Bismillah [IslamCity] Eye of the storm
As Salaamu Alaikum
Eye Of The StormA wise sea captain caught in a tropical storm knows that if he
holds his vessel on the periphery it will get hurled from one side to the
other. If he can reach the eye of the storm, he will enter a place of
stillness. The storm will then subside and the ship can continue its journey.
Similarly, when everything around me is changing in a very intense way, the
best place for me to seek shelter and refuge is not on the outside, but deep
within the self, where I can get in touch with my own inner being, find
strength and stability, then come out and do whatever it is I need to.
Anonymous
PoEtEsS
"Scarlet headscarf I wear is as red as a rose with a perfect pose but I care
what's inside me!"…Zohra Moosa (Deaf Poet)
***
{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.
If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily
digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your
mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the
title "change to daily digest". Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Bismillah [IslamCity] hadith: dua to recite on Laylat ul-qadr
A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say: "Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me." Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani
Bismillah [IslamCity] Market CRASH & Latin American CRISIS Point to WANING Power of the US
*"Destiny of Superpowers"* "Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but Allah did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against Allah." (Al-Qur'an, 40:21) *Market Crash and Latin American Crisis Point to Waning Power of **U.S.*** *By Ameen Izzadeen** * * http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=26747 * ** *The waning power of the **United States** is more visible than ever now. With a major financial crisis causing financial institution after financial institution to crash in the United States, the message is clear that even a mighty superpower can be shaken to its core by policies of its own making — its own unbridled capitalist system. * ** The collapse of the greed-driven market was visible way back in July last year when the US Labour Department released its monthly report, which indicated that for the first time in four years, the economy had failed to generate jobs. The credit crunch was in the making with loans becoming expensive. Yet the focus of the George W. Bush administration was, in spite of the falling dollar and the rising oil prices, on injecting billions of unproductive dollars into the Iraq and Afghan wars — money that could have been well made use of to rejuvenate the US economy. *But such Keynesian wisdom would not dawn on a president, who has been pre-occupied for the entirety of his two presidential terms with thoughts of how to colonize oil-rich Muslim **West Asia** and other developing nations rich with natural resources. Perhaps, Bush seeks to make the United States economically secure and financially sound by plundering Iraq**'**s oil after browbeating the Nouri al-Maliki government to hand over Iraq**'**s oil wells to US firms. But this policy has helped only the oil lobby, the Republican Party**'**s main financial backer. Big Oil, as the lobby is nicknamed, has benefited tremendously from Bush**'**s war-on-terror projects in ** Afghanistan**, **Iraq** and **Central Asia**. * ** It's the economy stupid, said Bill Clinton during his campaign for the White House in 1992. But the Bush administration seems to have gone beyond the bounds of stupidity. Its delayed measures such as the taking over of insurance giant AIG and mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie and bailing out of other institutions could not stop the worldwide market plunge, which, according to some analysts, is the worst since the Great Depression of 1929. That there were few or no countermeasures to arrest the rot when the first warning signs appeared as early as last year showed that the administration was virtually at a loss. It had no answer to China's foreign exchange accumulation of more than two trillion dollars which it acquired over years of trade surplus with the US. *According to economist Charles Whalen, the first signs of the credit crunch emerged in March 2007, with a smattering of analysts and journalists warning that financial markets in the **United States** were on the verge of collapse. By early August 2007, business journalist Jim Jubak said a crunch had finally arrived in the business sector, but not yet for consumers. Then, in early September 2007, a survey sponsored by a mortgage trade group provided evidence that households were feeling the crunch too: a third of home loans originated by mortgage brokers failed to close in August 2007 because brokers could not find investors to buy the loans. * ** "In an effort to explain the current credit crunch with an illustration, Jubak described the situation in the market for loans that finance corporate buyouts. In the past, banks have been willing to lend to the buyout firms because the banks have been able to resell the loans to investors. The problem in July 2007, however, was that the market for new and existing buyout loans had shrunk rapidly. "Indeed, 'Investors with portfolios of existing loans discovered [in late July 2007] that