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On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "This world is prison for the believer, and Paradise for the disbeliever."
(Muslim)
Note: This Hadith means that this world is like a prison for the believer because of the limitations of the commandments he is required to follow. No mater how happy a believer is in this world, he will be so much happier in the next world; so comparatively, this world will seem like a jail. Muslims have no choice but to live their lives within the 4 walls of the shariah.
Also, this world is like a Paradise for the disbeliever because he can indulge himself without limitation.
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This would mean there is no such thing as freedom in Islam, or am I wrong?
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Quote:On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "This world is prison for the believer, and Paradise for the disbeliever."
(Muslim)
Note: This Hadith means that this world is like a prison for the believer because of the limitations of the commandments he is required to follow. No mater how happy a believer is in this world, he will be so much happier in the next world; so comparatively, this world will seem like a jail. Muslims have no choice but to live their lives within the 4 walls of the shariah.
Also, this world is like a Paradise for the disbeliever because he can indulge himself without limitation.
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This would mean there is no such thing as freedom in Islam, or am I wrong?
Does that mean that they can't have "freedom?" I too believe that the world is fallen and full of sin and not nearly as glorious as heaven. However, we have freedom...depending on your definition of the word.
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Bismillah:
Quote:This would mean there is no such thing as freedom in Islam, or am I wrong?
there are many types of freedom Deen, but in Islam Allah has given to mankind freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of action but within a correct and reasonable framework, (i.e. whereby one does not harm others or oneself), so that certain foods and drinks, which are very harmful, are not permissible because of the harm they cause to oneself. Likewise slander and assault and the like are not permissible because of the harm they cause to others. In the same way, the overuse of natural resources is not allowed because it causes harm to forthcoming generations. so freedom should no be misunderstood.
the hadith simple means that the world is a prison to the believer in <b>comparison to the great rewards he will earn in the eternal hereafter</b>. Similarly, the world is a paradise to a disbeliever in <b>comparison to the eternal punishment of the hereafter</b>.
hope this clarify insha'Allah.
Salam
Wael.
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Quote:Bismillah:
there are many types of freedom Deen, but in Islam Allah has given to mankind freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of action but within a correct and reasonable framework, (i.e. whereby one does not harm others or oneself), so that certain foods and drinks, which are very harmful, are not permissible because of the harm they cause to oneself. Likewise slander and assault and the like are not permissible because of the harm they cause to others. In the same way, the overuse of natural resources is not allowed because it causes harm to forthcoming generations. so freedom should no be misunderstood.
the hadith simple means that the world is a prison to the believer in <b>comparison to the great rewards he will earn in the eternal hereafter</b>. Similarly, the world is a paradise to a disbeliever in <b>comparison to the eternal punishment of the hereafter</b>.
hope this clarify insha'Allah.
Salam
Wael.
But that doesn't makes sense (to me at least) because on one hand you say we have freedom but then you mention this is within a framework i.e. creating a restriction. What is this "reasonable framework" you talk about?
As far as my understanding of the term is that freedom has no restrictions/barriers otherwise it would not be freedom.
I cannot slander anyone because Allah SWT has made it a crime, so no freedom of speech.
I cannot assault anyone because Allah SWT has made it a crime, so no freedom of action.
I agree we as human beings are free to choose our actions because Allah SWT has given us a choice and has shown us the 2 paths (right and wrong). Either we obey or we don't for which we will be held accountable but that is from a human being aspect.
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Bismillah:
Quote:But that doesn't makes sense (to me at least) because on one hand you say we have freedom but then you mention this is within a framework i.e. creating a restriction. What is this "reasonable framework" you talk about?
As far as my understanding of the term is that freedom has no restrictions/barriers otherwise it would not be freedom.
I cannot slander anyone because Allah SWT has made it a crime, so no freedom of speech.
I cannot assault anyone because Allah SWT has made it a crime, so no freedom of action.
I agree we as human beings are free to choose our actions because Allah SWT has given us a choice and has shown us the 2 paths (right and wrong). Either we obey or we don't for which we will be held accountable but that is from a human being aspect.
first of all, could you please let me know what makes you a Muslim? is it your own choice or just because Allah wants you to be a Muslim?
Salam
Wael.
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Bismillah
As pointed out, there is freedom in how you choose to not slander someone. You can just ignore them. You can choose to smile at them. You can even reach out to that person on a number of levels.
