Islamic Finder - Lectures Khutbas

What is Jihad?

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Islamic Holy War? Muslims Killing Jews & Christians?<br />
That is what we are told - by the western media. But what is the real truth behind this word JIHAD?<br />
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<u>Jihad Explained, by Dr. Amir Ali, Ph.D. (May Allah have Mercy on him)</u><br />
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In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense, a student struggles and strives to get an education and pass course work; an employee strives to fulfill his/her job and maintain good relations with his/her employer; a politician strives to maintain or increase his [1] popularity with his constituents and so on. The term strive or struggle may be used for/by Muslims as well as non-Muslims; for example, Allah, the One and Only True God says in the Quran:<br />
"We have enjoined on people kindness to parents; but if they STRIVE (Jahadaka) to make you ascribe partners with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not..." [Noble Quran 29:8; also see 31:15]<br />
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In the above two verses of the Quran, it is non-Muslim parents who strive (Jahadaka) to convert their Muslim child back to their religion.<br />
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In the West, "jihad" is generally translated as "holy war," a usage the media has popularized. According to Islamic teachings, it is UNHOLY to instigate or start war; however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable. If we translate the words "holy war" back into Arabic, we find "Harbun Muqaddasatu," or for "the holy war," "Al-Harbu Al-Muqaddasatu." WE CHALLENGE any researcher or scholar to find the meaning of "jihad" as holy war in the Quran or authentic Hadith collections or in early Islamic literature. Unfortunately, some Muslim writers and translators of the Quran, the Hadith and other Islamic literature translate the term "jihad" as "holy war," due to the influence of centuries-old Western propaganda. This could be a reflection of the Christian use of the term "Holy War" to refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago. However, the Arabic words for "war" are "Harb" or "Qital," which are found in the Quran and Hadith.<br />
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For Muslims the term JIHAD is applied to all forms of STRIVING and has developed some special meanings over time. The sources of this development are the Quran (the Word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran and the Hadith use the word "jihad" in several different contexts which are given below:<br />
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<b>1. RECOGNIZING THE CREATOR AND LOVING HIM MOST:</b><br />
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It is human nature to love what is seen with the eyes and felt with the senses more than the UNSEEN REALITY. The Creator of the Universe and the One God is Allah. He is the Unseen Reality which we tend to ignore and not recognize. The Quran addresses those who claim to be believers:<br />
"O you who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for protectors if they love disbelief over belief; whoever of you takes them for protectors, such are wrong-doers. Say: if your fathers, and your children, and your brethren, and your spouses, and your tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and business for which you fear shrinkage, and houses you are pleased with are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and STRIVING in His way: then wait till Allah brings His command to pass. Allah does not guide disobedient folk." [Noble Quran 9:23, 24]<br />
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It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our loved ones, our wealth, our worldly ambitions and our own lives. Especially for a non-Muslim who embraces Islam, it may be a tough struggle due to the opposition of his family, peers and society.<br />
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<b>2. RESISTING PRESSURE OF PARENTS, PEERS, AND SOCIETY:</b><br />
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Once a person has made up his mind to put the Creator of the Universe above all else, he often comes under intense pressures. It is not easy to resist such pressures and STRIVE to maintain dedication and love of Allah over all else. A person who has turned to Islam from another religion may be subjected to pressures designed to turn him back to the religion of the family. We read in the Quran:<br />
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"So obey not the rejecters of faith, but strive (Jahidhum) against them by it (the Quran) with a great endeavor." [Noble Quran 25:52]<br />
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<b>3. STAYING ON THE STRAIGHT PATH STEADFASTLY:</b><br />
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Allah says in the Quran:<br />
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And STRIVE (JADIHU) for Allah with the endeavor (JIHADIHI) which is His right. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in the DEEN (religion) any hardship..." [Noble Quran 22:78]<br />
"And whosoever STRIVES (JAHADA), STRIVES (YUJAHIDU) only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent of the universe." [Noble Quran 29:6]<br />
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As for those who strive and struggle to live as true Muslims whose lives are made difficult due to persecution by their opponents, they are advised to migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land and continue with their struggle in the cause of Allah. Allah says in the Quran:<br />
"Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wronged themselves, (the angels) will ask: 'In what you were engaged?' They will way: 'We were oppressed in the land.' (The angels) will say: 'Was not Allah's earth spacious that you could have migrated therein?'" [Noble Quran 4:97]<br />
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"Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and STRIVE (JAHADU) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." [Noble Quran 2:218]<br />
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Allah tests the believers in their faith and their steadfastness:<br />
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"Or did you think that you would enter Paradise while yet Allah knows not those of you who really STRIVE (JAHADU), nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast." [Noble Quran 3:142]<br />
"And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give tidings to the steadfast." [Noble Quran 2:155]<br />
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We find that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his clan were boycotted socially and economically for three years to force him to stop his message and compromise with the pagans but he resisted and realized a moral victory [2].<br />
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<b>4. STRIVING FOR RIGHTEOUS DEEDS:</b><br />
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Allah declares in the Quran:<br />
"As for those who STRIVE (JAHADU) in Us (the cause of Allah), We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good doers." [Noble Quran 29:69]<br />
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When we are faced with two competing interests, it becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following Hadith exemplify:<br />
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"Ayshah, wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, we see jihad as the best of deeds, so shouldn't we join it?' He replied, 'But the best of jihad is a perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).'" [Sahih Al-Bukhari #2784]<br />
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At another occasion, a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):<br />
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"'Should I join the jihad?' He asked, 'Do you have parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Then strive by serving them!'" [Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972]<br />
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Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):<br />
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"'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" [Sunan Al-Nasa'i #4209]<br />
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The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "...the MUJAHID (one who carries out jihad) is he who STRIVES against himself for the sake of Allah, and the MUHAJIR (one who emigrates) is he who abandons evil deeds and sin." [Sahih Ibn Hibban #4862]<br />
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<b>5. HAVING COURAGE AND STEADFASTNESS TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM:</b><br />
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The Quran narrates the experiences of a large number of Prophets and good people who suffered a great deal trying to convey the message of Allah to mankind. For examples, see the Quran 26:1-190, 36:13-32. In the Quran, Allah specifically praises those who strive to convey His message:<br />
"Who is better in speech than one who calls (other people) to Allah, works righteous, and declares that he is from the Muslims." [Noble Quran 41:33]<br />
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Under adverse conditions it takes great courage to remain a Muslim, declare oneself to be a Muslim and call others to Islam. We read in the Quran:<br />
"The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and afterward doubt not, but STRIVE with their wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the truthful." [Noble Quran 49:15]<br />
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<b>6. DEFENDING ISLAM AND THE COMMUNITY:</b><br />
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Allah declares in the Quran:<br />
