| Living \r\n the Quran |
Muhammad
In the intricate paths of life when difficulties and hardships confront \r\n a man, and the darkness of difficulty and suffering becomes long, it \r\n is patience only that acts like a light for a Muslim, that keeps him safe \r\n from wandering here and there, and saves him from the muddy marsh of disappointment, \r\n desperation and frustration. \r\nPatience is such a basic quality that a Muslim needs it to shape his \r\n life in this world and in the next. On this basis only he should attend \r\n to all his work. He should make it a torchlight for guiding his way, else \r\n he will be defeated in the field of life. He should prepare his self to \r\n tolerate the hardships and difficulties, and should not holler or raise \r\n hell. He should not run away from responsibilities, whatever they may \r\n be. No doubts and misgivings, no hardship of trouble should prompt his \r\n intellect to indulge in violence. He should have plenty of self-confidence. \r\n He should not be frightened by the dark clouds appearing on the horizon \r\n of life, even if they may be appearing continually, nay, he should be \r\n fully sure that these clouds of difficulties and hardships will disappear, \r\n and the clear and bright atmosphere of success and glory will appear again. \r\n Therefore, the demand of wisdom and far-sightedness \r\n is that its coming should be awaited with patience, peace and conviction. \r\n \r\nThe Almighty God has stressed this point sufficiently that no man can \r\n escape tests and trials, so that man may be alert and ready at the time \r\n when these hardship and difficulties descend on him, and he should not \r\n be frightened by these heavenly and earthly tribulations, and need not \r\n be disappointed and disheartened. \r\nThe poet has expressed the same idea in these words: \r\n\"We had anticipated the hardships of the night before their coming. \r\n So when they descended, there was no addition to our knowledge.\" \r\n \r\nUndoubtedly if accidents and disasters are faced with a clear sight and \r\n full preparations, it will prove advantageous for man and this will help \r\n in stabilizing and consolidating his circumstances. \r\nSource: |
| \r\n Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The Chained Devils \r\nAbu Hurairah, (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet \r\n (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “When \r\n the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and \r\n the gates of the Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.” \r\n (Reported by al-Bukhari) \r\nThe commentators of the aforementioned Hadith of Abu Hurairah \r\n state that ‘the devils that are put in chains during Ramadan’ \r\n are those who can’t approach those who sincerely fast for \r\n Allah’s Sake and who commit themselves to the high morals \r\n of fasting such as lowering the gaze and refraining from doing \r\n any harm to others. \r\nIbn Khuzaymah also states that ‘putting the devils in chains’ \r\n means that their activity during the blessed month is (only) reduced \r\n and that is why some people sin during the month of Ramadan. \r\nAnother possible interpretation of the Hadith states that sins \r\n that are committed through satanic whispers are halted, as the \r\n devils are chained and they no longer tempt people to sin during \r\n Ramadan. As to the sins that are committed by some people during \r\n the blessed month, some commentators state that they are due to \r\n the evil souls that tempt some to sin and transgress Allah’s \r\n limits. Some also state that the devils that are meant are those \r\n from among the Jinn, whereas human devils are not chained. \r\n \r\n Source: |
| Blindspot! |
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Muslims : To thine own selves \r\n be true \r\nThere is an African proverb that says: When \r\n people start throwing stones at a tree, it means that the tree \r\n is bearing fruit. This is exactly what’s \r\n happening now to Muslims. A major Islamic reform movement is \r\n under way in the West. People here have looked at Muslims and \r\n said, \"We thought they were going to put aside their religion \r\n and become totally assimilated.\" But young Canadian and \r\n European Muslims are replying, \"We are not ready to forget \r\n who we are in order to become who you want us to be.\" Instead, \r\n they assert: \"We are not the other, we are not against \r\n the other, we are ourselves and we want to be equal citizens.\" \r\nThird-generation Muslims — torn between Canadian society’s \r\n liberties and discriminations and their own parents’ traditionalist \r\n and spiritual stances — have sensed that to become genuine \r\n Canadian citizens, they seem to be expected to renounce their \r\n faith. The reality is that in the eyes of many of our fellow \r\n citizens, we are still the \"other\" — faithful \r\n to a foreign religion. \r\nIn this situation, one has two options : either \r\n to victimize and isolate oneself or to \r\n assert one’s otherness. What prevents \r\n us from becoming totally involved in our societies today is \r\n not legal frameworks. It is, far more, a matter of perception. \r\n Western society’s grim perception of Muslims today determines \r\n the way that people read the law and react to the presence of \r\n Muslims in their midst. \r\nMuslim youth bears a great responsibility to change this reality. \r\n By knowing who they are, understanding \r\n where they are, and interacting with their fellow students, \r\n friends and citizens, they can change such negative perceptions. \r\n \r\nIn fact, perceptions are already changing. It’s going \r\n to be a long, slow process, but there’s no other way. \r\n Human history shows us that it \r\n takes time to change mentalities. Past immigrants \r\n have undergone the same experience: Each \r\n individual must take action at his or her local level, behaving \r\n with confidence, patience and perseverance. \r\nBut evolution will also take \r\n education, a deep faith and critical, creative thinking. \r\n These are the conditions for people to remain true to themselves \r\n and be truly free. There is no \r\n freedom without education ; there is no dignity without freedom. \r\n This is what the Creator asks us to be: educated, dignified \r\n and free. \r\nSource: |
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