tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26561260944372517912024-03-12T22:29:39.386-04:00What Did You Want to Know About Islam?This blog is for those who have questions about Islam but do not know where to ask! It is also for anyone who wants to learn about Islam but does not know where to start.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-85081295663481856382014-10-11T16:04:00.000-04:002014-10-11T22:38:47.730-04:00In Response to ISISISIS is a terrorist organization that has been killing Muslims, and non-Muslims mainly in Iraq and Syria... all in the hopes of achieving an "Islamic State"<br />
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They're actions are anything but Islamic.<br />
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I've thought a lot about what to write for this post.. but honestly, I will post a link to the 19 page "Open Letter to Baghdadi" which was compiled and signed by 126 Muslim leaders worldwide:<br />
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http://lettertobaghdadi.com/<br />
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It details, point by point why the Islamic State's actions are wrong, based on the teachings of Islam.<br />
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If you have the time, please read through the letter.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-39201838830069466032013-05-08T10:25:00.001-04:002013-05-08T10:25:16.540-04:00What Does Islam Say About Terrorism? - A repost<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello everyone, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was actually one of the first posts I made on my blog when I first started it, but in light of the Boston Marathon Bombings, I believe it is important to post it again:</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?</u></span></b><br />
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Unfortunately more and more often, Islam has been associated with terrorism and violence due to the actions of a few extreme individuals who’ve taken it upon themselves to do the most heinous crimes in the name of Islam.<br /><br />Tragic events such as the attack on the twin towers in New York, the bombings of Bali, Madrid and London are assumed to be justified by Islam in the minds of some people. This idea has been fueled further by many media channels which defame Islam by portraying these bombers as ‘Islamists’ or ‘Jihadists’, as though they were sanctioned by Islam, or had any legitimate spokemenship on behalf of Muslims. The actions of a few fanatical individuals who happen to have Muslim names or ascribe themselves to the Muslim faith should not be a yardstick by which Islam is judged. For the same reason, that one would not do justice to Christianity if it where perceived as sanctioning the genocide of the Native Americans, the atrocities of world war II or the bombings of the IRA.<br /><br />To understand Islam’s stance on terrorism, one must refer to its original sources, the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh),which are explicit in their prohibition of any form of injustice including that of wanton violence which seeks to instill fear, injury or death to civilians.<br /><br />The Quran turns our attention to the high value of human life, whether it is Muslim or Non-Muslim and makes it absolutely forbidden to take an innocent life unjustly. The gravity of such a crime is equated, in the Quran, with the killing of all humanity.<br /><br />“<span style="font-style: italic;">On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.</span>” ( 5:32 )<br /><br />Not only is human life sacred in Islam but the property, wealth, family and dignity of all individuals in society are to be respected and protected. Those who transgress these rights and sow fasad (corruption) as the Quran describes it, incur the wrath of Allah.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">…and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters </span>" (28:77)<br /><br />Likewise in another verse;<br /><br />“<span style="font-style: italic;">The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous</span>” (42:42)<br /><br />Islam goes further than just prohibiting oppression and safeguarding rights, it commands its faithful to deal kindly and compassionately to all those who seek to live in peace and harmony<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loves those who are just</span>" (60:8)<br /><br />In times of war and conflict, where enmity can obstruct an individual’s judgment to act morally, Islam commands that justice be upheld even towards one’s enemies.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do</span>" (5:8)<br /><br />Centuries before the Geneva Convention was drawn up, Muslims were bound by a code of conduct which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, set. He forbade the killing of women, children and elderly in war. In an authentic narration the Prophet (pbuh) warned that he who kills anyone who has a covenant of peace with the Muslims will not smell the scent of Paradise. In fact, he taught that justice is not only to humans but must be shown to animals and all living things. In a narration the Prophet (pbuh) informed us about how a lady was sent to hell because of a cat she had locked up until it starved and died. If such is the sanctity which Islam places on the soul of an animal, how much more grave is the killing of hundreds of innocent humans?!<br /><br />Abu Bakr the first Caliph of the Muslims reflected these prophetic teachings when he advised his general Yazid, who was confronting Roman armies,<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">I advise you ten things, Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.</span>"<br /><br />The message of the Quran is clear as we have seen, that the sanctity of any human life is to be respected and any violation in that regard is paramount to the worst crime. Mercy is at the heart of the Islamic call, “<span style="font-style: italic;">We sent thee (O Muhammad) not save as a mercy for the peoples</span>” (21:107); a totally different message to what the terrorists are sadly imparting to humanity.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-39386584486753254782010-09-09T05:27:00.005-04:002010-09-09T08:31:36.028-04:00Eid Mubarak!<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tomorrow, Friday the 10th will be the first day of Eid Ul-Fitr inshallah (God Willing). </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I haven't been able to complete the writing on Ramadan, so I will be continuing that after Eid inshallah (God Willing).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eid Ul-Fitr roughly translates into "Holiday of breaking the fast" and starts on the day directly following Ramadan. Eid Ul-Fitr lasts 3 days. The following are a few Sunnahs (traditions of the Prophet, peace be upon him) regarding Eid:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 – It is recommended to recite takbeer during the night of Eid from sunset on the last day of Ramadan (after sunset) until the imam comes to lead the prayer. The format of the takbeer is as follows: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Or you can say Allahu akbar three times, so you say: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great , Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Both are permissible. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2 – You should eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the Eid prayer, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not set out on the day of Eid until he had eaten an odd number of dates. He should stick to an odd number as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3 – You should wear your best clothes – this is for men. With regard to women, they should not wear beautiful clothes (or overtly attractive clothes) when they go out to the Eid prayer-place, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Let them go out looking decent” i.e., in regular clothes that are not overtly fancy or attention-drawing. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4 – Some of the scholars regarded it as recommended to do ghusl (ritual shower) for the Eid prayer, because it is narrated that some of the first generation Muslims did this. Doing ghusl </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(ritual shower) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for Eid prayer is recommended, just as it is prescribed for Friday because one is going to meet people. So if one does ghusl </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(ritual shower)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, that is good. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5 – The Eid prayer. The Muslims are unanimously agreed that the Eid prayer is prescribed in Islam. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the first rak’ah the imam (leader of the prayer) should recite Sabbih isma rabbika al-A‘ala (Surat al-A’la, chapter 87) and in the second rak’ah he should recite Hal ataaka hadeeth ul-ghaashiyah (Surat al-Ghaashiyah, chapter 88). Or he may recite Surat Qaaf (Chapter 50) in the first and Surat al-Qamar (Chapter 54) in the second. Both options are narrated in authentic hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Eid Prayer is a bit different than the regular prayer. The following video shows a Eid Prayer. In the beginning, they are reciting the takbeer (listed in point number 1). If you fast forward to 2:50, that is when they start the prayer:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BmIiD-P3Kmw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BmIiD-P3Kmw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Notice that the imam (leader fo the prayer) says "Allahu Akbar" 7 times extra in the first ra'kah (a total of 8 "Allahu Akbar") than what is normally said in prayer, before starting his recitation. During the second ra'kah, 5 extra "Allahu Akbar" (a total of 6) is said before starting the recitation. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6 – One of the rulings on the day of Eid – Eid al-Fitr – is that Zakaat al-Fitr (almsgiving on the day of breaking the fast) is due on this day. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) enjoined that it should be paid before the Eid prayer. It is permissible to pay it one or two days before that, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) which was narrated by al-Bukhari: “They used to give it one or two days before (Eid) al-Fitr.” If it is paid after the Eid prayer, it does not count as Sadaqat al-Fitr, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbas: “Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is Zakaat al-Fitr, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity.” It is haram (forbidden) to delay Zakaat al-Fitr until after the Eid prayer. If one delays it with no excuse then it is not acceptable zakaah, but if there is an excuse – such as if a person is traveling and does not have anything to give or anyone to give it to, or he is expecting his family to pay it and they are expecting him to pay it, then in this case he should pay it when it is easy for him to do so, even if that is after the prayer, and there is no sin on him because he has an excuse. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7 – People should greet one another, offer congratulations and exchange good wishes, no matter what the wording is, such as saying to one another Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum (May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you” or “Eid mubarak” (May you have a blessed Eid) and other permissible expressions of congratulations. </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, “May Allaah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” Al-Fath, 2/446. </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8 – It is prescribed for the one who goes out to the Eid prayer to go by one route and return by another, following the example of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This Sunnah does not apply to other prayers, Jumu’ah or anything else, it only applies to Eid. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad. </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim brothers and sisters celebrating it!</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy of Islam Q&A</span></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-12834082263429355272010-09-03T05:44:00.002-04:002010-09-03T05:46:06.447-04:00Ramadan 2010This article is a compilation of photos of Muslims celebrating Ramadan across the world. The photos are beautiful, so I thought I would share:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/ramadan_2010.html">http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/ramadan_2010.html</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-5471362391238716832010-08-10T16:01:00.004-04:002010-08-10T16:36:17.802-04:00Ramadan - When Is It?Ramadan is the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. This month is spent by Muslims in worship and fasting during the daylight hours. <div><br /></div><div>Ramadan 2010 will either take place August 11, or August 12, depending on where you live. As of today, the majority of the Muslim world has sighted the moon and decided that Ramadan is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 11. </div><div><br /></div><div>The reason for this uncertainty of the date is that the Islamic Calendar is a lunar one, whereas the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. So in order to find out the date that the new month begins, the moon must be sighted as a crescent moon to signify the beginning of the new month. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Lunar year is also 11 days shorted than the Solar year, so Ramadan always comes 10-12 days earlier than the year before. How many exact days earlier depends on how many days are in all the other months of the Lunar year. This also means that around every 33 Gregorian years that pass, you are actually one year older (34 years), by Islamic years.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what if it's a cloudy night, and you cannot see the moon properly? Or what if you live in the North Pole where it's six months of daylight, and six months of dark? The majority of the scholars agree that as long as the moon is sighted in a country that you share a part of the night with, then you can use their moon sighting to signal the start of Ramadan. This fatwa (ruling) is also used to calculate the beginning and end of all other Islamic months. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some North American Muslims prefer to sight the moon themselves, in their own country, whereas others are fine with starting Ramadan if the moon has been sighted in their country of origin. Therefore, it isn't uncommon to find some Muslims, in the same city, starting Ramadan and Eid-Ul-Fitr on different days than others. Both opinions are correct. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many cities now try to come to an agreement with all the Islamic centers and organizations so that all the Muslims in the same city celebrate Ramadan and Eid-Ul-Fitr at the same time. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to wish someone well in Ramadan, the proper greeting is "Ramadan Kareem" (May your Ramadan be full of generosity) or "Ramadan Mubarak" (May you have a blessed Ramadan).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The months of the Islamic Calendar are as follows:</div><div><br /></div><div>Muharram</div><div>Safar</div><div>Rabee' Al-Awal (Rabee' the first)</div><div>Rabee' Al-Thanee (Rabee' the second)</div><div>Jumaad Al-Ulaa (Jumaad the first)</div><div>Jumaad Al-Thanee (Jumaad the second)</div><div>Rajab</div><div>Sha'baan</div><div>Ramadan</div><div>Dhul-Qi'daa</div><div>Dhul-Hijaa</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I will be posting more about Ramadan in the upcoming days, so stay tuned!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-51507720784710159172010-07-19T12:46:00.002-04:002010-07-19T12:53:23.119-04:00How to be a Successful HusbandBy Muhammad AlShareef<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; "><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good.When was the last time us men went shopping for designer pajamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam [the Prophet Muhammad] - would always start with Miswak [toothbrush] when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Use the cutest names for your wife. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">[the Prophet Muhammad] </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">- had nicknames for his wives, ones that they loved. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.