Asssalaamoalaikum

I do know that there are a lot of sites which have arabic resources, and teach arabic

One of them is http://www.learnarabic.tk/

If there are other sites please do post them.

Thanks

-- Ali

The more you know, the more you fear,A dialogue with an “inquiring mind”

All Praise is due to Allah aza wa'jal; Peace and Blessings of Allah upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu alay'wasallaam.

As-salaamu alaikum waramatullah wabarkatuhu...

“The more you know, the more you fear…”

“ But how can you believe in a religion that causes you so much fear and guilt?” asks an inquiring mind.

I remember my dear father (May Allah Subhanawata’Allah have mercy on him) once said, “ I want you to be home by 6:00 PM.” My dear mother (May Allah Subhanawata’Allah have mercy on her) said, “Dear daughter, it is about time I teach you how to cook and sew”. My teacher said, “I want this homework completed by tomorrow”. My doctor said, “ Make sure you take all this capsule until it is gone”. I feared disobeying my parents for simple reasons as to avoid being grounded and cut off from my weekly allowance. Taking the advice of my mother to learn how to cook and sew is an essential knowledge that benefited my family and myself. Not doing my homework as my teacher instructed me to do would have resulted in a failing grade and left me further behind from understanding the next subject. Not following the doctor’s order would have left me seriously ill and perhaps long dead. All these demands serve a beneficial purpose.

At a very early age, I was told about the 10 commandments that God gave to the Prophet Moses, Alayhi Salam and his people. I even saw numerous movies of the life of the Prophet Moses that thought me the concept of being obedient to God and my parents. However, I noticed that as we grow older, we tend to have a mind of our own. We begin to reason irrationally only to satisfy our self-centered and selfish being. And the very famous verse in the bible that says, “ Jesus, died for our sins”, made me think, it is ok to be sinful because Jesus Alayhi Salam will take my sins upon himself. Even worse was to confess my sin to a priest and perform the recommended penance in order for Jesus Alayhi Salam to forgive my sins so that I may enter paradise. It made me think that it was absolutely all right to be intentionally bad. So the concept of fear was replaced by, “ I am me, I am right and I will do as I please”.

“Why do you cover? Aren’t you warm in that outfit? I would think you have beautiful hair.” The inquiring mind continued to babble with curiosity. I went on by saying that my hair is indeed beautiful and that was why I chose to cover my hair in order to avoid the nasty evil looks and whistles from disrespectful men that I find very offensive. Covering myself from head to toe has a medical benefit against ultra violet rays, which can cause a type of skin cancer called melanoma. Our normal body temperature changes for many reasons and the type of clothing that we are accustomed to entirely depends on our adaptability to the environment that surrounds us. The inquiring mind became more interested.

“I find Islam to be a harsh religion. I have heard scary verses from the Quran, which the preacher in our church shares in his Sunday sermon. I often read or hear too much negativity and violence from the media. I do not see many rights given to the Muslim Women. Why do Muslims have to do this and that? I find too much ritualistic practices that seem to be such a burden and hindrance to our normal ways of life”, she continued to babble, grin and shake her head while I sat patiently listening and about ready to grin myself.

I sensed finally that she had no further questions so I began to ask if she had ever seen or read the Holy Qur’an? I continued to ask her if she has ever personally acquainted herself with any Muslim? I finally asked her how much she knew about Islam other than the views she got from the media? She was honest enough to respond No or None to my questions.

There are numerous astonishing misconceptions about Islam. None Muslims find us peculiarly different perhaps even weird to some extent. These differences not only bring about curiosity but also make thousands upon thousands of people revert to Islam each year thus by far making Islam the second largest religion in the world. But an inquiring mind such as yours gives Muslims an opportunity to impart [daw’ah] the message of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhi wa’salam and all the Prophets of Allah before him, which is to submit to Ilah’Allah [One God].

Islam not only teaches us a comprehensive way of life but also prepares us for the life in the Hereafter. Islam teaches us to understand the true nature of God and behooves us to repulse the worldly evil desires that cloud our very limited cognizance. Let us not underestimate the tricky evil temptations that strike one when you least expect it. We are so caught up in these worldly affairs thinking that this is all what matters.

“Beautiful is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allah’s Orders and keep away from what He has forbidden will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favours, Honours on the of Resurrection) to whom He will without limit.” 2:212

“And fear the Day (of Judgment) when no person shall avail another, nor shall compensation be accepted from him, nor shall intercession be of use to him, nor shall they be helped”. [2:123]

A Muslim woman is ordered by Allah Subhanawa’Allah to be chaste, modest and to cover herself. This is the basic meaning of our hijabs [coverings]. It not only pertains to our outer coverings but to internally guarding our moral values avoiding to be the catalyst of one of the many social evils that we currently see in these days among so many women. Muslim men are equally ordered the same provisions. This is not a new practice but practiced by the Mothers of Believers [the Wives and Companions of our Prophet Muhammad, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him].

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (example from looking at forbidden things). And protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (example like the palm of your hands or one eye or both eyes, for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.). And to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons and brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons or their (Muslim) women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers that you may be successful. [Holy Qur’an 18:30-31]

“The more you know, the more you fear…the less you know the less you fear”, I said. A Muslim who continuously seeks to advance his or her knowledge in Islam, remain conscious of Allah Subhanawata’Allah thus by far makes her or him a God fearing individual. A believing Muslim begins to recognize that a matter so small even though it may benefit us for whatever reason may also be potentially dangerous, harmful and not permissible. The fear of Allah in this regard is defined in Islam as Taqwa. For every action there is an equivalent reaction according to the Law of Physics. This is substantiated in the Holy Qur’an:

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it.” [99:7-8]

“O you believe! Fear Allah and let every soul see what he has sent forward for tomorrow. Fear Allah! For verily Allah is aware of the things you do”. [Holy Qur’an 5: 18]

“O you who believe! Fear Allâh, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)”. [Holy Qur’an 9:119]

Attentively and with much interest she quietly listened. She came closer and sat beside me as I continued to read more verses pertaining to the subject. In the end, the inquiring mind this time smiled and asked, “ Where can I get the Qur’an? Thank you so much for you time. This is indeed very interesting. I would like to learn more about Islam and hoped that you would help me.”

The inquiring mind began to study. The inquiring mind began to seek knowledge. The inquiring mind later became a Muslim. How many more inquiring minds out there like her and myself began to learn the concept of fearing Allah Subhanawa’Allah?

Isn’t it apparent with the increasing number of reverts?

