38 Going on Forty

It's hard to believe that it's already been a whole year since my last birthday entry - 'Pondering 37.' Wow is time flying. By Allah's grace I have been kept around for another year. I must say that 38 sounds a lot closer to the big 4-0 than 37.  So maybe I should devote this entry to the meaning of 40, or, almost 40 but not quite. Forty is an amazing age. As a Muslim, of course, 40 is the age when Nabi (SAW) first started receiving revelation from Allah SWT. Based on this, many scholars talk about 40 as being a special age -- an age where wisdom and adulthood begin to really crystallize. From the perspective of Islam, therefore, 40 is a special age and not the dreaded 'four - O' that people often refer to. In Islam, 40 means that we may actually have finally earned the title 'adult,' and, moreover, that we need to start acting like one!

But I am not yet 40. I am only 38. Two years is an eternity in a world and at a time where change happens so fast. So much can happen in two years, I better not be presumptuous and talk too much about being 40 as of yet. As for now, I will be thankful and grateful that Allah has allowed me to reach 38, and as with every new birthday, look for the meaning associated with yet another year of being on this planet.

God truly is The Merciful, The Kind, The Compassionate, The Generous and The Forgiving. Everyday I must remind myself and even pinch myself at all the blessings I have. I need to keep reminding myself of Allah's words in the Qur'an:

"Know that your wealth and children are a trial and that there is an immense reward with Allah." (Surat al-Anfal: 28)

With every passing year I realize more and more that despite the worldly blessings we receive day in-day out, many of which we easily forget, the greatest blessing by far is the opportunities we are given to do good and to help others. Especially when those opportunities are in the form of 'small' deeds, or things that we typically don't think twice about, unless we are in a state of consciousness of God, and His teachings. I guess this is another way that Islam and the teachings of Sunnah are able to stay fresh and alive with us, no matter how old we get.

My teacher (Cikgu, if you are reading) always reminds me that one of the most important but frequently overlooked elements of Islamic education is that belief must always be supported by what he and the Sufis call 'tasting.' Experiential learning and true knowing go hand and hand, leading to higher levels of yaqin and iman. When the Book speak to us directly in the context of our daily lives, then Allah's word comes to life. Then, the religion is no longer 'ancient,' nor is it relegated to a book subject, as one Iranian graduate student commented to my wife after she asked him why he wasn't fasting during Ramadan, but it grows in us and we grow wiser as a result of it, insha-Allah.

This is what we must be always conscious of, and at 38 going on forty, what we must be doing with our own children, so that they too can see and taste the benefits of Islam in their lives, alhamdulillah.

Maulid Musings

Politics have become so insidious that even on a day like the birthday of Allah's beloved, Muslims today find a way to politicize it. It makes one wonder just how the Prophet of Mercy (SAW) would respond to how the Muslims conduct their affairs today. It often seems that we practice a religion called politics, yet we keep referring to ourselves as Muslims. We, literally, politicize EVERYTHING today. It is so sad. Don't people get sick of it? Don't they have better things to do? Why has political power become such an elixir to these people?

The Sunnah of our Prophet (SAW) is about how to live a life conscious of God. It's about how to wake up in the morning, how to eat, how to talk to people, how to pray, how to treat animals, how to treat our wives and others. It is so simple, yet straightforward and powerful. It is complete, comprehensive and omits nothing. Moreover, it focuses on the HOW of everything we do in life. Wow - that's a revelation. The Prophet (SAW) taught us HOW to do everything. Perhaps that is why it Sunnah refers to the WAY of the Prophet (SAW). Whether you are a doctor, teacher, cleaner, taxi driver, or whatever; whatever position, rank or status you hold in society, the Way of the Prophet (SAW) is for you!

Back to politics. Muslim politicians often resort to the lowest, deceitful and un-Islamic behaviors in their quest for political power. What makes me chuckle is the fact that many of them excuse their behavior by mentioning that politics justifies them acting the way they do. "Well, it's politics...." is often their excuse. This one tends to come coupled with the king of pathetic bastardization of Islamic teachings, namely, the "ends justifying the means." I've even heard people say that Nabi Muhammad (SAW) was a politician. Astaghfirullah! Am I suggesting that Muslims should not be involved in politics? Not at all. Only that if one chooses to enter politics, remember that it does not relieve you of being accountable for your deeds and that there is no such thing in Islam as the ends justifying the means.

The Prophet (SAW) engaged in statehood and statecraft for he was a state leader. That does not make him a politician. He did not engage in party politics. He was bestowed a position of leadership and in so doing, he kept teaching us the best way to do everything. He didn't need a party. God gave him everything without asking. He obeyed and Allah bestowed. He did what he was asked so Allah rewarded him. He never sought power, prestige and leadership. Furthermore, being in a position of leadership, a statesman, did not prevent him from focusing his time and attention on how to be a true human being. For that was his main concern, teaching us how to be true human beings, regardless of our status in society. His Sunnah is and always will be about how to do everything with excellence, taqwa... ihsan, which is never to be compromised, whether you are a statesman, politician, or whatever. No excuses, no "ends justifying the means," no twisting the teachings of Islam to suit your personal or group ambitions. Everything goes back to Allah. Everything returns to Him for reckoning. The Prophet (SAW) knew this better than anybody. That's why he kept teaching, kept setting that perfect example for us without compromise.

