Friday, 06 November 2009

  • News: Muslim image campaigns suffer after Fort Hood shootings

    http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-06-muslim-image-campaigns_N.htm

    I'm going to "answer" some of the comments on this article.

    Before, I do that, I'm also going to say that I think the Fort Hood shootings were appalling, shocking, and saddening.  Death is a difficult event to cope with, and violent deaths deal severe blows to the victims' families.  May Allah help the victims' families through this really tough and trying time.  (Ameen.)

    As an aside:
    That statement, the general gist of it, is how a normal human being thinks and feels. 

    That's how a normal Muslim thinks and feels. 

    I am not going to sit here and wax poetic regarding what a tragic event this is.  That this event is tragic is obvious.  My point: just because I'm Muslim does not mean I should have to somehow prove my compassion, as if Muslims are not normally compassionate.  As if we don't feel saddened by hearing things like this.  The world is 1/4 Muslim.  The overwhelming majority of us - aka the normal ones - are not evil. 

    So, to answer three of the specific comments on that article: (emphasis added in quotes)

    HatCreek57 (0 friends, send message) wrote: 6m ago
    Just goes to show you that they cannot be trusted. But our wonderful President will still want to have a nice pleasant chat with them. Go figure.

    Didn't your English teacher ever teach you to define your pronouns? 

    Who's "they"?  Muslims?  Arab-Americans?  Army psychiatrists?  The President wants to have a chat with the Muslim world.  Not emotionally unbalanced Arab-American Army psychiatrists who are about to be deported.  I don't understand why you're against a "leader of the free world" trying to set an example and communicate rather than hate.  If you haven't noticed, the Muslim world includes men, women, and children.  Why would you be against democratically elected presidents simply speaking to little kids all over the world?  Oh, wait.
       
    torontoguy (0 friends, send message) wrote: 8m ago
    There is no way that any "peace-loving" Muslim can embrace the Western (free) World and reconcile the call to Jihad. There is no such thing as peaceful Jihad. Their religion preaches "DEATH TO THE INFIDELS." HELLO, ANYONE LISTENING!

    Another kid who didn't do his homework. 

    You do not know what the word "jihad" means. 

    "
    Jihad does not mean 'holy war.' Jihad is an Arabic word, and its literal meaning is 'to strive and exert effort.' In the Qur'an, this word is used several times. Sometimes it is used in the spiritual sense implying to strive and make an effort for self-purification from sin and evil. Sometimes it is used in social sense meaning to strive to keep good relations with others and to establish truth, justice and to do charitable deeds. Jihad is also used sometimes in terms of striving against oppression and aggression. As such, Jihad may involve combat and military action. However, this is only one aspect of Jihad. The more specific term for military action in the Qur’an is not jihad but 'qital'.'"
    --Muslims Speak Out: What Islam Really says about Violence, Human Rights and Other Religions
    By Muzammil Siddiqi - Chairman of North American Fiqh Council

    Don't want to take his word for it?

    A few hadith:

    "The most beloved Jihad according to Allah is that a word of truth be spoken to a tyrant ruler." [at-Tabarani, Hasan]

    "The most beloved of deeds according to Allah are the prayer in its right time, then to treat the parents in an excellent manner, and then Jihad in the path of Allah." [Agreed upon]

    "A man came to the Prophet asking his permission to take part in Jihad. The Prophet asked him, 'Are your parents alive?' He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said to him, 'Then exert yourself in their service.'" [al-Bukhari]

    Also, read: http://www.islamhelpline.com/view_answers.asp?QAID=9306
    "Contrary to popular connotation or usage, the Arabic and Quranic term ‘Jihad’ signifies and means ‘to struggle’ or ‘to strive’ in the Cause of Allah Subhanah.  Everything a believer does in the Cause of Allah to earn His Pleasure and His Good Will is considered a ‘jihad’; to strive to save oneself from committing a sin is ‘jihad’, to strive to earn a ‘halaal’ livelihood would be ‘jihad’, to propagate the Truth of Islam to mankind would be ‘jihad’, to strive to stop oppression and tyranny in the land would be ‘jihad’, to spend in the Cause of Allah would be ‘jihad’, even to strive against the evil inspirations the Shaytaan makes to one’s ‘nafs’ or soul would be considered ‘jihad’, etc."

    And, no, I'm not going to say that Islam says nothing about jihad as in fighting/killing.  Because Islam is a way of life.  As such, it prescribes EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of mankind's existence should be carried out.  Islam is very specific as to what situations someone is allowed to use violence and how they are allowed to do so.  Do you really expect a religion that tells its followers, "If sometime tries to harm you, let them," will last?  As a matter of practicality, there have to be rules about violence.  If you don't like this, then I suggest you go make sure that war is stopped forever.  Fighting happens.  Violence happens. 

    Just because someone says they are doing xyz in the name of jihad doesn't mean they're correct.  There are rules for this sort of thing and "torontoguy" isn't the only one who refuses to learn the correct ones.

    gippatel (0 friends, send message) wrote: 9m ago
    These groups spend a lot of time and effort trying to provide an "image" of what a Muslim is, or what an Arab is, but they spend precious little time and effort denouncing the terrorism that seems to be a way of life for a small faction of Muslims.

    Perhaps if the peace-loving Muslims would denounce such attacks, and peace-loving Muslims would continue to distance themselves from the minority that gives them all a bad name, they'd get somewhere.

    The silence id deafening.

    TAM: Muslims Denounce Terrorism
    Really?  Maybe you should take the earplugs out.

Thursday, 05 November 2009

  • Burhan: Cruelty to Animals?

    islamhelpline.com

    Why sacrifice animals?


    In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

    Allah Subhanah is the Creator of all things in existence, and being the Creator it is His Right Alone to give whatever rights He Wills to each of His creation!

    But unfortunately, we live in times today, where some seemingly educated-but-ignorant self-righteous people have taken upon themselves the right which belongs to the Creator Alone; and in their ignorance and arrogance have declared who should be given what rights in creation! The educated-but-ignorant and arrogant human beings have decided for themselves that animals must be given rights, but the same are more than willing to compromise the rights of their Lord and Creator!

    The Sublime Creator is the One Who created everything in existence, and He Alone has the Right to decide who amongst His creation is given what rights! He created mankind and gave man the right to eat from amongst the halaal animals and of the vegetation; but some ignorant and arrogant self-righteous people feel that it is cruelty to kill and eat animals, but in their ignorance little do they realize that today science has proved that even plants have feelings and life: so just imagine the chaos another celebrity may create when one day they will declare that it is cruel to kill and eat plants!!!

    If we follow the whims and fancies of human beings in preference to the Will and Laws of Allah Subhanah; we will indeed be amongst the misguided losers!

    The All Knowing and Sublime Creator has declared the rights of each of His creation, and has allowed mankind to eat of the halaal animals and vegetation; and Allah and His Messenger (saws) have given appropriate rights to the animals according to their nature:
    1. That an animal should be appropriately fed.
    2. That a beast of burden should not be overloaded.
    3. That only the halaal animals may be slaughtered for feeding mankind.
    4. That the animal should not be slaughtered in front of another live animal.
    5. That an animal which is to be slaughtered must not be dragged to its place of slaughter.
    6. That a sharp knife or cutting instrument must be used to slaughter the animal.
    7. That the animal must be slaughtered in the manner prescribed in Shariah, which is the absolute best and fastest way of slaughter and one which causes the animal the minimum amount of pain.
    Etc.

    The choice we, as believers in Allah and the Last Day, have is to follow the Guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws) or follow the whims and fancies of some self-righteous and ignorant celebrity!

    Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verses 36-37:
    36 The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the Symbols from Allah: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter) eat ye thereof and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment and such as beg with due humility: thus have we made animals subject to you that ye may be grateful.
    37 It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the Good News to all who do right.

    Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 40 Surah Mumim verses 79-81:
    79 It is Allah Who made cattle for you that ye may use some for riding and some for food;
    80 And there are (other) advantages in them for you; that ye may through them attain to any need (there may be) in your hearts; and on them and on ships ye are carried.
    81 And He shows you always His Signs; then which of the Signs of Allah will ye deny?

    To Allah we all belong, and to Him is our ultimate return!

    Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

    Your Brother in Islam,
    Burhan

Tuesday, 03 November 2009

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