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Articles -
Islam
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I digress from the intended continuation
from the last post. This entry is a response to Muslimah asking in the
previous comment section where the work is happening around Masjid
al-Haram. Insha’Allah this clarifies the scene a little and is of
benefit.
Then:
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The News -
Africa
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April 12, 2009 "Huffington Post" --- Who imagined that in 2009, the world's governments would be declaring a new War on Pirates? As you read this, the British Royal Navy - backed by the ships of more than two dozen nations, from the US to China - is sailing into Somalian waters to take on men we still picture as parrot-on-the-shoulder pantomime villains. They will soon be fighting Somalian ships and even chasing the pirates onto land, into one of the most broken countries on earth. But behind the arrr-me-hearties oddness of this tale, there is an untold scandal. The people our governments are labeling as "one of the great menace of our times" have an extraordinary story to tell -- and some justice on their side.
Pirates have never been quite who we think they are. In the "golden age of piracy" - from 1650 to 1730 - the idea of the pirate as the senseless, savage thief that lingers today was created by the British government in a great propaganda-heave. Many ordinary people believed it was false: pirates were often rescued from the gallows by supportive crowds. Why? What did they see that we can't? In his book Villains of All nations, the historian Marcus Rediker pores through the evidence to find out. If you became a merchant or navy sailor then - plucked from the docks of London's East End, young and hungry - you ended up in a floating wooden Hell. You worked all hours on a cramped, half-starved ship, and if you slacked off for a second, the all-powerful captain would whip you with the Cat O' Nine Tails. If you slacked consistently, you could be thrown overboard. And at the end of months or years of this, you were often cheated of your wages.
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Articles -
Islam
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MISCONCEPTION #6:
The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group.
Islam and the so called "Nation of Islam'" are two different
religions. NOI is more of a political organization since its members
are not limited to a single faith. Muslims consider this group to be
just one of many cults using the name of Islam for their own gain.
The only thing common between them is the jargon, the language used
by both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer; this religion should be
called Farrakhanism, after the name of its propogator, Louis Farrakhan.
Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. For example,
Farakhan followers believe in racism and that the 'black man' was the
original man and therefore superior, while in Islam there is no
racism and everyone is considered equal in the sight of God, the only
difference being in one's piety. There are many other theological
examples that show the 'Nation's teachings have little to do with
true Islam. There are many groups in America who claim to represent
Islam and call their adherents Muslims.
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Articles -
Islam
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MISCONCEPTION #1:
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists.
This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from
the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a
gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA
guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox
militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not
used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed
to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard
the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence.
Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any
Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of
Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source
of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what
is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God'
and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'.
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Education -
Education
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According to Quran and Sunnah
If something is not classified as haram (prohibited) in the Deen (religion/way of life of muslim), then it is halal (permitted). Retaining a name that (1) does not identify itself with/contain anything Islamically forbidden and (2) is not a Name of Allah , has not been declared haram.
It is according to sunnah (the examples of the Prophet's life what he said, did, implemented, how he implemented), to change a bad name (whether it is an arabic name or any other language) immediately, and it is permissible according to sunnah to exchange a name for a better one.
According to Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, "...if one's name is Abdul-Messiah, for example, or similar such names, then he is obligated to change it, as the Prophet had people with the names Abdul-Ka'bah and Abdul-Uzzah change their names upon accepting Islaam. If the original name does not comprise or imply anything forbidden in Islaam, then he or she is permitted to retain it (such as the name George, for example). As noted, though, it is preferable to change it to an Islaamic name, as this also distinguishes him or her from the kuffaar."
While it is not haram to retain the name under the conditions listed above, the muslim has a responsibility to the Sunnah of the Prophet , and is encouraged to choose "the best of names"; and the best of names are the humblest, insha'Allah. In addition, the best of names we have on this side of life, will be what we are called by in Paradise, insha'Allah.
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Islam -
Heroes
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Teachings From The Kandahar Mosque
from The Ignored Puzzle Pieces of Knowledge
This is a made up story that revisits the fight between America and the Taliban/al-Qaa’idah in Afghanistan, as if this event happened 50-100 years ago. I’m not entirely sure about the source, but that doesn’t matter here. The truth of the matter is that 50-100 years from now, our children who will be reading our stories about the sacrifices that we made to bring back the glory of Islam will be so powerful that it literally moves you to tears when you think about it. The following story reflects that.
Teachings From The Kandahar Mosque
After the asr prayer, one of the Mulla’s who had routinely taught at the Jami’ Masjid in Kandahar sat down with his back leaning on the wall at one of the corners of the masjid. Then, dozens of youths were seen racing towards him and they all sat down around him. After seeing all his students sat down with discipline, the Mulla began to speak while showing a book that he had brought: “I am bringing the “History Of Kandahar” book, and today we are going to read the story of a Mujahid named Usamah.”
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Inspirations -
Education
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Following is the dialogue between the traveler and the
prophet salalhu alaiyhe wasalam.
Traveler : I do not want azaab to be written in my account.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH): behave well with your parents
Traveler : I want to be known amongst people as an intelligent person.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH): fear Allah always.
Traveler : I want to be counted amongst Allah's favorites.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH): recite quran every morning and evening..............
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Inspirations -
Education
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*Being a mother*
We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of 'starting a family.'
'We're taking a survey,' she says, half-joking. 'Do you think I should have a baby?'
'It will change your life,' I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. 'I know,' she says, 'no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations....'
But that is not what I meant at all.
I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.. I want her to know what
she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical
wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will
leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper
without asking 'What if that had been MY child?'
That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees
pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse
than watching your child die.............
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