BLeSsED WisDOm

FREE MIXING IN ISLAM

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 08:20:00 -0700

FREE MIXING IN ISLAM

What is permissible and what is not ?

What is considered free mixing ?

- Men and women are permitted to be in the same place. (i.e. shops, streets etc)

- Men and women should avoid situations where they are crowded together or seated together.

- Repetitive acquaintance should be avoided to prevent familiarity.

- Business like discussion between man and woman is permissible when necessary.

Why is it like this ?

- Prevention of intimate relationships developing outside of marriage.

- Prevention of gossip and slander that can destroy relationships and families.

- Prevention of one party "falling in love" and being hurt.

- Prevention of children being born outside of marriage.

- Prevention of families being broken up.

The Evidence

Allah (The One & Only God) says: "Nor come nigh to adultery".

Allah (The One God) says: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them." and says: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty." [Noble Quran 24:30-31]

Allah (The One God) says: "And when you ask the ladies for anything, ask them from behind a screen. That makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs." [Noble Quran 33:53]

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade men and women from being alone together. He said: "Never is a man alone with a woman except that Satan (Devil) is the third party with them."

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "Do not enter into the company of women."

A man then asked him: "What about her male in-laws?"

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "The in-law is the most dangerous".

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "It is better for one of you to be pierced by a steel pin in his head than to touch the hand of a strange woman."

Allah (The One & Only God) says: "Be not too complaisant of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak with a speech (that is) proper." [Noble Quran 33:32].

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Any woman who puts on perfume then goes and passes by some men to let them find her scent is a type of adulteress." [Musnad Ahmad, Tirmidhi]

Umm Salamah said: "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) completed the prayer, the women would get up to leave. He would then wait awhile before standing." Ibn Shahab said: "I believe that he waited for a while to give the women an opportunity to depart before the men." [Sahih al-Bukhari]

It was related in al-Bukhari that women at the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) did not circumambulate the Kabah along with the men. Aishah used to go around the Kabah at a good distance from the men and avoided mixing with them. Once another woman bade to her to go forward with her so they could touch the corner of the Kabah. Aishah refused to do so. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

One of Ayshahs handmaidens came to her and said: "O Mother of believers, I went around the Kabah seven times and touched the corner twice or trice". Ayshah replied: "May Allah not reward you for pushing your way through men. It would have been sufficient for you to you to say "Allah Akbar" as you passed by". [Musnad al-Shafii]

Punishment for Zina

In this life

Fornication is 100 lashes
"The male and female who commit fornication -flog each of them with one hundred lashes, and let not compassion for the two of them keep you from complying with Allahs religion, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their punishment." [Noble Quran 24:2]

Adultery is death

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "It is not permitted to shed the blood of any Muslim .... Except in three cases: a soul for a soul, the married person who commits adultery, and the one who forsakes his religion..." [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When someone commits Zina or drinks wine, Allah (The One God) removes his faith from him, just as a person takes his shirt off over his head"

In the Hereafter

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not speak to nor look at nor purify three types of people: an old man who commits Zina, a lying king and a vainglorious poor person...."

The Holy Prophet said: "We went on and arrived near a pit which was like and oven, out of which we could hear cries. We glanced into it and naked men and women, who cried out when the flames reached them from below. I asked: Who are these, O Gabriel? He replied, Males and females who have committed fornication. " [Bukhari]

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If someone commits Zina with a married women, in the grave there will be a punishment on him and on her equal to half the punishment of this Ummah...."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The man who has laid his hand with lust on a woman who is not permissible to him will come on the Day of Judgment with his hand tied to his neck.

If he kissed her, his lips will be cut in the Fire, and if he had sexual intercourse with her, his private parts will speak against him in the Day of Judgment saying: I did what was forbidden.

Allah (The One & Only God) Most High will look at him with anger, and the flesh on his face will sag and he will look haggard and old. He will say: What did I do? His tongue will witness against him saying, I said what was forbidden; his hands will speak and say, We reached for what was forbidden; each of his feet will say. I went to a forbidden place.; and his private parts will say, I did it.

An one of the guardian angels will say, I heard it. and the other guardian angel will say, I wrote it, and Allah Most High will say, I knew it but I concealed it. Then He will say My angels, take him and give him a taste of My punishment. Great is My anger against the man who had so little shame towards Me!"

Khadejah Jones
ShareIslam.com

The Four Factors: Check yourself for signs of hypocrisy

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Sun, 28 May 2017 08:54:00 -0700

The Four Factors: Check yourself for signs of hypocrisy

Just as our body gives us signals when we tax it too much physically or mentally, with migraine headaches, aching bones, low immunity to seasonal viruses, and muscular strains symbolizing the need for us to slow down, relax and give ourselves some stress-free time to unwind.

So too, our actions and dealings with people give us some tell-tale signs about the state of our spiritual well-being and health.
A healthy soul is serene when it is at the peak of faith. Imagine how it felt after spending a part of the night of "Al-Qadr" in prayer during Ramadan, or after consciously forgiving someone who had wronged you, or after sincerely repenting of and giving up a sin.

Such moments became turning points in your life that made you feel as if you were freed from shackles when you rushed back to Allah (The One & Only God). During such times, the heart is spiritually charged, healthy, and resonating with faith. On the flip side are some warning signs in our actions that we should watch out for, because they indicate that we are gravitating towards the worst disease of the heart: Nifaq or hypocrisy. Just as a bodily disease requires immediate prescription of an appropriate remedy for timely cure, a disease of the heart also necessitates immediate diagnosis of symptoms and prescription of a remedy.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There are four (characteristics), whoever has all of them is a complete hypocrite, and whoever has some of them, has some element of hypocrisy, unless he gives it up: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a covenant, he betrays it; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when he quarrels, he resorts to insults." (Sahih Muslim, no. 53)

The Munafiq or hypocrite is someone who possesses all of the above traits. He makes an outward show of piety, but is inwardly different from his deliberately put-on, outer facade. There are varying degrees of Nifaq, but the important thing to remember is that it is the opposite of Ikhlas - sincerity of intention towards Allah (The One God) and His Deen, Islam. If anyone wants to know how sincere his heart is towards Allah (The One God), he should analyze his behavior and actions honestly and if he detects any of these four traits:

Lying
Lying is a major sin that the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) would stay far away from. We, however, lie regularly to save face before people. If we cannot visit someone just because we do not feel like going, we lie that we have to go somewhere else. We fear people and value their opinion about us more than we fear
Allah, His wrath, and our standing before Him. We are weak in faith and hence, we lie. Remember that each time you lie, you move further down the levels of faith, further away from Allah (The One God) and righteousness, until you repent.

Betraying trusts
The agreements and contracts we sign with organizations, institutions, authorities or countries are covenants or trusts. We must obey the laws and rules of these contracts and not intentionally defy them. Anything belonging to someone else is also a trust that we must take care of.

If you find yourself betraying other people's trusts, such as secretly disobeying office or school rules, deceiving your spouse (with whom you have the Nikah contract), borrowing and misusing other's belongings, or forging marriage documents for immigration to another country, you should remind yourself that treachery or treason is the trait of a hypocrite.

Breaking promises
The tongue of a believer is cautious and on guard. A kind of carelessness of the tongue is to say to others that you will do something, only to make them pleased with you, and then not actually do it. For example, a husband might say to his wife, "I will buy you shoes next month," or a woman might say to her friend, "I will not tell anyone your secret" - and then not keep up the word. Breaking promises leaves the other person feeling disappointed and betrayed.

A believer never makes a promise he does not intend to fulfill, and always fulfills a promise once he makes it. Making a promise and then breaking it, is a sign of hypocrisy. A sincere believer always takes his word seriously; once he says he will do something, he considers it a binding oath that remains on his mind until he duly discharges it.

Insulting another person during a dispute
Disputes, disagreements and quarrels are bound to crop up in human relationships, especially with people to whom we are close. One only fights with those whom he meets regularly, or has some business with, or is biologically related to. Consequently, fights erupt most often between siblings, spouses, neighbors, parents and children, employers and subordinates, colleagues, buyers and sellers, and close friends.

How do you behave when you get angry during a quarrel? Do you start shouting, screaming, hurling profanities and dishing out insults? Do you abuse the other person verbally or physically? If you do, you should try to control and rectify this behavior. A sincere believer leaves the scene of the quarrel or maintains his composed demeanor even when furious.

As Muslims, we must constantly check ourselves to see whether our hearts have Nifaq or not. Ponder this wise saying of Hasan Al-Basri: "It is only a believer who fears hypocrisy (for himself), and it is only a hypocrite who feels safe from it." (Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Iman, ch. 36). The most effective means of ridding one's heart of the disease of Nifaq is to adhere to the Holy Qur'an by studying it, memorizing it, and acting upon it; fulfilling all the obligations of Islam, abstaining from its prohibitions, and constantly engaging in remembrance of Allah (The One & Only God)

May Almighty ALLAH (The One & Only God) guide all of us to the Right Path and give all of us the courage to accept the Truth in the light of Holy Qur'an and Sunnah and to reject all things which are in contradiction to the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah, Aameen.

How to Boost Ramadan Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:19:00 -0700

How to Boost Ramadan Spirit

Ramadan, the month of the Holy Qur’an, represents an invaluable opportunity for all believers to recharge the batteries of faith and draw close to their Lord. A wise Muslim should be keen to make best use of these blessed moments. If Muslims are unable to un-distractedly focus on the hereafter all the time, let them at least do so during this short, yet boundlessly blessed, period of time. Below are some tips on how to boost your spirit during this longed-for month:

1- Du`a’ (Supplication)

Ask Almighty Allah (The One & Only God) to make this the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting Ramadan you have ever had. Allah is the Only Who can make this happen and complete reliance on Him completely is the major step in boosting our spirits.

2- Clear Your Mind

Turn off the TV, the computer, the radio, your cell phone, pager, iPod, etc. You need not do so all day long, but for at least 10 minutes a day. Find a quiet place where you can close your eyes, remember your Lord and think deeply about your relationship with Him. At first, your mind will swirl with the useless and not-so-useful thoughts in your head. Force them away and focus your thought during these few minutes on three things: Almighty Allah (The One & Only God), your purpose in life, and whether you are making due efforts to achieve that purpose. Do this every day of Ramadan, if you can. Should this be not possible, do it at least three times a week.

3- Learn About Great Muslim Figures

Even if you have read it or listened to it before, again read or listen to `Abdul-Wahid Hamid's Companions of the Holy Prophet during this Ramadan. Read about or listen daily to a Companion's story. Well-written and short, these stories inform us in a wonderful way about these noble personalities and about how they maintained the strength of their faith against incredible odds. What a sure-fire spirituality booster!

4- Connect to the Holy Qur’an

The noble Qur’an is the means whereby Almighty Allah (The One God) talks to us. Indeed, it is the most important key to spiritual upliftment & enlightenment. During this Ramadan, connect to the Holy Qur’an in a new way. If you already recite the Qur’an regularly, you can choose a new theme to focus on or select a particular Surah you have not read for a while. If, however, you are not a frequent reader of the Holy Qur’an, you can start by reciting it for only two minutes a day; recite from the first page you encounter when you open the mushaf (copy of the Qur’an). It is also recommended that you keep a Qur’anic journal in which you can record your reflections, questions, thoughts, etc., about what you recite.

5- Take Care of Others

Whether it is a person who is away from his family, a person who is having problems with his or her spouse or kids, or fellow students struggling with their grades, make an extra effort this Ramadan to help others out. The spiritual boost you get in return is well worth it.

6- Feed the Hungry

While your stomach shrieks in protest, give that panhandler some change, volunteer at a soup kitchen, get involved with your local food pantry or make a couple of bag lunches to give to the hungry you meet on your way to school or work.

7- Give Up One Lifelong Bad Habit

Ask yourself what your fundamental defining traits are. Then decide which is the worst of them. Is it a hot temper? Apathy? Laziness? Impatience? Whatever it may be, utilize this Ramadan to get rid of it. Practice the opposite of this bad habit of yours every day until the end of the month. By then, in sha’ Allah (God Willing), you will look back and be amazed at the change you have made for the better.

8- Use Those Special Last Ten Nights

The last ten nights or Ramadan are not called the Nights of Power for nothing. Use these precious times for deep, heartfelt du`aa’ (supplication), self-analysis, reflection and serious thought.

WHY DO WE FAST????

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 17 May 2017 08:57:00 -0700

WHY DO WE FAST????

Praise be to Allah (The One & Only God).

Firstly we must note that one of the names of Allah is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise). The word Hakeem is derived from the same root as hukm (ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allah alone is the One Who issues rulings, and His rulings are the most wise and perfect.

Secondly:Allah (The One God) does not prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind it, which we may understand, or our minds may not be guided to understand it. We may know some of it but a great deal is hidden from us.

Thirdly:Allah (The One God) has mentioned the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of fasting upon us, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allah), and taqwa means doing that which Allah (The One & Only God) has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.

Fasting is one of the greatest means of helping a person to fulfill the commands of Islam.

The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) have mentioned some of the reasons why fasting is prescribed, all of which are characteristics of taqwa, but there is nothing wrong with quoting them here, to draw the attention of fasting people to them and make them keen to attain them.

Among the reasons behind fasting are:

1 – Fasting is a means that makes us appreciate and give thanks for pleasures. For fasting means giving up eating, drinking and intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. By giving them up for a short time, we begin to appreciate their value. Because the blessings of Allah (The One God) are not recognized, but when you abstain from them, you begin to recognize them, so this motivates you to be grateful for them.

2 – Fasting is a means of giving up haraam (forbidden) things, because if a person can give up halaal (allowed) things in order to please Allah (The One God) and for fear of His painful torment, then he will be more likely to refrain from haraam things. So fasting is a means of avoiding the things that Allah (The One & Only God) has forbidden.

3 – Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person is full his desires grow, but if he is hungry then his desire becomes weak. Hence the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one’s chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.”

4 – Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger for a while, he remembers those who are in this situation all the time, so he will hasten to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards them. So fasting is a means of feeling empathy with the poor.

5 – Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytaan (Devil); it weakens the effects of his whispers (waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins. That is because the Shaytaan (Devil) “flows through the son of Adam like blood” as the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the Shaytaan (Devil) flows, so his influence grows less.

Shaykh al-Islam said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/246

Undoubtedly blood is created from food and drink, so when a person eats and drinks, the passages through which the devils flow – which is the blood – become wide. But if a person fasts, the passages through which the devils flow become narrow, so hearts are motivated to do good deeds, and to give up evil deeds.

6 – The fasting person is training himself to remember that Allah (The One & Only God) is always watching, so he gives up the things that he desires even though he is able to take them, because he knows that Allah can see him.

7 – Fasting means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this world and it’s desires, and seeking that which is with Allah (The One God).

8 – It makes the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of worship, because the fasting person usually does more acts of worship and gets used to that.

These are some of the reasons why fasting is enjoined. We ask Allah (The One God) to help us to achieve them and to worship Him properly.

And Allah (The One & Only God) knows best.

See Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 116; Ibn al-Qayyim’s footnotes on al-Rawd al-Murabba’, 3/344; al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 28/9

Excellent Example of Hijab / Display of body

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Thu, 4 May 2017 06:36:00 -0700

Excellent Example of Hijab

Please percolate to your Musim & Non-Muslim Contacts

Ask yourself, or ask the next person who asks you that question, if a female judge walked into the courtroom wearing a tight miniskirt and low-cut blouse, would you take her seriously? Who would you respect more, a woman dressed like that or one dressed modestly? The Holy Qur’an was revealed for all times, and though circumstances change, human nature does not. The fact is that men do like to look at women’s bodies, so a woman who covers herself is more likely to be respected as a person than looked upon as a piece of meat!

Muslim women wear hijab—which is more than just a head cover—because God ordered them to do so in two places in the Holy Qur’an, and because Holy Prophet Muhammad also ordered it. The Holy Quran says in Chapter 24, verses 30 - 31 what means:

“And O Prophet, enjoin the Believing men to restrain their gazeand guard their private parts. This is a more righteous way for them: Allah has knowledge of what they do. O Prophet, enjoin the Believing men to restrain their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their adornment except that which is displayed of itself, and to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to display their adornment except before their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons and the sons of their husbands (from other wives), their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their female associates and those in their possession and male attendants incapable of sex desire and those boys who have not yet attained knowledge of sex matters concerning women; also forbid them to stamp their feet on the ground lest their hidden ornaments should be displayed. O Believers, turn all together towards Allah: it is expected that you will attain true success”.

These verses tell us that Islamic dress is not just a matter of covering the head alone, but also of covering the bosom, which is attractive to men, and of lowering the gaze and walking in a way that does not attract attention. Note that the order to lower the gaze was addressed first to men. You can also read the other verse about the same point, which is verse number 59 in Surah 33.

Up until the end of the nineteenth century, a Western woman who had any self respect covered her head—though perhaps not all her hair—in public. That may be true, but women still know that men look at them. Otherwise, why would they spend millions of dollars every year to style, color, and treat their hair?

Is hijab an oppression?

Dr. Fatima Naseef, author of Women in Islam, sees hijab as a woman’s right to maintain her modesty and to be respected as a person. Please turn the question around to the asker: if one woman has the right to go half naked in public, why doesn’t another woman have the right to cover herself in public? Why is it looked upon as oppression if she chooses to be modest?

Woman and the display of body

Describing women who are morally decayed. The Holy Prophet Muhammad said that they are "women dressed but naked, corrupt and corrupters, their hairs are like the inclined hump of female camel, they do not enter the Heaven nor smell its fragrance" [Refer to Abu Daud]

The Holy Prophet also said "the prayer of a mistreating woman is not acceptable until she purifies herself" [Refer to Imam Ahmed, Abu Daud & Ibn Maja].

The modern scientific researches confirmed that the nakedness of women, their body displaying & their moving in an obscene shape is a disaster on them. The current statistics showed that there is a clear spread of the malignant cancer which affects the naked and displayed part of the women bodies particularly those women who dress short clothes.

It was published in the British Medical Magazine that "the melanoma malignant cancer which was one of the most rare cancers is now spreading among women. The cases of this type of cancer is increasing among young women. It affects their legs. The medical publication went on saying that the main cause behind the spread of short dress & fashions which expose the body of women to the rays & light of the sun. Moreover, the transparent dress and legs gloves do not help in avoiding this type of cancer.

The Medical Magazine appealed to the environment doctors to participate in collecting information about this type of cancer, because it is becoming an epidemic phenomenon. This reminds us with the Quranic sign which says in the tongue of the obstinate unbeliever

"O God, if this is indeed The Truth from Thee, Rain down on us a shower of stones from the sky, or send us a grievous penalty" [8:32]

Now to torture has come down in the form of a malignant cancer. It is caused by the exposition of women's body to the sunrays and ultraviolet rays for a long time it affects the whole body but with different proportion. Initially, it appears as a dark; small spot on either the foot or the leg, and some times in the eye. Then it spreads all over the body. It attacks the lymph knots at the upper part of the thigh. It also attacks blood and invades the liver & destroys it. It may settle in all the organs of the body such as bones, the belly & perhaps the kidneys. If it attacks the kidneys then the patient will experience black urine as a result of inner destruction of the kidneys. It may get transferred to the child in the womb of his mother.

However, this disease does not allows its patient to survive for a long time & it does not respond to surgical treatment like other types of cancers nor it responds to treatment by rays sessions like some other types of cancers.

Therefore have we realized the wisdom behind Islamic legislation which aimed to protect women not only from passers-by but also from a skin disease called cancer. The subject Islamic legislation called upon women to corner their bodies properly & with loose and not narrow and not transparent clothes.

Therefore, Islamic uniform for women protect them from physical diseases, from teasing in the streets & from the torture of life on the Judgment day.

Source: "Scientific Miracles in Islam & Sunna Nabaweya" .

Muslim Woman and Her Daughter-in-Law / Establishing Islamic Home

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 08:27:00 -0700

The IDEAL MUSLIMAH
The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Woman
as Defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah

By Dr. Muhammad 'Ali Al-Hashimi
Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim
M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur

Copyright and published by the International Islamic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.

Chapter 6: The Muslim Woman and Her Sons and Daughters-in-Law

A- Her daughter-in-law and Her attitude towards her daughter-in-law

She respects her and treats her well

The good Muslim mother-in-law respects her daughter-in-law and treats her well; she makes her feel that she is loved and appreciated; she listens to her thoughts and opinions, approving and encouraging those that are good, and gently correcting those that are mistaken. In all of this, the mother-in-law's aim is to be fair and just, so she judges her daughter-in-law exactly as she would judge her daughter if she were in her place giving her opinion to her mother, in accordance with the words of the Qur'an:

"O you who believe! Fear Allah, and [always] say a word directed to the Right." (Holy Qur'an 33:70)

She does not omit to express the joy that she feels from time to time, when she sees that her son is happy with his wife, and this adds to the best feelings that her son and daughter-in-law feel. Similarly, she does not forget to include her daughter-in-law on various occasions, just as she thinks of her daughters, so she lets her accompany them, and makes her feel that she is one of them, and that she is a beloved member of the family since she is married to her beloved son.

In this way the mother-in-law becomes dear to her daughter-in-law, because she shows that her daughter-in-law is dear to her. This is in direct contrast to the practice in those backward, jahili (ignorant) societies that have deviated from the guidance of Allah (The One & Only God), where hatred and despicable plots between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are the norm, to such an extent that this enmity has become a traditional, inevitable phenomenon, about which there are many folk sayings and popular songs. None of this could have happened if both mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law had really respected one another's rights as outlined by Islam, and had stayed within the limits prescribed by Allah (The One & Only God). This is why the traditional enmity between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law disappeared in those societies that truly embraced Islam and adhered to its teachings and values.

She gives advice but does not interfere in their private life

From the moment her daughter-in-law is brought as a bride to her son, the wise Muslim woman remembers that her daughter-in-law has the right to live her married life in all aspects - so long as it remains within the limits of Islamic teaching - and that no-one has the right to interfere in the private life of the spouses except in cases where it is essential to do so, as every Muslim is required to give sincere advice in accordance with the Prophet's words: "Religion is sincere advice (nasihah) ..." ²

The Muslim mother-in-law's standard in her behavior towards her daughter-in-law is her behavior towards her own daughter: just as she wants her daughter to have a happy, successful and independent marriage, undisturbed by any interference in her private life, so she wishes the same for her daughter-in-law, with no exceptions.

2. Sahih Muslim, 2/37, Kitab al-iman, bab bayan an al-din al-nasihah.

The IDEAL MUSLIM: The Muslim and His Neighbors

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 08:45:00 -0700

The IDEAL MUSLIM
The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Man
as Defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah

By Dr. Muhammad 'Ali Al-Hashimi

Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur

Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999.

The Ideal Muslim is a man of the highest moral character. In his relationship with his Rabb (God), himself, family, parents, relatives, friends and the community at large, he has a most excellent example in the prophet of Islam (pbuh). His idealism is further strengthened by the characters of the first generations of Muslims who excelled in all the various fields of human endeavor. He is reassured by the teachings of Islam that he also can reach these noble heights by working to improve his character daily.

Chapter 7: The Muslim and His Neighbors

The true Muslim is careful to avoid falling into sin where his neighbor is concerned

The true Muslim is especially careful to avoid committing sins against his neighbor, because a sin against a neighbor is worse than other crimes, according to the words of the Holy Prophet. He quizzed his Companions about adultery and they said, "It is haram (forbidden); Allah (The One & Only God) and His Messenger have prohibited it." He told them, "A man who commits adultery with ten women has committed a lesser sin than one who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife." Then he quizzed them about stealing, and they said, "It" is haram (forbidden); Allah (The One God) and His Messenger have prohibited it." He told them, "A man who steals from ten households has committed a lesser sin than the one who steals from his neighbor's house." [11]

The neighbor in Islam enjoys a unique sanctity which is unknown in other manmade laws and systems. Those manmade laws encourage the violation of a neighbor's honor because it is usually easier and there are more opportunities to do so than to violate the honor of others. These promiscuous songs about looking through the neighbor's window and such like did not become widespread in the Muslim world until we had forgotten the manners of chivalry and faith, and been overwhelmed by blind imitation and cultural and intellectual imperialism. Then cheap, dirty young men among us began to compose songs and poems about the female neighbor, when such a thing had never been known during our jahiliyyah (ignorance), let alone after the advent of Islam. One of our noble and decent poets, if he happened to see a female neighbor, would say:

"I lower my gaze when my female neighbor appears before me, until she disappears into her own home." [12]

Islam has encouraged this noble human attitude and behavior in the many texts concerning the good treatment of one's neighbor, protecting his honor, concealing his faults, helping him when he is in need, lowering one's gaze from his womenfolk, and keeping away from everything that may harm him or make him suspicious. It is no surprise, then, that the true Muslim is the best neighbor that any human society has ever known.

The Muslim who is truly sensitive and aware of the teachings of his religion concerning the good treatment of neighbors, will be very cautious indeed concerning any dispute that may arise between himself and his neighbor for any reason, because of the warning of the Holy Prophet against arguing with neighbors:

"The first two antagonists on the Day of Judgement will be two neighbors."[13]

[11] Reported by Imam Ahmad in al-Musnad. Its men are thiqat.

[12] 'Antarah, in his Diwan with footnotes by al-Mawlaw, p. 308.

[13] Reported by Ahmad and al-Tabarani, with a hasan isnad.

Dont Disregard This Beautiful Sunnah
By Asma bint Shameem

I remember when I was a kid, we would go up to the roof of our house on the 29th of Shabaan / Ramadan and try to look for the new moon of Ramadan/ Shawaal.. It brings backs fond memories to the mind and I cant help but smile at the happiness and excitement that I felt as a kid trying to sight the new moon, perching on tiptoes, competing with my brother to spot it before he could!

I also remember the joy, simply at the anticipation of

Ramadhan-..Will we begin the fasting tomorrow ???

Or will it be the day after ???

Whether Eid will be next day or the day after.
And when we did actually see it, the delight-indescribable, the giggles-uncontrollable!

Sighting the moon was such a sweet joyful experience and it was part of the whole spirit of Ramadhaan. It only added to the whole beauty and sanctity of the blessed month, and to our Ibadah and submission to Allah (The One & Only God).

And now, many years later, as another Ramadan approaches us, I look forward to another chance to look for the moon, this time with my kids, teaching them the importance of this Sunnah, sharing with them their innocent joy and excitement-their delight at seeing the bright crescent that brings glad tidings of a blessed month full of mercy and barakah.

And why shouldnt it be so???
After all, to search for the new moon is an ACT OF IBAADAH and a means of EARNING REWARD from Allah (The One God).

And it is the SUNNAH of our beloved Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam)
The Sunnah is seeing and not mere knowledge of moons existence above the horizon.

The month of Ramadan does not begin with the birth of the moon. It does not even begin when it becomes possible to sight the moon. The month of Ramadan, according to the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), begins with the SIGHTING of the moon. This means a human EYE has to see the crescent of Ramadan. And no one should dare to think that the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) did not realize that the new crescent of Ramadan could be behind the clouds.

There are many, many Ahadith encouraging us to look( with our eyes) for the new moon.
The Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Do not fast until you see the new moon, and do not stop fasting until you see it, and if it is concealed by clouds them count out (the thirty days of Shabaan ) for it." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

Aishah (radiy Allahu anha) said, "The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) used to treat Shaaban as he treats no other month. He would then fast for sighting (the moon) of Ramadan. Whenever he could not sight it, he would count thirty days (for Shaaban) and then start the fast."[Abu Dawood].

Sighting the new moon of Ramadan is a Fardh Kifaayah

It is obligatory to witness the new moon for establishing certain acts of worship. If these acts are obligatory, such as fasting Ramadan and Hajj, then witnessing the new moon also becomes obligatory on at least a part of the Muslim Ummah (Fardh Kifaayah). That is because, "what is necessary to fulfill the requirements of an obligation is an obligation itself."

The Sunnah Dua upon seeing the new moon

The Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) even taught us the dua to read when we see the new moon. So make an effort to sight the Ramadan moon with full attention and eagerness and say this prayer on sighting the moon:

Allahu Akbar, Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil amni wal eemaani, wassalaamati wal-Islaami, wattawfeeqi limaa tuhibbu Rabbanaa wa tardhaa, Rabbunaa wa Rabbukallahu .

"Allah is the greatest. O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islaam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah."

A neglected Sunnah??

It is a part of the beauty of Islam anticipating when fasting will start. When will Eid be? This builds up the excitement and love of these blessed times. And there is deepest wisdom in how Allah (The One & Only God) Subhaanahu wa Taala ordained these issues. This was the way of the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), the Sahabah, and the Early generations, including the Four Imams.

Yet, it is sad to see many Muslims getting lost in the fast track world of machines and calculations and neglecting this act of Sunnah, thus losing out on the chance to earn reward from their Rabb for following the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and his guidance.

SO REVIVE THE SUNNAH!

So work hard to revive the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and dont belittle it. Practice it yourself, teach it to your children and others. Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that are being forgotten is one of the most important charitable deeds that a person can do during his lifetime and is a deed that will bring an immense reward

"Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward." (Tirmidhi)

Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) also said: Pay attention to my Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-guided Khaleefahs after me, adhere to it and hold fast to it.(Saheeh Abi Dawud)

For our complete guidance, it is a must for us to learn and follow the Sunnah. If possible, let us invite others to learn and follow the same. We must know that our Creator sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions and that He promises great rewards for those who support the Truth.

"And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it -- such are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with their Rabb. Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they havedone." (Holy Qur'an 39:33-35)

A WOMAN’S REFLECTION

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 09:33:00 -0700

A WOMAN’S REFLECTION

And that He (Allâh) creates the pairs, male and female.
Quran 53:45

A Woman who wants to be a Woman...
Written By : A Muslim Woman.

