. In the Islamic context, Information available on the internet cannot be considered superior to knowledge of the Ahle-dhikr (the People of Remembrance, i.e. the pious scholars.) As a matter of fact, the Holy Quran commands us to turn to the Ahle-Dhikr when we want knowledge:

 “…Ask the People of Remembrance, if you do not know.” (Holy Quran Al-Ambiya 21:7, An-Nahl 16:43)

We may gain much information from the internet but to say that we have the knowledge of Islam more than the learned scholars because we have read it on the internet is absolutely wrong. Apart from this, when we pass on the information to others on the internet, we must also make sure the information we pass is true and authentic. We should not blindly forward emails to others without checking its authenticity.

Internet as a Means of Da’wah (Invitation)

The third and the final aspect of the internet is that it is a means of Da’wah, i.e. inviting others to Islam in the best way. As we know internet is amongst the fastest ways to communicate to a large number of people at a time, we can use it to our advantage and gain much reward (sawab.)

“Invite to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.” (Holy Qur’an, An-Nahl 16:125)

Thus we know the importance of Da’wah in Islam. We must all utilize the internet as a tool to teach and inform others about the truth of Islam especially given the many negative stereotypes that have become prevalent these days.

Conclusion:

• We can use the technique of Qiyas (Analogy) to relate Islam and Internet;
• The main Guidelines to follow when using internet as a tool to communicate are: Always speak the truth; Never Backbite, Slander or Gossip; Respect each other’s privacy;
• We must take care while we use the internet as a source of information. We must not rely on it as an authoritative source of guiding knowledge – this can only come from the pious scholars;
• We must use internet as a tool to do Da’wah;

Saheeba Shaikh
(age 20 yrs), Kingdom of Bahrain

* YDF (Youth Discussion Forum) is an IECRC effort initiated in the Kingdom of Bahrain in order to engage Muslim youth in thoughtful and vibrant discussions on topics that are of interest to THEM. All too often youth are exposed to Islam in a one directional manner as a dry set of do’s and don’ts failing to reveal its rich intellectual heritage and spiritual depth and beauty. Through these discussions on topics chosen by the youth themselves, the goal of the YDF is three fold:

1. To make youth realize that there is no topic that can be separated from the holistic principles and balanced values of Islam, whether it is the internet, music or movies; that Islam guides every area of life beyond praying, fasting and reading the Holy Quran.
2. To break the stereotype that Islam is a dry set of do’s and don’ts and that on the contrary it is a vast and vibrant religion with a rich historical heritage which encourages intellectual discussions, not for the sake of polemics but for the sake of Allah and His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family and companions.)
3. To break the stereotype that Islam doesn’t care about how you feel about things. On the contrary Islam is very sensitive to human emotions and provides practical tools to channel it in a productive way thereby nurturing the spirit.

The following is an excerpt taken from Session 2 of the Anees ul-Arwah–The Malfuzat of Khwaja Uthman Haruni (rehmatullahi alyhe)–as recorded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (rehmatullahi alayhe):

Regarding the matter of eclipse of the Sun and Moon, their reality is so that the bondsmen of God inclines to prayer and piety out of fear of their Lord taking them to task. The master (may the mercy of God be upon him) said regarding the Sun and Moon eclipse that Ibn Abbass (may the mercy of God be upon him and his father) relates that during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) there occurred a Lunar Eclipse. So, someone asked the Final Messenger a question, upon which the Prophet (pace be upon him) responded that when humanity goes beyond its boundaries in wrong actions or sin then Lunar and Solar eclipses occur. The face of the Sun and that of the Moon are darkened so that creation may take heed (from the metaphor).

