Rewards of knowing God 10/31/2002 - Religious Social - Article Ref: IC0210-1778 By: Brandon Sumner IslamiCity* - Perhaps I am not your stereotypical revert in that I am a 44 year old single white male who is employed as a diesel mechanic. I feel that I have finally found the correct and truthful path to God after a very long search and the wonderful people at IslamiCity have been a blessing to me. I was raised a Christian by wonderful, loving parents, of whom my mother was a minister but they also graciously allowed me to find my own way in life and I praise them for that. I spent the majority of my youth in the typical pursuit of irreverent and materialistic things, as many young in western society are prone to do but at about the age of 30 started feeling that there was some higher purpose that I was missing, some spiritual truth that I was lacking and I began a search to find it. Always a student of intellectual reading material such as poetry, prose, philosophy and such I began my search by reading books. I started with the nature religions such as Wicca but quickly grew frustrated as there were as many different approaches to the spirit as there were authors to write them. I then became interested in Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. These kept me more engaged as there is an endless supply of material on the subjects and they do offer many good counsels and self improvement techniques but I still felt as if something were missing. I just could not come to grips with the no self and no God theories that they profess to. I felt that there was indeed a higher power, one I desperately wanted to commune with but also knew that the tradition of my wonderful parents was not my path. One day about a year ago I happened upon a book on Sufism by Hasarat Inyat Khan while looking for some guidance after the untimely death of my dear father and found the introduced concepts to be totally enlightening, they just clicked and made perfect sense to me. That and all of the media attention after the terrible events of Sept. 11 served to fuel my desire to know Islam, and to know God. I see now the beauty and truth written in the noble Koran and after much research and the recommendations of a Muslim newspaper correspondent I had written to here in Denver, came to find IslamiCity and decided to take Shahada with one of the wonderful volunteers whom so graciously called me at my home and talked freely with me about my path. I look forward to becoming a good Muslim, to my relationship with God and all of His followers and encourage all who may have thoughts of following this path to do so without regret. Life is so fleeting and the rewards of knowing God are so great. Peace be upon you all. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By the grace of God, Brandon Sumner from USA declared his testimony of faith (shahada) at IslamiCity on September 27, 2002.

Nadirra abayo i didnt say that you are looking for anyone, i simply made refernce to myself, i dont no the intentions of other ppl, rather i sad wot my intention are. It is a basic presumtpion that is valid. Some ppl hold back from saying wot the really think or feel becaus of fearing wot others might say, i dont, like i sad am not here to agree with anyone here and am also not here to fight or argue with ppl. But i wont let ppl stop me from commenting the way i do, am not trying to be controversial or out to grab attention,i think my topics do that for themself. Besides N, i was simply replying back to KK and wot she specifically had to say.

salam aleikum. just like to add to wot hooyo has already said, thx for taking the time out to contribute such an excellent piece, and may allah reward ur humble efforts. wa aleikum salam

''Ohh yea, and I think you should go back to watching cartoonzzz'' Hey abayo am no hater, i just dont mince my words , i aint afraid to tell some xalimos wot i think. You see am no luver boy looking for some online romance :cool: and yes dont worry when i do need attention am sure i will let the nomads no. U say i should stop watchin cartoons, what makes u think i stoped watchin cartoons ?? i still do, hey the make inherently more sense than some ancient greek theologians who is now nothin but dust some 6 feet under lol. so dont flatter your self i made a general statement to all, i just used you cause you presented me with an offer i couldnt refuse " " -I'M NOT OPINIONATED, I'M JUST ALWAYS RIGHT... -Everyday I am forced to ADD a person to the list of the people who PISS me OFF... -Only the DEAD see the END of WAR... Pluto -I am NOT a material girl... I just happen to like the FINER thingz in LIFE... -I wise man once told me DON'T ARGUE WITH FOOLS... JAY_Z I dont think a better example of what i ment by Nonesensical informattion is easier to find than wot u see above.

