Sometimes, when the world's not on your side,
You don't know where to run to,
You don't know where to hide.
You gaze, at the stars in the sky,
At the mountains so high.
Through the tears in your eyes.
Looking for a reason,
to replace what is gone.
Just remember, remember
That you are never alone.
You are never alone (you are never alone),
Just reach into your heart,
And Allah is always there.
You are never alone (you are never alone)
Through sorrow and through grief
Through happiness and peace
You are never alone.
So now as you long for your past,
Prepare for your future,
But knowing nothings going to last.
You see this life is but a road,
A straight and narrow path,
To our final abode.
So travel well O Muslim,
And Paradise will be your home,
And always remember.
That you are never alone.
You are never alone (you are never alone),
Just reach into your heart,
And Allah is always there.
You are never alone (Allah is there),
Through sorrow and through grief,
Through happiness and peace,
You are never alone.
You are never alone (you are never never alone),
Just reach into your heart,
And Allah is always there.
You are never alone (you are never alone),
Through sorrow and through grief,
Through happiness and peace,
You are never alone.
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
18 Ways to Achieve Greatness through Gratefulness
I wanted to share this beautiful article written by: Br. Taha Ghayyur
Whether you consider yourself a positive, easy-going person or a demanding, hard to please person, these tips can help you become a more grateful, caring, and content individual.
There is much more to gratitude and Syukur (thankfulness) in Islam than a mere “Thank You” that our ears have become so used to ignoring. Discover how you can be more thankful to Allah and His creation.
1. Stop Complaining and be positive! This is the first step towards being thankful to Allah and people around you. We have become a community of complainers and whiners, which has lead to a collective psychology of negativity and unproductively.Stop complaining about the economy, weather, politicians, traffic, or ‘the system’. Refrain from blaming your Masjid, Imams, parents, spouse, in-laws, children, or boss. If you think with an open mind, you may find more positives in your circumstances and the people around you than negatives.
2. Say “Al-hamdulillah” (All thanks and praise belongs to Allah) often: A constant utterance of this phrase reminds you of the source of all blessings and happiness in this life. This practice of attributing all good actions to Allah keeps you humble and content and has a positive affect on your relations with people.Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has instructed us to say “Al-hamdulillah” on daily basis: “Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something he thanks Allah for it” (Muslim).
3. Respect others’ time and schedule: Part of ungratefulness is wastage of time. As a scholar once said, “Time is not just money. It is more expensive than gold, diamonds and pearls. Time is life itself!”Arriving late at a meeting or a class, cancelling appointments last minute, or starting off a program late, are not only a big waste of time and disrespectful to others, but also a lack of appreciation of others’ time on your part.
4. Seize the opportunity while you can. Procrastination in offering your prayers, delaying a donation to a humanitarian cause, or filling your leisure time with unproductive or unlawful activities is ingratitude to Allah for the limited time and opportunity He has given you to do good and to achieve Paradise.Prophet Muhammad warned us, “Good health and spare time are two of the blessings of Allah with respect to which many people are deceived.” (Bukhari)Even if you live till tomorrow, what guarantee do you have that there won’t be any obstacles in carrying out a good action. The Prophet used to call on Muslims to take the initiative to do good deeds before any problems arise.
5. Spend 15 minutes daily to think about things that you should be thankful for: Recall people in your life, whom you may have taken for granted like your parents, spouse, children, co-worker, or teacher, who were caring and loving.List some of Allah’s gifts that are not tangible or were not obvious to you before. Sulayman, a follower of the Prophet’s Companions, once said: “Remembering His blessings makes one love Allah.”This simple mental exercise not only makes you a grateful person, but also a healthy one. According to a 2001 research bythe Institute for Research on Unlimited Love (IRUL), based in Ohio, just 15 minutes a day focusing on the things you are grateful for will significantly increase your body’s natural antibodies, will make you less vulnerable to clinical depression, and will keep your blood pressure and heart rate stable.
6. Be patient and grateful when disasters strike: The depth and strength of your gratitude is tested in difficult times. Allah wants to see how thankful you truly are when you loose your job or a loved one, or when you feel ill and or get injured.It helps to know that in times of calamity and distress, there will be some good for you, provided you respond appropriately. The Prophet said, “How wonderful is the case of a Believer! There is good for him in whatever happens to him -and none, apart from him, enjoys this blessing.” (Muslim)Sufyan al-Thawri, a famous early scholar of Islam, said, “He does not understand religion properly who does not count affliction as a blessing and ease as a trial.”
7. Donate your time, talent, money, and advice to social work and non-profit efforts: In our profit-driven culture, it is burdensome to squeeze out time and wealth for others. Your selfless service and generosity towards people in need and non-profit organizations is a sure way of showing gratitude to Allah and to your community.The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him said, “People are dependants of Allah; the closest to Him are those who are most useful to His dependants” (Muslim).”As the blessings from Allah to a servant increase, so will the people’s needs of that blessed servant’s services. If the servant ignores their needs, it will cause those blessings to be removed” (lbn Hibban).
8. Visit the sick, the terminally ill, and the disabled: Frequenting patients and families of the deceased, not only brings comfort to them and brings multiple rewards from Allah to you, it also helps you appreciate your own good health and opportunities you have in life to serve others.
9. Share the message of Islam: If you appreciate the guidance of Islam as your most precious treasure, don’t hesitate to share it with others. If Islam has changed your life for the better, what’s holding you back from inviting your friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers to explore this message of hope and positive transformation?
10. Recite and memorize the Duas of Prophet Muhammad: The most natural and beautiful way to thank Allah is the words of the Prophet himself.The Prophet told Muadh, “By Allah, I love you, so do not forget to say at the end of every prayer, ‘O Allah, help me to remember You and to give thanks to You and to worship You well’” (Ahmad and At-Tirmidhî).
11. Fall in Prostration (Sajda) when you receive a blessing from Allah:Prophet Muhammad used to prostrate (Sajda) to Allah whenever he received something pleasant or was told good news to thank Allah for the grace he had received.
12. Don’t consider any blessing too small: Treat all gifts of Allah with equal respect and gratitude, lest you lose it one day for good. Aishah said that the Prophet entered upon her one day and saw a small piece of bread on the floor, so he picked it up and wiped it, then told her: “O Aishah, treat the blessings of Allah with respect, for when it departs from a household it may never come back to them” (Abud Dunya).
13. Use and display Allah’s blessings moderately. Part of being grateful to Allah is to look presentable and clean, and spend money on yourself with moderation.Abul-Akhwas nar rated that his father said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah looking dishevelled and scruffy. He asked me, ‘Do you have any possessions?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He asked me what sort, and I told him, ‘I have all sorts. Allah has given me camels, horses, slaves and sheep.’ The Prophet said: ‘If Allah has given you all of that, then let Him see His blessing on you.’”
14. Don’t be too picky and accommodate others! Some people express their discomfort (perhaps unintentionally) with anything that they are not used to. They may be too picky about their taste of food, clothing and furniture; they may get irritated easily in new environments; they may like meeting only a certain type of people; they may not like working with others.This insensitivity to other people’s preferences and inability to accommodate others is a sign of selfishness, arrogance, and ungratefulness. Be content in every situation and you will become grateful.
15. Admire those below you and keep your expectations low: A lot of times the reason for our ungrateful behaviour is that we are constantly comparing our material success with the wealthier, healthier, and more accomplished. In our race to ‘keep-up-with-the-Ahmad-family’ next door, we forget so many obvious blessings that others may not enjoy and we should be thankful for.The Prophet admonished us, “Look at those people who have less than you and never look at those who have more grants than you, this will ensure that you will not depreciate Allah’s favours” (Muslim).
16. Thank people for littlest things: People like to be appreciated for little favours they do for us, which often get ignored in our busy routines. When was the last time you thanked your little son for taking care of simple chore for you? Has your husband heard a compliment from you lately?Take the time to thank them for their thoughtfulness. As the Prophet stated, “The one who does not give thanks for a small blessing will not give thanks for a great blessing, and the one who does not give thanks to people will not give thanks to Allah” (Abud Dunya).
17. Compliments & recognition and motivate team members: Whether you are an employer or a manager at work, or lead a volunteer based project, or simply a team player, a personal recognition significantly boosts the employee or volunteer morale.As Stephen Robbins in his book “The Truth about Managing People” explains, several organizational behaviour studies have indicated employees and volunteers rate personal thanks and recognition from a superior for a job well-done as the most motivating of a variety of incentives; yet not many team leaders use this simple, cost-effective technique that works like magic! What kinds of personal recognition and group success incentives does your organization have in place?