Khadijah Potter

[img:75a68bb33f]http://www.islamicimagery.com/islamicforum/images/cdkp.jpg[/img:75a68bb33f]www.islamicimagery.com

:::::::::::::::::::::::

Feel free to share my article in hopes that it serves an inspiration to all individuals seeking to understand Islam.

:::::::::::::::::::::::

Tafseer of Soorah al-Fatihah

Imaam Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeetee rahimahullaah

Taken from Adwaa ul-Bayaan and Translated by Abu Rumaysah

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[i:a3abd464e9]Note: any comments preceded by (ins) are taken from Vol. 10 of Adwaa al-Bayaan in which the author discusses apparent inconsistencies in Qur`aanic verses. I have included them because we find some orientalists using these verses in an attempt to shed doubt into the hearts of the Muslims. Any comments surrounded by [] are taken from other tafseers.[/i:a3abd464e9]]

Surah al-Fatihah

[b:a3abd464e9]1) With the Name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 2) All the praises and thanks are for Allaah the Lord of the Universe. 3) The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful. 4) Master of the Day of Recompense. 5) You Alone we worship, and You Alone we ask for help. 6) Guide us to the Straight Path. 7) The Path of those on whom You have bestowed your grace, not the Path of those who earned your Anger, nor of those that went astray[/size:a3abd464e9].[/b:a3abd464e9]

·

The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'all the praises and thanks are for Allaah[/b:a3abd464e9]': there is no mention here as to when this praise is said or from where this praise comes from, but in Surah Rum there is mention that from amongst the 'where's' are the heavens and the earth - in His saying, 'and His is all the praises and thanks in the heavens and the earth.' (30:18 ). And in Surah Qasas there is mention that from amongst the 'when's' are in this world and in the Hereafter - in His sayings,

[b:a3abd464e9]'And He is Allaah, none has the right to be worshipped besides Him. To Him belongs all praise in the beginning (i.e. this world) and in the end (i.e.the Hereafter)[/b:a3abd464e9].' (28:70).

And He said in the beginning of Surah Saba'a,

[b:a3abd464e9]'His is all the praise in the Hereafter, and He is the All-Wise, All-Aware.'[/b:a3abd464e9] (34:1).

The Alif and Laam (i.e. the definite article 'the') in al-Hamd is so as to include all the different manners of praise, and it is an extolling with which Allaah has praised Himself and ordered His servants to praise Him with.

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'the Lord of the Universe (Aalameen)[/b:a3abd464e9]': there is no explanation here as to what al-Aalameen is but this is explained in another place with His saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'Pharaoh said: and what is the Lord of the Aalameen? He (Moses) said: the Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them[/b:a3abd464e9].' (26:23-24)

Some of the scholars stated that al-Aalam (world, pl. aalameen) is derived from al-Allaamah (sign) because the existence of the world is a sign, without doubt, of the existence of it's Creator who is described with perfect and magnificent Attributes. The Exalted said,

'Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the change of the night and day are signs (Aayaat) for the people of understanding.' And in the language ayah means allaamah.

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'The Most Beneficent (ar-Rahmaan), The Most Merciful (ar-Raheem)[/b:a3abd464e9]': these are two descriptions of Allaah the Exalted, and two of the Names from amongst His Beautiful Names, derived from ar-Rahma (Mercy) in a way to express intense and exaggerated meanings. And ar-Rahmaan is more intense than ar-Raheem because ar-Rahmaan is the one endowed with Mercy which extends to all of the creations in this world and to the believers in the Hereafter, and ar-Raheem is the One endowed with Mercy which extends to only the believers on the Day of Judgement - this being the understanding of the majority of the scholars. And from the discussion of ibn Jareer (at-Tabaree) one can understand that there is an agreement on this, and the tafseer of some of the salaf lends weight to this understanding as was stated by ibn Katheer, and the narration reported from Eesa, as mentioned by ibn Katheer and others, also indicates this - that he (upon him and our Prophet be peace and blessings) said, [i:a3abd464e9]'ar-Rahmaan: the One Who shows Mercy in this world and the Hereafter. Ar-Raheem: the One Who shows Mercy in the Hereafter.[/i:a3abd464e9]'{1}

And Allaah the Exalted also points to what we have mentioned when He said, [b:a3abd464e9]'then He rose over the Throne, ar-Rahmaan[/b:a3abd464e9]' (25:59) and when He said, [b:a3abd464e9]'ar-Rahmaan rose over the Throne'[/b:a3abd464e9].(20:5) So he mentioned the Istawaa (Rising over the Throne) with His Name ar-Rahmaan so as to embrace the whole of His creation with his Mercy as was stated by ibn Katheer{2}. And likewise is His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except ar-Rahmaan'[/b:a3abd464e9] (67:19) meaning: from his Mercy to His creation is his kindness to the birds and His holding them in the sky while they are spreading out their wings and folding them in. And from the clearest evidences pertaining to this is His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'ar-Rahmaan. He taught the Qur'aan...So which of the favours of your Lord will you two deny[/b:a3abd464e9]?' (55:1-13)

And He said, [b:a3abd464e9]'and He is Ever Most Merciful (Raheem) to the believers[/b:a3abd464e9]' (33:43) and hence particularised His name ar-Raheem to them. So if it said: 'how is it possible to reconcile what you have thusfar established with his (SAW) saying in the du'aa, 'the Rahmaan of the world and the Hereafter and the Raheem of them'? {3} The obvious reply - and Allaah knows best - is that ar-Raheem is specific to the believers as we have mentioned, but it is not specified to them in the Hereafter alone, rather His Mercy to them is included in this world as well. So the meaning of 'the Raheem of them' would be 'His Mercy to the believers in them'. And the evidence that He is Raheem to the believers in this world as well (as the Hereafter) is that this is the literal meaning of His, the Exalted's saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'He is the One who sends His Blessings (salaah) upon you, and His Angels so as to lead you out of the darkness to the light, and He is Ever Most Merciful (Raheem) to the believers.[/b:a3abd464e9]' (33:43)

Because His salaah upon them, the salaah of His Angels and His leading them out of the darkness to the light is Mercy to them in this world, even though it be the reason for Mercy in the Hereafter as well. And similar to this in meaning is His saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar who followed him in the time of distress after the hearts of a group of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly He is Full of Kindness to them, Most Merciful (Raheem[/b:a3abd464e9]).' (9:117)

For the Mercy is linked to the event that befell the Prophet, the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar, and also His forgiving them was Mercy in this world even though it be the reason for Mercy in the Hereafter as well. And the Knowledge (of what is correct) lies with Allaah.

