Rollercoaster Journey

What's next...

2010-09-08T20:10:00.002+02:00

Reality hit me. Even though I do have enough money to spend on the magical trip I've been planning but, it might leave me broke afterward. So I decided to get me a job, it'll be a freelance job but it'll be fun because I'll have my own office and my own computer and I'll be working far away from distractions and it'll help me make more money before I do get to travel. Plus, I've decided to cut my travels short because I felt I can do much more than I expected here in Syria. I'll be taking classes at the masjid and maybe do some work for the masjid as well.

Plus, maybe I should also do try to get me a visa to the US and see people I'd love to meet up with. We'll see how all of this would go. I'm canceling out Cyprus and Malaysia most probably. I still am not too sure about Malaysia.

I'm still waiting till my parents come from the UAE and settle here in Syria. My dad wants to live at the coast and I cannot see myself moving 3 hours away from Damascus where my work and study will be and all the loved ones. They can live there but I'm not moving.

One thing I've done that I haven't done in ages is actually read a book and finish it. The best part is that I finished the whole book in 2 days. I simply couldn't let go of the book once I started. Farheen Khan's book, Behind the Veil is one of the most amazing reads. It was very inspirational. I think what helped me finishing the book is that she's one of my really close friends in Canada. Whatever it is, it help me break the bad habit of not reading. I really would love to read a whole lot more... I seriously need to get inspired and be more knowledgeable to be able to go on my next step of this path of awakening.

I want to change my life upside down. I want to be a much better person that I am. I want to be more positive. I want to be more inspired, and I want to inspire. I want to get healed and I want to heal. All that with the grace of Allah. Without Him nothing is possible. I just want to be at peace and spread out the vibe of peace around me.

Eid Mubarak to all...

Transiting in Abu Dhabi

2010-09-01T19:58:00.002+02:00

It was time to go, leave the house where I lived in for the past year. It doesn't matter much though. I never really felt like I'm at home because I live with husband's sister in Law who's also a cousin of his. She has 3 adorable kids even though they can be a handful. They're 2 girls and 1 boy. I grew very attached to the oldest, Tabina. We have a lot in common and we have lots of fun playing, singing talking etc...

When it was time to head to the airport Tabina just broke my heart, she was vigorously crying. It broke my heart to the degree I cried. This whole thing is very saddening because she has to deal with a loved one leaving every few months since her father doesn't live with them but in the US. That's a whole other topic. I'll probably mention it later in my posts. Let's just say that American Immigration is just too rough.

One the way to the airport, my husband and I picked up one of my closest friends that I got to meet while working with MuslimFest. Shakera is one those people you've love to be around all the time. She's very passionate, loving person who is very down to earth and who is definitely reliable. She'll do anything for you and to top it, she does it with a gorgeous huge smile.

At Peason Airport in Toronto, she surprised me with something I seriously wasn't expecting at all. She actually got me a VERY rare white abaya that she told me about months before. The irony is that I was looking for a white one and dropped it on my lap. I was touched by her gift. The great part is that the abaya fits perfectly. I just have a hard time finding something that fits me properly.

Now that I'm in Abu Dhabi after a 12 hour flight, I have to wait another 10 hours for my next flight to Damascus. I got me a hotel room at the hotel and I'll be sleeping like a baby till then even though it cost me an arm and a leg. My parents offered to pay and I'm not going to deny that offer especially when it's seriously needed. The problem was that since I am no longer a Emarati resident, I can't go out without a visa in advance and my parents can't come in to the transit section of the airport. So I guess, a few more weeks isn't that bad compared to the 2 years that already passed without seeing them. Thank God for free phone though.

I'm heading now to the hotel room, to simply rest, have dinner then sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. Gosh, I'm dizzy. I can't remember when is the last time I got this tired. The funny thing is, I actually like the feeling. :)

New Journey to a new life.

2010-08-31T21:16:00.002+02:00

It's been ages since I've written and that's because I didn't feel my life was going anywhere and it was just plain boring to write about and I have been living in my lowest I've been in years. Alas, InshaAllah all this will be taken care of because there's only soooo much one can take without taking charge of their own life.

A little over 2 years ago, I got married. I thought this finally lead me to settle because I've been moving around from different US states to different countries in different parts of the world for the past 10 years or so. I was wrong, my husband is even less settled than I am and so I feel I'm completely lost because now I have to worry about another as well as me. To top it he's not exactly the easiest person to get along with. Nonetheless, I did marry him for the right reasons. His heart is in the right place. He's can be gentle and affectionate. He is a practicing, God fearing man. We just are having difficulties because we're not settled and he's been out of job since he's been out of college last year.

We've been living together in Canada for a little over a year and before that we were in Los Angeles. For that whole year in Canada I've been on a extended visit visa and it expires tomorrow. Tonight, I'm heading back home in which I haven't been in for 2 years. I terribly miss home and I'm all excited. The only problem is, when I leave Canada, I have no idea when I'll be able to come back. It all depends when I get my Permanent Residence Card from the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where I grew up. This might take another year or it might take a couple of months. So only God knows how long I'll be away from Canada. It's more than ok though. I need a break from everything around and be around my family who are my strongest support group I have and I'm thankful for having that.

Tonight, I'm ready to travel back to my home country Syria. From there, I'm planning to take a long journey around the area. Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, Malaysia and then lastly Egypt. Of course I'll probably go to Lebanon to meet up with friends as well. It'll be healing process. I want to document the journey of finding myself again because ever since I got married, I don't know who I am anymore. I've gotten so used to being alone and taking care of myself, not answering to anybody at all.

Well, this is just an intro of what I'll be writing about in the next year. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I believe this is normal since I'll be separated from my husband and my new life in Canada and back to my old that I've let go for marriage. We'll see how it'll go.

Help Muslims in Need...

2009-04-12T23:40:00.002+02:00

Bismillah.

This is really sad. There are Muslim refugee families in Houston that are in the following conditions:

1- Families going without food for days.
2- Families who get eviction notices and are left on the street.
3- Teenagers taking the role of the bread earners.
4- Kids going in a state of depression.
5- Families 14 of them living in a 2 bedroom apartment.
6- Doctors, engineers (even PhD’s), and businessmen who lost everything and are trying to start their lives all over again at gas stations!
7- Widows crying out of thankfulness.
8- Families giving up their religion because Churches offer them support in exchange of their religion!

Yes, this is in America! Don’t believe me? Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9KLRv41R8

A very good organization called Al-Amanah are trying to help get these families back on their feet. And our friends at HalfDate are having a drive to support Al-Amanah.

Please help the Muslim refugees by making a dua and posting it in the comments section on HalfDate (a sister will donate 1 Canadian dollar when you do so), blogging about it (someone from HalfDate will donate $5 for each post, or just by donate as much as you can.

Remember that the Prophet said,

اِتّقُواْ النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشَقِّ تَمَرَةِ
فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ

“Save yourselves from the Fire by giving charity even if it is with half a date, and if that is not possible, with a good/kind word”.

[Bukhari]

Don’t let this opportunity slip. Remember that these people are OUR brothers and sisters. Would you ever leave your blood brothers and sisters in such a situation?

What to say?

2009-01-11T11:50:00.002+02:00

Salams (peace) to all my readers if there are any left,

It has been almost 2 years since I've done anything with my blog here and that's because so many things have been happening and I simply lost focus and interest even though it was going well.

I know I've touched lives and that I'm grateful for but I got too caught up with my personal life that I completely forgot the ones I did make a difference to and I can actually can make a difference all together.

Just few mins ago I was reminded of this and I figured I need to blog again. Either this or video. I should stay away from politics and just simply stick to my music. Spirituality, faith and Religion. Pretty much what I've learned from this Journey I'm on. Hence the blog is called Rollercoaster Journey.

Anyways, I just want to write this to see if there are actually readers around. :)

Drop me an email and give me feedback of any sort :

stellar101@gmail.com

I miss you guys...

A Wife

2007-02-09T00:48:00.000+02:00

A talk by Shaykh Abdullah Adhami

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.

She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you;

When you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for a moment she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.

The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "they are your garments and you are their garments" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187). Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72) Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)

But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating.

Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife."

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car's door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up even by throwing cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "the best of you are those who are best to their wives."

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally, she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said " I don't like yours either"... Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years extended to include all those she loved and continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying "O Allah let it be Hala."

Little Mosque on the Prairie

2007-01-27T13:21:00.000+02:00


- Season 1 Episode 1 A small prairie Muslim community butts heads with locals when their new spiritual leader arrives.

Muslims laud 'Little Mosque on the Prairie'

2007-01-20T11:32:00.000+02:00

By Rebecca Cook Dube, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

TORONTO - When Alaa Elsayed speaks to churches and civic groups about Islam, he plays a word-association game.

"What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word 'Islamic'?" he asks. "How about 'Muslim'?"

Sometimes, the Calgary imam says, one of the audience members will hesitantly say what many are thinking: "terrorist."

But now, Mr. Elsayed hopes a different word might pop into their minds: "funny."

He - along with millions of other Canadians - has been watching a new show called "Little Mosque on the Prairie," North America's first sitcom about Muslims. Elsayed gave rave reviews to the premiere of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's show about a Muslim community in a small, midwestern town, and he's eagerly awaiting the second episode Wednesday.

"A lighthearted comedy that portrays the Muslim community in a manner that is evenhanded is definitely a welcome change from hearing about Muslims as terrorists, as jihadists," Elsayed says. "This is a great tool for people to learn about Islam in a language they can understand, which is comedy. Also, it's a great indicator that Muslims are an integral part of this community - this is who we are, so accept our differences, not just tolerate them."

Though the show isn't airing in the US except in a few border states, hopes are high there, too.

"We need something to show that Muslims are human," says Kamal Nawash, founder of the Free Muslims Coalition, an anti-extremist group based in Washington, D.C. "I'm hoping it ends up being something like 'Seinfeld' - a show made up by Jews where the whole show is based on humor. It puts life in perspective; it shows people that we're all the same at the end of the day."

Rather lofty expectations for a 30-minute show described by its creator, Zarqa Nawaz, as "a very standard character sitcom."

Ms. Nawaz, a respected Muslim filmmaker who lives in the prairie town of Regina, says her main goal in writing "Little Mosque" was to create a funny, hit show. She seems to have succeeded, at least in the early going. The 8 p.m. pilot episode garnered nearly 2.1 million viewers last week, big ratings for Canada. The top-ranked home-grown sitcom, "Corner Gas" - which coincidentally is also set in a small prairie town - regularly draws 1.6 million viewers.

The first episode introduced viewers to the close-knit Muslim community, in the fictional small town of Mercy, and to the local non-Muslims who regard their neighbors with a mixture of trepidation and tolerance. In the second episode, the new imam, a handsome young man newly arrived from Toronto, sparks a battle of the sexes when he decides to erect a barrier between men and women in the mosque.

"I hope it will open up a door to another community, so people can realize this community has the same foibles and quirks as any community does," Nawaz says, acknowledging that her show is, perhaps, not just another sitcom. "Laughter is a universal language."

The show's producer, Mary Darling, is pitching it to US networks. "We actually think it can do something in the world," she said.

"Little Mosque" certainly represents a change from how Canada's 600,000 Muslims usually see themselves in the media since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In Canada, tensions were heightened by the arrest last summer of 17 Toronto-area men charged with planning a terrorist attack.

But show doesn't shrink from portraying the realities of a post 9/11 world.

In the first episode, a young Toronto lawyer gives up his practice to become Mercy's new imam, but gets into hot water at the airport.

"Don't put Dad on the phone," he tells his mother on his cellphone as he waits in line. "I've been planning this for months, it's not like I dropped a bomb on him. If Dad thinks it's suicide, then so be it. This is Allah's plan for me."

He's promptly whisked off by security, who don't believe his protestations of innocence.

"If my story doesn't check out, you can deport me to Syria," he says, a sly reference to the plight of Maher Arar - a Syrian-born Canadian citizen who was arrested during a stopover in the US and deported to Syria, where he was tortured. The US acted on Canadian intelligence that Canadian officials recently admitted was inaccurate.

Asad Rahman, a Toronto photographer, says he didn't buy the airport scene: "I don't think any Muslim would really joke about terrorism in an airport."

But he's hopeful that the show will have a positive influence, both on how non-Muslims view his religion and on how Muslims see themselves. "At least somebody is brave enough to bring some humor to this sensitive religion," says Mr. Rahman, a coordinator for a gay Muslim group.

Not every Muslim is a fan, of course.

Tarek Fatah, spokesman for the progressive, Toronto-based Muslim Canadian Congress, says he thought the jokes fell flat.

"It was a tremendous lost opportunity," he says. "I can imagine non-Muslims watching this and saying, 'my God, these people are bizarre.' "

In my humble opinion, I think this show is great. I've seen parts of it and I think it's an excellent way to show truly how Muslims are. The creator, Zarqa Nawaz, before she got the show published she definitely consulted a known prominent Shaykh. It's not like she went through this just because she thought it was ok. That's a good move on her part. Of course there will always be other opinions out there that are against the show but that is what makes us humans. We differ.

I'll be posting the video later, just to keep things more excited.

Globalization

2007-01-10T01:05:00.000+02:00

What is actually meant by globalization? The word is related to Global that according to Merriam-Webster dictionary means of, relating to, or involving the entire world. What about globalization exactly? This is what it had to say, the act or process of globalizing : the state of being globalized; especially : the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets.

The idea of globalization is great when it brings cultures closer but not if kills the identity of your own society or culture completely. That makes me neither 100% against it or 100% with it. I believe it depends on the which aspect of globalization we're talking about.

I grew up in the East and spent a good portion of my adult life in the West. I see good and bad things in both cultures and I all I can say is if we take the best of both worlds, it'll be utopian. I think I'm against the idea of forced globalization, the same idea of forced "American" democracy in the Middle East. I'm sincerely against that. We'd rather work on a true democracy that really benefits the citizens of the Middle East rather than the Bush's Administration and Israel's ethnic cleansing policy ...

When it comes to economic and social aspects, I think when we can search for similarities instead of differences, that's when the world would be a happier place.

As Allah (SWT) says:

"O mankind! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all knowing, all aware"
(Al Qur'an, Al Hujurat 49:13)

With this said, I believe we should get closer and learn more about one another without disregarding our own identity. Another thing I seriously disagree with is ridiculous man made traditions. I'm against holding on to that with our life and souls. Yes we, Muslims, should stick to we are told by the Qur'an (from God) and Sunnah (from the Prophet(PBUH)). I believe our Creator knows best of how we should live and that's the identity we should stick with. Same goes for Christians and people of other faiths. If people of all faiths truly got to learn, understand and follow what their Holy Books have to say to and about humanity, globalization wouldn't be an issue. It'll be a peaceful and eye opening experience.

The reason I didn't say much about the business aspect of it, because I still haven't decided what I truly feel about it. I need to learn more about that.

It's Been A While...

2006-12-23T17:52:00.000+02:00

It has been a long while since I've written here... Well, may truth be told that I've been super busy. It's been about a month or so that I've been working at an Arabic version of Cartoon Network called SpaceToon. It's pretty fun and I'm loving it here. The best part about it is my boss. He is one of the most amazing human beings ever. I know said that about my previous boss but that's because I didn't know that they can be even better. I guess the fact that he's 4 year younger than me plays a major role in getting along well. Hehehehe... We're pretty much into the same sorta things like music, cartoons, food, activities etc... He's more of a friend than a boss. So that's always good because I usually try my best not to let my friends down.

Here's the ironic situation... Yes, I'm very happy with my current job and the pay is pretty good for a starter but believe it or not I got a much better job offer, or I should say better job all together. Currently, I'm an audio engineer only. While in the other company I'll be doing 2 things... I'll be the audio/voice over supervisor and I'll be a coordinator between the company I'll work for and an Islamic Channel in London... So it's a sweet deal because I'll be traveling and the pay is better. What more can I ask for? Yippie!!! Al hamdulillah (All praise to Allah)

I've worked so hard to get where I am today and where I'll be better off in 2 weeks or so with my new job...

Believe in yourself, work with determination and have faith in The Lord and God will never let you down, but might have some bumps in your journey to make you well rounded and stronger.

Just keep your intentions in check, for it's like child, you can't leave it for a second or it will be go all over the place.

Give me some more time, till I actually get settled in my new job and I'll get back to blogging more frequently.

love ya all, my readers... Thanks for all the support that I got from some of you... You know who you are... May you always be blessed with love and warmth from The Creator.

What Exactly is Jihad? (Part 2)

2006-11-15T06:08:00.000+02:00

1-Personal Behavior of the Troops:

In war, as it is in peace, the instructions of Islam are to be observed. Worship does not cease in war. Islamic jurisprudence maintains that whatever is prohibited during peace is also prohibited during war. War is no excuse to be lenient with misbehaving troops. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said: “Beware of the prayer of the oppressed; for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” Here, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, differentiates between the oppressed believers and non-believers.

2-Whom to Fight:

Fighting should be directed only against fighting troops, and not to non- fighting personnel, and this is in compliance with the Qur’anic verse that reads: “ Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not, aggressors.” (Al-Baqarah: 190)

In one of the battles, a woman was found killed, and this was denounced by the Prophet saying "She did not fight" This will be further detailed under the instructions given to the armies and their commanding chiefs by the Prophet and his Caliphs.

3-The Prophet's instructions to Commanding Chiefs:

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to instruct his commanding chiefs saying: “Fight in the cause of Allah. Fight those who deny Allah; Do not be embittered. Do not be treacherous. Do not mutilate. Do not kill children or those (people) in convents.”

4-Abu-Bakr's instructions to Usama's Campaign on Syria:

“Do not betray or be treacherous or vindictive. Do not mutilate. Do not kill the children, the aged or the women. Do not cut or bum palm trees or fruitful trees. Don’t slay a sheep, a cow or camel except for your food. And you will come across people who confined themselves to worship in hermitages, leave them alone to what they devoted themselves for.”

5-Abu-Bakr's Instructions to Yazid ibn-Abi Sufian:

“I give you ten commandments: don’t kill a woman or a child or an old person, and don’t cut trees or ruin dwellings or slay a sheep but for food. Don't burn palm trees or drown them. And don’t be spiteful or unjust.”

6-Maintaining Justice and Avoidance of Blind Retaliation:

None can be more illustrative in this respect than the words of the Qur’an. Allah Almighty says: “O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do.” (Al-Maidah: 8)

7-Medical and Nursing Services:

From the early days of Islam the sanctity of the medical profession was recognized. Christian and Jewish doctors were employed by the Islamic state since the days of the Umayyads, and some of them were even court and personal physicians to caliphs. Under the tolerant attitude of Islam, some of them got the chance to unfold their full scientific potential and thus contributed to the progress of medical knowledge.

Medical help was a right to all men in spite of religion or creed. That this was also extended to those amongst enemy. An example well known in the West is that of Saladin securing medical help to his opponent, Richard Lion Heart of England who was seriously ill during the Crusades. Saladin sent him his own doctor and personally supervised Richard's treatment until he became well.

In quoting this particular example, one dare say that such an attitude was quite different to the behavior characterizing the invading crusaders. When the crusaders entered Jerusalem on July 15th 1099, they slaughtered seventy thousand Muslims including women, children and old men. They broke children's skulls by knocking against the wall, threw babies from roof tops, roasted men over fire and cut up women's bellies to see if they had swallowed gold.

This description was given by Gibbon, a Christian writer, and commented on by Ludbig Wbo wondered how come after those horrible atrocities they prayed at the burial place of Christ for blessing and forgiveness (Draper/History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Vol. 2, p. 77).

We do not mention this in bitterness or prejudice for every honest Muslim or Christian well knows that Christianity is something and many deeds of the crusaders are something else.

8-Prisoners of War:

For the first time in religious or sectarian history, Islam adopted an attitude of mercy and caring for the captured enemy. Unprecedented by previous legal systems, and long before the Geneva Convention, Islam set the rule that the captive is sheltered by his captivity and the wounded by his injury.

Previously, it was the custom for the captive to work for his food or get it through private means. The Qur’an made it a charity to feed the prisoners saying:

“Lo! the righteous shall drink of a cup whereof the mixture is of water of Kafur. A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah drink, making it gush forth abundantly. Because they perform the vow and fear a day whereof the evil is wide spreading. And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him. (Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you.” (Al-Insan: 5-9)

The Prophet instructed his Companions to be good to the captives. In one of his traditions, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered his Companions saying: “ You should be good to the captives.”

9-Abu Aziz-ibn Umair, one of the captives of Badr battle, recalls:

“Whenever I sat with my captors for lunch or dinner, they would offer me the bread and themselves the dates, in view of the Prophet's recommendation in our favor (in that desert situation bread was the more luxurious item of food than dates)

As soon as any of them held a piece of bread, he would offer it to me.

Feeling shy, I would give it back to one of them but he would immediately return it to me."

Another, Thumama ibn-Athal, was taken prisoner and brought to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: “Be good to him in his captivity.” When the Prophet went home he instructed to collect whatever food there, and ordered it sent to the prisoner.

When the Jewish tribe of Bani Qurayzah were captured, loads of dates were regularly carried to them, with the Prophet's instructions to shelter them from the summer sun and to provide them with water to drink.

From the legal point of view, Muslim opinion is unanimous on the prohibition of subjecting the captives to ill treatment by withholding food, drink or clothing.

10-The Fate of War Prisoners:

This was based upon the teaching of the Qur’an:

“Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the war lay down its burdens. That (is the ordinance). And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain.” (Muhammad 47:4)

According to Islamic law, the captive belongs to the state and not to his captor. The ruler has the ultimate option, as he sees fit, of granting freedom or doing that after taking a ransom.

Among those whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, granted freedom was a poet called Abu-Azza who said to the Prophet: “I have five daughters who have no one to support them, so give me away to them as a charity and I promise never to fight you or help your enemies."

Abul-As Ibn Al Rabiae was freed for a ransom, which the Prophet later returned back to him. Later, the man embraced Islam.

Umarna Ibn-Athal was set free upon his promise not to provide the enemy with food. This gentle treatment touched the man’s heart and was then converted to Islam saying to the Prophet: "There was a time when your face was the most hated face to me, and there comes a day when it is the most loved.”

Sometimes captives were exchanged for Muslim captives in enemy hands. An acceptable ransom that was quite often carried out was to teach ten Muslim children to read and write. It is noteworthy that modern international law allows for setting free a prisoner of war on equivalent lines.

Personnel were set free upon their word of honor not to fight again, and they should not be ordered by their governments to go to battle again. If they break their promise, they might be punishable by death if they are captured again.

11-Nonbelligerents

Islam never fought nations but fought only despotic authorities. Islamic war was one of liberation and not of compulsion. The freedom of the liberated people to decide their religion has already been mentioned, and it was to ensure this freedom that Muslims fought. It is interesting to mention that when Muslims fought the Romans in Egypt, the Egyptian Copts sided with and helped Muslims against the Romans who were Christians like them. This was because Christian Egypt was suffering religious oppression by the Christian Romans to compel them to adopt their religious beliefs.

One of the earliest actions of the Muslims in Egypt was the assurance of religious freedom and the reinstatement of Bejamin as Bishop of Alexandria after years of hiding from the Romans in the western desert.

But religious freedom was but one aspect that Islam gave. Whether Arab or Egyptian, Muslim or Christian, Islam built up that FELLOWSHIP that humanity aspires to, in equality and fraternity .The story is well known of the running contest held in Egypt and won by an Egyptian to the dismay of an Arab competitor who was the son of `Amru Ibn Al-`Aas, governor of Egypt. The Arab hit the boy saying 'how dare you outrun me and I am the son of the nobility." Upon which Umar, the caliph, ordered the three all the way to Madinah, and ordered the Egyptian to avenge by hitting the offending Arab, saying: "Hit him back. Hit the son of nobility." Addressing `Amru, he uttered his famous saying: “O `Amru, since when have you enslaved people while their mothers have born them free.”

12-International Law:

The process of active intervention to stop or remove aggression is a development that modem international law has recognized.

The second world war for example was sparked by Germany's invasion of Poland, and drew into the fighting countries that were not direct parties to the conflict. One of the fruits of war was the creation of the United Nations in order to settle disputes between nations by peaceful means or indeed if necessary by a collective military force. No one should argue therefore that Egypt and the Roman Empire for example should have been left alone to solve their mutual problems. In modem times the rest of the family of nations consider it a duty to do something about it. Fourteen centuries prior to the establishment of the League of Nations and later the United Nations, Islam decreed such responsibility.

The legal principle of intervention to solve dispute was offered by the Qur’anic saying:

“If two parties of believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: But if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of God; but if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair: for God loves those who are fair.” (Al-Hujurat 49:9)

13-Respect of Treaties and Agreements:

One of the major shortcomings of modern international politics is its meager regard to moral obligation. Time and again, treaties and agreements proved unworthy of the price of paper they had been written on. The most splendid produce of the human intellect in the field of international law might instantly vanish upon the call of greed or creed at this age that we wish to think has brought us to the epic of civilization.

And what is worse is that the most sophisticated achievements of scientific progress are often used as tools in the hands of Godless or God-disregarding policies: instead of being exploited 'in the cause of God.’

From the outset, Islam has emphatically prohibited treachery by taking the enemy by surprise attack. Recent examples of signing a pact or treaty with a nation as camouflage to hidden intent to attack it are quite contrary to
Islam, as several quotations from the Qur’an reads:

“ O ye who believe! Fulfil your undertakings…” (Al-Maidah 5:1)

“Fulfill the convenant of God when you have entered into it, and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them; indeed you have made God your surety, for God knoweth an that you do.” (An-Nahl 16:91)

If Muslims sense the treachery of any enemy with whom they had a treaty, they should declare to him the annulment of that treaty before embarking on war again.

“Thou fearest treachery from any group, throw back (their covenant) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms: for God loveth not the treacherous.” (Al-Anfal 8:85)

Although Muslims are bound to go to the help of their Muslim brethren who are religiously persecuted in the land of an enemy; they are not allowed to fulfill this duty if there is a treaty between the Muslim community and this enemy. Priority goes to honouring the treaty.

“But if they seek your aid in religion, it is your duty to help them, except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance. And (remember) God seeth an that you do." (Al-Anfal 8:72)

And above all, this is not a nicety to be taken or left by the state. It is a binding religious dictate overruling emotion and prejudice: otherwise it would be a grave violation of Islam.

I hope that clears the horrifying misconception of Jihad and Islam...

My next post will explain why some muslims misunderstand the Qur'an when it comes to jihad.

Peace to ALL who want peace.

What Exactly is Jihad? (Part 1)

2006-11-02T07:03:00.000+02:00

Allah said, "Enter into peace completely and do not follow the steps of Satan." (Al-Baqarah 2:208)

One of the largest misconceptions in Islam whether from Muslims or non Muslims is the word "Jihad" Many know it as holy war. May the truth be told, that is not the precise meaning of the word. It is an Arabic word that means to strive for a better way of life. The nouns are Juhd, Mujahid, Jihad, and Ijtihad. The other meanings are: endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, fighting to defend one's life, land, and religion.

1) Trying to balance between right and wrong.

2) Trying to fit in an environment that you don't feel you belong.

3) Trying to makes choices that wouldn't have consequences on anybody including you.

4) Trying to make this world, a better place to live in.

5) Trying to balance the mind, body and soul.

6) Trying to be true to yourself and to others.

7) Trying to resist issues that are going against you, stopping you from achieving your goal in life.

8) Trying to balance among your intellect, emotions and your spirit.

9) Working hard to earn a living.

Etc. etc. etc… All this is considered Jihad.

Jihad should not be confused with Holy War; the latter does not exist in Islam nor will Islam allow its followers to be involved in a Holy War. The latter refers to the Holy War of the Crusaders.

Jihad is not a war to force the faith on others, as many people think of it. It should never be interpreted as a way of compulsion of the belief on others, since there is an explicit verse in the Qur'an that says: "There is no compulsion in religion" (Al-Baqarah 2:256).

Jihad is not a defensive war only, but a war against any unjust regime. If such a regime exists, a war is to be waged against the leaders, but not against the people of that country. People should be freed from the unjust regimes and influences so that they can freely choose to believe in Allah.

Not only in peace but also in war Islam prohibits terrorism, kidnapping, and hijacking, when carried against civilians. Whoever commits such violations is considered a murderer in Islam, and is to be punished by the Islamic state. during wars, Islam prohibits Muslim soldiers from harming civilians, women, children, elderly, and the religious men like priests and rabies. It also prohibits cutting down trees and destroying civilian constructions.

The Qur'an, the most fundamental scripture of Islam, teaches sanctity of life, not violence. It enjoins peace, justice, and compassion as basic tenets for all of humankind and condemns violence and aggression in all forms. "God enjoins justice and compassion and giving freely to the next of kin, and forbids lewdness, wickedness and oppression.He admonishes you so that you may take heed" (An-Nahl 16:90).

In a society where human dignity was measured by race, ethnicity, color, status, and wealth, the Qur'an stressed the sacred bond of humanity binding all people. "O mankind, We have created you from a single pair of a male and female, and rendered you nations and tribes so that you might know one another. The most honorable of you in the sight of God is the one who is most conscious of Him. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware" (Al-Hujurat 49:13).

Even the concept of holy war is denounced in Islam because in Islam war can only be characterized as either just or unjust, not holy. The Qur'an permits only a just war, a war waged to remove tyranny and oppression, or in self-defense. The Qur'an is categorical in denouncing all wars of aggression.

"Fight for the sake of Allah those that fight against you, but do not attack them first. Allah does not love aggressors" (Al-Baqarah 2:190)

"Permission [to fight] is given to those against whom war is being wrongfully waged — and, verily, God has indeed the power to succor them." (Al-Hajj 22:39)

Allah also forbids Muslims from attacking anyone who allows others to live in peace:

"Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them." (An-Nisaa' 4:90)

"Hence, if they do not let you be, and do not offer you peace, and do not stay their hands, seize them and slay them whenever you come upon them: for it is against these that We have clearly empowered you [to make war]" (An-Nisaa' 4:91)

I can't stress on this enough that half is what Muslims that are shown in the media aren't doing what they're suppose to be doing. Honestly, they are going against the Prophet's (Peace Be Upon Him) teachings and the Qur'an.

This is what the Holy Book has to say about Jihad in war:

"And fight them until sedition and persecution are no more, and religion is all Allah's. But if they stop, then let there be no hostility except against the transgressors." (Al-Baqarah 2:193)

In the above verses the general Islamic commandment about armed combat is presented. Wars of aggression are specifically forbidden, but to fight self defense is not only allowable, it is an obligation to prevent occurrence of sedition and persecution in the land. This was commanded after the Muslims were thrown out of their own homes, got their belongings stolen and getting killed in Makkah.

"Call to the path of your Lord with wisdom kindly exhortation, and reason with them in the most courteous manner. For your Lord knows best those who have strayed from His path, and He knows best who are rightly-Guided" (Al Nahl 16:125)

The patience and self restraint of the Blessed Prophet were sorely tested:

At battle of Uhud the disbelievers not only killed his uncle Hamza but cut his nose and ears, then they cut out his liver. When the Prophet saw his uncle's body thus disfigured, he threatened retaliation. Then the above verse was revealed, in which the restraint and gentleness which has always been the Islamic way were confirmed and emphasized. When he last entered Makkah in triumph, he caused astonishment by forgiving his enemies.

"O you who believe! Do not Devour your property among yourselves wrongly; but trade by mutual consent, and kill not one another. Surely Allah is Compassionate to you." (Al Nisaa' 4:29)

In a time of war these disciplines were put by the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him):

1) You may not harm a woman, a child or any old person.
2) You may not harm cripples.
3) You may not harm a man that works in the field. (Meaning a person who isn't fighting)
4) You may not cut down trees.
5) Strike only at those who have expelled you, who have stolen your rights, and riched themselves in your possessions.

To be Continued....

What is the Religion of Islam?

2006-10-11T23:15:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since I've written; it's just been a busy month. It's our month of Ramadan were it is 100% dedicated in developing our spirits to make it stronger and more peaceful by disciplining our lower self. With me, the results have been strikingly successful and there has been amazing change in me and I got learn a lot more about myself. So up till now, it has been a remarkable month.

A little while ago S.R. brought to my attention some really important issues that I think that might have been a misunderstanding of what I was saying in my earlier post. I'll have 2 separate posts clarifying my statement.