May Allah forever shower His mercy and blessings upon our beloved Prophet (SAW), his family, his companions and those that follow them sincerely....

Where Does Allah Live?

Question and Answer Details

Name of Questioner Nusa   - United Kingdom Title Where Does Allah Live? Question My son is 6 years old and sometimes he asks questions like where does Allah (SWT) lives, and does Allah (SWT) look like us ( has 2 eyes, ears, nose, etc ). He sees according to his vision /environment. What is the best answer ? I have to be careful in how I answer his questions, otherwise he may see the negative side of Allah which is I want to avoid, hence I need your help. Date 14/Feb/2010 Name of Counsellor Mona Salama, `Abdul-Lateef Abdullah Topic Emotional & Intellectual Development (tarbia), Pre-School, Islamic Education

Answer

Bismillah...al hamdu lillah, May all the peace and blessings be on Muhammad and those who follow him to the Day of Judgment.

As-salamu`alaykum, dear sister,

The burden of raising a good Muslim child is indeed a challenging one, that’s why its reward is paradise, and the higher the degree in paradise you want the more the effort you should make.

This duty is even more difficult to parents raising their children in the west where you have to do several jobs concerning `aqeedah (beliefs ).

First, building the true belief of a Muslim which means linking the child (since he starts to realize) to the principles of faith, the pillars of Islam and the foundation of Shari`ah ( worship, manners, creed..)

Second, preventing the other believes around from penetrating into the pure innocent minds of our children.

Third, guarding this belief all through his childhood and adolescence until he is  fully responsible of himself.

To build a true knowledge of Allah, we have to start very early and give the right amount of information according to age, and the best way of building the Muslim faith is to do it insensibly, that’s what I do with my children, and al-hamdu lillah it is working, but how to do it insensibly?

The moment the child is borne we should say the Adhan (call to prayer) in his right ears and the Iqamah in his left one, and try to make the words la ilah ila Allah (there is only one God), one of his first uttered words

During his childhood let the Qur`an be on as much as you can, read the Qur’an beside him and let him play around, hold him on your legs and let him look in the pages while you read.

Let him be around during your prayers, and allow him to jump over you without shouting at him, let him listen to your du`aa’ (which is very effective), speak about Allah as something real in your life, e.g:

• Allah was so generous with me today
• Al-hamdu lillahthis errand was easy
• I needed money and Allah gave it to me
• Mention His name before and after eating
• Say subhan Allah (glory be to Allah) upon seeing thunder, rain, and so on. Don’t expect a child to learn everything at one go, only what is easy to pronounce.
• When you get him a new clothes or a new toy, instead of saying daddy got it , say Allah gave us..etc

The aim behind all of this is to entrench Allah’s existence in their talk and in their minds. Additionally, we need them to get used to the sayings of Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in all situations, Always smile when you mention His name and insert words like compassion, mercy, love within your words, this is called conditioning, and this way the child will grow up having a very deep sense of Allah, His presence and His gifts, and your son will insensibly love Allah followed by you as a living example. By demonstrating the spiritual in your lives, a child growing up is then more able to grasp and understand the subliminal nature of things, and the presence of Allah in everyday life.

So where is He and what does He look like? The problem is that you live in a Christian environment which tends to personify Allah, so don't panic and take it easy, these are just as you said” pure 6 year old questions”, try to follow these guidelines:

• Start as early as three or four years (before he start asking) to say words as Allah is so beautiful, but He doesn’t look like us, yet He sees us and hear our du`aa’, He knows our needs and feel our pains, and don't get bored of repeating these meanings in different ways, your son will get their sensation even if he didn’t fully understand their meaning.
• The reciting of Qur’an and memorizing it (preferably in masjid) could start as early as four years, let him say Surat Al-Ikhlas a lot, it miraculously builds the `aqeedah
  
• {Say: He, Allah, is One, Allah is He on Whom all depend, He begets not, nor is He begotten, And none is like Him. } ( Al-Ikhlas112)
  
• When he start asking, don't shout at him or give him a bad look, it is much better to ask than to keep questions within his chest and grow up in suspicion. Tell him calmly and with a smile that we can never imagine Him and only true believers will be permitted to look at him in paradise, He is so glorious that our eyes cant see him and at that age it is enough for him to know that Allah is up high in the sky as this is what prophet Muhammad accepted from a young uneducated girl, when he asked her where is Allah and who am I ? she said Allah is in the sky and you are His messenger and this was enough for her age.

As  he gets older you can explain more what you have already established in his heart. For example:

Allah although so high in His throne yet near the true believer and listens to his thoughts.

