Bismillah [IslamCity] Why Are Women Turning to Islam
Why Are Women Turning to Islam By an ex-Christian Lady At a time when Islam is faced with hostile media coverage particularly where the status of women in Islam is concerned, it may be quite surprising to learn that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, and even more ironic to discover that the majority of converts to Islam are WOMEN . The status of women in society is neither a new issue, nor is it a fully settled one. And where Islam is mentioned, for many the term 'Muslim Women' prompts images of exhausted mothers chained to the stove, 'victims' suppressed in a life of indoctrination, frantic to be westernized and so on. Others will go to great lengths to explain how the hijaab is an obstacle, clouding the mind, and comment that female converts are either brainwashed, stupid or traitors to their sex. I reject such accusations and pose to them the following question: why is it that so many women who have been born and brought in the so called 'civilized' societies of Europe and America are willing to reject their 'liberty' and 'independence' to embrace a religion that supposedly oppresses them and is widely assumed to be prejudicial to them? As a Christian convert to Islam, I can only present my personal experience and reasons for rejecting the 'freedom' that women claim to have in this society in favour of the only Religion that truly liberates women by giving us a status and position, which is completely unique when compared with that of our non-Muslim counterparts. Before coming to Islam, I had strong feminist tendencies and recognized that where a woman was concerned, a lot of shuffling around had been going on, yet without being able to pin her on the social map. The problem was ongoing: new 'women's issues' being raised without the previous ones being satisfactorily resolved. Like the many women who shared my background, I would accuse Islam of being a sexist religion, discriminating, oppressing and giving men the greater privileges. All of this, coming from a person who did not even know Islam, one who had been blinded due to ignorance and had accepted this deliberately distorted definition of Islam. However, despite my criticisms of Islam, inwardly, I wasn't satisfied with my own status as a woman in this society. It seemed to me that society would define such terms as 'liberty' and 'freedom' and then these definitions were accepted by women without us even attempting to question or challenge them. There was clearly a great contradiction between what women were told in theory and what actually happened in practice. The more I pondered, the greater emptiness I felt within. I was slowly beginning to reach a stage where my dissatisfaction with my status as a women in this society, was really a reflection of my greater dissatisfaction with society itself. Everything seemed to be degenerating backwards, despite the claims that the 1990's was going to be the decade of success and prosperity. Something vital seemed to be missing from my life and nothing would fill this vacuum. Being a Christian did not do anything for me, and I began to question the validity of only remembering God one day a week - Sundays! As with many other Christians too, I had become disillusioned with the hypocrisy of the Church and was becoming increasingly unhappy with the concept of Trinity and the deification of Jesus. Eventually, I began to look into Islam. At first, I was only interested in looking at those issues, which specifically dealt with women. I was surprised. What I read and learned, taught me a lot about myself as a woman, and also about where the real oppression of a woman lies: in every other system and way of life outside of Islam. Muslim women have been given their rights in every aspect of the religion with clear definitions of their role in society - as had men - with no injustice against either of them. As Allah says: Whoever does deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them. [Nisaa 4:124] So having amended my misconceptions about the true status of women in Islam, I was now looking further. I wanted to find that thing which was going to fill the vacuum in my life. My attention was drawn towards the beliefs and practices of Islam. It was only through establishing the fundamentals that I would understand where to turn and what to prioritize. These are often the areas, which receive little attention or controversy in society, and when studying the Islamic Creed, it becomes clear why this is the case: such concise, faultless and wholly comprehensive details cannot be found elsewhere. http://www.beconvinced.com/en/article.php?articleid=0073catid=09subcatname=Conversion%20To%20Islam People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day Muhammad was
Bismillah [IslamCity] Jummah Mubarak
As Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuh!
The secret of family and friendship is concern, the secret of love is
SACRIFICE, the secret of happiness is GIVING, the secret of life is Faith in
ALLAH! Jumma Mubarak have a beautiful day filled with ALLAH'S favours.
