Tools of Shaytaan-Television & Media-Wake Up Call !!!

The Media and Television is currently used to demonize and attack Muslims and Islam, the ones who control the media, use this tool to control the thoughts and views of their audience all over the world to fit their hidden agenda. people will believe what the media tells them without even thinking twice because they believe that the information comes from a reliable source, but in Islam we are taught not to just believe what we hear, but to check things up and look into things before just accepting it as the truth. 

Quran from behind Bars...

By: Imam Anwar Al Awlaki (Shaheed Insha'Allah)

Assalamu alaykum all,

In this set of short blogs I will review the books that I had a chance to read while I was in jail. Here is the first:

This was during my first two months in the Political Security Jail. This was a time when I was allowed no visitors, no contact with family, and no contact with other prisoners. In fact I wasn’t even allowed to speak to the prison guards except in whispers and only for urgent needs. This was a time of complete isolation from the outside world.

I was in an underground solitary cell made up of four concrete walls with an iron gate on one side and on the opposite side a small window -rather a hole- covered with iron mesh to allow for some fresh air to come in. I couldn’t see much from it because it was about four meters high. Then there was the roof with a bulb hanging from it which was on continuously day and night. Then the floor with a mattress 2-3 inches thick, a blanket, a worn off pillow, a plastic plate, a bottle for water, and an empty bottle “just in case”.

And then there was a Quran

This Ramadan, Myself and God, Before I Was Born

In the seventh chapter of the Qur’an, translated into English as “The Heights,” God tells humanity that, before Adam’s creation, He gathered the souls of all who would live to ask them, “Am I Not Your Lord?”

When your Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam their descendants and made them testify concerning themselves, [saying]: “Am I not your Lord?” — They said: “Yes! So do we testify!” [This], lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: “Of this we were never mindful.” (7:172)

It is often called The Covenant of Am I Not, because of the importance of this verse in the Muslim’s sense of purpose. There, gathered before their Creator and Sustainer, all humanity insists that they recognize their Lord. As a Muslim, I must believe that I, too, so recognized God back before I could possibly formally recall, much as I have no memory of my infancy but all the same cannot doubt it happened. That God, the One God, is also confirmed in this moment as humanity’s Lord, and He asks them so that, at the end of time, no one amongst us can claim unawareness. It is a moment when humanity is before God as a mass of individuals, yet all collectively assent.

It is the Muslim belief that the memory of this moment is buried inside of us. Though we do not inherit sin, though we are each born innocent, though no one can be tried for the errors of another, still somehow this memory courses through each of us. It may appear as a flash, a moment of sudden transcendence, as when we see a fantastic landscape, a marvelous setting sun, a beautiful face or take in a rousing and unforgettable score. We are reminded of something higher in us, not that elevates us arrogantly over others — that is a very different emotion — but a memory that unites us and frees us of pains, desperations, worries and anxieties: We were made somewhere better, and have the potential to return there. Our condition here is temporary.
 

Feeling the Sufferings of the Muslims in the Oppressed Countries

Thousands of Muslims are dying all over the world, so much so that it has made our ears become immune, feeling normal without any quiver coming from the depth of our hearts. Have we become uninterested with this situation as we do not have the solution to defend them, or have we, who stay in the same place, felt that our own problems have become too heavy, not departing from those same problems.

Rohingya, Syria, Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia have we ever listened to the voices of the Muslims there, how are their conditions or we have not heard of their sufferings at all, in fact even the location of the region itself, we never bother to find out. How can a Muslim be this bad, just because problems are striking us repeatedly, we easily underestimate the sufferings of the Muslims in the faraway places?

Is there no quiver in the deepest part of the heart, no anger that arises and no sound of the grinding teeth that withholds the emotional state, when we open up the news in the newspaper where we only read columns that cover sports, or in the news website where we only follow the sections about celebrity gossips? That there, in the thousands of the Muslims' territories, is a human tragedy. The women are raped, the children are killed and the men die in the city streets. Why do we never try to read it, just to read. Why don't we ever?

But I believe that we will all rise together, and then think about it together, for hours when the tragedy is happening to our own lives. If our mothers and sisters are raped in front of our eyes, our fathers' necks are slashed in front of us and our selves are dragged in the dark alleys just because we are professing the religion of Islam. Someday we will prove it .

Because a suffering will never be truly imbued and felt except by those who are experiencing it, going through it and then arising to resist those sufferings. The option is, before actually feeling how those sufferings are felt, feel it in our inner selves (batin) first how those suffering Muslims are feeling. Feel with them! If it befalls us, can we endure it?

“Each verse is like a date: the more you chew it…"

 

1 – The Messenger of Allah said:

“Whoever wants to to love Allah and His Messenger, then let him read the Mushaf.”
['Sahih al-Jami''; # 6289]

 

2 – Ibn ‘Abbas narrated:

“al-Walid bin al-Mughirah (a polytheist) came to the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah recited the Qur’an to him, and al-Walid seemed to become affected and softened by it. Abu Jahl came to know of this, so, he came to al-Walid and said: “Don’t you see that your people are collecting charity for you?”

