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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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99 |
The Swine flu
By Sk. Dr. Younis Saleh
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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Some of Allah’s mercies upon His slaves and His kindness to them when He had them created were that He gave them a place as a refuge, and provided them with their needs. And gave them what benefits them, and prohibited what would be harmful to them. He also bestowed brains with which they can realize good and bad and what is of benefit and what is of harm to them. He sent down to them laws and regulations to guide them in their spiritual and worldly affairs.
Food is necessary for human life to continue. Allah in His mercy provided them with the food they need to sustain life in their bodies. He sent down His book to support life for their hearts. In His book He outlined in great details what He allowed them and what He prohibited for them. Chapter 6 (Al-An3am) contains much of the food related rulings. Transgression is not being obedient in following Allah’s rules. Allah says: {And why wouldn’t you eat anything upon which Allah’s name was mentioned. And He had detailed out what He made prohibited for you, except what you had to. And many will go astray because they go by what pleases them without proper knowledge. Your lord is most aware about the transgressors} 6:119.
Following what would please by someone can be misguiding because it is following Satan without the needed knowledge. Satan made an oath to Allah that Satan would mislead the entire human race. Sensual desires are the widest door used by Satan to mislead because it is the weakest point for humans and the point of their, and inability to resist, and point of their mistakes. What brought our parents from the Garden of Eden was the instinct and desire of eating from a tree which they thought will give them eternity in paradise. They desired eternity in paradise because of the enjoyable food and drink and good like they found in it.
The food and sexual desires is the most used tool by Satan to conquer the son of Adam. Satan’s way of enticing humans into food and sexual disobediences is to take them gradually on step at a time until the son of Adam reached the ultimate sin. That is why Allah warned us from following Satan’s steps. Allah repeated that warning at four different location of the Koran. Allah says: {you people, eat from what is in this earth, good and lawful. And do not follow the steps of Satan, for he is a clear enemy to you} 2:168.
The desire to eat is a more frequent tendency than the sexual desire. A human can do without intercourse but may not do without food and drink. It is thought that committing the sin of unlawfully fulfilling the desire of hunger is more likely than falling into the sin of unlawfully fulfilling the sexual desire. And hence there are more warnings in the Koran from following Satan’s steps in unlawfully satisfying the hunger for food than for satisfying sex. It is Satan’s steps that it entices people to eat some of prohibited food because it is available, or because it is cheaper, by imagining it is tastier, or just to try it out. All so they become used to it and their bodies grows on something which is bad and which is prohibited by Allah.
It is also among Satan’s steps is to entice business people to do business and deal into such material and market it. And over take the statements which prohibit it by opposing them, or re-interpreting them, or finding a loophole round them just as the people of the book when they made lawful what Allah had prohibited for them through many types of tricks.
The pig is a bad and evil creature. Evil is tested through it. And Allah strongly prohibited it in four different verses in the Koran. Some scholars said: “there is an agreement that pig is prohibited in its entirety. Allah only mentioned its meat because mostly benefit from it is through that”. The scholar Ebn-Hazm (ÅÈä ÍÒã) said: “the scholars agreed that it is prohibited, there for none of it can be eaten”. The scholar Qutada Sadosi (ÞÊÇÏÉ ÇáÓÏæÓí) went to an extreme when he said: “this who eats the flesh of the pig is offered to repent. If he does then that is fine, else he should be executed”. The messenger (ppbu) said: {The time of resurrection shall not take place before the son of Mariam is brought down amongst you a just ruler, and he shall destroy the cross, and shall kill the pig, and imposes the tax on the non-believers}.
The scholar Bayhki (ÇáÈíåÞí) classified this strong opinion regarding the pig when he said: “the class: the pig is a worst state than the dog”. While the Shafi-ee (ÇáÔÇÝÚí) said: “because Allah called it as polluted, impure or sinful”. The messenger (ppbu) said: {Allah prohibited alcoholic drinks and the money that comes from it, and the dead animals and the money which comes from it, and the pig and the money which comes from it}.
