Answer to Anonymous

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Romance and Islam": Fahad, your blog is very interesting. I recently picked up a Koran and started reading it; I found it interesting and insightful. Reading the Koran makes me want to be a better person and more in touch with my spiritual side, what scares me is the complete surrender to Allah's will and fundamental Muslim believes such as being a Martyr. I thought seriously about becoming a Muslim but only practiced certain beliefs and never shared them with anyone. The Koran mentions Allah chooses the worthy and guides who he wishes. What advice can you give me as a Muslim regarding my disagreement with certain Muslim beliefs?

I would like to thank “Anonymous” for visiting my blog and finding it interesting, and I would also like to praise Anonymous for trying to know more about our religion. As Anonymous has asked me for an advice regarding certain issues which seem a bit on a fundamental side, I would try to advice him/her to best of my ability and with all my sincerity. May Allah Help me….

First of All I would like to comment on the Word “Fundamentalist” or “Extremist”, these words which are mostly used for Muslims but dont hold any importance in life of a good Muslim, and Muslims never invented these words. All Muslims are asked by Allah to follow a certain guideline, whoever follows it by the book is called a good Muslim and whoever doesn’t is one of the non believers in the message of Allah that includes Muslim and non Muslims they both are called Non Believers if they don’t believe in Allah and his word, some people including muslims themselves use the word “ Kafir” and try to create a impression that it degrades people of other religious beliefs. But the fact is “ Kafirs” means a non believers, it can be used for both Muslims and non muslims who don’t practice and implement the laws of Allah. Coming back to Fundamentalist and Extremists: These two words are used by non Muslims and Muslims alike for people who follow the law of Allah exactly by the book. Once upon a time I was one of those people who used to call some Muslims extremist just because they grew a beard and wore a face covering, or went out to the war to fight the oppression. I soon realized that I was the one at fault, these people only seem extremists and fundamentalist cause I myself can’t be like them, instead of correcting my way of life I started to call them with those names. Most of the people around us are ao called moderate muslims and we are afraid to lose their company so we end up agreeing on their terms and conditions. So to my understanding calling a good Muslim Fundamentalist or Extremist just because we want to live a moderate life is just not right. We should accept them as good Muslims and ourselves not so good Muslims, holding ourselves accountable for our short comings is better then pointing fingers at Muslims who are on the right track by calling them names. This way we try to convince people that we are right, this is done due to ignorance or arrogance on our part because it’s really hard to resist this world’s entertainment, immorality and free thinking.

I tried to explain these words and its implications in one of my postings… The fundamentalist Couple

Now I’ll move on to the topic that is of Quran and its understanding, the basic belief of a Muslim is that” Quran” is a divinely revealed book from Allah Himself to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims believe Quran is the latest version of the previous books which were revealed to (Prophet Musa) Moses and to (Prophet Isaa) Jesus, need for revealing Quran came as previous books were edited and misquoted by some people for their own convenience. Therefore Allah sent down Quran with a promise that no human being will change it or no one can create something like it, people who understand Quran will testify that it holds enough miracles to justify the fact that it is divinely revealed book and it has been the same for last 1400 years without even a letter deleted ar added. No other book of law in this world has been preserved to the extent of Quran. Differences of opinion between Muslims and Non Muslim exist for few reasons:

1. Sometimes non Muslims are culturally arrogant to believe in Quran just because they think it will degrade their beliefs and their religion which was followed by their ancestors for centuries but Quran gives a great tribute to religions of Jesus and Moses and all Muslims are ordered to respect and believe in them whosoever doesn’t believe in Moses and Jesus are not of the believers.

2. Convenience of people also plays an important part in disbelieving in Quran for example polygamy is also allowed in Christianity but the church disapproves it, in the case of veil it is important for a women to dress modestly and cover her head but the Christianity has changed so much through centuries that people take it as more of a convenience and don’t think it is important to cover yourself modestly anymore. Same stands for Alcohol, in Christian scriptures wine has been mentioned as a source of joy as well as a source of mockery, shamelessness and sin so people justify drinking alcohol by saying we are just having good time, but if you look at it in reality you would notice, it causes more harm then good. So no God, be it of Jesus, Moses or Muhammad (PBUH) will allow its loved created beings to something which is more harmful to you than good.

3. Confusion and misunderstanding is the third and most important reason why non Muslims and some of the Muslims face while reading and understanding the Book (the Quran) itself and its Message. Quran is taken to lightly sometimes even by muslims themselves, people of different languages think that they understand the translation and the message correctly and they try to implement the verses as they are, they sometimes quote a verse which is relevant only as a example and a history for us to understand and learn through examples from the events which happened in the past. For example please read my previous post on Islam Spreading by Sword and Misconceptions… Quran is commonly misquoted by human beings muslims or non muslims alike for their convenience… Some Muslims do that because they want to create their own following (deviate sects) or use Quran to justify their own thought process which they want to implement on other Muslims who have no knowledge of Quran and Non Muslims do that to justify their own thoughts and reasons. It is really sad that majority of Muslims use Quran in their prayers and to recite the verses but don’t have time to understand beyond those words and implement what is revealed to them instead they go on about quoting the verses and misguiding people when they are themselves misguided. On the other hand non Muslims quote certain verses of Quran with out understanding the events surrounding the revelation of a certain chapter or a verse and its contexts to create differences and point out laws which don’t suit their lifestyles.

