Let's make more babies !

Er...was that politically correct to say? :)...

Answers to questions you may encounter during dawah

Bismillah,

Assalamu alaikum,

There is nothing in this world where Islamic guidance can not apply.

Dr. Bilal Philips has a video series called 'Contemporary Issues' on halaltube.com


Homosexuality? See the explanation here

Apostasy? See the explanation here

Test-tube babies ? Sexchange operations? Organ donation? See the explanation here

Euthanasia/Mercy Killing ? See the explanation here

Capital Punishment/Criminal Justice? See the explanation here

Terrorism? See the explanation here

Interest free Islamic Banking? See the explanation here

Marriage to a Non-Muslim? See the explanation here

Music, Art, Photography? See the explanation here

InshaAllah I hope you find these videos as helpful as I have.

Objectives, pretty simple?

Bismillah,

The following was taken from the Appendix of an older copy of 'The Prophet's prayer described' with a few slight modifications. I wanted to share it as it has general principles that we as Muslims should try to attain to. All the evidences presented are from the Quran and authentic hadith.

Our Objectives

1. A return to the sublime Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet(sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam) and to comprehend them both according to the understanding and way of the Pious Predecessors (as-salafus-saalih) –may Allaah be pleased with them all- acting upon the saying of our Lord – The Majestic.

“If anyone contends with the Messenger even after the Guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in hell, what an evil refuge !” (an-Nisa 4 :115)

And the first to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. (At-Tawbah 9:100)

and His – (The One free of Imperfections) saying:

“So if they believe as you believe, they are indeed on the right path..” (al-Baqara 2:137)

and the sayings of the Messenger (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Najih al-Irbad bin Sariyah, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said:

The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, delivered an admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful. We said, "O Messenger of Allah, it is as if this were a farewell sermon, so advise us." He said, "I enjoin you to have Taqwa of Allah and that you listen and obey, even if a slave is made a ruler over you. He among you who lives long enough will see many differences. So for you is to observe my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-principled and rightly-guided Rashidite Caliphs, holding on to them with your molar teeth. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every invented matter is an innovation and every innovation(bid'ah) is a going astray.”

[Abu Dawud & Al-Tirmidhi, who says it is an authentic hadith

and

Abdullah reported: It was asked from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) who amongst the people were the best. He said: (People) of my generation, then those next to them, then those next to them…, [Sahih Muslim]

2. To purify everything related to the life of the Muslims from Shirk in its various forms – and to warn them against the wicked innovations (Bid’ah) in the creed (Aqeedah) and acts of worship (Ibaadah) and false ideas introduced from outside, and to cleanse the Sunnah of the weak and fabricated narrations which have tarnished the pure nature of Islaam, and have been a cause of prevention of the progress of the Muslims, in realization of the responsibility due to knowledge and due to the saying of the noble Messenger: (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

“This knowledge will be carried by the trustworthy ones of every generation – they will expel from it the alterations made by those going beyond bounds, and the false claims of the liars, and the false interpretations of the ignorant.”

(Saheeh – reported by Ibn’ Adiyy, Ibn, Asaakir, Aboo Nua’im and al-Khateeb)

and in obedience to the order of Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic:


“..Help you one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and enmity.” (al-Maa’idah 5:2)

3. To educate and cultivate the Muslims upon their true Deen, and calling them to act according to its rulings, and to cultivate in themselves its morality and manners – which will ensure Allaah’s pleasure and result in their welfare and honour – being in agreement with the Qur’aanic description of the group who are saved from ruin

“…And (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of patience and constancy.” (al-Asr 103:3)

and due to His order:

“On the contrary (He would say): “Be you people of wisdom and knowledge for you have taught the Book and you have studied it earnestly.” (Aal-Imraan :79)

4. To revive true Islamic thought in the light of the Book and the Sunnah and upon the way of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) of this Ummah, and to remove the stagnated blind following of Madh-habs (schools of thought) and blind adherence to parties – which has overcome the minds of many Muslims and distracted them from clear and pure Islamic brotherhood/sisterhood – as demanded by the order of Allaah – The Majestic and Most High:

