ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ Truth Is A Whisper ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ

ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ The Essence of Prostration ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ

2009-06-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Introduction

"In the name of God, the Beneficent and most Merciful"

Asalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

As Muslims we know that the act of 'prostration' is the most beautiful and truly profound of moments during our prayers and supplications through the day. By prostrating before Allah swt and lowering our heads in sheer awe of his magnificent grandeur, we automatically acknowledge the fact that there is nothing throughout the depths and bounds of the entire universe - not even our pride, dignity and egos - that is worthy of worship and submission, except the Almighty Himself.

However, in my interactions with most Muslim brothers and sisters over the years, I have come to the realization that most of us take the greatness of the act of 'prostration' in a literal manner, when it comes to the 'connection' it channels between us and Allah swt.

We know from the immaculate legislation of the glorious Qur'an and the sublime nobility of the Prophetic sayings ( saws ) that :

" The servant is never closer to God, Exalted is He, than when he is prostrating himself in worship." [ Sahih Muslim ]

"Prostrate yourself and draw near" [ The Holy Qur'an 96:19]

Overview

Now, most Muslim brothers and sisters are of the view that these references from the Qur'an and Hadith are literal injunctions which means that a slave is only 'close' to the Almighty at the point, juncture, moment and time of one's forehead touching the ground in prostration.

This is further justified by them through the Prophetic Hadith: " The servant is nearest to God, Great and Glorious is He, when he prostrates himself in prayer, so that is the time to make many supplications." [ Sahih Muslim ]

I would like to point out that this is an error in the thought process that flickers through our minds, because even though to some it may seem like an insignificant aspect of our conceptual disposition, nonetheless this is an issue that needs to be addressed in order to avoid any bigger folly when it comes to Allah swt.

First of all, we need to remember that Allah swt is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, All-Wise - The Omniscient and The All-Encompassing.

He is beyond the realms of time and space; constraints that keep us bound within the physical cocoon of the universe and our very existences. Hence, any action we implement, any word we utter or any behavior we indulge unto - whether it be in prayer / remembrance of Allah swt, social conduct or even under the cloak of privacy - none of it goes undetected by the Almighty.

Rationale`

Allah swt does 'not' need a physical initiative of our bodily movement such as the act of 'prostration' for Him to have 'us' draw closer to him; since Allah swt is above and beyond all needs to begin with. However, we do 'need' that physical initiative in order to commit an act that has a plethora of psychological, emotional, social and even cultural effects on our minds, bodies, hearts and souls.

Why?

It's simple: The human being's inclinations and passions in this world are defined by his ego; an ego that forms the basis of his social functioning, mortal orchestration and individual esteem, thereby indirectly or directly ( without one's knowledge at times ) manipulating one's outlook on the purpose of life and the reality of God in the process.

Every crime, pursuit of material desires, social injustice, defiance of moral principles, obliteration of ethical parameters, fire of vengeance and countless other human realities in one way or another eventually have to do with our inability to resist the magnetic pull of our egos.

Throughout the annals of human history, Kings have ruled Kingdoms, Empires have annexed other nations, Civilizations have risen and fallen and the greatest of warriors or military generals have either killed or been killed themselves, yet the incessant truth that resonates through all these realities is the ugly face of the human being's nature of egoistic fallacy!

The cycle is simple:

The Human Being >> The Ego >> The Nafs >> The Crime / Sin >> Pride >> Inhumanity

From the above chain reaction in the cycle of the human mind, we can see that God has created us as Human Beings, yet it is the Ego that paves the way towards us embracing the lower inclinations of our Nafs, which in turn forwards us to committing subsequent crimes / sins, thus shackling ourselves in the self imprisonment of Pride; ultimately reducing us to the lowest of lows: Inhumanity

Conclusion

My dear brothers and sisters, Allah swt didn't intend us to be "Inhuman", for we are the greatest of all His creations throughout all existence; which is why following God's divine legislation and adhering to His sacred rules of life, is what ultimately preserves us within the folds of Humanity and doesn't entangle us unto the claws of Inhumanity.

Hence from the topic's perspective, Allah swt being the All-Seeing and All-Hearing - does not find us 'close' to Him only when we prostrate ( This is the literal understanding that some of us advocate ); infact our act of 'prostration' is a symbolic testament to us leaving behind our ego, whilst humbling ourselves infront of our Creator by proclaiming His greatness as the only thing worthy of embracing, not our pride.

All the Prophets (May peace be unto all of them ) prayed / supplicated to the Almighty in this manner since the beginning of time throughout the pages of human existence.

The act of 'prostration' is not the sole means to access the warmth, proximity and serene resplendence of the Almighty; He never intended it to be as such. The fundamental purpose behind His eternal wisdom in this regard, is to enable ourselves to 'humble' us before Him in sheer humility and recognition of His thunderous might. Thus, enabling the Kings and Peasants, Rich and Poor, Old and Young, Powerful and Weak - people from all spectrums of life and a wide array of social standings - to infuse their emotional wavelengths, mental frequencies and physical pitch, to that of the Creator of the heavens and the earth, without the innate 'barriers' and natural human constraints of ego and pride blockading such a profoundly intrinsic connection.

"And indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein" [ The Holy Qur'an 50:16]

It is clear from this verse that Allah swt's everlasting knowledge and unseizing closeness to us is a perpetual state of being; one that does not need the faculties of human interaction or the facilities of physical rituals to give meaning and worth - for He is nearer to us just as He is to a seabed under the deepest of oceans, just as He is to the outer circumference of the farthest of galaxies, just as He is to a crawling ant that moves on a rock with a crumb of bread, just as He is to the air gushing past under the wings of a bird in flight; Glory be to Him!

The essence of 'prostration' in relation to our affinity with the Lord of the Mighty Throne, is not something that is defined by the centimeters or millimeters of distance between our foreheads and the ground, but infact by human ability to strip himself off the contaminants of pride and ego; whilst humbling ourselves into devotion to the 'source' of all that exists.

'The Source' is : Allah swt; Lord of the mighty throne!

In conclusion, implying that the metric systems of measurement bounding the human physical realm such as the parameters of distance as conceptualized in worldly terms; is what determines our nearness to Allah swt - is infact ( Nauzubillah ) brazenly 'undermining' the All Powerful presence of the Almighty; who encompasses and rules the dominions of time and space with all His exulted magnificence in the first place!

And Allah knows best.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds!

Ma'Salam!

-- Zionist crimes in Gaza --

2009-05-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Ashes to ashes

As per the latest reports, Gaza city harbors countless bodies strewn across its streets; haunting images of brutality and inhumanity at its peak. Over 300 innocent civilians; men, women and children have been the hapless victims of a well coordinated terrorist campaign by the Israeli government whose stone cold claws knows no bounds.

The Zionist ideology is not just one of reclaiming and preserving the "Holy Land", but also one that seeks to systematically eradicate the regional Arabs in specific; whilst targeting Muslims around the globe in general.

In essence, evidence of these sinister designs are found throughout the western world's financial, political and military institutions that thrive on preconceived venomous Zionist agendas in the quest to establish a capitalistic new world order, with the U.S as its pimp!

Geographically Israel presents a plethora of strategic benefits to the western world as a whole and America in particular; most notably in terms of curbing consistent Arab / Muslim opposition that poses a threat to its regional aspirations whilst also concurrently safeguarding imperialist interests.

Moreover, It's truly the height of hypocrisy considering how the western world stands for the so called fundamentals of civil enlightenment, progress, peace, prosperity, justice, human rights and the hoo haa of all that goody woody stuff; yet it completely turns a def ear to the plight of hundreds of innocent civilians who get slaughtered day in and day out due to the wretched barbarism of the Zionist regime.

Social responsibility and the Greater good

The sons and daughters of Palestine have struggled long enough for the sweet breeze of freedom and the coveted light of liberation.

We live in mediocre times. We live in a world where the very notion of peace and justice fails to resonate with our consciousness only because of the malicious bigotry that contaminates our social fabric today. It's high time the world stops the hand of evil from molesting its sanctity and raping its purity. If there's even a fraction of a decent and humane chromosome left on the earth today, people from every country, race or culture regardless of their differences or beliefs; must recognize such injustice and stand for truth no matter what the odds.

Ignorance Fiesta

As far as the Muslim world goes, we've been far too busy amassing wealth and riches, building the tallest of skyscrapers and spending millions of dollars on extravagant shopping festivals - just a few hundred kilometers away from Palestine in places like Dubai and Kuwait etc; while the blood of the ummah silently trickles down the gutters and dungeons of our own making.

Furthermore, the humongous amount of treasures accumulated and splashed by Arab royalty throughout the world, is just another nauseating example of how our elite have lost themselves in sheer oblivion. Ah yes, the acquisition of lavish hotels in Paris, the showboating of luxury yatches off the coast of the Spanish Riviera and a plethora of foreign investments in banks and financial hubs of the very countries that murder our fathers and sons on a daily basis; is nothing but a shining testament to the kind of grotesquely pitiful state of existence our sovereigns dwell unto.

But ofcourse, let us not 'completely' write off the Muslim world. I mean, afterall we do have compassionate and caring souls in the 'Arab League' that do give a rat's ass now don't we?

So while these oh so 'noble' sheikhs from feeble oil rich nations travel to these 'emergency' summits in their Land Cruisers, walk haughtily in their long flowing silk robes through the conference halls and sip on their organic green teas in the sacred quest to 'free' the Muslim world from the clutches of hopelessness ; let us save ourselves the time and flip over the channel shall we? : )

Message to the world?

" Save Palestine; salvage its hope from burning to the ground; liberate it from the suffocation of tyranny and walk upon God's green earth as 'human beings' - for once! "

May God Almighty have mercy on all of us, Amen!

Ali Ash

-- "The Butterfly Effect" --

2009-05-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

"Say: "Only God knows the future" [ The Holy Qur'an 10:20]

Man's Yearning to Unravel The Secrets of Tomorrow

Who does not want to know the future? Is it not one of our impossible dreams to obtain advance information about tomorrow? Events developing in time have such a complicated structure that small things can make all the difference.

For example, a small mutation in one (or couple of) gene(s) leads to cancer, which can be a devastating disease. Today, we cannot make long-term predictions; we do not know when the next earthquake is going to take place or how stock market prices will continue to rise and fall.

Life is full of these unknown and unpredictable events.

The Chaos Theory ( The Butterfly Effect)

In modeling atmospheric convection in the 1960s, a meteorologist and mathematician at MIT, Edward Lorenz, came up with a mathematical model showing that small perturbations in input parameters result in huge deviations in output, the “Butterfly Effect.”

In other words, in theory, a butterfly flapping its wings in China could bring about a storm in New York City. This is another way to express sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Getting up two minutes late, one may end up missing the bus, which in turn costs one the job interview. As a result of pushing the brake pedal one second earlier a person’s life can be saved.

Such slight changes in daily actions are actually signs of how tiny changes are relevant with our lives and how sensitive the future is to the present. Such dependence is called 'Nonlinearity' and many scientific problems, such as the well-known Navier-Stokes equations, have been awaiting a solution because of this complexity.

In contrast to a Deterministic Approach, which is based on the idea that the knowledge of the past enables one to make future predictions, a Nonlinear (or chaotic) approach claims that the future is not that straightforward.

Under the light of Islam - The immaculate wisdom of the Holy Quran through the magnificent and exulted knowledge of Allah (swt) is replete with evidence, scientific facts and logical assertions that support the Chaos Theory and undermines the Deterministic Approach by refuting the ideas it advocates.

As Muslims, we know that God Almighty is the knower of the seen and the unseen and knowledge of the future solely rests with him. No matter how much knowledge we possess about the past in terms of human history, environmental factors affecting change, ecological and atmospheric fluctuations or even social trends - none of it can distinctively ensure an accurate comprehension of the future where mere predictions would help us alter the state of our present lives or the dynamics regulating it.

“Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Unseen except God Almighty, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected” [The Holy Qur'an 27:65]

“And with Him are the keys of the Unseen (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record” [The Holy Qur'an 6:59]

God transcends Time and Space, whereas the Human Being is bound by them

"Know that God is Transcendent, Praiseworthy!" [ The Holy Qur'an 2:267 ]

Now, In contrast to what we used to believe, chaos does not mean complete disorder. Some complicated long-term events may have a hidden order. Being bound by time prevents us from knowing the future. Hence, It is in this sense, that time can be said to be another dimension, so that together with the other three, our living environment is formed.

To be able to control or observe time-dependent events, the individual of this four-dimensional space may need to move outside of time. To understand this idea better we may analyze the well-known Butterfly example.

In Figure 1, the behaviors of three different variables are shown on the horizontal time axis, where they are very irregular, complicated and chaotic. However, In Figure 2 when the same motions are transformed into another space where time is hidden, what we see is an interesting order between these three variables.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Chaos and Spiritual Life

The human being’s spiritual life is also extremely sensitive to small changes. We are continuously exposed to our personal desires and Satan’s whispers. One small sin is an invitation to worse ones which eventually accumulate and trouble the soul.

Similarly, every good deed, no matter how small, has the potential to become a ticket to paradise. It nerely depends upon the situation in which it was performed and the level of sincerity in our heart. Giving water to a thirsty dog is not an extraordinary act, but in the particular case mentioned in a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (saws), this sincere act was significant enough to purify a very sinful person, while another went to hell because of letting a cat starve.

In another tradition, the Prophet (saws) said:

“When a person first commits a sin, it falls as a black dot in (the clean slate of) his heart. If he refrains, repents, and seeks forgiveness, it is however erased. However, if on the other hand, he were to persist in sin, the dot will gradually expand until it covers the entire heart.”