So my sincere advice to people of all faiths including Muslims is that they should learn and understand Quran completely before they start quoting verses without knowing the background and the reasons behind certain verses of Quran. And I also advice people when you come across a certain verse which doesn’t suit your lifestyle or some verses seem harsh to you than you should investigate that particular law and weigh it logically, morally and with unbiased thinking. For example dont think Alcohol shouldn’t be prohibited just because you find it fun, always try to know why alcohol is prohibited. Is it morally correct or it isn’t? Weigh good and bad in it. Once you do that you will come to terms with Quran, every prohibition and everything which is allowed in Islam has logical reasons behind them and if you weigh all the laws in good and bad. Good will always succeed.

Why complete surrender to Allah’s will? Is it fundamental Muslim belief to be a martyr?

First and the most important thing to ask your self is: who is God? If the answer you get is: God is Almighty, He is the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, No one created God and God created everything; Humans, Animals, plants, the universe and everything in it. Then its will be easier for everyone to understand that why should we completely surrender to Allah’s will, if a person creates a certain product and copyrights it, that particular person has all the rights over that product in whatever way he wants it to be used as he can use it. No one can steal it without its permission or misuse it. I find it difficult to understand why humans don’t think the same way about God, God created us and he has all the rights over us. God gives us a Book of rules of do’s and don’ts just like a father gives his children laws to conduct themselves. When a child breaks the law he is punished, and is grounded or his pocket money is reduced. Same way,God has all the rights to tell us if you do badly you will be punished and if you do good you will be rewarded. And as God is Almighty then he punishment is severe and if He rewards you then its the best. If you dont believe in God altogether then you dont have to surrender. Logical and Simple!

That in my view is complete surrender to Allah’s will, and Allah’s will is that humans follow His laws.

About martyrs well it’s a long story I would like to make it short and would also advice you to dig in to the history a bit that its not only a fundamentalist Muslim belief, it has its roots in Judaism and Christianity as well please visit the following link to get an idea where it all started:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrs

My point of view on Martyrs is a bit logical and a bit religious, suppose a country recruits soldiers to guard their country against the oppressors and those who fight against its enemy and are killed in the line of duty are rewarded by numerous medals which are not worth anything for them in this world nor hereafter and they are mentioned few times in news articles, their families are given a medal in hand and they are forgotten by time. This is the most a human being can give another human being when they are dead.

But when you believe in God and fight for his cause, Allah is the one who Himself recruits its soldiers some of them stay alive and some die. When a person dies his life is over what would he do with a piece of metal given to his family so the Martyrs are rewarded by a medal from Allah Himself for their services with paradise. When you believe Allah is the one who has created you, and has all the rights over you and you follow His orders and die for His cause then it is only logical that He provides you with some reward same as president of countries do. On the other hand unlike what people think that every Muslim will be rewarded and recruited for being martyrs is totally wrong, like all other armies not all Muslims are soldiers and not all of them die. You can always notice around you people like me, I am not recruited yet and maybe I am not the one chosen by Allah Himself to be in his army.

So my advice for you on this topic is to study (Jihad Striving in the cause of Allah not war against non Muslims as people try to tell you), what are the rules of Jihad? And what are different kinds of Jihad humans beings are allowed to do and for what reasons? Study of this topic will sort out your issues regarding Martyrs. And please note Suicide, killing of children, women, elderly, and even cutting down trees of enemies is totally forbidden in Islam, I also advice you to read rules and reasons of war in Islam, and how prisoners of war are treated. All that can be useful for you to understand real Islam make sure you don’t study biased material and don’t follow what media is trying to brain wash you with. The best source to read unbiased material about Real Islam is The Quran and Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), if a Muslim contradicts with Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad please disregard them because humans are prone to errors be it Muslims or anyone else. Whatever people tell always cross check it for its authenticity.

I hope I have answered your issues with best of my abilities and I hope if you have any questions which are not answered or you need more explanation please feel free to contact me on my email, now I would like to finish off with your last statement which mentions Allah chooses the worthy and guides who he wishes: I came across an article which will answer this question

http://www.understanding-islam.com/related/text.asp?type=article&aid=44

I am currently studying Quran myself and I have a blog dedicated for it http://rediscoverquran.blogspot.com, I wish to learn more and share it with other people and I regularly update it please book mark it may help you and it may guide you like it has guided me… May Allah forgive me if I have committed any mistakes in answering you and guide us all to the straight path ..Ameen

Knowledge

Recently I had an argument with a friend. He, with his point - I with mine. I saw his point but I had mine too. Yet, I couldn't explain myself properly. At other times, with other people, I have realized I have the same problem. I cannot back up what knowledge I have with correct sources or reasoning. Usually when I was confused about some ruling I would look it up, satisfy myself as to what Islam's guidelines are about that certain matter. The knowledge was for me. Not to tell or relate it to others. I have been wrong in doing so. The point was driven home in the last argument I had with this certain friend.