“And hold fast all together, by the rope of Allah, and be ye not divided among yourselves…” (Aal-Imraan 3:103)

and the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

“Be worshippers of Allaah(and) brothers !” (al-Bukhari and Muslim)

5. To provide practical Islamic solutions for the present day problems and to strive for returning to a true Islamic way of life upon the way of the Prophet (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam) – and to bring about a society guided by the Revelation, and for Allaah’s laws to be applied upon the earth – beginning this process with correction (tasfiyah) and education and cultivation (tarbiyah) – as Allaah, the Most High says:

“And instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, and purify them” (al-Baqarah 2:129)

whilst remembering the saying of our Lord – the One free of all imperfections – to His Prophet (sallallaahu’ alaihi wasallam)

“…And whether we show thee (in this life) some part of what We promise them, or We take thy soul (to Our mercy before that), - (in any case) it is to us that they shall (all) return.”(Ghaafir 40:77)

and realizing the Sharee’ah principle: “He who seeks to hasten to bring something about before its appointed time – is punished by being deprived of its achievement.”

6. To cordially invite all those who have not yet been blessed with that true Knowledge and Guidance of Islam which is the perfect final revealed Message of Allaah to His Creation, so that they may realize the peace and contentment of this life and the eternal bliss of the Hereafter.

This is our call- and we call all of the Muslims to assist us in shouldering this responsibility which will awaken and uplift them, and to spread the perpetual message of Islaam to all corners of the earth – in sincere brotherhood/sisterhood and love, having full confidence in Allaah’s aid and that He will indeed establish and grant authority to His righteous servants:

“…But honour belongs to Allaah and His Messenger, and to the Believers...” (al-Munaafiqoon 63:8)

“It is He who has sent His Messenger with the Guidance and the Religion of Truth. That He makes it prevail over all religion, even though the pagans may detest (it).” (as-Saff 61:9).

MashaAllah, very straightforward and to the point, and most importantly with daleel(evidence) from Qur'an and Sunnah. InshaAllah we as Muslims can accomplish these objectives, and I remind myself first before anyone else.

Random Ramblings

• The concessionaire at work has been replaced, the last one was Seven Day Adventists so they did not cook pork, and they had vegetarian dishes at times. People complained that there was lack of variety (they wanted Pork), but their food was generally good. Now, this new concessionaire serves pork, I am skeptical of their behind the scenes cleanliness. I mean, is there cross-contamination with the meats in the kitchen, do they cook their rice-n-peas with pig's tail ?( a common occurrence in Jamaica). I think I will be bringing lunch to work more often, or heading out to buy lunch from the seven day adventists vegetarian restaurant, its not too far from where I work Alhamdullilah.

• The new Masjid in Kingston is almost complete, Alhamdullilah (I'll post a pic soon InshaAllah). But...and I hope I am sooooooo wrong, although the building is big, the sisters area seems tiny...I hope that what I think is walled off as the sisters area really is like an office or something...InshaAllah. Also, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not have a partition in his masjid separating the sisters from the brothers, sisters were behind the brothers but there was no physical partition...so what's up with that????

• My Boss confronted me the other day about what he called the 'Muslim Crusade' in 642CE, claiming that there was no religious tolerance and what not. As the resident go-to person for all things regarding Islam at my office LOL.. I had to do a little research, and this is what I got from a student of comparative religion.. (It's funny how people think that because you are Muslim you are an encyclopedia of all things Islamic and can explain all things that Muslims do...whether Islamic or not..but thats another post)

The two superpowers of the day, the Persian Empire (Sassanid dynasty at the time) and the Roman Empire (the seat of the Byzantiums) noticed the strong build up and growth of Islaam in Egypt and the readiness of the Nestorians and Qobtiyah (Coptic) people's willingness to accept the Monotheism of the Quraan by way of the Nubuwwah (Prophethood) of Muhammad (salla llaaahu alayhi wa sallam).
So they attacked them and Umar [caliphate 634- 644 AC] ordered a RESPONSE to the attack on the EMERGING MONOTHEISTIC society.

