Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Hate crime
Religious hate seen as motive in killing
Fremont slaying: Muslim leaders and relatives of Afghan American mother shot at point-blank range say only motive they can imagine for anyone wanting her dead was the garment of her faith, her head scarf
Local Muslim leaders on Friday denounced as a likely hate crime the brazen daylight shooting death in Fremont of a mother of six, and police said that they had arrested a parolee described as a "person of interest" in connection with the slaying.
Killed Thursday by a single bullet to the head as she walked with her 3-year-old daughter on a well-to-do residential street, she was distinguished by a hijab, the head scarf worn by some devout Muslim women. The Afghan immigrant had no purse or money on her, family members said.
Stunned relatives and Muslim leaders said the only motive they could see, outside of insanity, would be hatred.
"Whoever did this did not see Alia Ansari, a mother of six children," said Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, one of the nation's most respected Muslim scholars and leaders, who spoke to the media outside of the Ansaris' modest two-bedroom apartment. "He saw a symbol of something that people are taught to hate."
"All that we can assume is that it's a hate crime," said Hassan Ansari, 23, the youngest of Alia Ansari's seven siblings.
Fremont police said Friday that they don't know why Ansari was killed. At about 2:40 p.m. Thursday, she was walking near Central Avenue and Glenmoor Drive with her 3-year-old daughter to pick up two other children from elementary school when a man opened fire before fleeing in a car.
"We still have no definite indication as to motive," said police Sgt. Jeff Swadener, a department spokesman. "Was it racial? Was it a hate crime? Was it a street robbery or a random act of violence? I don't know."
Police said a 27-year-old Fremont man was being held on an unrelated parole violation but remained a person of interest in the homicide. His name wasn't released.
Police detained the man about an hour after the shooting and about a mile away. Officers pulled the man over near Mowry Avenue and Blacow Road because he and his black Toyota Tercel matched the description provided by witnesses, police said.
"We're still up in the air as far as the actual involvement or linking to the homicide," Swadener said.
The Alameda County coroner had planned to do an autopsy Friday, but Ansari's relatives said they want to keep her body intact because of their religious beliefs. A coroner's spokesman declined to discuss the delay but said a decision on how to proceed could be made Monday.
Islam prohibits the desecration of any dead body, said Yusuf, co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, believed to be the first Islamic seminary in the nation. In addition, only female relatives are allowed to wash and view a naked female body.
Yusuf said that an autopsy of just Alia Ansari's head, rather than her full body, would be acceptable.
Hassan Ansari, Alia's brother, said family members were planning to take legal action to stop the autopsy, but said they were leaving the decision in the hands of her husband, Ahmadullah Ansari.
Throughout the day, a weeping procession of dozens of relatives and Afghan community members filed into the Ansaris' apartment in the Glenmoor neighborhood of Fremont. It is a short walk from a cluster of Afghan businesses often called Little Kabul, the economic heart of the largest Afghan community in the nation.
Friends and relatives said they could see no reason, other than the head scarf, why a stranger would want to kill Alia Ansari, who was often described as "kind" and "innocent."
Most classical interpretations of Islam require women to wear a head scarf, although only a fraction of American Muslim women wear one, several female Muslim leaders said.
"What happened here is an act of terrorism," said Rona Popal, executive director of the Afghan Coalition, which provides services to the community. "There is no reason to shoot an innocent woman walking down the street, holding her child."
Local Muslim leaders and the victim's relatives attributed blame to an American culture of violence, propagated through movies and video games that reward players for killing. In addition, they said things such as talk radio, politicians and religious zealotry by some Christians had focused on Muslims since the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Justice will not be served by merely catching the killer," said Hassan Ansari. "We have to figure out how to stop these kinds of things from happening. ... American society is what feeds people's ignorance."
"Mostly it's the fault of the media, because they show Muslims in such a way that people hate them," said Feraidoon Mojadedi, owner of the Rumi Bookstore in Little Kabul. "People are dying all over the world, but what did she have to do with it? She's a housewife, a mother of children."
Three women at the Islamic Society of the East Bay said they would continue to wear head scarves even if the killing was a hate crime. "Even if they wiped out everyone on Earth, I would not remove the hijab," said Suzanne Azim, 43, a Hayward resident.
Alia Ansari, 37, had lived in the United States since 1986 and had become a U.S. citizen, family members said. Like many Afghan Americans, Ansari was a refugee from the war against the Soviet Union. She came from Mazar-e Sharif, where her sole sister still lives.
She typically drove to pick up two of her daughters from Glenmoor Elementary School, but left home on foot Thursday because of engine trouble. Witnesses said a man got out of a car, approached her and shot her at point-blank range before returning to the car and speeding away.
The young daughter who was with Ansari was unharmed, Swadener said.
When Ansari was shot, her daughter began crying and later told her family over and over, "A man killed my mother," said Hassan Ansari.
Maria Garcia, who lives across the street from where the shooting occurred, said, "I didn't see what happened but I heard the gunfire, and I heard the crying of the child."
The slaying marks the second time someone in the victim's family has been shot and killed in Fremont. In January 2002, Afghan community leader Rahim Ansari, 34, of Union City was shot and killed inside his business, Pamir Travel, in Little Kabul.
