THE SPIRITUAL HIJRAH OF THE FIRST PARAGUAYAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL FROM CHRISTIANITY TO ISLAM

THE SPIRITUAL HIJRAH (JOURNEY) OF THE FIRST PARAGUAYAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL FROM CHRISTIANITY TO ISLAM

by Syarif Hidayat

          The spiritual hijrah (journey) of a Paraguayan ambassador to Southeast Asia region Cesar Esteban Grillon from Catholicism to Islam has made him wanted to become a Muslim role model that would attract and inspire his fellow countrymen to learn more about Islam and finally after understanding the truth about Islam convert to this religion.

          Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Southeast Asia region based in Jakarta, Cesar Esteban Grillon wanted to become a role model as a Muslim for his country, a Christian majority country in South America, that will attract Paraguayans to become Muslims.

WELCOME 1435: ISLAMIC NEW YEAR - A TIME OF CONTEMPLATION AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

WELCOME 1435: ISLAMIC NEW YEAR - A TIME OF CONTEMPLATION AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

by Syarif Hidayat

         The "Hijra" (Arabic: هِجْرَة‎ hijrah), also Hijrat or Hegira, is the migration or journey of Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his followers from Mecca to Medina between June 21 and July 2 in 622 CE. In June 622 CE, warned of a plot to assassinate him, Muhammad PBUH secretly escaped out of Mecca with Abu Bakr. Muhammad PBUH and his followers immigrated to the city of Yathrib, 320 kilometres (200 mi) north of Mecca, in several steps.  

        Yathrib was soon renamed Madinat un-Nabi, literally "the City of the Prophet", but un-Nabi was soon dropped, so its name in English is Medina, meaning "the city". The Muslim year during which the Hijra occurred was designated the first year of the Islamic calendar by Umar in 638 or 17 AH (anno hegirae = "in the year of the hijra"). In the following chronology the city will be referred to as Medina, and the region surrounding it as Yathrib.

CHILDREN EDUCATION: IT IS EASIER TO TEACH CHILDREN THAN TO BUILD THEIR CHARACTERS

CHILDREN EDUCATION: IT IS EASIER TO TEACH CHILDREN THAN TO BUILD THEIR CHARACTERS
 
by Syarif Hidayat

         It is easy to educate our children to become clever individuals as there are many FINE schools and universities available almost everywhere as long as we have enough money to finance their education. But it is very difficult to build their own characters to become FINE and well-behaved individuals lawfully and religiously!
         Beside the caring parents and the good education, they also need good examples from their parents and the society especially the public figures such as honest and well-behaved bureaucrats, politicians, religious leaders as well as the other public figures.

WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MARRIAGE?: THE SPIRIT OF MARRIAGE IN ISLAM

The spirit of marriage in Islam

by Irshaad Hussain
Source: IslamiCity.com

The Prophet  was once asked, “What is more important than prayer?” He replied, “The spirit of prayer” – the spirit that animates the prayer. He was asked what is more important than fasting – he replied, the spirit of fasting. For each question concerning an Islamic practice the answer was the same – because the spirit brings the action to life and unfolds its potentials.

Without this animating spirit, the prayer is only movement, and the fasting only hunger. But when spirit enters, when a pure and concentrated intention enters, the action is transformed – the prayer gains the potential to become a miraj (an elevating spiritual journey), and the one fasting approaches towards the potential to witness laylatul qadr (the night of destiny – a night when blessings from the spiritual world descend to this world).

MARRIAGE IN ISLAM IS A VITAL PART OF MUSLIM'S LIFE

Marriage, sin, and society…

by inter-islam.org
Source: inter-islam.org

In light of modernity, what is marriage? What does it mean? The Collins Paperback English Dictionary states under the heading of marriage: ‘The contract made by a man and a woman to live as husband and wife’.

The Hutchinson Encyclopedia states: ‘..legally or culturally sanctioned union..’. So, according to the dictionary and the encyclopedia marriage is supposed to be a relationship that joins a man and a woman together via a contract.

