The Universe's Invisible Hand

- by Dr. Slama Abd AL-Hady

The main Problem which faces the Atheists or Evolutionists is their BLIND FAITH that sciences contradict religions. In Quran, ALLAH is motivating people to gain the scientific knowledge since it is the way to see His Wisdom in such scientifically Created Universe.

[29.20] Say: Wander in the earth and search how He makes the start of creation, then ALLAH creates the latter creation (in the Day of Resurrection; surely Allah has power over all things.

Science is the tool to see ALLAH’s Uniqueness and Will in each Star, Planet, Atom, Cell, Sun, Earth, Procedure, Order, Processing, Operating, organ, eye, ear, stomach, foot, animal, human, insect, etc. The first step ALLAH made after Adam’s creation, He taught him How to recognize his world, the names, the colors, the good, the evil, the responsibility, etc. Then ALLAH sent messengers to announce them His Existence and to inform them His Guidance:

[3.138] This Quran is a clear (logic) ALLAH’s announcement (declared statement) for people (all), and it is guidance and admonition to the true believers.

By ALLAH’s Mercy, we are gifted the logic to learn and recognize His Wisdom in the verses of the Quran:

[55.1-13] The Beneficent ALLAH, Taught the Quran, He created man, Taught him the recognition of his world, Learn him to search how the sun and the moon follow a reckoning, And the herbs and the trees are in accord to His Wisdom. He made (designed) the balance in the raised heavens, Though you may not be inordinate in respect of the balance or measures (Justice), And keep up the balance with equity and do not make deficient measures (inequity). And the earth, He has set it (arranged it) for the life of His Creatures; therein is He Created fruit and palms having sheathed clusters, And grains with (its) husk and fragrance. WHICH THEN OF THE BOUNTIES (EVIDENCES, SIGNS) OF YOUR LORD (ALLAH) WILL YOU DENY?

Another main problem which faces the Cosmology Scientists is that they haven’t seen the Start of Creation of the Universe, and they Cannot predict How it will be Ended. So, all their theories are confusing.

However, I shall compare what the ALLAH announced in His Book, the Quran, since more than 14 centuries, with the underlined scientific trials of cosmologists to search the heavens in a modern published scientific paper, 2007, with the title:

The Universe's Invisible Hand, By Christopher J. Conselice, http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-universes-invisible-hand, January 2007,

We read in the paper:

Since the days of American astronomer Edwin Hubble, observers have known that all but the nearest galaxies “are moving away from us at a rapid rate”. This rate is proportional to distance: the more distant a galaxy is, the faster its recession. Such a pattern implied that galaxies are not moving through space in the conventional sense but are being carried along as “the fabric of space itself stretches”.

We shall see these underlined statements, as assumed or concluded by scientists according to scientifically discovered evidences, are stated since more than fourteen centuries in the Quran in a most convenient way. Regarding the widening of the universe, We read in the Quran:

[51:47] We construct the Firmament with Our (ALLAH’s) Hand for it is We Who create its vastness (unlimited widening) in Space.

Regarding the fabric of the universe and its stretching, we read:

[21:30] Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were a unique fabric and then before We stretched them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

Regarding the title of the paper, we read in the paper:

For decades, astronomers struggled to answer the obvious follow-up question: How does the expansion rate change over time? They assure the existence of an INVISIBLE HAND to control such universe expansion and to manage such rates according to the Title of this Research.

The answer of this title or the search for the INVISIBLE HAND is found in the same Verse [ 51:47] of the Quran, i.e.:

[51:47] We construct the Firmament with Our (ALLAH’s) Hand for it is We Who create its vastness (unlimited widening) in Space

In this verse, the Creator announces that searched Invisible is HIS HAND or as stated “WITH OUR HANDS”, or “ALLAH’s Hands”, since the speaker is ALLAH who revealed such Verses to Muhammad(SAW).

In the same paper of January 2007, we read:

The situation gets more complicated as you continue to zoom in and reach the scale of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Galaxies, including our own Milky Way, do not expand with time. “Their size is controlled by an equilibrium or balance between gravity and the angular momentum of the stars, gas and other material that make them up”; they grow only by accreting new material from intergalactic space or by merging with other galaxies. Cosmic expansion has an insignificant effect on them. Thus, it is not at all obvious that dark energy should have had any say whatsoever in how galaxies formed.

The underlined sentence which searches who set such “Equilibrium or balance in the universe” is answered or stated clearly in the Quran. So, in the Quran, We read:

[55:7] And the Firmament (universe) has He (ALLAH) raised high, and He has set up therein the prevailing Balance (equilibrium in such universe).

So, such prevailing equilibrium which confuses the scientist is SET by the Creator as clearly ANNOUNCED in this verse, and it has no other possible answer.

In the same 2007 paper we read:

According to models, dark matter began to clump immediately after the big bang, forming spherical blobs that astronomers refer to as "halos." The baryons, in contrast, were initially kept from clumping by their interactions with one another and with radiation. “They remained in a hot, gaseous phase. As the universe expanded, this gas cooled and the baryons were able to pack themselves together”. The first stars and galaxies coalesced out of this cooled gas a few hundred million years after the big bang. They did not materialize in random locations but in the centers of the dark matter halos that had already taken shape.

The Quran, since more than 14 centuries, casted these discoveries and answered the confusing questions and set the true facts. In Quran we read the truth of the bracketed sentence by a clear statement that universe was, in one of its early stages, in the form of “smoke” or “hot gases”. Then ALLAH’s will pack them in such ordered heavens and earth. It is illogic to assume such funny underlined statement “packed themselves”. How may such hot gases design such wonderful packing mechanism to produce such unique universe? So, the Quran gives the truth In the Quran, we read

[41:11-12] Moreover, He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He ordered them as sky and earth: "Come ye according to My (ALLAH’s) Will" They obeyed: "We do come (together), in willing obedience."  So He arranged them as seven firmaments (7 is a cyclic number according to Arabic language, meaning indefinite figure as the repetitive weeks of 7 days) in two Days (day means a stage of thousands or millions of years) and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command.

So; What we see, what we discover and what we prove are ALLAH’s signs which were stated in the Quran as scientific evidences for His Wisdom and Mercy. Such understanding is given by the following verses:

[41:53] Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) Universe and in their own-selves , until it becomes manifest to them that this (ALLAH’s Wisdom) is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?

[27:93] And say: "Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you His Signs, so that ye shall know them"; and thy Lord is not predicting (knowing) of all that ye do.

The New Symbol of Women’s Liberation

- By Sara Bokker

I am an American woman who was born in the midst of America’s “Heartland.”I grew up, just like any other girl, being fixated with the glamour of life in “the big city.”Eventually, I moved to Florida and on to South Beach of Miami, a hotspot for those seeking the “glamorous life.”Naturally, I did what most average Western girls do.I focused on my appearance and appeal, basing my self-worth on how much attention I got from others.I worked out religiously and became a personal trainer, acquired an upscale waterfront residence, became a regular “exhibiting” beach-goer and was able to attain a “living-in-style” kind of life.

Years went by, only to realize that my scale of self-fulfillment and happiness slid down the more I progressed in my “feminine appeal.” I was a slave to fashion. I was a hostage to my looks.