(And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me } (Al-Baqarah 2 : 186)

And He says:

{We are nearer to him than his life-vein} (Qaf 50:16).

And we cant see him because a God should not be seen, if our eyes sees something then it has accommodated it and had power over it which contradicts with the utmost power of God.

{No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things } (Al-An`am 6 : 103)

Besides as you know, not seeing something is no proof that it doesn’t exist, we don't see people in other countries yet they exist, we don't see electricity yet we feel its effect, we don't see our souls yet it is within us, we don't hear people talking in “Malaysia” yet sure there are some of them talkingJ, we don't understand the theories of Newton now but when we grow up we might understand them, similarly…our eyes cant see Allah now and our ears cant hear Him now , that’s why in paradise we will be created or modified in a different built capable of seeing the Almighty.

{Some faces, that Day, will beam (in brightness and beauty);- Looking towards their Lord} (Al-Qiyamah75:22- 23)  

Even Moses the great prophet couldn’t see Allah in the way he is but in paradise he will be able to see The Lord in sha’ Allah

{My Lord! show me (Thyself), so that I may look upon Thee. He said: You cannot (bear to) see Me but look at the mountain, if it remains firm in its place, then will you see Me; but when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain He made it crumble and Musa fell down in a swoon } ( Al-A`raf7:.143)

Logically and calmly ask him about the provisions around us, did someone invent them or they have invented themselves, then ask him did we see all those inventors, and if not, so similarly Allah created us and still we cant see Him.

Bedtime is a good time for Stories, you can teach him whatever you want through stories and  you can read to him about the manners of the little Muslims and recite the bedtime du 'aa` and tell him that it protects you and you are safe now. Always talk with kindness, confidence and an encouraging smile that what you are saying is the truth and that he is on the right path.

Be patient with him as he may come back from school with lots of stories, information and myths, just listen to him and don't let him keep anything inside for fearing your reaction, answer logically while stressing upon the fact that he is different than others in his belief and that his belief is the right one.

A bit by bit and through the years you will build a very good Muslim in sha’ Allah just don't rush things and give him religious teachings relevant to his perception level. Consider age and degree of understanding and always make du`aa’ that Allah would help you and reward you for your deeds.

I’ll always be happy to help you if you son has more questions because his inquisitiveness is a good sign. So, prepare yourself with faith and knowledge and may Allah bless you all.

And finally - Any good is from Allah and any mistakes are from myself.

From Counselor Abdul-Lateef Abdullah

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May He bestow His peace and blessings on His messenger, Muhammad, his family, Companions, and all of those who follow them sincerely.

As salamu `alaykum,

As parents of young children we are often faced with the incredible challenge of laying the groundwork for our children’s understanding of God and Islam. Undoubtedly, the answers we provide them at this early age will have a major impact on their understanding and practice of Islam perhaps for their entire lives. Even though the questions sound very basic, they are in no way easy to answer and even as adults I am certain that many of us continue to ask the same questions everyday.

An important consideration in trying to answer your child is the language that the family is used to using on a daily basis. This is important so that when you respond to your child, you answer him/her in a way that is easy to make sense of given the language that he is used to hearing. For example, if you try to respond to your son with a lot of Arabic terms that he has never heard before because that is how you understand the question, chances are he will not have a clue as to what you are talking about. As such, you must explain it to him with things that he sees and is familiar with.

Rather than answer the question directly, which in reality cannot be answered in such a manner due to the nature of the question and the reality of Allah, it is better to focus on Allah’s works, acts and attributes. In other words, focus on the painting rather than the painter. So, for example, when your son asks where does Allah live, it is important to first point out that Allah is not like us or anything else in creation. Then, rather than trying to tell him where Allah is – for a six year old cannot understand that Allah is above having direction, beginning or end, i.e. He is not bounded by place or time or space – try to tell him that He is the Creator of us as well as where we live and everything in it. Point to His attributes of mercy and grace by mentioning how Allah creates all the things that your son loves, all the beauty in nature, animals, fish, etc. etc. Try and use analogies, such as the painter and the painting. Even though we may not ever see the painter, we can know a lot about him by his paintings. Or the writer, the same idea, or the musician and so on. Everything has a creator and Allah is the Creator of everything! In this way, try to build your son’s level of appreciation, gratitude and love of Allah as the One that provides him with all the things he sees and likes, rather than ending up giving anthropomorphic answers (astaghfirullah) to such difficult questions. Don’t try to directly answer questions like Allah having eyes and ears like we do, but rather talk about how Allah is so great that He sees and hears everything in a way that we cannot yet fully understand. Don’t focus on the eyes and ears, but rather talk about hearing and seeing all.  It’s also ok to admit that you don’t know something as a parent. That’s a lot better than lying to your child or giving erroneous information, or worse, telling the child that he cannot ask questions simply because we cannot answer them! These types of answers simply suppress a child’s natural desire to know His Lord which is an essential aspect of our fitra. If it is not handled in a gentle and tactful manner, we may end up suppressing that natural desire to learn and know about Allah, which is a terrible crime in and of itself.

