A
MUST READ that is used worldwide as a guide in understanding our identity
as
MUSLIMS. It is an enlightening masterpiece that was written by a true da'i with pure intention and pristine understanding of the purpose of (the worlds) creation.
Its original title in arabic is 'Maza ya'ni fi intimaa'i lil Islam', and was presented to us by the prominent Islamic scholar Ustaz Fathi Yakan. A scholar and mujahhid based in Lebanon; this book, and his other works are testimony to his true intention to guide the world towards the peace of Islam.
The book is devided into two parts. The
first part presents to us the
characteristics of a muslim. Many muslims nowdays are muslims by virtue of being the child of a muslim or belonging to a race that is equated with Islam, but their lifestyle, their behavior, their social conduct and their actions are no different to a non-muslim. They do not understand
the meaning of being a muslim; the
responsibilities that result from that proud proclamation. After reading this chapter, one should - with Allah's Grace - have a clear and true picture of what a Muslim is. How his heart and soul should be. How he should carry himself. How he should behave and act.
The
second part of the book is a beautiful continuation of the first part. Having understood the meaning of being a muslim, it becomes evident that we are not a people who's faith lay in our hearts alone or in our being good muslims on our own. As clear as the light of dawn, we see, we feel, and we understand that part of the definition of a muslim is that we
MUST strive for Islam. It is the responsibility of a muslim to
work for his faith. As such it is incumbent that a Muslim be part of a body/organization/movement that works for Islam, because it is
IMPOSSIBLE to work for Islam alone. This too is evident. In the second part of the book, Ustaz Fathi Yakan illustrates to us that
working and striving for Islam is a must/WAJIB, with clear proof from the Quran and Hadith. He also outlines the methodology for working as a part of an
Islamic Organization, and also the characteristics and responsibilities of an organization or movement bearing the Islamic name.
Without a doubt this book is a must read for every muslim, also for non-muslims who wish to know what a true muslim is. The following is an excerpt from the book(malay language translation) which really moved me:
Sejak awal-awal lagi para petugas yang bekerja untuk Islam mestilah memahami secara mendalam bahawa merekalah yang sebenarnya memerlukan Islam...Mereka inilah yang beruntung sekiranya mereka mara beramal dan merekalah yang rugi sekiranya mereka mundur dan berpaling tadah. Firman Allah:"Dan sesiapa yang berjihad sesungguhnya (ganjaran) ia berjihad adalah untuk dirinya sendiri. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Kaya (tidak memerlukan sesuatu) dari alam semesta".[Surah al-Ankabut 29: ayat 6]Firman Allah lagi:"Dan jika kamu berpaling nescaya Dia akan menggantikan (kamu) dengan kaum yang lain dan mereka tidak akan seperti kamu".[Surah Muhammad 47: ayat 38]