PoEtEsS
The bitter path of life strengthens my wisdom, faith and knowledge while the
easy path of life empties my mind and heart…Zohra Moosa
***
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
(i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue
with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy
Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: My Lord is Allah (believes in
His Oneness), and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites
(men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: I
am one of the Muslims.} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: By Allah, if
Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of
camels. [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, Whoever
calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who
follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all.
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--
Recommended:
http://www.ikhwanweb.com
http://www.islamonline.net
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org
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Bismillah [IslamCity] Thought for the day
As Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatuh!
Forgiveness
Why is it hard to forgive others? Usually because we believe that they are 90%
to blame for the problem, that I am not as bad as they are. So I start to carry
the load of other people's actions. If my ego is too hurt, I will have the
sense of correction, of justice: 'I know I am right', 'That is not fair'. But
if I start to forgive from the heart, sincerely, then this kind of feeling and
attitude begins to dissolve. I remain humble and this forgiveness will bring me
closer to others. Then I do not carry regrets or anger, I just let go and
remain light.
PoEtEsS
The bitter path of life strengthens my wisdom, faith and knowledge while the
easy path of life empties my mind and heart…Zohra Moosa
***
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
(i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue
with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy
Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: My Lord is Allah (believes in
His Oneness), and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites
(men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: I
am one of the Muslims.} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: By Allah, if
Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of
camels. [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, Whoever
calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who
follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all.
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--
Recommended:
http://www.ikhwanweb.com
http://www.islamonline.net
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org
--
All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in
any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved
otherwise.
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Bismillah [IslamCity] Muslims should change political strategy: Popular Front
*Muslims should change political strategy: Popular Front* * *The annual meeting of the National General Assembly of Popular Front of India called upon Muslims in India to change their election strategy of shifting supports among various political parties and to concentrate in the political empowerment of the community. They were supporting one secular party or other with the sole aim of defeating the fascist and communal parties in elections. This strategy has failed to establish their rights in the country's policy setting and resource distribution. While in power, these parties not only failed to arrest communal fascist forces, but they even adopted pro-Hindutva policies as against the norms of equity and justice. The Muslims have become just cannon fodder for the secular parties which promptly ignored the Muslim issues and their problems once the elections are over. This experience of the last six decades warrants serious rethinking by all the Muslim organizations and political groups. They should initiate steps to politically consolidate the Muslims in coalition with other equally deprived sections of the society for their rightful share in political power. The pressure group tactics exercised so far by certain Muslim sections are no longer a solution to Muslim political deprivation. The success stories of some dalit and backward castes in gaining political strength and exercising power in North India contain lessons for Muslim leaders and masses to learn. It is also noteworthy that in all the political formulations that have emerged in the name of Dalits-Backward Classes–Minorities political empowerment, Muslims have been denied