Hence, we see that this is the state of 'sealing the hearts' that God Almighty warns us of in the Holy Qur’an:

"Nay the sins they have accumulated have covered their hearts like a seal” [The Holy Qur'an 83:14 ]

Therefore, a sin penetrating the heart, will blacken and darken it until it extinguishes the light of belief. Within each sin is a path leading to unbelief. Unless that sin is swiftly obliterated by seeking God’s pardon through sincere repentance, it will grow from a worm into a snake that sucks the heart's blood in the form of a satanic parasite.

Likewise, initial tiny scruples can grow exponentially and destroy hope in the heart in an unexpected way. This is where one's faith in God Almighty begins to waver and sooner or later it will fade away, thus pushing the individual into a deep dark abyss of ignorance who's dungeons are hard to crawl out from.

The universe in perfect order

Just the way our spiritual existences orchestrate and regulate our mortal / physical selves in a system encompassed by the constraints of time and space, similarly the whole Universe, it's solar systems, stars, nebulae, planets and billions of galaxies can be compared to the human being.

The universe is regulated with an immaculate level of perfection, it is synchronized with the laws of physics that do not deviate even a fraction - all due to God Almighty's command and divine will. Even a small derailment of these physical laws for a mere millisecond, will consequentially result in the complete destruction and total annihilation of the whole Universe in the blink of an eye, thus reinforcing the fact that small changes give rise to colossal effects within a system.

"Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you see, and He is firm in power and He made the sun and the moon subservient (to you); each one pursues its course to an appointed time; He regulates the affair, making clear the signs that you may be certain of meeting your Lord!" [ The Holy Qur'an 13:2 ]

The orbiting of the planets, the creation of new stars and forming nebulae, the vast and incomprehensibly diverse billions of galaxies in all their glory and therein contained millions of solar systems - all are in constant motion and state of regulation.

"He is the One who has created night and daylight, and the sun and the moon; each floats along (perfectly) in an orbit" [ The Holy Qur'an 21:33 ]

"And it is We who have constructed the heaven (Universe) with might, and verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it" [ The Holy Qur'an 51:47 ]

Therefore, keeping in mind the Universe's perfect orchestration on every level in every possible way as willed by God Almighty, we can establish that the physical existence of the human body and the spiritual being existing within; also requires a solid and concise regulatory process which would allow the soul to exist within its physical bounds in a state of tranquility, rather than suffocation and restlessness.

As human beings we've been given the gift of "Free Will", which means that unlike the billions of galaxies and countless planets bowing before God's command within our Universe, the human being in contrast has the ability to make it's own decisions and thus has at its disposal the buttons to its own system of regulation / orchestration.

Hence, choosing the right path through an instance of free-will that concurrently submits to the will of God Almighty, will result in a clean state of the heart free from sin and safe from the snowball effect of negative consequence.

Similarly, choosing the wrong path through an instance of free-will that concurrently submits not to the will of God Almighty, but to the will of one's "Nafs"; will result in a contaminated state of the heart where a small blackened patch brought on by sin, will eventually spread enough to suffocate the heart, trouble the soul and extinguish the light of faith within one's mortal being.

Cosmogeny without order = Chaos

Conclusion:

In conclusion we realize that from the human being's and the Universe's perspective, each time-dependent event can have very complicated consequences! However, every consequence always bears God’s signature and His divine order.

He is the knower of the seen and the unseen, the possessor of infinite knowledge and sublime majesty.

“They said, 'Why hasn't a miracle come down to him from his Lord?’ Say, ‘Only God knows the future.’ Therefore, wait, and I will wait along with you” [ The Holy Qur'an 10:20 ].

It may not be possible to see tomorrow, but we should be aware that each small change we make affects our future. The companions of the Holy Prophet (saws) lived in such a way that they were always carefully watching their hearts to take immediate action on small deeds or scruples.

For every event or option we face, the decision is up to us! For example whether we smoke or not, whether we lie or not, whether we get up early or not and so on. These sets of small decisions play an integral role in terms of the future we do not know nor can we ever perceive.

Actions followed by their consequences, whether they are small or not, have such a profound impact on our mortal existences that they can make or break our tomorrow, be it in terms of this worldly life or the hereafter.

Even reading this article was one of these small things you had the choice to do or not to do!

May Allah (swt) enable all of us to reflect upon such seemingly insignificant aspects of our lives that we forget to ponder upon everyday in the midst of our heedlessness and may the smallest most minute of our thoughts, actions and resulting consequences resonate along the same 'wavelength' and 'frequency' as the will of God Almighty, for that is what will protect us from complete chaos both in this World and the Hereafter, Ameen!

- Ali Ash

-- The Wanderer --

2009-05-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

" In the name of God, the Beneficent and most Merciful "

Our Lord! Creator of the heavens and the earth

To You we belong, to You we shall return

Begins with You, the meaning of mortal birth

Belongs to You, everything our souls earn

Allahu Akbar!

Glory be to You! The Sustainer of all that exists

Master of the Day of Judgment, King of retribution

Stands with You, true guidance when evil persists

Lies towards You, the peace of complete submission

Allahu Akbar!

Oh Merciful! The Deviser of eternal destiny

Owner of the mighty throne, Sovereign of the universe

Shines from You, the comforting light of divinity

Rests with You, secrets that our hearts converse

Allahu Akbar!

Lo! The Immaculate; Knower of the seen and the unseen

Witness of all prostration, Possessor of the gift of salvation

Glows in You, the definition of what life should mean

Sprouts for You, the seed of faith in fields of devotion

Allahu Akbar!

Alas! The Helpless; bearer of weakness and much need

Slave of Your magnificence, seeker of infinite solitude

Breathe in us love, without which the heart shall bleed

Decree for us death, in the glory of Your servitude

Allahu Akbar!

- A Dedication

Ali Ash

-- Absolution -- [ A cry of the conscience ]

2009-05-03T23:09:00.000-07:00

The only absolution: The Exalted - Allah (swt)

Dear Allah,

Clear my mind of everything
Save the thoughts of you

Empty my heart of everything
Save the longing for you

Fill my destitution with nothing
But the sufficiency of knowledge

Soothe my loneliness with nothing
But the promise that you will never forsake me

Do not cast me off your path
Do not leave me stranded without your love

Free me from the dungeons of ignorance
Guide me to the gardens of salvation

A mere helpless servant I am
So much in need of your compassion

Do not reject my pleas, Oh' The Exalted
Do not turn me away, Oh' The Merciful

Ameen

"The Tolerance Dilemma" -- How much is enough?

2009-05-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

Overview:

The Muslim world has been rocked with upheaval and fiery sentiments in recent years, owing to the never ending controversy in regards to Salman Rushdie's provocative novel "The Satanic Verses" and most recently the infamous Danish Cartoon shebang.

Below is my personal viewpoint and analysis of the two episodes through the prism of the Islamic Sharia's perspective and the socio-human composite:

The Punishment for Blasphemy

-- Islamic perspective

Under the light of Islam, the Shari`ah has not prescribed any punishment for blasphemy. The Holy Quran does not assert that Muslims must murder another human being based on denigration of respect and honor for Allah (swt) or the Prophet ( Peace be upon him). Hence, this implies that there is no "worldly" punishment for blasphemy prescribed by the Shari`ah.

Nevertheless, a Muslim state, for the purpose of discouraging such uncalled for behavior, may pass a legislation, whereby a suitable punishment is implemented upon those guilty of blasphemy, which according to the stipulations of the Qur'an cannot be the death penalty, just as the legislature passes laws for protecting its citizens against defamation and other such crimes.

Furthermore, extremely strict laws should also be passed against those, who, taking the law in their own hands, take severe actions against those accused of blasphemy.

It is quite clear that if a person accused of blasphemy is killed by ordinary citizens, without being granted his basic right of defending himself in an open court of law, then those guilty of inciting and taking such actions should be brought to justice, which, in this case, could obviously be the death penalty - being the prescribed punishment for murder.

In my opinion, it is the duty of the Muslim state to pass balanced legislations, which on the one hand should strongly discourage people from making any uncalled for comments regarding the revered personalities of its citizens (whether Muslims or non-Muslims), while on the other, saves its citizens from becoming targets of hate crimes.

The Dilemma

Now the big question is; how should a true Muslim react to derogatory remarks about Islamic revered personalities?

What should be the reaction of a common man on the street to any profanity against the holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)?

Moreover, how can resentment against the desecration of the holy Qur'an be demonstrated in the Islamic way? What is the Islamic way of protest against any action that injures the feeling of the Muslims?

The answer is simple really.

As far as the teachings of the Qur'an in this connection (or the Islamic way of protest) are concerned, it is obvious that the Qur'an does not promote any such reactions, even in the worst of conditions. The Qur'an , on the other hand, teaches the Muslims to be most forgiving and asks them to control their anger even in the worst of situations. The Qur'an , thus, does not want Muslims to react recklessly to provocative and inciting conditions. It asks them to keep their cool under all circumstances.

The glorious Qur'an says:

"Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Return (evil) with what is best. Then will he, between whom and you was hatred become as he was your friend and intimate. And no one can exercise this except those, who are steadfast (in the way of God); no one except persons of the greatest good fortune"

- (Sura-Fussilat 41: 34 - 35)

These are the teachings of the Qur'an for all those situations, where a person is prone to lose his temper and act recklessly. Muslims should, therefore, try to maintain their cool under all situations and avoid letting anger take its toll upon their ability to maintain composure and patience.

If any person is disrespectful towards the Qur'an , any respected Muslim personality or even the Prophet (Peace be upon him), we are advised by the immaculate wisdom of Allah (swt) in the Holy Qur'an and the exemplary character of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) - to not denigrate the other person and lose all sense of decency - let alone grab them by the neck and pound the living daylights out of them!

Even in such inciting circumstances, a Muslim should advise such people with patience and compassion according to the following directive of the Qur'an:

"Call to the way of your Lord with (great) wisdom and solicitude and argue with them in ways that are most appropriate. (And remember that) your Lord knows best those who have strayed from His path and (also) those, who are rightly guided"

-- (Sura Al-Nahl 16: 125)

How much tolerance, really is tolerant?

Now, ofcourse as Muslims naturally sensitive to feelings in regards to our religion, It is understandable for us to ask the world why we must become dumb recipients of information and restrain from rightful expression of anger in regards to events around us just to get ourselves "Labeled" as tolerant?

Indeed, facts remain facts: Given the Geo-political circumstances today, the Muslim Ummah will not be considered "Tolerant" - for at least another half century no matter what effort we make. Such preconceived notions and unfairly branded labeling is something we must inevitably endure at this point in human history.

Therefore, many of us would ask today: If in civilized society, one has the freedom of speech to malign Islam and denigrate the character of the Prophet ) Peace be upon him), then why is our freedom of protest as Muslims blatantly conceived of as an odd / threatening phenomenon?

If we abhor something, a person or an event, why does our innate and naturally instigated expression of that feeling becomes the spiteful evil of "Intolerance" in the eyes of the world?

Hatred by others for Islam is named as "Criticism" - whereas our criticism of the western hemisphere and our retaliation in regards to their spiteful view of our religion, becomes the sinister venom of "Intolerance"?

These are some of the questions we ask ourselves as Muslims and the rest of the world as inhabitants of a mutually shared earth today.

Agreed, double standards are prevalent when it comes to Muslim freedom of speech. That's no rocket science and certainly no big secret. We all know it, we all see it and we've all experienced it one way or another.

However, there's a thing called "Practicing" Freedom of speech and "Abusing" Freedom of speech. They might fall under the same domain, but the essence to their meaning and power is completely different from one another.

For example:

What the Danish Cartoon guy did , was an "abuse" of freedom of speech. This abuse, is something that many in the west can not conceive or comprehend with because their take on the idea of "Freedom of speech" is through a completely different "prism" of outlook on the matter.

Evidently, their perspective is devoid of "understanding" and "empathy" when it comes to the Muslim world or adherence to religion and the laws of blasphemy, because of the cultural, political, social and dogmatic gap that separates the Western and Eastern hemispheres today.

However, on the flip side of things, losing sight of the "greater good" by drowning in a sea of uncontrolled emotions, is not the Muslim way - nor is it what our Prophet (Peace be upon him) lived by.

The greater good ofcourse being: The responsibility as Muslims of calling all mankind to the message of Islam in a way that is inviting, not threatening.

What we require are peaceful protests. It is beneficial for the Muslim Ummah as a whole and our progress as individuals of civil society, that we put our points across to the world in a way that is both in keeping with the light of Islam and the character of the Prophet (saws) - the best and most immaculate testament to what a true Muslim should be in the first place.

However, senselessly burning effigies, chanting death to the U.S, UK or Denmark etc, hurling stones and going completely bonkers like demonic heaving animals without any sense of humanity by dislodging oneself from all levels of "self composure", "restraint" and "respect" for surroundings - is in my view simply unacceptable in the light of Islam - no matter what way you look at it.

This does not do anyone good and most importantly does not bring the true warmth of Islam to the masses, which is why we set our ownselves up for one dimensional backlash by the world and dig ourselves a deeper hole in the process. It doesn't achieve the purpose of Islam, now does it?

Wild bestial and untamed savage like behavior under any circumstances is not what the Holy Quran asserts nor is it what propelled Islam to soaring heights in the deserts of Arabia 1400 years ago by a man who didn't know how to read or write.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) would smile in people's faces when they insulted him, mocked him, degraded him, belittled him and disgraced him in the most horrendous and atrocious of ways in the earlier part of his Prophethood, yet he adopted patience, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, composure and restraint both verbally and physically as a true embodiment of the Holy Quran for all humanity to follow!

No?

