volume 4, issue no. 1 september 2015 shahadah...
TRANSCRIPT
VOLUME 4, ISSUE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 2015
THE BLESSINGS OF DHUL-HIJJAH BY IMAM MUSA BALDE’
SHAHADAH TIMES
The subject of this article is about the Blessing of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran in Surah Al Tawbah, Ayat 36, about the four sacred months the following: "The number of months in the sight of Allah (SWT) is
twelve in a year - so ordained by him the day He created
the Heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred;
That is the straight Deen...."
These four months mentioned in this Ayah are Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. Dear believers: The month of Dhul-Hijjah is a sacred and a blessed month. Because of its importance, Allah (SWT) swears in the first ten days of this month, by saying in Surah Al-Fajr (The daybreak): "By the daybreak! And the ten
nights! And the even and the odd! And the night when it
departs! Truly in this is an Oath of understanding." It has been mentioned in the book of Ibn Khathir that Al-Fajr is referred to the Dawn prayer of the Eid; that the words 'Layalil Ashr' are the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah, that the word Al Shafa is the day of sacrifice, and that 'Al-Witr' is referred to the 9th day of Arafat. The day that all Hujjaj stand on the valley of Arafat. Jabir reported that the Prophet (SAW) said concerning this: "Indeed, the ten are the ten days of Al-Adha (sacrifice),
the Witr (odd) is the day of Arafa, and the Shafa (even) is
the day of Sacrifice.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, there are many blessings during the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Some of the blessings in the month of
UPCOMING EVENTS
FAMILY DAY – Saturday, September 5, 2015, Krusi Park, Alameda, CA
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! MASJID INTERNATIONAL WAHADAH SEPTEMBER 2015 SHAHADAH TIMES BEGINS ITS FOURTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION SEPTEMBER 2015 FAMILY NIGHT - Masjid Wahadah, Saturday, September 26, 2015,
Dhul-Hijjah are: 1) During this month, the performance of Hajj s prescribed. 2) The performance of Hajj is of great significance to the individual as well as to the Muslim Ummah as a whole. It is the fifth pillar in Islam. 3) Great benefits are gained by those who perform Hajj such as: a) Purification from Sins. b) Fulfilling the fifth pillar of Islam. c) To get to know one another. 4) Fasting: Each fasting day in the first ten days is equivalent to one year of fasting. 5) Night worship: Each night of worship is equivalent to Lailatul-Qadr. Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) narrated by Abu Harairah: “No one day is liked by Allah
(SWT) more than those of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
where people worship him.” Each fasting day is equivalent to one year of fasting; and each Qiyam (night prayer) is equivalent to Lailatul Qadr." 6) Doing work in the way of Allah (SWT) is equal to Jihad for the love of Allah (SWT). In this respect, it is narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (SAW) said: "There is a
day better in the sight of Allah (SWT) where the work is
more liked by Him than those of the ten days of Dhul-
Hijjah. The companions asked, “O messenger of Allah! “Even the Jihad in the way of Allah (SWT)?” He said: “Even the
Jihad in the way of Allah (SWT), except a person who
went by himself and his wealth and he never came back
with it." 7) Doing good deeds in these ten days is more liked by Allah (SWT) than anything else, even they are more important than Jihad in the way of Allah (SWT).
continued on Page 3
PAGE 2 SHAHADAH TIMES
Dhul Al-Qidah The name Dhul Al-Qidah comes from the word “qi’dah” which means to sit. Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu'l-Qadah, Thu-l-Qicda, or Dhu al-Qi'dah (Arabic: ذو , alsoالقعدةtransliterated Ḏū l-Qaʿdah, IPA: [ðʊlˈqɑʕda] is the eleventh month in the Islamic calendar and is the second month of the three consecutive sacred months for Muslims. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam during which warfare is prohibited, hence the name “Master of Truce.”
The Arabs would stop their business activities to sit and prepare for the next month’s religious pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj.
