Tuesday, April 29, 2014
“You are completely destroyed” ... The reality of our Aseer!
“You are completely destroyed”: Testimony on Torture from Shaker Aamer’s Medical Report at Guantanamo.
Shakar Aamer
(Indeed on the day of judgement we will receive the ultimate justice, as justice is from Allah alone... Let us Bi'idhnillah make sincere Dua' that all our Aseer are shaded by the shade of Allah and fly across the Sirat into Jannah... May He (swt) place our Aseer in a high status in Jannah where they are reunited with the believers from amongst their family and loved ones... May Allah hasten their release, keep them firm and may they stand before Allah on the day of judgement washed of all their sins for the test that they are currently going through - AMEEN YA RABBIL A'LAMEEN!!!)
(Indeed on the day of judgement we will receive the ultimate justice, as justice is from Allah alone... Let us Bi'idhnillah make sincere Dua' that all our Aseer are shaded by the shade of Allah and fly across the Sirat into Jannah... May He (swt) place our Aseer in a high status in Jannah where they are reunited with the believers from amongst their family and loved ones... May Allah hasten their release, keep them firm and may they stand before Allah on the day of judgement washed of all their sins for the test that they are currently going through - AMEEN YA RABBIL A'LAMEEN!!!)
On April 7, 2014, Shaker Aamer, the last British resident still held at Guantanamo, and his attorneys filed a habeas petition (PDF) asking for his release due to chronic health problems that can not be treated at Guantanamo. The worst of these problems apparently stems from PTSD from the torture Shaker has endured since he was captured by the Northern Alliance, then turned over to the Americans on Christmas Eve, 2001.
What follows here is a long section from her report (PDF), where Dr. Keram quotes Shaker’s narrative about his experiences under torture after his capture. From my experience, it is one of the most remarkable and disturbing documents to have come out of Guantanamo, as Shaker Aamer is an intelligent, sensitive man who speaks English. He has left us a record of his torture that cries out to be read.
Both the habeas filing and the medical report were linked in a story by long-time Guantanamo expert and passionate advocate for an end to torture and indefinite detention, Andy Worthington. His article, “Gravely Ill, Shaker Aamer Asks US Judge to Order His Release from Guantánamo,” is posted at the Close Guantanamo website.
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From Shaker Aamer’s Medical Report (verbatim):
The Everlasting Reward !!!
The task of the Believers is to fulfill their
obligation, and their obligation is to choose Allah, prefer belief over life,
raise themselves above persecution through faith, and to testify to Allah with
deed as well as intention. Then it is up to Allah to deal with them and with
their enemies, with His Religion and His Call, as He deems proper. He may
choose for them any one of the endings known in history, or some other ending
which only He knows and sees.
They are workers for Allah. Whenever, whatever,
however He wants them to do their work, they should do it and take the known
reward. To decide what will be the ending of their endeavor is neither in their
power nor is it their responsibility. This is the responsibility of the One in
authority, not of those who are mere workers.
They receive the first part of their reward in the
form of contentment of heart, height of understanding, beauty of ideas,
liberation from desires and attractions, and freedom from fear and sorrow, in
whatever condition they may be.
They receive the second part of their reward in
praise, remembrance and honor among the angels, in addition to these among the
people of this earth.
The repentance of Malik Ibn Dinaar
Ibn Qudaamah's Kitaab at-Tawabeen (223-225)
I was a policeman and I was given to drinking. I bought a beautiful slave who gave me a daughter. I doted over my daughter and when she began to crawl on all fours I grew even more fond of her. Whenever I put a strong drink in front of me she would come to me and pull me away from it, or she would spill it from me. When she completed two years she died. I became consumed with grief over her loss.
When the night of mid-Sha`ban came; it was the night before Jummah; I stayed home and drank… I did not pray the `Isha prayer. Then I had a dream that the Day of Judgment had begun, the Trumpet was blown, the graves gave up their dead, mankind was gathered up, and I was among them. I heard something behind me. I turned around and saw a dragon of indescribable size, blue-black, rushing for me with wide open jaws. I fled in terror.
I passed by a Shaykh dressed in spotless clothes, exuding a fragrant smell. I greeted him and he greeted me back. I said to him: Oh Shaykh! Protect me from this dragon, and may Allah protect you! The Shaykh wept and said: I am weak and it is stronger than me, I cannot overcome it. Go quickly, perhaps Allah will grant you something that will save you from it.
I turned and
resumed my flight. I climbed up on one of the promontories of the Day of
Resurrection overlooking the layers of Hellfire. I looked at the horror they contained
and almost fell in for fear of the dragon. But a crier cried out to me: Go
back! You are not among its mates. His words stilled my fears and I went back.
The Effects of the Da'wah!!!
As a Muslim
and daa'ie (caller to Islam), it is essential that you are
mentally and physically prepared for the consequences of your activities.
