A/c, Pi, if you wish to know where Allah is, then we can discuss that objectiveley... and I would start that by posing the question: WHERE IS ALLAAH? But to post useless articles of misguidence is another subject. So, what is it that bothers you so much and that wish to discuss it here and now ? w/c

All praise is due to Allah (swt) whose Guidance and Mercy we rely on, truly, none of whom He guided can be misguided, and none of whom He misguided can be guided. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah (swt), and that Muhammad is His slave and final Messenger, may Allaah’s blessings be upon him, his family, his companions and all those who followed him in righteousness. Brother Nur, considering the questions, I thought that it would be too complicated for me to answer each question separately, I decided to limit myself in answering only the first question, leaving enough for the rest to think about. So here is a short and simplistic answer -to your indeed rightly timed- “very tough aqeedah questionâ€! What happens when a person who says this word, yet fails to understand its meaning? To say Laa ilaaha Ill-Allaah, Muxammadan Rasuul Ul-Allaah, without knowing it’s meaning is not enough. Knowledge is central to that which you say (Kalimah), without which otherwise would be useless since you cannot believe it firmly and act upon it. Similarly, knowing without believing and/or acting upon would be useless. Therefore knowledge of the Kalimah (Laa ilaaha Ill-Allaah, Muxammadan Rasuul Ul-Allaah) is merely the first of many conditions governing the standard contract between Allaah (swt) and us (Muslims), as made clear by His agent/witness through the apparent condition in the mentioning of (Muxammadan Rasuul Ul-Allaah) as required part of the Kalimah (to be valid). Allah ordered His Messenger to “Know that (Laa ilaaha Ill-Allaahu) none has the right to be worshiped...†(Qur’aan 47:19). Also, when Allah was distinguishing those who truly believed in Him with knowledge from those still in ignorance who “…if you ask them who created them, will surely say: “Allahâ€...†(Qur’aan 43:87), Allaah made the point that the first group were those “...who bear witness to the truth knowingly (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allaah, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allaah)†(Qur’aan 43: 86). As mentioned in the hadeeth of Qatada on the questioning in the grave, that some people will answer “I don’t remember, but I used to say what other people used to sayâ€, the two angels would reply to them, “You did not know and you did not follow guidanceâ€, so they will be hit with an iron hammer as such, their cry will be heard by everything near humans and jinn excluded (Bukhari/Muslim/Axmed). Of most interesting is to our case, is the angelic line when they reply “You did not know and you did not follow guidance†which shows the knowledge dependency of guidance. That is why when our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever dies knowing that there is no god except Allaah will enter Paradise†(Muslim), was only referring to those who fulfil the necessary conditions in order for their statements to be valid. Cumar Ibn Cabdul-Caziiz (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say: “Whoever worships Allaah without knowledge, will do more damage than what he puts right.†Mucaad Ibn Jabal (may Alaah be pleased with him) also said: “Knowledge should precede action, because if actions and intentions are done without knowledge, then ignorance, misguidance and desires will prevail.†Knowledge is also the source of Iimaan, because it strengthens your belief in the Kalimah (word). This is clear from the hadeeth of Ibn Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) which explains the verse “Allaah will keep firm those who believe (iimaan), with Firm Word in this world (i.e. they’ll keep worshipping Allaah alone), and in the Hereafter (explained in the next hadeeth)...†(Qur’aan 14:27), which he related from the prophet (Allaah’s blessings and peace be upon him) that: “When a Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allaah and Muxammad is the Messenger of Allaah.†(Bukhari/Muslim). Besides knowledge, there are of course six other important conditions of the Kalimah which may could be discussed next time. w/c

a/c, Khalaf, you say... Qu’ran that directly says a woman can’t lead a nation? As you may know, the style of the Qur'an is in a way that it sometimes orders and sometimes forbids us to do or not to do. We Muslims should obey and refrain from what Allah prohibits, and comply with whatever Allah orders. In this case, the style is as follows... "Men are protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. therefore the righteous women are devoutley obedient..." (3:34). one can guess which style that command is belongst to. Thus, to clarify the issue: a) men are made responsible to lead women b) righteous women are obedient to Allah c) righteous women are obedient to their husbands Therefore, women leadership is in conflict with the Qur'an, with her role as wife and with the rights of the Muslims (for practical reasons). w/c.

a/c, Brother Nur, You absolutely correct in that assessment, but I was more referring to overall crises in the muslim world during their time. For example the fall of the Ottoman Empire were also accompanied by the European colonialism, occupation of Muslim lands/minds and the dangerous influx of alien ideas and philosophies. Though the Qadyani and to lesser degree the Quraniyouni movements were doing some serious damage on the sub-continent, the reactionary force on whose back Mawdudi and Nadwi have risen to the challenge, had benefited the Muslim world directly and continue to do so today. w/s

