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Discover Islam ...

Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Hajj: A Call Against Racism

Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage to the sacred lands of Hijaz, where Prophet Abraham built the first house of worship — the Kabah — to glorify the One and Only Merciful Creator.

As a major pillar of Islam, Hajj is a manifestation of essential Islamic values such as equality between people, humility of the soul, unity of all Muslims, peaceful submission to God, devotion of the heart, and sincerity of intentions.

The consistency of the annual season and unalterable destination is an expression of the oneness of the divine message since the time of Prophet Abraham till the end of days of all humanity. ...

http://www.islamonline.net/Hajj/index.shtml
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Benefits of the First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah (12th. month in the Muslim Calendar)

Q: I heard the first ten days are special, but I’m not sure how and what I should do

A: The first days of Dhul-Hijjah are the days of Hajj, which include the Day of `Arafah, the peak of Hajj; it is the focal point when the pilgrims gather in the plain of `Arafah. Such a mammoth gathering of Muslims supplicating to Allah is bound to have all-pervasive effects on the whole world; Allah has promised an answer for those who gather on the plain of `Arafah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) exhorted the non-pilgrims to spend these days in as much devotion as possible. This means that we must show spiritual solidarity with the pilgrims.

The Prophet is reported to have said, “There are no days that are dearer to Allah in respect of devoting oneself to devotion and worship than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjjah.”

He is also reported to have said, “Fasting on the day of `Arafah expiates sins of two years, the past and future.”

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503549464&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Quranic Refutation of Racism

The notion of the superiority is so alien to the teachings of Quran that those who are proud and exult on earth are condemned.

It rejects all narrow views of the spiritual providence of God, who is not "the God of Israel" but "Lord of all the nations and Worlds" .

Variation in languages and modes of living have helped man to evolve new patterns of culture and enrich and beautify his life; and, indeed, as the Quran reminds us, these are all Divine blessings conferred on mankind by the Grace of the Lord:

{One of His signs is the creations of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors } (Ar-Rum 30:22).

Responsibility and Accountability

Islam teaches that every human being was made equally responsible for his or her actions. The idea that any saint or priest or even prophet shall intercede without God's will and save any person from the dire consequences of one's deeds was rebutted.

Despite diversity in color, race, language, religious belief and tradition, the Quran emphasizes that humanity have a common origin and a common destiny. All human beings have a common origin and a common Creator

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1219185312816&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
True Celebration of Eid

`Eid in Islam is a symbol of tranquility and serenity, and it is an opportunity for happiness and celebrations. Muslims glorify Allah the One the Almighty and restrain themselves from falling into sins and mischief. In addition, `Eid is a field for us to vie one another in doing good. ...

The merit of `Eid requires us to be cheerful during it. We should congratulate one another on its comings and put sorrows away. We should do our best to spread happiness among Muslims.

IslamOnline.net - `Eid Al-Adha 1429 - The Spirit of Sacrifice
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Methods of Remembering Allah

How can you remember Allah throughout the normal course of your day without withdrawing from the routine of your daily worldly life?

1- Say to yourself: I am in Allah's presence; He is watching me.

2- Say to yourself. Everything I have has been given to me by Allah

3- Say to yourself: Nothing in this world can happen without His permission

4- Say to yourself: I am going to return to Allah one day and that day could be today

Methods of Remembering Allah - Reading Islam.com


 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Deserting Sins

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]How to Break Sinful Habits? [/FONT]

A cure can not be found until the disease has been diagnosed and medicine is useless unless it counters the causes of the disease. From this we learn that the only thing which nullifies a thing, is its opposite.

The reason why a person persists in sin is heedlessness and succombing to desires. Only knowledge can counteract heedlessness, while patience and removing the causes eradicates the negative impact of desires.

The only way to obtain repentance is by mixing the sweetness of knowledge with the difficulty of patience ...

IslamOnline.net - New Hijri Years 1430 - Deserting Sins
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Tips and Steps to Increase Piety (Taqwa)[/FONT]

Piety is an invaluable treasure, the matchless jewel in a priceless treasure of precious stones, a mysterious key to all doors of good, and a mount on the way to Paradise.

