ISLAMIC WORLD

60 Best Quotes from the Holy Qur'an for the Way of Life...

2011-11-23T07:32:00.001-08:00

Some of the lessons learnt from the Holy Qur'an that applies to our general living! Great reminders for all...

1. Respect and honor all human beings irrespective of their religion, color, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17/70]

2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70]

3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83]

4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low.[31/19]ujk

5. Do not lie. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30]

6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42]

7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167]

8. Speak in a civilized manner in a language that is recognized by the society and is commonly used [4/5]

9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6/152]

10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18]

11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55]

12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72]

13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151].

14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134].

15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people[31/18]

16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18]

17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19]

18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63]

19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares [24/30-31, 40/19].

20. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences[24/15-16]

21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favorable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13]

22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterwards repent of what you did [49/6]

23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36].

24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nobody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [ p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, "O My sustainer! Advance me in knowledge." [20:114]

25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10].

26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others[49/11]

27. Do not defame others [49/11]

28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11]

29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might deplete your communal energy [49/12]

30. Spy not upon one another [49/12]

31. Do not backbite one another [49/12]

32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86]

33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61]

34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27]

35. Treat kindly Your Family, The orphans " And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36]

36. Take care of the needy, the disabled, those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs, And those whose businesses have stalled, And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36]

37. Treat kindly Your related neighbors, and unrelated neighbors, Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36]

38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street, and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36]

39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36]

40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262].

41. Do not expect a return for your good behavior, not even thanks [76/9]

42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2]

43. Do no try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32]

44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach[2/44]

45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6]

46. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends [6/54, 3/134]

47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquility and comfort to people [3/134]

48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently[16/125]
49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70]

50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation[4/140]
51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54]

52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11]

53. When invited to dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53]

54. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31].

55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26]

56. Fulfill your promises and commitments [17/34]

57. Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6].

58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character from inside out [7/26]

59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavour [29/17, 2/188]

60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions [2/188]

The Golden Ratio Point Of The World - Mecca

2011-02-03T01:36:00.000-08:00

Some facts about the well of Zam Zam

2011-01-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Well of Zamzam (or the Zamzam Well, or just Zamzam) is a well located within the Masjid al Haram in Mecca, 20 meters east of the Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam. According to Islamic tradition it was a miraculously- generated source of water from angel Jibril (Gabriel), which began thousands of years ago when Ibraham's infant son was thirsty. Millions of pilgrims visit the well each year while performing the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages, in order to drink its water. By Saudi law, the water cannot be sold outside of the kingdom, but because of strong demand there is a thriving market in fake Zamzam water in other countries. Zam Zam is 18 X 14 ft and 18 meter deep water well.

Some facts about the well of Zam Zam:

1)This well has never dried up. On the contrary it has always fulfilled the demand for water.

2)It has always maintained the same salt composition and taste ever since it came into existence. Its potability has always been universally recognised as pilgrims from all over the world visit Ka'aba every year for Hajj and umrah, but have never complained about it. Instead, they have always enjoyed the water that refreshes them. Water tastes different at different places.

3)Zamzam water's appeal has always been universal. This water has never been chemically treated as is the case with water pumped into the cities.

4)Biological growth and vegetation usually takes place in most wells. This makes the water unpalatable owing to the growth of algae causing taste and odour problems. But in the case of the Zamzam water well, there wasn't any sign of biological growth.

The well of Zam Zam used to have a manual system of drawing water, till the early 1950s. In those days, the peak discharge drawn during the Haj season would just suffice the number of Hajis not exceeding a hundred thousand. Today, Hajis exceed 2.2 million and in addition, the Zam Zam water is being pumped to Masjid-i-Nabvi in Madinah through a 450km-long pipeline from Makkah. The installed pump capacity today is 3 cft/sec (1,350 gallon/minute). The well of Zam Zam has been in operation since the last 1,450 years at a stretch. Till an electric motor and pump was installed in the late 1940s or the early 50s, the discharge never exceeded 0.05 cft/sec (about 22.5 gallons per minute). The discharge from the well since then is on a constant rise with an increase in the number of Hajis. It has now reached 3cft/sec (1,346 gallons per minute) and runs constantly for hours per day, and sometimes without stopping for days. Today, Zam Zam water is supplied to 2.2 million Hajis during the Haj season and to Madinah. Any open well in the world, after a few years, suffers from the growth of algae, making water unpalatable and causing taste and odour problems. Here, Zam Zam has been operational for fourteen centuries without any biological or algae growth, and remains in use without any kind of treatment.

Top 20 largest mosques of the world

2011-01-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. Muslims often refer to the mosque by its Arabic name, Masjid. The mosque serves as a place where Muslims can come together for prayer as well as a center for information, education and dispute settlement. This post features top 20 largest mosques of the world, hope you will like our effort.

