Dear brothers/sisters, The plight of Southern Somalia is an issue that we should all be concerned about, and undoubtedly, as such should the UIC –if not so far. Laakiin Soomaalidu waxay ku maahmaahdaa: Arrin waa mid kugu soo boodday iyo mid kugu bariday Therefore one should not lose sight with the strategic considerations in UIC’s assessment to outweigh the protection and militarily advantageous positioning of its centres (given the Ethiopian military aggression which threatens its very existence) along the very important hard-surface-road linking Galkacyo, Dhuusamareeb, Beledwayne, Jowhar and finally leading to Muqdisho, above less strategically pressing aspects, at least in the short term. This route, (compared to other two hard-surface-roads routes, one from Baydhabo and the other stretching along the coastline of the Jubba valleys as far as Kismaanyo, respectively even so, both leading to Muqdisho; are either defendable or practically harmless) is potentially most dangerous route faced by any Muqdisho based power, past and present, when fighting any Ethiopian based or backed power, past and present. Valuable lessons have been learned from the fall of Siyaad Barre government 16 years ago! If you are men of understanding, then please add the above into the equation and show some patience; the people of the south deserve no less than full justice. Justice will be less likely though, as long as there are some Somalis willing to trade the future of all Somalis for their short-term personal interests by aligning themselves with our collectively millennial archenemy. w/c.

^^^I agree 100% with brother Nur, and don't think there's a more fitting way to conclude this thread.

^^^I'm afraid none of the above mentioned, either singular or in multiple combinations, is sufficiently determining factor(s) to explain brother Khayr's question ("What attracts Somalis to Salafism?"). Perhaps, your grievance overlaps time and methodology, certainly outside the scope of the phenomenon in question: "Salafi-Jadiid"? w/c

Your friend should try reading the book "BEARING TRUE WITNESS" (2nd edition), by Dr. Laurence B. Brown, MD, who's a revert to Islam himself, and whose books will offer some valuable insights in one's direction of life after accepting Islam. After all, your friend can do good by first forgetting his (girl) friends, and focus all of his attentions on Allah, His Messenger and Islam (he'll understand what I mean by that ones he reads the book). You can browse the book by visiting this link <<<<< May Allah guide your friend

[concluding remarks from thisistruth.org] This is the everlasting, renewable, and living proof. The Qur'aan is the eternal miracle in our hands until the Last Hour. Fourteen hundred years ago, the Bedouin in the desert examined the Qur'aan and found in it divine knowledge, which he recognized as from his Lord and which confirmed the veracity of the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Today, scientists in the various disciplines of natural sciences who study the Qur'aan find that this same divine knowledge, is providing them with the same evidence and confirms that it is from the creator of the universe. Likewise, the evidence confirms the genuineness of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We have met with a number of these scientists, some of whom have affirmed that this knowledge could not have come from a human source. Professor Dorja Rao: It is difficult to imagine that this type of knowledge was existing at that time, around 1400 years back. Maybe some of the things they have simple ideas about, but to describe those things in great detail is very difficult. So, this is definitely not a simple human knowledge. Some of them say that this knowledge can only be from outside of this universe. Professor Armstrong: There may well have to be something beyond what we understand as ordinary human experience to account for the writings that we have seen. Professor Dorja Rao: So, I thought the information must have come from a supernatural source. Some of them came forward fearlessly and affirmed that this knowledge can only be from Allah, the Creator of the Universe. Question: Then from whom do you think is the source of such information? Professor Hay: Well, I think it must be the Divine Being. Professor Kroner: ...modern scientific methods are now in a position to prove what Muhammad said 1400 years ago. Professor Marshall Johnson: I see nothing here in conflict with the concept that divine intervention was involved in what he was able to write. Professor Shroeder: Actually, the scientists are now discovering what has been said before. Professor Persaud : I have no difficulty in my mind in concerning that this is a divine inspiration or revelation which led him to relay the statement. Some of them concluded their affirmation by saying: Professor Keith Moore : It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from Allah, because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of Allah. Some of them declared the shahaadah and embraced Islam! Professor Tejasen : I think this is the time to say: There is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger! There is no doubt that the Qur'aan is the eternal miracle in our possession. Allah has said in the Qur'aan: Say: What thing is most weighty in evidence? Say: Allah is witness between me and you; this Qur'aan has been revealed to me by inspiration. That I may warn you and all whom it reaches.(Qur'aan 6:19). Thus, whoever has been informed of this Qur'aan likewise, bears the testimony and warning. The nature of this testimony is the scientific affirmation that each verse in the book of Allah contains. Each verse contains divine knowledge. In each century, scholars make new advances in their various fields. Allah has said: But Allah bears witness that what He has sent unto thee He has sent with His (Own) knowledge.(Qur'aan 4:166). The Qur'aan is the miracle which renews itself in a way which is appropriate for each epoch. Allah has said: For every prophecy is a limit of time, and soon shall you know it. (Qur'aan 6:67). SOURCE

