Stumbled upon this blog abuumair1.wordpress.com while bloghopping.. Masya Allah, the articles in his blog are good!
Maksud Salafi dan Wajibkah jadi Salafi?
Soalan:
saya ingin bertanya,
1) apa itu salafi?
2) wajibkah kita jadi salafi?
3) wajibkah saya masuk grup salafi di tempat saya belajar(universiti)?
Jawapan:
بسم الله
والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وصحبه ومن والاه أما بعد
1) Salafi ialah nisbah kepada perkataan ‘Salaf’ yang bermaksud: mereka yang terdahulu. Dari sudut istilah, salaf ialah mereka yang disebut dalam beberapa nusus syarak, iaitu:
وَالسَّابِقُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَداً ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Maksudnya: Orang-orang yang terdahulu lagi yang pertama-tama (masuk Islam) dari golongan muhajirin dan ansar dan orang-orang yang mengikuti mereka dengan baik, Allah redha kepada mereka dan mereka pun redha kepada Allah dan Allah menyediakan bagi mereka syurga-syurga yang mengalir sungai-sungai di dalamnya selama-lamanya. Mereka kekal di dalamnya. Itulah kemenangan yang besar. (Al-Taubah: 100)
Dalam hadis Imran, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam bersabda:
خيركم قرني ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهم
Maksudnya: Sebaik-baik kamu ialah mereka yang pada kurunku, kemudian mereka yang pada kurun selepas mereka, kemudian mereka yang selepas kurun mereka. (Direkod oleh Bukhari no: 2508, dan Muslim no: 2535).
2) Banyak nusus syarak dan kata-kata salaf yang menyuruh supaya berpegang kepada sunnah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam dan para salaf. Antaranya;
Dalam hadis ‘Irbadh, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam bersabda:
فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِى وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ الرَّاشِدِينَ تَمَسَّكُوا بِهَا وَعَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ
Maksudnya: Maka hendaklah kamu berpegang kepada sunnahku, dan sunnah khulafa rasyidin yang mendapat petunjuk. Berpeganglah kepadanya, dan gigitlah ia dengan geraham-geraham kamu. Direkod oleh Abu Daud (no: 4609), Tirmizi (no: 2676), Ibn Majah (no: 42). Kata Tirmizi: “hadis sahih”.
Ibn Mas’ud r.a. berkata, “Sesiapa yang mahu mengikut sunnah, maka hendaklah mengikut sunnah mereka yang telah wafat, kerana orang yang hidup tidak terselamat daripada fitnah. Mereka itu ialah sahabat-sahabat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, manusia yang paling baik hati, yang paling banyak ilmu, dan paling sedikit takalluf”.
Huzaifah bin Al-Yaman berkata, “Setiap ibadah yang tidak pernah dilakukan oleh sahabat-sahabat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, maka janganlah kamu beribadah dengannya. Kerana generasi awal tidak meninggalkan suatu pun untuk generasi kemudian. Maka bertaqwalah kepada Allah, wahai para qurra. Ambillah jalan orang-orang sebelum kamu”.
3) Yang wajib ialah kita bermanhaj dengan manhaj para salaf. Mengikuti sunnah mereka dalam aqidah, ibadah dan akhlak. Tidak semestinya kita perlu menyertai mana-mana kumpulan atau organisasi yang dikatakan salafi. Tetapi, dekatilah para ilmuan dan sahabat-sahabat yang bermanhaj salafi supaya kita dapat belajar dari mereka.
Dalam masa yang sama, jangan menganggap kita sebagai salafi dan orang lain tidak salafi. Kerana, kita tidak layak menisbahkan kita sebagai salafi. Kita hanya mengikuti manhaj salafi.
Wallahu A’lam.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
'Aqeedah Salaf & Khalaf
I would like to suggest for those who are caught in debates and arguments about 'Asma' wa sifat', wali and karamah, tawassul and ziarah kubur to read this book "Akidah Salaf & Khalaf" by Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi.
The factors stated above are things that can never be seperated from 'Aqeedah and it has to be understood in a true manner. This is because a wrong form of understanding will result in a distorted life, away from the truth. Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi has managed to explain the arguments regarding the problems above in light of opinions of great scholars from both sides; salaf and khalaf, in a fair and moderate manner refraining from critisizing and labelling and using an open-minded approach weighing the pros and cons and similarities between both sides with the help of opinions from past great scholars from both sides on the issue.
This is an excerpt from the book of some interesting facts from two Imams from Madzhab Asy'ariyah and thier advice for the masses regarding the way to understand Aqeedah (Islamic Belief):
Imam Haramain Kembali kepada Madzhab Salaf
Salah seorang yang mengumumkan untuk kembali kepada manhaj salaf dengan jelas dan berani - yang sedikit sekali dilakukan kecuali oleh orang-orang ikhlas - adalah Imam Al-Haramain Abul Ma'ali Abdul Malik Al-Juwaini (w. 476). Dia adalah pilar paling kuat madzhab Asy'ariyah, pemberi komentarnya, pendukung filsafatnya, serta membelanya dengan tulisan dan ucapan dalam setiap perdebatan dan polemik. Dalam madzhab itulah dia lahir, tumbuh, berkembang dan terdidik.
Demikianlah, kehidupan Imam Al-Haramain Abul Ma'ali. Sehingga tidak aneh jika sebagian peneliti ada yang menganggapnya sebagai pendiri Madzhab Asy'ariyah. Dalam riset yang tidak diterbitkan, Syaikh Ali Jabir menulis disertasi pada Fakultas Ushuluddin dengan judul "Imam Al Haramain Bani Al-Asy'ariyyah Al-Haditsah" (Imam Al-Haramain Peletak Madzhab Asy'ari Moden)
Namun, Allah menunjukkannya kepada kebenaran. Pada akhir hayatnya, kita melihat dia mengubah arah hidup dan manhajnya. Dia berpaling dari jalan takwil-takwil kaum khalaf menuju jalan kaum salaf yang meninggalkan takwil. Dia tidak menolak untuk mengumumkan hal itu dengan sangat jelas. Inilah yang dia tulis dalam "Ar-Risalah An-Nizhamiyyah fi Al-Arkan Al-Islamiyyah" ['Akidah Salaf & Khalaf' : 176-177]
Sikap Imam Al-Haramain terhadap orang Awam
Dalam "Al-Ghayatsi" dia (Imam Al-Haramain) telah menyebutkan tentang hal-hal yang wajib dilakukan oleh ulama tentang akidah orang awam. Dengan sebuah penegasan bahawa hal yang sangat diinginkan olehnya adalah menyatukan manusia kepada madzhab kaum salaf, yaitu sebelum hawa nafsu tersebar dan pemikiran melenceng. Kaum salaf melarang manusia untuk mencari hal-hal yang samar, mendalami hal-hal yang rumit, memperhatikan misteri, menitikberatkan kepada hal-hal syubhat, dan memaksa mencari jawaban terhadap pertanyaan yang tidak pernah terjadi. Meraka menyuruh agar perhatian dipalingkan kepada kebaikan dan takwa, meninggalkan hal yang merugikan dan taat sesuai dengan kemampuan. Mereka meninggalkan hal yang dilakukan oleh orang-orang sekarang, baik dalam bentuk kelemahan, kegelisahan, dan kebingungan.
Mereka adalah orang-orang yang berotak cerdas dan memiliki argumentasi yang sangat valid. Namun, mereka hati-hati untuk menerobos hal-hal syubhat - penyeru penyimpangan dan penyebab kesesatan -. Mereka hati-hati terhadap hak umat Islam yang sekarang sedang diuji dan ditolak. Jika orang-orang awam bisa dipalingkan kepada hal itu, ia adalah lebih baik" (Lihat "Al-Ghayatsi", "poin 280, tahqiq: Dr Abdul Azhim Ad-Dib)
Saya(Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi) pikir, wasiat Imam al-Haramain ini ada sebelum dia mengumumkan untuk kembali kepada madzhab salaf dalam "Al-'Aqidah An-Nizhamiyyah"
Sangat indah sekali hal yang diwasiatkan oleh imam ini.
Kebaikan adalah mengikuti kaum salaf
Kejelekan adalah menyalahi kaum khalaf
Sikap Imam Al-Ghazali
Mirip dengan sikap di atas adalah sikap muridnya Imam Al-Haramain, yaitu Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali yang ditulis dalam karyanya yang berjudul "Iljam Al-'Awwam 'an 'Ilm Al-Kalam".
Dalam karya tersebut dia menulis, "Ketahuilah, bahawa kebenaran yang jelas dan tidak diragukan lagi bagi orang-orang yang berakal adalah madhab salaf, yaitu madzhab para sahabat dan tabi'in. Di sini, saya ingin memberikan bukti dan menegaskan bahawa hakekat madzhab salaf - yang menurut kita paling benar - adalah bahawa setiap hadits yang sampai kepada mereka dan ada hubungannya dengan orang-orang awam harus disikapi dengan beberapa cara; menyucikan (taqdis), membenarkan (tashdiq), mengakui kelemahan (i'tiraf bi al-'ajz), diam (sukut), menahan (imsak), cukup (kaff), dan menyerahkan kepada orang berilmu (taslim li ahl al-ma'rifah).
The factors stated above are things that can never be seperated from 'Aqeedah and it has to be understood in a true manner. This is because a wrong form of understanding will result in a distorted life, away from the truth. Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi has managed to explain the arguments regarding the problems above in light of opinions of great scholars from both sides; salaf and khalaf, in a fair and moderate manner refraining from critisizing and labelling and using an open-minded approach weighing the pros and cons and similarities between both sides with the help of opinions from past great scholars from both sides on the issue.
This is an excerpt from the book of some interesting facts from two Imams from Madzhab Asy'ariyah and thier advice for the masses regarding the way to understand Aqeedah (Islamic Belief):
Imam Haramain Kembali kepada Madzhab Salaf
Salah seorang yang mengumumkan untuk kembali kepada manhaj salaf dengan jelas dan berani - yang sedikit sekali dilakukan kecuali oleh orang-orang ikhlas - adalah Imam Al-Haramain Abul Ma'ali Abdul Malik Al-Juwaini (w. 476). Dia adalah pilar paling kuat madzhab Asy'ariyah, pemberi komentarnya, pendukung filsafatnya, serta membelanya dengan tulisan dan ucapan dalam setiap perdebatan dan polemik. Dalam madzhab itulah dia lahir, tumbuh, berkembang dan terdidik.
Demikianlah, kehidupan Imam Al-Haramain Abul Ma'ali. Sehingga tidak aneh jika sebagian peneliti ada yang menganggapnya sebagai pendiri Madzhab Asy'ariyah. Dalam riset yang tidak diterbitkan, Syaikh Ali Jabir menulis disertasi pada Fakultas Ushuluddin dengan judul "Imam Al Haramain Bani Al-Asy'ariyyah Al-Haditsah" (Imam Al-Haramain Peletak Madzhab Asy'ari Moden)
Namun, Allah menunjukkannya kepada kebenaran. Pada akhir hayatnya, kita melihat dia mengubah arah hidup dan manhajnya. Dia berpaling dari jalan takwil-takwil kaum khalaf menuju jalan kaum salaf yang meninggalkan takwil. Dia tidak menolak untuk mengumumkan hal itu dengan sangat jelas. Inilah yang dia tulis dalam "Ar-Risalah An-Nizhamiyyah fi Al-Arkan Al-Islamiyyah" ['Akidah Salaf & Khalaf' : 176-177]
Sikap Imam Al-Haramain terhadap orang Awam
Dalam "Al-Ghayatsi" dia (Imam Al-Haramain) telah menyebutkan tentang hal-hal yang wajib dilakukan oleh ulama tentang akidah orang awam. Dengan sebuah penegasan bahawa hal yang sangat diinginkan olehnya adalah menyatukan manusia kepada madzhab kaum salaf, yaitu sebelum hawa nafsu tersebar dan pemikiran melenceng. Kaum salaf melarang manusia untuk mencari hal-hal yang samar, mendalami hal-hal yang rumit, memperhatikan misteri, menitikberatkan kepada hal-hal syubhat, dan memaksa mencari jawaban terhadap pertanyaan yang tidak pernah terjadi. Meraka menyuruh agar perhatian dipalingkan kepada kebaikan dan takwa, meninggalkan hal yang merugikan dan taat sesuai dengan kemampuan. Mereka meninggalkan hal yang dilakukan oleh orang-orang sekarang, baik dalam bentuk kelemahan, kegelisahan, dan kebingungan.
