Islamic herald Mohammed Al-Arifi to the Yemen Times:Spiritual defeat is a persistent problem in the Muslim community [Archives:2007/1112/Culture]
Islamic thinker Dr. Mohammed Al-Arifi of Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent callers to Islam. He has gained popularity through his repeated appearances on the screens of numerous satellite channels, as well as authoring numerous books, the most popular of which is, “Enjoy Your Life.”
The way he delivers lessons and communicates with his audience is more than simply attractive, as manifested by his great influence in reforming youths in the various Arab and Islamic states.
Al-Arifi is known for his frequent movements between various countries, calling people to draw closer to Allah in a prudent and didactic manner, and thanks to his efforts, many non-Muslims have converted to Islam.
During his most recent visit to Yemen last month, the Hikmah Yamaniyyah Charitable Society prepared a program for him including several lectures, televised symposiums and meetings with religious scholars and statesmen in various Yemeni governorates.
After a lengthy wait, Hassan Al-Hashidi interviewed the famed Islamic herald, who answered the following questions:
What are the most important subjects of your missionary work, which you focus on through your interviews with satellite channels, and what is their main objective?
Undoubtedly, a herald's engagement with all means via which he may convey his advice to various communities is essential in doing that job. In the past, God's messengers pursued this method in calling people to draw closer to Him and have stronger faith in Him. Such messengers used to walk in the markets, conversing with others with the aim of reforming them.
Roaming through popular markets, the Prophet Mohammed said, “Who can give me shelter to convey the message of my Lord because Quraish prevented me from doing so?” He used to call people to draw closer to God wherever he met them, notably in the markets where evil acts such as adultery, the selling of wine, etc., had spread.
Including Mohammed, none of Allah's messengers paid attention to such vices; rather, they devoted most of their efforts to conveying their Creator's message. Likewise, Islamic heralds in today's world expend much effort advising unbelievers and calling non-Muslims to convert to Islam via available means, notably satellite channels.
The task's subjects are many and varied. If a particular satellite channel is known to be popular among young people, the subjects will differ from those targeting girls and women and aired on channels with female popularity. Topics of discussion are chosen to match a channel's programming and its viewers.
Today's Islamic heralds imitate the tradition of the Prophet Mohammed, who was known to select subjects in light of the nature of his addressees.
However, I generally attempt to have diverse subjects, some of which relate to ideology and faith, while others concentrate on thought, education or marital relations. I once discussed subjects related to contemporary sects, Western philosophy, etc.
Most of the time, I try to facilitate my presentation or delivery of such lectures to be easily understood by the simple grassroots, as well as the educated and elites because this helps make my mission a success.
Spiritual defeat
What are the most prominent ailments within the Muslim community and do you think such illnesses require an urgent cure?
Most of these diseases have nothing to do with the social nature. These days, many Muslims are afflicted by spiritual defeat, which makes them feel that Islam is suffering humiliation at the hands of unbelievers, who daily oppress Muslims and abuse their rights. As a result, Muslims have conflicting concepts regarding conveying the message of Islam, not knowing how to convey it, so this is one issue that needs remedying.
Another regards Muslim youths, who are inordinately occupied with sitting in front of screens displaying instant message chats and SMS texts in order to establish prohibited relations with girls at the expense of their nations' issues and concerns.
Such youths never concern themselves with their brothers being killed in Baghdad; instead, they only care about their girlfriends' replies on their screens. Similarly, having seen their sisters raped or abducted in various parts of the world, Muslim girls show no concern for such incidents.
Money doesn't generate happiness
Because materialism appears to take precedence over spiritualism, what are the persistent problems today's youth encounter in this regard?
If humans don't improve their relationship with Allah, fear and love Him, they undoubtedly will encounter much trouble and worry, as highlighted in numerous Qur'anic verses warning those who deviate from worshiping God of bad consequences, such as permanent annoyance and dissatisfaction. Those deceived by materialism and temporary lust at the expense of their spiritual strength will not achieve the happiness they seek.
“Enjoy Your Life”
Thus far, you've authored many valuable books, the most famous of which is, “Enjoy Your Life,” which has gained popularity in various countries. What's the idea of the book and to whom is it addressed?
The book focuses on interpersonal skills, particularly referencing the Prophet Mohammed's biography and traditions, outlining as many as 92 rules he followed when dealing with people. It's rich in instructions on how readers can enjoy their lives and win others' support.
It also contains some of my personal experiences, as well as those of other scholars, which are intended to be of some help to readers.
Liberal satellite channels
Some have a negative impression about you appearing on liberal satellite channels. What's your reaction to this?
At the beginning of this interview, I talked about the media and how people can benefit from it and its activities, pointing out that the Prophet Mohammed and other messengers used to walk through the markets to convey their Lord's message to others and publicize their divine law, giving others this advice, “Say there's no god but Allah in order to succeed.”
