It's controversial to proclaim that the answer to the conflict in Palestine is to create ONE STATE. Since 1947, the invaders have attempted to split the holy land into two states. One plan was drawn up to look like a quilt of settlements, now Palestine is so cut up that Palestinians in Gaza cannot reach the West Bank. The wall is not only demeaning and reminiscent of World War II, it is a sign of such unequal control of land that creates a psyche of fear on both sides of the fence.
The only way for all people of Palestine to have equality is to have ONE STATE. A state without illegal walls surrounding neighborhoods to keep people in. Currently, native people are not given equal pay for the work they do in Israel, they (native people) have considerable little freedom to move around, receive political anonymity, or have basic human rights due to the Israelis.
Having One State where people can actually live democratically with human rights, freedom of politics, human dignity, and right to practice their religion is what all modern nations are shooting for. Why won't the world pressure Israel to accept One State where all are allowed to vote? One State where all are allowed equal pay for equal work? One State where all can live in dignity?
Clearly, Israelis do not want to share political control with the native people. Demographics show that Israelis are having fewer children than their Palestinian counterparts. Within a few generations the voting population of the One State would be majority Palestinian. Of course, though, Israel would never allow Palestinians the right to vote or form political parties in the Holy Land for fear the their nasty right-wing Likud party would be thrown from the rings of control.
A One State deal would show the world how truly nasty Israeli Zionism is and how fearful they are of their shaky culture.
Some will say that if there is a binational state that with in time it will be similar to the former Yugoslav republic as there would be much fragmentation, ethnic cleansing, and that an apartheid like regime would become evident.
All those hypothesis are considerable fear mongering. Of course violence will happen if one group of people oppress another group of people or attempt to murder them.
One nation state is the only state that would be fair to the native people of the Holy Land.
Jzk.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Disporportionate murder
We won't know how many have truly lost their lives in Gaza for a probably a week if not longer. What we do know from history is that the life of an Arab Palestinian is not worth very much. One statistician claims that 1 Israeli life is worth 450 Arab and Palestinians. during this last war it came out to be 1 Israeli life for 100 Gazans. In just 21 days we know that at least 1300 Muslims in Palestine are dead.
It's a sad day for all who can reflect on our brothers and sisters lost lives. But as Maulana Jelaluddin Balkhi Rumi said that the day that we pass from this dunya is really our wedding day to Allah swt. It's our return to the real life. This concept is the only relief that one can take when contemplating the major loss of life. By that knowledge of an awliya we can take that when we pass we are going somewhere better and for those left behind, knowledge that the one who passed is celebrating with the Creator.
It's a sad day for all who can reflect on our brothers and sisters lost lives. But as Maulana Jelaluddin Balkhi Rumi said that the day that we pass from this dunya is really our wedding day to Allah swt. It's our return to the real life. This concept is the only relief that one can take when contemplating the major loss of life. By that knowledge of an awliya we can take that when we pass we are going somewhere better and for those left behind, knowledge that the one who passed is celebrating with the Creator.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Israel pulls out of Gaza
Wow. So Israel has a great PR team that knows exactly what the West is interested in and how long our attention span is! Israel pulls out of Gaza on the eve of the biggest and most anticipated event in modern American history, the Inauguration of soon to be president Barack H. Obama.
Israel allowed western journalists into Gaza yesterday, knowing that the destruction and horror they were going to witness would be of little interest to their biggest backer, the American public. It is just another war to Israel and to the American public that is wildly apathetic to the horrors of war. It seems that we can pay attention to the war if we are being affected physically. May Allah forgive us.
On this day of action, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we all need to stand up to injustice to the oppressors in this world and if we can't stand up to them then we need to stand up to our own nafs that oppress our hearts. WE must never allow those who physically oppress and take away our rights to oppress our faith in Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, with Allah swt, this dunya (material world) is temporary and this bag of chemicals that our spirit carries around is nothing but for use in this sensory filled existence. Do not live here. Live for the akhera (afterlife).
Israel allowed western journalists into Gaza yesterday, knowing that the destruction and horror they were going to witness would be of little interest to their biggest backer, the American public. It is just another war to Israel and to the American public that is wildly apathetic to the horrors of war. It seems that we can pay attention to the war if we are being affected physically. May Allah forgive us.
On this day of action, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we all need to stand up to injustice to the oppressors in this world and if we can't stand up to them then we need to stand up to our own nafs that oppress our hearts. WE must never allow those who physically oppress and take away our rights to oppress our faith in Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, with Allah swt, this dunya (material world) is temporary and this bag of chemicals that our spirit carries around is nothing but for use in this sensory filled existence. Do not live here. Live for the akhera (afterlife).
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Prince Harry Raghead
“F*** me, you look like a rag-head,” Prince Harry comments, I believe jokingly, about his army buddy while in an airport in Cyprus on duty for the British government. Though jokingly or not derogatory terms such as “rag-head” raises emotions in this pluralized world. Prince Harry, grandson of the Queen Mother of England and son of iconic mother, Diana, who single-handedly saved people all over the world from landmines and who was known to have a relationship with an Egyptian/“rag-head,” Dody al-Fayed. Where did the morals and love his mother taught him to have, go?
During the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2006, Ann Coulter, conservative political and social commentator, used the term rag-head to describe Muslims when she said, "I think our motto should be post-9-11, rag-head talks tough, rag-head faces consequences.” Why would she use this derogatory term, since many American Muslims agree with some of her conservative social rhetoric? She must have alienated many people who would have otherwise agreed with her stance on different issues, by using such a derogatory term.
Rag-head was first seen in published writing in CASEY & T. CASEY Gay-cat vi. 70. “It's the Ragheads all right{em}a whole army of Hindoo [sic] laborers.” Rag-head was described as a Hindu; any Asiatic. It was later seen in 1970 when used to describe African American men were called rag heads because they wore scarves around their hair to protect expensive hairdos. In 1975, the term reappeared in Canadian Magazine March 8. It stated East Indians are called “rah-heads” if they continue to wear the traditional turban of the Sikh religion. The modern usage of the term was seen first in 2003 in Anthony Swofford’s, Jarhead. “I'm proud of our president standing up to the evil. Them ragheads is gonna go down.” Besides the point that the scarves that various religious groups wear are often well crafted and often elaborate drapes of fabric. They are rarely scraps of worthless material that would denote a “rag.”