If you have a pen in your hand and a piece of paper, do you not have an enoumous amount of freedom to use those as you wish? You could doodle, you could write poetry, you could brainstorm ideas, you could write a letter, you could even make it into a fan, or paper airplane with designs on it, or do nothing with them at all (I can not exhaust the possibilities here of course). Within the confines of having just this piece of paper and pencil, can you see all the possibilities. I see shariah as these "limitations."
Really, would not "true" freedom be only for Allah? I would like to be able to flap my arms and fly but I am bound by the laws of physics. I would like to become invisible but again I am bound by the limits of my body. Nobody gets to do what they want when they want it. Not even the richest of people. If they wanted to sunbathe but it was night, they are bound to have to wait for day.
Maybe I just produced more confusion but personally I enjoyed reflecting upon this topic. Jazak Allah
As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu
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07-17-2006, 05:36 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-17-2006, 05:51 PM by Muslimah.)
Bismillah
as salam alykom
I remember 13 years ago, I was going thru a tough test from Allah, I was not yet married.
I met someone, he told me wont you get married. I said I dont want to give up my freedom.
He replied, the complete freedom lies within the absolute enslavement (or as Dan calls it which i do prefer) devotion to Allah. Thus, if we want to compare this concept with the above mentioned hadeeth. Hypothetically speaking, the Muslim or devotee is imprisoned within the boundaries of Allah's limitations. However, I think the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam meant with this hadeeth to remind each of us and reflect upon the Ayah, or to be more precise, as we all know that Sunnah is just an explanation of the Quran. The hadeeth builds on, reflects on, and explains the Ayah:"But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts." (Quran 79:40)
Matter of fact, Deen I echo what Dan said, I do enjoy this topic aaaa lot. One of my favorites actually. It is the essence of what Islam is.
Therefore, hypothetically speaking, yes a Muslim who abides by what Allah ordained to the non believer seems imprisoned. Yet, we do enjoy this imprisonment a lot. We actually take pride in it. We feel like special for being imprisoned within Allah's boundaries. While it is the paradise of a non believer who sees it as the utlimate goal. Also remember that Allah Say in Quran:
"Who, out of His Grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever; there, toil will touch us not, nor weariness will touch us." (Quran 35:35) To us this is the goal, unlike the non believers who percieve this Dunia as their ultimate goal, which is free of any limitations. To them, they can do whatever without thinking twice. They even develop their own ethical regualtions.
This hadeeth has so much deep meanings that would require a book to explain. I tried my best, may be I will come back on my next break from work...
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Bismillah
As Salam alaikum
Also consider the sweetness that exudes from a life full of Islam. When one FEELS the prayer. Feels Allah's Blessings in this life, food, campanionship, kith and kin. Are these not moments of great pleasure? Well comparing this sweetness and blessings in this life, it is like a prison compared to the wonders that Allah Has Prepared for the believers in the next life. We ain't seen nothing yet.
Looking at the pleasures that the disbelievers indulge in, compared to what is in store for them in the Afterlife, then this would definately be likened to paradise.
Insha'allah that made sense. I know what I would LIKE to say. I just hope that I am actually saying it.
As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu
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Quote:Bismillah:
first of all, could you please let me know what makes you a Muslim? is it your own choice or just because Allah wants you to be a Muslim?
Salam
Wael.
Like I said earlier, it is our own choice to be muslim or not as SWT has shown us the 2 paths which is why we will be accountable. If it was upto SWT then why would we be accountable as it would be out of our control.
I think I understand what you are saying. We are free to choose to be muslims or not but once we have chosen to become muslims we have no choice but to follow the shariah. I think we need to seperate the 2 issues here.
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I can remember a short while back the case of a homosexual party which took place on a boat on the nile in Egypt. These people were caught by the police and arrested. However, the human rights organisations came to the defence of these people by saying this is their freedom of expression and freedom of association.
In a joint statement, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) condemned the men's detention since May 11, when they were arrested apparently on suspicion that they had engaged in consensual homosexual behavior
Scott Long, IGLHRC's Policy Director said "Egyptian law does not outlaw homosexuality, but these men are being held on charges of violating public morals. They are really being punished for exercising their basic rights to <b>free expression and free association</b>".
The went further saying the right to <b>freedom of expression and association </b> and the right to freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual orientation, are fundamental human rights recognized in international treaties, including the ICCPR. Being held solely on these grounds thus violates these detainees' basic human rights.
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