The world needs The Islamic Research Foundation

Soon the year will be changed to the new year 2013, there are many people who are used to commemorate every turn of the new year, and even now they are preparing for the celebration of the new year 2013. For Muslims in the world, every turn of the year is the extension of the distance from the birth of the prophet Muhammad. The farther away from the birth of the prophet Muhammad, the more people in the world away from the teachings and Aqeedah carried by him.

There are more and more people who do not know Koran the holy book, there are more people who do not know the hadith, not only non-Muslims but also people who claim to be a Muslim. They know Al-Quran and Hadith but did not understand the meaning, rules, and instructions inside them. They know the mosque and the Kabah but many of them do not perform daily prayers. They know Ramadan but there are many people who do not perform fasting in the month. Why? Who is to blame?

Not all Muslims understand the rules of the life of a Muslim and know their obligations and rights of a Muslim. When examined closely it is still a lot of guidance and knowledge of Islam that is not up to them so that they only worship according to what is said to their parents or those who passed away.

Under these circumstances we need a positive action to establish the Islamic Research Foundation in the world, especially in Muslim countries by using modern technology. Through the Islamic Research Foundation scholars will be able to impart knowledge to people in need. Submission of Islamic knowledge can be through satellite television, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, SMS, and through the Internet by building a website for this purpose such as IRF (Islamic Research Foundation).

Since many people in the world who do not understand Religion Islam, certainly not enough that only one Islamic Research Foundation but still need other Islamic foundations or Islamic organizations for Islamic Dawah. Therefore, Muslims should have the Islamic Satelite Television, Islamic Radio Stations, Islamic Newspaper, Islamic Magazine, and Islamic sites are actually used for jihad in Allah's path.

And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided; and remember the favour of Allah which He bestowed upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became as brothers; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah explain to you His commandments that you may be guided. [Al-Qur'an 3:104]

In addition it is necessary to righteous scholars are qualified in every country, especially in Muslim countries so that transmission of the content of Al-Quran and Hadith easier to understand because it uses language that is understood each country. To realize such lofty goals would require quite a bit of money, so it needs people who want to wage jihad in Allah's way by donating and spend most of their possessions.

I urge all Muslim brothers to wake up and take action for jihad in Allah's path together with the form of a Islamic Research Foundation or Islamic Education Center as an IRF that had been set up in Mumbai, India. If not let us support the existence of the Islamic Research Foundation that was established in February 1991, led by Dr. Zakir Naik (President).

Hopefully Dr. Zakir Naik, Ahmed Deedat, A. Raheem Green and other scholars there still exist and are able to manage Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as facilities for imparting knowledge Dawah of Islam around the world to either the Muslims or non-Muslims. Amen.

New Year 2013 Celebration

It was very fast we are at the end of 2012, this suggests that reduced time of our lives and remind us the approach of death. It is strange when there are some people who actually have fun with a spending spree in the new year including the new year 2013. Things like that is fine but do not forget our duty as human beings and forget about the coming death and the Day of Judgement. As Muslims, we are forbidden to make these activities into a special worship that should be done every year.

On the other hand, the new year celebration is never exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. In fact, it is precisely the custom made ​​by the people who disbelieve. God l have mentioned about them in His Word:

"And they (the disbelievers) are proud of the life of his world, but it is not the life of the world (compared with) the Hereafter, except just happiness (a little)."

Verses like that much was mentioned in the Qur'an that remind us not to follow the morals of the disbelievers who boast the world. This is due to boast the world will drag the culprit in pride and forget the death and forget the Hereafter. Therefore, to avoid the things that can forget Allah, the Muslims shall leave them in the habit of celebrating the new year, including new year 2013 celebration, because the event is not included the teachings of Islam.

The positive thing that should be done by a Muslim at the end of this year is trying to introspection and repentance to God for all the mistakes that have been made, and to ask his forgiveness. Besides, asking His help to be committed and continue to grow and increase science and charity. A Muslim is obliged to try to make the coming day is always better than the previous one, so that his life would be better than his death.

Time is something that is very valuable to a Muslim, even more valuable than the treasures of the world has. Because if the property is lost, it is still able to look for, but the elapsed time may not be repeated again. So that nothing is left of the time that has passed except what has been recorded by the angels. It was very loss for people who do not utilize the time especially when filled with disobedience to his Lord. Although they live in self-sufficient, but what's a case ends with receiving torment of hell fire. Allah said:

"What! do they seek to hasten Our punishment?;What thinkest thou? If We let them enjoy the good things of this world for years;Then there comes to them that with which they are threatened."

It is not prescribed for Muslims to pray a special prayer is known by most people in terms of prayer beginning of the year and prayer the end of the year. Since this is never exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. So it should not be for us to practice it. For we must remember that the best clue is a clue our Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Brothers and sisters,
Praise be to Allah who created everything and set the terms for all His creatures. He is the one who control and manage all of nature. May prayers and peace be always devoted to Rasulullah SAW, his family, his friends and those who follow him until the end of time.

Let us always fear Allah whenever and wherever we are. Because with piety we will get His help to cope with the various problems and difficulties. Let us continue to reflect on how quickly time goes on, and take a lesson from the events we are witnessing.

Finally, I hope God will make the coming year and the following years to be a year full of security and well-being. Hopefully both the Muslim community and the leaders will be eased to understand the Qur'an and Sunnah and be able to practice them correctly.