People will have no problem with you performing your individual duties, such as praying, fasting or growing a beard, but if you call them to give up their desires and live by the laws of God – as the Prophet (saws) did – you will undoubtedly meet a hostile reaction.
Before the Messenger Muhammad came out publicly with the message of Islam the unbelievers were not that concerned about him, and he was even nicknamed al-Ameen (the trustworthy). However, the moment he was entrusted with the obligation of calling people to leave their false practices, abandon their way of life, and only follow and submit to the laws of Allah, he was vilified, boycotted, criticized, condemned and ridiculed.
The Prophet Muhammad (saws) only called them to pronounce one Kalimah (word): "Laa ilaaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasoolullah", so why did they react with such animosity and hatred towards Allah, His Prophet and the Believers (Sahaabah)? The disbelievers already believed in Allah (God), so why would declaring the Kalimah be so difficult for them?
The answer is simple. Laa ilaaha illallah did not – and does not – mean, "There is no god but Allah". Laa ilaaha illallah meant that they would have to give up their customs, traditions, desires, habits, way of life, religion, ideology and beliefs, and only accept Islam as their identity and Allah as their Lawmaker. Hence, this was extremely difficult for them to accept and that is why they – like nations before – declared war against the Prophet of God and his Companions.
People will have no problem with you performing your individual duties, such as praying, fasting or growing a beard, but if you call them to give up their desires and live by the laws of God – as the Prophet (saws) did – you will undoubtedly meet a hostile reaction.
Before the Messenger Muhammad came out publicly with the message of Islam the unbelievers were not that concerned about him, and he was even nicknamed al-Ameen (the trustworthy). However, the moment he was entrusted with the obligation of calling people to leave their false practices, abandon their way of life, and only follow and submit to the laws of Allah, he was vilified, boycotted, criticized, condemned and ridiculed.
The Prophet Muhammad (saws) only called them to pronounce one Kalimah (word): "Laa ilaaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasoolullah", so why did they react with such animosity and hatred towards Allah, His Prophet and the Believers (Sahaabah)? The disbelievers already believed in Allah (God), so why would declaring the Kalimah be so difficult for them?
The answer is simple. Laa ilaaha illallah did not – and does not – mean, "There is no god but Allah". Laa ilaaha illallah meant that they would have to give up their customs, traditions, desires, habits, way of life, religion, ideology and beliefs, and only accept Islam as their identity and Allah as their Lawmaker. Hence, this was extremely difficult for them to accept and that is why they – like nations before – declared war against the Prophet of God and his Companions.
Contemplating the case of the human without senses...
Consider the case of the human who is deprived of
the sense of sight. Think how grave is his bereavement. He does not see where
to put his step, does not see what is in front of him, does not distinguish
colors and agreeable and disagreeable sights; he does not benefit from the
scholarship of books; he is unable to reflect and contemplate the wonders of
Allah’s creation. He cannot take note of much of what is advantageous or
harmful to him; he may not be able to avoid falling in a hole in his way, nor
protect himself from a wild animal, or an enemy intent on assailing and killing
him. He cannot flee if attacked, but will have to beat the mercy of his
adversary.
Had it not been for special care from Allah, in
some was similar to that given to the newborn, he would be much more likely to
perish than to survive. He is like a mass of flesh and bones, and that is why
Allah promises him, if he is resigned and patient, that he will be rewarded
with Paradise. It is an illustration of the immensity of the Lord’s kindness
that He compensated a blind person’s vision with a mental vision, so tat you
see that he has the sharpest intuition and insight. Another grace is that he
enjoys clarity of objective, so that he is not distracted or scatter-brained.
In this way he can enjoy his life, and take care of what is good for him, and
is not depressed, indignant or frustrated. This I true of those born blind. As
for the one who lost his sight after he had been sighted, he is like all those
who have had catastrophes, who have transferred from a state of well being to
one of suffering. He takes it very hard, because he is barred from what he had
always enjoyed of sights, scenes, and ways of using his vision; his case is
different.
The Mysteries of the Soul...
“And they ask you (O Muhammad), concerning the Ruh (the spirit); Say: “The Ruh (the Spirit): its knowledge is with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given a little,” Al-Isra 17:85
The majority of Islamic scholars agree that nafs (soul) and ruh
(spirit) are two names for one in the same thing, and as such are
interchangeable. You will find throughout the Qur’an and the Sunnah the term
‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ used intermittently. Some scholars of Hadith hold the
opinion, that the ruh is other than the nafs , but the nafs,
which is in the form of man, is dependent on the ruh for existence.
Mans nature (i.e. nafs) is filled with vanities, desires and passions.
It is the source of trials and afflictions, and there is no enemy more hostile
to him than his own nafs. Thus, the nafs wants and loves nothing other than the
things of this world, while the ruh longs for the Hereafter and invites to it.
