Bismillah [IslamCity] Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake
Bismillah Hir Rahmaan Nir raheem Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake by Slave Of Allah http://prophetmuhammad.muslimpad.com/2009/03/23/spending-favorite-things-for-allahs-sake/ Allah, the Exalted, says: “By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness - here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love.” (3:92) “O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it.” (2:267) Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was the richest among the Ansar of Al-Madinah and possessed the largest property from palm-trees, and among his possessions what he loved most, was his garden known as Bairuha’ which was opposite the mosque, and Messenger of Allah (PBUH) often visited it and drank from its fresh water. When this Ayah was revealed: “By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness - here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,” (3:92), Abu Talhah came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, “Allah says in His Book: `By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,’ and the dearest of my property is Bairuha’ so I have given it as Sadaqah (charity) for Allah’s sake, and I anticipate its reward with Him; so spend it, O Messenger of Allah, as Allah guides you.” Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Well-done! That is profit earning property. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives.” So Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) distributed it among nearest relatives and cousins. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: 1. This Hadith mentions the spirit of obedience to Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) and effort which the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) made for attaining a higher status in virtue. 2. To spend the best of one’s property in the way of Allah is a sign of perfection of Faith. 3. In the matter of Sadaqat (alms giving and charity), preference must be given to one’s closest relations, provided they are poor and stand in need of help, otherwise, these should be spent on other deserving people. Riyad-us-Saliheen Compiled By Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi Surah Isra 17 verse 80 Say: O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me). Ameen,Thumameen. Transliteration :Wa qur rabbi adkhilni mudkhala sidqiw wa akhrijni mukhraja sidqiw wa-j'al li mil ladunka sulta_nan nasira_(n). Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 2482 Narrated by AbuHurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say, O Allah, grant me benefit in what Thou hast taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to Hell. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a tradition whose isnad is gharib. Transliteration:an Abi Hurairah (radiya Allahu anhu) qaal: qaala Rasul Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam): Allahumma infa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa allimni maa yanfa'oni wa zidni 'ilman, alhamdulillahi alaa kolli haal, wa a'odtho billahi min haali ahlil naar. Connect with friends all over the world. Get Yahoo! India Messenger at http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/?wm=n/
Bismillah [IslamCity] School for the Deaf and Blind finding it difficult to feed children
The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka School for the Deaf and Blind finding it difficult to feed children Breaking barriers of impairment, they reach out for knowledge Mar 14 2009 Set up in 1912, The Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana that relies on funding from the state, NGOs and wellwishers provides its students the same level of education as in a mainstream school By Dhananjani Silva, Pix by Sanka Vidanagama Eleven-year-old Shalini (name changed) is transported to another world the moment she feels she has entered the school library. She walks up to a table in a quiet corner and impatiently waits for someone to place a Braille book in front of her. She reads and reads; asks for more books and even refuses to leave the library saying “ane teacher mata thawa poth kiyawanna one (please teacher, I want to read more).” An ardent lover of books, Shalini is a fast reader, says her teacher at the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana. Bubbly and talkative though visually impaired, this young girl tells us about her Amma and Appacchi who are in the village in Doragala, Gampola. CAPTION: Computer technology and braille text books: Opening doors to step into society as contributors and not dependents. The School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana has many students like Shalini who, as quoted in the school’s Mission statement, are “progressing from handicapped dependent to self managing contributors in society”. Some have successfully completed their studies and been able to obtain employment in banks, garment factories as well as in leading private sector companies as telephone operators, graphic designers etc. The Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana established in 1912 cares for about 150 blind and 200 deaf students. In 1956, another school was also set up in Kaithady Jaffna called Nuffield School for Deaf and Blind and caters to about 180 students with both types of impairments. Children in these schools receive the same level of education as normal children and the curriculum followed is as in a mainstream school, says Executive Director of the School L.P.R. Mendis. Accommodation is provided during term time as 90% of the students are from remote areas. The services are provided to these children free of charge and the school’s main source of funding is through donations received from the government, public and various NGOs. Classes are