Why Does Allah Tell Us About the Creation? a/c, sister, that's because... Creation is in Need of Allah by, Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah "Man always looks for what benefits him and what protects him from harm. However, to accomplish this, man must be able to realize what is harmful. He must then know whom he should need, trust, and love so that he can attain what is beneficial as well as to feel good about his choice. He also must know the proper and good approach that would make him achieve this goal. This latter condition requires that man: a) Know about harm b) What ways can be used to drive harm away Certainly, man can have no better guidance than that which comes from the One Who had perfected everything, and the One who Has no deficiency in Himself and in His Attributes. The One Who is Ever-Living and Who does not die. There can be no One better than the One Who Has no need for anything; the One Who is rich; the Giver; the One who, after all, controls man's soul. Man is so poor to Him. He is Allah, the True and only God. Man can bring harm to himself if he seeks other than Allah for help. Allah is the One Who can help man drive away any harm for it cannot occur without His Will and His Power. Allah (SW) sent down His Books and chose His Messengers to guide man to: a) Know His Lord as He (SW) had explained about Himself, and b) Seek Him Alone while living in accordance with His plan Knowing Allah's Names and Attributes liberates man from worshiping any form of creation because creation is weak and is in need of The Creator, Allah. The knowledge about Allah leads man to know that he is created to live according to Allah's way as revealed to the last Messenger Muhammad (sallaallaahu `alaihi wa sallam). This Revelation contains a complete code of life. Everything that is beneficial or harmful is established so that man can center his life around this Revelation. If man commits wrong and knows that Allah is Oft-Forgiving he would turn to Him and to Him alone seeking His forgiveness: "Know, therefore, that there is no God Who deserves to be worshiped except Allah; and ask forgiveness for your sins." (Qur'an, 47:19) It is wrong to think or believe that Allah created other 'gods' besides Him so that man turns to them for help; loves them or fear them, etc. He is the same God of all nations. He does not order that people should make of stars, sun, fire, Jesus, Moses, etc. gods besides Him. He (Most Exalted) cannot be 'contradictory'. He has one way (religion) that calls man to surrender his will only to Him. He (SW) warned that if man (even Muhammad sallaallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) would take partners with Him, then his work will fail and will be among losers: "And verily, it had been revealed to you (O Muhammad) as has been revealed to those before you. If you join others in worship with Allah (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain and you will certainly be among the losers. Nay! But worship Allah and be among grateful." (Qur'an, 39:65-66) Let us know what Muhammad (sallaallaahu `alaihi wa sallam), the man-Prophet, who knew Allah best, used to say: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You for Your Pleasure and against Your Wrath,and in Your Forgiveness and against Your Punishment and in You from You, I cannot Praise You as You can Praise Yourself." (Muslim, Abu Dawoud, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah) "I have surrendered myself to You, I have directed my face to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have compelled my back to refuge in You, in want and in fright of You, there is no resort nor survival from You except (in turning) to You. I have faith in Your book (i.e. the Qur'an) which You brought down and in the Prophet (Muhammad) you have sent." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) When we read in the Qur'an that: "Whatever of Mercy (i.e. of good), Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (Qur'an, 35:2) And when we read that: "If Allah touches you with hurt, there is none can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will, and He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Qur'an, 10:117) We should be motivated to return to Him Alone at times of ease and at times of hardship. And when we read that: "If Allah helps you none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there, after Him, that can help you. And in Allah (alone) let believers put their trust." (Qur'an, 3:160) The Qur'an, therefore, leads man to a true liberation from any false attachment. It brings peace to the heart. It helps the believer against hypocrisy and all forms of dishonesty. Imagine, for example, a believer facing a problem at work. He sees wrong and faces unlawful practices. He does not fear rejecting what is wrong. He knows that the job is only a means to gain his sustenance. While he may be unable to correct what is wrong, he knows well that Allah is the One Who provides. If he leaves his job for the sake of Allah, Allah will give him a better one. Allah (SW) said: "And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. He will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine." (Qur'an, 65:2-3) The above texts, necessitates that man must depend upon Allah (SW) asking Him Alone for assistance. It also requires that man must love Allah and worship Him Alone to gain His pleasure and His help. Is it not true that the people who consider this life as the "Final Goal" end up worshiping many things in it? You see them so careful about "having it all". They torture themselves: pain, difficulty, constant worry, keeping their hands in the banks for loan after loan to keep up with the "demands of development". They are under the constant threat of fore-closure. They constantly see poverty in front of their eyes. The Prophet (sallaallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: "Allah says: Son of Adam: Fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end off your poverty. But if you donot, I would make your hands fully busy (i.e. in worldly affairs) and I would not end off your poverty." (At-Tirmidhi said that it is a good hadeeth) Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator Allah. Every act done according to Allah's way is an act of worship. Man is the beneficiary and Allah is in no need: "O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise." (Qur'an, 35:15) link

a/c, Brother Nur, I've no enough energy to discuss tribal faults and it's abuse/misuse, but would like to make some time soon. I should admire your condition and determination, because these things ere crucial to be able to run such times in the morning over such distances...and not the least because it helps you generate so many creative ideas. I tried to run in some mornings when I used to compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but it was too difficult and inconvenient, so I opted cycling instead which suits me much better. I remember when I started cycling first as a schoolboy going up and down, back and forth on a bridge crossing a big river nearby after watching le tour de france, pretending to be Miguel Indurain sprinting away from the pleton on the Pyrenees or mount Alp Duez. It was very interesting that you mentioned S. A. A. Mauwdudi and A. H. A. Nadwi. Indo-Pak sub-continent scholars and thinkers don't get often the praise they deserve (especially from us somalis), but personally I owe them a great deal of debt. Did you know that Mauwdudi ones attempted to visit somalia during the colonisation early 60's? I read that in a published correspondence letters between him and Maryam Jameelah, where he stated that illness and imprisonment had prevented him from touring in selected places in Africa starting from the British administered Somalia. I wonder what would have happened had he succeeded in achieving that. w/c

a/c (Perennial/seasonal) "HAYFEVER" or rhinitis w/s

Assalaamu calaykum brother Nur, You say: or along a beach from Kismayo to Lamu-Malindi Can you seriously run that distance?....amazing! ......though my motive is not sportive, I'm planning to walk along for days

Brother Nur, Looking forward to that particular topic Insha'Allah. Though very important, it's one of the least understood subjects, but the most important (assuming complementary oneness of the Qur’an and Sunnah; otherwise second to Qur’an if you wish) “codex alimentary†aspect of Islamic life/afterlife! We all need it and hope to benefit greatly from your contributions of the subject on SOL. w/a

The Rendezvous, What's true for the "Horn", must also be true for elswere; in fact, the sum of elswere is even more closer to the above quoted Hadeeth! w/s

