Invitation Only





There are blisters that are broken
and circumstances that are straitened
The grave does squeeze

No matter who claims the kingdoms
an escape to the sand must be made
With the hot sun overhead
and the magnetic force on the surface
The pull and circulation is beyond human control
and dreams are never enough

It is the sought after Reality which triggers the flow
as well as fills the air with the repetitive, heart felt sounds of a smile

They would come intending never to return
a forever goodbye perfectly left their lips
Ibn Taymiyyah encouraged patience in confusion
solutions arrive in their own time
The night brings with it its own tales of desperation
Someone who builds their own dungeons needs no opponents

Oh Adam, victim of forgetfulness
how intense was your grief?
After perfection did you witness such indescribable turbulence
The separation would have near destroyed you were it not for the loving guidance of The One

The answers lay at the end of the journey
the heaviness runs its course as all else does...

Everything kills you; just some things might work faster than others

During a well earned break on my night shift the smell of burnt fruit toast roused me from my deep pondering of that cliché ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. I’m not a huge fan of motivational Anthony Robbins type of talks, although nor do I ascribe myself to the dark cynicism many informed people resign themselves to as the only way to be in such a bleak time, because of what they see from their window.

My conclusion was ‘Everything kills you; just some things might work faster than others.’
Knowing the self is a journey many people strive in, but some forget that, it’s not going to be a flowery path we skip along stopping to smell the roses on the way. To honestly reflect on oneself, immediately we are confronted with our abilities and limitations. Yes ‘limitations’ as well. There is a certain concept that is banded round and marketed by the big corporations of an almost indestructible self that can face any obstacles and challenges, the sky’s the limit and still come through successful. It’s almost like a form of self worship.

Each person has their own capabilities and if we consider a skill like arithmetic, some people will excel and others will fail miserably. So what is the person who fails suppose to do? Does he put on some inspirational motivational speech full of cringing clichés that are only true in Sylvester Stallone’s, Rocky and then try again? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to just accept this as a limitation and journey on to find those abilities that one may not necessarily be a pro at first time round, but is definitely a place they feel comfortable in, and happy to continue learning in?

There has to come a point where we realise there are some things which we are utterly useless in, and that many of us are not fast learners in some if not all areas, some of us are slow, steady learners. Is this a weakness? Not necessarily, not if we seek a purpose and try to fulfil it to their best of our abilities. The contributions of those who may be looked down upon due to the type of work they do, like a street cleaner for instance, is completely misguided. This street cleaner, is actually maintaining a clean and safe environment for your children, so just in case they fall on the ground, they’re not scratched with or have dirty glass embedded on their hands.

Whilst pondering on the ‘what doesn’t kill you…’ cliché, I remembered a story I was told of an older middle aged Muslim father in Hejaz (modern day Saudi Arabia). His son had died and a short few years later so did his wife. These weren’t the only tragedies he had faced, but all these events left him drained, not in a pessimistic hopeless manner, but rather in the human way that the energy is sapped away with loss. This kind of ‘tiredness’ was quite apparent, as it is on many people, when taking a closer look. His remaining son drove with him to the mosque of the Prophet (pbuh) in Medina to perform the obligatory prayers. The father led the sunset prayers, which are read aloud. He recited the following surah:

Ad Duha: The Morning Brightness

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim

By the morning brightness
And the night when it is still
Your Lord has not abandoned you, nor does he hate you

The last will be better for you than the first
Your Lord will soon give to you and you will be satisfied

Did He not find you orphaned and shelter you?
Did He not find you wandering and guide you?
Did He not find you impoverished and enrich you?

So as for the orphans do not oppress them
and as for the beggars, do not drive them away
And as for the blessings of your Lord speak out!

Qur’an: Surah 93

He never finished the prayer because he had passed away after reciting the surah.

This state which I’ve described is not an isolated or unique one. It’s an example of human limitation, where the life events, especially if they are traumatic, will erode life itself, maybe even to a faster degree, in comparison to a trauma free life (which is why I completely reject the aforementioned cliché). I don’t understand this example to be bleak or ‘sad’, it’s just human. Our existence on this universe can be summed up as a series of tests and a maze even, that we need to complete before reaching the final destination. Nor is it useful to become obsessed with the maze itself, that would cause a type of madness, where an object unable to give any form of life is trusted and glorified as the ultimate purpose, and in reality it will perish like everything else, unable to provide any benefit or relief.

Therefore when Muslims are troubled with the events of this life, they don’t become suicidal, pessimistic and bitter individuals. Yes they are affected and the tears still fall, but it’s not an all encompassing type of grief that disables their understanding of the higher purpose they strive towards.

Understanding and accepting our limitations is a preparation for the divine presence, because by acknowledging our weakness, we see The Greatness, our imperfections, lead us to The Perfect, our lack of understanding awakens us to The All Knowing.

Humility in everything is a fast route to the door of the Divine.

This brother really does have a great voice mashaAllah

How lovely you are...

She asks me if its time, with doubt in her voice and a subtle smile in her eyes. I wonder foolishly why she questions, whilst nodding reassuringly. The questioning etches rapidly at the little that remains in an almost empty pair of hands, hiding the diminishing light. Happiness is not mine to give you, so turn away, nor do my assurances hold any weight, surely you can tell with the doubt in my voice. You can take all that I have, although hungry eyes will continue to pierce through looking for light. And you deserve a universe of light, how lovely you are...

The Bridge

(My mate sent me this in a message, I can't reveal their identity, because i'm sure i'll get killed!!! Its a great piece, so sweet! I really enjoyed reading it!!!)



My speech is mixed up when i'm in his presence

can't he read between the lines to be aware of my intentions

words are meant to be a Bridge between two individuals, yet the reality is quite afar from this sentiment..

I stand on this precipice of words that seem to be descending upon one who is out of touch with my ascendence.

wish i was that beautiful bird that we see in the heavens

At least with the bird you acknowledge his presence.

Anon

Trouble me again

Fragility yearns neutrality
as pain seeks acknowledgement,

how do we survive till morning you whisper so close,
the roughness leaves nothing untouched,
until its all over, each one will be shaken!
these are no excuses just my fears, you continue...

gifts need no definition,
it will continue,
the signs are there
and whilst loss is embraced with acceptance,
criticism requires rebellion

The Words must belong to a beating heart
the hands, then can mould a way through
I saw love in those eyes
that saw the morning rays.

not so strange relationship...

Mine is Yours xx

'look before you is that blood i see?'

'ah yes it was as i pulled the plate, the broken door did cut me'

'and why is it that you do not see the way it runs?'

'why is it that you question my attention?'

'you love me no more i see'

'why is it that you question my heart?'

'if i grab your hand like this and squeeze, does it not burn?'

'let go you animal, how is it you do such a thing to me?'

'no how is it you do such a thing to me?'

'i see you now'

'then explain yourself at once!'

'i cannot say anything except that i turned away for a few days and let the blood run'

'will you not understand?'

'yes i will and no i won't, we were one just a piece has broken off and you paid no attention so another piece broke away too'

'i did not mean it and so i remembered, i blame you and i forgive you'

'you were the first of us'

'smile like before, i remember'

'yes i remember who you are, you bled with me'

The last moments of al Habib (saw)...

Between the tyrant and the Free

Exhale and hear the final moment become louder,
the tension walks within the bodies that hunt,
Come closer deathly friend you have no strength and only fear,
threats that escape you kill you
for they do not go beyond the air around my ears,
surrender never to you,
the surrender has already been observed,

Maybe the mocking gesture of incontrollable laughter will reach your space
tell me once again who you are?
it's a reminder of who you're not,
a comfort in reminders
even if they are spat out with poison and fire,

Stumble on past, your road is'nt a straight one
who do you inspire with fear but your own blood?
you don't desire freedom but entrapment with what your arms can carry,
The weight of faith shatters all grip,
but thats of no interest to you,
destroy what your blind eyes can see and gather what your dead limbs can carry,
someday the howl of regret will deafen your decayed ears.

The message read to me by the Beloved (saw):

Sleep easy my friend, for in it is a blessing,
Sleep easy, for if you remember then you'll be remembered.

A pledge...The pledge

The constant motion
enwrapping your very being
astonishment emulates from the gaze that falls
who could encompass the scent of truth?
unaware that goodness is still present where darkness falls
even amongst the foul of hearts do stems of light grow
my friend knew not the value of a smile
my words did not fulfill the understanding
our hands were in water
when the pledge was made.

Troubled?

Staring into light, burning eyes,
hurts no more,
if the words aren't here then know the barriers are strong,
disconnected akin to an alien, but not quite,
from the same earth, only a different path,
each time identical not so like the stars that light,
the blessings arrive in the darkest days,
where there is no work left,
lips are dry and faces turn away, questioning no more,

Receive into the void a familiar sound,
lightening strikes with waves of fear,
yet illuminates the hidden face
non existent questions will never leave the tongue,
veils upon veils upon veils
lifted in the end,
when only purity remains.

UK: Racist threatens councilor to death

Wednesday, 19 August 2009

Gaza, August 19, 2009 (Pal Telegraph) - A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with threatening to kill a Birmingham councillor.

Stuart Collins, 48, of Birmingham, appeared before city magistrates over claims abusive threats were sent to Respect councillor Salma Yaqoob.

She is the councillor for Sparkbrook and her party’s national leader.

A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed: “Following an investigation, a 48 year-old has been charged with racially aggravated harassment, religiously aggravated harassment and making threats to kill.

“He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court and was bailed until August 31.”

Coun Yaqoob chairs the anti-war movement in Birmingham and is an active pro-Palestinian campaigner.

She is an outspoken commentator on Muslim issues, and regularly appears on TV and radio current affairs programmes.

After standing as a Respect candidate in the 2005 election, she was elected in the Sparkbrook ward in the 2006 local elections.

Taken from:

http://www.paltelegraph.com/world/uk-news/1898-uk-racist-threatens-councilor-to-death

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is deeply disturbed by news of another possible hate-motivated murder against a Muslim woman in Europe

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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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13 August 2009

PRESS RELEASE: Netherlands / Europe – IHRC concerned at murder of veiled woman being possible hate crime

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is deeply disturbed by news of another possible hate-motivated murder against a Muslim woman in Europe.

If, as is being discussed, the killing of Arzu Erbaş Çakmakçı in Amsterdam on Monday is found to be a hate crime, this will be the second killing of a Muslim woman in hijab in the last two months. IHRC, as with many civil society organisations, has been condemning the rise in anti-Muslim hatred and pointing to concerns over lack of policy initiatives and even recognition by European governments of the phenomenon.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh said:

“If this was a hate motivated attack, we must all take serious stock of the situation that faces us in Europe. The killing of Merwe ElSherbini last month in Germany should have been a wake up call to political leaders and local, national and regional government in Europe. Muslims have been bearing the brunt of an ever increasing rise in hate crime against many communities, yet instead of condemnation from political elites, we hear either denial or the promotion of further anti-Muslim hatred. In recent weeks we have had another furore over Muslim women’s dress.

“The link between hostile words from politicians and pundits and the rise in attacks cannot be ignored.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Çakmakçı’s family, and the families of all victims of hate crime, whoever they are.”

According to Turkish media, Arzu Erbaş Çakmakçı was a 30 year old mother of Turkish heritage who owned three day care centres. She was a fluent Dutch speaker who had won various awards, including recognition from the Dutch Royal family for her charity work.

She was stabbed in the car park of the Moeders Schoot childcare centre in Geuzenveld, after she locked up at the end of work on Monday. According to a cousin, she had been receiving threats[1].

IHRC calls on the European Union to take strong action to ensure that its member governments tackle the rising demonisation of Muslims and the rise in hate attacks.

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 522 196, email: info@ihrc.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .[ENDS]

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Notes to editors:

[1] Today’s Zaman, http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-183840-womans-killing-in-amsterdam-raises-suspicions-of-hate-crime.html

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.ihrc.org

Shaykh Nuh Keller at Hounslow Masjid August 2009

Bismillah

The session began with a 20 minute dhikr session. Considering the talk was only for an hour and we were running 10 minutes late, it meant that the talk could only be 30 minutes all together. Although this was disappointing initially, as he spoke, the briefness, began to make perfect sense, as will be explained later.

The session was named ‘Introduction to Tassawuf’, and it mainly focused on dealing with hardships. He mentioned various hadiths on the great Mercy and Kindness of Allah (swt), taken from the Hadith Qudsi.

Giving of sadaqa (charity) deflects trials and tribulations as well as purifies from sins.

Two very powerful statements that were made by the Shaykh were:

‘Allah (swt) created paradise for the believers because this abode does not hold what He wants to give them.’

‘Only an infinite abode is wide enough for the reward He wants to bestow upon His believing servants.’

These statements are not the typical ‘Self-sacrificing sufi’ line which many people hold as a stereotype, instead they are centred on the sacredness of the creation of Allah (swt), because we are His creation and man has been honoured above other creatures, thus giving hope and a sense of self worth to the listener, rather than insecurity and despair, which many Muslims may fall into due to excessive guilt, and a lack of awareness of the Mercy of the Creator. This is truly a trap of satan.

The session balanced out by an explanation of the breaking of bad habits and what annuls spiritual works, (spiritual works can be extra prayers, dhikr and Quran recitation):

‘Experiences from the Divine destroy habits.’

So, one way a person can change their destructive nature is by inspiration. This can occur in many forms, for example, a dream or a series of incidences that don’t seem to be coincidental or a true understanding of the religion of Islam through sincere study and searching.

‘The annulment of spiritual acts is caused by the bitterness a servant feels for the destiny that Allah (swt) has willed.’ - Ash Shadhili

This highlights the evil of ingratitude and a desire for short term satisfaction rather than the long term benefit.

Sincerity is reciting dhikr for the sake of pleasing Allah (swt) and NOT for the personal gain of spiritual joy although this is a by product of such an action. The purpose has to be clear, only for the pleasure of Allah (swt). When a person does this then they are blessed with a light, a light that will safeguard them from disobedience.

Two questions were asked, the first related to the reliability of a Shaykh whom one wants to follow. Shaykh Nuh quoted a previous Shaykh who told his students:

‘If you see me leave the masjid with my right foot, then follow me no more.’ Then shaykh Nuh said ‘I’d say the same, but I get mixed up between my right and my left!’ and he laughed, he continued his answer by unequivocally stating:

‘If the Shaykh is not following the shariah then vote with your feet and look elsewhere for someone who does.’

The second question related to home schooling for children. Shaykh Nuh referred the questioner to someone more qualified to answer such a question. However he did mention this:

‘Those children are not yours, they are a trust from Allah (swt) and they won’t go to hell if they don’t become doctors, so teach them to love Allah (swt) and love the Prophet (saw) and they’ll be good to you in their adult life.’

He also said:

‘We’re not interested in someone who can read 6 books a week and has no adab (manners). It means nothing, they turn into “king baby”, because of their spoiled, bratty nature.’

So the focus here was on teaching children those valuable elements of the Muslim identity which will benefit them in the akhirah and in this life. This does not necessarily include having to be a high flying entrepreneur or professional or someone who gains a vast amount of knowledge (or information) but has no understanding of how to act upon this knowledge and express good manners.
This is why the length of the talk wasn’t a disadvantage. There were plenty of issues discussed that many of the listeners had not internalised and fully expressed in their characters or interaction with others, so rather than just storing information like a filing cabinet it was more important to reflect on the few issues presented.

The End

Disclaimer: These quotes are partly from my poor memory and very messy notes, so it may not be verbatim but does inshaAllah capture the general themes explored in the blessed gathering, mashaAllah.

