The first translation of the Quran into a Western language was made into Latin. It was carried out by Hermanus Dalmata (Istria, Croatia ) and Robertus Rotenesis in 1143, but was not published until 1543.
Many later English translations were based on a Latin version by Father Ludovic Maracci in 1698. Maracci was the confessor of Pope Innocent XI and was taught Arabic by a Turk.
To be realistic one should never expect any translation to convey in full the idea expressed in the Arabic original.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, "translation" means expressing the sense of a word, sentence, or book in another language.
Introduction: Surah Yasin
It is a 36th surah of the Holy Quran in order. Surah Yasin "The Muhammad (peace be upon him" was revealed in Mecca, Arabia on Muhammad (peace be upon him) the last Prophet and Messenger of God (Allah) Almighty .The surah has taken its title from verse 1. In this surah the word Yasin has been addressed for Messenger and Rasool Muhammad (peace be upon him) of Allah Almighty , at that time the inhabitant of Mecca, Arabia were asking Muhammad (peace be upon him) for the proof that he is a true messenger of God Almighty and in reply Allah Almighty asked Muhammad (peace be upon him) that tell these people that my message (Quran) is witness on this that i am the Messenger and Rasool of God Almighty so read and ponder into Quran and you will reach on to reality that I am the Nabi & Rasool of Allah Almighty . The total number of verse in this surah are 83.
Summary of Surah : verse 1-83
1: O that person (towards whom this Wahi is being sent, meaning: O Our Rasool).
2-3: (These people are demanding proof of your being the Rasool. Tell them that), "The Quran which is full of wisdom, is a testimony to the fact that I am from amongst the Rusul of the Almighty . If you reflect over it, the reality will become clear to you.
4: " (That) I am on that correct, straight and well-balanced path, which will take mankind to its destination".
5: (O Rasool! As soon as they reflect on this Quran, it will become clear to them that it is neither composed by you nor by any other human being. They will realise that) The Quran has been revealed from the Almighty , the One who is responsible for the nourishment of all human beings and whatever there is in the universe.
6: This has been revealed to you so that you should (initially) warn those people who are unaware of the right course of life because their ancestors had not been warned about the destructive results of their erroneous ways (28:46; 32:3). (Thereafter gradually extend the sphere of your preaching to other people and nations, because you have been sent as a messenger to all mankind - 7:158).
7: But (instead of reflecting over this Quran and then trying to understand it) they rejected it simply because it invited them towards a path which was different to the one followed by their ancestors. (It is an accepted fact that people who adopt such an attitude generally do not accept the truth; and this principle is also applicable here).
8: (Those who blindly follow a path) They are like people around whose necks have been put yokes which reach up to their chins, thus forcing their heads up; and because of which they cannot see the straight path ahead of them.
9: (Such people neither listen to reason, nor do they have a correct appreciation of their surroundings. Thus they can neither take to the right path, nor can they take into consideration the historical evidence around them, from which they could draw some lessons from past episodes). A barrier (of ignorance) is raised in front of them, as well as behind them; and their vision is shrouded in veils. Therefore they cannot see.
10: As such it is all the same to them whether you warn them about their erroneous ways or not. They will never accept the truth (2:6).
11: The only person who can benefit from the warnings regarding the awful consequences of his erroneous path, is the one who utilizes his intellect and ponders; and then follows the directions given by the Divine Law. He is afraid of going against Ar-Rahman, and of the destructive results of doing so confronting him as a stark reality. O Rasool, then give him the of glad tidings of the wholesome results of following the right course. Also tell him that he would be protected from all dangers and get excellent and generous rewards for his labour.
12: Thus We alone give new life to dead nations and thereafter, Our Law of Mukafat records whatever they do for their future, preserving it for the coming generations, alongwith the traces they leave behind. In this way each and every action of theirs is preserved in this book, which lays down a standard to test the good or bad deeds. In other words it continues to sort out the good or bad deeds, all the way.
13: Explain to them this reality by way of a parable. There was a habitation where We sent Our Rusul.
14: In the beginning We sent unto them two (Rusul). The people belied them both. Then We sent the third one to strengthen the previous ones. All Rusul reiterated that they were sent by the Almighty .
15: But the people retorted, "You are a human being like us (so how can you be the messengers of the Almighty ) Ar-Rahman has revealed nothing unto you and therefore whatever you say are lies".
16: They replied, "Our Rabb is a witness that We have been sent by Him towards you as His messengers.
17: And it is our duty to convey to you His message in clear terms (and we have nothing more to tell you)".
18: The people told the messengers, "You are an extremely unlucky omen for us (as all the time you are talking of a coming doom). Remember, if you do not desist, we will throw you out (or stone you to death). In any case we will certainly give you a very grievous punishment".
19: The messengers replied, "The Omen which you call unlucky is but due to your own misdeeds. As for your warning that you will give us severe punishment, is it because we advise you to save yourselves of the coming doom? In reality you are a people who have transgressed all limits".
20: (All these people paid no heed to them, but) Someone from the outskirts of the city (where some wealthy respectable people lived) came running (to help stop the people inflicting any harm on the messengers) and said, "O people! You should follow and obey these messengers.
21: These Rusul, who are your well-wishers, do not ask for any reward from you sin return. They clearly seem to be on the right path and are asking you to follow the same".
22: "As far as I am concerned, particularly after receiving such clear directives, I have no excuse for not accepting the sovereignty of He Who has created me and towards Whose Law of Mukafat you are approaching. You cannot go out of its control. All of you are being drawn towards it and there is no escape from that.
23: "Should I abandon such a God and instead accept these other beings as my master? The helplessness of these entities is such that if I am being punished by the Law of Mukafat Ar-Rahman, for any of my faults, the support of these deities cannot bring me any good. They shall never be able to save me.
24: "Just think, even after knowing all this I take them as my gods, then who else would be in more manifest error than I?
25: "I believe in the Almighty , Who provides development to you all. Therefore listen to me and accept only Him as your Almighty ".
26: He pronounced Eiman in such a courageous and fearless tone that almost immediately the Law of Mukafat announced that all the doors of jannat were open for him. But despite this his nation did not listen to him, although in utter despair he was saying, "I wish my people had listened to me".
27: "As a result of my following a righteous course, the Almighty has saved me from all the destruction and included me amongst the most honorable people".
28: After he had exhausted all the means, that nation finally faced the hour of doom. We did not have to send down any army of angels from the heavens to cause this destruction. In fact We never send such forces from the heavens. Their own misdeeds are enough to cause their destruction.
29: There was just one single blast which caused complete chaos. And lo, nothing was left behind but a still and silent heap of ashes.
30: Alas! How miserable and terrible is the plight of the man who ridicules the one who brings a message that is full of life.
31: These are the historical episodes which We narrate before them as examples. (O Rasool!) Don't they (your addressees) ever ponder over the facts that We destroyed many generations before them, because whenever someone came to call them towards Divine Guidance, they did not pay any heed and instead ridiculed him.
