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Lectures

Lectures (69)

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story of the court magician and the young boy

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Suhaib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There lived a king before you and he had a court magician. As he (the magician) grew old, he said to the king:
'I have grown old, so send me a young boy in order to teach him magic.' The king sent him a young boy to serve the purpose. And on his way (to the magician) the young boy met a monk to whom he listened to and liked it. It became his habit that on his way to the magician, he would meet the monk and sit there and would come to the magician (late). The magician used to beat him because of this delay. He complained about this to the monk who said to him: 'When you feel afraid of the magician, say: Members of my family detained me. And when you fear your family, say: The magician detained me.' It so happened that there came a huge beast and it blocked the way of the people, and the young boy said: 'I will know today whether the magician or the monk is better.' He picked up a stone and said: 'O Allah, if the way of the monk is dearer to You than the way of the magician, bring about death to the animal so that the people be able to move about freely.' He threw that stone at it and killed it and the people began to move about freely. He then came to the monk and told him the story. The monk said: 'Son, today you are superior to me. You have come to a stage where I feel that you would be soon put to a trial, and in case you are put to a trial, do not reveal me.' That young boy began to heal those born blind and the lepers and he, in fact, began to cure people from all kinds of illnesses. When a courtier of the king who had gone blind heard about him, he came to him with numerous gifts and said, 'If you cure me, all these things will be yours.' He said, 'I myself do not cure anyone. It is Allah, the Exalted, Alone Who cures; and if you affirm faith in Allah, I shall also supplicate to Allah to cure you.' This courtier affirmed his faith in Allah and Allah cured him. He came to the king and sat by his side as he used to sit before. The king said to him, 'Who restored your eyesight?' He said, 'My Rubb.' Thereupon he said, 'Do you have another lord besides me?' He said, 'My Rubb and your Rubb is Allah.' So the king kept torturing him untill he revealed the young boy. The young boy was thus summoned and the king said to him, 'O boy, it has been conveyed to me that you have become so much proficient in your magic that you cure the blind and the lepers and you do such and such.' Thereupon he said, 'I do not cure anyone; it is Allah Alone Who cures,' and the king took hold of him and began to torture him until he revealed of the monk. The monk was summoned and it was said to him: 'You should turn back from your religion.' But he refused. The king sent for a saw, placed it in the middle of his head and cut him into two parts that fell down. Then the courtier of the king was brought forward and it was said to him: 'Turn back from your religion.' He, too, refused, and the saw was placed in the midst of his head and he was torn into two parts. Then the boy was sent for and it was said to him: 'Turn back from your religion.' He refused. The king then handed him over to a group of his courtiers, and said to them: 'Take him to such and such mountain; make him climb up that mountain and when you reach its peak ask him to renounce his Faith. If he refuses to do so, push him to his death.' So they took him and made him climb up the mountain and he said: 'O Allah, save me from them in any way you like,' and the mountain began to shake and they all fell down (dead) and that young boy came walking to the king. The king said to him, 'What happened to your companions?' He said, 'Allah has saved me from them.' He again handed him to some of his courtiers and said: 'Take him and carry him in a boat and when you reach the middle of the sea, ask him to renounce his religion. If he does not renounce his religion throw him (into the water).' So they took him and he said: 'O Allah, save me from them.' The boat turned upside down and they all drowned except the young boy who came walking to the king. The king said to him, 'What happened to your companions?' He said, 'Allah has saved me from them,' and he said to the king: 'You cannot kill me until you do what I command you to do.' The king asked, 'What is that?' He said, 'Gather all people in one place and tie me up to the trunk of a tree, then take an arrow from my quiver and say: With the Name of Allah, the Rubb of the boy; then shoot me. If you do that you will be able to kill me.' 'The king called the people in an open field and tied the young boy to the trunk of a tree. He took out an arrow from his quiver, fixed in the bow and said, 'With the Name of Allah, the Rubb of the young boy,' he then shot the arrow and it hit the boy's temple. The young boy placed his hand upon the temple where the arrow had hit him and died. The people then said: 'We believe in the Rubb of this young boy.' The king was told: 'Do you see what you were afraid of, by Allah it has taken place; all people have believed.' The king then commanded that trenches be dug and fire lit in them, and said: 'He who would not turn back from his (the young boy's) religion, throw him in the fire' or 'he would be ordered to jump into it.' They did so till a woman came with her child. She felt hesitant in jumping into the fire. The child said to her: 'O mother! Endure (this ordeal) for you are on the Right Path".

[Muslim].

