Jack Straw’s politics usually make me either furious or bilious. That stammer, that fake sincerity, that oily handshake he extends to ‘ethnic minorities’, his immoral support for the ignominious war in Iraq and domestic laws that curtail civil liberties, the unholy fiefdom he runs in Blackburn- the list is long.
Suddenly the expedient appeaser has come out against the veil and I find myself agreeing with his every word. It is time to speak out against this objectionable garment and face down the Islamicists who endlessly bait and intimidate the state making demands that violate its fundamental principles.
A blizzard of protest has blown up and Straw has been denounced an Islamaphobic by these ideologues who have reverted to what they do best, group blackmail. As reactionary have been the views of feminist white women who attack Straw for being aggressively proscriptive. As a man, they say, he has no business telling women what to wear. As an MP, I say, he has an obligation to express his concerns to his constituents. We don’t yet live in an Islamic Republic where men and women are forced to live on separate planets.
Millions of Muslims in Europe abhor these obscurantists. That they have brainwashed young women, born free, to seek subjugation breaks our hearts. Trained creatures often prefer to stay in their cages even when released. I don’t call that a choice. A liberal nation has no obligation to extend its liberalism to condone the most illiberal practices as long as it ensures genuine equal standards for all.
The media lurches drunkenly between pandering to Muslim separatists and maligning us all as the aliens within. It is hard to be a Muslim today. And it becomes harder still when some choose deliberately to act and dress as aliens. The young women in niqab who claim they have made the decision without coercion understand nothing about the sacred Islamic texts, struggles for gender equality, history or the unpleasantly sexual symbolism of what they claim is just one more lifestyle choice.
‘Oh I won’t have that green coat, think it is the black shroud for me, suits me better don’t you think?’
Britons who support them are clueless about the silent march of Wahabism. I have been uncomfortable for years about the rapid spread of the hijab too because for Islamicist puritans it is the first staging post on a road map that leads to the burkha, where even the eyes are gauzed over. Some young hijabis say they feel wanton and must go ‘higher’ to the niqab.. So when does this country decide that it does not want citizens using their freedoms to build a satellite Saudi Arabia here?
We can’t answer that question because Islamicists say we are not allowed such national conversations. Straw isn’t because he is a white man; Deborah Orr isn’t because she is a white woman; parliament can’t because there is no Muslim woman MP in it; I am not because I am a bad Muslim. Well stuff that I say.
The Koran does not ask us to bury ourselves. We must be modest. These fools who are taking niqab will one day suffocate like I did but they will not be allowed to leave the coffin.
They are choosing something they don’t even understand.’ The sexual signals of the hijab and niqab are even more suspect. They are physical manifestation of the pernicious idea of women as carriers of Original Sin whose cheek or a lock of hair turns Muslim men into predators. In Denmark a mufti said unveiled women asked for rape.
As if to order, rape by Muslim men of white women is rising alarmingly. In truth half naked women and veiled women are both beings solely defined by sexuality. One group proffers it, the other withholds it. A six year old girl in a boob tube and in hijab are both symbols of unhealthy sexual objectification. Western culture is wildly sexualised and lacking in restraint. There are ways to avoid falling into that pit and the veil is not one of them
The niqab expunges the female Muslim presence from the landscape handing the world over to men. It rejects human commonalities and membership of society itself.
The women observe fellow citizens but remain unseen, like CCTV cameras. They dehumanize themselves and us.
There are practical issues too. I have seen appallingly beaten Muslim women forced into the niqab to keep their wounds hidden. Veiled women cannot swim in the sea, smile at their babies in parks, feel the sun on their skin. How are passports to be checked and exams taken? Women can wear what they want in their homes and streets, but there are societal dress codes. Public and private institutions should have the right to ask citizens to show their faces to get goods and services. Hoodies and crash helmet wearers already have to. Why should niqabis be exempt?
|
Friday, 23 December 2011
The basis of our civilization
By Muhammad Asad
Thus, if the shari'ah is removed from our day-to-day endeavors ; if we begin, in the manner of Western nations, to make a distinction between practical life and religion, our civilization, or whatever remains of it, is bound to forfeit not only its identity but also its historical justification - because everything that contributed to its growth in the course of many centuries was connected in one way or another with the creative force of religion.
As I have already pointed out, not all civilizations were thus simply and clearly motivated. In most of them, religion was but an accompaniment to other, equally or even more decisive cultural forces - for instance, in European civilization, where Christianity was always only one of several factors of development. This being so, one can well imagine that the West might one day throw Christianity (or, for that matter, every kind of institutional religion) overboard, and nevertheless retain the living identity and continuity of its culture. A pointer in this direction is supplied by Soviet Russia, where Christianity has been definitely rejected as a fount of social ethics: and, in spite of this rejection of Christianity, the communist experiment in Russia cannot be said to be less "Western" then the conservatism of, say, America, where institutional Christianity still retains its honored - albeit merely theoretical - position.
