arabic &laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feed http://en.wordpress.com/tag/arabic/ Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "arabic" Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:17:20 +0000 http://en.wordpress.com/tags/ en <![CDATA[The minaret debate!]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/the-minaret-debate/ Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:59:19 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/the-minaret-debate/
While he was watching a TV debate between  the Geneva-born popular Muslim intellectual  Tariq Ramadan and Oskar Freysinger (one of the supporters of the Swiss minaret ban initiative), he realized that the whole argumentation of the initiative was concerned not with minarets but with Islam itself. This was Dr. Patrick Haenni, the researcher at Religioscope, who believes that religion, not politics, was the core of the initiators’ discourse through a perspective full of misconceptions and stereotypes.

 

In every crisis of understanding (e.g., the French ban on hijab, Danish cartoons, anti-Islam Fitna movie), the European Muslims section seizes the opportunity to introduce different cultural and political contexts of European Muslims’ interaction with their governments, fellow citizens, Muslim-majority countries, and so on. Crises of understanding might create an atmosphere of hatred and vagueness, but they can also make room for discussions defining concepts, mapping issues, highlighting problems, and offering lessons.

Holding the same perception of viewing the cultural crises of understanding as chances for more discussions, Haenni and other researchers at Religioscope believe that they should do something regarding the minaret debate. These researchers believe that their role is not to take sides through defending Islam or attacking the initiative, but to take seriously the different themes raised during the public debate surrounding the initiative, such as the Muslim demographics, the argument of comparing mosques in the West with churches in the Islamic World, the idea of Islam as an expansionist religion that does not separate politics from religion, and so on.

As a result, those researchers coauthored a book in French titled Les Minarets de la Discorde. Eclairages sur un Débat Suisse et Européen. The book was prepared by Patrick Haenni and Stéphane Lathion, introduced by Husam Tammam, sponsored by Religioscope, and translated into Arabic in cooperation with IslamOnline.net.

A Book, An Initiative

In every crisis of understanding, Euro Muslims page seizes the opportunity to define concepts and contexts.
Hijab: A Crisis of Understanding
Hijab CampaignDanish Cartoons Fitna Movie

The book includes different scholarly articles tackling various topics in different fields of interest, from politics to architecture. The different cultural and academic backgrounds of the authors, the timing, and the style of production, among other things, give the impression that this book was intended to be an initiative itself.
For Haenni, the book was basically the result of the collective effort of a group of friends and good wills. It was produced with very little funding, and it was the editorial help of IslamOnline.net that made it possible. According to Haenni, the backing and the financial support the researchers receive from Muslim circles might politicalize the project of issuing the book. This shows the kind of responsibility placed on Muslim-majority countries as a side of the civilizational divide.Haenni believes that the purpose of the book was to give to the Swiss public interested the necessary tools to vote smartly. A second purpose was to address the non-Swiss audience by giving them some clues on the situation in Switzerland. According to Haenni, the anti-minaret initiative is not the result of a consensus of mainstream Swiss political groups but the result of very proactive political minorities mobilizing and creating fears in the population. This political activism is really detrimental to the coexistence among communities in Switzerland. So, what the authors of the book wanted to do is try to know those mobilizing against the minarets, their goals, their networks, and their discourse. That was tackled in detail in a chapter of the book.

In the context of giving information and interpretations of the minaret ban initiative, the book plunges into different sophisticated concepts and phenomena that open the door to more debates and discussions.

It is difficult to tackle these loaded, controversial concepts in the next few paragraphs, but one can shed light on some of the major concepts and work on hosting in-depth discussions, at the European Muslims page of more related theoretical and practical issues in the near future.

There are certain key ideas that are addressed throughout the book: the so-called new Islamic religiosity or revival, Islam as an exception when compared with other religions, and “post-political Islam”.

New Islamic Religiosity: Different Connotations

The book was basically the result of a collective effort of a group of friends and good wills.

The book indicates that in response to cultural crises, the younger Muslim generations in Europe seek a kind of cultural normalization rather than confrontation or mobilization. This analysis could be challenged as being only part of the picture. Simply, not all the practices of Euro Muslim youth in terms of seeking and addressing their identities can be understood through this assumption.

Haenni says that the book tries to identify several trends in the religious revival affecting Muslims in the West, as well as in the Muslim World. According to him, the issue of Islamic revival is mostly addressed, either positively or negatively, in terms of identity and search of authenticity.

Haenni thinks that this might have been the case for some currents, but what is new (and on the rise) is a new Islamic religiosity. The cultural manifestations of the Islamic revival do not oppose the global culture of consumerism but surf on it. When going into food business, nobody (even the Salafists) goes for couscous restaurants; they find MacDonald’s halal. As far as drinks are concerned, the products are Mecca Cola and Muslim Up.Haenni goes on to say that when it comes to dresses, the tendency is to go beyond the veil and think in terms of “Muslim street wear.” As for music, one finds a shift from Islamic nasheeds to “halal songs.” Everywhere, the differences are downplayed, and Islamic symbols move into the secular mass culture. Religiosity then becomes more individualistic.

Responding to the limitation of such an analysis, Haenni opines that this is certainly not the only path for the Islamic revival, but it is an important and neglected one that, in his opinion, fully contradicts the idea of clash of civilizations. It is a real civilizational dialogue going on, not at the level of clerics but at the level of real societies.
Is Islam an Exception?

Reading the book, one notices that — whether in Husam Tammam’s introduction or in Jean-François Mayer’s chapter “Minarets and the Popular Initiative” — there is a kind of emphasis on how Islam is perceived as an exception when compared to Christianity (most of the democratic countries are Christian countries), Judaism (which is maintained by the Judeo-Christian traditions in the West), or even Sikhism with the architectural style of its temples (it does not raise fears or concerns).

On the other hand, introducing Islam as an exception is an idea that has been rejected by different Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, as they believe that it might widen the civilizational gap (especially between Islam and the West) rather than address the multiple interpretations and manifestations of different religions (not only Islam).

But Haenni still thinks that there are two different perspectives in such a context: The first one regards Islam as the last manifestation of the religious danger that was previously represented by the Catholic Church, as in France, for example. So, according to Haenni, here Islam is only facing an anticlerical tendency that finds in Islam its new target because Islam is considered the most dynamic religion in Europe today (this assessment, heard a lot during the debate on the minarets, is highly speculative and underestimates the evangelical factor, among others).

On the other side, there is another perspective that looks at Islam not only as a religion challenging secularism and modernity but as a new totalitarian ideology (after Nazism and Communism) challenging the “democratic foundations” of Western countries.
Haenni asserts that both perspectives are not exclusive of each other. The first one is certainly more present in France, while the second is a more diffused discourse that stretches from Anglo-Saxon countries to Switzerland.

One Family, Three Models

The different culture and academic backgrounds of the authors, the timing, and the style of production …, etc, give the impression that this book looks like an initiative.

Interestingly enough, the book gives an example of the emergence and development of the so-called political Islam and post-political Islam through one family that lived in Switzerland: The father, Said Ramadan (who was introduced as a politicalized Islamist), and the two sons, Hani Ramadan (who represents the model of a “preacher”) and Tariq Ramadan (who represents the model of a high-ranking representative). The question here could be about the validity of using the same classification in other European countries and among other European Muslim representatives.

According to Haenni, political Islam in Europe was first of all focused on the reality of the Muslim immigrants’ countries of origins. Then it faced, without being prepared, the emergence of Muslim populations in Europe. So, it had to address this reality and find a strategy that suits the situation of minorities, which eventually invalidated the discourse of an Islamic state.Haenni added that some of the “political Islamists” try to play the card of community representation, such as the Union of Islamic Organizations of France, but that does not work because these organizations do not have enough influence on the young generations. Theses younger generations represent what we can call as the “third pattern” of actions among the European Muslims. This third pattern is going to be on rise and is characterized by  lobbying not necessarily for Islam but for ethical causes linked with Islamic values, which could lead to moral coalitions with other conservative forces on issues like family, opposing gay rights, etc.

According to some commentators, there are certain limitations in discussing these key ideas in the book, because the book’s main theme is the experience of Switzerland and it was difficult to generalize certain interpretations and results. On the other hand, one can consider the book as an inspiring attempt that could encourage more interested researchers and writers to start a cross-cultural and longitudinal research on the same topics.

*This Article is based on an e-mail discussion with Dr. Patrick Haenni, a researcher and political analyst at Religioscope.

By: Dalia Yusuf
Euro_Muslims@iolteam.com .
]]> <![CDATA[Eid Mubarak]]> http://buyousef.net/2009/12/01/eid-mubarak-2/ Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:35:34 +0000 Bu Yousef http://buyousef.net/2009/12/01/eid-mubarak-2/

A belated Eid Mubarak to you all…

Although I took this image last week, today is the first opportunity I’ve had to upload it.  We spent the long weekend in Oman and I shocked myself by not connecting to the internet for five whole days! Facebook and Twitter on the phone do not count…

Once I’ve had a chance to catch up with work, I will post some images from the trip.

]]> <![CDATA["...But You Throw One Shoe..."]]> http://snarla.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/but-you-throw-one-shoe/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:01:40 +0000 snarla http://snarla.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/but-you-throw-one-shoe/

Muntazar al-Zaydi is the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at president Bush, yelling the immortal words, “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog,” and, “This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq.”

Immediately after his release in September he left the country for medical treatment, then got some love in Switzerland before returning to Iraq.

Now he has established a foundation . Maybe some day he’ll be remembered for something other than the shoe-throwing incident.

The MAZ Foundation being secular and independent of all political and religious institutions intends to bring financial, medical and logistical aid to the victims of the breaches to Human Rights in Iraq. It is also the ambition of the foundation to play a role in the prevention of the violating of Human Rights by giving media coverage to individual and collective tragedies and to making international opinion aware of the suffering of the Iraqi people. The MAZ Foundation also intends to finance all national and international legal actions leading to the acknowledgement of guilt and responsibility for the physical, material and moral prejudice suffered by the civilian population.

Here’s the contact page if you should wish to donate.

And here the immortal words in Arabic, in case you have a use for them:

هذه قبلة الوداع من الشعب العراقي أيها الكلب

and

وهذه من الأرامل والأيتام والأشخاص الذين قتلتهم

]]> <![CDATA[To υψηλοτερο δενδρο στον κοσμο! Σουρα Φατιρ 35 στιχος 1]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/to-%cf%85%cf%88%ce%b7%ce%bb%ce%bf%cf%84%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%bf-%ce%b4%ce%b5%ce%bd%ce%b4%cf%81%ce%bf-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf%ce%bd-%ce%ba%ce%bf%cf%83%ce%bc%ce%bf-%cf%83%ce%bf%cf%85%cf%81%ce%b1-%cf%86%ce%b1/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:43:38 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/to-%cf%85%cf%88%ce%b7%ce%bb%ce%bf%cf%84%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%bf-%ce%b4%ce%b5%ce%bd%ce%b4%cf%81%ce%bf-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf%ce%bd-%ce%ba%ce%bf%cf%83%ce%bc%ce%bf-%cf%83%ce%bf%cf%85%cf%81%ce%b1-%cf%86%ce%b1/

Μεταφραση Ξενια

Read in English

(…Προσθετει στην Δημιουργια ο,τι του αρεσει. Γιατι ο ΑΛΛΑΧ εχει απολυτη δυναμη πανω σε ολα τα πραγματα. 35:1)

Οταν κοιταζουμε γυρω μας βλεπουμε το μεγαλειο του Θεου. Eπισης οταν βλεπουμε  τα δημιουργηματα Του πρεπει να λεμε “Δοξα τω Θεω”.