they couldn't sell their loans at any price. They were stuck owning loans that were losing big hunks of value by the hour. And they couldn't find an exit'. Because other investors do not want to get caught in the same situation, buyout deals sit idle. According to the September 3, 2007 issue of BusinessWeek, banks now have a $300 billion backlog of deals." (Whalen, The Oracle November 2007). *If the economic power of the US is crumbling only now under the ongoing financial crisis, its social and moral power had long since disappeared, with the Bush administration burying it in the graveyard of the war on terror. Its political power and diplomatic power has currency only in economically-weak developing countries and oil-rich West Asian countries whose insecure leaders sing hosannas to Bush at the **Washington** temple. * ** *The **United States**'** failure to help its ally Georgia in the war against **Russia** amply dem
Bismillah [IslamCity] 700 percent profit
* 700 percent profit ** * ** ** DURING the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) there was a severe famine. The people of Madina were suffering due to shortage of food. A caravan of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of food grains belonging to Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived from Shaam (Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them what profit they would pay. "Five per cent," they said. He answered that he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote. He said to them, "I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a dirham." He then recited the verse of the Noble Qur'an in which Allah mentioned this profit. "The likeness of those who spend their wealthin the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." *(Qur'an, 2:261)* "O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!" said Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Dear readers, what ever we give for the sake of Allah is really ours and whatever we keep with us will one day be someone else's. Let us follow the footsteps of our Prophet and the pious Sahabah, with whom Allah was pleased with, by helping the needy ones. * Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications.** * <><><><>
Bismillah [IslamCity] Purification Of Wealth - Zakah
HTML clipboard Bismi Allahir Rahmanir Raheem.
--
All praise is for Allah, the Most High, the Lord of the Worlds. Allah's
Peace and Blessings be upon all the Prophets of Allah, especially our Holy
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa aalihi wa as-haabihi wa sallam).
*"Purification Of Wealth"*
*'Zakah'*
"Establish Salah and pay Zakah
and bow down with those who bow down in worship."
Al- Quran [al-Baqarah, 2:43]
Assalamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
Allah has related a story of some people who were earning that which Allah
was providing them. However, they believed that they were earning their
wealth because of their hard-work and they forgot that it is actually Allah
who provided them with what they had earned. They said why should we share
our wealth with the needy people as it belongs to us because we had been
working hard for it. Allah then tested them until they finally returned to
their Lord in submission. Allah says in Surah al-Qalam:
"Surely We shall try them as We tried the owners of the garden
when they swore that they would pluck its fruit the next morning,
without adding any reservation ( such as Insha'Allah, God willing).
So a calamity from your Lord came down upon it while they slept,
and by the morning it lay as if it had been already harvested.
At daybreak they called out to one another,
saying: 'Go out early to your crop, if you want to pick its fruit.'
So they went, whispering to one another:
*' Let no needy person enter upon you in the garden today.'*
Thus they went out, fixed in their stingy resolve.
But when they saw the garden, they cried:
'Surely we must have lost our way! Nay, we have become destitute.'
The most upright among them said: 'Did I not tell you to glorify Allah?
Why did you not glorify Him?'
Then they said: 'Glory be to our Lord! Surely we were unjust,'
and they started blaming one another.
Finally they said: 'Woe to us! Surely we had become rebellious.
It may be that our Lord will give us in exchange a better garden than this:
surely to our Lord do we make our humble petition.'
Such is the punishment in this life;
but the punishment in the Hereafter is even greater,
if they but knew it."
[al-Qalam - 68:17-33]
There is another story in the Qur'an. Qaroon was a wealthy man from
Bani-Israael, (" And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys
would have been a burden to a body of strong men"). His belief was that he
had earned all his wealth because of his own intelligence or knowledge,
(Qaroon said: "This has been given to me only because of knowledge I
possess."). Allah then destroyed him and all his wealth, "So We caused the
earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party
to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save
themselves." [Surah al-Qasas]
Allah has made Zakah obligatory on the Muslims to protect & purify our
wealth. Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi was- sallam) said "Allah has made
Zakat obligatory simply to purify your remaining property,.." [Abu Dawud].
