Bismillaahi walhamdulillaahi wassalaatu wassalaamu ‘alaa rasoolillaahi


Assalaamu ‘alaykum


A young sister has asked:


Where does it say in the qur'an/hadith that tattoos/piercings are


unislamic?


My Answer:


Let us first clarify one basic point: The Qur-aan is the Book of guidance to help people achieve the goals that Allaah SWT has set for them. It is not a comprehensive and exhaustive compilation of rules regarding do’s and don’ts.


The Qur-aan enunciates the goals people should strive to achieve and provides values and principles which guide people to make the right decisions and choices to achieve those goals. It only gives the pronouncements on major issues where even a little deviation may cause significant problems in the society, defeat the goals Islam wants to achieve and about which human beings, if not specifically guided, usually tend to make the wrong decisions.


To provide further guidance in making the right decisions that will lead to the attainment of the Islamic objectives in accordance of the values and principles given by the Qur-aan, Allaah SWT sent a Messenger to practically demonstrate how to attain those objectives, live by those values and apply those principles to practical situations in life. For that purpose, Allaah revealed to him and equipped him with Wisdom to enable him to do these things in the best manner. Thus the Sunnah of the Prophet provides more details, practical guidance and insight into what is appropriate behaviour and what is not. The provisions of both the Qur-aan and Sunnah are supreme in that they take precedence over any and every opinion that deviates from them, whether it is your own or that of any other human being.


Muslims must make all decisions in life, and set their priorities by aligning them to the Islamic goals Allaah has set for us, in accordance with the values and principles the Qur-aan has taught and the practices (Sunnah) of the Prophet. To be able to do so, naturally, every Muslim must have a clear understanding of the Islamic goals, principles and values enunciated by the Qur-aan as well as the capability to understand and capture the wisdom of the Sunnah. Taken together, the whole package of understanding is called “understanding of deen” or “Tafaqquh fiddeen”. Some Muslims specialized in this understanding and compiled detailed pronouncements of do’s and don’ts to guide average Muslims who may not have full understanding of the deen. Those compilations are called Fiqh (understanding).


So, the answer to your question, or any other question that comes to your mind about what is right and what is wrong, may come from any one or all of the Qur-aan, the Sunnah and the Fiqh – unless you have already mastered the understanding of the goals, principles and values given by the Qur-aan and their practical applications in the Sunnah, and hence can make your own decisions on their basis.


Needless to say that, if not the whole package, every Muslim must at least have a clear understanding of the goals, values and principle enunciated by the Qur-aan for us. If we do not know what our goal is, what is the probability of us reaching it?


If you do not have a clear picture or vision in your mind about your Islamic goals, you should start by reading my book “Succeeding as Muslims”.


One of the goals Islam has mandated for us is personal excellence -- a Muslim must be the best in morals, ethics, words, manners, dealings and interactions. One of the principles the Qur-aan emphasizes is to practice Ma’roof (what is considered to be respectable, decent and noble) and to stay away from Munkar (what is considered to be undesirable, bad or indecent). A principle we learn from Sunnah is that the physical body must be respected, appreciated and maintained as given to us, not manipulated, disfigured, re-configured or tampered with for any reasons other than health. Another principle we learn from Sunnah is that clothes, appearance and fashion must clearly distinguish males and females from each other. They should not dress or appear like each other. For that reason, males are not allowed certain things; jewellery being one of them; except for one silver ring such as a wedding band.


The discussion so far was from a general perspective. Living in a society, we cannot make decisions in isolation of our loved ones. Children (irrespective of their age) must respect the preferences and views of their parents, unless the parent’s opinion or preference is in violation of the Qur-aan and Sunnah. Similarly, views and preferences of the spouses must be respected. This deference to parents and spouses becomes more important in matters of appearance and fashion. People pay attention to appearance and fashion only for the sake of others – to look “cool”, nice or appealing to them. Who of these “others” can be more important than your parents, spouse and family?


So far, I have answered your question in general terms. This is to enable you to make your own decisions not only on this issue but other issues that you may face. To answer your question specifically, here are a few points:


Neither tattooing nor body piercing are in line with our goal of excellence in conduct;


The Prophet has specifically decreed against tattooing.


Body piercing, as currently practised, is Munkar, not Ma’roof. Just look at the kind of people who indulge in it.


For girls, minimal piercing like ear and nose will be acceptable. But even while considering this minimal piercing, the Islamic principles of maintaining the body as given, principle of cleanliness and purity (tahaarah) and principle of hayaa (modesty) must be observed; parents’ and spouse’s opinion must be respected. Another important thing to remember is that one should not make a decision about their body that may not be easily reversible and that they may regret in future.


I hope these comments help you in making the right decisions about your body and appearances.


Wassalaam,


Ayub Hamid


Copyright ©2004, Ayub A. Hamid


Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full in not-for-profit publications. Contact author for all other rights, which are reserved.

(IslamWeb)


Many Muslims are often confused when one person says, "This act is an innovation," and someone will reply, "Yes, but it is a good innovation," Others are confused about what falls under the category of bidah and what does not, as the Muslims perform many acts today that the Prophet [peace be upon him (pbuh)] never performed.


First of all, Muslims have to know that bidah is something related to religion as a belief or worship or transaction, so all matters outside this scope such as innovations and discoveries in the scientific, industrial and military fiields and the means of transportation and the facilities in the every day life are welcomed in Islam and have nothing to do with bidah.


An action may seem harmless while it is indeed very harmful for the individual or for the society. Furthermore, humans with their limited mental capacity are never completely free from biases ,whims and selfish desires that may cloud their conception of an issue. Therefore, it is necessary for humans to follow divine revelation in order to ensure that they are following what is best for them in both this life and the hereafter.


There are many Qur'anic verses that clearly demonstrate that the Muslim must avoid any kind of innovation in his religion. An example is this quotation : "This day have I perfected for you your religion and have completed My blessings upon you and have chosen for you Islam as a religion." (Qur'an 5:3)


Imam Maalik said, "What was not part of the religion during the time of the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions is not part of the religion today." He also said, "If someone innovates something in the religion of Islam that he believes is good, he has, thereby, alleged that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been disloyal to his message!"


This divine guidance is all that the Muslims need for happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. It is, therefore, in no need of additions, alterations or deletions. The laws and customs laid down by human beings repeatedly failed in meeting the intended results. If the person obeys the commands of Allah and follows the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) in the way that they are to be obeyed, then the person will become purified, his morals refined and his spirit rejuvenated.


There are many hadith that clearly demonstrate that the Muslim must avoid any kind of innovation in his religion. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The worst actions are the invented ones. And every innovation is a going astray (dhalaalah)." (Recorded by Muslim). In other narrations he would say, "And every going astray is in the hell fire." (Recorded by al-Nasaai).


In this context, Al-Shaatibi wrote : "An innovation is a going astray. And the innovator is straying and leading others astray. Dhalaalah (straying) is mentioned in many of the reported texts. It is alluded to in the Qur'anic verses about splitting into sects and breaking up the community and following the errant paths but this is not how other sins are described. The term dhalaalah is usually not used except for innovations or things similar to innovations.


The innovator will also interpret the Qur'anic verses and the ahadith in such a way that will be compatible with his innovations. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Allah refuses to accept the deeds of the companion of innovations until he leaves his innovation." (Recorded by ibn Maajah and ibn Abi Asim).


In the Hereafter, the innovators will not be allowed to drink from "the cistern of the Prophet," and if anyone drinks from that cistern he will never be thirsty again, as said by the Prophet (pbuh).


From the Qur'an, one can see that Allah divides people into two groups, those that follow the guidance of Allah and those that follow their own desires. Therefore, all of the following verses also refer to the people of innovations. Allah says, "And if they answer you not, then know that what they follow is their lusts. And who goes farther astray than he who follows his lust without guidance from Allah? Verily, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing folk." (Qur'an 28:50)


In another verse Allah clearly states that if one follows his desires, he is not on the path of Allah. The Muslim should be careful because the innovation is a double edged dagger. In this context the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever calls to guidance will receive a reward for the one who follows his call with the reward of neither being reduced. And whoever calls to an act of misguidance will share part of the sin of everyone who follows his call with the sin of neither being reduce." (Recorded by Muslim).


Besides the Qur'anic verses and the ahadith of the Prophet (pbuh), there are many statements from the companions and the early scholars exhorting people to stay away from innovations. Abdullah bin Masood is quoted as saying , "Follow our steps and do not innovate and that will be sufficient for you."


Innovations are more harmful than sins. The sinner accepts the Shareeah as the supreme law while the innovator gives the supremacy and superiority to his own desires or whims. The person who performs or follows innovations believes them to be true in obedience to Allah and it is very rare that such an innovator should repent. This is why ibn Taimiyyah has stated that innovations are "more evil than adultery, theft and drinking alcohol."


Sufyaan al-Thauri once said, "Innovations are more beloved to the Satan than sins because one may repent from sins but one does not repent from innovations!"


The Distinction between Sunnah and Bidah:


For the better understanding of the innovations (Bidah) we have to first shed some light on the various types of Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) The Sunnah of the Prophet include the statements and actions of the Prophet (pbuh). Certain acts not performed by the Prophet (pbuh) but performed in his presence and were tacitly approved by him) also form part of the Sunnah.


There are many deeds that the Prophet (pbuh) could have easily performed as acts of worship, yet he explicitly did not perform. If these acts were meant to be performed and if they would have brought the Muslims closer to Allah, the Prophet (pbuh) would have been commanded to perform them and he would have performed them. Anyone who does perform such acts, thinking that he is getting closer to Allah by performing the same, he is performing an innovation. An example could be performing the call to prayer before the Eid prayers - the Prophet (pbuh) never did so although there would have been some purpose in doing it, he could have easily done so.


There are some actions that the Prophet (pbuh) did not perform for some constraining reason. For example, the Prophet (pbuh) did not gather together the Qur'an (although his companions did so after hie death). This was because there was a preventive reason that kept him from doing so; that is, the Qur'an was still being revealed during his lifetime so it was not possible for him to gather it all together before his death. Once that preventive reason has been removed, then there is no harm in performing that act.


Another example concerns the performing of the taraweeh or Ramadhaan nightly prayers in congregation. The Prophet (pbuh) feared that this would become obligatory on the Muslims, that was the preventive reason, and therefore he discontinued this practice. During the time of Umar, the preventive reason no longer existed since Umar is not qualified to make any act obligatory. Therefore, it was possible to revive this Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). In fact, the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) were the best who understood the religion of Islam and they have implemented this distinction between the acts of the Prophet (pbuh).


The Juristic Meaning of Bidah:


There are three popular juristic definitions for bidah among the groups of scholars, some are much more "extensive" or "encompassing" than others.


The first group of scholars gives a broad definition for bidah that encompasses every new thing that has appeared after the time of the Prophet (pbuh). For example, Al-Shafi'ee has divided innovations into good and evil ones. He said, "Whatever is in agreement with the Sunnah is praiseworthy and whatever is in disagreement with the Sunnah is blameworthy." Ibn Hazm has given a similar definition stating, "Innovations in the religion are everything that is not found in the Qur'an or in the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), but for some of them the person who performs them will receive a reward due to his goal of performing what is good…These are those acts that are in essence permissible… Then there are some that are blameworthy."


Al-Ghazaali, ibn al-Atheer, Abdul Haqq al-Dahlaawi, al-Izz ibn Abdul Salaam, al-Nawawi and Abu Shaaamah have all given similar definitions. This definition implies that there are some innovations that are obligatory, recommended or permissible.


According to the second definition, all innovations are blameworthy from the Shareeah point of view. Ibn Rajab defined bidah as, "Any innovation that has no source whatsoever in the Shareeah that points to it.


The third definition by Al-Shatibi is that : a bidah is any innovated act that differs from the Sunnah and that is taken as part of the religion and as being along the straight path. This can include actions of worship as well as other actions.


It may be said that "the first definition", although correct lexically speaking, may not be the proper definition from the Shareeah point of view. Such a definition has led to confusion among today's Muslims and has been used by some as an excuse to follow some innovations, claiming that they are "good bidahs".


Conclusions on the Definition on Bidah:


Bidah or innovations, from a Shareeah point of view, are only blameworthy as the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Every innovation is a going astray."


Since the Shareeah has constrained the definition of bidah to be only blameworthy acts, it is best and less confusing, if not a must, to apply this constraint in the definition of bidah.


Finally, the second and third definitions agree that if the Shareeah alludes to something, it is not an innovation. And if the Shareeah in no way alludes to something, it is an innovation.


[This is a summary of an article written by Dr. Jamal al-Din Zarabozo]


Source: http://islamweb.net/php/php_arabic/readArt...lang=E&id=16451


SAHآBAH ATTITUDE TOWARDS INNOVATIONS


An outstanding characteristic of the Sahâbah is their absolute Adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet, Muhammad and their absolute disapproval of BID'AH (Innovation) Some Sahâbah narrated the following Ahaadeeth


Amr ibn salmah said: We used to sit in front of Abdullah Ibn Masoud's house before the Fajr prayer, so that when he came out we would go with him to the Masjid.


{one day} Abu Moosa al-Ash'aaree came and asked us: 'Did Abu Abdur Rahmaan (i.e. Ibn Masoud) leave yet? '


We answered: 'No.'


So Abu Moosa al-Ash'aaree sat with us waiting for him. When he came out, we all stood up.


Abu Moosa told him: "Oh, Abu Abdur Rahmaan! I recently saw something in the Masjid which I deemed to be evil, but all praise is for Allah, I did see anything except good "


Ibn Masoud then asked: "then What was it?"


Abu Moosa said: "You will see it if you stay alive. In the Masjid, I saw a group of people sitting in circles waiting for the Salââh. Each circle is led by a person. And every person in these circles carries small stones (pebbles).


The leader of a circle would say: "Say 'Allah-u Akbar' a hundred times" so they would repeat Allah-u Akbar a hundred times; then he says "Say 'Laa ilaaha illallaah', a hundred times" so they would say Laa ilaaha illallaah a hundred times; then he would say: "Say 'Subhaanallah', a hundred times", they will say Subhana Allah a hundred times.


Then Ibn Masoud said: "What did you tell them?"


He said: 'I didn't say anything, I waited to hear your opinion."


Abdullah Ibn Masoud said: "Could you not order them to count their evil deeds, and assured them of getting their rewards."


Then Abdullah Ibn Masoud went ahead and we accompanied him. As he approached one of the circles, he said: "What is this that you are doing?"


They said: "Oh! Abu Abdur Rahmaan, these are pebbles to count the number of times we say Allah-u Akbar, La ilaaha Illallah, and Subhaanallah."


He said: "Count your evil deeds, and I assure you that you are not going to lose anything of your rewards (Hasanat). Woe unto you, people of Muhammad, how quickly you go to destruction! Those are your Prophet's companions available, these are his clothes not worn out yet, and his pots are not broken yet. I swear by Whom my soul is in His Hands that you are either following a religion that is better than the Prophet's religion or you are opening a door of misguidance."


They said: "We swear by Allah Almighty, oh, Abu Abdur Rahmaan, that we had no intention other than doing good deeds."


He said: "So what? How many people wanted to do good deeds but never got to do them? The Prophet of Allah has told us about people who recited the Qur'ân with no effect on them other than the Qur'ân passing through their throats. I swear by Allah, I am almost sure that most of you are from that type of people."


Then he left them.umar Ibn Salamah (the sub narrator) said: "We saw most of the people of those circles fighting against us with the Khawaarij in the battle of An-Nahrawan."


-- Related by Ad-Daarimee and Abu Na'eim with an Authentic chain of narrations. Authenticated by saleem al-hilaalee in al-BID'AH (pp. 26-29)


This was the case with every innovation introduced in the UMMAH it began as something small, bearing resemblance to the truth which is why those who entered it were mislead and then were unable to leave it. so it grew and became the religion which they followed and thus deviated from the straight path and left Islam.

Bismillah .. Salaam Alaikum to all


Can anyone please mention to me some suitable websites where I can learn Arabic for beginners. Shokran .. Wa'salaam ...

My research on sufism or mystisism is not too extensive, but enough


to make me understand what it's about. My personal views are as


follows.


I think sufisim is totally against the basic idealogy of Islam.


Instead, it's much in line with the concept of monasticism in


Christianity, and also somewhat similar to the mystic values of non-


Divine religions like buddhism and hinduism. Broadly speaking,


sufism depicts the concept of retiring from the worldly life into a


reclusive existence. Islam, on the contrary, says that


religion/spiritualism and worldy responsibilities go hand in hand.


Of course, Islam commands a strict control on ones morals and ethics


while indulging in worldly affairs. According to Islam, to prove


one's worth and quality, it's incumbent upon every human being to


maintain a balance between their responsibilities toward Allah and


their duties towards family, friends, colleagues etc. After all,


it's the challenges of this earthly life that carve our personality


and determine the quality of our hearts & minds, which is eventually


for Allah SWT to judge. Obviously a person who lives the life of a


hermit in the wilderness with the minimal of contact with the outside


world hasn't given himself / herself enough opportunity to grow


morally or intellectually as much as those who have been brave enough


to face the challenges of this world and yet held on to their duties


toward Allah.


There are certain Muslim societies where the concept of sufiism has


deviated from a complete hermit like existence to something thats


more balanced between seclusion and participation in worldly life.


But it all depends upon their interpretation of merging both sides of


life to make it acceptable in a broader sense to the Muslim community


as a whole. However, I wouldn't like to use the term 'Islamic


Mysticism' because I don't think it's appropriate. Clearly the


Qur'aan and Sunnah conveys no such ideas. Allah Alim, Allah knows


best.


Keeping this in mind, the accusations by several scholars about


sufiism trying to distract Muslims from the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and


move them "towards the sevitude" of the "sheiks" could very well be


true .. and personally I think, this should be a good enough reason


to discard Sufism. Already enough lies have been manufactured by some of the so-called scholars, alims and imams over the past centuries uptil


today which have mercilessly hidden the truth and beauty of Islam.


While discussing Sufism, the concept of Bid'ah (or innovation) often


surfaces as well. I would personally say that Bid'ah is unacceptable


in Islam, in that, those rules and commands that have explicitly been


laid in the Qur'aan are not subject to 'renaissance.' However,


periodically, with the passage of time and the complexities of the


modern world, we may need to frame additional laws concerning


society, government, economy, etc. keeping in mind the various


ethical values and principles as defined in the Qur'aan and Sunnah.


In my opinion, such a step is perfectly acceptable in Islam and


should not be confused with Bid'ah. But it is very important that


such laws that have been developed and implemented by people in later


times should NOT be 'labelled' as Qur'aanic or Sunnah laws.


Islam in its originality is beautiful, simple, comprehensive and


practical. As stated by Br.Yusuf Hijazi, the best way to avoid any


deviation "is to grasp tightly onto what was left to us by our


beloved Prophet (s.a.w.), the Qur'aan and Sunnah, as understood and


believed and acted upon by the best of people to have lived: the


Companions and those who followed their footsteps."

Bismillah ... Salaam Alaikum .. and peace to all


While all of us absolutely condemn all forms of terrorism , thats not enough. We need to be more perceptive by analysing the core reasons of this problem. Peace would be much less elusive if a few powerful leaders humbled themselves a little for the sake of the multitudes across our planet and began dealing with the deep-rooted causes of militancy rather than just the 'symptoms' of it. No one is born a rebel or a militant. Neither does anyone like to kill or get killed. Unjust occupations and constant political extremism push communities over the edge. Their acts of frustration result in reprisals from their occupiers .. spiraling endlessly into a vicious cycle of violence in which mostly the innocents end up getting hurt on both sides. Such episodes are often 'spiced up' by the right-wing reporting of certain medias that only helps in deepening the hatred. The depth and duration of suffering of innocent civilians in places like Palestine, Chechnya, Iraq, Kashmir and many more places, should be completely against the civilized values of the modern society. Yet the world seems to be oblivious. It's this kind of political extremism that has resulted in militancy gradually over the past years. Islam is undoubtedly the clearest message of peace, love and harmony. This entire episode of today's terrorism is political and has nothing to do with Islam. Whenever we do see the 'label' of Islam on such militant activities, it's done with a purpose. The rebels like to use Islam as a tool but, it's certainly not the cause. And those governments who are fighting terror prefer to give this conflict an Islamic 'touch' (or a clash between two cultures), basically to cover up the serious flaws of their own foreign policies. If only the governments & policy makers of powerful countries became a little more selfless and a little less egoistical by realizing the harshness and lack of ethics of modern day occupations, and implementing their reformed policies pomoting the concept of sovereignty, terrorism would become history without a single shot being fired from either side.


For a lot of 'onlookers' far away from the places of turmoil, it's nothing unusual to be critical about the stories of militancy and the awfulness of revenge that invariably get huge coverage in the media. However, expressing the importance of rationality during a comfortable living room conversation is easy enough especially as long as one hasn't been violated or brutalised personally. If any of these people saw their own loved ones being tormented or butchered before their eyes in their own homes, would they still feel as rational and composed towards their violators ? Surely most of them wouldn't regardless of the situation ... and that's but natural. This is a basic trend of human psychology which is true of every society in the world.


Needless to mention, the entire Muslim community has expressed it's deepest sympathy for the bereaved relatives of those hundreds of innocent children and adults killed recently in the cruel hostage crisis in Beslan, Russia. It's just as important to know the miserable history of Chechnya, and the brute force that has been used against it's people to keep their country a part of the Russian federation for the past half a century or more .... and violence breeds violence. Ignoring the cries of the oppressed can certainly create no link to peace. One only has to look into history to know how often this has been proven true.


Perhaps it would be beneficial for some governments to learn from certain wiser systems in the world. For instance, in Canada, Quebec is a separatist province that has been asking for independence since the last several years. But uptil now there has not been any incident of violence carried out by either side over this issue. The credit goes entirely to the wise, realistic and fair policies of the Federal government. Despite the demands for separation by the people of that province, the Government has never initiated any moves that might even remotely violate the rights of the common people. To resolve the issue, referendums have been freely & fairly allowed and the results accepted in a cordial & peaceful spirit. Canada is indeed a wonderful example of promoting mutual respect, peace and freedom for many governments and communities of the modern world.


Caring for humanity becomes genuine only when sympathy & concern are expressed and implemented for every oppressed or suffering soul without any ethnic or political discrimination. It was heart wrenching to see so many children at the school gymnasium at Beslan with their hands behind their backs. It has been just as disturbing and painful to watch the images on television of the little boys and girls in Iraq between the ages of 4 and 8, with their tiny hands above their shoulders, their faces filled with horror and helplessness .. watching the heavily armed coalition soldiers storming into their homes, blindfolding the adult members of their families and taking them away in handcuffs, some never to return. Not to mention those hundreds ( if not thousands) of young children who have been killed or maimed by the widespread indiscriminate bombings carried out by the occupying forces in the recent Iraq war. We have heard much about those 1,000 US soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the war began. But we hear little or nothing about the 12,000 civilians who have lost their lives during the past 17 months.


You'll find below some important informtion pasted from the website created by various human rights' groups about the situation in Chechnya. Most reporters are barred from entering Chechnya, and websites are the basic source of information, which are also often hacked by Russian authorities. Therefore, please pass this message to all your relatives, friends and acquaintances for information.


JazekAllah Khair .. Ma'salaama


Zainab ..


**************


Economic View Point


Russia's real GDP amounts to only $400 billion but, despite that, the production of oil in Chechnya doesn't contribute much to the Russian economy -- it doesn't quite justify the current war that Russia is waging. Of course, the oil pipelines through Chechnya have a much greater role to play, but I still wonder whether war can be justified on the basis of cost-benefit analysis. Russia is spending billions of dollars on the war and earns only a few million from the region. Further, the pipelines are continuously atacked and require more funds for repair. The main pipeline hasn't even been completed and with the current unstable state of security, it seems unlikely it will be completed any time soon. Russia needs to re-examine its economic benefits from keeping Chechnya in the federation.


Endless Brutality


For more than a year, Russia's federal forces have inflicted wanton violence on civilians in Chechnya in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. While the most intense period of the war in Chechnya ended in the spring of 2000 with the occupation of the capital, Grozny, and most other areas, the behavior of Russia's forces toward the civilian population continues to be brutal, corrupt and illegal.


Physicians for Human Rights documents that, as of December 2000, Russia's forces continued to engage in arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, torture, murder, attempted murder, disappearances, bribery, and shelling of population centers. Civilians are arrested on flimsy pretexts, interrogated, beaten, and sometimes thrown into pits in the ground, only to be released when relatives pay significant bribes. Some disappear. Russia's military units sweep through cities and villages ostensibly in search of fighters on the Chechen side, arrest civilians, shoot into homes, take property, and leave. Travel within Chechnya requires civilians to run a gauntlet of checkpoints, where they also may experience extortion, arrests or beatings.


Although there was considerable variation in the details provided by witnesses in their accounts to PHR of human rights violations, common elements appear throughout: The violations committed by Russia's forces came suddenly, often without warning or reason, to people merely trying to survive in a war-devastated country. Individuals were arrested and detained while walking on a road in their villages or towns, standing in their front yards, shopping at a market, driving, crossing a checkpoint that they had navigated hundreds of times before, or just sitting in their homes with their families. One man was arrested because he could not produce a case of vodka, another because he protested the arrest of his son. Sometimes individuals were arrested en masse, especially during 'sweeps' through the villages by Russia's soldiers.


During the first six months of the second Chechen war of the decade, which began in September 1999, war crimes by Russia's forces were documented and condemned by numerous organizations. In February and March 2000, Physicians for Human Rights assessed patterns and prevalence of abuse and found extensive evidence of war crimes and other human rights violations. PHR conducted a random survey of 1,143 persons displaced from Chechnya by the war. Respondents and members of their households alone witnessed almost 200 killings of non-combatants. 46% of the 1,143 surveyed reported witnessing at least one killing of a civilian by Russia's federal forces. Survey respondents reported 77 instances of torture.1 The survey was accompanied by corroborated witness case testimonies of massacres at Katr Yurt and Aldi, and atrocities at the Chernokozovo filtration camp.2


In April, 2000, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin conduct an independent investigation of serious breaches of human rights by Russia's forces and hold accountable those responsible for them. But when Russia failed to perform the demanded investigation or to end impunity, it suffered no consequences. Instead, Russian authorities continued to block the entry of human rights monitors from international bodies including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations, preventing them from investigating ongoing violations or preventing new ones. Other than eliciting verbal protests, the international community, including the United States, took no effective action and declined to use tools at its disposal to require President Putin to stop Russia's massive violations of human rights and humanitarian law. The abuses continue into the present day.


SUMMARY


The recent PHR investigation was designed to document human rights violations in the last five months of 2000 and evaluate changes in the scope of abuses since PHR's earlier investigation.3 From December 8 to December 24, 2000, PHR Executive Director Leonard S. Rubenstein and Ondrej Mach, M.D., a consultant with extensive experience in the region, investigated violations in Chechnya. They interviewed more than 50 witnesses to human rights abuses that took place during the last five months of 2000, focusing especially on events in October, November and December.


The violations documented in this report take place in the context of widespread violence. Although by the spring of 2000, Russia's federal forces claimed to occupy all of Chechnya, they were unable to stop hit and run attacks against them by fighters on the Chechen side and suffered serious losses when Chechen fighters blew up trucks, armored personnel carriers and other vehicles. In some areas of Chechnya, including Grozny, Russia's federal forces responded to these losses by shooting at and killing civilians in their homes and on the streets; by shelling villages where rebels are suspected of operating; by illegally arresting, detaining, and torturing Chechen men, causing some to disappear; and by extorting money from civilians to permit the release of loved ones or to allow them to cross checkpoints.


Arbitrary Arrests and Disappearances


The circumstances and manner of the arrests suggest that they are often executed by units without any pretext of legal authority or regularity. Although some of the men arrested were brought to conventional detention facilities, others were thrown into pits in the ground or held in fuel dumps or cellars. Local military commanders sometimes did not know men had been detained or where; in other cases the commanders helped secure release. Some men simply disappeared after arrest.


Beatings/Torture


Individuals interviewed by PHR who were arrested were always beaten, often repeatedly and severely. Some of the men PHR interviewed were tortured with electricity. One was shot while riding on a truck. Another was mutilated. Their documents were confiscated, creating new risks when they were finally released. While detained they were deprived of food for days at a time and sometimes kept in cells or pits so small that all of the men could not sit down.


Arrests as a Form of Extortion


The men interviewed were released only when families paid a bribe demanded by the unit holding them or when families used whatever political influence they could muster to secure the release.


*************


For more indepth information on human rights violations in Chechnya, please visit: http://www.phrusa.org/research/chechnya/chech_rep.html


For information on the history and struggle of Chechnya, click: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/wor...ar/chechnya.htm

Muslim American Society (MAS)


"Muslim Americans for the Greater Good"


"Success Stories"


Call for Presentations/Exhibitions


As-salaam A’laikum Wa Rahmato Allah Wa Barakatoh


Dear Bothers and Sisters,


The Muslim American Society (MAS) is pleased to announce the solicitation for


constructive participation of Muslim individuals, Islamic centers and Islamic


organizations in its upcoming annual conference to be held in Chicago, IL,


December 22-26, 2004.


The theme of the convention this year is "Muslim Americans for the Greater


Good". The lectures, presentations and discussions are designed to present the


positive role that Muslim individuals and organizations should take in serving


the well-being of American society through an Islamic perspective. The


convention aims to foster the positive and integrated role of Muslim American


citizens in healing various impasses (e.g., social, moral, political) within


American society. Serving the theme of the convention, MAS welcomes the


presentation/exhibition of success stories portraying the integration of talent


and efforts by Muslim individuals and organizations in their communities


working for the common interest and "Greater Good" of American society outside


the limits of the Muslim community.


Subject areas for solicited presentations include any successful projects or


single events for:


(1) "Personal" endeavors serving the larger non-Muslim community


(2) Distinguished services provided by an "Islamic Center" acknowledged by the


surrounding local community


(3) Unique role of an "Islamic School" in serving the surrounding community


(4) Unparalleled activities of an "Islamic Organization" for the betterment of


the civic society


If you have or know of someone possessing a success story in any of the above


areas which could be a session presentation or a poster/table exhibition at the


convention, please feel free to fill in the attached form and send it


immediately to the Chairperson of the program committee via either the e-mail


or fax number listed below.


As-salaam A’laikum Wa Rahmato Allah Wa Barakatoh.


Dr. Ahmed Taha


MAS-ICNA Convention, 04


Program Committee, Chairperson


MASConv04@yahoo.com


Ph. (630)217-2778


Fax. (302)371-2554


Muslim American Society (MAS)


MAS-ICNA Annual Convention 2004


"Muslim Americans for the Greater Good"


"Success Stories"


Presentation/Exhibition Application Form


(1) Name and address of the owner of the proposed "Success Story":


a. Muslim Individual: ________________________________________


b. Islamic Center: ________________________________________


c. Islamic School: ________________________________________


d. Islamic Organization: ________________________________________


(2) Suggested presentation manner:


a. Session Presentation


b. Poster/Table Exhibition


(3) Presenter Information:


a. Full Name: ________________________________________


b. Address: ________________________________________


c. Email: ________________________________________


d. Phones: © ____________ (H) ______________ (O) ______________


(4) Field of influence of the proposed "Success Story": (check all that is


applied)


a. (….) Political


b. (….) Economical


c. (….) Social


d. (….) Educational


e. (….) Media


f. (….) Other: (Please specify)


(5) Description of the proposed "Success Story": (Please provide as much


description as possible and support it with any awards, or certificates showing


the society acknowledgment)

Can any one tell me how this situation is going to get better? Is there a solution to this problem? I'd like some opinions on how things can get better not postings on soley about who is doing what to who. As this story reads there's blood on the hands of both sides. Sorry Deen, I'm going to believe the Israelies are doing this even though I got it from the media.


If you're only solution is the total destruction of Israel or Palestine please refrane from posting. I'd like someone with some constructive thoughts to offer up a reasonable solution.

Quote:Israel Expands Gaza Strike, Kills 5 Palestinians
Fri Oct 1, 9:25 AM ET  Top Stories - Reuters


By Nidal al-Mughrabi


GAZA (Reuters) - The Israeli army killed five Palestinians in missile strikes Friday as it poured reinforcements into northern Gaza, expanding a ground offensive intended to root out militants firing rockets at Israeli towns.


Reuters Photo


AP Photo 


Slideshow: Mideast Conflict


 


Palestinian officials said 90 Israeli tanks and armored vehicles pushed into the coastal strip before dawn, hours after 28 Palestinians and three Israelis were killed Thursday, Gaza's bloodiest day in four years of conflict.


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) approved an intensified campaign to re-occupy Palestinian-run parts of northern Gaza to halt rocket firings that have fueled criticism of his plan to withdraw Jewish settlers from the territory by the end of 2005.


Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (news - web sites), Sharon's rival in the rightist Likud party and a critic of uprooting Gaza settlements, suggested the prime minister might have to drop his pullout plan if Palestinian attacks worsened to "catastrophic" levels.


Hamas, an Islamic militant group behind a campaign of suicide bombings and rocket firings, called Israel's incursion into Gaza's largest refugee camp a declaration of "all-out war" and vowed not to submit to military might.


The stepped-up operation in the Jabalya camp followed the killing of two Israeli pre-schoolers in a Hamas rocket strike in the border town of Sderot Wednesday.


Amid wails of grief, several thousand mourners gathered to bury the 2-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy, the children of Ethiopian immigrants.


In Jabalya, gunmen fired volleys in the air as 30,000 Palestinians, many shouting for revenge, marched in funerals of fellow Arabs killed Thursday.


RISK OF GETTING BOGGED DOWN


"There will be non-stop army patrols to draw armed men into the streets and kill them from the air," an Israeli security source said, outlining the army's strategy.


But some Israeli commentators warned against getting bogged down in Gaza, where combat in narrow streets and alleys makes forces more vulnerable and risks drawing international censure.


Even as troops penetrated deep into Jabalya for the first time, gunmen converged on the camp to battle invading forces.


Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie called the offensive "state terror" and urged international intervention.


The army said it had done its utmost to avoid civilian casualties but that militants had endangered non-combatants by hunkering down in densely populated areas.


As gun battles raged in Jabalya, an air strike near a mosque killed two Hamas militants on a motorbike, witnesses said. Israeli military sources said the missile hit a rocket crew.


Hours later, a missile killed three people near a school. Witnesses said they were unarmed and in civilian clothes.


Military sources said the army hit a group laying mines against Israeli forces, which have had to make their way through booby-trapped streets. Bulldozers plowed through houses to clear a path into the teeming camp of 100,000 Thursday.


Hamas, sworn to Israel's destruction, said it would stop rocket attacks "only if the Zionist enemy stops all sorts of aggression against our people everywhere."


The latest cycle of bloodshed has sent Sharon scrambling to counter right-wing critics who say his plan to withdraw troops and settlers from Gaza next year has emboldened militants trying to give the impression that Israel is being driven out.


Israel's army wants to smash armed groups before leaving. Sharon's inner cabinet approved Thursday an open-ended operation code-named "Days of Reckoning," which entails setting up a buffer zone to keep rocket launchers out of range of Israel and carrying out raids into north Gaza's militant strongholds.

Thinking about and trying to understand meanings of the Glorious Quran, which Allah has sent down for His slaves to clarify all things and as a Light that He gives to whom He wills among His slaves. Indeed, the Quran contains tremendous medicine for all ills of the heart, as Allah said," And We sent down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism)." (17/82)


...The Quran contains Islamic Monotheism; Allah’s promises, warnings and commandments; stories of previous nations; and codes of the best conduct and behavior. These various subjects in the Quran have different effects on the heart. Some Surahs (chapters) of the Quran are more frightening than others. The Messenger of Allah said, "Hud (chapter 11) and its sisters (chapters 56, 77, 78 and 81) have brought me white hairs before their due time." (As-Silsilah As-Sahihah). Hud and its sisters brought white hairs to the Messenger of Allah because of what they contain of matters of Iman. These Surahs, and the rest of the Quran, showed their effect on the Messenger of Allah and his companions, exactly as they were ordered in the Quran, "So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Mohammad) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you." (11/112)


The companions would also be deeply moved with emotions when they recited the Quran. Abu Bakr, for example, who was a soft-hearted man, used to cry while reciting the Quran when leading Muslims in prayer. Once, Umar became ill as a result of his reciting the Ayah, "Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to pass. There is none that can avert it." (2/7-8)


On another occasion, Umar wept when he was reciting the Ayah, "I (Prophet Jacob) only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah." (12/86), and he was clearly heard by those who were standing behind him. Furthermore, Uthman Ibn Affan said, "If our hearts were pure, they will never have enough from reciting Allah’s Speech (the Quran)."


As for later generations, Ayyub said, "I heard Sad Ibn Jubayr recite the Ayah, "And be afraid of a Day when you shall be brought back to Allah." (2/281), repeating it more than twenty times." This is the last Ayah that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, and it ends with, "Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly." (2:281).


Also, Ibrahim Ibn Bashshar said, "If you could but see where they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say, 'Would that we were but sent back (to the world).'" (6:27), was the Ayah that Ali Ibn al-Fudhayl died while reciting. I was among those who prayed the Janazah (funeral) prayer on him, may Allah grant him His Mercy." Furthermore, when our Salaf would reach a portion of the Quran were Sujud (bowing down) is warranted, they treated this incident different than ordinary people. A man once recited, "And they fall down on their faces weeping and it adds to their humility." (17:109), and then fell in Sujud. Then, he said to himself, "Here you are, you do the Sujud, so where is the crying?"


…..Ibn Al-Qayyim said with regards to what one should do to cure his weak Iman using the Quran, "First you should remove your heart from the life of this world and settle it in the Last Life. Then, pay your full attention to pursuing the meanings of the Quran, and try to comprehend and understand them and what they were sent down to accomplish. Then, offer these meanings to the sickness that your heart feels, and when they touch the disease, they will cure the heart, Allah willing."


By: Shaikh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid


Source: islaam.com

Asalamalaykum


I am a huge fan of Sami Yusuf's NasheedS, Here is my favorite NaSheed by Sami Yusuf title of nasheed: <b> Al-Mualim</b>


<b>To listen:</b> http://www.radioawakening.com/AudioLinks/S...-Mu%27allim.ram


<b>To watch the Video: </b>http://www.paradise-way.net/modules.php?...d&col=nomr


<b>Lyrics</b> of AL-MUALIM:


We once had a Teacher


The Teacher of teachers,


He changed the world for the better


And made us better creatures,


Oh Allah, we’ve shamed ourselves


We’ve strayed from Al-Mu'allim,


Surely here we’ve wronged ourselves


What will we say in front him?


Oh Mu'allim...


Chorus


He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam,


Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind,


He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam,


Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind,


Teacher of all Mankind.


Abal Qasim [one of the names of the Prophet]


Ya Habibi, Ya Muhammad


(My beloved, Oh Muhammad)


Ya Shafi'i, Ya Muhammad


(My intercessor, Oh Muhammad)


Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad


(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)


Ya Mustafa, Ya Imamal Mursalina


(Oh Chosen One, Oh Imam of the Messengers)


Ya Mustafa, Ya Shafi'al 'Alamina


(Oh Chosen One, Oh intercessor of the worlds)


He prayed while others slept


While others ate he’d fast,


While they would laugh he wept


Until he breathed his last,


His only wish was for us to be


Among the ones who prosper,


Ya Mu'allim peace be upon you,


Truly you are our Teacher,


Oh Mu'allim...


(Chorus)


Ya Habibi, Ya Muhammad


(My beloved, Oh Muhammad)


Ya Shafi'i, Ya Muhammad


(My intercessor, Oh Muhammad)


Ya Rasuli, Ya Muhammad


(Oh My Messenger, Oh Muhammad)


Ya Bashiri, Ya Muhammad


(Oh bearer of good news, Oh Muhammad)


Ya Nadhiri, Ya Muhammad


(Oh warner, Oh Muhammad)


'Ishqu Qalbi, Ya Muhammad


(The love of my heart, Oh Muhammad)


Nuru 'Ayni, Ya Muhammad


(Light of my eye, Oh Muhammad)


He taught us to be just and kind


And to feed the poor and hungry,


Help the wayfarer and the orphan child


And to not be cruel and miserly,


His speech was soft and gentle,


Like a mother stroking her child,


His mercy and compassion,


Were most radiant when he smiled


(Chorus)


Abal Qasim [one of the names of the Prophet]


Ya Habibi, Ya Muhammad


(My beloved, Oh Muhammad)


Ya Shafi'i, Ya Muhammad


(My intercessor, Oh Muhammad)


Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad


(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)


Ya Mustafa, Ya Imamal Mursalina


(Oh Chosen One, Oh Imam of the Messengers)


Ya Mustafa, Ya Shafi'al 'Alamina


(Oh Chosen One, Oh intercessor of the worlds)


MashaAllah Sami Yusuf has the voice of an Angel, very beautiful.


All of you Nasheed Addicts out there, Post your Favorite heartmoving


soul-touching Nasheeds...share it with me


Your Sister In Islam

Quote:Baghdad Bombings Kill 35 Children
(AP) - Three bombs exploded at a neighborhood celebration Thursday in western Baghdad, killing 35 children and seven adults, officials said. Hours earlier, a suicide car bomb killed a U.S. soldier and two Iraqis on the capital's outskirts. The bombs in Baghdad's al-Amel neighborhood caused the largest death toll of children in any insurgent attack since the conflict in Iraq began 17 months ago. The children, who were still on school vacation, said they had been drawn to the scene by American soldiers handing out candy.