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to defend themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory - (they are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right - (for no cause) except that they say, 'Our Lord is Allah'..." [Noble Quran 22:39-40]<br />
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The Quran permits fighting to defend the religion of Islam and the Muslims. This permission includes fighting in self-defense and for the protection of family and property. The early Muslims fought many battles against their enemies under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or his representatives. For example, when the pagans of Quraysh brought armies against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Muslims fought to defend their faith and community [3]. The Quran adds:<br />
"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors. ...And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against transgressors." [Noble Quran 2:190, 193]<br />
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<b>7. HELPING ALLIED PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE MUSLIM:</b><br />
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In the late period of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) life, the tribe of Banu Khuza'ah became his ally. They were living near Makkah which was under the rule of the pagan Quraysh, Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) own tribe. The tribe of Banu Bakr, an ally of Quraysh, with the help of some elements of Quraysh, attacked Banu Khuza'ah invoked the treaty and demanded Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to come to their help and punish Quraysh. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) organized a campaign against Quraysh of Makkah which resulted in the conquest of Makkah which occurred without any battle [4].<br />
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<b>8. BANISHING THOSE WHO ACT TREACHEROUSLY:</b><br />
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Allah orders the Muslims in the Quran:<br />
"If you fear treachery from any group, throw back (their treaty) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms. Lo! Allah loves not the treacherous." [Noble Quran 8:58]<br />
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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) undertook a number of armed campaigns to remove treacherous people from power and their lodgings. He had entered into pacts with several Jewish tribes, however, some of them proved themselves treacherous. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) launched armed campaigns against these tribes, defeated and exiled them from Medina and its surroundings [5].<br />
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<b>9. GAINING FREEDOM TO INFORM, EDUCATE AND CONVEY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM IN AN OPEN AND FREE ENVIRONMENT:</b><br />
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Allah declares in the Quran:<br />
"They ask you (Muhammad) concerning fighting in the Sacred Month. Say, 'Fighting therein is a grave (offense) but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its inhabitants. Persecution is worse than killing. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith, if they can..." [Noble Quran 2:217]<br />
"And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) fight back." [Noble Quran 42:39]<br />
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To gain this freedom, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:<br />
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"STRIVE (JAHIDU) against the disbelievers with your hands and tongues." [Sahih Ibn Hibban #4708]<br />
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The life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was full of STRIVING to gain the freedom to inform and convey the message of Islam. During his stay in Makkah he used non-violent methods and after the establishment of his government in Madinah, by the permission of Allah, he used armed struggle against his enemies whenever he found it inevitable.<br />
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<b>10. FREEING PEOPLE FROM TYRANNY:</b><br />
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Allah admonishes Muslims in the Quran:<br />
"And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? - Men, women, and children, whose cry is: 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You, one who will protect; and raise for us from You, one who will help.'" [Noble Quran 4:75]<br />
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The mission of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was to free people from tyranny and exploitation by oppressive systems. Once free, individuals in the society were then free to chose Islam or not. Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) successors continued in his footsteps and went to help oppressed people. For example, after the repeated call by the oppressed people of Spain to the Muslims for help, Spain was liberated by Muslim forces and the tyrant rulers removed. After the conquest of Syria and Iraq by the Muslims, the Christian population of Hims reportedly said to the Muslims:<br />
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"We like your rule and justice far better than the state of oppression and tyranny under which we have been living." [7]<br />
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The defeated rulers of Syria were Roman Christians, and Iraq was ruled by Zoroastrian Persians.<br />
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<b>WHAT SHOULD MUSLIMS DO WHEN THEY ARE VICTORIOUS?</b><br />
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Muslims should remove tyranny, treachery, bigotry, and ignorance and replace them with justice and equity. We should provide truthful knowledge and free people from the bondage of 'associationism' (SHIRK, or multiple gods), prejudice, superstition and mythology. Muslims remove immorality, fear, crime, exploitation and replace them with divine morality, peace and education. The Quran declares:<br />
"Lo! Allah commands you that you restore deposits to their owners, and if you judge between mankind that you judge justly. Lo! It is proper that Allah admonishes you. Lo! Allah is ever Hearer, Seer." [Noble Quran 4:58]<br />
"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah's witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety and fear Allah. And Allah is well acquainted with all that you do." [Noble Quran 5:8]<br />
"And of those whom We have created there is a nation who guides with the Truth and establishes justice with it." [Noble Quran 7:181]<br />
"Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may take heed." [Noble Quran 16:90]<br />
"Those who, if We give them power in the land, establish prescribed prayers (SALAH) and pay the poor-due (ZAKAH) and enjoin right conduct and forbid evil. And with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs." [Noble Quran 22:41]<br />
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<b>DID ISLAM SPREAD BY FORCE, SWORDS OR GUNS?</b><br />
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The unequivocal and emphatic answer is NO! The Quran declares:<br />
"Let there be no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error." [Noble Quran 2:256]<br />
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Here is a good study of the question of the spread of Islam by a Christian missionary, T. W. Arnold:<br />
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"...of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestantism penal in France, or the Jews were kept out of England for 350 years. The Eastern Churches in Asia were entirely cut off from communion with the rest of Christiandom throughout which no one would have been found to lift a finger on their behalf, as heretical communions. So that the very survival of these Churches to the present day is a strong proof of the generally tolerant attitude of Mohammedan [sic] governments towards them" [8].<br />
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Islam does not teach, nor do Muslims desire, conversion of any people for fear, greed, marriage or any other form of coercion.<br />
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In conclusion, jihad in Islam is STRIVING IN THE WAY OF ALLAH by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if inevitable, with arms. However, jihad in Islam does not include striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or pride.<br />
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<u>References</u><br />
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[1]. For the sake of simplicity and easy reading, masculine pronouns have been used throughout this brochure. No exclusion of females is intended.<br />
[2]. Haykal, M. H., THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD, Tr. Isma'il R. Faruqi, American Trust Publications, 1976, p. 132.<br />
[3]. Haykal, pp. 216, 242, 299 and 414 for the Battles of Badr, Uhud, Al-Khandaq and Hunayn, respectively.<br />
[4]. Haykal, p. 395 for the conquest of Makkah.<br />
[5]. Haykal, pp. 245, 277, 311 and 326 for campaigns against the tribes of Banu Qaynuqa', Banu Al-Nadir, Banu Quraydthah and Banu Lihyan, respectively. Also, see p. 283 for the Battle of Dhat Al-Riqa'.<br />
[6]. Haykal, pp. 284, 327, 366, 387, 393, 443 and 515 for the Battles of Dawmat Al-Jandal, Banu Al-Mustaliq, Khaybar, Mu'tah, Dhat Al-Salasil, Tabuk and the Campaign of Usamah Ibn Zayd, respectively.<br />
[7]. Hitti, Philip K., HISTORY OF THE ARABS, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1970, p. 153.<br />
[8]. Arnold, Sir Thomas W. THE PREACHING OF ISLAM, A HISTORY OF THE PROPAGATION OF THE MUSLIM FAITH, Westminister A. Constable & Co., London, 1896, p. 80.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.guideus.tv/articles/what-is-jihad" target="_blank">http://www.guideus.tv/articles/what-is-jihad</a><br />
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What is Jihad?