We should know that the one Who favours us can also take back what He had
given us. We should also remember that Zakah does not replace Sadaqah. Zakah
is obligatory on those who are entitled to pay, whereas Sadaqah (charity)
can be given by anyone including those who have bear minimum or just a
little more than nothing. Even a smile could be a Sadaqah.
"And in their properties there was the right of the beggar, and the mahroom"
[51:19]
Allah says about the Muttaqeen that they spend from their income on those
who ask them [beggars, lilssaili] as well as on those who are needy but they
do not ask for help [Mahroom]. A beggar could be truly in need or could be a
habitual one. However, it is the nobility of character that one should
always give something when asked from someone. Even if a billionaire asks us
for something, we should not let him go with nothing, at least give
something. We should give according to our standard. How would you think
about a millionaire giving a penny in charity!
"O believers, spend in Allah's Way the best portion of the wealth you have
lawfully earned
and that which We have produced for you from the earth,
and do not pick out for charity those worthless things that you yourselves
would not accept but with closed eyes.
Bear in mind that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy."
[al-Baqarah - 2:267]
Allah says that those people who are saved from the greediness and love of
wealth, it is they who are successful.
"So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can;
listen and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves.
And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness,
(waman yooqa shuhha nafsihi)
then they are the successful ones."
[at-Taghabun - 64:16]
"And spend of that with which We have provided you,
before death comes to one of you and he says:
"My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return
Bismillah [IslamCity] 6th grade teacher calls Muslim student 'a terrorist'!
A teacher at Brentano Academy in Chicago uses a Muslim student as an example of a terrorist and all they do is move her to a different school! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go2nFbNnwmY [NEWS CLIP - AUDIO REQ'D] A Chicago teacher is under fire for singling out the only Muslim student in her class while talking about the Middle East. The teacher has now been reassigned to another school. However, the young boy's family is demanding answers. "She used the example of if Saleh were to go on to an airplane, put his backpack down and put two wires together and the plane were to blow up - and she didn't make a point," said Christina Abraham, Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Bismillah [IslamCity] LAILATUL-QADR - Night of Decree
LAILATUL-QADR Its excellence is great, since in this night the Noble Qur'aan was sent down, which leads one who clings to it, to the path of honour and nobility, and raises him to the summit of distinction and everlasting life. The Muslims who adhere strictly to the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) do not raise flags on this night, nor suspend colourful decorations. Rather they vie in standing during it (Lailatul-Qadr) in Prayer out of sincere faith and hoping for reward. Here, O Muslim, are the Qur'aanic Aayaat and authentic prophetic ahaadeeth referring to this night: * Its excellence As regards its excellence it is more than sufficient to mention that Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months, He, the Mighty and Majestic, says: "Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Gabriel) by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn." (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5) And in it every decreed matter for the year is conveyed, He, the Most High says: "We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Qur'aan or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6) * When is it? It is reported from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) that it is within the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-ninth or the last night of Ramadhan. Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee, rahimahullaah, said: To me it is as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) used to answer according to the question posed, it would be said to him: "Shall I seek it in such and such night?" So he would reply: "Seek it in such and such night." And Allaah knows best. (Reported from him by al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah) The most correct saying is that it occurs in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhan and this is shown by the hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah (radhiallahu anha) who said: "Allaah Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) used to practice I'tikaaf in the last ten nights and say: 'Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan." (Bukhari, Muslim ) However if the servant is too weak or unable, then he should at least not let the last seven days pass him by, due to what is reported from 'Ibn 'Umar, who said: Allaah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) said: "Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven." (Bukhari, Muslim) This explains his, (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) saying: "I see that your dreams are in agreement (that it is in