How are Muslims supposed to treat people of other faiths?

Isn’t Islam intolerant of other religions?

Tolerance is the attitude that should govern the dealings of all people with one another. Religious tolerance is an essential principle of Islam and Muslims are ordered to have good relations with people of all religions and be kind and courteous to everyone. Muslims are ordered by the Qur’an to uphold their promises and agreements with non-Muslims and not betray or transgress against them. The lives, families, properties and honor of non-Muslims must be protected under any government that claims to apply Islamic law. Non-Muslims are also guaranteed the right and freedom to practice their own religions in an Islamic state.

Islam is a religion of mercy and justice. It teaches its adherents to interact with all people and to cooperate with them for the betterment of mankind. More than ever today, Muslims need to work together with other groups that oppose oppression, bloodshed, corruption, promiscuity and perversion. They should also cooperate with non-Muslims in upholding truth and combating falsehood, in supporting the oppressed, and eliminating such dangers as pollution and disease.

Only enemies who harbor hatred and contempt against Islam are addressed by those Quranic verses that warn Muslims against taking them as intimates and allies. Muslims are compassion as members of the human brotherhood. They are always to behave kindly toward any non-Muslim who are not hostile, whether by offering financial help, feeding the hungry, giving loans when needed, or interceding in connection with permissible matters, even if only by speaking kindly and advising them. The Quran addresses believers, saying:

” Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who are just.” (Quran, 60: 8 )

Thus, it is not permissible under any circumstance for Muslims to mistreat a non-Muslim who has not committed any aggression against them; they are not allowed to harm, threaten or terrorize him, steal his wealth, cheat him or deprive him of his rights. It is obligatory upon Muslims as well to honor whatever lawful treaties and agreements are made with non-Muslim parties.

Coexistence does not mean that we cease to promote our positive values. As an aspect of their kindness and concern for humanity, Muslims are expected to invite non-Muslims o the truth of Islam with words of wisdom, sound arguments and a pleasant manner. This is a debt owed by Muslims to the peoples of the world in gratitude to God for his guidance and countless blessings.

 

Saheeh International
Dar Abu-AlQasm

Beloved mothers

Queen Elizabeth visits a Mosque in UAE

Britians Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip went to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The Mosque was named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first president of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the six largest in the world and can house up to 40,000 worshippers.

Every day the mosque is visited by tourists who want to see the world’s biggest carpet, weighing 47 tons, and the largest chandelier, with a diameter of 10 meters.

VOTE Muhammad

 PLEASE SHARE AND VOTE!!!

 

The www.BestofMen.org is pleased to announce that the following 10 candidates have been nominated for the final round of the Best of Men of All times. The listing is in alphabetical order, and visitors can vote for any one of them as the Best of Men. Voters may find a brief history of the candidates in the Profile section.

Who is the Best of Men?

       Abraham Lincoln

       Albert Einstein

       Buddha

       Jesus Christ

       Karl Marx

       Mahatma Gandhi

       Martin Luther

       Muhammad

       Saint Paul

      William Shakespeare

The declaration of results for Best of Men Vote has been scheduled to 11/1/11 (11th Jan 2011).

Quotes

“A fantastic research to find whom the people of the world love” – ST News

“No doubt the final out come of this visionary research will create a massive public interest in the life of frontrunner of this poll “- PDA Voice

“A fantastic research to find whom the people of the world love” – ST News

 

Muslim manga – Why?

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Tony Blair’s sister-in-law converts to Islam

Tony Blair’s sister-in-law has converted to Islam after having what she describes as a “holy experience” during a visit to Iran.

Journalist and broadcaster Lauren Booth, 43 – Cherie Blair’s sister – now wears a hijab whenever she leaves her home, prays five times a day and visits her local mosque whenever she can.

She decided to become a Muslim six weeks ago after visiting the shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh in the city of Qom.

“It was a Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy,” she said in an interview today.

When she returned to Britain, she decided to convert immediately.

Booth – who works for Press TV, the English-language Iranian news channel – has stopped eating pork and reads the Qur’an every day. She is currently on page 60.

Booth has stopped drinking alcohol and says she has not wanted to drink since converting.

Before her spiritual awakening in Iran, she had been “sympathetic” to Islam and has spent considerable time working in Palestine, she said, adding that she hoped her conversion would help Blair change his presumptions about Islam.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics

What is Jihad?

The image of Muslim women in some people’s mind.

“Jihad” is a term often misunderstood and associated with violent radical militants. This Arabic word is frequently mistranslated as ” holy war,” although there is no such thing in Islam. Holy war is something undertaken to forcibly subject others to certain religious doctrines. As we have seen this expressly forbidden in Islam.