This is a good reminder for all of us as well. By looking carefully and being conscious of all the wonderful and beautiful things we see in life, we can re-orient ourselves to be more like our children by increasing our awareness of Allah’s greatness and sublimity through his creation. But this does not have to wait until our children ask questions about it. In our daily lives we should be mentioning Allah’s greatness by talking with our families about these things. We should be reminding one another in our homes as to where our blessings come from that we receive every day, and who is the Creator of them all. We should be contemplating and reflecting on our life events and sharing with one another about Allah’s mercy, grace and appreciation of obedience and remembrance. By doing this, your child will have an easier time understanding it for it will help him to begin to think and understand everyday things in this manner, rather than just asking a random question here or there. If you are already doing this, then al hamdu lillah, for we all should be more conscious of doing it. 

The inability to ‘see’ Allah with the eyes is a fact of this life alone. However, the Prophet (SAW) and his family and Companions taught us that we will be able to gaze upon our Lord, in sha'Allah, in the Akhira (Hereafter). This is and should be the ultimate motivation for all of us, i.e. the vision of Allah. We are taught that there is no greater state or goal than this – to be in the direct presence of Allah through His mercy. As such, this should be our ultimate motivation as Muslims and how we live our lives:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Once the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) asked him: O Allah's Messenger (pbuh), Will we be able to see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection? He said: Do you feel any difficulty in seeing the Sun at noon when it is not cloudy. They said: No. He further said: Do you feel any difficulty in seeing the Moon at the night of full moon when there is no cloud. They said: No. Thereupon he said: By Him who holds my life! You will not face any difficulty in seeing Allah as much as seeing one of them... (Muslim, Abu Daud)  

Use this as a motivator for yourself and your family. This life is to learn about Allah through His attributes, names, acts and qualities, i.e. to know His greatness so that He can be known as God/Lord/Sustainer of all that exists. This requires us to use our intellect to develop the yearning to know Allah through obedience, contemplation, investigation, reflection, admiration and worship to arrive at awe of the Creator in spite of not being able to ‘see’ His essence. The ‘veils’ of creation that do not allow us to see Allah’s essence are what define this existence. However, once the veils have been removed through death, Allah – as the Prophet (SAW) taught us – will be seen in all His glory, in sha'Allah. So this life has a wisdom of its own that we must try to teach our children, which is to know Allah through the wonderment of what He creates as well as through His revelation (i.e. the Qur’an) and our own selves. This is why Islamic education is not complete unless it uses all three of these as means and signs pointing to the Creator.

If anyone favors his wife over his mother...

 

At the time of the Prophet (sallallahu Alihi Va Sallam), there was a young man named Alqamah. He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity. Then he fell ill and his illness became serious. His wife went to the Prophet and said, 'My husband, Alqamah, is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition.'

 

The Prophet (saww) sent for Ammar, Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah) and have him repeat the Shahadah. They went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, 'La illaha illa Allah,' but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah.

The Prophet asked, 'Is either of his parents alive?'

He was told, 'Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old.'

The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (if she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her.

The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message. She said, 'May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!'

She stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet returned her greeting and said to her, 'Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?'

 

She replied, 'Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity.'

The Prophet said, 'And what about yourself?'

She said, 'Messenger of Allah, I am angry with him.'

He said, 'Why?'

She replied, 'Messenger of Allah, he has preferred his wife to me and has disobeyed me.'

Allah's Messenger said, 'Umm Alqamah, surely your anger has prevented Alqamah's tongue from pronouncing the Shahadah.'

He then turned to Bilal and said, 'Bilal, go out and collect a quantity of firewood.'

She said, 'Messenger of Allah, what do you plan to do?' He replied, 'I will burn him in front of your eyes.'

She said, 'Messenger of Allah, he is my son! My heart cannot bear your burning him in front of me!'

 

He said, 'Umm Alqamah, Allah's punishment is more severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allah to forgive him, be reconciled to him. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the prayer, fasting, and spending in charity (which he has done) are of no benefit to Alqamah as long as you are angry with him!'

Thereupon she said, 'Messenger of Allah, I call upon Allah Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be my witnesses that I am pleased with my son Alqamah.'

 

Allah's Messenger said, 'Bilal, go to him and see whether he is now able to say, 'La illaha illa Allah' or not. It may be that Umm Alqamah is saying something for my sake which is not in her heart.'

Bilal went, and while entering the door he heard Alqamah saying, 'La illaha illa Allah.'

 

Bilal remarked, 'It is surely true that while Alqamah's mother was angry with him his tongue was tied, and now that she is pleased with him his tongue is freed.'

Alqamah died the same day. The Prophet (saww) came to him and gave the order for his washing and shrouding, and then prayed the funeral prayer for him and buried him. He then stood by the side of his grave and said, 'You company of Muhajireen and Helpers, if anyone favors his wife over his mother, Allah and His angels and all the people curse him! Allah does not accept his spending (in charity) and his uprightness unless he repents toward Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, and reconciles with her and attains her pleasure, because Allah's pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allah's anger consists in her anger.'