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'Master of the Day of Recompense (Deen)[/b:a3abd464e9]': There is no explanation here (as to what the Day of Deen is), but this is explained in His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'And what will make you comprehend what the Day of Deen is? Again what will make you comprehend what the Day of Deen is? It is the Day when no person shall have power (to do) anything for another[/b:a3abd464e9].' (83:17-19).

And the meaning of Deen in the verse is recompense, as can be seen in His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'on that Day Allaah will pay them their deen in truth'[/b:a3abd464e9] (24:25) meaning: the recompense of their actions with complete justice.

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'You Alone we worship'[/b:a3abd464e9]: Indicating in this noble verse to the realisation of the meaning of Laa ilaaha illaa Allaah (there is none worthy of worship except for Allaah) for it's meaning is comprised of two matters: negation and affirmation. So the negation aspect means to remove every single object of worship apart from Allaah in all the actions of worship, and the affirmation aspect means to single out the Lord of the heavens and the earth Alone for all matters of worship in the way that has been legislated by the Sharee'ah.

This negation in the laa ilaaha illaa Allaah was indicated by placing the object of worship first in the verse hence, 'You Alone', and it is established in 'al-Usul' under the discussion on 'Daleel al-Khitaab Alladhee huwa Mafhum al-Mukhaalafa', and in 'al-Ma'aanee' under the discussion of 'al-Qasr': that placing the object first (in a sentence) is one if the ways of confining (the meaning of the verb to the object alone).

And the affirmation part of the kalima was indicated in His saying, 'we worship'.

And He, the Exalted, explained this meaning which is indicated here in detail elsewhere. For example His saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'O Mankind! Worship your Lord who created you' [/b:a3abd464e9](2:21)

Clarifying the affirmation aspect with his words, 'worship your Lord' and the negation aspect at the end of this noble verse with His words, [b:a3abd464e9]'so do not set up rivals with Allaah while you know[/b:a3abd464e9]' (2:22). And for example His saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'We have indeed sent a Messenger to every people saying: worship Allaah and leave all that is worshipped besides Allaah' [/b:a3abd464e9](16:36)

Clarifying the affirmation with His words, 'worship Allaah' and the negation with His words, 'and leave all that is worshipped besides Allaah'. And for example His saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'And whosoever rejects all that is worshipped besides Allaah and believes in Allaah has held onto the most trustworthy handhold' [/b:a3abd464e9](2:256) Clarifying the negation with his words, 'whosoever rejects all that is worshipped besides Allaah' and the affirmation with His words, 'and believes in Allaah'. And for example His sayings,

[b:a3abd464e9]'And when Abraham said to his father and his people: Indeed I am free of what you worship except He who created me[/b:a3abd464e9]' (43:26-27)

[b:a3abd464e9]'And We did not send a Messenger before you except that We revealed to him: that there is none worthy of worship but Me, so worship Me[/b:a3abd464e9]' (21:25)

[b:a3abd464e9]'Ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides Allaah' [/b:a3abd464e9](43:45) And other verses.

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'You Alone we ask for help'[/b:a3abd464e9]: meaning that we do not seek aid from anyone but You because the command / affair in it's totality is under Your control Alone, no one else has even an atoms weight of control over it. And in this statement's following His saying, 'You Alone we worship ' lies an indication that it is not permissible to put our trust in anyone except the One that deserves worship because no one else has control over the command / affair. This meaning which is indicated here is clearly explained in other verses, like His sayings,

[b:a3abd464e9]'So worship Him and put your trust in Him' [/b:a3abd464e9](12:123)

[b:a3abd464e9]'But if they turn away, say: Allaah is sufficient for me, none has the right to be worshipped but Him, in Him I put my trust'[/b:a3abd464e9] (9:129)

[b:a3abd464e9]'The Lord of the East and the West, none deserves to be worshipped but Him, so take Him as the Disposer of your affairs'[/b:a3abd464e9] (73:9)

'Say: [b:a3abd464e9]He is the Most Beneficent, we have believed in Him and put our trust in Him' [/b:a3abd464e9](67:29)

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'the path of those whom You have favoured[/b:a3abd464e9]': there is no explanation here as to who are the ones that have been favoured, but this is explained in another place with His saying,

[b:a3abd464e9]'And whosoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger then they will be in the company of those that Allaah has favoured: of the Prophets, the Truthful Ones (Siddeeq), the Martyrs and the Righteous - what an excellent company[/b:a3abd464e9]!' (4:69).

Addendum 1: the correctness of the khaleefate of Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq (RA) can be derived from this noble verse because he is included amongst those that Allaah has commanded us, in the Great Qur'aan and the Seven Oft-Repeated Verses - I mean al-Faatihah, to ask Him that He guide us to their path thus indicating that their path is the Straight Path.

This lies in His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'guide us to the Straight Path, the Path of those whom You have favoured[/b:a3abd464e9]' and He explained who these favoured people were and included amongst them the Siddeeqeen. And he (SAW) explained that Abu Bakr (RA) was from amongst the Siddeeqeen, so it becomes clear that he is included amongst those that Allaah has favoured - those that Allaah has commanded us to ask Him to guide us to their path. So there remains no doubt that Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq was upon the Straight Path and that his khilaafate was correct.

Addendum 2: you have come to know that the Siddeeqeen are from those that Allaah has favoured. And Allaah has made clear that Maryam the daughter of Imraan was a Siddeeqa in His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'and His mother was a Siddeeqa' [/b:a3abd464e9](5:75). So is Maryam included in His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'those whom you have favoured'[/b:a3abd464e9] or not? The answer: whether or not she is included amongst them is dependent upon a foundational principle which has a well known dispute over it. This is - does the sound masculine plural and it's likes which occurs in the Qur'aan and the Sunnah include the feminine gender in all cases or only in those cases for which there is a specific evidence?

