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Unity AND Fasting...

The unification of the day in which the fast begins and the day in which Eid begins for all the Muslims world-wide is a duty which Allah has prescribed upon them and one of the aspects of their unity. Allah (swt) has clearly and specifically determined in the Shari'ah texts the day of fasting and the day of Eid. Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibnu Omar (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saws) mentioned Ramadhan and said: "Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy calculate it." 

Muslim also reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibnu Omar (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saws) made mention of Ramadhan and with a gesture of his hand said: "The month is thus and thus. (He then withdrew His thumb at the third time indicating 29). He then said: Fast when you see it, and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy do calculate it (the months of Shaban and Shawwal) as thirty days." 

Bukhari reported on the authority of Ibnu Omar (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The month consists of 29 nights, so do not fast till you have sighted it (i.e. the new moon), and if the weather were cloudy, then complete it as thirty days." 

In the narration of Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The month of Ramadhan may consist of twenty-nine days. So do not fast until you have sighted it (the new moon) and do not break fast, until you have sighted it (the new moon of Shawwal), and if the sky is cloudy for you, then calculate." 

Muslim also reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibnu Omar (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The month of Ramadhan may consist of twenty-nine days; so when you see the new moon observe fast and when you see (the new moon again at the commencement of the month of Shawwal) then break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then calculate it (and complete thirty days)." 

Aqeedah Tahawiyyah

Brief points on Aqeedah Tahaawiyyah by Imaam at-Tahaawi (rahimullah), for entire detailed commentary, read/download here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/117211628/Commentary-on-the-Creed-of-at-Tahawi 

Introduction

Imam Tahawi’s al-’Aqidah, representative of the viewpoint of ahl-al- Sunnah wa-al-Jama’a, has long been the most widely acclaimed, and indeed indispensable, reference work on Muslim beliefs, of which this is an edited English translation.

Imam Abu Ja’far Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Salamah bin Salmah bin ‘Abd al Malik bin Salmah bin Sulaim bin Sulaiman bin Jawab Azdi, popularly known as Imam Tahawi, after his birth-place in Egypt, is among the most outstanding authorities of the Islamic world on Hadith and fiqh (jurisprudence). He lived 239-321 A.H., an epoch when both the direct and indirect disciples of the four Imams- Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal – were teaching and practicing. This period was the zenith of Hadith and fiqh studies, and Imam Tahawi studied with all the living authorities of the day. He began as a student of his maternal uncle, Isma’il bin Yahya Muzni. a leading disciple of Imam Shafi’i. Instinctively, however, Imam Tahawi felt drawn to the corpus of Imam Abu Hanifah’s works. Indeed, he had seen his uncle and teacher turning to the works of Hanafi scholars to resolve thorny issues of Fiqh, drawing heavily on the writings of Imam Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani and Imam Abu Yusuf, who had codified Hanafi fiqh. This led Imam Tahawi to devote his whole attention to studying the Hanafi works and he eventually joined the Hanafi school.

Imam Tahawi stands out not only as a prominent follower of the Hanafi school but, in view or his vast erudition and remarkable powers of assimilation, as one of its leading scholars. His monumental scholarly works, such as Sharh Ma’ani al-Athar and Mushkil al-Athar, are encyclopaedic in scope and have long been regarded as indispensable for training students of fiqh.

Al-’Aqidah, though small in size, is a basic text for all times, listing what a Muslim must know and believe and inwardly comprehend.

There is consensus among the Companions, Successors and all the leading Islamic authorities such as Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Abu Yusuf, Imam Muhammad, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal on the doctrines enumerated in this work. For these doctrines shared by ahl-al-sunnah wa-al-Jama’ah owe their origin to the Holy QurÕan and consistent and confirmed Ahadith – the undisputed primary sources of Islam. 

Compassion & Mercy of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

By Qadi Iyyad 

As for compassion, tenderness and mercy to all creation, Allah said about him: "Grievous to him is what you suffer, anxious for you, compassionate is he, merciful to the believers." (10:128) Allah says: "We only sent you as a mercy to all the worlds." (21:107) 

Part of his excellence is that Allah gave him two of His names, saying: "merciful, compassionate to the believers." 

