The Muslim Jesus

The Muslim Jesus
TV Documentary - shown on Sunday 19 August 2007 on ITV1, UK

Islam and Christianity have been portrayed as mortal enemies for 1400 years. Locked in combat until the end of time when finally on the day of judgement God will announce the winner. This so called 'clash of civilisations' has defined Christian and Muslim relations from the wars of the crusades to the current 'war on terror'.

But there is another story. It’s a story that revolves around one man. The man whom a billion Muslims and 1.2 billion Christians call the Messiah but who is seen by both in very different ways – Jesus.

The Muslim Jesus uses the Quran and other Islamic texts to explore the differing ways in which Christian and Muslim faiths both acknowledge Jesus. Scholars, teachers, parents, rappers, poets and historians come together for the one hour special narrated by Melvin Bragg.  Full text - Click here

Watch the documentary:

Google Video

or on youtube as below:
Part 1/5

Part 2/5

Part 3/5

Part 4/5

Part 5/5

The Story of Jesus, Son of Mary

The Story of Jesus, Son of Mary

Taken from islamonline.net
By Marwa Elnaggar

In relating the story of Jesus, the Qur’an describes how Mary, the mother of Jesus, was approached by an angel from God, bringing her tidings she had never imagined: that she will give birth to a son, a Messiah, who will be of the righteous and will be a prophet of God, calling the Children of Israel (the Israelites) to the straight path of God.

[(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).

He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.] (Aal `Imran 3:45-46)

Naturally, for Mary, this news was both strange and seemingly impossible.

[She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.

And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel.] (Aal `Imran 3:47-48)

The very nature of Jesus is so special, that God compares the uniqueness of his creation to that of the first man and prophet, Adam.

[Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.] (Aal `Imran 3:59)

Jesus and His Miracles

Jesus became one of the greatest prophets of God, and was sent to the Children of Israel in order to confirm the teachings of his predecessor, the Prophet Moses. His birth was a miracle, and, like all prophets of God, he was granted several miracles. He approached his people, telling them:

[Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers.

And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.] (Aal `Imran 3:49-51)

Jesus’s Followers

The Qur’an continues the story of Jesus by relating several incidents of his life and his disciples.

[But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him).

Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enroll us among those who witness (to the truth).] (Aal `Imran 3:52-53)

In another incident, after which an entire surah of the Qur’an is named, the disciples of Jesus asked him for another miracle.

[Behold! the disciples, said: “O Jesus the son of Mary! can thy Lord send down to us a table set (with viands) from heaven?” Jesus said: “Fear Allah, if ye have faith.”

They said: “We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that thou hast indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle.”

Jesus the son of Mary said: “O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us—for the first and the last of us—a solemn festival and a sign from thee; and provide for our sustenance, for thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs).”] (Al-Ma’idah 5:112-114)

God sent them the table they had asked for, but not without a warning.

[Allah said: “I will send it down unto you: But if any of you after that resisteth faith, I will punish him with a penalty such as I have not inflicted on any one among all the peoples.”] (Al-Ma’idah 5:115)

The End of the Story?

The story of Jesus never really ends in the Qur’an, as we are told that Jesus was not killed, but that rather, God raised his beloved prophet up to him.

[Behold! Allah said: “O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help.”

As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.] (Aal `Imran 3:53-55)

The Qur’an also points out that Jesus was neither killed nor crucified. Speaking of the Children of Israel, Allah faults their accusations against Mary as well as their claim that they killed Jesus.

[That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge;

And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.] (An-Nisaa’ 4:156-158)

The Qur’an confirms that Jesus was raised up by God, and the Prophet Muhammad reassured us that Jesus will be sent down to earth once again before the Day of Judgment. In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet Muhammad said: “By the One in Whose hand is my self, definitely the son of Maryam will soon descend among you as a just judge, and he will break the cross, kill the pig, and abolish the jizyah (tribute), and wealth will be so abundant that no one will accept it, until a single prostration will be better than the world and everything in it.” (Al-Bukhari)

Islam in America: The American Crescent

Islam in America: The American Crescent & Islamic Stars & Stripes

This is a very good two part documentary presented by Rageh Omaar that were shown on the Al-Jazeera news agency.

In the first episode of a special two-part film (shown on 19 Oct 08 ) Rageh Omaar looks at why Islam has come to be described by some people as a "very American faith".

The American Crescent - Part 1/4


For the other parts...

The American Crescent - Part 2/4 - Click Here!
The American Crescent - Part 3/4 - Click Here!
The American Crescent - Part 4/4 - Click Here!

In the second part of his journey across the US (shown on 26 Oct 08), Rageh Omaar looks at how America's Muslims have coped with the aftermath of the events of 9/11, exploring the demands of patriotism and belief.

Islamic Stars & Stripes - Part 1/4


For the other parts...

Islamic Stars & Stripes - Part 2/4 - Click Here!
Islamic Stars & Stripes - Part 3/4 - Click Here!
Islamic Stars & Stripes - Part 4/4 - Click Here!

Fajr Prayer

Fajr Prayer
Taken from amouna1987

A man woke up early in order to pray the Fajr prayer in the masjid. He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home.

At home, he changed his clothes, made his ablution, and was, again, on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he fell again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home.

At home he, once again, changed his clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he met a man holding a lamp.

He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I saw you fall twice on your way to the masjid, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way.'

The first man thanked him and the set off on their way to the masjid.

Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him. The second man refused.

The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same.

The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.

The man replied 'I am Satan.' The man was shocked at this reply.

Shaitan went on to explain, 'I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall.

When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins.

I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid.

Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household. I was afraid if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached the masjid safely.'

Satan will do his best to break us. Don't let him change our good intensions - It's important we do don't let him succeed.

Ramadan observed from around the world!

Here's some interesting clips I've found on You Tube. I will add some more in the near future Insha-Allah.

Muslims in America fasting Ramadan


Non Muslim experiencing Ramadan with Muslim Family P1/2


Non Muslim experiencing Ramadan with Muslim Family P2/2


Russian Muslims celebrate Ramadan


Ramadan moon sighting on Japanese TV


Lebanon, Ramadan

Sincerity of a Six Years Old

Taken from islamcan.com

There was a little girl (six years old) who was fasting in Ramadhan, even though it is not obligatory on people below the age of puberty.

She was in school, and at lunch time, when all the other children went out to eat and have lunch, she sat in the classroom, because she was fasting.