Ongoing events
at the ICA
Ongoing Events
at The ICA →
SUMMER HOURS FOR MADRASSA (Monday – Thursday) 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Contact: [email protected] Weekend Madrassa, Sundays, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm. Contact: [email protected] Family Night - First Saturday of The Month, ICA Community Center 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Family Night – Third Saturday of the Month, Masjid International Wahadah, 4820 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA - 6:30 – 8:30 pm Arabic For Beginners Class (Saturdays) 9:00 am to 11:00 am Advanced Arabic Class (Saturdays) 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Food 4 The Needy Program - Every Third Saturday of the Month - 12:30 to 1:30 pm -- Masjid International Wahadah Imam’s Class, Every Saturday, ICA Community Center, Alameda, CA 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sister’s Deen Class, Every Sunday, ICA Community Center, Alameda, CA 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Islam to You: “Taking it to the Streets” – Every 4th Saturday of the Month 10 am to 1:00 pm – Leave from Masjid International Wahadah Weekday Madrassa (Monday – Thursday) – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Weekend Madrassa (Reopening – Sunday, 9-8-14) 10:00 am – 1:30 pm Registration & Orientation, ICA Community Center, 10:00 am Family Night - First Saturday of The Month, ICA Community Center 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Arabic For Beginners Class (Saturdays) 9:00 am to 11:00 am Advanced Arabic Class (Saturdays) 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
PAGE 3 SHAHADAH TIMES
THE BLESSINGS OF DHUL-HIJJAH BY IMAM MUSA BALDE’ (Continued)
8) Due to the great blessings of the first ten days, Muslims are asked to say Tahlil, Takbir and Tahmid, i.e., to say the creed:
To say Allah (SWT) is the greatest and to praise Allah (SWT). It was narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar that "There is no day more important in the sight of Allah (SWT) or liked by him more than these days of Dhul-Hijjah, increase Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahlil (La illah illa laha)' Tahmid (Alhamdulillah). 9) Fasting of Arafa: Whoever fasts the day of Arafa (one day before Eid Adha), Allah (SWT) will forgive him for two years. One year before and one year to come; while fasting of Ashura, one receives Allah's (SWT) forgiveness only for one past year. However, for a Hajji (pilgrim), it is prohibited for him to fast the day of Arafa. Both Allah (SWT) and his Prophet (SAW) prohibited the pilgrim from fasting the day of Arafa. 10) Whoever performs Hajj (pilgrimage), with good intention, and does not commit wrong things, will be forgiven for all his Sins. He comes back as if a brand new human being. 11) The Day of Arafa is so blessed that Allah (SWT) releases people from Hell because of the importance of such a Day. 12) Reward of the Pilgrim is Paradise.
The Prophet (SAW) said, "An accepted Hajj's reward is nothing less than Paradise."
13) Life insurance and assurance by Allah (SWT). Whoever dies while performing Hajj, he will go to paradise. If he comes back, he will come back as a winner and with many blessings. 14) Spending money during Hajj is similar to that spending in the battle field; and it is equal to 700 times. 15) The sacrifice of animals is to be shared with poor, the needy, friends, neighbors, relatives and the members of the family. 16) Visiting the graveyards and making special Duah for the deceased Muslims. It is also good for one to be reminded about one's upcoming World under the soil. 17) Visiting Believers friends, neighbors and exchange gifts. This habit will bring Muslims together to become better acquainted with one another. 18) The performance of the Pilgrimage during Hajj season is accepted by Allah (SWT) if the Muslim has done his performance with Halal money. 19) The pilgrim is given the privilege to ask forgiveness to others and for others. It is reported: "Allah forgives the pilgrim and to whom the pilgrim
asked for forgiveness." 20) It is recommended that Muslims visit the sick in the hospitals or at homes. They are to make special Duah for their immediate recovery. It is recommended that we try our best to benefit from the privilege and the blessings of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. It is a golden opportunity and pray we will be able to grasp this occasion to be close to Allah (SWT). We pray to Allah (SWT) to accept our deeds and intention.