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Christmas Day Publications

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Articls:
1-http://www.r-islam.com/…/1253-jesus-was-neither-killed-nor-…
2-http://www.r-islam.com/…/rel…/jesus/1239-is-jesus-son-of-god
3-http://www.r-islam.com/…/rel…/jesus/1225-was-jesus-crucified
4-http://www.r-islam.com/…/religions-and-beliefs/jesus/1199-j…
5-http://www.r-islam.com/…/1145-divinity-of-jesus-an-inquiry-…
6-http://www.r-islam.com/…/1136-story-of-the-end-of-jesus-mis…
7-http://www.r-islam.com/…/1104-according-to-jesus-bible-and-…
8-http://www.r-islam.com/…/499-the-holy-spirit-is-greater-tha…
9-http://www.r-islam.com/…/508-is-jesus-god-because-he-forgav…
10-http://www.r-islam.com/…/religions-and-beliefs/jesus/363-th…
11-http://www.r-islam.com/…/930-what-did-jesus-say-about-chris…
12-http://www.r-islam.com/…/929-what-did-jesus-say-about-chris…
13-http://www.r-islam.com/…/928-what-did-jesus-say-about-chris…
14-http://www.r-islam.com/…/1277-90-verses-says-jesus-is-not-g…
15-http://www.r-islam.com/…/189-what-the-bible-says-about-muha…
16-http://www.r-islam.com/…/637-jesus-in-the-glorious-quran-sp…
17-http://www.r-islam.com/…/religions-…/jesus/660-who-was-jesus
18-http://www.r-islam.com/…/497-when-is-jesus-god-and-when-is-…
19-http://www.r-islam.com/…/…/jesus/509-is-jesus-really-sinless
20-http://www.r-islam.com/…/religions…/jesus/328-jesuss-mission
Videos:
1-http://www.r-islam.com/…/221-How-Christianity-Led-Me-to-Isl…
2-http://www.r-islam.com/…/220-How-Christianity-Led-Me-to-Isl…
3-http://www.r-islam.com/…/122-Prophet-Muhammad-(PBUH)-In-Var…
4-http://www.r-islam.com/…/christi…/mediaitem/54-Is-Jesus-God…
5-http://www.r-islam.com/…/christi…/mediaitem/53-Is-Jesus-God…
6-http://www.r-islam.com/…/mediaitem/52-Passion-of-the-Christ…?
7-http://www.r-islam.com/…/51-Q&A-session-for-non-Muslims-wit…
8-http://www.r-islam.com/…/24-DOES-JESUS-CHRIST-(PBUH)-WAS-TH…
9-http://www.r-islam.com/…/…/23-Christianity-and-original-sin…
10-http://www.r-islam.com/…/20-How-Christianity-Led-Me-to-Isla…
photos:
1-https://www.instagram.com/p/BE8qEphJ09k/…
2-https://www.instagram.com/p/BE5tPMop0wQ/…
3-https://www.instagram.com/p/BEX-8vxp09x/…
4-https://www.instagram.com/p/BCkwLs3J02E/…
5-https://www.instagram.com/p/BCNUGkZJ08V/…
6-https://www.instagram.com/p/BB4OCudp07e/…
7-https://www.instagram.com/p/BB1x6Zjp04G/…
8-https://www.instagram.com/p/BBw1b0Rp06w/…
9-https://www.instagram.com/p/rscWxDp0w5/…
10-https://www.instagram.com/p/rscWxDp0w5/…
11-https://www.instagram.com/p/p8L5C2J09S/…
12-https://www.instagram.com/p/p8Lanbp081/…
13-https://www.instagram.com/p/p8LEIBp08Y/…
14-https://www.instagram.com/p/p8H6EnJ05o/…
15-https://www.instagram.com/p/p8H4jQJ05j/…
16-https://www.instagram.com/p/p8Hw6lJ05a/…

 

 

Just lately, the news was filled with stories of the war criminal Slobodan Milošević and how he ‘prematurely’ died without being served justice.  Even if he were convicted of his crimes by the Hague, what just punishment could possibly be served?  On the same notion, how many have been able to bribe a judge or an entire justice system?  It’s just too often that we hear of a judge or attorney being arrested on corruption charges.


The Justice system of the Hereafter is flawless and absolutely just.  No judgment can be overturned by a jury nor can it be influenced by any individual!

The Resurrection

The great Companion, Ibn Abbas, may God be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:

“You will be summoned on the Day of Resurrection bare-footed, naked and uncircumcised.”