Thalab al-Khushni (ËÚáÈÉ ÇáÎÔäí) asked the messenger (ppbu) once abut the reuse of common utensils with neighbours of people of the book. They cook the ham in the saucepans, and drink wine in the glass or cups. The messenger (ppbu) said: {if you can find other utensils then use it, and if there are no other utensils then wash them thoroughly with the water, then eat and drink}.
It is been established medically as well as according to Islamic law that the type and frequency of the food consumed and the frequency and length of time a human interacts and coexists with an animal, both have an effect on the individual human behavior and morals. The messenger (ppbu) said: {pride and posturing are in the people who use the horse, and tranquility is in those who have the lamb}. The scholars say “what one feeds on becomes eventually part of them. This who feeds will develop part of the characteristics and morals through what they feed on. Pig has the characteristic of being glutton. Consequently it was prohibited so human does not develop such a character”
Along the same line the scholar Ebn-Khaldoon (ÅÈä ÎáÏæä) said: “Arabs ate the flesh of the camel and they developed its toughness. And the Turks ate the flesh of the hourse, and they developed its courage. And the French (Europeans) ate the flesh of the pig and they developed the lack of jealousy towards their women”
At recent history, many dangerous diseases and plagues have struck humans. Not so long ago we heard of the foot and mouth decease effecting lamb, and the Mad-cow disease, then the bird’s flu. Many researchers showed that cause of the birds flu were pigs which incubated the virus until it was spread through birds, and then most recently the swine flu
The pig is prohibited according to Moses laws and the text is in the original Torah. Jews prohibit the pig. The Christians from the east, their books state that the people at Jesus time did not eat the pig. Eating the pig was introduced after the times of Jesus (pbu). Some of their priests now are calling towards the re-prohibition of eating pig and they call to destroy it.
The western medical research showed that the pig is a suitable environment to more than 400 infectious diseases. And it can be carrier of 57 of them which can be transmitted to human. It is their arrogance and the commercial and financial benefit makes them through evil advertising victimize and capture the innocent and unaware of the people. But now they are reaping the benefits that arrogance. And they can be the reason where the entire humanity is drawn into a deep pit only God knows its consequences. If the swine flu spreads then it would be the plague epidemic of the modern times. Some officials have stated that thousands may perish in Europe because of the swine flu. The International Health Organization decided a few days ago to increase the level of emergency to level 5. It is one level away from declaring a state of international epidemic. Forty two years ago there was an outbreak of this virus in China and it was responsible for the death of one million people round the world. Only ninety years ago the Spanish influenza virus killed almost one hundred million people world wide. That explains the fear of the possible consequences of the spread of the swine flu amongst people.
Such frequent plagues and diseases feared by humans are indication of their weakness and inability in the face of the will of the Lord.
Allah says:
{Allah has soldiers of the heavens and the earth. Allah is the Honorable; the Wise} 48:7.
{So you would know that Allah is able to do anything; And that Allah has knowledge about everything} 65:12.
{and only He who knows the soldiers of your Lord} 74:31.
This also indicates that rejection of Allah’s law means disaster sooner or later. And Allah does not wrong His slaves, He only reward them based on their deeds. Allah say: {Allah never wrongs people not a bit, but people wrong against them selves} 10:44
{for that we punish them for what they disbelieve, Is it not that we only punish this who constantly disbelieve} 34:17
{and any disaster that befalls you is for what you earned with your own hands. And He pardons so many} 42:30.
Those who are arrogant on this earth against the laws of Allah, have fought against those who follow Allah’s laws. They made people deviate off the laws of Allah. The rest of people kept silent towards the transgression they are witnessing except for the few, Allah care in a big way about His limits and prohibitions. There is great fear from consecutive punishments which may leave nothing or nobody. We ask Allah’s protection from Allah’s fury, and we ask Him gentleness and kindness with His slaves. We ask Him to spare them his early punishment. There is no strength except through Him. And there is no refuge from Him except to Him, And no protection from Him except by Him. Allah says: {All powers are to Allah. And Allah is extreme with his punishment} 2:165.
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