Its noted that Akhnaton, Photep, Imhotep and many other EGYPTIAN PHAROAHS were ALL MONOTHEISTS way before many of the 28 prophets mentioned in Quraan. PLUS the ancient scriptures of the BANEE ISRAAEEL were known to the Nestorians and Coptic People before the Quraan's revelation between August 610 to April 632 CE wherein a Prophet was expected to raised up by Allaah from Abraham's seed born at MAKKAH = BACA in Psalms 84 verses 4 - 6 and BAKKAH [Quran ,soorah 3 verse 96].

• I and some other Muslims and Muslimahs attended the annual 'Roti Festival' here in Kingston last Sunday. Its a festival that highlights Indian culture and food. For all of you that have never had curried Mango...you are missing out, lol. We had a dawah booth (courtesy of another Muslim sister who had a booth there showcasing her business and food products...big up to homechoicejamaica) and got quite a few visitors and names and numbers for follow up. We gave out many pamphlets and qurans and had lively discussion with many of the patrons. Although the music and noise was unbearable at times it was a good experience bringing Islam to the fore, we were the second booth as you walked on the compound. Since it was mainly an Indian Festival highlighting Indian Culture in Jamaica, we displayed some posters about the Indian Muslims who came to Jamaica as indentured labourers back in the day and were free to practice and spread Islam. All in all it was a good day, and I hope those people are guided to Islam or at least more open minded InshaAllah.
  
• Once again...and if I had a $1 for every time I get asked these questions, or been told these statements, I'd probably be rich...well not quite...but almost. 'When are you getting married?', 'How comes you havent found anybody yet?' , It's your turn next, and it goes on and on. And I get it from Muslims and Non-Muslims, there were a spate of pregnancies at my office....yes I say spate because it seemed like an epidemic...and of course the question always was ...you guess it ..'When are you going to have kids', lol, now half the people who were expecting babies were NOT Married, so it was clearly pick on the single muslim MONTH because it went on for a while. Now when they bring their babies pics to the office, that starts the whole annoying conversation up again. One lady said I'd have to move to Abu Dhabi to get married, its funny sometimes, other times NOT. A week ago a Muslimah friend of mine got married, and another is getting married next week...so the most recent question was 'how do you feel?' AAAAARRRRRRGH. Quit asking !!!!!!!!! I am happy for them...end of convo.

Ok lunch break is up...get back to work people :)

Alcohol Shortage? Isn't that a good thing?

5:90 O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. (Holy Quran - Yusuf Ali Translation)

Pretty straightforward don't you think?

One would think that in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, a shortage of alcohol should be a good thing. In fact what the heck are they doing selling alcohol there in the first place? Why can't the government get gutsy and just BAN alcohol sales outright and stop pandering to tourists?

The article below is from BBC


Indonesia drinkers face alcohol shortage
By Lucy Williamson BBC News, Jakarta

They call it "the Bitching Session". Once a week, in the hushed cocktail lounge of Jakarta's Dharmawangsa Hotel, Miranti and her girlfriends gather.
They come for a proper gossip, and several glasses of the hotel's legendary chocolate martini.
We can bitch about work, boys, whatever we feel like, Miranti explained. But it is always at the Dharmawangsa because of that delicious chocolate martini.

Miranti is part of a growing class in Indonesia. She is 34, single, an architect.
Like her friends, she knows how to run a business, deal with jet-lag, and how to mix a margarita.
What she does not know is that she is at the heart of a battle being fought here in Jakarta - over alcohol.

Mostly, it is a battle that has been fought out of sight. But now the wounds are appearing.
On the shiny tables of the capital's five star hotels, little cards have appeared next to the silver dishes of peanuts, delicately warning guests of an embarrassing lack of alcohol.