He then read the words of God:

“As We began the first creation, We will repeat it.  [That is] a promise binding upon Us.  Indeed, We will do it.” (Quran 21:104)

“The first person to be dressed on that day will be Prophet Abraham.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Aishah, the Mother of the Believers, exclaimed: “Men and women both!  Won’t they all look at each other?” The Prophet said:

“The situation they are in is so grim that they would have no time for this!” (Saheeh Muslim)

As humankind awaits the decree of Almighty God, they would be standing under the sun, which would be brought close to them.  Al-Miqdad b. al-Aswad, one of the Companions, said: ‘I heard the Messenger of God saying:

“The sun will be a distance of a mile from the creation on the Day of Resurrection.  People will sink in their perspiration according to their deeds.  Some would sink in their perspiration till their ankles, while others would sink in it to their thighs and waists; yet others, would sink in it till their mouths!”‘ (Saheeh Muslim)

If anyone of us, today, was to sweat on a sunny day, they wouldn’t be able to wait to hit the showers… the Day of Resurrection will be 50 000 years long.  The Prophet said:

“That day will be 50 000 years long, after which a person will be admitted into Paradise or cast into Hell.” (Abu Dawood)

Peoples’ hearts will be pounding, not knowing what would become of them.  God describes to us the horrors of that day.  He says:

“On the Day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe.”
(Quran 22:2)

Even the believers who believed in truth will be severely worried.  God says:

“And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord.”
(Quran 23:60)

Aishah, may God be pleased with her, said: “Are they those who drink liquor, and steal?”  The Prophet answered:

“No, Aishah, they are the ones who fast, pray and give out in charity, but are fearful that their deeds would not be accepted from them.”
(Saheeh Muslim)

The Intercession

As humankind waits, some would exclaim, ‘Let us ask somebody to intercede for us with our Lord!’  The people would then go to Adam and say:

‘You are the father of all the people, and Allah created you with His Own Hands, and ordered the Angels to prostrate to you, and taught you the names of all things; so please intercede for us with your Lord, so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’

He would say: ‘I am not fit for this (i.e. intercession for you).’

Adam would remember his sin and feel ashamed thereof.  He would then say, ‘Go to Noah, for he was the first Messenger, God sent to the inhabitants of the Earth.’

He would say: ‘I am not fit for this undertaking!’

He will remember his appeal to his Lord to do what he had no knowledge of, then he will feel ashamed thereof and would say,

‘Go to the Khalil ur-Rahman (i.e. Abraham, the One whom God chose for His love).’

They will go to him and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking.  Go to Moses, the slave to whom God spoke (directly) and gave him the Torah.’

So they will go to him and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking,’ and he will mention (his) killing a person who was not a killer, and so he will feel ashamed thereof before his Lord, and he will say, ‘Go to Jesus, God’s Slave, His Messenger and God’s Word and a Spirit coming from Him.’

Jesus will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, go to Muhammad the Slave of God whose past and future sins were forgiven by God.’

Prophet Muhammad then said: ‘They will come to me and I will proceed till I will ask my Lord’s Permission and I will be given permission.  When I see my Lord, I will fall down in Prostration and He will let me remain in that state as long as He wishes and then I will be addressed.’ [Muhammad!] Raise your head.  Ask, and your request will be granted; say, and your saying will be listened to; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.’

I will raise my head and praise God with a saying (i.e. invocation) He will teach me, and then I will intercede.  He will fix a limit for me [to intercede for] whom I will admit into the Paradise.  Then I will come back again to God, and when I see my Lord, the same thing will happen to me.  And then I will intercede and God will fix a limit for me to intercede whom I will let into the Heavenly Abode, then I will come back for the third time; and then I will come back for the fourth time, and will say, ‘None remains in Hell but those whom the Quran has imprisoned [in Hell] and who have been destined to an eternal stay in Hell.’” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Distribution of Records

After the agonizing wait and the Prophet’s intercession, people’s records of deeds will be handed out.  God says:

“Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will be judged with an easy account and return to his people in happiness.  But as for he who is given his record behind his back, he will cry out for destruction and [enter to] burn in a Blaze.”
(Quran 84:7-12)

This is further clarified by God in the following verses:

“So as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, read my record!  Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account.’ So he will be in a pleasant life –        In an elevated Garden, its [fruit] to be picked hanging near.  [They will be told], ‘Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past.’ But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, ‘Oh, I wish I had not been given my record And had not known what is my account.  I wish it [i.e., my death] had been the decisive one.  My wealth has not availed me.  Gone from me is my authority.’ [God will say], ‘Seize him and shackle him.  Then into Hellfire drive him.  Then into a chain whose length is seventy cubits insert him.’ Indeed, he did not used to believe in God, the Most Great, nor did he encourage the feeding of the poor.  So there is not for him here this Day any devoted friend.  Nor any food except from the discharge of wounds; none will eat it except the sinners.” (Quran 69:19-37)

The Scales of Justice

Everyone’s deeds will be weighed in actual scale and if the good outweighs the evil, they will be successful but if the opposite happens they will be among the losers.

God says: “And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all.  And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth.  And sufficient are We as accountant.”

Ref. www.slamreligion.com

 

 

‘Armageddon’, ‘Deep Impact’, ‘End of Days’, the list goes on and on, all though these movies differ in a number of ways, they all have a common plot that depicts an ‘end of the world’ scenario.  In the most part, skepticism and mockery play a large role in these blockbuster movies, but the fact that each movie of this nature sells so well and becomes a hit is proof that people are intrigued by the afterlife.  So, what does the future hold?  To the majority, ‘once you’re dead, you’re dead’ is the common belief, but is this really the case?  Does life cease after death, or is it just an initial step leading to another?