 

He said: “And why is that?”

 

Abu Jahl replied: “So that they can give it to you, as they see that you went to Muhammad to get some of his food.”

 

al-Walid said: “Quraysh knows that I am of the wealthiest of its sons.”

 

Abu Jahl said: “So, say to Muhammad something that would convince your people that you oppose him.”

 

al-Walid replied: “And what can I possibly say? There is not a single man who is more knowledgable of poetry or prose than I, or even that of the Jinn, and by Allah, what he says bears no resemblance to these things. By Allah, what he says has a sweetness to it, and a charm upon it; the highest part of it is fruitful and the lowest part of it is gushing forth with bounty; it dominates and cannot be dominated, and it crushes all that is under it.”"

[Reported by al-Hakim in 'al-Mustadrak' (2/506-507) and at-Tabari in 'Jami' al-Bayan' (29/156), and it is authentic]

 

Reaping the Benefits of Ramadaan

In the month of Ramadaan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting.

Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal.” Meaning, one’s behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.

LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwaa

Allah legislated fasting for gaining taqwaa, “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwaa.” (meaning of Soratul Baqarah (2):183) Taqwaa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?

LESSON 2: Drawing closer to Allah

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur’aan during night and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `umrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadaan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allah (SWT). When one sins, one feels distant from Allah. That is why one might find it hard to read the Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah and wants to worship Allah more, because he is not shy from his sins. 

The Unavoidable Obstacle

In ‘Madārij as-Salikīn’ [1/218-222], Ibn al-Qayyim has a section about the obstacles that Satan puts into the path of the one who chooses to live his life for Allāh. He mentions the six commonly known obstacles in the order that they will be thrown into the path of the believer, such that whoever passes through one obstacle is then faced with the next [disbelief, followed by innovation in religion, followed by major sins, followed by minor sins, followed by permissible acts that distract one from acts of obedience, followed by acts of obedience that are of lower reward than others].  
 

However, he mentions a seventh and final obstacle for the one who passes through the above six successfully:

‘…So, if he successfully passes through these, there remains only one obstacle from which the enemy [Satan] calls him from, and this is an obstacle that he must face. If anyone were to be saved from this obstacle, it would have been the Messengers and Prophets of Allāh, and the noblest of His Creation.

This is the obstacle of Satan unleashing his troops upon the believer with various types of harm: by way of the hand, the tongue, and the heart. This occurs in accordance with the degree of goodness that exists within the believer. So, the higher he is in degree, the more the enemy unleashes his troops and helps them against him, and overwhelms him with his followers and allies in various ways.

There is no way he can overcome this obstacle, because the firmer he is when calling to Allāh and fulfilling His commands, the more the enemy becomes intent upon tempting him with foolish people. So, he has essentially put on his body armour in facing this obstacle, and has taken it upon himself to confront the enemy [Satan] for Allāh’s sake and in His Name, and his worship in doing so is the worship of the best of those who know Allāh…and none are aware of this except those with complete and perfect insight.’

Do You Truly Love Allah?

And from among mankind there are some who take for themselves (objects of worship as) rivals to Allah, loving them as they should (only) love Allah. And those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah."

(Al-Baqarah 2:165)

"O you who believe, whoever of you becomes a rebel against his deen (know that in his place) Allah will bring a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble towards the believers, harsh towards the disbelievers, fighting in the way of Allah, and not fearing the blame of anyone who blames." 

(Al-Maidah 5:54)

Getting to know the Deviated Doctrines of the Nusairiyah in Syria !!!

Not many Muslims know about the events that are taking place in Syria. Many among the Muslims think that the savagery of the Syrian regime is solely based on political interests to save the regime of the Baath Party, the Socialist Party which has gripped the people of Syria for decades by the force of arms.

The savagery of the Baath regime in Syria is indeed also downplayed by the ideological and religious factors. In this case, the Baath Party has been dominated by the Nusairiyah group since the era of Hafizh Al-Asad.

The Nusairiyah group is a part of the extreme Shiah sects which have been declared as murtad from Islam by the entire ulama's of the Muslims. So, the extreme Shiah regime is today displaying its savagery against the majority of the people who are Muslim, i.e. the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah. Peaceful demonstration versus the barbarity of the military in Syria is truly a battle between two religions: Islam versus Nusairiyah.

No wonder, when Iran which professes the religion of Shiah Imamiyah (it can also be called Shiah Itsna Atsariyah or Shiah Ja’fariyah) is intense in providing military, political and economical supports to the Shiah regime of Syria. Two extreme Shiah groups have met to finish off a common enemy – the majority of the Syrian population who profess the religion of Islam i.e. the Ahlus Sunnah.

When coupled with the power of the Shiah Lebanon (with the Hizbul Laata militia – a slippage of its real name, Hizbullah), the power of Israel and Christian Lebanon which are also hostile towards the Ahlus Sunnah, then the Sunni people of Syria are in the midst of being besieged from every angle.

