History of Islam

The History Behind the Quran Chapter 105

2009-12-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

Laura Cosse' asked:

The 105th chapter of The Qur’an is difficult to understand if you do not know the basic history behind it. The following is the English translation of the meaning of this chapter entitled “The Elephant.”

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant?

Did He not make their plan go astray?

And He sent against them birds in flocks

Striking them with stones of baked clay

And He made them like an empty field of stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle)

The following is a children’s story I wrote to explain this chapter to Muslim children, but I realize that it is helpful for non-Muslims as well who are interested in understanding more about the Qur’an. The only information that a person would need to know to understand this story is that the Quraish was the ruling tribe of Mecca in this time, approximately 570 A.D., and Abd Al-Muttalib was a leader of the community as well as the paternal grandfather of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Also, you must remember that even in pre-Islamic times, Mecca was the economic and spiritual center of Arabia, and the Ka’aba, the black building built by prophet Abraham (PBUH), was still the center of the pilgrimage for all of Arabia.

Once upon a time there was a Muslim boy named Ali

He was a good boy who loved Islam, his friends and family

One evening Ali’s grandpa looked up from eating his meal

And asked, “Young Ali do you know the story behind Surat Al-Fil?”

Ali said, “No,” as he went to his grandpa and perched upon his knee

And his grandpa began to spin the tale of events deep in history

Long ago in the deserts of Arabia in the year our prophet was born

The people were split into many religions, each looking on the others with scorn

In Yemen there was a Christian ruler who was named Abraha

He wanted to build a church in Yemen to rival the Ka’aba

Abraha built a magnificent church together with his allies

But a man from Quraish was angered by it so the church he vandalized

When Abraha learned of the man’s indiscretion he was filled with both anger and hate

He made the intention to destroy all of Mecca as his army marched out to its fate

Abraha’s army was incredibly strong and headed by eighteen elephants

But their strength was no match for the plan of Allah as we see in the following events

On the outskirts of Mecca they came across shepherds and stole over 200 camels

Those camels belonged to Abd al-Muttalib though and he came to retrieve his animals

Abraha asked, “You care about camels when I’ve come to destroy your whole city?”

“Those camels are mine,” replied Abd al-Muttalib, “While Mecca is Allah’s responsibility.”

Abd al-Muttalib retrieved his camels from him and returned to Mecca immediately

He advised the people to abandon the town and head to the hills with their families

So Mecca stood abandoned with none to protect her with the exception of Allah

Abraha knew that this was his chance to obliterate the Ka’aba

He gave the command for his army to march but was faced with internal dissent

Abraha’s betrayer was his most powerful warrior, Mahmoud the elephant

When turned toward Mecca Mahmoud would just kneel, refusing to be help or any kind

They whipped and they beat him to just no avail and finally had to leave him behind

Flocks of birds were sent by Allah as protectors of the great town

Each bird clutched a stone that acted like a missile as they sent it hurtling down

By this miracle of Allah the army was destroyed and Mecca was preserved

And Abraha’s name has gone down in history as a man who got what he deserved

As the tale came to an end Ali looked at his grandpa with his eyes shining bright

He was filled with respect and love of Allah as he kissed his grandpa goodnight.

I hope you like it. There are a series of “Ali Stories” coming soon; the first two should be available in February 2008. They are fully illustrated and a great gift for any Muslim child!

Islam Has Brought Peace and Harmony to the Middle East All Through History

2009-12-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Palestine, and particularly Jerusalem at its heart, has been holy for Muslims since the beginning of the history of Islam. Muslims' seeing Palestine as holy has enabled them to bring peace and harmony to the region. We shall be considering some historical instances of this in this article.

There are two fundamental reasons why Jerusalem is holy for Muslims: It is the first direction to which Muslims used to turn to pray. Furthermore, what can be seen as one of Prophet Mohammed's greatest miracles, his ascent to heaven, was from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, in other words from Mecca to Jerusalem. This fact is revealed in the Koran in these terms:

Glory be to Him who took His slave on a journey by night from the Masjid al-Haram to the Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, in order to show him some of Our Signs. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. (Surat al-Isra: 1)

In stories about the Prophets in the Koran, those holy verses that discuss Palestinian lands refer to them as 'blessed lands' and 'holy lands.' In the above verse about the ascent to heaven, Masjid al-Aqsa is described as a land 'whose surroundings We have blessed.' In Surat al-Anbiya, in which the migration of the prophets Abraham and Lot is recounted, the same territory is described as 'a land We have blessed.' All Palestinian soil, where many prophets from the tribe of Israel have lived, fought in the path of God, and been martyred or died and buried, is holy for Muslims.

Consequently, Muslims have brought "blessings", i.e. peace and security to Jerusalem and Palestine over the last 1,400 years.

The Peace and Justice brought to Palestine by Khalif Omar

Jerusalem was the capital of the Jews until A.D. 71. In that year, the Roman Army made a major assault on the Jews, and exiled them from the area after great savagery. As the time of the Jewish diaspora began, Jerusalem and its surrounding area was becoming an abandoned land.

However, Jerusalem once again became a center of interest with the acceptance of Christianity during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Roman Christians built churches in Jerusalem. The prohibitions on Jews settling in the region were lifted. Palestine remained Roman (Byzantine) territory up until the 7th century. The Persians conquered the region for a short time, but the Byzantines later reconquered it.

An important turning point in the history of Palestine came in the year 637, when it was conquered by the armies of Islam. This meant the genesis of a period of peace and harmony in Palestine, which had for centuries been the scene of wars, exiles, looting and massacre, and which saw new brutality every time it changed hands, a frequent occurrence. The coming of Islam was the beginning of an age when people of different beliefs in Palestine could live in peace and harmony.

Palestine was captured by Omar, the second caliph after the Prophet himself. The entry of Omar into Jerusalem, the incredible tolerance, maturity and kindness he showed towards people of different beliefs, introduced the beautiful age that was beginning. The British historian and Middle East expert Karen Armstrong describes the capture of Jerusalem by Omar in these terms in her book Holy War:

The Caliph Omar entered Jerusalem mounted on a white camel, escorted by the magistrate of the city, the Greek Patriarch Sophronius. The Caliph asked to be taken immediately to the Temple Mount and there he knelt in prayer on the spot where his friend Mohammed had made his Night Journey. The Patriarch watched in horror: this, he thought, must be the Abomination of Desolation that the Prophet Daniel had foretold would enter the Temple; this must be Antichrist who would herald the Last Days. Next Omar asked to see the Christian shrines and, while he was in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the time for Muslim prayer came round. Courteously the Patriarch invited him to pray where he was, but Omar as courteously refused. If he knelt to pray in the church, he explained, the Muslims would want to commemorate the event by erecting a mosque there, and that would mean that they would have to demolish the Holy Sepulchre. Instead Omar went to pray at a little distance from the church, and, sure enough, directly opposite the Holy Sepulchre there is still a small mosque dedicated to the Caliph Omar.

The other great mosque of Omar was erected on the Temple Mount to mark the Muslim conquest, together with the mosque al-Aqsa which commemorates Mohammed's Night Journey. For years, the Christians had used to the site of the ruined Jewish Temple as the city rubbish dump. The Caliph helped his Muslims to clear the garbage with his own hands and there Muslims raised their two shrines to establish Islam in the third most holy city in the Islamic world. [1]

In short, Muslims brought 'civilization' to Jerusalem and all of Palestine. Instead of barbaric beliefs that showed no respect for other peoples' sacred values, and which killed them simply out of differences of belief, there reigned the just, tolerant and moderate culture of Islam. After its capture by Omar, Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in peace and harmony in Palestine. Muslims never tried to use force to make people convert, although some non-Muslims did so of their own free will.

The peace and harmony in Palestine lasted as long as Muslim rule in the region. However, at the end of the 11th century, an invader entered the region from abroad, and the civilized land of Jerusalem was barbarically and savagely plundered, in a way never before seen. These barbarians were the Crusaders.

A historical testimony of Muslim tolerance to the Christians: Muslim Dome of the Rock next to the Christian Church.

The Savagery of the Crusaders

Crusaders plundered Jerusalem and killed all its non-Christian inhabitants.

While members of all three religions were living in peace and harmony in Palestine, the Christians in Europe decided to organize the 'Crusades.' Following a call by Pope Urban II on 25 November 1095 at the Council of Clermont, more than 100,000 people from all over Europe set out for Palestine to 'Free the Holy land from the Muslims' and find the fabled wealth of the East. After a long and wearying journey, and much plundering and slaughter of Muslims, they reached Jerusalem in 1099. The city fell after a siege of nearly five weeks, and the Crusaders moved in. And they carried out a savagery the like of which the world has seldom seen. All Muslims and Jews in the city were put to the sword. In the words of one historian, 'They killed all the Saracens and the Turks they found... whether male of female." [2] One of the Crusaders, Raymond of Aguiles, boasted of this violence:

Wonderful sights were to be seen. Some of our men (and this was more merciful) cut off the heads of their enemies; others shoot them with arrows, so that they fell from the towers; others tortured them longer by casting them into flames. Piles of heads, hands and feet were to be seen in the streets of the city. It was necessary to pick one's way over the bodies of men and horses. But these were small matters compared to what happened at the Temple of Solomon, a place where religious services are normally chanted ... in the temple and the porch of Solomon, men rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins. [3]

In two days, the Crusader army killed some 40,000 Muslims in the barbaric ways just described. [4] The peace and harmony in Palestine, which had lasted since Omar, ended in terrible slaughter. The Crusaders violated all the ethical laws of Christianity, a religion of love and compassion, and spread terror, allegedly in the name of Christianity.

The Justice of Saladin

The barbaric Crusader army made Jerusalem their capital, and established a Latin Kingdom whose borders stretched from Palestine to Antioch. However, the Crusaders who brought savagery to Palestine did not last long. Saladin gathered all the Muslim kingdoms under his banner in a holy war, and defeated the Crusaders at the battle of Hattin in 1187. After the battle, the two leaders of the crusader army, Reynauld of Chatillon and King Guy, were brought in Saladin's presence. Saladin executed Reynauld of Chatillon, who had won fame with the terrible savagery he had committed against Muslims, but he let King Guy go, as he had not committed the same crimes. Palestine once again saw the true meaning of justice.

Immediately after Hattin, and on the very same day that Prophet Mohammed had been taken from Mecca to Jerusalem in one night, the day of the ascent, Saladin entered Jerusalem and freed it from 88 years of Crusader occupation. When the Crusaders had taken the city 88 years earlier, they had killed all the Muslims inside it, and for that reason they were afraid that Saladin would do the same thing to them. Whereas he did not touch even one Christian in the city. Furthermore, he merely ordered the Latin (Catholic) Christians to leave it. The Orthodox Christians, who were not Crusaders, were allowed to live in the city and live and worship as they chose. The British historian Karen Armstrong describes the second Islamic capture of Jerusalem in these words:

On 2 October 1187 Saladin and his army entered Jerusalem as conquerors and for the next 800 years Jerusalem would remain a Muslim city... Saladin kept his word, and conquered the city according to the highest Islamic ideals. He did not take revenge for the 1099 massacre, as the Koran advised (16:127), and now that hostilities had ceased he ended the killing (2:193-194). Not a single Christian was killed and there was no plunder. The ransoms were deliberately very low...

Saladin was moved to tears by the plight of families who were rent asunder and he released many of them freely, as the Koran urged, though to the despair of his long-suffering treasurers. His brother al-Adil was so distressed by the plight of the prisoners that he asked Saladin for a thousand of them for his own use and then released them on the spot...

When Imad ad-Din saw the Patriarch Heraclius leaving the city with chariots crammed with treasure, he urged Saladin to confiscate it. But Saladin refused. The Koran said that oaths and treaties must be kept to the letter and it was essential that the Muslims should observe the legalities... Heraclius paid his ten-dinar ransom like everybody else and was even provided with a special escort to keep his treasure safe during the journey to Tyre. [5]

In short, Saladin and the Muslims in his command treated the Christians with great mercy and justice, and even showed them more compassion than their own leaders had.

Richard the Lionheart, was not very "noble" at all.

After Jerusalem, the Crusaders continued their barbarity and the Muslims their justice in other cities in Palestine. In 1194, Richard the Lionheart, who is portrayed as a great hero in British history, had 3,000 Muslims, among whom were many women and children, basely executed in Acre Castle. Although the Muslims witnessed this savagery, they never resorted to the same methods. They abided by God's command "Do not let hatred for a people... incite you into going beyond the limits" (Surat al-Ma'ida) and never used violence against innocent civilians. They never employed unnecessary violence, not even against the Crusader armies they defeated.

The savagery of the crusaders and the justice of the Muslims once more revealed a historic truth: Only an administration built on the principles of Islam could allow people of different faiths to live together in Palestine. This fact continued to be demonstrated for 700 years after Saladin, particularly during the Ottoman period.

The Ottoman Empire's Just and Tolerant Rule

In 1514, Sultan Selim captured Jerusalem and the surrounding area, and some 400 years of Ottoman rule in Palestine began. As in other Ottoman states, this period would enable Palestine to enjoy peace, stability, and the living together of different faiths.

The tolerance of Islam continued in the Ottoman Empire. Church, synagogue and the mosque coexisted peacefully.

The Ottoman Empire was administered under what is known as the 'nation (millet) system,' the fundamental feature of which was that people of different faiths were allowed to live according to their own beliefs and even legal systems. Christians and Jews, described as the 'People of the Book' in the Koran, found toleration, security and freedom in Ottoman lands.

The most important reason for this was that although the Ottoman Empire was an Islamic state administered by Muslims, it had no desire to force its citizens to adopt Islam. On the contrary, the Ottoman state aimed at providing peace and security for non-Muslims, and to govern them in such a way that they would be pleased with Islamic rule and justice.

Other major states at the same time had a much cruder, oppressive and intolerant view of government. The Kingdom of Spain could not tolerate the existence of Muslims and Jews on the Spanish peninsula and inflicted great violence on both communities. In many other European countries, Jews were oppressed just for being Jews (for instance they were imprisoned in ghettoes), and were sometimes the victims of mass slaughter (pogroms). Christians could not even get on with one another: the fighting between Protestants and Catholics in the 16th and 17th centuries turned Europe into a lake of blood. The Thirty Years War between 1618 and 1648 was one result of this Catholic-Protestant conflict. As a result of that war, central Europe turned into a battleground, and in Germany alone, one-third of the population of 15 million perished.

In such an environment, it is an indisputably important truth that Ottoman rule was exceedingly humane.

Many historians and political scientists have drawn attention to this fact. One of these is Columbia University's world-famous Middle East expert Professor Edward Said. Himself from a Jerusalem Christian family, he continues his research in American universities. In an interview in the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz he recommended the 'Ottoman nation system' if a permanent peace is to be built in the Middle East. What he said was:

A Jewish minority can survive the way other minorities in the Arab world survived. …it worked rather well under the Ottoman Empire, with its millet system. What they had then seems a lot more humane than what we have now. [6]

Koranic Morality: The Source of Islamic Tolerance

The fundamental reason for the establishment of exceedingly tolerant, just and humane administrations in the Ottoman Empire and other Muslim states is that such government is commanded by the Koran. The reason for the justice and civilization displayed by Omar, Saladin, the Ottoman sultans and many Muslim rulers (and this is accepted by the West today), was their faithfulness to God's commands in the Koran. These are some of the commandments that make up the basis of the Islamic view of government:

God commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what God exhorts you to do! God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Surat an-Nisa : 58)

You who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for God alone, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, God is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, God is aware of what you do. (Surat an-Nisa: 135)

God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just. (Surat al-Mumtahana: 8)

There is a phrase in politics that 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' This means that everyone who comes by political power becomes somewhat morally corrupted by the opportunities this power brings with it. This really does apply to most people, because they shape their morality in line with social pressure. To put it another way, they avoid immorality because they are afraid of society's disapproval or of punishment. Power gives them strength however, and decreases social pressure. As a result, they become corrupted, or come to easily make concessions regarding morality. If they possess real power, in other words if they rule a nation, they may try all means of satisfying their desires.

The only human model where the 'law of corruption' does not apply is those who sincerely believe in God, who embrace religion out of fear and love of Him, and live according to that religion. Because their morals are not defined by society, not even the most absolute power can affect them. In the Koran, God gave the Prophet David as an example of this ideal ruler, with the way he governed even those who questioned his authority, and the way on the other hand that he prayed with complete submission to God. (Surah Sad: 24)

The fact that the history of Islam is full of just, merciful, humble and mature rulers stems from this morality that God teaches Muslims in the Koran. Since a Muslim ruler fears God, no opportunity that he may be given will make him corrupt, proud or cruel. (Of course rulers who became corrupt and departed from Islamic morality do crop up in the history of Islam, but their numbers and influence were very small).

Conclusion

History reveals that Islam is the only system of belief to offer a just, tolerant and compassionate way of government in the Middle East. The Pax Ottomana, which came to an end with the withdrawal of the Ottoman Empire from the region, has still not been replaced. After the Ottomans, the Middle East first passed into the hands of European colonialists, and then became the target of Israel's policies of occupation and aggression.

There is one fundamental reason for the current conflict in the Middle East: The fact that the sides do not want to make peace. What Israel must do is to abide by U.N. resolution 242 and withdraw to the pre-1967 borders, and recognize and grant the rights of the Palestinian people. What the Palestinians (and other Arabs) should do is to abandon such aims as "pouring Israelis into the sea" and accept living together with the Jews. The most important thing of all is not to dirty just causes with barbaric acts of terrorism against civilians.

In short, in order for there to be peace in the Middle East, both sides have to agree to be moderate and tolerant, and make a genuine effort to rid themselves of Jewish racism (Zionism) or Arab chauvinism. The vision that is needed for this is hidden in the virtues that Islamic morality has blessed the Middle East over the past centuries.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

Notes

1- Karen Armstrong, Holy War, MacMillan, London, 1988, p. 30-31

2- Geste Francorum, or the Deeds of the Franks and the Other Pilgrims to Jerusalem, trans. Rosalind Hill, London, 1962, p. 91

3- August C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eye-Witnesses and Participants, Pinceton & London, 1921, p. 261

4- August C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eye-Witnesses and Participants, Pinceton & London, 1921, p. 262

5- Karen Armstrong, Holy War, p. 185

6- 18.8.2000, Ha'aretz Newspaper; MiddleEast.Org, August 2000

Muslim Cultural Practices and Islamic Law!

2009-12-04T01:20:00.000-08:00

hasan yahya asked:

Hasan A. Yahya, Ph.D

Racism in its perfect sense: The spirit and reality of Islam in the Muslim world, I read this report news lately in a leading USA media journal, and I like to make a comment on that segment. In the April 9, 2002 issue, The Wall Street Journal published the concept of blood money in Saudi Arabia. If a person has been killed or caused to die by another, the latter has to pay blood money or compensation, as follow. 100,000 riyals if the victim is a Muslim man 50,000 riyals if a Muslim woman 50,000 riyals if a Christian man 25,000 riyals if a Christian woman 6,666 riyals if a Hindu man 3,333 riyals if a Hindu woman According to this hierarchy, a Muslim man's life is worth 33 times that of a Hindu woman. This hierarchy is based on the Islamic definition of human rights and is rooted in the Quran and Sharia (Islamic law). How can we talk of democracy when the concept of equality in Islam is inexistent? Comment: Islamic Law (Shari’ah) does reflect on racism, discrimination, and prejudice, Islamic law deals with all people on equal basis. History of Islam shows many incidents were two people of different statuses to sit beside each other in the court, no privileges may be given for a social status or age, or sex, or belief. This Islamic law, The story above is cultural Bedouine rule in certain places in Saudi Arabia, but it is not a Shari’a Law. You cannot criticize a whole religion for human practices of cultural norms. Islam is a perfect constitution for humans anytime and everywhere, I wish the Wall Stree Journal read more about principles of Islamic Shari’ah Law and Islamic ethics, which I believe is ignored by many people who consider themselves journalists or editorial writers. Jews for instance for a long time consider women as sinners and isolated from social life when they have PMS or after birth. Cultures cannot be blamed for religion followed by the community. In the medieval age, the church was publicizing the idea that the Earth is the center of the universe and every thing moves around it. While nothing in Christianity shows that idea as true. As intellectuals and thinker, we in fact, astonished from such practices, which cover many areas of many cultures. Research have to be initiated to abolish such habits which negate basic human rights. Hasan Yahya is a columnist at wfol.tv, Malaysia and TINA International News Agency, Chicago, USA. www.hasanyahya.com

Reasons & Steps to be taken for improving the life quality of Islamic women. Part 1

2009-12-04T00:26:00.000-08:00

Uzma Naheed Ghazi asked:

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Muslims generally do not take interest in social work as compared to other communities and as such the social problem in this community is much more than those of other communities. IIWA is an international Non-Profit organization, which is established with a view to fill this vacuum and brings the women together under one umbrella to serve the Ummah. Since most of the sensitive issues in the society relate to women alone it is natural that her involvement and views on the subject is very necessary. Individually some women might be working for the good cause but their presence is never felt due to lack of communication and adequate publicity.

IIWA is a platform for woman to help those who are in need but also to raise their voices against injustice being meted out against women in the society. Though IIWA is an organization of Muslim women, it would also work for betterment and upliftment of women irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. By and large Muslim women are neither employed nor do any business and they have adequate time, which could be utilized, for social cause and make our society happy and healthy.

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The First Step

IIWA is the first Muslim women organization, which would have an international connection and presence and would try to solve all issues relating to women. They may include matrimonial issues, like selection of spouse, divorce, payment of Meher and maintenance, marriage of widow or discrimination in inheritance. It could be educational or even economic issues, which need to be addressed in any society.

The women involved in this organization have worked individually in any or all of the fields mentioned above. For example a model Nikahnama was drafter some 15 years ago and was discussed with Ulama and after due deliberations it was released by All India Muslim Personal law Board.

If we look at the history of Islam, we find that women are very much involved in social, economic and religious activities. They had a say in the matter and was respected for their views. However, subsequently under the influence of other non-Islamic societies, the presence of women diminished from our society which resulted into discriminations against Muslim women, never heard of before in Islamic society. In order to rectify this situation, it was necessary to form a Muslim women group which shall act as per the well defined laws as given in Qur’an, Hadith & Sunnah under the able guidance of our Ulama. It is sad that despite very clear understanding of the position of women in Islam, the Muslims generally adopted various customs and traditions regarding position and treatment of women, which were quite discriminatory in nature, which people followed religiously, so much so that some of these traditions were allowed to be continued by educated elite under the guise abundant precaution.

It is a matter of great pleasure that an international Muslim women’s organization IIWA is now established. To me, it was a dream comes true. During last two decades of my work in the field of education and social activities my meeting with a few ladies and study of a few books made me think of working with other concerned ladies in an organized way. Fortunately, the moment this idea was floated many women and young girls came forward offering their ideas, views and services for the noble cause.

When I look at the condition of women in the world both in Islamic and non Islamic country I find that the woman is oppressed either due to ignorance or deceit in the name of liberation. Whereas when we look at the history of Islam, we find women as part of the ummah, contributing in every field in the sphere of life. We find her in education, business, battlefields, politics, and literature. Muslim women made history by participating in social life as she was an important member of society. .

A Sense of Equality

Abdul Haleem Abu Shiqah, an Arabic scholar writes in his book (which is translated into Urdu as “Aurat Ahde Risalat mein”), that a woman is part of our society but we made her contribution nil and due to her illiteracy and ignorance she is not capable of bearing and upbringing of a generation which this ummah needs today. No wonder the ummah has become so voiceless and inactive in the present world. A woman has the same capabilities, thoughts, vision and sensibilities as men do. Unfortunately half of Muslim population has been made redundant for no valid reasons and with no logical explanations or sanction from Qur’an and Hadith.

Islam is a way of life for both men and women enjoining upon them to educate themselves. The responsibility of creating a healthy society lies with both men and women, in Islam, which is not possible with half the population remaining illiterate and ignorant. The reason is simple, the ummah followed traditions rather than Qur’an and Sunnah. The result was obvious. Majority of women remained illiterate under coercion in a male dominated society whereas those who defied had blindly followed the west and had become epitome of western culture.

While we thank Allah SWT that He made us a part of this Ummah that follows Islam, a balanced logical religion. The reason as to why can’t we be a part of feminist movements is simple. All such movements are anti Islam; moreover we don’t need to be their part for, we have a beautiful and most logical Shariah which gives equal rights to women and guides us to a well defined path of bliss in both the worlds. Islam takes care of a women whether she is a child, orphan, married, widow or divorcee.

Remember when Rasulullah (S) was given the prophet hood it was a woman Hazrat Khadija (R) who accepted him as prophet first and said Ammanna wa Saddaqna. It was a woman (Hazrat Umme Ammara Ansari) who was praised by Rasulullah (S) as great warrior in the field of Ohud and he gave his shield to her as gift. You should know that it was a woman Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (R) who is considered the best of teachers of Ummah. It was a woman Hazrat Asma (R) who was made in charge of the markets by Hazrat Umer (R) due to her exceptional qualities and capabilities to do the job.

Attain Worldly Knowledge

The purpose of establishing IIWA is to help people look at the Muslim women from an angle that conforms Qur’an and Sunnah. It will help women to achieve her goals and objectives and perform her duties strictly within the framework of Shariah. While she learns Qur’an and Hadith she also has to obtain the worldly knowledge to give her child a better perspective and understanding. Today the problem of Muslim women is not those projected by media and leaders but the need to change her perspective and mind-set. Which has been corrupted due to centuries of un-Islamic coercion and fear.

As per a Hadith Rasulullah (S) said that in every generation some righteous people will be born who will rectify the views of those who transgress, exaggerate or foolishly misinterpret and deviate from the right path. He also said that at the turn of every century, Allah SWT will send people who would rejuvenate the “Deen”.

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Islam 101- Who is Muhammad?

2009-12-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Laura Cosse' asked:

Islam 101

Who is Muhammad?

Muhammad (PBUH) is, without a doubt, the most controversial figure in world history. No other personality throughout time has conjured up such overpowering emotion from the masses. On the Muslim side he is absolutely the most venerated and beloved man ever, a mercy sent to the entire world from God and the final prophet to all of mankind. The western view, however, has been anything but philanthropic. Rather, there has been a continuous “smear campaign” raged against this man from the very onset of the revelations and throughout the Middle Ages, perhaps most notably in the times of the Crusades. Accusations abound, some saying he copied the Bible, some saying he had hallucinations in the throws of an epileptic fit, and still others claiming that he was receiving false revelations from Satan himself.

So who was this man who today has more than 1.6 billion followers? Who was this man that Michael Hart named as the “most influential person in history” in his 1978 book, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History? What is it about him that continues to inspire so many people today in the west and afar, causing Islam to be the fastest growing religion in the world? Why is Muhammad the most common name in the world today?

Of course the answer is too broad to attempt in this short article, but perhaps we can have a brief introduction to this great prophet of God. His name was Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, which means Muhammad the son of Abd Allah the son of Abd al-Muttalib. He was born into the tribe of Quraysh and the family of Banu Hashim in Mecca around 570 CE, to a family standard that could be described as “upper middle class.” His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was around six years old. The young orphan was then sent to live with his paternal grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib. When he was just eight years old, his grandfather also died and Muhammad (PBUH) was cared for by his uncle, Abu Talib, who continued to support and protect him for the next 40 years.

Mecca was a thriving commercial center and the home of the Ka’aba which is believed to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Even in that era of pre-Islam the Ka’aba was a holy site of pilgrimage for all of Arabia, but at that time it was filled with idols that were thought to be intermediaries between the worshipper and Allah. In pre-Islamic Arabia Allah was recognized as the Supreme Being, but the paganism and idolatry had corrupted the true religion that was originally brought to the Arabs by Ishmael.

It is known that Muhammad (PBUH) never partook in idol worshipping and was greatly disturbed by it. He was known to retreat for weeks at a time to a cave where he would pray to God alone and ask for guidance. At some point in his late teens he began to accompany his uncle to Syria with the trading caravans, giving him the knowledge to become a successful merchant. Among the people of Mecca he was nicknamed “Al-Amin” which means “The Trustworthy” due to his honesty and integrity displayed in every aspect of his life. This reputation attracted a 40 year old widow named Khadija who proposed marriage to Muhammad (PBUH) while he was in his mid twenties. They were happily married for more than twenty years and had 6 children together, however his sons died in their early childhood.

So, Muhammad (PBUH) was well-loved and respected by his family and friends before the revelations of the Qur’an began. The most famous incident in his life before Islam was his arbitration between four major clans in Mecca that were near taking up arms against each other. There had been a flash flood that destroyed part of the Ka’aba and each of the four major tribes were helping to rebuild the holy structure. The last stone to be placed was the black stone of the corner and each of the tribes wanted the honor of putting the stone back in its place. They decided that the next person who walked through the doors of the mosque would decide which tribe would have the honor of replacing the black stone. When they saw Muhammad (PBUH) walk in they were overjoyed, for here came Al-Amin, and they were confident he would find a just solution. Muhammad’s solution was to place the black stone on a cloak and have one member of each of the four clans hold a corner to lift it up, and Muhammad (PBUH) himself put the stone in place. Everyone was happy with this solution and fighting was averted.

During the month of Ramadan in the year 610 CE, Muhammad (PBUH) had retreated to a cave on Mount Hira outside of Mecca for fasting, prayer and contemplation. It was here that the angel Gabriel first descended from Heaven and told the prophet to “Recite in the name of your Lord who created!” which was the first revelation of the Qur’an. The word Qur’an itself means recitation, or something to be recited. Muhammad (PBUH) was terrified of the experience and was afraid he was going crazy. He returned to his wife, Khadija, and told her what had happened. Khadija was the first person to accept Islam; she told him that she believed that he was a prophet of God and that he was not crazy or sick.

After the first revelation, three years passed before the angel Gabriel returned to Muhammad (PBUH) with more of the Qur’an. During those three years he spent his time in prayer and religious practice. He had not started openly preaching yet, the only other people who knew of Islam and followed him were his wife, his young cousin Ali who was only 10, his adopted son Zaid and his best friend Abu Bakr.

In the year 613 Muhammad (PBUH) started to speak out in public, calling people to give up the worship of idols and worship only Allah, the one true God. At first the Meccans only thought he was a nuisance, they laughed at him and said his only followers were an old lady, a slave and a little boy. But, as he continued to preach the number of followers grew. The entire economy of Mecca was based on the idols housed inside the Ka’aba, so when Muhammad (PBUH) started to preach against the idol worshipping he was threatening the finances of the leaders of Quraysh. They offered Muhammad (PBUH) all the money, stature and women in Mecca if he would stop preaching, but he said that he preached for God and needed nothing from the materials of this world. They began to physically torture the Muslims and tried to get them to denounce Islam and they brutally murdered many more. Muhammad (PBUH) was protected from physical harm by his uncle Abu Talib who stood by his nephew’s side his entire life, but never converted to Islam.

The other clans of Quraysh implemented a trade embargo on the clan of Banu Hashim, Muhammad’s clan. The embargo lasted for three years and many of the clan starved to death. Khadija, weakened by starvation, died during this time as did his beloved uncle and sole protector, Abu Talib. That was the year 619 CE, “the year of sorrows.”

It was evident that the Muslims would have to seek a new place to establish themselves. The prophet asked many different tribes for their protection when they came for pilgrimage to Mecca, but found none. It began to look hopeless and Muhammad despaired that the religion would die with all the Muslims. Then, a miracle happened. In the town of Yathrib, now Medina an-Nabi, there had been fighting amongst the Arabs and the Jews for many years. The leaders of the tribes came to Muhammad (PBUH) because they knew his reputation as a trustworthy man and peaceful arbitrator. They asked that he come to Yathrib, with all of his followers, where they would have sanctity in exchange for his arbitrating between the tribes. Muhammad (PBUH) agreed and the Muslims emigrated to Yathrib in 622, this even is known as the hijra and it marks year 1 of the Muslim calendar.