True Justice

Justice, equality, individuality at best can be described as hollow slogans preached by democracy, rarely implemented in Western society.  These terms only attain full meaning with belief in the afterlife, for in this life, we see that crimes go unchecked, unfair judgments are handed down and criminals walk free!  Even in cases were a killer is convicted of a heinous crime, he may escape the death penalty, for it is only reserved for the most ‘culpable’ offenders (such as killers and their accomplices) as was the case of Ted Bundy, the infamous serial killer who terrorized America in the late 70s and early 80s.  He presumably killed 30 to 100 people.  His death via electric chair was quite painless in comparison to the agony he put each of his victims through.  According to Christianity, regardless of this man’s ill doings, since he was a ‘believer’ in God, he will be forgiven as per the Doctrine of Atonement.  But is this true justice?

In Islam, no one will go scot-free; all will be held accountable for their transgression in a higher court of law, wherein no one is wronged and all are given proper sentences.  God, Almighty, tells us:

“And the Book (one’s Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of God, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of God), and you will see the criminal sinners, fearful of that which is (recorded) therein.  They will say: “Woe to us!  What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!”  And they will find all that they did placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.” (Quran 18:49)

If a person was wronged and did not see true justice or saw only partial justice, God will restore to him his rights on that Day.  The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:

“The rights shall be returned to the proper individuals on the Day of Resurrection, even to the detail of the just retribution of the broken horned sheep from the two horned sheep who had hit it.”
(Saheeh Muslim)

Muslims firmly believe in life after death, we are reminded time and time again of this reality by God, the Exalted.  He says:

“O you who believe!  Fear God and keep your duty to Him.  And let every person look to what he has sent forth for tomorrow, and fear God.  Verily, God is All-Aware of what you do.” (Quran 59:18)

Journey into the Afterlife

Death is but a phase in a series of phases, it is the beginning of one’s journey to the afterlife.  Death, or the cessation of life functions, occurs when one’s soul leaves the body.  This is a very painful experience.  God, Almighty, tells us:

“And the pangs of death will come in truth: “This is what you have been avoiding!”
(Quran 50:19)

As the soul departs the body, the person will stare at it, and his eyes will follow it.  The Prophet said:

“One will follow the path of the soul visually as it leaves his body.” (Saheeh Muslim)

The soul will then begin its journey up to the heavens; for a believer permission would be sought for the gates of heaven to be opened and the gates would be opened till it reaches the seventh heaven, whereby God says:

“Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.”
(Quran 20:55)

It would then be returned to the body.  As for the non-believer, permission would be sought for the gates of the lowest heaven to be opened, but the angels refuse and it will be cast back to earth.  God, Almighty, tells us:

“Verily, those who belie Our Signs and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle.  Thus do We recompense the criminal sinners.”
(Quran 7:40)

Thereafter, one will remain in either continuous bliss or punishment in the grave until the Final Hour is established.

The Day of Resurrection

Nearing the end of time, the trumpet will be blown and creation will cease to exist.  God, Almighty, says:

“And the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except him whom God wills.”
(Quran 39:68)

It will be blown a second blowing, and all creation from the beginning of time till the end of time will be resurrected.  God, the Exalted, tells us:

“And the Trumpet will be blown (i.e.  the second blowing) and behold!  From the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord.”
(Quran 36:51)

People will be standing naked, barefooted and uncircumcised.  The Prophet described to us what will happen, he said: “You will be gathered, barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised (as God says):

“As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it.” (Quran 21:104)

The first human being to be dressed on the Day of Resurrection will be Prophet Abraham, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Ref. www.islamreligion.com

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The Story of Love Part 2

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True love:

As we have mentioned, this festival was annulled by Christian clerics in Italy, the headquarters of Catholics, because it aided in the spread of bad morals and corrupting influences on the youth. Therefore, Muslims should dismiss it. We do not want to deprive people of experiencing real love or expressing affectionate feelings and emotions, as long as they are vented in the proper channels. We do realize the saying of the Messenger of Allaah , peace be upon him, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah ,may Allah be pleased with him, : “By the One in Whose hand my soul is, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of that which will strengthen love between you? Spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.” [Muslim and Abu Daawood]
There are many other explicit texts explaining the meaning of true love in Islam. In fact, there is no religion that encourages its followers to be loving, genial and friendly like the religion of Islam. It is not permissible for Muslims to specify a certain day, in order to glorify it and call it a festival and celebrate it like the ‘Eed while in fact it belongs to the festivals of the disbelievers, to enable them to entertain some feelings and emotions and express them.
Such imitation of the disbelievers corrupts the character of Muslims in such a way that it makes them feel inferior, weak and defeatist. In addition, it takes them away from the methodology and Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation) of Allaah The Almighty. It is proven that admiring and imitating the disbelievers leads to loving them and giving them absolute allegiance and trust. Besides, such Muslims show ingratitude to Islam, its heritage and values, as well as the Muslim personalities and heroes. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {You will not find a people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. Those - He has decreed within their hearts faith and supported them with spirit from Him. And We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Allaah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him - those are the party of Allaah. Unquestionably, the party of Allaah - they are the successful.}[Quran 58:22]
No increase or decrease:
If monotheistic Muslims come to know that this festival is intended to encourage the spread of illicit love among people -- believers and disbelievers alike -- what should their attitude be toward this festival?
Adhere to the Islamic Sharee‘ah and the right methodology. We must remember that the festivals in Islam are specified and established; they neither increase nor decrease in number. This pertains to the essence of worship that Allaah The Almighty and His Messenger , peace be upon him, ordained.
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allaah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allaah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.} [Quran 5:48]
In the light of such commingling among [the people from] all the nations, to the extent that the customs and traditions of disbelief are common among Muslims, we fear that we will be included in the category of Muslims who closely follow the enemies of Allaah The Almighty in some of their rites and traditions. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa‘eed , may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet , peace be upon him,  said: “‘You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you hand span by hand span, and cubit by cubit, to the extent that if they entered the hole of a lizard, you will enter it too.’ We said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?’ He said: ‘Who else?’” [Muslim]
It is not a good sign:
Anyone who reflects on the events of recent years will discover something that does not augur well. Many Muslims -- males and females -- imitate the Christians to an unprecedented degree. Therefore, it is time to invite Muslim scholars and callers to explain the Sharee’ah of Allaah The Almighty, out of Naseehah (sincerity) for the sake of Allaah The Almighty, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and the ordinary Muslims, so that they will be aware of their religious obligations and will not commit actions that violate the sound creed and faith with which Allaah The Almighty has blessed them.
 
Ref. www.islamweb.net
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The Story of Love Part 1

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The word “love” has great meaning, significance and is subject to certain limits in the light of the pure Sharee‘ah(Islamic legislation).

It is strange, however, that nowadays love and emotion are exploited to the extent that they are associated with pagan myths and dissolute festivals which are not acceptable to people with sound reason. In the middle of February each year, a great celebration is held in the name of “the day of love”, which was originally a pagan Roman festival.
According to pagan Roman beliefs, this festival was an expression of "divine love". There are some myths associated with this pagan festival which continued to be observed by the Romans and was inherited by the Christians. The most common myth in this regard is that the Romans believed that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled by a she-wolf, which provided him with strength and wisdom. Hence, the Romans used to celebrate this incident every year by slaughtering a dog and a goat. Two sturdy young men would rub their bodies with the blood of the dog and the goat, and then wash the blood off with milk. Afterwards, a large procession with the two youths in the lead would move through the streets. They used to have two pieces of leather to smear everyone they encountered. The Roman women would welcome this procession, as they believed that this would prevent and cure barrenness.
The background of the modern "festival of love" is that it is associated with the name of Valentine, who belonged to the Christian Church and espoused the cause of lovers. It is said that he died in Rome as a result of the torture inflicted by the Gothic commander Claudius in 296 CE. A church was built in Rome in 350 CE. at the spot where he was killed to eternalize his memory.
When the Romans converted to Christianity, they continued to celebrate Valentine’s Day but they substituted the pagan concept of "divine love", to another concept, i.e, the commemoration of the "martyr of love", represented by Valentine, who it was claimed had been martyred in that cause. This day was also called the 'Day of Lovers' and Valentine was hailed as the intercessor and patron saint of lovers.
Among the erroneous practices that marked this day was the people would write the names of marriageable girls on small rolls of paper and put them in a plate on a table. Young men who wanted to get married would be asked to take out a roll and place themselves in the service of the girl whose name was on the roll for one year. By doing so they would familiarize themselves with the habits and manners of each other and then get married, or repeat the same thing during Valentine’s Day the following year.
Revocation and condemnation:
However, Christian clerics in Italy revolted against this tradition and revoked it because they thought it would corrupt the morals of the youth. The celebration of Valentine’s Day was revived and gained popularity during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and many shops in Western countries started selling special books that included some love poetry on the occasion. Young men would select words of love and send greeting cards to their sweethearts on the designated "day of love.
In brief, this is the story of "day of the love".
· To the Muslims who show happiness on Valentine’s Day
· To those who exchange red roses
· To those who exchange loving greeting cards during this festival
· To those who send cards with the image of Cupid, a child with wings and a bow and arrow, who is believed to be the 'god of love' by the Romans.
· To those who exchange words of love and passion
· To those who want you to "be their Valentine" (as is written on cards and expressed in phone calls)
· To those who hold parties during the day and night
· To those who tie red ribbons or put on red clothes with the intention of celebrating Valentine’s Day.
· To those who inflate red balloons and write “I love you” on them
· To those who write names, initials and heart shapes on their hands
Such acts represent Christian and pagan concepts. Please note that the origin of the "day of love" is pagan ideology that is expressed by the worship of pagan "divine love", which was worshipped instead of Allaah The Almighty. Are you pleased to celebrate a polytheistic occasion when idols are worshipped?
Please note that the origin of this festival is associated with myths that are not acceptable to sound reason, let alone to the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allaah The Almighty and His Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention.
Ref: www.islamweb.net
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Christmas Season as a New Muslim

