Question : As you know Muslims are facing many challenges, pressures and criticisms from non-Muslims in the world. In light of this atmosphere, should we Muslim not be the most open and honest about our shortcomings and try to tackle them as opposed to being overly defensive and seeming to make excuses or cover our faults? The reason for this question is that if we seem to deny or gloss over obvious shortcomings it will not help us to overcome them. Perhaps some Muslims feel that to deal with our problems openly will assist the kufaar in their attacks on Islam. Please advise. Answer : Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: There are no weak points in Islam – praise be to Allaah – that the Muslim needs to worry about. Islam is the perfect religion of Allaah, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice” [al-An’aam 6:115] One of the scholars said that this means, it tells the truth in its reports and is just in its rulings. Allaah has blessed us by completing His religion and perfecting the blessing, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” [al-Maa'idah 5:3] If an Islamic ruling seems to a person to be a weak point, he should realize that the fault lies in his way of thinking, because some of the rulings of sharee’ah that are absolutely wise and just may appear otherwise to some people, either because of their whims and desires, or because it goes against what people are used to in their lives, that goes against sharee’ah. For example, some think that a man’s being the protector and maintainer of women is a weak point in Islam, because they are used to something which is contrary to that and which also goes against the fitrah (natural inclination of man). Secondly: An important matter which should be pointed out here is that it is not permissible for anyone to speak about the rulings of Islam or the tafseer of Qur’aan or the meanings of hadeeth, rather that should be referred to the scholars who are well-versed in knowledge. What happens is that a question is put to an ordinary Muslim, and he cannot find an answer for it or he gives a wrong answer, or it leaves some doubt in his heart that he cannot rid himself of. “if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allaah upon you, you would have followed Shaytaan (Satan), save a few of you” [al-Nisa’ 4:83 – interpretation of the meaning] Hence we say that Allaah has protected the religion for us through the scholars and has enabled them to understand it correctly so as to refute hostile ideas and explain its wisdom to people. That is not for the ordinary people, rather it is only for the elite, namely the scholars. Some of scholars used to challenge people to bring them a verse that contradicts another verse or a hadeeth, or a hadeeth that contradicts another hadeeth or a verse of Qur’aan, and they would explain to them anything that appeared to be a contradiction, and they used to openly challenge everyone on this matter. Al-Daaraqutni – who was one of the imams of hadeeth – stood in Baghdad as a khateeb and said: “O people of Baghdad! No one can tell lies against the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whilst I am alive.” These words indicate the depth of their knowledge and understanding of Islam, which was so great that the people of falsehood could not attack Islam or introduce into it things that were not part of it. Hence our advice to this questioner and other Muslims, especially those who mix with kuffaar because of their work or because they live in their countries, is to strive to seek knowledge and to learn the correct rulings of Islam that are derived from the Qur’aan and Sunnah, whilst paying attention to learning the reasons behind these rulings, so that they will have knowledge with which to refute the specious arguments of those who seek to attack Islam, and this will enable them to call people to Allaah with proper insight and understanding. And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

Hello X-quizit. I also thought it was a Saddam clone, but i`m suprised that Saddam didnt killed himself. He sholud have fought and died like a soldier. I have heard that they used gas to take him out. That explains why he was so confused under the medical examination. We will never know the real truth so we can only guess.

Latest news are that Saddam Hussein is captured. He was found near his hometown of Tikrit. I think thats good news. Even though his was enemy of the Americans, he was also enemy of all muslims. I hope this dosnt mean that the iraqis would stop the resistance and the opposition against the Americans. What do you think about the capturing of one of the most wanted men in the world.