Moreover, we must not forget the exemplary conduct that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) exhibited, when the old lady under whose window he would pass by on the way to the Mosque every day, would throw garbage over his head owing to her hatred for the message of Islam.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) would demonstrate utmost patience, compassion and utter respect for the woman and even though his companions would angrily respond by offering to kill the woman themselves, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would strongly urge them not to do so.

When one day the woman fell sick and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) didn't have garbage welcome him under her house's window, he inquired about her from his companions. Upon learning that the woman was ill, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) expressed his sorrow. He visited the woman by her bedside to ask about her health and this one act of compassion by him compared to the countless acts of viciousness exhibited by the woman before, captured the woman's heart and invigorated her soul with the light of truth whilst making her embrace Islam then and there.

SubhanAllah! :)

The Prophet (saws) once said:

"A true man is he who restrains himself from violence when his anger reaches its peak, than a man who knocks the other down"

Therefore - no matter what amount of suffocating biasness, double standards and clear oppression in terms of our rights of freedom of speech as Muslims goes in the current world scenario - doesn't mean we make that a pretext to become slaves of our own shortcomings and fallacies by giving in to our emotions - rather than submitting our will to the creator Allah (swt) - which is what Islam gives us the chance to do in the first place.

True Liberation is submitting oneself to the will of Allah (swt) - the creator and the sustainer of all that exists - not to the will of our own "Nafs"

True Freedom comes from surrendering our lives to the will of Allah (swt) - the lord of the heavens and the earth - not to the will of our own fallacious, imperfect and feeble existences as human beings vulnerable to "error".

Hence, True Perfection is True Submission which paves the way for True liberation and True freedom.

Let us not forget that - for we are Muslims.

Conclusion:

Therefore, as Muslims and most of all as "Human beings" who submit their will to their creator - we must not forget that our emotional reactions do not have any positive contributions to the cause of Da`wah (propagation of Islam and Islamic values). All such reactions should be avoided to the utmost.

A person who is disrespectful towards the Qur'an or the Prophet (Peace be upon him) or any other Muslim or non-Muslim personality, knows deep inside his heart that no person - not even the worst of them - deserves disrespect.

I am sure that with very little effort in terms of Da`wah, such disrespectful and ignorant people can be dissuaded from such futile actions. I am also sure that reacting brashly against any disrespectful comments hinders the way for such dissuasion.

For example, a person, who abuses my father in my presence, does so only to incite me - as part of the venting out "process" of the anger / issues he has against who I am as a man an what I stand for as a human being.

Likewise, you don't bark back to a street dog in similar fashion, because you only degrade yourself to its level and lose the upper hand as a 'being' of intellect and comprehension.

My provocative behavior would only give such a person the satisfaction of getting what he wanted. Nevertheless, my controlled and calm behavior shall not only make me the victor but also leave a lasting impact upon him, which might make him think twice before indulging unto such actions in future.

In the end, that is the real victory! The Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his resplendent character and illustrious ways, were a shining testament to such a victory on its own. A victory that brought many ignorant souls to the splendor and beauty of Islam.

Moreover, I am sure as Muslims we'll all agree that the position of the Glorious Qur'an , the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his companions is not so vulnerable, feeble, weak and fragile that a negative remark by "someone" would undermine their sanctity.

Whether be it Salman Rushdie, the Danish cartoon geezer, some regular redneck hick Billy Joe from the south or even some Eskimo making coffee in an igloo up on the north pole - the sacredness and grace of the Holy Quran nor the immaculate character of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) - is not dependent for its "value" on the facilities of human language or emotion.

We must remember, a tolerant, respectful and compassionate human being is what a good Muslim is all about and vice versa! That is what our Prophet (saws) was and that is exactly the footsteps we should be following, instead of degrading our worth in the eyes of the creator and diminishing our image in the eyes of the world - in an effort to blindly counter our grudges through malice, impracticality and irrationality - thus succumbing to an imprisonment in the dungeons of our own fallacies.

Hence, this eventually results in the submission to our own lower-self, instead of the original deal of submitting to the creator, the sustainer, the Almighty, the all-hearing, the all-wise and the all-knowing - Allah (swt)

Afterall - The latter is what "Defines" being a Muslim in the first place - not the former.

May God Almighty guide us all onto the right path - because nobody is perfect and we all need his divine mercy and the warmth of his guidance to attain success in this world and salvation in the next.

Ameen!

- Ali Ash

- - Never an absolution - -

2007-08-04T01:16:00.000-07:00

********************************
" Across the window "

Something I wrote as a tribute to the timeless innocence and magic of - First love!
_______________________
_______________________

Quiver of the soul, as you lay across the window

Joy of the heart, hearing you breathe at night

Young and free, without a care in the world

The warm blanket of innocence, an everlasting sight

Walking through the meadows of memory...

Secrets under the fig tree, quiet nights beneath the moon

Laughter shared as the sun goes down, and soft walks back home

Young and free, without a care in the world

The warmth of that hand in mine, it never felt alone

Walking through the meadows of memory...

Summers turn to autumns, Winters to springs

"Always and forever", together we vow

Young and free, without a care in the world

Through thick and thin, to fate we bow

Walking through the meadows of memory...

Winters become colder, and nights darker

Summers become colorless, the morning light weak

Young and free, without a care in the world

That warmth and laughter, how dearly I seek

Walking through the meadows of memory....

Deafening of the ears, cries shudder through next door

An empty cold bed, I see across the window

Young and free, without a care in the world

Without a name, tears that are born begin to flow

Walking through the meadows of memory...

Rain washes away the dust, while she is lowered

A rose returned to its bed, thunder shall harm no more

Young and free, without a care in the world

Turning away quietly, the hardest thing to endure

Walking through the meadows of memory...

"Will you stay with me, will you be my love"

I hear her say, laying across the window

Young and free, without a care in the world

Never an absolution, the memories still grow

Walking through the meadows of memory...

The laughter of the kids, filling the room beside

"Daddy, tell us a story", as I open my eyes

Young and free, without a care in the world

"There once was a boy named...." , first love never dies

Walking through the meadows of memory...
Walking through the meadows of memory...
Walking through the meadows of memory...

Islamic Civilization - The Pandora's Box?

2007-07-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

- Introduction -

What has happened to us, the heirs of so brilliant and magnificent a civilization? What has reduced us to our present living conditions? Why have we ceded the hegemony of our world to others? What has caused the decline in our culture, in our science and our political power? What stopped our progress in its tracks? Why have we yielded our leadership in manufactures and science to Westerners so that we now need them where they once needed us? Why must Muslims, with all their splendid past in East and West, hang their heads in the modern world?

It was not blowing our own trumpet or banging our own drum that raised Islam to world pre-eminence in its time. It was our culture, our remarkable spiritual and social revolution. Shame that we should waste our strength in conflicts amongst ourselves and in internecine tugs-of-war which have reduced the glory of Unity to an empty phoneme.

A strong nation can only be built on firm principles of manners, morals, order - sole sources of progress. Islam never owed its power to cannons and tanks and weapons but to the pre-eminence in thought amongst its Ulema, in character amongst its peoples and in following the guidance of God on the good road (for which we pray in the Fatihe 17 times a day), the road of justice, fellowship, brotherhood.

History - A breathing mosaic of Islamic glory and downfall

History demonstrates unmistakably that whenever the Muslims have constructed their philosophy of life in the spirit of the teachings revealed to them by Heaven, they have prospered : and whenever they have deserted those teachings, adversity and misfortune have been visited upon them. The Muslims who founded the brilliant culture and social wellbeing of the past followed those teachings more closely than we do, individual, society and nation alike

The sun of culture shone while just measure and proportion was given to science, thought, matter and spirit. When we deserted those, the banner of endeavor, diligence and combat for right fell from our hands, only to be grabbed by the West in self- aggrandizement.

Where is the old Muslim sincerity: integrity, honesty and truthfulness? These were once the fences on either side of our path. When we transgressed across them we were lost in a trackless desert, and abandoned the holy calling, announced as God's purpose for us, of leading mankind to live as God wills. Abandoning that destiny, we sank in the quicksands of corruption, ignorance and wretchedness which engulf us today. Yet a truly united Islam could return to that heavenly vocation and lead mankind's feet on to the spiritual road. This would be a blessing for all.

Napoleon's profound words for Islam - A flashback

Napoleon's companion in exile on the island of St. Helena wrote:

"In Egypt Napoleon constantly repeated his amazement at the blessings which the Prophet of Islam and her other great men in history had brought to the foreign lands they took under their sway.

He looked with hope to Islam as the force which might again confer such blessings on the world, even saying: "I think I will take up Islam as my religion'."

Recognizing the true essence of success - The need of the hour

A true Islamic society would be very different from that which obtains anywhere in the world. Its thinking and its living must once again incarnate those heavenly principles of its inception. As the poet said:

"Islam's pure truth's from spot or blemish free:
Our Muslims blame for any fault you see."

To take its full share in that moral and spiritual revolution which must come to the entire world, Islam must orient itself in today's global realities. It must then undertake those internal reforms which will be its restitution for past backwardness.

It must balance spiritual and material conditions in the right proportion in accordance with those principles of perfection which shaped the glories of its past and which are dictated by the Lord of both worlds - this one and the next.

In these it will find, not merely its own internal stability, but also the secret of stability for the world and the way to mediate it to all mankind.

The Solution - Realization and Rectification of Reality

There's a saying that goes: "God helps those who help themselves"

No doubt about that. The above phrase is not just a moral, social and humane antidote that applies to every human being Muslim or Non-Muslim - but is something that defines the very fabric of our existences as beings with intellect, comprehension, reasoning and manipulative abilities and the capacity to use those facets to grow and define our own "Horizons" with everything at our disposal as inhabitants of this planet.

Now, the problem is how does one define the point past where one realizes he has to "Help himself" ?

As Muslims, Islam teaches us that nothing is a "Given" in life. Even as Muslims we are not guaranteed success, prosperity, progress, rewards and fulfillment in this life and the heareafter and every single breath we take is a test on its own where we have to strive day in and day out to live as Human Beings and As Muslims at the same time according to the will of God without transgressing the boundaries he has set-forth when it comes to our dealings within the folds of our religion and that of outside as well.

The problem today like many brothers here mentioned, is that we've lost the mental, emotional, physical and intellectual "Dictionary" within ourselves where we as Muslims would be able to "Define" the point past where one has to dunk their head in a bucket of water, bring themselves to their senses and realize that "God helps those who help themselves" and that taking life for granted by reclining on the comfortable and re-assuring dedication to one's religion alone is NOT enough to succeed and prosper in life be it individually, socially, religiously or internationally as a human being or as a Muslim.

Changing the Tide - Effacing the blemishes and Embracing the jewels

No other creation on earth throughout the depths and bounds of its existence, has been blessed with intelligence, reasoning, comprehension and calculative abilities and the capacity to derive valuable information from those abilities to progress and prosper - the way we as Human Beings do.

Having said that, looking at the present scenario in regards to the condition of Muslims today; it is quiet evident that not only have we crumbled down to the lowest of lows in terms of not just religion itself but all the facets that stem out from religion like tolerance, compassion, humanity etc. - all these elements seem to have taken the backseat and its true - Isolization is never the solution to anything, which is exactly what the Muslim world today languishes in.

Intolerance, Extremism etc. all qualify as the poster childs for "Isolization" and pushes down the Muslim world into a quicksand of social apathy that not only contaminates its body within but also reflects its weakness to the outside world, which in turn ofcourse encourages people to view the Muslim world as it does in the most deplorable way today - specifically in the western hemisphere.

"Self Help" - A Multi-Tier process

The phrase "God helps those who help themselves" - is a multi-faceted process where change needs to take place from within first, capitalization and initiation on that change then takes place and ultimately the "Self-Help" comes into play where the picture starts to gain color from the demise of its fade.

This desperately required attitude to wake up and smell the roses and for once get up on one's feet from the darkness of slumber, wipe off the dirt, take a deep breath and move forward instead of lying at the mercy of self-stagnation - is the kind of "Self-Help" we need today and it can not take place overnight. This demands a complete overhaul and that can come only through education, opening up to the outside world through free flow of information, trade, commerce, marketing of ideas, embracing of humanity through tolerance and respect and in the process eliminating the roadblocks of greed, corruption and injustice etc. that separates the Muslim world within its ownself as prevalent through the grotesquely true and bitter testament that the rulers in many Muslim countries today seem to so perfectly portray with utmost ease.

Islam's Golden Age - An Overview of the splendor and secrets behind the success

Muslims no doubt back in the 11th- 13th century or so, were the flag and torch bearers of human enlightenment; progressing phenomenally in all facets of life from science, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, philosophy - to architecture, engineering, commerce, urban life, navigation etc.

Al-Beruni, Avicenna, Al-Khwarzimi, Ibn-Al-Haitham, Al-Farabi, Al-Kindi and many more Muslim scientists and philosophers contributed wonders to the Muslim empire in specific and the world in general in ways which the western world still acknowledges till this very day.

Now, "Islam's Golden Age" - never came about through merely "Religious Devotion". All these historical figures who were such a vital part in the Islamic engine that propelled us to soaring heights - many of them were not that religious at all as a matter of fact!

Thus, we must eliminate these misconceptions from our minds as Muslims that "Religion" alone is the way to prosperity and that cutting off oneself from the rest of the world and depriving the Ummah of education, research, exposure, enlightenment etc. has no significant impact on progress, development and success! This is a great fallacy that contaminates the minds of many in the Islamic world today and what makes it far more preposterous is the fact that no-where in the Quran or Sunnah - are Muslims encouraged to abandon the quest for enlightenment, education and communication with the rest of the world.

