Thursday, December 23, 2010

The truth.

In this christmas...

Let's follow Jesus's example...


He didn't celebrate Christmas

 Why?

Becuase he wasm't born on december 25th and neither celebrate his birthday.

He didn't decorate a chritmas tree 

Why?

Because bible forbids to decorate trees since it's a pagan tradition. (Jeremiah 10:2-5)

He didn't send letters to Santa Claus
Why?

Because he is a fantasy character who doesn't really exist neither has been mentioned in bible.

He didn't exchange gifts
Why?

There was not reason to do it, exchange gift around this time its a pagan tradition.

So, what are you going to do on this christmas?

I gonna follow Jesus(PBUH)'s example, I won't celebrate christmas.



Thursday, October 14, 2010

Homosexuality and Islam

Homosexuality and Islam

In Islam, homosexuals (called qaum Lut, the "people of Lot") are condemned in the story of Lot's people in the Qur'an (15:73; 26:165) and in the last address of the Prophet Muhammad. However, attraction of men to beautiful male youths has been a part of the culture of some Islamic societies and the attraction is not generally condemned in itself.
With regard to lesbian homosexuality, some have argued that since penetration is not involved, female homosexual acts should be less severely punished. Shari'a (Islamic law) is most concerned with public behavior and outwards, so there is no strong condemnation of homosexuality if it is not displayed in public. [1]

Homosexuality in the Qur'an

The following passages are taken from the Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation of the Qur'an.
"We also sent Lut: He said to his people: Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds. And his people gave no answer but this: they said, "Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"" (Qur'an 7:80-82)

"Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males, And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)! They said: "If thou desist not, O Lut! thou wilt assuredly be cast out!" He said: "I do detest your doings:" "O my Lord! deliver me and my family from such things as they do!" So We delivered him and his family,- all Except an old woman who lingered behind. But the rest We destroyed utterly. We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)! Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe. And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful." (Qur'an 26:165-175)

"Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant! But his people gave no other answer but this: They said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!" (Qur'an 27:55-58)

"And (remember) Lut: behold, he said to his people: "Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation (ever) committed before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway? - and practise wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth." (Qur'an 29:28-29)

"If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful." (Qur'an 4:15-16)

Homosexuality in the Sharia

While there is a consensus that same-sex intercourse is in violation of Islamic law, there are differences of opinion within Islamic scholarship about punishment, reformation, and what standards of proof are required before physical punishment becomes lawful.
In Sunni Islam there are eight madhhabs, or legal schools, of which only four still exist: Hanafi, Shafi'i, Hanbali, Maliki. The main Shia school is called Ja'fari, but there are Zaidi and Ismai'ili also. More recently, some groups have rejected this tradition in favor of greater ijtihad, or individual interpretation. Of these schools, according to Michael Mumisa of the Birmingham-based Al Mahdi institute:
  • The Hanafi school does not consider same-sex intercourse to constitute adultery, and therefore leaves punishment up to the judge's discretion. Most early scholars of this school specifically ruled out the death penalty, others allow it for a second offence.
  • Imam Shafi'i considers same-sex intercourse as analogous to other zina; thus, a married person found to have done so is punished as an adulterer (by stoning to death), and an unmarried one, as a fornicator, is left to be flogged.
  • The Maliki school says that anyone (married or unmarried) found to have committed same-sex intercourse should be punished as an adulterer.
  • Within the Ja'fari schools, Sayyid al-Khoi says that anyone (married or unmarried) found to have committed same-sex intercourse should be punished as an adulterer.
It should also be noted that the punishment for adultery requires four witnesses; by analogy, all schools, require four witnesses to the physical act of penetration for the punishment to be applied.But if otherwise any other proof is found through modern methods such as DNA testing or so the punishment can be implimented.
According to the modern Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi's summary:
"The jurists of Islam have held different opinions concerning the punishment for this abominable practice. Should it be the same as the punishment for zina, or should both the active and passive participants be put to death? While such punishments may seem cruel, they have been suggested to maintain the purity of the Islamic society and to keep it clean of perverted elements." [2]

History of Homosexuality in Islamic Societies


17th cent. painting of Mahmud and Ayaz (Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art). The love of the Sultan (in red) for his slave (in green) has entered Islamic legend as a paragon of ideal love.
The chaste love of men for youths has been regarded as something sacred in many Islamic socities, as reflected in the romantic love literature of Muslim Spain and in the Qur'an where Paradise contains beautiful male virgins. Occasionally, these literary praises extended to more carnal forms of desire, as can be seen in the poetry of Abu Nuwas and many others. In Islamic teaching, however, while homosexual desire and love might be accommodated, same-sex intercourse is prohibited as a violation of the natural boundaries set by Allah.
Early Islamic cultures, especially those in which homosexuality was entrenched in the pre-Islamic pagan culture, were renowned for their cultivation of a homosexual aesthetic. They reconciled their new religion using a hadith ascribed to Muhammad declaring male lovers who die chaste to be martyrs: "He who loves and remains chaste and conceals his secret and dies, dies a martyr."
The result is a religion that allows love between those of the same gender as long as they do not have sexual intercourse. Ibn Hazm, Ibn Daud, Al-Mu'tamid, Abu Nuwas, and many others wrote extensively and openly of love between men. However, in order for the transgression to be proven, at least four men or eight women must bear witness against the accused, thus making it very difficult to persecute those who did not remain celibate in their homes.
The intended meaning of "same-sex intercourse" is sexual intercourse between two or more males, or sexual intercourse between two or more females. It does not mean the act of masturbation, nor does it have anything to do with nocturnal emissions, both of which are considered to invalidate wudu and require the Muslim to take a full bath or shower before his or her next prayer, but are not otherwise punishable under Sharia.

Homosexuality Laws in Modern Islamic Countries

Same-sex intercourse carries the death penalty in five officially Muslim nations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, Sudan, and Yemen. [3] It formerly carried the death penalty in Afghanistan under the Taliban, and in Iraq under a 2001 decree by Saddam Hussein. The legal situation in the United Arab Emirates is unclear. In many Muslim nations, such as Bahrain, Qatar, Algeria or the Maldives, homosexuality is punished with jail time, fines or corporal punishment. In some Muslim-majority nations, such as Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, or Mali, same-sex intercourse is not forbidden by law. However, in Egypt gays have been the victims of laws against "morality".
In Saudi Arabia, the maximium punishment for homosexuality is public execution, but the government will use other punishments, i.e. fines, jail time and whipping as alternatives, unless it feels that homosexuals are challenging state authority by engaging in a gay rights movement. [4] Iran is perhaps the nation to execute the largest number of its citizens for homosexuality. Since its Islamic revolution in Iran, the Iranian government has executed more than 4000 people charged with homosexual acts. In Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban homosexuality went from a capital crime to one that it punished with fines and prison sentence, and a similar situation seems to have occurred in Iraq.