Islamic Holy War? Muslims Killing Jews & Christians? That is what we are told - by the western media. But what is the real truth ...

Saturday, March 05, 2016

Women in the Quran and the Sunnah

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In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct. The Quran says:</div>
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"And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women." [Noble Quran 2:228]<br />
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The Quran, in addressing the believers, often uses the expression, 'believing men and women' to emphasize the equality of men and women in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues and merits. It says:<br />
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"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." [Noble Quran 33:35]<br />
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This clearly contradicts the assertion of the Christian Fathers that women do not possess souls and that they will exist as sexless beings in the next life. The Quran says that women have souls in exactly the same way as men and will enter Paradise if they do good:<br />
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"Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight." [Noble Quran 43:70]<br />
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"Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life." [Noble Quran 16:97]<br />
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The Quran admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women:<br />
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"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good." [Noble Quran 4:19]<br />
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Considering the fact that before the advent of Islam the pagan Arabs used to bury their female children alive, make women dance naked in the vicinity of the Ka'bah during their annual fairs, and treat women as mere chattels and objects of sexual pleasure possessing no rights or position whatsoever, these teachings of the Noble Quran were revolutionary. Unlike other religions, which regarded women as being possessed of inherent sin and wickedness and men as being possessed of inherent virtue and nobility, Islam regards men and women as being of the same essence created from a single soul. The Quran declares:<br />
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"O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and reverence the wombs (that bore you); for Allah ever watches over you." [Noble Quran 4:1]<br />
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The Prophet of Islam (Peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Women are the twin halves of men." The Quran emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simile:<br />
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"They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them." [Noble Quran 2:187]<br />
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Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, secure each other's chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body; so does the husband find comfort in his wife's company and she in his. "The garment is the grace, the beauty, the embellishment of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them." Islam does not consider woman "an instrument of the Devil", but rather the Quran calls her Muhsana - a fortress against Satan because a good woman, by marrying a man, helps him keep to the path of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that marriage was considered by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) as a most virtuous act. He said: "When a man marries, he has completed one half of his religion." He enjoined matrimony on Muslims by saying: "Marriage is part of my way and whoever keeps away from my way is not from me (i.e. is not my follower)." The Quran has given the raison d'�tre of marriage in the following words:<br />
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"And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]<br />
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The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) was full of praise for virtuous and chaste women. He said:<br />
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"The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman. He once told the future Khalifah, 'Umar: "Shall I not inform you about the best treasure a man can hoard? It is a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he looks towards her, and who guards herself when he is absent from her."<br />
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On other occasions the Prophet said:<br />
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"The best property a man can have is a remembering tongue (about Allah), a grateful heart and a believing wife who helps him in his faith." And again: "The world, the whole of it, is a commodity and the best of the commodities of the world is a virtuous wife."<br />
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Before the advent of Islam women were often treated worse than animals. The Prophet wanted to put a stop to all cruelties to women. He preached kindness towards them. He told the Muslims: "Fear Allah in respect of women." And: "The best of you are they who behave best to their wives." And: "A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good." And: "The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is."<br />
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The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) was most emphatic in enjoining upon Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous Khutbah on the Mount of Mercy at Arafat in the presence of one hundred and twenty-four thousand of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he ordered those present, and through them all those Muslims who were to come later, to be respectful and kind towards women. He said:<br />
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"Fear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their food and clothing according to your means."<br />
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In Islam a woman is a completely independent personality. She can make any contract or bequest in her own name. She is entitled to inherit in her position as mother, as wife, as sister and as daughter. She has perfect liberty to choose her husband. The pagan society of pre-Islamic Arabia had an irrational prejudice against their female children whom they used to bury alive. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) was totally opposed to this practice. He showed them that supporting their female children would act as a screen for them against the fire of Hell:<br />
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It is narrated by the Prophet's wife, Ayshah, that a woman entered her house with two of her daughters. She asked for charity but Ayshah could not find anything except a date, which was given to her. The woman divided it between her two daughters and did not eat any herself. Then she got up and left. When the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) came to the house, Ayshah told him about what had happened and he declared that when the woman was brought to account (on the Day of Judgment) about her two daughters they would act as a screen for her from the fires of Hell.<br />
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The worst calamity for a woman is when her husband passes away and, as a widow, the responsibility of maintaining the children falls upon her. In the Eastern World, where a woman does not always go out to earn her living, the problems of widowhood are indescribable. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) upheld the cause of widows. Most of his wives were widows. In an age when widows were rarely permitted to remarry, the Prophet encouraged his followers to marry them. He was always ready to help widows and exhorted his followers to do the same. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: "One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day."<br />
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Woman as mother commands great respect in Islam. The Noble Quran speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins Muslims to show respect to their mothers and serve them well even if they are still unbelievers. The Prophet states emphatically that the rights of the mother are paramount. Abu Hurairah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) and asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your father."<br />
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In another tradition, the Prophet advised a believer not to join the war against the Quraysh in defense of Islam, but to look after his mother, saying that his service to his mother would be a cause of his salvation. Mu'awiyah, the son of Jahimah, reported that Jahimah came to the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "Messenger of Allah! I want to join the fighting (in the path of Allah) and I have come to seek your advice." He said, "Then remain in your mother's service, because Paradise is under her feet."<br />
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The Prophet's followers accepted his teachings and brought about a revolution in their social attitude towards women. They no longer considered women as mere chattels, but as an integral part of society. For the first time women were given the right to have a share in inheritance. In the new social climate, women rediscovered themselves and became highly active members of society rendering useful service during the wars which the pagan Arabs forced on the emerging Muslim Ummah. They carried provisions for the soldiers, nursed them, and even fought alongside them if it was necessary. It became a common sight to see women helping their husbands in the fields, carrying on trade and business independently, and going out of their homes to satisfy their needs.<br />
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Ayshah reported that Sawdah bint Zam'ah went out one night. 'Umar saw her and recognized her and said, "By God, O Sawdah, why do you not hide yourself from us?" She went back to the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and told him about it while he was having supper in her room, and he said, "It is permitted by Allah for you to go out for your needs." The predominant idea in the teachings of Islam with regard to men and women is that a husband and wife should be full-fledged partners in making their home a happy and prosperous place, that they should be loyal and faithful to one another, and genuinely interested in each other's welfare and the welfare of their children. A woman is expected to exercise a humanizing influence over her husband and to soften the sternness inherent in his nature. A man is enjoined to educate the women in his care so that they cultivate the qualities in which they, by their very nature, excel.<br />
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These aspects were much emphasized by the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him). He exhorted men to marry women of piety and women to be faithful to their husbands and kind to their children. He said:<br />
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"Among my followers the best of men are those who are best to their wives, and the best of women are those who are best to their husbands. To each of such women is set down a reward equivalent to the reward of a thousand martyrs. Among my followers, again, the best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for everything, save what is a transgression of Allah's laws."<br />
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Once Mu'awiyah asked the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), "What are the rights that a wife has over her husband?" The Prophet replied, "Feed her when you take your food, give her clothes to wear when you wear clothes, refrain from giving her a slap on the face or abusing her, and do not separate from your wife, except within the house." Once a woman came to the Prophet with a complaint against her husband. He told her: "There is no woman who removes something to replace it in its proper place, with a view to tidying her husband's house, but that Allah sets it down as a virtue for her. Nor is there a man who walks with his wife hand-in-hand, but that Allah sets it down as a virtue for him; and if he puts his arm round her shoulder in love, his virtue is increased tenfold." Once he was heard praising the women of the tribe of Quraysh, "...because they are the kindest to their children while they are infants and because they keep a careful watch over the belongings of their husbands."<br />
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The Shari'ah regards women as the spiritual and intellectual equals of men. The main distinction it makes between them is in the physical realm based on the equitable principle of fair division of labor. It allots the more strenuous work to the man and makes him responsible for the maintenance of the family. It allots the work of managing the home and the upbringing and training of children to the woman, work which has the greatest importance in the task of building a healthy and prosperous society.<br />
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It is a fact, however, that sound administration within the domestic field is impossible without a unified policy. For this reason the Shari'ah requires a man, as head of the family, to consult with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In doing so he must not abuse his prerogative to cause any injury to his wife. Any transgression of this principle involves for him the risk of losing the favor of Allah, because his wife is not his subordinate but she is, to use the words of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), 'the queen of her house', and this is the position a true believer is expected to give his wife. In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, Western talk of women's liberation or emancipation is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honor, and degradation of her soul!<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.guideus.tv/articles/women" target="_blank">http://www.guideus.tv/articles/women</a> </div>

Women in the Quran and the Sunnah

In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promi...