Derogatory words have a cartoon-like effect for the people that use them. There are many words that are similar to rag-head in its effects on culture in the words ability to cause more oppression of a particular people being objectified by the term. Why, though, do certain people insist on using such language? According to Demetrius Semien, a professor of sociology, the use of such language has two primary affects. One is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you demean a group of people by using words that objectify them, the more they begin to act out the use of word and become a depressed group. The other effect is that when a group of people are issued a certain derogatory term they begin to see their options as being less and will act out and cause civil disorder and unrest due to the perceived lack of options they have. Why though do people choose to use such language? Maybe for the Ann Coulters of this world it is simply to be a provocateur. Maybe for Prince Harry it’s because he feels he is being funny with his friends who understand the “joke” behind the use of such language. For most who use it the possibility of demeaning your perceived enemy through your own amply available means, the voice, is the safest route to show your hatred, fear, and anxiety about a particular group of people.
Words such as rag-head hurt more than the person the word is being directed at, it indirectly affects many people. It intimately hurts the person who is using it. According to the research done by Dr. Masaru Emoto, the use of negative words have a profound affect on water causing the water to not form crystals when it is frozen, when compared to water exposed to positive words which caused beautiful and intricate crystals to form when the water is frozen. All who are exposed to derogatory terms can and are affected by such words. It is not patriotic to use racist and prejudiced terms to describe your “perceived” enemies. It does not prove any point nor does it bring any to the cause. Clearly, it is not just our Muslim “enemies” who are “rag-heads,” but so are Mennonite Christians, Amish, Orthodox Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, many Russians, Eastern Europeans, , Africans to protect their hair, or an old woman on a rainy or windy day.
During the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2006, Ann Coulter, conservative political and social commentator, used the term rag-head to describe Muslims when she said, "I think our motto should be post-9-11, rag-head talks tough, rag-head faces consequences.” Why would she use this derogatory term, since many American Muslims agree with some of her conservative social rhetoric? She must have alienated many people who would have otherwise agreed with her stance on different issues, by using such a derogatory term.
Rag-head was first seen in published writing in CASEY & T. CASEY Gay-cat vi. 70. “It's the Ragheads all right{em}a whole army of Hindoo [sic] laborers.” Rag-head was described as a Hindu; any Asiatic. It was later seen in 1970 when used to describe African American men were called rag heads because they wore scarves around their hair to protect expensive hairdos. In 1975, the term reappeared in Canadian Magazine March 8. It stated East Indians are called “rah-heads” if they continue to wear the traditional turban of the Sikh religion. The modern usage of the term was seen first in 2003 in Anthony Swofford’s, Jarhead. “I'm proud of our president standing up to the evil. Them ragheads is gonna go down.” Besides the point that the scarves that various religious groups wear are often well crafted and often elaborate drapes of fabric. They are rarely scraps of worthless material that would denote a “rag.”
Derogatory words have a cartoon-like effect for the people that use them. There are many words that are similar to rag-head in its effects on culture in the words ability to cause more oppression of a particular people being objectified by the term. Why, though, do certain people insist on using such language? According to Demetrius Semien, a professor of sociology, the use of such language has two primary affects. One is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you demean a group of people by using words that objectify them, the more they begin to act out the use of word and become a depressed group. The other effect is that when a group of people are issued a certain derogatory term they begin to see their options as being less and will act out and cause civil disorder and unrest due to the perceived lack of options they have. Why though do people choose to use such language? Maybe for the Ann Coulters of this world it is simply to be a provocateur. Maybe for Prince Harry it’s because he feels he is being funny with his friends who understand the “joke” behind the use of such language. For most who use it the possibility of demeaning your perceived enemy through your own amply available means, the voice, is the safest route to show your hatred, fear, and anxiety about a particular group of people.
Words such as rag-head hurt more than the person the word is being directed at, it indirectly affects many people. It intimately hurts the person who is using it. According to the research done by Dr. Masaru Emoto, the use of negative words have a profound affect on water causing the water to not form crystals when it is frozen, when compared to water exposed to positive words which caused beautiful and intricate crystals to form when the water is frozen. All who are exposed to derogatory terms can and are affected by such words. It is not patriotic to use racist and prejudiced terms to describe your “perceived” enemies. It does not prove any point nor does it bring any to the cause. Clearly, it is not just our Muslim “enemies” who are “rag-heads,” but so are Mennonite Christians, Amish, Orthodox Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, many Russians, Eastern Europeans, , Africans to protect their hair, or an old woman on a rainy or windy day.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Israel planned attacks on Haamas for over 6 months
According to the Israeli news bureau, Haaretz, DM Ehud Barak and the IDF have been gathering information and planning this recent war with Palestine for over 6 months. The purpose was to gather information of whether or not Hamas was stockpiling weapons, where Hamas bunkers were located, training camps, etc.
Not only were they intentionally sealing the borders of Gaza so that no food, water, and humanitarian aid could be readily available to the people of Gaza, but they were actively planning how they were going to go in there and flush out an elected government.
This is not a plan to create peace this is a plan to annihilate a race of people.
Not only were they intentionally sealing the borders of Gaza so that no food, water, and humanitarian aid could be readily available to the people of Gaza, but they were actively planning how they were going to go in there and flush out an elected government.
This is not a plan to create peace this is a plan to annihilate a race of people.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The necessity of Religion- period.
Many in today's world have completely walked away from religion because of some logical appropriate reasons. Unfortunately, fanatics have taken over the meaning and structure of different religions, esp. Christianity and Islam, and have reinterpreted them in such a way that people who are formerly religious find no validity and it gives those who were never religious reasons to not want to be.
What is spirituality? Broadly, it is the belief that one has a spirit and is concerned about it. Where does spirituality come from? Billions of people believe that spirituality comes from the creator. For thousands of years people have thought extensively about the spirit, the creator, and the afterlife. From ancient Chinese spirituality to Islam, the belief in Allah, Heaven and every other name the creator has given himself, people have sought solace in spirituality through religious practice. However, modern people have decided to take it upon themselves to develop their own spirituality and "connection" with the creator. Talk about making the biggest mistake first, which is the lack of humility due to extreme ego inflation! How can anyone face the creator through their spirit when they are still completely controlled by their ego?
Instead of seeking religious affiliation, many, esp. in the West are seeking spirituality, which is the heart of all religions. People are wanting all the benefits of religion without wanting to take responsibility in this existence for their actions that are moderated by the direction that the creator has given to us through religion.