18. When you thank someone, make sure you mean it: When you say “Jazakallahu Khayran” (May Allah reward you the best) to your wife, does it come from your heart? Or is it received as another cold cliché?Be a little creative when you really want to express your gratitude to someone. Say it with a personal thank you card. Show it with flowers. Accompany it with a genuine smile. Charge it with emotions. Enhance it with a meal or a meaningful gift.
Read the full post on: http://www.productivemuslim.com/journal/2009/11/16/guest-post-18-ways-to-achieve-greatness-through-gratefulness.html
** Its one of the best qualities to aspire to, of being grateful.**
Do share with others too.
Wassalam.
Whether you consider yourself a positive, easy-going person or a demanding, hard to please person, these tips can help you become a more grateful, caring, and content individual.
There is much more to gratitude and Syukur (thankfulness) in Islam than a mere “Thank You” that our ears have become so used to ignoring. Discover how you can be more thankful to Allah and His creation.
1. Stop Complaining and be positive! This is the first step towards being thankful to Allah and people around you. We have become a community of complainers and whiners, which has lead to a collective psychology of negativity and unproductively.Stop complaining about the economy, weather, politicians, traffic, or ‘the system’. Refrain from blaming your Masjid, Imams, parents, spouse, in-laws, children, or boss. If you think with an open mind, you may find more positives in your circumstances and the people around you than negatives.
2. Say “Al-hamdulillah” (All thanks and praise belongs to Allah) often: A constant utterance of this phrase reminds you of the source of all blessings and happiness in this life. This practice of attributing all good actions to Allah keeps you humble and content and has a positive affect on your relations with people.Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has instructed us to say “Al-hamdulillah” on daily basis: “Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something he thanks Allah for it” (Muslim).
3. Respect others’ time and schedule: Part of ungratefulness is wastage of time. As a scholar once said, “Time is not just money. It is more expensive than gold, diamonds and pearls. Time is life itself!”Arriving late at a meeting or a class, cancelling appointments last minute, or starting off a program late, are not only a big waste of time and disrespectful to others, but also a lack of appreciation of others’ time on your part.
4. Seize the opportunity while you can. Procrastination in offering your prayers, delaying a donation to a humanitarian cause, or filling your leisure time with unproductive or unlawful activities is ingratitude to Allah for the limited time and opportunity He has given you to do good and to achieve Paradise.Prophet Muhammad warned us, “Good health and spare time are two of the blessings of Allah with respect to which many people are deceived.” (Bukhari)Even if you live till tomorrow, what guarantee do you have that there won’t be any obstacles in carrying out a good action. The Prophet used to call on Muslims to take the initiative to do good deeds before any problems arise.
5. Spend 15 minutes daily to think about things that you should be thankful for: Recall people in your life, whom you may have taken for granted like your parents, spouse, children, co-worker, or teacher, who were caring and loving.List some of Allah’s gifts that are not tangible or were not obvious to you before. Sulayman, a follower of the Prophet’s Companions, once said: “Remembering His blessings makes one love Allah.”This simple mental exercise not only makes you a grateful person, but also a healthy one. According to a 2001 research bythe Institute for Research on Unlimited Love (IRUL), based in Ohio, just 15 minutes a day focusing on the things you are grateful for will significantly increase your body’s natural antibodies, will make you less vulnerable to clinical depression, and will keep your blood pressure and heart rate stable.
6. Be patient and grateful when disasters strike: The depth and strength of your gratitude is tested in difficult times. Allah wants to see how thankful you truly are when you loose your job or a loved one, or when you feel ill and or get injured.It helps to know that in times of calamity and distress, there will be some good for you, provided you respond appropriately. The Prophet said, “How wonderful is the case of a Believer! There is good for him in whatever happens to him -and none, apart from him, enjoys this blessing.” (Muslim)Sufyan al-Thawri, a famous early scholar of Islam, said, “He does not understand religion properly who does not count affliction as a blessing and ease as a trial.”
7. Donate your time, talent, money, and advice to social work and non-profit efforts: In our profit-driven culture, it is burdensome to squeeze out time and wealth for others. Your selfless service and generosity towards people in need and non-profit organizations is a sure way of showing gratitude to Allah and to your community.The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him said, “People are dependants of Allah; the closest to Him are those who are most useful to His dependants” (Muslim).”As the blessings from Allah to a servant increase, so will the people’s needs of that blessed servant’s services. If the servant ignores their needs, it will cause those blessings to be removed” (lbn Hibban).
8. Visit the sick, the terminally ill, and the disabled: Frequenting patients and families of the deceased, not only brings comfort to them and brings multiple rewards from Allah to you, it also helps you appreciate your own good health and opportunities you have in life to serve others.
9. Share the message of Islam: If you appreciate the guidance of Islam as your most precious treasure, don’t hesitate to share it with others. If Islam has changed your life for the better, what’s holding you back from inviting your friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers to explore this message of hope and positive transformation?
10. Recite and memorize the Duas of Prophet Muhammad: The most natural and beautiful way to thank Allah is the words of the Prophet himself.The Prophet told Muadh, “By Allah, I love you, so do not forget to say at the end of every prayer, ‘O Allah, help me to remember You and to give thanks to You and to worship You well’” (Ahmad and At-Tirmidhî).
11. Fall in Prostration (Sajda) when you receive a blessing from Allah:Prophet Muhammad used to prostrate (Sajda) to Allah whenever he received something pleasant or was told good news to thank Allah for the grace he had received.
12. Don’t consider any blessing too small: Treat all gifts of Allah with equal respect and gratitude, lest you lose it one day for good. Aishah said that the Prophet entered upon her one day and saw a small piece of bread on the floor, so he picked it up and wiped it, then told her: “O Aishah, treat the blessings of Allah with respect, for when it departs from a household it may never come back to them” (Abud Dunya).
13. Use and display Allah’s blessings moderately. Part of being grateful to Allah is to look presentable and clean, and spend money on yourself with moderation.Abul-Akhwas nar rated that his father said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah looking dishevelled and scruffy. He asked me, ‘Do you have any possessions?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He asked me what sort, and I told him, ‘I have all sorts. Allah has given me camels, horses, slaves and sheep.’ The Prophet said: ‘If Allah has given you all of that, then let Him see His blessing on you.’”
14. Don’t be too picky and accommodate others! Some people express their discomfort (perhaps unintentionally) with anything that they are not used to. They may be too picky about their taste of food, clothing and furniture; they may get irritated easily in new environments; they may like meeting only a certain type of people; they may not like working with others.This insensitivity to other people’s preferences and inability to accommodate others is a sign of selfishness, arrogance, and ungratefulness. Be content in every situation and you will become grateful.
15. Admire those below you and keep your expectations low: A lot of times the reason for our ungrateful behaviour is that we are constantly comparing our material success with the wealthier, healthier, and more accomplished. In our race to ‘keep-up-with-the-Ahmad-family’ next door, we forget so many obvious blessings that others may not enjoy and we should be thankful for.The Prophet admonished us, “Look at those people who have less than you and never look at those who have more grants than you, this will ensure that you will not depreciate Allah’s favours” (Muslim).
16. Thank people for littlest things: People like to be appreciated for little favours they do for us, which often get ignored in our busy routines. When was the last time you thanked your little son for taking care of simple chore for you? Has your husband heard a compliment from you lately?Take the time to thank them for their thoughtfulness. As the Prophet stated, “The one who does not give thanks for a small blessing will not give thanks for a great blessing, and the one who does not give thanks to people will not give thanks to Allah” (Abud Dunya).
17. Compliments & recognition and motivate team members: Whether you are an employer or a manager at work, or lead a volunteer based project, or simply a team player, a personal recognition significantly boosts the employee or volunteer morale.As Stephen Robbins in his book “The Truth about Managing People” explains, several organizational behaviour studies have indicated employees and volunteers rate personal thanks and recognition from a superior for a job well-done as the most motivating of a variety of incentives; yet not many team leaders use this simple, cost-effective technique that works like magic! What kinds of personal recognition and group success incentives does your organization have in place?
18. When you thank someone, make sure you mean it: When you say “Jazakallahu Khayran” (May Allah reward you the best) to your wife, does it come from your heart? Or is it received as another cold cliché?Be a little creative when you really want to express your gratitude to someone. Say it with a personal thank you card. Show it with flowers. Accompany it with a genuine smile. Charge it with emotions. Enhance it with a meal or a meaningful gift.
Read the full post on: http://www.productivemuslim.com/journal/2009/11/16/guest-post-18-ways-to-achieve-greatness-through-gratefulness.html
** Its one of the best qualities to aspire to, of being grateful.**
Do share with others too.
Wassalam.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Allahuakbar!
A young man had been to Wednesday Night Class of Quranic Studies. The Mualim had shared about listening to Allah and obeying Allah through intuition.
The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does Allah still speak to people through intuition?'