32: If they (your addressees) do not consider these facts worthy of attention, that does not mean that they will escape the grip of Our Law of Mukafat. Like their predecessors, they too will be punished for their misdeeds. The time is not far off when all of them will be arraigned. Then with their own eyes and according to Our Law of Mukafat, they will see the results of their misdeeds.
33: They make fun of such warnings and cannot comprehend how a tiny and weak group of people can one day, attain such great strength that people would stand before them in sheer helplessness. But if they had the vision, they would see for themselves how our Law of Nature instills vitality in lifeless things. For example, with a sprinkle of rain, We could bring back to life a piece of barren land which has no sign of life whatsoever. It then starts producing crops of grain that become means of sustenance for them.
34: And gardens of date-palms and grapes would appear; and springs of running water would gush forth from within it.
35: The fruits of the trees provide nutrition; and all this is not the product of their hands only, but is brought about as per Our Laws.
(Accordingly, this small group of people which at present has no strength and power, would be so enriched by life and the fruits of obeying our Laws, that not only would it be self sufficient, but even others would share their bounty).
Ask them if they really want their efforts to also bear fruit? (If they do, then they should follow Our Laws according to which We grant new life to nations).
36: (Be firm in the conviction that if you follow His laws such results are bound to accrue. Do not ever think that things would not happen the way God says they will). He is far above doing that. Do you not see how the various vegetations grow from the earth as per His Laws of Nature? If you work according to the laws and methods established by Him, the same results are always achieved. Your own procreation occurs according to His Laws of Nature; and so does the creation of other things about which you have no knowledge at present.
37: And consider the outer world and see (for instance) how We strip the blanket of bright daylight from the darkness of the night, after which darkness prevails all over.
38: Also ponder how the sun is moving unhampered in its course. All this is happening according to measures determined and set by the One Who is Almighty and all-knowing. All His Laws are based on knowledge.
39: And see the moon for which We have determined various stages. (It appears like a beautiful crescent and then gradually becomes the full moon, after which it starts waning till it becomes like an old date stalk, dried up and curved).
40: All these huge heavenly bodies are not static in space, but are in continuous motion. However, all their movements are according to a discipline based on set measures and calculations. It can never happen that the sun, by speeding up, can overtake the moon; or that the night lingers on beyond the point where the day had to start (meaning that the sun rises little after the appointed time). No, this never happens. Each and every one of them keeps moving through space, in its own orbit, according to the speed and course set for it (21:33).
41: The skies, after all, are too far away. See with what confidence you load your families, young and old, onto boats; and how these boats sail through the seas and rivers laden with all this weight.
42: And like these boats, We have also created other things for them to ride in on their travels.
43: If Our Law of Mukafat is not in operation all the time, the boats would float sometimes and sink on other occasions, even under similar circumstances. In such a situation no one would be able to help the people on the boats, nor would they reach ashore safely.
44: But since We want to maintain this system of the universe for a determined period, whatever law We have prescribed (for a particular thing) keeps on working accordingly. Our Law never changes. (This is that very firm foundation on the basis of which you live a peaceful life with so much confidence).
45: (Just as there are unchangeable Laws for things in the universe, laws are also fixed for mankind. But contrary to other things in the universe, man has been given the freedom of choice. He could, out of his free will, either obey or go against them).
Keeping this discretion in mind, they are advised to lead their lives according to the Divine Laws, so that their present life would become better; and also to adopt the same attitude for the future. In this way both your physical life as well as your own 'self'would develop nicely. This is what is meant by the pleasantries of the present and the future.
46: Their attitude is such that whenever Divine Guidance is presented to them, they turn away from it.
47: They also raise strange objections. (For instance) They object when they are told to keep open and accessible for the needy, the means of nourishment that the Almighty has provided to them. Those who deny the Divine Directives of Rabubiyat tell those who have faith in them, that if Allah Almighty had willed that wealth should be distributed in a way that no one remains hungry in the world, then why did He not arrange it so by Himself? Why is He asking human beings to establish a system in which everyone adequately gets the necessities of life.
Who should tell them that by saying so they are committing a big mistake. (God establishes His system in human society by human hands only. The purpose is that human beings should use their ability to choose properly, so that their personalities also develop. Otherwise it was not at all difficult for Him (God) to have made mankind devoid of free will, just like the other things in the universe which are bound to exist by the Laws of God. By saying that had God wanted so He should have done this Himself, man is denying himself the dignity of the freedom of choice and is trying to run away from his responsibility. This is his gross error of judgement (6:149; 16:35; 43:20).
48: And when they are told that if they do not leave the erroneous path its result would be destruction, they say, "If what you say is true, when will that doom come.
49: (According to Our Law of Mukafat there is a time lag between the action and the result to be manifested in visible from. It is due to this gap that people raise such objections but when this intermission is over and the result emerges in the form of a single blast, there is hue and cry all around).
They are only waiting for that blast, which will seize them so abruptly, that they will still be busy arguing with each other.
50: So sudden their end will be that they will not even have time to make a will or go back to their families.
51: This state will not remain confined to this world, but will continue in the hereafter. Then when the trumpet is sounded for 'the new life', life will be given a new form and all of them would come out of their abodes, running towards the court of their Rabb.
52: They shall say in utter surprise "Woe unto us. We have been roused from our sleep!" Whereupon they will be told, "This is the appointed Hour for the disclosure of results which Ar-Rahman had promised and whose truth His messengers used to affirm".
53: It will be just one single blast creating a huge commotion; and all of them will be arraigned before Our Law of Mukafat.
54: They shall be assured, "Today no human being shall be wronged in the least. Only the results of your own deeds will confront you".
55: Surely, those who are destined for 'Jannah' in reward for their deeds would be immensely busy in making arrangements for the new life; and all that they do would be a source of great enjoyment for them.
56: Alongwith their companions they will be reclining on couches in a state of sheer happiness.
57: They will get ample fruit as a reward for their deeds, and they will be provided whatever they ask for.
58: All this is planned to ensure that the development of their personalities and completion of their abilities are not deficient, and that there is no danger of them ever losing these traits. All this would happen as per Allah's Law of Rabubiyyat, which has made sufficient provisions for the development and completion of human abilities.
59: At that stage society will no longer remain intermingled. The guilty will be separated from the noble. No one will be able to cheat others in the guise of being a gentleman; and the guilty ones will be unable to enjoy the fruits of Jannat.
60: The criminals will be questioned, "Did I not send you directives not to follow the rebellious powers and selfish instincts, as these are your open enemies which can estrange one brother from the other.
61: "You should follow Our Law, as that is the only balanced and straight path that will take you to your destination.
62: "You were also warned that your selfish instincts and rebellious leaders would mislead many of your groups and that as such the majority amongst you would go astray. We had told you these things very clearly but you did not use your intellect and wisdom.
63: "The result is this 'Jahannum' about which you were repeatedly warned.
64: "Now enter and endure it; and hear once again that this is the outcome of your persistent denial of following the right course".
65: On that Day it will not be necessary to record their confession. Their own hands will speak to Us and their feet will bear witness to whatever crimes they had committed. Their deeds will become open proof against them. Man will stand witness against his own 'self'. (17:13-14; 75:14-15).