Her (non-muslim) teacher thought that she was too young to fast, and so said that it was not necessary, and she could eat a little.

The girl still didn't eat. Then the teacher said: "Your parents are not here, it doesn't matter if you eat a little".

The girl replied: "I am not fasting for my parents, I am fasting for Allah".

This simple statement had such a profound effect on the teacher, that later she accepted Islam.

Latina converts look for answers in Islam

Latina converts look for answers in Islam

from greatreporter.com
Written by Pilar Conci, Tuesday, 27 May 2008

Increasing numbers of Latinas are converting to Islam, for love, faith and, some say, a sense of respect. But some find acceptance from family and friends is harder to come by.

When Beatriz Kehdy was growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, she felt uncomfortable with the standards of beauty that she says were a part of the culture in which she was raised.

An emphasis on external beauty and the body, she says, became increasingly foreign to her own personal values.

Kehdy moved to New York City almost 10 years ago and eventually discovered a sense of place in Islam and in the hijab, or headscarf worn by women in the faith.

“When I wear the hijab, I feel more respected, people talk to me with respect,” she said.
The now 27-year-old architect converted from Catholicism to Islam four years ago, but didn’t tell her family until a few years later, in a letter.

“When I started wearing the hijab, there was a problem,” she said.

“My father didn’t want me to wear it in public in Brazil.”

Kehdy is one of many Latin American women in the US who have embraced the Islamic faith.
The American Muslim Council, based in Chicago, estimates that there are more than 200,000 Latino Muslims in the United States.

Women make up 60 percent of conversions to Islam, according to experts.

Mosques around the country have begun to offer special classes where women converts can learn about Islam.

The North Hudson Islamic Educational Center, in Union City, N.J., offers both English and Spanish Language classes.

Mariam Abassi, vice president of the Da’wah (outreach) program at the center, said about 500 members of the center are Latino converts.

There are between 4,000 and 5,000 members in total.

Many Latinas choose to accept Islam because they marry Muslims.

Others convert when they’re single, often because they feel unfulfilled by the religion in which they were raised.

For a large number of Latinas, that faith is Catholicism.

“Some of them really have doubt about the Trinity,” a central belief in Catholicism that says God exists in three beings, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; said Chernor Sa’ad Jallah, assistant Imam at the Islamic Cultural Center, in East Harlem, the largest mosque in New York City.

“They find it really confusing,” In his community of about 1,500 people, between 10 and 15 percent are Latinos.

Some said they were uncomfortable making confessions to a priest and feeling as though they had no direct relationship with God.

“I was raised as a Catholic but I didn’t like it.

I felt this emptiness,” said Mayeline Turbides, a 21-year-old Dominican student who lives in West New York, N.J.” I was never convinced.” She took the name Leila after she became a Muslim.

Before discovering Islam, Turbides had explored evangelical Christianity and Mormonism, which failed to draw her in.

About two years ago, her Muslim boss started talking to her about Islam.

“I used to go out, to drink.

I got drunk 500 times,” Turbides said in Spanish.

“But nothing made sense.

I wanted rules.”

When it comes to assimilating to a new faith, Islam appeals to Catholic Latinas for several reasons.

“There are many similarities between Catholicism and Islam,” said Ibrahim Hooper, Communications Director and spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, based in Washington, D.C.

“Both have principles that need to be followed, regarding how you conduct yourself as person, how you operate in a community.”

Others find a new religion to be an escape from the confines of machismo, or chauvinism.

“I feel more protected,” Turbides said.

“Men used to shout things at me when I was walking down the street.

They would honk their horns.

When I wear the hijab, nobody says anything.”

For New Yorker Yuri Lara, the 23-year-old daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, understanding the role of women in Islam, and dispelling what she considers to be stereotypes, was one of her biggest concerns when she was studying the religion.

“We have rights, we have a voice, it’s all in the Quran,” said Lara, who studied psychology at SUNY Albany.

But for many Latina converts to Islam, conversion brings with it the challenge of gaining acceptance from their own families and other non-Muslims, a process that takes time.

“At first my family was unhappy,” said Demaris Tapanes, 32, who was born and raised in Union City, N.J., to a Puerto Rican mother and a Cuban father.

“'Why do you have to cover?'" she said of her family’s objection to the hijab.

“One of my brothers told me he didn’t want me to cover because after 9/11, people resented Muslims,” she said “He was concerned for my security.”

Wearing the hijab presents other challenges, as Turbides found out when she wore the head covering to the grocery store where she works.

“People would ignore me,” Turbides said.

“My boss is a Muslim, but they’re nice to him because he is an Arab.

Since I am Latina, they tell me that I’m pulling away from my religion.

I felt very bad that day.”

Despite the obstacles they face to practice their adopted faith, many women converts say Islam changed their lives.

“I’m a better version of myself now,” said Lara.

“I’m closer to my family than I ever was.

I think more about others, as opposed to me, me, me.

I think about what I’m going to eat before I take the last bite left.”

Estela Ramon, who attends the class at the North Hudson Islamic Educational Center, in Union City, became interested in Islam after her husband, Delfino, who was born in Mexico, converted to Islam four years ago.

“At first I asked him if he was crazy,” said Ramon, who is also from Mexico and was raised a Catholic.

Ramon, 34, says that her husband changed for the better when he turned to Islam.

“He used to drink and get angry,” she said.

“Now he is more confident in himself, he is more responsible.

And he doesn’t drink anymore.”

Ramon is reading a Spanish translation of the Quran and is thinking of converting too.

Although she says she is drawn to the lifestyle that Islam proscribes, Ramon says she is not ready to accept the faith.

“My time to say yes has not come," she said.

“When God wants me to, I will accept it.”


Read stories from other Reverts (from within this blog)
(1) Mum, I've decided to follow Allah
(2) Why British women turn to Islam
(3) A woman on a mission
(4) Women converts to Islam after 911
(5) Turning Muslim in Texas, USA
(6) Turning Muslim in Australia!
(7) The boys call me beardo - I'll live with it!

A Pond full of Milk

A Pond full of Milk
Taken from everymuslim.net

Once there was a king who told some of his workers to dig a pond. Once the pond was dug, the king made an announcement to his people saying that one person from each household has to bring a glass of milk during the night and pour it into the pond. So, the pond should be full of milk by the morning.

After receiving the order, everyone went home. One man prepared to take the milk during the night. He thought that since everyone will bring milk, he could just hide a glass of water and pour inside the pond. Because it will be dark at night, no one will notice. So he quickly went and poured the water in the pond and came back.