But whereas in other civilizations, of which the modern West is only one example, it may be theoretically possible (although I personally doubt it) either to retain institutional religion or to discard it outright without destroying that civilization's strength and continuity, we Muslims have no such alternative. For us, religion has never been just one of the contributing factors of cultural development : it has always been the very root and source of that development. So far as we are concerned, an elimination of religious thought and, specifically, of Islamic Law from the realm of economics, politics and social life would imply more then a mere change in cultural direction. It would imply the loss of all cultural direction. Hence, in the measure that Islamic Law ceases to be a practical proposition in our day-to-day life, Islamic civilization must necessarily become a contradiction in terms, and Muslim society a society of cultural mongrels and spiritual half-castes.
As soon as we come to realize this, we begin to understand why it is that in our days the general run of Muslims do not follow Islam in spirit or even in form, and follow only a number of customs vaguely associated with Islam. With most of our contemporaries, "faith" has become a figure of speech, a mare empty word devoid of that spark of enthusiasm which in the early days of our history inspired the Muslims to imperishable deeds of cultural and social achievement. No doubt, Islam is still alive as an emotion. It is alive in the instinctive love of countless millions of people who vaguely feel that its principles are "right": but only very few of them grasp those principles intellectually and are able, or genuinely prepared, to translate them into terms of practical life. We must not, therefore, wonder that Muslim civilization has arrived at the end of a blind alley and now persists only by virtue of its dumb, unconscious vitality. It cannot forever persist in this state.
11/18/ 06
From the very outset, Muslim civilization was built on foundations supplied by ideology alone. It has never had anything to do with the concepts of race or nation, and so it lacks the cement of racial or national homogeneity which was and is so decisive a factor in all other civilizations. Ours has always been an ideological civilization - with the Law of the Qur'an and its source and, more then that, as its only historical justification. To speak of the Muslim ummah as of something politically justified and culturally valuable (and therefore to be cherished and defended) and, in the same breath, to question the importance of Islamic Law as the form-giving element in our life is hypocritical or, alternatively, an outcome of ignorance. For what values remain in that much-vaunted ummah if we resile from its shar'i background? Certainly not a social philosophy worth the name: for that is based on the concept, derived from the shari'ah, of a divinely-willed order in human relation. And certainly not its ethics: for, a Muslim's notions of good and evil flow in their entirety from the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet. And not even a political ideal: for, the only political ideal which has distinguished the Muslims from the rest of mankind was the revolutionary concept of a brotherhood of men united not by ties of blood or race but by their consciousness of a common outlook on life and common aspirations: a concept realized nearly fourteen centuries ago in the establishment of the Islamic ummah - a community open to every man and woman, of whatever race or color, who accepted this common ideal, and closed to everyone, even one's nearest kinsman, who refused to accept it : in brief, a real "social contract".Thus, if the shari'ah is removed from our day-to-day endeavors ; if we begin, in the manner of Western nations, to make a distinction between practical life and religion, our civilization, or whatever remains of it, is bound to forfeit not only its identity but also its historical justification - because everything that contributed to its growth in the course of many centuries was connected in one way or another with the creative force of religion.
As I have already pointed out, not all civilizations were thus simply and clearly motivated. In most of them, religion was but an accompaniment to other, equally or even more decisive cultural forces - for instance, in European civilization, where Christianity was always only one of several factors of development. This being so, one can well imagine that the West might one day throw Christianity (or, for that matter, every kind of institutional religion) overboard, and nevertheless retain the living identity and continuity of its culture. A pointer in this direction is supplied by Soviet Russia, where Christianity has been definitely rejected as a fount of social ethics: and, in spite of this rejection of Christianity, the communist experiment in Russia cannot be said to be less "Western" then the conservatism of, say, America, where institutional Christianity still retains its honored - albeit merely theoretical - position.
But whereas in other civilizations, of which the modern West is only one example, it may be theoretically possible (although I personally doubt it) either to retain institutional religion or to discard it outright without destroying that civilization's strength and continuity, we Muslims have no such alternative. For us, religion has never been just one of the contributing factors of cultural development : it has always been the very root and source of that development. So far as we are concerned, an elimination of religious thought and, specifically, of Islamic Law from the realm of economics, politics and social life would imply more then a mere change in cultural direction. It would imply the loss of all cultural direction. Hence, in the measure that Islamic Law ceases to be a practical proposition in our day-to-day life, Islamic civilization must necessarily become a contradiction in terms, and Muslim society a society of cultural mongrels and spiritual half-castes.
As soon as we come to realize this, we begin to understand why it is that in our days the general run of Muslims do not follow Islam in spirit or even in form, and follow only a number of customs vaguely associated with Islam. With most of our contemporaries, "faith" has become a figure of speech, a mare empty word devoid of that spark of enthusiasm which in the early days of our history inspired the Muslims to imperishable deeds of cultural and social achievement. No doubt, Islam is still alive as an emotion. It is alive in the instinctive love of countless millions of people who vaguely feel that its principles are "right": but only very few of them grasp those principles intellectually and are able, or genuinely prepared, to translate them into terms of practical life. We must not, therefore, wonder that Muslim civilization has arrived at the end of a blind alley and now persists only by virtue of its dumb, unconscious vitality. It cannot forever persist in this state.