Muslims worldwide are supposed to continue to give support to the struggle of the people of Syria, just as their support for the struggle of the Muslim people of Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine. It is wajib (compulsory) for the ulama's and figures of the Muslims to expose the guise of the Nusairiyah of Syria, until the wala’ and bara’ of the Muslims are getting clearer.

The Fatwas of the Ulama's Regarding Nusairiyah:

 

Notes from chapters on fasting in ‘Fath al-Bari

By Ibn Hajar al-’Asqalani

Here a few useful notes the first few chapters of ‘Kitab as-Sawm’ in Ibn Hajar al-’Asqalani’s ‘Fath al-Bari’ (4/123 onwards):

1 – The lexical and Shar’i definitions of الصوم:

“Linguistically, siyam is to refrain from something. Shar’an, it is to hold back from something specific for a specific amount of time, under specific conditions…it is said to the knight who has refrained from joining an expedition for some time that he is sa’im. And in the Shar’, it is that one who is tasked with this obligation is to refrain from food, drink, sexual pleasure, and vomiting from sunrise to sunset.”

2 – Fasting is a shield:

“…and the narrations that are related to this show that it is a shield from the Hellfire, and this is what Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr opined.

As for the author of ‘an-Nihayah,’ he said: “What is meant by it being a shield is that it protects the person from that which can harm him of desires.”

al-Qurtubi said: “It is a curtain.” So, it is a must for the one fasting to avoid that which will corrupt him and decrease his reward…

ِِAnd al-’Iyad said in ‘al-Ikmal’: “It is a shield from sins or the Fire, or both of these,” and an-Nawawi took this opinion.”
 

Overeating at I’ftar...

By: Muhammad Al-Ghazali

‘…One should not overeat while breaking the fast to the point that he fills his stomach, as there isn’t any container that Allāh hates more than a full stomach. How can one benefit from fasting and subdue this enemy and break this desire if he breaks his fast by making up for it through eating everything that he missed out on during the day? In fact, some even eat more than they usually would during the day! This habit has continued to the point that so many types of food are prepared for Ramadhān that more food is eaten in this month than in any other month.

It is known that the whole point of fasting is discipline and to break one’s desire in order to strengthen the soul with taqwa. So, if you prevent your digestive system from food all day long until night such that its desire and longing for food goes wild, and you then feed it what it wants until it is fully satisfied, this will only increase its desire and multiply its energy, and it will manifest a longing that wouldn’t have been there had it been left to its usual intake.

So, the essence and secret of fasting is to weaken this energy that provides means for Satan to pull you towards what is bad, and this can’t happen unless you reduce your food intake. When you break your fast, eat only what you would normally eat at that specific time when not fasting. But to break your fast by combining the amount you would’ve eaten during the day with the amount you usually eat at night will leave you having gained nothing at all from your fast.
 

Start your Ramadan guilt free!

Assalâmu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullâhi wa barakâtuhu,

Beloved Muslimeen,

My deepest love and respects to you and your beloved ones on the advent of Ramadan. Like the other 1.5 billion Muslims on this earth, I am sure we cannot wait to start fasting daily and enjoying the blessings of prayer and the Quran in this month. Many positive feelings overtake us this month: excitement, happiness, anticipation of blessings and reward, joy upon meeting family and friends regularly and the delight of amazing delicacies on the iftar table!

However for many of us, it is the negative emotions that predominate at the start of this month: fear of yet another unsuccessful Ramadan, apprehension and guilt. We start this month of Ramadan feeling guilty for being away from Allah for so long; for not having read the Quran this year until now; of not having prayed any tahajjud prayer until now; of not having fasting throughout the year – except for now. This guilty feeling leads to a lot of negativity in our approach to this month and perhaps to the lack of optimism in retrying those special attempts we had made before to read the whole Quran or to pray taraweeh and tahajjud every night or some other good deed in Ramadan. In fact for so many of us, guilt takes us away from Allah and makes us feel inferior and sometimes cripples us to lesser levels of aspiration and success. “What can this poor slave of Allah achieve anyway, when he is so engrossed in sins having done so many evil deeds?” For many – the thought of what we have done in the past – cripples us to what we can do in the future.

Time Between Suhoor and Fajr (Fajr Sadiq/True Dawn)

Anas reported that Zayd bin Thabit said: “We had suhur with the Prophet (saws), and he then got up to pray.” Anas then asked: “How much time was there between the adhan and the suhur?” He answered: “Fifty verses.” [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

In ‘Fath al-Bari’ (4/164), Ibn Hajar made the following points on this hadith:

* al-Muhallab and others said: “Shown in this narration is the fact that they would measure time with physical actions, and the Arabs would measure time with actions, such as their saying that such-and-such took the same amount of time that it would take to milk a sheep, or the amount of time it would take to slaughter a camel. So, Zayd bin Thabit similarly estimated the time using the recitation of the Qur’an, indicating that this time was used for the worship of reciting the Qur’an.”

The Virtue of Taraaweeh Prayers

Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah mustahabbah (i.e., recommended) according to scholarly consensus, and comes under the heading of qiyaam al-layl (night prayers). It is supported by the evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah which encourages qiyaam al-layl and describes its virtues.

Praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is one of the greatest acts of worship by means of which a person can draw closer to his Lord in this month. Al-Haafiz Ibn Rajab said: Note that in the month of Ramadaan the believer engages in jihad al-nafs on two fronts: during the day by fasting and during the night by praying qiyaam. Whoever combines these two types of jihad will be given reward without limit.

There are some ahaadeeth which speak specifically about praying qiyaam in Ramadaan and describe the virtue of so doing. For example:

Al-Bukhari (37) and Muslim (759) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” “Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan” means spends its nights in prayer.“Out of faith” means, believing in Allah’s promise of reward. “And in the hope of reward” means, seeking the reward and with no other intention such as showing off etc. “Will be forgiven his previous sins”

Virtues and Wisdom of Ramadaan

Fasting is an age-old act of worship. It was practised by previous nations (umam) before Islam. Allah (SWT) says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Allah informs us that when He arranged a day for Musa (AS) to meet Him, Musa had to fast 30 days. After he completed these 30 days, he had to fast an additional 10 days. Allah says:

وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَى ثَلاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً
We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and completed (the period) with ten (more): thus was completed the term (of communion) with his Lord, forty nights. (Al-A’raf, 7:142)

So the People of the Book, Jews and Christians, used to fast before us.

Fasting was prescribed and obliged upon Muslims in the 2nd year after hijrah. And there is consensus that the Prophet (SAW) observed nine Ramadans (of fasting) in his life.

Ramadhan: The Month of Wala' and Bara'

Ramadhan is a month of many things for the Muslims: it is a month of mercy, forgiveness, blessing, worship, exertion, devotion, and discipline. In addition, it has historically been a month that revived the concept of wala' and bara' in the conscience of the believers in one way or another.

Firstly and most famously, the 17th of Ramadhan 2 AH was the day of the first decisive battle between Islam and kufr: the Battle of Badr.

On the same day (17th) of Ramadhan six years later, the Messenger of Allah (saws) conquered Makkah along with 10,000 Muslim soldiers. That day, he entered the Ka'bah and personally smashed each of the 360 idols he found inside. Later that same Ramadhan, he sent his Companions to destroy the other idols worshipped by the Arabs: Khalid bin al-Walid was sent to destroy al-'Uzza, 'Amr bin al-'As to destroy Suwa', and Sa'd bin Zayd to destroy Manat.

The next year, upon his return from the expedition to Tabuk in Ramadhan, the Prophet sent a group of his Companions to demolish the Masjid ad-Dirar that was built by the hypocrites.
 

A simple Ramadan program

By: Sheikh Abdullah Yusuf Azzam
 
{"O you who believe! Fasting was prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become pious. Fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number should be made up from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have to feed a poor person. But, whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you knew."} [al-Baqarah; 183-184]

It is, as the Lord of Glory Said, a fixed number of days. Rather, it is a fixed number of hours! The month of Ramadan is either 720 hours, or 696 hours, and every minute of it has a price and a value. The Salaf and the Companions - may Allah be Pleased with them - used to await these days of Ramadan from the year to year, as it has been reported in a narration that the Companions used to say, when Rajab had arrived: "O Allah, assist us in worshiping You in Rajab and Sha'ban, and allow us to witness Ramadan."
 
Because Ramadan is the annual occasion of the cleansing of the soul, spirit, and body, its effect on the human spirit and body is not that profound. The acts of worship of the soul are many, and as much as the body receives its share of pain during the course of its worship, it will receive its share of light. That is why Jihad is the uppermost peak of Islam; because it is the most painful and difficult of the acts of worship. Its reward is greater, its effect on the soul deeper, and its result in building the spirit and in ingraining Tawheed in it is great.
 

Purposes Of Ramadaan AND How To Achieve Them

At the spiritual level, Fasting, as prescribed in Islam is seen as an armour against evil. Fasting requires spiritual cleansing, which at the practical level is reflected in modifying behavior to meet higher ideals. Fasting without worship and contemplation achieves little merit in Islam. In worship a Muslim can seek Allah’s help to become a righteous person who stands up against injustice and oppression. In contemplation a Muslim can examine the behaviours that undermine efforts to come closer to fellow human beings: family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, acquaintances and so on. A Muslim’s attitude to others must reflect respect and kindness. Modifying behaviour is integral to fasting, as the Prophet (saw) himself reminds us: “A keeper of the fast who does not abandon lying and evil ways, Allah cares not about his [or her] leaving off eating and drinking.” (Sahih Bukhari)
 

Fasting is probably the best way for one to glimpse the pangs of hunger, the misery of the homeless and the suffering of the downtrodden. Creating empathy for the destitute is Islam’s way of stirring our consciences to become actively involved in addressing the needs of the most unfortunate and most marginalized in society. It is related that someone asked Imam Husain (ra): “What is the lesson of fasting?” He replied: “The rich should feel the pangs of hunger and appreciate what the poor have to endure, and therefore share Allah’s bounty with them.”
 