the last seven) so he who wishes to seek it out then let him seek it in the last seven." (Bukhari) It is also known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of the exact night upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the people argued, 'Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit, (radhallahu anhu) said: The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) came out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were arguing and he said: "I came out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on the (twenty) ninth and (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth." (Bukhari) Some ahaadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights, while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of the last ten, so the first are general and the second more particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the general. Other ahaadeeth state that it is in the last seven - and these are restricted by mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there is no confusion, all the ahaadeeth agree and are not contradictory. In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first (the night before the twenty-first day), the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the odd nights of the last seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. And Allaah knows best. * How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr? One who misses this blessed night then he has missed much good for no one misses it except one from whom it is withheld. Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to Allaah should stand in Prayer during this night out of Eemaan and hoping for the great reward, since if he does this, Allaah will forgive his
Bismillah [IslamCity] Islamabad blast, review of policy is needed
Munawar slams Islamabad blast, demands review of policy LAHORE, Sept 20: Jamaat-e-Islami acting ameer Syed Munawar Hasan has strongly condemned the blast in Islamabad hotel and said foreign hand in the blast could not be ruled out. In a statement issued by JI Media Cell, he said enemies of the country want to destroy our economy and law and order. He demanded the rulers to immediately review the policy regarding military operation in tribal areas by convening an all parties' conference which should also evolve comprehensive strategy to counter all threats to national security. Munawar said those who targeted innocent civilians in the holy month of Ramadan were enemies of Islam and humanity. He sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed for the victims. He demanded strict punishments for the culprits. He also directed Al-khidmat Foundation workers to participate in relief operations and provide blood donations for the wounded.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Re: Proper ruling on multiple marriages
Deceit and lying are not a justification for anything, single or multiple marriages. The judge can annul the marriage if such things are done to trick the person into marriage. If a woman stipulates that she be informed before he takes any wives then it's not that he should respect that, but he HAS to inform her. That was one of the conditions for the marriage he agreed to before marrying so he has to fulfill that unless she states otherwise. Same way with caring for her. Nikah is the marriage contact just you have business contracts and every contract has conditions that can be put in before it is signed. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) said that these nikah contract conditions are more deserving to be fulfilled since they make man/woman permissible for each other. He cannot "return" her to her ex-husband. She is not a property. He can only divorce her and then it is her decision alone to marry whom so ever she chooses. If this man is doing such things then doesn't the community of such a man? sisters should be informing other sisters so they are protected from such a person. It seems like this person just wants to derive pleasure from as many women as he can without giving them their rights. It seems even more a true argument if he's involved in zinah with non-muslim women also. A person cannot make marriage such play thing. Like I mentioned before, the woman need to do their research properly since they are the ones who will be affected more with what happens in the marriage. They need to make sure the person is a good person and not pretending to be one. Especially when it involves polygyny. Interview the man's current and ex wives. If he is good then he has nothing to worry about if he has something to hide then he will dislike the idea. Re: Proper ruling on multiple marriages Posted by: "J M" J M jmugh786 Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:19 pm (PDT) Waalaikum'Salaam, No one is questioning what is Sunnah in terms of the limits on wives (for the man), but deceit and lies are not a part of justifying multiple marriages. If the woman stipulates that she has a right to be informed before and not after the marriage, then this should be respected. This brother promised to care for his wife before marriage then refused to care for her after the marriage was completed. But, a few of the others (who he still calls his wives) benefit fully from their marriages with him. It is haraam to show favor of one wife over another! When he is tired of that wife (as he did to one sister), he simply got permission to return her to her ex-husband and left to marry another one. Just for your information, the "7th" is just a number and does not include the non-Muslim women he associates along with his wives. Haraam! j786SURAH22