conducted from primary up to Ordinary Level with the use of special technical aids like vision enhancers in assisting the handicapped to read and write. In 2007, 10 students out of the 17 who sat for O/Ls qualified for Advanced Level. Several have even gained university entrance. Government texts books are converted into Braille books in the school’s printing room. The process is quite time consuming, the Sunday Times learns as the entire book needs to be typed before being translated into Braille. The ‘talking library’ is for the students to listen to lessons in specially adapted CDs and MP3 players. “Traditionally though vocational training was given in weaving, sewing and agriculture, now we are more focussed on getting them into the mainstream,” says Mr. Mendis pointing to areas like graphic designing, printing, communication etc. The school’s ‘Sponsor a child programme’ is a way for the public to help the students. A sponsor can choose to sponsor a child from the Deaf school or Blind school for one year or more to support his/her education. Under the Friends of School programme, people are also able to help in activities such as sports meets, prizegivings etc. The school has been my pillar of strength: Melanie In 2007, she walked away with the title of Telephone Operator of the Year, having competed with participants of 58 other companies. Incredibly she was the only blind student to have taken part in this competition. Courageous Melanie Stephens is 30 years old and works as a Junior Executive at a leading insurance company. “When I lost my vision at the age of 12 due to wrong medication given by a doctor, I completely lost faith in living and my desperation was such that I even wanted to commit suicide. I was without my parents…my mother left me when I was two and half years old and my father also left when I was about 8 years. Thereafter it was my aunt who looked after me. Later I was introduced to the Deaf and Blind School in Ratmalana – the school became a pillar of strength to me at a time when I was feeling very down. “From that time onwards, little by little I started learning. Today, I am moving on with the encouragement and immense support I received from the staff and the principal of the school. They were there with me all the time; I remember the way my teachers used to encourage me by saying how the blind in foreign countries are employed as telephone operators and so on,” Melanie said. Melanie won an award at an all-island short story
Bismillah [IslamCity] RIYADHU-US-SALEHEEN -Chap.26# 203 204 On INJUSTICE COMMAND TO MAKE...
26. Chapter: On injustice and the command to make restitution in cases of injustice Allah Almighty says, Nor intercessor will the wrongdoers have, who could be listened to, (40:18) and the Almighty says, For those that do wrong there is no helper. (22:71) 203. Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, Beware of injustice. Injustice will be darkness on the Day of Rising. Beware of avarice. Avarice destroyed those before you and prompted them to shed each other's blood and make lawful what was unlawful. [Muslim] 204. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, Rights will be given to those to whom they are owed on the Day of Rising until even the hornless sheep will have retaliation from the horned sheep. [Muslim]
Bismillah [IslamCity] RIYADHU-US-SALEHEEN -Chap.25# 199 On the COMMAND to DELIVER TRUST
25. Chapter: On the command to deliver trusts Allah Almighty says, Allah commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust, (W4:57; H4:58) and the Almighty says, We offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth and the mountains, but they refused to take it on and shrank from it. But man took it on. He is indeed wrongdoing and ignorant. (33:72) 199. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, There are three signs of a hypocrite: whenever he speaks, he lies; whenever he makes a promise, he breaks it; and whenever he is trusted, he betrays his trust. [Agreed upon] In one variant, Even if he fasts and prays and claims that he is a Muslim.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Declarations of All India Muslim Forum(Mar,24) about Parliamentary Eelections - Dr.M.K.Sherwani
ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM Main Office: Galaxy Building, Thakurganj, Lucknow, U.P.India Phones: (+91) 9935023077, 9336422162, 9935022977, 9919777909 DECLARATIONS MADE JOINTLY BY THE CHAIRMAN OF ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM, DR. M.K.SHERWANI AND ITS PRESIDENT, SYED RAFAT ABOUT THE COMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, AT THE PRESS CONFERENE, HELD IN THE PRESS CLUB, LUCKNOW ON MARCH,24,2009. 1.ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM TO CONTEST EIGHT PARLIAMENTARY SEATS. After scrutinizing the applications, and considering other factors, All India Muslim Forum, at its Central Executive Committee Meeting held on March,23, has cleared the following eight candidates for the coming Parliamentary elections. 1. Lucknow (U.P.) - Dr. Aftab Ahmed 2. Qeiserganj (U.P.) – Maulana Ateequr-rehman 3. Barabanki (U.P.)– Kamlesh Kumar Gautam 4. Unnao (U.P.) - Ajai Awasthi 5. Chandauli (U.P.) - Syed Sarfaraz Ahmed 6. Sitapur (U.P.)- Irfan Ahmed 7. Kalyamber (Asam) – Maulana Abul Qasim (Qari and Mufti) 8. South East (Delhi) Syed Feroze (International player) 2.ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM DECLARES THE SLOGANS OF SECULARISM AS A FRAUD. All India Muslim Forum unequivocally declares the ‘slogan of secularism’ by the so-called ‘secular parties’ as an unadulterated fraud, designed to deceive the Muslim community, and to keep it permanently in a state of enslavement. If it were not so, all those parties who pretend to be the champions of secularism, and entice Muslim vote in the name of defeating ‘fascist forces’ would have forged a common platform for this purpose. B.S.P.’s past record of close bonhomie with B.J.P., Samajwadi Party’s friendship with Kalyan Singh and Sakshi Maharaj- the main accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case- and moreover the failure of S.P. and Congress to reach an electoral understanding because of their selfish motives, are enough to convince Muslims that there does not exist even the slightest difference between these hypocritical secular parties and the communal outfits headed by B.J.P. 3. ALL INDI MUSLIM FORUM EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER THE EMERGENCE OF MUSLIM POLITICAL OUTFITS . All India Muslim Forum expresses its satisfaction over the emergence of various Muslim Political outfits, like Ulema Council, Peace Party etc. and considers this development as a positive signal of the growing political awareness amongst the community. Though the scenario is a bit hazy and confused , but it definitely heralds a new phase when the vast majority of the community is no longer willing to be content with the appeals of ‘ voting the candidates which are in a position to defeat B.J.P.’, raised during every election by these fraudulent secular parties and their Muslim lackeys. As All India Muslim Forum is the strongest and oldest of all these Muslim Political outfits which are totally deficient in the experience and ground cadre, it appeals to them to withdraw their candidates from the constituencies where it is contesting, so that a coherent strategy may be chalked out , and a clear vision can be shown to the community. On its part, Muslim Forum expresses its readiness to extend full support to these Muslim Political outfits in their maiden performances, and hopes that through the joint efforts, some concrete beginning can be made in the direction of distinct electoral entity of Muslims, and their emancipation from the shackles of ‘negative voting.’ It is the only way left before them to realize their dream of becoming a proportionate power sharer in the democratic system of the country. New Email names for you! Get the Email name you#39;ve always wanted on the new @ymail and @rocketmail. Hurry before someone else does! http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/
Bismillah [IslamCity] ISLAMIC WISDOM
Since I understood four things, I have discarded all other knowledge. First, that my daily sustenance has already been apportioned to me and will neither increase nor decrease by my futile efforts, so I strive to increase it no more. Second, I alone and no one else can atone from my sins, so I devote myself to the Lord. Third, I know that I will never be able to escape death, which is in our pursuit, so I have prepared myself to meet him. Fourth, I know that God is observing me; therefore I refrain from doing what I must not do.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Israel bans 'arab culture' celebrations in East Jerusalem
ISRAEL TO BAN CELEBRATIONS OF EAST JERUSALEM 'CAPITAL OF ARAB CULTURE' STORMED AND ARRESTED 20 ORGANIZERS OF THE FESTIVAL AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE ACTIVISTS. March 2009 While in East Jerusalem hundreds homes demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their houses are still ongoing, also the Palestinian culture is a target of the Israeli policies. At least 20 organizers have been arrested for attempting to celebrate Arab culture in the city of Jerusalem over the past two days. On 19th March Israeli soldiers broke into a meeting of senior planners for the Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009 events, seized documents, personal papers and one laptop and harassed committee members. On Saturday 21st, the Israeli police stormed a school and community centre, and today 23rd March at least seven people, including one American and one Danish solidarity activists, have been arrested during a protest tent in Sheikh Jarrah, which was erected to protest the evictions of Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem. Moreover, additional police has been deployed in order to prevent the event because according to the Israeli Authorities, the festival is illegal since it is sponsored by the Palestinian Authority (PA). All PA activities have been banned in the city since 2000. East Jerusalem is illegally occupied since 1967 and later annexed by Israel as his eternal and indivisible capital even if the international community does not recognize Israeli rights over East Jerusalem. These are clear actions aimed to completely delete physically but also culturally the Palestinian presence from their own lands, erasing all cultural heritage, past and present, flying in the face of all legality. However the threats have not changed plans for the event: the official opening day has been celebrated last Sunday 22nd in Bethlehem, behind the Israeli annexation wall, with the participation of about 1,500 dignitaries, delegates, poets, officials and Palestinian bureaucrats. Amongst the activities also series of traditional children's games, run by dozens of volunteers, at Damascus Gate - the main entrance to the Old City. There is a need of a powerful signal by the International Community, including Europe, in order to support and guarantee the carrying out of this event. It's up to us to firmly protest and to put pressure on Israel for the end of all its violation and of the occupation, in East Jerusalem, as well as in the entire occupied West Bank and in the besieged Gaza Strip. We should do it, not only for the Palestinians' right to live in their own land in sovereignty as well as the Israelis, but also for our dignity. Info: Luisa Morgantini + 348 39 21 465 ; office Office + 33 388 17 51 51; + 39 06 69 95 02 17 luisa.morgant...@europarl.europa.eu; www.luisamorgantini.net
Bismillah [IslamCity] THANK YOU, MY ALLAH.