Το ύψος τoυ ψηλότερου δέντρου στον κόσμο είναι 112 μετρα.  Είναι στα δάση της Καλιφόρνιας στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες της Αμερικής.

Οι επιστήμονες πιστεύουν ότι η ηλικία του δέντρου είναι πάνω από χίλια χρόνια, η διάμετρος του κορμού του είναι περισσότερα από τρία μέτρα, και μοιάζει με ένα κτίριο που αποτελείται από 37 ορόφους.

Αλλά κάποιος μπορεί να πει, που είναι το θαύμα σε αυτο το  δημιουργημα; Εδώ έχω  να θέσω ένα ερώτημα: Πώς μπορεί το νερό φθάσει το ύψος των 112 μετρων; Τι είδους αντλίες χρησιμοποιεί αυτό το δέντρο ; Και από πού το δέντρο παιρνει την απαραίτητη ενέργεια για την ίδια την διατροφη του για περισσότερο από 1.000 χρόνια;

Ο Αλλάχ που ειναι  Παντοδύναμος  του εχει δωσει ολες τις κατάλληλες μεθόδους για τη διατήρηση της ζωής του και οχι μονο για αυτο το δενδρο, αλλα για την  ζωή όλων των πλασμάτων.

Έβαλε  λοιπον ο Παντοδύναμος ένα πολύ απλό κανόνα  αλλα όμως χωρις αυτον τον κανόνα  όλα τα φυτά θα πεθαιναν.

Είναι η επιφανειακή τάση του νερού. Το νερό έχει  εφελκυστικη ταση και είναι σε θέση να ανεβεί μεσω των αγγειων του δενδρου  και  να φτάσει στην κορυφή του δέντρου. Υπάρχει ένας άλλος τρόπος τροφοδοτησης του δέντρου  ειναι από το νερό, το οποίο το δενδρο απορροφα από τον αέρα!

Ο Αλλάχ είναι Παντοδύναμος και  ειναι  Αυτός που εγγυάται τα προς το ζην για τα πλάσματα του και είχε στειλει  όλες τις μεθόδους για να τα κρατήσει  στη ζωή. Έτσι, πως  μπορεί  ο Αλλάχ  ο Παντοδύναμος να  ξεχάσει  έναν άνθρωπο οταν του ζητά και προσευχεται σ ‘Αυτόν;

Ο Θεός λέει:

Και ποσο αμετρητα ειναι( τα πλασματα) τα ζωντανα που δεν κουβαλουν τιποτα στην συντηρηση τους, Ο ΑΛΛΑΧ ειναι που τρεφει αυτα και εσας και ειναι Αυτος που ακουει (και ολα) τα γνωριζει. Al-‘Ankabût 29- verse60).

By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

www.kaheel7.com/eng

]]> <![CDATA[رحلة النفس والعقل والروح للبحث عن الذات]]> http://thelightway.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/%d8%b1%d8%ad%d9%84%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d9%81%d8%b3-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d9%82%d9%84-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%ad-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%ad%d8%ab-%d8%b9%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b0%d8%a7/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:31:11 +0000 thelightway http://thelightway.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/%d8%b1%d8%ad%d9%84%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d9%81%d8%b3-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b9%d9%82%d9%84-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%ad-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%ad%d8%ab-%d8%b9%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b0%d8%a7/

<a href="“>

]]> <![CDATA[]]> http://rosesandteatime.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/8/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:18:16 +0000 katherinerosethegreat http://rosesandteatime.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/8/

Today, as if to rub in the fact that December starts this week and the semester ends this week, the weather in Austin, TX has taken a rather chilly turn. And I, being the Southern girl that I am, am very very very cold. What’s really sad here is that it’s only down to like 40 degrees, but I’m a wimp. I’m really going to have to work on my tolerance for cold if I ever want to climb a mountain. Which I do. There are several mountains on my to-do-before-I-die list. The list needs a better name. It also needs to be written down.

Here are some excerpts. (read: whatever I can think of before my class starts)

1. Whitewater raft the Nile River. From source to the end. Yes, I’m aware  that militants in Sudan don’t really care about the safety of crazy Americans who decide to take a pleasure cruise through their territory, and I will take that into account. They can’t be there forever, right? I’m also terrified of crocodiles. This I probably cannot change.

2. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. If I meet a gorilla on the way up (jungle part at the bottom), that would make me very happy. I know this is highly unlikely (potentially impossible?), but for some reason Michael Crichton’s Congo, Tarzan, and Heart of Darkness really confused me about African geography and animals. Either way, it’s climbing a freaking volcano.

3.  Discover something of archeological significance. Anything.

4. Visit Tibet. Hike around for awhile. Talk to people. Visit monasteries and temples. Talk to God in a set of mountains that isn’t in Colorado.

5. Go to Ankgor Wat. Stare.

6. Go to the Hagia Sophia. While in Istanbul, go to a hammam. Visit the shanty towns around the city.

7. Spend a month (or more) with nomads. Not really sure what kind of nomads I mean. Maybe in Mongolia. Maybe Northern Africa. Maybe here in the US.

8. Get married, have family.

9. Go to India. Stay somewhere that looks like a combination of Sarah Crewe’s room in “A Little Princess” and the city in the live-action “Jungle Book.”

10. Go to India (different trip). Work in slums with children and/or prostitutes.

11. Do something to combat sex trafficking. I don’t know what yet.

12. Do something to combat the trafficking of children as soldiers. Again, I don’t know what yet.

13. Live in the Yemen/Somalia/Saudi Arabia/Djibouti/Ethiopia/Sudan region.

14. Go to grad school. [Sub-listings of this one: take GRE, LSAT, etc.]

15. Adopt a kid or 4.

16. Be a missionary.

17. Figure out what the cookies that my neighbor from Iran used to make are. Get recipe. Give to mother.

18. Learn another language. (After I get Arabic down. This may never happen.)

19. Travel, travel, travel. (do I really have to work?)

20. Machu Picchu. Inca trail? It will probably kill me.

21. Scuba dive in ruins. Alexandria, that one place off of Japan, and/or that one place off of India. If I were to discover something awesome while scuba diving, that would be awesome too. [not like statues of Jesus dropped in coral reefs as a gimmick to make tourists laugh while snorkeling. Mostly because I don't like snorkeling, though]

22. come up with more stuff to put on here. I’m drawing a blank like woah right now.

23. Get in shape.

 

Which probably means that I need to go work on my papers on guest workers in Saudi Arabia and the 1994 Jordan-Israel peace accord.

Or go to class.

Last week of class = week of no sleep. yesssss.

]]> <![CDATA[Madina Arabic Books - Solutions]]> http://theauthenticbase.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/madina-arabic-books-solutions/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:47:51 +0000 عمر ابن مظهر http://theauthenticbase.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/madina-arabic-books-solutions/ <![CDATA[A bowl of noodles... Is going to make you cry!]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/a-bowl-of-noodles-is-going-to-make-you-cry/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:40:02 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/a-bowl-of-noodles-is-going-to-make-you-cry/

From the album: Wall Photos by I LOVE NATURE by Alexander Hollander

That night, Sharifa had a quarrel with her mum and without bringing
anything with her, she ran out of the house. While she was walking
on the street, she discovered that she did not have any money on
her, not even a cent to make a phone call. As she was walking along
the street, she spotted a noodle stall, it smells so nice, how she
longs for a bowl. But, she has no money.

After a while, the owner of the noodle stall seeing Sharifa standing
in front of his stall for quite a long time, asked: ‘Hey Miss, do
you want a bowl of noodles?’

‘But…but…I didn’t bring any money with me…’ she answered
shyly.

‘It’s alright; I’ll give you a treat.’ The noodle vendor said, ‘Come
have a seat, I’ll cook you a bowl of noodles.’

Not long after, the owner served Sharifa with a bowl of noodles and
a plate of vegetables. Sharifa ate a few mouthfuls and she started
to tear. ‘What happened, young lady?’ the owner asked.

‘Nothing, I’m just touched!‘ Sharifa said while drying her
tears. ‘Even a stranger I met on the street would offer to cook a
bowl of noodles and treat me! But… my own mother, after a quarrel
chased me out of the house and asked me not to go back again. You as
a complete stranger could show me care and concern while my own
mother…she’s so cruel.’ She said to the owner.

The boss after hearing what Sharifa had said replied with a
sigh: ‘Miss, how can you think that way? Ponder over this, I just
cooked a bowl of noodles for you and you are so touched. Your mother
had been cooking noodles and rice for you since you are young till
now, why aren’t you grateful to her? And you even quarrel with her?’

Sharifa was stunned upon hearing that. ‘Why didn’t I think of that?
A bowl of noodles from a stranger and I’m so grateful but yet my own
mother had been cooking for me for so many years and I’m not even
showing the least concern about her. And because of a trivial
matter, I quarrelled with her.’ She finishes her noodles swiftly and
braces herself up and march towards the direction of home.

As she was walking home, she thought to herself what she wants to
tell her mum right now… ‘Mum, I’m sorry, I know I’m at fault,
please forgive me.’

Once she reached the doorstep, she saw her tired and anxious mother,
frantically searching everywhere for her. When she spotted Sharifa,
the first sentence which came out of her mouth is: ‘Sharifa, come
into the house quickly, I’ve the dinner ready and it’ll be cold if
you don’t eat it now.’ Right at that moment, Sharifa was unable to
hold back her tears anymore and started weeping in front of her mum.

At times, we may be very grateful to other people around us for a
little gesture they showed us, but to our close ones, especially our
parents, it’s a lifetime of gratefulness we have to remember.

We should never forget what our parents had done for us but often we
treat that as a natural process for them to sacrifice for us.
However, parent’s love and care are the most valuable gift given to
us since we were born. They don’t expect any repayment from us for
raising us but think about it…..do we treasure the unconditional
sacrifice from our parents – and so we return to them their just
dues.

Reflections of a Mother

Allah gave you life through me, but I cannot live it for you.

I can teach you the Qur’an and the Deen , but I cannot make you
learn.

I can guide you in your Deen, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.

I can take you to the masjid, but I cannot make you pray.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for
you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful
inside.

I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, lihubbillaah, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honour.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you the facts of life, but I can’t build your reputation.

I can tell you about drink, but I can’t say “no” for you.

I can warn you about drugs but I can’t prevent you from using them.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can’t achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can’t force you to be
gracious.

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk in the Straight Path
of Allah.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life….. and I
will

Source: Slaves of Allah.


]]> <![CDATA[Islam Channel's 'City Sister' Elizabeth Leonard Journey to Islam]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/islam-channels-city-sister-elizabeth-leonard-journey-to-islam/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:56:58 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/islam-channels-city-sister-elizabeth-leonard-journey-to-islam/

London’s Islam Channel satellite television station has started a new women’s life- style show. In this programme Muslim women from a variety of backgrounds get together and chat about issues of being a Muslim woman in today’s world. Elizabeth Leonard is on the panel of City Sisters and she thoroughly enjoys the open discussions and positive feedback the show has had. Leonard said, “I think this programme is helping people in the UK to learn about many aspects of Islam and Muslims.”