Ibn Shihab said, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) went on a raid [and he mentioned Hunayn]. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) gave Safwan ibn Umayya a hundred camels, then a hundred, then a hundred." Ibn Shihab said, "Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab related that Safwan said, 'By Allah, he gave me what he gave me. He was the most hated of people to me and he continued to give to me until he was the most beloved of people to me.' 

It is related that a bedouin came asking for something from him. He gave the man something and said, "Have I been good to you?" The bedouin said, "No, you have not and you have not done well." The Muslims became angry and went for him. The Prophet (pbuh) indicated that they should hold off. Then the Prophet (pbuh) got up and went into his house. Then the Prophet (pbuh) sent for him and added something to his gift and said, "Have I been good to you?" The bedouin replied, "Yes, may Allah repay you well in family and tribe." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "You said what you said and that angered my Companions. If you like, say what you said in my presence in their presence so as to remove what they harbour in their breasts against you." He said, "Yes." He came back later and the Prophet (pbuh) said, "This bedouin said what he said and then we gave him more. He claims that he is content. Isn't that so?" He said, "Yes, may Allah repay you well in your family and tribe." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "The example of this man and me is like a man who has a she-camel who bolts from him. People chase it and they only make it shy away more. The owner calls to them to stay clear of him and his she-camel, saying, 'I am more compassionate and better to it than you.' He goes in front of it and takes some clods of dirt and drives it back until it comes and kneels. He saddles and mounts it. If I had given you your heads when the man said what he said, you would have killed him and he would have entered the Fire."(Al-Bazzar from Abu Huraira)

Las Mujeres en el Corán y la Sunna (Spanish translation of 'Women in the Quran and the Sunnah')

En el Islam, no existe la más mínima diferencia entre los hombres y las mujeres en lo que concierne su relación con Alá, ya que ambos han sido prometidos las mismas recompensas por buena conducta y los mismos castigos por mala conducta.  El Corán dice: 
“Los derechos de ellas sobre sus esposos son iguales a los derechos de éstos sobre ellas.” [Noble Corán 2:228]

El Corán, en dirigirse a los creyentes, a menudo utiliza la frase, “hombres y mujeres creyentes” para enfatizar la igualdad de los hombres y las mujeres con respecto a sus deberes, derechos, virtudes y méritos.  Dice:
“Alá les tiene reservado Su perdón y una gran recompensa a los musulmanes y las musulmanas, a los creyentes y las creyentes, a los piadosos y las piadosas, a los justos y las justas, a los pacientes y las pacientes, a los humildes y las humildes, a aquellos y aquellas que hacen caridades, a los ayunadores y las ayunadoras, a los pudorosos y las pudorosas, y a aquellos y aquellas que recuerdan frecuentemente a Alá.” [Noble Corán 33:35]

Esto claramente contradice la afirmación de los religiosos cristianos de que las mujeres no poseen almas y que existirán como seres sin sexo en la próxima vida.  El Corán dice que las mujeres tienen almas de igual forma que lo tienen los hombres y que entraran al paraíso si hacen el bien:
“¡Entrad en el Jardín junto con vuestras esposas, para ser regocijados!” [Noble Corán 43:70]
“Al creyente, varón o hembra, que obre bien, le haremos, ciertamente, que viva una vida buena.” [Noble Corán 16:97]

El Corán reprende a aquellos hombres que oprimen o maltratan a las mujeres:
“¡Creyentes! No es lícito recibir en herencia a mujeres contra su voluntad, ni impedirles que vuelvan a casarse para quitarles parte de lo que les habíais dado, a menos que sean culpables de deshonestidad manifiesta. Comportaos con ellas como es debido. Y si os resultan antipáticas, puede que Alá haya puesto mucho bien en el objeto de vuestra antipatía.” [Noble Corán 4:19]

A MANIFEST VICTORY - Reflections on the Hudaibiyah Treaty

References: Ar-Raheeq ar-Makhtoom by Safi-ur-Rahmaan Mubarakpuri,

The History of Islam by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi, Tafseer Ibn Katheer, and others

