Malaysia's ban on non-Muslims' use of word 'Allah' must be condemned

The Malaysian government's controversial decision to restrain non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah' for God, defies logic.

In the Holy Quran, the first surah, starts with 'Alhamdulillahi-rabb-il-alamin', which means, 'The God of the World', not the 'God of Muslims' alone.

It is 'aalamin' [for the entire world], not 'muslimin'. Clearly, there is no Islamic basis either to bar any community from using the word 'Allah' exclusively.

Secondly, words like 'Rab', 'Malik' or 'Khuda' are being used for centuries God in different regions by Muslims.

This is about local culture. Similarly, Christians or adherents of other religions who live in Malay-speak or Jews and other minorities in Arabic-speaking areas, have been using the word 'Allah' for ages.

Don't Muslims use the word 'God' quite often? In fact, the Malaysian government's succumbing to certain clerics' diktats, is surprising.

Also, the court order should have been reversed. It sets a bad example. It is not just against the principals of democracy but also in violation of Islamic spirit.

When a government in a country like Malaysia takes such a decision, then it is all the more disturbing. Its international image as a modern, progressive country would also be hit.  I fail to understand what drives the regime to take such a step or what are the fears of certain Ulema?

Do they feel that use of the word 'Allah' in sermons and prayers would attract Muslims towards Christianity.
If they have such fears, then it means that they have less confidence their own religion and community, and are more worried about propagators of other faiths.

Such bans are used to harass religions minorities and create religious tensions. It is a totally unjust and nonsensical ban. Further, it shows growing intolerance in the society. And it must be condemned. Hope that good sense will prevail and the decision would reversed soon. 

Madina HD Wallpapers 2014

Madina Is a place whom each and every Muslim loves from core of his heart and the reason for this is that It is the city of Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon him. Rasool Allah SAW done Dawah of Islam In Madina and then Islam spread to whole Arab world. Prophet SAW is also buried In Madina's Masjid Al Nabawi.

Here are Madina HD Wallpapers 2014 collection:

Soothsaying and Islam

Future is one of the biggest uncertainties for human beings. The fear of the unknown coming is so intense sometimes, that people go to soothsayers to quench their thirst of curiosity. Can future be predicted? There are some thousands of years old religions or cults that totally believe in fortune telling. Some books were found in ancient tombs predicting about future events.  The 2012 hoax about eh end of world was the last prediction available in mayan calandre, an age old cult/ religion. But world did not end in 2012. Nothing of this sort happened.

The business of soothsayers has been progressed by the weak beliefs of people not because of the accuracy of information of soothsayers. There is now become a trend even in muslim countries that during bigger and important world events,  soothsayers are specially paid to predict the results. For example, in the 2011 fifa football worldcup, there was an octopus baba who would predict about the coming successes. Similarly, in 2011 cricket world cup, there was a parrot baba in india who predicted the success of india. There was a man called mamu in pakistan, who predicted that pakistan will be the world champion similarly a baba in india also predicted the same.

Every year, people visit such fake baba's to know about their year ahead. Do all these babas and animals know the future? The simple answer is, knowledge of future belongs of Allah swt. No one can share even a shred of knowledge HE have. No one can predict the upcoming nor can change it. Then how do these sooth sayers sometimes give the right information? There is a hadith about this;

Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 650:

Narrated 'Aisha:
Some people asked the Prophet regarding the soothsayers. He said, "They are nothing." They said, "O Allah's Apostle! Some of their talks come true." The Prophet said, "That word which happens to be true is what a Jinn snatches away by stealth (from the Heaven) and pours it in the ears of his friend (the foreteller) with a sound like the cackling of a hen. The soothsayers then mix with that word, one hundred lies." 

Thus, no human can have the ability to know what is coming but the devils over hear the talks in sky. They hear one or two words and then the fake soothsayers multiply that with lies. This is very true. The knowledge of past or future, which is hidden is not to be known to anyone if it is not the will of Allah swt. So, if someone does a trick and tells you the secret, he may be the liar.

