Saifuddin's Blog Picks

As Fire Eats Firewood

Marina Montanaro — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:01:00 PDT

By J. Samia Mair, *Salafi, Sufi, Sunni, Shia, Progressive--what about Muslim?* - Examiner.com - Baltimore, MD, USA
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

“Muslims have it backwards,” stated the scholar at a recent lecture. “We divide ourselves into categories, even though it specifically states not to do so in the Qur’an, and we refer to every non-Muslim as a kafir, even though non-Muslims are divided into categories in the Qur’an."

“Yeah, why do we do that?” I asked myself. “Aren’t we all just Muslims?”

Mentioned in the Qur’an are kafirun (disbelievers), mushrikun (polytheists), and munafiqun (hypocrites, i.e., those who state that they are Muslim but conceal their disbelief). The word “kafir" tends to be tossed around a lot in some circles, but I have yet to hear anyone described as a mushrik or a munafiq.

I also hear Muslims (including me) describing themselves and others as belonging to a certain group. And usually when someone is describing someone else it is not a compliment.

Although we are told not to divide ourselves into sects (Al Qur’an, 6:159), the Prophet Muhammad, may Allaah bless him and grant him peace, told us that we would:
The Jews were split up into seventy-one or seventy-two sects; and the Christians were split up into seventy one or seventy-two sects; and my community will be split up into seventy-three sects. (Abu Dawud)

I’m not sure how many sects there are now but clearly we are on our way to seventy-three. One of the problems with labeling ourselves differently is that we may begin to feel superior to others.

Imam ‘Abdallah ibn Alwawi al-Haddad discusses “conceit” in his book The Treatise of Mutual Reminding among Loving Brothers, People of Goodness and Religion. He states:
Beware of conceit, for it invalidates works. The Messenger of God (saas) said, “Conceit eats good works just as fire eats firewood.” And he said, “Three things are ruinous: avarice that one obeys, passion that one follows, and admiration that one has for himself.”

Conceit is for someone to see himself as important and his behavior as excellent. From this arises showing off one’s works, feeling superior to others, and being self-satisfied.

As Ibn ‘Ata’illah said, may God’s mercy be upon him, “The root of every sin, distraction, or lust is self-satisfaction.” He who is satisfied with himself does not see his shortcomings. And he who is unaware of his shortcomings, how can he succeed?

May we be protected from conceit and self-satisfaction and led to the Straight Path.

*The Treatise of Mutual Reminding among Loving Brothers, People of Goodness and Religion

For more info: Who Are the Disbelievers? by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Books by Imam al-Haddad

The Foundation of the Religion: Principles of ‘Aqīdah

Abu Eesa — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:57:48 PDT

Don’t You Just Love It When You Get Dua’s!!!

Nabeel Khan — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:45:17 PDT

As a form of tahdith bi an-ni’mah, Alhamdulillahi Ta’ala, by the grace of Allah and the blessings of my Shaykh (DB), I was able to start a session on a very unique book. It is basically a compilation of notes that my Shaykh (DB) took down of his Shaykh (RA). The book is special to me because my Shaykh (DB) had granted it to me as a gift when, by the grace of Allah, Allah had allowed me to commit the Qur’an to memory.

I must have read the book cover to cover at least 5 or 6 six times since then, and each time something new emerges. So vast are the hidden treasures in the words of our elders that every time we take a dive, we come up with a new pearl. One of my students had requested that I go over the book with him. So instead of making it a private thing, I thought that it would be a nice review for me and hopefully others might benefit as well.

Alhamdulillah, one session or the introduction took place last Saturday. Insha Allah the actual book will start this Saturday.

So late last night, I had texted two of my friends in Karachi, to inform my Shaykh (DB) that I am starting this. At different times, both went to my Shaykh (DB) and had informed him of my plan. My Shaykh (DB) at both times made dua’ for me and for the sessions. If he wanted, he could have told the second person that he already knows, but out of his kindness, he made dua’ a second time. It is just so euphoric to know that one’s shaykh has made a specific dua’.

Allah Ta’ala does not reject dua’s at all. Their fruition may be of a different nature, but nonetheless, all dua’s are accepted. But the dua’s of those that are the beloveds of Allah are in a league of their own. And knowing that someone of that caliber has made a special and specific dua’ for you, puts a person in a transport of delight. Hence it is of the utmost importance to request the beloveds of Allah to make dua’ for you. If a person can understand just this one point then they’ve got it made.

We pray to Allah that He grant us His love, the love of those who love Him, and the love of those deeds which will make us reach His love. We also pray that Allah makes His love more beloved to us than our lives, our families, and cool water on a hot day. Aameen!

Posted in Misc

Love is a Lion

chaiwala — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:01:00 PDT

In God’s eyes, whoever has no tint of Love is
naught but wood and stone.
Love wrings water from rocks, Love cleans
rust from mirrors.
Unbelief has come in war, faith in peace – Love
strikes a fire to both peace and war.
In the ocean of the heart Love opens its mouth
and like a whale swallows down the two worlds.
Love is a lion, without deception and trickery,
not a fox one moment and a leopard the next.
When Love provides replenishment upon
replenishment, the spirit gains deliverance from this dark and
narrow body.
From the beginning Love is all bewilderment – it
stuns the intellect and dazzles the spirit.
Oh east wind, my heart is in Tabriz – take my
salaams there without delay!