Most international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, condemn laws that make homosexual relations between consenting adults a crime. Since 1994 the United Nations Human Rights Committee has also ruled that such laws violated the right to privacy guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covent on Civil and Political Rights. However (except for nations such as Turkey that were required to change their laws to be eligible to join the European Union) most Muslim nations insist that such laws are neccesary to preserve Islamic morality and virtue. Of the nations with a majority of Muslim, only Lebanon has an internal effort to legalize homosexuality.

However, some Muslims have expressed criticism of the legal sanctions used against homosexuality.
Reasons given by Muslims condemning the executions include: the fact that some legal schools (e.g. Hanafi) regard it as unjustified; the argument that the death penalty is not specified for it in the Qur'an; the idea that the punishment is unduly harsh; and opposition to the idea that the state's laws should be based on religion. The introduction of the AIDS pandemic in the Muslim world has also promoted more discussion about the legal status of homosexuality as the legal sanctions against homosexuality have made it difficult to intiaite any educational programs directed at high risks groups.
While executions and other criminal sanctions curtail any public gay rights movement, it is impractical to give criminal sanctions to all homosexuals living in a Muslim country, and it is common knowledge (to foreigners visiting a Muslim country) that some young Muslim men will experiment with homosexual relations as an outlet to sexual desires that cannot be met in a society where the sexes are often kept segregated. These discreet and casual homosexual relations allow men to engage in premartial sex with a low risk of facing the social or legal sanctions that would occur if they involved in adultery or fornication with a woman that might result in a pregnancy. Most of these men do not consider themsleves to be gay or bisexual.

A related problem to full enforcement of the laws against homosexuality is that while the sexes are often segregated, men are encouraged to developed close friendships with other men, and women are encouraged to develop close friendships with other women. Also, the Islamic law requires a certain number of male and female witnesses to the homosexual act to testify in court. Islam does place a strong value on the right to privacy in the home and thus homosexual relations that occur in private are theoretically outside the bounds of the law, although that is more theory then reality.

Liberal Islamic Stances on Homosexuality

Some self-described liberal Muslims accept and consider homosexuality as natural, regarding these verses as either obsolete in the context of modern society, or point out that the Qu'ran speaks out against homosexual lust, and is silent on homosexual love. However, this position remains highly controversial even amongst liberal movements within Islam, and is considered completely beyond the pale by mainstream Islam [5].

Source

This article is based on text from "Homosexuality and Islam" at Wikipedia.org, and as such is available under the GFDL license.

References

  1. "Homosexuality," Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions.
  2. The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, p. 165.
  3. ILGA World Legal Survey.
  4. Sodomy Laws: Saudi Arabia.
  5. Al-Fatiha.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Islamic Perspective On Menstruation

As you are no doubt aware by now, there are certain rules and exceptions for women in Islam, and one of them pertains to her monthly cycle.  Try your best not to think of it as a limitation, but as a reprieve.  
 
A woman who is in her monthly cycle cannot:
 
1.  Perform the five prescribed prayers (Salat al Fard) (prayers missed due to menstruation do not have to be made up)
2.  Touch the Qur'an,
3.  Make ta'waf around the Kaba,
4.  Fast (Days of fasting missed during Ramadan may be made up within the next lunar year)
5.  Engage in sexual intercourse with her husband (kissing, hugging, and other intimate touching outside of the genital area is okay).
6.  It is better for her not to be in the musallah (area where prayers are performed) in the masjid or Islamic centre.  
 
A woman who is in her monthly cycle can:
 
1.  Make du'a,
2.  Listen to a recitation of the Qur'an,  or silently recite it to herself
3.  Celebrate the praises of Allah ta'ala,
4.  Study Islamic texts, including hadith,
5.  Attend Eid celebrations.  
 
When your menses is finished: ghusl
 
When your cycle is ended, then you must perform the ritual purification bath, called ghusl.  It includes washing your entire body, including the head.  If your hair is so tightly braided that water would not reach your scalp underneath, then you are obliged to undo your hair.  Otherwise, you do not need to undo your style, but only run some water over it.
 
Advice
 
It is often difficult for new Muslimas to understand why they are suddenly unable to make salat for five days or so.  Many may feel that it is a limitation on them due to their gender.  Others may misunderstand this, and think that they can not engage in any Islamic activities for the duration of their menses.  This is simply  not so.  Many women suffer from extreme cramps, heavy bleeding, nausea, headaches, and  other maladies during their cycle.  It is truly a sign of the Mercy of Allah ta'ala that we are excused from prayer during this time.  I know more than one sister who would be unable to perform the physical duties of the prayer during her cycle.
Islam does not ask you to give up your spirituality or pursuit of Islamic knowledge during this time either.  While it is true that you can't read the Qur'an physically, you aren't prohibited from listening to tapes of the Qur'an, or from listening to someone else recite it.  You may even recite the verses to yourself silently.  You can still pray, through Du'a, and you can still celebrate the praises of Allah ta'ala during this time as well.  There is nothing to stop you from reading Islamic texts outside of the Qur'an, including hadith.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

10 brief points Christians should know about Muslims and Jesus

10 brief points Christians
should know about Muslims and Jesus


  •  Muslims love Jesus. We also love Abraham, Moses, and Noah, to name just a few other Prophets Muslims revere. May God's peace be upon all of these great messengers of God.
  •    Muslims also love the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary. We believe she was a pious and noble woman chosen over all of the women of the world.
  • Muslims believe that Jesus was born miraculously of a virgin mother and no father. His birth is miraculous like the birth of Adam, the first human being, who was created with neither mother nor father.
  •  Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the son of God. God is so powerful and self-sufficient that He does not need a son or any kind of partner.
  •   In Arabic Bible the name for God is Allah. Therefore all Arab Christian call God Allah as Muslim do as well.
  •  Jesus did not die on the cross. Rather, God saved  him as his enemies were confused about him. Jesus was taken up by God to Heaven.
  •  Jesus is called Isa (pronounced Eesa) in Arabic.
  •  Jesus performed miracles by the Will of God, like healing the blind and those with leprosy.
  • Jesus prayed to the same God as all Prophets and we pray to.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Salat al ' IDAIN U TWO SENTENCES OF THE HOLIDAYS




The imam unites believers in all their celebrations, and the most important of them are collective and universal, as the two major annual events : the End of Fasting, and the Sacrifice .