1st post: Explaining the Pillars Islam and the Pillars of its creed.

2nd post: Explaining the misconception of the actual word "Jihad" in Islam and Islamic ethics of war.

The Islamic religion is a really simple concept. It's just unfortunate that there are Muslims. That doesn't make them non-Muslim. I have no right and it is against Islamic teachings to make these accusations. I'm just saying that they are misinterpreting major details of the Qur'an. Plus, in my previous post, I wasn't defining the religion of Islam, I was just merely defining the word "Islam"

There are 5 pillars for being a Muslim according to the Prophet (PBUH):

1) Shahada: This Pillar is believing that there is only one God and Mohammad (PBUH) is His Prophet.

2) Salah (Prayer): This Pillar is praying five times a day.

3) Zakah (Charity): Muslims are supposed to give a fixed proportion of their savings for endeavors such as helping the poor.

4) Sawm (Fast): Refraining from food and drink during the month of Ramadan during daylight hours.

5) Hajj (Pilgrimage): This is making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your life, if it can be afforded.

The Islamic Creed and the 7 pillars of faith according to the Prophet (PBUH):

1) Believe in God.

2) Believe in Angels

3) Believe in God's books such as Torah, The Gospel, The Psalms and the Qur'an.)

4) Believe in God's Prophets ( Noah (PBUH), Jonah (PBUH), David (PBUH) Abraham (PBUH), Joseph (PBUH), Moses (PBUH), Jesus (PBUH) and Mohammad (PBUH)), just to name a few.

5) Believe in the Last Day

6) Believe in the Devine Destiny.

We, just like Jews and Christians, do also follow the 10 commandments and as humans we do mistakes. In Arabic the word human is "Insan" which derives from the word "nisyan" which means forgetfulness. Another words, we humans it is in our nature to forget the comandments or we choose to forget them, so we end up doing mistakes. It is only normal. We aren't perfect only the Creator of the Universe is. God is The Most Merciful and Most Compassionate. He forgives us when we do those mistakes if we admit them and if we don't realize we actually did a mistake. Hence we should always ask forgiveness even though we think we might not have made a mistake. In His own words: "My Mercy, comes before My Wrath"

What does Submission to God means in Islam? It's not just praising Him in unison. That's is one part of submission. We have to look at the bigger picture of the meaning of submission in Islam. In simple terms it means follow what God asks you to do. Surely, God does NOT ask of us only to pray for Him. He asks us to work hard on earth, to fix it, make it a better place. Be good to yourself and taking care of ourself and the people around us. Spread love, peace and justice. That's all part of submission. Believe it or not, recreational activities that doesn't conflict with Islamic ethics is considered as submission.

Why you may ask? It's simple… We are brought to earth for a reason and that is to make it a better living place. Help the poor, take care of the needy, clean the environment, help the mistreated, including animals, developing and building on this earth. Etc.. That is our reason of our existence as far as Islam is concerned. It's all about being Proactive.

The Qur'an says:

"Righteousness is not whether you turn your face to the east or to the west, but righteousness is he who believe in God, and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets; and gives of his wealth for the love of God to relatives orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and those who ask, and for liberation of slaves and establishes the ritual prayer and pays the Zakah; and those who keep their pledges when they make then, and show patience in hardship and adversity, and times of distress. Such are truthful, and such are God-fearing." (2:177)

In order to be able to keep up with our duties, we need to be mentally, physically and spiritually healthy. So sleeping, eating, reading, learning, exercising, having a good laugh, etc… Any basic human need that helps us to be healthy in every shape and form is considered as a form of worship. Even smiling to another human being is considered a form of worship because it brings happiness to others. As I said earlier anything that feeds our intellect, emotions and spirit, as long as it doesn't conflict Islamic ethics, is considered a form of worship and that is what I meant by "submission" to God.

I hope that clears up the misunderstanding…

Islam does not justify Violence

2006-09-23T16:23:00.000+02:00

Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all from the same God. We are all the children of Adam. There is no way on earth that God would want violence justified in any shape or form in his name...

I cannot deny that in Islam that is happening but it doesn't make it right. This isn't happening only in Islam, unfortunately, it's also happening with the Jews in Israel but that's a totally different story that I won't get into.

The point is this; Muslim leaders (not any leader of any Arab country because all they care about is power) are falling behind in what they should do to bridge the gap between Muslims and Non-Muslims. That's not the only problem though, for there are some Islamic scholars and Shaykhs who are trying their best to bridge the gap and show the true face of Islam but the western media doesn't concentrate on them... There are people like Amr Khaled, Tarik Swaidan, Habib Ali AlJifry, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson, Shaykh Yusuf Al Qaradawi, Imam Suhaib Webb, Shaykh Abdullah Adhami etc... etc... etc... Whoever is reading this, have you heard of ANY of these people?

Not only scholars and preachers that are working on showing the true image of Islam there are Islamic musicians like Yusuf Islam, Sami Yusuf and others who are working on that...

It's so easy to be take in what you're being fed and follow what you think is right because that is what is being told in the ridiculous propaganda of the western media. Search for the truth and you'll find the truth about Islam... The word itself is derived from Salam which means peace in Arabic and is one of the 99 names of God and it also mean complete submission to Him... Another words, complete submission to peace.

These people who act violently in the name of God in ANY religion are taking the meaning of their holy book in a serious shallow manner and really aren't understanding the content and what's behind the content.

Terrorism has no religion. I just saw that statement on an Islamic TV channel as I type this post. Unfortunately the west don't see this... I believe there should be amazing Islamic channels in English showing the true faith of Islam just like any other cable TV channel... Maybe people in the west get to see it without too much work to search for it.

People in the west if you truly search you'll find movies and other stuff that show the true face of Islam... Don't search on the internet because you'll find the bad as much as the good. Yes, there is me and other like me on the web but I still prefer to go search deeper. I mean seriously God hates terror in his name and how can a religion's name that means complete submission to Peace (Allah) supports violence? Doesn't make sense... It's not the religion that has the problem, it's the people. PEOPLE are the problem and they use religion as a means of violence... Religion doesn't ask us to be violent...

If you want to ask about Jihad? Well, I'll tell you this, it doesn't mean Holy war... That'll be in a whole other post... Probably right after this one...

What the Pope said...

2006-09-21T02:31:00.000+02:00

I know this post is coming a little too late but I just wanted to think over the whole situation and type something when I'm not soo pissed of at the Pope and the idiots who burned down churches that weren't even Catholic.

Here's the thing... The Pope is suppose to be a man of religion, a man of hope, love and toleration. He didn't show what he's expected to be as a man of religion. Instead, he was talking about long gone history and hate... Why? He's a man of religion not a biased historian. If he wants to talk about Islam being the religion of the sword then what were the crusades all about? The Pope's appology isn't enough, it was very generlized and he didn't exactly explain himself. He just was sorry for being misunderstood which is another insult to us. Just like he made the speech, he needs to applogize fully to what he said.

What ever happened to John Paul's Peace message?

In my personal opinion he had no right to say what he said and that's all I have to say about that.

As for the some of the ignorant Muslims, I'll say.. WAKE UP for crying out loud... The Pope was merely saying "his" opinion it's not even majority of the other Catholics. Why burn down the churches that aren't even catholic and don't take the Pope as their religious leader? WAKE UP and learn that this act even if they were Catholic churches, isn't the way the Prophet (PBUH) would deal with it. WAKE UP from your deadly slumber. Stop being zombies and take Islam seriously and learn about the true ways of the Prophet (PBUH)... Demand the apology from the Pope, I agree but never cause destruction to those who are innocent. Even if they weren't innocent fight them back the exact same way they fight you. Never take a step further unless it is for peace. You have the right to be angery and even show it but do it peacefully.

I truly believe that Muslims are falling short on showing the true face of Islam... I don't want to blame anybody but again WAKE UP, MUSLIMS!! Be good Muslims not by only doing your ritual obligations there are other obligations and that treatment of others and the most important one is seriously getting to know our religion, the Qur'an, the way of the Prophet (PBUH)... Stop allowing your emotions take over and start using your heads that has been idle for way too long. Just WAKE UP!!!

The Prophet's (PBUH) companion, Omar (May Allah be please with him) refused to pray in a church even when a priest invited him to, just because Omar feared that Muslims after him would want to change the church into a masjid... Another words, respect other religions' places of worship. It's the Pope with the problem not the faith nor the Christians...

Peace to all who want peace.

Another Attack

2006-09-13T01:54:00.000+02:00

As you all heard there has been another attack in Syria, this time; it's the US Embassy. The first thing that came to my mind when I heard that is "Oh boy, here we go again" As I said before in similar posts about the attacks on couple of European embassies in Syria, this is totally not acceptable Islamically or anything to do in the name of the Lord of the universe. I'm beyond aggravated at this act. As a Muslim to see this is done in the name of Islam, is totally an insult to me if it's truly done in the name of Islam.

If the Prophet (PBUH) were to see these acts, he'll probably outcast all these "so called" proper Muslims... They do nothing but give Islam a seriously horrifying name. Then whoever has gain from such acts would take advantage of the catastrophic situation to gain whatever they can from it all. It's all sickening... The really agonizing thing to Muslims like me, is that some of these acts aren't even done by Muslims but Muslims are framed so other people get their benefits. It's very easy to take advantage of simply because with the Qa'eda bombing everything they can that has to do with the US. It's extremely easy to add some fabricated acts or violence to the actual acts that are condemned by any descent Muslim worldwide .

I truly don't know what to do... When I feel the situation is getting better something messed up happens and things get worse than when they started... Muslims need to be a whole lot more pro-active, educated, and less secluded... They need to be part of the solution because staying silent is only being part of the problem. Muslims should be heard condemning the non-Islamic violent acts done in their name; bring our name and the teaching of the Prophet (PBUH) down to the ground. The question that I keep asking myself is, "Are we going to be heard, or are we wanted to be heard rather??"

I say no to all violent terrorist acts should be condemned. Though as there are many different point of views of what truly is terrorism... There's a difference between protecting and resisting and then there is terrorism... People have the right to protect their homes and live in peace without occupation. People occupy unjustly they'll get people resisting. It's only cause and effect.

Buying Stuff online...

2006-09-10T01:19:00.000+02:00

Ever since I've been using the internet for as long as I remember, I've been buying stuff online. I rarely ran into trouble like frauds, people stealing my credit card info etc... Even with the little problems, I've always been able to resolve the issue. It didn't matter where I was in the world, either, the UAE, USA, Malaysia or Syria, everything was smooth until today.

In Sept 1st I ordered some stuff from Aimcraft everything seemed fine and everything... Then I get this email from Aimcraft telling me that my order is on hold. I'm thinking, why is that? I made sure there's nothing wrong with the credit card and everything. I tried to figure it all out and just today, I got the email telling that the order was canceled and the reason why it was cancelled from the online distribution center that allows the buyers to use credit card to buy from online establishment. This is what it says:

Message by cduncan on Fri, 8th Sep 2006 11:46 am
Greetings,

Thank you for contacting 2Checkout.com. I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry. According to our records, this order was canceled because of our OFAC regulations. This order will not be reinstated. If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know.

I was like, what is this OFAC? This is what I came up with:

The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. OFAC acts under Presidential wartime and national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on transactions and freeze foreign assets under US jurisdiction. Many of the sanctions are based on United Nations and other international mandates, are multilateral in scope, and involve close cooperation with allied governments.

This is stupid... Just because I placed the order when I was in Syria, they refused it. Yes, I tell you, it's a real security threat to the US or anywhere in the world to buy skirts from India to be sent to the UAE?!?! Doesn't make sense to me but then again neither does the US foreign policy all together.

Anyways, now that I'm in the UAE, I've used a different credit card to reorder... Till now I've heard nothing, so I'm hoping that it'll work out... I believe there is good relations between the UAE and the US. I don't think I'll have the problem now. Let's see how it'll work though in these coming days.

The Importance of the Qiblah

2006-09-08T02:11:00.000+02:00

I was reading something online about the Qiblah and I never really saw it put in a really beautiful sense. I, myself have wondered why does it exist and why Mecca? After reading this piece of info, it as clear to me...

When we begin our prayer, we not only face the House of Allah in Makkah, but we also connect ourselves along an invisible line, forming an axis that proceeds from every point on earth, to the spiritual centre of Islam. Whether we pray alone, or as recommended, we pray in a group, we do so as a part of the great Ummah. Standing and facing the qiblah in our prayers connects us along an invisible line, to every other Muslim on the planet. We become an important link in the huge chain of worshippers who face Makkah at least 5 times each day. If we could go up into space, and look down upon the earth and see all the Muslims praying, we would see a huge flower the size of the earth, opening and closing its millions of petals. Each of those petals represents a Muslim engaged in worship. As well as this, those of us who have been blessed with the invitation from Allah to perform pilgrimage will remember that remarkable sight inside the holy Mosque. There, at prayer times, it is as if a giant flower opens and closes its petals, as Muslims prostrate as one body, in neat and orderly rows, around the Ka`bah.

So, the qiblah is not only about degrees of latitude or longitude on the compass. It is about bringing together every nation, language, race and tribe on this planet, in regular acts of worship linked to a common centre. The qiblah lies at the very heart of the great Ummah of Islam it is the navigational axis that connects every Muslim through the Ka`bah and again to every other Muslim. This is the physical expression of monotheism and unity, the belief in AllahÃ’s oneness; AllahÃ’s Unity. Allah is One, so His Ummah is also one, and our qiblah; our direction for worship, is one.

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: www.netcomuk.co.uk

A question may arise, why is the Ka`bah appointed as the qiblah? The answer should be that the Ka`bah is the place of the first Muslim community; it is the abode that witnessed the early days of Islam and the footsteps of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In addition, it is the centre of the earth and it is the place wherein the first verses of the Qur'an were received.
Jurists have commented that the Ka`bah, although seen to a certain height, reaches up to the heavens and right down to the bottom of the earth.

Furthermore, the secret in facing toward the direction of the Ka`bah is the spirit of `ibadah (worship), and contentment and serenity of the heart. Without this contentment there would exist no spirit (ruh), which is the reason we are instructed to focus our sight on the place of prostration in prayer so that we may be able to concentrate with both heart and soul.

Taken from Islam Online

What I loved about this is the comparison of the prayer unity, facing the same direction to a flower closing and opening. It's quite romantic... There are a lot of things in Islam that seem very romantic to me. The relationship between the Prophet (PBUH) and his wife Ayesha is probably the most amazing love story ever... Forget Romeo and Juliet... It's not even comparable. Then of course, the relationship we choose with our creator can be the mosaffectionatete and loving of all relationships.

The Final Decision...

2006-09-06T03:11:00.000+02:00

So here's the deal... I'm back in the UAE for now but to go to college but to see my family and organise some thoughts in my head... I was telling this lady in Syria who I totally look up to about my situation because I sincerely do not want to live in the UAE. I send her a text message telling her that things didn't really work out. They said that yes, I'm accepted in the company but not at the moment... They'll let me know once they have a job opening or at least create a position for me, or something of that nature. Anyways, she called me as soon as she read it and then she asked me if I wanted to work with her as a 3rd grade teacher. I was thinking, hey why not? It's a temp job for this year, and who knows I might LOVE it.

So I decided to go to the UAE to take care of my residency and then go back Syria to start doing what I need to be doing... That makes me happy because I'll be doing a lot of the things I love doing that don't get the chance to do here in the UAE. I'm going to be a Voice Over talent, I'll joining this motivtional volunteer program. Plus, I might have deal going with this Lebanese Islamic music band. I already compose a song for them so and the rest is still in the making. So it'll all be good... I'm looking forward to it all... I just feel that my dreams can come true in Syria and in the UAE, it's just cool to make good cash but that's not my aim.

That's it for now.... Wish me luck and I'm going to go pray and Thank God for my blessings...

PEACE!!!

Weird Job Situation...

2006-09-03T07:09:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since I wrote something on here. It's just been an emotionally draining few months and I just couldn't get myself to post anything but here I am babbling some thoughts... At the moment I'm running only on 2 hours sleep. Well, let's hope that I'll be able to change my bio clock so if I get the new job I'll be awake all day long to actually do the work.

So I'm going back to the UAE on Tuesday. Here's the dilemma though, I don't know if I'm going move there, or just go for a visit... I'm traveling day after tomorrow and Hopefully today I'll get to see who I need to see from human resources at the company I'm applying for... It was all a last minute thing because my former boss told me about it a little too late for some odd reason. It's all good though... I believe everything is going to work out well, whether I get the job or not..

I've already done some work for these guys. I mixed some songs and did a voice over; plus my former boss used to work there and is tight with them so he has good things to say about me. Hehehe... Will find out today, at least I seriously hope...

It's really weird how things are happening at the moment... I'm meeting people that work there left and right... It's quite awesome actually, I just have a good feeling about this. My 2 hours prayer session today gave me some sort of sense of serenity for all this. I just want to get this over with because the one thing that I'm worried about is that I'm traveling day after tomorrow and I don't know if I have loads to pack or just the general traveling stuff. I pray that I'll find out today...

If I actually get this job at Star Animation, I believe it'll be amazing, because not only would I be an audio engineer, I'd be an English script editor, an English voice over talent and maybe even a English voice over director, doing shows that would be aired on Islam Channel in Europe and AlResala TV, an Islamic Satellite Channel in the Arab world. So all this is pretty exciting since it'll get me closer to my goal in life.

If all this doesn't work out, I'll just end up going back to the UAE and go back to get my BA in Recording Arts for a year and then figure out what I want to do afterwards.

Pray for me, as I pray all works out...

PEACE!!!

The Muslim Ummah: Looking on the Bright Side

2006-08-11T15:37:00.000+02:00

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Nations are about to scheme against you in the same way as greedy eaters vie with one another on the dining-table.' One of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) asked: 'O Messenger of Allah! Will that relate to being few in numbers?' The Prophet said: 'No, but your huge number will be of little effectiveness, and (Allah) will cast Al-Wahan in your hearts.' They said: O Messenger of Allah, what does Al-Wahan mean? He said, 'Your hearts are strongly attached to life luxuries and you feel strong aversion to death." (Reported by Ahmad and Abu-Dawud)

The previous hadith is considered one of the miracles with which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was aided. The hadith refers to what will happen by the end of this world. In other words, it shows the extent of the moral decay that will affect the Muslim Ummah, and will encourage its enemies to haunt it, especially after neglecting Allah’s Commands and ignoring His Prophet’s teachings.

The miracles that Allah Almighty has granted His Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them all) to help in delivering their messages are not only rules and regulations from which the Muslim Ummah can seek guidance regarding what is lawful and what is prohibited. Rather, they serve as a means of encouraging the Muslim to bear the sufferings and tribulations of life with patience and perseverance, keeping in mind that Allah will never forsake him.

The words of the hadith show that the state of weakness facing the Muslim Ummah nowadays is transitory.

Unfortunately, the Muslim Ummah’s hands are tied, finding themselves handicapped to put an end to the brutal massacres and mass killing of Muslims in many places of the world, in addition to gross violation of Muslim human rights.

The main reason behind all this can easily be ascribed to forsaking the Islamic umbrella, which encompasses economy, mass media and education, as well as politics.

Every member of Muslim Ummah has a share in this responsibility; it is a collective one. We are together in the same boat and we have to start rowing before it is too late.

Stressing the fact that, despite the sorry state of affairs of Muslim Ummah now, there is a glimmer of hope lying in the future, we would like to cite for you the following fatwa issued by the eminent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi:

Some scholars claim that the Doom is approaching and that the darkness looms large and there are troubles on the horizon. Actually, such premonitions bring benefits to none and make things get worse. This leads to the belief that there is no hope for a change or reform and that the coming days carry nothing but bad events. This is, in fact, a very wrong way of thinking and it is plainly a pessimistic approach to life. Muslims are to stick their mind to many glad tidings of the coming victory of Islam, and they should have faith in Allah that the coming days will be more bright and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Thus, it is necessary for Muslims to derive from the following glad tidings glimpse of light to fill their hearts with and let despair vanish and fade away. Here are some of the glad tidings mentioned in the Qur’an:

1. Almighty Allah says: (He it is who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. ) (At-Tawbah 9: 33)

2. Almighty Allah also says: (Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light however much the disbelievers are averse. ) (As-Saff 61: 8)

In these verses, Almighty Allah makes it clear that at the end sweeping victory and triumph will be for Islam and Allah’s light will cover all corners of the globe.

The Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is also a record of many hadiths that give glad tidings of the coming victory of Islam. Here, we would like to cite some of these hadiths:

1. In his Sahih, Imam Muslim recorded that Thawban quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “Almighty Allah has gathered the earth for me so that I could see all its corners. My nation will rule over all that which Almighty Allah has gathered for me.”

2. Ibn Hibban quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “This matter (i.e., Islam) will spread to cover all area where there is night and day. Allah will never leave a house in a rural area or in urban community without its people being Muslims. Honor is for those who embrace it (i.e., Islam) while disbelievers are doomed to disgrace and humiliation.”

This hadith, along with many others, give us glad tidings that the patch of the Muslim state will expand to cover the whole earth and that the strength of this state will grow and become obvious to all. This also denotes good news for the long-cherished hope of revival of Muslims unity and rebirth of Islamic Caliphate.

Also, there are many other glad tidings in the reality of being a Muslim, for any wise man knows that no falsehood is to remain forever. Life has its ups and downs and days have their own vicissitudes. After hardship comes ease and every cloud has a silver lining. The bitter reality of the Muslim nation will come to an end, and tomorrow will be definitely better than today.

The emergence of the Islamic awakening has breathed in the Muslim nation a sense of confidence and hope in the future. Viewing this awakening as a threat, the enemies of Islam have tried their utmost to suppress it. However, it is Allah’s will that the Muslim awakening will endure all tribulations without being affected. Such movement is worthy of leading the Muslim nation to utter victory once there are leaders who are rightly guided by Almighty Allah and filled with wisdom.

We plea to Allah Almighty to guide the Muslim Ummah back to the right track. This is the only way we can find a place in the modern world where non-Islamic systems impose distorted ideologies in the name of civilization.

بيان عمرو خالد حول الإعتداء الإسرائيلي على لبنان

2006-08-10T02:20:00.000+02:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

إننا نؤمن أن الله سبحانه وتعالى هو المالك القادر المطلع ينصر المظلومين وينتقم من المعتدين ولذلك فإن أول ما نملكه الآن كشعوب عربية ومسلمة أن نبتهل إليه سبحانه أن يغيث المنكوبين، وأن ينتقم من المعتدين، وإننا نوقن أنه سبحانه يستجيب إذا رفعت الأمة بأكملها أيدي التضرع إلى الله، وتابت إليه توبة نصوحا، ولجأت إليه بصدق وإلحاح، فهو القادر أن ينتقم من المعتدين الظالمين، وينصر المستضعفبن. وإن واجبنا الأول الآن هو التضرع إلى الله بالدعاء وخاصة في وقت السحر. "فدعا ربه أني مغلوب فانتصر، ففتحنا أبواب السماء بماء منهمر، وفجرنا الأرض عيونا فالتقى الماء على أمر قد قدر."

ونحن نرى الطائرات الإسرائيلية تدك قرى ومدن ومدارس ومستشفيات البلد المسالم لبنان، فتقتل نساء وأطفالا، وتستبيح آراض مسالمة، كنا ننتظر رؤية الجيوش العربية والطائرات العربية والصواريخ العربية تدفع الإعتدء الذي يقع على الأرض العربية. فإذا لم تتحرك هذه الجيوش والطائرات والصواريخ، فما هي الحكمة من وجودها إذن؟ ومتي ستتحرك إن لم يكن الآن؟ "وما لكم لا تقاتلون في سبيل الله والمستضعفين من الرجال والنساء والولدان الذين يقولون ربنا أخرجنا من هذه القرية الظالم أهلها واجعل لنا من لدنك وليا واجعل لنا من لدنك نصيرا".

إننا نؤكد جميعا مسلمين وغير مسلمين في كافة أنحاء الأرض أننا في انتظار قيام الهيئات الإغاثية المتخصصة بمد خطوطها فورا دون تردد أو انتظار كي نؤدي ما علينا تجاه إخواننا وأخواتنا وآبائنا وأمهاتنا وأبنائنا وبناتنا في لبنان، فنداوي الجرحى، ونأوي من تهدم بيته، ونواري جثث القتلى. ويؤسفنا أن يكون هذا هو كل ما نملك أن نقدمه في عالم أصبح الحق فيه في جانب ، والقوة في الجانب الآخر.

نتقدم إلى أصحاب الضمائرونتسائل إلى متى سيظل العالم يُمتطى من قبل الإرهابيين وسفكة الدماء والمعتدين؟ لابد من وقفة عالمية

الداعية الإسلامي

عمرو خالد

The Need to Vent

2006-08-02T19:50:00.000+02:00

I don't even know where to start and I don't know what to say. I just need to vent.

Few days ago my aunt's (Mom's sister) husband had excruciating chest pains. He was rushed to the hospital and as it turns out to be his blood vessels were tearing apart and his blood pressure was decreasing. There wasn't much doctors can do. This afternoon we got the phone call that he had passed away.

My mom rushed down to be with my aunt's side and I wish with all my power to be there for my aunt and my cousins. Since I have Bronchitis, my mom is terrified if I get out of the house, it'll get worse and God forbid, it may be fatal.

So here I am home alone with irritating chest pains as the Qur'an is being recited on TV. I can't even explain how I feel with the physical pain and the emotional pain of not being able to be there for my aunt and my cousins. I need somebody to be near me as well but I feel seriously selfish to ask for that because my aunt needs the family more than I do. Her husband just died. I'm well alive. I don't know what to do or what to feel. I just pray that God gives all of us strength to face our pain whether physical or emotional.

Calling out Muslims!!!

2006-08-02T00:12:00.000+02:00

Al Resala TV has asked all Muslims around the world to fast on Thursday August 3rd, 2006 to pray and supplicate to the Creator to help our brothers and sisters in Lebanon and Palestine...

This is the unified prayer for everybody...

نص الدعاء

اللهم مُنزل الكتاب, مُجري السحاب, هازم الأحزاب, إهزمهم وانصر المسلمين في لبنان و فلسطين

Here is your chance to help this Ummah. Let us all reach out to The Creator of the universe for we need Him now more than ever. Let us stand united and do something spiritual for this Ummah...

Israel Kills 55 Civilians in Qana

2006-07-31T13:26:00.000+02:00

At least 55 people, including 23 children, were killed when Israeli war planes blitzed the southern Lebanese village of Qana on Sunday, July 30, 2006, the scene of a similar Israeli massacre in 1996. Rescue workers had pulled 40 bodies from under the rubble and were searching for more. Red Cross sources said 23 children had died and at least 17 bodies were feared still buried, including seven more children.

These pics are taken from Islam Online

Protest the Attacks on the Palestinian People and Lebanon - Majed, 7/28/06

2006-07-30T18:00:00.000+02:00

These are some photos taken at a demostration against Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestine. The protest took place infront of the Israeli consulate in New York , USA

This protest brought people from all faiths,nationalities, sex, age, race and political background to stand united for one cause. The photos speak for themselves.

From Israel to Lebanon

2006-07-22T22:39:00.000+02:00

Just click on the banner to see photos of the war in Lebanon...

WARNING:

Some Photos are very graphic so if you don't have a strong stomach or a strong heart, try not to see the photos. Thank you very much....

PEACE!!

Because This Is the Middle East

2006-07-20T20:29:00.000+02:00

'Because This Is the Middle East'
CBS' Schieffer ignores context in Mideast crisis

7/19/06

On July 16, CBS Face the Nation host (and CBS Evening News anchor) Bob Schieffer dedicated the entire Sunday morning news show to the Middle East conflict. In his closing editorial, he adapted a well-known fable in an attempt to explain the causes of the current conflict—or rather, the lack of causes:

Finally today, when the war broke out in the Middle East, the first thing I thought about was the old story of the frog and the scorpion who were trying to cross a river there. The scorpion couldn't swim, the frog was lost. So the scorpion proposed a deal, ‘Give me a ride on your back, and I'll show you the way.’ The frog agreed, and the trip went fine until they got to the middle of the river, and then suddenly the scorpion just stung the frog. As they were sinking, the frog asked, in his dying breath, ‘Why would you do that?’ To which the scorpion replied, ‘Because this is the Middle East.’

Lest there be any doubt about who is the frog and who is the scorpion in that parable, Schieffer went on to spell it out:

It is worth noting that the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip did not kidnap that Israeli soldier and provoke all of this because the Israelis were invading Gaza. No, all this happened in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal, which was what the Palestinians supposedly wanted. But this is the Middle East. Why would fundamentalists in Gaza and Lebanon choose to provoke this war at this time? There is no real answer except this is the Middle East.

Schieffer was echoing the media’s conventional wisdom in portraying the Palestinian raid that captured the Israeli soldier as an inexplicable provocation. The New York Times, in a June 29 editorial headlined “Hamas Provokes a Fight,” declared that "the responsibility for this latest escalation rests squarely with Hamas," adding that "an Israeli military response was inevitable."

The media assumption is that in withdrawing from Gaza in September 2005, Israel ended its conflict with at least that portion of Palestine and gave up, as Schieffer put it, "what the Palestinians supposedly wanted." In reality, however, since the pullout and before the recent escalation of violence, at least 144 Palestinians in Gaza had been killed by Israeli forces, often by helicopter gunships, according to a list compiled by the Israeli human rights group B’tselem. Only 31 percent of the people killed were engaged in hostile actions at the time of their deaths, and 25 percent of all those killed were minors.

From the time of the pullout until the recent upsurge in violence, according to B’tselem’s lists, no Israelis were killed by violence emanating from Gaza. Although during this period Palestinian militants launched some 1,000 crude Kasam missiles from Gaza into Israel, no fatalities resulted; at the same time, Israel fired 7,000 to 9,000 heavy artillery shells into Gaza. On June 9, just two weeks before the Hamas raid that killed two Israeli soldiers and captured a third, an apparent Israeli missile strike killed seven members of a Palestinian family picnicking on a Gaza beach, which prompted Hamas to end its 16-month-old informal ceasefire with Israel. (Though Israel has denied responsibility for the killings, a Human Rights Watch investigation strongly challenged the denial, calling the likelihood of Israel not being responsible "remote"; Human Rights Watch, 6/15/06.) Hamas has repeatedly pointed to the Gaza beach incident as one of the central events that prompted its cross-border raid—indeed, Schieffer's own CBS Evening News has reported that claim (CBS Evening News, 6/25/06). Even so, Schieffer seems unable to recall this recent event (see Action Alert, 6/30/06).

Hamas also points to the capture of some of its leaders by Israel as the provocation for its raid. If Israelis had every right, as Schieffer said, to respond with force to the capture of one soldier by Hamas, then how are Palestinians expected to feel about the more than 9,000 prisoners captured and held by Israel—including 342 juveniles and over 700 held without trial (Mandela Center for Human Rights, 4/30/06)?

Moreover, Israel's withdrawal did not remotely give Palestinians "what they wanted." In addition to its continued deadly attacks on Gaza, Israel has continued to control Gaza’s borders and has withheld tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue in response to Hamas’ victory in democratic elections in January 2006. Israel’s actions crippled the Gaza economy and prompting warnings from the U.N. of a looming humanitarian disaster (UNRWA, 7/8/06).

None of this is to say that Hamas, which has regularly ignored the distinction between military and civilian targets, does not share part of the blame for the current crisis. But to act as though Israel had been behaving as a peace-loving neighbor to Gaza until the soldier’s capture is a willful rewriting of very recent history. The most Schieffer can bring himself to say about Israel is this:

Israel had every right to respond, and it did. But again, this is the Middle East, so perhaps a response may have made it all worse by giving moderate Arabs in the region an excuse to distance themselves from Israel.

Israel’s “response” has resulted in the deaths to date of at least 103 Palestinians, while no Israelis have died other than one soldier killed by friendly fire (New York Times, 7/19/06). Meanwhile, Israel has also destroyed Gaza's main power plant and its water system, leaving tens of thousands of Gaza families without access to food, water and medical care (Oxfam, 7/19/06). In Lebanon, Israel has killed over 300 people, the vast majority of them civilians, wounded over 1000 and displaced half a million (MSNBC, 7/19/06). To call such devastation an "excuse" for Arabs to “distance themselves from Israel” is a trivialization of real human suffering.