Belfast 2009

This picture was taken in Belfast where we at the Islamic Human Rights Commission attended a symposium comparing the experiences of Muslims and the Irish of anti terror state policies.

During the symposium we met some truly inspirational characters, even one of the hunger strikers with Bobby Sands, as well as an Irish Republic army member dubbed 'the most dangerous women in the UK' by Scotland yard.

Only later did I realise the significance of this photo in relation to the trip. I initially took the photo because you can see the varying colours of the flowers behind the bars, which I found quite charming.

Upon reflection this snap reminds me of the saying of the Prophet (pbuh), where he tells us that paradise is surrounded by hardships and hell is surrounded by illicit desires.
In this picture, what looks like a garden is surrounded by iron bars, yet the beauty still attracts.

The bars are also significant of prisons, and the huge number of political prisoners that are languishing behind bars, historically and presently.

In Remembrance of Marwa el Sherbini

The following poem is dedicated to Marwa el Shebrini, who was brutally stabbed to death 18 times in a German court room. Her killer was being sued for his harassment towards Marwa, who hated her Muslim identity and even attempted to rip her hijab off her head.
Marwa who was pregnant at the time was stabbed in front of her four year child. Her husband is in critial care. In his attempt to save his wife, he was stabbed and accidently shot.

You know, the people of the village point at the red sky of dawn and twilight saying 'The blood of the martyrs paints this glorious sight',
When I remember that early morning walk and the things she said,
reminding me that death is not death for a privileged few,
To kill a person because of their beliefs does not murder that belief,
Just as their blood streams in all directions so do their values, elevating and nourishing...

Do the perpetrators believe they are free?
'A man cannot kill without also killing a part of his own soul', said by remorseful killers throughout the ages,
the current being so strong in their river of guilt that it drags them to their damnation
The few who protect their only short lived pleasures send their dogs to hell, who then wait for their master to join them,
panting and salivating with sacred flesh between their teeth,

The Sacred bears witness to the Creator of All,
the crimes endured for proclaiming ‘Ahad Ahad!’
The elite are sent each and every day to the abode of As Salaam,
whilst the fire burns fiercely for the distorted faces,
and I am grateful for Jahannam

The end will be for those who loyally bore witness to Truth.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.

Rahimullah Marwa

The Burka on trial


Don’t you just love to hate those Muslims? Well jump on board the band wagon! We’ve got another enticing treat, flavour of this month is “Burka”...actually haven’t we done that one before...ah well who cares...let the games begin!

On top of Mr Sarkozys political agenda

French President Nicholas Sarkozy has been described as ‘brave’ by some political commentators for raising the issue of the burka in the public forum, triggering wide debate. Although many would describe his latest outburst as complete prejudice, in the true sense of the word, it seems extremely superficial to view someone’s appearance and make a judgment based solely on physical perception. Maybe someone needs to remind Mr Sarkozy of that annoyingly accurate statement ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’

The burka which used to be referred to as the ‘veil’ is worn by a tiny proportion of Muslim women in the UK and the West (in fact its popularity grows with more media hype). Many Muslims themselves believe that it’s a cultural practise rather than a religious recommendation (this is incorrect as there is clear evidence from the tradition of the Prophet, pbuh, regarding the covering of the face), so it’s a wonder why this is even a topic for discussion, when Muslims themselves, on a wide scale do not associate with it.

But oddly enough the President of France feels a burning need to get it off his chest. His recent speech can be likened to him having a moan about how unfair it is that his friend has a bigger stamp collection than him! Who cares?! Surely there must be more pressing issues for a president of one of the most advanced and influential countries to have a grumble about.

Since the ‘burka’ is in the public arena, let’s explore some of the prejudices.

Burka v Veil v Niqaab! You decide

Interestingly enough the last media frenzy over the Islamic face covering, used a different style of language.
The face covering was referred to as the ‘veil’, but now it is described as the ‘burka’.
Veil is a English word that possesses connotations of modesty, privacy and even an intriguing mystery (if you want to go that far), however the term ‘Burka’, being a foreign word and only used when referring to the Afghan women’s’ dress under the Taliban regime, implies an alien practice that is completely at odds with civil society as we know it today.
Muslims however do not use either words and stick to the common and consistent term ‘Niqaab’.

Language plays a significant role, as it moulds the views of the listener or the reader into a positive or negative outlook on the particular issue in question.
As a Muslim, I will from here on in use the term ‘Niqaab’ for the sake of accuracy and consistency.

The Niqaab prevents the woman from participating in society because it is a barrier to communication

Firstly I believe we need to make clear that the Niqaab does not have attached to it a gagging device preventing the wearer from speaking. Therefore it is possible for a woman wearing the niqaab to speak and communicate to people and continue with daily errands like other law abiding citizens of society. If they didn’t, then we wouldn’t even be having this debate because no one would know that the niqaab even exists as it would be shut behind closed doors completely out of sight.

In all seriousness I consider this to be a painfully ignorant view. All individuals participate in society through various ways. A person can work in paid employment, volunteer for an organisation, keep good relations with their neighbours, acquaint themselves with local businesses whilst shopping, go to the park, etc.
In fact the most influential participants in society are, mothers. Mothers are responsible for raising children who will either bring benefit to the neighbourhood or on the other hand become an asbo magnet.

In my personal circle of niqaabi friends, there are individuals who work in paid employment, are community activists, volunteer for valuable organisations and one of them I recently found out has developed a liking for climbing trees! Whilst devoting time to all of the above, they are also raising the next generation.

I really do wonder if people who hold this prejudice have ever bothered to meet a woman who wears the niqaab. Any intelligent person will critically analyse a subject before presenting their hard line view on it.

It’s not British

No prizes for guessing which racist political party churns out this phrase.
Now we are moving from the dimension of ignorance to that of aggressive hostility in the name of nationionalist fundamentalism, where all must conform to the cultural norms of society, and must hold all this to be more valuable than religious beliefs, other cultural practices, personal preferences and personal identity.
Remember Hitler’s’ blue eyed blond haired dream...something along those lines is what is being endorsed here.

The nature of this ideology is backwards, barbaric and does not allow for any progression of civilisation.
People, communities and civilisations evolve and develop with art, technology, morality and religiosity. Therefore the reasoning behind this type of ambition can be likened to a mob of dumb brutes that have no understanding of the wider world around them and get excited by their master’s simple, unrealistic rhetoric of unconditional supremacy given as a birth right regardless of talent and effort.

It’s dangerous

Well if we consider all the incidents that have taken place with the niqaab as a disguise or a weapon, then I feel one hand or even just a few fingers would be sufficient to count them with.

It is apparently necessary to identify a person’s face for the sake of national security.
Obviously it’s necessary to identify a person’s face, especially when the use of ID is required in specific circumstances. A woman wearing the niqaab will have no issue with showing her face to a female official. Just like there are male officials who search men and female officials who search women. However since the majority of our lives are spent ‘unofficially’ in between institutions (unless in prison of course) then it begs the question of whether it is useful for safety reasons to be able to identify a person’s face.

There are individuals who have their face concealed but do not wear the niqaab. For example a person who has tattoos and piercings all over their face, or an individual who walks around with a big hat and sunglasses and scarf, or even certain hairstyles that cover the face partially. The thought of banning the hoody will give many a law abiding citizen a chill, literally, especially during those bitter winter nights when only a cosy hoody makes all the difference.

Why is it that this argument comes to the forefront when the identity of faces is concealed with the niqaab? Is this really an issue of safety or more about removing an identity that certain individuals are not comfortable viewing?

The real threat to the Muslim woman’s liberation

The Muslim woman is naturally liberated by virtue of her religion, Islam. However policies that do not recognise any religious practices, even when they are not harmful and perfectly conducive to the aims and objectives of a civil society, will be the real oppression of the Muslim woman.

Strangely Mr Sarkozy is attempting to depict his sympathy for the poor deflated Muslim woman, yet he is the same person who will refuse her entry in a state school because she chooses to cover her hair. On the one hand, policy makers and their representatives bleat on about integration and assimilation and yet they are the very same people who prevent any form of integration and progression with their repressive policies, simply because the ‘others’ do not dress in the same attire as them. This is the ridiculously shallow level we are attempting to comprehend.

Many Western states pride themselves on freedom. Freedom of expression, of speech and even to insult. However it seems that the rules change when a Muslim decides to exercise any of these freedoms.
It seems the price of freedom is relinquishing personal identity and individuality. A certain type of freedom is afforded to a chosen few who have adjusted their personal philosophy to match that of the state. Therefore this perceived notion of freedom metamorphosis’s into imprisonment. In prison everybody dresses the same, eats the same, sleeps at the same time and possesses the same possessions.

Divide and Conquer

It is clear that the issue in question is not the niqaab; instead it’s a method of removing all Muslim identity.
There could be much reason for this.
Maybe it’s uncomfortable for the perpetrators of the bloody wars to see similar looking people on their doorstep who are dying by the thousands abroad. Maybe it becomes even more annoying to have these Muslim looking people complain and demand justice for such crimes against humanity. Maybe it’s a guilty conscience. Maybe by demonising Islam, they can continue persecuting Muslims abroad and at home, because they’ve reduced them to a sub human level.

Unfortunately many Muslims have fallen into the trap of denouncing the niqaab as an ‘unnecessary cultural practice’. The niqaab is well established within the Islamic tradion and has been recognised by Muslim scholars from all backgrounds that fall into mainstream Islam, therefore it is unnecessary and erroneous for the lay Muslim to start issuing fatwa’s on the necessity of the niqaab. This makes a mockery of the Islamic scholarly tradition and holds zero authority.

This issue will inevitably cause disunity due to the lack of knowledge on the part of the Muslim. Therefore it is essential to understand that our weakness is our disunity. This can only be overcome when the Muslims by name become Muslims by nature.

Verily the end is for the Truthful.

Five Years

Each letter of each word were bricks cemented by your utterance
before the binding they existed in your mind,
even mine too,

If disappointment is defined as a descending fall into a grave of insecurity and nil self esteem,
then I must say,
there was no fall, no move, no twitch, not even a different view
I am consumed in constant disappointment each time we exchange sentences,
The aims of such statements and actions can never be fulfilled,
they are as lifeless as the body that incurred countless daily bullet fire over a lifetime or two,

I only seek to clarify and define the ineffective outbursts,
This commotion and noise can be shut away into a quiet corner of a distracted mind,
distracted from you,

As the lightening strikes in each direction
the sounds become a distant lull, a familiar yet meaningless vibration,
How does it feel to be simplified into nothing?
or ignored as if the world passed you by without a glance,
welcome to my abode!

You provided the bricks, cemented, and built a house,
many houses, each with its own venomous occupant,
No life here anymore, and the world can carry on ignoring,
cement turns to ashes and dead is the disappointment,

Always a hero in the shadows and its been five years of sacred visions,
visions that paved the exit route.

Stop imagining, its useless,
understand that you can never expect what is seeking you,
or what you think you're seeking.

Chances are plenty and after which, reconstruction desirable,
Though fitnah could not be a more perfect word, to describe you.

Long forgotten realities

If I'm losing this battle then my knowledge is an illusion,
would walking away denote surrender or acceptance of a greater plan?
and what is the difference?
The successful are in view, which is why the sight is drowned.
As Sabiqoon As Sabiqoon, you took my heart
and left me with my pitiful deeds!

Can wonder be a sincere vehicle?
Yet another alien word rings loudly.

If my failures overcome me, then I have at least glimpsed success,
what is the colour of confidence?
And Allah (swt) loves the strong believer and gives hope to the weak believer
by finding good in both,
His (swt) remarkable rescues cannot be earned,

How does an inferior excuse for a breathing being even form the words,
requesting guidance.

Waiting for the end, yet desiring to be forgotten,
they warned me in advance,
but fear cannot sustain life,
Only Mercy, Love, Guidance, Justice, Kindness and the attributes continue onto eternity,

I'm leaving with a selfish need for Your security,
regardless of the numerous inadequacies,
desperation is circulating with the blood in my veins.

My Shaykh

It is not envy but longing that I experience,
You are encapsulated in this kind of purity,
Your choice and my failure?
The how becomes the wall,
My conscience allows not for this decision,
can consciousness be separated from all else, from the inner intelligence?
Or is it all the same?

Only the pure in the Garden,
Your purity seems heavenly,
Maybe this is a one dimensional observation,
maybe I can find loose petals in my vicinity
or is the journey required?

You remind me of my youthful needs,
but all that has now been fulfilled,
I possess the stability alhamdulillah,
But I still lack the beauty,
maybe you can adorn?

What am I saying and where is this coming from?
I'm beyond a guide at this late stage,
I'm just drawn like a moth,
it may be the end of me.
Maybe not a bad thing,
maybe indeed.

The Language of Love


I don't believe the nice things you say to me.
He would laugh at you and so would I,
he loves me the way I deserve to be loved, and he reminds me of that.
The doctor wanted to know what happend, but we didn't tell him,
what would he know about devotion?
Only a cast this time for a broken elbow,
happend during a fall.

He wouldn't do it if he didn't care,
he remained and reminded me unlike the others who gradually fell away,
this is the language of love,
we're fluent and nobody else understands,
he smiles if I agree with him, and nods in approval.

Who was it that took me in? he says,
who was it that looked at me when everyone else turned away? he says,
who was it that spent everything on me? he says,
and who was it that risked their standing? he says
and so only a halfwit would say he didn't care!

It's not too bad, after a while it becomes just a sensation, nothing more,
just a echo, in a distance beyond your hearing,
so then you definately won't understand,
if I cross you off then I won't have to explain,
and then I won't have to understand,
and then I won't have to question,
and then I won't have to scream for it to stop.

And now she's two weeks old,
I love her even if nobody else does,
I'll spend on her even if nobody else does,
I'll risk it all even if nobody else does,
but she'll never feel the grip round her neck,
or a collision with the wall,
nor will she struggle to breathe when his fist meets her stomach,
and that feeling of relief will not wash over her,
as she faints from the bleeding,
The glare of the bright lights won't wake her,
to see the form of a nurse by her side.

This language of love hurt her so we'll listen to you,
she never understood it the way I did,
or maybe I never understood it the way she did,
I pray she believes the nice things I say to her,
only a halfwit wouldn't.

Caged Prisoner

Mohammed Naveed Bhatti is 25 years old, and from Harrow, Middlesex.

He was among 13 arrested in a series of raids across England on 3 August 2004. He was held at Paddington Green police station in London.

Bhatti was charged Conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to commit a public nuisance by the use of radioactive materials, toxic gases, chemicals and or explosives.

A solicitor acting for seven of the men said her clients had been psychologically abused by police at Paddington Green.

Mudassar Arani accused officers of keeping the suspects in solitary confinement for 12 days, and stopping three of them from reading the Koran by removing their spectacles.

She said police were applying "psychological tricks to crack them", and claimed that only two of the suspects had had specific allegations put to them, including that they were members of al-Qaeda.

A timetable for the case was outlined at a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey in September 2004.

Bhatti, together with eight others, are expected to stand trial in September 2005.

On 18 May 2005, Bhatti won the High Court’s permission to challenge top security measures aimed at making it impossible for him to escape from prison.

Lawyers for Mr Bhatti say he is innocent, and his human rights are being breached because of the excessive number of strip searches he has to undergo, which as a Muslim, cause him great distress.

A medical report before the court stated Bhatti is now the victim of severe mental illness.

He suffers from depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms caused by strip searches taking place as a matter of routine, and it is understood that he washes himself until he bleeds.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting at the High Court in London, said the case raised questions of importance which should be considered by the High Court, although he was not saying the challenge would succeed.


Write to:
Mohammed Naveed Bhatti
Mohammad Bhatti MX5483
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Bucks
MK4 4DA

Taken from www.cageprisoners.com

Please subscribe to cageprisoners.com to get regular updates and keep track of the prisoners and their treatment by the democratic systems or their rendition and treatment in some very undemocratic states.

The words, sadistic barbarians come to mind.

Our mothers...our children...


You laugh when I speak Arabic, but that's okay, today your smile overrides my inflated ego,
And while I listen to the sound of your joy,
I remember another sound,
The sound of the Uighur woman screaming for them not to remove her life bearing organs, and with it removing her identity, religion and future.

And in that moment I see an Afghan mother with 6 little children and only grass to feed them with, her face, a still mask, concealing the unimaginable, she looks on at the doll-like, dusty images and dishevelled hair.

If she squints hard enough, she can see the woman in Gujarat trying to break free from the grip of the state police, but it's useless, he holds her down with his friends and unleashes his evil passions on her, then her daughter, then her, then her daughter, then her, then her daughter, then her then her daughter, then her...again, a que of his friends eagerly waiting their turn.

When they move on, she stares out of the window, she notices them catch a child, he's thirsty and asks them for a drink, willing to quench his thirst for life, they pour kerosene in his mouth and lite a match, drink up dear child, you'll never be in want again.

The child explosion transforms the house to a hill of stones, but the Palestinian boy can't throw it at the tanks anymore, though the Israeli soldiers can still take his little corpse and use it for target practise.

Your laughter quietens and so I'm reminded of the days they stole your husband, and you and your children were all alone, they called you the wife of a terrorist, how does it feel Laura & Co?

And so I will carry on speaking Arabic just to hear you laugh like a little girl, who never did see her family die in front of her while they picniced on the Palestinian beach, but instead was tucked up in bed reading a story about the time people with closed eyes, opened them and those with still hearts, felt the beat again.


All the experiences mentioned are based on real life accounts. Truth it seems, is wilder than any type of fantastic fiction.

Why is it when, a happy event occurs in a persons life, they don't scream out:

"Why me?"

Waiting to be told what you already knew...


On top of the hill they waited for the first glimmer.
She lost her footing and fell into the trees.

Many years later they were reunited.

'Where did you leave too, my missing bright wonder?!' Was the cry of the hills.

'Why is it you wonder at my departure when your distance tripped me over!' replied the voice of the trees.

'From where did you gather that estimation?!' Demanded the voice of the hills.

'Why would I have had to gather anything had you not thrown the leaves I entrusted you with?!' Shrieked the trees.

'It never crossed the paths in my heart that you could fall away from my side and I'd still be me, for surely since your departure the weakness has stunted my vision, were it not for the hope of the hopeful, this corpse would have been dust settling on the path you tread on...' exclaimed the hills.

'Are these just words for the comfort of wilted ears or are these just raindrops that come after the season of deathly drought. How do I feel when I hear these words? Would courage allow renewal or would shock bury the living, breathing memory...' replied the trees

And yes the battle of Uhud was a victory for the faithful, the separation, death, life, disobedience and rush, bore jeweled lessons for those yet to come, too weak to face the challenges of the loved ones.
In the ultimate plan we perform our parts and in the Perfect Planner we entrust our hearts and our affairs.

Alhamdulillah Rabbil Alameen.

Poem for Ghaza

This poem is written by a young brother, Remi Kanezi, editor of Poets for Palestine: http://www.poetsforpalestine.com/


I never knew death until I saw the bombing of a refugee camp
Craters filled with disfigured ankles and splattered torsos
But no sign of a face, the only impression a fading scream
I never understood pain
Until a seven-year-old girl clutched my hand
Stared up at me with soft brown eyes, waiting for answers
But I didn't have any
I had muted breath and dry pens in my back pocket
That couldn't fill pages of understanding or resolution

In her other hand she held the key to her grandmother's house
But I couldn't unlock the cell that caged her older brothers
They said, we slingshot dreams so the other side will feel our father's presence
A craftsman
Built homes in areas where no one was building
And when he fell, he was silent
A .50 caliber bullet tore through his neck shredding his vocal cords
Too close to the wall
His hammer must have been a weapon
He must have been a weapon
Encroaching on settlement hills and demographics

So his daughter studies mathematics
Seven explosions times eight bodies
Equals four Congressional resolutions
Seven Apache helicopters times eight Palestinian villages
Equals silence and a second Nakba
Our birthrate minus their birthrate
Equals one sea and 400 villages re-erected
One state plus two peoples…and she can't stop crying
Never knew revolution or the proper equation
Tears at the paper with her fingertips
Searching for answers
But only has teachers
Looks up to the sky and see stars of David demolishing squalor with hellfire missiles

She thinks back words and memories of his last hug before he turned and fell
Now she pumps dirty water from wells, while settlements divide and conquer
And her father's killer sits beachfront with European vernacular
She thinks back words, while they think backwards
Of obscene notions and indigenous confusion

This our land!, she said
She's seven years old
This our land!, she said
And she doesn't need a history book or a schoolroom teacher
She has these walls, this sky, her refugee camp
She doesn't know the proper equation
But she sees my dry pens
No longer waiting for my answers
Just holding her grandmother's key…searching for ink

The Falcon of Al Andalus

Exiled Ummayed Prince Abdur Rahman, who became the founder of the Ummayed dynasty in Al Andalusia wrote this beautiful poem in memory of his past:


In the center of Al Risalah (the garden) grows a palm tree,
born in the West,
away from the country of palm trees.

I once exclaimed:

'You are like me, for you resemble me in wandering,
and the long separation from friends and family,
You also grew in a foreign soil,
and like me are far away from the country of your birth.

May the fertilising clouds of morning water you in your exile!
May the beneficent rain which the poor implore never forsake you!'

Yaa Ahlul Ghaza...

Let it be known that the fuel of Islam is provided by you,

the blood of the martyrs paves our way,
and the bombs that fall and the bullets that fly will return to the hands that sent it,
Our love is inadequate for now,
and our apologies are unacceptable,
you suffer and we watch,

The martyrs do not die, they live and wake up the sleeping,
you were chosen by the Great One,
you were chosen to wake us from this slumber,
stirring for now, in time we will be there,
our apologies are shameful,
our love inadequate,

give us time yaa ahlul Ghaza,
time that was taken from you,
no longer does peace reign when you still cry,
our hearts are turning inside out from the inaction,
there are no excuses this day,
but there will be another day, without all this,
please do not let us go.

The Arab-Israeli Conflict: Too Complicated For Our Beautiful Minds





Taken from:
http://lawrenceofcyberia.blogs.com/news/2008/12/what-if.html


Let's try imagining that what has been going on in Palestine for the last 100 years is going on instead here in the U.S., right now.

According to Wikipedia, Jewish Americans currently comprise about 2.5 of the population of the United States. Imagine that tomorrow morning some well-financed and politically connected Zionists in Europe will announce to you – the American people - they are going to build a "Jewish state". Americans aren't known for being overly-curious about what goes on in the rest of the world, so probably wouldn't really care one way or another about what Zionists in Europe are up to. In fact, you might well just shrug your shoulders and say "well, good luck with that", right up until the moment they tell you that they're going to build it … here, in the United States.

After picking yourself up off the floor, you might point out to them that the U.S. is already populated thank you very much, and that 97.5% of that population happens not to be Jewish. And that those 97.5% are going to be very strongly opposed to the suggestion that a minority, sectarian state - which automatically excludes them from equal citizenship solely because they don't have a Jewish mom – should be forcibly imposed on them.

At first, your Zionist interlocutors might respond with some really bizarre justifications for what they're proposing to do to you. They tell you that Canada right next door, and suggest you should leave your home and go and live there instead. They tell you that Canadians speak English, just like Americans; and Can was settled by the British, just like the U.S., so you'd really be just as much at home there as in the U.S. And Canada's huge, there's plenty of room for you to relocate there!

Then, when they can tell you're not really buying these arguments about why you should vacate the only home you've ever had and live instead in some place you've never been to in the frozen north, they tell you it really doesn't matter what you think as you're not going to be consulted anyway. They have powerful foreign allies and enough firepower to create the "Jewish state" in America whether you like it or not, and so they do… by expelling about half of the U.S population to Canada and inviting Jewish immigrants to live in their vacated homes, and by disenfranchising most of those indigenous Americans who stubbornly remain.

Imagine if that happened here. And imagine if it went on happening for 100 years, because the sheer persistence of the remaining non-Jewish population meant that their numbers had to be constantly culled in order to maintain the sectarian regime's preferred "demographic balance". What do you think those 97.5% of Americans who are excluded from equal citizenship just because they have the "wrong" ethnic-religious background are going to think of the sectarian regime that can exist in their homeland only through their own continuing dispossession? What do you think they might do? What do you think this sectarian state in America will end up looking like?

I know exactly what it would look like. It would look just like this:

An injured Palestinian is helped from the rubble following an Israeli missile strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008.
(Hatem Omar, AP)

Religious Jews from the volunteer ZAKA organization collect body parts at the blood-stained scene of a Palestinian suicide bombing February 4, 2008 in the southern Israeli town of Dimona. (David Silverman/Getty Images)

A sectarian state of America, existing in a land where many different kinds of people live, but granting the full benefits of citizenship to only one of them, would look just like this, and no American would find it difficult to understand why. If the great Zionist experiment were happening at our expense, we would not find this conflict to be complicated, nor would we be inventing silly stories about alleged ontological defects in non-Jewish Americans to explain why so many people are dead, why our conflict is seemingly endless, and why our homeland looks like a moonscape. If this were happening to us, we would understand perfectly well that it is absurd to establish a "Jewish state" in a land where 2.5% of the population is Jewish, and to expect that the disenfranchised 97.5% is going to be just fine with that.

And now, welcome to Palestine.

The analogy I've just outlined isn't as far-fetched as you might assume. When the first Zionist settlers arrived in Palestine, they claimed they were settling "a land without a people for a people without a land". But that wasn't true. And we know it wasn't true(quite apart from the testimony of the people who lived there) because starting in 1876, the Ottoman Empire compiled annual counts of the population in its subject provinces, including Palestine.

The Ottomans counted their subjects in order to tax them, and in order to conscript them. The really interesting thing is that under the Ottoman Turks your tax rate and your liability for military service were linked to your religion. Jewish and Christian subjects paid extra taxes, but their sons were exempt from military service. Muslim subjects didn't pay the extra taxes, but their sons were liable for mandatory service in the army. So population counts in Palestine during the late Ottoman Empire didn't record just the number of people there, they also recorded their religion. Which, for the purpose of countering Zionist mythology, is remarkably helpful.

So, let's have a look at the official statistics of the Ottoman government, to see what the "empty land" of Palestine really looked like when the first Zionist settlers arrived there to pioneer their Jewish state. The information I'm posting is from The Population of Palestine: Population Statistics of the Late Ottoman Period and The Mandate (Ch 1, Table 1.4D) by Prof Justin McCarthy (Columbia University Press, 1990):

The year of the first aliya was 1299 (Muslim calendar), or 1881/2 of the Common Era. And you can see at a glance that despite what you've been told, Palestine at that time was very far from being a land without a people. In fact, there were 462,465 people living in Palestine: 403,795 Muslims; 43,659 Christians; 15,011 Jews. In other words, Zionists were settling in a land where the pre-existing population was just 3.3 per cent Jewish, where a "Jewish state" could not possibly be established and maintained without the dispossession and disenfranchisement of those 96.7 per cent of the population that happen to have the "wrong" ethnic-religious origin, and where that dispossession would have to continue generation upon generation because of the majority population's ability to replenish itself through its high birthrate.

And suddenly, my comparison with the U.S., with its tiny Jewish minority of 2.5%, and the question of how most Americans would react to the imposition of a minority, sectarian state in their midst, doesn't seem so far-fetched after all.

Despite the endless propaganda we are subjected to, about Palestinians (and Arabs and Muslims) being people who are "not like us", whose values are inimical to our own, and with whom we are condemned to be engaged in an endless clash of civilizations, the conflict in Palestine is actually rooted in the fact that Palestinians are exactly like us.

Palestinians do not accept that equal citizenship in their own homeland should be denied them because of their ethnic/religious background, any more than Americans would accept ethnic justifications for denying them equal citizenship in the United States. Palestinians do not accept that a population that is 96.7% Muslim and Christian should be ethnically cleansed to make way for a sectarian Jewish state, any more than we would accept that the 97.5% of Americans who happen to be not-Jewish should be ethnically cleansed to make way for a Jewish state here. In short, Palestinians reject and resist Zionism because they do not accept being treated in ways that we, likewise,would never accept for ourselves.

This is not difficult to understand. And yet we wrap the Arab-Israeli conflict in complex, ontological constructs about "The Arab Mind", about "Islamofascists" who "hate us for our freedoms", and about mindless, irrational anti-Semites who hate Israel just because it's Jewish and not because the overwhelmingly non-Jewish population there has to be destroyed in order to make it, and keep it, Jewish. Complicated existential explanations to hide the simple fact that the Palestinians are doing exactly what we would be doing if we found ourselves in their situation.

I understand that if you're a Zionist you have a vested interest in not understanding all this, and in persuading others that it's really very complicated. But for the rest of us, really, how difficult is this to grasp?

Farewell Deceit

No more surprises

Coming from the darkness

And what is there for the ignorant to wish for?

Another chance?

Or just the hero to have come earlier?

Just like the heroes of the past put it:

'This world is a deception, a passing shadow, which may appear fixed but is slipping away day by day moment by moment'

Allahu Akbar, what a relief.

Eid Mubarak

May Allah (swt) bless you with overflowing loving mercy on this day and every other day until when you stand before Him, to hopefully hear the words:

"Oh soul at peace, return to your Lord, well pleased and pleasing (to Him), enter among My righteous servants, enter My Paradise."
(Qur'an 89:27-30)

Eid Mubarak brothers and sisters.

Mustafa The Chosen


As I turn right and left, this way and that,
the sought after change occurs not,
tragedy leaves room for little else,
Since we lost your heart melting countenance,
our lives have become buried deeper into darkness like your bright image
as it disappeared from our vision,

And it's the vision we remain thirsting for,
waiting and watching,
could it be you? let it be you!
Were all the broken hearts bought fourth,
then let it be dust again and again,
it compares not with the torturous void you've left,
Were my heart not to break for you,
then why would it matter if it became sand in the storm.

All the love did not prevent the departure,
and so it was planned by the Greatest Planner,
The majestic King of kings,
who enabled us to drink in the pleasure of your presence,
and for the blessed ones, will He reunite with the beloved chosen one,
Muhammed (pbuh),
your the only star that lights the sky,
and how beautiful is tonight with it's clear sky,
Yet how naive to think this grasp is a firm one,

With empty hands I wait for you,
and I pray you wait for me too, ameen....

Amir Sulaiman: Spoken word

Barack Obama: Change we..... arghhh just put a sock in it!


The following is an open letter to Barack Obama, the new president of America. The constant emphasis on the colour of his skin is wearing a bit thin, especially when you consider that, racism, discrimination and violation of human rights within America has not changed in it's degree but only in the target community. Once upon a time and even now black people in America are shamelessly discriminated against, and although this is no longer an acceptable norm, like it used to be, it seems that the current acceptable norm is the open and direct demonisation of the Muslim community and the religion of Islam.

I urge you to read this open letter as it summarises some of Obama's antics during his campaign, exposing his readiness to succumb to the fat cats and zionist oppressors, on his knees....


November 3, 2008

Open letter to Senator Barack Obama

Dear Senator Obama:

In your nearly two-year presidential campaign, the words "hope and change," "change and hope" have been your trademark declarations. Yet there is an asymmetry between those objectives and your political character that succumbs to contrary centers of power that want not "hope and change" but the continuation of the power-entrenched status quo.

Far more than Senator McCain, you have received enormous, unprecedented contributions from corporate interests, Wall Street interests and, most interestingly, big corporate law firm attorneys. Never before has a Democratic nominee for President achieved this supremacy over his Republican counterpart. Why, apart from your unconditional vote for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, are these large corporate interests investing so much in Senator Obama? Could it be that in your state Senate record, your U.S. Senate record and your presidential campaign record (favoring nuclear power, coal plants, offshore oil drilling, corporate subsidies including the 1872 Mining Act and avoiding any comprehensive program to crack down on the corporate crime wave and the bloated, wasteful military budget, for example) you have shown that you are their man?

To advance change and hope, the presidential persona requires character, courage, integrity— not expediency, accommodation and short-range opportunism. Take, for example, your transformation from an articulate defender of Palestinian rights in Chicago before your run for the U.S. Senate to an acolyte, a dittoman for the hard-line AIPAC lobby, which bolsters the militaristic oppression, occupation, blockage, colonization and land-water seizures over the years of the Palestinian peoples and their shrunken territories in the West Bank and Gaza. Eric Alterman summarized numerous polls in a December 2007 issue of The Nation magazine showing that AIPAC policies are opposed by a majority of Jewish-Americans.

You know quite well that only when the U.S. Government supports the Israeli and Palestinian peace movements, that years ago worked out a detailed two-state solution (which is supported by a majority of Israelis and Palestinians), will there be a chance for a peaceful resolution of this 60-year plus conflict. Yet you align yourself with the hard-liners, so much so that in your infamous, demeaning speech to the AIPAC convention right after you gained the nomination of the Democratic Party, you supported an "undivided Jerusalem," and opposed negotiations with Hamas— the elected government in Gaza. Once again, you ignored the will of the Israeli people who, in a March 1, 2008 poll by the respected newspaper Haaretz, showed that 64% of Israelis favored "direct negotiations with Hamas." Siding with the AIPAC hard-liners is what one of the many leading Palestinians advocating dialogue and peace with the Israeli people was describing when he wrote "Anti-semitism today is the persecution of Palestinian society by the Israeli state."

During your visit to Israel this summer, you scheduled a mere 45 minutes of your time for Palestinians with no news conference, and no visit to Palestinian refugee camps that would have focused the media on the brutalization of the Palestinians. Your trip supported the illegal, cruel blockade of Gaza in defiance of international law and the United Nations charter. You focused on southern Israeli casualties which during the past year have totaled one civilian casualty to every 400 Palestinian casualties on the Gaza side. Instead of a statesmanship that decried all violence and its replacement with acceptance of the Arab League’s 2002 proposal to permit a viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders in return for full economic and diplomatic relations between Arab countries and Israel, you played the role of a cheap politician, leaving the area and Palestinians with the feeling of much shock and little awe.

David Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, described your trip succinctly: "There was almost a willful display of indifference to the fact that there are two narratives here. This could serve him well as a candidate, but not as a President."

Palestinian American commentator, Ali Abunimah, noted that Obama did not utter a single criticism of Israel, "of its relentless settlement and wall construction, of the closures that make life unlivable for millions of Palestinians. …Even the Bush administration recently criticized Israeli’s use of cluster bombs against Lebanese civilians [see www.atfl.org for elaboration]. But Obama defended Israeli’s assault on Lebanon as an exercise of its ‘legitimate right to defend itself.’"

In numerous columns Gideon Levy, writing in Haaretz, strongly criticized the Israeli government’s assault on civilians in Gaza, including attacks on "the heart of a crowded refugee camp… with horrible bloodshed" in early 2008.

Israeli writer and peace advocate— Uri Avnery— described Obama’s appearance before AIPAC as one that "broke all records for obsequiousness and fawning, adding that Obama "is prepared to sacrifice the most basic American interests. After all, the US has a vital interest in achieving an Israeli-Palestinian peace that will allow it to find ways to the hearts of the Arab masses from Iraq to Morocco. Obama has harmed his image in the Muslim world and mortgaged his future— if and when he is elected president.," he said, adding, "Of one thing I am certain: Obama’s declarations at the AIPAC conference are very, very bad for peace. And what is bad for peace is bad for Israel, bad for the world and bad for the Palestinian people."

A further illustration of your deficiency of character is the way you turned your back on the Muslim-Americans in this country. You refused to send surrogates to speak to voters at their events. Having visited numerous churches and synagogues, you refused to visit a single Mosque in America. Even George W. Bush visited the Grand Mosque in Washington D.C. after 9/11 to express proper sentiments of tolerance before a frightened major religious group of innocents.

Although the New York Times published a major article on June 24, 2008 titled "Muslim Voters Detect a Snub from Obama" (by Andrea Elliott), citing examples of your aversion to these Americans who come from all walks of life, who serve in the armed forces and who work to live the American dream. Three days earlier the International Herald Tribune published an article by Roger Cohen titled "Why Obama Should Visit a Mosque." None of these comments and reports change your political bigotry against Muslim-Americans— even though your father was a Muslim from Kenya.

Perhaps nothing illustrated your utter lack of political courage or even the mildest version of this trait than your surrendering to demands of the hard-liners to prohibit former president Jimmy Carter from speaking at the Democratic National Convention. This is a tradition for former presidents and one accorded in prime time to Bill Clinton this year.

Here was a President who negotiated peace between Israel and Egypt, but his recent book pressing the dominant Israeli superpower to avoid Apartheid of the Palestinians and make peace was all that it took to sideline him. Instead of an important address to the nation by Jimmy Carter on this critical international problem, he was relegated to a stroll across the stage to "tumultuous applause," following a showing of a film about the Carter Center’s post-Katrina work. Shame on you, Barack Obama!

But then your shameful behavior has extended to many other areas of American life. (See the factual analysis by my running mate, Matt Gonzalez, on www.votenader.org). You have turned your back on the 100-million poor Americans composed of poor whites, African-Americans, and Latinos. You always mention helping the "middle class" but you omit, repeatedly, mention of the "poor" in America.

Should you be elected President, it must be more than an unprecedented upward career move following a brilliantly unprincipled campaign that spoke "change" yet demonstrated actual obeisance to the concentration power of the "corporate supremacists." It must be about shifting the power from the few to the many. It must be a White House presided over by a black man who does not turn his back on the downtrodden here and abroad but challenges the forces of greed, dictatorial control of labor, consumers and taxpayers, and the militarization of foreign policy. It must be a White House that is transforming of American politics— opening it up to the public funding of elections (through voluntary approaches)— and allowing smaller candidates to have a chance to be heard on debates and in the fullness of their now restricted civil liberties. Call it a competitive democracy.

Your presidential campaign again and again has demonstrated cowardly stands. "Hope" some say springs eternal." But not when "reality" consumes it daily.

Sincerely,
Ralph Nader

Good News!

Alhamdulillah, Mariam Ali is back at home with her family!

Miraim Ali: Missing girl from Reading

Can you help?

15/10/2008

Police are appealing for help in locating this Whitley woman who has been reported missing.

Miriam Ali, 25, was last seen by her family at her home in Redruth Gardens on Monday, September 29. Her last known whereabouts is believed to be the town centre and she was last seen wearing a long black hijab and black shoes.

Missing person co-ordinator PC Bob Phillips said: “We are concerned about Miriam’s welfare as it is out of

character for her not to stay in contact with her family. I appeal for anyone who may know of her whereabouts to contact me urgently.”

Police searched her family home on Friday looking for clues.

Miriam is Asian, of medium build, 5ft 4in, and has long black hair.

She also has a stud in her nose and a mole on her left cheek.

Anyone who knows where she is should contact police on 08458 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Missing Golden oppourtunities....

Violent Exchanges

Don't stare at me with those shiny, glassy eyes,
don't accuse me with your regrets,
you knew there was a price,
and it was taken,

Dive into your discovery,
does it not provide some nourishment?
Is it enough to keep the evil away?
or do you remain immersed?

If you answer, the questions will stop,
if you shut up, you'll be left quietly alone,
Gagged in contradiction, they don't care!
or should I repeat laughing: They don't care!

And this is what you call life,
and this is what I call, your choice,
Were I not left to accuse, sanity would have departed,

My name is not arrogance or ego or aggressor,
It's the reproacher, stabbing in between your ribs,
Its the stinging slap that wakes you from the death slumber,
Its the iron grip shaking you all over,
Its the sudden separation that almost makes your heart explode,
Its the electric shock keeping you trembling uncontrollably,
Its the force that pushes you off the cliff,
Though lovingly witnessing the fall and magnificent rescue,

My baby can fly and I am you,
From risk comes clarity,
from danger comes life,
and only then will you return.

Lessons in a single shadow

In solitude, lies unexpected strength
no arms to carry or hold,
If you feel loved, love visited you,
if you feel tranquility, tranquility descended onto you,
Spin around and there will be no loss
even if your guests have departed,
Taste disappears so that it may reappear,
if you've gone, then you'll return
on conditions of which knowledge is in the unseen,
out of reach, as is love, tranquility and you.

Under cover Mosques 2

After cringing all the way through part deux of undercover mosques I realised how much time these reporters have to waste.

For those who never watched it: it consisted of an undercover Muslim women attending a regular study circle at Regents Park Mosque, in the womens area.

After showing a few grainy clips of the speaker talking about some controversial issues within Islam, for example, homosexuality and apostasy (the usual suspects!), they went on to mention the sharia penalty. What they forgot to outline is that the individuals who stated these rulings did so in a textual manner ,not so to encourage a vigilante style mission, which the documentary was implying due to its shoddy cut and paste.

It also criticised the Saudi translation of the Qur’an. This is fine as far as I’m concerned, it’s a translation I personally would never give to any Muslim or non Muslim. So I suppose they made one good point. But is this really worth employing a team of investigative journalists to wire up and sit in countless study circles?

I’m quite moved by the documentary, since they focused on a study circle that I personally attended for roughly 2 years. Therefore I’m well acquainted with Umm Saleem, the teacher who was targeted on this programme. Umm Saleem was my first real teacher, someone who invited me and made me feel welcomed into the circle. Her kindness attracted me and drew me closer to her. She’s someone who gave me grounding in my understanding on certain aspects of Islam. Even after I stopped attending her circles due to the many irreconcilable disagreements I had with some of the students, I still engaged with her. She even joked with me once about some of the Afghans she had met in London, “They’re not very strong in the deen but they are really warm people”, I laughed at the accuracy of that statement (being Afghan myself).

She was also wiser than the other Selafis. I remember having been repeatedly harassed on how I position my finger in tashahud (happend to us all I’m sure!), I point blank refused to comply to the sister’s order on how to pray. I had based my prayer on a fiqh manual I referred to which clearly cited all the evidence for the prayer, and I made the decision to stick to that rather than confuse myself with the selafi madhab. Anyway Umm Saleem was called over and she immediately saw the pettiness of it and told us it was irrelevant.

Umm Saleem is someone who I admire, respect and support. She’s helped so many Muslims and non Muslims, many of whom have embraced Islam through her. She’s accessible and easy to talk to, someone who I loved having one to one conversations with. Her love for the deen and striving towards actions fesabilillah, was something that I admired deeply. She wasn’t judgmental or cold like some of the other sisters, instead someone who tried to help all those who came her way directly or indirectly.

Therefore speaking as someone who’s prayed with her, ate with her, sat with her and met her family I can honestly say that she’s an asset to the ummah mashaAllah.

This documentary was based on sensationalism rather than an analytical assessment of the argument. They repeatedly criticised Saudi Arabia for their harsh interpretation of Islam and it being exported to London, through these ‘Wahhabi’ preachers. Interestingly enough, this interpretation does not endorse violence, terrorism or any political activity. Many of the Saudi scholars have written articles condemning, attacks that have happend in civilan areas, in the West at least.

Not once at the study circle did we ever talk about politics, in fact, the hizb ut Tahrir sisters and the selafi sisters had a dislike for each other that I considered to be quite dangerous. Hizb ut Tahrir were criticised brutally for it’s political outlook. Therefore it’s peculiar to consider this ‘Wahhabi’ Islam as a violent threat to a non Muslim society. The focus of the circles was always about improving yourself and those closest to you through the ‘correct Aqeedah’.

The home office is currently funding an organisation called ‘Siraat’. Siraat work in prisons mentoring and supporting prisoners so that they may lead productive and well balanced lives outside of prison. The people who initiated Siraat, are a few of the members from the congregation of Brixton Mosque, who interestingly enough are ‘Selafis’, in fact they are from the same school of thought that Umm Saleem and her students ascribe to. So it’s a wonder that the government are seeking help from these 'dangerous Wahhabis’ to rehabilitate Muslim prisoners. Sirat do a valuable job that unfortunately is in great demand due to the significant number of Muslim in prisons.

On a final point, so what if some Muslim women are advised not to work, or not to mix freely with men in the work environment. Is this something that is breaking news, do we need to do some investigative journalism to discover this, whats next, are we going to find out that Muslims prefer two sugars in their tea rather than one? The issue of women and their Islamic status is for another post, due to its vastness and the fascinating Islamic perspective on this

I strongly feel that judgements should not be passed on those who the documentary were targeting. If we disagree with them then the most constructive action would be to speak to them and get their side of the story, rather than some manipulated statements provided by a biased group of journalists. I personally am no fan of the Saudi Government or even their translation of the Qur’an, but this is not something we as the community need to justify. If the problem is in the Saudi establishment, then Gordon Brown is alot cosier with them then us, so maybe these documentary makers need to bang down his door and ask him to justify his position on Wahabbi Islam.

To summarise, it seems that all Muslims are targets, whichever group your from, if you look like a Muslim or are the wrong colour then expect it. And even if for a short time your group is loved up then know that it’s only a matter of time, once you’ve served their purpose, you’ll be their toilet paper.

Nevertheless we as Muslims are optimists by nature and we have always faced hostility from the very beginning, and I have a feeling till the very end.

And to Allah (swt) we turn.

Abu Hamid Muhammad Ghazzali Tusi on Death

The following is a poem attributed to Imam Ghazzali whilst he was dying. The authenticity may not be completely reliable, however it provides a meaning to death which is not morbid or pessimistic, instead it looks upon death as a new opening to another life which cannot even compare to what we can comprehend.

Say to my friends when they look upon me dead
Weeping for me and mourning me in sorrow
Do not believe that this corpse you see is myself.
In the name of God I tell you it is not
I am a spirit and this is nothing but flesh
It was my abode and my garment for a time.
I am a treasure, by a talisman kept hid
Fashioned of dust which served me as a shrine.
I am a pearl which has left its shell deserted
It was my prison where I spent my time in grief.
I am a bird and this body was my cage
Whence I have now flown forth and it is left as a token,
Praise be to God who has now set me free
Now I live in Truth with the graves clothes discarded.
Let my house fall in ruins, lay my cage in the ground.
Cast away the talisman, it is a token no more.
Lay aside my cloak. It was but my outer garment.
Place them all in the grave. Let them be forgotten.
I have passed on my way and you are left behind.
Your place of abode was no dwelling-place for me.
Think not that death is death. Nay it is life,
A life that surpasses all we could dream of here.
While in this world we are granted sleep.
Death is but sleep, a sleep that shall be prolonged,
Be not afraid when death draws near.
It is but the departure for this blessed home.
Think of the mercy and love of your Lord.
Give thanks for His Grace and come without fear.
What am I now even so shall you be
For I know that you are even as I am.
The souls of all people come forth from God,
The bodies of all are compounded alike.
Good and evil alike it was ours.
I give you now a message of good cheer.
May God's peace and joy for evermore be yours.

Nor (is there blame) on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said,
"I can find no mounts for you," they turned back, their eyes overflowing with tears of grief for not finding that which they should spend.

Qur'an 9:92

Apologies

Streams of tears collected from the nations would not be enough to drown the inadequacies within us. What we approve of silently defines our state, without objection then approval seems inevitable even if not accurate.
It may certainly follow the usual pattern. Destruction of all, but a smoulder still remaining, enough to at least revive the new ones, whilst ashes blow in the wind like us.
The dead man walks, talks and sleeps, although the latter is with some difficulty.

The Qu'ran on Dispatches

The eagerly awaited, two hour documentary on the Greatest miracle in existence was surprisingly given prime time, air time.
Channel 4's love/hate relationship with Islam took a deceptively 'intellectual' stance.

The documentary focused a great deal on the diversity within Islam, and the various interpretations of the Qur'an by different Muslims.
The journalist even asserted that the Shia question the true authenticity of the Qur'an , but when the Shia cleric was asked about this, he categorically denied that there is a different Qur'an and emphasised that it is the same and one Qur'an that ALL Muslims refer to.

The analysis on the topics, such as jihad, womens issues, people of other faiths and so on were hardly analysed in depth. Instead more focus was on what the different Muslims' opinions, rather than an in detailed explanation. For example, regarding the famous verse referring to 'beating women', unfortunately this was not given the justice that it deserved.
The explanation of the verse does not refer to beating as we know it. It refers to tapping the wife with a thin, short stick, more as a symbolic gesture.
However before it even comes to such a stage, the husband must first advise the wife and then not sleep with her, and the last stage is to tap her with a small stick.

The Qur'an is not very long. It contains many concepts, which need explanations, therefore a literal reading of a English translation most certainly does not suffice.
Unfortunately the sciences that are associated with the Qur'an were completely ignored, these sciences are essential in increasing ones true understanding of the meaning of this revelation.
For example what I've just described in the previous paragraph, comes from the 'Tafseer' of the Qur'an, which means an explanation of the Qur'an. Various classical and contemporary scholars have have written a vast amount on the the tafseer of the Qur'an, which needs to be considered in order to reach an accurate understanding.

The documentary ended ridiculously. With a mysterious academic who claims that the Qur'an may have a completely different meaning than we find today because of some old manuscripts that were discovered. It appeared as pure sensationalism, with a dark figure, too scared to show his true identity for fear to his life. This was entirely inappropriate and quite random, to air one of the many theories by an orientalist.
In reality this is truly laughable.

The most fundamental issue was completely ignored.
The Qur'an literally means 'Recitation', when the Qur'an is in a book form, it is referred to as a 'Mushaf'. The Arabs had a oral culture, famous for their exceptionally eloquent poetry and powerful memories.
The Qur'an was preserved through this oral culture. The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) taught his companions the Qur'an, which they memorised, something which came very easily to the people due to their culture they were raised in. The Qur'an was then continuously taught to the younger generation by those who had memorised it. This continues till even today.
The chain of people are recorded as well as their teachers and this line goes back to the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). This chain can be studied, because not only were the names in these chains recorded, but also the biographies of each and every individual who had memorised the Qur'an.

The documentary also ignored the challenge within the Qur'an. This challenge for anyone who does not believe it, to formulate a chapter like it. This challenge has not been met by anyone, despite the numerous attempts throughout the 15 centuries since it was revealed.

Overall the documentary, in a subdued way attempted to cause doubt and uncertainty and even division amongst Muslims.

If you 'd like more information on the Qu'ran and its miracle then I strongly urge you to visit this uniquely, exceptional website:

www.theinimitablequran.com

Each prophet was given a miracle, Jesus (pbuh) was given the power to heal the sick and bring the dead back to life (all with the permission of God) at a time when Doctors where were looked up to as saviours.
Moses (pbuh) was given the miracle of his staff turning into a serpent at a time when people were entrenched in magic.
Muhammed (pbuh) was given the Qur'an, he was someone who was not known for his eloquence or poetry, only for his truthfulness and reliability, so then when he came with the Qur'an, many people, submitted instantaneously knowing that this recitation could be nothing but divine.

I pray that we attain and remain sincere in our search and worship, ameen.

Apples taste nice

The elaborate design of the flesh of the apple is to protect the seed at its core, thus protecting its continued existence.

And we, somewhat oblivious due to the bitter taste of the seed devour this life saving flesh, like hypnotised, mesmerised and dazed beings, we are drawn to our sustenance not realising that our humbleness is reflected in our consumption, of a life jacket.

But we do realise, sooner or later.

5th of April 2008!

Spring is in the air!

Here we are

It was a hidden chamber that was suddenly exposed and on show, but restricted to the vision of the privileged few, such that their comprehension could never have fathomed such a place.
As the eyes flowed with wonder at all these marvels, another possibility came into existence.

The morning is the start of a new day and truly in this action is their an abundance of meaning. By evening the whole world may be a graveyard for all the flowers that were blooming under the morning brightness, or alternatively by dusk, the whole world could have crystal waters running through, giving life to the wilting creation that gazed upon the rising of the sun.

The chamber of treasure is all that's needed to clarify the alternative, since a way out is always granted to the faithful in times of blindness.
The key being in one place only, though too many may not even comprehend its existence.
Just as the blind person who was given a reassuring hand after temporarily losing his way in a foreign land, the key is turned in the lock, revealing a chamber that causes the eyes to flow ceaselessly.
The privilege belongs to the few who assert their intention and are guided to the path of comfort.

Despite the difficulty of journeying within a hostile environment, the threads of connection fill the heart with knowledge.

Once upon a time the removal of good was normal and the regret attached to destruction too great, to now extend the hand......unless it's the hand that replaces and adds all that it has.

Temporary abode! How hated is this temporary abode!

Confused......??

A little while ago I listened to an interview with some 'nasheed' artists, who were young and good looking mashaAllah. They had, what struck me to be a very odd complaint.


They were explaining how they didn't appreciate the reaction they received from some of the sisters in the audience during their performances. They felt the hysteria expressed by them was inappropriate.

This is a very good point, Islamic manners does not endorse young women screaming hysterically at the sight and sound of some good looking, eye candy with great voices, so without a shadow of a doubt this behaviour is not appropriate at all.


It soon occurred to me that during such an event which is more or less the same as a pop or rock concert in terms of the style, i.e stage, lights, music etc and because the audience members, are naturally going to be 'fans' then what reaction should be expected other than excitement and hysteria.

If 'artists' mimic what mainstream musicians do, then why be surprised that the audience members are reacting in the same way as the audiences who attend these mainstream performances.


My intention here, is not to be critical and judgmental, I just think that maybe we need to find an alternative style of delivery when it comes to the creative arts.

As for the style then I really don't have any ideas, but I think this is something to consider....?

The blood of the martyrs paves the roads for the free to tread, remember it with the steps you take.

Inheritors of the Prophets

This is a newly published Tafseer translated by Aisha Bewley and published by Dar Al Taqwa.

It's a one volume tafseer, so very accessible to all Muslims.

It's a translation of the works by the two Jalal's:

Jalalu'din Muhammed ibn Ahmad Al Muhalli who started writing this from half way through the Qur'an, so started from surah Kahf (The Cave) to surah Nas (Mankind).

He died before he could complete the first part, but alhamdulillah his student Jalalu'd-din Abdur Rahman As Suyuti completed the first half.

Hence the name.

Now the reason I'm explaining all this is because I was stunned almost to tears when I read the age of As Suyuti when he had completed the first half of the Tafseer, he was a mere 22 years of age.

This made me reflect on what the heck we are doing with our lives. I'm 25 years old and had trouble writing a 10,000 word dissertation a few years back.

This also reminded me of a conversation I had not long ago with a Chemistry Professor who was so proud of being a professor of chemistry and seemed so smug. I wasn't impressed then and it makes me laugh now.

The classical scholars would be professors in subject after subject after subject and people of today think it's something really special to know a little bit of detail in just one area.

The heros' of the past are such inspiration to us all, mashaAllah, May Allah give them eternal bliss, ameen.

Al-Zalzala : The Earthquake

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

When the Earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion, (1)

And the Earth throws up her burdens (from within), (2)

And man cries (distressed): `What is the matter with her?' (3)

On that Day will she declare her tidings: (4)

For that thy Lord will have given it inspiration. (5)

On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the
Deeds that they (had done). (6)

Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! (7)

And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it. (8)


Qur'aan (99)

Open Door Policy


Ibn Masood (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

"Shall I not tell you whom the Hell Fire is forbidden to touch?

It is forbidden to touch a man who is always accessible, having a polite and tender nature."


At Tirmidhi

The Genocide of a People, The Theft of a Country and The blindness of the World........Welcome to Palestine Folks!

Islamic Human Rights Commission are inshAllah hosting an event highlighting 60 years of occupation of Palestine.

A poster will be distributed shortly but for now can you please spread the word insHAllah.

Details of the event are:

Human Rights and Israel at 60:

A look at the conflicting paths of two contemporaneous projects 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission’s conference looks at both projects in a critical and contemporary light.

All those interested in human rights and justice from activists, to students and academics are invited to attend and discuss what human rights mean in the context of Palestine-Israel, and what the violation of these rights means of the project of universal human rights.

IHRC researchers will present brief overviews of aspects of international human rights norms like freedom of movement, the right to life, land and water and global progress towards the universalisation of these rights.

Those with direct experience from Palestine-Israel are invited to address what the violation of these rights mean in a practical sense.

Among those attending are:

• Jennifer Loewenstein from the University of Wisconsin, talking about her experiences in Gaza in the aftermath of extrajudicial killings;

• Meir Margalit from ICAHD talking about house demolitions;

• Yehudit Keshet from Checkpoint Watch, on the operation of checkpoints and the paralysis of movement for Palestinians;

• Daud Abdullah from the Palestinian Return Centre on refugee rights;

• Michael Warschawski on the problem of the right of self-determination and its realization as chauvinistic nationalism in state form.

The conference takes place at the

Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London, W9 1QB

on 4th May 2008,

starting at 11am to 6pm.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, entry is free and breakout rooms with relay are provided with attendees with children.If you have any queries please do not hesitate in getting in touch.

jazakAllah Khairun

Selina Akhter
Events Coordinator
Islamic Human Rights Commission
0208 904 4222
selina@ihrc.org

Trashy Gossip

I would prefer to stare into space, avoid awkward eye contact and shoe gaze rather than read The London Lite or The London Paper.

Onion flavour Dawah!

For anyone who knows anything about Dawah, one of the most important things is personal hygiene.

This includes fresh breath.



I suppose this really hit home for me when I was approached by an individual from, I think, the Socialist workers party. They were giving me dawah and although I did hear what he was saying, the most lingering thought in my mind throughout our conversation was what the heck did he have for dinner!

Was it a pasta salad with loads of onions, was it a onion sandwich or maybe he had a curry beforehand.

As these thoughts were passing through my mind he interrupted them with:



"So what do you think of that?!"



I was totally caught off guard and quickly blagged something about whether the masses could really be moved and united on the basis of their cause to cause the revolution they were seeking. To which he went off on another rant.



Finally I was saved by having the correct change in my pocket for the newsletter and rushed off telling him I'll think about it, I could not bear even arguing with him.



It was just a painful experience and one which we should never wish on anybody so please don't start up a conversation after having tucked into a huge garlic and onion sandwich or something similar to that!



Most importantly the best caller to Islam, the prophet Muhammed (pbuh) disliked eating smelly things like onions and garlic and the wisdom of that is so obvious and the consequences so powerful.

End the Siege on Gaza International Day of Action


Join us in protesting against Israel blocking desperately ill Palestinians from accessing medical treatment and its escalating military attacks on Gaza

Saturday 26th

January4-6pm
Parliament,
London


View a short film about the 400 strong protest on the 12th of January outside Downing Street:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWhBC6hP6cM

Tajweed improves your Spanish!

You probably weren't expecting that statement were you.
But surprisingly it's very true.

Some common mistakes that are made when prounouncing the following words:

Valencia = WRONG
Valenthia = RIGHT

Barcelona = WRONG
Bathelona = RIGHT

How on earth does this relate to tajweed I almost hear you cry out!

Well a common mistake made, is when the letter Tha is prounouced as a Saa.
So then the following happens:

Hasza= WRONG
Hadha = RIGHT

Farsz= WRONG
Fardh = RIGHT

Also this transliteration is the best that can be done with the parameters of the English language, therefore the sounds are not identical to a dh but it is the closest sounding sound!

Questions

Here's a very powerful answer to a question which I was confronted with by a somewhat confused Muslim. I did not formulate this answer, I believe it was Muhammad Shareef.

The question was and please do excuse the profanities:


Why would God create a little s*** like me?


One of the key axioms of belief regarding Allah ta`ala is what He says about Himself and that is:

فَعَالٌ لِمَا يُرِيدٌ

"He does whatever He wills."

This fundamental statement that Allah makes about Himself preempts any ability for created things, regardless of how exalted they may be like Angels or humans, to question why, wherefore, or the reasons behind His actions.

ALlah ta`ala says:

لَا يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ

"He will not be questioned about what He does but they will be questioned."

The precludes any created thing questioning the wisdom behind Allah's action.
Those who do question ALlah ta`ala will not only be questioned about their OWN actions and beliefs, but they will also be questioned for actually questioning Him.

He states that:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُون

"We have not created men or jinn except to worship"

If this is the case, whether its a little ****, a big ****, or any **** in between, all of us were created to worship Allah, with our free will. And it is as a result of the worship of Allah that He eventually aquaints the servant with knowledge of the WISDOM behind His actions.

Allah ta`ala says:

وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ

"Worship your Lord until certainty comes to you."

The above clearly indicates that all human doubt is the exact result of human's not being involved in the project which ALlah created them for, which is WORSHIP.
The reward of worship is CERTAINTY and the removal of all forms of doubt about Allah, His Essence, His Names, His Attributes, His Actions, His Purpose and Wisdom.

In the same manner if you have a very close friend, who has earned your trust and affection over many years. One day, you and her may be out walking, sitting in the park, or fishing, and as a result of your long friendship and her keeping company with you, you suddenly decide to devulge to her a secret about yourself that you never told anyone before. It doesnt matter whether the 'secret' is bad or good, what is important is that your friend kept your company for so long and with such sincerity that you decided the devulge something to her that no one else knew.

Well this the same with those servants who keep company with Allah's law by adhering to His obligations and avoiding His prohibitions.
By being a faithful 'friend' to His law, His commands and prohibitions, well one day He will unveil to your heart a secret from Him which He only devulges to you as a result of your consistency in keeping His covenant. As a result all doubt, uncertainty and obscurities regarding Allah, His commands, His prohibitions, His decrees will be removed and CERTAINTY will enter the heart from all of its twelve openings.


And Allah knows best

Good news!

The latest from the Cageprisoners website:

Cageprisoners.com can confirm that Imam Anwar Al Awlaki was released from prison on 12th December 2007, after almost a year and a half behind bars in Yemen.
We thank all of you who took action on his behalf and remembered him in your prayers.
If you would like to send Imam Anwar a message, please email us at contact@cageprisoners.com and we will pass it on.

Imam Anwar wrote, in an email to Cageprisoners

"The time I spent in detention was a great blessing from Allah. They were moments of contemplation and study which I was greatly in need of. Alhamdulillah, Allah has blessed me during that time of solitude with tranquility and peace to the extent that at most of the time I was preferring detention over freedom. Now that I am free I ask Allah to enable me to thank Him for his blessings. "

"I am greatly moved to know that many of my brothers and sisters have been asking about my situation and praying for my release. I thank them all. May Allah reward all of you with Paradise."


Allahu Akbar!

Eid Mubarak
.
May the angels ascending from the heavens serenade your heart with whispers of love, from your Lord.
May He dress your soul with garments so Divine that even the blessed light of the sun longs to remain upon you, ameen

Beautiful People

Trawling through the grime of the daily environment, the sense for goodness is sharpened. Naturally the standards are set by being exposed to the evil, ugly and painful realities of this existence.
Therefore it is necessary to know what is so shockingly disturbing and living it,even for a short time, in order for the precious things to shine like the sun.

This concept is echoed in one of the sayings of the beautiful sahaba, Umar, when he said, that the one thing he feared most for the believers is that they would forget their jahiliyah, their days of ignorance and wrong doing. The wisdom in this statement is profound and on some levels very simple. When one sees with their own eyes and feels with their heart the consequences of an unislamic way of life, the fear of returning to that, gives the individual a passionate motivation never even to approach such situations.

The senses that one would need to truly appreciate the things that matter can be sharpened by disciplining the self, internally, in such a way that no one but the individual knows whats going on, but eventually it will be expressed in the individuals character and behaviour, but in a manner of 'natural progression'.
Here are a few suggestions on letting go of what means nothing and gaining that which can move the lives of people in a completely different direction.

Pursuing an understanding of the attributes of God, even at a very basic level, is the key to complete security. To know these attributes, grounds the individual so strongly that a natural confidence, without the arrogance gushes out. This kind of confidence is necessary in order to be successful as a Muslim on a personal and social level.

Reflecting on the plight of the oppressed and weak people instill a sense of gratitude and humbleness. Gratitude to God for not putting oneself through such a tremendous test and humbleness by knowing that human beings can be put in situations that have broken spirits. There is no human being who is safe from such tests, the remembrance of this possibility is humbling.

Building an awareness of the rest of the world and the way of life of different people makes simple things that are taken for granted, appear to be 'interesting' and unique, even amusing and odd at times. For example when an audience expresses their appreciation by clapping, slapping their hands together vigourously, if you reflect on this cultural action then it will seem quite funny.

The standard of life we have in this part of the world is very high compared to the rest of the world, so in a sense we're cocooned in a form of 'luxury' that others only dream about.
What do we do with these luxuries? Live them for ourselves and just enjoy?

Referring to the title 'Beautiful People' means observing individuals who are just so beautiful because of the people they are and the effect they have, that one really understands the concept of loving purely for the sake of God. Since this love is totally free of personal acquisition apart from envisioning a wondrously sweet sight, which I suppose can be considered selfish. However the wondrous sight is not caused by the observer, rather its caused by the environment which they are confronted by.

Seeing the knowledge and the concepts in real life is only achieved by learning the knowledge of the concept in the first place, then opportunities pass by that embodies theses concepts. A sweet experience and one that should be shared and celebrated, the purpose of this post.

The Cure

The greatest distance between a problem and a solution, is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who prostrates to Allah (swt) The Almighty will always find a cure.

Sakinah

It takes a very weak individual to feel the full force of guilt only after tasting the fruits of their sins. Human weaknesses are in such abundance, that volumes can be written about it and its not necessarily the aim of this entry.
A whirlwind of words settle down to try and make meaning of what seems to be a very cloudy time.
How does the lion fit into the cage?
It doesn't......it remains wild and dangerous yet subdued and weary. It cannot change it's essence, it's substance, it may adapt but the old dream and the old way is always alive.

Hunger does not encourage the sick to eat.

We walk on the tightrope of truth, assured that our fall will always be in safety and comfort, therefore no fear needs to be entertained, when we climb the ladder.

Peace.

Take it personally

I've been honoured tremendously to have met Sayfallah's wife, Souad. mashaAllah she's an amazing muslimah, I think she spent more time reassuring me than the other way round. Her strength is inspirational mashaAllah. She's one of those Muslims you meet and you can see that every breath she takes is simply by the connection she has with Allah(swt). However strange this may sound, I know that any strength she displays is from Allah (swt), its so raw and apparent, how else could anyone stay sane in such a situation if not by seeking the help of The only Source of Peace.

Please read the interview she gave to Cageprisoners.

http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?id=21712

Born in November 1965, in Tunisia, Sayfallah Ben Omar Ben Hassine was forced to flee his country in 1987 following a wave of arrests of militants in the students’ movement. During this time, Ben Hassine was arrested and sentenced to two years imprisonment for taking part in protest demonstrations. Initially, he took refuge in Morocco where he continued his education at the Faculty of Law in Oujda. Ben Hassine then married and travelled with his wife to the UK and requested asylum. There he lived with his wife, Souad Rual and three children, Fida, Mohammed Ayad and Hanin.

In February 2003, he visited Turkey where he was arrested and extradited to Tunisia. He was tried in front of a military tribunal in Tunis, and was sentenced, according to his lawyer, Samir Ben Amor, in an obviously unjust lawsuit, to 64 years imprisonment.

According to his family in Tunisia, Ben Hassine has since been held under extremely difficult conditions and is held in solitary confinement in an underground cell measuring 4 square metres without a toilet, ventilation or natural light. His wife and children have only received three letters from him since his imprisonment and rely on news of him periodically through his mother and sister who visit him on Saturdays.

On Saturday June 23, 2007, the prison authorities declared that Ben Hassine had refused a family visit. The family knew this to be untrue as Ben Hassine had assured them that he would never refuse a visit from them and, if this was ever claimed, the refusal would be not be based on fact.

The following week beginning June 30, at his mother’s insistence, she was authorized to visit her son and noticed that he bore traces of a blow to his face and that he was very weak. As soon as he started to inform her of his treatment, the visit which took place in the presence of an officer and two guards, was stopped after two minutes and he was removed violently from the room with Ben Hassine crying, "Please help me". Since July 27, Ben Hassine’s family has been refused visits as a form of punishment.

Ben Hassine has, on many occasions, been subjected to torture and ill treatment in prison due to his very protests against these inhumane conditions of detention. He informed his family that he has been refused permission to possess a Qur’an and in one instance was actually beaten in the face with a Qur’an. He is isolated today from the external world and his family fears for his life and physical well being. Coupled with this, is the fact that he suffers from asthma and chronic renal infections.

For years, Amnesty International has denounced the practice of trying civilians before military courts. There is a serious concern that trying civilians before military courts is a way to by-pass law 2000-43 of 17 April 2000 which modified provisions of the Penal Code (Code Pénal) by introducing a two-level legal system for criminal courts involving a right to appeal. Civilians who are brought before military courts are deprived their right to appeal.

With no right to appeal and ostracised from the rest of the world, the safety of Ben Hassine is at great risk to the extent that it is feared he may lose his life.

Knowing You makes all this worth it, even if of knowledge we've only been granted a little.

Your FIRST Love

Quite often throughout my nursing, I've had many many moving experiences, some which have even left me a bit haunted by the memory.
I was treating a patient today who was very lovely. She was a sprightly and very stylish 74 year old, barely looking her age.
As our conversation developed, she felt comfortable in a very short time, comfortable enough to tell me about her depression. Since her husband had died, 9 years ago, she's been on anti depressants. The side affects can be quite severe at times and when her GP suggested for her to stop, she flat out refused.
She described to me how terribly she missed her husband, how without the medication, all she does is cry, even now. Therefore ceasing the medication is no way a consideration, according to her.

As I listened to her, I felt myself totally lost for words, which is something quite rare. I've had no problem nursing patients' in their last moments of life, or dealing with individuals and families going through terminal illness and so on. Although these experiences do affect the nurse, it depends on how the nurse deals with it, and I'm blessed with Islam alhamdulillah, so I feel fine in the end mashaAllah.

Anyway the reason I found this particular patient difficult was because, I could see, hear, sense and almost feel her grief. It was oozing out in her voice, body language and facial expressions, so much so that I was almost entranced in what she was saying.
Our exchange only ended because she was feeling the affect of the procedure I'd just carried out on her, and so the subject changed with me just going over the procedure.

Upon reflection I've realised that a person's first love should never be creation, simply because they die, they go, we'll lose them eventually. This is something the Qur'an continuously emphasizes, the temporary life, which will soon be gone. The beautiful words of Allah (swt) which save us from such misery by preparing us with the precious knowledge to know what to do and how to prioritise our feelings and our deeds.

This situation highlights the misery caused by living a life without the perfect guidance of God. The Qur'an, the prayer is our connection to complete bliss and remedy for the pain of this world.
Knowing that this patient did not have this connection, even in its weakest form, made me unable to give her any advice, because I simply know no solution but Islam for this kind and every kind of pain.
Whilst listening to her sorrow, I really realised the enormous tragedy of a life without guidance, it was like a horror film, that just left me feeling very disturbed.

We as Muslims don't realise the extent of the blessing Islam is and so I'm so glad Allah (swt) bought this lady in my life, to remind me.

When your first Love is Allah (swt), you'll never lose anything.

A Muslim answer

One of the most common criticisms from the Athiests: the reality of suffering and interestingly enough why does this suffering even affect the believers?

Heres an answer which I came across, written by a Muslim activist, regularly involved in dialogue with Athiests and people of faith.
Because of the personal content, I'm concealing the answerer's identity.


The reality is that tribulations, death, destruction, murder, chaos, poverty, injustice and many other related atrocities will occur and have occurred; whether one believes in a Creator or not. This is the reality of life.

As previously mentioned in this blog; the negative aspects of life do not negate the existence of something. It is an emotional argument that carries no weight when assessing if something exists or not. For example, everybody dislikes cancer; it affects people’s lives in a terrible way. However this aspect doesn’t negate its existence or that fact that it is a reality of modern day life.

Many go further with this form of argumentation and claim that this sheds some light on ‘who’ the creator is. They claim that “If he exists, then what can we say about his character when he allows many to suffer?….”.

This line of thought has provoked many us to reflect on our beliefs. Below is an account on what it did to mine.

I grew up in an area in London called Hackney. For those who understand anything about the demographics of the area they will know that it was not a pleasant place to live in. My mother was nearly killed for a couple of pounds, my Grandmother was physically abused in front of me, my brother was bullied and my sister harassed on a daily basis. It didn’t stop there. I used to be beaten up in high school for years and I was threatened with knives and machetes. In addition to all of this my family had many difficult times; economically it was very difficult. During the important years of my life I wouldn’t see my father as he used to work from 6am until 12am and many times he would stay over at the factory where he used to work. My fathers life was full of hardships; his attempts at making a business failed many times leading to bankruptcy. He was homeless, very poor and felt the impact of social injustice.

My mother came to Britain fleeing from her homeland, Cyprus. She is a refugee from the 1974 war with Turkey. The then 18 year old used to crawl through the stench filled morgues looking for her brother who had inevitably ended up defending his country.

The list can get longer.

Not once I have looked backed at my life or my family’s experiences and asked ‘why?’. To be a Muslim is to submit to the ultimate reality. This reality is the fact that God is the All Wise and the Most Merciful. Furthermore, Muslims understand that we have been placed on this planet to refer to God in all of our actions. Muslims are meant to be conscious of Him at all times, seeking his approval and with the ultimate objective of attaining entrance into jannah, via His mercy. This puts the whole of life in perspective.

These ideas, concepts and perspectives change everything.

Instead of viewing life’s hardships and tribulations as negative, Muslims view them as positive. Let us take the recent Tsunami as an example. One can view the destruction and loss as an excuse to reinforce the negative ideas we have about life; that it is full of suffering. However, if one carries the concepts mentioned above the way they will internalise and reconcile these matters will differ tremendously.

The Muslim will use any opportunity as a means to gain closeness with his Lord. This will result in the Muslim to go out and help the victims; it will be an opportunity to do good deeds. The Muslim doesn’t just sit back and wait for things to get worse; in adversity he is patient and productive. He ensures that he does what ever is possible to make things more positive; all for the sake of God, not his ego.

So the Muslim, when tribulations like the Tsunami occur, says ‘bring it on!’; as he realises that it is the perfect time to do more good deeds.

Additionally, the Islamic perspective is always a positive one. Muslims know that those who drowned, for example, are given the gift of Paradise – which is an eternal bliss; in the Islamic tradition it is known that those who die drowning die as martyrs.

Theologically tribulations do not a cause Muslim a problem. We know that God is the Most Merciful; and this Mercy will manifest itself.

Muslims understand that there is a form of duality. Without pain, pleasure and bliss would be impossible to experience.

Tribulations and disasters also show us how we have a huge responsibility as God vicegerents in this world. There is a famous story of this pious man who travelled the world. During his travels he encountered mass killings, poverty, destruction, war, pandemics, chaos, annihilation and injustice. He couldn’t take it any longer and screamed at God “Why!!!!??? Do something!”. God replied, “I have.”

“I created you.”

We as Muslims face all tribulations as tests which inevitable get us closer to God and drive us to do more good deeds. In jannah, its inhabitants will say ‘I would endure much more pain and suffering to acquire Gods eternal mercy and this bliss!’.

Finally, as I haven’t really answered how my small hardships in life made me reflect on my beliefs, I will end with my describing my present state of being. All these things were milestones in me becoming a Muslim, and for that I would experience them all again. God is All Wise.

This Wisdom sometimes cannot be understood by our limited minds.
Not being happy with life’s tribulations and not seeing them through the ‘art of Islamic positive thinking’ is equivalent of saying that we could do better and run the universe is a better way. This is rationally absurd.

We know God is All Wise and in His Wisdom the best plan is put in place and in the end, balance is achieved.

When we are the benefactors, we should thank God for the opportunity that we were a medium for God to manifest his Mercy and Compassion. The beneficiaries should not then make the ones who help them as ‘gods’, but should thank God for making them the tools He is used to help them.

In the end, our success is with God. In reality all actions are empty by nature, they only mean something when we attribute emotions or ideas to them. If we learn to attribute all actions with God, then whatever happens - it is Him that we will want to please and not our own egos. Because in the face of hardship, our whole essence and energy should lie with God and not in our limited understanding of the world. This will then make everything much easier, as we know everything that happens is a result of His will.

And what is more better than to say I am content with His will?

In the end, we as Muslims do not say the cup is half full. It’s overflowing.

From Allah we came and to Him we shall return.

Remember: What outlook is more positive and productive? One that denies God and thinks like is full of suffering? Or, the one who believes in God and reconciles reality with who God is to evoke positive actions - in prosperity and adversity?

Our success is with Allah.

The commission marked 10 years of it's existence this Sunday that has just passed.

I attended the event and would just like to share my favourite bit. The whole event was quite moving, not something that can be enjoyed, due to the grave issues it covers, however the sense of brotherhood and unity is somewhat refreshing.

The most memorable part of the event was when Rabbi Weiss said how he hoped one day there would be no Islamic Human Rights Commission, because justice will prevail everywhere.

So the 10th anniversary is not a happy time, nor a good sign.

Always a Joy...

Lately I've been receiving some really hilarious emails from total wackos! Usually I delete junk mail if its total rubbish, but after I read one of them of this particular nature, I always look forward to the next one, they are just so funny.

So after receiving one today I thought I'd share the experience and post it up word for word:


Dear

How are you today?
My name is Joy Kone 21 years old single girl the daughter of late Mr. Morgan Kone , he was international business man, he deal on timber business when he was alive.

Though we dont know each other before, but i believe that relationship and comunication with someone you never meet before start a day. There is this amount of Ten million US dollar($10M) which my late father deposited in one of the Security Company in Abidjan before he die here in Cote d'Ivoire West Africa.

With the trust i have in God i decided to contact you to HELP me retrieve this money from the Security Company so we can invest it in any profitable investmentment in your country.

If you can be of a great HELP to me i will be please to offer you ten percent of the total money after the money has been retrieved from the security company to you in your country and you will arrang for my coming to meet you in your country to further my education.
I will be waiting to hear from you so that i will give you more detail.

PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP ,Help me the way you can HELP your daughter or your sister when she need your help, do send your telephone no in your reply.

Thanks and God bless you.
Yours Joy

Notice that after the Dear, she doesn't even write anything, hmmmm maybe this email was not for me, she probably sent it to the wrong person, oh well, there chance of getting a million dollars is down the drain (if it wasn't there already!).

Where is Abidjan?

An old Turkish saying....


'...anyone who buys you a cup of coffee, remember him for 40 years'

Echoes of torture still ringing

On many occasions I have observed peculiar behaviour by very 'normal', 'run of the mill people', whether they be Muslims or non Muslims. Upon further observation and conversation, the person opens and reveals a most remarkable progression.

A colleague whom I work with has a very odd 'way' about him, he's not offensive or insulting in any way, he just seems to be in what seems to me a 'permanent panic', although he's not really panicking, if that makes any sense.
I was confused by this and discussed this behaviour with another colleague of mine to see if she had noticed this also.
She explained how she can always tell when someone has been tortured or abused, based on their behaviour. And then suddenly all the pieces started to fit together.
This individual had spent time in a foreign prison, tortured brutally, unjustly.
My colleague also mentioned how she knew of another doctor, who was also tortured, very very badly. She explained that, when patients would ask him lots of questions, he would become defensive and snappy. He would only do one thing at a time, so if he was in the middle of performing a procedure and the patients relative would ask a question, he'd snap at them and tell them to wait until he had finished. She explained how his whole demeanour was so affected by his experience of torture that it was clear to know why he was the way he was.

This is amazingly heartbreaking. The mark of such treatment is not rubbed off, it stays and affects the lives of many people, in fact it moulds a persons character and behaviour even when they are far away from the event and not exposed to it any more.

In order to understand the point I'm making, do the following task:

Reflect on a specific weakness you have, which is also a persistent one. One which you battle with regularly knowing that it's not beneficial for your Emaan. And then trace it back carefully from where it began. Then you may or may not notice how some major life events have affected your behaviour many years after its occurrence. It's quite fascinating and depending on the experience, quite consuming.

The main ambition for someone like this, I think, would be to focus on the hope of entering Jannah because anyone who enters Jannah will think that they have never suffered a moment of hardship in the Dunya and anyone who enters the hell fire will think that they have never had a moment of happiness in their lives in this Dunya.

This Dunya can be ugly and brutal to such an extent that it leaves a permanent mark on those who are chosen to face it's hardship.

May Allah (swt) bless, heal and pour down His Rahma and Barakah on us all, especially His slaves who bear the scars, ameen.

Taste it

Anas ibn Malik relates from the Prophet (pbuh), that one shall taste the flavour of faith (Imaan) if one:

1. Holds Allah (swt) and His Messenger (pbuh) dearer than all else

2. For the sake of Allah (swt) alone loves a person who does not return the love

3. Hates lapsing into disbelief (after knowing Islam) as he would hate being thrown into the fire.


Bukhari, Muslim, Al Nasa'i, ibn Majah and al Masnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Awkward Moments

A common question which is asked when meeting a fellow muslim, especially when talking about Islam and what it means to you....

'So is your family practising as well?'

I HATE this question, although I'm sure I've asked it a few times myself.

I suppose if your a convert and the rest of your family are still non muslims, then you have a safe and easy way out of this question. But what do you do if your family isn't practising, what are you suppose to say....

'Oh no my family are soooo Fasiq, you should see them, they won't even pray and as for the hijab, well you can forget that an' all!'

Since they are still Muslim, your stuck, because you may be guilty of backbiting depending on your answer.

So please lets refrain from this question, no matter how fascinating the topic is to our curious minds.

Confidently Insecure

I've noticed over and over again that many relationships, whether it be friends, family, spouses', work colleagues etc are damaged unnecessarily: the culprit being, irrational fears and insecurities.


It seems, low self esteem and low confidence, is a disease of this society in general.

Everyone carries many insecurities with them, it's just a matter of how well they hide it or how much they'll let it interfere with their lives.
We have this fear of rejection, rejection from our loved ones, our colleagues, people in general.

Are we good enough?
Are we good looking enough?
Can we express ourselves properly?
What will they think of me upon first impressions?

And it goes on and on and on.

So with all these reservations floating in our minds, we try to protect ourselves, by getting used to the idea that we're not good enough and this mentality may even prevent us from pursuing important opportunities.

However there are many problems with 'Insecurity' on a rational level.

Firstly, you can't ever protect yourself from getting hurt, it will happen, you will get hurt, rejected, heart broken and maybe much more or less, depending on what Allah (swt) has planned for you.
So don't try to protect yourself, throw yourself in situations (halal of course!) and just see what happens, forget not being good enough, look at it as a journey of discovery, because things can potentially go very wrong or they can go amazingly well, as a result the desire for adventure will grow and confidence increase.

Think of it this way your strapped up and about to do a bungee jump, but you know your safe because of all the security harnesses and so you can rest assured and jump.
Allah (swt) is the protector of the believers and we have to trust in Him by fearing none but Him and living the life He's given us, in order to get closer to Him.

Losing is one of the most character building experiences an individual can go through. It's probably one of the most realistic reflections of life there is, since we will lose this world, eventually.
It may feel like a kick in the stomach initially depending on the scale of the loss, but it builds a realistic long term perspective of the value of this life, which isn't much, in fact, worth less than a wing of a mosquito according the Prophet (saw).

Criticism is not a bad thing when communicated in a constructive way, so if you find that someone is criticising you, then sincerely listen to what they are saying, because their advice may have alot of benefit, which could actually help practically, in life.

Worrying about what people will think is truly a disabling disease. If the actions are in accordance with the principles of Islam, then where exactly is the problem?
The problem is in the mind.
Our explanations to Allah (swt) on the day of judgement should be weighing on our minds and a motivator for what we do instead of answering to the creation around us.
This in no way means that we do not have good manners and behave considerately towards our families and general people, since this is fundamental in Islam.
The main point being, that you achieve peace with yourself as a Muslim first and foremost and appropriately prioritise your life and the person you are.


Refuge from this place which is rampant with trials and tribulations, is with The One and Only Source of Peace, Allah (swt), all Success and all Good is from Him.


May He allow us to Love Him for all time, Ameen.

Precious

I came across this incredibly corny but at the same time very useful quote.
This message easily relates to more than just people, it relates to whatever is important to the individual, for example it could be good deeds like the voluntary prayers, fasts, Qur'an recitation, kind treatment of people and trying to preserve these acts in the face of the huge distraction which this Dunya causes us.

Never take someone for granted.
Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realise that you've lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones......

Islam is Peace....Why Now?

A new campaign has been launched called Islam is Peace, although I have total respect for the brothers and sisters who are involved in this campaign, it's just another indication of the endless apologies we Muslims have to make for things we have nothing to do with. But even more than that, the sinister focus on 'Islam' as the root of the problem is very disturbing. The true opposition of these campaigns is not the general public, it's the politicians and bias media outlets who demonise Muslims and Islamic practices. Until these people are held to account for their slanders, it seems that there will be an array of similar 'Peace' campaigns.
The other problem is that peace cannot be one sided, if it is to be acheived, it should be the endeavour of every individual and group. Peace is not acheived by bombing and blitzing the heck out of a country or humiliating individuals for their beliefs, if this is the type of democracy thats for sale, it deserves to be in the stinking pile of trash where it belongs.

Say Salam to Haneefa....

I think this is the best time for me to write a personal post, considering it's Ramadhan and the wiswaas of shaytaan is significantly subdued, Alhamdulillah.

Since Ramadhan began, I've been blessed with an overwhelming feeling of precious peace. I have learned to be content with decisions I've made in all those important matters, and that disconnection which I've practised on the outside has somewhat penetrated to the inside Alhamdulillah.
I heard a hadith yesterday about how if this world and all that it contained was worth the wing of a mosquito, then Allah (swt) would not give it to the Kuffar, SubahanaAllah! If that doesn't put things in perspective, then I don't know what does. I think the best thing to do, is always try and be in that place where you take 10 steps back, even if you are in the midst of the fitnah, this is one of my aspirations, a matter of patience.

Today I attended a lecture given by two brothers, Abdul Jalil and br Yusuf, on the topic 'How I came to Islam'. It was a wonderful way to end this week, because I was so touched by something I found out about Abdul Jalil, he's a carer by profession and had cared for one of my friends family members. The father of this sister had suffered a stroke which had left him partially paralysed, this also affected his memory, so when Abdul Jalil became his carer, as well as looking after him, he'd teach him to pray, because this brother had forgotten due to the stroke.
I find this so touching, because when I was a student nurse, I worked in a care home part time, with people who had learning disabilities. As well as the emotional and psychological drain, the intense physical work was literally quite painful. In fact this was the reason I left the job, due to the physical pain I was experiencing.
Anyway my point is that, there arn't many men in these types of professions and so to come across someone like this mashaAllah really makes me happy and optimistic and hopeful for the rest of humanity.

I've come across so many special and amazing people mashaAllah, and I hope inshaAllah I always do. What I've also noticed is that we all have an affect on each other, and sometimes we may come across really inspirational characters, but then we may bring out the worst in that person, in which case I think it's best to appreciate their contributions and keep a distance. I suppose I am somewhat antisocial, since I really find it a strain to socialise and work on friendships and relationships in general. There are so many other things I'd prefer to do, even if its just being alone with my thoughts, which I find so soothing.

Since I learned about Prophet Ibrahim, and his love and gentleness for his people and more importantly the fact that he was a Haneef, which is a sincere worshipper of the One True God, I've been blown away. The Qur'an say's:

Abraham was not a Jew nor a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah. (3:67)

So I've chosen to call myself Haneefah, now inshaAllah, that's how I'll introduce myself to people. It feels too right mashaAllah.

It seems that Ramadhan is the best time for me to organise myself and I advise you also to make the most of Ramadhan in this way, especially if you feel the wiswaas of shaytaan during the rest of the year.

I've also realised that I'm not really happy and to be honest I know I won't truly experience the kind of happiness I am looking for being in this Dunya, I want too much and I don't make any apologies for this, because Allah (swt) has given me an imagination that makes everything possible.
We all naturally have this ability to dream and want things that are totally unrealistic in this life, however they are totally realistic if you believe in the Hereafter, I think this in itself is a strong proof for the existence of a Hereafter. For example, why can we imagine such amazing dreams if there is no way of attaining it, surely there is a reason why we have this ability. It just does not make sense to ignore this human capability and only Islam satisfies this with its detailed and breathtaking descriptions of the Hereafter.

All Success and Good is from the One and only Source of Peace, Allah (swt).


And who forsakes the religion of Ibrahim but he who makes himself a fool, and most certainly We chose him in this world, and in the hereafter, he is most surely among the righteous.
When his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to Me):"
He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe."

Quran 2:130-131

Freedom and Responsibilty in the Quranic Perspective

The theme of pre destination and free will has always been of much interest to me and I've mashaAllah come across a wondeful book which discusses these concepts.
So far, so good mashaAllah!

Here's a taster:

...freedom is ingrained in human nature; the intellect embellishes this freedom, while Revelation serves to regulate and organise it. Revelation conveys the message but then leaves it to man himself to decide freely whether to believe or not. Man's reward or punishment is an inevitable result of his choices and actions ...human will, like the rest of the creation of Allah, is with all its characteristics, traits and potentialities subject and subservient to the Divine Will. In fact, it's subservience to the Will of Allah constitutes the very guarantee for its existence and workings as a free agent, for that is what its Creator willed and decreed for it.

Hasan Al Anani
American Trust Publication, 1990

Helpers of one another...

"The believers, men and women, are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another.." (9:71)

"The Believers are but a single brotherhood . . . "(49:10 )

"Do not think little of any good deed, even if it is just greeting your brother with a cheerful countenance."

( Sahih Muslim, 16/177, Kitab al-birr wa'l-silah wa'l-adab, bab istihbab talaqah al-wajh 'ind al-liqa')


I would like to make a quick request of you all, if you scroll down, I've pasted a letter of complaint on behalf of Mudasser Arani. Please could you guys send it to your local MP, you can find out your local MP and send the letter to them tonight inshaAllah by visiting the site:

http://www.writetothem.com/

Also I was sent this link with a very touching video called 'Prisoners of Faith', http://www.kalamullah.com (click on the link and scroll down inshaAllah), lets at least remember them in our duas.






Dear Member Of Parliament,

I write this letter as a concerned member of your constituency with regards the treatment of a Human Rights Lawyer, Muddassar Arani, by both the press and government organs.

Since 2004, Ms Arani has been subjected to a witch-hunt in the press for defending high-profile suspects within the so-called 'War On Terrorism'. I obviously need not remind you that this 'war', without definition, target or objective, is causing untold misery within the Muslim community and making them feel victimised for the sake of political gain.

Some of those victims obviously require representation, however the Government, Courts and press through their treatment of Ms Arani and her firm would seem to disagree with this view. She has been hounded unnecessarily in an extremely intimidating fashion which raises serious questions within myself of how much the government actually does believe in a vision of 'multicultural Britain', and more importantly whether this is a vision that includes the Muslim community.

I quote some examples below of Ms Arani's treatment, which I hope you will agree has been racist, islamophobic, and defamatory in nature :-

The Sun stated under the headline "Hamza's lawyer hits you with a massive legal aid bill" that Ms Arani was in receipt of hundreds of thousands of pounds in Legal aid for representing a Client, Mustafa Kamel. This was completely false and no money was received from Legal aid for this case. However, this falsehood has since been repeated numerous times in both broadsheets and tabloids. The article also listed the car, house and location of the house that Ms Arani drives and occupies. This is a breach of Part 13 of the Press Code of Practice.

The Daily mail, The Daily Express and others have since repeated the spurious allegations, without any basis and without any right to reply offered as per articles 1 and 2 of the Press Code of Practice.

All of the articles above have been defamatory, racist and anti-muslim in nature, in particular making strong reference to the fact that Ms Arani is a Muslim who wears Islamic Dress, with a strong subtext that it is wrong for Muslim lawyers to defend Muslim clients.

The Police have also acted towards her in a bigoted and racist manner. They have passed details of other law firms to her clients being held in detention, without them requesting or being dissatisfied with the services of Arani and Co.

The Police did not allow her to contact clients being held in Paddington Green Police Station.

The Police also informed her that her clients were being subjected to further search procedures, out of malice, as she had 'too much contact' with them.

The courts service as well is not immune. When she made statements about her clients treatment at HMP Belmarsh ( incidentally this view is supported by various Human Rights Groups, as well as the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane and Degrading treatment or Punishment ), Mr Justice Fulford in summarising a case accused her of deliberately delaying the trial by making these allegations.

Steven Kamlish QC accused Ms Arani of trying to bribe his client Kwaku Asidu, even though Mr Asidu did not accept these allegations.

I could go on with examples of character assassination, victimisation and intimidation, however for the sake of brevity I will only quote the above examples.

In summary, what is happening to Ms Arani is completely unwarranted, and is clearly a targeted policy to prevent Muslims receiving a fair trial.