It was here, in Medina, that Islam began to truly flourish. It was here that the laws of Islam were first put into practice, allowing the city and religion to blossom. Muhammad (PBUH) successfully brought peace amongst the warring factions of Medina, and quite a few of them became Muslim in the process. He drafted the Constitution of Medina which proclaimed the rights and duties of each of the citizens and detailed the relationship between each of the eight tribes of Medina and the Muslim emigrants.

Muhammad’s (PBUH) success in Medina was like a thorn in the sides of the Meccans. Although he was no longer physically in their presence, he had become quite famous and was thus constantly with them through conversations. Muhammad (PBUH) knew that this was the time when he would have to make his military move if he was to be victorious in winning the Meccans to Islam. Also, there was a need for money since the Muslims had left all of their homes and means of wealth behind in Mecca. The solution was to raid the rich trade caravans coming and going from Mecca. This gave the Muslims a cache of military arms and wealth, but it also provoked the Meccans to war.

In 624 the first and possibly most famous major battle between the Muslims and the Meccans took place, the Battle of Badr. In this battle the Muslims were outnumbered more than 3 to 1, yet they were victorious. They killed at least 45 Meccans and took approximately 70 prisoners of war while losing only 14 Muslims. Many of the prisoners of war were wealthy, so the Muslims ransomed them off for high prices which further increased their growing wealth. The prisoners who could not afford to ransom themselves were let go for free.

Of course the Meccans were outraged and vowed all-out war on the Muslims until Muhammad (PBUH) was dead and Islam effectively obliterated. The next major battle was the Battle of Uhud, where the Muslims lost more than 75 men and were defeated by the Meccans. However, they were unsuccessful in killing the prophet or his closest companions, Umar and Abu Bakr, so they were not satisfied. It was in this battle that Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the beloved uncle of the prophet (PBUH) was killed.

The third major attack came in 627 when the Meccans once again mustered a huge army to attack Medina. The Muslims were forewarned of the impending attack and dug a trench around the unprotected parts of medina, making it impossible for the enemy to enter the city. The Meccan army led an ineffective attack and decided it was best to return home.

The next major event to take place was the Treaty of Hudaybiya. The verses commanding hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a person’s life, had already been commanded, but the Muslims had not yet been able to make a pilgrimage. So, in the month of Shawwal in the year 628, the prophet (PBUH) and 1,400 Muslims set out for the lesser pilgrimage, Umra, wearing the simple white cloth that pilgrims wear. The Meccans heard the Muslims were coming and met them outside of Mecca at Hudaybiya. Here there were heavy negotiations that took place between the two sides, resulting in the treaty which made 4 main points:

1. Both sides would cease hostile activities against each other.

2. The Muslims would not be allowed to make the pilgrimage that year, but could return the following year for hajj.

3. When they come for hajj they should not stay in Mecca more than 3 days.

4. Any Muslims living in Mecca were forbidden to move to Medina, but any

Muslims in Medina who wanted to return to Mecca could do so. Many of the Muslims were unhappy with the treaty since they felt it greatly favored the Meccans, but Allah revealed verses in the Qur’an that stated it was an emphatic victory. And indeed, it was. Because of the peace treaty the men of Mecca and Medina were able to meet in peace, and in the next two years the number of Muslims more than doubled.

Two years after the treaty was signed, a clan associated with the Meccans raided a clan associated with the Muslims, killing several people. Muhammad (PBUH) sent a letter to the Meccans stating that either they should pay blood money for the killed, or cease all ties with the offending clan, or consider the Treaty of Hudaybiya nullified. The Meccans chose to nullify the treaty, but soon realized that was a mistake. They sent a delegation to try to reinstate the treaty, but Muhammad (PBUH) denied them.

In the year 630 he prophet (PBUH) gathered a huge army of more than 10,000 men and marched on Mecca. Without a drop of blood shed, the Muslims marched into Mecca and took control. Muhammad forgave all of the Meccans for the crimes that they had committed against the Muslims, which was revolutionary for that place and time, the norm would have been revenge. Muhammad (PBUH) marched right up to the Ka’aba, entered it, and smashed all of the idols that were housed inside. Almost all of the Meccans converted to Islam though they were not forced to, and, because of Mecca’s importance to Arabia, very shortly after all of Arabia converted to Islam.

In 632 Muhammad (PBUH) became ill and passed away at the age of 62. He had succeeded in taking the pagan, tribal society of Arabia and changing it to a monotheistic land that denounced tribalism and nationalism and completely changed every aspect of the society and government. He had proved himself to be a prophet of God, a man of truth, a man who revolutionized the world for all time, a loving husband and father, an intelligent and highly successful politician, a master of strategy and military command, a faithful friend, a good neighbor and the greatest man to ever walk the face of the earth. He is Muhammad (PBUH), the prophet of God sent as a mercy to all of the world.

Why an Authoritarian Rule is Against Islam?

2009-12-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Forcing people to believe in a religion or to adopt its forms of belief is completely contrary to the essence and spirit of Islam. That is because according to Islam, true faith is only possible with free will and freedom of conscience.

In the contemporary world, there are people who envisage or support authoritarianism in the name of Islam. However this is a great misconception. Islam is a religion which provides and guarantees freedom of ideas, thought and life. It has issued commands to prevent and forbid tension, disputes, slander and even negative thinking among people. In the same way that it is determinedly opposed to terrorism and all acts of violence, it has also forbidden even the slightest ideological pressure to be put on them:

There is no compulsion in religion. True guidance has become clearly distinct from error. (Surat al-Baqara: 256)

So remind them! You are only a reminder. You are not in control of them. (Surat al -Ghashiyya: 21-22)

Forcing people to believe in a religion or to adopt its forms of belief is completely contrary to the essence and spirit of Islam. That is because according to Islam, true faith is only possible with free will and freedom of conscience. Of course, Muslims can advise and encourage each other about the features of Qur'anic morality. All believers are charged with explaining Qur'anic morality to people in the nicest manner possible. They will explain the beauties of religion in the light of the verse, "Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition..." (Surat an-Nahl: 125), however, they must also bear in mind the verse, "You are not responsible for their guidance, but God guides whoever He wills." (Surat al-Baqara: 272)

Thus true Muslims will never resort to compulsion, nor any kind of physical or psychological pressure. Neither will they use any worldly privilege to turn someone towards religion. When they receive a negative response to what they say, Muslims will reply along the lines of: "To you your religion, and to me, mine" (Surat al- Al-Kafirun: 6)

The world we live in contains societies with all kinds of beliefs: Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, deist and even pagan. Muslims living in such a world must be tolerant of all beliefs they come up against, no matter what they may be, and behave forgivingly, justly and humanely. This responsibility placed on believers invites people to the beauty of the religion of God by means of peace and tolerance. The decision whether or not to implement these truths, whether or not to believe, lies with the other party. Forcing that person to believe, or trying to impose anything on him, is a violation of Qur'anic morality. In fact, God issues a reminder to believers in the Qur'an:

If your Lord had willed, all the people on the earth would have believed. Do you think you can force people to be believers? (Surat Yunus: 99)

We know best what they say and you [O Muhammad] are not a compeller over them. But warn by the Qur'an whoever fears My warning. (Surat Qaf: 45)

A model of society in which people are forced to worship is a complete contradiction to Islam. Belief and worship are only of any value when they are directed to God by the free will of the individual. If a system imposes belief and worship on people, then they will become religious out of fear of that system. From the religious point of view, what really counts is that religion should be lived for God's good pleasure in an environment where peoples' consciences are totally free.

When we look at the history of Islam, the way that Muslims have translated this important feature of Qur'anic morality into the life of society can be seen quite clearly. Since the Prophet Muhammed, true Muslims have always brought with them an atmosphere of freedom and tolerance wherever they have gone. They have enabled people whose religions, languages and cultures are completely different from one another to live together in peace and harmony under one roof, and provided peace and harmony for its own members. One of the most important reasons for the centuries-long existence of the Ottoman Empire, which spread over an enormous region, was the atmosphere of tolerance and understanding that Islam brought with it. Within this multi-national structure, all ethnic and religious groups have been free to live according to their own religions, and their own rules.

Barbarism in the name of religion, that is so preoccupying the world at present, is the work of ignorant and fanatical people, completely estranged from Qur'anic morality, and who have absolutely nothing to do with religion. The solution to these people and groups who try to carry out their savagery under the mask of religion is the teaching of true Qur'anic morality.

Islam and Qur'anic morality are solutions to the scourge of bigotry, barbarism and terrorism, not supporters of it.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

Islam's Acceptance of Judaism and Christianity

2009-12-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

We are living in an era in which the world is desperately in need of peace, friendship, and solidarity. The tensions and conflicts that so defined the twentieth century continue in this new century, and innocent people all around the world continue to suffer from them.

Despite the urgent need for solidarity and cooperation, certain circles are inciting conflict, particularly conflict between the world's two greatest and deep-rooted civilizations. This issue needs to be scrutinized, as the war of civilizations that they envisage would have disastrous consequences for humanity. One of the best ways of preventing such a disaster is to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation between these civilizations. This is not a hard task, as there are no fundamental differences between Islam and the Judeo-Christian western world. To the contrary, there is much common ground between them. Considering the current situation and the nature of the world's problems, these shared values will make the cooperation necessary for solving them possible.

Today, ideological struggles continue to divide the world. However, Muslims are not at one pole and Jews and Christians are not at the opposing pole. In fact, one pole represents people who believe in God's existence and unity, and the other pole represents the unbelievers, who believe in such anti-religious ideologies as materialism and Darwinism. There is only one way to defeat the alliance of the various groups of unbelievers on an ideological level: eradicate the negative and destructive influences of anti-religious materialism and further the cause of a society dominated by morality, happiness, tranquility, security, and prosperity. This will be done by forming an alliance of all conscientious people, namely, sincere Christians, along with religious Jews and Muslims, who will come together and unite in this common cause.

There have been conflicts and disputes between members of these three religions in the past, but those were the result of the erroneous reasoning and evil motives of certain states, nations, and individuals who pursued their own economic and political gain instead of the central beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. One of the common aims of these divinely revealed religions is to ensure the happiness, security, peace, and tranquility of all people by opposing conflict.

Therefore, this dialogue and alliance will be based on the sincere believers' quest for justice, peace, and support for all people. The resulting dialogue will not be restricted to meetings and conferences, but will cement an alliance between people who advocate common values, fight for the same cause, and seek permanent solutions to common problems.

Muslims, Christians, and Jews have common principles of faith, worship, and moral values and face common dangers. Thus, the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) are called on to unite with Muslims as fellow believers opposed to atheism, anti-religiosity, and social as well as moral degeneration. All Jews, Christians, and Muslims who are sincere, conscientious, tolerant, helpful, conciliatory, reasonable, virtuous, peaceful, and fair to recognize that we believe in the same God and strive to live and extend the reach of God's morality, should spread this virtue around the world.

We Muslims love and respect Prophets Moses (pbuh) and Jesus (pbuh), know that they are loved and dear people in God's presence, and believe in all His Prophets. Furthermore, we respect Jewish and Christian beliefs, values, and traditions, for God commands us to invite the People of the Book to "unite on a common premise":

Say: "O People of the Book! Come to a proposition that is the same for us and you-that we should worship none but God, not associate any partners with Him, and not take one another as lords besides God." If they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Qur'an, 3:64)

Muslims are people who believe in the Qur'an revealed to Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) as well as in the earlier divinely revealed books: the Pages of Abraham (pbuh), the Torah revealed to Moses (pbuh), the Book of Psalms revealed to David (pbuh), and the Bible revealed to Jesus (pbuh). However, over time these books were tampered with and therefore contain both accurate (e.g., belief in God, virtue, the Day of Judgment, and the rejection of idolatry), and inaccurate information. Some of the verses read:

He has sent down the Book to you with truth, confirming what was there before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel. (Qur'an, 3:3-4)

We sent down the Torah containing guidance and light, and the Prophets who had submitted themselves gave judgment by it for the Jews?as did their scholars and their rabbis?by what they had been allowed to preserve of God's Book, to which they were witnesses. (Qur'an, 5:44)

God states that the People of the Book are believers as thus:

They are not all the same. There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite God's Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in God and the Last Day, enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. God knows those who guard against evil. (Qur'an, 3:113-15)

Among the People of the Book are some who believe in God and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before God. They do not sell God's Signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And God is swift at reckoning. (Qur'an, 3:199)

Therefore, a Muslim's attitude toward the People of the Book reflects the probable existence of genuinely faithful people among them. Only God knows the hearts of people, and He reveals that some Jews and Christians have earned His good pleasure.

God reveals that He has created a way and a method for all nations. Throughout history, He has sent Prophets to people to inform them of His laws, commands, and prohibitions. Essentially, all Prophets have invited their nations to believe in and worship God and to abide by the limits He has established for humanity. In other words, all true religions in their original state are based on the principles of not associating others with Him and of working to win His good pleasure, compassion, and Paradise. All nations are expected to follow God's will without fail and to do good deeds in order to earn His reward:

We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So, compete with each other in doing good. Every one of you will return to God, and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed. (Qur'an, 5:48)

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

The True Islamic Morals

2009-12-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Some people who say they are acting in the name of religion may misunderstand their religion or practice it wrongly. For this reason, it is a mistake to form any idea of that religion from the activities of these people. The best way to understand Islam is through its holy source.

The holy source of Islam is the Qur'an; and the model of morality in the Qur'an is completely different from the image of it formed in the minds of some westerners. The Qur'an is based on the concepts of morality, love, compassion, mercy, modesty, self-sacrifice, tolerance and peace, and a Muslim who truly lives according to these moral precepts is highly refined, thoughtful, tolerant, trustworthy and accommodating. To those around him he gives love, respect, peace of mind and a sense of the joy of life.

Islam Is A Religion Of Peace And Well-Being

The word Islam has the same meaning as "peace" in Arabic. Islam is a religion that came down to offer humanity a life filled with the peace and well-being in which God's eternal mercy and compassion is manifested in the world. God invites all people to accept the moral teachings of the Qur'an as a model whereby mercy, compassion, tolerance and peace may be experienced in the world. In Surat al-Baqara verse 208, this command is given:

You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you.

As we see in this verse, people will experience well-being and happiness by living according to the moral teaching of the Qur'an.

God Condemns Mischief

God has commanded humanity to avoid evil; he has forbidden immorality, rebellion, cruelty, aggressiveness, murder and bloodshed. Those who do not obey this command of God are walking in the steps of Satan, as it says in the verse above, and have adopted an attitude that God has clearly declared unlawful. Of the many verses that bear on this subject, here are only two:

But as for those who break God's contract after it has been agreed and sever what God has commanded to be joined, and cause corruption in the earth, the curse will be upon them. They will have the Evil Abode. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 25)

Seek the abode of the hereafter with what God has given you, without forgetting your portion of the world. And do good as God has been good to you. And do not seek to cause mischief on earth. God does not love mischief makers.' (Surat al-Qasas: 77)

As we can see, God has forbidden every kind of mischievous acts in the religion of Islam including terrorism and violence, and condemned those who commit such deeds. A Muslim lends beauty to the world and improves it.

Islam Defends Tolerance And Freedom Of Speech

Islam is a religion which fosters freedom of life, ideas and thought. It has forbidden tension and conflict among people, calumny, suspicion and even having negative thoughts about another individual.

Islam has not only forbidden terror and violence, but also even the slightest imposition of any idea on another human being.

There is no compulsion in religion. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara: 256)

So remind, you need only to remind. You cannot compel them to believe. (Surat al-Ghashiyah: 22)

To force anyone to believe in a religion or to practice it, is against the spirit and essence of Islam. Because it is necessary that faith be accepted with free will and conscience. Of course, Muslims may urge one another to keep the moral precepts taught in the Qur'an, but they never use compulsion. In any case, an individual cannot be induced to the practice of religion by either threat or offering him a worldly privilege.

Let us imagine a completely opposite model of society. For example, a world in which people are forced by law to practice religion. Such a model of society is completely contrary to Islam because faith and worship have value only when they are directed toward God. If there were a system that forced people to believe and worship, people would be religious only out of fear of the system. What is acceptable from the point of view of religion is that religion be practiced in an environment where freedom of conscience is permitted, and that it be practiced only for the approval of God.

God Has Made The Killing Of Innocent People Unlawful

According to the Qur'an, one of the greatest sins is to kill a human being who has committed no fault:

...If someone kills another person - unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth - it is as if he had murdered all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he had given life to all mankind. Our Messengers came to them with Clear Signs but even after that many of them committed outrages in the earth. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 32)

Those who do not call on any other deity together with God and do not kill anyone God has made inviolate, except with the right to do so, and do not fornicate; anyone who does that will receive an evil punishment. (Surat al-Furqan: 68)

As we can see in the verses above, those who kill innocent human beings without a cause are threatened with evil punishment. God has revealed that killing one person is as great a sin as killing all mankind. Anyone who respected the prerogatives of God would not do harm to even one individual, let alone murdering thousands of innocent people. Those who think that they will escape justice and punishment in this world will never escape the account they must give in the Presence of God on the Last Day. So, those believers who know they will give an account to God after their death, will be very careful about respecting the limits God has established.

God Commands Believers To Be Compassionate And Merciful

In this verse, Muslim morality is explained:

...To be one of those who believe and urge each other to steadfastness and urge each other to compassion. Those are the Companions of the Right. (Surat al-Balad: 17-18)

As we see in this verse, one of the most important moral precepts that God has sent down to His servants so that they may receive salvation and mercy and attain Paradise, is to "urge each other to compassion".

Islam as described in the Qur'an is a modern, enlightened, progressive religion. A Muslim is above all a person of peace; he is tolerant with a democratic spirit, cultured, enlightened, honest, knowledgable about art and science and civilized.

A Muslim educated in the fine moral teaching of the Qur'an, approaches everyone with the love that Islam expects. He shows respect for every idea and he values art and aesthetics. He is conciliatory in the face of every event, diminishing tension and restoring amity. In societies composed of individuals such as this, there will be a higher civilization, a higher social morality, more joy, happiness, justice, security, abundance and blessings than in the most modern nations of the world today.

God Has Commanded Tolerance And Forgiveness

Surat al-A'raf, verse 199, which says "practice forgiveness", expresses the concept of forgiveness and tolerance which is one of the basic principles of the religion of Islam.

When we look at Islamic history, we can see clearly how Muslims established this important precept of the moral teaching of the Qur'an in their social life. At every point in their advance, Muslims destroyed unlawful practices and created a free and tolerant environment. In the areas of religion, language and culture, they made it possible for people totally opposite to each other to live under the same roof in freedom and peace, thereby giving to those subject to them the advantages of knowledge, wealth and position. Likewise, one of the most important reasons that the large and widespread Ottoman Empire was able to sustain its existence for so many centuries was that its way of life was directed by the tolerance and understanding brought by Islam. For centuries Muslims have been characterized by their tolerance and compassion. In every period of time they have been the most just and merciful of people. All ethnic groups within this multi-national community freely practiced the religions they have followed for years and enjoyed every opportunity to live in their own cultures and worship in their own way.

Indeed, the particular tolerance of Muslims, when practiced as commanded in the Qur'an, can alone bring peace and well-being to the whole world. The Qur'an refers to this particular kind of tolerance:

A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend. (Surat al-Fussilat: 34)

Conclusion

All this shows that the moral teaching offered to humanity by Islam is one that will bring peace, happiness and justice to the world. The barbarism that is happening in the world today under the name of "Islamic Terrorism" is completely removed from the moral teachings of the Qur'an; it is the work of ignorant, bigoted people, criminals who have nothing to do with religion. The solution which will applied against these individuals and groups who are trying to commit their deeds of savagery under the guise of Islam, will be the instruction of people in the true moral teaching of Islam.

In other words, the religion of Islam and the moral teaching of the Qur'an are not the supporters of terrorism and the terrorists, but the remedy by which the world can be saved from the scourge of terrorism.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

"people of the Book" & the Muslims the Natural Alliance Between Christianity, Judaism and Islam

2009-12-01T08:02:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance. Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam, as if there were conflict between Islam and the adherents of the two other monotheistic religions. Yet Islam's view of Jews and Christians, who are named "the People of the Book" in the Koran, is very friendly and tolerant.

This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia. The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country.

Such attitudes of Christian people that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice, constitute a fact that God has pointed out in the Koran. A verse of the Koran 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. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 82)

The Common Beliefs and Values of the People of the Book with Muslims

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 Koran, 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 Koran. In the relevant verses of the Koran, 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 Koran 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 Koran is that Muslims must respect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Koran, 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 Koran 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 Koran; 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 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".

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

The Islamic Origins of Modern Science

2009-12-01T02:49:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Fourteen centuries ago, God sent down the Qur'an as a guide to all humanity.

At the time the Arab society was in a state of complete degeneration, chaos and ignorance. They were a barbarous people who worshipped idols of their own making, believed warfare and bloodshed to be virtuous and were even capable of killing their own children. They had little interest in intellectual matters, let alone a scientific outlook to the natural world.

However, through Islam they learned humanity and civilization. Not only the Arabs but all the communities which accepted Islam escaped the darkness of the age of ignorance and were illuminated by the divine wisdom of the Qur'an. Amongst the faculties the Qur'an brought to humanity was scientific thinking.

The Scientific Paradigm Given in the Qur'an

The genesis of scientific thought is the sense of curiosity. Because people wonder how the universe and nature work, they investigate and become interested in science. But most people lack this curiosity. For them, the important things are not the secrets of the universe and nature but their own small worldly profits and pleasures. In communities where people who think in this way are in charge, science does not develop. Idleness and ignorance rule.

The Arab community before the Qur'an was of this type. But the verses of the Qur'an called upon them to think, to investigate and to use their minds, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

In one of the first revealed verses of the Qur'an, God drew the attention of the Arabs to the camel, a part of their everyday lives:

Have they not looked at the camel-how it was created?

And at the sky-how it was raised up?

And at the mountains-how they were embedded?

And at the earth-how it is spread out?

So remind them! You are only a reminder. (Qur'an, 88: 17-21)

In many other verses of the Qur'an, people are instructed to examine nature and learn from it because people can know God only by examining His creations. Because of this, in one verse of the Qur'an Muslims are defined as people who think about the creation of the heavens and the earth:

Those who remember God, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth (saying): "Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire." (Qur'an, 3: 191)

An early manuscript of the Qur'an.

As a result of this, for a Muslim, taking an interest in science is a very important form of worship. In many verses of the Qur'an, God instructs Muslims to investigate the heavens, the earth, living things or their own existence and think about them. When we look at the verses, we find indications of all the main branches of science in the Qur'an.

For example, in the Qur'an, God encourages the science of astronomy:

He who created the seven heavens in layers. You will not find any flaw in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again-do you see any gaps? (Qur'an, 67: 3)

In another verse of the Qur'an, God encourages the investigation of astronomy and the composition of the earth that is the science of geology:

Do they not look at the sky above them? How We have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it? And the earth- We have spread it out, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and produced therein every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs)-To be observed and commemorated by every devotee turning (to God). (Qur'an, 50: 6-8)

In the Qur'an, God also encourages the study of botany:

It is He Who sends down water from the sky from which We bring forth growth of every kind, and from that We bring forth the green shoots and from them We bring forth close-packed seeds, and from the spathes of the date palm date clusters hanging down, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, both similar and dissimilar. Look at their fruits as they bear fruit and ripen. There are Signs in that for people who believe. (Qur'an, 6:99)

In another verse of the Qur'an, God draws attention to zoology:

You have a lesson in livestock... (Qur'an, 16:66)

Here is a Qur'anic verse about the sciences of archaeology and anthropology:

Have they not traveled in the earth and seen the final fate of those before them? (Qur'an, 30: 9)

In another verse of the Qur'an, God draws attention to the proof of God in a person's own body and spirit:

There are certainly Signs in the earth for people with certainty; and in yourselves as well. Do you not then see? (Qur'an, 51: 20-21)

As we can see, God recommends all the sciences to Muslims in the Qur'an. Because of this the growth of Islam in history meant at the same time the growth of scientific knowledge.

The Scientific Renaissance of the Middle East

Muslim scholars in Baghdat, the world's

scientific capital of the time.

As we have mentioned, when the Prophet Mohammed (pbh) began to preach Islam, the Arabs were a community of ignorant, superstitious tribes. However, thanks to the light of the Qur'an they were rescued from superstition and began to follow the path of reason. As a result of this, one of the most astonishing developments in world history took place and in a few decades Islam, which emerged from the small town of Medina, spread from Africa to Central Asia. The Arabs, who previously could not even rule a single city in harmony, came to be rulers of a world empire.

One of the most important facets of this empire was that it provided the stage for a scientific development previously unmatched in history. At a time when Europe was living through the Dark Ages, the Islamic world created the greatest legacy of scientific knowledge seen in history to that date. The sciences of medicine, geometry, algebra, astronomy and even sociology were developed systematically for the first time.

Great centers of religious learning were also centers of knowledge and scientific development. Such formal centers began during the Abbasid period (750-1258 A.D.) when thousands of mosque schools were established. In the tenth century Baghdad had some 300 schools. Alexandria in the fourteenth century had 12,000 students. It was in the tenth century that the formal concept of the Madrassah (school) was developed in Baghdad. The Madrassah had a curriculum and full-time and part-time teachers, many of whom were women. Rich and poor alike received free education. From there Maktabat (libraries) were developed and foreign books acquired. The two most famous are Bait al-Hikmah in Baghdad (ca. 820) and Dar al-Ilm in Cairo (ca. 998). Universities such as Al-Azhar (969 A.D.) were also established long before those in Europe. The Islamic world created the first universities - and even hospitals - in the world.

Islamic scientific manuscripts of the Medieval Age; meticulous studies on human anatomy and zoology.

This fact may be very surprising to modern Westerners, who generally have a different kind of picture about Islam in their minds. But this picture emerges from ignorance about the origins and history of the Islamic civilization. Those who get rid of this ignorance - and several prejudices - acknowledge the true nature of Islam. One example of these is a recent documentary film by PBS, titled Islam: The Empire of Faith, in which the commentator rightly states that:

In the unfolding of history, Islamic civilization has been one of humanity's grandest achievements... For the West, much of the history of Islam has been obscured behind a veil of fear and misunderstanding. Yet Islam's hidden history in deeply and surprisingly interwoven with Western civilization... It was they (Muslim scholars) who sewed the seeds of the Renaissance, 600 years before the birth of Leonardo da Vinci. From the way we heal the sick to the numerals we use for counting, cultures across the globe have been shaped by the Islamic civilization. 1

In an article published in Salon.com, a prominent voice of the liberal American media, author George Rafael writes in an article titled "A Is For Arabs" that;

From algebra and coffee to guitars, optics and universities... the West owes to the People of the Crescent Moon... A millennium ago, while the West was shrouded in darkness, Islam enjoyed a golden age. Lighting in the streets of Cordoba when London was a barbarous pit; religious tolerance in Toledo while pogroms raged from York to Vienna. As custodians of our classical legacy, Arabs were midwives to our Renaissance. Their influence, however alien it might seem, has always been with us, whether it's a cup of steaming hot Joe or the algorithms in computer programs. 2

The Open-Mindedness of Islam

What allowed Muslims to create such an advanced scientific culture was derived from the faculties of the Islamic understanding. One of them was, as we have noted, the motive to learn about the universe and nature according to the Qur'anic principles. Another one was open-mindedness. Both the Qur'anic wisdom and the Prophetic teaching gave Muslims a global outlook to the world, overcoming all cultural barriers. In the Qur'an, God states:

Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other..." (Qur'an, 49:13)

This verse clearly encourages cultural relationships between different nations and communities. In another verse of the Qur'an is it stated that "Both East and West belong to Allah" (2:115), thus Muslims should see the world in a universalist and cosmopolitan vision.

The hadiths, or sayings, of the Prophet also encourage this vision. In a popular hadith, the Prophet tells Muslims that "wisdom is the lost property of the Muslims; he takes it from wherever he finds". This means that Muslims should be very pragmatic and broadminded in adapting and using the cultural and scientific achievements of non-Muslims; those non-Muslims are also creatures and servants of God, even they might not recognize so. The "People of The Book", i.e. Christians and Jews, are even much more compatible, since they believe in God and stick to moral code He revealed to man.

In the rise of Islamic science, the role of this open-mindedness is very clear to see. John Esposito of the Georgetown University, one of the most prominent Western experts on Islam, makes the following comment:

The genesis of Islamic civilization was indeed a collaborative effort, incorporating the learning and wisdom of many cultures and languages. As in government administration, Christians and Jews, who had been the intellectual and bureaucratic backbone of the Persian and Byzantine empires, participated in the process as well as Muslims. This "ecumenical" effort was evident at the Caliph al-Mamun's (reigned 813-33) House of Wisdom and at the translation center headed by the renowned scholar Hunayn ibn Isaq, a Nestorian Christian. This period of translation and assimilation was followed by one of Muslim intellectual and artistic creativity. Muslims ceased to be disciples and became masters, in process producing Islamic civilization, dominated by the Arabic language and Islam's view of life... Major contributions were made in many fields: literature and philosophy, algebra and geometry, science and medicine, art and architecture... Great urban cultural centers in Cordoba, Baghdad, Cairo, Nishapur, and Palermo emerged and eclipsed Christian Europe, mired in Dark Ages. 3

According to one of the great Muslim scholars of our time, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Islamic science was "the first science of a truly international nature in human history". 4

Another Medieval Muslim manuscript describing the planetary motion.

Yet Muslims did not only incorporate other cultures, but developed their own. Some commentators neglect this and try to link the Islamic scientific development solely to the influence of the Ancient Greece or Far East. But the real source of Islamic science was the experimentation and observations of Muslim scientists. In his book The Middle East, Professor Bernard Lewis, an undoubted expert in Middle Eastern history, explains it as follows:

The achievement of medieval Islamic science is not limited to the preservation of Greek learning, nor to the incorporation in the corpus of elements from the more ancient and more distant East. This heritage which medieval Islamic scientists handed on to the modern world was immensely enriched by their own efforts and contributions. Greek science, on the whole rather tended to be theoretical. Medieval Middle Eastern science was much more practical, and in such fields as medicine, chemistry, astronomy and agronomy, the classical heritage was clarified and supplemented by the experiments and observations of the medieval Middle East. 5

As noted by Westerners, this advanced scientific culture of the Islamic world paved the way for the Western Renaissance. Muslim scientists acted in the knowledge that their investigation of God's creation was a path through which they could get to know Him. Esposito stresses that "Muslim scientists, who were often philosophers of mystics as well, viewed physical universe from within their Islamic worldview and context as a manifestation of the presence of God, the Creator and the source and unity and harmony in nature." 6 With the transfer of this paradigm and its accumulation of knowledge to the Western world, the advance of the West began.

The Theist Origins of Western Science

Medieval Europe was ruled by the dogmatic regime of the Catholic Church. The Church opposed freedom of thought and pressured scientists. People could be punished by the Inquisition simply for holding different beliefs or ideas. Their books were burned and they themselves were executed. The pressure on research in the Middle Ages is often referred to in history books, but some interpret the situation wrongly and claim that the scientists who clashed with the Church were against religion.

The truth is the exact opposite-the scientists who opposed the bigotry of the church were religious believers. They were not against religion, but against the harsh clericalism of the time.

