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The Night Journey and the Ascension:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] The Meeting in The Seventh Heaven (Part 4) [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Angel Gabriel and Prophet Muhammad continued their miraculous ascension through the heavens.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This journey was far beyond the widest imagining of any human being.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It began in the deserts of Arabia and spanned the reaches of the known universe and beyond.[/FONT]
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At the gate of the seventh heaven, they exchanged the same questions and answers as in the previous heavens, and the angels declared their pleasure at meeting Prophet Muhammad. Permission to enter was given and the Prophet of God, accompanied by Gabriel, the angel trusted with the revelations of God, moved into the final heaven.[/FONT]
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The seventh heaven is an expression used by Christians to denote extreme happiness or bliss, as in “I am in the seventh heaven”.[/FONT]
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In Islam, the seventh heaven is where Prophet Muhammad met Prophet Abraham; and indeed, he (Muhammad) must have been extremely happy and in a state of bliss, having been honored with this journey of wonders.[/FONT]
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Both Prophets exchanged greetings by saying Assalamu alaikum (may peace be upon you) and, as every other Prophet had done, Prophet Abraham expressed his belief and faith in Prophet Muhammad’s mission...[/FONT]

The Meeting in The Seventh Heaven (Part 4) - His Life - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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The Night Journey and the Ascension: [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

The Prophet's Return (Part 6) [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To those whose faith was strong and true, the Power of God was obvious.

Some of those who found the whole story difficult to believe went to see Abu Bakr, the best friend and loyal supporter of Prophet Muhammad.

They asked him if he believed Prophet Muhammad traveled overnight to Jerusalem, and back to Makkah. Without hesitation Abu Bakr replied:[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]“If the messenger of God said so, then it is true”.[/FONT]
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It was because of this occasion that Abu Bakr earned the title As-Siddeeq (the foremost believer).
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The Prophet

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Home as a Knowledge Environment

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The home is a place where we spend a great portion of our lives. It is the place where our children grow up. It is where we spend the most time with those who are nearest and dearest to us.

It is imperative that the home is a healthy environment where everyone feels comfortable to speak, ask questions, and voice their opinions, especially about matters of faith.

Prophet Muhammad has given us a good example of how to cultivate such a home environment.

Once, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told `Ā’ishah: “Whoever is called to account on the Day of Judgement will be punished.”

It was `Ā’ishah’s habit, that whenever she heard something she did not understand, she asked about it straightaway. She said: “But doesn’t Allah say: ‘He will then be called to account with an easy reckoning.’?”

She was referring to Sūrah al-Inshiqāq: 7-11: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will then be called to account with an easy reckoning, and return to his people in happiness. ut as for he who is given his record behind his back, he will cry out for perdition... [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] The Prophet replied: “That is not the account itself. That is merely the presentation of deeds. Whoever has his account of deeds questioned on the Day of Judgement will be punished.”

Once, when the Prophet was spending the day at Hafsah’s house, he said to her: “I hope that, by Allah’s grace, none of the veterans of Badr and Hudaybiyah will enter the Hellfire.”

Hafsah replied: “But that can’t be. Doesn’t Allah say: ‘And there is not one of you but shall come to it; this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord.’?”

She was referring to Sūrah Maryam: 69-71: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Then We will most certainly draw forth from every sect of them him who is most exorbitantly rebellious against the Merciful One. And We certainly know best those who deserve most to be burned therein. And there is not one of you but shall come to it; this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] The Prophet responded by reciting the verse that comes immediately afterwards, verse 72 of Sūrah Maryam: “But Allah says immediately thereafter: ‘And We will save from it those who were God-fearing, and We will leave the unjust therein on their knees’.”

These are examples of the kinds of discussions the Prophet had with his wives. Indeed, his wives were intellectually alert and thought carefully about religious matters. The Prophet considered discussions and intellectual activity as a means to develop conviction and certainty of faith.

Our homes should likewise be places where people are free to express their opinions and at the same time have a willingness to learn.
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The Home as a Knowledge Environment | IslamToday - English

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It’s Original Mercy…Not Sin[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Allah, the almighty always comes to our rescue, spraying on us His blessing and directing us back to the root, to the foundation of our existence, when He first created us and placed us in the Garden of Eden, it was mercy…

Yes, man’s existence on earth is based on the divine mercy and blessing of God, and that is the source of his guidance. We cannot obtain guidance save through God’s mercy.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But does that mean the origin of man’s creation is blanketed with sin?[/FONT]
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I see that the answer is no. Man’s first disobedience and henceforth fall from heaven does not make his origin sinful, it’s rather a deviation from guidance, which is a product of divine mercy bestowed on man, even before his creation. Can’t we observe this in God’s address to angels when He referred to man as His “vicegerent on earth”? What an honor![/FONT]
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And later, when man was created, He blessed him with knowledge, i.e. full comprehension of many things, and with this he was lifted up in rank, and earning him another great honor of angels prostration, in an act of showing respect. This is another instance of divine mercy...[/FONT]