– Ghazal (Ode) 1331
Translation by William C. Chittick
“The Sufi Path of Love”
SUNY Press Albany, 1984

Powerful pictures of the suffering of Muslims in China

MR — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:54:52 PDT

Tursun Gul, a local Uighur woman on a crutch, shouts at Chinese armored personnel carriers and soldiers wearing riot gear as a crowd of angry locals confront security forces on a street in the city of Urumqi on July 7, 2009. (REUTERS/David Gray)

Tursun Gul, an ethnic Uighur woman, faces off with Chinese paramilitary police in Urumqi, China on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Gul, along with a crowd of Uighurs behind her, was shouting at the soldiers to return their men – Gul’s husband and four brothers were arrested the day before, along with over 1,400 others.. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

May God protect the innocent. Ameen! May God reward our sister in Islam, Tursun Gul for all her good deeds and may God have mercy on her. Ameen!

The second picture makes me feel like she is saying to her self, “La ila ha ilallah”.

Source

Honor of Being Human is Only in Taqwa and Servanthood to ALLAH cc

hakkani — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:02:03 PDT

BismillahirRahmanirRahim

Sohbet by Sheykh Abdul Kerim al-Hakkani al-Kibrisi

Saturday, 16 Muharram, 1428/February 3, 2007

Auzu Billahi Minasheytanir Rajim

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa Billahil Aliyyul Azim

Hasbunallah Wani’mal Wakil

Tariqatina Sohbet Fil Khayri Min Jemiet

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alemin

We are thanking to our Lord, Allah (subhanahu wata’ala). First, He has
created us a man. Not a donkey. Not an animal. Not a tree. But a man.
Man that He has created in Ahsani Taqwim. The Most Perfect creature.
That all this creation, that knowing and not knowing, what man knows
and what he doesn’t know, from all this creation Allah (subhanahu
wata’ala) [is] continuously creating and He has created the man in
Ahsani Taqwim, the Most Perfect one. What else [do] you want?
Complaining non-stop! Twenty-four hours a day! Because [He] created
you a man? And He didn’t create you [a] donkey. That’s why you’re
complaining? Hasbinallah Wani’mal Wakil.

So Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) has created us the most perfect
creatures. He has not created nothing for no reason. Everything has –
what He has created – everything has a reason of creation. And
everything that you are seeing and not seeing, from the galaxies to
the atoms, they all have [a] reasoning of creation. Nothing happened
just by coincidence, by accidents, or – nothing is a copy. Everything
that you see or you don’t see in the universes or in your world, or on
you, every cell is perfect. Perfect. Allah is perfect, creating
everything perfect. So from all this creation, Allah (subhanahu
wata’ala), He has honored us, the mankind saying, “the Best One.”
Because better than the angels. If you [are] using the titles that is
given to you as a human, the mankind reaches to the station of angels
or higher than the angels. But He’s saying to us, “If you are not
using that title that I am giving to you as a human, you are falling
to the levels of the animals. But He’s saying, “No, now you are lower
than the animals.” Because the animals they know their reason of
creation. And they are living according to that reason of creation.
They have no intelligence. They have only instincts that is coming to
them. Or some animals, they move according to inspiration. Inspiration
[is] coming to them. The angels, they have been created. They have no
will or wish. And they have no desires. And Allah (subhanahu wata’ala)
created them, and saying, “This is what you got to do.” And they do.
They have no ego.

So the man, Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) has created saying, “Ahsani
Taqwim.” Understand that. All this creation that we are knowing, and
things that we don’t known that we start imagining, He created them
saying, “Be.” Kun Fayakun. And everything appeared. Except the man.
The man Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) has created Adam (aleyhis selam).
He has taken from the earth, mixing up the dirt, putting water,
molding, putting a shape to a man with His Divine Hands. Don’t think
this kind of hands now. But He’s teaching us a lesson saying that He
has put a shape to a man. Spending time in His creation. He’s putting
a shape to a man. Then, Allah (subhanahu wata’ala), when that man is
laying down, only a clay body, He’s blowing to that man from His Holy
Breath. Holy Breath. That now you [are] calling that Spirit came. No,
Allah is not giving what is from Him to a man. If He’s giving
something, what is from Him to a man, and that man has to be
increasing always as Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) [is] expanding. And
then the man will declare one day saying, “I am your partner.” That’s
why Allah is not accepting partnership in His Kingdom. And everything
that you know and everything that you don’t know that’s His Kingdom.
Everything that He has created.

So, just this man, He has blown into from His Holy Breath. Not
something from Himself that He’s giving. No, just a Breath that for us
to understand. (Sheykh breathes in and out quickly). You’re taking the
air in and putting it out. That doesn’t mean that you are giving
spirit out. (Sheykh breathes in). You are taking air in and you are
giving air out. So Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) [is] saying to us. He
has blown from His Holy Breath to a man. And that man now became
perfect. Instantly. He stood up. And when Adam (aleyhis selam), that
Holy Breath became spirit to him, became life to him, and when he
opened his eyes, laying down and looking, then when the spirit started
moving into the body, everywhere that is coming in is becoming alive
and moving. And he’s sitting. Before it’s reaching to the feet, when
he sit, then he sneezed (Sheykh sneezes) then he says,
“Alhamdulillah.” First time he has just [been] created. He has just
been given that Breath. He did that and he’s saying, “Thank you Ya
Rabbi,” the “basit”, the lowest level of explanation [of]
Alhamdulillah. Saying, “Thank you Ya Rabbi.”