10 Questions with Queen Rania
Thursday, May. 10, 2007
Do you think that women will ever truly have equal rights in the Middle East?
Ben Buckmaster WABASHA, MINN.
Ben Buckmaster WABASHA, MINN.
Absolutely, I believe they will. I think that mind-sets are changing in the Middle East. Poll after poll is showing that men see the value of greater female participation and empowerment. We still have a long way to go, but Islam should not be used as a scapegoat. The obstacles that face women today are more cultural. It's not about the religion.
My daughters are being abused by other Muslim students at school for not wearing a veil. Your advice?
Meetha Lund, STOCKHOLM
For many, the hijab represents modesty, piety and devotion to God, and I truly respect that. But the hijab should not be used as a means of applying social pressure on people. In Jordan, for example, a woman cannot be forced to wear a veil against her will.
What are you doing to eliminate honor killing--the murder of women who allegedly have brought dishonor to their family--in Jordan?
Nuha Mousa, SEATTLE
As a woman, as an Arab, as a Muslim, I would like to state very clearly that this is a heinous and totally unacceptable practice. It is not condoned by Islam, and honor killings are not limited to the Arab or Muslim world. In Jordan, we are challenging this disgraceful practice. Progress has been slow because we need to build awareness, and that takes time.
Will the Arab world ever be free of the kind of mindless violence occurring in Iraq?
Joseph Southern, BANGKOK
The Middle East is not just about Iraq. The Middle East has both challenges and opportunities. Many countries in our region are experiencing a massive economic boom. It's a very youthful region, and the young by nature are hopeful, optimistic and innovative. The world shouldn't overlook our successes and achievements.
Is democracy a good thing for Jordan, and if so, what are you doing to achieve it?
Tareq Salem, AMMAN
Of course democracy is good, but it is a process, not a prescription. If it is going to be effective and long term, it has to be made in Jordan. That's really the starting point. Democracy and monarchy can coexist very peacefully as long as the monarchy believes in democracy. In our case, we certainly do.
What is the biggest negative about the U.S. invasion of Iraq?
Christian Paquette, BOSTON
The civilian suffering. This conflict has spared no one. It's incredibly sad to see such a proud and great country broken.
Does the average Jordanian consider the average American an ally?
Ryan Wells, SAN FRANCISCO
The average Jordanian has much in common with the average American in terms of the values that we share, the fact that we all value the family unit, our work ethic. If more of us realized this, I think we would all be better off.
What's the solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians?
Teri Elmaleh, TEL AVIV
First, start with will on both sides--not just the political kind but the kind that comes from the conscience and the heart. To achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East takes guts, not guns.
How will the world benefit from the "village banking" microfinance campaign you are supporting?
Chunqin Hua, BEIJING
I believe in microfinance because it isn't just a path out of poverty. It's the road to self-reliance. By allowing people to team up and literally become their own bank, you can mobilize people and resources and alleviate poverty on the global scale.
What can the average American citizen do to solve the crisis in the Middle East?
Josh Larkin BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASH.
Start by learning more about the real Middle East. Challenge your own assumptions about the Middle East. Lobby for diplomacy and dialogue in foreign policy. And simply reach out to your Muslim neighbor.
· Find this article at:
Friday, May. 11, 2007
More Questions with Queen Rania
By TIME
TIME's interview with the Jordanian royalty continues on Time.com. Read these extra questions with Queen Rania
What are the changes that you have seen in women in your country since your husband became a King and you a Queen? —Donaldo Villalobos in Los Angeles
My husband [King Abdullah] is a strong advocate of women's empowerment, as was my father-in-law, the late King Hussein. As a result, today women in Jordan are participating in all aspects of civil as well as political life — as female judges, parliamentarians, businesswomen. And the evolution will continue. This is not something that happens overnight.
My husband [King Abdullah] is a strong advocate of women's empowerment, as was my father-in-law, the late King Hussein. As a result, today women in Jordan are participating in all aspects of civil as well as political life — as female judges, parliamentarians, businesswomen. And the evolution will continue. This is not something that happens overnight.
How much change can you effect, and how fast, given that religious extremism and aversion to the West is so entrenched in the culture you are trying to alter? —Mohammad Shamsuzzaman in San Bernardino, Calif.
I don't necessarily agree with your assumption. Extremism is not endemic in my region, nor is anti-Western sentiment. No doubt there is discontent and distrust. That is towards more the American and some Western policies, and not toward the American people. Polls show that Arabs admire a lot of the Western values, cultural aspects in the West. It is more about policies than about way of life.