'Given my privilege as a woman, I only degrade

Myself by trying to be something I'm not!

And in all honesty--don't want to be: a man. As women, we will never reach true liberation until we stop trying to mimic men, and value the beauty in our own God-given distinctiveness.'

On March 18, 2005 Amina Wadud led the first female-led Jumuah (Friday)

prayer,, in the History of Islam and the universe ( in a Church)!!

Where some women prayed without their Hijab and others prayed
with their tight jeans; stuck shoulder to shoulder with men!!

Abu Hurairah observed that the Holy Prophet said:" In the latter days there will be imposters, liars, who will come to you with stories which you have never heard, neither you nor your forefathers. Beware then, beware!! Let them NOT lead you astray, nor let them put you into trouble" (Muslim)

On that day women took a huge step towards being more like men.

But, did we come closer to actualizing our God given liberation?

I Don't think So!

What we so often forget is that God has honored the woman by giving her value in relation to God not in relation to men. But as western feminism erases God from the scene, there are no standard left but men.

As a result the western feminist is forced to find her value in relation to a man. And in so doing she has accepted a faulty assumption. She has accepted that man is the standard, and thus a woman can never be a full human being until she becomes just like a man-the standard.

When a man cut his hair short, she wanted to cut her hair short.

When a man joined the army, she wanted to join the army. She wanted

these things for no other reason than because the 'standard' had it.

What she didn't recognize was that God dignifies both men

and women in their distinctiveness—not their sameness.

And on March 18, Some Muslim women made the very same mistake.

For 1400 years there has been a consensus of the scholars that men are to lead prayer. As a Muslim woman, why does this matter? The one who leads prayer is not spiritually superior in any way.

Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women and the humble men and the humble women, and the almsgiving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember-- Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.

Quran 33:35

Something is not better just because a man does it.

And leading prayer is not better, just because it's leading!!

Had it been the role of women or had it been more divine, why wouldn't the Holy Prophet have asked Khadija or Fatima, or Ayesha may Allah be pleased with all - the greatest women of all time- to lead?

Let those beware who go against his orders (the Messenger's order),

lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.

Quran 24:63

These women were promised heaven-and yet they never lead prayer.

But now for the first time in 1400 years, we look at a man leading prayer and we think, 'That's not fair.' We think so although God has given no special privilege to the one who leads. The imam is no higher in the eyes of God than the one who prays behind.

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

Quran 49:13

On the other hand, only a woman can be a mother. And God has given special privilege to a mother. The Holy Prophet taught us that heaven lies at the feet of mothers. But no matter what a man does he can never be a mother. So why is that not unfair?

A Women is a reason to be protected from hell and to enter heaven!
The Holy Prophet said:“Whoever has three daughters or sisters, or two daughters of two sisters, and lives along with them in a good manner, and has patience with them, and fears Allah with regard to them will enter Paradise.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhee and others)

Respect of women is Not an Option but a Must! The Holy Prophet

said: "I urge you to treat women well" - (Sahih Al Bukhari)

When asked who is most deserving of our kind treatment? The Holy Prophet replied 'your mother' three times before saying 'your father' only once.Isn't that sexist? No matter what a man does he will never be able to have the status of a mother.

And yet even when God honors us with something uniquely feminine, we are too busy trying to find our worth in reference to men, to value it-or even notice. We too have accepted men as the standard; so anything uniquely feminine is, by definition, inferior. Being sensitive is an insult, becoming a mother- a degradation.

In the battle between stoic rationality (considered masculine) and self-less compassion (considered feminine), rationality reigns supreme. As soon as we accept that everything a man has and does is better, all that follows is just a knee jerk reaction: if men have it-we want it too. If men pray in the front rows, we assume this is better, so we want to pray in the front rows too. If men lead prayer, we assume the imam is closer to God, so we want to lead prayer too. Somewhere along the line we've accepted the notion that having a position of worldly leadership is some indication of one's position with God!!

And not your wealth nor your children, are the things which bring you near Us in station, but whoever believes and does good, these it is for whom is a double reward for what they do, and they shall be secure in the highest places.

Quran 34:37

A Muslim woman does not need to degrade herself in this way. She has God

as a standard.. She has God to give her value; she doesn't need a man.

In fact, in our crusade to follow men, we, as women, never even stopped to examine the possibility that what we have is better for us. In some cases we even gave up what was higher only to be like men.

Fifty years ago, society told us that men were superior because they left the home to work in factories. We were mothers. And yet, we were told that it was women's liberation to abandon the raising of another human being in order to work on a machine. We accepted that working in a factory was superior to raising the Foundation of society - just because a man did it.

Then after working, we were expected to be superhuman-the perfect mother,

the perfect wife, the perfect homemaker -and have the perfect career.

And while there is nothing wrong, by definition, with a woman having a career, we soon came to realize what we had sacrificed by blindly mimicking men.We watched as our children became strangers and soon recognized the privilege we'd given up. And so only now-given the choice-women in the West are choosing to stay home to raise their children.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, only 31 percent of mothers with babies, and 18 percent of mothers with two or more children, are working full-time.

And of those working mothers, a survey conducted by Parenting Magazine in 2000, found that 93% of them say they would rather be home with their kids, but are compelled to work due to 'financial obligations'. These 'obligations' are imposed on women by the gender sameness of the modern West, and removed from women by the gender distinctiveness of Islam.

It took women in the West almost a century of experimentation to realize a privilege given to Muslim women 1400 years ago. Given my privilege as a woman, I only degrade myself by trying to be something I'm not--and in all honesty--don't want to be: a man. As women, we will never reach true liberation until we stop trying to mimic men, and value the beauty in our own God-given distinctiveness.

If given a choice between stoic justice

and compassion, I choose compassion!

And if given a choice between worldly leadership

and heaven at my feet - I choose Heaven!

They intend to put out the Light of Allâh with their mouths. But Allâh
will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it).
Quran 61:8

Raising children in non-Muslim societies

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 5 Apr 2017 08:27:00 -0700

Raising children in non-Muslim societies

Raising children in an Islamic way in a non-Muslim society needs everyone's effort with no exception, starting with the parents' efforts, to the Mosque's, to the community's efforts. All of these roles are important. The stronger these roles are and the more mutually complementary to one another, the better the raising process will be.

The role of the Muslim community is important and is based on a number of factors, of which, the most important are:

1 - Supporting the Islamic center so that it keeps providing all the different services and programs and makes improvements.

Continuous financial supports to cover all the operating expenses and activities expenses. Every program has expenses, which are to be covered by the community. This community has to show support in an exemplary manner for the center; all its activities, the Islamic schools, the monthly utility bills and so on.

We give good news and glad tidings to everyone who donates to an Islamic center that their donations are considered on-going charity that has positive rewarding effects even after death as Holy Prophet Muhammad promised. Imaam Muslim reported that the Holy Prophet said: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things, (and the first of them): Sadaqah Jaareyah (ceaseless charity)"

Allah (The One & Only God) Says: "And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah's Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged." [Quran 2:272]

2- Supporting the Islamic center requires also efforts and time invested in voluntary programs and projects that are frequently needed. This is met when you personally go there and take your children with you. This way, your children take part in the voluntary work. It is an important factor in increasing their tendency to work with a group than to work selfishly and individually.

The Holy Prophet used to participate with all his companions in voluntary projects, which are beneficial to the Muslim community.

3- Supporting the Islamic center occurs also through suggesting a good idea to establish new important projects. It also occurs through constructive criticism for existing projects and programs so that they get better. Support does not occur from those who do not show action or from those who criticize only for criticism and always reject others. These people weaken some workers who may leave the projects and subsequently these projects will be weak.

4- Supporting the Islamic center is also done by effective participation in the existing programs and activities by taking your family with you. It is a must that you make this participation a part of your daily and weekly schedule. This participation will help you keep coming and so will be beneficial for you and your family. Also, do not forget that you children need social upbringing that will not be accomplished except through the Muslim community. You can not accomplish this alone. The Holy Prophet ordered us to stay with the Jama'ah (community) and warned us from staying away from it. He said: "Stay with the Jama'ah (community) and be cautious of divisions-" [Saheeh Al-Jaami']

5- Supporting the Islamic center is done also by making other Muslim members of the community aware of the activities and programs that the Islamic center has. Also, make sure that you take some of them with you. This way, you will be performing the Muslims due rights and so you will be rewarded without decreasing their rewards on the Day of Judgment.
What helps you participate in the center's activities and programs is your home. If you live closer to the Masjid (mosque), you will be more easily able to participate in the daily prayers for example. It is important that you also establish good relationships on the basis of Islam with other Muslim families. And to make effort to live in a neighborhood with other Muslim families, so that you can share your experiences about raising your children with them.
We need to establish good relationships on the basis of Islam with other Muslim families. That relationship should be based only on Islam and nothing else. Also, be aware from falling into racism, nationalism that the Prophet warned us against. The racism can be exploited by the satans (devils) among people and Jinn, which will lead to the destruction of the Muslim unity.

To keep away from the racism involves a number of things:

1- To develop good relationships with Muslim families that do not belong to the same nationality or ethnic background.

2- Be aware and avoid the activities that are aimed at only specific nationality or ethnic background or race, for example Arabs with Arabs only, or Indians with Indians only, or Pakistani with Pakistani only, or the Afro-Americans with the Afro-Americans only, even if these activities are intended to build a Masjid or a center or an organization. This will destroy the unity among Muslim community. Allah (The One & Only God) Says: "And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah (Quran or Islam), and be not divided among yourselve" [Quran 3:103]

Allah, Most High, also Says: "The believers are nothing else than brothers" [Quran 49:10]

Many people who fall in the traps of nationalism are not even aware of the seriousness of this practice which destroys the relationship among Muslim children and among Muslim families. Therefore, destroys the meaning of the Islamic universal message that we need to implant in their minds and exemplify it in their reality

www.islamweb. net

"O you who believe! Seek Help in Patience and Salah. Truly, Allah is with those that are patient." [Baqarah 2/153]

Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) say, "Any Muslim that says when a calamity befalls him that which Allah commanded him: To Allah we belong and to him we return. O Allah reward me in this calamity and give me better then it - (any Muslim that says this) Allah will grant him better than (that which he lost)." - [Muslim]

“And Allah loves As-Saabiroon (the patient)” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:146]

WOMENS' RIGHTS IN ISLAM -MODERNISING OR OUTDATED? – PART 2

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 09:19:00 -0700

The text contains the words of Dr. Zakir Naik, please go through the entire document if to know the true position and rights of woman in Islam and also the current degradation, exploitation and stripping of dignity of woman by the western media.

WOMENS' RIGHTS IN ISLAM -MODERNISING OR OUTDATED? – PART 2

(Back Ground Azaan, By Brother Yusuf Islam)

Islamic Research Foundation An International Resource Centre For Understanding And Clarification, On Islam And Comparative Religion.Islamic Research Foundation Provides For Free Hire And Sale, Video And Audio Cassettes, On Islam And Comparative Religion. This Being, The Largest And Best Collection Internationally. It Includes Films, Television Programmes, Documentaries, Qur'ânic And Islamic Studies Programmes As Well As Interviews, Lectures, Symposia, Debates, Etc., Of World Renowned Speakers Like Shaikh Ahmed Deedat - South Africa, Dr. Zakir Naik- India, Dr. Jamal Badawi - Canada, Dr. Khalid Al-Mansoor - U.S.A., Brother Yusuf Islam - U.K., Brother Gary Miller - Canada, Dr. Israr Ahmed -Pakistan, Maulana Abdul Karim Parekh- India, And Many Others. Islamic Research Foundation Also Provides On Request, Free Literature On Islam And Comparative Religion. Please Phone, Call, Or Write To Islamic Research Foundation, 56/58, Tandel Street (North), Dongri, Mumbai 400 009.

(Azan Continued)…

(Dr. Mohammed) Bismillah. Now we would be having the Question and Answer session. We would like you to kindly understand and observe the rules, that have to be followed, during the Question and Answer session, so that we can derive the maximum benefit from it. 3 mikes have been provided for the questions from the audience, two down here, below for the gents, and one up in the centre, in the balcony for the ladies. One question at a time will be put on the mike - the first question being asked by the lady on the top, then we move down to the brother on my right hand side, then we move up again to the next lady in the balcony - We move down on my left hand side, to the next brother here, and similar fashion we move up and down in the centre, on the top, and on the two sides, below. Written questions on slip papers, which are available from volunteers standing in the aisles, will be given a 2nd preference, after the questions on the mikes have been answered by Dr. Zakir. Questions asked, should be on the topic 'Women's Right in Islam - Modernising or Outdated?', only. Kindly state you question briefly and to the point, preferably in one to three sentences - This is a question and answer session, not a lecture or a debate session. Only one question at a time may be asked - If time permits us we may allow you a second chance after the others have completed their chance. In the interest of having a less time wasting, a more educative and an interesting Question and Answer session, our decision to allow or disallow irrelevant questions, or time wasting questions, will be final. In the interest of eliciting a proper and clear answer from our speaker, kindly state your name and designation, before putting forward your question - Your name and designation, before you put forward your question, so that we can give you a more appropriate answer - Thank you. We start our Question and Answer session - Dr. Zakir Naik ready at his mike, the questioners ready at theirs - May we have the first question, from the ladies in the balcony.

(Q) Salam Alaikum, my name is Saba, and I am a student - I would ask, I would like to ask you a question, Zakir Bhai. A man will have'Hoors', that is beautiful maidens when he enters Paradise - What will a woman get when she enters Paradise?

(Dr. Zakir) The sister has posed a question, that when a man entersParadise, he will get 'Hoor'… that is a beautiful maiden - What will the woman get, when she enters Paradise? The Qur'an has mentioned the word 'Hoor', in no less than 4 diffrent places. It is mentioned in Surah Dukhan, Ch. No. 44, Verse No. 54, it is mentioned Surah Tur, in Ch. No. 52, Verse No. 20, it is mentioned in Surah Rehman, Ch. No. 55, Verse No. 72, as well as in Surah Waqia, Ch. No.56, Verse No. 22, and many of the translations, specially the Urdu translations have translated the word 'Hoor', as beautiful maiden. If the word 'Hoor', means a beautiful maiden… it means a beautiful maiden, then what will the woman get, in Paradise? Actually the word 'Hoor', is a plural for 'Ahwar', which is applicable to the man, and 'Hawar', which is applicable to the women. And it signifies the characteristic of'Hawar', which means 'big, white beautiful eye', and describes especially, the whiteness of the eye. The similar thing is mentioned as 'Azwajur Muthaharin' in many places in the Qur'an, in Surah Baqrah, Ch. No. 2, Verse No. 25, and in Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 57 - It says... 'Azwajur Muthaharin', which means companion, pair. So the word 'Hoor', is rightly translated by Mohammed Asad as…'Spouse' and also by Abdullah Yusuf Ali… Abdullah Yusuf Ali as…'Companion' - So 'Hoor' actually means a 'Companion' or a 'Spouse' - It has no gender. For the man, he will get a good lady with big beautiful eyes - and for a woman, she will get a good man with big beautiful eyes. I hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) The brother on my right hand side, please.

(Q) As-Salam-Alaikum - Sultan Kazi, I am in service - I would like to pose a certain question to Dr Zakir Naik. For evidence… given to prove evidence, why are there two female witness, against one male witness?

( Dr. Zakir) The brother asked a very important question, that why are 2 women witness, equal to one witness, in Islam. 2 women witnesses are not equal to one man witness - 2 women witness are not equal to one man witness, in all the cases - only in certain cases. There are at least 5 Verses in the Qur'an, which speak about the witnesses, without specifying male or female - In one place there is an indication, in which two women witnesses is equal to one witness of man, and that is in Surah Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, Verse No. 282, which happens to be the longest Verse of the Qur'an. It says that... 'When you involve in financial transaction, in which future obligations are there, reduce them in writing, and take 2 witnesses among the men'. If can not… sorry… if you can not find 2 men witnesses, take one man, and 2 women, so that if one of them gets confused, the other will remind her - This Verse of the Qur'an, Surah Baqrah, Ch. No. 2, Verse No. 282, only deals with financial aspects. Only in financial aspects, it is said that take 2 men as witnesses, preferable - only if you can not find 2 men as witnesses, take one man, and 2 women. Let me give you an example, for a better understanding - Suppose a person wants to undergo a surgery, he wants to go under an operation… but natural he would prefer taking the advice of 2 qualified surgeons. If he cannot find 2 qualified surgeons, he would take the advice of one qualified surgeon, at least backed with 2 normal general practitioners, who have got a normal M.B.B.S. degree, because a surgeon is more qualified in the filed of surgery, as compared to a plain M.B.B.S. doctor. In the same fashion, since the responsibility of the financial aspects, has been laid on the shoulders of the man, in Islam… he is more well Versed in finance, as compared to the women - That is why the best option for witnesses in financial transactions, is 2 men. If you can not find 2 men, then one woman… sorry, one man and 2 women. Again, if you read in Surah Maidah, Ch. No. 5, Verse No. 106, it says that... 'Anyone writes a will of inheritance, take two men as witnesses' - Again dealing with financial transactions, men are preferred. Some of the Jurists say that… 'Even while giving witnesses in cases of murder, the feminine nature may obstruct her, and she may get scared in cases of murder - That is why even in cases of murders, 2 women witness are equal to one witness of man. Only under these 2 conditions… of finance and cases of murder, are two women witness, equal to one. Some of the scholars say, "No, Islam says, one place in Surah Baqrah, Ch. No. 2, Verse No. 282, that…'Two women equal to one man' - Therefore under all circumstances 2 women is always equal to one man". Let us analyse… as I said let us analyse the Qur'an as a whole. If you read the Qur'an, in Surah Nur, Ch. No. 24, Verse No. 6, it states that… 'If any of you put a charge against your spouse, and if they have no evidence, if they have no evidence, their solitary evidence is sufficient'. Means, if a husband wants to put a charge against the wife, the wife has to put a charge against the husband - if they have got no witnesses, their solitary evidence is sufficient. This Verse clearly indicates that one woman witness, is equal to one witness of man. There are several cases, which the Jurists agree that even in cases of sighting of moon, one woman witness is sufficient. Some Jurists say that… 'In the beginning of Ramzan, one witness is required - At the end of Ramzan, two witnesses are required - It does not make a difference, whether they are man or woman. There are certain cases in which man's witness cannot be accepted… only woman's witness is accepted. All are waiting for the answer, I believe. Suppose you want to give a witness for the burial bath of a woman - After a woman dies, the witness for a burial bath, can only be given by a woman. And only in extreme cases, when you cannot find women, then can the husband give, the witness - so here the woman witness is preferable - Hope that clarifies your doubt, brother.

(Dr. Mohammed) One… those who are interested in writing questions on the slip, you may kindly raise your hands, so that we have assistants standing around.

(Q). They could come and help you out with a slip of paper, or a pen, or whatever is required, so that… and it can be passed on down the stage side, to me - So we can carry on as a secondary preference, later on. May we have the next question, from the sister on the top, please.

(Q). As-salaam Alaikum, my name is Shaila - I would like… I would like to ask, why is Polygamy permitted in Islam - and that is why, a man is allowed to marry more than one wife?

(Dr.Zakir) Sister has asked the question, that why is Polygamypermitted in Islam, that is why… is a man is allowed to marry more than one wife, in Islam. The Polygamy actually means that… 'A person who has more than one Spouse'. It is divided into two categories – 'Polygeny'… in which, a man has more than one wife, and 'Polyendry'… in which, a woman has got more than one husband. People normally, think Polygamy means… 'A man can only… man can marry more than one wife' - Polygamy means both… 'A person having more than one spouse'. If a man has more than one wife, it's called 'Polygeny'… and if a woman has more than one husband, it is called 'Polyendry'. But since the sister has mainly asked the question… 'Why is a man allowed to marry more than one wife?' I will answer, why is Polygenyallowed in Islam. Qur'an happens to be the only Religious book on the face of the earth, which says… 'Marry only one'. There is no Religious book on the face of the earth, which says… 'Marry only one'.
You read the Geeta, you read the Veda, you read the Ramayana, you read the Mahabharta, you read the Bible - No where it is mentioned… 'Marry only one' - Its only mentioned in the Qur'an. In fact if you read the Hindu Scriptures, most of the kings… most of the kings had several wives - King Dashrat had more than one wife, Lord Krishna had several wives. If you read the Jewish Scriptures, the Jewish law allowed 'Polygeny' in the 11th century. It was only when Rabi Gurdshom Benjahuda, he passed a Signord and said… 'Polygenyshould not be allowed'. Still, it was practiced by the Septranic Jewish community, in the Muslim countries… until in 1950, the chief Rabainite of Israel, put a ban on it. The Christian Bible allowsPolygeny - only a couple of centuries ago, the Church put a ban on it. Even if you analyse the legal aspect of India, the Indian law allowed a Hindu man to have more than one wife. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed, and if I am wrong Justice Kazi can correct me - When the Hindu marriage Act was passed in 1954, which put a ban, and prohibited the Hindu man to marry more than one wife. If you see the statistics, according to a committee report on 'The status of women in Islam', which was published in 1975, on page No. 66 and 67, it states the percentage of Polygamous marriages. And it said that… 'The percentage in which the Hindus did Polygenousmarriages, it was 5.06, and the percentage of Muslim Polygenousmarriages, was only 4.31'. Let us leave the statistics, aside… let us come to the main point - why did Islam allow Polygeny? As I mentioned earlier, Qur'an is the only Religious book on the face of the earth which says... 'Marry only one'. It is mentioned in Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 3, that... 'You can marry women of your choice, in twos, threes or fours, but if you can not do justice, marry only one'. This statement… 'Marry only one', is only given in the Qur'an - it is not there in any other Religious books. In pre-Islamic Arabia, men had several wives… Some people had hundreds of wives. Islam put an upper limit to Polygamy - Maximum four. And if you can have more than one wife, only on the condition, that you can do equal justice between the two, or between the three, or four - otherwise only one. And the same Surah… Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 129, says that..., 'It is very difficult for a man to be just, between his wives'.

So Polygamy is an exception… it is not the rule - Many people think that Islam says..., you should compulsory marry more than one wife. There are five categories of do's and don'ts, in Islam. 1st category is compulsory, which is 'Farz', the 2nd category is 'Recommended' or 'Encouraged', the 3rd category is the 'Permissible' category, the 4th category is the 'Discouraged' category, and the last is prohibited or 'Forbidden' – Polygeny, falls in the middle category of,'Permissible'. There is no statement in any Hadith, or in the Qur'anwhich says that... 'If a man marries more than one wife, he is a better Muslim than a person who marries only one wife'. Let us analyse logically, why does Islam allow a man, to marry more than one wife? By nature, men and women are born… male and females are born, in equal proportion. But medical science tells us that… 'The fetus… if it's a female, it is more stronger than the male fetus.' Pediatric knowledge tells us, that... a female child has got more resistance, than the male child - A female child can fight germs and disease, much more stronger and a better way, than the male child. *** Medical science tells us, that the female is health wise a stronger sex, than the male - so in the Pediatric stage itself, the female ratio is higher than the male ratio. Wars take place in the world, and during wars, more males are killed than the female. Even the recent war which took place… in the recent war which took place in Afghanistan, approximately more than one and a half million people were martyred, out of which most of them were men. Statistics tells us that accidents take place - More of the men die in accidents, than female - More male death takes place due to cigarette smoking, than female death.

Therefore, we have more females in the world, as compared to the male. India is one of the country, besides the few of the Asian countries, and Africa, in which the female population is more than the male population. And the reason I have given you … because more than one million fetuses are… female fetuses are being aborted, every year. And because of the high rate of infanticide… female infanticide - that is the reason, that females are less than the male. Otherwise, you stop this evil practice, and within a few decade, you'll have that the male population is… will become much less than the female population. In New York alone, there are 1 million females more than male - In US, alone there are 7.8 million females more than males, and out of the male population of New York, 1/3 are Gay. They are Sodomites - That means, they can not find female partners - And there are more than 25 million Gays in America. In Britain alone, there are more than 4 million females, more than males - In Germany alone there are 5 million females more, than males - In Russia alone, there are 7 million females, more than males - And God knows, how many million females are there more than the males, in this whole world.

If suppose my sister happens to live in America, and suppose the market is saturated, every man has found a female partner for himself - Still there will be more than 30 million females in USA alone, who will not be able to find husbands. And suppose my sister who is living in America, happens to be amongst the unfortunate ladies, who has not found a partner yet - The only option remaining for her is, that she either marries a husband… she marries a man who already has a wife, or she becomes public property - There is no third option. And believe me I have posed this question to hundreds of Non-Muslims, and every one opted for the first - No one so far, has opted for the second. But there are some people who are smart, and he said that... 'I would prefer my sister remaining a virgin'. Believe me, medical science tells us, that a man or woman cannot remain a virgin, throughout her life. She cannot remain a virgin, throughout her life, without indulging in illicit sex or sexual perversion, because daily, sex hormones are being liberated in the body. And those great men, who claim to have renounced the world, for example the Sages and theSants, who go to mountains and Himalayas… behind them, you find the devadasis going - for what? According to a report… according to a report… 'Out of the Priests and the Nuns of the Church of England, the majority indulge in fornication and homosexuality' - there is no option… there no third option.

The only option is, that you marry a husband who already has a wife, or you become a public property.

(Dr. Mohammed) In continuation… in continuation of that question, we have got a question on the slip.

(Q) Can you enumerate the various conditions in which, 'Polygamy' is permitted? -
This is from sister Samina Can you enumerate the various conditions in which, 'Polygamy' is permitted?

(Dr. Zakir) The sister has asked… the sister has asked the question that - can you enumerate the various conditions, in which Polygeny is permitted. The only condition which allows a man to marry more than one wife is that, he should do justice between the two wives. If he can do justice between the two or three or four wives that he has, he is allowed to take more than one wife - If he can not do justice he should suffice with only one wife. But there are several conditions, in which it is more advisable for a man to take more than one wife. One of the examples I gave is - because of the surplus women which can not find husbands, Islam has allowed Polygeny… to protect the modesty of the women. There are several other conditions - For example, suppose a young lady, she gets married, and within may be… or approximately a few months of her marriage, she has an accident, and she gets handicapped and she cannot satisfy the husband. The only option for the husband is, that he either keeps his first wife, who is handicapped and takes another wife, or divorces the first wife, and marries a new wife. I am telling you, suppose your sister happens to be that unfortunate lady, who gets handicapped - which would you prefer? Would you prefer your brother-in-law to divorce her, and to marry a new wife, or would you prefer your brother-in-law to keep that first wife, and to take another wife? There are situations in which the wife can become seriously ill - She can have a disease in which she will not be able to look after the children, or look after the husband. Under such conditions, it is more advisable that, that wife shares the husband with another lady, who will not only look after the husband… will also look after her, as well as the children. Many people may argue that... 'Why can not you keep a maid servant or a nurse, who will look after the children?' I do agree with you - You can very well keep a maidservant, who will look after your children and your wife - But who will look after you then? Very soon, that maidservant will start looking after you also. So the best option is, that you keep your first wife, and take another wife, and treat both of them equally. There can be conditions such as… after several years of marriage, you have got no children, and may be both the husband and wife, they yearn for the child. The wife can very well give permission to the husband, to marry another wife, and they can have more children. Some people may argue that... 'Why do not you adopt a child?' Islam does not allow adoption, for which there are several reasons, I will not go into. The only option remaining here is, that he either divorces the first wife, and takes another wife, if he wants children - or he keeps the first, and takes another wife, and treats them both of them equally - I hope these are sufficient reasons.

(Dr. Mohammed) Next question from the brother on the left.

(Q). My name is Iliyas, and I am a student - The question is… the question… the is the question is - Can a woman become the head of the State?

(Dr. Mohammed) A bit louder please.

(Q) Can a woman become the head of the State?

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked the question - can a woman become the head of a State? There is no text in the Qur'an, which I know, which states that... a woman cannot become a head of the State. But there are several 'Hadiths' - for example, one Hadith says that... 'The people who have their leader as a woman, will not succeed'. Some of the scholars say that… 'This only refers to particular time, in which this Hadith was related, especially at the time when Persia had their leader as a queen'. The other scholars say... 'No if refers to all the times'. Let us analyse, whether it is advisable for a woman, to be a head of a State, or not. If a woman is head of a State, in an Islamic Country, she may have to lead the congregational prayers. And if a woman leads the congregational prayers… in Islam we adopt several postures, like Kayam, Rukhu, Sujud - standing, bowing and prostration - If a lady is doing that in front of a gents congregation, I am sure it will cause disturbances in the prayers. If she happens to be head of a State, of a modern society like the one we have today -
Many a time, the head of a State has to have meetings, with other heads of State… which are usually gents. Many a times, they have closed door meetings, in which no one else is allowed, and if a woman has a closed door meeting with another gent… Islam does not permit her to do that. Islam does not permit a woman to be alone with a 'Na-Mehram', with 'a foreign male'… in closed doors - Islam does not permit intermingling of sexes. The head of the State, many a times receives over publicity by video shooting, and by photography, and many a times, it involves in close proximity with the other heads of State, and with other gentlemen - Therefore, you can keep photographs of the head of States. If it is the lady… may it be Margret Thacher, or any one else, you find her photographs… shaking her hands with many men - Islam does not allow such free, intermingling of sexes. The heads of the State requires, that it should meet the common man. A lady, if she is head of the State, it will be difficult for her to meet the common man, and try and solve her problems. And science tells us that… 'A woman during her menstrual period, she undergoes certain behavioral, mental and psychological changes, due to the release of the sex hormonestogene'. And these changes, will surely disturb her in making decisions, if she is the head of the State. Science also tells us that the women have more verbal and… verbal, and vocal skills as compared to the man. And a man has got more… 'Spacialability'. 'Spacialability' means, 'The Ability to imagine things, to imagine the future, to imagine the future project'. And'Spacialability', is very important for the head of the State. A woman has be given an edge over the men, in verbal and vocal skills, which are required for her motherhood. A woman… she may get pregnant, and surely she may require a rest, for a few months. Who will look after the State, for those few months - She may have children … Her duty as a mother, is very important. And it is more practicable, for a man who can do both the duties … of a father, as well as head of a State, as compared to a woman … if she has to do the duty of a mother, as well as of head of the States. So I am more inclined to those scholars, who say that… 'Women should not be made the head of State'. But that does not mean, that women cannot take part in making decisions. As I mentioned in my speech, they have a right to vote, they have a right to take part in law making. During the treaty of Hudaibia, Ume-Salma (May Allah be pleased with her), she supported and guided the Prophet, at a time when the whole Muslim community was disturbed - She guided him, and she supported him. As you know, that though the Prime Minister or the President may be the head of the State - but many a times, the PA and the secretary… they are the ones who make the decisions. So surely, a woman can help the man, in making decisions of the States. I hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question.