A group of scholars took to the opinion that it does - so according to them Maryam is included in the above verse. And these scholars depended upon two proofs:

1. The consensus of the people of the Arabic Language that the masculine gender takes prevalence over the feminine.{4}

2. There a number of verses which prove that the females are included in the sound masculine plural, like His saying concerning Maryam herself, [b:a3abd464e9]'she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord and His Books, and she was of those obedient to Allaah (Qaaniteen - a sound masculine plural)[/b:a3abd464e9]' (66:12), and His saying concerning the wife of al-Azeez, [b:a3abd464e9]'O Yusuf! Turn away from this! (O Woman!) Ask forgiveness for your sin, indeed your were of the sinful (Khaati'een - a sound masculine plural)[/b:a3abd464e9]' (12:29), and His saying concerning Bilqees, [b:a3abd464e9]'And that which she used to worship besides Allaah has prevented her (from Islaam), for she was of a disbelieving people (Qawm Kaafireen)[/b:a3abd464e9]' (27:43), and His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'We said: get down (ihbitoo) all of you from this' [/b:a3abd464e9](2:38 ) and this includes Hawaa by consensus. And the majority of scholars took to the opinion that the females are not included in the sound masculine plural unless there is a specific evidence, and they depended upon a number of verses like His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'indeed the male Muslims and the female Muslims, the male believers and the female believers. Allaah has prepared for them a forgiveness and a great reward[/b:a3abd464e9]', and His saying, [b:a3abd464e9]'Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protecttheir private parts. That is purer for them[/b:a3abd464e9]' (24:30) following this with, [b:a3abd464e9]'and tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts' [/b:a3abd464e9](24:31). So their following the mention of the men indicates that they are not included amongst them. And they replied to the proponents of the first opinion by saying that the fact that the masculine gender takes prevalence over the feminine is not a matter of dispute. What is disputed is whether the masculine plural includes the females in every case. And they replied to the verses (the first group) used by saying that it is known by the context of these verses and the meaning of the wordings that the females are included in the male plural - and that their inclusion in the male plural in the case of their being an evidence that they are included is not contended.

So according to this opinion Maryam is not included in the verse.

And this difference of opinion was pointed out in 'Maraaqee as-Sa'ud' with his saying:

'There is nothing untoward in including the feminine (amongst the masculine gender) For this is a matter in which the Muslims have differed'

· The saying of the Exalted, [b:a3abd464e9]'not the Path of those who have earned Your Anger, nor of those that went astray'[/b:a3abd464e9]: the majority of the scholars of tafseer said that [b:a3abd464e9]'those who have earned Your Anger' [/b:a3abd464e9]are the Jews, and [b:a3abd464e9]'those that went astray' [/b:a3abd464e9]are the Christians, and their is the hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (SAW) reported from Adee bin Haatim (RA) concerning this{5}. And the Jews and the Christians even though both of them are misguided and both of them have Allaah's Anger on them - the Anger is specified to the Jews, even though the Christians share this with them, because the Jews knew the truth and rejected it and deliberately came with falsehood, so the Anger (of Allaah being upon them) was the description most befitting them. And the Christians were ignorant, not knowing the truth, so misguidance was the description most befitting them.

So with this the saying of Allaah, [b:a3abd464e9]'so they have drawn on themselves anger upon anger' [/b:a3abd464e9](2:90) clarifies that the Jews are those that [b:a3abd464e9]'have earned your Anger'[/b:a3abd464e9]. And likewise His sayings,

[b:a3abd464e9]'Say: shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allaah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allaah and His Anger' [/b:a3abd464e9](5:60)

"[b:a3abd464e9]Indeed those who took the calf (for worship), anger from their Lord and humiliation will come upon them' [/b:a3abd464e9](7:152).

And the saying of Allaah,

[b:a3abd464e9]'And do not follow the vain desires of people (i.e. the Christians) who went astray in times gone by, and misled many, and have themselves strayed from the Straight Path' [/b:a3abd464e9](5:77)

Clarifies that it is the Christians who are astray.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOOTNOTES:

{1} Ibn al-Jawzee includes this hadeeth in his 'Mawdoo'aat' (1/204) saying, "it's (chain of narration) contains Ismaa'eel bin Ayaash who was declared to be da'eef by an-Nasaa'ee. It also contains Ismaa'eel bin Yahya about whom ad-Daaruqutnee said: a liar, abandoned." It also contains Atiyyah bin Sa'd who is a Mudallis, a Shee'ee, truthful but has many mistakes. [the footnotes of Muqbil bin Haadee to ibn Katheer (1/37 fn.1)

{2} This is because the Throne of Allaah is far greater than the expanse of the Heavens and the Earth, and Allaah is Above the Throne. So His mentioning His Name of ar-Rahmaan with respect to the Throne is implying that the effects of this name are true for the whole of creation - Muslim or non-Muslim.

{3} Al-Haakim declared this to be saheeh in 'al-Mustadrak' (1/515) and adh-Dhahabee followed this up saying, "al-Hakm (one of the narrators) is not trustworthy." Al-Haafidh al-Mundhiree said in 'at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb' (2/616), "reported by al-Bazzaar, al-Haakim, al-Asbahaanee all via the route of al-Hakm bin Abdullaah al-Aylee and al-Haakim said, 'saheeh chain of narration'. How can this be when al-Hakm is abandoned and accused." [ibid. 1/43 fn.1]

{4} For example a mixed gathering of males and females would be referred to by using the male plural not the female plural even if their be more females than males.

{5} The hadeeth is: Adee bin Haatim said, "I asked the Messenger of Allaah (SAW) about Allaah's saying about, 'those who have earned Your Anger', and He said: it refers to the Jews. And I asked about, 'those who have gone astray' and he said: the Christians are those that have gone astray." Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Ahmad and it is saheeh.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source :http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/quran/0007.htm

[i:a3abd464e9]May Allah guide us and all muslims and save us from the hell fire.[/i:a3abd464e9]

[b:90aaf480aa]In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful[/size:90aaf480aa][/b:90aaf480aa]

After knowing the outlets of the arabic letters it will be easier inshallah to read arabic words. The first thing to learn before starting any other lesson is Surah Al-Fatih for it's the opening of the Quran and without it the prayer is invalid.

[b:90aaf480aa]Surah Al-Fatiha[/b:90aaf480aa]

[b:90aaf480aa]1. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

2. الحمد لله رب العالمين

3. الرحمـن الرحيم

4. مـلك يوم الدين

5. إياك نعبد وإياك نستعين

6. اهدنــــا الصراط المستقيم

7. صراط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين [/b:90aaf480aa]

[i:90aaf480aa][b:90aaf480aa]1. Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

2. Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena

3. Alrrahmani alrraheemi

4. Maliki yawmi alddeeni

5. Iyyaka naAAbudu wa-iyyaka nastaAAeenu

6. Ihdina alssirata almustaqeema

7. Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala alddalleena[/b:90aaf480aa][/i:90aaf480aa]

[b:90aaf480aa]001.001

YUSUFALI: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

PICKTHAL: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

SHAKIR: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

001.002

YUSUFALI: Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

PICKTHAL: Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

SHAKIR: All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

001.003

YUSUFALI: Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

PICKTHAL: The Beneficent, the Merciful.