20. Al-Aqsa Mosque, palestine

Al-Aqsa Mosque also known as al-Aqsa, is an Islamic holy place in the Old City of Jerusalem. The site that includes the mosque (along with the Dome of the Rock) is also referred to as al-Haram ash-Sharif or “Sacred Noble Sanctuary”, a site also known as the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, the place where the First and Second Temples are generally accepted to have stood. Widely considered as the third holiest site in Islam, Muslims believe that the prophet Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey. Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad led prayers towards this site until the seventeenth month after the emigration, when God ordered him to turn towards the Ka’aba. Al-Aqsa is comes as twentieth largest mosque of the world.

19. Masjid e Tooba (Gol Masjid), Karachi, Pakistan

Masjid e Tooba or Tooba Mosque is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Locally, it is also known as the Gol Masjid. Masjid e Tooba was built in 1969 in Defense Housing Society, Karachi is nineteenth largest mosque in the world. It is located just off main Korangi Road. Masjid e Tooba is often claimed to be the largest single dome mosque in the world. It is also major tourist attraction in Karachi. Masjid e Tooba is built with pure white marble. The dome of the Masjid e Tooba is 72 meters (236 feet) in diameter, and is balanced on a low surrounding wall with no central pillars. Masjid e Tooba has a single minaret standing 70 meters high. The central prayer hall has a capacity of 5,000 people. It has been built keeping acoustics in mind. A person speaking inside one end of the dome can be heard at the other end. This mosque was designed by Pakistani architect Dr Babar Hamid Chauhan.

18. Al Fateh Mosque (Bahrain Grand Mosque)

The Al-Fateh Mosque also known as Al-Fateh Islamic Center & Al Fateh Grand Mosque is eighteenth of the largest mosques in the world, capable of accommodating over 7,000 worshippers at a time. he mosque is the largest place of worship in Bahrain. It is located next to the King Faisal Highway in Juffair, which is a town located in the capital city of Manama. The mosque very close to the Royal Bahraini Palace, the residence of the king of Bahrain Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifah. The huge dome built on top of the Al-Fatih Mosque is made of pure fiberglass.

17. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a historical mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction. Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known as seventeenth largest mosque in the world.

16. Grozny Central Dome Mosque

Akhmad Kadyrov Grozny Central Dome Mosque is located in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, and bears the name of Akhmad Kadyrov. The mosque design is based on the Blue Mosque in İstanbul. On October 16, 2008, the mosque was officially opened in a ceremony in which Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov spoke and was with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. This mosque is one of the biggest in Europe. In this mosque ten thousand Muslims can pray at a time and its minarets reach 60m high and is sixteenth largest mosque in the world.

15. Baitul Futuh Mosque

The Bait’ul Futuh Mosque is the largest mosque in Western Europe and fifteenth largest in the world with an area of 5.2 acres (21,000 m2), the mosque complex can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. Built in 2003 at a cost of approximately £5.5 million, entirely from donations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, it is located in the south-west London suburb of Morden, next to Morden South railway station, 150 yards from the Morden Underground.

14. Masjid-e-Aqsa Rabwah, Pakistan

Masjid-e-Aqsa is the greatest mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The foundation stone was laid in 1966 and the building’s inauguration took place on March 31, 1972. The mosque is the main mosque of the Ahmadiyya in Rabwah for 12,000 worshipers. The design came from the mosque, Abdul Rashid, at the request of Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad should occur in one Central Mosque Rabwah. The blueprint was already established during his tenure, but because of the Caliph was not affected, the foundation will be laid. On 28 October 1966 Mirza Nasir Ahmad laid the foundation for the Masjid-e-Aqsa. The Friday Sermon the third Caliph 31 The mosque was opened in March 1972. Masjid-e-Aqsa is fourteenth largest mosque in the world.

13. Masjid Negara, Malaysia

The Masjid Negara is the national mosque of Malaysia, located in Kuala Lumpur. It has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated among 13 acres (53,000 m2) of beautiful gardens. The original structure was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department – UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and Baharuddin Kassim. Originally built in 1965, it is a bold and modern approach in reinforced concrete, symbolic of the aspirations of a then newly-independent Malaysia. Its key features are a 73-metre-high minaret and an 18-pointed star concrete main roof. The umbrella, synonymous with the tropics, is featured conspicuously – the main roof is reminiscent of an open umbrella, the minaret’s cap a folded one. The folded plates of the concrete main roof is a creative solution to achieving the larger spans required in the main gathering hall. Reflecting pools and fountains spread throughout the compound. Masjid Negara known as thirteenth largest mosque in the world.