As the gap continued to progressively widen between my self-fulfillment and lifestyle, I sought refuge in escapes from alcohol and parties to meditation, activism, and alternative religions, only to have the little gap widen to what seemed like a valley.  I eventually realized it all was merely a pain killer rather than an effective remedy.

By now it was September 11, 2001.As I witnessed the ensuing barrage on Islam, Islamic values and culture, and the infamous declaration of the “new crusade,” I started to notice something called Islam.Up until that point, all I had associated with Islam was women covered in “tents,” wife beaters, harems, and a world of terrorism.

As a feminist libertarian, and an activist who was pursuing a better world for all, my path crossed with that of another activist who was already at the lead of indiscriminately furthering causes of reform and justice for all.I joined in the ongoing campaigns of my new mentor which included, at the time, election reform and civil rights, among others.Now my new activism was fundamentally different.Instead of “selectively” advocating justice only to some, I learned that ideals such as justice, freedom, and respect are meant to be and are essentially universal, and that own good and common good are not in conflict.For the first time, I knew what “all people are created equal” really means.But most importantly, I learned that it only takes faith to see the world as one and to see the unity in creation.

One day I came across a book that is negatively stereotyped in the West--The Holy Qur’an.I was first attracted by the style and approach of the Qur’an, and then intrigued by its outlook on existence, life, creation, and the relationship between Creator and creation.I found the Qur’an to be a very insightful address to heart and soul without the need for an interpreter or pastor.

Eventually I hit a moment of truth: my new-found self-fulfilling activism was nothing more than merely embracing a faith called Islam where I could live in peace as a “functional” Muslim.

I bought a beautiful long gown and head cover resembling the Muslim woman’s dress code and I walked down the same streets and neighborhoods where only days earlier I had walked in my shorts, bikini, or “elegant” western business attire.  Although the people, the faces, and the shops were all the same, one thing was remarkably distinct--I was not--nor was the peace at being a woman I experienced for the very first time.I felt as if the chains had been broken and I was finally free.I was delighted with the new looks of wonder on people’s faces in place of the looks of a hunter watching his prey I had once sought.Suddenly a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.I no longer spent all my time consumed with shopping, makeup, getting my hair done, and working out. Finally, I was free.

Of all places, I found my Islam at the heart of what some call “the most scandalous place on earth,” which makes it all the more dear and special.

While content with Hijab I became curious about Niqab, seeing an increasing number of Muslim women in it. I asked my Muslim husband, whom I married after I reverted to Islam, whether I should wear Niqab or just settle for the Hijab I was already wearing.My husband simply advised me that he believes Hijab is mandatory in Islam while Niqab is not.At the time, my Hijab consisted of head scarf that covered all my hair except for my face, and a loose long black gown called “Abaya” that covered all my body from neck to toe.

A year-and-a-half passed, and I told my husband I wanted to wear Niqab.My reason, this time, was that I felt it would be more pleasing to Allah, the Creator, increasing my feeling of peace at being more modest.He supported my decision and took me to buy an “Isdaal,” a loose black gown that covers from head to toe, and Niqab, which covers all my head and face except for my eyes.

Soon enough, news started breaking about politicians, Vatican clergymen, libertarians, and so-called human rights and freedom activists condemning Hijab at times, and Niqab at others as being oppressive to women, an obstacle to social integration, and more recently, as an Egyptian official called it--“a sign of backwardness.”

I find it to be a blatant hypocrisy when Western governments and so-called human rights groups rush to defend woman’s rights when some governments impose a certain dress code on women, yet such “freedom fighters” look the other way when women are being deprived of their rights, work, and education just because they choose to exercise their right to wear Niqab or Hijab.Today, women in Hijab or Niqab are being increasingly barred from work and education not only under totalitarian regimes such as in Tunisia,Morocco, and Egypt, but also in Western democracies such as France, Holland, and Britain.

Today I am still a feminist,but a Muslim feminist,who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing all the support they can for their husbands to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for all humanity once again. To enjoin good--any good--and to forbid evil--any evil.To speak righteousness and to speak up against all ills.To fight for our right to wear Niqab or Hijab and to please our Creator whichever way we chose.But just as importantly to carry our experience with Niqab or Hijab to fellow women who may never have had the chance to understand what wearing Niqab or Hijab means to us and why do we, so dearly, embrace it.

Most of the women I know wearing Niqab are Western reverts,some of whom are not even married. Others wear Niqab without full support of either family or surroundings. What we all have in common is that it is the personal choice of each and every one of us, which none of us is willing to surrender.

Willingly or unwillingly, women are bombarded with styles of “dressing-in-little-to-nothing” virtually in every means of communication everywhere in the world.As an ex non-Muslim, I insist on women’s right to equally know about Hijab, its virtues, and the peace and happiness it brings to a woman’s life as it did to mine.Yesterday, the bikini was the symbol of my liberty, when in actuality it only liberated me from my spirituality and true value as a respectable human being.

I couldn’t be happier to shed my bikini in SouthBeach and the “glamorous” Western lifestyle to live in peace with my Creator and enjoy living among fellow humans as a worthy person.It is why I choose to wear Niqab, and why I will die defending my inalienable right to wear it.

Today, Niqab is the new symbol of woman’s liberation to find who she is, what her purpose is, and the type of relation she chooses to have with her Creator.

To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say:You don’t know what you are missing.

To you, the ill-fated corrupting conquerors of civilization, so-called crusaders, I say: BRING IT ON.

Sara Bokker is a former actress/model/fitness instructor and activist. Currently, Sara is Director of Communications at "The March For Justice," a co-founder of "The Global Sisters Network," and producer of the infamous "Shock & Awe Gallery”.

Polygamy in Islam: A question and its answer

- from ReadingIslam.com

Name of Questioner: Amina
Title: One Eve For Adam, So Why Polygamy?
Question: As-salamu `alaykum
I was asked a question about marriage in Islam and why it allows four wives. I told them that the reason is that the ratio of women to men was great and other rational reasons, but then they asked me why Allah created only one woman Hawa' (Eve) for Adam (peace be upon him). I would very much like it, if you gave me a logical answer to this very question I was asked. Jazakum Allahu khayran
Topic: Marriage
Name of Counselor: Jasser Auda

Salam, Amina.

Thank you for your question.

There are three parts to your question:

1. The question of why Allah created one woman only for Adam (peace be upon him).

2. The claim that polygamy in Islam is related to the non-balanced ratio between men and women.

3. Whether polygamy is necessarily part of the law that people have to practice.

First of all, in the Muslim scripts (Qur'an and Hadith), we do not have answers for the question of "why polygamy?" stated clearly. This means that the answer anyone gives to the question of polygamy, including my answer here, is a matter of speculated interpretation.

And when we give answers based on such interpretations, we should make sure that we inform the people we talk with (especially if they are not Muslim) that we are giving our own interpretations and not what Allah stated in His book as His own reasons. And the rationale is clear: If the facts, which we based our interpretations on, turn out to be inaccurate, then people will think that Allah's scripts, not our opinions, are inaccurate. So, we have to make a clear distinction between Allah's reasons and our own.

Similarly, we can answer a question of "why" in Allah's creation with certainty, only if He reveals His reasons to us. There are no direct reasons given in the scripts for "why" Allah created only one mate for Adam.