The Souls Form
According to Ibn al-Qayyim and affirmed by Ibn Abul-‘Izz al-Hanafi, we
find their description of the “souls” form described and explained as follows:
“The spirit is an entity which differs from the physical, tangible body.
It is a higher type of luminous (or light-like) being, alive and moving, and it
penetrates the limbs, circulating through them as water circulates throughout
the petals of a rose, as oil circulates throughout the olive, and as fire
circulates throughout the burning embers of coal.” Related by Ibn Abul- ‘Izz al-Hanafi in ‘al
Aqeedat at Tahawiyyah
Descriptions of the spirit as “light”, it’s mode of penetration of the
body, and it’s shape cannot be proven by the Qur’an or the Sunnah. These
descriptions can only be considered conclusions based upon their own
understanding of the “proofs”.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn Haram
Man doesn’t really know when and how guidance comes to him from Allah.
However, there one thing for certain that people’s hearts are between the
Fingers of Allah who manipulates them the way He (swt) pleases.
Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn Haram and his companion Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn al-Jumuh were busy worshipping their idols when a group of recent converts from Yathrib (Madina), who were heading for Makkah pilgrimage were inviting people to Islam and informing them of the Prophet (saws) and the magnificent message he had for them from Allah. This didn’t mean anything to Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn Haram. One year later, a group of 12 callers to Islam from Yathrib came to Makkah, but this time the group was led by the first ambassador to Islam Musaab Ibn Umayr, whose ‘unique’ expertise in inviting people to Islam led to the conversion of many. Jabir Ibn Abdullah, Ibn Haram’s son, was amongst the converts. Time went by and Islam couldn’t find room still in Ibn Haram’s heart. As the pilgrimage season approached and people felt the urge to go to Makkah and pledge allegiance to the Prophet (saws) - second Aqaba pledge - so did Ibn Haram’s appointment with eternal bliss. Ibn Haram set out for pilgrimage, and yet as a non-Muslim, not knowing that few hours later, his name would be in history books. In fact, Allah will bestow upon him the blessing of shahadah, and even more, the angels will shade him with their wings soon after his martyrdom… Those are magnificent tributes in their own rights, but most magnificent of them all is that Allah will speak to him without a screen!
Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn Haram and his companion Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn al-Jumuh were busy worshipping their idols when a group of recent converts from Yathrib (Madina), who were heading for Makkah pilgrimage were inviting people to Islam and informing them of the Prophet (saws) and the magnificent message he had for them from Allah. This didn’t mean anything to Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn Haram. One year later, a group of 12 callers to Islam from Yathrib came to Makkah, but this time the group was led by the first ambassador to Islam Musaab Ibn Umayr, whose ‘unique’ expertise in inviting people to Islam led to the conversion of many. Jabir Ibn Abdullah, Ibn Haram’s son, was amongst the converts. Time went by and Islam couldn’t find room still in Ibn Haram’s heart. As the pilgrimage season approached and people felt the urge to go to Makkah and pledge allegiance to the Prophet (saws) - second Aqaba pledge - so did Ibn Haram’s appointment with eternal bliss. Ibn Haram set out for pilgrimage, and yet as a non-Muslim, not knowing that few hours later, his name would be in history books. In fact, Allah will bestow upon him the blessing of shahadah, and even more, the angels will shade him with their wings soon after his martyrdom… Those are magnificent tributes in their own rights, but most magnificent of them all is that Allah will speak to him without a screen!
Loving for the sake of Allah...
Many Ahadith describe the status of two people who love one another for the sake of Allah and describe the high position in Paradise which He has promised them and the great honour which He will bestow upon them on the Day when mankind is resurrected to meet the Rabb of the Worlds: Among them is the Hadith which describes the seven whom Allah will shade on the Day when there is no shade but His:
"...a just leader; a youth who grows up worshipping Allah; a man who is
deeply attached to the mosque; two men who love one another for the sake of
Allah meeting for His sake and parting for His sake; a man who is called by a
beautiful woman and says, I fear Allah; a man who gives charity in secret such
that his left hand does not know what his right hand is doing; and a man who
remembers Allah when he is alone and his eyes fill with tears." [Bukhari
and Muslim]
The two who love one another for the sake of Allah are clearly shown to be among those whom Allah will shelter with His shade and upon whom He will shower His mercy and kindness. What a great honour! It is enough honour for those who love one another for the sake of Allah that their Almighty Rabb will greet them on the Day of Resurrection and say to them:
"Where are those who loved one another for My glory? Today I will shade them in My shade on the Day when there is no shade but Mine." [Muslim]
Such is the magnificent honour and tremendous reward that will be bestowed upon those who truly loved one another for the sake of Allah on that awesome Day.