HOLY QURAN:
Behold! We gave the site to Abraham (AS), of the Sacred House, (Saying):
“Associate not anything in worship with Me; and sanctify My House for
those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves in
prayer. And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on
foot and mounted on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys
through deep and distant mountain highways;
Sura 22, Ayats 26-27.
Dhul Al-Hijjah Dhul Al-Hijjah is the last of the three consecutive sacred months and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It was in this month in which Allah (SWT) revealed the following ayah: “This day those who
disbelieve have
despaired of
defeating your
religion; so fear them
not, but fear me.
This day I have
perfected for you
your religion and
completed my favor
upon you and have
approved for you
Islam as religion …”
Ayah 3, Surah Mal Ma’idah. The Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is expected to fall between September 21-26, 2015.
Note: The exact dates of Islamic holidays cannot be determined in advance, due to the nature of the Islamic lunar calendar. Estimates are based on expected visibility of the hilal (waxing crescent moon following a new moon) and may vary according to location.
PAGE 4 SHAHADAH TIMES
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY AT ICA AND WAHADAH
ICA AND WAHADAH MADRASSAS
The year-end ceremony presented by the madrassas was a smashing success. The program, held at Leydecker Park, Bay Farm Island in Alameda on August 1, 2015 was one of the best programs from the madrassa school students. Parents and the community came out in numbers to see them perform. It was great.
Everyone is invited to FAMILY DAY IN THE PARK. For more
information, see Page 2 (flyer) or contact: [email protected]
Accepting Applications for Madrassa (Open Enrollment
contact [email protected])
ICA MADRASSA, ALAMEDA, CA
Our Sunday Madrassa will be on break from July 26, 2015 until September
6, 2015. Sunday Madrassa will resume on September 13, 2015. We will
continue our weekday Madrassa, Monday-Thursday, from 1pm-3pm. If you
want your children to attend, Insha-Allah, the cost would be $70.00 for that
month.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (Food 4 The Needy)
Every third Saturday, Health & Social Services offers a hot lunch to the surrounding community of Masjid
International Wahadah. Participation in this program helps to spread “Islam to You” to the community at
large, Insha Allah.
IT COMMITTEES AND AMIRS/WAZIR(A)S
Education Committee: Amir: Brother Abdul Haqq; Wazira: Sister Ifrah. Event/Fundraiser Committee: Amir Brother Sadig;
Wazira: Sister Ummu. Dawah/Islam To You Committee: Amir: Brother Mansoor; Wazir: Brother Abdul Ali.
HASS/Food4Needy Committee: Amir: Brother Khalfani; Wazira; Sister Aishah. Information Technology/Security &
Maintenance: Amir: Brother Juma Muhammad, Sr.; Wazir: Brother Eslamoddin.
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR MADRASSA
Sunday Madrassa begins SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 and Weekday Madrassa begins SEPTEMBER 14, 2015. For
more information, contact madrassaschools@icabayarea,.org. Insha-Allah, I will be forwarding you the
registration form to upload on the website as well, insha-Allah.
ICA AND WAHADAH
MADRASSAS
A madrassa in Visoko, Bosnia
PAGE 5 SHAHADAH TIMES
15 Tips to Raising Great Children, Submitted by Sister Zehra Children are easily influenced by their surroundings. These days, it is extremely difficult to expose our children to an ideal Islamic environment given the influences from media, friends and even other members of the family. With television, radio, Internet and forms of media mostly touting un-Islamic values, it is up to parents and adults close to the children to set the correct example. It is impossible to shield our children from all the negative forces that can shape their minds and, ultimately, their behavior. However, by our own example and showing them better options, we can set them on the true path, which is to obey the commandments of Allah Ta’ala and our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Here are some tips you may want to follow in helping your children grow up with Islamic values:
1) Start by teaching them the importance of Worshipping
only Allah: The best thing any Muslim parent could ever teach their children is to emphasize, from the day they can comprehend, that Allah (the Almighty) is One and no one is worthy of worship except Allah (the Almighty). This is the fundamental message of our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and it is our key to Paradise.