Friday, March 04, 2016

Dawah: A Guide for Activists

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<b>What does Dawah mean?</b><br />
Dawah Is An Obligation Upon Us All. The Arabic word Da'wah means a call or an invitation. In Islamic context, it means to strive for the propagation of Islam.The obligation of Dawah has been made clear in the Qur'an.<br />
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<b><u>Dawah: A Guide for Activists</u></b><br />
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First begin with Basics Of Islam.<br />
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Here are some important points to keep in mind:<br />
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As Muslims we cannot lie about anything, especially about our religion.<br />
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<b>Islam has the proof for everything that it teaches. Our sources are authentic and original. They are:</b><br />
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<li>The Quran</li>
<li>Teachings of our prophet Muhammad (pbuh)</li>
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This is a unique part of Islam, not available in any other ancient religions.<br />
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Also, keep in mind while talking with people and answering their questions, sometimes "questions" contain misinformation. We must qualify what it is that someone is saying against what they mean.<br />
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Take special care in offer your answers. Keep your replies simple and to the point. Do not wander from subject to subject while answering a question.<br />
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Another important point is to remember that patience is an important part of the character of the Muslim and that you must not become angry or outraged at what people say to you or by the questions that they are asking. If you feel that it is too much for you to deal with, then simply walk away.<br />
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<b>Also, don't try to be funny or sarcastic.</b> This is distracting and not appropriate. Very often while giving the answer, we hear the person we are talking to saying something like, "I didn't know that." Or they might say, "This is actually something good." When this occurs we ask them, "Are you ready to rethink your position? Are you prepared to worship your God and your Lord without any partners?"<br />
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After all, isn't this what Islam is really all about? The most important subject is the worship of Almighty God, without any partners or associates or "gods" besides Almighty God.<br />
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<b>Dawah is a word in Arabic that means "to invite" or "to offer to share."</b> This is a very important part of being a Muslim and it can be somewhat difficult at times. Yet it is not impossible. The fact is that sharing Islam is a very simple concept. The difficulty comes in when you are trying to communicate the idea to others, especially when they have already been predisposed to believe in something else and to believe that Islam is something bad.<br />
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Keep in mind at all times that you are on a special mission to deliver a message of inviting people to worship Allah according to the way that He wants to be worshipped. You are to call them to know the truth and how to follow it. You do this with both your kind words and correct actions.<br />
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Your words are used in lectures, sermons, books, tapes and dialogs. These words help people to understand the truth of Islam.<br />
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Your actions are observed by others through your behavior and manners. You become the role model for what Islam is all about.<br />
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Both methods (Dawah by words and actions) were used by the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) when delivering the message of Islam. He was the perfect example of what he was calling the people to do. A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that if you would like to see a living example of the Quran walking, then simply look to Muhammad, peace be upon him. His life was the best example of the noble teachings and principles set forth in the Quran.<br />
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Muslims are supposed to advise everyone by using a gentle and simple approach to attract the hungry souls to the Way of Allah. For sure today more than ever, people need to know about Islam and be able to put it into practice. We all need an example to follow.<br />
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<b>Actually, the problem is not so much calling or inviting to people to the message of Islam, as it is the way that we go about it. </b>The way that we present ourselves and the message is most important and unfortunately, something that many of the Muslims are not taking into consideration these days.<br />
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Some have actually ruined the image of Dawah due to the rigid methods, mistakes and misunderstandings they are applying. This gives a very negative impression about Islam and the Muslims in general. Considering all of the detraction and negative media against Islam and Muslims occurring in these days, it is vital that we approach our Dawah with wisdom, kind invitation and logical discussions.<br />
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<b>One example of negative Dawah is the false concept that so many Muslims have today about debating the Christians about their Bible.</b> This is very incorrect and not a part of the teachings of the Quran or the way of Muhammad, peace be upon him. While there are a number of things that we might be able to share with them about what we believe that is similar to what they might find in their Book, it is not correct to try to attack their Book, their beliefs nor their understandings. A wise man once said, "Debates bring a lot of heat, but not very much light." Leave the idea of debating and do not attend any functions where these types of activities are taking place. Pray for the Muslims to wake up to the dangers of this as a tool for Dawah before it is too late.<br />
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Another thing to stay away from is the so called "miracles" about the Quran and Islam that are not mentioned in the Quran or in the Sunnah of the prophet, peace be upon him. One example of the idea of some trees in Germany that are twisted around to spell, "La Ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasulullah." This is not true. The picture is a fake and anyone can easily prove this is not real. So where would you be if you had insisted that this was a "proof" that Islam is the right religion?<br />
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Other fake "miracles" include; a fish with "Allah" written on it; a tree bent toward Mecca in prayer; a pumpkin with "Bismillah Rahman Rahim" on it. Please verify this by visiting our website page on these stories at: <a href="http://www.islamtomorrow.com/pumpkin.htm" target="_blank">http://www.IslamTomorrow.com/pumpkin.htm</a><br />
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Another area to avoid is the misconception about the "miracle of numbers" in the Quran. The stories are many and all of them are false. There is no miracle of "19" in the Quran; this not the occurrence of the word "day" and "night" 365 times (the Muslim calendar is 354 days anyway); the words "angel" and "devil" do not occur the same number of times; and all of the mathematical equations mentioned about the earth and the water are worthless to someone who is trying to understand about Allah and Islam. So please stop this propaganda and DO NOT FORWARD these messages to everyone on your list.<br />
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That is NOT Dawah. That is a waste of time and energy. The fact is that this will turn people away from the truth and destroy the pure message of Islam.<br />
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When we are going to talk with folks about Islam, we should first begin with the word itself. Let people know that there is a difference between the word "Islam" and what some people are doing.<br />
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Visit our page on this subject of the explanation of words before you try to discuss Islam with anyone: <a href="http://www.islamtomorrow.com/word/" target="_blank">http://www.IslamTomorrow.com/word/</a><br />
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"ISLAM" - Explain to them that "Islam" can be understood both, as a verb and as a noun. As a noun, it is the religion that was completed by Allah for all human beings 1,400 years ago. The message came with Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the Arabic language.<br />
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As a verb, the word "Islam" means the surrender, submission, obedience and peace in sincerity with Allah.<br />
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<b>Next, explain to them that the word Muslim comes from the word Islam itself.</b> And the Arabic uses a prefix to the verb rather than a suffix to indicate the one who is performing the verb or action. So instead of being an "Islam-er" we are "Mu-islims" (Muslim).<br />
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Remember: K.I.S.S. (Keep It So Simple)<br />
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<b>Next you might logically break down the word "Allah" </b>and let them know what it comes from and how it is the perfect word to describe and represent the Lord of the Worlds, The Only Creator and Sustainer of the universe.<br />
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"Allah" comes from the root "ilah" and the plural is "Awliha." When the article "the" is placed in front of "Ilah" in Arabic, it becomes "Al-lah." In this state the word can no longer be made plural, nor can it be associated with gender. That is to say, that "Allah" can actually be used to represent the meaning of "One only to be worshipped, never plural, always singular and never man nor woman."<br />
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"Quran" is another word that you might explain to them. Let them understand that the Quran is not a book and that it is actually "alive" today in the hearts of over nine million (9,000,000) Muslims around the world. This is a real miracle. There is no other book like it. No book can compare to it and no other major religion today has their original preserved in the original language by so many followers of the religion.<br />
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For instance, you might ask the person, "Did you know? - Over NINE MILLION Muslims Memorized the Entire Quran. 9,000,0000 + Muslims living today have memorized the entire Quran in the original Arabic language. But surprisingly over 75% of all Muslims are not Arab. In fact, the largest number of Muslims today are in Indonesia. And did you know? That every Muslim in the world, over 1.5 billion have all memorized some of the Quran and each of them desires to memorize it entirely?<br />
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<b>"Prophethood" in Islam is also an area that brings people to a better understanding of Muslims and what Islam is really about.</b> Let them know that as much as we love and honor and respect all of the prophets from Adam to Abraham and Moses and David, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, we never worship them. As a matter of fact, that is where people begin to go the wrong way, by over praising something or someone in the creation. All praise and worship is due to Allah, alone.<br />
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You might like to read and share the messages about Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Jesus, peace be upon him, from the Muslim perspective. You could print these pages out and share them or ask them to visit the links online if they can.<br />
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"Muhammad" - "Jesus"<br />
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<b>"Human Rights"</b> is a favorite of mine to talk about. And then rights in general in Islam. Of course it is Allah, who has the first and most exclusive right, that of being worshipped alone without any partners.<br />
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"Women's rights" There are areas to discuss and in particular of great interest today, is the rights of women. Also, you could mention that today more than ever before, women are coming into Islam in greater numbers than men. This is a fact.<br />
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There are many areas to open up the dialog, but always keep in mind that the message is to call people to worship Allah, Alone without any partners.<br />
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Make the clear distinction between what "Islam" teaches and what some "Muslims" do. Ask them to consider some of the bad people in history who were supposed to be Christians, yet what they did does not represent the Christians or Jesus.<br />
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<b>"Islam" is not what some Muslims do. It is what all Muslims are "supposed" to do.</b><br />
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So all in all, you need to adopt gentleness and politeness in presenting your arguments. Allah Almighty addresses His Prophet, saying:<br />
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"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." [Noble Quran 16:125]<br />
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<b>The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "Indeed, gentleness adds more beauty to the atmosphere it reposes therein."</b><br />
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Actually, nothing is more needed now, in making Dawah, than correct knowledge, gentleness and wisdom. The reason for this is to dispel all the superstitions and lies spread against Islam. All this needs wisdom, patience and perseverance, and such polite methods brings quick results and has rapid effect on the audience.<br />
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Consider the wife of Abu Sufyan, Hind and her saying to Muhammad, peace be upon him, after she came to Islam; "I never wanted to see anyone on the face of the earth to be put down more than you and your family. But now, I do not see anyone on the face of the earth more honored than you and your family."<br />
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This is a clear example of the prophet's effect on people's hearts and minds through his behavior and manners. Callers to Islam must follow this great example in their efforts to share the message of Islam instead of turning them away.<br />
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<b>Always consider your audience and who it is that you are speaking to.</b> If the people are not familiar with the Arabic language, then there is no real need to speak Arabic or make all of your quotes in Arabic and then try to translate everything to English. This is silly and could turn people away. Remember to keep everything on their level and not try to talk above them or talk down to them.<br />
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Visit our page on this subject and then write back to me with more questions:<br />
<a href="http://www.islamtomorrow.com/dawah/" target="_blank">http://www.islamtomorrow.com/dawah/</a></div>

Dawah: A Guide for Activists

What does Dawah mean? Dawah Is An Obligation Upon Us All. The Arabic word Da'wah means a call or an invitation. In Islamic contex...

