Sunday, June 20, 2010

GAZA BLOCKADE FIASCO



MAVI MARMARA

AID-FLOTILLA DEBACLE - LATE MAY 2010



"YA ALLAH SEBAGAIMANA ENGKAU PERNAH MENGHANTAR BURUNG BURUNG ABABIL MENHANCURKAN TENTERA BERGAJAH MUSYRIKIN, MAKA KAMI MEMOHON KEPADAMU YA ALLAH, TURUNKAN BANTUANMU KALI INI KEPADA ORANG ORANG ISLAM DI PALESTIN: HANCURKAN REJIM ZIONIS YAHUDI SEDAHSYAT DAHSYATNYA" - AMIN



AL-FIIL (GAJAH) - Surat ke 105
MUQADDIMAH
Surat Al Fiil mengemukakan cerita pasukan bergajah dari Yaman yang dipimpin oleh Abrahah yang ingin meruntuhkan Ka'abah di Mekah. Peristiwa ini terjadi pada tahun Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. dilahirkan.
Pokok-pokok isinya:
Cerita tentang pasukan bergajah yang diazab oleh Allah s.w.t. dengan mengirimkan kepada mereka burung yang berbondong-bondong yang melempari mereka dengan batu berasal dari tanah yang terbakar, lalu Allah s.w.t. menjadikan mereka seperti daun daun yang dimakan ulat.


Monday, June 7, 2010

REPEL BOREDOM FROM YOUR LIFE


ART CLASS - REPEAT PATTERN WHICH I AM AT BEST

Align Center


One who lives a life of repetition and routine will almost inevitably become a victim of boredom, especially since man by his very nature tires from a lack of change. For this reason Allah, the Exalted, the Almighty, gave us variety in times and places, in food and drink - diversity in the many forms of creation: night and day, valley and mountain, white and black, hot and cold, shade and sun, sweet and sour.

Al-Ma'Moon would alternate between reading, standing, sitting, or lying, and he said,

"The soul is ever so prone to boredom."

You should contemplate the many forms of worship that are legislated in Islam. There are deeds of the heart, of the tongue, of the limbs, and of wealth, by spending it for a good cause. The prayer, alms giving, fasting, pilgrimages to Makkah, fighting in the way of Allah - these are only some examples of worship. The prayer involves standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. If you desire relaxation, vitality and continued productivity, then bring diversity into your work, your reading, and your daily life. In terms of reading, for example, read a broad range of topics: the Qur'an, its explanation, the biography of the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and his Companions, hadith, Islamic jurisprudence, history, literature, books of general knowledge, and so forth. Distribute your time between worship and enjoying what is lawful, from visiting friends, entertaining guests, playing sports, or going on excursions: you will find yourself to be a lively and bright person, because the soul delights in variety and things that are new.

THEY AGREE ON THREE POINTS


Muslim scholars agree upon three fundamentals for one who seeks a cure:
1. One should have a close relationship with Allah, by worshipping Him, being obedient to Him, and turning to Him when in hardship or in ease. And this is the paramount issue in faith.
2. One must close the files of the past. Episodes of the past, which when recalled only induce pain, should be forgotten and eradicated from one' s memory. Thus, a new life, for a new day!
3. One should leave the future alone. Whatever has yet to occur is from the world of the unseen. Therefore it should be left alone until it comes. More particularly, one should avoid being preoccupied with predictions, expectations, and apprehensions. Life should be lived within the boundaries of today.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE ......

Religions are like vaccines; the word is of his choosing. "I do not see in religion the mystery of incarnation, but the mystery of the social order, " he would say later. "It attributes to the heavens a concept of equality which prevents the rich from being massacred by the poor."

BONAPARTE is a deist. However, he is of a mind that, thanks to him that the affairs of this earth should be governed in the best possible manner.

"I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to write all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Qur'an which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness." (Paris 1914)

** SIR GEORGE BERNARD SHAW IN "THE GENUINE ISLAM 1936"

"I have always held the religion of MUHAMMAD in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion, which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence, which can make itself appeal to every age."

"I have prophesied about the faith of MUHAMMAD that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today."

"If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be ISLAM."

Writer's comment: how I love the last sentence (in bold). INSYAALLAH - GOD WILLING

*** MAHATMA GANDHI SAYS IN "YOUNG INDIA"

"I wanted to know the best of one who holds today's undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind... I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in GOD and in one mission..."