A/c dear Safi, A very interesting piece of writing indeed; there seems to be a hint of personal experience... thanks for sharing it. I glanced some of your poetry at the Den and I enjoyed the following one: It was a long fretful watch Stretching years of secrets divulged Ifs and whys splashed everywhere. Even as I screeched a mark On the mired pages Scarred faces my pen evaded Speechless, An Angel shook its head,upset. History stalled. In the weeping arms of her mother A baby girl rocked herself to slumber. A disheveled kid rushed on the road, A rusty AK-47 his only consort. A door slammed shut, crestfallen, The ruined house of Somalia, Powerless to contain the hurt therein. A widow gave birth And increased a populace wounded. The sea was overwhelmed by the salt it held And took its anger on the wavering seized. Doomsday is an arduous day, A foretaste replayed in the African Horn Even as Angelic discourses went by, unheeded And the moaners dilly-dallied, sidelined. It was a long fretful watch Ifs and whys abounded Unrequited questions weighed down our mother Hellish burdens indiscrete Hovered on shoulders too narrow for the hold. Somewhere in the firmament A higher being flapped bejeweled wings Sun rose yet again to renew her calls But the earth-bound as usual on the prey feasted. Greed-locked they sullied the continent’s spoils. Grow up, Africa! Your desperation’s flowered by your own meanness, Own up! Burnt stars shake off their ashes, Own up, Africa! It was a long ludicrous wait Tongue-tied the pens quivering in the folds, wailed. In this drapery of the world’s most tedious narration Even the accursed devil his face buried. My pen drowned in the sweat of my hesitation Expecting clouds withheld their goods, a scenario replaying my own vacillation. It was time Sun bid adieu And the day’s cares coated with dew. I rest my case by the setting sun And like a disgruntled branch I can only my dissatisfaction share With the reclining ground. Ultimately, A conductor of my spirit alone, The melodies of nature alone in my ears a balm Sight unwavering on the farthest horizon This last Spark being what held my reason. But then again, When there’s none else but Him… Isn’t the cry: Ya Allah! Copyright: 2006 Safi Abdi, All Rights Reserved.

^^^You mean you don't agree with me? Ok, I decided to come back some time in the near distant future to outline morality, its meaning and its legitimate sources. Hopefully that will help us clarify this present mess. peace to all!

