Papers by Rasheed Farook
M R M Farook - The Abdul Azeez Foundation
Given in the paper itself
M R M Farook - The Abdul Azeez Foundation, 2024
People, inclusive of Muslims, live today in a behavioural spectrum consisting of philosophical th... more People, inclusive of Muslims, live today in a behavioural spectrum consisting of philosophical thinking, cultural practices, traditional followings along with passion towards modernity-the last takes primacy over all others including religion. Inquisitiveness in the affairs of one's community is what is meant by philosophical thinking in this write-up and not to any established philosophies. Inquisitiveness and/or in-depth questioning on the meaning of life as from the beginning of human existence was the foundational forces that led to the eventual development of formal mainstream philosophies as they exist today. Along with these 'soft' philosophical thought processes, culture and tradition had their individual and collective impacts in every society of every period. Culture as the learned and collective phenomenon was (is) part and parcel of every society along with traditions of that timelines. Muslims too have cultural practices and as long as such cultural practices do not lead to Shirk (polytheism), Bidah (innovation in Islamic worship) or any other un-Islamic behaviour, such cultural practices would not go against Islamic Guidance. Yet Muslims must be on alert so that cultural practices do not override Islamic Guidance in any situations where such happenings, having un-Islamic connotations, may not be superficially visible to the Muslim Ummah at large. Many Muslims are confused over the Sunnah (practices) of Aada (culture) and the Sunnah (practices) of Ibadah (worship)-they are not the same. Adhering to practices of cultural aspects (Sunnah Aada) will not give one any merit but if done as a duty in Islamic obligations such as believing a male Muslim must cover their head (with cap, turban etc.) while performing Salah (prayers) then that will constitute Bidah (innovation in Ibadah). Adhering to Sunnah Ibadah will confer merits/rewards whereas neglect of Sunnah Ibadah will not be a sin. Philosophical questioning could either be useful or detrimental to the Islamic way of living depending on whether such philosophical thoughts are in alignment with Islamic fundamentals or determined to please others through overt behaviour to be considered as liberal Muslims whereas in reality these Muslims are practicing Muslims and this amounts to hypocrisy which is a great sin in Islam. Traditions have come through generations and sometimes Muslims find difficult to abandon them, yet most of which are sidetracked presently due to a large percentage of Muslims have got on to the right tract of Islam-AlhamduLillah. People, including Muslims, crave for changes and new forms of livelihood and thus modernity has its welcoming audiences. Whatever the Islamic orientations of the present day Muslims, modernity or certain ways of modern life take primacy in their lifestyles that are sometimes or in some ways go contrary to Islamic Guidance wherein majority of present day Muslims are less concerned with Islamic pattern of living due to their intense passion for worldly life or showoffs though they know Islam very well. Muslims must follow the Qur'an and the authentic Hadiths, be reflective of the own behaviour without getting subservient to the writings or discourses of questionable Muslims scholars of the very distant and immediate pasts and also of the present too. Muslims knowledgeable in the Qur'an and the authentic Hadiths will never get involved in philosophical deliberations as Islam gives the 'DOs and DON'Ts' for mankind to be successful in this worldly life and also in the Hereafter. Some Muslims who may be backward in Islamic knowledge may resort to philosophical thoughts not to debase but to strengthen Islam in their own perspectives which may differently become helpful towards
THE ABDUL AZEEZ FOUNDATION, 2024
ABSTRACT
Social media serve today as the high-tech communication channels to upload (also downloa... more ABSTRACT
Social media serve today as the high-tech communication channels to upload (also download) speeches, images
and other contents where the presenters could receive payments when their contents are viewed beyond a certain
threshold. Social media earn through advertisements of a mix of consumer products and also pornographic
contents thereby making their sources of income Haram from Islamic viewpoint and thus receiving payments
from social media are Haram for Muslims. The Muslim presenters can opt not to get paid and thus use social
media for communication purposes only in which case the Muslim presenters will not be contravening Islamic
Guidance. While the above issue has a solution, the other matter for concern is Muslim women
appearing/presenting in social media without face-cover (Niqab) which is Haram. A majority of Islamic scholars
of the non-Internet/non-social media era stressed Niqab for women in public spaces and that holds even in this
modern era. The Qur’an stresses to avoid Tabbarruj which is displaying one’s charm and beauty to strangers
which is considered in Islam as a major sin. Every subject area especially those dealing in sexual matters of
extreme privacy should not be taken for discussions/analyses in social media and that is Islamic etiquette (Adab).