It was about the sixth year after Hijrah, in the month of Shawwal, Allah's Messenger (saws) was shown in a dream that while the Muslims were still living in al-Medina, they had entered the Holy city of Makkah and were performing the rites of Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). Their heads were being shaved and hairs were cut. Allah's Messenger (saws) immediately informed his Companions about the dream. The Sahabah were overwhelmed with happiness because they had been away from the House of Allah for six year and greatly wished to make pilgrimage. Dreams of the Prophets are true visions and revelation from Allah. The Sahabah knew that Allah, the Exalted, had fulfilled their desire to perform Hajj.

The Prophet (saws) along with his 1,400 - 1,500 Sahabah left for Makkah in Dhul-Qidah, wearing ihram and taking with them seventy camels for sacrifice. They carried no weapons, except a sheathed sword for protection.

Even though, the Arab Pagans did not possess any Divine Book, neither did they follow any Messenger and were surrounded by polytheist practices; they had immense respect for the House of Allah (Ka'bah). It was part of their culture and tradition to regularly perform Hajj and for the same purpose, people from distant places visited Makkah in the month of Dhul-Hijjah and were greatly welcomed by the Quraysh. However, when the Quraysh heard about the Prophet's approaching to Makkah, they gathered a large number of people to stop the Muslims, even though they had no right to do, especially since the Muslims showed no desire to harm them.

When the Muslims arrived at a place called, Dhi Hulaifa, the Prophet (saws) sent a man towards Makkah to inquire about the situation. The man reported that the road to Makkah was blocked by the slaves of Quraysh and a huge army gathered to stop their way. The Prophet (saws) consulted with his Companion and they all decided not to fight except if they were prevented from performing their rites of Umrah. Abu Bakr (ra) said: "Allah and His Messenger know that we only came to perform Umrah, not to fight anyone. However, anyone who tries to prevent us from reaching the House, we will fight them." The Prophet (saws) said: "Go forth, in the Name of Allah, the Exalted."

 

Mothers: Producers of Heroes

By Sheikh Abdullah Azzam (rahimullah)

“…Mothers play a great role in building a generation. The better a mother is at raising her children, the more successfully the Ummah is built and the more successful it is at producing heroes. You hardly ever see a great man except that a great woman is behind him who left some of her traits in his personality by way of the milk from which he was fed and the warm embrace in which he sought refuge. 

Most men find it hard to remove these shining images from their minds that they retain of their mothers. These outstanding images that ran through his veins from a young age remain engraved in his mind, and he cannot help but to remember them with veneration and pride. He recalls the simple, clear words that his mother left his spirit with, and these words grow to become milestones on his path and guiding lights on his quest. 

He cannot help but to place himself under the vast shade that his mother provided for him throughout the long course of his life, nurtured by the pleasant emotions and mixed with the eternal days of his life. These realities grow in his spirit and become an inseparable part of his personality that he cannot let go of without letting go of his humanity.

Islam Will Remain Forever !!!

Don't forget to purify your Wealth !!!

Wealth is a Trial...

From the weaknesses of human beings pointed out by Allah in the Qur'aan, is the love for wealth. He said: “And you love wealth with excessive love.” [89:20] And: “Verily he (man) is violent in the love of wealth.” [100:8] He also warned, saying: “Your wealth and your children may be but a trial.” [64:15]

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Every Ummah (nation) has a test to undergo, my Ummah (nation) will be tried through wealth.” [at-Tirmidhi no: 481]

The Qur’aan narrates a parable of a virtuous man, whom Allah had granted abundance in wealth. He owned a valuable garden; after deducing the household and agricultural expenses from his income, he would spend the remaining money in charity. When he died, his sons considered their father to be a simpleton for giving away such large amount of money in charity and thus decided to hold back the entire profit. When the garden was ready to be harvested, they planned to secretly carry all the produce to their homes without anybody knowing. The next day, as they approached the garden, they were astonished to see the fresh and blooming garden completely laid waste and it was only their garden which was in ruins!! “They said: 'Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed!” [68:31] and Allah declares: “Such is the punishment (in this life); but greater is the punishment in the Hereafter!” [68:33]

Similarly, many people ruin their faith and fidelity merely due to the greed of wealth. This love of wealth creates in man evil instincts, miserliness, selfishness and arrogance, which in turn involve him in sins, falsehood, deceit, cruelty and robbery. This causes disorder and destruction in the world and the Hereafter is lost too!!