As I am a Muslim, and one who initially did not want to assimilate religion with spirituality, I cannot help but to promote my opinion with arguments based on 1400 years of Islamic thought. When I was reintegrating myself into spirituality I thought that it would be possible to just practice the spirituality of Islam without having to follow the laws of Islam, quickly I realized that without the discipline that the religion gives me, I would not get anywhere with my spirituality. I began to ponder why it was that I needed to follow these 1400 year old ideas in my modern life. Outwardly, in the west, Islam appears to be mid-evil, uncivilized, and even static. One has to swallow a lot of pride to follow the general rules of Islam if they are reverts in the west. I, myself, had to give up going out on dates along with flirting, eating haraam food, my very cool bicycle, alcohol, and my general status in culture. I had to also give my friends, not because Islam dictates it, but because I know longer had anything in common with them. I knew though, that if I wanted to develop any form of spirituality whether directed by Western religions or Eastern, I was going to have to give up all of my ego through ritualistic discipline first before I was going to taste any spiritual "wine".
As of yet, I have not met any real spiritual person who is not deeply religious, not to say that it cannot be, but that the odds are far greater if one has developed the strong discipline of religious ritual and rites first or in conjunction with spiritual development. Understandably, when people who seek to know their spirit have to contend with narrow-minded religious zealots, instead of trying to understand that religion, they immediately walk away. Instead, what our spirit is truly asking us is to educate ourselves about the religion, humble ourselves to the fact that we know so little, and find the truth.
Islam, is a religion based on law, enlightenment, and justice. Prophet, saaws, was immediately enlightened by the light of the creator and was immediately purified spiritually. Others around him, the sahabis, also became enlightened when they received the undeniable word of Allah. It was only in subsequent generations, that people turned away from enlightenment and became fully immersed in ego aggrandizement and personal idol worship, instead of following the path to enlightenment that Islam offers.
The right of practice of Islam is essential to enlightenment. It is by far the quickest path and most explicit. The path to enlightenment, sirat al-mustaqim, is begged upon in every prayer, essentially one who practices Islam puts intention to have enlightenment 40+ times a day. That's INCREDIBLE! As a practicing Muslim, one says that they want the straight path to Allah (enlightenment) so often. Although, not everyone is making true intention when they ask for the path, the fact is that what passes the lips still has an affect on the heart. It is healthy for the heart to feel those words. In our human life, we walk easily with 2 feet, religious practice and spiritual servitude are the 2 feet that we use to walk on the path to enlightenment. If one only practices religious doctrine they will have a struggle to know Allah, if one only uses "spirituality" they miss the whole point of life and thus will struggle in the long-term to know Allah. When one uses both their lives will become meaningful and if Allah wills it, their path to Him will be easy.
The whole point of Islam and sunnah of rasul, saaws, is to facilitate spiritual development and social harmony and illumination. It recognizes the fact that ALL deserve to find the Creator in their lives right now. Islam (synonym for spiritual work) is for everyone, not just priests, fathers, popes, pastors and monastics, it is the right for all in humanity. It is a right that Allah has on us that we try to know Him, through his generous and loving nature, he has created this miraculous universe and the way to him through 140,000 prophets and through the exemplary human P. Mohammad, saaws. Why waste time constructing your own spirituality, when the quickest path to spirituality has been given to the world?
I would be surprised to hear any reason that is not based on ego attachment. The path to spiritual success is a well trodden path especially amongst the Muslims. May Allah guide us all on the sirat al-mustaqim so that we can experience enlightenment here and now.
jzk.
What is spirituality? Broadly, it is the belief that one has a spirit and is concerned about it. Where does spirituality come from? Billions of people believe that spirituality comes from the creator. For thousands of years people have thought extensively about the spirit, the creator, and the afterlife. From ancient Chinese spirituality to Islam, the belief in Allah, Heaven and every other name the creator has given himself, people have sought solace in spirituality through religious practice. However, modern people have decided to take it upon themselves to develop their own spirituality and "connection" with the creator. Talk about making the biggest mistake first, which is the lack of humility due to extreme ego inflation! How can anyone face the creator through their spirit when they are still completely controlled by their ego?
Instead of seeking religious affiliation, many, esp. in the West are seeking spirituality, which is the heart of all religions. People are wanting all the benefits of religion without wanting to take responsibility in this existence for their actions that are moderated by the direction that the creator has given to us through religion.
As I am a Muslim, and one who initially did not want to assimilate religion with spirituality, I cannot help but to promote my opinion with arguments based on 1400 years of Islamic thought. When I was reintegrating myself into spirituality I thought that it would be possible to just practice the spirituality of Islam without having to follow the laws of Islam, quickly I realized that without the discipline that the religion gives me, I would not get anywhere with my spirituality. I began to ponder why it was that I needed to follow these 1400 year old ideas in my modern life. Outwardly, in the west, Islam appears to be mid-evil, uncivilized, and even static. One has to swallow a lot of pride to follow the general rules of Islam if they are reverts in the west. I, myself, had to give up going out on dates along with flirting, eating haraam food, my very cool bicycle, alcohol, and my general status in culture. I had to also give my friends, not because Islam dictates it, but because I know longer had anything in common with them. I knew though, that if I wanted to develop any form of spirituality whether directed by Western religions or Eastern, I was going to have to give up all of my ego through ritualistic discipline first before I was going to taste any spiritual "wine".
As of yet, I have not met any real spiritual person who is not deeply religious, not to say that it cannot be, but that the odds are far greater if one has developed the strong discipline of religious ritual and rites first or in conjunction with spiritual development. Understandably, when people who seek to know their spirit have to contend with narrow-minded religious zealots, instead of trying to understand that religion, they immediately walk away. Instead, what our spirit is truly asking us is to educate ourselves about the religion, humble ourselves to the fact that we know so little, and find the truth.
Islam, is a religion based on law, enlightenment, and justice. Prophet, saaws, was immediately enlightened by the light of the creator and was immediately purified spiritually. Others around him, the sahabis, also became enlightened when they received the undeniable word of Allah. It was only in subsequent generations, that people turned away from enlightenment and became fully immersed in ego aggrandizement and personal idol worship, instead of following the path to enlightenment that Islam offers.
The right of practice of Islam is essential to enlightenment. It is by far the quickest path and most explicit. The path to enlightenment, sirat al-mustaqim, is begged upon in every prayer, essentially one who practices Islam puts intention to have enlightenment 40+ times a day. That's INCREDIBLE! As a practicing Muslim, one says that they want the straight path to Allah (enlightenment) so often. Although, not everyone is making true intention when they ask for the path, the fact is that what passes the lips still has an affect on the heart. It is healthy for the heart to feel those words. In our human life, we walk easily with 2 feet, religious practice and spiritual servitude are the 2 feet that we use to walk on the path to enlightenment. If one only practices religious doctrine they will have a struggle to know Allah, if one only uses "spirituality" they miss the whole point of life and thus will struggle in the long-term to know Allah. When one uses both their lives will become meaningful and if Allah wills it, their path to Him will be easy.