However, if we refer to the verses that mentioned the creation of a "mate" for Adam, we will notice certain implications of the words and expressions used in the verses. And yes, the following is a matter of interpretation.

Read the following verses

*{O mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women.}* (An-Nisaa' 4:1)

*{It is He who has created you [all] out of one living entity, and out of it brought into being its mate, so that man might incline [with love] towards woman. And so, when he has embraced her, she conceives [what at first is] a light burden, and continues to bear it. Then, when she grows heavy [with child], they both call unto God, their Sustainer, "If Thou indeed grant us a sound [child], we shall most certainly be among the grateful!"}* (Al-A`raf 7:189)

*{He has created you [all] out of one living entity, and out of it fashioned its mate.}* (Az-Zumar 39:6)

The expression that is consistently used in the verses is "zawjaha" (Adam's mate) and not "zawjan lahu" (one mate for Adam), and the second verse quoted above states that "so that he (Adam) might incline to her with love". This means that the "natural" situation for a human being (nafs, whether man or woman) is to incline and love one mate and not more.

This is how Adam was created, and it is certainly more accurate to refer to Adam's creation for discovering the nature of human beings more than any other statistical reference that could differ along the dimensions of geography and history.

In fact, "nature" and "naturally" are such complex words because they are often confused with the words "culture" and "culturally". So you find some people claiming that certain things are human "nature" and they are only really referring to their own "culture" as a reference for this "nature".

The point is that the default and natural creation of human beings is to incline emotionally to one person and "out of the two spread men and women" as the verse is saying. This is the default and natural family structure: man, woman, and their children. Any other form of "family" is a matter of culture that is formed despite humanity's natural inclinations.

In my personal view, many of the "reasons" that people mention behind the Islamic law allowing a man to marry more than one wife are unfounded, apologetic, and even men-serving.

For example, people say that, "men are "naturally" inclined to sexual activities more than women", "the number of men is statistically more than the number of women", "the second is meant to be a friend for the first wife, and the whole family will live happily ever after", and so on.

If we examine these claims mentioned here via modern social sciences tools, we will realize that they are simply inaccurate; and if they happen to apply to a certain society or community in a certain country or time, they do not apply as "universal" human facts based upon what a law could be based on. Here, "universal" is also as big a claim as "natural".

There is another dimension to polygamy that we have to consider, which is the dimension of `urf (tradition or culture). Speaking from a jurisprudential standpoint, traditions of the people do have an effect on Islamic rulings and do affect people's contracts and worldly dealings in general as long as they do not contradict the rules of Shari`ah.

In Islamic law, the rule goes that what is default according to tradition is a default condition in the contract. This means that if the tradition of the people (or perhaps the agreement of the couple before marriage) indicates that the man will not marry any other women, then it goes as a "legal condition" in the marriage contract that is abiding to that man, unless his wife (or perhaps a judge in certain cases) willfully allows this default to change.

The question now is: Could Muslims add conditions such as monogamy to legal contracts? And the answer is yes, according to all Islamic schools of law.

Therefore, if the tradition of the husband and wife view monogamy as the normal and default, then they should apply it, because as we said, what is a default according to tradition is a default condition in the contract.

Some societies, especially in the West, do not accept polygamy and find it harmful for the make up of the family and society. Therefore, it is unfair to Islam to tell these societies that polygamy is part of "Islam" that they have to practice!

We do not want to tie people's acceptance of Islam to practicing polygamy, because they do not have to. It is mentioned in the Qur'an, which is true, but practicing it is subject to people's perception of the family. Our legal evidence is that the first family of Adam and Eve, according to the Qur'an, was monogamous.

I hope this answers your question.

Salam

The current Islamic world order & its possible reason

- www.readingislam.com

Name of Questioner: Muhannad   - United States

Title: Earning Allah's Help

Date: 27/Apr/2003

Question:

As-salaamu ‘alaikum dear scholars.

It is amazing to see that the current events that we read about in the newspaper everyday are fulfilling the premonitions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is particularly true regarding the weakened status of the Arabs and the Muslims due to our distance from the commands of Allah, as the Prophet (pbuh) foretold.

A non-Muslim person whom I met online said to me, “Looks like Allah is sure taking care of Iraq and the Muslims there huh?” He is implying that if Allah is a true God, then why do we see all this disgrace in the Arab/Muslim world? I tried to explain to him that most Muslims nowadays are not really practicing Islam in all aspects of life or fully as it should be. I also told him that victory will never be attained unless certain conditions are fulfilled. Victory won't be granted to the Muslims until we stop viewing idle pursuits and frivolities as the purpose of our lives.

Can you please give me your opinion in details regarding the causes of the status of the Muslim world currently? What will happen next? Does this indicate the approach of the End Times? May Allah reward you for your help.

Topic: Virtues

Name of Counselor: Daud Matthews

Answer:

Salaam Muhannad.

Thank you for your question.

A word of caution to begin with: Only Allah knows the future. To speculate on the future is to take time away from concentrating on the present. Concentrating on the present would convince us that we, as Muslims, do not know our religion and neither do we practice it as we should.

Everywhere we look in the Muslim world we see the Muslims are split into many groups. Where is the Ummah (one Islamic nation)? Where is the brotherhood in Islam? Every Muslim is the brother or sister of all other Muslims, and thus what a Muslim wants for himself he also wants for his brothers and sisters. The Muslims form one body, such that when one part of that body falls sick, the pain and discomfort is felt by the whole body. We say it, but the reality is another matter.

Today, Muslims are fragmented and weak. Muslims are busy chasing material pursuits. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) told us that there will come a time when Muslims would be preoccupied with wahan. He was asked about the meaning of wahan, to which he replied that the Muslims will love the world and hate death, thus they will be easily defeated by their enemies. He was asked about their numbers, whether they would be many or few, to which he replied many, like the foam of the sea.

All around us, we see the Muslim world being secularized, exploited, and morally corrupted both from within and by exernal factors. We find ourselves gaining material benefits at the expense of the Allah’s commandments. Allah has told us that if we do not serve Him, He will replace us with other nations. Is this warning not coming to fruition before our very eyes today?

In response to the non-Muslim's comment directed at you online, it must be stated that the Muslims, as a single unit, are only "chosen" by Allah if they follow His Path. Simply because our IDs bear Muslim names does not merit Allah's divine succor, rather we must strive to earn it.

Furthermore, trials and tribulations do not necessarily imply a lack of Allah's love and help. In fact, Allah often tests the faith of His most beloved servants through hardship. Christian and Jewish history and lore is full of similar examples of such

faith-based trials.

What will happen next depends on what we do individually and collectively as Muslims - the solution is in our own hands. Do we turn to Allah, seek His forgiveness, and try to live Islam or not? Do we attempt to reconcile our deeds so that they might begin to merit Allah’s help and mercy?

Our responsibility is to Allah, but when will we assume that responsibility? Our need of the hour is to repent and to bring our lives into conformity with His perfect framework. If we do so, He alone will protect us, and He alone with aid us against any obstacle. If Allah is with us, what more could we possibly need?