<br /><br />4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment! This is one of the ways Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">[the Prophet Muhammad]</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "> - used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives - radi Allahu 'anhunn. It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah [charity] and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling. Remember also those Ahadith [traditions] when Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">[the Prophet Muhammad]</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "> - would kiss his wife before leaving for Salah [prayer], even if he was fasting. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgement she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!<br /><br />7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.<br /><br />8. Don't belittle her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">[the Prophet Muhammad] </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah - radi Allahu 'anha - was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the [other] camel. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />9. Be humorous and Play games with your wife. Look at how Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">[the Prophet Muhammad]</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "> - would race his wife Aisha - radi Allahu 'anha - in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that? </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">[the Prophet Muhammad]</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">: "The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family." Try to be the best! </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />In conclusion: Never forget to make Dua [prayer/supplication] to Allah - azza wa jall [the Mighty and Majestic] - to make your marriage successful. And Allah ta'ala [the Exalted] knows best !!</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy of Islamway</span></p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-32295062014349792472010-06-20T13:19:00.002-04:002010-06-20T13:53:57.019-04:00Cloning<div>From Bilal Philips' Contemporary Issues, 2002:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Cloning is defined in biology as the production of a genetically identical duplicate of an organism and in the world of scientific technology as the artificial production of organisms with the same genetic material. In simple terms, cloning is genetic duplication.<div><br /></div><div>1) Humans have been cloning roses long before knowing what cloning is. In 1997, cloning made the headlines around the world when Dr. Wilmut announced that he had successfully cloned a sheep named "Dolly" from the mammary cell of an adult ewe. However, Wilmut had actually manipulated an egg rather than actual cloning. This process is referred to as cloning even in scientific circles. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) The application of cloning techniques to agricultural and animal husbandry might be a clue for boosting food production the world over. Islam has no objection to gene-manipulation in the animal and vegetable kingdom as long as no harm to human life has been confirmed [and it does not cause undue harm or stress to the animals - blogger's note].</div><div><br /></div><div>3) Cloning may be used to save a life by giving children who need organ transplants to have a clone born to donate organs. The need for bone-marrow transplants in children with leukemia has raised the ethical issues about parents having other children to provide the transplant. Cloning could also be a big advantage for people who have lost a loved one like the copy of a child for a couple whose child had died. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) Scarcity of organs or human parts is putting tremendous pressure on scientists to come up with a way to generate organs and human parts in the laboratories. Without a parent body, the generation of organs and parts seems unlikely. Consequently, the demand will be for the cloning of an entire human. From the statements of a number of scientists, it appears that the main thrust of cloning a human being is the prolonging of human life with the ultimate goal of achieving eternal life. In the first stage, a human clone would be a source of original spare parts to replace worn out parts in a relatively healthy body. Ultimately, a brain transplant would eliminate multiple operations in an old or unhealthy body. The belief that the totality of a human being is the contents of the human brain offers the possibility of avoiding operations by simply attaching electrodes tot he human brain and downloading its contents into a computer. Once the process is complete, electrodes could be reattached to a cloned body and the stored contents of the computer could be uploaded into the new body. In that way human beings could afford such an operation could live forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>5) Islam opposes such plans because, if they succeeded the clone would be another human being, having its own spirit and right to life. The clone would be like an identical twin who, though looking exactly the same as its brother/sister, is a unique individual. </div><div><br /></div><div>6) Those believing that humans are the contents of their brains, since the '70s, have paid tens of thousands of dollars to have their heads severed at death and preserved in liquid nitrogen with the hope that they will be revived at some time in the future. However, their fate is no different from the pharaohs who mummified their bodies in the vain belief that they would continue to live after their deaths. Death is a one way street. There is no coming back. The near death experiences are hallucinations. Those who were revived did not die, but only appeared to die to observers or to less sensitive instruments. </div><div><br /></div><div>7) Cloning has also been proposed as a possible solution for getting children if parents happen to be infertile. This would create ethical problems as a clone of the husband would be genealogically his brother and of the wife her sister.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>[Islam is strict about maintaining genealogy, so the child of a couple should always be biologically theirs, meaning that the sperm and egg must belong to the couple themself. Adoption is another issue that will be discussed further at another time. - blogger's note]</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-16237357097465658022010-06-11T13:19:00.001-04:002010-06-11T13:21:17.137-04:00Patience and Perseverance<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 128); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) passed by a woman who was crying over a grave and said, </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Fear Allah and be patient."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> She said, </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Away from me! My calamity has not befallen you and you are not aware of it."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The woman was later told that it was the Prophet (PBUH) (who had advised her). She came to his door where she found no doorkeeper. She said, </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"(I am sorry) I did not know you."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Patience is (becoming) only at the first (stroke) of grief"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span><span style="color:#800080;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.<br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 128); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another narration in Muslim says: The woman was crying over her son.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 128); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 128); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Commentary:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div style="margin-left: 16pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-left: 16pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This Hadith indicates the excellence of the Prophet's character. The woman whom he advised to have patience did not behave properly, but the Prophet (PBUH) was neither annoyed nor did he reproach her. When she appeared before him for the second time, he again repeated his advice for patience. </span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-55746779011338864252010-06-08T12:13:00.002-04:002010-06-08T12:16:38.053-04:00A PromiseI've been forgetting to add new entries. The last entry is from December 2009!<br /><br />So, I will promise you all something. I will be updating this blog weekly. Every Friday, expect a new entry inshallah (God Willing).<div><br /></div><div>If you have any specific topics you would like to learn more about, either leave a comment here, or email me at whatdidyouwant2know@gmail.com</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Inshallah, I will have a new entry this Friday :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-28289180014402179112009-12-30T07:34:00.000-05:002009-12-30T07:35:21.641-05:00Hadith of the Day<span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000080;">Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, <span style="color:#ff0000;">"The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best behaviour, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives"</span>.<span style="color:#800080;">[At-Tirmidhi]</span>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-67270046385770335642009-12-25T12:59:00.007-05:002013-05-08T10:38:22.587-04:00The Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him)<p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Allah sent His Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) and ordained among his offspring Prophethood and the Book (al-‘Ankaboot 29:27). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And mention in the Book (the Qur’an) Ibraheem (Abraham). Verily, he was a man of truth, a Prophet [Maryam 19:41] </p> <p align="left">Allah guided Ibraheem and honoured him with virtues and praiseworthy characteristics: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Verily, Ibraheem (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allah, Haneef (i.e. to worship none but Allah, a monotheist), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and those who joined partners with Allah). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">(He was) thankful for His (Allah’s) Favours. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous”[al-Nahl 16:120-122] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibraheem (peace be upon him) was the father of the Prophets; no Prophet was sent after him but he was from among his descendants. He had two sons whom Allah chose to be Prophets. They were Isma’eel (Ishmael) the grandfather of the Arabs, from among whose descendants Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and Ishaaq (Isaac) whom Allah blessed with a Prophet called Ya’qoob (Jacob), who was also known as Israa’eel (Israel), after whom Bani Israa’eel (the Children of Israel) and their Prophets were called. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">The Qur’an refers to the fact that Ibraheem was the father of the Prophets, when it says concerning Ibraheem: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And We bestowed upon him Ishaaq (Isaac) and Ya‘qoob (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nooh (Noah), and among his progeny Dawood (David), Sulaymaan (Solomon), Ayyoob (Job), Yoosuf (Joseph), Moosa (Moses), and Haaroon (Aaron). Thus do We reward Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And Zakariyya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and ‘Eesa (Jesus) and Ilyaas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And Isma‘eel (Ishmael) and Al-Yasaa‘ (Elisha), and Yoonus (Jonah) and Loot (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the ‘Aalameen [mankind and jinn (of their times)]”[al-An’aam 6:84-86] </p> <p align="left">Ibraheem called his people in Mesopotamia to worship Allah alone and to stop worshiping the idols which could neither bring benefit nor cause harm. Allah says: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And (remember) Ibraheem (Abraham) when he said to his people: ‘Worship Allah (Alone), and fear Him: that is better for you if you did but know. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">You worship besides Allah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back’”[al-‘Ankaboot 29:16-17] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibraheem (peace be upon him) wanted to free his people from idol-worship and rid them of myths and legends. He asked his people about these idols, as Allah tells us: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And recite to them the story of Ibraheem (Abraham). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">When he said to his father and his people: ‘What do you worship?’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">They said: ‘We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted.’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">He said: ‘Do they hear you, when you call on (them)? </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Or do they benefit you or do they harm (you)?’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">They said: ‘(Nay) but we found our fathers doing so’”[al-Shu’araa’ 26:69-74] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then he explained to them that they should not mindlessly follow others like dumb animals and clarified for them the ultimate reality which is that they should worship Allah alone, in Whose hand is the dominion of all things: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“He said: ‘Do you observe that which you have been worshiping </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">You and your ancient fathers? </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Verily, they are enemies to me, save the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists), </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And Who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense (the Day of Resurrection)’”[al-Shu’araa’ 26:75-82] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">The father of Ibraheem was one of the idol-worshipers. He used to carve them and sell them. His father’s kufr (disbelief) troubled Ibraheem, so he singled him out for advice and said to him: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything? </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">O my father! Verily, there has come to me of the knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me, I will guide you to the Straight Path”[Maryam 19:42-43] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">But his father did not respond to him, rather he threatened to stone him and forsake him. He said: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Do you reject my gods, O Ibraheem (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely (before I punish you)”[Maryam 19:46] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">So Ibraheem had no choice but to leave him, and he said to him: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> “Peace be on you! I will ask forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily, He is unto me Ever Most Gracious [Maryam 19:47] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibraheem continued to ask for forgiveness for his father and to ask his Lord to guide him, but when it became clear to him that his father would not change, he disavowed him and stopped asking for forgiveness for him. Allah says: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And Ibraheem’s (Abraham) invoking (of Allah) for his father’s forgiveness was only because of a promise he [Ibraheem (Abraham)] had made to him (his father). But when it became clear to him that he (his father) is an enemy of Allah, he dissociated himself from him. Verily, Ibraheem was Awwah (one who invokes Allah with humility, glorifies Him and remembers Him much) and was forbearing [al-Tawbah 9:114] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">When the people of Ibraheem persisted in worshiping idols, Ibraheem wanted to prove to them in practical terms that these idols could not cause harm or bring benefit, after his preaching and teaching had had no effect on his people: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Then he cast a glance at the stars, </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And he said: ‘Verily, I am sick (with plague). [He did this trick to remain in their temple of idols to destroy them and not to accompany them to the pagan feast)].’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">So they turned away from him, and departed (for fear of the disease). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then he turned to their aalihah (gods) and said: ‘Will you not eat (of the offering before you)? </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">What is the matter with you that you speak not?’