The suspected gunman in that incident, upset over a spurned romance, also wounded Rahim Ansari's brother-in-law, Zabiullah Ansari, a second-cousin of Alia Ansari. In an interview Friday, Zabiullah Ansari, 48, expressed hope that the right person had been arrested. But he said, "They don't know what happened.
"You're killed in front of your kid -- how can people do that? They're not human beings. This lady was totally innocent. Why did someone shoot her? "
Fremont slaying: Muslim leaders and relatives of Afghan American mother shot at point-blank range say only motive they can imagine for anyone wanting her dead was the garment of her faith, her head scarf
Local Muslim leaders on Friday denounced as a likely hate crime the brazen daylight shooting death in Fremont of a mother of six, and police said that they had arrested a parolee described as a "person of interest" in connection with the slaying.
Killed Thursday by a single bullet to the head as she walked with her 3-year-old daughter on a well-to-do residential street, she was distinguished by a hijab, the head scarf worn by some devout Muslim women. The Afghan immigrant had no purse or money on her, family members said.
Stunned relatives and Muslim leaders said the only motive they could see, outside of insanity, would be hatred.
"Whoever did this did not see Alia Ansari, a mother of six children," said Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, one of the nation's most respected Muslim scholars and leaders, who spoke to the media outside of the Ansaris' modest two-bedroom apartment. "He saw a symbol of something that people are taught to hate."
"All that we can assume is that it's a hate crime," said Hassan Ansari, 23, the youngest of Alia Ansari's seven siblings.
Fremont police said Friday that they don't know why Ansari was killed. At about 2:40 p.m. Thursday, she was walking near Central Avenue and Glenmoor Drive with her 3-year-old daughter to pick up two other children from elementary school when a man opened fire before fleeing in a car.
"We still have no definite indication as to motive," said police Sgt. Jeff Swadener, a department spokesman. "Was it racial? Was it a hate crime? Was it a street robbery or a random act of violence? I don't know."
Police said a 27-year-old Fremont man was being held on an unrelated parole violation but remained a person of interest in the homicide. His name wasn't released.
Police detained the man about an hour after the shooting and about a mile away. Officers pulled the man over near Mowry Avenue and Blacow Road because he and his black Toyota Tercel matched the description provided by witnesses, police said.
"We're still up in the air as far as the actual involvement or linking to the homicide," Swadener said.
The Alameda County coroner had planned to do an autopsy Friday, but Ansari's relatives said they want to keep her body intact because of their religious beliefs. A coroner's spokesman declined to discuss the delay but said a decision on how to proceed could be made Monday.
Islam prohibits the desecration of any dead body, said Yusuf, co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, believed to be the first Islamic seminary in the nation. In addition, only female relatives are allowed to wash and view a naked female body.
Yusuf said that an autopsy of just Alia Ansari's head, rather than her full body, would be acceptable.
Hassan Ansari, Alia's brother, said family members were planning to take legal action to stop the autopsy, but said they were leaving the decision in the hands of her husband, Ahmadullah Ansari.
Throughout the day, a weeping procession of dozens of relatives and Afghan community members filed into the Ansaris' apartment in the Glenmoor neighborhood of Fremont. It is a short walk from a cluster of Afghan businesses often called Little Kabul, the economic heart of the largest Afghan community in the nation.
Friends and relatives said they could see no reason, other than the head scarf, why a stranger would want to kill Alia Ansari, who was often described as "kind" and "innocent."
Most classical interpretations of Islam require women to wear a head scarf, although only a fraction of American Muslim women wear one, several female Muslim leaders said.
"What happened here is an act of terrorism," said Rona Popal, executive director of the Afghan Coalition, which provides services to the community. "There is no reason to shoot an innocent woman walking down the street, holding her child."
Local Muslim leaders and the victim's relatives attributed blame to an American culture of violence, propagated through movies and video games that reward players for killing. In addition, they said things such as talk radio, politicians and religious zealotry by some Christians had focused on Muslims since the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Justice will not be served by merely catching the killer," said Hassan Ansari. "We have to figure out how to stop these kinds of things from happening. ... American society is what feeds people's ignorance."
"Mostly it's the fault of the media, because they show Muslims in such a way that people hate them," said Feraidoon Mojadedi, owner of the Rumi Bookstore in Little Kabul. "People are dying all over the world, but what did she have to do with it? She's a housewife, a mother of children."
Three women at the Islamic Society of the East Bay said they would continue to wear head scarves even if the killing was a hate crime. "Even if they wiped out everyone on Earth, I would not remove the hijab," said Suzanne Azim, 43, a Hayward resident.
Alia Ansari, 37, had lived in the United States since 1986 and had become a U.S. citizen, family members said. Like many Afghan Americans, Ansari was a refugee from the war against the Soviet Union. She came from Mazar-e Sharif, where her sole sister still lives.
She typically drove to pick up two of her daughters from Glenmoor Elementary School, but left home on foot Thursday because of engine trouble. Witnesses said a man got out of a car, approached her and shot her at point-blank range before returning to the car and speeding away.
The young daughter who was with Ansari was unharmed, Swadener said.
When Ansari was shot, her daughter began crying and later told her family over and over, "A man killed my mother," said Hassan Ansari.
Maria Garcia, who lives across the street from where the shooting occurred, said, "I didn't see what happened but I heard the gunfire, and I heard the crying of the child."