It

 

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Preparing for Ramadan:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rehab Yourself before Ramadan: The Prophetic Way [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Modern day rehabilitation centers, spas, and wellness retreats use multi-faceted programs incorporating strictly regulated diet, sleeping, fitness, and meditation routines to facilitate the recuperation, recovery and cure of participants.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The latter might be affected with a mental condition, substance abuse problems, addiction, or any other physical ailment. The result of this stint in “rehab” is that the entrant becomes “cleaned up” and “detoxified”, emerging a few weeks or months later with a healthier mind, body and spirit.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thankfully, God has, in His boundless mercy, already obligated a much better but similarly regimented program once a year for every Muslim.
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This program is known as “Ramadan”...[/FONT]

Rehab Yourself before Ramadan: The Prophetic Way - Fasting - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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In Search for Inner Peace:

The Present: The Forgotten Gift

This living paradox is maintained in equilibrium within our minds if we accept that both the past and the future are beyond our humanistic control. The equilibrium is threatened unduly if we provide either end of the life spectrum with time of unnecessary worry and uneasiness. When you focus into what we call ‘living a life’, one is able to conclude that sometimes our past robs us off our present.

Similarly, constantly burdening yourself with future worries deprives you of your present. Henceforth, when mankind should make use of the time provided, we are constantly chasing elements of life that cannot be outrun. What has gone can never return and what must come, will only do so on the will of God.

Turn to God in Trials

If and when we accept that a problem exists regarding our lack of ability to move forward by living the present, the responsibility falls upon us to search for solutions. The solution, as always, lies with God...

The Present: The Forgotten Gift - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Having Hope in a Better Tomorrow

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One of the things that has always given me the most peace through Islam is knowing that the past is just that; it stays where it is in God’s eyes, and the future is another day.[/FONT]
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We can make every day a new day through Du'a (supplication), through Tawbah (repentance) and by looking positively towards the future and working towards it.[/FONT]
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This awesome combination ensures that we can always have hope in a better tomorrow, either this world or in the next.[/FONT]
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So no matter how tough life gets, how many challenges Satan throws in our path, how many tests God sends us to get us to turn to Him, we have all the tools we need to be able to get through the rough spots, if we open our eyes and look for them in the right places...

[/FONT] Having Hope in a Better Tomorrow - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Taahir]

Ameen.

 

[Cordoba]

Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching

A smile really can go a mile. If only you knew….; and I’m pretty sure you do.

Greeting a brother/sister with a warm smile and a heartfelt ‘Salam’ is a quality that every believer should possess. It is an act of kindness; a charity and a Sunnah.

Ask the individual at the receiving end of that smile and that greeting of peace, the impact it has on their mood. The stress on their face melting into happiness as their day becomes that much more bearable and worthwhile merely from seeing a loving expression from a loved one...

Smile Though Your Heart is Aching - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Cordoba]

The Clash of Reason and Revelation: Reconciling Science and Scripture in Islam

An interesting talk by Muhammad Abu Taleb

Religion and revelation are often thought to clash with reason and science, but the Islamic worldview offers the opportunity to recognize the realm of each and deal with any perceived contradictions in a mature intellectual framework.

Explore the relation between each as we take a parallel journey to that of Albert Einstein in seeking to understand God and His Word.

[youtube]WUMOBQkt6BY[/youtube]

The Clash of Reason and Revelation: Reconciling Science and Scripture in Islam - YouTube

(66 minutes)

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Do You Want a Dignified Place in Jannah? [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I recall how Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited the sick without considering how they treated him indicating his forgiving and kind temperament.[/FONT]
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One day the Prophet passed by the house of a Jewish person who had made it a daily event to throw rubbish outside his house and noticed he was not there to throw the rubbish. On asking about him, he was informed that the person was in bed sick. The Prophet politely asked permission to visit the person who on seeing him was afraid that he had come there to take his revenge when he was unable to defend himself because of sickness.[/FONT]
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The prophet assured him that he had come to him, not to take any revenge, but to see and to look after his needs, as it was the command of God that if anyone is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed. Moved by this kindness and love of the Prophet the ill man accepted Islam at once.[/FONT]
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We should take this example and follow the Prophet's lead and be cheerful especially if the person we are visiting is seriously ill. The most important result of our visit may be to raise his or her spirits and give them hope and not be the bearer of bad news (for example don’t say I know someone who had the same illness but they died, some integrity please), but to remind them of the rewards of being patient during these trying times...[/FONT]

Do You Want a Dignified Place in Jannah? - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Cordoba]

The Month of Mercy & Forgiveness

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Forgiveness: The Gift in the Middle of Ramadan [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The fact that God talks about forgiveness shows how deficient human beings really are.

