---
Issue: "104"
Section:
ID: "4"
SName: "General"
url: "general"
SOrder: "1"
Content: "
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n| \r\n QURAN \r\n \r\n |
Translation:
\r\n"Those \r\n who give what they have given (i.e. charity) and whose hearts \r\n are filled with fear by the very idea that they shall \r\n return to their Lord. Such people are truly racing \r\n towards their own welfare and they are the first to reach \r\n them."
\r\n[Al-Quran- \r\n Sura Al-Muminun 23:61-62]
\r\nTafseer:
\r\n Unwavering Belief in the truth of \r\n the Hereafter:
\r\n - \r\n
- This verse is describing \r\n the inner state of mind of the believers who are always \r\n conscious about the acceptance of their good deeds by \r\n Allah. They worry whether their charities are accepted \r\n or not. This concept of "fear" was the corner-stone \r\n that strengthened the sense of responsibility among \r\n the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). \r\n
- There was a deep certainty \r\n in their hearts that one Day they would have to rise and \r\n account for all the worldly deeds, small or big. Their \r\n whole life was divided between hope for Allah’s mercy \r\n and fear of His punishment. Only Islam, unlike any other \r\n faith, is able to strike such a perfect balance between \r\n the two. \r\n
The Source of their Struggle and Patience: \r\n They had already known that life, \r\n with all its pains, was worthless when compared with the \r\n Hereafter. Such deep convictions brought about in them a \r\n sense of indifference to all troubles and hardships that \r\n attended their life for the sake of Islam. \r\n
\r\n Examples of Umar and Hassan Al-Basri \r\n (may Allah be pleased with them):
\r\n - \r\n
- A concrete interpretation \r\n of this verse is given by Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased \r\n with him). Although he served Allah in a way that was \r\n exemplary, yet he was so afraid of accountability to Him, \r\n as he once said, "I shall consider it a favor (from \r\n Allah), if I am neither rewarded or punished in the Hereafter." \r\n
- Hassan Al-Basri (may \r\n Allah have mercy on him) once said, "A believer obeys \r\n Allah and is yet fearful of Him, whereas \r\n a hypocrite disobeys Allah and is still fearless \r\n of Him!" How ironic it is..... \r\n
[Compiled from "The \r\n Sealed Nectar" by Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri \r\n and "Towards Understanding the Quran" \r\n by S. Abul Ala Maududi]
\r\n | \r\n 6 \r\n THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR ISLAM IN 2001 \r\n \r\n |
continued from issue \r\n # 103....
\r\n 6. \r\n DEVELOP WRITING AND PRODUCTION SKILLS \r\n
\r\n Yes, it's \r\n a cliché to say that Muslims have too many doctors and engineers \r\n and not enough writers. But this needs to be said over and \r\n over because it seems we've made little headway as an Ummah \r\n in this area. English is the lingua franca of the \r\n world, and unless Muslims develop their skills and talents \r\n in the field of writing and communication in this language, \r\n we will have lost a tremendous Dawa opportunity. \r\n
\r\n [Taken from www.SoundVision.com] \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n \r\n | \r\n \r\n \r\n > \r\n Valentine's Day: A Muslim View < \r\n |
Chocolates, \r\n flowers, hearts, cards, and romance: these are the ingredients \r\n that make up the annual celebration of Valentine's Day every \r\n February 14. On the surface, these are lovely things. But \r\n in reality, the occasion promotes the culture of free sex \r\n and male-female relations from a specific point of view. \r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n Although \r\n Valentine's Day is supposed to be a celebration in honor \r\n of St. Valentine, who was killed because of his opposition \r\n to free sex, its origins and its adoption by Christians \r\n as a holiday is really a dishonor to this saint's memory. \r\n Islamic scholar Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick (now in South Africa) \r\n explains the pagan origins of the day in the video Holiday \r\n Myths, produced by www.SoundVision.com. \r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n With Valentine’s \r\n Day coming up on February 14, men and women around the world \r\n (this is no longer just a European or American custom), \r\n will be shelling out millions to buy heart-shaped boxes \r\n of chocolate, brightly decorated cards, flowers and various \r\n other Valentine’s Day paraphernalia for their loved ones. \r\n They will also, as is customary, make public displays of \r\n romance and affection to their loved ones. We see lots of \r\n kissing, hugging, gift-giving etc. especially between members \r\n of the opposite sex.
