Never has there been so much strife and trouble in the world which threatens ordinary civilians living in the cities as has been since the US has taken over as the primary bully starting from the end of the cold war. In a uni-polar world the United States has left no stone unturned to use its military might to create chaos in one country or another. Whether, that is through supporting despotic regimes (Egypt etc.) to accomplish sinister designs or initiating war in the name of the so called “war on terror”. The United States is also in the fore front of the neo-conic crusade to settle the Jews in the Middle East in order for the second coming of Christ to take place, thereby, spreading chaos in the entire Middle East. Iraq is yet another mess along with Afghanistan where the war shows no sign of abating, thanks to overwhelming support from the local population of Afghanistan, besides help from the shadowy Al Qaeda.
Human Rights Violations by the US
US’s support for other like-minded terrorist states such as India and Israel is no surprise since they are all joined at the hip. Each of them is in business to terrorize, subjugate and suppress freedom of the respective countries or territories which they have occupied by force. Suppressing human rights has also been the main objective of these countries with human rights groups severely chastising these terrorist states but to no avail. Guatanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib are telling examples of how the US runs its business. Bush has finally conceded in the latest interview that the occupation of Iraq was a big mistake. Mahatir Mohamed, the ex-Malaysian Prime Minister in an interview with Al-Jazeera has called for the world to declare George Bush and Tony Blair as international terrorists and hold them accountable for the turmoil and misery they have spread throughout the world in the name of the so called “war on terror”. United States is continuing to destabilize neighboring Pakistan where Pakistani troops have already suffered close to a thousand deaths at the hands of the terrorists which the US is unable to handle in Afghanistan. Pakistani cities have also undergone a regular spate of suicide bombings for showing support to the US with the US having no plan or clear cut deadline for withdrawal.
Myopic Policies of the US and Pakistan in the Line of Fire
The Afghanistan government recently conceded that the real solution to the problem is to talk to the Taliban instead of fighting a losing battle. US firepower is of no use in the terrain, training and time the insurgents have at their disposal. If the US does not have support of the local populace, this war can go on for centuries without an end. It is about time Pakistan asked the US for at least 100 billion dollars in damages to the Pakistani way of life where terror has become part of ordinary everyday life. Pakistan should tell the US categorically to find a way that is workable without spreading terror through Pakistani cities. The best way for the US would be to leave immediately from Afghanistan and let the Taliban govern Afghanistan. The US can still maintain a good diplomatic relationship by having a pact with the Taliban emphasizing that no Al Qaeda be allowed to operate from Afghanistan. The sooner the US realizes the importance of diplomacy, the sooner we can stop the whole region and the world at large from descending into the US led chaos. Diplomatic engagement can accomplish much more than any bullet or missile can do and engaging Taliban is the key. Holding talks between the Afghanistan government and Taliban in Saudi Arabia was a step in the right direction. Myopic and gung-ho policies of the US are to blame for the current pandemonium we see everywhere in South Asia.
Indian Oppression in the Occupied Territories of South Asia
India has long been subjugating and oppressing freedom movements from various parts of India. Kashmir is in the forefront because Pakistan has fought three wars with India over Kashmir already and it has come very close to a full scale war with Pakistan on at least three occasions previously. Tamil freedom movement in the south is also not far behind in its scale and resolve where the movement has engaged India and Sri-lanka militarily on a daily basis. Khalistan movement in the Indian Punjab along with freedom movements in Assam, Nagaland and Mizo(90 percent Christian, wanted to join Burma) and parts close to Nepal have also shown their determination from time to time.Kashmir is an especially troubled region where the indigenous population has fought against Indian occupation for many years now. Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris have already laid their lives for the cause of an independent homeland. Recently, even Indian journalists have started to take notice of the human rights violations that the Indian Army is committing in the occupied Kashmir. State terrorism from India it seems would never be able to subdue the local population as there has never been any precedence from history where an occupier has ever held on to a territory without the consent of the locals.
Hindu Muslim Conflict in India and India’s International Relations
Muslim population in India elsewhere has also suffered at the hands of the majority Hindus with Gujarat Massacre the most publicized event of them all. Even in Mumbai there has always been a sense of uneasy calm between the Muslims and the Hindus at daggers drawn during the Mumbai bombings a few years back. Even very recently there have been riots in the Hyderabad Deccan between Hindus and Muslims. On a national level India itself has never had good relations with any of its neighbors including China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma and Bangladesh; blaming each of these countries for supporting insurgencies or intrusions in the adjoining areas. Pakistan is no exception.
Militant Attacks in India
The acts of terrorism brought about by these freedom movements are also not so uncommon in India. In fact, they are the result of the oppressive Indian policies towards its own populace. It is interesting to note that some of the acts of terrorism have also been perpetrated by the extremist right wing Hindu parties. Very recently a serving Colonel of the Indian Army was arrested on charges related to terrorism. Blaming Pakistan for all of India’s problems can be a workable cry during election rallies but holds no weight if India itself does nothing to alleviate the problems in Kashmir and elsewhere.
Historical Freedom Movements in India
India has a history of territories that have broken apart from India simply because many South Asians do not find it acceptable that their territories and their lives be governed from the Hindu majority ruling from the center. Many states have already achieved freedom or separation from India. Pakistan and Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Chinese Kashmir are the territories which have already separated. In order to avoid any further division of India, the Indian Army is in the habit of using full force to subjugate freedom fighters to keep modern India in one piece and calls these freedom movements as terrorist movements. United States is also hand in hand with India in depriving humanity freedom from oppression and calls many of these movements as terrorist movements. United States and India think they can fool the world in whatever banner or politically correct name they can conjure up.
Towards a Multi-polar World
United States thinks that bank rolling the United Nations can help it run the entire world as it feels free. It is about time the head quarters of the United Nations was shifted from the US to a neutral country or territory say Antarctica and all countries given their due voice. The current UN Security Council is ruled by the rich and powerful for the rich and powerful. Present day UN is just a tool used by the US to wage and legitimize one war after another. United States of Warica as it should be called should stop its bullying tactics and start following the playbook of China if it truly wants to earn respect and succeed as an economy. Waging war and financing current account deficits from borrowed money from the central banks of the entire world using the US treasury bills might have worked in the past but I am afraid in the modern world where there are plenty of sound options available especially with the West in the financial crunch; old strategies would be of no use. It is about time the US saw the writing on the wall; worried about its own economic problems and stopped meddling in the affairs of the entire world. Ethics over the politics of power would prevail.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
United States, an "International Migraine"
Follow the Idol Breaker: Islamicity
Today, we live amidst a tide of idols, however, these idols, although man-made like their predecessors, enjoy a form that is far more deceptive than the word idol usually conjures up for us.
The pile of broken umbrellas, huge rocks, and of course, rubber slip-ons of all hue piled around the pillars of temptation tell more than a story. The minor story of course is that some people come to Hajj unprepared and thus unaware what to hurl at Satan. The major story is that why only small pebbles are needed. The questions, what to hurl and why only small pebbles are closely connected.
The completion of the rites of Hajj, as we know them, was executed by Prophet Muhammad after he removed all idols from the Kabah. The objects that needed major demolition equipment had been done away and what now remain are fresh idols that keep cropping up at all times. The need for heavy demolition equipment does exist, but the heavy-duty stuff that needs to be removed are not big rocks of idols, but the rocks of corruption, greed, power, vanity and self-indulgence. The equipment needed to remove these rocks, are sincere doses of God Consciousness (Taqwa).
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), perhaps, the foremost idol-breaker, launched a mission against idolatry when it was the absolute norm - he stood firm against the tide of idol worship and challenged this deep-rooted social norm. Today, we live amidst a tide of idols, however, these idols, although man-made like their predecessors, enjoy a form that is far more deceptive than the word idol usually conjures up for us. The modern day idols of the love for power or recognition is taking many forms, and most often these idols in the guise of current-day social norm are not only hurtful to the individual but indeed the community.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Book Review: AL' AMERICA: Islamicity
By: Paul M. Barrett
Peace Be Upon UsIslamic and Arabic traditions have long been part of American culture.
It was a rough election season for American Arabs and Muslims. The McCain-Palin ticket shamelessly amplified the Internet smear that Barak Obama is a crypto-Islamic fanatic who fraternizes with terrorists. Obama responded by insisting, persuasively, on his credentials as an observant Christian. But in the process, he did little to point out the inherent bigotry in the Republican strategy Colin Powell, during his televised endorsement of Obama, eloquently challenged the assumption that Arabs and Muslims deserve to be held at arm's length. But the former secretary of state couldn't single-handedly do much to change the perception of these groups as a political liability.
Jonathan Curiel intends his book Al' America as an antidote to the fear. Ignorance, unsurprisingly, lies at the heart of it. Start with basic demographics: Most Arab-Americans are Christian, not Muslim, and most American Muslims are not Arab. Private surveys show that the largest segment of the American Muslim population -- about one-third -- traces its roots to South Asia, primarily Pakistan and India. Arabs make up only about a quarter of the Muslims in this country; African Americans, mostly converts and their children, another fifth.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Book Review: AL' AMERICA: Islamicity
Welcome to the Human-Machine Civilization: Islamicity
By: Dr. Aslam Abdullah
From the midst of the modern civilization is emerging yet another set of ideas that would probably exhaust all possible means to reportedly make human beings smarter to the extent of promoting a new scientific world known as human-machine culture.By year 2009, as predicted by Ray Kurzwell, one of 18 thinkers chosen by the US National Academy of Engineering to identify the great technological challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, "we will have intelligent nanobots go into our brains through the capillaries and interact directly with our biological neurons." These nanobots, he concluded, would make us smarter, remember things better and automatically go into full emergent virtual reality environments through the nervous system."
We are on the brink of advances that, many argue, will change the face of the world, in a dramatic fashion, unknown and unseen by anything in the past. We thought the computer was the smartest invention we ever had. The emerging new changes will make every scientific discovery up till now seem primitive.
The idea of placing tiny robots implanted in our brains to give us more intelligence will indeed change the way we think, act and respond, some argue.
However, in the realistic terms, those who will design the software for such a robotic implantation, would essentially control the definition of everything that goes with the word "smart". The software engineers will determine based on the guidelines given to them by consumer driven multinational-controlled capitalism, how to interfere with human nature in terms of proposing courses of actions that would serve their interests.
Under this new so called nanobot technology, we would be virtual slaves to those who will manufacture the best software, something that the rulers of the world were unable to do in the past. We witnessed in our long recorded history several attempts to subjugate human will to the dictates of the most powerful people at the helms of affairs, yet none could even come close to controlling human thinking and actions as this nanobot inventors intend to do.
This will create the ability to make us eat drink and do what we are told by robotic implanting. We could be thinking the way we are programmed. But how will that be done?
According to the Quran we believe that human beings are created by the divine with part of His spirit infused in us (Quran; 32:9, 15:29, 38:72, 21:91, 66:12). We believe that God is the one who creates, invents, and designs (40:64,59:24, 64:3)? We believe that He is the one who are created us with the faculty of rationality that gives us options to choose between various alternatives available to us in all aspects of life (3:191). We also believe that in a world that is yet to come, we will be questioned for all our actions in this world (2:210).
In a nanobot controlled and driven world, rationality would be determined by the investors in the device, alternative actions will be drafted by programmers, choices will be pushed by competing entrepreneurs and so on so forth.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Welcome to the Human-Machine Civilization: Islamicity
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
US takes a closer look at Islamic banking: Islamicity
By: Mohammed Rasooldeen
The US government is currently studying the salient features of Islamic banking to ascertain how far it could be useful in fighting the ongoing world economic crisis, Robert M. Kimmitt, US deputy secretary of the Treasury, said at a press conference held at the US Embassy here yesterday.
Kimmitt, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom, also held discussions with Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf. Today, he is scheduled to meet Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) Gov. Hamad Al-Sayari, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Gov. Amr Al-Dabbagh, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of the Kingdom Holding Company, and Saudi investors and bankers. He said that the agenda for the G-20 summit to be held in Washington on Nov. 15, has to be carefully prepared since important topics are to be discussed in just one day. "I am not sure that Islamic banking will also be itemized in the agenda, but it is a subject that is often dwelt in the public and private sectors," he noted. He said that experts in the US Treasury Department are currently learning the important features of Islamic banking.
However, he added that his country is focusing on activities of various governments and central banks in tackling the economic issues. He pointed out that the member countries in the G-20 also includes Islamic countries such as Indonesia and Turkey, besides the Kingdom which has been a member for the past 10 years. Representatives from these countries could present their experiences of Islamic banking in the light of the prevailing situation.
He hoped the G-20 summit will provide an effective platform for the member countries to exchange their views on the current economic problem and lay out a plan for the countries to draw out their respective national plans to ease the situation.
Commenting on his meeting with Al-Assaf, Kimmitt said the items that could be included in the agenda were also discussed. "The geographical representation from member countries would provide a broader view of the crisis and would also benefit the non-member countries through their experiments," he added.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: US takes a closer look at Islamic banking: Islamicity
Monday, October 20, 2008
Videogame delayed over ‘offence’ to Muslims: Dawn
LONDON, Oct 20: Developers delayed release of one of the most eagerly anticipated games in the history of the Sony PlayStation because of concerns that some of the background music might offend Muslims, the developers said on Monday.
LittleBigPlanet, in which gamers can customise the rag-doll protagonist Sackboy and allow it to roam through an interactive world filled with different challenges, had been hailed by video games website IGN as “nothing short of astounding” and given a review rating of 9.5 out of 10.
But its release date has been put back after one of its background music tracks, a song by Mali-born artist Toumani Diabate, was found to have included expressions from the Holy Quran, which could be interpreted as an offence to Muslims.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Videogame delayed over ‘offence’ to Muslims: Dawn
Islamic Finance appeal growing in face of credit crisis: Islamicity.com
By: Umesh Desai
International Herald Tribune* -
The global credit crisis presents the $1 trillion Islamic finance industry with an opportunity to expand its appeal beyond Muslim investors, as a haven from speculative excess.The message may have particular resonance in the West after the crumbling of the U.S. mortgage market left banks holding hundreds of billions of dollars of nearly worthless credit instruments tied to home loans by a web of complex structures.While conventional banks worldwide are nursing losses of more than $400 billion from the credit crisis, Islamic banks are virtually unscathed. And they are playing up the contrast to scalded shareholders, bondholders and borrowers and fearful depositors."It's very much a return to old-fashioned conservative lending," said David Testa, chief executive of Gatehouse Bank, which began operations in April as the fifth Islamic bank in Britain.
"The current global market condition has given Islamic finance a great opportunity to show what it can do - help to fill the liquidity gap," he said.Investors traumatized by the credit crisis could seek comfort from the stricter rules imposed on lending by Islamic law, which bans some of the structures and financing methods that quickly unraveled during the U.S. mortgage crisis.Testa said that Islamic finance practices were more fiscally conservative, with direct participation by investors in plans that do not involve parking assets in off-balance-sheet vehicles.Islamic finance is based on Shariah, or Islamic law. It requires that gains be derived from ethical and socially responsible investments and discourages interest-based banking and investments in sectors like pork, gambling and pornography.The Asian Development Bank estimates that Islamic assets globally have a combined value of about $1 trillion, with annual growth of 10 percent to 15 percent a year. Al-Rajhi Bank of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Finance House are the two biggest Islamic banks in the Gulf region. In Malaysia, the largest Islamic lender is Maybank Islamic, a subsidiary of Malayan Banking.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Islamic Finance appeal growing in face of credit crisis: Islamicity.com
Muslim population is growing: ConnPost
By MICHAEL P. MAYKO and MARIAN GAIL BROWN
Staff writers
Look down the street. They are here.
And they are among us, making contributions to the community the way immigrants always have -- by paying their dues -- often starting at the bottom and working their way up. They are bakers, barbers, waiters, soft-drink distributors, merchants, mechanics, teachers, engineers, lawyers and doctors. Many of them own small businesses, from mom-and-pop grocery stores to gas stations to restaurants.
They are Muslims.
Muslims like Ruzhdi Vogli, a mason who spent five days avoiding soldiers ordered to shoot to kill, climbing mountains and living off the sweat he could wring from his shirt as he escaped from communistic Albania only to land in a Yugoslavian prison for 31 days.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Muslim population is growing: ConnPost
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Ship and the Lifeboats: Islamicity
By: Khalid Baig
Albalagh* -
We are living at a time when the daily news about the world, especially about the Muslim world is quite depressing. In Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, and many other places Muslim life, property, and honor have been declared fair game by those who wield worldly power. It is not just armies waging this war. A whole gamut of institutions, from sophisticated research centers to slick media, is dedicated to the campaign to sow doubts, to spreads confusion, and to denigrate Islam. In hot spot after hot spot around the world, the sword is busy prosecuting a war on Islam. The pen is busy in both conducting a war on Islam and in trying to foment a war within Islam. While the unprecedented and unexpected momentum gained by the anti-war movement has given some hope that the mad rush to slaughter may be deflected, the overall picture remains grim.
And yet these are also the times when people all over the world are coming to Islam in unprecedented numbers. At a time when Muslims have lost control of the sword and the pen, Islam is finding new followers everywhere everyday. (It is quite revealing that even as Islam continues to spread despite the sword, some people should continue to insist that it spread by the sword. As the Qur'an repeatedly reminds us, the opponents of Islam are a very closed-minded lot).
For more on this article, please click on the following link: The Ship and the Lifeboats: Islamicity
Monday, June 30, 2008
Humor in Hadith: Islamicity
Prophet Muhammad (sas) said: "Even a smile is charity."
By: Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
IslamiCity* -
Since Islam is defined as way of life the scope of Islam and life should be fully convergent. As Islam is based on human nature, it also fully takes into account that nature, in its entire dimension. As a reflection of many different types of extremities among us as Muslims, some have divorced Islam in search of their jest and fun. Others, due to their "love" for Islam, have purified Islam and their life from any humorous dimension: So, no fun or humor.
The latter group is petrified by a reminder from the Prophet Muhammad , "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would weep much and laugh little." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8, #627]
The unintended impact of this Hadith has been that we forgot to have a sense of humor altogether. Indeed, the more religious we are, the less we laugh. On top of this, I have observed that the more religious and scholarly Muslims are, their faces are stiffer, even when they have their pictures taken. Life is more than just weeping and crying. There might be some proportionality, but there is plenty of lighter dimension of life as well. So, go ahead, cry a little, laugh a little.
The Prophet usually had a very friendly, inviting disposition. He smiled, and laughed as situations "naturally" warranted. Just like he did not try to artificially induce tears in his eyes, he did not suppress his laugh during situations that were humorous.
Those Hadith that indicate Prophet's smile or laugh are very special to me, as those Hadith lightens me up when I need a little lift. Those Hadith also brightens my day every so often.
There are also valuable lessons to be learned from these Hadith. Taking life and Islam with a balanced dose of jest is what the Prophet - ordered.
The first few sayings of the Prophet below are to give you an idea about the Prophetic perspective in this regard. This collection is not necessarily to make you laugh your heart out, but merely to introduce that sense of humor is quite integral to our human life and so is also to us as Muslims.
1. The Prophet used to smile, rather than laugh ...
He generally used to smile rather than laugh Aisha, wife of the Messenger of Allah said: I never saw the Messenger of Allah laugh fully to such an extent that I could see his uvula. He would only smile, ... [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 3, #5079] [Note: Whether he smiled or laugh depended on the situation as illustrated by the Hadiths quoted below.]
2. The Prophet's smile and companions' laughing sessions ...
Narrated Jabir ibn Samurah: Simak ibn Harb asked Jabir ibn Samurah, "Did you sit in the company of the Messenger of Allah?" He said: Yes, very often. He (the Prophet) used to sit at the place where he observed the morning or dawn prayer till the sun rose or when it had risen; he would stand, and they (his Companions) would talk about matters (pertaining to the days) of ignorance, and they would laugh (on these matters) while (the Prophet) only smiled. [Sahih Muslim, #1413]
3. Go ahead make your dear ones feel good!
Narrated Hadhrat Fatima , The Prophet told me something secretly (during his fatal illness) and I laughed. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8, Chapter 68 on smiling and laughing]
4. You should be jestful with your family!
Narrated Ibn Mas'ud: "Mix with the people on the condition that your Deen is not jeopardized, and be jestful with the family." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Chapter 81 on "To be cheerful with the people"]
5. The Prophet used to laugh too; sometimes till his front teeth were exposed...
Hadhrat Abu Dhar reported that the Prophet said: "I know the last of inhabitants of Paradise to enter it and the last of the inhabitants of Hell to come out it. He is a man who would be brought on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said: Present his minor sins to him, and withhold from him his serious sins. Then the minor sins would be placed before him, and it would be said: On such and such day you did so and so and on such and such day you did so and so. He would say: Yes. It will not be possible for him to deny, while he would be afraid lest serious sins should be presented before him. It would be said to him: In place of every evil deed you will have good deed. He will (then) say: My Lord! I have done things that I do not see here." I indeed saw the Mesenger of Allah laugh till his front teeth were exposed. [Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, #365]
6. Sometimes laughing is just not right...
Narrated Aisha: Some young men from the Quraysh visited Aisha as she was in Mina and they (audience) were laughing. She said: What makes you laugh? They said: Such and such person stumbled against the rope of the tent and he was about to break his neck or lose his eyes. She said: Don't laugh for I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) saying: If a Muslim runs a thorn or (gets into trouble) severe than this, there is assured for him (a higher) rank and his sins are obliterated. [Sahih Muslim, #6237]
7. The Prophet's kiddy talk!
Narrated Anas bin Malik , The Prophet used to mix with us to the extent that he would say to a younger brother of mine (he had a bird called Umair), "O father of Umair! What did do the Nughair (a kind of bird)?" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8, #150]
8. Asking the Prophet for a camel
Anas said: A man came to the Prophet and said: O Apostle of Allah! give me a mount. The Prophet said: We shall give you a she-camel's child to ride on. He said: What shall I do with a she-camel's child? The Prophet replied: Do any others than she-camels give birth to camels?" [Sunan Abu Dawood; Vol. 3, # 4980; also #4981; #4982]
9. The tale of a stubborn animal...
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: Ali ibn Rabi'ah said: I was present with Ali while an animal was brought to him to ride. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: "In the name of Allah." Then when he sat on its back, he said: "Praise be to Allah." He then said: "Glory be to Him Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength, and to our Lord do we return." He then said: "Praise be to Allah (thrice); Allah is Most Great (thrice): glory be to Thee, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for only Thou forgivest sins." He then laughed. He was asked: At what did you laugh? He replied: I saw the Apostle of Allah do as I have done, and laugh after that. I asked: Apostle of Allah , at what are you laughing? He replied: Your Lord, Most High, is pleased with His servant when he says: "Forgive me my sins." He knows that no one forgives sins except Him. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 2, #2596]
10. What is there to laugh about a good use of Qur'anic logic ...?
Amr ibn al-As said: I had a sexual dream on a cold night in the battle of Dhat al-Salasil. I was afraid, if I washed/bathed I would die. I, therefore, performed Tayammum and led my companions in the dawn prayer. They mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah, He said: 'Amr, you led your companions in prayer, while you were sexually defiled? I informed him of the cause which impeded me from taking a bath. And I said: I heard Allah say: "Do not kill yourself, verily Allah is merciful to you." The Messenger of Allah laughed and did not say anything. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 1, #334]
11. The laugh at the case of an unyielding hapless chap ...
A man broke his fast (intentionally) during Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah commanded him to emancipate a slave or fast for two months, or feed sixty poor men. He said: I cannot provide. The Apostle said: Sit down. Thereafter, a huge basket of dates was brought to the Messenger of Allah. He said: Take this and give it as sadaqah. He said: O Messenger of Allah, there is no one poorer than I. The Messenger of Allah thereupon laughed so that his canine teeth became visible and said: Eat it yourself. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 2, #2386]
12. A Dollyy conversation and a hearty laugh!...
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: When the Apostle of Allah arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the draught raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her.
He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked: What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse. He asked: What is this that it has on it? She replied: Two wings. He asked: A horse with two wings? She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings? She said: Thereupon the Apostle of Allah laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 3, #4914]
13. A drunken tale ...
Ibn Abbas said: The Prophet did not prescribe any punishment for drinking wine. Ibn Abbas said: A man who had drunk wine and become intoxicated was found staggering on the road, so he was taken to the Prophet . When he was opposite Al-Abbas' house, he escaped, and going in to Al-Abbas, he grasped hold of him. When that was mentioned to the Prophet , he laughed and said: Did he do that? and he gave no command regarding him. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 3, #4461]
14. A pillow talk...
Adi bin Hatim said: When the verse 'Until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread' was revealed, I took a white rope and a black rope, and placed them beneath my pillow; and then I looked at them, but they were not clear to my. So I mentioned it to the Apostle of Allah. He laughed and said: Your pillow is so broad and lengthy; that (what is being referred to) is blackness of night and whiteness of day." [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 2, #2342]
15. Troublesome thoughts?
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: AbuZumayl said: I asked Ibn Abbas, saying: What is that I find in my breast? He asked: What is it? I replied: I swear by Allah, I cannot speak about it. He asked me: Is it something doubtful? and he laughed. He then said: No one could escape that, until Allah, the exalted, revealed: "If thou went in doubt as to what we have revealed unto thee, and ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee." He said: If you find something in your heart, say: He is the first and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent, and He has full knowledge of all things. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 3, #5091]
Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq is an associate professor of economics and finance at Upper Iowa University.
Homepage: http://www.globalwebpost.com/farooqm
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Humor in Hadith: Islamicity
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Stupor of Death: Islamicity
Death is a mystery and an illusion to all human beings and irrespective of color, nationality, ethnic, social, economic, or religious background. The Process of death that every person will go through is also a taboo, which is not really discussed on a normal basis, nor is it easy to write about, or even to go through. Since everyone is to taste death, its taste would be bitter, sour, or sweet, depending on the individuals relationship with Allah (The Creator).
The following is a summary of the verses revealed in the Qur'an about the process of death and the pain that a person has to go through.
In Surah or chapter Qaf, Allah (swt) informs us that the state of death is a state of unconsciousness. The Qur'an states the following: And the stupor of death comes in truth. "This was the thing which you were trying to escape!" [50:19]
Yusuf Ali in his explanatory note to the above (#4955) says the following:
What is Stupor unconsciousness to this probationary life will be the Opening of the eyes to the next world: for Death is the Gateway between the two. Once through that Gateway man will realize how the things which he neglected or looked upon as remote are the intimate Realities, and the things which seemed to loom large in his eyes in this world were shadows that have fled. The things he wanted to avoid are the things that have really come to pass. Both Good and Evil will realize the Truth now in its intensity.
In Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle), Allah (swt) informs us about the agonies of death. The Qur'an states the following:
If you could but see how the wicked (do fare) in the agonies of death! -the angels stretch forth their hands; (Saying), "Yield up your souls: this day shall you receive your reward -a chastisement of disgrace for that you used to tell lies against Allah and scornfully to reject of His Signs!" [6:93]
In Surah Al-Waqi'ah (The Inevitable Event), Allah (swt) teaches us that when the soul reaches the throat, no one can bring life back. The Qur'an is explicit about this idea:
Then why do you not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat, -And you all the while (sit) looking on, -But We are nearer to him than you, and yet you see not -Then why do you not, -if you are exempt from (future) account -Call back the soul, if you are true (in your claim of independence)? [56:83-87]
In Surah Al-Qiyanlah (The Resurrection) Allah (swt) stresses the idea about the pain of death. The Qur'an states the following:
Yes, when (the soul) reaches to the collar-bone (in its exit) And there will be a cry, "Who is an enchanter (to restore him)?" And he will think that it was (the time) of Parting; And one leg will be joined with another: That day the drive will be (all) to your Lord!" [75:26-30]
EXPRESSIONS AT TIME OF DEATH
Death Experiences Of The Scholars
Abu Bakr
1. When the first Khalifa, Abu Bakr (R), was dying, his daughter, Aisha (R), recited a poem. He told her to recite a Verse from the Qur'an in Surah Qaf:
"And the stupor of death come in truth. "This was the thing which you were trying to escape!" [50:19]
He told her to pick up his two pieces of clothing (thawb), wash them, and then use them as his funereal attire. He said:
"It is more important for the living to have new clothing than the dead."
When his relatives found out that he was very sick, they asked if they could bring a doctor to look at him.
He said that the Doctor (Allah (swt)) had already seen him, and had told him:
"You are to do what you want..."
Imam Al-Hussein
It was narrated by Muhammad the son of Imam Al-Hassan that:
When Imam Hussein recognized that people had already surrounded him, he recognized that surely he was going to be killed. He said to his companions:
"You have seen what is going on . . Life has changed.. People are full of ingratitude...Favors don't exist. . My life is like someone on an unhealthy farm . . Don't you see that Truth (Haqq) is not being practiced. . Falsehood is not corrected . . Therefore, a Mumin (Strong Believer) loves to meet Allah (swt). I see death as a happiness, and life with criminals as a crime."
For more on this article, please click on the following link: The Stupor of Death: Islamicity
Civic Involvement: An Islamic Imperative: Islamicity
Islamica*
Muslims have to build social and political networks in order to improve the condition of society, argue two leading American scholars
HAMZA YUSUF and ZAID SHAKIR
Improving the world in which we live is an Islamic imperative. God says in the Qur'an, "You are the best of communities brought forth for mankind." (3:110) Abu Su'ud describes this verse in his commentary: This means the best people for others. This is an unambiguous expression which states that the good [mentioned here] lies in benefit provided to the people. This is also understood from the expression, "brought forth for mankind" -namely, brought forth to benefit them and advance their best interests.[1]
Our Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, said, "God will continue to assist the servant, as long as the servant is assisting his brother."[2] We can thereby understand that divine aid and succor will accrue to this community as long as we are providing the same to fellow members of the human family.
Historical basis for involvement
In today's socio-political environment, concern and benefit can be understood as civic involvement. The word "civic" is derived from the word "city." Hence, civic involvement refers to the meaningful ways in which a private citizen is best involved in the life of his or her city. Despite its appearance in a largely agrarian context, if we consider the nature of the dominant means of economic production at the time of its emergence, Islam is best associated with the city. Our Prophet, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, is identified with the city. God mentions in the Qur'an, "I swear by this city, and you are a free man of this city." (90:1-2)
The Prophet's migration was from Mecca to Medina, from one city to another. Islamic learning and culture is associated with great cities -Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo, Isfahan, Samarqand, Bukhara, Tashkent, Qayrawan, Fez, Cordova, Seville, Granada, Istanbul, Sarajevo, Zabid, Timbuktu, Delhi, and many others.
It was the involvement of Muslims in the lives of these cities, many of which were established before the arrival of Islam, which defined them in their historical contexts. As Muslims, our involvement in the life of our cities should similarly leave a lasting and positive mark on them. Surely we have much to offer in that regard. It is not without purpose that God has placed us in significant numbers in and around the great metropolises of America. Now is the time for our constructive involvement in the lives of these cities to commence.
Such involvement is especially critical in these times of political transformation and the redefinition of both the role and scope of government here in America. As the two major political parties become increasingly responsive to special interest groups, particularly those associated with big business, large unions, and wealthy individuals, their role as facilitators of democratic and civic involvement is being eroded. This shift in responsiveness is leading to what is referred to as a dealignment of those parties. This dealignment causes private citizens to search for new institutions to serve as their primary means of political involvement, which consequently results in the proliferation of smaller, grassroots civic organizations. The collective weight of these organizations and their facilitation of direct citizen involvement in local politics is viewed by some as the reinventing of American democracy.[3]
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Civic Involvement: An Islamic Imperative: Islamicity
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Watch List Prism: Islamicity
"Thomas Jefferson once said: "The most sacred of the duties of a government is to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens." Like racial profiling, the so-called Watch List hinges on a false premise that people commit crimes because of their racial, ethnic or religious background. This false premise caused huge suffering to African Americans, Japanese Americans and now Arab and American Muslims. The worst part of this is the assumption that practicing Islam, never mind being an activist at that, gives one an appetite for terrorism. In the process, people who are in good standing who did not commit nor had a criminal record are treated as "posing a threat to civil aviation or national security" or as "potential enemies of the state". Karen DeYoung of the Washington Post reported last year that since 2003, a database that stores names of "individuals that the intelligence community believes might harm the United States" has quadrupled from 100,000 to 435,000. I am sure the numbers now are way higher. The question is that if the US has these many "terrorists" or "dangerous people," then we have a real and huge problem that cannot be solved by a watch list that selectively targets people. Watch lists only provide false sense of security by pacifying the public with the perception of added security. Jim Harper, in his Congressional testimony "The Promise of Registered Traveler," highlighted the folly of travel watch lists and identification-based policies intended to deter terrorists: "Checking identification for the purpose of comparing air travelers to lists of suspects or no-flyers is... deeply flawed and unlikely to interdict committed terrorist groups. Terrorists have ways to bypass these security checks." In the meantime, people who are in the trenches of building the bridges of civilization understanding and peace are alienated by humiliation. On a recent trip back to Columbus, I was instructed to deboard the plane since my boarding pass was not "quad S'd," [pronounced quad "esd"] In plain English, my boarding pass was not labeled for what is called secondary screening. In other words, I was not subjected to extra screening, something that I am routinely subjected to. This time around, however, I was in fact "quad S'd." And, as a common sense, since my return flight was on the same day, I requested the return boarding pass just before I started my trip, and I got it. Interestingly, the boarding pass of my return trip was not "quad S'd." So, the first leg was "quad S'd and the return flight was not. This is great, I thought. At last, I would not have to go through the routine of additional screening on the way back. I thought this particular airline has gotten enough background information about me that they opted to give! me a break this time around. For more on this article, please click on the following link: The Watch List Prism: Islamicity
By: Ahmad Al-Akhras
Media Monitors Network
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The pleasures of seeking knowledge: Islamicity
By: Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D.
The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based on lslam's emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur'an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad 
which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. The very first verse of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet of Islam on the night of 27th of Ramadan in 611 AD reads:
"Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not." (Quran, 96:1-5)
"And they shall say had we but listened or used reason, we would not be among the inmates of the burning fire." (Quran, 67:10)
"Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful. " (Quran, 39:9)
The Qur'an encourages people towards scientific research:.
"And whoso brings the truth and believes therein such are the dutiful." (Quran, 39:33)
Every Muslim man's and every Muslim woman's prayer should be:
"My Lord! Enrich me with knowledge.." (Quran, 20:114)
The pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason, based on sense and observation is made obligatory on all believers.
The following traditions of the Prophet supplement the foregoing teachings of the Qur'an in the following way:
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Seek knowledge "even though it be in China."
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"The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, whether male or female."
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"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr."
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"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."
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"God has revealed to me, 'Whoever walks in the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for him the way to heaven.'
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"The best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge."
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"Scholars should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears."
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Some one asked the Prophet
: "Who is the biggest scholar?" He replied: "He who is constantly trying to learn from others, for a scholar is ever hungry for more knowledge." -
"Seek knowledge and wisdom, or whatever the vessel from which it flows, you will never be the loser."
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"Contemplating deeply for one hour (with sincerity) is better than 70 years of (mechanical) worship."
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"To listen to the words of the learned and to instill unto others the lessons of science is better than religious exercises."
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"Acquire knowledge: it enables its possessor to distinguish right from the wrong, it lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless - it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament among friends and an armor against enemies."
The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years remained the most advanced civilization in the world. The main reasons for this was that Islam stressed the importance and respect of learning, forbade destruction, cultivated a respect for authority, discipline, and tolerance for other religions. The teachings of Qur'an and Sunnah inspired many Muslims to their accomplishments in science and medicine.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: The pleasures of seeking knowledge: Islamicity
Prince Charles, defender of Islam: Asia Times
By Fazile Zahir
FETHIYE, Turkey - The recent visit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip to Turkey was hailed as a great success. The 82-year-old British monarch won favor with the local people by describing Turkey as a "confident and dynamic democracy" and praising close ties between Ankara and London.
She underlined British support for Turkey's bid to join the European Union, showed respect for the past by visiting the tomb of modern Turkey's secularist founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara and for the present government by covering her hair when she visited an ancient mosque in Bursa and listened to a reading from the Koran.
The Turkish press on the whole recounted the visit as the queen's second to Turkey, the first having taken place 37 years ago in 1971. At that time, too, the public response was positive and excited crowds surged past protective barriers and swarmed the royal party's open-top cars. Back then, she took the opportunity to present a trophy to the winner of a horse race held in her honor. On this visit she was surprised and pleased to discover that the Queen Elizabeth Cup Race has continued annually ever since.
Some members of the press speculated that this was actually her third visit - a secret visit allegedly having taken place in 1961 to plead for clemency towards some Democratic Party politicians sentenced for execution. Apparently, she was turned down and left having seen no more than the airport. Despite odd rumors like this one, Turkey and Britain have on the whole a cordial friendship, with the British having at times been Turkey's only supporter for EU accession.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Prince Charles, defender of Islam: Asia Times
Monday, May 26, 2008
Celebrating Malcolm X: Islamicity
We met Malcolm through the prism of popular culture, and we embraced him as a commodity, to signal our own disbelief in the American dream. On Malcolm X's birthday, those of us who embraced him as a pop icon need to encounter him again. We need to revisit Malcolm, because he has resisted all of our attempts to craft a single, well-packaged, vision of him. We need to unpack the things about him that remain elusive, difficult, messy and challenging. We need to pause to think about him, because he left, for us, important social and political lessons. Though Malcolm's life was short, it was marked by dramatic change. He was born into poverty, madness and racial violence. His youthful arrogance, crime and indulgence led him to jail. But prison was no end for him; through a religious and political awakening, he found freedom in the context of imprisonment. He became an organization man, an orator, a world citizen and a free thinker with a cosmopolitan vision of the world. Malcolm displayed the capacity to learn, to grow, to discern and to change direction. It takes courage to admit that society's approach to old subjects has grown rigid and needs to evolve and change. It is hard for leaders to admit that they have been wrong in the past. His life is a reminder that greatness is not found in arrogant self-righteousness or intellectual hubris, but in the willingness to be open to our own limitations... For more on this article, please click on the following link: Celebrating Malcolm X: Islamicity
"it is only after this deepest darkness that the greatest joy can come; it is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come. I do believe that I have fought the best that I could, with the shortcomings that I have had. I know that my shortcomings are many."
By: Melissa Harris-Lacewell
theRoot.com* -
I am part of the generation - the post civil-rights generation, post-black power generation - that turned Malcolm X into a T-shirt and cap. He was our symbol of racial discontent and political angst. Though we did not live through the brutal repression of Jim Crow, we knew for ourselves, in our own way, the effects of racial inequality. We saw the systematic destruction of urban communities, the incarceration of our peers, the violence and drugs that ravaged our neighborhoods. We knew that even the new opportunities and unprecedented accomplishments that previous generations made possible for us were often marked by racial isolation and insults.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Finding my Faith: Islamicity
By: Patricia Dunn
Salon.com* -
I'm not the same woman I was at 27 when I told my mother, "Ma, I can't eat the pasta fagioli." (She'd made it with bacon.) I'm not the same woman who lied when she said, "I didn't become Muslim because of Ahmed."
My mother believes that for women, most problems and solutions begin and end with the man in her life. But back then there was no way this feminist would admit to anyone -- including herself and especially not her mother -- that she had converted because of a man.
But today, at 42, and secure in my faith, I can admit that if it weren't for Ahmed -- though he is now my ex-husband -- the word "Islam" would probably still conjure up images of black-cloaked women and melodramatic Sally Field movies in my head. After all, I am my mother's daughter.
The day I left my Italian-Bronx neighborhood to go to college, I knew my communion and confession days were over. I was never going to let Jesus stick to the roof of my mouth again. There were too many contradictions for me in Catholicism. Why was my never-miss-Sunday-mass father excommunicated after he and my mother divorced -- especially when she was the one having the affair? How could the pope have an Olympic-size swimming pool while millions of his people were starving? And how could I tolerate the church's position on abortion and women's rights?
By the time I transferred from Barnard to UCLA, I was a lapsed Catholic who wanted nothing to do with organized religion. But I needed to believe in something....
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Finding my Faith: Islamicity
Say not even "Fie" to Parents: Islamicity
By: Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr
INTRODUCTION
In America there are many special days set aside to honor and appreciate special people. Some of these are: Father's Day, Mother's Day, Grandfather's Day, Grandmother's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc. We do realize the significance of these occasions and we recognize the ideas, ideals, and philosophies of such days. We appreciate the efforts of those who initiated these occasions for the recognition and appreciation of special people.
As for the appreciation of parents, we admire the efforts of children who remember their parents on such occasions by sending them greeting cards and gifts. However, we hope that the appreciation is not for one single day in a year, but for every day throughout the year.
PARENTS IN QURAN
A child should respect and appreciate his or her parents every day throughout the year. Allah has asked human beings to recognize their parents after recognition of Allah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and with respect, even if they are senile. In Surah Al-Isra' (Children of Israel) there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated. Allah 
says:
"Your Lord had decreed, that you worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with you, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both, as they did care for me when I was young." [Quran 17:23-24]
The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allah reminds children to recognize and to appreciate the care and love they have received from their parents. In the following verse, Allah demands that children recognize their parents:
"We have enjoined on humankind kindness to parents." [Quran 29:8 and 46:15]
1. The demand for recognizing parents is made more emphaticly when Allah says in the Quran:
"And (remember) when We made a covenant with the children of Israel, (saying): worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents..." [Quran 2:83]
2. In Surah Al-Nisaa' (The Women) Allah emphasizes again that children should be kind to their parents.
"And serve Allah. Ascribe nothing as partner unto Him. (Show) Kindness unto parents... " [Quran 4:36]
3. The same directive is repeated again In Surah Al An'Am (The Cattle), where Allah says:
"Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord has made a sacred duty for you; that you ascribe nothing as partner unto Him and that you do good to parents..." [Quran 6:151]
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Say not even "Fie" to Parents: Islamicity
Friday, May 9, 2008
Seeking Knowledge an Imperative: Islamicity
When he was on his deathbed, Biruni was visited by a jurisprudent neighbor of his. Abu Rayhan was still conscious, and on seeing the jurisprudent, he asked him a question on inheritance law or some other related issue. The jurisprudent was quite amazed that a dying man should show interest in such matters. Abu Rayhan said, "I should like to ask you: which is better, to die with knowledge or to die without it?" The man said, "Of course, it is better to know and then die." Abu Rayhan said, "That is why I asked my first question." Shortly after the jurisprudent had reached his home, the cries of lamentation told him that Abu Rayhan had died. (Murtaza Motahari: Spiritual Discourses) That was then, nearly a millennium ago, when Muslims were the torchbearers of knowledge in a very dark world. They created an Islamic civilization, driven by inquiry and invention, which was the envy of the rest of the world for many centuries. In the words of Carli Fiorina, the former highly talented and visionary, CEO of Hewlett Packard, "Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration. Its writers created thousands of stories; stories of courage, romance and magic. When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others. While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I'm talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent. Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians." Truly, there is hardly a field that is not indebted to these pioneering children of Islam. Here below is a short list, by no means a comprehensive one, of Muslim scientists from the 8th to the 14th century CE: 1 701 (died) C.E. * Khalid Ibn Yazeed * Alchemy With such a train of Muslim scholars, it is not difficult to understand why George Sarton said, "The main task of mankind was accomplished by Muslims. The greatest philosopher, Al-Farabi was a Muslim; the greatest mathematicians Abul Kamil and Ibrahim Ibn Sinan were Muslims; the greatest geographer and encyclopaedist Al-Masudi was a Muslim; the greatest historian, Al-Tabari was still a Muslim." History before Islam was a jumble of conjectures, myths and rumors. It was left to the Muslim historians who introduced for the first time the method of matn and sanad tracing the authenticity and integrity of the transmitted reports back to eyewitness accounts. According to the historian Buckla "this practice was not adopted in Europe before 1597 AD." Another method: that of historical research and criticism - originated with the celebrated historian Ibn Khaldun. The author of Kashfuz Zunun gives a list of 1300 history books written in Arabic during the first few centuries of Islam. That is no small contribution!
Dr. Habib Siddiqui
Abu Rayhan al-Biruni was a great scientist, physicist, astronomer, sociologist, linguist, historian and mathematician whose true worth may never be known. He is considered the father of unified field theory by Nobel Laureate - late Professor Abdus Salam. He lived nearly a thousand years ago and was a contemporary of Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Sultan Mahmoud of Ghazni.
721-803 * Jabir Ibn Haiyan (Geber) * Alchemy (Great Muslim Alchemist)
740 * Al-Asma'i * Zoology, Botany, Animal Husbandry
780 * Al-Khwarizmi (Algorizm) * Mathematics (Algebra, Calculus), Astronomy
776-868 * Amr ibn Bahr al-Jajiz * Zoology
787 * Al Balkhi, Ja'far Ibn Muhammas (Albumasar) * Astronomy
796 (died) * Al-Fazari,Ibrahim Ibn Habib * Astronomy
800 * Ibn Ishaq Al-Kindi - (Alkindus) * Medicine, Philosophy, Physics, Optics
815 * Al-Dinawari, Abu-Hanifa Ahmed Ibn Dawood * Mathematics, Linguistics
816 * Al Balkhi * Geography (World Map)
836 * Thabit Ibn Qurrah (Thebit) * Astronomy, Mechanics, Geometry, Anatomy
838-870 * Ali Ibn Rabban Al-Tabari * Medicine, Mathematics
852 * Al Battani Abu Abdillah * Mathematics, Astronomy, Engineering
857 * Ibn Masawaih You'hanna * Medicine
858-929 * Abu Abdullah Al-Battani (Albategnius) * Astronomy, Mathematics
860 * Al-Farghani, Abu al-Abbas (Al-Fraganus) * Astronomy, Civil Engineering
864-930 * Al-Razi (Rhazes) * Medicine, Ophthalmology, Chemistry
873 (died) * Al-Kindi * Physics, Optics, Metallurgy, Oceanography, Philosophy
888 (died) * Abbas ibn Firnas * Mechanics, Planetarium, Artificial Crystals
900 (died) * Abu Hamed Al-ustrulabi * Astronomy
903-986 * Al-Sufi (Azophi) * Astronomy
908 * Thabit Ibn Qurrah * Medicine, Engineering
912 (died) * Al-Tamimi Muhammad Ibn Amyal (Attmimi) * Alchemy
923 (died) * Al-Nirizi, AlFadl Ibn Ahmed (Altibrizi) * Mathematics, Astronomy
930 * Ibn Miskawayh, Ahmed Abu-Ali * Medicine, Alchemy
932 * Ahmed Al-Tabari * Medicine
934 * al Istakhr II * Geography (World Map)
936-1013 * Abu Al-Qasim Al-Zahravi (Albucasis) * Surgery, Medicine
940-997 * Abu Wafa Muhammad Al-Buzjani * Mathematics, Astronomy, Geometry
943 * Ibn Hawqal * Geography (World Map)
950 * Al Majrett'ti Abu-al Qasim * Astronomy, Alchemy, Mathematics
958 (died) * Abul Hasan Ali al-Mas'udi * Geography, History
960 (died) * Ibn Wahshiyh, Abu Baker * Alchemy, Botany
965-1040 * Ibn Al-Haitham (Alhazen) * Physics, Optics, Mathematics
973-1048 * Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni * Astronomy, Mathematics, History, Linguistics
976 * Ibn Abil Ashath * Medicine
980-1037 * Ibn Sina (Avicenna) * Medicine, Philosophy, Mathematics, Astronomy
983 * Ikhwan A-Safa (Assafa) * (Group of Muslim Scientists)
1001 * Ibn Wardi * Geography (World Map)
1008 (died) * Ibn Yunus * Astronomy, Mathematics.
1019 * Al-Hasib Alkarji * Mathematics
1029-1087 * Al-Zarqali (Arzachel) * Astronomy (Invented Astrolabe)
1044 * Omar Al-Khayyam * Mathematics, Astronomy, Poetry
1060 (died) * Ali Ibn Ridwan Abu'Hassan Ali * Medicine
1077 * Ibn Abi-Sadia Abul Qasim * Medicine
1090-1161 * Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar) * Surgery, Medicine
1095 * Ibn Bajah, Mohammed Ibn Yahya (Avenpace) * Astronomy, Medicine
1097 * Ibn Al-Baitar Diauddin (Bitar) * Botany, Medicine, Pharmacology
1099 * Al-Idrisi (Dreses) * Geography, Zoology, World Map (First Globe)
1110-1185 * Ibn Tufayl, Abubacer Al-Qaysi * Philosophy, Medicine
1120 (died) * Al-Tuhra-ee, Al-Husain Ibn Ali * Alchemy, Poem
1128 * Ibn Rushd (Averroe's) * Philosophy, Medicine, Astronomy
1135 * Ibn Maymun, Musa (Maimonides) * Medicine, Philosophy
1140 * Al-Badee Al-Ustralabi * Astronomy, Mathematics
1155 (died) * Abdel-al Rahman Al Khazin * Astronomy
1162 * Al Baghdadi, Abdel-Lateef Muwaffaq * Medicine, Geography
1165 * Ibn A-Rumiyyah Abul'Abbas (Annabati) * Botany
1173 * Rasheed Al-Deen Al-Suri * Botany
1180 * Al-Samawal * Algebra
1184 * Al-Tifashi, Shihabud-Deen (Attifashi) * Metallurgy, Stones
1201-1274 * Nasir Al-Din Al-Tusi * Astronomy, Non-Euclidean Geometry
1203 * Ibn Abi-Usaibi'ah, Muwaffaq Al-Din * Medicine
1204 (died) * Al-Bitruji (Alpetragius) * Astronomy
1213-1288 * Ibn Al-Nafis Damishqui * Anatomy
1236 * Kutb Aldeen Al-Shirazi * Astronomy, Geography
1248 (died) * Ibn Al-Baitar * Pharmacy, Botany
1258 * Ibn Al-Banna (Al Murrakishi), Azdi * Medicine, Mathematics
1262 (died) * Al-Hassan Al-Murarakishi * Mathematics, Astronomy, Geography
1270 * Abu al-Fath Abd al-Rahman al-Khazini * Physics, Astronomy
1273-1331 * Al-Fida (Abdulfeda) * Astronomy, Geography
1306 * Ibn Al-Shater Al Dimashqi * Astronomy, Mathematics
1320 (died) * Al Farisi Kamalud-deen Abul-Hassan * Astronomy, Physics
1341 (died) * Al-Jildaki, Muhammad Ibn Aidamer * Alchemy
1351 * Ibn Al-Majdi, Abu Abbas Ibn Tanbugha * Mathematics, Astronomy
1359 * Ibn Al-Magdi, Shihab-Udden Ibn Tanbugha * Mathematic, Astronomy
1375 (died) * Ibn Shatir * Astronomy
1393-1449 * Ulugh Beg * Astronomy.
1424 * Ghiyath al-Din al Kashani * Numerical Analysis, Computation
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Proper use of the Gift of Speech: Islamicity
"The Most Compassionate, He provided knowledge of the Qur'an; He Created Humankind; He provided human beings with the ability to communicate." Qur'an 55:1-4 "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let such a person speak good or remain silent." Prophet Muhammad Communication Islamic teachings demand that when we speak we should:
By: Sadullah Khan
Original Link: Proper use of the Gift of Speech: Islamicity
"It is obligatory upon you to control your tongue"
Also remember
"Whosoever speaks much is more prone to err."
It is no wonder that the Prophet Muhammad , when asked about acts loved by Allah, he responded:
"Control of the tongue."
"Silence is wisdom, yet few practice it."
"Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let such a person speak good or remain silent."
"Do not say anything except good"
Think before speaking
Wise are the words of the one who said:
"Think before speaking so that you safeguard yourself from problems."
It is important to engage one's brain before engaging one's mouth. Remember that good old prayer:
"O Lord! Grant me the ability to keep my mouth shut until I know what I am talking about."
"Truthfulness is obligatory upon you for surely truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to paradise"
One of the signs of a hypocrite is " the tendency to lie when speaking."
The Qur'an refers to those who truly believe as those who avoid vain and nonsensical talk
"(Believers) are they who avoid vain talk" (Qur'an 22:3)
"They pass by nonsensical talk with honorable avoidance."
Do not speak of that which you have no knowledge (Qur'an 7:33) and verify facts before speaking (Qur'an 49: 6) and do not pass on everything you hear
"Surely, Allah dislikes your communicating everything you hear from one person to another"
Though we should speak the truth even if it is bitter, we should never be vulgar in the content or the manner of our speech
"The Believer does not taunt nor a curse, neither is he indecent nor abusive."
(honesty, propriety, accuracy)
"The intelligent person considers his understanding and feelings before speaking, the idiot speaks irrespective of understanding and feeling."
"Let your speaking be proper, your deeds will be rectified" (Qur'an 33:70)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Are We Witnessing the Death of Israel by a Thousand Cuts?: Arab News
Jonathan Power, jonatpower@aol.com
Even Jimmy Carter, who single handedly (without much Jewish appreciation) has done more to make Israel secure than any other living person, can’t change the march of demographics. Within the boundaries of the State of Israel and the occupied territories there are 5.4 million Jews and 4.6 million Palestinians. The Palestinian birth rate is almost three times that of the Israeli Jews. If anything the Jewish population is starting to fall as an increasing number of Jews decide that Israel has no future for them and in significant numbers emigrate. The far seeing Richard Nixon, when asked by Patrick Buchanan and his wife, how he saw the future of Israel, turned down his thumb “like a Roman emperor at the gladiators’ arena”.
Perhaps we are witnessing the death of Israel by a thousand cuts, the attrition of conflict and the attrition of population. Maybe after all the rabbis of Vienna who were sent in 1897 on a fact-finding mission to Palestine to investigate whether it was a suitable place for Jewish settlement were right.
They reported back that the “bride was beautiful but married to another man.” The rabbis had been moved to visit Palestine by Theodore Herzl, an Austrian journalist, who had just published his highly influential book, “The Jewish State”, which launched the movement called “political Zionism”.
Herzl, a broad minded man, was happy to think of the new Israel in Argentina which had a considerable Jewish migration in the 19th century and was well away from the clutches of anti-Semitic Europe.
He was also inclined to accept the offer of Joseph Chamberlain, then the British colonial secretary, for a site on the Uasin Gishu plateau near Nairobi in what was then British East Africa. The Zionist Conference overruled him.
But when the British government finally gave in to Zionist lobbying and, in the words, of the Balfour Declaration of 1917, favored “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people” the only Jewish member of the Cabinet, Edwin Samuel Montague, denounced the whole project as a reconstruction of the tower of Babel.
“Palestine”, he said, “would become the world’s ghetto”. Lord Curzon, the former viceroy of India, observed that Britain had “a stronger claim to parts of France” than the Jews did to Palestine after two millennia of absence. He denounced it as an act of “sentimental idealism”.
There are few rewards in this life for being farsighted on political questions. The Zionists still have the bit between their teeth on the creation of a permanent Jewish state, even as they face self-destruction.
A few perhaps can see it coming and among the few is the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
In an interview last November he said, “If the day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights (also for the Palestinians in the territories) then, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel is finished.”
For the Zionist this would be a terrible end. But need it be for rank and file Jews who just want to bring up their families and live in an atmosphere emptied of violence? (Read Israeli novelist Shifra Horn’s book, “Ode to Joy” if you want to smell the cordite and sense deep in the soul their everyday fear of being blown up.)
But unmistakably this is the direction events and demographics are moving and arguably the best thing that outsiders can now do for Israel is to stop trying to help organize the creation of a two-state solution and let the Israelis themselves look the Palestinians in the eye as the demographics bite. If the white South Africans can do it so can the Israelis. If this were the solution the Israelis would find that the only thing that most Palestinians would now want is a prosperous, capitalist economy that lives in peace with its neighbors.
The Jews would not be driven into the sea. But those who wanted to return to Europe, America or even Russia would be more than welcome. Both Germany and Russia, the great centers of anti-Semitism in the past, have seemed to have flushed that horror away.
Life does move on. Some problems, like apartheid, do get solved, even if not very long ago they seemed intractable.
The Jews should never have tried to turn back the historical clock by returning to Palestine after fleeing in AD 70.
But now they are there in such significant numbers their only solution is to honor the rest of the text of the Balfour Declaration.
“Nothing should be done that may prejudice the civil and religious rights of the existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”, it said. This was the British condition. The Israelis overlook it today at their peril.
Original Link: Israel's Destiny
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