CHILDREN EDUCATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING WITH YOUR CHILDREN

The importance of talking with children

by Dr. Aisha Hamdan
Source: missionislam.com

Have you had a meaningful conversation together? Do you know what your child accomplished today, how he may be feeling, whether or not he has any concerns? Does your child know that you care about him?

In Islam, the ties of kinship and family are very strong and something that will always be present throughout our lifetime. There are very serious consequences for someone who decides to break these ties. Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, says,”Then, is it to be expected of you, if you were put in authority, that you will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin?

ISLAMIC SCIENCE REDISCOVERED: SCIENTIFIC RENAISSANCE IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES

Scientific Renaissance in Muslim Countries

by Hasan Zillur Rahim
Source: theamericanmuslim.org


A remarkable interactive exhibition called “Islamic Science Rediscovered” at the Tech Museum in San Jose, California, (http://www.thetech.org/islamic_science_rediscovered/) in the heart of Silicon Valley is drawing large number of visitors. The exhibition celebrates “a Golden Age of Science and Technology” when, from the 8th to the 13th century, Muslims led the world in such fields as architecture, arts , astronomy, engineering, exploration, flight, mathematics, medicine, optics and water management.

A timeline highlighting the significant events in Islamic culture and science during the golden age greets the visitor at the entrance to the exhibit.  Once you grasp the outline, you can begin to focus on the specifics.

A NEW ERA OF SCIENCE DAWNS ON MUSLIM WORLD

A new era of science dawns on the Muslim world

by Anjana Ahuja
Source: Telegraph (UK)


With temperatures that reach 50C (122F) in the summer and the constant, abrasive swirl of sand grains in the air, Qatar feels like little more than a desert. But the mirages are different here. Instead of shimmering pools of water that vanish on closer inspection, huge structures rise from the bone-dry landscape. Some are squat and boxy; others curve elegantly into the sky. The skyline is dotted with skeletons of others yet to be finished.

Education City, on the outskirts of the capital, Doha, is at an embryonic stage. But it represents Qatar’s grand attempt to turn itself from fossil-fuel nation into scientific superpower. Famous universities such as Carnegie Mellon and University College London have opened satellite campuses amid the fake grass. Shell, Total and GE have set up research centres.

Call for Science to empower the new Middle East

by Daniel Hind
Source: Aljazeera


In the New Scientist, the Nobel laureate and US Science Envoy Ahmed Zewali writes about the prospects for research in the Middle East. He identifies three steps that countries in the region can take and sketches the terms on which the West should provide assistance. The three steps are:
Increase participation by promoting literacy and female emancipation.

Institute reforms “to allow freedom of thought, reduce bureaucracy, minimise bureaucracy, reward merit, and create credible – and enforceable – legal codes”.
Create centres of excellence to show that “Muslims can compete in today’s globalised economy and to instill in the youth the desire for learning”.

Is it Islamic science or science that is Islamic?

by AZIZAN BAHARUDDIN
Source: http://thestar.com.my


CURRENTLY an impressive exhibition called “Sultans of Science” is being held at the Petrosains in Kuala Lumpur.

It showcases the achievements of science and technology in Islamic civilization during the 8th to 15th centuries, manifested in the centres of knowledge of the Middle Ages in Cordoba, Baghdad and Samarkand among others.

To those interested in the debate concerning Islamic Science or potentially a science that does not separate knowledge about nature and the ethical values that attend the application of such knowledge, the exhibition beckons us to examine once again the current concerns voiced by leaders and scientists about the crisis of un-sustainability most obvious and immediate in the environmental and economic context.

MUSLIMS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CIVILIZATION

Overcoming historical Amnesia: Muslim contributions to civilization

by Craig Considine
Source: huffingtonpost.com

In his recent article, Sam Harris, a popular critic of Islam, referred to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist, as “the best thing to come out of the Muslim world in 1,000 years.” Hidden in this comment is the idea that Malala’s fellow Muslims are backward and that her religion, Islam, is not conducive to change or progress.