After Lessons, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how Allah had led them in different ways and that at the end you'll know it was Allah(SWT) Who has directed you.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'Allah...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen.. I will do my best to obey.'
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, 'Allah is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.
But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came into his head. 'Okay, Allah, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk.
He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.'This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street .
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, Allah, I will.'
He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around.
He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the
best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.'
The young man looked at the house.. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep.
He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. 'Allah, this is insane. Those people are asleep and
if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.'
Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay Allah(SWT), if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay.
I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if the don't answer right away, I am out of here.'
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.
The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'
The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.
The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money.. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking Allah(SWT) to show me how to get some milk.'
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?'
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand.
He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that Allah (SWT) still answers prayers.
NOW HERE'S THE TEST....
If you believe that Allah (SWT) answers prayers, send this to everyone you care about and also the person that sent it to you!!!!!!!!!
If you do not send nothing will happen to you, but if you send you might just be sending someone hope and belief that Allah (SWT) hears our prayers and give hope to those who have already lost faith considering the situation most people.
That's it!That's the test!
It's just that simple!
Sometimes it's the simplest things that Allah (SWT) asks us to do, that enable us to understand His words clearer and better than ever.. Please listen, and obey!
The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does Allah still speak to people through intuition?'
After Lessons, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how Allah had led them in different ways and that at the end you'll know it was Allah(SWT) Who has directed you.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'Allah...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen.. I will do my best to obey.'
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, 'Allah is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.
But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came into his head. 'Okay, Allah, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk.
He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.'This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street .
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, Allah, I will.'
He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around.
He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the
best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.'
The young man looked at the house.. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep.
He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. 'Allah, this is insane. Those people are asleep and
if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.'
Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay Allah(SWT), if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay.
I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if the don't answer right away, I am out of here.'
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.
The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'
The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.
The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money.. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking Allah(SWT) to show me how to get some milk.'
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?'
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand.
He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that Allah (SWT) still answers prayers.
NOW HERE'S THE TEST....
If you believe that Allah (SWT) answers prayers, send this to everyone you care about and also the person that sent it to you!!!!!!!!!
If you do not send nothing will happen to you, but if you send you might just be sending someone hope and belief that Allah (SWT) hears our prayers and give hope to those who have already lost faith considering the situation most people.
That's it!That's the test!
It's just that simple!
Sometimes it's the simplest things that Allah (SWT) asks us to do, that enable us to understand His words clearer and better than ever.. Please listen, and obey!
Monday, October 19, 2009
In one minute
What can you do in one minute of your life?
1.. In one minute you can say Surat Al Fatiha 7 times,silently and repetitively. The reward for each reading of the Surah: 1420 gooddeeds! This is on the basis that there are 142 letters in the Surah, with each letter getting you 10 good deeds. So after doing a simple calculation,7 readings will get you 9940 deeds. subhaanallah!
2.. In one minute you can say Surat Al-Ikhlaas (Kul Huwa Allahu Ahad) approximately 20 times, silently and repetitively. Remember that one reading of this beautiful Surah equals a third of the Quran. Thus 20 readings means that you have read the Quran a whopping 6.7 times! If you devote one minute of each day to this Surah you'd have read the Quran. 201 times in a month, 2412 times in one year! All this in just one minute.
3.. In one minute you can say: "Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah, Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lah, Lahu Al Mulk Wal Hamd, Wa Huwa 'Ala Kulli Shay'in Qadeer" 20 times. (There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without any partners. For Him is all Dominion and Praise, and He is Capable of doing anything) Each saying is equal to the deed of freeing 8 slaves from the Children of Ismail (peace be upon him), and what noble slaves to set free!
4.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi" 100 times. (All praise and glory is due to Allah) Whoever says this everyday will have his/her sins forgiven, even if the sins were as much as the froth of the ocean.
5.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi, Subhaanallahu Al 'Atheem" 50 times. (All Praise and Glory is due to Allah, All Praise is due to Allah the Almighty). These are "a couple of phrases, light on the tongue, heavy on the scales (on the Day of Judgement), beloved to the All Merciful (Allah)". (Agreed upon).
6.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallah, wa Al Hamdu Lil'lah, wa Laa Ilaaha Illallah, wa Allahu Akbar" 18 times (All Praise is due to Allah, and All Glory is due to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest). These are the most beloved words to Allah(swt) and his Prophet saw) that the sun has ever risen upon.
7.. In one minute you can say "Laa Ilaaha Illallah" approximately 50 times (There is no true god worthy of worship, except Allah). These are the greatest words, as they are the words of true Islamic Monotheism.
8.. In one minute you can say "Laa Hawla wa Laa Kuwata Illa bi'Laah" over 40 times. (There is no Power and Might except by Allah) This sentence is one of the treasures of Paradise.
9.. In one minute you can say "Salla-Allahu 'Alayhe wa Sallam" 50 times.(sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet) In return you get 500 prayers from Allah, as each prayer you make to his Prophet, 10 are returned to you!
10.. In one minute you can raise your hands to Allah (s.w.t) and supplicate with any words you wish.
11.. In one minute you can advise your brother/sister in Islam if they are doing anything incorrect.
12.. In one minute you can remove anything harmful that may be lying on the street.
13.. In one minute you can give a few words of comfort to a brother/sister who is concerned for any reason.
These actions are easy but in order to gain their rewards it is much harder indeed. Know also that the best of deeds are those that are maintained on a regular basis.
So do you have a minute during the whole day (1440 minutes)?
1.. In one minute you can say Surat Al Fatiha 7 times,silently and repetitively. The reward for each reading of the Surah: 1420 gooddeeds! This is on the basis that there are 142 letters in the Surah, with each letter getting you 10 good deeds. So after doing a simple calculation,7 readings will get you 9940 deeds. subhaanallah!
2.. In one minute you can say Surat Al-Ikhlaas (Kul Huwa Allahu Ahad) approximately 20 times, silently and repetitively. Remember that one reading of this beautiful Surah equals a third of the Quran. Thus 20 readings means that you have read the Quran a whopping 6.7 times! If you devote one minute of each day to this Surah you'd have read the Quran. 201 times in a month, 2412 times in one year! All this in just one minute.
3.. In one minute you can say: "Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah, Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lah, Lahu Al Mulk Wal Hamd, Wa Huwa 'Ala Kulli Shay'in Qadeer" 20 times. (There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without any partners. For Him is all Dominion and Praise, and He is Capable of doing anything) Each saying is equal to the deed of freeing 8 slaves from the Children of Ismail (peace be upon him), and what noble slaves to set free!
4.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi" 100 times. (All praise and glory is due to Allah) Whoever says this everyday will have his/her sins forgiven, even if the sins were as much as the froth of the ocean.
5.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi, Subhaanallahu Al 'Atheem" 50 times. (All Praise and Glory is due to Allah, All Praise is due to Allah the Almighty). These are "a couple of phrases, light on the tongue, heavy on the scales (on the Day of Judgement), beloved to the All Merciful (Allah)". (Agreed upon).
6.. In one minute you can say "Subhaanallah, wa Al Hamdu Lil'lah, wa Laa Ilaaha Illallah, wa Allahu Akbar" 18 times (All Praise is due to Allah, and All Glory is due to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest). These are the most beloved words to Allah(swt) and his Prophet saw) that the sun has ever risen upon.
7.. In one minute you can say "Laa Ilaaha Illallah" approximately 50 times (There is no true god worthy of worship, except Allah). These are the greatest words, as they are the words of true Islamic Monotheism.
8.. In one minute you can say "Laa Hawla wa Laa Kuwata Illa bi'Laah" over 40 times. (There is no Power and Might except by Allah) This sentence is one of the treasures of Paradise.
9.. In one minute you can say "Salla-Allahu 'Alayhe wa Sallam" 50 times.(sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet) In return you get 500 prayers from Allah, as each prayer you make to his Prophet, 10 are returned to you!
10.. In one minute you can raise your hands to Allah (s.w.t) and supplicate with any words you wish.
11.. In one minute you can advise your brother/sister in Islam if they are doing anything incorrect.
12.. In one minute you can remove anything harmful that may be lying on the street.
13.. In one minute you can give a few words of comfort to a brother/sister who is concerned for any reason.
These actions are easy but in order to gain their rewards it is much harder indeed. Know also that the best of deeds are those that are maintained on a regular basis.
So do you have a minute during the whole day (1440 minutes)?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
How to Get Rid of Haram Money
In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
There are a few important points here:
1. Giving and taking interest are both decisively impermissible in Islam. Similarly, it is impermissible to consume unlawfully-earned money.
2. Given this, the default is that it is impermissible to have any kinds of interest-bearing accounts. Many banks provide zero interest current accounts. If these are available where you are, it would not be permissible to get an interest-bearing account, even ?low interest.? Given the need to safeguard money and the unavoidable need to engage in financial transactions, the jurists of our age have given a dispensation for low interest current accounts if the abovementioned type are not available.