I don't necessarily agree with your assumption. Extremism is not endemic in my region, nor is anti-Western sentiment. No doubt there is discontent and distrust. That is towards more the American and some Western policies, and not toward the American people. Polls show that Arabs admire a lot of the Western values, cultural aspects in the West. It is more about policies than about way of life.
What do you think about hijab [veil, or headscarf], in relation to Islam and modernity? —Nese Yilmaz in Madison, Wis.
For many, the hijab represents modesty, piety and devotion to God, and I truly respect that. Unfortunately, too many people in the Western world mistakenly perceive it as an expression of powerlessness and oppression. And increasingly it is being turned into a political tool. Modernity is not about dress codes. Religion and modernity are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In Jordan, a woman cannot be forced to wear a veil against her will.
For many, the hijab represents modesty, piety and devotion to God, and I truly respect that. Unfortunately, too many people in the Western world mistakenly perceive it as an expression of powerlessness and oppression. And increasingly it is being turned into a political tool. Modernity is not about dress codes. Religion and modernity are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In Jordan, a woman cannot be forced to wear a veil against her will.
How do you think the role of the Jordanian Queen has changed over time, and do you expect it to change greatly in the future? —Latu Lolohea in Salt Lake City, Utah
The job description for a queen changes with the times. Ten years ago, for example, the need for cross-cultural dialogue was not as pertinent as it is now. Today it is an integral part of what I do. Having said that, many aspects of the role remain unchanged — primarily to listen, to care and to serve.
The job description for a queen changes with the times. Ten years ago, for example, the need for cross-cultural dialogue was not as pertinent as it is now. Today it is an integral part of what I do. Having said that, many aspects of the role remain unchanged — primarily to listen, to care and to serve.
What would you say is the single biggest challenge Jordan must overcome in the next decade and how would you address it? —Waheed Din in Houston
With 70% of our population under the age of 30, creating opportunities for our youth is one of most pressing challenges, and is the overriding motivation of everything that we do. Because the youth are the catalysts for real change. For that reason, our main priority is innovation and education. We are focused on achieving excellence and pushing the boundaries of education, and giving our young children not only the skills to know what to think, but how to think.
With 70% of our population under the age of 30, creating opportunities for our youth is one of most pressing challenges, and is the overriding motivation of everything that we do. Because the youth are the catalysts for real change. For that reason, our main priority is innovation and education. We are focused on achieving excellence and pushing the boundaries of education, and giving our young children not only the skills to know what to think, but how to think.
Is the clash between cultures stressful for you and how do you cope? —David Colclasure in Conway, Ark.
I don't believe there is a clash between cultures. I believe there is a clash between perceptions of each other. As someone who knows both sides well, I find it incredibly frustrating to see the gaps in the narrative. If both sides would come together and communicate a little bit more, I think a lot of the tension that exists would be dissipated. It is a clash of perceptions of our cultures, but not real clashes in our cultures.
I don't believe there is a clash between cultures. I believe there is a clash between perceptions of each other. As someone who knows both sides well, I find it incredibly frustrating to see the gaps in the narrative. If both sides would come together and communicate a little bit more, I think a lot of the tension that exists would be dissipated. It is a clash of perceptions of our cultures, but not real clashes in our cultures.
What role should a Muslim woman play in reducing tensions between the Muslim world and the West? —Asghar Mayo in Lahore, Pakistan
Muslim women must stand up and speak out about who we are, what we believe and where we are going. I think we need to know that our counterparts in the west are also willing to listen and reciprocate.
Muslim women must stand up and speak out about who we are, what we believe and where we are going. I think we need to know that our counterparts in the west are also willing to listen and reciprocate.
How "easy" or how "hard" is it to be Queen Raina? —Anand Srivastava in Hyderabad, India
It's hard and it's easy and everything in between. It's a cause, it's a project, it's a journey, with lots of fun and laughter. It's my life and its unique just like everyone else's. The hardest [part] is some of the misperceptions that are leveled against me as a person and against Muslim women. There are so many misperceptions and stereotypes out there that I would love to see clarified one day.
It's hard and it's easy and everything in between. It's a cause, it's a project, it's a journey, with lots of fun and laughter. It's my life and its unique just like everyone else's. The hardest [part] is some of the misperceptions that are leveled against me as a person and against Muslim women. There are so many misperceptions and stereotypes out there that I would love to see clarified one day.
Which misconceptions about your life in any of your roles would you like to erase so that we can better understand not only you, but also your culture and values? —Nalini Saxena in New York City
My position attracts a fair amount of rumors and gossip and misperceptions, but I'd rather not focus on that. I'm amazed by the misconceptions about Muslim women and the Arab world that I hear, and that really does hurt me. I don't believe that there is fair enough understanding of either our status as women or the total context of our lives, which is very rich and multi-faceted. It is all too easy to draw conclusions and make sweeping judgments about millions of Muslim women based on fleeting television images. That is not right. I think we have to try harder.