66: (This is Our Law of Mukafat according to which decisions regarding the rise and fall of nations in this world as well as in the hereafter, are taken). O Rasool! The end result of your enemies will also be their destruction as per this Law. If Our Law of Mashiyyat had not allowed everyone to follow the path they liked, it was not difficult for Us to deprive them (the opponents of the Divine Order) of their vision so that they would have strayed forever in search of the right path. And they would not have found anything.
67: In spite of all their faculties, We could also have weakened and transmuted them to the extent that they would have been unable to move forward or turn back. (And in this way We could have blunted their opposition. But We did not want to do it.
68: We do not deprive people of their powers in this manner. Actually what happens to nations is similar to the process of ageing. In old age, one grows weak and one's faculties become weaker under the physical laws. Instead of growing stronger, the physical faculties are reversed. The same is the case with nations. When they leave the right path their faculties become exhausted and they start regressing. Why don't they ponder on these facts.
69: When We explain things in similies or parables, it does not mean that We are not serious and are speaking casually in a poetic manner. We neither taught such poetry to Our Rasool, nor is it worthy of a person who has been assigned to deliver such a revolutionary and vital message. This is certainly not poetry (26:224). These are but historical facts and a code of life which are vivid and illuminating.
70: And O Rasool! This code of life has been given to you so that you may warn the nation which still exhibits signs of life and wants to survive. If they still refuse to adopt the right path, they will themselves see that whatever We had said was the truth and not poetry.
71: (Contrary to the condition of existing nations, the state of dead nations is like that of cattle; an animal which has no objective in life. It lives its life for the sake of its master and dies in his service.
Don't they ever ponder over the fact that they have complete mastery and command over the animals which We have created for them.
72: We made these animals subservient to them. Some of them they use for riding; and others they slaughter.
73: And they derive other benefits from them, like drinking their milk. Even after knowing so much, why do they not take to the right course of life.
74: Also they leave Allah Almighty aside and consider other deities to be sovereign, reverting to them for succor and believing them to have the power and authority to do so.
75: Tell them that these deities have no power to help in any way. Not only can they not help them, they are incapable of even protecting their own selves. In fact to protect these deities, a host of followers and priests have to remain alert and vigilant all the time. At the time of clashes, these very protectors themselves get arrested by their opponents.
76: So, O Rasool! Do not be aggrieved about what they say. We are certainly aware of what they are saying openly and what they are hiding in their hearts.
77: (Man's condition is such that he can forget his own reality, become rebellious and follow his emotions. He does not reflect over the fact that We had created him out of a mere drop of sperm (over which he had no control). And then he openly opposes Us.
78: He starts talking questioningly about Us and becomes oblivious to how he himself was created. He even denies Almighty 's statement that you would be brought to life once again. He also questions who could give life to bones that have crumbled to dust. (37:16; 73:3).
79: Tell them that the Almighty Who created them for the first time will bring them back to life. He is fully aware and has full knowledge regarding all His creations (as regards the manner and stages through which His creations have to pass).
80: It is God's Law of Mashiyat which keeps moisture and heat combined in the green branches of the trees (that is the flames are hidden within the branches). When the branch is ignited you can see this fire with your own eyes. (Can He not preserve the energy of life in a similar manner).
81: How can the Almighty , Who created the heavens and the earth (when nothing existed before) not be able to recreate them (after death)? Why not! It is within His absolute powers to create anything (He likes); and He has the knowledge of everything.
82: He does not have to bring any raw material from anywhere for the purpose of creation. His Law of creation is that whenever He wills something, the process of its creation is initiated rightaway.
83: Therefore the Almighty , Who has absolute command and control over everything, is far above the notion that He is incapable of bringing the dead to life once again.
Remember! Just as the supremacy and sovereignty of God encompasses the whole universe, His Law of Mukafat also encompasses human deeds. Every step of yours leads towards it, in this life as well as in the hereafter. No action of yours will remain without results, whether the results come before your eyes in this life or later in the hereafter. This in fact is the basis of Deen.
Thursday 31 May 2007
The Teacher
Was posted on FBD by Shammy:
" Asalamu Alaikum Waramatullahi Wabarakatuh
Mohamed
I had to post this, really is beautiful
Salaam "
And YES ...
The Encyclopedia Britannica calls him “the most successful of all religious personalities of the world.”
George Bernard Shaw said, “if Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) were alive today, he would succeed in solving all those problems which threaten to destroy human civilization in our times.”
Thomas Carlyle was amazed as to how one man, single-handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades.
You may be an atheist or an agnostic or you may belong to any of the religious denominations that exist in the world today. You may have been a Communist or a believer in democracy and freedom. No matter what you are, and no matter what your religious and political beliefs, personal and social habits happen to be – you still must know this man.
He was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numberless social and political reforms, established a dynamic and powerful society to practice and represent his teachings, and he revolutionized the worlds of human thought and human action for all time.
and he accomplished all these wonders in the unbelievably short span of twenty-three years.
The least YOU should do as a thinking, sensitive, concerned human being is to stop for one brief moment and ask yourself: Could it be that these statements, extraordinary and revolutionary as they sound, are really true? Supposing they really are true, and you did not know this man Muhammad (pbuh) or hear about his teachings? Or did not know him well and intimately enough to be able to benefit from his guidance and example? Is it not time you responded to this tremendous challenge and made some effort to know him? It will not cost you anything but it may well prove to be the beginning of a completely new era in your life.
Come, let us make a new discovery, the life of this wonderful man Muhammad (pbuh), the like of whom never walked on this earth, and whose example and teachings can change YOUR life and OUR world for the better. May God shower His choicest blessings upon him!
The lyrics for Sami Yusuf's song "Al Mu'allim" (The Teacher) was emailed to me Tue, 8 May 2007 by Kathy.
Al-Mu'allim
We once had a Teacher
The Teacher of teachers,
He changed the world for the better
And made us better creatures,
Oh Allah we’ve shamed ourselves
We’ve strayed from Al-Mu'allim,
Surely we’ve wronged ourselves
What will we say in front him?
Oh Mu'allim...
Chorus
He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind,
He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind,
Teacher of all Mankind.Abal Qasim
[one of the names of the Prophet]
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad
(My beloved O Muhammad)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad
(My intercessor O Muhammad)
Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad
(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)
Ya Mustafa ya Imamal Mursalina
(O Chosen One, O Imam of the Messengers)
Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina
(O Chosen One, O intercessor of the worlds)
He prayed while others slept
While others ate he’d fast,
While they would laugh he wept
Until he breathed his last,
His only wish was for us to be
Among the ones who prosper,
Ya Mu'allim peace be upon you,
Truly you are our Teacher,
Oh Mu'allim..