Those who are able to renounce lawful satisfaction of desires in obedience to Allah’s command are more able to renounce unlawful gratifications. Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, so mental, spiritual, ethical and moral exercise through fasting builds will-power to conquer physical appetites and abstain from what is wicked and wrong. The strength built during Ramadan is only the beginning of the journey towards qurbah (nearness) to Allah by becoming a better human being through empathy with and concern for one’s fellow human beings.

Fasting of Silkworm

World of insects introduces us patterns of fasting that indicate Allah's Omnipotence and Wonder in His creation. Although it is well known that food is among the factors of growth for living organisms, silkworms prove that fasting and abstaining absolutely from food and drink do not impair the body. Rather, it reforms these creatures in a captivating and wondrous way.

In order to grasp the secrets of this fasting, firstly we must delve into some facts about the life cycle of this creature; this can be shown as follows:

In the beginning of Spring, the eggs incubate small gluttonous larvae. The newly hatched larvae do not take long before they feed on mulberry leaves for five days. Their bodies, thereby, grow up too quickly to the extent that their skin cannot bear this rapid development and thus have to be replaced by another spacious one. Thus, they are obliged to observe fasting for one or two days until their bodies are physiologically adapted to cast away the old skin. This process recurs five times during the earliest stage before the completion of this metamorphosis in a period amounting to thirty days. Eventually, they will have completed the stage of development and reached a remarkable bulk.

 

But I Don’t Want Forgiveness !!!

SOME years ago, I was sitting with a friend of mine and she started telling me about her struggles with hijab after becoming Muslim. She had grown up Christian and accepted Islam while she was in college.

“For me, hijab was the hardest thing,” she said. “I just didn’t want to wear it. So I made every excuse I could. ‘It’s too hot.’ ‘I can’t breathe’.” She shook her head, remembering. “But the funny thing is, I didn’t realize I didn’t want to cover.

“Until one day I was talking to some sisters and I was making the same excuses. And the sisters started trying to convince me, but for everything they said, I had an answer. And we kept going back and forth. But then a sister said something that I really couldn’t respond to.” She paused. “‘Just make du’aa. Pray that Allah makes it easy for you’.”

Her eyes grew distant, reflecting. “When she said that, I didn’t know what to say. In the back of my mind, I knew that if I asked Allah for help, I would wear hijab. And that’s when I knew I didn’t really want to cover. I didn’t even ask Allah to help me. Because I didn’t want Him to.”

An IMPORTANT note on upcoming Ramadaan Insha'Allah

Assalamualaikum waRehmatullah waBarakatuh,

Insha'Allah I pray you continue to be in the strongest of Imaan, remaining firm and steadfast upon His decree and in the best of health-Ameen.

 

I wanted to give naseeha to myself first and foremost then to yourselves on the blessed month of Ramadaan coming up very shortly. Indeed it is a month of mercy and every day is a day that we are all in need of urgently spending it in full submission to Him the Almighty. The Sahabah used to prepare 6 months in advance for the days of rehma and after Ramadan would end they would further spend another 6 months asking Allah SWT to accept it. Due to submission like this they proved to be the successful ones.

 

I’d like to firstly advise you that before the month of Ramadan enters;

 

* Engage in much Taubah and Istighfaar for this opens many doors to different aspects of Ibadaah. By this I mean you are able to (after faraids) do extra Ibadaah e.g. Fasting, constant Dhikr, always supplicating etc. Sometimes sins prevent us doing things that are beloved to Him and we find ourselves very distant from Him. So seeking Allah’s forgiveness of past and present sins helps us get back on track and continue our Ibadaah enthusiastically and easily Insha’Allah. May Allah make you all amongst those who love to turn to Him SWT in repentance-Allah huma Ameen.

 

* Make targets – have some set goals of what you want to achieve in the month of Ramadaan. Whether it is to learn some Ahadith, some Surahs, Duas, etc. Your own personal achievement, because at the end of the day we should all try to better ourselves when we gain more understanding of the Deen even if it may be in manners and these are the deeds that will help us on a day we need it the most.

 

Muslims in Burma are being Killed... Whole Media is Silent !!!

“Whoever wakes up in the morning and focuses only on his worldly affairs, then that person is useless in the sight of Allah; and whoever does not pay heed to the condition of the Islamic Ummah, then he is not from amongst the Muslims” (Tabrani from Abu Dhar Al Ghifari)

Burma: A forgotten Part of Muslim Ummah

Mirage over Misr (Egypt)

Background
The Misr (Egypt) of today is no doubt different to the one which ‘Amr ibn al ‘As (RA) entered during the rule of ‘Umar ibn al Khattab (RA). Through the early 20th Century and up to the present day, the country itself has seen many political figures rise, and various types of Islamic and Secular ideas lock horns with one another. All of the social, demographic, political, and economic transitions that have occurred during these years have certainly left ideological remnants within the minds of the people.
This fact was clearer than ever before during the popular uprising that ‘officially’ started on January 25th 2011. 