We must always be respectful and obedient to our parents, they deserve our utmost attention and respect.

The Power and Miracle of Da'wah

A special thanks to whoever authored and sent this to me.....


Every Friday afternoon, after the Jumma prayers, the Imam and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out "PATH TO PARADISE" and other Islamic literature.

This particular and fortunate Friday afternoon, as the time came for the Imam and his son to go to the streets with their booklets, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready!'

His dad asked, 'Ready for what' 'Dad, it's time we go out and distribute these Islamic books.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.' The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to hell, even though it's raining?'

Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.' Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go Please' His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the booklets. Be careful son.' 'Thanks, Dad!' And with that, he was off and out into the rain.

This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a pamphlet or a booklet. After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST BOOKLET.

He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a booklet to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, he turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU and I came to give you my very last booklet which will tell you all about God, the real purpose of creation, and how to achieve His pleasure.' With that, he handed her his last booklet and turned to leave.. She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Next week on Friday afternoon after Jumma prayers, the Imam was giving some lectures. As he concludes the lectures, he asked, 'Does anybody have questions or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row among the ladies, an elderly lady's voice was heard over the speaker. 'No one in this gathering knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Friday I was not a Muslim, and thought I could be. My husband died few years ago, leaving me totally alone in this world.. Last Friday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, i was contemplating suicide as i had no hope left. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home.. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me.

I thought, I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away. I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly..... I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU!' Then he gave me this booklet, Path To Paradise that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this book. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more. You see? I am now a Happy Vicegerent of the One True God. Since the address of your congregation was stamped on the back of this booklet, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the mosque. The shouts of TAKBIR...ALLAH AKBAR.. rented the air. Imam-Dad descended from the pulpit to the front row where the little angel was seated.... He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no jama'at has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a father that was more filled with love and honor for his son...

IS THE BRITISH SIS TRAINING ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS?

Jan. 24 (LPAC)--The news of British involvement in training and
recruiting Islamic extremists is pouring in. After it was finally
acknowledged that failed suicide bomber Abdulmuttalab--who tried
to blow up an aircraft that was landing at the Detroit Airport on
Christmas Day--was recruited by "al-Qaeda" in London, the Sunday
Times reported Jan. 24 that almost a dozen young British Muslims,
including a female medical researcher, have recently joined
Al-Shabaab, an extremist organization blamed for hundreds of
deaths in Somalia.
 Somali community leaders in the UK say students from the
London School of Economics, Imperial College, and King's College
London are among those who have been recruited within the past
year. The youngest recruit is believed to be 18. An investigation
by the Sunday Times into the terrorist pipeline to Somalia
substantiates claims that Britain has become a fertile breeding
ground for al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab--Arabic for the Youth--wants to
impose sharia across Somalia.
 Al Shabaab has been proscribed by most western countries,
including the United States and Australia. As usual, the
Blair-Brown duo have kept it operating in Britain.
 Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed, a moderate religious leader from North
London, warned this weekend that Al-Shabaab is exploiting a
loophole to recruit youths in the capital. Although many of them
were born in Somalia, they have grown up in the UK and are
British subjects. What he did not say, however, is that these
extremists are protected and used by the SIS (MI6). [RMA]

Malaysia's Monopoly on Allah

by Aziz Poonawalla

Over the course of the past week, nine churches in Malaysia have been firebombed, by muslim extremists who object to the Christian community's use of the word "Allah" in their prayers. The dispute came to a head on Dec 31st when the high court of Malaysia ruled in favor of Catholics using the word in the Malay edition of their weekly newspaper.

What's particularly perplexing about this is that the Islamist political party PAS actually supports the right of Christians to invoke Allah by name, whereas the ruling political coalition UMNO is pushing for Allah to be reserved for muslims only. This is essentially a classic case of an incumbent political party, after suffering significant setbacks at the polls, invoking religion as a base-rallying prop and exploiting and stoking religious tensions for pure political gain (and in that regard reminds me of the Ayodhya issue in India whose repercussions on undermining religious tolerance continue to this day). The irony of a moderate party out-Islaming the Islamists is not lost on UMNO party veterans, like Tengku Razaleigh, who are aghast and speaking out at the naked cynicism of their party:

THE 'Allah' controversy has produced a 'milestone moment' in Malaysian politics, as ruling party Umno took a stance more extreme than even Islamist party Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), said Umno party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yesterday.
'PAS is holding onto the more plural and moderate position while Umno is digging itself into an intolerant hardline position that has no parallel that I know of in the Muslim world,' he said.
Tengku Razaleigh's strongly worded speech was delivered at the luncheon address at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies' Regional Outlook Forum in Singapore. In it, he highlighted the reversal of roles for Umno and PAS through their reactions to the 'Allah' controversy.
Umno had for years claimed to be the voice of moderate Malays, while PAS more often made the news for wanting to impose strict Islamic laws.