In the morning, the king came to visit the pond and to his surprise the pond was only filled with water! What has happened is that everyone was thinking like the other man that "I don't have to put the milk, someone else will do it."

Dear friends, when it comes to help the Religion of Allah, do not think that others will take care of it. Rather, it starts from you, if you don't do it, no one else will do it. So, change yourself to the way of Allah to serve Him and that will make the difference.

The Leper, the Bald and the Blind

The Leper, the Bald and the Blind
Taken from everymuslim.net

Hadhrat Abu Huraira (R.A.) relates that he heard the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) say, Allah tested three persons from amongst Bani Israel, a leper, a bald headed man and a blind person. An angel was sent down to them in the form of a human being. He came to the leper and asked, "what is the thing you like the best?", "a fine colour, neat skin and cure from this disease for which people hate me." came the reply. The angel ran his hand over his body, his disease vanished and his body got a fine colour.

Then the angel asked him what property he would like the best ? The man said, "camels or cows." (one of the subnarrator of the Hadith was uncertain). The man was given a she camel ten months pregnant and the angel said, "may Allah bless it for thee."

Then the angel went to the bald headed man and asked the same. The man replied, "beautiful hair and cure of the ailment, for which people hate me." The angel ran his hand over his head and his disease was cured leaving him with beautiful hair.

Then the angel asked him what property he would like the best ? The man replied, "a cow." Thus he was given a cow carrying a calf and the angel said, "may Allah bless it for thee."

Then the angel came to the man who was blind and asked the same. He asked that Allah restore his sight so that he may see the people around him. The angel ran his hands over his eyes and his sight was restored. Then the angel asked him what property he would like the best ? The man replied, "a goat." Thus he was given a she goat carrying a kid.

These animals in due course gave birth to their kids multiplying very soon so that one had a valley full of cows, bulls and a third of the valley full of goats.

After some time the angel visited the leper in his original form and said to him, "I am a poor and needy person, having spent all my means of sustenance in the course of my journey, I beg you, in the name of Allah, who has given you a decent colour and a neat skin and much wealth, to furnish me with a camel to enable me complete my journey." The man expressed his inability to oblige the angel and said, "I have many obligations to fulfill."

The angel said, "It appears as if I have seen you before. Are you not a leper, who shunned people and was poor, whom Allah enriched?" The man said, "I have inherited this property from my ancestors." The angel said, "If you are speaking a lie, may Allah return you to the condition in which you were."

Then he came to the bald headed person in the original form and repeated his request to him, and got a similar reply to the one he had received from the leper. The angel said, "If you are speaking a lie, may Allah return you to the condition in which you were."

Then the angel visited the blind man repeating his request once more. The man said, "indeed I was blind and Allah restored my eye sight. You may take what you will and leave what you like. By Allah I will not refuse you anything you may wish to take in the name of Allah, the Lord of honour and glory.

The angel said, "keep all you have. All three of you were being tried. Allah is indeed pleased with you and is angry with your companions." (Sahih Bukhari:Volume 4, Book 56, Number 670)

SOME LESSONS:
--------------------

It is to be kept in mind that sometime Allah tests his slaves by giving wealth and property in order to see whether one considers it as a trust of Allah or one's own treasure. It is, however, an obvious fact that wealth often makes people proud and negligent. Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an; “And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial.” (Qur’an: 8/27)

Now a days, the craze for earning more and more wealth, has caused a widespread immodesty, repulsion from religion, lack of faith and betrayal of conscience. Simultaneously, the evil is rampant in every place. Moreover, there is a hadith which affirms this fact that wealth is a source of trial for human beings. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) says; “Verily for every people there is a trial and the trial of my ummah is wealth.” (Tirmizi: 2/59)

On an occasion, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) warned his companions saying: "By Allah! I do not fear your poverty, but I fear the worldly materials will be extended to you, they were to the people before you. And you also would compete for the luxuries of life as they did. And consequently you too would perish as they did.” (Muslim; 2/407)

Furthermore, let us be generous and open handed with the poor and the deprived for the sake of Allah. Such deeds will serve us a source of well being.

The above Hadith tells about the consequences of two misers (i.e. the leper and the bald-headed man). Therefore, keeping in mind their fate, we ought to avoid being stingy. A Hadith clearly points out that miserliness is a bad thing.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said; "Verily you should avoid miserliness as it had destroyed the earlier people and moreover, it instigated them to bloodshed. It sometimes tempted people to make lawful the unlawful." (Muslim : 2/320)

The Glorious Qur’an also throws light upon this subject; “And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity.” (Qur’an: 64/16)

Allah has many favors upon us, and these we should be thankful by:
1- Recognizing, and affirming Allah's favor upon us.
2- Confirming that his bounties upon us are from Him.
3- Spending of His bounties given to us for His Pleasure and sake (such as giving out Zakat and charity etc.).

Allah the Almighty said: "When harm touches man, he calls to Us (for help); then when We have rescued him from that harm) and changed it into a favour from Us, he says: "Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it." Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not!" (Qur'an 39:49)

A Lesson from Disabled People

A Lesson from Disabled People
Taken from islamcan.com

Once, a visitor was being shown around a leper colony in India. The colony was built to provide a shelter for those people who were poor and had various physical disabilities.

At noon a gong (a metal disk that produces a sound when hit with a hammer) sounded to gather the inhabitants for the midday meal. People came from all parts of the compound to the dining hall.

Suddenly, everyone started laughing at seeing two young men, one riding on the other's back, pretending to be a horse and a rider. They were having lots of fun.

As the visitor watched, he was told that the man who carried his friend was blind, and the man being carried was lame (who couldn't walk). The one who couldn't see used his feet; the one who couldn't walk used his eyes. Together they helped each other and reached their destination.

Let us use each other's strengths to make up for the weaknesses of others. Our strength is in unity, not in division.

Videos: "The Message" & "Muhammad: The Last Prophet" (PBUH)

Videos: "The Message" & "Muhammad: The Last Prophet" (PBUH)

A couple of useful films - one animation (for the kids) and one feature film (for the adults). If you like the films please buy the DVDs at your convenience. I have included some links to preview the films - if the links don't work then please search on youtube/ Google Video for them.

It must be stressed that the items below are videos and we will never really understand the Sirah Rasul Allah (Life of the Apostle of God) unless we study the Qur’an and Sunnah for ourselves.