The whole point of Islam and sunnah of rasul, saaws, is to facilitate spiritual development and social harmony and illumination. It recognizes the fact that ALL deserve to find the Creator in their lives right now. Islam (synonym for spiritual work) is for everyone, not just priests, fathers, popes, pastors and monastics, it is the right for all in humanity. It is a right that Allah has on us that we try to know Him, through his generous and loving nature, he has created this miraculous universe and the way to him through 140,000 prophets and through the exemplary human P. Mohammad, saaws. Why waste time constructing your own spirituality, when the quickest path to spirituality has been given to the world?
I would be surprised to hear any reason that is not based on ego attachment. The path to spiritual success is a well trodden path especially amongst the Muslims. May Allah guide us all on the sirat al-mustaqim so that we can experience enlightenment here and now.
jzk.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Hasidic Jews against Israel
Our brothers and sisters in faith of Elohim, of Allah, YHWH, have declared Israel a false state that should not be supported and even to be opposed. They stand in solidarity with Muslims. They recognize that Jews have lived in peace with Muslims for over 1400 years in the Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Spain, etc. Maybe with the solidarity with our Hasidic brothers and sisters, a real comprehensive movement that opposes using secular political ideas to govern.
May Allah protect them.
May Allah protect them.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Universal Sufism- Inayat Khan
bismelah ar-rahman ar-raheem
Salaam alaikum,
Salaam alaikum,
I enter this problem in hope that we are all seeking truth and not just egotistical desires, insha allah we only say what we say for the love of Allah and not his wrath.
Here is my bones about Univeral Sufism. Sufism is to Islam as Kabaalah is too Judaism as Monasticism is to Christianity. I cannot be a monastic Muslim, nor can I be a kabaalite Muslim. Sufism belongs to the refined and defined spiritual practices of Islam and not any other practice. Without Islam you have no sufism tasawwuf, period! It is just a catch word for people to manipulate and use without having any knowledge of the real practice of the heart. This is where my heart breaks. Because of kafirs that use this beautiful word and practice to their own egotistical desires, the true essence of it becomes diluted and then the true seekers of the heart of the Beloved have a harder and harder time finding it.
Abu Ishaq Shami of Chist, may Allah be pleased, integrated aspects of Hindu singing that is how singing was introduced to the practice, although i would be highly suspect about claiming that he said the Sufism is Universal.
The practice of tasawwuf is based purely in the practice of Islam and practically all lineages are traced back to Sayyidina Ali, ra, the son-in-law of Rasul, saaws which ultimately leads to our beloved Rasul and to our pure Beloved, Allah subhana wa ta'ala.
Islam is the one religion/dogma that truly takes into account spirituality, all of it's laws are set to help Muslims to lead spiritual lives. To disconnect the divine from it makes it worthless, I'm sorry to say. The practice of sufism becomes hollow without Islam (body) and Iman (mind/faith). Anyone who thinks that they can practice sufism without Islam cannot truly remember G-d and will continue to practice their big egos! Sufism is about zikr, Islam is about Allah, purely.
Believe me, I have tried to just consider Sufism as the way, but it is only one foot of the way, believe me hopping is not easy and most will fail and will decide to leave it. So many people are looking for meaning. I live by an ashram with a fake guru/swami and I see the hopeful go there in droves and leave in droves after finding mind control, sexual and financial manipulation, and scary forms of meditation. Offering up the most important piece of the puzzle, ihsan, without having discipline that is taught through Islam is fallacy.
If one can't give up their old physical practices of this world, what makes any think they can give up their EGOS so that their spirit can thrive in this world, also? this is key. All who truly practice sufism must believe in Allah, in his messengers, in the Quran, in jinn, in angels, in the day of judgement. period.
Sufism should not be given away or sold, it is earned. Historically, sufism comes from the sahabis who were all enlightened by the pure light of Allah through our beloved Rasul Mohammad, saaws. Practice of Zikr was determined in the QURAN ash-shareef and not in any other.
I could go on and on. Allah is universal, no doubt, but sufism is not. Sufism belongs to Islam and no other. It came from Islamic mystics that trace their lineage to Rasul, saaws, and Sayyidina Ali ra, and not a Hindu, Christian, animist, Jewish mystic, etc. Do not deviate from the straight path. I beg for the sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala and his most beautiful Nabi Mohammad, saaws.
May Allah guide all on the sirat al-mustaqim.
You Tube tips and Islam
You Tube is a 21 century phenomenon that every group of people have taken part in. There are thousands of videos done by Muslim brother and Sisters. Although most are not of the highest quality, the fact that they are put out there for the world to see is good, right?
Unfortunately, You tube is an unmonitored ground of racism and islamaphobic hate speech. It is disgusting to read the comments that people make about Islam, Muslims, and the Quran al-kareem. What is even worse is to read 'Muslims' return the negative hate speech instead of just ignoring it or by using compassion and logic to combat the hate.
Perusing the videos, I found an attack on the seal of Prophets, saaws, that purported that he was a child molestor. The person said that he attacked the prophet because someone had insulted Jesus, ss. Of course, no real Muslim would ever say anything against the Messiah Isa, ss.
Muslims can either enter into intelligent, logical and level-headed debate when explaining the what they know and how they come to their conclusions or just not enter into any debate and say Peace and pray for the person to find a way to honest truth.
Imam Al-Ghazali recommends that if you enter a debate because of your want to win it, than that is a debate based off your ego. Nafs=Bad. If you enter into a debate because both sides wish to know the truth regardless of where the truth comes from than you enter the debate without ego. This is good.
One must know themselves and their opponents in order to even commit to an intellectual dialog. You must determine if the person is one of 3 personality types.
a: the person is someone who knows they do not know
b: the person is someone who does not know that they do not know
c: the person is someone who thinks they know but do not know and will never listen to reason or logic.
For person A enter the dialog with calmness, positivity, and rationality. This person you can use colorful language with to paint the picture of your point.
For person B you must first tell them what you know they do not know. Once you set the basis for your dialog and have deconstructed their comments and possible irrational debate you can begin to use more dialectic tactics.
For person C you should just say Salaam, walk away, and then pray for them.
When entering into the realm of You tube commenting, the possibility of turning people completely off to Allah is high. People can be extremely cynical and only see hatred. Even mundane comments such as, "anyone who has an ear can sound like that."- in regards to a beautiful quranic recitation. Shows that people are out there to stir up trouble all in hopes of offending Muslims enough to cause hatred.