Menus at some of the best-known cocktail bars on the tourist island of Bali have shrunk to a single page. And the country's top Japanese restaurants are reported to have run out of sake.
Indonesia is facing a nationwide alcohol shortage.
As the bar manager of one international hotel put it: "We'll be dry by the weekend."

'Crisis manager'
At first glance, the reason is an anti-corruption drive. A few months ago, the government decided to clamp down on the huge black market in alcohol, and to stop companies bribing their way through customs. That left the country's sole legal importer trying to meet a demand that is more than four times the size of its legal quotas. And the company's chief executive, Ketut Arnaya, is taking the offensive. On the wall of his office, next to a vast painting of galloping horses and several golf trophies, hangs a certificate. Ketut Arnaya, it says, is the best CEO in the country at "crisis management".

He flicks through a proposal, thick with data, that he handed to the government last month, asking them to increase the quotas on alcohol, and also to cut its import taxes.
A bottle of spirits carries taxes of up to 400% its original price - almost twice as much, Ketut says, as anywhere else in the region. The government stands to make a lot of money from relaxing the rules on alcohol. And to lose it, if it does not.

Controversial customers
The head of Bali's tourist board says his members are getting increasingly worried as the Christmas high season approaches. But the head of fiscal policy at the finance ministry was wary. The government was considering letting more legal alcohol into the country he said, but it was worried about the consequences of doing so. And part of that worry is down to the simple fact of who is drinking the wine and the cocktails served up here. Foreign tourists in Bali, yes. Foreign businessmen in Jakarta too. But as a manager at one five star hotel explained, that is not the whole story. "I have a wine bar here," he told me, "in which I would say 80% are Indonesians. These are the people who are ready to spend good money on alcohol and wines - the local Indonesians."

In a largely Muslim country, that is controversial. One reason, he said, why he believes the government has not accepted it yet, and also why they are unwilling to increase the quotas.
Government officials admit they want to discourage consumption; that they are worried about Indonesians drinking more; that it needs strict regulation.

Miranti - Indonesian and Muslim - disagrees.

"I think it depends on the person themselves," she told me, "because I haven't seen many people staggering out of a bar or restaurant, blind drunk, or throwing up on the street. We don't drink to get drunk."

"But then," she admitted, "I don't know about the younger generation, because when we were younger we were only allowed a very limited stipend."

Was it money that stopped you getting drunk before? I asked her. "Oh totally," she said, "totally."

Indonesia is always treading a fine line on these sorts of issues.
In a non-Muslim state that is home to the world's largest population of Muslims, the answers are never clear. This debate pits the country's economic need against some of its most deeply held social values. It is a debate that is likely to grow - at least while there are still a few bottles in the country's cellars to fuel the discussion.

Back to basics

Reminder on Tawheed


This book gives a clear understanding of what Islamic Monotheism means.
"Tawheed, the oneness of God, is the core of the Islamic faith" It is the basis of the religion of Islam expressed by 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no god but Allah subhana wa ta'ala), there is only one true God and He alone is deserving of worship.

Tawheed was taught by all the Prophets and Messengers to mankind.

There are three categories of Tawheed

Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah - Maintaining the Unity of Lordship, affirming that Allah is one, without partners in His sovereignty. "Allah alone caused all things to exist when there was nothing. He sustains and maintains creation without any need from it or for it, and He is the sole Lord of the universe..." "Nothing happens in creation except what He allows to happen.