Conversely to the beliefs of Harris and others like him, Muslims have actually made enormous contributions to civilization, perhaps due to the heavy emphasis that Islam places on knowledge. People who forget or blatantly ignore major trends or events in world history can be said to suffer from “historical amnesia.”

The story of Ashura and Karbala

by Abdurrahmaan Umar
Source: www.eislam.co.za

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Aashurah’. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah Ta’ala in the Islamic calendar. This day has been accepted as having deep significance. Evidence of its significance has been clearly found in authentic traditions.

There are many Prophetic events of great historical importance and also events that happened after the Beloved and Final Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) had left this world, such as the Battle of Karbala, that have taken place on this day.

The significance of Ashura

by Translated by Ustadh Amin Buxton
Source: abdulkarimyahya.com

The tenth day of the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar marks a significant day in the Muslim calendar.

The tenth of Muharram is the day on which, Allah saved Prophet Moses/Musa (pbuh) from the tyrannical Pharaoh, that prototype of despotic authority. There are many pharaoh-like authorities who have appeared through history and there were those incorrigible standard-bearers of justice who opposed them. In the post-Prophetic period, one such person was Imam Husayn who, took on the corruption of despotic Yazid and laid down his life on tenth Muharram in 61 AH (680 CE); an event that serves as a milestone in the history of the faithful; the martyrdom of the beloved grandson of the Prophet Muhammad at Karbala in Iraq.

More on Ashura and Muharram

by Mufti Taqi Usmani
Source: albalagh.net

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified.”

These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, declared: “One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”

Islamic new year a time of contemplation and spiritual renewal

by: Sheikh Haisam Farache
Source: MuslimVillage.com


Milestones are markers fundamental to the human psyche.  As we near the end of the calendar year, outside of the controversies surrounding the months of Ramadan and Zul Hijah, have we given any thought to the other months of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar?  In fact, could we even say that we know the Islamic months and could we recall them in order?

It is especially imperative for Muslims living outside of Muslim majority nations to maintain a connection to Allah through the specific Prophetic acts of worship encouraged during each particular month and to understand the significance of the Islamic months as they relate to the life of a Muslim.

Muharram and Ashura

by: Sheikhul Hadith Sh. Ml. Fazlur Rehman
Source: http://jamiat.org.za/blog/muharram-aashura-in-detail/


THE SACRED MONTHS

From among the months of the Islamic year, the “Ashurul Hurum” (Sacred Months) enjoy a greater significance. Hafiz Ibn Katheer (Allah be pleased with him) has quoted the saying of Hadhrat Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him) in his famous tafseer. He writes:

Allah Ta’ala has indeed distinguished some of His Creation from among man and Jinn, He has chosen Messengers. He has granted special virtue to His remembrance (Zikr) over all speech and talk. From the land He has chosen the Masaajid. He distinguished the Day of Jumu’ah (Friday) from amongst the days and Laitatul Qadr (the Night of Power) from amongst the nights. Therefore respect what Allah Ta’aala has honoured for verily to honour things due to the virtue which Allah Ta’aala bestowed upon them is among the traits of the intelligent”. [Tafseer Ibn Khateer, vol 2 pg 369].

WELCOME 1435: MUHARRAM AND A NEW YEAR IN ISLAMIC CALENDAR

Welcome 1435: Muharram and a new year in the Islamic calendar

by Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Source: Islamic City

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified”.

These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Zhul Qa’dah, Zhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared:
“One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Zhul Qa’dah, Zhul Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER ROWS DURING JAMAAH PRAYER (CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER)

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER ROWS DURING JAMAAH PRAYER (CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER)

by Syarif Hidayat

        Every time we are going to start a jama’ah prayer (a congregational prayer) in the mosques, Imam of the Jama’ah always calls out to all worshippers to pay attention that everyone should “Straighten row and close ranks because that is part of the perfection of our prayer!”