Thus, the profound Muslim personalities during Islam's Golden Age - realized, reflected and recognized their approach towards the world - gaining inspiration, motivation and foresight from the essence of religion and utilizing it openly through embracing humanity and the idea of free information flow wherever they went without limits or boundaries - sadly which isn't the case today.

Free-Flow of Ideas - The fenced gateway to embracing glory

Free flow of Ideas paves the way for Free "Exchange" of Ideas - which results in perfect
synchronization and well balanced orchestration of progress, development, advancement and prosperity on all levels and hence enriches the social "pool" to great magnitudes thus enabling such splendor to traverse religious, social, national and ideological differences and paving the way for constructive and positive results in the short and long run of things - for everyone's sake!

Perfect "orchestration" and sublime "amalgamation" - The formula for Unity in Diversity.

A great example would be an "Orchestra" band. My favorite Orchestra band of all time is the "Prague Philharmonic Band" and I've watched them live more than once.

Now, to the spectator in the audience - the perfect amplification of each musical note, the well-balanced orchestration of each different instrument and the well-assimilated synchronization of every sound and the perfect amalgamation of wave-length, frequency, pitch etc. emanating from the band making music "Together - to the spectator all of that might seem pretty normal or a "Given" - like we talked about earlier.

Yet, the truth of the matter is - the dynamics of "unity" , the balanced oscillation of conduct, the fundamentals of "craft", the statuesqueness of "delivery" and the rendering, origination and fructification of the sweet symphonic harmony that encompasses the atmosphere - is not something that is based on any one element!

It involves complete submission to the creed of the music that the orchestra is following and at the same time individuality and unity plays important roles!

Each section of the orchestra has different people playing different instruments! Saxophones, violins and harmonicas on one side - the piano, drums, trumpets, Xylophones and the Cymbals on the other!

Yet even amid such diversity and difference of instruments - the orchestra plays together in perfect resonance, profound vibrancy and captivating splendor - capturing the hearts and minds of every human being with an ear!

How come? How is that possible?

The answer is simple : Our differences be it religious, social or political - are not a curse, diversity and differences can never be a curse unless you use such a gift the wrong way! Each member of the orchestra regardless of his instrument type and skill level - is open to "Facilitate" and "Embrace" the "Difference" and "Diversity" of sound and ecstatic symphony coming from the other section of the orchestra regardless of the other side's instrument type or skill level. It is through this well integrated and superbly amalgamated coherency of unity and free flow of music through the vehicles of diversity and difference - that the orchestra with the sheer glory of its sound and the majestic and incessant perfection of its symphony - captivates the audience in awe-inspiring totality!

An Orchestra gone haywire - Bad music is never pretty.

The Muslim world today is an orchestra gone haywire! We do not facilitate our own diversity to help ourselves - let alone embracing and facilitating with arms wide open to the rest of the world enough to produce sweet symphonic sound of success and prosperity that resounds through the very fabric of humanity and captivates the world audience on an international stage!

Simple!

That is what we've lost, that is the difference between Islam's Golden Age and what the Muslims have succumbed down to today, That is what we must strive for and that is exactly what "Helping Ourselves" means under the phrase "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves"

Until and unless all of the above standards, criterion and requirements are met - religion alone can only make us recognize God - but humanity, tolerance, compassion, acceptance and unity in diversity and difference - are all those elements that recognizing God itself generates yet we turn blind eyes and deaf ears to them and it is this other half of the equation which will guarantee us success both in this life and the hereafter and which also ultimately gives meaning to the whole phrase "God helps those who help themselves" altogether.

The Human Fabric - The profound ingredient to our mortal existences

God Almighty intended humanity to exist in such diversity for a reason - it wasn't a fluke. We have regions on our planet that are rich with natural resources like oil, coal, gas etc. as in the Middle East, Central Asia - and then there are regions well endowed with agricultural prowess like China, Southeast Asia etc.

There are people in different regions that are known for their handicrafts, domestic skills etc. and then there are people in different regions that are known for their industrial and economical ability.

All these facets make up the fabric of our humanity and without opening up and embracing all these facets with arms wide open - there can never be the inevitability of serenity, peace, progress, development and advancement on both regional and international scales.

We're put on earth to communicate, reach out, grasp and pave the way for the flow and exchange of our capabilities "together" as human beings - because once that happens in perfect motion, sublime synchronization, immaculate grace and well-balanced orchestration - we as Muslim and as human beings can transcend the thorny borders of our existences and make the most beautiful music through the symphony of progress - together!

Which is exactly what the Muslim Ummah today needs and since its never too late till the fat lady sings - there's always time to grab a seat and play on a stage of life full of possibilities with an anxious audience to please!

Final Thoughts:-

I felt it was important to shed some light on the state of the Muslim Ummah today keeping in mind the current world circumstances and the Geo-political turmoil humanity as a whole and the Ummah in particular face today; with malice, injustice, terrorism and a plethora of other ills contaminating our very existences that have reduced us to smithereens.

I thought these thoughts were worthy of sharing with everyone.

May Allah (swt) guide each and every one of us onto the right path as an Ummah and may we soar higher together and prosper through the depths and bounds of progress and unity.

May the passion for our beautiful religion transcend our differences and may we embrace eachother as brothers with arms wide open once again, ushering in a new era of Islamic revival that will lay down the foundations of Islamic splendor and thundering grace that we were once the torchbearers of - for the rest of the world to gain inspiration from - for the sake of our humanity and the innocence bounded by respect, love and compassion that we innately should possess to pass on for our children and our children's children to find serenity, harmony, solace and warmth in.

Ameen!

Peace be unto all!

Allahu Akbar!

Sincerely,
- Ali

- - Colors Of The Wind - -

2007-07-09T22:44:00.000-07:00

You think I'm an ignorant savage
And you've been so many places - I guess it must be so
But still I cannot see - If the savage one is me

Now can there be so much that you don't know? - You don't know ...

You think you own whatever land you land on The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature Has a life, has a spirit, has a name

You think the only people who are people Are the people who look and think like you But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger

You'll learn things you never knew you never knew

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned? Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?

Can you paint with all the colors of the wind? Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest Come taste the sun-sweet berries of the Earth

Come roll in all the riches all around you And for once, never wonder what they're worth

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers The heron and the otter are my friends

And we are all connected to each other In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

How high will the sycamore grow? If you cut it down, then you'll never know And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon

For whether we are white or copper skinned We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains We need to paint with all the colors of the wind

You can own the Earth and still All you'll own is Earth until You can paint with all the colors of the wind

_________________________________________

Credits : V.Williams -- "Colors of the wind"

___________________________________________________________________

Final Thoughts - My 2 cents :

Dedicated to the people who inhabit the wild and deep jungles across our beautiful planet. The Native Indians in North America, the "Kalaash" tribe in Chitral, Pakistan, The Mayan tribes still prevalent in the thick forests of South America and every human being on the face of the earth that lives, breathes and exists in perfect synchronization and amalgamation in sheer harmony and perfect serenity within the natural habitat and its environment - that we as human beings dwelling in our modern cosmopolitan cities with high rise skyscrapers so much superficial essence blinding our "humanity" - take for granted every single day!

A Young boy who has grown up in a village, near the mystique and grandeur of the forest - grows up loving, adoring, appreciating and "living" everything that surrounds him. The trees, the animals, the rivers, mountains and all the gifts of life that God has spread out for us to ponder upon and gain inspiration from! The boy sees "Color" in something as invisible as the wind, because he has grown up appreciating even the finest most smallest and insignificant things in life that we can not see "past" by. The boy finds splendor in the majestic serenity of all beauty and wonder that surrounds him in the wild. The cry of the wolf to the fulll moon under the glow of the diamond night sky, The soft caress of the raindrops and the calm re-assurance of the running river, The immaculate flight of the eagle with its wings spread apart, The graceful elegance of the heron and the offbeat joy emanating from the laughter of the otter and the magnificent echo of the mountains that captivates and engulfs one's senses deep within, enough for one to sing along with the mountains - ALL of those things are precious, invaluable and sublime to the boy because his heart, his mind and his soul are far more "human" than we can ever amount up to and he sees all the alluring and ravishing magnitude of perfection that exists around him through the prism of his eyes - He sees color through that prism - Colors of the wind that neither me, you or anyone else can comprehend, conceive or envision.

The boy's existence, transcends the depths and bounds of all that exists and he finds solace, sanctity, ecstatic symphony and unconquerable pride in being a part of such heaven on earth - regardless of the color of his skin, regardless of worldly glory and regardless of his physical/analytical/biological make-up as a human being - For the forest and the sheer essence of the jungle itself is the nucleating power that resounds thunderingly through his heart and soul!

*Sigh* If only every human being on earth were like that - our world would be so much a better place to live in.

Long Live The Earth and Long Live The People That Find Beauty In All creation, every pebble in the river and every grain of sand on the shore.

-- God's Majestic Grandeur and Captivating Artistry --

2007-06-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

Introduction:

The immaculate beauty, perfection in grace, magnificence in design, statuesqueness of craft, sublimity of genesis and majestic allure of all nascency of God's divine creative power throughout the depths and bounds of the universe - defies all human imagination.

God's divine artistry transcends and eclipses with the kind of thunder and roaring impeccable might - that simply can not be described in words.

As Human beings we fail to comprehend with the fact that throughout our creation from the depths of the ocean beds, to the vastness of the terrains, to the infinite and unconceivable limits of the entire universe - Allah (swt) has scattered through for us signs that portray his creative dynamism and efficacy of immaculate design.

These are signs that make us ponder and contemplate the enormity of God's splendor yet at the same time fails us to comprehend with his perfection - because: "Our inability to comprehend with God's infinite and captivating mastery - IS our comprehension of God, The Almighty, The lord of the heavens and the earth! "

God Almighty re-assures us in the glorious Quran:

" And verily in the heaven we have set mansions of the stars, and we have beautified it for the beholders" [ Qura'n 15:16 ]

The fact that God refers to the "Beholders" - portrays how it is only people of thought and reason who with open hearts embrace the glory and majestic artistry of God and praise him with all their hearts and souls for the sheer blessing of the beauty, brilliance, effulgence, resplendence, dazzle and grandeur of his artistry which truly is a "Gift" on its own because it gives us a small fraction of the "taste" and "feel" of "Heaven" right here on earth, the oceans and the skies - in All of God's creation!

No where throughout the existence of mankind, has man ever been able to derive the kind of inspiration, profound fascination and utmost amazement than by laying eyes on the thundering beauty, immaculate grace, unsurpassed splendor, heavenly perfection, unimaginable orchestration and indescribable glory of the UNIVERSE that Allah (swt) created as a shining beacon and a tremendous testament to his utmost power, nobility, oneness, omniscience and perfection!

Such images of the universe forces us to contemplate the greatness of God's artistry in all its wonderous color and awe inspiring totality!

" Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day - there are indeed signs for men of understanding; Men who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth (with the thought) "Our Lord! Not for nothing have You created (all) this. Glory to You! Give us salvation from the suffering of the Fire."-- Al-Qura'n [3:190-191]

"We will show them our proofs in the horizons, and within themselves,
until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord

not sufficient as a witness of all things?"-- Al-Quran [41:53]

"And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through both of them..." -- Al-Quran [42:29]

"And He has subjected to you (man), from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: behold, in that are signs indeed for those who reflect" -- Al-Quran [45:13]

Final words:

Let us pray that as human beings and as Muslims who submit to the will of their creator - our eyes never go astray- for a sight for sore eyes is truly indeed in God's artistry alone.

No amount of allurement, exquisiteness, pulchritude, comeliness and attraction - can compare to that.

May Allah (swt) enable us to live our lives under the serenity of his mercy, tranquility of inner peace by utter devotion, gratification through his forgiveness, contentment through his guidance and ultimately prosperity and success both in this life and the hereafter through his beneficence!

Ameen

Allahu Akbar

-- Old Age -- ( Excerpts from a book I'm writing to get published )

2007-06-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

Old Age

We spend our lives thinking tomorrow would never come. We lose ourselves into the improbability of our existences, yet forget the inevitability of life. Inevitability embodied by the natural facets of what makes life what it is in the first place – Truth and a whisper. The truth of youth, the truth of joy, success and glory – things we want to embrace, recognize, realize and accept.

The whisper of death, pain, agony, suffering, imperfections, failure – things we want to neglect, ignore, dismiss and deny. Truth is a ‘whisper’ when our minds and our hearts fail to conceive, comprehend and accept the realities of life that we feel “imprisoned”, “bounded”, “downtrodden” and “overpowered” by – yet Truth becomes an immaculate and most splendid testament to true “fulfillment” when our minds and our hearts leap to embrace the realities of life that we feel “proud”, “confident”, “happier”, “stronger”, “satisfied” and “unconquerable” by – Things like money, status, respect, material objects and things that put spice and joy into the days, weeks, months and years of our lives.

Funny isn’t it.

All our lives from the magical days of youth full of dreams and aspirations, to the weak and feeble breaths of survival in old age – we strive for acceptance powered by pride, we wish for love fueled by need and we search for hope driven by hopelessness. Yet, the improbability of life gets the better of us through the sirens of truth where the same “whispers” we spent all our lives ignoring, denying and undermining – becomes the melody of our ultimate demise.

Life is an ocean and just like every single drop of water in the ocean goes through the same tidal ups and downs, thrashing of the waves against the rocks on the shore, torment and wrath of the storms and the deafening shudder of the oceanic floor earthquakes – so do we as human beings.