Muhammad: The Last Prophet (2002)



Muhammad: The Last Prophet is an animated movie produced by Badr International and directed by Richard Rich. The movie was released in limited cinemas in the United States and the United Kingdom. The movie focuses on the early days of Islam and Muhammad.

Cert: U , Runtime: 1 hour 35 mins

Watch it here:

- Part 1 of 12 - Part 2 of 12 - Part 3 of 12 - Part 4 of 12

- Part 5 of 12 - Part 6 of 12 - Part 7 of 12 - Part 8 of 12

- Part 9 of 12 - Part 10 of 12 - Part 11 of 12 - Part 12 of 12

----------------------------------------------------

The Message (1976)



Mohammad, Messenger of God (retitled The Message for U.S. release) is a 1976 film directed by Moustapha Akkad, chronicling the life and times of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH). Starring Anthony Quinn.

Cert: PG , Runtime: 3 hours 3 mins

Watch it here : Click here!

The Most Influential Human Being To Have Ever Lived

The Most Influential Human Being To Have Ever Lived

Below is a video about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that is worth watching...

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - onewayTOtheend

Why knowledge is better than wealth

Why knowledge is better than wealth
Taken from lutonmuslims.co.uk

Once ten wise men came to Hadhrat Ali (RA) and posed this question: 'Why is knowledge better than wealth?' Each of these men demanded a seperate answer in turn.

Hadhrat Ali (RA) gave the following anwers:-

1. Knowledge is better than wealth because you guard wealth, whereas knowledge guards you.

2. Knowledge is better than wealth because the wealthy have enemies and the learned have many friends.

3. Knowledge is better than wealth because the former is a legacy of the Prophets, and the latter is a heritage of the Pharaohs.

4. Knowledge is better because it increases with distribution whereas wealth decreases.

5. Knowledge is better because a wealthy person generally becomes a miser.

6. Knowledge is better because unlike wealth, it cannot be stolen.

7. Knowledge is better because the wealthy person has to give an account of his wealth on the Day of Judgement.

8. Knowedge is better because it does not deteriorate on account of time, while wealth does.

9. Knowledge is better because the mind is illuminated by it, wheres welath tarnishes it.

10. Knowledge is better than wealth because the Pharaohs and the non-believers claimed divinity (God) on account of wealth.

'Whoever treads a way against the Sunnah of the Prophet(SAW) he will never reach his destination.' (Shaykh Saadi)

The Story of Prophet Musa

The Story of Prophet Musa
By: Jamil Momand
Taken from: newhorizonschool.org

Part I
Prophet Musa was born in the land of Egypt and came from the people known as the Israelites. The ruler of Egypt was the Pharoah and he hated the Israelites that were in his land. In a fit of anger he sent an order throughout the countryside that said that all Israelite baby boys had to be killed as soon as they were born. When Musa was born, he was supposed to be killed along with the others but Allah had a plan for Musa. He ordered Musa's mother to place Musa in a wooden chest in the great Nile River and allow it to float downstream. The mother did what she was told but was afraid she would never see Musa again.

Allah guided the chest down the Nile River and, eventually, it floated into a small stream. The Pharoah's wife spotted the chest and ordered her servants to bring it ashore. When the Pharoah's wife saw the baby, she fell in love with him. She picked up the baby and showed it to the Pharoah. "Look," she said, "Here is a joy for the eye to behold. Please don't kill him.

Instead, we could adopt him as a son for ourselves." The Pharoah agreed with her and they decided to keep the baby. So Allah spared Musa the death that was supposed to await him and he was raised in the royal court of the Pharoah of Egypt.

In the meantime, Musa's mother became very sad and wept bitterly at the thought of her helpless little Musa. Allah knows how much a mother loves her child so He made a plan for them to unite. The mother sent her daughter to the Pharoah's court in order to check on baby Musa. When the daughter came to the royal palace, she found the Pharoah's wife very upset.

"Why won't this baby eat?" she exclaimed to her servants. "He will surely die unless someone can nurse him." Then Musa's sister spoke up. "I know of a people that will nourish the baby and make him strong," she said. The Pharoah's wife was very surprised but was desparate, so she agreed to let the baby go to be fed. The Pharoah's wife never knew that it was Musa's mother who nursed baby Musa. Thus Allah made the mother happy again because she could see her son every day.

Musa grew to become big and strong. One day he saw an Egyptian beating an Israelite. The poor Israelite asked Musa to help him. Musa stepped forward and hit the Egyptian with such a powerful blow that the Egyptian collapsed and died. After seeing what he had done, a cold sweat broke out on Musa's forehead. He said to himself, "This is the evil work of Satan. He is an enemy who clearly misleads!" Musa knew it was a sin to kill anyone until he is brought to trial and found guilty. He knelt on the ground and prayed to Allah. "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul. Do You forgive me?" Allah is the Most Merciful, and out of His mercy Allah forgave Musa. Musa then vowed never to help those that sin and to be in Allah's service for the rest of his life.

The next morning Musa was still shaken from what had happened the night before. Then he saw the same man he had helped last night being beaten by another Egyptian. Again Musa prepared himself to help the weaker one when the Egyptian said something that made Musa stop. He said, "O Musa! Is it your intention to kill me the same way you killed that man last night? It seems you want to be a violent and unjust man." Before Musa could reply another man came running toward them saying, "Musa the Egyptian chiefs are coming to kill you. Get away while there is still time!" Musa asked Allah to save him from these sinful people and then headed for the land of Madyan. Though Musa did not know it he was about to encounter many more adventures in his life devoted to the service of Allah.

Part II- Musa Receives a Message from Allah
Musa left the land of Egypt to go to the land of Maydan. He had been traveling for several days when he stumbled upon a small oasis which had several trees and a water hole. The sun was blazing hot, so Musa decided to rest awhile. At the water hole he saw some men who were letting their animals have some water. Waiting behind them were two young women with a tiny flock of sheep. After a long time he called out to the women, "What's wrong? Why don't you water your sheep?" The women told Musa that they couldn't because the water hole was too crowded with the men's flock. Upon hearing that, Musa got up and steered their sheep toward the water, allowing them to drink. The men grumbled a little at first, but upon seeing how big and strong Musa was, they stopped grumbling and looked down.