She... Hilarious. Ma hubta, saaxib? None whatsoever, no glimmers of divine guidance in their holy books(though changed from the original texts)? Nothing, miya? U have read through the Christian and Jewish books, examined the beliefs of peoples all over the world and in these beliefs, documented or verbal, u found no glimmer of divine guidance as u would understand it as a Muslim miya. Wax kale noogu sheeke, ninyahow. Yes I've read Jewish and Christian books. What morality is there to find in works that has been immorally altered? It seems to me that you don't understand what morality is. Ask yourself: why is our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent? I don't know why it should be a secret but I know no such thing That is the first concession, in few days, you might be able to admit all your wrongs! Immorality as u have said yourself is not confined to non-Muslims, nor is morality confined to Muslims. Thus it is NOT black or white as it is not confined to belief or disbelief of Islam. We were not talking about the black or whiteness of belief- something which I think only the best amongst us can claim for themselves anyway. Belief/disbelief is the root of morality/immorality itself. Anyone who disbelieves in Allah is per definition immoral being. In there, Muslims differ from non-Muslims in the sense that they have the cure against immorality by their belief in Allah, whereas non-Muslims find themselves in the worst act of immorality by their disbelief in Allah. I don't where to start with that. First u say belief and logic stem from the same place, Then u suggest one is the other. Finally u say belief can be abandoned once logic kicks in(wasn't one the other?). Pay little more attention will you: To reformulate for your convenience, the point is, since logic and belief stem from the same place, if beliefs are wrong (thus not logic), then logic will oppose and abandon such belief-system. Islam is the only logical belief-system. EVERYTHING in Islam have logic in it! Can you understand that? I will not PM you your words if u don't want them. If u knew what u said u would have repeated them word for word the second time around. U didn't which means u don't know what u said. And oh boy, have u got it all wrong. Well, if I repeated word for word, does that mean you've changed your mind and I can post it without any breaches of forum rules after all, and you were wrong? Pi, come on, don't be shy... Are all muslims morally upright? No, but have the means to be. Are all non-muslims morally corrupt? Yes, because they are not Muslims.

Shere..., Immorality is not exclusive to non-Muslims! Nor is it their life's purpose. How extraordinary your statement- and this is what made me delete your words, that u put Cara and non-Muslims, one, in the same basket and two in a basket of the immoral. Is the world black or white? Immorality may not be exclusive to non-Muslims, but it's always present in non-Muslims since they have no Devine guidance to prevent them from behaving immorally and unethically. A) What crime did I commit if I put Cara in the non-Muslim basket? After all, it's not a secret that she's a non-Muslim! B) What's wrong with putting non-Muslims who're willing to sell their eggs in the basket of immorality? And btw YES the world knows two divisions; it's called belief and disbelief rather than black or white! Belief and logic do not stem from the same place. I do not believe that as a child you belive in Allah because it's logical, u believe what u are told and obey your parents' commands and take on their beliefs. It is as you get older that logic cements the belief into place. And what a glorious feeling it is. Belief and logic do stem from the same place! Children believe what they're told because they lack sense of logic as their mind and conscious is not fully developed like you indicated. But if belief is not logic, then soon those children will abandon their beliefs as soon as they develop their logic senses. However, there's only one logic belief, namely, Islam. All other beliefs have nothing to do with logic. It is YOU that should think before u cast judgement, do not let self-righteousness and sweeping statements sully your faith. Likewise I know what I said... if you must PM me, but you've got it all wrong. P.S. What's your problem Castro? Your advice is not very much appriciated, and I thought you bowed out earlier, so why are you still here?

originally posted by Cara: Let's say a Muslim girl says she would sell her eggs if it wasn't against Islamic law. Would you then consider her views immoral? If I was Superman I would fly, be the fastest man and catch bullets on my chest. Would you consider me Superman? Wouldn't being Superman or not be subject to my abilities to fly, beam laser from my eyes and catch bullets with my chest (assuming only Supermen could do that)? Here, if we were non-Muslims, we would be immoral and unethical beings. Can you understand that immorality is subject to being non-Muslim (or ones ability to deny, disbelief or refuse to act according to Islamic laws)? I know cannot teach logic to someone who doesn't even recognise her Creator, but you're all over the place now. One thing though, I can always buy eggs from, say someone like you, and sell on as a middle man; therefore, I too, can sell eggs in one way or the other! Sheher.. I still don't believe that I said anything deserving of deletion... I personally think that you've been too quick with your judgement; it may help to take few more seconds to think over next time

