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The
Spirit of Al-Fatiha
Mujahid
Mustaqim
"In the name of Allah, Most Gracious,
Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone do we worship, and from You alone we seek help.
Guide us to the Straight Way,
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not of those
who have earned Your anger nor of those who go astray."
Thus
reads the first chapter of the Holy Qur'an, Al-Fatihah, meaning
"The Opening" (of the Book). It has various titles,
including "The Mother of the Qur'an", "The Chapter of
Praise" and "The Glorious Recital". Its seven verses
are also known as "The Seven Oft-repeated" because they are
recited several times in each of the five daily prayers of Muslims,
and their meaning is reiterated throughout the Qur'an.
A DIFFERENT STORY ONLINE
Sadly,
if one does an internet search for "Al-Fatiha", it is very
likely that a certain organisation's website will come up as the top
result. The Al-Fatiha Foundation was established by Faisal Alam in the
USA in 1998, and since then has grown in profile, and now has various
branches around the world, including one in London, UK. This group
promotes the idea of the "Gay Muslim" and tries to reconcile
homosexual lifestyles with Islam.
In
future articles, we shall discuss exactly what "Al-Fatiha"
says, but it would be useful to look briefly at that subject now.
According to their leader, "Al-Fatiha
does NOT argue that gay muslims should practice homosexuality!"
However, even in their using the term "gay Muslims", they
are playing a dangerous game. They do not accept that the Qur'an and
Sunnah are clear in their condemnation of sodomy (homosexual acts),
and they promote the idea that Muslims should accept homosexuality as
being an alternative way of life. Besides these official statements,
their mailing lists and discussion boards are full of confused people
and liars trying to bring the Shari'ah (Allah's law) in line with
their own desires rather than aligning their own behaviour with divine
guidance.
Quite
why the group has called itself "Al-Fatiha" is not clear. In
short, it is named after the glorious surah quoted above, and
is supposed to represent some sort of "Opening" or a way
forward for these supposedly forward-thinking Muslims. The reality,
however, is that they have lost the meaning of the words of Surah
Al-Fatihah.
TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SURAH
The
same chapter contains a motto for another organisation, called The
StraightWay Foundation. The name comes from the sixth verse,
"Guide us to the Straight Way". The verse is rich and full
of meanings and inspiration for any believer who trusts in Allah and
strives to please Him. Here are a few aspects to consider:
1.
The Straight Way is to obey Allah's commandments and avoid what He has
prohibited.
"...We
have made the (Qur'an) a Light, wherewith We guide such of Our
servants as We will; and verily you guide to a Straight Way: the
Way of Allah, to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and
whatever is on earth..."
[42:52-3]
2. "Guide us on the Straight Way"
means "Strengthen us in guidance and increase our faith". It
is also an appeal for increase in knowledge, insight and
understanding.
3.
Truly
being on the Straight Way means being aware of what Allah wishes (i.e.
what He commands and prohibits) at every given time and in every
situation. All of this life is a test, which requires constant
awareness and careful choice of courses of action.
4.
Not only
must we know what Allah wishes, but we must also have a strong
desire to follow this, as opposed to our carnal desires and the
whispered suggestions of the Shaytaan (Satan).
These
concepts are all part of our struggle as Muslims, and our philosophy
at the StraightWay Foundation. We strive to please Allah in every
action, to carry out what He has commanded and to avoid and shun what
He has prohibited. We trust His guidance as being the unique truth
about the correct way of life for success in this world and the next.
These beliefs are what we remind our Muslim brothers and sisters of,
and invite others to adopt.
LIVING THE STRAIGHT WAY!
Of
course, nowadays the word "straight" has an additional
definition. It is a colloquial term for "heterosexual", and
although we do not take this as an evidence that our opinions are
correct, the fact that the "Straight Way" is the
"Heterosexual Way" is backed up by this terminology! We
believe that Allah has given us natural instincts to fulfil His
wishes, even though some people are more susceptible to certain
misguidance (from Satan) than others.
A
person who is affected by lust towards members of the same sex has
several choices. He or she could carry out those urges to the full -
or have a sexual relationship without crossing the final
"boundary" - or "come out" as a "gay
Muslim" but without any relationship - or turn to pornography and
un-Godly discussion with people of similar inclination.
à
None of these is the Straight Way.
Only
by following Allah's commands - evident in the Creation, detailed in
the Qur'an (and Sunnah), and understood and explained by qualified
scholars - can we hope to live a fruitful life and enjoy a blissful
afterlife. "Fear
Allah as much as you can, and listen and obey.." [64:16] We will be judged based on our efforts and how much we strive in this
life to fulfil Allah's commands.
This
is "The
Way of those on whom [Allah] bestowed [His] Grace" -
the way of the Prophets, the pious, the martyrs and the righteous. We
ask Allah again to guide us on this Straight Way!
THE OTHER TWO WAYS
"...not
of those who have earned Your anger nor of those who go astray."
These
other two categories deserve some elaboration in this context too. Who
are the ones who have earned Allah's anger? Scholars mention that
among these are people who know the truth but abandon it. There are
many from the "homosexual" camp who fall under this category
today. Sadly, many people prefer to follow their desires and lusts
rather than seek refuge in the All-Knowing, to Whom we will all return
to account for our deeds.
Why
are these people mentioned before "those who go astray"?
Scholars say that it is because they are in a far more condemned
position. At least straying people can be given knowledge that will
bring them back to the Straight Way. If, however, they are straying
because of their vain desires, then returning from error and repenting
is a much more difficult matter.
We believe that most "gay" or "questioning" Muslims
fall into the latter category, and are astray.
In the face of powerful and compelling propaganda, it is difficult for
a young person to realise the truth, especially when so many religious
leaders fail to explain the issue of homosexuality in an informed,
sensitive and caring manner.
This
is where the StraightWay Foundation sees its main role. Our intention
is to bring this issue to light under the banner of the Qur'an and
Sunnah and with reference to the works of reputable, qualified
scholars. We ask Allah to guide us on His Straight Way, increase us in
faith and knowledge, and give us the desire and ability to act on this
in the way that is most pleasing to Him and beneficial for the Muslims
and the world.
[With
reference to tafseer by Shaykh
Salman Al-Awdah]
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