The two young women smiled and were very grateful for Musa's kind help. Musa sat back down under the cool shade of a tree and the women took their flock of sheep back home. A little later one of them came back and asked him to come meet her father Musa agreed and went with her. The father was old and needed a young man to help with the care of the animals. After talking to Musa, the father found him to be a good man, so he offered one of his daughters to him in marriage. Musa agreed and helped the old man for several years. The marriage was a happy one, and they all prospered due to Musa's hard work and good judgment.

Many years later, Musa decided to travel with his family. He was content with his life and had completely forgotten his troubles in Egypt. One day he saw a small fire far off in the distance.

Since it was very cold, he went to go fetch a burning log to warm his family. As he approached the fire, he noticed something strange. The fire was only in one bush and did not spread to other bushes or trees. At the same time the bush didn't burn up and become ashes; it just stayed there-burning. Then Musa heard a voice say, "O Musa, I am your Lord. Therefore in My presence take of your shoes." Musa did what he was ordered.

Allah told Musa that he was to be a prophet. His mission was to go to the Pharoah of Egypt and tell him that there is no god but Allah. If the Pharoah and his people did not change their evil ways Allah would punish them.

Then Allah said, "What is that in your right hand, O Musa?" He answered, "It is my rod," Allah said "Throw it, O Musa!" When he threw the rod, it hit the ground and started to move by itself. At first Musa stood there gazing at it. Then he turned and started to run. Allah told Musa not to run because, as long as Allah was with him, there was nothing to be afraid of. Musa came back and looked at the rod again. It had turned into a brown snake, slithering and hissing on the ground. He bent down to pick it up by its tail. As soon as he grabbed it, the snake became rigid and was a rod again.

Then Allah ordered Musa to placed his hand on his chest. When Musa did this his right hand radiated with light. To make his hand normal again, he simply put his hand back on his chest.

Allah ordered Musa to go to the Pharoah with these two miracles and to warn him of Allah's command. Before Musa left the blazing bush, he asked Allah to make him brave and to let him bring his brother Aaron with him. Allah granted both of these requests to Prophet Musa and assured him that he and his followers would win over the Pharoah.

Part III - Musa Shows Pharaoh Signs From Allah
Musa now stood at the royal palace with his brother Aaron alongside him. He had not seen Egypt for many years and he knew that his life was in danger. Nothing could have brought him back except the command of Allah. Prophet Musa could still hear the words of Allah ringing in his ears: "Go to the Pharaoh and tell him to let the Israelites leave the land of Egypt." Musa climbed the golden steps that led to Pharaoh's throne. When he reached the top he said, "O Pharaoh, I am the Apostle of the Lord of the Worlds. Let the Israelites go with me and do not harm them. There will be peace to all those who follow the guidance of Allah."

Musa went on to warn the Pharaoh of all the calamities that would occur if he did not follow the guidance of Allah. But the Pharaoh refused to listen because he truly thought that he himself was a god. He looked about him and saw the riches he had and he was sure that there could never be anyone more powerful than he.

The Pharaoh asked Musa to show a sign from Allah so the Prophet threw down his rod and it began to move and slither. At first the Pharaoh was scared but tried hard not to show it. "Ha!" said the Pharaoh in a prideful way, "I have sorcerers that can match your magic."

Then Musa showed his radiant hand. It glowed with a shining white light. Still, the Pharaoh did not believe that Musa was the Apostle of Allah. He said, "I can build a throne that is as high as your Lord's throne, Musa. And I will prove that your power from Allah is weak compared to my power." The Pharaoh searched the land of Egypt for the best sorcerers available. When he found them, he brought them to his court and told them that if their magic was better than Musa's they would be rewarded handsomely. The sorcerers readily agreed to the plan because they did not know who Musa was. Musa did not have any magic but he had something that was much more powerful; he had true signs from Allah.

On the day of the contest the Pharaoh's court was filled with many people. Everyone in the room sided with the Pharaoh and left Musa all alone. But Musa remembered that Allah was with him. The sorcerers assembled their ropes and rods and asked Musa if he wished to have the first throw. Musa said, "No, you have the first throw." And they did. All of the sudden Musa saw snakes and wiggly things and their magic appeared to be powerful. Allah said to Prophet Musa, "Throw your rod now." When the rod fell to the ground it turned into a snake also and it swallowed all the ropes and other snake-like objects. After the last sorcerer's rope had been swallowed, Musa grabbed the snake and it became a rod once again. A hush fell over the crowded court and the sorcerers looked at each other in a perplexed fashion. They turned to Musa now realizing that Musa was not a magician or a sorcerer. They knew that Musa's power came from something greater than anything human.

The sorcerers then fell on their knees to beg for forgiveness from Allah for their evil ways. Allah forgave them but the Pharaoh grew furious. "How can you believe in Allah before I give you permission?" he said angrily. "If you don't get up right now, I'll have your arms and legs cut off and you will be crucified." The sorcerers said, "Do what you will, but we fear the punishment of Allah much more than any torture you could do to us."

The Pharaoh now realized he had a problem. Musa once again demanded that the Israelites go with him out of Egypt but the Pharaoh still would not allow it. Then Allah brought down a drought that stopped crops from growing and made cattle die of thirst. The Pharaoh promised to let the Israelites go if the drought would stop. Allah stopped the drought but the Pharaoh broke his promise. Many punishments came on Egypt and during each calamity the Pharaoh would make a promise to Musa. After the calamity had passed, however, he would go back on his word. Plagues, lice, locusts and frogs came, each more horrible than the last. Even the water in Egypt turned to blood, but still the Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go.

Finally, Allah told Musa to take the people out of Egypt during the night. Prophet Musa and the Israelites were well out of Egypt before the Egyptians knew what had happened. When the Pharaoh found out the Israelites had escaped he ordered all his forces to go and catch them and bring them back. He himself climbed into a golden chariot drawn by four white horses. He whipped them as hard as he could in order to catch Musa.

When Musa reached the Red Sea, Allah commanded him to strike the water with his rod. When he did the Red Sea miraculously parted and left a straight and narrow path down which Musa guided his people. The Israelites were awed but ran as fast as they could because they heard the hoof beats of the Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

When the Pharaoh got to the Red Sea, he paused for a moment. The path was still open and he could see the Israelites just starting to scramble up the other side of the water. "Now we've got them," thought the Pharaoh. He whipped his horses once again and yelled out a savage battle cry which was heard by Musa and the Israelites on the other side. When the last old lady climbed up out of the parted Red Sea, Musa could see the Pharaoh not more than a hundred feet away. The Pharaoh had now caught up to Musa and, brandishing his heavy sword, looked as if he would surely get his revenge.