Bismillah [IslamCity] ROOMS IN MAKKAH MUKARAMAH
ASSLAMUALIKUM DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISLAM IF YOU ARE COMING TO MAKKAH MURARAMAH FOR UMRAH OR HAJJ . YOU CAN AVAIL MY SERVICE TO BOOK YOUR ROOMS HERE IN MAKKAH MUKARAMAH . IT MAY COST YOU MUCH FAIR FROM THAT WHAT YOU ARE OFFERED IN YOUR COUNTIRES . BEING IN MAKKAH I CAN DO IT FOR YOU ALL MUSLIMS BROTHERS & SISITERS REGARDS AHMAD [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bismillah [IslamCity] Remembrance Of Allah - Dhikr Allah
HTML clipboard Bismi Allahir Rahmanir Raheem. -- All praise is for Allah, the Most High, the Lord of the Worlds. Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon all the Prophets of Allah, especially our Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa aalihi wa as-haabihi wa sallam). *"Remembrance Of Allah"* *'Dhikr Allah'* "O believers! Remember Allah as a frequent remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening." Al- Quran [al-Ahzaab, 33:41-42] "Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you, be grateful to Me and never deny Me." Al- Quran [al-Baqarah, 2:152] Assalamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu, Allahu Ta'ala says in the glorious Qur'an: "O man (Insan)! What has lured you away from your gracious Lord [Rabbikal-Kareem]?" (Ya ayyuha al-insanu ma gharraka bi-rabbika al-kareem?) [Surah al-Infitaar - 82:6] This world, the Dunya, will take a person away from Allah, who busies himself in the worldly businesses and who does not remember Allah in any time. Allah says: "He who turns away from the remembrance of Rahman (Allah, the Compassionate), We assign a Satan (Shaytan) for him, who becomes his intimate companion - and turns such people away from the Right Path, while they think that they are guided aright." [az-Zukhruf - 43:36-37] We have reached to a point where even our Salah (prayer) is empty of Allah's remembrance. Allah said: "... worship Me and * establish Salah for My remembrance."* [Ta-ha, 20:14]. But unfortunately our Salah (prayer) is filled with the thoughts of this world rather than the Remembrance of Rahman. If the worldly businesses take us away from Dhikr Allah ( Allah's Remembrance), we will forget Him. And the one who has forgotten Allah, Allah will also forget him and He might not listen to his supplications (Du'a). So, what could be a cause of the unacceptance of our Du'a? Our hearts are preoccupied with Dunya rather than His Remembrance. Allah will say to those who forget Allah and do not prepare for the Akhirah: "Now taste the reward for your forgetting the meeting of this Day - * We too have forgotten you now...*" [32:14]. Therefore, "O believers! *Let neither your riches nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.* Those who will do so, it is they who shall be the real losers." [al-Munafiqoon - 63:9] Allah mentions in the Quran about those true Muslims who prefer the hereafter over this Dunya. These people make Dhikr, perform Salah and observe other duties; and their worldly businesses do not affect their worship. Qur'an says: "In houses, which Allah has ordered to be raised, in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings, (By) men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allah (thikri Allahi), nor from performing As-Salat (prayer), nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a Day (the Day of Judgement) when hearts and eyes will be overturned." [An-Noor - 24:36-37] If we remember Allah, Allah will also remember us (listen to us). Allah says: "Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you, be grateful to Me and never deny Me." [al-Baqarah, 2:152]. Allah's remembrance (Dhikr Allah) should be observed in the Masajid and also when we are outside the Masajid. In fact, Allah's remembrance should be in the hearts of the believers at all times. And His glorification should be on our tongues at all times as well. Allah says: "O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening." [al-Ahzaab, 33:41-42] "And remember your Lord within yourself (deep in your soul, fee nafsika), humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful. [al-A'araaf - 7:205] Who has created the sun, the moon, the heavens and this earth! It is Allah, therefore, *Subhan Allah*! Who has guided us to Islam, provided us with sustenance (food, drink, clothes etc)! It is Allah, therefore, Alhamdu-lillah! Who is the Most Powerful, the Majestic, Maliki Yawmi-Deen! *Allahu Akbar*! Who forgives the mistakes and the sins? It is Allah, we say * Astaghfirullah*. Therefore, a Muslim can remember his Rabb at all the times; while in the Masajid and while in the midst of this world. Rahman says: "Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men of understanding, - Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, *standing*, *sitting*, and * lying down* on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! Give us salvation from the Chastisement of the Fire." [Aal-e-Imran - 3:190-191] Once we start to praise Allah *with our hearts*, then shall we be able to feel the sweetness of Rahman's Dikhr. For example, many of us pray Salah * without* knowing the meanings of what we say, and many of