The slaying marks the second time someone in the victim's family has been shot and killed in Fremont. In January 2002, Afghan community leader Rahim Ansari, 34, of Union City was shot and killed inside his business, Pamir Travel, in Little Kabul.
The suspected gunman in that incident, upset over a spurned romance, also wounded Rahim Ansari's brother-in-law, Zabiullah Ansari, a second-cousin of Alia Ansari. In an interview Friday, Zabiullah Ansari, 48, expressed hope that the right person had been arrested. But he said, "They don't know what happened.
"You're killed in front of your kid -- how can people do that? They're not human beings. This lady was totally innocent. Why did someone shoot her? "
Words of wisdom
"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of God. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing God and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him. And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness."
- Imam ibnul Qayyim
- Imam ibnul Qayyim
Pearls of hadith
Assalamo Aleikum wrb
I pray to Allah swt that everyone is doing well and that you are having blessed holidays.
I have just returned back from a journey in Africa and insh Allah I will like to share some of my feelings and experiences with you. But before I recollect my thoughts I wanted to leave you with 50 ahadith (thanks to brother Adamo) which I believe could change your life if you live by them. We need to get back to practicing the teachings our our beloved prophet Muhammad sas and we will change the world insh Allah.
Pearls of Hadith
1. "Acquire knowledge, it enables its professor to distinguish right from wrong; it lights the way to heaven. It is our friend in the desert, our company in solitude and companion when friendless. It guides us to happiness, it sustains us in misery, it is an ornament amongst friends and an armour against enemies."
2. "A Muslim who plants a tree or sows a field, from which man, birds and animals can eat, is committing an act of charity." (Muslim)
3. "There is a polish for everything that takes away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah." (Bukhari)
4. "What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured." (Bukhari)
5. "The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self." (Bukhari)
6. "If you put your whole trust in Allah, as you ought, He most certainly will satisfy your needs, as He satisfies those of the birds. They come out hungry in the morning, but return full to their nests." (Tirmidhi)
7. "When Allah created his creatures He wrote above His throne: 'Verily, my Compassion overcomes my wrath." (Bukhari & Muslim)
8. "Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures." (Abdullah b. Amr: Abu Daud & Tirmidhi)
9. " 'Son, if you are able, keep your heart from morning till night and from night till morning free from malice towards anyone.' Then the Prophet said: 'O my son! This is one of my laws, and he, who loves my laws verily loves me.' " (Bukhari)
10. "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." (Baihaqi)
11. "Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith." (Muslim)
12. "When you see a person who has been given more than you in money and beauty, look to those, who have been given less." (Muslim)
13. "If you do not feel ashamed of anything, then you can do whatever you like." (Abu-Masud: Bukhari)
14. "O Lord, grant me your love, grant me that I love those who love you; grant me, that I might do the deeds that win your love. Make your love dearer to me than the love of myself, my family and wealth." (Tirmidhi)
15. "It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words." (Bukhari)
16. "Verily, a man teaching his child manners is better than giving one bushel of grain in alms." (Muslim)
17. "Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He Who is in heaven will show mercy on you."(Abu Daud: Tirmidhi)
18. "It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path, that leads to bliss." (Muslim)
19. "Once a man, who was passing through a road, found a branch of a tree with torns obstructing it. The man removed the thorns from the way. Allah thanked him and forgave his sins." (Bukhari)
20. "Who are the learned? Those who practice what they know." (Bukhari)
21. "Allah has revealed to me, that you must be humble. No one should boast over one another, and no one should oppress another." (Iyad b. Hinar al-Mujashi: Muslim)
22. "Who is the most favoured of Allah? He, from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures." (Bukhari)
23. "A true Muslim is thankful to Allah in prosperity, and resigned to His will in adversity." (Muslim)
24. "A Muslim who meets with others and shares their burdens is better than one who lives a life of seclusion and contemplation. " (Muslim)
25. "Serve Allah, as you would if you could see Him; although you cannot see Him, He can see you. (Umar: Muslim)
26. "Allah does not look at your appearance or your possessions; but He looks at your heart and your deeds." (Abu Huraira: Muslim)
27. "The best richness is the richness of the soul." (at the field ofTabuk, Syria, Rajab 9 A.H.: Bukhari)
28. "Keep yourselves far from envy; because it eats up and takes away good actions, like a fire eats up and burns wood." (Abu Daud)
29. "Much silence and a good disposition, there are no two things better than these." (Bukhari)
30. "Verily, Allah is mild and is fond of mildness, and He gives to the mild what He does not give to the harsh." (Muslim)
31. "Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him." (Bukhari)
32. "Once the Prophet was asked:'Tell us, which action is dearest to Allah?' He answered:'To say your prayer at its proper time.' Again he was asked: 'What comes next?' Mohammed said: 'To show kindness to parents.' 'Then what?' he was asked, 'To strive for the cause of Allah!' " (Ibn Masad: Bukhari)
33. "When two persons are together, two of them must no whisper to each other, without letting the third hear; because it would hurt him." (Bukhari & Muslim)
34. "Verily, it is one of the respects to Allah to honor an old man." (Bukhari)
35. "All Muslims are like a foundation, each strengthening the other; in such a way they do support each other." (Abu Musa: Bukhari & Muslim)
36. "Strive always to excel in virtue and truth." (Bukhari)
37. "You will not enter paradise until you have faith; and you will not complete your faith till you love one another." (Muslim)