3. When you deposit money in the bank, the interest they give you is not your property, Islamically. Similarly, unlawfully-earned money is not your rightful possession. The default would have been to actually return it to its rightful owners. When this is not possible to do, we are legally obliged to effectively return it to them by giving it away in charity, so that even though their money does not go back to them its benefit does in the form of the benefit of charity given on their behalf.
It is only charity, however, with regards to the actual owners of the money. When you give this money away, you can only intend to get rid of unlawful filthy money from your holding, while repenting and seeking Allah?s forgiveness for disobeying Him in a matter He deems most hateful. To seek ?good? or reward when one gets rid of this money would be a serious sin in itself, the fuqaha tell us.
One may either give this money to those deserving of zakat (=the poor and needy), or to charities. There is nothing wrong or dubious with accepting this money, because the sin devolves back to the person who wrongful engaged in the unlawful transaction and not the actual money itself.
[Sources: al-Hadhr wa?l Ibaha of al-Nahlawi, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Ibn Abidin?s Radd al-Muhtar, with some details from questions asked of contemporary scholars]
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
There are a few important points here:
1. Giving and taking interest are both decisively impermissible in Islam. Similarly, it is impermissible to consume unlawfully-earned money.
2. Given this, the default is that it is impermissible to have any kinds of interest-bearing accounts. Many banks provide zero interest current accounts. If these are available where you are, it would not be permissible to get an interest-bearing account, even ?low interest.? Given the need to safeguard money and the unavoidable need to engage in financial transactions, the jurists of our age have given a dispensation for low interest current accounts if the abovementioned type are not available.
3. When you deposit money in the bank, the interest they give you is not your property, Islamically. Similarly, unlawfully-earned money is not your rightful possession. The default would have been to actually return it to its rightful owners. When this is not possible to do, we are legally obliged to effectively return it to them by giving it away in charity, so that even though their money does not go back to them its benefit does in the form of the benefit of charity given on their behalf.
It is only charity, however, with regards to the actual owners of the money. When you give this money away, you can only intend to get rid of unlawful filthy money from your holding, while repenting and seeking Allah?s forgiveness for disobeying Him in a matter He deems most hateful. To seek ?good? or reward when one gets rid of this money would be a serious sin in itself, the fuqaha tell us.
One may either give this money to those deserving of zakat (=the poor and needy), or to charities. There is nothing wrong or dubious with accepting this money, because the sin devolves back to the person who wrongful engaged in the unlawful transaction and not the actual money itself.
[Sources: al-Hadhr wa?l Ibaha of al-Nahlawi, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Ibn Abidin?s Radd al-Muhtar, with some details from questions asked of contemporary scholars]
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Greatest Statement Ever
MILLIONS of Muslims around the world pronounce this statement on a regular basis.
It is heard in the call to prayer, in our daily lives, in sermons, read in books, fought and died for and the basis of our religion. It differentiates believers from non- believers and is the key to enter into paradise. All the Messengers and Prophets came to propagate and teach it in order to take people from darkness to light. Above all, it is the reason Allah created us for. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)... " (Qur'an, 51:56)
he testimony of faith, the Kalimtul-Haqq, the Kalimatul-Ikhlas [UTF-8?]– Laa ilaaha illa Allah [UTF-8?]– comprises the greatest statement ever. It means 'None has the right to be worshipped except Allah'. However, as we all utter these beautiful words on a daily basis we should ask a few questions:
Do we understand it and fulfill its obligations?
Are we aware of its conditions?
Just utterance alone without understanding its meaning is something that may not stop us from associating partners with Allah; something that is the essence of this great statement. Allah says in the Qur'an,
"Worship Allâh and join none with Him in worship... " (Qur'an, 4:36)
Allah, our Creator and Sustainer, has commanded us to worship Him alone, without any partners.
We may think we are, but without knowledge of this statement can we really knowingly stop ourselves from the gravest of sins?
"Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin." (Qur'an, 4: 48)
The statement has two pillars:
1-NEGATION
None has the right to be worshipped
To negate anything and everything that is worshipped besides Allah
2-AFFIRMATION
Except Allah
To affirm that Allah and only Allah has the right to be worshipped
Conditions of Worship:
Must be sincerely for the sake of Allah alone
Must be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Types of worship in the Qur'an and Sunnah:
Supplication (Du'a), Fear (Khawf), Hope (Rajaa), Reliance (Tawakkul), Longing (Raghbah) and Dreading (Rahbah), Submissiveness (Khushoo'), Awe (Khashyah), Repentance (Inaabah), Seeking Assitance (Isti'aanah) , Seeking Refuge (Iti'aadhah) , Asking for Help (Istighaathah) , Offering Sacrifices (Dhabah), Making Oaths (Nadhar) and all other types of worship that Allah commanded [UTF-8?]– all of these belong to Allah alone.If any act of worship is directed to other than Allah, then Shirk has occurred.
Conditions of the Laa ilaha illAllah are seven:
Conditions Results
1 Knowledge expels ignorance
2 Certainity expels doubt
3 Sincerity expels shirk
4 Truthfulness expels hypocrisy
5 Love expels hate
6 Submissive compliance expels deviation
7 Acceptance expels rejection
References: Aqeedah of Tawheed, by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzaan and The Three Fundamental Principles, by Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul WahhabVirtues of Laa ilaaha illAllah
Haafidh Ibn Rajab mentions many virtues of this statement in his essay entitled Kalimatul-Ikhlaas ( p. 54 -66)
It is the price to pay for the Gardens of Paradise
His whose last words are none has the right to be worshipped except Allah will enter Paradise
It is a salvation from the Hellfire
It necessitates being forgiven
It is the best of all good actions
It wipes away sins
It renews the faith in the heart
It outweighs the record of sins on the scales
It is the best of what the Prophets have said
It is the best form of remembrance, the best of actions and the one that is that is multiplied the most in reward
It is a protection against the devil
All eight gates of Paradise will be opened to its testifier and he may enter from any gate he chooses
With all this in mind it is imperative that we all learn its pillars and conditions so that we can say it with full meaning and understanding preventing us from falling into associating partners with Allah.
Indeed Allah has forbidden for Hell the person who says 'There is nothing that has the right to be worshipped but Allah', seeking thereby the Face of Allah.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
It is heard in the call to prayer, in our daily lives, in sermons, read in books, fought and died for and the basis of our religion. It differentiates believers from non- believers and is the key to enter into paradise. All the Messengers and Prophets came to propagate and teach it in order to take people from darkness to light. Above all, it is the reason Allah created us for. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)... " (Qur'an, 51:56)
he testimony of faith, the Kalimtul-Haqq, the Kalimatul-Ikhlas [UTF-8?]– Laa ilaaha illa Allah [UTF-8?]– comprises the greatest statement ever. It means 'None has the right to be worshipped except Allah'. However, as we all utter these beautiful words on a daily basis we should ask a few questions:
Do we understand it and fulfill its obligations?
Are we aware of its conditions?
Just utterance alone without understanding its meaning is something that may not stop us from associating partners with Allah; something that is the essence of this great statement. Allah says in the Qur'an,
"Worship Allâh and join none with Him in worship... " (Qur'an, 4:36)
Allah, our Creator and Sustainer, has commanded us to worship Him alone, without any partners.
We may think we are, but without knowledge of this statement can we really knowingly stop ourselves from the gravest of sins?
"Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin." (Qur'an, 4: 48)
The statement has two pillars:
1-NEGATION
None has the right to be worshipped
To negate anything and everything that is worshipped besides Allah
2-AFFIRMATION
Except Allah
To affirm that Allah and only Allah has the right to be worshipped
Conditions of Worship:
Must be sincerely for the sake of Allah alone
Must be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Types of worship in the Qur'an and Sunnah:
Supplication (Du'a), Fear (Khawf), Hope (Rajaa), Reliance (Tawakkul), Longing (Raghbah) and Dreading (Rahbah), Submissiveness (Khushoo'), Awe (Khashyah), Repentance (Inaabah), Seeking Assitance (Isti'aanah) , Seeking Refuge (Iti'aadhah) , Asking for Help (Istighaathah) , Offering Sacrifices (Dhabah), Making Oaths (Nadhar) and all other types of worship that Allah commanded [UTF-8?]– all of these belong to Allah alone.If any act of worship is directed to other than Allah, then Shirk has occurred.