Friday, June 4, 2010

THE BLISS OF THE PROPHET'S COMPANIONS



CARTOONISTS MAKE MEAN CARICATURES OF HIM.






WISE MEN REVERE HIM AS A GREAT MAN.


OVER A BILLION BEAR WITNESS HE IS THE MESSENGER OF GOD




Our Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him) came to all people with a heavenly message. He was not driven by worldly ambition, he had no treasure from which to spend, no splendid gardens from which to eat, and no castle in which to live. Despite all this, his loving followers pledged allegiance to him and remained steadfast, enduring a hard life full of difficulties. They were few and weak, always in fear of being uprooted by those surrounding them, and yet they loved the Prophet (bpuh) wholly and completely.
The believers faced trials because of his message. The very ground under them was shaken violently, and yet their love for him continued to grow.
The best among their youth constantly had swords hanging menacingly over their heads.
Their men moved forward lightly across the battlefield, advancing to death as if they were upon an excursion or a holiday, for the simple reason that they loved him unconditionally.
But why did they love him, and why were they so happy with his message and content with his example? Why did they forget the pain, the suffering, and the hardship that resulted from following him?
To put it simply, he epitomized benevolence and righteousness. They perceived in him all the signs of truth and purity. He was a symbol for those who sought out higher things. With his tenderness he cooled the rancour from the hearts of people, with words of truth he soothed their chests, and with his message he filled their souls with peace.
He poured happiness into their hearts, until the pain that they endured from being at his side was made to seem insignificant. And he instilled into their souls a belief that made them forget every injury and every adversity that they had to endure.
He polished their insides with his guidance and he illuminated their eyes with their brilliance. He removed from them the burden of ignorance, the depravities of idolatory, and the evil consequences of polytheism. He extinguished the fires of malice and animosity from their souls and he poured the water of faith into their hearts. Thus, their minds and bodies became tranquil and their hearts found peace.
They tasted the beauty of life with him and they knew delight in his company. They found happiness at his side, safety and salvation in following him, and inner-richness in emulating him.
They were truly happy with their leader and so they rightly deserved to be.
O'Allah, send prayers and peace upon Muhammad, the liberator of minds from the shackles of deviation and the rescuer of souls from the cures of falsehood, and be pleased with his noble Companions as a recompense for their striving and for their efforts.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

.....OF FACEBOOK AND FOOTBALLMANIA.....



30th May 2010

QUOTE



IF FACEBOOK WAS A COUNTRY, IT WOULD HAVE THE THIRD LARGEST POPULATION IN THE WORLD. MORE THAN 400 MILLION MEMBERS MAKE IT THE VERY DEFINITION OF THE 'GLOBAL VILLAGE' THAT THE WORLDWIDE WEB WAS PRACTICALLY INVENTED FOR.

- FACEBOOK'S FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE IS:
MARK ZUCKERBERG


UNQUOTE




31st May 2010


Socrates in typically elegant stride during one of the arguably World Cup's greatest matches: Brazil v Italy in 1982. He captained Brazil but lost 3-2 thriller and Italy went on to win the World Cup.



His giant frame: 1.9m


"I have three idols," says the father of six, in his husky voice: "Che Guevera, Fidel Castro, and John Lennon" in his television show in his city of Ribierao Preto, Sao Paulo.

TAKING A LEAF OUT OF THE PROPHET'S LIFE


This article was published in the Natal Mercury Paper on Thursday 27 May 2010



By: Mufti Zubair Bayat: Director of the Darul Ihsan Islamic Services Center in Durban

The recent Mail & Guardian cartoon, which attempts to depict the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) lying on a psychiatrist's couch and supposedly lamenting the lack of humour of his followers, has evoked an angry response and strong objection from the Muslim community.

Depicting images of God and the Prophet (pbuh) are strictly forbidden in Islam. The rationale for the prohibition of depicting the image of God is because He is beyond human perception. The rationale for the prohibition, inter alia, of depicting the Prophet (pbuh) is that he was too sublime to be truely portrayed. Furthermore, attempts at portraying him could result in his image being distorted. There are therefore no records of any authentic image or portrait of the Prophet (pbuh) anywhere in the world, from any period of Islamic history, which is a significant point to note.

