What Is The Purpose Of Life?

Secret £14million Bible : 'Jesus predicts coming of Prophet Muhammad'

2012-03-05T08:04:00.000-08:00

A secret Bible in which Jesus is believed to predict the coming of the Prophet Muhammad to Earth has sparked serious interest from the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI is claimed to want to see the 1,500-year-old book, which many say is the Gospel of Barnabas, that has been hidden by the Turkish state for the last 12 years.

The £14million handwritten gold lettered tome, penned in Jesus' native Aramaic language, is said to contain his early teachings and a prediction of the Prophet's coming.

Secret Bible: The 1,500-year-old tome was is said to contain Jesus' early teachings and his prediction of the Prophet's coming

Ancient: The leather-bound text, written on animal hide, was discovered by Turkish police during an anti-smuggling operation in 2000

The leather-bound text, written on animal hide, was discovered by Turkish police during an anti-smuggling operation in 2000.

It was closely guarded until 2010, when it was finally handed over to the Ankara Ethnography Museum, and will soon be put back on public display following a minor restoration.

A photocopy of a single page from the handwritten ancient manuscript is thought to be worth £1.5million.

Turkish culture and tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay said the book could be an authentic version of the Gospel, which was suppressed by the Christian Church for its strong parallels with the Islamic view of Jesus.

He also said the Vatican had made an official request to see the scripture - a controversial text which Muslims claim is an addition to the original gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.

In line with Islamic belief, the Gospel treats Jesus as a human being and not a God.

Luton Muslims: Proud and Prejudiced

2012-02-28T04:33:00.002-08:00

Last night people all over the UK and world were presented with "Proud and Prejudiced" on channel 4. This was a documentary of two of the most controversial men in Britain.

Tommy Robinson (Stephen Lenon), a tanning salon manager, is the leader of the English Defence League, the biggest far-right street protest movement for a generation.

Sayful Islam, a former tax inspector, heads a small group of Muslim extremists, who have become notorious for abusing British soldiers and burning poppies on Remembrance Day.

Both men enjoy a cult-like status with loyal followers, both are specialists in making highly inflammatory speeches and defying the authorities, and both are from the same town: Luton.

The documentary does not in anyway represent the thousands of Muslims and Non-Muslims peacefully living in Luton. The main concern and issue is individuals such as those in the documentary are uneducated and illiterate about the teachings of Islam. The Non-Muslims, in particular those in the documentary are not aware of what Islam really is neither do they want to find out because of how it is incorrectly portrayed by a few individuals.

What Is Islam? What Is A Muslim?

Islam (English /ˈɪzlɑːm/;^{[note 1]} Arabic: الإسلام al-ʾislām IPA: [ʔɪsˈlæːm] ( listen)^{[note 2]}) is the monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur'an, atext considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Arabic: الله Allāh), and by the teachings and normative example (called the Sunnah and composed of Hadith) of Muhammad, considered by them to be the last prophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

The Quran is the first and foremost important book of guidance, way of life for muslims. Verses are often taken out of context and without understanding. Taking verses literally and without knowledge, not only distorts ones correct belief of the religion but also the key reason of Muslims becoming extremism.

Various problems and issues related to the understanding of the rules of Shari'ah occur as a result of the unawareness of the many Quranic ayahs and Hadith by some people. These individuals misguide themselves and others by misinterpreting the Holy Quran and Hadith.

Quran Chapter 2 Verse 26:
Verily, Allah is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: "What did Allah intend by this parable?" By it, He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are rebellious.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلاً مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَـذَا مَثَلاً يُضِلُّ بِهِ كَثِيراً وَيَهْدِي بِهِ كَثِيراً وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلاَّ الْفَاسِقِينَ (٢٦)

The Quran introduces itself as a book through which God causes many to stray while he guides others along the right path. (2:26)

Imam Ghazali Rahimahullah, as well as other scholars, has mentioned fifteen branches of knowledge which one must acquire in order to gain insight into any particular issue from the Holy Quran and Hadith. To provide an example, one of these branches of knowledge is the knowledge of the background and circumstances under which the Quranic verses were revealed. Without this knowledge, it would be impossible to understand the meaning and rationale of many verses in the Holy Quran. Consider the following verse:

“Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate, if they fear Allah and believe and do righteous good deeds, and again fear Allah and believe, and once again fear Allah and do good deeds with Ihsan. And Allah loves the good-doers.” (5:93)

If one looks at the literal translation of the above verse, one gets the impression that whatever one eats, whether it is halal (permissible) or haram (forbidden), will not make any difference as long as one believes in Allah, performs good deeds and is mindful of his or her duties. It is only when we learn the background of and the circumstances under which this verse was revealed, that we truly understand the meaning of the verse.

Let us examine the background of this verse. When the verse forbidding alcohol was revealed a number of companions expressed their concern about those who died before the revelation of this verse. The above verse was revealed to respond to this concern and to ensure the companions that as long as the person believed in Allah, was pious, God fearing and mindful of his or her duties to Allah, he or she will not be punished for his previous drinking; if he is to be punished, it will not be because of his drinking but because of his lack of faith and fear of Allah.

The above example clearly demonstrates how essential it is to have the knowledge of the rules dealing with the interpretation of the Holy Quran. Without this knowledge, one can easily go astray.

Regarding the hadith (sayings) and example of god's final messenger Muhammad pbuh, if even his basic teachings were followed they would clearly distinguish a good Muslim and a true follower of his message and faith. Here are just a few sayings of the best of creation:

The Prophet was asked - What actions are most excellent? He replied - To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured.

He who is not kind to God's creatures, and to his own children, God will not be kind to him. Kindness is a mark of faith: and whoever hath not kindness hath not faith.

Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.

It is not worthy of a speaker of truth to curse people.

He who believeth in one God and the Hereafter, let him speak what is good or remain silent.

He who believeth in one God and the life beyond, let him not injure his neighbors.

Feed the hungry and visit the sick, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

The person who is strong is not strong because he can knock people down. The person who is strong is the one who controls himself when he is angry.

It was said to the Prophet Muhammad, "O Messenger of God! Curse the infidels." Muhammad said, "I am not sent for this; nor was I sent but as mercy to mankind."

As we can see from only a small number of sayings of the messenger, which is the best example Muslims are told to follow is not clearly practised by those who claim to be Muslims today. Muslims, Christians, Jews and other faiths have always lived in peace in history side by side. We have many examples as in the Ottoman Empire, Muslim Spain etc for hundreds of years. These were islamic states that non-muslims desired to live under? Why - because the Muslims then had tolerance of other's beliefs, treated others with justice and were practising Islam in its true form.

The injustice that is being inflicted on Muslims around the world will not be removed by burning flags, protesting and yelling or inciting hatred against non-muslims. We Muslims must change ourselves “Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)” From 13: 11. Now we may ask what is the needed change in our souls:

- We should repent and make Dua to Allah instead of disobeying Him.
- Obedience of the Quran and teachings of the final messenger, Muhammad (pbuh). Keep steadfast and sincere to the commandments of Allah and His Messenger.
- Start by changing foremost ourselves, families and neighbourhoods.
- Comprehensive understanding of Islam should replace the misunderstanding or the incomplete understanding.

To conclude, a Muslim must respect the laws of the land in which he lives, whether that land is a Muslim country or not. If he or she is not happy, then you should migrate.

