Mo5lim

The Wooden Bowl

2011-05-09T21:29:00.000-07:00

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.

When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Prophet Mohamed (pbuh) said:
"A parent is the best of the gates of Paradise; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it."
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4928. Narrated byAbud Darda "

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Lecturer Suspended for Defending Innocent Muslim Students

2011-05-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

Rod Thornton, an expert in counter-insurgency at Nottingham University, was suspended on Wednesday for criticising the University's treatment of a Muslim student and Muslim employee. He has accused the university of passing "erroneous evidence" to police and attempting to discredit a student.

Readers may recall these two Muslims were Rizwan Sabir, a masters student, and Hicham Yezza, an ex-student and then an employee at the University, who in 2008 were arrested for possessing an Al Qaida manual.

University officials called in the police after a colleague noticed the document on Yezza's computer. Yezza and his friend, Rizwaan Sabir, were held for six days, despite Sabir's tutors giving statements within two days that the document was directly relevant to his research, not to mention that it was freely available at the University's library, as well as on a US Government website.

They were released without charge, however the consequences are still lasting.

Thornton, who is also a former soldier, wrote his paper for the British International Studies Association (Bisa), in which he hoped to explore the issues of how young Muslims can become so easily tarred with the brush of terrorism; but Bisa has now taken the paper off their website.

In the paper, Thornton wrote:

Despite being made aware of the mistakes it had made, the university not only refused to apologise to the two arrested men, but it also began to resort to defensive measures that attempted to discredit the names both of the two accused and of innocent university employees.

Untruth piled on untruth until a point was reached where the Home Office itself farcically came to advertise the case as 'a major Islamist plot' ... Many lessons can be learned from what happened at the University of Nottingham.

This incident is an indication of the way in which, in the United Kingdom of today, young Muslim men can become so easily tarred with the brush of being 'terrorists'.

He says the university's administration notified police, but had never given any indication they they had carried out "even the simplest of internet checks or ... [sought] either advice or guidance from elsewhere."

In his paper, Thornton describes how the concerns he was raising led him to get disciplinary action against himself, how he tried to get the Vice-Chancellor to investigate some of the issues he was raising, however, was told by him that he was making "un warranted allegations? and there began yet more "investigations? into Thornton's behaviour. Now he has been suspended.

This case severely questions the amount of academic freedom at universities and freedom of speech, which seem to be slowly eroding; but more worryingly, for a lecturer to be suspended for trying to get two Muslim students justice, also alludes that this kind of discriminatory treatment of Muslims is acceptable.

It is now up to Muslim students to help this man, after he has put his job on the line for justice. Join the discussion on MPACUK Facebook.

Read more: http://www.mpacuk.org/story/090511/lecturer-suspended-defending-innocent-muslim-students.html#ixzz1LulLAwXK

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Quran and Hadith on Religious Persecution - No compulsion in religion

2011-04-08T23:14:00.000-07:00

This article has two sections. The first is a brief explanation of Quranic verses that are often mistaken as instructions to persecute Non-Muslims. The second section features verses from the Quran and Hadith that vehemently insist on religious tolerance and the idea of "no compulsion in religion." God willing, Non-Muslims as well as our Muslim brothers and sisters who resort to violence, will take these verses into consideration.
Anti-Islamic people often use the following verses to justify the stereotype that Islam is a religion of violence and intolerance, which was spread by the sword. The explanations here were aided by Abdullah Yusuf Ali's commentary on the Holy Quran.

Sura 8.12 "Remember thy lord has inspired the angels with the message. Give firmness to the believers and instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Smite them above their necks and smite the fingertips of them."
Sura 9.5 "When the sacred months have passed, kill the idolaters whereever you find them."

Sura 47.4 "When you encounter the unbelievers, Strike off their heads. Untill you have made a wide slaughter among them tie up the remaining captives."

Sura 8 is about a BATTLE - the Battle of Badr - not just some daily affair. A battles take two side to occur. Are you under the impression that while these 'horrid' Muslims were fighting, the enemies were simply standing there like good little peaceful men?
Sura 47 was revealed during the first year of Hijrah when the Muslims were under *threat of extinction* by invasion from Makkah.

Sura 9 is interesting. Non-Muslims almost invariably quote verse 5 but leave out verse 4 and 6. Why? Because verse 4 says, "But the treatires are not dissolved with those Pagans with whom you have entered into alliance and who have you subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfill your engagements with them to the end of their term: for God Loves the righteous."

And verse 6 says, "If one among the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him so that he may hear the Word of God; and then escort him to where he can be secure."

So basically what has been done above is:

1. The background to each sura was shown. One cannot take a verse revealed for a battle and insist it is if for the daily affairs of Muslims.

2. It was shown how Non-muslims who wish to attack Islam, conveniently leave out verses before and after their quoted verse. Above, I have shown only one of the many examples.

Section II

This long list of verses from the Holy Quran and the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) show that Islam at it's core and at its source is a religion of peace. Terrorists who persecute innocent people because of their faith are not welcome - their use of Islam as a scapegoat, does not make Islam what they portray it to be.
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing.

16:82 But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you).

6:107 Yet if God had so willed, they would not have ascribed Divinity to aught besides him; hence, We have not made you their keeper, nor are you (of your own choice) a guardian over them.

4:79, 80 (Say to everyone of them,) 'Whatever good betides you is from God and whatever evil betides you is from your own self and that We have (O Prophet) sent you to mankind only as a messenger and all sufficing is God as witness. Whoso obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys God. And for those who turn away, We have not sent you as a keeper."

11:28 (Noah to his people) He (Noah) said "O my people! think over it! If 1 act upon a clear direction from my Lord who has bestowed on me from Himself the Merciful talent of seeing the right way, a way which you cannot see for yourself, does it follow that we can force you to take the right path when you definitely decline to take it?°

17:53, 54 And tell my servants that they should speak in a most kindly manner (unto those who do not share their beliefs). Verily, Satan is always ready to stir up discord between men; for verily; Satan is mans foe .... Hence, We have not sent you (Unto men O Prophet) with power to determine their Faith.