*** **Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning. Thank You, Allah, that I can hear. There are those who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank You, Allah, that I can see. There are many who are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the physical effort of rising. Thank You, Allah, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedfast. Even though the first hour of the day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, Thank You, Allah, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in the ladies' magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, Thank You, Allah, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, Thank You, Allah, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no work. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my modest circumstances were not quite so modest, Thank You, Allah, for the gift of Life. ZAHRA * cherub2A.gif
Bismillah [IslamCity] New evidence of alleged Israeli's Gaza war crimes revealed!
1. 2. Watch the three Guardian video reports 3. Gaza war crimes investigation 4. Israeli war crimes allegations: what the law saysEditorial: A case to answerUK to Israel: War crimes law unchangeable now * * * End this culture of Israeli impunity 2. 'IDF troops used 11-year-old boy as human shield in Gaza'* * * * * * * * * Israel's Barak faces showdown over coalition deal * * * 2. Don't judge Israel's 'war crimes' 3. Will Israel be brought to book? 4. Why Israel went to war in Gaza 5. Israel-Palestine revisited 6. The options before Israel 7. White phosphorus in Gaza: the victimsRiots break out in Arab Israeli town during ultra-nationalist Jewish marchNetanyahu and Barak draft Israel coalition pactIsraeli right-wingers spark clashesDemo triggers clashes in Israeli Arab town Israelis told to fight 'holy war' in GazaIsraeli soldiers admit intentionally killing Palestinian civiliansIsraeli soldiers admit to deliberate killing of Gaza civiliansTroops tell Gaza tales on T-shirtsDead Palestinian babies and bombed mosques - IDF fashionNew bill seeks to worsen conditions of incarceration for terroristsIsrael bows to U.S. pressure, lifts food restrictions on GazaEvidence of alleged Israeli war crimes
Bismillah [IslamCity] Marriage in the West and Islamic law: Which Is helpful for young girls and boys
--- On Thu, 19/2/09, S A Hannan sahan...@sonarbangladesh.com wrote: From: S A Hannan sahan...@sonarbangladesh.com Subject: To: Date: Thursday, 19 February, 2009, 8:54 PM Subject: Marriage in the West and Islamic law: Which Is helpful for young girls and boys Marriage in the West and Islamic law: Which Is helpful for young girls and boys ? Shah Abdul Hannan On the above subject I had discussion with some people who know this issue well.. In conversation with them, it came out that western girls are in serious dis-advantage compared to Muslim girls in the Muslim countries in the matter of selection of spouses.. In most cases this responsibility of marriage of children is not taken by parents or senior relations by culture that has developed there in the West over a hundred years. It was not so before, it is a development in the twentieth century.The dating system has thrown the girls in serious dis-advantage. Without any hope of stable relation,in dating usually the boys want to physically exploit the girls and in emotional circumstances and in most cases she has to succumb( if she has to find a husband), it is the boys who are mostly responsible for this pre-marital adultery .This goes on and on till a partner is found. It makes girls a commodity of sort which is so de- meaning for the girls and the community, whether they realize it or not. Further, even after marriage in such conditions, the promiscuous behavior remains ingrained. Only marriage arranged by parents or relations with consent of the girl or boy is the solution as has been prescribed by Islam I It has given the seniors in the family, particularly the parents, to try to find out proper partner for the boy/girl (Sura Nur, verse 32 ) though there is no problem if the boy or girl choose their partner in the course of normal social interaction and suggest parents their choice and the parents accept their choice unless it is too bad and injurious for the girl or boy or family A senior woman Islamic scholar pointed out to me that in Muslim societies now a days, more and more boys and girls are making efforts to choose their own partners. However, after they decide that they want to get married, they place that proposal to their parents. Marriage takes place after the parents give consent.So the marriage is actually taking place with the consent of the parents.. She thinks Islam has no problem with that as long as the boy/girl maintain Islamic etiquette. In few cases, the parents do not give Consent and that’s when the problem arises. In these cases, both side should talk openly and try to reach a consensus. She thinks it beneficial for the future partners to talk/discuss before they get married to make sure they are compatible to each other. There is no Islamic prohibition to having discussion with potential life partner before marriage. Especially this is very important for socially active Muslim women as most of the time they find them in a marriage where the husband is not co-operative to their Islamic work. The husband can be very pious but not open enough towards Islamic work. I feel she is right in some cases in advanced Muslim societies but not in most cases. I have no disagreement in essence with her .Only point is that the present western system is seriously demeaning and disgraceful for girls, it makes them a commodity. We should not do anything which will in effect destroy Islam's wise and harm-free system which is helpful in better selection, protection from emotion, protection from lust and harmony in the family .Clearly in Islam it has been made incumbent on guardians and /or parents to find out their life partner. This is very important. Of course, the Prophet has encouraged boys and girls to see their future life-partner and this should be done in an appropriate Islamic manner.The basic issues in this matter are consent of the boy and the girl, consent of the parents/guardians and avoid anything which leads to adultery and promiscuity.