All of a sudden the mountains of water on each side of the narrow path came crashing down. The Egyptians cried out but their voices were cut off by the splash of water on their helpless bodies. The Pharaoh's chariot overturned and the brave white horses neighed. A few seconds later, the only sound that could be heard was the calm water lapping lazily upon the shore.

Musa and the Israelites had escaped from Egypt with the help of Allah and were now headed for the promised land.

Part IV - Allah Tests the Israelites
Musa and the Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea and were now beginning their journey to the promised land of Canaan. Allah told them that this was the land of abundance and that the Israelites were to be an example for all of mankind to follow. But Canaan was still far away and the sun grew fierce and hot. Allah, in His mercy, shielded the people from the sun by making clouds follow them wherever they went. As they crossed the desert it was impossible to find enough food to feed all the people. Allah knew this so He created a food called manna and made it fall from the sky as if it was rain. For meat Allah made quails fly to them which they could easily catch. Surely these people were blessed to have Allah as their Protector.

For many days they went without water and they became thirsty. Allah told Prophet Musa to strike a large rock with his rod. When he did water gushed out of it from twelve different places. There were twelve tribes in the nation of Israel and each one had their own fountain of cool clear water.

With all of these blessings it is hard to imagine the Israelites disobeying Allah. Yet they started to complain to Prophet Musa that they wanted to go back to Egypt. They were tired of manna and tired of traveling. They wondered if there was really a land called Canaan after all. They had forgotten that not too long ago they were mere slaves to the Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Then the Israelites passed through a town. The people of this town worshipped idols like the Egyptians did. The Israelites said to Prophet Musa, "O Musa make us a god like the gods these people have." Prophet Musa warned them that Allah is the only true God.

Allah commanded Musa to go to the top of Mount Sinai so that He could give Musa the Tablets. The Tablets were stone slabs that had special laws to govern the Israelites. Musa told his brother Aaron that he was to be in charge of the people while he was on top of the mountain.

The climb was long and difficult. When he got to the top Musa said, "O my Lord show Thyself that I may look upon Thee." Allah told Musa that if a nearby mountain could withstand the full Glory of Allah then Musa may look upon Him. Allah showed His Glory to the mountain. The earth began shaking and there was a shining light. Within a few seconds the mountain crumbled to dust and Musa fell over backward. When Musa regained consciousness he prayed to Allah. Allah then gave Musa the Tablets to take back to the Israelites.

After forty days Musa came down from Mount Sinai with the Tablets in his hands. When he came down he was horrified by what he saw. The Israelites had melted down their jewelry to make a golden calf. They molded the calf so that it was hollow inside. When the wind blew through the hollow calf it made strange noises. The Israelites worshipped the golden calf.

Musa became angry. He grabbed Aaron by his hair and said, "Did I not tell you to watch the people in my absence?" Aaron tried to stop the people form worshipping the calf but they didn't listen to him and threatened to kill him. Musa let go of his brother and asked Allah for forgiveness for himself and Aaron. The one who actually led the people to make the false god was the Samari. He said that this calf was their god and the god of Musa, but Musa had forgotten. When Musa questioned the Samari he said in reply, "I took a pinch of sand from your footstep, O' Musa, and tossed it into the molten gods as it was being shaped." The Samari thought this would flatter Prophet Musa but instead Musa became more angry and said to the Samari, "Get out of my sight and from now on whenever someone comes to you you must say, "Touch me not.'" That was his punishment in this life but Allah has a greater punishment waiting for the Samari and his followers in the next life. Musa then seized the golden calf, melted it down, and scattered its gold across the sea.

Still many of the people did not believe in Allah. Musa took seventy men with him to the mountain to prove that Allah did exist. When they approached the holy place the ground began to shake and they started to fall. They cried to Musa to ask Allah for forgiveness for them. But each time Allah forgave the people they went against Allah and Prophet Musa again and again.

Then Allah commanded that the Israelites to sacrifice a cow. Instead of doing it they laughed and told Musa to ask Allah what kind of cow. Then they wanted to know what color it had to be. They kept on asking Musa more and more details about the cow until they forgot that the reason they were sacrificing the cow was for Allah.

In the end, many of the Israelites disobeyed all of Allah's commandments. Allah said to them, "You are apes, despised and rejected." Allah broke up the Israelites into many different tiny groups. They never reached Canaan. After the generation of Prophet Musa came another generation. These people thought only of this world and nothing else. They felt that they were the chosen people and that if they would do anything wrong they would be forgiven.

Allah tested the Israelites in times of bad while they lived in Egypt. Allah also tested them in times of prosperity after they crossed the Red Sea. Allah wanted the Israelites to strive for the straight path. Some listened but many did not.

Video: The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S

The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S
Taken from IslamicWarrior of Youtube

A Documentary By Harun Yahya

The prophet that is most frequently employed as an example in the Qur'an is the Prophet Musa (Moses) (as). Musa's name is referred to in 34 different suras (chapters). We can find extensive information about the life of Musa in three of the largest suras (al-A'raf, Ta Ha, and al-Qasas).

The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S Part 1/5


The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S Part 2/5


The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S Part 3/5


The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S Part 4/5


The Prophet Moses (Musa) A.S Part 5/5

Be a Mirror!

Be a Mirror!
Taken from qmt.org.au

It is the duty of a Muslim to keep an eye on the deeds and conduct of fellow Muslims and to try to help them to stay on the straight path. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) enumerated the conditions to be met in the task of advising others:

"Each one of you is like a mirror to the other. You should rectify the wrong you note in him." (Tirmidhi)

In another hadith the Prophet said: "Every Muslim serves as another Muslim's mirror. He safeguards his rights in his absence as well." (Abu Dawud) The following norms emerge in light of the above ahadith:

1. One should not look for the lapses and weaknesses of others. For a mirror does not seek defects. Only on coming face to face does a mirror reflect you.

2. One should not be criticised in one's absence. Once again the similitude of the mirror should be kept in mind; it does not reflect someone in absentia.

3. One should not exceed limits in criticising someone else. For a mirror does not magnify or diminish any feature.

4. Criticism should be forthright and free of any ulterior motive. For, once again, a mirror does not entertain any revenge or grudge.