For example, the famous astronomer Galileo, whom the Church wanted to punish because he stated that the world rotated, said, "I render infinite thanks to God for being so kind as to make me alone the first observer of marvels kept hidden in obscurity for all previous centuries." 7

The other scientists who established modern science were all religious.

Kepler, regarded as the founder of modern astronomy, told those who asked him why he busied himself with science, "I had the intention of becoming a theologian... but now I see how God is, by my endeavors, also glorified in astronomy, for 'heavens declare the glory of God'". 8

As for Newton, one of the greatest scientists in history, he explained the reason underlying his zeal for scientific endeavor by saying:

"...He (God) is eternal and infinite, omnipotent and omniscient; that is, his duration reaches from eternity to eternity; his presence from infinity to infinity; he governs all things, and knows all things that are or can be done. …We know him only by his most wise and excellent contrivances of things... [W]e revere and adore him as his servants…" 9

The great genius Pascal, the father of modern mathematics, said that: "But by faith we know His (God's) existence; in glory we shall know His nature." 10

Many other founders of modern Western science were also strong believers. For example:

" Von Helmont, one of the leading figures in modern chemistry and the inventor of the thermometer, declared that science was a part of faith.

" George Cuvier, the founder of modern paleontology, regarded fossils as surviving proofs of the Creation and taught that living species had been created by God.

" Carl Linnaeus, who first systematized scientific classification, believed in the Creation and stated that the natural order was a significant proof of God's existence.

" Gregor Mendel, the founder of genetics, and also a monk, believed in Creation and opposed the evolutionary theories of his time, such as Darwinism and Lamarckism.

" Louis Pasteur, the greatest name in the history of microbiology, proved that life could not be created in inert matter and taught that life was a miracle of God.

" The famous German physicist Max Planck said that the Creator of the universe was God and stressed that faith was a necessary quality of scientists.

" Albert Einstein, regarded as the most important scientist of the twentieth century, believed that science could not be godless and said, "science without religion is lame."

A large number of other scientists who guided modern scientific progress were religious people who believed in God. These scientists served science with the intention of discovering the universe that God had created - a paradigm that was first developed and implemented in the Islamic world and then incorporated into the West. All these theist scientists thought about the creation of the heavens and the earth and investigated in the awareness of God - as God decreed in the Qur'an and the Bible. The birth of science and its development were the result of this awareness.

During the nineteenth century, however, this awareness was replaced by a misconception called materialism.

The Rise and Fall of the Materialist Deviation

The nineteenth century was a period that witnessed the greatest errors in human history. These errors began with the imposition on European thought of materialist philosophy, an ancient Greek teaching.

The greatest error of this period was Darwin's theory of evolution. Before the birth of Darwinism, biology was accepted as a branch of science that provided evidence of the existence of God. In his book Natural Theology, the famous author William Paley maintained that, to the extent that every clock proves the existence of a clockmaker, natural designs prove the existence of God.

However, Darwin rejected this truth in his theory of evolution. By distorting the truth to fit materialist philosophy, he claimed that all living things were the result of blind natural causes. In this way he created an artificial antagonism between religion and science.

In their book The Messianic Legacy, English authors Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln have this to say on the subject:

For Isaac Newton, a century and a half before Darwin, science was not separate from religion but, on the contrary, an aspect of religion, and ultimately subservient to it. …But the science of Darwin's time became precisely that, divorcing itself from the context in which it had previously existed and establishing itself as a rival absolute, an alternative repository of meaning. As a result, religion and science were no longer working in concert, but rather stood opposed to each other, and humanity was increasingly forced to choose between them. 11

Not only biology, but also branches of sciences such as psychology and sociology were twisted according to materialist philosophy. Astronomy was distorted according to the materialist dogmas of ancient pagan Greece; a metaphysical faith in an "eternal cosmos" came to be the norm. The new aim of science was to confirm materialist philosophy.

These incorrect ideas have dragged the scientific world into a dead end for the past 150 years. Tens of thousands of scientists from different branches worked in the hope of being able to prove Darwinism or other materialist theories.

But they were disappointed.

The scientific evidence showed the exact opposite of the conclusion they wanted to reach. That is, it confirmed the truth of Creation. Today the world of science is astonished by this truth. When nature is examined it emerges that there is a complex plan and design in every detail and this has cut away the foundations of materialist philosophy.

For example, the extraordinary structure of DNA shows scientists that it is not the result of blind chance or natural laws. The DNA in a single human cell contains enough information to fill a whole 900-volume encyclopedia. Gene Myers, a scientist from the Celera Company which administers the Human Genome Project, says this:

What really astounds me is the architecture of life… The system is extremely complex. It's like it was designed… There's a huge intelligence there. 12

This astonishment affects the whole scientific world. Scientists are viewing with surprise the invalidity of the materialist philosophy and Darwinism which they were taught as truth, and some of them are declaring this openly. In his book Darwin's Black Box, biochemist Michael Behe, one of the leading critics of Darwinism, describes the situation of the scientific world as follows:

Over the past four decades modern biochemistry has uncovered the secrets of the cell. The progress has been hard won. It has required tens of thousands of people to dedicate the better parts of their lives to the tedious work of the laboratory…

The result of these cumulative efforts to investigate the cell-to investigate life at the molecular level-is a loud, clear, piercing cry of "design!" The result is so unambiguous and so significant that it must be ranked as one of the greatest achievements in the history of science…

But, no bottles have been uncorked, no hands clapped. Why does the scientific community not greedily embrace its startling discovery? The dilemma is that while one side of the [issue] is labeled intelligent design, the other side must be labeled God. 13

The same situation exists in astronomy. The astronomy of the twentieth century has demolished the materialist theories of the nineteenth. First with the Big Bang theory, it emerged that the universe had a beginning, the moment of Creation. Since then it has been realized that in the universe there is an extraordinarily delicate balance which protects human life - a concept known as the anthropic principle.

For these reasons, in the world of physics and astronomy atheism is in rapid decline. As American physicist Robert Griffiths jokingly remarks: "If we need an atheist for a debate, I go to the philosophy department. The physics department isn't much use." 14

In short, in our day and age materialist philosophy is collapsing. Science is rediscovering certain very important facts rejected by materialist philosophy and in this way a new concept of science is being born. The "Intelligent Design" theory, which has been on a successful rise in the United States during the past 10 years, is a leading part of this new scientific concept. Those who accept this theory stress that Darwinism was the greatest error in the history of science and that there is an intelligent design in nature that gives evidence of Creation.

Conclusion

God created the entire universe, and the whole of creation shows humanity the signs of God. Science is the method of investigating what has been created, so conflict between religion and science - provided that religion is guided only by Divine revelation - is out of the question.

On the contrary, history shows that theism has been the main motive and paradigm for scientific progress. The two greatest scientific achievements in world history - the Islamic scientific endeavor of the Medieval Age and the Christian scientific leap of the modern era - stemmed from faith in God. Moreover, the latter borrowed a great deal of knowledge, method and vision from the former. The wisdom of the Qur'an first enlightened the Islamic world and then shed light even to the non-Muslim Europe. If something went wrong in the Islamic world, this was because Muslims turned away from the sincerity, wisdom and open-mindedness God teaches in the Qur'an.

The materialist paradigm is a deviation from this pattern. It arose in the 19th century, reached its peak in the mid-20th century and is on the brink of collapse today. No matter how arrogant and seemingly self-confident its supporters are, the materialist dogma and its main pillar, Darwinism, will inevitably perish in the upcoming decades.

And science will return to its authentic and true paradigm: A search for the discovery and definition of the great design and harmony in the natural world, the artifact of God.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

(1) Jonathan Grupper (series writer), Islam: Empire of Faith, A Documentary by Gardner Films, in association with PBS, 2001

(2) George Rafael "A is for Arabs", www.Salon.com, Jan. 8, 2002; http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2002/01/08/alphabet/

(3) John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, Oxford University Press, 1991, s. 52-53

(4) Quoted in Weiss and Green, p. 187

(5) Bernard Lewis, The Middle East, 1998, p. 266

(6) John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, s. 54

(7) Galileo Galilei, quoted in: Mike Wilson, "The Foolishness of the Cross," Focus Magazine)

(8) Johannes Kepler, quoted in: J.H. Tiner, Johannes Kepler-Giant of Faith and Science (Milford, Michigan: Mott Media, 1977), p. 197

(9) Sir Isaac Newton, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, Translated by Andrew Motte, Revised by Florian Cajore, Great Books of the Western World 34, Robert Maynard Hutchins, Editor in chief, William Benton, Chicago, 1952:273-74

(10) Blaise Pascal, Pensees, No. 233

(11) Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln, The Messianic Legacy, Gorgi Books, London: 1991, p.177-178

(12) San Francisco Chronicle, 19 February, 2001

(13) Michael J.Behe, Darwin's Black Box, New York: Free Press, 1996, p.231-232

(14) Hugh Ross, The Creator and the Cosmos, p. 123

History of Kaaba

2009-11-27T12:07:00.000-08:00

Nawaz asked:

At the time of Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him , his tribe, the Quraysh was in charge of the Kaaba, which was at that time a shrine to numerous Arabian tribal gods. Desert tribesmen, the Bedouin , and inhabitants of other cities would join the annual pilgrimage, to worship and to trade. Caravan-raiding, common during the rest of the year, was suspended during the pilgrimage; this was a good time, then, for travel and trade.

Muhammad peace be upon him, preaching the Laws of one God (in Arabic, Allah Almighty). The Quraysh persecuted and harassed him continuously, and he and his followers eventually migrated to Medina , the Muslim community became a political and military force. In 630 C.E., Muhammad peace be upon him and his followers returned to Mecca as conquerors, and the Kaaba has been marked as a first Islamic State capital and the centre point for entire Muslim ummah. The Kaaba was built by the Messenger Ibrahim (Abraham) peace be upon him and his son Messenger Ishmael peace be upon him.

The Qibla, for any point of reference on the Earth, is the direction of the Kaaba. In Muslim religious practice, supplicants must face this direction in prayer. It should be noted that Muslims do not worship the Kaaba or its contents, any more than Christians worship churches or crosses; the Kaaba is simply a focal point for prayer. The Qibla points along the shortest path to the Kaaba. Because the Earth is approximately spherical, this path will be a great circle such as airplanes fly. The location of the Kaaba can be used together with spherical geometry to determine the Qibla for any given point on the Earth.

The Masjid al Haram in the city of Mecca. It is considered by Muslims to be the holiest place on and is the focal point of the hajj pilgrimage required of all able-bodied Muslims as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. According to Islamic tradition, the mosque was built by Messenger Ibrahim peace be upon him with the help of his son. They were ordered by Allah Almighty to build the Masjid. The mosque itself has always been an important part of Arab culture. Even in pre-Islamic days it was a site for pilgrimages by pre-monotheistic Arabs, who filled the Kaaba with idols of the gods they worshipped. This episode is seen as a corruption of what the Kaaba was meant for, and the fact that they had strayed from the path of God explains why God sent Muhammad peace be upon him as a messenger to the people of Mecca. Muhammad peace be upon him grandfather, Abu Muttalib, was a caretaker of the Kaaba, and Messenger spent much time there.

After the Hijra, Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him was forced to withdraw to Medina . Upon his return to Mecca years later, he ritually smashed all the idols in the Kaaba and cleansed it. This began Islamic rule over Kaaba, and the building of a Masjid around it.

Hajj is a routine exercise of entire muslim ummah in a year time and this congregation held at Mecca - kaaba. Today the pilgrimage structures the entire life of the Muslim. A believer is required to make attempt to attend this congregation.The Muslim's whole life is directed towards Quranic goal and thus thier whole life becomes a pilgrimage.

The History Of Islam Part6

2009-11-25T21:48:00.000-08:00

fuarashi asked:

The history of Islam since Muhammad was born. How Islam becomes the great religion.

The History Of Islam Part1

2009-11-25T16:54:00.000-08:00

fuarashi asked:

The history of Islam since Muhammad was born. How Islam becomes the great religion.

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 13

2009-11-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

Eve2020 asked:

This is the first documentary that is fair to Islam and the Muslims. It is strongly recommended for anyone who lives in the West, particularly in the USA, and is skeptical of the propaganda that is constantly spread by the current US administration and certain special-interest think tanks and groups If you are curious about Islam, and one of those who listen with a critical ear, this is a movie for you to watch. It is a first rate production that describes the faith accurately and recounts ...

Antisemitism is Racism Totally Contrary to Islam

2009-11-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

In the 20th century, antisemitism has signed its name to great disasters, one of the most horrible being the cruelty and murder inflicted by the Nazis on the Jews. Besides this, in many countries authoritarian regimes have targeted Jews and subjected them to cruel treatment. Fascist organizations have harassed Jews and arranged bloody attacks against them.

In our times antisemitism is still an ideology which threatens world peace and targets the well-being and security of innocent people.

So, how should a Muslim regard antisemitism?

The answer is obvious. Every Muslim must oppose antisemitism as he would oppose every other racist ideology; he must resist this ideology of hatred and defend the rights of Jews as he would defend the rights of all other people. Every Muslim must recognize and defend the rights of Jews whether in Israel or in the diaspora to live in peace, to worship, to protect their identity and to express themselves.

Today, Muslims justly condemn the cruel and aggressive policies of the State of Israel. But to condemn Israel and criticize its official Zionist ideology has nothing to do with antisemitism. The reason we object to Zionism is because that Zionism is racism. For the same reason we reject antisemitism.

Antisemitism: The Product of Neo Paganism

A basic fact that must be appreciated about antisemitism is that it is a pagan creed that no Muslim could ever espouse.

In order to make this clear, we must examine the roots of Antisemitism. This term is generally understood as meaning "anti Jewish," but its basic meaning is a "hatred of Semitic peoples". The Semitic peoples are basically made up of Arabs, Jews and a few other Middle Eastern ethnic groups. There is a great similarity between the languages and cultures of the Semites; for example, Arabic and Hebrew are much alike.

The second largest linguistic and racial group in the world is the Indo-European community of nations. Most of the countries of present day Europe have Indo-European roots.

The pagan war god Wotan, one of the symbols of pagan barbarism and bigotry.

All these various civilizations have had their prophets who proclaimed the existence and the unity of God and made His commands known. But when we examine recorded history, we see that Indo-European peoples from ancient times always believed in paganism. The Greek and Roman civilizations, the Teutons, Vikings and other Barbarian peoples living in southern Europe at that time were all polytheistic pagans. For this reason, these communities remained completely without moral guidance. Violence and savagery were regarded as praiseworthy; homosexuality and adultery were widely practiced. (The most important historical representative of Indo-European civilization was the Roman Empire, and we must not forget that it was a savage society that delighted in seeing people torn apart in the arenas.)

These peoples who ruled Europe encountered monotheism through Jesus Christ, a prophet sent to Semitic people. Sent as a prophet to the children of Israel, the teaching of Jesus spread throughout Europe in the course of time and all the formerly pagan peoples gradually accepted Christianity.

But in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the weakening of Christianity and the growth of ideologies and philosophies that promoted the rejection of religion, a strange current of thought circulated in Europe- Neo-Paganism. The leaders of this movement claimed that European societies must reject Christianity and return to ancient pagan beliefs. According to the adherents of Neo-Paganism, the way European societies understood morality in ancient pagan times (i.e., a warlike, pitiless, bloodthirsty, unbounded barbarous morality), was much superior to the morality they adopted when they accepted Christianity (i.e., a humble, compassionate, peace-loving and religious morality).

Nietzshce was an antisemite, because he sympathized with the pagan culture of violence and hated Theistic religions.

One of the most important representatives of this trend is also one of the greatest theorists of Fascism- Friedrich Nietzsche. He hated Christianity; he believed that it had destroyed the warlike spirit of the German people, that is, it's very essence.

The adherents of Neo-Paganism were hostile to Christianity; at the same time, they adopted a great hatred for Judaism which they saw as the source of Christianity. Indeed, they saw Christianity as the disseminator of Jewish ideas throughout the world and regarded it as a kind of Jewish plot.

So, this Neo-Paganism, on the one hand incited hostility against religion and, on the other, gave birth to fascism and antisemitism. Especially when we look at the foundations of the Nazi ideology, we can see clearly that Hitler and his confreres were, in fact, pagans.

Nazism: 20th Century Paganism

One of the greatest roles in the development of the Nazi ideology was played by a thinker by the name of Jorg Lanz von Liebenfels. Lanz fervently believed in the ideas of Neo-Paganism. He was the first person to find in ancient sources the swastika which was later to become the symbol of the Nazi party. The Ordo Novi Templi (Order of the New Temple), an organization founded by Lanz, devoted itself totally to the rebirth of paganism. Lanz freely proclaimed that he worshiped Wotan, the imaginary "War God" of the ancient German people. He thought that the worship of Wotan was the true religion of the German people and that Germans could be saved only by returning to this religion.

Nazi ideology developed on the road prepared for it by Lanz and other devotees of Neo-Paganism. One of the most important Nazi ideologues, Alfred Rosenberg, thought that Christianity could not provide the spiritual energy needed by the new Germany being established by Hitler, and declared openly that the German people must return to their ancient pagan religion. According to Rosenberg, when the Nazis came to power, religious symbols in churches should be removed and replaced by swastikas, a copy of Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" (My Struggle) and swords symbolizing German invincibility. Hitler adopted the views of Rosenberg but, thinking it would cause too much of a reaction among the people, he did not put this new theory of German religion into effect. [1]

Nazis were neo-pagans who sought to destroy the Judeo-Christian ethics and convert the German society to pagan barbarism.

Nevertheless, during the Nazi regime, some important practices of Neo-Paganism were instituted. Shortly after Hitler came to power, the holy days and feasts of Christianity began to be suppressed and replaced by the holy days of pagan religions. At weddings, oaths were sworn to such imaginary gods as "Mother Earth" and "Father Sky". In 1935, students in schools were forbidden to say Christian prayers and later, lessons with any Christian content were completely discontinued.

Hitler once revealed his attitude toward Christianity when he bluntly stated that religion is an:

…organized lie [that] must be smashed. The State must remain the absolute master. When I was younger, I thought it was necessary to set about [destroying religion] …with dynamite. I've since realized there's room for a little subtlety …. The final state must be … in St. Peter's Chair, a senile officiant; facing him a few sinister old women… The young and healthy are on our side … Our peoples had previously succeeded in living all right without this religion. I have six divisions of SS men absolutely indifferent in matters of religion. It doesn't prevent them from going to their death with serenity in their souls. [2]

As we can see, Hitler saw only one idea as having importance in the spiritual realm: the idea that would lead people to "go to their death with serenity in their souls". He found it in abundance in such pagan concepts as "the German spirit" and "honor in battle". He saw monotheistic religions as beliefs that must be "destroyed with dynamite" but, for political reasons, he acted more moderately.

The Nazi hatred for Jews was a part of this anti-Theistic ideology. Nazis who hated Christianity saw it as a "Jewish plot." That Jesus Christ, a prophet of Israeli origin, should be loved and revered by Germans, who regarded themselves as the "master race", was for them unthinkable. For the Nazis, it was not a prophet of Israeli origin that would be a guide for Germans, but the barbarous and cruel warriors of pagan German culture.

So, this is the real truth about Nazism and antisemitism in general. Today, the leaders of antisemitism are various Neo-Nazi and Fascist groups. If we look at them, we see immediately that every one of them has an anti-religious ideology and what they say is based on pagan ideas.

Antisemitism And Every Kind Of Racism Is Contrary To Islam

From the facts that we have examined so far, the following is clear:

Antisemitism is an anti-religion ideology that has its roots in Neo-Paganism. Therefore, it is unthinkable that a Muslim would espouse antisemitism or feel sympathy for this ideology. Anti-Semites have no respect for Abraham, Moses or David who were blessed prophets chosen by God to be examples for humanity.

Antisemitism and other kinds of racism (eg. prejudice against Blacks) have no place in true religion; they are perversions arising from various ideologies and superstitions.

Furthermore, when we examine antisemitism and other forms of racism, we see clearly that they promote ideas and a model of society that is totally contrary to the moral teachings of the Qur'an, For example, at the root of antisemitism lie hatred, violence, and lack of compassion. An anti-Semite may be so cruel as to support the murder of Jewish people without distinguishing between women, children and the aged, and condone their being subjected to torture. However, the moral teaching of the Qur'an enjoins love, compassion and mercy for all people. It also commands Muslims to show justice and be forgiving even to their enemies.

On the other hand, anti-Semites and other kinds of racists balk against living together in peace with people of different race or creed. For example, German racists (Nazis) and Jewish racists (Zionists) were opposed to Germans and Jews living together; each side rejected this in the name of their respective race as a degeneration. However, in the Qur'an, there is not the slightest distinction between races; the Qur'an advises that people of different faiths live together in the same society in peace and happiness.

According to the Qur'an, Muslims, Jews and Christians Must Live in Friendship

Jews and Christians (called in the Qur'an the "people of the book") are much closer to Muslims than idolaters (pagans or the atheists). The people of the book, like Muslims, believe in one God and are subject to His commands.

In 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." (Surat at-Tawba: 28) Idolaters are people who know no divine law, have no moral precepts and who can commit every kind of degrading and perverse deed without hesitation.

But the people of the book, while they rely basically on God's revelation, 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 to 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 Must Be Respected

Temples that deserve respect: A church...

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, ie. 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 to every Muslim the importance of respecting and protecting the holy places of the people of the book.

... and a synagouge.

Indeed, in the Qur'an, God commands Muslims not to harbor any enmity toward any people. In many verses, friendship is recommended even with the idolaters. God even refers to the idolaters at war with Muslims like this: "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 book 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.

Conclusion

In a Muslim's outlook on the world, one of his basic criteria is justice. No matter whom he may oppose, he cannot depart from justice. He acts not according to his feelings, but with his reason and conscience. He removes himself from fanaticism and bigotry, and makes his decisions according to wisdom.

What God teaches us in the Qur'an about different peoples and creeds is clear:

1. The morality of the Qur'an excludes every kind of racism.

2. It is commanded in the Qur'an that, so long as they show no hostility to Islam or Muslims, a tolerant and friendly attitude must be maintained toward other religions.

It is evident that the Jews have committed many errors which the Qur'an points out, criticizes and about which it gives a warning. The crimes committed by Israel in the present day against humanity are painfully well known, but all this must not be taken by Muslims as a cause to feel hostility against Jews. The crimes committed by a group of Jews in allegiance to their Zionist ideology will never be blamed on Judaism or the Jewish people.

Our wish is that a world will be established in which people will be able to live together in peace no matter to what race or religion they belong, in which every racist perversion will be rejected, everyone's rights will be regarded and everyone will be respected.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.comNotes

1- Michael Howard, The Occult Conspiracy: The Secret History of Mystics, Templars, Masons and Occult Societies, 1.b., London: Rider, 1989, p. 130

2- Hitler, A., Hitler's Secret Conversations 1941-1944, With an introductory essay on The Mind of Adolf Hitler by H.R. Trevor-Roper, Farrar, Straus and Young, New York, p. 117

A History of Iran

2009-11-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

Russell Shortt asked:

Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilisations dating from as far back as 4,000 BC. The Iranian Medes unified Iran into a kingdom in 625 BC. They were succeeded by three Iranian empires, the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids which governed Iran for over a thousand years. This was followed by a period of foreign occupation and short lived native dynasties that lasted for centuries. However, it was once again re-unified as an independent state in 1501 by the Safavid dynasty. The Safavid dynasty promoted Twelver Shi’a Islam as the official religion, this was a monumental turning point in the history of Islam. Iran was a monarchy ruled by a Shah almost without interruption from 1501 until the 1979 when Iran officially became an Islamic republic on 1 April 1979. Iran suffered several wars with Imperial Russia during the Qajar era, resulting in Iran losing over half its territories to Russia and Britain. However, in spite of the Great Game, Iran managed to remain sovereign and was never colonised. In 1925, Reza Khan overthrew the Qajar dynasty and became Shah, he introduced progressive policies of industrialisation, railroad construction and the establishment of a national education system. He sought to balance Russian and British influence in Iran, but during World War Two, alarmed at Iran’s growing ties with Germany, both Russia and Britain invaded, forcing the Shah to abdicate in favour of his son, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. In 1951, Mohammed Mossadegh was elected Prime Minister, he became popular after he nationalised Iran’s oil reserves. In response, Britain placed an embargo on Iranian oil and collaborated with the United States to depose Mossadegh. The operation was successful, Mossadegh was arrested and the Shah’s rule became increasingly autocratic. With American support, the Shah was able to rapidly modernise the Iranian infrastructure but he crushed all forms of political opposition. The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution began in January 1978 with public demonstrations against the Shah resulting in his fleeing the country in January 1979. In December 1979, a theocratic constitution was approved by the country whereby the Ayatollah Khomeini became Supreme Leader of the country. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein decided to take advantage of the disorder that he perceived in Iran following the takeover coupled with the negative attitudes that Western governments now viewed Iran with. On 22 September 1980, the Iraqi army invaded at Khuzetan, thus starting the Iran-Iraq war. Iraq initially steam-rolled the Iranian forces but by 1982, Iran turned the tide and managed to force the Iraqis back into Iraq. The war dragged on until 1988, when a truce was accepted that was mediated by the UN.

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Mortgages And Loans. Islamic Finance Avoids Interest.

2009-11-23T23:19:00.000-08:00

Michael Challiner asked:

Two million Muslims in the UK face an ethical dilemma if they want a mortgage or a loan. Conventional mortgages and loans all require the payment of interest and "riba" as interest is called under Islamic law, is forbidden by the Koran.

British financial institutions are increasingly catering for Muslims' specialist needs through a number of alternative arrangements that respects the teachings of the Koran. Here are just two of them:

Ijara with diminishing Musharaka - the mortgage alternative.

Ijara with diminishing Musharaka is an Islamic alternative to a conventional UK mortgage and has been adopted by several British banks and building societies.

In essence, Musharaka means partnership. Under this Islamic financial concept, the bank buys the house and legally becomes its owner. Then throughout the pre-agreed period, say 25 years, a monthly payment is made. Each monthly payment includes a charge for rent and a charge that buys a small proportion of the house itself. It's form of variable shared equity plan with the proportion of the house being owned by the purchaser, steadily increasing as payments are made. Once the final payment has been made, the house is owned outright. Ijara

Here you tell the bank or financial institution what you want, for example a car, and they buy it. In return for a monthly payment that covers the cost of the bank's capital, the bank then allows you to use the asset for an agreed period. In reality, it's a form of leasing

Islamic finance is not widely available in the UK - so where can find it? Here are three suggestions:

Over the last few years Lloyds TSB has introduced Islamic products to 33 of its branches. Their spokesperson says, "It's important for our customers to see that we are following the right procedures. We have a panel of four Islamic scholars who over-see the products. They offer guidance on Islamic law and audit the products".

Another high street bank, HSBC, is developing a special range of Islamic products under the Amanah brand name. This range includes home finance plans, home insurance, commercial finance, and various current accounts and pensions. Hussam Sultan, the Amanah product manager says, "As a bank, we are not here to moralise or tell our customers that Amanah finance is the way to please Allah. We're just here to provide them with a choice".

The Islamic Bank of Britain has three branches in London, two in Birmingham and one each in Leicester and Manchester. They're the only British bank specifically providing for Muslim customers and claim to be halal throughout their operations. All their financial products are approved by their Sharia'a Supervisory Committee - all Muslim scholars who are experts in all aspects of Islamic finance.

For your interest we show below, definitions of some words used widely in connection with Islamic finance.

A Glossary of selected Islamic words used in finance.

Amanah : Means trustworthiness, with associated aspects of faithfulness and honesty. As a central supplementary meaning, amanah also describes a business deal where one party keeps another's funds or property in trust. This actually the most widely used and understood application of the term, having a long history of use in Islamic commercial law. It can also be used to describe different financial activities such as deposit taking, custody or goods on consignment.

Arbun : Means a down payment. It's a non-refundable deposit paid to the seller by the buyer upon agreeing a sale contract together with an undertaking that the sale contract will be completed during a prearranged period.

Gharar : This means uncertainty. It's one of three essential prohibitions in Islamic finance (the others being riba and maysir). Gharar is a sophisticated concept that encompasses certain types of uncertainty or contingency in a contract. The prohibition on gharar is often used as the grounds for criticism of conventional financial practices such as speculation, derivatives and short selling contracts.

Islamic financial services / Islamic banking / Islamic finance : Means financial services that meet the specific requirements of Islamic law or Shariah. Whilst designed to meet specific Muslim religious requirements, Islamic banking is not restricted to Muslims. Both the customers and the service providers can be non-Muslim as well as Muslim.

Ijara : Means an Islamic leasing agreement. Ijarah permits the financial institution to earn a profit by charging leasing rentals instead of lending money and earning interest. The ijarah concept is extended to hire and purchase agreements by Ijarah wa iqtinah.

Maysir : Means gambling. It's another of three fundamental prohibitions in Islamic finance (the other two being riba and gharar). The prohibition of maysir is often used as the basis for criticism of standard financial practices such as conventional insurance, speculation and derivative contracts.

Mudarabah : A Mudarabah is a form of Investment partnership. Here, capital is provided by the investor (the Rab ul Mal) to another party (the Mudarib) in order to undertake a business or investment activity. Profits are then shared according to pre-arranged proportions but any loss on the investment is born exclusively by the investor and the mudarib then loses the expected income share.

Mudarib : The mudarib is the investment manager or entrepreneur in a mudarabah (see above). It is this managers responsibility to invest the investor's money in a project or portfolio in exchange for a share of the profits. A mudarabah is essentially similar to a diversified pool of assets held in a conventional Discretionary Managed Investment Portfolio.

Murabaha : means purchase and resale. As opposed to lending money, the capital provider purchases the required asset or product (for which a loan would otherwise have been taken out) from a third party. The asset is then resold at a higher price to the capital user. By paying this higher price by instalments, the capital user effectively gets credit without paying interest. (Also see tawarruq the opposite of murabaha.)

Musharaka : This means profit and loss sharing. It's a partnership where the profits are shared in pre-arranged proportions and any losses are shared in proportion to each partners' capital or investment. In Musharakah, all the partners to the commercial undertaking contribute funds and have the right, but without the obligation, to exercise executive powers in that undertaking. It's a similar concept to a conventional partnership and the holding of voting stock in a limited company. Musharakah is regarded as the purest form of Islamic financing.

Riba : This means interest. The legal concept extends beyond interest, but in simple terms, riba covers any return of money on money. It does not matter whether the interest is floating or floating, simple or compounded, or what the rate is. Riba is strictly prohibited under Islamic law..

Shariah : This is the Islamic law as disclosed in the Quran and through the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A Shariah product must meet all the requirements of Islamic law. To facilitate this, a Shariah board is usually appointed. This board or committee is usually comprised of Islamic scholars available to the organisation for guidance and supervision for the development of Shariah compliant products.

Shariah adviser : Means an independent professional, usually a classically trained Islamic legal scholar, appointed to advise an Islamic financial organisation on the compliance of its products and services with Islamic law, the Shariah. While some organisations consult individual Shariah advisers, most establish a committee of Shariah advisers (often known as a Shariah committee or Shariah board).

Shariah compliant : Means the activity that ensures that the requirements of the Shariah, or Islamic law are observed. The term is often used in the Islamic banking industry as a synonym for "Islamic"- for example, Shariah compliant financing or Shariah compliant investment.

Sukuk : This has similar characteristics to a conventional bond. The difference is that that they are asset backed and a sukuk represents the proportionate beneficial ownership in the underlying asset. The asset is then leased to the client to yield the profit on the sukuk.

Takaful : This is Islamic insurance. Takaful plans are designed to avoid the characteristics of conventional insurance (i.e. interest and gambling) that are so problematical for Muslims. They structure the arrangement as a charitable collective pool of funds based on the comcept of mutual assistance.