21:107 to 109 (O Prophet?) 'We have not sent you except to be a mercy to all mankind:" Declare, "Verily, what is revealed to me is this, your God is the only One God, so is it not up to you to bow down to Him?' But if they turn away then say, "I have delivered the Truth in a manner clear to one and all, and I know not whether the promised hour (of Judgment) is near or far."

22:67 To every people have We appointed ceremonial rites (of prayer) which they observe; therefore, let them not wrangle over this matter with you, but bid them to turn to your Lord (since that is the main objective of religion). You indeed are rightly guided. But if they still dispute you in this matter, (then say,) `God best knows (the value of) what you do."

88:21, 22; also see 24:54 And so, (O Prophet!) exhort them your task is only to exhort; you cannot compel them to believe.

48:28 He it is Who has sent forth His Messenger with the (task of spreading) Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to the end that tie make it prevail over every (false) religion, and none can bear witness to the Truth as God does.

36:16, 17 (Three Messengers to their people)Said (the Messengers), "Our Sustainer knows that we have indeed been sent unto you, but we are not bound to more than clearly deliver the Message entrusted to us.'

39:41 Assuredly, We have sent down the Book to you in right form for the good of man. Whoso guided himself by it does so to his own advantage, and whoso turns away from it does so at his own loss. You certainly are not their keeper.

42:6, 48 And whoso takes for patrons others besides God, over them does God keep a watch. Mark, you are not a keeper over them. But if they turn aside from you (do not get disheartened), for We have not sent you to be a keeper over them; your task is but to preach ....

64:12 Obey God then and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away (no blame shall attach to our Messenger), for the duty of Our Messenger is just to deliver the message.

67:25, 26 And they ask, "When shall the promise be fulfilled if you speak the Truth?" Say, "The knowledge of it is verily with God alone, and verily I am but a plain warner."

60:8 Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

60:9 Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.

The teachings of the Prophet on how you and I should treat our Non-Muslim friends and neighbours on a day to day basis as well as how to government should treat a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state.

"He who believes in God and the Last Day should honour his guest, should not harm his neighbour, should speak good or keep quiet." (Bukhari, Muslim)

"Whoever hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state hurts me, and he who hurts me annoys God." (Bukhari)

"He who hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state, I am his adversary, and I shall be his adversary on the Day of a Judgement." (Bukhari)

"Beware on the Day of Judgement; I shall mysefl be complainant against him who wrongs a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state or lays on him a responsibility greater than he can bear or deprives him of anything that belongs to him." (Al-Mawardi)

"Anyone who kills a Non-Muslim who had become our ally will not smell the fragrance of Paradise." (Bukhari)

http://www.themodernreligion.com/terror/terrorism_verses1.htm

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

100 Imams call for April 9 rally for peace and against terrorism in NYC

2011-04-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

At the initiative of the Muslim Peace Coalition USA, 100 Imams from New York area are calling Muslims in New York to come out for an April 9th rally to oppose wars, condemn terrorism, and fight Islamophobia.

500 other organizations from the labor movement, peace movement and civil rights groups have also endorsed the April 9th call for the rally. theamericanmuslim.org

HIGHLIGHTS

In a statement endorsed by 100 Imams of New York, they stated that, “We, 100 Imams from the Muslim community in New York area, stand together to thank our neighbors who have defended the Muslim community against Islamophobia. Our neighbors have stood in opposition to Congressman Peter King’s hearings and against the efforts of the extremists to criminalize the practice of Islam in America.” onislam.net

“We call upon all Muslims to come out with their families on Saturday, April 9, 2011 noon at Union Square in NYC to stand in solidarity with our neighbors for justice at home and abroad; for peace and jobs; against wars and terrorism, and to bring our troops home,” reads the statement. georgiagreenparty.org

“Together we urge that the untold billions of dollars now spent for wars instead be used for Americans’ needs at home,” the signatories said. muslimpeacecoalition.org

FACTS & FIGURES

Since 9/11, U.S. Muslims, estimated between six to seven million, have become sensitized to an erosion of their civil rights, with a prevailing belief that America was stigmatizing their faith. onislam.net

Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, is holding controversial hearings that he says will assess the threat of terrorism among American Muslims. Washington Post

In the United States, 73 percent of young people aged 18 to 29 say Muslims are the most discriminated against. Washington Times

Civil liberties groups say U.S. border officials are violating the constitutional rights of American Muslims by asking about their religious beliefs and practices on their return from trips abroad. VOA news

Muslims in America say the hearing would only spark backlash against innocent members of the Muslim community. onislam.net

These findings come at a time when a comprehensive examination on religion and public life shows that the number of U.S. Muslims will more than double in the next 20 years. Pew Forum

Source:http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/2011/04/04/100-imams-call-for-april-9-rally-for-peace-and-against-terrorism-in-nyc/

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Life's Journey to God/Allah

2011-04-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

A massive earthquake has hit the northeast of Japan, triggering a tsunami that is threatening to extend across the Pacific as I write. My brother, his daughter and his wife all live in Japan. He described how the buildings in the capital, 250 miles from the epicentre, were swaying. Cities in Japan are built to withstand earthquakes and cyclones. When I visited in my youth, I can remember the casualness with which people accepted the regular earthquakes. Yet, as events unfold, my brother is now describing this as a national disaster.

This earthquake brings the number of disasters in developed nations to three within as many months, following the floods in Australia, and the earthquake in New Zealand. We tend to associate such catastrophes with poorer nations – Haiti, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and as such they are often removed from the fullness of our consciousness. They are events which happen to others in far off places. We are mournful, but in a way that is what we expect will happen to poor people; that is their lot in life, after all.

When such catastrophes befall countries we do business with, which make our cars and games consoles, which rear our lambs, and create our afternoon soap operas, there is a sense of confusion. Like a child dying before their parent, there is something out of place in the natural order of things.

