Dr. Waffie Mohammed
The first Trinidad national to have earned a doctorate in the study of Islam, Dr. Waffie graduated from the University of Karachi with a PhD in Islamic Studies, obtained in parallel with Al-Kamil certification from the Aleemiya Institute established by Dr. Fazlu R. Ansari.
On his return to Trinidad, Dr. Waffie contributed to the development of the Muslim communities located throughout the country and the region, while at the same time serving the wider national communities. This led to his appointment to the Senate in 1981, and his later appointment as Director of the Muslim World League regional office for the Caribbean and Latin America, a position in which he contributed to global Muslim development, until his retirement in 2003.
Dr. Waffie is currently serving as the Principal and Director at the Markaz al Ihsaan Institute of Islamic Theology. He also serves as a spiritual leader of the local chapters of the Qadri and Nakshbandi Orders within Islamic Spirituality Circles.
The author of numerous books, articles and publications dedicated to Islam and contemporary social issues, Dr. Waffie also has a growing number of pioneering works in contemporary Islamic studies. Dr. Waffie blogs often at http://drwaffie.blogspot.com
The moon as a symbol for life
- By Dr. Waffie Mohammed
- Published 12/24/2009
Allah says in Surah Yaseen;
wash shamsu tajriy li mustaqar-ril lahaa* dhaalika taqdiyrul 'Aziyzil 'Aliym
wal qamara qad-darnaahu manaazila Hat-taa 'AAdakal 'Urjuunil qadiym
“And the sun runs His course for a period determined for him: that is the Decree of (Him), the Exalted In Might, the All-Knowing. And the Moon,- we have measured for Her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.” (Chapter 36, verse 38-39)
Everyday
the sun has a particular mission. It rises and sets at certain times,
and it will continue along this pattern until Allah wills.
The
moon on the other hand has a different mission and it is an important
lesson for man. Human beings are just like the moon’s set patterns. We
come into this world as a microscopic creature, invisible to the naked
eye. Sometimes the new moon might be over the horizon but we may not
be able to see it. Then it goes through different stages, just like
the helpless infant grows. Thereafter it becomes full, there for all
to see. After, it begins to get weaker and weaker until it fades away,
just like the life of man. Allah mentions the stages of man in Surah Hajj;
yaa ay-yuhan naasu in kuntum fiy raybim minal ba'thi fain-naa khalaqnaakum min turaabin thum-ma min nuTfatin thum-ma min 'Alaqatin thum-ma mim muDgatim mukhal-laqatiw wa gayri mukhal-laqatil li nubay-yina lakum* wa nuqir-ru fiyl arHaami maa nashaau ilaa ajalim musam-man thum-ma nukhrijukum Tiflan thum-ma li tabluguu ashud-dakum* wa minkum may yutawaf-faa wa minkum may yurad-du ilaa ardhalil 'Umuri li kaylaa ya'lama mim ba'di 'Ilmin shay'aa* wa taral arDa haamidatan fa idhaa anzalnaa 'Alayhal maa-ahtaz-zat wa rabat wa ambatat min kul-li zawjim bahiyj
“O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that we created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, In order that we may Manifest (Our power) to you; and we cause whom we will to rest In the wombs for an appointed term, then do we bring you out As babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that They know nothing after having known (much), and (further), Thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when we pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs).” (Chapter 22, verse 5)
Power, status and wealth will not last forever. Just like the stages of the moon they will all begin to deminish slowly or all at once. Don’t give too much importance to gaining power and wealth. One day not known to us we will have to depart this world just as we came in it, with nothing.
Prophet was so successful in his mission that he was able to teach the barbaric Arabs to say “Allah and His Rasool”.
Emerge
from this world like the full moon. Make use of all that you have for
life in this world and the hereafter. Don’t destroy your personality
by chasing after only the comforts of this world. Be thankful to Allah for all that He has given you and never be ungrateful because He knows what is best for us.
As we enter the new Islamic year we beg Allah
to make it a beautiful and successful year for us all. May He make the
trials and tests easy and bearable and if He has decreed to take us
back to Him, may He cause us to be with the righteous. May He continue
to guide and protect all the Muslims and may He take care of all of our
affairs, insha Allah.