Leonard accepted Islam just three years ago. She said that she made this all-important change through the support and encouragement of her husband. She said, “He is a born Muslim but he was not practising when I first met him.”

Despite this he used to give Leonard information and encouraged her to ask questions and understand more about the religion.

“The strange thing is,” noted Leonard, “that the more he was talking to me about Islam, the closer he got to it himself! He would give me snippets of information and I just kept having more and more questions. This meant he had to find the answers for me!”

Husband and wife ended up encouraging each other to learn and practise Islam step by step. By the time Leonard was ready to formally accept Islam, her husband had started practising it properly himself. They made the final step together. Since her conversion, they have agreed that it is important to concentrate on meeting more Muslims and are continually encouraging each other to learn more and do more.

What were the first things that impressed her about Islam? Leonard noted, “I come from a non-religious background, so the practical side of Islam attracted me; especially the social and economic structure of the religion as well as the treatment of women.”

Leonard had found that in Christianity there are no real female role models whereas in Islam the roles of men and women are clearly defined and women are not only acknowledged, but honoured. This was significant for her.

When she first converted to Islam, her family was bemused and did not know what to make of it because theirs was not a religious household. Leonard remembers that they had a lot of questions. “At first they thought I was just going through a phase and they gave me a few months. They really thought I would change back to my old ways,” remembered Leonard, “but soon it became evident that it was a life style choice and would last forever.” Finally, Leonard’s family took her choice to accept Islam seriously and have been very supportive ever since.

Her advice to new Muslims in the early stages of their conversion is that they should surround themselves with knowledgeable people who will encourage them to be better. She remembers that the early days, after first converting, are very difficult and that there is a lot of pressure from family and friends but she noted that things do get better and persistence is necessary. “Do not underestimate the importance of having people around you who can advise and support you and try to gain knowledge so that when people ask you questions you will be able to answer well and feel comfortable with what you say,” advised Leonard.

For the first six months after her conversion she was occupied with carving out an identity for herself. Leonard said, “I am an English Muslim woman! There is a definite role for us here in England. I believe it is very much about interacting with people. We dress differently and so on but there is still common ground between us and non-Muslims. Everyone is concerned about things like the crime rate and education, so meeting with people from different backgrounds, and letting them know we share many things in common is the starting point for living Islam and spreading it too! I honestly believe that my work with City Sisters is part of that effort.”

Source: Muslim Weekly

]]> <![CDATA[Connecting Arabic!]]> http://onedayhoney.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/connecting-arabic/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:22:17 +0000 Katherine Osgood http://onedayhoney.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/connecting-arabic/

This weekend I’ve been working on cohesion and coherence in translation. It has turned out to be an interesting topic, especially when translating Arabic into English. Working on these issues reminded me of an excellent little book assigned to me during my time studying Arabic at the AUC in Egypt. It’s called ‘The Connectors in Modern Standard Arabic’ by Nariman Naili Al-Warraki and Ahmed Taher Hassanein. It is a superb overview of all those tricky little connecting words that are so useful in all languages! It makes a very useful addition to any Arabic student’s library.

]]> <![CDATA[Essential Elements for a Positive Personality!]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/essential-elements-for-a-positive-personality/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:28:27 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/essential-elements-for-a-positive-personality/

The quality of our success as social beings depends on our capacity to develop the magnetic power of caring enough and reflecting that care in our daily life in three important ways.

We should have:

  • a positive attitude
  • thoughtful words
  • appropriate behaviour

Designing One’s Personality

Our lives are continually being shaped by the choices we make and the convictions and values that underlie them. In this sense, our lives are like works of art in progress.

We focus on wearing designer clothes, but do we focus on designing our personality? We can take the material of life and either react to it in a passive way; always remaining life’s victim, or take it and use it creatively, becoming the architect of one’s life and a full participant in shaping one’s destiny and in designing one’s true personality.

Personality, Character and Reputation

Personality is the combination of thoughts, emotions and actions that make each individual unique. Personality is linked to character and reputation.

  • Reputation is what you lead others to believe you are; while character is what you really are.
  • Reputation may be reflected in the combination of your name and your image; while character is the essence of your being.
  • Reputation is the wrapping; while character is the content.
  • Reputation is the outer reflection; while character is the inner reality.
  • Reputation is made in a moment; while character is built in a lifetime.
  • Reputation may be reflected in what people write about you on your tombstone; while character is what angels report about you to Almighty Allah.

The Art of Navigating the Road of Life

1. In navigating the road of life, do not to be a victim of what happens to you; but rather to be an architect of the road and do your best to make things happen.

Reflect on the admonition of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) “As you do, so shall you be rewarded. ” (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

2. Do not be of those who end up saying … I should have, I could have, I would have, I must have …. but didn’t.

3. The art of positive thinking is to realize that life is a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, and to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

In correcting others, the aim is not to appear better than others but in bringing out the best in yourself and to facilitate bringing out the best in others.

Remember;

to a sick man sweet water tastes bitter,

not because there is a problem with the water,

but because of the sickness of the man . [Al-Mutanabbi; the poet]

4. Positive thinkers have a winning attitude; though they recognize their limitations, they focus on their strengths.

5. The art of being YOU-nique is not in how you appear, but rather in letting what you do and how you do it be a reflection of what and who you are. You are the only “you” that there is; no one can think with your mind, speak with your voice and smile with your face, cry with your tears or act with your body, but you. So be the best ‘YOU’ that you can be, for only you are accountable for yourself and you only get what you strive for.

6. The art of problem-solving lies in your attitude and approach to problems. Think positively! Often, the problem lies in how we look at things.

Pessimism is part of bad character.

7. Learn to deal with difficulty without accepting failure, tackling challenges without feeling defeated, recognizing error without repeating mistakes, and facing disappointments without being discouraged.

So, when life serves you lemons; don’t be sour … make lemonade.

8. The art of speaking is not in the volume of words / sound but rather in the truthfulness and wisdom of the content. Speech is a projection of thoughts and emotions; the content of speech reflects the culture of the heart, so consider carefully how you feel about others, why you feel the way you feel and what you say about people.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “None of your faith is correct unless your heart is upright and your heart will not be rectified until your tongue is in order.”(Authenticated by Al-Albani) And, that is why Almighty Allah states in the Qur’an,

(O you who believe! be careful of(your duty to) Allah and speak the right word, He will put your deeds into a right state for you, and forgive you your faults.) (Al-Ahzab 33: 70)

9. The art of criticism lies not in succeeding to find faults, but in finding a means whereby the fault is realized and corrected. In his book entitledCommanding the Right and Forbidding the Wrong in Islamic Thought, Dr Michael Cook writes,

What kind of duty do we have to try and stop people doing wrong? The question is intelligible in just about every culture, but few of them seek to answer it in a rigorous fashion. The most striking exception is found in the Islamic tradition, where ‘commanding right and forbidding wrong’ is a central moral tenet mentioned in the Qura’n.

10. In correcting others, the aim is not to appear better than others but in bringing out the best in yourself and to facilitate bringing out the best in others; to commit yourself to be of benefit to the world.

11. Occupy yourself with so much striving to improve yourself that you have less time to criticize others. Almighty Allah says,

(O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are), not let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers.O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another.) (Al-Hujurat 49: 11, 12)

Reach Your Full Potential

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that Almighty Allah has prescribed goodness and excellence in all thatyou do; and this statement, in relation to evolving human potential and developing personality, motivates a person to utilize his life skills in the most progressive and pro-active manner. This requires living with dignity and the demonstration of:

  • Courage with conviction
  • Patience with perseverance
  • Power with mercy
  • Authority with honor
  • Duty with commitment
  • Principle with wisdom
  • Freedom with discipline
  • Status with humility
  • Justice with compassion
  • A lifetime filled with love

This can be attained if we abide by the advice of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him); “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should talk what is good or keep quiet.” (Al-Bukhari)

And Allah’s order,

(And whoever hopeth for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and make none sharer of the worship due unto his Lord.) (Al-Kahf 18:110)

Source: IslamonLine
]]> <![CDATA[Masterpieces of Metaphysical Miracles]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/masterpieces-of-metaphysical-miracles/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:37:08 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/masterpieces-of-metaphysical-miracles/
Ponder these conversations that tell us about our current reality, it is seen that Muhammad peace be upon him a Messenger from God ….

At a time of legends, myths, ignorance and idolatry, and in an era when people were fighting for many years for camels!! In an age, girl was buried alive in the soil have no guilt but been a female! At a time when a man buys a God made of dates, if hungry eat!! In these circumstances ,the Prophet of Mercy peace be upon him, had came with the light, the guidance and the right, He came to change the world until the Day of Resurrection.

But that prophet was not normal human beings, he was a messenger prophet ,supported by Almighty God, the God who created this universe, created all things and knows everything.

God willing, the message of Islam spread all over the world, and therefore the merciful prophet must be supported by the miracles, but what are they?

Allah supported him with great Metaphysical miracles, he was to tell the events will take place after hundreds of years, at a time, no one expected such things. Indeed, the Prophet at that time was not a full-time for such subjects, he who holds the nation they are invited, and has a very difficult task to convince the infidels to change their corrupt ideology, miracles were supported Muhammad everywhere.

The moon has been cleft asunder by Allah as a miracle for Muhammad, and be with him on his enemies, even the enemies of Islam have turned to faith and were soldiers loyal to the prophet, like him and he was their commander. Thus, if we take for granted that this prophet was not true and he wants fame, power and money, why should he involve himself in talking about things metaphysical will happen after his death? But what are the benefits of these prophecies if it were not true?

Therefore, such things are a tangible demonstration for our time proves the sincerity of the message of the final prophet, and that he is the prophet of God Almighty.

And now, my lovers let’s ponder the words of the prophet of mercy peace be upon him, and know how it match hundred percent with the reality in which we live today:

The emergence of strife( sedition),lying, and convergence time

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah peace be upon him: (The Hour will not come until the strife been very common, do a lot of lying, converging markets and converging time) [Narrated by Imam Ahmad].

This Hadith tells the reality in which we live these days, there are so many temptations, and many lies, and numerous markets, and convergence time as they become digital communications provide us with information and convey to us the picture from far away to know what is happening now.

Reference to the global economy

He said peace be upon him speaking about the signs of the Hour: “among conditions of the Hour: increased money and increased trade” [narrated by Al-Nesaii], and in the second novel: ” women are sharing trade with her husband” [Narrated by Ahmad]. The trade has become the backbone of today’s global economy, and this was not known during the time of the Prophet peace be upon him, where agriculture was the most prevalent.

And think with me how it became the share of women in the media, factories, teaching political and commercial.

There are women organizations of Business and other things that were not known time of the Prophet peace be upon him.

New ways to ride

Ibn Umar said that the prophet peace be upon him said: “be in the last decades men are riding “mayaathir” (new luxury means of transportations) to the doors of the mosques, their wives are clothed yet naked, their heads alike camel’s hump, put curse upon them ,sure they are cursed by God. It was said, O Messenger of Allah, will horses not be used then? Said: never ride for war” [Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan, and Ibn Majah].

