A DISCOURSE IN ISLAMIC STATE part(9)

Assalamualaikum,

.........................continued from part(8)

CHAPTER 2

We have concuded the rudiments of Islam, the basics which one has to have a grasp if such a topic as proposed by the discourse is to be indulged into. Some time, there are sections of the society in Malaysia who incessantly pose the question who needs the Islamic State?. I think that is a pertinent question that is more than worth discussing. And to gain a better insight of the issue, it would be very helpful if one sees it from Muslim's point of view.

What is being a Muslim

The Islamic faith is a guidance, called hidayah, from Allah to man. It is a priceless treasure that ought to be held very dear by every possessor, because it is not something which, once acquired, its possession is deemed infinite. Rather, the faith's position in a person is like a yo-yo. It can swing up in one move, and conversely, it can hit rock bottom abyss in another. The faith can also be likened to a diamond. The true value and beauty of the faith is unknown untill it is cut to shape and polished endlessly. In its polished state, the faith shines impeccably.

Duties of a Muslim

To be a Muslim one has to testify the syahadah.

لا إله إلا الله
Transliterarion: La ila ha illal lah
Translation: There is no other ila but Allah

محمد رسول الله
Transliteration: Muhammadur Rasullullah
Translation: Muhammad is the messenger of Allah

But again, the mere utterence of the phrases is meaningless and does not constitute the iman, because even a parrot can echo them if taught sufficiently. Islam is therefore the iman in practice (Rahman,1980). Once Islam is embraced, one does not sit back and relax. As mentioned earlier, it is a faith of guidance and needs constant maintenance works to keep it in tip-top condition. It is like having a golf course; on the map it reads a golf course, but on the ground, if the course is not maintained, a secondary jungle may appear instead. The maintenance works in Islam are prescribed in its pillars. Abul HassanAli AnNadwi eloquently elaborated the pillars of Islam (1978); they are: solat (regular prayers), zakat (poor-due), sawm (fasting), and haj (pilgrimage). These constitute the basic ibadat (worship).

......................to be continued