"Allah created all things and He is the agent on which all things depend." (Holy Quran 39:62)

"And Allah created you and whatever you do." (Holy Quran 37:96)

"And no calamity strikes except by Allah's permission..." (Holy Quran 64:11)

Tawheed al-Asma was-Sifaat - Maintaining the Unity of Allah's Names and Attributes, belief that Allah is uniquely one in His names and attributes without similitude and comparison. "Allah must be referred to according to how He and His Prophet (peace be upon him) have described Him, without explaining away His names and attributes by giving them meanings other than their obvious meanings." It also involves referring to Allah as "He has referred to Himself without giving Him any new names or attributes", "referring to Him without giving Him the attributes of creation" and "requires that man must not be given the attributes of Allah"

"..There is nothing like Him and He is the hearer and seer of all." (Holy Quran 42:11)

"Nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Holy Quran 112:4)

Tawheed Ulooheeyah/ Ibaadah - Maintaining the Unity of Allah's Worship, the belief that All is uniquely one in His worship or divinity without rival. "Firm belief in the first two categories alone is not sufficient.." "the idolators of the Prophet's time confirmed many aspects of the first two forms of Tawheed" and "Many disbelievers knew of Allah's sovereigntity, dominion and power"

"Say: 'Who is it that gives you sustenance from the sky and earth, Who governs sight and hearing, and Who brings forth life from dead(matter) and death from the living; and plans the affairs of man?' They will all say 'Allah'..." (Holy Quran 10:31)

"If you asked them who created them, they would surely say 'Allah'..." (Holy Quran 43:87)

"Most of them do not believe in Allah except while joining partners to Him." (Holy Quran 12:106)

"All forms of worship must be directed only to Allah because He alone deserves worship, and it is He alone who can grant benefit to man as a result of His worship." "There is no need for any form of intercessor or intermediary between man and God." The main purpose of man's creation is to worship Allah.

"I did not create jinn and mankind except for My worship." (Holy Quran 51:56)

"Verily, We have sent to every nation a messenger [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid false gods'..." (Holy Quran 16:36)

"You alone do we worship, and from You alone do we seek help" (Holy Quran 1:5)

Islam and Science

In the Holy Quran, God speaks about the stages of man's embryonic development, 1,400 years before modern day scientists 'discovered' important information on creation of man and his development:

We created man from an extract of clay. Then We made him as a drop in a place of settlement, firmly fixed. Then We made the drop into an alaqah (leech, suspended thing, and blood clot), then We made the alaqah into a mudghah (chewed-like substance)...
[Holy Quran 23:12-14]

Ever wanted to find information relating to the Quran and Science , Evolution versus Creation, Video Comments on the Quran by Top Scientists, Islam's Contribution to Science, and Miracles of the Quran.....well this website is so cool, take a look...

Islam and Science

Status of Sunnah in Islam

Shaikh Salem Al-Amry talks on a very important subject that every muslim needs to know, - the Status of Sunnah in Islam.

He explains why we should follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as we are to follow the Qur'an, the book of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Shaikh Salim al-Amry is from the United Arab Emirates. He is a Computer Engineer by profession, however he has spent a major part of his youth studying under different scholars.

He has taken the effort to obtain knowledge of the different sciences of Islam including Aqidah, Usool, Hadeeth, Fiqh, Tafseer, Arabic language and more. His teachers include: Shaikh Ali Khashshan and Shaikh Mahmood 'Atiyyah, who were two of the first students of Shaikh Albani and under both, Shaikh Salim studied Aqidah.

Islamic Banking in a troubled economy

Non-Muslims turn to Islamic Bank as a safe option

Oct 3 2008 By Anna Blackaby, Business Staff

Growing numbers of non-Muslims are turning to Islamic banking as customers spooked by turmoil in the Western banking system increasingly see the sector as a safe haven.

The Birmingham-headquartered Islamic Bank of Britain said it had seen significant growth in non-Muslim customers since the onset of turbulence on financial markets as Islamic banks, bound by strict religious principles, are largely seen as insulated from the credit crisis.
Islam’s prohibition on the charging or paying of interest - riba - as well as rules on the kinds of investments they can make are among the reasons Islamic banks are coming through the crisis unscathed.

Islamic Bank of Britain head of marketing Steven Amos said: “Our core business will always be Muslims but the numbers of non-Muslims are really picking up.
“We’ve had massive interest and it’s down to the number of reasons why we’re insulated from the credit crunch.

“There were two reasons for the credit crunch. The first is liquidity - banks lending to each other on the money markets - but Islamic banks do not borrow or lend on money markets because interest is not allowed.