The feast of breaking the fast , or 'id al fitr is celebrated after completing Ramadan , fasting month , dedicated this day of thanksgiving to God for believers to have had the grace to fast and access to the divine mercy .

Feast of Sacrifice, Id al Adha . It is so named because that day is advisable to sacrifice an animal as an offering , part of the meat is then distributed to the needy , and some to friends and relatives. This festival commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham, who never hesitated to offer up to God her firstborn son, Ishmael, who at the time of being consumed was replaced by a lamb, by the divine opinion .

The animal offerings may be : lamb , goat, or camel calf . Must be sacrificed after the Eid prayer , and that is healthy condition without any physical defect , and that is sacrificed in the name of God, and quickly and less painful for the animal.
In this event , according to its spirit , it is customary to exchange visits with friends , relatives and neighbors. They forget the misunderstandings and the reasons for disengagement. And, fundamentally, is the spirit of this event that believers visit and gifts to the poor, widows , orphans , disabled and the institutions that house them.

On how to express the joy in these Islamic parties and say that differs from the celebrations of non-Muslims in general. The joy of believers is reflected in the praise and love for God and His glorification, and prayer , and not by excesses or sins, or by drinking or sensual dances .

As delighted by the festivities , Muslims held a special prayer , called Salat the ' ID Muslims , if possible , go to the mosque , men and women, great and small, old and young, and even nursing mothers , dressed in their finest clothes. Even women in menstrual period come the day of Id , in the place of prayer , but not participate in prayer for not being in a state of purification. And the prophet recommended that all women attend during these two holidays to places of worship.


UL SALAT CELEBRATES AS ' ID:

Is usually held in open space , very broad, if environmental conditions permit, or if not in the mosques. Before the prayer glorifying God with the Dhikr , generally is as follows:

"Allahu akbar , Allahu akbar , Allahu akbar , la ilaha illa Allah wa Allahu Akbar - Allahu akbar wa lil lahil hamd -
lahu akbar Al Kabira - lil hamdu wal Katira Lahi - wa subhan
Al Lahi wa asylum bukratan ilaha illa Allah wa dina Mujlisina Lahoud karihal Kafirun law . "

Ie: "God is the greatest (three times). There is no God but Allah, and Allah is the greatest. God is bigger with the all praise . God is great between large and blessing be upon him in abundance. May He be glorified and praised day and night, there is no god but God, we surrender to Him with sincerity, although this is odious to the infidels. "

When the sun has risen and is completely visible , the imam stands up, and without Adhan or Iqama prayer is held , two genuflections . Pronounced first takbeer ( Allahu akbar ) of the sentence , and repeated seven times, then recites the Surah Fatiha and another short of the Koran and then proceed as in other prayers. In the second genuflection is said takbeer six times, completing the salat as directed to any sentence of two rak'ahs .

After the prayer, the imam develops a sermon or speech similar to the Friday, but in relation to the festival and calls for forgiveness , love and goodness.

Meanwhile the conclusion of the Salat Eid, is from after sunrise until noon, and this is at the discretion of the imam , according to the conditions of Muslims and place. In the two festivals is not to fast.

A Plus Size Hijabi Guide From Yours Truly

A Plus Size Hijabi Guide From Yours Truly

Following a recent comment from one of my readers about the difficulties of wearing hijab when you're curvier I decided to make a post about it. I've been revising (reading my old fashion mags..) plus size fashion and have been trying to put together some tips and tricks to make covering those womanly curves slightly less stressful. I hope you find it useful :D Starting with the negative as always..sorry the writing's small, it looked bigger when I was making it..

And some things to try:


A great plus size fashion website with lots of hijabifiable pieces for good prices to - http://www.ullapopken.co.uk/

And finally, a plus size hijab outfit I made. The waistcoat would be best worn open and provides extra coverage as well as style of course :D Notice I have used an over-sized bag and sunglasses - this is another good trick when accessorising: the bigger the better :)
Pink Maxi

How to Navigate Plus Size Hijab Style


You’re a plus size Muslimah. You most likely have encountered one or more of the following:

  • You loved the colorful, perhaps cotton, abaya of another sister but you can only find an itchy, black, polyester abaya in your size.
  • You tried to shop at your local plus size fashion store but with diving necklines and tight corset like bodices they are intent on playing up the voluptuousness of the plus size form.
  • You attempted wearing your outfit a size or two bigger but instead of feeling modest you felt over sized and unfeminine in your clothing.

While these experiences can be discouraging-do not let them hinder you from feeling and looking great. Here are some useful tips to get you on the road to a polished and beautiful modest wardrobe:

  1. Embrace prints and color: From stripes to prints if you are a larger woman you have probably been told all of the things that you should not wear. It is time to throw those restrictions out the window. Have fun with prints by embracing a print maxi dress or skirt paired with a more subtle cardigan and scarf.
  2. Modest does not mean shapeless:  You can still allow your clothing (not your body) to create a nice, neat silhouette. If you wear your clothing too big, it may not do justice to the natural draping of the fabric.
  3. Know that tailoring is your friend: You may find a pair of jeans that fit your hips perfectly but are too long. A skirt may offer you the space you need for your hips but be a bit too large in the waist. Store bought clothing does not always account for the varieties in the female form. If you do not sew find yourself a go-to seamstress to tailor your clothing.
  4. Invest in the basics – A crisp button down long sleeve blouse paired with great jeans, well made trousers or a skirt will never go out of style. You can start to build your wardrobe around long sleeve blouses in a variety of colors and cardigans (Old Navy online has an awesome collection of plus size cardigans). Add flair to these basics with a hijab, brooch and other accessories.
  5. Have your abaya tailor made- An abaya that is not plus size friendly has the tendency to come apart at the seams. By having an abaya tailor made you account for the unique curves of your body. Clothing sites like Islamic Boutique and East Essence offer tailor made abaya for the plus size customer.
    Tip: You should always sit down while trying on clothing as the body expands when seated. If you do not have enough room while sitting you may need to go up a size.

