naden, Originally posted by Naden: I couldn’t guess whether the key to paradise is through ritual (prayer, fasting, etc.) or personal ethics (bearing witness, keeping pants zipped up, etc.) alone but I believe able-bodied, quiet observers of injustice cannot guarantee a position of righteousness. The obligatory religious rituals are basics and personal but most souls' downfall will probably be the result of unfair dealing with other souls. What value has the prayers (fasting, pilgrimage etc.) of a corrupt politician to his soul? Most of the actions that would affect the destiny of our souls are connected to others; lying, backbiting, all types of stealing and cheating, not paying Zakat, being unkind to your parents and others, arrogance, self-righteousness, pride, gluttony etc etc. The list is very long! Originally posted by Naden: Realizing that the faith urges people to reject oppression and injustice in all its forms, many scholars through an unholy alliance with the powerful have diverted attention away from this. Curiously, religious commentary in general has tended to be associated with ruling parties. We see thousands of volumes on ablution and others but a dearth on fighting injustice and corrupt leadership. The unholy alliance with despotic leaders has marred the Ummah for the past few centuries. Most scholars are not independent and rely mostly on help from the sitting regimes. These regimes don't fund them without an agenda and therefore what the scholars produce is designed to suit and protect their funders and/or in some cases legitimize their presence. I don't want to make this another thread where constructive argument is lost in the rubble being slung around, but I couldn't help remembering something the nomad Salafi_online once posted, calling it the Salafi Creed ("Our Creed, Our Call). This would be a sly example of how to pacify a people. Number 13 on that list was... [13]: We do not deem it correct to revolt against the Muslim rulers as long as they are Muslims, nor do we feel that revolutions bring about reconciliation. Rather, they corrupt the community. As for the rulers of Aden, then we feel that fighting them is obligatory, until they repent from heresy, Socialism and calling people to the worship of Lenin and Marx and other than these two from those who professed disbelief. SOL Source. For scholars to succeed in doing their work properly, they need to be independent and funded by who they are working for, the people, not the govt.

Originally posted by Tyjwania: Yes, I can make choices as to what paths I may choose follow during my life, but what if the choice I make in free will is the choice I am supposed to make anyway?...Why do some choose to live being a junkie or alcoholic? Would anyone really choose so unless it was pre-determined? I'm now more confused. You are not supposed to make any choices, except those that are of benefit to you, for your soul's sake (these choices are there for you to make and are not predetermined). Alcoholism and drug abuse are not pre-determined, taking of these harmful substances are choices people make (they are not forced or pre-determined to take them) and the Deen warns us about taking harmful substances. For example, some people get lung cancer as a result of smoking for many years and some get the disease without ever smoking a cigarette their entire lives. One is a choice while the other can be called 'calaf'. But if there is knowledge (technology) available that can help can enable you to combat this particular ilness then it is incumbent upon you to seek this solution. What we call 'calaf' is usually that which is beyond our control. Pre-determination and free-will do not go together; if Allah SWT pre-determined you to be a killer (meaning He has mad you a killer and not you who made the choice) then it would be unfair for you to be punished for your actions. But Allah is Just and would not punish you for something you didn't do out of your free-will. Allah's SWT knowledge of future events does not necessarily mean that [His Knowledge] causes it to happen. If you [for example] know that the children of the school near you go to lunch at noon, that doesn't mean that your knowledge (or expectation) makes them go for lunch at noon. Allah SWT knows what YOU will do out of YOUR OWN FREE-WILL.

Originally posted by Tyjwania: Then they get punished in the hereafter eventhough the outcome of their lives was already decided? Confusing indeed, but Allaahu yaclam! It is not confusing Tyj; you have free-will to do what you want. You are told what is right and what is wrong (through Prophets, Messengers and Scripture), and Allah SWT being the All-knowing, knows what choice you will make. He doesn't make you choose one or the other. You are a human being equipped with an intellect and ability to reason (to know right from wrong). If a human being becomes psychologically ill and unable to know right from wrong, they are not held responsible for their actions as they lack the faculty of reason. Equally, if you are sane and choose to do wrong, you have to face the consequences of your action. Pretty much like western secular legal system; a crazy man who kills is sentenced to be treated and a sane person is locked up for life or sentenced to death. Unlike the 'long arm of the law', Allah SWT sees what is hidden and what is manifest. You do your utmost best to achieve something and whether you fail or succeed, it is calaf.