Mereka adalah orang-orang yang berotak cerdas dan memiliki argumentasi yang sangat valid. Namun, mereka hati-hati untuk menerobos hal-hal syubhat - penyeru penyimpangan dan penyebab kesesatan -. Mereka hati-hati terhadap hak umat Islam yang sekarang sedang diuji dan ditolak. Jika orang-orang awam bisa dipalingkan kepada hal itu, ia adalah lebih baik" (Lihat "Al-Ghayatsi", "poin 280, tahqiq: Dr Abdul Azhim Ad-Dib)
Saya(Dr Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi) pikir, wasiat Imam al-Haramain ini ada sebelum dia mengumumkan untuk kembali kepada madzhab salaf dalam "Al-'Aqidah An-Nizhamiyyah"
Sangat indah sekali hal yang diwasiatkan oleh imam ini.
Kebaikan adalah mengikuti kaum salaf
Kejelekan adalah menyalahi kaum khalaf
Sikap Imam Al-Ghazali
Mirip dengan sikap di atas adalah sikap muridnya Imam Al-Haramain, yaitu Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali yang ditulis dalam karyanya yang berjudul "Iljam Al-'Awwam 'an 'Ilm Al-Kalam".
Dalam karya tersebut dia menulis, "Ketahuilah, bahawa kebenaran yang jelas dan tidak diragukan lagi bagi orang-orang yang berakal adalah madhab salaf, yaitu madzhab para sahabat dan tabi'in. Di sini, saya ingin memberikan bukti dan menegaskan bahawa hakekat madzhab salaf - yang menurut kita paling benar - adalah bahawa setiap hadits yang sampai kepada mereka dan ada hubungannya dengan orang-orang awam harus disikapi dengan beberapa cara; menyucikan (taqdis), membenarkan (tashdiq), mengakui kelemahan (i'tiraf bi al-'ajz), diam (sukut), menahan (imsak), cukup (kaff), dan menyerahkan kepada orang berilmu (taslim li ahl al-ma'rifah).
- Menyucikan adalah menyucikan Allah dari jasad dan sejenisnya.
- Membenarkan adalah mengimani sabda Nabi, bahawa segala yang disabdakan oleh beliau adalah benar, sama ada dengan sabda yang diucapkan oleh orang yang jujur. Sabda itu adalah benar sesuai dengan yang disabdakan dan diiginkan oleh beliau.
- Mengakui kelemahan adalah mengakui bahawa mengetahui maknanya harus sesuai dengan kemampuan. Dan, mengetahui maknanya tidak menjadi tugasnya.
- Diam adalah tidak bertanya atau mencari-cari tentang maknanya. Kaum salaf mengetahui bahawa bertanya tentang hal itu adalah bid'ah dan mencari-cari maknanya akan membahayakan agamanya. Kaum salaf takut, jika mencari-cari maknanya, mereka akan menjadi kafir.
- Menahan adalah bahawa kaum salaf tidak menyikapi lafazh-lafazh tersebut dengan di-tashrif atau diubah dengan bahasa yang lain, baik ditambah, dikurangi, disatukan dan dipisahkan. Bahkan, lafazh-lafazh tersebut tidak boleh diucapkan kecuali dengan lafazh-lafazh tersebut, baik dalam penuturan, i'rab, tashrif, dan bentuk.
- Cukup adalah menahan hati untuk mencari-cari dan berpikir tentangnya.
- Menyerahkan kepada orang berilmu adalah, bahawa kaum salaf tidak meyakini bahawa jika mereka tidak bisa mengetahui hal itu kerana ketidakmampuannya ini berarti juga bahawa hal tersebut tidak bisa diketahui oleh Rasulullah, para nabi, shiddiqin dan wali.
Monday, February 09, 2009
The wake up call.
Alhamdulillah exams are over. It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve decided to answer this 5 question thingy that I saw while bloghopping, just for introspection. I’ve altered the format for some of the questions though. Here goes;
1. When did you start being ‘more Islamic’? Why did you decide to follow that path?
It started one fine day back in my tertiary days when a French non-Muslim asked me about Islam. He was asking about something which he read in the Qur’an. But I couldn’t answer him. And he asked bewildered,” How can you be a Muslim and don’t know what you’re practicing?” It was a wakeup call. Here was a non-Muslim researching the Qur’an and here I am; a born Muslim happily being ignorant.
From there on I reflected about my relaxed attitude towards Islam. And I felt lost. I felt that I didn’t understand Islam at all! I did pray but didn’t understand the Arabic verses that I was reciting. I felt that it was just an obligation that I’ve to do as a Muslim. I recited the Qur'an but didn't learn the meanings to it. It came to a point when I asked myself, what am I praying for if I don’t even feel or understand anything? What’s my purpose in practicing Islam?
So I asked Allah for guidance and started researching through books and enrolled myself in a basic Islamic Studies course at Pergas for the weekends. I chose that course after researching about them and felt that their modules are good and they have a good system. For the first time in my life, I made my own decision to learn about Islam by myself and not because I’m doing it to abide by my parents wishes so that they would stop nagging.
Before that, my parents had done their best really, to inculcate Islamic values in their children, in their own capacity of understanding Islam and way of bringing us up. They have sent me to learn to recite the Qur’an and a weekend madrasah when I was younger and would always remind me not to forget the obligatory prayers and recite the surah Yaasin on Thursday nights (which is not Sunnah btw) and also brought me to the Mosque on certain special occasions but those efforts unfortunately were not enough for me to understand the basic and most important aspect for a Muslim and that is the Islamic belief (Aqeedah). I don’t blame them for that, for they have tried their best and I’m always grateful for I could never ever repay them for bringing me up.
So yea, thankfully with Allah’s guidance through that one simple question from the non-Muslim, it jolted me from sleep and started this journey for me.
2. How have you grown since that first step?
Alhamdulillah, since then and with continuous effort and prayers, I’ve been able to understand more especially the all important Aqeedah. Actually, while I was in Pergas, I still felt confused. I was learning the similar things that I’ve learnt before when I was younger, only that this time, I paid more attention to the lessons in class looking for answers. It finally came one fine day when I read an article from Saifulislam.com about the importance of Aqeedah. And it made me turn my attention to focus more on it among the many subjects of my Pergas lessons and to research more on it on the web and in books.
Soon after, I attended a seminar which hosted speakers like Dr Juanda Jaya, Dr Mohamad Asri Zainal Abidin and Dr Azwira Abdul Aziz. I was really inclined to their speeches and the way they explain about Islam in a simple, wholesome and engaging manner and they too referred to the importance of Aqeedah. From there on, I followed Dr Asri’s lectures through videos and mp3s as they were more readily available back then, compared to the other two and found one on Aqeedah and I was home. Everything fell into place. Alhamdulillah.
What type of Aqeedah am I referring to? It is the Islamic belief (Aqeedah) the way the early generation Muslims understood about it. And they are the Prophet’s companions, and of those who followed after who strive to uphold this form of understanding. I believe that they are the best among all Muslims to follow in Islamic belief and understanding as they had lived and learnt under the guidance of Prophet Muhammad himself.
3. What are the Islamic practices that you’re more inclined to?
To put it simply, I’m inclined to whatever practice that upholds the Qur’an and the Sunnah. If you ask any Islamic sects, this is what they will all claim to follow though they differ in some or many of their practices.
So for me, I've settled on learning Islam through any medium that places the guidance of Qur'an and Sunnah top priority, in thier speeches or thier articles and thier actions in addition to that with the way the Companions of Prophet Muhammad practiced and understood them and those after who strives to maintain this.
Disappointingly, I once encountered a Sufi religious leader who advised me to stay away from people who are too inclined to the Sunnah. He called them Sunnah fanatics. He claimed that those who are too Sunnah in their practices nowadays are Wahhabi, implying that they have strayed from the right path. To that, I pose this question, "Wouldn't it be great that we are all Sunnah fanatics as that is what Allah would have liked for us to do? To lead a life similar to the way He has guided us through the actions of His messenger who's the best example for Muslims and all mankind, our dear Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wassallaam)?
I’ve realized that there are many practices in our Muslim society which do not comply to the Sunnah. And this is due to many factors. Among them are;
I also agree to the importance of making it easy to understand the root of Islam which is the Aqeedah, restricting it to simple understanding the way the Companions understood it and for other areas in Islam such as Fiqh and so on to be more open, of course within the restrictions that the Qur’an and Sunnah allows.
More open here meaning not restrict oneself to just one scholars’ opinion but to acknowledge other scholars' opinions as well. All the past scholars advised to always uphold the Sunnah and not their own opinions. Therefore, the opinion with the strongest backing of proof from the Qur'an and Sunnah should always be the foremost irregardless of which scholar it came from.
4. Has your view towards marriage and finding the right person changed?
My friends thought that it is a weird and crazy idea, when I told them that I’ve decided not to indulge in intimate boy-girl relationships before marriage. Now I try to view everything in my life within the guidelines and boundaries that Islam has set. Insya Allah when the right person comes, i'll 'merisik' or ask her to perform istikharah if she agrees before proceeding towards marraige.
Hm, do these kind of people still exist? Apparently there still exists such people. Alhamdulillah.
5. What would be your advice to someone who’s really new to knowing and getting close to Allah?
My advice would be first and foremost, to read the Qur’an. Read the translation of it, even if you haven’t learnt how to recite it yet. This is because in it is a true guidance and in it lies the pillars of Islamic belief. That’s probably why we see reverts (converts) who are stronger in their faith, because they have made the effort to read the whole content of the Qur’an to understand it well before delving into Islam, while many among Muslims who are born into it, have not done so. That's also probably why we see so many born Muslims who don't behave like a Muslim or even worse than a non-Muslim.
Next is to keep an open mind and heart. This is important in the search for the truth. Always ask before judging. Whenever confused or unsure, ask a trusted scholar and always keep options open and ask not only one but different scholars for their opinions. And ensure that the opinions always have links to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Next is to practice patience and perseverance. My journey will never be complete and I still have much to learn even after years since the start of the change. I’m still learning everyday, hoping improve and be a better Muslim. Then the reality is that you'll face many challenges from your daily situations and people around you. Always remind yourself that you're doing all these for the sake of Allah only and not for others.
It’s also important to remain humble. Remember that the worst form of arrogance is when you think that you’re more pious than others. I remember a quote which says to always assume that others are superior to oneself in someway. That way, you’ll be able to learn from anyone. Each and every human has their own specialties. And even if we're good at something, there's always someone better than us.
Then to continuously ask for Allah’s help and guidance for only towards Him do we turn to and only He can help us and guide us. He is the Lord of all affairs. He transcends all.
And lastly we should realize that our true goal in life is the hereafter. We will all taste death. This world is temporary and once we die, all our deeds, good or bad in this world would be accounted for and that is the only thing that will decide if we’d live eternally blissfully in Heaven or in condemnation in Hell (we seek protection from Allah from this). But that is not to say that the life in this world is not important.
