This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/1536
January 10, 2006
MIM: Besides sounding contrived Farris Hassan's essay uncannily echoes Koranic verses and could have been extracted verbatim from the book which can be described as a handbook for Islamist entitled: To Be A Muslim by Fathi Yakan and Sacrifice: The Making of A Muslim by Khurram Murad. Both books are part of the Young Muslims organisation online library.
Below is the essay from Farris Hassan which was circulated on the internet and meant to serve as a smokescreen for his possible Jihad trip by portraying his Iraq excursion as a humanitarian undertaking meant to "bring a smile to children's faces".
Hassan also proclaims his intent to "join the Red Cross" which begs the question of how that goal gave way to an interview with an official in the terrorist organisation Hizbollah.
The absurdity of his claims is only superceded by his probable real agenda, and a close examination of the text of his missive shows that his words are in fact a religous text reminiscent of documents written by those who engage in so called "martyrdom operations".
Essay by U.S. Teen Who Went to Iraq
By The Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/journey_to_iraq_essay
Excepts from an essay written recently by Farris Hassan, 16, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who traveled to Iraq without telling his parents:
FH: There is a struggle in Iraq between good and evil, between those striving for freedom and liberty and those striving for death and destruction. You are aware of the heinous acts of the terrorists: Women and children massacred, innocent aid workers decapitated, indiscriminate murder. You are also aware of the heroic aspirations of the Iraqi people: liberty, democracy, security, normality. Those terrorists are not human but pure evil. For their goals to be thwarted, decent individuals must answer justice's call for help ... So I will.
* "...Whoever is not concerned with the problems of Muslims is not one of us..."
[Hadith]
FH: Life is not about money, fame, or power. Life is about combating the forces of evil in the world, promoting justice, helping the misfortunate, and improving the welfare of our fellow man. Progress requires that we commit ourselves to such goals. We are not here on Earth to hedonistically pleasure ourselves, but to serve each other and the creator. What deed is greater than sacrificing one's luxuries for the benefit of those less blessed? ...
*"...The True Believer conceives the world as a field of struggle. His life, knowledge, business, wealth, home, thoughts are devoted to obeying Allah and fulfilling His will. In contrast, the materialist uses the same capabilities to fulfill his selfish desires. This is evident in most of the achievements of modern civilization. The goal of this civilization is to maximize human pleasure and not to develop man and the universe toward peace and harmony..." To Be A Muslim Fathi Yakhan
I know I can't do much. I know I can't stop all the carnage and save the innocent. But I also know I can't just sit here ...
*"...These people, who view themselves as living only temporarily in the world, are the true believers. They understand the real meaning of life and the value of this world compared to the hereafter. The Qur'an says"
What is the life of this world but play and amusement? But best is the home in the hereafter for those who are righteous. Will you not then understand. [Qur'an 6:32]
FH: I feel guilty living in a big house, driving a nice car, and going to a great school. I feel guilty hanging out with friends in a cafe without the fear of a suicide bomber present. I feel guilty enjoying the multitude of blessings, which I did nothing to deserve, while people in Iraq, many of them much better then me, are in terrible anguish. This inexorable guilt I feel transforms into a boundless empathy for the distress of the misfortunate and into a compassionate love for my fellow man ..."
"...What is true of ordinary human life and endeavour, whatever its nature or importance, is certainly much more true of Islamic life. For, Islam simply means surrender to God of your whole being, not of just some possession. Put in the language of our present discourse Islamic life is a life of sacrifice par excellence. It entails a struggle that must be ceaselessly waged, to actualize Islam, inwardly and outwardly, to make it a living reality..." To Be A Muslim Fathi Yakan
Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless the one who gives them.
FH: Going to Iraq will broaden my mind. We kids at Pine Crest (School) live such sheltered lives. I want to experience during my Christmas the same hardships ordinary Iraqis experience everyday, so that I may better empathize with their distress. I also want to immerse myself in their environment in order to better comprehend the social and political elements ...
* Allah tells us:
Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life as compared with the Life to Come. [Qur'an 9:38]
Such are the possessions of this world's life; but the nearness toAllah is the best of the goals. [Qur'an 3:14]
FH: I plan on doing humanitarian work with the Red Cross. I will give my mind, body, and spirit to helping Iraqis rebuild their lives. Hopefully I will get the chance to build houses, distribute food supplies, and bring a smile or two to some poor children.
* "...What allowed them to accomplish such monumental feats was their conviction that no matter how great the task, how steep the obstacles, how scarce their resources, and how few the people to assist them in their cause, they have to do the work! It was this burning desire to please Allah that compelled them to believe: "If I don't do the work today and if I do not take the initiative, who else will?..."
FH: I know going to Iraq will be incredibly risky. There are thousands of people there that desperately want my head. There are millions of people there that mildly prefer my demise merely because I am American. Nevertheless, I will go there to love and help my neighbor in distress, if that endangers my life, so be it ...
* "... We read these and similar verses of the Quran, Hadith, and sayings of our leaders, yet often forget the implications of the powerful message contained in these statements: the need to sacrifice our wealth, time, pleasures, desires, comfort, and if need be, our life for Islam..." From the Young Muslims website
FH:If I know what is needed and what is right, but do not act on my moral conscience, I would be a hypocrite. I must do what I say decent individuals should do. I want to live my days so that my nights are not full of regrets. Therefore, I must go.
* "...The characteristics of people who live for Islam
Those who live by Islam and for Islam must follow the teachings of Islam, so that its patterns is their lives are distinguishable form the non-Islamic patterns of others. A life committed to Islam is:
- Action-Oriented
Commitment to practical action is essential because faith is not mere idea by it is rooted in your heart so that its truthfulness can be proved by action. Allah, the Almighty, has said:
Verily man is loss, except such as have faith and do good works. [Qur'an 103:2-3]
Do you enjoin right conduct on people, and forget (to practice it) yourselves, and yet you study the Book? Will you not understand? [Qur'an 3:44]
Grievously odious is it in the sight of Allah that you do not practice what you preach. [Qur'an 61:3]
Al-Ghazali said: "Two men bring disaster to me, a virtuous man with his falsehood and an ignorance man with his adoration. The latter dupes people with his adoration and the former dupes people with his falsehood." The prophet (s) reminded the believers:
Be a person who practices wisdom and not one who merely talks about it..."
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/1536