38. "He, who wishes to enter paradise at the best gate, must please his father and mother." (Bukhari & Muslim)
39. "I am leaving two things among you, and if you cling to them firmly you will never go astray; one is the Book of Allah and the other is my way of life." (Farewell Pilgrimage: Muatta)
40. "Allah is One and likes Unity." (Muslim)
41. "The best of alms is that, which the right hand gives and the left hand knows not of." (Bukhari)
42. "The perfect Muslim is not a perfect Muslim, who eats till he is full and leaves his neighbors hungry." (Ibn Abbas: Baihaqi)
43. "He is not of us who is not affectionate to the little ones, and does not respect the old; and he is not of us, who does not order which is lawful, and prohibits that which is unlawful." (Ibn Abbas: Tirmidhi)
44. "No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that, what he desires for himself." (Abu Hamza Anas: Bukhari & Muslim)
45. "To strive for the cause of Allah from daybreak to noon and sunset is better than the goods and enjoyment of the whole worldly life." (Bukhari)
46. "Be not like the hypocrite who, when he talks, tells lies; when he gives a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he proves dishonest." (Bukhari & Muslim)
47. "The proof of a Muslim's sincerity is, that he pays no heed to that, which is not his business." (Abu Hureira: Tirmidhi)
48. "Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind." (Muslims & Bukhari)
49. "Conduct yourself in this world, as if you are here to stay forever; prepare for eternity as if you have to die tomorrow." (Bukhari)
50. "The worldly comforts are not for me. I am like a traveller, who takes a rest under a tree in the shade and then goes on his way." (Tirmidhi)
--------------------
I pray to Allah swt that everyone is doing well and that you are having blessed holidays.
I have just returned back from a journey in Africa and insh Allah I will like to share some of my feelings and experiences with you. But before I recollect my thoughts I wanted to leave you with 50 ahadith (thanks to brother Adamo) which I believe could change your life if you live by them. We need to get back to practicing the teachings our our beloved prophet Muhammad sas and we will change the world insh Allah.
Pearls of Hadith
1. "Acquire knowledge, it enables its professor to distinguish right from wrong; it lights the way to heaven. It is our friend in the desert, our company in solitude and companion when friendless. It guides us to happiness, it sustains us in misery, it is an ornament amongst friends and an armour against enemies."
2. "A Muslim who plants a tree or sows a field, from which man, birds and animals can eat, is committing an act of charity." (Muslim)
3. "There is a polish for everything that takes away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah." (Bukhari)
4. "What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured." (Bukhari)
5. "The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self." (Bukhari)
6. "If you put your whole trust in Allah, as you ought, He most certainly will satisfy your needs, as He satisfies those of the birds. They come out hungry in the morning, but return full to their nests." (Tirmidhi)
7. "When Allah created his creatures He wrote above His throne: 'Verily, my Compassion overcomes my wrath." (Bukhari & Muslim)
8. "Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures." (Abdullah b. Amr: Abu Daud & Tirmidhi)
9. " 'Son, if you are able, keep your heart from morning till night and from night till morning free from malice towards anyone.' Then the Prophet said: 'O my son! This is one of my laws, and he, who loves my laws verily loves me.' " (Bukhari)
10. "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." (Baihaqi)
11. "Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith." (Muslim)
12. "When you see a person who has been given more than you in money and beauty, look to those, who have been given less." (Muslim)
13. "If you do not feel ashamed of anything, then you can do whatever you like." (Abu-Masud: Bukhari)
14. "O Lord, grant me your love, grant me that I love those who love you; grant me, that I might do the deeds that win your love. Make your love dearer to me than the love of myself, my family and wealth." (Tirmidhi)
15. "It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words." (Bukhari)
16. "Verily, a man teaching his child manners is better than giving one bushel of grain in alms." (Muslim)
17. "Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He Who is in heaven will show mercy on you."(Abu Daud: Tirmidhi)
18. "It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path, that leads to bliss." (Muslim)
19. "Once a man, who was passing through a road, found a branch of a tree with torns obstructing it. The man removed the thorns from the way. Allah thanked him and forgave his sins." (Bukhari)
20. "Who are the learned? Those who practice what they know." (Bukhari)
21. "Allah has revealed to me, that you must be humble. No one should boast over one another, and no one should oppress another." (Iyad b. Hinar al-Mujashi: Muslim)
22. "Who is the most favoured of Allah? He, from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures." (Bukhari)
23. "A true Muslim is thankful to Allah in prosperity, and resigned to His will in adversity." (Muslim)
24. "A Muslim who meets with others and shares their burdens is better than one who lives a life of seclusion and contemplation. " (Muslim)
25. "Serve Allah, as you would if you could see Him; although you cannot see Him, He can see you. (Umar: Muslim)
26. "Allah does not look at your appearance or your possessions; but He looks at your heart and your deeds." (Abu Huraira: Muslim)
27. "The best richness is the richness of the soul." (at the field ofTabuk, Syria, Rajab 9 A.H.: Bukhari)
28. "Keep yourselves far from envy; because it eats up and takes away good actions, like a fire eats up and burns wood." (Abu Daud)
29. "Much silence and a good disposition, there are no two things better than these." (Bukhari)
30. "Verily, Allah is mild and is fond of mildness, and He gives to the mild what He does not give to the harsh." (Muslim)
31. "Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him." (Bukhari)