The concept of Zakaah is to decrease the love of wealth and inculcate justice, generosity, brotherhood, affection and sacrifice among the Muslims and thus Allah says: “By no means shall you attain righteousness (and reward) unless you spend of that which you love.” [3:92]

ZAKAAT IS … COMPLETION OF ISLAM:

Israa wal Miraaj (The Journey by Night)

Reference Books: Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Saheeh al-Bukharee, Saheeh Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, Raheeq al-Makhtoom, Lectures on Meraaj by Allama Ehsaan Ilaahi Zaheer and others.

***
 

“Glorified be He (Allah), Who took His slave Muhammad (saws) for a journey by night from al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed in order that We might show him of Our Aayat. Verily, He is all-Hearer All- Seer.” [Soorah al-Israa (17): 1]

INTRODUCTION:

Allah narrates His Dignity, Greatness and Power that He is All-Able to do anything He Wills. He Alone is the true deity worthy of worship and He Alone is the Rabb (Creator, Provider, Sustainer). He took his slave Muhammad (saws) from Makkah to the farthest Mosque in Jerusalem in one part of the night. [Adapted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

The Miracles of Allah’s Messenger (saws): The Messenger of Allah (saws) was granted various miracles by Allah, the Exalted. His greatest miracle is the Noble Qur'aan, which was revealed 1400 years ago and nobody has been able to change a single letter or produce its imitation. Allah says: “Verily, We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’aan) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” [Soorah al-Hijr (15): 9] 

This verse is a challenge to mankind. Although the disbelievers tried to make variation in the Qur’aan but they failed miserably. All the other Divine books the Torah, the Injeel were corrupted by their people in the form of additions and subtractions or alteration to the original text. Allah said: “We will guard it (Qur’aan)” and indeed, He has guarded the Qur’aan.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Before me, every Prophet was given a miracle and they practiced it during their lifetime: e.g. Eesa (as) used to cure the sick and make the dead alive. Moosa (as) was given the stick etc. and I have been given the permanent miracle of the Qur’aan until the Hour is established, so I hope that my followers will be more in number than all the other Messengers as my miracle will last till the Day of Resurrection, and it is the Glorious Book. When anyone reads it, even if he is a pagan, he is convinced that it is produced by none but by the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Easy Actions for which Rewards are Multiplied !!!

How great will be the regret of those who waste the opportunity!

"There are two blessings which many people lose: good health and free time." [al-Bukhari]

1. Preserving the ties of kinship: " Whoever wishes that his provision be increased and his age lengthened, let him maintain the ties of kinship." [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2. Performing many prayers in the two noble Harams (in Makkah and Madinah): "Prayer in this masjid of mine is superior to a thousand prayers elsewhere, except for Masjid al-Haram, and prayer in Masjid al-Haram is superior to one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere." [Ahmad and ibn Majah]

3. Performing prayers in congregation. "Prayer in congregation is superior to praying individually twenty-seven times." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

4. Praying `Isha and Fajr in congregation: "He who prays Isha' in Jama'ah [congregation] is as if he has prayed for half the night. As to him who (also) prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed all night." [narrated by Malik and the wording is that of Muslim who also reported it]

5. Performing voluntary prayers at home. "Superiority of a man's prayer in his home over his prayer when people see him is like the superiority of an obligatory prayer over a voluntary one." [al-Bayhaqi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani] "The most superior prayer of a person is in his home, except for obligatory prayers." [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

6. Observing some manners of the day of Jumu`ah. "Whoever ghassala (washes his head, and it is said: has intercourse with his wife so that it be a means to lower the gaze from the haram that day) on the day of Jumuah, then comes in the earliest time and before the first khutbah, walks and doesn't ride, stays near the Imam, listens and does not speak - for each step [he makes] he has actions of one year, the reward of fasting and standing in prayer in it." [Ahl as-Sunan]

Awakening...

By Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah rahimahullah (d. 751H) From "Madrajis as-Salikin"


The first of the ranks of the journey of servitude (ubudiyah) is awakening, which is alarming and stirring up of the heart from the sleep of heedlessness. By Allah, how priceless is that revitalizing alarm! How valuable and indispensable for the journey! Whoever experiences it, by Allah, he has indeed experienced the breeze of success. Without experiencing it, every one is lost in heedlessness. His hearing is asleep while his eyes appear awake. It is this blessed alarm that wakes one up and makes him a seeker of Allah. The seeker now rolls up his sleeves and musters up his courage to set out on the journey to Allah, station by station.

Perhaps it is this rising up from sleep that is mentioned in the following Quranic verse:
"Say: I exhort you only to one thing, that you rise up for Allah's sake in twos and singly, then ponder; there is no madness in your fellow citizen (Muhammad); he is only a warner to you before a severe chastisement." [34:46]

The first realization that illuminates the seeker upon this awakening is the immensity of gifts of Allah upon him. The believer's heart glances at the gifts and bounties of Allah and is overwhelmed by his own sense of inability to even count them, let alone thank Allah for them all. The second realization is the realization of the inadequacy of his gratitude and worship to Allah. These realizations are in fact both the cause and the effect of the first station of awakening. As the believer (alternatively, the seeker, for there is no difference between the two, every believer is indeed a seeker of Allah) advances on his journey and as his heart is sharpened by these two realizations, it becomes incumbent upon him to notice more and more the innumerable inner and outer, open and hidden gifts of Allah and recognize his own shortcoming in thanking the Giver adequately. These two realizations make the seeker actualize the supplication of the Prophet, may the prayers and blessings of Allah be upon him, in which he said: "(Ya Allah), I admit Your bounties upon me, and I admit my sin, so forgive me, for no one can forgive but You!" (al-Bukhari) At this point, one realizes why this supplication is indeed the master of all supplications for forgiveness (as the Prophet has told us). The believer also realizes at this point that if Allah were to punish all the dwellers of Heavens and the Earth, He would not be in the wrong. If, on the other hand, He were to exonerate and reward them all, his reward and mercy would far exceed their deeds. The believer, therefore, realizes that he must be ever mindful of Allah's bounties and his own shortcomings.

NONE ENTERS IT EXCEPT THE PURE:
 

Some amazing Verses of the Qur'aan...

By Shaykh Abdullah Faisal (hafidhahullah)

We are going to cover some scientific facts of the holy Qur'an
-some of them, as there are many

We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their ownselves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur'ān) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things? (Fussilat 41:53)

Allah (swt) is telling you that He will show you signs from the universe
-until it becomes clear to you that there is no doubt about the Qur'an
-there is no conflict between the Qur'an and science
-because the former is Allah's revelation and the latter His creation
-hence there is no conflict between them

Say (O Muhammad SAW to them): "Believe in it (the Qur'ān) or do not believe (in it). Verily! Those who were given knowledge before it (the Jews and the Christians like 'Abdullāh bin Salam and Salman Al-Farisī), when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces in humble prostration." (Al-Isra 17:107)

The people of knowledge will be the first to believe in the Qur'an
-when you go on YouTube, you see a lot of Christian Scientist becoming Muslims
-even Hindu scientist
-so the people of knowledge will believe in it when recited to them

WHAT ARE THE AMAZING VERSES?

IMPORTANT I'LM fom Kitaab at-Tawheed (Imaam Bukhari)

CHAPTER 15:

The saying of Allah, the Exalted,

“Allah warns you of Himself” [Ali 'Imran (3): 28]
 

and His, Magnificent is His mention, saying,

“You know what is in myself but I do not know what is in Yourself” [al-Ma'idah (5): 116]
 

32. ‘Umar bin Hafs bin Ghayath narrated to us; my father narrated to us; al-A’mash narrated to us; from Shaqiq; from ‘Abdullah that the Prophet (SAW) said, There is none having a greater sense of modesty and self-respect than Allah and it is for this reason that He has forbidden shameful deeds and sins. There is none to whom praise is more beloved than Allah.