Upset after having argued, I realized the fault lay within me. My lack of knowledge. I couldn't argue and I couldn't back up my point. Not with logic, nor with knowledge and facts. After that I promised myself that I will start reading more and insh'Allah gaining more knowledge. How else will I spread the word of Islam as is to others? How will I argue about right or wrong and convey the message of Allah. I will surely be questioned about it after I die. What knowledge did I gain in the way of Islam?

Because of the importance of knowledge, Allah (SWT) commanded His Messenger to seek more of it. Allah (SWT) says:

“and say: ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge”[Ta-Ha 20:114]

Islam calls us to seek knowledge. The Prophet (PBUH) made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body. He said that the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets and that the Prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams (i.e., money), rather their inheritance was knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share. The Prophet (PBUH) said that seeking knowledge is a way to Paradise. He (PBUH) said:
“Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah (SWT) will make a path
to Paradise easy for him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-‘Ilm, 10)

Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of knowledge vary in status, the highest of which is knowledge of sharee’ah, then knowledge of medicine, then the other fields of knowledge.

The best of all branches of knowledge are the sciences of sharee’ah through which can comes to know his Lord, and his Prophet and religion. This is the knowledge with which Allah (SWT) honoured His Messenger; He taught it to him so that he might teach it to mankind.

There is no goodness in knowledge which is not confirmed by action, or words which are not confirmed by deeds:

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do”[al-Saff :2-3]

Knowledge brings a great reward. The one who points the way to something good is like the one who does it. When the knowledgeable person dies, his reward with Allah (SWT) does not cease when he dies, rather it continues to increase so long as people benefit from his knowledge.

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three – an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge or a righteous son who will pray for him.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 1631)

The first and most crucial obligation on us is to acquire knowledge and secondly to practice and preach this knowledge. No man becomes truly a Muslim without knowing the meaning of Islam, because he becomes a Muslim not through birth but through knowledge.http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~socs343/khutbah_pdf/KNOWLEDGE.pdf

May Allah increase us in knowledge that is beneficial to us and people around us. Ameen

Fall of Four Great Empires

I have been busy lately with work and events happening around me so did not get a chance to post something on religion but I wanted to post this. Some people would say why post it on a religious blog, I am a human and I do follow religion but I also live in this world that is around me and Islam doesn’t stop humans to follow cricket. I am a die hard cricket fan; I have been since I was a kid. For some people cricket is a boring game but for me and millions of people around the world it has been a craze since I was a kid. Lots of events passed by in these 30 years, some were sad and some were happy. But unfortunately I witnessed the fall of four great empires in a single day and cricket won’t be the same again. Not in my lifetime at least……

With every loss there is a lesson to learn, we should learn from it instead of being critical of our cricket players. Great Empires were brought down by Power of people in the past and it has just happened again. But this time around the people who brought down the empires are not freedom fighters fighting for thier freedom ..they are bunch on insensitive and selfish human beings....

India Losing to Bangladesh:

India one of the favorites to win the world cup, and a cricket crazy nation was beaten by Bangladesh. Bangladesh is considered the minnows of cricket, for them it’s the moment of national pride and they have done well to beat India, and nothing can be taken away the way they played against one of the best teams. They totally deserved their victory, At least on that particular day they were good enough to win. But what saddened me was an India’s loss and consequences which will be followed within their cricket crazy nation. Cricket is a harsh game for people of sub continent, till they keep on winning they are highly respected and once they start losing their homes and burned, they are cursed and they are blamed for everything. People tend to forget cricket players are just humans and humans win and lose sometimes, God sends signs of weakness through the loss and as a lesson for the people to correct their mistakes and work to succeed better next time. But the Great Worldly Empire lead by Rahul Dravid is fallen, and it’s a sad sight which will not be forgotten for a while, not because India lost to Bangladesh but because people stop believing in their heroes as soon as they face bad patches in their lives. We tend to leave them alone in time of grieve; we are only loyal to our own selves.

