From the horses mouth as they say,

Quote:The news comes on the day a top TV producer admitted that TV's "culture of deception" extends across all programmes - even the news.
David Cox, former LWT head of current affairs and now an independent producer for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, said it "goes on all the time. We're bad boys".

Quote:Cox confessed to manipulating the truth on news reports himself, saying: "Any kind of TV, even news and current affairs, have built into them the idea of a fabrication which is justified and necessary... but it can easily shade into what becomes in some cases a lie. When the pressure is on, you've got to meet a deadline, there's this blurry border and it's easy to cross the line.""

Quote:"This springs from something deep, not - as Mark Thompson would have you believe - that this came about suddenly... There's a culture of deception in TV since it was created."

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.


How disturbing is that? first they claim that Jesus is God, and that this God could eat, sleep, cry and use the toilet, then they went further by making paintings of Jesus, then statues to bow down to them. But the situation now turned from bad to worst, they have now <b>turned Jesus into a toy</b>! Truly disturbing

Quote:LOS ANGELES - The Marine Reserves’ Toys for Tots program has <b>decided to accept a donation of Bible-quoting Jesus dolls</b>, reversing course after saying earlier this week that it couldn’t take them.
“<b>The talking Jesus doll </b> issue has been resolved,” the organization announced on its Web site Wednesday. “Toys for Tots has found appropriate places for these items. We have notified the donor of our willingness to handle this transaction.”


The short note on the Web site did not explain what it would do with the dolls.

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.


<b>Is there any explanation to this case according to Islam? </b>

Quote:LUCKNOW: A 14-year-old Dalit boy, born and brought up in a remote village of western Uttar Pradesh, has suddenly turned angrez . Rajesh, without any evident help, <b>has started speaking fluently in English and does so with a proper American drawl. And that’s not all: He seems to have forgotten how to speak Hindi.</b>
Wonders do not cease with this: His knowledge of physics and mathematics has left engineering students baffled. Having already penned three books, Rajesh is now looking forward to some research work.


All of this may sound like a Bollywood script on one of its favourite themes, <b>reincarnation</b>. However, Rajesh, a resident of a nondescript village 40 km from Saharanpur, refuses to call it so.


In his words: "There is no concept of reincarnation. It is just that memory can’t be destroyed till there are sound waves in the world."


And this is the area of science that interests Rajesh the most. "He has already written three documents, one on memory, the other on sociology and the third on liberalisation," said an excited Shishu Pal Singh Verma, principal of Willian Jefferson Clinton Science and Technology Centre, where Rajesh was enrolled last year.


"I did not take him seriously for a few months but on Republic Day, while the students were reciting poetry before the entire college, Rajesh took the mike and addressed the gathering in fluent English. This left us almost shell-shocked," says Shishu Pal.


Rajesh’s mother Omkali and 16-year-old brother Kaluwa are daily wage labourers who earn just enough to manage two square meals a day. His father Sompal is mentally-challenged. Asked how and when these changes came into Rajesh, Omkali said that it happened almost a year ago when Rajesh was helping Kaluwa erect a wall.


"Every time the brothers brought the wall up to two feet, their father would smash it. Irritated, Rajesh threw a brick at him who was hit in the head and began to bleed.”


This left Rajesh dumbfounded. "For the next three months, he did not utter a single word. When he did, it was not in Hindi," said Jamal, a resident of Saharanpur.

<b>What to Do If…</b>



You feel depressed, frustrated, and miserabsle, and you’re losing self-confidence due to friends’ rejection, criticism, and mistreatment after your decision to wear the hijab?


Stick to Almighty Allah’s order to wear hijab. Following Almighty Allah’s order must have priority over any other order. At the same time be patient regardless of the hardships you may encounter, bearing in mind that true believers are always tested.


While striving steadfastly to be respected, accepted and well-treated by your surrounding community, do not forget that Almighty Allah is on your side and will support you till the result is for the good of Islam and the Muslims, Allah willing. Almighty Allah says: [And those who strive in Our (cause), We will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right] (Al-`Ankabut 29:69).


Stop worrying about the looks you get from the people. Then you will feel comfortable because whenever you pay attention to everyone around you and become obsessed with what those people must be thinking about the hijab, you will feel uncomfortable and even sick from worry.


You need to decide how important it is to you to observe a commandment of Allah the Most High even if it means that you will receive strange looks. Once you decide with conviction that it is more important for you to observe the hijab because wearing hijab pleases Allah the Most High, you will actually find yourself being able to walk with confidence.