Humans do commit error and do engage in wrong doings, but there is an important facet to this flaw in our own beings, that we may be completed by turning back to God and asking for His forgiveness...[/FONT]

Forgiveness: The Gift in the Middle of Ramadan - Fasting - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Cordoba]

A Vision of Paradise:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This Worldly Life is Only a Transition [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Are you focusing on the big picture, the reason why we are fasting, the reason we and the world are going through all these tests and how we can please God through these tests?
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Or are you focusing on the pebbles on the path rather than the destination?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]{And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient...}(Al-Baqarah 2: 155) [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What are those glad tidings?[/FONT]
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They are the reward of Paradise for those who patiently persevere!
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you put more of your focus on that, wouldn’t it put the transitional nature of this worldly life into context and let it be seen as purely a means to an end?...
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This Worldly Life is Only a Transition - Fasting - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Golden Rule: Love for Others What You Love for Yourself

The Golden rule: treat others as you want people to treat you.

Brother Abdel Rahman in this video his reflections on one of the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who said:

"Love for people what you love for yourself"

[youtube]hwfVVbZxIpM[/youtube]

Content of Character - Hadith 6 - YouTube

[/FONT](6 minutes)

 

[Cordoba]

Ramadan's Treasures:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fasting in Ramadan and Developing Self-Control[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To non-Muslims, fasting in Ramadan may appear to be a time of hardship and deprivation, but that is not the experience of Muslims.[/FONT]
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There are at least five ameliorating factors that make fasting much easier than it appears. These are (1) the magic of intention, (2) the community spirit, (3) the ability of the human body to adapt, (4) social/cultural cooperation, and (5) divine help.[/FONT]
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The initial intention significantly reduces the perceived difficulty. Once one commits to fasting, it becomes much more doable and feasible. Knowing and seeing that fellow believers are fasting with you and sharing the early breakfast or the dinner with them strengthens the community spirit.[/FONT]
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Thirdly, the human body is amazingly adaptable. Within the first few days of fasting the body adapts to the new schedule and one does not feel hunger as one normally would...
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Fasting in Ramadan and Developing Self-Control - Fasting - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The First Jewish Rabbi Convert to Islam

Al-Husayn ibn Salam was a Jewish rabbi in Yathrib [Madinah] who was widely respected and honored by the people of the city, even by those who were not Jewish. He was known for his piety and goodness, his upright conduct, and his truthfulness. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Al-Husayn lived a peaceful and gentle life but he was serious, purposeful and organized in the way he spent his time. For a fixed period each day, he would worship, teach and preach in the temple. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Then he would spend some time in his orchard, looking after date palms, pruning and pollinating. Thereafter, to increase his understanding and knowledge of his religion, he would devote himself to the study of the Torah.
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In this study, it is said he was particularly struck by some verses of the Torah which dealt with the coming of a Prophet who would complete the message of previous Prophets. Al-Husayn therefore took an immediate and keen interest when he heard reports of the appearance of a Prophet in Makkah...[/FONT]


The First Jewish Rabbi Convert to Islam - Historical Biographies - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net​

 

[Indian Iconoclast]

Cordoba! Peace!

I have been studying Islam now for for more than two decades just to verify to what extent truth can be extracted from its Lectures (Koran) the traditions (Al Hadith: Sihhah Assiteh), the interpretations by Islamic scholars and clergy (Al Tafaaseer Anil Mufassireen: Jalaluddin Ibn Jalaluddin Assuyuti; Ibn Kathir et. al.,) and the biographies of the man Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdal Muttalib Al Hashmi Wal Qureshi who is famous as God's last messenger on earth in the eyes of his followings known as the Peaceful.

I have two very short questions to ask from you to either discover or more likely uncover the bitter truth from your faith that you are so marvelously visualizing in this thread.

1) Why does not your Koran allow your Muslim women to get married to the non Muslims such as the Jews and the Christians (as ordered in the verse Al Baqreh meaning the cow), and yet allows the Muslim men to marry (without converstion to Islam) Jewish and Christian women (Verse Al Maaideh meaning the concessions)? I write your Koran because I do not believe as billions on this earth, that Koran to be the true lectures of the Almighty to His (self proclaimed) last messenger Muhammad Ibn Abdullah.