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Not so long ago, I loved Christmas.

I was the one in my family who would play Bing Crosby’ and Jim Reeves’, all through December.

It was me who baked mince pies by the car load delivering to family and friends.

It was me who turned the inside of our home into a dazzling, frenzy of tinsel and lights.

Now this season is an ordeal. All my social and cultural conflicts come to the fore. The security of being able to put the past away, to become a new, improved, moral, person, shudders under the weight of nostalgic Christmas medleys in the packed shopping mall.

When we lived in France, my daughters and I attended church (fairly) regularly. On Christmas Eve, we would join the whole village for the atmospheric, candle lit, Midnight Mass.

The ‘big lesson’ I sought to give my children each December, was; ‘Christmas is not just presents and food, it’s about gratitude and love of God’. Like many middle class parents, I had started to move away from the hyper-showy, consumer frenzy of the Happy Holidays.

One year, our family fled to the Western Desert of Egypt and the heady luxury of - a tent. The girls presents were: a wooden animal, a regional instrument and a traditional Arab-style dress (with fake coins dangling from scarves), each. Waking up on the floor of a hut near an oasis, the children, singing on a sand dune, dressed like Arabian princesses, contentedly playing with their humble toys, was a joyful escape from the excessiveness of the 21st Century Christmas.

How ironic then, that I have somewhat confused my daughters by now telling them that; "Xmas is just about food and family, there is nothing religious about it," in order for us to survive this month.

For a large number of ‘born’ Muslims who live in Europe, North America and Australia, Christmas is just a time when the cities in which they dwell become prettier for a short while. When work colleagues are more cheerful. When shimmering lights and tinsel enter homes without any religious, self analysis, at all.

I know Muslim families in the UK who happily have Christmas trees in their homes and fairy lights twinkling from every awning.

‘What’s the big deal?’ I hear. And ‘the children like it so it’s harmless.’

And maybe it is - for those who haven’t come from my background; where alcohol was breakfast (at least) three days of the holiday. A background where as a Christian we were nicer to strangers and family and decorated our home in the belief that Jesus was the son of God.

So is it ‘no big deal’ to take part in all the ‘fun’ stuff around us?

I was fascinated to read this warning from the Bible against a habit of the Pagans (worshippers of many gods), thousands of years ago.

"Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good." (Jeremiah 10:1-25)

Having a tree inside the home is disliked by God as it is a practice linked to shirk. The hanging of objects on the tree, not so harmless as it seems. As for the star on top, every four year old knows that is linked to Christian teachings.

Then there’s the question of how and where children spend time during the holiday period. Like many adult reverts to Islam, my children are from a former marriage and have relatives who are not Muslim. This means that for a week each December, my practicing, daughters leave home to stay in households filled by the smell of alcohol, listening to Christmas Carols praising Jesus, and (perhaps worst of all) stuck to a sofa for days of unlimited, largely inappropriate, TV.

Removing Xmas from the calendar hasn’t been an easy thing. Why you may be asking does it matter at all? Why not just go with the flow? After all Allah Almighty accepts us on our intentions and if we put up a tree because it looks pretty, then the intention is to enjoy beauty right? And Allah loves beauty.

Reverts like to know ‘chapter and verse’ how to please Allah Almighty. It is common for us newbies to avoid the ‘grey areas’ of fiqh in which danger lingers, with staunch determination, at least for a few years. Our clumsy, yet well meaning attempts to stay true toTawhid, can put us out of synch with our new brothers and sisters, who wear their faith, shall we say, more, lightly?

Christmas is one such example.

{And behold! God will say [i.e. on the Day of Judgment]: 'Oh Jesus, the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say to them anything except what You commanded me to say: 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things'} (5: 116-17)

The Quran is the ultimate argument against decorating my home.

Writing this, I sit in a house that looks the same as it does all year round.

No ‘White Christmas’ is playing merrily in the background.

No mulled wine is bubbling on the hob.

And (for the first time ever) NO Christmas tree is blinking in my living room.