Thx very Much for the responses, Muraad Thunder, i suppose i couldnt ask for better responses both contarsting the articles in different aspect. I my self found the article interesting because the assertion it made was a very new idea to me, but am not so knowledgable so i presume that this assertion has been debated over before. What i do find persuasive in the article is the notion that islam rather than being superseeded by democracy, can as was stated in the article be incorporated into islam as means of admistrating a country on the basis that islam is the religon of mankind and that 'their is no complusion in this deen'. It need not be called democracy it need not necessarliy be viewed as a Kafirr system because i fail to belive that those princple that these so-called civilised countries in the west aspire to was soley created/developed by themselves. However such a presumtion is somewhat debatable as Thunder quite rightly says The Quran and the sunnah are the Primary and indeed Only sources of Legislation that can be applicable to an islamic state. I would like to finish by saying i can't see how a democratic regime, or a regime that claims to be so can prohibite people form @ the very least practising their deen, unlike regimes like Eygpt where i understand the policy is to terrorise sheiks and imaans for simply preaching the true teachings of islamm to the point of where the arrested or exihled.

I'd say u should then learn that once u start playin with fire u rurn the risk of gettin burned. If so then u will be better off it not then hey am sure u could find ur self another ''fireplace to stoke'' so to speak .

I lost hesitation as a character flaw Nadiira so dont u worry about it . Write my tobic ''Data Redundancy'' caused by Nonsensical informattion posted by nomads. an example follow's -------------------- -I'M NOT OPINIONATED, I'M JUST ALWAYS RIGHT... -Everyday I am forced to ADD a person to the list of the people who PISS me OFF... -Only the DEAD see the END of WAR... Pluto -I wise man once told me DON'T ARGUE WITH FOOLS... JAY_Z JAY_Z Wise!!! Your always Right!!! qouting Pluto the dogg from the cartoons!!! I think sooner or later ur gonna have too add me to ur list KK, u have been given advance warning. This Faraax just became an 'ACTIVIST' against the pelthra of nonesense that exist's here on S.O.L.

Hey no offence taken M abayo inshallah wehn u do start looking you will find the man u seek.

It just confirms that regardless of all the hype that exists surronding the premiership, it remins, in europe anywa all hot air, and no football. arsenal lost, liverpool got a football lesson, Manuited got a mauling from the jews lol, wot a week for the premiership. Hey i will make a guess that Blackburn will come unstuck against celtic tonight to confirm a white wash in europe.'

I dont no where your looking abayo perhaps in the wrong place, if there is a right one. Besides abayo have not yet seen it fit to put myself on the market so to speak but once i do i will let u know .

