Now I am Pregnant… (& Blog Roundup)

14 Comments

1. 

   Yusuf

   March 14, 2007 at 11:05 AM

   The Judge Judy video clip has women without hijaab on it. Please remove the link otherwise you are sending the message, intentionally or unintentionally, that this is something that Allah has allowed for us to watch.

   I remind myself and you that Allah says, “Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).” (17:36)

   And Allah says, “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts).” (24:30-31)

   The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Looking is one of the arrows of Shaytaan.”

   And he (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Every son of Adam has his share of zinaa decreed for him, and he will undoubtedly get his share. The eye commits zinaa and its zinaa is looking. The tongue commits zinaa and its zinaa is speaking; the feet commit zinaa and their zinaa is walking; the hands commit zinaa and their zinaa is touching. The heart longs and desires for something and the private parts confirm that or deny it.”

   I ask Allah to forgive us all and guide us all to the Straight Path and to help us to perform those deeds which are pleasing to Him and to keep far away from those deeds which anger Him.

   Reply
2. 

   ExEx Blogger

   March 14, 2007 at 1:22 PM

   Jazakallahu Khairan for the “naseeha” x2. I feel my Iman has risen now with your wise and scholary words. Verily these words should be written down in gold ink and inscribed on hand woven sheets of silk and hung within Istana Nurul Iman, palace of the Sultan of Negara Brunei Darussalam in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Furthermore this majestic tapestry of noble words and wisdom should then be hung over the throne of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Al-Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Almarhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien.

   If not, we should hang it over the Kaabah during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah and the last 10 nights of Ramadan so that all devoted worshippers may cool their eyes while gazing upon the kiswah which will provide but a mere backdrop for this lofty parchment.

   Brother, even though a book of the same name has been written nonetheless I truly believe that the enlightening and illuminating advice which you gave is far more worthy of being calling “Bahish Ti-Zewar” (Heavenly Ornaments).

   Back to the original comment that you made, I feel that the viewers and producers of that show are not lusting after Judge Judy, the defendants, plaintiffs or stage audience and camera men etc. The moral of the issue was juxtaposing the way how both parties were using a different form of understanding of the law to justify their argument.

   Furthermore, if you were a judge, or maybe you’ve reached a status of beyond that, would you deny a woman a ruling because she wasn’t wearing a hijab?

   Do you actually stay at home all day in your city doing distance learning from University fearing the women that are clad with provocative clothing in the streets of the city?

   Do you watch the news? I’m presenting this story nothing more and nothing less than the world news does. If you should also lower your gaze when you watch the evening news on Al Jazeerah or where ever else, then there is nothing else that prevents you my dear brother from lowering your gaze or “changing the channel” when it comes to my blog–or Muslim Matters for that matter.

   Also I’ve heard and seen mashaayikh watching “news” in the kingdom of saudi arabia. Of course we are not using their actions as a source “tashree`” if I may say so, but I don’t believe that the mashaayikh there will silently and quietly condone watching news without letting people know that watching news is wrong.

   Reply
3. 

   Yusuf

   March 14, 2007 at 3:07 PM

   How do you know what feeling will arise in someone’s heart when they see the women in the video? May Allah reward you for your husn adh-dhunn for these brothers who will watch the video but just because you have a feeling and hope that they will simply view it as information or from an Usool al-Fiqh angle doesn’t mean that is what will really happen.

   As far as the scholars and so on… the scholars in Saudi Arabia who are in a position of authority have spoken against television as a whole but have admitted that there are some benefits. In any case I don’t think that it is too hard to admit that there is a difference between watching the news and watching Judge Judy. Do you think that these scholars would watch Judge Judy? More than this, do you think that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would watch this clip of Judge Judy on your blog? Speak the truth even if it is against you. And if your answer is yes then I will say that I am here to remind you that you will be an answer to that on Yawm al-Qiyaamah.

   I want to say one more thing that I think needs to be mentioned and maybe I should have said this at the beginning of my comment.

   There has been a recent trend on Muslim blogs that when anyone gives sincere advice, and Allah knows best what our true intentions are, that the one giving the advice is mocked, made to look backwards and out of touch with reality as I just was. Mocking the method with which I am typing and saying that I am giving enlightening and illuminating advice and so on. Likewise the one quoting the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasalliam) is belittled and instead he is the one to be made looked at as a hypocrite. Another trend is that the readers of the blog have to be turned into “yes men” or be fan-club members or some sort of thing. In other words, the readers and those who post comments must agree with whatever is posted otherwise they are responded to like I was just responded to.