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then he turned upon them, striking (them) with (his) right hand” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Saaffaaat :88:93] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibraheem broke all the idols except the biggest one, which he left so that they could ask it who had done this: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“So he broke them to pieces, (all) except the biggest of them, that they might turn to it” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:58] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">When they came back from the festival for which they had gone out, they saw the broken idols and they accused Ibraheem (of breaking them). He said to them: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it. Ask them, if they can speak!” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:63] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Because they knew that these idols could not speak – for they were inanimate objects – they said to Ibraheem: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Indeed you [Ibraaheem (Abraham)] know well that these (idols) speak not!” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:65] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">When they admitted that these idols could do nothing, Ibraheem said to them: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> “Do you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you, nor harm you? </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:67] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">When they had exhausted all lines of argument, they resorted to the use of force and said: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Burn him and help your aalihah (gods), if you will be doing” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:68] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">They gathered a lot of wood and started a fire which had great sparks and flames, then they threw Ibraheem (peace be upon him) into that fire. He said, “Hasbi Allaah wa ni’am al-wakeel (Allah is sufficient for me and He is the best Disposer of affairs).” So Allah saved him from it and made it coolness and safety for him, and foiled the plot of his enemies: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“We (Allah) said: ‘O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibraheem (Abraham)!’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:69-70 ] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> After saving Ibraheem from the fire, Allah commanded him to leave Mesopotamia and migrate to the Holy Land in Palestine. He married his cousin (the daughter of his paternal uncle) – Sarah – and set out with her and his brother’s son Loot for Syria, as Allah says: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And We rescued him and Loot (Lot) to the land which We have blessed for the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:71] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then great hardship befell the land of Syria, so Ibraheem moved to Egypt with his wife, then he came back to Palestine, bringing his wife and a slave woman of hers called Hajar. Ibraheem longed to have children, but his wife was barren and had grown old. When she saw how much her husband longed to have a child, she gave her slave woman, Hajar, to him. So he married her and was blessed with his son Isma’eel (Ishmael) from her: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“’My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Saaffaat 37:100-101 – interpretation of the meaning] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">After Haajar gave birth to Ismaa’eel, Saarah began to feel jealous, so she asked Ibraaheem to send them away from her. Allaah revealed to Ibraaheem that he should take Haajar and the infant Ismaa’eel and take them to Makkah. So he took them and left Haajar and her child Ismaa’eel in an bleak, isolated place in which there was no water, then he left them and went back to Palestine. Haajar said to him, “For whom are you leaving us in this forsaken valley?” But Ibraaheem went and left her, and she said, “Has Allaah commanded you to do this?” He said, “Yes.” She said, “Then Allaah will not cause us to be lost.” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibraaheem submitted to the command of his Lord and patiently bore the separation from his wife and child. Then he turned towards where they were at the Sacred House and prayed for them in the following words (interpretation of the meaning): </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah) in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah). So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allaah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks”[Ibraaheem 14:37] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Haajar stayed in Makkah, eating the food and drinking the water that Ibraaheem had left for her and her son. When that ran out, she and her son became thirsty. She looked for water, and climbed the hill of al-Safaa but she did not see anything. Then she climbed the hill of al-Marwah but she did not see anything. She did that seven times, then she turned towards Ismaa’eel and saw water gushing from beneath his feet. She rejoiced and drank some, and gave some to her son to drink. Then a tribe – Jurham – came to Haajar and asked her permission to settle by the water. She gave them permission and they settled beside her. When Ismaa’eel grew up, he married one of their women and learned Arabic from them. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">During this period, Ibraaheem used to visit his son from time to time. On one of these visits, Ibraaheem saw in a dream that Allaah was commanding him to sacrifice his son Ismaa’eel. The dreams of the Prophets are true, so Ibraaheem resolved to obey the command of Allaah, even though he was old and Ismaa’eel was his only son. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: ‘O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!’ He said: ‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded, In sha’ Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of As-Saabiroon (the patient).’ </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">We called out to him: ‘O Ibraheem! </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">You have fulfilled the dream!’ Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinoon (good-doers). </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. a ram)” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Saffaat 37:101-107] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then Allah gave him the glad tidings of another son, who was Ishaaq (Isaac), and then Ibraheem returned to Palestine: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaaq (Isaac) a Prophet from the righteous[al-Saaffaat 37:112] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ishaaq (Isaac) was born to him from his wife Sarah: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed. But We gave her glad tidings of Ishaaq (Isaac), and after Ishaaq, of Ya‘qoob (Jacob)” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[Hood 11:71] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then Ibraheem stayed in Palestine for a while, then he returned to Makkah for an important reason. Allah had commanded him to build in Makkah the first House to be built for the worship of Allah. So Ibraheem undertook this task of construction, and his son Isma’eel (Ishmael) was lifting up the stones to him. When the walls grew higher, Ibraheem stood on a rock, and this is the Station of Ibraheem (Maqaam Ibraheem) which is to be found in the vicinity of the Ka’bah. Allah says: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And (remember) when Ibraheem (Abraham) and (his son) Isma‘eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower’” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Baqarah 2:127] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Allah commanded Ibraheem and Isma’eel (Ishmael) to cleanse the House of idols and other impurities so that it would be pure for those who would circumambulate it and stand and bow and prostrate (in prayer). When Ibraaheem built the House, Allah commanded him to call mankind to perform the <a href="http://what-did-you-want-to-know.blogspot.com/2009/05/five-pillars-of-islam-part-v-pilgrimage.html">Hajj</a>, as He says: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And proclaim to mankind the <a href="http://what-did-you-want-to-know.blogspot.com/2009/05/five-pillars-of-islam-part-v-pilgrimage.html">Hajj</a> (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform <a href="http://what-did-you-want-to-know.blogspot.com/2009/05/five-pillars-of-islam-part-v-pilgrimage.html">Hajj</a>)” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Hajj 22:27] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then Ibraheem offered this great supplication for Makkah and for those who live in it: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And (remember) when Ibraheem (Abraham) said, ‘My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.’ He (Allah) answered: ‘As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!’” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Baqarah 2:126] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then he prayed for himself and his descendants, saying: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manaasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage — Hajj and ‘Umrah), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful”[al-Baqarah 2:127-128] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then he prayed for the people of the sanctuary, that Allah would send to them a Messenger from amongst them, who would call them to worship Allah Alone. He said: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood), and purify them. Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise” </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">[al-Baqarah 1:129] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Allah responded to the prayer of His Prophet Ibraheem. He made Makkah a place of security, He blessed its people with fruits and sent to them a Messenger from amongst themselves, who was the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). All praise and thanks be to Allah. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">After Ibraheem, Prophethood remained with the Children of Israel for a long time, until Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from among the descendants of Isma’eel (Ishmael) as a Messenger to all of mankind, and commanded him as He said: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah…’”[al-A’raaf 7:158] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Allah commanded Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to follow the religion of Ibraheem, as He said: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“Then, We have sent the Revelation to you (O Muhammad saying): ‘Follow the religion of Ibraheem (Abraham) Haneef (Islamic Monotheism — to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers)”[al-Nahl 16:123] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibraheem’s advice to his children was to adhere to the religion of Islam and follow its commands until they died. Allah said: </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibraheem (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya‘qoob (Jacob) (saying), ‘O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam’” [al-Baqarah 2:132] </p> <p style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">O Allah, send blessings upon Ibraheem and upon the family of Ibraheem, for You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. </p> <p align="left">Other Prophets who were alive at the time of Ibraheem (peace be upon him) were Loot (Lot), Isma’eel (Ishmael), Ishaaq (Isaac), and Ya’qoob (Jacob). Then came Yoosuf (Joseph), then Shu’ayb (Jethro), then Ayyoob (Job), then Dhu’l-Kifl. Then Allah sent Moosa (Moses) and Haroon(Aaron) (peace be upon them and may the best of blessings and peace be upon all the Prophets).<br /></p><p align="left"><br /></p><p align="left"><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;">Source: Islam Q&A</span><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-27238794498047252632009-12-25T12:46:00.003-05:002010-06-20T13:55:29.956-04:00AbortionMany of the pro-life movement view abortion as murder because they believe that "life" begins at conception; when sperm meets egg.<br /><br />Of course, when life begins is a vital piece of information when it comes to rulings about abortion.<br /><br />The Islamic perspective is that life begins 120 days after conception. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:<br /><br />"Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for <span style="font-weight: bold;">forty days</span> in the form of a nutfah (a drop), then he becomes an 'alaqah (clot of blood) for a like period [<span style="font-weight: bold;">forty days</span>], then a mudghah (morsel of flesh) for a like period [<span style="font-weight: bold;">forty days</span>], then there is sent to him the angel who blows his soul into him and who is commanded with four matters: to write down his rizq (sustenance), his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or unhappy (i.e. whether or not he will enter Paradise)." Sahih Bukhari and Muslim.<br /><br /><br />The scholars differ on their views on abortion (since abortion was not around at the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and so he did not address it).<br /><br />Some scholars still view that abortion is wrong, regardless of when it is done.<br /><br />The majority of scholars, however, view that abortion is acceptable, if it is done during the first 120 days. The majority of the scholars also agree that the woman should first try taking the morning after pill, or the Plan B contraceptive.<br /><br />Of those scholars, some say it is okay if the woman is experiencing health issues with the pregnancy, or if she was raped; basically dire circumstances.<br /><br />Others view that abortion is fine if the pregnancy and raising a child would cause mental anguish to the woman (and her husband) or if she just can't handle a pregnancy at the moment.<br /><br /><br />A general rule in Islam is to take the opinion of the majority of scholars more seriously, since there is less room for individual error.<br /><br /><br />In conclusion, the majority of Muslims view that abortion, if done during the first 120 days, is allowed, and for a variety of reasons.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Source: Islam Q&A</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-56966063455784983792009-11-26T21:00:00.004-05:002009-11-26T23:17:17.394-05:00Eid Mubarak!Tomorrow is Eid-al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice), so Eid Mubarak (May you have a blessed holiday)!<br /><br />Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), is the tenth day of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah. This is the greater and better of the two feasts, which comes after the completion of the <a href="http://what-did-you-want-to-know.blogspot.com/2009/05/five-pillars-of-islam-part-v-pilgrimage.html">Hajj</a> (the pilgrimage), for when the Muslims complete their <a href="http://what-did-you-want-to-know.blogspot.com/2009/05/five-pillars-of-islam-part-v-pilgrimage.html">Hajj</a> (the pilgrimage) they are forgiven. <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Rather <a href="http://what-did-you-want-to-know.blogspot.com/2009/05/five-pillars-of-islam-part-v-pilgrimage.html">Hajj</a> (the pilgrimage) is completed on the Day of ‘Arafah [the 9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah] with the standing in ‘Arafah, which is the major pillar of Hajj, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Hajj is ‘Arafah.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">The day of ‘Arafah is the day of ransom from the Fire, when Allah ransoms from Hellfire those who stood at ‘Arafah and Muslims who did not stand at ‘Arafah. Hence the day that follows it is a festival for all Muslims in all regions, those who attended Hajj and those who did not. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">It is prescribed for all of them to draw closer to Allah by means of the ritual of shedding the sacrificial blood. (Slaughtering a cattle-beast, and distributing a portion of it amongst the poor)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">The virtues of this day may be summed up as follows: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-left: 36pt;">1- It is the best of days before Allah. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Zaad al-Ma’aad (1/54): The best of days before Allah is the Day of Sacrifice, which is the greatest day of Hajj as it says in Sunan Abi Dawood (1765), where it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The greatest of days before Allah is the Day of Sacrifice.” Saheeh Abi Dawood<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-left: 36pt;">2- It is the greatest day of Hajj. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" align="left">It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood between the Jamaraat on the Day of Sacrifice during his Hajj and said, “This is the greatest day of Hajj.