Sister, return curious glances with a saluting smile; return an insult here or there, a negative comment, or ridiculing with firm, steadfast but still polite eye contact. Then move on and thank Allah the Most High that you are holding firmly to your belief, in an atmosphere that does not encourage you to do that


<b>What to Do If…</b>



Your boss at work does not allow you to wear hijab. What should you do?


The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There is no obedience to anyone in disobedience to Allah.” In other words, you are not bound to obey your boss if he orders you to disobey Allah.


Since wearing hijab is a religious requirement in Islam, you are allowed to exercise this right in your work place. Wearing hijab is part and parcel of the Muslim woman’s religious and personal freedom. The observance of such freedoms is prescribed in modern constitutions, international agreements, and the Declaration of Human Rights. Your boss is not allowed to discriminate against you on that ground or force you to take off your hijab. If he does so, he is violating the laws of the land. This must be made clear to him.


As a Muslimah, therefore, you should never compromise your principles. If you cannot handle this issue by yourself, you may do well to get a letter from the Council on American-Islamic Relations if you are living in the United States or Canada, or refer to the directory to find support organizations that may help you in your case. Sending your boss a firm and clear message that what he is asking is a violation of law is usually enough to bring some sense to him.


<b>What to Do If…</b>



Your mother or father is badgering you continuously to take off your hijab. What should you do?


One thing must be clear; you are never allowed to be rude or impolite to your parents regardless of how harsh or hurtful their attitude towards you may be. Rather, you should show through practical examples that you still love them; speak to them gently and act kindly.


Bear hurtful words patiently; deal with them as Allah tells us to deal with the hurtful words of the ignorant ones: [When the ignorant address them, they walk away from them saying, “Peace”] (Al-Furqan 25:63)


Reinforce your determination to follow the truth by thinking of the transient nature of this world, and never lose sight of the fact that our final destination is meeting Allah in the next world.


Let remembrance of Allah (dhikr) be your constant companion. It will lessen your burden and give you joy and soothe your ailing heart.


Remind yourself continually about the struggles and sacrifices of the Messengers of Allah. It would be a good idea to read Surat Yusuf reflectively, as it embodies the constant struggle between truth and falsehood.


Use every opportunity to speak to your parents gently and persuasively to convince them of their wrong attitude. If they do not listen, don’t give up praying to Allah to open their hearts and guide them to the truth.


Do your best to be an example of modesty and decent behavior, all of which are extensions of a person wearing hijab. Perhaps through your struggle and steadfastness and the guidance from Allah the Most High, your parents’ attitudes may change. But do not become sad or disappointed if they do not.


Parents—especially those with a non-Western background—put great emphasis on their children’s obedience. Be obedient in all other aspects, except when it comes to disobeying the rules of Allah.


Try to get closer to your parents. Spend time in strengthening your relationship with them, especially your mother. Remember, people usually respond positively to requests of people they love and are strongly attached to. Ask her about her opinion in your choice of colors, shoes, dresses, and so on. Maybe she just wants to be sure that you stay well dressed and elegant. Or she may just be afraid that you won’t have any chance to marry one day, so explore her reasons for disapproving and try to tackle them by displaying real examples from your environment, but do not argue with her. Of course, this might be the crux of the problem and your mother might not think it is obligatory. Still, you should not argue with her or with your father. Respect them at all times. Choose a suitable time when she is calm and share the idea with her so that you show your belief that hijab is obligatory.


Finally, think about all other creative ways of persuading them like turning to someone who is more knowledgeable to talk to them or giving them a book that explains this issue.


<i>May Allah guide us and help us to become better Muslims, Ameen.</i>

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.


I thought to combine some of the very interesting discussions on our board concerning Islam and Christianity into one thread instead of searching all the day :D


So here we go. Enjoy reading.


<b>Read the Bible for "Guidance and Light"? (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtop...=arrogance


<b>Allah's Description Of Those Who Ascribe A Son, to Allah& Ayyahs on changing the Book (topic started by Sister Muslimah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=2553&hl=


<b>Let get into the beliefs of the Christians, Lets Dialog (topic started by abdulwalee)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4275


<b>Holy Week and Pork!!, a question for Christians/Catholics (topic started by Wel_Mel) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4323


<b>What we actually believe (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4197


<b>Message to all non-Muslims (topic started by voice of reason) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3736


<b>Passion of Christ (topic start by Umm Zachariah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4155


<b>The "Original" Manuscripts., ???!!! (topic started by Wel_Mel)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4168