        Islam pays a great deal of attention to the rows of worshippers, as it has enjoined straightening the rows and speaks clearly of the virtue and importance of straightening them. It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of perfecting prayer.”

HAJJ IS THE LARGEST PILGRIMAGE IN THE WORLD FOR HUMAN DIGNITY AND UNITY

HAJJ IS THE LARGEST PILGRIMAGE IN THE WORLD FOR HUMAN DIGNITY AND UNITY

by Syarif Hidayat

        The Hajj (Arabic: حج‎ Ḥaǧǧ "pilgrimage") is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. The state of being physically and financially capable of performing the Hajj is called istita'ah and a Muslim who fulfils this condition is called a mustati.

       In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Allah SWT says in Al Qur’an: "In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the 'Alamîn (mankind and jinn and all that exsists)." (Al Qur'an, Surah Al Imran, Verse:97)

ISLAM IS THE FASTEST–GROWING RELIGION IN THE UK AND THE US

ISLAM IS THE FASTEST–GROWING RELIGION IN THE UK AND THE US

by Syarif Hidayat

        Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United Kingdom. A new census found Tuesday, December 11, that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in Brtain and Wales. The census found that the proportion of Muslims rose from 3.0 percent to 4.8 per cent, becoming the fastest growing religion in Britain.  

       Islam is also among the fastest-growing faiths in the US. The census show that Islam is among the fastest-growing religion in the US in the past decade. The census, by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies in Chicago, found that American Muslims almost doubled in the past decade. It estimated that Muslims are now numbered at 2.6 million in 2010, from only one million in 2001.

       Islam is a beautiful religion, full of wisdom and harmony. Islam is a religion of love and peace. Love is one of the noblest human principles and traits that cultivate the spirit of interaction, solidarity, and cooperation and add affection to human relationships and dealings. All heavenly and also manmade religions cherish love in its top-down (God-creation), bottom-up (creation-God), and horizontal (interpersonal) dimensions.  

BEWARE OF FAKE MUSLIMS ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST: THEY ARE SPYING ON YOU!

BEWARE OF FAKE MUSLIMS ESPECIALLY IN THE WESTERN COUNTRIES: THEY ARE SPYING ON YOU!

      War against Islam, War on Islam or Attack on Islam, is a coined term to describe a perceived campaign to harm, weaken or annihilate the societal system of Islam, using military, economic, social and cultural means. The campaign is alleged to be waged by non-Muslims and fake Muslims.

        The alleged perpetrators of the war include Western powers (especially the United States with its “War on Terror”), pro-Western Muslim states, and non-Western, non-Muslim states such as Serbia (Genocide in Bosnia), Russia (for its actions in Chechnya and the Caucasus in general), and India (for the conflict in Kashmir) as well as Myanmar (Rohingya Muslim Genocide in Arakan).

REMINDER FOR ALL MUSLIMS: "KEEPING STRONG FAITH DURING TOUGH TIMES"

 بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

Keeping strong faith during tough times

During hardships and calamities, it is natural to get swept away by the affliction of the moment. During such trials of faith, unless we are careful, Satan can inject fear and plant doubts in our hearts and minds. Our beliefs in such vulnerable states may become overpowered by feelings of the moment resulting in the dwindling of our faith. Some of us start questioning the fairness and wisdom underlying such divine decisions while others get mired in a blame game. All in all, we may find ourselves lost, helpless, and stalled finding it difficult to gather ourselves and move forward.

For such situations specifically and others in general, Islam teaches us to stay in control by hanging on to the Mercy and Grace of Allah. We pray that Allah keeps us safe from the challenges and trials of life, but as Muslims we should know and understand Quran’s message and the prophet’s guidance for handling tough moments in life. The following summarizes some of the key guidance related to this matter.