Friday, March 04, 2016

Muslim Woman heads Guided Missile Frigate System program office in Australia

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<b>Captain Mona Shindy - Australian Navy</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Chief of navy’s strategy adviser on Islamic affairs</li>
<li>Heads the Guided Missile Frigate System program office</li>
</ul>
<i>OK here is the rest of the story ^_^</i><br />
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<b><u>Navy's Islamic Twitter account shut down after anti-Islam group complains</u></b><br />
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The official Twitter account of the Australian navy’s adviser on Muslim affairs was shut down within days of an official complaint by an anti-Islam group about its content, Guardian Australia can reveal.<br />
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Captain Mona Shindy, the chief of navy’s strategy adviser on Islamic affairs, had been active on the @navyislamic account until it was deleted around 22 December.<br />
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Shindy, who also heads the Guided Missile Frigate System program office, had angered rightwing activists with her tweets, including one on 22 October describing the newly launched Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA) as an “extreme, ill-informed fringe group”.<br />
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Days after Tony Abbott was deposed by Malcolm Turnbull she tweeted: “Looking forward to a #PM that unites #auspol & #OZ”.<br />
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The 26-year veteran also expressed support for Australia’s grand mufti, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, who was attacked by government ministers for referring to “causative factors” behind terrorism in a press release expressing condolences for November’s Paris terrorist attacks.<br />
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Shindy wrote from @navyislamic, the “Official Royal Australian Navy Islamic Advisor Twitter account”, that Abu Mohamed was a “righteous and courageous man” who had denounced Islamic State, adding the hashtag #IStandWithThe Mufti.<br />
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The head of the ALA, Debbie Robinson, who has previously described Islam as “a dangerous ideology” incompatible with western society, wrote to the chief of the Australian defence force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, on 10 December asking the navy to distance itself from the account or delete it.<br />
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Ream More: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/05/navys-islamic-twitter-account-shut-down-after-anti-islam-group-complains" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/05/navys-islamic-twitter-account-shut-down-after-anti-islam-group-complains</a> </div>

Muslim Woman heads Guided Missile Frigate System program office in Australia

Captain Mona Shindy - Australian Navy Chief of navy’s strategy adviser on Islamic affairs Heads the Guided Missile Frigate System pro...

Thursday, March 03, 2016

Man removed from UK flight over 'prayer' message on phone

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A British man was removed from a plane by armed police at Luton airport after a fellow passenger read a message on his mobile phone about “prayer” and reported him as a security threat.<br />
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Laolu Opebiyi, 40, from London, said he was forced to hand over his phone and supply his password in order to establish his innocence after he tried to arrange a conference call prayer with friends using WhatsApp.<br />
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A detective subsequently questioned and <b>cleared</b> Opebiyi but the <b>pilot refused to allow him back on</b> to the easyJet flight to Amsterdam last Thursday and he was forced to wait more than three hours for the next scheduled departure.<br />
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The <b>Nigerian-born Christian believes the passenger next to him assumed he was a Muslim</b> and jumped to the conclusion that he may be a terrorist.<br />
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“That guy doesn’t know me and within two minutes he’s judging me,” he told the Guardian. “Even if I was a Muslim, it was pretty unfair the way I was treated. I don’t think anyone, irrespective of their religion should be treated in such a way.<br />
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“If we keep on giving into this kind of bigotry and irrational fear, I dare say that the terrorists will have achieved their aim.”<br />
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Opebiyi, a business analyst, said that as they awaited the plane’s 6.45am departure, his fellow passenger asked him: “<b>What do you mean by ‘prayer</b>’?” Taken aback that he had been reading over his shoulder, Opebiyi explained that he was arranging to pray with friends.<br />
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About two minutes later, the male passenger went to the front of the plane and began a conversation with the cabin crew, Opebiyi said. The man was taken to the door of the cockpit and returned 15 minutes later, telling Opebiyi that he was getting off the plane because he felt unwell. A few minutes later, two armed officers entered the plane. They asked Opebiyi for his phone and told him to remove his belongings and accompany them off the plane and into the terminal building.<br />
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After an officer confirmed that he was being questioned because of what happened with the other passenger, <b>Opebiyi explained that he was a Christian</b>, showing them a copy of the Bible in his bag. “They asked me which church I attend and how long I have been going there,” he said. “They also ask if I have ever thought about changing my religion to which I replied ‘no’.”<br />
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They also asked him about the name of the conference call prayer group, which was <b>“ISI men” – an acronym for “iron sharpens iron”, from the Bible quote “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”</b>. The Guardian understands that the passenger who reported Opebiyi may have misread this as “Isis”.<br />
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An officer eventually told Opebiyi that he was in the clear but that the pilot had said he should take another flight. He suffered further humiliation when an officer accompanied him to the easyJet desk to help him get on the next flight and seven other passengers from the 6.45am flight, who had left the plane because of security fears, also joined the queue.<br />
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Opebiyi said one of them spotted him and said: <b>“If he is on the next flight, I am not getting on the flight.”</b> He said the officer took the female passenger aside and explained the situation. Before Opebiyi boarded the 10.25am flight, the officer shook his hand and expressed sympathy for his ordeal, he said.<br />
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But he now fears he is on a terrorist watchlist because when he returned the next day from his business trip, the <b>electronic passport gate did not let him through and he had to speak to an immigration officer</b> before proceeding.<br />
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“Someone felt I was a terrorist because they saw the word ‘prayer’ on my phone and now I stand in uncertainty about my freedom of movement in and out of the United Kingdom,” he said.<br />
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A Bedfordshire police spokeswoman confirmed that its officers removed an individual from the flight but “were satisfied that there was no concern around the passenger travelling”.<br />
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An easyJet spokesman said: “The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority which means that if a security concern is raised we will always investigate it as a precautionary measure. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to the passenger.”<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/03/man-removed-easyjet-flight-luton-prayer-message-phone?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank">http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/03/man-removed-easyjet-flight-luton-prayer-message-phone?CMP=share_btn_tw</a><br />
<br /></div>

Man removed from UK flight over 'prayer' message on phone

A British man was removed from a plane by armed police at Luton airport after a fellow passenger read a message on his mobile phone abou...

Thursday, March 03, 2016

Arabic word for charity is Sadaqah (from sidq, meaning truth)

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Being alive as human has been described as a gift from Allah (swt) as He may have chosen to create many of mankind as animals or other forms of creation.</div>
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The <b>Arabic word for charity is sadaqah (from sidq, meaning truth)</b> and it is <b>different</b> from the <b>Zakat</b>, the third pillar of Islam, which is the obligatory due on money or other forms of wealth.</div>
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All acts of worship through financial expenditure and other good or charitable deeds are, by broader definition, classified as Sadaqah, though scholars classify the deed into categories even with separate rulings.</div>
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There are many verses of the Glorious Qur’an including: “They ask you about giving: say, "The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the travelling alien." Any good you do, God is fully aware thereof.” (Surah Baqarah 2:215)</div>
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Also in verse 262 of the same surah: “Those who spend their money in the cause of GOD, then do not follow their charity with insult or harm, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.”</div>
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Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu alaehi wasallam [Allah’s Peace upon him]) reportedly said and reported by Bukhari: “To smile in the company of your brother is charity. To command to do good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To guide a person in a place where he cannot get astray is charity. To remove troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a person with defective vision is charity for you.”</div>
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The importance of charity is such that some scholars, including Farah Rahim Dadabhoy, espouse criteria for sadaqah.</div>
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1. Sincerity: Sadaqah must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not out of show off to gain praise or recognition from others: “O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the last Day.” (Qur’an, 2: 264).</div>
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2. Privacy: “And whatever you spend in charity or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all.  But the wrongdoers have no helpers.  If you disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if you conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you.  It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil.  And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.” (Qur‘an, 2:270-271).</div>
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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reportedly said and reported by Bukhari: “Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. They are: a just ruler, a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, a man whose heart is attached to the mosque, two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting for that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says, ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and hides it,  such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity, and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.”</div>
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3. Lawful source: Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money Allah takes it in His Right (hand). And then, enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain.”</div>
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4. Relations: Beginning with ones dependents:</div>
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Hakim ibn Hizam narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, (he who gives charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses.) And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient.”</div>
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5. Timing: Not to delay giving of sadaqah nor show lethargy or negligence in giving it:  </div>
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And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Rabb (only God and Sustainer). Why do you not give me respite for a little while?  I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good.”  (Qur’an 63:10).</div>
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6. Selflessness: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said and reported in Bukhari and Muslim: “Spend in charity and do not keep count for then Allah will also keep count in giving you provision.”</div>
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7. For Allah Sake only: “Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, and have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, but only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Creator Most High; and soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.” (Qur’an, 92:18-21).</div>
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With charity being part of what would count for gaining Paradise, many Muslims would be smiling to Paradise with its classification as charity by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).<br />
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Sadaqah is Truth!<br />
Truth is when you believe in our maker Allah.</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/islamic-forum/charity-smiling-to-paradise/134302.html" target="_blank">http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/islamic-forum/charity-smiling-to-paradise/134302.html</a> </div>
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Arabic word for charity is Sadaqah (from sidq, meaning truth)

Being alive as human has been described as a gift from Allah (swt) as He may have chosen to create many of mankind as animals or other...