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1742.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-left: 54pt;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-left: 36pt;">3- It is the Eid (holiday) of the Muslims </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The day of ‘Arafah, the day of Sacrifice, and the days of al-Tashreeq are our festival, us Muslims, and they are days of eating and drinking.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 773</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Courtesy of Islam Q&A</span><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-64832612819646695132009-11-22T08:31:00.004-05:002009-11-22T09:13:38.772-05:00Hijab - Unveiling the Mystery<span style="font-style: italic;">Why do women cover their hair?</span><br /><br /><br />Allah says in the Quran:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“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, and to draw their veils all over Juyobihinna (i.e. the 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 possess, 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”</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span> [al-Noor 24:31]<br /><br /><br />Contrary to popular belief, this is not limited to women only. Preceding the verse in the Qur’an about women lowering their gaze comes the following verse,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do."</span> [al-Noor 24:30].<br /><br />In addition, on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones (the tongue) and what is between his two legs (the private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him." (Bukhari).<br /><br />Hijab is not worn for men, to keep their illicit desires in check. Rather, Muslim women wear it for God and their own selves. Islam is a religion of moderation, of balance between extremes. Therefore, it does not expect women alone to uphold the society’s morality and uprightness. Rather, Islam asks men and women to mutually strive to create a healthy social environment where children may grow with positive, beautiful, constructive and practical values and concepts. Men are equally required to be modest and to conduct themselves responsibly in every sphere of their lives.<br /><br />According to Jabir ibn Abdullah, when he asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, about a man’s gaze falling inadvertently on a strange woman, the Prophet replied, "Turn your eyes away." (Muslim) In another tradition, the Prophet, on whom be peace, chided Ali for looking again at a woman – he said, the second glance is from Shaitan.<br /><br />The concept of modesty and hijab in Islam is holistic, and encompasses both men and women. The ultimate goal is to maintain societal stability and to please God.<br /><br />Since Muslim women are more conspicuous because of their appearance, it is easier for people to associate them with the warped images they see in the print and broadcast media. Hence, stereotypes are perpetuated and often sisters seem "mysterious" to those not acquainted with Muslim women who dress according to Divine instructions. This aura of "mystery" cannot be removed until their lifestyles, beliefs and thought-systems are genuinely explored. And, frankly, this cannot be achieved until one is not afraid to respectfully approach Muslim women – or any Muslim for that matter.<br /><br />So, the next time you see a Muslim, stop and talk to him or her – you’ll feel, God-Willing, as if you’re entering a different world, the world of Islam: full of humility, piety, and of course, modesty!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />Courtesy of Islam Q&A and Islamway</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-80558413470707557392009-10-23T08:46:00.005-04:002010-06-20T13:55:29.957-04:00Birth ControlMany people have been curious as to how Islam views Birth control. <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>There are many methods of birth control, and the scholars have different opinions regarding each method.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">'Azl, or coitus interruptus (withdrawing before ejaculation) and barrier methods:</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> "With regard to ‘azl (coitus interruptus), or withdrawing during intercourse, the correct scholarly view is that there is nothing wrong with it, because of the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): “We used to practise ‘azl at the time when the Qur’an was being revealed” – i.e., at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). If that action had been haram [forbidden], the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would have forbidden it. But the scholars say that one should not engage in ‘azl with a woman except with her permission, because she has the right to have children. Moreover, withdrawing without her permission diminishes her pleasure, so not asking her permission causes her to lose out on pleasure and on the possibility of having children. Hence we state the condition that this may only be done with her permission."</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> From Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen.</p><br />Condoms and other barrier methods are viewed in the same light a the withdrawal method, but again, both partners must agree to using them.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Birth Control Pills:</span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> A woman should not use birth control pills, <span style="font-weight: bold;">unless</span> the following conditions are met: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-left: 39.75pt;"> 1- She should need to use them, for example if she is ill and cannot cope with a pregnancy every year, or she is physically unfit, or there is some other reason that getting pregnant every year may harm her.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-left: 39.75pt;"> 2- Her husband should give his permission, because the husband has the right to have children. There must also be consultation with the doctor, to find out whether these pills are harmful or not. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> If these two conditions are met, there is nothing wrong with taking these pills, but that should not be on a permanent basis, because that means preventing having children.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">IUD, Mirena, and other coil methods:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Using the coil is permissible subject to two conditions:<br /> <br /> The first condition is that it should not cause harm to the woman.<br /> <br /> The second condition is that her husband should give his permission for that.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Permanent Birth Control (Vasectomy, Tubals, etc):</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz [A prominent scholar] (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> What is the ruling on removing the uterus in order to avoid having children for medical reasons which are either present, or may occur in the future and have been predicted by medical and scientific means? </p> He answered: if that is necessary, then it is OK, otherwise it should not be done, because the Lawgiver urges us to have children and promotes that in order to increase the size of the ummah [nation]. But if there is a necessary reason then it is OK, just as it is permissible to use means of contraception for a limited time for a legitimate shar’i reason. (9/434)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In conclusion, birth control is a personal decision for each couple, and as long as the method causes no harm to the individual, and they do have a legitimate reason for using it, they can. Permanent birth control is frowned upon, but is allowed if the mother's health is in danger during pregnancy.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Source: Islam Q&A</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-24407510468280241252009-10-03T20:22:00.001-04:002009-10-03T20:24:01.090-04:00A Convert's Story<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d-IuJL8HgvM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d-IuJL8HgvM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-11711147165489970942009-09-10T02:23:00.002-04:002013-05-08T10:37:32.507-04:00Jesus (peace be upon him)<span class="question"><span style="font-style: italic;">Could you give us a brief description of ‘Eesa [Jesus] (peace be upon him)?</span><br /></span><br />
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Praise be to Allah. </div>
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· Maryam [Mary] the daughter of ‘Imran was a pious and righteous woman… She strove hard in worship until she had no peer in matters of worship… The angels gave her the glad tidings that Allah had chosen her: </div>
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“And (remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the ‘Alameen (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime).’ </div>
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O Maryam! ‘Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshiping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raki‘oon (those who bow down)’” </div>
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[Al ‘Imran 3:42-43] </div>
· Then the angels gave Maryam the glad tidings that Allah would bestow upon her a child, whom He would create with the word “Be! And it is.” This child’s name was the Messiah ‘Eesa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary)… He would be held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and he would be a Messenger to the Children of Israel… He would teach the Book and wisdom, and the Tawrat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel) … And he would have attributes and miracles that no one else would have, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): <br />
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“(Remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” — and he was! i.e. ‘Eesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah. </div>
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He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.’ </div>
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She said: ‘O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.’ He said: ‘So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is’” [Al ‘Imran 3:45-47] </div>
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· Then Allah tells us the rest of the glad tidings of the angels to Maryam of her son ‘Eesa (peace be upon him), and of the honour of ‘Eesa, and how He would support him with miracles: </div>
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“And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, [tradition of the Prophet] the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom), (and) the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). </div>
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And will make him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. </div>
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And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Tawrat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me. </div>
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Truly, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path’”[Aa ‘Imran 3:48-51] </div>
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· Allah is absolutely perfect in His powers of Creation. He creates what He wills, how He wills… He created Adam from dust without a father or a mother, and He created Hawwa’ from the rib of Adam from a father but without a mother. He has caused the descendants of Adam to have both a father and a mother, and He created ‘Eesa from his mother without a father… Glory be to the All-Knowing Creator. </div>
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· Allah has explained clearly in the Qur’an how ‘Eesa was born. He says (interpretation of the meaning: </div>
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“And mention in the Book (the Qur’an, O Muhammad, the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. </div>
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She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Rooh [angel Jibreel (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. </div>
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She said: ‘Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.’ </div>
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(The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’ </div>
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She said: ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?’ </div>
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He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me (Allah). And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed (by Allah)’ ”[Maryam 19:16-21] </div>
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· When Jibreel told her that, she submitted to the will and decree of Allah, and Jibreel breathed into the sleeves of her garment: </div>
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“So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). </div>
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And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date palm. She said: ‘Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!’”[Maryam 19:22-23] </div>
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· Then Allah provided Maryam with water and food, and commanded her not to speak to anyone: </div>
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“Then [the babe ‘Eesa (Jesus) or Jibreel (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: ‘Grieve not: your Lord has provided a water stream under you. </div>
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And shake the trunk of date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. </div>
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So eat and drink and be glad. And if you see any human being, say: “Verily, I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day”’”[Maryam 19:24-26] </div>
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· Then Maryam came to her people, carrying her child ‘Eesa. When they saw her, they thought that she had done a terrible thing and they denounced it, but she did not respond to them. She indicated that they should ask this infant, and he would tell them. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: ‘O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyy (a mighty thing). </div>
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O sister (i.e. the like) of Haaroon (Aaron)! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman.’ </div>
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Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?’”[Maryam 19:27-29] </div>
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· ‘Eesa replied to them straight away, even though he was a child in the cradle: </div>
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“He [‘Eesa (Jesus)] said: ‘Verily, I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet; </div>
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And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salaah (prayer), and Zakaah (charity), as long as I live. </div>
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And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. </div>
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And Salaam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!’”[Maryam 19:30-33] </div>
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This is the information about ‘Eesa ibn Maryam, the slave and Messenger of Allah. But the People of the Book differed concerning him. Some of them said that he was the son of God, and some said that he was the third of three (“trinity”), and some said that he was God, and some said that he was a slave and Messenger of God. This last view is the correct view. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“Such is ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (It is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute). </div>
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It befits not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glorified (and Exalted) be He (above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it: “Be!” and it is. </div>
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[‘Eesa (Jesus) said]: ‘And verily, Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allah’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets).’ </div>
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Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about ‘Eesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that ‘Eesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah] from the Meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire)”[Maryam 19:34-38] </div>