Conditions of the Laa ilaha illAllah are seven:
Conditions Results
1 Knowledge expels ignorance
2 Certainity expels doubt
3 Sincerity expels shirk
4 Truthfulness expels hypocrisy
5 Love expels hate
6 Submissive compliance expels deviation
7 Acceptance expels rejection
References: Aqeedah of Tawheed, by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzaan and The Three Fundamental Principles, by Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul WahhabVirtues of Laa ilaaha illAllah
Haafidh Ibn Rajab mentions many virtues of this statement in his essay entitled Kalimatul-Ikhlaas ( p. 54 -66)
It is the price to pay for the Gardens of Paradise
His whose last words are none has the right to be worshipped except Allah will enter Paradise
It is a salvation from the Hellfire
It necessitates being forgiven
It is the best of all good actions
It wipes away sins
It renews the faith in the heart
It outweighs the record of sins on the scales
It is the best of what the Prophets have said
It is the best form of remembrance, the best of actions and the one that is that is multiplied the most in reward
It is a protection against the devil
All eight gates of Paradise will be opened to its testifier and he may enter from any gate he chooses
With all this in mind it is imperative that we all learn its pillars and conditions so that we can say it with full meaning and understanding preventing us from falling into associating partners with Allah.
Indeed Allah has forbidden for Hell the person who says 'There is nothing that has the right to be worshipped but Allah', seeking thereby the Face of Allah.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Islam in 1,000 words
Islam in 1,000 words..
How does one begins to comprehend a religion that supports peace,promises rewards on earth and in the afterlife,and yet has extreme followers who use it to rationalise terrorist attack?
Islam,for believers,is a relegion of peace,moderation and has all the answere to their worldly question.For fanatical Muslims Islam gives them the licence to defend their religion and their way of life,by encouraging suicide bonbings and acts of terror againts Western countries.And for non-Muslims, their perception of the relegion varies - from acceptance to mortification, to sheer cinfusion.
Hence a brieft and whirlwind lesson in Islam is offered, to foster some understanding about Muslims..
The definition of Islam..
Islam means submission to Allah,God, the Creator of all things.The word Islam is derived from the Arabic language,To understand it further,here's a brief look at the roots of the word itself:
"Should we take its root from the word 'Salima', hence Islam mean 'safe': saviour or sanctuary.In this context,Allah takes care of the welfare of all Muslims, in both worlds - the
present and the afterlife. A believing Muslim will then take care of his family,his freinds,his community and their worldly safety.
"If Islam is derived from the word 'Salmi' then it means peace. If from the word 'Istaslama',then Islam means to obey God and be faithful to the teachings,as promoted and taught by the Prophet,Nabi Muhammad - peace be upon him(pbuh). It also means honesty and sincerity. If Islam comes from the word 'Sullam', it means 'ladder' or 'advancement', for all believers must strive to be the best they can be." (Bimbingan Lengkap Fardu Ain,Abu Humaira).
Any Muslims, practising or not, should be able to spout the trunk of Islamic beliefs in a second.These have been drummed into their heads from young, and woe to those who cannot remember them.Like the recitation of the Al Fatihah.Muslim children are taught the pillars of Islam and faith the moment they can warble.
The Five Pillars of Islam are:
* The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Mohammad is His Messenger
* Establishing the prayer.and the one is to pray five times a day:
at dawn, afternoon, late afternoon, at sunset and at night (Subuh,Zuhur,Asar,Magrib and Isya')
* Zakat - giving alms to the poor
* Fasting in the month of Ramadhan
* Perfoeming the Hajj at least once in a lifetime, provided the believer is sane, has reached puberty, is a free man as opposed to being a slave, and financially and physically able to perform the hajj.
Then there are the Six Pillars of Faith (Iman), which is not to be confused with the former.The believer must believe in:
* Allah (God)
* His Angles (mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah 2:177 & 285)
* The Book - Quran
* The Messengers
* Qiamat - the Last Day on earth
* Qada' and Qadar - Divine Preordainment
What is the different then between the two? The Pillars of Islam mean the performed deeds that are seen, while Iman refers to the affair of the soul.Both go together, and are to be observed strictly.
Who?
You may be seeing thes terms along the way. A brief interpretation of them follows:
* The Muttaquns - the Pious. The Believers. The word 'Muttaqun" originates from 'taqwa' which means protecting one's self from God's punishment by obeying Him.
* The Munafiks - Hypocrites. They say they are Muslims but do not behave so. There is a whole chapter devoted to them: Surah Munaafiquun.
* The Musyrik - they do not believe in God; most devote themseives to idol worship.
Here are more rules to abide: no premarital or extra-marital sex, no indulging in anything that will make you khayal - high - such as alcohol,drugs and other substances, or activities that make you forget the world. Dress modestly, and behave with utter decorum. Food fall into two categories: halal and haram. Pork is bad, while fish is good. Chicken and beef have to be slaughtered in the proper Islamic manner before consumption.
Then dogs You can keep them as watchdogs but not as pets and you can touch them, but only when they are dry. And why is that? Dogs are dirty. What about cats? Cats lick their behinds, don't they? And if alcohol is sinful, what about alcohol in medication and perfume? What's the difference?
Another question that was lobbed my way: if you can't have premaritial sex, then what about masturbation? Which is better,solo sex or real sex? The former is not encouraged as it has been said that it is the Devil that performs the deed, and may make you go blind, while the latter is a no-no, you will go to hell, but in this day and age when marriage is not necessarily and attraction option any more, and you know you can't have permarital sex, what on earth are you to do?
The interpretation of Islam in modern times has made the religion seem anti-social, anti-human rights and againts progress. Islam is a dynamic guide to vartious living, for its people to cultivate a life and a world that will reward them on earth and in the Afterworld.
So how do you go about being a Muslim?
How does one begins to comprehend a religion that supports peace,promises rewards on earth and in the afterlife,and yet has extreme followers who use it to rationalise terrorist attack?
Islam,for believers,is a relegion of peace,moderation and has all the answere to their worldly question.For fanatical Muslims Islam gives them the licence to defend their religion and their way of life,by encouraging suicide bonbings and acts of terror againts Western countries.And for non-Muslims, their perception of the relegion varies - from acceptance to mortification, to sheer cinfusion.
Hence a brieft and whirlwind lesson in Islam is offered, to foster some understanding about Muslims..
The definition of Islam..
Islam means submission to Allah,God, the Creator of all things.The word Islam is derived from the Arabic language,To understand it further,here's a brief look at the roots of the word itself:
"Should we take its root from the word 'Salima', hence Islam mean 'safe': saviour or sanctuary.In this context,Allah takes care of the welfare of all Muslims, in both worlds - the
present and the afterlife. A believing Muslim will then take care of his family,his freinds,his community and their worldly safety.
"If Islam is derived from the word 'Salmi' then it means peace. If from the word 'Istaslama',then Islam means to obey God and be faithful to the teachings,as promoted and taught by the Prophet,Nabi Muhammad - peace be upon him(pbuh). It also means honesty and sincerity. If Islam comes from the word 'Sullam', it means 'ladder' or 'advancement', for all believers must strive to be the best they can be." (Bimbingan Lengkap Fardu Ain,Abu Humaira).
Any Muslims, practising or not, should be able to spout the trunk of Islamic beliefs in a second.These have been drummed into their heads from young, and woe to those who cannot remember them.Like the recitation of the Al Fatihah.Muslim children are taught the pillars of Islam and faith the moment they can warble.
The Five Pillars of Islam are:
* The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Mohammad is His Messenger
* Establishing the prayer.and the one is to pray five times a day:
at dawn, afternoon, late afternoon, at sunset and at night (Subuh,Zuhur,Asar,Magrib and Isya')
* Zakat - giving alms to the poor
* Fasting in the month of Ramadhan
* Perfoeming the Hajj at least once in a lifetime, provided the believer is sane, has reached puberty, is a free man as opposed to being a slave, and financially and physically able to perform the hajj.
Then there are the Six Pillars of Faith (Iman), which is not to be confused with the former.The believer must believe in:
* Allah (God)
* His Angles (mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah 2:177 & 285)
* The Book - Quran
* The Messengers
* Qiamat - the Last Day on earth
* Qada' and Qadar - Divine Preordainment
What is the different then between the two? The Pillars of Islam mean the performed deeds that are seen, while Iman refers to the affair of the soul.Both go together, and are to be observed strictly.
Who?
You may be seeing thes terms along the way. A brief interpretation of them follows:
* The Muttaquns - the Pious. The Believers. The word 'Muttaqun" originates from 'taqwa' which means protecting one's self from God's punishment by obeying Him.
* The Munafiks - Hypocrites. They say they are Muslims but do not behave so. There is a whole chapter devoted to them: Surah Munaafiquun.
* The Musyrik - they do not believe in God; most devote themseives to idol worship.
Here are more rules to abide: no premarital or extra-marital sex, no indulging in anything that will make you khayal - high - such as alcohol,drugs and other substances, or activities that make you forget the world. Dress modestly, and behave with utter decorum. Food fall into two categories: halal and haram. Pork is bad, while fish is good. Chicken and beef have to be slaughtered in the proper Islamic manner before consumption.