There exists beauty beyond imagination with the thundering majesty of grace under the same waters, yet the most treacherous of predators beyond thought at the same time. There are meadows that portray an eternal mosaic of paradise under the mystique shelter of the ocean water in the midst of all life and death, yet the waves keep moving on, the sea never grows less nor does the life that inhabits it mourns death whether for the most colossal of whale or the most insignificant and smallest of fish.

However, what separates us beyond the depths and bounds of all that exists from the deepest core of the oceans to the highest most soaring heights of the universe - is our humanity as mortals and our grace as beings of intellect possessing the ability to reason through the privilege of “consciousness”.

As human beings, our old age – gives us the opportunity to liberate ourselves from the shackles of what we’ve ignored all our lives. It gives us the chance to free ourselves from the steel bars of pride and ego that we succumb to yet bask in the self-imposed glory of – all our lives.

Old age – is the final chapter in a well illustrated book that we author through the pen of our existences and the ink of our veins through which the imperfection of our mortality is represented by our blood, the paper of our future through which the improbability of our fate is represented by empty spaces and the last line on the last page through which our lives meet their demise is represented by the same “whisper” an end – that we never realize when our journey begins from the womb of the mother to the tomb of our finality.

Old indeed is Gold, as they say – but even the profound warmth of ecstasy emanating from the goodness of gold, becomes meaningless when the eyes fail to recognize its glory through the murky clouds of blindness, when the hand that caresses its luxury fails to grab onto the meaning and purpose of its manifestation, when the heart that explodes in materialistic bundles of joy fails to embrace the reality of its truth and the mind that calculates the value of its favorable returns – fails to counter the weight of the treasure chest that holds it.

Yes – Old age, the final frontier in a flying dream of hopes that we strive for all our lives to attain.

Yes – Old age, the final leaf in an aged tree that we watch falling through the overpowering of the wind of inevitability

Yes – Old age, what me, you and all of us – cry our final tears to and bid our final farewells upon.

Old age – the improbability of that perfect mosaic of life we paint all our lives – yet the certainty and finality of a masterpiece nobody wants to buy with the final stroke of a brush!

What does it mean to be a Pakistani?

2007-05-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

Being a Pakistani is not just about embracing an identity that differentiates you from the rest of the world. It's about proclaiming the right to be recognized as an independent and free human being with pride, dignity, honor and grace - no matter where you are on the face of the earth and no matter what you do.

From the beauty of the green and white / the star and the crescent on its flag, to the glory and passion that lives deep down the hearts and souls of all its inhabitants - everything is a shining testament of the wonderous vibrance and unconquerable grace that our country represents for us

- Proud forever and always as "Pakistanis" :)

Lets take a look at what it means to be a Pakistani from ideological, social and 'humane' perspectives as well.

Being Pakistani Means:

- Adhering to the ethical, inspirational and ideological essence of what our country was founded upon. The story of this movement is a story of the ideals of equality, fraternity and social and economic justice struggling against the forces of domination, exploitation, intolerance and tyranny. As Pakistanis we must embrace these philosphies which give meaning and worth to our existences as Free Individuals and as Pakistanis under one flag. That is what being a Pakistani is all about. That is what our culture should be all about.

- Sinking all our differences and standing united together under the same banner under which we truly achieved Pakistan and let us demonstrate once again that we can, united, face all dangers in the cause of glory of Pakistan, the glory that Quaid-i-Azam envisaged for Pakistan. That is what being a Pakistani is all about. That is what ou culture should be all about.

- Remember Quaid-e-Azam's 3 points of prosperity? >> Unity, Faith and Discipline.

As Pakistanis and as Muslims we must march forward under the banner of the star and the crescent with unity in our ranks, faith in our mission and discipline in our thoughts. We must fulfill our mission and no doubt a great sublime future awaits our enthusiasm and action.

We should always remember that : "Cowards die many times before death; the valiant never taste death but once" ....This is the only course of action which suits any self-respecting people and certainly the Muslim Nation.

That is what being a Pakistani is all about - That is what our culture should be about!

Pakistan Zindabad! :)

- Ali -

Being "Quiet" a bad thing?

2007-05-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

My Perspective:

As far as my perspective on the topic goes, I think indeed our Prophet Muhammad (saws) was truly the most inspiring and utmost beautiful example of compassion, mannerism, mercy and patience for all humanity.

Being "Quiet" is something that majority of the people in today's liberal world percieve as a "Weakness". Freedom of speech, liberation of thought, expression of opinion etc are things that power the "Liberal" ideology throughout the west in specific as our world has evolved decade by decade.

Now, I live in Canada and I can safely say that a big majority of the people in the west have truly "lost" the idea and the concept of "patience", "compromise" and "perseverance" when it comes to human bonding because everyone feels they have a right to express themselves and practice their right of freedom of speech and expression of opinion, because somehow if they don't, they might come off "weak" in the eyes of society.

This sadly, is an increasing mind-set that is prevailing specially here in the west and that is where the "abuse" of freedom of speech takes place because people make it a matter of their ego, pride, dignity and honor when it comes to "difference of opinion" and hence they feel they need to utilize the vehicle of "freedom of speech" to come off right, preserve their dignity and most of all put their point across even if its insignificant to the context.

Islamic stance:

Now in contrast, what the Prophet Muhammad (saws) taught us 'practically' within his lifetime, is that being "quiet" or adopting "silence" does NOT in any way, form or level; shows one's "weakness" whatsoever.

People barbarically insulted, sarcastically mocked, heartlessly humiliated, viciously disgraced and arrogantly shrugged off our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) in the initial stages of his Prophethood, yet he persevered through it all, he stood his ground against all odds, compromised by putting behind his dignity, sacrificed by leaving behind his honor and adopted "silence" by not giving importance to his pride even though he was the last and greatest Prophet of Allah (swt).

Why? Why would a Prophet adopt "Silence" and "Quietness" when people insulted him, mocked him, humiliated him and all he ever did was smile back at them compassionately by keeping quiet!

The answer is simple! A "Muslim" is supposed to keep his composure, hold his ground and NOT succumb to the "Nafs" by giving in to anger and the best way to do that is keeping "quiet".

Breaking the shackles of "Self-Slavery"

Islam, gives us the oppurtunity to "Liberate" ourselves from the "Slavery" of the "NAFS".

When a person gives in to his "Nafs" by succumbing to anger, crumbling to lower desires, drowning in the deviant waters of revenge, hate etc...then the person is only entrapping, imprisoning and cocooning himself in the prison of his own EXISTENCE!

A slave of the SELF, is not true liberation

A slave of the SELF, is not true freedom

A slave of the SELF, is not true "humanity"

....because a human being is the grandest creation of God Almighty and we owe alot to our creator and the best way to liberate and free ourselves from our own fallacious shortcomings, our own imperfect designs and our own feeble and erroneous tendencies, is to SUBMIT ourselves to the creator- Allah (swt) UNCONDITIONALLY with all our hearts and all our souls with every inch of our existences.

THAT is true freedom and true liberation, and Masha'Allah the Prophet (saws) showed us exactly that as an immaculate and perfect example of the way a human being should be.

Hadiths of the Prophet (saws)

There's a Hadeeth where the Prophet Muhammad (saws) once said:

"A man who restrains himself from violence is stronger than a man who knocks down the other in anger"

Here are a few more Hadiths that express the dire consequences of "Excessive" talking in the light of Islam:

At-Tirmidhi relates in a hadith on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar:

“Do not talk excessively without remembering Allah, because such excessive talk without the mention of Allah causes the heart to harden, and the person furthest from Allah is a person with a hard heart.”

In the above Hadith we can clearly see how it profoundly POINTS towards the social culture that has rooted deep down in the west today that I mentioned at the start of my posts!

The above Hadith portrays how excessive talking results in one's heart to become hardened because when you talk without a reason just to be "talkative" or to "impress others" or to preserve your dignity and "image" in the eyes of others, you think your practicing your right of "freedom of speech" and "expression of opinion" whereas your only ranting monotonously, thus giving in to your "Nafs" and becoming your own slave!

Because when you talk excessively for the sake of "Not" being "quiet", then you lose focus of the "rememberance" of Allah (swt) and you only talk for "yourself" by giving importance to your pride, honor and dignity for the sake of the world to hold you dear in their eyes. But what about holding dear in the eyes of your creator - Allah (swt)? Isn't that more important?

Hadiths on avoiding excessive talking

Here are a few more Hadiths that teach us to abstain from excessive talking and adopting "silence" more often.

Uqba ibn Amir said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is our best way of surviving?” He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, replied: “Guard your tongue, make your house suffice for sheltering your privacy, and weep for your wrong actions.’”

-- At-Tirmidhi

It has also been related by Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Let whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or remain silent.”

-- Sahih Bukhari

Final thoughts:

That is exactly why the Prophet (saws) never excessively talked. Never excessively laughed, never excessively did anything.

The Prophet (saws) only talked upto an amount that was "Necessary" without indulging in monotonousness of speech.

He adopted "Silence" in the worst of times when normal men would bulge out with anger in the face of humiliation and insult. ..

He only smiled back in silence!

Such was his utter and profound greatness as a human being, as a man and most of all as an example of beauty, compassion, perseverance, compromise, patience (sabr) and most of all "Moderation" to for all of humanity.

May Allah (swt) guide us all and enable us to achieve the kind of success and prosperity in this life and the hereafter, that a good Muslim is supposed to.

Ameen!

Allahu Akbar

-- Omar Khayyam's pearls of wisdom -- My take on them

2007-05-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

"I resolve daily that at dusk I shall repent

For a night with a cup full of wine spent

In the presence of flowers, my resolve simply went

In such company, I only regret that I ever resolve to repent"

These are some of my favorite stanzas from Omar Khayyam's works. I just thought I'd express my take on them:

Omar Khayyam truly is one of the most scholarly and enlightened personalities in recent human history. A poet, mathematician, philosopher and astronomer - Omar Khayyam was one of the most profound torch bearers of human enlightenment throughout the 11th century, while the Europeans languished in the dark of medieval times.

I admire him in more ways than one.

The stanza mentioned above from one of his works, is a heart rendering medicine of wisdom and soulful healing of purity that ever human being on earth specially Muslims should hold deep down their hearts.

What the writer is trying to portray is how as human beings we live every day, every minute, every heartbeat and every breath surrounded by the extravagance, glitter, luxury and pleasures of the worldly life. Day by day, month by month, year by year our lives pass away as softly as sand through the palm of the hands.

We wake up every day to another God gifted "opportunity" to live and "exist" as human being and most of all as "Muslims", yet we succumb to the desires of this worldly life. We crumble to our tendency of "Imperfection" and that imperfection resonates through our choice of submitting to the will of our "Nafs" to attain worldly pleasures instead of submitting ourselves to the creator and the sustainer - Allah (swt) without whom we would not exist in the first place.

The pearls of wisdom expressed by Omar Khayyam applies to me in every thing I do, every thing I say and everything I exist, live and strive for as a human being, as a man, as a person and most of all as a blessed and gifted "Muslim" rich with the greatest treasure of them all - ISLAM! As it should be to every other Muslim as well.

The universe, the world and the wonders of all existence, has been blessed with so much beauty, immaculate grandeur, incomprehensible grace, unconquerable glory, immense and utter perfection, profound intricacy, majestic and fascinating wonders - All testaments of immense and utter glory, power, wisdom and greatness of our creator - Allah (swt). Yet every single day we live, we forget the very purpose of our existence, let alone the purpose and reason behind the inconceivable perfection and beauty of the universe!

We forget how every breath we breathe, every heartbeat that beats in our chests, every blink of an eye we live through, every drop of blood gushing through our veins and most of all every second of our "Being" is a gift from God Almighty with a purpose. We unravel and unwrap the gift but we forget its PURPOSE!.

Life is an open road that's there to cover the distances. There is no point on driving a car on the road if you don't know whats the purpose (Destination) of your trip! There's no point in turning on the radio, listening to music, turning on the airconditioner etc in the car every time you sit in it, yet not knowing where you want to go.
The inability to recognize your "Destination" on the road to life and realize the "Purpose" for which that destination holds importance, is the fallacy of the human being that throughout the annals of history has crippled our worth as the ultimate creation of Allah (swt) and not only have we suffered in this life, but we will surely suffer in the hereafter unless and until we: Recognize, Realize and Rectify - The purpose of our existence as human beings, our reason to live as "Muslims" and most of all the gratitude of utter and total "Submission" to the creator - Allah (swt) that we OWE to him for his infinite mercy, blessings and gifts!

May Allah (swt) guide us all to the right path and may we soar high each day with every heartbeat and every breathe as Muslims and may we fulfill our purpose of existence to the creator because "Submitting" ourselves to the God Almighty is what being a "True" Human Being is all about in the first place, instead of submitting, succuming and crumbling to the will of our "Nafs" which only pulls us down into the darkness of oblivion like quick sand.

Ameen!

Allahu Akbar!

My 2 Cents On Islamic Scholar - Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2007-05-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf - I have got to say that he is amongst my favorite Islamic scholars no doubt!

We need rationalist, educated, enlightened and passionate Muslims like him today to be the torch and flag bearers of the Ummah specially in times when we find ourselves under siege by the west.
I think his "Zaytuna" Institute in California, truly is a benchmark of Islamic enlightenment and truly a testament to profound vibrancy of Islam's eternal message for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike that helps resonate its perfection through the hearts and minds of people in more ways than one!

I strongly believe his revivalist ideas, his propagatory ambitions, his immense and utter intellectual perspectives, his profound and unwavering commitment to dialogue on religious, social, international and political levels, his gifted knowledge on contemporary issues and his inspiring research and analysis on issues facing the Ummah today and ways to counter those issues, truly and without a doubt make him one of the best Islamic Scholars that live today.

