GHOUTA : Voice note of sister from bait Junaid Ghouta (translated)

Syria's Ghouta residents 'wait to die' as bombs fall !!!

Five died and over 200 were injured early on Wednesday in the area, hammered by one of the heaviest bombardments in seven years of war that has killed at least 250 people in 48 hours, a war monitor said.

The pace of the bombardment appeared to slacken overnight, but its intensity resumed later on Wednesday morning. It followed a massive escalation in strikes that began late on Sunday. The enclave is home to 400,000 people.

Pro-government forces fired rockets and dropped barrel bombs from helicopters on the towns and villages of the rural district just outside Damascus, where rebels fighting President Bashar Assad have their last big redoubt near the capital, it added.

"We are waiting our turn to die. This is the only thing I can say," said Bilal Abu Salah, 22, whose wife is five months pregnant with their first child in the biggest eastern Ghouta town Douma.
They fear the terror of the bombardment will bring her into labour early, he said.
"Nearly all people living here live in shelters now. There are five or six families in one home. There is no food, no markets," he said.

Heads of the Tawagheet !

Know, may Allah have mercy on you, that the first thing Allah obligated on the Son of Adam is to reject the Taghout and believe in Allah. The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

"And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghout (false deities)." [16:36]

As for the description of rejecting the Taghout, then it is that you believe in the futility of worshipping other than Allah, and that you abandon doing so and hate it, and that you reject and make enmity with who does it. And as for the meaning of believing in Allah, then it is that you believe that Allah is the only true God who deserves to be worshipped alone, apart from everything else besides Him. And it is that you make all types of worship – every act – sincerely for Allah alone, while negating and rejecting that from everything else that is worshipped besides Him.

It also entails that you love and show friendship to the people of Ikhlaas (i.e. Islam), while hating and showing enmity to the people of shirk. This is the Religion of Ibrahim, of which those who turn away from it only fool themselves. And this is the good example that Allah informs us of in His saying:

"There has indeed been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We have rejected you and there has commenced between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah alone.’" [60:4]

The word Taghout is general. So everything that is worshipped besides Allah, while being pleased with this worship – whether it is something worshipped, someone followed, or someone obeyed in the absence of obedience to Allah and His Messenger, then that is considered Taghout. The Tawagheet are many, but their heads are five:

“I will give the Banner tomorrow...”

The noble Sheikh Sulaymaan bin Naasir al-‘Alwaan, gave a talk on 29/1/1422 H, about the importance of contemplating and understanding the Prophetic traditions in a correct manner, through which one can arrive at what Allah wants of us. This proper understanding is what we wish to attain first, before we can (properly) act upon this knowledge revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. 
The Sheikh mentioned a tradition in the two authentic books (sahihayn), as an example, and pointed out what that tradition contains from rich meanings and great benefits, and he deduced from that tradition more than 70 benefits. 

The Sheikh may Allah hasten his release said: 
Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated in their authentic books from the way of ‘Abdul-‘Aziz ibn Abi Haazim and ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Ya’coub, both from the way of Abu Hazim Salamah ibn Dinar (and the wording is that of ‘Abdulaziz) who said: “Sahl ibn Sa’d al-Sa’idy, may Allah be pleased with him told me that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said on the Day of Khaibar: “I will give this banner (flag) tomorrow to a man whom Allah will facilitate victory through him. He loves Allah and His Messenger, and is loved by Allah and His Messenger.”  He (Sahl) said: So the people kept on thinking the whole night as to which one from among them will be given the banner? In the morning the people eagerly rushed to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, all of them hoping to be the one who is given it. He said: “Where is Ali ibn Abi Talib?” The people replied: He is suffering from eye-trouble. He said: “Send for him and bring him to me.” So when ‘Ali was brought, the Messenger ﷺ spat in his eyes and invoked Allah to cure him, and he became al-right as if he had no ailment. The Prophet then gave him the banner. ‘Ali said: “O Allah’s Messenger, Shall I fight them (i.e. the enemies) till they become like us?” So he said: “Proceed to them steadily till you approach near to them, and then invite them to Islam and inform them of their duties towards Allah which Islam prescribes for them, for by Allah, if one man is guided on the right path through you, it would be better for you than (a great number of) red camels.”

Prophets of Tawheed always had enemies !