33. ‘Abdan narrated to us; from Abu Hamzah; from al-A’mash; from Abu Salih; from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book – and He wrote [that] about Himself and it is placed with Him upon the Throne – ‘indeed My Mercy overcomes My Anger.’

34. ‘Umar bin Hafs narrated to us; my father narrated to us; al-A’mash narrated to us; I heard Abu Salih [saying]; from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said (SAW), Allah, the Exalted says, ‘I am just as My slave believes me to be and I am with him when He remembers Me. So if he remembers Me within himself, I too remember him within Myself. If he remembers Me in a group of people then I remember him in a group that is better than them. If he comes one span nearer to Me then I go one cubit nearer to him; if he comes one cubit nearer to Me then I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking then I go to him running.’

CHAPTER 16:

Is There Any Creator Besides Allah Who Gives You Sustenance?!?

A MUST WATCH AND HEAR, BY OUR BELOVED SHIEKH AHMAD MUSA JIBRIL (Allah protect him always - AMEEN)

Tragedy of the Drone: The Long-term Costs of Obama's Favorite Weapon

By Younus Abdullah Muhammad (may Allah hasten his release - AMEEN)

THIS EX-BROTHER OF OURS WAS RELEASED 7YRS IN ADVANCE DUE TO HIM COMPROMISING WITH THE KUFFAR, I.E. BECOMING A MURTAD WITH HIS COMPLETE ALLIANCE WITH THEM IN ASSISTING TO PLOT, PLAN AND PUT BEHIND BARS OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS UPON HAQQ !!!

THIS IS HIS NEW/CHANGED TO OLD SELF NOW VIEWS:
An extremist’s path to academia -- and fighting terrorism

FOR MORE INSHA'ALLAH ONE CAN SEARCH, READ AND WATCH NEWS ON GOOGLE. 

HOWEVER LET US BENEFIT FROM THE ARTICLE AS THIS WAS WRITTEN WHILST HE WAS A MUSLIM !

In the immediate aftermath of the recent Boston bombings, many commentators compared the crime scene to an IED explosion on the Iraq and Afghanistan frontiers. Those comparisons ceased as soon as the perpetrators were confirmed to be Islamic terrorists, a conscious effort by the establishment to retain the notion that America's war on terror is winding down. Or it may have been part of a pernicious cognitive dissonance in American culture, one that refuses to acknowledge any link between the threat of Islamic terrorism domestically and U.S. foreign policy. The mainstream press may have revealed that the surviving bomber, Jawed Tsarnaev, identified Iraq and Afghanistan as motivating factors but its commentary hardly made any connection to what has increasingly become an elephant in the room- a growing link between the reliance of U.S. drone strikes and the rise of Islamic radicalization, both homegrown and abroad. It is time to acknowledge this connection and conversate about its long-term ramifications before it is too late.
 
Immortal Bostonian Robert Kennedy once remarked, amidst the debacle of Vietnam that "tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live." The shadow overhanging America's sustained war of terror, its blunders in Afghanistan and Iraq, represent similar tragedy. Like Vietnam, they damaged not only America's military but the make-up of its domestic society and its international reputation. Unlike Vietnam, it seems these alterations may prove permanent. The Obama administration, in its efforts to reestablish global prominence, has used drone attacks as a primary means of fighting a more strategic, perpetual war. One aimed to move on from tragedy by altering the perception that the U.S. is an occupying force in the Muslim world. A special, covert war designed to accompany other indirect efforts that so too betray the very principles that facilitated the U.S.'s own rise to international prominence not so long ago.
 