(Q). I am Vimla Dalal, Advocate - I would like to ask… that Islam preaches women's rights, are equal to men. Why women should be in'Pardah', and why there should be a segregation of men and women, in this sort of meeting also?

(Dr. Zakir) Sister has asked a very good question, that when Islam believes in 'Women's Rights', that men and women should be equal… then why does Islam believe in 'Pardah'- and why should there be segregation of sexes, like the one we are having just now? As I mentioned earlier, Islam does not believe in intermingling of the sexes. Why Islam specifies 'Pardah'?… I will answer in a short time. And I would like to thank the sister, because I did not have time to speak on the 'Hijab' of the women. If you read the Qur'an - before the mentioning of the 'Hijab' for the women, the Qur'an mentioned the'Hijab', for the man. It is mentioned in Surah Nur, Ch. No. 24, Verse No. 30, it says to the believing man, that… 'He should lower his gaze and guard his modesty'. The next Verse… Surah Nur, Ch. 24, Verse No. 31, says... 'Say to the believing woman, that she should lower her gaze and guard her modesty and display not her beauty, except what is that necessary of, and to draw a head covering over her bosom, except in front of her father, her son, her husband', and a big list of 'Na-Mahram', the close relatives which she can marry is given, and but natural, in front of the chaste women - Besides these, she should maintain the Hijab. The criteria forHijab in Islam, can be found in the Qur'an, and the Sahih Hadith. There are six criteria - 1st is extent, which is the only difference between a man and a woman. For the man, he has to be covered from the naval to the knee. For the woman, her complete body should be covered - the only part that can be seen, should not be seen, is the face and the hands up to the wrist.

If she wishes to cover them, she is most welcome, but it is not compulsory that she should cover it - Otherwise the full body should be covered. The only part that can been seen… not should not be seen, is the wrist, face and the hands, up to the wrist. This is the only criteria which differs, between the man and the woman. The second criteria is that, the clothes she wears, should not be so tight, that it reveals the figure. The clothes she wears… third point - it should not be so transparent, so that you can see through. And the fourth point - she should not wear glamorous clothes, or he should not wear glamorous clothes, which attracts the opposite sex. The fifth point is that a person should not wear cloth, which resembles that of the opposite sex - like you find men wearing earnings. If you wear one earring, it signifies something else - if you wear two earrings, it signifies something else. It is prohibited in Islam. And the last criteria is, you should not wear clothes which… that resemble of an unbeliever.

These are the six basic criteria of Hijab, in Islam. Now coming to the question - why then Islam believe in 'Pardah', and why are there segregation of sexes? If let us analyse the society in which there is 'Pardah ', and society in which there is, 'No Pardah '. The maximum number of crime that takes place in any country… it is in America. According to a report by the FBI in 1990, in the year 1990… 'One thousand, two hundred & fifty five women were raped'. These are only the reported cases - And the report says… 'Only 16% of the cases were reported'. If you want those exact figure, multiply 1,02,555 with 6.25, and you get the answer - more than 6,40,000 ladies were raped in America only in 1990. And if you divide this… by the number of days, divide by 365, you get a figure of One thousand, seven hundred and fifty six women are raped every day, in America, in the year 1990. And the report says... 'Every day… One thousand, nine hundred ladies are raped' - May be it is the report of 1991… the Americans got more bold.

And the last report which came in Autumn, in 1993, it says... 'Every 1.3 minute, one woman is raped' - you know why? America has given the women, more rights, and more women are being raped. Only 10 were arrested, 16% are reported - Only 10% are arrested - means only 1.6% of the cases, are arrested. Out of that, 50% are let free before the trial – Means, only 0.8% of the rape cases, are held. Means, if a man rapes One hundred & twenty five ladies, the chances of his being caught, is one. Who would not like to try - One hundred & twenty five ladies you rape, and you get caught only once. Out of that, 50% time you get a punishment of less than 1 year… though the USA law tells you that… 'For rape, you have got a punishment of life imprisonment'. But they say… 'It is happened only the first time… he is caught the first time - Let him give him a chance, and a punishment of less than 1year'. Even in India, according to the National Crime Bureau report, which was… which had come in the papers, in the 1 of December 1992, it said that… 'Every 54 minutes, one case of rape is reported in India… reported ha. Every 26 minutes, one case of molestation - every 1 hour 43 minutes, one case of dowry death. If you analyse the total number of cases of rape that are taking in our country, it will be… every couple of minutes, one case of rape. I am asking a simple question - if you ask every lady to do Hijab, will the rape case in USA remain the same, will it decrease, or will it increase?. If you apply the Hijab for every lady in India, will the rate of rape decrease, will it remain the same, or will it increase? You should understand Islam, as a whole. Even suppose, after that even, after a lady does Hijab, irrespective a lady does Hijab, or not, a man is commanded… 'He should lower his gaze' - and if suppose after that, if a man commits rape… in Islam, he receives capital punishment - you call it a barbaric law? I have asked this question to several people – Suppose… I have asked this question to many of the gents. Suppose your sister is raped, and if you are made the judge - leave aside what Islam tells you, leave aside what Indian law tells you, leave aside what American law tells you - If you are made the judge, what punishment will you give to the rapist of your sister? And all have said… 'Death sentence' - Few went to the extreme of saying… 'I will torture him to death'. Want to ask you a question… 'If you apply the Islamic Shariah law in America, will the rape case decrease, will it remain the same, or will it increase? If you apply the Shariah law in India, will the rape case decrease, will it remain the same, or will it increase? So but natural, let us analyse practically. You say you have given women rights theoretically… but practically, you are degrading her to a status of a concubine and a mistress.

I would like to… I mean only speaking on 'Pardah '… you can talk for days - Just I would like to… and my answer, by giving a small example. Suppose two ladies… two twin sisters were equally beautiful - if they are walking down the street, and if round the corner there is a hooligan, who is waiting for a catch… who is waiting to tease a girl. Both twin sisters are walking, both are equally beautiful - one is in the Hijab… Islamic Hijab - one is wearing a mini or a skirt. Which girl will that hooligan tease? … Which girl will he tease? But natural, the one in the short or the mini girl. If a girl is wearing a normal salwar kameez, with her head open… may be the salwar kameez tight, and the other girl is wearing a IslamicHijab - Which girl will he tease? But natural, the girl who is not inHijab. It is practical proof, that Hijab is been ordained in Islam… not to degrade the woman, but to protect her modesty.

(Clapping)…

(Dr. Mohammed) There is an announcement for Aruna Bhurte… your husband is calling you at the entrance - Miss… Mrs. Aruna Bhurte, could you please contact your husband, outside the auditorium - Please, the next question.

(Q). As-salaam Alaikum - My name is Bilal Lala, and I am a revert - By profession, I happen to be a lecturer in computers. There is one question which has baffled me over the years, and that question is - Why does Islam permit a Muslim man, to marry woman of his choice, from Ahle Kitab… may be Jews or Christians, and the vice-versa is not permitted. Are the Muslim ladies, not Mushriks - Can you clarify?

(Dr. Zakir) Brother Bilal has asked the question, that Qur'an permits a Muslim man to marry a lady from the Ahle Kitab, but the vice-versa is not true - and he is correct. It is mentioned in Surah Mahida, Ch. No. 5, Verse No. 5, that... 'On this day, it has been made lawful for you, all that is good and pure'. 'The food of the people of the Book, has been made lawful for you - and your food has been made lawful for them'. And also besides… the women who are believers, even the women of the Ahlekitab, who are chaste, have been made lawful for you. Islam gives permission for a Muslim man, to marry a woman from the Ahle Kitab - why? Because, when a Christian or a Jewish lady, when she marries a Muslim man - after she marries… the family of the husband, will not abuse or insult any of her Prophets - because in Islam, we believe in all the Prophets of the Jews and the Christians - what Prophets they believe in, we believe in. We both believe in Adam, in Noah, in David, in Moosa, in Isaa (May peace be upon them all). Because we believe in all of their Prophets… the lady, when she enters a Muslim family, she will not be ridiculed. But the vice-versa - if a Muslim lady goes to a family of a Christian or a Jew… but natural, they do not believe in Prophet Muhammed (May peace be upon him), and she will be ridiculed. That is why, Islam gives permission for a Muslim man, to marry a girl from the Ahle Kitab, but the vice-versa is not true. Coming to the second part of the question that - are not these Muslim women,
Mushriks?' Brother is referring to an Ayat of the Qur'an Shareef, of Surah Baqrah, Ch. No.2, Verse No. 221, which say that... 'Do not marry unbelieving women until they believe - even a slave woman who is a believer, is better than a unbelieving woman, even if she allures you'.

Means, even if the Queen of England… let her be the wealthiest lady, let the lady be the most beautiful in the world, still… a Zhaduwali, a slave woman, who is a believer, is much better than the best lady of the world… if she is an unbeliever. And the Verse continues… 'Do not marry your daughters to the unbelieving man, until he believes, for a slave man who is a believer, is better than an unbeliever, even if he allures you'. Another Verse in the Qur'an tells you from Surah Maidah… (Arabic)… Ch. No. 5, Verse No. 72, it says that... 'They are blaspheming, they are doing Kufr, those who say Jesus is, Christ the son of Mary, those who say Allah is Christ the son of Mary'. (Arabic)... But said Christ… (Arabic)… O children of Israel… (Arabic)… Worship Allah. (Arabic)… Who is my Lord, and your Lord… (Arabic.)… And any one who associates partners with Allah… (Arabic)… Allah will make Jannat, haram for him (Arabic)… And for him, he shall have no helpers, and fire shall be his dwelling place. From this Verse, we come to know, that all those who say… 'Allah is Christ', those who are saying… 'Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), is God'…they are doing 'Kufar'. And one Verse of the Qur'an,says... 'You are allowed to marry these Kafirs.' You will think, theQur'an is contradicting itself - but as I told you, analyse the Qur'an,as a whole. There is one more Verse in the Qur'an, in Surah Imran, Ch. No. 3, Verse No. 110, which says... (Arabic)… 'O ye are the best of the people evolved for mankind' (Arabic)… 'Evolved for mankind, and enjoining what is good, and forbidding what is bad'. (Arabic)… And believing in Allah… (Arabic)… It would have been better if the people of the book had faith… (Arabic)… Among them there are some who are 'Momin'. Among the Ahle Kitab there some who are believers but the majority are perverted transgressors. So Qur'an says... 'You are allowed to marry the women from the Ahle Kitab, who are believers, who are Momins - who do not believe that… Jesus Christ (May peace be upon him), is God, or son of God - but who believe, that Jesus (May peace be upon him), is a messenger of God, and they believe in only one God. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed). The next question, please.

(Q). As-salam-Alaikum… main Akila Faterpekar Hoon. Government of Maharashtra mein under secretary Hoon. Mera question, hai ki a a Islam mein, Aurat Ko… Chahe wo Shadi Shuda ho, ya gair Shadi Shuda, Usko will karne Ka permission nahin hai. Ye Kyun hai? - Agar hai, to iske details deJiye.

(Dr. Zakir) Sister has posed a question that why in Islam that the women is married or unmarried, she is not allowed to make a will - it is completely wrong. It is, as I mentioned in my lecture, Islam gave economical rights to women, 1,300 years before the West - and I said very clearly in my talk, that… 'Any adult woman who is matured'. But natural, if she is a… if she is not an adult, she cannot practice… because she cannot there practice her rights, arrives because she will not be matured. Any adult woman, irrespective whether she is married or unmarried… has the right to own or dispose any of her property, without consultation - if she wants, she take consultation. If she wants, she need not - She has the right to even make a will - Islam does not prohibit her that. I hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Excuse me, Sir… we will allow questions only from the mike, and in turn please - We have to keep the decorum, by the people who have stood for sometime - The next question please.

(Q). My name is Roshan Rangwala - a businessman. Question is, Dr. Naik, as you said that… 'Islam gives equal right, to both ladies and gents' - then why man is allowed to keep 4 wives, and ladies are kept away from this privilege. As men can think of another woman… at the same time after marrying one wife, man can think for another woman - why ladies cannot think for another?

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked the question, that since Islam allows 'Polygeny', then why does… why does not Islam allow'Polyandry' - A man is allowed to marry more than one wife… why is not a woman allowed to marry more than one husband? Firstly you should realise, that man is more sexual than the woman. Point number 2… Biologically, a man can perform his duty as a husband, even after he has more than one wife… which a woman, if she has more than one husband, she will not be able to perform her duty, as a wife, enough and satisfactorily. Medical Science tells us that… 'The lady… during her menstrual period, undergoes certain behavioral and psychological changes… in which she is mentally disturbed and therefore… the majority of the quarrels, the majority of the quarrels that takes place… during the menstrual period. According to a report of the criminal record of the women in USA, most of the ladies that committed the crime, was during the menstrual period. Therefore for a wife, if she has more than one husband, to mentally adjust will be more difficult. Medical science also tells us… 'If a lady has more than one husband, she has chances of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, as well as venereal diseases - and she can transmit it back to the husband… which is not the case if a husband, has more than one wife. And suppose, a man who has more than one wife, if he marries and if he has children, the identification of both the parents is possible - The father can be identified, and as well as the mother can be identified. In the other case, if a wife has more than one husband, you will only identify the mother, not the father. Islam gives utmost importance, to identification of the parents. And Psychologists tell us that… 'If a child cannot identify his parents, he undergoes mental trauma'. No wonder the children of prostitutes, they have a very bad childhood. And if the child goes for admission in the school, and if he is asked… 'What is the name of the father?'… You will have to give 2 names - and you know what the child is called. There are several reasons why Polyandry is not allowed. And for counter argument, if you tell me, that I will give you several reasons why Polygeny is allowed. For example, if a person does… if a couple does not have an issue, and if they marry - a man is allowed to take more than one wife. If suppose, the husband is sterile, can not the wife take more than one husband? No - because no doctor can give you the guarantee, that the husband is 100%
sterile. Even if you do 'Vasectomy', even if you do 'Nasbandi'… no doctor can tell you, that the child cannot be a father - so still again the identity, the identification of that child, is yet in doubt. In the other case, suppose the husband, he undergoes an accident or he becomes very severely ill - can not the wife take another husband? Let us analyse… suppose the husband, if he undergoes an accident, or if he is severely ill… he cannot perform his duties very well. Firstly, of the financial aspects - he will not be able to look after the family, the children and the wife - and secondly, he may not be able to satisfy the wife. Regarding this first criteria where he cannot satisfy the children and the wife, Islam has an option. Islam allows such people to take Zakat - those people who cannot make both the ends meet, they can take Zakat. And the 2nd aspect… Medical Science tells us that… 'A wife requires less conditions to be satisfied, as compared to a husband'. But still… if the wife still wants to… still if she is not satisfied, she has all the reasons to take 'Kulah' from the husband, and marry another husband. Here a wife taking 'Kulah', is much more preferred - because here, when the wife is getting divorced, she is healthy. In the other case, if she is disabled… if she is handicapped - if she is divorced, who will marry her? Hope that answers the question.

(Q) I am Sardari Hakim, I would like to ask the question. The first thing is, here you have a subject - 'Women's Rights in Islam'. There, I think more women should have asked more questions - and it could have been, better… 'Rights and duties of men'… that subject would have been better - But the question is, you said in your speech, it was really lucid and nice - that a girl can say… 'No', if she does not want to marry a particular person. But while saying… speaking in your lecture, you have said that… 'A woman cannot be economically independent - in the sense, she cannot earn'. And can these people - when a girl says... 'No' - look after the child, say nicely? She is always going to be under the mercy of the male folk, under this circumstances - I would like to know what is the answer?

(Dr. Mohammed) Excuse me, can you put your question in just two or three lines… what answer you want. We would request all the questioners, to present your questions, the basic background. of problems in society. I believe Dr. Zakir would be having an idea about it… you kindly state your question - what is the question?

(Q). My question is that, when you said that a girl can say… 'No', if she does not want to marry a particular person - but the male folk are feeding her, looking after her … she is dependent out on them - Can She exist safely after saying 'No'?

(Dr. Zakir) Sister has asked the question, that I said in my lecture, that a woman has a right to say… 'No', for marriage - but will she be able to safely exist, after saying 'No'? You did not pay attention to my full lecture, sister. In my lecture, I said… 'It is the duty of the man in the family - before marriage it is the duty of the father and the brother, to look after her lodging, clothing, boarding and financial aspects'. And after marriage, it is the duty of the husband and the son, to look after her financial aspects. If she says... 'No', yet it continues to be the duty of the father and the brother, to look after her - She can very well can say… 'No'. I do not know what is the problem.

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question, please.

(Q). I am Prakash Lote - first of all, I thank organisation for calling people of faiths - and so I am asking another question. For all the Religions, whether it is Hinduism, Christian, or Islam… in books there are many good things. But for years… after thousands of years, the practices of all the Religions, have been discriminatory towards women, and no Religion is a exception to this. So the question is… what is written in the books, whether it is Bible, Qur'an or Gita or whatever it is, whether that is more important, or the practice of the society which is more important? And if practice is more important, then we should give very little importance to what is being written in all such Holy Books, including Qur'an, Gita, whatever it is. So on this, I will expect answer, where in practice, what could be done…instead of saying what is being written in this book, or that book.

(Dr. Mohammed) Thank you.

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked a very good question - He says that... all the Scriptures speak about good things, but let us see what people practice. We have to pay more importance to the practice, than to theoretical things - and I do agree with him. What we are doing here is… that I have said in my lecture, that many Muslim societies have deviated away from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. What we are doing here is, we are calling the people to come closer to theQur'an and Sunnah. Regarding the first part of the question, that all the Religious Scriptures… all Religious Scriptures speak good, so it is useless talking about Religious Scriptures - I do not agree with you. I have given a lecture on 'Status of Women in Islam and other Religions', and I have compared the status of women in Islam, as compared to Hinduism, to Buddhism, to Christianity, and to Judaism - and there I have compared, and you yourself can be the judge, if you have opportunity to hear that lecture - you can hear that lecture, you yourself can judge, which Religion gives the maximum rights. Even if you agree, theoretically Islam gives a maximum rights - Now we have to practically follow it. There are people who are following certain aspects… certain aspects, people are not following it. For example, Islamic Law - where it comes to Criminal punishment and Civil rights, Saudi… Saudi Government is doing very good, Alhamdullillah - Even they are deviating, away from the Qur'an, in certain aspects. What we have to do is, we have to take the practical example of the Saudi Government, as a Islamic law of Criminal punishment, and if it is practicable, apply it throughout the world. And check another society, which is practicing the Islamic law in the social aspect, and if it is the best, you apply to the other world. What we have gathered here, brother… is to make you realise, this law is the best law - If we are not putting in practice, we are to blame… not the Religion. So that is why, we have called the people… so that they will understand Qur'anand the Hadith, in the right practice - They will understand Qur'an andHadith in the right way, and put it into practice. I hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Next question from the top please.

(Q) As-Salam Alaikum, I am Saima Kadri - and my question is that, why there are no women Prophets in Islam.

(Dr. Mohammed) No women Prophets.

(Dr. Zakir) Sister has posed a question - why are there no 'Women Prophets' in Islam? If by 'Prophets' you mean, that a person who receives the message and who acts like a leader to the people, then I can say for sure, that in Islam we have got no 'Women Prophets'.And I think it is right, because if a woman has to be a Prophet - TheQur'an clearly states, that man is the leader of the family. So if the man is the leader in the family… how can he lead the… how can a woman lead over the people? Come to the second part - a Prophet has to even lead the congregational prayers. And as I said earlier, that there are certain postures like Qayam, Ruku, Sujud, standing, bowing and doing the Sujud… prostration - and which, if a Woman Prophet does, the congregation behind, will get disturbed. There are situations like… the Prophet has to meet with the common man, very regularly. If it is a Woman Prophet… Islam does not allow intermingling of sexes. If the Prophet is a lady… she… and if she gets pregnant - but natural, she will not be able to do her duties for a few months. If she has children, it will be difficult for her, to do the duty of the mother as well as the Prophet. And a man is more capable of doing the duty of the Prophet, and the father… as compared to a woman, who does the duty of a mother, as well as the Prophet. But if you mean that a Prophet is a person who is chosen, and who is pure and holy, then there are several examples - and the best example I can quote is, of Bibi Mariyam (may Allah be pleased with her). It is mentioned in Surah Maryam, Ch. No. 3, Verse No. 42… (Arabic)…'And behold the angels said to Mary'. (Arabic)… 'That Allah has chosen thee, and purified thee, and purified above the women of all nations'. If you mean 'a Prophet' is a person who is chosen and purified, then we have the example of Bibi Mariyam (May Allah be pleased with her), who was the mother of Jesus( May peace be upon her). We have other examples - If you read in Surah Tahrim, Ch. No. 66, Verse No. 11, it says that... 'As an example for the believers, is the wife of the Pharoah'… Bibi Asiya (May Allah be pleased with her), she prayed to Allah (SWT)…'Make for me, in nearness to Thee, a Mansion in the Garden, and save me from the Pharaoh, and its evil things'. Imagine… she was the wife, of the most powerful person of that time…Pharaoh - and she rejects all the luxuries, and asks for Allah (SWT), in exchange…a Mansion in the Garden. According to Islam, there are 4 Prophet women, besides BibiMariyam and Bibi Asiya (may Allah be pleased with them) - The other the examples are of Bibi Fatema and Bibi Khatija, (May Allah be pleased with them both). Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) There are quite a few people asking ke, they would feel shy to come up to the mike, and we should start asking questions from the chits. InshaAllah, after the next three questions, it will be all right to start our 2nd due preference session too - the next question.

(Q). My name is Sameer, I am a student – I would like to ask this question. You have put up an… there is an upper limit in Islam for women, for man to marry four wives - But why did the Prophet Mohammed (Peace by upon him), have eleven wives - and there is an insinuation, that he was hyper sexual?

(Dr.Zakir) The brother has asked the question that, since Islam allows the maximum of four wives, how come Prophet Muhammed had eleven wives. I do agree with the brother, the Qur'an mentions in Surah Nisa, Chapter 4, Verse No. 3, that you can maximum have 4 wives. But there is another Verse in Surah Ahzab, Ch. 33, Verse 52, which says that... 'O Prophet you cannot marry more women, neither can you exchange any other women for the present one, even if their beauty attracts you, except what your right hand possesses. This Verse of the Qur'an, Surah Ahzab, Ch. 33, Verse No. 52, gives the permission to the Prophet, to keep all his wives, but at the same time, cannot marry any other women, except which your right hand possesses. If you analyse why Prophet Muhammed was not allowed to marry more wives - and besides that, he could not neither divorce them, because there is one more Verse in the Qur'an, which says that… 'As for the wives of the Prophet, whether they are divorced or whether they become widows, no person can marry them, because they are Um-ul Mominin… they are the Mothers of the believers'. So since no one could marry the wives of the Prophet, but natural …the Prophet could not divorce them also. And if you analyse, that all the eleven marriages which the Prophet did… all were either for social reform or for political reason - Were not to please his sex. The first marriage that he did, was with Bibi Khatija, (May Allah be pleased with her). She was at the age of 40,when he was only 25 - And she was a widow twice. Imagine, if he married for sex, why would he marry a woman who was fifteen years elder to him, and who was a widow twice. And if you analyse, till the time Bibi Khatija (May Allah be pleased with her)… till the time she was alive, Prophet Muhammed did not take any other wives. When he was the age of 50, Bibi Khatija (May Allah be pleased with her), she expired. Only between the age of 53 to 56, did Prophet take all the other wives.Imagine… if the Prophet was hyper sexual, he would have married at a young age.Science tells us… 'The older the man gets, the less sexual he gets'. It is an insinuation, on the Prophet. Only 2 of his marriages were normal - that with Bibi Khatija, and that with Bibi Ayesha, (May Allah be pleased with them both). All the other marriages were due to circumstances… either of a social reform, or a political gain. If you analyse all, only 2 wives were below the age of 36 - All the other wives were between the age of 36 and 50 - You can give instances… each marriage had some reason. For example Bibi Johariya, who was from the Banu-Mustalik tribe… which was very powerful tribe, and which was at logger heads with Islam - After a certain time, they were suppressed by the Islamic Army, and later on, the Prophet married her. And after he married her, the companions said…'How can we keep as captives, the relatives of the Prophet' - And they freed those people…and after that, both these tribes became friendly. There are examples, when he married Bibi Maimoona (May Allah be pleased with her), who was the sister of the wife of the chief of the tribe of Najad, which killed 70 Muslim, men of the Islamic deputation. After Mohammed (May peace be upon him)… when he married her, they accepted Medina as their leadership, and they accepted Prophet as their leader. All the… all the marriages which he did, had some political reason or social reform. He married Umme Habiba, who was the daughter of the Chief of Mecca, Abu-Sufiyan - but natural this marriage played a great importance in the conquest of Mecca. Other example like Bibi Safiya (May Allah be pleased with her), she was the daughter of a powerful Jewish leader - After this, the Jewish became very friendly to the Muslims. If you see, all the marriages had some social reforms - he married the daughter of Hazrat Ummer, Hafsa (May Allah be pleased with her), to get closer relationship between the companions. As a social reform, he married a lady who was divorced…the first cousin Zainab - After she was divorced, he married her. All the marriages have some political reason or social reform - So all his marriages were based, to improve the community and to better relationships - It was not for sex. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question, please.

(Q). I am Hasina Farawaze Miswa, and a Law student. I am asking you 2 questions, Mr. Zakir Naik – Okay, in what way is the practice ofPolygamy, determinate beneficial to women?

(Dr. Zakir) Sister has asked the question, in what way is Polygamybeneficial to the women… correct?

(Q). Yes, and other question - Why do you think… Okay, why do you think women enter into polygamous marriages?

(Dr.Zakir) First she asked that, why Polygamy is beneficial to a woman - Is why, if a man marries more than one husband … how is it benefiting the woman. It is helping her to keep herself modest… because if every man married one woman, there will be millions of women in the world, who will not find husbands - and the only option for them to be… the only option for them, is to become public property. So Polygamy is allowed in Islam… to protect the modesty of the female, to prevent them from becoming public properties. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Next question from the brother on the left.

(Q). My name is Mohammed Ashraf - my question is - Is adoption allowed in Islam?

(Dr.Zakir) Brother has asked the question - Is adoption allowed in Islam. If by adoption, you mean that you take a young child… a poor child and give him lodging, boarding, clothing bringing into your house … Islam has always stressed in the Qu'ran that you should help the poor people, help the needy people - You can even get a child to your house, and give him your fatherly love. What Islam objects to is, you cannot legally adopt - you cannot give your name to the child - Legal adoption, is prohibited in Islam. Why? … because if a person adopts a child legally, there can be several complications. First, if that man… sorry… the child, whether it is a girl or boy, it will loose its identity. Point number 2… if suppose after you adopt a child, you may have your own children - No one can say, that you will never have children throughout your life. If you have your own children, you will be bias towards your own child, than the adopted child. Point number three… if the children born to you… if they are of opposite sex of that of the adopted child, they cannot freely stay in the same house… because they are not blood sisters and brothers, to each other. If the adopted child, after he grows up - If it is a girl… after she grows up she will have to do Hijab with the so called father, because he is not his original father. If the adopted child is a man… if it is a boy and he becomes elderly, he becomes a man, and then if he marries again - there has to be Hijab between the daughter-in-law, and the so called father. And there are several other reasons… and besides that, if you the adopt a child, you will be depriving many of your relatives of theirrights. When after a person dies, whatever property he has, is divided according to whatever is mentioned in the Qur'an. If the person has children, and if he adopts a child, but natural he will be… he will be depriving a share of his own child. If the person… if he dies, if he has a children… then the wife will get half the share as she should get , if she has no children, including the mother. If there are children, she gets one sixth… if there are no children, she gets one third. Again if you adopt a child, you are depriving the share of your mother. So to prevent these complications, legal adoption is prohibited in Islam.

(Dr. Mohammed) Next question.

(Q). Salam-Alaikum, I am Kamar Syed - Deputy Secretary, Home Department. In your elegant speech, you have mentioned that for a divorced woman… after the divorce, the husband looks after her during the period of 'iddat'… maintenance allowance is given to her - But after 'iddat', I presume that the parents are supposed to look after the girl - In case the parents do not have the provisions to look after the girl, I would ask you… what is the girl suppose to do?

(Dr. Zakir) Sister has asked a very good question, that suppose a lady, she is divorced - It is the duty of the husband, to provide support till the 'iddat' period, which lasts for may be 3 months, or till pregnancy. After that… as I mentioned in my lecture, it is the duty of the husband… sorry… the duty of the father or the brother, to look after her. If suppose, the father and the brother are unable to look after such ladies, it is the duty of the other close relatives, to look after her. If the other close relatives do not look after her, it is the duty of the Ummah, Muslim… Muslim Ummah… that we should set up organisations, and have Zakat funds, with which we can look after such ladies. Even if this does not work, it is the duty of the Islamic State, as the last resort, to look after such ladies. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Now we would start with some questions from the slips, which have come. We will have one question from the slip, and one from the speaker, then again one from the slip, one from the speaker, one from the slip, one from the speaker, and so on.