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· When the Children of Israel deviated from the Straight Path and overstepped the limits set by Allah, they did wrong and spread corruption on earth, and a group among them denied the resurrection, Reckoning and punishment. They indulged in their desires and in physical pleasures without expecting to be brought to account. At that point, Allah sent to them ‘Eesa ibn Maryam as a Messenger, and taught him the Tawraat and Injeel as He says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom), (and) the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). </div>
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And will make him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel”[Al ‘Imran 3:48] </div>
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· Allah revealed to ‘Eesa ibn Maryam the Injeel (Gospel) as guidance and light, confirming that which had come before it in the Tawrat (Torah): </div>
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“and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Tawrat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”[al-Ma’idah 5:46 – interpretation of the meaning] </div>
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· ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) foretold the coming of a Messenger from Allah after him, whose name would be Ahmad. This is Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“And (remember) when ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you, confirming the Tawrat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.’ But when he (Ahmad, i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: ‘This is plain magic’”[al-Saff 61:6] </div>
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· ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) called the Children of Israel to worship Allah alone, and to obey the rulings of the Tawrat and Injeel… He started to dispute with them and to explain the error of their ways. When he saw how stubborn they were and how the signs of kufr (disbelief) were manifest among them, he stood among his people, saying, Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples believed in him, and their number was twelve. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“Then when ‘Eesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: ‘Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?’ Al-Hawaariyyoon (the disciples) said: ‘We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah).’ </div>
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Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Eesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth, i.e. La ilaha illallah — none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)”[Al ‘Imran 3:52-53] </div>
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· Allah supported ‘Eesa with great miracles which remind us of the power of Allah, lift the spirit and promote faith in Allah and in the Last Day. He made something like the shape of a bird from clay, and blew into it, and it became a bird, by Allah’s leave. He healed the blind and the leper, and brought the death back to life by Allah’s leave. He told the people what they were eating and what they were storing in their houses. So the Jews to whom Allah had sent ‘Eesa became hostile towards him and tried to the people away from him, so they disbelieved in him and accused his mother of immorality. </div>
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· When they saw that the weak and poor believed in him, and were gathering around him, they formed a plot to kill him. So they provoked the Romans against him, and they made the Roman governor think that the call of ‘Eesa contained a threat against (Roman) power. So he (the Roman governor) issued orders that ‘Eesa should be arrested and crucified. But Allah caused a hypocrite who had betrayed him to the Romans to look like ‘Eesa. The soldiers arrested him, thinking that he was ‘Eesa, and crucified him. But Allah saved ‘Eesa from the cross and from death, and Allah tells us about the Jews (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“And because of their saying (in boast), ‘We killed Messiah ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,’ — but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them the resemblance of ‘Eesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)], and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)]: </div>
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But Allah raised him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All Powerful, All Wise”[al-Nisaa’ 4:157-158] </div>
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· So Eesa (peace be upon him) did not die, rather Allah raised him up to Himself, and he will descend before the Day of Resurrection and will follow Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He will prove the Jews to be wrong in their claim to have killed ‘Eesa and crucified him. And he will prove the Christians to be wrong who exaggerated about him and said that he was God, or the son of God, or the third of three. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the son of Maryam will descend among you as a just judge. He will break the cross, kill the pigs and abolish the jizyah, (taxes for non-Muslims) and money will become so widespread that there will be no one who will accept it.” (Agreed upon; narrated by Muslim, no. 155). </div>
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· When ‘Eesa comes down before the Day of Resurrection, the People of the Book will believe in him, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) but must believe in him [‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allah and a human being] before his [‘Eesa (Jesus) or a Jew’s or a Christian’s] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he [‘Eesa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them” </div>
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[al-Nisaa’ 4:159] </div>
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· ‘Eesa ibn Maryam is the slave of Allah and His Messenger. Allah sent him to guide the Children of Israel and to call them to worship Allah alone, as Allah says to the Jews and Christians (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, (‘Be!’ — and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rooh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: ‘Three (trinity)!’ Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilaah (God), glory is to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs”[al-Nisaa’ 4:171] </div>
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· Saying that ‘Eesa is the son of God is a monstrous saying and a great evil. </div>
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“And they say: ‘The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son [‘Eesa (Jesus)], and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels and others)].’ </div>
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Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. </div>
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Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, </div>
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That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah). </div>
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But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children). </div>
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There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave[Maryam 19:88-93] </div>
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· ‘Eesa ibn Maryam is a human being, a slave of Allah and His Messenger. Whoever believes that the Messiah son of Maryam is God is a disbeliever (kafir). </div>
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“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: Allah is the Messiah [‘Eesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)’”[al-Ma’idah 5:72] </div>
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· Whoever says that the Messiah is the son of God or the third of three is also a disbeliever: </div>
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“Surely, disbelievers are those who said: ‘Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no Ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah (God —Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them”[al-Ma’idah 5:73] </div>
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· The Messiah son of Maryam was a human being. He was born from a mother; he ate and drank, got up and went to sleep, suffered pain and wept… and God (Allah) is far above all of that, so how could he be God? Rather he is the slave of Allah and His Messenger: </div>
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“The Messiah [‘Eesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddeeqah [i.e. she believed in the Words of Allah and His Books]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them; yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth)”[al-Ma’idah 5:75] </div>
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· The Jews, Christians, crusaders and their followers distorted the religion of the Messiah, and deviated and changed it. They said that Allah sent forth his son the Messiah to be killed and crucified as a sacrifice for mankind – so it doesn’t matter if anyone does whatever he wants, because Jesus will carry all his sins for him… And they spread that belief among all the Christian groups until it became a part of their beliefs. All of this is falsehood and is lies against Allah, and speaking about Him without knowledge. Rather “every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds”. Man’s life cannot be sound or correct unless they have a path to follow and limits at which to stop. </div>
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“Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby” [al-Baqarah 2:79] </div>
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· Allah has taken from the Christians the pledge that they will follow ‘Eesa and follow that which he brought, but they changed and distorted that; they differed then they turned away. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“And from those who call themselves Christians, We took their covenant, but they have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. So We planted amongst them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection (when they discarded Allah’s Book, disobeyed Allah’s Messengers and His Orders and transgressed beyond bounds in Allah’s disobedience); and Allah will inform them of what they used to do”[al-Ma’idah 5:14] </div>
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· On the Day of Resurrection, ‘Eesa will stand before the Lord of the Worlds, Who will ask him before the witnesses what he said to the Children of Israel, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): </div>
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“And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): ‘O ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: “Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?”’ He will say: ‘Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen). </div>
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Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allah) did command me to say: “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.”’ And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world). </div>
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If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All Mighty, the All Wise”’ </div>
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[al-Ma’idah 5:116-118] </div>
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‘Eesa ibn Maryam was the last of the Prophets sent to the Children of Israel. Then after him Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), from among the descendents of Isma’eel (Ishmael), to all of mankind. And he is the last of the Prophets and Messengers. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-6441723967128680242009-09-09T05:31:00.002-04:002009-09-09T05:41:53.755-04:00Honor Killings<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">What does Islam say about honor killings?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Islam maintains the protection of life and does not sanction any violation against it. In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah, Most High, says, <b>“Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He hath cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.”</b> (An-Nisa’: 93)<br /><br />`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, <b>"The blood of a Muslim may not be legally spilt other than in one of three [instances]: the married person who commits adultery; a life for a life; and one who forsakes his religion and abandons the community."</b> (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)<br /><br />Focusing more on your question, <b>Sheikh Ahmad Kutty</b>, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:<br /><br />“There is no such concept in Islam that is called “honor killing”. Islam holds every soul in high esteem and does not allow any transgression upon it. It does not allow people to take the law in their own hands and administer justice, because doing so will be leading to chaos and lawlessness. Therefore, based on this, Islam does not permit such killings.<br /><br />First of all, in order to sanction killing, it must be through a binding verdict issued by an authoritative law court. Individuals themselves have no authority either to judge cases or pass judgments. Therefore, a Muslim should not sanction such killing because doing so will be leading to the rule of the law of the jungle. A civilized society cannot be run by such laws.”<br /><br />Shedding more light on it, <b>Sheikh `Atiyyah Saqr</b>, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, states:<br /><br />“Like all other religions, Islam strictly prohibits murder and killing without legal justification. Allah, Most High, says, <b>“Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He hath cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.”</b> (An-Nisa’: 93)<br /><br />The so-called “honor killing” is based on ignorance and disregard of morals and laws, which cannot be abolished except by disciplinary punishments.<br /><br />It goes without saying that people are not entitled to take the law in their own hands, for it’s the responsibility of the Muslim State and its concerned bodies to maintain peace, security, etc., and to prevent chaos and disorder from creeping into the Muslim society.”<br /><br />Moreover, the eminent Muslim scholar, <b>Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti</b>, member of the North American Fiqh Council, adds:<br /><br />“In Islam, there is no place for unjustifiable killing. Even in case of capital punishment, only the government can apply the law through the judicial procedures. No one has the authority to execute the law other than the officers who are in charge.<br /><br />Honor killing could be a wrong cultural tradition. It is unjust and inhumane action. The murderer of that type deserves punishment.”<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Courtesy of IslamOnline</span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-91946285161408132872009-09-08T06:58:00.003-04:002009-09-08T07:01:28.954-04:00Household Chores<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I came across this Hadith (Tradition of the Prophet, peace be upon him) which I wanted to share:</span><br /><br /><br />Al-Aswad bin Yazid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) was asked: <span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br />"What did Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to do inside his house?"</span> <br /><br />She answered: <span style="color:#ff0000;">"He used to keep himself busy helping members of his family, and when it was the time for Salat (the prayer), he would get up for prayer."</span><span style="color:#800080;">[Al-Bukhari]</span>.<br /><br /><br /><b>Commentary:</b><br /> <div style="margin-left: 16pt;">Here too, we are informed about the extreme humbleness of Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Many a man deems his insult and indignity to extend his co-operation to woman in household affairs. This is against the practice of Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). To co-operate with woman in doing domestic things is a Sunnah [tradition of the Prophet] and man should not feel complex in it. However, an excessive interest in domestic engagements which makes one indifferent to Salat [prayer] is not desirable. Rather, one [man or woman] is supposed to give up all domestic engagements when it is time to offer Salat [prayer] and be ready for it.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-676084799560337872009-08-18T07:38:00.005-04:002010-07-02T10:39:42.587-04:00Questions About Prayer<span><p><em>Why are you required to pray at certain times during the day facing Mecca?