Salam aleikum Brothers anbd sisters I found another article which i enjoyed reading very well, it certainly educated me abit more as to the position regarding Jews and wot islam says about them. Again i got this from www.islamiccity.com, so appoligies to nomads if u have alrady viewed this articles, and for those of use who dont visit the website i would recommend it. Anyway the article in question is below, enjoy reading nomads. Is There Anti Semitism in The Quran? 10/19/2002 - Religious - Article Ref: IC0210-1765 By: Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi Anti-Semitism is bigotry and racism. Like all racism it is wrong and it has no place in Islam or in Islamic scripture. The Quran does not allow hate against any race, nationality or color. Is There Anti Semitism in The Quran? 10/19/2002 - Religious - Article Ref: IC0210-1765 By: Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi IslamiCity* - Anti-Semitism means condemning and hating a people because of their Semitic race. Anti-Semitism is bigotry and racism. Like all racism it is wrong and it has no place in Islam or in Islamic scripture. The Qur'an does not allow hate against any race, nationality or color. God says in the Qur'an: "O people, We have created you from a male and female and made you into races and tribes so that you may know each other. Indeed the noblest of you in the sight of God are those who are the most pious among you. And Allah knows every thing and is aware of every thing." (49:13) Throughout the history of Islam, Muslims have never used passages from the Qur'an to justify acts of anti-Semitism. The ill-effects of racism, including ethnic cleaning, genocide and Holocaust, which has been suffered by Jews and non-Jews alike over the past several centuries, has never been done under the banner of any passages from the Qur'an. Jews were among the earliest converts to Islam (in Medina) and, throughout the Middle Ages, Jews found sanctuary to practice their own religion under Islamic rule. It is truly disappointing and naive to ignore more than 1400 years of history and learned discourse on the Qur'an and argue that the current political situation in the Middle East has its roots in passages from the Qur'an. As with all scriptures, passages in the Qur'an must be read within the proper context. The Qur'an was not just revealed for Muslims, but for all people, including Jews and Christians. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in the line of previous Prophets of God, including Prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and the Qur'an is in the line of previous scriptures revealed by God. The Qur'an does not condemn the Semitic race and, in fact, accords Jews a special status given their shared prophetic traditions with Islam. The Qur'an instead criticizes those Jews who turned away from God's authentic message and admonishes those who scorned and ridiculed Prophet Muhammad and the message of the Qur'an. Such criticism is similar to the criticism against Jews found in other scriptures, including the Hebrew Bible, and should be taken by all people as a reminder and warning against forsaking and straying from the authentic message of God. Such specific criticism has never been interpreted by learned scholars of the Qur'an to incite hatred against Jewish people and should not be confused with anti-Semitism. "Taking a few passages from the Qur'an out of proper historical and textual context will not give a proper understanding of the religious scripture." The Qur'an speaks extensively about the Children of Israel (Bani Isra'il) and recognizes that the Jews (al-Yahud) are, according to lineage, descendants of Prophet Abraham through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. They were chosen by God for a mission (44:32) and God raised among them many Prophets and bestowed upon them what He had not bestowed upon many others (5:20). He exalted them over other nations of the earth (2:47, 122) and granted them many favors. Passages in the Qur'an which criticize the Jews fall primarily into two categories. First, the Qur'an speaks of how some of the Children of Israel turned away from the authentic message revealed to them. They disobeyed God and showed ingratitude for God's favors on them. They lost the original Tawrat and introduced their own words and interpretations in the divine books. They became arrogant and claimed that they were God's children and went about vaunting their position as His most chosen people (4:155; 5:13, 18). They also brazenly committed sins and their rabbis and priests did not stop them from doing so (5:63, 79). God raised His Prophet Jesus among them so that he might show them several miracles and thereby guide them to the right path, but they rejected him, attempted to kill him, and even claimed that they had indeed killed him although they had not been able to do so (4:157, 158). God specifically addresses the Children of Israel in many of these passages. This is important, because it shows that the message of the Qur'an was intended for all people, including the Jews, and the criticism was directed against a specific group of people for their specific actions. This criticism should be distinguished from cursing a people merely because of their race. The second type of criticism of the Jews is found in passages including those you referenced from Surah al-Ma'idah (5:60-64). These verses criticize the Jews and Christians who ridiculed Prophet Muhammad and his message. They made mockery and sport of his call to prayer, and they rebuked him even though he was calling them to believe in what God revealed to him and to what was revealed before him through their own Prophets. They became spiteful towards him and rejected him since he did not belong to the Children of Israel (2:109; 4:54). The Qur'an specifically notes that such criticism is not directed against all Jews. Even when the Qur'an criticizes the Jews it always notes that "among them there are some..." who are pious and righteous people, who command what is right and forbid what is wrong and try to excel each other in acts of charity and goodness. The Qur'an says that such people are assured that whatever good they will do will not be denied them and they shall receive their reward with God (3:113-115). It further says, "Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth." (7:159) "We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are among them some that are the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have tried them with both prosperity and adversity: in order that they might turn (to Us)... As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular Prayer, never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." (7:168-170) Taking a few passages from the Qur'an out of proper historical and textual context will not give a proper understanding of the religious scripture. This is not only true of the Qur'an but also of the Bible. Many passages from the Bible also criticize the Jews. Read the Hebrew Bible, particularly Micah (Chapter 3:1-12) and Hosea (Chapter 8:1-14), in which these prophets condemned the Jews "who abhor justice and pervert all equity" and who "build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wrong." These prophets cursed Israel as a "useless vessel among nations," and called for the curse of God to "send a fire upon [Judah's] cities" and to make Jerusalem "a heap of ruins." Prophet Ezekiel called Israel, "the house of rebels and a rebellious nation." (Ezek. Chapter 2) Similarly, in the Book of Deuteronomy (28:16-68), Moses warns the Jews that God "will send upon you curses, confusion, and frustration, in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly, on account of the evil of your doings, because you have forsaken me" (28:20). In the Gospel of Matthew (23:13-39), Jesus repeatedly admonishes the Jews for their hypocrisy and injustice, and condemns them for the killing of past prophets. Jesus says, "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?" Further he says "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate." It would indeed seem strange if, based on these passages, one were to argue that the Bible, the Hebrew Prophets and Jesus were anti-Semitic and called for the destruction of all Jews and present-day Israel. Yet, questioning passages from the Qur'an as anti-Semitic is similarly without merit