Pakistan losing To Ireland

I am a Pakistani and I am a great fan of Pakistani cricket team, I always believed they can beat anyone and lose to anyone cause of their nature. Being a Pakistani i know how we play and conduct our daily activities, we use our hearts more than our brains. Emotions are given priority in our daily lives, taking that theory into consideration it wasn’t a total shocker for me that they lost to Ireland. They have lost to Bangladesh before, as I said cricket is a cruel game and people who follow cricket with passion are its enemy. Just like Indians, Pakistanis try to create a situation that players think if they lose than it will be a nightmare to return to their country and face criticism. No doubt Pakistan had the ability to win over Ireland but humans do commit mistakes and flatter in pressure, The pressure the Pakistani were in past one year was the beginning of their end. Losing the best players, drug related issues, captaincy issues, oval test, and other personal issues faced by player themselves. They are humans after all, even we if face some difficulties we can’t concentrate on our work and our social lives, we drown in depression. So why Pakistan cricket team has to pay for the natural calamity, again it’s the people who brought down their own empire. Our loyalty only stands with one who wins, a sad day indeed not cause of the loss to Irish but they way we are treating our fallen heroes.

Bob Woolmer – No More

The news of his death came as a shock to me; I couldn’t believe it first until I switched on my T.V. I am very saddened by the news, it’s like losing someone who has been close to you for years, and people would ask me why I feel that way after all he was just a coach. For me at least he was not just a coach, He was a perfect teacher. His passion for the game led him to his destiny; he was the best in the business.

I admired him for few reasons, he became part of Pakistani camp as soon as he joined the ranks, he respected their religious beliefs, he wasn’t a racist, and he supported his team in lows and highs as a father supports his children. Since, he became a coach he changed the face of Pakistani cricket. Unity and discipline was evident, he believed in positive cricket. Players got emotionally attached to him and it was vice versa for him. He could have just resigned and left for some other country; anyone would have welcomed him with open arms. But he chose to stick with bunch of emotional people, because he himself was an emotional person … I guess he related to them than anyone would or will ever relate…Pakistan and this world will never come across a coach like him ever again, at least not in my life time. As a Pakistani I would want my country to give him a state funeral or do something good for his family in which ever way its possible, he died as employee of Pakistan, he led from the front. I can go on and on about Bob Woolmer but my words won’t be enough; all I can say is I have lost a loved one today and the world has lost the best.

Inzamam Ul Haq – The Fall of the Legend

More bad news, Inzamam ul Haq resigned as a captain and retired from the one day cricket. I remember the 1992 world cup when he became a hero for our beloved country and his record shows that he was one of the greatest batsmen a world has seen. I feel very disappointed that he took all the blame for the loss which was caused by internal and external factors surrounding the whole team. Humans are weak at times and things like that happen, death of Bob Woolmer and resigning of Inzamam ul Haq show how emotional they were about their game and on the other hand I see people on TV burning their pictures and holding protests. The great empires are brought down by its people, and this time around it’s not different. We ourselves should take the blame for being insensitive to our cricketing world and its players, life will go on but it won’t be the same ever again… We with our own hands destroyed India, Pakistan, Bob and Inzamam. We should bring ourselves to justice, instead of blaming our teams and coaches.

It would have been better, if the whole Indian, Pakistani teams and Bob Woolmer would have resigned and moved on with their lives because people of sub continent don’t deserve greatness. And these great people don’t deserve the treatment they got from insensitive and unforgiving selfish humans; I guess they don’t have faith in the lord of this world and create situation which leads to all of these events. People who mess up everything just sit at home and criticize, go on with their lives, while cricketers suffer all their lives.

I pray to Allah, people start thinking about pros and cons of their actions, I also pray that Bobs Soul rest in peace, I also pray that Inzamam and company who practice religion to have patience in this time of grieve even though people are against them, cause Allah is always with them. Allah Is the Most Merciful and Most Beneficent. Allah tests people, one you survive that test you surly are the winner.

I am not sure about other people; I do support Indian, Pakistani cricket team, and Bob Woolmer and his family….. When they are low but not out. I hope other do as well…..In the end its just a game some win it and some lose it.

for more coverage of the events please visit :

http://gulf.cricinfo.com/

Trying not to listen to music is considered in extreme. Music is considered one of the sweet pleasures of life. Trying not to listen to it, usually has people thinking “oh isn’t that taking islam a bit too far” and then you are bombarded with all sorts of explanations and excuses that deem it ‘okay’ to listen to music. But tell me , then why is it that when im told that a young muslim boy of 17 or 18 years, when he was dying , kept on being prompted by the emergency team member to read the shahadah – to remember Allah…he kept singing some song he had heard – and died singing that song. Why is it that when I hear such incidents that I pray that Allah forgives the boy and makes all muslims die reading the shahadah.A man selling pens all his life said “one for five – one for five’ when he was on his death bed that is all that he could say instead of reading or calling onto Allah.We listen to songs and we think that its okay and its not such a big sin. But sometimes really, when we listen to a song we like isn’t it always at the back of our head. Sometimes intruding in on our thoughts our prayers. Its there. You know it and I know it. Shouldn’t we try and replace these songs by remembering Allah?– making dua and prasising Allah and asking for our forgiveness?. Certainly our time is short on this earth. Don’t you want to die rememebering Allah and asking for forgiveness instead of singing someones song who can’t be bothered in what state you die?
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions, the most pure in the sight of Your Master, the one which raises your ranks highest, that which is better for you than giving gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than your meeting your enemies, so that you strike their necks, and they strike yours?" The companions urged, "Of course, O Messenger of Allah! (Inform us!)" He replied, "It is the Remembrance of Allah." (Reported by Abu Dawud
“Behold, in the remembrance of Allah do the hearts find rest” (Ar- Ra`d: 28), it means in salah and in du`aa’ in obedience to Allah. It also means in the tasbeeh (saying subhan Allah, Glory be to Allah), in saying al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah), in the takbir (saying Allahu Akbar, Allah is Greatest), in saying La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah). It also means reading the Qur’an and understanding its meaning and message. It means living according to the rules of Allah, giving the message of Allah to others, and establishing truth, justice, and peace in the world. All of these are dhikr, and in every kind of dhikr there is comfort, peace, harmony, and tranquility for the hearts and souls of the believers.
May Allah guide us all and make us strong in our faith so we hold onto it tightly and not let go. May Allah forgive our sins and protect us from the torture of the grave. Ameen