Normally new rivers, seas and mountains are born in slow motion. The Afar Triangle near the Horn of Africa is another story. A new ocean is forming there with staggering speed -- at least by geological standards. Africa will eventually lose its horn. Der Spiegel Dear brothers and sisters, The above means nothing, other than that in the near future, our "homelands" would increasingly suffer earthquakes associated with process of platonic "drifts" and upward magmatic pressures. It may come as a surprise to some, but we have been wrned by Allah (swt) and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), if we are poeple of understanding! Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet, (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The Hour will not happen until knowledge is taken out, time passes quickly, earthquakes increase in number, tribulations (fitan) appear, and al-Harj increases in number." It was said, "What is al-Harj, O Rasoolullah?" He said, "Al Qatl, al Qatl" (Killing!, Killings!). Much of the above has appeared in the "Horn" except earthquakes which we've been waiting and only seems to be a matter of time. Let it be a lesson for those who take heed and a reminder for those who remember, so that they may return to the Creator of heavens and earth, their Lord, Lord of the worlds. w/c

Assalamu Calaykum, Ideal role model: the Prophet (pbuh) How to pray your Salaat correctly: Prophet style! Mercy to humanity

A/c Salaat-link *edited* looking for another replacement Salaat-link! W/c

But on the positive side SOS, the Cartoon was a blessing in disguise, imagine a person who does not pray angry at the cartoons? nextb thing, they will be looking for someone to teach them how to pray, so be ready in case, we have more part time Muslims than full timers. Brother Nur, I think you’re right to look from the positive perspective,...in every affliction and hardship hides and unforeseen blessings; the story of prophet Yusuf (cs) is an obvious testimony to that. "O my Lord! the prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: Unless Thou turn away their snare from me, I should (in my youthful folly) feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant." (Qur’an, 12:33). It’s very interesting actually when you think about it;...for example, I’ve heard reports about Muslims in Denmark who used to socialise with the Danish in an extremely “compromised positions†to pun it politely, but since the incidents, have become “excommunicated†from these lower debts of a-social circles! W/c

Brother Kheyr, assalaamu calaykum. Since no one else has responded to my provocative statement except you, I’ll clarify my position only to you. Doing so has many advantages including the ease of association (we’re not that dissimilar I guess, so don’t hold your breath), well-meant positive constructive criticism and the assumption of common cause, which is ultimately to please Allah, all thanks to His favours and grace. The point of starting this thread was to engage whoever willing to widen their horizons and armed only with the fundamentals of Islam. That’s what I meant by “Tranfrontier thinkingâ€, getting rid of all other acquired and accepted frameworks of thinking from the point of view of present status quo. With that in mind, let’s attack the situation, dismantle the problem at hand and examine everything by looking through the lenses of Islam-e-scope! We know that one of the prophecies made by our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was that Allah would remove the fear non-believers always had in their heart for the believers. The reason...what happens now is happening, is because the disbelievers lost their fear of us, not that they ever loved or respected us for which reason they abstained in the past from blatantly abusing and mocking our religion, but because we’re now living in the times Allah’s Messenger had prophesised. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was even then concerned with us and how the future of his Ummah would look like. Thus he asked Allah (swt) for three things for the future of his nation; these were 1) that his nation wouldn’t be totally destroyed like other nations before them and Allah granted him that wish, 2) that their enemy wouldn’t be granted the upper hand when they fight was granted on the condition that 3) they shouldn’t fight among themselves, which was not granted. One of the reasons for example Muslims would most definitely fight other Muslims (there are many more) is as Ibn Maajah reported, that it was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying “If the leaders of the Muslims did not judge with the Book of Allah and chose from what Allah has revealed, Allah will punish them by making them fight among themselves.†Although Jews were aware of that for many centuries, the Christians had to learn it the hard way. It’s said that they eventually understood the invincibility of an united Muslim Ummah, when king Louise IX of France on a campaign in the Egyptian region was captured by Muslims and imprisoned (I guess in Alexandria), who for the first time wrote to all the monarchs in Europe and heads of churches that Muslims cannot be defeated in physical wars; the ideological war was born and still continues today. The plan could not be simpler, step 1) divide them and step 2) make themselves fight, but to make them fight each other, it was important first to corrupt them and contaminate their beliefs (how is very obvious from history). I hope that links well with the situation that we’re facing now with our enemies (disbelievers can afford to openly provoke us) and the decaying situation that we face within ourselves (alien doctrines, ignorance and religious laxity), and the causation of the former by the latter! You’ve made one attempt with the help of psychological behaviourism, but we needn’t waste too much time explaining its unacceptable limitations, especially from Islamic perspective. However, I do understand the need to elaborate my reasons for dismissing one view or another, that is, if I wish to entertain the need to be taken my alternative views seriously. The main reason I object to your analysis is its absolute one dimensionality, which equates Muslim behaviour with the chemical reactions in his brain cells and their autonomic observations which denies the roles assigned to the Qur’anic dictates, Prophet’s spiritual guidance and Muslim’s mental order to comply with those teachings, and to check whatever behaviour -however emotionally spontaneous and genuine, and however intellectually reasonable and logic at the moment- that is fundamentally incompatible. Therefore we can have all the psychologically emotional inducement necessary in your particular behaviouristic model (i.e. emotions, desire, will, thought), but if we lack the knowledge to react in an Islamic/correct or even optimum way, then behaviourism is at best unfit for our purpose and at worst may become a purpose of its own. That’s why as a matter of principle, I refer to your psychological reasoning as “behaviourismâ€, for the simple fact that practically adopted aptitudes void of Islamic revelation and conceptual knowledge will always develop onto an attitude which is based on blind feelings and ignorance. This means that the prerequisites of correct actions are not one’s emotional state, but rather one’s faith (eemaan), beliefs in one’s heart (caqiidah), affirmation of it by means of word and the knowledge of that which you believe. It may not mean that we won’t get it wrong at times, but even then as long as the prerequisites are in place, guaranteed is that Muslims (ideologically) will neither face internal subversion nor submit to external coercion. Like a healthy tree on a rich soil with strong roots and branches, we can state that caqiidah, camal and cilm will fight off all diseases and as a consequence, will constantly purify Muslims and maintain the purity of their original message. As Allah said “They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.†(Qur'an 2:5). Where you misunderstood me was my position on the global demonstrations against these cartoons, which, depending on the situation I would most definitely have taken part of. Even though demonstrations have their root in cultures alien to ours, it’s permissible for Muslims in need with no other means of exercising their voice, and when defending Allah, His Prophet and His religion we must do so either by hand/actions if we’re able, then denounce such evil by the use of our tongues or otherwise hate these actions with our hearts if we’re unable to exercise the other two. However, what I simply sought to point out was the fact that, a) it was not the first time this has happened, b) we Muslims are guilty of greater crimes against Allah and His Prophet, as a result of which c) this particular issue can be said to have direct relation with. Thus according to c, a is happening because of b and we need to take care of b first if we’re to solve a, so when I oppose being “impulsive reactionaries†I mean just that. More importantly, if you’ve sensed any frustrations in my post (how can not anyone be frustrated, more important is how you deal with) it has to do with the total lack of sense of proportionality. We should be reacting in the same way every time Allah’s Message and the teachings of His Messenger are insulted or made fun of. It’s may be not as apparent as it used to be in the 1960s, when the inexperienced agents of the non-believers (our leaders) openly used to propagate that Ramadan was harming national economy and should be abolished (in the case of one former in France trained Tunisian president) or that cutting off the hands of thieves would have negative impact on national employment levels (in the case of Somalia by the Soviet trained military commanders). But there are plenty of Muslim countries who openly mock, resist and fight any suggestion of a rule by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger these days as well. I ask you once again, which one is worse (in Islamic principles), the cartoons or the refusal of Muslims to govern themselves by Allah’s Laws? If we for simplicity accept both case scenarios as equally bad, why not demonstrate then in both cases? The problem? I know the answer is hidden in the apparent disproportional reactions, where the mocking of his teachings have become acceptable and unimportant details, whiles if the same is done against his person all corners of the world would burn! We have split the Message from the Messenger, and deemed the former less important, not surprisingly then to see that, because being a Muslim is mere symbolic one, our anger too has become symbolic (burning flags) in stead of acting in the Message whose existence, the importance and value of the Messenger is derived from! For the record, the Messenger is the personification of the Message, if there’s no message then there’s no messenger. What do you think? W/c