In reality, this is all nonsense. We are all vulnerable to disaster at any moment; but we prefer to live in the illusion of our invincibility. Like Neo in the film Matrix, a dream world of order and control confines our rationality, because to explore any alternative is almost too much for us to tolerate. Or is it? Surely it is better to recognise, and indeed respect our vulnerability. Surely it is better to sidestep the propaganda of our inner mind which we have constructed to stop ourselves from going crazy from fear. Surely, it is better, as Morpheus says to Neo, “Let it all go, Neo. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind.”

Faith for me is always about freedom. Freedom to explore the inner workings of my own soul. Freedom to examine my relationship with my creator. Freedom from fear. This latter emotion will end our efforts long before we even try them. Fear is the inner whispering that actually hinders our ultimate advancement. It manifests itself as an impasse, a routine from which we are unable to break. We construct patterns of guilt, embarrassment, vulnerability, self-doubt and fear of loss within our own world. However, the Qur’an reminds us, “No calamity can ever befall the earth and neither your own selves, unless it be laid down in Our decree before We bring it into being: verily, all this is easy for God.” (57:22)

We have to accept our weakness in order to be truly powerful. Surrender ourselves in order to triumph. Let go in order to have. This is counter intuitive, for our inner self is demanding control, yet when we hand over control to The Powerful, we are empowered. Such is the liberation of faith.

All of this is of course hard to actualise. The daily grind of our lives crashes in on us like a destructive wave. I find myself exhausted and apprehensive. This is my weakness of faith. I should more fully accept that God is in control, He has got it covered, He is in charge of my life in this world as well as the Hereafter.

Coming to terms with our diverse situations in our lives is the challenge. To experience joy within pain, to be at ease with our ‘dis-ease’. Belief in God provides us with a spiritual energy and certainty that allows us to bear life’s difficulties, to discard our anxiety and to have certainty despite our defencelessness. The Qur’an is forthright when it describes those who believe any good granted them is their rightful due, whilst any test is received with a feeling that God has disgraced them (89:15-16). We should know firmly that “Most certainly shall We try you by means of danger, and hunger, and loss of worldly goods, of lives and of labour’s fruits. But give glad tidings unto those who are patient in adversity who, when calamity befalls them, say, ‘Verily, unto God do we belong and, verily, unto Him we shall return.’ It is they upon whom their Sustainer’s blessings and grace are bestowed, and it is they, they who are on the right path!” (2:155-157)

There is peace and satisfaction to be found in the remembrance of God, who should be praised at all times. He hears our call, and it is Him that we will return to when this journey comes to an end

Source: http://www.emel.com/article?id=84&a_id=2329

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Palestine...The ignored Holocaust

2011-03-23T02:08:00.000-07:00

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

American Brother reverts To Islam

2011-03-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Rabbis Speak out - Zionists have hijacked the Jewish religion

2011-03-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

http://jewsarenotzionist.blogspot.com/

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Armed Jewish settlers savagely attack Palestinians in Hawara

2011-03-13T04:20:00.000-07:00

NABLUS, (PIC)– Hundreds of armed Jewish settlers attacked at midnight Saturday Palestinian homes in Hawara village, south of Nablus city.

Eyewitnesses told the Palestinian information center (PIC) that the settlers went on the rampage through the villages damaging property, assaulting residents, burning cars and throwing stones at everything.

Consequently, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed road 60 between Ramallah and Nablus.

The PIC reporter said the villagers in Hawara and nearby villages used the speakers of mosques to urge the Palestinians to defend their homes and property against settlers’ attacks, which were described as the most violent since a long time.

Hundreds of villagers stood up for themselves using stones and sticks to confront the armed settlers who were escorted by some Israeli troops. The size of damage and injuries is still unknown.

Other extremist settlers attacked Palestinian cars passing near Ofer settlement, east of Ramallah, on the road between Nablus and occupied Jerusalem.

The cities of Bethlehem and Al-Khalil also witnessed similar savage attacks by Jewish settlers.

A group of settlers under military protection attacked on Saturday morning Palestinian homes near Rumeida neighborhood in Al-Khalil city.

Samaan Abu Haikal said that armed settlers hurled stones at his daughters and threatened Palestinians that they would be shot dead if they left their homes.

In the Laban souk near Ibrahimi Mosque, other settlers severely beat a Palestinian citizen called Sufiyan Abu Asneineh as he was on his way to the Mosque for prayer.

A number of female settlers also marched in the heart of Al-Khalil city chanting racist slurs against Arabs and threatening them with death.

Settlers from Kiryat Arba distributed leaflets in Arabic language saying that they would kill Arabs to avenge the killing of settlers in Nablus.

http://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/armed-jewish-settlers-savagely-attack-palestinians-in-hawara/

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Saudi royals loot national wealth

2011-03-13T03:29:00.000-07:00

Reports show that members of the Saudi royal family have appropriated billions of dollars of the country's national wealth, including oil revenues, for their personal use.

According a Reuters report, Saudi royals took some $2 billion of the national income in 1996, while they as well as others closely associated with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz, now spend $10 billion of the country's earnings annually for personal expenses.

Also, it has already been revealed that revenues from the sale of one million barrels of oil per day go to only five or six Saudi princes.

Documents show the better part of national spending in Saudi Arabia over the past two decades has been allocated to the royal family.

One such document reads that Saudi royals, who number in the thousands, are known to possess great wealth and spend lavishly.

Monthly salaries given to the members of the royal family range from $800 a month for the most junior members to $270,000 per month for senior royals, reports Reuters. The figures do not include the expenses for wedding ceremonies and building palaces.

The same report suggests that five percent of Saudi Arabia's $40 billion overall budget for 1996, that is $2 billion, was earmarked for salaries of the royal family.

This comes as many senior officials and royals in Saudi Arabia have gone into business, pocketing upwards of $10 billion dollars besides their regular salaries.

Some Saudi royals have even confiscated public land to sell to the Saudi government.