SHAKIR: The Beneficent, the Merciful.

001.004

YUSUFALI: Master of the Day of Judgment.

PICKTHAL: Master of the Day of Judgment,

SHAKIR: Master of the Day of Judgment.

001.005

YUSUFALI: Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

PICKTHAL: Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.

SHAKIR: Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.

001.006

YUSUFALI: Show us the straight way,

PICKTHAL: Show us the straight path,

SHAKIR: Keep us on the right path.

001.007

YUSUFALI: The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

PICKTHAL: The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.

SHAKIR: The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray[/b:90aaf480aa].

This is a link that will help with the recitation of the Surah.

http://islam.emiratech.net/quran.htm.

[i:90aaf480aa]May Allah guide us and all Muslims and save us from the hell fire.[/i:90aaf480aa]

[b:94533a715c]In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful[/size:94533a715c][/b:94533a715c]

To be able to recite the Quran correctly you need to pronounce each letter from its correct outlet otherwise you could be mistaken. In total there are 17 outlets ,however there are 5 main outlets which are the [b:94533a715c]pharyngeal abdomen ,throat ,tongue ,lips ,nose[/b:94533a715c]. To be able to know the outlet of a letter all you need to do is to pronounce it with first putting Hamzat al wasal(همزة الوصل) in front of the letter and then putting Sukoon on top or Shadah as shown in the pictures below for example: go to number 3 and press on the letter in the green box the circle that appears on the top is called Sukoon(سكون) and if you double click you will see what is called shadah(شدة) on top, the place where the sound ends is the outlet. The link below is showing some of the letters all you have to do is to press on the green box.

http://www.islamschool.com/RIDA/outletes.htmI

n the Arabic alphabet there are in total 28 letters , each letter has an outlet however sometimes more than one letter share the same outlet as you will see below.

1. [b:94533a715c]The Throat [/b:94533a715c]:- there are 3 outlets in the throat and in total the throat is the outlet for 6 letters.

• The extreme end of the throat on the chest side and it’s the outlet for الهمزة(أ and الهاء(ه.

• The middle of the throat and it’s the outlet for العين(ع) and الحاء(ح .

• The beginning of the throat on the mouth side and it’s the outlet for الغين(غ and الخاء(خ .

2. [b:94533a715c]The Tongue[/b:94533a715c]:- there are 10 outlets on the tongue and in total the tongue is the outlet for 18 letters.

• The extreme end of the tongue that is after the throat and meets with the upper palate and it’s the outlet for القاف(ق .

• The extreme end of the tongue a little bit beneath the outlet of القاف(ق and it’s the outlet for الكاف(ك .

• The middle of the tongue and what corresponds to it at the upper palate and it’s the outlet for(ش )الجيم(ج), الشين and الياء(ي .

• From either side of the tongue or both and what corresponds with the upper molars and it’s the outlet for الضاد(ض) .

• Between the 2 sides of the tongue after the outlet of الضاد(ض) and what corresponds to them from the gums of the upper first incisors and it’s the outlet for اللام(ل ,and this letters has the widest outlet.

• Between the tip of the tongue and what corresponds to it from the gums of the first incisors and it’s the outlet for النون(ن .

• Between the tip of the tongue with its back side also that which is after the tip and what corresponds to them from the gums of the top 2 first incisors and it’s the outlet for الراء (ر .

• Between the tip of the back of the tongue and what corresponds to them from the gums of the top first incisors and it’s the outlet for الدال (د), التاء (ت and الطاء(ط .

• From the tip of the tongue and between the lower first incisors and it’s the outlet for الصاد(ص),الزاى(ز) and السين(س) .

• Between the tip of the tongue and the tip of the upper first incisors and it’s the outlet for الذال(ذ),الثاء(ث and الظاء(ظ) .

3. [b:94533a715c]The Lips[/b:94533a715c]:- and it has 2 detailed outlets and in total it’s the outlet for 3 letters.

• The inner side of the bottom lower lip and the tips of the upper first incisors and it’s the outlet for الفاء (ف.

• Between the 2 lips when they meet it’s the outlet for الميم (م and الباء (ب and when they open for الواو (و.

4. [b:94533a715c]The Nose[/b:94533a715c]:- the method that will enable a person to know an outlet of a letter was mentioned at the first paragraph . Furthermore there are 2 letters, one is النون(نand if you put sukoon(سكون) on top of this letter it’s outlet then becomes the Nose .The second letter is الميم(م if you put Shadah(شدة) on top of this letter then it’s outlet becomes the Nose.

[b:94533a715c][i:94533a715c]Those are the outlets for the 28 main letters; however we must keep in mind that Arabic letters are not like English letters and some of the Arabic letters can exist in more than one form and this change in form causes change of outlet sometimes. However for now the outlets for the 28 main letters are all that is needed. The main aim of knowing those outlets is that it will help the person to have better understanding of the Arabic letters and how to pronounce them correctly[/i:94533a715c].[/b:94533a715c]

[i:94533a715c]May Allah guide us and all muslims and save us from the hell fire.[/i:94533a715c]

[u:94533a715c][b:94533a715c]Note:- any corrections or comments from my brothers and sisters in faith are welcome. Jazakom Allaho Khairan[/b:94533a715c][/u:94533a715c]

[i:b7dc4035a4][u:b7dc4035a4]Written by AMY [/u:b7dc4035a4][/i:b7dc4035a4]

Perhaps one in sorrow is likely to recall the past. One scene after the other passes through my mind today as if showing a film—thinking of the gathering at Id al-Fitr, thinking of the brothers and sisters that day. Though it is not long, I miss it so much—a true Muslim gathering.

Finishing salat al-Fajr, we several sisters started to busy with preparing a meal. Before long, one by one arrived, stretching head into the kitchen, salaaming to each other, and catching sight of what was going on inside. Feeling so friendly and kindly though some of us didn’t know the others. It made us forget fatigue at all even we had busied from morning to afternoon—so gratified to see everybody having a good meal. Then we washed up together and practiced noon prayer together with brothers in the living room while sisters in another room. That feeling was terribly nice.