    Be unique and true to your own sense of style- Do not fall victim to trends that compromise your own sense of what is appropriate and beautiful. Do not dress for the comfort of others. Be confident in who you are.

    For more inspiration check out these Plus Size Friendly Online Clothing Sites: Igigi ,One Stop Plus, Lane Bryant, Avenue, Shukr Online, Target, Islamic Boutique, Old Navy, Torrid, East Essence.

    Perfoming Voluntary Prayers at Home



    Ramadaan is right around the corner and during this and also outside of Ramadaan many of us should be doing voluntary acts of worship (Nawafil). It is incumbent upon the Muslim to act in accordance  to the Sunnah of the Messenger (sws).

    Allah says in the Qur'an "Say, 'if you really love Allah then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' "  (Aal-Imraan, 3:31) 

    From the benefits of adhering to the Sunnah are:  To reach a level of love- Love of Allah for his believing slave, It's a means to compensate for any deficiency in the obligatory actions, It is a protection from falling into innovation, and  it indicates the exaltation of those things that represent the religion of Allah.

    Now on to performing voluntary prayers at home, The Prophet (sws) said regarding the excellence of praying at, "Verily, the best prayer of a person is in his home, except for the obligatory prayer.

    " {Bukhari and Muslim} Also, "The voluntary prayer of a man (in a place) where no person can see him is equal to twenty-five times his prayer where people can see him." 
    {Musnad Abu Ya'laa, Shaykh Al-Albanee graded this narration authentic}

    Performing voluntary prayers in the house is a means to: Perfect tranquility and sincerity, distance oneself from showing off,  have mercy descend on the house, and causes the Shaytaan to leave.

    The Voluntary Prayers are: Sunnah Ar-Rawaatib, Salaah Ad-Duhaa, and Al-Witr


    Ma'salaamah!
    Taken from More Than 1,000 Sunan (Sayings and Acts of the Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam)Every Day & Night

    Thursday, September 2, 2010

    10 prayers of forgiveness


    Below is a list of ten prayers of forgivness taken from the Qur’an. Each du’a [prayer] is followed by its transliteration and English translation.



    1. رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ


    Rabbanā Žalamnā Anfusanā Wa ‘In Lam Taghfir Lanā Wa Tarĥamnā Lanakūnanna Mina l-Khāsirīn


    Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! (Qur’an 7:23)


    _______________________

    2.
    رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ وَٱرۡحَمۡ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِين
    Rabbigh-fir Warĥam Wa Anta Khayrur-Rāĥimīn

    My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy. (Qur’an 23:118)


    _______________________

    3.
    َبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا*ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا*ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ*ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ*ۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِين
    Rabbanā Lā Tu’uākhidhnā ‘In Nasīnā ‘Aw ‘Akhţa’nā Rabbanā Wa Lā Taĥmil `Alaynā ‘Işran Kamā Ĥamaltahu `Alá l-Ladhīna Min Qablinā Rabbanā Wa Lā Tuĥammilnā Mā Lā Ţāqata Lanā Bihi Wa`fu `Annā Waghfir Lanā Warĥamnā ‘Anta Mawlānā Fānşurnā `Alál-Qawmi l-Kāfirīn

    Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as thou didst lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us, Thou, our Protector, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 2:286)


    _______________________

    4.
    رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسۡرَافَنَا فِىٓ أَمۡرِنَا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِين
    Rabbanāgh-fir Lanā Dhunūbanā Wa ‘Isrāfanā Fī Amrinā Wa Thabbit ‘Aqdāmanā Wanşurnā `Alá l-Qawmi l-Kāfirīn

    Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 3:147)


    _______________________

    5.
    رَبَّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَڪَفِّرۡ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلۡأَبۡرَارِ
    Rabbanā Fāghfir Lanā Dhunūbanā Wa Kaffir `Annā Sayyi’ātinā Wa Tawaffanā Ma`al-’Abrār

    Our Lord! Therefore forgive us our sins, and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die the death of the righteous. (Qur’an 3:193)


    _______________________

    6.
    أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا*ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡغَـٰفِرِينَ
    Anta Walīyunā Fāghfir Lanā Warĥamnā Wa Anta Khayrul-Ghāfirīn

    Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness. (Qur’an 7:155)


    _______________________


    7.

    َبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَىَّ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَوۡمَ يَقُومُ ٱلۡحِسَابُ
    Rabbanā ghfir Lī Wa Liwālidayya Wa Lilmu’uminīna Yawma Yaqūmul-Ĥisāb

    Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast. (Qur’an 14:41)


    _______________________

    8.
    َبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِين
    Rabbanā ‘Āmannā Fāghfir Lanā Wa-rĥamnā Wa Anta Khayru-r-Rāĥimīn

    Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy (Qur’an 23:109)


    _______________________

    9.
    َبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَلِإِخۡوَٲنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلۡإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيم
    Rabbanagh-fir Lanā Wa Li-ikhwāninalLadhīna Sabaqūnā Bil-’Īmāni Wa Lā Taj`al Fī Qulūbinā GhillaLilladhīna ‘Āmanū Rabbanā ‘Innaka Ra’ūfun Raĥīm

    Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who were before us in the faith, and place not in our hearts any rancour toward those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art Full of Pity, Merciful. (Qur’an 59:10)


    _______________________


    10.

    رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيۡتِىَ مُؤۡمِنً۬ا وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارَۢا
    Rabbigh-fir Lī Wa Liwālidayya Wa Liman Dakhala Baytiya Mu’uminaw Wa Lilmu’uminīna Wal-Mu’umināti Wa Lā Tazidiž-Žālimīna Illā Tabārā

    My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who entereth my house believing, and believing men and believing women, and increase not the wrong-doers in aught save ruin. (Qur’an 71:28)


    _______________________

    Thursday, August 26, 2010

    What is Sunnah and Hadith?

    What is Sunnah and Hadith?