Now more than ever, Muslims around the world need to show restraint against their nafs. We need to take the route of peace, non-violence, and wisdom.
Unfortunately, You tube is an unmonitored ground of racism and islamaphobic hate speech. It is disgusting to read the comments that people make about Islam, Muslims, and the Quran al-kareem. What is even worse is to read 'Muslims' return the negative hate speech instead of just ignoring it or by using compassion and logic to combat the hate.
Perusing the videos, I found an attack on the seal of Prophets, saaws, that purported that he was a child molestor. The person said that he attacked the prophet because someone had insulted Jesus, ss. Of course, no real Muslim would ever say anything against the Messiah Isa, ss.
Muslims can either enter into intelligent, logical and level-headed debate when explaining the what they know and how they come to their conclusions or just not enter into any debate and say Peace and pray for the person to find a way to honest truth.
Imam Al-Ghazali recommends that if you enter a debate because of your want to win it, than that is a debate based off your ego. Nafs=Bad. If you enter into a debate because both sides wish to know the truth regardless of where the truth comes from than you enter the debate without ego. This is good.
One must know themselves and their opponents in order to even commit to an intellectual dialog. You must determine if the person is one of 3 personality types.
a: the person is someone who knows they do not know
b: the person is someone who does not know that they do not know
c: the person is someone who thinks they know but do not know and will never listen to reason or logic.
For person A enter the dialog with calmness, positivity, and rationality. This person you can use colorful language with to paint the picture of your point.
For person B you must first tell them what you know they do not know. Once you set the basis for your dialog and have deconstructed their comments and possible irrational debate you can begin to use more dialectic tactics.
For person C you should just say Salaam, walk away, and then pray for them.
When entering into the realm of You tube commenting, the possibility of turning people completely off to Allah is high. People can be extremely cynical and only see hatred. Even mundane comments such as, "anyone who has an ear can sound like that."- in regards to a beautiful quranic recitation. Shows that people are out there to stir up trouble all in hopes of offending Muslims enough to cause hatred.
Now more than ever, Muslims around the world need to show restraint against their nafs. We need to take the route of peace, non-violence, and wisdom.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Zionism is Political
What is surprising is that most people don't know the History of how Israel became a country. In fact with the Balfour declaration it only stated that Jews should have a "National Homeland" that does not mean they should constitute a country/STATE! When the first European jews in the late 1800's came over to Palestine they did not try to take it over from the Palestinian Muslims, Jews, and Christians. It wasn't until WWII that the US pressured England to submit to allowing more Jews into Palestine, still though this did not mean they constituted a STATE! They stole the land from other Jewish, Christian and Muslim Palestinians who formerly were ruled by a JUST Ottoman empire (before the british conquered).
For over 1500 years that land had primarily lived in peace under MUSLIM caliphate rule except for when the European Christian CRUSADERS massacred people there.
Anyone with baseless opinions to this conflict need to calm down, do some reading, look beyond their local media and try to understand the other side.
There is a very specific reason to why the Palestinians, such as Hamas, will never recognize Israel. Palestinians have been shat upon for the past 60 years. Much of the Muslim world has been in too much internal conflict because of Nationalism to respond to this occupation. Proud Palestinians have been dehumanized continuously for 60 years.
In fact, the water table under Gaza, has been siphoned from underneath them by Israel amongst other issues. What we haven't heard in the news here is that Israel has enforced STRICT sanctions on Gaza for over 9 months. Egypt is too afraid of opening the border with Gaza because of Israeli repercussions, which is causing much strife internationally.
I want people to imagine how they would act if someone came to your land that your family has had for hundreds of years and claimed it as their own! WHAT WOULD YOU DO??? You would fight for your land and you would not give up until you had your ancestral land! period.
HOW can anyone sitting in the WEST who has not been forcibly removed from their ancestral land possibly imagine how the Palestinians feel and how Hamas desires to restore land stolen by the Zionist?
btw, I was raised Jewish and had even contemplated in my youth to become an Israeli citizen. I don't make any comment from a racist xenophobic place, but speak from a place of knowledge.
The only religious state where all 3 Abrahamic faiths lived peacefully was an Islamic STATE. In fact, it was the Islamic state that specifically protected it's different religious denomination against foreign attack especially against the all too righteous Catholic church.
More than ever we need an Islamic State that follows the laws and rules of God that will allow society to restore itself to a place of spiritual development and not on one where hedonistic and utilitarian desires run rampant!
For over 1500 years that land had primarily lived in peace under MUSLIM caliphate rule except for when the European Christian CRUSADERS massacred people there.
Anyone with baseless opinions to this conflict need to calm down, do some reading, look beyond their local media and try to understand the other side.
There is a very specific reason to why the Palestinians, such as Hamas, will never recognize Israel. Palestinians have been shat upon for the past 60 years. Much of the Muslim world has been in too much internal conflict because of Nationalism to respond to this occupation. Proud Palestinians have been dehumanized continuously for 60 years.
In fact, the water table under Gaza, has been siphoned from underneath them by Israel amongst other issues. What we haven't heard in the news here is that Israel has enforced STRICT sanctions on Gaza for over 9 months. Egypt is too afraid of opening the border with Gaza because of Israeli repercussions, which is causing much strife internationally.
I want people to imagine how they would act if someone came to your land that your family has had for hundreds of years and claimed it as their own! WHAT WOULD YOU DO??? You would fight for your land and you would not give up until you had your ancestral land! period.
HOW can anyone sitting in the WEST who has not been forcibly removed from their ancestral land possibly imagine how the Palestinians feel and how Hamas desires to restore land stolen by the Zionist?
btw, I was raised Jewish and had even contemplated in my youth to become an Israeli citizen. I don't make any comment from a racist xenophobic place, but speak from a place of knowledge.
The only religious state where all 3 Abrahamic faiths lived peacefully was an Islamic STATE. In fact, it was the Islamic state that specifically protected it's different religious denomination against foreign attack especially against the all too righteous Catholic church.
More than ever we need an Islamic State that follows the laws and rules of God that will allow society to restore itself to a place of spiritual development and not on one where hedonistic and utilitarian desires run rampant!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
living with an agnostic or atheist
The pain of living with family who are vehemently anti-Islam is probably the most trying and sorrowful place to be. Prophet, peace be upon him, said that we need respect our parents even if they hate Allah, swt, and our beautiful prophet and way of life. How can any Muslim sit and listen to another blaspheme in the most horrendous ways without wanting to splash the persons face with cold water?