My position attracts a fair amount of rumors and gossip and misperceptions, but I'd rather not focus on that. I'm amazed by the misconceptions about Muslim women and the Arab world that I hear, and that really does hurt me. I don't believe that there is fair enough understanding of either our status as women or the total context of our lives, which is very rich and multi-faceted. It is all too easy to draw conclusions and make sweeping judgments about millions of Muslim women based on fleeting television images. That is not right. I think we have to try harder.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
The concept of worship -III
In the second part of this topic the word Muhsin (a doer of good) was mentioned in one of the quoted verses of the Quran which is derived from Al-Ihsaan which is the performance of good; but what then is Al-Ihsaan (good deed) that attracts such a high position before Allaah and makes the slave deserving of such a great description?
The answer was provided by the Messenger of Allaah 
when he said, “Al-Ihsaan is to worship Allaah as if you see Him. And even though you do not see Him, He sees you!” (Muslim). This narration means that man should worship Allaah, mindful of his closeness to Him and his standing before Him just as if he is seeing Him plainly. This state brings about Allaah-consciousness and love of Allaah and purifies ones acts of worship. Anas bin Maalik 
narrated that a man said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Tell me a short word that could benefit me.” The Prophet, said: “Pray as if you are in your farewell prayer, for if you do not see Allaah, He sees you.” And the meaning of the phrase “if you do not see Him, He sees you” is that if one cannot worship Allaah as if one sees Him, he should then worship Him with the conviction that Allaah does see him and that none of his affairs is concealed from Allaah. Haarithah related: “The Prophet told me: “O Haarithah! How do you find yourself this morning?” I replied: “A true believer.” then the Prophet told me: “Watch what you say, for every word has a reality, so what confirms what you claimed” I then said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, I keep myself away from the (leisure of this) world, spend my nights in prayer and fast during my days. I am now as if I am looking at the throne of my Lord appearing. I am also as if I am looking at the inhabitants of Paradise as they visit one another. And it seems as if I am looking at the dwellers of hell as they howl therein!” The Prophet then said: “You have indeed seen (what you claimed to have seen). Therefore continue on your state of worship, O slave whom Allaah has illuminated his heart with faith!”
Al-Ihsaan is to observe prayer in the best form, moving closer to Allaah and beseeching Him secretly during the night when people are asleep, and it is also being benevolent to people. Allaah Says (what means): “Verily, they were before this Muhsins - plural of Muhsin (i.e. doers of good). They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord and praying with fear and hope). And in the hours before dawn they were (found) asking (Allaah) for forgiveness. And in their properties there was the right of the beggar (who asked) and the poor (who do not ask others).” [Quran 51:17-19].
Al-Ihsaan also means striving against one’s soul, struggle against Satan, hypocrites and unbelievers. Allaah Says (what means): “And many a Prophet fought (in Allaah’s cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allaah’s way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allaah loves the patient ones. And they said nothing but, ‘Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions (in keeping our duties to you). Establish our feet firmly and give us victory over the disbelieving folk! So Allaah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the hereafter. And Allaah loves the Muhsins (doers of good).” [Quran 3: 146-148].
It is also an aspect of Al-Ihsaan to spend in the way of Allaah whether one is rich or poor and to suppress ones anger and forgive the ignorant ones when they misbehave. Allaah Says (what means): “Those who spend (in Allaah’s cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves the Muhsins (doers of good).” [Quran 3: 134].
It is a part of Al-Ihsaan to surrender to the truth, to love it and to listen to the revealed Book of Allaah with sound and healthy minds and attentive ears. Allaah Says (what means): “And when they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognised. They say, “Our Lord! We believe; so write us among the witnesses. And why should we not believe in Allaah and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islaamic monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet Muhammad and his companions). So because of what they said, Allaah rewarded them with gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of the Muhsins (doers of good).” [Quran 5: 83-85].
Allaah has promised a great reward for the Muhsins in this world and the next. He promises them protection and good things of this life when He Says (what means): “Truly Allaah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsins (doers of good).” [Quran 16: 128].
Among the reward of good deeds is that it makes Muhsins win Allaah’s love. Allaah Says (what means): “Verily, Allaah loves the Muhsins (doers of good).” [Quran 3: 134].
Among the rewards of good deeds is that Allaah will impart knowledge into the heart of the Muhsins, which will enable him to differentiate between lawful and unlawful things, and between truth and falsehood. Allaah Says about Yoosuf (what means): “And when he (Yoosuf) attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus We reward those who are Muhsins (doers of good).” [Quran 12: 22].
Allaah also rewards Muhsins by praising them and making His slaves praise them as well. The Almighty Says about prophet Nouh (Noah) (what means): “Salaam (peace) be upon Nouh (from Us) among the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).” [Quran 37: 79].