Brothers and sisters, Assalaamu calaykum. Normally, after I finish reading my e-mails, I quickly browse SOL and try to pass off whatever comments I could possibly do within the remaining minutes of my 50 P internet-time, but today I find myself in a position that I could make a point without the usual relative time constraint. Since there is a lot happening in the Muslim world, or as I prefer NOT happening, I decided to make a simple point which may come as a shock to some, but hopefully will induce most of us to think. This point relates to the recent mockery, defamation, and demonizing caricatures of the greatest creation ever to walk on the heavens and earth, and Allah’s mercy to mankind, our beloved Prophet Muxammad upon which peace and blessings be, his family, his companions and all those who followed him in righteousness. What the disbelievers did were indeed crimes far and beyond the imaginable horizons of true justice, and paradoxically, in whose name (justice it is) Allah’s enemies unite, and made insulting His Prophet de facto pillar of their desired world order. Therefore yes it’s something to be grieved about and we were all saddened, for our love of the prophet exceeds everything else in this world. But we shouldn’t become impulsive reactionaries and blame the disbelievers doing that which they’re known for doing, namely, to disbelieve (which is incidentally greater crime) and direct their mischievous plots to obstruct the light of Islam against Allah and His Prophet. Every Messenger sent by Allah was mocked as we can read these facts in the Qur’aan, and btw, putting aside our ignorance of history, it’s not the first time this has happened. There were times when Allah’s Prophet went out to his people every day to call them unto their Lord and the maltreatment was so fierce, that no other human could ever withstand amidst such afflictions which he faced for the first 13 years of his mission. Yet, his conduct breached the humanly possible limits of the highest order of nobleness, when for example, while being stoned by the crowd of Taa’if (for the Tawxiid of Allah which he professed and called upon), and as the Prophet’s blood from his forehead poured down to his beard (and how would’ve the earth felt by every drop of prophetic blood spilt on it) when he uttered the following words: “O Lord, I appeal to Thee out of my weakness, my lack of resourcefulness and in complaint of the contempt and abuse of man. Yet if I but merit Thy favour, verily naught care I.†(It’s not the same you may think, because he was not being abused then in print, but thereupon I can only direct your attention to the disgusting illustrations of Dante’s whimsical inferno in the plagiaristic “Devine Comedy†in some Italian medieval churches) However, the reason I chose that incident/quotation is to help us understand better the concept of prophethood in relation to message and meaning, rather than (symbolic) function or an (symbolic) individual. This, I hope will give you some insight to my provocative thoughts (the promised simple point for shock and inducement to think) and are meant to stimulate a better understanding of our relationship with Allah’s Messenger and his true/absolute real value. The simple point: The injustices done by the disbelieving nations to Allah’s Prophet is nothing, compared to the injustices that WE Muslims have done to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), by which I mean, the massive abandonment of his teachings, the betrayal of his heritage with the (great price spent) legacy of his companions, and the spiritual rejection for the mission for which he stood. Believe it or not, but the corruption and neglecting of even a single aspect of his revealed message weights greater in his sight, than a mere abusive depiction of his persona, which, ultimately is the symptom of the former. End of simple point: !!!Are you :confused: ?!!!...try reading his (cs) quote again! P.S. For all those who’re shocked (if any), we can discuss perhaps more in detail next time, but for those who’re not shocked may explain as they please why knowledge of our religion and strict practice in the teachings of the Qur’aan and Sunnah are the only ways of aiding, supporting and protecting our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Ok now that leaves the wars Africa..........colonialism carved your borders there. The question I have here is it only muslims who are fighting? Most of African countries have gone through some kind of civil strife due to economic difficulties and most times than most power hungry individuals. The only one that seemed to have muslims as prominent members would be Sudan and seriously that is more color based if you ask me . Xiinfaniin answered you aptly by stating that if you were to deal with the core issues in Islam then your conflicts should lessen. To solve a problem it is always wise to go to the root of the problem. Your borders issue is a sub-heading in the division of Islam but I am not trying to figure out individual solutions to these problems per se more like I am trying to find a compound solution to all the problems. It may be a good idea to to first stop reading my mind, and secondly, to stop getting carried away with unspecified assumptions..........for what's worth, I wasn't actually trying to leadf you from your perception of physical borders (most of the times there're no lines in the sand, and the colonials are long gone) to the actual psychological borders, which are accidentally the real borders. Shouldn't we reform our psyche do you think....?