32. "Once the Prophet was asked:'Tell us, which action is dearest to Allah?' He answered:'To say your prayer at its proper time.' Again he was asked: 'What comes next?' Mohammed said: 'To show kindness to parents.' 'Then what?' he was asked, 'To strive for the cause of Allah!' " (Ibn Masad: Bukhari)
33. "When two persons are together, two of them must no whisper to each other, without letting the third hear; because it would hurt him." (Bukhari & Muslim)
34. "Verily, it is one of the respects to Allah to honor an old man." (Bukhari)
35. "All Muslims are like a foundation, each strengthening the other; in such a way they do support each other." (Abu Musa: Bukhari & Muslim)
36. "Strive always to excel in virtue and truth." (Bukhari)
37. "You will not enter paradise until you have faith; and you will not complete your faith till you love one another." (Muslim)
38. "He, who wishes to enter paradise at the best gate, must please his father and mother." (Bukhari & Muslim)
39. "I am leaving two things among you, and if you cling to them firmly you will never go astray; one is the Book of Allah and the other is my way of life." (Farewell Pilgrimage: Muatta)
40. "Allah is One and likes Unity." (Muslim)
41. "The best of alms is that, which the right hand gives and the left hand knows not of." (Bukhari)
42. "The perfect Muslim is not a perfect Muslim, who eats till he is full and leaves his neighbors hungry." (Ibn Abbas: Baihaqi)
43. "He is not of us who is not affectionate to the little ones, and does not respect the old; and he is not of us, who does not order which is lawful, and prohibits that which is unlawful." (Ibn Abbas: Tirmidhi)
44. "No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that, what he desires for himself." (Abu Hamza Anas: Bukhari & Muslim)
45. "To strive for the cause of Allah from daybreak to noon and sunset is better than the goods and enjoyment of the whole worldly life." (Bukhari)
46. "Be not like the hypocrite who, when he talks, tells lies; when he gives a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he proves dishonest." (Bukhari & Muslim)
47. "The proof of a Muslim's sincerity is, that he pays no heed to that, which is not his business." (Abu Hureira: Tirmidhi)
48. "Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind." (Muslims & Bukhari)
49. "Conduct yourself in this world, as if you are here to stay forever; prepare for eternity as if you have to die tomorrow." (Bukhari)
50. "The worldly comforts are not for me. I am like a traveller, who takes a rest under a tree in the shade and then goes on his way." (Tirmidhi)
--------------------
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mercy and compassion is instilled in every creature
The Qur'an Majeed says: "There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings, but they are communities like you…". (Qur'an 6:38).
Look at this video subhan Allah amazing how this dog saves his or her companion, only if we could learn from them
Look at this video subhan Allah amazing how this dog saves his or her companion, only if we could learn from them
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Brother Adamo's response to a missionary
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
I want to begin by Praising and Thanking God, for truly there is none worthy of Praise or Thanks but Him.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but the One True God, whom has no partner in His Glory, who Is absolutely One, who has no son and no mother, He begets not and never was He begotten. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and His Final Messenger, whom was sent to the lost tribes of the desert of Arabia to proclaim the Message of Pure Monotheism, to restore it's people back to the faith of Abraham and the Prophets, peace be upon them all. I seek the Grace of God, for by His Grace all things are possible, and I seek His Help and His Guidance, for those whom He Guides to Himself can never stray. He is the Ever Living Eternal One, the One who spoke directly to Moses, and the One who was worshiped and Glorified by Jesus. I ask God to reward the believers with the ultimate blessing, with is to look upon His Glorious and Radiant Face in the Hereafter, and to be with Him for Eternity. I send peace and blessings upon all of His Prophets, and upon His Final Prophet, and upon his family, his companions, and all those who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Resurrection, ameen.
Peace be with you John, I read the email you sent to my mother regarding the confrontation of Catholics and Muslims. I was born in a Roman Catholic home, and after a long search and journey seeking the Truth, I found Islam by the Guidance of the Most Merciful. So as you know, I am a Muslim. And I say this with the utmost humility, not our of pride or arrogance. A Muslim is one who submits himself to God alone, this is the literal meaning of a Muslim. For God Almighty has commanded the Muslim in the Holy Qur'an:
"And the servants of Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!" Qur'an 25:63
As I know, you are a Christian, and as most Christians you might not have a true understanding of Islam and what it truly means. So before I attempt to respond to the points you made in that email, I must summarize the essence of Islam and its meaning.
The arabic word Islam literally means "surrender" or "submission". Islam, as a faith, means total and sincere surrender to God alone so that one can live in peace and tranquility.
The name Islam is Universal in meaning. Islam is not named after a tribe of people or an individual, as Judaism is named after the tribe of Judah, Christianity after Christ, and Buddhism after Buddha. Islam is not a name chosen by human beings; it was divinely communicated from God. Islam is a complete way of life, implying total sincere submission to God. One who surrenders his or her will to God willingly, is called a Muslim. It was Adam who brought Islam to humanity, since it is the same Message and Way that God revealed since the beginning of time. It is only logical that the name of God's religion or path that He has prescribed for us to follow, should be Universal and not restricted to a certain people, place or time. The name Islam is unique in that it is the only Religion where it's name is not derived from a person, place or thing. And it's essence is so Universal that it can be applied to anytime or place in history where a group of people simply believed in the one God and bowed to Him alone.