equity and justice in sharing of power as well as resources. The meeting also requested all the citizens and social groups of this country to support the Muslim right to political empowerment through adequate representation. In another resolution the meeting of strongly deplored the recent launching of an Israeli military satellite by ISRO. This is in effect a tacit approval of the inhuman acts Israel has inflicted upon helpless Palestinians under Zionist occupation. Israel is the only rogue state in the world which consistently trampled upon the basic civil and democratic rights of the Palestinians under her occupation and violated all international treaties and covenants. Our relationship with this client state of the US is against the basic morals and principles of the foreign policy set by our great leaders and thinkers. Popular Front appealed the Government of India to severe the unethical ties with this settled state with immediate effect. The meeting expressed anguish over the imposition of severe bail conditions on certain under trial prisoners in the Second Marad Case while granting bail after their prolonged imprisonment lasted for nearly five years. The under-trials in this case belong to very poor fishing community who do not have money or influence to raise the security or to arrange rented houses within 3 kilometres of the Special Court as stipulated in the bail order. The High Court of Kerala has just granted bail in purely legalistic manner without taking into account the inability of the under trials to post bond or other securities. The meeting observed that it contravenes the spirit of various orders passed by the Supreme Court to be lenient towards the under trials when considering bail petitions. The annual meeting held at Green Valley campus at Manjeri in Kerala on 26thand 27 th January started with the inaugural speech by the Chairman of the organization E. Abubacker. The General Secretary E. M. Abdurahman submitted the annual report. The report observed that the constituent state organizations of Popular Front in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have considerably increased their membership and gained much more public support. A. Saeed delivered a lecture on Dimensions of Democratic Resistance. A. M. M. Shafi, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, K. M. Shareef and T. Abdurahman Baqavi lead organizational discussions. K. M. Shareef (Mangalore) was elected as the Vice Chairman of the organization. Sheik Mohammed Dehlan Baqavi (Thirunelveli) and M. Mohamed Ismail (Chennai) were elected to the vacant posts in the National Executive Council. * * *Official News* - Muslims should change political strategy: Popular Fronthttp://www.popularfrontindia.org/news.php?id=4228 January 2008 - Babri Anniversary Statementhttp://www.popularfrontindia.org/news.php?id=4125 Nov 2007 - Modi and his Sangparivar Rioters Caught in Spycam must be arrested: MNP http://www.popularfrontindia.org/news.php?id=39 29 Oct 2007 - Expose Double Standard and Fight For the Rule of Lawhttp://www.popularfrontindia.org/news.php?id=4029 Oct 2007 - Gujarat Genocide: State-wide protests in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu http://www.popularfrontindia.org/news.php?id=3828 Oct 2007 - Dismiss and Prosecute Narendra Modi
Bismillah [IslamCity] Environment: The Story of Stuff
The Story of Stuff www.storyofstuff.com/ From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. If you haven't seen this yet, I would highly recommend it. Take from it what you will - K a r i m a __ B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i rR a h e e m Before you view The Story of Stuff, I would like you to take some time to read Professor Mustafa Abu-Sway's essay Towards an Islamic Jurisprudence of the Environment on our role in protecting the environment. Quote: The basic role of the human being on earth is to worship Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala: I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me. (Az-Zaariyaat 51:56) To serve Allaah or to worship Him is a comprehensive way that covers every aspect of life. Fulfilling all that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala has commanded from us in terms of Praying, Fasting, Zakaah and Hajj indicates worshipping. The same could be said regarding any action that the human being performs in accordance with the Islamic world-view, as long as it is done for the Sake of Allaah Almighty. Every act, as long as it is good (e.g. protecting the environment) and done for the Sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, is considered an act of worshipping that generates reward in this life and the Hereafter. This is the via media between two extremes; total disregard