Salam aleikum Fellow nomads. As the the blessed month of Ramadan nears, i have once again started to try to gain more knowledge about islam than i have @ the moment. I came across this article on a link in www.islamiccity.com and found it quite interesting. It is a particularly contentious piece of writing given the issue that was discussed, and so i wanted to here the views of some more knwoledgable, and perhaps more critical nomads than myself to aid me in gettin a a more rounder view. Islam's Approach Towards Democracy Shaikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi It is the duty of the Islamic Movement in the coming phase to stand firm against totalitarian and dictatorial rule, political despotism and usurpation of people's right. The Islamic Movement should always stand by political freedom, as represented by a true, not false, democracy. It should clearly declare its refusal of tyrants and steer clear of all dictators, even if some tyrants appear to have good intentions towards the Movement in order to obtain some gains and only for a time that is usually short, as has been shown by experience. The Qur'an denounces tyrants such as Nimrudh, Pharoah, Haman and others, but it also dispraises those who follow tyrants and obey their orders. This is why Allah dispraises the people of Nuh saying : And (they) followed one whose wealth and children give him no increase but only loss. Allah says of the people of Hud: And (they) followed the command of every proud obstinate (oppressor of the truth, from their leaders) (11:59) Allah also says of the people of Pharaoh: But they followed the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was no right guide. (11:97) And they obeyed him. Verily , they were a people who were rebellious (against Allah). (43:54) A closer look at the history of the Muslim Ummah and the Islamic Movement in modern times should show clearly that the Islamic Ideology, the Islamic Movement and the Islamic Awakening have never flourished or borne fruit unless in an atmosphere of democracy and freedom , and have withered and become barren only at the times of oppression and tyranny that trod over the will of the people which clung to Islam. Such oppressive regimes imposed their Secularism, Socialism or Communism on their people by force and coercion, using covert torture and public executions, and employing those devilish tools that tore flesh, shed blood , crushed bones and destroyed souls. We saw these practices in many Muslim countries including Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iraq South Yemen, Somalia and North African States for varying periods of time, depending on the age or reign of the dictator in each country. On the other hand, we saw the Islamic Movement and the Islamic Awakening bear fruit and flourish at the times of freedom and democracy, and in the wake of the collapse of imperial regimes that ruled people with fear and oppression. Therefore, I would not imagine that the Islamic Movement could support anything other than political freedom and democracy. The tyrants allowed every voice to be raised, except the voice of Islam; and let every trend express itself in the form of a political party or a body of some sort, except the Islamic current which is the only trend that actually speaks for this Ummah and expresses its creed, values ,essence and its very existence. However, some Islamists still have their reservations on democracy and are even wary of the word 'democracy' itself. What I wish to stress here is that Islam is not democracy and democracy is not Islam. I would rather say that Islam is not attributed to any principle or system. Islam is unique in its means, ends and methodologies, and I do not wish that Western democracy be carried over to us with its bad ideologies and values without us adding to it from our values and ideologies in order to integrate it into our comprehensive system. However, the tools and guaranties created by democracy are as close as can ever be to the realization of the political principles brought to this world by Islam to put a leash on the ambitions and whims of rulers. These principles are : shura , nasihah (advice), enjoining the good and forbidding the evil disobeying illegal orders, resisting unbelief and changing wrong by force when possible. It is only in democracy and political freedom that the power of parliament is evident that people's deputies can withdraw confidence from any government that breaches the constitution. It is also only in such an environment that the strength of free press , free parliament, opposition and the masses is most felt. The fears of some people here that democracy makes the people a source of power and even legislation (although legislation is Allah's alone) should not be heeded, because we are supposed to be speaking of a population that is Muslim in its majority and has accepted Allah as its Lord, Muhammad as its Prophet and Islam as its Deen. Such a people would not be expected to pass a legislation that contradicts Islam and the incontestable principles and conclusive rules of Islam. In any case, these fears can be overcome by one article stipulating that any legislation contradicting the incontestable provisions of Islam shall be null and void because Islam is the religion of the State and the source of legitimacy of all its institutions and therefore may not be contradicted, as a branch may not run against the main origin. It should be known that the acceptance of the principle that legislation of rule belong to Allah does not take away from the Ummah its right to seek for itself the codes necessary to regulate its ever changing life and worldly affairs. What we seek is that legislations and codes be within the limits of the flawless texts and the overall objectives of the Shari'ah and the Islamic Message. The binding texts are very few, while the area of 'permissibility' or legislative-free space is quite wide and the texts themselves are so flexible and capacious as to accommodate more than one understanding and accept more than one interpretation. This leads to the existence of several schools and philosophies within the expansive framework of Islam. April / May 2002