5. One's criticism should be made with sincerity, genuine concern, pain and love. This removes any bitterness caused by criticism. Sincerity in this context signifies one's concern for the ultimate accountability in the Hereafter. One should help a fellow Muslim in order to avoid any punishment for him on the Day of Judgement. Nor should one entertain any superiority complex. Rather, one should take oneself as weaker than and inferior to the person criticised by him. Humility and not arrogance makes mutual care and advice effective.

Qur'an Stories : The Sacrificed

Qur'an Stories > The Sacrificed
Taken from al-islam.com

When Abraham (peace be upon him) left his people's land, he asked his Lord to bless him with a pious son. Therefore, Allah gave him glad tidings that he would be the father of a gentle son, Ishmael (peace be upon him).

Ishmael was born when Abraham, the Close One to Allah, was eighty-six years old. When Ishmael was old enough to walk, Abraham saw in a dream that he sacrificed his son. As prophets' dreams are revelations, Abraham's dream was a great trial with which Allah afflicted him.

The Qur'an says, "He [Abraham] said; 'O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you, so look, what do you think?'"

In reply, Ishmael said, "O my father! Do what you have been commanded. Allah willing, you shall find me of the steadfast."

Then, they were commanded to submit themselves to Allah's Will.

The Qur'an says, "When they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice)." As Abraham and Ishmael submitted to Allah's Will and began to carry out His commandment, Allah sent angels with glad tidings.

The Qur'an says, "We called out to him, `O Abraham! Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!' Thus indeed We reward those who do right.

This was obviously a trial. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice. And We left (blessing) for him among generations (to come) in Later times.

Peace and salutation to Abraham! Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For he was one of Our believing servants."

When Abraham and his son Ishmael passed the trial successfully, Allah redeemed Ishmael's life with a white ram that had sound eyes and horns which Abraham found tied to a tree near Thabir Mount. So he sacrificed it at Mina. Afterwards, this act has been perpetuated by the rituals of Hajj, especially the rite of sacrifice.

The Boy and the Apple Tree

The Boy and the Apple Tree
Taken from everymuslim.net, Author: Unknown

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the treetop, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him. Time went by and the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree every day.

One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad. "Come and play with me the tree asked the boy. "I am no longer a kid, I do not play around trees any more the boy replied. I want toys. I need money to buy them. Sorry, but I do not have money, but you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money. The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy who now turned into a man returned and the tree was excited Come and play with me the tree said. I do not have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me? Sorry, but I do not have any house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house. So the man cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the man never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted. "Come and play with me! the tree said. I am getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat? said the man. "Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy. So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

Finally, the man returned after many years. "Sorry, my boy. But I do not have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you c the tree said. "No problem, I do not have any teeth to bite" the man replied. "No more trunk for you to climb on I am too old for that now the man said. "I really cannot give you anything... the only thing left is my dying roots the tree said with tears. "I do not need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years the man replied.

"Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest, Come, come sit down with me and rest. The man sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears. This is a story of everyone. The tree is like our parents - when we were young, we loved to play with our Mum and Dad... When we grow up, we leave them only come to them when we need something or when we are in trouble. No matter what, parents will always be there and give everything they could just to make you happy.
You may think the boy is cruel to the tree,

but that is how all of us treat our parents.

We take them for granted

we don't appreciate all they do for us, UNTIL it's too late.

Wallahi May Allah forgive us of our shortcommings

and may He Guide us, Insha'Allah Ameen Ya rub.

Please enlighten all your friends

and your families by telling them this story.

Love your Parents
"Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord ! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they Cherished me in childhood". Translation from The Holy Qur'an (A.Yusuf Ali.) Surah Al-Israa. (17: 23-24)

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In addition to the beautiful story (of above) here are some ahadith I found on aminahsworld: TAKING CARE OF PARENTS' - A SURE METHOD OF ATTAINING PARADISE

"If anyone visits the grave of his parents, or of one of them, every Friday he will be granted forgiveness and it will be recorded as piety due from a son or daughter." (Baihaqi)

Hazrat Anas (Radi Allahu anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (on him be peace) as saying, "The parents of a man die, or one of them dies and he/she has been undutiful to them, then he/she keeps on making supplication and asking forgiveness for them till Allah records that he/she is dutiful." (Baihaqi)

Hazrat Ibn-e-Abaas (Radi Allahu anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (on him be peace) as saying, "No dutiful son or daughter gives his parents a kind look without Allah recording to his credit an approved pilgrimage for every look." He was asked if that was so even if he/she gave a hundred looks daily and replied, " Yes Allah is Most Great and Most Good." (Baihaqi)

Hazrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allahu anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (on him be peace) as saying, "May he be humbled ; May he be humbled; may he be humbled !" He was asked about whom he was speaking and replied, " The one who having one or both parents live to old age, does not enter Paradise." (Sahih Muslim Shareef)

A Brother like That

A Brother like That

Taken from members.tripod.com
Originally taken from everymuslim.com, Author: Unknown

Shuaib received an automobile from his brother as a Eid present. On Eid day when Shuaib came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Uncle?" he asked. Shuaib nodded. " My brother gave it to me for Eid." The boy was astounded.

"You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish..." He hesitated. Of course Shuaib knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Shuaib all the way down to his heels.

"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that." Shuaib looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?" "Oh yes, I'd love that."

After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Uncle, would you mind driving in front of my house?" Shuaib smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile.

But Shuaib was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked. He ran up the steps.

Then in a little while Shuaib heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.

"There she is, uncle, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Eid and it didn't cost him a penny. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it...then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Shop windows that I've been trying to tell you about."

Shuaib got out and lifted the boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.

That Eid, Shuaib learned what Rasullallah(sallallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) meant when he had said: "Love for your brother what you love for yourself ".

Woman who lost eight relatives to 9-11 converts to Islam

Faith's friction

Taken from St. Petersburg Times, Florida, USA, Published: September 9, 2006
By Sherri Day (with contribution from Times researcher Cathy Wos)

A Tampa woman who lost eight relatives in the attacks converts to Islam as tensions simmer from the memories and new terror plots. But she presses on.

Her mother named her Elizabeth after the queen of England. More than four decades later, she took another name: Safia Al-Kasaby, reflecting her new identity as a Muslima.

Safia, 43, is an unlikely candidate for conversion. She claims Jewish and Puerto Rican ancestry.

She is a former sergeant first class in the Air Force National Guard. And she lost eight relatives - one uncle and seven cousins - in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Back then, Safia did not imagine the faith professed by the hijackers would one day become her own.