Mostly, people fall prey for the tricks and lies of the fortune tellers because of the experience of fortune tellers. How? In different societies, the overall concerns about most people are same. For example, in indian subcontinent, marriage, children, job etc. are the main concerns. Now if someone wants help in these matters, fortune tellers know exactly how to trap the person by saying the right words. The earning from this business is not halal. It is said by beloved prophet Muhammad pbuh in the following hadith;

Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 63, Number 258:

Narrated Abu Mas'ud:
The Prophet prohibited taking the price of a dog, the earnings of a soothsayer and the money earned by prostitution. 

All the hidden knowledge and secrets are known to Allah swt only. What is unknown to man and is not told to mankind is not the kind of information we should look for. Those who say that they know such and such things of the secret, they are biggest liars. Their abode will surely be hell fire if they do not repent. Allah swt say in Holy Quran;

[006:050] Tell them, �I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of Allah or the knowledge of the unseen future! And I do not claim to be an angel. I only just pursue and follow the revelation sent to me.� Say, �Can a blind man and the one endowed with sight ever be equal? Do you then not ponder?�

The true source of knowledge and solution of all the problems is Quran. This is not just a book, but a code of life. Every time you open it, you will find yet a new information.

[069:042] Nor is it the word of a soothsayer (or a foreteller), little is that you remember! 

Prophet Muhammad Pbuh Is Noor Or Bashar

Even though this look a totally sectarian topic to discuss but it is very important and a matter of the soundness of one's deen. There are some people who say that Muhammad pbuh was noor, some say he was part of the noor of Allah swt. While some say that he pbuh was both noor and bashar. While all these people who have these beliefs, they say that Allah swt is not Noor.

Now this is totally wrong. It is wrong to make dicisions on our level about our creator and His messenger. It is just like those Jews and Christians who made their messengers, God's sons just because they could not think of anything else. Making some one God's son or calling him a part of God are both wrong. Allah swt is one and only, no one can share Him, nor can one get anything from Him. Here, we will see what Quran speaks about this matter.

First about the status of prophet Muhammad pbuh, is he pbuh mentioned as noor or bashar in Quran!;

[041:006] Say, �In fact, I am a human being like you. It has been revealed to me that your god is only One God! So, seek the path (that leads) straight to Him, and seek His forgiveness. Misery is for those who associate partners (with Allah).� 

Thus, Muhammad pbuh was a human being not noor or something. Another proof that all messengers , which were sent to us were human beings like us is in the following verse;

[003:079] It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture and wisdom and the prophet hood that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: Be slaves of me instead of Allah; but (what he said was): Be ye faithful servants of the Lord by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and of your constant study thereof.

This verse is a clear indicator and warning for those who try to put Muhammad pbuh on the status which belongs to Allah swt alone. It is no disrespect to call Muhammad pbuh a human being because he was. Instead, it is a great thing that Allah swt created a human being so full of good that He Himself said that Muhammad pbuh is an excellent example for all of us to follow. The following verse further confirms that Muhammad pbuh was a prophet of Allah on his mission to spread the message of Allah swt.

[003:144] Muhammad, (SAW) is no more than a messenger. (Many other) messengers have gone by before him. If he dies, or is slain, will you retreat and turn around on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, would never hurt Allah a bit. Soon, Allah will reward the grateful ones! 

This verse further clears the misconception of those who think Muhammad pbuh is not dead because he is noor. So, they disrespect the beloved prophet with their lack of knowledge about him pbuh.

Allah swt says in Quran that He is the light of guidance for all. He describe the manner of His pure light as follows;

[024:035] Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. An example of its brilliance: there is a lamp in a luminous niche. The lamp is in a glass which itself gleams like a radiant star. It is lit by the oil of the blessed tree _ neither from the West nor the East. The oil of the lamp is ready to glow by itself even without being kindled. The bright luminous light is atop another brilliant light. Allah guides towards this light whomever He wants and Allah quotes this parable for the people. Allah is knowledgeable of all things! 