(Q). Assalamo Alaikum, I am Sayed Riaz speaking - I am in business. As you said and as I know, that in Islam, men and women are equal - So why is it that a woman in Islam, is not entitled to equal property Rights? - thank you.

(Dr. Zakir) Brother has posed a question, that I said that in my lecture, that economical rights of women and men, are equal. So how come she is not entitled to her equal rights, when it comes to inheritance - and normally people say that the woman gets 1/2 the share, as compared to that of the male. The answer to this question, is given in the Qur'an, in Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 11 and 12, which gives the guidelines, how the inheritance should be divided. It says... 'Allah has ordained for your as regarding your children… as regarding your children's inheritance - for a female, a share half that of the male, and if only daughters 2 or more, they share in a two third - if only one, they get half'. The Verse continues…'And one sixth share for the parents, if the deceased have children. If you have no children… if the deceased has no children, the mother gets one third. If the deceased has brothers and sisters… mother gets one sixth'. And the Verse continues… Verse number 12 says... 'As in what your wife leaves your share is half, if there are no children, and your share is one fourth, if there are children. As in what you leave for your wife, your wife's share is one fourth, if there are no children, and one eight if there are children'. In short, most of the time, the female gets half the share of the male counter part, but not in all cases. For example, for a uterine brother and sister, both get one sixth, if the deceased has got no ascendant or descendent… both get equal share. If the deceased has got no children, both mother and father get equal share of one sixth. And in certain cases, if the person who has died, is a lady who has got no children, the husband gets half, the mother gets one third, and the father gets one sixth. That means, there are cases in which the woman even gets double than that of the male counter part - that is, the mother gets double than that of the father.

But I agree with you, in most of the cases, the female gets 1/2 the share as compared to the man, when it is considered to daughter and a wife. But the answer to this, is that since man… since man is held responsible for the financial aspects of the family, and in order not to do injustice to the man, Allah has given a higher share to the man, as compared to the woman - Otherwise we will have to have a lecture on… 'The rightsof men'. I would like to give an example - Suppose a person dies, and after the properties have been distributed… the share of the children, remaining is one and a half lakh - and that person has two children, one son, one daughter. According to the Islamic Shariah, the son gets 1 lakh Rupees, and the daughter gets fifty thousand Rupees - but of the one lakh Rupees which the son receives, he has to spend, may be the majority of it, on looking after his family - may be eighty thousand or… eighty thousand … or 1 lakh, he has to spend on looking after the family. But that lady when she receives 50,000 she does not have to spend a single pie on looking after her family.

(Clapping)…..

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question, we will ask from the chit - We would request you to put brief questions, and I would request our speaker to give brief answers. We have only about 25 minutes left, for the Question - Answer session.

(Dr. Mohammed) This is from Bijay - from IIT, Powai, Bombay. He asks… 'Islam' does not allow intermingling of sex in work place - is this modernising or outdated ?- Please explain.

(Dr. Mohammed) Another connected question is… 'Can a woman work as an Airhostess, since it is a decent and highly paid job? - this is from Sujat'.

(Dr.Zakir) Regarding the first question, that Islam does not allow intermingling of sexes - Is this modernising or outdated ? If you mean by modernising, that you keep your women for sale, that you intermingle with them, or you can even take the profession as modeling, then I feel that Islam is outdated. Because women … by the Western media, by the Western culture - they have said that they have given more rights to the women … they are raising the status of the women - actually they are degrading it. According to statistics, it tells us that 50% of the women in America, who go to universities and work places, are raped - Do you know that? 50%, why? - Because most of the jobs in America, involve intermingling of sexes. If you think that a lady should be raped, it is modernising, then Islam isoutdated - if you think not, then Islam is the most modernising.

(Clapping )…

Regarding the 2nd part of the question - Why is not… does Islam allow a woman to work as an Airhostess, since it is a highly paid job, and a decent job. I do agree with the first part, I do agree it is very highly paid - But the second part, let us analyse. The Airhostesses are normally chosen… main criteria for selecting Airhostess, is beauty - you will never find an ugly Airhostess. They are selected because they are young, they are selected because they are attractive. They are made to wear clothes, which are against the Islamic ethics - they are made to wear cosmetics to attract the customers. They have to tend to certain needs of the passengers, which are mainly men, in which there is close proximity between the man and woman.

And many a times the gents passengers unnecessarily, they involve in conversation with the Airhostess, and even if the Airhostess wants to give fitting reply, she can not, because her job is at stake. Many a times, the passenger may say… 'Madam please tie my seat belt' - the Airhostess has no option, but she has to tie the seat belt. What is going to happen? - there is going to be close proximity between the opposite sex. Many Airlines also serve alcohol - Islam prohibits any man or woman to serve alcohol. That is the reason, all the Airhostesses are women. There are gents pursers… male pursers in the flight, but they rarely attend to the customers – they are in the kitchen. It is the opposite - In the plane it is the opposite… in the plane it is the opposite. And believe me, an Airlines cannot do without employing ladies. Even the Saudi Airlines, 'Supposed to be', in inverted commas … the most Islamic, 'Supposed to be', inverted commas … even they have ladies Airhostesses. But since they can not have Saudi girls … it will be difficult - they import the girls, they have foreign Airhostess. Double standards … double standards - there is no option.

The Airline is a profession, which… in which you have to have ladies to attract the customers - and you will be shocked to know that certain rules of Airlines. For example, Indian Airlines as well as Air India… it states that… 'After you are selected, you cannot marry for 4 years' - Some Airlines tell you that… 'If you get pregnant, your job is terminated.' Imagine, some Airlines say that… 'You retire at the age of 35' – Why?… Because you are no longer attractive. Do you call it a decent job?

(Clapping)…

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question please.

(Q). In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Merciful, and Bountiful.As-Salam-Alaikum - I am Parveen Alaviya, a practicing lawyer, and a researcher in world Religions. My question to you Dr. Naik is - you mentioned the solitary illustration of woman, who told the body that she was forced into a marriage, and her marriage was allowed to be invalidated. This incident took place years ago around the year, if possible… the body.

Qur'an… is the constitution of the rights of women and men - Is there a body? – If so, name… it which also enforces the breakage and rights- Thank you.

(Dr.Zakir) Sister has asked a very good question. She has asked about the rights of the women - Is very well laid down in the Qur'anand the Hadith, and if a woman is forced into marriage, that marriage can be invalidated. Is there any body today existing, which can invalidate such marriages? There are many bodies - example, in Iran as well as in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the Indian government does not allow the Muslim community to have such courts - Though there is a Muslim personal law, but all the rights are not given. If you request the Indian Government, to allow us to have such boards out here in India, and InshAllah even in India, we will have such 'bodies'. They have given only certain rights… not all the rights.

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question from the chit. Is co-education allowed in Islam? - This is from Rashheed Shaikh - He is a student. Is co-education allowed in Islam?

(Dr.Zakir) Brother has asked a question … is co-education allowed in Islam?… Can meaning… males and females study in the same school, college or universities? First, let us analyse whether male and female, can study in the same school. Those reports which came last year in'The World this Week'… and it gave the survey of the schools, both Unisex schools as well as and Co-Ed. schools in the U.K - And the surveyor said that… 'The overall result of Unisex sex schools, was much better than a Co-Ed. Schools'. When interviews were taken of the teachers, they said that… 'Students in Unisex schools, concentrated more than the Co-Ed. schools.' When interviews of students were taken, they preferred studying in Co-Ed. schools, than Unisex schools … and you know the reason very well, why? And that survey continued - It said that…'People in Co-Ed. schools, spent more time in becoming popular with the opposite sex. And besides lack of concentration, they gave very smart answers to the teachers, and they spend more time in dating, than in gaining education in school. And the last point of that survey, was the UK government was thinking of setting up more Unisex schools, in the country. According to the American report, it said that… 'Girls in school, spent more time in picking up illicit sex techniques from the classmates, than acquiring knowledge from the teachers.' In India, the same thing is happening… to a greater or lesser extent. Let us analyse the males and females together, in the colleges and universities. All the points I mentioned for schools, they are magnified when it comes to college and universities. According to a report of 'News Week' which was published on 17th of March 1980, on page number 50, it said that… the sexual assault of the women in the universities are given. And it said - I will not repeat the full history of that report, because time is short, but the main point is, that… 'Lecturers and professors - they forced the lady into sexual harassment, in exchange for a better grade. Same thing is happening in India, in Bombay - and after your are sexually harassed, but natural, the concentration to education goes low. You had an incident last year, which… which made the headlines of the paper – I have forgotten the name of the college, in which a girl student was raped in the broad daylight, by 4 or 5 students, in the college premises. And according to a report which came day before yesterday, in the Times of India on the 26th of August, it repeated the report of New York Times - It said that… '25% of the ladies that go to schools and universities in America, are raped'. My basic question is… 'Do you want to send your child to a school to get educated, or do you want to send your child to the school, to pick up illicit techniques, or be sexually harassed?' If it is the first, I would advice you to put them in Unisex schools… and there are several of the kind in the city. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) I have an announcement to make - I would just like to inform you regarding this session - We have outside available for sale, video tapes of Dr. Zakir Naik, which are available for sale at a discounted price of Rs. 150/- each. The topics covered are… this cassette of the Bombay Union of Journalist, debate on – 'Is Religious Fundamentalism, a Stumbling Block in the freedom of Expression?' when he spoke along with Dr. Vyas and Father Pereira, a Jezuit expert. Then, we have …'Religion in the right perspective', given at a place in Nariman Point - we have… 'Islam, the Universal Religion' at Mani Bhavan, organised by the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, and 'Al-Qur'an : Should it be read with meaning?', a lecture given at the SNDT University Hall, Juhu - there are available for sale outside. We also have the Holy Qur'an, which is available on a hadiya, a nominalhadiya of Rs. 150/- each - This is the English Qur'an… with the text and English translation, by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, along with it's commentary. We know that we have quite a lot of questions coming up - there is lot of enthu… enthusiasms, but at the same time, I have to be pragmatic - We have our time limitations. We have with us next 10 to 15 minutes, in which we have to complete this session.

I would request… we have… we will allow one question from this end, the next on the top, third here, and I think because Women's right session, we will end with the lady on the top. In between, it will be interspersed with brief questions from the chits that I have received. Those who are interested in having further questions, I would like to inform them on this subject, or on any subject of Islam and comparative Religion… you are most welcome to attend our lectures, followed by Question and Answers - may be, in a smaller setting on Fridays at 2:45 p.m. for ladies, every Friday that is, and every Saturday at 2:45 p.m. open for all, and on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. open for all. Muslims, Non-Muslims all are welcome, and in a very cordial and open atmosphere… you are allowed to criticize, cross examine and openly discuss Islam and it's values, without offending the speaker or yourself. If you feel, you can better educate that lecture or that talk is there, we would be happy to be corrected. And we hope in the same spirit, you would be able to discuss with a very open mind, the problems we face in society and the world in general - The next question please.

(Q). Dr. Naik, my question… is for last fourteen hundred years, one thousand and four hundred years, only main Ulemas have interpretedQur'an and Hadith. Of course I was enlightened by your speech in the beginning, that Aaisha Ji was a Religious scholar, and she used to interpret. My question is… how many women, female Ulemas or Religious scholars are today to interpret Qur'an and Hadith, today - how many, what is the percentage? - and another thing… another thing, I am… just… just finishing - this question arises from 'the Taslima of Bengal'…that when she made a sentence… I mean, Moulvistarted shouting - there was not a lady Ulema to, I mean to reply to these Moulvis or take the side of Taslima, or anything. We have not read what Taslima has said, because we cannot get all the literature here in India, either from Pakistan or from Bengal, or anywhere - so we would like you to read…

(Dr. Mohammed) Excuse me, Excuse me, I would like you to ask directly … Excuse me gentleman, I would like you to ask directly the question, regarding Taslima Nasreen - what you would like to know? Ask the question directly.

(Q). I know, please I will make it short - How many lady Ulemas are there today, to interpret Qur'an and Hadith, and what is their percentage in comparison to men - thank you very much.

(Dr. Zakir) Uncle has asked a question, that he agrees that at the time of the Prophet, there were many ladies, who not only interpreted the Hadiths, they memorized… memorized. And Hazrat Aaisha (May Allah be pleased with her), she herself has narrated… narrated, on her authority itself… only 2210 Hadiths are based, only on her authority. The basic question is, how many Ulema women, do you have today? - he wants to know the percentage. There are several lady Ulemas, and there are many Muslim organizations, in Bombay as well as in Darr-ul-ulm, in Nadwa etc., in several places as Islah-ul-Banaat in Bombay - Several Muslim organizations which produce ladyUlema – Percentage, I do not know of …do not know - but there are hundreds… hundreds. Why did not any… regarding my second part of the question – Why did not any lady support the cause for Taslima Nasreen? - The first question arises… Should she be supported? Regarding the answer for the question on Taslima Nasreen, this cassette is available outside in the foyer. This cassette - we had a debate in the Bombay Union of Journalist - Bombay Union of Journalists had a debate between myself and Dr. Vyas and Father Peirera as well as Ashok Shahani, who translated into Marathi 'Lajja'. And many people objected… many people guided me, that do not go to that debate - It will be a problem, they will misquote you - And believe me, I had two minds. And finally my father guided me…'Take the name of Allah, and go'-
And I went… Al-hamdulillah. Al-hamdulillah, it was only because of Allah's, support that the debate was successful – It was so successful, that not a single paper reported it - You know that? - Not a single paper. There was the Times of India, there was the Indian Express, there was Mahanagar, Nikhil Waghle himself was there, there was UTI, there were PTIs also there - No one reported… Why? - because I did not say what they wanted. If I would have said… If I would have said what they wanted, it would have been headlines - 'Islamic Scholar, Dr. Zakir Naik… and so and so' - Because I did not say what they wanted, no report. As the full answer, the cassette is available outside.

(Dr. Mohammed) The last 3 questions.

(Q). Is it only the husband… this is from Jennifer - It says... - Is it only the husband who can say 'Triple Talaq' and get one… and get one? - What has a woman to do, if she wants to get divorce or 'Talaq'?

(Dr. Zakir) The sister has asked a question, that a husband can divorce a woman - She has not asked about Triple 'Talaq', that is another answer. But the main question is - A husband can divorce… Can a woman also divorce, or can she give 'Talaq'? A woman cannot give 'Talaq' - because 'Talaq' is a Arabic word used for divorce, when a man gives to a woman - husband gives to a wife - but a woman can divorce. There are 5 types of divorce, in Islam - The first type is by unilateral… by unilateral agreement, between the husband and wife - Both may say… 'Okay, we are not compatible… let us part'. The second type, is by the unilateral will of the husband, that is called a 'Talaq', in which, he has to forgo his 'Meher'. If he has not paid it, he has to pay it to her… and including the gifts, he has given to her. Third type, is by the unilateral will of the wife - I repeat, by the unilateral will of the wife… if she mentions it in her marriage contract. If she mentions it in her Nikah-Nama… in her marriage contract, that she has the right to give unilateral divorce, she can give it - It is call as 'Isma'. I have never heard of anyone speaking of an 'Isma' - It is called as 'Isma' - Even a woman can give divorce, 'Isma'.

Third category is, if the husband ill-treats her, or not give her equal rights, she has the right to go to a Kazi, and nullify the marriage - It is called as 'Nikah-e-Fask'. In this, according to the Kazi, he may ask the husband to give the full 'Meher', or part of the 'Meher', depending upon the Kazi. And the last is 'Kulah'- that even though the husband may be a very good husband, the wife has got no complaints against the husband, but for personal reasons, she does not like the husband - she has… she can request the husband, to divorce her - and that is called as 'Kulah'. But very few people talk about women giving divorce, to the men. Some of the Ulemas have categorized these 5 types of divorce, into 2 or 3 different categories, but broadly there are 5 types of divorce, in Islam. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) We would now ask 2 very short questions, again from the slips - then we will allow a last question, to Zakir… to give in very brief, the answer to the question.

(Q). Why are women, not allowed in the Mosque?

(Dr. Zakir) The question asked is, why are not women, allowed in the Mosque - And in brief, it is difficult. There is no statement in theQur'an or the Sahih Hadith, which prevents women from entering the Mosque. Some people quote a particular Hadith, and say that the Prophet said… 'It is better for the women to pray in the house, than the Mosque - It is better for her to pray in the house, in her inner room, than in her house'. They are taking hold only of one source, and neglecting all the other souls.

WOMENS' RIGHTS IN ISLAM – MODERNISING OR OUTDATED? – PART 1

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 09:56:00 -0700

tains the words of Dr. Zakir Naik, please go through the entire document if to know the true position and rights of woman in Islam and also the current degradation and stripping of dignity of woman by the western media.

WOMENS' RIGHTS IN ISLAM
– MODERNISING OR OUTDATED? – PART 1

(Back Ground Azaan, By Brother Yusuf Islam)

Islamic Research Foundation An International Resource Centre For Understanding And Clarification, On Islam And Comparative Religion.

Islamic Research Foundation Provides For Free Hire And Sale, Video And Audio Cassettes, On Islam And Comparative Religion.

This Being, The Largest And Best Collection Internationally. It Includes Films, Television Programmes, Documentaries, Qur'anic And Islamic Studies Programmes As Well As Interviews, Lectures, Symposia, Debates, Etc., Of World Renowned Speakers Like Shaikh Ahmed Deedat - South Africa, Dr. Zakir Naik- India, Dr. Jamal Badawi - Canada, Dr. Khalid Al-Mansoor - U.S.A., Brother Yusuf Islam - U.K., Brother Gary Miller - Canada, Dr. Israr Ahmed -Pakistan, Maulana Abdul Karim Parekh- India, And Many Others.

Islamic Research Foundation Also Provides On Request, Free Literature On Islam And Comparative Religion.

Please Phone, Call, Or Write To Islamic Research Foundation, 56/58, Tandel Street (North), Dongri, Mumbai 400 009.

(Azan Continued)…

(Dr. Mohammed) Assalaamu Alaikum… May peace be on you all.

Honorable Justice Kazi, respected elders, distinguished guests, members of the press, friends, brothers and sisters.

There are many social traumas, problems and conflicts… women in society face today, and we sincerely need to find viable holistic and humanistic solutions to them.

In this context, the subject of 'Women's Rights' is of much contemporary analytical relevance, and human interest.

A reason enough, for all of us to have gathered here today, inspite of options of other pre occupations.

On behalf of the Islamic Research Foundation… I, Dr. Mohammed Naik, the co-ordinator for the programs, today welcome you all with earnest pleasure, and sincere appreciation from the heart.

We begin today's program formally with the Qiraat by Brother Ashraf Mohammey, which will be followed by the reading of its English translation.

(Ashraf Mohammedy) Asalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahai Wabarakatuhu.

(Arabic)…

The translation … 'I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed

In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful'.

'O Humankind reverence your Guardian Lord who created you from a single person, created of like nature his mate and from them twain scattered like seeds countless men and women, Reverence God through whom you demand your mutual rights and reverence the wombs that bore you.

For God ever watches over you

To orphans restore their property when they reach their age nor substitute your worthless things for their good ones and devour not their substance by mixing it up with your own, for this is indeed a great sin.

Verily Allah speaks the Truth'.

(Dr. Mohammed) Assalaamu Alaikum… Thank, you brother Ashraf.

For those who may be introduced new to the IRF and its activities, I would like to briefly outline the IRF, and its work.

The IRF was initially started in February 1991, to cater to the need for proper Islamic knowledge amongst the educated Muslim youth - Youth who may be ignorant about Islamic teachings, youth who may tend to be wrongly apologetic about Islam, and youth who may not know how to properly present and practice Islam, for the whole world at large, to appreciate and look up to.

Now the IRF has been growing in many other deserving areas of its other objectives, specially in humanitarian relief activities and educational upliftment.

Amongst its popular services, IRF has a collection of more than 1,300 Video cassettes and more than 4,000 Audio cassettes, on Islam and Comparative Religion, available for free hire in Bombay.

It also has to its credit, more then 50 publications on Islam and Comparative Religion, which are available free on request, all over India.

To promote education, the need of the day, amongst our people, the IRF Educational Trust was established 1½ year back of which Dr. Zakir happens to be the chairman.

Today Dr. Zakir will be speaking on the topic… 'Women's Rights in Islam – Modernizing or Outdated?'

This would be followed by a Question and Answer session, in which you all have a right to question and cross examine him, on the topic and the matter presented in a very open format.

When we consider the rights and justice for women in this open court of ours today, in context of Islamic laws and views, it is very befitting, and our esteemed pleasure to have amongst us the eminent Judge, Honorable Justice Muhammad Mujeebuddin Qazi, to preside over this programme.

Justice Qazi has been for 13 years from 1968 to 1981, the government pleader at the Nagpur Branch of the Bombay High Court, being the highest law officer of the Government of Maharashtra, there of.

Then, Justice Qazi became the first Muslim, after Justice M. C. Chagra to be elevated from the Bar to the Bench, as a Judge of the Bombay High Court, where he has been delivering judgment, from 1981 till 1992.

On the eve of his retirement in 1992, a very leading Newspaper of Central India 'The Hitwada', had this to say about him… 'Justice Qazi belongs to the fast vanishing breed of gentlemen Judges'.

Justice Qazi, is at present a member of the Minorities Commission, and earlier has been a member of the advisory board Islamic and Comparative Law Journal, in New Delhi.

After his retirement as a high court Judge, Justice Qazi has been fortunate, and been honoured with the elevation, to the position of Chairman, Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, opposed equal to that of the rank of the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

This high powered Tribunal, is the substitute and bifurcation of the Bombay High Court for all government service matters.

To top it all, his hand bill… 'Demeanor' and manners as well as a deep anguish and care for real human progress, make him an make him an apt personality, to precede… to preside over today's proceedings.

He would be introducing the importance and significance of the topic for the day, as well as introduce Dr. Zakir Naik, who he is well acquainted with.

Brothers and sisters… Justice M. M. Qazi

(Justice M.M. Qazi) The distinguished speaker Dr. Zakir Naik, Dr. Mohammed Naik, former Governor and Ambassador Mr. Talyar Khan, the foreign dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen.

At the outset, I would like to thank the organizers of Islamic Research Foundation, for having invited me to preside over this function.

I would also like to thank Dr. Mohammed Naik, for having said few good words about me.

As you are already aware, the subject of the talk this morning is… 'Women's Rights in Islam - Modernizing or Outdated?'

Modernizing means… 'Something which is not antiquated, but in the context of the subject it would mean - the rights given to women in Islam, fourteen centuries back, are relevant even today'.

The debate, on the position of women in social spectrum, has been going on since centuries - but of late, it has assumed somewhat alarming proportions in certain matters.

Issues such as Talaq, Polygamy, participation of Muslim women in
Socio-political activities, are subject of regular comment and discussion in the media.

There may have been problems, but at the same, time it is a fact that some of the issues were over played by the Media.

No doubt, the Western woman has today obtained, Socio-economic and
Lego-political rights, through hectic struggle, which was carried on for over 200 years.

But friends, I would like to tell you, that in the struggle, in the process, she has lost everything.

She has lost, if you have closely observed the Western society… you will agree with me that she has lost her family life, she has lost peace of mind, she has lost even her honour and womanhood.

On the contrary… Islam has given, has bestowed on women innumerable rights, fourteen centuries back, when contemporary civilizations were still considering whether women could be regarded as a human being.

We are therefore to examine objectively, dispassionately and coolly, whether the rights, so given in Islam are really adequate, and therefore relevant even today.

You are fortunate to have an eminent speaker Dr. Zakir Naik, who is going to deal with the subject exhaustively, and therefore it is not necessary for me to refer to all those verses in the Holy Qur'an, and the number of traditions of the holy… of the Prophet of Islam, pertaining to the rights of women.

However I will refer to the two verses, in order to demonstrate that woman has been given a dignified position in Islam - Verse No. 228, Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah, as translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, whose work is supposed to be the most standard work, reads as under….

'And Women shall have rights, similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable, but men have a degree of advantage over them'.

I would like you to bear in mind, every word of this Verse - It has unequivocally being declared, that men and women have similar rights against each other.

These words… this part of the verse has no where been diluted anywhere in the Qur'an, however the verse further says that men have a degree of advantage over women.

It is really these words which we have to be… we have to be sure about, because it is here that most of the people have faltered, and even some of the commentators have misconceived these words.

But at the outset I would like to tell you, that these words have nothing to do with the rights between the parties… rights as I have already… we have already seen just now, have been unequivocally declared in the earlier portion of this Verse that… 'Men and women have similar rights against each other'.

In order to fully appreciate this Verse, these words namely that… 'Men have a degree of advantage over women', we will have to refer also to another Verse - Verse No. 34, Chapter 4, Surah Nisa.

It reads… its translation reads as under… 'Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one (more) into bracket (strength) bracket close than the other, and because they support them for their means'.

This Verse… Verse again lays down that… 'Men are the protectors and maintainers of women'.

It further says that… 'God has given one more than the other'.

Admittedly, a woman is a weaker sex and she has got to be given special protection in certain matters.

Anthropologically, man is stronger and also different, which is also a biological truth.

No doubt nature has given him this advantage, for which no credit goes to man, and no discredit to women on that account - But I would like to tell you that this advantage, is also being given to men in order, so that he is.. he is able to effectively discharge his functions.

Honorees task has been cast on him, that of a protector and maintainer and therefore this advantage which has been given to him, has nothing to do with the rights, as I have already said earlier.

In fact this advantage, in no way reduces the rights of women … nor it, her importance.

Therefore the real question that would arise, would be… I would request you to ponder over, and think about the state of affair, in the social set up today.

According to me, this is one of the most important and delicate function of the men… to give protection to women.

It is in a very… you see, in a very deep sense, which has to be understood - It is not wholly an ordinary protection, in the sense of saving one's life - Please try to understand and appreciate.

I would request you to… to think over, whether men are discharging their functions… and if you closely examine, I have no doubt, you will come to this conclusion, that… that… that men have abdicated their most important function… that of giving protection to women, and therefore have neglected their… their elementary duty.

I do not want to enter into a dialogue or a debate at this time, because there is no time at my at my disposal, as to who is responsible for bringing about this tragic situation.

May be that women may… may have also been responsible for this… bringing about this situation.

But the fact remains, that this has exposed women to forces of crime and oppression, leading to widespread cases of violation of her honour and dignity. *** 16 Sec

In the back drop of Indian ethos, we shall sanctify womanhood.

No woman would like to bargain for such liberty, and no man would like to give up his… agree to give up his role as a 'protector'.

This extremely delicate aspect of relationship between man and woman, has been explained by one of the great thinkers and the… and Poet… Doctor Iqbal, in a poem titled - 'Women's Protection'.

Of course the poem is in Urdu – It … it consists of three couplets… but I will translate them… these three couplets… there after I have recited these three couplets.

Iqbal says… 'Ek Zinda Haqiqat Mere Seene Mein Hai Mastoor, Ek Zinda Haqiqat Mere Seene Mein Hai Mastoor, Kya Jaanega Woh Jiske Ragon Main Hai Lahoo Sard, Kya Janega Woh Jiske Ragon Main Hai Lahoo Sard, Na parda Na Taleem, Nai Ho Ke Purani, Nisfaniyat E Zan Ka NigeBaan Hai Faqat Mard, Jis Kaum Ne Zinda Haqi Jis Qaum Ne Is Zinda Haqiqat Ko Na Paya, Us Qaum Ka Kursheed Bahut Jald Huwa Zard'.

The translation would be that… 'Jis Kaum Ne Ye Zinda haqiqat Kon Na Paya' - The nation which has not realised this truth …sorry.

'Ek Zinda haqiqat Mere Seene Mein Hain Mastoor' - a living truth lies deep into my heart.

'Kya Samjhegan Woh Jiske Ragon Mein Hai Lahoo Sard'- It is not for those whose senses are frozen.

'Na Parda Na Taleem, Nai Ho Ke Puranee' - It is neither veil nor education… new or old.

'Niswaniyat e Zan Ka Nigeban Hai Faqat Mard' - The protector of the dignity of women, is man alone.

'Jis Qaum Ne Ye Zinda Haqiqat Ko Na Paya' - A nation which has not discovered this… this truth.

'Us us Kaum ka Kurshid Bahot Jald Huwa Zard' - It's sun is bound to fade away.

Friends, as I have already said… that I have extremely limited time at my disposal, and Dr. Zakir is already there, who is going to deal with the subject exhaustively… exhaustively, sufficiently suffice.

I have… non the less; I would like to tell you, that woman has been given a very dignified position, in Qur'an.

And the real problem is only, one of our own ignorance, of Quran's real spirit

Therefore the real solution would be, to educate and enlighten the people.

May I remind you at this moment, the great words of Thomas Jefferson that… 'A nation which expects… which expects to be ignorant and also free, it expects what never was, and never will be'.

'Wo Mauzis The Zamane Mein Musalman Hokar, Aur Tum Khwar Piye Tarike Qur'an Hokar'.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have amids't us, Bombay's young but brilliant and irradiate speaker, Dr. Zakir Naik.

Though he is a doctor by profession, but he has dedicated himself to the cause of propagation… propagation of Islam, in it's right perspective.

He is founder General Secretary of Islamic Research Foundation, which was established in 1991.

He is… he has widely traveled within and outside country, and has delivered number of lectures.

At such a young age, he has developed deep insight into Qur'an - which reminds us what Tagore has said that… 'A lamp cannot light another lamp, unless it continues to burn it's own flame'.