Chorus
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad
(My beloved O Muhammad)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad
(My intercessor O Muhammad)
Ya Rasuli ya Muhammad
(O My Messenger O Muhammad)
Ya Bashiri ya Muhammad
(O bearer of good news O Muhammad)
Ya Nadhiri ya Muhammad
(O warner O Muhammad)
'Ishqu Qalbi ya Muhammad
(The love of my heart O Muhammad)
Nuru 'Ayni ya Muhammad
(Light of my eye O Muhammad)
He taught us to be just and kind
And to feed the poor and hungry,
Help the wayfarer and the orphan child
And to not be cruel and miserly,
His speech was soft and gentle,
Like a mother stroking her child,
His mercy and compassion,
Were most radiant when he smiled
Chorus
Abal Qasim
[one of the names of the Prophet]
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad
(My beloved O Muhammad)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad
(My intercessor O Muhammad)
Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad
(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)
Ya Mustafa Ya Imamal Mursalina
(O Chosen One O Imam of the Messengers)
Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina
(O Chosen One O intercessor of the worlds)
Lyrics and Composition: Sami YusufProducer: Sami Yusuf
Mecca 570 A.D.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the son of Abd Allah, an Arab trader and Aminah, born in the year 570 A.D. After their marriage, Abd Allah spent several months with his wife but had to leave her and travel with one of the caravans to trade with Syria. He belonged to the well known Arab tribe called the Quraysh. On his way back to Mecca from Syria Abd Allah became ill and had to stop off in Yathrib to recover. The caravan, however, continued on its way and arrived back in Mecca without him. On hearing of 'Abd Allah’s illness, 'Abd al-Muttalib sent another son, al-Harith, to bring 'Abd Allah back to Mecca, but he was too late. When he arrived in Yathrib Abd Allah was dead. Aminah was pregnant at the time and was heart-broken to lose her husband and the father of the child she would soon give birth to. Only God knew that this orphan child would one day be a great Prophet.
On Monday, the twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal of the Islamic Calendar in the Year of the Elephant, Aminah gave birth to a son. Allah sends man many signs when one of His chosen Prophets is born. And on that twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 570 A.D., many such signs were seen. Some were seen by Jewish scholars who had read in their scriptures of a coming Prophet. One of these learned men in Yathrib, for instance, saw a brilliant new star he had never seen before as he studied the heavens that night. He called the people around him and, pointing the star out to them, told them a Prophet must have been born. Aminah sent news of the birth to her father-in-law, Abd al-Muttalib, who was sitting near the Ka'bah at the time. He was very happy and began at once to think of a name for the boy. An ordinary name would not do. Six days came and went and still he had not decided. But on the seventh day, as he lay asleep near the Ka'bah, Abd al-Muttalib dreamt that he should give the baby the unusual name of Muhammad. And so the child was called Muhammad (pbuh), which means 'the Praised One'.
Like many other women in Mecca, Aminah decided to send her son away from the city for his early years to the desert where it was healthier. Women from the desert used to come to Mecca to collect the new babies and they would then keep them until they developed into strong children , for which they were well paid by the parents. Among the women who traveled to Mecca to fetch a new baby at the time Aminah's son was born, was a Bedouin woman called HaIimah. All the other women of the tribe to which Halimah belonged, the Bani Sa'd, found a child to take back with them, but not Halimah. The only baby left was Muhammad (pbuh).
Usually the father paid the wet-nurse but Muhammad's (pbuh) father was dead. So no one wanted to take him, even though he was from one of the noblest families of Quraysh. Halimah did not want to take him either, but she did not want to be the only woman to go back to her tribe without a baby to bring up. She asked her husband whether she should take Muhammad (pbuh) or not. He advised her to do so, adding, 'Perhaps God will bless us because of him.' They started on the return journey and as soon as Halimah began to feed Muhammad (pbuh) her milk suddenly increased and she had enough for him as well as her baby son. When they were back home, everything began to change. The land became green, and the date trees, one of their main sources of food, gave lots of fruit. Even the sheep and their old she-camel began to give plenty of milk. Halimah and her husband knew that this good fortune had come because they had the new baby, Muhammad (pbuh), whom they had come to love as if he were their own son.
When Muhammad (pbuh) was two years old, Halimah took him back to his mother. She pleaded with Aminah, however, to let her keep him for a little longer and to her great joy the mother agreed. During his time with Halimah’s family in the desert, Muhammad (pbuh) played with her children and together they would take the sheep out to graze. At other times, however, Halimah would often find him sitting alone.
Muhammad (pbuh) returned to live with his mother in Mecca when he was about three years old. Three years later Aminah decided to take her son to visit his uncles in Yathrib. She told her maid, Barakah, to prepare everything they would need for the long journey, and then they joined one of the caravans going there.
They stayed in Yathrib a month and Muhammad (pbuh) enjoyed the visit with his cousins. The climate there was very pleasant and he learned to swim and to fly a kite. On their way back to Mecca, however, Aminah became ill and died. She was buried in the village at al-Abwa not far from Yathrib. Muhammad (pbuh) returned sadly to Mecca with his mother's maid. He was now six years old and had lost both his father and mother. He was then adopted by his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, who loved him dearly and kept him by his side at all times.
It was the custom of Abd al-Muttalib to sit on a blanket near the Ka'bah. There he was always surrounded by people who had come to speak to him. No one was allowed to sit on the blanket with him, however, except his grandson Muhammad (pbuh). Two years later Abd al-Muttalib became ill and Muhammad (pbuh) stayed by him constantly. Abd al-Muttalib told his son, Abu Talib, to adopt Muhammad (pbuh) after his death, which he did. Abu Talib had many children of his own, but Muhammad (pbuh) immediately became part of his family and the favorite child.
The time came for the Quraysh to prepare a caravan to go to Syria. Abu Talib was going with them and he took Muhammad (pbuh) along. It was Muhammad's first journey to the north. After days of travel, the caravan arrived at a place near Syria where the Romans used to come to trade with the Arabs. Near this marketplace lived a monk called Bahira. His cell had been used by generations of monks before him and contained ancient manuscripts.
Bahira saw the caravan in the distance and was amazed to see that over it was a large white cloud. It was the only cloud in a clear blue sky and it appeared to be shading one of the travelers. The monk was even more surprised to see that the cloud seemed to follow the caravan but disappeared when the person it was shading sat down under a tree. Bahira knew from the scriptures that a prophet was expected to come after Jesus and it had been his wish to see this prophet before he died. Realizing that what he had just seen was a miracle, he began to think that his wish might, after all, come true.
The monk sent an invitation to the Meccans to come and eat with him. The Arabs were surprised because they often passed by and Bahira had never invited them before. When the group was all together for the meal, the monk said, 'Is this everyone?' 'No', someone said, 'a boy is left watching the camels.'
Bahira insisted that the boy should join them. The boy was Muhammad (pbuh). When he arrived Bahira said nothing, but watched him all through the meal. He noticed many things about his appearance which fitted the description in the old manuscripts. Later on he took him aside and asked Muhammad (pbuh) many questions. He soon found out how he felt about the idols in the Ka 'bah. When Bahira tried to make him swear by them, as the Arabs used to do, Muhammad (pbuh) said, 'There is nothing in this world that I hate more'. They talked together about God, and about Muhammad's life and family. What was said made Bahira certain that this was indeed the Prophet who would follow Jesus.