Then dogs You can keep them as watchdogs but not as pets and you can touch them, but only when they are dry. And why is that? Dogs are dirty. What about cats? Cats lick their behinds, don't they? And if alcohol is sinful, what about alcohol in medication and perfume? What's the difference?
Another question that was lobbed my way: if you can't have premaritial sex, then what about masturbation? Which is better,solo sex or real sex? The former is not encouraged as it has been said that it is the Devil that performs the deed, and may make you go blind, while the latter is a no-no, you will go to hell, but in this day and age when marriage is not necessarily and attraction option any more, and you know you can't have permarital sex, what on earth are you to do?
The interpretation of Islam in modern times has made the religion seem anti-social, anti-human rights and againts progress. Islam is a dynamic guide to vartious living, for its people to cultivate a life and a world that will reward them on earth and in the Afterworld.
So how do you go about being a Muslim?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
One day u have to go alone...!!
Yes it coming....... ......... ......... .......... ......... ......... ...
Did you ever stop for a while and asked yourself... What is going to happen to me the first night in my grave?
What have I prepared for death? Will I be in heaven or Hell fire? How often do I remember death? Think about the moment your body is being washed and prepared to enter your grave...
Think about the day people will be carrying you to your grave..
and your families crying... think about the moment you are put in your grave
Just imagine... imagine yourself in your grave...down there in that dark hole...
ALONE... it's too DARK... you cry for help, but there is no answer... Nobody can help you... it's too NARROW... your b one s are squashed....
You regret all the bad things you've d one during your life... you regret missing the 5 PRAYERS
you regret listening to music
You regret your disrespectful manners towards every one , especially your parents...
you regret not wearing your hijab
You regret ignoring the orders of ALLAH...
YOU REGRET IGNORING THE KNOWLEDGE OF ISLAM
YOU REGRET ALL THE BAD THINGS YOU'VE DONE..
THERE IS NO ESCAPE.. YOU WILL FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR EVERY LITTLE THING YOU'VE DONE...
You are ALONE in your grave only with your DEEDS... no m one y, no jewelry, nothing.. ONLY YOUR DEEDS..
AND WHEN IT IS SHUT,
YOU FEEL LIKE SCREAMING AND TEL LING EVERYONE NOT TO GO.. TO STAY BESIDE YOUR GRAVE
BUT, YOU CAN'T BE HEARD.. THEY LEAVE YOU AND GO AND YOU HEAR THEIR FOOTSTEPS.. AND HEAR THEM CRYING THEY WALK AWAY ....
YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD LAST FOREVER IN THIS WORLD, YOU THOUGHT YOU WILL STAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FOREVER... YOU THOUGHT YOU WILL HAVE FUN FOREVER... NO YOU WERE WRONG!!!
THEY LEFT YOU ALONE... JUST SPEND FEW MINUTE S AND LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE HOMES... AND SPEND THE WHOLE OF YOUR LIFE PREPARING FOR THEM...
YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THIS, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THIS EVERY MINUTE, EVERY HOUR, EVERY DAY...
EVERY TIME YOU ARE ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN, REMEMBER THE DESTROYER OF PLEASURES:
DEATH
FWD to friends if you're not selfish.
Did you ever stop for a while and asked yourself... What is going to happen to me the first night in my grave?
What have I prepared for death? Will I be in heaven or Hell fire? How often do I remember death? Think about the moment your body is being washed and prepared to enter your grave...
Think about the day people will be carrying you to your grave..
and your families crying... think about the moment you are put in your grave
Just imagine... imagine yourself in your grave...down there in that dark hole...
ALONE... it's too DARK... you cry for help, but there is no answer... Nobody can help you... it's too NARROW... your b one s are squashed....
You regret all the bad things you've d one during your life... you regret missing the 5 PRAYERS
you regret listening to music
You regret your disrespectful manners towards every one , especially your parents...
you regret not wearing your hijab
You regret ignoring the orders of ALLAH...
YOU REGRET IGNORING THE KNOWLEDGE OF ISLAM
YOU REGRET ALL THE BAD THINGS YOU'VE DONE..
THERE IS NO ESCAPE.. YOU WILL FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR EVERY LITTLE THING YOU'VE DONE...
You are ALONE in your grave only with your DEEDS... no m one y, no jewelry, nothing.. ONLY YOUR DEEDS..
AND WHEN IT IS SHUT,
YOU FEEL LIKE SCREAMING AND TEL LING EVERYONE NOT TO GO.. TO STAY BESIDE YOUR GRAVE
BUT, YOU CAN'T BE HEARD.. THEY LEAVE YOU AND GO AND YOU HEAR THEIR FOOTSTEPS.. AND HEAR THEM CRYING THEY WALK AWAY ....
YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD LAST FOREVER IN THIS WORLD, YOU THOUGHT YOU WILL STAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FOREVER... YOU THOUGHT YOU WILL HAVE FUN FOREVER... NO YOU WERE WRONG!!!
THEY LEFT YOU ALONE... JUST SPEND FEW MINUTE S AND LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE HOMES... AND SPEND THE WHOLE OF YOUR LIFE PREPARING FOR THEM...
YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THIS, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THIS EVERY MINUTE, EVERY HOUR, EVERY DAY...
EVERY TIME YOU ARE ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN, REMEMBER THE DESTROYER OF PLEASURES:
DEATH
FWD to friends if you're not selfish.
Monday, May 18, 2009
To Eat or Not To Eat Pork
Interesting article from an "open-minded"
M'sian Muslim reader...
Subject: To Eat or Not To Eat Pork
Researched and written by: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman
*From an economic perspective it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2 kids and the cow 1 calf.*
I have been following the story of the construction of a centralized and modern pig farm in Kampung Tumbuk in Kuala Langat and how the issue of religious sensitivity and racial cards has been played by the Opposition (i.e. The BN people) in Selangor. The issue also appears to have been made worst by the lopsided reporting by the Malay newspaper which obviously is
trying to incite racial sentiments. Please allow me to share my views as a Muslim on the matter.
*The religion perspective of pork.*
*From the bible*
Both the Bible and the Quran prohibit the eating of pork.
Muslims are aware of this prohibition and observe it strictly. However, most readers of the Bible say they do not know where they can find this in the Bible.
In the book of Leviticus, chapter 11, v. 7, it is recorded that God declares the pig to be unclean for believers. Then, in verse 8, God says: "You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you". This command is repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7-8. Then, in Isaiah 65:2-4, and 66:17, God issues a stern warning against those who eat pork.
Some Christians are aware of this prohibition from God, but they say that they can eat pork because St. Paul said that all food is clean in his letter to the Romans 14:20. St. Paul said this because he believed (as he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 2:14-15) that Jesus had abolished the Law with all its commandments and regulations. He seems, however, to have misunderstood what he heard about Jesus.
In the Gospel According to Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus is reported to have said quite the contrary, as follows: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law . . . ." Jesus then went on in that passage (in verse 19) to denounce anyone who would break the smallest commandment and teach others likewise. He also praised his true followers who will practice and teach even the smallest commandment. One of the commandments, as we have seen, is to stay away from pork.
This is why the true followers of Jesus, holding on to his teachings, did not let unclean food such as pork enter their mouths, so that Peter, the chief disciple, can say, "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean" (Acts of the Apostles, ch. 10, v. 14)
Five chapters later in the Acts of the Apostles, 15:29, we find that the original disciples still differentiate between clean and unclean foods, and this time Paul is in agreement with them. Six chapters later, in ch. 21, v. 25, their decision to impose food regulations on believers is mentioned
without regret, and this time Paul is challenged to prove that he is in agreement with them; and he demonstrated his full agreement with them.
What remains, then, is that Jesus, on whom be peace, upheld the prohibition against pork. His disciples also upheld it, and so must all his followers. Those who fail to uphold it need to be informed and reminded of this rule from God. For the same argument many orthodox Jews don't eat pork.
*Islamic perspective*
In Islam, the eating of swine is forbidden. This is clearly demonstrated in many verses of the Quran. Among others this includes: [1]
5:3* http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura5.html#3 , *6:145*
h ttp://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura6.html#145 <http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura6.html#145 > ,
*16:114-115* http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura16.html#114;
[2] *2:168-169*
http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura2.html#168 ,
*
3:93-94*
http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura3.html#93 ,
*6:119* http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura6.html#119 ,
*10:59*
http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura10.html#59;
[3]
*5:90-91* http://www.godsmosque.org/html/quran/sura5.html#90 .
My research has failed to find any evidence that suggest that the religion do not allow muslims to be standing next to or to look at or to smell a pig. Maybe some people in authority can highlight further on this issue.