“The second reason Islamic banks are insulated is to do with assets - everything has to involve an underlying asset or service and if you are going to trade in an asset you have to own it first.”
The explosion in complex derivative products over the last few years has left Western banks reeling from exposure to toxic assets often far-removed from their everyday activities.
In contrast the more risk-averse Islamic finance system did not embrace this kind of deal.
“Conventional banks didn’t know what they were buying in these derivatives but we have no exposure to subprime as we just don’t deal in it full stop. “That is one of the fundamental reasons we are insulated.” Stipulations that you must own the asset you are trading in also mean practices such as short-selling are not a feature of Islamic banking.

Mr Amos also said the principle of partnership underlying Islamic finance means banks would never enter into the subprime-style agreements behind the current crisis. “For the benefit of the customers and the bank themselves, we enter into a partnership agreement. “Islamic banks don’t just enter into any agreement, we make sure the agreement is right for both partners.”

The growth in ethical investment in the UK over the last few years has also spelled an increase in interest from non-Muslims attracted by the strong ethical tenets of Islamic banking. “We guarantee you we won’t invest customers’ funds in alcohol, tobacco, pornography or in any form of gambling. “These factors are often in keeping with the ethical products that we’ve seen growing in the UK over recent years,” said Mr Amos.

The Islamic Bank of Britain is the UK’s only stand-alone fully Shariah-compliant retail bank.
In July it launched its Home Purchase Plan, billed as “the mortgage alternative,” which enables customers to purchase their homes in an ethical and Shariah-compliant manner.
The plan is based on the Islamic financing principles of Ijara, which means leasing, and Diminishing Musharaka - partnership. For example, the bank contributes 80 per cent of the purchase price and the customer puts in 20 per cent.

Over a period of up to 30 years, the customer will make monthly instalments buying back the bank’s share of the home and with each instalment paid the bank’s share decreases.
Many of the big conventional UK banks have entered into the Islamic finance market in recent years, with big names such as Lloyds TSB offering a Shariah-compliant home finance product.

Source

Islam, Judaism Speak Out

Islam, Judaism speak out published: Sunday November 16, 2008

Source:http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081116/news/news3.html

TO TAKE a life of a murderer is to save the life of many, says Sheikh Musa Tijani of the Islamic Council of Jamaica.
"When someone kills and he knows he will be killed, he thinks twice to do it and that will make people live in peace and harmony," he says.
Tijani, who is head of education and Dawah (which means calling people to the religion), says the Koran teaches that capital punishment is the law of God, and robbery and murder of the innocent are crimes punishable by death.
He says if Jamaica reimplements capital punishment, the island's ghastly murder rate is likely to be reduced.
"That is one thing that can help to solve the problem if they utilise it properly," he comments. By that he means the State must act fairly in carrying out capital punishment.
"In Islam, we believe that everybody has to be under the law; no one should be above the law; everybody has to get the same punishment," he adds.
That the innocent could inadvertently be killed in the process of carrying out capital punishment should be no excuse for discarding the system, Tijani states. He says the occurrences of such cases are minimal and all that needs to be done is to improve the process of investigation to minimise such occurrences.

The rights of the victim

"That is what happens in every country. So, as long as it is not a [deliberate attempt] to kill the person, then you cannot use it as an excuse not to perform it. When you talk about human rights, what about the rights of the victim?" questions Tijani.
The stance on capital punishment is not so clearly defined by the world's oldest religion, Judaism.
Spiritual leader Ainsley Henriques says Judaism strongly advocates preserving life, but will subscribe to the observance of capital punishment if it is the law of the land.
"We acquiesce to the majority consideration in this regard, recognising, however, that as far as we are concerned, life is a sacred blessing," he says.
He adds that modern Jewish thought is opposed to capital punishment, but might support its observance in extreme circum-stances. There has only been one execution in the history of the modern state of Israel for crimes committed against Jews during the Holocaust.

- gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com