Christmas day, I will be as far away as possible from nostalgia - and temptation. I am joining tens of thousands of brothers and sisters at the Al Ansar Souk in Durban (inshaAllah).

So, if you see Santa, please tell him I’ve moved.

Source:

http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/living-islam/personal-stories/in-their-own-words/467221-christmas-season-as-a-new-muslim.html

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Hardness of Heart

Written by

The hard heart is that which contains a mixture of harshness and toughness; a heart that is void of submission and the sense of turning to Allah The Exalted in repentance at all times. This is the severest punishment ever. This is why the disbelievers are punished with having a hard and harsh heart.

Maalik ibn Deenaar, May Allah Have mercy upon him, said in this regard, "Allah The Almighty Punishes the wrongdoers in their hearts and bodies as well. They are punished with a hard and miserable life and laziness and indolence in carrying out acts of worship.

However, there is no punishment that is severer than having a hard heart." [Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’]

Furthermore, Imaam Al-Mar‘ashi, May Allah Have mercy upon him, stressed the same meaning saying, "No one was afflicted by a severer calamity than having a hard heart." [Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’]

Dear readers, let us ponder over what Allah The Exalted Says (which means): {Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some of them that split open and water comes out, and there are some of them that fall down for fear of Allah. And Allah Is not unaware of what you do.} [Quran 2:74]

This verse refers to the story of the children of Israel and the miracle of reviving the murdered man and to all the examples, warnings and adversities that had befallen the Children of Israel. Those Divine Miracles would cause huge mountains to shake and solid rocks to dissolve! Actually, it was worthier of their hearts to be softened by such amazing miracles, yet they did not. Allah The Exalted Clarified that their hearts had become more of rocks and even worse in hardness due to the fact that they rejected Imaan after knowing and understanding the requirements of attaining Imaan and its conditions. Hence, these hearts were like rocks and even worse in hardness. Indeed, rocks are a good example that people use to indicate hardness. Yet, Allah The Exalted Excluded some rocks from that absolute hardness, but Did not Exclude the hearts of the children of Israel. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some of them that split open and water comes out, and there are some of them that fall down for fear of Allah.} [Quran 2:74]

Let us reflect on this description of the one who has a hard heart. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {… and his sin has encompassed him…} [Quran 2:81]

This means that his sins and wrongdoings have encompassed him totally from all sides until he was surrounded with his own sins and wrongdoings from all directions. These sins and wrongdoings worked as a separator that detached him from all that is around him. Undeniably, this is clearly evident when a sinner does not repent of his sin, he is tempted to commit it more and more. This incites him to preoccupy himself exclusively and be wholly taken up with committing such sins and even graver sins and wrongdoings.

Hence, sins subdue and overwhelm such a person totally and take hold of his heart entirely. Accordingly, he becomes inherently inclined to committing sins, liking and loving them, believing that this is the ultimate and optimal way to relish happiness and pleasure, disliking all who would come on his way in attaining that fake happiness and joy, and disbelieving anyone who would advise him to avoid such sins. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Then the end of those who did evil was the worst [consequence] because they denied the Signs of Allah and used to ridicule them.} [Quran 30:10]

Regrettably, this man's sins become like a thick tent that screen everything around him. He no longer senses or thinks of the fact that Allah The Exalted Sees him all the time. He loses sight of the enduring pleasures in Paradise, the promised and anticipated punishment in Hellfire, the evil schemes of the devil that are all set to mislead Mankind, and the pity of the kind angels. Such a sinner fails to notice all these facts while being wholly lost in his sins and wrongdoings. The Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "When an adulterer commits illegal sexual intercourse, then he is not a believer at the time he is doing it, and when a drinker of an alcoholic liquor drinks it, he is not a believer at the time of drinking it, and when a thief steals, he is not a believer at the time of stealing, and when a robber robs, and the people look at him, he is not a believer at the time of doing robbery."[Al-Bukhari]

By Dr. Khaalid Abu Shaadi

Ref. www.islamway.net

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Islam VS Scientific Facts

Written by

 

 

 

 

Islam agrees with scientific facts: that is why those proper scientific facts cannot conflict with the proper Islamic scripts from Quran and Sunnah. For if we can find what would look apparently opposite, it is definitely either artificial claim or inappropriate way of opposition for the Islamic script since the religious scripts and the science facts are both certainly right.

Not only have many of Muslim Sheikhs recognized this. Further more it has been recognized by some of impartial western scientists, one of them the well known French writer Morris Bukai. In his book Torah Bible and Quran, Bukai declared that

distorted Torah and Bible existing today oppose the scientific facts at the time his book discussed excellent examples in Quran preceded modern science. The book also proved that Quran never conflict with any scientific facts, but it fully agrees with it.

Also, the scientific concrete and experimental evidences have been combined with what Islam says even in the farthest cases from tangibility and the mostly denied issues in the recent ages.