<b>Question to Catholics, Concerning the blood and body of Christ PBUH (topic started by Wel_Mel) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4012


<b>Pope Benedict on Islam (topic started by Curious Christian)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3723


<b>Old Testament Jesus (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3648


<b> If Jesus was a prophet? (topic started by Curious Christian)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3626


<b>I've been can't find this in the Quran. “Regarding Bible corruption” (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3635


<b>Mohammed PBUH (topic started by Curious Christian) “he posed many questions concerning Muhammad pbuh and also Jesus pbuh”</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3617


<b>If Jesus was a prophet #2 (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3630


<b>Question for Christian members (topic started by Sister Muslimah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3528


<b>Tell me if I am wrong.... (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3599


<b>Melchizedek (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3608


<b>Nature of Jesus...again (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3602


<b>Compare Jesus and Mohammed (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3571


<b>Questions about Haddith theology and some science...our favorite topic (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3588


<b>Jesus' miracles, proved that he is God?? (topic started by Wel_Mel) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3574


<b>Mormon (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3567


<b>Questions for Christians members II, to continue the series. (topic started by Wel_Mel) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3551


<b>Good biblical defense of the Trinity (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3520


<b>Polygamy? (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3554


<b>Does the Qur'an promote violence to spread Islam? (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3549


<b>The Messiah - according to the Jews (topic started by Faris Mee) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3456


<b>Basic Questions Which I've Never Asked... (topic started by Curious Christian) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3511


<b>Penalty of converting to Christianity, and a discussion on Jesus (topic started by Don singleton) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3357


<b>Difference in faith of Mulsim, Jew, Christian (topic started by Sister Muslimah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3271


<b>Original Sin, Discussion of the Belief (topic started by ronniv93)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=2576


<b>Discussion on Jesus (topic started by Sister Muslimah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=2577


<b>What Was Jesus' Message (topic started by Umm Zachariah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=2529


<b>The Fetus Rights in Islam (topic started by Fatima84)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3967


<b>Coptic Christians in Egypt (topic started by JohnDoe) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3998


<b>Divorce In Islam (topic started by Fatima84)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=3992


<b>Jesus In Islam, How is Jesus "revered" in Islam??? (topic started by ronniv93)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=2436


<b>A Comparison, Mohammad V's Jesus (topic started by Teh Curious)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4042


<b>Non Muslims terrorism, Terrorists Who Aren't in the News (topic started by Wel_Mel)</b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4424


<b>WHY MOTHER TERESA SHOULD NOT BE A SAINT, Very interesting (topic started by Sister Muslimah) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtop...&hl=Teresa


<b>HIJAB - Give your input, A BRILLIANT ARTICLE & 2 MODERN DAY POEMS (topic started by Faith Hope Charity) </b>


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=4091


Salam


Wael.

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

Quote:The punishment for a sin committed by a believer is removed in ten ways:
He repents to Allah (tawbah), so Allah accepts his repentance, for the one who repents from sin is like the one who has no sin.


He seeks forgiveness from Allah (istighfaar), so Allah forgives him.


He does good deeds that erase his sin for good deeds erase bad ones.


His believing brethren pray for him or seek forgiveness for his sins during his life or death.


Or they [ask Allah] to bestow on him as gift from the reward for their deeds, with which Allah benefits him.


His Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, intercedes for him.


Allah tests him with trials in this world which expiate his sin.


Allah tests him in al-Barzakh (the intermediate life in the grave, between the death and the Day of Judgment) which expiates his sin.


Allah tests him in the various stages of the Day of Judgment which expiates his sins.


Or the Most Merciful of those who have mercy has mercy on him.


Whoever, then, is missed by these ten cannot blame anyone but himself.

Bismillah
as salam alykom
In this thread I m going to post Insh a Allah a series of translated khutbahs addressing the issue of Quran validity and whether or not it was distorted Alhamdulelah for One Who Protected it:




Bismillah

Praise be to Allah King of the Kings and Owner of the universe and prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, his household and companions.

We are pleased in islammessage.com to announce the publishing of a number of Jumu`a Khutbah which may be of use for many purposes such as delivered as khutbahs, lessons in Halaqa, learning material to be spread Insh a Allah.

We will be publishing them on a weekly basis Insh a Allah so keep track with us.