During the Uprisings many groups and individuals surfaced; all proposing ‘the best’ methods and systems of governance that could potentially be ‘the solution’ for the people of Egypt. The evening that Omar Suleiman (Hosni Mubarak’s Deputy) announced the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, scenes of triumph could be witnessed in many of Egypt’s Major Cities. The throne of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) temporarily shook releasing Hosni Mubarak and thus emanating a false impression of Change. Fifteen months later, Egypt conducts its first ever presidential election crowning Muhammad Mursi as the new president of Egypt.  

By Tariq Mehanna (May Allah hasten his release-AMEEN)

Lal Masjid (Red Mosque): Five Years On.

Five years ago, on 3rd July 2007, what became known as Lal Masjid (or the Red Mosque) took centre stage in world news. The apostate and criminal Pervez Musharraf (the then President of Pakistan) gave the go-ahead for one of the most shocking acts to have taken place during his tyrannical reign.

For one whole week, what was a house of Allah, where Muslims prayed and recited the Quran, was put under siege. Its walls were sprayed with bullets and its corridors filled with blood. The world looked on in horror as the very army that was supposed to protect its citizens had turned their rifles on them.

By the end of the brutal assault, nearly 100 Muslims were killed, and the Pakistani government quickly worked to erase any memory of what had happened, even painting the trademark red walls to green.

It is said that one should take lessons from history, and Lal Masjid has a lot of lessons to give.

The remarkable thing about Lal Masjid and its Madrassah, was that it really was more than just a prayer hall. Visitors would be greeted by students learning the Shariah (Islamic law) and basic amenities such as food, shelter and medical care, that would normally be paid for, were all provided free of charge.

But what truly set Lal Masjid apart was the desire of its students to give life to the verses in the Quran and teachings of the final Messenger Muhammad (pbuh). They would actively confront evils in their community, in particular brothels and prostitutes, and made sure that whatever they learnt from their teachers was implemented and did not die in their hearts.

Their sacrifice is well documented and not only cost them their Masjid but it also cost many their lives.

Lal Masjid gave the world a brief glimpse of the incredible feats that can be achieved when one holds firmly to the Quran and Sunnah. It also reminded the Muslims of the importance of elevating the Deen of Allah (SWT) with the heart, tongue and body and above all to never fear the blame of the blamers.

Gay Marriages: ‘A match made in hell’

With America now allowing and the British government considering whether to allow same sex marriages, it is important for us to clarify what God says about such practises. There is no disagreement amongst the people of the book (Jews & Christians) and the Muslims that God has forbidden anybody from engaging in homosexual  activities. All three religions are clear on this matter and for those that engage in such actions will face severe consequences in the hereafter- hellfire. How can someone who claims to believe in God but then let his lust and evil desires control their actions. The only marriage God will accept is the one that He permits. All those that have marriages that go against His divine laws will only bring failure and humiliation to those people in the hereafter.

It is important that the society does not accept this behaviour because God destroyed people in the past because of such deviations. The people of Lot engaged in homosexual acts and because of their behaviour they received the anger of God. Lot advised them that God did not create them to behave in such an abhorrent manner. Rather God created woman for man and man for woman –this is the correct relationship. But due to their continued arrogance and disobedience God sent His punishment upon them. Lot and those that stood with him were saved and received the mercy of God. In our time we must be like Lot and carry the warning of God to our society otherwise we too will have the anger of God upon us.

These are the evils that man made law creates, people that pursue laws to fulfill their satanic desires. As Muslims we must work to establish God’s law which will rid society from all corruption and impurities. We need a society that promotes the values of the Prophets and Messengers of God. Under the Islamic state a society will be created that only seeks the pleasure of God by implementing His commands. Those that engage in sin and disobedience will be punished under the Islamic state.

The True Submission to Tawheed

The True Submission To Tawheed By Al-Imām, Al-Hāfith, Ash-Shaykh Abū ‘Abdillāh Sulaymān Ibn Nāsir Ibn ‘Abdillāh Al-‘Ulwān

Many of the Islāmic people live in a variety of different countries and an array of cities within a heap of blunders and mischievous conduct with an exposure of their honour and a loss of their rights and property. And (they live among) confusions in their ideologies and in a scarcity and weakness of successes and attempts (to reform) and they are increasingly turning away with an outpouring of misguidance in belief (‘Aqīdah) and methodology (Manhaj) both in the political and economical life, during a time of the spreading of the calls of nationalism and the ideologies of secularism and the currents of atheism and the symbols of mysticism (Sūfiyyah) and idolatry. And this corruption has spread in their nation (Ummah) and many of them are submerged in that which harms him and does not benefit him. And he is unmindful of that which he was created for and his duty and his message in this life.

And in order to destroy this misguidance and these things that are worshipped besides Allāh and these traits of the Days of Ignorance (Jāhiliyyah) that are present everywhere, and these ideas which oppose the Sharī’ah and these institutions that are astray from Legislation of Allāh, it is a must to return to Islām in its established form, including the submission to Allāh with Tawhīd and obedience to Him with devotion while being free from Shirk and its people and ruling with the Legislation of Allāh in His Earth with sincerity towards Him with one’s actions.