What is Al-Quran?

2012-02-23T08:40:00.001-08:00

The Qur'an ("Qor-Ann") is a Message from Allah (swt) to humanity. It was transmitted to us in a chain starting from the Almighty Himself (swt) to the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (saw). This message was given to the Prophet (saw) in pieces over a period spanning approximately 23 years (610 CE to 632 CE). The Prophet (saw) was 40 years old when the Qur'an began to be revealed to him, and he was 63 when the revelation was completed. The language of the original message was Arabic, but it has been translated into many other languages.

The Qur'an is one of the two sources which form the basis of Islam. The second source is the way of life of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) - known as the Sunnah. What makes the Qur'an different from the Sunnah is primarily its form. Unlike the Sunnah, the Qur'an is literally the Word of Allah (swt), whereas the Sunnah was inspired by Allah but the wording and actions are the Prophet's (saw). The Qur'an has not been expressed using any human's words. Its wording is letter for letter fixed by no one but Allah.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the final Messenger of Allah to humanity, and therefore the Qur'an is the last Message which Allah (swt) has sent to us. Its predecessors such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospels have all been superseded. It is an obligation - and blessing - for all who hear of the Qur'an and Islam to investigate it and evaluate it for themselves. Allah (swt) has guaranteed that He will protect the Qur'an from human tampering, and today's readers can find exact copies of it all over the world. The Qur'an of today is the same as the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad (saw) 1400 years ago.

Futuwwa - The Courage to be Good

2012-02-21T03:05:00.001-08:00

There is a spiritual connection between us today and generations back to the origins of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Because on the affairs and circumstances on society today, it has great effect on the young children, However the primary thing that affects children are parents, then friends and school. These are things that affect and shape people. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "No baby is born but upon Fitra (as a Muslim). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." (Sahih Muslim, Book 033, Number 6426). And then a young person in accordance to the strength his her faith and courage will have an affect in accordance to their connection to the divine. In accordance to the weakness of their faith and knowledge they will be weak and affected by their surroundings.

You as young people, who represent this religion must have strong faith and deep knowledge. As for faith this is knowing the creator who made us, this is the greatest and most important thing to the human being in this universe. Someone who knows the various created things and various electronics, but are ignorant of the creator it is as if they know nothing. The state of such a person is they know material things but have forgotten their own souls! Someone who is ignorant of his own soul, when dealing with things around them, there will be types of corruption that would occur and they will appear crooked and harmed.

The Quran states:

"And be not like those who forgot Allah (i.e. became disobedient to Allah) and He caused them to forget their ownselves, (let them to forget to do righteous deeds). Those are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)."19:59. Surah Al-Hashr (The Gathering)

Someone does not know the true reality of himself, who does not know the attributes of the one who created his soul. Scholars say the one who knows his/her soul then he/she would know his Lord. May Allah assist you in increasing faith and knowledge in him.

The young men and women from the companions lived with strong faith, for which Allah gave them great gifts. When the Prophet pbuh came to Madinah and stayed with his maternal uncle, at the time of his arrival children rushed out and welcomed him with great joy! He saw the strong faith these young children had in him. The connection of love with him and the faith was great. Generations after were also carrying this love for the Messenger and his Message.

After the death of the prophet, one of the companions went to battle and brought with him his son who was only 10. On the day of the battle, the Son came to the father and asked "O Father, do you have any messages I can convey to the messenger?" He replied "What do you mean?" The son replied - "I am yearning and longing to be with the Prophet and ask my Lord to grant me martyrdom in this battle." The father was shaken by this and hugged his son and said "O my son, if you beat me to the prophet pbuh then convey to him my Salaams." Allah fulfilled the hope of this young boy. What are 10 year old's attached to today? What do they hope for? What kind of love do they feel for Islam and the prophet?

We need to be courageous and rise to high stations so we can bring back history so that it will be present and been seen before us. And also we have a prophet who longed for us, before we longed for him. One day the prophet was in the Graveyard and said "We would love to see our brothers!" The companions asked: "Are we not your brothers and he replied you are my companions, my brothers are people who will come after me and will believe me without seeing me." Prior to our loving him, he the prophet loved us. The focal point of our faith is love for our creator and his messenger, until they are more beloved to us than everything other than them! The signs of this can appear, for example how are we in the morning at the time of Salah Fajr? We should encourage our children to pray the morning prayer in congregation in the morning, before they go to school.

Nothing will give light to your hearts like the Quran. And nothing is better than increasing your faith and warding off evil, like the Quran. The prophet pbuh said "Recite the Quran, for indeed it will be an intercessor on the day of rising for its companions". So someone who recited and reflected on it is from the companions of the Quran. But the one who is passionate about it and lost themselves in love for it are from the people of the Quran. O Allah! Make us the people of the Quran.

Send prayers and salaat on the prophet pbuh, particular on the night of Jumma (Thursday after Magrib). Also recommended is that every time you enter/exit your house, everytime you sleep and after every prayer to recite Ayat-tul-Kursi.

Pay attention to who your friends are and those who you keep company with. Choose those who are good, and stay away from those who are bad.

QURAN 2:152 - Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me, and reject not Me.

Joshua Evans : How the Bible Led Me to Islam

2012-02-15T03:54:00.000-08:00

How the Bible Led Me to Islam: The Story of a Former Christian Youth Minister - Joshua Evans

Key Points of This Video:
Introduction [start time 00:00]
Me before Islam [start time 01:10]
-Me as a christian
-My family was extremely conservative
Sunday school [start time 03:00]
Me at the youth services [start time 05:00]
Me reading the bible [start time 11:00]
The bible claims Noah was an alcoholics [start time 12:41]
The bible claims that Lut's daughters seduced him [start time 14:56]
The bible claims that David is an Adulterer, and Murderer [start time 16:35]
Me reading the new Testament [start time 23:59]
-The bible is full of Monotheism
-An implicit statement can not override an explicit statement
Why the crucifixion? [start time 27:28]
A Christian Professor from Bob Jones University shock my faith [start time31:34]
Me looking at other religions [start time 35:44]
Me getting into a Car Accident [start time 38:10]
Robbed on gun point? [start time 41:18]
Me becoming an agnostic [start time 44:13]
Me reading about Islam [start time 45:22]
-Me meeting a Muslim
-Me going to mosque
Me in the mosque [start time 51:27]
The Imam doing the Friday Sermon [start time 52:29]
Friday sermon was about not despairing from the mercy of Allah [start time54:28]
The congregation standing up for prayer [start time 56:00]
Me reading the Quran [start time 58:00]
Me accepting Islam [start time 1:02:27]
There are millions looking for the truth [start time 1:03:02]
Islamic Finance & Islamic Real estate [start time 1:04:21]
-Islam is the solution
Spread the cure! [start time 1:09:54]
-Don't put a bucket on your candle
Conclusion [start time 1:17:02]

Beautiful Description of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - By Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

2012-02-15T02:39:00.002-08:00

"The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was more than just a great historical person, he was a father and friend, a husband, a companion and above all he was a human being. The Prophet's unique physical appearance, his high character and willingness to sacrifice for others, are often at the essence of any description of him." - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

The beautiful thing is we can follow the Sunnah of RasoolAllah (PBUH) and through this description we can try to emulate the way He (PBUH) looked.

