Asmaa Naga Posted: Feb 23 2006, 07:30


That's an essay that I've written in response to the Denmark issue...I believe that the main problem lies in the gap of understanding between the muslims and non-muslims, so i decided to write something and spread it in non-muslims countries that tells non-muslims WHY we love our prophet and so why we're that outraged.


my friends who live in non-muslim countries have started printing that essay and they did alot of things..


1- they put it on newspaper stands along with the newspapers so tht people could get a copy


2- they distributed them out in supermarkets


3- they left them on the bench in the metro so that people who find them could read them...


so if you live in a non-muslims country and you think you can help me distribute it...plz email me at asmaanaga@yahoo.com


Here's the essay.


In Response


I once asked a non-Muslim woman, “Did you know that in the Eskimos they have more than a hundred words for snow?”


She said, “Wow…I never knew that!”


I replied, “Well…I guess it’s because snow is a very important part of their lives.”


She paused a little and then said, “You Muslims have 99 names for God, and 5 names for Muhammad (PBUH)…I guess it’s because they’re a very important part of your lives.”


I went silent, I was surprised…I had never thought of it that way before. It was so true.


Our Koran says: 'Say: If you fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).'


* Why is Muhammad (PBUH) so special to Muslims?


When Muslims are asked for the reasons behind their love for and devotion to Muhammad (PBUH), they give a variety of answers, personal answers, they talk about how he has defined their lives in terms they could understand, how he has given them reason to believe that they could be better Muslims just by following him, they could also tell you that to them he’s a role model, someone who was very effective and made a huge difference just by being there…. they can go on and on explaining all the different ways in which Muhammad (PBUH) has touched their lives…but all the answers stem from, and are a part of, the following:


Prophet Muhammad was the means through which God’s message reached us. He was the guide, after God, who has simply taken us from the darkness of “not knowing” to the light of “knowing”. He was the one who has delivered to us the Koran, and the Koran told us all we needed to know. It gave a reason for our creation. The Koran told us that we are here for one purpose; to worship God, to worship Him through acts of obedience and through laboring to amend and improve. It gave a sense of balance to our lives, by giving weight to what is right and what is wrong, and it gave us another very important thing; the understanding and acceptance of all that happens to us, a faith in the justice of God through which we gain inner peace.


For any organization to operate efficiently it must have its own mission statement, outlining goals, obligations and remunerations…the Koran is our mission statement, without which we would be lost…and Muhammad (PBUH) delivered the Koran to us.


Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has provided us with the “Sunnah” (all that he does and says), and the Sunnah is complementary to the Koran. For example, the Koran asked us to pray, and the Sunnah told us how to pray.


Islam is about believing that there is no God but Allah, the one and only, and that Muhammad (PBUH) is his messenger.


The Koran tells us to believe in all prophets, and that they were all messengers from God trying to spread His word.


‘Say (O Muslims): “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the offspring of the twelve sons of Jacob, and that which has been given to Moses and Jesus, and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).”’ (2:136)


Our religion is not complete without our following of Muhammad (PBUH), we must yield to whatever he commands and love him in order to gain God’s love…because he is here with God’s message and to that message we must succumb.


'Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' (3:31)


We believe that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a human, was mortal, but unlike any other man, God has perfected him for the spreading of His word.


‘Muhammad is no more than a messenger, and indeed (many) messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.’ (3:144)


We've all heard of great men, men who have shaped cultures, men who have led thousands, men who have excelled at war…each of those great men was superior in a specific field more than any other, but Muhammad (PBUH) excelled in all fields. He excelled in leadership, politics, trade, strategic planning at times of war and economics…etc. and to that history bears witness.


In the book written by Michael Hart, "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History", he ranked Muhammad (PBUH) number one. Though we have our reservations regarding the inclusion of prophets among scientists and famous scholars, for prophets are in a category by themselves.


There are a lot of misconceptions regarding what Muhammad (PBUH) preached, it is claimed that he marginalized women, and denied them their rights which is contrary to the truth. Muhammad (PBUH) advocated the fair treatment of women. He gave women their rights and roles even at times of war. Women, according to him, were not to provide financial support to the household, but were rather free to use their money in whichever ways they pleased. They were not to be beaten or humiliated; they were to keep their maiden names and were to have an active role in the society. He knew the effectiveness of a believing woman and was able to direct such effectiveness to the benefit of the cause.


Another misconception was regarding his dictatorship, those who have read his biography would know that he always took votes, even though he was the leader. There is a very popular question that had been posed to him by his companions and followers which was, " O messenger of God, is it God's inspiration, or opinion and consultancy?"