The UMNO leadership is appealing to the Malysian royalty for support of their stance. PAS, for its part, invokes classic Islamic doctrine in supporting the use of Allah by Christians, as per their status as People of the Book in the Qur'an itself:

"PAS would like to state that based on Islamic principles, the use of the word Allah by the people of the Abrahamic faiths such as Christianity and Judaism, is acceptable," said Hadi in a written statement which was read out by Information Chief Idris Ahmad.
"However, the word Allah must not be misused or abused so as not to affect racial and religious harmony in the country," he added.
Hadi also urged all parties not to politicise the matter for political mileage.
"PAS strongly objects to any aggressive and provocative approach that can lead to tension in society," he added.

The UMNO position forbidding Allah to non-muslims is indeed nonsensical (and cynical) - the Qur'an itself is quite clear on the matter:

And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our Allah and your Allah is One, and to Him do we submit. [ 29:46 ]

Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. [ 2:62 ]

Had God not driven back the people, some by the means of others, there had been destroyed cloisters and churches, oratories and mosques, wherein God's Name is much mentioned. [ 22:40 ]

The UMNO's response? The Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam made the utterly incomprehensible assertion that "Malays are different from (Muslims in) other countries."
It should be noted that despite the utter incoherence from the UMNO, Malays in general seem loath to allow religion to be used as a wedge factor. There are various student groups that are acting as shills for the UMNO party line, but muslim NGOs are offering their help to the Christian community in protecting churches from further attacks:

Muslim groups in Malaysia are offering their help to prevent any further attacks on Christian places of worship amid a spree of attacks on churches in the multi-ethnic, Muslim-majority Asian country, The Star reported on Sunday, January 10.
"This is an offer of peace and goodwill," Nadzim Johan, the executive secretary of the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), told a news conference.
"We don't want our Christian brothers to be in danger."
PPIM is one of 130 Muslim NGOs that vowed to become the "eyes and ears" of the government to shield churches against attacks.

It seems clear that the naked motive of the UMNO, and its abuse of Islam for political gain, is going to cost them dearly in the next election. In that regard, their entire cynical embrace of religious intolerance has backfired; far from bringing PAS supporters to them, they have pushed moderate Malays away, and it's the PAS and other Islamist opposition groups that will benefit. It should be noted that UMNO has been playing this card for decades. While the response from PAS is encouraging, a legislative arms race between UMNO and Islamist opposition parties to out-Sharia each other bodes ill indeed for Malaysia's future.

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Ashura

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Chief of the Messengers, and upon all his family and companions.

What is Ashura:

Ashura is the 10th day of the month of Muharam which is the fourth sacred month in the lunar calendar..
That is where it took its name, in reference to the number 10 in Arabic language. Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Quran says,

"The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified (Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab)"..

History of `Ashura:

In the Islamic history Ashura is related with the historical victory of the prothet Moosa (A.) over the Pharao, the tyrant of Egypt. In the Qur’an, Allah tells us this story in details in many surah.

That is, when Pharaoh become arrogant upon believers with many kind of oppressions, Allah told Moosa to get every believer out of Egypt and direct them to where Allah would tell him. Pharaoh gathered his army and forces, which were around one million soldiers, according to some references, and he chased Moosa and his people, hoping to destroy them completely. Moosa ended up at the sea with Pharaoh and his army behind him. The believers were afraid because the sea was in front of them and the enemy was behind them.

Allah says (which means): “And when the two hosts saw each other, the people of Moosa, said, ‘We are sure to be overtaken. (Moosa) said, ‘Nay, verily! With me is my Lord and He will guide me!’” (Ash-Shu’araa 26:61-62)

Whoever is close to Allah, Allah will never let him down or leave him on his own. Allah ordered Moosa to strike the sea with his staff. Moosa did so and the sea opened up for them to cross.

Allah says (which means): “And indeed We inspired Moosa (saying): ‘Travel by night with My slaves and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken (by Pharaoh) nor being afraid (of drowning).” (Taa-Haa 20:77)

Moosa walked across the path that opened in the sea and the last of his people left the sea and every soldier of Pharaoh’s army was inside the path. At this time Allah ordered the sea to collapse upon them, drowning Pharaoh and his army.

That was the victory of the truth over falsehood. The promise of Allah was true – He made the people of Moosa victorious over Pharaoh and his army. From this story we see how the truth is victorious, regardless of the size or seeming power of falsehood. Falsehood has its own limited time, but the truth is always victorious.

The significance of 'Ashura:

This story of Moosa (A.) should enrich the hearts of the believers and make them steadfast in the face of their enemies, regardless of size or seeming power of their enemies.. The believer should also benefit from this story by understanding that the people of falsehood claim that they are on the right path and are calling people to the truth. In fact, the opposite is true - they rely on lies and deception.

