Israel and America – A Marriage in Trouble? October 13, 2008
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Israel is destroying America financially
By Khalid Amayreh in Jerusalem
When future Historians look into the factors that ultimately brought down the American empire, one of the main factors they will feature prominently is the “Israeli factor.”
It is well known that Israel, through the numerous Zionist lobbies and pressure groups, more or less controls America’s politics, media and financial institutions.
I am not going to provide statistical data showing the extent to which nearly every aspect of American life is infiltrated and penetrated by Zionism. Such data are readily available for those seeking the truth about Zionist dominance in America.
Instead, I suggest that skeptics speak to some of those senators or congressmen and women who dare to “tell it like it is,” or privately ask some people in the media and show-business about their respective experiences with regard to the “Lobby.”
Undoubtedly they will hear hair-raising stories they have never thought they will ever hear.
In the late 1970s, the American Jewish intellectual Alfred Lilienthal wrote an extremely important book on the Jewish lobby that controls contemporary America. The book is titled “The Zionist Connection: What Price Peace,” and is in my opinion one of the greatest books written in the twentieth century.
The reason I mentioned Lilienthal’s book is because the Zionist control of American political life and institutions is today deeper, tighter and more encompassing than ever before. And there is no doubt under the sun that America’s steady downfall is imputed first and foremost to this impenetrable Israel-worshiping lobby which utilizes America’s power and resources for the sake of serving and promoting Zionist goals both in the Middle East and at the global level.
Didn’t Israeli emissaries in the 1990s, following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, tell the rulers of Central Asia and Eastern Europe that “we control the US government, and the way to America’s mind and heart goes through Jerusalem?”!!!
Sounds anti-Semitic? Well, don’t be too sure, just listen to what Zionist leaders and rabbis in Israel are saying! Maybe you will change your views.
Some of the most strident and audacious acts Israel and her agents in America have taken to destroy America from within has been the American invasion and occupation of Iraq. That unnecessary and manifestly disastrous war was conceived in and planned by Israel through the mostly Jewish neocons in Washington, D.C.
Interestingly, not only has this criminal war killed more than a million Iraqis and several thousand American soldiers, but it has also ruined the United States financially and dealt the American currency, the US dollar, what seems to be an irreversible crushing blow.
Needless to say, the current mega crisis in America, on the one hand, and the ongoing Israeli-conceived wars America is fighting in many parts of the world, on the other, are inextricably entwined. American leaders and politicians won’t say that openly. But America doesn’t lack the brain power to know the facts and find out the truth about the umbilical connection between the Israeli factor and the ravaging financial crisis now facing the US.
Again, if you are in doubt, ask those who dare to speak in Washington and they will tell you what you can’t count on the Zionist-controlled media to tell. After all, Fox News, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Time and Newsweek, to mention a few of the so-called “agenda setters,” are not really answerable to the American people. They are answerable to the lobby, because if and when officials at these outlets don’t go with the flow, they get fired immediately. Have you ever thought why it is easier to criticize Israel in Tel Aviv than in New York? Have you every figured out why it is easier for an Israeli politician to lambaste his own government for its misdeeds than it is for an American official to do so? There are Israeli academics and intellectuals who have called Israel “a Nazi state.” Can an American professor or intellectual call Israel a Nazi state and retain his job?
Now Israel has got America deeply sinking in the futile war on terror, which is actually another meaningless war on Israel’s enemies, namely the Muslims, for supporting the just Palestinian cause and demanding Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab land.
Like the Iraq war and the Afghan war, the apparently nihilistic war on terror is being waged on Israel’s behalf because, in the final analysis, there is really no conflict between Muslims and America.
Yes, “9/11″, we are told, was carried out by a few terrorists who held Muslim names and who wrongly thought that they were serving the Palestinian cause and the cause of Islam by killing innocent people.
But these misguided individuals, if indeed they were the real villains (because there is a growing mass of evidence prompting honest people to doubt and question the authenticity of the official American narrative in this regard) only represent a tiny part of the Muslim world. Muslims generally don’t hate America and the American people. Most people don’t hate other people, regardless of religion and culture. It is only due to deep and grievances that oppressed people harbor ill feelings toward their oppressors.
Otherwise, I am sure a hundred percent that Palestinians and Muslims in general have no inherent ill-feelings toward the American people.
Of course, Zionist Jews, some of who are now distributing anti-Islamic DVDs in America to instill hatred and fear of Islam and Muslims in the hearts of Americans in order to serve Israeli interests, dread the day Americans will know the truth about Israel, e.g. that Israel is nothing less than a crime against humanity and that it represents the ultimate antithesis of everything the American people hold dear and stand for.
Yesterday, America had to allocate 700 billion dollars to bail out another ramshackle American financial institution.
I am afraid there will be more bad news in this regard if America doesn’t reclaim its liberty from the Zionist Rober Barons who have come to tightly control the American financial establishment.
Moreover, should the US decide to act on Israel’s instructions (or orders) and go to war against another Muslim country, this time Iran, one could imagine the magnitude of the financial and therefore economic disaster that would befall America and the world.
A few years ago, it was rumored that former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, that certified war criminal, told Shimon Peres, then Israel’s foreign minister, during an acrimonious cabinet meeting “that we control America from California to New York and the stupid Americans know it.”
And while I am not completely sure about the authenticity of the statement, it is amply clear that the disgraceful pandering to Zionism by American politicians, including Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain and their running mates, vindicates the veracity of that statement, uttered or unuttered.
Today, Israel is trying to consummate its hateful enterprise of ethnic cleansing in the Middle East, using American money and American power. Israel will fight the Muslim world to the last American dollar and the last American soldier.
Hence, it is time ordinary Americans wake up from their slumber to reclaim their country from rapacious Zionism. Because their very future is at stake.
http://www.xpis.ps/
Powerful Television & Our Innocent Children By Shakeel Syed October 12, 2008
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TV & YOU:
The Uneven Contest
Sometime back a row erupted between France and the US over television programming. “Too many American made programs are being shown on French television,” protested the French. To a casual observer this may sound strange. After all, what is the difference between French and American values ? True, the French consider the Americans uncultured but the matter goes beyond culture.
The French argued that American television series were undermining their values; that American programs depicted and glorified violence whose effect would be felt on French society as well. Even when sharing common societal roots, people are concerned about preserving their own values. Imagine the situation when we, as Muslims approach life from altogether a different perspective.
Muslims believe in One God, Allah; they believe the Quran is the revealed Book of Allah through Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace; and they believe in family values. This means no pre-martial sex; abhorrence of violence and waste; no drugs nor alcohol, and respect for elders and love for the young ones. The western value system stands at the completely opposite role. Yet, are Muslim parents in North America aware of the challenge facing them ?
It is of paramount importance to know how Muslim children are subliminally being assimilated into the greater North American society. One of the most powerful tools which influences them is television.
Already, Muslim children are used to processed foods and automated living. They are now being trained for ‘processed thinking’ and ‘automated culture’, as well, through television.
A parent’s worst nightmare is a six to 13-year-old television addict who watches television in the morning before going to school; fixing himself/herself in front of the set as soon as he gets home in the afternoon and gets another dose before going to bed at night. VCRs have turned favorite shows and movies into an endlessly repeatable pastime. Video games have added to the home box’s allure.
Children are in love with Barney today which is nothing more than a jumping doll, filled with cute critters and special effects. A child may learn how to force a smile upon himself but that will be the end of learning. Because of indoctrination by the television, children have little patience to pursue anything that requires a steady stream of thought or the linking of one thought with another. It is potentially addictive to undermine a child’s imagination. Even these electronic amusements take a backseat in comparison with the kind of passive activity they induce.
This passive experience crowds out other, more active endeavors, such as congregational prayers at home, playing indoors and outdoors with family members, reading, etc. These traditional forms of interaction with children are most definitely not passive. They are all physically, mentally and spiritually active. A child watching television cannot build a model at the same time or let his/her imagination soar in a good book. Instead, they are cut off from participation, imagination, even from the rest of the family. The child’s facial expression is transformed. The jaw is relaxed and hangs open slightly; the tongue rests on the front teeth (if there are any) and eyes develop a glazed, vacuous look ?
Television reveals to children all of the ‘backstage’ activity of adults. It exposes children to behavior that the adults have spent centuries trying to hide from children. The average child watching television sees adults hitting or killing each other or breaking down and crying. It teaches them that adults do not always know what they are doing. Revealing the ’secrets’ of adulthood has virtually destroyed the notion of childhood as a discrete period of innocence. There are now more adult-like children and more childlike adults !
An average child will have watched 5,000 hours of television by the time he/she enters first grade and 19,000 hours by the end of high school – more time than he will spend in classroom. They spend 28 hours a week watching television – more than doing any other single activity except sleeping. Those 28 hours do not include the time spent watching videotapes, playing video games, or listening to records, audio tapes or CDs.
Research has shown that prolonged television viewing by children is associated with more aggressive behavior, lack of creativity, patience, imagination, participation, and physical, mental and spiritual development. So who will correct it and how ?
No institution plays a bigger role in shaping the attitude of children than the family. The ultimate responsibility rests with the parents. It is imperative to strictly limit TV watching time and other electronic amusements, and continually monitor children’s behavior. At the same time, the influence and impact of the short time they spend watching television should be counterbalanced with other healthy activities such as reading, Islamic quiz or general knowledge competitions within the family and/or friends, games which require thinking, congregational prayers and indoor/outdoor activities with the family. In this way, TV can at least be put into proper focus, if not completely out of the picture, inshaAllah.
Talking with children also helps. ‘Not to them, but with them.’ Encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas, and to think things through. Let them know that both logical reasoning and creative thought are wonderful accomplishments. Encourage children to read books and to consider their significance in the larger scheme of things.
Avoid ‘drilling’ your children or forcing them to ‘listen’ to you. Rather, ‘you’ should listen to them !
By Shakeel Syed
Communalism, is it Muslim? October 11, 2008
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In the year 1981, Punjab and Sikhism were the hottest topics in the Indian subcontinent. A Sikh gentleman, by the name Jarnail Singh Bhrindanwale was turning into a celebrity for his notoriety. What he did was, perhaps more interesting than the Lal Masjid operation recently becoming famous in Pakistan.
Bhrindanwale, and his group of militant friends took over the Golden Temple, they did nothing more than occupy it and hold the Temple hostage, rather than the people. The then PM of India, Indira Gandhi was famous for a lot of things, mostly for her iron will – she sought to solve the problem herself.
Thus, India witnessed with open eyes, the birth of it’s relationship with terrorism(yet to gain the Muslim tag). She ordered a military operation, famously known as Operation Bluestar.
Of course it didn’t end here, in the land of the Vedas, it never does. Indira Gandhi, one good morning was assasinated by two Sikh bodyguards(who weren’t removed after the Operation, IG was fiercely secular).The assasination was followed by a lot of things, but the most immediate affect was on the Sikhs of Delhi, most of them weren’t blessed with the morning sun – Some call it the anti-Sikh riots in actuality it was a full fledged genocide by Indira Gandhi’s party workers. It is interesting to read it up, here.
The Genocide’s preparators are still free, they roam around with pride, some even hold cabinet posts in the Indian National Congress’ rule.
One might also throw in the Action-Reaction theory, but it never works. Sikh youth, were picked up, shot down and detained with no respect for their personal integrity – all goes to the story of the Khalistan Movement.
The Sikhs of India, were treated as Muslims of the world were treated. Even then, Muslims were not a very respected nation amongst themselves – riots were common.
Islamic Terrorism never took it’s birth, until the free Kashmir movement gained strength, simultaneously with the rise of Al-Qaida and Taliban. Muslims in India weren’t branded as terrorists. Arabic, Mullahs and Madrassas were respected among the majority(read sensible) Hindus.
History of Riots
One might blame the Muslims for separatist tendencies whether in Palestine, Kashmir or India. The partition was no joke, it resulted in widespread killings, rape, arson and loot. Mostly done by Muslims. The partition has a lesser known history too – that of Hindu “nationalism” in other words the creation of Pakistan didn’t happen because Jinnah(a scotch drinker, who loved Muslims) wanted a separate nation of Muslims, it happened because there were few Hindus who themselves wanted two separate nations – One for Hindus and another for Muslims. The two nation theory was put up by Jinnah and vociferously supported by a “freedom fighter” and a “nationalist” known as “Veer” Saravarkar.
For more, read Abdaal Akhtar’s “Pakistan, Who’s Child is it?”
The Partition remained a blot on the Indian subcontinent. A sense of hostility remained between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims for a long time. Pakistan was seen as an agressor over Indian lands, and the word Pakistan was reason enough for riots in India.
Riots were commonplace in India, and remain so even now. These small skirmishes usually turn into hostilities. Small reasons, such as a Muslim shooing a Hindu owned cow could lead to widespread arson. Sometimes there are reasons like a Hindu girl converting to Islam, so that she can marry her lover. The rich father doesn’t like compromising on his social status, he sends some thugs to fix the “pakistani” the Muslim kid doesn’t take it kindly he beats the thugs black and blue. This, is seen as an attack on the community which results in the killings of around 2000 people on both sides.
So, is it the Indian Muslim who is to be blamed?Is it the Hindu? Actually, neither. Politicians in India remain crooked, they have associate thugs who work under names like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh , the Vishwa Hindu Parishad & the Muslim Ittehadul Muslimeen. They claim that they are the torchbearers of Hinduism and Islam, they are neither. Both have their political obligations to fulfill and thus we have them polarising two peaceful communities.
Every riot that took place, is usually in an RSS, VHP, SS or other like organisation’s stronghold. These aren’t normal Hindus or Muslims who flare up communal sentiments, these are usually planned attacks. There is hardly anything spontaneous. The Congress Party, which ruled India for most of it’s 60 years, is no sarcosanct party, it’s administrators at the grassroots level usually were apthetic to minor skirmishes which later transferred into huge riots. Here, a good one will be the rios in 1964 Calcutta and Jamshedpur caused because of business rivalry between the Hindus and the Muslims, particularly in The liquor trade in Rourkela 2000 people ,mostly Muslims were killed The reason? Reaction to the atrocities committed against Hindus in East Pakistan(Now Bangladesh). The police, local administration and the government were either inefficient or turned a blind eye.
One should here, remember the father of majority of riots in India – The Bhartiya Janata Party, it’s Hindutva ideology and hypocritical acts. A good observation here, about the birth of the orignal BJP, earlier known as Janata Party
It was around 1964-65 that communal disturbances began to occur in Aurangabad. The Jamait-e-Islami did not have any active branches till about 1964. The Jan Sangh in the fourth general elections found the first opportunity to approach the masses on a purely communal platform since opposing Congress candidate in Aurangabad was a Muslim.
And for the Congress:
The Congress was not far behind in spreading communal feelings. Most Congressmen participated directly or indirectly in the riots and called the Muslims anti-national. The Hindu Dharma Rakshak Samiti was formed at this time. Its members were largely middle class Hindus.
And for the Muslims:
Three months before the riots(Malur, Karnataka, 1984) a Harijan woman was raped by three Muslim youths and it was the communal, rather than the criminal aspect of the problem, that received much importance. Soon, another incident of molestation of a Hindu girl by a Muslim boy took place. The RSS took full advantage of the situation, and instigated some militant Hindus to take revenge. Soon after, trouble erupted leading to large-scale damage to Muslim property. Communal disturbances in Malur were unknown before the advent of the RSS.
Most riots, in the riots database trace their origins to silly reasons or reasons that could be used as political agendas. Muslims, Christians and Sikhs were usually the one’s who were targetted, of course the Muslims have had their own history of starting of riots, but it will never match the history the “nationalistic” Sangh Parivar(as it is known today).
The more famous riots, specially clashes between Hindus and Muslims began after the congenital Communals took presence in the national scene, and how they do it? They demolished a mosque, for more on the information - do search with the keywords “ayodhya” “babri” “masjid” “hindu” “muslim”.
The riots that followed were neither controlled nor controllable.
The mobilization campaign for Kar Sevaks to construct the proposed Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple at Ayodhya on 30th October 1990 aggravated thecommunal atmosphere in the country. Communal riots occurred in the wake of L.K.Advani’s Rath Yatra wherever it went.. These riots were led by RSS-BJP men to consolidate the‘Hindu’ vote bank. They were widespread over almost all the states from Assam to West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi.
The April to December 1990 January and April 1991 period witnessed nothing more than a blood bath. The nation wasn’t divided between blacks and whites, burgeiose and poor or slaves and slave owners. These divisions were superficial, the hindu-muslim cleavage was at it’s zenith. A BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani went on a rath yatra from Somnath to a lot of places. And where ever the devil went, the nation witnessed riots between Hindus and Muslims. The BJP in an election mood, went on a rioting spree the smallest of the incidents(such as an Auto hitting a Hindu boy) were turned into a full time riot. There were around 80 full fledged riots and some 1400 small “incidents” with casualties in single digits.
LK Advani (also known as AdolfVani). From 1989-92, Advani and his cohorts started more than 80 riots throughout India that claimed more than 30,000 lives, 12,000 in Bhagalpur alone where victims of mass murder were buried in shallow cauliflower fields. It then demolished the 400 year old Babri Masjid, claiming it to be the Ram Janambhoomi Temple in the absence of any archaeological evidence
- Abdaal Akhtar
The Birth of Islamic Terrorism in India
Bombay(now Mumbai) is the commercial capital of the country, the most developed city with the best infrastructure and houses the largest slum in the world. It is also always on the target of “Islamists”.
From December 1992 to January 1993 the city witnessed riots, The microphone systems in Mosques were used to call Muslims for Jehad after attacks on Muslim workplaces and localities. The riots were fueled by the Babri Masjid demolition, and the anger that was in the Muslim community. The Shiv Sena, a Hindu-Maratha ethno centric party played the role of a vent. A Temple was attacked by a Muslim mob, the Shiv Sena grabbed the moment, they had been waiting already. The deaths were somewhere around 600. Muslims were searched for, and killed ruthlessly of course Muslims had their share of murders too.
This riot known as Bombay 1993 was the semen for what followed, if this was Bombay 1993 what followed would be remembered as the new born. The Bombay 1993 serial blasts, that ripped the city apart there were the deadliest in Indian history. The bomb blasts killed 250 civillians, injured 700 and brought the country to a stand still. The damage was done, and the revenge taken. Muslims, who were being killed routinely like New Yorkers eat Hot Dogs breathed a sigh of relief. This blast put an end to attacks on both the sides for sometime at least.
Muslims, hailed the blasts. Widows, Orphaned children and mothers who lost their children – all thanked God, even if their mind didn’t want to. Thus, India knew the meaning of bomb blasts and them being synonmous with Muslims.
Blasts, since then have become routine to the Indian nation, they’ve always followed, with duty after riots.
Terrorism, and how much of it is Muslim
India like Iraq has adapted itself to casualties, people read it in the newspapers and turn the page. Terrorism, in India can be divided into 4 groups.
1.Separatist Attacks
2.Unclaimed Attacks(Always end up with a Muslim suspect or a forgotten case or a suspected foreign hand)
3.Left Wing Terrorism
4.Communal Riots(A Monopoly of the Sangh Parivar)
1.Separatism
The major players are in the North Eastern part of the country, and Kashmir. The The United Liberation Front of Asom is one of the oldest terrorist organization known. It has successfully conducted 749 blasts, and a lot of killings on the non-Assamese residents. They are proud people who kill and after which call press conferences and often issue press releases. Click Here for a detailed table of incidents involving the organization. Another famous one
Assam has been a theatre of massacre for a long time, riots between native Bodos and immigrant Bangladeshis have escalated taking the toll to 54. This isn’t a Bodo-Muslim riot, it is more of a Bodo-Bangla riot. Inaction over the sealing of border between India and Bangladesh is the biggest reason for this, native Muslims were killed by Bangla Muslims here.
There are other small players like the National Liberation Front of Tripura a truly Christian terrorist organization. For more on the NLFT’s contribution to the industry of murder – Click Here.
Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura form the North East of the country, this part of the nation has been neglected for years, separatist tendencies would be natural here. The links take you to an un-glamorlized world of death, killing and terrorism.
Kashmir is a disputed area, between India and Pakistan. Kashmiris are an indigenous nation among themselves, the separatist forces are divided into two types a)Armed b)Peaceful, democratic.
The Armed struggle, funded by the Pakistani government has gained a lot of publicity, their track record is no better than their North Eastern counterparts. The number of casualties has decreased in recent times, yet the situation in Kashmir remains volatile year round.
2.Unknown Bomb Explosions
If you are an Indian, you know that you might die in a bomb blast – anywhere. Bombs blow up in major Indian cities at places where the population density is higher than in other areas. These places include places of worship, bazaars, railways and Hindu/Muslim majority residential areas.
Until last year, no group claimed responsibility about the blasts, but after every blast names that crop up are – Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami. A foreign hand is claimed by our politicians but never do we find much more than this.
But are we forgetting something? Temples and Market places aren’ the only paces that were blown up. Muslim localities and Mosques have had their share. I always wonder what would make a Muslim blow up more Muslims. The “initial investigations” usually pick up Muslim kids studying in Madrassas.
The Jehadi angle needs no explanation, now, let me give you an explanation about the “nationalist” angle.
The number of Muslims arrested with explosives in mainland India is rare, but here is something that didn’t make it to the front page.
Hiralal Ramchandra Rotre, 25, was arrested for illegal possession of explosives. He was working as a driver.
“Investigations are underway to determine the exact nature of the explosives recovered. Among the things found in Rotre’s house were six bottles of a suspicious-looking liquid, each weighing about 200 gm,” Police Commissioner K.L. Bishnoi said.
Oh common, now your going to base your argument on this? No, let’s anaylyse the bomb blasts that took place in not-so-common places:
Three bomb explosions at Malegaon town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. The first explosion occurred outside the Bada Kabristan, a burial ground at the heart of the old city. The area near the burial ground was crowded with people who had gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat (night of salvation). The second explosion occurred near a mosque while the third occurred at Mushawarat Chowk. The explosives reportedly had been rigged to bicycles.
Malegaon is a Muslim majority area, the suspects are of course LET and SIMI, but not many are convinced of this. Of course we don’t know, since there haven’t been any “breakthroughs” since 2006. Let’s read something more, shall we? Something more sinister and why a Muslim mighn’t have a reason to blow up fellow Muslims but someone else might have.
This is from the Nanded Blast Case:
The FIR recorded the injured activists’ claim that stored firecrackers had gone off inadvertently. But the investigation nailed this lie, revealing that bombs being assembled by the Bajrang Dal activists had exploded accidentally before they could be used to damage mosques. Moreover, the entire operation was being styled in a camouflage so as to resemble a Muslim terror operation. Soon, the police arrested 16 persons. The remand application said the accused had diagrams, maps and material related to the manufacture/storage of bombs. It said they had also identified terror targets across the country.
—-
‘We will be treated like hijras if we don’t take action. Counter-attacks are the only way of avenging terror attacks’
HIMANSHU PANSE(Blast Accused) Source
This was all, there was no more investigation and the charges were watered down. Read more(highly recommended).
- The Nanded accused were also responsible for blasts at the Mohammadiya Masjid in Parbhani (November 2003), the Quadriya Masjid in Jalna (August 2004) and the Meraj-ul-Uloom Madrassa/Masjid in Purna in Parbhani district (August 2004).
- The target of the bombs which killed the Bajrang Dal activists was actually a mosque in Aurangabad. Both H. Panse and M. Wagh had conducted a recce of the Aurangabad mosque in May 2004.
- Panse and Pande had started a gymnasium to attract Hindu youth and organised seminars. They also gave speeches to create an anti-Muslim atmosphere, alleging acts of injustice by Muslims against Hindus, inciting the latter to do “something for Hinduism.” They were also trained in bomb-making near Pune, Goa and at the Bhosla Military School at Nagpur. An RSS camp at the school trained 115 participants in karate, obstacle courses, and shooting. The trainers included two ex-servicemen and an ex-IB operative.
- Police discovered a false beard, moustache and shervani during a search of the house of H.V.Panse; a cellphone intercept revealed that Wagh was to visit Aurangabad on April 5, 2006.
The CBI chargesheet, which Teesta Setalvad procured on an RTI application, reveals that the agency simply diluted the ATS’s charges of criminal conspiracy involving terrorist acts. If the ATS investigation concluded that the accidental explosion in Nanded was only one episode in a terrorist plot involving the Bajrang Dal, supported by a network of the Sangh parivar, the CBI chargesheet treated the Nanded incident as an isolated case so that the trial does not even examine the possible existence of a terrorist network in Maharashtra. It also delinked the case from the Bajrang Dal or any other Sangh outfit.
In police raids on Bhupinder Singh’s Lajpat Nagar studio and his residence, the police found a diary and a hand-drawn map of Muslim-dominated Ferozabad. The police is also exploring the possibility that the grenades and other explosives were intended for use during the month of Ramzan, as the map has markings of at least five spots, which could be of possible targets.
The bomb, hidden in a motorcycle parked near a mosque, exploded three days before Eid, killing a 15-year-old boy and leaving several injured.
3. Left Wing Terrorism
4.Communal Riots
Hindu communal organisations have always maintained that it is always the Muslims who start riots, forcing “justifiable retaliatory acts by Hindus in self-defence”. But virtually every single officially appointed judicial commission to probe into the cause of riots in different parts of the country has found the RSS and other majoritarian communal outfits guilty. We reproduce some excerpts below:More
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Special Thanks to Chaitanya!
Sources:
4.Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies -
5.Source of all riot statistics
7.Economic Times
8.Tehelka
From an ‘Iraqi widow’ to an ‘American widow’ October 9, 2008
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From an ‘Iraqi widow’ to an ‘American widow’
************************************
Yesterday , my dear sister !,in my dream,
I saw a cascade of tears from your eyes;
When asked about the cause of your grief,
You showed me the image of your husband.
You hurled abuses at me,as he was killed,
By a brutal terrorist in my land.
I recognized him, because he was the one,
Who with his friend barged into my house;
Raped my teenage daughter before our eyes.
When we resisted, they, out of dignity,
Shot her dead, and also riddled,
The chest of my husband with bullets.
As a sign of greatness of a great nation,
They showed mercy to me and my only son;
Spared us, and left with a triumphant pace.
Alas! My son was ungrateful,
In return to their benevolent gesture;
One day, he,with himself, blew them apart.
I was under the siege of emotions,
The raging inferno in my mind and heart;
Could defy the power of all the oceans,
Its flames could burn the entire world.
But your tears, shimmering like pearls,
Extinguished it , and made me ashamed.
I was unable to share your pain,
With a few drops of tears in your lap;
In a downpour, they all had been shed,
Over the bodies of my husband and daughter,
And also in the memory of my only son.
Now my eyes are stony, pallid and dry.
Your tears have generated in my soul,
A turmoil which will never be set at rest;
Unless you forgive me, as I am the mother,
Of the person who killed your husband.
To atone for my sins, and show repentance,
I declare my son ‘ a condemned terrorist ’
***********************************
Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani,LL.D.
President, All India Muslim Forum Lucknow, India
Email:sherwanimk@yahoo.com
RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAAT October 9, 2008
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Now that we understand zakah, and its various conditions and calculation, we must now learn who it is payable to. Those who are entitled to receive zakah are grouped into eight categories, as determined by the Quraan and Sunnah.
Allah says, “Sadaqat are only for the poor who do not beg and the poor who beg and those employed to collect them, and for attracting the hearts (of those who have been inclined towards Islam), and to free the captives and for those in debt and for Allah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer a due imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” [9:60]
The Fuqaraa (the poor who do not beg)
These may have money, but it is not sufficient for their basic needs. Others have stated that these people have nothing.
Allah says, ‘If they are Fuqaraa (poor), Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty.’ (24:32)
The Masaakeen (the poor who beg)
These people do not have anything, so they are in need of asking others for food and clothing. Such have the rights to ask and receive Zakaat. Others hold that these are those who may have some of their basic needs.
Allah says, ‘But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. And what will make you know the path that is steep? (It is) freeing a neck (slave). Or giving food in a day of hunger to an orphan near of kin. Or to a miskeen afflicted with misery.’ (90:11-16)
Attracting Hearts
Zakaat is also to be paid to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam or to prevent the harm of non-Muslims residing within the Muslim state. Scholars have agreed that this type of Zakaat should be considered whenever there is a need for it. We often see people who embrace Islam become detached from their families and are sometimes deprived of a source of income. These people have the right to receive Zakaat to protect themselves from harm and to make their faith firm.
Freeing Captives
This shows that Zakaat can be paid in order to buy a slave and then free him or her. These slaves become free, capable of worshipping Allah, and then become useful members within the community.
Wayfarer
The wayfarer is the traveler stranded in a foreign land and is in need of money to achieve his objective or to return to his own country. This person can receive Zakaat, if the purpose for traveling is lawful. If the purpose were unlawful, then he should not receive any moneys from Zakaat because it would help him in his sins.
Allah Taala warns us, ‘Help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression.’ (5:2)
Debtors are those people burdened by debts because of personal needs or social necessity, such as the person who borrows to spend on himself and his family. This person is given Zakaat if he doesn’t have enough money beyond his basic needs to repay his debt. However, for the one who borrows money for a social necessity, such as spending on an orphan, reconciling between Muslims, or renovating a Masjid or school, then he may be given Zakaat to repay his debt. This holds true even if he is wealthy according to the sound opinion of the jurists.
Allah’s Cause
Jurists have differed in the meaning of this outlet for Zakaat. Some have limited it to the fighters in the path of Allah, even if they were wealthy, if they do not receive wages from the Islamic treasury. Others say that this also includes all acts that make one closer to Allah. Therefore, anyone that strives in the obedience of Allah and performs good deserves Zakaat. The opinion that ‘Allah’s Cause’ is limited to voluntary mujahids that do not receive wages from the Islamic treasury, seems most correct. If the meaning were inclusive of all good deeds, the prophet would have explained that. The Khulafaa al-Raashidoon (rightly guided Caliphs) collected tremendous amounts of Zakaat, but nothing has been transmitted about spending the Zakaat on other paths of good. Moreover, Allah Ta’ala has specified the eight recipients of Zakaat and none of them include other than what is stated. Any outlet other than these should receive support from the Islamic treasury, but not from Zakaat.
Zakaat Collectors
These are persons that the authority employs to collect the Zakaat. The authority gives them a fee for their work, which includes, collecting, recording, guarding, dividing and distributing the Zakaat.
ZAKAAT IS NOT DUE TO:
THE WEALTHY
Jurists have agreed that no wealthy person should be given from the share of the fuqaraa and the masakeen. They held that giving to the rich from their share meant depriving them from the zakah that they rightly deserve, and that defeats the purpose of its obligation which is to satisfy the needs of the poor. Other outlets of zakah may be given to the wealthy and this includes those employed to collect the zakah, attracting their hearts towards Islam, fighters in the path of Allah, and the wayfarers.
THE STRONG & HEALTHY
Jurists have agreed that zakah is forbidden to anyone capable of working and earning a living unless he cannot find a job or he finds a job but the money received is insufficient for him and his family. Then he can be assisted from zakah with the amount for his needs, or that enables him to work. The reason behind this prohibition is that these people are commanded by the Shariah to work and support themselves. They are not to lie back and depend on others.
THE DISBELIEVER
Jurists agree that it is forbidden to spend zakah on the unbelievers for this will constitute supporting them and their disbelief. The obligation of spending the zakah is on poor and needy Muslims. This means that it should not be spent on the disbelieving poor and needy. Furthermore, the apparent wisdom in zakah is to satisfy the needs of poor Muslims and establish bridges of love and brotherhood among the members of the Muslim community.
FATHERS, SONS & WIVES
Jurists agree that it is not permissible to give zakah to one’s wife, father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, son, grandson, and the daughter or her children. This is because if one pays zakah to them then he has not fulfilled his financial obligations towards them. This is equated to giving the zakah to himself. However, giving zakah to other relatives is permissible (brothers, sisters and others) when there is no obligation to take care of them. This is even better because one receives the rewards of sadaqah and of keeping good relations with
A Collection of Beautiful Ayahs – Hardship and Ease October 9, 2008
Posted by aymenmd in Blogroll.2 comments
“Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him.
Allah will grant after hardship, ease.”
Al- Quran [at-Talaaq, 65:7]
“Surely with every difficulty there is relief.
Surely with every difficulty there is relief.”
Al- Quran [Shrah, 94:5-6]
Assalamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
Who would like to purchase the Paradise (al-Jannah)? Here is a way to it, as Allah says in Surah at-Taubah:
“Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties;
for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise.”
(Inna Allaha ishtara mina almumineena anfusahum waamwalahum
bianna lahumu aljannata…) [9:111]
Al-Mu’min (a Believer in Allah) is the one who believes in Allah al-Wahid, yet without seeing Him. A believer’s faith makes him sell himself to Allah and gets a generous reward. If anyone of us proclaims ‘I believe in Allah’ then he/she should be prepared for the tests from Allah. Allah says:
Alif Lam M’im. ¤
Do the people think that they will be left alone on saying “We believe,”
and that they will not be tested? ¤
We did test those who have gone before them.
Allah has to see who are the truthful and who are the liars.
[Ankaboot, 29:1-3]
Allah has tested those who were before us, including the Prophets and those who were with them. Allah will make it clear about the one who has really sold himself to Allah and about the one who only says by his mouth ‘I believe, I believe’ and he lies with these words. Just hold your heart and see the tests through which Allah has tested the former people with:
“Do you think that you will enter Paradise without any trials
while you have known the examples of those who passed away before you?
They were afflicted with suffering and adversity
and were so violently shaken up that even
the Messenger and the believers with him cried out:
“When will Allah’s help come?”
Then they were comforted with the words,
Be aware! Allah’s help is ever close.
[Al-Baqarah - 2:214]
If a Muslim has really sold himself to Allah then let there be no worry about the trials and hardship because, once we have sold ourselves to Allah, we belong to Him (Inna lillah) and He may deal with us as He likes, He may take away from us anything or everything as He pleases. Such are the Sabireen (who endure with patience). Ar-Rahman says:
“We shall surely test your steadfastness with fear and famine, with loss of property, life and produce.
Give good news to those who endure with patience; ¤
who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.” ¤
Such are the people on whom there are blessings and Mercy from Allah;
and they are the ones that are rightly guided.
[Al-Baqarah, 2:155-157]
Remember that Allah will not afflict anyone more than what he/she can bear. Allahu Ta’ala says “Allah does not burden any human being with more than he can bear.” [al-Baqarah, 2:286]. Therefore if anyone is tested with some severe severe tests then according to this ayah, Allah has given him more & more strength than other people! Allah says:
“… Those who endure with patience will be rewarded without measure.”
(Innama yuwaffa al-ssabiroona ajrahum bighayri hisabin)
[az-Zumar - 39:10]
Muhammadur Rasul Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa aalihi wa ashaabihi wa sallam) said that Allah uplifts the ranks of the people by testing them with tests. Allah says “… And give good news to those who endure with patience” (.. wabashshiri al-ssabireena, 2:155). Rasulullah (‘alaihi salato was-salam) said:
“When Allah has previously decreed for a servant a rank which he has not attained by his action,
He afflicts him in his body, or his property or his children.”
[ Abu Dawud]
” There is nothing (in the form of trouble) that comes to a believer
even if it is the pricking of a thorn that
there is decreed for him by Allah (something) good or his sins are obliterated.”
[Sahih Muslim]
Allah does not put believers in hardship for forever. Remember the story of Prophet Ayyub (‘alaihi salam), Quran says:
“Similarly We blessed Job (Ayyub), when he prayed to his Lord saying,
“Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.” ¤
We accepted his prayer and relieved his affliction, and restored not only his family but
also as many more with them as a favour from Us
so that it may serve as a reminder to Our worshippers. ¤
[Anbiyaa, 21:83-84]
“Surely with every difficulty there is relief. ¤
Surely with every difficulty there is relief.”
(Fainna ma’a al-’usri yusran
Inna maAAa alAAusri yusran)
[Shrah, 94:5-6]
Allah says ”…Allah will ease the hardship of those who fear Him.” [65:4]. This world (dunya) and its tiny candies will end one day and this life is not for forever. Whereas, the reward in the Akhirah will never last. So who is prepared for the Paradise? So who is willing to forsake this life for a smile (happiness) of Allah?
“Indeed Allah has purchased from the believers their persons and
their wealth and in return has promised them paradise;
they fight in the cause of Allah and slay and are slain.
This is a true promise which is binding on Him mentioned in
Torah, the Gospel and the Qur’an;
and who is more true in fulfilling his promise than Allah?
Rejoice, therefore, in the bargain which you have made,
and that is a mighty achievement.
[at-Taubah 9:111]
No affliction can happen on earth nor to your souls,
which is not recorded in a Book, before We bring it into existence; surely that is easy for Allah.
[al-Hadeed, 57:22]
No affliction can ever befall except by the leave of Allah. He that believes in Allah,
his heart is guided to the Right Way. Allah has knowledge of all things.
[at-Taghaabun, 64:11]
If Allah afflicts you with a calamity, none can remove it but He;
and if He intends to bestow a favour, none can withhold His bounty.
He bestows it on whomsoever of His servants He pleases; He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[Yunus, 10:107]
If Allah afflicts you with any harm, none can relieve you other than Him;
and if He blesses you with happiness, you should know that He has power over everything.
[An'aam, 6:17]
“Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honor, He is free from what they ascribe to Him!
Peace be on the Messengers, and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.”
Al-Quran [37:180-182]
A Dream October 9, 2008
Posted by aymenmd in Blogroll.add a comment
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 87, Number 171: [Interpretation of Dreams ] : Narrated Samura bin Jundub:
Allah’s Apostle very often used to ask his companions, “Did anyone of you see a dream?” So dreams would be narrated to him by those whom Allah wished to tell.
One morning the Prophet said,
I set out with them and we came across a man Lying down, and behold, another man was standing over his head, holding a big rock. Behold, he was throwing the rock at the man’s head, injuring it. The rock rolled away and the thrower followed it and took it back. By the time he reached the man, his head returned to the normal state. The thrower then did the same as he had done before. I said to my two companions, ‘Subhan Allah! Who are these two persons?’ They said, ‘Proceed!’
So we proceeded and came to a man Lying flat on his back and another man standing over his head with an iron hook, and behold, he would put the hook in one side of the man’s mouth and tear off that side of his face to the back (of the neck) and similarly tear his nose from front to back and his eye from front to back. Then he turned to the other side of the man’s face and did just as he had done with the other side. He hardly completed this side when the other side returned to its normal state. Then he returned to it to repeat what he had done before. I said to my two companions, ‘Subhan Allah! Who are these two persons?’ They said to me, ‘Proceed!’
So we proceeded and came across something like a Tannur (a kind of baking oven, a pit usually clay-lined for baking bread).” I think the Prophet said, “In that oven there was much noise and voices.” The Prophet added, “We looked into it and found naked men and women, and behold, a flame of fire was reaching to them from underneath, and when it reached them, they cried loudly. I asked them, ‘Who are these?’ They said to me, ‘Proceed!’
And so we proceeded and came across a river.” I think he said, “…. red like blood.” The Prophet added, “And behold, in the river there was a man swimming, and on the bank there was a man who had collected many stones. Behold. while the other man was swimming, he went near him. The former opened his mouth and the latter (on the bank) threw a stone into his mouth whereupon he went swimming again. He returned and every time the performance was repeated, I asked my two companions, ‘Who are these (two) persons?’ They replied, ‘Proceed! Proceed!’
And we proceeded till we came to a man with a repulsive appearance, the most repulsive appearance, you ever saw a man having! Beside him there was a fire and he was kindling it and running around it. I asked my companions, ‘Who is this (man)?’ They said to me, ‘Proceed! Proceed!’
So we proceeded till we reached a garden of deep green dense vegetation, having all sorts of spring colors. In the midst of the garden there was a very tall man and I could hardly see his head because of his great height, and around him there were children in such a large number as I have never seen. I said to my companions, ‘Who is this?’ They replied, ‘Proceed! Proceed!’
So we proceeded till we came to a majestic huge garden, greater and better than I have ever seen! My two companions said to me, ‘Go up and I went up’ The Prophet added, “So we ascended till we reached a city built of gold and silver bricks and we went to its gate and asked (the gatekeeper) to open the gate, and it was opened and we entered the city and found in it, men with one side of their bodies as handsome as the handsomest person you have ever seen, and the other side as ugly as the ugliest person you have ever seen. My two companions ordered those men to throw themselves into the river. Behold, there was a river flowing across (the city), and its water was like milk in whiteness. Those men went and threw themselves in it and then returned to us after the ugliness (of their bodies) had disappeared and they became in the best shape.” The Prophet further added, “My two companions (angels) said to me, ‘This place is the Eden Paradise, and that is your place.’ I raised up my sight, and behold, there I saw a palace like a white cloud! My two companions said to me, ‘That (palace) is your place.’ I said to them, ‘May Allah bless you both! Let me enter it.’ They replied, ‘As for now, you will not enter it, but you shall enter it (one day)
I said to them, ‘I have seen many wonders tonight. What does all that mean which I have seen?’
They replied, ‘We will inform you:
As for the first man you came upon whose head was being injured with the rock, he is the symbol of the one who studies the Quran and then neither recites it nor acts on its orders, and sleeps, neglecting the enjoined prayers.
As for the man you came upon whose sides of mouth, nostrils and eyes were torn off from front to back, he is the symbol of the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells so many lies that it spreads all over the world. And
those naked men and women whom you saw in a construction resembling an oven, they are the adulterers and the adulteresses;,
and the man whom you saw swimming in the river and given a stone to swallow, is the eater of usury (Riba) and
the bad looking man whom you saw near the fire kindling it and going round it, is Malik, the gatekeeper of Hell and
the tall man whom you saw in the garden, is Abraham and the children around him are those children who die with Al-Fitra (the Islamic Faith).”
The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet, “O Allah’s Apostle! What about the children of pagans?” The Prophet replied, “And also the children of pagans.”
The Prophet added, “My two companions added,
Battle of Badr – The Greatest of All October 9, 2008
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In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful.
The battle of Badr was the most important among the Islamic battles of Destiny, this great battle took place on the seventeenth of Ramadan, two years after the Hijra. This was the first battle that the believers ever engaged in with the disbelievers, and it is, by far, the most famous and most renown, becuase of the several extraordinary events that occured during it. For the first time the followers of the new faith were put into a serious test. Had victory been the lot of the pagan army while the Islamic Forces were still at the beginning of their developments, the faith of Islam could have come to an end.
Rasoolullah (saws) had encouraged the Muslims to oppose the Quraish caravan which was returning to Mecca from Sham [Syria]. The Muslims went out with 300 and some soldiers not intending to meet a caravan of about 40 men, not intending to fight but only to overpower them. The caravan escaped, but Abu Sufyan had already sent word to Quraish (in Makkah) to come and protect it.
The Quraish marched with enormous army of 1000 men, six hundred wearing shields, 100 horses, and 700 camels, and luxurious provisions to last for several days. The disbelievers wanted to make this a victory that would put fear into the hearts of all the Arabs. They wanted to crush the Muslims once and for all and the odds were overwhelmingly in their favor. Imagine that the believers with their small army (including only 2 horses), going out with the intent of meeting a mere 40 unarmed man and instead meeting a well- prepared army of *3 times* their size…. Rasoolullah (saws) could have easily ordered the believers to fight and they wouldn’t have hesitated to comply, but, he (saws) wanted to emphasize to his followers that they should fight out of conviction and iman and to teach us a lesson in the process.
He gathered his followers to conduct shura (consultation). Many of the muhajireen (the Muslims who emigrated from Mecca to Medinah) spoke up, using the most eloquent of words to describe their dedication. But there was one of the sahabah whom all the others envied for his statement to Rasoolullah (saws). He, Miqdad ibn al Aswad, rose up in front of the crowd and said, ‘Ya Rasoolullah! We will not say to you like Bani Israel said to Musa, ‘Go you and your Lord and fight, we are here sitting (waiting).’ (surat al maa’idah). Go by Allah’s blessing and we are with you!”
And so Rasoolullah (saws) was very pleased, but in his greeat wisdom, he waited silently, and some among the Muslims knew what he intended. So far only the muhajiroon had given their consent, but it was the Ansar (the Muslims who lived in Medinah and welcomed the Muslims into their city) who had the most to loose in this stake and it was not a part of the pledge (that Rasoolullah had taken from the Ansar at ‘Aqabah) for the Ansar to fight with the Muslims in foreign territory.
So, the great leader of the Ansar, Sa’d ibn Mu’adh spoke up, “Ya Rasoolullah! Maybe you mean us.”
Rasoolullah (saws) responded in the affirmative.
Sa’d proceeded to give a beautiful speech in which he said, among many things: “O Messenger of Allah, we have believed in you and we believe that you are saying the truth. We give you, based on that, our covenant to listen to and obey you….. By Allah, the One Who sent you with the truth, if you were to enter the sea, we would rush into it with you and not one of us would stay behind… May Allah show you in our actions what will satisfy your eyes. So march with us, putting our trust in Allah’s blessings.”
Rasoolullah (saws) was very pleased by this and said,“Forward and be of cheer, for Allah has promised me one of the two (the caravan or the battle), and by Allah, it is as if I now saw the enemy lying prostrate.”
The Muslims marched forward and encamped at the nearest spring of Badr (closest to Medinah, which is north of Mecca). One of the companions, Al-Hubab ibn Mundhir, asked Rasoolullah (saws), “Has Allah inspired you to choose this very spot or is it stratagem of war and the product of consultation?”
Rasoolullah (saws) said, “It is the product of stratagem of war and consultation.”
So Al-Hubab suggested that the Muslims encamp further south on the nearest water well, make a basin of water for themselves, and destroy the other wells to thereby restrict to Quraish’s access to the water.
Rasoolullah (saws) approved of his plan and carried it out.[*] Then, Sa’d ibn Mu’adh suggested that a trellis or hut be built for Rasoolullah (saws) as a protection for him and to serve as a headquarters for the army. Rasoolullah (saws) and Abu Bakr stayed in the hut while Sa’d ibn Mu’adh and a group of his men guarded it. Rasoolullah (saws) spent the whole night preceeding the battle in prayer and supplication evn thought he (saws) knew that Allah (swt) had promised him victory. It was out of his (saws) love for and worship and submission to Allah (swt) that he did this. And it was said that this is the highest form of ‘ibadah knowns as “‘ain al yaqeen”, a state of being completely dependant and submissive to Allah (swt), which distinguished him (in superiority) from Abu Bakr As siddiq (ra) who only had ” ‘ilm al yaqeen”, the certainty of the promise. Unusally, that same night, the night when tensions were mounting for one of the biggest events in history, the night before the battle that would signify the progress or defeat of Islam, instead of being nervous, worried and unable to sleep, the Muslim army enjoyed a sound and refreshing sleep.
That night was the night of the 17th of Ramadan, the year 2 A.H. This was a Divine favor which Allah (swt) mentioned in the Quran: “(Remember) when He covered you with a slumber as a security from Him, and He caused rain to descend on you from the sky, to clean you thereby and to remove from you the Rijz (whispering, evil suggestions, etc.) of Satan, and to strengthen your hearts, and make your feet firm thereby.” [Quran 8:11]
The seond favor from Allah (swt) mentioned in this verse is the rain that Allah (swt) sent upon the believers that very night. The place where the Muslims were to encamp was made of sandy ground which was hard to walk on becuase one’s feet could easily sink in it. Allah (swt) sent the rain to make the ground firm under their feet and sent the sleep to make their hearts firm.
The next morning, Rasoolullah (saw) was still asleep when Quraish was very closely approaching. Abu Bakr (ra) was very hesitant to wake the noble Messenger (saws), but was forced to do so becuase Quraish were approahcing quickly. The Muslims were arranged in ranks. When the two parties appoached closer and were visible to each other, Rasoolullah (saws) began supplicating, “O Allah! The conceited and haughty Quraishites are already here and defying You and and belying Your Messenger. O Allah! I m waiting for Your victory which You have promised me. I beseech You Allah to defeat them.”
He (saws) then gave strict orders that his men would not start fighting until he gave them his final word. He recommended that they use their arrows sparingly [1] and never resort to swords unless the enemies came too close. [2] The Quraish were haught and arrogant and confident in their superior number, weapons, and provisions but it is Allah (swt) who would decide the matter: “(O disbelievers) if you ask for a judgement, now has the judgement come unto you and if you cease (to do wrong) , it will be better for you, and If you return (to the attack), so shall we return, and your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous it be, and verily, Allah is with the believers.”[Quran 8:19]
No one was aware of the importance of the outcome of the Battle as the Prophet (S.A.W.) himself. We might read the depth of his anxiety in his prayer before the beginning of the Battle when he stood up supplicating his Lord: “God this is Quraish. It has come with all its arrogance and boastfulness, trying to discredit Thy Apostle. God, I ask Thee to humiliate them tomorrow. God, if this Muslim band will perish today, Thou shall not be worshipped.” [1]
At this battle in which the pagan army consisted of 1000 fighters and 314 (including the Messenger S.A.W.), the Islamic defense was a combination of three defensive lines :
- The personality of the Messenger, his leadership and his unequalled firmness. He (S.A.W.) was to the Muslims the final refuge at Badr and at every battle he attended.
- The Hashmites (the clan of the Prophet S.A.W.), led by Ali Ibn Abu Talib (A.S.) who entered this battle relatively obscure and came out with unequalled military fame. His military performances became the popular subject of the Arab caravans conversations throughout the Arabic Peninsula.
- The hundreds of companions of the Messenger whose hearts were filled with the faith and readiness for sacrifice. Many of them viewed matrydom to be a gain, equal to life and victory. These good companions were the army of Islam, its first line of defense and thick wall behind which the Messenger (S.A.W.) used to stand. Thet were the attackers and the defenders.
As to the clan of the Messenger they were the ones that he used to call before any one else, to offer the heavy sacrifice. They used to stand in the first line of defense opening for the army the way through their thrusts in the line of the enemies. When the general offensives began and every companion participated, the clan of the Messenger (S.A.W.) were the most damaging to the enemies. They were so at Badr and at the following battles.
Battale starts…
The battle began with a confronation between three men from each side: when Utbah Ibn Rabi-ah, his son Al Walid and his brother Sheibah (all from the Ommayad) stood in front of the pagan army and asked the Prophet (S.A.W.) to send to them their equals for a dual. Hundreds of companions were around him and many of them were expecting to be called upon by the Prophet (S.A.W.) but he choose to start from his own family.
The load was heavy and the heavy load could be carried only by the people to whom it belonged as he [Rasoolullah] called upon Ali, Al Hamza and Obeidah Al Harith (all from the clan of the Prophet) to face the three warriors. Ali destroyed Al Walid and Al Hamza killed Utbah; then they both assisted Obeidah against his opponent Sheibah. Sheibah died immediately and Obeidah was the first martyr at this battle. He died after he lost his leg.
The fighting intensified, and many more duels broke out. In the midst of all of this, Rasoolullah (saws) continued to supplicate his Lord. He (saws) said, “O Allah! Should this group (of Muslims) be defeated today, You will no longer be worshipped.” Abu Bakr witnessed this incessant supplication so He said to Rasoolullah (saws), “O Rasoolullah, you have cried out enough to your Lord. He will surely fulfill what He has promised you.”
Immediate was the response of Allah (swt), Who sent down angels from the heavens for the help and assistance of Rasoolullah (saw) and his companions. The Quran marks this miraculous occurance: “I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession.” Quran [8:9]
Rasoolullah (saws), in his hut, dozed off a little and then raised his head joyfully crying and said, “O Abu Bakr! glad tidings are there for you. Allah’s victory has approached. By Allah, I can see Jibreel on his mare in the thick of a sandstorm.” Then he came out of the hut and exclaimed:“sayuhzamul jam’u wa yuwwalloonad-dubur” Quran [54:45] (Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs.)
This is in fact one of the miracles of the Quran becuase this verse was revealed in Mecca before any of these events at Badr had taken place. Omar (ra), upon hearing Rasoolullah (saws) proclaim this verse on this occasion said, “When this verse was first revealed, I asked Rasoolullah what it means. What multitude? What deafeat? And Rasoolullah (saws) didn’t answer me. But when I saw him recite it on that occasion, I then understood.”
Then Rasoolullah (saws) took a handful of dust and cast it at the enemy and said : “Confusion seize their faces!” As he flung the dust, a violent sandstorm blew like furnace blast into the eyes of the enemy. About this, Allah says: “And you (i.e. Muhammad -saws) threw not when you did throw, but Allah threw.” [Quran 8:17]
It was at this point that Rasoolullah (saws) gave orders to launch a full counter-attack. He incited the believers reciting the following verse: “And be quick for forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and earth.” [3:133] The spirit of the Muslims was at it peak and they fought with the untmost courage and bravery severly wounding the Quraish army, killing many of their men and instilling fear in their hearts.
When the general offensive began, hundreds of companions participated in the battle and offered sacrifices and pleased their Lord. But the members of the house of the Messenger (S.A.W.) distinguised themselves. Ali’s endeavour was unique at this battle. When Hanthala Ibn Abu Sufyan faced him, Ali liquified his eyes with one blow from his sword. He annihilated Al Auss Ibn Saeed, and met Tuaima Ibn Oday and transfixed him with his spear, saying “You shall not dispute with us in God after today.”
The Muslims did not know that Allah’s help was about to descend upon them. They only knew the odds that were apparent to both sides: 100 against 300, 700 camels against 70 camels, 100 horses against 2, enourmous provisions against none, an intent and preparation for war against an unprepared group of believers. Still, despite all odds, they had trust in Allah (swt) and His Messenger and they were willing and even hoping to give their lives of this dunya for the ever-lasting abode of Jannah. Because of their devotion Allah (swt) sent His help and victory.
In addition to sending down angels, Allah (swt) also brought another miraculous occurence to ensure the Muslim victory. Allah says: “”(And remember) When Allah showed them to you (Muhammad) as few in your dream, if He had shown them to you as many, you would have surely have disputed in making a decision. But Allah saved (you). Certainly, He is the AllKnower of what is in the breasts.’” [Quran 8:43] And indeed, Allah (swt) did fulfill His promise: “And (remember) when you met (the army of the disbelievers on the Day of the battle of Badr), He showed them to you as few in your eyes and He made you appear as few in their eyes, so that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained (in His Knowledge), and to Allah return all matters (for decision).” [Quran 8:44]
The Messsnger (S.A.W.) took a handful of gravel when the battle was extremely heated. He threw it at the faces of the pagans saying “May Your faces be disfigured. God, terrify their hearts and invalidated their feet. ” The pagans ran away, turning their faces to no one.
Many of the disbelievers were killed in this battle, the most noteworthy of which was Abu Jahl, the archenemy of Islam. When Rasoolullah (saws) set out to look at his corpse, he (saws) said, “”This is the Pharaoh of this nation.”" And so the Muslims defeated the disbelievers in a humiliating defeat by the Help of Allah (swt). Indeed Allah, again, fulfilled His promise, “”Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs”" [Quran 54:45] The disbelievers, with all their might, turned their backs and ran away from the Muslims in disgrace and utter humiliation. 70 pagans met their death, and the Muslims took from them 70 prisoners. History preserved in its records only fifth of the names out of the 70 pagan loses. Twenty [2] or twenty two [3] of them died at Ali’s hand.
This battle laid the foundation of the Islamic State and made out of the Muslims a force to be reckoned with by the dwellers of the Arabic Peninsula.
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I suspect the above write-up is taken from the famour Seerat-Al-Maqthum by Sheikh Saifur Rahman al- Mubarakpuri. Though I wouldn’t be too sure of it.
Concentration in Salah:Practical, Helpful Tips October 8, 2008
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1. Come early for Salah and prepare yourself to concentrate. Repeat the Adhan to yourself with the Muadhdhin, and – after the adhan – say the prescribed supplication. Between the Adhan and Iqamah make dua. Do Wudu properly, cleanse your mouth, and wear your finest clothes.
2. Aim to get the entire reward of your Salah.
Abu Bakr ibn ‘Iyaash said, “I saw Habeeb ibn Thabit in Sujood. If you saw him you would think he was dead (by how long he held his Sujood).”
3. Contemplate (try to find the meaning) of the aayaat and adhkaar being recited during the prayer.
Think about the meanings of the verses that you are reciting. Isn’t is disheartening that someone may perform Salah for decades, day after day, and he/she still does not know what they are saying?
4. Pray in congregation. Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala commands
[And perform Salah, give Zakah, and bow with those that bow.] 2/43
5. Never miss your Nafl Salah, especially those that the Prophet – Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam – used to pray constantly, especially Witr and the sunnah of Fajr
6. Do not speed up your Salah. Take your time and do not allow your Salah to become the most invaluable action of your day.
Ibn Wahb said, “I saw Ath-Thowree at the Ka’bah. After Maghrib, he got up to pray and then prostrated. He did not come out of that prostration until the Adhan for Isha’ was given.”
7. Know that Allaah responds to your prayer
8. Pray with a barrier (sutrah) in front of you and pray close to it
Another thing that will help one to have khushoo is paying attention to the matter of having a sutrah and praying close to it, because this will restrict your field of vision, protect you from the Shaytaan and keep people from passing in front of you, which causes a distraction and reduces the reward of the prayer.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any one of you prays, let him pray facing a sutrah, and let him get close to it.”
9. Seeking Refuge in Allah from the Shaytaan.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught us the following methods of combatting the whispers of Shaytaan.
Abu l-Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that he said, “O Messenger of Allaah, the Shaytaan interrupts me when I pray, and I get confused in my recitation.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “That is a shaytaan whose name is Khanzab. If you sense his presence, seek refuge with Allaah from him, and spit [dry spitting] towards your left three times.” [Abu’l-‘Aas] said: “I did that and Allaah took him away from me.”(Reported by Muslim, no. 2203)
10. Pray as if you were told that after Salah you would be going back to Allah.
Abu Bakr Al-Muzanee said, “If you want your Salah to benefit you, then say, ‘I shall die after this Salah!’”
Dealing With Differences – An Excellent Article September 13, 2008
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Dealing with Differences
By: Yahya Emerick
“Islam teaches that wudu is done this way.” The man said confidently.
“But you’re wrong,” the young man replied. “That’s totally against the laws of Islam.”
“But it says in a hadith that.” The older man started saying.
“That’s a weak hadith!” The younger man interrupted.
“Oh Yeah! What’s your daleel (proof)? I read in a book that the blessed prophet said to…”
By this time both men were fuming. The young man screamed, “I read in a book, too, that…”
But before he could finish his sentence, the older brother pushed him and he pushed back. A fight would ensued if some quick-thinking brothers nearby didn’t break it up.
The two brothers eyed each other angrily and left in opposite directions. Those who remained just shook their heads in silence. Here were two brothers ready to fight over a difference of opinion.
The funny thing was, they both were right. They just didn’t know how to handle a difference of opinion. The blessed prophet once remarked, “Difference (of opinion) in my Ummah are a blessing.”
He didn’t mean that Muslims should argue about everything or be divided, rather, he was pointing out that it was good for Muslims to think, to reason together, to discuss things and that if they disagreed over something, that it was all in the pursuit of knowledge. If anyone uses differences of opinion to form competing groups, then they have done wrong and may find themselves in trouble on the day of judgment!
Allah is very harsh against those who make divisions. He said, “And be not like those who split up their way of life and become mere sects, each group rejoicing in what it (claims) it has.” (Qur’an 30:31-32).
Also he said, “As for those who divide their way of life and break up into sects, you have no part of them at all. Their affair is with Allah. He will tell them the truth of what they did in the end.” (Qur’an 6:159).
Once the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), said that the Jews divided up into 71 sects, or groups, the Christians into 72 and that his community would eventually be divided up into 73. Then he said they would all be in the fire except one. When the people around him asked which one was going to Paradise, he replied that it was the one which would follow his example.
We are blessed as a community in that we have our original book and the complete record of the life of our prophet. If anyone comes and says, “This or that is Islam,” we can easily check and verify whether or not it’s true. If it doesn’t come from the Qur’an or Hadith, then it can’t be Islam. So we must use those two sources to explain what Islam really is. Sincere people seek to learn and practice the truth and Allah guides those who seek him. Anything else is opinion.
On many occasions Muslims have disagreed over what something means or what to do. The key is to follow the Islamic manners of how to deal with differences. We don’t have to agree all the time, but we don’t fight over disagreements as if we were enemies. And if we are truly wrong and realize it, we must not stick to a false position out of pride or fear of “losing.”
An arrogant person refuses to accept logic and a proud and vain person never likes to listen to guidance. In contrast, the Qur’an states, “Those who, when they hear the signs of Allah being recited, humble themselves” So be humble where knowledge is concerned.
Before the battle of Khandaq, the Muslims had to decide what to do. Some wanted to go out and fight while others wanted to stay in the city and defend from there. The prophet listened to both sides and in the end, he agreed with those who wanted to defend from the city. He didn’t barge in with his own personal preferences nor did the Shura, or group discussion, become heated and full of antagonism. People disagreed over an issue but united after a majority decision was taken.
Allah, the exalted, gave us a formula for dealing with differences when he said in the Qur’an that this book is Al Furqan, the standard to go by. And further he instructed us to follow the example of the blessed prophet (Qur’an 33:21)
If we have a disagreement, especially between the followers of one Madhab (School of Fiqh) and another, we must respect each other’s opinions and present our evidence. In the end, even if neither side proves a point, we must be courteous and respectful. If we find our position is wrong, then we would be a fool to stick with something that is not true. Simply say, “Alhumdulillah,” and thank the brother or sister for helping you to understand Allah’s Shari’ah better. Khalifa ‘Umar once said, “Allah bless the person who makes me a gift of my own faults.”
I’ve seen countless showdowns between people with different opinions in which the end-result was ill will and hurt feelings. What’s even worse is that such a display of rude behavior on the part of people who are supposed to know Islam makes other Muslims shy away from the Masjid and Muslim gatherings. It has an even worse effect on new converts and potential converts. Muslims handle their differences with proper adab, or manners.
I still remember an inter-faith dialogue meeting I sat in on several years ago. There were about ten Muslims, ten Jews, and fifteen Christians. Over the course of several hours, it became obvious to all that the Jews present were completely disunited, to the point that secular Jews were arguing with the orthodox who were in turn calling the reform Jews fakes.
The Christians, who represented at least ten different sects, fared no better. They disagreed on just about everything when topics in their religion came up. Two Christians even got into an intellectual duel which lasted almost fifteen minutes. The moderator, who was a Lutheran preacher, saw that his forum was descending into chaos. So he tried to get the Muslims to go at each other’s throats also to deflect from the obvious disunity among the Jews and Christians present.
He brought up the old Sunni-Shi’a issues and tried to make disunity among Muslims, the primary topic of the gathering. None of us Muslims, about seven men and three women, had ever met before. We came from different regions of the metropolitan area. Three had identified themselves as Shi’a on the names list we all had. I wondered what would happen.
To my great relief, no matter which Muslim spoke, male or female, Sunni or Shi’a, we were all talking with one voice. We agreed on practically everything and felt a tremendous feeling of victory in our hearts. Despite the preacher’s repeated accusations, insinuations, biting remarks and finally, obvious attempts to divide us, we united as one and handled any differences respectfully and wisely. We had no shouting matches, no glaring differences or understandings. Indeed, after the meeting we knew we were all brothers and sisters while the Christians and Jews kept their distance from each other. They were pairing up with us to talk in the social time.
When we have differences, we must not forget that it does not take away from our primary bonds of Iman. On one occasion, Khalid ibn Walid and Saad ibn Waqqas were having a heated argument. After Khalid left, a friend of Saad’s started saying bad things about Khalid. Saad immediately stopped the man and told him, “The disagreement between us does not affect the bond of our Iman.” (From: God-Oriented Life)
Once ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, who was the Khalifa, or political leader, went up to a person he disliked and told him to his face, “I don’t like you.” The person merely answered back, “Are you going to take away my rights?” Umar replied, “I don’t like you, but I will respect your rights.” Clearly, that is the best example for us to follow with regards to dealing with the differences among us.
Yahiya Emerick was a former vice principal at an Islamic school, President of the Islamic Foundation of North America and a Muslim author and has written many articles that have been published in local as well as national magazines, both in North America and abroad. He was born into an American Protestant Christian family and converted to Islam in 1989. Amirah Publishing was founded by Yahiya Emerick in 1992 in order to further his ideal of publishing American-oriented literature on Islam. Emerick’s juvenile fiction books are amongst the very first examples of the Islamic Fiction genre.http://islamicfictionbooks.com/ifbauthors.html In addition to being an author he is also a lecturer and educator with national recognition. One of Emerick’s books has been adopted into the curriculum of Al-Azhar University in Egypt, the world’s oldest college and the foremost in Islam.
