ISLAM MUSLIM by Ahmed Shukri

Video by Ahmed Shukri

Allah''The lord Alamin(Mankind,jinn and all that exists.

PILLARS OF ISLAM

1) FAITH

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Llah - 'there is no god except God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Llah: 'except God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

Shahada inscribed at Ottoman Topkapi Palace, Istanbul.

2) PRAYER

Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

A translation of the Call to Prayer is:

God is most great. God is most great.
God is most great. God is most great.
I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success (in this life and the Hereafter)!
Come to success!
God is most great. God is most great.
There is no god except God.

New Mexico, U.S.A.
Prayer Call from Abiquiu Mosque.

3) THE 'ZAKAT'

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.


Zakat keeps the money flowing within a society, Cairo.

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

4) THE FAST RAMADAN

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

5) PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.


Pilgrims praying at the mosque in Makkah.

The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.

In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.


Pilgrim tents during Hajj.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.

The First Battle of Islam at Badr:

Badr The emigration of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) to Medina had turned the enemies from Mecca more hostile, and they constantly kept on thinking how they could overthrow him, and put an end to Islam. The Meccans and their allies started to bring their raids to the very outskirts of Medina, destroying the fruit trees of the Muslims and carrying away their flocks.

The winter of 624 AD saw the invasion of Medina by a strong force of Meccans led by Abu Jahl consisting of all army of 1000 strong with 700 camels and 100 horses.

Receiving information about this force, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) decided to meet the enemy outside Medina at a place called as Badr (200 Miles from Mecca and 80 Miles from Medina). He set out with three hundred and thirteen of his followers. This small force was marshaled out of Medina with the youthful Ali holding the Banner of the Prophet (S.A.W).

Warfare in those days followed a different pattern. Before the general battle began, a number of duels were fought between the leading warriors on each side. When the Muslims reached the fertile vale of Badr, a favorite watering place and camping ground on the caravan route, three stations northwards from Mecca, the Prophet (S.A.W) ordered a halt, taking up a suitable position near a stream of fresh water, to await the arrival of the infidel army. It was on the next day, Friday, 17th Ramazan 2 AH or January 13th 624 AD that the enemy, blowing their trumpets, approached the Muslims, and both forces were arrayed in battle.

Three of the infidel warriors, Utbah, the father-in-law of Abu Sufyan, his brother Shaybah, and Al-Walid son of Utbah came out of the ranks and arrogantly challenged the Muslims. Three Ansars of Medina stepped forward to meet this challenge. This greatly enraged the Meccans who refused to combat with the Ansars saying, "We have not come all this way to cross arms with the Medinites, against whom we bear no grudge. We challenge the people of Mecca who have the courage to defy us." Upon this Ali and Ubaydah, cousins of the Prophet, and Hamzah his uncle, responded to the challenge. In the words of Col. Bodley, "At the taunt of the Quriashite, Ali dashed out of the Muslim ranks glittering in breast-plate and helmet. He was soon followed by Ubaydah bin al-Harith, a paternal cousin of Muhammad and Hamzah who wore an ostrich feather in his Cuirass. The three companions were thus closely related to Muhammad and fulfilled the Quraish for Hashimite blood!"

The three duels were as rapid as they were murderous. Hamzah killed Shaybah, While Ali killed Al-Walid. Ubaydah was mortally wounded, but before he fell, Ali and Hamzah were able to come to his rescue. Hamzah hurled himself at Utbah, and with a sweep of his sword cut off his head. In a few minutes three of Mecca's most important warriors had been sent to find out the truth about the hell which Muhammad (S.A.W) had promised them!"

With a cry of rage three more Meccans darted from under Abu Jahl's banner and assailed the Muslim champions (Ali and Hamzah). They too went down before the sword of Islam. A further three were dealt with the same fate. There was a moment of hesitancy among the Quraishites. Muhammad (S.A.W) did not miss his advantage. With a sharp order he sent his soldiers charging into a general attack.

The line of the Quraish wavered and a number of their bravest and noblest fell; they took to flight ignominiously, and in their haste to escape they threw away their armor and abandoned their transport animals with all their camp and equipage. Seventy of the bravest Quraish were slain and forty-five taken prisoners, and their commander, Abu Jahl and Hanzala Ibn Abu Sofyan, were amongst the slain.

Though it was the first engagement of the youthful Ali, he showed surprising results and was praised by one and all. He killed no less than sixteen-though some historians give him credit for thirty-six of the bravest and the most prominent of the Quraish army.

