Islam? Tell me more about it.

2nd part of the speech on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

2011-02-20T01:03:00.000+05:00

“My brothers, you don’t have to be a Wali of Allah to receive the karam[benediction] from Aaqa [صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. Our Aaqa’s [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم] blessings areespecially for the sinners.
Khan of Qallaat was a secular and nonreligious man. At the time of creationof Pakistan, there was rebellion in Qallaat and he was thinking of separatingBaluchistan from the state of Pakistan. At that time was also a time of turmoillike it is today in Pakistan. A few day ago, the grandson of Khan of Qallaatcame on T.V. and when he was asked that at present he wanted freedom, so why hedid not separate from Pakistan at the time of its creation. He answered thatthey did want to separate at that time and his grand father also consultedother people who advised him to separate from Pakistan, but that night hisgrand father had ziyarat-e-nabi [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ], who ordered him notto betray Pakistan and join it. The interviewer asked him that was he sayingthat the province of Baluchistan was a part of Pakistan because of the order ofthe Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. To which, the grandson of Khan ofQallaat replied that this was told to him by his elders.
So you see that even the provinces of this Pakistan are together because ofthe command of the Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. Therefore, in today’sworld, there could be no greater disrespect to the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم] than destroying and annihilating Pakistan, this Pakistan which wascreated due to Faizan-e-nabvi [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم], which is in theshadow of Allah Almighty and which is going to be the epicentre of the MuslimUmmah in the coming days, inshAllah!
Respected Ishfaq Ahmad used to say that Allah has kept this Pakistan like hekept the she-camel of Saleh [AS]; like her, Pakistan is also a miracle, and thefact that it is still standing is a miracle too. Pakistan is one of the signsof Allah Almighty. None of your deeds would be worth any thing if you betraythis Pakistan. All of the good actions of that person will go to waste who isdishonest with this property of Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ], andthat is Pakistan. In the coming days, the burden of the entire Ummah would beupon this Pakistan. The world as a whole is a victim of disintegration. Allahhas made this Pakistan for the protection and honour of Muslim Ummah, that iswhy, He made us an Atomic power. This country was created through miracles andgroups of Auliya [friends of Allah] who came together for its making. At thattime when the ‘Congressi Mullahs’ were giving fatwas against Quaid-e-Azam andPakistan, all the Auliya and Faqirs of Allah were gathering to supportPakistan. In the leadership of Pir Syed Jamat Ali Shah, many Auliya cametogether like Pir of Manki Shareef, Pir of Zakori Shareef and others who backedQuaid-e-Azam in the making of Pakistan.
When people used to ask Pir Jamat Ali Shah, why he was supporting someonewho had obviously British style and looks, he would answer that it did notmatter how he looked; the important thing was that he was doing the work ofAllah and Rasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. He wrote to Quaid-e-Azam andsaid that, “I am one of your soldiers, tell me what to do?” The mureeds[followers] of Pir Sahab asked him why he was saying this to an almost Englishman. He replied that they were unaware of this secret, which was that the Quaidwas working for Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ].
My friends and elders, please understand one thing; in the coming days thisnation and Ummah will be tested. We would have to sacrifice a lot; in order forthe Muslims to rise again and build a state on the model of Rashidun Caliphateand to restore the lost grandeur of Muslim Ummah, the Muslims will be requiredto sacrifice. You would have to sacrifice your children, your families yourresources, your finances and yourselves. Allama Iqbal says in one of his poems,
“I tremble with fear when I say that I am a Muslim
Because I know what is the penalty of saying La ilaha ilallah”.
At the time of the Pledge of Al-Aqabah, Abbas [RA] stopped the Muslims ofMadina and asked them whether they realized the importance of the bayt [pledge]with Mohammad Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. This bayt meant that theywould have to take on the whole world. They would have to forfeit not onlytheir families but also their businesses, trades and crops. They shouldunderstand it clearly that the world would turn on them. Yet, those people werealso blessed with sagacity and insight. They demanded what would they get inturn of this pledge. They were told they would get the Jannah. But those peoplewere not simply zahids [worshipful of Allah]; they were Aashiqs of Rasoolullah[ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. So they asked,
“Ya Syedi, promise us one thing, you will never leave us.”
Jannah was not their desire; they wanted Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ],who replied that he would never leave them and to this day he is with thepeople of Madina. The Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] said that the peopleof Madina are my neighbours so take care of them. That is why, there have beenSultans who did not take any tax from the residents of Madina and used toforgive them for their mistakes. They were gentle with them. This is the spiritof love. When the sahaba [RA] used to meet the Holy Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ], they would address him by saying, “may my mother and father besacrificed for you, Ya Rasoolullah!”
My friends, how can we be of any service to our Aaqa [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم] ? If you confess your love for someone,you send them presents. Once aFaqir was asked how much Zakah did he pay. He asked in return,which Zakah? TheZakah of Fiqh, the Zakah of love or the Zakah of Ishq? The other person wassurprised and asked what did he mean. The Faqir replied that the Zakah of Fiqhis that if you have saved 100 rupees, you give two and half rupees in charity.And the charity of Love is that you keep two and half for yourself anddistribute the ninety seven and half. And the Zakah of Ishq is that youdistribute everything and keep nothing for yourself.
The lovers also treat the matters of Aamaal [good deeds] in the same waythey deal in the matters of money. Those who love Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ] send him the gifts of Darood Shareef. But do you know what theUshaaqs [true lovers] of Nabi [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] do? They say to Allah,
“O my Lord, you deal with all the sins of my life, I depend upon you and Iam sure you will deal with me according to my perception of you. And myperception is this, that your forgiveness is vaster than my sins. O my Lord, Ido not do good deeds for the reward of Paradise, nor do I refrain from badactions due to the fear of Hell. I do what I do in order to get near to theProphet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] and for yourself. With your benediction andmercy, I am sure you will forgive my sins. But I am also sure that my gooddeeds are not enough to bring me closer to Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] and give me the status of prophets, martyrs and siddiqqeens. That iswhy,whatever good deeds I have, I present them as a gift to the Holy Prophet [صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. Now, I neither have sins nor good deeds. All I want isto stay under the benevolence and Ishq and Karam of Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ], and I am happy with what my Aaqa [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] givesme. I am not proud of what I earned nor I am dependent on it. But I present allmy prayers, Hajj, charity and Darood Shareef to the Holy Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ]. I did all these things, O Allah for you and if you accept them,then give them to Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ].”
I know young men who are not more than twenty years of age, who study inuniversities, but do not go to sleep before presenting their good deeds ofevery day to Aaqa Kareem [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. Ishq-e-Rasool [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم] is not any single person’s heritage. Whoever is bestowed withIshq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] is very easy to spot. There are signsall over the person of a true Aashiq of Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] thatare like a fragrant smell. It is not possible that a person is anAshiq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] and heartless at the same time. It isimpossible that a person loves Rasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] and atthe same time has a repulsive visage. It is not possible that you are an Ashiqof Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] and his Faiz is not visible in yourvery existence.
When Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] blesses someone with his faiz andkaram, that in itself becomes a means of attaining Ishq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ]. Never has the universe witnessed a Dervaish, a Wali and a Faqir ofAllah as Allama Iqbal who exquisitely expressed Ishq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ] in his poetry. That is why I tell you again and again to readIqbal. I request you not to waste the Faiz of such a colossal Ashiq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] as Iqbal. No Aalim [Islamic scholar] in history hasever made such a bigger claim as Iqbal. He directly address the Prophet [ صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] and says,
“Ya Syedi, Ya Murshadi, Ya Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ], if I everdid not present your Ishq in my work and have not spread Ishq-e- Rasool throughit and if I have not been faithful to your Ummah, then on the Day of Judgement,punish me by depriving me of your sacred ziyarat and depriving me ofkissing your feet”.
No one in the universe can make such a big claim, unless they have a verystrong spiritual bond with the Prophet [ Judgement], unless they have a firmfaith that Aaqa [Judgement ] will not remove them from his benediction. And totop it, he then stays in the state of constant fear, fear of rejection due tohis sins. This is divinely portrayed in this couplet of Iqbal, which when firstrecited to the people of Hindustan, made them cry uncontrollably and manyfainted with intensity of emotions:
“My Lord you are the Magnificence of the two Worlds
I beseech you to listen to my one request on the Day of the Judgement
If you see that it has become necessary to judge me for my deeds
Judge me please, where Aaqa Kareem [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] cannot see me”
What he meant was that the thought of bringing unhappiness to the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] because of his acts was an unbearable thought for him.When people blamed Iqbal by saying what kind of Aashiq he was who would not goto Madina, he would burst into tears. People did not realise that this was asensitive point for Iqbal. Similarly there is the tale of Mavlana Jami ofPersia,who was a great Aashiq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. He reachedthe city of Makkah and made the intention of going to Madina, but the Governorof Makkah came with his army, reverently kissed his hands and veryrespectfully begged him not to go to Madina. Mavlana Jami started to cry andasked him the reason. The Governor said that he was blessed with theziyarat of Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] the previous night, and heshowed Jami to the Governor of Makkah. He said that one of his great Aashiqswas coming and the Governor should stop him from coming to Madina, as this manwas such a great Aashiq that if he came to Madina, then the Prophet[ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم] would have to defy all the laws of Shariat and answer thegreeting of Mavlana Jami. Therefore that Aashiq should not be let in Madina. Butthe Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] also gave glad tidings for Jami bypromising that from then onwards he would daily meet Jami in his dream. Afterthis Jami was satisfied and went back to Persia where to his dying day he dailyhad the ziyarat of Rasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. It doesn’t matterwhat the people say about Jami because there are some Aashiqs, who if go toMadina, then they never return or the natural laws have to be broken for them.Allama Iqbal was also one such Aashiq. My Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] hadappointed Iqbal in this Pakistan, a place which had to become Madina-e-Sani.
My friends,this is not a small thing.If you translate the word ‘Pak-istan’in Arabic,it means “Madina Tayyiba”. Tayyib means Pak and ‘istan’ means ‘madina’.Therefore don’t consider this Pakistan simply a piece of land. This issomething upon which all our elders have agreed. For instance, MumtazMufti writes in his book “Labbaik”,
“During the war of 1965 between Pakistan and India, the attendants of Masjid-e-Nabvisaw the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] in their dreams hurrying with hissword and sheild in hand and wearing the battle armour. With him, there werethe sahaba [RA] who had participated in the Battle of Badr and Rasoolullah [صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] was ordering them to get ready as they were going toPakistan to fight a war.”
Many such stories can be found in books and newspapers that the Indianfighter pilots witnessed green turbaned men on horses, with swords of lightdefending Pakistan. So do not consider this Pakistan insignificant.
Allah says in the Quran that do not raise your voice above the voice of theProphet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. Raising one’s voice does not mean that oneshould not give Azan there. In the beginning, people took its literal meaning.A sahabi who had naturally high voice said that he would be ruined. ThenProphet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] comforted him and told him that this versewas referring to disrespect and impertinence to the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم]. Even the Mauzin [one who gives the call for prayer] has a loudvoice. Yet, this etiquette was acquired in Masjid-e-Nabvi that to this day noone raises his voice there. Apparent reverence was carried out and its wisdomtoo was understood.
The meaning of not raising one’s voice in front of the Prophet [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم] is that one should not go ahead of him in any regard. Oneshould accept what the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] orders and shouldrefrain from what he stops. If the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] givesbenediction to someone and calls him his soldier, such a person should berespected. If he calls someone to his court, then people should stopcriticizing that person. Those people are doomed who called the Prophet’ssoldier, ‘Kafir-e-Azam’, and so are those who called this ‘Madina-e-Sani’ ofthe Prophet, ‘Kafiristan’. Also those people are doomed who did not vote forPakistan as they considered Quaid-e-Azam a Shia. These wretched people went tothe Quaid and said that they will not vote for him as they thought that he wasa Shia. Then Quaid-e-Azam said, “All right, then vote for Gandhi. May be he isSunni.” Then these accursed people voted for Gandhi.
In today’s world, this Pakistan is a gift for us from Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ]. Do not be disloyal to it. This gift is like the she-camel of Saleh [AS]. It is the Madina-e-Sani of today. This is not only the property ofUmmah but also a dominion of Allah Almighty and is under His great shadow. Donot refrain from sacrificing whatever you can for this Pakistan. Do not askwhat your Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] has given you. The question is whathave you given away for him.
صدیق کے لیے الله اور اس کا رسول بس
The extent of your efforts does not matter. At the time of Battle of Tabuk,when everyone was contributing for the war, Umar [RA] thought that hiscontribution would be more than any one else and brought half of hisbelongings. But when he reached there, he saw that Abu Bakr [RA] had broughteverything that he had. When he was asked what he had left for himself back athome, Abu Bakr Siddiq [RA] replied, “Allah and his Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ]“.
There was another sahabi who started to cry as he had nothing to help theMuslims. He went to a Jew, worked the whole day in his fields and at theend of the day, got only a handful of dates. He brought it to the Prophet [ صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] and said that, that was all he had got. Aaqa [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم] took those dates and spread them on all the contributions byMuslims. Then he said, “Now these dates are more precious then all of the otherthings put together”.
So you should not look at how big or small your contribution for this Deenof Rasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] is. Just keep your intentions pure.Our Aaqa [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] is merciful and benevolent and accepts theendeavours of the destitute. There is only one condition in order to have thereign over both the worlds: be faithful to Mohammad [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم].
کی محمّد سے وفا تو نے تو ہم تیرے ہیں
یہ جہاں چیز ہے کیا لوح و قلم تیرے ہیں
According to Iqbal, a true Momin and Aashiq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ] is not restricted by fate. Allah does for an Aashiq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم ] whatever the Aashiq wants.
کوئی اندازہ کر سکتا ہے اس کے زور بازو کا
نگاہ مرد مومن سے بدل جاتی ہیں تقدیریں
At another place Iqbal says,
تقدیر کے پابند جمتات و نباتات
مومن فقط احکام الہی کا ہے پابند
This man is a free spirit whose Takbeer can be heard in the breadth of theentire universe.
This is the difference between an ordinary Muslim and a Momin. An ordinaryMuslim just fulfills the duty of giving Azaan but a true Momin gives Azaan withthe spirit of Bilal [RA].
My brothers, Allah has blessed us in allowing us to gather here on thisauspicious occasion. You should all promise yourselves that not a single day ofyour life will pass without you consciously presenting your good deeds to theAaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. We only think of Mohammad [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم] as our Prophet, but do not consider him our Murshid [spiritual leader].Through Murshid we get ‘Faiz’ [spiritual enlightenment]. If you love someone,you take Faiz from them and send them gifts too. You can present all your gooddeeds and Darood Shareef to the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] according toyour capacity. Whoever gifts to Rasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم], alwaysgets something in return. My Aaqa never sends any one away empty-handed. MayAllah always be with you. Remember that our biggest heritage is the love andIshq of Aaqa Kareem [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. Our good actions alone can nothelp us unless we have Iman, Ishq and Adab-e-Rasool, therefore never compromiseon them. If there is any shortage of good deeds, Allah Almighty can forgivethat with his magnanimity and benevolence.
Imam Nauvi describes a story of a Bedouin in ‘Kitab -ul-Azkaar’ who came inthe holy presence of Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] after he had apparentlypassed away from this world. He sat there and said,
“Allah says in the Quran that if you have committed a sin, you should go toRasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] because when he will ask for forgivenessfor you, you will find that Allah is all Merciful and Forgiving. That is why,Syedi, I have come to your court as I have sinned. There is no other place togo. Please ask for forgiveness for me.”
Then that Bedouin read a couplet which meant that there is no otherexistence more beautiful in the world then the existence of the person whoresides there. Even to this day, this couplet is written on the net in front ofthe of the Prophet’s [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] grave. When that Bedouin wentaway, a wali who was sitting there watching this whole incident, immediatelyhad the ziyarat of Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] in his dream, whogave the glad tidings for the Bedouin and told the wali to tell the Bedouinthat his attendance at the Prophet’s court was accepted and Allah had forgiven him.
A person should definitely feel ashamed at his sins but should always hopethat as the Ummati of Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]he will be blessedif he presented himself in the Prophet’s [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] courtwith the desired respect and etiquette. A Muslim should always expect that Aaqa[ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] will intercede on his behalf in Allah Almighty’scourt and will exonerate him if he is a true Aashiq. One should always beprepared to sacrifice himself for Syedi Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ].Everything is dependent on intentions; some do good deeds for Jannah, some doit to show the world, some do it because they are afraid of the Hell, but thereare some who do good deeds for the sake of Syedi’s [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]love. Actions are the same; it is the intention that makes a world ofdifference.
May Allah always be your protector and bless you with Ishq-e-Rasool[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. may Allah increase it and protect it, as it is ourreal heritage. It is a heritage that should be dearer to you than life itself.When it comes to Syedi Rasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم], there should beno compromise. There is a a luminous example of Ghazi Ilm Deen Shaheed for us.When the accursed Raj Pal disrespected the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ],the whole Muslim Ummah was stirred, including people like Allama Iqbal andQuaid-e-Azam. Then Ghazi Ilm Deen Shaheed sent that blasphemer to hell, towhich Iqbal famously said that we were all men of words but this son ofBlacksmiths had beaten us all through his great feat. This was the only case ofQuaid-e-Azam that he fought for free. Many people went to Ghazi Ilm DeenShaheed and begged him to say that this murder took place by mistake so thathis life would be spared. But he would not budge. Then they went to AllamaIqbal who wrote a poem praising this Ghazi, in which he said that people likeGhazi Ilm Deen Shaheed want martyrdom so let them have it. But others forcedIqbal to visit him so he went to the jail where Ghazi was kept. As soon asGhazi saw Iqbal, he said, “Iqbal, you too?” Iqbal understood what he meant. Heburst into tears and returned without further uttering a word. Then he wrotehis famous poem which begins:
اں شہیدوں کی دیت اہل کلیسا سے نہ مانگ
قدر و قیمت میں ہے خون جن کا حرم سے بڑھ کر
May Allah be with you and may Allah always shade this Pakistan. May wealways benefit from the company of Auliya and may your Ishq-e-Rasool [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم] always remain. Ameen
In the words of Sultan Bahu,
ایمان سلامت ہر کوئی منگے
عشق سلامت کوئی نا
May Allah keeps your Ishq strong. JazakAllah Khairan Kaseera.
Assalam-o-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wabaraktuhu.