12. Id Kah Mosque, China

The Id Kah Mosque is a mosque located in Kashgar, Xinjiang, in the western People’s Republic of China. It is the largest mosque in China and twelfth largest mosque in the world . Every Friday, it houses nearly 10,000 worshippers and may accommodate up to 20,000. The mosque was built by Saqsiz Mirza in ca. 1442 (although it incorporated older structures dating back to 996) and covers 16,800 square meters.

11. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman

In 1992 Sultan Qaboos directed that his country of Oman should have a Grand Mosque. A competition for its design took place in 1993 and after a site was chosen at Bausher construction commenced in 1995. Building work, which was undertaken by Carillion Alawi LLC took six years and four months. The Mosque is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone and eleventh largest mosque in the world. The main musalla (prayer hall) is square (external dimensions 74.4 x 74.4 metres) with a central dome rising to a height of fifty metres above the floor. The dome and the main minaret (90 metres) and four flanking minarets (45.5 metres) are the mosque’s chief visual features.

10. Baitul Mukarram, Bangladesh

Baitul Mukarram is the national mosque of Bangladesh. Located at the heart of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, the mosque was founded during the 1960s. The mosque has a capacity of 30,000, giving it the respectable position of being the 10th biggest mosque in the world. However the mosque is constantly getting overcrowded. This especially occurs during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which has resulted in the Bangladeshi government having to add extensions to the mosque, thus increasing the capacity to at least 40,000.

9. Jama Masjid, Delhi, India

Jama Masjid, commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and best-known mosque in India and ninth largest mosque in the world. It lies at the origin of a very busy central street of Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk. The later name, Jama Masjid, is a reference to the weekly Friday noon congregation prayers of Muslims, Jummah, which are usually done at a mosque, the “congregational mosque”. The courtyard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshipers.

8. Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world. It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried there. The mosque was officially opened in the Islamic month of Ramadan in 2007.

7. Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan

The Badshahi Mosque or the ‘Emperor’s Mosque’ in Lahore is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the seventh largest mosque in the world. Epitomising the beauty, passion and grandeur of the Mughal era, it is Lahore’s most famous landmark and a major tourist attraction. Capable of accommodating 10,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall and a further 100,000 in its courtyard and porticoes, it remained the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986 (a period of 313 years), when overtaken in size by the completion of the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. Today, it remains the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world.

6. Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan

The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad is the largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the sixth largest mosque in the world. It was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 to 1993 when overtaken in size by the completion of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. Subsequent expansions of the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) of Mecca and the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, Saudi Arabia during the 1990s relegated Faisal Mosque to fourth place in terms of size. Faisal Mosque is conceived as the National Mosque of Pakistan. It has a covered area of 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq ft) and has a capacity to accommodate approximately 300,000 worshippers (100,000 in its main prayer hall, courtyard and porticoes and another 200,000 in its adjoining grounds).

5. The Hassan II Mosque

Located in Casablanca is the largest mosque in Morocco and the fifth largest mosque in the world. Designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues.[1] It stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers. A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque’s adjoining grounds for a total of 105,000 worshippers present at any given time at the Hassan II mosque. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 m (689 ft).

4. Istiqlal Mosque

Istiqlal Mosque, or Masjid Istiqlal, in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia in term of capacity to accommodate people. However in term of building structure and land coverage, Istiqlal is the largest in Southeast Asia and fourth largest in the world. This national mosque of Indonesia was build to commemorate Indonesian independence, as nation’s gratitude for God’s blessings; the independence of Indonesia. Therefore the national mosque of Indonesia was named “Istiqlal”, an Arabic word for “Independence”.

3. Imam Reza Shrine

Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran is a complex which contains the mausoleum of Imām Ridha, the eighth Imam of Twelver Shi’ites and known as third largest mosque of the world. Also contained within the complex include: the Goharshad Mosque, a museum, a library, four seminaries, a cemetery, the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, a dining hall for pilgrims, vast prayer halls, and other buildings.

2. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi

Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (“Mosque of the Prophet”), often called the Prophet’s Mosque, is a mosque situated in the city of Medina. As the final resting place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, it is considered the second holiest site in Islam by both Shia and Sunni Muslims (the first being the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca) and is the second largest mosque in the world.

1. Masjid al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Masjid al-Haram is the largest mosque in the world. Located in the city of Mecca, it surrounds the Kaaba, the place which Muslims worldwide turn towards while offering daily prayers and is Islam’s holiest place. The mosque is also known as the Grand Mosque. The current structure covers an area of 4,008,020 square metres (990.40 acres) including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to four million Muslim worshippers during the Hajj period, The largest annual gatherings of people in the world.