for the environment, and worshipping it as the case of nature worshippers. The total disregard for the environment is detrimental for the human being. The same could be said regarding the extreme position of protecting the environment in an absolute sense. An example is advocating the protection of every single member of the animal kingdom to the level which might endanger the life of the human beings involved in rescue operations. It should be known that Islam advocates the protection of the environment, though not in name, for the word 'environment' (bi'ah), along with its connotations, evolved in recent times. That Islam has high regard for the environment is something that can be found in the Holy Qur'aan and the Sunnah. The fact that to protect the environment is considered an act of worshipping, does not mean that every component of the environment should be saved. In fact, it is sometimes to the contrary. The Prophet, sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam, stated that a person who uprooted a tree (which formed an obstacle) in the path of people, ended up in heaven. The Islamic position forms a middle path between human behaviour that has disregard to the environment and those who practically worship the environment or certain parts of it. While the Islamic world view supports the protection of environment from the greedy behaviour of human beings, it allows room for sustainable development. The Environment is the Loci of the Signs Pointing to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. The environment is perceived as the place where the signs (e.g. rivers, plants, and birds), pointing to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala exist: Verily in the heavens and the earth, are Signs for those who believe. And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (throughout the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith. And the alteration of Night and Day, and the fact that Allaah sends down Sustenance from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the change of the winds,-are Signs for those that are wise. (Al-Jaathiya 45:3-5) As a result, any destruction occurring to the environment is tantamount to destroying these signs. If any species becomes extinct, it is considered a loss of a Sign that reflects the greatness of the Creator. It is indeed a very sad thing if we continue to destroy the environment, because we will prevent the generations to come from having a healthy relationship with the environment, where healthy means the chance to experience these Signs. - Unquote. To read more on the environment, click this link: http://homepages.iol.ie/~afifi/Articles/environment.htm Fee Amaanillaah, Your sister, K a r i m a
RE: Bismillah [IslamCity] A 'modern' Koran the vital next step fo r Arabs to forge the future
Dear Brother Assalamu Alaikum, May Allah Guide you to the Truth! You said No hijabs in the Koran Please refer the following evidence. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons,or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands posses, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [al-Noor 24:31] Drawing the veil all over the juyoob implies covering the face. When Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies [al-Ahzaab 33:59] - he covered his face, leaving only one eye showing. This indicates that what was meant by the aayah was covering the face. This was the interpretation of Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) of this aayah, as narrated from him by 'Ubaydah al-Salmaani when he asked him about it. Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.6, Hadith No: 282 Narrated by Aishah (Radhiallahu Anha) May Allah bestow His Mercy on the early emigrant women. When Allah revealed: And to draw their veils all over Juyubihina (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms) - they tore their Muruts (a woolen dress, or a waist-binding cloth or an apron) and covered their heads and faces with those torn Muruts. Malhar -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:47 PM To: eGroup For Muslims Around The World Subject: Bismillah [IslamCity] A 'modern' Koran the vital next step for Arabs to forge the future Only a mind as closed as an oyster would not concede that Saudi Arabia is going through an unprecedented era of stress; an age of anxiety, of you wish, unlike anything it has experienced in its modern history. To be sure, the other countries in the Arab world are equally facing down an existential crisis of their own, different in kind, but the same in degree. All of which has generated an intense debate among Saudi intellectuals, academics, social critics, commentators and others, spanning the entire ideological spectrum - from progressive theoreticians who want to reform the social system, to revolutionary nihilists dedicated to its overthrow - whose thrust is this: Our society cannot and should not remain immune to change in the modern world and unable to engage meaningfully in the global dialogue of cultures. This debate is all the more important because what happens in Saudi Arabia, indisputably the most pivotal state in the region today, will influence discourse elsewhere in the Arab world. Lest we forget, there was a time - in our generation - when other Arab analysts looked with amused distaste, even hostility, at their Saudi counterparts' critical output. What do these desert nomads know, anyhow the pompous argument went. That was then. Today these same Arabs are struggling to match that output's sustained integrity and wealth of intellectual provocation. The evil of men - is from men What is to be done? How do we deal with the crisis that afflicts our time, without conjuring a detailed melodrama of persecution, deprivation and meddling at the hands of the West, and concentrate instead on defining to ourselves, and the world around us - of which and from which we are one - what is most vital about our culture, most important about our relationship between self and society? How do we go about regrouping, indeed reinterpreting and recasting our religion, our language and our social ethos - these three elements that together, systemically, represent the building blocks of a stable community, from freedom of expression to women's rights, from equitable government to democratic rights, from a social contract between ruler and ruled to a free press, from economic prosperity to an independent judiciary, and the rest of it? I begin with Islam, a faith that represents a necessary function of our human existence, and for many Arabs, particularly Saudi Arabs, a faith they take as a starting point to meaning.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Saturday, LIVE -New Intensive-AQ210- Al-Aqeedah At-Tahawiyyah and Tafseer Courses
Seek knowledge Directly from Scholars: Senior Scholars and Mashaykh of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamah www.albaseerah.org Details of seminars attended - in person - by Senior Scholars and Mashaaykh = http://www.albaseerah.org/seminar/ Scholars Attended --- Books Covered--- Field Trips--- Participant's Testimonies Details of FREE On-Line - Intensive Courses Aqeedah Tafseer - Fiqh - by Senior Scholars and Mashaaykh = http://www.albaseerah.org/course/ Courses in Session -- Certification -- How to Listen? -- Scholars Methods of Broadcasting: http://www.albaseerah.org/course/broadcast.htm You may listen to the lectures via following options, Absolutely FREE !!! 1- Masaajid, Islamic Centers and Groups = Use our Telephone Conference Calling system. Use telephone number listed below. Please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] for more details. 2- Individual Listeners = Live Broadcast from our website www.albaseerah.org/live.htm 3- Pal-Talk = ReligionIslam Live Senior Scholars of Ahli Sunnah English Arabic Upcoming Lectures -Schedule- http://www.albaseerah.org/audio/schedule.htm OICA Arabic Intensive Tafseer Course -TF 210- by: Shaykh Abdullaah Al-Ghudyaan Member of Council of Senior Scholars Member of Lajnah Ad-Daaimah lil iftaa Every Saturday 12:30 pm EST (New York) 5:30 pm (London) 8:30 pm (Makkah) OIC - (Al-Aqeedah At-Tahawiyyah) Arabic - English Aqeedah Course -AQ 210- by: Shaykh Fahad Al-Fuhayd Vice Head, College of Aqeedah Imaam Muhammed University February 2nd 1:30 pm EST (New York) 6:30 pm GMT (London) 9:30 pm (Makkah) Registration Form can be found at http://www.albaseerah.org/course/registration.doc For monthly schedule (Date + Time) please visit http://www.albaseerah.org/audio/schedule.htm Telephone Number: 1-712-580-1100 Password = QSSNY ( 77769) Individual Listeners please visit http://www.albaseerah.org/live.htm. Lectures will be broadcasted live without the need of a password. |--- |Seminar by Senior Scholars - In PERSON- = http://www.albaseerah.org/seminar/ |FREE online Intensive Courses = http://www.albaseerah.org/course/ | Schedule of Upcoming Lectures = http://www.albaseerah.org/audio/schedule.htm | Audio Lounge = http://www.albaseerah.org/audio/ | On-Line Community/Discussion board http://www.albaseerah.org/forum/ | Instantly Submit Your Questions = http://www.albaseerah.org/forum/ |Hifdh (Memorization) Courses = http://www.albaseerah.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23 | Your Daily Dose of Knowledge = http://www.albaseerah.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=60 |--- - Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Bismillah [IslamCity] How do you call a defeat ??