So this is the basis of Tawhīd and without it, there is no meaning for life. Allāh, the Most High said:
And I (Allāh) created not the Jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

In other words, to make Him One. And the Tawhīd is the basis of the religion (Deen) and its foundation. And it is the reality, which the People of Truth must not take any path in turning away from it, (including) the establishment of its rights and confronting the societies with it. And this is the (proper) institution of the world and it is the Message of the Muslims to all of the nations and peoples.

A Sister's Story of Abuse by Belgain Police !!!

My Story of Abuse by Belgain Police - Horrifying Account by Sister Stephanie Djato

(Transcript of Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojh0kpsDSls)

Peace and blessings be upon those who follow the true path.

So,  I'm stephanie djato, I'm the young lady who was attacked during a   identity check of the police of molenbeek, I am a young Muslim woman who  has converted to Islam four years ago. And now i am wearing the niqab  for almost  4 years. And in all that time I have never encountered  problems because of this niqab until the day of 31 May 2012.

So  I will now give my version of the facts. Before I would like to start  let me say that I do not call for hatred or whatever. This video, is  only made with the purpose to clarify certain matters and to bring out  the truth, because everything that was spread by people so far was only  lies.

So, that particular thursday morning of May 31, 2012  I sat on the tram line 19 in jette and not molenbeek as the media  claimed. I was waiting for the tram towards the hospital where I had an appointment at 12 oclock. A rather important appointment. Then came 2  police officers at me and asked me for my identity card. I immediately cooperated and I have given my id without making any problems. Then they  asked if I wanted to take off my niqab so they could identify me. I  replied that this  is no problem but after the id check i would cover my  face again. My statement angered the police officers. They said that the  law forbids the burqa and that I had no right to put my burqa again  after the id check was conducted. Of course I refused. Then i explained  them that this was not the first time that I was subjected to such id  check of the police and the police has never required me to take off my  niqab once the inspection was over. In general, a id check would go  easily, in the past id checks I gave my ID, I showed my face to the  police and they identified me and they let me go without any problems, but of course with a fine that I always paid afterwards.
 

Muslims in Burma: Stateless, Homeless and Helpless !!!

As Burma’s ‘Pro-Democracy icon’ initiated her seventeen day tour of the world, the country where she departed from continued to simmer with an unremitting level of ethnic and religious tensions – most of which occurs in the west of the Country. The West of Burma is home to the Rohingya people; Muslims who are ethnically Bengali. Although the majority of Historical data proves that these people have resided there from as early as the 7th century, the Burmese government is insistent on denying so. The view held is that all of the Muslims that reside in the West of Burma migrated in the 19th century as a result of wars with the British Colonialists. This view is not only historically inaccurate, but also a gross misrepresentation of who these people are. 

As a result of these Historical fallacies, the Military Government has branded these people as illegal entrants, who in terms of policy deserve maltreatment. This attitude has undoubtedly trickled down to the grassroots of the predominantly Buddhist population of Arakan in the late 20th Century, subsequently being the root cause of the majority of tensions within this part of the country.  In a document published by Amnesty International in 2004, a whole host of oppressive measures that these Muslims are subjected to is detailed. Amnesty International mentions the following:
“The Muslim ethnic minority, who live in northern Rakhine State (Arakan) , western Myanmar, continue to suffer from several forms of restrictions and human rights violations. The Rohingyas’ freedom of movement is severely restricted and the vast majority of them have effectively been denied Myanmar citizenship. They are also subjected to various forms of extortion and arbitrary taxation; land confiscation; forced eviction and house destruction; and financial restrictions on marriage. Rohingyas continue to be used as forced labourers on roads and at military camps, although the amount of forced labour in northern Rakhine State has decreased over the last decade”.

“These practices, in addition to violating other basic human rights of the Rohingyas, are discriminatory towards the Rohingya population as they do not appear to be imposed in the same manner and at the same level on other ethnic nationalities in Rakhine State, or in the country as a whole.” (Amnes.Int – Rohingya Fundamental Rights Denied pg.3)
 

Marriage to Aisha (ra)

Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) marriage to Aisha (RA)

One issue a lot of non-Muslims (mainly Orientalists) like to pick on nowadays is our Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) marriage to ‘Aisha (ra) while she was only 9 years old (when the marriage was consummated).

Firstly, this was something our noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was instructed to do by Allah.

Secondly, at that time (about 1400 years ago), it was not considered “unusual” and for this reason none of the non-believers in his time had an issue with it.

Thirdly, it has been proven that a girl can start having periods from the age of 8; although most girls today start their periods when they’re about 12 years old.

Fourthly, in the 1890s (just over 120 years ago, not 1400 years ago!), the age of consent set by lawmakers across most states in the United States was 10-12. In fact, in 1895, the age of consent in the state of Delaware was only 7, according to an article in The New York Times. What this effectively means is that it was perfectly legal (about 100 years ago, across most states in America) for a man to have an intimate relationship with a girl aged 7-10 years. ‘Aisha was within this age range when her marriage to the Prophet (pbuh) was consummated (1400 years ago!).