Top 10 misconceptions about islam

2011-01-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

In the words of Swiss journalist and author, Roger Du Pasquier "The West, whether Christian or dechristianised, has never really known Islam. Ever since they watched it appear on the world stage, Christians never ceased to insult and slander it in order to find justification for waging war on it. It has been subjected to grotesque distortions the traces of which still endure in the European mind. Even today there are many Westerners for whom Islam can be reduced to three ideas: fanaticism, fatalism and polygamy. Of course, there does exist a more cultivated public whose ideas about Islam are less deformed; there are still precious few who know that the word islam signifies nothing other than ‘submission to God’. One symptom of this ignorance is the fact that in the imagination of most Europeans, Allah refers to the divinity of the Muslims, not the God of the Christians and Jews; they are all surprised to hear, when one takes the trouble to explain things to them, that ‘Allah’ means ‘God’, and that even Arab Christians know him by no other name."

10. Muslims are Arabs

Misconception: All Muslims are Arabs

The common image of a Muslim is a turbaned dark Arab man with a long beard. However this image is part of the minority of Muslims. Arabs make only 15% of the world’s Muslim population. As a matter of fact the Middle East comes in third with East Asia coming in at first (69%) and Africa (27%) coming in at second. Another common misconception is that all Arabs are Muslims. While the vast majority of Arabs are Muslims (75%), there are many other religions that Arabs practice including Christianity and Judaism.

9. Muslims and Jesus

Misconception: Muslims Hate Jesus

There are many similarities between the historical references of Christianity and Islam. Many people are amazed to find out that according to Muslim belief, Jesus is one of the greatest messengers of God. One cannot be a Muslim without believing in the virgin birth and the many miracles of Jesus Christ. Jesus is also mentioned in many verses of the Quran and is often used as an example of good virtue and character. However, the main difference between Christianity and Islam is that Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God. Pictured above is Jesus in an Islamic portrayal of the last judgement.

8. Children’s Rights

Misconception: Children have no rights

Children, according to Islamic law, have various rights. One of these is the right to be properly brought up, raised, and educated. Islam encourages children to be brought up well because it is the responsibility of an adult to raise his child to become a moral and ethical adult. Children must also be treated equally. When giving financial gifts they should all be the same amount and there should be no preference among them. Children are even permitted to take moderately from their parent’s wealth to sustain themselves if the parent declines to give them proper funds for living. A child is also not allowed to get hit in the face or hit by anything larger than a pencil.

7. Religious Intolerance

Misconception: Islam is intolerable to other religions

‘Kill the infidel’ is the phrase many people believe is the ideology that Muslims have towards the non Muslims. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of Islamic law. Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. In the Quran it says “God does not forbid you, with regards to those who fight you not for religion nor drive you away out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for god loves those who are just.” There are many historical examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faith. One such example was when the caliph Umar was ruler of Jerusalem from 634 to 644 AD. He granted freedom to all religious communities and said that the inhabitants of his city were safe and that their places of worship would never be taken away from them. He also set up courts that were designated to the non Muslim minorities. Whenever he would visit holy areas he would ask for the Christian patriarch Sophronius (pictured above) to accompany him.

6. Islamic Jihad

Misconception: Jihad means to fight for the sake of god

The true Arabic meaning of the word jihad is struggle. However in Islam it is often used to describe the striving in the way of god. There are many forms of jihad but the most important ones are Jihad al-nafs (jihad against ones self), jihad bil-lisan (jihad by being vocal), jihad bil yad (jihad by using action), and Jihad bis saif (jihad by using the sword). Each jihad is ranked differently and it was reported that Muhammad returned from a battle and said “We have returned from the lesser jihad (going into battle) to the greater jihad (the struggle of the soul).” This means that a Muslim struggling against himself and his soul is more important than the jihad of going into war. Another misconception is that only when a person dies in war does that person becomes a martyr. This is, however, false and it is believed that anyone doing anything for the sake of god and is killed becomes a martyr. A person who dies while performing pilgrimage in Mecca, a woman who dies while giving birth, or even someone who dies in a car crash while he was on his way to the mosque are all considered martyrs.

5. Child Bride

Misconception: The Prophet Muhammad was a pedophile

While it is true that he married a girl that was at the age of nine that does not constitute pedophilia. Historically, the age at which a girl was considered ready to be married has been puberty. This was the case in Biblical times, and is still used today to determine the age of marriage in many parts of the world. This was part of the norm and is not something that Islam invented. The girl he got married to had reached puberty 3 years before marriage. It is upon reaching the age of puberty that a person, man or woman, becomes legally responsible for their actions under Islamic law. At this point, they are allowed to make their own decisions and are held accountable for their actions. It should also be mentioned that in Islam, it is unlawful to force someone to marry someone that they do not want to marry. There is no indication that the society at that time criticized this marriage due to the girl’s young age. On the contrary, the marriage was encouraged by the girl’s family and was welcomed by the community at large.