There are four main opposition groups in Saudi Arabia. There are the Hijaz tribes that have complained the Al-Saud family has even named the country after itself, excluding other tribes and groups from the government. Then there are the reformist technocrats and the youth, who would like to see a constitution as well as elections incorporated into the Saudi system of monarchy.

The thrid group that opposes the monarchy are mainly the reformist Salafis, and the fourth major group are the Shias, who mainly occupy the oil-rich eastern part of the country but are the most oppressed in the country.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168648.html

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Bahraini protesters surround palace

2011-03-13T00:22:00.000-08:00

Tens of thousands of people in Bahrain have surrounded the Safriyah Palace to demand an end to the monarchy.
Nurses and doctors are standing by for any possible violence. This is the latest in a wave of anti-government protests against the rule of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, The Associated Press reported.

The protest on Saturday comes a day after police -- with the help of pro-government vigilantes -- used teargas against mostly Shia, anti-government protesters. Over 700 people were injured as they marched towards the Royal Court in the capital Manama.

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited the capital after attending a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. Gates met with King Hamad and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Saturday to reassure the monarchy of the United States' full support.

"I told both the king and the crown prince that across the region I did not believe there could be a return to the status quo," Gates said. "Obviously, leading reform and being responsive is the way we would like to see this unfold," he added.

The visit comes two weeks after the highest-ranking officer in the US military, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, stopped in Manama, which is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Bahrainis have been staging protests since mid-February, demanding the resignation of King Hamad and constitutional reforms to the Sunni-led government. They also want free and fair elections as well as the release of political prisoners.

LF/PKH/MMN

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/169571.html

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Anti-sharia rally in washington D.C

2011-03-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

For certain they have no idea what they are speaking about Islam. Their judgments are based on biased outlook with an intent to demonize Islam.. The Quran has proven itself for over 1400 years already and these people wish that it proves itself to them.. They are supposed to read the entire Quran and study it, but that is most likely not done by a single person in that rally. Well except the Muslim man who was demonstrating to the so called believers the proper was to pray. The way that jesus(pbuh) as well other prophets mentioned in the bible to have been seeing as praying.

They attack sharia as if they are scholars of it, but I guarantee not one of them knows there are four different types of sharia law. Indeed if they have known it would be in discussion, but all four are generalized and squeezed into one law as if all are the same exactly..

What more amazing is that with all their efforts and money spend to demonize the religion of peace " Islam" Their protests are rarely ever crowded. The American patriots are as well human being who can reason and Thank Allah for that..

Radicals come from all walks of life, we choose whom to follow and any preacher of hate will not be followed by me.

Here is one of many American responces to the islamophobia being used by certain politicians as well others who have much to gain ($$) from their works....

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

"Bravest girl in Egypt" translated into English

2011-02-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

2011 starts with protests worldwide

2011-02-01T16:42:00.001-08:00

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

John Mohammed Butt: The hippie who became an imam

2011-01-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Forty years after following the hippie trail to South Asia, John Butt is still living in the region, and still spreading a message of peace and love - though now as an Islamic scholar.

As our car turned around the bumpy Indian road, a gleaming white marble minaret came into view. My fellow passenger, John Mohammed Butt, could barely contain his excitement.

"Can you see it?" he asks. "It's like the Oxford University of Islamic learning. For me these minarets and domes are just like the spires and towers of Oxford.
Darul-Uloom Deoband
John Butt is the only Westerner to have graduated from Darul-Uloom Deoband

"It's been almost 30 years since I was last here and I am still getting the same thrill. This is my alma mater."

The alma mater in question is Darul-Uloom Deoband, South Asia's largest madrassa, or Islamic school.

Driving through the madrassa gates, we entered a world rarely seen by Western eyes.

Deoband was built in 1866 by Indian Muslims opposed to the then British rule. Little has changed since - winding streets and tiny courtyards lined with stalls selling fragrant chai, bubbling pots of rice and paintings of Mecca.

Everywhere are the Talibs, religious students, young men with dark-eyed fervent expressions carrying books or quietly reciting the Koran.

And in another scene reminiscent of Oxford, students riding bicycles.

A chai seller recognises John and runs towards him. "John Sahib, John Sahib."

The two had not seen each other in decades, yet the man remembers him instantly. "John Sahib was the only student I ever saw who used to go jogging.

"There was only one John Mohammed - unique," he laughs.

That is perhaps not so surprising, when you learn that John Butt remains the first and only Western man ever to have graduated from Deoband.

He showed me his old dormitory room, a windowless cell where he spent eight years in a life of virtual seclusion, living under a regime of prayer and Koranic study.

Imposing figure

But that is just one facet of this man's extraordinary life.

Aside from his time at Deoband, he has spent most of the past 40 years living among the fierce Pashtun tribes, who inhabit the lawless hinterland between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He went there in 1969, he says, as a dope-smoking young hippie and never came home.

He laughs. "When people call me an ageing ex-hippie, I always reply that I am ageing maybe, but I'm certainly not ex. I'm still a hippie."

John Butt cuts an imposing figure.

At 6ft 5ins (1.95m) tall, he sports a long white beard and alabaster skin that is almost translucent.

Dressed in flowing white ethnic robes, he reminds me of a Benedictine hermit monk or a Victorian explorer, swashbuckling straight out of the pages of an historical novel.

He tells me he adores the Queen, Stilton is his favourite cheese and that football is his passion.

Yet among the border tribes, he is regarded as a native Pashtun and revered as an Islamic scholar.

Home for him, until recently, was a tiny village in Pakistan's Swat valley.

Swat was once a popular tourist destination but is now the scene of regular battles between the Pakistani military and the Taliban.

But back in 1969, the young John was hooked from the moment he saw Swat, describing to me snow-capped mountains, rivers like flowing jewels, forests and alpine pastures.

It was, he says, "like Tolkien's Middle-earth, magical and other worldly" inhabited by tribal people who were "very pleasant, big-hearted, tolerant, easy-going and welcoming".