^^Ok, lets use sign language then a) The subject is "reform".......agree? ...therefore... b) "Reform" as an abusive word directed at Islam .....or.... c) "Reform" which is related to par excellence condition of the Muslims when Islamically projected..... Now, b is absolutely out of the question! :rolleyes: ...and since c has many obvious dimentions, I only sought to help you by mentioning "borders"....but to be honest with you; I find it disturbing to see you dismiss that point so easily whiles pointining out at the same time its consequent deadly wars! Don't you think that anything that causes Muslims to fight other Muslims is in dire need of attention and reformation? w/c

originally posted by seeker: Borders might have a lot to do with wars going on in the once colonized nations but I fail to see its place in a reform discussion. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that everything is fine just the way they are... EXCEPT ISLAM and therefore the only thing that needs reform is ISLAM alone? Even the borders that are doing more harm to Muslims than anything else (need i list every evil it's source to?) needn't be reformed? Is there anything you cannot "fail to see its place in a reform discussion" except Islam? Can you explain your point please? W/c

How Can We Confront Intellectual Attack Shaykh `Abdul `Aziz ibn Baz Words of Advice Regarding Da`wah We must confront the intellectual onslaught represented in the radio, books, newspapers, magazines and writings which the Muslim communities in our present time have been afflicted with. The Muslim male and female spend most of their time with such, despite the fact that they contain deadly poison and misleading propagation most of the time. Therefore confronting this is a very important issue if we want to protect Islaam and the Islamic culture from its conspiracies and evil. The da`ees and the defenders of Islaam must devote their time in writing beneficial researches, articles, periodicals and give da`wah. They should respond to different types of cultural attack and expose its defects and clarify its falseness. The enemies have gathered now and are preparing all their efforts and abilities to establish different organizations and various ways to scheme and plot against the Muslims and deceive them. Therefore we must counter attack these enemies. We must refute and disapprove of their networks, expose them, and present Islaam as a faith, belief, legal system and a social and moral system. This should be done in a way that will make the people learn it, through good methods suitable for the age, and with wisdom and good admonition, arguing in a way that is best. We should use all the methods of the media, according to the resources available and our ability. The deen of Islaam is a complete deen, which contains all good. It is the source of happiness for all mankind, and helps us in achieving righteous prosperity, sound progression, security, tranquillity and a noble life and victory in this life and in the Hereafter. link

Rights of Allah by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaymeen Rights Basic to the Natural Human Constitution, and Affirmed by Divine Law © 1994 The Daar of Islamic Heritage Allah's Rights upon His creation are the rights that must be kept the most. Allah is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the Almighty who created everything with absolute wisdom. Allah is the One who initiated every being from nothing. He is the One who protects humans in their mothers' wombs, as infants, as children and as adults. He, alone, sustains all humans and provides them with food and every aspect of life. Allah said, what translated means, "And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allah)." [16:78] If Allah refuses sustenance to anyone he will be instantly destroyed. Allah's mercy is what keeps humans and everything else alive. Allah's control over his slaves is perfect. His bounties are countless. If this is His role in the life of humans, then His rights are what one must keep the most. Allah does not need sustenance from His slaves. He said, what translated means: "We ask not of you a provision. We provide it for you. And the good end is for the Muttaqeen (the ones who fear Allah)." [20:132] Allah only wants one thing from His slaves. "And I (Allah) created not the Jinn and mankind except they should worship Me (alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong." [51:56-58] Allah only wants mankind to worship Him alone and ascribe no partners with Him in worship, and truly be His slaves. He wants them to surrender to His will, as they surrender to His control for the means of their lives. It is only fair to worship only the One who holds the existence of everything and everyone is in His Hands. One should thank Allah who, alone, provides for him by worshipping Him alone. Allah said, what translated means: "And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help." [16:53] What Allah requires His slaves to do is easy. He does not want hardship to come to those striving to worship Him. He said, what translated means: "And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity). He has chosen you (to convey Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Abraham (Islam). It is He (Allah) who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Mohammad) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind. So offer prayer perfectly, give Zakat (compulsory charity), and hold fast to Allah, He is your Lord, what an excellent Lord and what an excellent helper!" [22:78] What Allah wants from us is to worship Him with sincerity, and to perform religious deeds. Five prayers a day bring forgiveness from Him and purity in the heart. Muslims must try to perform prayer in the best form: "So keep your duty to Allah as much as you can." [64:16] The Prophet said, what translated means, "Stand while praying, if you cannot then while sitting, and if you cannot then while laying on your side." [Al-Bukhari] Allah also wants His slaves to pay a small amount of their money to the poor, the needy, strangers who have no money, the indebted and to others who are eligible to take money from Zakat. Zakat is so minimal that it does not harm the rich, yet it provides tremendous benefits for the poor. Allah also requires fasting in the lunar month of Ramadhan. He said, what translated means: "So whoever of you sights the (crescent on the first night of the) month (of Ramadhan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days he misses) from other days." [2:185] Also, Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah once in lifetime is obligatory upon all Muslims, if they are able to do so. In general, we have the obligation to abide by all of Allah's orders, and stay away from all He had made forbidden upon us. Above mentioned are the duties of Allah's slaves towards Him. They are not difficult to perform. The reward outweighs the requirements by far. The reward is "And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception." [3:185]