Why is Bob Schieffer allowed to get away with such shallow, dismissive coverage of complicated and tragic events? Because it’s the Middle East.

ACTION: Please ask Bob Schieffer to accurately report the history and current reality of the conflict in the Middle East.

CONTACT:
Bob Schieffer
Face the Nation
202-457-4481
ftn@cbsnews.com

You can also contact CBS's "Public Eye" ombudsman:
publiceye@cbs.com

- Taken from - www.fair.org

Jews aren't hated,The Zionists are...

2006-07-18T15:07:00.000+02:00

Let me clear something up here. Muslims don't hate the Jewsish people. The ones that do are simply ignorant. For crying out loud we have the same Prophets and we both follow the 10 commandments.

Click here for The Ten Commandments & The confirmation in the Qur'an.

Click on the actual commandments to get a clearer view.

"Surely We revealed the Taurat in which was guidance and light; with it the prophets who submitted themselves (to God) judged (matters) for those who were Jews, and the masters of Divine knowledge and the doctors, because they were required to guard (part) of the Book of God, and they were witnesses thereof; therefore fear not the people and fear Me, and do not take a small price for My communications; and whoever did not judge by what God revealed, those are they that are the unbelievers."

-(Qur'an 5:44)

Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

-(Qur'an 2:62 )

The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) honored Jews, married a Jewish wife, forbade forced conversions of Jews, always bowed in respect when a Jewish funeral passed, and promised that good and faithful Jews would go to Paradise just as good Muslims and Christians would, and that the Jews would have their Holy Place in the west (meaning Jerusalem) while Muslims would have their Holy Place in the East (meaning Mecca).

The problem is not Jews, in matter facts according to the Jews themselves as well, The Zionist movement is the problem...

This is what some Jews have to say,

"Contrary to common perception, Jewish anti-Zionism is not restricted exclusively to the well know Jewish anti-Zionist movements such as Satmar and Neturei Karta.

There are in fact many Jewish movements, groups and organizations whose ideology regarding Zionism and the so-called "State of Israel" is that of the unadulterated Torah position that any form of Zionism is heresy and that the existence of the so-called "State of Israel" is illegitimate.

No one has had to create any antagonism between our Torah and Zionism because such antagonism exists by virtue of the essence of Judaism itself, which can never tolerate the heresy of Zionism.

Zionism is wrong from the Torah viewpoint, not because many of its adherents are lax in practice or even anti-religious, but because its fundamental principle conflicts with the Torah.

Unfortunately, due to many undesirable factors, the view of Torah-true Jewry has been concealed from the general public."

- taken from http://www.jewsnotzionists.org/index.htm

Thank you very much...

Peace...

Syrian Bloggers: Today, we are all Lebanese

2006-07-17T02:02:00.000+02:00

I Today, we are all Lebanese.

Lebanon has been sentenced to death. On Wednesday 12 July, she was put in prison, and now she's being tortured.

Israel's war is with Lebanon's civilians, not Hizbollah. Nearly every person killed has been a civilian. Power stations, bridges and petrol stations have been targeted. Israel has warned residents to get out of certain villages, but bombed roads to make it difficult - and refugee convoys have been picked out for deadly air raids.

And getting out of the country is impossible now too. The airport has been destroyed, the sea ports are blockaded, and the border posts and highways have been razed to the ground.

Lebanon is held hostage to the angry Israeli war machine. And now more than ever, Syrians bloggers, just like every Syrian stand by her.

Another generation of Lebanese will know nothing but war. We can't let this happen, Again.

Bridging the Gap Through Children

2006-07-11T00:58:00.000+02:00

Hello once again Syrians... I need a HUGE favor from any Syria that is willing to help. So here goes...

I've been told that there are a group of Danish people (A reporter, photographer, school teacher and a musician) are coming to Syria to learn about Syrian children culture.

These Danes are trying to create a program that can be taught in Danish schools. They want to have a CD of Arabic children's music and a book about Arab Children with pictures. This is used to bridge the gap between the two cultures. They want to show there is no difference between Arabs and the Westerners.

They are traveling all over the Middle East and now they are in Syria till Thursday night (July 13th)... They want to meet with families to get material for the book they're working on. Do you know of any families with young children that are willing to meet with them?

If you are interested or know anybody that can help or need to know more information you can email me at stellar101@gmail.com

Hope to hear from you guys soon...

Salamat...

A New Muslim...

2006-07-09T18:53:00.000+02:00

When a devoted Muslim receives this kind of email, he/she will be beyond ecstatic and I mean beyond the believable.

Sobhan Allah, I met this lady who wrote me this email, as you see below, on Couch Surfing... She is traveling to Syria and neighboring countries to learn about Islam since she already started to learn for a while now and now wanted to check out Islamic countries. I had to help her out it every way possible. So I contacted her and after a few emails, some chatting on MSN messenger and answering a few questions of hers, I got this email, ElHamdullah (Thank God)

Well Sara ...

Something truly amazing happened to me today!

I said out loud the Shahada and really believed what I was saying!

Next week I start a new placement for 4 weeks ... do you believe this ... there is a Mosque on the same road as where I'm working ... that can't be a coincidence ... so I'm going to contact them and ask for their advice on what to do next (I'm not going to tell my family for the moment I've decided)!!!

I'm seriously happy for this lady and I can't wait till she comes to Syria to help her some more.

Black Flag

2006-07-03T13:35:00.001+02:00

A black flag hangs over the "rolling" operation in Gaza. The more the operation "rolls," the darker the flag becomes. The "summer rains" we are showering on Gaza are not only pointless, but are first and foremost blatantly illegitimate. It is not legitimate to cut off 750,000 people from electricity. It is not legitimate to call on 20,000 people to run from their homes and turn their towns into ghost towns. It is not legitimate to penetrate Syria's airspace. It is not legitimate to kidnap half a government and a quarter of a parliament.

A state that takes such steps is no longer distinguishable from a terror organization. The harsher the steps, the more monstrous and stupid they become, the more the moral underpinnings for them are removed and the stronger the impression that the Israeli government has lost its nerve. Now one must hope that the weekend lull, whether initiated by Egypt or the prime minister, and in any case to the dismay of Channel 2's Roni Daniel and the IDF, will lead to a radical change.

Everything must be done to win Gilad Shalit's release. What we are doing now in Gaza has nothing to do with freeing him. It is a widescale act of vengeance, the kind that the IDF and Shin Bet have wanted to conduct for some time, mostly motivated by the deep frustration that the army commanders feel about their impotence against the Qassams and the daring Palestinian guerilla raid. There's a huge gap between the army unleashing its frustration and a clever and legitimate operation to free the kidnapped soldier.

To prevent the army from running as amok as it would like, a strong and judicious political echelon is required. But facing off against the frustrated army is Ehud Olmert and Amir Peretz's tyro regime, weak and happless. Until the weekend lull, it appeared that each step proposed by the army and Shin Bet had been immediately approved for backing. That does not bode well, not only for the chances of freeing Shalit, but also for the future management of the government, which is being revealed to be as weak as the Hamas government.

The only wise and restrained voice heard so far was that of the soldier's father, Noam Shalit, of all people. That noble man called at what is clearly his most difficult hour, not for stridency and not for further damage done to the lives of soldiers and innocent Palestinians. Against the background of the IDF's unrestrained actions and the arrogant bragging of the latest macho spokesmen, Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant of the Southern Command and Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, Shalit's father's voice stood out like a voice crying in the wilderness.

Sending tens of thousands of miserable inhabitants running from their homes, dozens of kilometers from where his son is supposedly hidden, and cutting off the electricity to hundreds of thousands of others, is certainly not what he meant in his understated emotional pleas. It's a shame nobody is listening to him, of all people.

The legitimate basis for the IDF's operation was stripped away the moment it began. It's no accident that nobody mentions the day before the attack on the Kerem Shalom fort, when the IDF kidnapped two civilians, a doctor and his brother, from their home in Gaza. The difference between us and them? We kidnapped civilians and they captured a soldier, we are a state and they are a terror organization. How ridiculously pathetic Amos Gilad sounds when he says that the capture of Shalit was "illegitimate and illegal," unlike when the IDF grabs civilians from their homes. How can a senior official in the defense ministry claim that "the head of the snake" is in Damascus, when the IDF uses the exact same methods?

True, when the IDF and Shin Bet grab civilians from their homes - and they do so often - it is not to murder them later. But sometimes they are killed on the doorsteps of their homes, although it is not necessary, and sometimes they are grabbed to serve as "bargaining chips," like in Lebanon and now, with the Palestinian legislators. What an uproar there would be if the Palestinians had grabbed half the members of the Israeli government. How would we label them?

Collective punishment is illegitimate and it does not have a smidgeon of intelligence. Where will the inhabitants of Beit Hanun run? With typical hardheartedness the military reporters say they were not "expelled" but that it was "recommended" they leave, for the benefit, of course, of those running for their lives. And what will this inhumane step lead to? Support for the Israeli government? Their enlistment as informants and collaborators for the Shin Bet? Can the miserable farmers of Beit Hanun and Beit Lahia do anything about the Qassam rocket-launching cells? Will bombing an already destroyed airport do anything to free the soldier or was it just to decorate the headlines?

Did anyone think about what would have happened if Syrian planes had managed to down one of the Israeli planes that brazenly buzzed their president's palace? Would we have declared war on Syria? Another "legitimate war"? Will the blackout of Gaza bring down the Hamas government or cause the population to rally around it? And even if the Hamas government falls, as Washington wants, what will happen on the day after? These are questions for which nobody has any real answers. As usual here: Quiet, we're shooting. But this time we are not only shooting. We are bombing and shelling, darkening and destroying, imposing a siege and kidnapping like the worst of terrorists and nobody breaks the silence to ask, what the hell for, and according to what right?

- Gideon Levy

With my Own Two Hands

2006-06-30T16:43:00.000+02:00

A while back I bought Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack when I was back in the UAE. It is by far one of the most beautiful albums my ears ever heard. The simple music, the striking lyrics and Jack Johnson's warm voice is just perfect for my taste of serenity. Another thing I find fascinating about the album is that it's perfect for kids to listen to it and learn from the lessons sung. One song in particular caught my attention; Ben Harper's "With My Own Two Hands"

The new version that was featured on this album just expresses what I've been trying to express all my life. It simply is me and all I want to be. I just love the straightforwardness of the music and lyrics.

I can change the word
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

I'm going to make it a brighter place
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a safer place
With my own two hands
I'm going to help the human race
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

I can hold you
With my own two hands
I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you've got to use
Use your own two hands
Use your own
Use your own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

If children learn to sing along to that and learn this priceless virtue of knowing that we can able to work together to make a better place on earth, then this song would've done it's purpose.

Of course, along with our two hands, help and guidance from Allah (SWT) would be just an extraordinary combination to make this world a better place. For the creator of mankind and the universe knows best and has all power to give us strength to make things happen for us and the world around us.

What now?

2006-06-27T01:11:00.000+02:00

Every experience comes with a lesson but I still haven't figured this one experience out yet. When I first started out in my current job I was beyond ecstatic. It was my dream job I've ever imagined. Everything was going great. My boss was the greatest, the nature of my work was amazing, the timing was just the best. I couldn't ask for better.

Now I can't help but wonder. I moved from the UAE especially to get that kind of job here in Syria. Since I was freelance and I've been not doing anything for over a month sitting at home doing nothing. Right before that I worked on an amazing and fun project. Most of the time before that, I'd be at home doing nothing. I didn't travel to live alone, do nothing and get no paycheck at the end of the month. This is getting to be a seriously frustrating situation. If I'm not productive and actually accomplishing something, I'm not going to be a happy person.I am the kind that needs to see that my work is making some sort of difference in the world. When I feel I'm stuck going nowhere, I go crazy and freak out. Being unemployed and unproductive is out of the question.

One of things that I despise is sitting doing nothing. I feel useless and worthless. All my insecurities come bursting out. It's actually physically painful. I can't even sleep well at night. I know this might sound like I'm exaggerating but I'm not.

I have no idea what to do next. I have a choice to go back to college for year to get my BA. I even applied for a job in the same college, maybe I can work and finish my studies, so I won't lose any time on getting working experience.

Since I didn't get to go to Egypt a few weeks ago, I still need to go there to check out work and Insha'Allah (If God Permits it) I'll be able to start my career there as either a musician or Audio Engineer or anything in the field. I know people there that might be able to help me out to at least know where to apply. That's the least I ask for.

We'll see how all this would go. I just need prayers and good positive vibes from all people that care. I desperately need it.

I pray for guidance.
I pray for solace.
I pray for assurance.
I pray for strength.
I pray for faith.

Coming back Early...

2006-06-06T00:45:00.000+02:00

Here I am coming back much earlier to Syria a lot earlier than I thought. I really don't want to come back and live my old disgusting routine. The only thing that'll make this a lot easier is that my mom is coming down and would be staying till August. That should take some crap off of me.

I still have seriously mixed feeling towards Syria. My job situation isn't getting any better and I don't think staying in that company is going to do me much in developing my career sitting at home most of the time doing nothing. I get no pay and I learn jack.

I've decided to go back to college next year. I'll be moving once again, this time to either London or Dubai (haven't decided yet) for a year to get my audio engineering BA. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a job as well at SAE (School of Audio Engineering) That way I wouldn't miss out on the working experience while I'm in that year of college. What happens once I graduate, I'm not too sure yet. A friend of mine told me that there might be a new Islamic Entertainment satellite channel opening by that time. I think I might apply for a job there and see where that takes me.

Other than that, I still have to talk to people I know about my music, maybe I can get that going as well. I think it'll be amazing if I get it published. My trip to Egypt is postponed but doesn't mean I can't talk to other people who might be help me who know other people. I'll see where all this might lead me.

I just need to find a really awesome web designer to start my own website where I can promote my own music. I have some cool ideas that might get this going. Woohoo. I'm getting all excited just thinking about it. Well good luck for me and in God's will all would work out in the end.

Silly Coincidence.

2006-05-31T02:16:00.000+02:00

I know this might be silly to share but I just thought I'd share the coincidence. I was searching for some info about what movies theaters are playing the Da Vinci Code here in the UAE and I got this from an English teaching site that I found while searching online. The Ironic thing is that I bought a new CD, actually 3 CD's, the other day I am going to Africa soon. Hehehehe...

infinitive of purpose

The infinitive with to is used to talk about people's purposes, the reasons why they do things.

*Sara is going to the shop to buy a new CD. (= because she wants to buy a new CD)
* I'm going to Africa to have a vacation. (= because I want to have a vacation)

Do not use "for" before the infinitive of purpose!

* Sara is going to the shop for to buy a new CD.
* I'm going to Africa for to have a vacation

Finally

2006-05-25T05:13:00.000+02:00

So the day has finally come... I'm actually going back to the UAE to visit my parents and my kitties. YAY!! Oddly enough, I'm traveling in 8 hours and I still didn't pack. Bleh... I really don't like it. It's a drag. Well, it's a good thing that I don't have much to pack.

Everything is good. Finally found a home for my little rascal, my place is sorta tidy. It'll be more tidy once I pack my stuff that is all over the place.

YAY!! I'm excited and very sleepy.. Hence I can't think of anything to write.

So good nigh

Zzzzzz....

My Conclusion.

2006-05-22T17:22:00.000+02:00

Human nature is quite interesting with all its complexes. I've been surprising myself how I'm really aware of how I'm behaving and why I am behaving the way I am. It's not good enough though. I'm being reactive more than proactive simply because, it's easier to handle even though I know that the consequences are relentless. Maybe it's something I'm used to and is what everybody around me seems to be doing. I guess, I'm just comfortable, not really absorbing the concept of the consequence.

One of things thing I really am not enjoy in particular is letting my anger out on somebody who doesn't deserve it at all. It's all because I don't feel he understands. I have to explain everything to him thoroughly again and again. Then I don't know how I end up listening about his things. This guy is one of the most loving human beings on earth but I need more. I feel disconnected as it is and he doesn't know how to deal with my situation. So why am I mad at him in particular? It's because of me. I expect too much of him. I know he's doing the best he can and I seriously appreciate it but I need more.

My feelings of loneliness is turning into anger. According to a therapist I once talked to, that is a good thing. Anger is one of the signs of being fed up and when I'm fed up, I'll actually do something about it to make things better if I'm in a positive state of mind otherwise I'll be a disaster. That is unlikely in my opinion. I just wish it didn't involve me pushing the people that care about away from me. I do have a habit of doing that. It's either I don't want to them to see me weak because of the fear they might leave or that I feel they are not giving me what I need so they get fed up and they leave.

Wow!! As I am typing this, I figured the problem... I'm afraid of people leaving me because that is what usually happens. So what do I do? I push them away before I get too attached then they leave. Quite interesting observation. I should be my own therapist. hehehe.. Yeah, I just don't know what to do about it though... I'm sure within time, I'll get it right.

People come into your life for a reason

2006-05-21T22:08:00.000+02:00

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

The Importance of Mothers in Islam...

2006-05-14T23:17:00.000+02:00

Here's a little something I thought I'd share with you guys. I believe it simply says it all about how in Islam we should take care of a woman before anything. Just to clear the misconceptions about women are not treated well in Islam.

One day a man came to see the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It seemed that he was trying to solve something but couldn't quite work it out. So he asked the Prophet. ''Tell me, O Prophet!'' I have many relatives and many friends whom I love, and whom I wish to care for and help. But I often find it difficult to decide which of them has the greatest claim upon me? Which of them should come first?'' The Prophet replied immediately, ''Your mother should come first and before all others.''

The man was very pleased to have this clear guidance from the Prophet. But of course there were all his other relatives and his friends, so he asked ''and after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me?'' The Prophet's reply this second time surprised him. ''Your mother!'' he said again.

The man wondered why the Prophet was repeating himself. Perhaps he had not spoken clearly, the man thought, so he asked the question again, ''What I want to know is, after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me? Again the Prophet said ''your mother!''

Your mother, your mother, your mother!

The Prophet had now said it three times. Slowly, the man realized why he had done so. ''The Prophet means that my mother is extremely important, so much so that my duty to her must be stressed over and over again. Even so, the man's thoughts ran on, ''what about all the others I love and wish to care for?'' Still uncertain and wanting to know more, he once again turned to the Prophet and said, ''and after my mother, who comes after her? Is there anyone besides her?'' The Prophet then replied ''after your mother, your father.'' ''And then?'' asked the man. ''Then people who are nearest to you,'' said the Prophet. Allah's peace and blessings be upon the Prophet.

Calling out people in Syria...

2006-05-11T10:43:00.000+02:00

Hello readers in Syria...

I terribly need your help. I have this really cute kitten that needs a good home. He's lively and cute... I trained him myself and I took care of him myself. So he's in great condition...

The reason why I'm leaving is because I'm leaving the place I'm staying at and can't take the cat with me. So please please please, if anybody wants him please let me know as soon as possible because I'm leaving in 2 weeks and I can't put this kitten in the streets.

If anybody is interested or know somebody that might be please let me know. For people outside of Syria, I really wish I can ship him to you.

email me at

stellar101@gmail.com

Thank you and I hope to hear from you really soon.

True Love...

2006-05-06T04:48:00.000+02:00

I just realized that true love does not die no matter what. When I was living back in the US I had friend that I only loved with all my heart. He was one of the most amazing human beings on earth. The sweetest, the hottest, the most loving, the most gentle human being I've ever known. His name, Mikel Cunha.

It all started back in 1999 in English class. He forgot his book so I shared mine with him. He kept dropping his pen and kept apologizing to me for the distraction. I wasn't bothered though, I thought it was cute. At that moment, for some reason I knew, I just knew, that something special is going to develop between us.

One day I was taking part of an International fair and who do I see walking around, not the least, it was Mike. He saw me and was surprised to see me all dressed up in Traditional Syrian wear. He came up to me and started talking. He mention something about him wanting to go to California to pursue his acting career. Ironically, I wanted to check out California for my music career. So that's when we exchanged numbers. We were 2 people who wanted to share their goals together. From then it a beautiful friendship has started. We joined the drama club together and let me tell ya, he is one good actor. He sure did convince me.

Then few months later, he simply dropped from the face of the earth. I stopped hearing from him and I for some reason, I never tried to contact him. Then a year later I was walking in a corridor at college and who do I bump into? No one but Mike. I was ecstatic to see him. I gave him my new number and ever since then we've been closer than ever.

I have a few wonderful memories of him. Like one I had the cancer scare he took me out to let me forget and just was the most loving human being. Drove me around Boston, and just showed me a wonderful time. Another when we were acting together, when I went over his place when he was taking part of this local reality TV show in Boston. When I was freaking out about not being able to stay in the US after 9/11, he actually offered to marry me, to keep me in the country. I remember him saying, "we're a team we need to follow our dreams in California together."

Obviously that never happened and when I couldn't go back to the US, I kicked myself in the head for not accepting. Oh well, that is what's meant to happen. I can't complain now. Anyways, so we exchanged emails since then we just lost contact again. About a year later when I was living in Malaysia I contacted him and we had a great talk. This guy just always knew how to show how much he cared. As it is I missed him terribly and that was the last time I heard from him.

It has been 3 years since we talked. Finally after trying to attempt to contact him, I get an email from a friend of mine, Blake that he has contacted him for me. Oh man, for the past few months I was suffering. I was worried sick about Mike because I hadn't heard from him for ever, I didn't know his email addy, I kept getting weird dreams about him and last but not least I couldn't when I called his home, his mom for some odd reason told me that I got the wrong number. I guess she thought I was some stalker or something. hehehe...

This is what Blake had to say in his email when he contacted Mike:

"He sounded very nice and sort of surprised yes. He asked if I was calling for Sara from the Middle East and sounded relieved when he realized I meant you. I told him you had called once and was told he did not live there anymore and that it obviously seems much harder to track someone down stateside when you are so far away. He asked where you are now and said he had not heard from you since you were in Malaysia. I said I knew that, you had told me that was about 3 years ago. He really sounded like he wanted to get a hold of you. He did not sound at all like he was smoking BC Bud...He wanted my email address too and he was thankful and very pleasant indeed to speak with. I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship...I have an uber-smile for you Sara! Amazing what can turn up from chatting online twice, hey?!? "

So you can see, Mike still is thinking of me as well. Hehehehe... Now that's what I call true love. Both of us always knew that we had feelings for one another but we never did anything about it. We even discussed it. We didn't want to ruing the special friendship that we had. Well, I believe it's good that nothing happened. It only makes our relationship even more special. We never held back to tell the other how we love each other. In matter of facts his last words to me were "I love you" Of course, it's not in the sense romantically, it's said in the most innocent and loving way... It's a seriously close friendship kinda thing.

It hasn't happened yet but now we're going to be in touch again and I'm happy beyond words. I just thought I'd share this heaven like experience. What makes it odd is that Blake is a cool Canadian that I met on Couch Surfing . I never met him personally and still was able to make this sad little girl's decade :D The ironic thing is that, Mike and I had an mutual friend and I contacted him so he can help me out but nothing has happened. He told me that he'll contact Mike but that never happened. While Blake, the min he knew about the story, he tried to contact him and the next day he sends me the email telling me, it was a great success.

Sometimes, strangers are better than the people you've known for years and claim that they care about you. That's life for ya. Well, all I care now is that Mike and I are going to be in touch again and I'm super thrilled.

Thank you BLAKE!!!

To love or not to Love?

2006-05-04T12:40:00.000+02:00

For the past few days I've been thinking about my homeland. Well, since I've never lived here before, I'm thinking about in a whole new perspective. I've always loved Syria. It's filled with history and there are the simple fun social activities and the volunteer work etc...

Well, before I moved to Damascus, I was seriously in LOVE with Syria, especially last year. Everything about her was beautiful to me. He streets, her people, her nature her hsitory. Just simply every little thing. Maybe because last year I was in love with somebody from here that I was ready to devote my whole life to. I have no idea.. It's weird how we associate the love of a person to the places and things that has nothing to do with him/her directly.

When I was in Malaysia, all I wanted is to be in Syria... Something I never really felt in my life. The urge, the passion. I would look at pics of Syria and just yearn to be here. Mind you, I didn't know much people. Just that one guy and family.

The day finally came and I finally moved to Syria. At first I was gleaming with excitement and just was having the best time of my life. Then a dosage of reality hit me. I've been warned not to live here and a lot of people are moving out of here because they are miserable. I figured, that I should be fine.

Well, now things are weird. I don't know if I should love living in this country or hate it. The reasons why I still love this country are the same and a few extra things. I met wonderful people here who introduced me to a whole new experience I never thought I'd ever find here in Syria. One of my dearest friends to my heart Amr, has introduced to me to volunteer work here. That just made my life a whole lot better. We'd hang out and just have a ball. I've never met anybody like him in my life. There are the other bloggers as well, like Ayman, Zena, Sinan etc... They have been very wonderful.

I'll just put this in point form...

Why I love Syria:

1) The social simple life
2) The volunteer activities
3) My friends
4) The history of the country
5) The nature of this country.
6) Weird enough, my job.

Why I hate Syria:

1) The complicated part of social scene
2) Nothing is easy here.
3) Nothing is organized
4) Nothing is stable
5) People here in general
6) My job.

You might wonder how on earth do I have the same things on both my love and hate list. Well, it's simple.

I love being social with my friends and family, I can be somewhat myself. Then what I hate is I can't be 100% myself. I feel that there's something in me being surpressed and I'm often misunderstood.

My job, well. I love what I do for a job but I hate the fact, I'm a freelance audio engineer. I don't have a salary, I get paid for each project I do. Sometimes there aren't any projects and I stay home do nothing and get bored. Simply, I don't feel stable in this job at all.

I feel this seriously annoying inncer conflict. I want to go back to the UAE to be at least living with family instead of living completey alone in this one bedroom apartment. I get seriously lonely. It's depressing to walk into my place and there's nobody there to greet me and when I leave, nobody to say goodbye to. It sad, that not many come over even though I do invite them. I have no idea why.

I guess what it comes down to is that I just need something special and steady in my life. Or I just need to stop bitching and adjust to this. I have no idea... I just think, we're suppose to develop and be better and by adjusting to the chaos I feel I'll need to be unstable and chaotic. I want to improve not become worse. I have no idea what do honestly.

When you have lived in totally different environments, I think you'd become complicated. lol I don't know. I think I just need to finish a year experience of work then move back to the UAE to finish my education as I work. That is my back up plan. If my original plan works out this summer, I'll be in great condition and I'll be floating from happiness... Let's see how all this would work out.

2 Perverts and a Kitten.

2006-04-25T22:56:00.000+02:00

I started my day by saying my goodbye to a new Egyptian friend I made in the past few days. She stayed over my place for 3 nights and it was fun having her around. It's a great change of pace in my life. I love hosting people who need a place to stay. I don't host other than girls so, sorry guys...

Anyways, so after that I had lunch at my aunt's place. I haven't seen her in a while and she invited me. As soon as I reached there I ate then rushed to work... Had a normal day at work doing some recording and then fixing some audio files here and there with a client. While I was sorting the files I hear a cat just screaming outside the studio... Me being the cat lover had to see what is going on.

I open the door and to my surprise I see the most adorable kitten. As soon as it noticed me, it ran to me. Of course nobody wanted me to let it in but it came anyways, then I got it out. To make a long story short, I decided to take the kitten till I can find it a proper place to stay. There was one problem and how am I going to take it home? There wasn't any box and I didn't have a car. So I just carried it and asked stores near by if they had a box I can put the cat in it. The first store didn't have a box, the cake shop did though.

One thing I didn't get is why on earth were the "men" weirded out why I wanted to take care of it and tell me how usually he kicks them. I'm thinking, "Does this guy think he's scoring brownie points with me being pathetically all macho?" As I was putting the kitten in the box and taping it shut, the guy was trying to ask me all sorts of personal questions about where I live and he hasn't seen me around and crap like that. I was like why? He even wanted to offer me free cake. I was like nope, I'm on a diet. I'm not really but I just didn't want anything from him. So I just rushed out and the kitten is SCREAMING!!

I was walking as fast as I can and hopefully, I'll find a cab to take me home ASAP. I found one finally but to my luck the guy is a serious pervert. Again this guy was asking me all sorts about me and telling about how cats mate. I'm praying, "GOD, make this ride end safely." The guy even reached backwards to calm the kitten down. I felt like I was ready to get raped. I was freaking out especially that he's telling about how cats mate. The he was asking some personal question about my marital status and he's telling me that he's single. As soon as he said that, my cell phone rings. I'm like YAY!!! It was my good friend and blogger Zena. She saved me from freaking out more than I already am... In one hand the kitten is screaming and the guy is hitting on me. BLAH... I just wanted to reach home.

I finally reached and after paying the guy, I jumped out of the cab. and rushed home. Then I settled the kitten in by putting it some food to eat and water to drink. I didn't have everything so I rushed to the pet store and got some sand put in the litter box and some proper cat food.

Now the cat is settled in for now. I'm just hoping I can find a place for it to stay for good. I can't keep it, my mom will kill me. Pray for me...

My conclusion for today is that, just when I think I started to understand men and think they can actually be wonderful some idiots throws me off completely... Sorry guys but the truth is that good guys are minorities. God bless them...

Dalai Lama Meets With Muslims in California

2006-04-17T05:09:00.000+02:00

By JUSTIN M. NORTON, Associated Press Writer
Sun Apr 16, 8:47 AM ET

SAN FRANCISCO - The Dalai Lama urged religious leaders Saturday to reach out to Muslims, saying Islam is a compassionate faith that has been unfairly maligned because of a few extremists.

"Nowadays to some people the Muslim tradition appears more militant," the 70-year-old exiled monk said at a weekend conference, which aimed to bring Muslims and Buddhists together.

"I feel that's totally wrong. Muslims, like any other traditions — same message, same practice. That is a practice of compassion," he said.

Event organizers say the Dalai Lama interrupted his schedule to fly to San Francisco and meet Islamic scholars and leaders from other faiths to discuss reducing violence and extremism.

Security was tight at the invitation-only event, which drew about 500 religious leaders and scholars. The conference included speakers and presenters from numerous faiths and roughly 30 countries.

The Dalai Lama told the audience that many people see and hear news of suicide bombings in predominantly Muslim countries but don't hear about how Muslims often work with the poor.

He said all human beings are prone to violence if they lose control of their emotions and not to judge an entire faith based on a few people. "A few mischievous people are always there," he said.

The Dalai Lama, who was awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, fled Tibet in 1959 following an aborted uprising against Chinese rule in the territory and now keeps an office in exile in the Himalayan town of Dharmsala, India.

The Dalai Lama also told conference attendees that religious traditions must work harder to live together in peace, citing religious violence in Northern Ireland, Pakistan and Iraq.

Hamza Yusuf, founder of the Zaytuna Institute, a Hayward-based center for Islamic study, said the conference could help build relationships between Buddhists and Muslims and promote a greater understanding of Islam. He noted that Muslims and Buddhists lived together peacefully for hundreds of years in Tibet.

Yusuf said the Dalai Lama's participation in the event could warm Americans to Islam, since many Americans have mixed feelings about the faith but are receptive to Buddhism.

"He wanted to meet us in solidarity as a community because he felt like people were attacking Islam," Yusuf said.

Seyed Ali Ghazvini of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno said he hoped the conference would encourage Muslims to be more visible and active in the United States.

"This is a matter of necessity," said Ghazvini, who gave the Dalai Lama a set of Islamic prayer beads. "It's not an option to sit alone in our own community and our own mosques."

When I read this, I thought that it is one of the coolest things I've read. I've always respected the Dalai Lama and seeing him actually help Islam makes me wonder where it's all going to go from there? I have good hopes that people would actually get to realize that Islam is not horrid as majority of Americans think. The original article can be found here.

The Story of Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him)

2006-04-14T05:21:00.000+02:00

Last Tuesday was the birthdate of the Prophet with much celebration I got this email and decided to share it with everybody...

12th Rabil Awwal (Islamic Calender) is the anniversary of the birth on an incredible personality, who arrived as a boon for the entire humanity and brought with him a set of principles, pursuing which guarantees even triumph and well-being for every individual, every nation and country and the whole mankind. Though this day comes every year, but this year it has come at such a crucial time when inhabitants of the earth are more indigent of the guidance of that sagacious person, than ever before.