Thursday, March 03, 2016

Englishman John Fontain calling the Adhan in Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan

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The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer which is traditionally done 5 times a day to remind people of their obligation to pray to Almighty God.<br />
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John Fontain embraced Islam in 2008 after coming into contact with Muslims in West Africa. John was raised as a Christian but never accepted the doctrines of Christianity.<br />
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John is the Author of “Jesus and the Injeel” outlining the correct beliefs of Jesus and his message and his latest book “The God Solution” answering Atheism. He has delivered talks throughout the UK in many universities including events at Oxford and Cambridge. He has also worked internationally visiting over 40 countries with many of his videos widely watched online.<br />
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For speaking requests please contact: mrfontain@hotmail.com<br />
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Englishman John Fontain calling the Adhan in Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan

The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer which is traditionally done 5 times a day to remind people of their obligation to pray to Almigh...

Thursday, March 03, 2016

"Some Muslim teaching is closer to Christ than some churches" remarks Pastor

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Steve Chalke, pastor and founder of the Oasis charity, has told Christian Today he believes parts of Islamic theology better reflect God's character than some Christian teaching.<br />
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In an interview to coincide with the release of his new book Radical, Chalke explained how he had come to the conclusion "Muslims and Christians worship the same God".<br />
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Within Christianity there are vastly different interpretations of God, Chalke said, citing issues such as human sexuality, women bishops and speaking in tongues on which he disagrees with some other Christians.<br />
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"As individuals we all worship different shades of the same God," he told Christian Today.<br />
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"There are Christians who worship a militant, violent God. There are Christians who worship a God who doesn't want women in leadership. There are Christians who worship a God who says if you are gay you will burn in hell. There are Christians who worship a God who does not believe in global warming."<br />
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He added: "I don't separate from them even though they have a very different take on God's character from me."<br />
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He cited the theologian Miroslav Volf, who took a similar line in his book Allah: A Christian Response.<br />
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Chalke went on to describe certain elements of Islamic belief such as the theology of ummah or community, which he found "very attractive".<br />
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"I know some emphases in Islamic teaching come closer to the teaching of Christ and the Bible than some teaching in Western churches," he said.<br />
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He made it clear he did not believe Christianity and Islam were the same but said they worship different interpretations of one God, or Allah (the Arabic term for God).<br />
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"Ultimately the full interpretation of who Allah/God is can be seen through Jesus," he told Christian Today.<br />
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"Islam and Christianity are two very different faiths and there are huge differences between the two."<br />
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But Chalke insisted there was significant common ground that must be explored.<br />
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"If we say Islam is an evil religion and they worship a different God and Christianity is the only way to heaven then we are heading for World War Three," he said.<br />
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He said "tabloid" representations of Islam were permeating the Church. <br />
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"If we went into a pub tonight and asked people what Christians believe they would say six-day creationists, anti-gay, anti-abortion, boring, if you die before you're baptised you will go to hell. The tabloid media have led people to misunderstand Christianity and pastors now have to spend half their time de-mythologising Christianity.<br />
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"What we don't realise is the media are selling us the same lie about Muslims," he said. He added: "The problem is we don't know any Muslims. Everyone is scared of Muslims except the one who sits next to them at work".<br />
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Chalke's new book explores how people are radicalised and defends Islam, arguing "negative radicalisation is not an Islamic problem but a human one". He calls for a different approach where young people are given a story "as radical as that of the extremists' story".<br />
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"The answer to radicalisation is radicalisation," Chalke said, explaining he wanted to "radicalise every young person" with a positive story of "belonging, identity, self-worth, and purpose".<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.christiantoday.com/article/steve.chalke.some.muslim.teaching.is.closer.to.christ.than.some.churches/79712.htm" target="_blank">http://www.christiantoday.com/article/steve.chalke.some.muslim.teaching.is.closer.to.christ.than.some.churches/79712.htm</a><br />
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"Some Muslim teaching is closer to Christ than some churches" remarks Pastor

Steve Chalke, pastor and founder of the Oasis charity, has told Christian Today he believes parts of Islamic theology better reflect God...

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

School raise a staggering £40,000 by taking part in Art Exhibition (UK)

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Four schools have collaborated with an international charity and helped raised over £40,000 to provide education and care to young refugees in Jordan.<br />
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The Manchester schools participated in the 99 Names Art Exhibition, hosted by Human Relief Foundation (HRF), an international aid organisation, and its Manchester branch.<br />
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Around 400 pieces of art were submitted by the schools and put on display at the 99 Names Art Exhibition, held at the British Muslim Heritage Centre.<br />
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The artwork was then auctioned, with funds going to help build and maintain a rehabilitation centre within the Za’atari refugee camp.<br />
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It is one of the world’s largest refugee camps, and accommodates over 80,000 Syrian refugees among which are many orphans and disabled children.<br />
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Working alongside Jordanian authorities, HRF is to build the centre and provide a space for children with various types of disabilities, providing a suitable place for children and youth with various types of disabilities including physical, sensory and mental impairments.<br />
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The four schools taking part in the initiative were: Manchester Islamic High School for Girls, KD Grammar School for Boys, Manchester Muslim Preparatory School and Afifah School.<br />
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North West Fundraising Manager at HRF, Sairah Zafar, said, “The 99 Names Art Exhibition was a huge success in every way.<br />
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"We had a brilliant turn out and a fantastic concept for a heartwarming cause. We would like to thank everyone involved including the four schools we were working in partnership with, our donors, our invited guests and of course our very trusted volunteers.”<br />
<br />
The event featured an award ceremony for the best paintings, a bazaar, a fundraiser, live calligraphy, as well as vocal performances by Kamal Uddin, and spoken work poetry by Naveed Ahmed.<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/14289164.School_raise_a_staggering___40_000_by_taking_part_in_Art_Exhibition/" target="_blank">http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/14289164.School_raise_a_staggering___40_000_by_taking_part_in_Art_Exhibition/</a> </div>

School raise a staggering £40,000 by taking part in Art Exhibition (UK)

Four schools have collaborated with an international charity and helped raised over £40,000 to provide education and care to young refug...

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Islam and sincerity of Muslims to the Qur’an