Question: “Is Allah not the Best of Lawmakers?” (Qur’an, 95:8)

Since Allah created us, only He has the right to determine what should be the age of consent. And He has decided that when a boy or girl reaches puberty, they become accountable for their actions and are permitted to get married.

The Heart and The Gates of Shaytaan

By: Shk Ibn Qudaamah-al-Maqdisi

The  heart is the most honourable part of the human body, for it is the part that knows Allāh, works for Him, seeks to draw near to Him, and feels the value of His bounties and favours. The other organs are only followers of the heart, which it utilizes as kings utilize their slaves.

Whoever knows his or her heart knows the Lord, yet most people are ignorant of their hearts and souls. Allāh, Most High, comes in between a person and his or her heart, and He is in full control of all hearts. Thus, knowing the heart and its qualities and functions is an integral part of the religion and a basis for those who seek the right way to Almighty Allāh.

Naturally, the heart is prepared to accept guidance, but because of vain desires and wishes, it may reject such guidance. In this way, the heart remains a field of struggle between angels [the soldiers of good] and devils [the soldiers of evil] until it chooses to side with either. Then, the chosen party will settle in the heart, with the heart still having to resist the other party.

The only way to get devils out of the heart is to remember and mention Almighty Allāh, as they cannot stay in a place where Allāh, the Lord of all, is mentioned. In the Qur’ān, Almighty Allāh says,

‘Say, ‘I take refuge with the Lord of humankind, the King of humankind, the God of humankind from the evil of the constantly slinking whisperer, who whispers in the breasts of humankind, of the Jinn and humankind.’ [An-Nas 114:1-6]
 

The Gates

What a Year - POEM

What a year was 570 AD
A person was born, a prophet to be
Muhammed (saws) that was his name
People were misguided and thats when he came

He would go on to leave all the idols behind
He is an example to all of mankind
Rabbi al Awwal the 12th, that was the day
He came to this world to show us the way

He was born in Makkah, the holiest place
A life full of challenges he was to face
Abdullah his father, had by then passed away
Leaving Amina his mother, in her arms he lay

Haalima Sadia, took over his care
Until he was six, our Prophet was there
His mother then died, he was left all alone
Abdul Muttalib his grand-dad then made him his own

When our Prophet was nine, his grandfather died
Abu Talib, his uncle, became his new guide
In his 20's, a merchant Muhammed (saws) became by trade
Al-Amin (the trustworthy) became his grade
 

Injustice in the name of Justice

On the 10th of December 1948, countries and states from all over the world signed the United Nations Declaration of Human rights. The declaration itself was composed of 30 articles which were supposedly accepted by all member states and nations. The bedrock of these articles was that a person should have certain rights irrespective of their race, gender, religion or ethnicity. Over the past few decades much of the Championing of the United Nations has come from Western Nations of which include Belgium – the home of the capital of Europe.

Abu Imran is a Muslim who resides within Belgium. He is a person who has been and still is active in speaking the truth, regardless of the implications. His methods of doing so have always been of a non-violent nature, encouraging opponents to engage in a dialogue. Over the past few years many Muslims within Belgium and across Europe have grown to admire his demeanour and stance against the fallacies of Freedom and Democracy. This has proven to distress the Belgian authorities and instead of dealing with Abu Imran intellectually the Belgian Authorities showed their hypocrisy and inferiority by incarcerating him.

Following the brutality that was unleashed on a defenseless Muslim woman, a small group of Muslims in Belgium expressed their anger by going to the Police themselves. Violence broke out and many arrests followed. Without being critical of the root cause of the Violence -the police themselves-resorted to arresting anyone with any level of influence. Despite having no evidence or proof that Abu Imran was involved the authorities arrested him and carried out raids on his home.

Some Causes that Lead to Apostasy from the Religion of Islam

Knowing the meaning of our testimony of faith is necessary but not sufficient. One should also know the causes that may lead a person to revoke this testimony. In other words, one should know the causes that lead to apostasy from the religion of Islam. Among the more prevalent causes of apostasy in our times:

To Associate Others with Allah or "Shirk"

The first cause of apostasy is to commit shirk. Allah said:
"Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives anything else to whomsoever He pleases, and whoever sets up partner with Allah in worship, he has indeed forged a mighty sin." [4:48]

And He said:
"Verily, whosoever associates with Allah anything, for him Allah has forbidden Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode; and the wrongdoers shall have no helpers." [5:72]

There are four types of Shirk:

Shirk through one's prayers (See 29:65)
Shirk through one's intent in his acts of worship (See 11:15-16)
Shirk through one's obedience (See 9:31)
Shirk through one's love (See 2:165)

The fourth type of shirk is explained by Allah's statement:
"Say (to them O Muhammad): 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, your possessions that you have gained, commerce you fear may slacken, and dwellings you love, if these are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and to struggle in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about His Command (Punishment). And Allah guides not the wrong-doing people.'" [9:24]

To Deny the Finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh)