Pages

Friday, 29 June 2018

Nasheed Hub: Bushra Lana

The Nasheed Hub, an initiative of SeekersHub Global, aims to showcase the traditional Islamic art of nasheed, or Islamic devotional songs.

Bushra Lana (Good News)

We don’t know what good news inspired the author to write this nasheed. However, Bushra Lana described attainting “our highest wish,” whereby all troubles end and wellbeing and joy comes forth.

We can only wonder what the author experienced. The safe return of a loved one thought to be lost for good? Some knowledge that was implemented allowed the author to be propelled to new heights? A vision of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace? A spiritual connection to Allah, a lifting of veils?bushra lana

We may assume that the author saw the Prophet in a vision. The song continues, telling the soul about the enjoyment of meeting, and telling the eye that it will seek comfort soon, all through the beauty of the Chosen One.

Click the image below to scroll.

bushra lana

About Nasheed Hub

Throughout the decades and civilizations of Islam, the vocal tradition, sometimes known as nasheed or devotional songs, were penned as a way of celebrating and giving thanks to Allah for the message of Islam, as well as for the Messenger himself.
These nasheeds were a way for people to turn towards their Lord in joyful celebration, rather than stringent routine. They were also tools to spread the message of Islam in a non-confrontational way. These nasheeds were able to reach out to those who were alienated or indifferent to the religion and the Muslim community, as well as to teach children who were too young for academic study.
These nasheeds originating from all corners of the Muslim world – from West Africa to Malaysia, from Turkey to Great Britian – mirror their own culture but all carry a common thread: love of Allah and His Messenger.
This series will explore the different nasheeds, penned by some of the great historical Muslim figures, poets, and scholars.


Resources for Seekers

Nasheed Hub: Qad Kafani

Nasheed Hub: Ya Arham al-Rahimeen

 

 

The post Nasheed Hub: Bushra Lana appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2MxfEiX

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Ten face charges in France over suspected far-right terror plot

Police linked those arrested to extremist group urging people to combat Muslims

Ten alleged extreme-right militants suspected of a terrorist plot to attack Muslims in France are to appear before a judge and face preliminary charges.

Nine men and one woman aged 32 to 69 — including one retired police officer — were arrested in raids across France on Saturday, in the Paris area, the Mediterranean island of Corsica and the western Charentes-Maritimes region.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2KdqKgD

Does the Ban Reflect What the US Really Wants?

On the same day that the SCOTUS upheld the Muslim Ban, my daughter showed me the Adam Levine video from ‘Girls Like You.’ The two don’t seem to be related in any way, shape or form. We had just listened to the song on the radio. The lyrics don’t give any clue as to why […]

from My Islamic Life https://ift.tt/2KqNtVC

World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses UK Majlis-e-Shura

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad says knowledge, wisdom and courage required for spread of Islam On 23rd June 2018, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered a faith inspiring address at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community U.K.’s Majlis-e-Shura. The institution of Majlis-e-Shura is the main

The post World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses UK Majlis-e-Shura appeared first on Khalifa of Islam.



from Khalifa of Islam https://ift.tt/2tBiix6

Friday, 22 June 2018

Ours Is Not A Caravan of Despair: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

True joy lies within the heart, and it is unshakeable. Every breath, heartbeat, and moment is a gift from Allah.

Knowing that happiness comes from Allah, we should keep in mind that suffering and hardship come from the same Lord.

An Alternative Perspective

But how can there be joy in hardship? This is where the believer sees things differently. We know that there is a Hereafter, and that we find mercy in the response. When we find oppression, difficulty and distress, we know that is it an opportunity to turn to Allah.

With any situation, our question should be; “How can I be a truly grateful servant? What is the response of gratitude?” Through prayer, charity, advocacy and gathering with others, we work to find a solution. Rather than be a social commentator, we should connect with those who are suffering, and work to improve their lot. Through action we can truly express our gratitude.

The question we need to ask is not, “Why are things the way they are?” Rather the question is, “What is the response required from me?”

See Allah in Everything

One of the poets said, “If you see God as the actor in everything, you behold all creation as beautiful. But if all you see are the traces of His creation, you turn something dazzlingly beautiful into something ugly.”

In the Qur’an, it has been revealed that, “For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (94:4-5). Rather than being told that ease comes after hardship, we are told that it comes with hardship. Allah is not telling us that ease is coming; He is telling us that ease is here.

May Allah grant us to see the opportunity for mercy, good, gratitude, direction, and positivity in every situation. After all, ours is not a caravan of despair.


Resources for Seekers

Spiritual Activism: Laboring With Love

Reviving the Sunnah of Being Optimistic, by Shaykh Ahmed Abdo

 

The post Ours Is Not A Caravan of Despair: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2ywHnOF

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

Day 28: Pray the Duha Prayer–30 Deeds 30 Days

Day 28: Pray the Duha Prayer

We only have a few more precious days of Ramadan. To ensure that we keep the Ramadan spirit alive, let’s commit to at least one action that we will continue performing as we progress through the year.

One of the actions worth choosing to commit to is the Duha, or midmorning, prayer. Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever consistently performs two rakats of Duha, their sins are forgiven, even if like the foam of the sea.” [Ibn Maja (1382) and Tirmidhi (476)]. Find out how to pray the Duha prayer here.


Bring new life to this Ramadan by enrolling in a FREE On-Demand course.

The post Day 28: Pray the Duha Prayer–30 Deeds 30 Days appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2MIMxdA

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Like many gay Muslim people, I have no faith in Pride | Amrou al-Kadhi

The London march is being hollowed out by corporations, and its militant secularism excludes people of faith

Throughout June – London Pride month – corporations around the city will boast of their allegiance to the LGBT community. Walk into a Wagamama, and rainbow flags are intended to show solidarity with LGBT citizens. Barclays, Pride in London’s main sponsor, declares its support in the guise of a temporary rainbow filter on its website logo. What udon noodles and contactless payment have ever done to end homophobia will forever remain a mystery.

On the surface, London Pride celebrates the city as a place of LGBT equality. But this external display of inclusion belies a core that is routed in exclusion. Once a political protest, Pride has been commodified into a business arena cashing in on “the pink pound”. It’s hard to think of a major corporation that doesn’t have a float at the parade, with everyone from PlayStation to Costa broadcasting their dedication to LGBT customers. The relationship between gay equality and good business even dominates Pride in London’s blog forum.

Let’s pull our attention to how LGBT rights intersect with the struggles of other minorities

Related: Stonewall withdraws from Pride in London over 'lack of diversity'

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2MBPuMM

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Nasheed Hub: Ya Arham al-Rahimeen

The Nasheed Hub, an initiative of SeekersHub Global, aims to showcase the traditional Islamic art of nasheed, or Islamic devotional songs.

Ya Arham al-Rahimeenya arham al rahimeen

Ya Arham al-Rahimeen (O Most Merciful of Those Who Show Mercy) is a very unique nasheed. It is in the form of a long, beautifully complex prayer, and it calls on Allah to help the believers in their time of need.

It begins by calling on Allah through His Blessed Names: The Generous, the Merciful, the Clement, The Powerful, and Mighty. The singers recognize that they have no one but Allah, and no salvation except for their Lord. They then ask Allah to send them a righteous leader that they can follow, rather than being forced to follow a corrupt one. They hope for a leader who abolishes evil, enjoins the good, and removes distress.

The singers would then go on to ask for other things to alleviate their suffering. They ask for beneficial rainfalls that continue throughout the years, forgiveness from sins and a good ending.

Click the image below to scroll.

Ya arham al rahimeen

About Nasheed Hub

Throughout the decades and civilizations of Islam, the vocal tradition, sometimes known as nasheed or devotional songs, were penned as a way of celebrating and giving thanks to Allah for the message of Islam, as well as for the Messenger himself.
These nasheeds were a way for people to turn towards their Lord in joyful celebration, rather than stringent routine. They were also tools to spread the message of Islam in a non-confrontational way. These nasheeds were able to reach out to those who were alienated or indifferent to the religion and the Muslim community, as well as to teach children who were too young for academic study.
These nasheeds originating from all corners of the Muslim world – from West Africa to Malaysia, from Turkey to Great Britian – mirror their own culture but all carry a common thread: love of Allah and His Messenger.
This series will explore the different nasheeds, penned by some of the great historical Muslim figures, poets, and scholars.


Resources for Seekers

Nasheed Hub: Qad Kafani

Nasheed Hub: Qasidah Muhammadiya

The post Nasheed Hub: Ya Arham al-Rahimeen appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2JHpfTo

'A month to help those in need': Ramadan relief around the world

While Ramadan calls for fasting during daylight hours, eating is also vital. In some countries, though, food is more expensive during the holy month – and in conflict-hit areas it can be scarce at the best of times. Islamic Relief has a special Ramadan distribution scheme that reaches hundreds of thousands of people

  • All photographs by Islamic Relief UK

For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is an important month for fasting and prayer. But it is also a time for family and friends to break their fasts together and, of course, celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Islamic Relief has a special Ramadan distribution, and this year the NGO is distributing more than 200,000 food parcels to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in 35 countries around the world.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2t6ANZq

Breaking bread, piercing prejudice: how a meal united faiths in Delhi | Amrit Dhillon

Concerned about the portrayal of Muslims in India, author Nazia Erum hosted a multi-faith dinner during Ramadan to lay a few misconceptions to rest

At a dinner in a Delhi home on Sunday, guests around the table were asked to write down one stereotype that they – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus – had about one another. The purpose? Breaking prejudices while breaking bread together.

The interfaith meal was prompted by the hosts’ desire to address preconceptions about Muslims, whom they feel have been targeted under Narendra Modi’s government.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2sWyJny

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

What is the place of women in Islam?

Excerpt from Mr. Adnan Oktar's Live Conversation on A9TV dated February 20th, 2018

from HARUNYAHYA.COM https://ift.tt/2y9yF94

How can we feel closer to God?

Excerpt from Mr. Adnan Oktar's Live Conversation on A9TV dated February 20th, 2018

from HARUNYAHYA.COM https://ift.tt/2Jzxp47

Dubai hotel sacks chef Atul Kochhar over anti-Islam tweet

Michelin-starred chef tweeted that Islam had ‘terrorised’ Hindus for 2,000 years

A Dubai hotel has terminated its contract with the Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar after he tweeted that followers of Islam had “terrorised” Hindus for 2,000 years.

The London-based chef, who is associated with the Rang Mahal restaurant in Dubai as well as five others in the UK and Spain, had been reacting to an episode of the US TV programme Quantico.

Related: Bollywood star apologises over Hindu terror plot row

pic.twitter.com/KRBFr44n0y

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2MhTGBr

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

‘Islamo-hooligan’ Médine performing at the Bataclan is a gift to extremists | Cécile Guerin

Putting the controversial Muslim rapper on stage at the scene of a terrorist attack plays into the hands of the French far-right

Since the attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo three years ago, the debate about censorship and the limits of freedom of speech has rumbled on in France. It took a new turn this week with the revelation that the controversial rapper Médine will perform two shows in October at the Bataclan concert hall, where gunmen killed 90 people on 13 November 2015.

The 35-year French-Algerian Muslim, who describes himself as an “Islamo-racaille” (which can be loosely translated as “Islamo-hooligan”), is known for his provocative songs about Islam and France’s brand of secularism (laïcité). The controversy stems from his 2005 album Jihad, the Greatest Battle Is Against Oneself, which includes calls to “crucify secularists like in Golgotha” and statements such as: “I launch fatwas on the heads of idiots”.

Aucun Français ne peut accepter que ce type aille déverser ses saloperies sur le lieu même du carnage du #Bataclan.
La complaisance ou pire, l’incitation au fondamentalisme islamiste, ça suffit ! MLP #PasDeMédineAuBataclan pic.twitter.com/Xqu4JLwz6t

Related: The far right is rising, and Britain is dangerously complacent about it | Ellie Mae O’Hagan

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2y3IoNR

Monday, 11 June 2018

Highly skilled migrants still face deportation despite Sajid Javid promise

Home secretary had said policy of refusing leave to remain over tax errors would be paused

Highly skilled migrants are still being dragged through the courts under threat of deportation from the UK for making minor and legal amendments to their taxes, despite a government promise that cases would be paused.

Opposition MPs have said the continuation of the process “smacks of a government department unjustly and incorrectly misusing a draconian power” and “shamelessly ruining innocent people’s lives”.

Related: Sajid Javid plans 'fairer, more compassionate' immigration system

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2LEGwNI

Terminally ill patients fall under anti-terror Prevent scheme

NHS whistleblower says even dementia sufferers could be seen as at risk of radicalisation

Doctors and nurses are being trained to monitor terminally ill people and dementia patients and their visitors for signs of radicalisation as part of the government’s Prevent scheme, the Guardian has learned.

A senior NHS whistleblower who works on the programme said that its operations in the health system were so indiscriminate that she had carried out the training in hospices and said that she knew of other trainers who had operated in dementia wards.

Related: Sajid Javid’s counter-terrorism plans risk Britain’s freedom | Simon Jenkins

Related: Mosques launch anti-radicalisation scheme as alternative to Prevent

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2JMPKtZ

Sunday, 10 June 2018

Denmark swings right on immigration – and Muslims feel besieged

After a burqa ban, hardline rhetoric has entered the mainstream. In one coastal town, attitudes seem increasingly polarised

“It’s a lovely place,” says Jens Kramer, as he gazes across the harbour from his seat outside the wooden shed that serves as Holbæk’s boat club. “But I think people here are becoming more and more hostile to foreigners and I’m not proud of it. It’s not the Holbæk I love.”

Kramer is not alone in thinking that the tone of Denmark’s immigration debate has changed. In recent years, the rise of the rightwing anti-migrant Danish People’s party has led to previously radical positions becoming mainstream. And the country’s Muslim population in particular feels under siege. Earlier this month Danish MPs passed a law that, in effect, bans the burqa. It imposes a penalty of 10,000 kroner (£1,200) for repeat offenders.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2sWllia

Grenfell one year on: the mosque manager who took in survivors

Abdurahman Sayed’s Al-Manaar mosque became an emergency support centre in the aftermath of the Grenfell fire

• The reverend who opened his church

It is a 20-minute walk from Grenfell Tower to the Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage centre run by Abdurahman Sayed. The mosque became a central source of emergency support on the night of 14 June and has continued to help survivors. Sayed, a benevolent and softly spoken man, remembers: “I was at home – I live in east London – and it was around 5am when I got a text from a colleague stating there was a fire. I said we must open our door, welcome anyone, regardless of faith or gender.” Sayed had no idea of the fire’s scale. He thought everything would be resolved in no time.

It was Ramadan and at the mosque they had laid in supplies of water and dates for breaking their fast each evening. Sayed drove directly to the mosque, loaded his car with the dates, water and a few clothes, and headed towards the tower. He found Ladbroke Grove cordoned off. It was not until later, with the help of two police officers (“we have a good relationship with them”), that he was escorted through the checkpoints to deposit his offerings at the Methodist church. He was on automatic pilot; it was too early to think. He could clearly see that the building was shrouded in smoke yet in a situation of such severity he could think only about how to give comfort to survivors.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2t1vVVx

Saturday, 9 June 2018

Football while fasting: life in the Ramadan Midnight League | Nick Miller

An idea to help people who might not otherwise feel able to play during Ramadan is gathering momentum in Birmingham

Just after 10pm on a warm Friday evening Obayed Hussain stands outside the Aston Villa academy building, the North Stand of Villa Park looming behind him. He is wearing a white jubbah, the traditional robe worn by Muslim men. Just before going inside he removes it to reveal a Birmingham FA tracksuit underneath.

A bit more than an hour later the first of around 100 or so people, mostly young men, arrive to play and watch football, which they will do until around 2am. It is not the most obvious time for recreational sport but this is the Ramadan Midnight League. Conceived by Obayed and executed with the help of Villa and the local and national FAs, this is an initiative designed to help those who might not otherwise feel able to play during their Ramadan fast.

Related: Transfer window 2018 – every summer deal from Europe's top five leagues

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2xWyspH

Friday, 8 June 2018

Sura al Kahf: Dhul Qarnayn and Tawfiq – Shaykh Walead Mosaad

Shaykh Walead explains the story of Dhul Qarnayn and highlights the key lessons and significant themes from which we can learn.

The last parable in Sura al Kahf talks about Dhul Qarnayn.

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَن ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ ۖ قُلْ سَأَتْلُو عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا

They ask you concerning Dhul Qarnayn. Say: “I shall recite to you remembrance of him.” (Sura al Kahf 18:83)

Dhul Qarnayn was someone who was given power and sulta (lordship) and he presided over the East and the West. That caused many of the scholars to conclude there was no person history who was actually able to do that – if indeed it was a man – except for someone like Alexander the Great.

Again, it’s not a not a tenant of faith that it was Alexander the Great. We just know that he is referred to as Dhul Qarnayn in the Qur’an. Different reasons are given as to why he was called that. The word qarn actually means horn. One narration is that he had two or four braids of hair that looked like two horns, and that’s why he was given that name.

The Rank of Dhul Qarnayn

Some say that when he goes between East and West there is symbolically one horn in the East and one in the West. Most of the narrations say that he was not a prophet, even though some mentioned he could have been. He was a good man either way and he was more like a king than a prophet.

Or he could have been a prophet-king in much the same way that Sulayman, peace be upon him, was. But again, it’s the moral of the story that we{re looking at rather than the details of it.

إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَبًا

We made him strong in the land and given him the means to all things [he wishes to achieve]. (Sura al Kahf 18:84)

The Firmness of His Belief

Allah uses the term: tamkin. It is one of those things that is not necessarily good, not necessarily bad. It’s like wealth. It means having the ability and the power to pretty much achieve anything that you want to. That can be a blessing and that can be a curse. If it is used in the right way it is a blessing. If it is used in the wrong way it is a curse.

To have that level of power and sulta to just move your finger and people run and ask you what you want could be a power or a blessing or it could be a curse. But this is what Dhul Qarnayn was given.

فَأَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا

And he took to the road. (Sura al Kahf 18:85)

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُبُ فِي عَيْنٍ حَمِئَةٍ وَوَجَدَ عِندَهَا قَوْمًا ۗ قُلْنَا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِمَّا أَن تُعَذِّبَ وَإِمَّا أَن تَتَّخِذَ فِيهِمْ حُسْنًا

Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: O Dhul Qarnayn! Either punish or show them kindness. (Sura al Kahf 18:86)

In other words, if you’re going to conquer these people either deal with them with kindness or deal with them by punishing them if they don’t submit. Obviously back then we’re talking about a different understanding of relationships between people and how things will run.

Remember we’re not talking about the Sharia of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him. Rather, we’re talking about something that precedes it by a millennium, if not more.

قَالَ أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا

He said: As for him who does wrong, we shall punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with awful punishment! (Sura al Kahf 18:87)

وَأَمَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلَهُ جَزَاءً الْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَسَنَقُولُ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا يُسْرًا

But as for him who believes and do right, good will be his reward, and We shall speak unto him a mild command. (Sura al Kahf 18:88)

ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا

And he took to the road. (Sura al Kahf 18:89)

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ مَطْلِعَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُم مِّن دُونِهَا سِتْرًا

Till, when he reached the rising-place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had appointed no shelter therefrom. (Sura al Kahf 18:90)

The Peoples of East and West

It is said that he ran into these people and then he moves on. Alexander the great crossed from east to west and that everything including sunrise and sunset was under the salta: under the power of Dhul Qarnayn.

The first people he reached was were more advanced. They had homes, rooms, and roofs over their heads. And their way of life was relatively easy.

The second group of people he reached at the rising place of the Sun – in other words, the East – were a people who had no permanent shelter, but were perhaps nomads.

Much in the same way that the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula were nomads in many parts of the peninsula, whereas in Mecca and in Medina they were sedentary.

كَذَٰلِكَ وَقَدْ أَحَطْنَا بِمَا لَدَيْهِ خُبْرًا

So (it was). And We knew all concerning him. (Sura al Kahf 18:91)

ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا

And he took to the road. (Sura al Kahf 18:92)

That is, he left again or he took further means.

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ بَيْنَ السَّدَّيْنِ وَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمَا قَوْمًا لَّا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ قَوْلً

Till, when he came between the two mountains, he found upon their near side a folk that scarce could understand a word. (Sura al Kahf 18:93)

The People of the Valley

The word al saddayn means something that blocks, but in this particular context it means the two mountains: a valley, essentially. The mountains were so close together that you can actually build a dam or build like a gate to protect the area between the two mountains.

He came upon these people and they couldn’t understand one another because their languages were mutually unintelligible. They spoke no common language. They had to resort to sign language and hands and writing in the sand and so on.

قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّ

They said: O Dhul Qarnayn! Gog and Magog are spoiling the land. So may we pay you tribute on condition that you set a barrier between us and them? (Sura al Kahf 18:94)

These are the same tribes of the people of the hour. We don’t know exactly who they are. They are said to originate somewhere in the Far East, from the Mongolian steppes or wherever it might be.

They are conquerors, but they do it in a way where they they destroy people. So these people offer to pay some type of tribute on the condition that Dhul Qarnayn set a barrier between them and Gog and Magog.

قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّي فِيهِ رَبِّي خَيْرٌ فَأَعِينُونِي بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا

He said: That wherein my Lord has established for me is better [than your tribute]. But help me with strength [of men in your numbers] and I will set between you and them a barrier. (Sura al Kahf 18:95)

آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انفُخُوا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا

Give me pieces of iron – till, when he had leveled up [the gap] between the cliffs, he said: Blow! – till, when he had made it a fire, he said: Bring me molten copper to pour thereon. (Sura al Kahf 18:96)

فَمَا اسْطَاعُوا أَن يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوا لَهُ نَقْبًا

And [Gog and Magog] were not able to surmount it, nor could they pierce [it]. (Sura al Kahf 18:97)

قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّي ۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي جَعَلَهُ دَكَّاءَ ۖ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي حَقًّا

He said: This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord cometh to pass, He will turn it to dust, for the promise of my Lord is true. (Sura al Kahf 18:98)

وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعْضٍ ۖ وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَاهُمْ جَمْعًا

And on that day we shall let some of them surge against others, and the Trumpet will be blown. Then We shall gather them together in one gathering. (Sura al Kahf 18:99)

The Tawfiq of Dhul Qarnayn

He built a wall like any other wall. They couldn’t get over it. In other words, they tried. And nor could they pierce it. Nor could they scale it. It was too high.

Notice the difference between how Dhul Qarnayn views this work, and how the one with the two gardens, viewed his. The latter said: “This is for me and it will never go away. I don’t think I’d find anything better.” And he put no effort into it or very little effort.

Now look at this. This is a completely man-made structure. It’s not like the garden that had the river flowing in between and things were just happening so easily. It took a lot of labor.One would think that it probably took months if not longer to build this wall.

Nevertheless, Dhul Qarnayn says: This is a mercy from Allah, but if the promise of my Lord comes to pass on that day when everything will be destroyed it will be destroyed. I was just a tool. I helped to bring about that which Allah has promised. And the promise of my Lord is true.

Photo by Omer Salom on Unsplash


This lesson by Shaykh Walead Mosaad is part of the On Demand Course: Giving Life to Sura Al Kahf, in which Shaykh Walead explains the key lessons of Sura al Kahf: the four great stories in it and the four great tests they represent. Namely the tests of faith, wealth, knowledge, and power. Download the entire lesson-set here.

View other SeekersHub On Demand Courses here.


Sura al Kahf: The People of the Cave – Shaykh Walead Mosaad

Taqwa: Content of Character 05 – Shaykh Yahya Rhodus

The Three Degrees of Fasting – Imam al Ghazali

 

The post Sura al Kahf: Dhul Qarnayn and Tawfiq – Shaykh Walead Mosaad appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2Hy1Cea

Turkey blasts Austria's 'racist' move to close mosques

Presidential spokesman hits back at plan to shut seven mosques and expels 60 imams

Turkey’s presidential spokesman has lambasted Austria’s decision to expel up to 60 Turkish-funded imams and shut seven mosques as an “anti-Islam” and “racist” move.

“Austria’s decision to close down seven mosques and deport imams with a lame excuse is a reflection of the anti-Islam, racist and discriminatory populist wave in this country,” İbrahim Kalın said after Vienna announced the move in a crackdown on “political Islam”.

Related: Can Europe’s new xenophobes reshape the continent?

Related: 'It's been looming over us for decades': Austrian voters on the far-right

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2kTKdn8

Thursday, 7 June 2018

Habib Kadhim al Saqqaf on the Last Ten Days of Ramadan

Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf encourages us to maximise our benefit from the last ten days of Ramadan, and offers advice and practical tips.

 

Step 1: Appreciation & Intention

We can begin by appreciating the gift of these blessed ten days, and learning about what Allah is offering us therein. We can receive it with gratitude and joy, and thankfulness to Allah for His gift.

We can intend to fast happily, do good works and pray tarawih in order to follow the practice of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace. Intend to deal with others well this Ramadan.

Step 2: Understanding

We know that the first part of Ramadan is mercy, the middle part of it is forgiveness, and the last part of it is freedom from the Fire. By recognizing that the last ten nights are freedom from the Fire, we can plan to strive harder in order to achieve it.

We can also keep in mind that Allah prescribed the fast to us, just as He did to others before us. It was not meant to be a pointless command to put us in difficultly, but rather to teach us valuable lessons in self-restraint and God-consciousness.last ten days of Ramadan

Step 3: Rejoice

Therefore, we can rejoice in the presence of these days, by exposing ourselves to the mercy of Allah, and embodying it by showing mercy to other. This is in the spirit of the hadith, “The merciful ones will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Show mercy to the ones on Earth, and the one beyond the heavens will be merciful to you.” (Tirmidhi) We should pray for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and we should pray that people who are isolated or unaware of the religion, find a connection to it.


With gratitude to Greensville Trust.


Resources for Seekers

Habib Ali al Jifri and the Man Who Killed His Teacher

Day 16: Speak Good About Others–30 Deeds 30 Days

Travelling To Awaken Your “Anesthetized” Heart, by Dr Yousuf Patel

 

The post Habib Kadhim al Saqqaf on the Last Ten Days of Ramadan appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2sEHd2w

All eyes on Ramzan Kadyrov as Chechnya hosts Egypt in World Cup

Chechen leader is step closer to political goal of being Putin’s link to Middle East with arrival of Egyptian team

The Tunisians were first to visit, followed by the Iranians, and then the Saudis. But it was the Egyptians, led by the Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, who snatched up the dubious grand prize: a World Cup training base in Chechnya.

Once devastated by civil war, Chechnya is now the focus of intense international scrutiny over its crackdown on political opponents and gay people in this region in Russia’s North Caucasus.

Related: The darker side of Grozny's push to be the Dubai of the North Caucasus

Related: We must get justice for gay and bisexual men murdered in Chechnya | Letters

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Jygs9D

Day 22: Be Thankful – 30 Deeds 30 Days

Day 22: Be Thankful

Thankfulness, or shukr, is a fundamental part of our faith. It’s so integral that its opposite is kufr, which means to cover or hide, but also means disbelief. Some people criticize a person or their community, thinking that they are showing concern. But in reality, they are making the situation worse by making others feel hopeless.be thankful

In these last few blessed days, try to display shukr, the blessings that Allah has given you. Avoid statements like “My life is horrible,” “Nothing is going well,” “The people at my mosque just don’t care.” If you hear others making these statements, try to encourage them to change their perspective. Not only will your mental outlook improve, but so will your thankfulness to Allah.


Bring new life to this Ramadan by enrolling in a FREE On-Demand course.

The post Day 22: Be Thankful – 30 Deeds 30 Days appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2JhUKaE

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

6 Things I Wish I Knew About Ramadan as a New Muslim

6 Things I Wish I Knew About Ramadan as a New Muslim submitted by /u/mntn2
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2JzaSDP

Habib Ali al Jifri and the Man Who Killed His Teacher

Habib Ali al Jifri tells the story of the day he met the man who killed his teacher and unfolds it into a lesson on showing mercy to those who wrong us.

I was in Aden.

Someone who was one of the leaders of the regime which killed scholars in this blessed valley [of Hadramawt] was present in a gathering I was in. Fate had it that I should meet him.

This man was one of the key suspects in the abduction of my master, the Imam and Martyr, Habib Muhammad ibn Salim ibn Hafiz. On merely seeing him and being told who he was, I felt extremely uncomfortable. This is human nature.

It was difficult for me to talk to him even for the sake of dawah. I confess this is a mistake and a shortcoming. Regardless of how much I love my teachers, calling to Allah is a duty which dictates we speak to everyone whoever they are.

All of a sudden, he came up to me and said: “I want to repent. How do I go about this?”
I tried to contain myself so I could answer his questions. Tried to smile so I would not turn him away from the truth.

After I returned from the gathering, I still felt uncomfortable. So I phoned my master, Habib Umar, and told him about this person. He asked: “What does he want?”

I said: “He approached me saying he wants to repent to Allah. I knew you would tell me to call him to Allah, but I had great difficulty speaking to him and I disapproved of my state.”

He said: “Ali, fulfill Allah’s right upon you in guiding him to Allah. Bring forth mercy and concern for him from your heart. As for you disliking being in his company or looking at him, turn it into hatred for his actions and not for him as a person.”

“The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, accepted Wahshi’s Islam even though he had killed his uncle Hamza but he found it difficult to look at him. So he said: ‘Let him not show his face to us.’”

These words are priceless.

These words are priceless, because the one who said them is talking about a man who did the greatest evil to him: he caused him to lose his father and caused the family to be split up.

Yet look at how he applied the Prophetic principle. He immediately brought to mind the statement of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace: “Let him not show his face to us.”

This is what Habib Abu Bakr al Adani speaks of regarding the concept of trying to find a precedent from the life of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, for every event that occurs.

Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash


With gratitude to Muwasala.


O Seeker! – Habib Ali al Jifri

Nasheed Hub: Tala‘al Badru Alayna

Intention and the Spiritual Dimensions of Travel – Habib Umar bin Hafiz

 

The post Habib Ali al Jifri and the Man Who Killed His Teacher appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2sBW11E

The Do's and Don'ts in the Quran

The Do's and Don'ts in the Quran submitted by /u/ahan12
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2sLMDaZ

Fear: Laylat ul Qadr will pass me by on an even night

So I know most of us do our worship workout on the odd nights, but what if it falls on an even night? Because staying up five nights is doable, but staying up all ten nights will definitely be difficult. Maybe do heavy worship on odd nights and light worship on the even nights?

submitted by /u/KireiBlossom
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2sIAYtG

[Reminder] In those final days of Ramadan, don't forget to say this. Keep saying it every night

[Reminder] In those final days of Ramadan, don't forget to say this. Keep saying it every night submitted by /u/killingspeerx
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2HnTD3p

Argentina cancels match against Israel #argentinanotgoing

submitted by /u/howtochoose
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2JlL9vr

Bernard Lewis obituary

Controversial historian of the Middle East and expert on Islam who was an influential adviser to the Bush administration

Both erudite and controversial, the scholar Bernard Lewis, who has died aged 101, conveyed the complexity of the Middle East with supreme confidence. His general books on Muslim-Christian relations over the centuries introduced students to a field that now defines the centre of international debate.

In 2003 he was consulted by the Bush administration, though recommended the encouragement of revolution in the north of Iraq rather than invasion. British-born, he had been based in the US since the 1970s and became a familiar commentator on American TV after 9/11.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2JtNPKC

Confusion about different Schools and their take on Asr Prayer time.

Salam

I find it weird that the schools don’t even agree on when they start. Like, the shadow stuff etc.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asr_prayer

Can anyone throw some light on why is it so and what’s the significance of such differences?

JazakAllahKhair

submitted by /u/VintageTypewriter
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2M4H6VP

'Is Islam Easy to Understand or Not?: Salafis, the Democritization of Interpretation and the Need for Ulama' - Dr Jonathan A.C. Brown [ Journal of Islamic studies 26:2 (2015), pp. 117- 144]

'Is Islam Easy to Understand or Not?: Salafis, the Democritization of Interpretation and the Need for Ulama' - Dr Jonathan A.C. Brown [ Journal of Islamic studies 26:2 (2015), pp. 117- 144] submitted by /u/TheGrandMaster100
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2kUP3ke

Hazrat Aisha(radi allahu`anha) reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), “O Messenger of Allah! (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?”

Prophet Muhammad(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) advised her to recite: “Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbulafwa fafuanni ” O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me. [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmidhi.]

submitted by /u/nisersh
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2M43b7e

Descendant of Hazrat Hussain radi allahu anhu or Hazrat Hasan radi allahu anhu

Any descendant of Hazrat Hussain radi allahu anhu or Hazrat Hasan radi allahu anhu included in Sunni or All descendant of them follow Shia believes?

Please, answer with detailed reference :)

submitted by /u/mremon17
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2Ho8s5S

The Maliki Madhab: Non-believers and the mosque

Hi! I know that non-believers are not allowed to enter the mosque according to Maliki jurisprudence. What I am trying to figure out is: What is this rule based on?

Could someone point me in the right direction? I have heard of it as a relic from French colonial times, but is it older than that?

Thanks in advance!

submitted by /u/headshotcatcher
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2HqZaGb

Man arrested over fires at mosque and Sikh temple in Leeds

Police say fires are linked and being treated as arson and hate crimes

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a mosque and a Sikh temple in Leeds were set on fire, in what police have described as linked hate crimes.

The 42-year-old was arrested at an address in the city on Tuesday night after fires were started at the front doors of two buildings early that morning.

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2xJaApc

Israeli Parliament - Knesset disqualifies bill seeking equal status for Jews and Arabs

Knesset disqualifies bill seeking equal status for Jews and Arabs Legislation submitted by Arab members of parliament called for Israel to treat its Arab and Jewish citizens equally.

The text of the bill stated its objective was "to anchor in constitutional law the principle of equal citizenship while recognising the existence and rights of the two, Jewish and Arab, national groups living within the country".

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/knesset-disqualifies-bill-seeking-equal-status-jews-arabs-180605103127742.html

submitted by /u/JeanStuart
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2kTY25k

Day 21: Be A Guardian – 30 Deeds 30 Days

Day 21: Be a Guardian

Allah’s name Al-Ghaffar, can be simply translated as “The Most Forgiving.” A deeper meaning implies that Allah covers up our shortcomings with a sheltering veil. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. Part of Allah’s mercy is that He can ensure that no one else finds out about your faults.be a guardian

This Ramadan, try to emulate this noble character trait. If you hear something that someone did, don’t pry deeper. If you know of something they did, ensure that it doesn’t get past you, unless you really need to. Be a guardian for others. After all, we know that if a Muslim covers the faults of others, Allah will, in turn, covers theirs.


Bring new life to this Ramadan by enrolling in a FREE On-Demand course.

The post Day 21: Be A Guardian – 30 Deeds 30 Days appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2Ls49sG

Muslim groups will be absent as Donald Trump hosts Iftar dinner

Trump broke a White House tradition celebrating the end of Ramadan last year but despite a U-turn American Muslims have little enthusiasm for breaking bread with the president

As Donald Trump hosts his inaugural Iftar dinner as president on Wednesday to mark the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims in the nation’s capital will hold a counter event just steps away from the White House.

The lack of enthusiasm among American Muslims over Trump’s unexpected decision to hold a White House Iftar underscores the community’s contentious relationship with the US president.

Related: The fight for the right to be a Muslim in America

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Jd9wiN

Birmingham Muslims Feed Homeless in Ramadan

Birmingham Muslims Feed Homeless in Ramadan submitted by /u/Tariq_7
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2xNmz55

Last 9 days left. Last call! PM me if you're in the Los Angeles area and would like to visit our mosque and break fast with us

I go to the King Fahd Mosque in Culver City and we have an iftar dinner there every evening around 8PM. If you would like to visit and get a tour of the mosque and have some ethnic food with us then please let me know! We usually have Indian, Mediterranean or Persian food. It's usually a (fun) surprise!

submitted by /u/psyb0rg
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2kRLRWD

Moved to a new job (in a Western country) and the office prayer room has a wudhu area

Moved to a new job (in a Western country) and the office prayer room has a wudhu area submitted by /u/wonderingpossum
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2sAvhig

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

On dealing with loved ones not accepting faith

As-Salaam-Alaikum.

I come forward with a simple question: Is there any good advice for accepting/dealing with loved ones not believing?

14.4 And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

For context, I am a convertite. Hence I live in a society that has fundamentally different values from my own. My family and most of the others I love do not believe.

2:45 And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]

Besides prayer, how is Sabr obtained in this matter?

Allahu'Alim

submitted by /u/powder_pow
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2JmTpve

Keith Ellison, first Muslim elected to Congress, may resign

DNC vice-chair enters Minnesota attorney general race, saying he’s inspired by states’ fights against Trump travel ban

The first Muslim elected to Congress is poised to leave it, after filing to run for attorney general in Minnesota.

Related: The Democratic party is in a murky mess | Ross Barkan

Continue reading...

from Islam | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2kOBiUb

General knowledge and history Day 2: Facts 2-5.

Actually facts 2-6.

Moving on from my day 1 post, here are 4 more factoids for day 2.

As always, critique and add your own commentary.

2 - Some time back, Dr. Hussai Askari undertook some fundamentally significant research. His main objective was to discover and describe how concise and accurately the laws and stipulations of Islam were observed in the modern world.

This lead him to publishing his magnum opus, "How Islamic are the Islamic countries", which details his findings on how " Islamic " certain countries are.

In short, the findings showed that fundamentally, the westerns society embodied the Islamic virtues of truth, justice, politics, business, law, society and oppurtunity.

Heading this list was my own native Ireland, followed by Denmark, Singapore, Sweden, Luxembourg and New Zealand, with the UK also making the top ten.

His work was met with much discussion, and further a site was set up and maintained which measure the islamicity of countries

3 - Trump hates Muslims, that much is obvious. He pushes hatred of Muslims through various means, whether by sanctioning Muslim countries, ignoring assaults on Muslims, promoting groups that do harm to Muslims etc etc. We could talk abuot it all day. You may be aware of the bowling green incident, where he claimed that there was a terrorist attack in Sweden, which having turned out to be false, resulted in his spokesperson defending it by claiming there was a terrorist attack in Bowling Green.

Which was false.

This was preceded by the Trump administration releasing a list of 78 terror attacks which he claimed were underreported in the media, all of whom had Muslim-sounding names. The point of this was to show that terrorist attacks involving Muslims were underreported.

This obviously put a lot of people off, and Erin Kearns of the Georgia State University published a paper entitled {"Why Do Some Terrorist Attacks Receive More Media Attention Than Others?"](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2928138), in order to ascertain the reality.

The paper investigated the years 2011-2015.

For those five years, the researchers found, Muslims carried out only 11 out of the 89 attacks, yet those attacks received 44 percent of the media coverage. (Meanwhile, 18 attacks actually targeted Muslims in America.

The Georgia State researchers conclude: "By covering terrorist attacks by Muslims dramatically more than other incidents, media frame this type of event as more prevalent. Based on these findings, it is no wonder that Americans are so fearful of radical Islamic terrorism. Reality shows, however, that these fears are misplaced."

4 - Sikhs and Islam have a turgid and rough history, highlighted by the genocide of Sikhs by Muslim leaders.

But their history is not all fraught with anger and hate.

As some of you may know, many Sikhs actively feed fasting Muslims, and assist in poverty reduction and anti-hunger campaigns in Muslim countries.

But the actual specific history between the two is a lot more amicable than you might think.

The first Guru, Guru Nanak's, best friend was Bhai Mardana, a Muslim. He accompanied the Guru on his travels across the world.

Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh sacred text and Eternal Guru, contains the works of two Muslim saints: Sheikh Fareed and Bhagat Kabir. Although both controversially are reported to have left Islam.

The 5th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, supported Khusro's campaign to succeed as the next (Muslim) Mughal Emporer, because of Khusro's justness.

The foundation stone of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sikhi's center of faith, was laid by Muslim saint Sai Mian Mir

When Muslims in his village had no place to pray, the 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib built them a mosque, which still exists today

Despite the Mughal oppression of Sikhs, the 7th Guru, Guru Har Rai, tended to (Muslim) Prince Dara Shikoh when he became ill.

Pir Budhu Shah, a Muslim man, sent his people to fight alongside Guru Gobind Singh against Mughal Emporer Aurangzeb's oppression.

Muslim households gave Guru Gobind Singh shelter when he was being hunted by Aurangzeb. One such family them still has his relics.

Until 1947's Partition, the singing of devotional music was accompanied by the playing of the rabab by Muslim musicians

The point here is that there is a lot more to it than simple one sided hate.

5 - I'm sure you remember the whole controversy over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. The perception was that Muslims worldwide were in a rage and wanting to destroy the west in response. In reality, it was somewhat overblown.

In fact, when they were first published in the Danish Paper Jyllsden posten, popular Egyptian and Jordanian papers republished them, with almost no reaction whatsoever.

Egypt’s religious and political authorities, even as they were demanding an apology from the Danish Prime Minister, raised no objections to Al Fagr’s full frontal photos.

As Kenan Malik puts it: " The publications of the cartoons in September 2005 caused no immediate reaction, even in Denmark. Only when journalists, disappointed by the lack of controversy, contacted a number of imams for their response, did Islamists begin to recognise the opportunity provided not just by the caricatures themselves but also by the sensitivity of Danish society to their publication.

Among the first contacted was the controversial cleric Ahmed Abu Laban, infamous for his support for Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 attacks. He seized upon the cartoons to transform himself into a spokesman for Denmark’s Muslims. Yet however hard he pushed, he initially found it difficult to provoke major outrage. in Denmark or abroad. It took more than four months of often hysterical campaigning, and considerable arm-twisting by Saudi diplomats, to create a major controversy. At the end of January 2006, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Denmark and launched a consumer boycott of Danish goods.

Of the protests that followed, Jytte Klausen has observed that Jytte Klausen has observed, these protests ‘were not caused by the cartoons, but were part of conflicts in pre-existing hot spots’ such as northern Nigeria, where there exists an effective civil war between Muslim salafists and Christians. The violence surrounding the cartoon conflict, Klausen suggests, has been ‘misreported’ as expressions of spontaneous violence from Muslims ‘confronted with bad pictures’. That, she insists, ‘is absolutely not the case’. Rather ‘these images have been exploited by political groups in the pre-existing conflict over Islam.’ "

Similar to this is the case of South park's 200th episode.

In South Park: Super friends, the South Park team join up with Jesus, Buddha and Muhammad to do some weird stuff that I don't know about because I didn't watch it.

This episode has been up for 17 years, and at the time of SP's 200th episode, was up for 9 years withouht any outrage or censorship.

Most of the outrage for these things only begin when western media lighyts a fire and begins to stoke it.

For instance, after two somewhat suspect Muslim converts threatened the south park creators, CNN's Anderson Cooper didn't interview Muslims. He interviewed Ayaan Ali Hirsi. He also covered the topic for over 10 minutes.

6 - The idea that Muslims don't elect Christian leaders is old and will only get stronger as the hate for Sadiq Khan grows larger.

But its just wrong pure and simple.

The Turkish city of Mardin had a female Christian co-mayor Februniye Akyol Turkey is 99.8 per cent Muslim.

Indonesia's capital city Jakarta had a Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaya Purnama. Indonesia is 87.2 per cent Muslim.

In Bahrain, Alees Thomas Samaan became the first Christian and first woman to chair the country's upper house of Parliament, the Shura Council in 2005. Bahrain is 70.3 per cent Muslim.

Pakistan had a Christian minister of Ports and Shipping, Kamran Michael He was also a member of the committees on Climate Change, Textile Industry and National Food and Health. Pakistan is 96.4 per cent Muslim.

In Egypt, Boutros Boutros Ghali, a Coptic Christian, was the country's Foreign Minister for 14 years. Egypt is 90 per cent Muslim.

The Palestinian city of Ramallah had a female Roman Catholic mayor, Janet Michael She continues to be [a council member of the Ramallah](municipality.http://www.ramallah.ps/userfiles/file/publications/annual/annual_report2013e.pdf)

Senegal had a Catholic president, the late Léopold Sédar Senghor, for 20 years. Senegal is 95.4 per cent Muslim.

Lebanon had a Christian president, Michel Suleiman Lebanon is 54 per cent Muslim.

Anyways, that's it for now, I'll try to be more specific next time.

submitted by /u/Prettygame4Ausername
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2kQQqAz

The Blessings of Suhur – Shaykh Jamir Meah

Shaykh Jamir Meah gives us all a simple reminder of the blessings of the pre-dawn meal or Suhur.

Opportunities to obtain benefit (worldly, spiritual, or both) present themselves with every passing breath of our lives. Even in the smallest moments of spare time, or in the seemingly easiest and mundane of acts, we find opportunities that carry tremendous blessings and moments of spiritual profit.

The pre-dawn meal (suhur) during Ramadan is one such easy, golden opportunity to effortlessly reap manifold blessings and rewards. Numerous Traditions have reached us in regards the blessings of the pre-dawn meal. Such as:

“Take the morning meal. Verily, there is blessing in the morning meal.” (Bukhari)

“You must take the morning meal. Verily, it is a blessed meal.” (Nisa’i)

“Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings upon those who have the pre-dawn meal.” (Al Tabarani)

While not obligatory, it was from the immense love and desire for good for his Umma that the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, urged us to observe the sunna of suhur. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, himself would invite others to partake in the pre-dawn meal with him, saying “Come to the blessed breakfast!” (Abu Dawud)

Two Sunnas of Suhur

There are two sunnas: the sunna of the actual suhur and the sunna of delaying the suhur as much as possible.

The time for the pre-dawn meal enters in the middle of the night (not meaning midnight, rather, the night must be calculated in hours to find the middle). Anything eaten before the middle of the night is not considered suhur, while anything eaten after this time receives the reward of the sunna of suhur.

However, it is a separate and confirmed sunna to delay the pre-dawn meal as late as possible (opposite to breaking the fast), unless one becomes uncertain if Fajr has come in or not. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: “Eat and drink and let not the ascending white light stop you, so continue to eat and drink until redness appears on the horizon.”

The length of time between when the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, stopped eating and stood for the Dawn prayer was said to be “time enough to recite 50 verses” ( Bukhari) which is only a few minutes or so.

A Mark of This Umma

This delaying of the pre-dawn meal is a specific characteristic of this Umma, setting it apart from previous nations. It is narrated that past nations would eat their meal before they slept, and some would forbid eating or drinking after sleep, or even after late evening, and these practices were still prevalent in the early days if Islam. (Hashiyat al Bajuri)

This is why the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: “My nation will not cease to be upon goodness so long as they hasten to break their fasting and delay the morning meal.” (Musnad Ahmad)

Other scholars have stated that the pre-dawn meal inculcates piety, taqwa. (Bushra al Karim)

Many people find eating the pre-dawn meal difficult, and unfortunately miss out on the blessings that come with eating the meal at its time. As if speaking to those people directly, the beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, urged us to still partake of the suhur, by saying, “Do not abandon it, even if you take only a sip of water.” (Musnad Ahmad)

The Minimum Sunna

For those who really struggle with taking the suhur, one could simply put a glass of water next to one’s bed or anywhere near one, and take a few sips before Fajr, with the intention of it being suhur.

The order of recommended food is the same as when breaking the fast, namely, fresh dates, then dry dates, then water. If one is going to eat more than this, one should start with these first. Any amount of food or drink suffices to fulfill the sunna.

Imam Ibn Hajr stated that one should partake in the pre-dawn meal even if one is already full-up. (Tuhfa al Muhtaj, Bushra al Karim) And yes, even just that (essential) cup of tea or coffee will fulfill the minimum sunna!

Measure in All Things

One should eat well at suhur times, but not go to excess, which also applies to the iftar (the evening meal), for Allah says:

إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ

Verily, He likes not those who commit excess. (Sura al A‘raf 7:31)

It is easy after a day of abstinence to instinctively want to indulge and make up for “missed” meals throughout the night! However, though the physical day’s fast is broken (and hopefully our ego and desires a little too), the spirit of Ramadan is still present in every moment of the blessed month.

It is for us to try to override the urges of our lower self as much as possible for the next four weeks, and instead, explore the opportunities and secrets that are there for those who seek them. Suhur is certainly one of these moments.

May Allah grant us all a blessed and accepted Ramadan.

Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash


Register to any of our classes either online or in-person in Toronto. All classes are free. Visit https://ift.tt/zFEEBi

Help Seekershub build a Global Islamic Seminary and spread the light of guidance to millions around the world by supporting us through monthly donation by going to https://ift.tt/2qgSDcX – your donations are tax deductible in the US and Canada.


Taqwa: Content of Character 05 – Shaykh Yahya Rhodus

Nasheed Hub: Ya Imam al Rusli

Ramadan With a Focus – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

 

The post The Blessings of Suhur – Shaykh Jamir Meah appeared first on SeekersHub: The Compass Blog.



from SeekersHub: The Compass Blog https://ift.tt/2sxkEwr

Du'a exchange for the last 10 nights of Ramadan/Laylatul Qadr insha'Allah!

Assalamu'alaykum everyone, insha'Allah you've been well this Ramadan, may Allah accept our good deeds and forgive us for our sins, and insha'Allah this post finds yourselves and your families in the best of emaan and health, ameen.

So I am interested in doing a du'a exchange with my fellow brothers and sisters! Basically comment what you would like me, and potentially others, to make du'a for you about, and in return, to kindly make du'a for myself and the others you've made an exchange with for these last nights of Ramadan insha'Allah, in hopes that Allah blesses us in one of these nights with Laylatul Qadr.

The du'a requests I would like to ask you to make for me are;

To ask Allah to forgive me for my sins and over look my shortcomings, to purify my heart and my intentions, to give me strength over my nafs and the whispers of the shaytaan, and to fill my heart with true love, knowledge, and gratitude of Him and the Prophet Muhammad SAW. And to ask Allah to help me fulfill the rights of my parents and other blessings, to make me a leader amongst the righteous, and to help me get married, ameen insha'Allah.

(My name is Mahmoud if that helps)

Please do comment whatever you'd like me to make du'a about, and insha'Allah insha'Allah our du'as are found on the night of Laylatul Qadr, and Allah graciously accepts them, ameen!

submitted by /u/AfroMan98
[link] [comments]

from Islam https://ift.tt/2M1rGC0

YSK how to pick the best watermelon for iftar

YSK how to pick the best watermelon for iftar submitted by /u/DigitalSurvivor
[link] [comments]


from Islam https://ift.tt/2Jh7LwN

Ramadan Dua: The Complete Dua List for the Holy Month of Ramadan

Alhamdulillah – we’re blessed to observe the month of Ramadan once again, and so I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Ramadan Dua which I feel will be beneficial for all of us.

Let me know if I’ve missed out any in the Comment section below, and I hope this helps in your personal mission to gain as much barakah in this blessed month.

Dua That You Might Be Interested In

Ramadan Dua for Fasting

This is the dua for opening fast (or dua for keeping fast), which is what we called Sahur (Sahoor). The dua in Arabic is as follows:

ramadan dua


Transliteration:
 Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan.

Source: Abu Dawud

Ramadan Dua for Breaking Fast (Iftar Dua)

This is the dua for closing fast, which is what we called Iftar.

Dua 1:

ramadan dua

Transliteration: Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu] wa ‘ala rizq-ika aftarth
u

Source: Abu Dawud

Dua 2:

ramadan dua
Meaning: The thirst has gone and the veins are quenched, and reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills.

Transliteration: Zahabadh-dhama’u wabtallatil-‘urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru inshaa-Allaahu.

Source: Abu Dawud 2/306, Sahih Al-Jami As Saghir 4/209

Dua 3:

ramadan dua
Meaning: O Allaah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelops all things, that You forgive me.

Transliteration: Allahumma innee as’aluka bi-rahmatikal-latee wasi’ath kulla shai’in an taghfira lee.

Source: Ibn Majah 1/557

Ramadan Dua for Sighting the Crescent Moon

ramadan dua

Meaning: Allaah is the greatest. O Allaah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islaam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allaah.

Transliteration: Allahu Akbar, Allaahumma ahillahu ‘alaina bil-amni wal-imaani, was-salaamati wal-Islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuhibbu wa tardhaa, Rabbunaa wa Rabbukallaahu.

Source: At Tirmidhi 5/504

Islamic Dua for Laila tul Qadr

ramadan dua
Meaning: O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.

Transliteration: Allahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni.

Source: Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah

Ramadan Dua – Day 1

(1) O Allah, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast (sincerely), and my standing up in prayer of those who stand up in prayer (obediently), awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives the sinners.

Day 2

(2) O Allah, on this day, take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to recite Your verses (of the Qur’an), by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

Day 3

(3) O Allah, on this day, grant me wisdom and awareness, keep me away from foolishness and pretention, grant me a share in every blessing You send down, by You generosity, O the most Generous.

Day 4

(4) O Allah, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your rememberance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

Day 5

(5) O Allah, on this day, place me among those who seek forgiveness. Place me among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place me among Your close friends, by Your kindness, O the most Mercifu

Day 6

(6) O Allah, on this day, do not let me abase myself by incurring Your disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of Your punishment, keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by Your kindness and Your power, O the ultimate wish of those who desire.

Day 7

(7) O Allah, on this day, help me with its fasts and prayers, and keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day, grant me that I remember You continously through the day, by Your assistance, O the Guide of those who stray.

Day 8

(8) O Allah, on this day, let me have mercy on the orphans, and feed [the hungry], and spread peace, and keep company with the noble-minded, O the shelter of the hopeful.

Day 9

(9) O Allah, on this day, grant me a share from Your mercy which is wide, guide me towards Your shining proofs, lead me to Your all encompassing pleasure, by Your love, O the hope of the desirous.

Day 10

(10) O Allah, on this day, make me, among those who rely on You, from those who You consider successful, and place me among those who are near to you, by Your favour, O goal of the seekers.

Day 11

(11) O Allah, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of Hell], by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help.

Day 12

(12) O Allah, on this day, beautify me with covering and chastity, cover me with the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere to justice and fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by Your protection, O the protector of the frightened.

Day 13

(13) O Allah, on this day, purify me from uncleanliness and dirt, make me patient over events that are decreed, grant me the ability to be pious, and keep company with the good, by Your help, O the beloved of the destitute.

Day 14

(14) O Allah, on this day, do not condemn me for slips, make me decrease mistakes and errors, do not make me a target for afflictions and troubles, by Your honor, O the honor of the Muslims.

Day 15

(15) O Allah, on this day, grant me the obedience of the humble expand my chest through the repentance of the humble, by Your security, O the shelter of the fearful.

Day 16

(16) O Allah, on this day, grant me compatability with the good, keep me away from patching up with the evil, lead me in it, by Your mercy, to the permanent abode, by Your Godship, O the God of the worlds.

Day 17

(17) O Allah, on this day, guide me towards righteous actions, fulfil my needs and hopes, O One who does not need explanations nor questions, O One who knows what is in the chests of the (people of the) world. Bless Muhammad and his family, the Pure.

Day 18

(18) O Allah, on this day, awaken me with the blessings of its early mornings, Illuminate my heart with the brightness of its rays, let every part of my body follow its effects, by Your light, O the illuminator of the hearts of those who know.

Day 19

(19) O Allah, on this day, multiply for me its blessings, and ease my path towards its bounties, do not deprive me of the acceptance of its good deeds, O the Guide towards the clear truth.

Day 20

(20) O Allah, on this day, open for me the doors of the heavens, and lock the doors of Hell from me, help me to recite the Qur’an, O the One who sends down tranquility into the hearts of believers.

Day 21

(21) O Allah, on this day, show me the way to win Your pleasure, do not let Shaytan have a means over me, make Paradise an abode and a resting place for me, O the One who fulfills the requests of the needy.

Day 22

(22) O Allah, on this day, open for me the doors of Your Grace, send down on me its blessings, help me towards the causes of Your mercy, and give me a place in the comforts of Paradise, O the one who answers the call of the distressed.

Day 23

(23) O Allah, on this day, wash away my sins, purify me from all flaws, examine my heart with (for) the piety of the hearts, O One who overlooks the shortcomings of the sinners.

Day 24

(24) O Allah, on this day, I ask You for what pleases You, and I seek refuge in You from what displeases You, I ask You to grant me the opportunity to obey You and not disobey You, O One who is generous with those who ask.

Day 25

(25) O Allah, on this day, make me among those who love Your friends, and hate Your enemies, following the way of Your last Prophet, O the Guardian of the hearts of the Prophets.

Day 26

(26) O Allah, on this day, make my efforts worthy of appreciation, and my sins forgiven, my deeds accepted, my flaws concealed, O the best of those who hear.

Day 27

(27) O Allah, on this day, bestow on me the blessings of Laylatul Qadr, change my affairs from (being) difficult to (being) easy, accept my apologies, and decrease for me [my] sins and burdens, O the Compassionate with His righteous servants.

Day 28

(28) O Allah, on this day, grant me a share in its nawafil (recommended prayers), honor me by attending to my problems, make closer the means to approach You, from all the means, O One who is not preoccupied by the requests of the beseechers.

Day 29

(29) O Allah, on this day, cover me with Your mercy, grant me in it success and protection, purify my heart from the darkness of false accusations, O the Merciful to His believing servants.

Day 30

(30) O Allah, on this day, make my fasts worthy of appreciation and acceptance, according to what pleases You, and pleases the Messenger, the branches being strengthened by the roots, for the sake of our leader, Muhammad, and his purified family. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

References:
https://ift.tt/1qqH1P0
https://ift.tt/2kQSurW

The post Ramadan Dua: The Complete Dua List for the Holy Month of Ramadan appeared first on Quotes Of Islam.



from Quotes Of Islam https://ift.tt/2Hn4yu2