I have nothing but sheer respect, admiration and commendation for Sheikh Hamza Yusuf and I pray that May Allah (swt) bless him for all his Nobel efforts in this life and the hereafter!

Ameen!

Can Muslim Men Marry Christian/Jewish Women?

2007-05-08T21:35:00.002-07:00

" In The Name Of God, The Beneficent And Most Merciful"

Asalam Alaikum

It is permissible for a Muslim man to marry a woman from the People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and the Christians), only if they fulfill certain criteria.

Allah (swt) in the glorious Quran says:

"And (Lawful in marriage are) chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you"

[Holy Quran: Surah Al-Maidah 5:5]

Based on the above verse, most of the scholars say that a Muslim man can marry any woman who is a Jew or a Christian. On the other hand, if we read the Qur’an as a whole, Allah (swt) also says that Muslims are not allowed to marry Mushriks i.e. people who associate partners with Allah (swt)

"And do not marry Mushrik (polytheistic) women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you"

[Holy Quran; Surah Al-Baqarah 2:221]

Moreover, we find that the Jews and the Christians too associate partners with Allah (swt).

Says Allah (swt) in the Glorious Qur’an:

"They (Jews and the Christians) have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and (also) the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him"

[Holy Quran; Surah At-Tawbah 9:31]

The Christians, who claim that Jesus (pbuh) is God as well as the Son of God, insist on the supposed divinity of Jesus (pbuh) and worship him as such.

"They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary” while the Messiah has said, “O children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed he who associates other with Allah – Allah has forbidden him paradise and his refuge is the fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers."

[The Holy Quran; Surah Al-Maidah 5:72]

From the above-mentioned verses and many such verses of the Qur'an, it is very clear that almost all the present day Jews and the Christians are committing shirk by joining partners with Allah (swt).

In another verse of the Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) conciliates all the above verses by informing us that among the Jews and the Christians there are also people who are true believers i.e. they believe in only one God and do not associate partners with Allah (swt).

It says:

"Among them (Jews and the Christians) are believers but most of them are defiantly disobedient."

[The Holy Quran Surah Ali Imran 3:110]

Conclusion:

Therefore, according to common Islamic sense and basic comprehension as Muslims, we can deduce from the above information that Muslim men are permitted to marry only those women from the People of the Book (i.e. the Jews and the Christians) who are chaste as well as who do not commit shirk i.e. those who do not believe in trinity and Jesus’ (pbuh) divinity. And Allah Knows the Best.

Islamic Banking - A force to reckon with!

2007-05-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

Introduction:

Islamic banks appeared on the world scene as active players over two decades ago. But "many of the principles upon which Islamic banking is based have been commonly accepted all over the world, for centuries rather than decades"..

The basic principle of Islamic banking is the prohibition of Riba- (Usury - or interest):

While a basic tenant of Islamic banking - the outlawing of riba, a term that encompasses not only the concept of usury, but also that of interest - has seldom been recognised as applicable beyond the Islamic world, many of its guiding principles have. The majority of these principles are based on simple morality and common sense, which form the bases of many religions, including Islam.

The universal nature of these principles is immediately apparent even at a cursory glance of non-Muslim literature.

Usury was prohibited in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, while Shakespeare and many other writers, particularly those writing in the 19th century, have attacked the barbarity of the practice.

Much of the morality championed by Victorian writers such as Dickens - ranging from the equitable distribution of wealth through to man's fundamental right to work - is clearly present in modern Islamic society.

Significance

Although the western media frequently suggest that Islamic banking in its present form is a recent phenomenon, in fact, the basic practices and principles date back to the early part of the seventh century.

(Islamic Finance: A EuroMoney Publication, 1997)

It is evident that Islamic finance was practiced predominantly in the Muslim world throughout the Middle Ages, fostering trade and business activities. In Spain and the Mediterranean and Baltic States, Islamic merchants became indispensable middlemen for trading activities. It is claimed that many concepts, techniques, and instruments of Islamic finance were later adopted by European financiers and businessmen.
_______________________________________________________________

The revival of Islamic banking coincided with the world-wide celebration of the advent of the 15th Century of Islamic calendar (Hijra) in 1976. At the same time financial resources of Muslims particularly those of the oil producing countries, received a boost due to rationalization of the oil prices, which had hitherto been under the control of foreign oil Corporations. These events led Muslims' to strive to model their lives in accordance with the ethics and philosophy of Islam.

Disenchantment with the value neutral capitalist and socialist financial systems led not only Muslims but also others to look for ethical values in their financial dealings and in the West some financial organizations have opted for ethical operations.

Islam not only prohibits dealing in interest but also in liquor, pork, gambling, pornography and anything else, which the Shariah (Islamic Law) deems Haram (unlawful).

Salient Features:

Islamic banking is an instrument for the development of an Islamic economic order. Some of the salient features of this order may be summed up as:

1.
While permitting the individual the right to seek his economic well-being, Islam makes a clear distinction between what is Halal (lawful) and what is haram (forbidden) in pursuit of such economic activity. In broad terms, Islam forbids all forms of economic activity, which are morally or socially injurious.

2.
While acknowledging the individual's right to ownership of wealth legitimately acquired, Islam makes it obligatory on the individual to spend his wealth judiciously and not to hoard it, keep it idle or to squander it.

3.
While allowing an individual to retain any surplus wealth, Islam seeks to reduce the margin of the surplus for the well-being of the community as a whole, in particular the destitute and deprived sections of society by participation in the process of Zakat.

4.
While making allowance for the ways of human nature and yet not yielding to the consequences of its worst propensities, Islam seeks to prevent the accumulation of wealth in a few hands to the detriment of society as a whole, by its laws of inheritance.

5.
Viewed as a whole, the economic system envisaged by Islam aims at social justice without inhibiting individual enterprise beyond the point where it becomes not only collectively injurious but also individually self-destructive.

Summary

The Islamic financial system employs the concept of participation in the enterprise, utilizing the funds at risk on a profit-and- loss-sharing basis. This by no means implies that investments with financial institutions are necessarily speculative. This can be excluded by careful investment policy, diversification of risk and prudent management by Islamic financial institutions.

It is possible, that investment in Islamic financial institutions can provide potential profit in proportion to the risk assumed to satisfy the differing demands of participants in the contemporary environment and within the guidelines of the Shariah.

The concept of profit-and-loss sharing, as a basis of financial transactions is a progressive one as it distinguishes good performance from the bad and the mediocre. This concept therefore encourages better resource management.

Islamic banks are structured to retain a clearly differentiated status between shareholders' capital and clients' deposits in order to ensure correct profit-sharing according to Islamic Law.

Status Of Islamic Banking

When the concept of Islamic banking with its ethical values was propagated, financial circles the world over treated it as a Utopian dream. Having lived for centuries under the valueless capitalist economic system, they asked what ethics had to do with finance?

Attitudes are changing gradually and in the last few years' value neutral conventional banking has begun to trouble the conscience of an increasing number of people.

There is a reluctance to hand over the funds to banks and financial institutions that invest in companies engaged in unethical and socially harmful activities. The emerging Islamic banking scene has succeeded in achieving general acceptance.

Today, Islamic banking is estimated to be managing funds to the tune of US$ 200 billion. Its clientèle are not confined to Muslim countries but are spread over Europe, United States of America and the Far East.

Growth

Islamic banking continues to grow at a rapid pace because of its value-orientated ethos that enables it to draw finances from both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Islamic bankers, keeping pace with sophisticated techniques and latest developments have evolved investment instruments that are not only profitable but are also ethically motivated.

Today, more than two hundred and fifty Islamic financial institutions are operating world-wide.

List of countries where Islamic Banks are functioning

Albania, Algeria, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, North Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gambia, Germany, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, The Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharja), United Kingdom, United States, Yemen.

Islamic Equity Funds

Today, more than 250 Islamic banks are operating from China to USA, managing funds to the tune of 200 billion USD.

Western banks, through their Islamic Units in U.K, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, etc. also practice Islamic banking.

Besides, Islamic funds have found a flourishing market in USA and Europe.

Islamic investment equity funds market is one of the fastest growing sectors within the Islamic financial system. Currently there are approximately 100 Islamic equity funds worldwide. The total assets managed through these funds currently exceed US$5 billion and is growing by 12-15% per annum.

With the continuous interest in the Islamic financial system, there are positive signs that more funds will be launched. Some western majors have just joined the fray or are thinking of launching similar Islamic equity products.

Despite these successes, this market has seen a record of poor marketing as emphasis is on products and not on addressing the needs of investors. Over the last few years, quite a number of funds have closed down.

Most of the funds tend to target high net worth individuals and corporate institutions, minimum investments ranging from US$50,000 to as high as US$1,000,000.

Target markets for Islamic funds vary, some cater for their local markets e.g Malaysia and Gulf based investment funds. Others clearly target the Middle East and Gulf regions, neglecting local markets and have been accused of failing to serve Muslim communities.

Since the launch of Islamic equity funds in the early 90's, we have seen the establishment of credible equity benchmarks by Dow Jones Islamic market index and the FTSE Global Islamic Index Series. The website www.failaka.com monitors the performance of Islamic equity funds and provide a comprehensive list of the Islamic funds worldwide.

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2007-04-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Is There a God?

Consider this : An archaeologist digs deep into the desert sand and finds a piece of an old clay pot. After his investigations, this archaeologist can tell us, from this little old piece of dusty clay, so much about the civilization that existed thousands of years ago that produced it; he can tell us about the types of ovens, temperatures, and dyes that they worked with, the raw materials that they used, and thus assess the level of their artistic skill and technological ability, etc. All this from a small piece of clay lying in the desert.
Did this archaeologist ever see the civilization that produced this pot ?
How does he know that it ever existed ?
He knows because he saw that the piece of clay was produced by someone who designed it, and shaped it, and had the intelligence to be able to heat it and produce the pot, and not only that, they also had the ability to colour it and make it look beautiful.

Design ==> Designer.
To the archaeologist the existence and intricacy of the piece of pottery is conclusive proof of the existence, intelligence and ability of the people who made it.
Look around you: at the beautiful sunset on a summer evening, at the moon and the stars on a cloudless night, at the water that you drink, at the trees and how they grow from tiny seeds.
Think about yourself: your eyes with which you see, your ears with which you hear, your tongues with which you taste and talk, your hands and your feet, your heart and your brain.
Consider how these things are so complex in themselves and yet work together in such perfect harmony.
From the movement of the galaxies to the complexities of the interaction of molecules, from the dynamics of eco-systems to the intricacies of DNA, all lead to the obvious fact of the existence of the great Wisdom, Knowledge and Power that allows our Universe to exist and function.
To any perceptive person the existence and intricacy of creation is conclusive proof of the Existence, Knowledge and Wisdom of the One who creates, organizes and sustains it.
Most people naturally recognize the existence of the Creator, and we find reference to the Creator in all cultures and religions. Even the atheists, communists and (disbelieving) scientists cannot avoid this reality, but avoid the term 'creator', for phrases like 'Mother Nature' and 'the amazing way nature has designed...'
How strange in the face of this, that many today reject the belief in the existence of the Creator. Perhaps this is due more to fashion and the desire to justify a materialistic attitude to life rather than real observation and comprehension of reality.
Something stranger still, and perhaps another reason for the trend to deny the Creator, are those who claim that a man, or men, who walked on the earth, breathed air, who had bodies and souls subject to the Laws of the Universe, are the Creator, or manifestations of the Self-Subsistent One.

This is of course a complete contradiction in terms. Something cannot be the Creator and created at the same time, needing air, food and drink and being self-sufficient, being temporary and eternal!
If you are one of those who believe that a man such as Buddha, or Krishna, or Jesus is the Creator and Controller, then think again.
We were created from a drop of despised fluid, in which was a microscopic sperm, which in turn fertilised a microscopic egg and we grew in our mother's womb in stages predetermined, over which we had no control. We came from our mother's womb, urinating and defecating, needing constant attention and care. Without food we will die, without air we will die ... and then such a one is God?
Indeed any intelligent person would recognize exactly how dependent life, the universe and everything is on its Creator. Our dire need for His help makes itself plain in times of great distress.
Imagine yourself in an aircraft and you know it is going to crash...
Who do you turn to for help then ?
Or on a ship in the sea, thrown helplessly up and down by towering waves ...
There will have been a situation at one time or the other in your life when you called upon your Creator alone, forgetting everyone and everything else, hoping, trusting, wishing that the Being you know in your heart and soul that has power and control over all things would help you. The only One you know can save you!

O creature of God, contemplate upon these verses:
" Behold! In the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; In the alternation of the night and day; In the sailing of the ships through the Oceans for the profit of mankind; In the rain which God sends down from the skies, and the life that He therewith to an earth that is dead; In the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the Earth; In the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth -Indeed these are signs for a people that are wise." [The Qur'aan 2:164]
"It is He who has made the sun a shining glory and the moon a light of beauty and has measured out their stages, that you might know the number of years and their reckoning.Allah did not create this but in Truth. He explains His signs in detail for people who understand.[The Qur'aan 10:5]
"He has created the heavens and the earth with Truth. Far is He above having the partners that they ascribe to him. He has created mankind from a sperm drop; and behold this (same) man becomes anopen disputer! And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them is warmth (warm clothing) and numerous benefits, and of them you eat." [The Qur'aan 16:3-5]
"Blessed be He who sent down the Criterion to His servant that it may be an admonition to all creatures. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; no son has he begotten, nor has He any partner in His dominion; It is He who created all things and gave them their due proportions.Yet they have taken besides Him gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor do they control life nor death nor Resurrection."[The Qur'aan 25:1-3]
"Were they created by nothing or did they create themselves? Or did they create the heavens and the earth ? No, they have no firm belief."[The Qur'aan 52:36]
"He it is who enables you to travel through land and sea, until, when you are in the ships and they sail with a favourable wind and you are glad about that. Then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to you from all sides and when you think that you are encircled by them, you call upon God making your faith pure for Him alone saying :'If You deliver us from this we shall truly be grateful.' But when He delivers you, behold! you rebel in the earth wrongfully. O mankind, your rebellion against God is only against your own selves - a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then in the end unto Us is your return We shall inform you of that which you used to do." [The Qur'aan 10:22-23]

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---- Islam Vs Communism ---- [ Are they Compatible? ]

2007-04-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Intro:

Islam is a universal religion which is embraced by one quarter of the population of the world. In fact the followers of Islam are spread all over the world from the Far East to the Far West.