It would be most unfair, if on this occasion, I ignore, I do not mention the distinguished parents of Dr. Zakir Naik, but for whose guidance and blessings, he would not have been what he is today.

I once again thank you very much - Thank you very much.

(Clapping)...

(Dr. Mohammad) The talk by Dr. Zakir Naik, on today's topic - Dr. Zakir Naik.

(Dr. Zakir) (Arabic

Honorable Justice M. M. Qazi, respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters, I welcome all of you with the Islamic greetings… 'As-salaamu Alaikum Warahamatullahi Wabarakatuhu'… meaning… 'May peace blessing and mercy of Almighty Allah, be on all of you'.

The topic of today's day is - 'The Women's Rights in Islam - Modernising or Outdated?'

According to the Oxford dictionary, 'Women's Rights are the rights, that promote a position of social and legal equality, of women to men'

According to the Oxford dictionary, 'they are the rights, claimed for the women, equal to those of men, as regards to suffrage that right to vote, as regards to property, etc'.

'Modernising', according to the Oxford dictionary means, 'to make modern, to adapt to modern needs or habits'.

And according to the Webster's dictionary it means… 'To make modern, or to give a new character or appearance - e.g., to modernise ones ideas'.

In short, modernising is a process of updating or opting for the betterment of the present status itself - It is not the present modern status itself.

Can we modernise ourselves, to master our problems, and to realize a new way of life, for the whole human race?

I am not concerned about the modern ideas, the conclusions and the categorical statements made by scientists and inexperienced armchair experts, as how a life should be lived by a woman.

I am going to base my conclusions and considerations on truth, which can be proved by experience

Experience and unbiased factual holistic analysis, are the sure test, between the gold of truth, and the glitter of theory.

We have to check our thinking against reality, otherwise many a times, our mental process will go astray - Indeed the great brains of one time, believed that the world was flat.

If we agree with the 'Women's rights in Islam', as portrayed by the Western media, you have no option, but to agree that the 'Women's rights in Islam' are outdated.

The Western talk of women's liberation, is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honour and degradation of her soul.*** 10 Sec

The Western society which speaks of upgrading the status of women in Islam, have actually reduced her status to concubines, to mistresses, to society butterflies, which are mere tools in the hands of sex marketers and pleasure seekers, which are disguised behind the colorful screen of art and culture.

Islam's radical revolutionary support, gave women their due right and status in the days of ignorance… 1,400 years ago.

Islam's objective was and continues to be, to modernise our thinking, our living, our seeing, our hearing, our feeling and striving for the women's upliftment and emancipation in the society.

Before I dwell further with the topic, I would like you to make note of a few points.

The first point is that, 'approximately one fifth of the world's population, consists of Muslims'

There are different Muslim societies - Some may be close to Islam, some may be far away from Islam

The 'Women's rights in Islam' should judged according to the authentic sources, and not what individual Muslims do, or what the Muslim society does.

The authentic sources of Islam, are the Qur'an, which is the word of God, and the authentic Sunnah, and the traditions of our beloved Prophet (may peace be upon him).

Point number four - the Qur'an will never contradict itself, nor will the Shahih Hadith contradict itself… neither will these two authentic sources, contradict each other.

Point number five – 'Sometimes the scholars differ, and many a times, these differences can be removed by analyzing the Qur'an as a whole, and not just by quoting one particular Verse'.

Because if one particular verse of the Qur'an if its ambiguous many a times the answer is given somewhere else in the Qur'an - Some people quote one source and neglect all the other sources.

And the last point is – 'It is the duty of every Muslim, male or female, to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT), and to act as His trustee on this world, and not to try and gain fame or satisfy one's own ego.

Islam believes in equality of men and women – 'Equality' does not mean 'Identicality'.

In Islam, the role of a man and woman… it is complimentary, it is not conflicting - It is that of a partnership - it is not contradictory, so as to strive for supremacy.

Where 'Women's rights in Islam' is concerned, I have divided into 6 broad categories.

The first are 'the Spiritual rights', second are 'the Economical rights', third are 'the Social rights', fourth are 'the Educational rights', fifth are 'the Legal rights', and last are 'the Political rights'.

Let us analyze 'the Spiritual rights' of women in Islam

The greatest misconception that the West has about Islam, is that they think… 'Paradise in Islam, is only meant for the male - it is not meant for the female'.

This misconception can be removed by quoting from Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No 124, which says.

(Arabic)...

Which means – 'If any of you do deeds of righteousness, whether it be male or a female and has faith, they shall surely enter Paradise and not the least injustice shall be done to them'

A similar thing is… a similar thing is repeated in Surah Nahl, Ch.16, Verse No.97 which says… 'If any of you perform good deeds, be it a man or a women and is a believer, We shall give you good life and We should reward you for all your good works' .

Just because in Islam, sex is not the criteria to enter Paradise… will you call such rights in Islam as modernising or outdated?

Another misconception is that, which the Western media has, that… 'The woman has no soul'.

In fact, it was in the seventeenth century, when the Council of wise men… when they gathered at Rome, and they unanimously agreed that the woman had no soul.

In Islam, man and woman have the same spiritual nature, and that was clarified by our young Qari, Brother Ashraf Mohammedy, who recited the Verse from Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.1.

(Arabic)…

Which that… 'O humankind reverence your guardian lord, who has created you from a single person and created like nature his mate' .*** 15 Sec

A similar thing is mentioned in Surah Nahl, Ch.16, Verse No.72, which says that… 'We have made for you companions and mates of your own nature'

Again in Surah Al-Shura, Ch.42, Verse No.11, it says… (Arabic)…

'He is the one who has created the heavens and the earth and has made for you pairs from among yourselves'

Just because the spiritual nature of a man and woman is the same in Islam, will you call such rights in Islam, as modernizing or outdated?

The Qur'an clearly mentions that… 'Allah (SWT) has breathed somewhat of His spirit into the human beings'.

If you read Surah Hijr, Ch.15, Verse No.29, it says… 'When I have fashioned you in due proportion and have breathed into you something of my spirit, fall ye down in obeisance'

A similar thing is repeated in the Qur'an, in Surah Sajdah, Ch. 32, Verse No.9, which says...

( Arabic)…

Means… 'We have fashioned you in due proportion and have breathed into you something of My spirit' .

Here, when Allah (SWT) refers to… 'As something of My Spirit, is breathed into the human beings' - it does not mean, a sort of incarnation or a pantheistic form.

It means that Allah has given to every human being something of His spiritual Nature, and the Knowledge of God Almighty, and coming closer towards Him

Here it refers to both Adam and Eve (may peace be upon them) - Both were breathed something of Allah (SWT)'S Spirit.

Again we read in the Qur'an, that Allah has appointed the human being as His vicegerent, as His trustee, as is mentioned in Surah Isra, Ch.17, Verse No.70, which says….

(Arabic)…

That… 'We have honoured the children of Adam and bestowed on them special favours'.

Sorry… Here all the children of Adam have been honoured, male as well as female.

There are some Religious scriptures, for example the Bible, which puts the blame on Eve for the downfall of humanity.

In fact if you read the Qur'an in Surah Araf, Ch.7, Verse No.19 to 27, Adam and Eve (may peace be upon them both) are addressed, more than a dozen of times.

Both disobeyed God, both asked for forgiveness, both repented, and both were forgiven.

In the Bible, if you read Genesis, Ch. 3, only Eve is held responsible (May peace be upon her) for the downfall of humanity.

And according to the doctrine of 'Original Sin', because of Eve (may peace be upon her) the whole of humanity is born in sin.

If you read the Bible in Genesis, Ch. 3, Verse No.16, it states that the God of… 'the Bible' it is saying 'Unto the woman you shall bear in conception and in sorrow shall you give birth and your desire shall be of your husband and he shall rule over you'

That means, pregnancy and child birth has been said in the Bible to degrade the women and the labour pain is a sort of punishment.

In fact if you read the Qur'an, pregnancy and child birth have uplifted the women.

If you read Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.1, it says… 'Respect the womb that bore you'.

Its mentioned in Surah Luqman, Ch.31, Verse No.14, it says … (Arabic…).

That... 'We have enjoined on the human being to be kind to the parents, in travail upon travail did their mother bore them and in years twain was their weaning'

A similar thing is mentioned in Surah Ahqaf, Ch.46, Verse No.15…
(Arabic)…

It again repeats, which says… 'We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to his parents'.

To be kind to the parents - in pain did their mother bore them, and in pain did she give them birth - Pregnancy in the Qur'an has uplifted the women not degraded her

Just because pregnancy has uplifted the women in Islam will you call such rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?

The only criteria for judgment in the sight of Allah is 'Taqwa', 'God consciousness' or 'righteousness'

It is mentioned in Surah Hujurat, Ch.49, Verse No.13 'O humankind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female and have divided you into nations and tribes, so that you shall recognize each other not that you despise each other and the most honored in the sight of Allah, is the one who is the most righteous'.

Sex, colour, caste, wealth has got no criteria in Islam - The only criteria in the sight of Allah it is 'Taqwa', neither is sex the criteria for Allah (SWT) to reward or to punish a person.

If you read Surah Imran Ch.3 Verse No.195 it says 'I will never suffer the loss of any of you, be it male or female, you are companions unto each other'.

I had started my talk by quoting a verse from the Qur'an From Surah Al Ahzab, Ch.33, Verse No.35, which says

'Innal Muslimeena Was Muslimati' - 'For Muslim men and Muslim women'

'Wal maomineena Wamomiminati' – 'For believing men and women'

'Wa Kaniteena Wakantaati' – 'For devout men and women'

'Wa Saadikeena Wasaadkaati' – 'For true men and women'.

'Wa Sabireena Wa Saabiraati' – 'For men and women who are patient and constant'.

'Wa Musaddikeena Wamusadikaati' – 'Or men and women who give in charity'.

'Wa Saaeemeena Wasaaimaati' – 'For men and women who fast and deny themselves'.

'Wal hafizeena Furoojaheen Wa hafizati' – 'For men and women who guard their chastity'

'Wa Zaakireenallahu Kasuraon Wazaakiraati' – 'For men and women who engage much in Allah's (SWTala's) praise'

And the verse ends by 'Aradallahu Wa magfirataon Wa Airframe Azeena' – 'That for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and ample of reward'

This verse indicates that the spiritual duties, the moral duties, for the men and women in Islam are the same - Both have to believe, both have to pray, both have to fast, both have to give Zakat, etc, etc.

But the women has been given certain concession in Islam.

If she is undergoing her menstrual period or pregnancy, she does not have to fast - She can keep those fasts later on, when she is more healthy

In fact, during the menstrual period and during the postnatal period, she need not pray also - She has been given the concession, and neither does she have to compensate it later on.

Just because the moral duties of the men and women are equal in Islam will you call such rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?

Let us analyze the Economical rights - Islam gave economical rights to the women 1,300 years before the West.

An adult Muslim woman can own, she can dispose or disown any of her property without consulting any one, irrespective whether she is married or she is single.

In 1870, it was the first time in England, that the West recognized the rights of the married woman, where she was allowed to own or dispose any of her property without consultation.

I do agree that the women were given their economical rights 1300 years ago - these are ancient rights - but the question is – 'are they modernizing or outdated?'

A women in Islam, if she wishes to work she can work - There is no text in the Qur'an or the authentic Hadith which prevents or makes it prohibited for a woman to do any work, as long as it is not unlawful, as long as it is within the preview of the Islamic Shariah, as long as she maintains her Islamic dress code

But natural, she cannot take up jobs, which exhibit her beauty and body - Like for example, modeling and film acting, and such kind of jobs.

Many of the professions and jobs which are prohibited for the woman are also prohibited for the man, for example serving liquor.

For example working in gambling dens - For example doing any unethical or dishonest business - All these jobs are prohibited for both men and women.

A true Islamic society requires women to take up profession such as doctors.

We do require female Gynecologists - We do require female nurses - We do require female teachers

But, a woman in Islam has got no financial obligations - The financial obligation is laid on the shoulders of the man in the family - Therefore she need not work for her livelihood.

But in genuine cases, where there are financial crisis in which both the ends do not meet, she has the option of working

Here too, no one can force her to work - She works out of her own, absolute free will.

Besides the professions I mentioned, she can work in the house and take up tailoring, she can take up embroidery, she can do pottery, she can make baskets etc

She is also allowed to work in factories and small scale industries in which, which has been designed exclusively for the ladies.

She can work in places which have got separate sections- gents and ladies, because Islam does not agree with intermingling of the sex

She can also do business, and where it comes to doing transactions, where it involves interaction with a foreign male, with a Na-Mehram, she should do it through a father or a brother or husband or a son

And the best example I can give you is of Bibi Khatija (may Allah be pleased with her) who was the wife of our beloved Prophet (may peace be upon him)

She was one of the most successful business women of her times and she did the transaction through her husband, Prophet Muhammed may (May peace be upon him)

A woman in Islam has been given more financial security, as compared to the man.

As I told you earlier, she… the financial obligation is not put on her shoulder - It is put on the shoulder of the man in the family

It is the duty of the father or the brother, before she is married and the duty of the husband or the son, after she is married to look after her lodging, boarding, clothing and financial aspects of her.

When she gets married, she is on the receiving end.

She receives a gift - she receives a dower or a marital gift, which is called as 'Meher'.

And it is mentioned in the Qur'an in Surah Nisa, Ch.4 Verse No.4 which says…. (Arabic)…

'Give to the woman in dower, a marital gift' .

For a marriage to solemnize in Islam, 'Meher' is compulsory.

But unfortunately in our Muslim society here, we just keep a nominal 'Meher' to satisfy the Qur'an, say 151 Rupees, or some people give 786 Rupees and they spend lakhs and lakhs of Rupees on the reception, on the decoration, on the flowers, on the lunch parties, on the dinner parties.

In Islam, there is no - there is no lower-limit, nor is there an upper limit for 'Meher ' - But when a person can spend lakhs of Rupees on the reception, surely the 'Meher ' should be much more.

There are various cultures which have crept into the Muslim societies, specially in the Indo-Pak area

They give a small amount of 'Meher ' and they expect the wife to get a fridge, to get a T.V set, they expect the wife to give a flat, to get a car, etc., and a large sum of dowry, depending upon the status of the husband

If he is a graduate, they may accept - they may expect 1 lakh - If he is an engineer they may expect 3 lakhs- If he is a doctor they may expect 5 lakhs.

Demanding dowry… a husband demanding dowry from the wife, directly or indirectly is prohibited in Islam.

If the parents of the girl give the girl something out of their own free will, it is accepted - But demanding or forcing directly or indirectly, it is prohibited in Islam

If a Woman works, which she does not have to - whatever earning she gets, it is absolutely her property.

She need not spend a single penny on the household - if she wants to spend it is her free will.

Irrespective how rich the wife is, it is the duty of the husband to give lodging, boarding, clothing and look after the financial aspects of the wife.

In case of divorce or if a wife gets widowed, she is given financial support for the period of 'Iddah' - and if she has children, she is also given child support

Islam gave the right to the women to inherit, centuries ago.

If you read the Qur'an - in several verses, in Surah Nisa, in Surah Baqarah and in Surah Maidah, it is mentioned that a woman irrespective, she is a wife or she is a mother, or a sister, or a daughter, she has a right to inherit - And it has been fixed by Allah (SWT) in the Qur'an.

And I do know, there are bound to be questions - that the inheritance law of in of Islam is unjust.

But time does not permit me to clarify this - Insha Allah I will expect a question on this and then I can deal with this topic more in detail.

Let us go further and analyze the social rights of a women in Islam.

Broadly it can be categorized into four sub-headings… Social rights given to a daughter, to a wife, to a mother and to a sister.

Coming to the social rights given in Islam, to a daughter - Islam prohibits, female infanticide - The killing of female children is forbidden in Islam

It is mentioned in Surah Taqveem, Ch. 81, Verse No. 8 and 9, 'when the female child is buried alive and when she questions you, for what crime was she killed'.

Not only female infanticide has been prohibited, all sorts of infanticides has been prohibited in Islam, whether it be a male child or a female child.

It is mention in the Qur'an in Surah A'nam Ch.6, Verse No.151 that, 'Kill not your children for want of sustenance for it is Allah that will provide sustenance for you and for children'

A similar thing is mentioned in Surah Isra, Ch.17 Verse No.31 which says… 'Kill not your children for want of sustenance, for it is Allah that will provide sustenance to you and your children, for killing of children is a major sin'.

In the pre-Islamic Arabia, whenever a female child was born mostly she was buried alive.

Alhamdullillah, after the spread of Islam this evil practice has been discontinued.

But unfortunately it still continues in our country India - According to a BBC report, in the programe assignment the title of which was 'Let Her Die', there was a British reporter by the name of Emily Beckenen, who came all the way from Britain to India to give us the statistics of the female infanticide.

This programe was shown more than a year back on the star T.V. and Alhamdullillah, it is being shown every month, and just a few days ago it was again retelecast.

In that programe, it gives the statistics, that every day more than 3,000 fetuses are being aborted on being identified that they are females

If you multiply this figure by the number of days, that is multiplied by 365, you get a figure of more than one million female fetuses are being aborted every year in our country.

And there are big hoarding and posters in states like TamilNadu and Rajasthan, which says spend 500 Rupees and save 5 lakh Rupees

What does it mean? - That spend Rupees 500 on medical examination like Aminocententus or Ultra Sonography, and identify that the child the mother is carrying

If it is a female you can abort it and you'll save 5 lakh Rupees - How?

The couple of lakhs you spend on upbringing her and the remaining lakhs of Rupees you spend on giving dowry

According to the report of the government hospital of Tamil Nadu – 'out of every 10 female children that are born, four are put to death' - No wonder the female population in India is less than the male population

Female infanticide was continuing in our country since centuries - If you analyze the statistics of the 1901 census, for every 1000 males there were 972 females

According to the 1981 statistics and census, it tells you for every 1000 males you have 934 females

And the latest statistics of 1991 tells you that for every 1000 males you have 927 females

You can analyze that the female ratio is dropping every year - And since science and medicine has advanced, it has helped in this evil practice

Just because Islam tells you that you should not kill any children whether it be male or female will you call these rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?

Islam not only prohibits killing of infant children, it also prohibits, and it rebukes you on rejoicing on the birth of a male child and you getting saddened on the news of a female child.

If you read Surah Nahl, Ch.16, Verse No.58 & 59, it tells you that… 'when news is brought to one of them of a birth of a female child his face darkens and is filled with inward grief'.

He hides himself in shame from his people because of the news he has received.

Should he let her live in suffering or should he bury her in dust - Ah! what a evil choice they have

Qur'an not only prohibits female infanticide, it rebukes at the thought of you rejoicing at the birth of a male child and getting saddened at the birth of a female child

In Islam, a daughter should be brought up correctly

And according to a Hadith in 'Ahmed', the Prophet (may peace be upon him) he said 'Anyone who brings up two daughters properly, they will be like this to me on the day of judgment' – Means, 'will be very close to me on the day of judgment'

And there's another Hadith which says, that 'Anyone who up brings 2 daughters properly and takes good care and brings them up with love and affection, they will enter Paradise'

In Islam, there should be no partiality in upbringing of the daughters or the son.

According to a Hadith, of our beloved Prophet it said that, 'In the presence of the Prophet, once a man kissed his son and placed him on his lap but did not do the same to his daughter.

The Prophet immediately objected and said that you are unjust - You should have even kissed your daughter and placed her on the other lap'.

Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him) he did not only speak about justice, he also practiced it.

Let us analyze, the rights of a wife in Islam.

All the previous civilizations, they have considered the women to be an 'instrument of the devil'.

The Qur'an refers to the women as 'Mohsana', that is a 'fortress against the devil'.

And if a woman, who's good, marries a man, she prevents him from going on the wrong path and keeps him on the 'Siratulmustakeem' – that is the correct path.

There's a Hadith in which Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him) he said that, 'there is no monasticism in Islam' .

And again according to Sahih Bukhari, Volume No. 7, Ch. No. 3 Hadith No 4 it says that 'the Prophet ordained the young men, all those who have the means to marry, they should marry - For it will help them to lower their gaze and guard their modesty.

There is another Hadith related by Anas, in which the Prophet said… 'Any one who marries completes half his deen'.

Once somebody asked me, that… 'does it imply that if I marry twice I will be completing my full deen?'

The person misunderstood the message of the Prophet.

When the Prophet said that… 'When you marry you complete half your deen' - It means that when you marry it shields you from promiscuity, it shields you from fornication, it shields you from homosexuality, which lead to half the sin in this world

Only when you marry, do you have opportunity to become husband or a wife - Only when you marry do you have opportunity to become a father or a mother

And the duties of the mother and the father and that of a husband and wife are very important in Islam

So it makes no difference whether a man marries once twice or thrice or four times - He yet completes only half his deen.

The Qur'an say's that… 'We have put love into the hearts of the husband and wife' .

If you read Surah Rum, Ch. 30, Verse No. 21 it says that… 'And amongst our signs We have created for you mates or companions, so that you may dwell in them in tranquillity and we have put love and mercy between your hearts'.

According to Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.21, marriage is considered as a misaq, a sacred agreement, a sacred contract.

According to Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.19, it says… 'You are prohibited to inherit women against their will' - Means, to marry the permission of both the parties are required.

It is compulsory that the man and women both should agree to marry No one - not even the father can force their daughter to marry against her wishes.

There's a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Volume No. 7, Ch. No. 43, Hadith No. 69, which says 'that a lady she was forced by her father to marry against her wishes' - And she went to the Prophet and the Prophet invalidated the marriage'

Another Hadith in Ibn-e-Humbal, Hadith No. 2469, it says 'that a daughter was forced by her father to get married - And when the daughter approached the Prophet, the Prophet said you can either continue, or if you wish you can invalidate the marriage.

That means, the consent of both the male and the female is required

In Islam, a women is considered as a homemaker - She is not considered as a housewife, because she is not married to the house

Many people use terminology, without understanding what it means – 'Housewife' means 'your the wife of the house'

So I believe, from now onwards the sisters would prefer calling themselves 'homemakers', than 'house wives', if they are occupied more in the home

In Islam, a woman, she is not married to a master that she should be treated like a slave - She is married to it is equal

And there is a Hadith which says in Ibn-Hambal - Hadith No 736, 7396.
- It says that… 'the most perfect of the believers are those that are best in character and behavior, and those that are best to their family and their wives'.

Islam gives equal rights to the man and woman and as mentioned by the honorable justice M. M. Kazi, that Qur'an clearly mentions that men and women, husband and wife have equal rights in all aspects, except leadership in the family.

It is mentioned in the Qur'an in Surah Baqarah Ch.2, Verse No.228.
- It says that… 'the women have been given rights similar against them on equitable terms but the men have a degree higher'

And I perfectly agree with Justice M.M. Kazi when he said that most of the Muslims have misunderstood this verse, when it says 'a men have a degree higher' - As I said we should analyze the Qur'an as a whole.

And its mentioned in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse No.34 which says - (Arabic…).

'The men are the protectors and maintainers of the women, for Allah (SWT) has given one of them more strength than the other and they give them their means'

People say the word 'Kawwam' means, 'one degree higher in superiority' - But actually the word 'Kawwam' comes from the root word 'Ikamah'

'Ikamah' means for example 'when you give the Ikamah before prayers - You stand up'.

So 'Ikamah' means to standup - so the word 'Kawwam' means one degree higher in responsibility, not one degree higher in superiority.

Even if you read the commentary of 'Ibne-Kathir' - He says that the word 'Kawwam' means one degree higher in responsibility, not one degree higher in superiority.

And this responsibility, should be carried out by mutual consent of both husband and wife.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah, Ch.2, Verse No.187, which says - (Arabic )

Which means… 'Your wives are your garments, and you are their garments'

What's the objective of garments - It is used to conceal and to beautify

The husband and wife, should conceal each others faults, and they should beautify each other - Its a relationship of hands and gloves

The Qur'an mentions that… 'even if you do not like your wife, you should treat her kindly'.

It is mentioned in Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.19, that… 'Treat your wives on a footing of equity and kindness even if you dislike her - For you may be disliking a thing for which Allah has made good for you'.

Even if you dislike your wife you have to treat her kindly and with equity

Just because the rights of a wife are equal to those of the husband in Islam, will you call such rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?

Let us analyze the rights of a Mother

The only thing above respect to Mother, is the worship of Allah (SWT) - It is mentioned in Ch.17, Verse No.28-29

It says that… 'Allah has ordained for you - that Allah has ordained for you, that you worship none but Him, and to be kind to our parents

And if any one or both of them reach old age do not say a word of contempt or repel them but address them with honour, and speak to them with kindness, and lower your wing of humility and pray to Allah (SWT) -'My Lord, bless them as they have cherished me in childhood'

Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 1 says… 'Respect the womb that bore you'.

Surah A'nam, Ch.6, Verse No.151, says… (Arabic)…

That… 'You have to be kind to your parents'.

Again in Surah Luqman Ch.31, Verse No.14

It again says the same thing that… (Arabic)…

'We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to his parents

In travail upon travail, did their mother bore them and in years twain was their weaning'

A similar thing is repeated again in Surah Ahqaf, Ch.46, Verse No.15

(Arabic…).

That… 'We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to his parents

In pain did their mother bore them and in pain did she give them birth'.

According to a Hadith related in 'Ahmed', as well as in 'Ibn-e-Majah' - It says 'Paradise lies at the feet of the mother'.

That does not mean that if my mother is walking on the road and if she steps on muck and filth - that thing becomes Paradise

It means that after you fulfill your basic duties, if you respect your mother, if you are kind to your mother, If you are honorable to your mother, you will Inshaallah enter Paradise.

Another Hadith related in Sahih Bukhari in Volume 8, Ch. No. 2 Hadith No. 2, as well as in Sahih-Muslim - It says that a man asked the Prophet… 'Who requires the maximum love and respect and my companionship in this world?

The Prophet replied – 'your mother'

'Who is next'? – 'your mother'

'Who is next?' – 'your mother'

The man asked for the fourth time, - 'Who is next'

The Prophet replied 'your father'

75% of the love and respect goes to the father, sorry goes to the mother and 25% of the love and respect goes to the father

Three fourth of the better part of the love and respect goes to the mother – One fourth of the remaining part of the love and respect goes to the father

In short, the gold medal goes to the mother, the silver medal goes to the mother, the bronze medal goes to the mother and the father may be he gets the consolation prize.

I am very happy that my brothers have appreciated it - Otherwise normally I always apologize, that if I have hurt the feelings of my brothers, I am sorry – That is what Islam tells me

But, I'm glad, that my brothers here, they have appreciated Islam,
Al-hamdullillah

Let us analyze the rights of the sisters in Islam

According to Surah Tawbah, Ch. 9, Verse No.71, it says... (Arabic)…

That… 'The men and the women they are maintainers and supporters of each other'

The word 'Auliya' here means 'supporters' and 'maintainers' - they are supporters and maintainers of each other

In short they are brothers and sisters unto each other, unless otherwise

Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him) he said, 'The women are the 'Shakat' -'Shakat' means sister'

It also means 'half', as humankind has been divided into two halves - men and women - It refers to as 'half', also as 'sisters'

There are so many social rights that we can, that we can speak for weeks together.
*** 07 Sec

But due to short of time, I will not be able to touch on the important topics such as Polygamy, such as divorce, such as Talaq, divorce, because I have opted to spend more time on the other topics

Because experience tells me that these topics, Inshallah, will be covered in the question and answer time

And I hope you will ask questions and whatever - whatever clarification you require on this topic, I will try my level best to give you

Now let us analyze - now let us analyze the Educational rights given to the women in Islam

The first 5 verses which were revealed of the Qur'an Shareef were from Surah Alaq, or Surah Iqra, Ch. 96, Verse No. 1 to 5 which says - (Arabic…)

'Read, recite or proclaim in the name of thy lord, (Arabic…) Who has created the human beings from a congealed clot of blood, a leech like substance

(Arabic…) - Read, thy Lord is most bountiful

(Arabic…) - Who has taught the use of the pen

(Arabic…) - Who has taught the human beings that which he knew-not'.

The first guidance given in the Qur'an Shareef to the humankind was not to pray, was not to fast, was not to give charity - It was read - Islam pays utmost importance to education.

The Prophet ordained the parents, the father and the mother, to see to it that they gave Religious education to their daughter

And after a lady married, it was the duty of the husband to provide her with the Religious education

If he couldn't do it himself, and if she wanted, he should allow her to go somewhere else to acquire the education

According to Sahih Bukhari, the women were very enthusiastic to acquire knowledge, and they once told the Prophet… 'You are usually surrounded by men - why do not you give us one particular day so that we too can ask you questions' - And the Prophet agreed.

Beside he himself going, he sent many other of his Sahabas to the women, to give them education

Imagine, 1400 years ago, when the women were ill treated and were only used as chattels - leave aside being educated, Islam asked the women to be educated

We have examples of several Muslim women who are scholars

And the best example I can give you is of Bibi Ayaisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who was the daughter of Hazrat Abubaker, the first Khalifa of Islam, (may Allah be pleased with him), and the wife of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him)

She gave guidance even to the Sahabas and to the Khalifas - One of her famous student Urwah-Ibn-Zubair

She said that… 'I have not seen a greater scholar than Ayaisha in the field of learning of the Qur'an, in obligatory duties, in lawful and unlawful matters, in literature and poetry, in Arab history'

She was not only expert in the Religious field, she had profound knowledge of medicine - Whenever the foreign delegates came to the Prophet and discussed, she used to memorize the remedies

She was well versed in the field of math, and many times the companions came to her to ask problems of 'Mirath' that is, 'Inheritance' - And how much share could be divide how much share should be given to the each individual

She has - she is said to have guided all the four Khalifas, including the companions.

And she also gave guidance, many a times to Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) and she herself has narrated 2210 Hadiths.