Know, that Allah from His Hikmah did not send a Prophet with this Tawheed except that He appointed for him enemies as Allah says:

"And thus We have made for every Prophet an enemy, devils from mankind and jinn. Inspiring one another with eloquent speech of delusion" [6:112]

And it could be that the enemies of Tawheed possess knowledge of many sciences, books and evidences as The Most High says:

"And when their Messengers came to them with clear evidence, they rejoiced because of what they possessed of knowledge" [40:83]

If you have understood this and you know that the path to Allah will always have enemies and opponents in it, people who possess eloquent speech, knowledge, and evidence, then it is incumbent upon you that you learn enough of the Deen of Allah that will enable you to arm yourself with a weapon that you can use to confront these shayateen, whose leader and chief said to your Lord:

"I will surely sit waiting for them upon Your straight path. Then I will approach them from before them and from behind them and from their right and from their left, and you will not find most of them grateful" [7:16-17]

But if you turn to Allah and pay close attention to His clear proofs and evidences then do not fear or grieve:

"Indeed the plot of shaytaan is weak" [4:76]

‘All that lies above the dust is really only dust…’

 

  Abu Firas al-Hamdani was a 10th Century Faris (warrior/knight) as well as a poet. He was imprisoned in the lands of al-Roum (by the Byzantines) and it was during these years of imprisonment that he took to writing some of his best poetry. It is said that his cousin, Sayf al-Dawla (who was the Ruler of al-Sham) refused to ransom him out of captivity and so he remained in captivity for some time. The poetry he wrote during his imprisonment have been collected and titled ‘al-Rumiyat’ and below is one of them which he wrote to Sayf al-Dawla regarding his betrayal.

كل الذي فوق التراب تراب

أمـا لِـجَـمـيـلٍ عِنْدكُنَّ ثَوابُ *** ولا لِـمُـسـيءٍ عِـنْـدَكُنّ مَتَابُ
Is it only the good one who gains reward with you
Whilst for the erring one, you offer no return?

إذا الـخِـلُّ لَـمْ يَـهْجُركَ إلا مَلالةً *** فَـلَـيْـسَ لهُ ، إلا الفِرَاقَ ، عِتابُ
If a friend does not abandon you except out of boredom
Then there is no punishment for him except some separation

إذا لـم أجـد مـن خُـلَّةٍ ما أُرِيدُهُ *** فـعـنـدي لأُخْـرى عَزْمَةٌ وَرِكابُ
If I do not find what I want in a friendship
Then I have in the Hereafter, resolve and companionship

ولـيـس فِراقٌ ما استطعتُ فإن يَكُنْ  *** فِـراقٌ عـلـى حَـالٍ فليس إيابُ
And separation isn’t something that I have power over
And if it is circumstantial, then there is no return

صَـبـورٌ ولـو لـم يـبقَ مني بقيةٌ *** قَـؤُولٌ وَلـوْ أنَّ الـسيوفَ جَوابُ  
I am patient even if nothing remains with me
I am optimistic even if only swords answer me

Points to Ponder for Smokers !!!

If you ask any smoker why he smokes, you would receive many different answers, such as:

• "I smoke because it relieves depression."

• "I smoke because it eases the stress of my family problems."

• "I smoke when I'm out with my friends to have fun."

• "Smoking helps me forget my work-related worries and anger."

Some people smoke to imitate celebrities or other people they perceive as "glamorous" or "admirable" under the influence of advertisements, or perhaps they smoke because they have been watching people around them smoke and got into the habit themselves at a young age and cannot bring themselves to stop. You will even find those who say, “I smoke because it is good for health – it helps me concentrate and helps me keep my weight under control. Besides, I do not believe it is prohibited in Islam.”

If you are among those people who are not convinced that smoking is prohibited in Islam and that it has a very bad effect on one's health, you are invited to read on and think over the following points:

NEWS : Rescuers say, cannot keep up with air strikes battering Syria's Ghouta !

A surge of rocket fire, shelling and air strikes has killed nearly 500 people since Sunday night, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Rescuers in Syria's eastern Ghouta said the bombing would not let up long enough for them to count the bodies, in one of the bloodiest air assaults of the seven-year war.

Warplanes pounded the rebel enclave on Saturday, the seventh day in a row of a fierce escalation by Damascus and its allies, an emergency service, a witness and a monitoring group said.

Residents holed up in basements and medical charities decried attacks on a dozen hospitals, as the United Nations pleaded for a truce in Ghouta, the only big rebel bastion near the capital.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian military.

The Damascus government and Russia, its ally, say they only target militants. They have said they seek to stop rebel mortar attacks on the capital and accused insurgents in Ghouta of holding people as human shields.

A surge of rocket fire, shelling and air strikes has killed nearly 500 people since Sunday night, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The dead included more than 120 children.

The Dark Origin of Valentine's Day !

Why do we Muslims do not celebrate Valentine's day ???

This question may be answered in several ways:

1- In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allah and His Messenger (saws). Ibn Taymiyyah said: "Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allah says: 'To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way.' [5:48], and 'For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow.' [22:67]"

Like the Qiblah, Prayer and Fasting. So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with disbelief. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of disbelief.

Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of disbelief. Undoubtedly, going along with them in their festivals may, in some cases, lead to disbelief. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin. The Prophet (saws) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he (saws) said: "Every nation has its own ‘Eid and this is our ‘Eid." [Al-Bukhari] 

Because Valentine's Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (saws) said: "Every nation has its ‘Eid..." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] - then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. 