ISLAM RECOMMENDS A UNITED AND MUTUALLY HELPFUL SOCIETY IN THE WORLD

RESPONDING TO THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST INCLUDING THE EGYPTIAN CASE: ISLAM RECOMMENDS A UNITED AND MUTUALLY HELPFUL SOCIETY IN THE WORLD
 
by Syarif Hidayat*

       What is Islam? It’s certainly not a social or political regime. So what exactly is it? Islam has been revealed to us for a purpose: for man to identify himself according to the mechanics of existence and the universe, and for man to unveil the prime attributes from his true essence.
       The holographic reality states that all that is present throughout the Universe also exists within the human mind. Islam provides the realization that the path for man to reach his creator is through his own mind… Islam provides you with the system and mechanics to reach your creator, to unleash the true potential within. Islam was revealed to you, FOR you.

ISLAM AND THE WESTERN WORLD: ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE RISING NUMBER OF WHITES CONVERSION TO ISLAM (2)

ISLAM AND THE WESTERN WORLD: ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE RISING NUMBER OF WHITES CONVERSION TO ISLAM (2)

by Syarif Hidayat

 Study indicates more Britons are converting to Islam

Despite there are Islamophobia, anti-Muslim and anti-Islam bigotry in  the western world, a new study found that the number of Britons converting to Islam is growing, a London-based newspaper. The Independent newspaper said that the estimated number of British converts has always been difficult to count because “census data does not differentiate between a religious person that has adopted a new faith or was born into it.” According to a new study by the inter-faith think tank Faith Matters, the real figure could be as high as 100,000, with as many as 5,000 new conversions nationwide each year. Previous estimates have placed the number of Muslim converts in the UK at between 14,000 and 25,000.

ISLAM AND THE WESTERN WORLD: ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE RISING NUMBER OF WHITES CONVERSION TO ISLAM (1)

ISLAM AND THE WESTERN WORLD: ISLAMOPHOBIA AND THE RISING NUMBER OF WHITES CONVERSION TO ISLAM (1)
 
by Syarif Hidayat

       Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West. Nevertheless, the West has many stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam that are due to: the media, Prejudice, and Ignorance. Islam is often looked upon as a “extremist”, “terrorist”, or “fundamental” religion. Many people hate Islam and do not want to acknowledge its true teachings.
       In many cases, the media’s reports about Islam are incorrect due to ignorance. This is one of the reasons why the West often hates Islam.  In contrast to what many Westerners think of Islam, Islam is a peaceful religion, which does not promote any injustice or crime. Stereotypes about Islam are not new to Western culture. Problems can be traced back 1400 years. At that time, Islam and Christianity were involved in the Crusades in the 1100’s and in the Ottoman and Moorish control in Europe. Islam spread quickly to the West, and started to threaten the position of the Christian Church and the ruling class.
         The Western elites, mainly the governments and the churches, then became highly involved in seeing that negative images were presented about Islam. As a result, not only were battles fought against Islam, but also a war of words was initiated to make sure that Islam would not have any converts or sympathizers in the West. These kinds of actions and feelings that the West had long ago still seem to be the case in the West today.

‘HARDLINE BUDDHISTS’ THREATEN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH ASIA

 ‘HARDLINE BUDDHISTS’ THREATEN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH ASIA: BURMA AND SRI LANKA

by Syarif Hidayat

       Being “peaceful” or “humble” (as claimed by their biased supporters) is a far cry concerning the Sri Lankan and Burmese Buddhists. Their vindictive temperament prowls for vendetta, waiting to use even the most insignificant occurrence as an excuse to perpetrate violence on Burmese and Sri Lankan Muslims.