Look at how the Prophet spoke peace be upon him by the new means of transport is not known in his time, which mayaathir, and can say that they are cars that have spread, while a horse become for fun and well-being only.

Look at how predicted by the Prophet peace be upon him that these horses will never be used in war, (not riding for a war at all), this indicates to the invention of new tools such as planes, tanks and nuclear weapons and laser … Who told him peace be upon him in all this?

A reference to the skyscrapers

Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him said that the Prophet peace be upon him said to Jibreel, when asked about the time:” but I’ll tell you about portents of them stated (when shepherds  boasting establish high buildings” [Bukhari and Muslim]. Today we see people rushing to build high-rise towers, and boast about it, and this is a miracle truly experiencing the greatest prophet. Because no one could not predict that 14 centuries ago.

Ignorance, murder and money

Say peace be upon him: “The Hour will not come until knowledge caught , earthquakes frequently occur ,time converge, plenty strife ,disorder, frequently murder and money be great and surplus” [Bukhari].

There are several miracles in this Hadith:

1 – Knowledge be caught: If ponder ‘fatawa’ nowadays on satellite channels today we find some scholars allows dealing with interest,friendly kiss between boys and girls and smoking at Ramadan.Unfortunately, we find a lot of satellite TV rush into such scholars who have not enough knowledge!!. Not all of this evidence that real knoledge be rare and ignorance be common?

2 – frequent earthquakes: There are many scientific indications on the possibility of a large number of earthquakes, hurricanes and natural disasters such as tsunami, as a result of pollution, which will witness in the next few years,and this demonstrates the sincerity of the Prophet peace be upon him.

3 – convergence of time: through the speed of communication, speed of movement and speed of information, through mobile and satellite channels and e-mail.

4 – The advent of temptation: As we see in many Islamic countries of the sectarian and factional strife, sedition and murder and so on.

5 – Frequent murder: this is what we see on the satellite channels of wars and battles and armed conflicts between the peoples on the earth, and indicators on the rise.

6 -Surplus money: The world economy depends on money and currency exchange, banking, commerce, stock market and these things were not known the time of the greatest Prophet.

The emergence of adultery and alcohol

Say peace be upon him: “from Signs of the Hour: to show ignorance, few real religion scientists, shows adultery, drink alcohol, less men, and frequently women, so that 50 women stand for one man” [Bukhari]. If we walk today in the streets of Muslim countries, we see a lot of liquor stores, and see places of entertainment and discos spread here and there.

If you go to sea shores in non-Islamic countries there is almost devoid table of intoxicating drinks of all kinds. All of this can not be predicted by the thousand and four hundred years, but the Prophet peace be upon him says but truth.

Resurrection approaches

Says peace be upon him: “between my mission and Resurrection as between these, and he points with two adjacent fingers” [Bukhari]. Scientists estimate the age of the universe by billions of years (13.5 billion years), and human life very little compared with the age of the universe, where the prophet Mohammed sent peace be upon him 1400 years ago only, ie, if we divided the 1400 to 13,500,000,000 result is a very small proportion of up to 0.0000001 (one to ten million), so the metaphor prophetic were acute since he stick his two fingers to signify that the time of the arrival of the Day of Resurrection is very close compared with the age of the universe, and God knows best.

Signal to the computer and print

Ibn Masood may Allah be pleased with him said: The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said: “before the Hour(and He mentioned some matters ,among them: he mentioned the emergence of the pen)” [Narrated by Ahmad].

Look with me into the development of writing and the use of computers in the writing, newspapers, magazines and books, even if the number of pages printed per day is estimated in millions .. Who would have imagined this at that time in Mecca, where only few men were master the writing?!

A reference to the weakness of the Muslims and left behind

:Says peace be upon him “Nations are about to fall upon you as eaters rush into their food bowl … at that time you are plenty but scum as torrent scum.”

Glorified be Allah! It is likened to an accurate and eloquent, the rhetoricians unable to describe and depict the reality of the Islamic nation today, as illustrated by our most beloved peace be upon him.

All other nations have underestimated us, and Muslims have become the most backward peoples on the earth after Allah make them honourable and powerful by Islam.

The reason for our backwardness that we shy away from the teachings of Islam, we ask Allah well-being for Muslims and to return them to their guidance and to their religion.

A reference to the amazing inventions

He said peace be upon him: “ The Hour will not until you see great things that never seen before or came to your minds.” [Narrated by Ahmad]. In another narration “if you have seen it, remember Allah, and know it is early signs of the Hour”.

Look at the new inventions such as the Internet, mobile,satellites, lethal weapons, dangerous diseases such as AIDS , mad cow disease and swine influenza … All of these things we did not heard of before!

Today, you spoke to your friend and you see through your mobile device things thousands of kilometers away from you, it is an indication of the sincerity of the Prophet peace be upon him, how he knows that strange, new and great things will appear, if he not a prophet of Allah?.

Reference to the sophistication in buildings

He said peace be upon him: (The Hour will not until people build houses,as if they are decorating their clothes” [al-Bukhari in literature singular].

Look at these houses decorated around and spent the millions on decorating and decoration ... How could an illiterate Prophet, lives in the desert of the Arabian Peninsula, know that people will spend huge amounts of money to decorate their houses?

Similar to men and women, and vice versa

He said peace be upon him: “Approaching the Hour you will find: men imitate women, and women imitate men) [Narrated by Abu Naim].

Has become a phenomenon imitation of men to women and vice versa, is rampant in the world today, even we find many countries allowed the marriage of men with men and women marry women !!… We ask Allah to save us. This was not known or even expected to occur but the Prophet told us, why? To be evidence of the sincerity of his Prophethood in this era of much mocking the Prophet of Mercy peace be upon him.

The Prophet peace be upon him said:“There will be among my Ummah who will legalize  adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments” [Bukhari].

To look at what is happening today in cafes, bars and places of prostitution and singing these songs, even found at houses cars and heard in the street ... Millions of tapes and CDs are sold daily and millions of concerts and dance performances and concerts of wines … We see them all this time.

This phenomenon, no one can imagine at the time of the Prophet peace be upon him, but the Prophet of mercy and peace be upon him told us it to be an evidence of his sincerity in this era.

A reference to adultery in public

The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said: “I swear of Who my soul is between His Hands, this Ummah will not end before man make love to woman in the main way, and the best one of you will just say to him ,couldn’t you hide her behind that wall? [Narrated by Abu Ali].

Look at the Western States to practice the evil in the way and on Sea shores, unfortunately hardly see those who say to them: Fear God!!

We tell each arrogant atheist mocking the Prophet of mercy and peace be upon him: For God! How aware of the Holy Prophet at that time such a thing? How aware that time will become, the practice of immorality in public and legitimate right as we see today in most non-Muslim country!!, and unfortunately there are some Muslim countries imitate the West in this bad habit.

Decoration of mosques

“The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:“The Hour will not until you see boast of people in the mosques” [Narrated by Imam Ahmad].

Look at the decorations and the money spent on the decoration of mosques, knowing that we respect it and consider it as the sacred houses of Allah, but it is not logical to find the poor do not find what they eat, and then spend millions on the decoration of the mosque, and God is not in a need for such extravagance!

Yes, the house of God should be a home for fit and comfort incorporate all the requirements of the worshipers, but there are decorations of mosques Allah did not order. The Prophet peace be upon him if he was not a messenger from Allah how did he know that this will happen after him!

Frequent earthquakes

The Messenger of Allah may peace be upon him and his family said: “The Hour will not come until frequent earthquakes happened” [Bukhari].

Scientists say there are many indications of sudden and unexpected earthquakes . For example, a country like Japan is in an area could be crack and shake at any moment and millions of people will then killed…

Our question: Did Muhammad peace be upon him study Geology and predicted this??!

Reference to the lack of the Secretariat

The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said: “If the Secretariat been missed, so wait the Hour” [Bukhari].

If we went to the courts today, we see a large number of cases caused by the breaching trust, we believe the millions of cases of swindling , fraud and forgery … This was not known time of the Prophet peace be upon him. No human being at that time could predict that the Secretariat will be lost, and this proves that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Plenty of music and “artists”

The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:“it will be eclipsed in the last decade, bombarding and metamorphosis, a man asked the prophet: when it will be ,O Messenger of Allah? Mohammad said: “If musical instruments and artists spread out”  [Narrated by Ibn Majah], artists here are the dancers and singers.

Look with me, to the emergence and spread of music is not perceived by the mind, as well as the spread of singers in large numbers of tens of thousands, and there are unfortunately hundreds of satellite channels broadcast songs and dancers all night and day.

Sold daily in Muslim countries, only hundreds of thousands of songs and videos cd’s containing films or songs downlink rave, and such phenomena were not known time of the Prophet peace be upon him, so this is a modern miracle of Prophet Muhammad, because no one can predict that the songs will spread in this

New names for of alcohols

The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said : “A range of my Ummah will make alcohols legal for themselves, they call it by another names” [Narrated by Ahmad].

Really alcohols now have many names: beer, vodka and whiskey … And all new names were not known before, it is the Holy Prophet, who told the prophet that people will invent new names for alcohols?

Disobedience to parents

The Prophet peace be upon him on speaking about signs of the Day of Resurrection said:“if the man obeys his wife, disobey his mother, honoring his friend and estrange his father ” [Narrated by Tirmidhi.

Today at any Muslim court you will see a large number of cases for parents raised against their children cause they may disobey, beat or insult them.

Also, we find a lot of problems between the man and his mother because of his wife … Such things were not familiar in the past.

The researchers noticed growing phenomenon of disobeying parents, which is narrated by the Prophet peace be upon him,as a sign to the approach of the Day of Resurrection.

Shall we consider and get back to the Book of our Lord?

Lovers of Allah! The Prophet peace be upon him did not tell us about such things just to prove to us that he is the Messenger of Allah!! Yes, this is a big goal of these conversations to be a witness and proof of the sincerity of the message of Islam, but there are further objective is to warn and prepare for the Day of Resurrection.

The Prophet peace be upon him warns us of the approach and time that can come only suddenly, if we see such things, “musical instruments, adultery, alcohol and lying …” Should we be mindful of the approaching Day of Resurrection, and thus hasten to repent and seek forgiveness and return to the teachings of the religion that Allah may seal our fine, and be of those who Allah about them:

(Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with

God: of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still)

wait:  but they have never changed (their determination) in the least:) (Al-Ahzab, 23)

——————–

By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

www.kaheel7.com/eng

Related Post: The Role of Miracles in Islam

]]> <![CDATA[Quran Arabic Learning --- Useful Sites]]> http://mtrtmk.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/quran-arabic-learning-useful-sites/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:14:41 +0000 mtrtmk http://mtrtmk.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/quran-arabic-learning-useful-sites/

http://www.understandquran.com/
Various free courses/resources designed to help understand Quranic arabic (for people who can read arabic, but are non-arabs and would like to learn the meaning of the arabic words). Dictionaries, frequently used words etc. English, Urdu, Indian + other languages.

http://www.madinaharabic.com/
Site for learning arabic for beginners. 1) Arabic Reading and 2) Arabic Language courses. Work in progress. At the moment, images are missing on the Arabic Language courses. Seem to be in the process of rebuilding their website. Probably still at least a few months away from successful rebuild. Hopefully then, it will be ready for general use. Mentioning it because site contains lessons from the Madinah Arabic Book Series, and once the bugs have ironed out, could be a most useful resource. That is not to say, it can’t or shouldn’t be used currently. The reading course for beginners is available. In the language course, if you can ignore missing images, then the arabic text and english translations are still intact.

http://tajweedinenglish.com/
Tajweed resources. Point mouse over letters to hear correct pronunciation. Videos on correct articulation as well.