2) Treat them kindly: Kindness begets kindness. If we are kind to our children, they in turn will show kindness to others. Our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was the best example in being kind to children.
3) Give them examples of Muslim heroes: Instead of Batman or Superman, tell them about real heroes such as Abu Bakr, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn 'Affan, 'Ali bin Abi Talib and others. Tell them how Muslim leaders brought a real peaceful change in the world and won the hearts of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
4) Let children sit with adults: It is preferable for children to be among adults, especially when listening to Islamic lectures. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would often put children in the front row when he spoke to the people.
5) Make them feel important: Consult them in family matters. Let them feel they are important members of the family and have a part to play in the growth and well being of the family.
6) Go out as a family: Take family trips rather than allowing your children to always go out only with their friends. Let your children be around family and friends from whom
you want them to pick up their values. Always remember that your children will become who they are around with most of the time. So, watch their company and above all give them YOUR company.
7) Praise them: Praise is a powerful tool with children, especially in front of others. Children feel a sense of pride when their parents’ praise them and will be keen to perform other good deeds. However, praise must be limited to Islamic deeds and deeds of moral value.
8) Avoid humiliation: Similarly, do not humiliate them in front of others. Children make mistakes. Sometimes, these mistakes occur in their efforts to please the parents. If you are unhappy with your children, tell them in private.
9) Sports: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged sports such as swimming, running and horse riding. Other sports that build character and physical strength are also recommended, as long as the children maintain their Islamic identity, wear appropriate clothes and do not engage in unnecessary mixing.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
OF OUR CHILDREN
PAGE 6 SHAHADAH TIMES
15 Tips to Raising Great Children (Continued)
10) Responsibility: Have faith in their abilities to perform tasks. Give them chores to do in line with their age. Convince them that they are performing an important function and you will find them eager to help you out again.
11) Don’t spoil them: Children are easily spoiled. If they receive everything they ask for, they will expect you to oblige on every occasion. Be wise in what you buy for them. Avoid extravagance and unnecessary luxuries. Take them to an orphanage or poor area of your city once in a while so they can see how privileged they are.
12) Don’t be just friends: It is common in the West for parents to consider their children as friends. In Islam, it doesn’t work that way. If you have ever heard how friends talk to each other, then you will know that this is not how a parent-child relationship should be. You are the parents, and they should respect you, and this is what you should be teaching them. The friendship part should be limited to you and them keeping an open dialog so they can share their concerns with you and ask you questions when they have any.
13) Pray with them: Involve them in acts of worship. When they are young, let them see you in Salaah. Soon, they would
be trying to imitate you. Wake them up for Fajr and pray as a family. Talk to them about the rewards of Salaah so that it doesn’t feel like a burden to them.
14) Emphasize the permissible: It is not always good to only say, “This is haraam, that is haraam”. While you must educate them on what are haraam things, Islam is full of halaal; tell your children to thank Allah (the Almighty) for the bounties He has bestowed on them- not just for food and clothes. Tell them to be thankful for having eyes that see, ears that hear, arms and legs and, the ultimate blessing, Islam in their
hearts.
15) Set an example: As parents, you are the best example children can have. If you talk to your parents rudely, expect your children to do the same to you. If you are disrespectful to others, your children will follow too. Islam is filled with Divine advice on the best ways to bring up your children. That makes it an obligation upon parents to be good Muslims so their children will try to emulate them. If you don’t take Islam seriously, neither will your children. It goes back to our third point, which is to give them Islamic heroes. As a parent, you
should be their number one hero.
Source : Idealmuslimah
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TESTING OUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The Prophets Quiz
There are 25 Holy Prophets mentioned in the Holy Quran. Do you know who they are?