It is the most difficult task to face Ibless in the flesh of a parent who screams and paces the floor talking about how evil you are because you believe in Allah and his messenger! Truly the person becomes as ugly as the devil and nearly as frightening. That sort of anger is the type anger to abhor in others. Do you laugh? do you scream? Do you yell back? Do you turn up the Quran recitation louder?
When you start to see the hell someone is facing because of their ugliness, especially a parent or a sibling, you want nothing more for them to be forgiven. Though it may happen because of the awful way they talk about Prophet, saaws and Allah, swt, that they might as well go to hell.
Truly a parent may bring you into this world but if they don't teach you about his world or give you the opportunity to learn about this world in the spiritual sense can no longer be considered a valuable parent. Especially if the parent is trying to stop you from practicing Islam and tries to throw your iman in your face, how can anyone forgive such hatred and malice?
It will never be easy to be a Muslim even if you live amongst believers, but there is a special trial for one who has to live with non-believers, especially non-believers who hate Islam.
astaghirlilah.
Nationalism is Dangerous
Since the French Revolution, Nationalism has grown into the most divisive tool of our time to create hatred, more so than religion, race, gender, or age. In the Muslim world it has been expressively dangerous. With the reckless drawing of borders by the French and British after WWI and then using their imperial prowess to build dividing cultural factors to create hatred between Muslims. No longer did the European world want a powerful Islamic empire so they had to create hatred and mistrust amongst the Muslims by creating political movements, secular movements, feminist movements, etc.
Now more than ever Muslims need a Calipha that will represent all Muslims, not just Shia or Sunni or Salafi or astaghfirlelah Qadiri, but all MUSLIMS. We are MUSLIMS and not Americans, Egyptians, Yemenis, Bahraini, Indonesian, Pakestani, we are Muslims. May Allah forgive all the self-righteous for their arrogance.
As our most beautiful Maulana, saaws, said, "He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride and arrogance shall not enter Paradise." Calling yourself anything, but humbly a Muslim can lead one to a feeling of boastfulness and pride.
It is the responsibility of ALL Muslims to help to protect all other Muslims.
Rasul, saaws stated: "He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do that, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enought to do even that, then he should at least abhor it from his heart; and that is the least of faith." Muslim
Our only nation is the nation of Allah swt. Live justly with the shariah in your own actions and heart and treat all other Muslims with the dignity our Rasul, saaws has shown us.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Dhikr
Dhikr Allah or zikr Allah is an essential peace to practicing Islam.
Allah, swt, said, "Therefore, Remember me and I will remember you. Give thanks to me and reject me not."-al-baqarah 2.152
"O ye who believe. Remember Allah with much remembrance; and glorify him morning and evening."-surah al-ahzab 41.42
"Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Such are in plain error." -surah Zumar 39.22
There are numerous more ayats that talk about making dhikr.
Dhikr is not just saying the beautiful names of our Beloved, but it's living in wonderment of our Beloved and all that He gives to us. It's not just about taking your tasbeeh out and making dhikr or sitting with a group of Muslims making dhikr outloud. In fact you can view the fallen leaves of a maple tree and make dhikr Allah. You can step onto a sandy beach with bare feet and make dhikr Allah. It's possible to sit with just your heart and hear Allah's love in the beats of your heart. Why not be swimming under the water and with every stroke you remember Allah and not your own ego.
Dhikr is not about mindlessly saying the most holy names of Allah, it's about forgetting about your EGO for a while and being apart of the infinite perfection of the Creator. Whether you are given permission by a maulana to say certain names or you remember Allah from your own heart, just never forget Allah, the infinite protector.
Remember Allah not for anything but for the sake of Allah and His mercy. Do not do it because you feel obliged or because you are bored, remember Allah because you need Him to remember you.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Evil Israel
Seems the Israelis forgot that for the past 2 months they have cut off Gaza completely from the world. Gaza has not been allowed food from outside, electricity, water or medicine. No wonder why the government would send rocket attacks outside of the barbed walls of Gaza! More than ever we need to press our governments to stand up to Israel and tell them that we put the pieces together and will not believe the lies they are telling us about Hamas, the legal government of Palestine, and Palestinians. Any government would break a cease fire if their people were directly dying from forced illegal sanctions against their citizens. Gathering weapons was a strategic and intelligent move of the Palestinian government, as all governments are allowed to protect their citizens. Now more than ever we must support those who are being oppressed violently in whatever manner it is possible.
Islam is a practice of inner struggle and only outer struggle if you are being attacked. So now is the natural time for active fighting against those who are forcing us to not follow our Islamic rituals and practices.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
God Damn Who?
Recent news of Israel once again planning to invade Gaza is entirely unsettling and raises questions whether or not anyone remembers how this all began.
As most know Israel was an invented state that sprung out of specific Zionist arguments as spelled out by Leo Pinsker in Auto- Emancipation in 1882. Pinsker, a citizen of Russia, knew of the horror Jews were facing in the Russia pogroms and needs for the Jewish people of a "National Home." His paper led to another paper written by a Austrian Jewish journalist, Theodore Herzl, in 1896 called, Der Judenstaat or "The Jew's State." Previous to this opinion that the Jews needed their own state, many rabbi's said that a Jewish state was not possible until the Messiah has come. I guess their messiah was the a document by the name of the Balfour Declaration and the queen of England.
The Balfour Declaration, however, never said that Palestine would be turned into a Jewish State, in fact there weren't any borders that declared a Jewish state. Another point is that this would be a "National Homeland" and not a STATE, under geographical terms a State is a land the is politically recognized by other governments and Nation is a tightly knit group of people who may or may not constitute a STATE/COUNTRY. Under this declaration, Israel was only given status of National Homeland and not a Jewish State.
When European Jews came to Palestine they did not find an empty land. There were pocket of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Samarians living there. Many of these Europeans were able to find land for sale that was sold by the absentee landlords. Under Palestinian culture, absentee landlords permitted "peasants" to occupy their land and tend to farming and animal husbandry to pay for the "rent." I would suspect that these absentee landlords figured that the new owners would continue to honor that aspect, but these Europeans, who knew nothing about farming or the dry land of Palestine, kicked off these "peasants" and started their own kibbutz after learning how to work the land.
Then came the Jewish terrorists, Haganah and Irgun who ruthlessly murdered Palestinian women and children in Hebron and other Palestinian territories. These 2 "para-military" groups were professionally trained with many of their members having been apart of the armed forces in their primary country of origin. Although the Wailing Wall massacre was a hideous event nothing could compare to the decades of torture and humiliation that Palestinians face and will continue to face until the Messiah and Madhi returns to this DUNYA.
What is happening today is no surprise. The Jews will continue to wash out blood with blood and will probably not stop until they have Gaza again under their full control. Palestinians will continue to not be allowed water, food, electricity, and life. Jewish Zealots will continue to build their illegal homesteads on Palestinian land and get shot at for stealing the property.
What we will not allow Israel to get away with is calling Palestinians terrorists. We as Muslims in the west need to stand up to our government and tell them that we do not accept their support of this illegal occupation of Palestine. We must also inform our fellow citizens what is really happening to HUMANS in Palestine, without rationalizing the use of violence, which should never be accepted unless you are being attacked and looking down the barrel of a gun.
Allah azawajul does not honor those who turn to violence to make a point politically or socially. Even if Israel is doing something entirely against basic human rights and illegal, Allah will justly deal with them in the akhera.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Human Love
Human love can be a messy part to life. Allah subhana wa ta'ala has decreed upon us rules to our intimacy and relations and we must do our best to follow those.
Prophet Mohammad, sallallahu wa salaam, showed us what that should look like. Even his wife Hazrat Aisha, ra, described in detail what it meant to love a husband, this leaves women with a model of how to act appropiately.
In detail the saints and wise walay left us with a distinct knowledge of the types of love and lust we feel and where they come from.
A: When love/lust/desire comes from Nafess, stomach. It is just like a gas. It smell very bad. It makes us unfordable. It takes away all good experiences. One gets in a bad mood and one must go to toilet. When one is finished with this feeling they quickly want to leave it.
B, If it comes from Aqhel, brain. It is mostly from shytan. It is very selfish feeling. It sees only itself and self interest. One must be slap on the face to weak up. Your desires may overwhelm you and you will not see the other person, but only see your desires to control that person and the relationship.
C: If it comes from Qhalb, heart, it is spiritual. All it's feelings are from Allah (swt). A sense of gratefulness, appreciation, patience and submission. It weighs everything with the purpose of our life in this world. There are no senses of self centrism there. It actually seeks the approval of that Divine Power.
No matter if you are in a marriage with someone you choose to be with or arranged by your family you must find it in your heart to reach for the love that Allah, swt, gives every moment and give that love to spouse and family. If anyone has the secret to developing that love than please sell it to the world so that we can all be better off.
Prophet Mohammad, sallallahu wa salaam, showed us what that should look like. Even his wife Hazrat Aisha, ra, described in detail what it meant to love a husband, this leaves women with a model of how to act appropiately.
In detail the saints and wise walay left us with a distinct knowledge of the types of love and lust we feel and where they come from.
A: When love/lust/desire comes from Nafess, stomach. It is just like a gas. It smell very bad. It makes us unfordable. It takes away all good experiences. One gets in a bad mood and one must go to toilet. When one is finished with this feeling they quickly want to leave it.
B, If it comes from Aqhel, brain. It is mostly from shytan. It is very selfish feeling. It sees only itself and self interest. One must be slap on the face to weak up. Your desires may overwhelm you and you will not see the other person, but only see your desires to control that person and the relationship.
C: If it comes from Qhalb, heart, it is spiritual. All it's feelings are from Allah (swt). A sense of gratefulness, appreciation, patience and submission. It weighs everything with the purpose of our life in this world. There are no senses of self centrism there. It actually seeks the approval of that Divine Power.
No matter if you are in a marriage with someone you choose to be with or arranged by your family you must find it in your heart to reach for the love that Allah, swt, gives every moment and give that love to spouse and family. If anyone has the secret to developing that love than please sell it to the world so that we can all be better off.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Learning to truly love Allah, subhana wa ta'ala, should be the prime goal for all existence. What else you do with your life should be to satisfy his love of you.
It is a lot easier to talk about loving allah, but to truly love him as you love your parents, spouse, and children is more difficult. when I read these ecstatic penned by Maulana Jelalluddin Balkhi (Rumi) or hear the words of Rabia Adawiya, I grow so curious as to how they practiced to find the romantic and sensual love for Ar-Rahman.
As I read about the devotion of the christian nuns towards their marriage to Jesus, I can understand how they can devote themselves because they have a visual representation of their idea of God. How do we lovers of Allah, the one pure representation of the creator of the universe, find that love and devotion that produces the ecstasies that spiritual poets describe?
What amount of our lives should we give up, at least temporarily, in pursuit of this exercise of love through our hearts?
In the coming month of Muharram the 10th of Ashura gives everyone the perfect opportunity to learn to love Allah through the fasting and du'a that one can make on that day.
Never forgetting to make dhikr Allah every day
It is a lot easier to talk about loving allah, but to truly love him as you love your parents, spouse, and children is more difficult. when I read these ecstatic penned by Maulana Jelalluddin Balkhi (Rumi) or hear the words of Rabia Adawiya, I grow so curious as to how they practiced to find the romantic and sensual love for Ar-Rahman.
As I read about the devotion of the christian nuns towards their marriage to Jesus, I can understand how they can devote themselves because they have a visual representation of their idea of God. How do we lovers of Allah, the one pure representation of the creator of the universe, find that love and devotion that produces the ecstasies that spiritual poets describe?
What amount of our lives should we give up, at least temporarily, in pursuit of this exercise of love through our hearts?
In the coming month of Muharram the 10th of Ashura gives everyone the perfect opportunity to learn to love Allah through the fasting and du'a that one can make on that day.
Never forgetting to make dhikr Allah every day
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Hadiths and ayats about End Times
In the End Times of the community of the faithful, people, those who adorn the mosques but leave their own hearts in ruins, who fail to look after their religion as much as they do their clothes, who forsake their religious obligations for the sake of their activities in this world, will increase in number.