I had taken part in many parties and gatherings, but none of them were between Muslims. Perhaps all here were young people so that we had no difficulty to communicate and had a good time that day. We were so grateful to Brother S, whom provided a chance for us all to get together. Brother S said that for many young brothers and sisters if you instructed religion and faith directly, in reality it should bring no effect at all. However, using a mild and indirect way may produce pretty good result. As that day, not all the participants did very well in religion—many of them merely know he or she was a descendant of Muslim，or Muslim by birth. But, just at that day, he or she felt and enjoyed the happiness between Muslim brothers and sisters—even some sisters were just standing aside and looking on. Brother S said, as a matter of fact, he or she was touched and even awed by the sight, and from that day on might start to pray. After all, we were all Huis—a Muslim minority. At the moment, your prayer set a wonderful example for those who didn’t— much effective than pure sermon.

After my prayer, watching the brothers at the living room contentedly, I am deeply moved by the true Muslim gathering for not having taken part in such one long. In the hustle and bustle of city life, we need purify our soul and need gathering of Muslims at intervals to carry out a sweeping for soul rather than wasting time on non-Muslim parties, which has nothing to learn from and leaves us nothing but emptiness after merrymaking and spree.

A moment ago, I received Brother S’s call informing me of another gathering in this weekend. Hopefully it comes earlier.

Salam alikom

Can you please tell me how to post an image I see Img on the top when creating a post but how to use it and what if the picture is in my documents??

Thank you

Salam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Au nom d’Allah, le tout Miséricordieux, le très Miséricordieux.

Apprends – qu’Allah te soit clément – que nous devons connaître quatre bases :

1) La connaissance : c’est de connaître Allah, connaître son Prophète et de connaître la religion de l’Islam à travers des preuves sûres.

2) La pratique basée sur ces connaissances.

3) La propagation de ces connaissances.

4) L’Endurance des difficultés qui peuvent en résulter.

La preuve est la parole d’Allah:{والعصر إن الإنسان لفي خسر. إلا الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات وتواصوا بالحق وتواصوا بالصبر} سورة العصر.

“ Au nom d’Allah le tout Miséricordieux, le très Miséricordieux. Par le temps ! L’homme est certes, en perdition, sauf ceux qui croient et accomplissent les bonnes œuvres, s’enjoignent mutuellement la vérité et s’enjoignent mutuellement l’endurance.’’ [s.103]

L’Imam Ash-Shafeei – Qu’Allah lui soit clément – a dit : “Si Allah n’avait révélé aucune preuve à ses créatures à l’exception de cette Sourate, ça leur aurait été suffisant.’’ Et l’Imam Bukhari – Qu’Allah lui soit clément – a dit: ‘‘(chapitre): La connaissance avant la parole et l’action; en voici la preuve :

فاعلم أنه لا إله إلا الله واستغفر لذنبك وللمؤمنين والمؤمنات والله يعلم متقلبكم ومثواكم

[محمد الآية 19]

‘‘ Sache donc qu’en vérité, il n’y a point de divinité à part Allah et implore le pardon pour ton péché ’’ [s.47-V.19]

Allah a commencé par la connaissance avant la parole et l’action.’’

Apprends – Qu’Allah te soit clément – que tout musulman et musulmane doit apprendre et pratiquer ces trois principes :

(1) Allah nous a créé, nous a procuré notre subsistance et nous a pas négligé, mais il nous a envoyé un messager. Celui qui l’obéit entre au Paradis et celui qui le désobéit est admis en Enfer. Car Dieu dit :

- إنا أرسلنا إليكم رسولا شاهدا عليكم كما أرسلنا إلى فرعون رسولا

- فعصى فرعون الرسول فأخذناه أخذا وبيلا

[المزمل الآية 15 و 16]

“ Nous vous avons envoyé un Messager pour être témoin contre vous de même que nous avions envoyé un Messager à Pharaon. Pharaon désobéit alors au Messager. Nous le saisîmes donc rudement. ” [s.73-V.15,16]

(2) Allah ne tolère jamais qu’Il lui soit associé dans son adoration une autre divinité, que ce soit un ange rapproché ou un prophète envoyé. La preuve est la parole d’Allah :

وأن المساجد لله فلا تدعوا مع الله أحدا

الجن الآية 18

“ Les mosquées sont consacrées à Allah : n’invoquez donc personne avec Allah. ” [s.72-V.18]

(3) Celui donc qui obéit au Prophète et croit en l’unicité d’Allah ne doit jamais se lier avec celui qui s’oppose à Allah et à son Messager. La preuve est la parole d’Allah : لا تجد قوما يؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر يوادون من حاد الله ورسوله ولو كانوا آباءهم أو أبناءهم أو إخوانهم أو عشيرتهم أولئك كتب في قلوبهم الإيمان وأيدهم بروح منه ويدخلهم جنات تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها رضي الله عنهم ورضوا عنه أولئك حزب الله ألا إن حزب الله هم المفلحون

المجادلة الآية 22

“ Tu n’en trouveras pas, parmi les gens qui croient en Allah et au Jour dernier, qui prennent pour amis ceux qui s’opposent à Allah et à son Messager, fussent-ils leurs pères, leurs fils, leurs frères ou les gens de leur tribu. Il a prescrit la foi dans leurs cœurs et Il les a aidés de Son secours. Il les fera entrer dans des Jardins sous lesquels coulent les ruisseaux, où ils demeureront éternellement. Allah les agrée et ils L’agréent. Ceux-la sont le parti d’Allah. Le parti d’Allah est celui de ceux qui réussissent. ” [s.58-V.22]

Apprends – qu’Allah te guide vers Son obéissance – que ‘ Al-Hanifiyyah’, ( la croyance d’Ibrahim ) consiste à adorer Allah seul et être fidèle à sa religion. Ce sont les prescriptions d’Allah à tous les êtres humains, et c’est la raison pour laquelle Il les a créés, ainsi a dit Allah :

{وما خلقت الجن والإنس إلا ليعبدون} الذاريات الآية 56

“ je n’ai créé les djinns et les hommes que pour qu’ils m’adorent. ” [s.51-V.56]

Le mot ليعبدون “ qu’ils m’adorent ” signifie : témoigner que je suis unique. Le commandement majeur d’Allah est le Monothéisme qui est d’adorer un seul et unique Dieu ( Allah ); de même, Allah a interdit le Polythéisme qui signifie d’adorer d’autres dieux avec Lui (Allah). La preuve est la parole d’Allah:

{واعبدوا اللّه ولا تشركوا به شيئاً } النساء الآية 36

“ Adorer Allah et ne lui donner aucun associé ” [s.4-V.36]

To Download The Book Use This Link

http://www.iu.edu.sa/islam/downloads/UsalTh/french.zip

by Yvonne Ridley

Wednesday, March 05, 2003

[Courtesy of Q-News]

Islam is by far the most misunderstood religion in the world today thanks to centuries of medieval-style propaganda successfully peddled by bigots and Christian zealots. So I should not have been entirely surprised by the almost hysterical reaction in the mainstream media to news that I am considering becoming a Muslim. Some of the comments were bitchy and snide, other journalists asked me stupid questions showing a distinct lack of research or understanding. One even accused me of suffering from Stockholm Syndrome as a result of spending ten days in the hands of the Taliban!