According to AbuUmm... according to Abu Moosa, who was a famous Jurist, he said that… 'Whenever we companions had lack of knowledge on a matter, we went to - we went to - Hazrat Ayaisha (May Allah be pleased with her), and definitely she had knowledge about it'.

She is said to have taught more than 88 scholars - In short, she was a scholar of the scholars.

There are several examples, even of Safiya (may Allah be pleased with her) who was the wife of the Prophet, who was an expert on Fiqah Islamic Jurisprudence.

And according to Imam an Nouvi 'She was the most intellectual women of that time'.

Another example is Umme - Salma (may Allah be pleased with her) who was the wife of the beloved Prophet...(to be continued)

Muslim Schools: Whose Responsibility?

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:25:00 -0700

Muslim Schools: Whose Responsibility?

by Brother Muhammad al-Sharîf

What do you give to your son on his wedding night as a gift? A Mitsubishi lancer or a Honda accord or do you give him the ever useful toaster?
When Ibn Al-Qayyim’s son was getting married, he found himself in this gift dilemna. He thought and thought, and decided upon a gift that would not only benefit his son, but all the Muslims. He lighted his candle, dipped his blessed pen, and began writing. The gift, you ask? A book dedicated to his son and daughter in law about marriage and the rights of children. He named the book, Tuhfatul Wadûd, bi Ahkâ m al-Mowlûd. The value of the gift? Priceless.

Many times we hear about the respect due to the parents – because it is often the parents who are speaking. Yet how often do we hear about the rights of children? Indeed, they have many rights that go further back than 9 months before their creation – they have the God given right that their future mother or father choose a spouse that will teach them about Allâh (The One & Only God) and be an excellent example for them.

Ibn Al-Qayyim has a chapter in the book he wrote for his son: Chapter 25 – Regarding the obligation of teaching the children, disciplining them, and being just between them.

One of their rights which we would like to speak about today is the right of our children to an Islamic education.

Allâh (The One & Only God) commands us:

[O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones …] SûrahAt-Tahrîm 66/6

We are commanded by Allâh (The One God) to save ourselves from Hellfire. But it does not end there. The commandment extends to our family, we must save them also – using all our resources – we must save them from Hellfire. And the biggest weapon we have to protect them is knowledge of what Allâh (The One God) and His Messenger require from them. For verily, a human is enemy to that which he does not understand.

In another verse, we see the example of Luqmân with his son.

[But if they endeavor to make you worship others with Me – that of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey yet accompany them in (this) world with appropriate kindness.] Sûrah Luqmân 31/15

Notice how Allâh (The One & Only God) mentions the Shirk that the child is being called to as something which ‘he has no knowledge of’. Meaning, no knowledge of it’s divinity, for there can be no knowledge about something which is non-existent and untrue.

And yet in another situation, Allâh (The One God) describes the exchange between Nuh (Noah) and his son.

[And Nuh called to his son who was apart (from them), “O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers.” (But) he said, “I shall take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water.” (Nuh) said, “There is no protector today from the decree of Allâh except for whom He gives mercy.” And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.] Sûrah Hûd 11/42,43

It has been said that about 90% of everything a child learn, he learns it within the 1st 5 years of his or her life. It that is not enough cause for concern, the children at that fragile age are ever so keen to please the adults in their lives, especially the ones that see day after day. Subhan Allâh , it is a survival skill that Allâh (The One God) created in humans. For had they not had this desire to please the ‘teacher’, they most likely would not develop intellectually.

If you went to public school, imagine back to your public school kindergarten class or grade 1 and how you used to act with the teacher. Did you try to please him or her at every chance you got? Would you do things just to win her pleasure? I know for me, when our school play for the Christmas concert was coming up, the teacher chose me to play one of the lead roles because of how good an actor I was (smile). Mind you, I disliked the part and when a boy offered me a handful of corn puffs to switch parts with me, I readily accepted. I took him to Mrs. Mitchell and proudly announced that Jason would be taking my part. She was disappointed and said how much she wanted me to do the part. I could not bear to see her disappointment, so I continued with the part. At that time, I was in kindergarten.

The horror story now happens when the child is put in the lap of a non-Muslim, in the lap of someone who does not know nothing about our obligation to Allâh (The One God) and His Messenger, someone who are Muslim children are so eager to please.

There once was a little girl in a public school in a Muslim country who’s teacher was not practicing Islam. The little girl, following the blessed example of her mother, would go to school with her Hijâb on. The Hijâb, however, was something displeasing to her teacher, subhan Allâh , so she told the girl to take it off and not dare come back to school with it on tomorrow or she would suffer the consequences.

Home this girl went and told her mother of how the teacher did not want her to wear Hijâb in school and how she did not want to displease her teacher. Her mother calmly said, “Who do you want to please then, your teacher or Allâh ?” The little girl looked in the eye and said,“Allâh !”

The next day, the little girl returned with her Hijâb on, defiant. When the teacher saw her, she exploded in chastisement. “How dare you disobey me!”

The painful words kept coming and coming until the little girl lowered her head, sobbing. Then she shouted back, “I don’t understand, who am I supposed to please – you or Him?”

“Who’s him?” asked the teacher.

“Allâh !”

Her eyes widened and a chill ran through her. The teacher stopped talking. From behind her tears, the little girl said, “No, I shall please Allâh and Allâh alone, and let happen happen.”

That day the teacher sent a letter home to the little girls mother with the words, “Today your child taught me who I was and truly who is Allâh (The One & Only God). Thank you for raising such a blessed daughter.”

These television sets and the public schools are spreading a subtle devastating poison through the bloodstream of our youth. If you don’t believe me, take a random class of Muslim high school students from public school and reflect on their habits and their knowledge of Islam. If a parent has chosen the public school for his son, in the final year when you look over the school yearbook and see a picture of your son standing hand in hand dancing with a Kafir (unbeliever) woman, at that time it will be too late to question your upbringing. Now is the time to question it, now, before it’s too late.

Al-Hasan ibn Alî – Radi Allâ hu ‘anhu – used to say,

“Educate yourselves today, for today you are the youth of the community but tomorrow you shall be the seniors.”

Alhamdulillah (All praise is for God), I have met many exceptionally smart adults in my travels for Hajj. When I sit with these brothers and marvel at their intellect, I wonder to myself ‘What could this person had done for Islam and the Muslim community had his parents educated about the Dîn?’ Dear brothers and sisters, we have a student here in grade 3 who knows almost 7 Juz’ of Qur’ân . He is 8 years old! I don’t think I would be wrong if I claimed that he knew more Qur’ân than 95% of the adults in this Khutbah. He is 8 years old. I have seen students just as smart as him thrown to public school – their intelligence squandered on Inca and the pyramids, while they cannot recite the very letters of their mother tongue.

Yahya ibn Humayd said:

We went to Imam Hammad ibn Salamah once and found him sitting with children narrating hadith to them. When he completed and the children left, we approached him and said, “O Abu Salamah, we are the seniors of your tribe we have come to you to learn. Why do you leave us and turn instead to these children?” He replied, “I once saw in a dream that I was sitting on the banks of a river, bending over with a bucket to get water to drink. After drinking, I turned around and saw these children standing there, and so I gave them the bucket of water after me.” Kitâ b al-Ayâ l by Ibn Abî Ad-Dunya

As a poet once said:

Young trees, if you raise them firm, they will grow straight, They will not slouch if kept firm with a stick

Perhaps discipline for young ones brings benefit

But that same discipline will no longer bring results in a senior.

Part II

Sa’îd ibn Rahmah Al-Asbahî used to tell his students: I used to camp out in the Masjid in the hopes of getting the best seat in the halaqah of Abdullâ h ibn Al-Mubâ rak. I had friends of my age, but none of them would do as I did. When the time for the Halaqah would arrive, Ibn Al-Mubâ rak would come and with him would be the seniors. They would complain to him, “These children have overcome us at the Halaqah, there is no place near you for us.” Ibn al-Mubâ rak would reply, “These children are more dearer to me than you. You – how long shall you live? These children, however, perhaps Allâh (The One God) shall carry them far.”
Sa’îd would then say to his students, “Today there is no one alive from that halaqah of Ibn al-Mubâ rak except me.”

When children do a science experiment, an instrument that they might use is a thermostat. This is a device that reflects that heat coming from an object or area. But have you ever thought about how spoiled we are at home? There is this thing called a thermostat. When we are too hot, it cools us down. And if we get cold it warms us up. Not only does it reflect the heat, it does something about it.

When we look at the Muslim Ummah, we will see that many of our communities are nothing more then thermostats. When there is heat coming from Bosnia it registers a reaction in our Salâh , our duas, and our checkbooks. And when there is heat in Chechnya it registers a reaction in our Salâh , our duas, and our checkbooks. But this is the action of a thermostat. What we must become is thermometers, cooling things down when they get too hot and warming things up when they get too cool.

Today everyone is looking to our brothers and sisters in Philistîn and pulling their hair because they cannot seemingly do anything. Dear brothers and sisters, don’t let the things you cannot do stop you from doing what you can do.

By Allâh (The One & Only God), the long term goal is in these children. If we do not stand up to the challenge of educating them in Islâm and raising them as best we can, we – with our own hands – are paralyzing the future of Islam in this country.

[All of you are shepherds and all of you shall be questioned regarding your flock.]

But never think that the work you do for the betterment of our children’s Islamic education goes in vain. The Christians have an English word called sacrifice. Some Muslims when translating the idea of Sadaqah may incorrectly use this concept of sacrifice. A more correct word is ‘to deposit’. We are not spending these dimes hoping for nothing in return. Nay, we are investing it for an enormous return, we are depositing it in the hereafter.

What’s in it for me, we always ask. Of the many blessings…

Firstly: Allâh ta’ala will protect your children because of your piety.

The example given to us in the Qur’ân is that of Khidr when he built the wall without any compensation, he told Musa (Moses) why:

[And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure, as a mercy from your Lord.] Sûrahal-Kahf 18/82

Secondly: By educating and protecting the Muslim children, you would be fulfilling the Amânah (trust) that Allâh has placed upon you. And in the fulfillment of one’s trust lies success and a plan in paradise.

Allâh (The One & Only God) says:

[Certainly successful are the believers … they who to their trusts and their promises attentive / And they who carefully maintain their payers – Those are the inheritors / Who will inherit al-Firdaus wherein they will abide eternally.]

In conclusion, I would like to pose the question: who is responsible for these Islamic schools? Look to the brother on your left. Now look to the brother on your right. Now look at me … then look at yourself. We are all responsible – every one of us. This school everything in it is our ‘ra’eyyah’ and we shall be questioned for it.

The Science behind the Veil (Hijaab)

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 08:10:00 -0800

The Science behind the Veil (Hijaab)

There are number of healths and moral benefits that wearing the veil can provide the moral duty of wearing the veil (Hijaab) in Islam is an Often-discussed topic among Muslim women. However, little has been written about scientific reasons that the veil is beneficial for society. There are, in fact, a number of health benefits that wearing the veil can provide, as well as many behavioural science studies that suggest that the Veil is the best attire (clothes) for women.

Protecting the head is very important from a health perspective. Results Of medical tests show that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head, so persons wearing head coverings during cold months are protected about Fifty-percent more than those who do not. Chinese & Muslim medical texts take this concept even further. In the Hua Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic on Internal Medicine), wind is said to cause sudden changes within the body, & shaking, swaying, & Other movements that potentially upset the body's equilibrium; thus, creating bad health.

These texts attribute the common cold to wind elements entering the body & causing the typical symptoms of sneezing & a Runny nose. In the traditional Islamic medical texts of Al Jawziyya, we can find numerous references to the "four elements" of fire, water, air, & earth, & How these affect the body in adverse ways. In particular, we are advised to stay away from drafts & to protect our heads in wind, breezes, drafts, & Cold weather.

All outdoor workers should wear some sort of head covering:

For this reason; protecting the head is even more important in warm weather. V.G. Rocine, a prominent brain research specialist, has found that brain Phosphorus melts at 108 degrees; a temperature that can be easily reached if one stays under the hot sun for any length of time without a head covering. When this happens, irreversible brain damage, memory loss & loss of some brain functions can result. Although this example is extreme, Brain damage can still be measured in small degrees from frequent exposure to & overheating of the head. Bernard Jensen, a naturopath & chiropractor, States that this is because the brain runs on the mineral phosphorus, which is very affected by heat.

Hygienic Purposes:

All public should wear a veil or head-covering Workers serving society to ensure cleanliness & purity. Workers in a Number of professions wears "veils" - nurses, fast food workers, and deli Counter workers, restaurant workers & servers, doctors, health care Providers, & many more. In fact, when we compare the number of workers who cover their heads to the number who do not, we find that more people Probably cover their heads than do not.

Social Influence:

Aside from personal & public health benefits of the Veil, it has numerous other benefits to society. In analysing visual data, Ball & Smith discuss the acknowledgement of sociologists that visual representations are influential in shaping people's views of the world & their interpretations of life. Men use visual data to interpret their relationships with the women around them.

Many studies have found that when a person tries to rewire there instinctual perceptions, they are usually only rewired on the surface; their original perceptions still exist on some level. Brain studies show that we exist in a world of constantly varying light variables that force the brain to perform what is called "lateral inhibition" consequently, it provides us with a "steady" image as opposed to a "true" image of what we see.

Furthermore, lateral inhibition networks operate as part of the "Unconscious" brain; largely, without providing any information to the "Conscious" part of the brain about what they are doing. Therefore, the brain can provide varying perceptions of the world without our even being fully conscious of what it is processing.

Further studies cited in Encyclopedia Britannica show that how a female presents herself to society falls under the category of ritualised behaviour through which animals provide specific information to other animals, usually members of its own species. Virtually all-higher animals, Including humans, use displays to some extent to do this, & the best known displays are visual ones.

Some biologists actually restrict the term display to refer to visual signals or gestures. These visual signals, which in animals can be simply a bright colour or plume, encourage attraction. In humans, they are usually exhibited in ornamental hair, make up, or clothing.

In our society, most of the time attractive hairstyles & clothing are worn for the purpose of making the adorner more attractive (advertising & Television has institutionalised this reality). The ever-changing variations in fashion tend to affect the brain because it typically has trouble constantly adjusting to changing shadows & forms in the world.

Reasonably then, through "lateral inhibition," the brain automatically simplifies these images into the unconscious message that attractive hair & clothing is meant to attract. Joining these two concepts together, we can see how the human male could receive the signal of "attraction" from the brain before he has enough time to "block" it by "lowering his gaze." Having to re-form an image already processed by the lateral inhibition network is a cause of stress for most people. Doing this day after day, after seeing many "displays," potentially causes a great cumulative stress on society. Having to re-form an image already processed by the lateral inhibition network is a cause of stress for most people. Doing this day after day, after seeing many "displays," potentially causes a great cumulative stress on society.

Present day stresses arise from many things; among these are the vast amounts of visual & physical input we are bombarded with in this "Information age" of personal freedom. The problem we face in this is that the body still continues to respond in the same fashion as during primitive times, releasing large amounts of these hormones, which can be very harmful. They can cause an increase in blood pressure, damage muscle tissue, lead to infertility, inhibit growth, damage the hippocampus, & suppress the immune system.

The two most effective solutions to this problem are, first, to convince the advertising industry, & society as a whole, to alter the presentation of women to our males. The second & more viable way is to simply influence women to dress modestly, which will help ensure that they do not send inappropriate visual signals to men.

Female Psychological Balance:

Last, but not least, covering the hair can also have a beneficial effect on the female psyche as well. Studies of women being interviewed for jobs show that there is a high correlation between what they wear & their perceptions of how successful they will be in their interviews. There are many more examples of how what we wear can Influence how we act.

Wearing a veil can serve to remind women of their religious duties & behavioral expectations.

It can also serve as a reminder to women that we are not only individuals, but also representatives & diplomats of our "Ummah."

Woman and the display of body

Describing women who are morally decayed. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that they are "women dressed but naked, corrupt and corrupters, their hairs are like the inclined hump of female camel, they do not enter the Heaven nor smell its fragrance" [Refer to Abu Daud]

the Holy Prophet also said "the prayer of a mistreating woman is not acceptable until she purifies her self" [Refer to Imam Ahmed, Abu Daud & Ibn Maja].

The modern scientific researches confirmed that the nakedness of women, their body displaying & their moving in an obscene shape is a disaster on them. The current statistics showed that there is a clear spread of the malignant cancer which affects the naked and displayed part of the women bodies particularly those women who dress short clothes.

It was published in the British Medical Magazine that "the melanoma malignant cancer which was one of the most rare cancers is now spreading among women. The cases of this type of cancer is increasing among young women. It affects their legs. The medical publication went on saying that the main cause behind the spread of short dress & fashions which expose the body of women to the rays & light of the sun. Moreover, the transparent dress and legs gloves do not help in avoiding this type of cancer.

The Medical Magazine appealed to the environment doctors to participate in collecting information about this type of cancer, because it is becoming an epidemic phenomenon. This reminds us with the Quranic sign which says in the tongue of the obstinate unbeliever

"O God, if this is indeed The Truth from Thee, Rain down on us a shower of stones from the sky, or send us a grievous penalty" [8:32]

Now the torture has come down in the form of a malignant cancer. It is caused by the exposition of women's body to the sun rays and ultraviolet rays for a long time it affects the whole body but with different proportion. Initially, it appears as a dark; small spot on either the foot or the leg, and some times in the eye. Then it spreads all over the body. It attacks the lymph knots at the upper part of the thigh. It also attacks blood and invades the liver & destroys it. It may settle in all the organs of the body such as bones, the belly & perhaps the kidneys. If it attacks the kidneys then the patient will experience black urine as a result of inner destruction of the kidneys. It may get transferred to the child in the womb of his mother.

However, this disease does not allows its patient to survive for a long time & it does not respond to surgical treatment like other types of cancers nor it responds to treatment by rays sessions like some other types of cancers.

Therefore have we realized the wisdom behind Islamic legislation which aimed to protect women not only from passers-by but also from a skin disease called cancer. The subject Islamic legislation called upon women to corner their bodies properly & with loose and not narrow and not transparent clothes.

Therefore, Islamic uniform for women protect them from physical diseases, from teasing in the streets & from the torture of life on the Judgement day.

Source: "Scientific Miracles in Islam & Sunna Nabaweya" .

THE MUSLIM WOMAN & HER LORD

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 08:12:00 -0800

THE MUSLIM WOMAN & HER LORD

(Taken from the Ideal Muslimah - Dr. Muhammad Ali al-Hashimi)

She Worships Allah (The One & Only God)
It is no surprise that the true Muslim woman enthusiastically worships her Lord, because she knows that she is obliged to observe all the commandments that Allah (The One God) has enjoined upon every Muslim, male or female. So she carries out her Islamic duties properly, without making excuses or compromises, or being negligent.

She Regularly Prays Five Times a Day
She offers each of the five daily prayers at its appointed time, and does not let domestic chores or her duties as a wife and mother prevent her from doing so.

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): 'What deed is most beloved by Allah?' He said, 'To offer each prayer as soon as it is due.' I asked him, 'Then what?' He said, 'Treating one's parents with mercy and respect.' I asked him, 'Then what?' He said, 'Jihad (fighting) for the sake of Allah.'"

She Prays Sunnah (Voluntarily) Prayers
There is no clearer indication of the great status attained by the believer who draws closer to Allah (The One God) by performing Sunnah (Voluntarily) deeds than the Hadith Qudsi where Allah (The One God) says:

"My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I will love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it."

She Performs Her Prayers Properly
The true Muslim tries hard to perform her prayers properly, with deep concentration and precision of physical movements. She thinks about the meaning of the Ayah (passages of Quran) she is reciting, and the words of praise and glorification that she is uttering. Her soul is flooded with fear of Allah (The One & Only God), and with gratitude to Him and sincere worship of Him.

She Pays Zakah on Her Wealth
Zakah is a clearly-defined financial obligation and act of worship which Allah (The One God) has enjoined upon every Muslim, man or women, who owns the minimum amount (Nisab) or more.

The Muslim woman knows that everything belongs to Allah (The One God), and wealth is held by her as a trust. This trust must be discharged, moreover, as instructed by God, as that portion of her wealth legally belongs to other people and must be given to them. If she refuses and hoard this wealth, it is considered impure and unclean.

The word in Arabic implies "purification" and it is understood to mean that a person "purifies" his holdings of wealth from greed and stinginess.

She Fasts During the Day & Prays at Night in Ramadan
The wise Muslim woman must strike a balance, during this all-too-short blessed month, between her domestic duties and the opportunity this month brings to draw closer to Allah (The One God) through worship and good deeds. She should not let her household chores distract her from performing the obligatory prayers at the appointed times, or from reading Holy Quran or praying Nafl prayers. Nor should she let traditional late-night family gatherings keep her from praying Qiyam al-Layl, and making Du'a'. She knows the great reward and abundant forgiveness that Allah (The One God) has prepared for those who stay up to pray during the night in Ramadan:

"Whoever spends the night in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven." Sahih Bukhari and Muslim

She Observes Sunnah (Voluntarily) Fasts
The true Muslim woman also observes Sunnah (Voluntarily) fasts at times other than Ramadan, if it is not too difficult for her to do so. So she fasts the day of 'Arafat, and 'Ashura', and the ninth day of Muharram, because fasting on these days and others is one of the righteous deeds that may expiate sins.

She Goes on Hajj to the Sacred House of Allah (The One & Only God)
The true Muslim woman intends to go on Hajj to the House of Allah when she is able to do so and it is easy for her to travel. It will also be the equivalent of jihad for men, as the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) described it in a Hadith narrated by 'A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her):

"I [Ayshah] said: 'O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), can we (women) not go out on military expeditions and fight in jihad with you (men)?' He said, 'You (women) have the best of jihad, and the best of it is Hajj, a blessed Hajj.'" Ayshah said, "I should never stop going for Hajj after I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)." Fath al-Bari, 4/72

She is Obedient to the Commands of Allah (The One & Only God)
The true Muslim woman does not forget that she is duty bound to perform all the religious duties that Allah (The One God) has commanded her to do. In this regard her situation is the same as that of a man, and there is no difference between them except in a few regulations which apply exclusively to either men or women. Other than that, women and men are equally responsible before Allah (The One & Only God).

She Always Bears in Mind the Words of Allah (The One God)
(It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision: if anyone disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.) [Quran 33:36]

She Accepts the Will & Decree of Allah (The One & Only God)
The Muslim woman who is obedient to the command of her Lord naturally accepts His will and decree, because this is one of the greatest signs of faith, obedience, Taqwa and righteousness in a person. So the Muslim woman who is guided by the teachings of Islam always accepts whatever befalls her in life, whether it is good or bad, because this attitude of acceptance is good for her in all cases, as the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) explained:

"How amazing is the affair of the Muslim! His affairs are all good. If he (or she) experiences ease, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If he (or she) experiences hardship, he faces it with patience and perseverance, and that is also good for him."

She Turns to Allah (The One God) in Repentance
The Muslim woman may find herself becoming neglectful and slipping from the Straight Path, so she may fall short in her practice of Islam in a way that does not befit the believing woman. But she will soon notice her error, seek forgiveness for her mistakes or shortcomings, and return to the protection of Allah (The One God).

She Understands the True Meaning of Being a Servant of Allah (The One & Only God)
The true Muslim woman has the firm belief that she has been created to serve an important purpose in life, which Allah (The One God) has defined in the Holy Quran:

(I have only created jinns and men, that they may serve Me.) [Quran 51:56]

She is Distinguished by Her Islamic Character & True Religion
No doubt the true Muslim woman is distinguished by her Islamic character, and she is proud of the high status which Islam gave her at a very early stage, before women in other nations attained anything like it. Fifteen centuries ago, Islam proclaimed the full rights of women for the first time in history, and Muslim women enjoyed human rights centuries before the world had ever heard of human rights organizations or witnessed any "Declaration of Human Rights."

She Reads Holy Quran Often
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"The likeness of a believer who reads the Quran is like a citron, whose smell is pleasant and whose taste is pleasant; the likeness of a believer who does not read the Quran is like a date, which has no smell, but its taste is sweet; the likeness of the hypocrite who reads the Quran is like a fragrant flower which has a pleasant smell but whose taste is bitter; and the likeness of a hypocrite who does not read the Quran is like a colocynth (bitter-apple), which has no smell and its taste is bitter."

"Read the Quran, for it will come forward on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its readers." Sahih Muslim

PARENT'S RIGHTS OVER CHILDREN & RIGHTS OF OTHER RELATIVES

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 08:27:00 -0800

PARENT'S RIGHTS OVER CHILDREN

RIGHTS OF OTHER RELATIVES

by Shaikh Musa Ibrahim Menk

The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallamhas laid stress on the rights of parents and duties of children, in the same way as he has stressed the rights of children and the duties of parents.

To be obedient to parents and to show kindness to them has been enjoined along with the Oneness and Worship of Allah (The One & Only God), in the Holy Quran, in such a manner that it appears that among human deeds, to obey parents and treat them with respect and kindness is next only to Divine Worship.

The Quran says, in Sura Bani Israail: "Your Lord (The Creator) has ordained that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to the parents."

Parents Are the Heaven and Hell of the Children

In a hadeeth the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has said that the parents of a person are his Heaven or Hell.

This shows that if a person obeys his parents and attends to their needs and comforts and keeps them happy, he will attain Paradise. On the other hand, if he is rude and disobedient to them and offends them by ignoring their feelings or by causing them grief in any other way, his place shall be in Hell.

Pleasing the Parents Causes Allah's Pleasure

Anyone who seeks to please Allah (The One God) should earn the good pleasure of his parents. To keep the parents well pleased is essential since their anger and displeasure will lead to Allah's anger and displeasure. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has said "In the good pleasure of the father lies the good pleasure of the Creator and in his displeasure, lies the displeasure of the Creator."

Here the mother has not been mentioned, but, according to many other ahadeeth, the right of the mother with regard to service and kind treatment is even higher than that of the father. Therefore, her pleasure or displeasure will carry an equal significance.

Curse For Not Looking After Aged Parents.

The time that the parents need to be looked after most carefully is in their old-age, and to serve them devotedly in that state is most pleasing to Allah (The One & Only God) and it is an easy way to attain Paradise.

Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said "May he be disgraced, may, he be disgraced, may he be disgraced." "Who?" The Sahaaba enquired. "The person whose parents, or any one of them, attain old-age during his life-time and he does not earn Paradise (by being kind-hearted and dutiful to them)!"

Therefore, anyone who gets an opportunity to serve his parents in their old-age and does not avail himself to it (to attain Paradise), undoubtedly, he is a most wretched person.

Serving the Parents Is Preferable to Jihaad

When the parents of a person are in need of his help and attention, then it is preferable for him to serve them than to go to Jihaad.

A person once came to the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and said that he wanted to participate in the Jihaad. The Prophet asked him "Are your parents alive?" "Yes, they are alive" he replied. The Prophet said. "Then strive in their service and assist them at the time of their need. (This is your Jihaad.)"

Commentary: Perhaps, there was reason for the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam to believe that the parents of the person concerned were in need for help and attention, that is why he told him to go and take care of them, because in these circumstances service to the parents was more important.

However, it must not be misunderstood that anyone whose parents are alive should not take part in Jihaad, and that only those whose parents have died. should do so. In fact, the parents of many of the Sahaba who took part in Jihaad, were living.

The Mother's Claim Is Greater

Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrates that a person asked the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam "Who has the greatest claim on me with regard to service and kind treatment?" The Prophet replied, "Your mother, and again your mother, and once again your mother. After her, is the claim of your father, then that of your near relations, and then of the relations next to them." This, obviously, shows that where care and kind treatment are concerned, the claim of the mother is greater than that of the father.

It appears to be the same in the Qur'an too. In many instances, the pain and the suffering which the mother has to bear during pregnancy, at childbirth, and in the bringing-up of the children, has been mentioned along with the emphasis of expressing kindness to parents.

Paradise Lies At the Mother's Feet

In one hadeeth the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has clearly stated that a person's Paradise lies at his mother's feet. By serving her well and being obedient to her, one can attain Paradise.

In some other ahadeeth the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has explained that serving the mother, the maternal aunt and maternal grandmother, are among the acts by whose piousness, even the repentance of a great sinner and evil-doer is accepted and he is forgiven.

Treatment Towards Polytheist Parents

If anyone's parents are polytheists, and they want him to follow their faith, he should refuse, but he should continue to be kind and respectful to them.

Asma bint Abu Bakr (R.A.) relates that her mother had come to Madinah, from Makkah, to meet her. Her mother followed the Pagan customs and beliefs, so Asma (R.A.) enquired from the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam as how she was to treat her whether she should have nothing to do with her, as she was a Pagan, or treat her like a daughter should, and show kindness to her. The Prophet told her to be kind and considerate and to behave towards her as was a mother’s due, from a daughter.

Parents' Rights After Their Death

The rights of parents do not come to an end with their death. In fact, some of their rights take effect after their death, and it is a religious obligation for the children to fulfill them.

As explained before, obeying one's parents and treating them with respect and affection is great virtue - and atones for one's sins.

Similarly, to ask Allah (The One & Only God) to have mercy on them after their death, is an act which brings comfort to them in their graves and serves to atone for one's sins.

After the death of one's parents among other duties, should be to pray for their forgiveness and treat their relatives and friends with due respect.

Abu Usaid Sa'idi (R.A.) relates that a person came to the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and asked him "O Prophet of Allah, are there some rights of my parents, on me, which I have to fulfill even after they have died?" "Yes" the Prophet replied, "These are to pray for mercy and forgiveness on their behalf, to fulfill the promises they have made to anyone, to pay due regard to the bonds of relationship from their side and to be respectful to their friends.

In the Holy Quran, Muslims have been urged to pray for the salvation of their parents as shown in the verse. And say, "Mv Lord. Have mercy on both of them, as they cared for me when I was little."

