Assalamualaikum wrt...
Let's see... Before I came to Ireland, I had always saw Islam to be under one umbrella. Where everyone works together to achieve the ultimate goal: Jannah. How mistaken I was back then. Blissfully unaware that the umbrella was not just to protect from the storm outside, but there is also has turmoils underneath it. It is here in Ireland that I learn about the many different jamaahs in the world and specifically, Malaysia.
My little analogy is like this:
Before Ireland, my view of Islam is like the outside of the small intestine; just one organ, smooth and performs one function
Now, from the point where I'm standing (not a mere observer anymore), I see Islam like the inside of the intestine; with loads and loads of individual microvilli.
My first reaction when I saw this? I was dumbfounded. What should I do? What should I believe in? Mind you, it is very easy to get lost and entangled in this confusing situation. If I am a glucose, all these microvilli will be competing to absorb me. "Come here lil glucose... come here.." *shivers*
Hmmm... so I thought, why do I have to get involved in the first place? I shouldn't have been a glucose and remain as a sandwich somewhere on a plate, running away from that intestine. But seriously... then my creation as a sandwich, my function as food, will be taken away.... When there's no reason, what good will my existence be?
Now then, jamaah and the intestine. Confusing? Yeah well, it's just a sudden thought that I had so it's okay if you think it's weird. If you don't know why I compare the 2 so totally universe apart thing together, read on, and you'll see..
1. All in one, one for all
Despite the diversity and the many jamaahs that we know of, we are, at the core, serving the same function. All these jamaahs should realize that they are all complimentary of each other. One might be more specialized in finding funds. One might be very good in personal relationships and managing events. And there might also be those who are excellent in building great understanding in peole regarding Islam itself.
The microvilli, despite its small size, is the key to an effective absorption of nutrients. They work together performing this one function that our body needs to stay alive. Imagine if the microvilli starts arguing and pushing each other away and claiming a teritory of its own, what will happen to the digestive system? The surface area to volume ratio will decrease. And the nutrients? They cannot be absorbed well. And the body? It will wither away like a flower...
So no, you can't stand alone. Respect and embrace the differences because we are all just trying to do good. If the basic concept of untiy in Islam is forsaken for these jamaahs, then the people in that group (not the jamaah itself) should understand why they are using the platform that they had chosen to do good.
And for those who are disturbed and confused, remember that all these different groups are just one and the same. Only their approaches are different. They are esentially that one whole tube that we call the intestine. So don't you worry of being lost. You are not alone in understanding this
2. The leaders
Due to its nature, the microvilli are always shedding off cells. New cells will appear and push the others to the top to replace the previus cells. I sometime wonder.... You should not publish the faces of the prophets and his companions... but why then do you keep a photo of the jamaah leaders in your house or hanging on the wall?
True, you may see it as a form of motivation but why the face? Why not hang the organization's objectives, mission and vission instead? I ask this because I heard a comment made by a friend "If the leader dies, then what will happen to the jamaah? Will people still be in it?"
MasyaAllah... Even the prophet dies... No one is immortal. If you work for the people, then your duty ends with their deaths. But if you work for Allah, your duty is forever. You will never stop and be demotivated. Why then, should the change in leadership be a problem? Change is the only certain thing that could happen to us. And with every passing of a leader, a new leader will emerge, just like the cells. Sprouting new cells to continue their function.
3. The duty
It seems that there is a very big misconception regarding jammahs. A jamaah do not and should not discriminate people. They do not label one to be 'good' (owh we should huddle together) or 'bad' (owh no no no... stay away from them) No! Only Allah has a say in that.
A jamaah is a platform. Like the microvilli, their task is to absorb the goodness in people. They are not enzymes that break people apart. Nor are they the colon that excretes the bad things from the system. The microvilli, once it sees something good, something benefitial, it will absorb without thinking where the molecule comes from or why it is there.
Of course, once people enters a jamaah, they tend to show some differences in the way they act, the way they talk, the way they behave and even in the way they dress. But if it is for the better, shouldn't that be praised and encouraged? Verily, as muslims, we should always try to make today better than yesterday. And tomorrow better than today.
Ah.... seems that's my comparison for now. Why I made an entry on this in the first place? Because I read a blog entry of a friend who feels lonely due to the jamaahs in his place. Felt as if he was left out and mistreated by the actions of the people in the jamaah. My friend, there is still a lot for us to learn it seems. Since we are all adults and have the capability to discern the right from the wrong, always pray that we make the right choice.
[Side remark: SubahanAllah... Allah knows that we are social beings. That we need contacts with other people to live. That's why He told us to perform solat together, as a jamaah. But in His thoughful way, he set boundaries for us on how to interact between the opposite sexes so as to avoid undue social problems. What is there to complain??]
Just my 2 cents. May Allah always help us in our pursuit to enter His jannah (heaven). InsyaAllah...