The Ilm Qiyaafah mentions that if a Lunar Eclipse occurs in the month of Muharram then in that that year there will be much bloodshed and corruption. If it occurs in the month of Rabi ul-Awwal then there will be increased famine, death and floods. If it occurs in the month of Rabi ul-Aakhir then change of leadership and anarchy will occur in the nation. If it occurs during the month of Jamadi ul-Awwal then there will be overflowing rain and unexpected death. In Jamadi ul-Aakhir there will be bumper crops , affordable prices, and people will have a higher quality of life. If it occurs in the month of Rajab on a Friday  then in that year there I will be hunger, calamity, along with darkness in the sky. If it occurs in the month of Shaban, then there will be treaties between people and relative calm. If it occurs during the month of Ramadan, on the first Friday, then there will be increased events of thunder from the sky. In the month of Shawwal men-related sicknesses will be inflicted. If it occurs during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, then the rest of the year will be full of happiness and relative calm. If it occurs in the month of Muharram then the entire year will be in corruption, and humanity will find fault in others, people will destroy their hereafter and hypocritical wealthy people will be honored over others deserving of it.

After mentioning this, the master busied himself in worship and the people returned home and praise to God for that (lesson).

Translated by Sharaaz Khan
26 Shaban 1432 Hijri

Prayers and Peace upon His Noble Messenger
 

Laylat-ul-Baraa`ah / Shab-e-Baraat / Night of Absolution

(15^th of Sha’baan)

Sha’baan is the 8^th month of the Islamic Lunar Hijri calendar. Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah have mercy on him) writes in his great book, Ghunyatu Talibeen that the angels have two Nights of Festival in heaven, just as the Muslims have two Days of Festival on earth. The angels celebrate the Laylat-ul-Baraa`ah (Night of Absolution), i.e. the 15^th of Sha’baan, and the Laylat-ul-Qadr (Night of Power), while the Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr (Day of Breakfast) and the Eid-ul-Adha (Day of Sacrifice).

Hazrat Abu Hurayra  (may Allah be pleased with him) reported the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying:

“Jibreel came to me on the night of mid-Sha’baan and said to me: ‘O Muhammad (peace be upon him), raise your head heavenwards!’ I asked him: ’What night is this?’ and he replied: ‘This is the night when Allah opens three hundred of the gates of mercy, forgiving all who do not make anything His partner. The only exceptions are those who practice sorcery or divination, are addicted to wine, or persist in usury and illicit sex; these He does not forgive until they repent.’

At a quarter of the night, Jibreel came down and said: ‘O Muhammad (peace be upon him), raise your head!’ So I looked up, to behold the gates of Paradise wide open. At the first gate an angel was calling: ‘Good news for those who bow in worship in this night!’ At the second gate an angel was calling: ‘Good news for those who prostrate themselves in worship this night!’ At the third gate an angel was calling: ‘Good news for those who offer supplication this night!’ At the fourth gate an angel was calling: ‘Good news for those who make remembrance this night!’ At the fifth gate an angel was calling: ‘Good news for those who weep this night from fear of Allah!’ At the sixth gate an angel was calling: ’Good news for those who submit this night!’ At the seventh gate an angel was calling: ‘Will anyone ask, that his request may be granted?’ At the eighth gate an angel was calling: ‘Will anyone seek forgiveness, that he may be forgiven?’

I said: ‘O Jibreel, how long will these gates remain open?’ He replied: ‘From the beginning of the night until the break of dawn.’ Then he said: ‘O Muhammad (peace be upon him), tonight Allah has as many slaves emancipated from the Fire as the number of woolly hairs on the flocks and herds of Kalb[1].’”

Salat ul-Khayr (the Prayer of Benefits)

The ritual prayer traditional for the night of mid-Sha’baan consists of 100 cycles[2] (raka’ah), including one thousand repetitions of Qul huwa Allahu Ahad [Al-Quran: 112] (i.e., 10 recitations in each cycle). The blessings of this prayer are many and varied. Our righteous predecessors used to gather to perform it in congregation. It contains much merit and rich reward. It is reported of Imam Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him), that he once said:

“Thirty of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) related to me that Allah will look 70 times upon one who performs this prayer on this night, and with each glance He will fulfill seventy of that person’s needs, the least of them being forgiveness.”