wlcm aboad abayo, hope u enjoy the site's expirences as much as i have ciaoo

wlcm aboad abayo, hope u enjoy the site's expirences as much as i have ciaoo

wlcm aboad abayo, hope u enjoy the site's expirences as much as i have ciaoo

wlcm aboad abayo, hope u enjoy the site's expirences as much as i have ciaoo

It always warms the heart to here off more people reverting back to islam, gr8 posts bro keep them coming

The answer is quite simple, well for me anyway, am now 21, inshallah 22 soon and i am thankfuly that my childhood influnences was dominated by my parents or decisons the took on my behalf the 'enviorment' that i subseqently grew up in was indeed shaped by their decisons, so to answer ur questions yes parents matter, they not only matter but are of curical significance for the development of the child.

Salam aleikum Keyno. Brother y persit in arguing about such particularities when there are better things to do like contribuing to the islamic from about the basic but never the less essential parts of islam. You clealy are knowledgeable, or present that appreance so plz why not give us stories like ''Jewish family converts to islam'' by Cabdulmalik which i found inspiring and of practical importance in this day where anything islam is viewed so negatively, rather than these endless disputes . Plz dont take this as a personal attack brother its just that i have read many of ur posts now and a majority of them are quite confrontational and in the end prove to be quite unconstructive. Am sure u can contribute much better than u are at the moment

Salam aleikum. First of all i would like to thank Cabdulmalik, saxib ur contribution was much appreciated. Masallah. I am not so shocked i suppose as everyone else by the fact that some jew's do sometime revert back to islam by the mercy of allah. Any sincere person seeking the truth Allah choses to guide in the light. However my Heart was warmed by the fact that the brother who reverted back was original from america, indeed comming to isreal as a jew what a transformattion, and to do so with his entire family wow trully amazing.