TIME to know The Noble Personality
TIME to spread The Noble Preaching

We, as his followers, must live and spread this message today at a time when hatefulness and ugliness towards each other has become the norm.
Please read the excellent book:

Meelad-un-Nabi (SAW) (in English)

Meelad-un-Nabi (SAW) (in Urdu)

We launched an YEAR-LONG campaign to spread the Message of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

(These books are part of this campaign. We can send you these books by e-mail as well if u doesn't have the Internet. Kindly send an e-mail to us with an indicating language: in English or in Urdu )

FREE Available on
http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org/
Biggest FREE e-Library & Audio Collection in Multiple Languages
Unique Features:

Multiple Titles
Multiple Authors in
Multiple Languages
Beautiful Hadith based Screensavers
Quiz in Multiple Languages
Biggest Audio Collection
Nasheed & Stories for Kids

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please send all comments, suggestions to: info@prophetmuhammadforall.org

Our Lives are What we Make Them

2006-04-07T07:05:00.000+02:00

Here's a lecture that I got from Amr Khaled's website. I thought it'll be a something quite interesting to share to fix any misconceptions in Islam... Feedback from everybody would be great.

First thought: Is this gathering important to Allah? Yes it is. Our Prophet (PBUH) was once sitting at his home and a group of his companions were at the mosque. Suddenly he got up and went quickly to the mosque and looked at those companions and asked them: “What are you sitting here for?” They answered: “We sat to glorify Allah.” The Prophet said: “Do you swear that you sat only for this?” They said: “we swear that we sat only for this.” The Prophet said: “I did not ask you to accuse you but I was informed that Allah is bragging about you in front of the angels.”

Second thought: Brothers, what about renewing your intentions now in this session. You came here to please Allah and to meet good companion and listen to what may bring you closer to Allah, so let Allah witness this. Make this your intention; May Allah let us go to the “Al-jannah” by this.

Third thought: I have a question in mind. What about all of the thousands here? What will be their state after the conference ends? I want to advise you to stick to Allah’s compliance as much as you can and to be keen on having a group of pious friends (Saleheen) to support you in this hard life.

Our subject today is: We make our lives ourselves

This lecture is considered a continue for the lecture of “Set your goal in life” and our lecture today is centralized around one question: Who makes our lives? Do we make our lives? Or are the circumstances responsible for making our lives? Who is responsible for the difficult state of our nation? Who is behind our backwardness? Who is the reason behind the youth not being religious enough? Who is responsible for not having a Muslim youth who’s not excellent in sports, for example? Who makes our lives, our own wills or conditions?

Psychologists’ views:

Psychologists, like Freud and his peers, see that there are three factors that make human lives

Genetic factors

Educational factors

Environmental factors

Thus these three factors control one’s behavior and reactions. Freud’s explanation for a characteristic like nervousness or stinginess, for example, are due to the genetic factors and the person has nothing to do with since the genetic factor is domineering.

Freud and his peers interpret mistreatment for wives, to be due to educational factors. This person saw his father when he was a child insulting his wife, so he did the same when he grew up and all this is out of his hands since educational factors were domineering.

With the same logic of Freud, the reason for the youth not being persistent in their worship to Allah is due to the surrounding environmental factor, which is full of strife and temptation so the environment is domineering and the person is helpless.

But is this a right point of view? This point is very critical. One might ask how Allah will judge us if we are not the ones who control our actions but they are the outcome of conditions and the three above factors?

Lets hear the Islamic point of view and its reply on who is responsible for making our lives? Is it conditions or our own wills?

The Islamic point of view:

Islam regards the Psychologists’ view to be wrong. Islam acknowledges that the person is affected by the previous three factors but it acknowledges as well that Allah gave us the weapon to fend them off. The weapon is the abilities given to us by Allah. Thus Allah, in the Day of Judgment, will judge how we used these abilities to defeat these factors and conditions. The more the person succeeds in using his abilities to defeat these factors, the more he will be rewarded by “Al-Jannah”. Yet, the more he is defeated by them, the tougher his punishment will be.

In this lecture, we will demonstrate –God’s willing- giving examples how we can defeat these factors using the abilities Allah blessed us with. This is to prove that the success and the advancement of Muhammad’s nation is not an impossible target. This lecture’s aim is to make everyone have an undoubted faith in the possibility of achieving his target and that he can -with Allah’s help- defeat the factors hampering his march towards his target.

If the factors are those we mentioned above, then what are the abilities we need to have in order to defeat them?

The abilities Allah gave us:

It is an internal power Allah placed inside each one of us. This power exists and when called upon it can defeat anything, so let us release our built-in power.

Example: Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was imprisoned during strife in Jordan, he used to say that he does not fear being imprisoned or being killed since he will be martyred. But he feared being whipped. When he was taken to be whipped, an imprisoned thief saw him and said: “Imam, be steady on the truth; if you live you will be praised, and if you die you will be martyred. Imam, I have been whipped in this prison eighteen thousand lashes for the sake of Satan, so you be steady for the sake of The Merciful God (Ar-rahman).” Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal says the words of the thief made him a new person and his internal power was released. They began whipping the Imam but he was steady to the extent that his hangman said: “I have whipped him severely; if he was an elephant he would have collapsed by now, I kept saying to myself the next lash will penetrate his back and come out of his mouth”. When the Imam fell down, someone offered him water, the Imam replied: “I am fasting”.

We can see from this example that whatever the factors are, you have the power to defeat them. Allah’s Prophets faced many factors and harsher conditions than we face. A Prophet was not sent till disorder and corruption prevail. When the hardships and strife become tougher, when the three factors are at their peak and faith descends to the lowest, at this moment Prophets are sent to revive the faith with their followers once more. We are full of hope now to revive our faith once more. Prophets and their followers succeeded in this although they had minor resources. We all hope to succeed as they did and to defeat the factors with the abilities Allah bestowed on us.

We will present you an example that has succeeded on earth and in religion. This example was subject to earthly factors, yet he succeeded and conquered them, this example is:

Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) and from his story we will see that we can succeed as he did:

Yusuf and life:

Factors Yusuf (PBUH) was subject to:

As a child his brothers detested him.

He was thrown in the well when he was less than 12 years old, and Allah says what can be translated as, “bottom of the well” (TMQ, 15:15) (1), as the well was so deep.

He was sold as a slave and stayed as a slave for 10 years.

He was put in jail for another 10 years.

When he reached 40 he started his life as Egypt’s Aziz (minister of treasury).

40 years passed from his life in agony but he succeeded in life regardless of the factors he was subject to.

What where the abilities that helped him to succeed

Patience: We have to learn to be patient till success is accomplished. Let’s all learn from Yusuf’s patience.

Talent: His talent in interpreting dreams. Allah gave each one of us a talent to allow us to succeed.

Knowledge: Economy. He studied this science from the previous Aziz, being a slave did not keep him from studying.

These are the keys for success to any one: patience, knowledge and talent. With those abilities Yusuf (PBUH) succeeded and became Egypt’s Aziz who led the Middle East and saved them from the famine crisis. Using your abilities makes defeating factors a possible target.

This is Yusuf and the story of his success in life. Let’s see Yusuf and religion.

Yusuf and religion:

Yusuf was subject to a great seduction, the seduction of a woman. The story of Yusuf and the seduction of a woman left no excuse for anyone. The lady was the wife of the great Aziz; she had both beauty and position. Yusuf was; strong, beautiful, a bachelor, still had many years before getting married, a slave who can do things a free man can not do, a stranger who can do things natives can not do. She was the one who seduced him saying what can be translated as, “Now come, thou (dear one)!" (TMQ, 15:23) ,“She fastened the doors” (TMQ, 15:23) so he became safe from scandal and she was the one who seduced him many times. She said what can be translated as, “I did seek to seduce him from his (true) self” (TMQ, 15:51). Yet regardless of all these factors, he said what can be translated as, “Allah forbid! Truly (thy husband) is my lord! He made my sojourn agreeable! Truly to no good come those who do wrong!" (TMQ, 15:23) She said about him, describing his resistance, what can be translated as, “he did firmly save himself guiltless!” (TMQ, 15:51) He succeeded in defeating seduction factors. So he succeeded in both life and religion.

Yusuf’s abilities for succeeding in religion

Patience: Patience from sins and patience in obedience.

Supplication: He said what can be translated as, “unless Thou turn away their snare from me” (TMQ, 15:33) and he asked Allah’s help to overcome the seduction.

Will you succeed as he did? Will you defeat the factors? Will you say no to sin?

Youth, what will be your state after this conference? Will this spiritual spirit last or will it disperse before the first temptation? “And on them did Satan prove true his idea, and they followed him, all but a Party that believed”, Satan supposes that we have come here to be better. He supposes that we will be weakened by the first sin he offers us. Will you live up to his expectations? We all hope that all those in this hall are of the believers party the verse talked about

Before I end the lecture, I want to assure you that we can succeed. If Yusuf succeeded in the presence of all those factors, we will Insha’ Allah.

Prophet Muhammad’s Hadith (PBUH) about hope was always in the times of turmoil. In the day of The Battle of Al-Khandaq (the Trench) Muslims were besieged and were subject to hardships greater than we are now. When they were not able to break a rock while digging the trench they called for the Prophet (PBUH). He held the axe and said “In the name of Allah” and he hit the rock and a spark came out from the rock so Prophet (PBUH) said: “Allahu Akbar, Persia is conquered”. He hit the rock once more and another larger spark came out so the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Allahu Akbar Rome is conquered”. His talk about hope comes in the time of turmoil.

Nation of Muhammad, hope is still there to restore our nation’s power as long as there are souls in us and as long as we pray for Allah and say, “Allah is the Greatest” and acknowledge that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.

Brothers set your targets and do not lose hope in achieving them.

(1)TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

AmrKhaled.net © جميع حقوق النشر محفوظةThis Article may be published and duplicated freely for private purposes, as long as the original source is mentioned. For all other purposes you need to obtain the prior written approval of the website administration. For info: dar_altarjama@amrkhaled.net

Beit Iba Checkpoint Occupied by Peace

2006-04-06T07:33:00.000+02:00

This article was taken from the ISM website. I thought it's quite interesting to show that Palestine is an International issue and it is being dealt in a peaceful way with some humour.

Palestinian, Israeli and international activists from ISM and IWPS celebrated the new year and their continuous determination to jointly fight the occupation by peacefully taking over Beit Iba checkpoint, north of Nablus. Following a call of local activists from Nablus over one hundred Palestinian, Israeli and international activists, many of them dressed up as clowns and Santa Clauses, marched to the checkpoint from both sides chanting and playing drums and trumpets.

They succeeded to join each other in the middle of the checkpoint and to deliver their demand for freedom and to end the occupation to the Israeli soldiers on the spot. Activists, including one dressed as Santa Claus, handed out chocolates to the Soldiers, calling on them to drop their guns and join the peaceful struggle against the occupation.

Beit Iba is one of several checkpoints isolating the city of Nablus and its 200,000 inhabitants from the surrounding villages and the rest of the West Bank, and is notorious for daily harassment and other abuses faced by Palestinians. As a result of the continuous siege of Nablus since the beginning of the Intifada, all aspects of live in the area are severely interrupted: teachers and students face daily difficulties on their way to school and universities, patients are delayed or stopped on their to hospitals and doctors and farmers are often unable to bring their products to the market. Recently Nablus residents under the age of 35 are denied their right to leave the city, but depending on what the Israeli army calls the ìsecurity situationsî this can also apply to all Nablus residents regardless of their age.

By taking over the checkpoint and crossing it without showing their ID-cards to the soldiers, the activists confirmed the right of all Palestinians for freedom of movement, without being at the mercy of the Israeli military and its illegal occupation. In an attempt to regain control of the checkpoint the soldiers started closing the checkpoint with barbed wire and pushing the activists, separating them from each other, and prevented many activists from Nablus from coming back into the city.

Two Palestinian activists were detained and arrested by the Israeli military; one is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, the other a Palestinian man from the Nablus region. They were released after paying bail in the amount of 2000 shekels and were accused of having assaulted a soldier, despite the fact that the demonstration was peaceful and non-violent.

For more Information call
ISM Media Office: 02-297 18 24

The Right to Be Educated

2006-04-05T05:34:00.000+02:00

I got an email this morning with some pics of Palestinians students at checkpoints trying to get to school. They weren't allowed to cross. So they just decided to have classes right at the checkpoint. This picture in particular touched me because it seriously shows how nothing stops determined people to practice their right to learn. It makes me feel that my strife is nothing compared to theirs. God bless them...

A Blessing to All

2006-04-04T11:45:00.000+02:00

May the long time sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light within you

Guide your way on.

Love and peace to all,

Sara

Just a quick note.

2006-04-03T07:47:00.000+02:00

Hello readers,

I know it's been a while since I've written something. I'm just busy with a few things but sooner or later I'll be back.

Here's a Motto for today...

Be loving--because God is love.

Peace and love to ALL!

Answering the Question asked by EVERYBODY!!

2006-03-29T07:40:00.000+02:00

When Karin and Richard asked me the question about why was the Afghani man who converted to Christianity trailed to get the death Penalty, I'll admit, I didn't know the answer. I just knew something didn't make sence. I tried to research online but nothing was satisfactory. I asked around and I got a few answers. My research isn't really done but I'll just post something about it before somebody answers something that might make matters worse. This post was email to me by Shaykh Abdullah Adhami...

* There, currently, does not exist an "islamic state"---which is the only legal entity that can 'legitimately' serve the judicial code of shari'ah---within internation law. No singular, renegade, individual can take it upon themselves to enact 'any' laws of islam. Legal and judicial sovereignty lie with the state wherein one is a citizen, resident or visitor.

* Willful apostacy in 'all' traditions is, simply, considered treason. The arabic word for it, (riddah), signifies rejection, opposition, reneging, denial. latter andalusian jurists may have had different perspectives on the question of the punishment for apostacy, due to new political realities that were different from the conditions faced by the early muslims; this is not unlike the evolution of legal thought in judeo-christian tradition.

* The athenians not only believed that treason or sedition should deem a person "the greatest enemy of the whole state." according to athenian law, this person must be "condemned to death, ..., and, as "the dialogues of plato" document, the magistrate who -- by reason of cowardice -- does not suppress him is nearly as bad."

* It is interesting to note that in christianity, "apostacy" not only denominates, total or full apostacy -- or, 'perfidiae' (lit."treachery")---i.e., when someone gives up their faith, whether or not the person embraces another religion---but can also include "apostacy of religiosity," when a religious person leaves the "religious life"; i believe, this is, more specifically, an apostacy of (or against) "monastacism". erasmus (16th cent.), for example, was guilty of both kinds. then, there's "apostacy against ordainment," when a member of the clergy
abandons the ecclesiastical state.

* Under the christian roman empire, apostates were punished by deprivation of all civil rights. they could not give evidence in a court of law, and could neither bequeath nor inherit property. "to induce anyone to apostatize was an offence punishable with death."

* Moreover, in the renowned code of the roman emperor justinian (483-565), "corpus juris civilis," the basis of all [roman] 'canon law', and the basis of ["modern"] civil law, "apostasy was punished by death"; and, there was "no toleration of dissent."

Finally...
* According to the jewish encyclopaedia (published, i believe, bet. 1901-1910), the biblical codes stipulate that the "one who doubts or ridicules one word of the Torah---or of the rabbinical authors---is an "heretic" in the fullest sense, an infidel... and there is no hope for him." the laws concerning such an unbeliever are very strict, "he may be killed directly, or his death may be caused indirectly."

Incidentally...
* Absolutely nowhere in Islamic history---by the testimony of eminent 'western' historians, can one find a doctrine akin to the "cognite intrare" (or, "forced conversion") of st. augustine (354-430 c.e.). as you know, the quran says: "there is no coercion in religion."

This idea that everyone 'must' be compelled to conform to the christian faith, unleashed centuries of unparalleled bloodshed. for a brief time, the ummayad dynasty represented the 'only' aberration in the history of islam---whereby people were categorized as only either "Muslim" or "Other"---and, unsurprisingly, were the shortest lived historically. sadly, some of its dogma still permeates 'canonical [legal] material' that is still taught today.

* There is much about the "Afghan Christian" story that is 'shady'. we should just wait and the truth will be revealed. (even Rev. Samuel Zwemer would be embarrassed.)

* In our modern day, due to the volatility of the geo-political climate, the rulings against (riddah)---even 'if' an islamic state existed---would have to be---necessarily---evaluated from a different legal angle, eminently because of either continual provocation and abuse which would elicit violent psycho-somatic states---(as was witnessed with the defammation of the Qur'an at Guantanamo); or, people on the proverbial fringes---on the edge---who are either paid, or otherwise coopted, to openly "declare" [what appears to be] "apostacy" on Arab global satelite channels, and be sensationally transformed into a media darlings for a little while.

Another post on this matter can be found here

Hope this answers the question.

Peace to all...

Jesus Christ The Son of Mary and His Blessed Mother (Part 2)

2006-03-25T11:37:00.000+02:00

THE INVINCIBILITY OF MADINA

It was related that the Dajjâl would roam the earth and that when he reaches Madîna the Radiant - upon its dweller the best blessings and greetings of peace! - and desires to enter it, the angels will stand in front of him at the gates of Madîna and bar his passage. They will stand in front of him at a place the Messenger of Allâh - upon him blessings and peace - has named for us - al-Jurf - a place known today in Madîna al-Munawwara. He will stand on a mountain there and look toward the Mosque of the Beloved and his grave, saying: "Look there, at that white building: that is the palace of Ahmad." He will try to enter but will be unable. Some of his followers will bring some people. The Prophet - upon him blessings and peace - said that when the Dajjâl stands at the gates of Madîna, Madîna will shake three times; at that time, anyone in whose heart remain hypocrisy and dissemblance or other than firm attachment to God Most High shall be corrupted and follow the Dajjâl. One of the narrations specifies they will reach eighty thousand. God is our refuge from that!

THE RIGHTEOUS WITNESS

Some of the soldiers of the Dajjâl will seize a man from among the righteous whom they think to be a common person. They will stand him before the Dajjâl who will say to him: "Do you believe that I am your Lord?" He will reply: "No! You are none other than the Arch-Deceiver." He will say: "I am your Lord!" "No! You are the Dajjâl!" He will say: "I am your Lord!" "No! You are the Dajjâl!" He will then order for a saw to be brought. The saw will be placed in the middle of the righteous man's head and he will be sawed in half until he becomes two separate pieces and the horses will pass between the two. Then the Dajjâl will give an order. He will be brought back together again and the Dajjâl will pass his hand over him, after which he will live a second time, by the power of God. When he comes alive the Dajjâl will look at him, thinking that he has definitely gained control over him, and say: "I have caused you to die and caused you to come alive again. Do you now believe that I am your Lord?" The man will reply: "My certitude has only increased that you are the Dajjâl of whom the Messenger of Allâh - upon him blessings and peace - told us!" He will order him to be killed but will be unable to do so anymore.

THE KILLING OF THE DAJJAL

Just as the Dajjâl orders the righteous man to be killed he will hear a voice crying out: "The Spirit from God, Jesus, has descended!" When the Dajjâl hears the name of our liege-lord `Isâ he will shake and tremble in fear. He will rush to Palestine . There, the army of our liege-lord Jesus and our liege-lord al-Mahdî will meet the army of the Dajjâl at the gate of Ludd. When the Dajjâl looks and sees our liege-lord Jesus, upon him peace, surrounded with a halo of light, the Dajjâl will melt - as mentioned in the hadîth - just as salt melts in water. Our liege-lord Jesus will approach him and so will our liege-lord al-Mahdî. They will strike him with their two swords and kill him.

O nations of the Believers, this matter is not just a story we hear for our hearts to be moved a little. This is about living, this is a method one follows, a path one takes, this is a transaction that is going to take place and in which we are going to be involved. AT THIS VERY MOMENT THE ARMIES OF THE CHRIST ARE GETTING READY AND SO ARE THE ARMIES OF THE DAJJAL. THE MEANING OF THIS PREPARATION IS THAT CERTAIN ATTRIBUTES IN THE HEARTS ARE RISING AND TAKING FIRM ROOT IN THE ARMY OF TRUTH AND RIGHT WHILE CERTAIN ATTRIBUTES ARE ALSO FORMING IN THE ARMY OF FALSEHOOD.

CHRIST, ANTI-CHRIST, AND THE JEWS

It is also said that the wisdom for which God has the killing of the Dajjâl take place at the hands of our liege-lord the Christ is that the Dajjâl is the manifestation of the oppression of materialism while our liege-lord the Christ is the manifestation of the supremacy of the spirit in this existence. The Dajjâl is also named "anointed" (masîh), but "the anointed arch-liar and deceiver" (al-masîh al-kadhdhâb al-dajjâl). He was named masîh because at some point in his career he will claim that he is our liege-lord the Christ.

This is because when the Jews fought the Christ - the spirit from God - and refused to believe in him and submit to his mission, they then denied that the Christ had appeared even as it was written in their books that the Christ would appear. Therefore, they claimed that our liege-lord Jesus was a great liar - and he is far exalted beyond their claim! - and they opposed him and tried to kill him. But God saved him, {They did not slay him, neither crucified him, only a likeness of that was shown to them} (4:157).

Then our liege-lord the Christ was raised up to the near heaven - upon him peace - and the Jews remained as they were, in their belief that the Christ had not yet come out. They are now waiting for a Christ to come, and their Christ is the Dajjâl. About ten years ago or more a manifestation took place in Tel-Aviv in which a large placard was hoisted, saying: "Welcome to the impending appearance of the Prince of Peace." This is the one they claim to be the Christ, but he is the Arch-Deceiver.

THE SECRET OF THE CREATION OF JESUS AND MARY

The entire matter is connected to the days in which God caused our liege-lord Jesus to exist.

The time in which our lady Mary was born - the purest and most blessed, upon her peace! - was a time in which the tyranny of materiality held full sway over the Jews. The interests of the world dominated them completely. They even altered the word of God for the purpose of their buying and selling - the rulings of the sacred Law. God forbade usury in all the dispensations, so they altered the rulings and made usury permitted to themselves. They made permitted to themselves much of what God had forbidden them. They made up clouds to obscure the order of the heavenly call which had been directed to them for the purpose of running after material concerns. They became slaves of materialism.
Among the Jews there remained some righteous souls such as the Prophets and their entourage and those that affiliated themselves to them. Among these righteous souls was our lady Hanna the mother of our lady Mary, upon both of them peace. Hanna was one of the righteous women, one of the Godwary, worshipful, devoted to prayer and good works. She had great love for Prophets, saints, and the devotees that were in Jerusalem . When she became pregnant from her husband, she felt that she might give birth to a boy and so she vowed that what she carried in her womb would be dedicated to the service of God. {Lord, I have vowed to You, in dedication, what is in my womb} ( 3:35 ). She vowed that the newborn would serve the temple of Jerusalem so as to become prepared for the service of the Religion.

HANNA'S VOW

Look at the effect of intention. What is our goal when we want to have children, what is our intention? The very deliverance which the Community awaits, at the hands of our liege-lord Jesus, upon him peace! - there will be for Hanna an ample portion of its reward and benefit. For she possessed an intention with God! Look at this fortunate woman who, when she intended that in her offspring there would be someone who serves God, someone who would serve this Religion, when she was truthful in such an intention, God honored her because of her intention, but not in the way she thought. For she gave birth to a female child.

(And when she gave birth to her she said, Lord, I have given birth to her, a female. And God knows very well what she had given birth to; the male is not as the female. And I have named her Mary, and commend her to You with her seed, to protect them from the accursed Satan( ( 3:36 ). What was the reply? (Her Lord received the child with gracious favor(. The sum total of what the hearts of the truthful seek is that their Lord receive them with gracious favor! {Her Lord received the child with gracious favor, and by His goodness she grew up comely. Zachariah taking charge of her} ( 3:37 ). The intention of Hanna made the one she bore to be accepted, even though it was other than what she had envisaged and wished for, since she had wished for a boy and she got a girl.
RIGHTEOUS AND TRUTHFUL INTENTIONS ARE NOT IN VAIN IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD REGARDLESS OF THE JUDICIAL CALCULATIONS OF HUMANKIND AND EVEN IF HUMAN HOPE AND HUMAN PLANS DID NOT MATERIALIZE. A girl came, but intentions are never lost in the presence of God - and thousands upon thousands of men are not worth Mary's foot!

SECLUSIONS AND MIRACLES OF MARY

She gave birth to our lady Mary. Our Lady Mary grew up, fed with purity, light, Godwariness, and righteousness. Those of the Prophets, saints, and hermits that were in Jerusalem drew lots to see who would take charge of her. The lot fell to Zachariah. He was a relative of Mary. Zachariah placed her in a mihrab. The mihrab back then was not the prayer-niche we know today but consisted in an isolated cell or tower that had no door nor opening except from the top. It could be entered only with a ladder from the outside and another ladder down into it. Zachariah placed her in it. He would bring her food and go. She practiced her devotions and worship in absolute dedication and chastity, orienting herself wholly to her Lord in her cell.

God showed our liege-lord Zachariah certain wonders. {Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence comes unto you this (food)? She answered: It is from God. God gives without stint to whom He will. There Zachariah prayed unto his Lord} ( 3:37 -38). Consider the saying of God, {There}. Zachariah is a Prophet and therefore better than our lady Mary who is a truthful saint (Siddîqa). However, because of the high rank which our lady Mary gained, upon her peace, she became in a position to teach one of the Prophets! At that point, one of the Prophets actually became her pupil in the Religion.

They said that our liege-lord Zachariah wondered from where the fruits he found there came. They said he would find with her the fruits of winter in the summer season and the fruits of summer in the winter season. He knew full well that no one other than he entered that place which was shut tight and inaccessible - but, more importantly, such fruits were not to be found in the land since they were out of season! She said, {It is from God}.

Yes, O Prophet of God, the fact of the matter is the certitude that sustenance is from my Lord and not from any created cause. We do know that we are commanded to deal with created causes and effects - however, if created causes and effects have been suppressed, then the sustenance of God Almighty can never be suppressed!

{There Zachariah prayed unto his Lord}. He asked for a pious offspring. God gave him our liege-lord John, upon him peace.

Then came the tremendous event in which God manifested Himself and for which He had prepared our lady Mary. {And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East} ( 19:16 ). The Ulema said that {East} was an allusion to the Orient from where the sun rose - that is, to the East from her perspective. The people are accustomed to praise the East because it is the place from the direction of which the light comes. {When she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East and had chosen seclusion (hijâb) from them} ( 19:16 -17). They said that the hijâb meant she hid herself from mankind to dedicated herself to the Divine worship. After she tasted the sweetness of worship in her cell she wished to taste the sweetness of worship in her travelling on the earth.

ANNUNCIATION

{Then We sent unto her Our spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man} ( 19:17 ). When she saw our liege-lord Gabriel, he assumed for her an excellent likeness, the likeness of a human being. {She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from you, if you are God fearing. He said: I am only a messenger of your Lord} ( 19:18 -19). She realized the secret behind his presence - the receiving of the manifestation (tajallî) that dawned upon her from God. {That I may bestow on you a faultless son} ( 19:19 ). What is behind such a gift? {She said: How can I have a son when no mortal has touched me, neither have I been unchaste! He said: So your Lord said} ( 19:20 -21).

Consider now the presence of food for our lady Mary as she was in her cell, dedicated to her worship, without means nor sensory cause. THIS WAS A PREAMBLE SO THAT OUR LADY MARY WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE NEWBORN, ALSO, THERE WAS NO PRE-CONDITION OF MEANS. The matter was not, for our lady Mary, merely a mental apprehension. Rather, it was a discernment of certitude and of the heart (dhawq yaqînî qalbî). For she witnessed and saw with her very eyes the Divine gift with which human custom and cause-and-effect were breached right in front of her! After that, she did not consider it strange that a customary cause be breached in the occurrence of a newborn child for her.

BIRTH OF JESUS AND FURTHER TESTS OF MARY

Then came the time for giving birth. It was said that the spirit [of the child] was breathed into her, the pregnancy took place, and the time of birth came all at one and the same time. Do not think this strange. The matter, from beginning to end, violates custom. The matter is one of the manifestations of the power of God Almighty!

When she felt the time of birth had come, {And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten!} ( 19:23 ). When she reached this stage, the Ulema pondered why she had asked for death while she was in the very midst of Divine generosity. One of them said: "Because she knows that the Israelites had reached such a lowly state of vile attachment to the world and its overwhelming lusts and materialism that they would never accept the sight of God's favor and the breach of customary laws that took place with Mary." Someone else said, "No, she wished that she had not lived to see that day only because God had shown her that her son might one day be worshipped together with God Almighty."

She gave birth to our liege-lord Jesus - upon our Prophet and upon him the best blessings and salutations of peace! The lights of Jesus dawned upon this earth. When he saw the [distraught] state of his mother he addressed her even as he was in her womb or from below her [after birth]. He caused her to apprehend another meaning that reminded her of the magnificence of God Who is with her - High and Exalted! {And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you, you will cause ripe dates to fall upon thee} ( 19:25 ).

Here we tend to recite this verse without pausing. The palm tree is solid. It is difficult for a human being to shake it. A strong and mighty man would hardly budge a palm tree, even a number of men! The palm tree trunk at the bottom is very large while its top is thin so that the wind can move it. Try to move a fully grown palm tree at the bottom of its trunk, you will not be able. How then can a woman in the weakness of giving birth be able to shake it? Yet this act is demanded of her and it is not sufficient for her to merely see the Divine bounty.
In the first two phases, she saw the Divine gift before her. The first time was for her schooling. Lo and behold, fruits and sustenance descended from the heaven and were laid before her without her asking. The second time she was told that she would give birth without outward nor sensory cause and without connection to any man, again, without her asking. Now, it is asked of her that she herself move the palm tree.

Some of the Ulema said that this was an allusion to the world of cause and effect and to the fact that mankind is not to leave aside material means even though they rely on their Causator. This is a fine explanation. However, there is another meaning. THE CERTITUDE THAT HAD BUILT UP IN OUR MOST BLESSED LADY MARY - UPON HER PEACE - THE VIRGIN, HAD TAKEN ROOT IN HER CONSCIENCE WITH SUCH STRENGTH THAT IT WAS NOW ASKED OF HER TO DO WHAT NO MIND WOULD ACCEPT TO DO WHATSOEVER.

LESSONS FROM MARY'S CERTITUDE

The mind says that in such a state there is no way for her to move the trunk of the palm tree. However, the order or directive came to her from her own child - a breach of custom in its own right, a newborn infant speaking - and with this same breach of custom she was ordered to stretch her hand to do what she knew she was unable to do of her own power howsoever! And this is a meaning from certitude to which our lady Mary ascended.

We own a share of this certitude which we ought to grasp and follow. When God Most Glorious and Exalted asks us to do something from which we find our strength falling short, we ought not to procrastinate obeying the Divine order with the excuse that we are too weak or that others are stronger. The day the Umma reaches the certitude that when they are true in helping God, God will help them [47:7] - at that time the palm trees of existence shall shake for this Community!

JEALOUSY OF THE ISRAELITES

Our pure lady the Virgin rose with her newborn child and returned to the Israelites. The Jews received her and saw her whom they knew to be chosen. Some of them might well have harbored jealousy in their souls against her because of her special station. Those whose hearts have muddied or become diseased find it difficult to watch those that are hale respected and honored in the society.

This is what is called jealousy (hasad). The mark of jealousy is recognized in the heart of the jealous person by the fact that when he sees markers of distinction before him - whether in Religion or anything else - something takes hold in his heart; after this he bides his time patiently, patiently, until, when he hears the smallest suspicion or accusation, he shouts "Yes!" loud and clear in its confirmation and is overjoyed at its news. Why? Because in his heart there is filth and turbidity.

When such filth and turbidity had taken root in the hearts of those people, they felt that in the special distinction of our liege-lord Mary - upon her peace - lay an implicit address to themselves. They seemed to hear the message: "You ought to return to purity, O those who have polluted yourselves with the world and its lucre and its show to which you should never have attached yourselves! Here, before your eyes, is a weak woman that has been honored with this high station of purity while you, who lead your society, how far behind you have left purity!"