]]> <![CDATA[Prophet Muhammad (saw) presents his brother Jesus(as)]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/prophet-muhammad-saw-presents-his-brother-jesusas/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:12:19 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/prophet-muhammad-saw-presents-his-brother-jesusas/

I apologise in advance about the length of this article. I believe you will find it informative and beneficial.

«…whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus,

the son of Mary; distinguished

in this world and the Hereafter.»

(Surah Aali ‘Imraan, 3:45

If the largest and most successful American and European public relations companies convened, cooperating closely, dedicating themselves and utilizing all their human, technical, and material resources to outline a profile of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and offer the most attractive picture of him to mankind, what would the world community say about such an undertaking? How would it describe this endeavor? Undoubtedly, it would describe it as a refined, unbiased effort, and as devotion to the revered Messiah. Many other positive and fitting adjectives could be used for it.

If this should be an imaginary proposal, then there is an actual accomplishment that surpasses it by innumerable degrees in relation to the magnitude of its presentation, depth of its content, sincerity of its style, intimacy of its description and length of its duration.

That religious, historical, humanitarian, and ethical reality is that Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) presented his brother, the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, to the world community in a most superb image. That profile and presentation was not a political campaign subject to the drawbacks and inadequacies that characterize such efforts. In presenting his noble brother, the Prophet of Islam followed a method that is not subject to shortcomings and failings. That method is through the Qur’anic text, which contains no falsehood and has been unaltered with time, and teachings of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), who did not speak of his own accord. The duration of this presentation is not limited to a week, month or year ,s time; rather it extends from the time of its revelation to Prophet Muhammad in the sixth century until the Day of Resurrection. The presentation of the Messiah is not through an obsolete text, or an outdated document preserved in a library or a museum. It is through the living Qur’an, which is recited in prayers, taught at schools and universities, and heard on radio and television day and night.

It is the right of every intelligent reader and researcher to ask intelligently, objectively and seriously about any statement that could be seen as a mere claim, «What is the evidence and proof supporting it?»

The answer is as follows:

First, there is presentation and introduction of the Messiah in the Qur’an:

Presentation of the miracle of his birth: «Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister [i.e., descendant] of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste. So she pointed to him. They said, How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child? [Jesus] said, Indeed, I am the servant of God. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I remain alive and [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.» (Surah Maryam, 19:27-33)

Presentation of his beautiful character:

«[And mention] when the angels said, «O Mary, indeed God gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to God].» (Surah Aali ‘Imraan, 3:45)

Presentation of the miraculous nature of his prophethood and mission: «God will say, O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit [i.e., the angel Gabriel] and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity. And [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind [from birth] and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission.» (Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:110)

Presentation of the fact that Gospel revealed to him: «And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.»(Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:46)

Presentation of his approach and message, which ordered the worship of God alone: «I said not to them except what You commanded me – to worship God, my Lord and your Lord.» (Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:117) This approach also taught people wisdom and pointed out to them the standard for settling differences: «And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, I have come to you with wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ.» (Surah az-Zukhruf, 43:63)

And there is proof of it from the Prophet,s sunnah (his sayings and teachings). Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) said:

«While I was asleep, I was circumambulating the Ka‘bah and there came a brown man with straight hair, between two men against whom he leaned, with water dripping from his head. I said, Who is that? I was told, He is the son of Mary.»

Prophet Muhammad also described his brother, Jesus, son of Mary, as «of medium height and ruddy as if he has just come out of a bath,» which implies purity, brightness, and radiance.

Prophet Muhammad also said, «I am nearest to the son of Mary in this world and the Hereafter. There is no other prophet between him and me. Prophets are brothers from their father,s side, having various mothers; and our religion is one.»

He also said, «Whoever testifies that there is no deity other than God, alone with no partner, that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, that Jesus is God,s servant and messenger and His word which He bestowed upon Mary and a spirit from Him, and that Paradise is true and Hell is true – God shall admit him into Paradise according to his deeds.» An-Nawawi, a well known Islamic scholar, commented on this narration, saying, «This is a statement of great significance; it is among the most comprehensive ones about belief.»

Second, there is presentation in the Qur,an of the disciples and followers of the Messiah in an image of utmost grace, perfection and spiritual refinement, for the presentation of the Messiah included the presentation of his noble and righteous disciples:

«But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, Who are my supporters for [the cause of] God? The disciples said, We are supporters for God. We have believed in God and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]. Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger [i.e., Jesus], so register us among the witnesses [to truth].» (Surah Aali ‘Imraan, 3:52-53)

«O you who have believed, be supporters of God, as when Jesus, the son of Mary, said to the disciples, Who are my supporters for God? The disciples said, We are supporters of God.» (Surah as-Saff, 61:14) In this verse Muslims are invited to follow the example of the disciples in supporting the prophets and upholding the way of truth.

Similarly, the disciples receive God,s praise in the Qur’an because they followed Christ in all sincerity: «Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy…» (Surah al-Hadeed, 57:27)

Something closely connected to the above and part and parcel of it is the Qur’an,s defense of the righteous Christians who clung to their faith and were exposed to great harm but remained steadfast in their religion.

Among them are the young men of the cave, after whom a chapter of the Qur’an is named. These were upright Christian young men pursuing a sound course. The Qur’an praises and commemorates them: «Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder? [Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years. Then We awakened them that We might show which of the two factions was most precise in calculating what [extent] they had remained in time. It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.» (Surah al-Kahf, 18:9-13)

And among them were are those burned in the trench, also a group of Christians. The Qur’an commemorates them while condemning and denouncing their persecutors: «Destroyed [i.e., cursed] were the companions of the trench [containing] the fire full of fuel, when they were sitting near it and they, to what they were doing against the believers, were witnesses. And they resented them not except because they believed in God, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy, to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And God, over all things, is Witness. Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire.»

(Surah al-Buruj, 84:4-10)

In summary, we can say that evidence recurs and each proof supports the other in confirming that Islam presents Christ (peace be upon him), his Gospel, his method, his mission and his disciples in a perfect and most sublime image. It also defends the persecuted Christian believers in a manner that shows love for them and abhorrence for their tyrannical oppressors. I am pleased to offer these statements, supported by evidences, as a gift to the Christians of the world.

If there is a conclusion or statement to be added, it is this: How can Islam be condemned when it offers such a splendid portrayal of Christ? How can light be blamed for being light? Why should the presenting of Christ as sublime and dignified become a pretext to discredit Prophet Muhammad and his religion?

We believe in Christ as a prophet and a messenger of God. We love and esteem him, and we follow the light he brought. If others do not believe in our prophet – belief being a matter of free choice – let them at least respect him. Such respect is not only morally praiseworthy, but would also demonstrate a sensible attitude, for reasonable people appreciate and respect those who respect the ones they love and believe in.

Now as in the past, the intolerance of Muslims and Christians and exchanges of insults between them appears absurd. It can only be instigated by small minded people when viewed in light of the sound, sincere and honorable relationship between the two great men: Muhammad and Jesus Christ.

Do the Christians of the world know that belief in the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, as a prophet and messenger is one of the basic elements of belief for every Muslim? It is even a condition for the soundness of every Muslim,s belief in Prophet Muhammad in the sense that a Muslim,s belief in Prophet Muhammad is unacceptable and rejected unless it is combined with belief that Jesus, the son of Mary, was a prophet and messenger.

Do the Christians of the world know this fact?

Some of them do, particularly Christians of the Arab world who speak Arabic, for their knowledge of the language allows them, for example, to consider this Qur’anic verse:

«Say, [O believers], We have believed in God and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.» (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:136)

Some Christians know this fact, but the majority do not. It is most likely that, together with other factors, their lack of knowledge of this fact has caused a great deal of misunderstanding in the way they have responded to Islam.

However, he who does not know cannot be an authority over people who do know; rather, the opposite should be true.

Moreover, it is an obligation at all times to state openly that a Muslim,s belief is unacceptable unless he believes in the prophethood and mission of Jesus, the son of Mary. It is not permissible to withhold this acknowledgment just because of some people,s hostility to Prophet Muhammad. In this context a question might be raised: Why should Muslims not resort to the same tactics as the people who disparage the status of Prophet Muhammad and curse and slander him? The same tactics, of course, means disparaging, cursing, and slandering Jesus, son of Mary. But this is regarded in Islamic law as disbelief. Such an act would cast the offender out of the religion of Islam. For Muslim believers there is no difference between insulting or ridiculing Christ and insulting or ridiculing Muhammad. None would differentiate between them except a disbeliever in all the prophets and messengers. In fact, he would not be a true believer in God. The Qur,an says: «Indeed, those who disbelieve in God and His messengers and wish to discriminate between God and His messengers and say, We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and wish to adopt a way in between – those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. But they who believe in God and His messengers and do not discriminate between any of them – to those He is going to give their rewards. And ever is God Forgiving and Merciful.»(Surah an-Nisaa’, 4:150-152)

The essence of the above statements is that religious acceptance of all prophets without any discrimination between them is the basis of moral tolerance. The extent to which the mind, heart, and soul of an individual or a nation is broad enough in capacity to accept the whole truth is an indication of the extent of one,s tolerance.

But individuals and nations continue to exchange accusations against one another, each claiming to be tolerant and accusing others of partiality. In most cases when doing so, both sides are merely following their own whims and inclinations due to lack of a sound criterion by which to judge, one which would put a stop to such arguments and injustices. But what is the true criterion?

The best and most precise criterion that can be put on the scales of justice to measure the honesty of people, the correctness of their ideology, the soundness of their thought and the superiority of their moral standards is the extent to which their minds, hearts, and souls accept the whole truth and revere and love upholders of truth at every time and place.

Only by this criterion can a person be described as tolerant and another as biased. A person who is broad minded enough to accommodate the whole truth, unaffected by a tendency to be selective, and who acknowledges bearers of truth, regardless of when or where they might appear, is a truly tolerant person. And needless to say, one who is unable to do so will be intolerant. That is why it is one of the aims and tenets of Islam that Muslims are obliged to accept in their hearts, minds and souls the whole truth at all times and places. «[God] has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus – to establish the religion and not be divided therein.» (Surah ash-Shuraa, 42:13)

Those five great men, the true leaders of enlightened human thought, who are addressed and mentioned in this verse, are the messengers of resolute purpose. They belong to different places and times as regards birth, residence, circumstances and missions, and they cover the long span of human history from Noah through Abraham, Moses and Jesus up to the time of Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

In spite of the diversity of locations and long intervals of time between them, the truth they preached and advocated is the same truth as is vividly expressed in the verse above. Thus, what can be called the «line of truth» is a permanent one, continuously extending into every time and place.