When his fellow hippies grew up and went home to become accountants and lawyers, John stayed on - becoming fluent in the Pashto language and studying Islam.

But John's world changed in the late 1980s, with the arrival of jihadists, who came to the border areas from all over the world to fight the war against the Russians in Afghanistan.

"I saw the rural, religious Pashtun way of life I had come to love so much being diluted, contaminated and poisoned, in particular by Arabs from the Middle East," he says.

"The way they practise Islam is very different to the tribal areas, but they used money and influence to impose their own set of values."

So he decided to fight for his adopted culture.

Peaceful Islam

In the early 1990s, he joined the BBC World Service Pashto service and helped to set up New Home New Life, a now iconic Afghan radio soap opera, known as The Archers of Afghanistan.

I've hired some of the best Islamic scholars in the region - pious, good and brave men

Six years ago, he set up a radio station which broadcasts across the Afghan-Pakistan border and which tries to promote tribal traditions along with peace and reconciliation.

More recently, John has switched his attentions back to Afghanistan and is spearheading the formation of a new Islamic university in the predominantly Pashtun city of Jalalabad.

"It makes perfect sense. There is currently nowhere in Afghanistan where a young man can do higher Islamic studies. They go to Pakistan, where as we know some of them have become radicalised," he says, emphasising that his university will give a platform to moderates.

But this promotion of peaceful Islam has set him on a collision course with militants. His beloved Pakistan has now become too unsafe for him.
Swat valley

"Swat is a militarised zone and people I see as foreigners there now treat me like I'm the foreigner, even though I lived there for 40 years.

"It's hard to work out who is who any more - who is Taliban, who is criminal. The waters are very muddy."

Last year, waters of another kind finally put paid to his idyll, when his house was washed away in the floods which devastated the area and killed thousands.

"It was a relief in some ways. When I lost the house, I knew I'd never go back there."

Afghanistan has also become increasingly perilous after Taliban death threats.

The Taliban have delivered so-called night letters - notes hand-delivered in secret and at night for maximum impact - warning students not to study at the university and denouncing John as a Christian missionary or an "orientalist".

Death threats have also been made to his teachers and staff.

"I've hired some of the best Islamic scholars in the region - pious, good and brave men," he says. "They know this is for the benefit of Afghanistan and they insist they will stay working with me despite the dangers."

As I said goodbye, he was planning to travel to Jalalabad on the local bus. We talked about the possibility of him being attacked and he admitted he could easily be killed.

But when I asked if he was scared, he brushed me off with a shrug. "You only die once. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow."

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9369142.stm

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

The Eating of Pork is prohibited in the Quran and the Bible

2010-07-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Pork prohibited in Qur’an

He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 16:115

He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful. 2:173

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah.” 5:3

Say: "I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine,- for it is an abomination - or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah.s". But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- thy Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 6:145

The above verses of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden.

2. Pork prohibited in the Bible

The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus

“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you”.

“Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you.”

[Leviticus 11:7-8]

Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy

“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.”

[Deuteronomy 14:8]

The Scriptures Clearly Speaks against this act and I really wonder how come the Christians across the world cannot agree on the ban of pork when it's against their scriptures and well in today's scientific discoveries which reveal the many down sides of eating pork meat.

The Eating of Pork is prohibited in the Quran and the Bible

Lies spread about Mohammad peace be with him

2010-07-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

We have to agree with the Orientalist W Montgomery Watt when he says:

Of all the world's greatest men none has been so much maligned as Muhammad. It is easy to see how this has come about. For centuries Islam was the great enemy of Christendom, for Christendom was in direct contact with no other organized states comparable in power to the Muslims. The Byzantine empire, after losing its provinces in Syria and Egypt, was being attacked in Asia Minor, while Western Europe was threatened through Spain and Sicily. Even before the Crusades focused attention on the expulsion of the Sarcens from the Holy Land, medieval war-propaganda, free from the restraints of factuality was building up a conception of 'the great enemy'. At one point Muhammad was transformed into Mahound, the prince of darkness. By the eleventh century the idea about Islam and Muslims current in the crusading armies were such travesties that they had a bad effect on morale. The crusaders had been led to expect the worst of their enemies, and, when they found many chivalrous knights among them, they were filled with distrust for the authorities of their own religion.[2]

A few centuries ago the Prophet(P) was called the pagan God, the number of the beast i.e., the devil. This was the work of those Holy Ghost inspired Christians. These Christians also said that the Prophet(P) was a Child Molester, a Keeper of Harem and an anti-Christ. The great lies of the Crusades against the Prophet(P) and Muslims can even be seen in the so-called classics The Adventures Of Don Quixote.

Coming back to the modern age, we will still find Christians like Jochen calling the Prophet(P) Child Molester although in a politically correct language. Go to Hyde Park Speakers' Corner (London, UK) on Sunday and you will find Christian fundamentalists calling Allah, the Moon god and repeating the same age old polemics like the Prophet(P) was a Child Molester, a Keeper of Harem and an anti-Christ. Basically, nothing has changed from then till today. The "Crusades" are still there although wrapped up in a deceptive way. So do not get fooled by Jochen's "Inter-Faith Dialogue" or "Christian-Muslim Understanding". All these are lies and damn lies. Being on the soc.religion.islam for more than two and half years, I can testify that.

And regarding, the "Crusades" they are still here but people like Jochen shed crocodile tears. Now one can say that Katz is falsely being accused of what he has not done! A book is recommended by Katz called The Original Sources Of The Qur'an.

Apart from talking about the highly speculative sources of Islam, this book concludes in a fashion which is not too unexpected from a missionary:

But it (i.e., Islam) certainly does not contain a single new or lofty religious conception, and its general tone is all too faithful a reflexion of a carnal and sensual nature of its founder. To use an Oriental simile is not perhaps inappropriate in speaking of such a thoroughly local and Oriental religion as Muhammadanism. Islam therefore may aptly be compared with:

Lies spread about Mohammad peace be with him

Subscribe to Falestin Under Occupation by Email

Video: CAIR Rep Debates Islamophobia, Opposition to U.S. Mosques

2010-07-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

How to Get Your Child to Graduate By Age 14

2010-07-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

My kids are on track to graduate from high school at age 14, inshaAllah. And at ages eight and six, my kids have collectively authored and published five books of their own, and are asked to speak at schools around the country – TabarakAllah.