Tawarruq : When used in personal finance, a customer with a cash requirement buys something on credit on a deferred payment basis. That customer then immediately resells the item for cash to a third party. The customer thereby obtains cash without taking an interest-based loan. Tawarruq is the opposite to murabahah.

Japan and its History of Islam

2009-11-19T16:35:00.000-08:00

islamthebest asked:

history of Islam japan Japan and its History of Islam

Lion of God and the Chief of the Martyrs in Islam

2009-11-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

Dr.Badruddin Khan asked:

There have been a number of brave and self-sacrificing officers and strong and powerful champions in the army of Islam at the time of prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu alaihe wa Sallam) but the bravery of Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib is recorded in the pages of history and in fact constitutes the golden leaves of the history of the battles of Islam. Muhammed Mustafa (Sallallahu alaihe wa Sallam), the Messenger of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), though safe under the protection of his uncle, Abu Talib, was not immune from harassment by the infidels. Whenever they found an opportunity for baiting him, they didn't miss it. On one occasion, Abu Jehl, another uncle of the prophet, found him alone, and used much offensive and vulgar language toward him. That same evening when his uncle, Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib, came home from a hunting expedition, his slave-girl who was witness to behavior of Abu Jehl towards the prophet, recounted to him the tale of Abu Jehl's gratuitous insolence toward Muhammed(Sallallahu alaihe wa Sallam), and the latter's forbearance, of which she had been an eye-witness.

Hamzah was not only a warrior, a hunter and a sportsman having little interest in the day-to-day affairs of the city but also a man with a beating human heart. The tail of Abu Jehl's conduct toward his nephew so roused his anger that he seized his bow, went into the assembly of the Quraish where Abu Jehl was reviewing the events of the day to his compeers, struck him at his head with his bow, causing it to bleed, and shouted: "I too have become a Muslim." This was a challenge to Abu Jehl but he realized the gravity of the situation and figured that silence was the best part of valor, and decided not only not to tangle with Hamzah but also preferred to restrain his friends who wished to rise in his defense.

Hamzah was a brave, straight forward, transparent, and religiously conscientious individual. He had no object in mind except to defend truth and virtue and to maintain freedom in the lives of human beings. It was he who insisted earnestly that the army of Islam should go out of Madina and fight against Quraish. It was Hamzah, who protected the Prophet in Makkah during the delicate moments with all his might. Hamzah accepted Islam in the fifth year of the Proclamation of Islam by Mohammad (Sallallahu alaihe Wa Sallam). Hamzah was the same senior and valiant officer who killed the brave champion of Quraish Shaybah and others and also wounded a group of the enemies in the Battle of Badr, the first battle of Islam.

Hamzah had killed Utbah, the father of Hinda, in the battle of Badr. In the battle of Uhad, Hinda got her cherished and much awaited opportunity to slake her thirst for vengeance which had given her no rest since the battle of Badr. Hinda, the wife of Abu Sufyan and the mother of Muawiyah, nursed a grudge against Hamzah and was determined to take her father's revenge on the Muslims at any cost. An Ethiopian warrior (named Wahshi) was the slave of Jabir Mut'am whose one uncle had also been killed in the Battle of Badr. The said Wahshi had been lured and assured of lovely gifts by Hinda to help achieve her objective by hook or by crook. She asked him to kill atleast one of the three persons viz. the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu alaihe Wa Sallam), Hazrat Ali or Hazrat Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with them) so that she might avenge her father's death. The Ethiopian warrior said in reply: "I cannot approach Muhammad at all, because his companions remain too nearer to him to approach him by anyone else. As for as Ali is concerned he remains extraordinarily vigilant in the battlefield and it is beyond one’s imagination to harm him without getting killed his person by Ali himself. Yes, Hamzah may be a probable target as he becomes so furious, while fighting, that he is lost in his aim and does not pay any attention to any other side and it is possible that I may be able to make him fall by some trick or by taking him unawares". As this was more than unexpectedly sufficient for Hinda, she was contented with Wahshi’s promise and promised in her turn to get him freed if he was successful in performing the job she was entrusting him. Some believe that Jabir made this promise with his slave, Wahshi as his uncle had been killed in the Battle of Badr.

Wahshi, the slave, says: "On the Day of Uhad I was pursuing Hamzah. He was attacking the centre of the army like a ferocious lion and killed every one whom he could approach. I preferred to hide myself behind the trees and stones, so that he could not see me. When he became too busy in fighting, I dared to come out of the ambush. Being an Ethiopian, I used to throw my weapon like the Ethiopians do at crucial times and it seldom missed the target. I, therefore, threw my javelin towards him from a specific distance after moving it in a particular manner. The weapon fell on his flank and came out from between his two legs. He wanted to attack me but severe pain prevented him from doing so. He remained in the same condition till his soul departed from his body. Then I approached him very carefully and having taken out my weapon from his body returned to the army of Quraish and informed Hinda and her associates about the news, they were never sure to hear.

Since Muslims had lost the battle of Uhad partially for a careless act of a responsible group of trusted fighters, Hinda and the other harpies she had brought with her from Makkah, got a chance to mutilate the bodies of the slain Muslim warriors. Hinda’s heart was so much laden with hatred and was void of the essence of humanity that she cut open Hamzah's abdomen, plucked out his liver and chewed it up. According to some historians, Hinda lit a fire in the battlefield, roasted Hamzah's heart and liver and ate them. Having found her ruthless inners unsatisfied with all this, she cut the limbs, the ears and the nose of Hamzah, strung them into a "necklace," and entered Makkah wearing it as a "trophy" of victory. On the other hand Muhammed Mustafa (Sallallahu alaihe Wa Sallam), the Apostle of God, was deeply aggrieved when he heard about the death and the accounts of mutilation of the body of such a stalwart of Islam as Hamzah. He bestowed upon him the titles of the "Lion of God," and the "Chief of the Martyrs."

The killer Wahshi says “after the Battle of Uhad, I continued to live in Makkah for quite a long time until the Muslims conquered Makkah. I then ran away to Taif, but soon Islam reached that area as well. I heard that however grave the crime of a person might be, the Prophet forgave him. I, therefore, reached the Prophet with Shahadatain (i.e., I testify that there is no god but Allah and I also testify that Muhammad is His Prophet) on my lips. The Prophet saw me and said "Are you the same Wahshi, an Ethiopian?" I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon he said: "How did you kill Hamzah?" when I gave an account of the matter, the Prophet was moved and said: "I should not see your face henceforth, because the heart-rending calamity fell upon my uncle at your hands".

It was the same great spirit of the Prophet of Islam (Sallallahu alaihe Wa Sallam) that made him set this man free although he could have executed him on many grounds. Wahshi says: "As long as the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihe Wa Sallam) was alive, I kept myself hidden from him. After his death the battle with Musaylimah Kazzab took place. I joined the army of Islam and used the same weapon against Musaylimah and succeeded in killing him with the help of one of the Ansar. If I killed the best of men (i.e. Hamzah) with this weapon, the worst man, too, did not escape its horror".

The participation of Wahshi in the battle against Musaylimah is something which he himself claims, but lbn Hisham says: "During the last days of his life Wahshi was like a black crow that was always hated by Muslims on account of his being a drunkard and was punished twice on account of drinking wine. On account of his indecent actions his name was struck off the army records and Umar bin Khattab used to say: "The murderer of Hamzah does not deserve to be pardoned in the other world."

Islamic Union

2009-11-17T22:17:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

That moral values of the Qur'an will come to rule the world is a great blessing revealed in the Qur'an, reported in the hadiths of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and discussed in the works of Islamic scholars. Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has revealed that Allah will bring Qur'anic moral values to prevail on Earth by means of the Mahdi. It is reported in one of the hadiths of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that, by the will of Allah, the Mahdi will appear in the End Times and cause Islamic moral values to prevail on Earth:

If only one day of this time (world) remained, Allah would raise up a man from my family who would fill this earth with justice as it has been filled with oppression.1

According to the hadiths as well as interpretations by Islamic scholars, one of the most important phases in the dominion of Islamic moral values is the establishment of Islamic Union, in other words the union of the Islamic world. According to the hadiths, the fragmentation in the Islamic world will come to an end with the appearance of the Mahdi, and Muslims will come together in Qur'anic moral values under his leadership.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, who discussed the subjects of the End Times and the dominion of Qur'anic moral values in his works, particularly concentrated on the subject of Islamic Union. Bediuzzaman stated that the Mahdi would be a means whereby Islamic Union would be established, and described the formation of an Islamic Union and Islamic moral values coming to prevail on Earth as a great cause for rejoicing in the Islamic world. Bediuzzaman said the following on this subject:

The greatest religious duty of this time is the Islamic Union.2

... By the will of Allah, you will attain a great cause for rejoicing of the Islamic world. There are many signs that the unification of Islamic republics will bring the Holy Qur'an, the source of holy laws, to rule the future and will bring great rejoicing to mankind.3

As we have seen, Bediuzzaman has stated that the establishment of an Islamic Union is a most important duty which must be fulfilled. As stated by Bediuzzaman, there are many signs that Islamic Union will come about and that Qur'anic moral values will rule the Earth. These signs have been reported in detail in hadiths. The holy individual in whom all these signs are manifested, and who will be the means whereby Qur'anic moral values come to rule the world, is the Mahdi.

The Irrefutable Sign of the Mahdi

The duties that will be performed by the Mahdi are the most important signs of this holy individual. As reported in the hadiths of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), being the means whereby Islam comes to rule the world is an irrefutable attribute of the Mahdi.

In his works, Bediuzzaman has described in detail many attributes that will determine the holy identity of the Mahdi. Bediuzzaman describes the duties of the Mahdi, and says that the establishment of Islamic Union will be one of the three greatest responsibilities of the Mahdi. Bediuzzaman describes this great duty of the Mahdi in these terms:

The third duty of that individual [the Mahdi] is to build an Islamic Caliphate on an Islamic unity and to serve Islam by allying himself with Christians. This duty can be fulfilled by a great caliphate and force and the sacrifices of millions. The first duty is three to four times more valuable than the other two. However, since the second and third duties will be in a very bright and broad sphere and in a glittering manner they will appear more important in the eyes of the people and the community.4

As Bediuzzaman has stated, the Mahdi will first build an Islamic Union. Then, with the power and support of the Islamic Union, he will bring Qur'anic moral values and the Sunnah of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to prevail on Earth. In fulfilling this sacred task, he will - by the will of Allah - possess great strength, power and authority. In another statement, Bediuzzaman expresses this fact thus:

The Great Mahdi will have numerous functions. He will carry out duties in the world of politics, the world of religion, the world of government, and in the many spheres of the world of Islam…5

As we have seen, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi states that the Mahdi will serve in such major spheres as politics, government and religion. According to the information in the hadiths and the expositions of Bediuzzaman, the Mahdi is a holy individual who will serve in these major spheres, found an Islamic Union, inflict an intellectual defeat on materialism and atheism, strengthen spiritual values and be a means whereby Islamic moral values come to rule the world. The principal sign of the Mahdi, as Bediuzzaman has stated, is his establishment of an Islamic Union and bringing the moral values of the Qur'an to prevail on Earth. It is meaningless to speak of other signs beyond this, and to concentrate on and look for these alone. Other signs only acquire significance in the event that this great sign takes place.

As stated above, the dominion of Islamic moral values is an irrefutable sign of the Mahdi. So long as this irrefutable sign of the Mahdi fails to materialise, it is impossible to speak of the position of Mahdi or of the duties of that position having been fulfilled. When, by the will of Allah, this holy individual appears, he will not, as is revealed in the hadiths, claim to hold the rank of Mahdi nor engage in any such propaganda. The great deeds of the Mahdi will be the most important evidence and proof that this holy individual has appeared. In one hadith it is reported that people will pledge allegiance to the Mahdi, although he will not desire this:

They will pledge allegiance to the Mahdi against his wishes. Later, the Mahdi will cause them to perform 2 rakats of salat and will ascend to the pulpit.6

The revelation in the hadith that people will pledge allegiance to the Mahdi, albeit against his wishes is a sign that he will never claim to be the Mahdi. The evident signs manifested in the Mahdi and his own great deeds will show that he is the awaited holy individual. He himself will make no such claims or suggestions.

In addition to the information provided in the hadiths and by Islamic scholars, there are also indications in many verses of the Qur'an to the effect that Qur'anic moral values will come to rule the world.

It Is Revealed in the Qur'an That Islamic Moral Values Will Rule the World

The Qur'an is a sacred Book, the stipulations set out in which will apply until the Day of Judgement, which covers all areas of a believer's life, and in which all of our Lord's commands appear in a flawless form. One of the greatest miracles of the Qur'an is that ever since it was first revealed, Muslims of all times have found signs referring to their own age. According to what is stated in the hadiths, Islamic moral values' coming to prevail on Earth is the most important of the signs that will come to pass after the death of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and up until the Day of Judgement. It is revealed in the Qur'an that Islamic moral values will rule the world:

Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security. "They worship Me, not associating anything with Me." Any who disbelieve after that, such people are deviators. (Surat an-Nur, 55)

As is revealed in this verse, Islamic moral values prevailing on Earth is a stipulation of our Lord's, and a promise to sincere believers who ascribe no partners to Him. By the will of Allah, this stipulation will come to pass by means of the Mahdi in the End Times. In addition, many accounts in the Qur'an which provide information about the prophets and verses refer to this holy individual, the Mahdi, who will be instrumental in this holy phenomenon. There are various hadiths of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that state there are signs in the Qur'an pointing to this important matter. One of these reads as follows:

The Mahdi will rule Earth, just like Dhu'l-Qarnayn and Sulayman.7

As we have seen in the hadith, it is indicated that the accounts of Dhu'l-Qarnayn and Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon them) revealed in the Qur'an should be considered in the context of the Mahdi and the dominion of Islamic moral values.

In the hadiths below, it is revealed that there are important signs regarding the Mahdi and the End Times in the accounts of Ashab al-Kahf (Companions of the Cave) and Talut:

The Companions of the Cave [Ahl al-Kahf] will be the Mahdi's helpers.8

The number of the Mahdi's helpers will be as many as those who crossed the river with Talut.9

Although the Mahdi and his helpmates could be explained in various ways, it is of the greatest importance that our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) interpreted them in connection with the accounts in the Qur'an. This is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence of the presence in the Qur'an of many verses referring to the End Times. According to the information contained in the hadiths and indicated in the Qur'an, the Mahdi will have great power and authority, just like Dhu'l-Qarnayn and Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon them). In the same way that Dhu'l-Qarnayn (pbuh) brought the strife of Yajuj and Majuj to an end, the Mahdi will bring violence and terror, great calamities for mankind, to an end. Just as in the time of Prophet Sulayman (pbuh), in the time of the Mahdi great importance will be attached to art and beauty, and the Earth will be constructed in the most beautiful manner.

In the light of the information provided in the verses of the Qur'an and the hadiths, certain other features of the time in which the Mahdi will appear are considered below.

The Mahdi and the Golden Age

Islamic scholars have described the period when Islamic moral values will rule the world under the leadership of the Mahdi as the "Golden Age." According to the information in the Qur'an, the Golden Age will be a period like the "Blessed Period" that will last for more than fifty years. In the Golden Age, want and hunger will disappear, there will be an abundance of goods and products, injustice and oppression will come to an end, justice will prevail over the Earth, disagreements, violence and conflict will come to an end, peace and security will be ensured, technological advances will reach the highest level, and humanity will make the best possible use of these technological advances. When people are in full obedience to the state and its institutions, a requirement of Qur'anic moral values, peace and harmony will be enjoyed.

People will be so happy with their lives in the Golden Age that, as stated in the hadiths, they will ask Allah to extend their lives to allow them to benefit from these beauties for longer. This is revealed thus in the hadith:

The younger ones wish they were grown-ups, while the adults wish they were younger... The good become even more good, and even the wicked ones are treated well.10

The Mahdi Will Bring Islamic Moral Values to Prevail by Means of Peace and Love

It is revealed in the hadiths that the Mahdi will bring Islamic moral values to prevail by means of peace and love. The Mahdi will constantly call on people, with tolerance, patience, compassion and love, to believe in Allah as the one and only, and will call on them to live by the moral values of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. It is revealed in these terms in the hadiths that Islamic moral values will prevail on Earth in peace:

In this time [the time of the Mahdi], neither a man will be awoken from sleep, nor will a person's nose bleed.11

The Mahdi will follow the way of the Prophet. He will not wake up a sleeping person or shed blood.12

As is revealed in the hadiths, the Mahdi will cause Islamic values to prevail on Earth by peaceful means, and will avoid war and violence. The path to be followed by the Mahdi will turn people towards Islamic moral values with great cultural strides worldwide.

One of the similarities of the Mahdi to Prophet Sulayman and Dhu'l-Qarnayn (peace be upon them) described by our beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is on this subject. As is revealed in verses of the Qur'an, Prophet Sulayman (pbuh) established a great civilisation in his time, and he ensured his dominion by means of diplomacy, art and culture. Despite possessing a very powerful and irresistible army, he did not employ military force. As is revealed in the Qur'an, Dhu'l-Qarnayn (pbuh) was regarded by the peoples around him as someone who prevented corruption and strife on Earth, and as a leader who brought peace and security. This aspect of the ages of Prophet Sulayman and Dhu'l-Qarnayn (peace be upon them) bears great similarities to that when the Mahdi will cause Islamic moral values to prevail on Earth.

The Mahdi Will Put an End to Oppression, Violence and Terror

Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has revealed that as well as causing Islamic moral values to prevail on Earth, the Mahdi will also put an end to the chaos, conflict, violence, war, injustice and oppression that are some of the signs of the End Times. Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has given the glad tidings of the great change that will be experienced with the coming of the Mahdi:

The world filled with oppression and tyranny will overflow with justice after he [the Mahdi] comes.13

In the Qur'an it is revealed that our Lord calls people to peace:

Allah calls to the Abode of Peace and He guides whom He wills to a straight path. (Surah Yunus, 25)

As a requirement of Qur'anic moral values, the Mahdi will call on people to be peaceloving, and will reconcile them. According to the hadiths, there will be no more enmity and hatred in the time of the Mahdi, and terror and violence will come to an end. Some of the hadiths on this subject read:

[In the time of Mahdi] Enmity and hatred between people will cease. Scorpions and snakes will not be poisonous, and even children will play with snakes without being bitten… Wolves will be among sheep like sheepdogs. The world will fill with religious unity like the cup fills with water. Nobody but Allah will be worshipped. Nothing will be left of warfare and conflict.14

[In the time of Mahdi] Then the Earth will become safe so that lions may graze with camels; tigers with cows, wolves with sheep; and so that children may play with snakes without being harmed.15

As can be seen from the hadiths, in the time of the Mahdi there will be great brotherhood among peoples now in dispute, and conflict of all kinds will be replaced by peace, love and friendship. The moderate, contemporary, rational and civilised model of Islam to be established in the time of this holy individual will illuminate the whole world.

There Will Be Abundance and Plenty in the Time of the Mahdi

It is revealed in hadiths that in the time of the Mahdi there will be a hitherto unseen abundance of goods and products, and that the Mahdi will behave most generously:

The Mahdi will emerge from my community. Almighty Allah will send him to make people wealthy. In his time, my community will be blessed, animals will be abundant and there will be a great supply of foodstuffs of the earth, and the Mahdi will distribute goods in abundance to all people equally.16

... In that time, the communities of the earth and the heavens, all wild animals, birds, and even the fish in the sea will rejoice in his caliphate. In his time even the running rivers will increase their waters. The Mahdi will bring the treasures forth...17

As seen from the hadiths, in the time of the Mahdi there will be great plenty and abundance in all spheres, and people's suffering and poverty will come to an end.

In the Time of the Mahdi People Will Make the Best Use of All Technological Means

The Mahdi's best use of technological facilities may lie at the root of the plenty and abundance, and people's achieving well-being, in his time. In one hadith the abundance in the time of the Mahdi is described thus:

Someone sowing a measure of wheat will find seven hundred in return... A person will scatter a few handfuls of seeds but reap 700 handfuls. Despite an abundance of rain, not a drop will go waste.18

It is probable that in this narration, the transition to modern forms of agriculture, the development of new production techniques, seed improvement studies and improved use of rainwater by building dams and artificial lakes are being indicated (Allah knows best, of course). There is no doubt that all these are techniques and methods obtained through technological advances.

In terms of technological development, our century is witnessing a pace the like of which has never been seen before. A great many technological means, which did not even have names 100 years ago, have now become indispensable parts of people's lives. There are even great differences between today's technology and that of just five years ago. There can be no doubt that this indicates that our age is a very special one. As can be seen from descriptions in the hadiths, these developments will accelerate still further with the appearance of the Mahdi, and technological facilities will be made available to all people equally. Thanks to technological advances in such fields as medicine, transport, communications, agriculture and energy, people will be able to live in the most comfortable, convenient and pleasant way.

All this information shows that the time of the Mahdi will be one of the most peaceful, most secure, most splendid and most comfortable in history, just like the time of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

Conclusion

As is stated in the verse "We have created all things in predestination" (Surat al-Qamar, 49), our Lord has created everything in the light of a specific destiny. Like those of all animate and inanimate things, the destiny of the Mahdi is already set out in the sight of Allah. The identity of this holy individual, his signs, his appearance, his establishing an Islamic Union and his bringing Islamic moral values to prevail on Earth have all happened and are all over and done with in the sight of Allah.

Allah is unbound by space and time. Human beings, however, live in a dimension that is fettered by space and time, and know nothing without the information placed in their memories. For example, the events that human beings refer to as "the future" are the future because, as a requirement of the environment of testing in this world, Allah has not placed them in our memories, so we cannot know them. Events referring to the future have not yet been experienced by people. Our Almighty Lord, however, is not bound by space and time, and it is He Who created these out of nothing. Therefore, for Allah the past, present and future are all one, and are all over and done with. We can understand that time is a single moment in the sight of Allah, and that there are no past or future for Him, from the style employed in the Qur'an. In those verses in which it is stated that people will have to account for themselves to Allah, it is revealed that these events referring to the future have long since actually taken place:

And the trumpet is blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth swoon away, save him whom Allah wills. Then it is blown a second time, and behold them standing waiting! (Surat az-Zumar, 68)

All events that have happened or will happen in this world have come to an end in a single moment in the light of the destiny set out by Almighty Allah. Therefore, all the signs of the End Times which our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has stated will take place in the future had actually already happened at that time. In other words, in the time of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) the Mahdi had come into the world, lived, performed all his deeds, and died. Indeed, every moment of the life of the Mahdi was already over with in the time of the Prophet Adam (pbuh). The Mahdi had already fulfilled his duties in the times of the Prophets Musa, Yusuf, Nuh and 'Isa (peace be upon them all). When the time appointed by Allah comes, everyone living in the End Times will follow and witness these holy events.

It must not be forgotten that whoever Allah has so destined will be the Mahdi. The Mahdi is a holy individual revealed by Allah to our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who described 1,400 years ago his physical and other features, deeds, services and effect on the world. In the same way that it is impossible to imitate these qualities, or to acquire them through hard work, so it is impossible, by Allah's leave, to halt the work of the Mahdi. The Mahdi will perform all the services described by our beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and will, by the will of Allah, cause Qur'anic moral values to prevail on Earth. This is the destiny set out by Allah.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

1 Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 36.

2 Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, The Damascus Sermon, 90.

3 Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Emirdag Letters-ll, 76.

4 Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Sikke-i Tasdik-i Gaybi, 9.

5 Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Risale-i Nur Collection, The Rays, The Second Station of the Fifth Ray, Nineteenth Matter.

6 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, 23, 34, 50, 44.

7 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, 32.

8 Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, 59.

9 Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, 17.

10 Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi `Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, 17.

11 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, 42.

12 Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Rasul Barzanji , Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, 163.

13 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, 20.

14 Sunan Ibn Majah.

15 Ibn Ahmad Hanbal.

16 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, 23.

17 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, 36.

18 Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar, 36; Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Rasul Barzanji , Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, 164.

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 6

2009-11-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

Eve2020 asked:

The Eminence Islam Attaches to Women

2009-11-16T19:43:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

The position of women in Islam has recently been an issue of debate. Some misconceptions arise, either from traditional practices which are thought to be "Islamic," but are not, or else from prejudices. However, the real issue is how women are regarded in the Islamic faith, and when we look at this, we see that Islam gives women great social value, freedom and comfort.

Women in the Qur'an

God's commandments about the status of women and the relations between men and women, which have been revealed to us through the Qur'an, consist of full justice. In this regard, Islam suggests equality of rights, responsibilities and duties between the two genders. Islam is based on sympathy, tolerance and respect for human beings, and does not discriminate against women in this matter.

The examples of good morals communicated to us in the Qur'an are universally compatible with human nature, and are valid for all stages of history.

Respect for women and women's rights fall within this. In the Qur'an God insists that the tasks and responsibilities of women are the same as those of men. Furthermore, while performing these tasks and responsibilities men and women must help and support each other:

The men and women of the believers are friends of one another. They command what is right and forbid what is wrong, and establish prayer and pay alms, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They are the people on whom Allah will have mercy. Allah is Almighty, All Wise. (Qur'an, 9:71)

God emphasizes that believers will be rewarded in the same manner according to their deeds, regardless of their gender.

Their Lord responds to them: 'I will not let the deeds of any doer among you go to waste, male or female - you are both the same in that respect... (Qur'an, 3:195)

Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did. (Qur'an, 16:97)

In another verse, Muslim men and women are considered together, and it is stressed that both have the same responsibility and status in God's sight:

Men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are believers, men and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are steadfast, men and women who are humble, men and women who give alms, men and women who fast, men and women who guard their private parts, men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward. (Qur'an, 33:35)

In the Qur'an there are many more verses stating that men and women are exactly equal in terms of their tasks and responsibilities and their rewards or punishments in return. There are a few differences in social issues, but these are for the comfort and protection of women. The commands of the Qur'an regard the congenital differences between the two genders resulting from their creation, and suggest a system maintaining equal justice for men and women in this light.

Islam does not see women as objects. Therefore, it is not seen appropriate that a woman of good morals should marry a man of bad morals. In the same way, it is not permitted for a woman of bad morals to marry a man of good morals:

Corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men are for corrupt women, Good women are for good men and good men are for good women. The latter are innocent of what they say. They will have forgiveness and generous provision. (Qur'an, 24:26)

Also as regards marriage, the duties and responsibilities of couples towards each other require equality. God demands that both spouses be protective of and supervise each other. This duty is expressed in the Qur'an in the following words.

They are covers for you and you for them... (Qur'an, 2:187)

Many rules and commandments exist in the Qur'an regarding the protection of women's rights on marriage. Marriage is based on the free will of both parties; the husband has to provide economic support for his wife (4:4); the husband has to look after his ex-wife after divorce (65:6).

The Islamic Emancipation of Women

As the verses make clear, Islam brings justice to male-female relations and puts an end to harmful practices resulting from customs and traditions of pre-Islamic societies. One example is the situation of women in pre-Islamic Arab society. The pagan Arabs regarded women as inferior, and having a daughter was something to be ashamed of. Fathers of daughters sometimes preferred to bury them alive rather than announce their birth. By means of the Qur'an, Allah prohibited this evil tradition and warned that on the Judgment Day such people will definitely have to account for their actions.

In fact, Islam brought with it a great emancipation for women, who were severely persecuted in the pagan era. Prof. Bernard Lewis, known as one of the greatest Western experts on the history of Islam and the Middle East, makes the following comment:

In general, the advent of Islam brought an enormous improvement in the position of women in ancient Arabia, endowing them with property and some other rights, and giving them a measure of protection against ill treatment by their husbands or owners. The killing of female infants, sanctioned by custom in Pagan Arabia, was outlawed by Islam. But the position of women remained poor, and worsened when, in this as in so many other respects, the original message of Islam lost its impetus and was modified under the influence of pre-existing attitudes and customs. 1

Karen Armstrong, another Western expert on Islam, makes the following comment:

We must remember what life had been like for women in the pre-Islamic period when female infanticide was the norm and when women had no rights at all. Like slaves, women were treated as an inferior species, who had no legal existence. In such a primitive world, what Muhammad achieved for women was extraordinary. The very idea that a woman could be witness or could inherit anything at all in her own right was astonishing. 2

In fact, during the many centuries that followed Prophet Muhammad, women of the Islamic societies had a much higher social position than the women of Christendom. Karen Armstrong emphasizes that, during the Middle Ages;

... the Muslims were horrified to see the way Western Christians treated their women in the Crusader states, and Christian scholars denounced Islam for giving too much power to menials like slaves and women. 3

Anna King, a modern Muslim woman and a convert - or, better to say, a revert - to Islam, explains the Islamic emancipation of women as follows:

Islam first gave women their rights in a time when women were nothing but the property of men. Islam gave women the right to buy and sell on their own, own businesses and express her views politically. These were all basic rights which the American woman was not granted until relatively recently! It also encouraged women to study and learn Islamic knowledge, breaking a ban which several religions had stipulated, which forbid women to acquire any religious knowledge or touch religious texts... It also abolished the practice of marrying a woman without her consent. Thus, one would have to be very stubborn indeed to refuse such obvious facts and proofs that Islam was women's first liberator.

The tendencies to see women as "an inferior species" who has no right for education and that must be totally secluded from the society arose much later in the Islamic world, as a result of deviations from the right Qur'anic path.

Conclusion

Thus we can say that the mentality that despises women, excludes them from society and regards them as second class citizens is a wicked pagan attitude which has no place in Islam.

In fact, devout women are depicted as good examples for mankind in the Qur'an. One is Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Another is the wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh who, despite her husband's wickedness, is also described as an ideal Muslim. (see, 66:11-12) The Qur'an also describes very gentle conversations between the Prophet Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (27:42-44), and between Moses and two young ladies (28:23-26), which symbolize the civilized social relationship between the two genders.

Therefore, it is impossible for a Muslim to have a bigoted approach to women. In a society where true Islamic morals are practiced, immense respect and sympathy will be shown to women, and it will be ensured that they can live in freedom and comfort.

The fundamental rule in Qur'anic exegesis is ensuring that the derived meaning is in conformity with the integrity of the Qur'an. When this is considered, it is seen that all the rules mentioned to us by Allah regarding women form a social structure allowing them to live in the most comfortable and happiest way. In a society where all the moral values mentioned by Islam are practiced comprehensively, the social position of women becomes even more exalted than in societies that we today regard as modern.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

(1) Bernard Lewis, The Middle East, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1995, p. 210

(2) Karen Armstrong, Muhammad A Biography of The Prophet, Harper Collins Publisher, USA, 1992, p.191

(3) Karen Armstrong, Muhammad A Biography of The Prophet, Harper Collins Publisher, USA, 1992, p.199

History of Islam in America: Whither and Where - Yasir Qadhi

2009-11-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

khalifahklothing asked:

www.ilmcast.com A comprehensive history of Islam in America. Yasir Qadhi explores the history of Islam and Muslims in the Americas from the beginning to the present day, discussing everything from the pre-Columbus era to theories about early Muslim exploration of the New World, to the Muslim Slave experience, the Nation of Islam, right through to the advent of both early and recent Muslim immigration. Coincidentally, from the same podium where Abraham Lincoln spoke a few hundred years ago ...

Theory of civilization and islam

2009-11-14T02:35:00.000-08:00

Farman Nawaz asked:

Theory of civilization

Civilization is the natural prerequisite of human beings. Its filaments sprout from inside men. A man is not dependent on outer help for the growth of civilization. If a couple is left in an island, it will raise the structure of civilization. A civilization will remain intact as long as it fulfills the collective and individual requirements of human beings. When ever a certain faction of people develops culturally and greater part of people remains uncultured and poor then it is the demand of the time to demolish that culture. Because it will result in the denial of vital needs of life to majority while a marginal people will take pleasure in prosperity. The capabilities of community are exhausted and no body thinks about for common cause. Every body tries filling his belly, even if the neighbors die of starvation. An uprising is the final remedy in this state of affairs.