Excellence of the Month of Sha’baan and fasting in it

According to Hazrat Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) once said:

“Sha’baan is my month, Rajab is Allah’s month, and Ramadan is the month of my Community. Sha’baan is the expiator, while Ramadan is the purifier.”

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:

“Sha’baan is a month between Rajab and Ramadan. People tend to neglect it but that is when the deeds of His servants ascend to the Lord of All the Worlds, so I would rather mine rose up while I was fasting.”

Hazrat Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) is reported as having said:

“In no other month, apart from Ramadan, did Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) fast more often than in Sha’baan. And that was because each Sha’baan, all who must die in the course of that year have their names transcribed from the list of the living onto that of the dead, and a man may embark on a journey even while his name is listed among those about to die.”

According to Hazrat Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Anyone who fasts on the last Monday of Sha’baan will be granted forgiveness.”

[please note that it is forbidden to fast one or two days before Ramadan.]

Information Source: Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani’s Al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tareeq al-Haqq (Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth) – Volume 3, pages 54-69

He said, “On the topic of greeting (saying assalam alaikum), the Blessed Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said, “When one of you takes leave of a gathering then greet. Greeting is an expiation for past sins. Angels desire forgiveness (with their Lord) for the one who greets. The one who greets after rising from a gathering has the Mercy of God upon him. His good deeds and lifespan are increased.”

“Upon the tongue of Khwaja Yusuf Chishti (may Allah shower His mercy on him), I heard that he who greets when departing from a gathering earns the reward of one thousand virtuous acts, one thousand of his needs are fulfilled and he is cleansed from sin to such a degree as the day he was delivered from his mother’ s womb. A year of his sins are forgiven and a year of virtuous acts are written to his book of deeds. Additionally the reward of one hundred greater and minor pilgrimages (Hajj and Umrah) are recorded for him and one hundred trays of mercy are showered upon him.”

“Hazrat Ali (may Allah ennoble his face) always wished to be the first to greet the gathering of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when joining or leaving but the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) would always out do him in it (he would greet first). Greeting is the way (sunnah) of the Prophets (may peace be upon them all), but all of them were first to greet others.”

At this, the master completed his words of wisdom and became engrossed in his dhikr with the people and the one in need of his prayers having left–all praises to God for that (lesson).

Translated by Sharaaz Khan
11 Rajab 1432 Hijri

Translated by Sharaaz Khan

1o Rajab 1432 Hijri

1. Those spirits that on hearing their Lord’s call fell into sajdah (prostration) replying with heart and limb, “Balaa (Indeed)!”
2. Those that made sajdah but didn’t do so with any sincerity.
3. Those that believed sincerely with their hearts only.
4. Those that didn’t care to reply–neither with heart nor limb.

The khwaja, may God have mercy on him, then clarified each category.

Translated by Sharaaz Khan

9 Rajab 1432 Hijri

Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Ali Sher-e-Khuda aap ke hain pidar
Kar do Aaqa karam ki hum par ek nazar
Ummat-e-Naana aaj badi pareshan hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Syeda Fatima ki aankhon ki thandak hain aap
Hazrat Hasan ke Mubarak bhai hain aap
Us Panjtan Pak ke chamakte sitaare hain aap
Jinki muhabbat is Ummat par farz hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Aap ne haq Karbala ka ada kar diya
Is Ummat par azeem ehsaan kar diya
Haq-o-baatil mein vaaze furqaan kar diya
Is Ummat ko aap par bada naaz hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Raah-e-Haq mein aap ne apni jaan di
Razaa-e-Ilaahi pe har cheez qurbaan ki
Istiqaamat-o-sabr ki a’la taaleem di
Is Ummat ke aap pesh-o-imam hain
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar

Naazil huay farishte sattar hazaar
Chali jab us pak gardan par talvaar
Bahaate hain aansoo vo zaar-o-qattaar
Har sachche Ummati ka bhi yahi haal hai
Ay Habeeb-e-Khuda ke Lakht-e-jigar
Do Aaqa karam ki hum par ek nazar 

Radi Allahu anhu!