</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">It is a pillar of Islam to pray 5 times a day (at dawn, at noon, at afternoon, at dusk and in the evening) and we all pray facing one direction, which happens to be the ka'aba in Mecca (which is also the place where Muslims go for pilgrimage). As for why, the answer to this question is the same as the answer to any "whys" about Islam: because Allah (God) commanded us to.</span></p><br /><p> <em>Why do you not pray towards heaven?</em> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Muslim prayer consists of a series of bows and prostrations... you cannot really prostrate towards heaven since heaven is above everything. Here is a video of Muslim prayer, just so you can get an idea of what I mean:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KrTGuP1cFTQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KrTGuP1cFTQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></span></p></span><p><em>Are Muslim prayers all set prayers.</em> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">No. This is the "formal prayer" if you will... You could always just say "Dear God....." without the actions, and ask for what you want.</span></p> <p><em>Is the wording the same for them? </em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Yes, but you can also add on to it if you want.</span> <em></em></p> <p><em>What do you do if you are at work/school and it is time to pray and there is not place to pray in the manner shown?</em><br /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Prayer is <i>very</i> important to us, and you cannot miss prayer. It has to be done during its "time slot." Personally, if I am in school, I find a quiet corner, or pray near a deserted staircase. In the mall, I have prayed in a changing room before. When traveling, you have a little bit of leeway (you can for instance, pray the prayer shortened, and pray two prayers at once). The place for prayer just has to be clean and no one should pass in front of you. This can be done by taking a clean rug with you and laying it on the floor (or sometimes when I am outside, I just put my jacket on the floor) and if you put an object in front of you, then no one would be passing in front of you, or you could pray facing a wall. </span> </p> <p>I<em>s personal prayer part of Muslim prayer as well or is it more formal prayers with set words and set times of the day?</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Yes, personal prayers are also done. They can be "informal" (just talking to God), or you can pray extra "formal" prayers, or you can add your own words to your daily 5 prayers. The "informal" prayers are called duaa, which is translated as supplication, and there is a duaa for pretty much everything under the sun (trying to remember something, wishing someone well when they are sick, congratulating someone on marriage, etc, etc). Also, you could always just make up your own prayer (supplication) and ask God for whatever you need.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-849793025404013872009-05-26T22:27:00.002-04:002009-05-26T23:00:11.723-04:00What Is the Courtship Process in Islam?<span> <div class="content marginRight"> <p style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span>Would you be so kind as to explain your courtship process? Are there guidelines in Islam that direct you to adhere to certain dating rules? Are marriages arranged? Must parents agree on the potential spouse? Can you explain a little about your marriage ceremony (if it is not too sacred to discuss on a public board)?</span></em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Basically, before you are married, you are not allowed to kiss, hold hands, or have sex. You are also not allowed to be alone in a place together that may lead you to temptation. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: </span>“No man is ever alone with a (non-mahram, i.e. non-relative) woman but the Shaytaan (Satan) is the third one present.” <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2165). Meaning that when a man and woman are alone together, there is always temptation.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Marriages can be arranged, but do not have to be. It is a choice, but both ways, both the bride and groom have to agree to who they will marry. If you are forced into your marriage then it is automatically null. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">‘Aa’ishah reported that a girl came to her and said, </span>“My father married me to his brother’s son in order to raise his social standing, and I did not want this marriage [I was forced into it].” <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span>‘Aa’ishah said, </span>“Sit here until the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) comes.<span>” <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came and she told him about the girl. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent for her father, then he <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">gave the girl the choice of what to do</span>. [i.e. divorce her husband, or stay with him] She said,</span> “O Messenger of Allaah, I have accepted what my father did, but I wanted to prove something to other women.” <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 3217).</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">You should take your parents' opinion regarding the potential spouse, however, a girl has to be married with the permission of her father, or male figure called a "wali". This is to ensure that her rights are taken care of. However, if there is a potential spouse that is committed in his religion and her father disagrees for no good reason, she could go to a judge who will be her "wali" instead of her father.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">When a man proposes and the woman agrees, he must give her a dowry (mahr), which is basically a present that belongs to her and only her... it could be in the form of money, jewellery, etc... basically, he proposes a certain gift, and she either accepts it, or refuses it. This gift belongs to her, not her family. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">The marriage ceremony is mainly cultural, and so, it would differ depending on who you're talking to. In Islam, the marriage is writing up the contract and it is highly recommended to have a feast, as<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf, </span>“Give a wedding feast, even if it is only one sheep.”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> (Reported by al-Bukhaari).</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> All the other parts of the ceremony are cultural. </span></p> </div> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-53768124785706409262009-05-26T16:27:00.003-04:002009-05-26T16:47:40.091-04:00Personal Revelation and Prayer<span> <div class="content marginRight"> <p style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span>Do you believe in personal revelation? If you prayed, would you get an answer?</span></em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Yes, I believe personal revelation... It can come in the form of a dream, a feeling, etc.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">About prayers, they are always answered but it is a little bit more complicated (du'aa means prayer):</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Whoever makes du’aa’ to his Lord receives an answer in all cases. The answer to <span class="hilite">prayer</span>s is not only getting what one asked for; rather there are two other responses that may come which are: warding off evil from the person who made du’aa’, commensurate with his du’aa’, and storing up the reward for the du’aa’ which the person will receive on the Day of Resurrection. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">Allah has promised us, on the lips of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that whoever calls upon Him, fulfilling the conditions of du’aa’ will receive one of these responses.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah with a du’aa’ in which there is no sin or severing of family ties, but He will give him one of three things: either He will answer his </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="hilite">prayer</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, or he will store up an equal amount of good (reward) for him, or He will ward off an equal amount of evil from him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, then we shall say a lot of du’aa’?” He said, “Allah is most Generous.” </span>Narrated by Ahmad, 10709.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">All of this is what is meant by the verses: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!’” [Ghaafir 40:60] </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright” [al-Baqarah 2:186] </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">It may be better for the person not to get what he asked for his du’aa’, because of evil or fitnah (trial) that may result from his getting it, of which he is unaware. So Allah wards that off from him and gives him something that is better for him in this world, by warding off evil from him, or something that is better for him in the Hereafter, by storing up the reward of the du’aa’ for him.</p> </div> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-19191924082785645362009-05-26T15:59:00.007-04:002013-05-08T10:38:22.584-04:00What Is The Islamic Perspective on Adam and Eve?<span><em><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you believe that humans evolved, or do you believe in the 'Adam and Eve' story? (or equivalent)</span><br /></span></em></span><span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal">Allah created Adam with His hand and breathed into him his soul created by Him, and told His angels to prostrate to him.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal">Allah created Adam from dust, as He says:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Verily, the likeness of ‘Eesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: ‘Be!’ — and he was”</span> </strong>[Al ‘Imran 3:59]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When Allah had completed the creation of Adam, He commanded the angels to prostrate to him, so they prostrated, except for Iblees [Satan... he was living among the angels because he used to be very righteous], who was present but he refused and was too arrogant to prostrate to Adam:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.’ So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them, Except Iblees (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers” </strong>[Saad 38:71-74]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Then Allah told the angels that He was going to place Adam on earth and make generations after generations of his offspring, as He said:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth’”</strong> [al-Baqarah 2:30]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> Allah taught Adam all the names:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“And He taught Adam all the names (of everything)”</strong> [al-Baqarah 2:31]<br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal">When Iblees [Satan] refused to prostrate to Adam, Allah expelled him and cursed him:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">“(Allah) said: ‘Then get out from here; for verily, you are outcast. And verily, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense’”</span> </strong>[Saad 38:77-78]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> When Iblees [Satan] knew of his fate, he asked Allah to give him respite until the Day of Resurrection:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.’ (Allah) said: ‘Verily, you are of those allowed respite Till the Day of the time appointed’”</strong> [Saad 38:79-81]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When Allah granted him that, he declared war on Adam and his descendents, made disobedience attractive to them and tempted them to commit immoral actions:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘By Your Might, then I will surely, mislead them all, Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).’”</strong> [Saad 38:82-83]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Allah created Adam, and from him He created his wife, and from their progeny He created men and women, as He says:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women”</strong> [al-Nisaa’ 4:1]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> Then Allah caused Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise, as a test for them. He commanded them to eat of the fruits of Paradise but He forbade them to eat from one tree:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“And We said: ‘O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zaalimoon (wrong-doers)’”</strong> [al-Baqarah 2:35]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> Allah warned Adam and his wife against the Shaytaan, as He said:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed”</strong> [Ta-Ha 20:117]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Then the Shaytaan (Satan) whispered to Adam and his wife, and tempted them to eat from the forbidden tree. Adam forgot and could not resist the temptation, so he disobeyed his Lord and ate from that tree:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“Then Shaytaan (Satan) whispered to him, saying : ‘O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?’ Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray”</strong> [Ta-Ha 20:120-121]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> Their Lord called to them and said:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaytaan (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?”</strong> [al-A’raaf 7:22]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When they ate from the tree, they regretted what they had done, and said:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers”</strong> [al-A’raaf 7:23]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> The sin of Adam stemmed from desire, not from arrogance, hence Allah guided him to repent and He accepted that from him:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful”</strong> [al-Baqarah 2:37]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> This is the way for Adam and his descendents: whoever sins then repents sincerely, Allah will accept his repentance:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do</strong>” [al-Shoora 42:25]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> Then Allah sent Adam and his wife, and Iblees [Satan], down to the earth, and He sent down Revelation to them and He sent the Messengers to them.<span> </span>So whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves will enter Hell:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“We said: ‘Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) — such are the dwellers of the Fire. They shall abide therein forever’”</strong> [al-Baqarah 2:38-39]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> When Allah sent them all down to the earth, the conflict between faith and kufr [disbelief], between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, began, and it will continue until Allah inherits the earth and everyone on it:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“(Allah) said: ‘Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa, (Eve), and Shaytaan (Satan)]. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time’</strong> [al-A’raaf 7:24]</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="MsoNormal"> Allah is Able to do all things. He created Adam with no father or mother, and He created Hawwa (Eve) from a father with no mother, and He created ‘Eesa (Jesus) from a mother with no father, and He created us from a father and a mother.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Allah created Adam from dust, then He made his descendents from semen of despised water, as He says:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water (male and female sexual discharge). Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allah for that person); and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give!”</strong> [al-Sajdah 32:7-9]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">How man is created in the womb, and the stages which he goes through, is a wondrous thing. Allah mentioned this in the ayah (verse):</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">“And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators”</strong> [al-Mu’minoon 23:12-14]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"> Copyright Islam Q&A</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Basically, as Muslims, we do not blame Eve nor Adam for what they did, because they did not know... and Allah has forgiven them, so who are we to not forgive them? We also don't believe that it was Eve's fault... </span></p></span><br /><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Could you clarify for me these things?</p> <p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"> “Verily, the likeness of ‘Eesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: ‘Be!’ — and he was” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:59]</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Does this verse mean Jesus was there at the time of the creation?</span><span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">No. This verse is referring to how Jesus was created from Mary only. We believe that Mary was a virgin, and was a righteous woman who was touched by no man. The angel Gabriel came to her and told her that Allah will grant her a son. When she asked how that happened, Gabriel said that Allah just says to a person “Be!” and he is. This is just a comparison between how Adam was created without any parents and Jesus was created without a father</span>.</strong></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">Does the part about Allah is the likeness of Adam mean that<span> </span>Allah has a human form ?<span> </span>Give me your description of Allah so I don't just assume and use my reference points as yours.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">No. Allah does not have human form because we are told</span>:</strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, All-Seer.” [al-Shoora 42:11]</span>.</strong></span></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Is there more to the story..<span> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Is there any part of the Adam and Eve story that is unique to Islam that I may not see without being familiar with Islam?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Well... we believe that Satan took an oath to misguide as many of the children of Adam as possible. We don’t believe he took angels with him because the angels never disobey Allah... they are created without free will, and just obey Allah</span>. </strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">I think the unique aspects of the creation story are mainly that we do not put any extra blame on Eve and we do not believe the concept of original sin (due to the mistake of Adam and Eve) and we do not believe that Jesus died for our sins, or is a saviour.</span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">One VERY important distinction between Islam and other faiths is that NONE of the creation is a part of Allah... Allah is separate and above all things.</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There might be more differences, but these are the ones I can think of... If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask =)</span><br /></span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-61401444739982464722009-05-26T15:49:00.003-04:002009-05-26T16:31:38.657-04:00What Are The Roles of Men And Women?<span><p style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span>I would like to know what the roles of men and women are.</span></em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">The roles of men and women are to worship Allah. You can do that as you see fit. There is no law against a woman being the breadwinner, or working. However, in Islam, a woman's money is her own, and she is under no obligation to spend it on the household. It is the man's obligation to spend on all the necessities of his household. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Islam has given women so many rights that were unheard of... a woman can choose whom she marries, has rights to inheritance, her money is her own, and does not belong to her husband, father, or any other male figure, and she is treated as her own person, with her own thoughts, beliefs, and opinions, and this was 1429 years ago!</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">There are Muslim women scholars, Muslim businesswomen and they are very much respected. To help answer your question further, I've posted an email I sent my prof last year when she posted an article that advocated many misconceptions regarding women in Islam... I also wrote an essay about it for my professor:</span></p> <p><em>Good Afternoon,<br /><br />I took a look at the Religion and Human Rights Assignment folder and I have to say that I am a bit offended at the subject "Sharia’ and Women's Rights," and not because I'm Muslim, but simply because the articles are just not true.<br /><br />Sharia’ Law in itself does not violate women's rights. You may be a bit confused as to why I'm saying this, and probably the first thing that happens now is your mind wanders to Saudi Arabia and their treatment of women. I have to say now, that currently, there is no country in today's world that actually applies Sharia’. Some people think that the way supposedly "Muslim" countries govern is in adherence with Islamic Jurisprudence. However, this is not true. Islamic Jurisprudence are laws which are not only set in the Quran, but laws that the Prophet (peace be upon him) enforced. These two criteria must be met for something to be considered as Islamic Jurisprudence. The reason why we also follow the Prophet's example is because if we didn't, corrupt leaders would interpret the Quran as they see fit in order to justify their own agenda. In issues which involve no precedence by the Prophet (example: technology, etc.) The opinion of the majority of scholars is taken as law, and they must show proof of why their opinion is valid.<br /><br />That being said, all of the examples in the articles are falsely attributed to Sharia’. For instance, article one gives the example of a woman who died and left behind her nine-year-old daughter and abusive husband, and how the family feared for the daughter. Of course, abuse is not tolerated in Islam, just like it is not tolerated in any other religion. The ruling of this is available at <a href="http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/13803">this link</a>.<br /><br />The article also mentions the story of a woman who had to give all her money to her husband and "had to beg him for money to buy a cup of coffee." This is absolutely absurd since under Sharia’ it states that a woman's money is her own, and her husband has no right over it. In fact, the husband is obligated to spend on all her needs and she does not have to give him even a penny. Not only that, but he is also obligated to spend on the needs of her children (be them his own or someone else's). So, in reality, a Muslim woman is allowed to work, but does not have to spend this money on anything, as her husband is obligated to provide for all her needs. One may think this is unfair to the man, however, it is completely fair. Men have always been stronger than women in both the physical sense and the social status sense. This law ensures that they do not abuse this strength, and actually teaches them that with strength comes responsibility. You can find proof of this at <a href="http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/2686">this link</a>.<br /><br />The article also claimed that the woman’s husband punished her by not sleeping with her, and also, he marred a “temporary wife” to fulfill his sexual desires. This is not in accordance with Islamic Jurisprudence, in that the woman did not commit wrong to begin with (as proved in the previous paragraph) and that marriage with the intention of divorce is not allowed in Islam. So if you marry someone, you truly marry them and plan to spend the rest of your life with them. Of course, if things don’t work out, divorce is permissible. (<a href="http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/2377">see link</a>)</em></p><p><em>I am not arguing with this article for any reason other than the statements in the article are completely untrue. I do not mind arguing between secularism and the enforcement of Sharia’ law, but it is not fair to take the patriarchal beliefs of uneducated Muslims and blame it on Sharia’ law. That is why I would really appreciate if you could either find articles that are truthful, or at the very least claim that is what some people <span style="font-weight: bold;">conceive</span> to be Sharia’ law.<br /><br />Thank you for your time.<br /></em></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2656126094437251791.post-83995821509997729922009-05-26T14:53:00.008-04:002009-05-26T16:36:13.959-04:00What is the Muslim View of The Afterlife?<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><p style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span>I just thought of one [a question]. What is your view of death and after death? Is there a type of judgement, heaven, hell, etc. concepts and what are they?</span></em></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><br /></span></p> <p> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:36.0pt 36.0pt 36.0pt 36.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Death and the Hereafter:</span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">This topic is very important.</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;"> It was narrated by ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “What do I have to do with this world? My relationship with this world is like that of a traveller on a hot summer’s day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.” (Reported by Ahmad and al-Haakim. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5545)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Messenger of Allah was also reported to have said: “If you but knew what I know, you would laugh little and cry a lot.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Thus was the Messenger’s relationship with this world, and this is how our relationship with it should be as well. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is Al-Qiyama al-Soghra and Al-Qiyama al-Kobra (The Minor and Major Day of Judgement). </span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Al-Qiyama al-Soghra starts with death</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is the good ending and the bad ending and the righteous get a good ending.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When Allah wills good for His slave, He sweetens him.” He was asked, “What is this sweetening?” He said, “Allah guides him to do righteous deeds before he dies, then He takes (his soul) whilst he is in that state.” Narrated by Ahmad, 17330</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Allah gives the believers glad tidings at the time of death:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah (Alone),’ and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!’”</span></em><span style="line-height: 115%;"> [Fussilat 41:30]</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">This is also indicated by the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6507; Muslim, 2683 from the Mother of the Believers ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah, do you mean hating death, for all of us hate death?” He said, “It is not like that; but when the believer is given the glad tidings of the mercy and pleasure of Allah, and His Paradise, he loves to meet Allah, And when the kaafir is given the tidings of the wrath and punishment of Allah, he hates to meet Allah and Allah hates to meet him.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: What this hadeeth means is that the love and hate that are referred to here are those that happen when one enters the stage in which repentance is not accepted, where the dying person is told of his situation and he is shown his destiny.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Signs of a good end:</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">1 – <strong>Uttering the shaahadah (testimony of faith) when dying</strong>, because the Prophet<span> </span>(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “A person whose last words are Laa ilaaha ill-Allah [there is no go but Allah] will enter Paradise.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3116. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">2 – <strong>Dying with sweat on the forehead</strong>, because al-Buraydah ibn al-Husayb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, “The believer dies with sweat on his forehead.” Narrated by Ahmad, 22513; al-Tirmidhi, 980; al-Nasaa’i, 1828.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">3 – <strong>Dying on the night or day of Friday</strong>, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “there is no Muslim who dies on the day of Friday or the night of Friday, but Allah will protect him from the trial (fitnah) of the grave.” Narrated by Ahmad, 6546; al-Tirmidhi, 1074.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">4 – <strong>Dying as a fighter for the sake of Allah</strong>, because Allah says: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounty and rejoice for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. They rejoice in a grace and a bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:169] </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever is killed for the sake of Allah is a martyr, and whoever dies for the sake of Allah is a martyr.” Narrated by Muslim, 1915. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">5 – <strong>Dying of the plague</strong>, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The plague is martyrdom for every Muslim.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2830; Muslim, 1916. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It was narrated that ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the plague, and he told me that it is a punishment that Allah sends upon whomsoever He will, and that Allah has made it a mercy for the believers, for there is no one who stays in his land at the time of a plague, bearing that with patience and seeking Allah’s reward, knowing that nothing will befall him but that which Allah has decreed for him, but he will be given a reward like that of a martyr.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3474. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">6 – <strong>Dying of a stomach disease</strong>. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “… and whoever dies of a stomach disease is a martyr.” Narrated by Muslim, 1915. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">7 – <strong>Dying because of being crushed by a falling wall or by drowning</strong>, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The martyrs are five: the one who dies of plague, the one who dies of a stomach disease, the one who drowns, the one who is crushed by a falling wall, and the one who is martyred for the sake of Allah.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2829; Muslim, 1915. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">8 – <strong>If a woman dies as a result of childbirth, or when she is pregnant</strong>. The evidence for that includes the hadeeth narrated by Abu Dawood (3111), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “A woman who dies with child is a martyr.” al-Khattaabi said: What this means is if she dies with a child in her womb. ‘Awn al-Ma’bood.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>And Imam Ahmad narrated (17341) that ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told us about the martyrs and mentioned among them, “A woman who is killed by the child in her womb attains martyrdom, and her child will drag her by his umbilical cord to Paradise.” <span><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">9 – <strong>Death caused by burning, pleurisy (a disease) and tuberculosis</strong>. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Being killed for the sake of Allah is martyrdom; the plague is martyrdom; drowning is martyrdom; dying of a stomach disease is martyrdom; and the woman who dies in childbirth, her child will drag her by his umbilical cord to Paradise.” (Abu’l-Awaam, the custodian of Bayt al-Maqdis added: and burning and tuberculosis). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">10 – <strong>Dying to defend one’s religion, one’s wealth or one’s life</strong>, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever is killed defending his wealth is a martyr; whoever is killed defending his religion is a martyr; whoever is killed in self-defence is a martyr.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1421. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Al-Bukhaari (2480) and Muslim (141) narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Whoever is killed defending his wealth is a martyr.” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">11 – <strong>Dying guarding the borders of Islam for the sake of Allah</strong>. Muslim (1913) narrated that Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Guarding the borders of Islam for one day and one night is better than fasting and praying at night for a whole month, and if he dies (whist performing this duty), he will go on receiving the reward for this great deed and his provision (continually), and he will be spared the questioning in the grave. ” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">12 – One of the signs of a good end is <strong>dying whilst doing a righteous deed</strong>, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Whoever says La ilaha ill-Allah, seeking the Countenance of Allah thereby, and that is the last of his deeds, will enter Paradise. Whoever gives charity and that is the last of his deeds will enter Paradise.