Issue 103 » February 2, 2001 -
General
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QURAN
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Translation:
"They impress on you as a favour that they have embraced Islam. Say: 'Do not consider your Islam as a favour upon me. No indeed, it is Allah who has favoured you by guiding you to the Faith (Iman), if you were true and sincere."
[Al-Quran- Sura Al-Hujurat 49:17]
Tafseer:
Historical Background:
The above verse was revealed
after some people from Bani Asad came to visit the Prophet
(peace be upon him). They said they had come on their own
accord, that he (Prophet) had not even sent any person to
them to convey the message of Islam. It is related that
once during a drought, some people from the tribes of Bani
Asad came to Madina and asked the Prophet (peace be upon
him) for some financial help and repeatedly said, "We
became Muslims without any conflict; we did not (even) fight
against you the way some other tribes fought you."
By this they clearly meant to point out that their refraining
from fighting against the Prophet (pbuh) and the very fact
that they accepted Islam, was a favour for which they must
be rewarded by the Prophet (pbuh) and the Muslims. It was
this same attitude and conduct of the Bedouins living around
Madina, which is being criticized by Allah in these verses.
Everytime these type of people came to the Prophet (pbuh)
demanding something, and pretending to be sincere Muslims,
Allah exposed their inner states to the Muslim community.
Our State Today:
- What is our state of Iman (faith) today? Just imagine today's Muslims living during the time of Prophet (pbuh).....What would his reaction be to our state? But regardless of what others think, let us remember, Allah knows the inner states of our hearts.
- WE are very lucky indeed to have such a HUGE favour from Allah, i.e. Islam! To have been born into a Muslim family and to have been born with the thirst of knowledge and to have such a big and pure heart which may continue to grow in our quest of striving for Islam.
- However let us not forget the fact "that it is by His Grace you became brothers (in faith), and you were standing on the brink of the Pit of Fire and then He saved you from it." (Quran 3: 103)
[By Br. Ahmer
Ali, University of Toronto, Mississauga]
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6
THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR ISLAM IN 2001
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continued from issue
# 102....
5.
PLAN FOR ISLAM IN YOUR KIDS CLASSROOM AND YOUR WORKPLACE
Ramadan
and Eid are no longer unknown to many non-Muslims in America.
They are now mentioned along with Christmas and Hannukah,
as media coverage of Ramadan this year indicates. That said,
though, there will always be that new student, your child's
teacher next year, or a boss and co-worker who need to know
about our celebrations, as well as issues which concern
us.
One good
project to work on is creating more awareness of Islam in
schools and the workplace. There are still issues which
cause mis-understanding and confusion. Hijab, prayer and
Friday prayers are still
issues of contention in a number of workplaces and schools.
issues of contention in a number of workplaces and schools.
To be continued
in the next issue....
[Taken from www.SoundVision.com]
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Thought-provoking
Bits from Islamic Literature
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Time
is far more precious than gold!
(A
Nasiha from Imam Hassan Al-Banna)
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
"...I
have looked into the saying, 'Time is made of gold', and
I do not approve of it. Time is far more precious than gold,
for time is life. Is it not true that your life is
nothing but a few hours and you never know when they
will end? Dearest brother, be stringent with your time and
do not spend it except in that which is significant, and
acquire pleasure in that which is lawful.
In
the heavens there is calmness and on the earth there is
beauty. In the gardens there is freshness and in you there
is a sign. In the sea there is might and in the air
there is nourishment. Take from all this comfort for your
soul and recovery for your mind. And do not waste your time
by being unmindful, this will shield you from good and lead
you to evil ..."
[Taken
from "LETTER TO A MUSLIM STUDENT"
by Hasan al-Banna (Rahimahullah:1906-1949)]
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Reflections
on Tazkiya and Self-Development
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Genuine
Effort is required
Following
are the prerequisites of Tazkiya (Self-development):
3-
Genuine Effort :
In
order to succeed, you must have a deep desire to make a
genuine effort to fulfill your obligations as a Muslim,
as Allah says in the Quran: "But as for those who strive
hard in Our cause - We shall most certainly guide them onto
paths that lead unto Us: for, behold God is indeed with
the doers of good. [al-Ankabut 29: 69.]
With
desire, of course, come actions. But know that it is not
solely the results of your endeavours that count; what matters
most is that you made your best effort. This is a very important
point to appreciate because without genuine effort nothing
can happen. Those who think that Prayer alone can work miracles
are not living in a realistic world. Prayers are part of
the effort, but Prayers are not the whole answer. If you
pray, `Allah! Guide me and make me good', it is not going
to bring you any benefit unless you are also determined
to become good and make an effort towards becoming good.
Once you have done the latter two things, then, of course,
Prayer will be a source of baraka or Divine grace that will
further inspire and strengthen your efforts. The initial
desire and the ensuing effort to do and become good, is
part of the continuing process of self development, a process
that may begin at any point in life that you choose and
continue till your last breath.
There
will never be a point when you will be able to say that
you are now a perfect person or that you have achieved your
full potential. If at any point you feel so, then be sure
that is the starting point of your downfall, On the other
hand, you may find that the greater your desire to fulfill
your obligations as a Muslim, the more you feel beset or
plagued by frustration, despondency and despair in your
heart and mind. All of us, whether young or old, have experienced
these diseases, and often just give up. What we should try
to remember at such times is that it is the intention and
effort that matters, not the result. This effort must be
a continuing process.
To be continued
in the next issue....
[Taken from "In
the Early Hours" by Ustadh Khurram
Murad (Rahimahullah), edited by Riza Mohammed.
Now also available at http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/default.asp]
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15
Points on the Wisdom of Prohibition of Alcohol
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Following is a list
of reasons and wisdom behind the prohibition of drinking
alcohol in Islam:
4-
Alcohol prevents people from remembering God.
5-
It prevents and/or delays Muslims from performing their
daily prayers. Even if they pray they will not understand
the meaning and significance of what they are doing and
saying. As Allah says in Surah An-Nisa (4:43),
"O you who believe! Do not attempt to pray while you
are drunk, with a mind befogged, until you can understand
what you are saying...."
6-
Those who drink will be denied Paradise. As the Prophet
(peace be upon him) said in a Hadith, "There are three
persons to whom God has forbidden Paradise: One who is addicted
to alcohol beverages, an undutiful son, and a cuckold who
connives in his womenfolk's adultery."
To be continued
in the next issue....
[Compiled from "The
Adolescent Life" by Dr. Ahmad Sakr]