I travel around the country giving seminars and talks to college students, parents, youth, Muslim and non-Muslim. One question I get all the time is, “How are you doing it Zohra?” How are your children so advanced for their ages?”

Alhamdulillah, first and foremost it’s with the tawfiq of Allah. However, it’s not as impossible as you may think:

You’re probably wondering, “What? How?” I will tell you a few strategies that can help you do the same. I will start off with, how they can graduate high school early.

Plan 1: Skipping Grades.

Students taking placement tests and passing to the next class is not as hard as many parents think. The problem is that we don’t give our kids the benefit of doubt. All of our kids are geniuses; all we need to do is help them see it.

Kids are naturally motivated to excel on their own without mommy and daddy always looking behind their shoulders. This can work great when it comes to excelling in school.

For all the busy people who have to work, for the first two-to-three years of their child’s education, sit with them every evening and go over homework and also have the child explain it to the parents.

I know you’re probably thinking I don’t have any time for that – with dinner to serve, baths and so on. I am telling you that if you want your child to excel and not worry about nagging them later, then you need to sacrifice some time and be there for them when it counts. What I would do to take care of this problem is:

a.) Cook the whole week’s meals on Sunday’s and just heat and serve during the week.

b.) Take the phone off of the hook and just focus on your child for 1-2 hours. If you have more than one child, have all of them studying at the same time and spend a few minutes with each one. Basically make rounds during that time, so they each get your full attention.

Again, this will take some training and some pushing on your part, but remember the benefits are for you. If you can get all of your children to get scholarships to college would that alone not be worth it? If you have two or three children, that is the equivalent of saving anywhere between $30,000- $50,000. What’s sad is that most parents don’t even have that money to help their kids out with college, so everyone gets into debt for school.

Let’s just say that you really can’t do it because of how your life is scheduled right now, what about hiring a tutor for just a few dollars an hour; a young teenager to help your child with what you want. Believe me it will give your child confidence and skills that they didn’t know they had.

Plan 2: Home-schooling your children.

Did you know that homeschooled children are the first to be recruited by universities such as Yale, Stanford and Harvard? They believe (and rightfully so) that homeschooled children are disciplined to learn and teach themselves. You’re probably thinking, “I am too busy, I can’t home school.” That’s what I was saying; I used to be a corporate mom and enjoyed it too.

After I realized that no one cared as much about my kid’s education as me, I changed my lifestyle to make it happen. However, I can hear some of you saying right now, “But I can’t do it, because of my responsibilities.” I understand, and will not push you do it my way, but for all of those moms who are at home, they can home school.

Imagine spending about three hours a day with your child to learn and the rest of the time, they teach themselves. They have to read books, do projects, explore. Imagine if you had a curriculum that helped them graduate high school by the age of 14. Which college would not want them? If they are that smart, you will have schools fighting for them. At that age, I personally recommend a university close to home, so parents can drop in and pick them up.

Imagine raising two, three or even four great kids who are smart, talented, well-educated and loved. What can those kids do for us? Anything. The problem with society today is we want to do everything and be great at it. However, the tragedy is usually the first thing to suffer is our families — be it our marriage or our kids.

We need to refocus and think about our lives, if we were to be alive 15 years from now, what is most important to us? Is it our careers, being a CEO of a company? Is it being the best lawyer? Or is it raising super stars and working part time with it? I am not saying ladies don’t have careers, all I am saying is that we need to focus on our families, too.

Maybe the first 15 years should be focused on teaching our kids manners, love, respect, hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) but most importantly, the Quran. Every morning wake them up to pray and read Quran before they leave the house.

We need to build families and not just careers. Allah (SWT) has put us on earth to test us. One of the tests is motherhood. Are we really doing what we should be doing, or are we just trying to keep up with the Joneses? If we don’t take care of our kids, with love, knowledge and patience, why will they want to take care of us as we age? Think about it. Think deeply. I will let you read this story to help better understand my point:

“A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about father,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what had to be done.

That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.” – Unknown Author

I am a woman who likes to lead by my actions and not just my words, as for my children, all 3 of them want to be authors in areas that they can help society inshAllah. All 3 of them have goals to memorize the Quran and be scholars of Islam, and pursue other careers as well. My daughter wants to be a zoologist and get a Ph.D in Islam. My son wants to be a haffith, scholar, and an inventor. Remember that we must all answer to Allah (SWT) about how we took care of what He gave us. That should be enough for all of us to want to do it, for what will our answers be to Ar-Rahman? I leave you with words of encouragement to help your kids achieve their dreams and goals within the Islamic scope of life, they don’t have to give up their deen to be successful in this life, and they can do both inshAllah. However, they need the support of mom and dad.

In conclusion, your child can become anything, but needs your support along the way. Your child needs your love, compassion and patience to teach him or her. Be the best parent you can be, so that you don’t have regrets later! I hope that you have gotten the point that your child can graduate early inshAllah, and even have the chance of going to college early, but more than anything they have the potential to being the leaders for Ummah when you and I are gone, inshAllah. You must nurture the seeds you have planted, you water it, fertilize it, and give it sunshine or else it won’t bloom like you want it to.

For anyone who wants more information on home schooling, or how to make this process happen for them, please email me at zohra@zohrasarwari.com

Zohra Sarwari is a Muslim woman speaker who has authored and published nine books. She gets invited to speak all over the country in front of Muslims, non-Muslims, college students and parents alike. She and her daughter have been featured in places like Fox News and she was Noor TV’s 2009 Woman of the Year. To have her weekend seminar: “Live Forever: It’s your life’s dream” come to your city, please email zohra@zohrasarwari.com.