Why did he say that? The man, [in] Ahir Zaman, man in the Last Times,
living on the face of earth now, they just found that out. Allah is
giving them the knowledge to find that. The Holy People, they have
always known. But these one[s] they [are] just finding out. Allah is
giving them a sign that maybe they wake up. Now they [are] finding out
when you are sneezing, then the heart stops for a split second. It may
not click back on again. So the life is taken (Sheykh breaths out) is
given right back to him and he’s saying, “Thank you Ya Rabbi.

Alhamdulillah you have given me back that life.” And all the spirit
reaching to his feet. And he stood up. Now he’s looking around. And
order [is] coming to him, “What is this, what is that?” He starts
knowing everything. Just with that Holy Breath that Allah (subhanahu
wata’ala) [is] blowing into a man. Angels are in need of studying and
looking and learning. The Adam (aleyhis selam) did not. He didn’t
study. Just that Holy Breath made him. Gave him a life, and made him
to know everything.

So Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) [is] saying to us. That now he’s in
Paradise, looking around. Living. But he’s getting bored after a while
in Paradise saying, “This is Paradise, this is food, this is that.”
Everything that is around him, he’s looking; none of the creation is
one of his kind. [It] is not made out from the same material. All made
out from different material. The Paradise, and the tree[s], and the
angels, and everything surrounding him is not one of his kind. He has
communication with them but is not one of his kind. So he start[s]
feeling lonely in the Paradise. Then Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) when
he’s sitting now saying, “I am tired of this Paradise now,” and for a
split second going to sleep and he’s waking up and he’s seeing
another, one of his kind. It [is] made out from the same material. But
is completely different than him: Hawwa. And they say to him, “What is
this one?” They ask, “What is this?” Right away he knew that one too
saying, “This is Hawwa.” “What is the name, why is [it] Hawwa?”
“Because she has been created from the living one. I have been created
from the mud. But that one has been created from me. To be
accompanying me in this Paradise.” So the Paradise became Paradise
until the cursed Sheytan fooling them and putting them out from the
Paradise to the earth and saying, “Find your way back to the
Paradise.” He started being bored in the Paradise. But now, as soon as
Hawwa came, he’s not bored anymore in Paradise. And they wanted to
stay in Paradise forever. Think. And they commit[ed] the wrong doings
there. Then Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) [is] sending Adam (aleyhis
selam) down to earth. His wife. From their children multiplying, we
are here, Ahir Zaman. The End of the Times. In reality we are all
coming out the same mother, same father. Different colors. Different
shapes. It doesn’t matter. All coming from that two. Male and Female.
Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) is saying, “We have created you from one
nefs,” one, “then from that one We have created Hawwa, then We
multiplied.”

What is the reason of creation then now? Why we are here? The whole of
these animals and these trees. The trees they know their job. Every
year, now [it] is wintertime, everything falling, the greens they fall
out. The whole tree, you look, is nothing. No sign of life in it. But
[as] soon as the winter is gone, the summer start[s] coming, you’re
going to see the life growing up again. Same green again. Whatever
that tree is giving, if it’s an apple tree, [the] following year [it]
is not going to mix up to give orange. Or what else? Banana tree. Hmm.
It’s not mixing up. Now those trees, they all know exactly when they
[are] going to open up, how much fruit they [are] going to give. And
when they [are] going to close again. Centuries. Some trees they stay
thousands of years. I met one tree in my country. [It] is over a
thousand year[s] old. It gives fruit seven times a year. Never mixing
up. Always giving that fruit out. Over [a] thousand year old tree.
Right in our mosque, is only one there. Somebody, some Holy Man,
brought it from somewhere, planted there, it became [a] huge tree.
That huge tree is giving this much small fruits on it. And [it] is
never giving the fruit on the branches. [It] is giving it on its own
trunks area. This much opens up. [It] is [an] unusual tree.
Alhamdulillah. Sheykh Mevlana is eating from that one’s fruit all the
time. We are eating too so many times. But [a] thousand-year-old tree
is never mixing up. Always giving out the same fruits. From the time
that I’ve known myself, the same fruit. I ask elderly people. They say
[it] never mixed it up. Giving the same fruit. Man – mixing up
everything. One day like this, one day like that. One day believer,
one day unbeliever. One day he’s thinking I am from the children of
Adam. One day he’s thinking saying, “Monkey, Darwin, I am monkey,” and
they [are] running after [a] monkey.

They don’t want to carry no responsibility. That’s what it means. They
want to live like animals. But [the] animal world is not accepting too
saying, “We have our own laws. You cannot carry these laws.” You want
to live like animals, go out there to the forest. Now, look how many
minutes you’re going to stay out there. But all those animals, they’re
finding their house, their finding their way, and eating and drinking
and living. So the man, insisting to live like [an] animal carrying no
responsibilities, carrying no laws, and no order saying, “I am free, I
do as I like.” You are not free.

You are a prisoner between two breaths. I tell you that much. (Sheikh
takes a breath in) If Allah does not permit, this air doesn’t come in
and you die. If He doesn’t permit (Shaykh breaths out) air doesn’t
come out and you die. How [are] you claiming you are free? If you are
that free stop breathing for one hour. No, put it down, fifteen
minutes. Maybe five minutes. No. You cannot. It is not possible. So
you are not free. You are in need of that air. So you must beg for
that air to continue coming. Because that [is] the first need for life
that is given to you. You cannot live without that for two minutes.
Now, the second life is water. Seen in your body. So now we cannot
say, you cannot say I am free. Don’t drink. Why are you drinking? All
the time. Don’t drink. Don’t eat. Continue all these things. So we are
not free.