Hamza Yusuf Hanson is an Islamic scholar, teacher, and co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkley, California, United States. He is an American convert to Islam, and is one of the signatories of A Common Word Between Us and You, an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling for peace and understanding.

Also watch - "Beautiful Character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwR9Ezui2No

The Mawlid - Birthday of the Prophet - 12th of Rabi’a al-Awwal

2012-02-09T04:52:00.001-08:00

The birthday of the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, is a great blessing for our community and, indeed, for all believers. So if we know the day, it should renew our joy manifold times. The Mawlid (his birthday) has traditionally been a time to reflect on – and be grateful for – our Prophet, peace be upon him, and his life, miracles, and the sacrifices he made on behalf of his community. Most of our scholars have considered celebrating the Mawlid as a good practice based upon the sound hadith, “Whoever establishes an excellent practice (sunnah hasanah) in Islam has its reward and the reward of those who act upon it.” This hadith, as some less perspicacious have thought, does not contradict the narration of Lady Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, in which she relates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, “Whoever introduces something in this matter of ours that is not from it will find it rejected.”

Celebrating the Mawlid, as great scholars such as Imam al-Suyuti have shown, does not depart from the Sunnah and is a branch from the root of love of the Messenger, peace be upon him.

Loving him is clearly from the Sunnah, as illustrated in the hadith in which when Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, expressed his love saying, “O Messenger of Allah, you are more beloved to me than everything except my own soul,” he was then reminded by the Prophet, peace be upon him, “None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than even his own soul between his sides.” At that point, Umar said, “By Allah, you are more beloved to me than my own soul between my sides.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, then said to Umar, “Now, O Umar, now!”

At that moment, Umar’s faith was completed – when his love matured from natural love to willful love. Natural love is the love of a child for a parent or the love of a devoted student for a teacher. This emanates from a simple truth, as stated by the Prophet, peace be upon him: “Hearts are inclined to love those who do good to them.” In other words, the human heart has no choice in the matter of natural love – love simply flows. Willful love, on the other hand, is of a higher order; it is love attained after deep contemplation of the beloved and a profound awareness that the object of one’s love is perfect, as in the case of God, or after the realization of the immense debt one owes to the beloved, as in the case of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Willful love is a matter of choice and introspection. Umar realized that his own soul that he loved so much was nothing, a cipher, without the blessing of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. It was at that moment that his willful love occurred; it took precedent over the natural love that everyone feels instinctively and without musing or meditation.

The celebration of his birthday, peace be upon him, is a matter of willful love, as it is from the religion to honor him and remember him, and part of the remembrance of Allah is to pray upon our Prophet, peace be upon him. Anything that helps us to do that, and is not an innovation, is good. Ibn Lubb and others have defined innovation as “what obliterates a sunnah.” Encouraging the community of believers to reflect on the Prophet, peace be upon him, on the sacred day of the 12th of Rabi’a al-Awwal, the day of his birth, is not destructive to the Sunnah that he brought. Moreover, the day itself is auspicious – it was the day of the Prophet’s arrival to Medina after his migration (hijrah). The day he died was also the 12th of Rabi’a al-Awwal. These are not coincidences. So let the lovers love in peace. The Mawlid is a national holiday in every Muslim country in the world!

Spend some time in this blessed month to read the seerah of the prophet and reflect on the blessings of his birth.

O Allah! Send peace on our Master Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad and send blessings and peace.

Source: http://sandala.org/blog/2012/02/05/if-you-don%E2%80%99t-like-the-mawlid-watch-out/

The Mawlid - Birthday of the Prophet - 12th of Rabi’a al-Awwal

2012-02-09T04:46:00.000-08:00

Celebrating the Mawlid, as great scholars such as Imam al-Suyuti have shown, does not depart from the Sunnah and is a branch from the root of love of the Messenger, peace be upon him.

Spend some time in this blessed month to read the seerah of the prophet and reflect on the blessings of his birth.

Source: http://sandala.org/blog/2012/02/05/if-you-don%E2%80%99t-like-the-mawlid-watch-out/

The 99 Names Of Allah

2012-02-02T04:21:00.000-08:00

Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 3.894 Narrated byAbu Huraira

Allah's Apostle said, "Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise." (Please see Hadith No. 419 Vol. 8)

Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 8.419 Narrated byAbu Huraira

Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr (one) and loves 'the Witr' (i.e., odd numbers).