Genuine affiliation is attachment to truth and righteousness and to those who possess them. (This, however, does not imply disregard of the importance of lineage or of belonging to a homeland, for in Islam there is no conflict between these affiliations.) We have not ourselves seen Prophets Idrees, Noah, Moses, Jesus, his disciples or Elisha, but we love and revere them all. Why? Because they were good, righteous people and they had noble souls and high moral standards; and also because the truth and principles they upheld are worthy of being adhered to, and make it commendable to be associated with those great men.

The beloved Jesus is a revered prophet and messenger. Islam, both in its divine scripture and its prophetic teachings, praises, venerates and exalts the position of Jesus. Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, presented Jesus to the human community in a most affectionate, dignified, generous and exceptional way.

This is the great rank of the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, as stated in the Qur,an and in Prophet Muhammad ,s sunnah. In Islam, respect for him is one of the basic elements of the creed.

We testify that we believe in the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, as a prophet and messenger. We also testify that we love him because he is loved and was chosen by God, because he embodied mercy, peace and love. He was blessed, dutiful to his mother and a sign for the people of all times (peace be upon him).

Jesus preached many values, precepts, concepts, and moral principles. He persevered in his preaching to make sure these moral values would flow naturally into man ’s consciousness and become an inalienable part of his conscience and the life of his society. Some examples of these values may be cited:

Mercy, which is the first and noblest characteristic of Christ,s personality and of his message, as stated in the Qur,an: «We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.» (Surah Maryam, 19:21) This characteristic was instinctively very clear in his mind, and therefore he denied the existence of any vestige of haughtiness or arrogance, the opposite of mercy, in his own nature: «And [God made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant.» (Surah Maryam, 19:32) He is quoted in the Bible as saying, «Blessed be the meek and merciful. Come to me all you who are tired and burdened and you will find comfort, because my yoke is gentle and my burden is light.»

Peace, of which Jesus, the Messiah, was without doubt, an advocate. This is not strange, for there was peace upon him from his birth to his resurrection, as stated in the Qur’an: «And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.»(Surah Maryam, 19:33)

Correct belief, as he said: «O Children of Israel, worship God, my Lord and your Lord. Indeed, he who associates others with God – God has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire.» (Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:72).

RasoulAllah. net

]]> <![CDATA[Αρ Ραχμαν- Αρ Ραχιιμ* Ο Παναγαθος, Ο Πολυευσπλαχνος* O Ευσπλαχνικος- Ο Ευσπαχνικοτατος]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/%ce%b1%cf%81-%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%87%ce%bc%ce%b1%ce%bd-%ce%b1%cf%81-%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%87%ce%b9%ce%b9%ce%bc-%ce%bf-%cf%80%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%b1%ce%b8%ce%bf%cf%82-%ce%bf-%cf%80%ce%bf%ce%bb%cf%85/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:50:08 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/%ce%b1%cf%81-%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%87%ce%bc%ce%b1%ce%bd-%ce%b1%cf%81-%cf%81%ce%b1%cf%87%ce%b9%ce%b9%ce%bc-%ce%bf-%cf%80%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%ce%b3%ce%b1%ce%b8%ce%bf%cf%82-%ce%bf-%cf%80%ce%bf%ce%bb%cf%85/

Read in English

Μεταφραση Ξενια

Αρ Ραχμαν- Αρ Ραχιιμ***  Ο Παναγαθος- Ο Πολυευσπλαχνος

Και θυμισου τον Ιωβ οταν καλουσε τον Κυριο τους. Η δυστυχια με εχει θλιψει. Εσυ ομως Κυριε εισαι απο τους σπλαχνικους, ο Σπλαχνικοτατος “(Surat al-Anbiya», 21:83)

Όπως συμβαίνει με όλα τα άλλα όντα, ειμαστε και εμεις σε κατάσταση ανάγκης. Η υπαρξή μας εξαρτάται από πολλούς όρους: <Για παραδειγμα, οξυγόνο για να αναπνεύσουμε, νερό και θρεπτικά συστατικά για τις σωματικες λειτουργιες του οργανισμού μας >. Ο κατάλογος είναι ατελείωτος, και ένας άπειρος αριθμός λεπτομέρειων είναι απαραίτητος για τη διατήρηση της  φυσικής ύπαρξης κάθε ατόμου.Ωστόσο, όλοι οι άνθρωποι μπορούν να επιβιώσουν χωρις να δίνουν πολλή σκέψη στην  ανταποκρίση των ανάγκωντους. Ό, τι χρειάζεται για το σώμα τους και την επιβίωσή τους έχει ήδη παρασχεθεί και  χρησιμοποιηθει. Το πρώτο παράδειγμα που μου έρχεται στο μυαλό είναι  η αναπνοή. Το οξυγόνο είναι απαραίτητο για την επιβίωση, αλλά  ποιος παρέχει το ακριβο μετρου του οξυγόνου στην ατμόσφαιρα; Ή, ποιος  διαθέτει το σύστημα που λαμβάνει αυτό το οξυγόνο και το  επεξεργάζεται έτσι ώστε να μπορεί να μεταφερθεί σε κάθε κύτταρο;Κανένα από αυτά δεν μπορεί να αποδοθεί σε κανέναν, διότι κανείς δεν έχει ρόλο στη διαμόρφωση της ατμόσφαιρας ή του συστήματος της αναπνοής του.

Αυτή η  ζωτική ανάγκη να είναι το κυριότερο,και  κάθε λεπτομέρεια είναι σχεδιασμένη στην πιο τέλεια και μορφή της.

Σε αυτό το σημείο, συναντάμε μια ανώτερη σοφία που σχεδιάζει όλες τις λεπτομέρειες και την άπειρη συμπόνια που ο ιδιοκτήτης αυτής της σοφίας- ο Αλλάχ, ο Πανάγαθος-δείχνει σε εμάς.

Το Έλεος του Αλλάχ δεν περιορίζεται μονο στην ικανοποίηση των  φυσικων  ανάγκων των ανθρώπων.  Ο Αλλάχ δημιούργησε άνθρωπους, τους τοποθέτησε στον πλέον κατάλληλο τόπο, και, σε αντάλλαγμα, τους ζήτησε μόνο να τον υπηρετησουν. Είπε, επίσης, στους άνθρωπους  πώς να το κάνουν  αυτό και έστειλε κάτω βιβλία και προφήτες για αυτό ακριβώς το σκοπό.Με αυτόν τον τρόπο, Ο  Αλλάχ μας εδωσε ευκαιρια να τον γνωρισουμε  και μας κάλεσε  στη θρησκεία και στην ηθική υπεροχή. Αυτά είναι προφανή σημάδια του άπειρου έλεους του Κυρίου μας.

Πηγή: ΟΝΟΜΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΛΛΑΧ

]]> <![CDATA[Prophet Muhhamad saw]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/prophet-muhhamad-saw/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:48:38 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/prophet-muhhamad-saw/

Bismillah al rahman al rahim “In the name of Allah”

Asalaamu Alaykum, just want to share a poem with you.

What a year was 570 AD
A person was born, a prophet to be
Muhammed (saws) that was his name
People were misguided and that’s 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 Mecca, the holiest place
A life full of challenges he was to face
Abdullah (ra) his father, had by then passed away
Leaving Amina (ra) 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 (ra) 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
Hazrat Khadija (ra) aged 40, became his bride
He was 25, with her by his side
To the poor, she gave away all her wealth
A dedicated wife in sickness and health

360 idols in the Kaaba, they were at that time
Our prophet realised that this was a crime
He would go to mount Hira, leaving behind his wife
Reflecting and wondering about the meaning of life

While thinking there in the midst of the night
He heard a loud voice which filled him with fright
It was the angel Gibrail (as) who asked him to read
Our prophet couldn’t and didn’t take heed
The angel embraced him and then asked him later
Read, Read in the name of the Creator
Who created man from a drop of blood

Our prophet couldn’t read but at that time he could
Our prophet rushed to the path straight ahead
He heard a voice from the heavens which said
Muhammed (saws) truly you are the messenger of Allah
Muhammed (saws) was scared and thought this quite odd
‘Praise be to Allah’ his wife said instead
”I know you’ve been chosen as Allah’s messenger’ she said
And thus Khadija (ra) became the first woman of Islam

And over the next 23 years came the revelation, the Quran
He preached to all people, every creed every race
Yet so many hardships he had to face
There were fears for his life, and then the Hijrat took place
He then entered Medina, all by Allah’s grace
He was greeted by the Ansaris who gave their salaam
To him and his companions, the Sahaba Ikram

Then came the battles, which were fought face to face
Then the conquest of Mecca, Muhammed (saws)’s birthplace
An Nasr was revealed, its message was clear
Muhammed (saws) knew that his time was near
Everyone gathered to hear his last speech
Little did they know how far Allah’s message would reach

Muhammed (saws) gave us the miracle the Quran
And now a 1/4 of the world follows Islam
He is our role-model, the best of mankind
And has left the Quran and his Sunnah behind

 

Read the Quran as much as you can
The words of Allah (swt) for the guidance of man
And follow our prophet’s Sunnah, when eating and dressing
And send him salutations and many a blessing
He came to mankind to show us the way
And Insha-Allah, we’ll meet him; we’ll meet him one day.

By Muhammad Usman Farooq

]]> <![CDATA[Personal Privacy-The Dignity of Man - the Islamic Perspective ]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/personal-privacy-the-dignity-of-man-the-islamic-perspective/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:33:03 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/personal-privacy-the-dignity-of-man-the-islamic-perspective/

SubhanaAllah! 1400 years ago Prophet Muhammad saw, the  unlettered Prophet of Islam, taught us about the right to privacy. A right that we see  nowdays being violated on a daily basis. Please Read on… Xenia

Personal privacy of the individual is an integral part of his dignity. The private dwelling is therefore made immune against intrusion of all kind. Strangers who wish to enter private homes are required to greet the inhabitants and familiarise themselves with courtesy and respect (al-Nur, 24:27).

Permission to enter a private home is thus to be solicited thrice, and if it is still not granted, there should be no further repetition and the stranger must leave. This is clearly stated in a hadith which directed the believers that “asking for permission is (allowed up to) three times. If it is not granted to you, you must return.” [Muslim,Mukhtasar Sahih Muslim, hadith 1421.]

The hadith here elaborates on the two requirements of familiarisation (isti’nas) and greeting (taslim) that are laid down in the above-mentioned Qur’anic ayah. The order of priority between these two requirements has also been specified in another hadith which simply declared that “The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: greeting precedes the speech”. [Mubarakfuri, 'Aradat al-Ahwadhi Sharh Jami' al-Tirmidhi, IX, 170.]

Espionage (tajassus) is forbidden by the clear text of the Qur’an, and so is indulgence in suspicion and surreptitious activities that are degrading and offensive to the personal dignity of the individual (al-Hujurat, 49:12). The Qur’anic prohibition on espionage occurs in absolutely general and unqualified terms (i.e., wa la tajassasu, which means that it is totally prescribed regardless of the purpose that might be served by it, and also that it is addressed to everyone, including the government agencies and the muhtasib, that is the officer in charge of hisba, who is not permitted to use espionage as a means of promoting hisba (i.e., commanding good and forbidding evil).