The concept of Jihad in peoples mind

The Arabic word “Jihad” actually means a struggle or striving within and applies to any great effort on the personal as well as the evil from oneself and from society. This exertion of effort can be spiritual, social, economic or political. For example, one of the highest levels of jihad is to stand before a tyrant and speak a word of truth. Restraining the self from wrongdoing is also a form of jihad. It is a broad Islamic concept that includes opposing evil inclinations within the self, opposing injustice by peaceful means, the exertion o effort to improve the quality of life in society, as well as striving by military forces on a battlefield in defense of the community or of peoples oppressed.  Jihad is not synonymous with war, as that is only one possible aspect of the term and it certainly does not include terrorism!

There is also jihad of the soul, which means striving to purify the soul, to increase its faith, incline it toward good and keep it away from evil. Then there is jihad through wealth, which means spending it in various beneficial ways, including charities and welfare projects. And there is jihad through the self  which comprises all good works done by a believer.

It includes the protection of societies from oppression, foreign domination and dictatorships that usurp rights and freedom, that abolish just and moral rule, that prevent people from hearing the truth or following it, and that practice religious persecution. Jihad endeavors to teach belief  in the one supreme God and worship of Him, to spread good values, virtue and morality through wise and proper methods. Jihad means striving for social reform and the elimination of ignorance, superstition, poverty, disease and racial discrimination. Among its main objectives is securing rights for weaker members of society against the impositions of the powerful and influential.

Armed jihad is not an option for Muslim individuals or groups. It can only be declared by the Muslim head of state and religious leadership. Moreover, it must never be fought for worldly gain, conquest or revenge. Muslims may only engage in battle to protect people’s lives, properties and freedom.

Compiled by Saheeh International

Hadith 2 – The Qur’an

. خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
. The most dutiful amongst you is the one who learns and teaches the Qur’an.
. En hayırlınız Kur’an’ı öğrenen ve öğretendir.
. ผู้ที่ดีเลิศในหมู่พวกท่านนั้นคือผู้เรียนและสอนอัลกุรอาน
. Der Beste unter euch ist jener, der den Quran lernt und weiterlehrt.

Wear a Hijab Day

 

 “Join us! If you are also horrified by the recent outrageous fear mongering of the right wing against American Muslims then here is a way to push back. I am not a Muslim but I plan to wear the hijab on 9/11 as a gesture to American Muslims that they are full citizens of this country and deserve the same rights as the rest of us. Concerned men might wear skull caps in solidarity with us women.”

From: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144913692209438&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=144913692209438

From Muslimah: There are good people out there that are looking for peace and not hate. We might find a large number of people who are against Islam and believes that we are the terrorists and this religion is only about hate. Yet, if they just give themselves the time to read and understand about Islam, I ‘m sure that all these misconceptions will be solved. May Allah take them to the right path Ameen.

Ramadan’s most remarkable events

• The Torah was bestowed on Prophet Moses
• The Bible was bestowed on Prophet Essa
  
• The Qura’an was bestowed on Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in the last ten days of Ramadan
• The death of Alsayeda Khadija ( The first wife of Prophet Mohammed PBUH)
  
• The death of Alsayeda Aisha ( The wife of Prophet Mohammed PBUH)
• The death of Fatema ( Prophet Mohammed’s PBUH daughter)
  
• The death of Ali Ibn Abi Talib
• The birth of Al Hassan Ibn Ali Ibn Abu Talib
• The Battle of Badr was won by the Muslims
  
• Amr Ibn Al Aas’ Mosque was built
• Muslims took over Mecca
• Muslims took over Al Andalus (Spain)

Ramadan 2010

To all Muslims around the world, Peace be upon you..
and to all non-Muslims, peace be upon you too ..

Its the time to change.. the time to forgive and love one another,
its the month of fasting, reading the Quran, praying and supplication..

The Holy month of Ramadan is back, this beautiful month that is filled with
peace and love..

30 days for us to be closer to Allah, for us to start a new beginning, for us to change our life
for the better .. before its to late.

Lets start from today in this beautiful month..