Name/Transliteration	Translation	Some selected relevant verses from the Qur'an
ALLÂH	Allâh	(1:1)(3:18)(5:109)(6:124)(7:180)(8:40) (16:91)(20:8)(57:5)(65:3)(74:56)(85:20)
AR-RAHMÂN	The Most Compassionate, The Beneficent The Gracious	(1:3)(17:110)(19:58)(21:112) (27:30)(36:52)(50:33)(55:1)(59:22) (78:38)
AR-RAHÎM	The Merciful	(2:163)(3:31)(4:100)(5:3)(5:98) (11:41)(12:53)(12:64)(26:9)(30:5)(36:58)
AL-MALIK	The King	(20:114)(23:116)(59:23)(62:1)(114:2)
AL-QUDDÛS	The Most Holy	(59:23) (62:1)
AS-SALÂM	The All-Peaceful, The Bestower of peace	(59:23)
AL-MU'MIN	The Granter of security	(59:23)
AL-MUHAYMIN	The Protector	(59:23)
AL-'AZÎZ	The Mighty	(3:6) (4:158) (9:40) (9:71) (48:7) (59:23) (61:1)
AL-JABBÂR	The Compeller	(59:23)
AL-MUTAKABBIR	Supreme in Greatness, The Majestic	(59:23)
AL-KHÂLIQ	The Creator	(6:102) (13:16) (39:62)(40:62)(59:24)
AL-BÂRI'	The Maker	(59:24)
AL-MUSAWWIR	The Bestower of form, The Shaper	(59:24)
AL-GAFFÂR	The Forgiver	(20:82)(38:66)(39:5)(40:42)(71:10)
AL-QAHHÂR	The Subduer	(13:16)(14:48)(38:65)(39:4)(40:16)
AL-WAHHÂB	The Bestower	(3:8)(38:9)(38:35)
AR-RAZZÂQ	The Provider	(51:58)
AL-FATTÂH	The Opener, The Judge	(34:26)
AL-'ALÎM	The All-Knowing	(2:158)(3:92)(4:35)(24:41)(33:40) (35:38)(57:6)
AL-QÂBID	The Withholder	(2:245)
AL-BÂSIT	The Expander	(2:245)
AL-KHÂFID	The Abaser
AR-RÂFI'	The Exalter
AL-MU'IZZ	The Bestower of honour	(3:26)
AL-MUDHILL	The Humiliator	(3:26)
AS-SAMÎ'	The All-Hearing	(2:127) (2:137) (2:256) (8:17) (49:1)
AL-BASÎR	The All-Seeing	(4:58) (17:1) (42:11) (42:27) (57:4) (67:19)
AL-HAKAM	The Judge	(22:69)
AL-'ADL	The Just, The Equitable
AL-LATÎF	The Gentle, The Knower of subtleties	(6:103) (22:63) (31:16) (33:34) (67:14)
AL-KHABÎR	The All-Aware	(6:18) (17:30) (49:13) (59:18) (63:11)
AL-HALÎM	The Forbearing	(2:225) (2:235) (17:44) (22:59) (35:41)
AL-'AZÎM	The Incomparably Great	(2:255) (42:4) (56:96)
AL-GAFÛR	The Forgiving	(2:173) (8:69) (16:110) (41:32) (60:7)
ASH-SHAKÛR	The Appreciative	(35:30) (35:34) (42:23) (64:17)
AL-'ALIYY	The Most High	(2:255) (4:34) (31:30) (42:4) (42:51)
AL-KABÎR	The Most Great	(13:9) (22:62) (31:30) (34:23) (40:12)
AL-HAFÎZ	The Preserver	(11:57) (34:21) (42:6)
AL-MUGHÎTH	The Sustainer
AL-HASÎB	The Reckoner	(4:6) (4:86) (33:39)
AL-JALÎL	The Majestic, The Revered, The Sublime
AL-KARÎM	The Generous	(27:40) (82:6)
AR-RAQÎB	The Watchful	(4:1) (5:117)
AL-MUJÎB	The Responsive	(11:61)
AL-WÂSI'	The All-Encompassing, The All-Embracing	(2:115) (2:261) (2:268) (3:73) (5:54)
AL-HAKÎM	The Wise	(2:129) (2:260) (31:27) (46:2) (57:1) (66:2)
AL-WADÛD	The Loving One	(11:90) (85:14)
AL-MAJÎD	The Most Glorious	(11:73)
AL-BÂ'ITH	The Resurrector	(22:7)page 35
ASH-SHAHÎD	The Witness	(4:79)(4:166)(22:17)(41:53)(48:28)
AL-HAQQ	The Truth	(6:62)(22:6)(23:116)(31:30)
AL-WAKÎL	The Ultimate Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs	(3:173) (4:171) (28:28) (33:3) (73:9)
AL-QAWIYY	The Most Strong	(22:40)(22:74)(42:19)(57:25)(58:21)
AL-MATÎN	The Firm One, The Authoritative	(51:58)
AL-WALIYY	The Protector	(3:68) (4:45) (7:196) (42:28) (45:19)
AL-HAMÎD	The All-Praised, The Praiseworthy	(14:1) (14:8) (31:12) (31:26) (41:42)
AL-MUHSÎ	The Reckoner
AL-MUBDI'	The Originator	(10:4)(10:34)(27:64)(29:19)(85:13)
AL-MU'ÎD	The Restorer to life	(10:4)(10:34)(27:64)(29:19)(85:13)
AL-MUHYÎ	The Giver of life	(3:156) (7:158) (15:23)(30:50)(57:2)
AL-MUMÎT	The Causer of death	(3:156) (7:158) (15:23) (57:2)
AL-HAYY	The Ever-Living	(2:255)(3:2)(20:111)(25:58)(40:65)
AL-QAYYÛM	The Self-Existing by Whom all subsist	(2:255) (3:2) (20:111)
AL-WÂJID	The Self-Sufficient, The All-Perceiving
AL-MÂJID	The Glorified
AL-WÂHID	The One	(2:163) (5:73) (9:31) (18:110) (37:4)
AS-SAMAD	The Eternally Besought	(112:2)
AL-QÂDIR	The Omnipotent, The Able	(6:65) (36:81) (46:33) (75:40) (86:8)
AL-MUQTADIR	The Powerful	(18:45) (54:42) (54:55)
AL-MUQADDIM	The Expediter
AL- MU'AKHKHIR	The Delayer	(71:4)
AL-AWWAL	The First	(57:3)
AL-ÂKHIR	The Last	(57:3)
AZ-ZÂHIR	The Manifest	(57:3)
AL-BÂTIN	The Hidden	(57:3)
AL-WÂLÎ	The Governor, The Protector
AL-MUTA'ÂLÎ	The Most Exalted	(13:9)
AL-BARR	The Benign, The Source of All-Goodness	(52:28)
AT-TAWWÂB	The Granter and Accepter of repentence	(2:37) (2:128) (4:64) (49:12) (110:3)
AL- MUNTAQIM	The Lord of Retribution, The Avenger	(32:22) (43:41) (44:16)
AL-'AFUWW	The Pardoner	(4:99) (4:149) (22:60)
AR-RA'ÛF	The Most Kind, The Clement	(3:30) (9:117) (57:9) (59:10)
MÂLIK-UL-MULK	Owner of the Kingdom	(3:26)
DHUL JALÂL WAL IKRÂM	Possessor of Majesty and Honour	(55:27) (55:78)
AL-MUQSIT	The Just, The Equitable	(3:18)
AL-JÂME'	The Gatherer	(3:9)
AL-GHANIYY	The All-Sufficient	(2:263) (3:97) (39:7) (47:38) (57:24)
AL-MUGHNÎ	The Enricher	(9:28)
AL-MÂNI'	The Preventer of harm
AD-DÂRR	The Afflicter
AN-NÂFI'	The Benefiter
AN-NÛR	The Light	(24:35)
AL-HÂDÎ	The Guide	(25:31)
AL-BADÎ'	The Originator	(2:117) (6:101)
AL-BÂQÎ	The Everlasting	(55:27)
AL-WÂRITH	The Ultimate Inheritor	(15:23)
AR-RASHÎD	The Guide
AS-SABÛR	The Patient One

DEATH: A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FOR A BELIEVER

2012-02-02T03:10:00.000-08:00

"To Allah (Almighty God) we belong, and to Him is our return." (Holy Qur'an 2:156)

Multitudes of men have walked on the surface of this Earth. They all belonged to different nations and cultures. A few of them made history for which they were remembered, whereas others were never to be mentioned again. Although each one was personally different from another - their habits, thinking and tastes differed - they all had two things in common, first, they were all delivered from their mothers womb (birth) and second, they all tasted death. Who claims he has lived a thousand years?

"The Sun travels to an appointed place. This is the decree of the Mighty, the All-Knowing." (Holy Qur'an 36:38)

Almighty God blesses us with all His gifts. The Sun gives us light during the day to help us see and it helps our crops grow so that we can eat. But the Sun also teaches us other things. Almighty God causes the day to die with its setting and allows the night to take over, which is a time for rest. In this way, He may be showing us that all of us will eventually have to die just like the day. And when the Sun rises in the morning again after our period of rest, it is as if Almighty God is telling us that we too will be raised to life after we have died. These are all signs of Almighty God to teach us to take care of our life.

One thing that we must remember is that death is inevitable, and everything except the Almighty God of course, will perish. Signs of death can be seen all around us. At funerals we see people who were once walking among us being buried in their graves. In the fall we see the leaves turn from green to yellow and fall one at a time, and in the winter we see trees, lifeless. In this way, all things in this world will wither away and die.

According to an old fable, a man made an unusual agreement with Hazrat Izraeel (pbuh) - the angel of death. He told Izraeel (pbuh) that he would be willing to accompany him (as though he had a choice) only if Izraeel (pbuh) would send him a notice well in advance. The agreement was made. Weeks became months and the months into years. One bitterly cold night, as the man sat alone thinking of his success in life, Izraeel (pbuh) tapped on his shoulder. "You are here too soon" the man cried out. "You sent no messenger. I thought we had an agreement!" Izraeel (pbuh) whispered "Notice your hair, once it was full and black, now it has streaks of silver in it! Observe your face in the mirror and see the wrinkles. Yes! I have sent many messages through the years! I have kept my part. I am sorry that you are not ready for me but the order of Almighty God cannot be averted!"