Socod_badne, 1) This topic is about Salafiya or Wahhabiya as some call them. 2) The other topic is about Hadd and other Laws found in the Qur'an and Sunnah. I said one cannot be a Muslim and against the application of Shari'a opting instead for man-made laws. Surely you can see that they are two different issues. I remember you saying that you accept the Qur'an and not the Sunnah, are you also against the Laws that are found in the Qur'an? Do you think man-made laws are superior or more humane? Do you think that we can be Muslims and ignore the rules of engamenet mentionned in the Qur'an (i.e. commerce, divorce, inheritance, criminal law etc.)? Doesn't it defeat the whole purpose of being Muslim?

What ever hapenned to simply being a Muslim, a follower of the Prophet Muhammad SAW? Why does someone have to be anything else? Allah says in the Qur'an that He has blessed us and chosen Islam as our religion, why bother with other sub-grouping?

ALLEZ LES BLUES! ALLEZ LES BLUES! The old mastro against the new maestro, and the old man was shining like star! He was pulling the strings in midfield with style and elegance as usual. The English commentator was at one stage carried away and cried...Please don't stop playing football, please don't stop!...as he saw Zizou dance through the Selecao midfield.

I fancied Argentina to beat Germany but how was I to know that Pekerman was capable of worse subs than Sven. He took out Riquelme and Crespo and replaced them with Cambiasso and Cruz. And where was Messi? ON THE BENCH! They lost because of the coach's bad decision. As for England, the first time I have ever supported them and they let everyone down. Reason? They had a passenger called Frank Lampard. I think Lampard and Ronaldinho have been the worst players who have played all the matches upto the quarter finals. I've always said that Lampard and Gerrard can not play together in the midfield, they are two terrific players but can not play together in midfield. Sven didn't have the ballaocks to replace Lampard, the boy looked like lost sheep but was left to play all games to the end. What a disgrace! Sven should have replaced Lampard with Jenas or Carrick and things could have been much different. Rooney? You can take someone out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto out of him! Although he's a talented player, I think he should have stuck to bixing, at least he has an outlet for all the aggression he has bottled up.

Rahima, When you said; Viking, there is a difference between just plain zina and rape (married or not married). Apart from the obvious that one is consented and another is by force, this led me to assume you meant that the punishment is different (100 lashes is not a correct punishment for an unmarried rapist). The link says that 100 lashes is one of the punishments available for a judge. I think I know what you meean now. The Somali court must be following the Shafi'i line which calls for hadd. KENYAN22, Originally posted by KEYNAN22: Well i dont belieave in sharia law and i dont think religion and politics should be mixed, such mentality should be left were it belongs and that is the 7th century. You can not be a Muslim and be against Shari'a. A secular Muslim is an oxymoron but some don't seem to know that. Are you Muslim? Do you believe in the Qur'an and Sunnah? It would be great if you made it clear, and if you do believe in them, please tell us how you can accept the Qur'an as authentic words of Allah SWT and at the same time reject His Laws. Originally posted by KEYNAN22: And btw stop making up lies, i never showed any anti-islamic stance, i only shared my view on how somalis have always been moderate muslims and never been hard-liner muslims, this new trend you see these days with women wearing burka is not the somali way, but import from saudi arabia and its wahabism, which i frankly despise and find it being quite backwards. Thats my opinion i see nothing "anti-islamic" about it. As you've made it apparent, I wasn't lying. Anyone who rejects Shari'a is anti-Islam. A Muslim cannot accept Qur'an and Sunnah and reject the Laws found therein opting for man-made laws. If you understood Islam you would see the irony in all this.

Originally posted by Rahima: quote: As fo rape, isn't the punishment 100 lashes if the rapist is unmarried? Was the rapist a married man? Viking, there is a difference between just plain zina and rape (married or not married). Read the following for clarification: http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=72338&dgn=4 And I suppose you could research it more yourself. Rahima, I read the link and it said pretty much what I said... The punishment for rape in Islam is same as the punishment for zina, which is stoning if the perpetrator is married, and one hundred lashes and banishment for one year if he is not married.

DP

Originally posted by KEYNAN22: I correct you, I don't think you know me and I certainly don't know you, so how you came to this suspicion/conclusion kinda puzzles me. Someone with the same exact username, from Sweden, used to display a vocal anti-Islamic stance at SomaliNet. If it is you then I think it is only fair that you come clean so people know your real position. If that person wasn't you and you are a Muslim who is concerned then I apologise. Which is it?