Advantages of Obedience to Parents

The real reward for serving the parents, with great attention, is Paradise and the pleasure of Allah (The One God). But the Almighty bestows a special favour, in this world too, on the believer who fulfills the parents' rights devotedly.

Jabir (R.A.) reports that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said "Allah prolongs the life of a person who obeys his parents and serves them devotedly." In another hadeeth, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam is reported to have said, "Obey your parents and treat them with kindness, your children will be kind and obedient to you.

Great Sin For Disobeying the Parents

Just as the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam declared, that serving ones parents well is an act of great virtue, he condemned the showing of disobedience to them, or harming them, as a most serious and detestable sin.

When asked about the major sins, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam replied." To associate anyone with Allah, to disobey the parents, to kill unlawfully and to give false evidence."

The above-mentioned acts have been condemned as 'Akbarul-Kabaair' ie the most serious of the major sins. The order in which the Prophet said them, shows that the disregard of parents rights is next, only, to Polytheism (Shirk) and it is even more serious than murder.

The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has said "To abuse one's parents is also a major sin." He was asked "Can anyone abuse his parents?" "Yes," the Prophet replied, "If a person abused someone else's parents and that person, in retaliation, abused his parents, - then it is as though he himself had abused his parents."

We can imagine, from this, what an important place respect for parents occupies in the moral and social teachings of Islam, and how careful one should be about it.

RIGHTS OF OTHER RELATIVES

Besides parents' rights, a great emphasis is also laid on the rights of other relatives. In Islamic terms, 'Silah-Rahimi' is used to denote 'good treatment towards the relatives'.

In the Holy Quran, where the Muslims are enjoined to show kindness to parents, they are also required to treat the other relatives with love and sympathy and to pay due regard to their rights as well.

As we have seen in a previous hadeeth, the foremost claim on a person is that of his mother, then of his father, and then grade by grade, of the other relatives. Therefore through relationship, the relatives' rights come after that of the parents.

Allah (The One & Only God) has declared, "I am Allah, I am Ar-Rahman (The Merciful), I have created the bond of kinship and named it Rahim,-which I have derived from the root of my name of Rahman. Thus, whoever, shall join it (ie. Rahim), I shall join him, and whoever will break it, I shall break him."

The Almighty has designed the system of birth in such a way, that whoever is born, is tied to the bonds of kinship-and these bonds carry certain claims and rights. Thus, whoever fufills these claims, by being kind to his relatives and treating them well, Allah will "join him" i.e. He will make him His own and bestow His favour and mercy on him. And whosoever will violate these claims, Allah will "break him" i.e. He will have nothing to do with him.

Fulfilling the Rights of Relatives

It is related by Anas (R.A.) that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said "Whoever wants an increase in his sustenance and that the marks of his feet remain for a long time in the world (i.e. to live long) - he should be kind and helpful to his relatives."

Basically, there are two ways of being kind and considerate to relatives. One is by giving them monetary assistance, when needed, and the other is by devoting a part of one's time and energy at their service.

Family quarrels, which generally arise from the disregard of the relatives' rights, affect a man's health and make it difficult for him to concentrate in his work. Those who treat their relatives well and are helpful to them, are free from tensions of this kind and they are happier and more peaceful.

Violation of Relatives' Rights

The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has said "Whoever violates the rights of relatives, shall not go to Paradise."

Commentary:- This hadeeth, alone, should be enough to make us realise the importance of 'Silah-Rahimi' . It shows that the violation of the relatives' rights is so detested by Allah (The One God), that with its filthiness, no one can enter Paradise. It is only when a person (believer) has received his punishment or has been forgiven, that the gates of Paradise will be opened for him.

Showing Kindness to Those Who Severe Relations

Often, there are people who care little for the bonds of relationship and are rude and unjust in this respect. Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has enjoined to continue to treat them well and fufil the obligations, irrespective of what they do and how they behave.

Abdullah ibn Umar(R.A.) relates from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), "He does not fulfill the claim of Silah-Rahimi who shows no kindness in return for the kindness shown to him.. The person who really fulfills the claim is he who treats his relatives well even when they are mean and unjust to him.

When the violation of the rights of relatives is returned in a similar manner, the evil will spread in the society -- while if it is returned

with kindness, it may lead to their correction and it will assist in the promotion of Silah-Rahimi, in the life of the community.

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 08:02:00 -0800

"Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend..."

1 - Allah (The One & Only God) Said:

{"Ah! Woe to me! If only I had never taken so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me!"}
[al-Furqan; 28-29]

2 - The Messenger of Allah said:

"A person is upon the way of his friend. So, let one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend."
['Sahih al-Jami'' (3545) and 'as-Silsilah as-Sahihah' (927)]

3 - 'Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hambal said:

"My father went out to Tarsus on foot, and he perfored two or three Hajjs on foot, and he was the most patient of people upon being alone."
['Tarjamat al-Imam Ahmad'; p. 18]

4 - Ibn al-Qayyim said:

"Know that the greatest of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allah (The One God) - the Mighty and Majestic - and being cut off from Him, a wasting your time with the person, a weakening of your energy, and the dispersing of your resolve. So, if you are tested with this - and you must be tested with this - deal with him according to how Allah (The One God) would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible. Get closer to Allah (The One God) and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from. Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride. If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from travelling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber, regardless of who he really is.

So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination."
['al-Wabil as-Sayyib'; p. 45]

5 - Ibn Jama'ah said:

"So, it is upon the student of knowledge to abandon socialization, as abandoning it is from the most important things that the student of knowledge must do - let alone with members of the opposite gender - especially with those who spend most of their time in play, and spend little of their time in thought, as the nature of individuals can rob you.

The harms of socialization include the passing of life without any benefit, as well as the decline of wealth and religious practice, if this socialization were to occur with the wrong people.

The student of knowledge should not mix except with either those who he can benefit, or can benefit from. And if he is offered the friendship of one who will waste his time with him, will not benefit him, will not benefit from him, and will not assist him in reaching his objective, he should politely end the relationship from the start before it progresses to something deeper, as when something becomes established, it becomes more difficult to change it. There is a phrase that is constantly on the tongues of the Fuqaha': 'Repelling something is easier than removing it.'

So, if he requires someone to befriend, let that person be righteous, religious, pious, wary, intelligent, full of benefit, having little evil, good at complying, rarely conflicting, reminding him if he forgets, cooperating with him when he is reminded, helpful if he is in need, and comforting if he is in distress."
['Tadhkirat as-Sami' wal-Mutakallim'; p. 83]

6 - Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi said:

"Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the necessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:

· He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him;

· He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him;

· He must not be a fasiq, as such a person would not fear Allah (The One & Only God), and whoever does not fear Allah (The One God) cannot be trusted;

· He must not be an innovator, as his abundance of innovation is feared from befriending him;

· He should not be eager for the dunya (worldly matter)."

['Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin'; p. 126-132]

Death an Indispensable Reality

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 08:39:00 -0800

Death, an indispensable reality

HOW often do we remember death? Yes death, a harsh and fearful reality that escapes no living person. None can avoid it. The people around a dying person don’t have the ability to prevent it. Death happens every moment and it does not discriminate between the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. Everyone is equal in front of death, because no one has any means to escape it or use intercession to avoid it or even delay it.

Allah (The One & Only God) says in the Holy Qur’an:
“Say: Indeed, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to Allah, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. And He will then tell you what you used to do.” (Qur’an, 62:8)

“Every one is going to taste death. And We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us will you be returned.” (Qur’an, 21:35)

Our hearts tremble with fear on the thought of this indispensable reality. A person’s actions are sealed with death and what comes after that is more fearful, because will there be a place where one can flee to in order to escape the afflictions suffered in the grave? What will our reply be when we are questioned in the grave? None of us know where we will end up. Will it be Paradise whose width is like the heavens and the earth or will it be the Fire whose fuel is of men and stones?
Ibrahim Bin Adham (d. 160H) was asked about the verse: “Call upon Me and I will respond to you.” (Qur’an, 40:60) that: “We call upon Allah (The One God), but He does not respond to us.” So Ibrahim replied:
“You know Allah; yet you do not obey Him. You recite the Holy Qur’an; yet you do not act according to it. You know Shaytan (Devil); yet you continue agreeing with him. You claim to love Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him); yet you abandon his Sunnah (Prophet’s methodology). You claim to love Paradise, yet you do not work for it. You claim to fear the Fire; yet you do not stop sinning.

You say ‘indeed death is true’; yet you have not prepared for it. You busy yourselves with the faults of others; yet you do not look at your own faults. You eat the sustenance that Allah (The One God) provides for you; yet you are not grateful to Him. And you bury your dead; yet you have not heeded its lesson.” (Ibn Rajab’s Al-Khushu’-fis-Salah, pg. 62)

This reality must be firmly established in our heart –the reality that life in this world is limited and has an appointed end, and that this end will surely come. Sheikh Ali Hasan Al-Halabi mentions some good reflections in his book Al-Mawt:
“The righteous will die; and the wicked will die. The warriors who fight jihad will die; and those who sit at home will die. Those who busy themselves with correct beliefs will die; and those who treat people as their slaves will die. The brave who reject injustice will die; and the cowards who seek to cling to this vile life will die. The people of lofty goals and ambitions will die; and the wretched who live for cheap enjoyment will die.

“...So keep death in mind, and the passing on to the next life, and the number of sins that one has committed and the small amount of good that one has done. Think of the good that you would earnestly like to do at that time – then bring that forward and do it today. And think of all those things which you would desire to clear yourself of – then clear yourself from them now.” – Al-Istiqamah

Heart trembling story of the grave

Sayyiduna Umar bin Abdul Aziz once went to the graveyard with the funeral where he sat pondering. Someone asked him, `Why are you sitting in astonishment next to this grave?` He replied, `This grave called out to me and said, `Why don`t you ask me what I do to the people who come into me.` I said to the grave, `Do tell me.` The grave said, `When a person comes inside me, I rip off his shroud and then rip the person’s body to pieces and eat his meat. Are you not going to ask me what I do with the joints?` I said, `Do tell me.` The grave said, `I separate the hands from the wrists, the knees from the calves and the calves from the feet`.` After saying this, Sayyiduna Umar began to cry.

When he stopped crying, he said, `My dear brothers! We are to live in this world for a short period. Those who are sinners in this world and still hold high status will be disgraced in the Hereafter. Those who are envied in this world because of their wealth will be hated in the Hereafter due to their actions. The one who is young will grow old and the one who is alive will die. This world will deceive you because you are aware that it will soon depart. Where are those individuals who recited the Qur`an? Where are those who went to the house of Allah )The One & Only God) to perform Hajj? Where are those who fasted in Ramadan? What did the earth do with their bodies? What did the insects of the grave do to their flesh? What happened to their bones and joints? I swear in the name of Allah (The One God) ! In the world, they slept on soft beds but now they have left behind their families, their wives have remarried, their children are suffering in the streets and their families have shared the inheritance amongst themselves. Amongst these are those fortunate ones who are successful in their graves and some are being punished.

How sad! Oh foolish! Today at the time of your fathers, your sons or brother’s death, you close their eyes, you bathe them, you wrap them in a shroud, you carry their body on your shoulder, you go along with the funeral procession and you bury them in the grave. (Remember! This will soon be happening to you.) How I wish I knew which cheek would rot first (in the grave).` After saying this, Sayyiduna Umar started crying until he fell unconscious. He departed from this world a week later. (Raud-ul-Faaiq, P138, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

Hujja-tul-Islam Imaam Muhammad Ghazali writes in Ihya-ul-Uloom, `At the time of his death, Sayyiduna Umar was reciting,

Translation Kanzul-Imaan: This abode of the Hereafter - We make it for those who do not wish greatness in the land nor turmoil; and the Hereafter is only for the pious. (Sura Qasas: 83) (Ihya-ul-Uloom, V4, P510, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

May Allah (The One & Only God) bless you and your family with his grace(Ameen) Insha Allah (God Willing)..!

The Importance of good companionship

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Wed, 8 Feb 2017 08:07:00 -0800

The Importance of good companionship

Choosing and having good companions is extremely important for many reasons and from many aspects.

1. Mankind cannot live alone; every individual must live and interact with others, and when interacting with others one either influences or is himself influenced.

2. Those people whom you sit with and make your friends are inevitably going to fall into one of two categories. They will either be good individuals - who guide and encourage you towards what is good and help you to accomplish that which Allah (The One & Only God) has ordered, or they are going to be bad - encouraging you to do what is pleasing to Satan (Devil), that which misleads you, and leads you to the Hell-Fire.

3. When the Holy Prophet, salla Allahu alihi wa sallam, was sent with the mission to establish Islam, he did not do it on his own. Rather, Allah (The One God) chose for him companions who accompanied him and who carried the Message until it was complete.

These three aspects show the importance of having good companions, companions who are righteous. Such a companion will help you to do what is good and remind you of Allah (The One God), subhanahu wa ta'ala, he will enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. These aspects also show the importance of avoiding befriending bad companions, because such a companion will have a bad effect upon you, they help you to do those deeds which are displeasing to Allah (The One & Only God) and which lead to the Hell-Fire.

The Holy Prophet, salla Allahu alihi wa sallam, gave a good similitude regarding this. He, salla Allahu alihi wa sallam, said: "The case of the good companion and the bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blower of the bellows (iron-smith) . As for the seller of musk, he will either give you some of the musk, or you will purchase some from him, or at least you will come away having experienced its good smell. Whereas the blower of the bellows will either burn your clothing, or at least you will come away having experienced its repugnant smell." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The Holy Prophet explained the matter of good companionship, so that no room is left for doubt or confusion, when he said: "A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so beware whom you befriend." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

This means that a person will be upon the same methodology as his friend, the same path as his friend, the same nature, manner and behavior as his friend. So we must be careful whom we befriend. There is an Arabic saying: 'Your companion is what pulls you to something.' So if your companion is good, he will pull you towards that which is good. He will order us with what is good and forbid us from what is evil. If he observes us committing sins he would warn us, if he becomes aware of our shortcomings he would advise us, and if he finds a fault in us he would cover it and not disclose it to others. About this, the Holy Prophet, salla Allahu alihi wa sallam, said: “…Whoever conceals (the fault of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal his fault on the Day of Judgment.” [Abu Daawood]

So should you see a fault in your brother, you should wish to remove that fault from him and not expose it to the people. This is what is required by brotherhood and again stresses the importance of choosing friends who are upon the correct way, who are loyal, and who hide your faults whilst ordering you with good and forbidding you from evil, who stand beside you and support you, and co-operate with you upon all that is good.

This principle is important from the standpoint of how the religion is to be established, and from the standpoint of what brotherhood is and what it does. Indeed, the reason that one takes a companion is to help him establish Islam, and to help him worship Allah (The One God). We find a good example in the Prophet Moosa (Moses) the one whom Allah (The One God) chose and spoke to. When Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, sent him to Pharaoh, he (Moosa) said as Allah (The One God) informs us saying: "And appoint for me a helper from my family, Haroon - my brother; increase my strength with him, and let him share my task (of conveying Allah's Message and Prophethood) , that we may glorify You much and remember You much." [Quran; 20: 29-34]

Moosa (Moses) wanted his brother to support him and help him, protect him and accompany him. This is exactly what the believers do for one another. For the thing that binds the believers together and makes them brothers is the bond of faith. The Holy Prophet said: "There are three characteristics; whoever has them will taste the sweetness of faith: That Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than all else, that he loves a person and does not love him except for the sake of Allah, and that he would hate to revert to unbelief just as he would hate to be thrown into the Fire." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Thus the connection between the believers is based upon faith and sincere brotherhood. Beware against taking any companion if such companionship is based upon other than this, for if you were to do that you would then bite your hands in grief. Just as the unjust ones will bite their hands in grief. Allah (The One God), subhanahu wa ta'ala, Says: "And (remember) the Day when the wrong-doer (oppressor, polytheist etc.) will bite at his hand, he will say: ‘Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger. Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (the Quran) after it had come to me….’" [Quran; 25:27]

And Allah (The One & Only God) Says: "And whosoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah), We appoint for him Satan to be a Qareen (intimate companion) to him." [Quran; 43:36]

So all of the physical togetherness that you see around you, which is based upon other than faith will be wiped away on that Day, and it will be a source of misery and torture for them. Allah (The One & Only God), subhanahu wa ta'ala, Says: “Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except the pious." [Quran; 43:67]

Some people asked Allah's Apostle (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), "Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?" He replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands." [Bukhari]

Jabir heard the Holy Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) say: A Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe. [Sahih Muslim: Book 1, Number 0065.]

Narrated Malik: "Who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet." (i.e. abstain from dirty and evil talk, and should think before uttering). [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 73, Number 157.]

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Tue, 7 Feb 2017 08:32:00 -0800

Hijab is for Everyone, Males & Females

Hijab & Clothing for Men

People usually only discuss Hijab in the context of women. However in the Holy Quran, Allah (The One & Only God) first mentions Hijab for men before Hijab for the women.

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: That will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do"
(Surah Noor, chapter 24, verse 30)

The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.

1: Men are also required to cover their body parts that reveal body

For men, it's compulsory for them to cover their body from navel to knees.

This has been confirmed in the narration of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri who said that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said, "A man's 'awrah is between his navel and his knees."

Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said to Jabir, "Cover your thighs, for the thigh is the 'awrah."

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) also said to Hudhayfah when he had his thigh uncovered, "Do not reveal your thigh nor look at anybody else's thigh, whether he is alive or dead."

And he said to Mu'mar when he passed him by with both his (Mu'mar's) thighs uncovered, "O Mu'mar! Cover your thighs; the thigh is 'awrah."

2: Men are required to lower their gaze strictly and not look up to women in public places intentionally.

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: That will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do"
(Surah Noor, chapter # 24, verse #30)

3: Gold and Pure Silk are Haram (Forbidden) for Men

A man by the ruling of Allah (The One God) is not allowed to wear either silk or gold.

Islam has forbidden men from wearing silk and gold but has allowed it for women, as well as for men who have a skin problem and need to wear silk.

Ahmed, al-Tirmidhi and al-Nisa'i reported that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said, "Gold and silk are allowed for the women of my Ummah and forbidden for the men." '

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported, "I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, 'Do not wear silk, for one who wears it in this world will not wear it in the Hereafter'.
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.693, Narrated Uqba bin Amir

A silken Farruj was presented to Allah's Apostle and he put it on and offered the prayer in it. When he finished the prayer, he took it off violently as if he disliked it and said, "This (garment) does not befit those who fear Allah!"

"Men are only allowed to wear silk if it does not exceed three or four fingers in lying next to each other in width. Ahmed, Abu Dawud, al-Nisa'i, al-Tirmidhi and Muslim have reported on 'Umar's authority that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) had forbidden men from wearing silk except to the extent of two middle and index fingers joined together, as demonstrated by the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w). In another narration, he (s.a.w) forbade silk except to the extent of two, three or four fingers.

Islam has allowed the wearing of silk for sick male Muslims without any limit to the width. Al-Nisa'i, Abu Dawud, al-Bukhari, Ahmed and Ibn Majah reported on the authority of Anas that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) permitted 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Auf and al-Zubayr to wear silk because they suffered from the problem of skin irritation. Some scholars have used silk as analogous to the wearing of gold for medical purposes.

As for the evidence regarding the forbidding of the wearing of gold for Muslim males, al-Tirmidhi reported on the authority of 'Imran ibn Hassin, as did Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) forbade them from wearing gold rings

'All reported that the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) took some silk in his right hand and some gold in his left, declaring, "These two are haram for the males among my followers." (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Daoud, al-Nisai, Ibn Hayyan, and lbn Majah, who reports the additional phrase, "but halal for the females.") '

On another occasion, referring to a silken garment, he said, "This is the dress of a man who has no character.'' (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) once saw a gold ring on a man's hand. He immediately took it from him and threw it down saying, 'Does a person pick up a piece of burning coal and hold it in his hand?' After the Prophet (peace be on him) had left the place, someone asked the man, 'Why do you not pick it up and benefit from it?' He replied, 'No, by Allah! I shall not pick it up after the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) has thrown it away.' (Reported by Muslim.)

4:Patterns/Marks In the Clothing: Simple Clothing Preferred

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood, #4041, Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin, r.a.
The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) once prayed wearing a garment having marks. He looked at its marks. When he saluted, he said: Take this garment of mine to Abu Jahm, for it turned my attention just now in my prayer, and bring a simple garment without marks.

Hadith - Muwatta 3.72 - Looking in the Prayer at What Distracts You From It
Yahya related to me from Malik from AIqama ibn Abi AIqama from his mother that A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Abu Jahm ibn Hudhayfa gave the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, a fine striped garment from Syria and he did the prayer in it. When he had finished he said, 'Give this garment back to Abu Jahm. I looked at its stripes in the prayer and they almost distracted me.' "

5: The clothes should be loose enough (not tight) that they do not disclose the figure.

I asked Jabir bin 'Abdullah about praying in a single garment. He said, "I traveled with the Holy Prophet during some of his journeys, and I came to him at night for some purpose and I found him praying. At that time, I was wearing a single garment with which I covered my shoulders and prayed by his side. When he finished the prayer, he asked, 'O Jabir! What has brought you here?' I told him what I wanted. When I finished, he asked, 'O Jabir! What is this garment which I have seen and with which you covered your shoulders?' I replied, 'It is a (tight) garment.' He said, 'If the garment is large enough, wrap it round the body (covering the shoulders) and if it is tight (too short) then use it as an Izar (tie it around your waist only.' -Hadith - Sahih Bukhari 1.357, Narrated Said bin Al Harith

6: The clothes should not be see-through such that one can see through them.

7: The clothes should not be fashionable so that it will attract the opposite sex.

The clothes should not look like that of the opposite sex.

Al-Bukhari, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisa'i, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah reported on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said, "Allah's Messenger has cursed the women acting like men and the men acting like women."

The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) declared that a woman should not wear a man's clothing nor a man a woman's. He cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men. (Reported by al-Bukhari and others.) Aspects of such imitation include the manner of speaking, walking, dressing, moving and so on.

8: The clothes should not give the impression that of the non-believer

Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said, "Whoever acts like a people becomes one of them." This is related to anything linked to their creed or dress, such as the garment or hats of the priests, bishops, cardinals, nuns etc, or like Jewish garments or anything that distinguishes them from other people.

9 : Wearing White

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 4623, Narrated 'Aisha, r.a.
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was questioned about Waraqah and Khadijah said to him, "He believed in you, but died before you appeared as a prophet." Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) then said, "I was shown him in a dream, wearing white clothes, and if he had been one of the inhabitants of Hell he would have been wearing different clothing." [Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it]

Narrated Abu Dharr, r.a. 'I came to the Prophet while he was wearing white clothes and sleeping.... '-Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.717,

10: Wearing Green

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.705, Narrated 'Aisha, r.a.
When Allah's Apostle died, he was covered with a Hibra Burd (green square decorated garment).

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood, Narrated Abu Rimthah, r.a.
I went with my father to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and saw two green garments over him.

11: Wearing Plain Red Not Allowed

It is permissible to wear red clothes if the red is combined with another colour; it is not permissible to wear plain red, because the Prophet (s.a.w.s) forbade doing so.

The hadith which forbid wearing plain red

1. From al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Prophet (s.a.w.s) forbade us to use soft red mattresses and qasiy – garments with woven stripes of silk." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5390)

2. From Ibn 'Abbaas, who said: "I was forbidden (to wear) red garments and gold rings, and to recite Qur'aan in rukoo'." (Narrated by al-Nasaa'i, no. 5171. Imam Albaani said: its isnaad is sahih. Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa'i, 1068).

3. From 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: "A man passed by the Holy Prophet wearing two red garments and greeted him with salaam, but he did not return the greeting." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2731; Abu Dawood, no. 3574. Al-Tirmidhi said: this hadeeth is hasan ghareeb with this isnaad).

Hadith which may be understood to mean that it is permissible to wear red if it is mixed with another colour

1. From Hilaal ibn 'Aamir from his father, who said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah in Mina, giving a khutbah sitting on his mule, wearing a red cloak, and 'Ali was in front of him, repeating what he said (in a loud voice, so that the people could hear)." (Narrated by Abu Dawood, no. 3551; classed as sahih by al-Albaani – Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood, 767).

2. The hadeeth of al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "The Messenger of Allah was of average build. I saw him in a red hullah, and I never saw anyone more handsome than him." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 5400; Muslim, 4308).

[Red Hullah is a suit of two Yemeni garments which are woven with red and black stripes, or red and green stripes. It is described as red because of the red stripes in it.]

3. From al-Baraa', who said: "I never saw anyone who has hair wearing a red hullah and looking more handsome than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He had hair down to his shoulders, he was broad-shouldered and was neither short nor tall." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 1646. He said: in this chapter there is a report from Jaabir ibn Samurah and Abu Rimthah and Abu Juhayfah. This hadeeth is hasan saheeh…)

4. From al-Baraa' who said: "The Messenger of Allah had hair down to his earlobes. I saw him wearing a red hullah, and I have never seen anyone more handsome than him." (Narrated by Abu Dawood, no. 4072; Ibn Maajah, no. 3599. Classed as sahih by Albaani – Saheeh Sunan Abi dawood, 768).

5. Al-Bayhaqi narrated in al-Sunan: "[The Prophet] used to wear a red cloak on Eid."

This is the view of a number of scholars, such as al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (Fath al-Baari Sharh 'ala Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 5400) and Ibn al-Qayyim (Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1-137). And Allah knows best.

Hadith - Bukhari 7.695 (Also 7.744) Narrated Ibn Abbas, r.a.
The Prophet (s.a.w.s) said, "Whoever cannot get an Izar, can wear trousers, and whoever cannot wear sandals can wear Khuffs."

12 : Garment Should Not Hang Past Ankles

Hadith - Al-Muwatta 48.12, Similar narration in Abu Dawood #4082
Yahya related to me from Malik from al Ala ibn Abd ar-Rahman that his father said, "I asked Abu Said al-Khudri about the lower garment. He said that he would inform me with knowledge and that he had heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'The lower garment of the muslim should reach to the middle of his calves. There is no harm in what is between that and the ankles. What is lower than that is in the Fire. What is lower than that is in the Fire. On the Day of Rising, Allah (The One God) will not look at a person who trails his lower garment in arrogance.' "

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.678, Narrated Abu Huraira, r.a.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) said, "The part of an Izar which hangs below the ankles is in the Fire."

Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood, Narrated AbuJurayy Jabir ibn Salim al-Hujaymi
The Holy Prophet said, "Have your lower garment halfway down your shin; if you cannot do it, have it up to the ankles. Beware of trailing the lower garment, for it is conceit and Allah does not like conceit."

13: Do Not wear images

Like humans, animals, or insects on your cloth

Be Known as a Muslim
The Noble Qur'an 7:3
[Say (O Muhammad SAW) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers, etc. who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!

Narration - al-Hakim and Tirmidhi (hasan)
"Allah likes to see the mark of His benevolence on His servant."

Wearing the izar (loin-wrap), thawb (long cloth), `imama (turban), jubba (coat or mantle), sirwal (baggy pants), etc. is of the Holy Prophet's Sunnah (methodology) of dress. There is no such thing as an unimportant or unnecessary Sunnah.

Hadith - Tirmidhi (hasan), Book of knowledge; al-Baghawi, Sharh al-sunna 1:233.
Whoever gives life to one of my Sunnahs which was eliminated after my time will receive the reward of all those who practice it without their reward being diminished.. .

Hadith - Tirmidhi (hasan gharib), Book of knowledge.
Whoever gives life to one of my Sunnahs, he loves me: and whoever loves me is with me.

Dressing according to the sunnah is an act of ibadah that brings with it a reward, insha'Allah (God Willing).

The Companions were quick to imitate every aspect of the Holy Prophet's example of dress:

Hadith - Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 92, Number 401. Narrated Ibn 'Umar
The Prophet wore a gold ring and then the people followed him and wore gold rings too. Then the Prophet said, "I had this golden ring made for myself." He then threw it away and said, "I shall never put it on." Thereupon the people also threw their rings away.

The very least that has been said by the scholars of the Sharia (Islamic law) in the matter is that following the Prophet in matters of dress or everyday matters such as eating, walking, and sleeping is a matter of excellence (ihsan) and perfection (kamal) and is desirable (mustahabb) and part of one's good manners (adab) in the religion. Every desirable practice performed on the basis of such intention means a higher degree in paradise which the person who neglects it may not attain to, and Allah (The One God) knows best.

Gratitude to Allah (The One God) for the Protection of Clothing

The Noble Qur'an An-Nahl 16:81

And Allâh has made for you out of that which He has created shades, and has made for you places of refuge in the mountains, and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He perfect His Grace unto you, that you may submit yourselves to His Will (in Islâm).

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 00:46:00 -0800

Hereafter - Life after death

How can you prove the existence of hereafter, i.e. life after death?

1. Belief in the hereafter is not based on blind faith?

Many people wonder as to how a person with a scientific and logical temperament, can lend any credence to the belief of life after death.

People assume that anyone believing in the hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief.

My belief in the hereafter is based on a logical argument.

2. Hereafter: a logical belief

There are more than a thousand verses in the Glorious Qur’an, containing scientific facts (refer my book “Qur’an and Modern Science-Compatible or Incompatible?”).

Many facts mentioned in the Qur’an have been discovered in the last few centuries. But science has not advanced to a level where it can confirm every statement of the Qur’an.

Suppose 80% of all that is mentioned in the Qur’an has been proved 100% correct.

About the remaining 20%, science makes no categorical statement, since it has not advanced to a level, where it can either prove or disprove these statements.

With the limited knowledge that we have, we cannot say for sure whether even a single percentage or a single verse of the Qur’an from this 20% portion is wrong.

Thus when 80% of the Qur’an is 100% correct and the remaining 20% is not disproved, logic says that even the 20% portion is correct.