Today the Winogrady report on Israel's war in the Lebanon in 2006 has concluded that it was not a victory for Israel . Did you ever hear or see any victory over any Liberation-guerrilla or any Liberation-army , anywhere, anytime ??? On the day when we bury Dr.George Habash we are rewarded by the fact that for the first time Israel admits a non-victory. while , in the language of honesty and sincerity it is called a defeat I am sure that all persons attending the funerals of Dr. George Habash have shown their faces and they did it , also proudly. those others who ever will , or will not, attend the funerals of Ariel Sharon will surely hide their faces or even ,not show-up at all... and that will be Israel's second admitted defeat Winograd might be the Stalingrad of Israel's might. Long live the Liberation-wars !! To die for Liberty is to live for ever !! Raja Chemayel 30 Jan 2008 - Sent from Yahoo! #45; a smarter inbox.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Hajj 2007 in pictures
Salaam I hope to find you in good health and strong iman inshAllah. Allhamdolillah, I went to Hajj last year. I've now uploaded approximatley 300 pictures from hajj on my webpage, MuslimPhotos.net http://www.muslimphotos.net/ . From before, it contains over 3200 pictures from different corners of the Muslim world, including Palestine, Andalus, Syria and many many other places. You can see gems like footprints of rasoole pak in Bosra, the interior of Masjid al Nabawi (not the rawdha), interior of masjid al Aqsa and qubbut as sakhra and many many other places. All pictures are of good quality (presented in 1 mega pixles, but taken up to 10,2 Mpixles.). If anyone are creating magazines or books and are in need of pictures, please do consider to contact me. Hope you enjoy them :) Wa'assalaam Athar
Bismillah [IslamCity] European Muslims
In The Name Of ALLAH, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuhu My Dear Brothers and Sisters, European countries appear to be worrying about their Muslim populations but there is one reality which they may have failed to grasp, in that they have played a major part in the creating of the problem, in the first place. The Muslim immigrants and their descendants who fall under this description may have arrived as Pakistani's, Turk's, Moroccan's, Algerian's, Iraqi's, Bangladeshi's, or any of the others whom you may wish to list. It was only after they settled in the west that they were transformed into Muslim communities. No one can but fail to notice that all immigrants from the majority of Muslim countries are not one single group, which can be dealt with on the basis of their religious character. Islam is not an exclusive component of their full identities. Islam is something all groups can rally round, without removing themselves from their cultural differences. Put it another way, Islam both brings people together and has a central role in creating or justifying their cultural distinctions. This apparent contradiction in terms is not peculiar to Islam alone. No one would consider immigrants to Western Europe from two strict Catholic countries such as Poland and the Philippines as belonging to a single Christian community. The same can be said for grouping all the different and varied types of Christians of Baptist, Evangelical, Catholic, Church of England and the many more as just one single Christian community. A Pakistani Muslim and a non Muslim immigrant from the Indian subcontinent will share more in terms of customs, diet, tastes, leisure pursuits and other aspects of daily life, than say two Muslims from Turkey and Morocco. Where countries are split along ethnic or sectarian lines, these distinctions persist among immigrants from these same nations. An Iraqi Kurd living in London will rarely mix with Iraqi Arabs, just as Iraqi Sunni and Shi'a seldom associate with one another. Non believers make huge assumptions when they lump all Muslim together, persistently and without self reflection. As a result institutions with the label `Muslim' have sprung up, as if expecting all these diverse peoples somehow to rally around them. The faithful gather in what an outsider may consider as a multinational Musjid, listening to sermons delivered by preachers speaking their own individual mother language. The migrant's refuge is turned into just another location within which they have no intrinsic connection and within whom they do not interact. They stay localised within their own enclaves of country identities, safe in the knowledge that they can help and support each other but they form ghettos' of mistrust by not integrating with the rest of society around them. In reality they marginalise themselves through fear of the unknown around them but also through the need for self support. Islam through the eyes of the non believer shows a lack of need to internal religious reform, which has undeniably caused an enormous problem for the west. Together with Muslims' tendency to self stereotype themselves has strengthened the tendency of the west to stereotype them in return. Nevertheless, the bombs of July 2005 in London, set off by Britons of Pakistani origin and immigrants from Somalia, were senseless acts of protest by marginalised young people. They must be understood in their contingency and particularity, not misidentified as belonging to an ill defined, large scale social grouping of doubtful reality. The July attacks, certainly do not represent any wide ranging Muslim community, for in reality such a community does not exist, except by virtue of misguided policies and thinking that evade the primary necessity in Europe today of a common and equal citizenship for all. The government of the day must realise that the true way forward, is to take a step backwards and review the problem from another angle. Musjids are held to account by their management, which always stays well within the village communities of back home and its village rulers. It is not a democratic environment where the community and people hold sway over what happens within its walls. The committee is self perpetuating from father to son, to uncle within at least two families in unity. No outsider is allowed to intervene and become a committee member, even if they would wish to stand for election. It is this self same group of Muslim leaders that make up the larger community of Muslim leaders the government talk to, in the vain hope of getting their message across to the mass. A Musjid may have some twenty to thirty odd followers rooted in the same back home village hierarchy but with also some three to four hundred worshipers or more from other nationalities and countries. Due to the respect to the Musjid, struggles
Bismillah [IslamCity] How Islam improves on Christianity?