Islam simply means to submit yourself to God. Islam has a combination of three central meaning, submission, peace, and salvation. So as a whole, Islam literally means "submitting to the Will of God, and by doing this you will achieve peace and salvation." Being a Muslim is a constant action of submitting to God, it is a verb.. not a noun. All of the Prophets and Messenger submitting their whole self to the One God and Creator of the Universe, hence in essence they were 100 % Muslim (submitters to God). That is why we do not believe that Islam was a new Religion, but it was the completion of the same Universal Message that God has revealed throughout the ages. As God revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"The same religion He has established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah, which We have sent by inspiration to you, and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus." - Holy Qur'an 42:13
"We have sent you Inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him. We sent Inspiration to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms." Holy Qur'an 4:163
You said in your email that God established His promise and revelation with the Children of Israel, which is true and we believe this as well. But we do not believe that God restricted His Message to only a certain people, but that since the beginning of time every people was sent a Messenger to teach to them the Universal Truths of God. For God revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"And verily, We have sent among every Nation a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship God alone, and avoid evil and false deities" Then of them were some whom God guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied." Qur'ân 16:36
God also says:
"O Children of Israel! Call to mind the favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your covenant with Me as I fulfill My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me. And believe in what I reveal now, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price, and fear Me, and Me alone. And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when you know. And be steadfast in prayer, practice regular charity, and bow down your heads with those who bow down." Qur'an 2:40- 41
The Message of Islam is very same Message given to the Hebrews. The absolute pure unadulterated Monotheism of Islam is the same creed the Hebrews and the Prophet's brought for thousands of years. Never did any Prophet speak of God being a "trinity", the Hebrew Bible is explicit about this. God is One, and His Message is One and the same and does not change throughout History. The revelation of God is a straight line without any crookedness. You say in your email that..
"not from an Islamic understanding of God several centuries later following Christ’s revelation, with Islam linking itself to Abraham for legitimacy."
It is the doctrine of Christianity that is alien and blasphemous, the Jews and the Muslims are those that have maintained the Pure Monotheism that God has ordained since the beginning. God took that same Message that He gave to the Hebrews and when He revealed it again to Muhammad, He made it complete and for the whole world. That same Message that was sent to every people and ever tribe was now proclaimed for all of mankind. God's revelation is consistent, what He said to Noah, He said the same thing to Abraham, and to Moses and to all people. All of the Prophet's were Muslims because they worshiped none but God and submitted to Him, the Pure Message of Islam has always existed.
God revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"Never We send before a Messenger before you without this same inspiration sent by Us to him; that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me alone." Qur'an 21:25
John, I grew up a Catholic. Everything we ever did was dedicated to the virgin Mary, and the Saints an things other than the one true God. I got sick of this and I just wanted to worship God and nothing else, as the Prophet's did. Only Islam offered me this, and only Islam was so clear me and made perfect sense. I do not worship a mystery God, or a three in one mystery that can never be understood. I worship the one true and Ever Living God of the Prophets with nothing along side with Him. This is the Religion of the Prophet's, of the Hebrews, and of Jesus.
As for the so called old testament prophesies of Jesus being God or what not.. just talk to a Hebrew scholar or someone who knows the original Hebrew of the Tanach, and clearly you will be shown that the so called prophesies are purposely translated to fit Christian dogma. I just bought a Hebrew Bible with English, and it is not the exact same as the Christian translation. And as for the Catholic Church..
Christianity as we know it today is a result of hundreds of years of theological development and was not complete from the beginning. Here is some of my proof that I now offer from the "New Catholic Encyclopedia". The central and core doctrine of Christianity is the "trinity", this is Christianity's theological foundation, for God's nature is a crucial part of ones faith.
"It is difficult in the second half of the 20th century to offer a clear, objective and straightforward account of the revelation, doctrinal evolution, and theological elaboration of the Mystery of the trinity. Trinitarian discussion, Roman Catholic as well as other, present a somewhat unsteady silhouette. Two things have happened. There is the recognition on the part of exegetes and Biblical theologians, including a constantly growing number of Roman Catholics, that one should not speak of Trinitarianism in the New Testament without serious qualification. There is also the closely parallel recognition on the part of historians of dogma and systematic theologians that when one does speak of an unqualified Trinitarianism, one has moved from the period of Christian origins to, say, the last quadrant of the 4th century. It was only then that what might be called the definitive Trinitarian dogma 'One God in three Persons' became thoroughly assimilated into Christian life and thought ... it was the product of 3 centuries of doctrinal development" (emphasis added).
"The New Catholic Encyclopedia," Volume XIV, p. 295
But God Revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your way of life, but do not fear them, only fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your way of life" Qur'an 5:3
As For Jesus (peace be upon him), God revealed about him in the Holy Qur'an:
"When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: "Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah and obey me. "For God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone, this is the Straight Way."But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: then woe to the wrong-doers, from the Penalty of a Grievous Day!" Qur'an 43:63-65
Jesus was a servant of God, he called people to worship God alone. Many early Christian groups held to this belief that Jesus was a servant of God who called people to worship God. The Ebionites are an example of Jewish Christians who denied the divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him).