For instance, prophet Mohammed peac be upon him says "If a dog drinks from the vessel of one of you, let him wash it seven times the first of which mixed with sand", and here is medicine discovers later that in dog's saliva fatal microbes and diseases that cannotbe removed just by water. Also modern scientific researches said that sand can do purify this infections that cannot be purified by anything else.

It is said also that when a dog drinks in a vessel it causes dangerous diseases. For the dog always carrying variety of worms like a very accurate tapeworm. Accordingly if a man drank from this vessel or touched the dog with his hands or cloths the ovas of this worm turns into him and could reach his stomach while eating or drinking then starts to drill it and goes through blood vessels and main organs infecting liver and brain which causes a hard headache, vomiting sequential, loss of sensation, spasm, paralysis in some organs, and the heart which could be ripped causing immediate death.

The natural sciences support Islam and emphasizing it is proper without acknowledge of its authors.

An example for that tree inoculation has nor been discovered till recent decades. However it is mentioned in the Holy Quran which has been revealed to the illiterate prophet Mohammed peace be upon him fourteen centuries ago, Allah says" And We have sent thefertilizing winds" (Alhijr: 22) ," and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind" (Qaaf: 7)," And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember" (Dhaaryat: 49), and" Exalted is He who created all pairs " (Yaseen: 3).

As mentioned above this is the book of Allah, the God of all, clarifying that in every plant there are male and female genders. In addition some Europeans converted to Islam while reading the satisfying description of sea though the prophet Mohammed peace be upon him never sailed along his life, Allah says" Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand therein, he can hardly see it" (Alnoor: 40(

 

 

 

How those achieving the success of Paradise on account of faith are received therein.

Paradise

The believers will be ushered on towards the grand eight gates of Paradise. There, they will receive a joyous angelic reception and be congratulated on account of their safe arrival and salvation from Hell.

But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, ‘Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein.” (Quran 39:73)

(It will be said to the pious): “O (you) the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord, Well-pleased and well-pleasing unto Him! Enter you then among My honored slaves. Enter you My Paradise!” (Quran 89:27-30)

The best of the Muslims will enter Paradise first. The most righteous of them will ascend to the highest levels.[1]

But whoever comes to God as a believer (in His Oneness, etc.) and has done righteous good deeds; for such are the high ranks (in the Hereafter).” (Quran 20:75)

And the foremost (in faith) will be foremost (in the Hereafter); those are the ones brought near to God in the Gardens of Pleasure; they will enter in one rank with bright faces.”(Quran 56:10-2)

The Quranic description of Paradise gives us a vision of just what a fantastic place it is. An eternal home that will fulfill all our wholesome desires, seduce all our senses, grant us everything we could possibly want and much more besides. God describes His Paradise as having earth made of is fine musk powder,[2] soil of saffron,[3] bricks of gold and silver, and pebbles of pearls and rubies. Beneath the gardens of Paradise are flowing rivers of sparkling water, sweet milk, clear honey, and non-intoxicating wine. The tents on their banks are domes of hollow pearls.[4] The whole space is filled with sparkling light, sweet-smelling plants and fragrances that can be savored from afar.[5] There are lofty palaces, huge mansions, grapevines, date palms, pomegranate trees,[6] lotus and acacia trees whose trunks of made of gold.[7] Ripe, abundant fruit of all kinds: berries, citrus, drupes, grapes, melons, pomes; all kinds of fruit, tropical and exotic; anything the faithful could possibly desire!

“…And therein is whatever each soul desires and delights the eyes...” (Quran 43:71)

Each believer will have a most beautiful, pious and pure spouse, wearing exquisite clothing; And there will be so much more in a new world of eternal, radiant joy.

And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.” (Quran 32:17)

As well as physical delights, Paradise will also give its residents a state of emotional and psychological bliss, as the Prophet said:

Whoever enters Paradise is blessed with a life of joy; he will never feel miserable, his clothes will never wear out, and his youth shall never fade away. The people will hear a divine call: ‘I grant you that you will be healthy and never fall sick, you will live and never die, you will be young and never age, you will be joyful and never feel miserable.’” (Saheeh Muslim)

Ultimately, the thing that will most delight the eyes will be the Countenance of God Himself. For the true believer, to see this blessed vision of God is to have won the ultimate prize.

“[Some] faces, that Day, will be radiant, looking at their Lord.” (Quran 75:22-23)

This is the Paradise, the eternal home and final destination of the righteous believer. May God, Most High, make us worthy of it.

(co-author Abdurrahman Mahdi)

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Footnotes:

[1] Sahih al-Jami.

[2] Saheeh Muslim

[3] Mishkat

[4] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[5] Sahih al-Jami

[6] Quran 56:27-32

[7] Sahih al-Jami

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Source The Religion of Islam.

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