This great event – the victory Allah gave Moosa and the believers over Pharaoh and his army - occurred on the 10th of the sacred month of Muharram and the day is called Yaumul 'Ashurah' (the day of 'Ashurah'). It is a day that has a great merit. Prophet Moosa fasted on that day, and ordered the people to fast that day.

Ibn ‘Abbass reported that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. The Messenger of Allah asked them, “What is the significance of this day that you fast on?” They said: “It is the day of great significance when Allah delivered Moosa and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Moosa observed fast out of gratitude, and we also observe it.” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah said, “We have more right and we have a closer connection to Moosa than you have.”

So Allah’s Messenger fasted (on the day of Ashura) and gave orders that it should be observed, even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.

So, We also benefit from the story of Moosa by learning that the Sunnah of the Prophets is to thank and praise Allah in times of peace and when they gain victory over their enemies. Moosa fasted on the 10th, the day on which Allah made his followers victorious over Pharaoh; and this is another sign that the truth will always defeat falsehood.

The virtue's of Fasting on `Ashura':

1- It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashura' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura' was made optional. Sayyidina 'Aisha, Radi-Allahu anha, has said:

"When the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and directed the people to fast. But when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadan and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashura' was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it." (Sunan Abu Dawud)

2- Abdullah ibn Musa, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that
"The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, preferred the fast of 'Ashura' over the fasts of other days and preferred the fasts of Ramadhaan over the fast of 'Ashura'. (Bukhari and Muslim)
The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the Nafl or voluntary fasts.

3- Abu Qatada,Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that "The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said "and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year". (muslim-2602)


4- According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of 'Ashura' should either be preceded or followed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is that the Jews used to fast on the day of'Ashura alone, and the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, wanted to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of 'Ashura'.

The Age of Paranoia

2 passengers detained after flight to Phoenix

PHOENIX – Two men thought to have been acting suspicious aboard a flight bound for Phoenix were detained and questioned by federal anti-terrorism authorities before they were released, the FBI said Sunday.

Transportation Security Administration officials said passengers aboard U.S. Airways Flight 192 from Orlando, Fla., on Saturday night reported that two men, described as Middle Eastern, were acting strangely and talking loudly to each other in a foreign language. A nearby passenger also observed one of men watching what appeared to be footage of a suicide bombing, but was actually a scene from the 2007 movie "The Kingdom." The man also got up from his seat while the seat belt warning sign was still lit, FBI spokesman Manuel Johnson said.

"The totality of those three occurrences led this passenger to believe this was suspicious," he said.

-----------------------------------------

So, let's see, speaking loudly in a foreign language + watching a violent movie + getting up while the seatbelt light is on = terrorist? 

Trust in God...

Trust in God is realization of ones desperate needfulness.

- Jurayri in 'Attar: Tadhkirat

The Highest Stage of Worship...

The truest and highest stage of worship is to see God face to face, and to receive His guidance from His own mouth. Those who attain this highest stage, choose for themselves whatever God chooses for them. Their entire characters are transformed by God. They are God's friends; so they no longer discriminate between people, but regard all people as friends. Wherever they go, they go from God; wherever they arrive, they arrive at God. Whatever they do, they do for God; whatever service they perform, they perform it in God. The self has been truly annihilated.

- Junayd, "Tawhid"

Once the Ego is Overcome...

Once the ego is overcome peace follows. "Only God and no living creature has the power to control destinies." With that conviction entrust all your cares to the Lord and follow the path of the Truth, conforming to the divine edicts, until you attain union with Him and become as pure as Adam before whom all creatures prostrated.

- Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"

In Islam, the Opportunity to Do Good is Everywhere

"When one of you plants a tree, the fruits of which all creatures enjoy, let it be written as charity."

- Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Anas bin Malik

Don't ever underestimate the power of the small act of kindness... Allah sees everything...

Practice

Practice what you have learned, for theory without practice is like a spirit without a body. One who is content with learning alone is not learned, for the truly learned seeks more than mere words. Divine guidance entails self-mortification, without which contemplation is unattainable.

- Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

The Atheist Professor and the Faithful Student...

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty...

He asks one of his new students to stand and......

Prof:
So you believe in God?

Student:
Absolutely, sir.

Prof:
Is God good?

Student:
Sure.

Prof:
Is God all-powerful?

Student:
Yes..

Prof:
My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him.
Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't.
How is this God good then? Hmm?

(Student is silent.)

Prof:
You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student:
Yes.

Prof:
Is Satan good?

Student:
No.

Prof:
Where does Satan come from?

Student:
From....God...

Prof:
That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student:
Yes.

Prof:
Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student:
Yes.

Prof:
So who created evil?

(Student does not answer.)

Prof:
Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible
things exist in the world, don't they?

Student:
Yes, sir.

Prof:
So, who created them?

(Student has no answer.)

Prof:
Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you.
Tell me, son... Have you ever seen God?

Student:
No, sir.

Prof:
Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student:
No, sir.

Prof:
Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you
ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student:
No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof:
Yet you still believe in Him?

Student:
Yes.

Prof:
According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student:
Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof:
Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student:
Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof:
Yes.