The only way that we can be truly successful is when we are able to achieve things in this world, performing our responsibilities well as a humble servant of Allah, father, husband, son, brother, friend, part of society and also being proficient in whatever that we like in any profession be it in teaching, engineering, sports, business and so on and on top of all these responsibilities and tasks, living each and every day according to how Allah wants us to.
Which is according to the Qur’an and Sunnah (teachings and actions of our Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him), following their guidelines performing good deeds that have been recommended and refraining from things that we have been warned about through their teachings.
That is the true goal in life and one that will hopefully help us achieve true victory i.e. Jannah(Heaven). Eventually, if Allah wills, to be granted access to eternal bliss and that is eternal life in Heaven, after death in this temporary world.
All the best in your journey and May Allah guide you and protect you.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Aite, thats it for now. Hm, just a disclaimer, the things that I've said are strictly my views from what I've learnt and I definitely may have erred or be insufficient in certain areas. Please do advise if i'm wrong. Anything that's good from it comes from Allah and anything that's bad is from me.
SubhanaKa Allahumma wa bihamdiKa ash-hadu an laa iLaaha illa antA astaghfiruKa, wa atuubu ilaik.
And Allah knows best.
1. When did you start being ‘more Islamic’? Why did you decide to follow that path?
It started one fine day back in my tertiary days when a French non-Muslim asked me about Islam. He was asking about something which he read in the Qur’an. But I couldn’t answer him. And he asked bewildered,” How can you be a Muslim and don’t know what you’re practicing?” It was a wakeup call. Here was a non-Muslim researching the Qur’an and here I am; a born Muslim happily being ignorant.
From there on I reflected about my relaxed attitude towards Islam. And I felt lost. I felt that I didn’t understand Islam at all! I did pray but didn’t understand the Arabic verses that I was reciting. I felt that it was just an obligation that I’ve to do as a Muslim. I recited the Qur'an but didn't learn the meanings to it. It came to a point when I asked myself, what am I praying for if I don’t even feel or understand anything? What’s my purpose in practicing Islam?
So I asked Allah for guidance and started researching through books and enrolled myself in a basic Islamic Studies course at Pergas for the weekends. I chose that course after researching about them and felt that their modules are good and they have a good system. For the first time in my life, I made my own decision to learn about Islam by myself and not because I’m doing it to abide by my parents wishes so that they would stop nagging.
Before that, my parents had done their best really, to inculcate Islamic values in their children, in their own capacity of understanding Islam and way of bringing us up. They have sent me to learn to recite the Qur’an and a weekend madrasah when I was younger and would always remind me not to forget the obligatory prayers and recite the surah Yaasin on Thursday nights (which is not Sunnah btw) and also brought me to the Mosque on certain special occasions but those efforts unfortunately were not enough for me to understand the basic and most important aspect for a Muslim and that is the Islamic belief (Aqeedah). I don’t blame them for that, for they have tried their best and I’m always grateful for I could never ever repay them for bringing me up.
So yea, thankfully with Allah’s guidance through that one simple question from the non-Muslim, it jolted me from sleep and started this journey for me.
2. How have you grown since that first step?
Alhamdulillah, since then and with continuous effort and prayers, I’ve been able to understand more especially the all important Aqeedah. Actually, while I was in Pergas, I still felt confused. I was learning the similar things that I’ve learnt before when I was younger, only that this time, I paid more attention to the lessons in class looking for answers. It finally came one fine day when I read an article from Saifulislam.com about the importance of Aqeedah. And it made me turn my attention to focus more on it among the many subjects of my Pergas lessons and to research more on it on the web and in books.
Soon after, I attended a seminar which hosted speakers like Dr Juanda Jaya, Dr Mohamad Asri Zainal Abidin and Dr Azwira Abdul Aziz. I was really inclined to their speeches and the way they explain about Islam in a simple, wholesome and engaging manner and they too referred to the importance of Aqeedah. From there on, I followed Dr Asri’s lectures through videos and mp3s as they were more readily available back then, compared to the other two and found one on Aqeedah and I was home. Everything fell into place. Alhamdulillah.
What type of Aqeedah am I referring to? It is the Islamic belief (Aqeedah) the way the early generation Muslims understood about it. And they are the Prophet’s companions, and of those who followed after who strive to uphold this form of understanding. I believe that they are the best among all Muslims to follow in Islamic belief and understanding as they had lived and learnt under the guidance of Prophet Muhammad himself.
3. What are the Islamic practices that you’re more inclined to?
To put it simply, I’m inclined to whatever practice that upholds the Qur’an and the Sunnah. If you ask any Islamic sects, this is what they will all claim to follow though they differ in some or many of their practices.
So for me, I've settled on learning Islam through any medium that places the guidance of Qur'an and Sunnah top priority, in thier speeches or thier articles and thier actions in addition to that with the way the Companions of Prophet Muhammad practiced and understood them and those after who strives to maintain this.
Disappointingly, I once encountered a Sufi religious leader who advised me to stay away from people who are too inclined to the Sunnah. He called them Sunnah fanatics. He claimed that those who are too Sunnah in their practices nowadays are Wahhabi, implying that they have strayed from the right path. To that, I pose this question, "Wouldn't it be great that we are all Sunnah fanatics as that is what Allah would have liked for us to do? To lead a life similar to the way He has guided us through the actions of His messenger who's the best example for Muslims and all mankind, our dear Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wassallaam)?
I’ve realized that there are many practices in our Muslim society which do not comply to the Sunnah. And this is due to many factors. Among them are;
- believing that the religious practices they’re doing really originates from the Prophet himself,
- Hadiths which they hold on to which are actually very weak or not genuine at all,
- following a cleric blindly thinking that he's perfect and believing that whatever comes from him is the truth even when his practices contradict the Sunnah or his opinions are just his own and not based on the Sunnah.
- being taa’sub (fanaticsm which prevents one from admitting mistakes or changing their previous wrong stance even after realising they have made an error).
- the practice of mixing Islamic belief (Aqeedah) with philosophy.
I also agree to the importance of making it easy to understand the root of Islam which is the Aqeedah, restricting it to simple understanding the way the Companions understood it and for other areas in Islam such as Fiqh and so on to be more open, of course within the restrictions that the Qur’an and Sunnah allows.
More open here meaning not restrict oneself to just one scholars’ opinion but to acknowledge other scholars' opinions as well. All the past scholars advised to always uphold the Sunnah and not their own opinions. Therefore, the opinion with the strongest backing of proof from the Qur'an and Sunnah should always be the foremost irregardless of which scholar it came from.
4. Has your view towards marriage and finding the right person changed?
My friends thought that it is a weird and crazy idea, when I told them that I’ve decided not to indulge in intimate boy-girl relationships before marriage. Now I try to view everything in my life within the guidelines and boundaries that Islam has set. Insya Allah when the right person comes, i'll 'merisik' or ask her to perform istikharah if she agrees before proceeding towards marraige.
Hm, do these kind of people still exist? Apparently there still exists such people. Alhamdulillah.
5. What would be your advice to someone who’s really new to knowing and getting close to Allah?
My advice would be first and foremost, to read the Qur’an. Read the translation of it, even if you haven’t learnt how to recite it yet. This is because in it is a true guidance and in it lies the pillars of Islamic belief. That’s probably why we see reverts (converts) who are stronger in their faith, because they have made the effort to read the whole content of the Qur’an to understand it well before delving into Islam, while many among Muslims who are born into it, have not done so. That's also probably why we see so many born Muslims who don't behave like a Muslim or even worse than a non-Muslim.
Next is to keep an open mind and heart. This is important in the search for the truth. Always ask before judging. Whenever confused or unsure, ask a trusted scholar and always keep options open and ask not only one but different scholars for their opinions. And ensure that the opinions always have links to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Next is to practice patience and perseverance. My journey will never be complete and I still have much to learn even after years since the start of the change. I’m still learning everyday, hoping improve and be a better Muslim. Then the reality is that you'll face many challenges from your daily situations and people around you. Always remind yourself that you're doing all these for the sake of Allah only and not for others.
It’s also important to remain humble. Remember that the worst form of arrogance is when you think that you’re more pious than others. I remember a quote which says to always assume that others are superior to oneself in someway. That way, you’ll be able to learn from anyone. Each and every human has their own specialties. And even if we're good at something, there's always someone better than us.
Then to continuously ask for Allah’s help and guidance for only towards Him do we turn to and only He can help us and guide us. He is the Lord of all affairs. He transcends all.
And lastly we should realize that our true goal in life is the hereafter. We will all taste death. This world is temporary and once we die, all our deeds, good or bad in this world would be accounted for and that is the only thing that will decide if we’d live eternally blissfully in Heaven or in condemnation in Hell (we seek protection from Allah from this). But that is not to say that the life in this world is not important.
The only way that we can be truly successful is when we are able to achieve things in this world, performing our responsibilities well as a humble servant of Allah, father, husband, son, brother, friend, part of society and also being proficient in whatever that we like in any profession be it in teaching, engineering, sports, business and so on and on top of all these responsibilities and tasks, living each and every day according to how Allah wants us to.
Which is according to the Qur’an and Sunnah (teachings and actions of our Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him), following their guidelines performing good deeds that have been recommended and refraining from things that we have been warned about through their teachings.
That is the true goal in life and one that will hopefully help us achieve true victory i.e. Jannah(Heaven). Eventually, if Allah wills, to be granted access to eternal bliss and that is eternal life in Heaven, after death in this temporary world.
All the best in your journey and May Allah guide you and protect you.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Aite, thats it for now. Hm, just a disclaimer, the things that I've said are strictly my views from what I've learnt and I definitely may have erred or be insufficient in certain areas. Please do advise if i'm wrong. Anything that's good from it comes from Allah and anything that's bad is from me.
SubhanaKa Allahumma wa bihamdiKa ash-hadu an laa iLaaha illa antA astaghfiruKa, wa atuubu ilaik.
And Allah knows best.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Most Profitable Trade
Taken from the book 'An Explanation of the Last Tenth of the Noble Qur'an'. This practice is so simple and heavy on its value yet many tend to forget about it and eventually ignore it..
Dhikr-Allah (Rememberance of Allah)
Allah made humans superior to all other creatures and gave man the special endowment of speech, making his tongue nimble. Man can use this blessing for good or evil. If he chooses to use it for good, it will take him to happiness in this world and to the higher chambers of Paradise. If he chooses to use it for other than that, it will lead him to destruction in both this life and the Hereafter. Remembering Allah is the second best thing (after the practice of reciting al-Qur'an) that a man can spend his time in.
The virtues of Dhikr-Allah (Rememberance of Allah):
There are many hadith mentioning the virtues of dhikr. Among them is the saying of the Prophet (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam),
"Shall I tell you about the best among all your deeds in status, which is better for you than spending gold and silver, and is better for you than encountering your enemies and striking their necks and them striking yours?" The Companions said,"Yes inform us, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam) said,"(It is) the rememberance of Allah." (at-Tirmidhi)
He (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam) also said,"The similitude of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like the living and the dead respectively." (al-Bukhari).
He (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam) said as well,"Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) says,'I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I remember him in Myself. If he remembers Me in a company, I remember him in a company better than his company. If he comes one handspan nearer to Me, I come one cubit nearer to him. If he comes on cubit nearer to Me, I come a distance of two arm-lengths nearer to him. If he comes to Me walking, I come to him running." (al-Bukhari). And there are many more hadith encouraging the rememberance of Allah ('Azza wa Jalla).
Multiplication of the rewards:
The rewards of good deeds are multiplied just as the rewards of reciting the Qur'an is multiplied, and this occurs according to:
1) What is in the heart of the person, his faith and sincerity, love for Allah and what flows from this.
2) THe contemplation of the heart in remembering Allah and preoccupation with this, making the rememberance not simply by the tongue alone.