1. The first Man.
2. A man of truth raised to a high station by Allah (SWT).
3. Allah commanded him to build an Ark.
4. The Prophet that was sent to the tribe of ‘Ad.
5. The Prophet that was sent to the tribe of Thamud. Warned the people not to kill the she camel.
6. Was the father of all Prophets who built the Kaba with his son, Ismail.
7. The father of Ya’qub (Jacob).
8. The son of Ibrahim and Hagar, who was to be sacrificed.
9. The father of Ya’qub (Jacob).
PAGE 7 SHAHADAH TIMES
TESTING OUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING (Continued)
10. He had 12 sons, one of which was Yusuf.
11. This Prophet was able to interpret dreams and was said to be very handsome.
12. This Prophet had great patience.
13. Sent to the people of Midian and warned them not to cheat in weights and measures.
14. He parted the Red Sea with his stick and crossed with the children of Israel.
15. The brother of Musa.
16. Mentioned along with Ismail and Alyasaa.
17. He slew the giant Goliath. The father of Sulaiman).
18. He knew the language of the birds. Sent a letter to the Queen of Saba (Bilquis). A mighty king.
19. Warned his people not worship the idol Ba’al.
20. Mentioned with Ismail and Dhul-Kifl in the Holy Quran.
21. Swallowed by a whale.
22. He took care of Mariam. The father of Yahiya.
23. He was the son of Zakariyah.
24. Son of Mariam (Mary) (healed the blind and lepers).
25. The last prophet sent by Allah (SWT) for all mankind.
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Healthy Tips Newscorner
Can an aspirin a day Keep the Doctor Away? (Reprinted from Health Monitor Pamplet)
You’ve probably heard that aspirin therapy can protect you against heart attack and stroke. While it can be lifesaving for some, it can cause serious health problems in others. So before you start popping a daily dose, read on:
How does aspirin work? Taking an aspirin a day reduces the clotting action of your blood, which helps prevent heart attack and stroke.
Is aspirin therapy a good idea for folks with diabetes? Since people with diabetes have triple the risk for heart attack and stroke, it may seem like a no-brainer. Yet, when taken regularly, aspirin can increase your risk for bleeding in the stomach and brain.
Well, then, who might it be good for? The American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association recently revised their guidelines. They now recommend a daily dose for most women over 60 and men over 50 who have diabetes and at least one other risk factor for heart disease -– e.g., high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking and a family history of heart disease.
Why the new guidelines? In younger people, the potential bleeding risks outweigh any benefit. “Part of the reason is more people are controlling cardiovascular risks with medications for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which is good news.” Says Craig Wiliams, PharmD.
What’s the recommended dose? Eighty-one mllilgrams, the amount found in a baby aspirin. “Higher does generally don’t offer additional benefits and can carry increased risks.” Says Williams.
Is it okay to take aspirin with other meds? Not always? For instance, combining it with anticoagulants can greatly increase your risk for bleeding, So be sure to tell your health care provider about all the medications you take. (Jeff Meyers).
