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The News -
Americas
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 Islam in America The American Crescent Rageh looks at why Islam has come to be described by some people as a "very American faith".He traces its history in the US and talks to American Muslims about how their belief is compatible with the principles of American democracy.And he learns that growing interest in and study of this early history is fostering a re-emerging sense of tolerance and acceptance, which extends to the nation's most recent immigrants. |
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Inspirations -
Vol 5
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The following story was mentioned by brother Firoz who is originally from Guyana and now living in Scarborough, Canada. Brother Firoz lived in the USA before moving to Canada. He can easily be identified as a Muslim as he wears a Muslim hat and has white beard. In USA, one day he was going to the market to buy some things when he was approached by a white American man who asked him whether he knew of any Halal Muslim restaurant. Brother Firoz knew of one but was unable to give him the proper direction. He figured that the American was a new Muslim in this area. So, brother Firoz invited him to his house to have some food. There were also some other Muslim brothers living with Firoz at that time. When they reached home, everyone in the house welcomed the special guest. They were also curious to know about the reason why he accepted Islam.
The new brother told them that he was taking a world religions course in the University. His teacher happened to be Jewish. When they came to the topic about Islam, the Jewish teacher at one point started showing the class how Muslims pray. "The moment I saw the teacher doing prostration (sajdah), I knew that I belonged to this religion," said the new brother. This is what led him to Islam, a simple demonstration of sajdah.
Just one act of Islam was enough to make this individual a Muslim. Imagine, how many people will be convinced when all the Muslims start practising Islam completely!
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Inspirations -
Vol 5
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Once Abdullah Bin Jafar (ra) was passing through a forest when he went by an orchard where an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slave was working. Someone brought him his food and, at the same time a stray dog came into the garden, and stood by the slave, who threw a loaf of bread to the dog, which ate it but did not go away. The slave-boy threw it a second loaf and a third one, thus letting it eat the whole of his daily provision of food, keeping nothing back for himself. Abdullah bin Jafar, who had been watching this, said to the boy, "How much bread do you get as your daily ration of food?" The boy said, "I get three loaves everyday, as you have just seen." Ibn Jafar asked, "Then, why did you prefer a dog to yourself and feed it all the three loaves?" The boy said, "There are no dogs living round here. The poor creature must have travelled a long distance to reach here and it must be feeling very hungry. So, I felt ashamed to send it away, without serving it any food." Ibn Jafar said, "What will you have for food today?" The boy said, "I shall go without food for a day, which I don't mind." Ibn Jafar said to himself, "People criticise you for spending too liberally, but this slave-boy is far more generous than you." After this he came back to the town and, after purchasing the slave-boy, the garden and all the other effects therein from the owner, he set free the slave-boy and gave him the garden as a gift.
Source: It-haaf; also found in Virtues of Charity Part II, translated by Abdul Karim.
Islam is the religion of mercy towards the creations and obedience towards the Creator. Let us practise it fully. |
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Inspirations -
Vol 5
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During giving a lecture to the youths in March 2002, brother Nakuda (an Imam of Makki Masjid located in Brampton, Canada), mentioned the following story: A Muslim brother bought a house in the neighbouring city and moved in it with his family. All day they were busy in placing things here and there. In fact, they bought the house with much effort and now they could finally enjoy it. But, they had no idea what was to come on the next day. In the following morning, the brother and his wife were going to work with their car. On their way, they got into a terrible car accident. The husband died and the wife survived. Death took over the husband and not the wife even though they were seating side by side. Brother Nakuda did his Janaza on the day he had to give the lecture to the youths.
We are all aware of our birth dates but we do not know when our death dates will be. Rather than thinking back and enjoying the day we were born, we should realize that the day to leave this world is coming nearer. How strange is a human being that the hereafter comes closer and closer to him yet he moves further and further from the obedience of Allah! |
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Inspirations -
Vol 5
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The following story was narrated by Professor Anwar, who teaches in the Ryerson University located in Toronto, Canada. He said that during his student life, he was studying at an university in Bangladesh. There, he had a good friend who was very intelligent. This friend was the only child of his family. Everyone used to look upto his great future. And they were right, he graduated with the highest mark in his field. Immediately, calls came for him from big companies. One day, Dr. Anwar was requested by his friend to accompany him to one such companies for an interview. They were going by riding on a motor cycle. On the way, a speeding truck couldn't manage itself and hit their motor cycle from the back. At that collision, Dr. Anwar flew off the motor cycle and fell on the side of the street. But his friend got hit from another vehicle that was coming from the opposite side and died instantly.
Here was a person who was at the peek of material success in this world but little did he know that his death was just around the corner. We have spent much of our time preparing for the life before death, but how much time have we spent preparing for the everlasting life after death. |
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Inspirations -
Vol 5
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Hasan al-Basri (rahimaullah) was an eminent scholar and pious individual of his time. He would rarely laugh due to his remembrance of death and the punishment of hell. One day he was going somewhere when he saw a young man indugled in laughter. Hasan al-Basri asked the youth, "Young man, have you already crossed the bridge of Sirath? Have you already found out whether you are going to paradise or hell?" The young man replied, "No." Hasan al-Basri told him, "Then why are you laughing so much?" After that, no one saw this young man laughing again as he came to know the reality of this life.
Source: Story extracted from the book "Tambihul Ghafileen" by Shaikh Abul Laith Samarkandi.
Many hours or probably days have passed away from our lives in laughter and jokes. It is a sign that we have forgotten the life of the hereafter. The sahabah used to do good deeds all day but still cry during the night to Allah. On the other hand, we do sins all day and still have no concerns! It is permissible to laugh at amazing things and smile while being in company of others.
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Inspirations -
Vol 5
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According to legend, there ruled a king who had no son. The king sent out his courtiers to post notices in all the towns of his realm. The notices advised that every qualified young man should apply for an interview with the king as a possible successor to the throne. However, all such candidates must have these two qualifications: They must love Allah and love their fellow human being.
The young man about whom this legend centers saw a notice and reflected that he loved Allah and, also, his neighbors. One thing stopped him; he was so poor that he had no clothes that would be presentable in the sight of the king. Nor did he have the funds to buy provisions for the long journey to the castle. So the young man begged here, and borrowed there, finally managing to scrounge enough money for the appropriate clothes and the necessary supplies. |
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The News -
Latest News
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 Crime Scene The case has put the Government of Dubai in an unenviable position as it tries to balance the strict traditions of the Islamic culture on the Arabian peninsula with the hedonistic pursuits of the Western businessmen and tourists the Emirate lures in its efforts to become an international destination. At face value, the 3 month sentence for a little waterside sexy-time does seem harsh. But what’s gone unreported in the Western Media is that Ms. Palmer, in her drunken state, was alleged to have tried to attack the police that confronted the pair. I don’t care where you are, if you try to attack a cop, you’re going to jail for at least three months. Hopefully the incident will serve as a lesson to people partying in Dubai that if things start getting heated, it’s time to get a room, and preferably one with AC. |
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