This article was found Here

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Islam denounces Terrorism- Terrorism is against Islam

2010-07-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

All the terrorist activities across the world that are attempted to be equated with Islam, including the recent slaughter on a military base in America, are the products of the Darwinist, Leninist, Stalinist and Marxist mindset. Those who perpetrate such massacres have absolutely nothing to do with Islam. These people have received a Darwinist and Marxist education in Europe or America and are rooted in Leninism and Stalinism. Since conflict represents the basis of the philosophy in which someone with a Marxist, Leninist and Darwinist mindset believes, since they regard the people killed as mere animals and also believe that these need to be eliminated according to natural selection, it is perfectly normal for those with such a mindset to carry out such massacres.

Those who seek to ascribe such massacres to Islam are the heretical masonic groupings that wish to cause divisions between Muslims and Christians in particular and seek to weaken the truly devout and give rise to oppression, conflict and war across the globe. Freemasons, representatives of the systems of the antichrist (dajjal), seek to totally misrepresent Islam, a religion of peace and love, and thus ensure that people hold prejudiced views of it. The fact is, however, that unjustified killing is a sin in Islam. Our Lord makes this absolutely clear in the Qur’an:

So We decreed for the tribe of Israel that if someone kills another person – unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the Earth – it is as if he had murdered all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he had given life to all mankind. Our messengers came to them with clear signs but even after that many of them committed outrages in the Earth. (Surat Al-Ma’ida, 32)

Those who do not call on any other deity together with Allah and do not kill anyone Allah has made inviolate, except with the right to do so, and do not fornicate; anyone who does that will receive an evil punishment. (Surat al-Furqan, 68)

Allah reveals that it is as sinful to kill one person as to kill all mankind. There is no question of someone who maintains the bounds set by Allah of harming a single person, let alone slaughtering thousands of innocent individuals.

In addition, under Islam nobody can arbitrarily distinguish between those who do “right” or “wrong.” Because this distinction is clearly set out by way of the Qur’an. As revealed in the Qur’an, there can be no aggression in Islam, only self-defense. A Muslim can only resist aggression for purposes of defense, in the event of a threat to himself or those around him. According to Islam, only under such circumstances do people have a “right to attack” the other side, and then for purely defensive purposes. But if the other side ceases its aggression, then they must also put a stop to their defensive actions. Allah makes this a definitive pronouncement in the Qur’an:

“Fight in the Way of Allah against those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limits. Allah does not love those who go beyond the limits.

… Do not fight them in the Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they do fight you, then kill them. That is how the kuffar should be repaid. But if they cease, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surat al-Baqara, 190-192)

Those who imagine they can escape punishment by fleeing from justice in this world will never be able to avoid having to account for themselves after death, in the presence of Allah, in the Hereafter. Therefore, true Muslims who know that they will have to account for their actions once they are dead are punctilious when it comes to maintaining the bounds set by Allah. It is impossible for a genuine, devout Muslim to harm people or perpetrate mass slaughter, things made sinful by Allah, or to harm them in any way by turning his back on such virtues as love, affection and forgiveness, which constitute the very essence of Islam. The mindset that seeks to ascribe terrorist attacks to Islam is the Darwinist, Marxist, materialist mindset that wishes to lead the world to irreligion. Freemasonry, the system of the antichrist, has undertaken to defend this mindset. But, by the leave of Allah, this cunning strategy of the antichrist has been exposed and defeated in recent times when the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) is imminent. Freemasonry, the system of the antichrist, is no longer able to deceive people as it used to, and all this heretical mindset’s vile plots against Islam and true believer end in failure.

From Adnan Oktar’s interview dated 6 November, 2009:

ADNAN OKTAR: There is no terror in Islam, just people of Muslim origins who have been brought up as Darwinist materialists and terrorists. For example, someone may have Turkish origins and his ID card may describe him as Turkish, yet he may still be an enemy of Turkishness. Like the alleged organization Ergenekon organization. But his ID card says he is a Turk. It may say he is a Muslim, though that does not necessarily make him one. In order to be a Muslim he must be affectionate, compassionate, forgiving, tolerant and humane. Compassion does not mean ignoring the offenses committed by someone, by the way, but rather forgiving such offenses. Therefore, if you look at all the people responsible for what is known as Islamic terror, all the terrorist attacks in the world, you will see that they have all received a Darwinist education. They have all adopted a Darwinist, materialist and Marxist line. They are all great admirers of Che or of Ho Chi Minh. In other words, they are all people who have been raised hand in glove with terrorism. As a result, Palestine and Syria have only just been freed from communist thinking. Iraq has only just been freed from it. They all used to hold Stalinist, terrorist ideas. The old tools are therefore still being used today. Terrorists are people produced by those old tools.

ADNAN OKTAR: Look, the leaders of the people who perpetrate actions of this kind have all been brought up in Europe or America. They have all gone through an intensively Darwinist education. They have all adopted Marxist, Leninist and Stalinist thinking and strive to ascribe these things to Islam. They even called such people green communists at one time, Muslims with a great admiration for communism. But Islam is a pure faith. It is an unsullied faith, and nothing can subsequently be added to it. Whatever exists in Islam already does so, and nothing can be added on afterwards.

ADNAN OKTAR: The aim behind these Marxists’ terror is to create a division between Muslims and Christians and set them against one another, and to install a masonic, Marxist system to fill that gap. Because the idea of thesis, antithesis and synthesis is one espoused by both Marx and Darwin. Darwin espoused the dialectic of living things. One lot espoused the dialectic of history. And others, the dialectic of nature. Put the three together and you have Marxist dialectics. The idea of conflict is inherent in that, the idea that people can only attain perfection through conflict. Conflict is an essential attribute of Marxists. They say that even if you have Marxism, its antithesis will still arise, and a new synthesis, that it will give rise to its own antithesis. They say that conflict is a feature of the permanent world. Terror is essential for that to be made a reality. This is a most devilish plan. A Marxist, masonic plan that would be very successful were it really put into action. But I have thwarted all these plans. They are doing what Darwinist, Marxist theory requires. But by demolishing Darwinism and showing people that it is all a plot, I am thwarting the attempt to set Muslims and Christians against one another.