Whoever fulfills these two conditions, will have Allah expiate his sins and give him his full reward. As for he who is defiant in these matters, then the expiation of sins and the reward will be in accordance with his deficiancy.
The benefits of remembering Allah:
And Allah knows best..
Dhikr-Allah (Rememberance of Allah)
Allah made humans superior to all other creatures and gave man the special endowment of speech, making his tongue nimble. Man can use this blessing for good or evil. If he chooses to use it for good, it will take him to happiness in this world and to the higher chambers of Paradise. If he chooses to use it for other than that, it will lead him to destruction in both this life and the Hereafter. Remembering Allah is the second best thing (after the practice of reciting al-Qur'an) that a man can spend his time in.
The virtues of Dhikr-Allah (Rememberance of Allah):
There are many hadith mentioning the virtues of dhikr. Among them is the saying of the Prophet (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam),
"Shall I tell you about the best among all your deeds in status, which is better for you than spending gold and silver, and is better for you than encountering your enemies and striking their necks and them striking yours?" The Companions said,"Yes inform us, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam) said,"(It is) the rememberance of Allah." (at-Tirmidhi)
He (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam) also said,"The similitude of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like the living and the dead respectively." (al-Bukhari).
He (sallAllahu'alaihi wa sallam) said as well,"Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) says,'I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I remember him in Myself. If he remembers Me in a company, I remember him in a company better than his company. If he comes one handspan nearer to Me, I come one cubit nearer to him. If he comes on cubit nearer to Me, I come a distance of two arm-lengths nearer to him. If he comes to Me walking, I come to him running." (al-Bukhari). And there are many more hadith encouraging the rememberance of Allah ('Azza wa Jalla).
Multiplication of the rewards:
The rewards of good deeds are multiplied just as the rewards of reciting the Qur'an is multiplied, and this occurs according to:
1) What is in the heart of the person, his faith and sincerity, love for Allah and what flows from this.
2) THe contemplation of the heart in remembering Allah and preoccupation with this, making the rememberance not simply by the tongue alone.
Whoever fulfills these two conditions, will have Allah expiate his sins and give him his full reward. As for he who is defiant in these matters, then the expiation of sins and the reward will be in accordance with his deficiancy.
The benefits of remembering Allah:
- It repels, weakans, humiliates, and debases the Satan while pleasing Allah
- It develops the love, nearness, awareness and fear of Allah. It results in returning and repenting to Allah and it helps the believer to obey Allah
- It removes depression and anxiety from the heart and brings happiness, giving the heart liveliness, strength and purity. The human heart has a void and emptiness that can only be filled by the rememberance of Allah. It has a hardness that can only be softened by the rememberance of Allah.
- Rememberance of Allah is a cure and treatment to the heart. It provides it with strength and pleasure that no other pleasure can compare to. Forgetfulness in rememberance of Allah, on the other hand, causes sickness and is a disease in itself.
- Lack of rememberance of Allah is a sign of hypocrisy, whereas remembering Allah very often is the sign of the strength of faith and true love for Allah, since when a person loves something, he recalls it often.
- If the believer gets to know Allah in good times by frequently remembering Him, then Allah will be with him in the difficult times, especially at the time of death and its stupor.
- Rememberance of Allah is the means of salvation from the punisment of Allah, the descent of tranquility upon a person, the encompassing of mercy of Allah, and of the angels seeking forgiveness from Allah for the person.
- Occupation of the tongue in rememberance of Allah prevents it from foolishness, backbiting, spreading dissention, falsehoods, and other prohibited and obnoxious acts.
- Rememberance of Allah is the easiest yet the best and most virtuous among all acts of worship. It is also the means for sowing the seeds of Paradise.
- The person who remembers Allah becomes brighter in his face with a sweetness and light that inspires respect and awe. Rememberance of Allah is a light in the life of this world in the grave and in the Hereafter.
- Rememberance of Allah entails that Allah and the angels will send peace and blessing on the worshipper and Allah expresses His pride to the angels for those who remember Him.
- The best worshippers are those that are more profuse in the rememberance of Allah ('Azza wa Jalla). Similarly, the best of those who fast are the ones that remember Allah more while fasting.
- The rememberance of Allah makes the difficult things easier, the complicated things simpler and the harsh softer. It brings to the worshipper sustenance and strengthens his physique.
And Allah knows best..
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Statement on the Horrific Massacre Against the People of Gaza
Article from islamonline.net..
International Union for Muslim Scholars
Statement on the Horrific Massacre Against the People of Gaza
Translated By Ahmed El-Gharbawy
Praise be to Almighty Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, Companions, and all those who follow his guidance. Almighty Allah says,
{Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is Well Able to give them victory.} (Al-Hajj 22:39)
The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) — with its chairmanship, executive office, board of trustees, and large number of affiliated scholars (whether individuals or bodies or groups in the entire Muslim World) — is observing with all concern, sorrow, and sense of responsibility the horrid massacre and horrible holocaust being committed by the Zionist enemy against our brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip.
As of the writing of this statement, the number of martyrs has risen to more than 680, in addition to 3,075 wounded. The victims are innocent civilians who committed no guilt. They were only holding onto their right to freedom and dignity. They have the right to defend their land, honor, and life. They have the right to reject all forms of Zionist humiliation and blackmail.
Since the first day of the aggression, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, IUMS chairman, has been issuing lengthy statements on the Israeli atrocities and the union has been observing the situation and making contacts with different parties to emphasize the following facts:
First, the union has explained the religious ruling prescribed by the Islamic Shari`ah — with its different schools of thought — regarding this case: The whole Muslim Ummah is obligated to stand in solidarity with the attacked people, if these people are unable to repel the aggression by themselves.
All Muslims belong to one Ummah. They resemble a structure in which each brick lends support to the whole structure. They resemble one body; when any limb of that body aches, the whole body aches.
Hence, any aggression against part of the Muslim body is an act of aggression against the whole body, so repelling this aggression is the duty of all Muslims, especially those neighboring the people being attacked. A Muslim is the brother of a another Muslim; he or she should neither oppress him or her nor forsake him or her. Truly, Islam has made it incumbent upon its adherents to fight for the sake of those oppressed, as revealed in the Noble Qur'an. Almighty Allah says,
{And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the oppressed among the men and the women and the children who are crying, "Our Lord, cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from You a guardian, and give us from You a helper"!}(An-Nisaa' 4:75)
This is the duty of all governments and peoples: Everyone should extend their aid as much and as fast as possible for the sake of self-defense. This includes medical aid, food aid, other vital aids, and even military aid. Also, governments' hindering of their peoples from providing the people of Gaza with different forms of aid or from expressing outrage at this aggression is categorically abominated and prohibited.
Also, it is not allowed for any government under any pretense to merely stand watching what is happening, let alone to close the door of mercy in the face of our brothers and sisters in Gaza. The crossings leading to Gaza are considered the lifeblood of the people living in the strip, especially the Rafah crossing, whose opening and closing is controlled by the government of Egypt. In fact, closing this crossing at this time means putting a rope around the neck of the people of Gaza so as to strangle them. This is an outrageous violation of the values of Arabism, Islam, and Christianity.
Second, The IUMS views what is being committed against Gaza and its people as a blatant, brutal crime and serious challenge to all human values and rules of the international law. It is a war crime and a genocide in which warplanes and sophisticated weapons are used against a defenseless people who are attacked in their homes, mosques, and roads. As a consequence, limbs are shattered, blood is spilled, and dead bodies are charred.
What further worsens the situation and makes it more serious is the fact that the strip has been under an ongoing unjust siege for more than a year and a half. As a result, in that terribly cold winter, the strip is suffering from a severe lack of basic necessities of life, such as food, electricity, medicines, fuels, etc. This tragic situation requires immediate intervention and intense pressure to break this brutal siege so that food, electricity, medicines, and fuels can reach this oppressed and wounded people, just as all other peoples.
Third, we call upon the Arab and Muslim leaders (kings, presidents, and emirs) to take a brave stance and say to the Zionist oppressors, "Desist, O savage people." Muslim and Arab heads of states should actively work together and collectively address the international community headed by the UN Security Council and the West in an attempt to stop this barbaric assault, which is indiscriminately killing old people, women, and children.
In addition, all those who have ties with the Zionist entity (a matter which has no excuse in the Islamic Shari`ah) should break up these ties, if the crimes and vicious attacks of this entity do not cease.
Indeed, in this situation, the silence of some governments can only be interpreted as treachery to the Ummah and participation in the crime, for the silent on truth is a speechless devil. This being the case, outcries and statements of condemnation should follow in succession. In a noble hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"If you see my Ummah afraid of telling the oppressor "You are an oppressor," then it is farewell to the Ummah." (Ahmad)
We also call upon the Arab countries to gather for an urgent summit to tackle the situation the way it should be tackled. We call upon all Arab leaders to accept Qatar's call for a summit on its soil. This is the request of the Arab public throughout the entire Arab World. These governments will lose their legitimacy if they refuse to listen to their peoples' voice of dignity and honor, which are prescribed by Allah for the believers.
Fourth, we call upon the Arab League and Organization of the Islamic Conference to quickly take necessary action aimed at consulting with the concerned leaders and presidents and with the European Union and the concerned international organizations. Also, they should get in touch with the masses in the Muslim World and the Arab World, seeking to bring the unaware back to their consciousness, alert the heedless, and reconcile the divided.
According to the immutable laws set by Almighty Allah, a billion and a half Muslims, of whom more than one third are Arabs, cannot be defeated by only several millions of Jews around the world. However, the myriads of Muslims can be defeated if their enemies are united whereas they are separated; if their enemies lend support to one another, whereas they forsake one another; and if their enemies are active, whereas they are idle.
Verily, it is the unchanging law of Allah that those who are united defeat those who are separated; those who support one another defeat those who forsake one another; and those who are active defeat those who are idle.
Fifth, we call upon our brothers among the scholars, jurists, imams, and preachers to endeavor to alert the Ummah and make it united in the face of the enemy. We call upon them to perform qunoot an-nawazel [supplication at times of tribulation], especially during jahri Prayers [where the imam reads aloud; i.e., Fajr, Maghrib, and `Isha' Prayers].
Also, we call upon them to keep the Ummah attached to Allah, for He is the One with Whom people should seek refuge at times of difficulty and He is the One Who grants victory to the Ummah over its enemy. In the Qur'an, Almighty Allah says,
{If Allah assists you, then there is none that can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there then that can assist you after Him? And in Allah let the believers put their trust.}(Aal `Imran 3:160)
Sixth, the IUMS is working on forming a global Muslim delegation consisting of senior scholars and prominent and influential figures. This delegation will make a tour to a number of influential Arab countries and meet their leaders to discuss the proper way of dealing with this situation with the positive spirit, true solidarity, and strong unity required to confront this ferocious aggression. Almighty Allah says,
{Verily Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact structure.}(As-Saff 61:4)
Seventh, the IUMS calls for reviving the economic boycott of US and Israeli products; this is a weapon that leads to good outcomes. Indeed, each dirham or dinar earned by these people turns into a bullet in the chests of our brothers.
Eighth, we extend our greetings to the patient and steadfast people of Gaza. They have remained firm despite the long-standing siege. They have defied the attempts of humiliation, normalization, and subjugation. They have stood up to the aggression with their chests and have shown tremendous determination and unbreakable will.
We call upon our brothers in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to stand up for their brothers and sisters in Gaza. Whatever the differences that may exist, one should not stand up for the enemy against his or her brothers and sisters. One should not support the oppressor against the oppressed.
We also call upon the PNA leaders to wash their hands of the negotiations out of which they gained nothing but a mirage. Moreover, we invite the Palestinian factions to remember the values they have long been upholding: unification in adversity and adherence to the established principles of the Palestinian cause.