Key to bringing our lives back into conformity with the dictates of Allah is reviving the effort of amr bil-ma’roof wa nahee ‘an al-munkaar, calling to the good and forbidding the evil. Muslims need to be reminded of Allah, His mandates, and the purpose of our existence. Allah says in Surah 51, verse 55:

*{And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits the believers.}*

Allah specifically says that the reminder will benefit the believers, not just the non-believers. Often times, when we talk to one another about the basic Truths of the Qur’an and Islam, Muslims become defensive. We must use tact (hikma) in our approach, but we should never desist in our efforts though people we care for may try to dissuade us.

If we do not remind the Muslims of the reality of the situation, others will do it for us. As an article in The Guardian from April 4th painfully reminds us, “It could only happen with an American invasion. Poised behind the troops, waiting for a signal that Iraq is safe enough for them to operate in, are the evangelical Christians – carrying food in one hand and the Bible in the other.”

All such missionary groups, generously funded by American churchgoers, are likely to do a impressive job in offering water, food, medical help and comfort to a traumatized population. We, as Muslims, should be concerned that such material aid may spill over into the spiritual realm, as is likely the aim of the majority of the Christian groups.

However, our complaint should not be with the Christian relief agencies themselves, but rather with the denial of entry to Muslim relief agencies by the invading US forces. The recent barring of a highly-qualified group of Egyptian doctors at the Iraqi border highlights the barefaced nature of the invading army's hypocrisy. Afghanistan witnessed similar exploitative impediments.

We can only pray that our Iman (faith in Allah) and the Iman of the Iraqis will be strong enough to protect us all from the side-effects of the Christian (aid) missions. Such a tragedy underlines the importance of continuing the effort of da’wa around the world.

Looking at the events unfolding around us, we sense that surely the Last Hour is neigh. In fact, many scholars have said that all of the minor signs of the Hour have taken place and next will come the major signs. Nevertheless, we must ask ourselves: What have we prepared in terms of our Iman and good deeds?

To sit back passively and wait for the end-times scenario to play itself out is being defeatist. We must take action and realize that, from a da’wa perspective, Muslims can achieve a lot even amongst their conquerors just by showing Islam as a viable way of life.

This is precisely what happened with the Mongol invasion, such that within three generations, the Mongols were assimilated fully into Islam. Why aren’t we doing this today? We hear about citizenship and "nationalized" Muslims, why aren’t we, as Muslims, looking to assimilate our hosts into our way of life?

We as Muslims need to remind ourselves, our families, and our communities of the commandments of Allah, as based upon the Qur’an and Sunna. In this way, our relationship with Allah, the Controller and Sustainer of everything, will be strengthened and the Ummah once again revived.

If Muslims can once again prove that they have Iman, Allah will deliver His divine succor and relieve us of all oppression, no matter how hopeless the case seems. History has proved it.

Allah has told us in a hadith qudsi (a Tradition narrated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that cites the words of Allah but is different than the Qur'an):

"Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have imposed upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it." (reported by Bukhari)

It is up to us to take the first step towards Allah, namely in the form of repentance coupled with rectification of ourselves and those around us. The Hour of Judgment is near, that much is clear; its advent can neither be delayed nor hastened. The more-practical question is how much prepared ourselves to face it triumphantly.

And Allah knows best. Thank you for your question, and please stay in touch.

12 reasons to prove the genuineness of Prophet Muhammad(SAW)

- www.rasoulallah.net

Muhammad (P.B.U.H) the son of `Abdullaah, is Allaah's Prophet and the Final Messenger sent by Allaah to the inhabitants of the earth. You should know that he (P.B.U.H) is Allaah's Messenger in reality and truth. The evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.

Among these proofs:

1. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he (P.B.U.H) was known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he (P.B.U.H) had no prior knowledge of religion or any previously sent Message. He (P.B.U.H) remained like that for his first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad (P.B.U.H) with the Quran that we now have between our hands. This Quran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in the greatest detail as if he (P.B.U.H) witnessed them. These accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses (P.B.U.H) and in the Gospel sent down to Jesus (P.B.U.H). Never the less, neither the Jews nor the Christians believed anything that he (P.B.U.H) said.

2. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) also foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad (P.B.U.H) foretold, as if he (P.B.U.H) was reading the future from an open book.

3. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) also conveyed an Arabic Quran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Quran challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Quran. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Quran. Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace, beauty and splendor of this Glorious Quran.

4. The life history of this Noble Prophet (P.B.U.H) was a perfect example of being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he (P.B.U.H) was ever mindful and fearful of Allaah.

5. Allaah instilled great love for Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him (P.B.U.H). This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him (P.B.U.H). Till today, those who believe in Muhammad (P.B.U.H) honor and love him. Anyone of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him (P.B.U.H) even if but once.

6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who is the most influential human in history. Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad (P.B.U.H) the believers in him will greet him and ask Allaah to bless him (P.B.U.H) and exalt his status. They do such with full hearts and true love for him (P.B.U.H).

7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in all his doings by those who believe in him (P.B.U.H). Those who believe in Muhammad (P.B.U.H)sleep in the manner he (P.B.U.H) slept; purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he (P.B.U.H) purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.

Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad (P.B.U.H) adhere to the teachings he (P.B.U.H) spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life. During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet (P.B.U.H) have fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to the Prophet's way in his (P.B.U.H) personal matters regarding which Allaah has not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger (P.B.U.H) liked.

Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad (P.B.U.H) repeat those praises of Allaah, special prayers, and invocations that he (P.B.U.H) would say during each of his actions during day and night, like: what he (P.B.U.H) would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house, entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.

Moreover, all those who believe in Muhammad (P.B.U.H) fully perform - even to the minute detail - every act of worship, like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage, as this Noble Messenger (P.B.U.H) taught and as he (P.B.U.H) himself performed. All of this allows those who believe in him (P.B.U.H) to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble Messenger (P.B.U.H) as their example, as if he (P.B.U.H) was standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.

8. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters, small and large alike, as has this Noble Prophet (P.B.U.H).

9. Since his days, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet (P.B.U.H) has been followed by individuals from all nations, colors and peoples. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet (P.B.U.H)after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Muhammad (P.B.U.H) out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.

Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (P.B.U.H) chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. People who have followed this Prophet (P.B.U.H) have not done so to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following him. Despite all this harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion. All of this clearly indicates, to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet (P.B.U.H) was truly and really Allaah's messenger and that he (P.B.U.H) was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about Allaah without knowledge.

10. With all this, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) came with a great religion in its creedal and legal make-up. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) described Allaah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers or the wise could ever describe Allaah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability and greatness Who has subdued the creation, Who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large, and Who possesses such perfect mercy. Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad (P.B.U.H) conveyed to all spheres of human activity - like buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.

11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom, morals, good manners, and nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet (P.B.U.H) brought. In a full and complete manner, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one's parents, relatives, fiends, family, humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a similar teaching. All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger (P.B.U.H) did not bring any of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he (P.B.U.H) received from The One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.

12. The legal and creedal make-up of the religion that the Messenger Muhammad (P.B.U.H) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He Who created the heavens and the earth is The One Who sent down this great law and upright religion. The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and the earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allaah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Mode of offering supplications to ALLAH

- by Sheikh Muhammad al-Hamad

With respect to how to offer our supplications, there are questions concerning the supplicant’s physical position, his statements, how he should open and close his supplication, and a number of other considerations. In this article, we shall be discussing some of these matters.

