New Deaths, Old Causes ~ {Aids & Sects}
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: |
218 |
| Khutbah Date: |
12/01/06 |
[b]وَلاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلاَحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا[/b][b]إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ[/b][i]Do not cause mischief/corruption on earth after it has been set proportionately in order; rather call upon the Almighty with deep consciousness and heartfelt desire. Surely, Allah is near to those who do good. [Qur’an 7:156][b]A) Aids Day[/b]AIDS claims more than 3 million lives world-wide each year. Over a sixth of these (half a million) are children. Today, on December 1; World AIDS Day, we take a moment to reflect on the HIV/AIDS global pandemic. Some Muslims may think that HIV and AIDS are not issues for the community. The reality is that HIV and AIDS are major issues in every community. It is therefore becoming extremely important that we accept that we are equally vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. Given the increase in HIV infection globally, it is more important than ever that we discuss HIV and AIDS openly. According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 39.5 million people living with HIV, including 2.3 million children, and during 2006 some 4.3 million people became newly infected with the virus.Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a collection of symptoms that appear together and it is acquired through infection. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that damages the body's defense system, stopping it from effectively fighting infections. So, AIDS is a fatal disease that weakens the resistance of the body and makes it defenseless against all kinds of infections. The United Nations Joint Program on AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that since the start of the global HIV pandemic over 30 million people have been infected with HIV. Over 3 million people die annually due to AIDS, and it is estimated that 25 million children will be orphaned due to AIDS by 2010. All this reminds us that …[list][*]AIDS is among the major threats affecting the future of the human race[/*][*]there is still NO CURE for AIDS. [/*][*]anyone who develops AIDS will die within a few years and the death is likely to be horrible[/*][*]promiscuity and deviant sexual behavior is a major contributing factor to the spread of AIDS[/*][/list] [b]Prevention is best[/b]Islam is a religion that is in tune with fitrah/human nature, opposed to fitnah/impropriety and corruption. It appreciates the powerful desires that humans have and encourages that these desires be fulfilled, advocating and encouraging marriage, so that through marriage, some desires can be fulfilled. Islam provides us with a moral code for intimacy and enjoyment, but prohibits the use of substances which may impair the senses. Therefore the use of narcotics and alcohol is strictly prohibited. [u]Though HIV/AIDS are recent ailments, much of their causes are indeed nothing new.[/u]Islam has in reality forbidden all of the three main doors leading to Aids …i)Disregard for Chastity ~ [Q 24: 30] Q 22: 1] [Q7:33]ii)Homosexual Intimacy ~ Lawaatah/Homosexual intimacy is a moral disorder, considered as deviant behavior and therefore a perversion. Allah thus condemns homosexual intimacy. [Q7:80-81]iii)Drug Abuse ~ The Shariah seeks to protect faith, life (abortion, suicide, homicide), property (ownership), the mind (intoxicants) and moral standards. [Q 2:219][b]B) Sectarian Killing in Iraq[/b]Noting the recent on-going tragic killing of innocent Iraqis through sectarian strife is a most hurtful and damaging experience. Islam teaches that …-killing any innocent person is equated to killing all of humanity [Q5:32]-a Believer is one in whom humanity find safety and security regarding life, honor and property [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]-a Muslim at least ensures that other Muslims are safe from their words and deeds [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]-that denigrating another Muslim is transgression and killing a fellow Muslim is tantamount to disbelief. [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]It was encouraging to see Sunni and Shi’ah religious leaders meet on October 19, 2006 in the city of Makkah, making a plea together for an end to sectarian bloodshed, especially in Iraq. The meeting organized by the Organization of the Islamic Conference was praiseworthy; but much more needs to be done.-How is it that any one can abuse the marginal differences between Muslim schools of thought and utilize these in the most horrendous and barbaric manner leading to the lives of innocent fellow-Believers?-While it is most appropriate to advocate and defend one's own views with passion, it is illogical and unethical to reflexively treat those who have differing views as enemies. Worse still is to hold those who disagree with us in contempt or to suspect them of disbelief thereby intensifying our hostility towards them, legitimizing our demonizing them and making them targets of our vengeance. It is even more disgusting when they unleash irrational anger and outright viciousness with an air of moral supremacy. -This kind of moral arrogance ravages our relationships with distrust and hatred, eventually coarsening our communities by replacing civil discourse and common courtesy with name-calling, hatred that leads to this killing[b]ليس المؤمن بالطعان و لاباللعان و لا الفاحش و لا البذىء[/b][i]The Believer is never one who taunts, nor one who curses, is neither indecent nor abusive.”[/i][b]AIDS & SECTS[/b]Both AIDS and Sectarian Strife have age-old roots. It is our responsibility to live a moral, upright and caring life. Allah commands us in the Qur’an …[i]Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge. [/i][b][Qur’an 7:33] [/b]
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