    "And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, leave it. And fear Allah: truly Allah is severe in punishment. " [Holy Quran 59:7]


    In Islam, the Arabic word sunnah has come to denote the way Prophet Muhammad (saas), the Messenger of Allah, lived his life. The Sunnah is the second source of Islamic jurisprudence, the first being the Qur'an. Both sources are indispensable; one cannot practice Islam without consulting both of them. The Arabic word hadith (pl. ahadith) is very similar to Sunnah, but not identical. A hadith is a narration about the life of the Prophet (saas) or what he approved - as opposed to his life itself, which is the Sunnah as already mentioned.


    In M. M. Azami's Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature, the following precise definition of a hadith is given,


    "According to Muhaddithiin [scholars of hadith -ed.] it stands for 'what was transmitted on the authority of the Prophet, his deeds, sayings, tacit approval, or description of his sifaat (features) meaning his physical appearance. However, physical appearance of the Prophet is not included in the definition used by the jurists.'


    Thus hadith literature means the literature which consists of the narrations of the life of the Prophet and the things approved by him. However, the term was used sometimes in much broader sense to cover the narrations about the Companions [of the Prophet -ed.] and Successors [to the Companions -ed.] as well. "


    The explosion of Islam in the 7th and 8th centuries confronted Islamic scholars with a daunting task: to preserve the knowledge of the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas). Hence a new science of hadith evaluation was born. It is recommend that one who is interested should further read "Introduction to the Science of Hadith" (linked to http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/scienceofhadith/atit.html) to understand the tremendous efforts that were required to sift the true reports from the false reports.

    What is Hijab?

    What is Hijab?


     
    American Muslim women today are rediscovering the pristine Islam as revealed by Allah, (God), to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh1), more than 1,400 years ago, but without any of the contradictions of ancestral culture. Consequently they are essentially engaging in a life-long exercise of rediscovering their own selves – what it means to be a human, a Muslim, and more so, a Muslim woman. Wearing a head-covering (hijab) is an important part of their spiritual journey.

    One of the most common questions today, asked by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, is: "Why do Muslim women cover their heads?” The answer is very simple - Muslim women observe hijab because Allah has told them to do so:

    "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59).

    Modest clothing and hijab are precautions to avoid social violations. The following verses of the Qur’an highlight that this is not limited to women only.

    "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)

    According to Jabir ibn Abdullah, when he asked the Prophet (pbuh), about a man’s gaze falling inadvertently on a strange woman, the Prophet replied, "Turn your eyes away" (Muslim). In another tradition, the Prophet (pbuh) chided for looking again at a woman – he said, the second glance is from Satan.

    American Muslim women today are rediscovering the pristine Islam as revealed by Allah, (God), to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh1), more than 1,400 years ago, but without any of the contradictions of ancestral culture. Consequently they are essentially engaging in a life-long exercise of rediscovering their own selves – what it means to be a human, a Muslim, and more so, a Muslim woman. Wearing a head-covering (hijab) is an important part of their spiritual journey.

    One of the most common questions today, asked by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, is: "Why do Muslim women cover their heads?” The answer is very simple - Muslim women observe hijab because Allah has told them to do so:

    "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59).

    Modest clothing and hijab are precautions to avoid social violations. The following verses of the Qur’an highlight that this is not limited to women only.

    "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)

    According to Jabir ibn Abdullah, when he asked the Prophet (pbuh), about a man’s gaze falling inadvertently on a strange woman, the Prophet replied, "Turn your eyes away" (Muslim). In another tradition, the Prophet (pbuh) chided for looking again at a woman – he said, the second glance is from Satan.

    Tuesday, August 3, 2010

    Ten Sicknesses of the Heart...

    .

    In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

    .
    1. You believe in the existance of Allah (SWT) but you do not fulfil His Commands. 
    2. You say you love the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) but you do not follow his Sunnah. 
    3. You read the Holy Qur'an but you do not put it into practice. 
    4. You enjoy all the benefits from Allah (SWT) but you are not grateful to him. 
    5. You acknowledge Shaitan as your enemy but you do not go against him. 
    6. You want to enter Paradise but you do not work for it. 
    7. You do not want to be thrown into Hell-Fire but you do not try to run away from it. 
    8. You believe that every living-thing will face death but you do not prepare for it. 
    9. You gossip and find faults in others but you forget your own faults and habits. 
    10. You bury the Dead but you do not take a lesson from it.

    10 Oppressors

    1. The person who prays for himself, but forgets his parents and other believers.
    2. The person who does not recite at least a hundred verses of the Holy Quran daily.
    3. The person who leaves the Masjid (mosque) without performing at least two units of Salah.
    4. The person who passes a graveyard without greeting the deceased or praying for them.
    5. The person who enters a city on Friday and leaves without performing the Friday prayer.
    6. The man or woman in whose vicinity a learned person comes and none acquires any religious knowledge from him.
    7. Those two people who love each other for the pleasure of Allah but are unaware of each others names.
    8. The person who is invited by another, but does not accept his invitation (when acceptance does not contradict the Shariah).
    9. The youngster that has no commitments yet does not acquire any religious knowledge or manners.
    10. The person who has eaten to his fill while his neighbor goes hungry.

    Friday, July 2, 2010

    Muslims In America

    MUSLIMS ASK: “DO THEY REALLY KNOW WHO WE ARE?”
    GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN



    From their cramped office behind a Southeast Side barber shop, four young men try to get the word out: This is who we are, this is what we believe.

    As Muslims in an overwhelmingly Christian community, they see it as their responsibility to tell what Islam truly teaches to non-Muslims and other Muslims. They aim to do so through Sunnah Publishing, an educational nonprofit they formed four years ago.

    “Living in America, we’re the ones who suffer from misconceptions about Islam,” said Maaz Qureshi, 27, a Pakistani Grand Rapids resident since 1997. “It is our religious obligation to clarify what our religion stands for and what it doesn’t.”

    Hamza Kantarevic, like Qureshi, sometimes wears the flowing robe, long beard and skullcap of traditionalist Islam. He knows he looks exotic, and perhaps threatening, in conservative West Michigan.

    “They might see us and know we are Muslims and live amongst them,” said Kantarevic, 24, a Bosnian who has lived here since 1999. ‘But do they really know who we are?”

    He and his colleagues at Sunnah Publishing hope to answer that and other questions at their first public conference, ‘Islam in America,’ beginning Friday, a few days before Ramadan begins.

    The seminar features Muslim scholars from Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and New Jersey addressing a wide array of topics, from what Islam teaches about violence and women to Muslim positions on intelligent design and the environment.