4. Muslim Savages

Misconception: Muslims are savages and barbaric during war

Quite the contrary, when it comes to the conduct of war there are ten rules that every Muslim army must obey:

1. Do not commit treachery
2. Do not deviate from the right path
3. Do not mutilate dead bodies
4. Do not kill children
5. Do not kill women
6. Do not kill aged men
7. Do not harm or burn trees
8. Do not destroy buildings
9. Do not destroy an enemy’s flock, unless you use it for your food
10. When you pass people who have devoted their lives to monastic services leave them alone

During the crusades when Saladin defeated the franks he honored the defeated Frankish army and supplied them with food and during the third crusade when Saladin’s enemy king Richard fell sick, Saladin sent him a gift of fruits and horses.

3. Women’s Rights

Misconception: Women have no rights

The image of a woman wearing a veil from head to toe, a woman who gets unfair justice or a woman who is not allowed to drive is an all too familiar notion when it comes to women treatment in Islam. And while there are Muslim countries in the world that do implement many harsh rulings against women, this should not be portrayed as Islamic law. Many of these countries have cultural differences that go against the teachings of Islam. It should be noted that during pre-Islam Arabia women were used for fornication only and had no independence. The birth of a daughter in a family was considered humiliating and the practice of female infanticide was uncontrolled. When Islam came to being, verses in the Quran condemned the practice of female infanticide. Islam gave back many human rights to the woman and Muhammad(s) was even reported saying that “women are the twin halves of men.” A Muslim woman is allowed to reject and accept any suitor for marriage and has the right to seek divorce. There is nothing in Islam that forbids a Muslim woman from exiting her house and is allowed to drive. Also in regards to education, a woman is obligated to seek knowledge and it is considered a sin if she refuses.

2. Spread By the Sword

Misconception: Islam was spread by the sword

Historian De lacey O’Leary states “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.” There is no record in history that shows people being forced by sword point to convert to Islam. When Islam spread through countries they would set up private churches and synagogues for the non Muslims they were governing and because of the good treatment they had received they themselves would convert. If one considers the small number of Muslims who initially spread Islam to the west all the way from Spain and Morocco and into east from India and China one would realize that such a small group of people could not force others to be members of a religion against their will. It is also interesting to note that when the Mongols invaded and conquered large portions of the Islamic empire, instead of destroying the religion they adopted it!

1. Islamic Terrorism

Misconception: Muslims are terrorists

This is by far the biggest misconception of Islam, given unfairly by stereotyping and the public image that the media gives. Has anyone else noticed how when a specific group of people attack another group of people it is labeled as a ‘hate crime’, but when a Muslim opens fire on anybody it is quickly regarded as ‘terrorism’. Many political dictators and officials or extremist groups use the name of Islam as a strategy to garner followers and attention when many of their practices go against the true basis of Islam. The media has also portrayed Islam as a cult or a club where if you join you become a terrorist and that is now part of your agenda. However all over the world people practice Islam in the true form and use it as a way of life. There are many verses in the Quran that go against the idea of terrorism. Some of these verses include “fight in the way of Allah those that fight you but do not transgress limits for god does not love transgressors.” This basically means do not fight except in self defense and even in doing so do not go beyond defense. Another verse states “if they seek peace, then you seek peace,” which means do not attack people for no reason or kill innocent people. There is nowhere in Islam, whether it be in the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad, that promotes the killing of innocent people. Pictured above is a conference of Muslims against Terrorism.

Proof about Prophet Mohammed's Sunnah - dipping fly

2011-01-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

Prophet also Said "If a fly falls in the vessel of any of you, let him dip all of it (into the vessel) and then throw it away, for in one of its wings there is a disease and in the other there is healing (antidote for it) i e. the treatment for that disease."

When a Fly was placed in a solution with various bacteria including E.coli, Golden Staph, Candida (a yeast) and a common hospital pathogen, antibiotic action was observed every time. - Doctor Clarke in the Microbiology Australian Institute

Other Scientific Proof...

From http://abc.gov.au/science/articles/2002/10/01/689400.htm : (This is an official Government web site)

The new buzz on antibiotics

Tuesday, 1 October 2002 Danny Kingsley - ABC Science Online

Ugly but useful: The sheep blowfly is one of the fly species that might provide humans with new antibiotics. (Pic: BioTrack.)

The surface of flies is the last place you would expect to find antibiotics, yet that is exactly where a team of Australian researchers is concentrating their efforts.

Working on the theory that flies must have remarkable antimicrobial defences to survive rotting dung, meat and fruit, the team at the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, set out to identify those antibacterial properties manifesting at different stages of a fly's development.

"Our research is a small part of a global research effort for new antibiotics, but we are looking where we believe no-one has looked before," said Ms Joanne Clarke, who presented the group's findings at the Australian Society for Microbiology Conference in Melbourne this week. The project is part of her PhD thesis.