   Basically my question is: why the tone harshness and mockery? Do you have a guilty conscience? Is it because I already left a comment on your blog that you chose not to published?

   Why are you attacking me as if I insulted your loved ones or beyond that? You call me brother yet you are making personal attacks against me and revealing where I live and so on.. for what? I personally don’t watch television and don’t even own a television so there’s no need to try to call me out on that one. I expect this now will be used against me and that you will say I am purifying myself?

   Your comparisons are odd considering that the Judge Judy post was to be connected to usool al-fiqh. With which method of qiyaas are you comparing go outside on the streets where women are uncovered and having to lower your gaze to watching a video where it is known that for sure you will be looking at women unless you just listen to the audio? Which usool al-fiqh principle is this that you are following?

   Look.. is what I am saying wrong in my comment??? Give an honest reply not a defensive reply full of emotions. If I am wrong then I admit I can be wrong. I am a human being and all of us make mistakes. I can admit my mistakes without trying to belittle others. So if I am wrong to give the advice to fear Allah with regards to what you see, and you are saying that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and his Sahaabah would NOT give this same advice, then I am a Muslim so please convince me by something other than mockery, slandering, insulting, harshness and so on.

   Allahul musta’aan.. It is sad to see Judge Judy defended more than the rights of another Muslim brother.

   Reply
4. 

   Ruth Nasrullah

   March 14, 2007 at 3:39 PM

   Asalaamu alaikum. I agree with Br. Yusuf that there’s nothing gained by sarcasm. I’m not well educated but I do remember reading in the Quran: “O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.” It may be that the English isn’t the most accurate translation, but I think I get the spirit behind it. I have a great tendency to sarcasm myself, but one of the good things about the internet is that it gives you a chance to think twice before you say something.

   Reply
5. 

   ExEx Blogger

   March 14, 2007 at 3:50 PM

   Linguistically speaking, spellingwise, pronounciation wise etc, yes Judge Judy and News do not sound, spell, or pronounce the same.

   Of course your rhetorical question of whether the Prophet would have watched it or not is nonsense. Would the Prophet come and do naseehah in such a fashion? Then I say the same to you, “Speak the truth even if it is against you. And if your answer is yes then I will say that I am here to remind you that you will be an answer to that on Yawm al-Qiyaamah.”

   My personal way of commenting is called sarcasm. Like it or leave it.

   What personal attacks? Is insulting you a precursor for me not to call you brother? Is insulting you kufr that I can’t call you by brother?

   If there was anyone mocked it wouldn’t be you. It would be against Bahish Ti Zewar, Sultan of Brunei, etc.

   Trust me, the issue wasn’t that Judge Judy is the same as news but the idea that they both don’t have hijab on.

   I didn’t reveal your location. If you chose not to be revealed, then stay as anonymous.

   Brother, you are so emotional…I can’t be bothered. Do you live in Sakakini? Well my blog stats show it.

   So i’m not revealing anything. But rather Globe Trackr did.

   Brother, I reiterate Brother! Forgive me if you are so offended but lighten up.

   Reply
6. 

   Yusuf

   March 14, 2007 at 4:51 PM

   In what manner did I give advice in the wrong way?? Again your comment was full of emotion, more kashf al-‘awra and more mockery.

   I quoted two verses from the Qur’an and two hadeeth without much commentary of my own. Is this the wrong way to give advice? Are you certain that I am the one to be blamed? Sufyaan ath-Thawri (rahimahullah) said, “We met a people who loved it when it was said to them fear Allah the Most High! Today you find people become annoyed at this.”

   As far as the example of Saudi Arabia and Al-Jazeera, etc. was used to prove your point but forgot to mention that this issue of women appearing uncovered on television is what encouraged the other Islamic TV Channels to open such as Al-Majd and so on.

   Now I am asking you sincerely, am I misinterpreting the verse “Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).” (17:36)? Will Allah not question us about women we see on television? Is it not the case that everything we see, as well as say and do, will be either for us or against us on the Day of Judgment?

   If the answer is yes, Allah will ask us about everything we see, then is this thing (Judge Judy video) is something that Allah loves or something that He hates? Is it something that will be on our scale of good deeds or our scale of bad deeds? Is it something we will be joyful to read in our record or something we will wish was erased and not presented to us? This is what I am more concerned about, not the usool al-fiqh argument or any personal attacks. This concern of mine is what brought me to comment on your blog first and this one second.