\r\n \r\n
\r\n In contrast, \r\n look at Muslims and Muslim societies. How often do you see \r\n couples doing the same in public? How often do you see Muslim \r\n men hugging their kids or kissing them? Muslims look like \r\n real sourpusses in comparison. But is Islam anti-affection? \r\n Does Islam condemn public displays of affection? \r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n Showing \r\n affection and giving gifts are part of Islamic culture. \r\n Giving gifts, showing affection, neither of these things \r\n are un-Islamic. When it comes to giving gifts, let’s \r\n not forget this: "Exchange presents with one another, \r\n for they remove ill feelings from the hearts," said \r\n the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a Hadith in At-Tirmidhi. \r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n What \r\n about Public Display of Affection between spouses? \r\n
\r\n Love is \r\n beautiful. According to Islam, it's not a cheap thing on \r\n display. It is a private thing in most cultures of the world \r\n unless it is love towards children. But what about showing \r\n affection between spouses amongst Muslims? This is where \r\n many complain, Muslims are way too conservative. Some newlywed \r\n Muslim couples, especially, meet with the disapproval of \r\n parents or in-laws by showing affection, even in front of \r\n family members. But other Muslims choose this way. \r\n
\r\n "No \r\n PDA," one Muslim sister in America once warned her \r\n husband, who was then her fiancé (PDA stands for Public \r\n Display of Affection). Affection between spouses is something \r\n which is usually reserved for the privacy of the home. \r\n
\r\n The Prophet's Sunnah \r\n with regards to his wives
\r\n The one most perfect \r\n in his faith is he whose conduct is best and the best amongst \r\n you is he who behaves best towards his spouse. (Hadith). \r\n The Prophet would race and watch with his wife a public \r\n theater presentation but would not hug or kiss her in public. \r\n
\r\n Love does not equal \r\n physical affection always
\r\n As well, one thing that \r\n also has to be stressed is that not showing physical affection \r\n publicly does not indicate a lack of love for another person. \r\n While kissing and hugging our parents, kids, siblings or \r\n spouses does indicate love, not doing so all of the time \r\n does not necessarily indicate otherwise.
\r\n People are different, \r\n and Islam is a religion of moderation. It accommodates the \r\n very affectionate and the non-affectionate. While it encourages \r\n affection amongst family members and friends, for instance, \r\n it gives us the guidelines to know what is appropriate and \r\n what is not.
\r\n Finally, \r\n if you're under the illusion that this is an adult celebration, \r\n think again. Kids in public schools are indoctrinated into \r\n certain cultural expectations about male-female behavior \r\n and peer acceptance -through Valentine's Day. Don't let \r\n this February 14 pass without a greater awareness of the \r\n story behind those lovely chocolates, cards, and flowers. \r\n There's more to it than meets the eye!
\r\n \r\n
\r\n [To read \r\n more on the Origins of Valentine's Day and tips on dealing \r\n with Valentine in schools, please visit: http://soundvision.com/valentine/overview.shtml ] \r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n | \r\n 15 \r\n Points on the Wisdom of Prohibition of Alcohol \r\n \r\n |
Following is a list \r\n of reasons and wisdom behind the prohibition of drinking \r\n alcohol in Islam:
\r\n 7- \r\n Those who drink alcohol are considered by Islam to be similar \r\n to those who worship idols, which is also totally prohibited \r\n in Islam.
\r\n 8- When \r\n a person consumes alcohol he or she is not considered \r\n to be a believer.
\r\n 9- Alcohol \r\n is the mother of all evils in the society. As the Prophet \r\n (peace be upon him) once said, "Alcoholic beverages \r\n are the mother of abomination and filth." In another \r\n Hadith, reported by the same authority, he said, "Liquor \r\n is the mother of many evils and it is the most shameful \r\n of all evils; anyone who drinks liquor will neglect the \r\n prayer, and may commit incestuous offense." \r\n
\r\n To be continued \r\n in the next issue....
\r\n [Compiled from "The \r\n Adolescent Life" by Dr. Ahmad Sakr] \r\n
"
ID: "14"
---