Its value is so high that, among other life-giving expressions the Qur’an mentions it 150 times, each mention resembling a ray of light penetrating our minds and spirits.

http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/Heart_Softening/School/07.shtml
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Patience of Believers[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]For a believer, the scope of patience is not limited to enduring difficulties and problems with calmness. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In the light of the verse,[You who believe, be steadfast; be supreme in steadfastness…] (Aal `Imran 3:200), throughout his life, he shows an undeviating commitment to meticulously fulfilling all the commands of the Qur’an, to avoiding what is unlawful, to displaying moral perfection in every situation, without becoming daunted or losing heart. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In short, he resolutely shows the patience and good manners prescribed by the religion. That is because one can develop these noble character traits only if one makes a steady effort. It is the people of faith who exhibit patience when making such efforts. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) informed Muslims in the following hadith, they know that patience is a gift for them from Allah: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]“No-one can be given a better and more abundant gift than patience”[/FONT]

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1171539775334&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Muhammad: A Man Much Needed[/FONT]

A recent poll conducted in the U.S. indicated that nearly 60% of those surveyed admit knowing 'little or nothing' about Islam (Council on American-Islamic Relations, 2006). If this is the prevailing level of ignorance about Islam itself in the West, how much can we expect people to know about Muhammad?

As Muslims, we should first and foremost blame ourselves as the primary cause of this gap in understanding, for it is our religious duty to spread the message brought by this beautiful man. ..

He spent 23 years spreading the good news of one All-Merciful and All-Forgiving Creator and Sustainer inviting all of mankind to the vast oceans of divine bounty and mercy for anyone who deems himself worthy of such an invitation.

Through his call, the Prophet showed us why we need to overcome worldly ambition rather than how to become a slave to it.

Through Muhammad (peace be upon him) Islam was sent to guide humanity to its created purpose and highest potential; it is a roadmap, a light, a beacon pointing the way home to that pure state from which we all came.

A Man Much Needed - Reading Islam.com


 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]‘Going Green’ in the 6th Century [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Prophet Muhammad: the Environmentalist[/FONT]

Many environmental problems are irreversible, but a lot can be done and is being done to minimize their effects. Green movements are slowly gaining momentum. People around the world are being more conscientious of the environmental after-effects caused by their actions.
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Rallies, public protests and mass e-mails to heads of states and the "let's save the planet" bandwagon means serious business.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]But being concerned with the environment is not just a matter of contemporary significance and it is not a fad that will blow away. Rather, it is a legitimate concern that can have far reaching ramifications for all humanity if left unaddressed.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Creating a Balance[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Concern and care for the environment is also a teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and therefore a duty on all Muslims.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Prophet Muhammad guided mankind to an ideology in which the human need for development has underpinnings of justice, generosity and good governance. Therefore, human progress must be fair to all concerned, be it man, woman, animal, or plant.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Prophet Muhammad encouraged simplicity of life. This trait is a good example he set for us in "going green". This means no fancy jargon or complex techie thingies that might save energy but cost the world. We should seek just simple doable solutions to problems that were once avoidable but today are at least still controllable. Three paradigms seem central to the Prophet's explanation of humanity's relationship with the environment.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Humility: An understanding that all of creation belongs to God.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Justice: Deeds must be just and fair to all concerned.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Sustainability: Avoidance of all extravagances and measured use of any natural (or other) resource.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]http://www.readingislam.com/servlet...agename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam/DIELayout[/FONT]
 
D

Delamere

Member
"Allah is the Arabic form of the word "The One True God". Muslims worship the exact same God that Jews and Christians do."

"Allah" was the name of a high god in pre-Islamic Arab astral religion which became the term used for the notion of a single divine being in Islam. This happened, in part, as a result of the influence of Judaeo-Christian monotheism. The Islamic definition of the divine being is inherently unbiblical and tends towards a simplistic monism. The notion of "God" in Islam gives us a being who is less than almighty because IT cannot choose to manifest ITS nature in a human being. Neither Jews nor Christian believe in Allah.

Does the "God" of Islam have personality at all? Islam's insulting assertion that Christianity gives "God" a partner is a failure to recognise what the eyewitnesses of Jesus' life insist is true, namely, that Jesus embodies the full nature of the living God.