THE GREAT ADMONITION TO MARY AND JESUS' NATION

Thus, the state of purity of the Virgin Mary was a state of admonition that had been overturning the beds of those possessed of insight among the worshippers of money and materiality. Now, as soon as they saw the nursing infant in her arms, they became overjoyed. {They said: O Mary! You have come with an amazing thing!} ( 19:27 ). Why did they not ask when they had a chance to learn something? But their muddied hearts could not bear to see the purity of the Virgin before their eyes. This is the wont of those who have polluted themselves with the worship of Mammon. It is too much for them to see purity revered and followed among the people.

{Then she pointed to him. They said, How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, an infant?} ( 19:29 ). God did not give them pause for her to answer them. Lo and behold! our liege-lord the Christ replied to them and spoke although he was a nursing infant: {He spoke: Lo! I am the slave of God. He has given me the Scripture and has appointed me a Prophet} ( 19:30 ). He listed the meanings which God Most High had especially bestowed upon him and the ranks with which He had honored him. He made the key to that list the affirmation that he was the slave of God, his servanthood to God Most High. Then, proceeding from the secret of his servanthood to God Most High, came the ranks: {He has given me the Scripture and has appointed me a Prophet}.

Then he described himself as blessed, then he described himself as dutiful so we would know that the secret of dutiful piety is not binding merely upon those who possess it but also applies to others. THE SOCIETIES THAT RECOGNIZE THE DEGREES OF PIETY AMONG ITS PEOPLE OF MERIT ARE THE SOCIETIES THAT RISE UP IN THE RANKS OF MERIT.

God had said to her before she went back out to her people: {And if you meet any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal} ( 19:26 ). Ponder this meaning. The rule would have been that He tell her: "Get ready to answer them. Say to them, God is able over all things. Give them the proof and the evidences: I carried and gave birth in a very brief time, you saw me just before and I was not pregnant, if this had been a falsehood or a sin, this should have taken the normal span of time, nine months...." But He did not give her permission to speak nor to prove her innocence. {Say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal}. Meaning, in facing this [trial] I have turned entirely to my Lord Almighty and Glorious.

{Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! You have come with an amazing thing. O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a wicked man nor was your mother a harlot} ( 19:27 ). Ponder this here. It was said that {O sister of Aaron} implied parentage. It was also said that Aaron was proverbially known for integrity and purity. That is: You who have reached, because of your purity, a proverbial level. {Your father was not a wicked man nor was your mother a harlot}. This is a preamble for the charge that is coming up. After falsehood settles firmly in the heart of the dishonest person, he becomes refined in the art of bringing out that falsehood. "We know so well that you are righteous and goodly, but this - this terrible thing you have done!!" They seem happy to see evil.

JESUS' ATTRIBUTES

{Then she pointed to him. They said, How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, an infant?}. The answer came. {He spoke: Lo! I am the slave of God. He has given me the Scripture and has appointed me a Prophet and has made me blessed wheresoever I may be} ( 19:29 -31). So then blessing is with our liege-lord Jesus wherever he is. When he walked upon the earth blessing was with him wherever he walked, and after he ascended to the heaven blessing ascended wherever he ascended.

{And He has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive and has made me dutiful toward her who bore me, and has not made me arrogant, unblessed} ( 19:31 -32). And now the fruit of what preceded: {Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! Such was Jesus, son of Mary: a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt?} ( 19:33 ). When this meaning came into broad daylight they were crestfallen and remained unable to say anything.

JESUS' MISSION

Our liege-lord Jesus grew up, fed with purity. When God willed to send him forth, his mission among his people was the mission of the spirit: to link the hearts back with their Lord and revive values and morals. This is the reason we do not find, in the Evangel, much talk about rulings and laws but instead find that the Evangel focuses on morals, parables, and spirituality. For our liege-lord Jesus said, as is mentioned in the Evangel: "I was sent for the lost sheep of the Sons of Israel." That is, God sent me to those whom the world has so overwhelmed that they have become as dumb beasts, unconcerned by other than food, drink, and lusts, without the least heed to rising to any Divine connection.

When they did not accept that magnificent mission, denying its truth, plotting against it, denigrating it and defaming our liege-lord Jesus while some of them believed in him, God desired to cleanse him and raise him up to the second heaven. He raised him up - upon him peace - and the days passed while they remained in their disbelief, defacing the creed, far from spirituality and connection, and so until the time came when our liege-lord Muhammad appeared - upon him and his House blessings and peace! Our liege-lord Jesus had given the glad tidings about him in the Evangel.

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD AND HIS INHERITORS

Our liege-lord Muhammad appeared! God gave him a Book and He gave him rulings. He guaranteed that they would not be altered nor changed. The people then remained, on this earth, in the fold of true submission (Islâm) and belief (îmân). The spirituality of our liege-lord Muhammad's proofs pointing to God rose and became disseminated in his Companions and the people of his House as well as all those that followed. The entire Community rose up in the levels of their connection to God and showed such wonders that the onlooker can hardly believe that such deeds took place at the hands of human beings other than the sinless Prophets.

These wonders appeared in many of the individuals of this Community and in their human transactions. Their spirits are intimately connected with the One True God, Most High and Exalted - monks by night and knights by day. And so the centuries passed. The world began to enter many of the hearts of the followers of this religious Community. The Prophet had predicted - upon him blessings and peace - that every Community had its [golden] calf. That is: a calf that is worshipped apart from God Most High. He said: "And the calf of my Community is the dinar and the dirham." He also said, upon him blessings and peace, as narrated in al-Bukhârî: "I do not fear that you will commit idolatry after me" - because the creed is well-preserved - "but I fear for you the lure of the world."

One day, the zakât funds came from al-Bahrayn, the poor among the Companions came from the outer limits of the city, hoping for the generosity of the Prophet - upon him blessings and peace - with something from that zakât. The Beloved Prophet - upon him blessings and peace - turned around after the dawn prayer and saw that the mosque was full. He said: "Have the news reached you that the zakât of al-Bahrayn has arrived?" They said, "Yes, O Messenger of God!" He said, "Receive the good tidings and be glad, then! By God! I do not fear poverty for you. However, I fear that the world will be laid wide open before you just as it was laid open for those before you, and you will compete in it just as they competed in it, and it will destroy you just as it destroyed them."

He also said to some of his Companions one day: "What will you do when a dish is brought to you in the morning and another dish in the evening?" That is: what will you do when you start eating twice in the same day? For some of our liege-lords the Companions might have spent three days without eating, yet they took up their swords and fought in the way of God. Yet they prayed at night and fasted by day, learned and taught and called people to God! They owned hearts that had become completely disconnected from material concerns in the sense of followership. They remained connected to material concerns only in the sense of worshipping their Lord. They treated such concerns purely as ways and means, without any attachment to them.

As a result, one of them saw no harm in facing an entire army alone. It should come as no surprise that Ja`far ibn Abî Tâlib took up the flag in his right hand, then his right hand was cut off, but his soul did not allow him to let the flag go down because his heart had lifted up the flag well before his hand! The flag was in his heart. So the left hand took it up, then the left hand was cut off, then he carried it up with his two limbs, then he fell on the ground but the flag never fell from him. In his body there were over eighty cuts from sword-blows, spears, and arrows. All these cuts were in the front of his body for he had been facing the enemy at all times and never thought of fleeing. Stranger yet is that when water was presented to him so that he could relieve his thirst in the throes of death, lips parched, completely exhausted, he said: "I am fasting."

These are the attributes with which God granted them victory. "I am fasting." They said: "In such a time, on such a day? Break your fast today and you will fast again tomorrow!" He replied: "I long to break my fast in Paradise ." Such was his state. Then he gave up the spirit [in Mu'ta, Jordan ], and the Beloved Elect - upon him blessings and peace - was sitting in the presence of his Companions [in Madîna] when he described the entire battle in detail. After this, he - upon him blessings and peace - rose his head and said: "Wa-`alayk as-Salâm, wa-rahmatullâh, wa-barakâtuh, O Ja`far!" The Companions expressed surprise, whereupon he said: "That was Ja`far, the angels carried his spirit to Paradise and he refused to enter it until he first greeted me!"

Such were those who owned spirits attached to the highest realities - love and its heartfelt discernment. Their spirits were not dedicated to pleasures nor motivated by them. Rather, they reveled in and tasted the love of God and His Messenger. Since these were their states, God exalted their lights. `Umar ibn al-Khattâb, God be well-pleased with him, who used to nap or sleep under a tree on the dirt, then would get up and dust himself off, is the one at whose hand the two greatest empires of corruption at the time were conquered - the Romans and the Persians.

THE END OF THE TYRANNY OF MATERIALISM

Such was the state which the Messenger of God - upon him blessings and peace - left behind when he left us. Then the Community began to go backward. Love of the world crept forward. The calf held sway over the hearts. The people hanged back from true guidance. Materialism captured their hearts. The people stood in need of those that would return them to their spiritual realities. Since the faith was preserved from corruption through the Divine guarantee that it would never be altered exclusively of other faiths, the rulings of the Law remained intact - in the books.

These rulings still have to be transformed into rules of living practiced by the hearts. THE UMMA NEEDS, IN THIS AGE IN WHICH MERCILESS MATERIALISM RULES, THE APPEARANCE OF MASSIVE SPIRITUALITY CONNECTED TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD WITH AN UNBROKEN LINK TO THE HEAVEN. THROUGH IT GOD WILL RETURN THE COMMUNITY TO ITS SPIRITUALITY, AND THAT EVENT IS LINKED TO THE DESCENT OF JESUS, UPON HIM PEACE.

At that time, the manifestation of spirituality will descend, in this age of utter materialism, and will link back the individuals of this Community to their Book, their Religion, and the guidance of our liege-lord Muhammad - upon him blessings and peace. He will walk the earth, not with the dispensations of previous times that were in use before him - since they have been corrupted - but he will orient the people and spread goodness, peace, faith, and Islâm in the earth through rules and rulings taken from the noble Qur'ân and from the guidance of our liege-lord Muhammad because these were not corrupted. The rulings remain the rulings but our liege-lord Jesus will come in order to transform them into living rules that will reach to the hearts of all people.

After the manifestation of absolute spirituality appears in this existence in the face of absolute materiality, the latter will crack and cave in before the former, because materiality comes second to the spirit. Materiality was created only as a servant to the spirit, were it not for the foolishness of the people and their covetousness that caused them to make of themselves servants of materialism! WHEN THE MANIFESTATION OF THE TYRANNY OF MATERIALISM LOOKS AT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SUPREMACY OF THE SPIRIT IT SHALL MELT AND BE POWERLESS TO RESIST. AT THAT TIME THE DIVINE VICTORY WILL APPEAR IN PLAIN SIGHT, AT THE HAND OF OUR LIEGE-LORD JESUS, UPON HIM PEACE.

CONVERSION OF THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

Jesus will kill the Dajjâl and the earth will be filled, from east to West, with the lights of Islâm and faith. There will not remain a single house in existence except the lights of belief and guidance will enter it. Those truthful and sincere followers of Jesus that love him and are connected to him will enter Islâm at his hands at that time. It is among the great wonders that Jesus will descend "at the site of the white minaret East of Damascus" while at the very side of this minaret there is a Christian church, as if, upon his descent, he will be greeted both by the Muslims and the Christians.

The Muslims will welcome him in their Salât so that he will pray among them. Then he will receive his followers that lived their lives believing in him and loving him so that he will join them into his Godly troops. After this, they will march one and all to fight the oppression and the enmity of the Jews at that time. Then God will raise up His light-tower over this world.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

We must remember that what we just heard is not merely a story for our souls to be moved a little or for our thoughts to perk up temporarily or become joyful or shed tears. The discourse about our liege-lord the Christ is a method to be followed. Those that possess this guidance and this discernment and taste for the spirit and for their connection to spirituality will be the ones at whose hands God will open the gates of deliverance for this Umma. We must know that even if the greatest manifestation of the deliverance we await will take place at the descent of our liege-lord the Christ, nevertheless, it is not part of our Religion that we should wait until our liege-lord the Christ descend and be content with the evil which we are experiencing.

The story of the Christ was assigned, and news of it came from the mouth of our liege-lord Muhammad, only so that we would know that this is the path of right guidance. Namely, that the linkage of hearts must be to their Almighty and Glorious Lord and that materiliality belongs underhand and underfoot. Putting God first, before anything else, is the way of safety and success.

It would have been possible for the Messenger of God ( never to tell us anything about this. He could have said, You will be victorious, end of the matter. But why, O Messenger of God, did you teach us and remind us of all this, that salvation and victory will be at the hands of our liege-lord the Christ? So that we would live this right here and now and be prepared for this victory. Let each of you rise in the morning and reach the night as he is preparing the Umma of the Prophet ( for this final victory.

Let each rise in the morning and reach the night with his heart bound to his Lord with hoops of steel, preferring God to everything else. When the world comes to him with its pomp, trying to delay him from his connection to his Lord, he prefers his Lord to everything else. He does not accept for the world to enroll him. He refuses to cheat or deceive in his buying and selling, in his trading, in his property. He is not a slave to the dinar and the dirham.

The Messenger of God Muhammad said: "Perish the worshipper of gold and silver and silk, who agrees when given and, if he does not get anything, becomes angry. He has perished and failed! [Or: Perish, and failure to him!] If adversity come to him, may it not go away." That is, his state is a state of affliction. Consider the words of the Prophet, "If adversity come to him [literally: If he gets pricked by a thorn], may it not go away [literally: he does not remove it]." That is: when a thorn pricks him, he can very well remove it with pincers, but no! It is not the case. What is the meaning of these words? Worldly people, when disease afflicts them, go to the physician and undergo an operation in the best hospital, end of story. The meaning is that the thorn, as trivial as it may be, spoils one's serenity. It embitters him and troubles his peace. A thorn! Ouch! What! But! He feels disturbed, afflicted. The Messenger of God says, in this context, that the one who is a worshipper of gold and silver, living for appearances - a silk shirt - when a problem happens to him, he sips its sequels and treats it as a disaster, so that even when the disaster is gone, its agony lingers in himself.

But the one who is connected to God, God honors him. Even in the worst affliction, God causes to descend upon his heart the coolness of contentment so that he is at peace with God Most Glorious and Exalted and accepts His Decree that came to pass.

Reflect and nourish your feelings with such high meanings. Ask for your connection and your portion of the meaning of your affiliation to the army of truth and the rallying-place (fustât) of belief so as to come out of the predicament in which we are. Whoever neglects the purification of his heart and the correction of his character, his heart will be overcome by hypocrisy - our refuge is God! - little by little until he leans to the rallying-place of disbelief which is devoid of all faith.

The battle of disbelief and belief is coming whether we like it or not. However, preparation for that battle is not merely with weapons or swords or strategy! Rather, preparation for that battle is by getting ready hearts whose fill is God - hearts that do not become full except with the magnification of the Almighty. This is the real preparation for what is coming upon this Community.

Jesus Christ The Son of Mary and His Blessed Mother (Part 1)

2006-03-25T11:19:00.000+02:00

This article is taken from Sunni Path. When I saw this, I thought it'll be an important article to share. It might clear some misconceptions of what we truly believe of Prophet and Messenger Jesus (May Allah be pleased with Him.)

by Shaykh Al-Sayyid Al-Habib 'Ali Jafri
Translated by Shaykh Gibril F. Haddad

Upon our Prophet Muhammad and his House and upon them the blessings and peace of God

Translation of a talk given in Arabic at Dâr al-Fatwâ in Beirut , Lebanon on 10 January 2003 by the Shaykh AL-SAYYID AL-HABIB `ALI JAFRI OF YEMEN

Translated by GF Haddad - - Dhul-Qi`da 1423

Note: Dâr al-Fatwâ in Beirut is the chief Sunni body in charge of giving fatwâ in the Republic of Lebanon and comprises an Islamic University that delivers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in the Sharî`a.

[Subheadings and emphases added by the translator]
--

{Glory belongs to God Who has sent down upon His servant the Book and has not assigned unto it any crookedness} (18:1). I bear witness that there is no god but God alone, without partner, and I bear witness that our liege-lord Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Allâh bless and greet and lavish His benediction upon him and upon his forefathers and brethren among the Prophets and Messengers - our liege-lords Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the intervening Prophets, and upon his House and Companions and those that follow them faithfully until the Day of Judgment!

THE HONOR AND PURPOSE OF RELIGION

To proceed: God Most High, the Exalted, has granted us immense honor and chosen us for this magnificent Religion, the Religion of Islam which He was well-pleased to make the seal of all religions, the Religion that is right and true for all times and all places. One that belongs to such a Religion prepares himself for a most important task and tremendous mission: excellence in bringing forth to the people of the earth the manifest proofs for the discourses, the directives, and the manifold guidance of heaven.

Thus, the greatness of this Religion is that it has come to prepare its adherents and followers for an immense task, the most important task in this existence: to warn the people of the earth against the errors in which they live and which signify, in this world, great destructive strife and dissension and all sorts of diseases and problems while they signify, in the next world, great hindrance from the convoy of the blessed whom God the Most Glorious chooses for His good pleasure. This is our mission.

COMPREHENSION (FIQH) OF THE MISSION

When the Muslim and the Believer becomes fully aware and comprehends his mission, he is then able to understand others with that comprehension of his mission. And to the extent that the Muslim and the Believer only dimly understands the greatness of the mission with which God entrusted him exclusively of others, he is hardly able to understand well and widen the scope of his relationship with creatures in all their variety.

When we say "hardly able" we do not only mean the wrong behavior that stems from inflexibility, prejudice, and extremism. We are saying that he is hardly able to understand in all the senses of being hardly able to understand, whether through inflexibility, or wronging others, or harming them without any justification, or, on the other hand, because of a debility he finds in himself which causes him to lose touch with his own mission. >From this debility follows the dissolution of his personality into his connection to his surroundings in this world. He is liquefied just like a liquid. He takes the form and color of his container and cannot have the least influence on others. Both matters are wrong.

THE VASTNESS OF COMPREHENSION

However, when the Believer fears God and fully comprehends the gravity of his mission, he realizes that his Religion is the one vast Religion: vast - vast! - and comprehensive. If he comprehends how to inter-relate with it, he becomes vast enough for the folk of the earth and the folk of the heaven in his connection and his relationship.

THE MEANING OF "BECOMING VAST" HERE IS TO GIVE EACH AND EVERY THING ITS DUE RIGHT; EXCELLENCE IN CONVEYING THE MESSAGE OF GOD REGARDING THE PATH OF RIGHT; EXCELLENCE IN TREADING THE PATH OF RIGHT; EXCELLENCE IN DEALING WITH THE SCALE OF THE SACRED LAW BOTH TOWARD THOSE WHO ACT EXCELLENTLY AND THOSE WHO ACT WRONG - WHETHER SUCH BE ALLIES OR ENEMIES - WITHOUT THE LEAST PART NOR GAIN IN ALL THIS FOR THE EGO.

INCOMPREHENSION CAUSED BY THE EGO

Every inability that any creature on the face of the earth experiences in fully comprehending [the Religion] in the sense of understanding how to inter-relate with others around him - mostly human beings but also jinn, inanimate forms, vegetation, and animals - every such inability is caused only because such a person has contented himself with his egotism and his exclusive attachment to the demands of his ego. THE STRONGER THE EGO BECOMES IN MAKING ONE DO ITS WILL OR FULFILL ITS DEMANDS AND ITS LUSTS, THE WEAKER DOES ONE BECOME IN UNDERSTANDING HIS SURROUNDINGS WHETHER IN PERCEPTION (FAHMAN) OR ABILITY (TA'AHHULAN).

Thus, the weakening of comprehension is connected with perception; and the weakening of comprehension is connected with ability. Perception is the basis, after which it produces interaction (ta`âmul).

THE COMPREHENSIVE GOODNESS OF ISLAM

Also among the manifestations of the magnificence, vastness, preparedness (tahayyu'), and suitability (salâhiyya) of this Religion for action in every context of time and place: the fact that this Religion has produced excellence in all of its past ages; guided us to connect us to everything right and good in what has passed; and assigned for us in this a golden rule by which we know how to produce everything right and good in all things to come.

This is why our Religion is the only Religion that comprehends the totality of the Prophets and Messengers in belief, confirmation, loyalty, and love. You do not find any of the other religions believing in all the Prophets. You only find, here, an exception of this Prophet, there, an exception of that Prophet, and there, yet other exceptions. As for us, the Muslims, God has made it religion for us to have complete belief and faith in the message of all the Messengers and the Prophethood of all the Prophets. More than that: the belief of any given believer among us becomes invalid if he does not believe in the Prophethood of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Noah and other of the Prophets whom God Most High mentioned in His Book.

The vastness of acceptance we just mentioned makes our Religion encompassing and comprehensive (jâmi`). It is the quintessence (khulâsa) of what the Prophets have conveyed and enjoined to their respective communities. Anyone of us that reads and recites the Qur'ân with contemplation of and affect from the magnificent greatness of that Book, will find news from our liege-lord Noah; before him, our liege-lord Adam; after them, Hûd; after him, Sâlih; after him, Abraham; after him, Moses; just as the news do come regarding our liege-lord the Christ - upon our Prophet and upon him the best blessings and salutations of peace!

MUHAMMAD THE QUINTESSENCE OF PROPHETS

What is the purpose of all this in the context of our receiving our guidance from our liege-lord Muhammad, upon him blessings and peace? Would it not be enough that the news come to us [only] regarding our liege-lord Muhammad? No, because THE ORIGIN OF THE NEWS CONCERNING OUR LIEGE-LORD MUHAMMAD IS A VAST CAPACITY OR RECIPIENCY (SI`A) INTO WHICH WAS POURED THE QUINTESSENCE OF WHAT ALL THE PROPHETS BROUGHT SO THAT IT WOULD BE EMBODIED IN THE PERSON OF OUR LIEGE-LORD MUHAMMAD. The blessings of my Lord and His salutations of peace upon him and his House!

On this basis we can know the high rank of our liege-lord the Christ, upon him peace. On this basis we can know the high rank of his mother - Mary, upon her peace. Thus do we know that the two of them have received an exalted rank in the presence of God Most Glorious and Exalted. We also know that our liege-lord Jesus stands out from the rest of the Prophets, in our relationship with him, with a special characteristic.

OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROPHETS

Our relationship with the entirety of our liege-lords the Prophets consists in belief, love, faith, and the learning of lessons and wisdoms from their stories, the reports that come from them, and their lives. We may hear, for example, that the father of Prophets, our liege-lord Abraham, upon him peace, stands out in his connection to us, in a way, because Primordial Monotheism (al-hanîfiyya) is ascribed to him; also, because he is one of the forefathers of our liege-lord Muhammad - upon him blessings and peace; and because he actually supplicated for God to send Muhammad at the end of times.

Moses, upon him peace, obtained a special characteristic in his connection to us in the fact that he is the one that advised our liege-lord Muhammad - upon him blessings and peace - to ask God Most Glorious and Exalted for leniency when the prayer was made obligatory - fifty daily prayers.

However, our liege-lord the Christ, upon him peace, stands out in his connection to this Community of Islâm (Umma). Together with the lessons we take from God Most High in the Qur'ân and from the words of the Beloved in the Sunna - God bless and greet him and his House and Companions - in the reports about our liege-lord Jesus, the jihad of our liege-lord Jesus, the high character of our liege-lord Jesus, the values of our liege-lord Jesus, the immense rank of our liege-lord Jesus before his Lord, the superlative knowledge of our liege-lord Jesus which he received from his Lord, in addition, WE, THE MASSES OF THE MUSLIMS, HAVE A SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH A CERTAIN GREAT MISSION OF OUR LIEGE-LORD THE CHRIST.

OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHRIST JESUS

This great mission is that, among the major signs of the final Hour and among the keys of the huge deliverance that will dawn upon this Community of Islâm, there will come a time on this earth when the call to the pre-morning prayer will be raised in Damascus - at the white minaret East of Damascus; the imâm will want to step forward to lead the prayer when - lo and behold! - the people will watch in astonishment while our liege-lord Jesus descends from the heaven, his two hands resting on the wings of the angels, his head seemingly dripping with water, wearing clothes which our liege-lord Muhammad - upon him blessings and peace - described in great detail. He said that the color of his clothes resembled saffron dye, as if his clothes had been dyed with saffron and wars.

Our Prophet Muhammad - upon him blessings and peace - described for us the very appearance of the clothes in which Jesus would descend! Such vestmentary description signifies nothing other than additional emphasis on reflection, perception, and discernment (dhawq) for the meaning of our connection with this great master who was thus honored by his Lord.

THE DESCENT OF JESUS

He will descend. When the Imâm Muhammad al-Mahdî - a scion of the Prophetic House - sees him as he was readying himself to lead the prayer, he will move back and say to our liege-lord Jesus: "Step forward, Spirit from God!"

It has been mentioned in the hadîth that the breath of our liege-lord Jesus, the day he descends, does not encounter a disbeliever whose belief is despaired of, except that disbeliever will die on the spot. This is due to the greatness of the spiritual state in which our liege-lord Jesus will descend: a heavenly state for one beloved of God among God's servants whom He caused to perdure in the nearest heaven for more than two thousand years, after which he descends to this earth. Hence, as stated in the hadîth narrated by al-Tirmidhî, he does not breathe one breath except every disbeliever this breath reaches will die on the spot, and his breath reaches the extent of his gaze. That is, when our liege-lord Jesus descends upon this earth, his breath will reach as far as his eyes can see.

JESUS AND THE MAHDI

When our liege-lord the Mahdî sees him he will move back and say: "Step forward, Spirit from God!" Jesus will say: "The call to prayer was raised but for you, therefore, step forward!" Then our liege-lord Jesus will pray behind our liege-lord al-Mahdî. Because of this, it was said that among the immense merits of this Community of Islâm is that a Prophet beloved of God and brought near Him - one of the Messengers of High Resolve (ulîl-`azm) - will pray behind an individual from this Community.

After the dawn prayer, our liege-lord the Mahdî will step back and hand over the leadership of the Community of Islâm to our liege-lord Jesus. When our liege-lord Jesus receives the leadership of the Community he will take up the flag and prepare the army to march to Jerusalem so as to seize it back and return it to truth and guidance and light.

THE GREAT DECEIVER (DAJJAL)

In that time the Great Deceiver or Dajjâl will have appeared. All the uproar and loud cries of the voices of money and materialism in the world today, in all their manifestations, are only preliminaries for the Dajjâl. Everything that you see in this world producing weak souls and raising entire generations with the most tenuous of links to principles and values - people made into worldly automatons, worshippers of the world, their sole concern the world, their thought the world, their religion the world, their consciences the world - when the people are ripe in this sense, the Dajjâl will emerge onto this world in the form of a missionary - a reformist missionary.

He will appear among the people then he will acquire fame and more fame. Many miracles will show at his hands. He will claim Prophethood. Then he will claim Divinity - our refuge is Allâh! We might very nearly have to envisage or imagine that a Muslim can actually follow some misshapen creature walking this earth and whom he will consider his Divine Lord!

However, the Most Beloved - God bless and greet him and his Family - told us about the Dajjâl. He said he might enter an all-Muslim town and then exit it, all its population now disbelievers! God is our refuge from such a thing! Someone asked, what is the reason? It was said that the reason is that he will go to people whose hearts have grown attached to love of the world and whose entire identities have thoroughly mixed with the world and its train. For such, "whoever pays leads" (man yadfa` yutba`)!

This is what the people are being trained for today. They are being prepared for the Dajjâl and his sovereignty. They are being educated today - in their economy, their politics, their societies, their relationships, their commerce, their undertakings and derelictions - all on the debilitated foundation that is the attachment of hearts to trivial worldly interests.

Whoever pays leads. For this was it related that the Dajjâl will roam the earth. God will permit that people be tried at his hands. He will have control of their sustenance - agriculture, food, water - to the point he will say, "O heaven, rain!" and rain will pour; "O earth, sprout!" and vegetation will grow; "O plantations, bear fruit!" and fruit will ripen; "O living one, die! O dead one, rise!" and the dead will rise. God will grant him these displays and watch those whose hearts have latched upon externalities (mazâhir) be seduced while those whose hearts have latched upon the Hidden and Manifest (al-bâtin al-zâhir) remain oblivious to all but Him.

It was related that the Dajjâl will roam the entire earth. It was related from the Beloved that he said: "Let none of you ever wish to meet the Arch-Deceiver!" In addition to the extreme gravity of the warnings of the Beloved against the Dajjâl, he even said that there had never been any Prophet except he warned his people about the strife of the Dajjâl. Indeed, IN EVERY PRAYER, AFTER RECITING THE FINAL WITNESSING OF FAITH (TASHAHHUD) AND THE BENEDICTION UPON HIS PURE SELF, HE WOULD SEEK REFUGE IN HIS LORD FROM "THE TRIAL (FITNA) OF LIFE AND THE TRIAL OF DEATH AND THE TRIAL OF THE ARCH-DECEIVER MASIKH." May God save us and you from his trial!

He - upon him blessings and peace - insisted so much on the terrible gravity of the Dajjâl's strife before the Companions that some of them said, "We believed he was already among the date-trees of Madîna." They believed he had arrived and would appear any moment among the people because of the fear caused by the reports of the Prophet - upon him blessings and peace - about him.

THE DIVINE PROTECTION

Despite these incessant warnings and the fear caused by this forthcoming strife, the Messenger of God - upon him blessings and peace - said: "Whoever recites Sûrat al-Kahf the night before Jumu`a and its day, God will protect him from the strife of Dajjâl."

O Messenger of God! You told us of a calamity that would shake the entire earth - a man that would control the world from East to West, roaming the earth, in his hand many of the powers that cause these calamities. The people of faith will experience hunger, poverty, distress. Then you said, after warning us of this terrible disaster that would befall us - so great that the Companions themselves thought the Dajjâl had almost come out - that the remedy is to recite Sûrat al-Kahf the night before Jumu`a and its day? One Sûra of the Qur'ân containing one hundred and ten verses. Are you telling me that if I recite it, I will be safe from this huge disaster?

He says yes! So that you would understand that the greatness of this safety and salvation are linked to God Most High. WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF ISLAM WHOSE SALVATION AND SAFETY AND PRESERVATION DO NOT DEPEND ON SHORT-SIGHTED EXTERNALITIES AND POWERS NOR ON THEIR "MOVERS AND SHAKERS". We are a Community whose paths of salvation in the world and the hereafter consist in the attachment of our hearts to this most glorious Book, in the arousal of feelings in our hearts telling us of the greatness of the message that comes from God. There is no Muslim that regularly reads Sûrat al-Kahf every night before Jumu`a and every day of Jumu`a except he obtains a guarantee from the Beloved Elect - upon him blessings and peace - regarding his salvation from the trial of the Dajjâl.

It was related from both Ibn Mas`ûd and al-Hasan al-Basrî that they received the news or rather heard the rumor that the Dajjâl had come out. Al-Hasan laughed. He was asked "What makes you laugh?" He replied: "If he came out now, the boys of al-Basra would play with him the way they play with a foot ball." Why? Because in the time in which al-Hasan and Ibn Mas`ûd were told of this rumor, the people had a firm foothold in certitude in their relationship with God. The sway of the Dajjâl and his power cannot in the least affect hearts upon which the lights of certitude have dawned. THE SWAY OF THE DAJJAL HOLDS ONLY OVER HEARTS WHOSE CERTITUDE HAS WILTED AND WHOSE ATTACHMENT TO EVANESCENT MATTERS HAVE GROWN STRONG.

To be continued...

Itqan - 'Perfection' Drives SHUKR's Fashionable Islamic Clothing Line

2006-03-22T10:13:00.000+02:00

This is where I do my shopping lately... The only regular store is in Damascus. It's a pretty small shop and doesn't usually have everything you see online. For the most part of it, it has a good collection that I LOVE...

By Sajjad Chowdhry
Posted, January 31, 2006

In the business world the bottom-line is everything. Business leaders usually ask, "If I do X versus Y, how much money will I make, or will it lead to increased brand equity or a more efficient operation which will make me more money, etc.?"

But a growing number of business people are also asking questions like, "What is the social impact of my business?", "How many jobs will I create?", "Are my employees satisfied and do they thrive in the work environment created for them?" For many Muslim entrepreneurs who are asking such questions, the basis of their business planning is Islam-- informing their internal and external business policies by drawing freely from Islamic sources.

One such company making its mark is Shukr Islamic Clothing which provides the underserved Muslim market in the West with high quality clothing, based on both traditional Islamic and contemporary Western designs.

Its online and direct mail operations serve the Muslim communities in the UK and the USA.