Therefore, it is wrong to make up new things to relate with Allah swt or His messenger, Muhammad pbuh it is also not right to assume somethings about Allah swt and His creation. Rather, the better way is to learn Quran with open eyes and open hearts. As Allah swt Himself says that He guides whom He wills. We should ask for His guidance and help rather then deciding about Him. 

Blackmailer jailed for using photos to get sex and money from woman

 Rot in jail!!

A blackmailer who repeatedly raped a woman and pocketed her life savings after threatening to publish lingerie photos of her has been jailed for 17 years.

In passing sentence on Daood Hussain at Birmingham Crown Court Judge Peter Carr, said �You treated her, on the evidence that I have heard, in a demeaning and degrading fashion and with complete contempt.

"The prosecution were right in their submission to the jury in that you were a man who wanted control and you were not going to take no for an answer from her.

"You also made a demand for �10,000 which she paid.

"Again you threatened that you would distribute the documents I have already referred to.�

And the judge said the effect of releasing the pictures would have had a �potentially devastating� effect on the victim and her family within their community.

Hussain, 28, of St Andrews Road, Bordesley Village, an unemployed electrical engineer, had denied but was found guilty of blackmail and 12 charges of rape by a jury following a trial.

The defendant was ordered to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period and was also banned from contacting the victim or her family on his release from jail.

In a police interview the woman said Hussain had demanded she meet him during the summer of 2012.

He showed her a leaflet he had made which included pictures of her in lingerie, along with her address and telephone number with a caption advertising her as a prostitute.

She then agreed to meet him ten times for sex sessions in the run up to Ramadan, in June and July 2012, sometimes in his car and other times at various hotels around Birmingham.

The woman eventually complained to the police.

Farah Ramzan, defending, said �He is the youngest of six siblings and comes from a very close knit family. Clearly this is going to have a devastating effect on the whole family.�

Source

Malegaon's emergence as capital of Urdu language in India: When Urdu books worth Rs 1 million are sold in a day!

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Malegaon is today the capital* of Urdu in India and there can't be any doubt about it. A bustling town that has a population of nearly 6,00,000, it is today becoming the heart of Urdu culture in the country.

Just when we hear pessimism over decline in sale of books in most languages, a ten-day Urdu book fair organised at Malegaon, saw sale of Urdu books worth Rs 87 lakh [8.7 million].

This is a record in the country. In fact, many book fairs in metros where books of dozens of languages are available, don't match these figures.

The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) had organised the ten day book fare. On the last day alone, books worth Rs 10 lakh or 1 million were sold within a few hours. Imagine, these are figures from a city which is considered a backward place and where half of the population lives in slums and shanties.

Such was the excitement among Urdu lovers, that books worth Rs 8-9 lakh were sold every day during the 'Kitab Mela'. People came from Dhule, Jalgaon, Pune, Ahmadnagar, Akola, Bhiwandi and other places in the region, to buy books here.

With time, languages spread and thrive, hence, the linguistic landscape also changes. Once, Delhi, Lucknow, Rampur, were centres of Urdu in North India. Then, Deccan region that had seen the birth of early Urdu, once again preserved the language and its culture.

Now, the culture is thriving in middle-level cities and towns across the country.

Among them, Malegaon, is the most well-known. It is often said that the city has the most per capital presence of poets in the world.

It also has an abundance of Urdu publications.Malegaon is a city and municipal corporation in Nasik district in Maharashtra.

For decades, it has suffered official apathy, in terms of infrastructural development. A city of powerlooms, it was inhabited by migrant Muslims from Uttar Pradesh (UP), who fled from their hometowns after the first war of independence in 1857.

The City has over 70% Muslim population. Divided by the Mausam river, it is also known for the unique names of its mohallas and chaurahas like Tension Chowk, Rishwar Nagar, Chaon Chaon Road & Achanak Nagar. The recently concluded book fair makes it clear that there is no dearth of Urdu lovers in India.

Neither the language faces any bleak future. Those talk pessimistically about Urdu are those who aren't aware of the changing landscape. Today, Maharashtra, Karnataka and regions of Bihar, are the Dabistan-e-Urdu just like, UP-Delhi region was, once.