2) Your Koran reads clearly and I quote a transliteration of the excerpt here "WA MAA MUHAMMADUN ABAA AHADIMMIR RIJAALIKUM ILLA RASOOLILLAHI....?" Translated in English as " AND MUHAMMAD IS NOT A FATHER TO ANY OF YOU MEN (THAT BELIEVE IN ISLAM) BUT GOD'S MESSENGER" at one place and again in another place it reads that (in translated English text) "AND AS FOR HIS (MUHAMMAD'S) WIVES, LET THIS BE KNOWN TO YOU THAT BELIEVE, TO BE REVERED AND RESPECTED AS THE MOTHERS OF THE FAITHFUL!" (AL UMMAHAATAL MU'MINEEN!) Now to a person refusing the claims of Muhammad Ibn Abdullah to be God's last messenger on earth, and the veracity of the Lectures (Koran) to be from God, a controversy stirs up in mind on this subject. I mean disbelief in a person is one thing, but the illogical construction of that persons' claim is quite another thing! A man is not considered father to any male in his following but his wives are to be considered as their mothers (although figuratively)! I mean what derogatory adjective in English is attributed commonly to men whose fathers are not considered to be in wedlock or married to their mothers? I resist from writing that six letter word here to preserve the sanctity and gentlemanly decorum of this illustrated forum. But that controversy leads to another double standard of the Peaceful in their history that needs to be revealed here!

The young ten year old widow of Muhammad, Aaisheh Bint Abi Bakr Assiddiq, who by the that very same decree of the Koran, was considered unfit for remarriage to any Muslim after the period of Iddeh (the abstention from conjugal state after divorce or widowhood of a Muslim woman) had passed, and she had to live a long and ripe age of celibacy, which Islam forbids strongly! She was only six years old when the decision was made to get married to the 50 year old Muhammad, was formally and religiously wedded (An Nikaah) when she was nine. only to be left an issue less widow in the year that was to follow. Their are countless traditions quoted from her of her successful sex life with her husband. How she and he used to take baths together with a very small amount of water but succeeded in wetting his and her bodies leaving not as much of a follicle of hair un-wet! How her copulations with him all ended in orgasms! Unfortunately those copulations did not result in motherhood for her! In any faith, society, congregation and following the institution of marriage is primarily based on bearing offspring and bringing them up with love. Islam propagates (as read in the Traditions) the early remarriage of widows and divorced women. Muhammad's very first marriage when he was of 25 years, was to a widow of 40 years, who was 15 years his senior and was twice widowed with children left from the earlier marriages. His other two marriages to virgins other than Aaisheh, were to Haffseh the teenaged daughter of Umar Al Farooq Ibn Al Khattab, and Mariah Qibtiyeh the Coptic slave gifted to him. These three women lived as unmarried and issue-less widows till death. Of the remaining known ten wives, all were either widowed or divorced by earlier husbands and had the good fortune of motherhood!

Your quoting the Traditions here with great verve and style convinces me that you shall do proper homework and answer my questions convincingly!

Peace again!

 

[Cordoba]

I forwarded your questions to (Ask About Islam)

They should get back to you with answers sometime this week

Best regards

 

[Cordoba]

Towards Finding Inner Peace:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Contentment: Sign of a True Believer [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Belief is the driving power that makes you feel content with things that have been destined for you.

Through belief, one can enjoy the blessings of this life and earn Allah's pleasure in the world to come.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Contentment is a sign of a true believer. When one is afflicted with catastrophes and shows patience and contentment and does not complain about his sufferings; be sure that he is indeed a true believer. By this, we are not saying that those who want to be richer, healthier, more famous, etc. are not believers. But they lack the complete understanding of belief.

Contentment does not mean that you do not feel the pains and trials of this life. You feel them, but you do not complain about them.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The virtue of contentment is closely connected with the virtue of putting trust in Allah. When one shows contentment with what he has got and does not foster envy or hatred towards others, he is certain that Allah will not let him down and there is a great reward awaiting him...[/FONT]

Contentment: Sign of a True Believer - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Cordoba]

New Muslims & Spiritual Challenges

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From MTV to Monasticism [/FONT]

by Lauren Booth

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This month, I have been reminded of the earthquake that can take place inside those who are placed, by Allah’s guidance, onto the path of faith.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I recently met a talented and beautiful TV presenter who works in the Bollywood scene. This lady is photographed at events in striking, rather revealing outfits, sporting dramatic hair and makeup. Music is on, and always has been, she told me ‘her life.’[/FONT]
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Suddenly, around a year ago at the height of fame (which she had so deliberately sought), her eyes onto the world began to change. More shockingly for this lady, her ears onto the world began to change too...

[/FONT]From MTV to Monasticism - Testimony of Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net