Hence, hair color turning gray from black or wrinkles on the face are also the signs of nearing death, and the Almighty God is the only one who can bring the dead back to life.

Surely all men die, and just surely Almighty God give them life with His ability, and judges them on their deeds and actions. We know Almighty God is the Creator and can recreate us, because if one can do something he has the ability to do it again.

For instance, if your teacher asks you to draw a picture on the blackboard and color it. Then if after you have drawn it with beautiful colors, the teacher asks you to rub it out and do it again, could you repeat the same drawing again?

Of course you would be able to repeat the picture. It is what you created and are capable of doing again.

From this example, we can understand Almighty God is able to give life to the dead because it is He Who created us in the beginning. Almighty God can surely give life to the dead. He judges them on their deeds. On Resurrection Day He will re-create the dead for judgment, and then allow the doer of good to enter paradise but cast the evil-doer into hell.

Hatred towards death and love of the world is the outcome of an ignorant person's mind, who thinks that the happiness of this world is his prosperity and good fortune. The world beset with numerous troubles and anxieties is about to end in misery and does not enjoy eternity, perpetuity and sincerity. A poet has referred to this in the following words - "Do not give your heart to this world, for its example is of an unfaithful bride who has never loved you, even for a night."

Imam Ali (pbuh) says: "If man will see how speedily his death is coming toward him he will abhor ambitions and will give up admiring the world."

It is of utmost importance that man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty, and not hate it and consider it as evil, but should take lessons from it. He should ask forgiveness from Almighty for his sins and tame the rebellious self (Nafs). When the call of his Lord comes, he should welcome it with open arms accepting it to be a blessing from Almighty. He should be contented with the decree (Qadr) of Almighty. He should also not be disheartened by the delay in death but should consider it as an opportunity afforded by Almighty to him to repent. This delay would give him a chance to gather provisions useful for his journey to the other world, for the journey is tiresome and full of dangerous valleys and difficult paths.

Top 10 Muslim Football Players

2012-01-10T02:08:00.000-08:00

See all 10 photos

1. Nicolas (Bilal) Anelka

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka converted to Islam in 2004 in the UAE after deep discussions about religion with childhood friends, he took the Muslim name Abdul-Salam Bilal. Anelka was a Manchester City player at the time and considered moving to play his football in the UAE before settling on a move to Turkish club Fenerbache.

2. Franck (Bilal) Ribery

French player Franck Ribery is also a convert to Islam, with his wife French-Algerian wife having been raised a Muslim herself, Ribery was recently quoted as having said "I pray five times a day, I do it because it enables me to be released and I feel better afterwards.".

3. Kolo (Habib) Toure

Arsenal centre back Kolo Toure was raised in the Ivory Coast and played for ASEC Mimosas before he was bought by the Gunners. Toure is a practicing Muslim, as are his family, and has previously stated his desire to become a role model for young British Muslims.

4. Frederick (Oumar) Kanoute

French born Malian Kanoute, who plays for Seville and the Mali national team as a striker, has been practising Islam since the age of 20 (he is now 32). He refused to wear the Seville shirt whilst it was sponsored by gambling website 888.com, and therefore wore a brand free version. Kanoute has also purchased a Mosque in Seville for $700k after its lease had expired.

5. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema was born in France to parents of Algerian-Kabyle descent, and is openly a practising Muslim. Benzema currently plays for Real Madrid following a 35 million euro transfer from Lyon, he has also become a regular international player for France.

6. Samir Nasri

The young Samir Nasri has been a revelation at Arsenal and has been hailed by many in France as 'The New Zidane'. I'm not convinced that Nasri can achieve the same things as Zidane, but he is without doubt a very talented player. Nasri was born to Algerian parents in France and raised as a Muslimm, his girlfriend is non-muslim.

7. Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure is the younger brother of Kolo Toure (number 3) and plays as a defensive midfielder for Barcelona, although he is not a first choice player very often. Like his brother, Yaya is a practising Muslim.

8. Hatem Ben Arfa

Hatem Ben Arfa is a talented French international player of Tunisian descent, and is currently plying his trade at Marseille. His father was a Tunisian international, and his whole family is muslim.

9. Khalid Boulahrouz

Khalid Boulahrouz is a Dutch international defender of Berber Moroccan descent, he currently plays in Germany for Stuttgart. The Berber people are almost entirely Sunni Muslim, as is Boulahrouz and his family.

10. Abou Diaby

Abou Diaby, like the Toure brothers, is of Ivorian descent. He was raised in France, and has played for their international team. The Arsenal star, who plays as a central midfielder, remains a practising muslim.

Source: http://ryankett.hubpages.com/hub/Muslim-Football-Players

SUNNATS UPON AWAKENING

2012-01-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

1. Immediately upon awakening rub the face and the eyes with both the palms in order to remove the effects of sleep. (Shamaaile Tirmidhi).

2. When the eyes open in the morning recite this dua: Allahamdulila hilazi ahyana ba’da ma amatana wae laihin nushoor -(Bukhari, Abu Dawood, Muslim) All praise is due to Allah who brought us to life after having granted us death and to Him will we beresurrected.

3. When awakening from sleep cleanse the mouth with a Miswaak. (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Dawood pg. 8).

4. The use of the Miswaak should be repeated when making Wudhu. Using the Miswaak upon awakening isa separate Sunnat. (Bazlul Majhood, “Commentary of Abu Dawood” Vol.1 pg.35).

5. When wearing one’s trousers, first put on the right leg, then the left one. When putting on a kurta or shirt,first put on the right sleeve and then the left one. The same procedure should be followed when wearing avest. When wearing a shoe, first put on the right shoe. When removing any garment or shoe, first remove theleft, then the right. This is the sunnat method when removing any garment from the body (Bukhari, Tirmidhi“the chapter on clothing” and Shamaaile Tirmidhi).

6. Before immersing the hands into any utensils, wash them thrice thoroughly. (Tirmidhi
Vol. 1, pg. 13)

Women's Right to Work In Islam

2012-01-09T03:51:00.000-08:00

Allah created all mankind from a single male and female, and placed natural love and affection for one another in order that they cooperate to build families and relationships of families. We see in nature that Allah bestowed the male of each species with superior power and endurance in order that he may dominate in certain spheres and seek provisions and protection for the species, while the female of each species is equipped to reproduce and multiply to maintain the continuity of that species. Only the female is equipped with the necessary apparatus to bear, deliver, nurse and care for the young.

The female human has been endowed with love, kindness, sympathy, care and affection in order to carry out her duties to her children with dignity. Based on this natural predisposition and delegation of responsibilities, and based on the unique qualities of the male and the female, it is only natural for man to work outside the house and earn for the sustenance of the family and for the woman to work inside the house and take care of the children and the family in general.

Considering this basic fact, Islamic law does not deprive a woman from the right to work within the limits that protect her honor and dignity. Islam permits the woman to personally conduct her business contracts and financial transactions. All such contracts and transactions are sound and valid in the view of Islamic jurisprudence. The work that the woman performs outside her home must be, in the first place, a lawful employment or job that suits the nature and physique of the woman. She must not, for instance, be obliged to do heavy industrial jobs, and other jobs to which men are more suited to perform.

Islam has given women the rights to work, to own property and to have wealth. Women can seek employment and work in profession such as medical care, teaching, civil and justice professions. These rights remains the same before and after marriage.