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad, 22813. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">These are the good signs which point to a good end, but despite that we cannot be certain that a specific person is one of the people of Paradise unless the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) testified that he will go to Paradise, such as the four khalefahs (the four rightly guided caliphs).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Life in the grave</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">With regard to the questioning in the grave and the state of the deceased, this questioning is real. The deceased person’s soul will be restored to him; saheeh reports to that effect have been narrated from the Messenger<span> </span>(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The life of the deceased in the grave is different from his life in this world; it is a special kind of life in al-barzakh (the interval between his death and the Day of Resurrection) which is not like his life in this world, where he needs food and drink etc. It is a special kind of life wherein he can understand the questions and answers, so the two angels will ask him, Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The believer will say, My Lord is Allah, Islam is my religion and Muhammad is my Prophet. This will be the answer of believing men and women. Then he will be asked, What do you know about this man (Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him))? He will say, He is the Messenger of Allah. He brought us guidance and we believed in him and followed him. It will be said: we knew that you were a believer. Then a gate to Paradise will be opened for him, and he will feel its rest and provision and blessings. It will be said, This is your place until Allah resurrects you to it. And he will be shown his place in Hell, and it will be said to him, This would have been your place if you had disbelieved in Allah, but now Allah has granted you refuge from it and you have ended up in Paradise.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">As for the kafir (disbeliever), he will be asked about his Lord and his religion and his Prophet, and he will say, Oh, oh, I don’t know, I heard the people saying something so I said the same. Then he will be beaten with an iron rod and will utter a scream that will be heard by all things apart from al-thaqalayn, i.e. jinn and men; the animals will hear it. Then a gate to Hell<span> </span>will be opened for him, and his grave will constrict until his ribs intermingle, and his grave will be like one of the pits of Hell. A gate to Hell will be opened for him and he will feel its heat and torment. It will be said, This is your place until Allah resurrects you to it. Then a door to Paradise will be opened for him and he will be shown his place in Paradise, and it will be said to him, This would have been your place if Allah had guided you. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">From this we know that the grave will be either one of the gardens of Paradise or one of the pits of Hell. The torment or blessing will happen to the body as well as the soul in the grave, and also in the Hereafter, in either Paradise or Hell.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Signs of the Day of Judgement</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are minor signs and major signs</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The signs and portents of the Day of Resurrection are the things that will happen before the Resurrection takes place and will indicate that it is close at hand. They have been divided into lesser and greater signs. The lesser signs, for the most part, will occur a long time before the Resurrection begins. Some of them have happened and ended – although they may be repeated – and some of them have appeared and are ongoing, and some have not yet happened, but they will happen as the truthful one (the Prophet)<span> </span>(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has told us. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The major signs are serious matters, the appearance of which will indicate that the Day of Resurrection is at hand and that there is only a short time until that great Day comes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Minor Signs of the Day of Judgement</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The lesser signs of the Hour are many, and are mentioned in many saheeh ahadith. We will list them together without quoting the ahadith, because there is not enough room to do so here. We will provide references to trustworthy books on the topic for those who wish to know more about this matter and the evidence for these signs. These include al-Qiyamah al-Sughra by Shaykh ‘Umar Sulaymaan al-Ashqar [this book is available in English translation under the title The Minor Resurrection, published by International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia] and Ashraat al-Saa’ah by Shaykh Yoosuf al-Waabil. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The lesser signs of the Hour include the following: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.<span> </span>The sending of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">2.<span> </span>The death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.<span> </span>The conquest of Jerusalem.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">4.<span> </span>The plague of Amwaas (Emmaus), which is a city in Palestine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">5.<span> </span>Widespread wealth and lack of need for charity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">6.<span> </span>The appearance of fitan (tribulations). Among the tribulations that occurred in the early years of Islam were: the killing of ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), the battle of the camel and the battle of Siffeen, the emergence of the Khawarij, the battle of al-Harrah, and the opinion that the Qur’an is a creation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">7.<span> </span>The emergence of claimants to Prophethood, such as the liar Musaylimah and al-Aswad al-‘Anasi.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">8.<span> </span>The appearance of fire in the Hijaz, which appeared in the middle of the 7th century AH, in 654 AH. This was a great fire, which the scholars who were alive at the time of its appearance and those who came after them described in great detail. Al-Nawawi said: There appeared in our time a fire in Madeenah, in the year six hundred and fifty-four. It was a very great fire on the eastern side of Madeenah, beyond the Harrah, and knowledge of it was widespread throughout Syria and all lands. Those of the people of Madeenah who were present told me about it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">9.<span> </span>Loss of trust. One of the manifestations of loss of trust is people’s affairs being entrusted to those who are not qualified or able for that.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">10. The taking away of knowledge and the prevalence of ignorance; the taking away of knowledge will occur with the disappearance of the scholars.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">11. The spread of zina (adultery, fornication)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">12. The spread of riba (usury, interest)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">13. The prevalence of musical instruments.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">14. Widespread drinking of alcohol.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">15. Shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">16. A slave woman giving birth to her mistress, as is stated in al-Saheehayn. There are several views among the scholars as to what this means. The view favoured by Ibn Hajar is that there will be widespread disobedience among children, so that a child will treat his mother as a master treats his slave woman, with negligence and insults.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">17. Widespread killing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">18. Widespread earthquakes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">19. Appearance of landslides, transformations and stones from heaven.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">20. Appearance of women who are clothed yet naked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">21. Believer’s dreams coming true.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">22. Widespread giving of false testimony and concealment of true testimony.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">23. Large numbers of women.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">24. The land of the Arabs becoming once again meadows and rivers.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">25. The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">26. Wild animals and inanimate objects will speak to people.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">27. The “Romans” will increase in number and fight the Muslims.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">28. The conquest of Constantinople.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Major Signs of the Day of Judgement</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Muslim narrated that Hudhayfah ibn Aseed al-Ghifaari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet<span> </span>(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came out to us when we were discussing. He said: “What are you discussing?” They said: “We are talking about the Hour.” He said: “It will never begin until you see ten signs before it.” He mentioned the smoke, the Dajjal (the anti-Christ), the Beast, the rising of the sun from its place of setting, the descent of ‘Eesa ibn Maryam<span> </span>(Jesus, son of Mary, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (the Biblical Gog and Magog), and three landslides, one in the east, one in the west and one in the Arabian Peninsula, and the last of that is a fire which will emerge from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is no saheeh text which states the order in which these signs will occur, rather the order of some of them is to be understood from the context of the texts.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">However, the order of some of the major portents is known, and in the case of others the order is not known. Among those whose order is known are the descent of ‘Eesa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), the emergence of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (the biblical Gog and Magog), and the Dajjal (anti-Christ), for the Dajjal </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">(anti-Christ)</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> will be sent, then ‘Eesa ibn Maryam </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">(Jesus, son of Mary), </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">will come down and kill him, then Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">(the biblical Gog and Magog), </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">will emerge.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Paradise and Hell</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The believers will go to paradise and the disbelievers to hell. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">However, some people are exempt from being brought to judgement:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The mentally ill and the child</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The pen is lifted from three (i.e., their deeds are not recorded): the sleeper until he awakes, the child until he grows up, and the insane until he regains his sanity or regains consciousness.” This was narrated by the authors of<span> </span>Sunan and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwa’, no. 297.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Others will be tested on the Day of Judgement to determine their fate:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The prophet (PBUH) said: “Four types of people will be tested on the day of judgement: a deaf man who cannot hear anything, a mad man, an old aged man and a man who died during fatrah (a period of time when no messenger was sent to people). The deaf man will say: “Oh Allah, Islam came while I cannot hear anything!”. The mad man will say: “Oh Allah, Islam came while the boys throw animals’ excrement on me!”. The old aged man will say: “Oh Allah, Islam came while I can understand nothing”. And the man who died during a fatrah (a time between prophets; they did not hear the message) will say: “Oh Allah, I witnessed no messenger from You”. Then Allah takes a promise from them to obey Him. Then He will command them to enter hell, and who enters it will find it peace and cool, and who disobeys will be dragged to hell”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Paradise</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">With regard to Paradise, it is the abode of reward on the Day of Resurrection for those who believed and did righteous deeds. In it there are whatever delights people could desire. In it there is what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever entered the mind of man. Those who enter it will enjoy real pleasures in both a physical and a spiritual sense, and they will live there forever. It will never cease to exist and they will never leave, and their joy will never come to an end, and they will have nothing to disturb their joy. This is according to the definitive texts and the consensus of the scholars and believers. Allah says: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqun (the pious) have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end (final destination) of the Muttaqun (the pious), and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire. [al-Ra’d 13:35] </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Truly, the Muttaqun (the pious) will be amidst Gardens and water-springs (Paradise). (It will be said to them): ‘Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security.’ And We shall remove from their breasts any deep feeling of bitterness (that they may have). (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones. No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it” [al-Hijr 15:45-47] </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“This is a Reminder. And verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious) is a good final return (Paradise), —‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), whose doors will be opened for them. Therein they will recline; therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks; And beside them will be Qasiraat-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], (and) of equal ages. This it is what you (Al-Muttaqun — the pious) are promised for the Day of Reckoning! (It will be said to them)! Verily, this is Our provision which will never finish” [Saad 38:49-54] </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqun (the pious). (It will be said to the true believers of Islamic Monotheism): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve, (You) who believed in Our Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allah’s Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism). Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that inner-selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever. This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world). Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire)” [al-Zukhruf 43:67-73]</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">Hell</span></strong><span style="line-height: 115%;">: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Truly, Hell is a place of ambush — A dwelling place for the Taaghoon (those who transgress the boundary limits set by Allah, like polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, hypocrites, sinners, criminals), They will abide therein for ages. Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink. Except boiling water, and dirty wound discharges — An exact recompense (according to their evil crimes). For verily, they used not to look for a reckoning. But they belied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, and that which Our Prophet brought) completely. And all things We have recorded in a Book. So taste you (the results of your evil actions). No increase shall We give you, except in torment” [al-Naba’ 78:21-30]</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment” [al-Nisa’ 4:56]</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“This, because you took the Revelations of Allah (this Qur’aan) in mockery, and the life of the world deceived you. So this Day, they shall not be taken out from there (Hell), nor shall they be returned to the worldly life (so that they repent to Allah, and beg His Pardon for their sins)” [al-Jaathiyah 45:35]</span></p></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4