How Islam improves on Christianity? 1. In Islam men and women are equal in the eyes of God (Quran 4:1; 4:124; 16:97; 40:40; 33:35; 3:195; 49:13; etc.); in Christianity men and women are not equal (Genesis 2:22; 1 Corinthians 11:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; Leviticus 27:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:14; etc.). 2. Islam calls for faith in One True God (Quran 112:1-4); Christianity calls for faith in an absurd triune God (Father, Son and Holy Ghost). 3. Islam calls for faith and good works (Quran 85:11; 4:122; 19:61; 32:19; 103:1-3; etc.); Christianity is all about faith only. [In Islam it is a combination, you must have faith and you must also do good works. Both are combined together, and without one, the other is useless. This is absent from Christianity, in Christianity good works means absolutely nothing as the Christians always say, it's only about faith!] 4. Salvation in Islam is very pure and simple, submit to God and do good works (Quran 85:11; 4:122; 19:61; 32:19; 2:112; 103:1-3; etc.); in Christianity Salvation rests on believing in torture and blood-shed of Jesus (God?)! [One of the most disturbing things about Christianity is that to be saved, you have to believe that an innocent man died for you, an innocent man who did no wrong, paid for your crime! This innocent man was tortured, and given one of the most painful deaths, and basically you have to believe in such barbarity to be saved! This is nothing like the beauty of Islam, where you only have to submit your will to God and believe in Him. Why should you lay your Salvation on a man who was beaten, tortured, for a crime he did not commit! Christians are saved by the blood, torture and the brutal death of Jesus!] 5. Islam prohibits the killing of innocent people, women and children (Quran 5:32; Bukhari Vol. 4, Book 52, No. 257-8; etc.); Christianity advocates killing of innocent people, women and children (Deuteronomy 2:32-37; 3:1-7; 7:1-6; 13:6-18; 21:18-22; 22:25-29; 23:1-4; 25:1-3; 28:15-68; Numbers 31:17-18; Joshua 2:8-21; 8:23-29; 10:28-43; Judges 1:21-35; 21:10-24; etc.). 6. Islam is a non-racist religion (Quran 49:13; 17:70; etc.); Christianity is racist (Leviticus 25:44-46; Matthew 15: 21-28; etc.). The Prophet's Farewell Sermon: All Mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action. 7. In Islam slaves are equal to us and they must be set free (Quran 90:12-13; 2:177; Bukhari Vol. 1, Book 2, No. 29; Vol. 1, Book 2, No. 12; Vol. 7, Book 65, No. 286; Muslim Book 15, No. 4096; Book 15, No. 4074; etc.); in Christianity slaves are mere possessions (Exodus 21:20-21; Exodus 21:7; 1 Peter 2:18; etc.). 8. Islam condemns female infanticide (Quran 16:58-59; 81:8-9; 17:31); Christianity does not. 9. In Islam a lady is free to get a divorce (Muslim Book 11, No. 2091; Bukhari Vol. 7, Book 63, No. 197; Vol. 7, Book 63, No. 198); in Christianity a lady is like a prisoner and cannot get a divorce (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9). 10. In Islam women can inherit property and they can also earn money (Quran 4:7; 4:32); in Christianity women cannot inherit any property if there is a son (Numbers 27:8). 11. Islam forbids alcohol (Quran 5:90-91); Christianity does not. 12. Islam is for Mankind (Quran 21:107; 7:158; 34:28; etc.); Christianity is not. 13. Quran does not contain any clear-cut error or contradiction; Bible does contain many clear-cut errors, contradictions and unscientific statements. Please watch the debate between Dr. William Campbell and Dr. Zakir Naik on this issue: http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-6693125820690597622 In conclusion these are at least 13 ways in which Islam improves on Christianity. It must be said that there are many other ways in which Islam improves on Christianity. PS: This write-up was composed based on Brother Sami's article: http://www.answering-christianity.com/sami_zaatri/islam_improves_christianity.htm People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day Muhammad was born. (Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson) - Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Daily Allowance II