Then the monk went to Abu Talib and asked him how he was related to Muhammad (pbuh). Abu Talib told him that Muhammad (pbuh) was his son. Bahira replied that this could not be so because the boy was destined to grow up an orphan, and he ordered Abu Talib to watch over Muhammad (pbuh) with great care.
There are many stories told about Muhammad's youth. Some tell of how he used to take the family's sheep to graze and was always kind to them. While they grazed he would sit thinking about the mysteries of nature. Unlike those around him, he never worshipped the idols and never swore by them. He also wondered why people were always struggling for power and money, and this saddened him and made him feel lonely, but he kept his feelings to himself. He was a quiet, thoughtful boy, and rarely played with other boys of his age.
On one occasion, however, Muhammad (pbuh) went with some of the boys to a wedding in Mecca. When he reached the house he heard the sounds of music and dancing but just as he was about to enter he suddenly felt tired and, sitting down, fell asleep. He didn't wake up until late the next morning and thus missed the celebrations. In this way Allah prevented him from doing anything foolish for He was keeping Muhammad (pbuh) for something much more important.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=50
Thank you for the time
On Monday, the twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal of the Islamic Calendar in the Year of the Elephant, Aminah gave birth to a son. Allah sends man many signs when one of His chosen Prophets is born. And on that twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 570 A.D., many such signs were seen. Some were seen by Jewish scholars who had read in their scriptures of a coming Prophet. One of these learned men in Yathrib, for instance, saw a brilliant new star he had never seen before as he studied the heavens that night. He called the people around him and, pointing the star out to them, told them a Prophet must have been born. Aminah sent news of the birth to her father-in-law, Abd al-Muttalib, who was sitting near the Ka'bah at the time. He was very happy and began at once to think of a name for the boy. An ordinary name would not do. Six days came and went and still he had not decided. But on the seventh day, as he lay asleep near the Ka'bah, Abd al-Muttalib dreamt that he should give the baby the unusual name of Muhammad. And so the child was called Muhammad (pbuh), which means 'the Praised One'.
Like many other women in Mecca, Aminah decided to send her son away from the city for his early years to the desert where it was healthier. Women from the desert used to come to Mecca to collect the new babies and they would then keep them until they developed into strong children , for which they were well paid by the parents. Among the women who traveled to Mecca to fetch a new baby at the time Aminah's son was born, was a Bedouin woman called HaIimah. All the other women of the tribe to which Halimah belonged, the Bani Sa'd, found a child to take back with them, but not Halimah. The only baby left was Muhammad (pbuh).
Usually the father paid the wet-nurse but Muhammad's (pbuh) father was dead. So no one wanted to take him, even though he was from one of the noblest families of Quraysh. Halimah did not want to take him either, but she did not want to be the only woman to go back to her tribe without a baby to bring up. She asked her husband whether she should take Muhammad (pbuh) or not. He advised her to do so, adding, 'Perhaps God will bless us because of him.' They started on the return journey and as soon as Halimah began to feed Muhammad (pbuh) her milk suddenly increased and she had enough for him as well as her baby son. When they were back home, everything began to change. The land became green, and the date trees, one of their main sources of food, gave lots of fruit. Even the sheep and their old she-camel began to give plenty of milk. Halimah and her husband knew that this good fortune had come because they had the new baby, Muhammad (pbuh), whom they had come to love as if he were their own son.
When Muhammad (pbuh) was two years old, Halimah took him back to his mother. She pleaded with Aminah, however, to let her keep him for a little longer and to her great joy the mother agreed. During his time with Halimah’s family in the desert, Muhammad (pbuh) played with her children and together they would take the sheep out to graze. At other times, however, Halimah would often find him sitting alone.
Muhammad (pbuh) returned to live with his mother in Mecca when he was about three years old. Three years later Aminah decided to take her son to visit his uncles in Yathrib. She told her maid, Barakah, to prepare everything they would need for the long journey, and then they joined one of the caravans going there.
They stayed in Yathrib a month and Muhammad (pbuh) enjoyed the visit with his cousins. The climate there was very pleasant and he learned to swim and to fly a kite. On their way back to Mecca, however, Aminah became ill and died. She was buried in the village at al-Abwa not far from Yathrib. Muhammad (pbuh) returned sadly to Mecca with his mother's maid. He was now six years old and had lost both his father and mother. He was then adopted by his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, who loved him dearly and kept him by his side at all times.
It was the custom of Abd al-Muttalib to sit on a blanket near the Ka'bah. There he was always surrounded by people who had come to speak to him. No one was allowed to sit on the blanket with him, however, except his grandson Muhammad (pbuh). Two years later Abd al-Muttalib became ill and Muhammad (pbuh) stayed by him constantly. Abd al-Muttalib told his son, Abu Talib, to adopt Muhammad (pbuh) after his death, which he did. Abu Talib had many children of his own, but Muhammad (pbuh) immediately became part of his family and the favorite child.
The time came for the Quraysh to prepare a caravan to go to Syria. Abu Talib was going with them and he took Muhammad (pbuh) along. It was Muhammad's first journey to the north. After days of travel, the caravan arrived at a place near Syria where the Romans used to come to trade with the Arabs. Near this marketplace lived a monk called Bahira. His cell had been used by generations of monks before him and contained ancient manuscripts.
Bahira saw the caravan in the distance and was amazed to see that over it was a large white cloud. It was the only cloud in a clear blue sky and it appeared to be shading one of the travelers. The monk was even more surprised to see that the cloud seemed to follow the caravan but disappeared when the person it was shading sat down under a tree. Bahira knew from the scriptures that a prophet was expected to come after Jesus and it had been his wish to see this prophet before he died. Realizing that what he had just seen was a miracle, he began to think that his wish might, after all, come true.
The monk sent an invitation to the Meccans to come and eat with him. The Arabs were surprised because they often passed by and Bahira had never invited them before. When the group was all together for the meal, the monk said, 'Is this everyone?' 'No', someone said, 'a boy is left watching the camels.'
Bahira insisted that the boy should join them. The boy was Muhammad (pbuh). When he arrived Bahira said nothing, but watched him all through the meal. He noticed many things about his appearance which fitted the description in the old manuscripts. Later on he took him aside and asked Muhammad (pbuh) many questions. He soon found out how he felt about the idols in the Ka 'bah. When Bahira tried to make him swear by them, as the Arabs used to do, Muhammad (pbuh) said, 'There is nothing in this world that I hate more'. They talked together about God, and about Muhammad's life and family. What was said made Bahira certain that this was indeed the Prophet who would follow Jesus.
Then the monk went to Abu Talib and asked him how he was related to Muhammad (pbuh). Abu Talib told him that Muhammad (pbuh) was his son. Bahira replied that this could not be so because the boy was destined to grow up an orphan, and he ordered Abu Talib to watch over Muhammad (pbuh) with great care.
There are many stories told about Muhammad's youth. Some tell of how he used to take the family's sheep to graze and was always kind to them. While they grazed he would sit thinking about the mysteries of nature. Unlike those around him, he never worshipped the idols and never swore by them. He also wondered why people were always struggling for power and money, and this saddened him and made him feel lonely, but he kept his feelings to himself. He was a quiet, thoughtful boy, and rarely played with other boys of his age.