*The Scientific perspective*
Dr. E. Kazim. M.D. in his article "*Medical aspects of forbidden foods in Islam*" (July 1981 issue of Muslim Journal has described diseases carried or caused by the flesh of the swine. He wrote: The pig is a scavenger. It is an omnivorous animal. It eats everything. There are many diseases carried from swine to man, particularly parasite infestations. Lately extensive research
has been focused on senility-old age is characterized by hardening of inner lining of the blood vessels of the heart; brain etc. a process called atherosclerosis. When a clot forms, it results in coronary thrombosis or a heart attack, cerebral thrombosis or stroke.
Different dietary factors are responsible for atherosclerosis. Gross atheroma may be produced in rabbit by feeding it with cholesterol, but when you add lard (derived from hog fat) to the cholesterol, the incidence of atheroma is increased and thus you would produce coronary thrombosis, and myocardial infraction.
Besides, lard contains 2800 units of vitamin D per 100 grams and no vitamin A at all. Lately vitamin D has been held responsible for atheroma, by causing increased absorption of calcium in the blood vessels. In human beings, serum cholesterol is not dependent on the intake of cholesterol in the diet, but depends upon the proportion of animal fats in the diet, which
elevates the beta-lipo protein level in the blood. Animal fats contain saturated fatty acids and these saturated fatty acids have been found to be as one of the causes of atheroma in man.
Medium fat bacon contains 25% proteins and 55% fat.
According to medical research, the fat content in pork is more than any other meat (beef, mutton etc.) and it takes longer to digest. Dr. M Jaffer in an article in the Islamic Review (London) of January 1997 issue has listed 16 kinds of harmful germs, which have been discovered in pork in modern researches and the diseases, which could be caused by them. The number of patients suffering from tapeworm disease is the highest in the world among pork eating nations.
Other diseases attributed to pigs are caused by tri-chinelia spirates and intestinal worms occupy first place among such nations too. Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952). "One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles - trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. Many people who are infected shows no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recover slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters".
He continued "No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer."
*The Babi and the narrow minded politicians who called themselves Muslims.*
First of all, I am appalled at the narrow minded politicians who made the issue of building a centralized and modern pig farming an issue. It is beyond doubt that the real issue here is economy, environmental pollution and improving quality of life in the surrounding community.
The opposition (BN) are making a mockery of this just because of political mileage. I feel when something good is being done; it should promoted by all parties. I have travelled to St Louis , USA where it is also known capital pork of the world. I have visited and stand 3 feet away from a pig pen.
There was no smell. It was so clean. It is even cleaner than most public toilets in Malaysia .
How many of this politician has visited such a farm and how many are involved in goat farming in Malaysia . While goat is Halal in Malaysia , please enter many farms there is in Malaysia and you will see how dirty it is. Islam only prohibits the eating of pork. There is no prohibition of looking at eat or standing next to one. In fact I have yet to find anywhere in the Quran that prevent Muslims from rearing it. During my 15 months tour of duty with UN in Cambodia, many Malay Champa who are strong Muslims rear pigs under their house for economic reason even though they don't eat them.
From an economic perspective it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2 kids and the cow 1 calf.
From an environmental perspective, it is definitely better to have a central farm where small farmers join hands and run one big and clean farm. This way the cleanliness of our water way will be maintained. Waste management will become the epicentre of the operation. It is more economical to run one big farm than many small farms that is polluting. Overall it is a win win
situation for everyone.
It is insulting the way some politician look at the issue. I believe from Islamic perspective it is quite clear. It is the narrow minded politicians that played up the issue that makes it into a Muslim and non Muslim issue and trying to create a bigger racial divide among Malaysians. Sometimes I wonder, which has the lower image , the babi or these politicians. For that aspect, I respect the position taken by PAS on this matter. It has shown that it has handled the issues properly.
I ask all level minded Malaysian and to re look at the "Babi" issue again. Study the real issue properly and make a proper judgment. Overall it will benefit Malaysian from the economic, environmental and quality of life perspective.
*Researched and written by: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman*
M'sian Muslim reader...
Subject: To Eat or Not To Eat Pork
Researched and written by: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman
*From an economic perspective it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2 kids and the cow 1 calf.*
I have been following the story of the construction of a centralized and modern pig farm in Kampung Tumbuk in Kuala Langat and how the issue of religious sensitivity and racial cards has been played by the Opposition (i.e. The BN people) in Selangor. The issue also appears to have been made worst by the lopsided reporting by the Malay newspaper which obviously is
trying to incite racial sentiments. Please allow me to share my views as a Muslim on the matter.
*The religion perspective of pork.*
*From the bible*
Both the Bible and the Quran prohibit the eating of pork.
Muslims are aware of this prohibition and observe it strictly. However, most readers of the Bible say they do not know where they can find this in the Bible.
In the book of Leviticus, chapter 11, v. 7, it is recorded that God declares the pig to be unclean for believers. Then, in verse 8, God says: "You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you". This command is repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7-8. Then, in Isaiah 65:2-4, and 66:17, God issues a stern warning against those who eat pork.
Some Christians are aware of this prohibition from God, but they say that they can eat pork because St. Paul said that all food is clean in his letter to the Romans 14:20. St. Paul said this because he believed (as he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 2:14-15) that Jesus had abolished the Law with all its commandments and regulations. He seems, however, to have misunderstood what he heard about Jesus.
In the Gospel According to Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus is reported to have said quite the contrary, as follows: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law . . . ." Jesus then went on in that passage (in verse 19) to denounce anyone who would break the smallest commandment and teach others likewise. He also praised his true followers who will practice and teach even the smallest commandment. One of the commandments, as we have seen, is to stay away from pork.
This is why the true followers of Jesus, holding on to his teachings, did not let unclean food such as pork enter their mouths, so that Peter, the chief disciple, can say, "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean" (Acts of the Apostles, ch. 10, v. 14)
Five chapters later in the Acts of the Apostles, 15:29, we find that the original disciples still differentiate between clean and unclean foods, and this time Paul is in agreement with them. Six chapters later, in ch. 21, v. 25, their decision to impose food regulations on believers is mentioned
without regret, and this time Paul is challenged to prove that he is in agreement with them; and he demonstrated his full agreement with them.
What remains, then, is that Jesus, on whom be peace, upheld the prohibition against pork. His disciples also upheld it, and so must all his followers. Those who fail to uphold it need to be informed and reminded of this rule from God. For the same argument many orthodox Jews don't eat pork.
*Islamic perspective*
In Islam, the eating of swine is forbidden. This is clearly demonstrated in many verses of the Quran. Among others this includes: [1]
5:3* http://www.godsmosque.org/
h ttp://www.godsmosque.org/html/
*16:114-115* http://www.godsmosque.org/
[2] *2:168-169*
http://www.godsmosque.org/
*
3:93-94*
http://www.godsmosque.org/
*6:119* http://www.godsmosque.org/
*10:59*
http://www.godsmosque.org/
[3]
*5:90-91* http://www.godsmosque.org/
*The Scientific perspective*
Dr. E. Kazim. M.D. in his article "*Medical aspects of forbidden foods in Islam*" (July 1981 issue of Muslim Journal has described diseases carried or caused by the flesh of the swine. He wrote: The pig is a scavenger. It is an omnivorous animal. It eats everything. There are many diseases carried from swine to man, particularly parasite infestations. Lately extensive research
has been focused on senility-old age is characterized by hardening of inner lining of the blood vessels of the heart; brain etc. a process called atherosclerosis. When a clot forms, it results in coronary thrombosis or a heart attack, cerebral thrombosis or stroke.
Different dietary factors are responsible for atherosclerosis. Gross atheroma may be produced in rabbit by feeding it with cholesterol, but when you add lard (derived from hog fat) to the cholesterol, the incidence of atheroma is increased and thus you would produce coronary thrombosis, and myocardial infraction.
Besides, lard contains 2800 units of vitamin D per 100 grams and no vitamin A at all. Lately vitamin D has been held responsible for atheroma, by causing increased absorption of calcium in the blood vessels. In human beings, serum cholesterol is not dependent on the intake of cholesterol in the diet, but depends upon the proportion of animal fats in the diet, which
elevates the beta-lipo protein level in the blood. Animal fats contain saturated fatty acids and these saturated fatty acids have been found to be as one of the causes of atheroma in man.
Medium fat bacon contains 25% proteins and 55% fat.
According to medical research, the fat content in pork is more than any other meat (beef, mutton etc.) and it takes longer to digest. Dr. M Jaffer in an article in the Islamic Review (London) of January 1997 issue has listed 16 kinds of harmful germs, which have been discovered in pork in modern researches and the diseases, which could be caused by them. The number of patients suffering from tapeworm disease is the highest in the world among pork eating nations.