If we are free, if we are free having authority on your own self, why
are you getting old? Don’t get old. Stay young. You are [getting old].
So that shows to you, that shows to me that somebody has power on us.
Has the authority on us. And is ruling on us. Even if we like it or
not, He’s moving us to that destiny. And He’s moving us to where? To
our grave. No way out. If you can find [a] way out go. No way out.
Forward, going always. But going always forward toward the grave site.
Every single day that is passing. Mashallah, in the West first, people
with empty heads they were jumping up and down celebrating their
birthday. Now, East and everywhere saying, “I am very happy. Right.
One more year that I got elderly now. That’s why I’m happy.” Getting
old. Then you say, “How old are you?” Especially if it’s a woman in
the old days, they don’t say. Now, the men, they don’t say too. “Don’t
ask my age. I feel, I feel like my heart is eighteen years old.”
Mashallah, hehe, but your body is finished, expired. Ha-ha. Say, “Fool
yourself as much as you want to fool. Eighteen or twenty.” Hmm. The
bottom point is you can feel, you can act, you can look. But there is
a certain limit life is giving to you and to me. Once that’s finished,
shwww, out from this world.

And that life is not given to us saying this many years you’re going
to live. That life is given to us this many breaths of air (Sheykh
breaths in and out) You’re going to breath in and you’re going to give
out. This many. It’s counted. Don’t make no mistake.

So all this that Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) is giving to us, and is
teaching us, sending prophets to us, sending books to us, to makes us
be aware of our own self and to be aware of Him. First to know our
self, and to know Him. We have to know two things: One, we have to
know our self, then we have to know Him, Allah (subhanahu wata’ala).
Why created. We must know. All this for what? To know Him and to
worship Him. He has not created us to be running after this world, to
be slaves for this world. He has created us for His service. So all
these things that we’re seeing it in this world, He has created for
our service. Everything is working for us. From this snow that is
coming down, for this water, the air, the mountains, trees, animals,
everything for us. Us to Himself. For His service. And He’s saying,
“When you are in My service, I have created everything for you, and
you for My service,” so, “when you become [a] good servant for Me, I
am for you also.” Allah Allah. The mankind [is] running away from the
service of Allah. Wants everything, but still running from the service
of Allah. Saying, “I am for you. Ask, I give you everything. That time
I work for you too. Everything, I created for you.”

So now, we have to know who we are and who is our Lord. We have to
learn. We have to try to live according to that. If we are not living
according to that, then we are living according to our ego. And this
short life that is given to us, one day [it] is just going to finish,
expire. (Sheykh breathes in) The breath of air is going to expire,
(Sheykh trying to breathe) you won’t be able to take in anymore.
Finished. They say, “Your time is up.” The air is there. “We have
given you [a] calculated amount of air.” You have just finished. Take
to the hospital. They put all those gas on your head, mask pumping the
air in. Eh, that’s what they’re pumping. Air. (Sheikh breathes in) Now
how much [would] you pay for this air? Free. Go to [a] hospital. Look,
one tank. How much they’re going to charge you? Easy, go and ask them.
Would you give the whole world that you have that time? Of course you
would. How much [would] you give for this glass of water? Nothing. For
free. We’re not understanding the value. If the water is not here what
we will do? Seventy percent of your body is water. This body is water.
Seventy percent.

So treat that body properly. Don’t listen to stupid music. Listen [to]
good music. Don’t use bad words. Use good words. Because they have
just proven also that, [when] you’re speaking nice words into this
water, then the water turns into beautiful crystals, beautiful shapes.
And when you let the water listen to Rock & Roll music, or dirty
words, those crystals, they turn into very ugly shapes. Evilish
shapes. So this water is your body. Seventy percent. Treat this water
properly too. Honor the water.

We have what? What we will do with this water? If you don’t have
water? If you own this whole world and I have this glass of water and
you are ready to die from thirst. If I tell you, “Give me half of the
wealth that you have, I give you this glass of water.” Would you give
it to me that time? Half of the wealth that you have. No? You would
give to that person who’s going to give you a glass of water because
you’re dying from thirst. For that glass of water, you will give half
of the wealth.

And what about, [if] you just drank that water, now Allah’s authority
on you [is] saying, “This water is not coming out, that you just have
drank.” Meaning you cannot go to [the] toilet now to bring this water
out. And somebody [is] there saying, “Give me the other half of the
wealth, I’ll let you to go to [the] toilet to take this water out.
Would you give the other half? Of course. So, he gave the whole world
for a glass of water. Now you understand the value of the water? Yes,
we must understand. Now, we must understand the value that Allah
(subhanahu wata’ala) has given to us. Now, we’re trying to understand
the value of things that [are] so easily coming to us that we [are]
not showing value. And Allah is saying to us, “I have created you
Ahsani Taqwim.” The most perfect creature. Haaa.