I can’t change my Past, but I am Positive

Recently I have been advised by someone to write about my recent experiences, I thought about it and I figured out it’s the hardest thing to do. I have so many stories to tell but I can’t find words to express them. I am not ashamed to admit that I am not a good writer. But life isn’t easy anyways so I decided to give it a try, some will like it and some not. Anyways you can’t please everyone……….

Well let’s start with the past, every single person has a past and I do to. Since I have chosen to give priority to my religion instead of the goods of this world, Suddenly I see different sides of people that I haven’t noticed it before cause I was busy entertaining myself while the world conspired against each other. Some support me while some don’t. I do accept, I was my own enemy and I am myself the reason which lead people to think of me like that. But, I wont accept people pointing fingers at me as well, I have left my past behind and I find no reason for other people to hold on to it.

Some people ask me for guarantees, some people say is it because you have found a religious woman, some people say it’s a phase, some say don’t become an extremist. I sometimes wonder why they have all negative things to say. Life has no guarantees; no human being is guaranteed to behave in the same manner. A human being has the tendency to adapt to its surroundings and behave the same way as people around him or her do. Someone joked with me once and said “if you want guarantees buy a Micro Wave you will get one year replacement Guarantee. The fact is that there are no guarantees for a human being; death, personality changes, failed marriages, financial state, war, etc…. So how can I provide guarantees to people, I don’t know myself where I may end up in future.. Only Allah knows Best.

I have come to an understanding as why humans are different than Allah, Allah forgives the past and humans don’t- it’s one of the attributes of Allah that humans cant posses.

Looking at the positive sides of things, Since, I started following the correct path; I have evolved from being depressed by lack of faith in me by people to more positive thinking. Islam led me to think positively even in times sadness and crises and tackle all issues positively.

Now I don’t regret my past at all, actually I am really happy that I had a past. I make use of that past to let people know ,how I changed and what can people do to make a change in their lives like I did, I am a living example, I have lived every moment of it and I know how hard it is to let go of goods of this world. I guess people like me can help more humans rather than people who haven’t done anything in their lives and those who were born in a family which was religious and practiced Islam since they were kids. They may not be able to relate to people who have had pasts which they haven’t experienced themselves, for them answering questions asked by people like us is a bit hard….but I know and I can and I fight against my temptations every day and every night ….. I may have answers for people who have lived a life like I have. Past is positive, you can learn from your mistakes and let people know how to stay away from those mistakes…..

Allah is the most Merciful Please read : Man Who committed 100 Murders and was forgiven....

Past is signing off ..see you in future :)

Disclaimer: It’s just that I am thinking positively about my past, I don’t approve of it. If I had a chance to go back in time, I would have changed it. I hope people don’t take it literally and commit all the sins and wait to change………. Life has no guarantees…you never know if you are alive till that time …so change now:)

Romance and Islam

I have been bombarded with lots of questions from my friends since I left my past behind, everyone thinks that when you turn to religion life becomes boring… All good Muslims do is fight, say this is forbidden and that is forbidden. One of my friends asked me what is your idea of Romance since you started to take your religion seriously. I told him nothing much has changed since I chose the path I am on, its just that few changes here and there sort out everything for me…. Then I had to give him an example to make him understand few things and I thought of sharing it with you all…..

Idea of a Romantic evening 2005 – (My Past Thoughts)

Occasion: A Romantic Date
Intention: Love or ……….
Date: Girlfriend – illegal, maybe temporary
Location: The Beach
Time: 8 pm full Moon
Background music: Violin
Dinner: Italian
Drinks: Wine – intoxicates, may lead you to something which you can regret later.