A speech on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by Sir Zaid Hamid

2011-02-20T00:41:00.004+05:00

“Verily ALLAH and his angels recitesalaat on the nabi. O you who believe call for (ALLAH’s) blessings on himand greet him saying peace be upon him.”( AL-AHZAAB -56)

Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa alaAlayhi wa as haabihi wasalam

With the permission of respectedSyed Sahab, dear scholars and brothers Assalmo alaikum wa rahmatullah wabarakatuhu.

When my Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ] especially rewards someone in his ummah, when he wants closeness with anummati [follower], when he decides that an ummati should be with prophets, siddiqeens[truthful people] and martyrs, and when he wants to gift someone, then he givesthat ummati the Ishq for Prophet Mohammad [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم].

My friends, remember one thing, youcannot earn Ishq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. It is an honour bestowedby the court of the Holy Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. It is rewarded tohim who is endlessly obedient and humble in front of the Prophet [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم].

Adab pehla qareena hai mohabaat kayqareeno main.

The disrespectful receive nothing.And remember one thing, there is no criticism or following or Fatwa [rulinggiven by an Islamic scholar] regarding the actions of an Aashiq-e-Rasool [صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ], nor there is any end to the acts of a man who isimmersed in Ishq-e-Rasool [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم].”

[In order to make the audienceunderstand the importance of this point, Sir Zaid repeated it.]
“It is not mentioned in any book ofFiqh that how an Aashiq [lover] of Rasoolullah should express his love for theRasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. At the battle of Uhad, the Prophet [ صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] lost two teeth. Owais Qarni [ RA] broke all his teeth uponhearing this. This is not a matter for Fiqh; this is Ishq-e-Rasool [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم]. There is no fatwa on it, nor there is any following. Abu Bakr[RA], Umar [RA], Ali [AS] did not break their teeth though they were also greatlovers of Rasool [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. Their style of loving the Prophet[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ], their duties and positions were different. Owais Qarni’s [RA] style was different. That is why there is no following ofany particular style. Every Aashiq has his own place. He expresses his loveaccording to whatever Aqaa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] bestows on him. Onesahabi [companion] of Rasoolullah [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] saw him only oncein his life. At that time, the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] was wearing ablack shawl as it was winter. Afterward, that sahabi never saw the Prophet [صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] again but all his life he wore a black shawl as he hadseen him like that. Another sahabi, who met Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]during summer, saw that his shirt was unbuttoned from the front. During hiswhole life, whichever season it was, he used to wear an unbuttoned shirtbecause he said that was the way he had seen his Aaqa [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم], so that was the way he would remain.

Acts of Ishq-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ] have no criticism, no following and no fatwa. Only an ignorantperson can ask about the veracity of these rules . These are the matters ofheart.

Once at a time of war, our Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] announced that every Muslim should bring what ever hecan. A sahabia cried that she did not have any thing to offer but she did notwant to stay behind. She went to our Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] andpresented her infant to the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. SyediRasoolullah [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] asked her what would he do with thebaby. She replied that when he was attacked from all sides, he could use herbaby as a shield to protect himself from the arrows. This is trueIshq-e-Rasool![صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] These are the acts of loving theProphet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] which are infinite in their nature, andwhich permit no criticism.

Imam Malik, the founder of MalikiFiqh, never wore shoes and never rode any animal in Madina because he said thathis master [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] used to walk in those streets. At thetime of Pledge of Hudaybiya, the representatives of the non-believers ofQuraysh, went back and advised their people not to fight a war with theMuslims. They said they had been to the courts of Caesar and Kisra but they hadnever seen such reverence and respect which they had seen in the sahaba of theRasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. They told Mushrikeen of Quraish,

“When their Prophet performsablution, they don’t let the water fall down on the ground and spread it ontheir bodies. They make perfume from the drops of his perspiration. They wouldnot even let his spit touch the ground and would smear it on themselves”.

These things are intrinsically notforbidden, yet there was a sahabi who even did a forbidden thing but Jannah[paradise] was made wajib [compulsory] for him because of his intention. Oncethe Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] bled a little. He gave the container ofthe blood to the sahabi to throw it. But the sahabi drank it. When the Prophet[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] came to know about it, he said,

“A body that has my blood running init, will not burn in hell”.

Even though it is forbidden to drinkblood in Islam, the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] gave him the tidings ofJannah because of his Ishq-e- Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ].

My dear friends, whatever a Momin[true believer] receives is due to the respect and courtesy he shows to theProphet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. All the prayers, hajj, zakah and good deedswill be wasted if one so much as raises the voice in the presence of the Holy Master[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. There is no room for disrespect and irreverence inthis regard. There are two sins which i will never forgive. One is shirkand the the other is disrespect to the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]. Ifone angers Allah because of his misdeeds, our master [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]can come to our aid. But if one has been disrespectful to the Prophet [ صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم], there is no one in the whole universe who can come to hisaid. Even to this day, the ture ushaaq [lovers] of the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھوالہ وسلم ] strongly follow the Quranic orders concerning the Prophet [ صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. They carry themselves exactly the way the sahaba did inthe company of Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] fourteen hundred years ago.There are still some men of Allah, who ask for permission before going to thecourt of the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] (i.e. Masjid-e-Nabvi) as it wasordered in the Quran. Even today these men give sadqa [charity] before consultingabout a matter from the court of our master [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] as itwas ordered by Allah. They also take permission from the Prophet [ صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم] before leaving Masjid-e-Nabvi. Similarly, they take care of thepoor people in the vicinity of Masjid-e-Nabvi as the master [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ] had said that the people of Madina were his neighbours and one shouldtake care of them. Even today the Ushaaq of Rasool [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]don’t turn their backs to the Masjid-e- nabvi and they don’t speak in a loudvoice. A thing which is worth remembering is that the Ishq-e-Rasool is theresult of respecting and following the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ].

Everyone knows the story of ImamBusiri who wrote Qaseeda Burda. He presented this qaseeda to the Prophet [صلیاللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] and saw him in his dream. The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ] not only gave him his burda [shawl] but also cured him of his paralysis.When he woke up and went out in the street, a qalander stopped him and askedhim to give him the qaseeda that he wrote the previous night and also told himthat it had been accepted at the court of the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم]. In today’s world we see that this qaseeda has become the most popular qaseedaever.

Maula Ya sali wasalam dayi manabadan

Each Ashiq of Rasool has beenassigned a different duty by the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]. For this,it is not necessary to be a great abid [one who worships a lot] or a zahid [ avery pious man]. The blessings and mercy of the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم ] are also for the sinners and worldly people. The only condition is thatof Adab-e-Rasool [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ].

Sultan Noor-ud-din Zangi was aMuslim general who was leading the Muslim army during the crusades. At thattime two crusaders, dug a tunnel towards the Roza-e-Pak of Rasoolullah[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] with evil intentions (nauzbillah). Amongst the wholeummah, the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] chose Sultan Noor-ud-din Zangi tosend the two crusaders to hell. He came in the dream of the Sultan and showedhim the faces of those two hell-bound men and ordered the Sultan to rid him ofthem. The Sultan traveled from Damascus to Madina Shareef, found the twoinfidels, sent them to hell and then burst into tears because he wasoverwhelmed with joy that the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] had called himfor this great service.

Everyone knows that when Tariq binZiyad was sent to capture Spain, he burnt all the ships behind him. We knowabout this historical fact, but are unaware of the spiritual aspect to it.There were only 12,000 Muslim Mujahids with him who faced an army of 150,000.That was an unknown territory for the Muslims as they had never been therebefore. Behind them, there was a vast sea. The Muslim forces considered goingback and coming again with a bigger army. When Tariq bin Ziyad saw thissituation, he ordered his soldiers to burn all the ships. A fierce battle wasfought which resulted in the victory for Muslims. Afterward, the Muslims askedtheir commander that why did he decide to burn the boats and what was sospecial about this order which the soldiers had not realized. Tariq bin Ziyadtold them that when they were coming to Spain, he was blessed with the ziyaratof the Holy Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] who was wearing his armour. TheProphet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] told him to reach Spain as he himself wasalso going there.

Sultan Mohammad Fateh was one of thethe sultans of Ottoman Caliphate. The Holy Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم]had said, “Constantinople would be conquered by the Muslims, and that Muslimtroop would go to Paradise who would conquer it and so would the leader whowould be leading them”. Starting from the time of Caliphate of Uthman [RA], theMuslims tried for 900 years to conquer Constantinople. But this honour was inthe fate of Sultan Mohammad Fateh in 1453 A.D. In order to stop this Sultan ,heavy chains were put across the sea so that the Muslims’ warships could notreach Constantinople. The Sultan ordered his people to drag the ships ondry land, a feat which has not been accomplished any where in human history.Finally the Sultan’s army conquered Constantinople and he told others how hewas foretold of a victory in dream by the Prophet’s sahabi, Abu Ayub Ansari[RA]. The sahabi said to the Sultan, “Constantinople belongs to you, go andtake it”. The shrine of this great sahabi, who was host to Prophet [صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم ] in Madina Munawara, can still be seen in Constantinople. Thesahabi himself showed the place where he was buried to the Sultan, so theSultan was able to mark that place and made a shrine for him there.

So we see that in every era, thelovers of the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] had been blessed with specialfaiz [benediction] and karam [blessing] of the Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہوسلم] himself. An example from recent history is the book titled “Zinda Rood”[ever-flowing spring of water] written by Allama Iqbal’s son, Justice JavedIqbal. In this book, he tells of an incident that was told to him by hisfather. Once a Syed man came from Kashmir to visit Allama Iqbal and burst intotears as soon as he saw Allama Iqbal. When Iqbal inquired what was the matterwith him, he said,

“I am not needy or poor, but I amcrying at the truthfulness of my dream. In my dream, I saw a huge congregationof Muslim Auliya that was led by the Prophet Mohammad [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] himself. Yet, the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] was not starting theprayer as it seemed that he was waiting for someone. He was turning his headagain and again asking, “Has Iqbal come?” After some time, a man came and theProphet [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] gave him space on his right side. When Iwoke up I asked other people about it and they said that they had heard of aman called Iqbal who lived in Lahore so I came here and when I saw you, I couldnot control myself and cried at the accuracy of my dream.”

The ‘Congressi Mullahs’ calledQuaid-e-Azam, ‘Kafir-e-Azam’. These Mullahs have been with the Congress fromthe start, are with it today and will hopefully will be resurrected withCongress as well in the End. When Quaid-e-Azam was asked that he had left theSub-continent in 1931, what was the thing that made him come back, he replied,

“Allama Iqbal worked a lot on me,aroused spirituality in me and other good and sincere friends also suggested tome that it was better if I go back and work for the Muslims. But this not thereal reason. When I was in England in a state of confusion, I had the goodfortune of having the ziyarat of our Holy Prophet [ صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم] atnight. And I can swear that I was awake at that time. I did not see the Prophet[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] in dream but while I was awake. The Holy Prophet[صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ] addressed me and said, “Go to Hindustan, I have workfor you there.” And that is why I returned to Hindustan as it was the order ofmy Aaqa [صلی اللہ علیھ والہ وسلم ]“.

At the time of his death in Ziyarat,Quaid-e-Azam called his doctor and said , “I am leaving this world in a verypeaceful state of mind. I am absolutely sure that this Pakistan could not havebeen made if it was not for the Faizan [blessing] of the Rasoolullah [صلی اللہعلیھ والہ وسلم ] and now it is the duty of the coming generations to apply thesystem of Caliphate in Pakistan so that Allah fulfills those promises whichAllah has made with the Muslims.”

(to be continued...)

Muslim inventions that shaped the modern world!

2011-01-25T20:53:00.005+05:00

Muslim inventions that shaped the modern world

January29, 2010 | By Olivia Sterns for CNN


	In9th century Spain, Muslim inventor Abbas ibn Firnas designed a flying machine-- hundreds of years before da Vinci drew plans of his own.

Thinkof the origins of that staple of modern life, the cup of coffee, and Italyoften springs to mind.

Butin fact, Yemen is where the ubiquitous brew has its true origins.

Alongwith the first university, and even the toothbrush, it is among surprisingMuslim inventions that have shaped the world we live in today.

Theorigins of these fundamental ideas and objects -- the basis of everything fromthe bicycle to musical scales -- are the focus of "1001 Inventions,"a book celebrating "the forgotten" history of 1,000 years of Muslimheritage.

"There'sa hole in our knowledge, we leap frog from the Renaissance to the Greeks,"professor Salim al-Hassani, Chairman of the Foundation for Science, Technologyand Civilisation, and editor of the book told CNN.

"1001Inventions" is now an exhibition at London's Science Museum. Hassani hopesthe exhibition will highlight the contributions of non-Western cultures -- likethe Muslim empire that once covered Spain and Portugal, Southern Italy andstretched as far as parts of China -- to present day civilization.

HereHassani shares his top 10 outstanding Muslim inventions:

1.Surgery

Aroundthe year 1,000, the celebrated doctor Al Zahrawi published a 1,500 pageillustrated encyclopedia of surgery that was used in Europe as a medicalreference for the next 500 years. Among his many inventions, Zahrawi discoveredthe use of dissolving cat gut to stitch wounds -- beforehand a second surgeryhad to be performed to remove sutures. He also reportedly performed the firstcaesarean operation and created the first pair of forceps.

2.Coffee

Nowthe Western world's drink du jour, coffee was first brewed in Yemen around the9th century. In its earliest days, coffee helped Sufis stay up during latenights of devotion. Later brought to Cairo by a group of students, the coffeebuzz soon caught on around the empire. By the 13th century it reached Turkey,but not until the 16th century did the beans start boiling in Europe, broughtto Italy by a Venetian trader.

3.Flying machine

"Abbasibn Firnas was the first person to make a real attempt to construct a flyingmachine and fly," said Hassani. In the 9th century he designed a wingedapparatus, roughly resembling a bird costume. In his most famous trial nearCordoba in Spain, Firnas flew upward for a few moments, before falling to theground and partially breaking his back. His designs would undoubtedly have beenan inspiration for famed Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci'shundreds of years later, said Hassani.

4.University

In859 a young princess named Fatima al-Firhi founded the first degree-grantinguniversity in Fez, Morocco. Her sister Miriam founded an adjacent mosque andtogether the complex became the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University. Stilloperating almost 1,200 years later, Hassani says he hopes the center willremind people that learning is at the core of the Islamic tradition and thatthe story of the al-Firhi sisters will inspire young Muslim women around theworld today.

5.Algebra

Theword algebra comes from the title of a Persian mathematician's famous 9thcentury treatise "Kitab al-Jabr Wa l-Mugabala" which translatesroughly as "The Book of Reasoning and Balancing." Built on the rootsof Greek and Hindu systems, the new algebraic order was a unifying system forrational numbers, irrational numbers and geometrical magnitudes. The samemathematician, Al-Khwarizmi, was also the first to introduce the concept ofraising a number to a power.

6.Optics

"Manyof the most important advances in the study of optics come from the Muslimworld," says Hassani. Around the year 1000 Ibn al-Haitham proved thathumans see objects by light reflecting off of them and entering the eye,dismissing Euclid and Ptolemy's theories that light was emitted from the eyeitself. This great Muslim physicist also discovered the camera obscuraphenomenon, which explains how the eye sees images upright due to theconnection between the optic nerve and the brain.

7.Music

Muslimmusicians have had a profound impact on Europe, dating back to Charlemagnetried to compete with the music of Baghdad and Cordoba, according to Hassani.Among many instruments that arrived in Europe through the Middle East are thelute and the rahab, an ancestor of the violin. Modern musical scales are alsosaid to derive from the Arabic alphabet.

8.Toothbrush

Accordingto Hassani, the Prophet Mohammed popularized the use of the first toothbrush inaround 600. Using a twig from the Meswak tree, he cleaned his teeth andfreshened his breath. Substances similar to Meswak are used in moderntoothpaste.

9.The crank

Manyof the basics of modern automatics were first put to use in the Muslim world,including the revolutionary crank-connecting rod system. By converting rotarymotion to linear motion, the crank enables the lifting of heavy objects withrelative ease. This technology, discovered by Al-Jazari in the 12th century,exploded across the globe, leading to everything from the bicycle to theinternal combustion engine.

10.Hospitals

"Hospitalsas we know them today, with wards and teaching centers, come from 9th centuryEgypt," explained Hassani. The first such medical center was the Ahmad ibnTulun Hospital, founded in 872 in Cairo. Tulun hospital provided free care foranyone who needed it -- a policy based on the Muslim tradition of caring forall who are sick. From Cairo, such hospitals spread around the Muslim world.

Formore information on muslim inventions go to: muslimheritage.com. For moreinformation about the exhibition at London's Science Museum go to: sciencemuseum.org.uk

The source of this article is: http://articles.cnn.com/2010-01-29/world/muslim.inventions_1_hassani-inventions-muslim?_s=PM:WORLD

Ibn Haytham - The first 'true' scientist!

2011-01-23T20:22:00.002+05:00

I took thefollowing article from the BBC website. Its an amazing 'discovery' by one ofthe main media channels of the west regarding the origins of modern science. Itis very rare to see such work in mainstream media and even in mainstreamgossip. The web link of this article is this:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7810846.stm

Here it is:

The 'first true scientist'

By Professor Jim Al-Khalili
University of Surrey

An artist's impression of al-Hassan Ibn al-Haytham

Isaac Newton is, as most will agree, the greatest physicist of all time.
At the very least, he is the undisputed father of modern optics, or so we are told at school where our textbooks abound with his famous experiments with lenses and prisms, his study of the nature of light and its reflection, and the refraction and decomposition of light into the colours of the rainbow.
Yet, the truth is rather greyer; and I feel it important to point out that, certainly in the field of optics, Newton himself stood on the shoulders of a giant who lived 700 years earlier.
For, without doubt, another great physicist, who is worthy of ranking up alongside Newton, is a scientist born in AD 965 in what is now Iraq who went by the name of al-Hassan Ibn al-Haytham.
Most people in the West will never have even heard of him.
As a physicist myself, I am quite in awe of this man's contribution to my field, but I was fortunate enough to have recently been given the opportunity to dig a little into his life and work through my recent filming of a three-part BBC Four series on medieval Islamic scientists.
Modern methods
Popular accounts of the history of science typically suggest that no major scientific advances took place in between the ancient Greeks and the European Renaissance.
But just because Western Europe languished in the Dark Ages, does not mean there was stagnation elsewhere. Indeed, the period between the 9th and 13th Centuries marked the Golden Age of Arabic science.
Great advances were made in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, physics, chemistry and philosophy. Among the many geniuses of that period Ibn al-Haytham stands taller than all the others.

Ibn-al Haytham conducted early investigations into light

Ibn al-Haytham is regarded as the father of the modern scientific method.
As commonly defined, this is the approach to investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge, based on the gathering of data through observation and measurement, followed by the formulation and testing of hypotheses to explain the data.
This is how we do science today and is why I put my trust in the advances that have been made in science.
But it is often still claimed that the modern scientific method was not established until the early 17th Century by Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes.
There is no doubt in my mind, however, that Ibn al-Haytham arrived there first.
In fact, with his emphasis on experimental data and reproducibility of results, he is often referred to as the "world's first true scientist".
Understanding light
He was the first scientist to give a correct account of how we see objects.

It is incredible that we are only now uncovering the debt that today's physicists owe to an Arab who lived 1,000 years ago

Prof Jim Al-Khalili

He proved experimentally, for instance, that the so-called emission theory (which stated that light from our eyes shines upon the objects we see), which was believed by great thinkers such as Plato, Euclid and Ptolemy, was wrong and established the modern idea that we see because light enters our eyes.
What he also did that no other scientist had tried before was to use mathematics to describe and prove this process.
So he can be regarded as the very first theoretical physicist, too.
He is perhaps best known for his invention of the pinhole camera and should be credited with the discovery of the laws of refraction.
He also carried out the first experiments on the dispersion of light into its constituent colours and studied shadows, rainbows and eclipses; and by observing the way sunlight diffracted through the atmosphere, he was able to work out a rather good estimate for the height of the atmosphere, which he found to be around 100km.
Enforced study
In common with many modern scholars, Ibn-al Haytham badly needed the time and isolation to focus on writing his many treatises, including his great work on optics.
He was given an unwelcome opportunity, however, when he was imprisoned in Egypt between 1011 and 1021, having failed a task set him by a caliph in Cairo to help solve the problem of regulating the flooding of the Nile.
While still in Basra, Ibn al-Haytham had claimed that the Nile's autumn flood waters could be held by a system of dykes and canals, thereby preserved as reservoirs until the summer's droughts.
But on arrival in Cairo, he soon realised that his scheme was utterly impractical from an engineering perspective.
Yet rather than admit his mistake to the dangerous and murderous caliph, Ibn-al Haytham instead decided to feign madness as a way to escape punishment.
This promptly led to him being placed under house arrest, thereby granting him 10 years of seclusion in which to work.
Planetary motion
He was only released after the caliph's death. He returned to Iraq where he composed a further 100 works on a range of subjects in physics and mathematics.
While travelling through the Middle East during my filming, I interviewed an expert in Alexandria who showed me recently discovered work by Ibn al-Haytham on astronomy.
It seems he had developed what is called celestial mechanics, explaining the orbits of the planets, which was to lead to the eventual work of Europeans like Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton.
It is incredible that we are only now uncovering the debt that today's physicists owe to an Arab who lived 1,000 years ago.
Professor Jim Al-Khalili presents Science and Islam on BBC Four at 2100GMT on Monday 5, 12 & 19 January

The Great Age of the World from 600 to 1500 AD (also called the "Qurun e Aula")

2011-01-19T18:54:00.000+05:00

You may be thinking that how can I call the time period of 600 to 1500 AD as the "Great Age" of the world. :) Weren't they the Dark Ages of Europe? Well yes they surely were, but to your surprize they weren't the Dark Ages of the WORLD! :) Its often understood just like this, but the reality is so far from the truth that it will shock you at first. The plain reality is that they were a most enlightened era of the world which was centered around the Muslim world of Asia and Africa. The Muslims had excelled in all fields of human life; in religious life, societal life, economics, military, science and research, administration, philosophy, judiciary, and any other aspect of life that you can even think of! European Kings and Queens would send their children to Muslim universities like the Al Azhar university in Egypt and others in hotspots like Cordoba (Spain), Damascus (Syria), Baghdad (Iraq), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Palestine etc. In short, the world was upside down. ;) The Muslim lands were the America and Europe of that time, and Europe of that time was like the Muslim lands of today and America wasn't even discovered. Now to prove this single biggest "best kept secret" of the world to you, read down and see for yourself in detail what impact Islam has had on planet Earth from the 7th to the 16th century AD.

A couple of starters for you...

Arches (both pointed and domed) used in western architecture, especially of their medieval castles and buildings and even DisneyLand,Stanford, Oxford and other ancient universities and buildings are inspired from the Muslim architecture in Andalusia (modern day Spain and Portugal). Arches in architecture are purely an invention of the Muslims. Wherever you see them in ancient architecture, understand that they were inspired by Muslim architectures.

College/Collegiate - The English form of the Arabicword Quliat (Qulia means law). The concept of educational institutions like colleges was taken from Muslims. Europe was bathed in ignorance and illiteracy before this.

California – The name was inspired by the Caliph HarunRashid. Yes, Muslims were in America long before Christopher Columbus. :) Refer to the video that i have linked to as a tab at the top of my blog as A video proving that Muslims discovered America!

Candle – Arabic Qandeel. Its an invention of the Muslims.

Coffee – Came to Europe from Arabs and Turks.

Pajama – Persian Pai Jama

Pomegranade (Anaar) – It reached Europe for the first timefrom Andalusia, and the Europeans thought this was an apple-type fruit ofAndalusia (in particular the city of Grenada) so they named it Pomegranade (Apple of Grenada).

Gibralter – Gabr Ut Tariq

Marseilles (a city of France) – Named after the Muslim “Marsay Ali”

Atlas – Muslims used to make world maps on a cloth called "Utlas". Hence "Atlas" is an invention of the Muslims. :)

Admiral – From the Arabic word ‘Ameer ul Behr’ (the muslimsea captains who ruled the seas)

Worlds Oldest University – Al Qarawyn in Fez, Morocco

Now some scientificinventions and discoveries of the Muslims that will literally blow your mind:

1000 years from today Muslims had made Robots, Automobiles,Programmable Clocks! :)

The first Glider was made by Abbas Ibn Firnas 600 yearsbefore Leonardo Da Vinci (who was inspired by him) and 1100 years from today(Westerners have named a crater on the moon Ibn Firnas in acknowledgement forhis invention). He flew from the Cordoba mosque.

In 1206, a book on robotic and automation devices/technologywas written by Al Jaziri called ‘Al Jaziri’s Manual of Robotics’. The firstrobotic machine was made of a doll with animals which would move by the scienceof hydraulics. The Westerners picked up this technology in 18^thcentury and onwards.

Programmable 'Cuckoo' clocks were made in Khalifa HarunRashid’s time. A small bird would come out of the clock and start saying‘cuckoo’ at each hour. Never had this idea ever been even conceived before thistime. He sent one to the French King who thought it was magic.

Ibn Sina – Wrote Al Qanun Al Tibb (Principles of Medicine)which was taught in the whole world including Europe for 600 years. The word‘Canon’ (meaning law) is taken from the Arabic word ‘Qanun’ from the title ofthis book. We gave them law. He also gave the method of clinical trials.

Chemistry – From the Arabic word ‘Al Keemia’.

Numbers 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 are still called Arabicnumerals. Europe had Roman numerals, and there was no concept of add, subtract,multiply and divide with these numerals. Arabic numerals made this possible.

Sociology as a subject was invented by Ibn Khuldun. He wrote the firstbook on this topic called ‘Tareekh Ibn Khuldun’ which is still considered anauthority on the subject today.

Astrologue in 10^th century made navigation inwaters easy (helped in discovering America).

All architecture of Europe was inspired by Andalusia. Eventheir churches of that time have crescent-shaped arches and domes and otherevidences of Muslim architecture.

Galileo Galleli (16^th century) is considered thegreatest contributor to Physics and hence greatest benefactor of humanity byStephen Hawkings. Fact is that Al Biruni (10^th century) wrote 200books (around 13000 pages), more than Galileo and Newton combined! He was thegreatest experimenter. AL BIRUNI was the greatest contributor to Physics andmany other fields. Russian and Afghanistan stamps have his picture on them, andthere is a stone idol of his in Iran, because he was associated with all these3 countries (he was a traveler too). They proudly own him! Newton and Galileostole his inventions and discoveries which they got as manuscripts and booksfrom Andalusia after the Spanish Inquisition.

We are told that Antoine Lavoisier (18^th century)discovered that matter cannot be destroyed, it only changes its form. HazratAli (RA) was once watching a block of wood been burnt and someone commentedthat the wood had been burnt and destroyed. To this, Hazrat Ali replied thatno, matter has just changed its form, what was burnt was just air and water.Muslim scientists worked on this theory later on and Al Biruni mentioned thisas a fact in his book as the law of conservation of mass with extensivediagrammatic and written scientific justifications for this law to be true.Lavoisier read this and owned the discovery to himself. Einstein also used thisdoctrine later as E=mc2. Ibn Arabi also expanded on this law and described therelationship between atom and energy, hence forming the basis for nuclearscience.

Laws of motion were described extensively by Al Biruni,especially in his book ‘Shadows’. He explains how acceleration is connectedwith non-uniform motion. Newton stole this from him.

Pendulum was invented by Ibn Yunus Al Masri (10^thcentury), NOT Galileo. A crater on the moon has been named ‘Ibn Yunus’ byhonest western scientists who acknowledge this great contribution of Muslims toscience. Muslims used it in clocks in the 15^th century.

Ibn Firnas invented the Clock in the 9^th century(during Khalifa Harun Rashid’s time). Mechanical clocks, water clocks andastronomical Sundials. Europe stole this invention in the 15^thcentury.

Printing press was NOT invented by Gutenberg of Germany inthe 15^th century. Muslims made it 300 years before and printedQurans and other books are still existing in old libraries from those times,especially books printed a 100 years earlier in Andalusia.

In the 16^th and 17^th centuries,Western scientists such as John Napier (inventor of logarithms and logarithmictables), Isaac Newton (binomial theorem, vital for study of algebra) andFrancois Vieta (wrote a book on algebra with extensive use of x and y) aregiven the entire credit for developing Mathematics. The truth is that AlKhwarizmi (8^th century) FOUNDED algebra. This word is derived fromAl Jabr Wal Muqabla. Al Jabr means an unknown equation (meaning with unknownvariables like for eg x and y). He was the founder of linear and quadraticequations, logarithms and logarithmic tables and binomial theorems. He made the‘Arabic numerals’ called 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. The westerners stole theseinventions too. One of his most famous books is Kitab Hisab al-adad al-hindi.He invented many mathematical instruments.

It is told by the western world that Trigonometry was inventedand developed by the Greeks. The truth is that indeed it was invented by them,but it remained largely a theoretical science with them. In fact the Greekskept all of their scientific progress to theoretical level and didn’texperiment in any domain. Muslim scientists, especially Al Battani (9^thcentury), developed Trigonometry extensively because there was a need todetermine the direction of the Kaaba from those Muslim lands which were faraway from Makkah, and this science helps in determining directions and angles.The words Sine, Cosine and Tangent have their roots from Arabic. Al Battani’sbooks have many experimental diagrams on trigonometry.

It is taught by the west that cubic equations remainedunsolved until the 16^th century when Niccolo Tartaglia (an Italianmathematician) solved them. This is a lie. Omar Khayyam solved them 500 yearsbefore him. He wrote a book called ‘Treatise on demonstration of problems ofalgebra’ in which he gave a geometric method for solving cubic equations by intersectinga hyperbola with a circle.

Simon Steven (16^th century), a Dutchman, is giventhe credit for inventing the decimal fractions, for eg usage of 0.5 for ½. TheTRUTH is that 200 years before him, Jamshed Al-Kashi wrote a book called ‘Key to Arithmetic’ inwhich he introduced this idea of application of decimals to whole numbers andfractions. Simon copied this invention like so many other western scientistsand illegally owned it.

Geronimo Cardano (16^th century) is attributedwith the usage of negative numbers for the first time. Al Khwarizmi inventedthis and Muslims used them extensively for centuries.

Rene Descartes (16^th century) is attributed withthe discovery that algebra could be used to solve geometric problems, and theysay this greatly advanced the field of geometry. The truth is that Thabit BinQurrah in the 9^th century wrote on the theory of numbers and thenextended their use to describe the ratios between geometrical quantities, andIbn Haytham later established the link between geometry and algebra andextensively developed analytical geometry.

Isaac Newton is said to form the basis for modern optics becausehe studied lenses, light and prism extensively, especially the theory of lightsplitting into 7 colours after passing through a prism. The truth is that itwas Ibn Haytham in 11^th century who forms the basis for modernoptics and is rightfully called the ‘Father of Optics’ by many. He producedpractically ALL the inventions of Newton 700 years before Newton was even born.In the 17^th and 18^th century Europe, the number ofquotations from Ibn Haytham’s books used by western scientists were more thanGalileo and Newton combined! But still, modern western scientists have changedthe name of Ibn Haytham to ALHAZEN so that it gives the impression that he wasa western scientist too. Same with Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and many other Muslimscientists. What other reason could there be to change their names? It isn’tthat hard to pronounce the original Arabic names! This man discovered thereflection and refraction of light and studied extensively on them. Inventedthe camera. Described the structure and function of eye. The process ofperception of images in the retina. The splitting of light into 7 colours.Newton studied all these works of Muslims extensively, copied them and claimedthem to be his own, and continued working on them and developing them as laterwestern scientists did. There are a few inventions and discoveries of Newtonhimself too, but most of his work is copied.

Newton also stole the work of a 14^th centuryMuslim scientist, Taqi ud Din, who wrote a whole book with extensive diagramson just light and how it plays a role in vision. The name of the book inEnglish is ‘Light of pupil of vision and the light of the truth of sight’ (meaninghow light helps in forming vision on the retina and how light plays a part inenvisioning objects’.

It is told that glass was first made in Venice, Italy in the13^th century by Christians scientists. The truth is that IbnHaytham, the greatest inventor ever in the history of humanity, invented glass.Ibn Sahl in the 10^th century wrote a book called ‘Burninginstruments’ and Ibn Haytham expanded on the concepts of this book and wrotethe books ‘Burning Mirrors’ and ‘Book of Optics’ in the 11^thcentury. This Book of Optics is a greater book in size, amount of inventionsand discoveries, and quality and has had a greater impact on the scientificworld of Optics than any book of any western scientist in the field of Optics!It is greater than the book on mathematics written by Newton. Ibn Haytham’sdiscovery of glass led to glass factories being made in the Islamic world onmassive scales especially in Andalusia, and the first glass factory inChristian Europe in Greece was also made by Egyptian Muslims who were taken asslaves by the Crusaders back to Europe and were forced to make these factories.

The west claims that Roger Bacon invented eye glasses in the13^th century. Ibn Firnas invented clear glass in the 9^thcentury and would shape it into round shapes and these were known as ‘readingstones’. They would be put in steel rims and either used on a single eye orshaped into eye glasses resembling those of today.

Snell’s Law of Refraction. Everyone knows about it. He stolethis invention too. Ibn Sahl invented this law in the 10^th century.He also made lenses according to this law and hence he was also one of thoseMuslim scientists who contributed to the invention of the eye glasses.

Al Razi (9^th century) – Father of Pediatrics.Pioneer of Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology. Wrote Kitab al-Mansuri on Greekmedicine (Tibb Unani) in 10 volumes. Wrote Encyclopedia of Medicine in 20volumes. The credit for introducing General Anesthesia is given to HumphreyDavy and Horace Wells. The truth is that Al Razi introduced the usage of Opiumto cause General Anesthesia and used this technique many times. Muslims madelaboratories where it would be determined that how much Opium would be neededto cause suitable anesthesia in each patient. This specialty of Anesthesia wasstarted in those times. Furthermore, the credit for introducing Antiseptictechniques is attributed to Joseph Lister in 1865. The truth is that Al Raziintroduced the usage of Purified Alcohol and mercurial compounds on wounds toprovide antisepsis. Because of this invention, surgeries in Muslims landsespecially Andalusia used to be so successful that the idea of patients dyingpre or postoperatively because of infection was almost non-existent. Because ofthis high success rate, rich Europeans used to specially travel to Andalusiafor their own surgeries. Also, the west claims that the concept of theidentification of drug components in plants and animals and their usage intreating diseases in humans was first forwarded by Paracelsus in the 16^thcentury. The truth is that Al Razi wrote a book called ‘Al Asrar’ (The secret)in which he talked about this exact same concept in detail. He identifies thedrug components of plants and animals which can be used in specific diseasesand enlists them. In fact the word drug has an Arabic root. Also, it is claimedthat William Harvey discovered that blood circulates and the heart pumps itinto circulation in the body. The truth is that Al Razi discovered bloodcirculation. He wrote an in depth treatise on the venous system, accuratelydescribing the function of the venous system and its valves in circulation ofthe blood. Ibn Al-Nafs and Ibn Al-Quff described for the first time thestructure and physiology of the heart and its valves 300 years before Harvey.

Al Zahrawi (10^th century) – Father of Surgery.Invented surgical instruments and procedures which were used in the whole world(including Europe) until the Renaissance. Wrote Kitab al Tasrif on medicine andsurgery in 30 volumes and is considered to be the greatest contribution inthese fields. However the credit for developing surgery is given by the west toAmbroise Pare, a French surgeon, in the 16^th century. He isconsidered the ‘Father of Rational Surgery’ by the west. But that is absolutelyfalse. Al-Zahrawi invented the use of sutures for surgical procedures,initially for ligating arteries in Andalusia. He introduced the use of Catgut,sutures made from animal intestines. He also instituted the use of cotton pluswax to plug bleeding wounds. So he is rightfully the father of surgery. He wasalso the pioneer of Anesthesia. The west claims that Charles W. Long introducedanesthesia by using inhalational anesthetics in 1845. Truth is that Al Zahrawiand Ibn Zuhr used to soak narcotics in sponges and place them over the nose toinduce anesthesia and used this technique in hundreds of surgeries. And thesurgical equipment which is used to maintain anesthesia were invented by them.

Ibn Sina (10^th century) – Father of medicine.Wrote Al Qanun Fi Al-Tib on medicine which was used in European universitiesfrom 12^th to 18^th century (600 years!). Describes over760 drugs. He wrote 450 treatises of which 40 concentrate on medicine. But thewest claims that Pharmacology (Study of medicines/drugs) was started in the1900s. Again, a big black lie. Their own Europe studied Al Qanun Fi al Tib for600 years which was filled with extensive Pharmacological knowledge, and nowthey claim ignorance to that fact! Also, the west attributes the credit ofdeveloping the first sound approach to the treatment of disease to Johann Weyer(16^th century). Again, Ibn Sina must be given this credit. He is thetrue father of modern medicine. When Europe was riddled in plague and dirt andits ppl labeled as witches and burned at stakes, Ibn Sina was busy discoveringways to treat diseases. His book Al Qanun was translated into Latin and evenChinese languages, and for 600 years no European or Chinese could produce abook better than this one on the treatment of diseases.

Al Biruni (10^th century) – World’s first greatexperimenter.Wrote Kitab al-Saidana Fi Al-Tib which is an extensive medical andpharmacological encyclopedia. It has immense knowledge on botany, herbs andminerals. His contributions in diverse fields earned him the title of Al-Ustad(Master or Professor par excellence).

Ibn Zuhr (11^th and 12^th centuries) –He was the pioneer of Pathology. It is claimed by the west that GiovanniMorgagni was the first to correctly describe the nature of disease, and hencehe is termed the Father of Pathology. The truth is that Ibn Zuhr was the firstto correctly describe the nature of disease. In fact he went on to describe theexact pathological processes in certain specific diseases like pleurisy,tuberculosis, hydrocephalus (abnormal increase in CSF fluid in the cranialcavity), pericarditis and many congenital diseases. What is very interesting tonote is that Muslim scientists were able to describe pathological processeswithout the use of any microscope!

The west claims that the concept of ‘quarantining’ was firstutilized in Venice, Italy in 1403 where due to the outbreak of plague in thecity, strangers entering the city were quarantined (kept away in a room orplace) and observed for any disease before being allowed to enter the city. Thetruth is that our Prophet (SAW) gave us direct orders of quarantining in ahadis of Bukhari in which he said ‘If you hear of an outbreak of plague in aland, do not enter it, but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are init, do not leave that place.’ Muslims worked on this hadis and build specialrooms in their hospitals where those patients would be kept who had caught aplague or serious contagious disease.

Cheating in exams, is it allowed in Islam?

2011-01-10T20:00:00.002+05:00

Q. Can you please enlightenme on the ruling of cheating in examinations? Is it permissible to cheat inexamination so as to succeed? I have not studied well and I am in need of this.Also, what about a person who cheats in the exams and gets a job due to acertificate that he gains by means of cheating?

A. Islam, the true religionof Allah, never allows cheating in any aspect of life. Muslims are people ofmorals, values, and ethics. Therefore, cheating in exams cannot be justifiedunder any pretext. Muslim students should be distinguished by their honesty,truthfulness, and fairness.

Here,I would like to cite for you the fatwa issued by Sheikh `Atiyya Saqr, formerhead of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee. The fatwa reads:

“Itgoes without saying that all kinds and forms of cheating are haram. The Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) has made this clear in the hadith: “He whocheats us does not belong to us.” Any one who cheats commits a sin and he whohelps him in cheating also shares in the blame. It is to be stressed thattoughness of exams does not justify cheating, for examination is originallymeant to distinguish the studious from the lazy; it’s to show how far one hasexerted efforts in preparing for the test. It’s not logic, of course, to showerboth the diligent and the indolent with accolade of merits. This is injustice.A sound mind never accepts such an unjust equation.

Cheatingin examination is one of the things that threaten the society, for it urges thespread of falsehood and forms an attack against truth. It causes total chaos inthe society and indicates that some people will have unjustified access toposts and honors.

Aperson who gets a job that requires a certain degree or certificate which hehas gained through cheating should know that the money he gains is haram. Hemay be from amongst those people who are referred to in the verse that reads:“Think not that those who exult in what they have been given, and love to bepraised for what they have not done, think not that they are in safety from thedoom. A painful doom is theirs.” (Al `Imran: 188)

Ifthis person has performed some kind of work and exerted efforts that are notclosely related to the qualifications, then he is entitled to the wage given tohim in return of the efforts. What is beyond this is considered to be haram.

Dr.Ahmad `Abdul-Karim Najeeb, professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies,Sarajevo and former professor at the Islamic Academy in Zinsta, adds:

“Actually,this is a case in which many of our Muslim youth in the West have gotthemselves involved. The answer to this can be summarized in the followingpoints:

1-Gaining a degree or a certificate without being really qualified for thatdegree is a form of cheat, which is totally rejected and prohibited. This isbased on the hadith that reads: “He who deceitfully shows that he has somethingwhich he really does not have is like a person who puts on garments that do notbelong to him and claim that they are his.”

2-In case a Muslim student is subject to some kind of exploitation which puts hisrights at stake unless he pays a sum of money, there is no harm on him payingmoney to get himself out of the matter and to ward off the injustice to whichhe may be subjected.

3-If a person gets the certificate by means of cheat and then exerts efforts tobe qualified for the job, his sin is still there, for he is supposed to bequalified for the job before not after having it. If he is a physician forexample, what about the patients who fall a prey to his wrong prescription? Asfor the money the person gets after exerting efforts to be qualified and beingreally qualified, such money is not haram. ”

Basedon the above fatwas, it becomes evident that cheating in exams is strictly prohibitedin Islam. It’s the duty of the Muslim students to steer clear of all forms ofcheat, deceit, and dishonesty. By doing so, Allah, Most High, will grant themhigh success and degrees, both in this world and the world to come.

MayAllah guide us all to the straight path!

AlmightyAllah knows best.

Important points:

Youcan pass a test by three ways.

1- Preparing for your testwell (and not cheating during the test).

2- Cheating during thetest (and you’ve not studied at all for it).

3- Doing both (that is,you’ve studied for it and you cheat too).

Virtues of employing thefirst strategy,that is, “preparing for your test well (and not cheating)”:

1-Allah will be pleased with you. As a result, He might make your future problemseasier for you to deal with, be they exam related or anything else. Plus Hemight give you happiness and things that you dream about. He might make yourlife very easy and pleasant.

2-If you pass, you will feel happy inside. If you top, you’ll feel happier. Why?Because you will feel the fruits of your labour paying off, and that is a verygood feeling.

3-It will give you confidence in your own ability. This will drive you to studyharder for the next test, and this may eventually help you in getting highmarks in your final exams. A human always strives to achieve a higher goal, abetter quality scenario for him or herself. Hence the “technology” that we seetoday. Similarly, if you work hard and achieve high scores, you willautomatically start to strive to get higher marks in the future.

Vices (negative outcomes) ofemploying the first strategy:

None.J(Except, of course, that you might fail. But there is a very minimum chance ofthat happening, as you must have experienced practically.)

Virtues of employing thesecond strategy,that is, “cheating during the test (and you’ve not studied at all for it)”:

Youmight pass on the condition that the teachers around you are not so “vigilant”and you end up copying the whole paper from someone else.

Vices of employing the secondstrategy:

1-You’ll probably fail, because the teachers around you will prevent you fromcopying the whole paper down from someone else. So the bits and pieces that youwill manage to copy down will not be enough to pass you.

2-Allah will not be pleased with you, because He does not like cheating. And youdo not want Him to be angry with you at any cost.

Virtues of employing thethird strategy,“doing both (that is, you’ve studied for it and you cheat too)”:

You’llprobably pass.

Vices of employing the thirdstrategy:

Allahwill not be pleased with you.

Finally:

Peoplesay that they are helping others by allowing them to cheat from them, andhelping themselves by cheating, when in fact they should know that they areactually involved in wrong and helping others in doing wrong. The Prophet(peace be upon him) forbade this and stated that we should NOT help each otherin doing wrong!

Ifyou cheat, you incur the anger of Allah, you risk failing the exam, and youlose confidence in your own ability to pass without assistance. Overall, it’s a“bad” situation. If you fail, it’s a lose lose situation. If you pass, it’s awin lose situation, but the loss is far greater than the win, because the loss inthis case is Allah’s favour. In my opinion, if you lose this you’ve losteverything.

Ifyou do not cheat and prepare well for your tests, you earn the happiness ofAllah and hence you probably increase your chance of succeeding in many aspectsof your life, you almost definitely pass the test and your confidence in yourown ability increases immensely and you end up performing better in the future.It’s a win win situation!

Also,I know that cheating in tests seems like a very small thing, but in the eyes ofAllah everything is significant, even the action of an ant. Our every action isbeing documented. If the act of cheating was an insignificant event, why wouldit be written down by the angels on our shoulders? Wouldn’t Allah have saidsomewhere in the Quran that He does not care about the small things, that Manshould not worry about them?

Buton the contrary Allah says in Al-Qamar (The Moon) 54:53:

“…and everything [that mandoes], be it small or great, is recorded [with Allah].”

Lying and deception have become a phenomena in this world. What does Islam have to say about them?

2010-08-03T22:51:00.001+05:00

The Quran says, "Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies." Surah 40:28.

Mohammed (SAW) was also quoted as saying, "Be honest because honesty leads to goodness, and goodness leads to Paradise. Beware of falsehood because it leads to immorality, and immorality leads to Hell."

The Prophet (SAW), said: “Lying is not good, whether in seriousness or joking.”

The Prophet (SAW), also said: “Do not ever lie, because lying leads to very abhorrent sins, and those in turn lead to Hellfire. One keeps on lying and seeks to do that until one is recorded as a liar in some books of Allah.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

The book "The spirit of Islam," by the Muslim scholar, Afif A. Tabbarah was written to promote Islam. On page 247, Tabbarah stated: "Lying is not always bad, to be sure; there are times when telling a lie is more profitable and better for the general welfare, and for the settlement of conciliation among people, than telling the truth. To this effect, the Prophet says: 'He is not a false person who (through lies) settles conciliation among people, supports good or says what is good."

This point is proven by many incidences in the life of Mohammed. He often lied and instructed his followers to do the same. He rationalized that the prospect of success in missions to extend Islam's influence overrode Allah's initial prohibitions against lying. A good example of sanctioned lying is the account of the assassination of Kaab Ibn al-Ashrf, a member of the Jewish tribe, Banu al-Nudair. It had been reported that Kaab had shown support for the Quraishites in their battle against Mohammed. This was compounded by another report that infuriated Mohammed. It was alleged that Kaab had recited amorous poetry to Muslim women. Mohammed asked for volunteers to rid him of Kaab Ibn al-Ashraf. As Mohammed put it, Kaab had "Harmed Allah and His Apostle." At that time Kaab Ibn al-Ashraf, and his tribe were strong, so it was not easy for a stranger to infiltrate and execute the task. A Muslim man by the name of Ibn Muslima, volunteered for the murderous project on the condition that Mohammed would allow him to lie. With Mohammed's consent, Ibn Muslima, went to Kaab and told him fabricated stories that reflected discontent about Mohammed's leadership. When he had gained Kaab's trust he lured him away from his house one night and murdered him in a remote area under the cover of darkness.

A similar example can be found in the story of killing Shaaban Ibn Khalid al-Hazly. It was rumored that Shaaban was gathering an army to wage war on Mohammed. Mohammed retaliated by ordering Abdullah Ibn Anis to kill Shaaban. Again, the would-be killer asked the prophet's permission to lie. Mohammed agreed and then ordered the killer to lie by stating that he was a member of the Khazaa clan. When Shaaban saw Abdullah coming, he asked him, "From what tribe are you?" Abdullah answered, "From Khazaa." He then added, "I have heard that you are gathering an army to fight Mohammed and I came to join you." Abdullah started walking with Shaaban telling him how Mohammed came to them with the heretical teachings of Islam, and complained how Mohammed badmouthed the Arab patriarchs and ruined the Arab's hopes. They continued in conversation until they arrived at Shaaban's tent. Shaaban's companions departed and Shaaban invited Abdullah to come inside and rest. Abdullah sat there until the atmosphere was quiet and he sensed that everyone was asleep. Abdullah severed Shaaban's head and carried it to Mohammed as a trophy. When Mohammed sighted Abdullah, he jubilantly shouted, "Your face has been triumphant (Aflaha al- wajho)." Abdullah returned the greeting by saying, "It is your face, Apostle of Allah, who has been triumphant. (Aflaha wajhoka, ye rasoul Allah)."

" Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths…” Surah 5:89

"Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness (vain) in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing." Surah 2:225

One passage from the Hadith quotes Mohammed as saying: "The sons of Adam are accountable for all lies except those uttered to help bring reconciliation between Muslims."

The following quote demonstrates the broadness of situations in which the prophet permitted lying. "The sons of Adam are accountable for all lies with these exceptions: During war because war is deception, to reconcile among two quarreling men, and for a man to appease his wife."

American soldiers speak out the truth behind what they are 'actually' doing in wars around the world!

2010-07-28T05:26:00.009+05:00

Keep watching all these videos. They are direct testimonials of American soldiers who unveil the inhumane and atrocious war crimes that American troops inflicted upon the innocent Muslim civilians of Iraq and Afghanistan. Dont miss a single video i urge you. And once you're done, read my article on "What Islam says about war, colonial conquests and torture" and you will see the rules of Islam on engagement with the enemy and its civilians and note the stark difference between how Muslims fight wars and how Americans/Non-Muslims fight wars. And if you know the Urdu language, watch the series 'Yeh Ghazi' which can be found at the top of my blog as a button. It will give you evidences of the way the Muslim armies of the past used to fight wars and their moral and humane treatment of foreign civilians as compared to the inhumane treatment inflicted by Non-Muslim armies upon their enemies. Shows you that the true religion of peace is Islam, not Christianity. Because there was never a 'CRUSADE' in the name of Islam!

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A German finds out the truth behind the wars that America and NATO fight in Iraq and Afghanistan! Its a war against Muslims and Islam, NOT Al Qaeda he says!

2010-07-27T18:59:00.006+05:00

Watch these videos:

Blog Blog

The basic concepts of Islam Part 2

2010-07-27T05:31:00.002+05:00

16) What happened to the previous
scriptures ?

(4 : 46)
Among those who are jews, there are some who displace words from
(their) right places and say: “We hear your word (O Muhammad)
and disobey,” and “Hear and let you (O Muhammad) “hear
nothing.” And Raina with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of
the religion (Islam). And if only they had said: “We hear and obey”,
and “Do make us understand,” it would have been better for them,
and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so
they believe not except a few.
(5 : 13)
So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and
made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their
(right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that
was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them,
except a few of them. But forgive them and overlook (their misdeeds).
Verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (good-doers).

17) Who is the last messenger ?

(3 : 144)
Muhammad (SAW) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many)
Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will
you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns
back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; and Allah will
give reward to those who are grateful.

18) To whom did Allah send the last
messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ?

(34 : 28)
And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad
tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.

19) What did Allah prepare for those among
the Jews and Christians who believe ?

(57 : 28)
O you who believe (in Musa (moses) (i.e. Jews) and Isa (Jesus) (i.e.
Christians)! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger (Muhammad),
He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a
light by which you shall walk (straight). And He will forgive you. And
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

20) What is the likeness of lsa ( Jesus )
before Allah ?

(3 : 59) Verily, the likeness of Isa (Jesus) bofore Allah is the likeness of
Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be” – and
he was.

21) What did Allah say about Mary ?

(3 : 42 – 47)
42 : And (remember) when the angels said: “(O Maryam (Mary)!
Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and
disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the Alamin (mankind
and jinn) (of her lifetime).”
43 : O Mary! “Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah),
by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and
Irkai (bow down) along with ArRakiun (those who bow down).”
44 : This is apart of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the
past national of which you have no knowledge) which We reveal to
you (O Muhammad) You were not with them, when they cast lots
with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of
Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.
45 : (Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily,
Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word (“Be”- and he was! I.e. Isa
(Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary), from Him, his name will be the
Messiah Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this
world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to
Allah.”
46 : “He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood and he
one of the righteous .”
47 : She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has
touched me.” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills.
When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” – and it is.

22) Was Jesus crucified and died on the
cross ?

(4 : 157 – 158)
157 : And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah Isa
(Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” – But they
killed him not, nor crucified him, but they resemblance of Isa (Jesus)
was put over another man (and they Killed that man), and those who
differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge,
they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not (i.e.
Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) ).
158 : But Allah raised him (Isa (Jesus) up (with his body and soul)
unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-
Powerful All-Wise.

23) Was Jesus the son of God ( Allah ) ?

(112 : 1 – 4) :
1 : Say (O Muhammad): “He is Allah, (the) One.
2 : (Allah the self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He
neither eats nor drinks).
3 : He begets not, nor was He begotten.
4 : And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.

24) How could you be secure ?

(6 : 82) :
It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but
Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by
worshipping others beside Allah), for them (only) there is security and
they are the guided.

25) What is the life of this world ?

(57 : 20) :
Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp
and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and
children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the
growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it
turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a
severe torment (for the disbelievers – evil-doers), and (there is)
Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers –
good-doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

26) Whatever of blessings and good things
you have , is it from Allah ?

(16 : 53)
And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah.
Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.

27) How could you guarantee the blessings
of Allah ?

(14 : 7 )
And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If give thanks (by
accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more
(of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My
punishment is indeed sever.”

28) How could you save yourself from a
painful torment ?

(61 : 10 – 11)
10 : O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you
from a painful torment?

11 : That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad).

29) Whosoever puts his trust in Allah , what
will happen to him ?

(65 : 3)
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And
whosoever puts his trust in Allah then He will suffice him. Verily,
Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for
all things.

30) What is the destination of the
disbelievers ?

(57 : 15)
So this Day no ransom shall be taken from you (hypocrites), nor of
those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism).
Your abode is the Fire. That is your maula (friend – proper place),
and worst indeed is that destination.

31) What is the destination of the believers?

(4 : 57)
But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)
and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under
which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they
shall have Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and We
shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise).

32) How could you be happy ?

(16 : 97)
Whoever works righteousness- whether male or female – While he (or
she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will
give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful
provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to
the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).

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The basic concepts of Islam Part 1

2010-07-27T05:07:00.003+05:00

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1) Who is the creator ?

(40 : 64)
Allah, it is he Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and
the sky as a canopy . and has given you shape and made your shapes
good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah,
your Lord : so Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind,
jinn and all that exists).

(39 : 6)
He created you (all) from a single person (Adam) ; then made from
him his wife {Hawwa , (Eve)} . and He has sent down for you of cattle
eight pairs (of the sheep , two , male and female ; of the goats , two ,
male and female of the oxen , two , male and female and of the camels,
two, male and female) . He creates you in the wombs of your mothers :
creation after creation in there veils of darkness. Such is Allah your
Lord His is the Kingdom . La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be
worshipped but He). How then are you turned away ?
(7 : 54)
Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in
six days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in manner
that suits His Majesty) . He brings the night as a cover over the day,
seeking it rapidly , and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars
subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and
Commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind,
jinn and all that exists)!
(10 : 32)
Such is Allah, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can
there be, save error ? How then are you turned away ?

2) Who is Allah ?

(59 : 23-24)
23 : He is Allah beside Whom La Ilaha Illa Huwa (none has the right
to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the one Free from all
defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-
Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory, be to Allah! (High is He)
above all that they associate as partners with Him .
24 : He is Allah, the creator, the Inventor of of all things, the Bestower
of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and
the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise .
(20 : 14)
“Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be
worshipped but I), So worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-
Salat) for My Remembrance.
(2 : 255)
Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but
He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyuum (the Ever Living the One Who sustains and
protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To
Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth
.Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission ?
He Knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and
what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never
compass any thing of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His
Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth and He feels no fatigue
in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most
Great. (This Verse 2:225 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi) .
(35 : 13)
He merges the night into the day (i.e.the decrease in the hours of the
night is added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the
night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day is added the hours of the
night). And has subjected the sun and the moon: each runs its course
for a term appointed. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the Kingdom ,
And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not
even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone).
(3 : 18)
Allah bears winess that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be
worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also
give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in justice La
ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-
Mighty, the All-Wise.
(3 : 51)
Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This
is the straight Path.

3) Did you think that Allah created you only
for play and without any purpose ?

(3 : 115)
“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any
purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”

4) For what did Allah create mankind ?

(51 : 56)
And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they
should worship Me (Alone).

5) What did Allah command us to do ?

(4 : 58)
Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to
those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men,
you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching with He
(Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.
(6 : 151)
Say (O Muhammad) : “Come, I will recite what your Lord has
prohibited you from: be Join not anything in worship with Him; be
good and dutiful to your parents; Kill not your children because of
poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near
to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether
committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has
forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He
has commanded you that you may understand.

6) From where shall we seek guidance?

(1 : 1 – 6)
1: In the Name of Allah, the Most. Gracious, the Most Merciful.
2: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin
(mankind, jinn and all that exists).
3: The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful .
4: The Only Owner (and the only Ruling judge) of the Day of
Recompense (i.e the Day of Resurrection)
5: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each
and everything).
6: Guide us to the Straight Way.

7) Who shall we invoke in time of disaster?

(29 : 65)
And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their
Faith pure for Him Only: but when He brings them safely to land,
behold they give a share of their worship to others .
(10 : 12)
And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying on his side, or
sitting or standing. But when We have removed his harm from him, he
passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him!
Thus it is made fair-seeming to the Musrifun that which they used to
do.

8) What happened to the previous nations
when they disobeyed Allah ?

(29 : 40)
So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on
whom We sent Hasib (a violent wind with shower of stones) (as on the
people of Lut (Lot) , and of them were some who were overtaken by
As-saihah (torment – awful cry. (as Thamud or Shuabs people), and of
them were some whem We caused the earth to swallow (as Qarun
(Korah), and of them were some whom We drowned (as the people of
Nuh (Noah), or Firaun (Pharaoh) and his people). It was not Allah
Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves .

9) Does Allah guard and save the Quran
from corruption ?

(15 : 9)
Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran)
and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).

10) Who should we worship ?

(20 : 14)
“Verily! I am Allah La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be
worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-assalat)
for My Remembrance.

11) What is the religion of Allah ?

(3 : 19)
Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the
Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual
jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves
in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah,
then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.

12) What is the religion accepted by Allah ?

(3 : 85)
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be
accepted of him and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.

13) Where does the Quran come from ?

(42 : 3)
Likewise Allah, the All-Mighty the All-Wise sends Revelation to you
(O Muhammad) as (He sent Revelation to) those before you.
(6 : 114)
(Say (O Muhammad) “Shall I seek a judge other than Allah while it
is He Who has sent down unto you the book (the Quran), explained in
detail.” Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (the Taurat (Torah)
and the Injeel (Gospel) know that it is revealed from your Lord in
truth. So be not you of those who doubt.

14) Why did Allah send messengers ?

(4 : 64)
We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah's Leave.

15) Do we have to believe in all the
messengers ?

(2 : 285)
The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to
him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in
Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), “We
make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” – and
they say, “We hear and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our
Lord, and to You is the return (of all).”

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Is it true that the Quran says that the Non-Muslims should be killed wherever found?

2010-07-19T16:46:00.003+05:00

Doesn’t Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality since the Quran says that Muslims should kill the Non-Muslims where ever they find them?
Answer:A few selected verses from the Quran are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.

1. Verse from Surah Taubah
The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:"Kill the Non-Muslims (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them." [Al-Quran 9:5]

2. Context of verse is during battlefield
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful."[Al-Quran 9:5]This verse is quoted during a battle.

3. Example of war between America and Vietnam
We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: "Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.

4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle
Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Quran says, "Kill the Non-Muslims (mushriqs) where ever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Quran is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies, kill them.

5. Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7
Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6.

6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:"If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge."[Al-Quran 9:6]The Quran not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security? This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Quran to promote peace in the world.

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My fellow Muslims, here is the blueprint for true success in the world!

2010-07-19T01:54:00.010+05:00

My dear concerned Muslims. There is something that needs tohit home in us if we really want to bring about positive change in the world ofIslam, and then the whole world. In fact that are a couple of things that needto hit home.

One, we Muslims need to go back to our religion, the moralaspects of it, the obedience to Allah and Rasulallah (SAW) aspect of it and theacts of worship both compulsory and voluntary. Our main aim should be to pleaseAllah and become as high in His sight as possible. To become the best humanbeings and make Him proud. If we do not do this, He will not give us victory inevery aspect of the word 'victory'. And we need Him to get victory. We need Himto bring prosperity to Muslims, in fact the whole of humanity. So we need to goback to our religion and make Him happy.

Two, all Muslims of the world including all patriotic/islamic groups need to unite. Making separate groups is notgoing to bring any progress. Im going to give u an example from our Islamic history to illustrate this point. After Rasulallah(SAW) established the system of governance called Khilafah in Arabia, for thenext 50-100 years or so the Muslims were able to expand that Khilafah toinclude Yemen, Oman, Syria, Jordan, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Beirut, the UAE, Iraq,Iran, Egypt, the whole of North Africa. Can u believe how huge an area itbecomes when u include all these countries?!? Of course we didnt have most ofthese names at tht time, considering Syria (Shaam) include present day Syria,Jerusalem/Israel, Lebanon, Beirut and Jordan! And there was no UAE. Anyways,the extremely vital points tht i want to highlight here r this:

1. Look at the amount of land the Muslims had conquered!

2. The time they took to conquer all this land was extremelylittle. No empire in the history of mankind has ever conquered such a hugepiece of land in THIS short a time.

3. In just 2-3 years, and this is the most interesting partof all, the Muslims under Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed (RA) and Abu Ubaidah BinJarrah (RA) had effectively defeated the Persian and Roman empires and hadreduced them to very small amount of land. The Romans had lost the whole ofSyria (of tht time) and the Persians the whole of Iraq and then later Iran too.The Romans now occupied just Turkey (at tht time called Asia Minor or Anatolia)and their home in Italy, and the Persians just Iran and central Asian stateslike Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkemenistan etc. Can u imagine, just 2-3 YEARS!Also, Muslims were always 2-3 times less in number than their oppositions,ALWAYS! Also, their weapons were always inferior.

Then what happened? Well the rate of expansion of theIslamic empire decreased after Hazrat Umar (RA) passed away for some time, butit increased again in the time of the 10th Khalifa, Waleed Bin Abd al-Malik,under whom Hajjaj Bin Yousaf (his military second in command u cud say) oversawthe expansion of Islam in regions such as Afghanistan, Spain (Tariq Bin Ziyad),Hindustan (Muhammad Bin Qasim entered for the first time via Sindh) and CentralAsian states. But after Hajjaj Bin Yousaf, the rate of expansion decreasedagain. The we see an era in which Muslims had 3 Khilafats at a single time,even though there are several authentic hadises which tell us tht it isabsolutely haram (forbidden) to have more than one Khilafats in Islam at one time! Im referring to the Abbasid khilafat in Baghdad, Andalusia in the Iberianpeninsula ie Spain and Portugal and Fatimid Khilafat in Egypt. Why do u thinkthis development took place?

Here im going to make my point which i wanted to make bygiving this long example from our own history. We shined and our religionshined and Allah's name was glorified during Rasulallah (SAW)'s time and 50-100years afterwards during the time of the Khulafa-i-Rashideen and some time aftertht, but we and our religion declined during the wars that Muslims foughtAMONGST THEMSELVES during Hazrat ali (RA)'s time and afterwards, and then werose wen Muslims united at the time of Waleed Bin Abd al-Malik and hence ourexpansions grew and Islam was able to spread effectively. But then we sufferedagain wen we started fighting against each other and destroyed the unity thathad struck fear and awe in the hearts of the Romans and Persians before. Wemade 3 Khilafats because we cudnt stop our bickering! Do u know what happenedonce we took this path? Spain became divided in like 14 provinces, each withits own 'Muslim' ruler, and they wud call upon the Christian kings of the south(in Africa) to help them in fighting each other!!! So what happened then? Whatwas the result of this disunity in the ummah? The Non-Muslims took this as anopportunity and attacked the Muslims on two fronts, the Romans attacked via Anatolia at the Iranian lands and the French attacked at the Iberian peninsula. Thankfully we still had 2 dignified Muslim leaders in these regions who held back these attacks so effectively that as a result the Romans were annihilated in the Asia Minor region (modern day Turkey) except Constantinople (Istanbul) and the French comprehensively beaten and the Iberian peninsula protected for the next 400 years! Alp Arsalan did it on the Iranian front and Yusuf Bin Tashfeen in the Iberian peninsula. Fast forward a couple of years and you see these moments of unity and high religious understanding in the ummah eventually causing the whitewash of the great Roman and Persian empires so effectively that we dont see a mention or trace of them anywhere in the world! Thts wht we r capable of wen we r united and when we have Allah dearer to us than our personal feuds and jealousies with our Muslim brethren. But wen we divide and when we leave our religion, the enemies ofIslam findan opportunity to attack us just like the Romans and French did, just like theCrusaders did very soon afterwards and just like the Americans and the entire Europe is doing right now! The greatest proof of this fact that I've just stated is the complete ignorance in the world today regarding the great Islamic empire that had existed in this world for a good 1300 years! Even in the Muslim societies you don't hear anything about our empire and the great service it gave to the world. Many inventions of great Muslim scientists were key to theprogress of science tht we see today. We invented the camera, algebra, trigonometry, clocks, atlas, optics, great astronomical discoveries and many many other amazing things on the shoulders of which the world of science stands today. But the names of those great scientists are either never mentioned or are regarded as inferior to the Newtons, the Bohrs, the Einsteins and all these western scientists who would not have made the progress that they made had it not been for their Muslim predecessors. This is what disgrace is like!

Moral of the story: Wen we r united, and wen we stick to ourreligion, then a mere 40,000 of our technologically inferior army can easilyannihilate a far superior Roman army of 2.5 lakh in the Battle of Yarmuk, our60 can trouble 6000 of the Arab Christians who had sided with the Romans in thtbattle, our mere 25,000 under Mahmud Ghaznvi can easily whitewash a Hindu heapof 2 lakhs, n not just once, MANY TIMES! Understand our strength my fellowMuslims. Our strength, as our own history teaches us, lies in our unity and ourability to find common ground with all other Muslims regardless of theirbeliefs, ethnicity, language, colour and other characteristics which havealways been used to divide man by the NON-muslims. And it also very vitallylies in our ability to stick firmly with our religion and religious values, inother words, our ability to hold tightly to the rope of Allah. So my honestadvice to u right now is not to fight amongst one another over any issue, be it religious or non-religious. Do not make a separate group/movement for the welfareof the Muslims and/or your country, but instead try to unite all the other islamic/patrioticgroups that you find either on the net (eg facebook) or on the streets. There is Jamiat,Tableeghi Jamat, Tanzeem-e-Islami, Hizb-ul-Tehrir, PKKH, Zaid Hamid's movement, Azme Ale Shan,Pakistan First, People's Action Movement, Youth's Initiative, to name a few. I hope mymessage got well delivered. :) Unite, join ur group with all the others, forgive nforget all differences, n u will surely achieve success. Allah promises usuccess in the Quran if u unite n hold religion dear to u.

To Non-Muslims: I feel that if Non-Muslims will read this article of mine, there is one distinct question that might come in their minds. So I'll answer it for them in case it does come up. :) You might be thinking that it seems like Islam was spread just like Christianity was by the Romans/Byzantines, the British and then the Americans, ie by colonial invasions. Well, that is not the case. Accurate study of history shows that Muslim armies used to attack Non-Muslim 'armies' and 'governments', not their civilians or even animals and trees. In colonialism, the civilians are subjected to immense torture, women raped, men women and children murdered, lands snatched, natural resources stolen, trees and pastures razed and the conquered are ruled with an iron fist. THIS is what the Romans, Persians, British, Americans and all other colonial powers of history used to do. But these things were never done by the Muslims. That's point number one. Point number two is that the reason they would attack Non-Muslim armies and governments and strive to topple them and replace them with their own was because Non-Muslim governments have always been ruthless towards their populations, and this is a fact that has been repeated again and again in history. And Muslims were honorable, just, dignified leaders whose entrance into foreign lands was always welcomed by the local populations. For example when they entered Egypt, which was a colony of the Romans, as they were defeating the Roman garrisons one by one, their exemplary character towards the local population would cause the natives (Coptic Christians btw!) to actually start helping them against their own rulers. Which invading army has ever been helped by the local population ever in history? :)

The Muslims would invade, topple the local government and military, and set up a true humanitarian form of government which would benefit the people. Khilafah was a blessing for HUMANITY, not just the Muslims. The following speech of the firstCaliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), to the armies that he sent to Syria is worth mentioning here:

"Stop, O people, that I maygive you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not committreachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies.Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees,nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any ofthe enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people whohave devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone."

The following hadises (sayings) of the Prophet (SAWW) arerelevant here:

"You are neitherhard-hearted nor of fierce character, nor one who shouts in the markets. You donot return evil for evil, but excuse and forgive." - Bukhari, Volume 6,Book 60, Number 362

"Do not kill any old person,any child or any woman" (Abu Dawud).

"Do not kill the monks inmonasteries" or "Do not kill the people who are sitting in places ofworship" (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).

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Information for students on universities, online colleges, and distance learning.

The world around us today encourages us to have arrogance and pride in ourselves. What does Islam have to say on this topic?

2010-07-15T15:57:00.005+05:00

• Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, "In hell the proud will be locked in coffins of fire and kept there forever."

• Reported by Sawban, he (SAW) said, "A believer who dies free of debt, treachery and arrogance enters Paradise."

• Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever has an atom of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise." Then one of his companions asked, "What do you say about someone who likes to dress in fine clothes?" and he answered, "Allah is beautiful and likes that which is beautiful. Arrogance is to deny reality and to consider others beneath oneself."

• "I shall turn away from my revelations those who are unjustly proud in the Earth. Even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the right path to salvation they will not take it. If they see the wrong path to error and sin they will take it. This is because they reject Our messages and are heedless of them."Surah Al-A'raf, Ayat 146

• Abdullah ibn Selam was seen in the market place with a heavy load of wood on his back. Someone said to him, "What makes you do this? Allah has freed you from doing such chores." Ibn Selam answered, "I wished to rid myself of all signs of pride with this as I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say that, " The one who has pride in his heart even as little as a mustard seed will not enter paradise."

• During his Khilafat, Omar ibn Khattab (RA) was marching upon Damascus with his army. Abu Ubayda ibn Jarrah was with him. They came upon a little lake. Hazrat Omar (RA) descended from his camel, took off his shoes, tied them together, and hung them on his shoulder. He took the halter of his camel and together they entered the water. Seeing this in front of the army, Abu Ubayda said, "Oh the Commander of the believers, how can you be so humble in front of all your men?" Hd. Omar answered, "Woe to you, Abu Ubayda! If only anyone else other than you thought this way! Thoughts like this will cause the downfall of the Muslims. Don't you see, we were indeed a very lowly people, Allah raised us to honor and greatness through Islam. If we forget who we are and wish other than Islam, which elevated us, the One who raised us, surely will debase us."

• Ibn Tirimizi reports that, "On the Day of Judgment, the haughty will be raised as small as ants but in their own countenance. They will be guided by huge hordes of horrors to a dungeon called Bulis. There they will be fed with poisonous human excretion like dirty blood and pus."

People Like Us: How Arrogance Is Dividing Islam and the West

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War has never achieved anything and it never will

2010-07-13T02:49:00.005+05:00

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This is a speech that I wrote for a Declamation (Speech) competition in my college. I'v decided to put it up here on my blog too.

Honourable President, respected Judges, Ladies and Gentlemen, Assalamualaikum!
America said it wants to rid the World of the threat that Iraq posed to it due to its weapons of mass destruction. So America invaded Iraq. But it didn't find any such weapons. It failed to achieve its objective. So then, what did it achieve?
America said it wanted to rid the world of Usama Bin laden, the biggest terrorist and hence the biggest threat to the world. So it invaded Afghanistan. But it didn't find Usama Bin Laden. It failed to achieve its objective. So then, what did it achieve?

I'll tell you what it achieved. It achieved the distrust of the whole world, more so of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. It achieved hatred from all quarters. It achieved difficulties in handling these two countries due to continued resistance by those people. In short, it achieved nothing.

I believe war has the potential of achieving a lot, but not the wars of today. Today we see that the winning side becomes a tyrant, an oppressor, an opportunist, a brute, and gives no regard to any moral obligations when handling the situation of being the winner of a war. Therefore we see that the response of the losing side in such wars is always unsympathetic, harsh, non-cooperative and distrusting towards the invader. So in such scenarios, I can only come to the obvious conclusion that wars can never achieve anything and never will.
Let me summarize, invaders treat the losing side with brutality and injustice, so the losing side responds with likewise negativity. Yes the invaders do achieve the land, the natural resources, the money and the labour of the losing side, but these in my opinion are not true achievements if you haven't won the hearts and minds of people. In todays world, this is the scenario that develops at the end of every war, so if I have to base my judgement only upon these scenarios, then I have to come to the conclusion that war has never achieved anything and never will.

U see, my view of success, of achievement, is that an army conquers a people, and treats them in such a way that after some time those same people start to think of their new leaders as better than their previous ones, and starts to offer their support, their cooperation, their sympathy towards the invaders. This is my view of success.

Now the reason why my actual belief is that wars have the potential of achieving a lot, is because I keep the example of the Muslim armies of the past in front of me, whose conquests led to the losing side welcoming them with open arms and openly offering them cooperation and peace. These results are all there written in history. The Muslim armies used to be given specific orders before wars that no soldier was supposed to harm even a single tree, let alone innocent men, women and children. In fact, the Muslim armies were ordered to fight against only and only those people from the other side who directly attacked them. But apart from them, anyone who wished not to fight was supposed to not only be spared but also escorted to a place of safety where he would not be harmed by anyone even accidently. This was the conduct of the Muslim armies. They used to invade towns and empires with such moral obligations weighing on their shoulders, and then when they used to take control of the governance of the occupied land, they used to follow strict moral and justice-based guidelines in devising the political, economic and social laws for them as guided by the Quran and Shariah of the Prophet (SAW). Within a short period of time, radical changes used to be seen in such occupied lands. The people became more organized, more morally upright, more humble and peaceful, more logical and open minded, more blissful and just. The social systems got massive upheavels, all negative aspects of social life used to get eliminated, and most importantly, people used to welcome such changes. Crime rates used to decrease. Judicial systems used to become more just and trustworthy. The police and army and other defence forces of those empires used to become more fearful of the power that they were entrusted with and hence misuse of power by such forces decreased with time. In view of all these changes that are on record in history, not made up, I can easily come to the conclusion, and so should you I believe, that wars CAN achieve a lot.
Wars can achieve a lot if conducted with the right intentions, and with Islam as the backing. Because Islam is the only force in the entire world that emphasizes so much on the moral obligations of an invading army amongst other things. No other system of thought, religion etc has the force that Islam has in this respect. Plus the fear of God that keeps people from committing gross injustices towards the losing side is only and only instilled by this religion, Islam. So fear of God, the One All-Powerful King who is looking over us and our actions all the time, creates a sense of uprightness inside an individual that propels him towards treating other people right. Armies that have this sense of uprightness only can prevent themselves from committing those excesses of power that we see nowadays. This sense of uprightness, this fear of God, is only created inside a person by Islam.

In the end ladies and gentlemen, I would like to conclude with these words: The wars that we see today, in my book, do not achieve success, because success is measured by the amount of positive change that you bring in the nation that you've conquered, not by the amount of publicity that you create amongst the onlookers from other nations about your goodwill and generosity and sense of justice. If we follow the example of the previous Muslims nations, then only can we reap the true benefits of wars, which are as I described above. Thank you, and may Allah bless you.

Note: You must have noted that in this speech, I have mentioned some events from Islamic history pertaining to the conduct of Muslim armies during and after war. For more detailed information about what are the exact rulings of Islam on issues such as war, torture, colonial conquests, refer to my blog article titled 'What Islam says about war, colonial conquests and torture.' And for more information on the opinion of Islam on how to govern the masses effectively and with moral responsibility, refer to my blog article titled 'The morally and technically sound way to govern the masses in islam'.

Former CIA official exposes the lies that the Bush administration spoke to the world with regards to Iran for the purpose of starting a war with it. See for yourself how the American government instigates wars itself rather than follow their righteous claim of being the 'preventors of wars'!

Watch this video to see the reality of what wars instigated by the Super power of the world (America) does to the people of the world! This is a testimony, probably the best that I'v ever heard, from a government official.

Hmong women hunted and raped by Lao soldiers. Another proof of the absolutely disgusting nature of wars and colonialism in the world today. We've got to stop this madness!

In the end, an eye opening speech by Charlie Chaplain, a great message of hope for the people of the world in the following video. Read this: "Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions of despairing men, women and little children, victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. For those who can hear me I say: Do not despair! The misery that is upon us is but (because of) the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people, and so long as men die, liberty will never perish."
Wow! Incredible speech. Hear it full:

A question on many women's minds: Why does Islam say I should wear the Hijab?

2010-07-10T22:05:00.011+05:00

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This is a good question and there is a beautiful answer! Allah has commanded us with every action that is good for us and prohibited us from performing every action that is bad for us. Allah orders the Muslim woman to wear the hijab when she steps out of the security of her home or when in the presence of strange men. So to wear the hijab is a source of great good for you - the Muslim woman - for many reasons. Among them:

1. You please Allah. You are obeying the commands of your Lord when you wear the hijab and you can expect great rewards in return.

2. It is Allah's protection of your natural beauty. You are too precious to be "on display" for each man to see.

3. It is Allah's preservation of your chastity.

4. Allah purifies your heart and mind through the hijab.

5. Allah beautifies your inner and outer countenance with hijab. Outwardly your hijab reflects innocence, purity, modesty, shyness, serenity, contentment and obedience to your Lord. Inwardly you cultivate the same.

6. Allah defines your femininity through the hijab. You are a woman who respects her womanhood. Allah wants you to be respected by others, and for you to respect yourself.

7. Allah raises your dignity through the hijab. When a strange man looks at you, he respects you because he sees that you respect yourself.

8. Allah protects your honour 100% through your hijab. Men do not gaze at you in a sensual way, they do not approach you in a sensual way, and neither do they speak to you in a sensual way. Rather, a man holds you in high esteem and that is just by one glance at you!

9. Allah gives you nobility through the hijab. You are noble not degraded because you covered not naked.

10. Allah demonstrates your equality as a Muslim woman through the hijab. Your Lord bestows upon you equal worth as your male counterpart, and gives you a host of beautiful rights and liberties. You express your acceptance of these unique rights by putting on the hijab.

11. Allah defines your role as a Muslim woman through the hijab. You are a someone with important duties. You are a reflection of a woman of action not idle pursuits. You display your sense of direction and purpose through your hijab. You are someone that people take seriously.

12. Allah expresses your independence through the hijab. You are stating clearly that you are an obedient servant of the Greatest Master. You will obey no one else and follow no other way. You are not a slave to any man, nor a slave to any nation. You are free and independent from all man-made systems.

13. Allah gives you the freedom of movement and expression through the hijab. You are able to move about and communicate without fear of harassment. Your hijab gives you a unique confidence.

14. Allah wants others to treat you - a Muslim woman - with kindness. And the hijab brings about the best treatment of men towards you.

15. Allah wants your beauty to be preserved and saved for just one man to enjoy - your husband.

16. Allah helps you to enjoy a successful marriage through wearing hijab. Because you reserve your beauty for one man alone, your husband's love for you increases, he cherishes you more, he respects you more and he honours you more. So your hijab contributes to a successful and lasting marriage relationship.

17. Allah brings about peace and stability in the society through the hijab! Yes this is true! Men do not cause corruption by forming illegal relationships because you - the Muslim woman - calm their passions. When a man looks at you, he feels at ease, not tempted to fornicate.

So a Muslim woman in hijab is dignified, not dishonoured, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute.

"Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow wherein they will dwell for ever; Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him; this is (in store) for whoever fears his Lord." [Surat-ul-Bayyinah 98:8]
(Article ended)

Muslim women speaking about their love for hijab, the western imperialistic attitude against hijab when they try to hold their own view of freedom as the standard (which is that nakedness and expression of a woman's sexuality is real freedom) and treat all other views of freedom as wrong and hence be liable to ridicule and sometime force, and many other issues. Watch this awesome video of American Muslim women having a conversation about these topics.

Wearing Hijab: Uncovering the Myths of Islam in the United States

The Hijab: A Symbol of Faith, Piece of Fabric, or Sign of Oppression

Of Hockey and Hijab: Reflections of a Canadian Muslim Woman

Black and White Hijab Pins (set of 8)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once said that black seed oil cures everything except death. Black seeds are known to be the greatest healing herbs of all times! Its products have been used for thousands of years as a remedy for all sorts of allergies, inflammation and menstrual problems, boosting depression, and against bronchitis, asthma, neuro-dermatitis, poor digestion, dysentery, lung disease, jaundice, diuretic problems, increasing nursing mother's milk, as well as impotency. It has anti-bacterial and anti-mycotic effects, hence it is used for treating various bacterial and fungal diseases. It reduces blood glucose levels, hence used in diabetes. It stimulates bone marrow and immune cells, raises interferon production, protects cells against viruses, destroys tumour cells and increases production of antibodies. Ideal for preventing and treating cancer (no need for the expensive and torture-like chemotherapy and radiotherapy that is usually done for treating cancer). It is excellent for chronic illnesses and curing allergies. Looking at the array of affects it has, one must be impressed at the amazing advice of the Prophet around 1400 years ago when science in Arabia was almost non-existent! If you want to buy these amazing 'black seed products', click the links below:

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What Islam says about war, colonial conquests and torture

2010-07-08T19:46:00.014+05:00

1) Only fight (ie wars, personal one-to-one physical battles etc) against those who fight you (ie fight in self-defence) and your deen literally and directly!

2) Apart from the 2 underlined reasons above, do not fight against anyone else for any other reason.

3) Even when fighting, do not cross the limits of human dignity, decency and morality, irrespective of the behaviour of the enemy.

The following verse of the Quran is the proof for the guidelines of war highlighted above.

“Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors.” (Al-Baqarah 2:190)

4) While entering the opposition’s territory, the Muslim armies are not to even “touch” anyone who does not want to fight the Muslims, especially children, women, men, even those men from the opposition’s army who decide to lay down their arms and ask for peace.

5) The Muslim armies are not to loot and destroy any of the opposition’s assets, ie houses, farms, buildings, places of worship, natural resources etc. It does not have the right to use the things belonging to the people without their consent. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) used to tell Muslim armies being dispatched to the battle that they should not even use the milk of the cattle without the permission of the owners. However, booty of war from the battleground is altogether different. It consists of the wealth, provisions and equipment captured from the camps and military headquarters of the combatant armies and may legitimately be appropriated.

6) The Muslim armies are not to harm even the trees, land, nature in general, present in the opposition’s territory.

7) The Muslims must never compel the opposition to leave their religion, their temples and places of worship, and become Muslims instead. Islam must never be forced upon the people.

The Prophet (SAW) himself used to instruct his armies about the guidelines given above. The following speech of the first Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), to the armies that he sent to Syria highlights all these points:

"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone."

The following hadises (sayings) of the Prophet (SAWW) are relevant here:

"You are neither hard-hearted nor of fierce character, nor one who shouts in the markets. You do not return evil for evil, but excuse and forgive." - Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 362

"Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman" (Abu Dawud).

"Do not kill the monks in monasteries" or "Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship" (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).

During a war, the Prophet (SAWW) saw the corpse of a woman lying on the ground and said: "She was not fighting. How then came she to be killed?"

8) The opponent must never be burnt during combat as this brings about intense pain, and the aim of Islam is not to inflict intense pain and torture upon people but to defend the Muslims against visible aggression. So for this purpose, such measures that bring about death after subjecting the opponent to prolonged periods of intense pain are prohibited. The Prophet (SAWW) once said: "Punishment by fire does not behove anyone except the Master of the Fire" (Abu Dawud).

9) Wounded soldiers who are not fit to fight, nor actually fighting, must not be attacked. The Prophet (SAWW) said: "Do not attack a wounded person".

10) No prisoner should be killed. The Prophet (SAWW) said: "No prisoner should be put to the sword".

11) No opponent should be tied to be killed in the near future.

12) The corpses of the opposition must be returned to the opposition upon request. In the battle of Ahzab, a renowned enemy warrior was killed and his body fell into the trench which the Muslims had dug for the defence of Madina. The unbelievers presented ten thousand Dinars to the Prophet and requested that the dead body of their fallen warrior be handed over to them. The Prophet replied: "I do not sell dead bodies. You can take away the corpse of your fallen comrade."

13) Medical assistance MUST be provided to the injured among the opposition by the Muslims if they can. A well-known example is that of Salahuddin Ayyubi (Saladin), who gave medical help to his opponent Richard the Lion-Hearted of England, who was seriously ill during the Crusades. He sent his own doctor and personally supervised Richard's treatment until he became well. This is in sharp contrast to the behavior of the crusaders themselves. When they entered Jerusalem on July 15, 1099, they slaughtered seventy thousand Muslims, including women, children, and the elderly, as Edward Gibbon, a famous historian, writes: "They broke children's skulls by knocking them against the wall, threw babies from roof tops, roasted men over fires and cut open women's bellies to see if they had swallowed any gold." Also compare Salahuddin Ayyubi’s attitude to that shown by the Hindus in Gujarat and the US in their detention facilities.

14) Muslims must be merciful and caring towards the captured enemy.

15) Muslims must feed the prisoners and never deprive them of food in order to torture them and hence force out the secrets of the enemy from them in any way. Ibn Umayr, one of the captives of Muslims in the Battle of Badr recalled: "Whenever I sat with my captors for lunch or dinner, they would offer me bread and themselves [eat] the dates, in view of the Prophet's recommendation in our favor." Please note that in that desert situation, bread was a more luxurious item of food than dates.

16) The prisoners must not be deprived of food, shelter, clothing, respect, and the basic needs of human beings.

17) The captive belongs to the state and not to his captor, ie a single Muslim or a group of Muslims. The ruler of the Muslim empire/state has the ultimate option, as he sees fit, to grant him freedom immediately or at a later time.

18) The captives can be released in two main ways as practised by the Prophet (SAWW) himself. One, out of mercy, for the sake of Allah. But in this case the word of the captives must be taken that they will never fight against the Muslims again, and it should be made clear to them that if they do, they will be severly dealt with next time they are captured. Second way is by taking ransom. Ransom could be money, or some beneficial reasonable service to the Muslim community such as teaching a few Muslim children how to read and write for example. However in case of taking money for ransom, the Prophet (SAWW) used to ensure that the families of the captives would be able to pay the ransom first before asking them to.

19) The captives can be killed if the “Ruler/Imam” of the Muslims deems it fit, not an individual Muslim. The criteria for killing captives is that the captive committed numerous atrocities against the Muslims, so many and so brutal that his release would be a threat to the Muslims.

20) The Muslims must always be truthful and trustworthy in their dealings with the opposition. This is actually taught in their religion Islam, as opposed to other religions whose books might contain such teachings but whose leaders and governments do not enforce them and hold them important in their hearts. The following Quranic verses contain teachings of being truthful:

“O you who believe! Fulfil your undertakings…” (Al-Ma'idah 5:1)

“Fulfil the covenant of God when you have entered into it, and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them; indeed you have made God your surety; for God knows all that you do…” (An-Nahl 16:91)

In the peace treaty of Hudaybiya when, after the settlement of the terms of the treaty, Abu Jandal, the son of the emissary of the unbelievers who had negotiated the treaty with the Muslims, came bound and blood-stained to the Muslim camp crying for help, the Prophet said to him: "Since the terms of the treaty have been settled, we are not in a position to help you. You should go back with your father. God will provide you with some other opportunity to escape this persecution." The entire Muslim army was deeply touched and grieved at the plight of Abu Jandal and many of them were moved to tears, but not one of them came forwards to help him in order to keep the promise of the treaty that the Muslims will not give asylum to Non-Muslims if the latter come to the Muslims for help and protection. By the way, the terms of the treaty were made by the Non-Muslims. This is an unparalleled example of the observance of terms of agreement. Islamic history can show many similar examples.

Also, if Muslims sense the violation of an existing treaty by the enemy, they should first declare the annulment of that treaty before embarking on war again. This is to make sure that the people of the world know why exactly the Muslims are planning to attack the people with whom they made a peace-treaty! The Quran says:

“If you fear treachery from any group, throw back [their covenant] to them, [so as to be] on equal terms: for God loves not the treacherous.” (Al-Anfal 8:58)

Note: Islam never fought civilian populations, but only fought despotic rulers. Islamic war was one of liberation from despotic rulers and governments and not one of coercion of the people towards Islam and the ideologies of Islam. The liberated people had the freedom to choose their religion, and Muslims often fought to ensure this freedom. The process of active intervention to stop or remove aggression is a development that modern international law has recently recognized, hence the creation of the League of Nations and later the United Nations. And fourteen centuries before this development, Islam decreed such responsibility. This principle is based on the Quranic saying:

"If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy." (Al-Hujurat 49:9-10)

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The morally and technically sound way to govern the masses in Islam

2010-07-06T19:49:00.013+05:00

In public administration all the key public functionaries ought to be people of high caliber, just and energetic and must possess qualities of head and heart. In the words of fourth rightly guided Caliph Hazrat Ali (RA) they should have the qualities of refinement (quality of summarizing difficult and complex concepts and situations), experience, alertness, power of comprehending problems, secrecy, freedom from greed and lust.

A careful analysis of principles of administration and qualities of an administrator from Islamic point of view would show that man's personal character is the key to good governance.

Perhaps the most exhaustive work on Islamic ethics of administration and qualities of an administrator is by a Pakistani specialist on public administration Shaukat Ali. His book "Administrative Ethics in a Muslim State" offers a comprehensive survey of instructions in the Holy Qur'an and "Traditions" on the subject.

The other monumental work on Islamic system of administration is by Dr. Mohammad Al Burray of Medina University. The book is titled "Administrative Development: An Islamic perspective".

The following advice to the Governor (Wali) Mali Alk-Ashtar contained in a letter of Hazrat Ali (RA) gives in a nutshell the qualities of an administrator. He should be an ideal for his staff and fellow citizens and choose the most qualified yet pious, honest, truthful and God-fearing men for his administrative structure.

He should be impartial and dispense justice with equity and should be very careful about the back biters, sycophants, corrupt and scandal mongers. He should constantly remain in contact with his staff and consult them and should not issue authoritative and arbitrary orders.

He should strike against corruption, injustice and evil usages of authority against citizens and take responsibility for any defect in his subordinates and staff. He should not reserve for himself or his relatives any common property in which others have share and stake.

If studied carefully, this letter of Hazrat Ali (RA) (text available in Nahjul Balagha) is a blueprint for efficient administration. It is based on the golden principles of Islam. The emphasis is on the character of the administrators.

They should continuously watch that justice, social equity and honesty prevail in the society and conduct themselves as servants of the people and trustees of state and of those below them in command as well as the public in general. They should love their fellow citizen as they love themselves and their families and not behave like rulers.

A long letter written during the rule of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mamun is another best available source on the principles of administration in Islamic literature.

Written by Tahir Ibn Al-Husayn, Al-Mamun's general, to his son Abdullah Ibn Tahir. This letter is summarized in Ibn-e-Khaldun's "Muqqaddamah". According to Ibn-e-Khaldun, Tahir in this letter to his son gave him advice concerning all religious and ethical matters.

He urged him to strive for virtue and good qualities in a manner so exemplary that no king or commander can do without. The general theme of this letter is duties and responsibilities of the administrative leaders or executives.

In the letter principles of administration abound and deal with accountability and punishment, moderation in administration, avoidance of falsehoods, consultation with specialists, on employment policy, supervision and foresight, punctuality, redressal of grievances and complaints, care for subordinates and the people of the State generally, a time schedule for officials, and policies governing revenue and expenditure.

Since Islamic system is democratic in nature and is based on Shariah and the Sunnah, there is no place in this system for dictatorial leadership, authoritarian attitude and one man decision-making. This is the principle which forms a constant current in Islamic system of administration. The system is human in nature, content and application. When Hazrat Omar (RA) would appoint a governor, he would invariably advise the incumbent

"Not to make reception halls so that you are accessible to every one, not to eat refined flour as it is not available to all citizens of the Ummah, not to wear thin cloth because this would make you easy going and not to ride a Turkish horse because this would make you haughty".

There is absolutely no doubt that principles of administration in Islam are by far the most scientific and comprehensive set of principles for effective and efficient administration. Instructions of Hazrat Omar (RA) and Hazrat Ali (RA) noted earlier provide a complete frame for Islamic administration.

Islamic system of justice includes social justice, which means that the Government must manage to meet and fulfil the needs and requirements of all citizens because they have rightful share in State resources and are bonafide citizens of the country.

This includes provision of job, means of subsistence and economic justice. This further implies that it is the responsibility of the State to provide food, shelter and clothing to all the citizens of the State. Economic justice is aimed at equitable distribution of means of living and check concentration of wealth in a few hands.

That is why the rightly guided second Caliph Hazrat Umar (RA) refused to allot lands to the Muslim soldiers and commanders in areas conquered by Muslims in Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Only justice can create discipline in life of the people. Also essential is administrative justice, which means that all State functionaries are also subject to accountability and do not consider and treat people as "slaves" or "personal servants".

They should not insult the people in any manner. They should be honest and efficiently administer public affairs. It should be ensured that the concentration of wealth in one class or in a few hands does not occur.

According to Ibn-e-Khaldun, a successful and viable administrative set up is that in which people's participation is ensured. If the governed feel that they share the administrative process, the society would be stable.

What Ibne Khaldun observed is reflected in modern theory of New Public Administration(NPA) that administration should be such as make people feel that they are equal partners in the process of planning, administration and implementation. Thus public participation is an essential part of Islamic model of administration.

During the caliphate of first four rightly guided Caliphs and the rule of Umayyads and partly during Abbasid rule and under Fatimids in Egypt, public administration was a great success because of its efficiency and God-fearing administrators.
(Article ended)

Here is a video in which you can see how a true Islamic leader sounds like. This is Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, giving a speech of greetings to the world on 15th August 1947, one day after Pakistan was born.

Here is another Muslim leader, Malcolm X, concerned about the annihilation of a nation, the black nation, by the government of the US or the 'white man' as he used to say. A true Muslim leader is always concerned about the welfare of the people of the world.

Al-Ahkam As-Sultaniyyah: The Laws of Islamic Governance

Islamic Political Thought and Governance (Critical Concepts in Political Science)

Islamic System of Justice

Abu Bakr Siddique & Umer Ibn Al-Khattab (both excellent guides for islamic governance) by Anwar Awlaki (CDs)

Islam? Tell me more about it.

2nd part of the speech on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

A speech on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by Sir Zaid Hamid

Muslim inventions that shaped the modern world!

Ibn Haytham - The first 'true' scientist!

The 'first true scientist'

The Great Age of the World from 600 to 1500 AD (also called the "Qurun e Aula")

Cheating in exams, is it allowed in Islam?

Lying and deception have become a phenomena in this world. What does Islam have to say about them?

American soldiers speak out the truth behind what they are 'actually' doing in wars around the world!

A German finds out the truth behind the wars that America and NATO fight in Iraq and Afghanistan! Its a war against Muslims and Islam, NOT Al Qaeda he says!

The basic concepts of Islam Part 2

The basic concepts of Islam Part 1

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Is it true that the Quran says that the Non-Muslims should be killed wherever found?

My fellow Muslims, here is the blueprint for true success in the world!

The world around us today encourages us to have arrogance and pride in ourselves. What does Islam have to say on this topic?

War has never achieved anything and it never will

A question on many women's minds: Why does Islam say I should wear the Hijab?

What Islam says about war, colonial conquests and torture

The morally and technically sound way to govern the masses in Islam