1. We should praise Allah before supplicating and offer salutations upon the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was once sitting in the mosque when he a man came in and made his prayers. While supplicating, he said: “O Allah! Forgive me and have mercy upon me!”

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “You are being hasty, O man in prayer. If you pray and then sit, praise Allah as He should be praised, then seek Allah’s blessings upon me, then supplicate to Allah.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3476) and Sunan Abî Dâwûd (1481) and authenticated by al-Albânî]

`Umar said: “Supplications remain suspended between heaven and Earth and nothing of them ascends until you beseech Allah’s blessings upon your Prophet (peace be upon him).” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (486) and graded as good by al-Albânî]

2. We should admit our sins to Allah.

We must confess our sins before Allah and admit our mistakes and shortcomings. The supplication of Jonah (peace be upon him) is indeed one of the mightiest of supplications. It is so only because he professes the oneness of Allah and then admits his sins and shortcomings and the wrong he had committed against his own soul.

Allah says: “Then he called out from the depths of darkness: ‘There is no God but You. Glory be to you! Indeed I have been of the wrongdoers.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 87]

The same goes for the supplication known as “the noblest supplication for forgiveness”. One of the reasons why it is such a preferred supplication is that it contains within it an admission of one’s sins and shortcomings. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

The noblest supplication for forgiveness is to say: “O Allah! You are my Lord; there is no God besides You. You created me and I am your slave. I am upon Your covenant and Your promise as much as I am able. I seek refuge with You from the evil which I have done. I acknowledge your blessings upon me and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for indeed none forgives sins except You.”

Whoever says this in the morning with conviction and dies on that day before nightfall will be of the denizens of Paradise. And whoever says it at night with conviction and dies before the morn will be of the denizens of Paradise. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6306)]

3. We should be submissive and humble.

We must show humility and subservience to Allah when we supplicate to Him, with hope and fear in our hearts. Allah says about His Prophets (peace be upon them all): “Indeed they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate to Us in hope and fear, and they were humble before Us.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 90]

4. We should be assertive and straightforward in what we ask.

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “None of you should say ‘O Allah! Forgive me if You will. O Allah! Have mercy upon me if You will.’ Be assertive in what you ask, since there is no compelling Him.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6339)]

5. We need to implore Allah.

We must implore Allah when we beseech Him in supplication. This is from the beautiful etiquettes of supplication that shows our desire for what is with Allah. Allah loves those who implore Him in supplication.

6. We should offer supplications under all circumstances.

We must beseech Allah in supplication in both prosperity and adversity, in contentment and unease. The prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is pleased to have Allah answer him in adversity and distress should offer many supplications when in prosperity.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3382) and graded as good by al-Albânî]

7. We must avoid invoking supplications against ourselves.

We should never utter a supplication against ourselves, our family, or our wealth. Supplications are to be used to beseech what is good and to avert what is bad. No good can come of uttering a supplication against oneself. On the contrary, only bad can come of it.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Never beseech Allah against yourselves or against your children or against your wealth, lest you do in an hour where a petition is granted and you will be answered.” [Sahîh Muslim (3009)]

8. It is good to repeat our supplication three times.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) did so when he besought Allah in supplication against the tribe of Quraysh. [Sahîh Muslim (1794)]

9. It is good to face the Qiblah.

`Abd Allah b. Zayd relates: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) went out to the prayer area to beseech Allah for rain. Then he supplicated and besought Allah for rain. Then he turned and faced the Qiblah and turned his garment inside out…” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6343)]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) faced the Ka`bah when he besought Allah in supplication against the tribe of Quraysh. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3960)]

10. We should raise our hands in supplication.

Abû Mûsâ al-Ash`arî relates, describing a supplication of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “…then he raised his hands and I could see the whiteness of his armpits.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (4323) and Sahîh Muslim (2498)]

Ibn `Umar relates: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) raised his hands and said: ‘O Allah! Indeed I beseech of You my innocence of what Khâlid has done’.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (4339)]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Your Lord – blessed and elevated He is – is shy and generous. He is shy from His servant to raise his hands to Him and turn them away empty and disappointed.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3556), Sunan Abî Dâwûd (1488) and Sunan Ibn Mâjah (3865) and graded as good by al-Albânî]

We should raise our hands in our general supplications as well as in those special supplications where raising our hands is prescribed, like the supplications at Mount Safâ and Mount Marwah, and the supplication for rain on Friday. There are supplications for which raising the hands is not prescribed, like the supplications for entering and departing from the home and the supplication upon entering the bathroom.

11. We might perform some good deed before supplicating.

It is good to perform some good deed, like spending in charity, helping a poor person, offering two units of prayer, fasting, or anything else, so that this good deed can be a means of having our supplications answered.

We find evidence for this in the famous hadîth about the three men who were trapped in a cave. Each of them beseeched Allah, mentioning the greatest good deed that he had done, and Allah removed the boulder from before the entrance of the cave. The fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) related this account to us shows us that this is part of the Sunnah.

12. We can perform ablutions.

This is also mentioned by Abû Mûsâ al-Ash`arî in his description. He says: “He asked for water, then he made wudû’, then he raised his hands and said: ‘O Allah! Forgive `Ubayd b. `Âmir.’ and I could see the whiteness of his armpits.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (4323) and Sahîh Muslim (2498)]

13. It is good to have a noble purpose in what we ask for.

We might ask: “O Allah! Enrich me so I can spend it on what is true and good and promote the faith.” Or: “O Allah! Bless me with knowledge so I can teach Your servants and be a source of good for others.” Or: “O Allah! Bless me to get married so I can keep myself chaste and avoid sin.”

We can see this in the supplication made by Moses (peace be upon him): “My Lord! Expand my breast and ease my task for me and remove the impediment from my speech so that they may understand what I say. And give me a minister from my family – Aaron my brother. Add to my strength through him and have him share my task, that we may glorify You and remember You in abundance. Indeed, You are watchful over us.” [Sûrah TâHâ: 25-35]

What was the result? Allah answered his supplication and blessed him even more.

This etiquette can also be seen where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When one of you goes to visit a person who is sick, he should say: ‘O Allah! Give your servant healing so he can ward off an adversary for You or walk to prayer for You.” [Sunan Abî Dâwûd (3107) and graded as good by al-Albânî]

14. We might weep during supplications.

`Abd Allah b. `Amr b. al-`Âs relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) recited the verse where Abraham says: “O my Lord! Indeed they (i.e. the idols) have led astray many people. So whoever follows me is from me and whoever disobeys me, then indeed You are Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Sûrah Ibrâhîm: 36]

And he related the verse containing the following words of Jesus: “If You punish them, then they are indeed Your servants, and if You forgive them, you are indeed the Mighty, the Wise.” [Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 118].

Then he raised his hands and said: “O Allah. My people! My people!” and wept.

Then Allah said: “O Gabriel! Go to Muhammad – and your Lord knows best – and ask him why he weeps.”

So Gabriel went to him and Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) informed him of what he had said.