So now, if we start understanding the value that is around us, that
Allah created for our service, slowly when we are understanding our
own value, then when we start understanding our own value we look at
it saying, “We are no good for nothing.” Yes, that time we look at the
animal we see, the Sheep eats green only, grass. Then it gives milk.
It gives meat. It gives the fur. It gives the skin. It gives the
horns. It gives the bones to me, and everything is useful. And me, I
am eating everything. What comes out from you? You know what comes
out. It’s not even good for putting [for] fertilizing the land. So the
animal’s waste is also good, fertilizing the land. Everything coming
out is good. So now that you are seeing that you have no value at all,
and Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) is saying, “I have created you the most
perfect one. I am giving value to you.” What else [do] you want now?
You’re still insisting? Oh mankind, still insisting saying, “I am
monkey.” Or you’re still insisting to say, “I am a creature that Allah
(subhanahu wata’ala) has created.” That time you reach somewhere.
Inshallah we do. And if we do that, that time we will win this Dunya,
everything surrounding us becomes Paradise for us, and real Paradise
[is] waiting for us that time. Because Allah is saying, “Ha, you think
this is something for you? This world?” He says, “You cannot even
imagine, you cannot even bare to see [for] a split second what I have
created for you in [the] hereafter life. So be a good servant.”

Inshallahur Rahman, we are making [the] intention to be a good
servant. When you are a good servant, when you are happy with Allah
and Allah is happy with you, then everything is yours. Then Allah is
saying to us, “Yes, that nafs, that ego that Allah is happy with.”
Now, your Lord is happy with you, enter to the Paradise of your Lord
and live there forever. Otherwise, whatever we are planting in this
world, that’s what we are going to harvest this year, [the] following
year, or that season. Whatever that we are planting with our life,
whatever that we are doing in our life, that’s what we are going to
harvest hereafter. If we are turning our face to the direction of
Paradise, one day, even if it is slow, we’re going to reach there. If
our face [is facing the] opposite side to the Hell side and continuing
that way, that’s what we’re going to reach.

So the choice is given to our hands. Allah is saying to us, “Either be
My servant and stay on the way of the Paradise, and when the door
opens you enter in the Paradise. Or runaway from My servanthood. You
cannot run so much, because I have your leash in My hand. No man can
escape from My hand. I’m sending the Azrail anytime I want. And once
Azrail is coming taking your life, then they drag you into that wrong
side. But I have not created you a man to put [a] leash around your
neck and to pull you. I left you free. You are not [an] animal. I am
showing you a lesson.” Allah [is] saying to us, “You are putting a
leash around the necks of animal and you [are] pulling them.” That
bull out there, over [a] thousand pound, you’re putting that leash and
pulling it. Easily following you. Those wild animals, the man has
authority on them. Why? Because Allah has just said to them, “Obey the
man.” And showing [the] tricks and [the] traps to man, and the man is
putting all those huge animals under their control. We must be under
the service of our Lord, Allah (subhanahu wata’ala). That time, the
much as we are under the service of our Lord, that much honor we have.
Otherwise, the honor that you are putting on you with your clothes,
with your worldly titles, you may keep it until the Angel of Death is
coming. When the Angel of Death is coming, they’re taking all the
titles away. [People will be] saying, “Quickly, remove this one from
here. Don’t leave it out here. [It] started smelling. No creature is
going to live that time. Quickly take it and berry it under the
ground.” That’s what the man is good for that time.

So Inshallahur Rahman, first we have to understand the value that
Allah (subhanahu wata’ala) has created around us. To show proper
respect. Then we understand our value. Then we will understand that we
really have no value. Then we say, “Ya Rabbi, Astaghfirullah. I’m just
making prostration to you.” And that time, [the] more Taqwa you have,
[the] more value you have.

Wamin Allahut Tawfiq.

Wahurmatul Habib.

Wahurmatul Fatiha.

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin.

Islamic Wills: A Primer

Tariq H — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:46:11 PDT

I recently co-authored an article with some colleagues at my law firm about Islamic Wills. The article is a good primer on Islamic Wills and their relationship to American Courts.

Remembrance of death and the afterlife is a cornerstone of the Islamic ethos. Nevertheless, when it comes to inheritance many Muslims living in the United States fail to make the arrangements necessary to ensure their legacy will pass under the precepts of Islamic Shariah law, and as a result their possessions will be disposed of in a manner suitable to the State, but not Shariah law. After one’s death, it is too late, in any American jurisdiction, for relatives to dictate to a court of law how the decedent would have wanted his or her possessions to be distributed. All jurisdictions, without exception, will ignore such pleas and apply their own laws of intestacy, laws that govern how an estate will be distributed upon death absent a will. Such laws will hardly conform to Shariah law.

In order to best illustrate how the laws of intestacy function, it is best to use the example of Husband, H, the decedent, who has not drafted a will during his lifetime. H dies survived by his wife, W, one son, A, and one daughter, B. H had an estate of $240,000 with no outstanding debts. According to Shariah law, W is entitled to one-eighth, or $30,000, and A and B share the remaining $210,000. Since A is male, he receives a share twice that of B. So A is entitled to $140,000 and B is entitled to $70,000.

If H died in New York, for example, the above distribution would be dramatically different under the intestacy laws of those states. W would be entitled to $50,000 plus one-half of the remainder, for a total of $145,000. A and B would share equally in the remainder, getting $47,500 each.

In comparing Islamic intestacy laws with those of New York, it is clear that the distributions are vastly dissimilar, but all parties are still represented. However, if H was survived by a mother or father, then they would also be entitled to one-sixth under Shariah law. Under New York state law, the distributions would be the same as above, and the parents would get nothing. Essentially, U.S. state laws permits disowning a blood relative, which is forbidden under Shariah law.