World - AP Europe Russian Copter Shot Down in Chechnya 1 hour, 41 minutes ago ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (AP) - A Russian helicopter was shot down Tuesday in Chechnya (news - web sites) by a missile, killing all three crew and one passenger aboard, an emergency official said. Reuters Slideshow: Chechnya Conflict The Mi-8 helicopter was 100 feet off the ground when it was hit, caught fire and fell in an explosion near Moscow's main military base in the region at Khankala, said Alexander Lemeshev, an official with Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry. Three crew were aboard along with an officer who was accompanying the cargo, Lemeshev said. The deputy commander of Interior Ministry forces, Stanislav Kavun, told Interfax news agency the craft was shot down while attempting to land. Chechen rebels have shot down several Russian helicopters during the two wars in the region in the past decade, including one packed with troops in August that left at least 119 people dead. In Denmark, a Chechen rebel envoy on Monday expressed willingness to start unconditional peace talks with the Russian government. The overture, made at a Chechen conference in Copenhagen, comes just days after rebels stormed a theater in Moscow, an attack that ended with more than 100 deaths after Russian forces pumped in a disabling gas and captured the building. "We urge and we are asking (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, and we declare our readiness, to start peace talks without any preliminary terms," said Akhmed Zakayev, a representative of separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov. Russia, which has so far insisted on a military solution in Chechnya, sharply criticized Denmark for holding the World Chechen Congress after the theater attack in which the rebels demanded Russia ends its war in the breakaway republic. At the two-day conference, Chechens distanced themselves from the hostage-taking. "We have no relations with terrorists," said Osman Ferzaouli, a Copenhagen-based Maskhadov representative. About 100 Chechens, human rights activists and lawmakers from Russia and other European countries gathered attended the conference to discuss ways to end the fighting. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Chechen Congress made any travel by Putin to Denmark impossible. Denmark refused to ban the Chechen conference, citing rights of freedom of speech and assembly. Russian forces retreated from Chechnya after a 1994-1996 war that left separatists in charge. Putin ordered troops to return in 1999 after attacks on a neighboring region and several deadly apartment bombings blamed on the rebels. Salam aleikum ppl shujui-1 here. Thx for ur paitence in finishing to read the article above. The recent siege of the thearte in moscow russia, which has also been debated here on s.o.l, that end so dramtically just a few day's has once again brought the 'inter-national communites attention to the ongoing confilct in chechnya. While Valdimir Putin has classed this as his front on the on going 'war on terrorism', which Bush n Blair have happily agreed and followed on with in return for further russian co-opertaion. Again the vested interested of the counries envolved as usual have taken precedent over the underlying reasonings and logic of the dispute, and the kremlin have in view of the current political climate seen fit to colour this latest incident as they see fit. But i for one am happy to see that the chechnain muslim's are fighting off the own version of 'bush' in Mr Putin and pray that their jihad will reap the rewards they deserve in this life and the hear-after Inshallah

''Those guys on the picture were not the best team from England apparently I heard they were the only guys with British passport who were able to fly to Canada.'' sorry i dont no but somethin about that just soo funny

lol@ soul lady, u tell them.

lol@ soul lady, u tell me.

Return to Islam as simple as that. WhaT Better a way to treach each other with respect dignity humanity and respect than to, as the quran and the sunnah say's. Indeed this is the problem that will face the parties suppose to be thrasing out a peace process in eldoret kenya. Thats the problem we have had i suppose since back in the day. However it was never Mangified to the extent where a whole ppl were under such a crisis. I dont want to preach or sound nieve, but even after giving due sensitive regards to the various issues and problems associated with regain 'community trust' between our selves if ever we try to re-establish ourself back home in our life time, we will still have old wounds to heal. we should learn from the mistakes of our recent past. I.e. Disgard of Tribal faviour as Politcal means of Governance, establish Legal system and Proper education, and given a period of Stabiliy and a return to islamic way fo life am sure someone like myself, and the rest of my nomads, u included will flourish. But i said before am not naive, the current situation is that we are spread all over the globe, huge parts of the country are in relative choas, ungoverned ruled via Milita law. So if the situation persists us such then, so to will our problems. We need to get ride of this old cronies, warlords, uneducated, an-islamic mad med who have for far to long held the regins of power in somalia.