RAMADAN

Bismillahi-r-rahmani-r-rahim

I. What is Ramadan?

A. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar . It is the most important month of the

year. Ramdan is the month of the soul. The arrival of this blessed month is greeted with joy. For

in it, the doors of heaven are opened further for the faithful and the Divine Compassion

descends upon those who seek it. During Ramadan the believers turn to Allah seeking His

mercy, forgiveness, and protection. This is the month for renewing our commitment and

reestablishing our relationship with our Creator. For those on the Path, the knowers, it is a

special time to be with Allah, to be with Him in everything - to be in the station of la ilaha illa-llah.

B. The Traditions of the Prophet:

1. On the last day of Sha‘ban [the Islamic month before Ramadan], Muhammad, peace

and blessings be upon him, gave the following sermon: Oh, people , there comes upon you now

a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night greater in worth than one thousand

months. It is a month in which God as made compulsory that the prescribed fasting should be

observed by day: and He has made the Special Prayer (tarawih) by night a Tradition.

Whosoever tries drawing nearer to God by performing any virtuous deed in this month, for him

shall be such reward as if he has performed a prescribed act of worship in any other time of the

year. And whoever performs a prescribed act of worship for God, for him shall be the reward of

seventy prescribed act of worship in any other time of the year. This is indeed the month of

patience, and the reward for true patience is paradise. It is the month of sympathy with one’s

fellow human beings; it is the month wherein a true believer’s provisions is increased.

Whosoever feeds a person performing the prescribed fast in order to end the fast at sunset for

him there shall be forgiveness of his sins and emancipation from the hellfire and for him shall be

the same reward as for him whom he fed, without that person’s reward being diminished in the

least.’

Thereupon, we said, “Oh Messenger of God, not all of us possess the means whereby we can

provide enough for a prescribed fasting person to break the prescribed fast.’ The Messenger

replied,’God grants this same reward to one who gives a person who is performing the

prescribed fast a single date or a drink of water or a sip of milk to end the prescribed fast. This is

a month, the first part of which brings God’s Mercy, the middle of which brings God forgiveness

and the last part of which brings emancipation from hellfire. Whosoever lessens the burden of

God’s servants in this month, God will forgive that person and free him from hell-fire.’ He also

said; And in this month, four things you should endeavor to perform in great number, two of

which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot

make do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity recite

the testimony bearing witness to the oneness of God, “la ilaha illa-llah,: and beg God’s

forgiveness for your wrongdoings, And as for those two without which you cannot make do you

should beg God for entry into paradise and seek refuge with God from hellfire.’ And whoever

gave water to drink to a person who had performed the prescribed fast, God shall grant him a

drink from my fountain such a drink where after he shall never again feel thirsty until he enters

paradise.’

ISLAM AROUND THE WORLD

History of Islam on Prophet Hood (AS)

WELCOME TO ISLAM MUSLIM

By Ahmed Ibn Abdulqadir

Sister Sana Was from Every Devout Baptist Christian BackGround

She is from America. She believes she was Muslim really as a child. She remembers now, how as a small child she had many ideas that were Muslim ones and how she was upon the fitrah. She says that she was raised as a Southern Baptist who never missed church service, and knew the Bible and Christian teachings very very well. She always knew there was a God and that one day she would be infront of God again. In this video, it talks about how she found Islam and saw Muslims for the first time, her perceptions of them and later how she slowly learnt more and more .....

"Alif Laam Raa. A book which we have revealed to you (Muhammad) so that you may lead the people from out of the darknesses into the light by their Lord's leave to the path of the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy."

Qur'an 37:4
"Truly, your god is truly One!"

Qur'an 48:29
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

Qur'an 59:7
"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, leave it. And fear Allah: truly Allah is severe in punishment. "

Title Jews offering holiday greetings attacked

Description A group of thugs attack some Jews on the New York subway for saying `Happy Hanukkah` ... saved by who? A Muslim! `No one else helped up, except Hassan,` Maria Parsheva said. `No one else on the train.` `A Muslim-American saved us, when our own people were on the train and didn`t do anything,` Adler said. `Someone who in the media often gets painted as the enemy of Israel and the Jews, this is a...Sunni Muslim, this is someone that jumped in, he knew we were Jews, to help us.` - Walter But Askari, who is studying to be an accountant, shrugged off the praise saying: `I just did what I had to do,` he recalled. `My parents raised me that way... In Islam, it teaches you to be helpful to your fellow man--to be kind, courteous.` `...if anyone saves a life, it`s as if he saved the life of all mankind...` [Qur`an, 5:32]

MUSLIM RESEARCH

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