Regarding the right to work, the Qur'an Sura 4 Verse 32 states:

And in nowise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of his bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge of all things.

In the Islamic history there were no restrictions in women's full participation in the economic, political and social spheres of their society. For example, Khadija, the Prophet's first wife was one of the most important merchants of the time, and the Prophet himself was her employee. Ayisha, the Prophet's other wife was one of his most important advisers and consultants. In the early Islamic history women not only participated in various aspects of their society's public sphere, they also had the right to be elected to political offices. For example, Omar the second Khalif appointed a woman to oversee the affairs of the marketplace. The women also participated in wars and fought in the battles.

Apple Steve Jobs and his Syrian Muslim father and family...

2011-10-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs, arguably the most influential CEO in the world, is the biological son of an Arab American who was born in Homs, Syria, and studied at the American University of Beirut.

With accolades that include CEO of the decade and person of the year, Steve Jobs is routinely voted one of the most influential and powerful people in the world. He catapulted Apple to the world’s leading technology company through the iPod revolution and innovations that followed such as the iPhone and the iPad. The creative mind of Steve Jobs is often chronicled, including his life story as the adopted child of a modest American family.

What most fail to realize is that his living biological father is of Syrian origin. Abdul Fattah “John” Jandali emigrated to the United States in the early 1950s to pursue his university studies. Most media outlets have published little about Jandali, other than to say he was an outstanding professor of political science, that he married his girlfriend (Steve’s mother) and by whom he also had a daughter, and that he slipped from view following his separation from his wife.

An American historian, however, has now stirred controversy over the role of genes and their superiority over nurture in the case of Steve Jobs, by describing Jandali in a detailed critical article published briefly on the Internet before it was suddenly removed, as “the father of invention”, given that Jandali’s daughter Mona (Simpson) – Steve’s sister – is also one of the most famous contemporary American novelists and a professor at University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).

The 79-year-old Jandali has deliberately kept his distance from the media.What is known about him lacks detail, and is both one-sided and a source of curiosity at the same time. Here is his story as Jandali himself told it to Al-Hayat.

Jandali in Syria

Abdul Fattah Jandali was born in 1931 to a traditional family in Homs, Syria. His father did not reach university, but was a self-made millionaire who owned “several entire villages”, according to his son. His father held complete authority over his children, authority not shared by his traditional and “obedient” wife.

“My father was a self-made millionaire who owned extensive areas of land which included entire villages,” Jandali said. “He had a strong personality and, in contrast to other parents in our country, my father did not reveal his feelings towards us, but I knew that he loved me because he loved his children and wanted them to get the best university education possible to live a life of better opportunities than he had, because he didn’t have an education. My mother was a traditional Muslim woman who took care of the house and me and my four sisters, but she was conservative, obedient, and a housewife. She didn’t have as important a part in our upbringing and education as my father. Women from my generation had a secondary role in the family structure, and the male was in control.”

The American University

Jandali did not stay long in Syria. “I left for Beirut when I was 18 to study at the American University, and I spent the best years of my life there,” he said.

He was a pan-Arabism activist, and his star soon began to shine. He headed an intellectual and literary society which had a nationalist bent and counted among its members symbols of the Arab nationalists’ movements such as George Habash, Constantine Zareeq, Shafiq Al-Hout and others.

“I was an activist in the student nationalist movement at that time,” he said. “We demonstrated for the independence of Algeria and spent three days in prison. I wasn’t a member of any particular party but I was a supporter of Arab unity and Arab independence. The three and a half years I spent at the American University in Beirut were the best days of my life. The university campus was fantastic and I made lots of friends, some of whom I am still in contact with. I had excellent professors, and it’s where I first got interested in law and political science.”

The university’s Campus Gate magazine published in its 2007 spring issue an article by Tousef Shabal in which he says: “The Al-Urwa Al-Wuthqa Association was founded in 1918 and dedicated to cultural and political activities. Between 1951 and 1954 the society was headed by Abdul Fattah Jandali, the now deceased Eli Bouri, Thabit Mahayni and Maurice Tabari. The decision to disband the society was taken after the events of March 1954…” a reference to the violent demonstrations that took place on the university campus against the Baghdad Pact.

According to Shabal, the society consisted of “diverse political groups such as Arab nationalists and communists, and competition for the managing positions was red hot, but in the end went in favor of the Arab nationalists.”

When Jandali graduated from the American University in Beirut, Syria was going through troubled political and economic times, according to Jandali, and although he wanted to study law at Damascus University and become a lawyer, his father did not agree, saying that there were “too many lawyers in Syria”.

He continued: “Then I decided to continue my higher studies in economy and political sciences at the United States where a relative of mine, Najm Al-Deen Al-Rifa’i, was working as a delegate of Syria to the United Nations in New York. I studied for a year at Columbia University and then went to Wisconsin University where I obtained grants that enabled me to earn my master’s and doctorate. I was interested in studying the philosophy of law and analysis of law and political sciences, and I focused in my studies at the American University on international law and the economy.”

The birth of Steve and Mona

While studying in Wisconsin, Jandali met Joanne Carole Sciebele by whom he had a boy while they were both still students, but Sciebele’s father was conservative and wouldn’t agree to them getting married, so she gave her baby boy – Steve Jobs – up for adoption.

Initially, a lawyer and his wife approached, but did not proceed with adoption when they found out the child was a boy and not a girl as they wanted. Another couple came forward, neither of whom had gone through university education, and adopted the newborn baby after agreeing to the mother’s condition that the child be given a university education later in life.

Abdul Fattah (who added “John” to his name) returned and married Sciebele, and they had a daughter and named her Mona, but he then traveled to Syria – part of the United Arab Republic at the time – intending to enter the diplomatic corps.

The United Arab Republic

“I had two basic paths open to me after graduating,” Jandali said. “Either go back to my home country and work with the Syrian government, or stay in the United States and in university education, and that is what I did for a while. I went back to Syria when I got my doctorate, and I thought I’d be able to find work in the government, but that didn’t happen. I worked as a manager at a refinery plant in my hometown of Homs for a year, during which Syria was part of the United Arab Republic and run by the Egyptians. Egyptian engineers, for example, ran the Ministry of Energy in Syria, and the situation wasn’t right for me, so I went back to the United States to rejoin education there.”

According to Jandali, his wife decided to break up with him while he was away in Syria, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his academic work.

“I enjoyed university education very much, it was a rewarding profession, but unfortunately during the sixties and seventies in the United States the pay was very poor for academics, and in general they did not enjoy great respect due to the prevailing belief that professors only taught because they couldn’t do anything else. That is stupid and wrong, of course. I was an assistant professor at Michigan University then at Nevada University. I purchased a restaurant and became interested in making money, and I gave up academic work to run the business. After the restaurant I was a manager at companies and organizations in Las Vegas, and then I opened two restaurants in Reno and joined the organization that I manage today.”

Jandali describes himself as an “idealist”. “Any job I want to do, I try my utmost to see it through completely or not do it at all. Academically, I was very successful. In business management, after a couple of difficult years, I improved. For example, now I run the organization I work in. Success in the world of business requires you to be interested in your assistants and staff and to have a clear vision.”

80 years: No to retirement

Jandali is that rare case of a person continuing work beyond the age of retirement, and it is something he is proud of.