    Sunnah Publishing aims to provide answers by “turning back to Islam in its original form,” Qureshi said.

    Some local Muslim leaders say they know little about Sunnah Publishing and will attend to learn more.

    Ali Metwalli, a leader at the Islamic Mosque and Religious Institute, said the organizers have a “peaceful mindset” but are more conservative than most local Muslims.

    Qureshi accepts the conservative label, but says traditional Islam unequivocally condemns the militant extremism that has “messed up the image of Islam.”

    “The idea of committing suicide and (making) a plane crash into a building or strapping a bomb on your chest has nothing to do with Islam,” said Qureshi, a database specialist at Pitney Bowes Legal Solutions.

    Though not formally educated in Islam, he and his colleagues say they have studied and consulted with top scholars.

    Salaahudeen Ali, a lifelong Grand Rapids resident, and Muhammad Muridi also are publishing partners.

    They formed the publishing firm with their own funds, selling books and CDs and building a Web site including articles and audio recordings. They also teach classes on Arabic and creeds from their office at 613 Fuller Ave. SE.

    Though they say top Islamic scholars have consistently condemned terrorism, the publishers add local Muslims have not been vocal enough about their beliefs.

    “Nobody else is going to do it,” Qureshi said. “You kind of have to put yourself out there.”

    Wednesday, June 30, 2010

    Anti-Muslim

    ANTI-ISLAM WEBSITES DEVELOPED BY ZIONISTS


    Author Unknown
    Beware of the following websites:

    These sites have been developed by Zionists who are intentionally spreading wrong information about the QURAN , the HADITH and ISLAM itself.

    Please spread this information to all the Muslim brothers and sisters around the world.

    Always check the source of any Islamic web site even if it is very convincing

    A FAKE AMERICAN QURAAN
    image

    You canʼt ignore this, send it to as many Muslims as u can.

    The new AMERICAN Quran: a dangerous trick A new Quran is being distributed in Kuwait, titled ‘The True Furqan’. It is being described as the ayats of the Shaytan and Al-Furqan weekly magazine has found out that the two American printing companies;’Omega 2001′ and ‘Wine Press’ are involved in the publishing of ‘The True Furqan’, a book which has also been titled ‘The 21st Century Quran’! It is over 366 pages and is in both the Arabic and English languages…it is being distributed to our children in Kuwait in the private English schools! The book contains 77 Surats, which include Al-Fatiha, Al-Jana and Al-Injil. 

    Instead of Bismillah, each Surat begins with a longer vesion of this incorporating the Christian belief of the three spirits. And this so! called Quran opposes many Islamic beliefs. in one of its ayats it describes having more than one wife as fornication, divorce being non-permissable and it uses a new system for the sharing out of the will, opposing the current one. It states that Jihad is HARAAM.

    This book even goes as far as attacking Allah, Subhanahu wa Tahala!

    All this is poisoning our children at approx. $3.

    Brothers and Sisters please make sure you forward this email to as many people as possible so that we can stop this dangerous trick.

    Please tell everyone you know and may Allah reward you.

    Sunday, June 27, 2010

    ALCOHOL ACCORDING TO QURAN AND SUNNAH

    The Prohibition: Al-Tirmidhi #580,

    Narrated AbudDarda’ …don’t drink wine for it is the key to every evil.

    Abu Dawood,

     Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab “When the prohibition of wine (was yet to be) declared, Umar said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine. So the following verse of Surat al-Baqarah revealed; “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: In them is great sin….” Umar was then called and it was recited to him.

    He said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine. Then the following verse of Surat an-Nisa’ was revealed: “O ye who believe! approach not prayers with a mind befogged….” Thereafter the herald of the Apostle of Allah would call when the (congregational) prayer was performed: Beware, one who is drunk should not come to prayer. Umar was again called and it was recited to him. He said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine. This verse was revealed: “Will ye not then abstain?” Umar said: We abstained.

    The Noble Qur’an –(Al-Baqarah 2:219 )

     They ask you (O Muhammad ) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: “That which is beyond your needs.” Thus Allâh makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought.

    Selling and Buying: Al-Tirmidhi #2776

    Narrated Anas ibn Malik “Allah’s Messenger cursed ten people in connection with wine: the wine-presser, the one who has it pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who conveys it, the one to whom it is conveyed, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who benefits from the price paid for it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

    Dying when Addicted: Muslim #4963,

    Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar “Allah’s Messenger said: Every intoxicant is Khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. He who drinks wine in this world and dies while he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not be given a drink in the Hereafter.”

    Beat for Drunkedness: Bukhari 3:509,

    Narrated ‘Uqba bin Al-Harith “When An-Nuaman or his son was brought in a state of drunkenness, Allah’s Apostle ordered all those who were present in the house to beat him. I was one of those who beat him. We beat him with shoes and palm-leaf stalks.”

    Bukhari 8:764,

    Narrated Anas bin Malik “The Prophet beat a drunk with palm-leaf stalks and shoes. And Abu Bakr gave (such a sinner) forty lashes.”

    Bukhari 8:768,

     Narrated Abu Salama Abu Huraira said, “A man who drank wine was brought to the Prophet . The Prophet said, ‘Beat him!’ ” Abu Huraira added, “So some of us beat him with our hands, and some with their shoes, and some with their garments (by twisting it) like a lash, and then when we finished, someone said to him, ‘May Allah disgrace you!’ On that the Prophet said, ‘Do not say so, for you are helping Satan to overpower him.’ ” Shaitan’s Use of Intoxicants

    The Noble Qur’an (Al-Ma’idah 5:91)

    Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?”

    Prayer Not Accepted: Al-Tirmidhi #3643,

    narrated Abdullah ibn Umar ; Abdullah ibn Amr Allah’s Messenger said, “If anyone drinks wine Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents Allah will forgive him. If he repeats the offence Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents Allah will forgive him. If he again repeats the offence Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents Allah will forgive him. If he repeats it a fourth time Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, and if he repents Allah will not forgive him, but will give him to drink of the river of the fluid flowing from the inhabitants of Hell.” [Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it on the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr.]

    Medicine: Abu Dawood,

    narrated Tariq ibn Suwayd or Suwayd ibn Tariq Wa’il said: “Tariq ibn Suwayd or Suwayd ibn Tariq asked the Prophet about wine, but he forbade it. He again asked him, but he forbade him. He said to him: Prophet of Allah, it is a medicine. The Prophet said: No it is a disease.”

    Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet reports that he once said: “Allah has not placed a cure for your diseases in things that He has forbidden for you.” (Reported by Baihaqi; Ibn Hibban considers this hadith to be sound.Bukhari has also related it on the authority of Ibn Mas’ud.)

    Abu Dawood; Sahih Bukhari Abu ad-Darda reported that the Prophet said: “Allah has sent down both the malady and its remedy.. For every disease He has created a cure. So seek medical treatment, but never with something the use of which Allah has prohibited.”

    Action Items for the Muttaqun:

    Do not ingest alcohol

    If your husband (or other relative) comes home drunk (please note that you have grounds for divorce in such an example), ask for the Muslim brothers to give him 40 lashes for it.

    Don’t be a passive tool of Shaitan by accepting alcoholism in your family or the Muslim community.

    The Scarf

     
    They stand there with shorts, so short, excessively short,
    shorts that so deceptively capture from them all they know
    of modesty...
    
    ...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
    
    They stand there, face lost in a sea of make-up,
    make-up that so ruthlessly captures from them all they know
    of freedom...
    
    ...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
    
    They stand there, hair raining with gels, colors -
    chemicals that so menacingly capture from them all they know
    of purity...
    
    ...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
    
    They stand there, so close, so very close to their "lover",
    devoted to them, the devotion that so mercilessly captures
    from them all they know of individuality...
    
    ...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
    
    And they stand there, talking of getting new shorts, new gels
    and colors, new boyfriends, materialistic things
    that so wrongfully capture from them all they know
    of God and love...
    
    ...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
    
    For my scarf is my protector, my lover, my devotion, 
    my pureness, my beauty, my remembrance of God,
    
    And I proudly pull it over my hair knowing that when I wear it,
    I so rightfully thrust away all the things that the devil 
    brought about,
    
    And when I put it on, I am
    
    Free...
    

    Tuesday, June 22, 2010

    How I Came To Islam


    May Allah’s peace be upon you!
    My name’s Brunsheska, I am a 23 years old married woman from the USA. I have being asked about Islam in several occasion, and the best answer I came to learn now, is that Allah made his way to me one way or another. I would assume that the first time I truly became very curious about Islam was 11SEP2001, everyone was saying all kind of things about Islam and Muslims including my family members, some of them were talking very bad about Islam and Muslims because of what they heard. I didn’t have the mean to do more research about it at that time. My father wasn’t a big Muslim fan at that time especially with his military background that somehow influenced his interpretation to Islam. Simultaneously, I was affected as well with the media, and I started hating Islam and Muslims with no reason except of what the media wanted me to believe.


    Yet, I knew deep in my heart that it can’t be only way of telling a story, and Islam can’t be the cruel. So I started making more research in at a college level, which helped me somehow get a subjective point of view about Islam, contrary to what my classmate were saying, when they ask me about the reasons I want to learn about that religion? I simply answered them that feeling confused about Christianity and I have not find in it the stability that I am looking for.

    Couple years later, I’ve met a young Muslim man online his name was Adil and he seemed to be a good person, walked me through Islam believe and answered almost all my questions about Islam. Two years after that I married him, and we are a happily married Muslim couple now. Some thinks that he influenced my beliefs and others thought that I reverted just because of him, that is what they say, but my I’ll say that “Allah had his way to communicate with heart, mind and soul”, and if god decide to give credit for me and for other person for me to find true answers that I haven’t find anywhere else, who else is better to get them than my husband. After all, who’s better get that and do more good deeds in this life, because I am not looking to live in a small mention in paradise, I want that big castle with the big land, to live happy with my loved husband happily ever after.

    To all the other sisters from different religion, don’t get influenced with what you see, read and hear, use your brains and listen to your heart and open your eyes widely; because of Allah is closer to you than you think. Allah said:” you might hate something and it’s good for you”, and Islam is for peace and those people who conducted those attacks and do all the bad things around the world are representing themselves and not a great religion such Islam.

    Al Haduliallah!
    Brunsheska

    Wednesday, June 16, 2010

    Why I Love My Hijab.

    The reason why I love Hijab, is, to be honest,
    Is because it guards my beauty and keeps me modest.
    I never receive evil stares and remarks,
    And am respected for not what I look like,
    But rather what is in my heart.

    Allah is most Merciful to all of His Creation,
    And He commanded us women to observe Hijab for pure liberation.
    Liberation from all of the things that disease women today,
    From anorexia, buleima and low self-esteem,
    An obsession with beauty that plagues all,
    From old women to teens.

    In short skirts and blouses revealing their bodies for all men to see,
    Knowing their only goal in life is to attract and to please.
    NO! But Allah did not want this for us,
    To live lives so vain and so full of lust.

    He (SWT) is sooo merciful to us, yet we are so disobedient,
    He guides us to the good, yet we rush towards the evil
    Which is why sisters everywhere are dropping Hijab,
    Only because of fear, desires and other worldly reasons.

    Caving into the pressures of the western society,
    Who claim they are oppressed and need to be liberated immediately!

    But Sisters!
    We are not oppressed, we are not abused!
    We are NOT inferior and nor are we confused!
    No actually they are the oppressed and we are the free.

    We are modest women who chose to cover for Allah,
    No matter what time we live in,
    No matter what new trend or law.
    Our Hijab does not change,
    Our firm determination does not weaken,
    And we will not be affected by the opinions of mere people,
    Cause its Allah's Pleasure we're seekin'!

    So Sisters, let's stay firm,
    And keep up with our Hijab,
    We are the most beautiful role models for the Ummah,
    As well as for all of mankind.

    We are shining pearls,
    Enclosed inside our shells,
    And we should refuse to reveal our beauty,
    If we desire the gardens of Jannah,
    And not the severe punishment in Hell.

    Sisters, let's say it with up-most sincerity and dedication:

    I love Hijab, I love My Lord and I love My deen,
    and all thanks are to Him, and only Him, and Most High and Great is He!!

    Allahu Akbar!!