In order to prevent this, those wishing to comply with Shariah law should have a carefully drafted, enforceable will that upholds Shariah law under U.S. jurisdiction.

Indeed. Read it all here

CSC report fails to address BNP's anti-Muslim racism

Martin Sullivan — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:36:00 PDT

"What's glaringly omitted from the report is an analysis of how the BNP has in recent years shifted its strategy from outright racism and anti-semitism to attacking Muslims and Islam generally. The report briefly mentions Muslims in the intro and lists some comments that include the word Muslim, but its conclusion doesn't even mention anti-Muslim bigotry. It avoids the topic despite the fact Nick Griffin went on the record to say it was politically better for the BNP to focus on Muslims rather than Jews or racism.

"Now, why would a report by the CSC avoid talking about the one subject that the BNP constantly campaigns on now? Why ignore it when it is repeatedly mentioned in its literature and by its supporters online (much more than other enemies)?

"Is that because much of the anti-Muslim bigotry directed by BNP members sounds suspiciously like what the Dutch politician Geert Wilders would say 'to save the west'? Oh look – the BNP website has written approvingly about Geert Wilders repeatedly! Douglas Murray, the director of the Centre for Social Cohesion, is a huge fan and defender of Geert Wilders. I think we should be told."

Sunny Hundal at Pickled Politics, 15 July 2009

Tory council leader fails to block debate

Martin Sullivan — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:59:00 PDT

A controversial school debate which Hounslow Council claimed would incite violence passed without incident. Council leader Peter Thompson wrote to Lampton School headteacher Sue John after he heard the "extremist" group Hizb Ut-Tahrir would be speaking at the event on Saturday. Despite the group pulling out of the event, the council pushed the school and organisers to cancel the Putting Contest 2 in Context debate – a move which incensed the Muslim community.

Mohammed Chaudhry, of Hounslow Muslim Forum, said more than 200 people attended to hear speakers and join in the debate. He said:

"There were a mixture of people, young and old, Muslim and not Muslim. People were fascinated and wanted to know more about the community and have a healthy debate. It is important to realise if we stop debate the radical groups can flourish, a good balanced argument is healthy. There was no violence and it was a calm and civilised debate."

Hounslow Guardian, 13 July 2009

To Pause And Reflect

Marina Montanaro — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:01:02 PDT

By Alexa Baracaia, *Video artist Bill Viola to create work for St Paul's Cathedral* - The London Paper - London, UK
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The video art pioneer will erect two giant plasma screens that will flank the cathedral's two altars

Heaven knows what Sir Christopher Wren* would think, but St Paul's Cathedral is going digital.

Two new permanent altarpieces have been commissioned for the historic building, but they will not be made from carved wood or marble. Instead, they will be giant plasma screens.

Video artist Bill Viola is to create the pair of displays, expected to flank the cathedral's High Altar and the American Memorial Chapel.

Based on the theme of Mary and the Martyrs, they will be arranged as multiple screens configured in a manner "similar to historic altarpieces", said a spokeswoman today.

Canon Martin Warner, Treasurer of St Paul's, said: "The new works are expected to add to the devotional and reflective experience of visitors to St Paul's, arresting people's attention and inviting them to pause and reflect."

Work will begin on the pieces this summer for completion in early 2011.

New York-born Viola, 58, is hailed as pioneer of video art. He has created installations and sets for the Opera National de Paris, the Guggenheim Museum and the Church of San Gallo in Venice a.o.

His emotionally charged slow-motion works are inspired by traditions within medieval and Renaissance devotional painting and deal with central themes of birth, death, love and spirituality - drawing from Buddhism, Christian mysticism and Islamic Sufism.

He said today: "If I'm successful, the final pieces will function both as aesthetic objects of contemporary art and as practical objects of traditional contemplation."

* Click to meet Sir Christopher Wren

'It's a white country, not a Muslim state', BNP supporter told Asian neighbours

Martin Sullivan — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT

A man who made his Asian next door neighbours' lives a misery with his anti-social and racist conduct was spared immediate jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Nigel Hesmondhalgh, 36, who had a British National Party sticker in the window of his Accrington home, was abusive and insulting to the couple, repeatedly picking on the wife. He piled dog dirt up in the alley outside their home and told them: "It's a white country, not a Muslim state."

Hesmondhalgh, said to be the carer for his brother, who has learning difficulties, told the husband of the couple he should be scared and shouted support for the BNP. The couple had lived in their home for 14 years before he moved in.

The defendant, of Stanley Street, Accrington, was given 36 weeks in custody, suspended for two years, with 18 months supervision and the Thinking Skills programme. Martin Hackett, defending, said Hesmondhalgh had been very close to his mother who died last July and he may have been adjusting.

Lancashire Telegraph, 13 July 2009

Consulting Hesmondhalgh's Bebo profile, we find him indignantly denying that any racist language was directed against his neighbours – a claim rather undermined by the accompanying messages Nigel Hesmondhalgh says:"Kill All The Fuckin Pakkis" and What Is The Difference Between A Tea Towel And A Baseball Bat? FUCK ALL The Both Wrap Nicely Round A Pakkis Head.

And this thug has escaped a prison sentence.

Curing the Hearts – New Jersey – Sh. Maghoaui & Sh. Ninowy – July 25-26, 2009

MR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:58:53 PDT

There is a lump of flesh in the body, the nature of which is that when it is sound, the entire body is sound, and when it is corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. It is the heart.

Related in Bukhari and Muslim

More information here.