About the reward of the Muhsins in the hereafter, Allaah Says (what means): “For those who have done Al-Ihsaan is the best (reward i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing upon the countenance of Allaah). Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces. They are the dwellers of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.” [Quran 10: 26]
The word “more” means having the prestige of seeing the Countenance of Allaah as it has been successively related in many narrations that the believers will see their Lord on the day of Judgement. As a matter of fact, having the privilege of seeing the Gracious Countenance of Allaah on the Last Day is a suitable reward for Al-Ihsaan, since Al-Ihsaan means to worship Allaah in this world as if one sees Him. Glancing at His Gracious Countenance plainly on the Day of Judgement then becomes the greatest reward for Muhsins. As regards the unbelievers, their eyes will be screened from seeing Allaah on that day, as their hearts were veiled from knowing Allaah and fearing Him in this world.
learn quran online with tajweed and the meaning tafseer read quran online from the live quran reciter and online tajweed quran tutors listen quran
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Benefits to learn how read quran from quran tutors for kids
The holy quran education online is not a new concept in the way of holy quran teaching online. Now a days hundred and thousand of people that are benefiting from these internet for learning quran online. All a person need is a computer and DSL connection and to listen you need a mic and micro phone to learn from our online quran tutor so join hands today for free online quran class
The concept of worship -II
Worship covers all aspects of life: Worshipping Allaah does indeed necessitate using all one’s limbs in the obedience of Allaah and carrying out His orders. One can worship Allaah by preventing his eyes from gazing at unlawful things and using them to look at what Allaah loves, like a copy of the Quran, books of knowledge etc. He can also worship Him by preventing his ears, hands and feet from all that Allaah forbids and using them in things that He enjoins and loves. Allaah says (what means): “Say (O Mohammad); Verily my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists). He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.” [Quran 6:162-163].
As for the Prophet love of worship has penetrated deep into his heart and the greatest manifestation of his worship is that he submitted his whole life to Allaah in all his conditions. Allaah says (what means): “And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allaah and he is a Muhsin (a doer of good).” [Quran 4:125].
The Prophet used to fear Allaah and always seek for His forgiveness. He said: “By Allaah! I indeed invoke Allaah for forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.” (Al-Bukhaari) He used to worship Allaah in the night and would keep on standing until his legs became swollen and when he was asked, “O Messenger of Allaah! You do this when your former and latter sins have been forgiven?” He would reply: “Should I not then be a grateful slave?” (Al-Bukhaari & Muslim)
However, the most wonderful aspect of the Prophet’s () worship is that astonishing combination of the highest level of worship and performance of his role as the head of his nation. He said: “By Allaah! I am the most fearful of Allaah among you, but I fast, and eat; I pray and I sleep and I marry women. Whoever differs from my way is not of me.” (Al-Bukhaari)
Ibn Taymiyyah 
said: “The heart cannot be good, prosper, have felicity and easiness, enjoy and have tranquillity except through the worship of its Lord alone. Even if it attains all pleasures of this world it will not get peace and tranquillity, for it has a natural spontaneous need to its Lord because He is its Lord…”
Nullifiers of worship, and reasons for rejecting it: Not fulfilling the two conditions of accepting a deed (namely, sincerely and coinciding with the way of the Prophet ), are the foremost reasons one's deed may be rejected as we have mentioned before. One of the Salaf (the righteous predecessors) said: “Indeed, Allaah has bestowed His favour upon His servants and commanded them to be grateful as much as they can, for gratitude, however little it may be, is a price for the favour, however big it may be. If one is not grateful, he has exposed the favour to extinction…”
The effort exerted by the Salaf in worship: Our Salaf 
… people who’s hearts were full of love for Allaah in all their conditions … they then became delighted … their souls became tranquil … peace ruled over their limbs … then, thoughts of love replaced those of disobedience … the will to move nearer to Him replaced that of displeasing Him … movements of the tongue became that of obedience or contrary to disobedience.
When Naafi’ was asked about the activities of Ibn ‘Umar at home, he replied: “He used to perform ablution for every prayer and recite Quran in between them [i.e. in between ablution and prayer.]” [End of quote].
Al-Hasan Al-Basri said – while describing efforts of Salaf in worship, “I have met people and I have accompanied groups. They (i.e. the people I have met and accompanied) did not use to rejoice at whatever came their way of the beauties of this world; nor did they use to get sad over whatever departed from them of this world. Rather, the world was less significant to them than the soil over which they walked. They would act by the book of their Lord and the Sunnah of the Prophet. During the night they stood up in prayer, prostrated their faces and wept out of fear of Allaah.” [End of quote].
Whenever Ibn ‘Umar missed a congregational prayer, he would atone for that by a day of fasting, a night vigil (in prayer) and manumission of a slave.
The wife of ‘Umar ibn Abdul-‘Azeez 
said: “I have never seen anyone who prayed fasted and feared Allaah more than him (meaning her husband). He would pray ‘Ishaa’ prayer and then sit mentioning Allaah until he was overcome by slumber. He would remember some of the issues of the Last Day while he was on his bed and tremble like a sparrow and then sit down weeping. I would then cover him with a sheet.” [End of quote].