Drone attacks kill large numbers of civilians. They stretch the confines of international law. They endanger a sense of security, first for those abroad where citizens reports, "drone attacks are always on my mind" and then in domestic society where retaliation is feared. They aid radicals in recruitment and are damaging America's diplomatic leverage. These issues may have serious long-term consequences and hinder relations with a rapidly altering Muslim world. The short-term benefits are also not to be minimized. There is a very real threat to the U.S. homeland but pondering the potential costs of what has become Obama's favorite weapon poses the prospect that future observers will hardly hold Obama's legacy as a return to wisdom, but rather as an unwitting facilitation of the tragedy of perpetual war.

Qur'an & Fasting will intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgment

The Qur'aan and the Fasting are very closely related to each other for many reasons; one of them being - the Qur'aan was revealed in the month of Fasting (i.e. Ramadaan). Allah praised and honored the month of Fasting out of all the other months by choosing it to send down the Glorious Qur'aan. “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and criterion (between right and wrong).” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):185]

Reciting the Qur'aan in the month of Fasting

The importance of reciting the Qur'aan in the month of Ramadaan is reflected by the practice of Jibreel (as). Allah, the Exalted, would send Jibreel (as) every Ramadan to the Prophet (saws) to recite the whole Qur'aan that was revealed. Narrated Ibn Abbas (ra): “The Prophet (saws) was the most generous person and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadaan because Jibreel used to meet him every night of the month of Ramadaan till it elapsed. Allah's Messenger (saws) used to recite the Qur'aan to him…” [Sahih al-Bukhari (vol. 6, no. 519)]

The Qur'aan and the Fasting will intercede for the slave on the day of Judgment

On the Day of Judgment, when, “…the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.) and the mountains will be like flakes of wool. And no friend will ask of a friend.” [Surah al-Maarij (70):8-10]

“That day shall a man flee from his brother. And from his mother and his father, and from his wife and children. Every man, that Day, will have enough to make him careless of others.” [Surah at-Takwir (81):34-37]

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “The Fasting and the Qur'aan will intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgment.” Fast will say, 'O My Lord! I stopped this person from eating, drinking and other desires so accept my intercession for him.' The Qur'aan will say, 'O my Lord! I stopped this person from sleep (for Qiyaam) so accept my intercession for him.' Both the intercessions will be accepted.” [Musnad Ahmad and at-Tabarani]

The Global Islamic Civilization : The Power of a Nation Revived

In Tests and Trials there are Lessons...

Tests and trials contain many lessons - By Dr. Saleh as-Saleh.

The first lesson:
From the benefit of tests and trials is the influence it has on one's Tawhid (worship of Allah), Iman (faith) and Tawakkul - reliance upon Allah. It makes you examine the reality that man is a weak creation without any power or strength, except in your Lord. Therefore you resort to Him and depend on Him. Thereupon arrogance, false pride and negligence will be removed and you will come to know that you are really poor and in need of your Creator, the Almighty, the Most Perfect, and so you resort to Him.

The second lesson:
Tests unravel the reality of this life. It is clarified to be a temporal stay for enjoyment, and the perfect life is the one which follows, wherein there is no toil, worry, fatigue or disease. Allah stated this in Surah al-Ankabut, verse 64.
And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter - that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew. [Noble Quran 29:64]

Even with this amusement and play there is also toil and fatigue. This is the reality of this life - one day life is smiling at you, and the other day it is turning its back on you. This is the nature of life, but man forgets that. The trials and tests come and they serve to remind man of the nature of this life and that he should not become attached to it.

The third lesson:
The tests and trials remind the person of the favors bestowed upon him by Allah. It is also a reminder that this life is transitional.

Some more reasons why Shiite/Shia is not from Islam !!!

Why are Muslims divided into sects?

The Qur'an replies this question in Surah Al Imran verse 103
"Hold to the rope of Allah strongly and be not divided".
The rope of Allah SWT is the glorious Qur'an. The Qur'an also says obey Allah SWT and obey the rasul.

In Surah Al An'am it is written "If anyone breaks the religion and divides the religion into sects O Prophet you have nothing to do with him. Allah will look after His affairs on the day of judgement."
But when you ask the Muslim normally what are you, he says Sunni, or shia, or sufi, or hanafi, shafi, hambali, some say maliki, some say deobandi, some say Salafi, some say Jama'atul islamiyyah.