I should mention to you that Pat Finucane, Human Rights Lawyer of Ireland, also defended high-profile clients on many occasions and was often subjected to abuse, intimidation and victimisation. He often discovered that the police had abused their authority in the rule of law, and he was vilified for this. Sadly, Pat Finucane is no longer with us, having been assassinated by Right-Wing extremists who were strongly suspected to have been provided information by the Police.

I trust that these days are gone, however the case of Ms Arani seems to be moving further towards that tragic past once more. I trust you will see that it is necessary to end this character assassination for the sake of community relations.


Yours faithfully,

Know Your Rights

Arani solicitors have very kindly developed a 'Know Your Rights' leaflet and Mudasser Arani from Arani solicitors Ltd is active in delivering seminars on this issue. As you can imagine at this time and in this place, it's very useful for all muslims to be clued up on this.

On another point Mudassar Arani has written an open letter to the muslim community requesting their support, so please do email her, even if it's a few words of support, her love for the ummah is expressed in the nature of her work, surely we can offer a simple thank you, so please please do email her.

I strongly urge you to read her open letter which can be found on:

http://www.islamsgreen.org/islams_green/2007/09/muddassar-arani.html

and her email address is:

Muddassar@Aranisolicitors.com

The following is the leaflet which was done in association with the Islamic Human Rights Commission.

The seminar can be found on audio version:

http://www.inminds.co.uk/know-your-rights.html



Know Your Rights

What to do if you are asked to assist on a voluntary basis

If you are asked by the police or MI5 to assist with their enquiries on a voluntary basis, you should know the following:

• You are not under arrest
• You have the right to leave at any time
• You have the right to remain silent
• You have the right to consult a solicitor of your choice for legal advice and representation

What to do if your premises are being searched

If your premises are being searched by a search warrant, you have the following rights:

• The right to remain silent
• You have the right to consult a solicitor of your choice for legal advice and representation
• The right to a copy of the search warrant
• The right to witness the search, or have it witnessed by a friend, neighbour or other person
• The right to object to the seizure of certain confidential material, such a legitimate communications between you and your lawyers(s), personal medical records, journalistic material etc.

If your consent is sought, you have the right to object to the search.

Note: whether you are asked to assist on a voluntary basis or your premises are being searched, it is good practice to make an immediate note of the following:

• The officer or officers' name(s) (or warrant or other identification number), police station and telephone number
• The time and place that you were contacted
• Anything that is said to you by the officer(s).

What to do if your arrested

• The right to remain silent
• You have the right to consult a solicitor of your choice for legal advice and representation

Note: all of the above advice is subject to this caveat: it is a criminal offence to fail to disclose as soon as reasonably practicable information kowing or believing it might be of material assistance in preventing the commission of an act of terrorism or securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of another person in the UK for a terrorism offence.

Or did you suppose that you would enter paradise without facing the same as those who came before you? Poverty and illness afflicted them and they were shaken to the point that the messenger and those who believed with him said 'when is Allah's help coming?'

Be assured that Allah's help is very near.

Qur'aan (2:214)

A Text

A little while ago I received a text message, not sure from who and I'm just thinking, that it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time then at that time:

Oh Son of Adam, do not be happy with richness and despair of poverty, do not feel sad during affliction and do not rejoice over prosperity, for just as gold is tried by fire, the pious are tried by affliction, you will not attain what you want except by giving up what you desire, and you will not attain what you aspire except by enduring patiently what you hate, and exerting yourself in imlementing that which has been made compulsory by Allah (Swt).

May Allah (swt) bless whoever sent me this inspirational message, I loved it.

Al Quds Day March

End Child Killing

End Oppression

End Israeli apartheid

Sunday 7th October

Assembly is at 12.30pm at Marble Arch

Speakers include:

Yvonne Ridley - George Galloway - Taji Mustafa - Massoud Shadjareh

For more info :

quds@ihrc.org 0208 904 4222

The leaflets have been printed, if there is anyone who'd like to help and hand them out, then please email me on: islam_heals@hotmail.co.uk and I'll send them to you inshaAllah.

Jalal ibn Sa'eed every Friday evening from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Purifying and Maintaining one's self

There is also basketball for the brothers from 6 pm till 7 pm (I'm not sure if this still goes on)

The address is Cranford Community College, High Street, Cranford, TW5 9PD - in Hounslow

A Night unlike tonight

There will be a night unlike tonight,
one which is not burning away at my heart,
missing you so like this,
Maybe if I never knew you, it would be better,
but not really,
A single smile is worth this sorrow,

Who am I to want someone as beautiful as you by my side,
When God loves His slaves more than their mothers,
When God is the best cherisher,
and you only deserve the best.

Good in everything....

“No tiredness, exhaustion, worry, grief, distress or harm befalls a believer in this world, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah expiates some of his sins thereby.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5210; Muslim, 4670)

Al Tin: The Fig

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem

By the fig and the olive,
and by Mount Sinai,
and by this secure city (Mecca),

We indeed have created man in the finest form,
then we brought him down to
the lowest of the low,
except for those who believe and do good deeds;
for theirs shall be an unfailing reward.

Who, then, can henceforth cause you to deny
the last judgment?

Is not God the most just of Judges?


Qur'an: 95: 1-8

Sisters Circle @ West Ealing Masjid

UK Islamic Mission
West Ealing Masjid
Brownlow House
Brownlow Road
West Ealing
London
W13 0SQ

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Speaker: Sister Umm Abdur Rahman

Talks take place every Sunday (same time) on a range of topics.

Subjects such as:

• Islamic Studies
• Tafseer
• Fiqh

All ladies welcome – bring your mums, daughters, sisters, friends… Light refreshments available Free to attend Organised by UKIM ladies section.

Until the Lion tells his tale the hunt will always glorify the hunter.

African proverb

Unfolding The Rose

A young, new ustadh (teacher) was walking with an older, more
seasoned ustadh (teacher) in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what Allah Ta'ala had for him to do, he was asking the older ustadh for some advice. The older ustadh walked up to a rosebush and handed the young ustadh a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young ustadh looked in disbelief at the older ustadh and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the Will of Allah for his life and ministry. But because of his great respect for the older ustadh, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact...It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the younger ustadh's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older ustadh began to recite the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of Allah's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
Allah opens this flower so sweetly,
Then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of Allah's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Allah for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to Allah for His guidance
Each step of the way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only Allah knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

"And whoever relies on Allah - then He is sufficient for him"
[surah at-Talaq; 65: 3]

"… And upon Allah rely, if you are true believers"
[surah al-Ma'idah; 5: 23 ]

"… And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]"
[surah ali-'Imran; 3: 159]

"… And rely upon Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs"
[surah an-Nisa; 4: 81]

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu), narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:

'If you rely on Allah with due reliance, Allah will provide for you as He does for the birds; they leave with empty stomachs in the morning and return full at dusk.'
[at-Tirmidhi]

True Love

Worship restricted to a particular day, whether it be a friday, saturday or sunday is not True Love.

Stories of the Prophets

Al-Ansar Sister’s circle will be beginning a series of talks covering the prophets of Allah (swt).

The circles are organised under the supervision of the wife of Abu Talha (Graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah).

Circles Held Every Sunday at 11am in the Sister’s Prayer area at:

Al-Ansar Islamic Education Centre
833-835 High Road
Goodmayes
Essex
IG3 8TD

The talks are held in a very friendly atmosphere with tea and snacks after the talk.
So why not come along and enjoy a cuppa as well!!!

12th Aug 2007 NUH (as)- His da’wah

19th Aug 2007 NUH- His family’s rejecting the call

26th Aug 2007 IBRAHIM (as)- with his community, incident of the broken idol

2nd Sep 2007 IBRAHIM – Hosting the guest (angels)

9th Sep 2007 IBRAHIM- Incident with Nimrood & fire

16th Sep 2007 IBRAHIM-Sacrifice, & Leaving Hajar& Ismael

23rd Sep 2007 IBRAHIM- Building the Ka’bah

30th Sep 2007 MUSA (as)- his birth, and his life in the house of Firawn

7th Oct 2007 MUSA- accidental murder and on the run-Madyan life

14th Oct 2007 MUSA- Dawah to Firawn

21st Oct 2007 MUSA- story of Khidr

28th Oct 2007 EESA (as) his miraculous birth

4th Dec 2007 EESA with his disciples & The meal as a sign

www.masjidansar.com

Abu Bakr The Truthful

One of the most loved companions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) earned the title: As Siddiq, meaning 'The Truthful'.

After a certain event, where many Muslims started to doubt the Prophet, Abu Bakr, remained firm by simply using basic logic.

The Prophet travelled with the angel Gabriel on a winged horse-like animal, from Mecca to Jerusalem and then finally ascending to the Heavens, where he spoke with various prophets and messengers as well as The All Mighty, All Merciful God.

This event is commonly referred to as:

Al Isra wal Miraaj: The Night Journey

When the Prophet described his journey to the people, they began doubting him and thus his message.
The people approached Abu Bakr, relating to him this unusual event, to which Abu Bakr replied:

"If he has actually said this, he is telling the truth."

and then he went on to say after observing the peoples' reaction:

"What is so surprising? I believe him when he says something even more amazing. He says he receives revelations from God and I believe him."

The response given by Abu Bakr immediately puts everything into context, for if there is a All Powerful Creator, capable of anything, giving revelation to His slave, then why would it be such a 'big deal' if this slave travelled to the Heavens with an Angel.
Surely the gift and glad tidings of Revelation (The Qur'an) cannot be taken lightly and underestimated. Since it is a heavenly gift, unmatched, with nothing more precious than it, because through it, we know our Creator and what He wants for us to do with the life He has given us.

After this logical and devoted reaction by a most beautiful companion, the Prophet, honoured him by calling him 'The Truthful' and even now Muslims will refer to him as: Abu Bakr As Siddiq.

As long as your not a muslim...

I was browsing Abdur Raheems blog and came across this comment by Al Hassan, which sums up the blatant hypocricy and double standards towards the muslim community.

"I'm sick, tired and worried about the way in which, this country and the US are behaving and treating their Muslim communities. If anyone is promoting terrorism and indecency then it must be 'BlockBusters' who are selling freely without any restriction, violent, vicious and indecent DVDs and videos to the public. Moreover, many websites are encouraging and promoting hate, racism,fascism and no one is prosecuting them. I guess cos they're not Muslims.
You can possess any materials of Hizbullah, Al-Qaida, etc, as long as you are not Muslim. This is the reality of today's game of politics at Westminster's corridor!"

The spring of my heart..the banisher of my sorrows...

Allahumma inni abduka, ibnu 'abdika, ibnu amatika, naasiyatee biyadika, maadin fiyya hukmuka, adlun fiyya qadaa'uka, as'aluka bikulli ismin Huwa laka, sammaita bihi nafsaka, aw anzaltahu fee kitaabika, aw allamtahu ahadan min khalqika, awista tharta bihi fee ilmi ghaibi indaka, an taj'alal Qur'ana rabee'a qalbi wa noora sadri, wa jalaa'a huzni, wa dha-haaba hammi.

Oh Allah, I am Your slave and the offspring of your slaves,
my fate is in Your Hands,
Your Judgement upon me is assured,
Justice upon me is Your command,
I ask You by every Name You have taken for Yourself,
revealed in Your Book,
taught anyone of your creation or taken unto Yourself in the realm of the unknown,
to make the Qur'an the spring of my heart and the light of my breast,
the banisher of my sadness and the reliever of my despondency.

This event is for muslims and non muslims, like all the events posted up!

Womens' Consortium

FREE

• Meditation
• Counselling
• Support and Advice

Monday’s
12pm – 3pm

Venue:

Samaritans
1 Leopold Road
NW10 9LN

Contact:
07809 443756
khankhaleda@gmail.com
Khaleda Khan


Me and Khaleda were good friends at primary school and after many years of being out of touch, we bumped into eachother at an Islamic event, Alhamdulillah!

The Greatest Loss

For everything that you lose, there is a replacement.
But if you lose God, there is no replacement for Him.

Zulfiqar Ahmad

Current times...

It's dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.

Voltaire

Back to reality

A few years ago I heard Hamza Yusuf, who's a nurse as well as an imam, talk about elderly people. Especially the ones who couldn't sleep at night, which is the majority of them! His rationale was very Islamic, he concluded that it was a Mercy from God to need less sleep in old age, since death was very close and so God was giving us more time and energy to spend it in worship of Him.
Although I heard this a long time ago, something happened recently that reminded me of br Hamza's statements.

Someone I knew and got on very well with, who was elderly and had many medical problems, complained of not being able to sleep at night, some nights only managing one hour of sleep.
Last Wednesday I was told that he had died.
I'm regretting not being more forward with my response to his complaint of insomnia, I feel what I said was far too diluted, in terms of Islamic advice.

His death brought home the stark reality of an important Islamic role: advice to the Muslims and dawah to the non Muslims.
It's not about winning arguments, speaking eloquently and thinking up ways to humiliate one another. Not that I know of many Muslims who do this Alhamdulillah. But it's just a reminder on the reality of the situation, death is a wonderful way of bringing us back to reality.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji oon.
"To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return"

Qur'an 2:156

Snap snap!

It was a busy clinic today and I had a patient approach me, sent by the nurse, who was treating her daughter.

She said to me:

'The other nurse would like a small crocodile.'

Although I knew what she was talking about aka 'crocodile forceps', I couldn't help imagining handing over a live reptile and having a draw full of them! How hilarious would that be, after laughing all the way to the treatment room and back, I handed over the creature oops I mean forceps!

(this could be one of them 'you had to be there moments' so please do feel free to roll your eyes to the heavens and back!)

Another

By Jumah al Dossari

Take my blood.
Take my death shroud and
The remnants of my body.
Take photographs of my corpse at the grave, lonely.
Send them to the world,
To the judges and
To the people of conscience,
Send them to the principled men and the fair-minded.
And let them bear the guilty burden, before the world,
Of this innocent soul.
Let them bear the burden, before their children and before history,
Of this wasted, sinless soul,
Of this soul which has suffered at the hands of the "protectors of peace".



Arrested in Pakistan and held in solitary confinement since 2003, Jumah al Dossari's mental wellbeing is worrying his lawyers. The 33-year old Bahraini national has tried to kill himself 12 times since his incarceration in Guantanamo. On one visit, his lawyer found him hanging in a bedsheet noose, with a deep gash in one wrist. In a letter Mr Dossari wrote in 2005, he said: "The purpose of Guantanamo is to destroy people and I have been destroyed."

Suicide is forbidden in Islam and very rarely do muslims commit such acts.
This case highlights the extreme methods used by the American Forces in Guantanamo, which consist of a variety of torture methods. These methods are outlined in detail by Michael Otterman in his book, 'American Torture'. They have been developed and refined over many decades and are heavily influenced by the Nazis as well as the Communist regimes.
This brief explanation serves to highlight the fact that the actions of a person under such strain is completely out of character and whether the individual is in a state of sanity is highly unlikely.

Its amazing that 'intelligence' is extracted from people who are driven to insanity and suicide, makes one wonder how reliable this so called 'intelligence' is.
It seems a false security from a conceptual enemy is created.

To find out how to help please go to:

http://www.cageprisoners.com/page.php?id=3

Much needed Advice

Part from the days where you used to do as you wish
And restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained
And don't despair over the events of the past
For none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain
And be a person who is firm upon his affairs
And whose character is that of pardoning and nobility
And there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
Just as there is there is no comfort or pain
If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
Then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
And upon he whose open valley death descends upon
Then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
And the earth of Allah is vast but When the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests.

Imam Shafi