"It didn't really matter who did it," says the Tampa woman now, reflecting on the 2001 attacks.

"I just never hated Islam. I never hated Muslims. For me to be angry about what happened to the twin towers would be like me hating all the Germans that killed the Jews."

Safia embraced Islam last year, coming to the faith at a time when it is seemingly maligned anew with each new report of terror plots, wars in far away lands and dead American soldiers.

Like other Muslims, Safia feels the tension all around her: curious stares because she wears the hijab or head scarf and store clerks who ask for extra identification.

Just last month, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo turned down an initial request from Safia's Egyptian fiance for a temporary visa. Safia was certain bigotry played a role.

Her new faith also has widened the chasm among her Christian family. Her mother, three sisters and one of her daughters question her choice.

Safia presses on.

"For her to accept Islam, making that decision especially in this day and time, it says you're ready to step up and deal with the challenges of this journey," said Pat "Aliyah" Cruse, a fellow Muslima and 11-year convert.

***

Some demographers consider Islam to be the fastest-growing religion in the world. Of the 1.3-billion Muslims worldwide, 4.7-million live in the United States, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives.

One of the world's oldest religions, Islam has been in the United States for generations. But the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, thrust the religion and its adherents into the spotlight.

Before the attacks, American Muslims largely kept to themselves. Now, many feel the public expects them to answer for the actions of those who commit heinous acts in the name of their faith.

Across the country, some Muslims complain of stereotyping, racial profiling and discrimination.

Others pine for the days when Islam was rarely mentioned in headlines. Most dare not complain openly, religious and civic leaders say, for fear of being labeled unpatriotic or sympathetic to extremists.

"There's a certain sense of indignation to being treated the way they've been treated," said Imam Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society's Freedom Foundation in Washington, D.C. "There's a kind of rage. The challenge is to make that a healthy rage."

Many American Muslims say extremists misrepresent their faith. But convincing the public to separate Islam from terrorism at times seems an insurmountable hurdle.

Opinion polls back up what American Muslims say they feel every day: Masses of the U.S. populace view them negatively. In a USA Today/Gallup poll released in August, 39 percent of Americans said they feel prejudiced toward Muslims. Nearly one quarter of Americans polled said they would not want a Muslim as a neighbor. Another 39 percent want Muslims to carry special identification at all times and undergo enhanced security checks when boarding airplanes.

Anti-Muslim sentiment also has popped up in the Tampa Bay area, home to an estimated 45,000 Muslims. In 2002, federal agents arrested a Seminole podiatrist, Dr. Robert Goldstein, on charges of plotting to blow up a mosque.

Fearing for their wives' safety after Sept. 11, husbands of immigrant Muslim women pulled them out of leadership roles in Islamic women's groups. Fathers encouraged daughters to remove their hijabs in public to avoid harassment. Muslim women complained of verbal abuse in retail stores. One woman's hijab was ripped from her head by a customer in her husband's store.

Children get few passes. Last spring, athletic officials benched Temple Terrace's Briana Canty when she refused to remove her head scarf in an amateur youth basketball league tournament.

Rather than recognize Islamic holidays, the Hillsborough County School Board voted to rescind all religious holidays, a move it later reversed.

This is the new reality for American Muslims. Advances are often eclipsed by setbacks.

Quoting Charles Dickens, Ihsan Bagby, a leading Muslim demographer and associate professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Kentucky, said this is the best and worst of times for Muslims in America.

"This frustration, this pressure will ultimately produce positive results as Muslims continue to strive to become full members of this society," Bagby said. "Overall, everybody will look back at this period, they'll see this possibly as a turning point in the history of Islam in America."

***

Despite challenges for Muslims, Islam continues to grow, buoyed by births and new converts such as Safia.

Raised by her grandparents in Puerto Rico, Safia grew up in a home of melded cultures and faiths. Her grandfather was a Jew, who fled Germany during the Holocaust. Her grandmother was Catholic. Safia ultimately chose Judaism, a faith she believed was her birthright.

But Judaism eventually let her down, Safia said. In 1997, nearly destitute, she approached a North Tampa synagogue for help. Officials at the shul wanted to know if she was a member. She was not. They asked her if she was really Jewish.

"They said just because I had a relative along the line didn't make me Jewish," said Safia. "That was the first wall. That I wasn't pure."

Battling rejection, Safia left the synagogue. For eight years, she did not participate in organized religion.

She found Islam in 2005 on the third day of a Moroccan vacation.

"I just felt like God was there," she said, recalling her visit to a mosque during the call for prayer. "I said, 'This is it. I believe there is only one God. His name is Allah, and his messenger is Mohammed.' "

At first, Safia's family didn't take her seriously. And some colleagues at her banking job looked askance at her new Moroccan-inspired Islamic attire. Safia quickly toned it down, wearing scarfs only around her neck. She dared not pray at work.

Mostly, Safia kept her new faith at home, learning about her religion on Web sites and Islamic chat rooms.

Safia went to the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area in June and asked for the imam. She wanted to renew her shahadah, the formal declaration of the Islamic Creed. Safia also was out of work. The imam gave her a job managing the society's office. The group also stocked her refrigerator and paid her rent and electricity bill.

At last, Safia said, she had found a spiritual family. It helps blunt the sting of the rejection from her biological one.

Safia's eldest daughter, Sylvia, wants little to do with her. A Baptist and young military widow, Sylvia berated Safia when she showed up at her husband's funeral wearing a hijab and carrying a Koran.

At home in Town 'N Country, Safia raises two daughters. Ten-year-old Natalia says her mother's religion is cool. Ada, 18, appreciates Safia's transformation and doesn't put up with people who make fun of Islam or stereotype Muslims.

"I say, 'Wait a minute. My mom's a Muslim,' " Ada said. "She's not a terrorist."

Safia hopes the world will see her as an example of what Islam really is. Still early in her conversion, she is a Muslima in transition.

She studies the Koran and prays five times a day. She also wears makeup and has French-manicured acrylic nails. Sometimes she covers and sometimes - when she fears heckling or worse - she does not.

There are victories: Her fiance received his visa and the two married Friday.

She looks forward to the day when her religion is not an issue.

"I don't want to have whispers behind me, whispers in front of me," she said. "I want to be able to blend in, keep my faith and blend in."

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Useful reading:
Why I decided to submit? - The story of Angela Collins (from the USA), Source: Islamicity.com

Useful Viewing:
Family Member of 9/11 Victims Converts to Islam