Lets forget the past and remember that life won’t last forever,
lets remember that Allah loves us..

and change . . from today.

and may Allah accept your prayers and fasting in these beautiful days.  Ameen

Hadith 1 – Mohammeds path

1. إِنَّ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ وَأَحْسَنَ الْهَدْيِ هَدْيُ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
1. Sözlerin en güzeli Allah’ın kitabı yolların en güzeli Muhammed’ in yoludur.
1. The best word is Allah’s book. The best path is Muhammad’s path.
1.คำพูดที่งดงามที่สุดคือคัมภีร์ของอัลลอฮและทางนำที่ดีเลิศที่สุดคือทางนำของมุหัมมัด صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
1. Wahrlich, das beste Wort ist das Wort Allahs, der beste Weg ist der Weg Muhammads (saws).

purpose of human creation

Allah, the Al Mighty, created human beings to do his bidding and to obey his commands. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“I have not created Jinn and mankind (for any other purpose) except to worship me” (51:56).

‘Worship’ in this verse means total obedience to Allah’s commands. The Quranic word for worship is ‘Ibadah. Everything we do comes under ‘Ibadah, if we do them for Allah’s sake. Our purpose in life is to please Allah through ‘Ibadah.

And so worship is the way to reach success and happiness in life and after death.

“The Muslim Educational Trust”

How to become a Muslim

You need to believe that there is One God and Prophet Mohammed is his last Messenger. You need to believe in all of the prophets and the message that they brought which was monotheism. Belief in the angels and the last day. You need to believe that Prophet Jesus was not the son of God but a Prophet. In addition, you need to believe that Prophet Jesus will return back to Earth. You have to believe in the Bible, the Torah, (the first that came out, not these books we see these days) and the Quran. You need to have faith that the Quran is the final book for all mankind and it is the word of God. After you meet all of this criteria then you need to say the testimonal of faith to become a Muslim.

Do you want to become a Muslim?

Say with all your heart the following words:

La ilaha illa Allah
wa-Muhammad rasul Allah.

There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of God.

Welcome to Islam

How Muslims pray and what they say

 Who do Muslims pray to?  

Muslims pray to One God without associating any partners with Him. They pray facing the Holy Mosque in the city of Makkah. Facing this mosque is simply for uniformity and homogeneity in the prayers of all Muslims around the world and not as an act of worship to the mosque itself. 

Call to the prayers  

A Call is made from the mosque, indicating that it is time for the obligatory prayer. There are five obligatory prayers in a day. On hearing the Call, people start preparing themselves for the prayer. Appearing below is the transliteration and translation of what a caller to the prayer says. 

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
[God is the greatest, God is the greatest]
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
[God is the greatest, God is the greatest]
Ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah X2
[I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but God]
Ashadu anna Muhammadan rasoolullah X2
[I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God]
Hayya’alas salah  X2[Come to prayer,]
Hayya’alal falah  X2 [Come to success,]
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
[God is the greatest, God is the greatest]
La ilaha ill Allah
[There is no deity but God.] 

What do Muslims do?   

Muslims stand before their God by making the intention to pray, leaving all other chores and concerns aside.
 

While standing  

While standing, the first chapter of the Quran is recited. This chapter can be translated as follows.“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee (alone) we worship and Thee (alone) we ask for help. Show us the straight path. The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.” (1:1-1:7) 

After the first chapter, any other passage from the Quran is recited. Following is a translation of one such passage.“Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begetteth not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him.” (112:1-112:4) 

 While bowing

Muslims then bow to God and glorify Him. This glorification can be translated as follows.“Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty.”

 
While Prostrating 

To express complete submission and humility before God, Muslims then prostrate and place their foreheads on ground. According to the prophetic traditions, at this moment of humility, the worshipper is closest to his/her Lord. While prostrating, Muslims glorify God as follows.“Glory be to my Lord, the most High.”

Other than glorifying God, it is also a moment for Muslims to ask God for His forgiveness, mercy, blessings and bounties. Muslims then sit for a few seconds and prostrate one more time before standing up again. Depending on the time of the prayer, Muslims repeat this cycle once, twice or thrice in each prayer.

While sitting 

In the end (and also in the middle for some prayers) Muslims sit as shown in the figure. At this point they testify before God that there is none worthy of worship but Him and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His slave (meaning creation that is subject to it’s Lord’s commands at all times) and His Messenger. Muslims then ask God to send His peace and blessings on His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) as He did on Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). The translation is as follows. 

“All service is for Allah and all acts of worship and good deeds are for Him. Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you O Prophet. Peace be upon us and all of Allah’s righteous slaves. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
O Allah exalt Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad, just as you exalted Abraham and the followers of Abraham. Verily you are full of praise and majesty. O Allah send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as you sent blessings on Abraham and upon the followers of Abraham. Verily you are full of praise and majesty.”At the very end, Muslims turn their face to the right and the left, sending God’s Peace on those surrounding them. This greeting of peace can be translated as follows.“Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah” With this greeting, the obligatory prayer ends.  

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