On one occasion, however, Muhammad (pbuh) went with some of the boys to a wedding in Mecca. When he reached the house he heard the sounds of music and dancing but just as he was about to enter he suddenly felt tired and, sitting down, fell asleep. He didn't wake up until late the next morning and thus missed the celebrations. In this way Allah prevented him from doing anything foolish for He was keeping Muhammad (pbuh) for something much more important.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=50
Thank you for the time
FIRST Breaths
Hush little baby, pure and small
He created you, He created us all
Hush little baby, don’t you fear
We’re never alone when Allah’s so near
Hush little, breathing so calm
He’ll protect us all and keep us from harm
Hush little baby, still and serene
You are a Muslim, Islam’s your din (x2)
Wednesday 30 May 2007
My Profile
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise is to Allah, we thank him, ask for his support, help, and his forgiveness; we request him to save us from the evil of our souls and the sins of our deeds; he whom has been guided by Allah has nothing to let him astray, and whom been miss leaded by him has nothing to lead him. We testify that, no God but Allah, sole with no associates and that Mohamed is his slave and his messenger
I read that “ The Western Christians, till the arrival of the Encyclopaedists in the eighteenth century, did not know and did not care to know, what the Muslim believed, nor did the Western Christian seek to know the views of Eastern Christians with regard to them. The Christian Church was already split in two, and in the end, it came to such a pass that the Eastern Christians, as Gibbon shows, preferred Muslim rule, which allowed them to practice their own form of religion and adhere to their peculiar dogmas, to the rule of fellow Christians who would have made them Roman Catholics or wiped them out.”
Muslims are rather apt to forget it
So much for the idolaters of Arabia, who had no real beliefs to oppose the teaching of Islam, but only superstition. They invoked their local deities for help in war and put their faith only in brute force. In this they were, to begin with, enormously superior to the Muslims. When the Muslims nevertheless won, they were dismayed; and all their arguments based on the superior power of their deities were for ever silenced. Their conversion followed naturally. It was only a question of time with the most obstinate of them.
It was otherwise with the people who had a respectable religion of their own - the People of the Scripture - as the Qur’an calls them - i.e, the people who had received the revelation of some former Prophet: the Jews, the Christians and the Zoroastrians were those with whom the Muslims came at once in contact. To these our Prophet's attitude was all of kindness. The Charter which he granted to the Christian monks of Sinai is extant. If you read it you will see that it breathes not only goodwill but actual love. He gave to the Jews of Medina, so long as they were faithful to him, precisely the same treatment as to the Muslims. He never was aggressive against any man or class of men; he never penalized any man, or made war on any people, on the ground of belief but only on the ground of conduct.
My native language is Arabic and I am not used to write in English but I think it is the best way to make my story accessible for everyone. So I will ask you to be indulgent with me and if you find mistakes , please post to notify me:
I was born in Algeria, i have been educated by my parents. Thanks to God, they gave me everything I needed to succeed in my life. I have a "normal" life. I finished my studies as Engineer and I get married, I have two children.
It was a hard and long process that definitely took its toll on me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Where my Idea come from
I was born Muslim and since child, there was a question for me without answer: what about other people who weren't born Muslims? All time I felt the need to reach someone to tell them about Islam. Unfortunately, when I finished my study I couldn't travel and during this period of my life there was no internet.
At the age of 38, I learned really what was the death because I was so close … , I saw my sister’s last breath …Here, I remembered the prophet Muhammad saying PBUH about what can someone leave when he pass away so finally, I understood that since the man is the most comprehensive being in the universe. It should be more than one purpose in our creation that doing studies and getting married are only tools
All we know the pleasure of learning something new or experiencing something that we have never experienced before.
I will really appreciate your effort to know about other culture and religion other than your own.
Its true we all came into existence without our consent. But, who is really complaining about it? Existence is joy in itself. No one sane enough would want to die let alone wanting to be non-existent forever. We all find some joy in our existence.
We observe that animals and plants give something in return to nature for anything they consume out of it but They say that with knowledge comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes accountability.
So for the first year that i choose to go online, I connected to Toronto n Newcastle where I met some people. It was the first time that I contact foreign persons on net. This made me realise how its possible that from whom accept to hear a Muslim, the Christians were whom get the attitudes that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice. A verse of the Qur'an states:
… You will find the people most affectionate to those who believe are those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.
Christian and Muslim belief have many aspects in common. Judaism too shares many beliefs with Islam. All true adherents of these three great religions:
" believe that God has created the entire universe out of nothing and that He dominates all that exists with His omnipotence".
" believe that God has created man and living things in a miraculous way and that man possesses a soul granted him by God".
" believe that besides Jesus, Moses or Muhammad, God sent many prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Joseph throughout history, and they love all these prophets".
" believe in resurrection, Heaven and Hell and angels, and that God has created our lives with a certain destiny".
The beliefs of the People of the Book are in harmony with Muslims, not only in terms of faith-related issues, but also of moral values. Today, in a world where such immoralities as adultery, homosexuality, drug addiction and a model of egoism and self-seeking cruelty have grown widespread, the People of the Book and Muslims share the same virtues: Honor, chastity, humility, self-sacrifice, honesty, compassion, mercy and unconditional love…
According To The Qur'an , Muslims, Jews And Christians Should Live In Friendship.
It is evident there are ample grounds for an alliance between the "People of the Book" and Muslims. This is also very evident in the Qur'an . In the relevant verses of the Qur'an , there is a significant difference between the People of the Book and the idolaters. This is especially emphasized in the area of social life.
For example, it is said concerning the idolaters: "(they) are unclean, so after this year they should not come near the Masjid al-Haram (Kaaba)." (Surat at-Tawba: 28) Idolaters are people who obey no divine law, have no moral precepts and who are capable of committing every kind of degrading and perverse action without hesitation.
But while they basically rely on God's revelation, the People of the Book have moral precepts and know what is lawful and what is not. For this reason, if one of the People of the Book cooks some food, it is lawful for Muslims to eat it. In the same way, permission has been given for a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the People of the Book. On this subject God commands:
"Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as for anyone who disbelieve, his actions will come to nothing and in the hereafter he will be among the losers". (Surat al-Mai'da: 5)
These commands show that bonds of kinship may be established as a result of the marriage of a Muslim with a woman from the People of the Book, and that those on each side of the union can accept an invitation to a meal. These are the fundamentals that will ensure the establishment of equitable human relationships and a happy communal life. Since the Qur'an enjoins this equitable and tolerant attitude, it is unthinkable that a Muslim could take an opposing view.
Monasteries, Churches And Synagogues Should Be Respected
Another important fact we learn from the Qur'an is that Muslims must respect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Qur'an , the places of worship of the People of the Book, i.e. monasteries, churches and synagogues, are mentioned as places of worship protected by God.
…if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, where God's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him - God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Hajj: 40 )
This verse shows all Muslims the importance of respecting and protecting the sanctuaries of Christians and Jews.
Indeed, in the Qur'an God commands Muslims not to harbor any enmity towards any people. In many verses, friendship is recommended, even with idolaters. God even refers to the idolaters at war with Muslims in this way: "If any of the idolaters ask you for protection, give them protection until they have heard the words of God. Then convey them to a place where they are safe." (Surat at-Tawba: 6)
Jews and Christians, however, are much closer to Muslims than idolaters. Each of these religions has its book, that is, they are subject to a revelation sent down by God. They know what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is unlawful. They know they will give an account to God, and they love and revere His prophets. This shows that Muslims and the people of the book can live easily together and cooperate.
The Common Enemies of the Faith
Another important fact that draws Christianity, Judaism and Islam together is the atheist philosophies that are so influential in our time.
Among the best-known and most harmful philosophies of our age can be cited materialism, communism, fascism, anarchism, racism and secular humanism. Many people who believed in the fake diagnoses, deceptive descriptions and explanations of these ideas on the universe, society and man, have lost their faith or doubted it. What is more, these ideologies have dragged people, societies and nations into great crises, conflicts and wars. Their share of the blame for the pain and troubles that humanity suffers today is immense.
While they deny God and creation, all the above-mentioned ideologies are based on a common framework, a so-called scientific basis; Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Darwinism constitutes the basis of atheist philosophies. This theory claims that living beings have evolved as a result of coincidences and by means of a struggle for life. Therefore, Darwinism sends this deceptive message to people:
"You are not responsible to anyone, you owe your life to coincidences, you need to struggle, and if necessary to oppress others to succeed. This world is one of conflict and self-interest".
This evil morality advises people to be egoistical, self-seeking, cruel and oppressive. It destroys such virtues as mercy, compassion, self-sacrifice and humility, the moral values of the three great monotheistic religions.
This being the case, it is necessary for the people of the Book and Muslims to cooperate, since they believe in God and accept the morality that He teaches. The followers of these three religions should expose to the world the fallacy of Darwinism, which has no scientific basis, but which is trying to be preserved for the sake of materialist philosophy. They should cooperatively carry out an intellectual struggle against all other deceptive ideas that serve atheism. Once this is realized, the world will, in a very short time, embrace peace, tranquility and justice.
Conclusion: "Let us Rally to a Common Formula"
At a time when anti-religious, atheist and materialist ideologies surround the world, similarities among theistic religions should be emphasized, and cooperation should be established for common aims.
Concerning the People of the Book, God gives Muslims a command in the Qur'an ; to rally to a common formula:
"O People of the Book! Let us rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God." (Surat Al 'Imran, 64)
This is indeed MY Our call to Christians and Jews: As people who believe in God and follow His revelations, let us rally to a common formula - "faith". Let's love God, Who is our Creator and Lord, and follow His commands. And let us pray God to lead us to an even straighter path.
When Muslims, Christians and Jews rally to a common formula this way;
When they understand that they are friends not enemies,
When they see that the real enemy is atheism and paganism,
then the world will become a very different place.
The fighting that has raged for ages, enmities, fears - and terrorist attacks - will come to an end, and a new civilization based on love, respect and peace will be established upon this "common formula".
The prophet ( peace be upon him with all the messengers) said "There are two blessings wich many of people lose: (They are) health and free time for DOING GOOD"
I will be asked one day, HOW i have spent my time and money?
That i will have a communication with you, i will have as rules the divine rules:
[49:13Quran] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
[2:62 Quran] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[Quran ] “Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers.”
[Quran 2:177] "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or west; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Day Of Judgement and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans. For the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask; and for the freeing of captives; to be steadfast in prayers, and practice regular poor due; to fulfil the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in pain (Or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-conscious".
btw, i think i m helping you completing your understanding of the position of Islam (Submission) on issues like freedom, love and peace...There is nothing called radical Islam but rather there exist radical Muslims who do not represent Islam.
May Allah guide us to the straight path, and guide us to that which pleases Him, Amen.
Kind Regards,
Mohamed
Praise is to Allah, we thank him, ask for his support, help, and his forgiveness; we request him to save us from the evil of our souls and the sins of our deeds; he whom has been guided by Allah has nothing to let him astray, and whom been miss leaded by him has nothing to lead him. We testify that, no God but Allah, sole with no associates and that Mohamed is his slave and his messenger
I read that “ The Western Christians, till the arrival of the Encyclopaedists in the eighteenth century, did not know and did not care to know, what the Muslim believed, nor did the Western Christian seek to know the views of Eastern Christians with regard to them. The Christian Church was already split in two, and in the end, it came to such a pass that the Eastern Christians, as Gibbon shows, preferred Muslim rule, which allowed them to practice their own form of religion and adhere to their peculiar dogmas, to the rule of fellow Christians who would have made them Roman Catholics or wiped them out.”
Muslims are rather apt to forget it
So much for the idolaters of Arabia, who had no real beliefs to oppose the teaching of Islam, but only superstition. They invoked their local deities for help in war and put their faith only in brute force. In this they were, to begin with, enormously superior to the Muslims. When the Muslims nevertheless won, they were dismayed; and all their arguments based on the superior power of their deities were for ever silenced. Their conversion followed naturally. It was only a question of time with the most obstinate of them.
It was otherwise with the people who had a respectable religion of their own - the People of the Scripture - as the Qur’an calls them - i.e, the people who had received the revelation of some former Prophet: the Jews, the Christians and the Zoroastrians were those with whom the Muslims came at once in contact. To these our Prophet's attitude was all of kindness. The Charter which he granted to the Christian monks of Sinai is extant. If you read it you will see that it breathes not only goodwill but actual love. He gave to the Jews of Medina, so long as they were faithful to him, precisely the same treatment as to the Muslims. He never was aggressive against any man or class of men; he never penalized any man, or made war on any people, on the ground of belief but only on the ground of conduct.
My native language is Arabic and I am not used to write in English but I think it is the best way to make my story accessible for everyone. So I will ask you to be indulgent with me and if you find mistakes , please post to notify me:
I was born in Algeria, i have been educated by my parents. Thanks to God, they gave me everything I needed to succeed in my life. I have a "normal" life. I finished my studies as Engineer and I get married, I have two children.
It was a hard and long process that definitely took its toll on me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Where my Idea come from
I was born Muslim and since child, there was a question for me without answer: what about other people who weren't born Muslims? All time I felt the need to reach someone to tell them about Islam. Unfortunately, when I finished my study I couldn't travel and during this period of my life there was no internet.
At the age of 38, I learned really what was the death because I was so close … , I saw my sister’s last breath …Here, I remembered the prophet Muhammad saying PBUH about what can someone leave when he pass away so finally, I understood that since the man is the most comprehensive being in the universe. It should be more than one purpose in our creation that doing studies and getting married are only tools
All we know the pleasure of learning something new or experiencing something that we have never experienced before.
I will really appreciate your effort to know about other culture and religion other than your own.
Its true we all came into existence without our consent. But, who is really complaining about it? Existence is joy in itself. No one sane enough would want to die let alone wanting to be non-existent forever. We all find some joy in our existence.