Both parties, Fateh and Hamas, should meet, talk, and reconcile. They represent the same people, and they have one cause and one fate. Reconciliation is for the good of all Palestinian factions. If people cannot reconcile at times of difficulty and tribulation, when will they possibly reconcile? Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "Afflictions unite the afflicted."
In this respect, the Arab League should play its role with the support of Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Indeed, ajourney of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Almighty Allah says,
{If they both desire agreement, Allah will effect harmony between them.}(An-Nisaa' 4:35)
In conclusion, we say to our Ummah, "Indeed, the favorable outcome will be ours, because truth is with us, and the word of truth is destined to prevail, whereas falsehood is destined to vanish." Almighty Allah says,
{And say, "Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Verily, falsehood is [by its nature] ever bound to perish."}(Al-Israa' 17:81)
And we say to our brothers and sisters in Gaza and in entire Palestine,
{Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that you may prosper.}(Aal `Imran 3:200)
{And neither lose heart nor grieve, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers.}(Aal `Imran 3:139)
{And slacken not in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they [too] suffer pain as you suffer pain, but you hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope, and Allah is Knowing, Wise.}(An-Nisaa' 4:104)
Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Chairman
Published on the union's website on December 31, 2008
International Union for Muslim Scholars
Statement on the Horrific Massacre Against the People of Gaza
Translated By Ahmed El-Gharbawy
Praise be to Almighty Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, Companions, and all those who follow his guidance. Almighty Allah says,
{Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is Well Able to give them victory.} (Al-Hajj 22:39)
The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) — with its chairmanship, executive office, board of trustees, and large number of affiliated scholars (whether individuals or bodies or groups in the entire Muslim World) — is observing with all concern, sorrow, and sense of responsibility the horrid massacre and horrible holocaust being committed by the Zionist enemy against our brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip.
As of the writing of this statement, the number of martyrs has risen to more than 680, in addition to 3,075 wounded. The victims are innocent civilians who committed no guilt. They were only holding onto their right to freedom and dignity. They have the right to defend their land, honor, and life. They have the right to reject all forms of Zionist humiliation and blackmail.
Since the first day of the aggression, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, IUMS chairman, has been issuing lengthy statements on the Israeli atrocities and the union has been observing the situation and making contacts with different parties to emphasize the following facts:
First, the union has explained the religious ruling prescribed by the Islamic Shari`ah — with its different schools of thought — regarding this case: The whole Muslim Ummah is obligated to stand in solidarity with the attacked people, if these people are unable to repel the aggression by themselves.
All Muslims belong to one Ummah. They resemble a structure in which each brick lends support to the whole structure. They resemble one body; when any limb of that body aches, the whole body aches.
Hence, any aggression against part of the Muslim body is an act of aggression against the whole body, so repelling this aggression is the duty of all Muslims, especially those neighboring the people being attacked. A Muslim is the brother of a another Muslim; he or she should neither oppress him or her nor forsake him or her. Truly, Islam has made it incumbent upon its adherents to fight for the sake of those oppressed, as revealed in the Noble Qur'an. Almighty Allah says,
{And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the oppressed among the men and the women and the children who are crying, "Our Lord, cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from You a guardian, and give us from You a helper"!}(An-Nisaa' 4:75)
This is the duty of all governments and peoples: Everyone should extend their aid as much and as fast as possible for the sake of self-defense. This includes medical aid, food aid, other vital aids, and even military aid. Also, governments' hindering of their peoples from providing the people of Gaza with different forms of aid or from expressing outrage at this aggression is categorically abominated and prohibited.
Also, it is not allowed for any government under any pretense to merely stand watching what is happening, let alone to close the door of mercy in the face of our brothers and sisters in Gaza. The crossings leading to Gaza are considered the lifeblood of the people living in the strip, especially the Rafah crossing, whose opening and closing is controlled by the government of Egypt. In fact, closing this crossing at this time means putting a rope around the neck of the people of Gaza so as to strangle them. This is an outrageous violation of the values of Arabism, Islam, and Christianity.
Second, The IUMS views what is being committed against Gaza and its people as a blatant, brutal crime and serious challenge to all human values and rules of the international law. It is a war crime and a genocide in which warplanes and sophisticated weapons are used against a defenseless people who are attacked in their homes, mosques, and roads. As a consequence, limbs are shattered, blood is spilled, and dead bodies are charred.
What further worsens the situation and makes it more serious is the fact that the strip has been under an ongoing unjust siege for more than a year and a half. As a result, in that terribly cold winter, the strip is suffering from a severe lack of basic necessities of life, such as food, electricity, medicines, fuels, etc. This tragic situation requires immediate intervention and intense pressure to break this brutal siege so that food, electricity, medicines, and fuels can reach this oppressed and wounded people, just as all other peoples.
Third, we call upon the Arab and Muslim leaders (kings, presidents, and emirs) to take a brave stance and say to the Zionist oppressors, "Desist, O savage people." Muslim and Arab heads of states should actively work together and collectively address the international community headed by the UN Security Council and the West in an attempt to stop this barbaric assault, which is indiscriminately killing old people, women, and children.
In addition, all those who have ties with the Zionist entity (a matter which has no excuse in the Islamic Shari`ah) should break up these ties, if the crimes and vicious attacks of this entity do not cease.
Indeed, in this situation, the silence of some governments can only be interpreted as treachery to the Ummah and participation in the crime, for the silent on truth is a speechless devil. This being the case, outcries and statements of condemnation should follow in succession. In a noble hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"If you see my Ummah afraid of telling the oppressor "You are an oppressor," then it is farewell to the Ummah." (Ahmad)
We also call upon the Arab countries to gather for an urgent summit to tackle the situation the way it should be tackled. We call upon all Arab leaders to accept Qatar's call for a summit on its soil. This is the request of the Arab public throughout the entire Arab World. These governments will lose their legitimacy if they refuse to listen to their peoples' voice of dignity and honor, which are prescribed by Allah for the believers.
Fourth, we call upon the Arab League and Organization of the Islamic Conference to quickly take necessary action aimed at consulting with the concerned leaders and presidents and with the European Union and the concerned international organizations. Also, they should get in touch with the masses in the Muslim World and the Arab World, seeking to bring the unaware back to their consciousness, alert the heedless, and reconcile the divided.
According to the immutable laws set by Almighty Allah, a billion and a half Muslims, of whom more than one third are Arabs, cannot be defeated by only several millions of Jews around the world. However, the myriads of Muslims can be defeated if their enemies are united whereas they are separated; if their enemies lend support to one another, whereas they forsake one another; and if their enemies are active, whereas they are idle.
Verily, it is the unchanging law of Allah that those who are united defeat those who are separated; those who support one another defeat those who forsake one another; and those who are active defeat those who are idle.
Fifth, we call upon our brothers among the scholars, jurists, imams, and preachers to endeavor to alert the Ummah and make it united in the face of the enemy. We call upon them to perform qunoot an-nawazel [supplication at times of tribulation], especially during jahri Prayers [where the imam reads aloud; i.e., Fajr, Maghrib, and `Isha' Prayers].
Also, we call upon them to keep the Ummah attached to Allah, for He is the One with Whom people should seek refuge at times of difficulty and He is the One Who grants victory to the Ummah over its enemy. In the Qur'an, Almighty Allah says,
{If Allah assists you, then there is none that can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there then that can assist you after Him? And in Allah let the believers put their trust.}(Aal `Imran 3:160)
Sixth, the IUMS is working on forming a global Muslim delegation consisting of senior scholars and prominent and influential figures. This delegation will make a tour to a number of influential Arab countries and meet their leaders to discuss the proper way of dealing with this situation with the positive spirit, true solidarity, and strong unity required to confront this ferocious aggression. Almighty Allah says,
{Verily Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact structure.}(As-Saff 61:4)
Seventh, the IUMS calls for reviving the economic boycott of US and Israeli products; this is a weapon that leads to good outcomes. Indeed, each dirham or dinar earned by these people turns into a bullet in the chests of our brothers.
Eighth, we extend our greetings to the patient and steadfast people of Gaza. They have remained firm despite the long-standing siege. They have defied the attempts of humiliation, normalization, and subjugation. They have stood up to the aggression with their chests and have shown tremendous determination and unbreakable will.
We call upon our brothers in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to stand up for their brothers and sisters in Gaza. Whatever the differences that may exist, one should not stand up for the enemy against his or her brothers and sisters. One should not support the oppressor against the oppressed.
We also call upon the PNA leaders to wash their hands of the negotiations out of which they gained nothing but a mirage. Moreover, we invite the Palestinian factions to remember the values they have long been upholding: unification in adversity and adherence to the established principles of the Palestinian cause.
Both parties, Fateh and Hamas, should meet, talk, and reconcile. They represent the same people, and they have one cause and one fate. Reconciliation is for the good of all Palestinian factions. If people cannot reconcile at times of difficulty and tribulation, when will they possibly reconcile? Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "Afflictions unite the afflicted."
In this respect, the Arab League should play its role with the support of Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Indeed, ajourney of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Almighty Allah says,
{If they both desire agreement, Allah will effect harmony between them.}(An-Nisaa' 4:35)
In conclusion, we say to our Ummah, "Indeed, the favorable outcome will be ours, because truth is with us, and the word of truth is destined to prevail, whereas falsehood is destined to vanish." Almighty Allah says,
{And say, "Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Verily, falsehood is [by its nature] ever bound to perish."}(Al-Israa' 17:81)
And we say to our brothers and sisters in Gaza and in entire Palestine,
{Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that you may prosper.}(Aal `Imran 3:200)
{And neither lose heart nor grieve, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers.}(Aal `Imran 3:139)
{And slacken not in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they [too] suffer pain as you suffer pain, but you hope from Allah that for which they cannot hope, and Allah is Knowing, Wise.}(An-Nisaa' 4:104)
Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Chairman
Published on the union's website on December 31, 2008
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The massacre continues..
Article from islamonline.net.. as this is posted, to my knowledge, more than 875 have been killed and 3,695 others wounded..
Name of Questioner: Hind - Maldives
Title: War on Gaza: Role of Scholars
Question: Dear scholar, as-salamu `alaykum. What are the roles and duties of Muslim scholars in the current oppressive war on Gaza?
Date: 05 Jan 2009
Name of Mufti:`Abdul-Majeed Subh, Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti
Topic: Relations during War, Jihad: Rulings & Regulations
Answer:
Wa `alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Sister, thanks for your good question which shows how far you are concerned about the affairs of your Muslim brothers and sisters. May Allah Almighty help the oppressed people in Gaza to re-gain their stolen rights.
What is happening now in Gaza is nothing but an inhumane barbaric massacre. Therefore, it is the role of every person, Muslim and non-Muslim, to spare no efforts to help the oppressed and alleviate their suffering. Muslim scholars should guide people in helping the oppressed; they bear a huge responsibility in this regard.
In his response to your question, Sheikh Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti, Director of the Islamic Center of South Plains, Lubbock, Texas , states:
First and foremost, Muslim scholars must mobilize the Muslim masses to do whatever they can to stop the Israeli atrocities against the people of Gaza. Those who can fight must do so, and those who can only give money must do so.
Scholars must also expose the hypocrisy of Israel and America. The people of Gaza are under an illegal occupation according to international law. They have been besieged and starved for a long time, and instead of receiving relief from the world, they are now being annihilated by the Israeli army that is supplied with American military technology.
The Israelis are currently proving to the world that the blood-thirsty sacredness of their Old Testament ancestors is still acceptable in their ideology:
"In the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them… as the Lord your God has commanded you." (Deuteronomy 20:16–17)
"When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations … then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy." (Deuteronomy 7:1–2)
Muslim Scholars and intellectuals need to show the world the roots of this barbarity, and make the whole world understand it in plain language.