"And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our slave (Muhammad ﻢﻠﺳﻭ ﻪﻴﻠﻋ ﻪﻠﻟﺍ ﻰﻠﺻ), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful.* But if you do it not, and you can never do it, then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers." (Quran2: 23-24)

In this noble Ayah Allah Is addressing all those who did not believe in Quran as being Allah's revelation. It is clearly indicated through the word doubt Allah Used which means being uncertain or unsure. The word A`bd here is a reference to the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam while the sentence We have sent down is an indication to Quran. When Allah Sobhanhu wa Ta`al Say "then produce a Surah of the like" actually Allah by this statement is making a strong challenge to those who don’t believe in Quran as being a Divine revelation. In case the Quran was composed by the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam, he could have never actually challenged those silver tongued Arabs in such a manner. If the Quran was manmade, human beings would have been able to author similar texts which eventually makes the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam loose the challenge and brings the call to an end. The sentence saying of the like is the translation of the meaning of the Arabic word min. The Arabic word min gives the sense of the minimum amount of what may be described as Quran. In this regard, Allah Is challenging them to produce the minimum amount of Quran which is of course a reference to the short chapters such as Kawthar or Asr. Following this strong statement, an even harder argument to stand is brought, Allah Is taking the challenge to a higher level by requesting them to present those who may testify to their false claim being true. But those witnesses must be of those Arab silver tongued. By this Allah Made the highest level of challenge.

Back to the Ayah, the Ayah was revealed in Medina with a majority of non Muslim residence. They were mainly Jews. This indicates that the challenge was directed to them who at the same time are considered among people of the book and knowledge. Several other Ayahs of challenge were also revealed in Mecca addressing the Mushrekeen including:

"And this Qur'an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah (Lord of the heavens and the earth), but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it [i.e. the Tauraat (Torah), and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.], and a full explanation of the Book (i.e. laws and orders, etc, decreed for mankind) - wherein there is no doubt from the the Lord of the 'Alameen (mankind, jinns,and all that exists).* Or do they say: "He (Muhammad ﻢﻠﺳﻭ ﻪﻴﻠﻋ ﻪﻠﻟﺍ ﻰﻠﺻ) has forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Soorah (chapter) like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allah, if you are truthful!" (Quran 10:37- 38)

"Or they say, "He (Prophet Muhammad ﻢﻠﺳﻭ ﻪﻴﻠﻋ ﻪﻠﻟﺍ ﻰﻠﺻ) forged it (the Qur'an)." Say: "Bring you then ten forged Soorah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth!" (Quran 11:13)

"Say: "If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another." (Quran 17:88)

"Say (to them, O Muhammad ﻢﻠﺳﻭ ﻪﻴﻠﻋ ﻪﻠﻟﺍ ﻰﻠﺻ): "Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two [the Taurat (Torah) and the Qur'an], that I may follow it, if you are truthful." (Quran 28:49)

"Let them then produce a recital like unto it (the Qur'an) if they are truthful" (Quran 52:34)

By this Allah made a challenge to the pagans in Mecca followed by another challenge to the people of the book in Medina. Allah Sobhanhu wa Ta`la Took a gradual course in challenging the Kufar. First He requested that they bring similar texts of the Quran, then produce just 10 chapters, then only one chapter and finally just something similar to just a short chapter. This is the utmost underestimation of the challenged party coupled with an evidence that they are incapable of nothing despite their excellence in the Arabic language which made among them professional eloquent and poets. Their excellence in Arabic was amazing to the extend that they held public markets to present and compete in literature production. In order to stress the fact of the non believers' inability Allah Say: let them produce similar text. Actually this implies that Allah Is not only Requesting the level of eloquence, but rather Demanding them to include the meanings born in the texts. Quran carries the methodology, past or future unknown incidents, information about the Day After including its events, as well as information regarding reward and punishment. It also contains Ayahs related to the universe that brought forth totally new information to mankind which was only discovered during the modern era. While it presents as well other Ayahs with specific objective such as healing. Therefore, producing similar text here must carry all of those aspects.

As for the challenging statement: " But if you do it not, and you can never do it, then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers" , the first part of the phrase saying but if u do it not is talking in the past tense while the you can never do it is a confirmation for the same disability for the future and till the Day After. As such Allah Is Raising the level of challenge so as not to be restricted on the time of revealing Quran only but also to cover throughout time till the Hour. When Allah Sobhanhu wa Ta`la Say and you can never do it, Allah Presents a miraculous challenge as it implies a forecast of the future. Actually the statement penetrates into the unknown future. Till this day, the challenge is still standing and no one was able to produce similar texts as the Quran. After the challenge Allah Is Warning them saying fear the hell fire, prepared for the pagans, of which people and stones are fuel.