The scientists tested four different species of fly: a house fly, a sheep blowfly, a vinegar fruit fly and the control, a Queensland fruit fly which lays its eggs in fresh fruit. These larvae do not need as much antibacterial compound because they do not come into contact with as much bacteria.

Flies go through the life stages of larvae and pupae before becoming adults. In the pupae stage, the fly is encased in a protective casing and does not feed. "We predicted they would not produce many antibiotics," said Ms Clarke.

They did not. However the larvae all showed antibacterial properties (except that of the Queensland fruit fly control).

As did all the adult fly species, including the Queensland fruit fly (which at this point requires antibacterial protection because it has contact with other flies and is mobile).

Such properties were present on the fly surface in all four species, although antibacterial properties occur in the gut as well. "You find activity in both places," said Ms Clarke.

"The reason we concentrated on the surface is because it is a simpler extraction."

The antibiotic material is extracted by drowning the flies in ethanol, then running the mixture through a filter to obtain the crude extract.

When this was placed in a solution with various bacteria including E.coli, Golden Staph, Candida (a yeast) and a common hospital pathogen, antibiotic action was observed every time.

"We are now trying to identify the specific antibacterial compounds," said Ms Clarke. Ultimately these will be chemically synthesised.

Because the compounds are not from bacteria, any genes conferring resistance to them may not be as easily transferred into pathogens. It is hoped this new form of antibiotics will have a longer effective therapeutic life.

30 Facts About Islam that all people should know...

2011-01-02T02:19:00.000-08:00

1) “Islam” literally means “peace through the submission to God”.

2) “Muslim” literally means “anyone or anything that submits itself to the will of God”.

3) Islam is not a cult. Its followers number over one billion worldwide. Along with Judaism and Christianity, it is considered to be one of the three Abrahamic faiths.

4) There are five pillars of practice in Islam. These practices must be undertaken with the best of effort in order to be considered a true Muslim: A) Shahadah – declaration of faith in the oneness of God and that Muhammad is the last prophet of God. B) Formal prayer five times a day. C) Fasting during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. D) Charity – 2.5% of one’s savings given to the needy at the end of each year. E) Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once, if physically and financially able.

5) There are six articles of faith in Islam. These are the basic beliefs that one must have in order to be considered a true Muslim. They are belief in: A) the One and only God B) all the prophets of God C) the original books revealed to Moses, David, Jesus, and
Muhammad D) the angels E) the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter F) pre-ordainment.

6) Islam is a complete way of life that governs all facets of life – moral, spiritual, social, political, economical, intellectual, etc.

7) Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Approximately one out of every five people today designate their religion as Islam.

8) “Allah” is an Arabic word that literally means “God”. Muslims also believe that “Allah” is the personal name of God.

9) Allah is not God of the Muslims only. He is the God of all people and all creation. Just because people choose to call God by different names does not mean that they are different gods. Interestingly, most Arab Jews and Arab Christians also refer to God as “Allah”.

10) The Islamic concept of God is that He is loving, merciful, and compassionate. But Islam also teaches that He is just and swift in punishment, much like a father is to his child. Nevertheless, Allah once said to Muhammad “My Mercy prevails over my wrath.” (Hadith Qudsi)

11) Muslims believe that God has revealed 99 of His names (or attributes) in the Qur’an. It is through these that one can come to know the Creator. Some names are: the All-Merciful, the All-Knower, the Protector, the Provider, the Helper, the Near, the One, the
Source of Peace.

12) Muslims believe in and acknowledge all the prophets of old, from Adam to Jesus. Muslims believe that they brought the message of peace and submission (islam) to different nations at different times. Muslims also believe that these prophets were “muslims” because they submitted their wills to God.
13) Muslims neither worship Muhammad nor pray through him. Muslims solely worship the unseen and Omniscient Creator, Allah.
14) Muslims accept the original unaltered Torah (the Gospel of Moses) and Bible (the Gospel of Jesus) since they were revealed by God. However, none of those original scriptures are in existence today. Therefore, Muslims follow the subsequent, final, and preserved revelation of God – The Holy Qur’an.

15) The Holy Qur’an was not authored by Muhammad. It was authored by God, revealed to Muhammad, and written into physical form by Muhammad’s companions.

16) The Holy Qur’an has no flaws or contradictions. The original Arabic scriptures have never been changed or tampered with.
17) Actual seventh century Qur’ans, complete and intact, are on display in museums in Turkey and many other places around the world.

18) If all Qur’ans in the world today were burned and destroyed, the original Arabic would still remain. This is because millions of Muslims (called Hafiz or “preservers”) have memorized the text letter for letter from beginning to end – every word and syllable. Chapters from the Qur’an are precisely recited by memory in each of the five daily prayers.