The company's concept took form about 6 years ago when a British man named Anas Sillwood was looking for a part time job to support himself. He, along with a group of students studying in Damascus, was inspired to create a line of clothing for Muslims rooted in Islamic sensibilities yet not outwardly too ethnic (Pakistani, Arab, etc.).

Many, or most, of these students were European or American converts to Islam. The Shukr team wanted to create " quality, fashionable Islamic clothing" that was relevant to their own cultural frameworks which they could wear without getting surprised looks from people on the subway or walking down the street.

Diverse backgrounds

While members of the Shukr team all shared their new experiences in Damascus their backgrounds varied considerably. Their common interest in Islam and in creating an Islamic clothing line with modern sensibilities gave them the ability to bring all of their experiences forward in order to make Shukr a strong concept and a successful venture.

They also all used their experiences from their lives before accepting Islam to make Shukr as modern and relevant a project as possible.

While Mr. Sillwood studied the social sciences at the famed London School of Economics others brought corporate experience to the venture. One prominent member of the team was a college drop out who became an international model walking the runways and catwalks of Milan , Paris , and New York while modeling for Vogue and other top icons of the fashion world.

This experience in particular gave the Shukr team a distinct competitive edge in understanding what kinds of concepts and styles the conventional fashion world was using and for what reasons. In other words this gave the team a benchmark to create Islamic styles that are just as fashionable as the West yet practical for Muslims which are also elegant and stylish.

The Objective and the Responsibility

As one of the founding members of the company told us, "We did not want to export other styles like Shalwar Kameez. We wanted to create viable options for people who had taken on a new identity." Their concept strives to speak the Islamic modesty with the sophistication and elegance of the West.

As their concept took form, the Shukr team decided that as socially responsible and aware people one of their prime motivations and goals in operating this business would be to give something back to the communities in which they lived in Damascus. In short, they wanted to give thanks to the people with whom they lived. Hence the name Shukr which is the Arabic word for Thanks.

Since members of the team were studying the Islamic sciences they chose to base this Thanks in the Qur'anic ayah which says, "If you give thanks, I shall certainly increase you." (Qur'an 14:7). So Shukr decided that all of its production would be handled in Damascus . From a business perspective it certainly did not hurt that Damascus has been known through the centuries for its high quality textiles and garments industries. And from a CSR perspective the Shukr team gave thanks to their community by returning something to them in the form of jobs and opportunity. The name also helps to reinforce the concept in their customers - human beings need to always be thankful for what God has bestowed on them.

Seeking God's Pleasure

Before the Shukr team set out to build its operation, its members all decided on one principle - that their ultimate motivation would be the pleasure of God.

Before the Shukr team set out to build its operation, its members all decided on one principle - that their ultimate motivation would be the pleasure of God. In its own particular sense as a fashion design house the Shukr team drew on particular hadith to guide them in the proper direction. For example, a hadith from the collection of Muslim states, "Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty." In another hadith from the collection of Tirmidhee, "Allah loves to witness the traces of His bounties upon his servant." These ahadith spur the Shukr team to create items of beauty for their customers to wear and express their Muslim identity.

Appealing to God Consciousness

This idea extends into their marketing concepts as well. While their garments are sold on the basis of their look, practicality, or fabric, one of their other key selling points is that the dress of a Muslim speaks to a higher goal in pleasing God rather than pleasing one's peers.

The Shukr team quotes a verse from the Qur'an to support this approach which reads, "Children of Adam, dress well whenever you are at worship." (Qur'an 7:31). They emphasize modesty as a hallmark of the Muslim character which they are helping uphold as a core value with their fashions and style.

To remind its customers that they are mainly dressing for God rather than other people the company does not photograph their models' faces. The aim is to emphasize the clothing and not the image of the person wearing the clothes.

Perfection as an Objective backing a Money Back Guarantee

Because the Shukr team strives to produce the highest quality clothing they are driven by another prophetic tradition which states, "Verily God loves that when one of you does something, that he perfect it."

As the company's website declares, "The SHUKR philosophy is founded upon the concept of itqan, perfection. which translates into a concern for quality, and this is what SHUKR is striving for in its product range." Customers who are not satisfied with their purchase can return the products for a full refund within 20 days of purchase.

From Bazaars to Catwalks

While the company has mostly participated in bazaar like environments to promote their clothing lines they also interestingly organized a fashion show complete with a catwalk at the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). The show held separate sessions for men and women but a representative of the company did indicate to us that catwalks showcasing male fashions may be opened up for women to attend as well since their research shows that women tend to buy more for men than men buy for women.

The Future for Shukr

The Shukr team is currently planning their future strategies. The company currently has offices in the United States and the UK . When asked if the company has considered approaching Western fashion houses with their original designs, a member of the team replied that they will take things incrementally in this regard. In the meantime the plan is to increase their exposure and increase sales - objectives that every business owner can appreciate.

Their existence is proof positive that the ethical and legal considerations of Islam can inform the process of modern day business decision making.

Change once again...

2006-03-21T13:08:00.000+02:00

About days ago, I applied for another job... Yeah most people know that I love my job. Well, it's true I do love my current job but it's not stable. I'm a freelance and it's not cutting it. Lately there are no projects to work on and it's driving me up the wall because if there are no projects there's no cash and I'm just sitting there doing nothing.

I can't just stay and home and do nothing. I tend to overthink things and just cause more chaos in my, as it is, chaotic mind. So I took that bold step and look for another job but this time as fulltime. I want a stable salary and stable work, all together.

I applied to a new Islamic Arabic Satellite Channel called Al Resala (The Message) It's probably the most positive non-traditional Islamic Channel that ever existed. It's proactive and it teaches all sorts of stuff that's beneficial for our generation and the younger ones.

The owner of the Channel is the well known Prince Waleed ibn Talal of Saudi Arabia and the manager is Dr. Tarik Swaidan from Kuwait. The Channel is aired from Egypt. It has a strong message and that is to get Muslims back to the original way, being moderate, proactive, tolerant and just.

This is the logo of that Channel. I first thought it's just a bird as in the bird that sends messages etc... As it turns out to be, it's more than that. It's also hand reaching out. I believe that's just beautiful. On the bottom it's the name of the Channel in Arabic and under that is the Channel's motto: Innovation and Faithfulness. I'm not too sure if this is the best translation but I hope that at least the point of it is clear enough.

I really hope I get a job there even though it'll mean I'd have to relocate once again... I don't care, I got to do what I got to do. Wish me luck guys...

Few Random Thoughts...

2006-03-19T17:00:00.000+02:00

Every time I'm on here wanting to post something, I lose my train of thought and end up not posting anything. It's quite annoying actually. I need to post but I'm not really that focused. I guess it's because last week was one of the seriously hectic and this week I'm recovering.

Last week, people have been in and out of my place everyday, not something I'm used to. Usually I'm alone enjoying the peace and quite. The kitchen is being renovated so on Tuesday people came for that. I had plans that day but it didn't work out because I had to stay at home. I wish they even finished. There were something wrong with the stuff they got and needed to be fixed. I waited and waited and they're suppose to come back again this week... Blah...

Along with that, my uncle's wife and cousin came from Qatar and stayed over my place. My cousin is getting married to a man, I'm not too sure if he'd truly make her happy. That's a whole different story that I really don't think it's my business. Every time I try to save somebody from misery they end up making me miserable if I don't get into trouble. Whatever...

I thank God, now my cousin is married and my uncle's wife stopped bothering me about getting married and how I should be a good house wife. BLAH!! That seriously worn me out. I mean I have my own belief when it comes to that but she refuses to see it and she butts in something that she has nothing to do with. My own mother doesn't even bother me with it. I seriously thank GOD for that. My mom told her not to bring the subject to me because I don't think of marriage the same way as 3/4 of the people I know.

One thing that makes me relieved with my mom is that she finally understood my point of view in marriage and she's not desperate in marrying me off. It's because I talked to her about it and she knows what I want, I guess. Communication is always good. My aunt bothers me with this to the degree I'm ready to bang my head on the wall. Yes, I'm not getting any younger but marriage isn't what I live for. I know if I ever do, it'll be a good thing because I'll have all sorts of support and vice versa. I do accept the fact that it might not happen either. It might be even better for me. It's all in hands of The All Knowing. He knows what's best for me more than I do. I do what I need to do and I accept what will come.

My uncle's wife doesn't see that though... She believes that it's my fault for not finding a husband. I don't get it. She asked me if I found somebody I really get along with. I told her, not exactly and then she asks and who's to blame if I don't get along perfectly with everybody here. I'm like what the ?!?! I have a different mentality from majority of people here and I don't think it's anybody to blame... I'm a open minded religious person who has goals in life and am working on them with passion and I allow no human to stand in my way. That's not normal in the old traditional Arab community. Girls are expected to stay at home and their goals is their families and that's it. I'm not against of having that as one goal but for me, I don't want to make it my only goal. I want to do more in helping this community than just raising a great generation. I have talents that I know I should use to serve my religion.

It just blows my mind how traditions are taking over Islamic values. I mean, a woman in Islam is free to have job and do whatever she pleases with her time as long her family does not suffer. I'm totally with this concept because a woman is the sustainer of society that starts with family in my belief and Islamic belief as well. Arab traditions is killing that important concept and is stripping women from their Islamic rights just for she can serve her husband and that's it, nothing else.

I'm nauseated by that idea. Men and women were created to complete each other not to oppress and to be oppressed. They are suppose to be a team. Each has an amazingly important role in life and build a healthy society.

I know that it is in men's nature to want be leaders and hence Islamically they are the leaders of the household but it doesn't mean that women don't have a say. They sure do have. Everything she owns belongs to her, and everything he owns also belongs to her and if he doesn't provide for her and her children, she has the right to sue him or divorce him, it's up to her.

Truly religious men who are humble and truly, fear and love the Lord, would probably treat their wives like Queens as the Prophet (PBUH) treated his wives.

When He died, he died in the arms of his wife, 'A'isha as he requested. Now how romantic is that?

They used to race and usually 'A'isha would win. So once for a week the Prophet (PBUH) fed her fattening food for a week so she can gain weight... She did and when they raced she lost. Hehehe... I love the humor in that story. It's soo cute.

Once there was a carnival sorta thing and 'A'isha wanted to see it from the window of their home. So he put up his arm up, so she can lean on it to take a look... Every once in a while He'd ask her, if she's done, and she'd reply that she's not. Then he got really tired and she said, "I got bored a while back but I just wanted to see how much you cared for me." Another sweet story...

Once, 'A'isha asked the Prophet (PBUH) "how string is your love to me?" He'd reply, "As a knot on a rope." Every once in a while She'd ask, "how's that knot doing?"

Once there was this Muslim man from the time of the Prophet (PBUH) whose wife would always yell at him. He couldn't stand it and decided to go talk to somebody about it. As he walked to Omar's (One of the Prophet's companions) home he heard his wife yelling at him too behind the closed doors. The man was bewildered and decided to go back home. Omar, heard him and so he rushed to the door to see what's wrong. So they both go for a walk and the man tells Omar, "I came to your to tell you about my wife but I see your wife is doing the same thing" Omar smiled and replied, "Our wives take a lot from us and get really stressed with their work they have in their hands. Taking their yelling is the least we can do for them"

Excuse me, if I butchered the stories especially the last one but I'm just typing them as I remember them. Anyways, the point is that if men today followed the Prophet's and His companions way women would be the happiest beings on earth.

It's interesting where this post went. I guess, this is seriously bothering me lately. The relationship between a husband and his wife is suppose to bring peace and love in the name of Allah. It suppose to make both of their lives filled with tranquility. Islamically, that's how it's suppose to be but stupid man made traditions is killing that.

Together in Harmony.

2006-03-14T18:29:00.000+02:00

When my site was first featured in Kevin Site's Hotzone over a thousand people stopped by my blog to check it out. One of these people was a church musician, Mark Frazier who was fascinated by one of my music pieces. After contacting me and taking my permission, he used my piece "Hope" in a service at South Congregational Church in Concord, NH...

The reason I accepted is because I figured that this move will help people who will get to know about this that Islam is about tolerence and can work together with other faiths. In the end we all pray to the same Creator.

This is what he had to say in the Church's bulletin... Please click here to read it.

With all that said, I hope that I can carry out the peace process with all faiths.

Peace!!!

What is Prayer (Salah) in Islam all About? (Part 3)

2006-03-14T06:13:00.000+02:00

This is my final post of prayer. This information again was taken from Islam Online. After this post, it's back to the normal journal posting but of course in an Islamic prospective. And no, I haven't forgotten about the post about Jihad, I'm still working on that. So sit tight and you'll get to read it sooner or later.

The Place of Prayer

The worshiper must have a clean place to perform the Prayer where there are no impurities on the ground. Also there should be no statues or pictures in front of him. It is not necessary to have a prayer rug or special cloth, but many find this convenient, especially in public places or at work.

What to Wear While Praying

A man must be covered from the navel to the knees when performing ritual Prayer. It is highly recommended that he also cover his chest and shoulders. A woman must be covered from head to foot with opaque clothing, with only her hands and face showing. It is best if she covers her feet while praying.
It is not necessary to have special clothes to pray in. However, most women find it convenient to have a one- or two-piece loose garment that they can put on over their other clothes when they pray at home.

The Adhan
The Adhan (the Call to Prayer) should precede the obligatory Prayer, followed by the Iqamah (a shortened version of the Adhan signifying that the worshipers have stood up and are ready for the Prayer). If the Adhan and the Iqamah are already given, (by others) and the worshiper is about to perform the Prayer in congregation, he can simply join the congregation. If he is going to perform one of the obligatory Prayers alone, it is recommended that he say the Adhan and the Iqamah before performing the Prayer. For more details, read: The Adhan (The Call to Prayer). You can also Listen to the Adhan.

Steps in Ritual Prayer

The Prayer is made of a series of postures and movements, each set of which is called a rak‘ah. Each Prayer consists of two or more rak‘ahs (the Arabic plural is rak‘aat). The Prayers must be said in Arabic (except for new Muslims who cannot yet do so).

Before beginning the Prayer, the worshiper must have the proper intention to pray. He should say in his heart his intention to pray a particular Prayer and how many rak‘ahs he will pray. Details of this will be given later.

First, let us see how the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer is performed. It consists of two rak‘ahs, and it is said aloud, not silently.

1. Face the qiblah, which is the direction of the Ka‘bah (the Holy House of Allah in Makkah). For the qiblah in your town, consult the local mosque or www.islamicfinder.com.

2. Raise the hands to the ears and say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

(This means: Allah is Greatest.)

3. Place the left hand on the chest and then place the right hand over the left hand. Recite aloud Al-Fatihah (the Opening Surah of the Qur’an). Al-Fatihah must be said in every rak‘ah of every Prayer.

Bismillaahi-r-Rahmaani-r-Raheem.
Al-hamdu lillaahi Rabbi-l-‘aalameen.
Ar-Rahmaani-r-Raheem.
Maaliki yawmi–d-deen.
Iyyaaka na‘budu wa iyyaaka nasta‘een.
Ihdina-s-siraatal mustaqeem.
Siraatal-ladheena an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayr-il maghdoobi ‘alayhim, wa la-d-daalleen.
Ameen.

(This means: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You (alone) we worship; You alone we ask for help.
Show us the straight path,
the path of those whom You have favored, not (the path) of those who
earn Your anger nor of those who stray. Amen.)

4. Recite aloud any surah, or at least a few verses, of the Qur’an. For example, here is Surat Al-Ikhlas (number 112):

Qul huw-allaahu ahad,
Allaahu-s-Samad.
Lam yalid, wa lam yoolad,
wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.

(This means: Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.
He begets not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him.)

5. Raise your hands to your ears as you did at the beginning and say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

Then bow down, placing your hands on your knees and keeping your back straight.
This position is called ruku‘, and in this position say silently three times:

Subhaana Rabbiy al-‘Azheem.

(This means: Glory be to my Lord, the Supreme.)

6. Return to the standing position while saying aloud:

Sami‘a-llaahu liman hamidah.

(This means: May Allah hear the one who praises Him.)

Then say silently:

Rabbanaa wa laka-l-hamd.

(This means: Our Lord, for You is all praise.)

7. Raise your hands to your ears and say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

Then prostrate, with your forehead, nose, hands, knees, and bottoms of the toes touching the ground. Keep your forearms and elbows raised off the floor. This position is called sujud. While in this position, say silently three times:

Subhaana Rabbiy al-A‘laa.

(This means: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.)

8. Say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

Then sit up on your heels.

9. Again say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

and prostrate again. Again say silently while prostrating:

Subhaana Rabbiy al-A‘laa.

(This means: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.)

10. Say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

Then stand up.

You have now completed one rak‘ah (unit) of the Prayer. You will now repeat the steps, but you may recite different verses of the Qur’an after Al-Fatihah.

11. Place your hands on your chest as before and recite Al-Fatihah (the Opening Surah of the Qur’an) aloud. Remember that Al-Fatihah must be said in every rak‘ah of every Prayer.

Bismillaahi-r-Rahmaani-r-Raheem.
Al-hamdu lillaahi Rabbi-l-‘aalameen.
Ar-Rahmaani-r-Raheem.
Maaliki yawmi–d-deen.
Iyyaaka na‘budu wa iyyaaka nasta‘een.
Ihdina-s-siraatal mustaqeem.
Siraatal-ladheena an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayr-il maghdoobi ‘alayhim, wa la-d-daalleen.
Ameen.

(This means: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You (alone) we worship; You alone we ask for help.
Show us the straight path,
the path of those whom You have favored, not (the path) of those who earn Your anger nor of those who stray. Amen.)

12. Recite aloud any surah (or a few verses) of the Qur’an. For example, you may recite Surat Al-Falaq (number 113):

Bismillaahi-r-Rahmaani-r-Raheem.
Qul: A‘oodhu birabbi-l-falaq
Min sharri maa khalaq,
Wa min sharri ghaasiqin idhaa waqab,
Wa min sharri-n-naafaathaati fi-l-‘uqad,
Wa min sharri haasidin idha hasad.

(This means: In the name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak
From the evil of that which He created,
From the evil of the darkness when it is intense,
And from the evil of malignant witchcraft,
And from the evil of the envier when he envies.)

13. Raise your hands to your ears as you did at the beginning and say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

Then bow down with your hands on your knees (ruku‘). In this position say silently three times:

Subhaana Rabbiy al-‘Azheem.

(This means: Glory be to my Lord, the Supreme.)

14. Return to the standing position while saying aloud:

Sami‘a-llaahu liman hamidah.

(This means: May Allah hear the one who praises Him.)

Then say silently:

Rabbanaa wa laka-l-hamd.
(This means: Our Lord, for You is all praise.)

15. Then say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

and prostrate as before (sujud). While in this position, say silently three times:

Subhaana Rabbiy al-A‘laa.

(This means: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.)

16. Say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

and then sit up on your heels as before.

17. Again say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

and prostrate again. Again say silently while prostrating:

Subhaana Rabbiy al-A‘laa.

(This means: Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.)

18. Say aloud:

Allaahu Akbar.

then sit on your heels as before.

19. While sitting, rest your hands on your thighs and say silently the words of the first part of the Tashahhud:

At-tahiyaatu lillaahi wa-s-salawaatu wa tayyibaat.
As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha-n-nabiyyu wa rahmatu-llaahi wa barakaatuh.
As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ibadillaahi-s-saaliheen.
- Ash-hadu an laa ilaha illaa-llaahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduho wa rasooluhu.

(This means: All glorification is for Allah. All acts of good deeds and worship are for Him. Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, O Prophet. Peace be upon us and all of Allah’s righteous servants.

- I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.)

- It is recommended to point your right index finger forward while reciting this part.

20. Because this is a two-rak‘ah Prayer, you will now recite silently the second part of the Tashahhud:

Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kamaa sallayta ‘ala Ibraheema wa ‘ala aali Ibraheem. Innaka hameedun majeed.
Allaahumma baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kamaa baarakta ‘ala Ibraheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraheem. Innaka hameedun majeed.

(This means: O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You exalted Ibrahim (Abraham) and the family of Ibrahim. Verily You are full of praise and majesty. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty.)

21. Now say the Tasleem to close the Prayer. Turn your head to the right and say aloud:

As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.

(This means: Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah.)
Then turn your head to the left and say aloud:

As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.

This completes the Fajr Prayer of two rak‘ahs (units).

Prayers of More Than Two Rak‘ahs

1. The other obligatory daily Prayers have more than two rak‘ahs. Perform the first two rak‘ahs in the same manner as the Fajr Prayer, through step 19.

After reciting the first part of the Tashahhud (ending with “Ash-hadu an laa ilaha illaa-llaahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduho wa rasooluhu.”) at the end of the second rak‘ah, stand up and pray the third (and fourth) rak‘ah as you did the first two, with the exceptions noted below.

2. The third and fourth rak‘ahs are said silently, and there is no need to recite other Qur’an verses. Only Al-Fatihah is recited.

3. If it is the Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer, at the end of the third rak‘ah, recite both parts of the Tashahhud and close the Prayer with Tasleem.

4. If it is the Zhuhr ( Noon ), ‘Asr (Afternoon), or ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayer, perform four rak‘ahs. At the end of the fourth rak‘ah, recite both parts of the Tashahhud and close the Prayer with Tasleem.

What is Prayer (Salah) in Islam all About? (Part 2)

2006-03-11T21:25:00.000+02:00

We're back with the what is Salah series of posts. There more to come.
The information is taken from Islam Online.

Conditions of Prayer: Physical Purity

By IOL Team 14/08/2003

Physical purity means cleanliness of the body, clothing and environment. According to the rules of Islam, Muslims should keep their bodies and clothing clean from any impurities, especially the body wastes of humans and animals.

Islam insists on the use of clean water to cleanse the body of impurities, and only when water is not available can a person use other things. Even the clothing should be perfectly clean from any impurities. For that reason, Muslim bathrooms have a source of running water or pitchers of water next to the toilet.

Similarly, any animal discharges — including the saliva of dogs — are unclean and Muslims should make sure their clothing, environment, and bodies are free of those impurities.

Muslims must have perfect physical purity to pray the Salah (ritual Prayers).

Wudu’ (Ablution)

Before performing the ritual Prayer known as Salah, the Muslim’s body must be totally purified. To be in this state, one must perform the ritual washing known as wudu’ (ablution). The best way to learn wudu’ is to watch others do it. Here are the steps for wudu’:

1. Have the intention of purifying your heart.

2. Wash your hands, front and back, up to and beyond the wrist three times, right hand first, then left.

3. Rinse your mouth three times, scooping the water up with your right hand.

4. Wash your nose three times by sniffing water up the nostrils and blowing it out.

5. Wash your face three times.

6. Wash each arm up to and beyond the elbow three times, right arm first and then the left.

7. Pass the wet palms of both hands over your head and back. Then rub the inside and outside of the ears with the thumbs and forefingers.

8. Wash your feet up to and beyond the ankle three times, right foot first and then the left. Make sure the water gets between the toes by using your fingers.
You are in this state of ritual purity of wudu’ until you urinate or defecate, pass wind, sleep, or become unconscious. If you do any of these things before or during the Salah, you must repeat the wudu’.

Ghusl (Bathing)

A state of major impurity results from actions like sexual intercourse or sexual discharge for both men and women. A person in such a state much perform ghusl (bathing) before praying Salah or reading the Qur’an. Women also have to perform ghusl after their menstrual periods and postpartum bleeding.
The procedure for ghusl (bathing) is as follows:

1. Make the intention for ghusl.

2. Wash the private parts, using the left hand. Then wash the left hand three times.

3. Perform wudu’ (ablution) as described above, except for the feet.

4. Pour water over your head to thoroughly wet your hair three times.

5. Wash the whole head and body three times, starting with the right side. Use your hands to make sure that water reaches every part of your body.

6. Wash your feet up to and beyond the ankles three times, making sure the water gets between the toes.

A Muslim must bathe the whole body at least once a week. It is highly recommended that this be done each Friday before the congregational Prayer.

Because the Salah (ritual Prayer) requires that one be in a state of purity, a woman is excused from Salah during her menstrual periods and after childbirth until the postpartum bleeding stops or 40 days have passed, whichever comes first. She can and should make other kinds of prayer, such as du‘a’ (supplication), five times a day while she is unable to perform Salah. When her bleeding stops, she must perform ghusl (bathing) before performing Salah.

To be continued...

Pics of the Ka'ba and the Black Stone.

2006-03-10T20:56:00.000+02:00

I just wanted to show a pic of the Ka'ba and the black stone to compliment the other post. :)

Ka'ba in the city of Mecca.

The Black Stone.

A crash post to answer Karin.

2006-03-10T20:04:00.000+02:00

Karin asked me about what is the Ka'ba and here I am to answer that question for her and I'll continue with the prayer posts after this... This article was taken from Islam Online.

Just a little note, if anybody has a question about anything related to Islam please don't hesitate to ask. If you don't want to make it public, you can always email me at stellar101@gmail.com and in God's will I'll get back to you ASAP.

The Symbolism & Related Rites of the Ka`bah

By IOL Team & Mona Abul - Fadl

Islam is a religion of relatively few symbols because it is an open, rational and practical faith. Where symbols do occur, their nature conforms with and confirms the nature of the faith.

The central and foremost symbol of Islam is the Ka`bah and the rituals associated with it. In the Qur’an, God calls the Ka`bah Al-Bayt al-Haram (the Sacred House) and Bayt Allah (House of God). This Sanctuary of God is a tangible point in space and time to assemble and “visit”. It represents how the Muslim’s world and life revolve around an exclusive and pure devotion to the One True God. The pilgrim who visits the Ka`bah must be motivated by a consuming faith and pure devotion, for there is little worldly enjoyment there in the midst of the burning desert.

The Ka`bah is the simple cube stone building in Makkah. Within a few hundred meters of it are other sites associated with the sanctification of Umm Al-Quraa (the Mother of Cities, i.e., Makkah). These sites are two little hills named Marwa and Safa and the Well of Zamzam. The water of this well originally sprang from under the feet of the infant Ishmael (Isma`il) and has flowed ever since then for the pilgrims. Indeed, this water made settlement in Makkah possible. These sites are integral to the rites of Hajj and are enclosed in the Noble Sanctuary.

The foundations of the Ka`bah were laid by Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Isma`il — peace be upon them), and it was consecrated to the worship of the One True God. However, over the millennia, human folly added to the Ka`bah so that by the half millennium preceding Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the worship conducted there had degenerated into paganism and idolatry. The Ka`bah was surrounded by more than three hundred idols. The Abrahamic origins of the faith and its heritage of pure monotheism were all but buried. Yet it retained its aura of sacredness, and one “heretic” sect refused the customs of the people to nurture a memory and conviction of the One True God. Another residue of the Abrahamic tradition was a cult of peace and asylum related to the Sanctuary.

By the time Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was born, Makkah was submerged in polytheism and idolatry. Only vestiges of the pure faith remained in a symbol and a tradition. Thus, the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the fulfillment of Revelation, of the Message of Guidance, not its beginning. It came to restore the faith to its original purity.

Hence the message of Islam was not new. What was new was the form of this message, its dimensions and scale. The message would henceforth be preserved in a Book (the Qur’an) that would be immune to the ravages of time and the folly of man but that would be accessible to all who sought the Guidance. The repository of the faith was in the Community at large. No group could claim the privilege of special knowledge or a mission not open to others. No group or individual could come between the human being and Creator. Clergies and theocracies would be obsolete. These are the chief implications of the new form of this Last Guidance. They underline the liberating essence of its core concept and foundation: tawheed.

This liberating essence constitutes the revolutionary component and the regenerative momentum of the faith. These elements continue to retain their force and relevance because of the uncontaminated purity of its sources and its core tenets. Here are some aspects of the enduring symbolism of the Ka`bah:

1. The Ka`bah is symbolic of an essence: the idea of the prime and the core. It has remained at the center of a continuous tradition of human worship and devotion. It symbolizes the integrating and unifying power of monotheism in human life.

2. The idea of the prime and the core reinforces and confirms the basic concepts of Islam as the religion of pure monotheism, and hence as the one true religion for all men and for all time. Abraham is upheld in the Qur’an not for his ancestry of the Arabs, but for being the model and the archetype of the Muslim. In its association with the Abrahamic tradition and its commemoration of it, the Ka`bah symbolizes the unity of all true religion, celebrates the brotherhood of all prophets, and the essential unity of their message.

3. The Ka`bah is not just associated with the beginnings of the pure faith and of religion. It symbolizes the message that was addressed to the People of the Book — the Jews and Christians — in order to resolve the points of dispute among them.

4. The mission of the last messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was to inaugurate an era in which Divine Guidance was openly universal, wider and more comprehensive in scope, with its injunctions spelled out in detail. The responsibility for man's fate and moral well-being would come to rest squarely on his own free choice and on a willing initiative to respond to his Creator.

5. The Ka`bah also symbolizes the common orientation and common goal of mankind: its response to the One True God. Every mosque has a mihrab (niche) that points in the direction of the Ka`bah. Wherever a Muslim stands to pray, bow and prostrate, he faces in the direction of the Ka`bah, thus reminding him of the source of identity and common purpose and goal that binds him to his community in faith.

6. The Ka`bah is symbolic both of permanence and constancy and of renewal and renewability. Upon entering the precincts of the Holy Sanctuary, every Muslim makes a pledge as he approaches the Ka`bah. He faces its door and, before beginning tawaf (circumambulation), he renews his commitment by professing the Shahadah, the Testimony of Faith (“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”). Standing in solemn humility at this station, the Muslim identifies with a whole series of similar stations and situations in which the oath of allegiance was taken, whether during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) or at any time since Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them) pledged to God and laid the foundations of the Ka`bah. For this reason, the door of the Ka`bah is known as Bab Al-Multazim, the door of the one who takes the oath or makes the pledge.

7. Bab Al-Multazim is just one detail of the entire state of ihram, the state of sanctification and abstinence of the pilgrim. The pilgrim settles all his worldly debts, and then removes his worldly attire. He bathes and dresses in the fresh attire of the pilgrim and rededicates himself to the Way of his Creator.
The preservation of the Ka`bah as a living symbol down the generations to this day and age and its continuity as a haven of devotion, a shelter of refuge, and a site of grace is, in itself, a sign that invites serious reflection by all those who truly care to think.

*Summarized from Introducing Islam from Within by Mona Abul-Fadl (Leicester, UK: The Islamic Foundation, 1991). Used with permission.

Another article about this and the black stone to clear the other part of Karin's question.

The Ka'bah - House of Allah

Mrs. Rashida Hargey - South Africa
The Review of Religions, May/June 1997

The Ka'bah is a stone cubicle structure measuring 15.25 m high. It is empty on the inside except for the sacred black stone (Hajr-al-Aswad) which is embedded in one corner. The Ka'bah is the physical centre of Islam. It is revered as the very House of God. The Ka'bah, as hinted in the Qur'an itself, was originally built by the Prophet Adam (as) and was, for some time, the centre of worship for his progeny. Then in the course of time people became separated into different communities and adopted different centres for worship. The Qur'an (Ch. 3, v. 97) and authentic Traditions favour the view that prior to the erection of a building on this site by Abraham some sort of structure did exist, but it had fallen into ruins and only a trace of it had remained.

Abraham, under divine guidance, then rebuilt it some 4000 years ago and it continued to remain a centre of worship for his progeny through his son Ishmael (peace be on them). But with the lapse of time it became virtually converted into a house of idols which numbered as many as 360, almost the same as the number of days in a year. At the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) however, it was again made the centre of worship for all nations -- the Holy Prophet (sa) having been sent as a Messenger to all mankind, to unite those, who had become separated after Prophet Adam (as) into one common human brotherhood.

It is said that around the year 570 A.D., the Christian Chief of Yemen, named Abraha, attempted to invade Makkah with the intention of destroying the Ka'bah. Abraha's army rode on elephants and in the Arab history the year 570 A.D. is known as the 'Year of the Elephant'. Abraha did not succeed in his mission and his army was destroyed by an epidemic of disease and a terrible storm. A special mention is made of this incident in a chapter of the Holy Qur'an in Surah Al-Fil:

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, Merciful. Knowest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Owner of the Elephant? Did He not cause their design to miscarry? And He sent against them swarms of birds, which ate their dead bodies, striking them against stones of clay. And thus made them like broken straw, eaten up.