Allah knew best. Allah said: “O Gabriel! Go to Muhammad and say: We will truly make you pleased regarding your people and We shall not grieve you.” [Sahîh Muslim (202)]

15. A supplicant should openly profess his need for Allah and submit his grievances before his Lord.

Allah relates to us the supplication of Job (peace be upon him), saying: “And remember Job when he called out to his Lord saying: ‘Surely distress has seized me and You are the most merciful of those who show mercy’.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 83]

Allah relates to us the supplication of Zechariah (peace be upon him) saying: “And remember Zechariah when he called out to his Lord: ‘My Lord! Do not leave me without offspring, and You are the best of inheritors.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 89]

Then we have the supplication of Jacob (peace be upon him): “I complain of my grief and sorrow only to my Lord” [Sûrah Yûsuf: 86]

And the supplication of Moses (peace be upon him): “My Lord! Truly I am in need of whatever You send to me of good.” [Sûrah al-Qasas: 24]

16. We should choose supplications that are comprehensive in meaning.

It is better when supplicating to select comprehensive and beautiful statements instead of those that out your statements with extraneous verbiage and details. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to love supplications that were comprehensive in meaning and left out other things. [Sunan Abî Dâwûd (1482) and authenticated by al-Albânî]

Al-Khattâbî advised: “Choose for your supplications and the praise of your Lord the best and noblest of words that convey the fullest meanings, because it is the servant’s communion with the Master of all Masters who is like no other and who has no peer.”

17. A supplicant should begin by supplication on his own behalf.

Ubayy b. Ka`b mentions that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) “when he supplicated on behalf of others, he used to begin with himself.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3385) and Sunan Abî Dâwûd (3984) and authenticated by al-Albânî]

We see examples of this approach often in the Qur’ân. For instance: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who preceded us in faith.” [Sûrah al-Hashr: 10]

However, this is not necessary when a person simply wishes to supplicate for the benefit of someone else. There are many supplications found in the sacred text where the supplicant beseeches Allah on behalf of someone else and does not mention himself at all.

It might be said, then, that when a person intends to beseech Allah in supplication for himself and for others, he should begin with himself and then mention the others. If, on the other hand, he wishes to beseech Allah for someone else, then he does not have to supplicate for himself as well. We have already seen an example of this in the Prophet’s supplication for `Ubayd b. `Âmir where he said: “O Allah! Forgive `Ubayd b. `Âmir.”

18. We should beseech Allah for our brethren in faith.

This is one of the necessities of the brotherhood that we as Muslims are required to uphold. It is also one of the reasons for our supplications being answered. Allah says: “Seek forgiveness for your sins and for the believing men and women.” [Sûrah Muhammad: 19]

Noah (peace be upon him) said: “My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who enter my house in faith, and the believing men and women.” [Sûrah Nûh: 28]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever asks forgiveness for the believing men and women, he will have a good deed written to his credit for each and every believing man and woman.” [Majma` al-Zawâ’id (10/210) and graded as good by al-Albânî]

It s good to make special mention of our parents, the scholars, the righteous, the devout and those like the rulers whose virtue brings about virtue for all Muslims. It is also preferred to mention the weak and oppressed in our supplications and to beseech Allah against those who oppress and exploit them.

19. It is good to supplicate in a soft voice and keep our supplications private.

Allah says: “Call upon your Lord with humility and in private, for indeed Allah loves not those who transgress beyond bounds.” [Sûrah al-A`râf: 55]

Abû Musa relates: “We were with the the Prophet (peace be upon him) when the people began extolling the greatness of Allah in a loud voice. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘O people! Calm your voices. You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent. Indeed, you are calling upon the One who hears and is nearby, and He is with you’.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6384)]

20. It is good to call Allah by His names, selecting of His names those that are appropriate.

One might say: O Merciful One! Have mercy upon me. O generous One! Bestow Your generosity upon me. O Giver of Healing! Cure me. My Lord, give me of your mercy, for indeed You are the Giver… and so forth.

21. Those who hear someone offering a supplication can say âmîn to it.

We see this in the account given in the Qur’ân of the supplication of Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them both).

Commentators of the Qur’ân explain that Moses (peace be upon him) was offering the supplication and Aaron (peace be upon him) was saying âmîn. [refer to: Tafsîr Ibn Kathîr (2/411)]

Therefore, Allah says: “We had answered their supplication.” [Sûrah Yûnus: 89]

22. We should beseech Allah for all matters, great and small.

This is something that many people are neglectful of. You see them turning to Allah and calling upon Him when affliction befalls them. At other times, they do not turn to Allah and ask of Him, seeing the matter to be too insignificant to beseech Allah about it.

This is wrong. A Muslim is supposed to ask his Lord for everything. If Allah does not facilitate for us something as simple as, say, the partaking of our food, we would not have the power to eat. If He does not facilitate for us the putting on of our shoes, we would not be able to do so.

It is authentically related that `Â’ishah said: “Ask Allah beven for the strap of your sandal, for indeed if Allah does not facilitate it, it will not be a simple thing.” [Musnad Abî Ya`lâ (4560)]

A warning to the Muslims!

- By S. A. Rehman

It is not enough to be good; One must also show the right path to others who might otherwise do evil.

Dear Muslims!

You know that to eliminate all kinds of vices from the world and to promote good is the responsibility of every Muslim. Allah, the Lord of the universe, says: ``You are the best Ummah who have been created to show the right path to the people. You command for doing good and forbid from doing evil, and you have faith in Allah."

The Holy Prophet(SAW) has also said that everyone amongst you is a caretaker and is responsible for his subordinates on the Day of Judgment. Rulers will be answerable for the citizens of their state, every family head will be accountable for the members of his family and will be asked as to what he did for their reformation, education and better life. He will be asked as to whether he forbade them from adopting the bad ways, and helped them in leading a pious life or not. The Holy Quran has called this task as ``Enjoining (People) To Do Good and Forbidding (Them) From Doing Evil."

Respected Muslims! The world history reveals that until Muslims performed the task of commanding the people to do good and barring them from doing evil, the pious people remained dominant in those societies and there was peace and tranquility and satanic forces that were subdued. But, when this collective responsibility was designated only to clerics, and the common Muslims ignored this task, in spite of the efforts of the clerics, waywardness spread quickly. A wave of offenses, terrorism, tyranny, evils, sins, ignorance and anarchy engulfed almost every segment of life. Disorder, commotion and chaos were on the rise in the world society, wrecking the peace of all mankind.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) has warned of this danger in these words:

“I swear to the Lord who is the Master of my soul (it is your duty that) you must enjoin (the people) to do good and forbid (them) from doing evil, otherwise, the day is not far when Allah Almighty will unleash His wrath on you, and then you will pray (for help) to Allah, but your prayers will not be answered.” (Tirmidi)

The world is facing disaster upon disaster every day and people are expecting a major catastrophe. The deeds that have been forbidden by God are being committed openly. The evils are increasing, while the virtues are fading out gradually. Terrorism, bribery, corruption, evil, nudity, vulgarity and wickedness are continued threats to the world at large. It seems we have already reached the stage of inferno before the Last Day. History tells us that such a situation arises when people are being cursed by God.

It is feared that members of the previous generations will be accountable for their individual deeds on the Day of Judgment, but the present generation will be thrown as a whole into hell after a collective prosecution, because the nobles of this generation remained as silent spectators instead of restraining the wrongdoers / terrorists from committing cruelty, sins and misdeeds.