In this situation if all the groups of society are not paralyzed, one sect will come forward to replace the deserted part of society. They will detach the brutal group from politics. And a new civilization will be developed, leaving aside the earlier one like shabby dress. French, German, Russian and Turk revolutions, evolution of democratic government of England, are examples of domestic disagreements. But if all the segments of nation are paralyzed so that they are not competent to lead, then an outer nation will come forward to fill up the gap. And a new system is established for development.

After a revolution a large group which was working only as supporter but did not played active part, it will have an effect on the revolution by their deeds and manners. But their effect is only outwardly. The leading party is always the active part of society. A revolution needs groundwork, durability and consistency of thoughts. In revolution some people will be our relatives but if they are sucking the blood of innocent people then their destiny is death. Death should be not misunderstood with bloodshed and killing but it means political, social and economical execution.

The downfall of humanity always starts from injustice. When a large group of people will stave, it means that we are depriving certain group to play active part in the development of society. Because these people will constantly be concerned about their source of revenue. Otherwise they could do some creative work. So the evolution of society will be stopped. When a competent part f society, having superior moral character and judgment power, overlooks their responsibilities so they will waste their time in some disgraceful activities. They will always butter up their ruler to get more and more. This is the start of paganism. It destroys the fine qualities of humanity. The Nature always destroys this kind of civilization and prepares the ground for dwelling of righteous people on ruins of that society.

Now if we come across at the early history of Islam, we will discover that at that time there were two powers in the world, one was Iran and second was Rome. A historian "Barzoma" writes in his book "Kalela Damna" about Iran in these words. "It seems that people have set aside truth. The stuff which is useful is not at hand and the existing stuff is ruinous. Lie is green and just is disgraced. Knowledge is considered inferior and thoughtlessness is measured superior. Hatred is famed and love is unfashionable. Corrupt are awarded and honest are isolated. The cruel are proud and oppressed are used to be comfortable over their situation. It seems that virtue is handcuffed and sin is set free". The same was the case of Rome.

At last the God revealed a new set of principles to follow and get rid of oppression. After a very few years life began to grow in Egypt, Africa and Iran. The goad of Quran was to criticize the manners of Iran and Rome and the demolition of their systems as well as to erect a new system of politics and economics. This goal was not specialized only for Iran and Rome; even if a Muslim state is against the soul of Islam i.e. Justice, it will be shattered to pieces. The Quran disagree with any justification for cruelty and give courage to block the way of cruel system.

After the great Mughals, India was facing the fate of Rome and Iran. The Mughal dynasty was breathing its last. The new age brought miseries for Indians. They were deprived of profitable resources. If truth be told we were defeated. If our culture, philosophy of life and law were not defective then why our politics failed.

Even today we should realize that we are a failed nation. But this failure is the defeat of our culture and system, not of philosophy. Our philosophy assumed a structure but that structure is demolished. If a ships is sink then it not wise to cling to the pieces of ship for life time. We tried our best to save it but in vain. Now we must have the cleverness to build a new ship in accordance with the new demands. Of course the design of old ship will facilitate us to outline a new one.

Our past is now a history but life tries to make its level smooth. We should agree on the bad and good. The bad must be ancient history and the new good must be accepted around us. The values are old but its outfit is new. Defeat is natural but dishearten is a sin. Islam will have to erect a new building and it will be better for Muslims to do it almost immediately.

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An Oral History of Islam in Pittsburgh - Part One

2009-11-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

qahtani asked:

Part One of "An Oral History of Islam in Pittsburgh" examines the evolution of Islam in Pittsburgh beginning with migrant ex-slaves in the post Civil War era, to the early twentieth century, when indigenous Muslims began collecting pieces of Islam to form their own communities. The film looks at pseudo-Islamic movements such as the Moorish Science Temple and the Nation of Islam, in addition to off-shoots of traditional Islam such as the Ahmadiyah movement, which were all part of Islam's ...

The Blessed Uthman (ra): the Caliph of Islam Possessed of Superior Moral Values

2009-11-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Throughout his life, the Blessed Uthman (ra), one of the first few people to accept Islam, was one of those closest to our Prophet (saas). Before he was raised to the status of caliph, he performed great services to further the adoption and spread of Islamic moral values: After his elevation to this position by a council delegation following the martyrdom of Umar (ra), he served in other ways. He fought by the side of the Prophet (saas) in all battles except Badr. Nobody objected to Uthman (ra)’s selection to the rank of caliph because he was regarded as worthy of it throughout Islamic society, and everyone swore allegiance to him.

Uthman’s (ra) Services Before Becoming Caliph

Uthman (ra), who became a Muslim through Abu Baqr’s message, was a valuable companion of the Prophet (saas) and, with his superior moral values, an example for all Muslims. In addition to possessing a very pleasant and effective way of speaking, and an excellent memory, he learned the Holy Qur’an by heart. Furthermore, he had a great knowledge of the words of the Prophet (saas) (hadiths) and as amanuensis of the revelation, performed great services for Islam.

Uthman (ra) sought only the approval and love of Allah.All the material wealth that Allah bestowed on him, he expended on the dissemination of Islamic moral values and on the well-being of Muslims. He spent 20,000 dirhems--a very large sum of money at the time-- on buying the Bi’r Ruma (the Well of Rumah) and placed it at the disposal of Muslims in Medina who were buying water from the well because of a shortage of fresh water.(1) In addition, Uthman (ra) fitted out one third of the Tebuk Expedition’s army, which represented Islam’s most powerful forces at the time. (2) It is reported that after his help, the army had no more need of anything.

It is reported, too, that at a time when famine struck Medina, Uthman (ra) purchased a caravan of one hundred camel-loads of wheat coming from Damascus and later distributed it all free to the poor of Medina and Sahabat al-Kiram, the companions of the Prophet (saas). (3)

Uthman (ra)’s Superior Services During his Caliphate

Certainly one of Uthman (ra)’s greatest services in the propagation of Islamic moral values during his caliphate was how he had copies of the Holy Qur’an copied and sent to various Islamic centers. In his day, due to differences of accent, the verses of the Qur’an were being read out in different ways, so the Blessed Uthman (ra) set up an institution for the copying of the Qur’an. One specimen was left in Medina, and others sent to Mecca, Damascus, Kufa, Basra, Egypt and other locations.

Due to this great and honorable service, Uthman (ra) came to be called the disseminator of the Qur’an. (4)

When making postings, Uthman (ra) was careful to appoint learned people. He laid great importance on advances in construction and agriculture to raise the level of well-being of people living in Islamic lands, and sought to improve vineyards and orchards. The best expression of his lofty concept of justice was his statement that “We will proscribe nobody unless they commit a crime, or commit blasphemy.” is. (5) During the period, Muslims grew rich and enjoyed greater well-being than in the past. During his caliphate, a great many people in Islamic lands converted to Islam.

His Conception of Military and Political Leadership

When it came to Islam and the faithful, Uthman (ra) avoided no sacrifices. Throughout his caliphate, he achieved great successes in his military and political leadership.

At the time, as a result of requests by Mu’awiyah, then governor of Syria, the first Islamic fleet was brought to the shores of Syria — of great importance for protecting an Islamic country that had recently begun expanding, and a large part of whose territories consisted of coastal regions. When this idea became a reality, the Islamic state possessed a considerable maritime force, and thanks to this first fleet, the strategically important Mediterranean island of Cyprus was taken. In the years following this first maritime victory, campaigns were waged against other Mediterranean islands.

But in these maritime campaigns and also wars on land Uthman (ra) was always — Islamic moral values require — just and compassionate, and made this felt by peoples living under his administration as well as in captured territories. During the capture of the Armenian city of Dabil (Dvin), Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians were given assurances and guaranteed the protection of all their places of worship.(6) Moreover, he never withheld permission to restore damaged churches and build new monasteries. For instance, the St. Sergius monastery outside of Medain was destroyed by Patriarch Mar Amme, but rebuilt during Uthman's reign.

In addition, the conquests in Persia, the Caucasus and Africa continued during Uthman (ra)’s period. Great victories were gained over the Byzantine Empire, and order and justice were established in the captured territories. Armenia, the Caucasus, Horasan, Morocco, Kerman, much of Africa and many other regions all became part of the Islamic map. (7)

Our Prophet (saws) Imparted the Tidings of Uthman (ra)’s Martyrdom

It is reported with Abu Ya’la (ra), transmitted from Hafsa (ra), the mother of believers, that

“The Prophet (saws) of Allah had Uthman (ra) called to him and said: “You will be killed! Be patient, may Allah give you patience. Do not take off the shirt--the caliphate--that Allah will have you wear for ten years and six months!” As he turned to go, the Prophet (saas) of Allah added, “ . . . You will be martyred and die while you are fasting. You will break your fast with me! ” (8)

He remained in his post of caliph even in the confusion that arose from words spoken to him by our Prophet (saas). One day the Prophet (saas) said to him, “O Uthman, the Lord may clothe you with a garment, and if hypocrites want to take it away from you, do not put it off till you meet me in paradise." (9)

The predictions of Uthman (ra)’s martyrdom revealed by our Prophet (saas) came to pass as a miracle in the sight of Allah. Uthman (ra), who had assumed such a great responsibility in the propagation of Islam, was martyred.

This holy individual’s martyrdom of came about as a result of troubles emerging from cities such as Basra and, Kufa and countries such as Egypt. in the year Hijri 35 (657 A.D.), rebels martyred the Blessed Uthman (ra) in his home and he was raised to an honorable position in the sight of Allah.

Uthman (ra)’s obedience to the words of the Prophet (saas) even in the face of these dangers are clear signs of his devotion and submission to Allah and our Prophet (saas).

Uthman (ra)’s Superior Moral Values

His superior moral values are praised in the hadiths of our Prophet (saws), and throughout the ten years of his caliphate, he displayed a moderate and just administration and followed the path of our Prophet (saws). He expanded Islamic territory with campaigns waged by land and at sea, and helped Qur’anic moral values spread over a wide area.

Uthman (ra), serving the spread of Islam, by the will of Allah, both before and after the caliphate, exhibited an exemplary determination in spreading Qur’anic moral values to Muslims and a virtuous morality. In this verse, Allah has revealed the efforts all Muslims must make in this regard:

Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success. (Surah Al ‘Imran: 104)

In Uthman (ra)’s Own Words

“Learn from the past and do auspicious deeds.”

“Allah has given you this world so that with it, you may seek the Hereafter, not so that you may love it!”

“Hasten to do all the auspicious deeds you can before death comes.”

“O People! Do not oppose the commandments of Allah, because avoiding opposing the commandments of Allah is a blessing. Although a servant may see, let him fear his eyes being blinded by Allah. A single word is enough for those who understand wisdom. The deaf in spirit cannot hear the truth. Know that whomever Allah stands by need fear nothing.”

Our Prophet’s (saws) Words Regarding the Blessed Uthman (ra)

Verily, the angels stand abashed before Uthman as they stand abashed before God and His Prophet." (10)

Uthman is the humblest of my community and also the most munificent. (11)

After the Prophet Lot (as), Uthman was the first to go on an emigration with his family. (12)

Every prophet has a companion in paradise. My companion there is Uthman. (13)

O Allah! Lift doomsday, grief and suffering from Uthman, because he has lifted our suffering. (14)

Uthman is with me, and I with him. (15)

From the Letter Written to Governors When Uthman (ra) Became Caliph

“Know that justice consists of observing the needs of Muslims, enforcing their rights, and collecting taxes, and also respecting the rights of the Dhimmi [non-Muslim subjects living in an Islamic country, freely observing their own religious beliefs] and collecting their taxes that they agreed to pay, known as the Jizra]. Remain faithful to agreements, [even] with your enemies.”

From a Letter Written to Frontier Commanders When He Became Caliph

“You are the army of the Muslims. Nobody is ignorant of Umar (ra)’s relationship with commanders. His every deed took place before the eyes of all. Do not attempt to damage or change this order. If you do, Allah will replace you and give to others the task of defending and spreading Islam. Constantly check your behavior. I constantly monitor the duties entrusted to me by Allah and that He wishes me to fulfil.”

The Blessed Uthman (ra)’s First Sermon:

When he approached the pulpit to give the first sermon of his caliphate, after first giving praise to Allah, he said this:

O Muslims! You are living with the blessings of peace and security that occur with Islam. With this blessing, you have neared the end of your lives. May your ends be auspicious. Day and night, you have striven to the full extent of your abilities. But you must know that the things of this world are deceptive. Do not be deceived by the life of this world. Do not be haughty before Allah, but learn from what has already transpired. Do not be heedless or unaware. Be vigilant. Allah is not heedless. Those who loved this world, who were devoted to it and built commercial buildings and palaces that we see everywhere before us — where are they now? Where are those worldly dynasties that ruled for so long? Was this world loyal to them? Learn from these individuals and do not overestimate this world, which Allah regards as insignificant. Prepare for the Hereafter, which is your eternal Abode.

Uthman (ra) added, “There is a good example of this in the Qur’an” and finished his sermon by quoting the verse: “Wealth and sons are the embellishment of the life of this world. But in your Lord’s sight, right actions are lasting and bring a better reward and a better basis for hope.” (Surat al-Kahf: 46)

1 Hadrath Uthman (ra); www.islam4you.co.uk/news/articles/ 209/1/Hadhrat-Uthmaan-(Radhiallaahu-Anhu)

2 “Assessment;” http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/54_uthman_bin_ghani.htm

3 Hz. Osman (Uthman (ra)); http://www.huzuradogru.com/eshabikiram/hz_osman.htm

4 Hz. Osman (Uthman (ra)); http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/diyanet/2001cocuk/temmuz/hzosman.htm

5 Dogustan Gunumuze Buyuk Islam Tarihi (The Great Islam History: From beginning to today), p. 212.

6 Levent Ozturk, Asr-i Saadetten Hacli Seferlerine Kadar Islam Toplumunda Hiristiyanlar (Christians in Islamic Society from the Blessed Period of the Prophet to the Crusades) (Istanbul: Iz Publishing Co., 1998), pp. 114-15

7 Hz. Osman (Uthman (ra)); http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/DIYANET/2002aylik/nisan/portre.htm

8 Imam Suyuti, Olaganustu Yonleriyle Peygamberimiz (sav) el-Hasaisu'l-Kubra, trans: Naim Erdogan Iz Yayincilik, Istanbul, 2003, p. 729

9 Tirmidhi hadiths.

10 R. O. Mahmud Sami, Hz. Osman (r.a), Erkam Publishing, p. 143

11 Hz. Osman (Uthman (ra)); http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/DIYANET/2002aylik/nisan/portre.htm

12 Ibid.

13 Ibid.

14 Hz. Osman (Uthman (ra)); http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/diyanet/2001cocuk/temmuz/hzosman.htm

15 http://www.dinibilgiler.org/BirBileneSoralim/EshabiKiramveIbniSebeciler/01-Eshab-iKiramveEhl-iBeytinFazileti/07-HzOsmaniZinnureyn.htm

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

How Did the Islam Born in Mecca Spread Across the World?

2009-11-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

Harun Yahya asked:

Our Prophet Muhammad (saas) expended enormous energy on preaching the Islamic moral values taught him by Allah until the very end of his life. By Allah’s leave, this message initiated through such sincere endeavors on the part of our Prophet (saas) spread across a very wide region in a short space of time by means of his honesty, determination and moral virtues. This message, which continued after the death of our Prophet (saas) was a means whereby millions of people came to have faith; in this way, people learned true love, peace and justice, based on the moral precepts of the Qur’an.

The Prophet Muhammad (saas), whom Allah tells us in the Qur’an He sent as a “Mercy to the Worlds,” abided by Islamic moral values with the utmost joy and enthusiasm right up to the end of his life, a life which constituted a role model for others. This message, single-handedly initiated by our Prophet (saas), soon spread, by Allah’s leave, over a wide area. And it continued after him, again through the efforts of sincere believers. According to the latest research, this joyous rise of Islam, regarded as the most rapidly spreading faith in the world, will cause Islam Allah’?n izni ile to rule over the whole world with the coming of the Prophet Isa (pbuh) and the Mahdi in the end times.

Ever since the first days of its revelation, Islam spread at enormous speed by means of the determination and sincerity displayed by our Prophet (saas). The determination and justice of the Muslims of that time who adopted our Prophet (saas) as a role model was highly influential in many Arab tribes’ turning to Islam. The moral values of the Qur’an brought about positive changes in the lives of the people of the region and replaced the chaos, injustice and blood feuds of the age of ignorance with peace and security. An order based on the true love, respect, compassion and justice of Qur’anic moral precepts was established for the first time uzun süre sonra among the people of the region.

Following the death of our Prophet (saas) on 8 June 632 (Gregorian), Islam continued to rise at a great speed, spreading within a few decades to Mesopotamia in the north, Africa in the west and as far as India in the east. Local people, who until shortly before had lived unaware of religious moral values became rulers of a world empire thanks to the reason, awareness and elevated culture bestowed on them by Islamic moral values. This Islamic State, the like of whose rapid rise had rarely been equaled, established a far more powerful administration than other regimes by spreading over a wider extent than the ancient Roman Empire. At the heart of this matchless development of Islam lies the fact it was made possible by the superior virtues, intelligence, foresight, determination and sincere endeavors of our Prophet (saas), by the will of Allah.

Our Prophet (saas) began communicating his message immediately after the Hegira. His method was to employ companions to call on the rulers of neighboring countries to adopt Islamic moral precepts. Our Prophet (saas) who acted on our Lord’s command on this subject in the finest possible manner, used wisdom and gentle advice to invite others to adopt Islamic moral precepts by way of these emissaries:

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. (Surat An-Nahl, 125)

The Companions Begin Communicating the Message

The companions chosen by our Prophet (saas) also took with them a letter to the rulers of the areas they were sent to. The companions, who had an excellent knowledge of the languages of the areas to which they were dispatched, acted in the light of our Prophet’s (saas) advice and soon won people’s love and respect with the moral virtues they exhibited and their rational, wide and sincere communication. One of our Prophet’s (saas) pieces of advice on this subject that all Muslims must scrupulously abide by is: “Make matters easy, not difficult. Impart glad tidings and do not inspire hatred. Act as one, do not fall out among yourselves. Treat people with kindness and do not resort to violence.” (Muslim, 3263)

How Rulers Were Called on to Adopt Islamic Moral Precepts, and the Spread of Islam

How the Ruler of Abyssinia Negus was Called on to Adopt Islam

On the 7th year of the Hegira our Prophet (saas) first sent the companion Amr ibn Umayya with a letter to Negus Al-Asham, king of Abyssinia. The letter read: “From Muhammad, Prophet of Allah, to Negus, king of Abyssinia!...

O king! I desire you to become a Muslim.

In your name I give thanks to Allah, Lord of the Titles of the One and Only, the King, the Most Pure, the Perfect Peace.

And I bear witness that Isa, son of Maryam, is the servant and the Word of Allah. Allah breathed that Word (which is the address “Kun” that gave the body to Isa) and that soul into the most pure and chaste Maryam, who was completely withdrawn from the life of this world. And in this way Maryam became pregnant with Isa. This Allah created Isa.

In the same way that Allah created Adam by His mighty hand (and as a miracle).

O King!

I invite you to faith in Allah, He Who has no equal, and to worship Him, and to abide by me and to believe in those Allah has sent to me. Because I am the emissary of the message of Allah.

I call on you and your people to (have faith in) Allah, the Great and Glorious.

I have now communicated to you (the essence of Islam) and given you counsel. Now you accept that counsel!

Once the letter had been read to him Negus, king of Abyssinia, declared that he had no qualms about becoming a Muslim, and gave a letter to the emissary, Amr. B. Umeyye. That letter spoke of fulfilling the wishes of the Prophet Muhammad (saas). He also announced that he was sending him precious gifts and openly stated that he could even visit him in person if he so desired. This country, which first became aware of Islam thanks to the emigrants who first came to Abyssinia during the Hegira, became a means whereby the peoples of the area we today know as Eritrea and Somalia were influenced by and converted to Islam.

How the Greek Emperor Heraclius was Invited to Islam

According to historical sources, our Prophet (saas) sent the companion Dihya al Kalbi to call on the Greek Emperor Heraclius to convert to Islam in the seventh year of the Hegira.

Our Prophet (saas) also sent a letter to Heraklius, quoting verse 64 of Surah Al ‘Imran: “Greetings to those who follow the true path.”

“‘’ In the name of Allah, All-Merciful, Most Merciful!

“In the name of Allah, All-Merciful, Most Merciful, from Muhammad, Emissary of Allah, to Heraclius, Lord of the Greeks: Greetings to he who follows the true path! May I add that I invite you to Islam as one. Turn to Islam that you may find happiness. Turn to Islam that Allah may redouble your worth. But if you reject this, then that sin will equally be ascribed to you. And you, come directly to a word that is the same for you, O Peoples of the Book, and us; that is that we worship Allah alone, ascribe no equals to Him, and that none among us takes any other than Allah as his Lord. If they are unwilling, tell them, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims (of those who have submitted to Allah)’.”

How Badhan, Governor of Yemen, Came to the Faith

In a letter that our Prophet (saas) personally had written to Badhan, the governor of Yemen at that time, he announced that Persia would be torn down and Chosroes killed by his son. Shortly thereafter, Badhan received a letter from Shireveyh, son of Chosroes, saying he had killed his father.

The killing of Chosroes took place on the night of the day and at the same hour of that night as our Prophet (saas) had told Badhan. At this, Badhan converted and announced to our Prophet (saas) that he had become a Muslim.

How the Ruler of al-Yamama was Invited to Islam

Haudha b. 'Ali, the ruler of al-Yamama, was a Christian. According to historical sources, our Prophet (saas) charged Salit bin Amr’ with calling this ruler to Islam.

In his letter our Prophet (saas) wrote: “Bismillahirrahmanrrahim! From Muhammad, Prophet of Allah, to Haudha b. 'Ali! Greetings to those on the true path!

You must know that my faith will soon shine as far as the furthest horizons of the world!

O Haudha!

You, too, become a Muslim so that you may attain salvation!

And that I may leave the government of the country under your rule to you!”

In this way, our Prophet (saas) informed all the most eminent men of state of the time about Islam through the emissaries and letters he sent, and thus first caused these countries, most of which would later become part of the Muslim world, to hear the voice of Islam.

Following the death of our Prophet (saas) the blessed caliphs Abu Bakr, Omar, Uthman and Ali followed in his path, continuing to represent a just order based on Qur’anic moral precepts over a wider area. With the conquests achieved at that time, the Islamic Empire began expanding passed the boundaries of the Arabian Peninsula, growing as far as Tripoli in the west, Horasan in the east and the Caucasus in the north. The peoples in the conquered territories soon adopted Islamic moral values. The foundations of the new states to be founded were also laid during this period.

Following the age of the Four Caliphs, the Umayyads (661-750) and the Abbasids (750-1258) led the way in the dissemination of Islamic moral precepts. During the Abbasid age new states far from the center were founded. In the east were the Ghaznavids, the Seljuks, the Sultanate of Delhi, the Timurs, the Golden Horde and Uzbek dynasties and the Baburs. In the west, the Umayyads of Andalusia, the Murabits, the Eyyubites, the Mamelukes and the Ottoman Empire served the spread of Islamic moral values with the states they founded and the work they performed.

The Spread of Islam in Different Regions

AFGHANISTAN

Islam is the official religion in Afghanistan, thought to have a population of 30 million, and 99% of the population are Muslim.

Islam came to Afghanistan with the sending by the blessed Uthman or Muaviya of the governor of Basra, 'Abdur-Rahman ibn Samura to that country. Islam spread rapidly once the people became acquainted with Islamic moral precepts.

The country was run by various tribes for a long while to come. In the second half of the 9th century a large part of Afghanistan fell into the hands of the Samanids, and later still the Ghaznavid State was established. Today, Islam is the official religion in Afghanistan, thought to have a population of 30 million, and 99% of the population are Muslim. In addition to Muslims, there are small numbers of Hindus, Sikhs and Jews. Afghanistan, which unified in the face of the occupation in the 1980s, possesses some of the world’s most significant mineral deposits.

ALGERIA

Algeria became part of the territories of the Islamic Empire when it was captured by Islam armies shortly after the death of our Prophet (saas). Islam is the official religion in Algeria and around 99% of its 32 million population are Muslim.

In a declaration published in November 1954, the people of Algeria announced their wish to free themselves from occupation by establishing an independent state in the area based on Islamic moral values. Despite long years of oppression and cruelty, the Algerian people’s devotion to Islam had always remained strong and vibrant, the wealth of studies by scholars living in the countries being one of the main causes of this. Scholars such as Emir Abdulqadr, Sheikh Abdulhamid bin Badis, Sheikh Abdullatif, the famous thinker Malik Ibn Nabi and Sheikh Ahmad Sahnun were in the forefront of the Algerian people’s learning about Qur’anic moral precepts.

INDONESIA

With a population of 230 million, of whom 87% are Muslim despite coming from widely diverse ethnic backgrounds, Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world.

Even if Islam reached Indonesia before, the first traces according to the historical records go back to the 1290s. A History of Islamic Societies, by the California University professor of History Ira M. Lapidus, describes how Marco Polo encountered Muslim communities in the Pasai region in the north of the island of Samudera.

The Ottoman Empire is known to have had various contacts with the communities in Indonesia in 1526. Freed by the Ottomans from Portuguese attacks and Dutch occupation, the people of the region felt a particular affinity for the Ottomans. That affinity revealed itself in a number of events; for example, sermons in the name of the caliph declaring their devotion began to be read in mosques. During the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II, relations intensified still further. The people of the region sent 10,000 Spanish florins to support the Ottoman Empire during the Crimean war between 1854 and 1856. In addition, the populace secretly established an Ottoman Fleet Society in 1909, aimed at supporting the Ottoman fleet, sending money, and also announced both during the Balkan wars and the First World War, despite British occupation, that they backed the Ottoman Empire. The people also extended a helping hand to the Turks during the War of Independence, and maintained the Hamidiye Schools set up during the reign of Abdülhamid right down to the present day. The fact that Turkish teams were permitted to enter certain areas in the wake of the tsunami disaster in the last days of 2004 is yet another indication of that closeness.

MOROCCO

Islamic moral values first entered Moroccan territory in the year 686 with the Islamic armies under the command of Uqba Ibnu Nafi’. Today, some 98.7% of the population of Morocco, whose official religion is Islam and with a total population of around 34 million, are Muslims.

Moroccan lands are referred to as “al-Maghrib al-Aqsa” (Far West) in Islamic historical sources. The Maghrib is the name given to all those lands that comprise northwest African countries. Tariq ?bn Zaid, one of Musa Ibn Nusayr’s commanders, entered modern-day Spain by crossing the Straits of Gibraltar and thus laid the foundations of the Andalusian Islamic state.

EGYPT

Islam came to Egypt in the time of the blessed Omar, between the years 639 and 642, by way of Amr Ibn Al-Aas. It spread rapidly among the people in Egypt, where governors chosen by the caliphs served until 868. Egypt, which was ruled by a great many dynasties, remained under the rule of the Ayyubid State founded by Saladin Ayyubi, who had defeated the Crusader armies, from 1171 to 1250. Following the Mamelukes and the Abbasids, Egypt came under Ottoman rule in 1517, achieving independence in 1922. Ninety-two percent of Egypt’s population of 75 million are Muslim, with Christian Copts, a second significant element of the population, representing 7%.

YEMEN

As stated earlier, the spread of Islam in Yemen took place during the lifetime of our Prophet (saas). When our Prophet (saas) first established the Islamic Empire, Yemen was under Persian control and was administered by a governor named Badhan appointed by that country. Badhan converted to Islam at the invitation of our Prophet’s (saas) emissaries and continued as governor of Yemen. These lands, which were ruled by various countries, came under Ottoman control in 1517. Islam is the official religion in Yemen, which has a population of 16 million, 99% of whom are Muslim.

MALAYSIA

Before Islam reached it, Brahmins and Buddhists has established various states in this region. According to various sources, Islam is known to have come to Malaysia after the year 1400. The marriage of Prince Prameswara of Malacca to the daughter of the king of Pasai and subsequent conversion to Islam was influential in the rapid spread of the faith, and Prameswara changed his name to Sultan Megat Iskandar Shah. Islam began spreading very fast in those regions under his administration following his conversion to the faith. Islam was adopted as the official religion during the time of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, who acceded to the Malaccan throne in 1446. At that same time, Malacca also became the centre of Islam in southeast Asia. As its commercial and economic importance grew, Muslim traders began visiting more often. The Malaysian Confederation was founded. There is enormous devotion to Islam in Malaysia, with its powerful economy, especially among the young. The country has a population of 25 million, with 70% of young people performing their religious obligations. The turn towards Islam is particularly powerful among university students.

Ubidiah Mosque, Malaysia

SUDAN

Following their first exposure to Islamic moral precepts in 639, Muslims settling in Egypt shortly afterwards began traveling to Sudan for its markets. That was how the Sudanese first became acquainted with Islam. The rapid spread of Islam in Sudan led to many people who had originally adopted Christianity now converting to Islam. Ninety-nine percent of Sudan’s current population of 28 million are Muslims.

JORDAN

The present-day land of Jordan joined the Islamic State in the time of the Rashid caliphs at the invitation of the blessed Omar. In the 12th century, Jordan came under the temporary control of the Crusaders, a result of the Crusader conquests. Wrested from the Crusaders in 1187, it then passed into the hands of the Ayyubids, Fatimids and Mamelukes. It became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1517 after being taken by Sultan Selim the Stern.

Jordan has a population of 6.5 million, 95% of whom are Muslims.

TUNISIA

Islam came to Tunisia in 648 with Abdallah ibn Abi Sarh. Subsequent conquests in the wake of that first arrival led to all of Tunisia becoming part of the Islamic State. Following the region’s accession to the territories of the Islamic State, the local inhabitants soon became Muslims, the entire population having done so in the 7th century. Tunisia remained a province of the Ottoman Empire until 1881, achieving independence in 1956.

Islam is the official religion in Tunisia, with a population of 12 million, 99.3% of whom are Muslims.

At the heart of this matchless development of Islam lies the fact it was made possible by the superior virtues, intelligence, foresight, determination and sincere endeavors of our Prophet (saas)

According to World Christian Encyclopedia figures, the 962 million world Muslim population in 1990 has reached 1.2 billion today, out of a total world population of 6.2 billion. That figure is expected to climb to 1.8 billion by 2025, and to 2.3 billion by 2060.

According to Canadian Society of Muslims estimates, Muslims will comprise 30% of the world population by 2025.

According to the U.S. Center for World Mission Islam grew more rapidly than Christianity in 1997. This figure, standing at 2.9% each year, is increasing. At this rate, Islam will overtake Christianity to become the world’s largest religion by 2023.

ISLAM’S BRIGHT FUTURE

Today, Islam has a population in excess of 1 billion and is the most rapidly growing faith in the world. The peoples of more than one quarter of the states of the world are Muslim.

During the last 20 years, the number of Muslims in the world has been increasing steadily. Statistics for the year 1973 indicate that the world population of Muslims was 500 million; now, it has reached 1.5 billion. Today, every fourth person is a Muslim. It is probable that the Muslim population will continue to increase and that Islam will become the world's largest religion.

The reason for this steady rise is not only the increasing population in Muslim countries, but also the growing numbers of people who are turning to Islam.