Toosiye, Is it power that corrupts or the wealth (or access to it) that brings this decay? You raised multiples issues but with a common denominator, injustice. People who say one thing (like politicians often do) and do another show a high level of hypocrisy which is probably caused by conflict in their personality. This conflict is what makes him say one thing and then go ahead and do the total opposite (or neglect to fulfil the promises made). What causes this? Probably many reasons but one clear reason is the lack of faith in Allah SWT. As humans we are prone to err, but the quality of leadership Muslim populations have had for the last few centuries has been appalling which has had devastating effects on millions of lives. Perhaps this is a reflection of the state of the Ummah, if good seeds are planted then there is a good chance that tree will be healthy. This kind of unstable personality combined with inept knowledge of Islam (and general ethics) makes these kind of leaders very dangerous people. People who support warlords or other leaders on clan basis show that we clearly don't have solidarity as Somalis or Muslims but split further. If our identity was based on our qabiil which is Soomaal then we would be united and have a better chance to build a successful country. Who needs external enemies when you have cousins who are ready to kill you?

Thanks Sharmarkee. The info on the website is not very clear though.

ALLEZ LES BLUES! ALLEZ LES BLUES! Football fans will miss Zizou when France bows out. He has a unique style of dancing around opponents with grace and precision. A style that no other player has or ever had. I hope Jean-Marie Le Pen was choking on a croissant as he watched the African Les Blues.

Seven out of the eight that qualified are very capable of winning the WC. Of the eight, these are the ones I think will win and go to the semis... 1. ENGLAND - the score is curently Scolari 2 - Sven 0 and I have a feeling Sven's men will even things up. Losing Deco will prove a big blow as he is the star of the team and Barcelona's unsung hero. 2. ARGENTINA - will probably overcome the pressure that comes with facing a home team with ease. The likes of Riquelme, Rodriguez, Tevez and Messi are capable of exploiting the weak German defence, something other teams haven't done so far (besides the two goals by Costa Rica in the opening game). Burdisso, Ayala and Sorin are seasonned defenders and among the best in the business. Heinze is the weak link and Podolski/Klose might take advantage of this. 3.FRANCE - will probably win because are still relying on individual brilliance and seems to lack the team-flow (ok, I must admit that this is what I would want to see happen). In Barcelona, Ronaldinho has a free flowing left side role in a three-man attack, while in Brazil he is one part of a four-man midfield. This has affected his performance and the reason why he is the only one in the MAGIC QUARTET yet to score. France are the total opposite, they have showed a good collective work-ethic but the likes of Henry are yet to show what they are capable of. 4.ITALY are just too strong for the debutants Ukraine. The Italian defenders are used to playing against Sheva and the likes of Gila, Toni and Iaquinta would easily penetrate the Ukranian defense. Anything other than a Gli Azzuri win would be a MAJOR SHOCK.

Umar (RA) is said to have suspended amputation according to the Shari'a during the time of famine. There isn't any Baitul-Maal in Somalia where the hungry and needy can get help so how can amputation of youngsters that live in a state of anarchy and poverty be justified according to Islam? As fo rape, isn't the punishment 100 lashes if the rapist is unmarried? Was the rapist a married man? KEYNAAN, Correct me if I'm mistaken but weren't you a non-Muslim? Aren't you against all form of theocracy, Shari'a and Islam in general?

Originally posted by Viking: I think the African team that will impress the most will be Ghana; people aren't talking about them much especially because they didn't do well in the African Cup of nations. This is because they were missing almost five key players. Everybody's money was on Ivory Coast before the WC started, except...moi I would have fancied the "Black Stars" to shock the world by beating the "Selecao" but that would prove to be a difficult task, especially without the industrious Essien.

