Challenges for Muslims in the West

Inter Gender Relations

ل�ا ب�ي س� س س�ا س� ل� س ب� س�ا س� س�ا ه� �� س ب�� � س�ا ز� �ل ه�و� س� ق س" س$ا س�

“And come not near to Zina. Verily, it is a Fahishah (a great sin that transgresses the limits) and an evil way.” (17:32)

Inter Gender Relations

Al-Zina (engaging extra-marital relations) is a grave sin.

It has terrible consequences on a person’s life, their future marriage, and even their children.

Inter Gender Relations

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “…al-Zina has six consequences, three in this world, and three in the Hereafter. In this world it takes away one’s awe, hastens his death, and cuts off his sustenance. In the Hereafter, it results in an evil reckoning, the wrath of the Merciful and eternity in Hell.”

Mizanul Hikmah, n. 2730

Inter Gender Relations

Keeping to necessities

Avoiding flirting

Not trusting ourselves too much

The Abolition of Marriage

In 2001, the number of marriages was 11000 less than it was in 1981, a 10% decrease.

There is also a trend of increasing divorces. In 2001,there were 55,300 divorces granted in Australia in 2001, the highest number granted in the last 20 years. This has only decreased slightly in the last two years.

Try Before You Buy?

“New research shows that couples who do not live together before marriage have a better chance of avoiding divorce than do their peers who live together before marriage…"A lot of people are surprised to find out living together before you marry increases the risk of marriage breakdown," said Belinda Hewitt, of the University of Queensland, the author of the study. "They think 'try before you buy' minimises the risk of divorce, that it's a good strategy. It's not really.”

SMH, Adele Horin, March 24 2007

Marriage brings Tranquillity

“And of His signs is that He created for you partners from among yourselves so that you may find tranquillity in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.”…30:21

Marriage Issues

Finding a spouse, the Islamic way

The introduction period

The engagement period

Criteria for a spouse◦ Muslim◦ Akhlaq◦ Compatibility

Inter-racial marriages

The Formula of Hijab

س�� ب�� � ق& ه' سل ى) س� ق* س+� س, بل ىس- � ق& ه' س/ ه�� ه� ه0و� س1 ق2 س3 س� ق& ب4 ب5 س6ا �ق س+� ق7 ب8 ه�9و� ه: س3 س7 ب;ي ب8 ق> ه= ق< بل ق? ه@   س7 ق0 س1 ق2 س3 س� س�7 ب4 ب5 س6ا �ق س+� ق7 ب8 س7 ق9 ه9 ق: س3 Aب س;ا ب8 ق> ه= ق< بل ق? ه@ س� س� هBو س; ق6 س3 س=ا �ب ر� ب�ي Dس س� >� س �لى) س< Eس س�7 ب4 ب� ه= Fه �ب س7 �ق ب� ق9 سي قل س� � س'ا ق; ب8 س� س' Gس س8ا �$ا س ب�� س�7 ه' Hس س; ب*3 س7 3Iب ق� ه3 س$ا س� س�7 ه' س/ ه�� ه�

س�7 ه' Hس س; ب*3 س7 3Iب ق� ه3 س$ا س� � س�7 ب' �ب هيو ه/

The Formula of Hijab

“Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do. And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to…”24:30-31

HijabThe reasons behind Hijab

The criteria for Hijab

Ornamentation

Men’s Hijab

Problems related to Absence of Hijab

‘Mall Culture’- The Objectification of Women

Anorexia and Depressive IllnessThe Abolition of MarriageSuggestive Advertising aimed at Children

‘Sad Beyond Belief’ Sexual themes were found in one-third of teen-rated video games in one study cited by the APA. Even Disney characters such as the Little Mermaid and Pochahontas "have more cleavage, fewer clothes, and are depicted as 'sexier' than those of yesteryear".

“75 % of the content of 'Barbie' magazine, aimed at 5-12 year olds, is sexualising material, as is 50% of 'Total Girls (8-11 yr olds) and 50% of 'Disney Girl' (6-13 yr olds)”

The Australian Institute of Research

‘Sad Beyond Belief’

“The effect on children of all this premature sex saturation is long-lasting psychological harm, says the APA - resulting in depression, low self-esteem and eating disorders in children as young as six. It's sad beyond belief.”

Miranda Devine, 15 April 07, SMH

Illicit Drugs

• 37.7% of Australians aged above 14 have used illicit drugs

(Australian Institue of Health and Welfare Wesbite)

• One in three Australians aged 14 years or more consumed alcohol in a way that put themselves at significantly increased risk of alcohol-related harm in the short term

(Australian Institue of Health and Welfare Wesbite)

“O you who believe! intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, and Satan’s work; shun it therefore so that you may be successful.” 5:90

Gambling

• In 1990-2000, Australians lost $13.3 billion in total or $ 931 dollars per person per year in gambling.

(Gambling in Australia, Justin Healy, 2001)

Social NetworkingPrivacy

Modesty

Time

Personal relationships

Useless debating

Useless gatherings

YنWي ]ي ف]ب Wين] ]طaال Yب ال WسWم]ج]ال آلWف] Wي ]ن Yت ]ي أ ر] ]ع]لaك] ل Yو[ أ

]نWي Yت aي ل خ] Yمsه[ Yن ]ي و]ب

“…or perhaps You saw me comfortable in the gatherings of the promoters of falsehood so

You left me to them…” Dua Abu Hamza al-Thumali

Utilising Time عن يسأل حتى القيامة يوم عبد قدم تزل ال

عن و أفناه فيما عمره عن خصال خمساكتسبه أين من ماله عن و أباله فيما شبابه

فيما عمل ذا ما علمه عن و أنفقه فيما و علم .

“The feet of a slave will not move a step on the Resurrection Day until he is asked about four things: his life, how he spent

it; his youth, how he used it”...The Prophet (pbuh), Irshad al-Qulub, v. 1, p. 15

Food and Drink

Animal products Cannot eat until we are sure it is Halal

Non-meat products◦Can eat unless we are sure it is Haram

Taking precaution◦“Your brother is your religion, so take

precaution when it comes to your religion”

Songs & Music

Imam al- Baqir (as) said: “Music is among the things for which Allah has promised the Fire (of Hell). Then he recited the following ayah: "Indeed successful are the believers those who in their prayer are humble and those who keep themselves aloof from Vain (words and deeds)." [23:1-3]

ل��ا� 5@یۀ �ل:;ا

The Holy Prophet (S) said," al-ghina’ is a ladder to Adultery”

Bihar, v. 76, p. 99

Songs & Music

Why is some music Haram?◦Wrong messages passed on◦Makes it easier to sin, esp. Adultery◦Has the power of suggestion over our

thoughts and actionsWhat lyrics are Haram?

◦Haram content (this includes love songs)◦Sung by a woman (for a man to listen to)

What music is Haram?◦That which is used for gatherings of sin

Work-Related Issues

Halal earning

Integrity

Relations with non-Muslims

Marriages and ‘romantic relationships’ are not allowed and dangerous

Friendships (with people of the same gender) are allowed if they don’t affect us negatively

Preaching Islam through a good example

Relations with other Muslims

Unity

Maintaining our beliefs

Avoid debating without knowledge

Authentic Religious Education

We need to be wary of some public speakers who have been mainly educated in the West, who preach against a number of widely-accepted and unanimous held beliefs such as Taqleed

We should not listen to a speaker because they are ‘cool’ or a skilled orator, rather we should look at the authenticity of their qualifications and the content of their teaching.