Two things are wrong with the cartoon. Firstly, any attempt to depict him in illustration is an attempt to depict the sacrosant, which is not allowed.

Secondly, the nature of cartoons is to satirise and trivialise. This is clearly not acceptable in the case of a personality which is held in the highest esteem by over a billion people globally.

In this particular cartoon, the insinuation is that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is in need of psychiatric help - an idea which prejudiced and hostile Orientalists have always attempted to project in their works. This dimension of the cartoon adds insult to injury and serves to rub the proverbial salt deeper into the wound.

When Muslims object, the stock response is that they do not appreciate freedom of expression. The media and others view this as an infringement of the right to freedom of speech. So it is made out, George Bush style, that you are either for freedom of expression or against it! However, one aspect that is often overlooked is that no right is absolute; there are inherent limitations. Every right is counterbalanced against other rights. Every right comes with responsibility. And responsibility was certainly not displayed by the publishers of this cartoon.

Motive

Irrespective of what the motive was for publishing the cartoon- whether it was a cheap publicity stunt, a gimmick, to boost waning sales, a deliberate provocation, or sheer ignorance - it was grossly offensive and highly insensitive.

The worldwide anger and protests following the publication of the Danish cartoons of the Prophet (pbuh) made it amply clear that Muslims will not accept his depiction as a caricature or a cartoon figure.

The media has a duty to act responsibly to respect of sensitive issues and not to push the right to freedom of expression to such ridiculous levels, where the line of distinction between the profound and the profane are virtually obliterated.

Sensible leaders around the world, including the Pope, issued strong statements condemning the inflammatory Danish cartoons when they appeared.

A spokesman for the US State Department Kurtis Cooper, was equally strong with his condemnation. "These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims."

"We all fully recognise and respect freedom of the press and expression, but it must be coupled with press responsibilities. Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is not acceptable."

Muslims for their part, accept the principle of wholesome and constructive freedom to wantonly insult, which is sometimes deviously and deceptively masqueraded as freedom of expression. True freedom of expression is freedom from insult, not freedom to insult. Freedom to insult has ultimately resulted in hatred, bigotry and even destruction. Studies indicate that reckless use (or rather abuse) of freedom of expression contributed to a great extent to the genocide in Rwanda, as an example, leaving over a million dead. Muslim outrage is often simplistically misconstrued as a lack of humour and over-sensitivity. Yet the idea that Muslims do not appreciate humour is far from the truth.

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself would indulge in light heartedness and humour with his companions, which is clearly recorded in his biography. But humour should not descend to the point of gratuitous and senseless belittling of the religion of another. Humour that is disrespectful, insensitive and offensive, is not humour, but is in fact hubris.

Each faith community feel a deep-rooted emotional attachment to the symbols and personalities it reveres. Muslims are no different.

Respect

The value system of Islam is underpinned by respect and reverence - reverence for God, for all the messengers of God, including the Prophets Abraham, Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all), the angels, the holy scriptures, the holy cities, religious symbols and place of worship, and respect for elders, teachers, leaders, religious scholars, parents, relative, all of humanity and the creation as a whole.

In our country, which has just emerged from the ugly era of racial segregation, cartoon or writings that perpetuate stereotypes and promote prejudice are unacceptable, as they malign sections of the community. Our beloved country desperately require bridge-building exercise, and not the breeding of animosity and distrust especially in the wake of the recent xenophobia and racial tensions.

With the World Cup barely a few days away, it was utterly irresponsible to publish the offensive cartoon, the anger this would provoke in the Muslim community was more than predictable. Was there a deliberate attempt to evoke a negative reaction from Muslims at this very crucial juncture? On the eve of an unprecedented international event in our country.

An act such as this endangers a negative atmosphere which certainly does not serve our national interest.

Despite this, the appeal from all Muslim religious bodies to the Muslim community is that they should not allow this provocation to lead to irresponsible action, for that is not what the Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself would have approved of.

Although Muslims are outraged, it is important that any contemplated protest action be carried out responsibly through legitimate channels, and that Muslims continue to remain a law-abiding community.

The Prophet (pbuh) was the subject of vilification, abuse and mockery in his life-time, but he always tolerated, forgave and displayed magnanimity, even to his sworn enemies, a fact which is recorded and attested to by every one of his biographers.



MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS ALIKE CAN TAKE A LEAF OUT OF HIS SUBLIME EXAMPLE!