If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer. 

 

Importance of Brotherhood in Islam

The Islamic Shari’ah has been filled with clear-cut texts that obligate giving victory to the oppressed Muslims (as well as obligating) the safeguard of their honour and wealth and this has come in the framework of the five necessities that all of the legislations have agreed upon, and they are the Deen, the life, the intellect, the wealth and the honour.

The Most High said: “The believing men and women are allies to one another.” [9:71]

Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others reported from the route of az-Zuhri, from Salim ibn ‘Abdillah, from his father who reported that the Prophet (saws) said: “The Muslims is the brother of (his) fellow Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he surrender him.”

And he (saws)also said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.” A man enquired: “O Messenger of Allah! I help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?” He (saws) said: “You can keep him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him.” [al-Bukhari from the Hadith of Anas in Muslim from the hadith of Jabir]

This aid and help is from the beautiful things of Islam and is a door from the doors for Struggle for His sake. The Most High said: “And if they seek your assistance in the Deen then you must help them.” [8:72]

Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj (Gog and Magog) !

A city with such a magnificent history is worthy of having such an exalted status and should, therefore, be glorified and honoured. It deserves to occupy a special place in the hearts of its residents, as well as the Muslims in general.During the reign of Prophet 'Eesa who will descend at the end of time before Doomsday, people will live an extremely peaceful life filled with prosperity and abundance. Then the wall which imprisons Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj (Gog and Magog, who are the tribes which inhabited the land behind two huge mountains) will break and they will surge forth in large numbers.

This is recorded in the Glorious Quraan, in the Ayah: "But when Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj are let loose and they rush headlong down every hill." [21:97]

Who are the Ya'jooj and Majooj?

Dhul Qarnayn, who was a pious and just ruler, traveled to many lands and conquered them, establishing justice and the Law of Allah therein. Allah provided him with material strength through which he was able to carry out his conquests and missions.

He once carried out a mission in three directions, the far west, the far east, and then in a northerly direction. It was here that he came across a tribe of people who complained to him about the tribes of Ya'jooj and Majooj which inhabited the land behind two huge mountains and often emerged from behind these mountains to perpetrate acts of anarchy and plunder among them. They requested Thul-Qarnayn to erect a barrier between themselves and the tribes of Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj so that they could be saved from their atrocities.

The need for Prophets...

Prophets were sent to illuminate the way for mankind

Allah sent the Messengers to mankind throughout the ages so that mankind might be guided to the truth and be purified of sins. Those who were enlightened by the Messengers of Allah, found the way to the Divine Presence and attained the highest rank of humanity. The Messengers led mankind to the knowledge of Allah.

Through them, He was deeply felt by the ‘innermost senses’ of people. The ‘innermost sense’ of man, whether we call it heart or soul, or ‘conscience‘, is so great that through it man can ‘grasp’ Allah with all His Greatness and other Attributes. Allah cannot be contained by the heavens and earth. Minds cannot comprehend Him. Philosophical thoughts are by no means sufficient to reach Him. It is only through his soul or heart that a man can realize the Existence of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (saws) is the last and greatest of these Prophets, and he left us the Quraan and Sunnah so that we can, by following them, live in accordance with the purpose for which all the Prophets were sent.

The Prophets were sent to guide people to the service of Allah

Allah says:
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [51:56]

We have not been created to eat, drink and reproduce; these are natural facts of our life, and natural needs. The main purpose for our creation is to recognize Allah and realize servitude to Him. For this reason, all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, were sent to show us the way to achieve servitude to Allah declares:
• “And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." [21:25]
• “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, (saying), ‘Worship Allah and avoid false deities.’ And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was (deservedly) decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.” [16:36]

NEWS : Thousand of Uighur Muslims detained in Chinese re-education camps.

More than 100,000 minority Uighur Muslims are reportedly being indefinitely detained in overcrowded “re-education” camps on China’s western border. 

The detention centres - reminiscent of Mao-era laogai forced labour camps - are said to be holding around 120,000 Muslims in Kahgar, a prefecture in China’s northwest Xinjiang province. 

The estimated number of detainees was reportedly given to Radio Free Asia (RFA), a US-funded news organisation, by a Kashgar security chief on the condition of anonymity. 

According to RFA’s report, the re-education camps became inundated with detainees around China’s 19th Communist Party Congress last October. The inmates are deemed to have “extremist” or “politically incorrect” views, which can include excessive praying or accessing banned websites, reports Human Rights Watch. 

China claims the institutions are merely schools for "extremism eradication" that teach Chinese language, and Chinese laws on Islam and political activity. China officially abolished its “Re-education Through Labour" camps in 2013, but charities have warned they have morphed into modern brainwashing institutions.