We Have To Change Ourselves Before We Could Change Others
- Sheikh Zakzay (H)
By Yahaya Usman and Khalid Isa
 is also wealth” the sheikh pointed out. Reiterating the point, he said “the best of wealth one can have is sincerity, trustworthiness and upright manners. These are qualities which cannot be bought in market places but are obtained through constant practice until they become part of one's personality”.
He added that one has to have trustworthy qualities as they are one's essence. Explaining further, he said deeds of person shall follow him to next world, while leaving behind material possessions. Therefore anybody who calls to the right path should possess, as prerequisite, upright manners and in this case members of the Movement should show good example, he expressed.
He lamented that bad habits and abominations are becoming norms nowadays to the extent that they are not seen as bad things. Therefore, he advised that every brother and sister should avoid them in order to set good examples.
He called on all the participating members to make sure their words do not contradict their actions. He added that even though members are already enjoying people' s trust, that does not mean they should be relent in their efforts of reforming themselves into even better human beings. Commenting further, he said members are known with good qualities and the enemies are always on the alert to hatch a plot aimed at destroying Members' good image in Public views.
The leader in the end however, assured the believing members that however the enemies' plots may be, the General Public cannot be deceived.
On current situation, Sheikh Zakzaky lamented that people nowadays entrust their lives and wealth in the hands of wrong people instead of trustworthy ones who deserve it. The corrupt leaders who rule over people always view a trustworthy person as a danger, this is why whenever they talk of security, they are actually referring to how to secure their positions.
Another thing is that the enemies are always after destroying morality since they cannot build it, he noted.
Turning his attention on the issue of knowledge, the Sheikh expressed dismay at the continuous increase in the number of false clerics nowadays, these false clerics actually did not undergo any training and neither have acquired any reasonable knowledge on Islamic matters, but because it is observed that people's inclination is now towards religion, they parade themselves as clerics to deceive the public in to trusting them. This is contrary to what obtained 40 50 years back when; to become a scholar was not an easy task. He expressed that to be a scholar requires hard work as one has to be knowledgeable about and be exposed to times in which he or she is living. He also has to understand the era the Quran was revealed in, before one can correlate and grasp the meanings of verses of the holy Quran.
He further added that seeking knowledge is also a struggle involves perseverance in the continuous process, just as one cannot stop eating food because he ate a lot in the past. He added that in learning, right channels must be followed. Listening to audio CDs and Cassettes alone does not suffice. One has to really take his books and go to school and learn from a worthy teacher. This, he further pointed, has to be done both in respect of the essential Islamic education and professional education. “We must not be found to be lacking in any”, he warned.
On the issue of Children's upbringing, he lamented how the youngsters are now subjected to various forms of abuse instead of equipping them with knowledge while the so called leaders don't even care. He cited the example of Japan when its two cities were destroyed by America and therefore noticed that what remained for them was their children, so they established universities of science and technology purely for the children. Japan is now highly developed in terms of technology.
The leader of the Islamic Movement also spoke on family and ethics, he expressed his dismay on how culture has adulterated some of our values; ignorance has also contributed. The only solutions to issues regarding family problems is living in accordance with the provision of Shari as it specifies the rights and obligations of both the husband and the wife. Women should be educated in order to have religious home. He added.
On the mission of the Islamic Movement, the Sheikh noted that its aim is to revive Islam in our daily lives so that it runs the affairs of Muslims. Taking over government is not the aim, but to revive the teachings of Islam in our lives. Sheikh Zakzaky concluded by expressing that while we seek for knowledge, we must work with what we lean. It is the only way we can develop the knowledge further and in turn have the knowledge contribute positively to the betterment of our lives here and in the hereafter. After all, we all know too well that seeking knowledge goes together with practice. He prayed for Allah's guidance and help in our affairs.
After the lecture, Sheikh Zakzaky had a press conference where he answered questions with regard to activities of the Islamic Movement and general issues.
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