We observe that animals and plants give something in return to nature for anything they consume out of it but They say that with knowledge comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes accountability.
So for the first year that i choose to go online, I connected to Toronto n Newcastle where I met some people. It was the first time that I contact foreign persons on net. This made me realise how its possible that from whom accept to hear a Muslim, the Christians were whom get the attitudes that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice. A verse of the Qur'an states:
… You will find the people most affectionate to those who believe are those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.
Christian and Muslim belief have many aspects in common. Judaism too shares many beliefs with Islam. All true adherents of these three great religions:
" believe that God has created the entire universe out of nothing and that He dominates all that exists with His omnipotence".
" believe that God has created man and living things in a miraculous way and that man possesses a soul granted him by God".
" believe that besides Jesus, Moses or Muhammad, God sent many prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Joseph throughout history, and they love all these prophets".
" believe in resurrection, Heaven and Hell and angels, and that God has created our lives with a certain destiny".
The beliefs of the People of the Book are in harmony with Muslims, not only in terms of faith-related issues, but also of moral values. Today, in a world where such immoralities as adultery, homosexuality, drug addiction and a model of egoism and self-seeking cruelty have grown widespread, the People of the Book and Muslims share the same virtues: Honor, chastity, humility, self-sacrifice, honesty, compassion, mercy and unconditional love…
According To The Qur'an , Muslims, Jews And Christians Should Live In Friendship.
It is evident there are ample grounds for an alliance between the "People of the Book" and Muslims. This is also very evident in the Qur'an . In the relevant verses of the Qur'an , there is a significant difference between the People of the Book and the idolaters. This is especially emphasized in the area of social life.
For example, it is said concerning the idolaters: "(they) are unclean, so after this year they should not come near the Masjid al-Haram (Kaaba)." (Surat at-Tawba: 28) Idolaters are people who obey no divine law, have no moral precepts and who are capable of committing every kind of degrading and perverse action without hesitation.
But while they basically rely on God's revelation, the People of the Book have moral precepts and know what is lawful and what is not. For this reason, if one of the People of the Book cooks some food, it is lawful for Muslims to eat it. In the same way, permission has been given for a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the People of the Book. On this subject God commands:
"Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as for anyone who disbelieve, his actions will come to nothing and in the hereafter he will be among the losers". (Surat al-Mai'da: 5)
These commands show that bonds of kinship may be established as a result of the marriage of a Muslim with a woman from the People of the Book, and that those on each side of the union can accept an invitation to a meal. These are the fundamentals that will ensure the establishment of equitable human relationships and a happy communal life. Since the Qur'an enjoins this equitable and tolerant attitude, it is unthinkable that a Muslim could take an opposing view.
Monasteries, Churches And Synagogues Should Be Respected
Another important fact we learn from the Qur'an is that Muslims must respect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Qur'an , the places of worship of the People of the Book, i.e. monasteries, churches and synagogues, are mentioned as places of worship protected by God.
…if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, where God's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him - God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Hajj: 40 )
This verse shows all Muslims the importance of respecting and protecting the sanctuaries of Christians and Jews.
Indeed, in the Qur'an God commands Muslims not to harbor any enmity towards any people. In many verses, friendship is recommended, even with idolaters. God even refers to the idolaters at war with Muslims in this way: "If any of the idolaters ask you for protection, give them protection until they have heard the words of God. Then convey them to a place where they are safe." (Surat at-Tawba: 6)
Jews and Christians, however, are much closer to Muslims than idolaters. Each of these religions has its book, that is, they are subject to a revelation sent down by God. They know what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is unlawful. They know they will give an account to God, and they love and revere His prophets. This shows that Muslims and the people of the book can live easily together and cooperate.
The Common Enemies of the Faith
Another important fact that draws Christianity, Judaism and Islam together is the atheist philosophies that are so influential in our time.
Among the best-known and most harmful philosophies of our age can be cited materialism, communism, fascism, anarchism, racism and secular humanism. Many people who believed in the fake diagnoses, deceptive descriptions and explanations of these ideas on the universe, society and man, have lost their faith or doubted it. What is more, these ideologies have dragged people, societies and nations into great crises, conflicts and wars. Their share of the blame for the pain and troubles that humanity suffers today is immense.
While they deny God and creation, all the above-mentioned ideologies are based on a common framework, a so-called scientific basis; Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Darwinism constitutes the basis of atheist philosophies. This theory claims that living beings have evolved as a result of coincidences and by means of a struggle for life. Therefore, Darwinism sends this deceptive message to people:
"You are not responsible to anyone, you owe your life to coincidences, you need to struggle, and if necessary to oppress others to succeed. This world is one of conflict and self-interest".
This evil morality advises people to be egoistical, self-seeking, cruel and oppressive. It destroys such virtues as mercy, compassion, self-sacrifice and humility, the moral values of the three great monotheistic religions.
This being the case, it is necessary for the people of the Book and Muslims to cooperate, since they believe in God and accept the morality that He teaches. The followers of these three religions should expose to the world the fallacy of Darwinism, which has no scientific basis, but which is trying to be preserved for the sake of materialist philosophy. They should cooperatively carry out an intellectual struggle against all other deceptive ideas that serve atheism. Once this is realized, the world will, in a very short time, embrace peace, tranquility and justice.
Conclusion: "Let us Rally to a Common Formula"
At a time when anti-religious, atheist and materialist ideologies surround the world, similarities among theistic religions should be emphasized, and cooperation should be established for common aims.
Concerning the People of the Book, God gives Muslims a command in the Qur'an ; to rally to a common formula:
"O People of the Book! Let us rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God." (Surat Al 'Imran, 64)
This is indeed MY Our call to Christians and Jews: As people who believe in God and follow His revelations, let us rally to a common formula - "faith". Let's love God, Who is our Creator and Lord, and follow His commands. And let us pray God to lead us to an even straighter path.
When Muslims, Christians and Jews rally to a common formula this way;
When they understand that they are friends not enemies,
When they see that the real enemy is atheism and paganism,
then the world will become a very different place.
The fighting that has raged for ages, enmities, fears - and terrorist attacks - will come to an end, and a new civilization based on love, respect and peace will be established upon this "common formula".
The prophet ( peace be upon him with all the messengers) said "There are two blessings wich many of people lose: (They are) health and free time for DOING GOOD"
I will be asked one day, HOW i have spent my time and money?
That i will have a communication with you, i will have as rules the divine rules:
[49:13Quran] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
[2:62 Quran] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[Quran ] “Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers.”
[Quran 2:177] "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or west; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Day Of Judgement and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans. For the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask; and for the freeing of captives; to be steadfast in prayers, and practice regular poor due; to fulfil the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in pain (Or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-conscious".
btw, i think i m helping you completing your understanding of the position of Islam (Submission) on issues like freedom, love and peace...There is nothing called radical Islam but rather there exist radical Muslims who do not represent Islam.
May Allah guide us to the straight path, and guide us to that which pleases Him, Amen.
Kind Regards,
Mohamed
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