Also read, an interesting post on this blog, about the names of places in Malegaon:

Tale of Two cities with in a City: Tension Chowk, Achanak Nagar, Chaon Chaon Road & Rishwat Nagar

[*People from Hyderabad may differ and those in Sri Nagar may also claim that there is higher percentage of Urdu knowing populace in their cities but Urdu has wider influence in Malegaon despite it being a comparatively small place.]
[Photograph of Malegaon Municipal Corporation, above]

Syrian refugee girl to marry to pay the rent

What Is Jihad Fi Sabilillah?

Jihad means striving for some thing. In islam, Jihad is an act of effort for the sake of Allah. The highest of jihad is to fight for Allah. It has been spread by kuffar that jihad only means to kill non muslims. But it is not true. Jihad does not mean to kill at the first place. And jihad fisabilillah also does not only mean to kill. But it means to strive for Allah, in the way of Allah swt. And this includes the killing of only the enemies not every one. Islam does not permit to kill women, children and elderly even if they belong to the enemy camp. Thus, jihad is totally different from what is known to the world today.

Jihad starts from self. That is, the first stage of jihad is to kill the evil within. According to the learned, jihad bin nafas has four stages. It starts from learning the truth, seeking the knowledge of deen. The second stage is to practice upon the ways of islam. That is, whatever is learned and understood, it should be practiced as well. Otherwise such a knowledge will remain hollow. The third stage is to invite others to the way of Allah and telling others whatever one has learnt. And fourthly, the final thing is to be patient and be strong against the opposition. Every person who learns islam and spreads it will face resistance. Giving up because of the dislikes of people is the sign of weakness. So one should be strong and never give up dawah. Once these four stages are achieved, the jihad of nafas is done.

Jihad bil maal is the jihad with monetary help. It includes helping muslims in every possible way to ensure their independence and upper hand on kuffar. Unfortunately, today muslims are neither helping others nor are they trying to rise against kuffar. This is the weakness of iman of people. This is why today muslims are the persecuted, they are the lowest among all the nations only because of their cowardice. Allah swt say in the holy Quran about this state of muslims;

[9:24] Say: "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allaah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allaah brings about His Decision. And Allaah guides not the people who are Al-Faasiquun" (the rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).

Allah swt has called these people, Fasiqoon i.e. the rebellious. Today, there are majority of muslims who fit this situation. About the fight in the way of Allah, it is s a must and it is valid for every time. Jihad is the need of hour today but only few have risen and realise that there duty. It is incumbent upon all muslims to strive for Allah, as it is the question of akhirah for all of us. Who can fight and who is exempted is told to us by Allah swt. When there are many people who would make excuses to not fight and stay at homes, for such people Allah swt has already said that they are fasiqoon.

[048:017] There is no blame upon the blind and the lame (those handicapped); nor upon those who are sick. (They may not heed the call to Jihad, all-out struggle for His sake). Allah will usher into the gardens of paradise _ right through which run the rivers _ all those who obey Him, and His messenger. He will punish with the painful torment anyone who turns his back.

Striving in the way of Allah has huge reward. It is mentioned in various sahih ahadith of prophet Muhammad pbuh. some of those traditions are mentioned below;

Bukhari,Volume 9, Book 93, Number 519:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle offers prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allah to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allah's cause or stays in the land where he was born." They (the companions of the Prophet) said, "O Allah's Apostle! Should we not inform the people of that?" He said, "There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth, so if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise."

Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 3:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
A man said to the Prophet, "Shall I participate in Jihad?" The Prophet said, "Are your parents living?" The man said, "Yes." the Prophet said, "Do Jihad for their benefit."

Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 53, Number 352:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "Allah guarantees him who strives in His Cause and whose motivation for going out is nothing but Jihad in His Cause and belief in His Word, that He will admit him into Paradise (if martyred) or bring him back to his dwelling place, whence he has come out, with what he gains of reward and booty."

Therefore, jihad is not only to show our loyalty to Allah swt but it also brings huge reward and likeness of Allah swt for us. 

Weapons of Mass Destruction and Islam

Less than a century ago, first atom bomb was dropped by America on japan. In the result, not only did the land die but people literally evaporated. Those who survived developed new un curable diseases. Even the generation today, in japan has those effects in their DNA. Thus, just two bombs has made such a huge destruction in that land. Is this justified? Weapons of mass destruction have been developed from simple bombs to chemical and biological weapons. Today, we see that Syrians are being killed by the release of the gas containing toxins. There have been developed many harmful and incurable germs in laboratories which are been released in poor countries to eradicate population. Thus, weapons of mass destruction has now been evolved from machines to living organisms.

In west, the legitimacy of using such weapons is under discussion for long now. It is because these weapons do not only kill the enemy but also kill innocents. In fact, the number of innocents murdered by these weapons is much more than the so called terrorists. And unfortunately, the people who have been affected the most by these weapons are more muslims than non muslims. Some muslim countries has also developed these weapons to defend themselves against their enemy. An important question is, is it really justified to use such a thing in the name of war? This question needs to be answered by the prominent scholars of Islam. Because in the wake on nationalism, muslim countries are also making and storing these weapons. It is a well known fact that even containing such things in a secure field in not fully secure. Also, many fields dealing with nuclear technology has been destroyed in natural or accidental causes (in India and china).

The concept of war in Islam is not fighting black and blue but it is a very controlled field. Islam does not allow to kill everyone but only those who are mischief makers. In islam, the purposeless killing is forbidden. And also the killing of those is forbidden who have not done any harm to you. The following verses of Quran indicate this;

[017:033] And do not kill anyone. Allah has prohibited it, except when it is rightful and befitting (and corresponds to the crime). We have awarded a right (of redress) to the heir of a person wrongfully killed. But let him not exceed the bounds and overdo in (his quest to seek redress by) killing. He is to be helped. 

[005:032] On account of this, WE prescribed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso saved a life, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. And our Messengers came to them with clear Signs, Yet even after that, many of them commit excesses in the land.

Thus, war is not to kill kill and kill in islam. But it has a very controlled manner.  Killing that is, mass murder is one of the signs of qayamah. So this is is just war, but a sign of qayamah and most of it is un justified and without any purpose. This has been described by prophet Muhammad pbuh in the following hadith;

Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 88, Number 184:

Narrated 'Abdullah and Abu Musa:
The Prophet said, "Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which Religious ignorance will spread, knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and there will be much Al-Harj, and Al-Harj means killing."

There is a hadith in which Allah's apostle Muhammad pbuh forbade killing of women and children in war.

Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 258:

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.

Those, who are weak and cannot stand up for themselves, they are to be left, for there cannot be achieved any good by killing them. This is how islam restricts unjustified killing. With weapons of mass destruction, the unjustified killing is on high scale. Scholars should give their verdict based on quran and sunnah for the use of weapons of mass destruction. 

Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians quadruple, says UN

Footage of the settlers surrounded by an angry crowd led the TV news in Israel that day, with commentators saying serious bloodshed was averted by Palestinians who shielded the settlers.

Seven Israelis were questioned and placed under house arrest, police said. Israeli defence minister Moshe Yaalon warned he would show zero tolerance, but Palestinians are sceptical.

So far there have been at least two cases of vandalism in apparent response to the Qusra incident. Today residents of a village in the area reported that the door of a mosque was set on fire and graffiti read �Blood for blood, Qusra.�

Settlers have damaged hundreds of trees in Qusra, killed 18 sheep, torched six cars and set fire to a mosque in dozens of attacks, said mayor Abdel Azim Wadi. The village has lost half its lands to settlements.

The mayor said Israeli soldiers either stand by during settler attacks or fire tear gas, rubber bullets and occasionally live rounds at Palestinians if the attacks escalate into stone-throwing clashes. A Qusra man was killed by army fire and dozens were wounded by settlers and soldiers, he said.

Palestinians say �price tag� is part of Israel�s policy of cementing control over the West Bank, the largest of three war-won areas the Palestinians want for a state. They note that Israel has been providing practical support for outposts even though they were set up without formal government permission.

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