My spiritual journey, like that for many converts/reverts, was meant to be a personal affair between myself and God. Sadly it has now become a very public issue and so I have decided to share with Q-News readers my feelings and thoughts on Islam to prevent any more misunderstandings or misconceptions.

Yes, my journey did begin in the unlikely surrounds of an Afghan prison where I was being held by the Taliban facing charges of entering their country illegally disguised in the all-enveloping burqa. One day, during my captivity, I was visited by a religious cleric who asked me what I thought of Islam and if I would like to convert. I was terrified. For five days I had managed to avoid the subject of religion in a country led by Islamic extremists. If I gave the wrong response, I had convinced myself I would be stoned to death. After careful thought I thanked the cleric for his generous offer and said it was difficult for me to make such a life-changing decision while I was in prison. However, I did make a promise that if I was released I would study Islam on my return to London. My reward for such a reply was being sent to a ghastly jail in Kabul where I was locked up with six Christian fanatics who faced charges of trying to convert Muslims to their faith. (After being bombarded with their bible readings, happy-clappy Christian songs and prayers twice a day, I think we can discount the accusations of Stockholm Syndrome).

Several days later I was released unharmed on humanitarian grounds on the orders of Mullah Omar, the Taliban's one-eyed spiritual leader. My captors had treated me with courtesy and respect and so, in turn, I kept my word and set out to study their religion. It was supposed to be an academic study but as I became more engrossed with each page I turned I became more impressed with what I read. I turned to several eminent Islamic academics, including Dr Zaki Badawi, for advice and instruction. I was even given several books by the notorious Sheikh Abu Hamza AI-Masri whom I spoke to after sharing a platform at an Oxford Union debate. This latter snippet was seized upon by some sections of the media in such a ridiculous fashion that outsiders might have thought I was going to open a madrassa for AI-Qaeda recruits from my flat in Soho!

Thankfully the support and understanding I have been given from my brothers and sisters (for I regard them as that) has been unstinting and comforting. Not one of them has put pressure on me to become a Muslim and every convert/revert I've spoken to has told me to take my time. One of the big turning points for me happened earlier this year when the Israelis began shelling The Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, one of the most precious monuments for Christians. Every year thousands of school children re-enact the Nativity at Christmas time, a potent symbol of Christianity. Yet, not one Church of England leader publicly denounced the Israelis for their attack. Our Prime Minister Tony Blair, who loves to be pictured coming out of church surrounded by his family, espousing Christian values, was silent. Only the Pope had the guts to condemn this atrocity. I was shocked and saddened and felt there was no backbone in my religious leaders. At least with Islam I need no mediator or conduit to rely upon, I can have a direct line with God anytime I want.

While I feel under no pressure to convert/revert by Muslims, the real pressure to walk away from Islam has come from some friends and journalists who like to think they're cynical, hard-bitten, hard-drinking, observers of the world. Religion of any form makes them feel uneasy, but Islam, well that's something even worse. You'd think I had made a pact with the devil or wanted to become a grand wizard in the Ku Klux Klan.

Others feared I was being brainwashed and that I would soon be back in my burqa, silenced forever like all Muslim women. This, of course, is nonsense. I have never met so many well-educated, opinionated, outspoken, intelligent, politically aware women in the Muslim groups I have visited throughout the UK. Feminism pales into insignificance when it comes to the sisterhood, which has a strong identity and a loud voice in this country. Yes, it is true that many Muslim women around the world are subjugated, but this has only come about through other cultures hijacking and misinterpreting the Quran (Saudis take note).

I wish I had this knowledge (and I'm still very much a novice) when I was captured by the Taliban because I would have asked them why they treated their own women so badly. The Quran makes it crystal clear that all Muslims, men and women are entirely equal in worth, spirituality and responsibility. Allah ordained equality and fairness for women in education and opportunity. Fair property law and divorce settlements were introduced for Muslim women 1400 years ago; maybe this is where Californian divorce lawyers got their inspiration from in recent years! The Quran could have been written yesterday for today. It could sit very easily with any Green Party manifesto, it is environmentally friendly and it is truely an inspiration for the 21st century, yet not one word has changed since the day it was written, unlike other religious tomes. "It's more punk than punk," musician Aki Nawaz of the band Fun-da-Mental recently told me. And, of course he is right.

Ed Vulliamy in New York profiles the religious figures behind a 'Texanised presidency' who believe war will mean America is respected in the Islamic world

Sunday February 23, 2003

The Observer

Behind President George W. Bush's charge to war against Iraq, there is a carefully devised mission, drawn up by people who work over the shoulders of those whom America calls 'The Principals'.

Lurking in the background behind Bush, his Vice-President, Dick Cheney, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are the people propelling US policy. And behind them, the masterminds of the Bush presidency as it arrived at the White House from Texas, are Karl Rove and Paul Wolfowitz.

It is too simple to explain the upcoming war as 'blood for oil', as did millions of placards last weekend, for Rove and Wolfowitz are ideologists beyond the imperatives of profit. They represent an unlikely and formidable alliance forged between the gritty Texan Republicans who took over America, fuelled by fierce conservative Christianity, and a faction of the East Coast intelligentsia with roots in Ronald Reagan's time, devoted to achieving raw, unilateral power.

Rove and Wolfowitz have worked for decades to reach their moment, and that moment has come as war draws near. Bush calls Rove, depending on his mood, 'Boy Genius' or 'Turd Blossom'. Rove is one of a new political breed - the master craftsmen - nurturing a 24-year political campaign of his own design, but careful not to expose who he really is.

His Christian faith is a weapon of devastating cogency, but he never discusses it; no one knows if his politics are religious or politics are his religion. A Christmas Day child born in Denver, as a boy he had a poster above his bed reading 'Wake Up, America!' As a student, he was a fervent young Republican who pitched himself against the peace movement.

His first bonding with Bush was not over politics, but the two men's ideological and moral distaste for the Sixties - after Bush's born-again conversion from alcoholism to Christianity. Rove was courted by George Bush Snr during his unsuccessful bid to be the Republican presidential candidate for 1980.