The mubtasib must act on the basis of what he knows through direct observation without recourse to espionage,eavesdropping and other methods of searching for evidence. [Al-Dughmi, Ahkam al-Tajassus, p. 149.]

The second Caliph, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab has clarified the government position when he said that the government acts on what is evident; one who exhibits good character should not be suspected of anything but good; for the inner secrets of people are only known to God Most High. [Al-Tabari, Tarikh, V, 26.] The general text of the Qur’an on the prohibition of espionage similarly means that all varieties of espionage are included. Furthermore the Qur’anic text on espionage is immediately preceded by an address to the believers to “avoid indulgence in suspicion, for surely suspicion in most cases in sinful, and spy not …” (al-Hujurat, 49:12).

Espionage originates in suspicion, which is also to be avoided as far as possible, although the wording of the text is not as categorical on suspicion as it is on espionage. The text here seems to permit suspicion that is based on reasonable grounds. The point, however, is that both are seen as a threat to personal dignity and a violation of the individual’s right to privacy. The prohibition of espionage also includes opening of personal letters and confidential correspondence. This is, in fact, the subject of a hadith to the effect that “one who looks into the letter of his brother without his permission is like looking into the fire of Hell.” [Al-Suyuti, al-Jami’ as-Saghir, p. 165; Ibn Majah, al-Adab al-Shar`iyya, II, 166]

The prohibition of espionage is thus addressed to everyone and to all concerned, including, that is, the law enforcement agencies, the individuals and the government leaders.

The Dignity of Man – the Islamic Perspective
Ilmiah Publishers, Malaysia and the Islamic Foundation, UK
© Author, 1999

Source: Islaam.com

]]> <![CDATA[Classic Pareidolia: Jesus Seen in an Iron]]> http://skepticalteacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/classic-pareidolia-jesus-seen-in-an-iron/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:51:03 +0000 mattusmaximus http://skepticalteacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/classic-pareidolia-jesus-seen-in-an-iron/

Wow, just in time for the Holidays, we have another classic case of pareidolia: this time a woman in Massachusetts claims that she’s seen Jesus… in her clothing iron.

A Massachusetts woman who recently separated from her husband and had her hours cut at work says an image of Jesus Christ she sees on her iron has reassured her that “life is going to be good.”

Mary Jo Coady first noticed the image Sunday when she walked into her daughter’s room.

The brownish residue on the bottom of the iron looks like the face of a man with long hair.

The 44-year-old Coady was raised Catholic. She and her two college-age daughters agree that the image looks like Jesus and is proof that “he’s listening.”

Coady tells The Eagle-Tribune she hopes her story will inspire others during the holidays. She says she plans to keep the iron in a closet and buy a new one.

Umm… yeah.  Pardon me, but… IT’S A STAIN!!! Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system.  Come on folks, is it really any surprise that the person making this “miraculous discovery” (which has all the markings of a modern-day “religious relic” such as the infamous Virgin Mary Grill Cheese Sandwich) is a devout Catholic?  That is the classic marker of pareidolia – our evolution-wired brains are developed for pattern recognition, and one of the most recognized patterns for humans is another human’s face. Throw into the mix a bit of religious fervor (i.e. in this case, devout Catholicism) and viola! you have a “miracle” appearance of Jesus on an iron.

Here’s another interesting bit of pareidolia to get you thinking.  Years ago a man cut into a melon, and he saw this…

So what, if anything, do you see?  If you’re like me, you see some wavy lines which are essentially meaningless.  But if you are a devout Muslim who can read Arabic, you will likely see “Allah” (God) written out in Arabic.  And, before you roll your eyes, there are people who treat this as seriously as our Catholic lady does her Jesus-stained iron.

In conclusion, what this all really teaches us about these kinds of “miraculous events” is this: it’s all in your head, folks, and people who believe strongly enough can find amazing ways to validate those beliefs – even if to the rest of us it’s utter gibberish.

]]> <![CDATA[Al-Ba'ith- Αυτος που Ανασταινει]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/al-baith-%ce%b1%cf%85%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%82-%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%85-%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b1%ce%b9%ce%bd%ce%b5%ce%b9/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:48:06 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/al-baith-%ce%b1%cf%85%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%82-%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%85-%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%b1%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b1%ce%b9%ce%bd%ce%b5%ce%b9/

Al-Ba’ith  Αυτος που Ανασταινει

Μεταφραση Ξενια

Read in English

“Πως ειναι δυνατον να μην πιστευετε τον ΑΛΛΑΧ οταν  ησασταν μηδεν και σας εδωσε ζωη. Επειτα θα επιφερει το θανατο σας και μετα θα σας ξαναπροσφερει την ζωη, και παλι σε Αυτον θα επιστρεψετε.” (Surat al-Baqara, 2:28)

Όλα τα άτομα που έχουν ζησει ή θα ζήσουν ποτέ, ειναι θνητοί. Ο  καθένας θα πεθανει και θα  θαφτει . Παρά αυτο το προφανές γεγονός, ωστόσο, οι περισσότεροι άνθρωποι αποφεύγουν να σκεφτόναι το θάνατο και την επακόλουθη ανάσταση τους. Το Κοράνι περιγράφει την κατάστασή τους, ως εξής:

” Mε χαμηλωμενα  τα ματια  Λενε: ” Μα πως ! θα επανελθουμε- πραγματικα- στην προτερη (μας) κατασταση” (Surat ένα-Nazi’at, 79:10-11)

Το Κοράνιο παρέχει την πιο σαφή απάντηση σε αυτό το δημοφιλές ψευδαίσθημα  λεγοντας:

Και προβαλει για Μας (ο απιστος) παραδειγματα (Μας παραβαλει )με δημιουργηματα, λεγoντας: “Ποιος μπορει να ζωντανεψει ξερα κοκκαλα, ενω βρισκονται σε αποσυνθεση;”

Να πεις: ” Θα τους ξαναδωσει ζωη Εκεινος που τους επλασε για πρωτη φορα, και( που ) ειναι  Γνωστης για καθε δημιουργημα!”

“(Surah Ya Sin, 36:78-79)

Όπως αναφέρουν οι στίχοι,  ο Αλλάχ δημιούργησε την ανθρωπότητα και Εδωσε διαφορετηκα χαρακτηριστικα  σε όλους. Πράγματι, μέχρι τα δακτυλικά αποτυπώματα του, κάθε άτομο έχει μοναδικά χαρακτηριστικά. Σαν Δημιουργός μας, Μπορεί να Δημιουργήσει εκ νέου κάθε προσώπο με τον  ίδιο ακριβώς τρόπο και οσες φορες Θελησει.

Ο  Αλλάχ παρουσιαζει  την ερχόμενη ανάσταση κάθε φθινόπωρο, όταν η φύση αρχίζει να «πεθαίνει » και στη συνέχεια  μετα απο μια πραγματικά   εμπειρία  σαν ένα είδος «θανάτου» κατά τη διάρκεια του χειμώνα, όταν η άνοιξη έρχεται, βλέπουμε τα ξηρά κλαδιά  να ανθιζουν, η φύση να αναζωογονειται  και να  πράσινιζει .

Επιπλέον, αυτή η “ανάσταση” συμβαινει χωρις  καμία διακοπή από τοτε που αρχισε ο χρονος. Για  τον Αλλάχ, η ανάσταση κάθε πρόσωπου είναι τόσο εύκολη όσο αυτό. Τα παράλληλα χαρακτηριστικά των δύο αυτών αναστασεων αναφέρονται σε πολλές στίχους, ως εξής:

Ειναι εκεινος που βγαζει τα ζωντανα απο τα νεκρα, και βγαζει τα νεκρα απο τα ζωντανα. Και ζωογονει τη γη μετα το θανατο της. ετσι και εσεις θα βγειτε απο το θανατο. (Ar Surat-Ρούμι, 30:19)

Παρατηρησε λοιπον ( ω ανθρωπε ) τα ιχνη της ευσπλαχνιας του ΑΛΛΑΧ. Πως ζωογονει τη γη αφου πριν (απο λιγο) ηταν νεκρη. Bεβαια ειναι Αυτος που ζωντανευει τους πεθαμενους, γιατι η δυναμη Του ειναι απεριοριστη. (Ar Surat-Ρούμι, 30:50)

Μια άλλη έννοια της όμορφης όνομα Al-Ba’ith είναι ” Aυτος που στέλνει Προφητες.”  Ο Αλλάχ έστειλε αγγελιοφορους  για  να προειδοποιήσουν τον κοσμο  και να φέρουν καλά νέα , ωστε να τους καλεσουν  στο σωστό δρόμο. Αποκάλυψε βιβλία σε ορισμένους από  τους αγγελιοφορους Του, ώστε να μπορούν να βγαλουν τους ανθρώπους από το σκοτάδι της άγνοιας και στο φως της πραγματικής γνώσης. Δεν υπάρχει καμία αμφιβολία, αυτή είναι μια μεγάλη ευλογία του Αλλάχ προς τους δουλους Του. Στο Κοράνι ο ΑΛΛΑΧ αναφερει οτι:

Οι ανθρωποι καποτε αποτελουσαν ενα και μονο εθνος. Ο ΑΛΛΑΧ εστειλε Προφητες, με ευχαριστα μηνυματα αλλα και με απειλες. Μαζι τους εστειλε το Βιβλιο της αληθειας, για να δικαζει τις διαφορες αναμεσα στους ανθρωπους… (Surat al-Baqara, 2:213)

Αλλάχ έδειξε μεγάλη ευνοια  προς τους πιστούς στελνοντας αναμεσα τους  Αποστολο,  που να απαγγείλει σ ‘αυτούςτις εντολες Τουκαι για να τους καθαρίσει και να τους διδάξει το Βιβλίο και τη Σοφία, μολονότι πριν από αυτο βρισκονταν σε φανερη πλανη.  (Surah Αλ ‘ Ιμραν, 3:164)

]]> <![CDATA[Arabic Numbers - Resource for children]]> http://cookability.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/arabic-numbers-resource-for-children/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:41:53 +0000 cookability http://cookability.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/arabic-numbers-resource-for-children/

Al hamdulillah. I found a wonderful resource for my children on Yemen Links earlier this week. You can have a look at it here http://www.yemenlinks.com/downld/Arabic_Numbers_2.pdf
I printed the sheets out, in black and white as I don’t have a colour printer right now and then I pasted the sheets onto a plastic file (can’t get hold of the traditional card ones here). I then laminated the boxes and cut them out and gave them to my almost 4 and 3 year old to play with. They really enjoyed the crane theme and recognised each of the numbers. We will InshaAllah do numbers 6-12 tomorrow.

]]> <![CDATA[ Angels!]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/angelscollection-shahih-bukhari/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:37:37 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/angelscollection-shahih-bukhari/

Angels! Collection, Sahih Bukhari!