“Next March I’ll be in my eighties, but to look at me you’d think I was only in my sixties because I’ve taken care of myself, looked after my health, and I love work. I think retirement is the worst of western societies’ institutions. When people retire they become detached, grow old and stop looking after themselves. Enthusiasm for life dies out and energy levels drop, and they effectively kill themselves, even though they’re still alive. I’m not planning to retire even if I leave my position here after a year or two. I’ll dedicate myself to writing, I might write a book or two. My daughter is a very successful novelist with five books, and I plan to move on from my work, and I’m thinking of writing about the Arab World, perhaps a historical narrative with analysis for the future.”

But even so, Jandali has not been to Syria for over 35 years. “Not because I don’t want to, but because of the worry which affects an emigrant when he wants to go back to his home country after so many years, and over what might await him there. I’m thinking of visiting Lebanon and Abu Dhabi next summer to see relatives,” he said.

He doesn’t hide his nostalgia. “I miss my family in Syria. When I left, my closest relatives were still alive. I miss my culture and society and the tight social bonds between relatives as well as the standard of living. Here in the United States there is technological advancement and abundant opportunities for growth and work, but it’s not life itself, and while one appreciates the individual freedoms in western societies, there are times when you really feel that you are alone, that you don’t have the moral family support that you have in the east. I’m not talking about one’s mother or father, but the wider family, relatives, that entity that makes you feel you are part of it, that’s what I miss most about my home country. Of course I miss the social life and wonderful food, but the most important thing is the outstanding cultural attributes which in general you don’t find in the West.

“If I had the chance to go back in time, I wouldn’t leave Syria or Lebanon at all. I would stay in my home country my whole life. I don’t say that out of emotion but out of common sense. I think I’ve wasted my energies and talents in the wrong place and in the wrong society. But that’s just theoretical talk, and what’s happened has happened.” So what remains of his Syrian identity and Arabic culture after nearly 60 years in America?

“I’m a non-practicing Muslim and I haven’t been on the Haj, but I believe in Islam in doctrine and culture, and I believe in the family. I have never experienced any problem or discrimination in the United States because of my religion or race. Other than my accent which might sometimes suggest that I’m from another country, I have completely integrated in society here. I advise young Arabs coming here, however, to get a university degree and not prolong their stay, as there are lots of opportunities in the Arab World today, particularly in the Gulf. The good minds of the Arab world must stay there, as they might be able to help their countries there more than they can here.

Father of invention

Responding to his being called the “father of invention”, Jandali says: “My daughter Mona is a famous writer, and my biological son is Steve Jobs, the chief executive of Apple. The reason he was put up for adoption was because my girlfriend’s father was extremely conservative and wouldn’t let her marry me, and she decided to give him up for adoption. Steve is my biological son, but I didn’t bring him up, and he has a family that adopted him. So if it’s said that I’m the ‘father of invention’, then that’s because my biological son is a genius and my daughter a brilliant writer. I thank God for my success in life, but I’m no inventor.

“I think that if my son Steve had been brought up with a Syrian name he would have achieved the same success. He has a brilliant mind. And he didn’t finish his university studies. That’s why I think he would have succeeded whatever his background. I don’t have a close relationship with him. I send him a message on his birthday, but neither of us has made overtures to come closer to the other. I tend to think that if he wants to spend time with me he knows where I am and how to get hold of me.

“I also bear the responsibility for being away from my daughter when she was four years old, as her mother divorced me when I went to Syria, but we got back in touch after 10 years. We lost touch again when her mother moved and I didn’t know where she was, but since 10 years ago we’ve been in constant contact and I see her three times a year. I organized a trip for her last year to visit Syria and Lebanon and she went with a relative from Florida. I always take the side of the mother because the son will always be happiest with his mother.

I’m proud of my son and his accomplishments, and of my work. Of course I made mistakes, and if I could go back in time I would have put some things right. I would have been closer to my son, but all’s well that ends well. Steve Jobs is one of the most successful people in America, and Mona is a successful academic and novelist.”

On the likelihood of Steve Jobs being regarded as an “American-Arab”, Jandali says: “I don’t think he pays much attention to these gene-related things. People know that he has Syrian origins and that his father is Syrian, that’s all well-known. But he doesn’t pay attention to these things. He has his own distinctive personality and he’s highly-strung. People who are geniuses can do what they want.”

1955-2011

Source: http://muslimvillage.com/2011/08/26/apple-guru-steve-jobs-is-a-biological-arab-american-with-a-muslim-father/

Islam-Inspired Comic Superheroes Reach U.S.

2011-10-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

U.S. President Barack Obama took notice of them. Now, New Yorkers may do, too, as the Arab world’s first superheroes make their screen debut at the New York Film Festival.

Naif Al-Mutawa yesterday presented “THE 99,” his series starring supernatural characters. His creations have also appeared as comics, alongside Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. They are based on the 99 attributes of Allah mentioned in the Koran, such as wisdom, generosity and tolerance.

Batina, which stands for the Hidden, is a Burqa-wearing character from Yemen, while Hazel-eyed Widad, or the Loving, has long lustrous brown hair and originates from the Philippines. The giant Jabbar, or the Powerful, is a native of Saudi Arabia and resembles the Hulk. His sneeze can bring down a house and his touch can shatter a brick. These are some of Al-Mutawa’s heroes on a mission to conquer evil.

“It was about creating positive role models for my kids that are based on our culture but are universal in nature,” Al- Mutawa says in an interview. “It doesn’t matter what religion you are, it doesn’t matter if you have a religion -- they are basic human values.”

The 40-year-old clinical psychologist from Kuwait says he came up with the idea in 2003 while in a London cab. It’s all about “secularizing religious content”, he says. Western heroes such as Batman and Superman are based on biblical archetypes, and he wanted to create the same from the Muslims’ holy book, he says.

Twin Towers

It was also an attempt to alter the global perception of Islam, following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York in 2001. The comics have made a “dent” in how the religion is perceived globally, he says.

“If you get bitten by a snake you become afraid of rope,” Al-Mutawa says. “Our message keeps getting tied to bombs and guns. My thinking was if I go back to the same place where the bad guys pulled their messages and in their place put tolerant multicultural messages, they just become bad guys with bad ideas and you delink them from the religion.”

In his April 2010 speech at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in Washington, Obama praised “THE 99” and its creator for spreading tolerance, saying the comic books were “most innovative” and “captured the imagination of so many young people.”

Prisoner Torture

Al-Mutawa, who has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University, worked with former prisoners of war in Kuwait and survivors of political torture at in Bellevue Hospital in New York. Helping people who have been prosecuted because of their religious and political beliefs led him to the project.

“I heard too many stories of people growing up to idealize their leaders as heroes only to be tortured by them,” Al-Mutawa says in an interview in Dubai before travelling to New York.

A total of 26 half-hour episodes was created out of Al- Mutawa’s comics with the help of entertainment company Endemol, a writer in Hollywood, and production by a U.K. company and India’s Sanraa Media. The sequence of four TV series, which are being translated into various languages, is showing in New York.

Discovery Channel bought the rights for the series in the U.S., Cartoon Network in Asia andMBC in the Middle East.

Like all superheroes, there’s a big market for merchandise. Al-Mutawa is looking for the right partners to create a feature film and games. The first theme park based on the characters was developed in Kuwait and talks are continuing on a second park in an Arab Gulf country, he says, declining to be more specific.