Idea of a Romantic Evening 2007 plus (my future thoughts)

Occasion: A Romantic Date
Intention: Love and Respect
Date: Wife – some one legal and a person you will spend the rest of your life with
Location: the beach
Time: 8 pm Full Moon
Background music: Sound of waves – Natural sound of water is by far romantic then someone playing violin at least you get to be alone…total privacy
Dinner: Italian or Arabic does it matter when you have a beautiful someone to share your food with
Drinks: Anything Virgin- At least they will keep you in your senses

So who says a good Muslim can’t be a romantic, it’s just that the mind set changes from illegal to legal. In fact it’s more rewarding to be romantic with your wife than your girl friend. With your wife you think of a long term relationship and romance helps you grow in a relationship further, with girlfriends it’s vice versa all romance in the beginning of your relationship and later complaining about not being romantic anymore.

If you compare between my past thoughts when I was not so good Muslim and Present when I am trying to be one, you won’t find much of a difference. Whatever difference you may find will make that romantic evening even better.

Place, location, full moon, food, and ideas nothing change, what changes is rights and wrongs. I wish people stop assuming things and stop taking people on face value, behind that veil and a beard are humans as every one is.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She outran him but later after she had gained some weight, he outran her. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating. Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "One would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife" Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said, "The best of you are those who are best to their wives"

Finallay, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said, "I don't like yours either." Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years, extended to include all those she loved; this love of his continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying, "O Allah let it be Halaa."

Romance does play a very important part in a good muslims life

True Unbeliever

A friend sent me an interesting Article so thought i should write something about it:

True Unbeliever: Atheist Ex-Muslim Now a US Celebrity

Ayaan HIrsi Ali. She scripted an 11-minute film about the Koran and domestic abuse of women that resulted in the throat-slitting assassination of its director, Theo van Gogh, by a Muslim fanatic. The killer stabbed a note into the dying man’s chest. It was addressed to her. ...written by them

One of the best examples of a person who degrades Islam just because her husband and family abused her and mistreated her, if it is even true? If whatever happened to her is true than its the her family who did this to her should be responsible not the Islam the religion itself, a person who understands and studies the religion in its originality should know this is not what Islam teaches people, to abuse and mistreat women is the last thing Islam would ever want. It will be a total contradiction from the fact when a women is held in high respect among human beings,as ordred by Allah. Allah made women mothers, daughters, wives, sisters etc... will anyone would want to disrespect the most respected of relationships. Doesn't seem logical to me.

On the other hand the situation stands that even if a dog abuses a Muslim or Islam in total, western powers will make that dog a celebrity.. one day you may find a dogs picture on time magazine with Paris Hilton, Americans just have to find or come across that dog who speaks or at least sounds like abusing Muslims when it barks....People like her tend to take advantage of the situation, make good money, raise up their new found families in so called free society which is only free to abuse religions specially Muslims. When they should be taking people accountable for their deeds, they try unsuccesfully to take the whole religion hostage.

Its not the first time this has happened and this is probably not the last time, controversies have come and gone, Salman Rushdie, Cartoons of the Prophets, Tasleema Nasreen, Apostates, False Prophets etc. Sadly for them nothing much has changed, Islam without the doubt is the fastest growing religion in the world. Ever wonder why?

Muslims have been mentioned for everything from perversion, rape, abuse, child marriages, female circumcision, beheadings, 9/11,suicide bombings,wars,veil,female beatings and so on. Does Islam Approve of it? the answer to some questions are no and some questions have logical reasoning behind them , if they are approved by Islam.

Perversion,Rape,Female Abuse, Child Marriages, Suicide Bombings are not approved by any religion or race and if people think Islam approves of them then they totally have the wrong conception. Certain issues are totally misunderstood by so called western society which talks of freedom for example: beheading of the murderers. In USA death penalty is carried out by electric chair or a lethal injection, due to unavailability of electricity and lethal injections 1400 years ago death penalty was carried out by a sword..Quiet logical I guess even if you keep the religion aside. Now a days in various Muslim countries death sentences are carried out in different ways as most recently broad casted on various TV channels, of Saddam Hussein.. He was publicly humiliated by New Iraqi government which was instated by United States of America and act as puppets. Other middle eastern countries carry out death sentences by shooting a murderer.In comparision I wish you could witness one of the executions which is carried out by burning peoples brains by so called humanitarian western countries.

Another issue is commonly discussed is why does Islam orders death penalty for Apostates, please check out the Following link for details about United States of America a country based on so called Human rights:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_the_United_States

Crime for treason against a state in the laws of united states and also great britain is death, so how can Islam which considers itself a religion and a nation in one, orders the death penalty to a Apostate who commits treason with the whole of Islamic nation considered be barbaric?

Veil issue: please check the following link for further details .....

http://rediscoverislam.blogspot.com/2007/01/muslim-and-muslima-fundamentalist.html

Coming back to the main Issue of degrading Muslims...every Muslim and Non Muslim should start to figure out the real issues..whatever the media and political powers feed in the brains of people are not always true just like weapons of mass destructions in Iraq. Truth is there to be found out!! only it requires a reasonable mind to find the truth with sincerity and without being unbiased.