These messengers encountered difficulties in doing their job, as their opponents used to advocate evil acts such as adultery and selling wine; however, they paid no attention to such vices while calling others to draw closer to Allah.
In my opinion, whenever an Islamic scholar appears on such channels, speaking or lecturing in an effort to reform others, no matter how unusual those channels seem to be, he's using the content of the Qur'an and the Hadith to convince others to have faith in Islam's righteous message.
What's broadcast before or after such scholars' programs doesn't negatively impact their program as long as they choose the right topic of discussion without allowing the channel's staff to alter it.
Some heralds hurry to attain the fruit of their efforts
It's now more than two decades since the Islamic Awakening began. How do you assess the general progress of this awakening?
The Islamic ummah hasn't been sleeping in order for it to wake up. Muslims are passive in some areas, but still active in others. Had the Islamic ummah been asleep throughout the years, no new individuals would have converted to Islam and there would have been no new books or new Islamic media.
In contemplating Islamic history, you're bound to find that each of its stages has witnessed strenuous efforts to call non-Muslims to Islam, as well as the publication of numerous valuable books on Islamic teaching and increased numbers of non-Muslims converting to Islam.
No stage of Islamic history passed without such efforts and activities – most notably within the past few years – thanks to the spread of various media.
Islamic scholars have utilized these means to convey their ideas to others and impart valuable advice on how to make use of their short lives and prepare for the Day of Resurrection. Such activities came to be called, “The Islamic Awakening.”
These types of efforts and activities positively impact Islam's popularity and the reformation of non-Muslims, which I've seen in my visits to various Muslim and non-Muslim countries. In such countries, I noticed that people are yearning for goodness and crowding into my lecture venues.
Regarding the negatives of this Islamic Awakening, this seems to be unjust judgment because nothing in this life is infallible. Human work isn't free from faults and since heralds are just workers, it's normal for them to make mistakes; however, those who learn from their mistakes are the best heralds.
Heralds are to be kind to their audiences and continue their mission without ceasing, even if there's no fruit from their efforts.
The dynamics of future missionary work
How do you see the future regarding the dynamics of missionary activity, both at the Arab and Islamic levels?
Through my meetings, I've realized that people always accuse me of being excessively optimistic, to which I respond that the Prophet Mohammed once followed this same methodology in conveying the message of his Lord. He remained optimistic throughout his life, instructing others to be optimistic and expect good, as Allah promised victory to the believers and victory results from patience.
While digging the trench, the Prophet Mohammed was optimistic about conquering the Persian region, Yemen and Egypt; however, he was experiencing hard times and difficult circumstances. Thus, we must remain optimistic that this religion eventually will score a great triumph, by the will of God.
Discussing Sept. 11 requires more than one meeting
Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, various terms and concepts emerged within the Muslim community, such as dialoguing with non-Muslims, conflict and dialogue between civilizations, etc. How best do you interpret these concepts and what are their impacts on the Muslim community?
This is a good question, but it requires a lengthy explanation, as it's not worthy to answer it in a few lines, particularly because you mention many terms, each of which necessitates a different elaboration.
It's unfair to give a short response to such complicated problems, but I hope a broad meeting can be arranged for me or another of my colleagues to explain these matters in full detail.
New heralds
Is it true that new Islamic heralds appearing on satellite channels are influencing the role of traditional scientific references and Islamic institutions specializing in missionary work?
I don't agree with this statement. Heralds are heralds, whether new or old. Young or old, a herald should use the available data and various media to convey his message.
He also should develop his delivery skills and manner of conveying his ideas and addressing others. He must be prudent enough to select subjects and issues related to people's concerns, plus any other persistent issues that provoke the audience's interaction.
Scholars and heralds care about women
According to a study done in Egypt, veiled women don't exceed 85 percent of that country's population, to which the study attributed this to advocacy for women's liberation. What's the role of contemporary heralds and Islamic institutions, as well as Islamic parties, in addressing women's issues during these current times?
Since ancient times, heralds and scholars have been paying closer attention to women and their issues. In fact, the Prophet Mohammed scheduled a women's lesson every Monday, in addition to praying with them in the mosque to remind them about goodness.
Today's scholars and heralds are advised to include in their schedules and itineraries lessons for women and their issues because women comprise half of society, so addressing their issues means caring for society.
Faith and wisdom are Yemeni qualities
As this is your second visit to Yemen, what are the most outstanding phenomena drawing your attention in Yemeni society?
My first visit to Yemen was four years ago and the second was five months ago. This is my third trip to the country and it's such a kind country, nicknamed “The nation of belief and wisdom” by the Prophet Mohammed and well-known for its faithful natives.
Faith and wisdom both are qualities of the Yemeni people, who once supported the Prophet Mohammed in conveying the message of his Lord; thus, all Yemenis at that time converted to Islam, without exception.
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