( any one can see the Islamic Teaching Course by Dr.Jamal Badawi , G-- series ) I strongly feel that If the West has to get rid of promiscuous relations, restoration of sanctity of marriage, restoration of fidelity and confidence in family and husband-wife relationship, they will have to give up the present dis-honorable dating system and go back to their own Christian/ Jewish values or adopt Islamic teachings in this regard This is a subject we should continuously pursue to save the West and the world from the debauchery , promiscuousness and indignity the society faces, particularly the girls We have to relentlessly write and mobilize to save all from this scourge. 17.2.09 . Get your own website and domain for just Rs.1,999/year.* Go to http://in.business.yahoo.com
Bismillah [IslamCity] ruling: Fasting on Saturdays
Question # 9618: Fasting on Saturdays Question: someone has told me that it's forbidden to fast on Saturdays (except Ramadan).Is it true? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. The scholars differed concerning fasting on Saturdays. Some of them said that it is not makrooh at all. Others spoke in more detail and said that if a Saturday is singled out for fasting, then it is makrooh, but if it is joined to the Sunday that follows it or the Friday that comes before it, then it is not makrooh. This is more likely to be the correct answer. And Allaah knows best. Fataawa Manaar al-Islam, 2/366. http://islamqa.com/en/ref/9618
Bismillah [IslamCity] Seekers of Indian citizenship have personal agenda: Hindu community
By Javed Aziz Khan
PESHAWAR: Busy preparing for the colourful religious festival of Holi
on Wednesday, the Hindu community from across the NWFP alleged the
Hindus seeking Indian citizenship in Amritsar had a “personal agenda”
as there was no threat to their lives and families in Pakistan.
“Around 400 Hindu families living in Peshawar are celebrating Holi
today and there is no restriction or threat to our youth, men, women
and elders. We have never been approached by any Hindu family with
complaint of threats to their lives or families,” Ram Lal, president
of the Balmik Samaj Sabha (BSS) and provincial general secretary of
the Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF), told The News.
I think, he added, a few individuals who have claimed threats to their
lives would be having personal problems. “Had there been any complaint
or threat, they would have contacted me or our minority MPA,” Ram Lal
opined.
As cheerful celebrations by thousands of Hindu families in this
country were on, the Indian media had reported that 35 members of five
Hindu families from the NWFP had reached Amritsar with citing threats
to their lives in Pakistan. These minority members, reported to be 16
each men and women and three children, have sought Indian citizenship,
citing threats to their lives in Pakistan’s Frontier province as the
major reason.
“They have probably done it to seek Indian citizenship because we
never faced any problem in performing our religious, political or
social activities in any part of Pakistan. The Hindus of Dera Ismail
Khan are celebrating Holi and they are as happy as they could be in
any other part of the world,” Businessman Ashok Kumar, told The News
from Dera Ismail Khan. His cousin, Kishor Kumar, is the lone Hindu
lawmaker from the province.
There are three Hindu temples in Peshawar and two in Dera Ismail Khan.
Several such temples exist in the remaining 22 districts of the NWFP.
“We perform our religious rituals freely. As far as the law and order
situation is concerned, mostly Muslims are being killed in violent
incidents and not members of the minority community,” Ashok argued.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=166655
***
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
(i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue
with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy
Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: My Lord is Allah (believes in
His Oneness), and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites
(men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: I
am one of the Muslims.} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: By Allah, if
Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of
camels. [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, Whoever
calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who
follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all.
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--
Recommended:
http://www.ikhwanweb.com
http://www.islamonline.net
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org
--
All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in
any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved
otherwise.