Muhammad was a man of peace for he obeyed what God had commanded and what God revealed in the Koran: 'Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities, Lo! Allah loves not, aggressors.' (2:190)


All the previous explanations are contrary to what the media portrays. The media claims that Islam is about terrorism and violence, which is not true. One should never judge a religion by the minority of people who don't accurately practice it, that minority that is reflected in the media. One has to thin-slice in order to comprehend the truth and not be misled by false representations…OR ELSE…we would believe that Christianity allows pre-marital sexual relations just because 99% of the movies reveal it to be that way…which is contrary to Christianity. Also Muslims could believe that Western values allow torture because a bunch of American and British thugs have done that in Iraq's prisons.


There is no doubt that all religions agree on one thing, it being that God is All-Knowing and the sole creator of all things.


But the controversy between Muslims and non-Muslims begins at a level below that…it begins here where non-Muslims claim that Muhammad (PBUH) was given too much attention in Islam, the kind of attention that he didn’t deserve…for non-Muslims believe that he was just a man (and here Muslims agree), and that he wasn’t perfect (and here Muslims disagree), they say that he called for bloodshed, oppression of women, and preached ideas contrary to those of the prophets before him.


Would God want that? Does God call for violence and oppression? Does God send contradicting messages? Anyone with the slightest belief in God would blurt out “Of course not!”


If God is all-knowing and capable of all things, why would He place His message in the hands of someone who was incompetent, who was not qualified to preach the truth and to encourage people to act in the righteous manner? Would he choose a man of earthly desires to teach people how to live their lives as passer bys?


Even logic says no.


If we Muslims give Muhammad (PBUH) too much attention…why wouldn’t the religion be called “Muhammadism” or any other word derived from his name? If you notice, all religions have names that are derived from either the name of a person, a place or a group/tribe. Think about it…”Christianity”, “Judaism”, “Buddhism”, "Confucianism" …etc. Islam is the only religion whose name has an independent meaning, it’s derived from the word “to submit” in Arabic…to submit to the one and only God, to submit to His wishes and commands.


To sum up, our prophet is way too precious to be mocked while we stand tongue-tied. An offense against him is an offense against the entire Islamic nation. We shall always be grateful to him and would do all that is in our power to spread the word of how good he was and enlighten the world about his countless virtues…for prophet Muhammad (PBUH) deserves all the acclaim that is given to him…and all the love we bear in our hearts would not come close to a fraction of the love he bore to our nation…and all nations

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful


As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


I pray you find this email in the best of health and Emaan, Ameen


A Great Gift


"The Most Gracious Allah has taught the Quran; He has created man; He has taught him speech.” (Surah Rahman ayat 1-3)


The tongue and the language are great gifts of Allah. These gifts that Allah has given him makes him superior to all other creatures.


The greater the gift, the higher would be its re-payment. Being grateful for it is as necessary as being ungrateful is reprehensible.


Before addressing others take a glance at yourself, and ask yourself whether this is an occasion which demands speaking. If the answer is in the affirmative, then speak, otherwise silence is much better. To avoid talking unnecessarily on appropriate occasions is a worship of great rewards.


Abdullah Ibn Abbas says: "Five things are more valuable than the horses with the black-striped legs:


1. Do not indulge in senseless talk, because it is useless and absurd.


2. Talk purposefully when there is an occasion for it.


3. Do not indulge in hot discussion with an intelligent man or with a fool. If he is intelligent, he will be angry with you and will hate you, and if he is a fool and uneducated, he will try to harm you.


4. In the absence of your brother speak of him in the same words in which you would like him to speak of you in your absence, and consider him innocent of the thing which you would like him to consider you innocent of.


5. Act like a man who thinks that he will be rewarded for a good deed and will be punished on committing a crime."


A Muslim can develop these attributes in himself only when he keeps his tongue in control, and is able to keep silent wherever necessary. He should be able to hold the reins of his tongue in his hand; wherever necessary he should speak, and wherever it is not necessary he should keep quiet.


Those who are ruled by their tongue, they are pushed back, and in the fields of life they receive insults and disrepute.


Source:


"Muslim's Character" - Muhammad Al-Ghazali

Bismillah

Quote:the evil in this world is there for Allah to test the believers. Surely the path the Jannah (heaven) will be filled with trials and tests. Some of these tests come in form of temptations that Shaitaan (Satan) uses to try and lure peolpe over to his side.

Quote:So music and hearts come from Satan?
Or does the fear of them come from Satan?


I am not sure I understand your answer.


Also, evil never comes from God, imo. To say such a thing makes God evil. Atheists make this claim repeatedly as to why God does not exist.

<b>Cartoon Issue: A talk in honour of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم on 25th Feb 2006 by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq</b>


<b>Date:</b> Saturday 25th February 2006


<b>Time: </b>7:30 PM GMT


<b>Venue:</b> Azhar Academy


<b>Address:</b> 235a Romford Road, Forest Gate London, E7 9HL


Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq will be speaking at the Azhar Academy, London, UK at 7.30 PM GMT on Saturday 25th February 2006 insha’Allah. The talk is entitled <b>“True love of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم”</b> and the Shaykh will discuss at length the blasphemous cartoons that were published across Europe. The Shaykh will insha’Allah mention how we should behave and act in these testing times. Please attend and inform others as this is an extremely important talk. There are facilities for brothers and sisters.


Please come yourselves and invite others for as the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said, <b>‘Whomsoever guides towards a goodness, will get virtues equal to the one who performs that goodness.’</b> [<b>Muslim</b>]


You can get full directions from your place of origin to any destination around the UK by using the route planners on either www.multimap.com or www.rac.co.uk


<i>For those of you unable to attend, and especially for all brothers and sisters abroad, the talk will be broadcast live on the internet…. </i>




<b>LIVE BROADCAST – LIVE BROADCAST – LIVE BROADCAST</b>






Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq’s lecture which is given at the Al Kawthar Academy will be broadcast live through Paltalk. In order to listen to the lecture you will have to download and install Paltalk Messenger which is a free program, available to download at www.paltalk.com or www.download.com
To listen to the live broadcast simply enter the Islam category in the ‘Rooms’ tab where a room will be opened called ‘Al Kawthar Academy’. By double-clicking on ‘Al Kawthar Academy’ you will enter the room in which the talk will be broadcast. The broadcast can also be accessed directly from our website www.alkawtharacademy.org without the need to install Paltalk (a Paltalk username and password is still required - it takes seconds to register!). Please request your friends and family to listen.





<b>LIVE BROADCAST – LIVE BROADCAST – LIVE BROADCAST</b>

Bismillah:


Denmark to host conference to calm cartoon crisis


Published in Staging.canada.com


Indexed on Feb 23, 2006


COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark will host a conference next month to promote religious dialogue following the uproar over the Prophet Muhammad cartoons, the Foreign Ministry announced Thursday. The government will also give "a significant financial contribution" to a UN program aimed at overcoming prejudice between Islam and the West, and support an Islamic festival in Copenhagen, Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said in a statement. The conference on religious and cultural dialogue will take place in the Danish capital on March 10, ministry officials said.


Continue reading...


source: http://www.staging.canada.com/topics/news/...7fd994e&k=91606

Goldsmiths Annual Dinner

Hello all,


Over the past month I have been trying to learn all I can about Islam. So far I have read a book about the history on Islam, a biography of the Prophet, and I am almost done with the Quraan. Could a memeber of the muslim community suggest what I should read next?


Thanks,


Gill :D

Bismillah

Quote:The Empires fall into three areas: Religious, Political and Economic, each of which can liberate or enslave the individual, but more often they are enslaving people to fear, pride or greed. To be an individual, and free of the Empires intellectually, is the journey of faith. (at least that is what I have discovered thus far.)


When God rules over everyone, the Empires will be unnecessary.

Assalamualaikum


I came across this poem and thought that i should share it with my brothers and sisters on this forum :D


A woman was waiting at the airport one night,


With several long hours before her flight.


She hunted for a book in the airport shop,


Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.


She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see,


That the man beside her, as bold as could be,


Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between,


Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene


She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock,


As the gustly "cookie thief" diminished her stock


She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,


Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I'd blacken his eye!"


With each cookie she took, he took one too.


When only one was left, she wondered what he'd do.


with a smile on his face and a nervous laugh,


He took the last cookie and broke it in half.


He offered her half, and he ate the other.


She snatched it from him and thought, "Oh brother,


This guy has some nerve, and he's also so rude,


Why, he didn't even show any gratitude!"


She had never known when she had been so galled,


And sighed with relief when her flight was called.


She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate,


Refusing to look at the "thieving ingrate".


She boarded the plane and sank in her seat,


Then sought her book, which was almost complete.


As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise.


There were her bag of cookies in front of her eyes!


"If mine are here," she moaned with despair.


"Then the others were his and he tried to share!"


Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,


That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!!!!

Dua for exam