Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Imam Zaid: The Ethical Standard of the Prophet Muhammad
You will surely be tested in your wealth and your lives. And you will hear from those given the scriptures before you and from the idolaters much abuse. If you patiently persevere, and remain mindful [of God], surely in this is a manifestation of firm resolve.
Al-Qur’an 3:186
Al-Qur’an 3:186
The Ethical Standard of the Prophet Muhammad
By Imam Zaid Shakir
The ongoing “Cartoon Crisis” raises several issues. One of the most important is the incumbency of seeing the ongoing crisis as an opportunity to educate people in the West about our blessed Prophet,
. Along those lines, one of the greatest things we can do is teach about the exalted ethical standard introduced by our Prophet, . That ethical standard is the bedrock of his mission and message. In an age of instantaneous communications and globalized media it is important for Muslims to reaffirm our commitment to the prophetic ethical ideal. Under prevailing conditions, the sensationalized excesses of some Muslims, excesses that contradict the ethical teachings of our Prophet,
, are often used to distort the perception of Islam in the West. That distortion in turn helps to create prejudiced attitudes towards Islam and Muslims.I would argue that the images that insinuate a connection between our Prophet,
, and terrorism are more informed by the hijackings, kidnappings, beheadings, and cold-blooded murder of unsuspecting civilians, all of which characterize many of our recent political struggles, than to any inherent biases or prejudices among the people of Europe and America. If we Muslims are going to contribute to changing how Islam and our Prophet, , are viewed in the West, we are going to have to change what we ourselves are doing to contribute to the caricaturing of Islam. That change can only be affected by sound knowledge coupled with exalted practice, and reviving the lofty ethical ideal of our beloved Prophet, . [Read More...]
Remembering Malcolm X
February 21st, 2006 was the 41st anniversary of the assassination of our brother in faith, Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him and bless his soul).
Some quotes of Malcolm from the Offical Web Site of Malcolm X:
Some quotes of Malcolm from the Offical Web Site of Malcolm X:
- "Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today."
- "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything."
- "There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time."
- "I believe that there will ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those that do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the systems of exploitation."
- "Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world."
- "You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
- "I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color."
Friday, February 24, 2006
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Haroon Siddiqui - The Cartoon Crisis
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Interview on Danish TV - The Cartoon Crisis - Video
May Allah Most High preserve Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, and make his voice and views heard ever-increasingly in these times of trouble and distress.
Found Via Seeker's DigestAlternatively, everything Haroon Siddiqui, the Toronto Star's editorial page editor emeritus has written on the matter has been excellent, as his articles always are. May Allah preserve him and reward him for clear thinking and solid writing.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Love (Spiritual Tendencies)
From Spiritual Tendencies:
Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī—may Allāh bless his soul—said:
Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī—may Allāh bless his soul—said:
Mahabba (love) is a condition which man feels in his heart, too subtle to be expressed in words. This subtle spiritual state leads the worshipper to recognize the greatness of God, instills in him the desire, above all things, to please God, makes him unable to tolerate God’s absence, induces in him constant excitement at the thought of God; he finds no rest without God and feels an intimate comfort in continual thought of Him. Yet the idea of the love of man for God does not imply physical attraction and possession. How could it do so—since the true Infinite is too holy to be fully attained or reached or comprehended. It is more to the point to describe the man who knows mahabba as being completely lost and overwhelmed in the beloved, than to refer to the relationship as one of possession. If the lover were described as submerged in the beloved, it would be more adequate than if they were described as being together.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
When Allah Loves a Servant
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "When Allah Most
High loves a servant, He calls upon Jibra'il: 'I indeed love so and so,
therefore love him.' Thus Jibra'il loves him, and calls out to the Folk
of the Sky: 'Allah indeed loves so and so, therefore love him.' Thus, the
Folk of the Sky love him, and acceptance is established for him on earth."
(Imam al-Nawawi, Riyad al-Salihin, Hadith # 387)
Thursday, February 16, 2006
30 Days as a Muslim in America
Really cute video about a white, Christian, American who goes to 'live as a Muslim' for 30 days.
Google Video: 30 Days as a Muslim in America
May Allah bless him with all good in this life and in the hereafter. Amin.
Found via Seeker's Digest
Google Video: 30 Days as a Muslim in America
May Allah bless him with all good in this life and in the hereafter. Amin.
Found via Seeker's Digest
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Take a Minute...
...and send blessings on the beloved of Allah, the best of creation, the chosen one, Muhammad...
May Allah bless him abundantly and grant him the most perfect peace.
An Ocean Filled with Pearls
His words were filled with such eloquence and wisdom, as though an ocean abided inside him, and the ocean filled with eloquent pearls. The light that shone from every pearl became a criterion of right and wrong.
- Mawlana Rumi, Mathnawi, 2:849-51
- Mawlana Rumi, Mathnawi, 2:849-51
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Shaykh Abdullah Adhami: A Live Online Interview About the Danish Cartoons and the Muslim Reaction
The Danish Cartoons and the Muslim Reaction Saturday, February 18th at 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST / 7:00 PM London | |
| Registration SunniPath Academy is excited to announce a special live online interview and Q&A session with Shaykh Abdullah Adhami. Please click the link below to register for this event: Background A Danish newspaper printed the cartoons of our beloved, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The cartoons were later found in other newspapers and websites. The Muslim world reacted. Some reacted peacefully, while others did not. Who is to be held responsible? Are the reactions of Muslims justified? Should we boycott Danish products? How do we, as Muslims, properly react? The Shaykh will address these questions and others in his interview with SunniPath. | |
Monday, February 13, 2006
Rumi: The Visions Now Revealed to You...
The visions now revealed to you,
once they seemed absurd to you.
From ten prisons His bounty released you.
Make not the desert a prison for you.
- Rumi, Mathnawi, 3:3656-57
once they seemed absurd to you.
From ten prisons His bounty released you.
Make not the desert a prison for you.
- Rumi, Mathnawi, 3:3656-57
Allah is Your Protector
If Allah is your protector, none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, then who can help you? Trust Allah and have faith in His sovereign power. - Qur'an 3:160
Sunday, February 12, 2006
SunniPath Academy - Registration for Spring 2006 Semester Now Open!
SunniPath Academy
Reliable Islamic Knowledge in an Accessible Medium
- Registration for Spring is now open. Classes will begin February 25
- Courses offered across several disciplines and levels of difficulty
- Get a taste for our courses. Listen to some sample audio
- Student interview audio excerpts on the Academy
Learning Tracks
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The Courses
| Essentials of Worship – Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj (Hanafi Fiqh) – Part 2 |