- White phosporous (banned weapon) reported to be used in Gaza. [When air-burst, White phosphorous can fall over an area about the size of a football field and burn every thing it touches. (Reuters)]
Moreover, Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azharite scholar, adds:
I am very sad that many Muslim scholars are lagging behind in carrying out their duty towards Gaza and its people.
I commend the stance of scholars who severely criticized the oppressive war on Gaza, and asked Muslims to assist the oppressed people there by all possible means.
Scholars should explain the many dimensions of this crisis, explaining its roots and historical background.
In short, scholars should lead people and guide them in assisting the oppressed people in Gaza by all possible means and through all legal channels.
Name of Questioner: Hind - Maldives
Title: War on Gaza: Role of Scholars
Question: Dear scholar, as-salamu `alaykum. What are the roles and duties of Muslim scholars in the current oppressive war on Gaza?
Date: 05 Jan 2009
Name of Mufti:`Abdul-Majeed Subh, Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti
Topic: Relations during War, Jihad: Rulings & Regulations
Answer:
Wa `alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Sister, thanks for your good question which shows how far you are concerned about the affairs of your Muslim brothers and sisters. May Allah Almighty help the oppressed people in Gaza to re-gain their stolen rights.
What is happening now in Gaza is nothing but an inhumane barbaric massacre. Therefore, it is the role of every person, Muslim and non-Muslim, to spare no efforts to help the oppressed and alleviate their suffering. Muslim scholars should guide people in helping the oppressed; they bear a huge responsibility in this regard.
In his response to your question, Sheikh Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti, Director of the Islamic Center of South Plains, Lubbock, Texas , states:
First and foremost, Muslim scholars must mobilize the Muslim masses to do whatever they can to stop the Israeli atrocities against the people of Gaza. Those who can fight must do so, and those who can only give money must do so.
Scholars must also expose the hypocrisy of Israel and America. The people of Gaza are under an illegal occupation according to international law. They have been besieged and starved for a long time, and instead of receiving relief from the world, they are now being annihilated by the Israeli army that is supplied with American military technology.
The Israelis are currently proving to the world that the blood-thirsty sacredness of their Old Testament ancestors is still acceptable in their ideology:
"In the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them… as the Lord your God has commanded you." (Deuteronomy 20:16–17)
"When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations … then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy." (Deuteronomy 7:1–2)
Muslim Scholars and intellectuals need to show the world the roots of this barbarity, and make the whole world understand it in plain language.
- White phosporous (banned weapon) reported to be used in Gaza. [When air-burst, White phosphorous can fall over an area about the size of a football field and burn every thing it touches. (Reuters)]
Moreover, Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azharite scholar, adds:
I am very sad that many Muslim scholars are lagging behind in carrying out their duty towards Gaza and its people.
I commend the stance of scholars who severely criticized the oppressive war on Gaza, and asked Muslims to assist the oppressed people there by all possible means.
Scholars should explain the many dimensions of this crisis, explaining its roots and historical background.
In short, scholars should lead people and guide them in assisting the oppressed people in Gaza by all possible means and through all legal channels.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
'Lovebirds' aged 6 and 7
I found this so hilarious that I decided to post it. Taken from an article from a Saudi English newspaper yesterday. On a more serious note, the headlines portrayed a gory picture of a dead Palestinian child buried under the rubbles of his shelled home with only his head sticking out, which is a stark contrast to this cute and funny story located at the back page about two smart children from a safer environment.
German ‘lovebirds’ aged 6 and 7 eyed Africa wedding
While their parents slept, they took a tram to station
BERLIN – Two childhood sweethearts, aged six and seven, eloped from Hanover in northern Germany on New Year’s Eve, determined to tie the knot under the African sun, according to police.
The pair identified as Mika and Anna-Lena “are very much in love and decided to get married in Africa where it is warm, taking with them as witness Anna-Lena’s little sister, aged five,” police spokesman Holger Jureczko told AFP.
German ‘lovebirds’ aged 6 and 7 eyed Africa wedding
While their parents slept, they took a tram to station
BERLIN – Two childhood sweethearts, aged six and seven, eloped from Hanover in northern Germany on New Year’s Eve, determined to tie the knot under the African sun, according to police.
The pair identified as Mika and Anna-Lena “are very much in love and decided to get married in Africa where it is warm, taking with them as witness Anna-Lena’s little sister, aged five,” police spokesman Holger Jureczko told AFP.
LITTLE DEVILS: Anna-Bell, 5, her sister Anna-Lena, 7, and Mika, 6, at the Hanover station in police custody
The idea for the romantic trip began when Mika told the two girls about his recent holiday in Italy, while their families celebrated New Year’s Eve together. “From this, the children began to make plans for the future,” Jureczko said. As the first dawn of 2009 broke, the trio started to put these plans into action, packing all the essentials for the journey, including “sunglasses, swimming trunks, a lilo, summer clothes and provisions.”
While their parents slept, they left their house in the suburbs of Hanover, walked a kilometer up the road to a tram stop from where they took a tram for the central station.
Waiting for a train to the airport, they aroused the attention of a guard who contacted police.
Two officers managed to convince the young lovers that they would struggle to get to Africa without money or a plane ticket.
As a consolation, the children were given a special tour of the police headquarters at Hanover station where they were especially taken with the detention cells.
Their relieved parents picked them up from the station, the spokesman said, adding: “They can still put their plan into action at a later date.”
Monday, January 05, 2009
Wake up and look around
Excerpt from a Saifulislam.com article entitled "Palestine: Crisis of Mind Before Land" ---> http://saifulislam.com/?p=4417
"One of the main crisis is the belief among Muslims that Palestinian Issue is only for Arabs and even some Arabs might also believe that the issue is only for Palestinians. The sense of belonging to Palestine among Muslims throughout the history is reduced with tactics played by media. Media used to address the people who lived in the land of Palestine as Muslims, but then changed it to Arab, later as Palestinians. These organised tactics were meant to loose the Muslims' connection with their Holy Land in Palestine.
While being reactive is bad enough for Muslims to optimize the way they react to the situation, now, Muslims are becoming more and more passive, melt under this so-call 'I DONT CARISM' attitude, if you know what I mean!
This claim comes only from the ignorance of the reality, blinded heart from understanding the history and lack of knowledge about all the verses of Al-Quran and Ahadeeth of Prophet Muhammad PBUH about the future of Islam in Palestine.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We should not worry about the future of Islam in Palestine. Study the Al-Quran and study the Books of Fitan from all the Masanid and Sihah of Hadeeth, then you will know that the glory of Islam in Palestine is a promise from Allah. Not even Muslims, but the Jews also know the fact. If you believe that the death is true, the heaven and hell are true, then you must also believe that the victory of Islam in Palestine is true. They are the part and parcel of our faith in Him.
What we should think and worry at the moment is about us. Ourselves! About our role, contribution and duty. If the only thing we can do now to help the Muslims in Palestine is to talk, then talk and don't stop talking. Talk to every single person you meet and let them all know the truth. Educate your wife, your children, your neighbours and friends about Palestine. By Allah who by His word I stand on this mimbar, if you stop talking and ignore the issue, this will be the biggest crime committed against Muslims in Palestine. The least you can do is to talk about this. If talking is abandoned and the duty is ignored what else our Muslim brothers and sisters can hope from you? People around you need to know the truth. The mass medias are hiding all the facts, which people need to know. The Palestinians who are defending their life with empty hands are labelled as terrorist whilst the army who destroy everything day and night are begging for sympathy!
Just to add..
I myself can't fathom what it would be like. Having no food, no water. Living in darkness. Hearing gunshots, planes, missiles 24/7. Living in fear knowing that most of my neighbours are either injured or dead. Having no place to sleep. Having no means other than stones or any sharp objects to defend myself.
And here I am living, every single day, comfortably with everything readily available. Subhanallah.
I'm truly amazed learning of human rights activists and even Jews around the world participating in demonstrations against the Zionists, some even taking personal leaves from their daily jobs just for the occasion. They present themselves in rallies, upholding palestinian flags and protest banners for days or weeks and they're not even Muslims!
On the other hand, we have Muslims not doing anything at all! Some even have the cheek to remain ignorant and simply conclude that it's not part our responsibility!
Let's keep supporting by doing whatever that we can help for now. The least we could do as Muslims is to support Muslims in Palestine by any means possible..
Always remember them in our du'as, support them through finances or food provisions whenever possible, support them through the media, blogs, boycott Israeli products and anything that can contribute to Israeli finances and lastly to continuously improve ourselves and break away from ignorance and educating others to try understand the importance and the truth of the situation.
"One of the main crisis is the belief among Muslims that Palestinian Issue is only for Arabs and even some Arabs might also believe that the issue is only for Palestinians. The sense of belonging to Palestine among Muslims throughout the history is reduced with tactics played by media. Media used to address the people who lived in the land of Palestine as Muslims, but then changed it to Arab, later as Palestinians. These organised tactics were meant to loose the Muslims' connection with their Holy Land in Palestine.
While being reactive is bad enough for Muslims to optimize the way they react to the situation, now, Muslims are becoming more and more passive, melt under this so-call 'I DONT CARISM' attitude, if you know what I mean!
This claim comes only from the ignorance of the reality, blinded heart from understanding the history and lack of knowledge about all the verses of Al-Quran and Ahadeeth of Prophet Muhammad PBUH about the future of Islam in Palestine.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We should not worry about the future of Islam in Palestine. Study the Al-Quran and study the Books of Fitan from all the Masanid and Sihah of Hadeeth, then you will know that the glory of Islam in Palestine is a promise from Allah. Not even Muslims, but the Jews also know the fact. If you believe that the death is true, the heaven and hell are true, then you must also believe that the victory of Islam in Palestine is true. They are the part and parcel of our faith in Him.
What we should think and worry at the moment is about us. Ourselves! About our role, contribution and duty. If the only thing we can do now to help the Muslims in Palestine is to talk, then talk and don't stop talking. Talk to every single person you meet and let them all know the truth. Educate your wife, your children, your neighbours and friends about Palestine. By Allah who by His word I stand on this mimbar, if you stop talking and ignore the issue, this will be the biggest crime committed against Muslims in Palestine. The least you can do is to talk about this. If talking is abandoned and the duty is ignored what else our Muslim brothers and sisters can hope from you? People around you need to know the truth. The mass medias are hiding all the facts, which people need to know. The Palestinians who are defending their life with empty hands are labelled as terrorist whilst the army who destroy everything day and night are begging for sympathy!
Just to add..
I myself can't fathom what it would be like. Having no food, no water. Living in darkness. Hearing gunshots, planes, missiles 24/7. Living in fear knowing that most of my neighbours are either injured or dead. Having no place to sleep. Having no means other than stones or any sharp objects to defend myself.
And here I am living, every single day, comfortably with everything readily available. Subhanallah.
I'm truly amazed learning of human rights activists and even Jews around the world participating in demonstrations against the Zionists, some even taking personal leaves from their daily jobs just for the occasion. They present themselves in rallies, upholding palestinian flags and protest banners for days or weeks and they're not even Muslims!
On the other hand, we have Muslims not doing anything at all! Some even have the cheek to remain ignorant and simply conclude that it's not part our responsibility!
Let's keep supporting by doing whatever that we can help for now. The least we could do as Muslims is to support Muslims in Palestine by any means possible..
Always remember them in our du'as, support them through finances or food provisions whenever possible, support them through the media, blogs, boycott Israeli products and anything that can contribute to Israeli finances and lastly to continuously improve ourselves and break away from ignorance and educating others to try understand the importance and the truth of the situation.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Beating That Bulging Belly
Article from islamonline.net.. Stay healthy my dear friends! (",)
By Mohammed Yahia
Editor - IslamOnline.net
Remember the time you looked in the mirror while brushing your teeth and realized that your belly was jiggling unusually? That was probably the first time you noticed that your belly was starting to bulge a little, or a lot. That was, and usually is, also the time when you decided that you need to hit the gym again.