This is the same year in which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) was born, at which time his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, chief of the Arab noble tribe 'Quraish', was also the chief of Makkah.

Prophet Muhammad's (sa) desire for maintaining peace and averting conflict is quite evident from an incident that occurred when he was about 35 years old. The Quraish of Makkah decided to rebuild the Ka'bah after some cracks had appeared in its walls. All the families of the Quraish assisted in this effort. As the walls rose from the ground and the time came to replace the sacred black stone in its place, a dispute broke out. Each of the four main families of the Quraish wanted this honour exclusively for themselves and the construction of the Ka'bah came to a halt. After many days of suspended work, the Quraish assembled again and decided that the first person to enter the Ka'bah's courtyard will be chosen to settle the dispute. Muhammad (sa) happened to be the first person to pass through. He was informed of the dispute, quickly grasped the situation and placed his mantle on the ground and asked that the Black Stone be placed on it. He then asked the four families of the Quraish to hold each corner of the cloth and raise the stone to its place. Thus, through his wisdom, he averted the conflict and resolved the dispute in a manner acceptable to the Quraish.

No one knows for sure the background to the Black Stone (Hajr-al-Aswad), except for the fact that it was already there when Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael (peace be on them) rebuilt the Ka'bah under the direction of God. As the Ka'bah was a centre of worship centuries before the advent of Prophet Ibrahim (as), it is believed that the Black Stone was part of the original structure. And as the structure fell to ruin over the centuries, traces of the foundation with the Black Stone remained. God directed Prophet Ibrahim (as) to the site of the remaining traces of the foundation and directed him to rebuild the Ka'bah for the purpose of worship. The Black Stone was embedded in one of the four corners above ground level.

Though it had obviously been revered and respected by the previous generations, it should be borne in mind that the Black Stone itself does not hold any spiritual significance at all. The pilgrim may touch or if he can approach near enough, kiss the Black Stone, which is an emotional gesture calling to mind the Prophet (sa) kissed it when he performed circuit. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) did this, not because of any sanctity attached to the stone, but as an expression of his emotion at the Ka'bah, originally constructed by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Prophet Ismael (peace be on them), having been finally restored to the worship of the One True God, and would henceforth remain dedicated to that worship. Fearing that the Prophet's kissing the Black Stone might be interpreted as ascribing some special virtue to the stone, Hadhrat Umar, the 2nd Khalifa (peace be on him), when performing the circuit, observed: I know this is only a stone no different from other similar stones, and were it not the memory that the Prophet expressed his gratitude to God for His favours and bounties by kissing it, I would pay no attention to it.

From whichever direction the pilgrim enters the enclosure and approaches the Ka'bah, he begins his circuit from the corner in which the Black Stone is placed. A circuit of the Ka'bah means circumambulating it 7 times, reciting certain prayers, beginning and ending opposite the Back Stone.

The Ka'bah is held in reverence by all Muslims of the world. Pilgrimage to the 'House of God' is a duty of every Muslim (if they can afford it), as is facing the direction of the Ka'bah (Qiblah) during their 5 daily Prayers. The cloth covering that drapes the Ka'bah is called the Kiswa and has a fascinating and colourful history. Although its precise origin has been difficult to trace, the use of the Kiswa clearly pre-dates the advent of Islam. It is traditionally known that when the Prophet Abraham (as) was told by God to rebuild the Ka'bah, no mention was made of the Kiswa. Some scholars argue that the first Kiswa was made by the Prophet Ismael (as), but there is no evidence to support this. Others affirm that the first Kiswa was made by Adnan bin Ad', a great great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), but this claim also lacks authentication.

The first historically verifiable record of the draping of the Ka'bah attributes the honour to Tabu Karab Aswad, King of Humayyur in the Yemen. Tabu invaded Yathrib (now Madinah) in 400 C.E., 220 years before the Hijra. He also entered Makkah and performed Umrah. He is said to have dreamt that he was making a covering and then dressed the Ka'bah with this Kasaf made of dried palm leaves sewn together. In one form or another, the Kiswa has draped the Ka'bah ever since.

After the Prophet Muhammad (sa) defeated the pagans of Makkah and entered the Ka'bah, he cleansed it of all idols and turned it into a sacred sanctuary of monotheistic Islamic worship. In the 10th year of the Hijra (630 C.E.), 2 years after the Prophet (sa) led the campaign to free Makkah, the sacred valley of Mina, and Mount Arafat from the control of the Makkan pagans, he performed his first and only pilgrimage (Hajj). Over 100,000 pilgrims, at that date the largest gathering ever, flocked from all over Arabia for this pilgrimage. For the first time in many centuries, the Ka'bah had once again become the exclusive sanctuary of monotheism. It is said that on this pilgrimage the Prophet Muhammad dressed the Ka'bah in its first Islamic Kiswa, referred to as the 'Yemeni Kiswa'. Khalifa (Caliph) Umar bin Al-Khattab ordered the first Egyptian-made Kiswa in 13 A.H. (634 C.E.). It was made from thick cloth known as Gabaati. Every year, at the time of pilgrimage, the Kiswa was cut into pieces and distributed among the pilgrims. Verses such as 'Glory be to Allah', 'There is no God save Allah', and 'Allah is Merciful and Loving' used to be stitched on to the Kiswa in those early days of Islam.

[Facts on the Kiswa taken from Ahlan Wasahlan, Aug. 1986]

What is Prayer (Salah) in Islam all About?

2006-03-09T19:14:00.000+02:00

Greeting to all my readers. :) Karin has asked me about the ritual prayer that we Muslims engage in and after giving it some thought I decided to post a few different posts about the subject because it's a subject larger than I thought. I'll start with the significance then move on to the actual obligatory practice.

All my posts on prayer is taken from Islam Online. The website is very rich with news and Islamic information.

If a person really believes in Allah (God), how will he show it? And how will it affect his life?

For a Muslim, his faith is first demonstrated by the five daily ritual Prayers called Salah. These Prayers are so important that they are the second Pillar of Islam after the Testimony of Faith (“There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”), obligatory for all, and they are the first thing the Muslim will be asked about on Judgment Day.

Five times a day a Muslim is asked to stop whatever he is doing — be it sleep, work, or play — and make a ritual ablution before facing his Lord in Prayer. No matter what his actions, the most important thing to a Muslim is his relationship with Allah. This relationship is demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the ritual Prayers. Only if the Prayers are sound and proper will the deeds be sound and proper.

In the Prayer, the Muslim faces towards the Ka‘bah in Makkah, the symbol of the Oneness of Allah and the unity of Muslims. He stands, bows, and prostrates to his Lord while praising Him, reciting some of the words He revealed in the Qur’an, and asking for His forgiveness and mercy. In doing so, the Muslim reminds himself of his position in the universe as a humble servant of Allah and of his total dependence on his Creator, Cherisher and Sustainer.

When the Prayer is performed properly — with due humility and remembrance of Allah — it has a lasting effect on the person. It fills his heart with the remembrance of Allah, and with fear of and hope in Him. He will not want to move from that lofty position by disobeying Allah.

The Prophet compared this experience of making ablution and praying five times a day to having a river running in front of one’s house. If one bathed in that river five times a day, would any filth remain on his body? Likewise, the ablution and Prayer five times a day removes one’s sins and also prevents him from sinning.

Prayers also affect the life of the Muslim by encouraging him to schedule his activities around their fixed times. There is some flexibility, for each time is actually a span of one hour or more. But the Muslim who is conscious of Allah will strive to schedule his life in such a way that he does not miss any of the Prayers — for example, by postponing a shopping trip until after a Prayer, or by taking a break from work, or by sleeping earlier so as to able to rise for the Dawn Prayer.

Therefore, if one really believes in Allah, he will show it by his commitment to the five daily Prayers, and these, in turn, will help him to live righteously.

To be continued...

The Last Sermon of the Prophet

2006-03-07T16:20:00.000+02:00

Here is something that just brings tears to my eyes for sooooo many reasons.

1, This sermon is filled with love
2, The Prophet, had no energy as he was saying it. He was dying.
3, Most of his guidance in the sermon is disregarded by us Muslims.

O People
Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefor listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People
Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity.

Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn 'Abd al Muttalib (the Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived.

Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People
It is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat you women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People
Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat.

Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white- except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim, which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefor, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and the Sunnah (The Prophet's way), and if you follow these you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listened to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

Excerpt from Shine: A Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love.

2006-03-04T18:37:00.000+02:00

This is something that I found as I was searching for women in Islam... It was taken from www.sakeenah.org an organization founded by Shaykh Abdullah Adhami from New York. It aims to devote the sacred Islamic sciences, along with various disciplines of human knowledge, to the enrichment of people's lived reality and toward a communal definition of Islam in the Western experience.

How should we pray?

There are two forms of “prayer” in Islamic tradition. One is the realm of remembering and exaltation of the Divine through supplication, invocation and benediction. This can be a continual process that only requires the presence of heart and mind. The other is the salah, from the Arabic “to connect.” It is akin to the Aramaic (shelayvah) and Hebrew (shalah) for "to be at ease; to have quiet; [and also] to prosper.” It is the distinctive physical act of kneeling and genuflection at prescribed times of the day. It is a cosmic “connection” with one's world. It involves the same physical limbs that one utilizes in her earthly, temporal world. These faculties are gifts that one is entrusted with, and how one chooses to use them can either honor or debase. The ritual washing preceding the Muslim Prayer is a spiritual cleansing of one's limbs to prepare the mortal human to connect with the eternal, heavenly realm.

Women are endowed with a spiritual preeminence that stems from their devotion to genuineness and belonging. It is a yearning for what is viscerally authentic in all their connections and relationships—especially with God. It is this very essence that makes woman profoundly soulful in her giving and at once so insatiable in her yearning. It is also what makes her so bewilderingly enigmatic, so disarmingly incomprehensible—even to herself. Ironically, it is also this gift that makes her appear tentative, often uncertain—when all that she wishes is for everything that she ever does to be meaningful, authentic and pure. Women usually need privacy when they pray to replenish their formidable repertoire of giving, though their very essence is a form of prayer; their speech is prayer; and— (as distinct from their whims)—their feelings are prayer too. Devotion is the secret behind a woman's eloquence and the essence of her virtue. This is epitomized by Mary in the Quran, and Fatimah in the prophetic tradition.

Excerpt from Star Jones Reynolds, Shine: A Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love
(New York: HarperCollins, 2006), 270.

Answering Karin's Question.

2006-03-02T03:55:00.000+02:00

A while back Karin asked me a very important question in which I believe is seriously important to be brought up. This is what Karin had to ask..

Sara, may I ask you a question? Isn't it written somewhere in the Qur'an that it is the duty of a believer to fight the "infidels", meaning, I suppose, the non-Muslims? How does what you wrote in your last post, go along with that? I am quoting ..."Islam calls for equality between all humans, doesn't matter what your race is, what your faith is, what your age and even sex." One possibility .. I understood that all wrong from the beginning on - but that's why I'm asking YOU! Can you help?

The answer to this is quite simple. Yes, in the Qur'an it does mention that believers should fight non believers but there's a story behind it.

I first would need to exaplain how the Qur'an has come up... It was revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to the Prophet (PBUH) in Mekka over a period of 23 years refelcting the human need for gradual, progressive and Guidance.

It revealed stories of what happened then and history before. It has scientific information, it has laws and tools how to worship God and there is so much more information...

Now the verses about believers fighting non believers, it's quite simple. It was instructions to the Muslims back in the day of the Prophet. Why? The reason behind that is; back then when Islam had a proper Muslim leader and a proper muslim state and so on, the non believers were oppressing and killing believers and stealing from them and so on. It was instructions to defend themselves from the non-believers. It does mention in the Qur'an that Muslims must only fight the ones who fight the Muslims. Muslims are not allowed to start a war or kill anybody from the Non-Believers who are not harming Muslims in any way.

These verses are only applicable back then and it's not for now. Why is that, you might ask? The answer is simple... There isn't a proper unified Muslim state and there isn't a leader that is agreed upon ALL Muslims. These are some of the rules of actually calling out a war for selfdefence.

The problem in this day and age, not only do Non Muslims get half of the info regarding war in Islam so do the Muslims themselves, unfortunatly. It's quite sickening actually. 3/4 of the so called Holy Wars in Islam are actually prohibited due to not fulfilling the conditions of war in Islam and they only know half of the story. So they'll think that they should kill all nonbelievers in which I think it's all bull. There something like 5 or more conditions but I can't remember all of them... Once I look it up and have it, I'll have another post about Jihad. I already started writing it, just needed to get the conditions and then it's all set to go...

So Karin, I hope that answered your question. If not, let me know and I'll dig in deeper for ya. :)

Peace!

A Glimpse at Prophet Muhammsd's Life (Part 2)

2006-02-28T22:58:00.000+02:00

Some of The Prophet's teachings are as follows :

1- When he and his fellow Muslims were tortured by the non-believers in Mecca, people asked him to curse non-believers and to ask God to punish them back, but he said: "I was not sent to curse people, but I was sent as a mercy".

2- He wants people to use their heads and take responsibility of their own choices and actions, so when asked about specific private matters he replied:"You people are more knowledgeable in matters of your own lives and business than myself. But when I speak about religion, take my words".

3- In his repeated encouragement of seeking knowledge, he said: "Get knowledge, for it is your way to get closer to God. Teaching the ignorant has the award of charity. Knowledge puts its owner in the high place of honor, and it is a great complement for its holder". He also said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation on each Muslim". He also said: "Teachers and students are partners in reward". He also said: "The knowledgeable is better than the worshiper, as much as the space is between 70 steps, each two steps are as far as the sky and earth apart." He also said: "On the day of judgment, the ink of the educated will be balanced with the blood of martyrs. The ink will weigh more".

4- During battle, he was the closest to the enemy, and his fellow Muslims said that in times of fierce war, we would find ourselves sometimes taking shelter in the Prophet, for he was always the first on the front line. We would consider ourselves brave if we stayed in line with him during battle confrontation.

5- Whenever he was given two things to choose between, he would choose the easiest, unless it was wrong, for he was the farthest from choosing evil.

6- He always kept his promises and always paid back his debts, and gave a bit more.

7- Anas, the Prophet's servant said: The Prophet was the kindest among men, the most generous, and the most courageous.

8- Anas said: I waited on the prophet for 10 years, and he never ever snapped at me or blamed me for doing or not doing something.

9- Anas said: Once a man came to the Prophet and asked him for many sheep that the Prophet had just gained, and he gave it him immediately. The man went back to his people saying: Oh people, come to Islam, for by God, Muhammad gives like he has no fear of ever being poor.

10- When it came to children, he was the most gentle and funny. They used to ride on his back as he bowed in prayer, and he waited for them to come down before moving.

11- When it came to women, he was nice and respectful. He said: "From all what is in this life, women and perfume have been brought to me as the most respectfully lovable, and prayer is the apple of my eye". He also said: "Women are siblings to men". He also said: "Treat women good, for they are your supporters". Before deciding to spend the night in prayer, he would ask for his wife's permission. He used to amuse his wives, For example, he carried his wife Aisha to enable her get a good view of some Sudanese Acrobat players. He used to race with her, joke with her, and he gave her a nick name. She used to ask him about his love for her, and he would say: "It's as firm as a knot." Then, she would occasionally ask him: "How is the knot doing?", and he would reply: "As firm as could be".

12- He used to stay up all night in prayer, till his feet get all swollen. Others would ask him to go easy on himself, for God must have forgiven him, but he would say: "Shouldn't I, then, be a grateful slave of Him?"

13- He spoke of God with great love. He would always mention Him and pray for Him. When it rained, he would be out walking happily under the rain saying that: "It has just been with God!"

14- If he had not seen someone for three days, he would ask about him. If he found him traveling he would pray for him to get back safe. If he found him in town and available he would go to him. If he found him sick, he would pay him a short visit.

15- He had very little money, and when he gained something he used to immediately give it away to those in need. This is why when he died he left no money and no will. He experienced many days of hunger. During the days when the non-believers starved him and his family, in an unsuccessful trial to make him abandon Islam, he said: "For about 30 days and nights, Bilal and I had nothing to eat except for what Bilal was able to hide under his armpit".

16- Aisha, his wife, was asked about what he did when he would be at home, and she said: "He would be helping us in the household work, till it is time for prayer, then he would go to pray".

17- When asked to do something, he would either say:"Yes", or he would just be silent. For he never said No.

18- He hated gossip, rumors, and nonsense talk, so he said: "No one speaks bad about anyone else to me".

19- He said: "He who wants God and His Prophet to love him should he say the truth, return things after safekeeping, and never to harm his neighbor".

20- He said : "The best among my people, as God has told me, are those who laugh in public in optimism of Gods mercy, and cry in secret remorse in fear of God's punishment (if they had bad deeds), those who mention God day and night in good houses (mosques), who call upon Him in desire and awe, who always raise and lower their hands asking Him for their needs, who face Him with their hearts time after time, for people care less of them and they care much for their destiny, those who walk barefoot on earth, as ants, without over-merriness or over-luxury, who walk in peace and try to be closer to God, who read the Quran, who present gifts to the poor, and wear their clothes humbly. They have guarding angles sent from God to look after them, they look at people with intelligent all-seeing eyes and they meditate on creation. Their souls are on earth but their hearts are in the afterlife. They have no concern but in what they will meet today. They have equipped themselves for what would be of actual help for them after death. They are prepared to pass and to be judged by God". Then the Prophet recited from the Quran: "For this is for those who fear Me and beware of My Promise".

21- He said : "Seven people shall be shadowed by God on the day of judgment, when there will be no shadow but His, a just leader, a young man (or woman) who grew up in obedience to God's teachings, a man (or woman) with great love of mosques so he never leaves but to be back later, two people in the love of God (who gathered in His love and departed in His love), a man (or woman) mentioned God in secret and his eyes were filled with tears of love and awe of Him, a man seduced by a women with beauty and power and he refused for the sake of God, and a man who gives secretly to the poor, so that his left hand would not know what his right hand has given away".

22- He was so humble to agree to ride a donkey, even when he went to answer the invitation of kings. He asked his followers not to stand up for him when he came in, and he sat wherever available.

23- His facial expressions: His face was always lit up with a peaceful smile, but with little laughter. He walked quickly, as if coming down hill, and always smelled of good musk. He had big black eyes, with thick eyelashes, light complexion with a bit of red cheeks, and thick black hair. He had big hands and strong muscular arms. He was moderate in height, closer to thin with wide shoulders.

A Glimpse at Prophet Muhammad's Life (Part 1)

2006-02-28T00:49:00.000+02:00

I want to introduce to you the most important man to me and all the Muslims around the world. It is our Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH)... He is the one all Muslims should follow but unfortunately we have lost our way. This was written by someone who is pretty anonymous

The life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is full of so many examples of the person he was. Throughout the 63 years of his life, he did his best to leave a legacy that is rich with a variety of attitudes in situations for us to think of and learn from. Like every other human being, Prophet Muhammad experienced pain and health, poverty and wealth, hunger and nourishment. Among other roles in his life, he was an orphan, a young shepherd, a poor worker, a wealthy merchant, a cherishing husband, a loving father, a caretaking grandfather, a courageous worrier, a brilliant leader, a shrewd judge, a humble worshiper, and a wise teacher. He experienced nearly all what may face a man in a lifetime, and he showed great wisdom in managing almost all life's changes. Even when he made mistakes, he was honest enough to point them out. He knew that he is the educator of all, so he watched every step he took, and his words came filled with much needed lessons of love, peace, and justice for all mankind, not only Muslims.

We call his teachings "Hadith". My favorite one is "All mankind are the children of God, and the dearest to Him are the ones most helpful to His children". Such words show his panoramic vision of the love, respect, and dignity with which we should all treat each other, despite difference in race, color, opinions, and religious beliefs.

I will try to sum up major events in his life and to give some of his teachings, in order to give an idea about the man he was and the life he lived. My goal is to elaborate on the idea that his greatness is not because he is a perfect human being, but rather due to his being a Messenger from God. And that his efforts to spread Islam were in obedience of a heavenly order, not in pursue of wealth, as he actually gained none. He had to work on delivering the word of God, to merely inform of Islam, and then to back off, leaving the choice for whoever wants to join or simply not, in compliance with the Quranic verse: "There is no oppression or compulsion in religious beliefs." This is why he speaks of other religions with absolute respect and cherishment of freedom of choice. He spoke of Jesus Christ, Mary, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Noah, and all prophets as his respected brothers, as they all call for the worship of one God, and to value his teachings of morality. He completely rejected war and adhered to peaceful measures, in conformity with the Quranic verse: "If they move towards peace, then you too resort to it". Even when he was driven into war, to defend man's freedom of choice and people's right to know of Islam, he gave instructions not to kill priests in temples, women, children, old people, or any defenseless being, not to chop down trees or burn down houses, or do harm to anybody, but to fight back those with unleashed swords. He did not pursue power, because he taught us that the only human power to be used is in fulfilling the objective behind man's existence on this earth: to perseveringly work as God's humble good-doing "assistant" on earth, that is good-doing to all mankind, to environment, to all creatures. This is the only measure with which God distinguishes the good from the bad, for as the Prophet puts it: "There is no distinction between an Arab or a non-Arab, between white or black, but according to righteousness".

He is born in Mecca, in 569, for a noble but rather poor family. His father dies months before his birth. His mother dies when he is 6 years old, and his grandfather takes him in till he dies after 2 years. His uncle takes him in at the age of 8.
At the age of 12, he starts traveling with his uncle to help him in his trade. In Syria, he meets Bahira, the Bible-knowledgeable Christian monk, who anticipates that the boy would have a great future in the Arabian Peninsula.
The young man works as a shepherd to help his uncle, and becomes known for not getting into troubles of adolescence or participating in the stone worship, as other do.
Khadija, His first wife, hears of his honesty and experience in trade, so she hires him, and quickly falls in love with his noble self, and they get married. He is now 25.
He grows fond of meditation in the mountains, and at the age of 40, at the solitude of a mountain cave, he is visited by Gabriel, the angel, and is informed that he is the Prophet and should call people to worship god.
For 3 years, he calls people to God in secret. About 40 people are Muslims.
For 10 years, he calls people to God openly in public. He, his family, and his followers are verbally abused, physically tortured, pressured, threatened, seduced with offers of money and power, and starved for 3 years to abandon Islam. Many are dead, but none surrender or abandon Islam.
More than 80 Muslims flee in Hijra (migration) from Mecca to south Sudan, where is Najashi, a Christian king who is known for justice. Non-believers of Mecca pursue Moslems, but Najashi gives Muslims shelter, and later becomes a Muslim himself.
In 619, his loving wife and respected uncle die. He is alone in face of Mecca's non-believers. He starts going to people outside Mecca to inform of Islam, but mostly faced with rejection. He talks to the pilgrims during the pilgrimage season, and 73 people become Muslims over 2 years.
Many Moslems flee in migration to Medina to seek freedom of belief and escape torture and oppression.
In 622, he is among the last Muslims to migrate to Medina. Non-believers follow him, but he escapes. Medina receives him with great love.
In Medina, he builds a society out of the great variety of people in one area, and the city becomes settled with the documentation of a Constitutional Agreement for organizing the lives of those in Medina society, including Muslims, Jews, and other parties.
Non-believers in Mecca take away all left-behind possessions of Muslims, and in 623, he decides to take some of it back by taking a caravan of Mecca goods sent to trade near Medina. The caravan changes direction and takes off, however, Mecca people come to fight him. The first battle in Islam : Bader. Muslims are victorious.
In 624, Jews in Medina violate the Agreement, and are therefore driven out.
The battle of Ohod. Mecca non-believers gather forces to revenge for Bader. Muslims do not follow battle plan, and are consequently defeated, but with minor losses.
In 626, more Jews violate the Agreement, and are driven out.
Other battles follow, due to either violation of agreements or assaults on the part of non-believers or Jews.
In 628, he travels with 1400 Muslims for pilgrimage to Mecca. Non-believers refuse to let them in, and sign with them a 10-year peace treaty, Hudaibia Pact, in condition of not entering Mecca for 1 year.
He marries Safiah, the daughter of a Jew tribe leader, and the relationship with the Jews becomes better.
Migrants from south Sudan join Muslims in Medina.
He starts sending his messengers (about 10 groups) to Arab tribes around the Arabian Peninsula, and letters to kings of the world to inform them about Islam.
In 629, non-believers of Mecca violate the treaty, so he and the Muslims come back to Mecca and enter without resistance. He forgives all his enemies, and many people become Muslims.
Settlement of Islam in Mecca. Delegations from Arabian tribes announce becoming Muslims. He sends groups of educated Muslims to teach newly converted people about Islam.
In 632, he performs the last pilgrimage. He gives his famous speech, which contains some of his final recommendations. After his pilgrimage he starts feeling ill, and dies in the same year, Aisha's arms.

Misconception of Shari'a (Part 2)

2006-02-23T19:54:00.000+02:00

According to the Shari'a law there is freedom of thought and religion.

1) Every person has the right to freedom of conscience and worship in accordance with his religious beliefs.
2) Every person has the right to express his thoughts and beliefs so long as he remains within the limits prescribed by the law. No one, however, is entitled to disseminate falsehood or to circulate reports which may outrage public decency, or to indulge in slander, innuendo or to cast defamatory aspersions on other persons.
3) Pursuit of knowledge and search after truth is not only a right but a duty if every Muslim.
4) It is the right of every Muslim to protest and strive (within limits set out by the law) against oppression even if it involves challenging the highest authority in state.
5) There should be no bar on the dissemination of information provided it does not endanger the security of the society or the state and is confined within the limits imposed by the law.
6) No one shall hold in contempt or ridicule the religious beliefs of others or incite public hospitality against them; respect for the religious feelings of others is obligatory on all Muslims.

"Say (O Mohammad, it is) the truth form the Lord of you (all). Then whosever will, let him believe, and whosever will, let him disbelieve…"
(Al Qur'an, Al Kahf 18:29)

When it comes to minorities these laws apply,

1) The Qur'anic principle "There is no compulsion in religion" shall govern religious rights of Non-Muslims minorities.
2) In a Muslim Country religious minorities shall have the choice to be governed in respect of their civil and personal matters by Islamic laws or by their own laws.

All the information is taken from a book called Human Rights in Islamic Law by Dr. Ibrahim Abdulla Al-Marzouqi.

Misconception of Shari'a. (Part 1)

2006-02-22T01:47:00.000+02:00

I'm posting this post as a reply to Namir… The thing that bothered me wasn't the fact he's against the Islamic law being implemented in certain communities in the UK but rather the idea he has about what the Islamic laws are about and what they represent.

In this post, I'll put in 2 separate postings so you guys wouldn't get too overwhelmed with the reading.

Honestly, if my opinion is important I believe that the Law should stay the same in England but open the option for those who want to be governed in respect of their civil and personal matters by their own law.

Shari'a is Islamic law that invites Human brotherhood far from selfishness and personal interest for the sake of discarding hatred.

It is for the salvation of all mankind in an atmosphere of justice and equality surrounded by divine revelation and noble values within a sphere of ethical legislation that God has set for man.

I do understand why people might think that the laws allow subjugation and sexism. What people need to know is that it's not the Islamic Law that has faults. It's actually the men who are governing these laws. Outdated and awful traditions have heavily influenced these laws and so the actual Shari'a isn't properly followed anymore.

If you were to look at the Shari'a properly you'll find that it's filled with human rights; both for men and women. Islam calls for equality between all humans, doesn't matter what your race is, what your faith is, what your age and even sex.

"O mankind! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all knowing, all aware"
(Al Qur'an, Al Hujurat 49:13)

Islam gave to mankind an ideal code of human rights 14 centuries ago. These rights aim at conferring honor and dignity on mankind and eliminating exploitation, oppression and injustice.

Human rights in Islam are an integral part of the overall Islamic order and it is obligatory on all Muslims governments and organs of society to implement then in letter and in spirit within the frame work of that order.

It is unfortunate that Human rights are being trampled upon with impunity in many countries of the world, including Muslims countries. Such violations are matter of serious concern and are arousing the conscience of more and more people though out the world.

Here are some human rights in Islam. We'll start with women rights…

1) The wife's right to maintenance is protected by the law that if the husband refrains from fulfilling his obligations, he will lose his marital rights over her. She can sue him before the courts. His failure contributes a considerable reason (in such case that he continues rejecting her right to maintenance) for her to ask for divorce, regardless of whether he is rich or poor.
2) The wife's right to assisted in domestic work, by a home maid or servant, winds important consideration of Muslim jurists. In this concern the circumstances of the wife, in being used to have a servant before her marriage or in case her domestic responsibilities are beyond her scope, constitute additional weight to her right to assistance. It is reported of the Prophet (PBUH) that beside having servants, he used to help his family at home in this connection he says "… the best of you (men) are those who are the best to their wives."
3) According to the mutual rights and duties of spouses towards each other, their personality is considered important. Therefore a woman under Islamic law is not a part of her husband's personality, a fact which entitles her the right to keep her own family name whether she is married of not, that is on the same standing as a man. Accordingly 3 implications are drawn from that principle:

a) The economic and civil rights which entitle a woman the legal competence to have her own property, to invest her wealth and be a party in a business contract.
b) Her right to inherit from her husband
c) Her right to be satisfied sexually by her husband, just as she would satisfy him, that is, each spouse should respond to the sexual desire of the other. According to the law and as a precautionary measure to protect him or her, either should stand in need or be deprived of that natural requirement.

4) A woman's right to education has never been a disputable matter between Muslim Jurists. For instance, the Prophet (PBUH) used to teach women in special sessions. Furthermore, his wife 'A'isha was well known for her knowledge and the Prophet (PBUH) instructed Muslims to learn from her. According to his Hadith of knowledge is compulsory for all Muslims regardless of their sex.

And so on… These were just some of the rights that married women have in Islam.

According to Muslim jurists, a woman has the right to work. With that right she may respond to either her financial necessity or to satisfy the need of the Muslim community for female workers, particularly in education and medical fields.

That is just the gist of woman rights all together, there are a lot more.

To Be continued....

Another step for peace..

2006-02-21T00:25:00.000+02:00

Hello fellow readers, I'm so proud to say that today I was invited to officially be one of the contributers of Bridge the gap in Blogsphere. It all started by an a man from the Netherland named Nico. He was inspired by an email from a fellow Syrian blogger Ayman along with other European bloggers.

The point of the Bridge the Gap in Blogsphere blog as clear as its title... It's there to allow all those who have questions about other cultures to ask it and eliminate fear of the unknown among different cultures, faiths and countries etc...

It's a must for everybody to check out. Feel free to browse the blong and don't forget to ask any questions to any of the volunteers and they'll be more than happy to answer.

Have fun in bridging the gap. :)

Peace to all...

Islamic Ambassadors

2006-02-20T20:07:00.000+02:00

One of the problems that both East and West face is the lack of understanding each other and their way of thinking… Muslims are portrayed as savages to the West and Non-Muslims are viewed as devil followers to the East. These ideas lack knowledge and are filled with ignorance and hatred.

There shouldn't be any reason for that. That's why you'll find people from all over the world trying to raise awareness on both sides and sometimes even working together on the same project.

Again, Amr Khaled has proven that he's a man of peace. He's calling out Muslims all over the world to apply for Islamic Ambassadors. He's looking for Muslims that are willing to help bridge the gap that desperately needs to be filled for the sake of humanity.

I honestly, respect Mr. Khaled for his assertive efforts to spread the truth about Islam and create peaceful relations between the East and West.

On his website, there's a link to an application form. There isn't much info, just a flash link that says,

"Do you want to be an Ambassador of Islam?"
"Do you want to be a step in solving the conflict in Denmark?"

You click on the flash window and you'll get the chance to fill the application form.

I believe what Mr. Khaled is doing is very effective for Muslims who are finally breaking the chains of mental captivity. I believe, other than trying to build a better understanding of the East and West, Mr. Khaled has a hidden agenda; a positive one, of course. This is just my own assumption; nothing official. After I read the questions on the application form, it made me do some research and think deeply about what truly Islam is, who truly our Prophet (PBUH) is and think of what is the best way to effectively communicate with people. I think his other purpose is to make Muslims get to know "true" Islam better so they'd be able help others truly understand Islam and know how to be civil Non-Muslims in general. He wants Muslims to work on themselves to be better so they can contribute in bridging the gap.