Unfortunately some Muslim women speakers are openly speaking about intimate, personal and essentially
private issues openly which will have the potential to sexualize the innocent and also the society. Appearing in
social media without Niqab is definitely Haram whereas Muslim women in their careers and household tasks
could be with Hijab only (without face-cover) based on public interest (Maslaha) and Mubah (permissibility).
When Muslim women appear in social media, they by their own will are exposing themselves to be looked at by
millions of viewers whereas duty-bound Muslim females with Hijab only (without Niqab) are attending to their
duties and not on their own will exposing themselves to be looked at by men. For Muslims in businesses, the
buying financial status of their customers is legitimate even if the earnings of the respective customers are based
on Haram endeavours whereas in other situations Muslims are barred from participating with persons or entities
whose sources of income are illegitimate and thus Haram.
Social media as the high-tech communication tool should be used by Muslims in Halal based ways for the
propagation of knowledge (Islamic/Secular) as an Islamic duty/obligation and not for earning purposes as social
media payments are Haram. Yet some of the prestigious and prominent present-day users of social media are
covert recipient of payments from social media which for all purposes are Haram. Wither the Islam of these
Islamic scholars? The Demand Function in economics has Taste as an element while in market mix (7 Ps model),
Physical Evidence is an element. Muslim presenters, both men and women, can have both Taste and Physical
evidence incooperated into their presentations without contravening Islamic Guidance by giving evidence-based
contents and appearing in person, if necessary, without defying Islamic commands. The Muslim Ummah has
gone beyond the point of no return to the correct path of Islam due to taking or following Islam without
conviction; maintaining the identity as Muslims but getting involved in worldly affairs or activities even if such
activities go against Islam, greediness for wealth and material possessions without being complacent with what
they have; selfishness, self-centredness, lack of empathy for the less privileged, and displaying pride when
interacting with others especially with the marginalized classes. Social media have beneficial as well as
2
detrimental sides. What may be taken as beneficial to the general population could be detrimental to the Muslims
as the latter are bound by Islamic guidance. The proliferation in the indulgence and the use of social media is
moving at a high rate that may eventually engender a greater percentage of Muslims to believe that the use of
social media in whatever way possible may not contravene Islamic Guidelines which is wrong – Astraghfirullah
– may Allah (swt) prevent such happenings – Ameen.
Rasheed Farook, 2024
Islam emphasizes Adab (Islamic etiquette) in all aspects in the lifestyles of Muslims. No Muslim ... more Islam emphasizes Adab (Islamic etiquette) in all aspects in the lifestyles of Muslims. No Muslim can behave on their individual desires even when they are enthusiastic in trying to help in the cause of Islam. Islam has definitive guidance for Muslim women in dress code, appearance in public and various other aspects of their life. Qur'an commands to avoid Tabbarruj (displaying beauty deemed inappropriate by Islamic standards). Nonadherence to Islamic Guidance may be due to lack of knowledge in Islam, Islamic scholars' failure to guide Muslims in appropriate Islamic Commands where/when necessary, helping the less privileged Muslims for 'showoff' only and not based on Islamic piety for the pleasure of Allah (swt), and most importantly some Muslim women do not come to social media on their own willingness but sponsored by behind-the-stage manipulators for the latter's personal ambitions and also their financial gains. The psychology behind exposure of bodily beauty by women is a natural trait inherent more in adult women than in adult men-and that is where Islamic Guidance takes primacy to avoid Tabbarruj. The present trend of appearing sans Niqab is gaining momentum due to copycat syndrome under the pretext to boost self-esteem and such behaviour has no Islamic values whatsoever even if done with good intentions. Muslims must inculcate Islamic ways of behaviour in themselves and others too in order to get the Rewards and Blessings of Allah (swt) in this world and in the Hereafter. Muslim women appearing in social media without Niqab are setting examples to the present and future generations to be un-Islamic in their lifestyles-a great sin indeed. Whatever the public standing of a Muslim woman in terms of educational attainments, professional statuses, eloquence in delivering speeches and also perceived public image of them, if any, cannot override, under all situations, the Islamic commands as to how Muslim women's participation in social media should be. Muslim women could appear with only Hijab (without Niqab) in their personal involvements/ commitments based on public interest (Maslaha), Mubah (permissibility based on necessity), Niqab not as Wajib but as Mustahab (recommended) in these circumstances which will not be in anyway defying Islamic Guidance. Although there are many Muslim women appearing in social media without face-cover (Niqab) all over the world, this write-up has taken into consideration the public activities of only three (03) Muslim women-two from India and one from Sri Lanka. In India one Fathima Sabarimala and the other Sulthana Parveen are involved in helping the Muslims-the former in the distribution of Sadaqa and related activities and the latter giving public speeches based on motivational aspects. These are laudable and commendable but the bone of contention is that these two appear in social media without face-cover (Niqab) which amounts to not avoiding Tabbarruj. In Sri Lanka one Fathima Rinooza (CGC Talk Shop) also appears without face-cover (Niqab) in social media presentations which makes her defy Islamic Guidance by not avoiding Tabbarruj. When opposition to her social media presentations came from Islamic scholars / Muslim activists for various reasons inclusive of her not adhering to Niqab, her response was that she has no other ways of earning a living and therefore decided to earn through social media. Fathima Rinooza must realize and understand that all forms of earnings are not allowed in Islam except the Halal ways. Unfortunately the non-Niqab culture in appearing in social media is spreading without any societal mechanism to curtail it so it becomes the bounden duty of the righteous Muslims to speak out and prevent it happening wherever possible on the basis 'prevention
The Abdul Azeez Foundation , 2024
Social media serve today as the high-tech communication channels to upload (also download) speech... more Social media serve today as the high-tech communication channels to upload (also download) speeches, images and other contents where the presenters could receive payments when their contents are viewed beyond a certain threshold. Social media earn through advertisements of a mix of consumer products and also pornographic contents thereby making their sources of income Haram from Islamic viewpoint and thus receiving payments from social media are Haram for Muslims. The Muslim presenters can opt not to get paid and thus use social media for communication purposes only in which case the Muslim presenters will not be contravening Islamic Guidance. While the above issue has a solution, the other matter for concern is Muslim women appearing/presenting in social media without face-cover (Niqab) which is Haram. A majority of Islamic scholars of the non-Internet/non-social media era stressed Niqab for women in public spaces and that holds even in this modern era. The Qur'an stresses to avoid Tabbarruj which is displaying one's charm and beauty to strangers which is considered in Islam as a major sin. Every subject area especially those dealing in sexual matters of extreme privacy should not be taken for discussions/analyses in social media and that is Islamic etiquette (Adab). Unfortunately some Muslim women speakers are openly speaking about intimate, personal and essentially private issues openly which will have the potential to sexualize the innocent and also the society. Appearing in social media without Niqab is definitely Haram whereas Muslim women in their careers and household tasks could be with Hijab only (without face-cover) based on public interest (Maslaha) and Mubah (permissibility). When Muslim women appear in social media, they by their own will are exposing themselves to be looked at by millions of viewers whereas duty-bound Muslim females with Hijab only (without Niqab) are attending to their duties and not on their own will exposing themselves to be looked at by men. For Muslims in businesses, the buying financial status of their customers is legitimate even if the earnings of the respective customers are based on Haram endeavours whereas in other situations Muslims are barred from participating with persons or entities whose sources of income are illegitimate and thus Haram. Social media as the high-tech communication tool should be used by Muslims in Halal based ways for the propagation of knowledge (Islamic/Secular) as an Islamic duty/obligation and not for earning purposes as social media payments are Haram. Yet some of the prestigious and prominent present-day users of social media are covert recipient of payments from social media which for all purposes are Haram. Wither the Islam of these Islamic scholars? The Demand Function in economics has Taste as an element while in market mix (7 Ps model), Physical Evidence is an element. Muslim presenters, both men and women, can have both Taste and Physical evidence incooperated into their presentations without contravening Islamic Guidance by giving evidence-based contents and appearing in person, if necessary, without defying Islamic commands. The Muslim Ummah has gone beyond the point of no return to the correct path of Islam due to taking or following Islam without conviction; maintaining the identity as Muslims but getting involved in worldly affairs or activities even if such activities go against Islam, greediness for wealth and material possessions without being complacent with what they have; selfishness, self-centredness, lack of empathy for the less privileged, and displaying pride when interacting with others especially with the marginalized classes. Social media have beneficial as well as
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that... more O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous '-Qur'an, Ch 02 V 183] ABSTRACT Muslims in the past had no confusion in distinguishing between Halal and Haram and a majority followed the command to the letter though there were some who were indifferent sometimes due to ignorance but oftentimes knowingly and done on purpose. But in today's context, Muslims are being exposed to new 'tools'/'products' that they (Muslims) are unable to fathom as to whether the use of such 'tools'/'products' is Halal or Haram. The main device here is the Internet with its attendant social media outlets such as the YouTube, Facebook etc. These media sites are also opportunities to earn incomes but all opportunities cannot be made use of by Muslims to earn-only opportunities based in Halal context could be used by Muslims otherwise all earnings will be Haram. Use of social media sites to earn incomes is Haram for Muslims as the sources of generating income by these media sites are in the domain of Haram: they earn through pornography, adult sex entertainments, promotion of prostitution etc. Yet these media channels are the only high-tech communication channels as at present and the use of such media for legitimate communication purposes only by Muslims foregoing any receipts of payment could be acceptable provided no alternative ways for communication are available. The use of social media by Islamic scholars/Ulama had been by Muslim men only until recently where Muslim women too have joined in using the social media for Islamic and also other social/political propagandas. Muslim women can make use of social media without showing themselves in person or appearing in face-cover (Niqab). Muslim women appearing in social media without facecover is Haram as their facial beauty, speaking style and their body language are getting exposed to millions of viewers (both males and females) worldwide. Muslim girls/women in Hijab without face-cover attending to their work situations is acceptable, though with some attendant risks, on the basis of public interest (Maslaha) and other Fiqk determinations. This and the appearance of Muslim females in social media sites without face-cover are the two ends of the same continuum-the former based on necessity that is acceptable whereas the latter is unilateral exposure of female beauty, speaking style and body language which collectively are Haram. A few Islamic scholars' declaration that face-covering is not mandatory is not applicable in all situations. When or where a Muslim female's bare exposure of her face could lead to Fitna, then in such situations it becomes mandatory to cover the face. Proliferation of social media by all and sundry speakers has led to chaos (Fitna) within the Muslim community. Though there may be some positives in social media presentations, the overall effects of all the presentations are for self-satisfaction, glorification and elevation of personal egos of the presenters, and not much to the Muslim community. Another aspect or issue this write-up has dealt with is the so called 'Islamic Banking' which for all purposes has some deviance from its stated Shariah compliant paradigm and free of Riba (Interest) intent. This 'Islamic Banking' is a new concept that came into being initially in the 1960s in Egypt. It has to be studied (researched) to find out whether it tallies with the Islamic guidance in lending and borrowing transactions. This write-up focusses on the Islamic Banks in Sri Lanka and states that while the State banks and reputed internationally based banks operating the Islamic Banking system are transparent in their overall transactions, the same cannot be said of 'the' one and only Muslim owned and Muslim managed bank in Sri Lanka which has various hidden constraints on their customers / clients which the customers / clients come to know only at the end of their contracts. Further the strategic management team of this Muslim bank consists of Islamic Scholars / Ulama who though know about Islamic principles and guidance are not proficient enough to shoulder the responsibilities of running the banking system which has thus allowed mismanagement to take place where
Muslims have to follow fully and not selectively the Qur'an and the Authentic Hadiths yet a large... more Muslims have to follow fully and not selectively the Qur'an and the Authentic Hadiths yet a large majority of Muslims lead their lives as they wish to be disregarding the major commands of the Qur'an and the Authentic Hadiths and thereby are in Haraam earnings, Haraam spendings, evil-deeds, un-Islamic practices/rituals and various other sinful acts that qualifies them not to be called as righteous or true Muslims but as 'identity' or 'name-sake' Muslims. All their indulgences in the obligatory or optional duties of Islam are for public showoffs and gain no merits from Allah (swt). Lack of Islamic knowledge in the Muslim Ummah gave primacy to the Islamic scholars / Ulama-a majority of whom were righteous and thereby guided the Muslims in the right path of Islam while a few of them were not only leading the Muslims towards evil practices in Shirk / Bidah but they themselves were involved in evil-deeds-also gave Fatwas contradictory to Islamic guidance. One belief (based on faulty fatwa) among Muslim businesspersons is that in business one can have any amount of profits as the Qur'an has not stipulated the amount of profit to be made in business transactions. This belief or notion is completely wrong and is Un-Islamic, because to have high profits, businesses have to lie, cheat and exploit which are all Haraam. In the socio-cultural sphere, the un-Islamic activities / rituals practiced in the past (Maulid. Meelad) have got reduced due to propagation of the Essence of Thawheed. Muslims are not in dearth of guidance to honour our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the Qur'an: Ch 33, V 56: 'Verily, Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet; O' you who believe, send blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy salutation', and anything beyond this is Shirk/Bidah. What we have in Sri Lanka as the National Holiday on 12 th of Rabi ul Awwal is a political endeavour and not an Islamic decree. Un-Islamic practices, recitals and rituals were introduced to the Muslims of Sri Lanka / Ceylon by eccentric Islamic dignitaries from Middle Eastern regions (called Sheiks) and India (called Thangals, Moulanas). These Sheiks, Thangals, Moulanas had their mindsets based on fanatism, populist doctrines/thoughts ambitious of spreading their deviant thoughts and maybe for their personal financial and/or popularity gains. While Madhabs emerged to give directions in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and neither had nor supported deviant un-Islamic practices, all Thareeqas were of Sufi orientations and thereby had various practices that were never done during the times of the prophet (pbuh), his companions and the generations of the Salafs. For political gains, to go along with the trends and tides in the community due to lack of Islamic guidance, fond of blind comradeship ignoring Islam and the influence of Madrasas yet propagating Maulids and Meelad celebrations are the main reasons for the continuation of Meelads even in a small scale. Today the Muslim Ummah is in a state of dilemma, so we Beg Allah (swt) to guide the Muslims to the true path of Islam-Ameen.
The Abdul Azeez Foundation, 2023
Muslims have various religious (Islamic) and socio-cultural events some of which have to be done ... more Muslims have various religious (Islamic) and socio-cultural events some of which have to be done definitely such as Nikah and Waleema whereas others are based on socio-cultural practices that may not contravene Islamic guidance. While Nikah and Waleema have their respective officiating personnel such as the Muslim Registrar, person entrusted to deliver the Nikah Sermon, the two subscribing witnesses and finally an Imaam /Alim to recite the Fathiha at the end of the Nikah function, Muslims also engage religious (Islamic) persons to officiate just at the beginning in some of the sociocultural functions. All these officiating persons must have righteousness (Thaqwa) in them in order the hosts (and even the guests) to reap the Blessings of Allah (swt). Choosing any Muslim without looking into their righteousness may not constitute sins but having Thaqwa-based Muslims will get the Blessings of Allah (swt)-why forego the Blessings of Allah (swt)? Thaqwa-consciousness and the fear of Allah (swt)-in a Muslim's journey throughout in his/her entire life must be always held up particularly in land / property transactions; in selecting one's life partner; and in inheritance divisions and distributions-in these three aspects Muslims must uphold Thaqwa by which they will be victorious in this worldly life and in the Hereafter (Arkhira). Some Muslims including a few senior Ulama love this worldly life immensely that they do all possible things and transactions to enrich them and their families with worldly financial gains even if the gains are through Haraam means-and when 'they do not believe in the verses of Allah-Allah will not guide them, and for them is a painful punishment'-Qur'an, Ch 16, V 104. When greediness and financial richness corrupt the hearts of the Muslims, it is only the Qur'an and the authentic Hadiths that can cleanse the hearts of such Muslims. Let us beg Allah (swt) to help the wrong doing Muslims to revert back towards the guidance of Islam-Ameen.
ABSTRACT Throughout history and up to the start of the twentieth century the Sri Lankan Muslims (... more ABSTRACT Throughout history and up to the start of the twentieth century the Sri Lankan Muslims (Moors) were a business community and was accepted that way. There were also Muslims as landed proprietors, building contractors and artisans. There were only a handful of physicians, lawyers, teachers, accountants, engineers. This scenario changed as from 1910. The Muslim businesses progressed and Muslims were getting into professional fields yet the number was small compared to other communities. By 1950 the Muslim community was better off in business than in the past and was progressively moving forward. There was no antagonism towards Muslims businesses by anyone as other communities were moving forward through education. Due to misplaced nationalism, faulty perception of the Muslim community, and exposure to various internal and external influences by a microscopic minority group of the Sinhala community, the self-confidence of the Muslim businesspersons got a little shaken and calls for remedial actions to re-establish that confidence in order the future prosperity of Sri Lanka will not be in jeopardy by withholding the contributions of the different communities towards the progress of Sri Lanka.
Books by Rasheed Farook
M R M Farook, 2024
Silat Al Rahm-maintaining live connections with blood relatives-is an important command in Islam.... more Silat Al Rahm-maintaining live connections with blood relatives-is an important command in Islam. The earlier generations of Muslims took this command seriously and lived accordingly. The Muslims of the earlier generations not only interacted among their close relatives but also helped them if there happened a need to do so. In the earlier generations, the rich and the affordable helped other Muslims who were in need of assistance, either financial or material. The underprivileged of that generation managed their household expenditure without getting into debt. The rich Muslims were not in need of financial assistances per se but were in need of personal relationship commitments from others whereas the less privileged were in need of financial assistance in addition to relationship commitments. In the next generations the economic environment changed towards positive growth thereby the personal wealth of the entrepreneurial type of Muslims (even others) grew immensely which gave rise to many un-Islamic behaviour such as greediness, selfishness, self-centredness, lack of empathy and other dysfunctional and/or detrimental mindsets. The change in the overall economic activities overwhelmed the Muslims in particular to be focused on acquiring wealth and material gains that eventually ruptured the existing healthy relationship bond among the family relatives. What the earlier generations looked for in choosing the life partners for their sons and daughters were the community standings of families especially in terms of nobility of birth, the chain of relationships in terms of 'Whose Who' within the family and not wealth as such although the un-Islamic practice of taking (or demanding) dowry was the order of all marriages. Muslims of the present generation give prominence to acquiring financial and material wealth and assets at any costs which invariably keep them away from interacting and or visiting their less privileged relatives. Yet the privileged Muslims will interact with the other privileged classes whether relations or not. This is due to the privileged Muslims having gained upward financial and social mobility in their immediate past. Factors that block maintaining family relationships according to the author of this write-up include extreme differences in social worth in financial, educational, living standards and patterns of lifestyle; locational issues when families relocate themselves to areas way away from their ancestral home areas; large families around two generations ago find difficult to interact due to expansion of families; when families get cheated especially in inheritance issues; religiously behaving families avoid interacting with others involved in perverted sexual and other abusive activities as norms in others' lifestyles; righteous families avoid those involved in Shirk (polytheism) and Bidah (innovation in Ibadah). Islam allows to sever family relationship when the other is involved in committing great sins; involved in Shirk and Sihir (witchcraft);; moving with them will affect your faith (Dheen); and their un-Islamic behaviour you may not be able to bear irrespective of advices given to correct / reform them. The majority of Muslims will not listen to any advice regarding their unacceptable and/or un-Islamic lifestyles based on their snobbish and fashion conscious patterns of living and looking down upon others who are living according to Islamic Guidelines. The outdoor gatherings may be alright for the well-to-do families who will take the outdoor excursion as a picnic to have fun and play. The objectives of the organizers of this outdoor gathering may be to boost, boast and speak about the passed away single 'great grandfather figure' whose present living children who may be well
Ath-Thaqwa, 2024
The revealed religion of Allah (swt) viz. Islam guided mankind in the righteous ways from the beg... more The revealed religion of Allah (swt) viz. Islam guided mankind in the righteous ways from the beginning of Adam (AS) yet Shaitan (Satan), the avowed enemy of mankind, did (does) every manipulations to deviate mankind from the path of Allah (swt) and when Satan succeeded in his evil deeds, mankind became averse to Allah (swt)' guidance therein immerged the philosophers and their philosophies attempting to fill the void due to mankind's loss of grip in Islamic guidance. Philosophies poured out ideas as to the purpose of life, some of which are useful even today, yet were unable to give definitive answers to all the issues of mankind and it is Islam that righteously guides mankind towards life in this world and the Hereafter (Arkhirah). Some of the Muslim theologians of the distant past also developed their own philosophical thoughts where some were contrary to Islamic guidance and thus various deviant groups emerged which do exist as of today too. While the deviant groups are having practices/rituals involving Shirk (polytheism) and Bidah (innovations), there have emerged different types of deviant groups involved in commercializing/politicizing/scandalizing Islam to earn money, amass wealth and to indulge in greediness for personal benefits only and nothing to enhance Islamic behaviour. Commercializing Islam takes place in various ways such as: (a) fundraising under the banner of Islam making the donors to believe that their donations are to help the underprivileged/poor people while the aim of the fundraising project is to have a large share of the donations for the sponsors of the project; (b) Islamic scholars/Ulama travelling overseas to deliver 'Tamil Bayans (Sermons)' especially to Canada, Kuwait for Sri Lankan Muslims working there-these travels are joyous journeys where the cost of travelling, subsistence and incidental expenses are paid by the Islamic Associations in which the Islamic scholars are office bearers/members, from the accumulated funds collected as donations from the Muslim public; (c) competitive promotional activities through broadcasting channels by the Hajj/Umrah travel operators where the operators make the wouldbe pilgrims believe in the travel operators' marketing gimmicks in which knowingly some of what the operators promise cannot be given at all-but the would-be pilgrims get hoodwinked by the faulty piety exhibited by the lead operator(s) in multiple ways; (d) Muslim business persons appearing apparently as pious but are full of hidden cunningness, wickedness, harmfulness and viciousness, attempt to destroy their competitors, especially the upcoming start-ups, through all means possible; (e) interference in would-be marriage proposals of others by influential and power wielding Muslims to prevent the social/financial upward progression of the other. Internet channels/sites could also be used to commercialize/scandalize Islam. Muslim men using Internet sites as communication devices/channels foregoing payments/fees for uploading their content are not defying Islamic guidance, but if the Muslim men do the uploading to earn (which is Haram), then they are commercializing Islam. Muslim women desirous of uploading vital contents deemed necessary, may appear in Internet sites with face cover (Jilbarb) but should not do so to earn money which this write-up has, with justification, said as Haram. No
Teaching Documents by Rasheed Farook
Ath Thaqwa, 2024
Seeking one's life partner (husband/wife), then initiating the Nikah and having the Waleema there... more Seeking one's life partner (husband/wife), then initiating the Nikah and having the Waleema thereafter, all three to be done in accordance with Islamic Guidance, are all clearly stipulated through the Qur'an and the Sunnah and any deviations in any of the above stated Islamic procedures would make the marriage alliance null and void. Majority of Muslim parents, in today's context, seek life partners for their children (sons/daughters) essentially on financial worthiness and professional qualifications/statuses especially financial regarding the bride and professional status with respect to the groom. In this scenario, problems emerge when there happens to be a mismatch between the bride's family and the groom's family in terms of financial and material worth/richness, and eventual social or societal worthiness. Today's Muslim community of Sri Lanka has transformed from what they had been totally a business community to what may be called now as one giving prominence to education of their children-and this has given rise to having educated and/or professionally qualified children in all social classes-the very rich, the moderately rich, the middle classes, and sometimes in the lower classes too. Rich groom getting married to a rich bride, if at all have problems in their married life, will not be about family statuses but will be on other issues such as personal incompatibility, arrogance in interactions, infidelity, sexual orientation, sexual dysfunctions and so on that are more common in the elite strata of any society and thus this write-up avoids taking up issues in the rich and/or elite groups. When an educated and/or professionally qualified son from an average middle class Muslim family gets married to the daughter of a rich parents, there could arise issues of financial and social statuses of the two families. The bride's rich family has taken the groom for his professional status and not for any values of the groom's parents. The bride's family, if of snobbish nature, may sidetrack and look down upon the groom's parents and his family for being financially average middle class even if the groom's parents are devotedly righteous sticking to Islamic Guidance and also be having educational and/or professional statuses. Under this situation, if the groom gets taken up on the bride's wealth and financial richness, the groom would fall on to his wife's and her family's attitudes towards his parents and eventually fault and dislike his parents for their inadequacy in financial and societal statuses completely forgetful of Allah (swt)'s decree (Qadr). On the other hand, if the groom is fond of his parents, values his upbringing through his parents' meagre efforts and thereby fully attached to them, the groom will not yield to any manipulative efforts of his bride and her family to sidetrack and look down upon his parents and his family. The groom should try his best to take corrective measures to reform his bride and her family to fall in line with Islamic Guidance, the main aspect of this Guidance being to treat every person, Muslim or any other, with respect and equality irrespective of whether the person concerned is rich or poor and that is Islam and the groom resorting to this corrective measures will reap the Blessings of Allah (swt) to prosper in the Islamic way-Alhamdu Lillah. Disliking and blaming of parents would occur due to various reasons viz. (1) after marriage due
Uploads
Papers by Rasheed Farook
Social media serve today as the high-tech communication channels to upload (also download) speeches, images
and other contents where the presenters could receive payments when their contents are viewed beyond a certain
threshold. Social media earn through advertisements of a mix of consumer products and also pornographic
contents thereby making their sources of income Haram from Islamic viewpoint and thus receiving payments
from social media are Haram for Muslims. The Muslim presenters can opt not to get paid and thus use social
media for communication purposes only in which case the Muslim presenters will not be contravening Islamic
Guidance. While the above issue has a solution, the other matter for concern is Muslim women
appearing/presenting in social media without face-cover (Niqab) which is Haram. A majority of Islamic scholars
of the non-Internet/non-social media era stressed Niqab for women in public spaces and that holds even in this
modern era. The Qur’an stresses to avoid Tabbarruj which is displaying one’s charm and beauty to strangers
which is considered in Islam as a major sin. Every subject area especially those dealing in sexual matters of
extreme privacy should not be taken for discussions/analyses in social media and that is Islamic etiquette (Adab).
Unfortunately some Muslim women speakers are openly speaking about intimate, personal and essentially
private issues openly which will have the potential to sexualize the innocent and also the society. Appearing in
social media without Niqab is definitely Haram whereas Muslim women in their careers and household tasks
could be with Hijab only (without face-cover) based on public interest (Maslaha) and Mubah (permissibility).
When Muslim women appear in social media, they by their own will are exposing themselves to be looked at by
millions of viewers whereas duty-bound Muslim females with Hijab only (without Niqab) are attending to their
duties and not on their own will exposing themselves to be looked at by men. For Muslims in businesses, the
buying financial status of their customers is legitimate even if the earnings of the respective customers are based
on Haram endeavours whereas in other situations Muslims are barred from participating with persons or entities
whose sources of income are illegitimate and thus Haram.
Social media as the high-tech communication tool should be used by Muslims in Halal based ways for the
propagation of knowledge (Islamic/Secular) as an Islamic duty/obligation and not for earning purposes as social
media payments are Haram. Yet some of the prestigious and prominent present-day users of social media are
covert recipient of payments from social media which for all purposes are Haram. Wither the Islam of these
Islamic scholars? The Demand Function in economics has Taste as an element while in market mix (7 Ps model),
Physical Evidence is an element. Muslim presenters, both men and women, can have both Taste and Physical
evidence incooperated into their presentations without contravening Islamic Guidance by giving evidence-based
contents and appearing in person, if necessary, without defying Islamic commands. The Muslim Ummah has
gone beyond the point of no return to the correct path of Islam due to taking or following Islam without
conviction; maintaining the identity as Muslims but getting involved in worldly affairs or activities even if such
activities go against Islam, greediness for wealth and material possessions without being complacent with what
they have; selfishness, self-centredness, lack of empathy for the less privileged, and displaying pride when
interacting with others especially with the marginalized classes. Social media have beneficial as well as
2
detrimental sides. What may be taken as beneficial to the general population could be detrimental to the Muslims
as the latter are bound by Islamic guidance. The proliferation in the indulgence and the use of social media is
moving at a high rate that may eventually engender a greater percentage of Muslims to believe that the use of
social media in whatever way possible may not contravene Islamic Guidelines which is wrong – Astraghfirullah
– may Allah (swt) prevent such happenings – Ameen.
Books by Rasheed Farook
Teaching Documents by Rasheed Farook
Social media serve today as the high-tech communication channels to upload (also download) speeches, images
and other contents where the presenters could receive payments when their contents are viewed beyond a certain
threshold. Social media earn through advertisements of a mix of consumer products and also pornographic
contents thereby making their sources of income Haram from Islamic viewpoint and thus receiving payments
from social media are Haram for Muslims. The Muslim presenters can opt not to get paid and thus use social
media for communication purposes only in which case the Muslim presenters will not be contravening Islamic
Guidance. While the above issue has a solution, the other matter for concern is Muslim women
appearing/presenting in social media without face-cover (Niqab) which is Haram. A majority of Islamic scholars
of the non-Internet/non-social media era stressed Niqab for women in public spaces and that holds even in this
modern era. The Qur’an stresses to avoid Tabbarruj which is displaying one’s charm and beauty to strangers
which is considered in Islam as a major sin. Every subject area especially those dealing in sexual matters of
extreme privacy should not be taken for discussions/analyses in social media and that is Islamic etiquette (Adab).
Unfortunately some Muslim women speakers are openly speaking about intimate, personal and essentially
private issues openly which will have the potential to sexualize the innocent and also the society. Appearing in
social media without Niqab is definitely Haram whereas Muslim women in their careers and household tasks
could be with Hijab only (without face-cover) based on public interest (Maslaha) and Mubah (permissibility).
When Muslim women appear in social media, they by their own will are exposing themselves to be looked at by
millions of viewers whereas duty-bound Muslim females with Hijab only (without Niqab) are attending to their
duties and not on their own will exposing themselves to be looked at by men. For Muslims in businesses, the
buying financial status of their customers is legitimate even if the earnings of the respective customers are based
on Haram endeavours whereas in other situations Muslims are barred from participating with persons or entities
whose sources of income are illegitimate and thus Haram.
Social media as the high-tech communication tool should be used by Muslims in Halal based ways for the
propagation of knowledge (Islamic/Secular) as an Islamic duty/obligation and not for earning purposes as social
media payments are Haram. Yet some of the prestigious and prominent present-day users of social media are
covert recipient of payments from social media which for all purposes are Haram. Wither the Islam of these
Islamic scholars? The Demand Function in economics has Taste as an element while in market mix (7 Ps model),
Physical Evidence is an element. Muslim presenters, both men and women, can have both Taste and Physical
evidence incooperated into their presentations without contravening Islamic Guidance by giving evidence-based
contents and appearing in person, if necessary, without defying Islamic commands. The Muslim Ummah has
gone beyond the point of no return to the correct path of Islam due to taking or following Islam without
conviction; maintaining the identity as Muslims but getting involved in worldly affairs or activities even if such
activities go against Islam, greediness for wealth and material possessions without being complacent with what
they have; selfishness, self-centredness, lack of empathy for the less privileged, and displaying pride when
interacting with others especially with the marginalized classes. Social media have beneficial as well as
2
detrimental sides. What may be taken as beneficial to the general population could be detrimental to the Muslims
as the latter are bound by Islamic guidance. The proliferation in the indulgence and the use of social media is
moving at a high rate that may eventually engender a greater percentage of Muslims to believe that the use of
social media in whatever way possible may not contravene Islamic Guidelines which is wrong – Astraghfirullah
– may Allah (swt) prevent such happenings – Ameen.