A large tummy, sometimes called a beer belly, is one form of obesity. It is a result of increased fat disposition in the belly area. This is more common in men than in women. Women tend to have more fat in the hip and thigh areas. However, that does not mean that women cannot get beer bellies.
Losing the fat on the tummy is not just important for you to look good, but it is also important for you to be healthy. Obesity in general makes a person more susceptible to several diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. But localized obesity, such as beer bellies, makes a person even more susceptible to certain diseases.
Fat Myths
If you want to lose that extra fat on your tummy, you need to clear up some common misconceptions. First and foremost, there is no "magical pill" or "incredible device" that will allow you to burn the fat faster. It is a long process that requires commitment in order to achieve results.
The second thing to know is that no amount of sit-ups are going to make you lose the fat. You can be doing hundreds of sit-ups every day, but the end result will be rock-hard abs muscles hidden under layers and layers of fat. That is not what we want to achieve. That is not to say that exercise is not important, but alone, it is not enough.
The only way to lose fat is to burn more energy than you are eating. That is the only time the body will tap into the energy stored in fat cells. In order to achieve this, you will need to change several bad habits and make improvements to your lifestyle. If you can keep it up, you will be surprised at the positive results that a few small changes can achieve.
To make this task easier for you, here are several tips that you can follow to achieve the desired results.
Watch What You Eat
Try to drink a lot of water throughout the day, especially when you wake up and before you sleep. Water is king. That is the golden rule. Water helps streamline the fat burning process as well as detoxify the body. If your body is low on water at anytime during the day, the body reduces energy burning. This translates into lower fat loss. If you are exercising, make sure you are well hydrated because you will lose a lot of water to sweat.
Try green tea. Green tea is also a great substitute for coffee or black tea. It is rich in substances called catechins. A study published in 2005 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat. Green tea also has antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties.
Implement Activity Into Your Life
Try to take the stairs rather than the elevator or escalator. Think of it as an exercise that needs neither special equipment nor dedicated time.
Get in the habit of a brisk walk every day, may be by parking your car a few blocks away from work in the morning. If you usually take public transportation, get off a station or two away from your target and walk the remaining distance. Besides being refreshing, it will burn some energy. Coupled with lower calories intake, this will lead the body to burn fat cells.
Exercise the Right Way
In less than 10 weeks, you are bound to see signs of your stomach fat receding.
As mentioned before, sit-ups and crouches are the biggest belly fat loss myth. To lose fat, you have to work up a sweat. Cardiovascular exercises, also called aerobic exercises, are the best way to do that. These include a vast array of workouts such as running, power walking, swimming, cycling, and rope jumping. There are also trendy new options such as aerobic dancing, which can be fun and exciting besides helping you lose weight.
Most experts recommend aerobic exercising for 20 to 50 minutes three to five times a week. Besides raising your metabolism, and thus burning more calories to release energy, cardio exercises have great health benefits such as reducing cardiovascular diseases, which is the leading cause of death around the world.
Anaerobic exercises, such as weight-lifting, can have a beneficial effect by raising your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Simply put, this refers to the amount of energy your body burns when not exercising to maintain its functions. Anaerobic exercises increase your muscle mass, which require more energy uptake. Raising your BMR means that your body will constantly be burning more calories, which will lead to reducing fat deposits all over.
Activate your core. This term refers to one of the most effective yet simple ways of having a flat tummy. All you have to do is draw your bellybutton into your spine and hold it there while breathing naturally. See how long you can hold, and try to better your time every day. The best thing about this is that you can do it while sitting at your computer, standing, or walking. Try to set alarms on your computer or phone several times throughout the day to remind you to "activate your core."
Mental State
Evade foods rich in fats. You should also decrease your total caloric intake because, as we mentioned before, if you do not burn more than you eat, then you will never lose any fatty cells.
Try to divide your meals into five to six smaller meals instead of just three big ones. When the body does not receive food for prolonged periods, it enters into starvation mode. During this period, all body functions drastically decrease caloric burning. The regular food intake will increase metabolism since the body will never enter into starvation mode. This will help burn more fat throughout the day. Try to eat breakfast early, as soon as you wake up. This is to compensate for the long period of starvation while you are sleeping at night.
Eat larger meals in the morning and smaller meals toward bedtime. This is important because the food eaten in the morning will be used throughout the day to generate energy. However, if you eat heavy meals in the evening then most of it will be stored as fat while you are sleeping since it is not used up.
Cut down on junk food. Switch to nutritious, healthy foods. Junk food is one of the leading causes of obesity around the world. Also, try to cut down on refined sugars and processed food. You also need to develop the most important habit; stop eating when you are full. Do not overeat and stuff yourself. It is unhealthy, increases the fats in your body, and gives you stomachaches!
Watch What You Drink
Quit drinking beer. If you drink alcohol, now would be a great time to quit. There is, after all, a reason belly fat is called a "beer belly." There is no clear understanding of how beer can increase fat around the tummy. However, most doctors agree there is a strong relationship between drinking beer and increased belly fat. This could be due to the fact that beer is very high on caloric value.
Do not drink soft drinks either. They have a caloric value of around 150 per can. Count how many you drink every week, do the math, and you will realize they add up to thousands of calories. Diet soft drinks, while low on calories, have other health problems. It is best to evade them altogether. Go for fresh juices instead. They taste great and are a much healthier option. They act as a fun and filling snack between meals.
While this may all sound too overwhelming, it is not impossible to be able to achieve these changes in your lifestyle if you have the right mindset. By time, you will be able to naturally know what foods are not good for you. Even better, you will not be craving them anymore.
Incorporating exercise into our busy lifestyles can be tricky. But if you try to make exercise a fun family activity, or a friends get-together activity, then it will be much easier to maintain on the long run.
And the secret lies in the idea of the long run. You have to take the decision that losing belly fat is going to take time. There is no easy way or shortcut. However, the gradual change in your life will ensure that you are able to keep your new lifestyle. And this will eventually improve the quality of life for you. And in less than 10 weeks, you are bound to see signs of your stomach fat receding. And you will be wearing those clothes that you stuffed in the back of the closet in no time!
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
"A person fills no vessel worse than his [or her] stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to give him [or her] the strength he [or she] needs. If he [or she] has to fill his [or her] stomach, then let him [or her] leave one-third for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for air." (At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
By Mohammed Yahia
Editor - IslamOnline.net
Remember the time you looked in the mirror while brushing your teeth and realized that your belly was jiggling unusually? That was probably the first time you noticed that your belly was starting to bulge a little, or a lot. That was, and usually is, also the time when you decided that you need to hit the gym again.
A large tummy, sometimes called a beer belly, is one form of obesity. It is a result of increased fat disposition in the belly area. This is more common in men than in women. Women tend to have more fat in the hip and thigh areas. However, that does not mean that women cannot get beer bellies.
Losing the fat on the tummy is not just important for you to look good, but it is also important for you to be healthy. Obesity in general makes a person more susceptible to several diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. But localized obesity, such as beer bellies, makes a person even more susceptible to certain diseases.
Fat Myths
If you want to lose that extra fat on your tummy, you need to clear up some common misconceptions. First and foremost, there is no "magical pill" or "incredible device" that will allow you to burn the fat faster. It is a long process that requires commitment in order to achieve results.
The second thing to know is that no amount of sit-ups are going to make you lose the fat. You can be doing hundreds of sit-ups every day, but the end result will be rock-hard abs muscles hidden under layers and layers of fat. That is not what we want to achieve. That is not to say that exercise is not important, but alone, it is not enough.
The only way to lose fat is to burn more energy than you are eating. That is the only time the body will tap into the energy stored in fat cells. In order to achieve this, you will need to change several bad habits and make improvements to your lifestyle. If you can keep it up, you will be surprised at the positive results that a few small changes can achieve.
To make this task easier for you, here are several tips that you can follow to achieve the desired results.
Watch What You Eat
Try to drink a lot of water throughout the day, especially when you wake up and before you sleep. Water is king. That is the golden rule. Water helps streamline the fat burning process as well as detoxify the body. If your body is low on water at anytime during the day, the body reduces energy burning. This translates into lower fat loss. If you are exercising, make sure you are well hydrated because you will lose a lot of water to sweat.
Try green tea. Green tea is also a great substitute for coffee or black tea. It is rich in substances called catechins. A study published in 2005 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat. Green tea also has antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties.
Implement Activity Into Your Life
Try to take the stairs rather than the elevator or escalator. Think of it as an exercise that needs neither special equipment nor dedicated time.
Get in the habit of a brisk walk every day, may be by parking your car a few blocks away from work in the morning. If you usually take public transportation, get off a station or two away from your target and walk the remaining distance. Besides being refreshing, it will burn some energy. Coupled with lower calories intake, this will lead the body to burn fat cells.
Exercise the Right Way
In less than 10 weeks, you are bound to see signs of your stomach fat receding.
As mentioned before, sit-ups and crouches are the biggest belly fat loss myth. To lose fat, you have to work up a sweat. Cardiovascular exercises, also called aerobic exercises, are the best way to do that. These include a vast array of workouts such as running, power walking, swimming, cycling, and rope jumping. There are also trendy new options such as aerobic dancing, which can be fun and exciting besides helping you lose weight.
Most experts recommend aerobic exercising for 20 to 50 minutes three to five times a week. Besides raising your metabolism, and thus burning more calories to release energy, cardio exercises have great health benefits such as reducing cardiovascular diseases, which is the leading cause of death around the world.
Anaerobic exercises, such as weight-lifting, can have a beneficial effect by raising your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Simply put, this refers to the amount of energy your body burns when not exercising to maintain its functions. Anaerobic exercises increase your muscle mass, which require more energy uptake. Raising your BMR means that your body will constantly be burning more calories, which will lead to reducing fat deposits all over.
Activate your core. This term refers to one of the most effective yet simple ways of having a flat tummy. All you have to do is draw your bellybutton into your spine and hold it there while breathing naturally. See how long you can hold, and try to better your time every day. The best thing about this is that you can do it while sitting at your computer, standing, or walking. Try to set alarms on your computer or phone several times throughout the day to remind you to "activate your core."
Mental State
Evade foods rich in fats. You should also decrease your total caloric intake because, as we mentioned before, if you do not burn more than you eat, then you will never lose any fatty cells.
Try to divide your meals into five to six smaller meals instead of just three big ones. When the body does not receive food for prolonged periods, it enters into starvation mode. During this period, all body functions drastically decrease caloric burning. The regular food intake will increase metabolism since the body will never enter into starvation mode. This will help burn more fat throughout the day. Try to eat breakfast early, as soon as you wake up. This is to compensate for the long period of starvation while you are sleeping at night.
Eat larger meals in the morning and smaller meals toward bedtime. This is important because the food eaten in the morning will be used throughout the day to generate energy. However, if you eat heavy meals in the evening then most of it will be stored as fat while you are sleeping since it is not used up.
Cut down on junk food. Switch to nutritious, healthy foods. Junk food is one of the leading causes of obesity around the world. Also, try to cut down on refined sugars and processed food. You also need to develop the most important habit; stop eating when you are full. Do not overeat and stuff yourself. It is unhealthy, increases the fats in your body, and gives you stomachaches!
Watch What You Drink
Quit drinking beer. If you drink alcohol, now would be a great time to quit. There is, after all, a reason belly fat is called a "beer belly." There is no clear understanding of how beer can increase fat around the tummy. However, most doctors agree there is a strong relationship between drinking beer and increased belly fat. This could be due to the fact that beer is very high on caloric value.
