Q: assalamualiukm Brother Imaam,

Thanks to our Almighty Allah, who is the Greast that you are back. May Allah keep you in his peace, (additional kind words omitted by site)

Brother Imaan, I need you help. After Allah I Have no one except you , that i want your help to guide me that if I am wrong or Right. I dnt wana to tell others that they might be wrong. Because Allah knows the best.

01. what is Islam for a muslim, i mean who was born as muslim already, do we have to perform only 5 duties of islam, along with praying 5 times a day. the help from you i need is i dnt watch movies, either music, i put on hijab , means abaya. Since i have been to USA, i have come across people  that i came to know , ( even in pakistan) that , its allowed to watch movies, its allowed to listien to music, its allowed if halal meat is not available, then u can say Allah,s name and then you can go ahead.

when i started to meet people , they said its all allowed. we are going to die. i want to tell them that all those things which we as muslim are keep on doing, is some where wrong. to be very honest brother i dnt have that much knowledge but my heart is not accepting these issues. some time i feel may be i m wrong. people say islam is not forcing , do whatever you want to do.

but i dnt know ? due to this im out of those people. but then some time i think im wrong ? i dnt know brother imaam if you can unerstand my feelings or no. I feel may be i just dnt belong to this world. i dnt know i dnt like music, i started to hate because of Allah , my every action became for Allah.

I hope you will be able to understand. and help me as what ever is the best of your knowledge.

May Allah always shower his blessing upon you and upon your family.

(ameen)

Time: Tuesday September 21, 2010 at 11:42 pm

Answers: ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????

A1) After Allah we have Rasulullah (SAW), then we have sahaba, then tabeein, then those that come after the tabeeinn, and the list goes on and on. Then you have senior scholars of our nation; way at the bottom do you have me. Keep this in your mind, and keep it well in your mind.

A2) Salah etc. are fard, to reject those critical aspects makes one a disbeliever; to not perform them makes a person a transgressor. Instead of imposing salah and other religious ideas on others, merely function to be a good example. Actions would take you a greater distance.

A3) Click here for music , and click here for the meat matter etc. As for watching anything that is of no benefit, one must understand that true religions have little time for trivialities, games and motions that are fall in the category of time wastage. To watch anything useless and vain intentionally and lovingly is a sin and remains a religious violation (ayah).

Hadith: Verily, what is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, and in-between the two are matters which are doubtful which many people are unaware. He (the one) who guards against doubtful things keeps his (her) religion and honor, and whoever who indulges in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things like a shepherd who grazers his flock around a pasture (of another) will soon enter them into it (into the field of another.) Beware, every king has a domain and the domain of Allah (is His) declaring (of what remains) unlawful (upon his loyal servants.) Beware, in the body there is a flesh; if this piece of flesh is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, and behold, it is the heart. (Mutafiq alay)

A4)Islam is not based on USA, Europe, or a given country. It is based on a set of principles as prescribed by the Holy Book and those actions that are attached to it.

A5) Although you are doing good, you seem frustrated and seemingly concerned with the ills of others. You have forgotten one essential aspect of religion, committing to take part in good actions is for your benefit and for the betterment of your family and those under your supervision. How others eat, dress, talk, listen to music should not be the focus of your life. Allah (SWT) would first us about ourselves, then others (ayah.) Should friends seek your advice, you are at liberty to share it with them.

For self reformation, I would suggest you to reflect upon the following:  what can I do to become a better person, mainly, how can my good behavior become a means of change for others. Being preoccupied with others sometimes is also from the works of shaytan. Although you doing great, I really think you can do so much better with appropriate introspection.

Solution: True worship is to exercise patience whilst at the same time helping those that are weaker to become their best without judgment towards those that are weaker.  All religions have rules and regulations. Following these rules gives us our paradise. Despising these rules reduces our reward. (Y)our duty remains to be a good example to all you come in contact with. You must envision the greatness of Allah at all times, this would prevent you from becoming sad with matters that surround you.

Islam for a Muslim could best be understood in part from the following Hadith which I want you to focus upon: Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) reports in hadith Qudsi: He [Jibreal (AS)] said, ‘Then tell me about ihsan.’ He (SAW) said, ‘It is to worship Allah as though you could see Him for while you do not see Him, He sees you.’

Thus, if you remain aware that HE sees all you do, this would help you appreciate each day for what it is, your friends for what they are while helping them without frustration and weakness, live as if you are a traveler rather than a confused vacationer filled with all types of wants – be they good wants or evil wants.  (See Muslim shareef for entire hadith)

Allah Certainly knows Best.