Wakee’ said: “Al-A’mash never missed the opening Takbeer (in a congregational prayer) for almost seventy years and I visited him for more than six years, and I have never seen him performing a missed Raka’ah.” [End of quote].
Sulaymaan Ibn Hamzah also said: “I have never prayed an obligatory prayer alone except twice and even then I felt as if I had not prayed it at all.” [End of quote]. It should be noted that he was almost ninety years old when he died.
Through worship, a believer’s soul becomes tranquil, that tranquillity energises it and tells it, “O soul! Be happy, for the home is near and reunion is imminent”. Therefore, do not terminate your journey and thus be denied reaching the home of the loved ones.
This is how our Salaf were… and this how we should be.
Important note to learn and read quran online
Reading Quran to seek the light to the right path. The holy Quran is the ultimate source and light for all Muslims. To seek this light of it one needs to read Quran. The importance of the text of Quran cannot be doubted or questions. At the same time, the significance of learning Quran with translation holds a great strength for a holy quran reciter.
There are number of issue in the daily life of Muslims, in which Muslims need to improve according to the Quran. Muslims have been practicing the same conventions from long time, without consulting Koran themselves. Unfortunately, many times Muslims ignore the negative side and only see the positive side of what has been written in the Quran.
The concept of worship -IV
With this part, we come to the conclusion of this issue, during which we will highlight the consequences of being heedless of worship and the fruits gained by being heedful of it.
The consequence of abandoning worship: One should fear Allaah and beware of all things that invalidate worship or remove its reward. Among these are associating partners with Allaah and showing off. Allaah says (what means): “If they had joined in worship others with Allaah all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” [Quran 6:88].
Another act that invalidates worship is innovation. The Prophet said: “Whoever does a deed upon which there is no order from us will have it rejected.”
Doing injustice to others also destroys one’s worship. The Prophet said: “The bankrupt among my Nation is the one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, charity and fasting and yet has abused someone, slandered someone, taken someone’s money illegally, shed someone’s blood and beaten someone. Each of these people will be given for his good deeds (by way of compensation). If his good deeds however finish before judgement is passed on him, parts of their sins will be thrown on him, and he will then be cast into Hell.” (Muslim).
Of these things that invalidate one’s worship is filthy words uttered by some people without thinking of their consequences. The Prophet said: “A man may utter a word (carelessly) which displeases Allaah without thinking of it’s gravity and because of that he will be thrown into the Hell-fire.” (Ibn Maajah). The Prophet also told us of a man who said: “By Allaah! Allaah will not forgive so and so.” Allaah then said: “Who is that person swearing by Me that I will not forgive so and so? I have indeed forgiven him and render your own deeds fruitless!” (Muslim).
The fruits of worship: Worship has many praiseworthy and beneficial results, such as:
· Making the entire life of the Muslim for the sake of Allaah and in His service. One of the most obvious results of worship can be noticed in the performance of prayer; Allaah says(what means): “…Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing…” [Quran 29:45]
· Resulting in one leading a prosperous life, as Allaah Says (what means): “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” [Quran 16:97]
· Worship is a training for the soul and the source of its satisfaction.
· Freeing the person from being enslaved to other than Allaah.
· Purifying the believer.
· Reforming the community.
· Being granted victory from Allaah; He Says (what means): “…And Allaah will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allaah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. [And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give Zakaah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allaah is the outcome of [all] matters.” [Quran 22:40-41]
Having possessed honour and having been worthy of the support of Allaah, the Muslims then neglected Jihaad and favoured lives of comfort and relaxation over this act of worship. They, therefore, began following their vain desires, endeavouring to fulfil every one of them to the maximum, which resulted in them losing the support of Allaah to become subdued, oppressed and controlled by their enemies.
· Entitling the person to the protection of Allaah; Jundub bin ‘Abdullaah reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “When anyone offers the Fajr (dawn) prayer, in congregation, he is under the protection of Allaah.” [Muslim]
· Enabling oneself to be safeguarded and preserved by Allaah; Ibn 'Abbaas reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “Be watchful of (the commandments of) Allaah and He will (therefore) preserve you.” [At-Tirmithi]
· The angels supplicate for the worshipper.
· Entitling the person to the love of Allaah.
· Attaining tranquility.
· Relieving the person during times of hardship, as in the story of the three men who were trapped in a cave and received relief from Allaah due to their righteous deeds.
· Elevating one's rank in Paradise.
To conclude: It has become evident that the most important and the greatest obligation for the slave of Allaah to fulfill is his servitude to Allaah. The core of this servitude is to perform all types of worship such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and others, sincerely and exclusively for Allaah. Included in this is obeying Him in all He has commanded and refraining from all that He has prohibited. Additionally, these acts of worship must establish according to the teachings and guidelines of the Sunnah of the Prophet as adhering to the Sunnah is what leads to people's
Nine great benefits of reciting Holy Quran
· Reading Quran and reflecting over the Noble Quran fulfils an Islamic duty.