Do not drink soft drinks either. They have a caloric value of around 150 per can. Count how many you drink every week, do the math, and you will realize they add up to thousands of calories. Diet soft drinks, while low on calories, have other health problems. It is best to evade them altogether. Go for fresh juices instead. They taste great and are a much healthier option. They act as a fun and filling snack between meals.
While this may all sound too overwhelming, it is not impossible to be able to achieve these changes in your lifestyle if you have the right mindset. By time, you will be able to naturally know what foods are not good for you. Even better, you will not be craving them anymore.
Incorporating exercise into our busy lifestyles can be tricky. But if you try to make exercise a fun family activity, or a friends get-together activity, then it will be much easier to maintain on the long run.
And the secret lies in the idea of the long run. You have to take the decision that losing belly fat is going to take time. There is no easy way or shortcut. However, the gradual change in your life will ensure that you are able to keep your new lifestyle. And this will eventually improve the quality of life for you. And in less than 10 weeks, you are bound to see signs of your stomach fat receding. And you will be wearing those clothes that you stuffed in the back of the closet in no time!
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
"A person fills no vessel worse than his [or her] stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to give him [or her] the strength he [or she] needs. If he [or she] has to fill his [or her] stomach, then let him [or her] leave one-third for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for air." (At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Eyewitnesses inside Gaza
Live dialogue with a journalist based in Gaza taken from islamonline.net
Saleh Al-Naami - Journalist, Gaza
Monday,Dec 29 ,2008
How is this attack on Gaza different from the other attacks, is Hamas capable of controlling things inside Strip now?
It is obvious that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza are very different in many ways from previous attacks in both Gaza and West Bank.This is a campaign not witnessed since 1967. First, the scale of attack and air raids is immense. Israel until now has dropped about 500 tons of explosives on Gaza. They have dropped bombs that weigh up to one ton from F 16 fighter jets.
Secondly, they dropped these explosives on institutions during work hours.They targeted all kinds of institutions, even houses of worship.
Today alone, Israelis bombed 5 mosques. A prominent mosque is in Jabalia and a nearby house was completely demolished and five girls inside were killed, one of them is 4 years old.
They have targeted peoples homes unlike before when they used to attack mainly public institutions.
As to how Hamas currently manages Gaza, it is fair to say that many key institutions have been damaged, such as police centers and government offices. But people all rally around Hamas because they know it is the one Israel is trying to eradicate Resistance before it stretches its occupation all over the territories.
Hamas is doing its best and people are rallying around it. This possibly against what the Israeili government anticipates.
Are Israeli strikes precise enough as they claim to not hit civilians?
With the populous nature of the Strip, what is the margin of error?
Of course they are very precise in attacking their intended targets, such as mosques, civilian population, gov. institutions..etc.
They are very precise about that. Israel claims that it does not target civilians and that some of these may be killed by mistake in attacks.
This can be understood say if a militant compound is near a mosque or populated neighborhood. But this never is the fact.
A lot of times they target Mosques that and people's homes intentionally in order to make these people revolt against Resistance, but this only backfires on the Israelis. Some of them are now acknowledging this and say that these attacks may even strip Abbas from any legitimacy and and further empower Hamas.
So yes, They are precise in killing civilians and that is their intentions.
What is the real reason of Israel attack on Gaza?
Israel says the reason is to stop resistance groups from attacking Israeli villages with rockets. Whether this is true is a totally different story. During the six month truce, Israel constantly attacked Gaza and imposed a heinous siege on its people. Israel stifled the whole population without food, medicine or Gas.
This is during the truce, when no rockets were fired. So,the reason then for the Israeli massive attack on Gaza is something different from what they claim. Now the only reason I can think of as an individual who lives in Gaza is this:
Gaza has proved its resistance to the Zionist project for building empire in the Middle East. They (Zionists) want to crash the last strongholds of Resistance in Palestine to make it easy then to take over it and bring back their armed settlers.
source - http://www.islamonline.net/livedialogue/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=5f2550
Saleh Al-Naami - Journalist, Gaza
Monday,Dec 29 ,2008
How is this attack on Gaza different from the other attacks, is Hamas capable of controlling things inside Strip now?
It is obvious that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza are very different in many ways from previous attacks in both Gaza and West Bank.This is a campaign not witnessed since 1967. First, the scale of attack and air raids is immense. Israel until now has dropped about 500 tons of explosives on Gaza. They have dropped bombs that weigh up to one ton from F 16 fighter jets.
Secondly, they dropped these explosives on institutions during work hours.They targeted all kinds of institutions, even houses of worship.
Today alone, Israelis bombed 5 mosques. A prominent mosque is in Jabalia and a nearby house was completely demolished and five girls inside were killed, one of them is 4 years old.
They have targeted peoples homes unlike before when they used to attack mainly public institutions.
As to how Hamas currently manages Gaza, it is fair to say that many key institutions have been damaged, such as police centers and government offices. But people all rally around Hamas because they know it is the one Israel is trying to eradicate Resistance before it stretches its occupation all over the territories.
Hamas is doing its best and people are rallying around it. This possibly against what the Israeili government anticipates.
Are Israeli strikes precise enough as they claim to not hit civilians?
With the populous nature of the Strip, what is the margin of error?
Of course they are very precise in attacking their intended targets, such as mosques, civilian population, gov. institutions..etc.
They are very precise about that. Israel claims that it does not target civilians and that some of these may be killed by mistake in attacks.
This can be understood say if a militant compound is near a mosque or populated neighborhood. But this never is the fact.
A lot of times they target Mosques that and people's homes intentionally in order to make these people revolt against Resistance, but this only backfires on the Israelis. Some of them are now acknowledging this and say that these attacks may even strip Abbas from any legitimacy and and further empower Hamas.
So yes, They are precise in killing civilians and that is their intentions.
What is the real reason of Israel attack on Gaza?
Israel says the reason is to stop resistance groups from attacking Israeli villages with rockets. Whether this is true is a totally different story. During the six month truce, Israel constantly attacked Gaza and imposed a heinous siege on its people. Israel stifled the whole population without food, medicine or Gas.
This is during the truce, when no rockets were fired. So,the reason then for the Israeli massive attack on Gaza is something different from what they claim. Now the only reason I can think of as an individual who lives in Gaza is this:
Gaza has proved its resistance to the Zionist project for building empire in the Middle East. They (Zionists) want to crash the last strongholds of Resistance in Palestine to make it easy then to take over it and bring back their armed settlers.
source - http://www.islamonline.net/livedialogue/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=5f2550
And they say Islam is a 'religion of terror'..
If you haven't found out already..
Missiles rained on Gaza..
Everything in their path was destroyed..
More than 350 Palestinians were killed..
More than 1400 were injured..
Many were made up civilians.. including the aged, women and children
The US Government say Israel has the right to defend themselves
As it stands for now, only 2 Israelis have been killed and a few others wounded..
And the missiles keep coming..
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Islam sets down clear guidelines as to when war is ethically right, and clear guidelines as to how such a war should be conducted.
In brief, war is permitted:
* in self defence
* when other nations have attacked an Islamic state
* if another state is oppressing its own Muslims
War should be conducted:
* in a disciplined way
* so as to avoid injuring non-combatants
* with the minimum necessary force
* without anger
* with humane treatment towards prisoners of war
Muslims must only wage war according to the principles of Allah's justice.
{Those who believe fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan)..} -Qur'an 4:76
Islam allows war in self-defence (Qur'an 22:39), to defend Islam (rather than to spread it), to protect those who have been removed from their homes by force because they are Muslims (Qur'an 22:40), and to protect the innocent who are being oppressed (Qur'an 4:75).
The conduct of war
Islam bans the killing of non-combatants (Qur'an 2:190), or of a combatant who has been captured.
Muslims are forbidden from attacking wounded soldiers (unless the wounded person is still fighting).
The Prophet's view of non-combatants is shown by a hadith in which Muhammad sees a woman killed in the battlefield and condemns the action.
When an enemy is defeated he should be made prisoner rather than be killed:
{So when you meet (in fight - Jihad in Allah's Cause) those who disbelieve, then smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden..} Qur'an 47:4
Abu Bakr (the First Caliph) gave these rules to an army he was sending to battle:
Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path.
You must not mutilate dead bodies.
Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man.
Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful.
Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food.
You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone
- Abu Bakr
A noble example of ideal Muslim conduct of war is the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187. Although a number of holy Muslim places had been violated by Christians, Saladin prohibited acts of vengeance, and his army was so disciplined that there were no deaths or violence after the city surrendered. The residents were taken prisoner, but their ransom was set at a token amount. (source --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/war.shtml)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Quote from "Ar-Raheequl-Makhtum", The Sealed Nectar, a biography of the Noble Prophet(s.a.w) pg 684, during Dhul-Qa'dah, 6 A.H. about the Muslims' efforts under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) to propagate Islam in the Arabian Peninsula bearing in mind, during that period, the Arab idolaters were claiming religious leadership and were always the war instigators..
"The Muslims did not have in mind to seize people's property or kill them through bloody wars, nor did they ever think or using any compulsive approaches in their efforts to propagate Islam, on the contrary, their sole target was to provide an atmosphere of freedom in ideology or religion:
"Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve" [al-Kahfi 18:29]
Missiles rained on Gaza..
Everything in their path was destroyed..
More than 350 Palestinians were killed..
More than 1400 were injured..
Many were made up civilians.. including the aged, women and children
The US Government say Israel has the right to defend themselves
As it stands for now, only 2 Israelis have been killed and a few others wounded..
And the missiles keep coming..
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Islam sets down clear guidelines as to when war is ethically right, and clear guidelines as to how such a war should be conducted.
In brief, war is permitted:
* in self defence
* when other nations have attacked an Islamic state
* if another state is oppressing its own Muslims
War should be conducted:
* in a disciplined way
* so as to avoid injuring non-combatants
* with the minimum necessary force
* without anger
* with humane treatment towards prisoners of war
Muslims must only wage war according to the principles of Allah's justice.
{Those who believe fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan)..} -Qur'an 4:76
Islam allows war in self-defence (Qur'an 22:39), to defend Islam (rather than to spread it), to protect those who have been removed from their homes by force because they are Muslims (Qur'an 22:40), and to protect the innocent who are being oppressed (Qur'an 4:75).
The conduct of war
Islam bans the killing of non-combatants (Qur'an 2:190), or of a combatant who has been captured.
Muslims are forbidden from attacking wounded soldiers (unless the wounded person is still fighting).
The Prophet's view of non-combatants is shown by a hadith in which Muhammad sees a woman killed in the battlefield and condemns the action.
When an enemy is defeated he should be made prisoner rather than be killed:
{So when you meet (in fight - Jihad in Allah's Cause) those who disbelieve, then smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden..} Qur'an 47:4
Abu Bakr (the First Caliph) gave these rules to an army he was sending to battle:
Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path.
You must not mutilate dead bodies.
Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man.
Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful.
Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food.
You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone
- Abu Bakr
A noble example of ideal Muslim conduct of war is the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187. Although a number of holy Muslim places had been violated by Christians, Saladin prohibited acts of vengeance, and his army was so disciplined that there were no deaths or violence after the city surrendered. The residents were taken prisoner, but their ransom was set at a token amount. (source --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/war.shtml)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Quote from "Ar-Raheequl-Makhtum", The Sealed Nectar, a biography of the Noble Prophet(s.a.w) pg 684, during Dhul-Qa'dah, 6 A.H. about the Muslims' efforts under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) to propagate Islam in the Arabian Peninsula bearing in mind, during that period, the Arab idolaters were claiming religious leadership and were always the war instigators..
"The Muslims did not have in mind to seize people's property or kill them through bloody wars, nor did they ever think or using any compulsive approaches in their efforts to propagate Islam, on the contrary, their sole target was to provide an atmosphere of freedom in ideology or religion:
"Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve" [al-Kahfi 18:29]
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