The original question was "But would you sale your egg's if you really needed the money and our deen wasnt against it at all?" As such your views as a man are irrelevant, whether you are Muslim or not The question here only becomes relevant on the condition implied, namely, if our deen wasnt against it as you noted yourself (and not if you were not men). The "Deen" we're talking about is Islam, and as such, this discussion is inherently an Islamic one, and therefore it's you as a non-muslim who's out of place and order here. Also since there's one Islam for both genders, your attempts to play the gender-card will be a futile one. You simply wanted to make a personal attack on me and this was as good a venue as any. I'm sure you would have responded the same way if I'd mentioned a preference for mustard over mayonaise. What personal attack? Are not confusing yours for mine? how I feel about you has nothing to do with your religion and everything to do with your conduct What conduct? martyrdom complex Who...you or me? Peace.

originally posted by Cara: In what way are your views more relevant than mine? since when do you speak for anyone but yourself? First, I'm not bothered about how you feel about me; I know how (you as non-Muslim) must feel about me (as Muslim). To answer some of the points you've raised in between your hate-lines... 1) Our views are governed by Islamic law, hence, those in line with Islamic laws are more relevant than, say for example yours. 2) I can speak for Muslims in religious matters as long as it's not in conflict with the Qur'an and Sunnah; but as for those who deviate, I can naturally not. Therefore I can say: We Muslims don't do, say or believe such and such. We believe in one Allah, and we have one Qur'an and one Sunnah. Peace.

I said, if I remember it correctly: Non-Muslims do that (referring to her opinion of willing to sell her eggs for money) as they do other immoral and unethical acts; furthermore, I reminded her that we are Muslims and don't attach much weight or significance to her opinion (regarding the above stated), so it would make sense, I suggested to her, to take her opinions to likeminded people. So, dear moderators, what rule(s) did I break there?

Is it just me, or has my reply to the above mysteriously just disappeared? What happened to my post? Is it not allowed to refer non-Muslims as non-Muslims? Can the moderator responsible for the deletion of my post please explain their exact motives for doing so?

A woman that wants to lose wieght can not get out of her head that she needs to lose weight, it consumes the mind. Here's where I recognise my extreme handicap and respectfully withdraw myself from this conversation. I'm willing to go into many territories, but the mind of women is one area I never dared to entreat and don't dare to embark now...

originally pested by Nur Learning Somali is very helpful to retain your cultural background, that way, when you finally relocate back to Qurac Dheer, you will be able to communicate with Ayeeyo Cambaro and adeer Waraabe Wareeriye, who would love to hear your stories in ardi gaalo, but without saying, " FUN badan baan heysannay". L L

sheherazade, Well, the flexibilities of optional fasting is as such, that it's not so difficult to intend, first, to fast and then benefit from it's associated side-effects. Allah is the Most Just and has a miraculous rewarding system. For that matter, you might be intending to fast-off some extra stones in order to look attractive for your husband, and while not realising Allah may reward you for that alone! Just think of those unmarried people of age who're encouraged to fast; why is that do you think and how will their intention be affected? Mind you, some decide to fast by mid-noon when they realise they haven't eaten yet, and feel they could go on for another five or six hours. I agree with you though; moderation is crucial...

Not sure u'll get ajar out of a deliberate weight-loss campaign Dear Shepherdess (if I may) , it's possible to get both, the valuable ajar and whatever desirous side-effects you wish to acquire along with. So the advice of the sis to fast two days a week (Mondays and Thursdays would be fine, but make sure your husband agrees) as a means to lose weight is a brilliant idea.

originally posted by Modesty_check: But would you sale your egg's if you really needed the money and our deen wasnt against it at all? Well sis, it's against our Deen so there's no need to ask whether one can sell hypothetically any of their organic produce, even if one "really needed the money". Do you realise what you've just asked?

So what do you blame it on? The lack of education, our precarious culture or idleness? It's tempting to say WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME, but realistically, it's their lack of ISLAMIC PERSONALITY which is associated with ignorance and weakness in their faith!