All of these developments have been revealed in the Qur'an: "When God's help and victory have arrived, and you have seen people entering God's religion in droves, then glorify your Lord's praise and ask His forgiveness" (Surat an-Nas 2-3)

The message of moral virtues initiated kararl??? ve samimi çabas?yla by our Prophet (saas), to whom the Holy Qur’an, the final scripture of our Lord, was revealed, and whose moral values, piety and closeness to Allah makes him a role model for all, continues to illuminate the entire world. By Allah’s leave, that illumination will increase still further, and the radiance of Islamic moral values will eradicate the wars, chaos and oppression being experienced in so many parts of the world. As revealed in the Qur’an and the hadiths of our Prophet (saas), this century will be the holy age when Islamic moral precepts come to rule the Earth, and the world comes to enjoy peace and well-being.

Another glorious rise in Islamic moral values, as described in this article that began in the time of the Prophet (saas) and soon spread over three continents, will, by Allah’s leave, take place in the end times, in the time known as the Golden Age, when the Prophet Isa (pbuh) and the Mahdi will appear. These tidings are imparted as follows in the Qur’an:

They desire to extinguish Allah’s Light with their mouths but Allah will perfect His Light, though the disbelievers hate it. It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other religion, though the idolaters hate it. (Surat As-Saff, 8-9)

Our Lord will definitely abide by this promise. What believers need to do is to prepare themselves for this holy age by living according to the precepts of Islamic moral values and imparting these glad tidings to one another.

The History of Islam in America: Columbus to Slavery

2009-11-09T23:25:00.000-08:00

wwwMeccaCentricCom asked:

Website - www.MeccaCentric.com MeccaCentric - Producing videos about Islam and Muslims on DVD. Islamic lectures, speeches, talks and sermons are also available on audio CD. "The History of Islam in America" by Sulayman Nyang Purchase the full-length lecture at http or call 1-800-607-9810 Sulayman Nyang, a history professor at Howard University and author of the book entitled "Islam In The United States of America", identifies in this talk the periods in which Islam gradually came to the ...

"Honor Killing" and Islam

2009-11-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

Kamran Pasha asked:

The American Muslim community is reeling from news of the horrific beheading of Aasiya Hassan, allegedly by her husband Muzzammil Hassan. They were respected members of the community and co-founded BridgesTV, a television network ironically dedicated to fighting negative stereotypes of Muslims. As one of the first Muslims to succeed as a writer in Hollywood, I have been interviewed several times on BridgesTV and was delighted by the professionalism and media savvy of its staff. I had never met the Hassans, but I had been proud of their accomplishments. They were bringing an Islam of love, compassion and human brotherhood to the world, while countering the horrific images of violence and misogyny that had tainted how my fellow Americans saw my faith. The Hassans were people I admired -- educated professionals and patriotic Americans with a commitment to family and community.

And then I heard how Aasiya Hassan died and I wanted to throw up.

Right now there is a great deal of discussion in the media about whether her murder was an "honor killing." And among the more bigoted commentators, there are cries that this horrific murder has proven the "true face of Islam" to the world. That no matter how hard Muslims try to sell an Islam of peace and social justice, a headless corpse of a poor, abused woman will always be its legacy to humanity. I hear these words, and I want to cry out "No! This isn't Islam! This isn't the beautiful religion that brings comfort and joy to a billion people worldwide." But then I see images in my mind of Aasiya Hassan lying decapitated in a pool of blood and I am left wondering why anyone should listen.

The greatest tragedy for me as a Muslim is that my faith is associated with such horrific actions that run counter to everything that Prophet Muhammad stood for. To those who know little about Islamic history, it may sound laughable to assert that Islam began as a proto-feminist movement. But it's true. Perhaps the way out of this madness for the Muslim community is to look back at the life of Prophet Muhammad and remember his true legacy as a visionary champion of women's rights.

I recently finished my first novel, Mother of the Believers, which tells the story of Islam's birth from the perspective of Aisha, the Prophet's young wife. As a scholar, poet and warrior, Aisha was one of the most influential women in history, and her life reveals how empowered the women of Islam were at the onset of the faith. As I researched the story of early Islam for my novel, I was struck by how central women's rights played in the community's identity from the beginning. The Prophet was a sensitive man who had been orphaned at a young age and grew up in poverty. He saw from childhood the suffering of women and children in pre-Islamic Arabia, where the strong crushed the weak, and dedicated his life to changing the system.

One of the first Arab practices he outlawed was female infanticide. Pre-Islamic Arab men would bury alive unwanted baby girls in the desert, a horrific tradition that Prophet Muhammad ended forever. There is a powerful scene in the Holy Qur'an depicting Judgment Day where the souls of all girls who were slain would rise and confront their fathers, asking the men: "For what crime did you kill me?" And then their fathers would be flung into Hell. It is a vivid image meant to inculcate the true horror of such crimes in the minds of Arabs accustomed to centuries of brutal child murder.

The Prophet also established women's right to inherit and own property -- rights that were not given to Christian women until the 19th century in Europe and America. Considering his concern for women's welfare, it is not surprising that the Prophet's earliest followers were female. The first Muslim was his wife Khadijah, a wealthy widow who had been his employer and had proposed marriage to the penniless Muhammad when he was managing her caravans. The first martyr of Islam, Sumaya, was an elderly woman who was killed by Meccan idolaters for refusing to renounce monotheism.

So if all this is true, where does this idea of "honor killing" come from in the Muslim world? Unfortunately, it is one of the ugly elements of pre-Islamic Arabian culture that continues to reassert itself, despite the Prophet's efforts to eradicate the practice. In fact, Prophet Muhammad nearly lost his own beloved wife to the madness of the crowds screaming about "sexual honor." In my novel, I detail how his wife Aisha was once falsely accused of adultery and was the victim of a gossip campaign meant to destroy her reputation and potentially her life. The Holy Qur'an exonerated her of the false accusations, and then demanded that anyone accusing a woman of adultery would have to bring four witnesses to the act of sexual intercourse. Of course, such a requirement is impossible to meet, and its purpose was to end the threat to women's lives under claims of "preserving honor." Aisha was saved, but generations of women continue to be haunted by this curse from The Days of Ignorance, as Muslims refer to the era before Islam. The greatest tragedy of Islam is that some Muslim men continue to uphold these pagan practices that the Prophet outlawed 1,400 years ago.

As a believer, I have no doubt that those who commit murder in the name of Islam will face the wrath of God in this life and in eternity. But personal belief is not enough. Islam is a religion of action. Muslim men must stand and fight against this evil of "honor killing" that destroys lives and families, shatters the bond of love between men and women, and brings disrepute to Islam, which was sent as a beacon of light to the world. If we fail to do so, we will have failed to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad, a kind and compassionate man who never struck a woman or child in his life. If we remain silent, we will have earned the cruel labels that Islamophobes and bigots seek to give us -- barbarians, fanatics and monsters.

The choice that stands before Muslim men is stark. Do we follow ancient and evil practices, creating a cycle of violence and grief, and use culture as an excuse for our sins? Or do we follow our Prophet and create a better world where men and women treat each other with dignity and love? Do we turn life on this Earth into Hell, or into Paradise? The answer will reveal whether we are Muslims, people who have surrendered themselves to the true God of mercy and compassion, or idolaters, people who fashion God according to their own self-serving desires.

May God have mercy on the soul of Aasiya Hassan, and on her children and loved ones. May her tragic death serve as a catalyst to end this ancient and un-Islamic practice of "honor killing" forever.

©2009 Kamran Pasha, author of Mother of the Believers: A Novel of the Birth of Islam

Enriching the Viewers' Knowledge and Appreciation of Islam

2009-11-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

Rafic Yakzan asked:

http://www.islamweb.net/ is a multilingual website that is designed to enrich the viewers' knowledge and appreciation of Islam. It is a site that adopts balanced and moderate views, devoid of bias and extremism. The purpose of this site is to increase the awareness of Muslims and non-Muslims alike about the mission of Islam, to warn news of their salvation in Islam.

At http://www.islamweb.net/, every effort is made to be as comprehensive as possible and to encompass all aspects of Islam: Aqeedah (Islamic belief), Fiqh (Juriprudence), Hadeeth, Quran, Seerah (the Prophet's biography), Etiquettes, Misconceptions, Figures, Islamic History, Family and Society and Current Affairs.

Some of Islamweb.net outstanding features are:

Articles,Fatwa,Reports,News,Lectures,Quranic recitation,Islamic songs,Flashes,Kids' corner,Photo gallery,Ramadan Oasis,Hajj and Umrah

The History Of Islam Part2

2009-11-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

fuarashi asked:

The history of Islam since Muhammad was born.How Islam becomes the great religion.

The History Of Islam Part4

2009-11-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

fuarashi asked:

The history of Islam since Muhammad was born. How Islam becomes the great religion.

Islam 101- Was Islam Spread by the Sword?

2009-11-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

Laura Cosse' asked:

Islam 101

Was Islam Spread by the Sword?

The idea of Islam being spread by the sword is one of the most common misconceptions among both the Muslims and non-Muslims. Many non-Muslims have written untold volumes of anti-Islamic literature propagating the fallacy of Muslims holding swords above the heads of Christians and forcing them to convert to Islam. This is total nonsense. On the other hand we have some Muslim apologists who, in their great fervor to defend Islam and portray it as the peaceful religion it is, seem reluctant to admit that Muslims did indeed fight wars to expand their territories. So what is the truth of the situation? I would like to begin our quest for the truth on this matter by quoting the Qur’an, the literal word of God and the primary source for Islam: “Say the truth from your Lord, then let whomsoever wills believe and let whomsoever wills reject.” 18:29

Let’s start with the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and look at his example. He did preach Islam peacefully in Mecca for 13 years without once raising a finger against his enemies even though he and his followers were harshly persecuted, tortured, mocked and sometimes murdered. The first wars with Mecca did not occur until after the hijra to Medina, and those battles were defensive against Abu Sufyan and his amassed troops. After the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, the peace treaty between the Muslims and the Meccans, was unilaterally broken by the Meccans, the Muslims conquered Mecca without any bloodshed. Tribal customs would dictate that the Meccans should then be slaughtered for their transgressions against the victorious Muslims, and indeed the Meccans anticipated this, but Muhammad (PBUH) granted them amnesty on the condition that they cease fighting the Muslims. This was a beautiful act of mercy which led to the majority of Meccans choosing to convert to Islam, though no person was ever forced to do so.

What is conversion to Islam? Converting to Islam is something that has to be done by choice, it is something that you believe in your heart, that there is only one God and that Muhammad is His prophet and messenger. Words without belief are meaningless. Of course God alone knows what is in each and every person’s heart, so you won’t be able to fool God by meaningless lip service to Islam, and religion is solely for God and the benefit of the individual. So, forced conversion is impossible. The Qur’an attests to this fact in 2:256 where it states: “There is no compulsion in religion.”

So how did Islam spread so rapidly across North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula and east across India and Central Asia all the way to Southeast Asia? Primarily it spread by trade. Very often while Muslim merchants were traveling abroad they would impress the people they did business with by their honesty and integrity, so much so that those people would ask questions, learn about Islam, and eventually choose to convert.

However, there were indeed wars as well, most of which were in the times of the first four caliphs. The prophet Muhammad advised his armies of how to approach the non-Muslim governments, he told his armies to call them first to Islam, and if they accept it then leave them alone. If they reject Islam, call on them to submit to the Muslim government and pay the jizyah tax, a poll tax paid by non-Muslims to the Muslim government for their protection and upkeep of the lands and buildings. If they refused both of those options, then they were to fight. But, the fighting itself had many rules, it wasn’t just a bloodbath, free-for-all like we’ve seen in other times, for instance by the Mongols and the Christian Crusaders, rather it was warfare waged only against the armies themselves. It was forbidden to fight civilians and it was forbidden to destroy their agriculture and means of livelihood. There was no raping, pillaging and plundering by the Muslim armies; they fought only the armies sent out by the government until they surrendered and left the innocent civilians alone.

There are numerous hadiths of the prophet (PBUH) where he clearly distinguishes between the combatants and the non-combatants. In a hadith related by Abu Dawud he said, “Do no kill any old person, any child, or any woman,” and he said, “Do no kill people sitting in places of worship.” Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, gave detailed instructions to his army heading for Syria based on his knowledge of Qur’an and hadiths:

“Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone.”

Once a government had fallen into the hands of the Muslims, the citizens paid a poll tax and were free to practice any religion they chose. Christianity and Judaism flourished under Islamic rule since the Muslims protected their churches and synagogues and other holy places, even though they had the power to wipe them out if they had so chosen. Perhaps the most amazing law of all is that if a Christian or a Jew committed a crime and was found guilty, they were tried by their own courts and punished by their own laws, not by the courts and laws of the Muslims. Can you imagine in America today a Muslim being tried in an Islamic court rather than the American system? This was truly progressive governing.

Many of the citizens welcomed the Muslims as their rulers and viewed them as liberators who had rescued them from oppressive kingships, granting them their basic human rights and so much more. Many of the citizens of a conquered land would choose to embrace Islam once they came in contact with the Muslims, and Islam did spread rapidly through these acquired lands. But, individuals were never forced to convert to Islam.

The proof that individuals were not and are not forced to convert to Islam is in the facts of populations. In Egypt there are over 14 million Coptic Christians, in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and all the other lands ruled by Muslims there have continuously been large populations of Christians and Jews. Muslims ruled over Spain for more than 800 years, yet the Christian and Jewish populations have thrived throughout that time. There are over 450 million Muslims in Indonesia today but there was no war by Muslims that brought the religion there, it was only merchants. And, perhaps the most fascinating, the fastest growing religion in the United States and Europe is Islam. Are Americans and Europeans being forced to convert? Of course not, it’s something else. These people see truth and justice in Islam that they don’t find in any other religion or way of life. These people choose Islam for themselves, by themselves, just like the Meccans did 1400 years ago. That is the truth about how Islam has spread throughout the world.

Peace be on you and yours.

Islam, Judaism And Christianity, On Human Rights And Democracy?

2009-11-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

hasan yahya asked:

Islam, Judaism and Christianity, on human rights and democracy?

By: H.A. Yahya, Professor of Sociology

This state is not unique for Muslim faith, religion through history was (and still is) a force to stabilize cultures, as a force for hostility toward others. European wars were incited by religion. That's in theory, the west perceptions of Islam is that Islam induce suicide bombing culture, which is not true. The issue of martyrdom is different from suicide bombers, and Muslims have a difficulty to distinguish between the two in recent years to satisfy the new world order and its leading force, the USA, especially after September 11. where human rights and democracy were put in the back seat.

Need hierarchy motivates people change according to their perceived needs. Lower-order needs (such as food and shelter and of course democracy) are more important motivators and must be mostly filled before needs for peer acceptance and self-actualization become powerful motivators.

I believe that not making cultural adjustment is usually a mistake. However, the culture allows foreigners more latitude than it does to its own citizens. In such cases, less adjustment is necessary. As for western values, little adjustment is necessary but difficult to apply. What may help in this case, is a core state plays the representative of western power to incite cultural changes, such a state is expected to be Muslim country with western thought.

Associations and organizations should have goals, and processes to make itself for the benefits of Muslims, as the Jewish associations. The Jews are far ahead on any other religion, in taking care of Jews anywhere on Earth. No other religion followers resemble them in management and leadership. And I believe, they should be commended for their successful efforts.

The idea of intellectuals and secularists is very dangerous one to the theologians in every religion. In the Jewish faith, in the Christian faith, and in the Islamic faith. They all share intolerance, lack of Judgment and ignorance of ideas might unite between them. Politics is riding almost all followers of the three mentioned religions. Their followers anywhere are drugged by the teachings of their clergy men, as they are the only followers of God who will open his paradise for them and denies other religions from Heaven, but to expel them in Hell.

In Christian faith, Jesus Image in one church, is different from other churches. Catholic beliefs are different from those of Protestant beliefs. And both are misused by the Old Testament, or the New one.

In the Jewish faith, however, it took a very different direction, Jews have understood early the power of mind, through Espinoza, Marx, and Durkheim, to control circumstances of the modern world through Psychology, Medicine, Audio-visual Media, Press, and attorneys at law, in addition to business finance and banking were the means to control people. These fields were observed, as controlled in the United States by Jews. Psychology departments and tests writings, have changed the negative image of Jews in America after the 1940s and the Holocaust. Politically they supported those who may support Jewish goals, such as creating and supporting the State of Israel. They were very successful in that field. Most Americans follow blindly this direction and support Israel financially and materially through arms weaponry and advanced technology.

Both Christian and Jewish faiths were united early as Judeo-Christian faith to stand opposing the religion of Islam. Muslims are not less in their position from other religions. All religions share conflict with the other. And none is proved true in their allegations. But as I see it, there should be a conciliation or normalization by reciprocal recognition between religions to reduce the tension among their followers worldwide. Exchanged misconceptions about each other may close the gap between religions in terms of human rights and Democracy. If we forget the false assumption about Muslim terrorists perception. (644 words)

Muslims & Islam

2009-10-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

Nawaz asked:

Many Muslims especially of influence in society think that the idea of unity of humankind is an unrealistic goal and therefore, should be abandoned. According to them, this may be a romantic or an exotic idea but it is an unattainable goal. They think that Muslims waste their time in talking about the unity of humankind when they themselves are badly divided.They catalog a long list of such divisions from Muslim history. Wars fought and continue to be fought amongst themselves and millions of Muslims killed by Muslims are given as proofs from past and present history to support their claim that Muslim unity is not possible,let alone the unity of humankind. How can then one talk about Muslim unity when their past history has been so divisive, they are quick to remind everyone. These are mostly the feelings of the secular liberal or progressive minded Muslims.This feeling gives them intellectual satisfaction and a sense of psychological security. The conservative minded Muslims are no different.In fact, they put a religious and a sacred twist to the differences among Muslims.From every religious pulpit they announce that the differences and divisions among Muslims are the blessings of Allah Almighty. Remember,the Quran does not support this chapter 3 verse 103.In fact, it warns Muslims not to create divisions chapter 30 verse 32.But religious leaders thrive and in fact exist on these differences. So, they perpetuate the existence of these differences and divisions by sanctifying them. This opens the door for any group to call itself Naji and therefore on the way to Heaven and the rest destined for hell. So,in the end, it turns out that, every group can and does claim that it is going to Heaven.In layman terms they want to have both ways: have the cake and eat it too! What can be more wonderful than this This gives individuals in each sect emotional satisfaction and a sense of self-righteousness. So, we see that Muslims in both camps secular as well as conservative feel satisfied with their respective positions – but for totally different reasons. Secular Muslims feel satisfied because of their intellectual analysis of Muslim history. Religious ones,on the other hand,feel satisfied based on clerical edicts and blind faith.Thus both groups in a way feel satisfied with the perpetual disunity of Muslims in the world.

There are many Muslims though who simply want to move with the times and leave Islam to the Mullahs. They believe in the adage: Do in Rome as the Romans do. But a vast majority of Muslims practice passive Islam that was passed on to them by their forefathers in the name of Islam and go about doing their daily businesses.They feel fed up with all the controversies created by the secular and conservative Muslims but at the same time they do not want to spend time and effort to find out the truth for themselves.They feel satisfied as they have been told by their parents that God will forgive all their sins simply because they were born in Muslim families and that the Muhammad peace be upon him will save them from hell fire no matter what. In other words, they feel satisfied by being ignorant about Islam.

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 5

2009-10-31T01:27:00.000-07:00

Eve2020 asked:

HISTORY OF ISLAM 4 of 10

2009-10-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

izaak791 asked:

This is a short history of islam done by non-muslims and historians.You gotta watch it all the way once for ever and understand it or at least go up to 3 of 10 you will understand a lot.

The History of Islam in Africa

2009-10-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

wwwMeccaCentricCom asked:

Website - www.MeccaCentric.com MeccaCentric - Producing videos about Islam and Muslims on DVD. Islamic lectures, speeches, talks and sermons are also available on audio CD. "Islam In Africa" by Sulayman Nyang Purchase the full-length lecture at http or call 1-800-607-9810 A popular topic in a beautiful courtyard setting at the Dar al Islam Institute in New Mexico, Sulayman Nyang discusses the development of Islam in Africa beginning with the first migration of Muslims to Abbisynia to their ...

A Severe Drought in the End Times is a Portent That the System of the Dajjal Has Moved to Attack Islam

2009-10-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

Harun Yahya asked:

There will never have been such terrible corruption as that of the Dajjal since Allah created the Prophet Adem. (Signs of Qiyamah, Expanded 8th edition, p. 225)

Our Prophet (saas) has informed us that one of the portents of the appearance of the Messiah Dajjal and that his system has moved to attack Islam will be a severe drought and thirst that will be experienced at that time. There is a strong probability that it is today’s climate change and the beginning of a terrible drought to which our Prophet (saas) refers in the hadith. And Allah knows best.

This is how our Prophet (SAW) describes the course of the drought, a sign of the Dajjal’s assault in the End Times:

The sky will keep back its rain for three years before the appearance of the Dajjal. In the first year it will hold back one-third of the normal rain and send down two-thirds. The earth will fail to yield one third of its crops. In the second year it will not allow two-thirds of the normal rain to fall. The earth will fail to yield two-thirds of its crops. And in the third year, it will stop all rain entirely, and the earth will yield no harvest. (Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tabarani, A History of the Future 3, p. 241)

Throughout the course of history deniers have engaged in a ruthless assault on prophets, messengers and believers in all periods. The attack that the system of the Dajjal will wage against Islam and the faithful in the End Times, the climate of chaos and corruption, will be of a hitherto unseen dimension. However, the system of the Dajjal has been created in such a way that its defeat is inevitable. By Allah’s leave, the snares of the deniers can never be successful, and the faithful will be under the protection of Allah in the End Times.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

India ; History of Islam.

2009-10-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

checked300 asked:

Short clip Of a look at the history of islam in India through the eyes of a dhimmi.

History of Arabia

2009-10-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Russell Shortt asked:

The Arabian Peninsula has being populated by various cultures for over 5,000 years. However, except for a few cities and oases, the hostile environment prevented much settlement of the peninsula. Islam began with Muhammad preaching at Mecca before he moved to Medina from where he united the tribes of Arabia. A succession dispute as to who would succeed Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community split the population. Mecca became the spiritual centre of the new religion and Medina became the political centre of a united Islamic state under the caliphs who succeeded Muhammad. Arabian armies swept through and conquered Syria, Egypt, Persia eventually dominating Northern Africa and the Spanish Peninsula. However the moving of the caliphate to Damascus in 658 and the shift of the centre of Islam to Baghdad in 751 led to the decline in the importance of the Arabian peninsula. Indeed, from the eight century, Arabia was merely a province controlled by the Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad. In 1258, the Mongols conquered Baghdad and from that time Baghdad no longer held any sway in Arabia. Instead, much of Arabia fell under the control of the Emirs, who were Muslim princes from Egypt. Following the Turkish conquest of Egypt, the Turks took control of the peninsula. Under the reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab, Arabia experienced a religious and nationalist revival. The Wahhabis took Mecca from the Turks in 1802 and Medina in 1804. However, the Turks soon regained the two cities and conflict continued between the two sides until World War One.

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 4

2009-10-13T03:10:00.000-07:00

Eve2020 asked:

Does Islam Need Power To Be Recognized?

2009-10-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

hasan yahya asked:

Does Islam need Power to be Recognized?

By: H.A. Yahya, Professor of Sociology

Al-Imam al-Hussein the Martyr of Karbala', was in his way to al-Kufah, he met the great poet, al-Firazdaq. So he asked him, how do you see the Muslims in al-Kufa? After a long silence, al-Firazdaq said: Their hearts are with you, but their swords against you. Muslims these days are in serious need for the hearts and the sword powers to regain dignity. Even though I strongly support the first option. Where development is mostly needed mentally, culturally, and psychologically. But the world does not respect the materially weak nation. The power of Islam is its simplicity and noble spiritual ethics rather than material power. Others are becoming more and more aware of Islamic faith simplicity and therefore convert in large numbers everywhere freely. An American asked a Jewish anti-Islam journalist after lecturing and establishing a webpage to attacking Islam (Qur'an, Sunnah, and Muslims). Some of his points are logical though. Robert Spencer, was suspicious of truth about most Muslims reject terrorism. Someone asked him: If you are attacking Islam : Why do so many people convert to Islam? His answer was:

"There are many attractive elements of the religion. I think that its adamantine certainties appeal to many people who are disgusted with the current relativism and amorality of the Western world. Also there are many rich and grand aspects of Islamic history and culture which also make the religion attractive today. The global jihad against the West today also helps Islam gather converts in the West from among groups that feel themselves to be oppressed or marginalized. Conversions have been stimulated by successful, if often fanciful, Muslim efforts to present Islam as a religion free of the sins of the West -- particularly racial discrimination. We don't need to defend Islam, Islam finds its way. Muslims today can be described as the fish for someone's dinner, grilled on fire, or skinned by knife. But the fish might stop somewhere between the mouth and the stomach, and may kill the eater.

The experience of religion through history can be explained by social scientist who studied religion, as a cause of many human actions. Their findings show that religion is the factor of unity where people can come together and form a strong unity. But in the same time Religion plays the factor of disunity and makes people in the same nation fight each other. Examples will be given in other article. (416 words)

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 8

2009-10-12T01:35:00.000-07:00

Eve2020 asked:

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 12

2009-10-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

Eve2020 asked:

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 3

2009-10-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Eve2020 asked:

Islam Brought Revolution in Human Relations

2009-10-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

Nawaz asked:

Before the advent of Islam slavery prevailed all over the world. To men in those days, it seemed perfectly normal for the strong and wealthy to have slaves whom they had captured in war or purchased in the market. The Greeks were the leaders of thought in the ancient world. No Greek thinker had ever raised his voice against the institution of slavery. The Quran proclaimed the equality of all men in the sight of God. It struck at the root of slavery by recognizing the moral worth of man as man. However, there were, at the time of the advent of Islam, numerous slaves, both men and women, in Arabia as elsewhere in the world. The Arab economy was based on slavery. To abolish it at one stroke was impracticable. It could not be done without plunging the whole society into confusion. Yet, in every conceivable way, the Quran discouraged slavery and improved the lot of the slaves. The Muslims were urged to be kind and considerate to their slaves. They were told that to emancipate a slave was a meritorious act. They could atone for some of their offences by setting a slave free. Thus the number of slaves was gradually reduced and society was made less dependent on slave labour. The words "whom your right hand possessed" occurring in the Quran are in the past tense and refer to those who had already been enslaved. When they were emancipated through a gradual process, slavery died a natural death. The main source of slaves-men and women-was prisoners in war. The Quran laid down that they should be set free either for a ransom or as a favour (47 : 4). The door for future slavery was thus closed by the Quran for ever. Whatever happened in subsequent history, was the responsibility of the Muslims and not of the Quran.

Islam brought about a revolution in human relations placing master and slave, man and woman, on a footing of equality before God. In Arabia, as in most other countries, man had been accustomed to look on women just for the gratification of his lust. Marriage was a device to prevent men from quarrelling for the possession of desirable women. The Quran raised the status of women in society and made them equal partners of men in the enterprise of living.

The History Of Islam Part5

2009-10-09T02:13:00.000-07:00

fuarashi asked:

The history of Islam since Muhammad was born. How Islam becomes the great religion.

Welcome To History Of Islam

2009-10-07T07:54:00.001-07:00

ISLAMIC STORIES

2009-10-07T03:58:00.001-07:00

Islam - a Brief Introduction

Asslam Alikum May peace be on you.Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that Allah revealed through all His Prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events, which have come to he associated with their faith through a biased media.

Who are the Muslims?

Over one billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most parts of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in Russia, China, North and South America, and Europe.

What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and the individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of Prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John and Jesus, alayhimus salam. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW through Archangel Gabriel.

How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying 'there is no deity apart from Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.'

What does 'Islam' mean?

The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission,' and derives from a word meaning 'peace.' In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of Allah. 'Muhammadanism' is thus a misnomer, because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than Allah. "Allah" is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.

Why does Islam often seem strange?

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make no division between the secular and the sacred. They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'ah, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.

Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the Prophet and Patriarch Abraham, alayhi salam, and their three Prophets are directly descended from his sons - Muhammad SAW from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement, which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'bah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.

What is the Ka'bah?

The Ka'bah is the place of worship which Allah commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was constructed of stone on what was the original site of the sanctuary established by Adam. God commanded Abraham to summon all mankind to visit this place, and when pilgrims go there today, they say 'At Thy service, O Lord,' in response to Abraham's call.

Who is Muhammad SAW?

Muhammad SAW was born in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative.

Muhammad SAW was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal Al-Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.

How did he become a Prophet and a Messenger of God?

At the age of 40, while engaged in meditative retreat, Muhammad SAW received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty three years, is known as the Qur'an.

As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which Allah had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622, Allah gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijrah, 'migration,' in which they left Makkah for the city of Madinah some 420 kilometres to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

After several years, the Prophet SAW died at the age of 63, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.

How did the spread of Islam affect the world?

Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine - Islam calls for faith in only One God worthy of worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation.

Within a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet SAW, 'Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.' The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems, such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments, which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery, were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.

What is the Qur'an?

The Qur'an is a record of the exact words revealed by Allah through the Angel Gabriel, alayhi salam, to the Prophet Muhammad SAW. It was memorized by Muhammad SAW and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who crosschecked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters, Surahs, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Qur'an is in every detail the unique and miraculous text, which was revealed to Muhammad SAW fourteen centuries ago.

What is the Qur'an about?

The Qur'an, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.

Are there any other sacred sources?

Yes, the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet SAW, is the second authority for Muslims. A Hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet SAW said, did, or approved. Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.

Examples of the Prophet's SAW sayings:

The Prophet SAW said:

'Allah has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'

'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.'

'He who eats his fill while his neighbour goes without food, is not a believer.'

'The truthful and honest businessman will be in the company of the Prophets, the truthful people, and the martyrs on the Day of Judgement.'

'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'

'Allah does not judge according to your bodies and appearances, but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.'

'A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drinking his fill and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud and quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog a drink. Allah forgave his sins for this action.

Islamo-Fascism - What Is Islamic Fascism?

Islamo-Fascism is on the rise and going unchecked, similar to the Fascist movement of the Nazis that began in the 1930s and led into World War II. Western countries, unwilling to take a lesson from history, allow Islamic Fascism to not only grow, but continue to flourish. Unlike the Nazi movement that occurred before the war, however, those who are part of the Islamo-Fascism movement are not confined to one part of the world. They are all over the world and their voice is getting stronger. Even after terrorist attacks in western countries, leaders are looking the other way when it comes to Islamic Fascism. This is true in the European Union as well as the United States. The recent election of US President Barack Obama, who was recently photographed bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia, indicates that Americans are willing to forgive and forget the terrorist attacks that killed thousands of civilians on September 11, 2001. Any reference to Islamo-Fascism in the United States is seen as being extreme by the media. Fascism is the ideology that Hitler used to rule Germany. It obliterates human rights, different ideas and calls for total allegiance to the leader. Adolph Hitler, who was elected into power, orchestrated the death of six million people who did not fit in with his ideology and started a war that cost millions of lives. Islamo-Fascism is the intolerance of anyone who is not of the Islamic faith. We see this in many Islamic countries where even practicing another faith can be cause for imprisonment or even death. In Islamic Fascism countries, human rights are virtually non-existent, especially for those of another faith other than Islam, women and dissidents. The human rights abuses that go on in countries like Saudi Arabia, for example, are largely ignored by the western media. Islamo-Fascism is frightening for many people who are non-Muslim. Attacks against westerners are on the rise and largely left unchecked. Very similar to how Hitler was allowed to run unchecked by the rest of the world until he started trying to take over. Islamic Fascism, however, is scarier to most than the fascism practiced by the Nazis. This is because unlike the Nazis, the Islamo-Fascism movement is spreading to all parts of the world and not just concentrated in one country, and those who practice Islamic-Fascism are actually willing to die for their cause. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and second only to Christianity when it comes to religion. The Koran makes it clear that non-believers are not to be tolerated and encourages the convert or die ideology. Like the fascism practiced in Nazi Germany, Jews are large target, as is the United States and any other nation that supports the right of Israel to exist. Unlike the fascism practiced in Nazi Germany, however, the threat is not clearly stated and acts to put the ideology into action are not traced back to another country, but to fanatics of Islam. The world has changed since the 1930s and people have become more tolerant in the west to different beliefs. In fact, they have bent over backward to accommodate them and even welcomed those who believe in Islamic Fascism into their midst. Much like a farmer welcoming a fox into the henhouse.