But Rove's genius would show later, on Bush senior's election to the White House in 1988, when he co-opted the right-wing Christian Coalition - wary of Bush's lack of theocratic stridency - into the family camp.

Conservative Southern Protestantism was a constituency Bush Jr befriended and kept all the way to Washington, defining both his own political personality and the new-look Republican Party.

When Rove answered the call to come to Texas in 1978, every state office was held by a Democrat. Now, almost all of them are Republican. Every Republican campaign was run by Rove and in 1994 his client - challenging for the state governorship - was a man he knew well: George W. Bush.

'Rove and Bush came to an important strategic conclusion,' writes Lou Dubose, Rove's biographer. 'To govern on behalf of the corporate Right, they would have to appease the Christian Right.'

Bush's six years as Texas governor were a dry run for national domestic policy - steered by Rove - as President: lavish favours to the energy industry, tax breaks for the upper income brackets and social policy driven by evangelical zeal.

Bush had been governor for only a year when, as Rove says, it 'dawned on me' he should run for President; two years later, in 1997, he began secretly planning the campaign. In March 1999, Bush ordered Rove to sell his consulting firm - 'he wanted 120 per cent of his attention,' says a former employee, 'full-time, day and night'.

Rove hatched and ran the presidential campaign, deploying the Bush family Rolodex and the might of the oil industry and unleashing the most vigorous direct-mailing blizzard of all time. 'If the devil is in the details,' writes Dubose, 'he had found Rove waiting to greet him when he got there.'

By the time George W. became President, Rove was the hub of a Texan wheel connecting the family, the party, the Christian Right and the energy industry. A single episode serves as metaphor: during the Enron scandal last year, a shadow was cast over Rove when it was revealed that he had sold $100,000 of Enron stock just before the firm went bankrupt.

More intriguing, however, was the fact that Rove had personally arranged for the former leader of the Christian Coalition, Ralph Reed, to take up a consultancy at Enron - Bush's biggest single financial backer - worth between $10,000 and $20,000 a month.

This was the machine of perpetual motion that Rove built. His accomplishment was the 'Texanisation' of the national Republican Party under the leadership of the Bush family and to take that party back to presidential office after eight years. Rove is unquestionably the most powerful policy adviser in the White House.

Militant Islam was another world from Rove's. However, on 11 September, 2001, it became a new piece of political raw material needing urgent attention. Rove and Bush had been isolationists, wanting as little to do with the Middle East - or any other corner of the planet - as possible. But suddenly there was a new arena in which to work for political results: and, as Rove entered it, he met and was greeted by a group of people who had for years been as busy as he in crafting their political model; this time, the export of unchallenged American power across the world.

Rove in theory has no role in foreign policy, but Washington insiders agree he is now as preoccupied with global affairs as he is with those at home. In a recent book, conservative staff speech writer David Frum recalls the approach of the presidency towards Islam after the attacks and criticises Bush as being 'soft on Islam' for his emphasis on a 'religion of peace'.

Rove, writes Frum, was 'drawn to a very different answer'. Islam, Rove argued, 'was one of the world's great empires' which had 'never reconciled... to the loss of power and dominion'. In response, he said, 'the United States should recognise that, although it cannot expect to be loved, it can enforce respect'.

Rove's position dovetailed with the beliefs of Paul Wolfowitz, and the axis between conservative Southern Protestantism and fervent, highly intellectual, East Coast Zionism was forged - each as zealous about their religion as the other.

There is a shorthand view of Wolfowitz as a firebrand hawk, but he is more like Rove than that - patient, calculating, logical, soft-spoken and deliberate. Wolfowitz was a Jewish son of academe, a brilliant scholar of mathematics and a diplomat. When he joined the Pentagon after the Yom Kippur war, he set about laying out what is now US policy in the Middle East.

In 1992, just before Bush's father was defeated by Bill Clinton, Wolfowitz wrote a blueprint to 'set the nation's direction for the next century', which is now the foreign policy of George W. Bush. Entitled 'Defence Planning Guidance', it put an onus on the Pentagon to 'establish and protect a new order' under unchallenged American authority.

The US, it said, must be sure of 'deterring potential competitors from even aspiring to a larger regional or global role' - including Germany and Japan. It contemplated the use of nuclear, biological and chemical weaponry pre-emptively, 'even in conflicts that do not directly engage US interests'.

Wolfowitz's group formalised itself into a group called Project for the New American Century, which included Cheney and another old friend, former Pentagon Under-Secretary for Policy under Reagan, Richard Perle.

In a document two years ago, the Project pondered that what was needed to assure US global power was 'some catastrophic and catalysing event, like a new Pearl Harbor'. The document had noted that 'while the unresolved conflict with Iraq provides immediate justification' for intervention, 'the need for a substantial American force presence in the Gulf transcends the issue of the regime of Saddam Hussein'.

At a graduation speech to the Military Academy at West Point, Bush last June affirmed the Wolfowitz doctrine as official policy. 'America has, and intends to keep,' he said, 'military strengths beyond challenge.'

At the Pentagon, Wolfowitz and his boss Rumsfeld set up an intelligence group under Abram Schulsky and the Under-Secretary for Defence, Douglas Feith, both old friends of Wolfowitz. The group's public face is the semi-official Defence Policy Board, headed by Perle. Perle and Feith wrote a paper in 1996 called 'A Clean Break' for the then leader of Israel's Likud bloc, Binyamin Netanyahu; the clean break was from the Oslo peace process. Israel's 'claim to the land (including the West Bank) is legitimate and noble,' said the paper. 'Only the unconditional acceptance by Arabs of our rights is a solid basis for the future.' At the State Department, the 'Arabist' faction of regional experts favouring the diplomacy of alliances in the area was drowned out by the hawks, markedly by another new unit with favoured access to the White House.

And in Rove's White House, with his backing, the circle was closed and the last piece of the jigsaw was put in place, with the appointment of Elliot Abrams to handle policy for the Middle East, for the National Security Council.

Abrams is another veteran of Reagan days and the 'dirty wars' in Central America, convicted by Congress for lying alongside Colonel Oliver North over the Iran-Contra scandal, but pardoned by President Bush's father.

He has since written a book warning that American Jewry faces extinction through intermarriage and has counselled against the peace process and for the righteousness of Ariel Sharon's Israel. He is Wolfowitz's man, talking every day to his office neighbour, Rove.

http://www.observer.co.uk/bush/story/0,822...,901116,00.html