Promoting the series, let alone making a feature film, will not be the easiest task for Al-Mutawa, who said he was accused of radicalizing kids and trying to spread shari’ah law through “THE 99.”

Wearing jeans and a black jacket, he speaks at an art gallery showing his TV shows before the festival. With a documentary film on the making of “THE 99” planned for release on Oct. 13 in the U.S., Al-Mutawa says he hopes people will realize “we are not the bad guys.”

Information: http://www.the99.org/, http://www.al-mutawa.com,http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff2011.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-02/islam-inspired-comic-superheroes-lauded-by-obama-head-to-u-s-.html

Tupac shakur's Outlaw Napoleon (Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale) Converts To Islam

2011-09-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

2pac’s friend Napoleon converted to Islam, he was a member of the outlawz, later after man had converted and retired from rap, 2 Pac released the song "I aint mad atcha".

Napolean attended Father Mercredi Catholic School to speak about his life and when he became a Muslim. This took place in Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 26, 2010

See more videos about Napoleon Converts To Islam

September 11th in Islam

2011-09-05T02:51:00.000-07:00

As Muslims, we strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the two big cities of the United States of America on September 11, 2001 that caused the death and injury
of thousands of innocent people, and offer our condolences to the American people. These attacks carried a very important issue related to the true source of terrorism to the top of the world agenda. By this occasion, it was announced to the entire world that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and that it summons people to compassion and justice.

The attacks of September 11 were condemned in the strongest terms by most, if not all Islamic leaders, organisations, and countries. The Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Supreme Judicial Council summarised that,

"Islam rejects such acts, since it forbids killing of civilians even during times of war, especially if they are not part of the fighting. A religion that views people of the world in such a way cannot in any sense condone such criminal acts, which require that their perpetrators and those who support them are held accountable. As a human community we have to be vigilant and careful to preempt these evils."

For more statements by Islamic leaders, see following links:

Scholars of Islam and the Tragedy of September 11th - statements compiled by over 50 professors of Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies from the U.S. and Canada, members of the American Academy of Religion in Atlanta, GA
Islamic Statements Against Terrorism in the Wake of the September 11 Mass Murders - compiled by Professor Charles Kurzman, University of North Carolina
Muslim American Groups Denounce Terrorist Attacks - from the U.S. Department of State, September 12, 2001
Kuala Lumpur Declaration on International Terrorism - unanimously adopted at the April 2002 conference of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (held by the 56 member nations/states of the Organization of Islamic Conference)

Religion commands love, mercy and peace. Terror, on the other hand, is the opposite of religion; it is cruel, merciless and it demands bloodshed and misery. This being the case, while looking for the perpetrators of a terrorist act, its origins should be sought in disbelief rather than in religion. People with a fascist, communist, racist or materialist outlook on life should be suspected as potential perpetrators. The name or the identity of the terrorists is not important. If he can kill innocent people without blinking an eye, then he is a disbeliever, not a believer. He is a murderer with no fear of God, whose main ambition is to shed blood and to give harm. For this reason, "Islamic terror", "Jewish terror", "Christian terror" are quite erroneous concepts. That is because, neither the religion of Islam, nor other religions can by no means concur with terror. On the contrary, "terror" (i.e. murders committed against innocent people) in Islam is a great sin and Muslims are responsible for preventing these acts and bringing peace and justice to the world.

Transliteration and Translation Of Ayatul Kursi (Holy Qur'an 2:255)

2011-08-08T02:18:00.000-07:00

Aytul Kursi (Holy Qur'an 2:255)

اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاو ;َاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Transliteration

Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Haiyul-Qaiyum La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm, lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-'ard Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-idhnihi Ya'lamu ma baina aidihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bi shai'im-min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a Wasi'a kursiyuhus-samawati wal ard, wa la ya'uduhu hifdhuhuma Wa Huwal 'Aliyul-Adheem

Translation

"Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)."
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]

The Blessed Month : Ramadan, رمضان‎, Ramadhan, Ramadaan, Ramazan

2011-08-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 to 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Muslims fast for the sake of God and to offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar, the date's of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about 10 days each year depending on the moon.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouses is allowed after one has ended the daily fast, at sunset. During fasting intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, one is also encouraged to resist all temptations while you are fasting. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity.

It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.

Ramadan is an especially opportune time to reflect on the blessings of food and satiety. When we eat less, our stomachs shrink, and we feel full after a few bites at the end of the day. Fasting allows us to experience once a year what many throughout the world experience almost daily. Hunger, for them, is not a choice; it is simply a fact of life. Currently, Somalia and other parts of East Africa are gripped by a devastating drought, and the lives of millions of men and women — and sinless children — hang in the balance.

20 Ramadan Questions (FAQ) :

Q01 - What is Ramadan?
Q02 - What is the Islamic calendar?
Q03 - How long is Ramadan?
Q04 - Is Ramadan always in the same season?
Q05- What is special about Ramadan?
Q06 - What do Muslims do during the Month of Ramadan?
Q07 - Does God command Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan?
Q08 - What do Muslims achieve by fasting during this month?
Q09 - Who has to fast in the month of Ramadan?
Q10 - Who is exempt from fasting?

Q11 - Why do children fast during Ramadan?
Q12 - What are the spiritual benefits of Ramadan?
Q13 - Are there any physiological benefits in fasting?
Q14 - Are there any psychological benefits in fasting?
Q15 - What is ‘The night of Decree’ (Laylat Al Qadr)?
Q16 - What happens at the end of Ramadan?
Q17 - What should a non-Muslim be aware of , if they are working with Fasting Muslims?
Q18 - How can non-Muslim co-workers and friends help someone who is fasting?
Q19 - What should a non-Muslim be aware of if they are living around Muslims during the month of Ramadan?
Q20 - What can non-Muslims give as gifts when asked to join the celebration of Ramadan?

How To Treat And Cure Psoriasis - A Natural Remedy

2011-07-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological symptoms.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis remains unknown. There may be a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors. It is common for psoriasis to be found in members of the same family. The immune system is thought to play a major role. Despite research over the past 30 years looking at many triggers, the "master switch" that turns on psoriasis is still a mystery.

Psoriasis is a chronic, meaning lifelong, condition. At this moment it is not curable according to medical science. People experience flare ups and remissions. They learn how to control the signs and symptoms throughout their life. But now we reveal to you, a natural remedy used by millions for thousands of years...

Black Seed Oil - "A cure for every illness except death",

Prophet Muhammed (s), Hadith Sahih Bukhari-Volume 7, Book 71 , Number 591

Instructions

Black seed oil

- 1
  For external application, the skin should be clean and dry. Apply a generous amount of black seed oil to the affected areas.
- 2
  Gently rub the black seed oil into the areas of the body affected by psoriasis until it is absorbed. The oil should be left on the skin for a minimum of three hours. For best results, apply black seed oil before bedtime and leave on overnight.
- 3
  Remove the black seed oil when desired using mild soap and water. Do not scrub or use abrasive cleaners to remove the oil. For most effective treatment, black seed oil should be applied daily.
- 4
  For the internal treatment of psoriasis, take 1 tsp. (5ml) of black seed oil three times a day. Mix the black seed oil with a beverage or honey to avoid irritation of the digestive system.
- 5
  Combine the external and internal treatments daily for optimal results.