Bismillah [IslamCity] A Night Better Than A Thousand Months
Bismillah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu Al-Qadr (Power, Fate) 97.1. Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) 2. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? 3. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). 4. Therein descend the angels and the Rûh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allâh's Permission with all Decrees, 5. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. -- *Surah Isra 17 verse 80 Say: "O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me)." Ameen Transliteration :Wa qur rabbi adkhilni mudkhala sidqiw wa akhrijni mukhraja sidqiw wa-j'al li mil ladunka sulta_nan nasira_(n). Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 2482 Narrated by AbuHurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say, " O Allah, grant me benefit in what Thou hast taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to Hell." Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a tradition whose isnad is gharib. Ameen *
Bismillah [IslamCity] Cynthia McKinney on Israel: 'Not in my name'
Cynthia McKinney on Israel: 'Not in my name' Published Jun 1, 2008 9:27 PM http://www.workers.org/2008/us/cynthia_mckinney_0605/ Cynthia McKinney WW photo: John Catalinotto On May 16, Cynthia McKinney, former congresswoman from Georgia, who is vying for the presidential nomination on the Green Party ticket, spoke at a rally in opposition to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the pro-Zionist state of Israel, deemed Al Nakba (The Disaster) by the Palestinian people. The following are remarks made by McKinney at the rally outside of the United Nations. On my birthday last year, I declared my independence from a national leadership that, through its votes in support of the war machine, is now complicit in war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity and crimes against the peace. I declared my independence from every bomb dropped, every veteran maimed and every child killed. I noted that the Democratic leadership in Congress had failed to restore this country to constitutional rule by repealing the Patriot Acts, the Secret Evidence Act and the Military Commissions Act. That it had aided and abetted illegal spying against the American people. And that it took impeachment off the table. In addition, the Democratic congressional leadership failed to promote the economic integrity of this country by not repealing the Bush tax cuts. They failed to institute a livable wage, Medicare-for-all health care, and gave even more money to the Pentagon as it misuses our hard-earned dollars. We can add to that list, too, an abject failure to stand up for human rights and dignity. If the Democratic and Republican leadership won't respect the right of return for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors, how can we expect them to champion the right of return for Palestinians? If this country's leadership tolerates the wanton murder of unarmed Black and Latino men by law enforcement officials-extra-judicial killings-how can we expect them to stop or even speak out against targeted assassinations in the Middle East? If the Democratic and Republican leadership accept ethnic cleansing in this country by way of gentrification and predatory lending, why should we expect them to put an end to it in Palestine? If the leadership of this country impedes self-determination for Native peoples in this country, why should we expect them to support Indigenous rights for anyone abroad? And sadly, the sensationalist corporate media would rather trick us into thinking that reporting on a pastor, a former vice presidential nominee and a former cable TV magnate constitutes this country's much-needed discussion of its own apartheid past and present, so why should we expect an honest discussion of apartheid and Zionism? I hope by now it is clear. Our values will never be reflected in public policy as long as our political parties and our country remain hijacked. Hijacked by false patriots who usurp the applause of the people and all the while betray our values. I've decided that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will operate any longer as business as usual-not in my name. That Democrats and Republicans will use my tax dollars and betray my values, not one day longer-not in my name; that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have earned my most precious political asset-my vote. And that now is the time to do some things I've never done before in order to have some things I've never had before. And so here today, I declare my independence from weapons transfers, including Apache helicopters; F16s; sidewinder, hellfire and Stinger missiles. I declare my independence from occupation, demolished homes, political prisoners and babies dying at checkpoints. I declare my independence from U.N. vetoes, expropriated land, stolen resources and the installation of puppet regimes. I declare my independence from all forms of dehumanization and I am not afraid to speak truth to power. And I am happy to join with peace-loving people around the world who know that there can be no peace without justice. Let us never tire in our work for justice. Thank you. <><>