In the end, Islam is simply the worship of God alone. All beings in the Heavens and on Earth bow to the Creator and nothing else. Bowing to images of human beings or any living thing, or seeking refuge in things other than the Creator are blasphemous before God and violate the First Commandment which was the very cornerstone of truth that each Prophet taught, including Jesus. I once bowed to images and statues of Mary and Saints, but now I bow to God my Creator, the One True God and only King and Lord, the same God Jesus relied upon and worshiped in submission. Islam has liberated me from the idolatry of Roman Catholicism, it has liberated me from worshiping pictures and dead people, I now worship my Creator alone and have a direct and personal relationship with Him, if Moses spoke directly to God, then so can I, without any barriers. And many people are coming to the light of Islam, dozens people have embraced Islam in our Mosque in the past year, and more people are seeing the Truth.
"Don't you see that to God bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth, the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind?" Qur'an 22:18
"I am the Lord and there is no other, besides me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, men may know that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord and there is no other. I form the Light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster. I, the Lord, do all these things." Isaiah 45: 5-7
"God! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal One. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the Heavens and on Earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He gives permission? He knowswhat (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Footstool extends over the Heavens and the Earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme." Qur'an 2:255
AND IN THE WISE WORDS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him)
"My relation to the long chain of Prophets can be understood by the parable of a Palace. The Palace was most beautifully built. Everything was complete therein except that one brick. I am that brick and now the Palace has been completed." - Prophet Muhammad (s)
I want to begin by Praising and Thanking God, for truly there is none worthy of Praise or Thanks but Him.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but the One True God, whom has no partner in His Glory, who Is absolutely One, who has no son and no mother, He begets not and never was He begotten. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and His Final Messenger, whom was sent to the lost tribes of the desert of Arabia to proclaim the Message of Pure Monotheism, to restore it's people back to the faith of Abraham and the Prophets, peace be upon them all. I seek the Grace of God, for by His Grace all things are possible, and I seek His Help and His Guidance, for those whom He Guides to Himself can never stray. He is the Ever Living Eternal One, the One who spoke directly to Moses, and the One who was worshiped and Glorified by Jesus. I ask God to reward the believers with the ultimate blessing, with is to look upon His Glorious and Radiant Face in the Hereafter, and to be with Him for Eternity. I send peace and blessings upon all of His Prophets, and upon His Final Prophet, and upon his family, his companions, and all those who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Resurrection, ameen.
Peace be with you John, I read the email you sent to my mother regarding the confrontation of Catholics and Muslims. I was born in a Roman Catholic home, and after a long search and journey seeking the Truth, I found Islam by the Guidance of the Most Merciful. So as you know, I am a Muslim. And I say this with the utmost humility, not our of pride or arrogance. A Muslim is one who submits himself to God alone, this is the literal meaning of a Muslim. For God Almighty has commanded the Muslim in the Holy Qur'an:
"And the servants of Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!" Qur'an 25:63
As I know, you are a Christian, and as most Christians you might not have a true understanding of Islam and what it truly means. So before I attempt to respond to the points you made in that email, I must summarize the essence of Islam and its meaning.
The arabic word Islam literally means "surrender" or "submission". Islam, as a faith, means total and sincere surrender to God alone so that one can live in peace and tranquility.
The name Islam is Universal in meaning. Islam is not named after a tribe of people or an individual, as Judaism is named after the tribe of Judah, Christianity after Christ, and Buddhism after Buddha. Islam is not a name chosen by human beings; it was divinely communicated from God. Islam is a complete way of life, implying total sincere submission to God. One who surrenders his or her will to God willingly, is called a Muslim. It was Adam who brought Islam to humanity, since it is the same Message and Way that God revealed since the beginning of time. It is only logical that the name of God's religion or path that He has prescribed for us to follow, should be Universal and not restricted to a certain people, place or time. The name Islam is unique in that it is the only Religion where it's name is not derived from a person, place or thing. And it's essence is so Universal that it can be applied to anytime or place in history where a group of people simply believed in the one God and bowed to Him alone.
Islam simply means to submit yourself to God. Islam has a combination of three central meaning, submission, peace, and salvation. So as a whole, Islam literally means "submitting to the Will of God, and by doing this you will achieve peace and salvation." Being a Muslim is a constant action of submitting to God, it is a verb.. not a noun. All of the Prophets and Messenger submitting their whole self to the One God and Creator of the Universe, hence in essence they were 100 % Muslim (submitters to God). That is why we do not believe that Islam was a new Religion, but it was the completion of the same Universal Message that God has revealed throughout the ages. As God revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"The same religion He has established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah, which We have sent by inspiration to you, and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus." - Holy Qur'an 42:13
"We have sent you Inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him. We sent Inspiration to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms." Holy Qur'an 4:163
You said in your email that God established His promise and revelation with the Children of Israel, which is true and we believe this as well. But we do not believe that God restricted His Message to only a certain people, but that since the beginning of time every people was sent a Messenger to teach to them the Universal Truths of God. For God revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"And verily, We have sent among every Nation a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship God alone, and avoid evil and false deities" Then of them were some whom God guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied." Qur'ân 16:36
God also says:
"O Children of Israel! Call to mind the favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your covenant with Me as I fulfill My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me. And believe in what I reveal now, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price, and fear Me, and Me alone. And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when you know. And be steadfast in prayer, practice regular charity, and bow down your heads with those who bow down." Qur'an 2:40- 41
The Message of Islam is very same Message given to the Hebrews. The absolute pure unadulterated Monotheism of Islam is the same creed the Hebrews and the Prophet's brought for thousands of years. Never did any Prophet speak of God being a "trinity", the Hebrew Bible is explicit about this. God is One, and His Message is One and the same and does not change throughout History. The revelation of God is a straight line without any crookedness. You say in your email that..