The two who love one another for the sake of Allah are clearly shown to be among those whom Allah will shelter with His shade and upon whom He will shower His mercy and kindness. What a great honour! It is enough honour for those who love one another for the sake of Allah that their Almighty Rabb will greet them on the Day of Resurrection and say to them:
"Where are those who loved one another for My glory? Today I will shade them in My shade on the Day when there is no shade but Mine." [Muslim]
Such is the magnificent honour and tremendous reward that will be bestowed upon those who truly loved one another for the sake of Allah on that awesome Day.
Afflictions...which Level Are You On?
People are upon 4 levels regarding the circumstances of Affliction.
The First Level
Being angry, and this is in various ways:
The first type: That the anger is by the heart as if he is angry at his Lord. So he becomes angry with what Allah has decreed for him, and this (level) is haraam. And it is possible that this could lead to kufr (disbelief). Allah said:
“And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islaam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter.”[soorah Al-Hajj, v:11]
The second type: That the anger is by the tongue like making duaa for destruction or ruin and what is similar to that, and this is haraam.
The third type: That the anger is by the limbs like slapping the cheeks, ripping the clothes, pulling out hair, and similar to that, and all of this isharaam in contradiction to patience which is waajib (obligatory).
The first type: That the anger is by the heart as if he is angry at his Lord. So he becomes angry with what Allah has decreed for him, and this (level) is haraam. And it is possible that this could lead to kufr (disbelief). Allah said:
“And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islaam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter.”[soorah Al-Hajj, v:11]
The second type: That the anger is by the tongue like making duaa for destruction or ruin and what is similar to that, and this is haraam.
The third type: That the anger is by the limbs like slapping the cheeks, ripping the clothes, pulling out hair, and similar to that, and all of this isharaam in contradiction to patience which is waajib (obligatory).
The Manners of Companionship...
Imam Badrud-Deen al-Ghazzee
Aadaabul-’Ishrah wa Dhikrus-Suhbah wal-Ukhuwwah p. 9-20
Know O pious
brother – may Allah make our affairs good – that the manners of companionship
and good relationships are of various types, of which I will explain, such as
will show the person of intellect the manners of the Believers and the Pious;
and come to know that Allah the Most Perfect, the Most High has made them a
mercy and helpers towards each other, which is why our Prophet (pbuh)
said, ‘‘The example of the Believers, in their mutual love and mercy is like
the example of a body, if one part feels pain, then all of the body suffers in
sleeplessness and fever.’’ [Bukhari no. 6011 and Muslim no. 2586, from
an-Nu’maan Ibn Basheer (ra)] And he (pbuh) said, ‘‘The Believer to the
Believer is like a solid building, one part supporting the other.’’
[Bukhari no. 481 and Muslim no. 2585, from Aboo Moosaa al-Ash’aree (ra)] The
Prophet (pbuh) also said, ‘‘The souls are arrayed armies, so those who knew
each one another before, will be friendly…’’ [Bukhari 6/369 with ta’leeq
(suspension), from ’Aa‘ishah (ra). It was connected by Aboo Ya’laa in al-Musnad
no. 4381 with an isnaad whose narrators are from as-sahih – as occurs in
al-Majma’ 8/88 of al-Haythamee. ] So if Allah intends good for His servants, He
grants them companionship of the people of the Sunnah, righteousness and
adherence to the Religion.; and keeps him free from the companionship of the
people of innovations. The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘‘A person is upon the
religion of his friend, so let every one of you look to whom he keeps as a
friend.’’ [Ahmad 2/303, Aboo Daawood no. 4812 and Tirmidhi no. 2484, from
Aboo Hurayrah (ra). It was authenticated by Imam an-Nawawee in Riyaadus-Saaliheen
no. 174]
From the manners of companionship: Tips for living within your means!!!
Living on a tight budget can be hard and disheartening with the presence of endless spending opportunities in a consumer-based society. Although for many people there is not much that they can do about changing their financial situation, they can take actual steps toward changing their perception of their financial status and be smart in making their limited income bring them better living standards.
This is not a call on placing more value on what’s actually valuable in life because how people perceive material possessions is certainly relative to their entire set of values.
However, what they can do is to make the best out of what they have got. It all starts with a change of mindset, some research and finding joy and pride in less consumer-like, branded items.
Here are a few ideas that can make you live a better life within your means.
Shop for quality
Studies show that income and health issues can be correlated, but this doesn’t have to be always the case. Although access to a lot of quality foods may be costly, there are many ways that you actually can live a healthier lifestyle without breaking the bank. For example, compare the costs of a family of three eating one meal at a fast-food restaurant to buying a protein-loaded item (beef or chicken for example) and some vegetables. Obviously, the latter offers a more nutritious option at a much lower cost. This is just one example of how planning ahead and shopping wisely can save you a bundle while you enjoy a better health and life.