19) Muslims do not believe in the concept of “vicarious atonement” but rather believe in the law of personal responsibility. Islam teaches that each person is responsible for his or her own actions. On the Day of Judgment Muslims believe that every person will have to answer to God for their every word, thought, and deed. Consequently, a practicing Muslim is always striving to be righteous.

20) Terrorism, unjustified violence, and killing innocent people are not allowed in Islam. Islam is a religion of peace. The extreme actions of those who claim to be Muslim may be a result of their ignorance or uncontrolled anger.
21) “Islamic fundamentalism” does not mean “Islamic terrorism”. Since Islam means “peace” such a term would be an oxymoron. How is it possible to have “peaceful terrorism”? Actually, Islamic fundamentalism is adherence to Islam’s fundamental beliefs and practices.

22) The word “jihad” does not mean “holy war”. Instead, it means the inner struggle that one endures in trying to practice Islam. Some Muslims may say they are going for “jihad” when fighting in a war to defend their faith, but they only say this because they are conceding that it will be a tremendous struggle. There are many forms of jihad (struggle) such as the struggle against self-desire, against a tyrant ruler, against the temptations of Satan, etc., etc.

23) Islam was not spread by the sword. It was spread by the word of truth and the example of its followers. Islam teaches that there is no compulsion in religion. (the Holy Qur’an 2:256 and 10:99)
24) Women are not oppressed in Islam. Any Muslim man that oppresses a woman is not following true Islam. Prophet Muhammad once said, ”...the best among you are those who treat their wives well.” (Related by Imam Tirmidhi)

25) Arranged marriages are allowed in Islam but are not required. The marriage decision is left to the individual. “Forced” marriages are cultural practices and are not Islamic.

26) Divorce is permissible in Islam, however, reconciliation is what is most encouraged. Indeed, if there are irreconcilable differences, then a fair and just annulment usually is best.

27) Islam and so-called “Nation of Islam” are two different religions. Islam is a religion that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century A.D. It is a religion for all races of people and enjoins the worship of the One unseen God Allah who has no sons, daughters, or partners and who never took human form. The “Nation of Islam”, on the other hand, is a movement geared towards non-whites for the upliftment of minorities on a social scale. It teaches that God appeared in the form of Fard Muhammad in Detroit in 1930 A.D. and that Elijah Muhammad was a prophet of God. These beliefs clearly contradict the fundamental beliefs and teachings of true Islam and The Holy Qur’an. The followers of “the Nation” adhere to some Islamic principles that are mixed up with many other teachings. To understand the difference between the two more clearly, read the story about Malcolm X, his pilgrimage to Mecca, and his subsequent comments to the media. Islam teaches unity and equality amongst the races. (Holy Qur’an 49:13)

28) All Muslims are not Arab. Islam is a universal religion and way of life which includes followers from all races of people. There are Muslims in and from Europe, China, Japan, South America, Russia, Australia, Jamaica, the Philippines, and throughout North America! Arabs only constitute about 20% of Muslims worldwide. Indonesia has the largest concentration of Muslims at about 120 million!

29) In the formal prayer Muslims face the Kaaba in Mecca, Arabia. It is a cube-shaped stone structure that was originally built by Prophet Adam and later rebuilt by Prophet Abraham. Muslims believe that the Kaaba was the first house of worship on Earth dedicated to the worship of one god. It serves as a central focal point for Muslims around the world, unifying them in worship and symbolizing their common belief, spiritual focus and direction. Muslims do not worship the Kaaba. Interestingly, the inside of the Kaaba is empty.

30) The hajj is a simultaneous pilgrimage to the Kaaba made by able-bodied Muslims each year. It is performed namely to commemorate the struggles of Abraham, his son Ismail, and his wife Hagar in submitting their wills to God.

Masha Alalykina Converts to Islam

2011-01-02T02:08:00.000-08:00

Masha Alalykina is a famous name in Russia and Russian speaking countries. Two years ago she was an attractive artist and model. Her fame reached its peak and her music group – Fabric – was at the top of the charts.

Masha, the former star of the cinema, dancing, and music (google her are you will see how popular she was), now wears a hijab and is teaching. She says that she hates the fake façade of her past and now feels that she is successful.

The following is a translation of an interview with this Muslim artist on the Russian site islam.ru

Islam.ru: How did you put all of your success behind you and accept Islam?

Masha: By Allah’s grace I took a step in his direction. This was the will of Allah.

Islam.ru: When you were a singer did you ever think that you would become Muslim, fast, and perform the pilgrimage?

Masha: No. It did not even cross my mind that I might perform the pilgrimage and drink the best water – the water of Zamzam.