As long as you were not able and you will not be able in the future to produce similar texts, you might as well better protect yourselves against hell fire which Allah Prepared for those who don’t believe in this book neither in this Prophet and thus don’t embrace Islam.

Narrated Abu Horaira may Allah be Pleased with him that the Messenger salla Allah A`lyhee wa sallam entered the Masjed when a man came in and prayed then greeted the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam and the Messenger greeted him back. Then told him you did not pray go back and pray. He repeated this 3 times. The man replied saying I swear in the name of the One Who Sent you with the truth I don’t know any better so teach me. The Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam said when you go for prayer, say Alalh u Akbar then recite what you know of Quran, then bow and remain in this position for a while, then raise up till you are full standing, then prostrate (go for sujud) and remain there for a while then raise and sit erect then prostrate again for the same period of time. Repeat this throughout your prayer.

(reported by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daoud, Nasai and Termidhi)

In Abi Daoud's narration there is an additional part as: if you manage to fulfill this, your prayer is complete and whatever you neglect decreases your prayer.

The meaning of recite an amount of Quran is: Fatiha and one long Ayah or three short ones.

The following is an email I received and thought is worth reflection:


As-salaamu ‘alaikum


What follows is first of all an advice to myself first and foremost, may you all be of those who take benefit from it:


Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Rizq and ‘Alee bin Ahmad bin ‘Umar al-Muqri both said: Ja’far bin Muhammad al-Khaldee informed us: Ibrahim bin Nasr al-Mansoori narrated to us: Ibrahim bin Bashaar narrated to me: Yusuf bin Asbaat narrated to me: Muhammad bin Samurah as-Saa’ih wrote the following letter to me:


<b>“O brother! Beware of letting procrastination take control of you and letting it take a firm root in your heart, for indeed it is the cause for fatigue and wasting (of time). Due to it, aspirations are cut short and appointed times are not met. If you allow this to happen you have let it free you from your resolutions, and in effect, take you over. And reclaim your body from the lethargy that overtook you. But when it returns back to you, your soul will not benefit from your body. And hasten, my brother, for indeed you are being hastened. And rush, for indeed you are being rushed. And be serious, for indeed, the matter is serious. Awaken from your sleep, and snap out of your heedlessness. And remember what you have left behind, what you fell short in, what you neglected, what crimes you committed and what deeds you did, for indeed that is recorded and you will be held accountable for it. So it is as if the matter has come upon you all of a sudden and so you are (either) happy at what you have put forth for it or remorseful for what you have neglected.”</b>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Islamic Center of Beverly Hills Newsletter


Scholarship-Honorary, Interest Free Loan


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Scholarship-Honorary, Interest Free Loan


ICBH will give $500 scholarship every 3 months to the brightest student who writes about Islam.


Who is Eligible Any student 18 years or older with a GPA of 3 or better. Each student cannot have more than one prize every two years.


Does student have to be Muslim: Not Necessarily Article should be three to four pages, must be typed written and should have at least five references ( 2 from quran, 2 from hadith and the rest from other Muslim scholars). Articles should be forwarded to our site www.icbh.org with a copy of last semester's grade.


About Scholarship ICBH will give a $500 check to the student, and the student will promise to repay the loan back to ICBH whenever he or she has funds based on honorary system.


About the Winner Winner's paper will be posted at ICBH site with the name of the winner; ICBH may also invite the winner to a ceremony.


About the Judges Each paper will be reviewed by one of the Muslim scholars and will be graded form 0 to 100, 100 being the highest possible grade. All papers having grades better than 90 will be evaluated again and the best article will win the prize.


Topics for 2007 Islam is the Solution, Why Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, Why Islam is AGAINST violence.


For Donors If you are blessed by Allah (SWT) and wish to donate funds to ICBH for this godly project please send a check made to ICBH and mail it to us today.


Quick Links...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Our Website WWW.IBCH.ORG

Bismillah


as salam alykom brothers and sisters,


I received this deeply touching experience about Ummrah on an email and thought i must share it with all of u here.


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


When a dear friend shared her story of her Ummrah with me, I got that abnormal chill again. It's not a physical chill that you feel up your spine or on your skin; it's an inner chill of a longing feeling that I can't explain. I thank her so much for sharing her experience with me – since she is the cause of letting me share my story too.


But as I sit here and try to come up with words to explain the experience I don't find anything that is enough. I NEVER in my life thought that it would be so wonderful. So wonderful that it cancelled away all the peaks of my 30 past years. The Ummrah became my peak and nothing else matters anymore. I can't look forward to anything else except the next one and I don't enjoy anything as I used to anymore. I just ask God that He helps me to settle on the right path that I believe I have started.