(^,^)
Let's see... Before I came to Ireland, I had always saw Islam to be under one umbrella. Where everyone works together to achieve the ultimate goal: Jannah. How mistaken I was back then. Blissfully unaware that the umbrella was not just to protect from the storm outside, but there is also has turmoils underneath it. It is here in Ireland that I learn about the many different jamaahs in the world and specifically, Malaysia.
My little analogy is like this:
Before Ireland, my view of Islam is like the outside of the small intestine; just one organ, smooth and performs one function
Now, from the point where I'm standing (not a mere observer anymore), I see Islam like the inside of the intestine; with loads and loads of individual microvilli.My first reaction when I saw this? I was dumbfounded. What should I do? What should I believe in? Mind you, it is very easy to get lost and entangled in this confusing situation. If I am a glucose, all these microvilli will be competing to absorb me. "Come here lil glucose... come here.." *shivers*
Hmmm... so I thought, why do I have to get involved in the first place? I shouldn't have been a glucose and remain as a sandwich somewhere on a plate, running away from that intestine. But seriously... then my creation as a sandwich, my function as food, will be taken away.... When there's no reason, what good will my existence be?
Now then, jamaah and the intestine. Confusing? Yeah well, it's just a sudden thought that I had so it's okay if you think it's weird. If you don't know why I compare the 2 so totally universe apart thing together, read on, and you'll see..
1. All in one, one for all
Despite the diversity and the many jamaahs that we know of, we are, at the core, serving the same function. All these jamaahs should realize that they are all complimentary of each other. One might be more specialized in finding funds. One might be very good in personal relationships and managing events. And there might also be those who are excellent in building great understanding in peole regarding Islam itself.
The microvilli, despite its small size, is the key to an effective absorption of nutrients. They work together performing this one function that our body needs to stay alive. Imagine if the microvilli starts arguing and pushing each other away and claiming a teritory of its own, what will happen to the digestive system? The surface area to volume ratio will decrease. And the nutrients? They cannot be absorbed well. And the body? It will wither away like a flower...
So no, you can't stand alone. Respect and embrace the differences because we are all just trying to do good. If the basic concept of untiy in Islam is forsaken for these jamaahs, then the people in that group (not the jamaah itself) should understand why they are using the platform that they had chosen to do good.
And for those who are disturbed and confused, remember that all these different groups are just one and the same. Only their approaches are different. They are esentially that one whole tube that we call the intestine. So don't you worry of being lost. You are not alone in understanding this
2. The leaders
Due to its nature, the microvilli are always shedding off cells. New cells will appear and push the others to the top to replace the previus cells. I sometime wonder.... You should not publish the faces of the prophets and his companions... but why then do you keep a photo of the jamaah leaders in your house or hanging on the wall?
True, you may see it as a form of motivation but why the face? Why not hang the organization's objectives, mission and vission instead? I ask this because I heard a comment made by a friend "If the leader dies, then what will happen to the jamaah? Will people still be in it?"
MasyaAllah... Even the prophet dies... No one is immortal. If you work for the people, then your duty ends with their deaths. But if you work for Allah, your duty is forever. You will never stop and be demotivated. Why then, should the change in leadership be a problem? Change is the only certain thing that could happen to us. And with every passing of a leader, a new leader will emerge, just like the cells. Sprouting new cells to continue their function.
3. The duty
It seems that there is a very big misconception regarding jammahs. A jamaah do not and should not discriminate people. They do not label one to be 'good' (owh we should huddle together) or 'bad' (owh no no no... stay away from them) No! Only Allah has a say in that.
A jamaah is a platform. Like the microvilli, their task is to absorb the goodness in people. They are not enzymes that break people apart. Nor are they the colon that excretes the bad things from the system. The microvilli, once it sees something good, something benefitial, it will absorb without thinking where the molecule comes from or why it is there.
Of course, once people enters a jamaah, they tend to show some differences in the way they act, the way they talk, the way they behave and even in the way they dress. But if it is for the better, shouldn't that be praised and encouraged? Verily, as muslims, we should always try to make today better than yesterday. And tomorrow better than today.
Ah.... seems that's my comparison for now. Why I made an entry on this in the first place? Because I read a blog entry of a friend who feels lonely due to the jamaahs in his place. Felt as if he was left out and mistreated by the actions of the people in the jamaah. My friend, there is still a lot for us to learn it seems. Since we are all adults and have the capability to discern the right from the wrong, always pray that we make the right choice.
"Allah loves those who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure"
As-Saff: 4
[Side remark: SubahanAllah... Allah knows that we are social beings. That we need contacts with other people to live. That's why He told us to perform solat together, as a jamaah. But in His thoughful way, he set boundaries for us on how to interact between the opposite sexes so as to avoid undue social problems. What is there to complain??]
Just my 2 cents. May Allah always help us in our pursuit to enter His jannah (heaven). InsyaAllah...
(^,^)