Is Islam Accept Secularization? Part One

Prof. Hasan Yahya, Professor of Sociology

Is Islam Secularizable? To answer this question, we need to say that Islam is one of the world's oldest religions is also one of the world's most adaptable -- even to a secularist society." Sadik J. al-Azm, an intellectual Arab dealt with this issue, he wrote:"The question of whether Islam can be secularized has been on the agenda of modern Arab and Muslim thought and history since Bonaparte's occupation of Egypt in 1798. In fact Arabs have been attempting to settle the issue since at least the last quarter of the nineteenth century; and part of the twentieth century. For example; since what Arabs often refer to in our recent past as the Arab Renaissance, or Arab Awakening, or Islamic Reformation, or what the late expert on the period, Albert Hourani, an Arab Historian, aptly called the "Liberal Age" of Arab thought."

As response to change in his attempt to formulate a realistic answer to the question Is Islam secularizable?, He started by raising another question: was the simple, egalitarian, and unadorned Islam of Mecca and Medina (known as Yatherb in Arabic) at the time of the Prophet and the first four Rightly-Guided Caliphs (chosen by the then-emerging Muslim community as his successors) compatible with the dynasties of such complex empires as Byzantium and Sassanid Persia at the time of their Arab-Muslim conquest? He answered negatively and positively together to the question: "Yes, the two became very compatible in an incredibly short period of time. But the early Muslim purists were absolutely right at the time of the first Arab conquests to insist that nothing in the Muslim orthodoxy of the day could make the Islam of Medina, Mecca, and the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs compatible with hereditary monarchy." Then he explained movements in Christianity such as the Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre movement and his followers in Europe and the United States and described it as "an excellent example of the Church's persistence in response to purism evolving into secular humanism, religious pluralism, mutual tolerance, freedom of conscience, a scientifically based culture, and so on. The Second Vatican Council, convened by Pope John XXIII, is an equally excellent example of triumph over classical dogmatism." This type of movements are needed in the Muslim and Arab world. By the same token, he argued that the accurate answer is a twofold: "dogmatically, No; historically, Yes." Then he contended that "without a good grasp of the gains and losses and ups and downs of the secularization process of contemporary Islam, he confirmed that no explanation of the ferociousness of the current fundamentalist reaction can be adequate". Then he described Islamic doctrines as a religion, it is a coherent static ideal of eternal and permanently valid principles, is of course compatible with nothing other than itself. Which I believe it's true, because Islam practices today lead to hatred and dogmatism. While Islam should accept and practice secularization. Not to reject it and to deny it. Islam is a dynamic faith and has responded to widely differing environments and rapidly shifting historical circumstances, proving itself highly compatible with all the major types of polities and varied forms of social and economic organization that human history has produced.

The question why Muslims acted the way they do these days toward the Western world, and the USA in particular.? He gives some explanations by saying: "Islam as a world-historical religion stretching over 15 centuries has unquestionably succeeded in implanting itself in a variety of societies and cultures, from the tribal-nomadic to the centralized bureaucratic to the feudal-agrarian to the mercantile-financial to the capitalist-industrial." Al-Azm, brought an example of Iran, I don't know why? Because Iran is much dogmatic than the Sunni in terms of secularization. He explained his point by saying:"Doubters that Islam can be secularized should consider the evidence coming from the most unlikely quarter of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The Iranian Ayatollahs, in their moment of victory, did not proceed to restore the Islamic Caliphate-and there was a Shi'i Caliphate in Muslim history-nor did they erect an Imamate or vice-Imamate, but proceeded to establish a republic for the first time in Iran's long history." In this manner I accept the argument of not returning back to Ali's Age fourteen hundred years ago. Other than this I would disagree. But in terms of popular elections, a constituent assembly, and creation of a parliament, a president, a council of ministers, political factions, a constitution (which is a clone of the 1958 French Constitution), a kind of supreme court and so on, I would agree. But still Iran is dogmatic traditional mentality, nonetheless, all of which has absolutely nothing to do with Islam as history, orthodoxy, and dogma, but everything to do with the practices and institutions of modern Europe.

Later in his article, Al-Azm return to the point where,

"in spite of the Islamic idiom, the politico-ideological discourses of the Iranian clerics and guardians of correct belief are substantively dictated by the historical "Yes" of the present socio-economic-political conjuncture rather than the exigencies of the dogmatic "No" of orthodoxy."

He brought examples of economic planning, social reform, re-distribution of wealth without forgetting such issues as identity and modernization were similar to the secular leader examples such as President Nasser of Egypt, President Sukarno of Indonesia, and/or the very early Fidel Castro of Cuba. What happened in Iran, was a clash between traditional dogmatism and new ideas tend to work itself out in human affairs. This clash was observed in other countries as Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Algeria, and Turkey. Where Islamic Shari'ah (Law) was ignored and put aside in modern government rulings and receded to the periphery of public life. Including economic and social and political institutions. (factories, banks, market places, officer corps, political parties, state apparatuses, education-school, university, and laboratories. Even the courthouse, arts organizations, and media had very little religion left in them. That was forming secular forms of governing people. If this was happening what then this type of hatred and selfishness among Arabs and Muslims alike when it comes to the USA and Europe? (Go to Part 2.)

Does Islam Need Defense?

Hasan A. Yahya, Ph.D

The question for this articles was made to show that Islam are a religion does not need to be defended. For a simple reason, Islam defends itself in theory and practice. But cultural practices in many Arab and Muslim countries give negative expressions to Islam. Islam is a great religion, no matter who accuse it by imperfectness. Islam does not need lawyers or defenders, because it is open to any person in the this world. Like any other religion, It includes a vriety of colors, and of ethnic backgrounds. It has moral and ethical standards universally accepted.

In searching for answering the question: Who accuses Islam? We can guess until we are sure that certain categories made accusations for various ideological, political or religious or social reasons. For example these categories include:

The non-Muslim followers The Muslim followers themselves, who became ex-Muslims or still Muslims but want to continue with Islam, from intellectuals who are perceived negatively when it comes to rational thinking and reasoning. The atheists who attack all religions including Islam. The temporary accusers for political, or personal reasons.

Those who accuse Islam as imperfect, they mix understanding to distinguish between pure Islamic belief as a religion and cultural practices among people live in majority or minority of Muslim countries. Our concern, however, is not those who accuse Islam, but the decent people in this world who have much of Islamic qualities in theory and practice, but stereotyped in general negatively in the media, to be ineffective in their communities in Europe and North America. They understand natural and physical differences among people, which is normal. We concerned ourselves also of those who deviate from lines of Islam by their actions which tell that they have internal or external mental or physical reasons, all times or sometimes.

For all religions, these deviations may be described as freedom of worship, but limited when they cross the red lines of other beliefs and lead to a conflict. Across history critics have the power to convince other people who are likely listen to what they write and follow their faith by force or choice. In terms of Islam as well as other religions, it has principles and teachings, a standard of morality and ethics. Religions or beliefs do not belong to human beings in the first place. This is the mistake were all religious follower may get into through their dogma. Religion belongs to the One and Only, Almighty, who delegated religions to earth through apostles and messengers and made them available to human race in order for people know each other (according to Qur’an) and to deal with each other reasonably according to the basic beliefs and principles.

Unfortunately, the intellectual bias inherited the idea about Islam from the medieval era, crystallized unjustly, had several reasons discussed here that:

Turks are infidels, as Muslims worship Muhammad in the form of idol, which not true. It was a double error, since any image visual symbol in religious worship is anathema to Muslims. Negative image of Muhammad as an Apostle among many, neglecting the fact the series of Apostles reached its culmination by him. Islam is a branch from Judaism and Christianity, negating the fact that Qur’an revealed through him was the final and unchangeable revelation of the Divine Will. Which is a stamp identifies the Muslim is to revive other religions because they were deserted by their followers. (583 words)www.hasanyahya.com

Muslims and the People of the Book in History

Unbiased people who study Islamic history and the Muslims' relationship with the Jews and Christians living under Islamic rule will come across the following fact: The People of the Book have always lived in peace and tranquility under Islamic rule.

God reveals that those Christians and Jews who believe in Him and the Day of Judgment and do good deeds will receive the fairest rewards for their virtue:

Those who believe, those who are Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans, all who believe in God and the Last Day and act rightly will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Qur'an, 2:62)

Prophet Mohammed's (may God bless him and grant him peace) Exemplary Attitude

Prophet Mohammed (saas), the best role model for Muslims who deal with the People of the Book, was always just and compassionate toward Jews and Christians and tried to create an atmosphere based on reconciliation and love among these three religious communities. Various agreements and guarantees allowed Christians and Jews to live as autonomous religious communities.

Prophet Mohammed (saas) allowed the Jews to become a party to the Constitution of Madinah signed with the Aws and Khazraj clans, which permitted them to continue living as a separate religious community. The basis for this acceptance of the Jews' faith and traditions was laid down in the following article: "The Jews of Banu Awf [non-Muslim minorities] are a community along with the believers. To the Jews their religion, and to the Muslim their religion." 1

Freedom of Belief and Worship

Beginning at the time of Prophet Mohammed (saas), there has always been freedom of religion in Muslim-ruled lands. Articles guaranteeing the protection of monasteries and churches have been important parts of all agreements signed between Muslims and the People of the Book. Historical documents reveal that many Muslims visited monasteries to rest for the night, to enjoy a meal, or even to have a civilized conversation during their travels or campaigns.

The People of the Book often responded warmly toward Muslims. The following expressions were recorded in an agreement signed by Caliph Umar, which was presented to Abu Ubayda by the Syrian Christians:

[We imposed these terms on ourselves:]… not to withhold our churches from Muslims stopping there by night or day; to open their doors to the traveller and wayfarer; …to entertain every Muslim traveller in our customary style and feed him… We will not abuse a Muslim, and he who strikes a Muslim has forfeited his rights. 2

Under Islamic rule, the People of the Book have always celebrated their religious festivities as they pleased. From time to time, the Muslim leadership even attended them. A letter by the Nestorian Patriarch Isho'yab III (650-60) reveals the Muslim leaders' compassion and acceptance toward the People of the Book:

They [Abbasids] have not attacked the Christian religion, but rather they have commended our faith, honored our priests... and conferred benefits on churches and monasteries. 3

These historical facts reveal that, contrary to much of what we read today, Islam is a religion of peace and acceptance. Christians and Jews lived freely under Muslim rule and enjoyed the freedoms of religious belief and thought.

Tranquility under Muslim Rule

During the first few centuries of the Christian era, Jews oppressed Christians; as the latter became more powerful, they began to oppress Jews and even fellow Christians belonging to other sects. The Middle Ages were dominated by the Catholic church's oppression of all Jews and Christians who did not agree with its teachings. Some non-Catholics sought refuge with the Muslims. The oppression and violence directed by Byzantium against the Egyptian Monophysite and the Jacobean Christians, the horrors endured by those Jews and Orthodox Christians who found themselves in the path of the Catholic Crusaders, and the persecution endured by the Jews of Europe, as well as by the Muslims and Jews in Spain after the reconquista, have never occurred on Muslim soil.

Jews escaping Spanish tyranny found the peace and security they sought on Ottoman soil. Driven out of Spain and faced with more hardship in other countries where they sought refuge, many died of hunger and thirst at the gates of towns and cities they were not permitted to enter. Jews who boarded Genoese ships were either exploited or sold to pirates. Sultan Bayazid welcomed the Jews into his empire and demanded that the people show them the respect and acceptance to which they were entitled.

The order proclaimed not to refuse the Jews entry or cause them difficulties, but to receive them cordially. 4 Sultan Bayazid is known to history as a religious man, and his hospitality and acceptance were based on the Qur'an's morality.

Living under the Islamic rule, the People of the Book took part in the bustling cultural life. Muslim leaders extended their cultural patronage to the lands they conquered and imported them to Baghdad, capital of the empire, where they would be studied by Muslim, Christian, and Jewish scientists. Each of them in turn, could teach their works based on these studies alongside their own religious beliefs. At a time when Muslims supported science and freedom of thought, Europe, the center of Christianity, had Inquisition courts that burned people at the stake for their heretical, meaning non-Catholic, thoughts or religious beliefs.

The Muslim leaders' sense of justice led many Christians and Jews to bring their cases to Islamic courts, even though they had their own courts with their own laws. At one time, the Nestorian patriarch Mar Timothee I (780-825) even circulated a decree to counteract the ever-increasing number of Christians taking their cases to Islamic courts. 5

The Non-Muslims' Legal Status

The People of the Book living within the Muslim realm were considered dhimmis, rather than prisoners of war, and therefore were guaranteed certain legal rights. For example, in exchange for paying the jizya tax, their lives and property were guaranteed, and they enjoyed freedom of religious belief and thought, were exempted from military service, and had the right to their own law courts to resolve their disputes. On some occasions, their taxes were refunded.

Our Prophet (saas) said: "I am the adversary of those who wrong the dhimmis or burden them with a load they cannot carry." According to this principle, Muslims considered it their duty to protect those non-Muslims living under their rule. The Muslims' sense of justice dictates that dhimmis come under the state's protection.

The amicable history between Muslims and Jews and Christians is an example for the present. The Islamic code of ethics requires that non-Muslims be accepted, that their values and beliefs be respected, and that an environment in which peaceful coexistence is possible be created. Therefore, the spread of this code, as well as efforts to correct some misguided practices claiming to be Islamic, will play an important role.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com

Jubilee Celebrations in Ismaili History

The word jubilee is derived from the Hebrew yobel, meaning ram’s horn. In the ancient time, the jubilee was announced by the blowing of the shofar, a trumpet of ram’s horn, and as a result, the occasion came to be known as yobel, or jubilee. The Arabic word for jubilee is also yobel, and Turkish ellinci. Jubilee is a momentous occasion, denoting the celebration of a period of time, anniversary or other special occasions.

A peep into the historical records tends to reveal the culture of holding the jubilee festival which was celebrated for the first time by Moses in obedience to the commands of religion before the inauguration of the Christian era. The Law of Moses prescribed a special year for the Jewish people: "You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim the liberty throughout the land, to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family. This fiftieth year is to be a jubilee year for you: you will not sow, you will not harvest the un-gathered corn, you will not gather the untrimmed vine. The jubilee is to be a holy thing to you, you will eat what comes from the fields." (The Book of Leviticus 25, 10-14) The trumpet with which this particular year was announced was a goat's horn called yobel in Hebrew, and the origin of the word jubilee. The celebration of this year also included the restitution of land to the original owners, the remission of debts, the liberation of slaves and the land was left fallow. In the New Testament, Jesus presents himself as the One who brings the old Jubilee to completion, because he has come to "preach the year of the Lord's favour" (Isaiah 61: 1-2).

The jubilee was instituted by Pope Boniface VI, who granted on February 22, 1300, and for each 100th year to come. In 1343, Clement VI set a period of 50 years between the jubilees. Later, Pope Urban VI decided in 1389 to reduce the cycle to 33 years in memory of the age of Jesus. In 1470, Pope Paul II fixed the jubilee for every 25 years.

The sources produce a heap of evidences that the Mughal emperor Akbar was weighed in the gold in an open plain, decorated with jewels. The scale was made of gold, wherein the throne of gold was placed. Before that the emperor was weighed against seven kinds of grain, coral and gold on the occasion of Navroz. Sir Thomas Roe writes that emperor Jhangir was also weighed against gold, and his weight was reported about 130 pounds. Emperor Aurengzeb was not only weighed once against gold, but also against silver, grains and the bottles of perfumes. Situ, the king of Burma had weighed his son against gold. King Sajdrish was also weighed alike. Govind Chandra, the king of Kanoj was also weighed against gold when he defeated Changthuwar in 1810. King Changthuawar attacked in the plains of Ganges, where he was weighed in gold in his camp and distributed it in charity. In 1870, the king of Travankar was also weighed in gold. Sir Sayajrav, the king of Gaikwad was also weighed against gold and also Bhagavat Shin, the king of Gondal state of Kathiawar was weighed in gold in 1944, and when he was to be weighed in diamonds, his death took place. But, any instance where a religious head had initiated the ceremony of getting himself weighed against gold, diamonds and platinum has not, so far, been brought to light. During the course of history of spiritual magnates extending over a period of 1400 years, there is no episode disclosed when the followers of any spiritual head had ever achieved an honour of intrinsic devotion except Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah. The celebration of his jubilees afforded to the Ismaili world a unique opportunity of demonstrating their deep rooted affection and fidelity for their spiritual father.

In the general usage, a jubilee is marked by an anniversary, such as silver (25 years), golden (50 years), or diamond (60 or 75 years). Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah became unique in the world history, who had been weighed on every anniversary against gold, diamonds and platinum.

While examining the Ismaili history, it appears that the following Imams had completed the glorious period of their Imamate for 25 years and above :-

1. Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (632-661) : 29 years

2. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (680-713) : 33 years

3. Imam Jafar Sadik (733-765) : 32 years

4. Imam Muhammad b. Ismail (775-813) : 38 years

5. Imam Razi Abdullah (840-881) : 41 years

6. Imam Hakim bi Amrillah (996-1021) : 25 years

7. Imam Hadi bin Nizar (1097-1136) : 39 years

8. Imam Ala Muhammad (1166-1210) : 44 years

9. Imam Alauddin Muhammad (1221-1255) : 34 years

10. Imam Muhammad b. Islam Shah (1423-1463) : 40 years

11. Imam Nuruddin Ali (1516-1550) : 34 years

12. Imam Khalilullah I (1550-1585) : 35 years

13. Imam Nizar (1585-1628) : 43 years

14. Imam Sayed Ali (1628-1660) : 32 years

15. Imam Hasan Ali (1660-1694) : 34 years

16. Imam Kassim Ali (1694-1730) : 36 years

17. Imam Khalilullah II (1792-1817) : 25 years

On the other hand, the period of the Imamate of the following Imams lasted for 50 years and above:

1. Imam Mahdi (881-934) : 53 years

2. Imam Mustansir billah I (1036-1095) : 59 years

3. Imam Shamsuddin Muhammad (1257-1310) : 53 years

4. Imam Kassim Shah (1310-1370) : 60 years

5. Imam Islam Shah (1370-1423) : 53 years

6. Imam Abul Hasan Ali (1730-1792) : 62 years

7. Imam Hasan Ali (1817-1881) : 64 years

8. Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (1885-1957) : 72 years

9. Mawlana Hazar Imam (1957-2007 (cont.) : 50 years

The culture of jubilee commemoration was not prevalent in the societies of Arab and Iran, therefore, no significant celebration in this context is recorded in the historical sources. However, the Takhat Nashini of the Imams was celebrated with great pomp.

It was only destined to the period of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah to commemorate the Golden Jubilee twice (Bombay and Nairobi), the Diamond Jubilee twice (Bombay and Dar-es- Salaam) and once the Platinum Jubilee (Karachi).

ISLAMIC VIDEOS

2009-10-07T03:57:00.001-07:00

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam)

This is the first documentary that is fair to Islam and the Muslims. It is strongly recommended for anyone who lives in the West, particularly in the USA, and is skeptical of the propaganda that is constantly spread by the current US administration and certain special-interest think tanks and groups. If you are curious about Islam, and one of those who listen with a critical ear, this is a movie for you to watch. It is a first rate production that describes the faith accurately and recounts ...

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam)

Lesson on History of Islam and Jihad - Why They Must Be Stopped

Lesson On The History Of Islam And Its Jihad which was eventually turned back by the crusades originating in France -- This Video Originally Uploaded by YouTuber "asderathos" and is being Re-Uploaded with His Permission. Check Out Other Great Videos on News and Politics by Following This Link to His Channel and Subscribe: www.youtube.com

HISTORY OF ISLAM

This is a short history of islam done by non-muslims and historians.You gotta watch it all the way once for ever and understand it or at least go up to 3 of 10 you will understand a lot.

HISTORY OF ISLAM

Islamic History

2009-10-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Nawaz asked:

In spite of volumes of literature on the subject, a vast majority of Muslims young and old are ignorant of Islamic history. Yet the importance of the knowledge of history cannot be overemphasized. According to Allama Iqbal, history is like long term memory where the voices of nations are preserved. So a people without knowledge of history are a people without memory. And people who cannot remember, obviously cannot benefit from the lessons of history. The Quran demands that muslims reflect upon history not merely to know it but to learn from it. By studying history, Muslims can gain an understanding of how Allah Almighty laws work in the extended lives of nations. The rise and fall of empires is not random nor does God preordain the fate of nations. Rather it is the actions of nations that cause their downfall; when the people fail to uphold the laws of society that Allah Almighty has set forth in Quran. This is why God repeats and reminds us of the history of past nations throughout in the book of Islam. So we can learn from them, if we repeat their mistakes (pointed out by the Quran) we will suffer similar consequences. It is hard to blame non muslim nations which historically go through a process of political and economic trial and error without the (Quranic) solutions manual. But what can be said of Muslims who have thrown this solutions manual behind their backs and thus continue to be buffeted by humiliation and degradation. The focus of this article is to look through history of Islam for answers of all questions confronting the Muslim Nation in the past and today. What caused (and continues to cause) the downfall of muslims, what did Quran mean when he said that Muslims can be the leading nation! What does the Quran mean in claiming that no one can defeat muslims and how reliable are our historical records are? These are important questions we need to keep in mind.

History of Islam on Prophet Salih

2009-10-06T03:45:00.000-07:00

trytobekool asked:

The documentary brings to you the historic place described in the Qur'an, who were punished because of there disbelieve after the clear signs were witnessed by them.

Islam The Empire Of Faith (The Real History Of Islam) 7

2009-10-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Eve2020 asked:

Islamic Holy Hadys

2009-10-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

SA Islam asked:

Islam - Holy Days

There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic law: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha ( Eid is a word significance for festival). But there are also several other unique days which Muslims celebrate. Some Muslims disapprove of commemorateing the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh), on the grounds that it is an innovation, and novelty in religious matters are prohibited.

Some Muslims say that if amended were made in sacred issues it would entail that Islam was not absolute when it was exposed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), or that the Prophet (pbuh) did not tell Muslims everything that was revealed to him. This would be seen as extremely irreverent by many Muslims.

Eid ul Fitr: (1 Shawwal):-

This marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and is a festival of great celebration. In Islamic countries it is a public holiday.

The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with his comrades and kins after the triumph of the battle of Ghazwa -e-Badar. Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but expressing gratitude to Allah Almighty for the assistance and potency that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them carry out self-control. The fiesta begins when the first view of the new moon is seen in the sky.

The festive feeling is enlarged by everyone wearing best or new attire, and decorating their homes. There are extraordinary services out of doors and in masjids, parade through the streets, and of course, a special celebratory meal-eaten during daytime, the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month. Eid is also marked as a time of pardon, and making atonement.

Eid ul Adha: (10 Dil Hijja):-

This fiesta symbols the end of the Hajj or holy pilgrimage, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. though it is celebrated by all Muslims, not just individuals who are on the pilgrimage.

This is a 3-day public holiday in Muslim countries. The festival memorizes the prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son when God decree him to... Ibrahim's whole compliance to the will of God is celebrated by Muslims each year. Each Muslim, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God's wishes.

During the festival Muslims who can afford to, sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a sign of Abraham sacrifice. The meat is dispersed among family, kiths and the deprived, who each get a third share.

Ashura: (10 Muharram):-

Shi'aat in particular use the day to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in 680 A.D.

It marks two past events: the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark , and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah Almighty . Shi'aat in particular exercise the day to honor the martyrdom of Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in 680 A.D. In Shi'aat communities this is a somber day: plays a replica of martyrdom, repeatedly staged and many take part in bereavement ceremony.

Al-Hijra: (1 Muharram):-

This carnival celebrates the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 A.D when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) moved from Mecca to Medina .

Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is the first day of the month of Muharram. It symbols the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 A.D when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) moved from Mecca to Medina , and set up the first Islamic state. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra.

There is no precise spiritual service required on this day, but Muslims will think about the broad meaning of Hijra, and observe this as a good time for "New Year Resolutions". The Qur'an uses the word Hijra to mean moving from a bad place or state of affairs to a good one - and so Muslims may believe about how their belief helps them leave behind bad ways of living and attain a healthier life. The date marks the opening of Islam as a community in which pious and earthly life were completely incorporated. It was a community inspired by God, and totally obedient to God; a group of people bound as one by faith.

By breaking the connection with his own clan the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) established that tribal and family loyalties were unimportant compared to the bonds of Islam. This Muslim community grew progressively over time, unifying the many tribes that had made up the Arab world in advance. Islam now evolved as a joint spiritual and earthly community, with political and military power working hand in hand with spiritual authority and direction. At the same time the community developed the religious and ethical codes of actions that still provide the base of Muslim existence.

Lailat al Qadr (27 Ramadan):-

The fiesta of The Night of command symbols the night in which the Qur'an was first opened to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Allah Almighty .

Muslims observe this as the most important event in history, and the Qur'an says that this night is better than a thousand months (97:3), and that on this night the angels come down to earth. This is a festival that Muslims spend in study and prayer. Some will spend the whole night in prayer or in reciting the Qur'an. The date of 27 Ramadan for this day is a customary date, as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not tell us when the Night of Power would be, although he suggested it was in the last 10 days of the month. As of this, many Muslims will treat the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan as a mainly fine time for prayer and understanding the Qur'an.

http://www.saislam.co.za/member.php?az=aboutIslam&id=43

History of Education, Teacher Training, Teaching, Teachers

2009-10-02T17:00:00.029-07:00

Eren asked:

A Concise History of Education of Teachers, of Teacher Training and Teaching

(ptint version of author’s site www.geocities.com/histedu

Western history of teacher training, education history, teaching theories, education of teachers, modern history od education, began in early 18th century Germany: teaching seminaries educating teachers were the first formal teacher training in Western history of education and teaching.

(History of education had 2nd century-BC Greek Spartan free public education, Athenian Academy until age 18 and higher Academy and Lyceum; Roman private formal schooling in tiers; China’s 1st century-BC administrator examinations; 1st century Jewish informal Cul’ Tura general education; Islam’s 9th century universities [madrasahs]; 16th century Aztec mandatory teen education; 18th century Russian nation-wide education, Poland’s Education Ministry, Chez ‘teacher of nations’ Comenius’s ‘Didactica Magna’ on universal education [compulsory, certified teachers, tests]; leading later Western history of education –17th century Scotland’s free education, 18th’s Norway’s mandatory literacy and New Zealand’s standard education, 21st’s Europe’s Bologna process equalising educational qualifications.)

Teacher education and training, first teacher training college in French history of education and history of teaching, Jean Babtiste de la Salle’s 18th century Brothers of the Christian schools, had non-clerical male teachers teaching poor and middle class children. Based on Greek philosophers’ philosophy of education and teaching, re-introduced by Islam, spirituality was not its only reason, basis of education. Teacher education and training had been clerical –this was Western history of education’s first secular teacher training college.

This philosophy of education changed educational history’s attitude to education. It reformed education, educational theory, learning, enabled further education reforms and educational theories of teaching in history of education. With education reforms in education history, educational theory of teacher education required of teachers an understanding of the human mind and the theory of education, knowledge of sciences and arts, principles and educational methods of teaching. This need in educational history for a teaching method, method of education, necessitated theories of education -in Western history of education educational theories on teacher education interested educators.

These educational philosophies and theories of education on teacher education became the norm in Western history of education, teacher training establishments first Normal Schools in the history of education and training of teachers.

Teacher education progressed educational history: in history of education and history of teaching the system of education required and enabled knowledge, in-service experience, certification for teachers, continuing professional development for teachers in teaching. This non-uniform system of teacher education and training enabled teachers, while teaching, at teacher seminars to refresh and increase their knowledge of theory of education and method of teaching -exchanging ideas among teachers.

Napoleon, in history of education and teacher training, uniformed professional teaching. Adopting Germany’s teacher seminars, in French history of education and in Western history of education and training of teachers, established the first uniform teacher education system.

Neither the USA’s educational history nor British history of education did in educational philosophies, systems of education, include formal teacher education and training, although Elizabeth-I had introduced teachers’ moral teaching fitness certification in teacher education .

In England's history of education and teaching, in early 19th century Joseph Lancaster and Andrew Bell founded the Lancastarian teaching method of teacher training: in a monitorial system of teacher education and training senior students (‘monitors’) receiving teaching from tutors were teaching junior students, acting as teachers.

In Scotland's history of education and teaching, 17th century free education compulsory in late 19th, Germany's teacher education and training influenced David Stowe’s founding the Glasgow Normal Seminary for teachers.

Progress in teaching and teacher training began with Horace Mann’s Massachusetts Normal Schools in the USA’s educational history, and in Britain’s history of education by the churches’ and voluntary organisations’ teacher training colleges and teaching the colonials.

In philosophies of education arguments followed on teacher education in educational history: should persons of lower English social class attend teacher training colleges and give teaching to children of higher social class!? Might teachers’ teaching not influence young French minds with liberal ideas?!

(Japan’s educational philosophy [perhaps influencing the USA's educational philosophy, history of education and teaching] emphasised patriotic teacher education and teaching.)

In Europe's history of teacher education and training, Rosencrantz's 19th century 'Philosophy of Education' emphasised 'philosophical and psychological data'; this, resembling Islam's university faculties, developed into separate teaching disciplines.

In Sweden’s history of education and teaching, Pestalozzi furthered the progress of systems of education, advocating formal teacher training colleges.

(Pestalozzi, except theologically, was self-educated, did not leave a written account of teaching and of teacher training colleges; his place in the history of education and teaching is deducible in outline from his various writings, loving sincere deeds, the example he set.)

Germany’s Froebel, and Alexander Bain’s 'Education as a Science', favoured education of teachers through teacher training colleges; teacher education adopted what philosophies of education in Western educational history and teaching had lacked -Herbart's pedagogical emphasis in teaching on five formal steps: preparation, presentation, comparison, generalisation, application.

Germany’s teacher education and training became the basis of developments in the history of education and teacher training; Derwent Coleridge and James Kay Shuttleworth in Britain, Mann in the USA broadly agreed: teacher education and training should emphasise techniques of teaching -"not only the subjects of instructions, but also the method of teaching".

Jules Ferry laws’ compulsory education established teacher education and training in late 19th century French history of education: teacher education and training, by law, should be through formal teacher training colleges.

English speaking countries' history of education and teaching, formal teacher education and training, began with the University of Edinburgh’s creating a chair in education, with St. Andrews; in the USA’s history of education, e.g., Henry Bernard, Nicholas Murray Butler, followed.

In Western history of education, England’s progress involved pedagogy and Herbart Sepencer’s teaching techniques in teacher education and training, the USA’s e.g., Francis W. Parker’s, studying Germany's pedagogical teacher education developments.