       At any time, if there’s some ethnic disturbance between Muslims and Buddhists/Hindus in any other country, the Sri Lankan and Burmese Buddhists waste no time going on a murderous spry killing the Muslim minority in Burma and Sri Lanka.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER EID UL-FITR

What to do before, during, and after Eid ul-Fitr
by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (edited by Bilal Ali)

Shawwal is the first of the three months named Ashhur al-Hajj (the months of hajj). Although the major acts of hajj are normally performed on the first ten days of Dhu ‘l-Hijjah, yet the whole period starting from the first of Shawwal up to the 10th of Dhu ‘l-Hijjah is held to be the period of hajj because some acts of hajj can be performed any time during this period. For example, the tawaf al-qudum followed by the sa’i of hajj, althoughimpermissible before Shawwal can be performed any day after Shawwal begins. Similarly, an ‘umrah performed before Shawwal cannot be treated as an ‘umrah of tamattu‘ while an ‘umrah performed in Shawwal can be affiliated with the hajj, making it a hajj of tamattu‘.Moreover, the ihram of hajj is considered undesirable before Shawwal.For these reasons, amongst others, the three months that follow Ramadan have been named the “months of hajj” and the month of Shawwal has the distinction of being the first of these months.

MAKE SALAWAT ON PROPHET PBUH AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Make Salawat on Prophet as much as you can
by Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

A`oodhu billahi min ash-Shaytaani ‘r-rajim. Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmaani ‘r-Raheem. Dastoor yaa Sayyidee, madad. Dastoor yaa awliyaullah, madad. Madad yaa Rasoolullah, yaa Rahmatan lil-`alameen!

Abu Hurayrah (r) narrated from the Prophet (s):

(كل أمر ذي بال لا يبدأ فيه ببسم الله الرحمن الرحيم فهو أقطع أو (فهو ابتر

kullu amrin dhi baalin la yabtada bi Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem fa huwa aqta` aw fahuwa abtar.

To act on any matter that comes to your mind that does not begin with “Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem” is cut off.

IKLAS (SINCERETY) ITS REALITY, ACQUISITION AND THE NECESSITY OF SINCERETY IN DEEDS

Sincerity its reality and aquisition
by islaam.org

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 
Allah Ta’ala (Most High) says:

“Verily, the Mu’mineen (Believers) are those who believe in Allah, and His Rasul. Thereafter they have no doubt and they strive in the Path of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Assuredly, they are the Saadiqoon (the sincere/truthful ones).” (Quran 49:15)

The following is narrated in the Hadith Shareef:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) while he was reviling some of his slaves. The Prophet (peace be upon him) turned towards him and said: “(There are) those People who curse, and those who are sincere/truthful!” Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I shall never repeat it.”

EID UL FITR CELEBRATION (END OF RAMADAN FESTIVAL) IS A DAY OF THANKSGIVING TO ALLAH (SWT)

EID UL FITR CELEBRATION (END OF RAMADAN FESTIVAL): EID FITR IS A DAY OF THANKSGIVING TO ALLAH (SWT)

by Syarif Hidayat

        Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the End of Ramadan Fasting Month Festival on Thursday, August 8, 2013 (1 Shaw’wal, 1434H).  EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-ul-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

I'TIKAF - "THE SPIRITUAL RETREAT"

I'tikaf - "The Spiritual Retreat" in order our hearts get attached to Allah SWT

by E Islam

The basic purpose of I’tikâf is that the heart gets attached to Allâh and, with it, one attains inner composure and equanimity and pre‑occupation with the mundane things of life ceases and absorption in the eternal Reality takes its place, and the state is reached in which all fears, hopes and apprehensions are superseded by the love and remembrance of Allâh, every anxiety is transformed into the anxiety for Him and every thought and feeling is blended with the eagerness to gain His nearness and to earn His good favour, and devotion to the Almighty is generated instead of devotion to the world and it becomes the provision for the grave where there will be neither a friend nor a helper. This is the high aim and purpose of I’tikâf which is the speciality of the most sublime part of Ramadhân, i.e., the last ten days.

UK REVERTS SHINE AT MUSLIM NOW RETREAT

UK reverts shine at the Muslim Now retreat

by Amal Stapley

Before I came to Islam, I was surrounded by Muslims who were encouraging me to say my Shahadah.

When I finally did take the step they were overjoyed, but when I asked them to tell me more about the deen they all started to fade into the background.

They said that they didn’t know enough about Islam to help me on my journey.

So I had to hunt around for somewhere to go where I could learn the foundations of Islam to help me put my new-found fledgling faith into practice.

My quest took me on a very long journey to many different sources and eventually to many different countries, and eventually back home to the UK.
But it was only recently that I came across an amazing Retreat for New Muslims. Muslim Now, a branch of iERA (Islamic Education and Research Academy) that was established to provide support for new Muslims in the first couple of years of their journey, is now holding two of these Retreats a year.

REVERTS: IS IT BETTER TO LIVE IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY?

Reverts: Is it better to live in a Muslim country?

by Aya Timea

Do you dream of living in a Muslim country?

Do you get tired of fighting with your family and friends to accept you as a Muslim?

Wish you to live in a land where you hear the beautiful sound of Adhan (call to prayer) five times a day, everybody welcomes you with salam aleikom and everybody is just tremendously happy that you chose the path of Islam instead of living in the West?

Well, I did. And I moved.

That is why I want to share my experiences with you, to let you know how I see life as a reverted Muslimah coming from the heart of Eastern-Europe and now living in the land of the Nile, in a city which never sleeps: in the adventurous Cairo.

REVERTS: HEROES OR SOCIAL MISFITS?

Reverts: Heroes or Social Misfits?

by Lauren Booth*

‘Mum I’m a Muslim’.

This statement falls from your lips.

Then you watch, heart pounding, as your mother, the one who gave birth to you, who knows you inside and out, struggles to put words to her horror – that you have suddenly joined the most pilloried faith in the modern world.

Despite the fact that before taking my Shahadah I had spent half a decade traveling the Muslim world, my mum was still shocked. She had never expected me (‘of all people’), her Jack Daniels drinking, low neckline wearing, foul mouthed, eldest daughter, to embrace something so ‘puritanical’.

All credit to my mum though. Despite her silent horror, she has (with bitten lip) for the past three years, worked hard at accepting that Islam has entered her family from this most unexpected direction.

THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN IS THE PERFECT TIME TO PROMOTE ISLAM

THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN IS THE PERFECT TIME TO PROMOTE ISLAM - MUSLIMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OPEN  THEIR DOORS TO NON-MUSLIM NEIGHBORS

by Syarif Hidayat

         The holy month of Ramadan is the perfect time of the year to promote Islam. That is why Muslims are encouraged to share the Ramadan spirit with the non Muslim friends and neighbors by taking part in an initiative aimed at breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of good relationship and good neighborliness between Muslims and non-Muslims in the communities, especially in the non-Muslim majority countries like those in the West.

        Islam is a beautiful religion, full of wisdom and harmony.   If this wonderful religion is followed properly then a typical Muslim would only be a great example to follow. You might believe this or not! But good manners are the best form of Da’wah. If we ask ourselves, what if a person was walking around calling people to Islam and to worship the one true God yet he have no manners at all, will anyone follow him? Or even listen tohim? The answer must be No, for sure.

CHINA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT BANS ITS CITIZENS FROM PERFORMING RAMADAN FASTING

THE COMMUNIST CHINA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT BANS ITS CITIZENS FROM PERFORMING FASTING IN THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN

by Syarif Hidayat

        While the Christian majority countries in the West and the other non-Muslim countries around the world give their Muslim citizens freedom to perform fasting in the holy month of Ramadan and observe the other  religious rites, the Communist China is the only country on this planet that bans its citizens from fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

       It’s not exactly breaking news that China has serious issues with freedom of religion and as an officially Atheist state is often very repressive against those observing religious rites. China has once again leveled restrictions on the persecuted Uighurs when it comes to practicing Ramadan. Unlike millions of Muslims around the world, Uighur students returning for summer vacations in northwestern China are banned from fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.