People like AYAAN will come and go, but the truth will always prevail no matter how much everyone tries to fabricate the religion of truth..That is without a doubt :Islam whether you like it or not....... So Study ISLAM Dont fabricate Reality..

Significance of Sunnah

No devout Muslim would ever dare to go against the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, but it is regrettable to note that some of the liberal elite tend to raise the slogan that the Book of God (i.e. the Qur'an) is enough and that there is no need at all for the Sunnah of the Prophet, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him. Slogans like this are raised mainly by people who want to get rid of the Islamic Law (Arabic: Sharee`ah) completely.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, himself was well-aware that such ill-natured opinions would arise and hence gave a clear warning of this as reported by Al-Miqdam Ibn Ma'di Karib, one of his Companions: "I have indeed been given the Qur'an and something similar to it besides it. Yet, the time will come when a man leaning on his couch will say, 'Follow the Qur'an only; what you find in it as halaal, take it as halaal, and what you find in it as haraam, take it as haraam.' But truly, what the Messenger of God has forbidden is like what God has forbidden." (Reported by Abu Dawood and Darimi.)

In fact, ANYONE WHO REJECTS THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET, PEACE BE UPON HIM, DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE QUR'AN, for Almighty God Himself has emphasized the importance of the Sunnah in many verses, of which a few are given below.

"O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you; and if you differ in anything among yourselves, then refer it to God and the Messenger if you do believe in God and the Last Day. That is best and most suitable for final determination." (Surat Al-Nisa' 4:59)

"The answer of the believers, when summoned to God and His Messenger in order that he may judge between them, is no other than this: they say, 'We hear and we obey'. It is such as these who will attain success." (Surat Al-Nur 24:51)

"But no, by your Lord! (O Muhammad) They cannot be believers until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with the fullest submission." (Surat Al-Nisa' 4:65)

Ana’s reported that the Messenger of God said: "I have left among you two things; you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of God and my Sunnah." (Reported by Haakim.)

The Companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to hold the commandments given by the Prophet, peace be upon him, in a very high esteem, making no distinctions between them and those given by God.

Once 'Abdullah Ibn Mas`ood quoted this saying of the Prophet (hadeeth) while he was delivering a sermon: "May God curse the women who tattoo their bodies and those who pluck their eyebrows; those who separate their teeth to make them look prettier and those who try to change the creation of God." A woman named Umm Yaqub from the tribe of Banu Asad came to know of these words. She approached Ibn Mas`ood and said: "O Abu 'Abd ar-Rahman! It was reported to me that you have cursed such and such women." He said: "Why should I not curse those whom the Prophet, peace be upon him, cursed and who are cursed in the Book of God as well." She said: "I have read whatever is contained between the two covers (i.e. the whole Qur'an)." Had you been a good reader, you would have discovered it. Did you not read the following verse?

"So take whatever the Messenger gives you and keep away from what he forbids you." (Surat Al-Hashr 59:7)

Let us see what the four great Imams (i.e. religious scholars) have said about the authority of the Sunnah.

a) IMAM ABU HANIFAH was asked: "What do we do if we find a saying of yours opposing the Book of God?" He replied: "Leave my saying and stick to the Book of God." The questioner asked: "What if it contradicts a saying of the Prophet?" Abu Haneefah said: "Leave my saying in the face of the Prophet's saying." Again he was asked: "What if it goes against the saying of a Companion?" Again he said: "Leave my saying in the face of the Companion's saying." (Reported in Al-Qawl al-Mufeed by Shawkani.) Imam Abu Haneefah also declared: "My way (Arabic: madhhab) is whatever hadeeth (saying of the Prophet) that is proved to be authentic." (Shami 1:50, Al-Fulani in Iqaz, p. 62.)

b) The saying of IMAM MALIK IBN ANAS is well-known: "The saying of any person can be accepted or rejected, except for the Prophet of God, peace be upon him." (Reported by Ibn 'Abd al-Barr and Ibn Hazm. Also in Al-Yawaqeet WA Al-Jawahir 2:96.) He also said: "I am just a mortal; sometimes 1 am wrong, sometimes I am right - so check my opinions. Whatever agrees with the Book (i.e. the Qur’an) and the Sunnah, accept it; whatever disagrees with them, reject it." (Reported by Al-Fulani in Iqaz, p. 72.)

c) Once IMAM SHAFI'I narrated a saying of the Prophet (hadeeth). Someone from the audience said: "Do you say so as well?" On hearing this, the Imam was enraged. His face turned pale and he said: "Woe to you! Which earth would carry me, which sky would shelter me if I narrate a saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him and do not hold the same view! Do you see a zunnar (belt worn by non-Muslims) on me? Or have you noticed me coming out of a church? How can I report something from the Prophet, peace be upon him, and not agree with?!!"

d) IMAM AHMAD IBN HANBAL said: "Do not follow me or Maalik or Shaafi or Auza'i or Thawree, but take from where they took (i.e. from the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah)." (Reported by Al-Fulani and Ibn al-Qayyim.) He also said: "He, who is on the verge of destruction rejects a saving of the Messenger of God, May the peace and blessings of God be upon him." (Reported by Ibn al-Jauzi.)

The Prophet (PBUH) also has stressed the importance of his Sunnah. During the course of Khutbah al Wada'ah (Farewell Sermon) the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said:"I leave behind two things, if you hold fast unto them you shall never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah."

He also asked his Companions to convey others what they have learned from him saying:"Haddithu 'anni" (relate my saying to others)

Furthermore, he implored his Sunnah to uphold his way of life saying:'Alaykum bi sunnati' (follow my example)'.

The Holy Qur'an forbids ignoring or opposing any of the explanations or commands given by the Prophet (PBUH):"And as for him, who opposes the Messenger after guidance has been made clear, follows a path other than that of a believer."

Qur’aanic revelation and the precepts of the Prophet (PBUH) constitute the primary sources of Islamic Law.Generally the Holy Qur'an lays down the broad aspects of the Law and Sharee`ah obligations which cannot be fulfilled without resorting to the Sunnah of the Prophet the Prophet (PBUH).

For instance, the Holy Qur'an orders Muslims to pray but does not provide its specific timings; also it does not explain the way Muslims should pray. The details are found in the Sunnah. Again, the Holy Qur'an allows one to bequeath a share from one's estate to any person and does not stipulate the maximum limit for such a bequest. The Prophet (PBUH) is the one who fixed its maximum limit at one third of one's estate only.In other words then, the Prophet (PBUH) interpreted the verses of the Holy Qur'an and explained their meanings and implications to his companions to apply them in their lives. In the process he (PBUH) also made provisions for those aspects of the Law which were not specifically provided for in the Holy Qur'an. Likewise, all rules pertaining to Fasting, Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah) and Zakaat (compulsory charity) were laid down by the Prophet (PBUH).

Enough for you is your Home

The words ‘Isolation’ and ‘Seclusion’ have a special meaning in our religion: to stay away from evil and its perpetrators, and to keep those who are foolish at a distance. When you seclude yourself from evil in this manner, you will have a opportunity to reflect, to think, to graze in the meadows of enlightment.

When you isolate yourself from things that divert you from Allah’s obedience, you are giving yourself a dose of medicine, one that doctors of the heart have found to be a most potent cure. When you seclude yourself from evil and idleness, your brain is stimulated into action. The results are increases in faith, repentance, and remembrance of Allah, the Most Merciful.

However, some gatherings are not only recommended, but necessary: the congregational prayer, circles of learning, and all gatherings of righteousness. As for gatherings wherein frivolity and shallowness prevail, be wary of them. Take flight from such gatherings, weep over your wrong doing, hold your tongue, and be content within the boundaries of your home. My mixing with others based on foolish motives, you endanger the stability and soundness of your mind, for the people you indiscriminately mix with are likely to be experts at wasting time, masters at spreading lies, and skilled in spreading both trouble and mischief.

Allah says:

“Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among you.” (Quran 9:47)

I advice you to fortify yourself to you purpose and isolate yourself in a room, except when you leave it to speak well or to do well. When you apply this advice, you will find that your heart has returned to you. So use your time well and save your life from being wasted. Hold your tongue from backbiting, free your heart from anxiety, and preserve your ears from profanity.

Is not He (Better than your gods), who responds to the distressed

Allah says:

“Is not He (better than your gods) who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him.” (Quran 27:62)

From Whom do the weak and the oppressed seek victory? Who does everyone beseech? He is Allah. None had the right to be worshipped except Him.

Therefore it is most advisable for you and I to invoke Him during difficult times during times of both hardship and ease, to seek shelter with Him in difficult times, and to plead at His doorstep with tears of repentance; then will His help and relief quickly arrive.

Allah says:

“Is not He (Better than you gods) who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him...” (Quran 27:62)

He saves the one who is drowning, gives victory to the oppressed, guides the misguided, cures the sick, and provides relief to the afflicted.

Allah says:

“And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only” (Quran 29:65)

As for the various supplications one makes to remove hardship, I refer you to the books of Sunnah, in them, you will learn prophetic supplications with which you can call to Allah, supplicate to Him, and seek His Aid. If you have found Him, then you have found everything. And If you lose your faith in Him, then you have lost everything. By supplicating to Him you are performing one of the highest forms of worship. If you are persistent and sincere in you supplication, you willl achieve freedom from worry and anxiety. All ropes are cut lose save His, and all doors are shut save His. His is near; He hears all and answer those who supplicate to Him.

Allah says:

“Invoke Me (and ask Me for anything), I will respond to your (Invocation).”
(Quran 40:60)

If you are living through affliction and pain, remember Allah, call out His name, and as Him, for help. Place your forehead on the ground an mention His Praises, so that you can obtain true freedom. Raise your hands in supplication, and ask of Him Constantly. Cling to His door, have good thoughts about Him, and wait for His help- you will then find true Happiness and success.