Other diseases attributed to pigs are caused by tri-chinelia spirates and intestinal worms occupy first place among such nations too. Dr. Glen Shepherd wrote the following on the dangers of eating pork in Washington Post (31 May 1952). "One in six people in USA and Canada have germs in their muscles - trichinosis 8 from eating pork infected with trichina worms. Many people who are infected shows no symptoms. Most of those, who do have, recover slowly. Some die; some are reduced to permanent invalids. All were careless pork caters".
He continued "No one is immune from the disease and there is no cure. Neither antibiotics nor drugs or vaccines affect these tiny deadly worms. Preventing infection is the real answer."
*The Babi and the narrow minded politicians who called themselves Muslims.*
First of all, I am appalled at the narrow minded politicians who made the issue of building a centralized and modern pig farming an issue. It is beyond doubt that the real issue here is economy, environmental pollution and improving quality of life in the surrounding community.
The opposition (BN) are making a mockery of this just because of political mileage. I feel when something good is being done; it should promoted by all parties. I have travelled to St Louis , USA where it is also known capital pork of the world. I have visited and stand 3 feet away from a pig pen.
There was no smell. It was so clean. It is even cleaner than most public toilets in Malaysia .
How many of this politician has visited such a farm and how many are involved in goat farming in Malaysia . While goat is Halal in Malaysia , please enter many farms there is in Malaysia and you will see how dirty it is. Islam only prohibits the eating of pork. There is no prohibition of looking at eat or standing next to one. In fact I have yet to find anywhere in the Quran that prevent Muslims from rearing it. During my 15 months tour of duty with UN in Cambodia, many Malay Champa who are strong Muslims rear pigs under their house for economic reason even though they don't eat them.
From an economic perspective it is better to rear pigs than cows or goat. It is simply more profitable. The pregnancy duration is about 112-115 days compared to goat which is about 150 days or a cow 290 days. At the end of each pregnancy the pig produces between 12- 15 piglets, the goat about 1-2 kids and the cow 1 calf.
From an environmental perspective, it is definitely better to have a central farm where small farmers join hands and run one big and clean farm. This way the cleanliness of our water way will be maintained. Waste management will become the epicentre of the operation. It is more economical to run one big farm than many small farms that is polluting. Overall it is a win win
situation for everyone.
It is insulting the way some politician look at the issue. I believe from Islamic perspective it is quite clear. It is the narrow minded politicians that played up the issue that makes it into a Muslim and non Muslim issue and trying to create a bigger racial divide among Malaysians. Sometimes I wonder, which has the lower image , the babi or these politicians. For that aspect, I respect the position taken by PAS on this matter. It has shown that it has handled the issues properly.
I ask all level minded Malaysian and to re look at the "Babi" issue again. Study the real issue properly and make a proper judgment. Overall it will benefit Malaysian from the economic, environmental and quality of life perspective.
*Researched and written by: Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan bin Abdul Rahman*
Sunday, February 22, 2009
List of famous and NOTABLE Caucasian Muslims
A short list of notable or famous, Anglo-Saxon and/or Caucasian Muslims throughout Islamic history and the world today. Please Note: Photographs are of the individual named directly ABOVE them.
Imam Shamil (Legendary Daghestani Resistance Leader)
Muhammad Ali, Pasha of Egypt (Ottoman Ruler of Egypt from Albania)
Nerkesi Muhammed of Sarajevo (Bosnian Scholar)
Colonel Donald S. Rockwell (Poet and Author)
Shaykh Mansur (Chechen Muslim Mystic and Warrior)
Lord Headley al-Farooq (British Statesman, Lt. Colonel, Ed. of Salisbury Journal)
Gen. Charles William Buchanan Hamilton (Royal Navy, nephew of former US President James Buchanan)
Safvet beg Basagic Redzepasic (19th century Poet and Scholar)
Haji Zeynalabedin Taghiyev (philanthropist, oil magnate)
Read about his life Here
Muhammad Asad Leopold Weiss (Austrian journalist, statesman, and one of the leading Muslim scholars of the 20th century)
Marmaduke Pickthall (Bristish Muslim and Translator of Qur'an into English)
Buy his translation of the Qur'an HERE
Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb (19th century Journalist/former US Diplomat to the Philippines)
Brother Webb is said to be the first white American convert to Islam
Dr. Murad Wilfred Hofmann (Former German Ambassador, Director of Information NATO)
Knud Holmboe (Early 20th Century Danish Journalist)
Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens)
Aminah Assilmi (Former radical feminist, American convert/lecturer)
Imam Hamza Yusuf (American Muslim Scholar, co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute)
Sheikh Yusuf Estes (National Muslim Chaplain of America, former Christian missionary)
Ibrahim Hooper (former Director of CAIR)
Dr. Gary Miller (former Christian missionary, mathematician, theologian, and writer)
Ruqayyah Waris Maqsood (Formerly known as Rosalyn Kendrick)
Nuh Ha Mim Keller (American writer, translator, and scholar)
Nancy Ali (Former Roman Catholic Nun)
Joe Ahmed Dobson (son of British Secretary of State for Health, chairman of the Muslim Council of Britain's Regeneration Committee)
Abdal Hakim Murad (Muslim Scholar)
Khalid Blankinship (Chairman of Religion Dept. at Temple University)
Mario Scialoja (former Italian ambassador to Saudi Arabia [1994-95], head of Italy's Muslim League)
Torquato Cardeilli (Italy's current ambassador to Saudi Arabia)
Micheal Wolfe (Author, Film maker)
Buy Micheal's book "The Hajj" (about his pilgrimmage to Mecca)
Abdul Lateef Whiteman (Musician)
Viacheslav Polosin (former archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church)
Khadijah 'Sue' Watson (Former fundamentalist Protestant pastor)
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher (Co-founder Islamic Party of Britain, Ed. "Common Sense")
David Musa Pidcock (Co-founder Islamic Party of Britian, Institute of Rational Economics)
Eric Shrody, aka "Everlast" (Musician)
Dr. Martin Lings (Author/Scholar)
Dr. Vincent Mansur Cornell (Scholar/Historian)
Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore (American poet)
Visit his poetry site
Christine Huda Dodge (Writer, Educater, Website Host "Islam at About.com")
Read the story of her conversion
Lady Evelyn Zeinab Cobbold (British convert, featured in the book "Islam Our Choice")
Jeffrey Lang (Speaker/Author/Mathematics Professor @ University of Kansas)
Hakim Archulletta (Traditional Islamic healer/Specialist in Homeopathic Medicine)
Dr. Ingrid Mattson (VP of Islamic Society of North America, Prof. at Hartford Seminary)
Peter Sanders (famous photographer)
Alan Godlas (Prof. of Islamic Studies at U of Georgia)
Sofia Godlas (Artist, Consultant for the reconstruction of the Prophet's Masjid in Madina)
Daniel Hill (former Afghan Mujahid, anti-terrorism agent)
Charles Yarborough (the current Earl of Yarborough)
Jonathan Birt (the son of former director of the BBC, John Birt)
Charles Le Gai Eaton (former British diplomat)
John Nelson (first Englishman to convert to Islam in the 16th century)
Shaykh Abdullah Quilliam (Famous British Muslim activist and religious leader)
READ about more about Shaykh Abdullah
Alex Kronemer (produced PBS documentary "Muhammad: Legacy of the Prophet")
Alija Izetbegovic (the former president of Bosnia, led Muslim resistance against Molosivic, and author)
Hedley Churchward (painter, set designer, first known British Muslim to make Hajj around 1910)
Amherst Tysson (British writer and poet, lawyer)
Yvonne Ridley (British journalist, formerly held captive by Taliban)
Sh. Umar Faruq Abdullah (founder of the Nawawi Institute in Chicago and scholar)
Aisha Bewley (translator, writer and poet; teacher of Islamic law in England)
Kabir and Camille Helminski (translators of Rumi's poetry, writers, artists)
Shaykh Mustafa Ceric (Chief Alim of Bosnia)
Read About Ceric
Julien Jalaleddin Weiss (Musician, performs with the al Kindi ensemble)
Shaykh Shahidullah Faridi (British Sufi Shaykh of the Sabriyya Chisti Order)
Ian Dallas, aka Abdulqadir al-Murabit (Scottish convert, actor and author)
Shems Friedlander (scholar, film maker)
S. Abdullah Schleiffer (poet, journalist)
Yahiya Emerick (scholar & author)
Suhayb Webb (scholar)
Dawud Wharnsby Ali (musician)
Dr. Jerald Dirks (scholar & author)
Rene Guenon (French intellectual & co-founder of Traditionalist School)
Frithjof Schuon (intellectual, artist, & co-founder of Traditionalist School)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