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Islam is established to create a divine culture capable of enhancing the spiritual and material development of the individual and society. Islamic culture is based on monotheism imbued with ingredients for social, political, ethical, legal, economic developments and protection of lives and properties.<br />
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The Qur’an condemns anarchy, lawlessness and disorder. It enhances social values by asking Muslims to eschew the evil and enjoin the good (Q3:104), to uphold justice; and eschew violence and to render back trusts (Q4:58). None of these lofty goals can be achieved without sincerity!<br />
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<u><b>Why insincerity abounds</b></u><br />
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<b>Lack of proper home training:</b> Woman is regarded as the first point of contact between the infant, and the concept or ideas he or she holds for the Almighty Allah, the community where-in he or she lives and his or her global perspective. Being the first teacher in the life of a child, Islam encourages the mother to seek positive knowledge and impact them on their wards.<br />
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The Prophet said: Seeking knowledge is mandatory on Muslim male and female.<br />
-    Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.<br />
-   Teach a woman and you have taught a nation.<br />
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The aforementioned ahadith emphasize the importance of equipping women with knowledge. The Islamic objective here is the training of women who will be capable of upbringing youths capable of making positive contributions to their respective community and to global development. Unfortunately, the situation is the opposite because lack of sincerity in marriage has turned so many married women to single mothers who often bring up children with transfer aggression resulting from pains of marital separation.<br />
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<b>Insincerity in the political Sector:</b> Most problems that are confronting this generation emanate from absence of fair hearing as well as refusal to uphold justice, whereas the Qur’an has already stated clearly: … Let not the hatred of other people to you swerve you to wrong and make you unjust. Be just, it is closer to piety. (Q5:8).<br />
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Whosoever sees wrong shall correct it with his hand; if he could not, then he should correct it with his tongue; if he could not, then he should correct it with his heart; and that is the weakest of faith. (Transmitted by Imam Muslim.)<br />
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Even if a person is a tyrant, that should not deter a good Muslim from correcting a wrong-doer, although it might be costly. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: The best struggle (jihad) is a word of truth before a tyrant ruler. (Imam An-Nasa’i)<br />
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Another problem confronting human society is refusal to support workers on the part of truth. Allah calls the believers to compete in doing good thus: ….help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor….(Q5 :2)<br />
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….Let there arise out of you  a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong……(Q3: 104)<br />
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The instruction in the quoted verses can be divided into two sections namely: dos and don’ts. Allah promised to work in accord with mankind so long as they cooperate in doing good. He (SWT) also warns them against joining hands to commit or spread evils. Obeying the divine instruction gives man peace, happiness and tranquility in both worlds while embarking on evil deeds and joining the multitude on wrong causes can only lead man to doom and perdition.<br />
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In order to overcome this kind of situation, the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) instructed. Let not any one of you be a blind follower who says, “If people do good, I will be good, and if they do wrong, I will do the same”. But you should stick to righteousness ….(At-Tirmidhi transmitted it).<br />
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<b>Insincerity in religious Sector:</b> Scholars of religions are not also free from the blame. Some if not most of them only preach along areas that favours them, while tactfully avoiding preaching with verses that seem to condemn their evil deeds.<br />
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<b>Repercussions of lack of sincerity</b><br />
Social insecurity that abounds everywhere in the world today is not imported from heaven. It is purely manufactured by man. It is clearly stated in the Qur’an:   Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of the evil deeds that the hands of men have earned, that Allah may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evil). (Q30 [Ar-Rum]:41)<br />
 Importance of sincerity in the life of a muslim<br />
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Sincerity is the prime condition for the validity of deeds in the sight of Allah. Allah is pure and will never accept any deed except if it is good and pure. <br />
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Just as show off, pomposity and boasting renders good work to naught so also sincerity and undiluted devotion magnifies small deed so much that it will attract enormous rewards.<br />
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A young man or woman who sincerely prays to Allah to bless him or her so as to become married will not only receive divine help to accomplish the objective, he or she will continue to receive rewards for going into legitimate sexual intercourse. Whoever wants to have a child who will worship Allah will have the reward even he or she does not have a single child.<br />
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Sincerity is an effective means of curbing distress because it reassures hope when it seem all hopes were lost. A good example is the case of three young men who were on a journey and ran into a cave for safety when it was about to rain and there was heavy blow of wind. The first sincerely obeyed his parents for the sake of Allah. The second sincerely avoided fornication with a lady at a point of no return for the sake of Allah.<br />
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Sincerity is required if we truly want to form lasting relationships, build happy homes, form peaceful society and live in a world where everyone can legitimately achieve good aims and laudable objectives.<br />
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<b>Concluding remarks</b><br />
Islam, being a complete way of life, has placed enormous priorities on sincerity to Allah and to the generality of mankind. Our objective and honest recommendations therefore, Muslims should allow the various ethics of Islam discussed in this presentation to regulate their actions and reactions and to inform their approaches to mundane and spiritual matters.<br />
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We need to address various challenges facing the world with righteousness and fear of Allah.<br />
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Sheikh  Adepoju wrote from Abuja - Nigeria<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/islamic-forum/islam-and-sincerity-of-muslims-to-the-qur-an-iii/82507.html" target="_blank">http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/islamic-forum/islam-and-sincerity-of-muslims-to-the-qur-an-iii/82507.html</a></div>

Islam and sincerity of Muslims to the Qur’an

Islam is established to create a divine culture capable of enhancing the spiritual and material development of the individual and societ...

Tuesday, March 01, 2016

Muslim woman donates $1 to charity for every hate tweet she receives

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A Muslim woman in Australia who is a convert, has decided to donate $1 to charity every time she receives hate messages on Twitter.<br />
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Susan Carland started the campaign a few months ago and has already "raised" more than $1,000. <br />
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 “I regularly get tweets and Facebook messages from the brave freedom-fighters behind determinedly anonymous accounts telling me that, as a Muslim woman, I love oppression, murder, war and sexism," she wrote in<br />
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She says the deed was inspired by writings in the Koran which say to “Repel evil with what is better.”<br />
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She explains: “I felt I should be actively generating good in the world for every ugly verbal bullet sent my way.”<br />
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Ms Carson says the abuse she has received “ranges from requests to leave Australia, hope for my death, insults about my appearance (with a special focus on my hijab), accusations that I am a stealth jihadist, and that I am planning to take over the nation, one halal meat pie at a time.”<br />
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Since setting up the donation scheme, Ms Carland says she now “barely bats an eyelid” when she receives trolling messages as “it represents nothing more than a chalk-mark on my mental tally for the next instalment to UNCIFE”.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/muslim-woman-donates-1-to-charity-for-every-hate-tweet-she-receives-a6731701.html" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/muslim-woman-donates-1-to-charity-for-every-hate-tweet-she-receives-a6731701.html</a><br />
<br /></div>

Muslim woman donates $1 to charity for every hate tweet she receives

A Muslim woman in Australia who is a convert, has decided to donate $1 to charity every time she receives hate messages on Twitter. Su...

Monday, February 29, 2016

Why give to charity? What Muslims and Catholics have in common

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Organized religions have traditionally played a major role in charitable works — Christian and Muslim organizations have long established schools, hospitals and social service organizations.<br />
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Catholic Charities USA reported that it spent more than $4 billion to serve over 10 million people in 2013 alone.. Social services have similarly been a central focus of Islamist social and political mobilization for decades.

The willingness of religious individuals to contribute to these charitable activities poses a little recognized challenge to conventional social science explanations, however.<br />
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One of the most influential political science approaches to such contributions highlights the need for monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms in groups in order to elicit the contributions and cooperation of individuals towards a public good.<br />
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But our recent article offers evidence that this is not in fact how religious individuals understand why they give. To find out how members of different religious communities think about their charitable giving, we conducted 218 semi-structured interviews in Catholic parishes and Muslim associations in four cities (Paris, Milan, Dublin and Istanbul). For Catholicism, we focused on a parish in each city. For Islam, we chose a cultural association affiliated with the Turkey-based Gülen movement in each city.<br />
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Read entire article here: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/02/03/why-give-to-charity-what-muslims-and-catholics-have-in-common/" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/02/03/why-give-to-charity-what-muslims-and-catholics-have-in-common/</a> </div>

Why give to charity? What Muslims and Catholics have in common

Organized religions have traditionally played a major role in charitable works — Christian and Muslim organizations have long establishe...

Monday, February 29, 2016

Truth and Righteousness. Righteousness in words and action is only possible when your tongue and heart agree with each other.