The United States - the land of the free and home of the pot-bellied 'soccer' fan - unveil a masterplan to defeat Italy; Croatia call up new talent after their defeat to Brazil as they bid to escape from Group F; and one Sweden fan narrowly avoids divorce court proceedings. 'I HAVE A CUNNING PLAN' America is well-known for its bluff, bluster and invasions around the globe, and it seems their 'soccer' team is keen to toe the military line. Striker Eddie Johnson sounded a battle-cry with a less-than-PC "It's like the World Cup, we're here for war," before politely being reminded that this was the World Cup. Then Bruce 'Amsterdam' ArenA shipped his troops off to the US air base at Ramstein for last-minute manoeuvres before midfield general Claudio Reyna and company go over the top against Italy on Saturday. And after their 3-0 surrender to the Czech Republic in their opening Group E battle, it seems the only coach at the World Cup named after a football ground has learned his lesson. "We will have a tactic but we will not go with the 3-nil loss game plan," said ArenA, who will be doing a one-man stand-up show for the next two group games only. "We threw that page away after the game and we are going to try and come-up with another one." 'HE CAN BEAT A MAN' Croatia boss Zlatko Kranjcar is set to demand special FIFA dispensation to draft a player into his squad after an anonymous youngster's short but sweet display against Brazil on Tuesday. The unnamed fan impressed during his short spell on the Berlin Olympic Stadium's turf with his pace and elusive running skills as he dodged security to pay homage to Croat messiah Dado Prso. "We condemn this act and we will investigate it," said Gerd Graus of the local organising committee. "But we have to say that this young man from Croatia has pretty good athletic skills. "He overcame a 2 metre wide moat and had to overcome a certain height as well. So, I think he is a natural born athlete. "We could not have imagined some one would have been able to break through because we thought the moats in Berlin were extremely good protection against such incidents." HOME, SWEDE HOME Sweden fan Janne Pettersson woke up in a sweat, went to see the doctor who told him "You've got World Cup fever." But despite medication being prescribed, Mr Pettersson became delirious after his side's goalless draw with Trinidad & Tobago and painted his house blue and yellow. "I knew she would say no, so there was no point in asking her about it," said a cunning Petterson, who did the deed on his two-story house in a Stockholm suburb while Mrs P was at work. "It was really fun to see her face when she got home." But the kind-hearted Mrs P brushed off a potentially divorce-inducing stunt, saying her Picasso-esque hubby could keep his 'masterpiece' as long as Sweden stay in the tournament - so just over a week of shame left. Source.

Following his average performance against Croatia on Tuesday, Brazil striker Ronaldo has once again been on the receiving end of some rather fattist criticism. Elsewhere, the Poles turn back the clock and try to wind up their hosts, and World Cup fever strikes in an unlikely location. The rotund goal-getter was jeered off the field when he was substituted by Robinho (who, it has to be said, is about a third of the size of the big man) in the 69th minute, as Brazil lumbered to an unconvincing 1-0 win. And one of the main reasons for the Real Madrid hitman's poor performance was apparently his size. "It was a torture to see him like a wobbling heavyweight, staggering around the pitch as if what was going on around had nothing to do with him," wrote Juca Kfouri, one of Brazil's best-known columnists. "To control a simple ball seemed a Herculean task." And as if being criticised for having eaten too many pies wasn't bad enough, the press back home went one step further to accuse, weirdly, big Ron of being 'weird.' Former World Cup striker Tostao, writing for the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, said: "Brazil were slow and bureaucratic and only improved when Robinho came on for Ronaldo, who was slow and weird." TRABANT MAKES COMEBACK Ahead of the huge local derby between Germany and Poland on Wednesday, the visitors have been trying to provoke their hosts through that old favourite medium of the wind up - the newspapers. The Metro published a picture of cult East German car the Trabant on its front page, alongside the caption, "The Germans Don't Get Everything Right". The Trabant - a poky, box-like little runner - became a symbol of the inefficient communist regime in post-war East Germany, but has nevertheless has achieved cult status in recent years. Poland will certainly be hoping they can get it right on Wednesday against Juergen Klinsmann's side, as they try to beat their hosts for the first time in 14 attempts. JAILHOUSE ROCKS AFTER HOURS Inmates at several Pakistani prisons are being allowed to stay up late and watch matches from Germany way after lights out have been called. Residents staying at Landhi jail in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city, are usually only allowed to watch the goggle-box until eleven o'clock, but special dispensation has been given to followers of football to stay up later to take in all the action from Germany. Pakistan have not made it to this summer's spectacle, but with a large number of foreigners - most of whom are inside for drug-related offences - currently doing bird, interest is sky high. "Prisoners are provided with cable television in a designated area. Some are very keen to watch the matches as their countries are playing in it. We've allowed some relaxation," said the superintendent of the prison, Anwar Mustafa told reporters. KOREAN MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED Forget Nemanja Vidic, Jan Koller, Gianluca Zambrotta or even Wayne Rooney, word spread on Wednesday of the first serious World Cup injury after a Korean man fell off a road sign whilst celebrating his country's 2-1 win over Togo. The incident - which happened in Australia, where giant screens are accommodating the passion of thousands of football fans - comes as no surprise after police had warned supporters against "foolhardy behaviour." And, unfortunately, it doesn't get much more foolhardy than climbing lampposts in Sydney at one o'clock in the morning. The unnamed 25-year-old male fell amid wild celebrations, and is currently on a life support machine in hospital. "While we appreciate the fans' desire to celebrate and have a good time, we would encourage them to do so safely," police inspector Chris Keen said in a statement. NMTB wishes the fan a speedy recovery, hopefully in time for South Korea's next game against France, on Sunday. HANG THE DJ Staying with South Korea for the moment, the 'deejay' responsible for putting on the national anthems made a serious faux pas on Tuesday, by hitting the 'repeat' button by mistake and blasting out the Korean jingle twice! Cue many puzzled faces in the Korean team, and a lot of red faces amongst the otherwise extremely reliable German organisers. Source.

If Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal had qualified instead of Angola, Togo and Tunisia we would have a different WC. Ivory Coast and Ghana are in very difficult groups, even teams like Brazil, France and England would have difficulty qualifying [to the next round] if they were in this situation. Would Brazil beat Argentina and Holland to qualify? Would England beat Italy and the Czech Republic?

The two best African teams have unfortunately found themselves in the two MOST difficult groups in the World Cup. Ivorians are to fight the likes of Argentina, Holland and Serbia while the WC debutants Ghana has to fight it out with the 'Gli Azzurri', the Czechs and the USA. They would have qualified easily from any other group but their prospects look bleak after losing their openning games. Brazil didn't convince last night, but they don't need to stress because they have Australia and Japan coming up; not exactly giants in the game. What's up with Ronaldo? The pies getting the best of him? France will not go far, only Brazil has better players 'on paper' but their performance looked very lacklustre. This is probably because Raymond Domenech seems to have no authority over his team at all.

Some of the Japanese names are funny, they mean something in Swahili... 9. Takahara - I want to take a dump! 7. Nakata - I'm cutting 17. Inamoto - It has fire

A furious row has erupted between World Cup favourites Brazil and the Netherlands as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was confirmed as the biggest name in world football with a total of 23 letters. But while Vennegoor of Hesselink was presented with a plaque to commemorate his achievement, FIFA received a complaint from the Brazilian FA that their players' full names had not been taken into account. Juninho Pernambucano falls just short with 19 letters, though if his full birth name - Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Junior - were taken into account, he would emerge the clear winner. But governing body FIFA are refusing to listen. "While we understand the complaints of the Brazilians, we can't really be bothered to do anything about it," said FIFA director of communications Markus Siegler, sipping a glass of champagne at headquarters in Zurich. "With any luck, the matter will soon blow over." SAUDIS EYE REWARD While it emerged that Saudi Arabia will give a 600,000 riyal reward - 130,000 euros - to each player if they make it through to the last 16 of the World Cup in Germany, players are said to be unsure of what currency they shall be paid in. While veteran striker Sami al-Jaber was hoping the sum would be paid in US Dollars, rumours are circulating of a prize of 600,000 riyals worth of camels being handed to each player. Camels cost around 3000 riyals each in the gulf state, which would mean each player being landed with 200 humped-back beasts should they progress from the group stages. Incentive indeed. ALEX LEFT IN THE DARK Japan's Brazilian-born defender Alex was left guessing as to the contents of a speech given to the Japanese team by the country's soccer chief. "I was wondering what he was talking about," said the 28-year-old."I had to ask interpreter Suzuki-san what he was going on about." After having lived in the land of the rising sun for a mere 11 years, it would be unreasonable to expect him to have already grasped the country's language. Maybe David Beckham's detractors should take a step back. All content is entirely fictional. Source

Salaam bro, Federer just lost the French Open final to the 'king of clay' Rafael Nadal.

Ivorians played well but paid for not having clinical finishes. I think the Italy-Ghana game tomorrow has great potential. Strongman Genarro Gattuso is out while Ghana have the gritty trio of Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and Micheal Essien in midfield. It would be interesting to see how the Italians would cope with such a strong midfield without Gattuso.