What was the Prophet Muhammad SAW? what was he? was he shia? hambali? shafi? no, he was a Muslim, simple as that.

Allah SWT says in the Qur'an in Surah Al Imran verse 52:
"Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim"

And in verse 67 Allah says
"Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah ]. And he was not of the polytheists."

Important Lessons for the Muslim Ummah

Lecture by Shaykh 'Abdul-Azeez bin 'Abdullaah bin Baaz
Translation by Khalid A. Al-Awdah 

All Praise is due to Allâh, we praise Him, and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allâh, the Most High, from the evils of our own selves and from our wicked deeds. Whomsoever has been guided by Allâh, none can misguide him, and whomsoever has been misguided by Allâh, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no true god worthy of being worshipped except Allâh, alone, without partner or associate. I further bear witness that Muhammad is His true slave and Messenger. May Allâh, the Exalted, bestow His peace and blessings on the final Prophet Muhammad, upon his good and pure family, and upon all of his noble companions.

"O ye who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He ordered and abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared, and die not except in the state of Islâm(as Muslims with complete submission to Allâh)" (the Holy Qur'ân 3:102)
 
"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand your mutual (rights) and (do no cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is ever an All Watcher over you" ( Qur'ân 4:1).
 
"O ye who believe ! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth, He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great success" (Qur'ân 33:70-71).
 
Know that the most truthful speech is that of Allâh's Book (the Qur'ân), and that the best of guidance is that of Muhammad (saws). The worst of evils are innovations (foreign to the true teachings of Islâm), and every innovated matter (in religion) is a Bid'ah, and every Bid'ah is a misguidance, and every mean of misguidance is in the Fire of Hell.

This is an introductory book for every Muslim. It is a summary of basic Islâmic beliefs and acts of worship. We ask Allâh by His Names and Attributes to accept this work and make it a benefit for those who read it and/or distribute it.

Khalid Al-Awadh and Dr. Saleh As-Saleh

CONTENTS:

This is how their Day goes by...

SubhanAllah, if this Clip doesn't shake you, bring you to tears, in atleast Dua for our beloved Ummah, if not actions... Then know that your Heart is indeed dead and sealed by Rabbil A'lameen... Look at your Day, Alhumdulillah wa ShukruLillah... and look at their's, Allahu musta'an!!! ... Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil hamd!!!

“HasbunAllahu wa ni'mal Wakeel”

“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.” (Tabarani from Abu Dhar Al Ghifari)

Guantanamo guard converts to Islam, demands release of detainees

Terry Holdbrooks was deployed to the Guantanamo Bay detention center to guard detainees. The Phoenix, Ariz., resident has become a devout Muslim and an unlikely advocate for the prisoners’ rights.

Terry Holdbrooks converted to Islam in December 2003 after speaking with the prisoners he was guarding at Guantanamo Bay.

Death threats are just another part of life for Terry Holdbrooks Jr.

The ex-U.S. Army employee converted to Islam in 2003, inspired by the faith of the Guantanamo detainees he was charged with watching. Since then, he says he has lost his friends, received violent threats, and been labeled a “race traitor” online.

But he hasn’t gone quietly. The 29-year-old has done his fair share of media and has even signed on for a job as a speaker for the Muslim Legal Fund of America. Now the devout Muslim is racking up frequent flyer miles and touring the country with what he calls the “truth about Gitmo.”

“Gitmo was supposed to be a cushy deployment since we were just going to babysit detainees,” Holdbrooks said. “But it changed me.”

The Phoenix, Ariz., resident spent the year between 2003 and 2004 guarding U.S. military prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was often given the job of escorting detainees to interrogation rooms. He says he witnessed atrocities committed by his fellow American soldiers that he never thought were possible.

“I saw people put in stress positions for eight hours until they defecated themselves,” he said. “Then the guards would come in and emasculate them.”

He said he saw prisoners shackled to the ground with the air conditioner set high, then doused with cold water. He said that menstrual blood was smeared on their faces and that they were forced to hear the same music on repeat for hours.