In the USA's history of education and teaching the Darwinian hypothesis (as before later scientific evaluation) influenced John Dewey at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools; taking into account from other disciplines what were considered relevant in teaching to child development, Brown University founded an education department.

(The La Salle College in Philadelphia, had been teaching education.)

New York’s Teachers College, founded 1888, was incorporated into the Columbia University, 1893, establishing its teacher training college, announcing: "The purpose of the Teacher Training College is to afford opportunity, both theoretical and practical, for the training of teachers, of both sexes, for kindergartens and elementary schools and secondary schools, of principals, supervisors, and superintendents of schools, and of specialists in various branches of school work, involving normal schools and colleges" -it became the basis, in Western history of education and teaching, of teacher education and training and Teacher Colleges.

(The USA’s educational history experts’ versions vary on it history of education.)

In most of British Commonwealth’s history of education and system of teacher training, entry into teacher training came to require senior secondary education at High School level or British Grammar School education with national Matriculation or Ordinary and Advanced General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations –or equivalent.

In Europe’s history of education and teacher training, education with similar Gymnasium(/Abitur) or General Lycè e Diploma, or equivalent education, became professional teacher education and training entry qualification.

(In British history of education, until early 20th century, holders of those qualifications, by selection examination, could become temporary teachers. Oxbridge graduates could register 'master' and be syndicated teachers. Other universities’ graduates, to become teachers, attended teacher training colleges [if Bachelor of Education, second year teacher training of a teacher training college].)

In British Commonwealth’s history of education greater importance was attached to professionalism in teacher education and training: academic qualifications did not suffice for teaching; teacher examinations required specific periods of specifically professional study in teaching. Professional teaching involved two years’ professional study in teaching and additional in-house teacher training before professional teacher status. Professional teachers could, with another educational year at the teacher training college, specialise in a subject, e.g., geography or history (in farming colonies, e.g., Cyprus where Agriculture became a secondary school examination subject, with one or two more educational years’ through the Teacher Training College’s Rural Agricultural School). Science graduates without professional teaching training and education qualified for permanent teaching after a year’s classroom teaching experience approved by professionally qualified headmasters, as teachers of their subjects. Teachers were expected to attend teachers’ seminars as continuing professional development.

While professional qualifications are regarded for professional reasons equivalent to doctorates in their counterparts and what qualify for teaching, teacher education and training (school age becoming lower and years less, to enable maturer teachers and teaching), for professional teaching knowledge and skills acquired at teacher training colleges, favoured bachelor degrees with teaching content emphasising skills over theory and, e.g., the USA’s academic ‘first professional degree’ –more for research than professional practice.

(British history of education desired teaching with Post-graduate Certificate in Education [PGCE] -for English state school teaching Qualified Teacher Status [QTS] skills test, and [also if Bachelor of Education] successfully completing an induction year [in Scotland two] in school teaching as Newly Qualified Teacher [NQT], with continuing professional development; alternatively a specific teaching degree or on-the-job teacher training. Teachers trained at Teacher Training Colleges in [former] colonies –and similarly trained teachers with GCSE [grade C] or equivalent in English and Mathematics [for primary school teaching, also Physics] enjoy Qualified Teacher Status.)

(Canada’s provinces or schools certify teachers; Australia requires none for federally funded private schools; France’s is college/bachelor and Teacher Institute [master’s -2010].)

{In the USA’s history of education, until 1960s, one year’s teacher training college education was required for teacher certification. In 1984 an alternate teaching route was introduced: bachelor’s with teaching preparation and within a specified number of years completing a teaching or content based master’s. (Some universities award [with summer study] bachelor degrees in two years, some two bachelor degrees simultaneously [e.g., with two arts and two science majors both BA Philosophy and BS ChE Chemical Engineering]; the doctoral JD is pre-requisite to master’s LL.M which not all tenured professors need posses.) The ‘Master of Professional Studies’ (MPS) First Professional Degree is academic, not professional. Many states require of teachers, for permanent teaching, examinations in pedagogy and a content area or general knowledge accredited by many private associations’ varying standards; in early 21st century Marlboro-Carolina 20% of teachers had no certification.}

In educational history post general education having been academic for career advancement and scholarly activity or research, or professional for actual practice in the filed, the professional qualification is normally the terminating qualification; in professional teaching, advanced professional degrees enabling specialised teaching, e.g., at universities, are not regarded as part of professional teacher education and training for general education teaching; the USA’s main master’s area is for Ed.D or Ph.D. –research.)

In European history of education, teaching related educational leadership gained importance at the end of 20th century. Desiring the benefits of learnable leadership skills and inherent personal leadership qualities, teachers’ educational leadership skills in teaching leadership are remunerated according to national teacher pay scales.

The USA’s educational leadership teachers’ pay is non-uniform; educational leadership skills standards vary. Graduate educational leadership programs are in, e.g., community issues and educational law. Private Teacher Advancement Programmes (TAP) subscribed by some schools encourage teachers in administrative or teaching development: a teacher prepares an individual growth plan (IGP) with an educational goal or teaching activity, or a cluster group of teachers identify a student learning need, becoming ‘mentor’ or ‘master teacher’/‘teacher of teachers’.

As others’, USA’s teacher training colleges’ comparable teaching qualifications enjoy international regard.

In their history of education, having less aspired to ‘practical’ general education as in the USA and 21st century Britain, most British Commonwealth and European teaching institutions almost uniformly value widely academic general education as culture not acquirable in post general education (e.g., an opposition leader to a Prime Minister [both lawyers] “I as a Grammar School boy” [would not take ‘that’ from him who was not]) and Britain’s suggestion to equate practical skills certificates with general academic qualifications was criticised.

(Early 21st century British educational history saw [university or equivalent mandatory student grants becoming loans, unemployment necessitating longer and more courses, foreigners scoring higher in English] no increase since late 20th in literacy.)

(In the USA’s history of education, with 20% adult functional illiteracy, as the educationists’ concerns grew, the educationalists considered Europe’s baccalaureate system of education; with growing public interest in education, at the end of 20th century a state appointed three generals to improve the standards of teaching and education and at the beginning of 21st century a general was appointed to federally improve teaching and educational standards.)

In educational history interest in the teaching profession has been based on the status of teachers. Regard for teachers in late 20th century was highest in Russia where teachers enjoyed better employment terms than elsewhere.

(In Britain's history of education, 1980s’ miss-projection of numbers of teachers needed necessitated engaging science graduates without teaching qualifications as teachers; but a status was enjoyed by teachers of regard as in Europe, and, about the end of 20th century, knighthood for long serving teachers was suggested –due to controversy over peerages it did not materialise. At the beginning of 21st century reducing undergraduate degrees to two years with vocational content was considered, with master’s for teachers -also non-major professional qualifications being above undergraduate degrees in National Vocational Qualifications; but Teachers’ status was regarded to have been equated for economical reasons to classroom assistants’ socially criticised for taking classes without professional teacher education and training.])

In the USA's history of education, teaching has hailed a form of essentialism in education, with a culture of practicality and model citizenry, emphasising respect for authority (advocated also for 21st century British education); with no general minimum standard in teacher training and education, some states not recognising the teaching qualifications of some others, teachers and teaching appear officially to enjoy no higher regard then Bernard Shaw's remark (about writers) "Those who can, do; those who can not, teach".

(In the USA, e.g., some teachers paid only term time having to seek vacation work, teaching and teachers generally are regarded to have enjoyed less good terms and conditions than elsewhere in proportion to social regard and public resources.)

The growth of interest in culture and education in Western history of teaching has been seen in the European Union, e.g., in Cyprus with the popularisation of education in mid. 20th century -reportedly with highest percentage of university graduates by 21st.

In Western educational reforms spiritual values in education are protected by teaching religious studies in schools in American secularism (protection of religion from political influence) and by the religious affiliations of many universities; in European secularism (protecting against one’s formal dominance of the other), often with a state religion enshrined in the constitution, this is ensured by, e.g., Britain’s Education Acts’ requirement in compulsory education of religious worship by pupils at least once a month and, while British universities are not formally religiously affiliated, the availability of chapels and chaplains to students at universities.

While preferences in education (e.g., the pedagogy based Steiner-Waldorf education for creating free moral and integrated individuals -its teachers’ and schools’ say on defining the curricula by some disagreed with, or Montessori's pre-school and elementary school child's self directed activities with auto-didactic equipment -regarded by some as risking raising obedient automatons), and emphasis (be it practical skills or Emerson's ‘thinking man’), have all had praise and criticism in the history of education and teaching and arguments continue on pragmatism and creation -v- evolution, generally Socrates's argument that the rightly trained mind turns toward virtue carries weight in most educational systems. Basically, in every history of education, an important aim of education and the societies' all time expectations have been on the lines of these verses (by the Cypriot teacher, the late Orhan Seyfi Ari):

" 'I was an ape' you say -or amphibian?

And now?! Are you not now.. 'man'!? "

The cultural values balance have been more reflected in the education and training of teachers in Western history of education and teaching and the status of teachers in Europe mostly in Spain, Italy and France where, without much disregard to spiritual values, school teachers’ political and ideological affiliations have been the norm in professional teaching.

The web site may interest on teacher the late Orhan Seyfi Ari at www.geocities.com/eoa_uk

Islam teaches lesson of harmony to human beings

2009-10-02T17:00:00.028-07:00

Farman Nawaz asked:

The Holy Quran is the interpreter of the core philosophy of all humankind. This philosophy of values will be in the world till judgment day. The prime code of all religious convictions and truth-seekers is this philosophy of values. It may be entitled the temperament of divinity, faith or human conscious. This human conscious is represented by prophets, reformers and pious people. The philosophy of values is tarnished with the course of time, so again and again new interpreters and beatific were considerably required to put together it wholesome. This thought of values is universal, eternal, everlasting and undying.

Of course in the Quran the outfits of this thinking are Arabic words. And attention is paid to the necessaries of surroundings to make clear explanation of the right and wrong. But humanitarian person identify what is whispered in this manuscript and what is ahead of the border line of terminologies? The Bible, The Githa and The Torah are also interpreters of human conscious. But their erroneous connotation can be atheism. The individual, who inaccurately interpreted the Bible and the Torah, were declared nonbeliever by Islam. In the same way the person who incorrectly explains the Quran, can be declared Atheist.

The real and supreme intention of the Quran is the well-mannered and heartfelt humankind. The teachings which are ready to lend a hand in the superiority and growth of ordinary human beings are ultimate. And the teachings which are stumbling block in the evolution of humanity are erroneous. The expansion of genuine civilization is the faith of a Muslim. And this genuine civilization and humanity is the guardian of divine rule. This is called a true faith.

Islam did not move toward to bulldoze other religions. It accepts as true the basic veracity of all religions and believes in the entity of all nations. When we study the past than we observe that one nation accepts any religion but with the passage of time it modifies the fundamental principles of the religion and lastly the religion of humanity is nationalized. And this nation insists that their religion is for the entire human race, they are the selected few to represent humanity and all other people are infidel and benighted. And at last time draw closer that the religion which comes as the symbol of unity for humanity, turn into the cause of severe diffusion and controversy for human beings. The Holy Quran declares this situation as atheism.

The Holy Quran outcaste all those religions which break up the humanity into pieces. The Quran advocates that true religion is the one which pull in the humanity into inseparable association irrespective of beliefs and faction. The Quran brings together all those core points of all religion, nations and sects which can be helpful to make a strong human friendship. The Holy Quran is weighing scale through which Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims can be assessed. Any one, who is not fit in this assessment, will be interrogated. If Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims lack the spirit of humanity than they are breathing in the world of obscurity.

To effort for humanity is the genuine religion and all others are rites and customs. The endeavor of the Quran is to make the human beings free from these rites and customs. Sorry to say, every nation believes their traditions as a true religion and struggle against each other. The true believer is the one who struggle against inhuman traditions. When customs become religious conviction then it is the responsibility of believers to fight against it.

Life will have to dress up itself with rites, customs, possessions and circumstances. Without it life can’t exist in the sphere of circumvolution, vicissitude and abode. But when these rites, customs and traditions turn into religion then they become idols. Idols are not always made up of gold and silver, even our moral standards, living standards and so called statements of belief become idols like "Lath" and "Habal". As "Lath" and "Habal" were broken down, so in the same way all these idols must be broken down in pieces.

Unquestionably customs and traditions must be respected but till the time when they are filled with realism and wisdom. When rites become hallow and its essence is departed then its existence and nonexistence does not matter. Its rekindling is essential. It will always happen so that man may not fail to remember that all human beings are equal and their dissection is not pragmatism. In fact all have the same origin. Whole universe is one. And the things we observe in it have the same preliminary point.

In the life of a nation, an era comes when rules regulation create barrier in between the creatures and the God. Civilization, theosophy, legalism and anthology become statues. Reality becomes absurdity and flapdoodle. Religion turns into traditions and humanity becomes mound of dust. It is the age when human nature revolts against it and new era is started in which every entity reconnects with the superior soul. This process will repeat again and again in history. When ever humanity is deprived of this experience it will breathe its last. As the diversity in nature does not disturb us, in the same way the splitting up of humanity in diverse races, religions, and cultures is natural. To get rid of this diversity is going against nature. It will never happen. An individual is a basic unit. Similarly a group is a unit consisting of individuals. A nation has permanent existence. And humanity encircles all nations. The goodness of a person depends upon his relation with his group. A good group is the one which is not against the nation. And a good nation is the one which cares for human race. Individualism is a curse in a sense when every body is struggling against each other and they are not worried for humanity. A superior human being is the one who acknowledges the fundamental values of humanity.

The aim of the Quran is unity and the people must become practically Unitarian by creed and comprehension. Studding early Islamic history we come to know that an agreement was signed by all the inhabitants of Medina to protect the city against an undemocratic tribe of Mecca. The nations taking part in this agreement were called "Umma" i.e. one nation. It shows the true political view point of Islam. The unity of thoughts made those Muslim and non Muslim tribes’ one nation. The people who went against this accord were penalized not because that they were non Muslims but actually they were a threat to the solidarity of "Umma". This conception of "Umma" i.e. one nation is the aim of Islam and it was because of this civilized approach that Islam became a super power afterwards. Islam eradicates the differences of races, color and groups. And it is the will of God. When we say that the Quran is just and righteous, it means that it gives the knowledge that is natural and helpful to all human beings irrespective of their creed and nationality. If the Quran is entitled as a book of one nation or group than it is very difficult to prove it everlasting and universal.

Islamic Arts Museum- An Insightful Tour Through Islam Via Its Culture And Heritage In Asia

2009-10-02T17:00:00.027-07:00

Pushpitha Wijesinghe asked:

The Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia is the largest in South Asia. It houses some of the most unique Islamic related artefacts from around Asia in a modern spacious environment with unique awareness programs.

The Islamic Arts Museum was opened in December of 1998 and specializes in showcasing art and literature influence by Islam. The museum is divided into five key areas: The galleries in the museum are divided into 12 areas encompassing a wide variety of topics. Some of the popular permanent exhibits revolve around architecture: considered one of the earliest examples of Islamic cultural expression the museum houses a wide variety of intricately replicated scale models of famous Islamic structures and attraction including one of the largest models of the holy Masjid Al Haram. Qur’an. Manuscripts, the written word was held in high regard in the ancient Islamic world where scribes were highly sought, even Islamic science and philosophy though not glorified like Islamic scripts were highly revered for their substance and significant contribution to the world of science.

A little known fact was the Chinese influence on Islamic arts and culture, mainly in the form of calligraphy, which was popular in Islamic culture. Museum houses a variety of ancient cloisonné which have been decorated in painstaking detail and exude an Islamic feel with an oriental touch. Jewellery in the Islam world was very popular and highly coveted, the Islamic Art Museum focuses on Asian variations of Islamic Jewellery that are meaningful and elegant using agates, carnelians and red glass to enrich their designs.

Known for their beauty and their strength Islamic weaponry was both beautifully ordained with precious stones and detailed designs as well as devastative power on the battle field. The museum houses a wide collection of arms and armour from the Persian Gulf and other Islamic states highlighting Islamic cultural influence in warfare.

Islamic education is a vital component of helping to keep Islam and its vibrant history and culture alive. The museum holds a variety of programs and sessions for both the young and old to help improve awareness on this unique and ancient religion and culture.

Guests after a long day of exploring the museum and its wonders may relax and the restaurant amidst its Islamic style and calm fountain and enjoy a wide variety of Middle Eastern delicacies.

The Islamic Arts Museum offers an insightful tour of Islams influence in Asia through a rich variety of artefacts and programs. The city of Kuala Lumpur is one of the fastest growing cities in the world attracting people from around the world be it for business or pleasure. As a result there a many a Kuala Lumpur hotel to choose from, but one that tends to standout is the Citrus Hotel Kuala Lumpur. This cosmopolitan budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur offers a varied choice of amenities and services all wrapped up in a trendy and stylish package.

A History of Somalia

2009-10-02T17:00:00.026-07:00

Russell Shortt asked:

The area of Somalia has being inhabited for over 2,500 years by Afar, Cushitic and Somali ethnic groups. From the first century, Romans and Greek were trading in and out of the ports of Hafun and Mosylon-Bandar Gori on the Somali coast. The Aksumite Empire controlled the north-west of the region from the third century until the arrival in the seventh century of Islam. From the thirteenth century until the colonial period the area was ruled by city states which were controlled by Somali clans. The age of imperialism transformed Somalia, Britain established a protectorate called British Somaliland in 1886, following the withdrawal of Egyptian garrisons from the area. And Italian Somaliland originated in 1889, when Italy concluded agreements with two local rulers, who placed their territories under Italian protection. Following World War II although Somalis aided the Allied powers in their struggle against the Axis powers, Britain retained control of both British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland as protectorates. In 1950 the Italians returned to Somalia under a UN trusteeship, with the commitment to bring the colony to independence within ten years. British Somaliland became independent on June 26, 1960, and the former Italian Somaliland followed suit five days later. On July 1, 1960, the two territories united to form the Somali Republic, albeit within boundaries drawn up by Italy and Britain. Many clans claimed to have been forced into the new state and inter-clan rivalry was a growing problem. In addition, many of the clans wished to be re-united with kinsmen in French Somaliland, Ethiopia and Kenya.

In late 1969, following the assassination of President Shermarke, a military government assumed power in a coup d’etat led by General Siad Barre and Chief of Police Jama Korshel. Barre became President and Korshel vice-president. The revolutionary army established large-scale public works programmes and successfully implemented an urban and rural literacy campaign, which helped dramatically increase the literacy rate from 5% to 55% by the mid-1980s. However, this was countered by the implementation of a brutal Marxist dictatorship which demanded upon the supremacy of the party above local clan loyalties which were an endemic feature of Somalia. In 1977, Somalia attacked Ethiopia with the aim of liberating and uniting the Somali lands that had been partitioned by the former colonial powers. Somalia soon overran Ethiopian forces and were nearing Addis Ababa when Cuban and Soviet forces came to the aid of Ethiopia. Somali forces were beaten back, sending hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees flooding into Somalia. After the defeat, many of the clan groups formed into guerrilla units with the intention of toppling the regime. By 1988, the country had been plunged into civil war, Siad Barre was eventually ousted in 1991, he immediately started a counter-revolution in an attempt to regain power. The situation became increasingly more chaotic evolving into a humanitarian crisis and eventually into a state of anarchy. The situation became even more complicated when the faction controlling the former area of British Somaliland declared it’s independence calling it the Republic of Somaliland. The UN intervened in 1993 in an attempt to alleviate famine conditions however amid fears of imperialism, the majority of Somalis opposed the foreign presence. Gun battles on the streets of Mogadishu, believed to be led by the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, resulted in the deaths of twenty-four Pakistani and nineteen American troops. After further casualties, the UN withdrew all forces in March, 1995. In the subsequent years many areas broke away from Somalia declaring themselves autonomous.

History of India

2009-10-02T17:00:00.025-07:00

Devendra Kundaliya asked:

The holy land of India saw the flourishing of first major civilization about 5000 years back. This civilization, which thrived along the Indus River Valley, became popular as Indus Valley Civilization. The people of this civilization were highly skilled people who had great skills of town planning. Indus Valley Civilization existed for about a millennium and then collapsed due to natural disasters and the coming of Aryans in India. Aryans came about 1500 BC and had a lasting impact on the culture and lifestyle of this land. This was the period when Hinduism emerged as a religion in India.

Around 550 BC, Buddhism and Jainism were founded as separate religions by Buddha and Mahavira respectively. Buddhism was accepted by a large number of people and expanded its base around the world during the times of King Ashoka and his son. Ashoka founded Mauryan Empire which lasted from 321 BC to 184 BC. The time period from 184 BC to 320 AD witnessed a great number of invasions in the country. The Classical Age from 320 AD to 650 AD is known for Gupta Empire and King Harshvardhan. From 500 AD onwards, a large number of kingdoms emerged in the central and south India, which included Pallavas, Chalukyas, Cheras, Rashtrakutas, Cholas, Yadavas and many others. These kingdoms lasted for around 700 years. The same period saw the flourishing of regional kingdoms of Rajputs, Palas, Pratiharas and Chandellas in the northern India.

India witnessed the first onslaught of Islamic force in 11th century when Mahmud Gazni attacked northern India. Soonafter, Delhi Sultanate came into existence in around 1206 AD and remained a major political power until 1526 when the Mughal Empire replaced the Sultanate. India saw the first wave of European explorers, including Portuguese, French, Dutch and British, reaching the country in early 17th century. In the next 150 years, the British had gained control of the major part of India. After a long struggle, India got independence from the British in 1947. However, the freedom came at a cost and the world saw the birth of a new country Pakistan. India accepted the democratic mode of governance and today boasts of being the largest democracy of the world.

History of Education

2009-10-02T17:00:00.024-07:00

Steve asked:

Education and Stone Age

The History of Education goes way back when Adam set his foot on this earth and passed his knowledge on to the generation followed by him. Education thus in Simple words is passing of already discovered knowledge to another generation. Education as a science cannot also be separated from the educational traditions that existed before. Knowledge was actually the natural outcome of an individual while fighting the battle of survival and the transfer of this understanding to the newcomers originated the phenomenon of Education in general. The transfer of knowledge gradually evolved into distinct cultures and oral language was developed into Symbols as well as pictures to further enhance the process of handing over.

When cultures began to extend their knowledge beyond the basic skills of communicating, trading, gathering food, religious practices, etc, formal education, and schooling, eventually followed.

Education and religion:

Initially the most popular mode of education in various regions of the world was religion. The religious priests not only taught religion but also the principles of writing, the sciences, mathematics, and architecture. The regions like Egypt, India and China are popular for the propagation of education through religious scholars. The basis of formal education were really strong in religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Jewish. All of the religions incorporated their sacred worship places as a mode of extending their knowledge and learning about the realities of life.

Education in Greece and Rome

Romans and Greek serves as one of the origin of formal education as the ancient Greeks' education focused on the study of philosophy. The Romans, on the other hand, were preoccupied with war, conquest, politics, and civil administration. The renowned names in the Greek philosophy include legends like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The main focus of these philosophers in the beginning was grammar, logic, and rhetoric, subjects that eventually formed the core of the liberal arts. Later The Greek philosopher Socrates wanted to discover and teach universal principles of truth, beauty, and goodness. Socrates believed that true knowledge existed within everyone and needed to be brought to consciousness. His educational method, called the Socratic Method, consisted of asking probing questions that forced his students to think deeply about the meaning of life, truth, and justice. Plato, who had studied under Socrates, established a school in Athens called the Academy. Plato believed in an unchanging world of perfect ideas or universal concepts.

He asserted that since true knowledge is the same in every place at every time, education, like truth, should be unchanging. Plato described his educational ideal in the Republic, one of the most notable works of Western philosophy. Where as Plato's student, Aristotle, founded his own school in Athens called the Lyceum. Believing that human beings are essentially rational, Aristotle thought people could discover natural laws that governed the universe and then follow these laws in their lives. He also concluded that educated people who used reason to make decisions would lead a life of moderation in which they avoided dangerous extremes. Quintilian, another influential Roman educator who lived in the 1st century ad, wrote that education should be based on the stages of individual development from childhood to adulthood. Quintilian devised specific lessons for each stage. He also advised teachers to make their lessons suited to the student's readiness and ability to learn new material. He urged teachers to motivate students by making learning interesting and attractive.

Famous Methods of Education:

Montessori's methods of early childhood education have become internationally popular. She developed a specially prepared environment that featured materials and activities based on her observations of children. She found that children enjoy mastering specific skills, prefer work to play, and can sustain concentration. She also believed that children have a power to learn independently if provided a properly stimulating environment.Montessori's curriculum emphasized three major classes of activity: (1) practical, (2) sensory, and (3) formal skills The work of.

American philosopher and educator John Dewey was especially influential in the U.S. and other countries in the 20th century. Dewey criticized educational methods that simply amused and entertained students or were overly vocational. He advocated education that would fulfill and enrich the current lives of students as well as prepare them for the future. The activity program of education, which derived from the theories of Dewey, stressed the educational development of the child in terms of individual needs and interests. It was the major method of instruction for most of the 20th century in elementary schools of the United States and many other countries.

The work of Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget had a major impact on educational theory in the early 20th century, particularly in Europe. Piaget wrote extensively on the development of thought and language patterns in children. He examined children's conceptions of number, space, logic, geometry, physical reality, and moral judgment. Piaget believed that children, by exploring their environment, create their own cognitive, or intellectual, conceptions of reality.

By continually interacting with their environment, they keep adding to and reshaping their conceptions of the world. Piaget asserted that human intelligence develops in stages, each of which enhances a person's understanding of the world in a new and more complex way.

Education till today has come along way and here we have just highlight some landmark developments in this yonder as today education is defined as a formal system of learning based on schools, colleges and universities.

For more information about History of Education visit: http://www.360career.com

Wine Making History and Processes

2009-10-02T17:00:00.023-07:00

Jayesh Bagde asked:

Winemaking history started way back 6000 BC. It became popular in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. There are two general categories in making wine-the still wine production and the sparkling wine production.

Wine making started thousands of years ago during the early Bronze Age. It was proven by archaeologists that the earliest wine production came from the sites of Georgia and Iran in early 6000 to 5000 BC. Another evidence of wine making is found in Macedonia, a part of Eastern Europe. Remnants of crushed grapes are discovered there. In Egypt, wine became a part of their recorded history and played a remarkable role in their ancient ceremonial life. Wine was common in the classical era of Greece and Rome, too. The Roman Empire improved the cultivation techniques in making wine by establishing plantations as well as storage and by shipping wine all over Western Europe and other countries.

Wine consumption became popularized from the 15th century onwards, surpassing the devastating phylloxera louse of the 1870s. Many religious groups such as the Christian Church and medieval Islamic hindered the production of wines because they believed that it was forbidden. However, the Muslim chemists and Geber started the idea of distillation of wine for medicinal purposes.

Today, wine making requires a deep scientific knowledge and profound understanding known as oenology. Oenology is the science of wine making. Laboratory tests increasingly supplemented and replaced traditional methods. They offer comprehensive information about the process by studying and practicing oenology.

There are two general categories in making wine. First is the still wine production which entails no carbonation. The second is the sparkling wine production which involves carbonation. The most widespread and recognized example of a sparkling wine is the champagne. In other regions, a sparkling wine is called Asti in Italy, Cava in Spain, and Cap Classique in South Africa.

Process of wine making

Once harvested, grapes are flattened. Depending on what kind of wine is being made, fermentation usually takes between one to two weeks. Yeast changes nearly all of the sugar content in the grape sap into crisp ethanol or alcohol. Following the first fermentation, the juice is moved to containers in preparation for the next stage. It is in this stage that grape sugar is gradually changed into alcohol and the wine becomes transparent. Some wines are set aside to age in oak barrels prior to bottling giving it the additional savor. Still other wines are bottled right away.

Pressing

Pressing is a process of separating juice from the grapes and their skin. Grapes are gradually mashed out. Then the total amount of juice is immediately separated and ready for vinification. Vinification covers all the phases between the coming of grapes in the chai and the transfer of wine into oak barrels. This day, a lot of winemakers apply pressure to increase and determine the amount of tannin extracted from the juice. Pressed juices or wines are generally lower in acid compared to the free-run juice.

Pigeage

This refers to a local French term for traditional process or stomping grapes in an open area or fermentation tanks. Grapes are crushed to the surface and carbon dioxide gases are released. Layer of skins and other solids from grapes are called caps. Caps are the best source of tannins. Traditionally, the caps are mixed into the juice each day by stomping it through the vat.

During the first fermentation, yeast cells are mixed with sugar and they multiply. They produce carbon dioxide also known as alcohol. The percentage of sugar is well calculated. Its density is able to obtain the desired alcohol percentage. After fermenting the alcohol, malolactic fermentation takes place. This is a process in which particular strains of bacteria converts malic acid into milder lactic acid. This kind of fermentation is generally done to immunize desired bacteria thus ensuring wine with softer taste and superior complexity.

Cold and heat stabilization

It is a process used in reducing tartrate crystals, commonly known as potassium bitartrate typically seen in wines. Tartrate crystals are similar to clear sand or grains or wine crystals. Cold and heat stabilization is next in wine making process. Unstable proteins are removed and tartrate crystals (or potassium bitartrate) frequently found in wine is reduced. After the stabilization process, secondary fermentation and bulk aging come next. This is then continued by laboratory tests as well as blending and fining. Preservatives application, filtration, and bottling process come last.

Singapore Heritage Center - Reliving History

2009-10-02T17:00:00.022-07:00

Ethan Ong asked:

Singapore heritage centres actually represent a snapshot of each of 2 ethnic groups living in Singapore. From guided tours to exhibitions, this is a journey of education, diving through the rich histories of the Chinese and Malay populations - their past, their present and their potential future. Get a glimpse of their lives, their practices and the quirks that make them who they are today, all in a single location.

Put on your rice hats and step on over to the Chinese Heritage centre, a story told in living colours and lights as well as the passing smells of some of the best roasted, steamed and fried cultural delights. Go back in time to the black and white days of the early Chinese in Singapore and feel first hand the cramped living conditions these early settlers had to put up with - disease stricken, over crowded shop houses and busy, dank and sometimes dangerous streets. Now, he heritage centre sits pretty in its newly restored location, but it still remembers what it used to be.

The centre is a multilevel experience, and each time you ascend or descend, you get to experience a variation in the history and cultures of the early Chinese. You can almost imagine vividly by looking at the exhibitions and the displays of how life used to be, the decadent life of opium smoking, dens and places of gambling and prostitution that used to overcome this poor estate. This place is not just a re creation of history, it is sculpted by true stories to paint a picture that is both real and inspiring.

We cannot forget the Malay Heritage Centre, for Singapore was once a small and cosy Malay fishing village before the invasion of the colonial powers, who changed the course and destiny of this tiny island in ways the early fishermen and farmers could not have imagined. Find out how Islam came about and the pivotal role of learning and religious education on the early Malay community. Experience the kampong life and relive the old living conditions of the Malay community through guided tours and see how it changed from its humble beginnings to modern Singapore today.

Get dragged in to the culture and life through the daily festivals and performances by troupes and actors in the heritage centre. See how they used to defend themselves with silat, a traditional Malay martial art and sit down and waft with the sounds of Malay instruments of old.

These heritage centres play a very important role within Singapore. For the local population it reminds us where we came from and how humble we our beginnings and how much we have struggled from then till the comforts we are living in now. It also serves as a glimpse into our individual culture and tells us the story of the generations before us and how they lived.

For visitors, it plays the part of a theatre play and educational, informative lesson set in an interesting landscape. Understanding us better is one of the key features that these centres try to impart on tourists, as the most valuable souvenir of all is the one they take back in their hearts and in their minds.