PAGE 8 SHAHADAH TIMES
FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS
The 21st Century Muslim, Submitted by Brother Muhammad Saddiq
The 21st Century Muslim is a story of two gods and a mission. The secular world has placed before the inhabitants of the planet “The god of the Market.” The god of the Market is full of people who normally live in lavish homes. Normally, have no concerns, normally, have bright smiles, good health and dogs. These people normally drive beautiful cars, are able to go to work in jeans and t-shirts and aren’t concerned with anything people who aren’t normal would have to deal with. These people normally take exotic trips and eat in the finest restaurants. Thus, is the life of the servants of the god of the Market, at least as portrayed in the media. The servants of the god of the Market are expected to have relegated all other forms of worship, traditional or progressive, as show; and of no consequence to anything that is really important. Their priests are their bankers and financial analysts. Their witchdoctors are their therapists and yogis of convenience, and to cure their sins, there are the alcohol and drugs. This is the first world that the Muslim finds himself in. For the revert who is born of this system, the first step is to divorce himself from the mindset of the worshippers of the god of the Market and move into the worship of Allah (SWT) alone. Usually , the first step is easy in that the “religion” that they were claiming before is shed and one can pronounce that they no longer worship in that way. Whether it be of any variety of Christianity, Judaism, Rastafarianism, Hinduism, Atheism or anything else one can define. This is of no consequence, for these religions were only window dressing in the world of the god of the Market. They did not control a man’s life nor did they order it with full command. No, the god of the Market ordered their lives and motivated them to move and follow its commands. They rose from their beds on command, well before the starting bell, to fall in line with the other worshippers to reach their master on time. Their sleepy eyes cursing each step of the way, back to a job they hated to show obeisance to the Market. They were silent in countless meetings of wrong decisions. They kept their heads down and their limbs on task in every effort not to disturb the god of the Market, and when called, they would alter all plans to please him regardless of cost. This is what the Muslim man and every other westerner truly worships on many subtle levels.
Now, when one becomes conscience of the invasive worship of the Market, the struggle is then to extricate oneself from the deep-seated yet subtle beliefs of Western worship. The Muslim Man is in a constant state of struggle from the god of the Market, whether it would be in his earning of income, storing of money, acquiring conveniences of life or raising his family. The Muslim Man in the 21st century is a man at odds. The process of divorcing oneself from the west is not as easy as it seems. One can declare it, but obtaining it with discipline takes another step, for the god of the Market has cornered many sides of every gate dealing with money which he has made central to the meaning of existence. If, in business, there is the scepter of credit and all of the Riba that comes with it. Medical, there is the insurance that pays you which is built upon a system of that which is haram and linked to Riba. To drive his car, he must have insurance that is linked to Riba. In many ways and turns all roads lead back to Riba in some way or another. There is the community of Muslims, yes. However, many Muslims don’t know or believe that they are in worship of the false god of the Market. So the masjid is only window dressing for what they are really worshipping. The subtlety of the Market is so comprehensively complete that few can truly see it for what it is. However, all can see its effects in the empty rows of the Fard prayers. How then is the Muslim Man in the 21st century to contend with the god of the Market? The answer to this question lies in the mission of the Muslim of the 21st century. His mission is to 16:125: Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue
with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who
receive guidance.
To do this one verse would solve for the Muslim man and humanity many of the social ills of his day. It is the Muslim man that must implement this verse in depth rather than skim across the surface meanings. The task of making everything look beautiful in concerning Islam means that one must go much deeper than the god of the Market’s definition of all religions, where he states for man to give to his god such little superfluous time. No, this verse is a systemic all-encompassing verse that reaches to the core of society. It touches every branch of the system, every vein and capillary. From banking to commerce, a constant call to the most beautiful things in life.
Sura 51, Ayat 56: I have only created Jinns and men that they may serve Me.
New York City
PAGE 9 SHAHADAH TIMES
The 21st Century Muslim (Continued)
If Muslims do not see the systemic nature of Islam, then the call of Islam will be limited. The Ummah will constantly search for the individuals that will do what the verse calls for, and it will be those who receive the blessing. This verse speaks to all that the Muslim should be doing in every sphere of life. Not every Muslim has been blessed with oratory prowess bar none, so the verse cannot be limited to those people. In business, it speaks to a standard of honesty and superlative service that is conscience of the environment and a responsibility to the community that it serves. In medical, it seeks to find a balance between costs and a solution for the disease and not a continuous stream of income for pharmaceutical companies. This would include telling a patient eat this and don’t eat that and you will be fine. This would be promoting Organic Halal farming where one could juxtapose the Islamic way from the corporate way. In lending, it would bring products to customers with halal loans without Riba that would free them from the servitude of debt. It would
be establishing insurance programs on the Islamic platform so that when you go 60 years with no incidents, you can get your nest egg back in your senior years. Now when you implement this systemically under Islam, you have a full platform to argue whose worship is best, for it will be all clear to everyone with eyes what is in it for them. The 21st century Muslim has the greatest position of all people who have ever come on this planet to worship the Creator. The Muslim of this day has the responsibility to reconstruct the Islamic institutions that were demolished over time, and for doing so receive the highest reward available for people without a Prophet in their presence. The Prophet (SAW) has promised that there will come a people during the end of time that will restore Islam and that those people will be as close to him in paradise as his two fingers pressed together. We should all be striving to be of those people.
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Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are five of the largest religions in the world. Over the last few thousand years, these religious groups have shaped the course of history and have had a profound influence on the trajectory of the human race. Through countless conflicts, conquests, missions abroad, and simple word of mouth, these religions
spread around the globe and forever molded the huge geographic regions in their paths. (Internet: Published 7/14/15).
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/map-shows-how-religion-spread-around-the-world-2015-6#ixzz3itM6a2UY
So What Do These Religions Offer To Mankind?
I pose the question: Once we realize that we are live, thinking, feeling, moving, human beings, we may or may not ask the question: “Where do I go from here? What is my direction? Who Am I? Well, Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran, that he created man out of “sounding clay.” Sura 6:2: He it is Who hath created you from clay, and hath decreed a term for you. A term is fixed with
Him. Yet still ye doubt! (So if we have a fixed term, what do we do with our time?)
And then, in Sura 96, Allah (SWT) says in ayat 4, “He Who Taught the Use of the Pen, taught man that which he knew not.” So from nothing we were created and were taught how to think, write, etc. So should we not seek after a way of gratitude that would be an important part of our very existence and development, EVERYDAY?
We reprint a brief description of each of the major religions and what they offer to mankind for “everyday direction.”
(We are using Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, to offer definitions of these major religious beliefs. There’s obviously more
information that can be given, however, we just want to give you the essence of each belief.)
READ
THE
HOLY QURAN
EVERYDAY
PAGE 10 SHAHADAH TIMES
Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism and Islam (Continued)
First, Hinduism has been called the "oldest religion" in the world, and some practitioners refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal law" or the "eternal way" beyond human origins. Though Hinduism is often understood as being polytheistic, supposedly recognizing as many as 330 million gods, it also has one “god” that is supreme—Brahma. Brahma is an entity believed to inhabit every portion of reality and existence throughout the entire universe. Brahma is both impersonal and unknowable and is often believed to exist in three separate forms: Brahma—Creator; Vishnu—Preserver; and Shiva—Destroyer. These “facets” of Brahma are also known through the many other incarnations of each. It is difficult to summarize Hindu theology since the various Hindu schools contain elements of almost every theological system.
Western scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions with diverse roots and no single founder. It prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings (ahimsa), patience, forbearance, self-restraint, compassion, among others. Hinduism is the dominant religion, or way of life in South Asia, most notably in India and Nepal. There are about one billion followers, the third largest religion in the world after Christianity and Islam. (So, what is it going to be,
“One” or “Many?”)
Second, Buddhism. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy. Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one"). According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering through the elimination of ignorance and craving. Buddhists believe that this is accomplished through the direct understanding and perception of dependent origination and the Four Noble Truths. (What
about the Creator, have they acknowledged Allah (SWT) yet?)
Third, Christianity: The religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, (AS) or its beliefs and practices. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (AS). "Christian" derives from the Koine Greek word Christós), a translation of the Biblical Hebrew term mashiach. The term "mashiach" literally means "the anointed one," and refers to the ancient practice of anointing kings with oil when they took the throne. The mashiach is the one who will be anointed as king in the End of Days.
There are diverse interpretations of Christianity which sometimes conflict. However, "Whatever else they might disagree about, Christians are at least united in believing that Jesus (AS) has a unique significance.