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba.”  (Book #13, Hadith #51)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “On every Friday the angels take heir stand at every gate of the mosques to write the names of the people chronologically (i.e. according to the time of their arrival for the Friday prayer and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon.”  (Book #54, Hadith #433)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “angels come to you in succession by night and day and all of them get together at the time of the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the Heaven) and Allah asks them, though He knows everything about you, well, “In what state did you leave my slaves?” The angels reply: “When we left them they were praying and when we reached them, they were praying.”  (Book #10, Hadith #530)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The reward of the prayer offered by a person in congregation is twenty five times greater thanthat of the prayer offered in one’s house or in the market (alone). And this is because if he performs ablution and does it perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of praying, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and his one sin is taken off (crossed out) from his accounts (of deeds). When he offers his prayer, the angels keep on asking Allah’s Blessings and Allah’s forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla. They say, ‘O Allah! Bestow Your blessings upon him, be Merciful and kind to him.’ And one is regarded in prayer as long as one is waiting for the prayer.”  (Book #11, Hadith #620

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, “When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their foot steps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him: What did you use to say about this man, Muhammad ? He will say: I testify that he is Allah’s slave and His Apostle. Then it will be said to him, ‘Look at your place in the Hell-Fire. Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead of it.’ ” The Prophet added, “The dead person will see both his places. But a non-believer or a hypocrite will say to the angels, ‘I do not know, but I used to say what the people used to say! It will be said to him, ‘Neither did you know nor did you take the guidance (by reciting the Quran).’ Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his two ears, and he will cry and that cry will be heard by whatever approaches him except human beings and jinns.”  (Book #23, Hadith #422)

Narrated Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’ ”  (Book #24, Hadith #522)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Say Amin” when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all his past sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab said, “Allah’s Apostle used to Say “Amin.”  (Book #12, Hadith #747)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the Imam says, “Sami’ a-l-lahu Liman hamida,” you should say, “Allahumma Rabbana laka-l-hamd.” And if the saying of any one of you coincides with that of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven.”  (Book #12, Hadith #762)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, “Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your offspring.” So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, “As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi” (i.e. Peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam’s salutation the expression, ‘Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,’ Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam’s creation.  (Book #55, Hadith #543)

Narrated Abu Talha: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying; “angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a livingcreature (a human being or an animal).” (Book #54, Hadith #448)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the Imam says: ‘Ghair-il-Maghdubi ‘Alaihim Walad-Dallin (i.e. not the path of those who earn Your Anger, nor the path of those who went astray (1.7)), then you must say, ‘Ameen’, for if one’s utterance of ‘Ameen’ coincides with that of the angels, then his past sins will be forgiven.”  (Book #60, Hadith #2)

Narrated Ibn Al-Musaiyab: Abu Huraira said, “The Prophet said, ‘A prayer performed in congregation is twenty-five times more superior in reward to a prayer performed by a single person. The angels of the night and the angels of the day are assembled at the time of the Fajr (Morning) prayer.” Abu Huraira added, “If you wish, you can recite:– ‘Verily! The recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn (Morning prayer) is ever witnessed (attended by the angels of the day and the night).’ (17.78)  (Book #60, Hadith #241)

RELATED ARTICLE: Prayers attended by Angels

]]> <![CDATA[The tallest tree in the world!]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/the-tallest-tree-in-the-world/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:37:16 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/the-tallest-tree-in-the-world/

Διαβαστε στα Ελληνικα

 

Allah says: (He increases in creation what He wills) (Sûrat Fâtir-verse1) when we look around us we see the greatness of God also when we see His creatures we have to say Glory to Allah!!….

The height of the tallest tree in the world is 112meter; it is in the forests of California in the United States of America.

Scientists believe that age of this tree is more than one thousand year, the diameter of its trunk is more than three meters, and it looks like a building consisting of 37 floors.

But someone may say, where is the miracle in that creature? Here we have to ask a question, how can the water reach the height of 112 meter? What kind of pumps this tree is using? And from where does that tree get the needed energy to feed itself for more than 1000 year?

Allah almighty put the suitable methods to keep life of that tree and life of all creatures. He almighty put a very simple rule as without that rule all plants would die, that is the Surface tension of water. Water has a Tensile strength and it is able to climb through plant vessel to reach the top of the tree. There is another way to feed that tree by water which is withdrawing water from the air!

Allah almighty is the one who guaranteed the livelihood for His creatures and He had subjected all the methods to keep them alive. So, can Allah almighty forget a man who is asking and supplicating to Him? God says: (And so many a moving (living) creature carries not its own provision! Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.) (Sûrat Al-‘Ankabût- verse60).

——————–

By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

www.kaheel7.com/eng

]]> <![CDATA[A remarkable story!]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/a-remarkable-story/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:47:06 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/a-remarkable-story/

A Remarkable Story! By Anonymous

The undermentioned incident is narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak
(RA). He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the
Abbasids. This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Noble
Quran. It also Manifestates the comprehensiveness of the Noble Quran.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to
Haj. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) happened to pass that way. He was
also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Holy
Prophet (saw). Seeing this lady very disturbed
and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion
is recorded as follows:

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah

The lady: “The word from a merciful Lord is Peace” (Surah 36 Aayat 58).
She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself.
She said further: “Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide
for them.” (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where are you coming from?

The lady: “Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the
Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam” (Far
distant place of worship) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had come
from Musjid-e-Aqsa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?

The lady: “For three nights” (Surah 19 Aayat10).

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your
food?

The lady: “And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me” (Surah 26 Aayat
79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by
Allah.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Is there any water for Wudhu?

The lady: “And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make
tayammum) rub your faces and hands.” (therewith) (Surah 4 Aayat 43). She
meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.

The lady: “Strictly observe the fast till nightfall” (Surah 2 Aayat
187). She indicated that she is fasting.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.

The lady: “And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah is
responsive, aware”. (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have observed an
optional (nafl) fast.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): It is permitted to break the fast
when in a journey.

The lady: “And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know.”
(Surah 2 Aayat 184)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak like how I speak.

The lady: “He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer
ready” (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person
is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in
the words of the Holy Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Which clan do you belong to?

The lady: “Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The
hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked”
(Surah 17 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge
of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by
enquiring about them.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a
mistake.

The lady: “Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you” (Surah 12 Aayat
92)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my camel
and meet your caravan?

The lady: “And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it” (Surah 2 Aayat
197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah will
recompense you for it.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Well, then you may mount it.
Saying this he made the camel to sit down.

The lady: “Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower
their gaze”. (Surah 24 Aayat 30). Hadhrat Abdullah understood and
(turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her
clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed:
“whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have
earned.” (Surah 42 Aayat 30). In other words she was drawing Hadhrat
Abdullah bin Mubarak’s (RA) attention towards this mishap.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood and he tied the legs of the
camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser). She
applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying “And we made
Sulaiman to understand” (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was about
to begin, the lady recited the Aayats which are read when undertaking a
journey “Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not
capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning.”
(Surah 43 Aayat 13).
Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) held the bridle (or nose string) of the
camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling,
and he started walking very fast.

The lady: “Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice” (Surah 31
Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began
walking slower and he lowered his voice.
The lady: “Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you.” She meant
that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy
Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.

The lady became very pleased and said “but none remember (accept advice)
except men of understanding” (Surah 2 Aayat 269).

After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak
(RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) “O Aunt,
have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)

The lady: “O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made
known unto you, would trouble you” (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant that
no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that
her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met
the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Do you have any son or relative
(friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?

The lady: “Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world”
(Surah 18 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and
he has provisions with him.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for the
caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah’s object for asking was to make it easy for
him to recognise her son).

The lady: “And landmarks, and by the star they find a way” (Surah 16
Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?

The lady: “Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend” (Surah 4 Aayat 125).
And Allah spoke directly unto Moosa” (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting
these Aayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya,
Ibrahim and Moosa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) called out these names in the caravan
and immediately three young people came forward.

The lady: (addressing her children) “Now send one of you with this your
silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and
bring you a supply thereof” (Sura 18 Aayat 19) In other words she
instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).

When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA):
“Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past
days.” (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited another
Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him
for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat was: “Is the reward of
goodness aught save goodness?” (Surah 55 Aayat 60).

Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady’s son informed
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in
this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her speech,
for the last forty years.

]]> <![CDATA[The PERFECT NATIONAL DAY GIFT - UAE FLAG KEY CHAIN with Swarovski crystals]]> http://sarahasfur.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/the-perfect-national-day-gift-uae-flag-key-chain-with-swarovski-crystals/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:24:42 +0000 SARAH ASFUR Luxury Jewelry & Accessory Art http://sarahasfur.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/the-perfect-national-day-gift-uae-flag-key-chain-with-swarovski-crystals/

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http://www.souq.com/Art-Collectables/Handcrafts/NATIONAL-DAY-GIFT-UAE-FLAG-KEY-CHAIN-with-SWAROVSKI-crystals/6155529/?mode=1&lan=EN

]]> <![CDATA[AL-BA‘ITH-The Resurrector]]> http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/al-ba%e2%80%98ith-the-resurrector/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:20:54 +0000 xeniagreekmuslimah http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/al-ba%e2%80%98ith-the-resurrector/

Διαβαστε στα Ελληνικα

AL-BA‘ITH-The Resurrector

How can you reject Allah, when you were dead and then He gave you life, then He will make you die and then give you life again , and then you will be returned to Him? ( Surat al-Baqara, 2:28)

All people who have or will ever live are mortal. Everyone dies and is buried. Despite this obvious fact, however, most people avoid thinking about death and their subsequent resurrection. The Qur’an describes their situation, as follows:

They will ask: “Are we to be restored to how we were when we have become perished, worm-eaten bones?” ( Surat an-Nazi‘at, 79:10-11)

The Qur’an provides the most explicit answer to this popular delusion by proclaiming:

He makes likenesses of Us and forgets his own creation, asking: “Who will give life to bones when they are decayed?” Say: “He Who made them in the first place will bring them back to life. He has total knowledge of each created thing.” (Surah Ya Sin, 36:78-79)

As these verses indicate, Allah created humanity and granted different qualities to everyone. Indeed, down to his or her fingerprints, each person has unique characteristics. As our Creator, He can re-create each person in the very same manner as many times as He wills. Allah displays this coming resurrection each autumn, when nature begins to “die” and then actually experience a type of “death” during winter. Yet when spring comes, we see dry branches blossoming, nature being revived and becoming green all over. Furthermore, this “resurrection” has been happening without any interruption since time began. For Allah, resurrecting each person is as easy as this. The parallel features of these two resurrections are stated in several verses, as follows:

He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living, and brings Earth to life after it was dead. In the same way, you too will be brought forth. ( Surat ar-Rum, 30:19)

So look at the effect of Allah’s mercy, how He brings the dead Earth back to life. Truly, He is the One Who brings the dead to life. He has power over all things. ( Surat ar-Rum, 30:50)

Another meaning of the beautiful name Al-Ba‘ith is “sending out Prophets.” Allah sent Messengers to warn their people and bring good news in order to call them to the right path. He revealed books to some of his Messengers so that they could bring people out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light of true knowledge. No doubt, this is a great blessing of Allah to His servants. In the Qur’an, Allah relates that:

Mankind was a single community. Then Allah sent out Prophets bringing good news and giving warning, and with them He sent down the Book with truth to decide between people regarding their differences. ( Surat al-Baqara, 2:213)

Allah showed great kindness to the believers when He sent a Messenger to them from among themselves to recite His Signs to them and to purify and teach them the Book and Wisdom, even though before that they were clearly misguided. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 3:164)

Source: Names of Allah
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