Asalam-u-Alaikum Hadhrat 'Umar's (Radhiyallahu anhu) Daily Allowance Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) also lived by trade. When he was made Khalifah after Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho), he assembled the people and said to them: I earned my living through trade. As you people have engaged me as Khalifah, I cannot attend to my business. Now. what about my living? Different amounts of daily allowance from the Bait-ul-Mal were suggested by different people. Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) did not speak. 'Umar inquired of him: Oh Ali what is your suggestion? He replied: I suggest that you should take such amount as may be on average be sufficient for your family. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) accepted his suggestion and a moderate amount was fixed as his daily allowance. Later on, some people including Hadhrat Alt, Hadhrat Usman, Hadhrat Zubair and Hadhrat Talhah (Radhiyallaho anhum) once proposed that Hadhrat Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) allowance might be increased, as it was hardly sufficient for him, but nobody dared to suggest that to Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho). People approached Ummul-momineen Hadhrat Hafsah (radhiyallaho anha), his daughter, and requested her to ascertain 'Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) reaction to the suggestion without mentioning their names to him. When Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha) talked about it to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho), he became angry and said: Who are the persons making this suggestion? Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha): Let me first know your opinion. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho): If I knew them, I would smite them on their faces Hafsah! just tell me what was the Prophet's best dress in your house? Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha): It was a pair of reddish brown clothes, which the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) wore on Friday or while receiving some envoy. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho): What was the best of food that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) ever took at your house? Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha): Simple barley bread was the only food we used to take. One day I anointed a piece of bread with the sediments from an empty butter tin, and he ate it with relish and offered it to others as well. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho): What was the best bedding that the Prophet ever used in your house? Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha): It was a piece of thick cloth. In the summer it was spread in four layers, and in the winter in two, half he spread underneath and with the other half he covered himself. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho): Hafsah! Go and tell these people that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has set a standard by his personal example. I must follow him. My example and that of my other two companions viz., the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) is like that of three men travelling on the same road. The first man started with a provision and reached the goal. The second followed the first and joined him. Now the third is on his way. If he follows their way, he will also join them, otherwise he can never reach them. Such is the life of the person who was a dread for the monarchs of the world. What a simple life he lived! Once he was reciting the Khutbah when it was noticed that his lower cloth had as many as twelve patches, including one of leather. Once he came late for his Jumu'ah prayer and told the congregation: Excuse me, people! I got late because I was washing my clothes and had no other clothes to put on. Once he was having his meal when 'Utbah bin Abi Farqad (Radhiyallaho anho) asked permission to see him. He allowed him in and invited him to share the food with him. 'Utbah (Radhiyallaho anho) started eating, but the bread was so coarse that he could not swallow it. He said: Why don't you use fine flour for your bread, 'Umar? He said: Can every Muslim afford fine flour for his bread ? 'Utbah replied, No. Everybody cannot afford it. He remarked, Alas! You wish to fulfill all my pleasures while I am in this world. There are thousands of such stories about the illustrious Sahabah. Everybody should not try to imitate them, for we lack the physical strength of those people; and that is why the Sufi Sheikhs of our time do not recommend such exercise, which tax the body too much, as the people are already low in physical strength. We should however keep the life of the Sahabah as an ideal before us, so that we may at least give up some of our luxuries and lead a simpler life (judged by modern standards). With the Saha-bah's lives as an ideal, we can at least feel ashamed when vying with one another in running after the luxuries of this world. No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.18/1254 -