“”And appoint him an apostle to the Children of Israel with this message) …. “ (HQ: 3:49). And Allah (SWT) will teach him the Book and Wisdom, The Law and the Gospel.” (HQ: 3:48). However, “When Jesus (AS) found unbelief on their part (the Jews of his day), He said: “Who will be my helpers to the work of Allah?” (HQ: 3:52). (Why did the Jews reject Jesus’ (AS)
message and why did the Christians change his message?)
Fourth, Judaism: Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion, with the Torah as its foundational text (part of the larger text known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible), and supplemental oral tradition represented by later texts such as the Midrash and the Talmud. Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship that God established with the Children of Israel.
Judaism claims a historical continuity spanning more than 3,000 years. Judaism has its roots as a structured religion in the Middle East during the Bronze Age. Of the major world religions, Judaism is considered one of the oldest monotheistic religions. The Hebrews /Israelites were already referred to as "Jews" in later books of the Tanakh such as the Book of Esther, with the term “Jews” replacing the title "Children of Israel." Jews are an ethnoreligious group and include those born Jewish and converts to Judaism. In 2012, the world Jewish population was estimated at about 14 million, or roughly 0.2% of the total world population. About 42% of all Jews reside in Israel and another 42% reside in North America, with most of the remainder living in Europe, and other minority groups spread throughout South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. (What is their core belief, TODAY?)
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Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam (Continued)
Fifth, Islam: Islam is a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur'an, a religious text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Allāh), and, for the vast majority of adherents, by the teachings and normative example (called the sunnah, composed of accounts called hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (c. 570–8 June 632 CE), considered by most of them to be the last Prophet of Allah (SWT). An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim (sometimes spelled "Moslem"). Muslims believe that Allah (SWT) is one and incomparable and that the purpose of existence is to worship God. Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times before through prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. (AS) Although a large majority of Muslims do maintain that the previous messages and revelations have been partially misinterpreted over time, they are nevertheless all obliged, according to the Qur'an, to treat the older scriptures with the utmost respect. As for the Qur'an, Muslims consider it to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of Allah (SWT). Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing guidance on multifarious topics from banking and welfare, to family life and the environment. Most Muslims are of two denominations: Sunni (75–90%)[10] or Shia (10–20%). About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country, 25% in South Asia, 20% in the Middle East, and 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sizable Muslim communities are also found in Europe, China, Russia, and the Americas. Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world. With about 1.62 billion followers or 23% of the global population, Islam is the second-largest religion by number of adherents and, according to many sources, the fastest-growing major religion in the world. (Allah U Akbar!)
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Things You Might Want To Know
The Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language, but the New Testament (including the gospels) was written in Greek. In the early 400’s, it was translated into Latin, and in the middle ages it was again translated into English (a Germanic language), and also into other languages. In Hebrew language, el, elohim and eloah, all the three words mean god (or God) according to the person’s own concept. Originally elohim meant gods as a collective noun, but from the time of Biblical Hebrew, it began to be used for one single God. There was no system of using capital letters in the early days, and even today the Hebrew Bible uses small ‘e’ for el or elohim or eloah. There is no word with female gender for god in Hebrew.
What occurred at the Council of Nicea? The Council of Nicea took place in AD 325 by order of the Roman Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantine. Nicea was located in Asia Minor, east of Constantinople. This ancient city is located within the modern Turkish city of İznik (whose modern name derives from Nicaea). At the Council of Nicea, Emperor Constantine presided over a group of church bishops and other leaders with the purpose of defining the nature of God for all of Christianity and eliminating confusion, controversy, and contention within the church. The Council of Nicea overwhelmingly affirmed the deity and eternality of Jesus Christ and defined the relationship between the Father and the Son as “of one substance.” It also affirmed the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were listed as three co-equal and co-eternal Persons.
This is where the “divinity” of Jesus (AS) and the trinity idea was decided upon. Man’s decision, not Allah’s (SWT) word.
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