Speaking About Allah (swt) Without Knowledge by Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo Transcribed from tape "Usool at-Tafseer" (1/12) (...) Al-Qurtubee in his tafseer, he talks about such people who say when they read the Quraan in my mind this comes to my mind, or my heart tells me this, and he concludes who reads the Quraan and says, "ask your heart" or "my heart tells me," and so forth, they are speaking about Allaah without knowledge ('ilm), which, as we will talk about, one of the greatest sins that we could commit, and that they are actually from zanaadiqa, those who have nothing to do with Islaam, and he said they should be killed as apostates (murtadeen). (...) When you go to the Quraan and you read a verse from the Quraan and you explain that verse without having the propher knowledge, without following the proper methodology, you might be and only Allaah swt knows, actually following your own hawaa, following your own desires, you might be following an inspiration from the Shaytaan, you might be following dhann (conjecture), which Allaah swt speaks about in many places in the Qur'aan, or it might actually be some kind of inspirataion from Allaah swt, but most likely it is not the last case. And why is it not the last case? Because as we will talk about it later, you did not follow the proper methodology of talking about the Qur'aan and if you did not follow a proper methodology of talking about the Quran, then you have committed a sin already. Just by talking about the Quraan, without proper knowledge, by giving interpretation of the Quraan, without proper knowledge, without proper background, without being qualified to do so, then you've already committed a sin. And since you are commiting a sin, it is very unlikely in most cases that Allaah swt will bless you through that sin to give you the right interpretation of the Quran. When you say that Allaah swt means this or Allaah swt means that in a specific verse, you are actually speaking or saying something on behalf of Allaah swt, you are actually speaking about Allaah swt, and if you are speaking without knowledge, without 'ilm, this is one of the greatest sins that you could commit. In fact, Ibn ul Qayyim said that it is the greatest sin. Ibn ul Qayyim said that speaking about Allaah swt without `ilm is the greatest sin that you could commit. He bases it on this verse: "Qul innamaa 7arrama Rabbi-l-fawaa7isha maa DHahara minhaa wa maa baTan, wal-ithma wal-baghya bi ghayri-l-7aqq, wa an tushrikoo bi-Llaahi maa lam yunazzil bihi sulTaanaa, wa an taqoolo 3ala-l-Laahi maa laa ta3lamoon." "Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are al-Fawaahishah (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.), whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppession, joining partners (in worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge." [The Noble Qur'aan, 7:33] In discussing this verse, he says, first of all there are some sins which are haraam li-dhaatihi, forbidden due to their own evil nature, and (others which are) haraam li ghairihi, which are forbidden because they lead to some evil or have some evil in them. And he said with respect to this verse, all of these four, they are haraam in dhaatihi, they are haraam in their own essence, because of the evil in them. Continuing his discussion, he said that Allaah swt first mentions al-fawaahishah, and he says this is the least of the sins that He mentions, after that He mentions the sins of transpasses against the truth; this is a greater sin that the first one that Allaah mentioned. And then He mentioned making shirk, and finally He mentioned saying things about Allaah swt of which you have no knowledge. He is saying that Allaah swt is going from from the lesser to the greater. And the reason he says is that this last sin of saying about Allaah swt without 'ilm, which is actually what you do when you make tafseer without the proper background, without the proper methodology, he says it involves and it includes many things even more than what commiting shirk involves. He says it involves and it includes: 1) ascribing something falsely to Allaah swt 2) changing or altering the religion of Allaah swt 3) denying what He has confirmed or 4) confirming what He has denied, 5) affirming something declaring false or 6) declaring something false as true, and it also includes 7) supporting something that Allaah swt dislikes or opposes, 8) supporting something that Allaah swt dislikes or opposes, and 9) liking something that Allaah swt dislikes. In other words, when you are speaking without 'ilm, in the religion, in things which are related to the religion, then in fact you are changing the religion of Allaah swt. And in fact, if you continue what he wrote - this is right from "Madaarij us Saalikeen", 1:372-3 - you find that in fact speaking without `ilm is actually the real source of all kufr and shirk. He said, for example, the polytheists claim what they are worshipping instead of Allaah swt was something to take them closer to Allaah swt, so the cause of their shirk was saying something about Allaah swt without `ilm, something they did not know about Allaah swt. Similarly today, the greatest kufr that we have nowadays, among Muslims, but especially among non-Muslims, is secularism and the basis for that is saying that Allaah swt doesn't really care about what we do in worldly affairs, or hasn't really given us guidance for worldly affairs, or the Deen that He sent is not meant for daily affairs; all of this is speaking about Allaah without knowledge. So in fact, it is one of the greatest sins, and Ibn ul Qayyim even included that it is in fact the greatest sin. And he also mentioned that every bid'ah, every innovation, also is based on some statement that has no support from the Qur'aan and Sunnah, in other words every bid`ah also is based on some statement which is actually made without `ilm. To think about this point even further, about just going to the Qur'aan, and saying, I am a believer I am pious, I can go to the Qur'aan, and read the Qur'aan, and get its own meaning, if there was any people in the history of mankind who could have said that - maybe we could accept this from them - would be the Companions of the Prophet saws, for many reasons: - They witnessed the revelation of the Quraan itself, - they witnessed the events it was referring to, they were living the events that it was referring to, - the Quran was revealed in their language, the language of their time, - Allaah swt chose them to be the Companions of the Prophet saws, - and he described them as the best generation. So if anyone could actually make that claim that he has such a pure heart and such a close relationship to Allaah swt or such a good understanding of Islaam, that he can go to the Quraan and interpret the Quraan simply by what his heart tells him or what they used to call ra'ee (personal opinion) - after the Soofees it became "What the heart tells you," but originally it was called ra'ee or personal opinion, it would be the Sahaaba, but if we go to the Sahaaba we see that what they understood and what they learned from the Prophet saws in fact is the complete opposite. What they learned is that it is absolutely forbidden to speak about the Quraan without proper knowledge. And they made such statements. For example, Aboo Bakr one time said, "What earth would give me place to live and what sky would shade me if I should speak about the Qur'aan with my opinion or by something I do not know." And `Umar ibn al Khattaab, he also said, "Beware of using your opinion in religious matters." And Ibn `Abbaas, the one who the Prophet saws made du`aa for him to understand the Qur'aan, to get the understanding of the Deen, and to be given by Allaah swt the ta`weel or the understanding of the Qur'aan, he also said, "All that there is to follow and obey is the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. Whoever makes any statement after these two according to his opinion, then I do not know if you'll find among his good deeds or among his sins." This is the style of Ibn `Abbaas, that he made in many statements. Meaning that even if what you did was something good, looks like something good, you will find it among your sins. And at-Tirmidhee, in his Sunan, he said it has been related from some of the people of `ilm, people of knowledge, the Sahaaba of the Prophet saws and others, that they that they were very strict when it came to speaking about the Qur'aan without `ilm.