    Tuesday, June 15, 2010

    God in the Bible and the Quran




    The presentation of God in the scripture has to be the most important asset for the reader of these divine books. Any distortion of the image of God in any of these books has to represent a distortion of the claimed scriptural texts as God has special qualities that canot be denied, distorted, degraded or damged by human intervention. While some passages of the Bible and the Quran agree on the same qualities of God, there are some passages in the Bible that totaly distort God and His qualities when compared with the Quran. We will present here both groups of qualities that agree and the others that disagree. Let us start with what the Bible and the Quran agree about regarding God.

    AGREE........


    BIBLE:   RE : Worshipping Human Beings "In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listen to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" at that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
    When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker." .................................................
    Acts 14:8-12

    Qur'an: RE :Worshipping Human Beings
    [ 9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars
    as lords, instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son
    of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god.
    There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having
    any partners. 
    BIBLE:  RE :Worshiping Angels
    "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize." 
    Colossians 2:18
    Qur'an: RE :Worshiping Angels
    [ 3:80] Nor would he command you to idolize the angels
    and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve
    after becoming submitters? 
    [34:40] On the day when He summons them all, He
    will say to the angels, "Did these people worship you?"
    BIBLE:  RE :Worshipping NO Other Gods

    "So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes." 

    Genesis 35:2 

    Qur'an: RE :Worshipping 
    NO Other Gods [2:133] Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters."

    Wednesday, May 19, 2010

    The Major Sins


    The Major Sins
    --Al-Kaba'r--

    The major sins are those acts which have been forbidden by Allah in the Quran and by His Messenger (SAW) in the Sunnah (practise of the Prophet), and which have been made clear by the actions of of the first righteous generation of Muslims, the Companions of the Prophet (SAW).
    Allah Most High says in His Glorious Book:



    If you avoid the major (part) of what you have been forbidden (to do), We will cancel out for you your (other) evil deeds and will admit you (to Paradise) with a noble entry. (al-Nisa 4:31)

    Thus by this verse, Allah Most High has guaranteed the Garden of Paradise to those who avoid the major sins. And Allah Most High also says:



    Those who avoid the greatest of sins and indecencies, and forgive when they are angry (al-Shra 42:37) Those who avoid the greatest sins and indecencies, except for oversights, (will find that) surely your Lord is ample in forgiveness. (Al-Najm 53:32)

    The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "The five [daily] prayers, Friday to Friday, and Ramadan to Ramadan make atonement for what has happened since the previous one when major sins have been avoided." It is therefore very important to determine exactly what the greatest vices, technically called "the major sins" (Kaba'ir), are, in order that Muslims should avoid them. 

    There is some difference of opinion among scholars in this regard. Some say these major sins are seven, and in support of their position they quote the tradition: "Avoid the seven noxious things"- and after having said this, the propeht (SAW) mentioned them: "associating anything with Allah; magic; killing one whom Allah has declared inviolate without a just case, consuming the property of an orphan, devouring usury, turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers but indiscreet." (Bukhari and Muslim)
    'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said: "Seventy is closer to their number than seven," and indeed that is correct. The above tradition does not limit the major sins to those mentioned in it. Rather, it points to the type of sins which fall into the category of "major." These include those crimes which call for a prescribed punishment (HADD; plural, HUDUD), such as theft, fornication or adultery (ZINA), and murder; those prohibited acts for which a warning of a severe punishment in the Next is given in the Qur'an or the tradition; and also those deeds which are cursed by our Prophet (SAW). These are all major sins. 

    Of course, there is a gradation among them, since some are more serious than others. We see that the Prophet (SAW) has included SHIRK (associating someone or something with Allah) among them, and from the text of the Qur'an we know that a person who commits SHIRK will not his sin be forgiven and will remain in Hell forever.
    Allah Most High says:
    Surely, Allah does not forgive associating anything with Him, and He forgives whatever is other than that to whomever He wills. (al-Nisa 4:48 and 116)
    01. Associating anything with Allah
    02. Murder
    03. Practising magic
    04. Not Praying
    05. Not paying Zakat
    06. Not fasting on a Day of Ramadan without excuse
    07. Not performing Hajj, while being able to do so
    08. Disrespect to parents
    09. Abandoning relatives
    10. Fornication and Adultery
    11. Homosexuality(sodomy)
    12. Interest(Riba)
    13. Wrongfully consuming the property of an orphan
    14. Lying about Allah and His Messenger
    15. Running away from the battlefield
    16. A leader's deceiving his people and being unjust to them
    17. Pride and arrogance
    18. Bearing false witness
    19. Drinking Khamr (wine)
    20. Gambling
    21. Slandering chaste women
    22. Stealing from the spoils of war
    23. Stealing
    24. Highway Robbery
    25. Taking false oath
    26. Oppression
    27. Illegal gain
    28. Consuming wealth acquired unlawfully
    29. Committing suicide
    30. Frequent lying
    31. Judging unjustly
    32. Giving and Accepting bribes
    33. Woman's imitating man and man's imitating woman
    34. Being cuckold
    35. Marrying a divorced woman in order to make her lawful for the husband
    36. Not protecting oneself from urine
    37. Showing-off
    38. Learning knowledge of the religion for the sake of this world and concealing that knowledge
    39. Bertrayal of trust
    40. Recounting favours
    41. Denying Allah's Decree
    42. Listening (to) people's private conversations
    43. Carrying tales
    44. Cursing
    45. Breaking contracts
    46. Believing in fortune-tellers and astrologers
    47. A woman's bad conduct towards her husband
    48. Making statues and pictures
    49. Lamenting, wailing, tearing the clothing, and doing other things of this sort when an affliction befalls
    50. Treating others unjustly
    51. Overbearing conduct toward the wife, the servant, the weak, and animals
    52. Offending one's neighbour
    53. Offending and abusing Muslims
    54. Offending people and having an arrogant attitude toward them
    55. Trailing one's garment in pride
    56. Men's wearing silk and gold
    57. A slave's running away from his master
    58. Slaughtering an animal which has been dedicated to anyone other than Allah
    59. To knowingly ascribe one's paternity to a father other than one's own
    60. Arguing and disputing violently
    61. Witholding excess water
    62. Giving short weight or measure
    63. Feeling secure from Allah's Plan
    64. Offending Allah's righteous friends
    65. Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse
    66. Persistently missing Friday Prayers without any excuse
    67. Unsurping the rights of the heir through bequests
    68. Deceiving and plotting evil
    69. Spying for the enemy of the Muslims
    70. Cursing or insulting any of the Companiions of Allah's Messenger

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