Many thinkers in the world who studied Islam carefully believe that Islam is a natural barrier against communism

Principles of communism

The main principles on which communism is founded are:

1. — The Denial of the existence of God.

2. — Life is absolutely materialistic and has no spiritual background.

3. — Abolition of private ownership.

4. — Nationalization of all resources and its control by the State.

5. — Replacing the inland trade by rationing cards.

6. — The adoption of Lenin’s theory of wages which says:

"Form everyone according to his ability to everyone according to his needs."

In light of Islam

Hence, It is thus clearly shown that the idea of communism is based on a purely materialistic basis.

According to communism the whole universe has no supreme power behind it. It has no God who created it.

The denial of the existence of God is a common belief for all communists. All the Russian pioneers to the space denied the existence of God.

Karl Marx as one of the founders of communism declared that there is no God and that the message of communism is to abolish religions.

Hence, as Muslims who believe in God Almighty, we can clearly see that by the denial of the existence of God, communism contradicts and ignores real morals and spiritual values and kills the incentive in man to evaluate and respect all non-materialistic ideas.

It thus makes man nothing but a tool in a big factory and kills the humane side in him!

Thus we see that communism is based almost and foremost on a very false assumption, namely, that man is nothing but a body without a soul.

In so doing communism is defeating its own aim and is anti-nature itself.

Islam does NOT support anything that is "anti-nature"

Man is composed of a body and. a soul and any regime who ignores anyone of those two sides of man is apt to fall. Human beings can never tolerate to be treated as animals, nay, but as tools in a big factory!

Hence, In this respect, we find that communism is quite alien to Islam, which is based on a belief in one Almighty God Who created. both our eternal souls and mortal bodies. Islam as such caters for both the soul and the body.

In fact, according to Islam, we are humans due to our souls rather than to our bodies! Correct?

So, the essence of life for a Muslim is his strong belief in God, the Most Merciful the Most Beneficent. He is the Lord of the worlds and the Creator of the universe, to Him everything belongs and unto Him everything ends.

It is beyond communists to appreciate the great effect of the belief in God on human souls. Even to the present day after these long years of spreading communistic principles in Russia, the communists were unable to extinguish completely the instinct of belief in God among all the Russians.

Moreover, in communism this world is the ultimate goal of every communist. All his deeds end by his death.

He is only responsible to the human authorities and is governed by human laws.

The Muslim, on the other hand, like I said: believes that this world is only a beginning to an eternal life. To him it is like a farm for the other world and he is going to reap in the other x world what he cultivated in this world. His incentive to behave properly and act correctly and to be noble in all his deeds is not due to the human laws as much as it is due to the fear of God and the great hope to lead a peaceful and decent life in this world an in the hereafter.

Like I said, that is a big reason for Islam to reject communism or any such systems because it goes against the religious doctrine God Almighty has ordained us with and also goes against the very values of human society, weakens the very fabric of human justice and so on....who better knows whats good for us and whats bad for us as human beings than God Almighty?

Thus we see that the motive to act properly in Islam is within the human being himself. For this reason the individual in Islam is more conscientious and his behavior is governed by more eternal, continuous and spiritual values.

From the above mentioned facts we see how Islam stands clear from communism and would lead, to bring up more humane individuals!

Now tell me, isn't that more important, constructive and "JUST" to this world and the wonderful human beings that inhabit it, rather than creating superpowers that bring nothing but threat and harm?

In fact a true Muslim is not only a good citizen of his own country but also a good citizen of the whole world. To him the human society at large is nothing but a great international family of the whole universe as im sure you know!

Moreover, taking an even closer look at all this, we'll see tht Communism is quite contradictory to Islam because in the Islamic society there is no room for any other "ism" may it be communism, Nazism or Fascism.

Any system of these various systems of government can never thrive under the rule of Islam, as it is in great conflict with its principles. The reason for this conflict is not far to seek.

According to Islam all the Islamic laws derive their existence and power from the wisdom of the Creator of the whole universe. In the meantime the communistic laws derive their existence from those fallible creatures who worked them and thought them over!

The 5 "Heart Corrupters" and their Effects

2007-04-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

* The 5 Heart Corrupters *

The Five Heart Corrupters are :

1. Excessive socializing

2. Wishful thinking

3. Attachment to others besides Allah (swt)

4. Excessive eating till the stomach is full

5. Excessive Sleep

These five factors are the greatest corrupters of the heart. In this article we shall look at the effects that are common to all of them as well as those effects that are unique to each of them!* The 5 Heart Corrupters *

Written by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Madaarij as-Saalikeen, vol. 1, pp. 443-9

The Five Heart Corrupters are :

1. Excessive socializing

2. Wishful thinking

3. Attachment to others besides Allah (swt)

4. Excessive eating till the stomach is full

5. Excessive Sleep

These five factors are the greatest corrupters of the heart. In this article we shall look at the effects that are common to all of them as well as those effects that are unique to each of them!

1st Corrupter : "Excessive Socializing"

The effect of frequent socializing is that it fills the heart with the smoke of anfaas of humans until it becomes black, causing it to be scattered, torn apart, worried, upset, and weak. It causes it to carry what it is unable to from mu’nat evil companions and waste what is beneficial for it, by becoming too preoccupied with evil companions and their matters to attend to what is beneficial. (The heart instead is busy with) scattered thoughts in the valleys of their requests and wishes. So what remains of it for Allaah and the life to come?

How many adversities has mixing with people brought and how many blessings has it repelled? [How many] trials has it caused and opportunities disabled, raziyyah caused to fall in baliyyah. Is aafah the downfall of people caused by other than people? Did Aboo Taalib at the time of his death have anything more harmful to himself than evil companions? They remained with him until they blocked him from the one statement that would have guaranteed him eternal pleasure.

This socializing based on love in this world, the fulfillment of desires from others, will change into enmity when the realities become manifest, and some of those who socialized will bite their hands in regret as the Almighty said:

"On the Day when the sinner will bite his hands saying: If only I had taken a way to the Messenger. Woe to me, if only I hadn’t taken so-and-so as a close friend. He misguided me from the Remembrance after it came to me.’ And Satan is forever a deserter of humans in their time of need" (Soorah al-Furqaan, 25: 27-9)

He also said:

"Close friends on that Day will be foes of each other except the God-fearing" (Soorah az-Zukhruf, 43: 67)

Allah (swt) also says in the glorious Quran:

" Indeed what you have taken besides Allaah is only idols. Love between you is only in this world, but on the Day of Resurrection you will disown each other and curse each other and your abode will be the fire and you will have no helpers. (Soorah al-‘Ankaboot, 29: 25)

The useful defining principle in the matter of socializing is that one should mix with people in [acts of] goodness like Jumu‘ah, the ‘Eeds, Hajj, learning knowledge, Jihaad, giving advice; and avoid them in [acts of] evil, as well as unnecessary permissible things. If necessity requires mixing with them in evil and avoiding them is not possible, then beware, beware of agreeing with them. And be patient with their harm, for they must harm him if he does not have power or a helper. However, it is harm followed by honor and love for him, respect and praise for him from them, the believers, and from the Lord of the worlds.

Thus, patience with their harm is a better ending and a more praiseworthy conclusion. If necessity requires mixing with them in unnecessary permissible things, he should strive to transform the gathering into one of obedience to Allaah if it is possible, he should encourage himself and strengthen his heart, and not pay attention to the satanic whisper of discouragement which will prevent him from that, that this is riyaa showing off, a love of displaying one’s knowledge and state, etc., he should fight it and seek help from Almighty Allaah and try to affect them as positively as he can.

The 2nd Heart Corrupter: "Wishful Thinking"

Riding the Sea of Wishes

It is a sea without shores. It is the sea ridden by the bankrupt of the world. It is said: Wishes are the capital of the bankrupt, and its travel provisions are the promises of Satan, and impossible imaginations and falsehood.

The wealth of false wishes and false imaginations continue to play with one who rides them the way that dogs play with a jeefah corpse. They are the supplies of every maheenah disgraced, khaseesah humiliated, low soul, having no conviction to achieve external realities.

So it i‘taadat turned away from them with mental wishes. And everyone has it according to his state: From a wisher for power and authority, or travel and international travel, or wealth and valuables, or women and mardaan, The wisher imagines an image of what he desires in his mind, and he succeeds in creating it and takes pleasure in capturing it. While he is in this state he suddenly awakes to find his hand and al-haseer.

The one who has lofty/high conviction himmah his hopes pivot around knowledge and faith and deeds which will bring him closer to his Lord, and yudeenuhu min jiwaarih. These wishes are faith, light and wisdom, while the wishes of those are deception and delusion.

The Prophet Muhammad (Saws) praised the one who wishes for good, and made his reward in some things similar to that of the one who actually does it, like the one who says: If I had money I would do as so-and-so does who fears his Lord regarding his wealth, strengthening family ties with it, and extracts from it what is required.

He said: “Regarding reward, they are equal.”

The Prophet (saws) wished in the Farewell Pilgrimage that he was doing Hajj Tamattu‘ and khalla and that he did not take a sacrificial animal with him, as he was doing Hajj Qiraan.

So Allah gave him the reward of Qiraan which he did and the reward of Tamattu‘ which he wished for and combined for him both rewards.

3rd Corrupter: "Attachment to Other Than Allah"

This is the absolute worst of the corrupters. There is none more harmful than attachment to other than Allaah, nor more able to cut the heart off from Allaah, and block it from what is beneficial to it and what will bring it true happiness. If a heart becomes attached to other than Allaah, Allaah makes him dependent on what he is attached to and he will be betrayed by it and he will not achieve what he was seeking from Allaah as long as he is attached to other than Allaah and turning to others besides Him. Thus, he will not obtain what he sought from Allaah nor will what he was attached to besides Allaah bring it for him

"And they have taken gods besides Allaah that they might give them honor, power and glory. No. But they will deny their worship of them and become opponents to them" (Soorah Maryam, 19: 81-2)

"And they have taken besides Allaah gods hoping that they might be helped. They cannot help them but they will be brought forward as a troop against them" (Soorah Yaaseen, 36: 74-5)

The person most betrayed is the one who is attached to other than Allaah.

For what he missed of benefits, happiness and success is far greater that what he obtained from those to whom he was attached, and it is exposed to disappearance and loss. The example of one attached to other than Allaah is like one seeking shade from the heat and cold in a spider’s web (home), the weakest wahn of homes.

In general, the basis of idolatry and the foundation on which it is built is: Attachment to other than Allaah, and for the one who does so there is condemnation and betrayal, as stated by the Almighty:

"Do not set up with Allaah any other god or you will sit down reproved and forsaken" (Soorah al-Israa, 17: 22)

“Reproved” without anyone to praise you, “forsaken” without anyone to help you. As some people may be forced while being praised, like one is forced by falsehood, and he could be forsaken while being helped [by Allaah], like one forced and falsehood has gained the upper hand over him, and he could be praised and supported like one becomes established and gains dominion by way of the truth. The idolater attached to other than Allaah, his is the vilest category, neither praised nor supported.

The 4th Corrupter: "Excessive FOOD"

The corrupter of the heart is of two types:

One of them is that which corrupts it by itself like the forbidden which are two types:

* Forbidden relative to Allaah like carcasses, blood, pork, wild animals that kill with the canine tooth [6]and birds that kill with claws.

* Forbidden relative to Allaah’s slaves, like stolen, maghsoob, kidnapped, and what is taken without the permission of the owner either by force or by shame and blame.

The second is what corrupts as a result of its quantity and its exceeding limits, like wasting permissible things, excessive filling of the stomach, for it makes acts of obedience burdensome and it preoccupies the heart with muzaawalat mu’nat al-batnah chasing after belly desires and trying for it until it captures it. If it captures zafara it he becomes preoccupied with muzaawalat following its tasarruf activities and protecting the self from its harm, and being hurt by its weight, and it strengthens the elements of desire. It paves paths for Satan and expands them, for he moves among humans in the veins. Fasting narrows its passages and closes his paths and filling the stomach paves paths and widens them. Whoever eats a lot, drinks a lot, sleeps a lot and loses a lot.

In the famous Hadeeth, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) has said:

"No human fills a container worse than his stomach. Two small portions of food to straighten his backbone are sufficient. If he must [eat more], then let it be a third for food, a third for drink and a third for breathing" ( Sahih Muslim )

Example of Yahya (A.S)

It is said that [on one occasion] Iblees – may Allaah curse him – met Yahyaa, son of Zakariyyaa – peace be upon them – and Yahyaa asked him: “Did you take anything from me”

He replied: “No, except one night when food was presented to you, I made it so desirable to you that you ate your fill and you went sleep without making your regular supplications.”

Yahyaa said: “I swear by Allaah that I will never eat my fill again.” Iblees then said: “As for me, I swear by Allaah that I will never advise another human again.”