Student:
And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof:
Yes.

Student:
No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student:
Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold .. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student:
What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof:
Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student :
You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light.....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof:
So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student:
Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof:
Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student:
Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully
understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof:
If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student:
Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student:
Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class is in uproar.)

Student:
Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class breaks out into laughter..)

Student:
Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof:
I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student:
That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.


NB: I believe you have enjoyed the conversation...and if so...you'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same...won't you?.... this is a true story, and the student was none other than..........

APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India.

Abu Hanifa and The Roman

Many years ago, during the time of the Tabi’een (the generation of Muslims after the Sahabah), Baghdad was a great city of Islam. In fact, it was the capital of the Islamic Empire and because of the great number of scholars who lived there, it was the center of Islamic knowledge. One day, the ruler of Rome at that time sent an envoy to Baghdad with three challenges for the Muslims. When the messenger reached the city, he informed the Khalifah that he had three questions which he challenged the Muslims to answer. The Khalifah gathered together all the scholars of the city and the Roman messenger climbed upon a high platform and said,

"I have come with three questions. If you answer them, then I will leave with you a great amount of wealth which I have brought from the king of Rome.” As for the questions, they were: ‘What was there before Allah?’ ‘In which direction does Allah face?’ ‘What is Allah engaged in at this moment?’

The great assembly of people were silent. (Can you think of answers to these questions?) In the midst of these brilliant scholars and students of Islam, there was a man looking on with his young son. “O my dear father! I will answer him and silence him!” said the youth. So the boy sought the permission of the Khalifah to give the answers and he was given the permission to do so.

The Roman addressed the young Muslim and repeated his first question, “What was there before Allah?” The boy asked, “Do you know how to count?” “Yes,” said the man. “Then count down from ten!” So the Roman counted down, “ten, nine, eight, …” until he reached “one” and he stopped counting. “But what comes before ‘one’?” asked the boy. “There is nothing before one – that is it!” said the man. “Well then, if there obviously is nothing before the arithmetic ‘one’, then how do you expect that there should be anything before the ‘One’ who is Absolute truth, All-Eternal, Everlasting the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden?”

Now the man was surprised by this direct answer which he could not dispute. So he asked, “Then tell me, in which direction is Allah facing?” “Bring a candle and light it,” said the boy, “and tell me in which direction the flame is facing.” “But the flame is just light – it spreads in each of the four directions, North, South, East and West. It does not face any one direction only,” said the man in wonderment. The boy cried, “Then if this physical light spreads in all four directions such that you cannot tell me which way it faces, then what do you expect of the Nur-us-Samawati-wal-’Ard: Allah – the Light of the Heavens and the Earth!? Light upon Light, Allah faces all directions at all times.”

The Roman was stupefied and astounded that here was a young child answering his challenges in such a way that he could not argue against the proofs. So, he desperately wanted to try his final question. But before doing so, the boy said, “Wait! You are the one who is asking the questions and I am the one who is giving the answers to these challenges. It is only fair that you should come down to where I am standing and that I should go up where you are right now, in order that the answers may be heard as clearly as the questions.” This seemed reasonable to the Roman, so he came down from where he was standing and the boy ascended the platform. Then the man repeated his final challenge, “Tell me, what is Allah doing at this moment?” The boy proudly answered, “At this moment, when Allah found upon this high platform a liar and mocker of Islam, He caused him to descend and brought him low. And as for the one who believed in the Oneness of Allah, He raised him up and established the Truth. Every day He exercises (universal) power (Surah 55 ar-Rahman, Verse 29).” The Roman had nothing to say except to leave and return back to his country, defeated.

Meanwhile, this young boy grew up to become one of the most famous scholars of Islam. Allah, the Exalted, blessed him with special wisdom and knowledge of the Deen (religion). His name was Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayhi – May Allah have mercy on him) and he is known today as Imam Abu Hanifah (Imam-e-Azam), the Great Imam and scholar of Islam.

The Story of Abu Hanifa and the Three Questions

There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his 3 Questions. Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.

Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?

Scholar: I am one of Allah (SubHana Wa Ta’ala)'s slaves and Insha-Allah (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions.

Young man: Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.

Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of Allah(SubHana Wa Ta`ala).


Young Man: I have 3 questions:
1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.
2. What is taqdir (fate)?
3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that is also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?

Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard.

Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry at me?

Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.

Young Man: I really don't understand.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: Of course, I felt the pain.

Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?

Young Man: Yes.

Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!

Young Man: I cannot.

Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence without being able to see His shape... Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: That is taqdir (fate) my second answer........ My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?

Young Man: It is created from flesh.

Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?

Young Man: Flesh.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: In pain.

Scholar: That's it. This is my third answer, Even though Shaitan (Devil) and hell were created from fire, if Allah wants, insha-Allah (God willing), the hell will become a very painful place for shaitan.

The scholar was Imam Abu Hanifa (Rahmatulla Alai) and the man was a famous Jewish scholar of that time. After this incident, it is told that he became Muslim...