Brother Nur, A/c. I’m doing this hesitantly because the reason I posted the gabay in the first place was to disguise the point I was trying to make. Therefore judging by the silence of our usual suspects of pseudo ~ feminist and quasi ~ intellectual hooligans, who otherwise would’ve abused indiscriminately at every direction, respecting neither the sacred nor our cultural heritage (when compatible), is proof enough for me! Sheekh Nur, do you remember Xuseen Dhiiqle’s “Qayaashmaash libaax baa dhurwaa qaybi yiri soore, Wuxuu yidhi hilbaha jeex bal qabo qoon dhan baan nahaye� It was not that the lion couldn’t or in fact needed to perform the task at hand, contrary, and it becomes apparent when the hyena fails to meet the wishes and finds himself helplessly exposed to danger. I hope this is not such case scenario as illustrated by the poet, but I’ll do the necessary in justifying my interpretation and how the prose survives the seemingly impossible test of time and carries the hidden message of my ideological foundations. When you read for example: “Gaar gaarka awrtiyo nirgaha, geela laga reebay Gurijoogta xoolaha midaan, goosanka u diidin†It only identifies the roles of the sexes, and their nurturing, training and teaching the children, and the care for the house in general. Also: “Geediga hayaanka ah midaan, gaadhin waligeedba Ee gabanta loo sido sidii goodir, noo curatay Waa geeri naagtaan ritiga kuu gadh qabanayne Reerkoo gawaan dagay dadkoo gibbiladii waabtay Anoo galangalciyo oon latuban furayna gaadiidka Geedaha hadii lala dhexgalo, gudimo oodeedda Galoon badhaxa uma dhaaniin karo, geedantada jaane Guul iyo cidlay igu waddaa, goox aan yuurure’ee Gosha laga cabsoon iyo xidhkay gooshu ka adeegi Gaade iyo intay bahal isiin guur aan ka la’aado†Are very important as these lines refer to progress in both this world and the hereafter, and how women play their role in evolving of any kind of prosperity in a family, be it educationally, materially or practical organisation. But most importantly, the ultimate role of women and how they help their family by easing the way to paradise. I hope that clarifies my thinking... W/s

Xiinfaniin (waxa kaasoo xiimi iyo waxa kaasii faniini garan maynee), A/c. Ever since I found out some years back that the world cannot be explained or solved its problems by either one way or the other, I must admit, I was very disappointed. The fact of the matter is, though simplistic, both approaches are correct, most times simultaneously and sometimes one approach must get priority over the other, but not necessarily. Having accepted that, it means that both objectives are extremely important to the Islamic world and what differs>> is only the nature of the problem, time and situation which is influential to the way in which we choose to approach the problems. For example, Somalia and Afghanistan need a different kind of approach (where from top down inspirational leadership should go hand in hand with from bottom up motivational education and social transformation) as suppose to places like Jordan and Syria or Iraq for that matter. I think personally, the problem lies not with the approach, because repairing is generally preferred to breaking, as one bird in the hand is better than ten in the air, and eventually collective wisdom prevails (Somalis not included that is)! What do you think? W/s