· learn holy quran will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment.
· The Noble koran online will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.
· Your status in this life will be raised.
· You will be from the best of the people.
· There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Noble Qur'an.
· The reciters of the Noble Qur'an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.
· Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Noble Qur'an you memorize in this life!
· The Noble Qur'an will lead you to Paradise!
Nine great benefits of reciting Holy Quran
· Reading Quran and reflecting over the Noble Quran fulfils an Islamic duty.
· learn holy quran will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment.
· The Noble koran online will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.
· Your status in this life will be raised.
· You will be from the best of the people.
· There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Noble Qur'an.
· The reciters of the Noble Qur'an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.
· Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Noble Qur'an you memorize in this life!
· The Noble Qur'an will lead you to Paradise!
Monogamy and polygyny
The question remains why a male-dominated society should be so opposed to polygyny when such a large number of its married members practice a form of it by engaging in illicit or casual relationships. Some males self-righteously assert that monogamy is maintained to protect the rights of women. But, since when has the western male been concerned about women's rights?
Western society is riddled through and through with socio-economic practices which oppressed women and led to the upsurge of women's liberation movements in recent years, from suffragettes of the early nineteen hundreds to those of recent times. The reality is that monogamy protects the males right to play around without any responsibility, since the incidence of infidelity among them is usually much higher than among females.
The introduction of birth control pills and easy access to abortions opened the door to illicit sex and, resultantly, the female became tempted to join in on the 'fun'. In spite of her natural and general inclination towards meaningful relationships, she became caught up in the so-called sexual revolution. However, she is still the one who suffers from the side effects of the pill, coil and the loop or the trauma of abortion in much the same way as she suffered in the past - the shame of childbirth out of wedlock.
Meanwhile, the male continues to enjoy himself worry-free, aside from the recent plagues of venereal disease, herpes and AIDS, which are now causing many to reassess their sexual habits. Males in general, continue to be protected by monogamy, while prostitutes, call girls, mistresses, secretaries, models, actresses, store clerks, waitresses and girlfriends remain as their playground.
The fact is that polygyny is vehemently opposed by male-dominated Western society because it would force men into fidelity. It would encourage them to take socio-economic responsibility for the fulfilment of their polygynous desires and provide protection for the weaker members of society, women and children, from mental and physical abuse. Some might argue that if the stigma of illegitimacy were removed, the problem could be solved without having to resort to the legalisation of polygyny.
However, every child has a natural desire to know its parents and the resulting chaos in ancestry could easily lead to incestuous relationships. Females have a vested interest in institutional polygyny because of the obvious socio-economic protection it provides, for the preponderance of females in the world is an established fact. The death-rate at birth is much higher for boys, and women as a whole live longer than men; not to mention the large numbers of men who die daily in various wars around the world.
Thus, although the ratio may vary from country to country, the results are still the same - women outnumber men. This apparent imbalance has been further aggravated by the fact that homosexuality appears to be more frequent among men than among women. Hence, there are more females competing for a diminishing number of males. Consequently, there will always remain a large segment of women unable to fulfil their sexual and psychological needs through legitimate means in monogamous societies. Their presence in an increasingly permissive society also contributes to the breakdown of Western family structure.
A strong family structure is an absolute requirement for a strong and healthy society. And the only way that the family can remain strong and responsive to the needs of its male and female members is through the Islamic form of marriage, of which polygyny is a part.
The Monogamous marriage system, clearly, does not take into consideration the real needs of human society. It limits possibilities for both men and women while claiming to protect the latter. Instead of providing protection for women, it provides a hypocritical shield for men to hide behind while favouring a wife to the detriment of a girlfriend or vice versa. Islam has a complete marriage system, which takes into account all the human variables and provides men and women with viable options.
To deny the validity and legality of polygyny is tantamount to denying the comprehensiveness of the Islaamic marriage system and the wisdom of the Divine Decree. It is not possible that everything in life should happen according to our feelings and desires. Nor is it possible to live without experiencing pain.
On the contrary, Allaah has stated in the Noble Quran that Muslims shall be tested. He says what means: "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient." [Quran 2:155] and: "Do the people think that they will be left to say: 'We believe' and they will not be tried?" [Quran 29:2]
Neither tests nor pain, whether physical or emotional, can be avoided in this life. Nor can any aspect of the Islaamic system be negated merely to justify a particular individual's or group's opinions. Although polygyny may be painful for some women, it is also beneficial for other women and society as a whole. Muslims must accept the whole of Allaah's message and submit to the fact that Allaah's Wisdom is superior to our opinions.
Important note to learn and read quran online
The important note from learning Quran blog the main duty of every Muslim to learn Holy Quran recitation to build our life according to Islam and enhance the knowledge through learning quran online because Holy Quran teacher us the way of life and is the last testimony and is a book of ALLAH; live quran reciters from top quran reciter online also you and your kids can read quran online as well and very easy way plz support us by spreading the word of Allah
End of the note
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)