Around 10 years ago – I was devastated when I heard that my Mum was going on the Hajj and will come back veiled from there. Haji, Hijab this was all to far fetched for me. So you can imagine how I used to think about Ummrah and Haji for myself– no way I could never go there!


For the past two to three years I have been wanting to go there so much. I remember how I spent the last sunset of 2006 praying and crying to Allah that He would grant me this trip in 2007. Sobhan Allah – Allah is Great. The circumstances of timing and traveling where planned and known by Him – I could never believe that it would have worked out with the timing due to my work schedule and needed paperwork for my travel. But I could hear Him call me throughout the procedures. He was waiting for me and my time had come to visit the best place on this Planet.


Upon the arrival in Medina I ran to the hotel window to look at the Prophet's mosque. I could understand how he loved Medina with it's peaceful atmosphere that is still felt and will be felt until the end of time. I was literally a different person in these 10 days. A person that would NEVER cry in public was sobbing and crying for 10 continuous days. I didn't feel the people that were around me – I got angry when I received a phone call from Egypt because I just didn't want to connect to that other world again.


My spirit was so high – I had a feeling that Allah is happy that I was there. I felt that I was somewhere in between two worlds. I had disconnected from our world on Planet Earth with all it's issues. I was only concentrating on prayer, reading Quran and feeling the atmosphere. I literally felt that I was between two lives – our life and another one.


Visiting the Prophet was an experience on it's own! The unknown world of the unseen feelings reveal and one is shocked with one self with feelings of humbleness, anxiety to get near him and the amazing feeling of being in the Rawda. Allah gives us so many gifts – a piece of El Genna on Earth, with the chance of all Muslims to visit, with the chance to feel things that are not felt anywhere else.


For the first time in my life I felt the feeling of envy when I observed the Indonesian girls cleaning and maintaining the Mosque. What a wonderful job I thought! She is living and working next to the Prophet. Her job is to make the visit of millions of Muslims easier every day of her working life. When she dies she will be buried in the Baquea. What a wonderful life!


I saw some of the nicest mountains in the world in Germany, Switzerland etc… But Ohoud was by far more than sensational. He too is part of El Janna and Allah's gift for us is that he is here with us. He has a spirit, he's happy; each and every stone lies back with pride and self respect, because he knows who he is and who he was. He is beautiful while every single stone is doing Tasbeeh.


I was happy with the person I had become there worried of what will turn out when I com back to our world.


The actual day of the Ummrah was probably the best day of my life. As we headed down from the hotel that was right in front of the door of the Kabba I felt with every step I was taking was a step towards the biggest thing in my life. I couldn't breath – I was so excited. I was sobbing before I could even see the Kabba… this was really it! I was so emotional once I got there and saw the Kabba that I actually got confused with that first prayer of mine – a prayer that again is such a valuable gift from Allah. A prayer that will come true.


Doing the actual Ummrah rituals was exquisite! I felt so small and so big. Small that I was here and doing this for Allah, asking Him for his forgiveness and mercy, and big because I was a Muslim with Allah's Love to come here. Big that my Islam gives me the chance to come to a place like this. Big because at this very point you feel Islam is the strongest weapon on this Earth and yet I felt small because I felt the responsibility I had towards not doing anything to show the unknown Islam to those how don't know.


The night after the Ummrah was the best sleep of my life. I felt that I was washed, not with soap and water, but my soul was washed with Allah's satisfaction – Ameen ya Rab!


From the time Allah made Earth until Judgment Day, the Kabba has people going around it 24/7 – what can be more powerful than that I felt! The peace and quietness was unlike any other peace and quietness.


The last day at the Kabba was the hardest. I didn't want to leave. I prayed and talked to Allah telling Him:" This is my last day and prayer from this place ….. please…..". I would finish and get up to leave but I couldn't. I find another spot and pray and say: "This is my last day and prayer from this place ….. please….."….. I just didn't want to leave. I couldn't walk giving my back to the Kabba.


The experience has literally made everything in life not worth that much as before for me and cancelled all the peaks in my life. The Ummrah has become my peak in life. The only thing I look forward to now is the next Ummrah.


I just ask Allah to make me strong in this world of ours since it is so difficult to live as a good Muslim in our community. Ever since I have been back I have an inner struggle of the next steps and what I should do to be a better Muslim.