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Bismillah [IslamCity] Sufis in Uk celebrating the Prophet's birthday.
Sufis in Uk celebrating the Prophet's (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) birthday. Take a look at all the unislamic things they do: http://utube.smashits.com/video/0vRsZC6wsdA/8-Mustafa-Jaan-e-Rehmat-Pe-Lakhoon-Salaam-Shadpur-Sharif-Leeds-Milad-UK-22-7-07-Part-2-of-2.html
Bismillah [IslamCity] The End of Prosperity: Can Islamic Finance Help?
The End of Prosperity: Can Islamic Finance Help? By Mahomed Shoaib Omar (Specialist Corporate Islamic Finance Attorney) Posted: 21 Dhul Hijjah 1429, 20 December 2008The meltdown of the global financial system has raised profound questions of its fundamental structural reform. The downward spiral in the US and Western Europe is described by financial experts as deleveraging : the forced reduction of accumulated debt by households and financial institutions. As more assets get dumped into the market, prices are driven down further, which in turn necessitates more deleveraging. This vicious cycle has gained such momentum that even the massive bailout packages may not be sufficient to stop it. The bursting of the debt-fuelled property bubble in the US, together with the crippling losses suffered by banks, has set in motion a chain-reaction that, in a worst-case scenario, (according to Prof Niall Ferguson of Harvard) could lead to a 21st century version of the Great Depression (1). The immediate cause of the current financial crisis appears to be the excessive and imprudent lending by banks (2). This in turn is attributed to the unbridled power of private bankers to create money out of nothing, and then to loan this bank-created money on interest (described as fractional reserve banking). In this present monetary framework, money is traded as a commodity, instead of performing its true function of operating as a medium of exchange. This system favours the rich against the industrious poor. Despite the fact that deposits are sourced from a broad cross- section of the society, their benefit goes mainly to the rich. James Robertson in “Transforming Economic Life”(3) states that: “Today’s money and finance system is unfair, ecologically destructive and economically inefficient. The money – must – grow imperative … skews economic effort towards money out of money, and against providing real services and goods”. A substantial proportion of this privately created bank-money is invested in speculative wagering instruments, such as derivatives based on futures, swaps, and options. Such betting instruments are not connected with transactions in the real economy. According to Prof John Gray of Oxford University, (4) derivatives have created a “virtual financial economy” which “has a terrible potential for disrupting the underlying real economy as seen in the collapse in 1995 of Barings, Britain’s oldest bank”. It is therefore no surprise that George Soros has described derivatives as “hydrogen bombs”. Warren Buffet described them as “financial weapons of mass destruction”. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) currently estimates the notional amount of all outstanding derivatives (including credit default swaps) to be a staggering 600 trillion dollars, more than 10 times the size of the world economy. (BIS, September 2008, pg 20). Although debt-financing cannot be ruled out, the solution lies in a shift to equity-based financing, posited on profit and loss sharing, which is the primary characteristic of Islamic Finance. In this equitable manner, economic effort would be directed at providing useful goods and services, instead of simply making money out of money. At the same time, the wide gap between the supply of money and the supply of real goods and services would be decisively narrowed. The distinguishing features and benefits of Islamic Banking were aptly summarized by the Islamic Development Bank, based in Jeddah, (established 1975) in the following words: “Islamic banking is distinctive in two respects: concentrating on the real sector of the economy, it imparts tremendous stability to the economic system by achieving an identity between monetary flows and goods and services, and by operating on a system of profit and loss sharing in its evolved state, it insulates the society from the debt-mountain on the analogy that if the economies enter into recessionary or deflationary phases, the principles of profit and loss sharing protects the states and economic operators from the evils of accumulation of interest and minimizes defaults and bankruptcies.” (5) -- 1. See generally the article entitled “The End of Prosperity” by Prof. Ferguson of Harvard, published in Time, October 13, 2008, at pages 18 to 21. 2. Dr M Umer Chapra, economics advisor to the Islamic Development Bank of Jeddah in a paper entitled “The Global Financial Crisis”. (Can Islamic Finance Help? (5/11/2008) (shorter version). 3. James Robertson, Transforming Economic Life : A Millennial Challenge, Green Books, Devon, 1998. 4. John Gray, False Dawn : The Delusions of Capitalism, Grunte Books, London, 1998, p62. 5. See the written submission of the Islamic Development Bank to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1999 in connection with its landmark judgment declaring all prevailing forms of interest as unlawful according to Islamic Law. The judgment was