Brothers Nur, Xiinfaniin, A/c, Looking back to my statement regarding the gathering of provisions, I must admit that I've mistakenly assumed that people could/would read my mind and would somehow understand what I implied. So to explain my use of the word provision, it should be enough for me to state that it has no bearing to worldly sustenance whatsoever! Firstly, it's as brother Nur has told us by citing the verse: "Say (O Muhammad); 'if you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful'" (Qur'an, 3:31) Secondly, we have to remember that our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are three things whoever has them will enjoy faith: That Allah and His Messenger are most loved to him than anything else, that one loves anyone else only for the sake of Allah and that one hates returning to disbelief as he hates being thrown into the Fire" (Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmed and ibn Majah) Nevertheless, I was planning to add more of the qualities that Allah loves to see in His slaves, only this time using the Sunnah, instead of the Qur'an, as the source, but became unfortunately little preoccupied with work.. So quoting in the words of our beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to preserve their context in describing these qualities, here's among other things what he said: "Allah loves the believer who is pious and rich, but does not show off." (Muslim) "Allah loves the slave who believes and acquires a career/work." (Tabarani) "Allah loves from amongst His slaves, the one who has a sense of zeal or honour." (Tirmidi) "Allah is Most Generous and He loves generosity in sale, purchase and judgement." (Hakim) "Allah loves the believing slave who is poor but virtuous enough to refrain from begging though he has many children." (Ahmed) "Allah loves lofty matters and superiority and hates inferior matters." (Tabarani) "Allah loves that you be just towards your children even when kissing them." (Najjar) "Allah is Most Forgiving and He loves forgiveness." (Iday) "Allah said: My love is due to those who meet for My sake, visit one another and make any effort for My pleasure." (Malik) "The most loved slaves to Allah are those who exhort their slaves." (Ahmed) "The most loved deeds by Allah are the ones that are continuous even if they are not many." (Bukhari) "The most loved slaves to Allah are those who are made to love virtue, and loving virtuous deeds is made lovely to them." (Dunya) "The strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than the weak believer, but they are both good." (Muslim) "If two men love each other for the sake of Allah, the stronger in love to his brother will be more loved by Allah." (Tabarani) w/c.

a/c, What I had imagined was Bukhari's final minutes as he sat down tired in the shade of an old tree, forced of his path by an intense longing to meet his Creator. The provisions I had in mind was similar to his, but you're right brother Nur, people desire to cross over for many reasons, good and bad ones. Xiin you're welcome.

A/c brother Nur, I felt I did not belong to this world anymore, I felt homesick to a home that I have only known in the pages of the Quraan and the narrations of the Hadeeth We don't belong to this world, but only few are lucky enough to have gathered enough provisions to long for home my dear brother. I hope you're one of them I was asking myself: How does one know whether he/she loves Allah or not? It's not an easy question to answer, as people differ in their judgement criterion, standard criterion and perspective biasness. So, I thought to myself, the only way to know it for sure, is to find out the criterions Allah uses as standard to express love for His servants. Assuming, whomsoever Allah loves, cannot fail but love Allah to acquire such position by means of criterion fulfilment in the first place (I guessed). I did a quick search in the Glorious Qur'an to find that Allah loves in His slaves among other things, those: ..who are patient; ..who are pious; ..who are good-doers; ..who are equitable; ..who repent; ..who fight in His Cause; ..who act justly; ..who put their trust in Him; ..who purify themselves; ..who follow the Sunnah.. If I was to use the above collection as an objective/subjective performance evaluation with respect to the degree of proximity I could/would fit in those measurement indicators, clear becomes to me the failure I am! O Allah! Have mercy on this miserable soul! I'm looking for an easier and more favourable test now w/c.

^^^ducadaada bilaashka ah maxey sheegi, hadday run kaa tahay maad wadaadka gabadhaada siisid ama gabadh-soo-hadal-qaadkeeda deysid? Ducada waa laysaga baahanyahay, laakiin marka hore gabadha bixi, kadibna ducada soo raaci baan ku oran lahaa!