The existence of the hereafter, which is mentioned in the Qur’an, falls in the 20% ambiguous portion which my logic says is correct.

3. Concept of peace and human values is useless without the concept of hereafter

Is robbing a good or an evil act? A normal balanced person would say it is evil.

How would a person who does not believe in the hereafter convince a powerful and influential criminal that robbing is evil?

Suppose I am the most powerful and influential criminal in the world. At the same time I am an Intelligent and a logical person. I say that robbing is good because it helps me lead a luxurious life.

Thus robbing is good for me.

If anybody can put forward a single logical argument as to why it is evil for me, I will stop immediately.

People usually put forward the following arguments:

a. The person who is robbed will face difficulties

Some may say that the person who is robbed will face difficulties. I certainly agree that it is bad for the person who is robbed. But it is good for me. If I rob a thousand dollars, I can enjoy a good meal at a 5 star restaurant.

b. Someone may rob you

Some people argue that someday I may be robbed. No one can rob me because I am a very powerful criminal and I have hundreds of bodyguards.

I can rob anybody but nobody can rob me. Robbing may be a risky profession for a common man but not for an influential person like me.

c. The police may arrest you

Some may say, if you rob, you can be arrested by the police. The police cannot arrest me because I have the police on my payroll. I have the ministers on my payroll.

I agree that if a common man robs, he will be arrested and it will be bad for him, but I am an extraordinarily influential and powerful criminal.

Give me one logical reason why it is bad for me and I will stop robbing.

d. It’s easy money

Some may say, “it’s easy money”, and not hard-earned money. I agree completely that it is easy money, and that is one of the main reasons why I rob.

If a person has the option of earning money the easy as well as the hard way, any logical person would choose the easy way.

e. It is against humanity

Some may say it is against humanity and that a person should care for other human beings. I counter argue by asking as to who wrote this law called ‘humanity’ and why should I follow it?

This law may be good for the emotional and sentimental people but I am a logical person and I see no benefit in caring for other human beings.

f. It is a selfish act

Some may say that robbing is being selfish. It is true that robbing is a selfish act; but then why should I not be selfish? It helps me enjoy life.

1. No logical reason for robbing being an evil act

Hence all arguments that attempt to prove that robbing is an evil act are futile.

These arguments may satisfy a common man but not a powerful and influential criminal like me.

None of the arguments can be defended on the strength of reason and logic. It is no surprise that there are so many criminals in this world.

Similarly raping, cheating etc. can be justified as good for a person like me and there is no logical argument that can convince me that these things are bad.

2. A Muslim can convince a powerful and influential criminal

Now let us switch sides. Suppose you are the most powerful and influential criminal in the world, who has the police and the ministers on his payroll. You have army of thugs to protect you.

I am a Muslim who will convince you that robbing, raping, cheating, etc. are evil acts.

Even if I put forth the same arguments to prove that robbing is evil the criminal will respond the same way as he did earlier.

I agree that the criminal is being logical and all his arguments are true only when he is the most powerful and influential criminal.

3. Every human being wants justice

Each and every human being desires justice. Even if he does not want justice for others he wants justice for himself. Some people are intoxicated by power and influence and inflict pain and suffering on others.

The same people, however, would surely object if some injustice was done to them. The reason such people become insensitive to the suffering of others is that they worship power and influence.

Power and influence, they feel, not only allows them to inflict injustice on others but also prevents others from doing likewise to them.

4. God is most Powerful and Just

As a Muslim I would convince the criminal about the existence of Almighty God (refer to answer proving the existence of God). This God is more powerful than you and at the same time is also just. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Allah is never unjust in the least degree”

[Al-Qur’an 4:40]

5. Why does God not punish me?

The criminal, being a logical and scientific person, agrees that God exists, after being presented with scientific facts from the Qur’an. He may argue as to why God, if He is Powerful and Just, does not punish him.

6. The people who do injustice should be punished

Every person who has suffered injustice, irrespective of financial or social status, almost certainly wants the perpetrator of injustice to be punished.

Every normal person would like the robber or the rapist to be taught a lesson. Though a large number of criminals are punished, many even go scot-free.

They lead a pleasant, luxurious life, and even enjoy a peaceful existence.

If injustice is done to a powerful and influential person, by someone more powerful and more influential than he, even such a person would want that person perpetrators of injustice to be punished.

7. This life is a test for the hereafter

This life is a test for the hereafter. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“He who created Death and life that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving”

[Al-Qur’an 67:2]

8. Final justice on Day of Judgment

The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of life): for the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.”

[Al-Qur’an 3:185]

Final justice will be meted out on the Day of Judgment. After a person dies, he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment along with the rest of mankind.

It is possible that a person receives part of his punishment in this world. The final reward and punishment will only be in the hereafter.

God Almighty may not punish a robber or a rapist in this world but he will surely be held accountable on the Day of Judgment and will be punished in the hereafter i.e. life after death.

9. What punishment can the human law give Hitler?

Hitler incinerated six million Jews during his reign of terror. Even if the police had arrested him, what punishment can the human law give Hitler for justice to prevail?

The most they can do is to send Hitler to the gas chamber. But that will only be punishment for the killing of one Jew.

What about the remaining five million, nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine Jews?

10. Allah (The One & Only God) can burn Hitler more than six million times in hellfire

Allah (The One & Only God) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

“Those who reject Our signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise”

[Al-Qur’an 4:56]

If Allah (The One & Only God) wishes he can incinerate Hitler six million times in the hereafter in the hellfire.

11. No concept of human values or good and bad without concept of hereafter

It is clear that without convincing a person about the hereafter, i.e. life after death, the concept of human values and the good or evil nature of acts is impossible to prove to any person who is doing injustice, especially when he is influential and powerful.

P.S.:

From "Answers to non-Muslims, Common questions about Islam" Authored by Dr.Zakir Abdul-Karim Naik.

To get more information about Islam http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-about-islam.html

3. Anyone ... and I mean anyone (Muslim or not Muslim) who needs my help or wants to directly communicate with me about any matter in Islam … please don't hesitate to contact me on my personal e-mail mai4islam@yahoo.com

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 08:36:00 -0800

The Reasons why Muslims believe that God exists – Part 20

The cloning of living things

[Satan said:] “I will lead them astray and fill them with false hopes. I will command them and they will cut off cattle’s ears. I will command them and they will change Allah’s creation.” Anyone who takes satan as his protector in place of Allah has clearly lost everything.”

[Surat an-Nisa’, 119]

The above verse contains the expression “yubattikunna,” which derives from the verb "battaka” meaning ”to cut off or break off.” The term “yughayyirunna” in the verse derives from the verb “ghayyara,” meaning “to change, alter, impair a thing’s original form.” At the end of both verbs appears the confirmatory letter ”nun.”

With these expressions, verse 119 of Surah 4 (an-Nisa’) may, in one aspect, be pointing to the scientific activity of copying or cloning of organisms. (Allah knows the truth.)

That is because cloning experiments are generally conducted with cells taken from an animal’s ear. To put it another way, a replica living thing is produced with the taking of cells from tissue samples “cut from animals’ ears,” just as described in the verse.

A report by the German Federal Agricultural Research Center provides the following information:

The tissue collection phase is short and simple. Once an animal has been located and restrained, a tissue sample like an ear clipping can be collected within seconds. Furthermore, somatic cells can be collected from all species. … For cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, camelids and llamas, a unified and identical procedure can be used by obtaining a tissue sample from the ear using notchers which are also used for setting earmarks… Clearly, for all species lymphocytes could be used, but somatic cells from ear clippings will be much easier to obtain and are therefore preferable. 1

Some reports concerning organisms cloned by taking samples from ear tissue include:

· According to a report by Reuters dated 1 May, 2002, a research veterinarian at the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil, Jose Visintin, produced cloned embryos for the first time in the country by using cells taken from the ear of an adult cow.2

· According to a BBC report, South Korean scientists cloned a dog called Snuppy from cells taken from a 3-year-old Afghan hound. Researchers at the Seoul National Universityextracted genetic material from the cells taken from the ear and placed it into an empty egg cell. An embryo was then obtained by stimulating the cell to divide.3

· Another BBC report said that a new clone had been produced using ear cells from an adult cow in research carried out by Dr. Jean-Paul Renard et al. at the Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique in France.4

· According to information of the official Human Genome Project website, in February 2002, scientists from theAdvanced Cell Technologies (ACT) biotechnology company carried out experiments on cloning a cow embryo using the skin cell of the donor cow’s ear.5

· A report by Associated Press, dated 24 January, 2000, announced that Japanese scientists had cloned the clone of a bull for the first time. In the re-cloning, skin tissue samples from the first generation cloned bull’s ear were taken when it was four months old. These cells were then fused with an unfertilized egg from which the nucleus had been removed.6

The way that changes in the creation of living things are referred to in the Qur’an and the expression “cutting off cattle’s ears,” at a time when no branches of science such as genetics or embryology existed, shows that the Qur’an has come down from the Sight of our Lord, Allah (The One & Only God), Who is unfettered by time.

We are also told at the end of the verse that these people will be disappointed when they alter what Allah (The One & Only God) has created. The verse may therefore be indicating that cloning will give rise to various problems for human beings. (Allah knows the truth.) Indeed, statements from the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah provide the following information:

When we hear of cloning successes, we learn about only the few attempts that worked. What we don't see are the many, many cloning experiments that failed! And even in the successful clones, problems tend to arise later, during the animal's development to adulthood.7

Information from the Human Genome Project website take this form:

Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from adult DNA, [died on] Feb. 14, 2003. Prior to her death, Dolly had been suffering from lung cancer and crippling arthritis. … More than 90% of cloning attempts fail to produce viable offspring.… In addition to low success rates, cloned animals tend to have more compromised immune function and higher rates of infection, tumor growth, and other disorders. Japanese studies have shown that cloned mice live in poor health and die early. …

Appearing healthy at a young age unfortunately is not a good indicator of long term survival. Clones have been known to die mysteriously. For example, Australia's first cloned sheep appeared healthy and energetic on the day she died, and the results from her autopsy failed to determine a cause of death.8

In general terms, the risks arising from cloning experiments are as follows:

1) A high failure rate: The level of success is just 0.1%-3%. That means a failure rate of 970-999 for every 1000 experiments.9

2) Problems during development: Cloned animals that do survive generally have abnormally larger organs compared to the originals. This may lead to respiration and circulation difficulties, unhealthy kidneys and brain, and an impaired immune system.

3) Abnormal gene expression patterns: Although clones have the same DNA sequences as the originals, the cell nucleus in the clone does not have the same program as that in a natural embryo.

To put it another way, the DNA cannot express the right set of genes essential for the development of the clone at the right time. For example, cells of all kinds, nerve, bone, blood or skin for example, all have different programs but the genetic programs in the clone embryo do not work as healthily as those in a natural embryo.

4) Telomeric differences: Chromosomes are shortened as cells divide. The reason for this is that DNA sequences at both ends of a chromosome, known as telomeres, are shortened during each DNA replication.

As an animal grows older, the telomeres shorten as part of that aging. Therefore, the copied life form has shortened chromosomes from the moment it is born, just as if it were actually older.

Genetic material taken from living cells is used in cloning experiments, but fertilization takes place artificially. The reproduction mechanism created by Allah is thus impaired with these methods, and unidentified diseases, developmental deficiencies and early deaths are encountered.

The way that it was reported 1400 years ago that scientists would engage in cloning and that the problems awaiting people there from are emphasized, clearly reveals that the Qur’an is a Divine scripture.

In the cloning process, DNA from a cell of the living thing planned to be copied is placed under the microscope and placed into an egg cell from another member of the same species. The DNA of the animal intended to be copied is used for this. An electric shock is then applied, which stimulates the egg cell to start dividing. The embryo continues to divide and is placed into the womb of a member of the species, and is then left to develop and be born.

1 http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/a0070t/a0070t05.htm

2 http://ngin.tripod.com/010502b.htm

3 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4742453.stm

4 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/331793.stm

5 http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml

6 http://www.gene.ch/info4action/2000/Jan/msg00061.html

7 http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/cloningrisks/

8 http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml

9 http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/cloningrisks/

Your sister
Mai

http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/

P.S.:

1. From http://www.miraclesofthequran.com

2. To get more information about Islam http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-about-islam.html

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 07:02:00 -0800

The Reasons why Muslims believe that God exists – Part 19

Creation in six days

Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then settled Himself firmly on the Throne... [Qur'an, 7:54]

One example of the harmony between the Qur'an and modern science is the subject of the age of the universe. Cosmologists estimate the age of the universe as 16-17 billion years.

The Qur'an states that the entire universe was created in six days. These two time frames, which may seem contradictory, are actually surprisingly compatible.

In fact, both these figures concerning the age of the universe are correct. In other words, the universe was created in six days, as revealed in the Qur'an, and this period corresponds to 16-17 billion years in the way that we experience time.

In 1915 Einstein proposed that time was relative, that the passage of time altered according to space, the speed of the person travelling and the force of gravity at that moment. Bearing in mind these differences in the passage of time, the period of time in which the universe was created as revealed in seven different verses of the Qur'an is actually highly compatible with scientists' estimations.

The six-day period revealed in the Qur'an can be thought of as six periods. Because, taking into account the relativity of time, a "day" refers only to a 24-hour period experienced on Earth under current conditions. Elsewhere in the universe, however, at another time and under other conditions, a "day" could refer to a much longer period of time.

Indeed, the word "ayyamin" in the period of six days (sittati ayyamin) in these verses (Qur'an 32:4, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 57:4, 50:38, and 7:54) means not only "days," but also "age, period,moment, term."

In the first period of the universe, the passage of time took place much faster than that with which we are familiar today. The reason for this is that, at the moment of the Big Bang, our universe was compressed into a very small point.

The expansion of the universe and increase in its volume ever since the moment of that explosion has extended the borders of the universe to millions of light years. Indeed, the stretching of space ever since that moment has had very important ramifications for universal time.

The energy at the moment of the Big Bang slowed down the flow of time 1012 (one million million) times. When the universe was created the speed of universal time was higher up to a million million times, as time is experienced today. In other words, a million million minutes on Earth is the equivalent of just one minute in universal time.

When a six-day period of time is calculated according to the relativity of time, it equates to six million million (six trillion) days. That is because universal time flows a million million times faster than time on Earth. Calculated in terms of years, 6 trillion days equates to approximately 16.427 billion years. This is within the estimated range for the age of the universe.

6,000,000,000,000 days/365.25 = 16.427104723 billion years

Allah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge save what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and the earth and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent.
[Qur’an, 2:255]

On the other hand, each of the six days of creation equates to very different periods, as we perceive time. The reason for this is that the speed of the passage of time declines in proportion to the expansion of the universe.

Ever since the Big Bang, as the size of the universe doubled, so the passage of time halved. As the universe grew, the speed at which the universe doubled increasingly slowed down. This rate of expansion is a scientific fact acknowledged the world over and described in the text book The Fundamentals of Physical Cosmology. When we calculate every day of creation in terms of Earth time, the following situation emerges:

· Looked at from the moment when time began, the first day of creation (first phase) lasted 24 hours. This period, however, is the equivalent of 8 billion years in Earth terms.

· The second day of creation (second phase) lasted 24 hours. This, however, lasted half as long, in our terms, as the preceding day, in other words 4 billion years.

· The third day (third phase) lasted half as long as the second day, in other words 2 billion years.

· The fourth day (fourth phase) lasted 1 billion years.

· The fifth day (fifth phase) lasted 500 million years.

· And the sixth day (sixth phase) lasted 250 million years.

Conclusion: When the six days of creation, in other words the six phases, are added together in Earth terms, the resulting figure is 15 billion 750 million years. This figure displays an enormous parallel with modern-day estimations.

This conclusion is one of the facts revealed by 21st century science. Science has once again confirmed a fact revealed in the Qur'an 1,400 years ago. This harmony between the Qur'an and science is one of the miraculous proofs that the Qur'an is the revelation of Allah, the Creator, the Omniscient.

Your sister
Mai

http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/

P.S.:

1. From http://www.miraclesofthequran.com

2. To get more information about Islam http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-about-islam.html

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 03:07:00 -0800

The Reasons why Muslims believe that God exists – Part 18

The miracle of Honey

Your Lord revealed to the bees: "Build dwellings in the mountains and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow." From inside them comes a drink of varying colours, containing healing for mankind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect.

[Qur'an, 16:69]

Honey is a "healing for men" as stated in the verses above. Nowadays, apiculture and bee products have opened a new branch of research in scientifically advanced parts of the world. Other benefits of honey may be described as below:

Easily digested: Because sugar molecules in honey can convert into other sugars (e.g.fructose to glucose), honey is easily digested by the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps kidneys and intestines to function better.

Rapidly diffuses through the blood; is a quick energy source: When accompanied by mild water, honey diffuses into the bloodstream in seven minutes.

Its free sugar molecules make the brain function better since the brain is the largest consumer of sugar.

Honey is a natural composition of sugars like glucose and fructose. According to recent research, this unique mixture of sugars is the most effective means to remove fatigue and increase athletic performance.

The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey were revealed as a result of clinical observations and research. Honey is exceedingly effective in painlessly cleaning up infection and dead cells in these regions and in the development of new tissues.

The use of honey as a medicine is mentioned in the most ancient writings. In the present day, doctors and scientists are rediscovering the effectiveness of honey in the treatment of wounds.

Dr. Peter Molan, a leading researcher into honey for the last 20 years and a professor of biochemistry at New Zealand’s University of Waikato, says this about the antimicrobial properties of honey:

Randomized trials have shown that honey is more effective in controlling infection in burn wounds than silver sulphadiazine, the antibacterial ointment most widely used on burns in hospitals.

(“Honey Against Infected Skin Lesions,” http://www.apitherapy.com/skinlesions.php)

Supports blood formation: Honey provides an important part of the energy needed by the body for blood formation.

In addition, it helps in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating and facilitating blood circulation.

It also functions as a protection against capillary problems and arteriosclerosis.

Does not accommodate bacteria: This bactericide (bacteria-killing) property of honey is named "the inhibition effect". There are various reasons of this anti-microbial property of the honey.

Some examples are: the high sugar content that limit the amount of water microorganisms need for growth, its high acidity (low pH) and composition which deprive bacteria from nitrogen necessary for reproduction.

The existence of hydrogen peroxide as well as antioxidants in the honey prevents bacteria growth.

Antioxidant: Everyone who wants to live a healthier life should consume antioxidants. Those are the components in cells that get rid of harmful byproducts of normal metabolic functions.

These elements inhibit destructive chemical reactions that cause spoilage of food and many chronic illnesses. Researchers believe food products rich in antioxidants may prevent heart problems and cancer.

Strong antioxidants are present in honey content: Pinocembrin, pinobaxin, chrisin and galagin. Pinocembrin is an antioxidant that merely exists in the honey.108

Vitamin and mineral depot: Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate.

It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. Besides the above, copper, iodine, and zinc are also present, albeit in small quantities.

Honey is used in healing wounds:

1. When used in treatment of wounds, thanks to its ability to absorb moisture from the air, honey facilitates healing process and prevents scarring. This is because honey stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. In this way, even in case of large wounds, honey may eliminate the need for tissue transplantation.

2. Honey stimulates the regrowth of tissue involved in the healing process. It stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibres that give strength to the repair.

3. Honey has an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces the swelling around a wound. This improves circulation and thus hastens the healing process. It also reduces pain.

4. Honey does not stick to the underlying wound tissues, so there is no tearing away of newly formed tissue, and no pain, when dressings are changed.

5. Thanks to its aforementioned antimicrobial property, honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds becoming infected. It also rapidly clears any existing infection from wounds. It is fully effective, even with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Unlike antiseptics and antibiotics, there is no impairment of the healing process through adverse effects on wound tissues.109

It can easily be seen from this information that honey has great "healing" properties. This is undoubtedly one of the miracles of the Qur'an Allah, Who is Exalted in Power, has revealed.

0.2 grThe “First World Wound Healing Congress,” held in Melbourne on September 10-13, 2000, discussed the use of honey in wound treatment. The comments made during the congress were along these lines:


Nutritional Values	Average amount in a portion	Average amount in 100 g
Water	3.6 gr	17.1 gr
Total carbohydrates	17.3 gr	82.4 gr
Fructose	8.1 gr	38.5 gr
Glucose	6.5 gr	31.0 gr
Maltose	1.5 gr	7.2 gr
Sucrose	0.3 gr	1.5 gr
Nutritional Contents
Total calories (kilocalories)	64	304
Total calories (kilocalories)(as fat)	0	0
Total fat	0	0
Saturated fat	0	0
Cholesterol	0	0
Sodium	0.6 mg	2.85 mg
Total carbohydrate	17 gr	81 gr
Sugar	16 gr	76 gr
Diet fibres	0	0
Protein	0.15 mg	0.7 mg
Vitamins
B1(Thiamine)	<>	<>
B2(Riboflavin)	<>	<>
Nicotinic acid	<>	<>
Pantothenic acid	<>	<>
B6	<>	<>
Folic acid	<>	<>
C	0.1 mg	<>
Minerals
Calcium	1.0 mg	4.8 mg
Iron	0.05 mg	0.25 mg
Zinc	0.03 mg	0.15 mg
Potassium	11.0 mg	50.0 mg
Phosphorus	1.0 mg	5.0 mg
Magnesium	0.4 mg	2.0 mg
Selenium	0.002 mg	0.01 mg
Copper	0.01 mg	0.05 mg
Chromium	0.005 mg	0.02 mg
Manganese	0.03 mg	0.15 mg

Many natural antibacterial substances are being evaluated to find a treatment for wounds infected with bacteria with multiple resistance to antibiotics, the "superbugs", as this becomes a major clinical problem.

But most of these natural substances have no proven effectiveness on infected wounds, nor is it known if they have any adverse effects on wound tissues.

Honey is different, as it has an excellent "track record" over 4,000 years of usage as a wound dressing...

Honey has a potent antibacterial activity and is very effective in clearing infection in wounds and protecting wounds from becoming infected.
(bio.waikato.ac.nz/pdfs/honeyresearch/potential.pdf)

108. “Honey A Source of Antioxidants,” Journal of Apicultural Research, 1998, 37:221-225, www.nutritionfarm.com/health_news/1998/antioxidants4.htm; Janet Raloff, “The Color of Honey,” www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/9_12_98/Bob1.htm.
109. “Honey As Medicine—Australia Produces A World’s First!,” San Diego Earth Times, January 2000, www.sdearthtimes.com/et0100/et0100s17.html.

Your sister
Mai

http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/

P.S.:

1. From http://www.miraclesofthequran.com

2. To get more information about Islam http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-about-islam.html

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 08:10:00 -0800

The Reasons why Muslims believe that God exists – Part 17

Calculating the Lunar year

It is He Who appointed the sun to give radiance, and the moon to give light, assigning it phases so you would know the number of years and the reckoning of time. Allah did not create these things except with truth. We make the Signs clear for people who know. (Qur'an, 10:5)

And We have decreed set phases for the moon, until it ends up looking like an old date branch. (Qur'an, 36:39)

In the first of the above verses, Allah (The One & Only God) has clearly revealed that the Moon will be a means of measurement for people to calculate the year.

Furthermore, our attention is also drawn to the fact that these calculations will be performed according to the positions of the Moon as it revolves in its orbit.

Since the angles between the Earth and Moon and the Moon and Sun constantly change, we see the Moon in different forms at different times.

Furthermore, our ability to see the Moon is made possible by the fact that it is illuminated by the Sun.

The amount of the lighted half of the Moon we see from Earth changes.

Bearing in mind these changes, a number of calculations can be made, making it possible for human beings to measure the year.

In former times a month was calculated as the time between two full moons, or the time it took the Moon to travel around the Earth.

According to this, one month was equal to 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes. This is known as the "lunar month." Twelve lunar months represent one year, according to the Hijri calendar.

However, there is a difference of eleven days between the Hijri calendar and the Gregorian calendar, in which a year is the time it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun.

Indeed, attention is drawn to this difference in another verse:

They stayed in their Cave for three hundred years and added nine. (Qur'an, 18:25)

We can clarify the time referred to in the verse thus:

300 years x 11 days (the difference which forms every year) = 3,300 days.

Bearing in mind that one solar year lasts 365 days, 5 hours, 48minutes and 45.5 seconds,

3,300 days/ 365.24days = 9 years.

To put it another way, 300 years according to the Gregorian calendar is equal to 300+9 years according to the Hijri calendar. As we can see, the verse refers to this finely calculated difference of 9 years. (Allah knows best.) There is no doubt that the Qur'an, which contains such pieces of information, which transcended the everyday knowledge of the time, is a miraculous revelation.

Your sister
Mai

http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/

P.S.:

1. From http://www.miraclesofthequran.com

2. To get more information about Islam http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-about-islam.html

noreply@blogger.com (BLeSseD WiSdoM) — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 08:41:00 -0800

The Reasons why Muslims believe that God exists – Part 16

Scientific facts in the story of the flood of Nuh (Noah)

We sent Nuh to his people and he remained among them for fifty short of a thousand years; yet the Flood engulfed them while they were wrongdoers.

[Qur'an Surat al-‘Ankabut 29, 14]

The Prophet Nuh (a.s) spent many years advising the people to whom he was sent as a prophet to put an end to ascribing partners to Allah (The One & Only God) and to abandon their improper behavior.

Even though he warned his people about the wrath of Allah (The One God) several times, they still did not believe the Prophet Nuh (a.s) and continued in their polytheism.

At this, Allah (The One God) told the Prophet Nuh (a.s) that He would punish those who denied Him by drowning them, but that believers would be saved.

The destruction of the people of Nuh and the salvation of those who believed is described as follows in the Qur’an:

But they denied him so We rescued him and those with him in the Ark. And We drowned the people who denied Our signs. They were a blind people.[Qur'an Surat al-A‘raf 7, 64]

The events that took place when the time for Allah’s (The One God's) promised punishment came are described thus:

So when Our command came, and water bubbled up from the earth, We said, “Load into it a pair of every species, and your family – except for those against whom the Word was preordained – and all who believe.” But those who believed with him were only few.

[Qur'an Surat Hud 11, 40]

The beginning of the punishment is described as when “water bubbled up from the earth.” The Arabic word translated as “tannoor” is “alttannooru.” This describes a kind of oven made by digging a hole in the ground, and therefore refers to the volcanic fire inside a mountain. (Allah knows the truth.) The Arabic word “wafara” in the verse means “burned strongly, produced bubbles, boiled up, boiled over, produced a foam.” Therefore, the reference in the verse would seem to be to the flowing, molten lava in the mountain.

In another verse, the time for the Prophet Nuh (a.s) to board the Ark is described as “when water bubbles up from the earth” in another verse. This may also be a reference to hot steam or smoke rising from a volcano immediately before an eruption:

We revealed to him: “Build the ship under Our supervision and as We reveal. When Our command comes and water bubbles up from the earth, load into it a pair of every species, and your family – except for those among them against whom the word has already gone ahead. And do not address Me concerning those who do wrong. They shall be drowned.

[Qur'an Surat al-Muminun 23, 27]

The molten lava flowing in the wake of the eruption may have caused the ice on the mountain to melt; intense steam caused by the combination of heat and cold as the molten lava flowed into the sea may have given rise to intense rains.

Flooding was the result of these phenomena, and sources of water on land may also have overflowed as a consequence of the severe rains: (Allah knows the truth.)

So We opened the gates of heaven with torrential water and made the earth burst forth with gushing springs. And the waters met together in a way which was decreed. We bore him on a planked and well-caulked ship...

[Qur'an Surat al-Qamar 54, 11-13]

Apart from those who boarded the Prophet Nuh’s (a.s) Ark were drowned, including the prophet’s son who imagined he could escape by seeking refuge on a mountain nearby:

It sailed with them through mountainous waves, and Nuh called out to his son, who had kept himself apart, “My son! Come on board with us. Do not stay with the unbelievers!” He said, “I will take refuge on a mountain; It will protect me from the flood.” He said, “There is no protection from Allah’s command today except for those He has mercy on.” The waves surged in between them and he was among the drowned.

[Qur'an Surah Hud 11, 42-43]

When the floodwaters finally receded, the Ark settled on al-Judi as stated in the Qur’an, meaning a very high place:

It was said, “Earth, swallow up your water!” and, ‘Heaven, hold back your rain!” And the water subsided and the affair was concluded and the Ark came to land on al-Judi. And it was said, “Away with the people of the wrongdoers!”

[Qur'an Surat Hud 11, 44]

When the mountains shortly after stopped churning forth lava, the waters resumed their former equilibrium as the air cooled down and withdrew back underground; some of it may also have risen into the air as water vapor.

The water level returned to normal. Allah’s command to the earth to “swallow!” and to the sky to “hold back!” revealed in the Qur’an, summarized this very concisely.

The Arabic word “belea,” which appears in the verse in the form “iblaAAee,” means “swallow up and eliminate, pull back.” The reference to the earth swallowing up its water notes the formation of subterranean water sources as the water on the surface retreats underground again.

The Arabic verb "aklaa," which takes the form"aqliAAee" in the verse, means “the dispersal of clouds, rain stopping, or abandoning a matter or course of action.”

The description is thus in a way, the cooling down of the air as lava stops flowing, the stopping of rain as a result of the water vapor level in the air returning to normal, and the dispersing of the remaining water vapor in the clouds into the air. (Allah knows the truth.)

This chain of events, in complete agreement with the scientific facts, is indicated in the wisest possible terms in the Qur’an.

It is just one of the proofs that the Qur’an, which contains such information, comprising many branches of science, such as geography, geology and meteorology, is in complete harmony with science.

Your sister
Mai

http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/

P.S.:

1. From http://www.miraclesofthequran.com

2. To get more information about Islam http://islam-heart.blogspot.com/2008/09/info-about-islam.html