The Divine punishment to an ancient civilization seconds this fear. There were three groups during that period. One was of knaves, the second was of the people who did good deeds but did not halt the disobedient from transgression. The third group was of the people who followed the divine doctrines as well as restrained others from disobeying them. When God cursed the nation, the people exempted from this torment were those who had been observing the limits fixed by their Master and were stopping others from wrongdoing as well.

There is another but similar happening. The residents of a town had been engulfed by an ocean of sins. However, there was a noble man who was always busy in worshipping God, but he did not bother about persuading others to give up their bad ways. When God ordered the angels to destroy the town, He said: ``Overturn the town on the person who was anxious to save himself from the Divine Punishment, but was not endeavoring to save others from it."

I request the virtuous people of the world that they should not only depend upon their prayers to save themselves from the Divine Punishment; rather they should lead the Evil Doers and followers of Satan who have gone astray, to the right path. They should undertake this task against Evil Doers with full determination. Only then will their virtues and prayers save them from the Divine Punishment.

The writer is a peace activist living in Pakistan.

:: The Prophet(SAW)’s Guidance in Supplication ::

- Prophet-of-Mercy.com

He (peace be upun him) was the most perfect in glorifying Allah, nay all his utterances were in praise of Allah Al-Mighty. Whatever he ordered, forbade or set as legislation for the Nation of Islam, was in essence a glorification of Allah. Even his silence was a glorification of Allah by his heart. His glorification and praise of Allah was running with his breath, whether he was standing up on his feet or sitting or lying on his side or walking or riding an animal, or dismounting or travelling or staying home, blessings and peace be upon him.

a. His Guidance in Glorifying Allah in the Morning and Evening

When morning came he (peace be upun him) would say:

“We are this morning in the natural state of Islam on the word of sincerity, in the religion of our prophet, Muhammad, and the way of our father, Abraham, a Muslim inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate partners with Allah."

And he (peace be upun him) said: “O Allah, by You we come to the morning and by You we come to the evening. By You we live and by You we die, and to You is the resurrection."

He (peace be upun him) also said: “When morning comes for one of you, say: "Morning has come to us and dominion belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. O Allah, I ask of You the good of this day, its success, its victory, its light, its blessing and its right guidance. And I seek refuge in You from the evil it contains and the evil that follows it."

Then when evening came he would say something similar.

He (peace be upun him) said "The best supplication for forgiveness is to say: "O Allah, You are my Lord - there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant; and I uphold Your covenant and [my] promise to You as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You my sin, so forgive me. Indeed, there is none who can forgive sins except You."

He (peace be upun him) added, "Whoever recites it at morning with firm faith in it and dies the same day will enter Paradise. And whoever recites it in the evening with firm faith in it and dies the same day will enter Paradise."

And he (peace be upun him) said:

“Whoever recites every morning: "La ilaaha'ill-Allaahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul- mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shay'in qadeer" (There is no god but Allah alone, having no partner. His is sovereignty and to Him is all praise and He is over all things competent) a hundred times daily, will be rewarded the equivalent of freeing ten slaves and one hundred good deeds will be registered for him and one hundred bad deeds will be erased. That day he will be protected from Satan until evening, and no one will come with something better than that [on the Day of Judgment] except one who has done more."

He (peace be upun him) used to supplicate in the morning and the evening with these supplications:

"O Allah, I ask You for soundness in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for pardon and soundness in my religion and my world, my family and my property. O Allah, cover my faults and calm my fears. O Allah protect me from before me, from behind me, on my right, on my left and above me. And I seek refuge in your grandeur from being seized from below."

And he (peace be upun him) said: ''There is not a servant [of Allah] who recites every morning and every evening: 'In the name of Allah with whose name nothing in the earth or the heavens can cause harm, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing' three times but that nothing will harm him.''

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, teach me what to say when morning comes and evening comes." So he (peace be upun him) replied, "Say:

''O Allah, Creator of the heavens and earth, Knower of the unseen and the visible, Lord, sovereign and owner of all things, I testify that there is no god but You. I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself and the evil of Satan and his partnership, or that I bring harm upon myself, or bring it to any Muslim'." He (peace be upun him) added: "Say it in the morning, in the evening and when you go to bed."

b. His Guidance in Glorifying Allah When Leaving or Entering the Home

When going out of his house, the Prophet (peace be upun him) used to say: “Bismillaah, tawakkaltu `ala Allaah" (In the name of Allah, I rely upon Allah), and then add: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from leading someone astray or being led astray, from causing someone to slip or being caused to slip, from wronging someone or being wronged and behaving badly or someone behaving badly against me."

He (peace be upun him) said: "He who says upon leaving his home: 'Bismillaah, tawakkaltu `ala Allaah, la hawla wa la quwwata illa billaah' (In the name of Allah, I rely upon Allah. There is no might and no power except through Allah) will be told, 'You have been guided, given enough and protected, and Satan will stay away from him'."

When he (peace be upun him) went out for the fajr prayer, he would say:

“O Allah, make light in my heart, light on my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light behind me, light in front of me, light above me and light beneath me. O Allah, make great my light."

And he (peace be upun him) said: "When a man enters his house he should say, 'O Allah, I ask of You the best entrance and the best exit. In the name of Allah we enter and we rely upon Allah, our Lord,' Then he should greet his family."

c. His Guidance in Mentioning Allah When Entering a Mosque and Leaving It

When entering a mosque, the Prophet (peace be upun him) would recite: “A`udhu billaahil-`atheemi wa bi-wajhihil-kareemi wa bi-sultaanihil-qadeemi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem.'' (I seek refuge in Allah, the Great and in his noble countenance and his primordial authority from Satan, the rejected. He (peace be upun him) said, "When someone says that, Satan says: "He has been protected from me for the rest of the day.”

He (peace be upun him) also said: "When one of you enters the mosque, let him invoke blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upun him),, and let him say: 'Allaahumma iftah lee abwaaba rahmatik' (O Allah, open for me the gates of Your mercy), and upon leaving let him say: 'Allaahumma innee as'aluka min fadhlik.' (O Allah, I ask You of your bounty)''

d. His Guidance Upon Sighting the Crescent

When he (peace be upun him) sighted the new moon of the month, he would say: “O Allah, let it come upon us in prosperity and faith, in peace and Islam. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah."

e. His Guidance Upon Sneezing and Yawning

It is confirmed that he (peace be upun him) said: “Allah likes the one sneezing, and dislikes the one yawning. So if one of you sneezes, and praises Allah, then it is the duty of anyone who hears him to say, 'Yarhamuk-Allaah' (May Allah grant you mercy). As for yawning, it is caused by Satan, so if one of you is going to yawn, let him hold it back as much as he can, because when someone yawns Satan laughs at him''

When he (peace be upun him) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or his garment and suppress the sound.

When he (peace be upun him) sneezed and someone said to him, "Yarhamuk-Allaah", he would answer, ''Yarhamuna-Allaahu wa iyyakum wa yaghfiru lana wa lakum'' (May Allah have mercy on us and you, and may He forgive us and you).