A long time ago in a land far away, there lived three friends. One was blind, the other bald and the third so spotty that it spoilt his looks. The bald man was married; a situation he felt was as bad as being bald, because his wife exceeded him twice in weight. The spotty man was married to a lady who made up in warts for what he lacked in spots. The blind man's wife was ill tempered but lovely. As he couldn't see her, he had to bear the sharpness of her tongue without similarly taking joy in her beauty. At any rate, the three weren't too happy with their situations. One day, all three were walking through the souq (market). The blind man said, "Oh, how I wish I could see like everyone else. If only I had eyes I could see people, places, birds and trees. How great it would be. I'd give everything for a pair of eyes." The bald one chimed in, "Why can't I be like the other fellows here. They look so handsome with their heads full of shiny hair and I have to face everyone with just a shiny skin. I've tried everything but to no avail. I'd give anything for a new crop of hair." The spotty man piped in, "These spots really spoil my looks. If I were cured of them, I'd win the title of Mr. Good-Looking quite easily. I would give anything for a spotless face." As the men were ruminating upon these thoughts, the angels heard their wishes and took them up to heaven. Allah decided to grant the wishes of the three men in order to test them. An angel appears to each of them in the form of a man. "As salaam alaikum. I say, Baldy, if Allah were to grant you a wish, what would you wish for, says the angel. "Can't you see my head, a new crop of hair, of course!" says the bald man. Quoth the angel, "Well, I've come to tell you that Allah has listened to your secret desire and has decided to grant you your wish. When you wake up tomorrow morning you shall have what you've been wishing for." "Well, well. I'll only believe it when I see for myself," thought Baldy. "And what's more, your Lord has decided to give you a flock of sheep so that you don't have to worry about food and income." The bald man rushes off in anticipation. The angel then goes to the blind man. "As salaamu alaikum. I've been sent by your Lord to grant you any wish that you may make." "Wa alaikumssalam. Oh this is wonderful if true. I would dearly love to be able to see.""In that case, let me tell you that your Lord has decided to give you the gift of sight and furthermore, go home and find a flock of sheep. The blind man also rushes home excitedly. Then the angel goes to the spotty man. "As salaam alaikum, O spotted one. I say, Spotty, if your Lord were to grant you a wish, what would it be?" "Wa alaikumssalam. Well, it would be nice to have a clear complexion without spots so that no one could ridicule me, of course." "Your wish is granted, and what's more, find a flock of sheep waiting for you at your home. The spotty man also hurries home. The next morning, the bald man wakes up and looks in the mirror. There is a luxurious growth of hair sprouting on his head and curling all over his cherubic face. He shouts, "Aah! Wife, come quickly and have a look at me!" The wife puts a pillow over her ears and says, "Have you gone mad or something? I've been looking at you for the last 25 years, what do I want to see you for?" The man shakes her awake, and the wife screams, "Oh Allah! What's happened to you? Have you bought another one of those infernal wigs?" "No, no. It's real hair. Ouch, don't pull so hard! I prayed to Allah and my wish was granted. What's more, I've been blessed with a flock of sheep." The wife says, "Alhamdulillah!" Much of the same thing happens in the houses of the other two men. Many years pass by each of the men continues to enjoy their gifts by Allah. Each of them also becomes exceedingly wealthy by trading of sheep. One day, an elderly looking man in tattered clothes is walking around in the neighborhood of the three friends. He knocks at the door of a big and posh villa. "Excuse me, sir, but could you spare some cash for a hungry traveler?" The erstwhile spotty man looks down on the beggar and says, "Oh, do go away. Why don't you work and earn your money? I don't have time to waste on a tramp like you." "Hold on Mr. Spotty, aren't you the same man whom Allah had blessed years ago, when you so dearly wished for a spotless face?" Spotty turns pale and then red in his flawless complexion. "What, I can't remember all that way back! How do you know? Who are you?""If you are the same spotty man whom Allah had blessed, then may Allah take all His blessings away." The next moment the man's house falls down and his face gets covered in spots again. The beggar then goes to the house of the bald man. "Please, sir, can you spare some food and drink for a poor and tired traveler?" "Look, I would love to help you, but you see, I have so many expenses that I don't have anything left. I've got bills and taxes to pay. My wife just returned from a trip to America where she had liposuction done. Do you know the cost of cosmetic surgery these days? I've got kids to send to Europe for education. I've daughters to marry off, and they weigh more than their mother did in her day. I'm also building a second house, so I hope you understand…" The former bald man trails off at the thunderous look on the vagabond's face. "Understand? Oh yeah, I sure do! Aren't you the same useless Baldy who had nothing all those years back, and then Allah blessed you with hair, and a flock of sheep? Now that you've become rich you cannot spare a few morsels of food for a hungry traveler, you ungrateful wretch. May Allah take all your blessings away." In an instant all the wealth of the bald man disappears along with his crowning glory, and is nowhere to be seen. The vagabond then trudges off towards the former blind man's house, wondering what reception he will get there. "Oh sir, can you spare some money and help a poor traveler in need?" The man courteously replies, "Please, first come in and sit down." Setting a tray of snacks and milk in front of his guest, the man asks, "Now, how can I help you?" The hobo says, "I'm far from home and have lost my baggage in your city. I need some cash to get back." "Whatever you desire, please take. For all this wealth before you is only through the blessings of Allah," says the man. Answers the angel, "I'm glad to tell you that I'm the same person who came to announce the blessings of Allah upon you all those years back. I was sent again to test your gratitude to your Lord. Well done. May Allah increase your blessings manifold and a handsome reward await you in the Hereafter."

Dr. Tariq Al Suwaidan discovered some verses in the Holy Quran that mention one thing is equal to another, i.e. man is equal to women. Although this makes sense grammatically, the astonishing fact is that the number of times he word man appears in the Quran is 24 and the number of times the word woman appears is also 24, therefore not only is this phrase correct in the grammatical sense but also true mathematically (24= 24). Upon further analysis of various other verses, he discovered that this is consistent throughout the whole Quran, where it says one thing is like another. See below for some astonishing results:- The word number of times mentioned in Arabic Quran: Dunia (one name for life) 115 ¡ Aakhirat (one name for the life after) 115 Malaikat (angels) 88 ¡ Shaytan (satan) 88 Life 145 ¡ Death 145 Benefit 50¡ Corrupt 50 People 50 ¡ Messengers 50 Eblees (king of devils) 11 ¡ Seek refuge from eblees 11 Museebah (calamity) 75 ¡ Thanks 75 Spending (sadaqah) 73 ¡ Satisfaction 73 people who are Mislead 17 ¡ Dead people 17 Muslimeen 41 ¡ Jihad 41 Gold 8 ¡ Easy life 8 Magic 60 ¡ Fitnah (dissuasion, misleading) 60 Zakat (taxes Muslims pay for the poor) 32 ¡ Barakah (increasing or blessings of a wealth) 32 Mind 49 ¡ Noor (light) 49 Tongue 25¡ Sermon 25 Desire 8 ¡ Fear 8 Speaking publicly 18¡ Publicising 18 Hardship 114 ¡ Patience 114 Muhammad 4 ¡ Sharee*ah (Muhammad's teachings) 4 Man 24 ¡ Woman 24 And amazingly enough have a look how many times the following words appear:- Month 12 Day 365 sea 32 Land 13 Sea + land = 32 + 13 = 45 % sea = 32/45 * 100 % = 71.11111111 % land= 13 / 45 * 100 % = 28.88888889 = 100.00 Modern Science has only recently proven that the water covers 71.111 % of the earth, while the land covers 28.889 %. Is this a coincidence? Who taught prophet Mohammad (PBUH) all this? Allah,the All Mighty taught him this. As the Quran tells us: (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allâh),Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things).' (Quran 11:1) The above is from the the series of the scientific miracles in Quraan, by Dr. Tariq Al Suwaidan May ALLAH Bless us all. Answer Numerical Miracles of Quran In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers. Dear Brother in Islam, the Quran is indeed a miracle for all times and ages. The Glorious Quran is the very Word of the Lord of the Worlds, and is perfect in every aspect. The Glorious Quran is an ocean of knowledge, and the more one dives into this Divine Ocean, the more he will be blessed and honored with knowledge. There are volumes of books written by eminent scholars, and scientists, and astronomists, and medical experts, etc.; about the miracles of the Glorious Quran in their respective fields. Modern science have only now accepted and declared the miracles of the Quran, which the believers believed firmly since its Revelation from the One, Who is All Knowing, All Wise. It is also difficult to check all the above words of the Holy Quran, because in the Arabic language each word has a root word and many words are derived from that root word. For example, take the word ‘ilm’ or knowledge. From this root word ‘ilm’, other words can be derived such as ‘Aleem’ (All Knowing), ‘alim’ (scholar), ‘yahlamoon’ (they know), etc. Thus it would be impossible to determine which derived word is chosen to come to the specific number, and which one is left out. And if one just takes a glance at the list provided, there are a few obvious errors. The writer has said that the word ‘salat’ is mentioned five times! This is obviously incorrect, as the word salat is mentioned in excess of 38 times in the Glorious Quran! The writer has said that the word ‘land’ appears only 13 times in the Quran; whereas the truth is that the word ‘land’ is mentioned in excess of 80 times in the Quran! The writer has said that the word ‘fear’ appears only 8 times in the Quran; whereas the truth is that the word ‘fear’ is mentioned in excess of 150 times in the Quran! Thus, obviously, it seems that the writer has either not done a proper research, or has used a different criteria for choosing his words. The above list is not absolutely accurate; and just because it is not accurate does not diminish the miracles of this Glorious Book. But brother, we must realize that the Quran was not revealed to man to figure out its miracles, nor was it revealed to write each word of the Quran and then see which word matches which word in its number of repetitions. If one has done the numerical additions, and it has increased his faith and conviction in the miracles of the Divine Words, there is no harm. But the reason Allah Subhanah revealed the Quran was that it is supposed to be accepted as a perfect guidance to mankind. Allah says in Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah aayat 185 "Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down: this Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of CLEAR teachings which show the right way and are a Criterion of the Truth and falsehood." Because this Glorious Book are the very Words of our Lord and Creator, they are obviously overflowing with miracles. Many miracles are known to man and modern science; and innumerable others are still unknown. Our duty as believers is to believe, accept, and unconditionally obey each and every command of the Glorious Quran; which is indeed a perfect guidance for all mankind. Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Jazakallah khayr Muna. i was tallking with a friend about marriage and he couldnt understand that i want to get married in two or maybe three years. he said he had to finish his education and that will take at least 6 years. most of my older friends are not married and they dont study, so they are in big trouble