A man is unfilial towards his mother,and drives his father far off... (Tirmidhi)
There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.(Al-Muttaqi Al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal)
Divorces will be a daily occurrence.('Allamah Safarini, Ahwal Yaum al-Qiyamah)
There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, backbiters and taunters in society. (Al-Muttaqi Al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal)
The Last Hour will not arrive till people come forth who make a living with their tongues as cows eat with their tongues. (Tirmidhi)
Literacy will increase-as Judgment draws nigh. (Ahmad Diya'al-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Ahadith)
A man is unfilial towards his mother,and drives his father far off... (Tirmidhi)
There will be an abundance of illegitimate children.(Al-Muttaqi Al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal)
Divorces will be a daily occurrence.('Allamah Safarini, Ahwal Yaum al-Qiyamah)
There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, backbiters and taunters in society. (Al-Muttaqi Al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal)
The Last Hour will not arrive till people come forth who make a living with their tongues as cows eat with their tongues. (Tirmidhi)
Literacy will increase-as Judgment draws nigh. (Ahmad Diya'al-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Ahadith)
There will be no Judgment-until very tall buildings are constructed.(Reported by Abu Hurairah
The Hour will not be established-till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings.(Bukhari)
Great distances will be traversed in short spans of time. (Ahmad, Musnad)
And horses, mules and donkeys both to ride and for adornment. And He creates other things you do not know. (Surat an-Nahl: 8)
There will be no Judgment ... until a person's own voice speaks to him. (Mukhtasar Tazkirah Qurtubi)
A voice from the sky that everyone will hear in his own language. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman)
At the time of his death, 'Isa (as) will have reappeared on this earth for forty years.(Abu Dawood)
'Isa (as), son of Maryam (as), will descend, rule for 40 years with the book of Allah and my sunnah, and die.(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman)
'isa (as), son of Maryam (as), will be a just judge and just ruler (in my community), break and crush the cross and kill the pig ... The earth will be so filled of peace as a vessel is filled with water. The entire world shall recite and follow one and the same Word and none shall be worshipped except Allah. (Ibn Majah)
The Hour will not be established until the son of Maryam (as) (i.e. 'Isa) (as) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs… (Bukhari)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Muslim Human Rights- Hijab
It is appalling and frightening that so many people are fearful of a woman who covers her head.
What has come to our world when a basic human right that had been a custom of the majority of the world until the 1950's is looked at as being an act of religious zealousness?
Xenophobia, fear of foreigners, is a dangerous state of mind that cannot be enforced by world governments in this modern age. Do these xenophobic nations, such as France, not realize that much of their old wealth comes from places in Africa and the Middle East? Was it right to use these people and their land to gain World power then? Is it right to establish laws right now that again oppresses those same people? If one thinks historically for a moment you will realize that the people who had been oppressed because of imperialism are still being oppressed by harsh laws that discriminate against them today. The European Union (UE) continues to stand with xenophobic laws that only increase hatred and fear of Muslims.
In a country such as Turkey, that has been a Muslim nation since the 13th century, could even contemplate a hijab ban displays the lack of a backbone our moderate Muslims have when standing up for their culture and tenets of faith. In a country such as Turkey that has such a foot in Europe, they have the opportunity to show Europe that Hijab does not clash with European Ideals. Instead of Hijab being looked at as a genuine HUMAN RIGHTS issue for Muslim men and women they have turned it into an act of oppression that ordinary Muslims do not agree with.
Hijab is not a backward satorical device for maintaining society, but freedom for the wearer. We all make the choice to cover ourselves and to not flaunt aspects of our bodies to the general public. So how is it that any government could enforce such a basic right? What's next banning people from wearing the cross around the necks of Christians?
Clearly wearing hijab does not stop students from participating in PE activities, as it was visible that Muslim women wearing hijab raced in the Olympics and participate in other sports at professional levels.
For all who are being oppressed by governments that force you to not practice basic rights and laws of your religion, fight them peacefully, but fight them. Remember that Islam is a personal choice that should not be forced upon any, so if you live with people who force Islam on you fight them peacefully, but fight them.
What has come to our world when a basic human right that had been a custom of the majority of the world until the 1950's is looked at as being an act of religious zealousness?
Xenophobia, fear of foreigners, is a dangerous state of mind that cannot be enforced by world governments in this modern age. Do these xenophobic nations, such as France, not realize that much of their old wealth comes from places in Africa and the Middle East? Was it right to use these people and their land to gain World power then? Is it right to establish laws right now that again oppresses those same people? If one thinks historically for a moment you will realize that the people who had been oppressed because of imperialism are still being oppressed by harsh laws that discriminate against them today. The European Union (UE) continues to stand with xenophobic laws that only increase hatred and fear of Muslims.
In a country such as Turkey, that has been a Muslim nation since the 13th century, could even contemplate a hijab ban displays the lack of a backbone our moderate Muslims have when standing up for their culture and tenets of faith. In a country such as Turkey that has such a foot in Europe, they have the opportunity to show Europe that Hijab does not clash with European Ideals. Instead of Hijab being looked at as a genuine HUMAN RIGHTS issue for Muslim men and women they have turned it into an act of oppression that ordinary Muslims do not agree with.
Hijab is not a backward satorical device for maintaining society, but freedom for the wearer. We all make the choice to cover ourselves and to not flaunt aspects of our bodies to the general public. So how is it that any government could enforce such a basic right? What's next banning people from wearing the cross around the necks of Christians?
Clearly wearing hijab does not stop students from participating in PE activities, as it was visible that Muslim women wearing hijab raced in the Olympics and participate in other sports at professional levels.
For all who are being oppressed by governments that force you to not practice basic rights and laws of your religion, fight them peacefully, but fight them. Remember that Islam is a personal choice that should not be forced upon any, so if you live with people who force Islam on you fight them peacefully, but fight them.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Bush shoes- Oppression of the HEART (IHSAN)
Okay, so as an American who has been very upset about the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, I felt a little laugh come on when I heard that Bush had a shoes thrown at him while giving a news conference with Iraqi reporters in Baghdad.
I do have to say that when I started to think about that action by the angry and distressed journalist, I came up with the conclusion again that we are more oppressed in our hearts than in our lives.
If you are struggling in your life because of an outside source you should go inward to your heart and find if you are oppressing your own heart with hatred, anger, miserliness, fear, arrogance, etc. It is far more damaging to your life if your heart is diseased with those emotions than if your are physically oppressed. Freedom from fear and other diseases allows one to only fear Allah, swt. To my fellow Muslims, heal your heart and you will never be able to be oppressed by any outside source.
ONLY FEAR Allah, swt. DO NOT FEAR death, DO NOT FEAR imprisonment, DO NOT FEAR life.
May Allah bless us all and may we work to purify our own hearts so that it will be a clean house for Allah, swt, the holiest of the holy, to live.
I do have to say that when I started to think about that action by the angry and distressed journalist, I came up with the conclusion again that we are more oppressed in our hearts than in our lives.
If you are struggling in your life because of an outside source you should go inward to your heart and find if you are oppressing your own heart with hatred, anger, miserliness, fear, arrogance, etc. It is far more damaging to your life if your heart is diseased with those emotions than if your are physically oppressed. Freedom from fear and other diseases allows one to only fear Allah, swt. To my fellow Muslims, heal your heart and you will never be able to be oppressed by any outside source.
ONLY FEAR Allah, swt. DO NOT FEAR death, DO NOT FEAR imprisonment, DO NOT FEAR life.
May Allah bless us all and may we work to purify our own hearts so that it will be a clean house for Allah, swt, the holiest of the holy, to live.
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