ADNAN OKTAR: While being injected with Marxism, nobody will ever become a Marxist if they come right out and say, “You will just go out and kill people.” Of course it will be given a humane appearance. The mask must be one that has a very positive impact on the human soul and character. In that event, people may then look favorably on it. But there is also the theory of conflict in Marxism. What does the theory of conflict mean? What does the constant operation of theses and antithesis mean? It means there will be constant bloodshed. They talk about the dictatorship of the proletariat, and that means blood, tears and suffering. But they say there will always be counter-theses to this. And the antithesis to that is fascism. They speak of fascism conflicting with communism and of there being a new synthesis emerging from this, and that a new antithesis to that will then emerge. In other words, they refer to endless disorder and anarchy. They say this a global law and base it on Darwin’s theory of evolution. The dialectic of nature, of living things, of history. Someone who believes that has no other option that to be a Marxist, and they are very insincere. Someone who is a Darwinist has no option other than to be a Marxist. If the dialectic of living things is true, then according to their belief the dialectic of nature and history is also true. And there is also dialectical philosophy. People who believe in dialectical philosophy must also sign up to conflict. In other words, they must sign up to thesis and antithesis. They must therefore also accept terror and anarchy. That is why Lenin told people to “bomb banks, kill the police, kill soldiers and rob banks.” That is why he wanted it. He was saying that people need to engage in such a struggle in order to attain the thesis, antithesis and synthesis.

Source - Harun Yahya

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Islamic history shows thousands of Muslim Women teachings hadith to the Muslim Ummah

2010-06-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

There have been over 8,000 Muslim women who have narrated and taught the hadiths in Islamic history, an Islamic scholar said Tuesday.

"In addition to transmitting hadiths, women can give fatwa (edicts) too," said Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi at a public lecture at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) that shed the popular belief that such activities were strictly in the male domain.

"The Prophet Muhammad left an ummah (muslim community) where men and women were treated equally," he added, citing as examples several Muslim women who had taught and narrated the Sahih al-Bukhari in mosques and to several caliphs.

Dr Nadwi, who was speaking on the Role of Women in the Hadith Movement, is currently revising his 40-volume biographical dictionary of women narrators and scholars of the hadiths, that is, the reports of the sayings or actions of the Prophet or his companions, together with the tradition of their chain of transmission - Source

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Muslim woman told to remove face veil during job interview

2010-06-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

An Australian Muslim woman has complained that she was told to remove her face veil during a job interview at a Northern Territory hospital in Darwin.

According to reports, a doctor at Royal Darwin Hospital asked the young woman to remove her veil during an administration job interview.

The woman, however, refused to do so, and filed an official complaint.

The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission officers have launched an investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, Northern Territory Islamic Society President, Adil Jamil, said that it was considered “offensive” to ask a woman to take off her hijab.

“It's against their religious beliefs. It can seriously hurt their inner self,” The Herald Sun quoted Jamil, as saying.

“Under traditional Islamic view, a woman cannot show her face to any man except her husband and male relatives,” he added.

He further said that there were about 2000 Muslims in the territory, but less than two percent wore a veil.

“They see it as reinforcing their religious beliefs and inner satisfaction,” Jamil said.

The case comes at a time when several western countries are following France’s lead in banning the wearing of the hijab in public. Source

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Wake Up Stop Sleeping - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

2010-05-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

Shaykh Hamza was born in Washington State to a Catholic father, a university professor of Humanities, and a Greek Orthodox mother, a graduate from the University of California at Berkeley and was raised in Northern California. In 1977, he became Muslim and subsequently traveled to the Muslim world and studied for ten years in the U. A. E., Saudi Arabia, as well as North and West Africa. He received teaching licenses in various Islamic subjects from several well-known scholars in various countries. After ten years of studies abroad, he returned to the USA and earned degrees in Religious Studies and Health Care. He has traveled all over the world giving talks on Islam. He also founded Zaytuna Institute which has established an international reputation for presenting a classical picture of Islam in the West and which is dedicated to the revival of traditional study methods and the sciences of Islam. Shaykh Hamza is the first American lecturer to teach in Morocco's prestigious and oldest University, the Qarawiyin in Fes. In addition, he has translated into modern English several classical Arabic traditional texts and poems. Shaykh Hamza currently resides in Northern California with his wife and five children.

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

The Importance of Prayer according to the prophet Mohammad pbuh

2010-05-19T23:57:00.000-07:00

[Sahih Muslim : Book 1 Kitab Al-Iman, Number 144]
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (RA) that: "When, the son of Adam recites the Ayat of Sajdah (prostration) and then falls down in prostration, the Satan goes into seclusion and weeps and says: Alas, and in the narration of Abu Kuraib the words are: Woe unto me, the son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated and Paradise was entitled to him and I was commanded to prostrate, but I refused and am doomed to Hell."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 1 Kitab Al-Iman, Number 146]
It is narrated on the authority of Jabir (RA) that he heard the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him) saying
"Verily between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 1 Kitab Al-Iman, Number 147]
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Zubair (RA) that he heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah (RA) saying. I heard the Messenger of ALLAH (SAW ) observing this:
"Between man and polytheism and unbelief is the abandonment of salah."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 1 Kitab Al-Iman, Number 151]
It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud (RA) that he observed. I asked the Messenger of ALLAH (SAW ) which deed was the best. He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Prayer at its appointed hour. I (again) said: Then what? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Kindness to the parents. I (again) said: Then what? He replied: Earnest endeavor (Jihad) in the cause of Allah. And I would have not ceased asking more questions but out of regard (for his feelings).

It's clear that Salah must be done under no circumstances it should be neglected.

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email

Japanese Man Converts Islam

2010-04-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Subscribe to Mo5lim by Email