Important Thing

Baraka — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:32:27 PDT

I’ve always loved the ways pelicans dive, as if each silver fish they see were the goddamned most important thing they’ve ever wanted on this earth— and just tonight I learned sometimes they go blind doing it, that straight-down dive like someone jumping from a rooftop, only happier, plummeting like Icarus, but more triumphant— ……there is the undulating fish, ……the gleaming sea, there is the chance [...]

Maturity and Marriage

Ilyas — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:08:09 PDT

A couple of Muslim bloggers have excerpted a recent Time article on marriage in the U.S. (Izzymo , Yursil).

One of the comments at the Izzymo blog states, in part, “Some love to talk of emasculated brothers and feminist hijabis, but to me its the question of our constant childishness that needs addressing.”

I agree. It seems to me that the former is really a symptom of the latter. Adults accept their roles and carry-out their duties without complaint. Spoiled children, on the other hand, insist on getting their way, refuse responsibility and whine endlessly about their lot in life (even the insignificant matters).

Speaking as a man- it‘s childishness, immaturity and fear of accountability that makes a man want others to run things for him, to shoulder his responsibilities. And it is also these childish emotions that make men mistreat and harm their families in myriad ways, from betraying a wife’s trust to not fulfilling her and their children’s rights. Being an adult male means being a Man. Not a tyrant, not abusive, not stubborn, but also not passive, not mealy-mouthed and not weak.

In the end, adulthood means accepting what Allah has decreed even if our nafs call us to something else.

As for women who want a greater share of the man’s role, wallahu alam. Maybe some of the ladies can explain that one.

A thought on how I view Spencer's fans

Svend — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:09:10 PDT

I've gotten some complaints about talking down to fans of Spencer. Not my intent. Certainly, I think you're being had, but on the rest I'm pretty agnostic.

Below is a quick response from a few days ago to a comment that expressed offense over this perception (i.e., that I was implying all Spencer's fans to be stupid dupes).

John, thanks for the comment.

All I can say in all sincerity is that my intention is to attack the ideas, not the man (well, with the exception of the guy who's peddling them). There is no way to critique these claims (which aren't exactly diplomatic towards Muslims or their beliefs, lest you feel uniquely aggrieved in this exchange) without stepping on some toes, I'm afraid. The narratives are too mutually-exclusive, the stakes too high and the political backdrop too polarized.

I don't agree that it follows from my criticisms of Spencer's discourse that the caricature you lay out above applies [to you] or any other well meaning observer.

I know some very smart and sincere people think Spencer's on to something, I respect their opinion, mistaken though it may me IMO. As far as I'm concerned Spencer's fans are getting intellectual snake oil, but I realize that smart and/or well-meaning people can not only be taken for a ride, but they can disagree. Especially by somebody who IMO crafts his message as cunningly and seductively as Spencer. [Not to mention, I might have added, how scary the Muslim world can sometimes seem.]

That doesn't change the need (or my right) to speak out against Spencer's message with the same directness and zeal for which he himself is proverbial.

Hope this is of interest to the sane among you visitors from Jihad Watch. We might not agree on much, but we can be civil.

Obama to Israel: “engage in serious self-reflection”

MR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:07:20 PDT

President Obama, please also do some self reflection on American foreign policy especially towards Israel. Thank you for telling Israel to do this. Even if this is an inch towards progress towards peace then thank God.

U.S. President Barack Obama met with 15 American Jewish leaders at the White House for the first time on Monday. The president and the Jewish officials huddled for talks aimed at clearing the air following allegations that his administration was taking a tough line with Israel over settlement activity.

At the meeting, Obama told the leaders that he wants to help Israel overcome its demographic problem by reaching an agreement on a two-state solution, but that in order to do so, Israel would need “to engage in serious self-reflection.”

On the Iranian nuclear issue, Obama told the leaders that “the door to dialogue is open. If the Iranians do not walk through it, however, we will have to see how we proceed. But it would be a mistake to talk now about what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it.”

Source

Ilan Halimi's murderer sentenced

Svend — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:22:12 PDT

In non-Robert Spencer related news, I just noticed that the "Muslim" murderer of French Jew Ilan Halimi has finally been convicted and sentenced, though it sounds like some of his accomplices unfortunately got off easy for some reason. According to JTA's report:

The leader of the gang responsible for torturing and murdering a French Jew received the maximum sentence for a crime judges ruled anti-Semitic.

Youssouf Fofana was sentenced Friday to life in prison and 22 years without parole for organizing the gang kidnapping, torture and murder of Ilan Halimi in 2006.

The verdict is the most severe permitted under French law.

Awful crimes happen all the time, of course, but this attack in 2006 (which I blogged about at some length at the time) was truly horrific not only in its particulars but also the way that so many people in the gang's circle of friends and family seemed to be involved in the grisly, ~~unholy~~ satanic undertaking.

My response to Spencer

Svend — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:13:33 PDT

My emailed response to Mr. Spencer was posted on Jihad Watch this morning.