   I honestly didn’t expect you to react in this manner. I admit looking back that I should have contacted you privately since it seems like I hurt your feelings and put you on the defensive. My intention and goal was only to get the video removed from your blog or at least any link to it, nothing more. I have nothing against you personally, though it seems like you have some sort of grudge with me with mentioning my name and my history which you are mistaken about. I am not ashamed of myself or anything, rather I just don’t think it is necessary to mention.

   Both of us work for the same community and share many common friends so I am a bit puzzled by your reaction. I don’t understand why you are reacting in such an upset, angry way? All of us make mistakes and have faults as the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Every son of Adam makes mistakes. But the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent.” And as brothers and sisters we are to support one another and correct one another. As Allah says, “Surely believers are but brothers unto each other, so make peace and reconciliation amongst your brothers.” (49:10)

   Like I said before, I don’t mind if I am wrong. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “May Allah have mercy on the man who shows me my faults.” All I am asking is for you to show me how I am wrong and what is correct in the manner you have been taught to give da’wah, not in your “personal way.” What I meant about you calling me brother and then abusing me is that the depth and deep meaning of the word brother has been lost among us.

   Br Abdur-Rahman I love you for the sake of Allah and I benefited greatly from the early posts on your blog. I hope any bad feelings you have for me are removed from your heart and we can talk to each other and advise one another as brothers. I pray that all of us and all of the Muslims are together in Jannah and that we share the description Allah mentions about the believers, “And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity).” (15:47)

   And Allah knows best.

   Reply
7. 

   Saif

   March 15, 2007 at 3:26 AM

   Salam Alaekum ExEx,

   It’s okay if you choose to disagree with Ustadh Yusuf; it’s okay if you don’t find anything wrong in posting videos of women revealing their ‘awrah as long as they contain important information; it’s okay if you choose to argue your points with sarcasm, but what’s not okay is when your sarcasm takes a manner that is disrespectful a brother, his naseehah, and his intentions behind the naseehah.

   Instead of asking people who read your comments to “lighten up”, I think it would be a good idea to bring in a little more adab in your discussions.

   That’s just brother naseehah. I wonder if it’s worthy of being called a “Bahisht-e-Zewar”, or hung in the palace of the Sultan of Brunei.

   Reply
8. 

   Saif

   March 15, 2007 at 3:27 AM

   *brotherly naseehah

   Reply
9. 

   muslimmatters

   March 15, 2007 at 7:06 AM

   salam…. jazakallahkhair for all the good advice here. I think Sh. Chao understood our points and so let’s move on.

   Interestingly you mentioned Ustadh Yusuf, is the br. Yusuf who posted here the Shawkani blog brother? If yes, we are honored by your visit, as we are by all the students of knowledge.

   So, what did folks think about the article on gender relations that was linked?

   Reply
10. 

    Yusuf

    March 15, 2007 at 10:24 AM

    Wa iyyaakum… to answer your question, no I am not Ustadh Yusuf/Abul-Hussein, the brother who runs the remarkable Ahl al Hadith blog.

    May Allah reward you all for your efforts and forgive me if I have caused any problems.

    Reply
11. 

    Umm Layth

    March 16, 2007 at 4:08 AM

    May Allaah reward you for your attempts at commanding the good brother, aameen

    Reply
12. 

    Aidan Qassim

    March 16, 2007 at 2:51 PM

    Check this recent blog out here on google searches and sex in Muslim countries:

    http://muslamics.blogspot.com/

    Reply
13. 

    umm luqmaan

    March 17, 2007 at 5:09 PM

    Mashallah brother Yusuf…unfortunately brothers and sisters now a days don’t have that type of modesty as much as they should. Your advice was excellent. May Allah bless you for your naseeha. ameen.

    Reply
14. 

    Safa

    November 22, 2008 at 2:16 PM

    That Yusuf is a fool. Whenever a woman is in a video, that video should be deemed haram??? What kind of foolishness is that? Women are 50% of humanity. Women go to school- men will see them at school, so should all women be kicked out of school so that men don’t see them? Should they not be allowed out of their rooms, imprisoned in cages, so that men will never see them? Men should control their impulses instead of somehow finding something wrong with the mere presence of women.

    Reply