This is the kind of spirit which I love...


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/02/us/02cha...059&partner=AOL

this is a ... good article


<b>CULTURE </b>


Culture is defined as a people's complete way of life. It consists of all the ideas, objects and ways of doing things created by the group. Culture includes beliefs, customs, language and traditions (World Book Encyclopaedia).



While there are numerous cultures and subcultures present in the world, of primary concern to us in this discussion are the two main opposing cultures in present-day society. One is the culture of Islam - the "complete way of life" set forth in the Qur'an and Sunnah. On the other opposing end is the Western culture. Both cultures present a "complete way of life." However, both ways of life differ drastically.


The difference in the two cultures stems primarily from the source of the cultures. Islamic culture - the way of life of a Muslim - is defined by the Qur'an and Sunnah. It is the culture of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is that way of life upon which he established the Sahaaba (R.A.) after having turned them away from the culture of jahiliyyah (ignorance).



On the other hand, Western culture is fashioned by a host of people; Capitalists, atheists, people who believe in same-gender marriages and others of a similar nature. Such people determine the decadent culture of the West.


<b>NO FLIRTATIOUS INTENT</b>


The cornerstone of Islamic culture is morality (hayaa)and simplicity. Hayaa (morality / modesty) and simplicity are both qualities of Imaan. Thus the true Islamic society upholds the highest levels of morality and maintains simplicity in every aspect. Some of the salient features of this society are:


q No free intermingling between non-mahram (those who are not forbidden to marry) males and females. The laws of Hijaab will be observed.


q Modest dressing. Clothing will truly cover the body (also loose enough to cover the shape) and have no flirtatious intent.


q Men and women will fulfil the separate roles that have been apportioned to them - the husband as breadwinner and the wife as mother and one who fulfils the household responsibilities, etc. This is the foundation to a stable Islamic family which together with other such families forms a stable Islamic community.


Contrary to this, the cornerstone of Western culture is immorality and extravagance. The "live-in" culture where a couple live like man and wife but never marry - is almost the norm. While there are numerous aspects that highlight the immorality of Western culture, perhaps the most visible and marked expression of this culture is in it's dressing. Shorter, tighter and more revealing is the rule by which the dress code keeps changing. Western clothing, instead of covering and distracting any wrongful glances, is by and large designed for flirting, attracting and arousing.


As for simplicity in Western culture, it is almost a kind of tragedy. Since the poor fellow cannot afford to indulge in anything extravagant, hence merely due to circumstances, he is forced to adopt a simple lifestyle. Fashion-slavery is part of western life. If one does not have a branded garment, it is tragic. If the real thing is not available, a fake will also do. If it is not a branded product, it is then only for the have-nots even if it is of a better quality and lesser cost.


While the above are some of the serious core differences between Islamic and Western culture, the most important aspect is the difference in the mindset of both cultures.


<b>PURPOSE OF LIFE</b>


The mindset of the Islamic culture stems from the conviction that Allah Ta'ala is our Creator and Sustainer. Hence in this short stay on earth, we are to serve Him alone in the manner taught by His beloved Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thus the Islamic culture revolves around the firm belief that our mission in life is to establish complete Deen in ourselves and on the face of this earth. With this mindset, one will sacrifice one's wealth, energies and time as much as possible for the purpose of life. Indeed one will acquire the necessities of life as well, but Deen will be the guiding light and driving force. Deen will dictate and all else will follow. The "purpose of life" will demand - and all else will submit. As a result if one does not acquire many comforts and luxuries, it will not matter. Rather, life will be regarded as a journey wherein the traveller is not too concerned about the luxuries and comforts en-route. The traveller is focused towards his destination. Yet, as a result of one's obedience to Allah Ta'ala, one will be blessed with true peace, serenity and contentment.


<b>CHASING FUN</b>


Conversely, the mindset of Western culture is that the purpose of life is worldly enjoyment. Every comfort and luxury that can be acquired must be attained at all costs. Everything centres around entertainment, chasing fun ... and chasing more fun. There is no mission in life. No objective. Merely the pursuit of temporal pleasure permeates every cell of the mind. And yes indeed! The constant pursuit of greater comfort and luxury and continuously chasing fun demands loads of money. Thus life revolves around making money - from early morning till late at night - and having fun. If anything comes in the way of this fun, it must be removed. If looking after elderly parents "spoils the weekends and holidays" they should be dispatched to the old-age homes. If children come in the way of earning extra money to afford "the better quality of life," they can be entrusted to day-care centres where they are treated almost like mechanical objects. There is no concern for proper upbringing. In order to "enhance the quality of life" (which means making more money to have more luxuries and more fun) anything can be sacrificed - parents, children and even religion. It is an extremely hollow existence without any peace or contentment - which only stops when one is placed in the hollow of the grave!


It is thus evident that Islamic culture and Western culture are worlds apart. The problem is that when people of different cultures live together in the same community, the process of enculturation takes place where people from one culture adopt traits, customs, habits and ideas from the other culture. There is no doubt that this enculturation has occurred in our communities. Many Muslims have tragically become greatly Westernised in their mindset, in adopting a very extravagant lifestyle, in their dressing, in making life revolve mainly around chasing money and fun, etc. Deen for such people has become a "side-line."


Why has this enculturation occurred? The answer is alarming! According to social scientists, people abandon their own culture and borrow from another culture when they regard aspects of the other culture as "better" (World Book). Encyclopaedia Britannica (CD version) highlights this aspect in the following words: "To be sure, a culture trait must offer some advantage, some utility or pleasure to be sought and accepted by people." Allah forbid! Due to the weakness of Imaan and ignorance, the Sunnah culture is being abandoned by Muslims for some Western way which they regard as "better" or as having more pleasure and advantage than the Islamic culture! This is no different to a child who gives away a priceless diamond in exchange for an insignificant shiny stone. He has no idea of the value of the gems he is abandoning and is duped by the shine on the stone.


<b>"FOOLS"</b>


Western culture is being glorified and vigorously promoted by the media as the culture. The media message simply is: "If you are not following the Western trend, you are old fashioned, backward and maybe dumb." However, these slogans should not make us lose our priceless gems for worthless stones, rather, poisonous pebbles. Instead we should adopt the stance of Hazrat Huzaifa bin Yamaan (R.A.). While eating in the court of the Persians, a morsel of food fell from his hand onto the floor. In emulation of the Sunnah, he picked it up to eat it. Somebody next to him cautioned him that to pick up a fallen morsel was against the culture of the Persians. He should therefore follow their way and refrain from picking up the morsel. His spontaneous response was: "Should I leave the Sunnah (culture) of my beloved Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for these fools?"


Adopting Western culture will bring along its severe negative consequences. Some of them are:


q A materialistic society with no mission in life


q Indulgence in drugs and immorality "for fun"


q Break-down of respect for parents and elders


q Disintegration of family structures


q High divorce rate, etc.


Every effort must therefore be made to preserve the culture of the Qur'an and Sunnah. This requires adopting the company of those who are sunnah conscious, learning about the various sunnats and making an effort to bring them alive in ones home, community and the Ummah at large.


If Western trends take root, besides harming ourselves, we will also lay the foundation for the destruction of future generations. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, "once established, culture has a life of it's own ... it flows down through time from one generation to another." It is therefore imperative that we guard against this. The only success for us in this world and the Hereafter is in upholding the way of life of the Qur'an and Sunnah. May Allah Ta'ala keep us steadfast on His Deen. Aameen.

<b>Did you know? </b>


3. That Hazrat Abu-Bakr was 38 years old when he embraced Islam.


4. That besides Hazrat Usmaan the other 3 Khalifas, Hazrat Ameer Mawiya and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) all passed away at the age of 63.


<b>5. That Shaytaan the cursed is a jinn and all jinn are created from the fire while Angels are created out of light.</b>


6. That the Islamic calendar started from the night of migration of our beloved Rasool (S.A.W.) from Mecca to Medina.


7. That Hazrat Nooh (A.S.) lived on Mother Earth for approximately 1600 years.


8. That the Angel Hazrat Gibraeel (A.S.) descended upon Hazrat Aadam (A.S.) 10 times, upon Hazrat Moosa (A.S.) 200 times, and upon Hazrat Mohammed (S.A.W.) 24,000 times.


10. That our beloved prophet (S.A.W.) had a seal of prophet hood on his back.


11. That Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) was blessed with half the beauty of our beloved Nabi (A.S.)[/color]

There has been an outcry from the Muslim community here in South Africa, that “our” youth


Are not living “Islamic / Shariah Lifestyles” and that we have been at the fore front of issues like– Gangsterism, Drug abuse, clubbing, Pre-marital sex, Divorce, among other issues that were not prevalent (to such a degree) a few years ago


Most people allude to the problem of Poor Parenting:


I feel the following are issues:


Double standards in beliefs and practise. EG: A mother who backbites, lies, does not read salaah will ask her daughter to wear a scarf – will a child respect someone who says one things yet does another.


Paradigm shift – Muslim family units are now broken, the role of a mother has shifted to the liberated office worker - We leave a Child in the company of a Maid, TV and an Empty home, Void of guidance


Role models are no longer Saints, Prophets Sahaaba, but Bollywood Actors , Hollywood stars , ect …..


Westernization: Eating, dressing……

<b>Respected Brother or Sister</b>


<i><b>As-Salamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh (Peace be on you, and the Mercy of Allah, and His blessings).</b></i>





<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%;"><b>Next Upcoming Lecture at the Al Kawthar Academy:</b></span>




Resumption of Saheeh al-Bukhari Study:

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<b>Lesson 125: كتابُ الوِتر <i>(The Book of Witr) </i></b>
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<b>Date:</b> Friday 5th May 2006


<b>Time:</b> 8:00PM


<b>Venue:</b> Al Kawthar Academy


<b>Address:</b> 62 Gough Road Leicester LE5 4AN


Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq will be beginning the commentary of <b>'The Book of Witr' (كتابُ الوِتر)</b> on Friday 5th May 2006.


Sisters Entrance: Gough Road


Brothers Entrance: Smith-Dorrien Road


The first hadeeth of this book with which the commentary will resume is below:


باب: مَا جَاءَ فِي الْوِتْر


539. عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا: أَنّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللّيْلِ, فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: صَلاَةُ اللّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى, فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصّبْحَ صَلّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً, تُوتِرُ لَهُ ما قَدْ صَلّى). رواه البخاري: 990





<b>Chapter 1. What is said regarding Witr.</b>


<span>539. Narrated Ibn 'Umar رضى الله عنهما : Once a man asked Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم about the night prayer. Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم replied, The night prayer is offered as two Rak'ât followed by two Rak'ât and (so on) and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Rak'ât and this will be a Witr for all the Rak'ât which he has prayed before.</span>

I have very stupid question to ask but never less I must ask as this will effect in in due course of life


What I would like to ask is , is it haraam to fall in love with a girl before marriage even thought you have not committed harraam ie never slept or touch any part of the body that you would normally be allow to after marriage.


If so then how are you suppose to fall in love with the women of your life.


And can some explain we we are told in paradise you will have hoors ie women of paradise is this your wife in this life if not what will happen to her in paradise.


Like is said I normally do come across some of the most stupid questions but then that’s me .


Many thanks


Once again brothers and sister reply back with quote from the Quran I need to know what suran you are refer to.


:lailahaillallah:

Bismillah


as salam alykom


I had to remove the pics, I fully agree with sisterjennifer, i m sure brother Faris was just enthusiatic and emotional over the Muslim babies. however in Islam, we cannt spread the Awara (parts that must be covered) of the dead who must be fully respected and burried. Also we cannt even probagate scenes of badly injured children in order to make a point. The point can be made while we do respect them Insh aAllah no harm is done.


<b>The Star Spangled Banner </b>

Bismillah


as salam alykom


My dear brother naseeha asked me to dig some info and pics about the pharoa who followed Prophet Mussa prayer and peace be upon him towards the Red Sea and Allah made him drown as in Quran.


Mistakenly I gave him a wrong name as being Ramses, whereas he was Merneptah:


You can actually know more about his story specially through the story of Dr. Bucaille:


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http://www.newmuslims.tk/


An outstanding scientist, he was selected to treat the mummy of Merneptah (Pharaoh) which he did. During his visit to Saudi Arabia he was shown the verses of the Qur'an in which God says that the dead body of the Pharaoh will be preserved as a "Sign" for posterity. An impartial scientist like Dr. Bucaille, who (being also a Christian) was conversant with the Biblical version of Pharaoh's story as being drowned in pursuit of Prophet Moses. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that unknown to the world till only of late, the Qur'an made definite prediction about the preservation of the body of that same Pharaoh of Moses' time. This led Dr. Bucaille to study the Qur'an thoroughly after learning the Arabic language. The final conclusion of his comparative study of Qur'an and the Bible is that the statements about scientific phenomena in the Qur'an are perfectly in conformity with the modern sciences whereas the Biblical narration's on the same subjects do not stand up to scientific scrutiny.


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More on Merneptah supported with pics:


http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/merenptah.htm

Given their well known bad temper, and tendency to spit at anything that moves, I'm guessing it would take a brave man to go in with a bucket to milk these brutes. Oh, and warm hands


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4930094.stm


If you use it in your tea, do you ask "One hump, or two?" :)

Asalaamualaykum, please see attached poster.





Also, weekly Halaqah at the Azhar Academy, full details: http://www.as-sabiqoon.com/home.html


W/Salaam