If you want to know more on Who is Amr Khaled, click here

If you want to know what he has to say about the Danish cartoon situation, click here

God's Love

2006-02-18T18:21:00.000+02:00

My lastest music piece is actually out. Some of you might have already heard it but for those who didn't, no worries it's never too late. :D You can listen to it by clicking here. You can either stream it or download it.

This piece, to me, is the most special not only is it expressing what I feel but it's a message to the whole world who cares about making a difference. I actually cried composing this. That never has happened before. I just hope it'll have the same effect on people that it had on me letting it out of me. Maybe it'll be a good start for people to tolerate each other.

Peace to all...

NLP Diploma...

2006-02-16T14:47:00.000+02:00

A lot have been asking me what is this NLP Diploma that I've obtained. So I decided to just post about it to answer all the questions that has been asked.

First of all, this is my NLP Diploma that I'm so excited about. It is the first step of the program. There are a few more steps but I don't need to go that far. There are these other steps :

Certificationas an NLP Practitioner
Certificationas an NLP Master Practitioner
Certificationas an NLP Trainer
Certificationas an NLP Master Trainer

I'll probably go as far as Master Practitioner, maybe I'd be able to help others and seriously try to make a difference in helping people to be proactive. It's all in the planning right now. People I met at the seminar and I are going on a hiking trip tomorrow and probably get more info from the Doctors there and see what I'd like to do...

WHAT IS NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING

by Tad James, M.S., Ph.D., Certified Master NLP Trainer

Copyright © 1985, 1999, 2005 Tad James and Advanced Neuro Dynamics

NLP, or Neuro Linguistic Programming, is the art and science that can be described in a nutshell, as an attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques.

First, the attitude of NLP is one of curiosity and experimentation. Next, the methodology is modeling, which is the process of duplicating excellent behavior. Another person's behavior can be duplicated by studying what that person does inside their head (language, filters, programs, etc.) to produce results. NLP was initially created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who began modeling and duplicating the "magical results" of a few top communicators and therapists.

Some of the first people to be studied included Hypnotherapist Milton Erickson, gestalt therapist Fritz Perls and family therapist Virginia Satir. Since then, many others have contributed to the growth and development of the field. And finally, the trail of techniques created through this type of modeling is what is commonly known as NLP. The programs in this catalog describe the many different techniques we teach and use.

Today, NLP is widely used in business to improve management, sales and achievement/performance, inter-personal skills; in education to better understand learning styles, develop rapport with students and parents and to aid in motivation; and of course, NLP is a profound set of tools for personal development.

For more information please click here

What do you guys think?

2006-02-16T00:07:00.000+02:00

After emailing people of the another Denmark website... I got this reply that I thought I'd share with you...

Maybe we all can come up with something that'll help restore order. What do you say?

Dear Sara

Thank you so much for your feedback and thoughts about our project

It is really important for us to spread our message and get in contact
with sensible people like you.

if you have som projects i have to hear about in the future my mail is
nikolai_langjensen@yahoo.com

---
All the best
Nikolai

Another thing I was thinking about is this site that a friend mentioned to me on here not too long ago...

http://www.volkskrantblog.nl/pub/blogs/blog.php?uid=3497

it's a great site where people get to know people to bridge the gap as they say... I think it'll help all of to realize that this world is a colorful place with different people.

Thanks for the support...

Peace to all...

Let's Just Live Together In Harmony.

2006-02-13T03:09:00.000+02:00

A letter from Another Denmark

Dear Muslim citizens in Denmark and the World

I wish to state the existence of another Denmark: a Denmark that wants to live in
peace with the Muslim world. There is another Denmark, which hopes for and believes
in respect and tolerance between religions and different groups of people.
As a Dane I have no responsibility for what a single and privately owned Danish
newspaper chooses to publish. Even so, I strongly condemn the actions of
Jyllands-Posten that have offended muslims around the world, and I understand the
need for an apology from the newspaper.

We all have a responsibility for treating each other, our religious faiths, and
convictions with dignity and respect. By publishing the cartoons, the
newspaper Jyllands-Posten failed their obligation to exercise with care and
consideration the right of freedom of speech.

I condemn all kinds of discrimination, prejudice and racism, whether it is directed
against Muslims, Jews, Christians or other groups in a society. Therefore, I reject
the hostile and prejudicial way of speaking that has marked several Danish political
parties and media within recent years.

I want to make a request to all parties involved, that opinions and protests may be
conducted in a respectful and peaceful manner. Attacks on and threats against
individuals and assets only make the situation worse for all of us.

I believe in a world where religions, ethnic groups and various political and
cultural opinions can coexist in an atmosphere of dialogue, tolerance and mutual
respect.

I wish to state the existence of another Denmark that conceives itself as a part of
such a heterogenous world and humanity.

In the sincere hope of international tolerance and respect.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is taken from http://www.anotherdenmark.org/

Ouch!!

2006-02-10T23:01:00.000+02:00

Yeah, that is the first thing that is coming to mind. OUCH!!! I don't feel good at all. I woke up this morning with abdominal pain as I felt it move around freely. The pressure and pain move up to my chest as I was washing my face and I almost fainted. So I dragged myself back to bed with breathing difficulties as the pain got worse. I slept the whole day pretty much. When I finally woke up, I was feeling a little better but now as I type this, I'm feeling seriously feverish. I think if I don't feel better by tomorrow. I'm heading to the doctor's.

Lovely, intro, huh? :D Here I am though after reading the comments I'd have to say, this is excellent. I love what's happening. Thanks for your comments... This is what I'd have to say...

If you read the comments you'd see Tarek's comment. Now, this is an perfect example of what is happening in our community and I'm sure similar things are happening worldwide... People cannot agree with each other, even when it comes to their same faith. I'm sure that this happens to all religions. It's a human nature not to agree with everything.

When it comes to Amr Khaled, I believe that he is the answer to Muslims who have lost their way... He comes with new ideas that suits our currents needs but not everybody believes the new ideas are good because they rather stick to the old fashioned way... I got news to these people... These ideas aren't new. They are as old as the days of our Prophet (PBUH) hence they are loved by many. Muslims have lost their way, and that's why we're not achieving the glory we had back then. Amr Khaled is trying to lead people to go back the original way but in a modern fashion. I think it's great... He admits that he's not a scholar... He is a religious man who just loves his religion and just wants to share his love with people so he can create a better community. The truth is people don't accept the fact that we need to change ourselves to change everything else. Meaning, if you want to love life and accept other, you got to change the way of thinking in order to see everything differently... It's a basic NLP rule. I just took a diploma in NLP so, I'm all about that. hehehe... Anyways, so this is what Amr Khaled is trying to do and this is why some Muslims attack him and wish him harm and some wish him all the best.

I'll say this, I won't be up here doing what I'm doing right now, trying to create peace if it wasn't for him. He has touched me in ways that is beyond the describable.

ok, now that is out of the way, I want to make something clear to fellow brother and sisters following other faiths...

We all are human created by The Creator hence we all have the same human nature. We love to disagree. I never claimed that only Muslims face problems that I talk about. I never claimed people in the US is becoming more secular. Religion is in everybody's mind. I won't say heart because I don't really believe that. As VassilyJung commented that some people take religion as a traditional thing. I totally agree with that. Hence it's in the head not in the heart.

As for Fernando and all those who feel the same as he, can you stop for a min and think without being aggressive? What's the point? I understand your belief system and I respect it, hence I'm not aggressive with you. Is it hard to be civil about other ideologies that fills this sacred earth?

Once again I say, that Amr Khaled is not asking for a special treatment. He's asking for a fair treatment. He just wants to make it clear that Islam is not what the west views it. I'm sure there are other people from the west who would love to do the same for their faith if it's being seriously misunderstood. He wants people to respect everybody including Muslims themselves. Is that hard to comprehend? It saddens me that you don't want to see the peaceful positive message to all humanity. It's not about Islam being accepted or not. Just accept that people practice it for humanity's sake. It's not even a culture thing. There are millions of Western Muslims, don't they have rights as well to practice their faith in the most civil way in their own western countries? Don't they have the right to be accepted as Western citizens? It's not about culture it's about choice.

We humans make choices and to make this a better place for humanity we need to accept each other's existence and respect each other. Then we can truly live free. The world isn't black or white. It's the most colorful thing so why not enjoy all the colored instead of limiting ourselves to enjoy them by refusing their existence?

Peace to all...

In defense of Amr Khaled and other thoughts.

2006-02-10T00:07:00.000+02:00

When I read the comments. I was shocked by some of the comments because I seriously didn't see the message the way some people saw it. If you're thinking well, it's a culture thing, I lived in the US for 5 years. I am seriously influenced by the Western way of thinking. Most Arabs reject my way of thinking. So please don't attack me when I'm only trying to create an understanding between Westerners and Middle Easterners. My posts are not only for non-Muslims it's for Muslims who are lost trying to find "true" Islam... I was one of those people and wished I had somebody to turn to. I believe that is something peaceful. "Only" when I attack or become aggressive, you're welcome to attack me back.

For those who didn't read the speech carefully, please read it again. If you didn't read the whole speech, I'd understand why you'd misunderstand it. So read it all, carefully. I know it's a long read but wouldn't you like to understand what truly the deal is?

When Mr. Khaled was talking about The Prophet (PBUH) he was only explaining to the West why He is important to Muslims and asks Non-Muslims to "respect" what we feel about our Prophet. No one is forced to believe in what Muslims do. The Prophet himself didn't force it upon people, as it said in the speech. So why should we now? The point of the speech is to let the West know that the Muslims who are causing the chaos aren't following the way, that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and it's not acceptable. Amr Khaled like me, is trying to create a better understanding between Westerners and Middle Easterners.

The problem is that, the West misunderstand Islam and Muslims don't help in fixing that because they themselves don't know what Islam stands for anymore. I, as a Muslim, who lived in an Western atmosphere majority of my life, can understand both point of views hence I believe I see the bigger picture of both regions.

It is not expected at all to Non-Muslims to believe what we believe in. If you don't want to believe in Islam all together, go right ahead. You "do" have that choice... Just don't disturb peace.

I say this to Muslims as well; The Prophet respected other faiths and never attacked anybody unlike those outrageous people who believe that they are following Islam accordingly. Again, don't disturb peace.

I say the same thing about any other religion... I've been to different countries. I had friends who were atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and so on. We have seriously different point of views about things but rather concentrating on things we do disagree on we concentrated on things we actually do agree with. That's how it's suppose to be.

Amr Khaled states only "his" believe and all Muslims beliefs that the Prophet is the best role model. It's matter of positive honest belief. He's not forcing anybody.. Please, he specifically stated "I believe" meaning it's "his" belief. So why would anybody be insulted by that? If a Christian would say Jesus is the best role model. We Muslims wouldn't be offended. If Jews say Moses, we wouldn't be offended. We believe in Jesus and Moses and other prophets mentioned in the Bible and Torah but then again that's a different topic.

Here's a random thought that just came to me:

To all the people that I really don't appreciate, I still love you for you are God's creation. I only hope that you can find it in your hearts to find love and peace. I say that to all Muslims and Non-Muslims; I fear for all who do wrong for what goes around comes around.

Thank you guys for commenting even if it seemed like I'm being attacked. I thank you because you just opened my heart to love, even to the ones I seriously cannot appreciate even if I tried.

God bless you all... May He, The Lord, forgives us "ALL" on this planet that we humans are destroying.

My Final Post On This Issue.

2006-02-09T00:21:00.000+02:00

In an ealier post, I posted about a wonderful man, Amr Khaled... I can't say what he said any better so I decided to share his messages to the world instead of me keep going on with this issue. May he be protected and always be blessed and all the people like him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Amr Khaled’s Message to the World regarding the Danish Cartoons

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful. All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

This is my message to the Muslim Nation, the Muslim youth, the Western civilization, and the whole world. I present this message through Amrkhaled.net to reach the Life-Makers youth and the youth of the forum. I ask them to deliver it exactly as I have said it to the Muslim Nation, the Muslim and Arab youth, the West through all their contacts there and surely to the whole world.

My first message is to the Muslim Nation and the Muslim youth:

Allah (TWT)[1] says what can be translated as, “Say, “In case your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your spouses, and your kinsmen, and riches that you have scored (Literally: committed) and commerce whose slackening you are apprehensive of, and dwellings you are satisfied with, in case these are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His way, then await till Allah comes up with His Command; and Allah does not guide the immoral people” (TMQ[2], 9:24). If any of these eight things is dearer to you than Allah, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS)[3] and striving in the way of Allah and His Prophet; if your sons are dearer to you than the Messenger of Allah; if your money is dearer to you than the Messenger of Allah; if your country is dearer to you then the Messenger of Allah; if your wife is dearer to you than the Messenger of Allah, then expect the dreadful anger of Allah (TWT) to be near.

To you I emphasize that dignifying and loving Allah’s Prophet is a divine precept in the same way that loving Allah (TWT) is. Again listen, “Say, “In case your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren… in case these are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger …” observe the status of loving Allah’s Messenger (SAWS).

Why should there be all that love? There is another ayah[4] in the Qur’an in which Allah says what can be translated as, “Indeed there has already come to you a Messenger from (among) yourselves. Mighty (i.e., burdensome) to him is whatever distresses you. Most eager is he for your (welfare), to the believers (he is) constantly compassionate, constantly merciful.” (TMQ, 9:128). It is because he is such that we love him in this way. Accordingly the relationship between us and him is just like the ayah in which Allah describes what can be translated as, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and (the ones) who are with him are strict against the steadfast disbelievers, constantly merciful among themselves. You see them constantly bowing themselves, (and) constantly prostrating themselves, seeking Grace from Allah and all-blessed Satisfaction…”(TMQ, 48:29). In order to ensure that such a relationship remains like that for ever, in an ayah in surat[5] Al-Hujuraat, which continuously rings in our ears, Allah (TWT) states what can be translated as, “And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah…”(TMQ, 49:7). The Messenger of Allah is among us?! Who is this ayah addressing? The sahaba[6] at time of the sahaba? No, this ayah is everlasting and effective everywhere and forever. O youth, O mothers, O ladies… Everyone must “know” that in the year 2006, in the year 2010, in the coming century, in the past century: during any age or time, know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. He is among you with his shari’ah[7], he is among you with his sunnah[8] and he is among you with his mercy. He is among you with his path, among you with his way and among you with the light and guidance he left behind. He is among you with his love to you. He is among you with the fact that each time anyone prays for him (conveying him peace and blessings), Allah returns his soul back to him so that he can answer us. He is among us with the fact that all our deeds are presented to him every Thursday, so whatever good there is he thanks Allah for it, and whatever evil there is, he asks Allah to forgive us for it.

Again, the four ayahs I mentioned order us to love him because, “… Mighty (i.e., burdensome) to him is whatever distresses you. Most eager is he for your (welfare), to the believers (he is) constantly compassionate, constantly merciful”. So the relationship between us and him is, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and (the ones) who are with him are strict against the steadfast disbelievers, constantly merciful among themselves…”. Allah continues to remind us of this relationship by saying, “And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah…”. All prayers and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad (SAWS).

My message to the Muslim Nation and Muslim youth is, loving Allah’s Messenger, dignifying Allah’s messenger, defending Allah’s messenger and living on the path of Allah’s messenger is a duty and a responsibility that we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. O youth, there is a responsibility resting on our shoulders. O Life-Makers, there is a responsibility resting on our shoulders. O ladies, there is a responsibility resting on our shoulders that dignifying Allah’s Messenger is a trust that we will present to him on the Day of Judgment when we meet him at the hawd[9]. We will go to him (SAWS) and tell him we are your ummah[10], we have fulfilled our duty. Perhaps we may have been wrongdoers, perhaps we sinned and perhaps we did not always work perfectly to reform and revive your ummah but we could not but dignify you and make the whole world dignify you. This is a responsibility that we return to you on the Day of Judgment that you may use to intercede for us and allow us to drink from your hawd while patting us happily. You (SAWS) would then say to us, yes, you made mistakes and committed sins, but dignifying me was so dear to you. Then you would make us drink from your hawd.

This is a trust. My message to the ummah is that we can never betray that trust whatever happens; it is the trust of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS) and making the world dignify Allah’s Messenger (SAWS). This is in addition to loving him and living on his sunnah and on his path. This is my message to the Muslim Nation. We will never neglect dignifying our Prophet, our beloved and our role model (SAWS).

Now this is my message to the West:

There exists a cultural vagueness in the West. This vagueness results from the presence of two different concepts. The first is a great Western concept that we respect, appraise, and need. That concept is freedom of speech. This is a great humane and civilized concept. On the other hand, there is the great Islamic concept of dignifying Allah’s Messenger (SAWS). The problem arises due to the lack of understanding of the Islamic Civilization and the Western Civilization regarding these two concepts. The non-Muslims cannot value the rank of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS). On the other hand, due to the below-average quality of practical application of freedom of speech, Muslims have a vague understanding of the concept of respecting freedom of speech.

Accordingly, what is required now? We do not want to refuse the concept of freedom of speech, absolutely not. However, the West should alter the freedom of speech so that it does not collide with the very important Islamic value of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS). Here lies the vagueness and ambiguity. The West understands very well the freedom of speech (which we appreciate) but it does not understand Islamic values, such as dignifying the Prophet (SAWS) and other Islamic sanctities. This is where the Western cultural vagueness lies.

I clearly say to the West, you have a problem. You cannot comprehend how much the Muslims love Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). You are still unable to understand this point. If you had really encompassed its significance, you would never have accepted what happened. The West, in general, governments and people, does not apprehend that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to us than our parents, dearer to me than my father and dearer than my mother. I am sure that any Muslim woman listening to me now, be her religious or not, will swear on that fact. Just ask, what does Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) mean to you? It is not even necessary to do that because it is so evident, but you may conduct surveys for yourselves, and you will realize how true what I am saying is. Ask any youth, be he heedless or pious; ask any Muslim anywhere, in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen or in Egypt. Ask any Muslim in any village regardless of how religious he is, be he an obedient Muslim or not, a drug user or not, successful in his life or a failure, old or young, ask them, what does Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) mean to you?

O West, I affirm that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to all Muslims than their own parents. O West, Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to us, Muslims, than our children and grandchildren. O West, Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to us than our money, dearer to us than our own selves. He is dearer to us than our own countries. O Egyptian, who is dearer to you, Egypt or Allah’s Prophet? O Saudi, who is dearer to you, Saudi Arabia or Allah’s Prophet? O Yemeni, O Moroccan, O Algerian, who is dearer to you, your country or Allah’s Messenger (SAWS)? O West, comprehend that meaning, Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to Muslims than their children and their own selves.

We can never forget the hadith that I repeatedly mentioned during the episodes of “On the Path of the Beloved”. O West, listen to this hadith[11] as it forms part of the sentimental make-up of the Islamic personality:

“We were with the Prophet and he was holding the hand of Omar Ibnul-Khattab. Omar said to him, ‘O Allah's Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.’ The Prophet said, ‘No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.’ Then Omar said to him, ‘However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.’ The Prophet said, ‘Now, O Omar, (now you are a believer).’”[12]

Being a true believer is conditioned with loving Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) more than our own selves.

O West, this is our notion and this is our love for Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).

I know that the West resists racism as they realize very well what it means. I also know that they stand up against any anti-Semitic assaults as they recognize the serious consequences of such acts. Yet, true contradiction lies in respecting Semitism and resisting racialism on the one hand, while humiliating the most valued figure for Muslims, the Prophet (SAWS), on the other.

Six months ago, a famous journalist of the BBC attacked Arabs describing them as a worthless nation. In spite of being a renowned figure with a daily program in Britain, his slandering was rejected by the British as racist and he was fired from the BBC. At that time, I was preparing a program on family matters, and knowing that he had articles and shows tackling this subject, I wanted to refer to them. To my surprise, none of his works were available due to his intolerant views against Arabs. There is no way to compare the Prophet (SAWS) to the Arabic nation, as slandering them is of a diminutive nature when compared to offending the Prophet (SAWS). My message to the West then is that freedom of speech, which we indeed respect, honor, and actually need, should be modified so that it does not clash with the highly revered Muslim value of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS). The West respects monarchies, Semitism, all races, and different ethnicities, and its respect to the Prophet (SAWS) and to sacred Muslim values should be no less.

Thus, my message to the Muslim ummah is that we should not forsake dignifying the Prophet (SAWS) under any circumstance. On the other hand, my message to the West is that the value of freedom of speech should be adapted to Muslim values.

My third message is to the whole world. This offense does not aim at the Prophet (SAWS) alone, but rather to one billion, two hundred thousand Muslims; or rather to all humanity. To explain this further to everyone, whether Muslim or not, I believe that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is the greatest personality that existed on earth. There is no doubt that his model of reform was most successful so far and whoever denies this fact is indeed most ungrateful. Slandering him is actually slandering humanity. Great men that existed throughout history were qualified as such due to a certain trait in their characters. Gandhi for example, was a great politician, Shakespeare a great dramatist, Voltaire a great writer, Napoleon a great military leader and so on. They were all great in one aspect or the other, while the Prophet (SAWS) was great in every aspect of his life. He was so great morally that he never hit or humiliated a soul, never beat a woman, never betrayed or lied, never went back on his word or avenged himself. He was always called 'the truthful and honest one' before bearing the message of Islam, and after becoming a prophet, the values and principles of the Qur’an were the model for his behavior. He was also great in his political insight. After the Battle of the Trench, for example, he knew that it was a turning point that would not be followed by a defeat. Moreover, he was great in his submissiveness to Allah as he bowed when praying, saying,

“O Allah, it is for Thee that I bowed. I affirm my faith in Thee and I submit to Thee, and submit humbly before Thee my hearing, my eyesight, my marrow, my bone, my sinew.”[13]

He (SAWS) also used to stand (in prayer) until both his feet swelled. When asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) he said,

“Should I not be a thankful slave?” [14]

He was great in the way he believed in freedom of opinion. In the Battle of Badr, he changed the location of the battlefield upon the advice of a soldier. He also agreed to dig the trench around Madinah according to Salman al-Faresy’s suggestion, and changed the fighting plan of the Battle of Uhud to respect the opinion of some of his companions. This is how he respected freedom of speech 1400 years ago!

He was great at forgiving others. On the day of the Conquest of Makkah, his companions were rejoicing saying, “Today is the day of a great battle and today Quraysh will be humiliated by Allah”. Conversely, the prophet's (SAWS) response was that today is the day of mercy in which Allah will bestow honor on Quraysh.

He was great in his voluntary renunciation of worldly luxuries when he could have been the richest man on earth had he wished to be. He was also great in the way he dealt with young people motivating them to exercise. For example, he once passed by some of the young companions of the tribe of Aslam practicing archery and he said to them,

“O offspring of Ishmael! Practice archery as your father was a great archer. I am with (on the side of) the son of so-and-so-.” Hearing that, one of the two teams stopped throwing. The Prophet (SAWS) asked them, “Why are you not throwing?” They replied, “O Allah's Apostle! How shall we throw when you are with the opposite team?” He said, “Throw, for I am with you all.”[15]

His enemies were never able to slander him due to any bad trait. He lived with them for 40 years before the divine message and another 13 years after it, and never were they able to smear him with a single bad trait that marred his character, or doubt his outstanding abilities. They even testified that he had never lied in his life. That is how great he was and that is how humiliating him smears every American, Indian, Pakistani etc.; everyone, whether Muslim or not. It is an insult to all humankind when such a great man is insulted.

He was great in his mercy. When he was persecuted by the people of At-Ta’ef and stoned until his feet kept bleeding, the angel of the mountains asked for his permission to destroy them. Yet his response was to supplicate Allah to guide them and to save them. Furthermore, in the Battle of Uhud, he was injured, overcome by his enemies, had his front teeth broken, and fell into a pit with blood gushing from his wounds. Nevertheless, when his companions asked him to curse them and to invoke Allah to punish them, he declined stressing the fact that he was sent as a mercy to all of humankind. He even invoked Allah to guide them to the right path and to excuse them for their ignorance.

He was merciful even with animals narrating that,

“A man saw a dog eating mud from (the severity of) thirst. So, that man took a shoe (and filled it) with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst. So Allah approved of his deed and made him enter Paradise.”[16]

Similarly, he (SAWS) said,

“A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger.”[17]

This is our Prophet and this is how great he was. Unlike that of other great human figures in history, the Prophet’s greatness is lasting throughout the generations.

He believed in co-existence. He trusted the Jews and gave them all the rights of citizenship in Madinah, guaranteeing that no one would harm them, take any of their money, force them to convert, or intercede with their freedom to worship. He was also great in co-existence when he was against using the Muslims loyal to him in Makkah to create tension among the people of Quraysh, even during the war between Makkah and Madinah. At the time of the Hudaybeya treaty, he could have waged war against Quraysh but resorted to peace instead. He could have turned it into a bloodbath, but he chose peace and forced it on his enemies.

The human race should be proud that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) existed one day, whether they were Muslims, Hindu, Jews, Christians, believers of any kind, or even non-believers. He is a turning point in the course of humanity. This is Muhammad (SAWS) and this is how humanity was humiliated the day he was. People around the world are demanding an international law that protects the dignity of this great Prophet.

That was my message to Muslims, to the West, and to the whole world.

One final question remains here, which is, what is it that we want? We do not need speeches. It took me some time to deliver this speech, as I believe that speeches alone cannot solve this problem. We do not even want superficial apologies that are not as deep as our wounds. We do need effective actions that denote Western respect for the Prophet (SAWS). We will not stop our protests until our Prophet regains the dignity he duly deserves as our great leader. Thus empty words and shallow apologies are not enough, actions must be taken. Until then, I need everyone to convey this message to their families and friends. I want it to be translated by Dar al-Tarjama to all languages and to be distributed everywhere to reach the West. This speech will be broadcast on Iqraa’ channel soon and I want as many people as possible to watch it. Meanwhile we should do our best to let the people know about our Prophet (SAWS). ‘On the Path of the Beloved’ for example, a program about the Prophet’s life, is being replayed now on Iqraa’ every Tuesday and Friday. Dr Tarek Suwaidan, A’Aaidh al-Qarny, Al-Habib Ali al-Jifry and Dr. Al-Buty are all renowned modern Muslims scholars who have speeches and articles about the life of the Prophet. Please do your best to make good use of their works as well as the tapes of ‘On the Path of the Beloved’ to enlighten the whole world about the Prophet (SAWS), until this predicament is unraveled and until Muslim requests are answered with real actions. Thus, what I am asking everyone to do is to distribute this message everywhere and to let everyone know about who the Prophet (SAWS) is. Our duty is double fold, we need to distribute this speech and make it available everywhere, and we need to introduce the Prophet (SAWS) and tell his story to everyone, among Muslims and non-Muslims. This speech is to be continued and I am indeed not done yet with this issue. Thank you. May peace and Allah’s blessing and mercy be upon you all, and let us get to work.

Amr Khaled

AmrKhaled.net © جميع حقوق النشر محفوظةThis Article may be published and duplicated freely for private purposes, as long as the original source is mentioned. For all other purposes you need to obtain the prior written approval of the website administration. For info: dar_altarjama@amrkhaled.net

[1] TWT = Tabaraka Wa Ta`ala [Most Blessed Most High]).
[2] TMQ = Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
[3] SAWS = Salla Allah alayeh Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him].
[4] Verse
[5] Chapter
[6] The Prophet’s companions
[7] Islamic law
[8] The Prophet’s divinely guided way of life.
[9] The Prophet’s basin at which the true believers will meet him to drink from his hands on the Day of Judgment
[10] The Muslim nation
[11] The Prophet’s saying or action narrated by one of his companions.
[12] An authentic hadith reported by Al-Bukhari in Al-jame’ Al-sahih page/number 6632 and narrated by Abdullah Ibn-Hesham Ibn-Zahra Al-Korashey.
[13] Authentic Muslim hadith, Book 004, Number 1695.
[14] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 23
[15] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 592
[16] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 4, Number 174
[17] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 40, Number 553

Choice or Brainwashed??

2006-02-07T00:34:00.000+02:00

I've been reading the comments I've been getting here and I really love what's been happening here. It's great we all are getting together to discuss how to get along and I really do hope that this would actually work out.

I'll have to admit though what is bothering me though. It's the one and only "MEDIA" I like to know one thing. How do westerners make their decision on how truly the situation in the Middle East is without being here to see for yourself. How do they figure what is the reason why we are the way we are?

I find it quite amazing, that it's only the people who haven't been here say only the bad things... I know Americans that live here and they just love the place. They love the place to the degree they get married to Syrians if they weren't married already. I'm talking about men and women.

What are they really reading, watching or whatever on the media about us?? Why do they it's accurate if it's negative and when it's positive they call it propaganda?

As I said in my earlier post, we Middle Eastners aren't perfect but neither is everybody else. There are terrorist groups all over the world. Why do they call resistance terrorists?

I ask of all who are reading this to ask yourself honestly and truly... "Where do I get my info to come up with this decision. Am I the one who came up with this comclusion after seeing both sides of the story and see for myself what the deal is, or do I just take the media as my source and so on??

I, for myself lived in the US for 5 years. So I know how it truly is in the west and most Middle Easterners love Americans... They have the clear idea that the goverment and people are 2 different things. Why can't a lot of westerner do?

That's one thing that bother me and another thing that saddens me is this... This country is safe for westerners. I do have American friends here. A nice married couple. We hang out and nobody says anything or does anything... In matter of facts, people think I'm a American muslim because of my fair skin, blue eyes and my American accent since you often see me with westerners.

OK OK OK, ENOUGH babbling. All I'll say is this because I just heard this on TV... I think this is seriously getting out of hand... Now it's more than just Denmark media is publishing the cartoons... I have something to say to al these people

"STOP PROVOKING MUSLIMS!!! This is seriously getting out of control."

Love and peace,
Sara

2006-02-05T00:57:00.000+02:00

I woke up this morning late for work, for the past few nights I've been losing sleep to be able to post on my blog. I believe it's something important that seriously needs to be done. Anyways, back to the point, as soon as I get out of bed, my boss calls to ask if I was actually coming. I was like, oh no... I rushed to take care of my business, got dressed and off to go to work.

As soon as I get there my boss delivered the most exciting news (hack hack) We were to put Sound FX on 4 episodes of an Arabic cartoon for kids. Then sync the songs and the dialogue within 2 days. BLAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! Then me and a colleague got to go to our NLP seminar that our boss signed us up to take with our consent of course.

At 3:30 pm, it was time to head to the main office of the human development company I work for for the seminar... I've always been interested in any sort of human development because it'll help understand myself and others around me to be able to make a difference... It'll make my life easier. I just couldn't afford to go. I'm so glad I work for this company, I either get a discount or I'd get to attend seminars for free. In about 6 intense days of seminars, I'd have a NLP diploma... I'm seriously excited about that. GO proactivity GO!!! As we reached the building we got to see what seems to be a peaceful demostration. I thought that just wasn't enough to fix the problem. They needed to do more positive work to help Islam's true image come out instead of people who are not at anything but talk and violent activity. I ignored and just walked by.

As were taking a break, I heard the most disturbing news. I was fuming to the degree I was shaking; I was ready to yell at the top my lungs, "What a bunch of jack asses!!!" I couldn't believe that a mob of angry Muslims burnt the Danish embassy. Why?? That was seriously not necessary. They had no right. Islamically this is seriously NOT acceptable. I personally condemn this sinful act. You cannot fix something wrong with something worse... Innocent people could've died. They had nothing to do with the cartoons.

Then I realize that the Danish extremists planned to burn the Qur'an... So the people went ballistic... Still doesn't make it right at all. It just drives me crazy... I seriously wish that I wasn't living in this day and age. I wish I was living in the days of the Prophet (PBUH) or even Saladin's days. This is outrages this wouldn't have happened back then. Sometimes I just feel that I want to eliminate all extremists, Muslims and Non. Just strike them out. When I come back to my senses and realize that I am doing my best to fix this problem and in God's will I'll be able to do a better job once I get to develop myself better in order to spread the good word in a constructive and very peaceful manner.

Another thing that is getting me though, the media took record of this beautiful (VERY SARCASTIC) opportunity to show the world. Yeah I know we're not the best out there but why only concentrate on the negative and then when something positive is said, it said to be lies, no matter who says it.

May we all be enlightened and learn to believe we're all one struggling for the same cause, PEACE!!

Peace to all...