Islam.ru: Was the path that you took which led you to Islam a long path?

Masha: I became Muslim two years ago. I was reading one day when I realized that one of my close friends slipped into a coma in another city. I did not know how I could help my friend. That day, for the first time, I prayed and made supplications asking God for help.

The next day that same friend called me and said: “I saw you when I was unconscious and you helped me a lot.” I cried a lot at that instant because it was the first time in my life that I wanted something from God.

Islam.ru: What are you up to now?

Masha: I know five European languages and teach in the university. I also write some Islamically allowed songs.

Islam.ru: Do you listen to music as well?

Masha: Yes, I listen to Rayhan, Sami Yusuf, and Cat Stevens (who changed his name to Yusuf Islam after he became Muslim).

Islam.ru: Have you learned things from the Quran? Are you prepared to add Arabic to the five European languages that you know?

Masha: At first I thought it was hard to learn Arabic. But I have started and love it a lot. I think it is a key to learning more knowledge.

Islam.ru: Why are people more interested in Islam than other religions? And, why were most of the people who become Muslim involved with concerts and music?

Masha: Islam has the strongest foundation in relation to other religions. All Islamic rules can be applied to life and the path of Islam is the path of success.

Islam.ru: What feeling do you have now that you have become a Muslim?

Masha: I feel blessed. I now have the opportunity to compare what I was before and what I am now. I now have become familiar with real life and therefore I am successful.

Islam ru: How are you different than before?

Masha: A belief in Allah has changed my life. The desire to believe in Allah is in everyone’s conscience. I do not believe that Allah gave man intellect so that we live, eat, sleep, and die. Allah gave us an opportunity to live in a way that we would reach Him.

Islam.ru: Do you ever think about how much money you made before? Are you ever regretful?

Masha: Those sparkles have become worthless to me after I became Muslim. I hate them.

Islam.ru: Are you not afraid to openly show yourself as a Muslim?

Masha: No. Actually it’s the opposite, I feel that I have a duty to save others from misguidance and to become a role-model for them.

Islam.ru: Are you upset that your previous pictures are on the internet?

Masha: I do not like to look at the pictures myself. But, there is no problem for people to see them and learn from them. They should know that a person can be born again and start over from scratch. A person can repent and clean away all of the filth of their past by performing righteous deeds, insha’Allah.

Islam.ru: What can you say about Islam to other people?

Masha: Islam says that if you are unable to think about Allah at least try to rid yourselves of bad qualities - bad qualities such as self-love, arrogance, envy, oppression, lying, praising oneself, and worshiping oneself. If one wants to take a step towards Islam all they have to do is think and seek help from their conscience.

Islam.ru: What message do you have for Muslims?

Masha: I hope that the righteous deeds of my brothers and sisters will be accepted by Allah and I pray that He has mercy on their families.

Islam.ru: And for non-Muslims?

Masha: I am hopeful for people who have yet to become Muslims to come to themselves and to think beyond all the trash that is presented to them in this age.

Some Scientific relation with Qur'an

2011-01-02T02:06:00.000-08:00

Science : Finger tips can be used for Identification
Qur'an : Does man think We cannot assemble his bones?
Yes . . . We are able to put together in perfect
order the very tip of his fingers.

Science : Atoms are found in pairs
Qur'an : Glory be to ALLAH, Who created in pairs all things
that the earth produces, as well as their own( human )
kind, and other things of which they have no knowledge.

Science : Honey is healing for mankind
Qur'an : Comes from their ( the bees ) belleis
a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing
for human being. Verily in this is a sign for people who reflect.

Science : Separation of salt and sea water
Qur'an : Verily He is the One Who has joined
the two seas: this is palatable and sweet, and
this is salty and bitter. And He made a barrier
between the two of them, and a partition that is forbidden to be passed.

Science : Milk as a wholesome meal
Qur'an : And verily for you in the cattle there
is an instructive sign ( lesson ). We give you to
drink of that which is in their bellies from
between excretions and blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.

Science : Oceans have darkness under their surfaces
Qur'an : Or as darkness in a vast, deep sea,
there it covers waves, from above which are
waves, from above which are clouds. Darkness
on top of each other. If a man stretches out his
hand, he can hardly see it. And whoever ALLAH
does not make light for him, for him there is no light.

Science : Iron and steel
Qur'an : And We sent down Iron, in which is
severe strength and benefits for mankind.
Verily in this is a Sign for people who reflect.

Science : Sun and Moon
Qur'an : It is not permitted to the sun to catch
up with the Moon, nor the night outstrip the Day. Each floats in an orbit.

Science : Creation of living creatures from water
Qur'an : We made from water every living thing.

Science : Mountains have roots inside the earth
Qur'an : Have We not made the earth as a
wide expanse, and the mountains as pegs.