The Denmark Cartoons Anwaar Hussain - Fountainhead - February 7, 2006 http://www.uruknet.info?p=20377 http://malakandsky.blogspot.com/2006/02/denmark-cartoons.html The derogatory cartoons that have the Islamic world in throes of violent protests were first published in September 2005 by Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. They were later republished in Austria in January, and then at the beginning of February in a number of European newspapers in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. There have since been angry and sometimes violent protests across the Islamic world, Britain and France. At least six deaths have been reported thus far. A hornets’ nest has been stirred with the end of the rapidly escalating crisis nowhere in sight. Has it all happened innocuously and accidentally or is it a deliberate attempt towards an ulterior motive? To answer this question let us go back in time to May 2005. Only four months before the crisis, between May 5 to May 8, 2005, a group of powerful men from today’s finance, industry and politics huddled together in the warm and cozy rooms of the 5-star Dorint Sofitel Seehotel Überfahrt in Rottach-Egern, Germany. Outside the hotel, private and state guards patrolled with automatic weapons and sniffer dogs. The gray Bavarian skies rained on. This secretive cabal of powerful men otherwise goes by the name of Bilderberg Group (a simple Google query will throw up thousands of results). The Bilderberg Group is the only private international organization that Time magazine rated 10 for secrecy on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being most secret). So what do the defamatory cartoons have to do with the Bilderbergs? Let us first have a look at the names of just some of the attendees of the May 2005 conference. These were; Josef Ackermann, Chairman, Group Executive Committee. Deutsche Bank AG, Germany Joaquin Almunia Amann, Commissioner, European Commission José M. Durno Barroso, President, European Commission, Portugal Franco Bernabe, Vice Chairman, Rothschild Europe, Italy Martin S. Feldstein, President and CEO, National Bureau of Economic Research, U.S.A. William C. Ford, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Company, U.S.A. Timothy F. Geithner, President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, U.S.A Donald E. Graham, Chairman and CEO, The Washington Post Company, U.S.A. Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations, U.S.A. Jaap Hoop de Scheffer, Secretary General, NATO, Netherlands Allan B. Hubbard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council, U.S.A. John M. Keane, President, GSI, LLC; General, US Army, Retired, U.S.A. Henry A. Kissinger, Chairman, Kissinger Associates, Inc., U.S.A. Neelie Kroes, Commissioner, European Commission Michael A.Ledeen, American Enterprise Institute, U.S.A. William J. Luti, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Near Eastern & South Asian Affairs, U.S.A. Jessica T. Mathews, President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, U.S.A. Kenneth B. Mehlman, Chairman, Republican National Committee, U.S.A. Elena Nemirovskaya, Founder and Director, Moscow School of Political Studies, Russia Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Andrzej Olechowski, Leader Civic Platform, Poland Norman Pearlstine, Editor-in-Chief, Time Inc., U.S.A. Richard N. Perle, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, U.S.A. Friedbert Pflüger, Member of Parliament, CDU/CSU Fraktion, Germany H.R.H. Prince Philippe, Belgium Rato y Figaredo, Rodrigo de, Managing Director, IMF David Rockefeller, Member, JP Morgan International Council, U.S.A. Judith Rodin, President, The Rockefeller Foundation, U.S.A. Dennis B. Ross, Director, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, U.S.A. H.M. the Queen of Spain Peter D. Sutherland, Chairman, Goldman Sachs International; Jean-Claude Trichet, Governor, European Central Bank James D. Wolfensohn, President, The World Bank, U.S.A. Paul Wolfowitz, President designate, The World Bank, U.S.A. And of course there were the usual prime ministers and U.S. government officials. Also present were the movers and shakers of the Western media including media heads from almost all the countries whose press chose to publish the insulting cartoons. The names of Messers Michael Ledeen, Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz, however, must ring some bells. (Click here for the complete list) Also on the list of attendees was one Anders Eldrep from Denmark. Anders Eldrep (sometimes spelled as Eldrup) happens to be married to one Merete Eldrep. This lady is the managing director of company JP/Politikens Hus (JP for Jyllands-Posten) that published the slanderous anti-Islamic cartoons in Denmark. Neither Anders Eldrep is an ordinary Tom, Dick or Harry nor his wife exactly a babe in woods not to have understood the repercussions of their actions. Merete Eldrep, the wife, is a former Head of Secretariat at the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs and Deputy Director of the Danish Energy Authority. And Anders Elderp, her illustrious husband, is the current Chairman of Denmark’s Oil and Natural Gas Company DONG and has been Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Danish Finance up to the year 2001. He also has attended the last FIVE Bilderberg meetings thus far. Interestingly, a previous editor-in-chief of 'Politiken', another of JP/Politikens Hus's newspapers, namely Toger Seidenfaden, too was a long-time Bilderberger. Now a little more about the Bilderberg Group. In a rare interview given to BBC, Etienne Davignon, 73, the chairman of the Bilderberg Group and a former Belgian diplomat and European Commissioner, dismissed claims that the Bilderberg Group is part of a global conspiracy to rule the world by a self-selected elite of movers and shakers. His dismissal is as natural as publicly admitting the cabal’s sinister agenda would have been unnatural. Please read the interview to form up your own opinion. In my judgment the sole aim of the group is implementing a Euro-American, some say Anglo-American, blueprint of a New World Order for the express benefit of these elites. The Bilderberg discussions are structured on the principle of reaching accord rather than through ceremonial resolutions and voting. Such is the power and status of the active members that if an agreement for action is arrived at, the resulting decision is expected to be implemented in the West as a whole. In the post 9/11 geo-political milieu particularly, the group’s aim has been to buttress the foreign policies of the governments of the United States and Great Britain or, more simply, to help execute the precise formula sold internationally by the Bush/Blair combo. This new world order, with the group’s unflinching support, is being shoved down the collective throat of the world citizenry under the guise of "global war on terrorism", and of establishing "democracy", "peace", and "freedom" in the world. Just three quotes from the lamb talk of these Anglo-American leaders make clear enough readings of their intentions; "Out of these troubled times [iraq/Kuwait conflict], our fifth objective -- a new world order can emerge: a new era...We're now in sight of a United Nations that performs as envisioned by its founders." September 11, 1990 - Iraq Speech by President George H. W. Bush "Our mission is clear: to rid the world of evil" - Pres. George W. Bush, post-Sept. 11, 2001 "Out of the shadow of this evil [9/11], should emerge lasting good... This is a moment to seize...let us re-order this world around us." - British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Oct. 2, 2001 (BBC) My questions then; Was this whole anti-Islamic cartoon exercise actually nothing more than an innocent attempt at promoting the much cherished cause of freedom of expression on sensitive topics---anti-Semitism being disallowed, by word or action, by law in most of the western world? Or, given the ominous times we are in, the Muslims are deliberately being provoked, exploiting their emotionality, into presenting one seething, throbbing mass of foaming-at-the-mouths herd of rabid cavemen image for their eventual annihilation? No one, after all, cries over the mushroom clouds blotting the horizons over beastlands. Or is the scribe being overly alarmist? You decide. http://www.uruknet.info?p=20377 http://malakandsky.blogspot.com/2006/02/denmark-cartoons.html