What has always being puzzling is the way Islam sees Christianity as "shirk' but fails to recognise the way in which being a Muslim means accepting the essential role of Muhammed in believing:

"There is no God but Allah and Muhammed is his messenger".
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum Delamere

We could debate these issues if you like on the debate forums

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Resurrection: Hope in a Better Life[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In Islam, after belief in God, belief in the Resurrection has the primary place in securing a peaceful social order. Why should those who do not believe that they will be called to account strive to live an honest, upright life? But those of us who are convinced of this final reckoning in the other world certainly try to live a disciplined and upright life. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]God says in the Quran what means:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][In whatever affair you may be, and whichever part of the Quran you recite, and whatever deed you do, We are witness over you when you are deeply engrossed therein. Not an atom's weight in the Earth and in the heaven escapes your Lord, nor is there anything smaller or greater, but it is in a Manifest Book.] (Yunus 10:61)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Muslims believe that certain angels are entrusted with recording everything that we do. God also has full knowledge and awareness of all our deeds, intentions, thoughts, and imaginings. Those who understand this, and act accordingly, will find true peace and happiness in both worlds. A family and community composed of such individuals would feel that they were living in Paradise.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Belief in the Resurrection prevents young people from wasting their lives in transitory and trivial things, and gives hope to the elderly as they move closer to the grave. It also helps children endure the death of loved ones.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Children who believe that they will be reunited with their deceased loved ones in a far better world find true consolation in the Resurrection. Everyone, regardless of age, gender, and any other artificial human-devised difference, needs belief in the Resurrection as much as they need air, water, and bread.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]As this belief leads people to a life of peace, intellectuals who seek public peace and security should emphasize it.[/FONT]

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1231223497626&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
A Human Being Before a Prophet

Muslim Reflections on Muhammad's Character

Apart from seeing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the Messenger of God gifted with divine revelation, one can remarkably see him as an ideal example of a perfect human character.

Prophet Muhammad is a person who strove hard for the well-being of his community and of humanity at large. His farsightedness and ability to correctly read events of his time and to anticipate results helped him, along with divine wisdom from God, to address people's emotions and to win their hearts before their minds. His human touch was inescapable, and his personal appeal and gentle approach won the hearts of enemies before those of friends. ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1184649802645&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Prophet's Inexhaustible Patience [/FONT]

One of the marvelous qualities of beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) was his infinite patience. ...

The source of the Prophet's courageous determination in the face of all the traumatic experiences he suffered was his strong faith in God and his dependence on Him. The Prophet's conviction that God was with him when he was struggling with adverse circumstances, is evident from this teaching: ​


Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his, and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer; for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God); thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it. (Muslim)​
​



Do Patience and Gentleness Go Hand in Hand?

​

The Prophet was always considerate and understanding, even towards those who were ignorant and arrogant towards him. Indeed his gentleness and patience with them earned their love and respect



 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Peace and Justice in Islam[/FONT]

These two issues, peace and justice, are joined in the slogans we hear from many activists, especially here in the United States, "No Justice, No Peace!"1 This linkage is logical, as justice must be considered one of the indispensable prerequisites of any lasting peace.

This article intends to briefly look at the ideas of peace and justice in Islam and explore their deeper significance in the life of a Muslim

Peace

Peace has meanings wider than those mentioned above. One of the loftier objectives of our religion is to introduce into the world an ethos that facilitates the spreading of peace at every level. Our personal relations with our fellow Muslims should begin with the implementation of the Prophetic order "Spread peace between you all."

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0602-2924
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]True Happiness and Inner Peace in Islam[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Search for Inner Peace: Accepting Destiny[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Inner peace can only be achieved if the obstacles that are beyond our control are accepted by us patiently as part of God’s destiny.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Know that whatever happens which we had or have no control over, then God has put in it some good, whether or not we are able to grasp what is good in it; the good is still there. So we accept it! ...[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/634/[/FONT]
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
A Woman of Perfection
The Youngest Daughter of the Prophet
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]The Women of Perfection[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]The four perfect women recognized by Islam are well known by Muslims. They are: the Virgin Mary, the mother of Prophet Jesus, Prophet Moses' mother, Lady Khadijah, the Prophet's first wife, and Lady Fatimah, the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Fatimah the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, in particular, was a young girl during the time Islam was introduced. So from her youth — as a daughter, later a wife and a mother — the perfection of a Muslim as defined by Islam surfaces through Lady Fatimah.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Lady Fatimah is described to be one of the great women in Islam. She played an important role in her father's mission, thus is recognized as the perfect role model for women ...[/FONT]

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1232976534520&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 
Cordoba

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]How Do We Know Islam Is the Truth? [/FONT]​

Islam as a religion is not only natural, but also rational, in the sense that it bases its fundamental beliefs on principles furnished by reason.​

In fact the elemental simplicity of its creeds points to its natural and rational basis. It is no wonder therefore, that its creeds devoid of any theological complexity and are so easily understandable to ordinary humans.​

 
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