Dear Mr. Spencer,

Some corrections and clarifications: First (and perhaps you can be forgiven for overlooking this fact given the number and chaotic arrangement of comments on the blog), I made it quite clear in my contributions that I was questioning your credibility and qualifications not to discuss “Islamic issues” but rather to participate in a forum on library policies and outreach to Muslim communities. Second, you neglected to note the backdrop of lively and blunt give and take regarding Islam—some of it quite crudely prejudiced or hostile—in the comments which inevitably colored my comments at times. Third, despite my inclusion of a link to the term’s definition you neglected to note that “Islamophobe-e-Azam” was a play on the title Quaid-e-Azam (“Great Leader”) used by Pakistanis for their nation’s founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, rather than some obscure insult or malediction; given your already established fame as a critic of Islam and, thus, little need for introduction to Muslim readers in the Blogosphere, it functioned as a joke more than anything else. Fourth, the quip about your writings representing a “personal crusade” involved a bit of poetic license, but I think it’s a defensible interpretation of your career as a public figure. More generally, my comments were frank and opionated [sic] —in keeping with the medium—but hardly “defamatory.” In fact, I took another commenter to task for engaging in ad hominem attacks against you. (Still, there is a limit to how diplomatic one can be when confronting what one sees as bigotry; a spade must be called a spade.)

I am not particularly inclined to write a treatise on special topics in Fiqh for Jihad Watch or otherwise play games with you. My comments on the blog in question were undoubtedly a bit disjointed and off the cuff, but they captured the gist of my concerns reasonably well. People who dismiss those objections out of hand aren’t likely to be a very receptive audience for further reflections by me here.

Islamic law is besides the point in a way, though. In my view, the flaws in your writings on Islam transcend simple factual points and speak to far more fundamental conceptual problems. There is a critical dearth of social scientific awareness in the writings I have seen by you, this manifesting itself most strikingly in an acute overemphasize of jurisprudence, as if Islamic civilization and Muslims were simply the sum of their laws. (Nor coincidently [sic], I suspect, this narrow, legalistic approach dovetails nicely with the agenda of those in contemporary politics intent on discouraging consideration of the many non-religious factors at play in the Muslim world’s problems.)

The graver problem, though is systematic bias, and the point at which it rises to the level of outright prejudice and hate. As you must know, a new definition of anti-Semitism added to the Western political lexicon in recent years holds that criticism of Israel that demands of the Jewish State that it adhere to standards never applied to other nations is anti-Semitism. It is a reasonable criterion for prejudice and method of detecting more insidious forms of bias. It is also at the crux of this debate: Analyses of Muslims—or any other community, for that matter—that discuss them in a vacuum and hold them to ahistorical and/or unique standards are equally immoral and intellectually disreputable. (Sadly, it has become second nature in wide swathes of American political life to view Muslims through such a dehumanizing, Islamophobic prism, thanks in part to the attacks of people such as yourself.)

That will have to do for now. Perhaps another time.

Sincerely,
Svend

Was sleepy when I wrote it, so I guess I should be grateful it only had 2 typos.

I'm still ticked with myself for my mangled rendering--lovingly highlighted by Mr. Spencer and, of course, seized on as proof of my lacking literacy by a JW reader who doesn't appear to understand the concept of a metaphor--of gerrymander as "jerrymander". You can never spell-check too often. You never know when your mind is going to play a prank on you and toggle to Soundex mode. [Unless you're my wife, who never misspells anything whatsoever, and who thus sees perfect spelling as the self-evident touchstone of literacy.]

As could be predicted, Spencer has dismissed the above as a "non-answer." So be it--I'm under no obligation to drop what I'm doing to dance at Mr. Spencer's command. Besides, I was responding to a non-question, anyway. Fair's fair.

Back to work. More later.

Islamic Architecture in Uzbekistan

JDsg — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:06:12 PDT

This short video is a production of the Muslim Students Association of Penn State University. There's a lot of beautiful art and architectural detail in these pictures that were taken of masajid, madrasahs and tombs in the country of Uzbekistan, especially in the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara. Enjoy!

Muhammad Alshareef 2.0?

MR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:49:45 PDT

I didn’t understand it either, but here is the explanation:

In the middle of the night…

When wolves become Shepherds

Lazy Boy

Bathe yourselves in Money

Lessons from the life of Eessa ibn Maryam

These are titles that I’m sure some of you remember. I believe it to be around 2004. Shaykh Muhammad Alshareef was in the “EmanRush Zone”, and each lecture quickly fell into the category called “Classic” ma sha Allah.

It’s been 5 years since that time. EmanRush hasn’t released singles in years.

Get ready, for today is the launch of Muhammad Alshareef 2.0.

Who said that World class lectures are out of style? If they are, they’re coming back anyway..just like Tafsir Juz Amma

Tuesday, July 14th tune into www.ilminar.com at 5pm EST/10PM BST

Saifuddin's Blog Picks

As Fire Eats Firewood

The Foundation of the Religion: Principles of ‘Aqīdah

Don’t You Just Love It When You Get Dua’s!!!

Love is a Lion

Powerful pictures of the suffering of Muslims in China

Related posts:

Honor of Being Human is Only in Taqwa and Servanthood to ALLAH cc

Islamic Wills: A Primer

CSC report fails to address BNP's anti-Muslim racism

Tory council leader fails to block debate

To Pause And Reflect

'It's a white country, not a Muslim state', BNP supporter told Asian neighbours

Curing the Hearts – New Jersey – Sh. Maghoaui & Sh. Ninowy – July 25-26, 2009

Related posts:

Important Thing

Maturity and Marriage

A thought on how I view Spencer's fans

Obama to Israel: “engage in serious self-reflection”

Related posts:

Ilan Halimi's murderer sentenced

My response to Spencer

Islamic Architecture in Uzbekistan

Muhammad Alshareef 2.0?

Related posts: