http://ceasespin.org/ceasespin_blog/ceas...bhannallah

CeaseSPIN advocates using Consumer Protection labeling to guide public awareness of journalism product quality. The Fox "News Distortion" case creates wide ranging news quality disparity. This cries out for a rating system that describes quality to inform viewers, who are actually consumers of news products. News Quality product labeling that describes the degree to which ethics, facts, fairness and other journalism standards were applied is necessary today. For example, did they follow spj.org ethical journalism practices or just create a news story that follows a preconceived narrative whether political, corporate or even profit driven? Each newsmaker can use a third party News Quality Rating system to self assess their quality ranking and make this information available at the time the news is presented.

A News Quality Rating System and Content Labeling approach, follows a tradition of consumer protection product labeling, that is very familiar to Americans. The News Quality Ratings Systems will be designed to be a newsmaker self assessed ethics rating, non-government managed, constitutional and anti-censorship that benefits consumers

• Americans, overwhelmingly, are unsatisfied with the state of journalism today (including many journalists).

• Fox won a Florida Appellate Court decision that ruled news media can legally lie to the public.

• Successful advocacy can move news media to self assess their content using a “News Quality Rating System” based on spj.org journalism ethics code.

• A non-government/non-FCC based “News Quality Rating System” encourages newsmakers to self assess and advise viewers about each on-air news story’s level of journalistic integrity (e.g. 5 stars, 4 stars, 3, etc.)

• Consumers successfully petitioned for MPAA(film), RIAA(music) and the TV Parental Guidelines Ratings and won.

• Join the growing list of citizens who have signed the on-line petition supporting a non-government/non-FCC based “News Quality Rating System”.

By Sh. Saleem al-Hilaalee

Invalidation of Actions

©

Ar-riyaa is censured in the Book and the Sunnah. From them is the Statement of Allah, the Most High:

"So woe to the worshippers, who are neglectful of their prayers. Those who want to be seen (by men)." [soorah al-Maa`oon: 4-6]

As for the ahaadeeth, some of them have already been mentioned in the chapter of shirk, since ar-riyaa is the minor shirk. Some will be mentioned here, inshaa'allaah.

Know O Muslim, O slave of Allaah, that the word riyaa is taken from the word ruyah (to be seen). So the one to be seen is viewed by the people as one seeking esteem amongst them. So at times one would seek self-esteem by one's actions in this world.

Riyaa is of many types and forms, its nature and tendency is that it invalidates the actions as stated in the Book and the Sunnah.

Allaah, the Most High, says:

"Like those who spened from their wealth to be seen by men, and they do not believe in Allaah and the Last Day. Their example is like the example of a hard rock on which is a little soil, then on it falls heavy rain which flows off it and they will not be able to do anything with whatever they have earned and Allaah does not guide the disbelieving people." [soorah al-Baqarah: 264]

The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: "What I fear for you the most is the minor shirk, that is ar-riyaa. Allaah will say on the Day of Judgement when He is rewarding the people for their actions: Go to those for whom you did riyaa for in the world then see if you find the reward with them." [Related by Ahmad (5/428, 429) and al-Baghawee in Sharh us-Sunnah (4135) from the hadeeth of Mahmood bin Lubaid, radiyallaahu `anhu, with an authentic chain upon the conditions of Muslim.]

The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: "Shall I not inform you of what I fear for you more than the maseeh ud-dajjaal? It is the hidden shirk. It is when a man stands up for prayer, then beautifies his prayer for another to look at." [Related by Ibn Maajah (2604) from the hadeeth of Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudree, radiyallaahu `anhu. The hadeeth is hasan.]

So be warned my brother in faith, from riyaa as it is an evil tribulation annihilating the actions. Know O Muslim brother, that the Fire will be kindled first for the people who showed-off because they took the enjoyment from the results of their actions in the life of this world.

So flee, O slave, from riyaa as you would flee from a lion, as riyaa and one's hidden desires even weakened the stands of the senior scholars from its dangers, let alone the general masses.

The scholars and the active worshippers who made great efforts to tread the path to the Hereafter, were even put to trial by it. When they took control of their themselves and abstained from desires, they were not being allured to the apparent and open sins committed by the limbs.

However when they became relaxed, they began to pretend to show knowledge, actions and to present gatherings, to be observed by the people with reverence and esteem. They feel great delight and they looked down upon the idea of leaving sins.

So one of them thinks that he is from amongst the sincere worshippers of Allaah but he has been confirmed as one of the hypocrites. This is a great deception and no one is safe from it except the angels.

It was said in a poem:

Enemies of the soul and the shaitaan; resist them both,

If they both give sincere advice to you, then escape from them both.

O Allaah, Lord of the Heavens and the earth, purify our hearts from hypocrisy and our actions from riyaa. Make us firm upon Your straight path so that we achieve certainty.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110625/ts_n...ge_newyork

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) – Governor Andrew Cuomo made same-sex marriages legal in New York on Friday, a key victory for gay rights ahead of the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.

New York will become the sixth and most populous U.S. state to allow gay marriage. State senators voted 33-29 on Friday evening to approve marriage equality legislation and Cuomo, a Democrat who had introduced the measure, signed it into law.

"This vote today will send a message across the country. This is the way to go, the time to do it is now, and it is achievable; it's no longer a dream or an aspiration. I think you're going to see a rapid evolution," Cuomo, who is in his first year of office, told a news conference.

"We reached a new level of social justice," he said.

Same-sex weddings can start taking place in New York in 30 days, though religious institutions and nonprofit groups with religious affiliations will not be compelled to officiate at such ceremonies. The legislation also gives gay couples the right to divorce.

"I have to define doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality and that equality includes within the definition of marriage," Republican Senator Stephen Saland said before the bill was passed. He was one of four Republicans to vote for the legislation.

Cheers erupted in the Senate gallery in the state capital Albany and among a crowd of several hundred people who gathered outside New York City's Stonewall Inn, where a police raid in 1969 sparked the modern gay rights movement.

"It's about time. I want to get married. I want the same rights as anyone else," Caroline Jaeger, 36, a student, who was outside the Stonewall Inn.

But New York's Catholic bishops said they were "deeply disappointed and troubled" by the passage of the bill.

"We always treat our homosexual brothers and sisters with respect, dignity and love. But we just as strongly affirm that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman," the state's Catholic Conference said in a statement.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an advocate for gay marriage who lobbied state lawmakers in recent weeks, said the vote was an "historic triumph for equality and freedom."

"Together, we have taken the next big step on our national journey toward a more perfect union," he said in a statement.

ELECTION ISSUE

President Barack Obama, who attended a fund-raiser in New York on Thursday for Gay Pride Week, has a nuanced stance on gay issues. Experts say he could risk alienating large portions of the electorate if he came out strongly in favor of such matters as gay marriage before the 2012 elections.

During the 2008 election, Obama picked up important support from Evangelicals, Catholics, Latinos and African-Americans, some of whom oppose gay marriage, which has become a contentious social issue being fought state-by-state.

In California a judge last year overturned a ban on gay marriage, but no weddings can take place while the decision is being appealed. It could set national policy if the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court.

Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage, and Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey approved civil unions. The first legal same-sex marriages in the United States took place in Massachusetts in 2004.

But gay marriage is banned in 39 states.

In New York a recent Siena poll found 58 percent of New Yorkers support gay marriage, while nationally the U.S. public is nearly evenly split, with 45 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed, according to a Pew Research poll released last month.

New York City's marketing and tourism group NYC & Company said it was gearing up to turn the city into "the gay weddings destination." "The new legislation is good news for the City's $31 billion travel and tourism industry," said NYC & Company Chief Executive George Fertitta.

New York's Democrat-dominated Assembly voted 80-63 in favor of gay marriage last week and passed the amended legislation on Friday 82-47.

A key sticking point had been over an exemption that would allow religious officials to refuse to perform services or lend space for same-sex weddings. Most Republicans were concerned the legal protection was not strong enough, so legislative leaders worked with Cuomo to amend his original bill.

"God, not Albany, settled the definition of marriage a long time ago," said Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister and the only Democrat to vote against the measure.

However, fears of a slew of litigation arising from a possible religious exemption to New York's proposed same-sex marriage law are not borne out by experience with similar laws in other states, legal experts say.

(Additional reporting by Phil Wahba, writing by Michelle Nichols, editing by Anthony Boadle and Philip Barbara)

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/court...6077450902

AN ISRAELI court has ordered the execution of a dog believed to be the reincarnation of a lawyer.

The rabbinical court in Jerusalem passed the sentence believing the dog to be a secular lawyer who insulted the court's judges 20 years ago, the Ynet website reported Friday.

According to Ynet, the large dog made its way into the Monetary Affairs Court in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, frightening judges and plaintiffs.

Despite attempts to drive the dog out of the court, the hound refused to leave the premises.

One of the sitting judges then recalled a curse the court had passed down upon a secular lawyer who had insulted the judges two decades previously.

Their preferred divine retribution was for the lawyer's spirit to move into the body of a dog, an animal considered impure by traditional Judaism.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

Related CoverageJudge orders fatal dog mauling damages Courier Mail, 25 May 2011

Dog killer ordered to pay $10,000 Courier Mail, 31 Mar 2011

Fluffy dog becomes a hairy issue The Daily Telegraph, 15 Mar 2011

Sharon Stone gets restraining order Herald Sun, 10 Mar 2011

Dog killer wants sentence cut Herald Sun, 10 Feb 2011

.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Clearly still offended, one of the judges sentenced the animal to death by stoning by local children.

The canine target, however, managed to escape.

"Let the Animals Live", an animal welfare organisation filed a complaint with the police against the head of the court, Rabbi Avraham Dov Levin, who denied that the judges had called for the dog's stoning, Ynet reported.

One of the court's managers, however, confirmed the report of the sentence to Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot.

"It was ordered... as an appropriate way to 'get back at' the spirit which entered the poor dog," the paper reported the manager as saying, according to Ynet.

Certain schools of thought within Judaism believe in the transmigration of souls, or reincarnation.

Bismillah

Praise be to Allah, Suatainer and Provider of all creation, blessing and peace be upon his Messenger Mohammad Ibn Abdullah.

In many cases you observe how people are truly and deeply occupied with gates of Rizq (sustainance)instead of causes or reasons that would trigger Rizq. There is much difference. And this difference does never imply that we should sit still waiting for the sky to rain gold or silver, but rather work in the direction that would eventually generate the Rizq, which by the way is not restricted on money. But anything of which mankind benefit is Rizq, including being popular among people for instance.

Anyway, this message is to communicate an incident that is worth pondering.

This morning while coming to work, there is usually a small store that I stop by if I need to buy food before going to work. It is on my way, I just need to find parking area. In most cases, I always did find one easily. Today, I found one, drove closer to park, then got blocked by a truck, I tried to evade the truck and find another, this made me drive farther, and still could not find one. Again I had to turn into a side street to find parking area, I found one in the side street, but starting to park the car, got again blocked by something in the street. So I drove farther again and where I stopped there was another store where I actually went to and bought what I needed. Sobhan Allah, it is a matter of a Rizq designated to this store and not the other one. If you are fated for something, nothing on earth can stop receiving it and vice versa. Only if people would ponder!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embas...nts/206346

Monday, 11 May 2009, 10:50

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 RIYADH 000651

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP (JHARRIS), R (MARK DAVIDSON), NEA/PPD (WALTER

DOUGLAS)

EO 12958 DECL: 10/20/2050

TAGS PGOV, PHUM, PTER, ECON KISL, SA

SUBJECT: IDEOLOGICAL AND OWNERSHIP TRENDS IN THE SAUDI MEDIA

Classified By: CDA David Rundell for reasons 1.4 (B) and (d).

1. (S) Summary: The Saudi regulatory system offers the al-Saud regime a means to manipulate the nation's print media to promote its own agenda without exercising day-to-day oversight over journalists, and Saudi journalists are free to write what they wish provided they do not criticize the ruling family or expose government corruption. In addition, most media in Saudi Arabia--print and electronic--are owned by royal family members, and accordingly self-censorship is the order of the day. In comparison to a few years ago, however, the media business in Saudi Arabia is dynamic, fueled by increased demand by Saudi and pan-Arab audiences, new licensing agreements with US and other international media, and an unprecedented level of openness to outside ideas.

2.In interviews with Embassy and Consulate Jeddah officers before the early December Eid holiday, XXXXXXXXXXXX editors and XXXXXXXXXXXX TV managers outlined key elements of these trends and adumbrated how the long hand of the al-Saud--motivated by profit and politics--retains a strong hold over media in this sophisticated new environment, through means ranging from refined Interior Ministry procedures for recalcitrant journalists, to directives by King Abdallah himself to adopt progressive perspectives as an antidote to extremist thinking. End summary.

//Family Business?//

3. (S) Embassy press officers met recently XXXXXXXXXXXX. According to Shuaa Capital, a Gulf-based financial services firm, SRMG is the largest publisher in the country, with a global readership well in excess of 180 million and an aggregate market share of 46.1%.

4. (S) According to XXXXXXXXXXXX, Prince Waleed bin Talal, he told us, now owns 35% of SMRG, with "private investors" controlling the rest. Financial reports we acquired list Saudi businessman Mohammed Hussein Ali al-Amoudi as owning 57.70% of SRMG at the beginning of 2008, which on paper would give him (and others he may represent) control of this powerful media concern.

5. (S/NF) It is worth noting, however, that other Saudi editors we've spoken to always refer to the Saudi Research and Marketing Group as being "owned" by Prince Salman, despite the fact that XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that he is not a shareholder and the official holdings of XXXXXXXXXXXX amount to only ten percent of the company. When this was noted by emboff to one of our press contacts, he told us that it was well-known that Prince Salman owns SRMG and controls its direction through his son Faisal.

//New Direction//

6. (S)XXXXXXXXXXXX is representative of a trend we have noted in all media here: the increase of well-educated, relatively pro-US Saudis in editorial positions. Technocratically-minded with a journalism degree from a US university, XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that the entire SRMG organization has been directed to adopt a "professional, western-style approach" to the media that would both increase revenue and reinforce "modern ideas" that the SAG leadership wishes to purvey as an antidote to extremist ideology.

7. (SBU) Although originally founded as an economic daily, "Al Eqtisadiah" has long been equally known for its political content, often printing editorials and opinion harshly critical of the US on a number of fronts. XXXXXXXXXXXX. XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that XXXXXXXXXXXX recently had a three-hour discussion with one of Rupert Murdoch's sons on a deal to publish an Arabic-language version of the Wall Street Journal, and that SRMG is trying to win a contract to publish the International Herald Tribune (uncensored, he emphasized) in Saudi Arabia. XXXXXXXXXXXX

RIYADH 00000651 002 OF 004

//The MBC Group//

8. (S) A similar ideological and ownership pattern characterizes the hugely-successful Middle East Broadcasting (MBC) group, according to XXXXXXXXXXXX.

9. (S/NF) During a visit to the US Embassy in November for a visa in preparation for the King's UNGA and White House summit meetings, XXXXXXXXXXXX told press officer that while MBC is owned by King Fahd's brother-in-law (the non-royal Waleed bin Ibrahim al-Ibrahim), fifty percent of the profits of the MBC empire go to King Fahd's youngest son (and al-Ibrahim's maternal nephew) Abdulaziz bin Fahd. XXXXXXXXXXXX on issues relating to al-Arabiya and other MBC channels. When asked if the thirty-something prince was interested only in the profits of the station, or if he also took an active role in the ideological direction of al-Arabiya, XXXXXXXXXXXX whispered with a grimace, "Both."

10. (S/NF) In a meeting at his XXXXXXXXXXXX office XXXXXXXXXXXX with Consulate and Embassy press officers, XXXXXXXXXXXX because of the SAG's concern that young Saudis were particularly vulnerable to the calls of extremists, and that the station now targets its moderate news broadcasts to the 14-18 year old demographic in short presentations of three minutes or less. He also said that the stations website, Arabiya Net, appeals to a pan-Arab audience and gets about 100,000 visitors per day. Al Arabiya and other MBC channels, he said, present programming that they hope counters the influence of al-Jazeera and fosters "moderate" perspectives among the country's youth.

//David Letterman, Agent of Influence//

11. (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX said the American programming on channels 4 and 5 were proving the most popular among Saudis. A look at the December 17 programming menu for MBC channel 4 reveals a 24-hour solid block of such programs as CBS and ABC Evening News, David Letterman, Desperate Housewives, Friends and similar fare, all uncensored and with Arabic subtitles. Channel 5 features US films of all categories, also with Arabic subtitles. XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that this programming is also very popular in remote, conservative corners of the country, where he said "you no longer see Bedouins, but kids in western dress" who are now interested in the outside world.

12. (S) Over coffee in a Jeddah Starbucks, XXXXXXXXXXXX, and XXXXXXXXXXXX elaborated on the changes in the Saudi media environment. "The government is pushing this new openness as a means of countering the extremists," XXXXXXXXXXXX told Riyadh press officer. "It's still all about the War of Ideas here, and the American programming on MBC and Rotana is winning over ordinary Saudis in a way that 'Al Hurra' and other US propaganda never could. Saudis are now very interested in the outside world, and everybody wants to study in the US if they can. They are fascinated by US culture in a way they never were before."

13. (S) So effective has US programming been, said XXXXXXXXXXXX, that it is widely assumed that the USG must be behind it. Some believe, he said, that Prince Talal's relationship with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and its sister company Twentieth Century Fox has a clear ideological motive behind it, noting that the Fox Movie Channel on "Rotana" is available for free to anyone with a satellite dish. Both XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXX, liberal-minded supporters of US democracy and society with little use for conspiracy theory, clearly believed this was the case.

14. (S) While revenue from commercials on Rotana's Fox Movie Channel probably matter more to Prince Waleed than the dissemination of western ideas (MBC and Rotana are in a bitter battle for market share) it is easy to understand why XXXXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXX believe that this programming is having a profound effect on the values and worldviews of Saudi audiences. During the recent Eid holiday, Rotana's "Fox Movies" channel repeatedly aired two mawkish US dramas (again with Arabic subtitles) featuring respectful, supportive American husbands dealing with spouses suffering from addiction problems--in one case gambling (lost the kids' college funds and then told her college professor husband it was because he was boring) and the other alcohol (smashing cars and china when she

RIYADH 00000651 003 OF 004

wasn't assaulting the husband and child.) These films and others broadcast over the Eid offer models of supportive behavior in relationships, as well as exemplary illustrations of heroic honesty in the face of corruption ("Michael Clayton") and respect for the law over self-interest ("Insomnia.")

15. © Saudi-produced religious programming on ART and Rotana also departs from past models. Rotana's popular religious channel "Al Risala" features a hip, clean-shaven Saudi in western clothes offering practical religious advice in a calm and friendly manner. Jeddah-based Arab Radio and Television company (ART) (owned by Saleh al-Kamel and according to our contacts being edged aside by MBC and Rotana) recently featured an MTV-style music video clip on its "Iqraa" religious channel depicting a group of dissolute young Saudi men who give up their carousing and return to observance. They are then shown succeeding in sales presentations and other interactions at work, gaining the admiration of their colleagues and supervisors. The young men continue to dress in standard attire, remain clean-shaven and are fully integrated into normal, workaday Saudi society. The message of moderation in the religious realm could not be clearer.

//The Idol//

16. (S) The Kingdom's chattering classes aren't the only ones noticing the movement towards moderation and rapprochement with the outside world that is reflected in print and television media. XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that religious conservatives call the Saudi newspaper "Al-Watan" (owned by Prince Khaled al-Faisal) "Al-Wathan"--the idol. XXXXXXXXXXXX said his network is referred to as XXXXXXXXXXXX, and that pan-Arab daily "Al Sharq al Awsat," with its distinctive green-colored pages, is known as "Khadraa al Domon"--"green plant from the dung heap," a metaphor from one of Prophet's hadiths warning young men of feminine corruption wrapped in meretricious allure.

17. (S) Extremist elements, said all of these contacts, have been largely deprived of their public voice in the media and on television, but remain a diminished but still potent force in Saudi Arabia. When reporting officer noted the enormous security progress that allowed him to sit outside a crowded Starbucks less than two blocks away from the Jeddah Consulate--something that would have been unthinkable two years earlier--XXXXXXXXXXXX shook his head. "You (Americans) still have to be careful. They're still out there," he said, referring to violent extremists.

//Okaz//

18. (S) In a meeting with Jeddah CG and XXXXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXXXX was blunt when asked about SAG efforts in countering extremist thinking. "King Abdallah was here," he said, pointing around his well-appointed office XXXXXXXXXXXX in Jeddah. "He told us that conservative elements in Saudi society do not understand true Islam, and that people needed to be educated" on the subject. King Abdallah, he said, used a metaphor of a donkey to explain how the religious police use the wrong approach. "They take a stick and hit you with it, saying 'Come donkey, it's time to pray.' How does that help people behave like good Muslims?" XXXXXXXXXXXX quoted the king as saying.

19. (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX also told us that he had taken over the XXXXXXXXXXXX establishment only two months ago at the direction of the Minister of Information, and that one of his first orders of business was to enact dramatic cuts in the sprawling editorial division. It was clear by the direction of the conversation that XXXXXXXXXXXX, intends to make sure that the paper falls in line with the SAG's message.

//The Stick//

20. (S/NF) Although all chief editor positions in Saudi Arabia must

RIYADH 00000651 004 OF 004

be approved by the Minister of Information, it is the job of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) to take action against editors and writers who refuse to follow government directives and policies. In the past, the MOI played a largely reactive role in this regard through its Supreme Information Council, which would discuss questionable material and order editors to be scolded or fired, or at times ban publication of the paper for a certain period of time.

21. (S/NF) According to our contacts, however, a more effective system is in place. Instead of being fired or seeing their publications shut down, editors now are fined SR 40,000 ($10,600) out of their own salaries for each objectionable piece that appears in their newspaper. Journalists, too, are held to account. Instead of the Supreme Information Council in Riyadh taking the lead in tracking what journalists write, there are now MOI committees in each Saudi city that know their community well and have a keen ear for who is talking about what. If these MOI operatives detect a problematic pattern in a journalist's writing (or even hear through channels that he or she is heading down a certain line of inquiry), they will invite the journalist for a chat, during which they will discuss the origin of these perspectives, suggest alternative approaches, ask after the family, etc.,.. These mechanisms, our contacts say, have been very effective in reining in media opinion that the SAG doesn't like.

//Al-Hayat and Khaled bin Sultan//

22. (S/NF) One of the exceptions to the talking-point consistency of most Saudi media is pan-Arab daily "Al-Hayat," which is owned by Deputy Defense Minister Khaled bin Sultan. XXXXXXXXXXXX.

23. (S/NF) When this rather more dynamic editorial environment at "Al-Hayat" was noted to XXXXXXXXXXXX he told us that Khaled bin-Sultan actually does not involve himself in the workings of the paper, provided it never criticizes the royal family or SAG policy. Al-Hayat, he explained, has more credibility in the Arab world than rival Al-Sharq al-Awsat, and had to be more daring than other Saudi print media. "Besides," said XXXXXXXXXXXX, "information is power for the al-Saud, and owning Al-Hayat gives Khaled bin Sultan more influence in the family."

24. (S) Comment: In keeping with other initiatives such as the Interfaith Dialogue and plans for educational reform, the SAG has clearly made a strategic decision to open the country to outside opinion, perspectives and culture to root out the vestiges of the extremist ideology and vision that threatened their rule. At the same time, they have refined their methods of control over editors and journalists in an effort to control the spread of these and other dissident ideas. End comment.

Rundell

Bismillah

as salam alykom




<div><iframe width="459" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uPu-WFqdzZ0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>[youtube/]

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious.* Those who spend [in Allah's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers.” (Quran 3: 133-134)

Allah’s, may He be Glorified, mercy towards His devotees is immense as Allah granted them small and easy deeds, of which, the reward equal Qiymul Layl (Salat during late night time when people are asleep). Therefore, one who misses or is unable to perform Qiyamul Lay, he/she should not miss performing such deeds in order to make his balance heavy. However, do not take this as reason for being reluctant to perform Qiyamul Layl.

The aforementioned deeds include:

1. Performing Esha and Fajr Salat in group:

Narrated under the authority of Othman Ibn A`ffan, may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Messenger of Allah blessings and peace be upon him said: “One who performs Esha Salat in group shall be rewarded of equal to one who performed Qiyam of half a night and one who performs Esha and Fajr in group, shall be rewarded of equal to one who performed Qiyam of whole night” (reported by Abu Daoud and Al alBany rated it as sound hadith).

2. Performing 4 Raka`a before Zohr Salat:

Narrated under the authority of Abi Saleh, that the Messenger of Allah blessings and peace be upon him said: “Performing four Rak`a preceding Zohr Salat shall equal, in reward, Salatu Sahar (third part of the night)” (reported in Sahih Jame`a).

Furthermore, the same 4 Rak`a even have additional advantage that they cause gates of heaves to open. Narrated under the authority of Abu Ayoub Al Ansary, that the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him said: “Performing four Raka`a (Sunnah) before Zohr without tasleem (after the first two), gates of heaven shall open to them” (reported by Abi Daoud and Ibn Majeh)

Consequently, our beloved Prophet blessing and peace be upon him used to be very keen on performing those Raka`a. In case he missed them for any urgent circumstances, he would perform them after the Fard Salat, he never overlooked them.

3. Performing all of the Taraweeh (evening voluntary Salat after Esha performed during Ramadan) Salat with the Imam:

Narrated under the authority of Abi Dhar may Allah Be pleased with him that he said: “we fasted the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him, but the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him did not lead us for Qiyam until 7 days before the end of the month, then he led us for Qiyam until one third of the night had passed. When only six days of the month had remained, he did not lead us for Qiyam! When five days had left, he did until half of the night passed, we said: O Messenger of Allah! If only you lead us for qiyam of this night as Nafl (voluntary), he said: (a man who performs Salat with the Imam until the Imam concludes Salat, this shall account for him as Qiyamulayl” (reported by Nasa`I, and Abi Daoud).

4. Reciting hundred Ayah in the evening:

Narrated under the authority of Tamim Al Dary may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him said: “One who recites hundred Ayahs in a given night, it shall be recorded for him as Qunotu (staying up performing Salah and worshiping Allah) of one night” (reported by Termidhi).

5. Reciting two Ayahs from the end of Surat Baqarah in the night:

Narrated under the authority of Ibn Masoud, he said: the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him said: “One who recites the last two Ayahs from Surat Baqarah in a night would suffice him” (reported by Bukhari).

Nawawy, may Allah Have mercy on him said: it had been explained that the meaning is to be sufficient for him to replace Qiyamul Layl. It had been also explained as protecting him from Shaytan, or insects and it is likely that all of those interpretations are valid.

6. Good mannerism:

Narrated under the authority of A`esha may Allah be pleased with her, she said, I heard the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him saying: “A believer may attain by virtue of good mannerism degrees of one who performs Qiyamul Layal and Sawm of day time” (Al Albany rated it sound)

Abu Tayeb Mohammad Shamsedeen Abady may Allah Have mercy on him explained: one who maintains good mannerism is granted this great virtue because the fasting person and one who performs Salat during night time, both struggle with themselves and good mannerism is associated with adopting good and kind treatment with people and refraining from harm which equally require great struggle with onelsef.

7. Serving the widow and poor people:

Narrated under the authority of Abi Horaira, may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Prophet blessing and peace be upon him said: “One who assists and helps the widow and poor is equal to the Mujahid (one who struggles in the path of Allah) in the Name of Allah or one who perform Qiyamul Layl and fasts during day time” (reported by Bukhari).

8. Maintaining some of the Juma`a manners:

Narrated under the authority of Bin Aws Athaqafay, may Allah be pleased with him said: I heard the Messenger of Allah blessing and peace be upon him say: “one who took Ghusl (full bath) and caused another to take Ghusl (an implication for the man to have intercourse with his wife before going out for Juma`a because if he has intercourse with her, she would need Ghusl as well) on Friday, started early and had been keen on heading towards Masjed early, walked and did not take a ride, stood close to the Imam, listened and refrained from vain talk, he would be rewarded for each step that he took an equal of the deeds of one year, the reward of fasting and performing Qiyamul Layl for one year” (reported in Sahih Al Jame).

9. Take the intention of performing Qiyamul layl before going to sleep:

Narrated under the authority of Abi Al Dardaa, may Allah be pleased with him, referring it to the Prophet, blessing and peace be upon him saying :”One who goes to bed with an intention to get up and perform Salat during night time, but his eyes defeated him till he wakes up in the morning, what he intended shall be recorded, and his sleep shall be counted as Sadaqa for him from His Lord may He be Glorified” (reported by Nasaei, and Ibn Majeh).

10. Teaching others deeds that received an equal reward of Qiyamul Layl:

Teaching others deeds that receive an equal reward of Qiyamul Layl is another means for gaining the reward of Qiyamul Layl. In this context, one who refers others for good deeds shall be treated as one who performed them. Be a caller for good.

Bismillah






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Destroying material on which Allah's Name is mentioned

Fatwa Date : Safar 11, 1423 / 24-4-2002

Question

I am an inhabitant of Muslim country though Muslims are not much conscious here. In our country traditionally "Bismillahi al-Rrahmani al-Rrahim" is used to be written at the top of poster, banner, festoon, pamphlet, etc. It does not matter but the problem arises when these are thrown in street where people loiter without much caring for. If I find such poster or pamphlet should I tear the portion where "Bismillahi al-Rrahmani al-Rrahim" is written? It can be done with ease if only 1 or 2 is thrown away but when numerous of these are scattered in street what to do?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

One can get rid of papers that include the Name of Allah or Qur'anic verses by burning/wetting and then burying them or by special modern machine (shredder) that destroys papers.

Uthman Ibn 'Affan (Radiya Allahu Anhu) ordered the burning or cutting into pieces the old sheets on which the Qur'an was written after collecting them and compiling their contents into a complete copy.

In the same vein, the above-way of getting rid of papers that include Allah's Name/Qur'anic verses is also reported from 'Urwa Ibn al-Zubair and Tawoos .

But, if there is a large quantity of such papers, then one can do as mentioned above and according to his ability.

Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can; …} [64:16].

After that, you have to do your best to make Muslims aware of the issue you raised and possible solutions: Burning/burying papers that include Allah's Name or Qur'anic verses.

Allah knows best.