Cara writes: That's why I suggested 1 accurate prediction in 23 years/6000 verses is hardly clearcut proof of divine guidance Leaving aside your inaccurate figure of 6000 verses, and assuming (for convenience) that there are 6000+ verses; are you saying that they're all predictions? If not, what justice do you have for your statistical cynicism (i.e. if this "1 accurate prediction" is the only 1 prediction in 6000+ verses, at least so far, then we have a 1:1 accuracy, no)? Cara writes: The Romans did not win a decisive battle against the Persians until 627 AD, which is 12 years after their defeat on 614-615 Your dates are misleading; Romans were not defeated in 614-615, rather what you're referring there is the fall and massacres of Jerusalem which took place in April/May 614 CE to be precise. However, it was not the defeat of the Romans who were still powerful in the lands between Jerusalem and Egypt including the Dead Sea area. The defeat of the Romans should be considered as a motion indicating one particular decisive victory from the time of interest (when revealed this Surah) and between the times of Persian conquests of the Dead Sea area which paved the easy way through to Sinai valley and completed by the capture of Alexandria by 617 CE, or when the Persians completed their occupation of Egypt in 619 CE. Therefore the trick is not to pick a battle which predates the revelation of the verses in question here, in fact, we need not look elsewhere for answers other than the outcomes and reactions of Makkan atheists and agnostics themselves between the times of exchanged defeats. First, it's believed that these particular verses were revealed some five years into Allah's apostle's prophetship (9 Rabic-al-Awwal during the year of the Elephant, or Monday 22 April 571 CE plus 40 years and then added five more) which corresponds to circa 615-1616 CE. So the disbelieving atheists and agnostics of Makkah at that time (btw you're no match to their sarcasms) offered Abubakr (ra) to bet against them for huge amounts of money that this prophecy won't be fulfilled within three years. However, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised Abubakr (ra) to set the bet for nine years. Such a high profile had this bet, that ever since it was set, thousands of Muslims, atheists and agnostics were anticipating in its outcome. Then, still few years short of the Hijra of the Prophet (pbuh) and Abubakr (ra) in September 622 CE, the prophecy was not to be realised until the second year after Hijrah at the battle of Badr. When finally the news of the Roman (motion of decisive) victory came which ended the long and anxious waiting of nine years, and as a consequence, countless number of agnostics like you came into the fold of Islam. Surely, no agnostic would've ever embraced Islam if this prophecy was not within nine years as you seem to imply, yet, there should've been Muslims going other direction and becoming agnostics, no? One should note that this Surah was revealed when Muslims were suffering from a lot of oppression and a state of low morale. So when the defeat of the Persians on Romans hands came few years into the Hijrah, Muslims were joyful on their own right and were experiencing their highest morale. This, on closer look at the second part of verse four that states "..on that Day shall the believers rejoice" (30:4), confirms that their joy was also related to their victorious battle of Badr against the Makkans which happened on the same day. All and all, after examining the situation in which these verses were revealed, especially the following verses stating "With the help of Allah. He helps whom He wills....(it is) a Promise of Allah, and Allah fails not in His Promise, but most men know not" (30:5-6), and Allah's fulfilments thereof, we encounter some surprising facts of interconnected multidimensional joy and happiness, and other less apparent prophecy within prophecy, but in the context of Muslims from their respective situations as mentioned above, which so far hasn't been considered in this discussion. For this we need to go back in history again, this time it's 17 Ramadan 02 AH and the Muslim army stood face to face with the Makkan army. It was in Badr and the Muslim army consisting of some weak, some sick, some old, and otherwise not well equipped at all, were facing an army trice their number with superior weaponry equipments. Upon seeing this, Utbah bin Rabiah boastfully remarked "let's go back without a fight"! Meanwhile the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned to his Lord saying "O Allah! If You were to exterminate this small group of Muslims, You will be worshipped on earth no more." Thus Allah sent His army of angels to aide the believers, and against all odds, the weak Muslim army defeated the much stronger army by the leave of Allah. Not much time now, but will go into much more depth some other time and explore many verses relating to this matter... In the mean time look for: (Qur'an, 3:12-13, 8:9,12,13,42-44)