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BismillahhirRahmannirRahim<br />
We know that listening to the Friday Khutbah is an essential part of our congregational prayers.  It is a weekly refresher course to increase our Iman. Hence each Friday should find us a better Muslim than the Muslim we were on the previous Friday.  If you are attentive, you will certainly retain some, if not the whole of the Khutbah. Discussing the main points of each Khutbah at home will not only help you to remember it, but it will also increase your family’s knowledge about Islam. Listening to what is said, if not registered by the mind, understood, remembered and practiced, than it does not make any sense. Prayers become meaningless rituals if they do not bring a better and desired change in our life and character.<br />
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Today’s Khutbah is about Truth and Righteousness as defined by Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW]. Listen carefully and do share it with your family. Change in a person can bring a change in his family, and change in families can bring a change in communities and the Ummah at large. Start a revolution from the self and you will notice its effect on others around you.<br />
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Righteousness in words and action is only possible when your tongue and heart agree with each other. Absence of such an accord is hypocrisy. The heart without truth becomes a home of all evils, and the one with truth makes the path of virtue smooth and easy. A person said thus to Prophet (SAW): “Ya Rasul Allah, I have four bad habits. 1. – I drink alcohol.  2. – I am an adulterer. 3. – I am a thief. 4. - I lie and don’t speak the truth. I can leave one for your sake, please give me an advice as to which of the four I should give up.”  Prophet (SAW) advised him not to lie. The person promised that he will always speak the truth and left.<br />
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As the day passed into night the person as usual craved for a drink. An addiction is hard to go, but he managed to refrain. He thought of committing adultery, but was able to control. As soon as the city went to sleep, the thief in him woke up and prompted him to go and commit theft. At each urge, he said to himself: “If I commit these habitual acts and report to Prophet (SAW), I will then be punished for each crime, and if I commit the crimes and then lie about them, I will then violate my promise. A revolution overtook him. In the morning he rushed and submitted to Prophet (SAW) that by not telling a lie, he was saved from three major sins.   <br />
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Its source not being authentic, this tradition is week, but it draws its strength from its moral. It was an intensive effort on the part of the criminal who by giving up one sin got himself saved from three sins.  Truth is that Truth keeps a person away from all vices. It cleans the heart and makes a person honest, reliable, trustworthy, conscientious, dependable and loveable.   <br />
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Truth is one of the attributes of Allah (SWT).  The Holy Qur’an says about the Day of Judgment in Aayah 87 or Surah Nisa: “He is Allah: there is no god but Him. He will gather you all together on the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Whose words can be truer than Allah?”<br />
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Allah (SWT) says the Truth and His Shariah is nothing but Truth. Aayah 146 of Surah An’aam says: “…We are true to Our words.”<br />
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Truth and Righteousness is the characteristic of all Prophets and Messengers. Allah (SWT) has mentioned many of them in the context of Truth. He (SWT) said about Sayyidina Ibrahim (AS) in Aayah 41 of Surah Maryam: “Mention too, in the Qur’an, the story of Ibrahim. He was a man of truth, a prophet. ” Aayah 56 of the same Surah says about Idrees (AS): “Mention too, in the Qur’an, the story of Idrees. He was a man of truth, a prophet.”<br />
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Allah (SWT) has assured of forgiveness and great rewards in the Hereafter for those who are truthful.  Aayah 35 of Surah Ahzaab says: “For men and women who are devoted to Allah – believing men and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women, steadfast men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, chaste men and women, men and women who remember Allah often – Allah has prepared forgiveness and a rich reward.” In this Aayah Allah (SWT) has ranked Truthfulness after Devotion, Belief, and Obedience.<br />
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Islam lays great emphasis on Truth, and it commands to live with and support the truthful. One gets the positive influence by the company he keeps.<br />
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Hazrat Ka’ab bin Maalik, Hilal bin Umayyah, and Muraarah bin Ruha’i suffered because they spoke the truth about their reason for not going with Prophet (SAW) to the battle of Tabuk. But Allah (SWT) accepted their repentance and forgave.<br />
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Allah (SWT) says in Aayah 119 in Surah Tauba: “When the earth with all its vastness seemed to have become narrow on them, and their own souls were a burden on them, and they realized that there was no refuge for them except in the mercy of Allah (SWT) Himself, Allah turned to them with kindness so that they should turn to Him. He (Allah) is forgiving and compassionate.”<br />
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Let me brief you on the story of Ka’ab bin Maalik  and his three companions. These were sincere believers and loyal companions of Prophet (SAW) and had made many sacrifices. Hilal and Muraarah had even participated in the battle of Badr, whereas Ka’ab had participated in all expeditions except Badr. All three had every intention to accompany Prophet (SAW) to the battle of Tabuk, but kept procrastinating. We all do that at times, it is a human weakness. When Prophet (SAW) returned to Madinah, unlike all hypocrites who made lame excuses, Ka’ab and the other two spoke the truth that they had no excuses. Prophet (SAW) acknowledged that they spoke the truth, but left it to Allah (SWT) to forgive them. Until an Aayah was revealed about the accepting of their repentance and Allah’s forgiveness, these three companions were subjected to a social boycott not only by the community but even by their wives.  The Aayah of Surah Tauba  re-instated these three companions of Prophet (SAW) to their pre-Tabuk status.<br />
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Truth is usually thought to only mean “speaking the truth”, but in fact it also includes the truth of action. Imam Ghizali (RehmA) in his famous work “Ahiya-ul-Uloom” says that Truth means: 1 – Saying the truth. 2 – Truth in making intentions. 3 – Truth in making Resolutions. 4. Truth in the determination to carry out those resolutions. 5 – Truth in actions and deeds. 6 – Truth in commitment to Deen. All this classification boils down to three things: Truth of the tongue, Truth of the heart, and Truth of the action.<br />
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Truth of the tongue is saying nothing but truth. This is the most common meaning of the word “truth”, which is obligatory for every Muslim. It also includes fulfilling a promise. Aayah 24 of Surah Ahzaab says: “[Such trials are ordained] so that Allah may reward the truthful for their honesty and punish the hypocrites.”<br />
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This Aayah tells us that the opposite of Truth is Hypocrisy.  Truth is based on Iman, and Hypocrisy is based on Lie. Let me share with you two traditions of Prophet (SAW).<br />
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1. Ibn Masud (RA) narrates that Prophet (SAW) said: “Truth leads to piety and piety leads to Paradise. A man persists in speaking the truth till he is recorded with Allah as a truthful man. Falsehood leads to transgression and transgression leads to Hell-fire. A man continues to speak falsehood till he is recorded with Allah as a great liar.” (Bukhari & Muslim]<br />
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2. According to Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas, Prophet (SAW) said: “Whosoever possesses these four characteristics, is a sheer hypocrite; and anyone who possesses one of them, possesses a characteristics of hypocrisy till he gives it up. (These are :) When he talks, he tells a lie;<br />
when he makes a promise, he does not fulfill it; and when he quarrels, he uses foul language.” (Bukhari & Muslim).<br />
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The second kind of Truth is related with the Heart, which in other words combine Truth and Sincerity in one.  Some times the truth expressed by tongue is not backed by the heart. The hypocrites used to verbally attest the truth of Prophet (SAW)’s Prophet Hood, but their verbal attestation contradicted to what they believed in their hearts. That is why Allah (SWT) says in Aayah 1 of Surah Al-Munafiqun: “When hypocrites come to you (Rasul Allah), they say, “We bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you truly are His Messenger and He bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.””<br />
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There is another situation in which the heart intends to do something but the tongue expresses something else, it is also hypocrisy. According to a tradition of Prophet (SAW), three people will be presented before Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgment: a Scholar, a Martyr, and a Wealthy person. Each one of them will boast of his good deeds, but Allah (SWT) and His angels will tell them that they lie as their deeds were not intended to seek Allah’s pleasure but were simply meant to show off.<br />
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The Truth of action means that it should reflect the conscience. The inner and the outer self should be in unison with each other. For example if a person displays his utmost sincerity in Salah [prayer], but the intention is to impress others, then he is a hypocrite. Yet there is another type of hypocrisy in which a person doesn’t show off, yet there is a mismatch between his outward worship and inner sincerity. That proves that the three truths, i.e. that of the tongue, the heart and that of action should be in total agreement with each other. Dye yourself with the color of Allah inside and out as the color of Allah is best.<br />
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A companion once came to Prophet (SAW) and submitted: “Ya Rasul Allah, I have embraced Iman [faith] in Allah with perfect truth.”  Prophet (SAW) told him: “Think before you say something. Every thing has a base. What is base of your Iman [faith]? The companion submitted: “Ya Rasul Allah, I have no interest in this world, I keep awake at night [i.e. pray] remain hungry and thirsty during the day [i.e. fast], and it seems that I am seeing Allah’s Throne, and witnessing the meeting of people of the Paradise and seeing also those in the Hell crying.” Prophet (SAW) said: “Be stead fast to what you are doing, you have known the truth.”<br />
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The gist of all this discourse is that the achievement of the status of “Siddique” [Truthful] is only possible through such an Iman [faith] which is never separated from action. In other words verbal expression of Iman reflecting the conviction of the heart and it translation into deeds is what makes a perfect Momin. Allah does not help unless one helps himself. May Allah (SWT) enable us to help ourselves to be truthful and righteous, Aamin!<br />
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by Shaykh Ahmed Abdul Mujeeb Qasmi Nadvi (translated by Muhammad Owais Jafrey)<br />
<a href="http://www.islameasy.org/K_Truth.php" target="_blank">http://www.islameasy.org/K_Truth.php</a> </div>

Truth and Righteousness. Righteousness in words and action is only possible when your tongue and heart agree with each other.

BismillahhirRahmannirRahim We know that listening to the Friday Khutbah is an essential part of our congregational prayers. It is a we...

Sunday, February 28, 2016