"not from an Islamic understanding of God several centuries later following Christ’s revelation, with Islam linking itself to Abraham for legitimacy."
It is the doctrine of Christianity that is alien and blasphemous, the Jews and the Muslims are those that have maintained the Pure Monotheism that God has ordained since the beginning. God took that same Message that He gave to the Hebrews and when He revealed it again to Muhammad, He made it complete and for the whole world. That same Message that was sent to every people and ever tribe was now proclaimed for all of mankind. God's revelation is consistent, what He said to Noah, He said the same thing to Abraham, and to Moses and to all people. All of the Prophet's were Muslims because they worshiped none but God and submitted to Him, the Pure Message of Islam has always existed.
God revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"Never We send before a Messenger before you without this same inspiration sent by Us to him; that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me alone." Qur'an 21:25
John, I grew up a Catholic. Everything we ever did was dedicated to the virgin Mary, and the Saints an things other than the one true God. I got sick of this and I just wanted to worship God and nothing else, as the Prophet's did. Only Islam offered me this, and only Islam was so clear me and made perfect sense. I do not worship a mystery God, or a three in one mystery that can never be understood. I worship the one true and Ever Living God of the Prophets with nothing along side with Him. This is the Religion of the Prophet's, of the Hebrews, and of Jesus.
As for the so called old testament prophesies of Jesus being God or what not.. just talk to a Hebrew scholar or someone who knows the original Hebrew of the Tanach, and clearly you will be shown that the so called prophesies are purposely translated to fit Christian dogma. I just bought a Hebrew Bible with English, and it is not the exact same as the Christian translation. And as for the Catholic Church..
Christianity as we know it today is a result of hundreds of years of theological development and was not complete from the beginning. Here is some of my proof that I now offer from the "New Catholic Encyclopedia". The central and core doctrine of Christianity is the "trinity", this is Christianity's theological foundation, for God's nature is a crucial part of ones faith.
"It is difficult in the second half of the 20th century to offer a clear, objective and straightforward account of the revelation, doctrinal evolution, and theological elaboration of the Mystery of the trinity. Trinitarian discussion, Roman Catholic as well as other, present a somewhat unsteady silhouette. Two things have happened. There is the recognition on the part of exegetes and Biblical theologians, including a constantly growing number of Roman Catholics, that one should not speak of Trinitarianism in the New Testament without serious qualification. There is also the closely parallel recognition on the part of historians of dogma and systematic theologians that when one does speak of an unqualified Trinitarianism, one has moved from the period of Christian origins to, say, the last quadrant of the 4th century. It was only then that what might be called the definitive Trinitarian dogma 'One God in three Persons' became thoroughly assimilated into Christian life and thought ... it was the product of 3 centuries of doctrinal development" (emphasis added).
"The New Catholic Encyclopedia," Volume XIV, p. 295
But God Revealed in the Holy Qur'an:
"This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your way of life, but do not fear them, only fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your way of life" Qur'an 5:3
As For Jesus (peace be upon him), God revealed about him in the Holy Qur'an:
"When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: "Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah and obey me. "For God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone, this is the Straight Way."But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: then woe to the wrong-doers, from the Penalty of a Grievous Day!" Qur'an 43:63-65
Jesus was a servant of God, he called people to worship God alone. Many early Christian groups held to this belief that Jesus was a servant of God who called people to worship God. The Ebionites are an example of Jewish Christians who denied the divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him).
In the end, Islam is simply the worship of God alone. All beings in the Heavens and on Earth bow to the Creator and nothing else. Bowing to images of human beings or any living thing, or seeking refuge in things other than the Creator are blasphemous before God and violate the First Commandment which was the very cornerstone of truth that each Prophet taught, including Jesus. I once bowed to images and statues of Mary and Saints, but now I bow to God my Creator, the One True God and only King and Lord, the same God Jesus relied upon and worshiped in submission. Islam has liberated me from the idolatry of Roman Catholicism, it has liberated me from worshiping pictures and dead people, I now worship my Creator alone and have a direct and personal relationship with Him, if Moses spoke directly to God, then so can I, without any barriers. And many people are coming to the light of Islam, dozens people have embraced Islam in our Mosque in the past year, and more people are seeing the Truth.
"Don't you see that to God bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth, the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind?" Qur'an 22:18
"I am the Lord and there is no other, besides me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, men may know that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord and there is no other. I form the Light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster. I, the Lord, do all these things." Isaiah 45: 5-7
"God! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal One. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the Heavens and on Earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He gives permission? He knowswhat (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Footstool extends over the Heavens and the Earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme." Qur'an 2:255
AND IN THE WISE WORDS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him)
"My relation to the long chain of Prophets can be understood by the parable of a Palace. The Palace was most beautifully built. Everything was complete therein except that one brick. I am that brick and now the Palace has been completed." - Prophet Muhammad (s)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)