The 5th Corrupter: "Excessive Sleep"

Excessive sleep is a barbaric heart corrupter! It deadens the heart, makes the body heavy, wastes time, and gives birth to a lot of negligence and laziness.

Some [types] of sleep are extremely disliked, and some are harmful to the body. The best form of sleep is what takes place when there exists a strong need for it. Sleep at the beginning of the night is more praiseworthy and beneficial than at the end of the night, and sleep in the middle of the day is better than at its beginning and end Tarafayhi. The closer sleep is to the beginning and ending of the day the less the benefit and the more the harm. [This is] especially the case for sleeping in the after noon (‘Asr) and sleeping at the beginning of the day, except for one who stayed awake all night.

And among the disliked aspects, according to the scholars, is sleep between Salaatul-Fajr and sunrise, for it is a time of special reward.

For that time escape, among the saalikeen (travellers), is a great loss maziyyah. Even if they traveled all night they would not allow sitting down from the journey sayr at that time until sunrise, because it is the beginning of the day and its key. [It is] the time for provisions to be sent down [and distributed], the time for obtaining portions and the descent of blessings, and from it the day is established. The ruling regarding the whole day is [based on] the ruling regarding that portion.

One should only sleep at that time if one is forced.

Hence, In general, the most balanced/moderate (a‘dal) and beneficial form of sleep, is sleep during the first portion of the night and the last sixth of the night. According to medical practitioners, the length of the most balanced form of sleep should be eight hours. In their view, more [sleep] than that or less than that will cause deviation in one’s natural disposition according to it bihasabihi.

Among the forms of sleep that are not beneficial also, is sleep in the first part of the night shortly after sunset until fahmatul-‘ishaa the darkness of ‘Ishaa goes.

The Messenger of Allaah (saw) used to dislike it. So it is disliked according to the Sharee‘ah and naturally.

As excessive sleep causes these defects aafaat, putting aside sleep and abandoning it causes other major defects like bad temperament, yabsihi dry personality and a warped disposition, as well as drying up of the humors which aid in understanding and work, and it leads to illnesses mutlifah which will prevent one afflicted from benefiting either with his heart or body.

Conclusion:

Therefore dear brothers and sisters, we as Muslims must realize, recognize and rectify ourselves to believing that the very Existence of the world was established on the basis of justice (‘Adl), so whoever adheres to moderation has grabbed his portion of the confluence of good.

The 5 Heart Corrupters are a struggle we must face and conquer with flying colors, within our own existences! It is the greatest victory a Muslim can attain within himself.

Afterall, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) himself made clear the importance of eradicating a corrupt heart by making it pretty concise in saying :

" Indeed, there is in the body a morsel of flesh, if it is sound and wholesome, then the whole body will be sound and wholesome and if it is corrupt, the whole body will be corrupt. Indeed it is the heart."

[Sahih Bukhari and Sahi Muslim ]

May Allah (swt) guide us all to the correct path, May Allah (swt) bless our lives, our sheer existences, the depths of our hearts, the core of our souls and may he protect the very boundaries and our minds with the truth, glory, beauty and compassion of his remembrance and may we all live, sacrifice and die for Allah (swt) for that is what being a "Muslim" is about -- "Submission to the will of Allah (swt)"!

Ameen!

Allahu Akbar

* Islam and Human Rights *

2007-04-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Raheem

"In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful".

Asalam Alaikum!

In the following posts we shall look at the central and most profound importance Islam gives to Human Rights in every form, level and shape!

May Allah (swt) guide us all! Ameen

Human Rights and their Importance In Islam

Since God is the absolute and the sole master of men and the universe, He is the sovereign Lord, the Sustainer and Nourisher, the Merciful, Whose mercy enshrines all beings; and since He has given each man human dignity and honor, and breathed into him of His own spirit, it follows that, united in Him and through Him, and apart from their other human attributes, men are substantially the same and no tangible and actual distinction can be made among them, on account of their accidental differences such as nationality, color or race.

Every human being is thereby related to all others and all become one community of brotherhood in their honorable and pleasant servitude to the most compassionate Lord of the Universe. In such a heavenly atmosphere the Islamic confession of the oneness of God stands dominant and central, and necessarily entails the concept of the oneness of humanity and the brotherhood of mankind!

Islam the Torchbearer for Human Rights

Although an Islamic state may be set up in any part of the earth, Islam does not seek to restrict human rights or privileges to the geographical limits of its own state. Islam has laid down some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances whether such a person is resident within the territory of the Islamic state or outside it, whether he is at peace or at war. The Quran very clearly states:

"O believers, be you securers of justice, witness for God. Let not detestation for a people move you not to be equitable; be equitable - that is nearer to God-fearing." [ Quran 5:8 ]

Human blood is sacred in any case and cannot be spilled without justification. And if anyone violates this sanctity of human blood by killing a soul without justification, the Quran equates it to the killing of entire mankind.

"...Whoso slays a soul not to retaliate for a soul slain, nor for corruption done in the land, should be as if he had slain mankind altogether." (5:32)

It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the sick or the wounded. Women's honor and chastity are to be respected under all circumstances. The hungry person must be fed, the naked clothed and the wounded or diseased treated medically irrespective of whether they belong to the Islamic community or are from among its enemies.

Concept of Human Rights In Islam

When we speak of human rights in Islam we really mean that these rights have been granted by God; they have not been granted by any king or by any legislative assembly. The rights granted by the kings or the legislative assemblies, can also be withdrawn in the same manner in which they are conferred. The same is the case with the rights accepted and recognized by the dictators. They can confer them when they please and withdraw them when they wish; and they can openly violate them when they like!

But since in Islam human rights have been conferred by God, no legislative assembly in the world or any government on earth has the right or authority to make any amendment or change in the rights conferred by God. No one has the right to abrogate them or withdraw them. Nor are they basic human rights which are conferred on paper for the sake of show and exhibition and denied in actual life when the show is over. Nor are they like philosophical concepts which have no sanctions behind them.

The charter and the proclamations and the resolutions of the United Nations cannot be compared with the rights sanctioned by God; because the former are not applicable on anybody while the latter are applicable on every believer. They are a part and parcel of the Islamic Faith. Every Muslim or administrator who claims himself to be Muslim, will have to accept, recognize and enforce them. If they fail to enforce them, and start denying the rights that have been guaranteed by God or make amendments and changes in them, or practically violate them while paying lip service to them, the verdict of the Holy Quran for such government is clear and unequivocal:

"Those who do not judge by what God has sent down are the disbelievers." [ Quran 5:44 ]

---- * Human Rights In An Islamic State * ----

1. The Security Of Life And Property:

In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, he said: "Your lives and properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection." The Prophet has also said about the dhimmis (the non-Muslim citizens of the Muslim state): "One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."

2. The Protection Of Honor:

The Holy Quran lays down:

* "You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set."
* "Do not defame one another."
* "Do not insult by using nicknames."
* "Do not backbite or speak ill of one another."
(49:11-12)

3. Sanctity And Security Of Private Life:

The Quran has laid down the injunction:

* "Do not spy on one another." (49:12)

* "Do not enter any houses unless you are sure of their occupant's consent." (24:27)

4. The Security Of Personal Freedom:

Islam has laid down the principle that no citizen can be imprisoned unless his guilt has been proven in an open court. To arrest a man only on the basis of suspicion and to throw him into a prison without proper court proceedings and without providing him a reasonable opportunity to produce his defense is not permissible in Islam.

5. The Right To Protest Against Tyranny:

Among the rights that Islam has conferred on human beings is the right to protest against government's tyranny. Referring to it the Quran says:

"God does not love evil talk in public unless it is by someone who has been injured thereby." (4:148)

In Islam, as has been argued earlier, all power and authority belong to God, and with man there is only delegated power which becomes a trust; everyone who becomes a recipient of such a power has to stand in awful reverence before his people toward whom and for whose sake he will be called upon to use these powers.

This was acknowledged by Hazrat Abu Bakr who said in his very first address: "Cooperate with me when I am right but correct me when I commit error; obey me so long as I follow the commandments of Allah and His Prophet; but turn away from me when I deviate."

6. Freedom Of Expression:

Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all citizens of the Islamic state on the condition that it should be used for the propagation of virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness. The Islamic concept of freedom of expression is much superior to the concept prevalent in the West. Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil and wickedness to be propagated.

It also does not give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive language in the name of criticism. It was the practice of the Muslims to inquire from the Holy Prophet whether on a certain matter a divine injunction had been revealed to him. If he said that he had received no divine injunction, the Muslims freely expressed their opinion on the matter.

7. Freedom Of Association:

Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of parties or organizations. This right is also subject to certain general rules.

8. Freedom Of Conscience And Conviction:

Islam has laid down the injunction:

"There should be no coercion in the matter of faith." (2:256)

On the contrary, totalitarian societies totally deprive the individuals of their freedom. Indeed, this undue exaltation of the state authority curiously enough postulates a sort of servitude, of slavishness on the part of man. At one time slavery meant total control of man over man - now that type of slavery has been legally abolished but in its place totalitarian societies impose a similar sort of control over individuals.

9. Protection Of Religious Sentiments:

Along with the freedom of conviction and freedom of conscience, Islam has given the right to the individual that his religious sentiments will be given due respect and nothing will be said or done which may encroach upon his right.

10. Protection From Arbitrary Imprisonment:

Islam also recognizes the right of the individual not to be arrested or imprisoned for the offenses of others. The Holy Quran has laid down this principle clearly:

"No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the burden of another." (35:18)

11. The Right To Basic Necessities of Life:

Islam has recognized the right of the needy people for help and assistance to be provided to them:

"And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute." (51:19)

12. Equality Before Law:

Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete equality in the eyes of the law.

13. Rulers Not Above The Law:

A woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with theft. The case was brought to the Prophet, and it was recommended that she might be spared the punishment of theft.

The Prophet (saws) replied: "The nations that lived before you were destroyed by God because they punished the common man for their offenses and let their dignitaries go unpunished for their crimes; I swear by Him Who holds my life in His hand that even if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, had committed this crime, I would have amputated her hand."

14. The Right To Participate In The Affairs Of State:

"And their business is (conducted) through consultation among themselves." (42:38)

The "Shura" or the legislative assembly has no other meaning except that the executive head of the government and the members of the assembly should be elected by free and independent choice of the people.

Lastly, it is to be made clear that Islam tries to achieve the above mentioned human rights and many others not only by providing certain legal safeguards but mainly by inviting mankind to transcend the lower level of animal life to be able to go beyond the mere ties fostered by the kinship of blood, racial superiority, linguistic arrogance, and economic privileges. It invites mankind to move on to a plane of existence where, by reason of his inner excellence, man can realize the ideal of the Brotherhood of man.

My Final Words and Conclusion :

-- Conclusion --

Islam is by the grace of Allah Almighty, the very fabric of society that if implemented, practiced and legislated in the right way, is a blessing to Humanity in more ways than one.

Violation of Human Rights, is one of the most profoundly obliterated atrocities committed today in the world.

Islam stands against this barbaric and cruel humane treatment and provides "Hope" to the ones oppressed, "Justice" to the ones violated, "Equality" to the ones deprived and most of all a sense of utter and complete "Belonging" to each and every single human being on the face of the earth regardless of religion, race, cast, creed or nationality and social standing.

Islam is a mercy to "All Mankind" in every meaning of the word!

We as Muslims must recognize, realize and proactively stand for these basic human rights and implement them under the banner of Islam as a shining beacon, glorious testament and unequivocal benchmark for human justice, compassion, equality and most of all giving "Hope" to each and every deprived and oppressed human being on earth for a better tomorrow.

Because, a True Muslim is he who submits to the will of Allah Almighty, which automatically makes him a true "Human Being" in every meaning of the word as well. Hence, being a true human being, it is our moral, social, religious and most of all "Humane" responsibility and utmost duty to fulfill the very requirements our creator God Almighty requires of us to adhere and fulfill not just for ourselves but for every single human being on the face of the earth as well.

That is what Islam is all about.

That is what "Human Rights" are all about.

And that is what being Me, You and most of all "Us" as Human Beings and Muslims...is all about!

May Allah (swt) guide us to the path of those he cherishes.

Ameen!

Allahu Akbar!

ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ Truth Is A Whisper ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ

ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ The Essence of Prostration ҳ̸Ҳ̸ҳ

Introduction

Overview

Rationale`

Conclusion

-- Zionist crimes in Gaza --

Ashes to ashes

Social responsibility and the Greater good

Ignorance Fiesta

-- "The Butterfly Effect" --

Man's Yearning to Unravel The Secrets of Tomorrow

The Chaos Theory ( The Butterfly Effect)

God transcends Time and Space, whereas the Human Being is bound by them

Chaos and Spiritual Life

The universe in perfect order

Conclusion:

-- The Wanderer --

" In the name of God, the Beneficent and most Merciful "

-- Absolution -- [ A cry of the conscience ]

"The Tolerance Dilemma" -- How much is enough?

- - Never an absolution - -

Islamic Civilization - The Pandora's Box?

- - Colors Of The Wind - -

*-- God's Majestic Grandeur and Captivating Artistry -- *

-- Old Age -- ( Excerpts from a book I'm writing to get published )

What does it mean to be a Pakistani?

Being "Quiet" a bad thing?

-- Omar Khayyam's pearls of wisdom -- My take on them

My 2 Cents On Islamic Scholar - Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Can Muslim Men Marry Christian/Jewish Women?

Islamic Banking - A force to reckon with!

---- Islam Vs Communism ---- [ Are they Compatible? ]

The 5 "Heart Corrupters" and their Effects

*** Islam and Human Rights ***

-- God's Majestic Grandeur and Captivating Artistry --

* Islam and Human Rights *