And he (peace be upun him) said: “When one of you sneezes let him say: 'Al-hamdu lillaah' (May Allah have mercy on you), and his brother or companion should say to him: 'Yarhamuk-Allah' (May Allah have mercy on you). Then, when he says, 'Yarhamuk-Allah', he should say: 'Yahdeekumullaahu wa yuslihu baalakum' (May Allah guide you and better your affairs).”

He (peace be upun him) also said:

“If one of you sneezes and praises Allah (saying ‘Al-hamdulillah’), then say: 'Yarhamuk-Allah', but if he does not praise Allah, then do not say it to him''

When someone sneezed more than three times, he did not say it but only remarked, “That man has a cold.”

It was narrated that the Jews would pretend to sneeze in his presence expecting him to respond by saying 'May Allah have mercy on you', but he (peace be upun him) would only say: 'Yahdeekum-ullaahu wa yuslihu baalakum.' (May Allah guide you and amend your condition.)

f. His Guidance in Supplication Upon Seeing an Afflicted Person

Anyone who sees an afflicted person and says: 'Al-hamdu lil-laahilladhi `aafaani mimmabtalaaka bihi wa fadh-dhalani `ala katheerin mimman khalaqa tafdheela' (Praise to Allah who has exempted me from that by which He has tested you and has given me preference over most of those He has created) will not be touched by that affliction, no matter what it is.''

g. His Guidance When Hearing the Sound of a Donkey or a Rooster

He (peace be upun him) ordered his people when hearing the bray of a donkey to seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected, and upon hearing a cock, to ask Allah of His bounty.

h. His Guidance Concerning Severe Anger

The Prophet (peace be upun him) instructed anyone who became enraged to perform wudhu', and to sit down if he was standing, lie down if he was sitting and to seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected.

Palestinians and Nonviolent Resistance

- Ummah.com

Before departing to Belgium to seek justice for the victims and survivors of the Sabra and Shatilla massacre in West Beirut in 1982, Suad Srour told reporters, "I am going to Brussels on behalf of a whole people. I hope that (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon is hanged for what he did." Saud’s words were by no means an indication of a violent personality. They were indeed a natural response to an experience that cost the Palestinian girl everything she held dear.

Saud’s experience is one of those that many of us find unbearable to hear. She was only 14 when Phalange troops, under Israeli army command, broke into her impoverished home in the Shatilla refugee camp in West Beirut. They butchered her entire family and raped her in front of her father. The man died, and that scene was his last glimpse of life. Once finished with their mission to "mop up" alleged terrorists that Sharon claimed to be harbored in the camps, they shot Suad. But she didn’t die; she rose from the ashes with others to narrate a massacre that shall daunt the world’s conscience forever.

The camps’ massacre in West Beirut is one of dozens of massacres carried out by Israel against defenseless and unarmed civilians, starting with Deir Yassin, Tantura, Beit Daras, passing through Qbyia, the murder of Egyptian war prisoners, Bureij, Qana and many others.

These atrocities came and went like a summer storm, their victims buried or "disappeared" and details forgotten. Some were entirely dropped from history books. I was dismayed when I realized that after months of research (that I and a colleague have conducted while writing a book, which we hope to publish soon) dealing with Sharon’s war crimes, I found that dozens of massacres were hardly mentioned or even referred to as "massacres" despite their gruesome nature and horrific details, where innocents were collectively butchered.

Throughout most of these massacres, not one hand was lifted to defend the innocents who were killed, as if their lives were of no value. The typical argument presented by Israel, once the carnage was made public, was that Israel is not the one to blame for the loss of civilian lives, for it was the fault of the "terrorists" who sought shelter in civilians homes, forcing Israeli to "retaliate" and mistakenly kill civilians.

Some eyewitness to the massacres of Sabra and Shatilla indicated that yes, indeed there were armed Palestinian individuals in the camps during the massacre: small groups of children, aged 9 and 10 who attempted to provide a safe exit for their mothers, sisters and elder family members who sought safety outside the camp or near a hospital. The children took that role after the departure of all Palestinian fighters who left the city after American envoy Philip Habib promised that the US would provide needed protection for the camps.

This history is of great importance, not because it reminds us of the vile face of Israel and its war generals, but because it comes in a time when there is growing enthusiasm regarding "other forms of resistance" that use nonviolent means.

Some, including intellectuals known for their strong support for Palestinian rights, say that violence is a costly method of resistance in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict scenario. For one, it provides Israel with the needed pretext to escalate its organized campaign of violence in the West Bank and Gaza. To prove their point, they bring up past experiences of Mahatma Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King of the United States. One renowned scholar called on Palestinians to take to the streets and form a human chain to surround Israel’s illegal Jewish settlements, forcing the settlers to leave, once cut off from life outside.

Apparently there is a lack of understanding regarding the nature of the Israeli occupation, and a failure to grasp the causes of violence. There is also a lack of notion to differentiate between senseless violence and sensible violence.

Demanding Palestinians to resort to nonviolent means of resistance is a miscalculated move, to say the least, for it indicates that violence for Palestinians is a strategic choice. The Palestinian individual (regardless of what a poet once said) is not born holding a rock or a machine gun. It is the persistent injustice and the people’s rejection of such injustice that compels Palestinians to resist. The nature of the resistance, its magnitude and duration, is often controlled by the behavior and response of the enemy, its brutality and inhumanity.

For example, the Palestinian uprising began with symbolic acts of rejection to the Israeli military occupation: chants, graffiti, waving fists and strikes, large rallies and rock throwing, (which are of course not enough to repel the fourth strongest army in the world.) The Israeli army which dealt with Palestinian youth and children as if they were well-trained and all geared-up first class soldiers, forced Palestinians to upgrade the level of their resistance, this time not to send symbolic messages anymore (to appeal to an apathetic world), but to in fact defend their families, homes, towns and villages.

And how can we propose a human chain to circle Israeli settlements if Israeli settlers have deliberately and repeatedly run over Palestinians with their cars, killing and severely wounding scores of them?

The factor which forced Palestinian children (who should have been running on a playground or coloring in their coloring books) to carry tank propellers in Lebanon was the inherited desire to defend one’s family and community, not mere violence for the sake of violence. Indeed, the massacre of Sabra and Shatilla came in a time when Palestinians agreed to leave the camps, hoping to spare the lives of the refugees who were targeted and killed by Israel throughout its invasion of Lebanon. Palestinians were therefore killed whether they resisted or yielded.

Nonviolence as an alternative method of resistance is doomed for failure, although theoretically noble and ideal. The savagery of the enemy is what in fact determines the level of resistance. Nonviolence has great chances of success in parts of the world where human rights are treasured and an individual is valued and revered. But in the land occupied by Israel, where children are killed while seeking shelter by their fathers, and where homes are bombarded and bulldozed with inhabitants still inside, and where soldiers often shoot at anything and everything for sport, the rules are different. It would then be unfair and irrational to stop a child who is throwing rocks at a bulldozer while it tears down his house. It would be preposterous to stop a man with a rifle attempting to halt a row of tanks progressing toward his village, demanding that he seek a nonviolent option to halt the bulldozer or the advancing tanks.

Malcolm X once said, "we declare our right on this earth, to be a man, to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being, in this society, on this earth, on this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary." Palestinians too declared such rights and vowed to achieve them by any means necessary. Malcolm X was too gunned down, but his words have shaped history.

Ramzy Baroud